Chapter 11409
Mrs. Sun packed the food into several food boxes, and then used wooden basins with lids to hold rice and steamed buns. Finally, she organized these things into six bamboo baskets and gave them to Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang.
Yang Ruoqing's original intention was to go together by herself, so she could help carry a basket, but she was assigned six baskets, Luo Fengtang, Ping An, and another person each carrying two baskets.
Moreover, when Mrs. Sun was sorting out these things, in order to reduce the burden of the baskets and give them strength to cross the mountains, Mrs. Sun also urged Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang to give them lunch in advance. .
Therefore, when the four people went out carrying baskets, the sun had just moved to the top of their heads and it was warm everywhere.
Yang Ruoqing said: "Since you don't want me to carry things, then I will hold this long bamboo stick in front to clear the way for you!"
Spring has begun, and spring is returning everywhere. The hibernating birds, animals, snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the mountains have gradually woken up, and their activities in the mountains have become more and more frequent.
The long bamboo stick in Yang Ruoqing's hand, the front end of the stick has been soaked in realgar wine with special insect repellent powder for a long time. When walking on the mountain road, in front of the road and on both sides of the road, when weeds climb up and thorns and vines block the road. , just use this bamboo stick to poke it in in advance and beat it.
It can not only pick away the thorns and vines blocking the road, but also drive away poisonous insects and big snakes lurking in the grass.
Of course, in addition to this stick to 'snatch the grass and scare the snake', Yang Ruoqing, Luo Fengtang, and Ping'an all carried release weapons, swords and so on, to deal with sudden roadblocks jumping out of the mountains, leopards jumping down from the trees, and wolves. Attacks of these wild boars.
The four of them set off, walking and chatting all the way. After climbing two mountains, they heard the cry of a child at a mountain crossing in front of them.
"Did you hear it? There seems to be a child crying." Yang Ruoqing, who was walking at the front, stopped and turned to look at the three people behind her.
The three people behind him also stopped in place, listening to the source of the crying.
"In the woods ahead." Luo Fengtang said.
Yang Ruoqing said: "Do you want to go and see what's going on?"
The servant of Wang Baochang's family was a little hesitant and frightened, and cautiously advised: "Madam, whose child would cry here in this barren mountain? I'm afraid it's not the strange things in the mountains that are causing trouble and confusing people's hearts."
This is the idea on Christmas Eve, this old forest is deserted.
Yang Ruoqing said: "You don't understand this. This place is an old forest, but it is not a real barren mountain. The Zuojiao Peak we are going to is."
"We have just climbed a mountain here, but we still belong to the outside of the mountain. There are actually seven or eight villages of various sizes hidden in the mountainside and valleys nearby!"
"Madam is so amazing, she even knows this." Ping An's eyes were filled with admiration.
Yang Ruoqing said: "What does this mean? My husband and I have been to every one of these villages back then!"
Now, not only Ping An, but also the servant of the Wang family who had persuaded them to retreat looked at Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang with admiration.
We are all from Qingshui Town, and they live in the town. They only know that there is a big market in the town on the first and fifteenth day of every month, and there will be many mountain people bringing rare mountain products from the mountains to sell, or to barter for things.
But they have never personally visited a village in the deep mountains and old forests. To them outside the mountains, that area is a mysterious and magical place.
However, General Luo and Mrs. Luo have such a noble status and have such a broad experience. They have even visited the houses hidden in the mountains and old forests. They are not just mere speculations, they are real action groups. At this time, Luo Fengtang once again showed his courage as an activist. He looked in the direction of the old forest where the cries were coming intermittently and said, "I'll go in and take a look. You guys wait for me here."
Yang Ruoqing said: "I must go, Ping An, you two stay here and wait for me!"
Ping An's eyes were filled with yearning: "Masters, please take me with you!"
Although the two masters never treat themselves as subordinates, Ping An is aware that if he encounters danger, he must dare to step up and share his master's worries at any time.
If there is danger, even if my fighting power is not as good as that of the two masters, at least my flesh and blood body will have to fight to buy the two masters time to escape.
Because his life was given by his two masters, he has lived a good life and experienced warmth in the Luo family this year, so he is always ready to repay the favor and must not really wait by the roadside...
"Okay, then let's come with Ping An." Yang Ruoqing didn't think too much. Anyway, she just thought that Ping An would come with her if she wanted to come. People are curious, so let's satisfy Ping An's curiosity!
"General, madam, can I let the younger one go in with you?" The servant of Wang Baochang's family also bowed and asked.
Yang Ruoqing nodded cheerfully: "It's okay. We don't worry if we let you alone on the roadside, so let's go together!"
Because they were going into the old woods, Luo Fengtang took the lead and followed closely behind Yang Ruoqing. Everyone followed the direction where the child's cry came from.
Beforehand, there was no sound of calling each other for the child, for fear that the child would be scared away and it would be even harder to find the child.
After walking a few steps, Yang Ruoqing suddenly stopped and looked around.
"What's wrong, Qing'er?" Luo Fengtang turned around and asked.
Yang Ruoqing said: "Why does this place feel familiar to me? It seems like I have been here recently!"
Luo Fengtang looked around and said: "Of course you are familiar with it. Today we entered the old forest from this direction. On the first lunar month, we passed through the old forest from the opposite direction."
That time in the first lunar month?
Yang Ruoqing was enlightened and her eyes suddenly lit up, "No wonder, I remembered, the Black Snake Shrine!"
Luo Fengtang nodded, "Well, that's right. After passing through the old forest, you should be able to see the Black Snake Shrine."
During the first lunar month, two snakes, one green and one black, tried to use the waterway to escape the dragon. As a result, the black snake made a fuss and caused flooding in several villages on both sides of the river, including Changping Village. In the end, it was blocked by the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
Later, the green snake entrusted a dream to Yang Ruoqing, hoping to give the black snake a chance to redeem himself and eliminate his sins. So, Yang Ruoqing went to discuss the matter with Taoist Yuan, and finally set up a trap for the black snake at the end of the old forest. Shrine, so as to create opportunities for Black Snake to take care of the mountain people coming and going nearby.
As for how to take care of it, Yang Ruoqing didn't know. That was all she could do, and the rest would be left to the snake involved.
At this moment, the three of them followed Luo Fengtang and continued to move forward, following the intermittent cries of the child.
Finally, they passed through the old woods and came to a triangular valley at the other end.