The night passed.
The weather rarely cleared up.
In the sky thousands of miles away, the lead clouds that had shrouded for at least half a month disappeared without a trace. However, it was winter after all, and the sunshine was not too strong, and it shone on my body as warmly as the spring breeze.
But for everyone who has been blowing cold wind, snowflakes, and dust for more than half a month, this is already a rare good weather.
Early in the morning.
Seven people walked out of the tent one after another.
Needless to say, Yang Fang and the old foreigner put on their robes, carried bags and went to the forest to fill water, wash the dust and feed the horses.
Hua Ling and others took out dry food, meat cakes, and refined salt and sprinkled them into the boiling water.
Here comes a big pot stew.
Although it looks average, the taste is surprisingly good.
The rich aroma alarmed the two people who were brushing horses in the forest. They couldn't wait to return, picked up the broth that had not yet cooled down, and swallowed it with big mouthfuls.
I just feel warm all over.
After breakfast.
The group did not delay.
I simply packed up, hung the tent, clothes, water and dry food on the side of the horse's back, then got on the horse and ran out of the valley.
When compared, I was very worried, full of confusion and yearning for the unknown.
Leave this trip.
The atmosphere is obviously much more relaxed.
Especially the three brothers and sisters of Partridge Sentinel.
On a trip to the west, the burden that had been weighing on me for many years finally fell.
and.
No more curses.
The three of them can clearly feel that not only is their physical condition improving to the naked eye, but the most important thing is the change in their character. In the past, they always looked forward and backward no matter what they did or practiced.
It’s because there is always a knife hanging over my head.
So even Partridge Whistle is inevitable. After all, he is only flesh and blood.
only.
He couldn't help it.
Parents, elders, fellow masters, familiar figures fell one by one.
When there is no one else in the entire tribe.
Only he can bear it.
Therefore, before doing anything, he has to think twice and weigh repeatedly. Once he falls, whose hands should he leave the task of finding the Muchen Bead to break the curse?
But now, it no longer has to be that way.
He was finally able to think for himself.
Should we continue walking around the world, or should we find a place where there is no one to escape from the world and practice.
“Shopkeeper Chen, how many days’ journey is it from Yuhai?”
When the group of people walked out of Hailuogou and the familiar Gobi and wasteland came into sight again, the old foreigner reined in his horse and couldn't help but ask.
After leaving the Black Desert.
The route is arranged by Chen Yulou.
The next step is also a road that has never been traveled before.
He only felt that the vast world was indescribably strange.
"With one person and two horses, if we travel at this speed, we can cross Tarim, pass through Kashgar and Hotan, and arrive at Yuhai in two days at most."
Listen to him asking.
Standing on a hill, looking at Chen Yulou in the distance, he responded calmly.
Several maps have already been deeply imprinted in his mind.
Now you can clearly tell the name and direction of every mountain and river without spreading it out.
Today's Western Region is still following the regional planning of the former Qing Dynasty.
The two big cities in southern Xinjiang, Kashgar and Khotan, happened to be on their way back.
Don’t worry about food and water supplies.
Moreover, these two big cities have something in common. The former means the city of jade in Uighur, and the latter means the jade mountain range. Yes, the world-famous Hetian jade was found here.
Chen Yulou has thought about it all.
When you enter the city, you can take some time to stroll around.
Buy some top-quality jade materials and go back.
Whether it is making jade boxes, or practicing talismans and formations, jade is an indispensable part.
And the world is under the sun.
The best type of jade is Hetian mutton-fat white jade.
"I wonder if the kidnapper has set off?"
He leaned over and picked up the water bag hanging on the side of the horse's back, raised his head and took a big gulp, the old foreigner continued.
Since their departure to the present day.
It has been about four or five days.
It was almost the same as what shopkeeper Chen expected that day.
"Calculating the time, it should be about the same."
"Besides, it's rare to have such good weather. Even if you are reluctant, you still have to set off."
Chen Yulou shook his head and smiled.
Hear the words.
Everyone on the hill also looked at each other and smiled.
The kidnapper's character is that of a person who can't walk when he sees an ancient tomb. This is something that everyone has seen. That night in Xiye, he couldn't walk in such a small town.
What's more, Jingjue Ancient City has been the absolute center of power in the entire Western Region for thousands of years.
Go down with a shovel.
Maybe we can dig out countless gold and silver.
How can I give up Huamaguai?
"Stop teasing him. For so many years, he has been taking care of everything on the mountain."
Calculate the time.
Chen Yulou hung up the water bag casually, greeted everyone, and then patted his horse on the back. The old horse, who had already connected with him, jumped off immediately.
Falling on the wasteland.
The four hooves splashed countless mud.
Until nightfall, there were finally people in the wasteland, and a prosperous city appeared in sight.
There are countless people coming and going.
Most of them are merchant horse teams.
“Kashgar has arrived.”
Chen Yulou recognized it at a glance.
"Shopkeeper, are you staying overnight in the city tonight?"
Seeing that he seemed interested, the red girl followed closely behind him, a red dress undulating in the wind like a wave, and couldn't help but ask.
"It's not impossible."
"Find a restaurant to have a good meal and have a good sleep."
Looked back at everyone.
After traveling such a long distance without rest, even they could not hide their tiredness.
Besides, even if they don't care, the horse underneath them can't hold on.
The road was originally bumpy and difficult.
Although one person has two horses, traveling hundreds of miles a day is a great test for physical strength.
Hearing this, the people behind him were obviously moved.
Why doesn't Chen Yulou understand?
It took a full month before and after, and the life was similar to that of a savage, especially in the black desert, water is a life-saving thing and cannot be used easily.
So even the simplest washing is difficult to satisfy.
Now, I finally encountered a big city.
The lively atmosphere made them feel like they were back in the world.
"Okay, don't delay. If there is a curfew in the city, it will be troublesome if you want to enter the city."
Thinking of this.
Chen Yulou didn't waste any more time and took the lead and walked straight into the city.
“Let’s go.”
“Grandma, I can finally live a human life.”
"No, I have to order a few plates of vegetables later. I'm almost depressed after eating meat and dry food for a month."
"You kid just haven't experienced the days of hunger. Such words You can say it."
"It's just that in this troubled world, how many people can't even drink rice soup, and you still think that meat is not delicious."
"That's wrong. Wrong, everyone, I am a weakling and can’t speak my mind. Can I punish myself with three cups of wine later?”
Laughing and cursing.
The group of people entered the city one by one.
As the well-deserved largest city in southern Xinjiang, Kashgar has a very long history. It was the location of the Protectorate during the Tang Dynasty, and most caravans traveling to and from the Western Regions passed through here.
After all, compared to the capricious and dangerous Black Desert.
It is relatively safe to travel from the Kunlun Mountains to the Central Asian countries.
It just so happens that whether you are leaving or returning, you will pass through Kashgar.
Because the bustling scene of the ancient Silk Road also created this great city on one hand.
What a pity. After the end of the former Qing Dynasty.
The Han Dynasty is still in a situation of warlords fighting, and the Western Region is even more so. Warlords are separatist and bandits are rampant. Once you enter the city, you can see foreigners everywhere.
Either they are Central Asians wearing robes and square hats, or they are Europeans with blond hair and blue eyes, and most of them are Russians.
from more than ten years ago.
The Russians focused on this place.
He supported several forces openly and secretly, causing the world to turn upside down.
Chen Yulou frowned when he saw it.
But he also understood that the chaos seen on the surface was far more than one-tenth of it.
Nowadays, Kashgar seems peaceful, but in fact it is just a pool of muddy water.
There are undercurrents in invisible places.
And this situation will continue for decades, and it cannot be solved by killing a few people.
"There is a Shanbei Guild Hall ahead. Let's go there and spend the night."
Seeing no reaction from the people around me.
It seems that he has long been accustomed to this situation.
Chen Yulou just exhaled and pointed to a familiar wine flag not far away.
Exactly the same as what I saw in Jiayuguan that day.
"Okay."
Different from him.
Yang Fang and the others didn't notice anything was wrong.
I just looked at the faces that were completely different from those of the Han people with a little curiosity.
As soon as I approached the outside of the restaurant.
A waiter immediately came forward to greet us. After a few brief explanations, the group opened the room and then went to the second floor to ask for a seat by the window.
Not long after, the table was filled with food.
Everyone who had eaten dry food for a month could still hold back and ate happily.
This is true even for flower spirits.
After all, thousands of miles away in the Western Region, they can have a taste of local food, and no matter how ordinary food is, they are all delicacies in their eyes.
Especially several jars of Liulin wine.
It made them extremely happy.
Although kumis is not bad, it is still a little bit inferior compared to the sweet, refreshing, and long-lasting white wine.
Except for Hua Ling, everyone else is like a treasure.
The meal lasted from early evening until late at night, before everyone reluctantly returned to their respective rooms.
Early the next morning.
They were not in a hurry to leave.
Except for Yuan Hong and Partridge Whistle, who stayed behind on their own, the group of people wandered around.
As an important town on the ancient Silk Road.
Kashgar is indeed prosperous. You can see goods from Central Asia, the Western Regions and various ethnic styles everywhere. The two girls couldn't bear to leave.
Chen Yulou is not interested in those girls' accessories.
Just take Kunlun with you.
I found the jade shop I had inquired about in advance and packed up a batch of jade materials.
I have to say that Kashgar is indeed the city of jade. If you put it in Changsha City, any piece of jade of that quality would cost a sky-high price, but here all the seeds of mutton-fat white jade are sold. Cabbage price.
Let him who has never had any desire for shopping.
I almost couldn’t hold back my impulse.
Otherwise, we would have to wrap up a street of shops.
"Shopkeeper, are you taking these things back and selling them?"
Waiting to come out of the store.
Kunlun was carrying hundreds of kilograms of jade seeds, but he still couldn't suppress his curiosity.
After all, in his impression, the shopkeeper has never been like this before.
No matter how much you like something, you won’t act so crazy.
"Do you still remember that ancient thunder talisman?"
"You can earn a few hard-earned money by being a tycoon. These jade materials are top-notch materials for making talismans."
Chen Yulou curled his lips.
With the accumulation of several generations of his Chen family, tens of thousands, he really doesn’t take it seriously.
“Making a Talisman?!”
Kunlun suddenly became thoughtful.
It is said that in Taoist practice, in addition to breathing and guidance, there are also several schools of alchemy and talismans. From this point of view, the shopkeeper’s massive purchase does not seem to be a surprise.
He doesn’t know the Taoist talisman.
But Chenzhou Fu, who is also in Xiangxi, has a great reputation.
Whose family has happy events or funerals?
Or if you have a headache, a fever, encounter evil spirits, or see ghosts, you will go out of your way to ask for a talisman.
Moreover, that day in Chenzhou, they fought back and forth between the two thunder altars of Jinzhai and Huzhai, and finally brought the ancient thunder talisman back with their own hands.
“Let’s go, Hong Gu and the others should have almost finished their shopping.”
Merge into the crowd.
Looking from a distance, I happened to see Hua Ling walking out of a rouge and gouache shop with a smile.
The other side.
Yang Fang and the old foreigner who were responsible for replenishing food and water also walked out of the food store.
The originally empty horseback was already filled with goods.
Seeing this, how could Chen Yulou be delayed?
Call a few people and return to the restaurant. After meeting up with Partridge Whistle, the group continues on their way.
Beyond Kashgar, further north is the huge Tarim Basin, a large area bordering the Black Desert. The familiar terrain and weather appear before us again.
Extremely cold and dry, plus sand, dust and wind and snow.
But even so, in such a harsh environment, they met countless merchants traveling to and from Central Asia along the way, running around for a few taels of silver.
To know.
When they entered the Black Desert before, they often didn't see a team for more than ten days.
Now it is obviously the off-season, but there are more teams than usual all year long.
Chen Yulou was curious and asked casually.
As a result, those people said that it was because the bandits in Mozigou died cleanly for some reason, and no one blocked their way. After hiding in Jiayuguan for half a year, they naturally couldn't hold back anymore and started setting off one after another.
After listening to it.
He couldn't help but laugh and cry.
After going back and forth, it finally happened to me.
After all, he knew better than anyone else what was going on in Mozigou. Those bandits were not evil, nor were they punished by God, but were burned to ashes by Luofu.
However.
They set off from Jiayuguan that day.
But no one is optimistic about it.
Now it's just the other way around. In this season, it's definitely not easy to cross the glaciers of the Kunlun Snow Mountains and enter Central Asia for business.
Of the ten teams, it is a fluke that one of them can arrive safely.
However.
This is the way the world is.
If we stay in Jiayuguan any longer, we will starve to death sooner or later.
If you are facing death on both sides, you might as well give it a try.
After saying goodbye.
Chen Yulou and his party continued on their way.
It was evening the next day.
Far away, more than ten miles away, he saw a majestic cloud of water rising into the sky.
In the vast Tarim Basin.
Except for the sea of fish, no other body of water can have such an amazing momentum.
He still doesn’t understand.
“Everyone, we are here, work harder, maybe it’s early, you can still have a roasted whole lamb in the Turkic village tonight.”
Will He put away the carved jade talisman in his hand.
Chen Yulou turned around and glanced at everyone who was dusty and tired.
“Have you reached the sea of fish?”
“Ten miles at most.”
Hearing this, the group of people suddenly became energetic, tightened their collars, and risked Continue running despite the severe cold.
It took less than half an hour.
An endless sea suddenly appeared in the wilderness.
At the same time, there was a hunting team chasing water beasts in the swamp beside the lake.
The leader.
Who else could it be if he wasn’t Po Li? (End of this chapter)