"Why are you doing this?" Hongjun couldn't help but ask.
The Ghost King led him to a secluded alley and dismounted from his horse. Along the way, they cleverly avoided all the birds. They were either circling high above the alley or squatting on the broken eaves. Yu Zaoyun had ordered the beasts to disrupt the birds' patrolling routes with bird food and raw meat. Wherever the Ghost King rode his horse, the birds' blind spots were everywhere.
The Ghost King looked back at Hongjun.
"Go in from here." The Ghost King motioned for Hongjun to go into the hole under the wall. Hongjun entered with a short body. The Ghost King was tall and big, so his shoulder was stuck, so he could only pass by sideways.
"Tell me." After getting out of the hole, the Ghost King looked around and said casually, "Am I a demon or a human?"
When Hongjun heard this, he understood and couldn't help but laugh.
The Ghost King looked around and said to himself, "How many nights have I dreamt of the past when I was still a human?"
"I think Yu Zaoyun is the same." Hongjun was led around the palace by the Ghost King. "Where are we going?"
"Yan Qing Palace." The Ghost King replied, "There are too many birds here. It's not easy to avoid them."
"Follow me." Hongjun said, "I've been here before."
It was Hong Jun's turn to lead the way. As soon as they entered the Ming Tang Palace, Hong Jun recognized the route, it was a walk in the park; he was familiar with the route. You'll be seen by the birds! "
Hongjun insisted and waved to the Ghost King. The Ghost King had no choice but to flip to the roof. Hongjun then flipped to the roof again, three floors in a row. He bent over the eaves and motioned for the Ghost King to look down. This time, they were at a higher position. The birds were concentrated on the roofs of the first and second floors. Hongjun tiptoed over the heads of a large group of falcons.
"The path you chose may not be smooth, but it's the right one." The Ghost King said in a low voice.
Hongjun looked back at the Ghost King and stared at him for a moment.
"Why?" Hongjun whispered.
"Have you ever wondered why the Demon Clan cultivates the Dao and always transforms into humans?" the Ghost King asked.
Hongjun was about to speak when the Ghost King patted his shoulder and pointed up.......... They arrived outside the Yanqing Palace. It was a three-story building. It was far from the center of the Ming Hall and had not been destroyed by the energy released by the ley lines. Behind the Yanqing Palace was the high platform where An Lushan used to be, but it was destroyed by Li Jinglong's Spirit Bestowal Battle.
At this moment, the demons were repairing the high platform. Flocks of birds flew back and forth with white jade fragments in their mouths. Qing Xiong stood in the center of the high platform. Mana spread out from his feet and the cracks on the high platform were slowly mending.
Hongjun and the Ghost King landed behind the Yanqing Palace. The Ghost King held the iron chain for Hongjun and bent down to touch the altar.
"All things in the world." The Ghost King said, "There are too many birds and beasts to count. Why don't the demons turn into tigers and leopards with great strength or falcons that are as fast as lightning? Why do they want to turn into people who are weak and clumsy?"
At this moment, the two of them leaned against the altar and heard a voice coming from above.
"Because humans are the wisest of all things." Hongjun answered in a low voice.
"Why are humans the wisest of all things?" The Ghost King asked again.
Hongjun couldn't answer this question. Do humans have wisdom? Foxes do, and many demons are more cunning than humans. Will humans sacrifice themselves? Even mice will do this. It's natural for birds to feed their children … What's the difference between humans and demons?
What are they doing here? Hongjun thought. The Ghost King just leaned against the altar and sat in a hidden place with his legs wide open. The next moment, the sound of iron chains rang. The meaning was self-evident — according to the plan, Yu Zaoyun ordered Du Hanqing to test Qing Xiong.
In an instant, Hongjun became nervous, like a taut string. Du Hanqing pretended to be him, but the Qianji Chain was fake, and so was the person. Qing Xiong could read minds, everything was clear at a glance! What's more, Du Hanqing's purpose was to fish for information! If Qing Xiong was alerted about the inside story of the Qianji Chain, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"What we need is to catch them off guard." Yu Zaoyun said in a low voice.
Hongjun suddenly turned his head. Yu Zaoyun came to Hongjun's side under the cover of the bushes and whispered, "I wanted to fish for information, but then I thought it was wrong. You know the Golden-Winged Roc best, so you have to be there."
Hongjun said in a low voice, "If it fails, Du Hanqing will be in danger!"
"It won't fail." Yu Zaoyun said, "He's seen your lover before. As long as he concentrates and only thinks about Li Jinglong, Qing Xiong shouldn't notice. If the plan fails, we'll run away immediately. "
Hongjun tilted his head and looked up from the hiding place under the altar.
The Ghost King said, "This is indeed a risky move. Don't forget that Yuan Kun is still there."
"Yuan Kun's attention is now on the exorcists. Besides, his injuries have affected his magic power." Yu Zaoyun licked his claws carelessly and said casually, "I guess he doesn't have time to care about Qing Xiong."
Du Hanqing was obviously very weak. He staggered up the stairs. According to "Hongjun's" situation, Qing Xiong didn't give him water or food. His magic power was sealed by the Chain of Thousand Possibilities. This was already the fifth day. Du Hanqing needed to take this opportunity to get information from Qing Xiong and find a way to untie Hongjun's chains.
Qing Xiong stood in the middle of the altar and cast a meaningful glance at "Hongjun". Du Hanqing's hair was disheveled. He raised his head slightly and looked at Qing Xiong.
"It's too difficult." Hongjun frowned and said in a low voice.
It was already extremely difficult to disguise as himself in front of Qing Xiong and avoid being discovered by his mind-reading ability, not to mention getting information from him.
"It's not difficult." Tamamo Kun said, "A person's heart can be disguised. There's always someone stronger than you. There's always someone stronger than you. In this world, there's naturally someone who can control him. I think your lover and your brother are the nemesis of these two."
Hongjun: "???"
From this sentence, he guessed that Yu Zaoyun must have reached some kind of agreement with Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi last night.
"I promise you." "Hongjun" in front of the altar looked at Qing Xiong and said calmly, "Let Jinglong go."
"Promise me?" Qing Xiong laughed and walked towards Du Hanqing. At that moment, Hongjun's heart was in his throat.
Du Hanqing's disguise was flawless. When he glanced at Qing Xiong, his eyes were very similar to Hongjun's.
"What do you want to sacrifice?" With sadness in his eyes, Qing Xiong said in a low voice, "That's what you said to me that year … As long as Si Xing and Yu Ze can survive, you can do anything."
Du Hanqing's eyes were filled with surprise, and Qing Xiong looked at him as if he were looking at a statue.
"Do you like that human that much?" Qing Xiong said in a low voice, "I can't read the slightest bit of guilt, self-blame, or … feelings of protection for the demon race in your heart. Right now, there's only that detestable human in your heart! "
Then, Qing Xiong slapped "Hongjun" hard in the face and knocked Du Hanqing to the ground. "Hongjun" was already extremely weak. He lay on the ground and twitched, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. When the slap landed on Du Hanqing's head, Hongjun, who was standing below the altar, felt that the slap had hit his soul.
Du Hanqing struggled on the ground, trying to get up, but his limbs were too weak to move. The Thousand Possibilities Chain rubbed against the ground of the altar, making noises. He turned his head with difficulty and glanced at Qing Xiong.
"It can't be undone," Qing Xiong said slowly. "Don't even think about it. Once the Thousand Possibilities Chain is fastened, it cannot be undone."
Hong Jun was shocked. At this moment, he was practically able to guess what Du Hanqing was thinking in his heart — If he was able to struggle free of these chains, then he would use the last trace of his strength to take Qing Xiong down with him.
Du Hanqing stammered, "I … I …"
Qing Xiong turned around and walked to the center of the altar. He replied, "Years ago, Burning Lamp locked me up with this chain for five hundred years. The only person in the world who can break it is right here."
Du Hanqing's face was pale, and his eyes were empty. He just lay there quietly.
"That's right," Qing Xiong murmured, "It's you, Hongjun. Li Jinglong can't unlock it, because the Thousand Possibilities Chain is not Burning Lamp's magic weapon … "
Hongjun, "…"
Yu Zaoyun's expression was solemn. The Ghost King frowned. He raised his hand and put it down slowly. His purpose was to press on Hongjun's shoulder.
Hongjun's most concerned question was about to be answered. He listened attentively to the conversation from the altar. At this moment, behind Yan Qing, two figures turned around. They were Atay and Li Jinglong!
"The only magic weapon in the world that can break this chain is the one passed down by Kong Xuan. It is the combination of the Immortal Flying Dagger in your hand," Qing Xiong said, "The flying dagger recognizes its master. Without mana, no one can control it. In other words, the only person who can break the chain is yourself. And once you are bound by the Thousand Possibilities Chain, you will lose all your mana. "
Du Hanqing couldn't help but tremble. He raised his head and murmured Qing Xiong, "Therefore, once the box that contains the key is locked by this lock, the lock will never be opened."
Du Hanqing said with a trembling voice, "From the beginning, you …"
Qing Xiong muttered, "It's too late for you to repent, my little nephew."
Below the altar, a drop of tear slowly flowed down from the corner of Hongjun's eye. The Ghost King's hand was still in mid-air, and he didn't press it down for a long time.
"Take him away," Qing Xiong said in the end.
His subordinates wanted to come forward, but at this moment, Kun Shen, who was dressed in black, appeared below the altar. Yu Zaoyun and the Ghost King trembled at the same time. Hongjun immediately turned his head. Kun Shen walked past the three of them less than twenty steps away, and walked up the stairs.
"Oh no," Yu Zaoyun murmured.
"What is he doing here?" Hongjun said in disbelief.
Yuan Kun's purpose was very clear. As soon as he stood on the altar, he raised his hand and pointed to the east. Without saying a word, he turned around and faced the west. Qing Xiong suddenly turned his head. Under the altar, Hongjun followed Yuan Kun's gaze and saw Li Jinglong standing on the eaves of Yanqing Hall!
At that moment, Li Jinglong had already drawn his bow. The bow shone with golden light. Qing Xiong turned around and instantly soared into the sky.
Atay's sleeves fluttered, releasing a golden light. In the next moment, exorcists appeared in all four directions at the same time! Qiu Yongsi shouted. He shook the Demon Subduing Pestle, which was like a sea-stabilizing needle. From the sky to the earth, the Demon Subduing Pestle fiercely smashed down!
Yuan Kun turned around and whistled with his fingers between his lips. At the same time, Qing Xiong spread his wings and transformed into the true form of the Golden-Winged Roc. He rushed toward Yanqing Hall! The houses collapsed in an earth-shattering manner. Birds rushed in from all directions. Immediately, the body of Yu Prefecture appeared in the sky. He rushed toward the altar, trying to save Hongjun!
Hongjun was about to rush out, but the Ghost King pressed down on his shoulder. The hand on his shoulder finally fell. That press was as heavy as Mount Tai. Hongjun couldn't move.
The Ghost King said, "Calm down."
Yu Zaoyun said, "Now, go find your flying dagger. Quick!"
Yu Zaoyun led the way. Hongjun turned his head and saw that Yanqing Hall had been completely destroyed by Qing Xiong. A storm rolled up around the altar, and birds covered the sky. Yuan Kun was still guarding in front of the altar.
Li Jinglong, Qiu Yongsi, Mo Rigen, and Atay all used their Acala celestial artifacts. The Golden-Winged Roc was very afraid of the celestial artifacts and didn't dare to face them head-on. Yuan Kun said in a low voice, "Destroy the building!"
The Golden-Winged Roc flew high into the sky. Li Jinglong released the Storm Meteor Arrows. Du Hanqing on the altar let out a heart-wrenching cry, "Jinglong! Go! "
Yu Zaoyun laughed. Hongjun said anxiously, "Why are you laughing at a time like this?"
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." Yu Zaoyun said.
Ghost King asked, "Where are the Immortal Flying Dagger and the Five-colored Divine Light?"
Yu Zaoyun said blankly, "I don't know."
Hongjun and the two Monster Kings fled to the corridor and looked into the distance. The surroundings of the altar had become a battlefield of storms. Ghost King said, "Find your flying dagger first. There must be a way!"
Hongjun suddenly had an idea and said, "I guess … I don't know where it is hidden, but I can guess who has it!"
"Please don't let anything happen to Li Jinglong …" Hongjun secretly prayed in his heart.
The sky shook and the earth shook. The entire Yanqing Hall collapsed completely. The Golden-Winged Roc's wings swept up a hurricane, sweeping up broken bricks and tiles, and rushed toward the exorcists. Lu Xu and Yu Prefecture flew over several times, but they were forced back by the birds in the air. Lu Xu shouted, "There are too many! We can't get close! "
Yu Prefecture shouted toward Du Hanqing, "Hongjun!"
"Hongjun" knelt on the altar and looked at them, shaking his head and panting. Obviously, even he didn't expect that Li Jinglong and the others would suddenly come to kidnap people. He didn't know what to do at the moment. Yuan Kun was covered in a black cloth, quietly listening to the movements around him.
The four exorcists took turns to attack Qing Xiong, but Qing Xiong's target was very clear. He went straight for Li Jinglong. The storm of bricks and tiles swept away, blocking the golden light and torrential rain released by the Vajra Arrow. The flying dust blocked Qiu Yongsi's line of sight. Qiu Yongsi shook the Demon Subduing Pestle several times, but he couldn't find Qing Xiong.
Then, the corridor where Qiu Yongsi was standing was overturned, and he was thrown down from the corridor. The place where Mo Rigen and Atay were standing collapsed one after another. Qing Xiong roared angrily, "You came at the right time!"
Li Jinglong fired a round of scattered arrows to clear away the flying debris in front of him. His feet were empty, and he fell straight down. However, he was incomparably calm. He stepped on a huge beam in the air and jumped forward without a care for his own safety. In the blink of an eye, Li Jinglong was in front of Qing Xiong. The Golden Roc appeared from the chaotic storm, and its sharp claws were about to cut Li Jinglong open.
Li Jinglong switched the bow to his left hand and held the Vajra Arrow horizontally in his right hand, blocking the Golden Roc's shocking claw! The Golden Roc roared in pain and threw Li Jinglong and his magic weapon away. Li Jinglong was suddenly thrown out of the hurricane like a kite with a broken string!