The town at the foot of the mountain is usually peaceful and harmonious, sparsely populated, and more like a corner forgotten by time. When they arrived at the inn, the dilapidated inn in front of them was full of life. Many foreigners gathered there, and the voices of various dialects intertwined together, creating a bustling noise.
The horse breeders with dark skin and muscles were busy brushing the horses. They carefully groom the horses that are their loved ones and their livelihood. Seeing Xiao Yan coming forward, he hurriedly asked: "Does this master want a horse?"
Shen Yue showed the token of Qingzong on Maoshan Mountain and asked about the abnormality last night.
The leader of the horse breeder spoke cautiously. Their town was built on Maoshan Mountain, and they were often protected and funded by the Qing sect on Maoshan Mountain. They respected these monks very much and regarded them as immortals, so they did not dare to speak nonsense easily.
"At around midnight this morning, a group of people in black armor woke me up and said that the horses needed to be fed. I observed them, and they were definitely not ordinary people. Each of them was riding a BMW horse that could travel thousands of miles a day. ! Before leaving, they gave me a bag of silver, which was a lot of money and very generous."
Shen Yue frowned after hearing this, "It's not like a Taoist man to rush on his way in such a hurry."
Xiao Yan nodded, "Maybe they are from the imperial court. Since Head Lu asked us to go to Jiankang, maybe they have really been taken back by the palace guards." Ding Lingguang stood aside and listened quietly, without saying a word Word.
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go to Jiankang now." Sun Youyue said. Ever since he learned that his precious apprentice and his apprentice's wife were missing, he had fallen into a state of anxiety.
"But you don't know that Jiankang City has not been peaceful recently." Chen Qingzhi interjected, "I have received news that people often disappear in the middle of the night. Could there be some monster causing trouble?"
"Never mind the dragon's den and the tiger's den, you have to find out first!" Xiao Yan always had a bad premonition in his heart.
Several people no longer hesitated and rushed towards Jiankang City.
Amidst the clouds and mist, the clothes of several people were making noises, as if they were banishing immortals to the world. The clouds rose. Ding Lingguang was dressed in white, as holy as a fairy. Cui Mingxuan's feet were surrounded by purple light, and he was flying with his sword. Only Sun Youyue was lying on the huge wine pot with disheveled hair, sometimes sighing, sometimes drinking alone in a depressed manner, looking a little out of place with the several young people around him.
As they get closer to their destination, the once prosperous Kyoto gradually reveals its shadow. However, what they saw in front of them stunned them. The liveliness and prosperity of Jiankang City in the past are no longer replaced by dead silence. The streets were deserted, and the usual crowds of people disappeared without a trace, leaving only an empty and silent city.
"This...is Jiankang?" Ding Lingguang was a little hesitant and looked at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's heart sank. This scene was something he had never seen in many years of living in Jiankang. The tall city wall still stands, but the city gate is closed, as if it has not been opened for many years. Familiar businesses and mansions have their doors tightly closed, and there is no sign of life through the cracks in the doors. Behind every door seems to be a closed world, hiding the former prosperity and excitement in the dust.
The group of people slowly landed over the city. They held their breath. This place had suddenly turned into a ghost town! Xiao Yan searched everywhere, hoping to find a clue of survival, but he could never find a living person. They stood on the city wall, overlooking the entire city, and their hearts were filled with endless sadness.
Shen Yue hadn't gone down the mountain for a long time. At this time, he also took Xiao Yan's opinion seriously, "Brother Xiao... what should we do?"
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and said, "Don't panic yet. I remember that the Jiankang Guards' barracks are stationed in the east of the city. The commander is my uncle of the Xiao family. Let's go there first and understand the situation before we discuss it!"
With some fear and vigilance, everyone headed towards the barracks stationed in the east of the city.
To the east of Jiankang City, there is a military camp guarding the city.
"Both officers, can you please be accommodating? I have something urgent to do and I need to meet with General Xiao!" With that said, Xiao Yan handed over the token of his Lanling Xiao family.
The two guards guarding the door looked at the group of people up and down, "Is this the Young Master of the Xiao family? Please stay a moment, and I will go and pass the message."
After burning incense, they entered the military camp under the leadership of an aide. The military camp was in order, and the soldiers were all ready. In the camp, a huge flag with the word "Xiao" fluttering in the wind. It was the military flag of General Xiao Daocheng. The scarlet color was domineering and warm.
In the command tent, Xiao Daocheng was carefully examining the city defense map. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and he seemed to be able to discern every subtle change. The atmosphere was very quiet.
The attendant came in a hurry with them. When he saw Xiao Yan's figure, Xiao Daocheng raised his eyes and said, "You bastard, I finally know you're back!"
Although his tone was reproachful, it also had a hint of love. Looking at the people behind him, all of them were majestic and extraordinary in appearance, I secretly admired them in my heart.
Xiao Daocheng bowed his hands to everyone present, without showing off his official authority at all, "My nephew, I have made you worry about it! Everyone, please take a seat."
"Uncle...General, what's going on in the city?" Xiao Yan wanted to call his uncle directly, but then he thought about it, after all, he was in a military camp, so he immediately changed his mind.
Xiao Daocheng sighed secretly, "You will know in the evening, and tonight you will patrol and defend the city with me."
"Could it be that the Northern Wei army is coming?" Xiao Yan asked again.
"Might as well be a human!" Xiao Daocheng's words made everyone confused. Is there something evil?
"General Xiao, the Buddhist and Taoist families have always taken it as their duty to kill demons. If there are really evil spirits in this city, we will definitely take the lead and do our best!" Sun Youyue was the first to speak.
Xiao Daocheng made friends with people from all walks of life and always had great respect for these monks. Since Jiankang City was surrounded by unknown monsters, the news in the city could not be conveyed, and there was no hope for reinforcements. He could only lead the city guards to patrol and guard day and night. Seeing that more and more soldiers turned into monsters, there were fewer and fewer normal soldiers under his command. , even though he has been on the battlefield for a long time, his body and mind are already a little unable to support him. Now that these Buddhist and Taoist masters are here to take charge, he has just calmed down. Hearing these words, he was even more happy.
He said respectfully: "Taoist Priest, I am dissatisfied with your statement that at night in Jiankang City, a large number of zombies will appear in the outer city. According to the investigation these days, these zombies are all mutated mutations of dead or dying people." Come, if it bites a living person, the person bitten will turn into a zombie soon! The poison of this zombie transformation is unheard of! Now the surviving people in the city have retreated into the inner city, and every house is closed. Therefore, With everything you saw today.”
Chen Qingzhi stood up and looked at Xiao Daocheng, "Where did this corpse poison come from? Is there something wrong with the water source in the city?"
Xiao Daocheng smiled bitterly, "The water source is clean, and we have sent someone to check it. This... it's a long story." He was a little secretive, and it was hard for everyone to ask, but Xiao Yan knew that it was possible to make this uncle show such an expression. , presumably there is a deep hidden meaning in it.
In this situation, it was really hard for Xiao Yan to tell the story about the disappearance of the eldest princess, which would add to Xiao Daocheng's troubles. However, Xiao Daocheng was a shrewd person and had already looked at a few people. He asked everyone to rest and prepare for the evening battle, leaving him alone. Let Xiao Yan speak.
"What did you say? The eldest princess is missing?!" Xiao Daocheng shouted, and Xiao Yan knelt down on one knee, "My nephew was careless and failed to take good care of the princess."
"Is this the only news about their arrival in Jiankang?"
Xiao Yan nodded, "Exactly. This is why the disciples and I came here. My nephew doesn't know about the city..."
Xiao Daocheng interrupted him, "The disappearance of the eldest princess needs to be kept strictly confidential, and no one in the court will know about it. As long as they arrive in Jiankang, I will be able to get to the bottom of this matter. Don't worry about it anymore." It’s over.”
He still had nothing to say, but seeing Xiao Daocheng rubbing his eyebrows and looking tired, he took the initiative to retreat and returned to the tent prepared for them. Night gradually fell...
