Daxia Jingji Mountain, Duan Lang took the eighteen guards, and finally walked out of the continuous Fengluan Mountain Range. Back then, the big bear ran all the way over the mountains and mountains, and it only took seven or eight days to reach Fengluan Mountain. But Duan Lang and the others were in the mountains and forests, and it took more than 20 days to get out of the mountains.

At the foot of the mountain, Duan Lang held a war knife and looked at the broken wall. Although the grass is all over the field, it can't hide the glory of the Duan family back then.

"Grandpa~Father~Mother~ and all the relatives of the Duan family, Duan Lang, the unfilial descendant, has come to worship you."

Duan Lang knelt on his knees and slammed his head on the ground solemnly. The eighteen guards behind him were silent, and when they saw Duan Lang kneeling, one by one kneeling with long knives and pestles, they solemnly looked at the broken wall in front of them.

Duan Lang knelt three times and bowed nine times, worshipping the ancestors of the Duan family in awe. From the archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he saw the tragedy of the battle of Jing Jishan that year. Duan Lang stood up and walked silently towards the remnant wall. The glorious Duan Mansion was already overgrown with wild grass, and all the houses were incomplete. With no other residents in the vicinity, the area has become gloomy and desolate. As Duan Lang walked, he silently talked about the tragic battle of the year. Eighteen guards did not ask out loud, Duan Lang's voice didn't seem to be for them, but more like a consolation for the souls here.

Duan Lang stopped and turned around, "Back then, I was the remnant who escaped from here. I remember that in Fengluan Mountain, you asked me why I didn't follow my father's surname, but called Duan Lang. Brothers, that's the answer. ”

Xiang Tian and the others looked at each other, and Xiang Tian hugged his fists, "My lord, no matter what your identity is, in our eyes, you are the commander of my Sky Survey Army." We are waiting for the pro-guards, and we will follow them to the death. ”

Duan Lang showed a grateful smile, "Brothers, Duan Lang thank you." From now on, we will advance and retreat together and never turn our backs. ”

"Swear to follow and never turn your back." Eighteen guards shouted in unison.

The loud voice echoed in the barren remnants of the Duan clan, as if to comfort these Duan souls, and the flame of the Duan clan burned again.

Duan Lang cleaned up a clean place in the remnants of the backyard. Eighteen guards also came to help, and built a tomb with the remaining bluestone bricks. Duan Lang erected two stone slabs, one of which was erected in front of the tomb, and Duan Lang carved the four big characters of 'Duan's Tomb' with a war knife. The other bluestone is put aside, and only a name is engraved on it~ Zhanfeng.

"Grandfather, father, I hope that you will bless the children in the spirit of heaven and kill these enemies with your own hands. Especially the inner ghost who betrayed the Duan clan back then, the child will definitely bring him to this tomb to comfort the souls of the family. ”

After Duan Lang finished speaking, the appearance of Lord Huai suddenly flashed in his mind. He didn't know if this Lord Huai was the inner ghost of the year, but among the officials of the entire Great Xia Dynasty, except for Huai Duanlang, he could no longer find anyone who could be suspected.

After worshipping his parents, Duan Lang and others also began to run to Kyoto. Since there were no horses, they could only buy two carriages in a nearby town.

In the Prince's Mansion in Kyoto, Yu Ban took out a list of officials. Most of these officials are members of the capital, but the names of four of them are very dazzling.

"Your Highness, these dozen or so people must be allowed to enter Beijing to celebrate their birthdays. Especially the commanders of the four major camps, none of them should be missing. ”

Prince Dezhang took it and looked at it, "Yu Xiangguo, these capital officials, do you plan to replace them all?" ”

Prince Dezhang is also a little embarrassed, changing so many senior officials in the capital at once, I am afraid that Wu Guangguang Wang Shidu and those old ministers will make trouble in court. Don't look at him now as the prince in power, after all, he is not the emperor. There are some things, Prince Dezhang also has to take into account the opinions of these old ministers.

"Your Highness, if you don't use it for me, you will have different intentions. In the name of congratulatory birthdays, a major purge must be carried out. Only in this way will the Great Xia country be stable after you ascend the throne. Yu Ban said insistently.

"But the commanders of the four major camps, I'm afraid they won't obey the dispatch of the prince's decree." Dezhang looked at Yu Ban in embarrassment.

Yu Ban stroked his beard and smiled slightly, "Of course, they can't invite people with the prince's decree, and they must be stamped with His Majesty's jade seal." It is estimated that in addition to the people from Xining, the other three camp commanders will be present. ”

"Xiangguo, since you know that no one will come from Xining, why bother to do this. If they really don't come, what is the face of this prince? ”

Yu Ban's face was pale, "Your Highness, if the Marquis of Xining is not removed, it will always be a big trouble." To put it irreverently, with His Majesty's current physical condition, everyone knows that this may be the last birthday. If Xining dares not to come, it will inevitably be accused by the ministers, and it will just fall into the pretext of disrespecting the decree. At that time, His Royal Highness will go south in the name of righteousness, which is the desire of the people of the world. ”

Prince Dezhang was shocked, "What, the meaning of Xiangguo~ is to let His Royal Highness conquer Xining Marquis in the south?" ”

Yu Ban nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what it means." And it has to be personally recruited by His Royal Highness, only in this way can the military power of the Kyoto battalion be firmly controlled by His Highness. What's more important is that it can solve the problem of Xininghou's henchman in one fell swoop. ”

"However, the Kyoto battalion sent troops south, and once Fang Jiye made any moves, not only would Kyoto be in danger, but even the southbound army would be attacked from both sides. Don't forget, Lord Xiangguo, even if Fang Jiye did not marry his daughter to Zhao Zhuofeng, the relationship between them is still very mysterious. Dezhang looked at Yu Ban worriedly.

Yu Ban's eyes were cold, "Your Highness, rest assured, after the birthday banquet, there will be no one in this world to succeed this person." This blessing and birthday banquet was specially arranged for him by the old man. ”

Prince Dezhang's heart trembled, "What's the matter, Lord Xiangguo wants to take the opportunity of the birthday banquet to kill him?" ”

"Yes, if this person is not removed, Xining will not be able to move."

"Xiangguo, don't forget that there are still 200,000 troops in the northwest, and once it causes a mutiny in the army, it is likely to correspond to Xining Hou Yaohu." Prince Dezhang's face changed slightly.

Yu Ban smiled faintly, "Your Highness doesn't need to panic, the killer is not your Prince Dezhang, but His Majesty today." Even if there are people in the western camp who are angry, the dragons will not be able to become the climate without a leader. Just ask Prince Hong to appease him, and sooner or later the Northwest soldiers and horses will fall into your hands. At that time, the crown prince can take advantage of the general trend of the world and justifiably ascend the throne and become the emperor. ”

"Father? What does Xiangguo mean ~? ”

"The Son of Heaven ordered to kill, isn't it His Majesty's anger?" Yu Ban said with a sinister smile.

Prince Dezhang's face was a little pale, and he completely understood why Yu Ban had the intention of putting on a birthday banquet. It seems that Yu Ban has already had a plan to use his seriously ill father to purge the world's ministers. As soon as Fang Jiye dies, the Great Xia River will inevitably cause a chain reaction. The Northwest Mutiny is a small matter, and the Marquis of Xining will inevitably make a confrontational posture. At that time, Lord Huai could only be forced to hand over the golden arrows so that the Kyoto army could go south to quell the chaos. As long as the military power is in hand, even if his father is still alive, he Dezhang Prince can still ascend the throne in danger. As for the soldiers and horses in the northwest, it is really like what Yu Ban said, the dragons have no leader, and with the prestige of Prince Hong, it will not be a big deal.

Prince Dezhang looked at the scheming Yu Ban, but he didn't expect that he would take advantage of his father's serious illness to set up a series of schemes. Although this is all for his accession to the throne, Dezhang can't help but have some heart palpitations at this time. However, at the thought of ascending the throne and becoming emperor, Prince Dezhang's heart suddenly surged. Don't look at him now that he is now the crown prince's eunuch, after all, the name is not right, and the decree promulgated can only be the prince's decree. Although his father, Emperor Yuning, is still alive, he is almost like a waste in the eyes of Dezhang. These days, Prince Dezhang has dreamed of turning his decree into the holy decree of Great Xia.

In Kyoto, Duan Lang and his party, who had been walking for more than a month, finally stepped into the gate of Kyoto. It's just that in the eyes of everyone in Kyoto, this group of people is too shabby. Riding in two ordinary carriages, one by one the battle robes were torn, as if they had just returned from the battle at the border pass.

Duan Lang and the others returned directly to the Heavenly Master Palace, don't look at Shangguan Xuanwu 'being demoted' out of Beijing, this is still the official base camp of the Heavenly Master Palace. It's just that after Shangguan Xuanwu and the five hundred black-armored guards left, the Heavenly Master Hall became deserted.

Duan Lang looked at the ragged brothers and said with a smile, "Brothers, this is the old nest of the dead fat man, and it is also our home in Kyoto. Let's scrub it off, and I'll go to the military department to find Helianga. In any case, we must be equipped with war horses and a few new battle robes. Otherwise, if you go out like this, people will think that there is a famine in our capital city. ”

"My lord, if you have anything to do, do you want to follow a few people to accompany you for safety?" Xiang Tian asked.

"No need, they really want to kill me, and it's useless to have someone with you. You wait, let's put on a good face first. ”

Duan Lang left a group of brothers and went to the military department alone. The current military department is no longer the period when Feng Zhun was in charge, the squire of the military department was replaced by Zhu Wenjun, and He Lianjia also became one of the four major envoys of the military department.

Seeing Duan Lang in a tattered battle uniform, He Lianjia was startled.

"Duan Lang ~ you are ~ from which area of war did you climb out? This officer is the chief officer of the military department, but I haven't heard that there is a war in Daxia? ”

"Hehe, Lord He, my brothers and I have crossed the mountains and mountains, and it would be good if this official uniform could be worn until now. How about it, being a high-ranking official in Kyoto is more comfortable than being in Yushanguan. ”

"Come on, it's better to be at ease in Yushan Pass. Come on, sit down. He Lianjia enthusiastically let Duan Lang into the chair and cautiously closed the door.

"Duan Lang, what's the situation in Lidu City? You all know what is going on in Kyoto. He Lianjia asked cautiously.

"Lidu City is fine, Lord He will first talk about the situation of Emperor Yuning and the court."

He Lianjia had a sad look on his face, "Emperor Yuning fainted in the court that day, but all the ministers were frightened. At present, the news from the palace is very strict, but depending on the situation, Emperor Yuning's health is very bad. In the current Kyoto, Yu Ban has monopolized power, and even the prince obeys his orders. Duan Lang, don't let Lord Shangguan come back, Kyoto is no longer a place he can set foot in again. ”

"What's going on in the Kyoto camp right now?" Duan Lang asked.

"The soldiers and horses moved forward for thirty miles, but I heard Lord Zhu say that this is an order from the palace. It seems that the crown prince and they have not yet taken control of the Kyoto camp. ”

Duan Lang heard that the Kyoto camp had not yet fallen into the hands of Yu Ban and the others, and his heart was slightly calm, "It's okay, it's much better than I imagined." On the way, we were ambushed by Yu Ban's men, and we thought that the Kyoto camp had fallen into his hands. ”

"Ambushed by the forbidden faction? No, your kid is a celebrity now, and he will not be so confused as to send someone to ambush Fang Jiye's son-in-law. He Lianjia looked at Duan Lang in surprise.

"I also suspect this, but on the people we killed, all the evidence points to the Xiangguo Mansion. In addition, those people were by no means ordinary city defense soldiers. The advance and retreat are orderly and properly commanded, and even if they encounter setbacks, they can calmly and safely evacuate, I can't think of any other city defense soldiers and horses in Great Xia who can have such ability. ”

Duan Lang originally thought that Yu Ban had mobilized the elite soldiers of the Kyoto camp, but when he heard that Yu Ban did not control the Kyoto camp, this made him puzzled.

He Lianjia sighed, "Emperor Yuning's sudden illness has caused chaos in this world, no matter what, it's okay, I will ask the military department to send someone to investigate." Also, be careful in Kyoto, now is not the time for the Celestial Master Hall to run rampant. Especially that Chu Baoxiong, you have to beware of this person. By the way, his nephew went to Lidu City to take office, how did you deal with it? ”

Duan Lang was stunned for a moment, "You said that Yang Hua is Chu Baoxiong's nephew?" ”

"yes."

", that kid was almost slaughtered by the fat man. Tomorrow I will report to the Ministry of Officials, and it is estimated that Chu Baoxiong will ask about it. Duan Langxin said that it seems that he has to put the responsibility on Zhang Ruming again, anyway, if he offends Chu Baoxiong, he will be completely offended to the end.

"Duan Lang, you have to be careful, although they don't dare to do anything to you clearly, some people will vent the anger of the Heavenly Master Hall on your head. I don't think they're going to let you stop like that these days. ”

"Then come on, the Heavenly Master Hall is never afraid of making things bigger. Don't look at Lao Tzu as just a capital city defense, and you can't lose the name of the Heavenly Master Palace. Duan Lang said disdainfully.

He Lianjia smiled bitterly, and said in his heart that since he knew them, he had never seen these guys suffer. It's okay like this, Duan Lang made a big deal out of it, and it was inconvenient for the prince and Yu Ban to make a secret move.

The two had a secret talk, and Duan Lang understood the general situation in Kyoto. Duan Lang also specially asked about the situation of the Seven Princes, and it seemed that He Lianjia did not know, only that the Seven Princes' Qincha team had not yet returned.

He Lianjia was very interesting, sent someone to send a few sets of brand-new battle robes and armor, and selected nineteen of the best war horses from the war horse camp to give to Duan Lang.

That night, Duan Lang led the newly renovated eighteen guards to swagger through the streets of Kyoto. In any case, these brothers are coming to Beijing for the first time, and Duan Lang also wants to fulfill the friendship of the landlord and take them to see the prosperity of Kyoto.

"My lord, someone is tailgating." The guard Zhang Chuang said softly.

Duan Lang sneered, "Don't care, I don't know how many eyeliners there are inside and outside the Heavenly Master Palace, just let them follow." Let's go, take you to drink. ”

Duan Lang took his brothers to a restaurant and asked for a large private room, and everyone began to drink.

In less than a stick of incense, a team of officers and soldiers came outside the restaurant. The leader got off the horse, and a person quickly ran over in the restaurant.

"Commander, they are in room No. 3 on the second floor. There were nineteen men in all, and they did not carry weapons. ”

The commander sneered, "Bastard, I finally let you fall into the hands of Lao Tzu." Go upstairs and take them all away for a routine check-up. ”

The officers and soldiers behind the commander immediately rushed into the restaurant, and after a while, everyone was on guard outside the No. 3 room on the second floor.

In the room, Duan Lang and the others were drinking happily when they heard a 'bang', and the door was kicked open.

Duan Lang's eyes were cold, his eyes looked at the door, the eighteen guards were very calm, some of them didn't raise their heads, but their hands touched the wine jar under the table.

"Is that you?" Duan Lang looked at the visitor with contempt, but he didn't expect that the first person to take the lead was actually Chang Lin, a former subordinate defeater.

"Duan Lang, thirty years in Hedong and thirty years in Hexi, the current Kyoto is no longer the time for your Heavenly Master Hall to be arrogant. They all got up for Lao Tzu and took them to the yamen for interrogation. Chang Lin sneered and ordered.

Duan Lang sighed slightly, he thought that the first person to find fault would be a big person, but he didn't expect it to be just a small role like Chang Lin. Duan Lang's eyes gestured slightly, and as soon as an officer and soldier put his hand on Jin Rushi's shoulder, Jin Rushi buckled it with his backhand, and threw the kid out of the window with a back fall. Ge Li, who was beside him, picked up the wine jar and smashed it on the head of an officer and soldier. Before Chang Lin could react, Gu Fan smiled at Chang Lin and hugged his head on a bench.

There was a mess on the restaurant, and diners hurriedly ran away, for fear of causing trouble. After all, it is the officers and soldiers who arrest people, and no one wants to cause trouble. The streets were full of onlookers, who did not know who the officers and soldiers were looking for. But in less than a moment, the onlookers were dumbfounded.

Upstairs there were screams, and many people were thrown out of the windows. Fortunately, these people have rough skin and thick flesh, and they have no worries about life. But the onlookers found that all the officers and soldiers who were thrown out were Kyoto officers and soldiers, who dared to be so bold?

The unlucky Chang Lin, this time he really met a bully, and the team of more than 30 people he brought was beaten all over the ground in less than a while. Duan Lang didn't make a move from beginning to end, although Chang Lin said that his work was good, Gu Fan alone was definitely not an opponent. But then Liu Xixialei and other guards were added, and Chang Lin was finally beaten and thrown downstairs with a blue nose and swollen face.

Duan Lang strode out of the restaurant, looked at the crowd of onlookers, and shouted to the sky, "What do you see, Lord Duan of the Heavenly Master Hall travels, get out of the way of Lao Tzu!" ”

At this moment, the onlookers knew that it was no wonder that these people dared to fight officers and soldiers, and it turned out to be people from the Heavenly Master Palace. Don't look at the Heavenly Master Palace's Shangguan Xuanwu has left Beijing for a few months, and their legend is still circulating in Kyoto. Even the Prime Minister's Mansion dared to surround it, let alone beat a few officers and soldiers.

Returning to the Heavenly Master Palace, Duan Lang, who had been flamboyant all the way, suddenly restrained his posture and warned the brothers to be on guard.

"Xiangtian, Gu Fan, each of you will take a team to take turns on duty. Chang Lin's kid has suffered a loss, and it is estimated that he will bring someone over soon. Remember, no matter who dares to trespass into the Heavenly Master's Palace, they will be killed. ”

"No!" The two agreed, and a spark of anticipation appeared in their eyes.

Duan Lang looked at the high wall of the Heavenly Master Palace, and said in his heart that a group of people would not die, and it seemed that he couldn't deter these small people. Lao Tzu wants to see if you dare to openly kill in Kyoto. Kyoto has become like this, if it really can't be done, he will kill out of the city, anyway, Duan Lang is not afraid that someone will go to the capital city to find trouble.

That night, there was silence inside and outside the Heavenly Master's Hall as usual. Duan Lang thought that Chang Lin had suffered a big loss and would bring his brothers from the forbidden military camp to take revenge. However, there was no attack from the large group he expected. Except for the sound of the wind, I couldn't hear any sound of soldiers and horses stepping on the ground.

The Temple of the Celestial Master extinguished all the lights and candles, but all the brothers did not sleep. Although Duan Lang ordered to take turns on duty, everyone was so excited that they couldn't sleep.

Duan Lang opened the window and closed his eyes to meditate, and suddenly his ears moved, and Duan Lang opened his eyes. Duan Lang, who had an unusually keen sense of hearing, heard a strange wind. This sound is not the normal sound of the wind, but the sound of clothes.

Duan Lang blew out a few whistles like birds' calls, which was the result of his experience in Fengluan Mountain. A simple syllable that heralds the arrival of an enemy. Xiang Tian and Gu Fan quietly held the long knives, and they were on both sides of Duan Lang's bedroom. With the help of darkness, figures flashed out of the room and quickly stood in a vantage point.

Duan Lang also stood up and slowly pulled out the battle knife in his hand. Since the other party dares to sneak into the Heavenly Master Palace, then he will also kill without any worries. In any case, the Heavenly Master Hall can be regarded as the entrance of the yamen, and it is a capital crime to trespass into the official office. Duan Langxin said that since this is the case, then don't blame Lao Tzu for being polite.

A figure stood in the courtyard, looked around, and walked towards the bedroom where Duan Lang lived. Less than five steps from the bedroom, the visitor suddenly stopped.

"Boy, it's quite cautious, it's late!" Gu Fan flashed out of the pillar as he spoke, and stabbed at the black shadow.

Seeing that he was about to be hit, the strange side of the black shadow dodged the long knife and slashed at Gu Fan with one hand. But on the other side of him, there were a few cold rays of light, forcing the black shadow to retreat. In the shadow of the knife, Xiang Tian and the others thought that the black shadow would evacuate, but they didn't expect the black shadow to take a wrong step and actually flash to the window of Duan Lang's bedroom.

"It's so capable, in order to kill my Duan Lang, you can actually invite such a master, it seems that Your Excellency is worth a lot in the rivers and lakes."

Duan Lang stood by the window and watched clearly, the other party could calmly dodge the joint killing of Gu Fan Xiangtian and others, which surprised him very much. This person's combat effectiveness is probably not weaker than Zhanfeng. After Duan Lang said this, just when the other party was stunned, the war knife in Duan Lang's hand slashed out through the window. After several months of hard training, Duan Lang believed that the other party would definitely not be able to avoid his sudden knife in the midst of being surrounded left and right.

"Stop! The old man is Lord Huai! ”