Early the next morning, the sky was dark, and Duan Lang and the others left the town of Anruo. In a secluded place, Duan Lang ordered a stop.

Xiang Tian, Gu Fan and other eighteen guards moved a little and started training in the open space. According to Duan Lang's regulations, no matter what time it is, you must insist on an hour of hard training every morning. Even on the way to Kyoto, Duan Lang still did not break this habit.

"To the sky, don't be fancy with a knife, this is equivalent to giving the enemy a gap to counterattack, and start again."

"Gu Fan, the speed ~ must match the speed under your feet."

"Jin is truthful, and add a few big stones to bear the weight. Your strength is strength, and you can defeat the enemy with strength. ”

Duan Lang practiced hard while instructing everyone. Especially after they were trained in shield combat by the Black Armor Guard, they were improved by Liu Xusheng into a team sword formation. Eighteen long knives continue to make up for each other, and together with the intricate ghost footwork, they form a powerful attack knife formation.

After the training, everyone was sweating profusely. Duan Lang looked at the brothers with satisfaction, he believed that these sweats would not be in vain. If you kill an enemy on the battlefield one day, today's sweat will make the enemy pay twice the price.

"Let's take a break, eat some dry food, and get ready to go after half a pillar of incense. When we arrive at Fengluan Mountain, I invite everyone to have a good meal of real mountain delicacies. Duan Lang encouraged.

"My lord, we're all big-bellied, you have to take care of it." The guard Liu Xi shouted.

"You kid just eat, as long as you don't eat like a dead fat man."

The brothers laughed for a while, and they all knew that the dead fat man in Duan Lang's mouth was Lord Shangguan of the Heaven Survey Prison. In the eyes of the eighteen guards, let alone Shangguan Xuanwu, even if Duan Lang made fun of Emperor Yuning, they would not be surprised. Because in the hearts of the Eighteen Guards, they only obeyed Duan Lang's orders.

After resting, everyone got on their horses again and began to rush to Fengluan County. Duan Lang rode at the front, and shouted a few times in the sky.

Nineteen war horses galloped on the official road, and Da Fei circled in the air a few times, and took the lead in flashing towards Fengluan Mountain. Duan Lang looked up, he knew that Da Fei was going to tell his father about their arrival in advance. According to the current speed, they will be able to reach Fengluan Mountain after Shen. By then, it is estimated that Daddy has stewed several large pots of game waiting for them.

On the official road not far from Fengluan County, there are passing caravans from time to time. But people didn't feel it, and there was a murderous aura in the mountain forest on one side. The three hundred Xining elites waited calmly, hiding in the mountains and forests without making any sound.

The scorching sun is slanting in the west, the sunset is reflecting, and the pedestrians on the official road are gradually sparse. At such a moment, most of the caravans began to settle for the hotel, preparing to continue their journey tomorrow. At this time, the guard standing on the branch of a tall tree and watching out sounded a warning whistle below. The people in ambush in the woods quickly took out their bows and crossbows to prepare, and more than a dozen people in black also pulled up the tripwires buried on the official road.

More than a dozen war horses galloped from far and near, Duan Lang was excited, and then turned the foot of the mountain in front of him to enter the mountain.

"Brothers, work hard, good wine and meat are waiting for you." Duan Lang turned around and shouted happily.

"My lord, do you want to go into the city to buy some gifts for the elderly, it's not good for us to be empty-handed." Xiang Tian said.

"If you don't come to this set, I don't spend money on how many things you buy."

As soon as Duan Lang said this, he suddenly felt that the front hooves of the war horse knelt down, and there was an upside-down onion in the hole. Duan Lang subconsciously hugged his head and curled up, and rolled out with a grunt. Not only Duan Lang, but the brothers who followed closely behind were thrown off the horse one after another. In addition to Gu Fan, Liu Xi and the other four who pressed the formation, they forcibly strangled the war horse. Fortunately, these people are all rough-skinned and thick-skinned, and they are basically fine when they grin in pain.

After Duan Lang fell off his horse, he became alert, and immediately shouted, "Everyone be careful, there is an ambush." ”

Before Duan Lang's words fell, he heard ~ whooshing ~! A rain of arrows came from the forest beside the road.

Eighteen guards heard the sound of arrow rain, and without waiting for Duan Lang to warn, some rolled and some rushed forward, and quickly hid behind the war horse. Some of these poor horses, after tripping, did not get up, and became a shield against the rain of arrows. Although Duan Lang and the others are reluctant, surviving at the moment of life and death is the most important.

After the rain of arrows, a group of people ran out of the mountains and forests with swords in hand and rushed towards them. Duan Lang glanced at the brothers calmly, "Is there any damage?" ”

"Heaven is intact."

"Gu Fan is intact."

"My old Jin is fine."

"Liu Xi is fine."

The eighteen guards replied almost simultaneously.

"Good job, Knife Formation!"

Duan Lang stood up from one side of the war horse, and when he raised his eyes, the other side of all the war horses was almost shot into hedgehogs.

The eighteen guards held the long knives in both hands, forming a battle circle. Duan Lang stood in the center of the circle, looking at the crowd rushing over with cold eyes.

"Kill~!" Duan Lang gave an order, and the long knives in the hands of the eighteen guards swung out in different directions.

The knife array is centered on Duan Lang and slowly rotates clockwise. Eighteen long knives were waved continuously, catching the crowd that rushed over first. Duan Lang didn't make a move, although there were quite a few people ambushed by the other party, but in Duan Lang's eyes, he didn't find any masters. There is an old saying among hunters that no matter how many antelopes there are, they are not as terrible as a hungry wolf. It is important that there are no outstanding masters to join, just let the eighteen guards practice their hands.

On the edge of the mountain forest, there were two men in black standing, as the chief and deputy commanders of the three hundred Xining elites, they didn't expect Duan Lang and these people to react so quickly when they were caught off guard. A round of arrow rain, except for the war horses, there was not even a single wounded. They don't know how many similar drills they have experienced in the depths of the desert, braving the sand and cold.

After several rounds of rushing and killing, twenty or thirty people lay on the ground. Seeing this situation, the man on the edge of the mountain and forest quickly gave the order. Xining's soldiers and horses were immediately divided into two teams, one besieged and the other began to reload their bows and crossbows.

Duan Lang's gaze locked on the two people on the edge of the mountain forest. Since the other party has changed their playing style and continues to fight with the knife, they will only be beaten passively, and of course Duan Lang will not do this.

"Brothers, the time has come to test you, disperse and enter the mountains and forests." 、

Hearing Duan Lang's order, Jin Rushi was the first to rush out. Although the knife array is airtight, Jin Rushi, who is known for his strength, can't let go of his hands and feet. After receiving the order to disperse, Jin Rushi roared angrily, and the long knife in his hand swept out, and Xiang Tiangu Fan and the others also rushed in different directions. The eighteen guards unfolded ghost footwork, like a tiger descending the mountain and rushing into the crowd.

Duan Lang took a wrong step and ran directly to the two men on the edge of the mountain forest. No matter who came to stop it, the war knife in Duan Lang's hand brought out a cold light, no matter whether the other party lived or died, he would never love to fight.

The two commanders of the Xining Hou Mansion looked at the chaotic battle group in surprise, they didn't expect Duan Lang's combat effectiveness to be so strong with only nineteen people. In less than half a pillar of incense, they actually killed and wounded seventy or eighty people. If it goes on like this, it is not an ambush at all, but it has become the target of the other party's hunting.

Before the two of them could order a change in tactics, Duan Lang rushed over.

"Who are you, speak up and spare you from death." Duan Lang looked at each other coldly.

The two commanders were shocked by Duan Lang's fierce gaze and glanced at each other, one of them staggered and flashed into the crowd, and the other rushed forward with a knife. The one who dodged out was the orthodox leader Huang Chong, who had to command the entire team and must ensure his own safety. Duan Lang didn't dare to be careless, and quickly stabbed in the face of the person who was attacking, and after a few moves, he forced the opponent to the side of the big tree.

"Everyone withdraws from the battle, the crossbowmen prepare, shoot." Huang Chong found that it was very bad to continue fighting like this, and immediately changed his tactics.

When Duan Lang heard this, he hurriedly shouted, "Don't fall in love with the war, retreat into the mountains and forests." ”

Duan Lang gave an order, and eighteen figures quickly rushed over. The crossbowmen behind them also squatted in two rows and aimed at Duan Lang and the others. Duan Lang no longer hesitated, and scurried into the woods by mistake. At the moment of misalignment, the sword in his hand slashed through the opponent's throat.

Whoosh~! Rows of arrows rained down into the forest. The poor lieutenant commander, with blood still spurting from his throat, was nailed to the tree.

As soon as they entered the mountain forest, Duan Lang and the others quickly found a favorable position and hid behind the trees to wait for hunting. However, instead of chasing, the other party took a bow outside the woods and aimed it at the jungle.

Huang Chong, the commander of Xining Mansion, was shocked by the combat effectiveness of Duan Lang and the others, but Huang Chong was a battle-hardened veteran after all, and quickly made the right choice. Seeing his deputy being nailed to the tree, the commander Huang Chong gritted his teeth and ordered someone to help the wounded and evacuate along the official road. Huang Chong didn't dare to fight any further, let alone go into the forest to chase and kill, so he had no choice but to order to evacuate.

Duan Lang's eyes were staring outside, and he also admired the commander's calmness and decisiveness. If the other party enters the mountains and forests, it will become the object of their hunting. But the other party used a bow and crossbow to confront each other, and Duan Lang did not dare to order to rush out to chase and kill. Duan Lang is not afraid of individual fights and group battles, only in the face of these arrow rains, he can't stop them except for the shield array. Duan Lang knew that if the other party wasn't too careless and still used this tactic after shooting the horses, I'm afraid that few of them would survive now.

"My lord, they retreated, do you want to catch up and rush to kill?" Xiang Tian asked.

"Forget it, these people are well-trained, and they still maintain an offensive and defensive formation during the retreat. They didn't get any benefits, and we didn't suffer. Chase the wolf for thousands of miles, but also prevent the wolf from turning back. Liu Xi, Xia Lei, Ge Li, you go search and see if you can find clues about each other. Duan Lang commanded.

"No!" The three guards said yes and walked out of the forest.

This battle left the elite of Xining Mansion behind more than fifty corpses, and also took a deputy commander. After some searching, whether it was the waist card on the commander's body or the remnants of the weapon left behind, all the physical evidence pointed to the Xiangguo Mansion.

"My lord, it seems that Xiangguo Yu Ban doesn't want us to enter Beijing alive." Gu Fan said.

Duan Lang stared at the mark on the blade and didn't speak, although he also thought that it was done by someone from the Yu Forbidden Sect, but Duan Lang always felt that the commander's accent when he gave the order was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it for a while.

"Let's go, take the things in the horse's bag, and let's go home over the mountain."

Losing his horse, Duan Lang didn't have to take the big road anymore, and it was faster to directly climb over the mountains and take shortcuts.

Returning to Fengluan Mountain, which had been absent for a few months, the old hunter Zhang Zongcheng saw Duan Lang and the others, and the wrinkles on his happy face were stretched. Especially when he learned that Duan Lang had already made a marriage, Zhang Zongchengle's teeth couldn't close. Zhang Zongcheng, who didn't want to leave the mountains and forests, answered very simply. When Duan Lang came back, he followed him to Landu City to meet his in-laws.

Duan Lang and the others stayed overnight in the mountains and forests, and that night, Duan Lang went to visit the big bear alone. Early the next morning, Duan Lang did not order to go down the mountain, but decided to go over the mountain and go to the capital. He did this, firstly, he could let Xiang Tian and the others temper in the mountains and forests, and secondly, Duan Lang didn't believe that those people would just stop. The way through Fengluan County to Beijing must pass through the lower pass, where the terrain is dangerous and easy to be ambushed. For the sake of safety, Duan Lang decided to take the same path that the big bear had walked back then.

Two days later, the remnants of the defeated army of Xining Province gathered at the lower pass. At this time, more than 200 people were secretly stationed at the lower pass. And this time the leader of the team was Zhang Bu, the general of the southern battalion.

Zhang Bu looked at a group of listless remnants of the defeated generals, and asked angrily, "Huang Chong, what's the matter?" ”

Huang Chong, the commander of Xining Mansion, clenched his fists, "General, my subordinates are incompetent and have failed to complete the mission of the Commander-in-Chief. ”

Zhang Bu's eyes gathered, "Just a dozen people, can you be beaten like this?" ”

"General, don't be careless, although your subordinates are incompetent, the guards you lead are all elite. It's a pity that Duan Lang is not only brave and invincible, but also has extraordinary skills. The subordinates are also careless and want to win more before paying the price. The general can dispose of the subordinates, but he must not underestimate the enemy. ”

When Zhang Bu heard this, his heart sank, he believed what Commander Huang Chong said, after all, the three hundred soldiers and horses who followed him were all elites in the camp. If Huang Chong is incompetent, everyone can't be stupid. It seems that this paragraph Lang is really a character, no wonder Manager Bai has repeatedly explained that he must be cautious.

"You go down to rest first, this is no better than Fengluan County, there is a garrison of the capital fifty miles away, everyone be careful, and do not expose the target."

Commander Huang agreed, and took the remnants of the defeated army to find a remote place to rest. Zhang Bu sent scouts before and after, one was to detect the arrival of Duan Lang and others, and the other was to monitor the back of the capital so as not to be discovered by the defense soldiers and horses of the capital. It's just that he never dreamed that Duan Lang would actually go over the mountains and mountains to Kyoto.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace Warm Pavilion, Prince Dezhang and Xiangguo Yu Ban, accompanied by Lord Huai, visited Emperor Yuning, who was still unable to speak and act. Prince Dezhang asked for warmth in his mouth, but Wei Dong found that there was no sadness in the prince's eyes.

Wei Dong couldn't help but feel a little sad, born in the family of emperors, their hearts had long been occupied by the struggle for power and profit. Family affection has always been weak for the royal family, fratricidal and father-son harm, and there are many records in the history books. Fighting back and forth is nothing more than wanting to sit on the throne of the Jinluan Palace.

Yu Ban cared about Emperor Yuning's condition for a while, and said to Lord Huai, "Lord Huai, in two months it will be Your Majesty's birthday. According to the rules of previous years, it was the senior members of the court who entered the palace to celebrate their birthdays, and His Majesty was sympathetic to the courtiers and did not alarm the officials of the world. But this year is different, His Majesty's dragon body is not safe, and the Chinese military officials jointly played, preparing to hold a grand birthday banquet for His Majesty. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince thinks that it is difficult for hundreds of officials to be willing to invite hospitality, and he thinks that this should be the case. I don't know Lord Huai, what is your opinion on this? ”

Lord Huai silently looked at Emperor Yuning lying on the bed, and said softly, "The Investigation and Defense Department has never been involved in the affairs of the court, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Xiangguo can call the shots." ”

Yu Ban pretended to ponder for a while, and said to the prince, "His Royal Highness the prince, if all the officials from all over the world come to congratulate him, I am afraid it will be against His Majesty's benevolence. The minister thinks that it is better to gather the adults above the third grade to come to Beijing to pay respects. In this way, it will not affect the administration of the local capitals, and His Royal Highness can also be close to the officials. ”

Prince Dezhang nodded, "This is very good, and I also hope that in the prayers of all the people, my father's dragon body will recover as soon as possible." ”

Wei Tong bowed, "Your Highness is filial, presumably the master will also be very pleased." ”

Prince Dezhang and Yu Ban said some words of concern that did not hurt or itch, and under Wei Dong's congratulations, the two withdrew from the warm pavilion.

As soon as Yu Ban and the others left, Emperor Yuning slowly opened his eyes. Behind the screen, the Sa Divine Doctor also walked out. Lord Huai glanced at Doctor Sa and nodded slightly, and Doctor Sa walked over and began to perform the needle. After the diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Sa quietly retreated through the back door.

In the warm pavilion, Wei Dong carefully helped Emperor Yuning to sit up. The corners of Emperor Yuning's mouth twitched a little, although he didn't speak very clearly, he was already able to express what he meant.

"Your Majesty, Yu Ban and the prince are preparing a big birthday banquet, and the minister thinks it's okay. I wonder what His Majesty wants? Lord Huai asked.

The corners of Emperor Yuning's mouth twitched twice, and he said vaguely, "It's nothing, it must be that Emperor Dezhang wants to take this opportunity to win over the power of the local capital." Now that I am planning to hand over the world to him, let him decide these small matters. Delong's side ~ What's the situation now? ”

"Back to Your Majesty, according to the news from the northern camp, Prince Delong is already on his way back to Beijing, and General Ma Ruzheng has also secretly gone to Landu City."

When Emperor Yuning heard this, there was a hint of relief in his eyes, "Xiao Qi has done a good job, far exceeding my expectations." Fang Jiye and Ma Ruzheng can assist Xiaoqi, and in the future, I will be in Daxia ~ stable! ”

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Xining has always been very quiet, and the minister feels that this calmness is a little unusual." Lord Huai said.

Emperor Yuning's trembling hand raised slightly, and Wei Dong hurriedly stepped forward to help, "Master, what do you command?" ”

"It's out of the way, I just want to move my hands and feet and get up as quickly as possible. Locust tree~! Emperor Yuning shouted softly.

"The minister is here."

"Xining Hou is scheming and will definitely not sit still. Behind this tranquility, there is likely to be a big conspiracy brewing. Don't look at the fact that I sometimes guard against Yu Ban, but on the issue of Xining Hou, Yu Ban and I have the same intentions. Your people are closely monitoring Xining, and if there is any movement, they may be able to give Yu Ban a leak. ”

Lord Huai was stunned, "Your Majesty, what do you mean ~ let the prince do it?" ”

Emperor Yuning gasped slightly, and said vaguely, "For the Marquis of Xining, I am no longer able to handle it. But I hope to see this hidden danger completely eradicated in my lifetime. If Dezhang wants to sit firmly, he will eventually have a battle with Zhao Li. Before I close my eyes, I can help him again. The matter of Xining's withdrawal of the feudal domain is not urgent sooner or later, as long as Fang Jiye's side is stable, he can do it. Otherwise, it will be too late to wait for Zhao Li to prepare everything. ”

Lord Huai's heart moved, "Your Majesty, are you ~ planning to come to the court?" ”

The corners of Emperor Yuning's mouth twitched and he smiled bitterly, "There is no need for the Dynasty, the news of my recovery, except for Xiao Qi Delong, I don't have to tell anyone." Since Emperor Dezhang is a prisoner, I want to see if he can pass this hurdle. ”

Speaking of this, Emperor Yuning suddenly remembered something, "By the way, the people from Shangguan's side should also arrive, right?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, only Duan Lang came to Lidu City, and Shangguan Xuanwu did not carry out the prince's decree. However, according to the time, Duan Lang should have arrived a long time ago, but for some reason there was no news at all. At the secret stations along the way, he was not found. Lord Huai said suspiciously.

"Huai~, Yu Ban will report this person, and the people on Shangguan's side must be protected. Especially Chu Baoxiong has been humiliated, and it is difficult to say whether he will do something in secret. After Duan Lang enters Beijing, you send someone to secretly maneuver. ”

"I understand."

Emperor Yuning said so many words in one breath, and his body was also a little tired, and motioned for Wei Dong to wait for him to lie down. Lord Huai knew that Emperor Yuning was going to rest, so he greeted him and quietly retreated.

Emperor Yuning closed his eyes and pondered, for the sake of the Great Xia country, he also hoped that Emperor Dezhang could take on the heavy responsibility of the throne. Emperor Yuning recalled what Yu Ban and Dezhang had just said, and didn't find anything wrong. For this year's birthday banquet, Emperor Yuning didn't think much about it. In his opinion, it is nothing more than a gathering of Emperor Dezhang to win over the world's courtiers.

This time, Emperor Yuning didn't expect that Yu Ban actually used his name to carry out a purge of the political arena of Great Xia. And the first person to clean the list is Fang Jiye. This trick is a murderous plan with a knife, and Yu Ban has been planning it for a long time.