Yan Xinglie's sword failed to cut down after all.
Relying on the scholar's plan, the dark clouds that had been following behind them temporarily dissipated, and several people had enough energy to find a place to rest temporarily.
However, what was supposed to be a time for toasting and celebrating came to an imperfect end because of the words of the White Lotus Saint by the lake.
After arriving there, Yan Xinglie had been looking gloomy. This decisive man actually became hesitant.
At the moment, he is guarding the wing where the White Lotus Saint is housed, and is not going in. He is just pacing back and forth at the door. Sometimes he holds the hilt of the sword and gnashes his teeth, sometimes he shakes his head and sighs.
"If you are in a hurry to kill her, you can go in and kill her with a sword if you are not in a hurry."
Li Changan raised two jars of old wine and a bunch of side dishes he bought conveniently.
"You might as well have a drink with me first."
The two of them sat down in the pavilion in the courtyard.
Even if the bearded man didn't say anything, Li Changan wouldn't bother to ask.
He just pushed the cups and changed them in silence for a long time, until the cups and plates were in a mess, the bearded man put down the wine glass again, and was lost in thought for a while, then finally spoke.
"Does the Taoist priest know about this thief Li Kuiqi?"
The Taoist priest nodded.
He really knew a thing or two about this man. The world is in chaos, and the small court in Chang'an is unable to command the local area. There are many warlords fighting in various places. In small cases, they occupy mountains and establish strongholds, and in large cases, they annex prefectures and merge counties. This Li Kuiqi is a powerful one in the north.
"The Taoist Master must have noticed that Yan was born in the military."
Li Changan didn't answer, waiting for Yan Xinglie to continue talking.
He poured a glass of wine, but didn't take it for a long time. His expression became more and more dazed, and the focus of his eyes became more and more unfocused, as if he was immersed in the past and couldn't extricate himself.
"Back then, I served in Northern Xinjiang and served as the captain of Zhechong in Pinglu Prefecture, leading the children from my hometown to resist the Turks. At that time, Li Kuiqi, Cheng Liang and I were both in the army. We were brothers and were known as the Three Tigers."
When he mentioned these two names, his body trembled slightly.
"That year when the Turks invaded the border, I led troops to fight, leaving Li Kuiqi to guard Pinglu. Although the rebel army was strong, but with the joint efforts of the soldiers, the war situation gradually turned dangerous. Seeing that victory was in sight, unexpectedly that traitor Li Kuiqi actually raised an army. Rebellion! The enemy is in front of us, the way back is blocked, there is no food and grass, and the soldiers are dead and wounded on the way back. The children in my hometown are almost ready to die in one battle. I have pity on my wife, children, and children who are trapped in Pinglu City."
He didn't say anything about what was going on at home. He just crushed the wine glass in his hand into pieces, and then crushed it into powder. The wine mixed with it was like blood dripping from his heart.
"I felt ashamed to see my brother Paoze in the army and my elders in my hometown, so I resigned from the army. But how can I not avenge the hatred of my country and my family?! After living in the rivers and lakes, I planned to ambush the thief many times, but suddenly the thief suddenly appeared next to me. There are many more evil demon guards, and now I think they are the White Lotus Sect. Not to mention that they have been working in vain again and again, but they have cost the lives of several relatives and friends."
At this point, Yan Xinglie, who was getting more and more excited, suddenly coughed violently.
"Brother Yan," the Taoist priest frowned in concern.
"It doesn't matter." The bearded man waved his hand, "It's an old habit, it doesn't matter."
When he was about to pour the wine, he realized that the wine glass had been crushed by himself, so he drank most of it with his head raised from the wine jar.
"After that, I learned the hard way and realized that I could not avenge myself with swords, bows and crossbows, so I joined the Sovereign Division. Do you still remember my bronze sword?"
The Taoist priest nodded. He still remembered that ferocious bronze dagger.
"That sword was the one I found to fight against the demons of the White Lotus Sect. It was made using the ancient sword immortal's method of refining flying swords. It is extremely ferocious and can kill demons, cut gold and jade with ease! It's a pity that it is so powerful. It was with the help of Zhenfusi's power, but after nearly ten years, the materials are still lacking, and the sword is still just a sword embryo."
Sword embryo? !
Li Changan couldn't help but be stunned. Such a murderous weapon was only a semi-finished product?
Yan Xinglie nodded. When he mentioned this sword, although his tone was troubled, it also somewhat cheered him up.
"Taoist Priest Li also saw it. That day in the tiger demon's lair, I forced it to kill the pig demon. In the blink of an eye, it was about to break free and bite me, its master."
Yan Xinglie was still shaking his head, but Li Changan understood the reason for his hesitation and depression.
Listening to his story, after the fall of Pinglu City, he actually lived for revenge for the rest of his life. But now, on the one hand, the enemy's daughter is right in front of him. Even if he kills her, he cannot be called revenge, but it can comfort the anger in his heart a little. On the other hand, the bearded man is almost stubborn about the word "loyalty". If he kills her, The White Lotus Demon Girl, on the one hand, betrayed his duty, and on the other hand, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Zhenfu Si Paoze, who died for this matter.
Therefore, I am wandering and tossing and turning.
Li Changan thought for a while, remembered some of his travel experiences, and comforted:
"I heard that the imperial court appointed famous generals to conquer Li Kuiqi, but his people were retreating steadily and their destruction was imminent."
"It's just false talk." Yan Xinglie shook his head, "Although the general is a famous general in the world, the combat effectiveness of his officers and soldiers is worrying, and there are many constraints in the court. The previous high-altitude songs and triumphant advances were just Li Kuiqi's strategy to shrink and stand firm. Behind the traitor There are Turks as reinforcements, so the outcome is still a matter of uncertainty."
As he spoke, he suddenly let out a long sigh, and this breath seemed to let out all the depression in his body.
He bowed his hands to the Taoist priest and said:
"Thanks to the food and wine from the Taoist priest, Yan also figured it out."
"Isn't it a man's behavior to vent his anger on someone's children?!"
Yan Xinglie's face was as high-spirited as before.
"How can you take revenge on others and wait for the court to suppress the rebellion?!"
"I have made up my mind. I just want to escort the demon girl to Qianfo Temple. So I put aside this old face and returned to the army to serve under the general. Even if I am just a big soldier, I will personally cut off Li Kuiqi's head. Brain!”
"Come!"
He grabbed the wine jar and realized with embarrassment that the two jars of old wine were all draining his sorrow. As for the Taoist priest, the cup is almost dry.
"But it's Yan who lost his composure. I heard that there is a Huiyanlou nearby that sells good wine and meat. I would like to trouble the Taoist Priest to look at the witch while I go buy some."
After saying that, he was about to stand up, but was stopped by Li Changan raising his hand.
"not busy."
The Taoist priest moved his nose and smiled.
"The food and wine will be delivered to your door."
Immediately, a hearty voice came from outside the yard.
"I only know that Taoist Li is quick with his sword, and he can pinch and count even if he doesn't expect it."
"It's just a good nose."
The Taoist priest smiled and turned around, and the scholar pushed the door in with wine and food in hand.
Although Han Zhiwei is a descendant of Longhu Mountain, Ziyun only learned magic, but did not enter the Taoist sect. He also passed the scholar examination, but unfortunately he failed, so it is appropriate to call him scholar.
After that night, the scholar asked ghosts and gods to send the two of them and the White Lotus Saint to the shore, but he was kept by the city god, saying that he was helping with some official affairs.
The two of them stayed here, on the one hand to repair, and on the other hand, waiting for him to meet up again.
The three of them sat down in the pavilion again, put on new food and drinks, and were not busy arguing about the White Lotus Demon Girl. They just set up the Dragon Gate Formation in the north and south, and then started eating and drinking.
Finally, when he was full of wine and food, the scholar leaned on the pillar of the pavilion, broke off a grass stalk and picked his teeth, while stroking his belly, he complained:
"This Pingye City God is so narrow-minded that he kept me for a long time before letting me go back to the world. Unfortunately, I haven't had a drop of water or rice since last night. I was so hungry that I felt dizzy and almost died. I really went to work in the underworld."
He rambled on for a while, looking at both of them looking calm and not showing any sign of being unable to sit still. Then he put away his frivolous look, sat upright, and said to the two of them, cupping his hands.
"To be honest, I came here for two things."
"The first is to say goodbye to both of you."
Li Changan remained calm, and as expected, he continued:
"Second, I beg Brother Yan to kill the White Lotus Witch."
Li Changan laughed a little, thinking that if you had come a moment and a half earlier and took advantage of the bearded man's hesitation, you might still be able to get his acquiescence, but now?
"Brother Han's help is something that Yan cannot repay even if his body is broken into pieces. However, the matter of the demon girl is really his duty and it is difficult for him to obey his orders."
The scholar's expression was calm, and he had obviously guessed this answer. But since he was here to make a last-ditch effort, he naturally wouldn't give up easily.
He pondered for a long time:
"Do you two know your fault?"
Although Big Beard has an official background, he is still a monk by the wayside. After hearing these words, he just shook his head in confusion. Li Changan had heard Liu Laodao mention it a few times, but he didn't know the details. He said half as a reminder and half as a question:
"Da Nuo?"
"Da Nuo" is a ritual popular among the people and even in the palace to ward off epidemics and avoid evil spirits. Specifically, it is to imitate the ancient god Fang Xiangshi and drive the twelve divine beasts to devour the plague ghosts from all directions, thus intimidating Xie Chong and keeping him away from the world.
At this mention, Yan Xinglie suddenly realized, and the scholar nodded in agreement. The latter also clapped his hands and sang the "Song of Twelve Beasts Eating Ghosts" from Nuo opera:
"Jia eats miscellaneous food, eats tigers with his stomach closed, Xiong Bo eats evil spirits, Teng Jian eats unlucky, and accepts all food faults, Bo Qi eats and dreams, Qiang Liang and Zu Ming eat together, causing death and parasitism. Qiongqi and Tenggen eat Gu together. Whenever the twelve gods are made to chase evil spirits, they will humiliate your body, pull your trunk, cut off your flesh, and pull out your lungs and intestines. Don't rush away, the latter will be food!"
The scholar continued.
"When people in the world hear the word plague ghost, they think they are all evil spirits spreading plague. In fact, this is not the case. These eleven plague ghosts all appeared in the world in response to various disasters in the world. They are immortal and immortal. They are called ghosts, but they are actually gods. , the plague is just one of them. For example, Jiu came into the world in response to the disaster of swords and weapons in the world. He likes killing and is fond of war."
Hearing this, Li Changan's expression changed.
"White Lotus Sect?"
Isn't it? The White Lotus Sect is a well-known troublemaker in the world. Their favorite thing is to stir up trouble and start wars everywhere. It is quite similar to the scholar's description of "blame".
The scholar also nodded.
"At the beginning of the founding of our dynasty, when the world was at peace, Jiu fell into the hands of the White Lotus Sect for some unknown reason, and was managed to seal it into the body of the White Lotus Saint at that time. From then on, the White Lotus Sect rapidly expanded into the number one cult in the world. , and in order to feed the plague ghosts, they have continued to provoke wars for hundreds of years and now."
The scholar looked at the two of them with bright eyes.
"The opportunity to cut off the foundation of the White Lotus Sect is right in front of us!"
After listening to these words, the Taoist priest also roughly understood that the fault must be within the body of this generation of White Lotus Saint. No wonder the White Lotus Sect has mobilized so many people, and even its own young master has been involved. I also understand why the judge was frightened under the lake last night.
"It's just that" Li Changan is still a little confused, "killing the demon girl, doesn't it also release the plague ghost and let it cause trouble in the world?"
The scholar shook his head:
"Taoist Priest, do you think the world will collapse because of a plague ghost?"
"Won't."
"Then, will the world be at peace again because of a plague ghost?"
"Won't."
"Of course." The scholar nodded and said, "Heaven's actions are consistent."
He turned to ask Yan Xinglie again.
"Brother Yan, in your opinion, which one is more harmful to the world, the White Lotus Sect or the Yi plague ghost?"
The bearded man didn't hesitate.
"White Lotus Sect."
The scholar then put his palms together and smiled.
"In this case, releasing a plague ghost will only add scabies, and killing a demon girl will eliminate a big problem. Why not?"
The scholar was right, but Yan Xinglie still said the same thing.
"I'm sorry to have to obey."
Now the scholar was almost anxious, but the bearded man raised his hand to signal the other party to calm down.
"Brother Han doesn't know that Yan's trip is to escort the demon girl to the famous Thousand Buddhas Temple to fill in the Demon Transformation Cave. If nothing else, as long as you enter the cave, even the demons in the Nine Nethers can escape. No, I can only wait until death, let alone a mere witch. In this way, the foundation of the White Lotus Sect can be cut off, and the plague ghost will not be allowed to harm the world. Isn't it the best of both worlds?!"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, the scholar looked at the bearded man with a strange expression for a long time, until he frowned, and then said:
"Brother Yan, don't you know?"
Big Beard and Li Changan looked at each other, and both smelled a hint of uneasiness in the scholar's words.
"Brother Han might as well say it clearly."
The scholar pondered for a moment, as if he was organizing his words and trying to soothe his mood.
"Do you two know that this White Lotus Saint is the daughter of Pinglu Li Kuiqi?"
It turns out to be this!
Both of them had strange expressions on their faces and just nodded. The scholar didn't pay attention and just revealed another shocking news.
"Then Li Kuiqi is accepted by the court and granted a title of lord and general, and the White Lotus Demon Girl will become a noble daughter of a prince!"
The Taoist priest immediately let out a thump in his heart. The bearded man was now counting on following the imperial court to quell the rebellion and take revenge. If the other party was recruited, Li Changan looked worriedly, but found that the bearded man started to laugh instead.
"What kind of joke did Brother Han make?"
The scholar said solemnly: "Every word is correct and there are absolutely no lies."
"That's because I heard the rumors." Yan Xinglie still didn't believe it, but he explained, "Back then, Li Kuiqi led the Turks south, invaded Prince Yan's Mansion, and cooked Prince Yan. Today's emperor is the son of Prince Yan, and he has no intention of killing his father. We live together, how can we possibly recruit people?"
However, the scholar sneered:
"If it is the emperor who is in charge of the affairs of the court, then it is not allowed. But no one in the world knows that the little emperor on the dragon throne is just a fake emperor, and the great eunuch Yu Huai'en standing next to him is the real emperor."
"Impossible!" Yan Xinglie suddenly changed his expression, "How dare you risk the disapproval of the world!"
"Why don't you dare?"
The scholar's tone also became more intense.
"It was rumored all over the world that Li Kuiqi had given all the wealth he had collected from the North over the past ten years to Yu Huai'en. The cart loaded with rare treasures, writings, antiques, gold, silver and jade entered Mingde Gate via Zhuque Street and entered Yongyefang. , walked for a whole day and night!"
"What about the general? It's impossible for the general to agree."
"The general was convicted and imprisoned."
The scholar spoke so excitedly that he didn't realize that the bearded man opposite him had a red face and a shaky body.
"Then Li Kuiqi is heading to Chang'an City to be granted the title of Pinglu Jiedu Envoy and Huaiyuan Marquis. Counting the days, I'm afraid he will soon reach Juzhou City!"
"The traitor is coughing!"
"Brother Yan?"
"puff."
Yan Xinglie vomited blood and fell to the ground.
"How's it going, doctor?"
This famous miracle doctor, the little old man who was half-invited and half-tied, said with a cold face:
"It's too late. The disease is terminal and there is no cure."
"Then you can still live."
The scholar looked ashamed. He always felt that it was his mistake that had offended Yan Xinglie.
"The strong men inside have old diseases in their lungs, and their bodies are covered with many old wounds."
Speaking of the patient, the little old man's expression softened.
"This time the anger hits my heart and explodes all at once. If I can hide and rest, I may be able to lie down for a year and a half, but if I can't"
The old man prescribed some prescriptions to kill himself, then ignored the scholar's repeated accusations and walked away.
The Taoist priest organized his words in his mind and opened the door.
Yan Xinglie put on his armor, long bow and heavy sword, and stood proudly behind the door.
