Hungry for food and thirsty for drink, travel at dawn and stay overnight.
These conventional ways of traveling are no longer suitable for Li Zhi and Qin Huaiyu today. Unfortunately, the horses they ride on are only ordinary.
Even though Li Zhi had made careful arrangements when setting off from Luoyang City, the preparation of one man and two horses was still not enough to keep him going.
"Ninth Young Master, are you a little too sensitive? We shouldn't be in such a hurry, right?"
Seeing Li Zhi's anxious look, Qin Huaiyu was very puzzled.
The two have known each other for several years. Qin Huaiyu has never seen Li Zhi so anxious. Is it just for an inexplicable feeling?
"Forget it, we won't be able to reach Chang'an City today, so let's find a place to rest for the night and let the horses have a good rest."
After calming down and thinking about it, Li Zhi couldn't help but laugh at his "overreaction". Looking at the tired and panting horse, the sun was about to set in the mountain col.
Seeing that Li Zhi actually agreed, Qin Huaiyu was even more helpless.
He had reminded Li Zhi before, but unfortunately His Highness the King of Jin couldn't listen at all. Now he has missed Sutou and seems to have to sleep in the wilderness again.
This place has entered the Weinan border and is only two to three hundred miles away from Chang'an City.
It is not impossible to force the journey all night, but when we reach Chang'an City, does the majestic King of Jin still want to cross the city?
What's more, Wei Zheng only brought fifty guards and a hundred cavalry with him after all his calculations. After setting off three days early, they might have already returned to Chang'an City.
"Ninth Young Master, there seems to be a temple in the mountains and forests over there. Let's go and have a look -"
Li Zhi used his "Golden Eyes to Break the Illusion", and sure enough, there was a dense forest about five miles to the right. There was a faint sound of wind chimes deep in the dense forest. There must be a temple hidden in it.
The two dismounted and led the four horses toward the forest. The further they walked, the more difficult the road became.
Seeing that the distance was not far away, he simply tied the four war horses in the forest. In the spring season, you can eat a few leaves or young grass anywhere.
Li Zhi and Qin Huaiyu picked up their luggage and food and walked inwards.
Not much time left, and we actually arrived in front of a temple.
Unfortunately, the scene in front of them made them a little disappointed. It was a temple, but it was a small, dilapidated temple.
I don’t know how many years ago the plaque on the door was. It was already dark, but the moon was hidden in the clouds. It was hard to see clearly what words were on the plaque.
One of the temple doors was broken, but the other door was ajar. When I looked in, I saw someone lighting a bonfire in the middle of the main hall?
"Ninth Young Master, are we?..."
Unexpectedly, there were already people here, so Qin Huaiyu still hesitated.
"Haha, there are so many things to pay attention to when going out. Brother Huaiyu is worrying too much."
Li Zhi naturally understood what Qin Huaiyu meant. It's just that skilled people are bold. What kind of skills do the two of them have? Why should they care about this?
Walking into the courtyard of the ruined temple, I found it was really dilapidated.
There are many holes in the surrounding courtyard walls, and the courtyard is overgrown with weeds. There is only a passage in the middle that has been trampled by countless people, reminding people that this place was once prosperous.
"Is there anyone in the temple? Li Jiu, a man on the road, and his companions missed Sutou, so they came here specifically for just one night. I hope the friend who came first will allow me to do it -"
Li Zhi had already sensed that there was someone in the temple, and judging from the person's aura, he was actually a rare master.
Are masters so worthless nowadays that they can be encountered anytime and anywhere?
Out of etiquette, Li Zhi still asked loudly in the courtyard.
"Everyone is out and about, so why should we decide who comes first? However, there will be some unrest here tonight. If you don't want to get angry, little brother, please take a step forward and leave here -"
A loud voice came, and it was indeed Lian Jiazi's. It was full of energy, and there was a hint of persuasion between the lines. This was because he didn't want Li Zhi, who had just met by chance, to go into troubled waters.
"Haha, under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, the seas and rivers were clear, and not far ahead was the important area of Chang'an and the capital. How could we encounter strongmen and robbers? I just don't believe in this evil."
As he spoke, Li Zhi's footsteps did not stop and he was already in the central hall.
It is said that it is the central hall, but in fact it is only three or four rooms in size at most. Originally there were side halls on the left and right sides of the courtyard, but now only the ruins can be seen.
Even the central hall has collapsed in half, leaving only a room and a half near the northeast corner, which can barely keep out wind and rain.
"Xiaosheng Li Jiu, I have met my brother——"
Li Zhiyan turned into a scholar, polite, humble and polite, but he was a scholar with a more heroic spirit.
Close to the east corner, there was a thick layer of weeds on the ground. There was a person dozing on the weeds, curled up with his face turned inward. He couldn't see his head or face clearly, but there was a strong smell of alcohol.
Sure enough, there were two wine jars at the man's feet, and even a half-cooked deer on the bonfire nearby.
From time to time, the grease from the deer would drip onto the bonfire, causing flames to rise. Although there was no extra ingredients, the airy hall was filled with the smell of meat.
"Since you are brave, then you can stay and sit wherever you like."
When he heard Li Zhi enter the hall, the man didn't even turn around, but his exposed ears twitched twice sharply.
"Haha, brother, you are so free and easy. You are drinking and barbecuing in this monk's temple. Aren't you afraid that the Buddha in the West will blame you?"
Li Zhi seemed to be familiar with it. He brought a broken stone from the corner and placed it in front of the bonfire. He even fiddled with the deer on the shelf for the man.
"Buddha in the Western Heaven? I've heard people mention it, but I've never seen it. However, a certain family came from Confucianism, practiced swordsmanship for a few days, and just got a copy of the Diamond Sutra, but I haven't had time to understand it yet."
The man heard what Li Zhi said was interesting, and he turned over and sat up.
What a big man. Even when he was sitting on the ground, he was not much shorter than Li Zhi. He had a bun on his head, which made him look a bit like a Taoist.
He was wearing the black attire of an ordinary Jianghu person, with a large beard under his chin, and his beard looked like it was flying in the world.
Looking closely at this person's face, you can see a bit of the elegance of his past between his eyebrows. No wonder he just said that he was a Confucian scholar, and it seems that he was once a white-faced scholar.
Looking behind him, he actually carried a wide sword box, which was about a foot wide. He was not sure how many swords were inside.
Li Zhi unconsciously used the "Golden Eyes to Break the Illusion" again, and found that this person was indeed a human being, not transformed from another species, and his realm had actually entered the early stage of the Golden Elixir.
However, judging from the aura emanating from him, he seems to be a swordsman?
Li Zhi didn't know much about sword cultivation, but it was occasionally mentioned in "Cangming Jue". The person in front of him was the first person he met.
While Li Zhi was sizing up the man, the man was also sizing them up.
That man seemed to have also practiced the magical power of his eyes. The red light in his pupils flickered a few times, sweeping back and forth over Li Zhi and Qin Huaiyu's bodies.
Qin Huaiyu is very simple. You can tell at a glance that he has reached the realm of "Martial Arts and Gods", and he has just successfully established his foundation.
As for Li Zhi, in that person's eyes, he was just a "heavenly body". Even if it could be judged from the size of his body that he had the experience of physical exercise, he was probably just in the acquired state.
"The meat has been roasted. Xiaosheng's companion also brought some big cakes, soy sauce meat, and the fine wine 'Tu Ku Chun' brought from Xingyang, Henan. How about we wait together in one place and have a drink?"
In later generations, due to professional reasons, Li Zhi was not a drinker. Whoever wanted to come to the Tang Dynasty became interested in what was in the cup.
"Haha, my little brother has said so, can a certain family refuse? It's better to meet by chance than to invite. Although there will be some trouble tonight, as long as you two stay in this ruined temple, I believe it won't hurt at all.
"
The man took out three large bowls like a magic trick, and first filled the three bowls with the wine in his own jar. It turned out to be the "Sanlejiang" sold in Zhongxi Market in Chang'an City?
"Sanlejiang", as the name suggests, is brewed from the fruits of three plants: Anmolle, Pilile, and Helile. It is a wine with a rich and exotic flavor. It is very sweet and intoxicating.
These people are in such a state that they no longer need ordinary food to satisfy their hunger. However, the pleasure of eating meat and drinking wine always makes people linger and have endless aftertaste.
"Hahaha, I didn't expect that my little brother, a gentle scholar, could drink so much? It seems that the wine here tonight may not be enough for us to enjoy ourselves."
Qin Huaiyu kept his guard duty in mind. Although Li Zhi was far more powerful than Qin Huaiyu at this time, he did not dare to let down his guard at all. He took a few sips and never touched the wine bowl again.
As a result, Li Zhi was basically having a one-on-one time with that person, drinking till the bowl was full.
"It's a joy in life to meet strangers in this wilderness, have wine and barbecue, and drink against the moon. Why should I care too much about it, brother?"
At this time, the moon had emerged from the clouds and was hanging high in the sky. It also took advantage of the ruined temple and was illuminated as brightly as day.
After drinking several bowls of wine, Li Zhi barely used any physical skills to resist. He relied entirely on his body to digest the alcohol. He was not as confused as before?
It seems that my body is not a little bit stronger now than when I just left Chang'an.
"Little brother, you really have a way. This 'Sanlejiang' from a certain family is not an ordinary 'Sanlejiang'. My master's secret medicine is added to it, which has the effect of strengthening the body and strengthening the internal strength.
"
"It's a pity that it's so strong. Most people can drink three bowls of it, which is pretty good. But my little brother drank four bowls in a row and still didn't get angry and his face didn't change. He's really a genius."
Seeing that Li Zhi was in such good condition after drinking his "medicated wine", the man not only did not feel sorry for his own wine, but actually felt sorry for Li Zhi.
Why does such a prodigy in martial arts have a "heavenly leakage body"?
"Haha, brother, I'm so praised. What kind of genius is Xiaosheng? It's just that he can drink two more bowls of wine. Maybe it's because Xiaosheng is the ninth eldest child in the family."
Li Zhi finished another bowl, and then he noticed that there were indeed strands of spiritual energy. As the "Sanle pulp" entered his stomach, it slowly gathered into his sea of consciousness, and was given by the black and white dual souls.
Devoured.
It's a pity that this little spiritual energy is probably not even a drop in the bucket for Li Zhi's current needs. If the person hadn't mentioned it, Li Zhi might not have been able to notice it.
As Qin Huaiyu added dry firewood twice more, the drinking session was finally coming to an end.
The man's jar and a half of "Sanlejiang" and the two large wine bags of "Tukuchun" that Li Zhi and others brought from Xingyang, Henan, were all drank up by the two of them.
"Okay, we've almost finished drinking tonight, and the person waiting for a certain family has finally arrived. My little brother and your family will stay here later. Let's talk after the certain family has settled with that person -"
After the man finished speaking, he stood up and tightened the sword box behind his back. The look on his face was extremely solemn.
Li Zhi had long sensed that a person was coming from the due west, still five miles away. His sword aura was sharp and sharp. He seemed to be a rare swordsman!
"Brother, have you made an appointment to have a bet with someone? Although I am not very talented, I have practiced martial arts for a few days. If brother doesn't mind, can you allow me to wait and watch?"
"Xiaosheng can feel that Xiongtai's cultivation level is far beyond ordinary people. I'm afraid the person who is going against Xiongtai is also a good player. It's just a good opportunity for us to open our eyes and learn a lot."
Li Zhi also stood up from the stone, patting the non-existent dust and looking at the man with a slight pleading.
"Well... well, it's okay for you two to watch from the sidelines. I think that person just wants to compete for the title of 'the best swordsman in the world', and he won't take action against you two."
"Even if he is really angry and has no martial ethics, wouldn't a certain family still be afraid of him?"
"Judge Handy, a certain family has already arrived. Are you still like a coward, hiding inside and not daring to come out?"
At this time, a shout rang out from outside the ruined temple, piercing the tranquility of the night like a sword.
"Brother Xiahou Xian, it's been seven years, why do you have to press so hard? A certain family has said it many times, can you admit that you are the 'best swordsman in the world'?"
The man shook his head helplessly, motioned to Li Zhi and the others to follow him, then turned and walked out.
The moon hangs in the sky, shining brightly like water. At the entrance of the ruined temple, a man dressed in white clothes appears.
"Hmph, you don't need to admit it. I, Xiahou, want to be known as the 'No. 1 Swordsman in the World'. I only believe in the 'Demon Sword' in my hand."
The long sword was unsheathed, and the sword aura was strong, carrying an aura of decay, evil, and destruction.
"You have indeed mastered it. I am very happy to celebrate it. I am afraid that there are countless dead souls in Northern Xinjiang, right?——"
Seeing Xiahou Xiandi's fierce sword aura, the man's face became even more serious. He said "joyful" and "congratulatory", but there was no sign of congratulations on his face.
"Weren't you also known as the ruthless judge? Do you dare to say that there are fewer souls who died under your sword? You have become timid after not seeing each other for a year, and you even hired two helpers?"
"Haha, who do you think I am? One is a reluctant 'martial arts master', and the other is a 'body of leakage'. You yourself are a weirdo, and the person you hired is also a weirdo——"
Brother Xiahou Xian looked at Li Zhi and Qin Huaiyu, and the words he spoke and the expressions on his face were all full of deep disdain.
"Brother Xiahou Xian, they are just friends from a certain family who met here by chance. They have nothing to do with the matter between you and me. I heard that there was a gambling fight, so I just wanted to take a look and just sit back and watch."
The man seemed to know the character of Xiahou Xiandi very well, and hurriedly explained to Li Zhi and others that although he was not afraid of Xiahou, he did not want him to become jealous of Li Zhi.
"Hmph, stop talking nonsense, let's get started-"
To start with, the "Devil Sword" in Xiahou's hand was swept away, and the gray-black sword energy was followed by a series of sword lights. It looked like one sword, but it seemed like thousands of swords connected together.
The man didn't dare to be careless and patted himself on the back.
"The sky is bright and righteous, the sun and the moon are shining brightly——"
From the sword box behind him, two swords flew out at the same time, one on the left and one on the right, criss-crossing in the air, forming a circle of light curtains that blocked Xiahou's thousands of sword energy.
"Huh, look at me, 'The Tao is one foot higher, the devil is one foot higher'——"
Xia Hou's sword energy was easily blocked, and he was very unhappy in his heart. His figure surged up in the air. Even the moon seemed to be covered by him, or had he transformed into the moon?
The "Devil Sword" slashed down fiercely with all its strength. Was this an attempt to complete its victory in one battle?
The momentum carried by the "Tianmo Sword" even Qin Huaiyu standing behind was a little overwhelmed, but Li Zhi gently helped Qin Huaiyu without leaving any trace.
Li Zhi also clearly saw the realm of Xia Hou. Like the previous man, he was also a swordsman in the early stage of the Golden Core.
However, judging from the situation, Xiahou must have followed the path of a demon cultivator, and he was actually more powerful in terms of momentum.
I don’t know if it’s because he hasn’t won for seven consecutive years, or because there are two more spectators at the scene tonight, so Xiahou explodes with his ultimate move as soon as he comes up?
"Brother Xiahou Xian, you?..."
The man didn't seem to have expected that Xiahou would do something dangerous so quickly, so he hurriedly adjusted his state and used his signature trick.
"The sky and the earth are infinite, and the universe is borrowed from the law——"
As soon as this move came out, Li Zhi behind him was shocked, and suddenly realized that it was actually this person?
Yan returns to the ancient temple in the cold forest, and the three-foot green front reflects the red clouds!