Chapter 198 Blood and Fire
The study suddenly became quiet, the autumn wind entered the window, and a chill gradually grew.
The subordinate who was looking excited a moment ago now had an extremely stiff face. His thick lips had not yet closed tightly, but no sound came from them. He looked like a sculpture.
General Wang didn't care. He returned to the desk and personally picked up the information sent by the Sky Patrol Division and read through it.
"If you think this idea is inappropriate, you can speak up."
His tone was casual and gentle, no different from before: "I just think this matter is quite interesting, and I am also quite curious about Sansheng Pagoda, so I just wanted to mention it."
Among the three generals of the Qin Dynasty, General Wang is quite different from his other two colleagues. Whether it was a hundred years ago or a hundred years later, he has never been called violent, cruel, wise, elegant, etc.
His reputation is often accompanied by the word loyalty.
It is precisely because of the word "loyalty" that he can sit in the northern territory of the Qin Dynasty and be unshakable like mountains and mountains, and he has been able to do so for decades.
Loyalty is the two most dazzling words, but for the close subordinates who have been with the general all year round, this is only the most superficial and simple side of the general.
How could a general with only loyalty be placed in such a complicated situation, as calm and content as a fish swimming in a lake?
After a long period of silent thinking, the subordinate finally gave his answer.
"This move is not unfeasible, but it is best to leave the matter behind."
He said seriously: "It is less than twenty days since the time given by Yu Yang. The new leader of the Destiny Sect has most likely entered the wasteland to go to that place. Rather than expending energy to intervene at this time, it is better to wait for the opportunity. When he returns, let him sit down and become your guest.”
General Wang took over the conversation, gently touched the already gray hair on the temples, and said slowly: "This can be considered as a way of making a name for yourself... Then do this."
After saying this, the old middle-aged man sat down and half-closed his eyes as if he was so tired that he was about to fall asleep.
Many things appeared in his sea of consciousness, which were the loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor that had never swayed, and were also the accumulated depression and troubles that had stayed in his realm for decades.
Over the years, all the mirrors in the general's mansion and everywhere he traveled would be removed in advance by his loyal subordinates, because he didn't like to see himself getting older, because he was once one of the three great generals of the Qin Dynasty. The youngest among them is now blown by the strong wind and cold frost in the Northland until his hair turns gray and he looks so old.
The traces left by the years made him more and more anxious, and people inevitably need comfort at this time.
In the past, that solace was beautiful women and good wine.
There is only one thing now - breaking through the realm.
Or a beautiful prophecy about breaking through.
He hoped to get such a prophecy from the leader of Destiny.
……
……
The vastness of the wilderness lies in its desolation and uniformity. It has been three days since the caravan left that important border town, but the scenery in front of them has never changed, and everyone seems to be spinning in circles.
This feeling initially brings uneasiness, then is replaced by boredom and emptiness, and finally begins to pass the time.
However, this wilderness is so desolate and lonely. Even if you look far away, you still can't see the majestic mountains. People can't find the scenery to see through, they can only focus on each other.
As night fell, the caravan began to choose a place to camp as usual. The red-hot charcoal in the firewood pile burst out with tongues of fire, bringing an increasingly precious and warm feeling.
Gu Zhuo had already taken off the bamboo hat, but no one recognized him. His face, which was simply covered with Taoist techniques, made him look quite ordinary. There was nothing special about him. He was an ordinary person with a lukewarm temperament. Practitioner.
Although this Taoist method that he temporarily created was not as good as Liushuishen, it was enough to make the people present unable to see through it.
In the caravan, there were three other practitioners similar to Gu Zhuo, all of whom were in the realm of spiritual cultivation and spiritual cultivation. Their purpose of following the caravan to the wilderness was very clear, in order to hone their own realm and go further.
The goals of the four people are obviously the same, and they have naturally formed a temporary small group. They do not seek to help each other at critical moments, but at least they can unite the front at certain times on weekdays.
"There are still about four days to go, and by then it will no longer be as peaceful as it is now, and it will be very easy for something to happen."
"Is it because you have entered the territory of evil cultivators?"
"Not only evil cultivators, but also deserters will try to attack the caravan."
"So are there any desolate people who haven't had their backs broken?"
"You'd better put away this stupid idea. The vast majority of desert people are indeed willing to be dogs in order to live. Only a few desert people have the idea of resistance, but you can't forget one thing."
"What happened?"
"The desert people are really capable of regenerating. Even if only 20 to 30% of the desert people have hatred towards us, it is actually a huge group."
"Is it possible that you have seen it before?"
"I have met...If I hadn't been lucky at that time, you wouldn't be able to see me now."
At this point, the woman who was leading the conversation was in a trance, recalling the scene at that time: "Those desolate people whose bodies had begun to alienate regarded themselves as mounts, carrying their own kind on their backs, and rushed over one after another, roaring, as if they were... I don’t know what death is, just to splash my own blood on you.”
She tightened her thick clothes tightly, as if chilled by the night wind, and whispered: "Actually, those deserters are not too strong. As long as I can stay calm, there is nothing to be afraid of."
Others were very puzzled, thinking why you said that you almost died before, and asked in a tactful tone: "So why do you remember the matter until now?"
The woman was silent for a moment and said: "Because something like this happened more than once. I watched those desolate people who clearly looked like humans constantly turning themselves into monsters and rushing towards me. It was like an endless nightmare. , can’t wake up until the whole world is stained red with blood.”
Gu Zhuo did not participate in this conversation.
He listened quietly, no corresponding picture appeared in the sea of consciousness, and his Taoist heart was always peaceful.
"Why do you want to come to the wasteland again?"
someone asked in confusion.
The woman was silent for a long time and said seriously: "To untie the bell, you must tie the bell. If I can't get out of this situation that once trapped me, I'm afraid I will have no hope of breaking through to the realm of Chengyi in this life."
After the words fell, there was silence around the fire.
The two people who were talking to them suddenly recalled what their elders once said - the wasteland is probably the most suitable place in the world for practitioners to break through the realm of meaning.
In the past, they only thought that this sentence referred to the unique scenery of the wasteland, but now it seems...the teachers and commanders are not referring to the vast sky here, but to the endless blood shed by the people in the wasteland.
And hatred.
This thing is the best thing in the world to sharpen your Taoist mind.
……
……
Gu Zhuo said nothing, and the other three people were not interested in talking about Huang Ren's life and death.
So the topic fell on evil spirits and heretics, but in the end, the existence of desert people could not be bypassed.
"Evil cultivators are also human beings, and they naturally have a blood feud with them."
"Why are the mountain gates of evil sects almost all in the wilderness? It's because evil cultivators like to use desert people as consumables. Whether they are refining evil magic weapons such as soul-calling flags, or simply letting them serve as slaves, they can Meet your daily practice needs. ”
"...Why do I suddenly feel that our group has become noble?"
"Of course it's noble. Otherwise, why would so many barren people be willing to do business with us? Compared with those evil heretics, we are still doing business according to the rules. As long as they give us the goods, we will not turn our backs and refuse to admit it. Isn’t this a great gift to them? ”
For some reason, the three people sitting by the fire no longer looked as depressed as before, and they felt proud in their hearts.
Gu Zhuo can't comment on this.
Fortunately, he was silent all the way, so that the other three people thought that he was mute, or that he had practiced silent meditation and other techniques, so they would not talk to him at this time.
He raised his head, looked at the starry sky in the wasteland, and listened to the sounds of all things.
Everything here is different from anywhere else in the world.
Always silent, often speechless.
Even Gu Zhuo took a long time to get them to speak and stopped being taciturn.
Then a word came from the night wind.
"You're being targeted."
……
……
The words were spoken tonight, but the incident happened in the afternoon of the next day.
As the caravan crossed a winding curve, it arrived at a freshwater lake recorded on the map. When preparing to carry out necessary supplies, someone was surprised to find an evil cultivator on the other side of the lake.
With a whistle, the entire caravan immediately went on guard. The evil cultivator smiled and greeted everyone, then turned and left.
After the evil cultivator's back disappeared, the leader of the caravan went to a certain carriage as quickly as possible to talk to the Guiyi Realm strongman who was sitting in meditation, and received a piece of news that made him look very unhappy. .
Judging from the aura leaking out, the evil cultivator has not yet entered the realm of unity, but this is not the point. The point is that he is a member of the Chiyin Sect.
The Chiyin Sect is quite remarkable.
The most remarkable thing is that all the evil sects in the wasteland are full of evil, but the Chiyin Sect is able to stand out among them, making people in the same sect applaud and praise it.
One of the things that merchants least want to encounter in the wilderness is to be targeted by the Chiyin Cult, second only to giving sacrifices to the border troops on their return.
"If the Chiyin Sect really targets the caravan and wants to take action, I hope you won't just stand by and watch."
The leader of the caravan warned Gu Zhuo and the others: "The Chiyin Sect is not another evil sect. You can die for other evil sects at worst, but when you encounter the Chiyin Sect, you will not be able to rest in peace even if you die, so We have to get out alive, okay?”
The request was not denied.
Because in the evening of that day, the evil cultivators of the Chiyin Sect appeared in the eyes of the caravan people by taking advantage of the setting sun.
More than a dozen bright red sedans were lifted up by the evil spirits refined by evil arts and floated in mid-air. They maintained two independent parallel lines on the left and right with the caravan, moving forward together.
What's even more strange is that after the sun went down, the disciples of the Chiyin Sect took out the gongs and drums and let them play.
The sound of gongs and drums echoed in the wasteland, and it couldn't be more lively.
It's like a wedding. It's just a ghost marriage.
That night, no one in the entire caravan slept.
……
……
It wasn't until the next morning that the sounds of celebration dissipated.
However, the disciples of the Chiyin Sect did not leave. They still maintained the two parallel lines and began to sing sadly.
If we put aside the current situation, this song is actually beautiful and cannot be described with the words "ghosts crying and wolves howling".
However, the people in the caravan didn't have the time to listen, and some were anxious.
The leader went to the carriage again and asked in a low voice.
After a while, a calm and proud voice came from the carriage.
"There is only one Guiyi Realm, I can kill him instantly, and you can handle the rest by yourself."
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Hearing this, the business leader breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I will inform those four people now and ask them to help later."
There was another sound in the carriage.
"Forget about that young man who looks like a mute."
The business leader looked surprised and asked: "Why?"
The man in the carriage gave his own explanation.
"The day before yesterday, the four people gathered around the campfire and chatted at night. When they talked about the desolate people and the evil cultivators, the mute kept aloof. He was probably a traveling disciple from a large sect, because he used the Taoist method to hide his appearance. It’s so wonderful that it’s visible to the naked eye.”
"Isn't it better to be a disciple from a large sect?"
"This is the truth, but this mute is most likely the kind of person who is protected in the palm of his hand. He just heard that the wilderness experience is the best way to break through, and he ran over without knowing the heights of the world. He has never seen a truly cruel scene. The Taoist mind is easily overwhelmed.”
"I understand what you mean."
"It's best to understand that when I fight with people from the Chiyin Sect, I don't want to be forced to risk injury to save others."
The business leader felt a little regretful and turned to leave.
The practitioner sitting in the carriage opened the curtain and glanced at Gu Zhuo without any trace, thinking that this was really not an ordinary trouble.
……
……
Gu Zhuo sat holding his sword.
A moment ago, the business leader had come over and conveyed the general plan to the four people.
Among them, the task given to Gu Zhuo was to protect the formation, and he did not have to join the others in the formation.
He heard the words coming from the carriage clearly, but it didn't matter. Of course, he had no intention of proving himself.
It would be best if the matter could be solved simply like this.
The appointed time is getting closer and closer, and the other forces that were in the ancient battlefield must be on their way to the depths of the wasteland at this time.
Whether compared to the Northern Yan royal family, General Wang who was stationed on the border of Great Qin, or even the two major sects of Yishui and Qingjinguan, he was too small on his own.
If not, how could he go to Yishui to meet the old man in the wheelchair and lend him his time?
Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel at ease.
……
……
A flying sword suddenly appeared under the autumn sun, blooming with a dazzling light that could not be looked directly at.
Before that, everyone in the caravan who had prepared in advance had closed their eyes. Only the evil spirits of the Chiyin Sect following on both sides faced the sword light, and they were caught off guard and had no choice but to avoid it.
The tragic song instantly turned into a howl, and the evil spirit refined by the desolate man disappeared like winter snow meeting the spring sun. More than ten large sedans distributed on both sides of the caravan fell instantly, but before that, the flying sword had already Leaping through the air, the sound of the sword's roar echoed through the sky, piercing one of the large sedan chairs with incomparable accuracy.
Bang!
A loud noise drowned out the screams, and the sedan with the formation engraved on it instantly shattered into pieces. Wood chips and iron pieces were swept into the powerful air waves, plowing the surrounding land like a hoe!
The sky was filled with dust and smoke, but the red dress still stood out so conspicuously.
That was clearly an elder of the Chiyin Sect.
This powerful man who had already entered the realm of unity and had a great reputation in the wilderness, now felt an emptiness in his chest!
Not to mention the internal organs, even a single bone no longer exists, and the scenery behind him is clearly visible.
Until this moment, the other disciples of the Chiyin Sect had not fully reacted. They did not expect that anyone in the caravan could execute such a domineering sword.
For some reason, the woman who had been chatting by the campfire at night looked exactly as pale at this time.
The next moment, the remaining practitioners in the caravan began to take action.
How can people who have the courage to go to the wasteland be truly weak? No matter how notorious the Chiyin Sect is, it is not enough for them to capture them without mercy.
There is only one force in this land that is qualified to let them do this - the Great Qin Border Army.
Since they are not the cavalry under the general, then what is there to be afraid of?
Suddenly, the sound of the charge was deafening.
Gu Zhuo sat next to the carriage.
He put on the hat again and looked around the caravan quietly, not forgetting what he promised.
Not far away, the swordsman sitting in the carriage was adjusting his breath.
That sword placed an extremely heavy burden on him, otherwise how could he kill a practitioner in the same realm instantly? Now he only has the power to protect himself, and will no longer be able to use the sword in a short time.
Fortunately, the Guiyi Realm is not an ordinary person, and the Chiyin Sect is not a world-famous righteous leader like Y Shui. It is impossible to send two such practitioners to a caravan.
There is nothing wrong with this idea, it is right.
Two quarters of an hour later, the fight between the caravan and the Chiyin Sect ended, ending in the latter's defeat.
The dozen or so sedan chairs had been torn apart, and even the Chiyin Sect disciples sitting inside had been killed. There was truly no one left. In contrast, not many people in the caravan died.
After searching for the loot, it was still dark, so the caravan moved on.
That night, a celebration feast started with the lighting of a bonfire.
The people who had had the friendship of comrades were no longer so unfamiliar, and quickly became familiar with each other through blood and fire, toasting each other to celebrate the victory of this battle.
Only two people remained aloof.
One of them was Gu Zhuo, and the other was the sword cultivator who didn't want to be disturbed, but the treatment they received was naturally different.
Halfway through the banquet, the woman who had once described the scenery of the wasteland came to Gu Zhuo's side.
"I can see you're a little frustrated."
She comforted and said: "But this is definitely not that we are rejecting you."
Gu Zhuo glanced at her and thought, what is depression?
The woman smiled, stretched out her hand, and said, "I forgot to tell you my name before. My name is He Tinghe."
"There is still more than a month to go, and there are still many things to happen. I believe we will get to know each other soon."
She said sincerely: "To live and die together is a joke, but when we play together, it can become true."
Gu Zhuo still didn't speak.
He Tinghe was not angry either. He always had a smile on his ordinary face and said, "How about I go get you a glass of wine to try? How about you sit here alone and do nothing? It would be too embarrassing." .”
Gu Zhuo remained silent, but no longer cold.
He raised his hand and shook the wine bag in his hand, indicating that it was not necessary.
He Tinghe was slightly startled, and said bitterly and self-deprecatingly: "It turns out that you don't want to drink, but it's me who is being sentimental."
After saying this, she left Gu Zhuo naturally and walked towards the bonfire again.
Not long after, a man hugged her waist and danced amidst the cheers of the crowd. His clothes were blown by the night wind and beautifully illuminated by the dancing firelight.
Gu Zhuo looked at this scene quietly, without any emotion in his eyes.
……
……
That night, He Tinghe and the man lived in a tent.
Everyone knew what was going to happen, so they looked away to show respect and refrained from peeping or sizing up.
However, not long after the fire in the tent was extinguished, a familiar cold atmosphere suddenly enveloped the entire camp.
Along with it came the sound of gongs and drums, as if to say that the wedding banquet was not over yet.
The man sitting in the carriage looked as grave as water.
Gu Zhuo raised his head slightly.
Look at the sky.
It's going to rain.
Chapter Five Thousand and Five
(End of chapter)