Chapter 645: Escape from Dajiang and See the Light Again (5k)
"As you command, Master."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Weizhi immediately stood up and stood respectfully with his hands clasped behind his back, as if waiting for Zhao Duan's inspection.
Stop calling me that, it's awkward... As a public servant raised under the red flag, Zhao Duan instinctively felt uncomfortable with this title. Well, the last time he heard the word "master" was in some special context...
"Well, since that person asked you to wait for me, did he tell you anything?"
Zhao Duan adjusted his mood and asked in a deep voice with a sharp gaze.
Although it's very curious that a man turns into a woman.
But this was not what he was most concerned about at the moment. Zhang Yanyi was still holding on outside, and he didn't have much time left.
The priestess nodded and said:
"Yes. He said the owner might be looking for a key when he comes here."
key!
Zhao Duan and the three girls' eyes lit up and they were overjoyed.
From this, he believed more and more what Tuoba Weizhi said. If this had not really happened, he would never have guessed the purpose of these people's trip.
"Where is the key?" Zhao Duan asked anxiously.
His eyes wandered over the priestess, and soon he saw the long-haired, dark-skinned, expressionless Tuoba Weizhi straightening his not-so-voluptuous figure beneath the gorgeous foreign robe and said calmly:
"My Lord, the key belongs to me."
kindness?!
Several people were stunned and didn't react.
Seeing this, Tuoba Weizhi patiently explained:
"To be precise, the key is not this disposable and replaceable body of yours, but your soul."
The soul is the key... Yes, who says that the "key" must be in the form of our impression?
Zhao Duan recalled that the grooves on the golden gate under the Taimiao were indeed not the shape of traditional keyholes.
But the answer that the soul is the key is still surprising, but on second thought, it makes sense.
If there really is a physical key, how can we ensure that it will not be taken away for hundreds of years?
Old Xu carefully trained Tuoba Weizhi and asked her to wait for the person carrying the Dragon Soul in Layuan. Doesn't this also fulfill the arrangement of hiding the key in Dajiang?
How should I put it? It sounds strange, but when I think about it carefully, it makes sense...
"I came here this time to take the key away." Zhao Duan frowned and said, "You..."
Tuoba Weizhi's eyes were calm, as if he understood his concerns, and he said calmly:
"Although I am a priest of the Liao people, I will follow my master whenever he needs me."
Hiss... the one that is well trained is different...
Zhao Duan has conquered many subordinates in the past two years, but this is the first one who cooperates so actively.
"I have a question." Suddenly, Yuxiu couldn't help but ask:
"You've been living here for hundreds of years? Never left?"
Tuoba Weizhi turned his head to look at the "master's friend" and did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Zhao Duan first.
"Answer her." Zhao Duan ordered.
Tuoba Weizhi then said:
"In fact, I am not awake very often. Most of the time, when Da Laba is asleep, I will also fall asleep, and when Da Laba is awake, I will be awake.
So, perhaps in your eyes, I have lived for hundreds of years, but to me, it is far less than that. Many years pass between each awakening."
After a pause, she explained:
"As for going out, I did leave Layuan while I was awake, and I also learned about the general situation of the outside world by asking around among the Liao people. But I have never left Dajiang."
Zhao Duan asked curiously, "So what is your relationship with Laba?"
He was very curious about this.
Tuoba Weizhi hesitated, shook his head and said:
"I'm not entirely sure either. Da Laba won't harm me. I can communicate with Da Laba and sense his emotions, but I can't directly gain his power or control him."
Yuxiu frowned and asked:
"As far as I know, the leader of the Liao people can control the evil god to a certain extent."
Tuoba Weizhi nodded, then shook his head:
“The clan leaders of past generations could indeed do it, but they couldn’t control it perfectly. They could only influence it to a certain extent. Most of the time, the clan leaders were just servants of the gods.
Well, for the vast majority of the time, the Liaoren tribe's patriarchs weren't born from within the Liaoren tribe, but were from outside."
"From outside? What does that mean?" Zhao Duan asked.
Tuoba Weizhi once again revealed shocking news:
"Every few decades, the Yu Kingdom's royal family would secretly send someone to take over the position of clan leader, using a secret technique to gain the power to influence Dalaba."
There is such a thing?!
Zhenbao never said... Yes, she ascended the throne in a hurry and didn't even know the secret technique to suppress the offerings. She didn't get the complete royal inheritance at all... Zhao Duan was surprised.
Thinking back to the time when Old Xu came to La Garden and took away the research notes of the Qi Kingdom royal family... everything became clear:
The Qi Kingdom's royal family carefully cultivated the evil god and implanted a set of "secret techniques" within him that allowed people to control him. Unfortunately, it was not perfect.
After the fall of Qi State, Lao Xu obtained this "legacy". As an emperor, there was no reason for him to give it away, so he not only taught the priestess carefully.
He also secretly followed the methods of the Qi Kingdom, arranging reliable people to come to Dajiang to take over the position of the patriarch in each generation.
In this way, they can control the Liao people.
"No wonder. In the past few hundred years, there has been no major friction between the Liao people and the Yu Kingdom. And Zhao Shixiong's border troops' biggest mission is usually to deal with the banditry in Yunfu, not to fight against the Liao people."
"Zhen Bao failed to inherit this lineage, but Xu Jianwen somehow learned this great secret and used it to control the Liao people...
This also explains why he was able to order the Liao people to send troops... As a prince of the Yu Kingdom, the Liao people have always been the secret power of emperors of all generations."
This is not a random guess. If Xu Jianwen can obtain the secret technique to suppress offerings, then it is not surprising that he can also obtain the power of the Liao people leader.
Yuxiu was stunned for a moment and murmured:
"No wonder the clan leaders of all generations are so mysterious, never appearing in public. Even during sacrificial ceremonies, they wear thick robes that cover their bodies. Furthermore, their stature is far less than that of the Liao people...
I thought it was because the tribe leader was older... But, can the Liao people accept being ruled by a foreign race?"
Tuoba Weizhi said calmly:
"For nearly a thousand years, the Liao people have always had an outsider as their patriarch. They're used to it. Besides, they only recognize the gods, and whoever is recognized by the gods is the patriarch."
Well, this is the result of thousands of years of brainwashing...
Well, it can be understood as a unique custom and culture...
Zhao Duan took a deep breath and stared at the priestess with burning eyes:
"What's the current clan leader's name? Do you know someone named Xu Jianwen?"
Tuoba Wei's Way:
"The current clan leader is named Song Zhi. He arrived more than ten years ago. As for Xu Jianwen, I've heard of him before. He seems to be a prince of the Yu Kingdom. Did he lead a rebellion? But I don't know anything else."
Song Shik…Song Shik…
Zhao Duan felt that the name sounded familiar, and when he thought about it carefully, his eyes suddenly widened!
Back then at the lake pavilion, Mochou told him the story of Xu Jianwen, in which she mentioned that Xu Jianwen had a very good relationship with Song Zhi, the prince's groom.
Later, Song Zhi resigned from his official position and wandered around the world, and no trace of him was found...
"Could it be... that Song Zhi joined the Liao people at that time? And became a surprise force for Xu Jianwen?"
"Yes, this also explains why Xu Jianwen and Master Guhuo's treasure troves contain so many treasures from the Qi Kingdom era... It's very likely that they came from the Liao people..."
Zhao Duan suddenly felt enlightened!
Many doubts were answered.
But at the same time, a new mystery arises: How could Song Zhi, a mere prince's groom, be appointed by the late emperor to sit in such an important position?
Or is it that his position as the clan leader was not obtained legitimately?
Zhao Duan couldn't help but sigh that there were so many secrets hidden behind the "Xuanmen Coup" three years ago.
However, these mysteries obviously cannot be solved by Tuoba Wei.
Moreover, it is not a pressing matter at the moment.
After sorting out his thoughts, Zhao Duan looked at the priestess again and asked a key question:
"Have you ever told anyone that you are the key and that you are waiting for me?"
Tuoba Weizhi was very smart and realized what he meant. He said respectfully:
"I have never revealed this. The clan leaders of all generations only know that I am a Layuan priestess, the one who manages the altar for the gods."
Zhao Duan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
"Very good. I don't have much time. You can ask the rest of your questions later. I only have one last question for you. Have you seen the footage recorded inside the temple?"
Tuoba Weizhi nodded: "I have seen it."
Zhao Duan: "Then what do you think of your own identity..."
Tuoba Weizhi raised his head, looked at him calmly, and said seriously:
"No matter who I was originally, hundreds of years have passed and everything has disappeared. I only know that when I opened my eyes, I saw my first master, and now it's my second."
Tsk... Old Xu, Old Xu, you are really good at training people... Zhao Duan was amazed.
At this time, Yuxiu suddenly said anxiously:
"Oh no, it looks like Laba is coming back! We have to leave!"
Zhao Duan hurriedly looked up!
I saw rolling red clouds in the distant sky rushing towards this side at an incredible speed!
A terrifying aura was gradually approaching, and just looking at it made people shudder.
"Tuoba, can you put this thing to sleep?" Zhao Duan hurriedly looked at the priestess.
The latter said with shame:
"I am useless. If the patriarch is not here, I can still try, but when the patriarch is here, I have little influence on the gods."
That's right... I guess Old Xu couldn't have been so confident back then that he gave you control of the Laba God... Instead, he trained you as the caretaker of the La Garden while appointing generations of clan leaders... Damn it, the separation of church and state has really made you, Old Xu, understand...
Zhao Duan complained in his heart and said in a deep voice:
"Jin Jian! Open the door!"
"oh!"
The young priestess holding the staff was startled and tried her best to draw a circle in the air with the staff.
A phantom moon appeared... the portal opened...
"Let's go! Get out of here first!"
Zhao Duan said decisively. Before entering the gate, he thought for a moment, raised his hand, took the two jade balls into his hands, and held Tuoba Weizhi with his other hand.
Jin Jian stared at the temple eagerly and said:
"The treasure of the previous dynasty..."
Yuxiu had a headache. It's a life-and-death crisis, and you're still thinking about this?
Tuoba Weizhi glanced at her and said:
"A lot of it was moved away hundreds of years ago, and what was left was slowly hollowed out."
Jin Jian was struck by lightning, his face turned pale, and he stepped into the illusory moon in frustration.
Pei Niannu also disappeared inch by inch and returned to Zhao Duan's body.
In the blink of an eye, they all disappeared, and the moon collapsed into a small dot.
At the moment when everyone disappeared, the thousands of gods’ servants in La Garden seemed to have lost their target and raised their heads in confusion.
I saw red clouds surging in and swallowing up the entire sky in an instant.
…
"boom!"
A little while ago, when Song Zhi threw another punch and repelled the old Taoist priest with divine power, he suddenly felt a strong sense of unease in his heart.
I suddenly turned my head and looked towards Layuan, my heart aching... as if I was about to lose something precious.
Song Zhi was stunned.
I immediately realized that this emotion came from Laba Festival.
"The house was really robbed... How is that possible? The guards at La Garden are clearly still here... It's impossible for anyone under heaven to break into La Garden..."
Song Zhi was shocked and confused.
Zhang Yan's body was surrounded by green light, with one hand behind his back and the other holding the jade slip of the heavenly book across his body. He seemed calm, but in fact, the green light on Zhou Shen had dimmed a lot, and the words on the heavenly book had also lost most of their luster.
After fighting against the gods in a weakened state, he has reached his limit.
If we continue to fight, I'm afraid the foundation of our religion will be shaken.
Just when the old Taoist priest was extremely anxious, he noticed Song Zhi's change. He was delighted and said with a smile:
"It seems that I am the winner of this round."
Song Zhi was shocked and angry. He had no intention of arguing with him. He turned into billowing smoke and rushed towards La Garden almost like a madman.
This time, Zhang Yan only tried to stop him tentatively, and then let him tear through the defense line and escape far away. The old Taoist priest followed closely behind him.
Above Layuan.
Song Zhi fell from the red cloud with a loud bang like a meteorite, smashing near the altar, and crushing a piece of hard bluestone with his bare feet.
"Priest Tuoba!"
He shouted loudly.
No one answered!
The flames in the temple were bright and silent. The violent divine thoughts swept across the entire La Garden and even spread outward, but Tuoba Weizhi's figure could not be sensed.
Song Zhi's heart suddenly sank, and he rushed into the temple, only to find that the two jade balls had disappeared!
"not good……"
Song Zhi was shocked. Although he couldn't figure out what Zhang Yan and his group's purpose was, it was definitely not a good thing.
He turned and ran out, glancing coldly at the thousands of God's servants below, and roared:
"Where are the people?! Answer me!"
The servants of God turned a deaf ear to him and just stared at him with red eyes, motionless.
These servants of God can only survive in the La Garden and are only controlled by the priestess.
Song Zhi felt like a deflated ball, with nowhere to vent his anger.
"Hahaha..." High in the sky, the old Taoist priest laughed heartily:
"Is it tragic that I cannot rage?"
Song Zhi's eyes went dark, and he was filled with rage. He stomped his feet on the ground, rose up with a bang, and attacked the old Taoist priest again.
Zhang Yanyi did not fight back, turned around and walked away, sneering:
"You, this evil spirit, only have brute force. I am old and weak, and I cannot defeat you in a fight. But it is wishful thinking for you to keep me here."
The old Taoist priest said this, but he did not move away too much. He knew that Zhao Duan had not escaped too far and he had to continue to buy time.
Well, with such a big fuss, it’s probably unrealistic to return to the palace through the “gate” in the southwest Xinjiang.
He couldn't go and meet up with him immediately, for fear of being tracked and found by Song Zhi.
"Then we'll have to fight this evil spirit for a while longer. Once we shake it off, we'll reunite with it. I hope Zhao is safe."
Zhang Yan was thinking in his heart as he flew away.
As Song Zhi chased and killed them, he shouted towards the distant stronghold:
"Pass on the divine decree, all members of the clan must dig three feet underground to search for the thieves from the Yu Kingdom!"
The sound was like thunder.
Inside Dazhai.
Countless Yao people who were on high alert were shocked. In a moment, the village gate opened, and warriors rode on their mounts, holding weapons, and spread in all directions like a tide.
…
…
Somewhere in the forest.
An illusory full moon emerged.
Zhao Duan and his companions stepped out, their feet stepping on the soft soil of the forest, their hearts still beating like drums.
Adrenaline rush!
They were almost intercepted by Da Laba.
Fortunately... I escaped successfully.
But before they could catch their breath, they heard angry shouts from the sky:
"Pass on the divine decree, all members of the clan must dig three feet underground to search for the thieves from the Yu Kingdom!"
Zhao Duan's expression changed:
"What's that babble about?"
He couldn't understand the language of the Liao people!
Yuxiu translated it quickly and said anxiously:
"We're not far enough from La Garden yet, and we're not out of danger yet. As long as we're still in the Great Xinjiang, within the reach of the evil god, we could be discovered at any time!"
Tuoba Wei's Way:
"I can reduce the possibility of us being discovered by Him. However, the further I am from the god, the weaker my magic power will be. My physical strength will also be slightly weakened."
Jin Jian took a breath, swallowed a pill, and opened a full moon again:
"Walk!"
The four entered again and teleported a long distance.
Next, Jin Jian activated the teleportation again and again without caring about the consumption, fleeing all the way to the north.
When Jin Jian was exhausted, several of them ran in the forest. Occasionally they encountered Liao people, and they either hid from them or killed them all.
They were unlucky a few times and almost bumped into the big Laba flying in the air. Tuoba Weizhi wiped away the power fluctuations from the few people with his hands.
Gou hid in the woods.
From then on, they kept fighting and fleeing all the way, from day to night, and fled madly for nearly a whole day.
Finally, at dawn the next day, the sky brightened.
The disheveled group of four walked out of the forest, and the view in front of them suddenly became empty, with vast hills and plains coming into view.
The morning light rises in the east, dispelling the darkness, and it’s daybreak!
Exhausted and disregarding her image, she sat down on the ground. Yuxiu looked at the compass in her hand, exhaled, and said with a smile, looking like she had survived a disaster.
"We have left the Dajiang area and are now in the Yunfu Dao area."
Jin Jian panted and held the staff, saying in surprise:
"The magic suppression I was under disappeared."
After leaving the territory of Laba, she regained the favor of the stars and the moon as a believer in the righteous gods.
"Ah, I'm so sleepy..."
Immediately, the golden tablet basking in the sun wilted again.
The sun rises, and the favor of the stars and the moon is gone again...
"Haha..." Zhao Duan gasped heavily, his hair wet with sweat, feeling the coolness of the early morning, and couldn't help laughing.
The last time he escaped in such a hurry, he was still chased by the God of Death.
Fortunately, although there were several mishaps along the way, they finally managed to return to the State of Yu and brought back a crucial "key".
Thinking of this, Zhao Duan turned his head to look beside him, and then froze.
I saw a mysterious young priestess sitting quietly on the ground, her gorgeous robe was dirty, she had her hands around her knees, and was staring at the rising sun in a trance.
The sunlight shone on Tuoba Weizhi's dark wheat-colored face, and his deep eyes were full of curiosity and longing for the new world.
After six hundred years, she seemed to see this world for the first time.
——
Update is coming~
(End of this chapter)
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