Before dawn, the south gate of the city opened early. Tens of thousands of people rushed out of the city like a long dragon, with hundreds of riders in front.
Such a commotion woke many people in the city up early.
At noon, tens of thousands of people appeared more than 20 miles away from the capital. They invaded a large piece of fertile land and surrounded a manor near a mountain and a river.
Outside the tightly closed gate, a row of soldiers stood and shouted in unison, telling the people inside to open the gate and surrender, or else they would have to bear the consequences.
The entire manor was in chaos. Zong Yanling, the manor master, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan under the eaves. "What's going on? What the hell is going on? Did something happen to father and offend the imperial court? "
The two servants, one old and the other middle-aged, who were usually well-behaved in the manner of servants, had their spirit, energy and spirit suddenly changed. They didn't look like servants at all.
The old servant pulled Zong Yanling, who was anxiously pacing around. "Manor Master, the only thing we can do now is to kill our way out."
Zong Yanling stomped his feet. "There are thousands of soldiers outside. How can there be no cultivators? How can we kill our way out? Even if the two of you can kill our way out, what about my wife and family? How can the two of you kill our way out together with my family? "
The middle-aged servant said in a low voice, "Manor Master, it's better to protect one than none. Otherwise, we can't answer to the master."
Zong Yanling waved his hand. "Maybe it won't be like this. Maybe we are thinking too much. Why don't we open the door and listen to orders? Maybe it's not as bad as we think."
The old servant said, "Manor Master, don't take chances. The people outside are not ordinary people. They are the imperial guards of the capital. Do you need them to deal with a landlord? Things are definitely not as simple as you think. Once we surrender, our identities as cultivators will inevitably be exposed. The law of the world is that cultivators must keep a distance from the people. Manor Master is not an official of the imperial court. If you find out that we are hiding here and eating the people's offerings, we will both be punished! "
Zong Yanling said with grief and indignation, "How many people are doing this in secret?"
The old servant said, "The rules are in the hands of the people who enforce them. It's fine if they don't want to find out, but if they do, they'll be held accountable. There's no such thing as complete fairness in this world. Looking at the commotion outside, it doesn't seem like they've come with good intentions. Do you think that the other party will give up so easily and not hold them accountable?"
Zong Yanling said, "If that's the case, the two of you should leave quickly. As long as you don't leave any evidence and ask Father to come forward and think of a solution, the imperial court will have to give Father some face." Seeing that the two of them still wanted to say something, he waved his hand to stop them. "I can't abandon my wife and child. After the two of you leave, even if the imperial court discovers that there are cultivators here, I can still deny it. They will only think that the two of you are cultivators who have come to steal. This way, I can buy some time. Help me contact my father as soon as possible."
If he insisted, the two of them couldn't do anything about it. If he didn't agree and something happened to his family, the two of them wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility. Some things required his approval.
In the end, the two of them had no choice but to quickly change their appearances and change into masked clothes. Then, they dashed out from a corner of the courtyard.
"Fire!"
With a single command, arrows rained down. The two of them were powerful, so they forcefully disrupted the rain of arrows and broke through the encirclement.
"You're courting death!" A cultivator on horseback snorted coldly.
With a few clangs of swords, a group of cultivators who were watching from horseback suddenly drew their swords. More than a dozen people leaped into the air to intercept them. The two sides collided in the air and a fierce battle broke out.
With the experts of the three major sects in the capital coming out, and with the advantage in numbers, the battle didn't last long. When the gate of the courtyard opened, the battle was already over.
Zong Yanling stood alone outside the gate with a mournful look on his face.
A large group of people rushed into the courtyard from both sides of him, causing a great commotion inside. Screams and cries of children could be heard.
An armored general slowly rode his horse to Zong Yanling's side and looked down at him condescendingly.
This person was none other than Song Jiuming's former in-law, Song Yanqing's former father-in-law, and one of the four commanders of the capital region, Wang Heng.
"General, I'm a law-abiding and good citizen. May I know what crime I've committed that requires such a large force?" Zong Yanling cupped his hands and asked.
Wang Heng raised his hand over his shoulder and waved. Two servants covered in blood who had just escaped from the courtyard were dragged out and dragged in front of Zong Yanling.
"Do you know who they are?" Wang Heng asked coldly.
Zong Yanling shook his head. "I don't know who they are."
Wang Heng then looked at the two servants. The middle-aged servant said, "The two of us are short of money, so we're just here to make some money."
"Hmph!" Wang Heng sneered. His sneer was filled with sarcasm.
Now that the people had fallen into their hands, even if they had nothing to do, they could still do something. How could they deny it?
He was too lazy to say anything else. With an arrogant expression, he turned his horse around and left.
…
In the Southern Provincial Governor's Mansion, Lan Ruoting entered Meng Shanming's courtyard with a secret letter in hand.
In the courtyard, Luo Daan was bare-chested, practicing his spear art under the sun. Meng Shanming and Shang Chaozong were watching, one sitting and the other standing.
Lan Ruoting walked up to them, greeted them, and passed the secret letter to Shang Chaozong.
Shang Chaozong looked up in surprise. "Daoye wants to move to the Prefecture City?"
Lan Ruoting nodded. "This is a letter from Daoye himself. It shouldn't be wrong."
Meng Shanming took the letter and read it. He was puzzled. "He wants to stay in the Provincial Governor's Mansion? Isn't he unwilling to come to the Prefecture City? Why did he suddenly change his mind? "
Shang Chaozong pondered for a moment. "Since Daoye has said so, then get someone to clean up a courtyard. When Daoye comes, he can move in directly."
Meng Shanming noticed the frowning Lan Ruoting's expression. He asked, "Xiaolan, what do you think?"
Shang Chaozong looked at him.
Lan Ruoting waved his hand. "I don't have any thoughts. I just feel that it's strange. We just received the letter, but the news has already spread in the city. I thought it was just a rumor, but now it's true. It's really strange. "
There's such a thing? Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming looked at each other … …
Qingshan County.
Huang Lie, who was staying in the guest courtyard, came to Thatched Cottage Villa again. This was his third time here since he came to Qingshan County. During this time, he had also asked his disciples to come several times.
In the pavilion by the water, Yuan Gang came out to entertain them again.
What tea? Huang Lie waved his sleeves. There was no need. He had been impatient for a long time. "What does Niu Youdao mean? I've been waiting here for days. Do you think I'm bored? When will he come back? Give me a definite answer today! "
Yuan Gang said, "Soon."
Huang Lie said, "Soon? How many times have you brushed me off with this? How far is it from Jinzhou to here? He has a flying mount. Why would he need so much time? "
Yuan Gang said, "There was an accident. Daoye encountered a large number of assassins along the way, so he was delayed for a few days." He wouldn't mention this unless the other party couldn't wait any longer.
"Assassination?" Huang Lie was stunned. His eyes flickered. He was both surprised and not surprised. He tried to ask, "How's Niu Youdao doing?"
The accompanying elders also looked at each other. There was a tacit understanding in their eyes.
Yuan Gang said, "He's fine now."
"Oh! That's good. "Huang Lie nodded. It was hard to tell if his tone was regretful or happy for Niu Youdao.
Since something like this had happened, he couldn't say anything more. He could only wait patiently.
Just as they walked out of the main gate of the Thatched Cottage Villa, several people came from the foot of the mountain. Who else could it be but Niu Youdao? Niu Youdao and the others had returned.
When they met, Huang Lie immediately sized up Niu Youdao's complexion. "I heard that Little Brother encountered an assassination on the way. Are you okay?"
Niu Youdao said, "I did encounter some trouble and couldn't travel by flying mount. I'm ashamed to have made Sect Leader Huang wait for so long."
"As long as you are okay, as long as you are okay." Huang Lie laughed in relief.
Niu Youdao said, "I wanted to contact Sect Leader Huang to ask for reinforcements from Great Zen Mountain, but due to the emergency situation, there was a problem."
Guan Fangyi smiled at the side. These were all lies. They were leisurely strolling along the way.
Sending people to Jinzhou for reinforcements? Huang Lie muttered in his heart. Only he knew the answer, but he still said solemnly, "Great Zen Mountain doesn't know. If they knew, they would do it!"
They had just returned, and the entrance wasn't a place to talk. Niu Youdao waved his hand to invite them in.
When the group of people turned around, Huang Lie stared at the man in the flowery robe beside Niu Youdao. It was strange for a man to be dressed in such a gaudy manner. Furthermore, he was still wearing a mask. Huang Lie could not help but ask, "Friend, you are?"
The man in flowery clothes only glanced at him and ignored him. He walked in alone and looked around Thatched Cottage Villa.
"It's not my place to talk about his privacy." Niu Youdao waved his hand and didn't mention the man's identity. Huang Lie could only let it go.
Guan Fangyi secretly paid attention to Yuan Gang's reaction. She didn't see anything strange on Yuan Gang's face. She instantly understood that this person probably knew the true identity of the man in flowery clothes.
After the host and guests arrived at the waterside pavilion, Huang Lie asked about business, "Brother, you said you have something important to discuss with me. What is it?"
Niu Youdao raised his hand and gestured for Huang Lie to drink tea. He also picked up a cup and said, "It's not really anything important. I was delayed on the way. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Sect Master Huang to wait for a while."
Huang Lie, "Wait for what?"
Niu Youdao, "Someone sent me a great gift and invited Sect Master Huang to enjoy it together!"
"Great gift? What great gift? "Huang Lie was curious. The elders beside him were also curious.
Niu Youdao put down his teacup. "A great gift that can't be missed. Sect Master Huang will know when the time comes."
Since he couldn't get an answer, Huang Lie temporarily suppressed his questions. "Brother, I heard that you are preparing to move to the Provincial Governor's Office in the prefecture. Is it true?"
This was the problem he was worried about. Shang Chaozong was currently in his hands. He was worried that Niu Youdao would interfere and snatch control from him.
Great Zen Mountain couldn't rule South Prefecture alone. Only by holding Shang Chaozong's life in their hands could they guarantee it. If they also lost control of Shang Chaozong's life, then their situation would be too awkward.
Niu Youdao, "There is such a thing, but it isn't what I want. I suddenly had this idea after the assassination attempt. After encountering danger on the way, I suspect that the Imperial Court has made a move against me. My current situation is a bit dangerous, so I can only temporarily hide in the prefecture city. But Sect Master Huang, don't worry. I'm only staying here temporarily. After I reach a compromise with the Imperial Court, I will immediately move out. I won't stay in the prefecture city for long. "
PS: The First Alliance has experienced many setbacks and changed owners again. Thank you brothers and sisters of the artillery department for your support!
。
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
