"What the hell," Mo Rigen said. "Where did Atay go?"
Qiu Yongsi panted. "Isn't that good? At least he's not in danger. "
Hongjun frowned. "How did you get tricked into this place?"
It turned out that after everyone had split up that night, Mo Rigen, Qiu Yongsi, and Li Jinglong had fallen into a trap before they could receive any news from the Carp Demon. The other tunnel at the bottom of the moat, the houses not far from the Wild Goose Tower, and the cave outside the city were all set up with the same array that Hongjun and Atay had seen.
The Carp Demon must have only found Atay, and then searched the river for the others.
Qiu Yongsi and Mo Rigen were the same. They had injected energy into the array to check, and had been attacked by the blood droplets. Li Jinglong had been ambushed. At the moment of the ambush, Li Jinglong had made a bold decision. Since he could not escape, he might as well pretend to be unconscious, and so he had arrived here.
Only Hongjun and Atay had managed to avoid being transported here by the array because they had picked up the copper plate.
"But normal people … shouldn't they inject their spiritual energy into the array to see what effect it has?" Mo Rigen said.
"Yes," Hongjun said. "That's why we're not normal people. You just realized? But where did Zhao Zilong go? "
The Carp Demon looked around, carrying a brocade pouch full of Soul Leaving Pollen, and ran down the dark street. It ran all the way to the Exorcism Division and shouted, "Hongjun! Where did you go?! "
"Brother Zhao Zilong?"
"Wah —" The Carp Demon was scared out of its wits. It turned around and saw Atay.
After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, a man and a fish stood in the courtyard.
"This is good," Atay said. "Hongjun is also missing."
No matter how big the world was, Hong Jun was the most important. If it lost Hong Jun, it might even be in danger. The carp demon thought about how it would end up being sliced into sashimi or fried into a squirrel fish if the boss of the Dazzling Gold Palace found out about it. The carp demon shivered in fear.
"Why aren't you with Hongjun?!" The Carp Demon howled.
"I'm too sleepy," Atay said. "I didn't sleep for a day and fell asleep under the bridge.."
The Carp: "What do we do, what do we do!"
Ah Tai waved his hand to signal the carp monster to stop panicking. In any case, the sky was falling. Hurry up and find someone.
"Let's go," Atay said. "There's already some progress."
Atay brought the Carp Demon to the bottom of the nine-zigzag bridge. The Carp Demon looked up and saw the zigzag array at the bottom of the bridge.
"This is one of them," Atay said. "Follow me."
The man and fish waded through the water. The Carp Demon said fearfully, "I was just passing by Pingkang Li and went in to take a look …"
"Don't say anymore," Atay put his hand to his forehead and answered. "No one will blame you. You're not an exorcist."
"But my mission is to protect Hongjun!" The Carp Demon suddenly shouted hysterically. "I told you to protect him. Where did the protection go?"
Atay: "…"
"Stop shouting. Look here." Atay stopped. There was another array in front of him.
The Carp Demon looked at the array. Atay brought it deeper into the tunnel and found four arrays. The Carp Demon noticed Hongjun's footprints. Finally, they followed Hongjun's path and came to an empty cave.
Atay looked at the copper plate. It was empty.
The Carp Demon looked at it blankly for a long time. It raised a foot and tried to step on it. Nothing happened. Atay thought of the day when he and Hongjun first found this array. Now, it seemed that it must be closely related to the disappearance of everyone. Without waiting for the Carp Demon to ask, Atay slowly poured his magic power into it.
The array lit up. However, without the power of the drop of blood in the center, the tunnel could not open.
At the same time, the array at the top of the cave lit up. The rest of the people from the Exorcism Department looked like they were facing a great enemy. They controlled their magic treasures and stared at the array's light.
"… It won't work …" Atay's voice could be heard faintly. "… It can't be activated without the core of the array."
"Atay!" Li Jinglong shouted. "Don't go away. Don't come in!"
The Carp Demon said, "I think I heard the voice of the unlucky guy?"
Li Jinglong: "…"
Atay: "You're just imagining things …"
Everyone rushed forward. Qiu Yongsi shouted, "Atay! Behind you! "
"And that big blockhead," the Carp Demon said.
Qiu Yongsi facepalmed and said, "He even gave us nicknames."
"Zhao Zilong!" Hongjun shouted.
"Hongjun! It's Hongjun —! "
The Carp Demon almost danced in ecstasy. This time, Atay heard it too. He hurriedly shouted, "Hongjun! Are you guys in there? "
Although they couldn't send anyone through the teleportation array, they could vaguely hear each other's voices. The Carp Demon hurriedly asked, "Hongjun, are you hurt?"
Hongjun covered his ear that had just stopped bleeding and shouted, "No! Are you guys okay? Where did you go? "
The Carp Demon: "I went to Xi City to buy groceries … What do you want to eat tonight?"
"Zhao Zilong, go away!" Atay said anxiously. "Changshi, what happened?"
Li Jinglong went forward and raised his head to tell the whole story. Atay replied, "Then, we still have to find the blood …"
"No, no." Qiu Yongsi said, "It seems that this array only allows people to enter and not leave. If you come in again, you might not be able to get out."
When Madam Guo and Baxia left, they didn't use this array. Instead, they drew a talisman and disappeared into thin air. They must have other ways to leave.
"Atay, go and find the person." Li Jinglong ordered, "After you find her, try to observe her. No matter what, stall her. We'll think of a way here."
Atay nodded and left with the Carp Demon.
That day, a strong wind blew in Chang 'an. Atay carried the Carp Demon on his back and went to Madam Guo's residence. However, he heard that His Majesty, the Imperial Concubine, and Madam Guo had returned to Mount Li. Atay had to go to the underground market and rent a horse. He rode the horse to Mount Li.
Time passed slowly in the cave. No one said a word. They circulated their qi to heal their wounds.
Li Jinglong took a deep breath and asked, "How's your recovery?"
Hongjun recovered the fastest. Now, he had recovered almost 20% of his cultivation and could control the flying knife. Qiu Yongsi said, "Do you remember the talisman Madam Guo drew before she left? Maybe we can give it a try. "
Li Jinglong drew the talisman on the ground based on his memory and said, "I don't know how to draw talismans. I don't know if it's right."
Qiu Yongsi looked at it for a moment. Then he rolled up his sleeves and tried to draw a talisman in the air with his brush.
Hongjun sat cross-legged in front of the blood pool. He couldn't help but think of Madam Guo's words before she left.
"His father killed my sister. Today, he's all in my hands … "
Not long ago, when he saw Yang Yuhuan, Yang Yuhuan seemed to be surprised. Did that mean that both Imperial Concubine and Madam Guo knew his father?
It was Chong Ming who told him this. Even if he didn't say it himself, Hongjun had to find out the cause of his parents' death. Gradually, he thought of the hallucination he had when he smelled the Soul-leaving Pollen …
Are they my parents? Hongjun frowned.
"Hongjun?" Qiu Yongsi pulled Hongjun out of his thoughts.
Li Jinglong frowned and said, "He's very tired."
Hongjun looked up and saw the three people looking at him in confusion. Mo Rigen asked, "Is there any spell that can break through the void?"
Qiu Yongsi drew a talisman in the air with his brush. The talisman only buzzed and flashed, but it couldn't teleport people away. He recalled that when Madam Guo raised her finger to draw the Transmission Talisman, her ring lit up. Therefore, there must be a magic treasure in the outside world that was calling across space.
"This talisman uses the power of 'calling' to teleport the caster." Qiu Yongsi looked up and said, "There's a blood pool in the void. Using a drop of blood to call out to the pool is like opening a lock. The drop of blood is the key, and the blood pool is the lock. After opening the array, people can be teleported in."
Hongjun didn't expect Qiu Yongsi to figure out the principle so quickly. He answered, "That means we have to set up a lock on the outside."
Qiu Yongsi nodded and asked, "Can you sense the Five-colored Divine Light that Madam Guo took away?"
Hongjun answered, "Let me try."
Hongjun put his hand on the back of Qiu Yongsi's hand. After thinking for a while, he shook his head and said with a frown, "No."
Everyone fell into deep thought again. Mo Rigen asked, "Can we use the Soul-leaving Pollen that Zhao Zilong took?"
"It must be a set of Dharma treasures," Qiu Yongsi said anxiously, "and the Dharma treasures must call out to each other …"
Hongjun said, "Got it!"
Everyone looked at Hongjun. Hongjun smiled and said, "Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger! Four sets of one dagger. The last one must be with Madam Guo! Let me do it! "
With that, Hongjun started to roll up his sleeves. Li Jinglong immediately said, "Go out after you're fully prepared. Next, if you meet Madam Guo, don't talk nonsense. Fight first. If she fights back, she'll be a monster and won't be able to run away. It's better if she doesn't fight back. No matter what, there'll be a big battle. "
At dusk in the Huaqing Pool on Mount Li.
Li Longji soaked in the pool and heaved a long sigh. He was already exhausted.
Yang Yuhuan scraped the pearl powder with a silver knife and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, are you still thinking about what happened earlier?"
"I'm worried." Li Longji sighed and said, "I can entrust the national affairs to you. But how will Han deal with demons and ghosts?"
Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, "With Di Gong's will and Li Jinglong's help, I don't think there will be any big problems."
"Even the demons are in front of us," Li Longji said, "When I think of that day, I can't help but feel scared."
Yang Yuhuan said softly, "So it's all thanks to Your Majesty. God is protecting the Tang Dynasty. That's why these children can get rid of the demons in time."
Li Longji laughed and said to himself, "After the fox demon disaster, Guozhong said a few words to me. After I heard it, I was even more worried."
"What did he say?" Yang Yuhuan said in surprise, "Although he's in charge of the Exorcism Division, he doesn't care much about it."
"He said …" Li Longji seemed to be quite emotional, "Everyone in the Exorcism Division is powerful. Who do you think is a match for ordinary soldiers? Just take Yi Si Ai for example. It shouldn't be a problem for one to fight against a hundred. When these people are loyal to the Tang Dynasty, they can be role models for the soldiers. What if one day, they are no longer loyal to the Tang Dynasty? "
Yang Yuhuan didn't say anything.
"All humans have seven emotions and six desires." Li Longji said again, "In the past, I reduced the power of the Menxia Provinces so that the Zhongshu, Shangshu, and Menxia Provinces can keep each other in check. Although there aren't many officials in the Exorcism Division now, if something happens, who will keep them in check? "
Yang Yuhuan pondered for a moment and then replied, "Li Jinglong and the child beside him have clear eyes and untainted aura. They probably won't cause trouble for the Imperial Court."
"That's true." Li Longji said, "But ten years later, a hundred years later, or even thousands of years later? The way to rule a country can't always rely on people as evidence. This is what I'm most worried about. "
Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, "Take it slow. There will always be a way. Maybe the Right Minister and the Exorcism Division Secretary will also think so …"
As they were talking, the silver knife in Yang Yuhuan's hand suddenly lit up and made a buzzing sound. Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan were startled at the same time.
Yang Yuhuan frowned and said, "What's going on? I just said … and … "
"Quickly put it down!" Li Longji said, "Where did it come from?"
"This … I also forgot …" Yang Yuhuan put down the silver knife that she used to scrape pearl powder and replied, "Last time I saw it at Eldest Sister's house. When I was mixing pearl powder, I casually took it from her room!"
"Have you asked her?" Li Longji was shocked and said, "What kind of magic tool is this?"
The silver knife became brighter and brighter, slowly rising into the air and constantly vibrating. The blade pointed at Li Longji. At this time, Yang Yuhuan no longer hesitated. With a splash, she jumped into the pool and suddenly turned around, blocking in front of Li Longji.
Her hair was wet and her gown was tight. Yang Yuhuan's back was against Li Longji. The two of them looked at the flying knife together. Yang Yuhuan couldn't stop gasping for breath.
The silver knife became brighter and brighter, and there were even crackling electric lights on it. Li Longji turned around, holding a glass cup and was about to go forward to catch it. However, the silver knife suddenly shone brightly and electric lights shot out. With a buzzing sound, Li Jinglong flew out of the electric lights!
Li Jinglong was covered in blood and fell into the pool with a splash. Yang Yuhuan screamed and shouted, "Someone!"
Li Longji shouted, "Someone! Someone quickly — "
"This is …"
The next moment, Qiu Yongsi and Mo Rigen fell into the pool. Then, in the dazzling light, Hongjun fell headfirst into the pool!
"It's so painful —!" The wound on Hongjun's ear hadn't healed yet. Being soaked in the hot spring water, he grimaced in pain and staggered out of the hot spring. The four of them fell into the pool a few times. Hongjun accidentally stepped on Yang Yuhuan's foot. Yang Yuhuan screamed, "Who is it?! "
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Hongjun hurriedly said, "Uncle …"
"It's His Majesty!" Li Jinglong immediately shouted.
Li Longji stared and didn't say anything for a long time. Li Jinglong didn't know whether to kneel or stand. He hurriedly bowed and didn't expect his face to fall into the water and spit out a mouthful of saliva.
Mo Rigen and Qiu Yongsi hurriedly wiped their faces and pulled Hongjun forward.
"There's an assassin —!"
"Catch the assassin!"
At this moment, the Shenwu Army guards all rushed over with crossbows in their hands and pulled the trigger without asking for a reason.
"Wait …" Before Li Jinglong could speak, Li Longji shouted, "Stop! Put down your weapons! "
Li Jinglong couldn't breathe and staggered out of the pool. He said, "Your Majesty, please let me report …"
"What's wrong?" Yang Yuhuan asked, "Are you injured?"
"We're chasing the fox demon …" Li Jinglong was about to speak when Guo Country's Madam hurried over. The two sides met face to face.
Li Jinglong ignored Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan and yelled, "Do it!"
In the blink of an eye, Mo Rigen nocked an arrow and Qiu Yongsi waved his brush. The Nailhead Seven Arrows whistled through the air. With a splash, the scene in front of the Huaqing Pool turned into an ink painting!
Guo Country's Madam didn't hesitate. She waved her sleeve and the Nailhead Seven Arrows immediately flew back. Then, her eyes flashed with a strong light and a burst of energy suddenly exploded.
"Kill them," Guo Country's Madam said coldly.
In front of the Huaqing Pool, all the Shenwu Army soldiers nocked their arrows at the same time. With a whoosh, a rain of arrows covered Li Jinglong's group and even Li Longji who was still in the pool!
At the same time, Atay carried the Carp Demon and galloped on his horse. When he reached Mount Li, he suddenly heard an explosion in the distance and all the Shenwu Army soldiers ran toward Pure Flowers Palace.
"Protect His Majesty!"
Shouts and roars rang out everywhere. Atay lifted his robe and rushed into Pure Flowers Palace. Arrows flew everywhere. The Carp Demon yelled behind Atay, "Wahhh, be careful of the arrows in the heart! I'm not a shield! "
"What's going on?!" Atay said, "Our own people are fighting their own people?!"
The scene was extremely chaotic. Soldiers of the Divine Martial Army were killing each other everywhere. A loud explosion came from the Huaqing Pool as if something had been snapped. The roof of the pool collapsed in an earth-shattering manner.
"Guo Country's Madam is trying to kill Us!" Li Longji quickly and accurately cut to the chase and yelled, "Execute her on the spot!"
Li Jinglong said, "Your Majesty, the situation is urgent. If there's a fight …"
Li Longji was wearing a dragon robe and his hair was messy. He grabbed Li Jinglong and yelled, "Make it short!"
"I'm afraid of, of, of …"
"Do whatever you want!"
Li Longji waved his hand, and everyone felt as if they had been pardoned. Li Jinglong yelled, "Try not to harm the lives of our Shenwu Army brothers! Capture the demons! "
Hongjun, Qiu Yongsi, and Mo Rigen all followed suit and chased after Guo Country's Madam.
The scene was extremely chaotic. More and more Shenwu Army soldiers rushed in from outside the palace. When they reached Guo Country's Madam, they all changed sides and charged at the Exorcism Division's people.
Qiu Yongsi yelled, "I'll take the lead! You guys follow! Do whatever you want! His Majesty said so! "
Then, Qiu Yongsi waved his brush —
The entire Pure Flowers Palace trembled. In an instant, all the paintings of beautiful women, lions, eagles, fish, and even dragons on the porcelain vases and lanterns flew out and shot toward the soldiers in front of Guo Country's Madam!
The Shenwu Army soldiers were instantly entangled. Although the rainbow dragons couldn't breathe fire, they were huge in size. They circled around and crashed into the soldiers, causing them to be thrown off their feet!
"You have this move?!" Li Jinglong yelled, "Why didn't you use it earlier?!"
Qiu Yongsi said, "I want to use it! Do you think there are paintings in the cave? "
Guo Country's Madam roared and jumped up, knocking down a pillar. She spat out black flames that swept across the ground. The Shenwu Army soldiers wailed in the sea of flames.
"Okay! Do whatever you want! "
Mo Rigen leaped up and stepped onto the fallen beam in a few steps. He flew into the air and flipped upside down. He swung his longbow into a full moon and in an instant, he shot seven arrows at the fox demon.
"Are we going to attack?" Li Jinglong asked.
"Wait!" Hongjun was still counting the fox demon's tails. One, two, three … eight tails? There's still one missing?!
The fox demons roared. They were clearly very wary of Mo Rigen's Nailhead Seven Arrows and dodged everywhere in Pure Flowers Palace. They turned around and knocked down a red wooden pillar. Then, everyone flipped onto the roof and gave chase!
Hongjun jumped onto the roof. Li Jinglong yelled, "Hongjun! What are you doing?! Use your flying daggers! "
Hongjun gestured at Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong didn't understand, so the two looked at each other. Hongjun nodded fiercely and pointed at himself anxiously.
Li Jinglong turned and saw the jade peacock plume tied to the eight-tailed celestial fox's neck.
"Take back his Rainbow Divine Light!" Li Jinglong yelled, "It's on the fox demon's neck!"