"Give me the powder," Hongjun said in a low voice.
Lu Xu brought the powder over, and Hongjun used the furnace in the Holy Temple to refine the pill. Previously, Ashina Chong had found the medicine hidden in a secret compartment in the Holy Temple. Hongjun had tried some of it and found that the medicine had a miraculous effect. It was the embers left behind by the eternal flame in front of the altar.
"Don't go back alone," Lu Xu suddenly said.
Hongjun was preparing the medicine for the unconscious Atay when he heard this and suddenly stopped.
"Da Lang said so," Lu Xu said expressionlessly without waiting for Hongjun to ask, and then sat down at the side.
Hongjun mixed the powder with some water and gently applied it to Atay's face. His face had been scratched many times during the torture, and his face, which was prettier than a girl's, was almost completely ruined.
But he was confident that he could cure Atay.
"The reason for all this." Hongjun muttered to himself, "It's because they don't believe me, and because the Exorcism Division is involved with the demonic beasts, it will be difficult for them to help me solve the problem."
Lu Xu said, "Li Jinglong has been very careful. He has been reminding us from the beginning to prevent the demonic beasts from having any objections."
In fact, before Hongjun took over the position of Demonic King from Chong Ming, Li Jinglong had repeatedly warned him. They were all humans, and as exorcists, they were enemies of the demonic beasts no matter what. Even though both sides had the same goal in resisting Tianma, this reality could not be changed.
Once the exorcists influenced Hongjun too much, his status as Demonic King would be shaken. The demonic beasts would also become suspicious of Hongjun, thinking that their king was too close to humans. When the demonic beasts found out that Li Jinglong could actually give orders to Hongjun, the Demonic King's prestige would definitely be damaged.
"So this time, I have to solve it myself," Hongjun said. "No one can help me."
"I'm a demon." Lu Xu said, "So is the Big Wolf."
"This is different." Hongjun looked at Lu Xu and said, "I can't rely on you guys anymore."
Lu Xu said, "Then tell me, how do you want to solve this?"
Hongjun remained silent.
Lu Xu said again, "You want to kill Qing Xiong?"
Hongjun remained silent. In the end, he said softly, "I … I don't know. I'm very confused, Lu Xu." His brows were deeply furrowed. When he looked at Lu Xu, his eyes were filled with sorrow. "I know that at this time, I should have my own ideas. Just like you, like Chief Shi, I should have my own opinions. I should have subdued Qing Xiong, shouldn't I? But sometimes, even I don't have the confidence … "As he spoke, he sighed and said," Even I haven't thought of the reason why I'm going back. I just want to ask him clearly in front of him, why. "
Lu Xu looked at Hongjun quietly.
"I can't make the decision for you." Lu Xu finally said, "But everyone in the Exorcism Division is willing to go back with you."
"It seems that you're facing a lot of trouble." Atay suddenly spoke, startling both Hongjun and Lu Xu. Atay wanted to get up, but he showed a pained expression. The two hurriedly went forward to check on Atay's body.
Atay, on the other hand, tried hard to stretch and cried out a few times, "Aiya, aiya."
"How is it?" Hongjun said, "You've been beaten until your skin is split open."
Lu Xu said, "Don't move around! The wound will split open again. "
"It's like I had a very long dream." Atay's face was full of injuries, but when he turned to look at Hongjun, there was a smile in his eyes. "But I'm finally alive to see you guys again."
Hongjun and Lu Xu both laughed. Lu Xu said, "I'll go call them. That's great, you're finally awake."
After Lu Xu left, Atay said, "Hongjun, who bullied you?"
Atay's awakening made Hongjun's mood much better. He smiled and said, "You should worry about yourself first."
"You didn't touch me while I was sleeping, right?" Atay said, "Be careful that your sister-in-law doesn't beat you up."
"Do I look like that kind of person?" Hongjun said frantically.
Atay laughed out loud, but when he laughed, his whole body hurt. He grimaced and said, "Am I ugly?"
"It's okay." Hongjun touched Atay's head and said, "You'll be as handsome as before."
Atay looked at Hongjun thoughtfully. Hongjun knew that he had woken up a long time ago, but he didn't say anything after hearing his conversation with Lu Xu. With his intelligence, he must have guessed what had happened.
Hongjun couldn't help but sigh softly.
"When I'm confused," Atay said, "I always think about what my father would do if he was still alive."
Hongjun was speechless.
Atay said, "Although I don't know how difficult the situation you're facing is, I think that maybe you'll make the same choice as your father."
This sentence instantly seemed to knock Hongjun's mind, waking him up a lot.
"You're right," Hongjun said.
"Although I'm very willful." Atay said slowly, "I've caused a lot of trouble for everyone … I'm very sorry … I think I've done the same thing as my father."
Hongjun knew that Atay meant that he had carried out the part of the plan that wasn't part of it. Originally, Li Jinglong's goal was to return to Talos and find the Sun Golden Wheel. However, Atay wanted to find a chance to ignite the sacred fire in front of the altar, so he underestimated his enemy and was caught.
If it was Atay's father, Ysiai, he would have done the same.
Hongjun couldn't help but ask, "What did you mean by what you said in front of the altar?"
"Ah." Atay said casually, "I said, I gave up. The people of Zoroaster abandoned us, abandoned the sacred fire, abandoned the glory of Cyrus the Great, and the Ysiai family. So the sacred fire will be extinguished, but the gods will still be in the world … "
"You …" Hongjun never thought that Atay would give up the idea in front of the altar.
"But the flame will exist forever, and will never stop growing." Atay said in a daze, "It will ignite in another corner of the world, and will never be extinguished even after thousands of years."
As he said that, he looked into Hongjun's eyes and said, "When Yu Qiong came back, I had already thought it through. Instead of placing our hopes on the people who no longer believe in the sacred fire, we should find our believers and bring them away to rebuild our home."
Hongjun said, "I thought of that before, but …"
"That will be a very long and difficult process." Atay took Hongjun's hand and pressed it on his chest, saying, "You need to know what you are living for in this world, and what you can give to your followers. Good, bad; happiness, trouble; life, or death. Only when your belief is strong enough can you become their hope, and the flame will never be extinguished. "
Atay let go of his hand and looked at Hongjun with encouragement in his eyes.
At this time, Li Jinglong, Qiu Yongsi and the others quickly walked in. Qiu Yongsi laughed and pressed on Atay. Atay hurriedly said, "I'm a wounded soldier!"
"Me too." Qiu Yongsi lay down without saying anything, and Atay was almost crushed to death by the burly Qiu Yongsi. Li Jinglong and Mo Rigen stood at the side and laughed. Hongjun's smile gradually disappeared, and he could not help but think about Atay's words.
On the third day in the temple, Atay's whole body was covered with medicine, and he could pick up a bowl of mutton soup by himself. When Li Jinglong told him that Ashina Chong had left, Atay just nodded.
"We discussed it," Atay said.
Mo Rigen said, "What about the Great Sun Golden Wheel?"
Atay said, "When I recover, I'll try it. If it doesn't work, I'll bring it back to Luoyang."
Li Jinglong was relieved and said, "Then, let's set off tomorrow morning and return to Chengdu. By now, Baghdad must have sent out orders to search for your whereabouts."
Hongjun pondered for a moment and nodded.
Late at night, Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi were still discussing the future. Hongjun returned to his room and accompanied Chen Feng to sleep.
"Mother." Chen Feng hugged Hongjun and said.
Hongjun glanced at Chen Feng. Chen Feng said, "I have something that I've been hiding from you. Don't be angry …"
Hongjun, "???"
Hongjun sat up and the corner of his mouth twitched. He said, "What's wrong?"
Chen Feng was already a little sleepy, but he sat on the bed facing Hongjun and said timidly, "Actually … in the cave … Uncle Chao Yun, he … um …"
Hongjun thought of Chao Yun and frowned.
"What happened to him?" Hongjun asked.
"He almost died." Chen Feng said, "But Zhao Zilong saved him. Don't worry, he'll be fine. "
Hongjun, "!!!"
Chen Feng said, "Father told me not to tell you …"
Hongjun instantly felt as if he had fallen into an abyss. He said with a trembling voice, "Why?"
Chen Feng said, "Because they heard something that they shouldn't have heard."
Hongjun said, "What did he say?"
Chen Feng said, "What Uncle Blind Man said."
Hongjun, "…"
Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi sat in the Holy Hall. On the table were the Great Sun Golden Wheel, the Demon Subduing Pestle, the Sword of Wisdom, and the Moon Eclipse Bow. There was also a Demon Binding Rope that was used to bind Han Ba.
"We're still missing one." Qiu Yongsi said, "That's all."
Li Jinglong also didn't expect that after so many hardships, he would reach this point. He believed that he could find all six artifacts, but he never imagined the process.
"This last round won't be easy." Li Jinglong tapped his finger on the table lightly.
Qiu Yongsi said, "Tianma's peace is expected. I'm worried about the demons."
Li Jinglong was silent.
Under the moonlight, the night sky was clear. Yu Prefecture stretched and walked in from outside the courtyard.
"Zhao Zilong." Mo Rigen said from behind the wall, "Where's Chief Inspector?"
Yu Prefecture said, "In the hall. The door is closed."
After a few breaths.
Mo Rigen, "…"
Yu Prefecture, "…"
Yu Prefecture stood there in a daze, as if he had been petrified. Mo Rigen revealed a strange expression and said in disbelief, "It's really you?!"
Yu Prefecture took half a step back. His previously calm expression disappeared in an instant. Panic appeared in his eyes as he said, "I-I-I …"
Mo Rigen hurried over and grabbed Yu Prefecture's collar. Yu Prefecture hurriedly retreated and said, "Let me explain!"
"How did you become like this?!" Mo Rigen said angrily, "Why did you lie?! Zhao Zilong! I was wondering who it was! "
Yu Prefecture kept retreating, not knowing what to do. He said, "I-I cultivated to this state with great difficulty. Don't hit me. Let's talk things out!"
"Don't hit him!" Chen Feng's voice sounded. He ran into the courtyard and turned to block Yu Prefecture behind him. Mo Rigen said impatiently, "Feng 'er, move aside."
"No!" Chen Feng refused to budge. He said, "You're not a good person!"
"I'm not a good person?!" Mo Rigen was so angry that he almost vomited blood. Chen Feng usually disliked Mo Rigen the most. This was because Mo Rigen always had a straight face. However, Mo Rigen had brought up several younger brothers. Although he was serious in speech and manner, he still took good care of Chen Feng. When he heard this, Mo Rigen was so angry that he almost cried.
"I just feel that you … all of you … all of you … don't like me. I think …" Yu Prefecture stammered, "Since I've become a human, I'll forget everything that happened in the past … I'll become a human again, right?"
When he said this, Mo Rigen suddenly felt the sadness in Yu Prefecture's voice. However, he thought about it again. Zhao Zilong cultivated as a human. It was his freedom to tell them whether or not he wanted to. Mo Rigen had no right to criticize him. However, the contrast was too great. Mo Rigen couldn't accept it.
"What are you now?" Mo Rigen asked.
"A fish," Yu Prefecture replied. "What else could I be? Chao Yun and I each took half of the Ba Snake's inner core. Chao Yun … Sigh, forget it. "
Chen Feng said to Yu Prefecture, "I've told my father."
"Right?" Yu Prefecture was relieved. He replied, "Then I won't say anything else."
Mo Rigen's mouth twitched. He looked at Yu Prefecture and said, "You've become a human, but you're actually so …"
Yu Prefecture asked cautiously, "So what?"
"Nothing." Mo Rigen was already suspicious. Finally, he tested Yu Prefecture according to Li Jinglong's words. He found out that Yu Prefecture's identity was actually that smooth-talking Zhao Zilong. This completely overturned his understanding. He needed to properly digest this explosive information. Before he turned to leave, he said, "You'd better not have any ideas about Lu Xu."
Yu Prefecture, "?"
"Have any ideas about who?" Yu Prefecture probed.
However, Mo Rigen had already left.
Yu Prefecture heaved a sigh of relief. He lowered his head to look at Chen Feng. He squatted down and said dejectedly, "As expected, everyone still doesn't like me."
Chen Feng patted Yu Prefecture's head and said, "My mother won't."
At this moment, the faint sound of an argument came from the other side of the temple. The two of them turned their heads at the same time.
Hongjun packed his things and was about to leave when Li Jinglong rushed back to the bedroom and blocked his way.
Li Jinglong asked, "Where are you going?"
Hongjun said, "You know where."
Li Jinglong said, "Yongsi and I have already discussed it. Everyone will accompany you back. Why are you in such a hurry? "
Hongjun said, "No, this time, I can't let you accompany me. This is something I have to face on my own."
"Hongjun!" Li Jinglong said angrily, "We agreed that no matter what, we would solve it together!"
"You already knew everything!" Hongjun's voice rose a little. "But you still didn't tell me!"
Li Jinglong replied, "There's no need for that!"
Hongjun carried a simple bag and stood face to face with Li Jinglong. Hongjun said, "Feng-er already told you that Chao Yun and Zhao Zilong heard the secret conversation between Yuan Kun and Qing Xiong. Chao Yun was almost silenced, so Zhao Zilong brought Feng-er up north to find us, right?"
"What's the use of you going back?" Li Jinglong said patiently. "Listen to me, Hongjun. The demon race is not like what you think. Think carefully, if Qing Xiong can really control the entire demon race, why do you have to do something so unnecessary? The Ghost King and Fox King are still on your side, so King Kun had no choice but to set this trap with Qing Xiong. "
Hongjun said calmly, "So? It's very simple to solve the division of the demon race. You make the decision for me. Let the Exorcism Division take action and subdue King Kun and King Dapeng, right? "
Li Jinglong was speechless, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"My father is a demon, my mother is a human." Hongjun said, "I'm nothing, I'm just myself."
He looked up at Li Jinglong and said, "Whether I help you or Qing Xiong, it goes against my heart. I know that to you, the demon race is very dangerous …"
"That's not what I meant …" Li Jinglong said in a low voice.
At this moment, Lu Xu stood silently on the roof, Mo Rigen squatted at the end of the courtyard wall, Qiu Yongsi hid in the dark, and Atay leaned against the wall, listening to Hongjun.