Chapter 99: Tracing the Roots and the Flames Soaring to the Sky ()
The grain ship docked.
Under the command of Chang Mao, the naval commander and others, the officers and soldiers on the ship and the defenders of Peking began to unload food and wages in an orderly manner, and transported them to major granaries in Peking by elephants and horse-drawn carriages.
During this period, the defending troops obeyed orders.
Even though there had just been an assassination attempt and fighting all around, he was still able to command calmly and comfort the people.
Xu Da's ability to train troops is admirable.
Fang Rui was seriously injured and was healing himself under the shade of a tree near the dock. Zhao Wumian stayed by his side, waiting for information from Bao Buyi and the others while studying the four mechanical men.
These four mechanical men are the special "Yanjia" mentioned by the Moon Goddess. They are made of human materials, with their flesh and blood bodies replaced by the trunks of thousand-year-old iron trees, comparable to the bodies of King Kong.
The internal "muscles" and "blood" also turned into special materials that can conduct the internal force of the strange beast. Compared with their previous three-level strength, this processing can be regarded as body strengthening.
It’s a pity that the mental state of these four people is worse than Li Yuliang.
Li Yuliang at least knew fear. These four people had completely turned into puppets.
The remaining half of his body was still struggling subconsciously, and his eyes were as numb as a puppet.
"The Eagle with Divine Eyes, the Crazy Monk, the Money-Keeping Man, the Heartless Man..."
Zhao Wumian sighed. They were all people from the Yin-Yang Dao and guests with special skills.
Cruel enough.
Yu Hu alone probably can't control so many people silently. He probably has extraordinary attainments in the "Demon Seeding Technique". The Gongshu family has been destroyed for more than a hundred years. Counting the last head of the family, Gongshu Yi, who didn't appear in the world for the previous three hundred years, four hundred years have passed. Finally, there is someone who can practice the "Demon Seeding Technique" and take up the responsibility of the Gongshu family. In the end, the Gongshu family is gone...
The world is impermanent.
Zhao Wumian shook his head and looked at the four people.
Guo Zhongwen defected recently, and these guest officials must have been reformed recently. Otherwise, if they were institutionalized too early, it would increase the risk of being exposed. For no reason, they were covered with a layer of mist-hidden spider silk, which clearly showed that there was something wrong...
Judging from the materials, it was also recently processed.
The surface of the thousand-year-old iron tree has not turned completely black, and the cloud seals carved inside are very clear. The exotic animal oil that serves as the "blood" of the mechanism is also extracted from a fire rat that was killed less than half a month ago, and its "activity" is at its peak.
Therefore, as long as you follow the ideas in the materials, you will get results.
For most people, this requires time and manpower, and they have to thoroughly check each store.
But Zhao Wumian doesn't need it.
It may not be true that wealth can connect with gods, but the news that wealth can connect with gods is absolutely true!
Zhao Wumian gave Shen Weiyang the mechanical tiger dragon and related technologies. Shen Weiyang also gave Zhao Wumian a token. Seeing the token was like seeing a real person, and he could withdraw money and items from the shop under her name at will.
Zhao Wumian had no idea about her money and belongings. If the matter was not urgent, he would not have wanted to use this token.
Qingyu Pavilion is the leading shop in Beiping Prefecture under her name, operating many categories, including martial arts secrets, magic weapons, supplies, medicines, rare treasures, all of which are related, including materials on exotic animals. Given Qingyu Pavilion's status and information channels, it wouldn't take long to investigate.
"This is the art of machinery..."
Just as I was thinking about it, Chang Meizhen came over and said, "It seems very powerful."
Zhao Wumian looked up at her and said, "The situation is unpredictable now. You should go to the military camp first and stay with the general. He has two thousand Yanyue Guards who can protect you."
It was difficult to eliminate Mongolia for the time being, so the Ming Dynasty's strategy toward the north changed from being mainly offensive to being mainly defensive.
Since the sixth year of Hongwu, Xu Da had been training troops and preparing for the border in Peking and Shanxi for a long time, and was known as the "Great Wall on the Frontier". The "Yanyue Guard" he trained was the most elite and terrifying killing weapon under his command. Although there were only 2,000 people, they had a terrible record of killing 30,000 enemy main forces.
Chang Meizhen shook her head: "I'm not going! Uncle Xu wants to mobilize the Yanyue Guards to attack the mountain. What's so good about killing people? Oh, the Yin-Yang Dao also has masters. If they are pushed to the limit, will they do something desperate?"
Zhao Wumian said: "Shugu Mountain is the foundation of Yin-Yang Dao, and it has been passed down for thousands of years. They will not give it up easily, so it depends on how hard they are pushed. I now suspect that the person who pretended to be the Great Sima Ming just now... is probably a fake, but, besides him, who else has such a high level of "Six Yang Burning Heaven Art"? "
"Xuan bone."
Chang Meizhen thought without hesitation: "Maybe it was released by the mysterious bone left by the previous great Sima."
"Not very likely."
Zhao Wumian recalled the man's series of actions: "He was able to dodge two fourth-level deputy generals under the general. His body movements were very strange, a bit like the legendary 'flaming formless' realm, his body turned into blazing flames, comparable to escaping light. I'm afraid that even if the Great God of Destiny took action himself, he wouldn't have this effect... The Gongshu family has a lot of inheritance!"
Chang Meizhen clenched her fist and said, "Grab them! Grab them all!!"
"..."
Zhao Wumian thought to himself that she was worthy of being the king of bandits...the daughter of King Kaiping.
This guy doesn't make trouble and is much more pleasing to the eye.
Zhao Wumian waited under the shade of the tree for an hour, and Bao Buyi and the others hurried back.
"Sir, there is news."
Bao Buyi came forward, returned the token, and said quickly: "These three things came from three shops, and the buyers were three people. I have already investigated and found that these three people often go in and out of the Iron Pillar Temple in the west of the city. They are in the same group. The old master of the Taoist temple died two years ago, and now a middle-aged Taoist priest in the second level of the third realm is in charge. I am afraid there is a problem."
"Very good, let's go and take a look."
Zhao Wumian stood up immediately.
"I'll go with you..."
Fang Rui opened his eyes.
He took some Jin Jin Xiu Gu Dan, and practiced breathing exercises for a long time, using internal energy to heal his wounds, and his body was now about 30 to 40 percent healed.
"I am coming too!"
Chang Meizhen immediately expressed her opinion, with a look of eagerness to try.
"No."
Zhao Wumian simply said, "Lord Fang should heal his wounds first. Most of those who show up now are small fry. Even if a master does show up, I have Meng Ji and the Dragon Transformation Technique, so escaping is not a problem. Once their identities are discovered, that's when Lord Fang will need to take action. As for the Third Miss... the situation is uncertain now, so don't run around."
"Oh……"
Chang Meizhen looked reluctant, but still agreed.
Fang Rui said sternly: "Be careful of the mechanical men. This time they are using fire guns, and they may also be hiding things like Heavenly Thunder Seeds and Torrential Pear Blossoms. They are no longer considered human beings, and the injuries they have suffered cannot be compared to those of ordinary people!"
Zhao Wumian nodded: "I understand, everyone be careful."
He took the two of them to Tiezhu Temple.
……
Tiezhu Temple is not very big.
From the outside, it looks like just an ordinary Taoist temple, and the deity enshrined in the temple is the sword immortal Lu Zu, Lu Dongbin.
The afternoon sun is shining.
There were only a few pilgrims worshipping in Tiezhu Temple, and a few young Taoist priests were guiding them. But behind this ordinary appearance, there was more filth hidden - the temple master, Xue Xuan, known as "Zhaixingzi", was wearing a Taoist robe and entertaining "distinguished guests" in a secret room underground.
The aroma of wine and meat wafted through the secret room.
In addition to Xue Xuan, there were four other people at the table.
Three of them were wearing blue Taoist robes, dressed like Taoists, but they had untidy beards and looked like bandits. They were each gnawing on a pig's trotter.
The remaining man sat in the main seat, wearing a green shirt, holding a folding fan, with a smile on his face, like a rich young man.
"Holy Messenger."
Xue Xuan was nearly 40 years old, with a square face and a majestic appearance. At this moment, he showed an extremely flattering smile, stood up and poured wine for the young man in green, saying, "I wonder if my arm..."
The young man in green shirt looked at the empty sleeve of his left hand and said with a smile: "Are you anxious?"
Xue Xuan did not hide it and smiled bitterly: "Don't blame me, Holy Envoy. It has been fifteen years since we last met. I finally have a chance. I have been thinking about it day and night and never forget it!"
The other three Taoists laughed in unison: "I feel the same way!"
One of them raised his right arm, revealing a mechanical hand made of an iron tree. The whole hand was brown and black in color, with distinct joints and knuckles, just like a real hand. There were some strange patterns painted on it, and it flashed with blood as his true energy circulated.
The other person raised his right leg. There was a mechanical leg installed below the knee. He pressed the mechanical switch and the wooden leg deformed and folded. A dagger of emerald green color popped out from it. The sword emitted a chilling and menacing aura.
The last person was transformed the most thoroughly. His limbs were replaced with mechanical hands and feet. When his left shoulder blade was touched, all four limbs were deformed at the same time, and a hand axe and flywheel popped out. The whole person seemed to have turned into a killing weapon.
"Mr. Gongshu really has magical skills!"
Xue Xuan's eyes lit up as he watched, his expression becoming more and more eager: "In ancient times, King Mu of Zhou praised Master Yan's skills as being beyond the creation of heaven and earth. In my opinion, Master Gongshu is no less capable! With such a great man to help, no wonder the Holy Envoy is trying so hard to help. My left hand can be saved!"
"I am only following my master's instructions."
The young man in green sighed, "This was part of the original deal. It should have been Master who facilitated it."
When this "master" was mentioned, everyone's faces turned heavy, and the other three also stopped eating and drinking.
Xue Xuan comforted him, "Saint Envoy, I'm so sad. Vajra Zun was killed. It's all the fault of the Ming court and the Jinyiwei! The court is about to go to war with Yin Yang Dao. When the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman will gain. All the deployments of all parties are in place. We are just waiting for the war to start, and we can take advantage of the fire to rob!"
The Vajra Master of the White Lotus Sect, Liu Mingrui.
These people are all members of the White Lotus Sect.
The three fake Taoist priests had Dali accents and had been Liu Mingrui's confidants.
As for the young man in green, he is Liu Mingrui's direct disciple and one of the seven great holy envoys of the White Lotus Sect, Liu Guangyu.
Previously, he was specifically responsible for liaising with the White Lotus Sect headquarters and external anti-Ming forces on behalf of Liu Mingrui.
"It's also the fault of those idiots from Goryeo!" The fake Taoist priest who spoke was named Yang, the eldest of the three brothers, known as Yang Da. He said angrily, "Your Excellency's plan was so perfect, if they had played it better, Chang Yuchun would have been in their hands! Now, not only did the Ming court get the weapons list, but it also ruined Your Excellency's plan. Damn it!"
"Falling into the hands of the Imperial Guards is a life worse than death."
Yang Er on his left continued, "The most hateful ones are the Jinyiwei, especially that Zhao Wumian! They did bad things in Dali, bad things in Zijin Mountain, and this time they did something even worse! Without him, Xu Da and Yin Yang Dao would have fought long ago! When has Zhu Yuanzhang ever been so cowardly? Is Zhu Biao his biological son? Could he be a bastard from somewhere? Damn it!"
Yang Sanyi slammed the table and said, "Don't let it fall into my hands, or I will chop the damn thing into pieces!"
"Everyone, please be patient. We will settle the accounts sooner or later!"
Liu Guangyu sneered: "I have prepared a gift for him. If he dares to come this time, I will catch him in one fell swoop!"
After that, he took off the Qiankun bag from his waist and took out a mechanical hand from it: "I made it half a month ago, but it took some time to engrave the cloud seal and fill it with Jiaosha oil. You can try it."
"Thank you, Holy Envoy! Thank you, Mr. Gongshu!"
Xue Xuan was overjoyed, his voice trembling a little, and he immediately rolled up his sleeves, picked up the mechanical hand and embedded it into the broken arm.
There is a special material on the cross-section of the mechanism's hand, which is bright red like blood. Once it comes into contact with the skin, it immediately comes alive, connecting the person and the mechanism together, and spreading upwards, firmly fixing them.
With the infusion of true Qi, the cloud seal inside the mechanical hand was activated, oil filled the arm, and the mechanical hand began to move according to the mind. The long-lost feeling of harmony lingered in his heart.
"My hand...is back..."
Xue Xuan moved his new arm and was so excited that he almost cried.
The other three congratulated him in unison.
Xue Xuan's face was filled with joy, and he said carefully: "Holy Envoy, I wonder when I can meet you, sir. I want to thank you in person for your kindness in saving my life!"
"not now."
Liu Guangyu shook his head: "The Yin-Yang Dao has been under strict supervision recently, and there are many more people watching. Otherwise, you could have made this hand a long time ago. After the task is completed, you can thank him in person... Because of today's game, the losses are not small. The two fourth realms were seriously injured. If it weren't for Zhu Di, I'm afraid they would have died at the hands of Xu Da! He is worthy of being the general who conquers the enemy. I'm afraid that even if Donghuang Taiyi and others come together, they may not be able to withstand it. With the addition of two thousand Yanyue Guards, those two old monsters will really have to attack together..."
Xue Xuan nodded: "No matter what, the fire has finally been lit. News has come from the other side that Xu Da has begun to mobilize troops and prepare to ask Yin Yang Dao for the people... Hehe, Yin Yang Dao can't hand them over, and a fight to the death is unavoidable!"
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate and drank them all.
Yang laughed and said, "The show is about to begin. I really want to go and see it."
Amidst the laughter and joy, a clear voice suddenly appeared: "I want to see it, too."
"?!"
Everyone's faces froze, their smiles stopped abruptly, and they stood up and looked towards the southwest corner of the secret room, where there was an extra person out of nowhere.
He was dressed in a silver-grey Feiyu robe, which was magnificent and gorgeous. His left hand lightly rested on the handle of Xiuchun Sword, and his expression was calm and composed.
"Zhao Wumian!"
Liu Guangyu was shocked when he saw it. This was an underground place with many mechanisms leading to the secret room. How could he get in so quietly?
"It seems your news has not been updated yet."
Zhao Wumian smiled and suddenly raised his eyebrows: "Oh, I forgot, I have killed the person who knew this news. It was your master, Liu Mingrui..."
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Everyone drew their weapons and glared at him. Liu Guangyu's White Lotus Qi burst out, and his face was so gloomy that water could drip.
"Since you came here to die, I'll grant your wish! Everyone, attack!"
Yang shouted loudly, and took the initiative with his foot. The ground collapsed, and he rushed in front of Zhao Wumian like an arrow, and displayed the Yang family's unique skill "Dark Wind and Poisonous Sand Palm". Black air filled his palm and murderous intent was everywhere.
"Dark Wind and Poison Sand Palm..."
This set of martial arts originated from Yinfeng Village in Miaojiang. The conditions for practicing it are extremely harsh. It requires practicing with a kind of poisonous sand specially made by Yinfeng Village. The palms are tempered with iron sand, and then the poison in the sand is absorbed and integrated into one's own internal strength to show its power.
It is so difficult to practice that one is naturally extremely powerful, insidious and vicious. It is said that those who are hit will be injured both inside and outside, and there is no medicine that can cure it!
Yang Dayi’s first move was a killing move!
Zhao Wumian used the Dragon Transformation Technique, and the skin on his right hand instantly turned into silver-white dragon scales. He grabbed Yang Da's attacking left hand with ease, like a dragon claw.
The "Art of Transforming Heaven into a Dragon" not only contains the method of transforming into a dragon, but also the method of transforming into a half-dragon - the "Tenglong Spear Technique" that is widely circulated in the military formation was created by Chang Yuchun, and it is a killing move that combines with the half-dragon transformation.
In this state, he gave up the strongest amplification and the supernatural powers of going to heaven and earth and the sea, and focused on defense and flexibility to strengthen the warrior's body.
Yang Da's fierce attack was caught by the dragon claw before it could be launched. The poisonous palm force and toxin in the dragon's claw could not penetrate the bone at all. The power of the dragon claw became stronger and stronger, gradually crushing the bones.
Yang Da felt a sharp pain in his arm and his face turned pale with horror: "You..."
click!
Zhao Wumian exerted a little force, and the iron palm that Yang Da had practiced for more than ten years turned into iron slag, and his palm was directly crushed!
"what!!!"
Blood, flesh and bone fragments splattered out, and the heart-wrenching pain made Yang Da scream!
"Big brother!"
Yang Er and Yang San rushed forward hurriedly.
Yang Er used his leg skills, and the right leg equipped with a poisonous dagger moved up and down, seemingly real and fake, and the sword light was swinging, and the attack was extremely fierce; Yang San's legs and hands were completely deformed, his legs turned into flywheels, and his hands turned into hand axes, and his hands and legs attacked at the same time, as if countless weapons were attacking in succession, making people dizzy and impossible to defend against!
Mr. Gongshu's magical skills are truly amazing!
Xue Xuan couldn't help but admire seeing this, but now was not the time to watch, as the person coming was a strong enemy. He immediately used his true energy and performed the sword-controlling technique. He pinched the sword gesture with his hands, and the spiritual long sword came out of the sheath with a hissing sound, like a poisonous snake killing Zhao Wumian.
"These mechanical weapons are quite creative."
Zhao Wumian nodded, used his Taotie magical power, instantly sucked Yang Da into a dried corpse and threw him aside, then pinched the poisonous dagger in mid-air with his two fingers.
Yang Er was flying in the air and was about to use his mechanical kick, but as the dagger was clamped tightly, he froze in the air!
Zhao Wumian actually used the strength of his two fingers to support his entire body, making him unable to move in mid-air!
At this moment, Yang Er’s heart was so scared that it almost jumped out of his chest.
What power is this!
The other two also changed their expressions and used all their killing moves to rescue Yang Er, but they were blocked by Zhao Wumian's other hand: the long sword flew over, but he could deflect it with a flick of his finger, and the flying hand axe was aimed at the throat and eyes before it got close, forcing them to defend against the [Dripping Water Force]!
He has no special moves, but he can counter each move with ease and smoothness!
At this moment, he was clearly only at the third realm, but the oppressive feeling he brought made everyone in the room tremble with fear!
click!
With another push, the connection between the dagger and the mechanism broke directly, and Yang Er's entire right leg fell apart.
Various gear parts were flying all over the place.
Zhao Wumian swung his hand lightly, and the short sword at his fingertips instantly pierced through Yang Er's throat. The bursting Tiangang Qi directly cut off his head and inserted deeply into the wall behind him. The sword force poured into the wall, and the entire secret room shook!
boom!
The loud noise seemed to ring in everyone's heart.
Xue Xuan's eyes were filled with horror and he swallowed his saliva. Is this person in the third realm?
The next moment, Zhao Wumian did the same thing, holding the sword between his fingers and waving it casually. The snow-white flying sword instantly pierced through Yang San and pierced into Xue Xuan's heart. The immense force carried his body several feet straight up and penetrated deeply into the bluestone, and then nailed him to the rock wall!
Xue Xuan's heart burst, his eyes bulged, he spit out blood, and died.
In the blink of an eye.
The secret room became quiet again.
Zhao Wumian stood there without moving, and looked up at Liu Guangyu: "What did you just say? You prepared a gift for me? Where is it?"
"..."
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Liu Guangyu's forehead.
He moved back calmly, as if trying to create some distance.
"Ok?"
Suddenly, Zhao Wumian felt something and looked behind him: "So it's here."
A black-robed figure suddenly rushed out from the ground, holding a door-like broadsword in his hand. As soon as he appeared, he dealt a fatal blow to Zhao Wumian's head. The violent force and extremely fast speed made this move look extremely powerful, and there were bursts of wind and thunder on the sword edge!
"Well done!"
Liu Guangyu was overjoyed: "Kill him!"
The peak of the third realm!
This attack cannot be blocked with two fingers, so one hand is required.
Epee without front.
Zhao Wumian raised his arm and slashed fiercely on his dragon-like right hand with the heavy sword.
When the sword collided with the dragon scales, sparks flew out and a deafening sound of metal and stone was emitted!
The two forces of attack and defense collided violently, clanging sounds were heard, and sharp energy scattered, shattering all the tables and chairs in the hall like a blade!
Click!
The floor tiles under Zhao Wumian's feet collapsed, his body moved sideways a foot, and a white mark appeared on his arm.
The excitement on Liu Guangyu's face froze.
That's it?
Such a powerful move only left a white mark on his hand?
Fortunately, I didn't get close to him just now...
Liu Guangyu made a prompt decision and ran away. At the same time, a sinister and painful look flashed across his face, and he uttered one word:
"burst!"
The man in black robe responded immediately, his eyes flashed with blood, bright flames rose from under his black robe, and a loud noise came from his body!
The black robe shattered instantly, and the mechanical body under the black robe exploded directly!
The flames shot up into the sky accompanied by thunderbolts and lightning, illuminating the entire secret room as bright as day. The boundless flames instantly engulfed Zhao Wumian. The huge flames were centered in the secret room and swept over an area of dozens of feet in radius. Instantly, the ground shook and the mountains trembled, and smoke billowed...
(End of this chapter)
