Those monster mutants not only became monstrous in appearance, but their ferocious movements and vigorous vitality also deeply frightened Wu Pingqiang and other aboriginal masters.
Even though Luoyang was frightened by the extremely exhausting momentum, Anfeiyu, Wu Pingqiang and others spent nearly two quarters of an hour to eradicate all these monster mutants and extinguish all hope of life.
Everyone went to the granary to put out a fire, but before they had time to slow down, they heard two pieces of bad news one after another from the communication jade tablet.
One is from Li Gong, and the other is from General Yin. On the other two routes, they both encountered monster mutants, but they failed to seize the opportunity and intercepted and strangled the monsters when they first appeared. Now there are nearly two hundred monsters in total. Humans are not humans, beasts are not beasts, they have all dispersed into the wilderness, destroying along the way and rushing towards Chang'an.
The pursuers on those two routes have divided their forces again and are chasing them one after another, but the situation is extremely not optimistic.
When they first heard the news, Wu Pingqiang, Jiang Jiusi and others subconsciously went to see Guan Luoyang. Guan Luoyang's performance just now left a deep impression and expectation on them.
But they soon realized that if those demons were still together, maybe Guan Luoyang could repeat his old trick, but now, they are all scattered. Unless there is a method of clone, even Guan Luoyang can't. We can only try to track and kill them one by one.
This arrangement of the people of the Demon Cult also seems to indicate that in the process of rushing to Chang'an, they have far greater patience and more urgent desire for destruction than expected in advance.
Before the main meal of the Chang'an assassination arrives, the chase that has to continue will be more tortuous and lengthy than imagined.
However, the destruction caused by those demons in various places also provided Guan Luoyang and his group with a target to rush to help.
The three jade communication tablets, coupled with the highest-level emergency communication channels of the Tang Dynasty Internal Guards all over the country, caused countless messages to fly like snowflakes on these paths leading to the Guanzhong Land.
In addition to the three groups of pursuers who originally set out from Dongdu, government offices and guards in various places also received reminders.
The sun was shining brightly, and the horse was galloping forward. .
The inner guard in black attire, carrying a bamboo tube containing urgent documents and sealed with red wax, looked at the ferry from horseback and saw that the fleet transporting food had already set off. Without any time to think, he flew away and grabbed the ferry. Got a small boat.
The boatman was startled by him, and just as he was about to ask, the inner guard had already smashed the oar into the water. The wooden oar mixed with internal force was not smashed randomly, but was obviously as skilled as these boatmen.
The white waves surged, and the boat shot away with arrows. The boatman lost his footing and fell into the water.
In a matter of moments, the boat had chased them several miles away and was less than a hundred feet away from the fleet transporting grain.
Suddenly, people on the fleet fell into the water one after another, not one or two, but dozens of people fell into the water on just one ship.
Starting from the ship on the far left side of the fleet, followed by the second and third ships, it seemed that they just blinked. When they looked again, more than a hundred armored soldiers had fallen into the water.
Someone on the remaining grain transport ship obviously noticed something was wrong, and the sound of warnings was heard directly a hundred feet away.
The grain escort held a red-tasseled gun in his hand. He jumped between the masts of several ships with the gun. He was agile and had extraordinary internal skills. As if he had discovered something, he fired his gun at one of the ships.
The inner guard in black could see that when the grain officer was in mid-air, the red tassel gun in his hand curved in a strong arc due to the sudden acceleration.
A burst of fire exploded from the gun blade, which mixed with the red tassel on the gun tip. It was bright and dazzling, and roared towards the cabin.
But just before it hit the cabin, a faint stream of cool water-colored sword energy flew out, cutting straight through the air and cutting off the gun and the person together.
It wasn't until after falling into the water that the grain officer's body was separated and stained with a large mass of red.
The cabin of the ship soon became riddled with holes. The sword energy inspired from the inside, some of which were small and sharp, would shoot through anyone who wanted to get close, no matter how brave the soldiers were, or how sophisticated the armor and weapons were. , in the face of such sword energy, they are as empty and fragile as paper.
Some sword energy, however, became larger the farther it flew, with cool water color and faint transparency. It cut off the corner of the bow of the ship, split open the cabins of other ships, cut off the masts, and even blasted a big hole from the side of the hull.
Those large ships loaded with food were flooded one by one, slowly tilting and sinking. The people on board either turned into corpses or hurriedly jumped into the water to escape.
A sword energy flew over from a distance, flying over a hundred feet, as if a huge glass flake flashed past.
The small boat that was still a hundred feet away from the grain transport fleet was split in two from head to tail, and then the split hull exploded into palm-sized wood chips, scattered on the surrounding water.
But the inner guard in black had already jumped into the water and disappeared.
In the only ship with hundreds of holes on the top but the bottom intact, many rice bags were torn open by sword energy, and purple-black rice grains poured down like running water.
Shao Lingxiao's sword finger dropped, and the flamboyant black robe became soft and docile. The hem of the robe touched the wooden board on the ground, and he watched the rice fall to the ground and accumulate into a hill.
On that day, the fire at the Luoyang Granary was put out too quickly. Although he did not witness it with his own eyes, Shao Lingxiao could easily estimate the damage caused by the fire.
——It should be about ten thousand stones.
This level, for a granary, may be enough to cause heartache. The symbolic meaning of the fire in the world's largest granary will also bring a lot of trouble.
However, only a small part of the Tang Dynasty's annual grain was classified as stored grain. If a small part of this small part were lost, it would be just a scratch for the entire Tang Dynasty.
It will be different after today. With the addition of this fleet, ten thousand dan will immediately become 1.01 million dan.
"The leader."
Zhu Linlang walked into the cabin, clasped his fists and saluted, and said, "This is the only ship left in the entire fleet."
Shao Lingxiao nodded, stepped forward, and caught the flowing rice grains with his right hand. He quickly caught a handful, and the cool and dry rice continued to slide down from the periphery of his palm.
He took back his hand, lowered his head and sniffed the handful of rice, and smiled inexplicably. He turned his palm sideways and watched the rice grains slipping down, leaving many purple pink marks on the skin of his palm.
This kind of purple-black rice is not dyed this way, but is a naturally occurring ancient food that looks the same on the outside.
The southwest has a long history of growing rice. The unique climate and environment among the terraces with gurgling water encourage the local production of grains with plump grains and mellow aroma.
However, differences in varieties, regions, and cultivation levels have divided the most ordinary food crops into many grades. The most high-end is this kind of purple rice.
small book booth
In the Southwest Liuzhao land, all kinds of fragrant rice, including purple rice, were paid tribute to the Demon Sect General Altar every year.
Shao Lingxiao still remembers that when this batch of tribute rice was first delivered to the main altar every year, according to the rules, part of it would be allocated to those believers who did not have enough rank but were diligent and worthy of praise. They were often accompanied by some coins and Rewards of elixirs and exercises.
When he was a child, he liked to go to the cliff behind the Demon Sect's main altar at that time, overlooking the mountains. Looking down, he could only see mountains and abyss. Looking in the distance, he could only see vast rocks and forests, but a hundred, A thousand, until the uncertain number of smoke, will eventually exceed the peak of Cangdai, until it connects to the clouds in the sky.
At that time, the old and somewhat forgetful master would never tire of telling him that in the Liuzhao Kingdom and the Hundred Thousand Mountains, wherever smoke rises, they are his future people who will support the sect. The place of worship is the soil that breeds people with boundless freedom.
"Messenger from the West, when I made the plan to burn down the granary, Motian decided to let you carry it out. As expected, you didn't hesitate at all when you took over the task."
Shao Lingxiao's expression still had the aftertaste of reminiscing about the past, "But I'm a little curious now. Do you really have no objections to our behavior?"
Huo Luo Dao, an organization that is now regarded as a remnant of the Demon Cult by outsiders, actually came to the Central Plains from the Western Regions a generation ago.
Among the branches they set up in various places, many of the lower-level congregants were natives of the Tang Dynasty.
But among the real senior leaders of the General Forum, until Ye Motian implemented reforms and compiled various new canons, more than 90% were still controlled by people from the Western Regions.
Today, 50% of their senior management are evil masters who have been recruited in recent years, 30% are from the Western Regions, and 20% are former members of the Demon Sect.
Zhu Linlang is a native of the Western Regions. Although he is completely dressed as a commoner from the Central Plains, his smoky blue beard and hair can still be seen as the outline of his facial features is slightly different from those of the Central Plains.
Compared with those evil people from the Central Plains, a Westerner like him can better understand Shao Lingxiao's mood.
Many countries in the Western Region are in the midst of perennial conquests. Because each country's territory is not large, and some even only have one or two earthen cities, the destruction of the country is a relatively common thing for the people there.
However, there is no big difference in the hearts of people regardless of the size of the state.
Some countries in the Western Regions that were lucky enough to survive for more than a hundred years have already formed an identity with their own country. When they were annihilated, the remaining people's desire for revenge was also so great that they did not hesitate to destroy what they saw. Everything is burned up.
Compared with these old demon sects, the only difference is that the subjugated people in the Western Regions often do not have the ability to put the largest and most destructive ideas into practice, and most of their opponents are limited to desert oases. A country, not a vast empire like the Tang Dynasty.
Whenever Zhu Linlang thought of this, she felt like she wanted to sigh.
After Ye Motian's drastic reforms, Huo Luo Dao's strength has expanded to this point in the past ten years. If you are willing to go to the Western Regions, even if you unite all the countries, it will not be impossible to form a country more powerful than the Liuzhao in ten or twenty years. .
It's a pity that because Zhu Linlang can understand that feeling, he understands how difficult it is for Shao Lingxiao to regain his ability to move and Ye Motian to regain his confidence in revenge and to take their eyes away from their enemy. One thing...even the Tang Dynasty is the same.
"The deputy leader has been very kind to me. Fifteen years ago, I made an oath that I would go through fire and water for him for the rest of my life, no matter what."
In the end, Zhu Linlang just answered like this.
"Fifteen years ago, oh, was it because of the incident in Kucha Kingdom?"
Shao Lingxiao clapped the purple rice noodles on his hands and said, "Kiuci Imperial Master was lucky enough to reach the level of a master. He had some ambitions and wanted to suppress the surrounding tribes. As a result, one of them was during the time of sacrifice. At that time, he broke in, destroyed the most sacred customs in history, and even fought to the death. As a result, he massacred the entire clan..."
Zhu Linlang heard this matter again after so many years. She still tightened her fingers a little, almost into fists, and said, "The leader also knows about this matter?"
"You were not an envoy at that time, and Xu Miyuan was not willing to take revenge for you guys. After Motian heard about this, he took you to assassinate that person."
Shao Lingxiao shook his head, "Then do you know that Motian was not entirely for you, but because the method used by that person to become a master was spread from our sect's treasure book, and there have been several generations of masters in the sect. , are all achieved through the Sword Art of Life and Death, rather than having mastered that method."
"Mo Tian was very dissatisfied. He felt that no one within the sect could achieve it, and people outside the sect were even less worthy. He sent fourteen letters to me in a row, so I went to learn the technique and then told him what to do. Only then can one kill the person who became a master with that method.”
Zhu Linlang didn't look surprised.
When Ye Motian told others that it was the Kucha Imperial Preceptor who happened to be possessed by a maniac, he gave them the opportunity to assassinate him. However, as a follower, he had repeatedly recalled it over the years and had already guessed that that man would be possessed by maniacs and follow Ye Ye. Ferris has nothing to do with it.
"In any case, the kindness of the deputy leader is real. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be able to take revenge even today."
Shao Lingxiao smiled and asked, "Then do you think we can take revenge? Tell the truth."
Zhu Linlang pondered for a moment and then replied: "When the leader fully recovers from his injuries, we should be 60 to 70 percent sure of assassinating the emperor."
Shao Lingxiao asked again: "Is it enough to only take revenge on one emperor?"
Zhu Linlang said: "If you want to take revenge on the entire Tang Dynasty, compared with the current actions, it is better to go to the Western Regions, unify the countries, and then slowly plan for it after it becomes stronger."
Shao Lingxiao: "Even if we can conquer and unify the barren land of the Western Region, if we want to train our troops to become stronger, it will take at least 20 years of hard work. It has already been ten years. In another twenty years..."
Twenty years is not a long time for a top master.
Shao Lingxiao does not lack this kind of patience. If he is willing to express his opinion, then Ye Motian will only follow this opinion.
Unfortunately, there are many, many people who cannot wait twenty years.
Shao Lingxiao didn't say these words anymore. He slashed down with his sword and sank the ship carrying tribute rice. He stepped on the wooden planks and took Zhu Linlang across the river.
On the other side of the river, Qiu Ruzui, four attendants including piano, sword, book and umbrella, were already waiting there.
Shao Lingxiao led them along the coast. When he saw the outline of the city wall, he stayed away from the river and turned towards the city gate.
They were supposed to pass through the city, but when they passed by a restaurant, a fragrant aroma came from inside. Shao Lingxiao looked sideways and seemed to be attracted by the aroma, leading everyone into the restaurant.
The main room of the restaurant is very spacious. In addition to the guests at tables and chairs, there are also many waiters walking in a hurry. There are many wine jars piled near the counter.
What's unique is that there are several small stoves placed in a corner of the main room, and some waiters are grilling things covered with barbed wire.
Snow-white beef tendons, bright red beef and mutton, and tender yellow goose wings soon turned oily and yellow in their hands. When the oil and water dripped, the charcoal flame lowered slightly, and when it rose, it also brought out a little bit. Burnt aroma.
But the most eye-catching thing is not these things, but a bright red mushroom.
The spices were scattered and the charcoal fire was messy, but they couldn't cover up the bright red color that appeared more and more on the fire after the mushrooms were sliced.
When Qiu Ruzui saw these things, she stroked her flat belly and said, "I'm really hungry. Leader, what can I eat?"
Shao Lingxiao sat at the table of his choice, pointed at the mushrooms, and said, "Let's have that one first."
The clerk in the store saw that they were extraordinary, and one of them had already been waiting nearby. He immediately said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you have good eyesight. This red fairy is the only one in the world, but it is a treasure that can only be found in the forests of the Western Mountains here. It can only be found in May and June every year.”
"And this red fairy grows extremely slowly when it first emerges from the soil and is hidden under dead leaves. If you are not careful, it will be trampled and damaged. Once the time comes, it emerges in the rain and grows very fast. It will grow in two days. Within an hour, if it grows to the size of a baby’s fist, and the umbrella cover becomes fluffy, rolled, and aged, it is inedible and must be picked in time.”
"There is only one in heaven and on earth. Ha, among the hundreds of thousands of mountains in the southwest, things like this are not uncommon." Shao Lingxiao said, "But these are indeed picked just right."
The waiter smiled broadly: "Your Majesty, you are really well-informed. You know everything in the mountains."
Qiu Ruzui ordered a few more things, and the waiter went to work.
The guests at the next table were drinking and started talking about sex.
One of the one-eyed men with a dart bag on his waist said to the people at the same table: "Speaking of Shiwandashan, something has caused a lot of fuss recently..."
The person sitting opposite him spoke quickly: "I know, back then, the leader of the Southwest Demon Sect returned to the world, Laojun Mountain was raided, and Master Tianfang fought with the leader of the Demon Sect, shattering the void. I heard about this two days ago. That Demon Sect It was the Huo Luo Tao who taught the remnants to collude, and the division commander of our sect had already contacted the people of the inner guard a while ago. He launched an attack and uprooted a Huo Luo Tao branch in Weizhou. I heard that there were also cases in various places. There are many factions taking action.”
The one-eyed man sighed: "You are already old about this matter. Just now, I heard with my own ears at the government office that the demon sect really created a group of demons, with hair, horns, and scales. It’s a strange situation, taking many routes from Dongdu to Chang’an, burning, killing and cannibalizing people along the way, doing all kinds of evil.”
"The government office is going to mobilize all the people to look after the granary. I'm going to go there after I finish the wine."
The person at the opposite table was stunned: "There is still this matter, so why don't you invite me?"
"Hehehe, isn't that what I'm saying? It would be great if Brother Li is willing to go."
The one-eyed man picked up the wine glass and said, "When we finish drinking this pot, we will go together."
Shao Lingxiao looked at them with great interest and said: "My dear brothers, I heard that the monster from the Demon Cult is thick-skinned and powerful. He is comparable to a first-class master, and he can really eat people. How dare you? Not afraid at all?"
The one-eyed man smiled boldly and said: "This brother is here to invite you. It is said that the right person will get more help, but the wrong person will get less help. Although the demon sect is vicious, after all, it is single and weak."
"How many bloody men in our various places, even if first-class masters are rare, have gathered together after being reminded, waiting for work, outnumbered by enemies, united in one mind, and even if they want to kill one or two monsters, what should they be afraid of?"
Shao Lingxiao greatly agreed and said: "That's right. The Devil's Cult has so many masters. It's just a matter of gathering together and sneaking into Chang'an. Instead, they have to divide their troops to kill and plunder. It's really stupid."
"In today's world, apart from the borders, there are several routes and areas between Dongdu and Chang'an. The martial arts sects are the most prosperous, with many masters. In the past, Cui Lingfang, the Duke of Qinghe County, seemed to have such a saying , said that 70% of the masters of the Tang Dynasty are in Guanzhong."
He sighed slightly again when he said this, "But I also heard that most of the masters in Guanzhong are wise enough to protect themselves. It is very difficult to establish oneself in the thousand-mile golden city and the land of abundance. They are all wise people. Are they willing to take risks?"
"The Tang Dynasty was a country of etiquette. They restrained their actions on weekdays, not because they were afraid of getting into trouble, but because they cared about etiquette."
There was a voice outside the door, taking over this question and answer.
The unusually handsome musician, dressed in brocade and holding a pipa in his hand, stepped into the main room of the restaurant. He looked at Shao Lingxiao with a pair of eyes as deep as water and said, "The demons released by the demon sect this time set fire to warehouses, spread to people's houses, and ate food." They chewed human flesh, chewed human bones, and swallowed whole pieces into their stomachs. Wherever they passed, the bloody and tragic scenes were unbearable to see."
"The etiquette of Guanzhong will never be imposed on them, and the swords of Guanzhong will never begrudge their heads."
Shao Lingxiao put his hands on his hands and smiled and said: "The three armies serve their orders, serve their merits, and dare to fight to the death. The war was like this ten years ago, and it is not worth talking about. But if the civilian masters act spontaneously ten years later, they will dare to face the monsters and die without mercy. Then I really should toast them.”
The musician stroked the strings with his hand and said: "I'm afraid we can't bear the leader's wine. If you really have some hostile respect, how about asking the leader to listen to my song?"
"Chang'an's pipa is famous far and wide, but just listening to the music is too dull. Let's make a bet."
Shao Lingxiao said, "You have been separated from your friends for the time being, but you seem to think that there is no shortage of your comrades in Guanzhong. Then bet that when your song ends, how many strangers will dare to stand next to you. How many people, I promise not to take action for a few days."
The people at the table with the one-eyed man had long sensed that something was wrong, their expressions changed, and they stood up with their hands on the dart bag: "What on earth are you..."
Shao Lingxiao picked up a chopstick and knocked it on the wine glass.
Ding!
A circle of ripples spread out and expanded into a loud rumbling sound. The roof of the restaurant exploded and flipped over in all directions. The doorposts and walls were all knocked down, and tables, chairs and bodies rolled away.
The one-eyed man and others, with their heads and feet as two ends, rolled around for more than ten times like a windmill. When they landed, they felt that their injuries were not serious and they only vomited two mouthfuls of blood.
"Go and spread the message throughout the city. Go and spread the message outside the city to find those who you think dare to come."
They hear this sound.
"Shao Lingxiao is here, who dares to look for him?"
