Boom!
A loud noise broke the silence of the night.
In the streets and alleys, domestic dogs barked, many people were awakened, and dots of candles were lit.
Some people walked out of their homes and looked into the distance in surprise.
The sound is a bit like fireworks.
But ordinary fireworks are not so loud.
Looking in the direction, it's Xicheng.
What happened over there...
Wenmiao Street, filled with smoke and chaos everywhere.
A big hole appeared in the middle of the street, nearby trees were broken in the middle, and part of the wall of the Confucian Temple collapsed.
There were constant groans and broken limbs all over the ground.
"My legs, my legs!"
A man with a scarred face clutched his twisted thigh, screamed in pain, and rolled sideways, surrounded by corpses of guardsmen.
Not far from him, Situ Qian looked gloomy.
Nie Third Aunt, who was in charge of the operation, was dead, but the mission still had to continue, so under his order, the encirclement and suppression continued.
But he made two important mistakes.
First, he was selfish and took the time to rescue Bai Qi Hong and sent people to settle him down, which wasted critical time.
The second is that the team lost control.
Nie Third Aunt died, and these charlatan warlocks recruited by King of Shu were all cheating and cheating, and even encouraged those from the Salt Gang to follow behind.
It seemed lively, but no one really dared to rush forward and take action.
After all, the notorious Nie Third Aunt had his head cut off.
Why do you need to work so hard when you gather for profit?
In addition, Baihu, who was in charge of command, also fainted due to the influence of "Blood Basin Holy Mother", and the entire guard team was also in chaos.
They followed him to this place and were subsequently tricked.
The two explosive bags were mixed with a small amount of New-Style Gunpowder and were thrown into the crowd, thus causing such a tragic scene.
"Take care of the injured and go back to recover!"
Looking at the surrounding scene, Situ Qian looked extremely ugly.
Although the batch of gunpowder was seized, the losses were equally staggering.
Netherworld Stage was exposed, Nie Third Aunt died, Bai Qi Hong lost his combat power, and caused quite a stir.
King of Shu, I'm afraid it's hard to explain...
Hundreds of meters away, behind the roof, Li Yan watched quietly.
He has used escape skills and Dragon Snake Plate to cover him up. No one can detect him from this distance.
When he saw those people stopped chasing, he turned around and jumped down the dark alley, took a detour and headed in the opposite direction.
Less than half a stick of incense, I saw a big river.
This large river is very neat. It was dug when Shu King Residence was originally built. It surrounds the entire Shu King Residence and connects the east, west, south and north cities.
Li Yan ran along the river while observing the rear.
Sure enough, the small door on the west side of Shu King Residence had been opened, and many Black Feather Guard rode out towards the west city.
Didn't notice them at all.
After Li Yan saw it, he couldn't help but admire it secretly.
This escape route was planned with the help of Faceless Young Master. It left from the culvert behind the Chengdu Prefecture Yamen, crossed the alley to Wenmiao Street, and then entered Imperial River Waterway, where he held his breath and escaped.
As expected of Chengdu underworld Chief, King of Shu is an old fox who has not been caught for many years, and his judgment of the palace's actions is not bad at all.
In addition, he divided his troops into two groups to lure people away.
These people have completely saved their lives.
Li Yan kept walking and quickly followed the river to the north of the city.
This is already behind Shu King Residence.
Most of the residents in the north of the city are Chengdu Prefecture dignitaries, but due to taboos, almost no one builds large houses near the rear of Shu King Residence.
Going down the stone steps, there are either sparsely populated dense forests and overgrown weeds on both sides, or palaces, temples and warehouses.
Yu King Temple is on the east side. This area is more of a warehouse, either rented by wealthy households in Beicheng or occupied by Ningchuan Garrison.
Li Yan looked around, pinched Mystical Gestures, smelled the air a few times, and soon found some wet footprints on the shore.
He lifted up the floating soil with his feet to cover it, took out a medicine bottle from his arms, sprinkled some powder to eliminate the smell, and then left.
Not long after, they arrived outside a dark warehouse.
Boom, boom, boom!
After a few long and short knocks, he pushed open the wooden door of the warehouse, stepped in, and closed it carefully.
It was filled with clutter and was dark and sloppy.
Dong Cunshan stood aside and waited. After seeing him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Young Hero Li, are you okay?"
"It's okay, the pursuers have withdrawn."
After saying a few words, the two of them walked around the debris.
The back was separated by wooden boards, forming a secret room extremely cleverly. There was a weak candlelight inside, and the people who escaped were next to it.
"Young Hero Li, thank you!"
Imperial Censor Wang now recovered from his composure and solemnly stood up and clasped his fists.
"You're welcome, sir."
Li Yan nodded slightly, then touched the secret compartment of the room and pushed open a wooden door. Inside were bundles, including steamed pancakes and some water.
"This is the gangster hideout in Chengdu."
Li Yan explained, "They have prepared some dry food. Although it tastes bad, it is still life-saving. It is best for you not to run around these days and wait until the limelight passes."
Everyone listened and fell silent.
Morale is obviously low.
This is not surprising.
They came from the capital, whether Bagua Gate or White Cloud Temple, definitely not just for the reward.
As long as King of Shu can be overthrown, their sect can immediately connect with Open Sea Faction and several high-ranking officials in the DPRK and ride on the wind.
Dong Family Although he has a master, he is already old.
Human Path changes, they also smell the danger.
But this time, everything was in vain.
King of Shu suddenly launched an attack, and in this season of heavy snow and road closures, reinforcements could not be mobilized from outside, and the early advantage was lost.
Right now, even saving one's life is a problem.
Imperial Censor Wang thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Young Hero Li, now that things have happened, do you have any plans?"
"Difficult!"
Li Yan said bluntly, "King of Shu has been controlled by the demon, and the plot is not small. The righteous path of Xuanmen in Sichuan will not sit idly by, and reinforcements are expected to arrive soon."
"But the number of people is limited after all. King of Shu has a large army and the power of firearms. I don't know how to break the situation."
As soon as these words came out, Imperial Censor Wang's eyes dimmed, and he sighed, "The right time, right place, and right people, no one can take advantage of them."
"With all due respect, it is human nature to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. When those people from the Jianghu come here, they will probably sit back and watch. Should Young Hero Li leave Chengdu for refuge?"
Li Yan Hearing this, he said coldly, "Your Excellency, you have underestimated me."
"There are unforeseen circumstances. When people walk in the world, it will never be smooth sailing. Every hurdle is difficult, and every hurdle must be overcome."
"Not all people in the world are greedy for life and afraid of death. We will definitely stay."
"If your Excellency wants to leave, I can help you contact and make arrangements, but you will definitely owe a favor afterwards. You may consider this."
After that, he clasped his fists and said goodbye and left.
He contacted the Imperial Censor Wang group, originally intending to use their power to eliminate King of Shu's military power, but he did not expect such a thing to happen.
Seeing that Imperial Censor Wang seems to be shrinking, I'm afraid it's unreliable.
After he left, there was dead silence in the secret room.
Dong Cunshan looked at the brothers around him, sighed in his heart, and clasped his fists and said, "Sir, the green hills are still there, so we don't have to worry about running out of firewood. We can leave Chengdu first and mobilize troops from Chongqing, which is more secure."
To be honest, he didn't want to do this either.
But this time, the disciples he brought out were all Bagua Gate's future. If they were all damaged by this, it would be impossible to explain.
If your family is big and your business is big, you will be more cautious in doing things.
"I don't think so."
The Daoist leader of White Cloud Temple shook his head and said, "Listen to what Young Hero Li means, King of Shu has been taken away by the demon. With many actions, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, I'm afraid some evil will be done."
"Reinforcements may not arrive in time. If all the people in the city are killed, Pindao and others may not be able to sleep well for the rest of their lives."
Dong Cunshan smiled bitterly and did not refute.
How could he not know that the matter was serious?
How to do it depends on Imperial Censor Wang's decision.
"I won't leave!"
Imperial Censor Wang was silent for a long time and finally spoke.
He said with a solemn expression, "If that monster really does something big that alarms Divine Land, according to the emperor's temperament, we will all be unlucky afterwards."
"Now, there is no way out!"
"Mr. Dong, you will leave tomorrow and go to Chongqing Prefecture to ask for help. I will stay at Chengdu Prefecture to see if I can find an opportunity..."
"Seize military power!"
For the next two days, Chengdu Prefecture was peaceful.
Shu King Residence issued a notice to calm the people, saying that the Chengdu Yamen Gunpowder Depot was not guarded well and an explosion occurred. Many victims were killed, including Imperial Censor Wang.
To be honest, no one believes this at all.
However, the dignitaries and dignitaries in Chengdu are now as cold as cicadas. They have closed their doors to avoid disasters, and how dare they say any nonsense.
As for the people, there are also various rumors flying around.
But rumors will remain rumors, and time will pass.
The Salt Gang continued to distribute benefits, and Shu King Residence strictly ordered the army not to cause any disturbance, and the people gradually got used to it, and even started to think of dogs biting dogs at the top.
On the streets, prosperity is gradually returning.
Li Yan stopped causing trouble. After taking the time to send Dong Cunshan away from Chengdu, he explored the city every day and finally contacted Six Idlers of the Bamboo Grove who was hiding in the deserted house of South City.
On the other side, Blood Nuo Master and Black Sect Lama Duo Ji Zha Xi from King of Shu returned and cooperated with Black Feather Guard to conduct secret searches in the city and killed several of Faceless Young Master's men.
The opponent was too powerful, so Li Yan and others had no choice but to lurk temporarily.
In this lively and tense atmosphere, the New Year is approaching...
New Year's Eve, sunset and dusk.
It had been sunny for a few days recently, but on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, snow suddenly came again.
Jin River The stilted buildings on both sides of the strait seem to be covered with three inches of plain silk. Qingyang Palace The copper bells on the eaves are also frozen into ice pendants, tinkling like broken jade when the wind blows.
Chengdu Prefecture Among the green brick alleys, the portraits of Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong on the red lacquer doors are made more vivid by the snow.
The crackle, the sound of firecrackers.
Sparrows flew from the branches, and wild dogs barked wildly in the snow.
On this New Year's Eve night, although the wind and snow were howling, there were few pedestrians on the streets, and every door was closed, it was still very lively.
According to the custom of Shu, today we have to pay homage to our ancestors and watch the New Year's Eve.
At noon, we have a "New Year's Eve meal" and the clan gathers together.
At night, I drink "Tuan Nian Jiu" and eat a platter of cured meats.
No matter whether it is the palace compound or ordinary people's homes, there are people holding torches and shining in every dark corner.
Candles should also be lit in places such as kitchens and wells.
It stays on all night to prevent rats from stealing food.
This custom is called "Zhao Xu Hao".
During the Chinese New Year, there is not only the Nian beast, but also folklore says that there is also a kind of "Xu Hao Ghost" that will hide in dark places at home.
If you don't expel them, you will get sick and have bad luck in the coming year.
Wealthy households are even more particular. They must use asphalt from Qingcheng Mountain to make Everlasting Lamp, and the wicks are mixed with Qionglai Fire Well Town's natural salt crystals.
It crackles when burning to scare away "Xu Hao Ghost".
At Local Rich Man Wang's house in the south of the city, the old housekeeper personally carried Everlasting Lamp and took people to take care of it everywhere, even under the bed.
Finally, we arrived at the barn.
A farmer's proverb in Shu goes. "The cattle and horses are wasted, and spring plowing is useless."
Here is the key point.
After working all day, the young man was already a little tired, and the old housekeeper was yawning all the time. He turned around and said with Everlasting Lamp in his hand, "Cheer up, I have to stay with my boss today."
"Alas~ In previous years, we could hire an actor to sing, but this year it's a bit dull..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw the waiter behind him widening his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
The old housekeeper frowned and asked.
The boy swallowed, "I... I saw a figure, and in the blink of an eye, it was gone. It must be Xu Hao Ghost!"
"Bah, what nonsense are you talking about!"
The old housekeeper cursed, but still held up the lamp and took a look inside and outside the stable. He cursed, "There is nothing there. You must be dazzled. Don't talk nonsense later, or your boss will slap you."
After that, he turned around and left with the waiter.
From the haystack behind the livestock shed, Li Yan slowly walked out.
He carried a bag of things and carefully covered the entrance to the secret passage before climbing over the wall.
This is an exit from the underground tunnel in Chengdu. He visited it frequently during this period, but he was almost discovered.
Li Yan is walking through the street carrying something.
It seems that due to the Chinese New Year, there are obviously fewer guards on the street, and only occasionally Black Feather Guard rides by.
In the wind and snow, the watchman huddled under the Straw Cape, stamped his feet in the cold, banged his clapper and shouted "Peace and Jiqing--!", leaving a line of footprints behind him.
In the midst of the New Year atmosphere in the city, Li Yan took his armor and horse, jumped into the air on the city wall, and left from the south of the city.
In the distance, there are fires burning in the slums.
This is also a Chengdu annual custom, which is to burn tree root knots and keep the fire warm, which is called "Wei Bai Bing".
People in slums also use this to spend the cold nights.
The light of fire everywhere in the wind and snow made the surroundings darker.
Li Yan carried two large bags of things and walked through the snow, and soon arrived at the intersection of Fuhe River and South River.
There is a Hejiang Pavilion here. It is located in a remote place. The wind and snow are howling everywhere, but there are candles burning in the courtyard, and there is a person sitting at a banquet and drinking wine.
"Snow Blocks Blue Pass, Horses Cannot Advance yo-!"
The rough voice sounded, it was the reincarnation of Erlang Zhenjun.
"Senior Yang is so excited!"
Li Yan laughed, carried the things into the pavilion, shook off the snow on the bamboo hat, placed the package on the ground and opened it.
"I took some Pepper Cypress Wine, and this, they made 'Da Mi Su' which is pretty good, they use Western Sichuan Plains brown sugar..."
"Stop it!"
Yang Chenghua waved his hand and frowned. "It's the New Year. If you don't stay with your companions, why did you come to me?"
Li Yan smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid that you will be lonely alone?"
If we want to deal with King of Shu, Erlang Zhenjun reincarnated as Yang Chenghua is the main force, but this person has been hiding near the dock and has never refused to join them.
Yang Chenghua looked into the distance. Although it was windy, snowy and dark, the Chengdu Prefecture lights could still be vaguely seen.
"Lonely?"
He shook his head slightly, "I'm just a passerby, how can I be lonely?"
Li Yan was speechless, not knowing what to say.
"Hmm~"
Suddenly, Yang Chenghua frowned slightly and pressed his forehead.
"What's wrong, senior?"
Li Yan was shocked and asked quickly.
Yang Chenghua picked up the wine bottle, took a few sips, looked at the Chengdu Prefecture city wall, and groaned. "In the past few days, my head has been full of sounds, and it's been too noisy. I can't even sleep peacefully..."
Li Yan After listening, it suddenly became clear.
This reincarnation of Erlang Zhenjun is absorbing a large amount of Incense and Fire Prayer Power...