Xiao Zhi doesn't quite remember how he got out of the teahouse.

First there was confusion and fear, and then there was surprisingly calmness. I just thought about it over and over again in my heart, calculating all the things that had happened since I crossed over to this continent. Gradually, I felt that my brain was blank, and I was thinking about a lot of things, but I didn't seem to be thinking about anything.

Song Qinglian, will they be lying to me? What's in it for them? My appearance was premeditated, it was inevitable and not accidental, why? Am I a special test subject that has been watched? So what are the people who are secretly watching me thinking?

Crossing into this strange continent, Xiao Zhi has never been afraid, even in the face of the Dao Qi he has never seen, in the face of all strange people and things, and even in the face of Cao Ze, Xiao Yan and others plotting to rebel, and when the knife hangs on his neck, he is confident. Because he has always believed that he comes from a different time and space, that time and space has a more mature ideology, a more advanced level of science and technology, and Xu Zi'an, who has wisdom and experience beyond this era, can mix like a fish in water on this ancient continent.

It wasn't until just now, at the round table in the basement where the smell of choking smoke and bitter coffee was revealed, that he really understood his situation, even though he didn't want to believe it.

Man is a sword, I am a fish.

Xiao Shu walked and stopped, sometimes looking up at the sky, sometimes stopping to look at the mottled walls around him, as if he was thoughtful. But his eyes were very dull, and he could vaguely see his lonely face reflected in the dim candlelight, which was similar to the smiling appearance when he first came.

Like a little wild dog who lost a fight and returned home, Wu Haoze on the side thought, the lantern in his hand couldn't help but clench a little, cleared his throat and said, "You said that you want to know the truth and live well, and fulfill the last wish of the owner of this body." I hope you don't backtrack. ”

"I know, but even I need time to digest the fact." Xiao Zhi smiled bitterly. "I think I'm in control of everything, but I'm actually being tricked by others."

"In this world, the strong are kings, as long as you are strong enough, no one can help you. What's more, there are still many doubts about this matter. After being silent for a while, Wu Haoze said lightly.

"yes, I know."

In front of the east gate of the capital, Fang Fei and Xie Lan Rongxuan had been waiting for a long time, and wave after wave of hidden guards were sent out to look for it, but they didn't even find Xiao Zhen's shadow. Several people were in a hurry. I saw Xiao Zhi and Wu Haoze walking back slowly with a lantern.

"Your Majesty, you can make us anxious." Fang Fei and Xie Lan hurriedly stepped forward and looked Xiao Zhi up and down, their eyes full of worry.

"I'm fine." The lazy smile crept back into Xiao Zhen's face at some point, he turned his head and gestured, "I still have some things to figure out, and I'll contact you later." ”

"Take care." Wu Haoze nodded, and disappeared into the night in an instant.

Xiao Zhi looked at the dark alley, was stunned for a moment before turning his head, and then quickly got into the sedan chair and ordered, "Go to Shen Lian." ”

"Your Majesty, it's late at night today, and the old queen mother's Luan will return to the palace tomorrow." Fang Fei persuaded on the side, "The king should go back to the palace early to rest, and it will be good to see the old queen mother tomorrow." ”

"I'm upset if I don't figure out something." Xiao Zhi gestured, "Let's go." ”

The carriage left the city and galloped towards the western suburbs. After a pile of rubble, I saw a wall of earth in front of me, with vines climbing on the wall and old trees on the wall. A large courtyard is hidden behind an earthen wall, and at the front is a small shop sign of a village brewer, but in this post-mortem village, it is particularly eye-catching.

Since Cao Ze Xiaoyan's rebellion was resolved, Shen Lian and the others moved out of Sima's mansion, and the Jiyi Building in the city was still being repaired, so they had to live in the old courtyard in the suburbs first-this is remote and secret, on the surface it is a restaurant, but in fact it is a secret place for people from the three religions and nine streams to exchange news in the Qi country, and it is also one of the industries of Rashomon.

The man who guarded the door was napping, and the sound of hurried horses' hooves frightened him, and most of the sleeping insects disappeared, so he hurriedly stood up to greet the guests, only to hear a voice in the carriage commanding, "Tell your master Shen Lian, just say that Qi Er wants to see him." ”

That guy is also a veteran who has been trained for a long time, and he only heard the word "Shen Lian" and knew that the comers were not good, and he knew their details, so he couldn't help but feel a little flustered. I came in a hurry in the middle of the night, and there must be something big, only to come back with a sentence of "Wait a minute, guest officer." Then he ran into the door.

After a while, Lu Qixiang walked out with someone and respectfully bowed his hand, "The rare guest is slacking!" The master of the door is waiting inside, please come with me. ”

The courtyard is very large, and unlike the cramped restaurant, the decoration inside is magnificent. The tall earthen walls covered the endless pavilions in the courtyard, and the flaming red candlelight was like a blazing fire, and the occasional shouts and delicate laughter stirred people's nerves. The sweet rouge flavor and the heavy liquor flavor are superimposed to convey an ambiguous atmosphere. Gorgeous and dazzling peony flowers fill the entire courtyard, like a group of warblers and swallows vying for the pity of dignitaries, but it only makes people feel vulgar.

Everyone didn't want to appreciate it at this time, so they only followed Lu Qixiang into a small courtyard, where Shen Lian was sitting next to the small table, and the wine and food had already been prepared on the table, as if he was waiting for Xiao Zhi's arrival early.

Xiao Zhi didn't back down, even forgetting the etiquette on weekdays, sitting directly opposite Shen Lian, and happily took the wine glass that had already been filled on the table and drank it all. After a long while, after a full burp, I put down my chopsticks satisfied.

"The food is good, and the wine is good." Xiao Zhi looked around, dark gold hollow patterns decorated the room, brocade gauze tents were also embroidered with gold threads to echo, jade and jade ornaments were readily available, so brilliant that people couldn't take their eyes off it. "I didn't expect there to be such a paradise on earth in this wilderness." ”

"This is a place where people from the rivers and lakes gather, so it is naturally more luxurious." Shen Lian seemed to be accustomed to it, "After all, most of them are outlaws, and those who don't know when they will lose their lives are naturally drunk today." ”

"In such a heavenly place, it is natural that good wine and good food complement each other." Xiao Zhi looked straight at Shen Lian and said with a smile, "It's just that there is still one beautiful woman missing, I don't know if there is a wonderful person like Cui Gu?" ”

Fang Fei on the side also looked at the two of them nervously, although they were still talking and laughing, Xiao Zhi obviously had something to say.

"Don't you know? Cui Gu has passed away, so naturally there is no more. Shen Lian looked down at the wine glass and said regretfully, "It's a pity for that strange woman." ”

"In order to avenge her parents, she endured humiliation and fell into the dust, so she is naturally a strange woman." Xiao Zhi stood up abruptly and whispered in Shen Lian's ear, "I'm curious, how did such a strange woman come to my side so smoothly?" Among them, what role did the famous Shen Sect Master play? ”

"I don't know, maybe it's providence." Shen Lian smiled, "But until the end, she also hurt the king in the slightest, didn't she?" ”

"Just because she didn't hurt me doesn't mean that the people behind her don't want to hurt me." Xiao Zhi returned to his seat and said calmly, "Although the businessman pursues advantages and avoids disadvantages, and strives to be safe, if he does not take risks at all, he will not get a big return." ”

"Naturally, I am on your side in my heart, but business is business, and feelings are feelings. The two should not be confused. Shen Lian took a sip of wine and replied slowly, "Actually, it doesn't hurt to tell you, but I declare in advance that I also collect money to do things." ”

"Someone asked me to arrange Cuigu to enter the capital city as a kabuki and follow me, I don't know exactly what she asked her to do, but she committed suicide before she completed the task."

"Who?"

"A woman and a man brought Aunt Cui and told me to do this. I don't know much about the person in charge behind the scenes, but I know that everyone in the rivers and lakes calls him that gentleman. Speaking of this, Shen Lian raised his wine glass and threw it on the ground, and Xiao Zhi was startled by the hideous appearance on his face.