Chapter 174

13th of June, 14th year of Tianbao.

Case: Escape

Difficulty: Heaven

Region: Chang 'an City

Case: An Lushan (Tianma)

Case: 8th of June, Tong Pass was conquered. Tianma came from the west, and the capital of the human world was in danger. The Six Instruments of Acalanatha were still missing, and the Mind's Lantern holder Li Jinglong was severely injured. The Exorcism Division had to protect the people of Chang 'an, and the Li Tang royal family had to evacuate Chang' an as soon as possible.

Qiu Yongsi, Mo Rigen, Lu Xu, Ashina Chong, Atay, Trandol, Hongjun, and the Carp Demon had an unprecedented meeting after dinner.

"An Lushan will chase us wherever we go!" Hongjun paced around the hall and said, "It's useless! Do you think we'll be safe if we leave Chang 'an?! "

The exorcists had all seen An Lushan transform into a black cloud and roll towards them. Even if they fled to the Hanzhong Plains or entered Shu, what would come would still come. After Tong Pass was conquered, the rebel army had advanced all the way to Chang 'an. How could they have stopped for a moment?

"That's right." Qiu Yongsi replied, "Although I don't want to admit it, it's still the case. If we don't kill Tianma's arrogance here, it will catch up to us even if we flee to the ends of the earth."

Trandol frowned and said, "What does it want?"

"Human life." Atay explained, "The fear, resentment, and hostility of a person before death are its food. It wants all living things to suffer and emit hostility."

"The mortals have to retreat, and we have to fight." Qiu Yongsi circled a few strongholds in Chang 'an on the map and said, "First of all, we have to divide the troops into two groups. One group will escort the Emperor and take the seriously injured Senior Censor away, no matter where they are sent to. Hongjun, you're the most familiar with them, so you go. "

Hongjun knew that everyone had made special arrangements, and he also understood that he did not want to leave Li Jinglong.

"I'll come back after sending him to a safe place," Hongjun said, "and fight side by side with everyone."

The hall was silent for a moment. In the end, everyone agreed. The Carp Demon said, "I'll go with everyone."

Hongjun said to the Carp Demon, "Zhao Zilong, I have something to say to you."

On the eve of the great battle, Hongjun's words suddenly made everyone feel an ominous atmosphere.

Qiu Yongsi immediately said, "Hey! Everyone, this isn't a suicide mission. Hongjun, take it easy. "

Hongjun immediately said, "I don't want to die either!"

Atay smiled and comforted him, "Although you can't participate in the battle, your brothers aren't easy to deal with."

Hongjun: "…"

Qiu Yongsi smiled again and said, "Cheer up. We can't reach Elder Shi's level, so we'll fight with our lives on the line. Right now, everyone's goal is very clear …"

Qiu Yongsi's goal was indeed very clear. There was only one word for this battle: Stay alive. All the retreat plans were based on the Exorcism Division's safety.

"Hongjun, don't even think about sacrificing yourself," Qiu Yongsi said. "The Demon Binding Rope is with you."

"Agreed," everyone else said.

"We have two Dharma artifacts in our hands." Mo Rigen added, "Perhaps we can make use of Chang 'an's terrain and use this retreat as a test of the Demon Binding Rope and the Moon Eclipse Bow …

Thus, in a short period of time, everyone discussed a simple strategy. Hongjun had almost lost all hope. Unexpectedly, with everyone's combined efforts, he vaguely felt that he had the courage to fight against An Lushan.

"Then the rest," Hongjun frowned and said, "the most important thing …"

"Persuade them to retreat," Mo Rigen said. "I'll go with you to the palace."

"I have a feeling …"

"What feeling? Are we going to die? "Hongjun and Mo Rigen walked through the long corridor and whispered to each other.

"No." Mo Rigen whispered. He tilted his head and looked at the rainwater outside the corridor. He smelled the scent of blood coming from the rainwater and replied, "You Han people say that after the worst comes the best. I have a feeling that we're gradually turning the tables. Perhaps the tables will turn soon."

There was a muffled sound of thunder, and the rain poured down in the darkness. The overwhelming rain was filled with the smell of blood. Outside Xingqing Palace, from the eaves to the ground, from the white jade bricks to the railings, from the tiles to the moat in the inner city, everything was faintly dyed in dark red.

The rain of blood grew heavier and heavier. It spread out from Xingqing Palace and spread to the entire Chang 'an City.

"Lead the imperial troops — wait for me to lead the imperial troops —"

The old voice was deafening. However, there were not many people gathered around the main hall. More than ten thousand soldiers of the six armies walked out of the drill ground and stared blankly at the flowing blood on the ground. The eunuch rushed over and tripped on the stairs, then slipped down.

Li Heng led the officials into the hall and shouted, "Li Jinglong won't see you again! There's no need for you to come! "

"Your Highness, Li Jinglong is unconscious and can't fight …"

Li Heng stopped and looked at Gao Lishi behind him. Gao Lishi walked forward and whispered to Li Heng. The remaining officials were all terrified.

"Reporting —"

At the last moment before Li Heng entered the hall, a scout sped up to report. The officials immediately panicked. Gao Lishi angrily shouted, "Who let you in?! Rebellion! Where are the rules?! "

Logically speaking, scouts were not allowed to enter Xingqing Palace. Frontline intelligence had to be reported to the Minister of War first, and then the Minister of War would hastily report it. However, the situation was urgent, and Li Heng could not care less. The scout rushed to the rainstorm and knelt. Gao Lishi immediately pulled out his sword and protected Li Heng in case a spy came.

"Old General Geshu Han led the army to rescue the emperor!" the scout shouted with all his might. "Just as they passed Tong Pass, they were attacked by the rebel army! The deputy general in the camp rebelled and tied the old general to a horse … to a horse … "

The moment Li Heng heard this, the world spun and his vision darkened. The officials could not believe their ears.

"… to … to the rebel army …" the scout said in a trembling voice.

"Reporting — Deputy Exorcist Division Mo Rigen has brought Kong Hongjun for an audience —"

It was too late. Li Heng's head was still dizzy as he said in a trembling voice, "How … Old General Geshu Han, he … how …"

"Where is the exorcist?!" Gao Lishi asked.

"He has been brought to the main hall …"

At this moment, the Son of Heaven's summons came again and again. Mo Rigen could no longer refuse and could only bring Hongjun to Xingqing Palace. The two were supposed to go to Golden Flowers Fall, but they were stopped midway and brought to the main hall of Xingqing Palace, where they were told that the Crown Prince was fully responsible for the withdrawal of the army. Thus, Mo Rigen and Hongjun hurriedly passed through the corridor and entered the main hall.

At this moment, the Crown Prince and the officials just happened to enter the hall. For a moment, Li Heng was in a daze. The moment he entered the hall, he tripped over the threshold and fell to the ground! It was because the civil and military officials were in a daze, unexpectedly nobody reacted by coming forward to help him up. Only Hongjun, who had just entered the hall through the side door, saw that something was wrong and hurriedly said, "Your Highness!" He strode forward and reached out to help Li Heng up. Li Heng's trip caused him to fall to his knees toward Hongjun. Fortunately, Hongjun caught him and prevented his knees from touching the ground. When the officials saw this scene, it was as if Li Heng was kneeling toward Hongjun. They were all frightened out of their wits and hurriedly rushed forward.

Mo Rigen and Hongjun said nothing, each of them carrying Li Heng to the steps. Just as they were about to go up, Li Heng pushed them to the side, and Li Heng collapsed in front of the steps.

Gao Lishi hurriedly said, "Let His Highness rest for a while."

The officials were already terrified to begin with, and when they heard that Geshu Han had been captured, they panicked and scattered in a hubbub.

"Your Highness," Mo Rigen said. "This subject has something to say."

Li Heng raised his eyes to Mo Rigen. Mo Rigen had always been straightforward. When Li Jinglong had been imprisoned in the Dragon Sealing Pagoda, Li Heng had interacted with this young man many times, but every time, he had never heard good news from this fellow's mouth.

"I don't want to listen to you right now." Li Heng leaned against the steps, his body drenched as he gasped for breath. "Where is Marquis Yadan? I want to see him. "

The main hall of Xingqing Palace was empty, with only a few soldiers standing guard outside. Inside, only Hongjun and Mo Rigen were at the Crown Prince's side. At this moment, if Mo Rigen wanted to avenge his mother's village, he could easily end Li Heng's life.

However, Mo Rigen also sat down next to Li Heng and looked outside.

"Just what is An Lushan?" Li Heng asked in a trembling voice.

"I told you long ago," Mo Rigen sternly said. "If we had listened to the Grand Scribe's words, would we have ended up like this?"

Li Heng: "…"

Li Heng still remembered that two years ago, around Yang Guifei's birthday, Li Jinglong had resolutely demanded that An Lushan be suppressed, that the vassal towns be removed, and that the common people of Hebei be evacuated. He was prepared to do battle with An Lushan. Alas, Li Longji and Li Heng had both underestimated the severity of the situation.

"I was wrong!" Li Heng helplessly said. "I was wrong, okay?! I admit it! Where is Marquis Yadan?! I want to see him! "In the end, Li Heng was practically roaring at Mo Rigen.

"It's already too late," Mo Rigen coldly replied.

In the Exorcism Department, Li Jinglong suddenly woke up from his bed.

"Where … is … Hongjun …" Li Jinglong's first words upon waking up were this.

The person beside the bed was Ashina Chong. Ashina Chong was at a loss for what to do. "Grand Scribe? Hongjun and Mo Rigen have entered the palace. I'll have … "

Before he could finish, Li Jinglong closed his eyes and began to convulse. Ashina Chong immediately shouted, "Lu Xu! Lu Xu! "

Lu Xu had only slept for a short while before being woken up. He hurried into the room. Ashina Chong tightly grasped Li Jinglong's hand and asked in surprise, "What's wrong with him?"

Lu Xu immediately stepped forward and placed his palm on Li Jinglong's forehead. However, in an instant, Li Jinglong's forehead glowed with white light, and a powerful force repelled his hand.

"Someone is making him dream …" Lu Xu said. "Who is it? This force … "

Lu Xu's heart pounded wildly, and a chill ran down his spine. In this world, there were very few people who could surpass his White Deer's power in dreams. However, Li Jinglong was immersed in a dream right under his nose, unable to break free! He couldn't even pry into it!

"White Deer isn't the only expert in creating and reading dreams." A man's voice rang out behind Lu Xu. Ashina Chong instantly stood up. Just as he was about to throw a flying knife, the man stretched out his hand and Ashina Chong was immediately blocked to the side. The moment Lu Xu faced the man, he felt a gentle yet vigorous energy spreading out. He was like a newborn baby, unable to control himself in the turbulent flow of the dream world.

The man's long black hair fluttered in the wind, and his eyes were covered with a black cloth. His handsome face was sickly pale, and he wore a black robe.

Lu Xu recalled Hongjun's description.

"You're Kun … Kun Shen …"

"That's right." Yuan Kun whispered, "This is Zhuang Zhou's Dream Butterfly Technique. Now, don't wake him up. Next, half of the spells will need your help."

Li Jinglong was in a deep sleep, and his consciousness kept drifting away. The surrounding scenery changed instantly, and he returned to his childhood in the Li family's mansion. He faced the camphor tree above his head with a confused expression. His memory seemed to be in some kind of disorder.

"Li Jinglong."

Yuan Kun and Lu Xu stood behind him. The nine-year-old Li Jinglong turned around and was instantly shocked.

"You … Who are you?"

Lu Xu frowned deeply and whispered, "Do you remember me?"

Little Li Jinglong: "…"

Little Li Jinglong looked up and sized up the two of them. He seemed to remember something, but gradually became more confused. He muttered to himself, "I … Who am I? Where is this? "

Yuan Kun said slowly, "You often blame yourself for the mistakes you've made. You wish you could go back to the past and change the facts. You've never thought of helping Di Renjie kill Hongjun, and you've never thought of separating from him."

Little Li Jinglong suddenly remembered all the past events. He said in a trembling voice, "Yes … Where is this? Where's Hongjun? "

"Now." Yuan Kun said in a low voice, "An Lushan has arrived outside Chang 'an City. The demonic seed and demonic energy will completely combine. On this day, a new Tianma will be born."

Little Li Jinglong's voice was young, but it carried an untimely maturity and anger. He shouted, "No! I won't let him become a demon! We've already come all the way here! "

"That's why I'm giving you this opportunity." Yuan Kun rudely interrupted. His voice was very calm and calm. "Burn your Primordial Spirit and push the Heart Lamp to the limit. Take this opportunity to separate a second fire seed. Use this fire seed to cast his three spiritual and seven physical souls to replace the demonic seed in his body. "

The sound of a carriage came from outside the alley. Kong Xuan and Jia Yuze's conversation could be heard. It was the day when the Kong Clan was moving. Yuan Kun said in a low voice, "Let's begin." Then he and Lu Xu turned and disappeared into the hazy light of the summer evening.

The rain of blood covered the sky, growing heavier and heavier. Everyone in the city panicked.

"Either we all die here." Mo Rigen said in a low voice. "Or we all start evacuating this afternoon. The Exorcism Division will cover your retreat."

Hongjun said, "We will be back, Your Highness."

After a long silence, Li Heng finally said, "Pass down the order. Gather all the civil and military officials outside the Golden Flowers Fall to hear the decree."

The golden flowers fell, the ginkgo trees withered, and the shadows grew thick. The soldiers outside were clamoring.

Li Heng led Mo Rigen and Hongjun through a long corridor and out of the imperial garden. They saw the guards of the six armies surrounding the inner palace. Li Heng roared, "Impudent! Who told you to make such a ruckus?! "

The soldiers did not dare to defy the Crown Prince and could only withdraw. Li Heng had led soldiers for many years and had finally managed to subdue this group of martial artists.

"What do they want to do?" Mo Rigen asked.

Li Heng glanced at the two but did not answer.

"Where are they?" Li Heng arrived outside the Golden Flowers Fall and saw several officials and Gao Lishi waiting for him.

"Just these few people?" Li Heng asked in a trembling voice.

Gao Lishi said, "His Majesty wants to personally lead an expedition. Your Highness, this …"

Hongjun turned to face the Golden Flowers Fall. The music was still coming from the courtyard. Li Guinian was still there and had not yet left. Without waiting for an announcement, Hongjun stepped inside.

"Hongjun?" Yang Guifei asked. "Is that you? Hongjun? "

Hongjun stared in a daze at Li Longji, who was sitting on a couch in the center of the Golden Flowers Fall. Li Longji was dressed in golden armor and sat facing the south. He held the Emperor's Sword in his hand and muttered to himself. His helmet was placed to the side. He was incomparably old, with a head full of white hair and black spots on his hands and face.

Mo Rigen followed behind Hongjun.

"You've come," Li Longji said. "Li Jinglong."

Hongjun: "…"

Hongjun turned to look at Mo Rigen and then at Li Longji, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"When did this start?" Hongjun narrowed his eyes.

"Two years ago," Yang Guifei said softly.

"Where's your brother?" Hongjun couldn't help but ask.

"This has nothing to do with him …" Yang Guifei said in a trembling voice. "Big Brother isn't a monster! Hongjun! You can't blame him! "

"I know it doesn't matter," Hongjun replied. "Birth, old age, illness, and death are the Heavenly Dao."

"We are not old! Not old! "Li Longji suddenly became hysterical and roared," Gather the six armies! Come with me to suppress Princess Taiping! A chicken usurps the dawn! This country! It will not be destroyed by their hands! "

Mo Rigen could also see that Li Longji had gone senile.