(Thank you, Dameng, Chubby, full of affection.) ）

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Qing Yan screamed, startling a room of people.

Zhang Fang held an oil lamp and rushed into the east wing first. I saw Qingyan huddled in the corner of the bed, and Pu Xi shivered, seeing that she was well-dressed and her hair was not messy, obviously she had not touched the pillow at all. Only Ah Li was dressed in obscene clothes, the green silk was scattered, and his eyes were sleepy. Under the dim light and shadow, a pair of white jade arms and crystal back muscles dazzled people's eyes......

Hearing the footsteps outside the house, Zhang Fang immediately took a step forward, took the coat placed in the corner of the bed, and covered Ah Li's body...... It's strange that Zhang Fang didn't make a sound, and Ah Li couldn't see it, but he seemed to be able to feel that it was him, his cheeks were flying, his skirt was clenched, and he was speechless.

Zhang Fang's eyes swept over the ochre-colored obscene clothes, and he felt a little strange, how could the fabric and color of this underwear be the same as his own outer robe?

When the Han brothers and Zhu Yu and his wife arrived, Zhang Fang had already searched the east wing inside and out, and found nothing except a mouse and a few cockroaches. When he returned to the second daughter's bed, he noticed that Ah Li's face had also changed, and he had become as frightened as Qingyan.

Han Zhong couldn't help but yawn when he saw Zhang Fang make a gesture that nothing happened, and complained, "Qingyan, what's the matter with you?" Surprised, disturbing the owner, and not letting people sleep? ”

Han Jun was careful, and when he saw that the second daughter's scared appearance was not like pretending, he couldn't help but be surprised: "Have a nightmare?" But it's rare for two people to have nightmares at the same time. ”

Qing Yan finally raised his head, his face turned pale, and his pupils shrank into a pinpoint shape due to fear, and said in a trembling voice: "You guys...... Didn't you hear Devil May Cry? ”

At this time, the voices were noisy, coupled with the nervous mood, not to mention the Han brothers and the Zhu Yan couple, who were unconscious, even Zhang Fang, who had already realized it, had already ignored the intermittent faint sobs at that time. Only because of the blindness of his eyes, Ah Li, whose hearing was compensated and enhanced, heard it, so he had the same fear as Qingyan.

It turned out to be this. Zhang Fang figured out the reason, then he was relieved, reached out and pressed Qingyan's thin shoulder, and said with relief: "I also heard it, maybe it's the wind through the cave, maybe it's the woman's wail, but it won't be the devil crying......"

Zhang Fang wanted to say that there are no ghosts in this world, but suddenly remembered that this is not the 21st century. In the Han Dynasty, and even many dynasties from the Han Dynasty onwards, from the emperor and the princess to the common people, all believed in witches and worshiped gods. In such an environment, you suddenly said that there are no ghosts in the world, what do people think of you?

And...... It seems that he survived through the seizure of his soul. So, it's hard to say if the ghost, or the "soul", exists......

The scene was quiet for a while, and the silky weeping gradually became clear, and the faces of the Han brothers changed. The couple looked at each other in surprise, and at the same time exhaled a sigh of relief.

The expressions on everyone's faces couldn't escape Zhang Fang's observant eyes, and the different expressions of the Zhuyu couple immediately attracted Zhang Fang's attention.

Seeing that the young nobleman's eyes were blazing, Zhu Yu smiled bitterly and habitually rubbed his palms: "This matter ...... Alas! It's hard to say. In this case, please come with me and have a look. ”

Zhang Fang is indispensable, the Han brothers have the obligation to protect Zhang Fang, no matter where Zhang Fang goes, the sword mountain and the sea of fire must follow. Although Ah Li couldn't see it, he was unwilling to leave Zhang Fang and the Han brothers. Qingyan didn't dare to go, but everyone left, leaving her alone, and the old woman next door...... God, it was because she remembered that terrible appearance as soon as she closed her eyes, so she stayed up for most of the night, and asked her to stay alone, wouldn't that kill her?

The flames swayed in the night wind, flickering and flickering, illuminating the faces of pedestrians near and far. Zhu Yu led the way with torches, Zhang Fang followed in parallel, the Han brothers followed, and Qingyan supported Ah Li, cautiously, and followed suit. But looking at her appearance, it is not so much to support Ah Li, but to snuggle tightly......

As everyone marched, the faint cry became clearer and clearer, and it was already faintly audible that it was a human voice...... He didn't go far, and soon stopped outside the fence of a house. Zhang Fang looked carefully, this house is a little familiar...... Well, isn't that the family you asked about during the daytime?

At this time, from outside the fence wall, it was clear that a woman in the courtyard was crying and scattering grass and reeds on the fire, and the fire was blazing, reflecting the woman's sad face. Not far from the woman's side, there was a middle-aged man, who was the one who refused to stay overnight with Zhang Fang and his party during the day. The man's expression was melancholy, and he sighed for a long time.

Finally found the truth of this "ghost crying", Qingyan was ashamed and annoyed, and said angrily: "This family is so unreasonable, crying in the middle of the night, disturbing people's sleep." ”

Zhu Yu sighed lightly and shook his head: "Chai Cheng and his wife must be blamed for this matter, who let their family Bao'er 'blood stick' this year and want to sacrifice to the mountain king......"

There is something in these words, Zhang Fang asked the reason, and Zhu Yu signaled to go back and talk about it.

When I woke up in the night, everyone lost their sleepiness for a while, and returned to Zhu Zhen's house, sat together, and listened to Zhu Zhen's detailed explanation.

Speaking of which, it is still the fault of this year's drought. There is an ancient custom in the local area, but whenever there is a disaster year, a famine year, a natural disaster, the earth dragon turned over (earthquake) and other disasters, you must ask the witch to pray for the heavens, the length of time varies, depending on the severity of the disaster. In addition to the sacrifice and the sacrifice of grain, the most important ritual of this prayer to the gods is to sacrifice boys and girls, which is a "living human sacrifice".

Hearing this, the Han brothers looked at each other. Qingyan and Ah Li held each other's hands, sweating in each other's palms. After a while, I heard Ah Li say quietly: "These children are so pitiful. ”

The scene of everyone's righteous indignation in Zhang Fang's imagination did not appear at all, and he was surprised but also enlightened. It seems that at this time, people's minds were still at a rather ignorant and primitive level, and they worshiped gods and witches, worshiped heaven and earth, and sacrificed the living. Others behaved so naturally, and Zhang Fang naturally would not jump up and angrily denounce him and act as an outlier.

Qingyan seemed to think of something: "What about the 'blood stick'?" ”

Zhu Yu said: "Oh, that's how Wu Zhu chose to sacrifice children. Chicken bones were coated with blood, placed in the fire, and according to the cracks and divination, the boy was chosen to be sacrificed. This year, I happened to choose Bao'er of Chai Cheng's family, as well as a girl from a neighboring village in Beigang. Alas, this Chai Cheng is also a bitter fate, the eldest son and the second daughter died of hunger and illness one after another, but the only three sons were selected to sacrifice ......"

Hearing what Zhu Yu said, Zhang Fang and the others finally understood why the family was so indifferent when they were begging for accommodation during the day. The only remaining blood and bones are about to be gone, and no one will be in the mood to deal with outsiders.

So, what exactly is this "mountain king"?

What made Zhang Fang speechless was that he didn't know much about this god who had been worshiped by the villagers for generations, and he only knew that it was a god hidden deep in the deep valley of the Black Fog Ridge in the north. According to ancient legends, the mountain monarch dominates the clouds and rain, and Li Shu must serve carefully.

Zhang Fang then asked again: "After the sacrifice, how are these boys doing?" ”

Zhu Yan shook his head: "No more news." ”

Zhang Fang raised his eyebrows, and his tone was a little cold: "Could it be that the parents of those children don't look for their own flesh and blood?" ”

Zhu Yu shook his head into a rattle: "The deep valley of the Black Fog Ridge is a forbidden place, and there have been woodcutters who have strayed in before, but they have never seen it in but not out...... Humanity angered the mountain king, and his body and soul were destroyed, and no one dared to enter it again. ”

Zhang Fang frowned, and now there was one last question left - when will the sacrifice ceremony be held?

Zhu Yu replied simply: "Tomorrow." ”