When the sun rose, the caravan was scattered in all directions by the elephant herd. The ground was a mess. Thanks to the Ashina Chong's keen judgment, the merchants managed to escape with their lives and hid behind large rocks in the night. Surprisingly, no one was injured.
When Hongjun's group arrived at last night's campsite, they discovered that there was an additional group of people. It was also a caravan from Yuzhou. They were assisting the caravan that had arrived first to check their supplies, repair their caravan, and search for their startled camels.
Hongjun looked at Chen Feng without saying a word. Everyone originally thought that Chen Feng would obediently stay in Yuzhou. They didn't expect him to hide in another caravan and follow them.
"You're courting death!" Hongjun scolded, "What if we don't go to the same place?"
Chen Feng replied, "There's only one Silk Road. If I can't find you, I'll just follow the caravan that's passing by and return to Chang 'an. "
It turned out that after this caravan set out, it took Chen Feng all the way north and west. Its speed was neither fast nor slow, and it actually trailed behind the Exorcism Division's group for a day. Chen Feng was young but mischievous. By the time they discovered him, they didn't have time to send people to escort him back to Yuzhou. In addition, he mentioned Li Jinglong, so the traveling merchants could only write letters and send them back to the Chamber of Commerce to bring him along.
Qiu Yongsi couldn't help but size up the silver-armored warrior, as if he was trying to guess his origins.
"He's from Yu Prefecture." Chen Feng pulled Hongjun's robe and said to the silver-armored warrior, "He's Hongjun."
Under the sunlight, Hongjun was finally able to see this person clearly. The first impression that this warrior named "Yu Prefecture" gave them was that he had a very good figure. His muscles were sexy, and his armor was exposed. His abdominal muscles were well-defined and neat. He wore a pair of dark blue warrior pants. His shoulders were broad, his waist was strong, and his legs were long. He was handsome. According to the customs of the Tang Dynasty, walking bare-chested through Chang 'an's streets would definitely attract the attention of countless young girls. Lu Xu was thinner, while Qiu Yongsi was more muscular. Li Jinglong could barely share the limelight with him, but he lacked some indescribable temperament.
This person's figure was as if the Creator had deliberately chiseled it out for him. Even though he was wearing a mask, he still had the aura of a Martial God.
The silver-armored warrior kept looking at Hongjun. Ashina Chong was unhappy and said, "Why are you always staring at him?"
The silver-armored warrior suddenly said, "I noticed that Hongjun is not tall."
Hongjun: "…"
Who would greet each other like that? Hongjun really lost to him. Although he was not as tall as Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi, he was still more than seven feet tall. He was not short at all, okay?
Qiu Yongsi said, "Since we are friends, why must you wear masks and hide your face?"
Hongjun was about to stop Qiu Yongsi. After all, if this person was wearing a mask, then there must be a reason for it. He might even have an injury on his face.
Yu Prefecture looked around at everyone. He raised his index and middle fingers, pinched the mask, and took it off. With a casual shake of his hand, the mask turned into a stream of light and disappeared.
Hongjun, Lu Xu, Qiu Yongsi, and Ashina Chong were all stunned. People often said, "A man of striking appearance and elegant demeanor" to describe this person. Yu Prefecture's eyebrows were sharp and his skin was fair. He looked like he was in his twenties. He really made people admire him.
Yu Prefecture nodded at them. Hongjun thought for a moment and then said, "Thank you for taking care of Feng-er."
"You're welcome." Yu Prefecture gave a simple reply and then left the camp. He went to a carriage and sat in it, silently looking into the distance.
This person's identity was a mystery, and he did not speak or smile. Hongjun did not know how to deal with him. He looked at Qiu Yongsi. Qiu Yongsi frowned and thought for a long time. Then he said, "Let's prepare to depart first. Let's talk about other things later. Elder Shi should be back soon to meet up with everyone."
The caravan suffered heavy losses, but fortunately, no one was injured. The two groups of merchants formed a group and set off as soon as possible. They followed the middle section of the Silk Road and headed to Talos. They were prepared to replenish their horses and camels when they arrived. At the end of the group was a huge gunnysack. Inside it was Han Ba who was tied up with the Demon Binding Rope. Qiu Yongsi had covered the gunnysack with talismans.
Troubles had to be dealt with one by one. Qiu Yongsi decided to let Han Ba sleep for a while and deal with him after he met up with Li Jinglong. Lu Xu used dreamforce to make him sleep, and Qiu Yongsi used talismans to prevent him from escaping. With the addition of the Demon Binding Rope, he did not believe that Han Ba would be able to escape.
The caravan set off. Hongjun told Chen Feng to get into the carriage. He was having a headache about how to deal with this brat. He could not bring him to Talos to fight. Chen Feng had been running around all night and was very sleepy. He curled up in the innermost part of the carriage and fell asleep.
Qiu Yongsi whispered to Hongjun, "Go and find out about Yu Prefecture's background."
Hongjun said, "Can I get information out of him? Why do I feel like I'm always the one getting information out of him? "
"Go." Qiu Yongsi instructed, "The way he looks at you is a bit strange. He's not an ordinary person. Ask him what he is."
Hongjun said, "Maybe he's a demon."
"Experts don't just appear out of nowhere," Lu Xu said. "Could he be a demon king? Or maybe he's the Han Ba? Or maybe Han Ba has two brothers? "
Hongjun thought for a while and sat in the carriage. The others went to rest in their own carriages. After a busy night, they were all tired. The carriage swayed. Chen Feng was sleeping soundly. Yu Prefecture had one foot on the shaft of the carriage and the other leg crossed. He looked at the road they came from. When he saw Hongjun walking quickly towards him, he leaned over and pulled him into the carriage.
Hongjun said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Yu Prefecture said again.
Hongjun noticed that this chivalrous man was always polite. Even if he said a few polite words, he would still make people feel warm and comfortable. The two of them were silent for a while. They each sat on one side of the carriage with large rolls of silk beside them.
"You … where did you get on the carriage?" Hongjun couldn't help but ask.
Yu Prefecture said, "Jiayu Pass."
Hongjun nodded. Yu Prefecture looked at Hongjun quietly, making Hongjun feel a bit embarrassed.
"Brother Yu, do you know my father?" Hongjun asked again.
"No," Yu Prefecture answered.
Hongjun felt awkward. He could only smile and nod.
Yu Prefecture looked away. Hongjun said, "Why did you save us?"
"Your foster son asked me to go." Yu Prefecture looked at Hongjun and said, "The little guy is quite cute."
"Thank you for taking care of him." Hongjun couldn't help but feel embarrassed. If it weren't for Yu Prefecture, they wouldn't have died, but they would have been seriously injured.
"You're welcome." Yu Prefecture cupped his fists again.
"Where did that person join the caravan?"
In the other carriage, Qiu Yongsi also asked the captain of the caravan.
"Jiayu Pass." The captain answered, "He said that he wanted a ride with us and even gave us gold … Here, look, this is the gold he paid …" He showed Qiu Yongsi a few pieces of gold as he spoke. Qiu Yongsi took them and weighed them in his hands. The gold was of excellent quality. Only the royal family would be able to obtain it. Who exactly was this person?
Qiu Yongsi was full of doubts. He looked at Hongjun and Yu Prefecture, who were talking in the other carriage. He glanced at the steel claws beside him and couldn't help but guess his origins.
Hongjun asked, "Are you a monster?"
"Whether I'm a monster or a human," Yu Prefecture answered. "Is it that important?"
Hongjun thought about it and dismissed it with a laugh. Then he realized that something was wrong. He was obviously here to get information out of him, so he said, "Then you're a monster."
Yu Prefecture said, "I'm whatever you want me to be."
Hongjun facepalmed.
"I'm a peacock. What are you?" Hongjun asked.
Yu Prefecture said, "I know you're a peacock. I'm Yu Prefecture. I'm me."
Hongjun couldn't get Qiu Yongsi to tell him what he wanted. He could only give up and said helplessly, "Okay … Can I see your weapon?"
Yu Prefecture did something that surprised him. He didn't wait for Hongjun to reach out and picked up the steel claws. Then he held the steel claws with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and held them out with both hands. His action was very similar to how a member of the monster race would act when facing a high-level monster.
Hongjun hurriedly nodded and took the steel claws. He saw that the steel claws were as sharp as a dragon's claws. Yu Prefecture said, "Be careful. Don't cut your hands."
Hongjun couldn't figure out the weapon's origins after looking at it. He gave up again and tried to find a few words to say. Yu Prefecture said, "You're tired. Go to sleep first. I'll watch over you guys."
Hongjun yawned. He was indeed tired. He and Lu Xu had been taking turns to take care of Ashina Chong for the past few days. They hadn't slept much. Last night, they had been on the move again, so he collapsed in the car with his clothes on. Yu Prefecture took a blanket and covered him with it, saying, "I'll call you if there's anything."
The carriage rocked back and forth, and Hongjun quickly fell asleep. He didn't know how much time had passed, but he suddenly heard the cry of a bird. He opened his eyes, rubbed them, and sat up.
The sun was setting in the west. A white falcon stopped behind the carriage. Yu Prefecture put on the steel claws and cautiously faced the white falcon, not allowing it to come close.
"It's one of us," Hongjun hurriedly said.
He untied a small piece of cloth from the white falcon's leg. On it was a simple map with a valley drawn on it.
"It's Jinglong who brought the news!" Hongjun glanced at Yu Prefecture and hurriedly called for Qiu Yongsi. The caravan stopped for a moment, and everyone looked at it for a moment. Qiu Yongsi said, "Leave the caravan and head towards the valley northwest of Zaluosi. We'll meet up with them there."
The caravan parted ways here. Qiu Yongsi borrowed several camels from the merchants and dragged the burlap sack containing Han Ba onto it. They headed towards the location indicated on the map. Yu Prefecture also dismounted and stood to the side. Hongjun was just about to ask Yu Prefecture to bring Chen Feng to Zaluosi and find a safe place to stay when Yu Prefecture said, "I'll go with you."
Hongjun said, "Feng 'er, he …"
"Let's go together. Bring Feng 'er along." Qiu Yongsi interrupted Hongjun and gave him a look. Hongjun didn't know what he meant. In fact, most people in the Exorcism Division always communicated with their eyes, and Hongjun was often the one who didn't understand. He didn't ask and just nodded.
Thus, Lu Xu took Ashina Chong, Qiu Yongsi, and Hongjun took Chen Feng. Yu Prefecture's camel dragged the sand cart with Han Ba tied up on it. They headed towards the rendezvous point designated by Li Jinglong.
Qiu Yongsi saw that Hongjun was riding behind him and kept looking back. He said, "Do you know why he followed us?"
Hongjun shook his head. Qiu Yongsi explained, "He's afraid that we'll be in danger if we get ambushed again. When the white falcon reported, he kept staring at the falcon and the map in my hands. He was thinking. "
Hongjun was surprised that Qiu Yongsi could think of so many details. He said, "It shouldn't be that bad. Jinglong and Brother Gen are together …"
"I've already made arrangements." Qiu Yongsi said, "Lu Xu will be ready to counterattack at any time."
The sun set quickly, dyeing the dry sand around Talos blood red. The place that Li Jinglong drew was a dry river valley. When they arrived, Mo Rigen was building a fire in the river valley. There were a few brick houses on both sides of the river bed.
Mo Rigen was wearing the black uniform of the Ramadan army and had a scimitar at his waist. He whistled to confirm that there was no danger, and everyone gathered in front of the bonfire.
"Who are you?" Mo Rigen was surprised to see another person. "Chen Feng, how did you follow us?"
Chen Feng hurriedly hid behind Yu Prefecture. Li Jinglong hurried over and was shocked. He said angrily, "Feng-er!"
Yu Prefecture hurriedly greeted Li Jinglong. After Hongjun explained everything, Li Jinglong thanked Yu Prefecture and said, "Let's have dinner first."
Mo Rigen hunted a wild boar. Hongjun had eaten too much flatbread and smelled the meat. He wondered how Mo Rigen could always hunt wild boars. After dinner, Li Jinglong said, "We found Atay's whereabouts. The situation is very serious. He was caught and imprisoned in Talos."
Ashina Qiong immediately let out a long sigh and wiped his face.
"Amman will return to Talos at noon tomorrow. Ba Si has already arrived." Li Jinglong explained, "We chased him here, changed into these clothes, and snuck into the city …" He suddenly stopped and looked at Yu Prefecture in confusion.
At this time, Yuzhou was holding salt and sprinkling it on a piece of meat in Hong Jun's hand. The two of them naturally sat together.
Hongjun, "?"
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Li Jinglong continued as if nothing had happened, "… We saw Ba Si. The Great Sun Golden Wheel is in his hands, but he doesn't seem to know what it is."
"What about the Fire God Ring?" Ashina Chong asked.
"It was also taken away." Mo Rigen explained, "Tomorrow at noon, when Amman arrives, Ba Si will ask the Holy Sword to destroy your Fire God Ring in front of all the residents of Talos. Then he will hang Atay. "
"We've stolen the other things," Ye Zichen said. Li Jinglong opened a cloth bag. Inside was Atay's fan and the four rings of ice, fire, thunder, and earth.
"It can't be …" Qiu Yongsi murmured. "He was caught?"
"In Ba Jin, did Amman make him drink something?" Li Jinglong asked Ashina Chong.
"That cup of wine!" Ashina Chong was shocked.
Li Jinglong said, "He was obviously poisoned but didn't realize it. He even got close to General Ba Si. Just as he was about to snatch the Great Sun Golden Wheel, the poison acted up and almost killed him."
Everyone was silent for a moment. Ashina Chong said, "Let me deal with Amman personally. I feel much better now."
"Don't be anxious." Mo Rigen said, "We still have about eighteen hours. Tomorrow at noon, when Amman returns to Talos, they will publicly execute him."
Capturing the last son of the Isai family would cause a sensation in the whole of Ramadan. Bagdad gave the order to execute him in Talos. At the same time, he wanted to destroy the holy ring that symbolized the highest authority of Zoroastrianism in front of everyone. This would cause Zoroastrianism to disappear.
"That is the ring that Zoroaster wore when he was alive." Ashina Chong said. "Impossible!"
Li Jinglong spread out his hands and said, "I don't know what the result of your dispute will be, but … Ba Si personally came from Bagdad and brought the holy sword with him. He is prepared to compete with the God of Fire Ring. Maybe it won't break? But I think that no matter what the result is, Atay's life will be in danger. "
Qiu Yongsi pondered for a moment and then said, "This is equivalent to a Buddhist magical item and a Daoist magical item. Although such a situation rarely occurs in history, it ultimately depends on the strength of the person using the magical item, as well as the origin of the magical item."
Ashina Chong was silent. Lu Xu said, "The result is possible. After all, the God of Fire Ring is not on Atay's finger, and Ba Si is holding the holy sword. "
Lu Xu left some face and did not speak too bluntly. Li Jinglong said, "I asked Bai Sun to monitor Amman's team. After he finished off Qiu Yongsi, he returned to Bagdad, and now he is rushing back to Talos. Tomorrow, we will split into two groups …"
Li Jinglong began to assign tasks. One group would head to the road between Bagdad and Talos to stop Amman.
The other group would secretly sneak into the execution ground with them to rescue Atay and seize the Sun Wheel. Regardless of whether they could inherit it or not, they would have to seize it first.
Li Jinglong arranged everything in an orderly manner. Everyone was no longer worried about Atay and dispersed after finalizing the details. Only Li Jinglong, Hongjun, Yu Prefecture, and Chen Feng were left behind.
"Please take care of my child." Li Jinglong stood up and said, "Hongjun, let's go take care of another matter."
At this time, Qiu Yongsi was waiting for Han Ba at a shelter in the valley. He first tore off the talisman on the sack, then opened it and poured out Han Ba.
Han Ba woke up. He opened his eyes and stared at Li Jinglong.