There are no roads in the mountains, so we have to walk.
After all, walking on mountain roads at night is an extremely dangerous thing. Zhao Da agreed to help, but proposed that he would need to bring two companions along to ensure safety.
Zhou Tong naturally agreed to this.
Originally, Zhou Tong planned to ask the old military doctor to wait where he was, but he insisted on going with him, so he had no choice but to take him with him.
As expected, Zhao Da found two companions who lived in the mountains, who were also hunters. They brought a full set of hunting equipment and three big yellow dogs to help out.
The group of people stored all their horses, armors, etc. in Zhao's home, set up pine oil torches, cut down trees, and set off. Only then could they really go deep into the mountains.
In the dense forest, there was no road, no stars and moon, and no direction. As soon as Zhou Tong and others entered it, they were completely lost.
Fortunately, there were three hunters leading the way. Although it was time-consuming and laborious to climb over the rugged rocks, we were able to avoid any danger. We did not accidentally fall off the cliff or be suddenly choked by a mountain leopard. As for where there were obstacles that we could not approach, and where we could not drink the water. , where the mountain springs are drinkable, etc. These hunters all have a clear account.
One night passed, the sky cleared, and suddenly I heard the sound of rumbling water coming from the front, as if thousands of troops were galloping in the forest.
"Xiao Zhongnan has arrived. In one hour, we can reach the Taoist temple." Zhao Daxi said.
Zhou Tong and others carried Yan Yun down the hillside, and their eyes suddenly opened up, and they reached the bottom of a waterfall.
About thirty feet ahead on the left, a large break appeared in the mountains made of solid rock. A stream flowed down like a stream, falling into a deep pool at the bottom.
This rumbling sound is caused by the waterfall falling into the river.
On the cliff facing the water, tens of feet above the ground, there are three powerful characters "Xiao Zhongnan" carved with iron and silver hooks. This is obviously something that ordinary people cannot do.
Looking across the stream and connected to the cliff, there is a majestic and towering mountain, with apes and cranes chirping, clouds steaming and clouds blooming, and as far as the eye can see, it is unclear how deep it is.
The stream is not deep, as clear as silver, with rippling water plants and fish swimming in the shallow bottom.
Large exposed rocks protrude from the water and can be jumped across without wading.
"Everyone, put your swords away, wash up here, drink some water, and take a short rest before we go up the mountain." After Zhao Da finished speaking, he spread some dried meat from the cloth bag he was carrying to satisfy everyone's hunger.
Even though it was a cold day after traveling all night, several people were still sweating profusely. It would be much more comfortable if they took a shower.
However, being in the dense forest and unable to see even a single house nearby, it would be too arrogant to sheath the sword rashly, so Zhou Tong and others did not do so.
"Brothers, you can rest assured. After passing this stream, there will be no wild beasts in front of you. Swords are dangerous weapons and should be sheathed." Zhao Da explained, "All wild beasts only drink water from this stream, but they never No one dared to wade through it.”
The two fellow hunters he invited also agreed and wrapped the front end of the hunting fork in a bag.
Zhou Tong smiled and said: "The people living in the Taoist temple are probably gods?"
Zhao Daze said with a serious face: "It's true that he is a god. Anyway, I have never seen who healed me when I came here to seek medical treatment. But after he recovered, he appeared near his home, and I don't know who sent him off."
"Is there such a thing?" Zhou Tong and others were surprised.
Zhao Da asked back: "Brother, don't you believe it?"
Several hunters laughed, as if this was a common thing.
Also, no matter how unreasonable something is, once you see it more often, it won't be surprising.
Zhou Tong and others saw that Zhao Da and Orion were so determined, so they had no choice but to do as they were told. However, they inevitably became curious and wondered if there really were gods in this world.
The group rested for a while, then carried the stretcher up the mountain to "Xiao Zhongnan".
It is said to be a road, but it is actually a ravine created when the mountain stream is flooded, covered with smooth and round boulders.
Further up, there are continuous green grass and towering old trees. Although it is a large mountain with no roads, it looks like someone has deliberately cleaned it. There are almost no shrubs or other miscellaneous trees.
There are scattered lights in the forest, and deer, rabbits, tits, etc. are foraging in the grass. They don't hide away when someone comes, looking calm and contented.
This scene made Zhou Tong and others stunned and surprised.
After climbing like this for half an hour, several flat boulders several feet wide appeared in front of them, with nine levels in total, like steps.
Especially the last step is the widest, with a bare boulder standing in the middle.
Behind the steps was a mountain gate with a tree bark roof that was about ten feet high. The roof was covered with moss and there was no plaque. The wall is made of stone and has an ordinary appearance. The door is closed and only the word "Tao" is written on the wall.
There are cliffs on both sides of the mountain gate, with strong winds and howling sounds, accompanied by the sound of rumbling water and dense mist, making it feel like a fairyland.
As for what is behind the mountain gate, nothing can be seen because it is covered by water vapor.
Zhou Tong thought that this mountain gate should be above the waterfall he saw before, but the specific location is unknown.
It was strange that the group of people were exhausted when they arrived here. Their noses smelled a bit of incense coming from behind the mountain gate, and they suddenly felt refreshed and their fatigue was swept away.
Zhao Da and his two companions arrived here, beaming with joy, kneeling on the ground and "dong dong dong" and kowtowed three times to the mountain gate.
Zhou Tong and others were serving in Dayu, so they were considered to be people of high status. However, they found it difficult to comply with this inexplicable indiscriminate worship, so they stood still.
"Brothers, thank you. If you offend the gods, all your hard work this night will be in vain." Zhao Da said anxiously.
The old military doctor, Zhou Tong and others looked at each other, knelt down first, and sang a song, why did you rush to the fairyland and still hope for the sea?
Zhou Tong and others had no choice but to stand behind the stretcher where Yan Yun was placed and kneel down. Although Yan Yun is young, he is the third general of Longtouguan. As subordinates, it is natural for them to worship their superiors. Of course, they were facing the direction of the mountain gate, so it seemed reasonable to say they were worshiping the mountain.
Zhao Da didn't seem to be in awe of Zhou Tong and his entourage, so he only spoke to the military doctor if he had something to say.
"Old father-in-law, please explain your purpose quickly and ask the gods to take care of you!" Zhao Da reminded.
"My dear Immortal, two days ago, my third young master was accidentally injured by a bear while hunting. He used various medicines, but he was not cured. I also asked the Immortal to come to my rescue. I am very grateful..." After the old man, the military doctor, kowtowed a few more times, Size.
After waiting for about a cup of tea, there was no movement behind the mountain gate.
Zhao Da signaled the military doctor to continue pleading. The military doctor understood and was about to speak when he suddenly saw something flying out of the mist at the mountain gate and landing on the standing boulder with a "snap".
Everyone looked closely and saw that the object was a black wooden sign, perpendicular to the boulder but not falling.
Black means that the "gods" in the Taoist temple are unwilling to treat Yan Yun. Of course, it may also be that Yan Yun's vital signs have lost, and there is no point in treating him.
"Alas..." Zhao Dao was so hot that he shook his head and sighed when he saw the black sign.
