Chapter 196

"The enemy is right in front of us and we haven't been completely wiped out yet." Hongjun whispered, "The danger we're facing now is still there, Qing Xiong. Although the human body is weak and lives less than a hundred years, there are too many things that we can learn from them."

Qing Xiong looked straight into Hongjun's eyes and remained silent for a long time. He seemed to have something to say to Hongjun, but he held back in the end.

"You're right," Qing Xiong said calmly, "We also need to learn from the humans."

Qing Xiong's gaze swept past Hongjun and landed on Li Jinglong who had entered the hall behind him. Hongjun suddenly turned his head and saw Li Jinglong standing silently.

"Let's leave it at that for now." Qing Xiong pondered for a moment and said, "Our common enemy."

Hongjun saw that Li Jinglong's expression did not seem right, so he turned and left with him. Li Jinglong did not say a word while Hongjun had mixed feelings. There were some things that he did not know if he should say to his companions. What Qing Xiong wanted was far more than what the humans could give him.

"What's wrong?" Li Jinglong asked instead.

Hongjun shook his head. Li Jinglong said, "There are some things that we have to discuss together."

Hongjun was nervous. He knew that some things should be said as soon as possible. Just as he was thinking about how to explain it to his companions, Li Jinglong brought him to the place where Chao Yun was sleeping. A snake was wrapped around a Carp Demon. The surrounding exorcists had set up a temporary camp and had no intention of moving into the Dazzling Gold Palace.

Hongjun often said, "Please come to my house to play". Seeing that his companions were living in the sacred mountain, he immediately felt a little embarrassed and said, "Or move inside … What's wrong with you?"

Everyone's expression was solemn, especially Qiu Yongsi.

"Something happened in Atay," Qiu Yongsi said, "Everyone is discussing countermeasures."

Hongjun was startled and immediately forgot about his own business. Before they left, Qiu Yongsi, Atay, and Ashina Chong used the magic weapon "Xue Ya" to set up a way to contact each other. This was a strange insect that could communicate with each other within a limited range. When Li Jinglong led them to battle in Chang 'an, they used this insect. However, Atay was too far away from the Central Plains. When they were heading west, the Blood Ya Insects could no longer communicate.

Even so, there were many pairs of males and females in this magical treasure. They had a distant connection. As long as Atay carried it with him and continued to inject mana into the female worm, the male worm would react. Just now, when Qiu Yongsi opened the box, he found that the male insect was anxiously climbing around. It tried to fly away from the box several times, and strange patterns appeared on its back.

"This means that they are in danger." Qiu Yongsi explained to everyone, "Both male and female Blood Ya Insects need to be continuously fed with mana. If one of them doesn't have mana for a long time, it will starve to death. If the other one feels danger, no matter how far away it is, it will think of ways to feed it."

Before they left, Qiu Yongsi specially reminded Atay that although the exorcists were usually sloppy, they were never careless when it came to important matters. Naturally, there would not be any accidents like forgetting to feed or losing the box. The only explanation was that Atay and Ashina Chong had not come into contact with the magic weapon for a while.

"The route has been discussed in advance." Li Jinglong marked their route on the map of the Northwest. After leaving Yang Guan, he made some stops along the way. He frowned and said, "The place where we lost contact should be around here." He then circled the Aral Sea and the Tarot Sea.

"So fast?" Lu Xu muttered.

"It's a walk in the park." Li Jinglong said, "I only gave them two months." As he spoke, he looked at Hongjun and explained, "Can you let the birds under your command scout ahead of time?"

When Hongjun was about to look for Qing Xiong, Qiu Yongsi said, "Wait, it won't be too late to move after we've discussed it."

Looking at the situation, they had no choice but to make a trip. Moreover, they might have to travel through the night and through the bumpy journey. Before Hongjun arrived, Li Jinglong and Mo Rigen's main point of disagreement was whether to inform Trandol. And whether to let Hongjun accompany them.

"Of course I have to go!" Hongjun said.

Lu Xu said, "I told you, he won't stay."

"You just became the Demon King." Qiu Yongsi said, "It's not good for you to leave now."

Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun meaningfully. His companions seemed to have a strange tacit understanding. Hongjun's mind raced. He knew that the exorcists were all shrewd people, each smarter than the other. They had most likely sensed the disagreement between Qing Xiong and himself. If Hongjun stayed, it might help to stabilize the demon race and prevent any accidents. But even if he stayed in the Holy Land every day and didn't go anywhere, if Qing Xiong wanted to do something behind his back, Hongjun couldn't do anything.

In the end, Li Jinglong said to Mo Rigen, "Let's all go together and take care of each other."

Everyone nodded. Qiu Yongsi asked, "Should we tell Sister-in-law?"

Trandol's family used to be big merchants from Tuyuhun and Tolos. The trade route extended westward. Han Guolan and the other Hu merchants mainly did business with the Celestial Empire. If they told Trandol first, it might be helpful in finding them. But with Trandol's temper, they might be in danger if they followed them.

"We have to tell her."

Since Hongjun insisted, Li Jinglong could only say, "Then, let's go back to Yuzhou City tomorrow morning and prepare separately."

Hongjun said, "I'll make the arrangements. We'll leave tonight."

That night, Hongjun gathered the four Demon Kings and explained the situation. Qing Xiong followed Hongjun's instructions and ordered a few falcons to investigate the Anxi Protectorate as quickly as possible. The Battle Corpse Ghost King pondered for a moment, then said, "The Aral Sea area has always been occupied by demons. Maybe we can ask them for help."

In the Central Plains of the Divine Prefecture, the territory of the Demon Kings usually only extended to the Yang Pass. This was a rule formed by the dynasties. West of the Yang Pass, not only were there no old people, there were also no old demons. West of the Anxi Protectorate was a vast expanse of sandy land. Only when the land extended to the southwest and the floodplains increased did they see any signs of human habitation. After the highlands, they reached Atay's hometown, Persia. Historically, it was called Asia Minor by the people of Semu.

According to the Ghost King's memories, the bloodlines of the demons in that area were mixed. There were descendants of the demons from the west, but there were also demons from the east. After several migrations, they settled in the Aral Sea and Tolos.

"You can find a senior called 'Han Ba'." The Ghost King gave Hongjun a blood-red magatama and explained, "He's a handsome man, if he's still there."

Qing Xiong: "A handsome man?"

"Oh." Yu Zaoyun looked at the Ghost King suspiciously.

Ghost King: "…"

Hongjun: "?"

Hongjun took note of the Ghost King's words. The Holy Land still needed to be rebuilt, so the four Demon Kings wouldn't accompany him. Moreover, this was a matter of the Exorcism Division, so Li Jinglong didn't want to ask for outside help. After the agreement was reached, Hongjun bid farewell to everyone and prepared to leave for Yuzhou tonight. Just as he turned around, Hongjun suddenly felt a little strange — the words "handsome man" weren't strange. It wasn't strange for Yu Zaoyun to say it, but it was very strange for the Ghost King to say it. The Ghost King was usually very serious and rarely used this kind of title. Even when talking about Kong Xuan, he didn't use "handsome man".

Hongjun: "Handsome man?" Then he looked at the Ghost King suspiciously.

The Ghost King said, "If you don't need it, give me back the magatama."

Of course I need it. Hongjun carefully put away the magatama. The Ghost King said again, "Say hello for me."

When they walked out of Tianluo Mountain, the moon was already high in the sky. The exorcists boarded the boat at the southwest side of the Wu Gorge, where the water flow was relatively slow. Mo Rigen and the others were still discussing. When Hongjun came over, they stopped talking and prepared to leave.

"Let's go!" Mo Rigen said on the boat.

Hongjun stood on the pier and turned to look at the Wu Gorge. In the long night, the moonlight shone on the mountains and rivers of Shu. The Goddess Peak stood at the top of the mountain and looked into the distance. Behind the peak, a large number of demons gathered in Tianluo Mountain. However, it didn't give off the feeling of Chang 'an demon aura. Instead, it seemed ethereal and mysterious.

Li Jinglong stayed by his side and didn't ask anything. However, Hongjun felt that these days, his companions must have been talking about the demons. They just didn't want him to worry.

He sighed and turned to board the boat.

The river was turbulent, and the boat went against the current. After a day and a night, they returned to Yuzhou. Li Jinglong immediately went to visit Han Guolan, while Hongjun and Lu Xu went to Trandol.

"… That's the situation," Hongjun said to Trandol.

Lu Xu gently rocked the cradle for Trandol. The baby was smiling at him. Chen Feng looked at him from the side and reached out to pinch the baby's face.

"You can't pinch it." Lu Xu grabbed Chen Feng and said, "You'll drool."

After hearing this, Trandol said calmly, "I know."

Hongjun comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. Everyone is …"

"I think we've been betrayed." Trandol frowned.

Hongjun, "!!!"

Indeed, he was right to go to Trandol. There were some things that only she knew.

"By whom?" Lu Xu asked warily.

"Qiong's informant." Trandol pondered for a moment and then said, "Black Clothes won't let them go. I'll write a letter. Send it to my house and find my father. Ask him to try to rescue Atay and Qiong. "

Although the Sassanid Dynasty, where Atay and Ashina Chong were from, had long been destroyed, there were still remnants among the people. In the past, Black Clothes' Ramadan army quickly unified Asia Minor. After the death of Isai, the remnants scattered and were all absorbed by General Ba Si. Among them, there were also former comrades of Ashina Chong. The descendants of the Sassanid Dynasty were exiled in the Divine Central Continent. Although this group of people surrendered to Ba Si on the surface, they still kept in contact with Ashina Chong secretly. Once Tegra returned and raised her arms, they would all rise up and overthrow the Ramadan.

"That bitch Amman," Trandol muttered to herself as she wrote the letter. "Tell Qiong not to trust him …"

Hongjun and Lu Xu glanced at Trandol. Lu Xu asked, "Is the situation very dangerous?"

"Of course it's dangerous." Trandol said in a low voice, "The Hooklados have long abandoned the Divine Fire, but what can they do? They won't listen to us … "She sighed again.

"I'm sorry, Sister-in-law." Hongjun suddenly felt very guilty.

When Trandol heard this, she was very surprised. She laughed and said, "No, no, it has nothing to do with the little uncles. We have to find that magic weapon. I mean, we have to restore the country."

Atay's greatest wish in this life was to restore the country. His fellow exorcists knew this very well. They also understood that Trandol did not want Atay and Ashina Chong to be so stubborn and bet their lives on this seemingly hopeless gamble. In fact, Trandol also understood that Atay had taken the initiative to return to Talos this time not only to find the magic weapon, but also for other reasons.

In the end, Hongjun came out with the letter and Lu Xu. Coincidentally, Han Guolan had finished preparing for everyone. She assigned a caravan interpreter for them and loaded them onto the carriage to transport four boxes of silk and one box of tea leaves. She also disguised herself and sent them west along the way. Before leaving the Yang Pass, they traveled day and night. After entering Talos, they changed carriages. If they were fast, they would arrive in a month. They could only hope that Atay and Ashina Chong could hold on for the time being.

"Come … Say goodbye to everyone." Li Jinglong said to Chen Feng. At the same time, he picked him up and patted his face. Chen Feng only made a big fuss. "I want to go, I want to follow …" Everyone had a lot on their minds and did not have the patience to answer him. Hongjun knelt on one knee and hugged Chen Feng. He patted his head and said, "Be good, we'll be back soon."

Chen Feng looked at Hongjun with a bitter expression and said, "Do you not want me anymore?"

Hongjun, "…"

When he heard this, Hongjun's entire body melted. He almost wanted to take Chen Feng away. Chen Feng's eyes were still filled with tears. Qiu Yongsi's mouth twitched and said, "This kid is lying to you! Look, he can't help but smile. "

Chen Feng hurriedly said, "I didn't!"

Hongjun said, "He's only four years old. How would he know these things?"

Mo Rigen was helping the caravan load the caravan. When he was done, he hurriedly glanced at Chen Feng and said, "That day, I even heard you and Zhao Zilong discussing how to trick your father into buying you candy. Kid, don't pretend."

Chen Feng immediately covered his face and ran away. Everyone laughed. Not long after, the caravan was ready to leave. Li Jinglong found Chen Feng in a silk box. Ignoring his fuss, he carried him out and went to find Han Guolan with Hongjun. He temporarily entrusted this kid to him.

"Listen to Uncle." Li Jinglong said to Chen Feng, "We'll be back in a few days."

Chen Feng could only look pitifully at Hongjun. Hongjun smiled and kissed him on the cheek, saying, "I'll bring you something when we come back. Zhao Zilong will be here soon to accompany you."

Li Jinglong repeatedly reminded Han Guolan not to let Chen Feng out of his sight for a day or two before they left. This kid was as smart as a ghost. If he wasn't careful, he would be able to escape. Once the caravan left, Chen Feng knew that he wouldn't be able to catch up, so he settled down. In any case, once Chao Yun recovered, the Carp Demon would also leave Tian Luo Mountain and come to Yuzhou to find Chen Feng.

"Zhao Zilong used to be your nanny." Li Jinglong found it funny, "Now he's Feng 'er's nanny."

The caravan set off. They left Yuzhou and headed north to Hanzhong before entering Liangzhou. It was Hongjun's first time following a caravan. Han Guolan had specially prepared a wealthy merchant's carriage for them to disguise their identities. The interior of the carriage was covered with a thick carpet from the Western Regions. It was spacious and very luxurious. When they set off early that morning, Li Jinglong immediately called for an impromptu meeting with the exorcists to exchange information. Hongjun showed a letter written in Persian by Trandol. Li Jinglong said, "She didn't tell you the name of the spy she suspects."

Hongjun scratched his head and said, "I forgot. They're all foreign names. Lu Xu, you forgot too? "

Lu Xu said, "I wasn't listening. I was just teasing the child."

Everyone facepalmed.

Qiu Yongsi said, "It's either Hukelado, Kasaba, or Baris …"

"Hukelado!" Hongjun remembered and said, "That person's name is Amman Hukelado!"

Qiu Yongsi and Li Jinglong exchanged glances. Li Jinglong said, "The Lion of Sassanid. He later switched allegiance to Ramadan. He's a young man who fought with the Anxi Protectorate in the past. He's now the captain of the Caliph's guard. "

"You know all about it?" Lu Xu asked in surprise.

Li Jinglong thought for a moment and said, "If you really want to ask around, you can still find some information."

Hongjun thought that he hadn't heard Li Jinglong mention it before. They rarely even discussed the situation of the various countries in the Western Regions. Li Jinglong seemed to know what he was thinking and replied, "Atay is a brother of mine. If we talk about Ramadan and Sassanid in front of him, it's inevitable that we'll criticize them. That's why we didn't mention it at all."

Talos was once one of the major origins of Zoroastrianism. It was one of the three main cities of Asia Minor along with ancient Taixifen and Baghdad. At its peak, Zoroastrianism once covered the entire Sassanid Empire. Later on, it went to war with Islam, and in the end, Islam won. The Zoroastrians in the territory slowly converted to Islam.

The war between Sassanid and Ramadan was ultimately a war between religions. After Qiu Yongsi explained, everyone didn't quite understand. After all, this was too different from the customs of the Central Plains. For a country like the Tang Dynasty, where there were many different religions and ethnicities, it was too hard to imagine.

"The conflict between Buddhism and Daoism has never been so … intense." Lu Xu said with a frown.

"In Chang 'an Luoyang, there are all kinds of temples." Hongjun said, "Even in our Exorcism Division, we all believe in different things."

Hongjun and Lu Xu were Mahamayuri and Deer King respectively. They were both disciples of Buddhism. Qiu Yongsi cultivated both Buddhism and Daoism. His talisman and Dragon-subduing Technique were the true teachings of Daoism. Mo Rigen's Shiwei believed in Shamanism. Li Jinglong also didn't know what he believed in. The Exorcism Division was a mix of religions. Once there was a fight, each religion would summon their own gods.

"The Tang Dynasty never forced people to believe in religions." Mo Rigen said casually, "They believed in whatever they wanted."

Qiu Yongsi said, "That's why we're so strong."