Chapter 6 Chapter Five: The Frost Air Deeply Urges the Vegetation and Trees

Xiangsi walked hard on the rugged mountain road. Her head, body, hands and feet were covered with white rags. These rags didn't look thick, but they were extremely flexible, enough to help her cover the wind and frost and the cold of the night.They were originally painted with mysterious patterns and hung in the heavy tent, but now they become her only shelter. The white rags had been stained with dust so that they could not see the color, turning into a dilapidated and dirty barrier, covering her beautiful face.At this moment, she looked like an ordinary woman running in despair, avoiding the flames of war, and she would not attract anyone's attention.

What's more, for three whole days, there was no one at all wherever she passed. The wilderness is covered by bones, and there is no rooster crowing for thousands of miles. The whole world seems to have been destroyed, and there are barren ruins everywhere. Mountains, jungles, fields, every land is full of scars, and the desolate ashes fly alone, as if mourning the suffering of this world. For three days and three nights, she didn't sleep, slept in the open air, her already tortured body was extremely weak, she almost staggered forward instinctively, even a sudden gust of wind would blow her down.

Finally, at the end of the woods, she saw a familiar road. ——That is the road leading to the deserted city. There was a smile on her face, and she was about to take a step, but there was a burst of sweetness in her throat, and she could no longer control her exhausted body, and passed out in the grass beside the road. After an unknown amount of time, a bell rang in her ears. She struggled to open her eyes, and in the dazzling morning sun was a child's face. "Sister, are you awake?" Xiangsi raised her head, the dazzling halo dissipated, and she gradually saw everything in front of her eyes clearly.

In front of me was a girl who was only ten years old, with a disheveled face, long eyebrows and fine eyes, revealing a trace of gentleness. She led a skinny donkey and stood bowed in front of Xiangsi.There was also a blind old woman sitting on the donkey's back, holding a package tightly in her hand. Judging from her age, she should be her grandmother. Xiangsi's dry lips moved, and she barely responded with a smile: "I'm fine, thank you." Before they could answer, she struggled to stand up and walked forward.Now she doesn't want to cause trouble to anyone anymore.

The girl followed a few steps: "Sister, did you also flee to the deserted city?" deserted city? Hearing these two words, Xiangsi couldn't help but stop, and asked in confusion, "You also know Huangcheng?" The girl smiled, and this smile made her mediocre face come alive: "Everyone knows." She looked at Acacia's puzzled look, so she smiled: "Because of the war, many nearby villages were destroyed, and the middle-aged people were captured by the devil, and the survivors had to flee everywhere. But it's the same everywhere, and there are wars everywhere. , disasters and death, fewer and fewer people survived. Until not long ago, we heard a legend that there was a deserted city deep in the mountains, which was the only place not occupied by demons, so my grandma and I were desperate, come here."

The only place not taken over by the devil?How could such a happy land be left behind when the heavy cavalry traveled all over the north of the Great Wall? Acacia was a little puzzled, but then relieved. It wasn't that it wasn't occupied, but because the heavily robbed underground palace was just below the city, and he had always regarded the deserted city as his own territory, so no troops were stationed here.In recent months, Zhong Jie followed Al Da to fight everywhere, and he didn't care about this ruined city for a while. Unexpectedly, this is the reason that makes this place the last isolated island in the hearts of refugees.

But how long can this illusory island exist? Xiangsi sighed deeply, and said pitifully to the girl: "You guys better go, this place is more dangerous than other places." The girl's eyes widened in disbelief: "How come? Those devils dare not come here." Her voice was so sure that Xiangsi was also puzzled. The girl raised her head, looked at the shadow of the city wall in the distance, and confidently clenched her fists: "Because according to legend, not long ago, the goddess of lotus came here, cured the plague for the residents here, and protected them from the devil. Everyone believes that the Lotus Flower Goddess has not left, and she will definitely come back again to protect us!"

Looking at her hopeful face, Xiangsi felt a faint pain in her heart. Lotus Flower Goddess, you mean her?It turned out that they had never forgotten what she had done for the deserted city, and they were still waiting for her return. But what can she do now? She was deeply guilty, and couldn't help wrapping the white cloth on her head tighter. The blind old woman on the donkey's back said, "Girl, if you are also going to the deserted city, let us give you a ride." The girl also nodded her head courteously: "Yes, sister, you have injuries on your feet, let Xiao Hei carry you."

Xiao Hei is that emaciated donkey. Xiangsi hesitated for a moment, time was running out, she had to go to Datong as soon as possible, and hand over the Qinghe Sword to Master Qinghe. Besides, she really didn't have the strength to go any further. So, a weak donkey, carrying three thinner women, walked slowly on the path to the deserted city. In the evening, the city gate is in front of you. Xiangsi did not expect that so many people gathered in this ruined city. The dilapidated gates of the city were wide open, and on the streets paved with bluestones, people who had fled from all over the world gathered together.Most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled, with dark faces and scars on their bodies.These refugees, old and young, are crowded together, but they no longer have the strength to talk.The dense crowd gathered, but they were so silent. Except for the occasional groans of pain from the wounded, there was only deathly silence around.

The dilapidated houses on both sides of the street were already crowded, and the refugees who did not occupy the houses set up tents with bamboo poles and rags.The surrounding area is full of filth and emits a stench.The refugees were all numb, sitting on the ground amidst the dirt everywhere, as if they no longer cared about everything around them. Lovesickness is like being pinpointed. Unexpectedly, the city that she and Yang Yizhi had tried their best to protect had turned into purgatory in the end.This place is even more dilapidated than it was a few months ago. What happened to the residents of the deserted city who had fled with her?After she was captured, did Hanaji keep his agreement with her and not attack this small town again?Are the five hundred residents saved by her still alive?Have they been persecuted by severe robberies these days?

Xiangsixiu frowned and fell into deep thought. Suddenly, the donkey neighed and was blocked by a thick arm. Three ragged men stood before them. These people looked hungry, with injuries on their bodies, and seemed to have just escaped from the war, but compared to those refugees, these people were rare and strong. The girl was a little scared, and timidly hid behind Acacia. Xiangsi frowned: "What are you doing?" The leading man with the broken arm said viciously: "Don't do anything, from today onwards, people fleeing from other places are not allowed to enter the city!" The little girl poked her head out from behind Acacia, and blurted out, "Why?" The man's voice suddenly became sharp: "Why? Everyone wants to escape here, but there is only one city here! The food was eaten up ten days ago!" He suddenly waved his finger at a withered tree in the city: " The grass roots, bark, and rats have all been stuffed into the stomachs of you hungry ghosts! If you let you in again, you will eat up this place before the Mongol army comes!" He waved his remaining arm, his face full of disgust It's anger. Another limping man also said: "The original residents of the deserted city have made a decision together. From today onwards, this city will no longer welcome anyone! Get lost!" Xiangsi looked at him: "Are you from the deserted city?" The man was a little guilty when she saw it, but he nodded. Xiangsi said coldly: "You are not. I know all the residents here." The man was startled, as if he still didn't understand the meaning of her words, Xiangsi put his arms around the little girl and urged the donkey to walk towards the city. Suddenly, the donkey let out a scream, and the man with the broken arm dragged its tail. He said viciously: "Whether you were a resident here before or not, now we have taken over this place, and everyone must listen to us. If you want to enter the city, you have to leave something behind." They all looked at the weak donkey with greedy eyes: "It's better to hand over this donkey. We haven't smelled meat for a long time." The donkey seemed to feel the danger coming, and let out a mournful cry. The girl hugged the donkey's neck in horror, and said sharply, "No way! Let go of Xiao Hei!" She stretched out her calf angrily, and kicked the man's hand holding the donkey.The man couldn't help saying that as soon as he grabbed the girl's calf, he was going to drag her down forcibly. The little girl tightly grasped the corner of Acacia, and screamed. With a soft swish, a wisp of blood splashed among several people. The person who grabbed the girl let out a scream, and withdrew his hand like touching coals. There was already a circle of bloodstains on his wrist.The bloodstains were not deep, they ran around the artery, it was obvious that he was being merciful, and it was only a warning, otherwise the remaining arm might also be useless. Several people were shocked and looked up. But I saw a long sword with brilliance in Xiangsi's hand. Xiangsi looked at them coldly, and secretly tried to calm her breathing. She had to make herself appear calmer and stronger, so that those people could retreat in spite of difficulties.However, after three days of trekking overnight, her body was on the verge of collapse, and this move exhausted all her strength. She couldn't control the slight trembling of the sword tip. The group of people looked at each other in blank dismay, seemingly unable to judge whether the enemy was strong or weak for a moment. The aroma of donkey meat seems to be floating in the tip of the nose, making the empty stomach squirm.They looked at Xiangsi's thin body, geared up, and gradually surrounded her. ——Otherwise, let’s eat the three of them together. Hunger gradually made them lose their minds. Xiangsi protected the girl behind her, and gently clenched her sword hand. There were a few muffled bangs.Blood spattered, and the bodies of those people flew out of the air like broken cloth bags, falling heavily into the dust.Two of them fell silent immediately, and the remaining one rolled and moaned on the ground, as if his ribs were broken. Acacia looked at her palm in astonishment. The hand is empty, and the Qinghe sword has disappeared without knowing when. While being surprised, a black figure floated down from the sky and landed in front of her.The man was dressed in black, the bamboo hat was pressed down extremely low, and his face could not be seen clearly. What he was holding in his hand was the Qinghe Sword. He whispered, "Who gave you this sword?" Xiangsi didn't answer his words, but frowned and said, "Give me back the sword!" The visitor stared at the long sword in his hand, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. Xiangsi was worried that the sword would be taken away by this person, so she could not find Master Qinghe.In desperation, he didn't care that the other party was a rare master, so he just grabbed it. The person turned sideways slightly, and her blow immediately missed, and then his hand sank, and he had already controlled her wrist.With a slight agitation of her true energy, the white cloth wrapped around her head was immediately reduced to crumbs, pieces flew down, and a cascade of long hair cascaded down. This time, it was the man's turn to exclaim: "Why are you?" At that moment, the bamboo hat was raised slightly, and Xiangsi also took the opportunity to see the face of the person coming, but was even more surprised: "It's you?" The person who came was dressed in black, with an extremely cold and handsome face, with reddish light shining from the depths of his pupils, it was Meng Tiancheng. "Meng Tiancheng?" Xiangsi breathed a sigh of relief.Although he has no deep friendship with this person, and is still an enemy most of the time, but in a place outside the territory, after a narrow escape, he can't help but feel a little cordial to meet an old friend from the Central Plains. Meng Tiancheng also laughed: "How did you make it like this?" Xiangsi shook her head, not knowing how to answer for a moment. He handed Qinghe Sword back to her hand: "Where's Yang Yizhi?" He asked very naturally, but Xiangsi couldn't help being a little surprised. ——How did he know that this sword was given to her by Yang Yizhi?How could he be here? Xiangsi suddenly became alert, after all, he was from Wuyue Palace, and last time he let Ri Yao go at the last moment, this time his appearance may not have any good intentions.She took a step back quietly and looked at him warily. Meng Tiancheng seemed to know what she was thinking, and said calmly: "You don't have to worry, this sword was exactly what I gave him in Tianshou Village that day. From then on, I will not work in the Wuyue Palace." Xiangsi looked at him and nodded slowly.She didn't understand the reason, but she believed that Meng Tiancheng didn't lie to her. "By the way," she seemed to think of something, she was overjoyed and said, "Since you gave it to him, then you must know Master Qinghe?" Master Qinghe? Meng Tiancheng frowned. He had traveled the rivers and lakes for many years, but he had never heard the words Master Qinghe. Xiangsi then told him how he encountered a serious disaster, how he was trapped, and how he was rescued by Yang Yizhi.The only thing that was not mentioned was the part where she exchanged identities with Princess Yongle. Meng Tiancheng hesitated for a moment, and gradually understood Yang Yizhi's intentions. There is no so-called Tianxiang restaurant in the world, and there is no Master Qinghe. What is there is his sincerity in wishing her to leave safely.If it weren't for his white lie, Xiangsi would not have left him alone. Meng Tiancheng couldn't help sighing in his heart, he is really an infatuated person, exactly like Jing'er. Yang Yizhi's smile as clear as the moon appeared in front of his eyes, it was as gentle, kind, strong and persistent as Jing'er.There was a burst of tenderness deep in his heart, and he gradually made up his mind - he wanted to continue this lie for him and let her return to the Central Plains safely. He nodded and said: "I know where Master Qinghe is, I will send you to find him right away." Surprise flashed across Xiangsi's face, but then some doubts arose: "Why did you help me?" Even if Meng Tiancheng is no longer an accomplice of King Wuyue, there is no need for him to send himself back to Datong. Meng Tiancheng said lightly: "Because he is Jing'er's only elder brother... If he dies, Jing'er will be sad." This sentence is the truth. Yang Jing is Yang Yizhi's younger sister and the only treasure in his heart.The reason why Meng Tiancheng has been loyal to the King of Wuyue for many years regardless of the morality of the world is because the King of Wuyue saved his life, and the second is to thank him for allowing him to marry his beloved woman as his wife.There are many rumors about this matter in the world, or it is used as a talking point for Corporal Lixian of Wuyue Wang, or as evidence of a woman's troubles, but it cannot be doubted by lovesickness. She couldn't help sighing in her heart: "Then let's go on the road." Meng Tiancheng seemed to be lost in thought, unable to extricate himself for a while.After a long time, he said softly: "After the matter is done, please do me a favor." Xiangsi nodded slightly: "As long as I can do it." Meng Tiancheng's eyes showed a rare tenderness: "I have been away from home for a long time, and I don't know what Jing'er is doing now. If you return to the Central Plains safely, please go to Sichuan for me. Just say that I am temporarily detained outside the Great Wall, and I will definitely try to go back. Make her wait for me." Acacia nodded, feeling a burst of sadness in her heart.If he really betrayed King Wuyue, how easy is it to return to the Central Plains? Both fell silent. After a long time, Meng Tiancheng smiled faintly: "Let's go..." The voice suddenly stopped. He stared at the bluestone avenue in the city, and frowned tightly. Feeling a little strange, Xiangsi raised her head in astonishment, only to find that, at some point, the refugees in the city had gathered, forming an arc from a distance, and approaching the two of them step by step. Meng Tiancheng slowly pulled out the Qinghe sword, pointed the tip of the sword obliquely, and brought out dragon chant all over the sky.The cold killing intent instantly overflowed from his body and spread to the surroundings. The refugees felt his murderous intent and couldn't help being frightened.They trembled and breathed rapidly, but they still refused to let go. They only raised their heads and looked up at Acacia's face. Those eyes that had been withered for a long time seemed to be ignited by a fire from outside the sky, burning with a frantic hope. Finally, an old voice sounded: "Lotus Goddess, you can't go!" Immediately, everyone knelt down together, weeping and chanting words. "You finally came back to save us..." "We waited so hard for you..." Weeping, praying, and pleading came and went. Xiangsi was at a loss, when a timid voice came from behind: "Sister, are you really a lotus goddess?" She turned her head and saw the girl holding the donkey and looking at her in surprise, her flat and haggard face was illuminated by the light of hope, making her look more moving than ever before. Acacia's heart twitched slightly. How much she wanted to stay and help them, but Yang Yizhi was still imprisoned in a robbed tent, waiting for her to go back. He didn't hesitate to be in purgatory, but he also wanted to save her from birth, saving her again and again, regardless of the consequences, regardless of life or death. How could she fail again? On the side, Meng Tiancheng urged in a low voice: "Get out immediately, otherwise you won't be able to leave." Xiangsi bit her lips tightly, and there was a salty smell from her lips, just like the blood he had dripped on her hair that day. Finally, she hardened her heart and said to the kneeling refugees: "You wait for me, up to ten days, and I will definitely come back to save you." The cries around are louder, the deserted city has been running out of food for many days, I am afraid that at any time it will fall into the desperate situation of exchanging children for food and demolishing corpses for salary. Ten days was too long for them. At this time, an old figure rushed forward and knelt down at Xiangsi's feet.The white hair prostrated heavily on the filthy ground, almost bleeding: "Lotus goddess, you must save us again." Xiangsi hurriedly leaned over to help him up, but saw a familiar face.This old man was one of the people in the deserted city who fled with her. Xiangsi suppressed the tears in her eyes and said in a low voice: "Old man, I will definitely come back, you all believe in me." The old man burst into tears: "It's too late... Just now, I saw Li Quanyi fleeing to the north with my own eyes. These days, he led a group of people to search for food in the deserted city and act as a domineering power. Now you have injured him, and now Killing his two brothers, he holds a grudge, and will definitely inform the nearby Mongolian garrison..." Li Quanyi, the bully with a broken arm who was injured by Meng Tiancheng just now, quietly escaped while the two were talking. The old man's muddy eyes were full of panic, and he was panting violently. It seemed that these words had exhausted his strength for three lifetimes, and he continued after a long time: "I'm afraid that tomorrow morning, the army will be overwhelming. If you leave, all the people here will die." People will die under the butcher's knife!" Acacia was deeply silent. The old man was right to worry. Whether it is heavy robbery or I Da, the appearance of the lotus goddess will never be tolerated.There is only one fate waiting for them. destroy. The deserted city, this lonely island forgotten by the devil, will be swallowed by the stormy waves of blood in an instant. Where should she go? Acacia's eyes were a little dazed, and she swept across the kneeling crowd. She saw faces, familiar or unfamiliar. Those were either the people in the deserted city that she had devoted herself to guarding; or the refugees who poured in from all directions following her fame.Pairs of dry, swollen eyes raised up, with the last hope before destruction, staring at her pleadingly, making her unable to bear to look any longer.Sad cries and praises to the "Lotus Goddess" resounded through the empty city. They were desperate prayers, and she couldn't bear to hear them. What should I do? Xiangsi knelt down on the ground, clenched her fists in pain. Above the abandoned city, the evening clouds with strong colors galloped from different directions, converging on this land of suffering. It was a weight that her weak shoulders could not carry.