Surrounded on all sides by high cliffs, the valley resembles a huge sinkhole where the moon's rays reach the ground when it rises in the middle. Fujijin and Fujihua didn't sleep, and they didn't know what they were talking to Xiaotian in the moonlight. Later, Xiao Tian spit out a hazy bead towards the moon, which seemed to be qualitative and tangible, but not fully formed, round and bright, as if it could absorb the moonlight.

Tengjin and Fujihua stopped squeaking, and sat upright on the side and watched, their eyes full of surprise and admiration. Obviously, Xiao Tian was teaching them how to condense the Demon Pill, and although it had not yet completely condensed it itself, it could allow the vine gold and vine flower to learn from its cultivation method.

Baoyu stayed in the valley for two days and two nights, and left here with Xiaotian at dawn the next day. The vine gold and the vine flower were very reluctant, and stood up straight like a human under the ancient vine, waving a front paw to say goodbye - this posture is also learned from Xiao Tianxue! And there was a gust of wind blowing on the high cliff, and the ancient vine made a rustling sound, and the blades swinging in the wind also seemed to wave goodbye.

......

On the night when Baoyu was sitting in the Gaoya Cave Mansion to cultivate, there were no other guards or servants present in the Pengshan Forbidden Land, in the inner room of the monarch's palace, only the monarch's queen and Gongzheng Berao were talking in private.

I only heard Hou Qian sigh and said, "You, me, and Changling were all born in the same year. I think that at the beginning, we also entered the initial realm and cultivated under the guidance of the master, who was the former Gongzheng master of the Ba Mu National High School, but later we embarked on different paths. Chang Ling's nature is the most idle, and he only wants to go further on the path to heaven.

He traveled all over Bayuan, visited and befriended the masters of various sects, and so far he has broken through the Six Realms and established a sect in the country. You took over the position of Gongzheng of the master, and for many years you have been cultivating while handling official duties, and you are highly respected in the country, and now you have also broken through the six realms and become a respected master. ...... I've worked hard for you, and I'm sorry for you!"

Shrike hurriedly said: "We have been close friends since we were young, and our master is the middle school worker in the country. Dealing with all kinds of affairs like my master is also a kind of cultivation for me. ”

Hou Liao sighed again: "That being said, I have been in charge of state affairs for so many years, and my cultivation has not been improved, and today, I am finally going to hand over the country to Shaowu." ”

Shrike: "You may just have too many things to think about, and you can't always practice with peace of mind. ”

Hou Li: "That's why I asked Shaowu to follow you and accept your guidance, so that he could see how you handled state affairs and cultivation." Now sending him away from the national capital is also to hope that he will know more about the Ba Yuan that will be governed in the future, and at the same time, he will not worry about the affairs here. ”

Instead of asking where Shaowu had gone or what he was doing, Beroe asked, "You kept Shaowu away from the national capital, and you also wanted him to stay away from the matter of the princes fighting for the throne, right?"

Hou Liao smiled bitterly, but did not answer the question, but instead said: "Don't I know which of the sons has such a heart? In the past two days, I have ordered that no one should leave the forbidden land, and some news cannot be spread. ...... Shrike, have you and General Beidao found out who is in the mountains outside the forbidden land?"

Shrike replied with some embarrassment: "Gongzi Huiliang brought people here, and there are still a lot of people lying in ambush outside the forbidden land." Gongzi Zhonglan also brought people here, ambushed farther away, disguised as medicine or hunting, and secretly monitored Huiliang's people. They found out that Mr. Xiao had left and wanted to follow him, but Mr. Xiao was walking too fast, and these people did not want to expose their whereabouts, so they did not catch up. ”

Hou Liao sighed again: "Zhong Lan is the oldest of all the sons, and his thoughts are also the deepest. If you sit in the position of king, it doesn't hurt to be deeper, but you need to be wise, and his biggest weakness is that he is not wise enough. After all, Huiliang is younger, and he is more bold and presumptuous in doing things, if he is the king of a country, although he must have courage, he must not be ignorant and fearless. ”

Shrike also sighed: "Everyone in the country knows that you will be passed on to Shaowu, and those who want to compete for the throne are either not wise enough, or they just want to take a risk. Shaowu succeeds to the throne, I'm afraid there will be some minor troubles. ”

Hou Liao waved his hand a little weakly and said: "Why should I leave the trouble to Shaowu? I have been enjoying the country for too long, and I have paid attention to fame all my life, and I have never done anything unkind, but ......"

After saying this, he wanted to speak and stopped, as if he couldn't say any more. And the shrike said: "I can understand the mood of the lord, and the events of the day are to dissuade them." If they still want to act recklessly in the future, you don't have to be too sad, and put the country first! ”

The monarch diverted the topic, looked at the shrike and said: "Three years ago, I should have let you go freely, but because of my physical condition, I have to bother you to stay in office until now, and the country of Bamu also needs an old minister like you." When Shaowu succeeds to the throne, I'm afraid I'll have to let you work for a few more years, and you know my big wish. ”

Shrike got up without a word and saluted the rear. Hou Qi also got up and supported the old minister with both hands, and asked, "Are you ready?"

The shrike replied, "It's all ready...... Tomorrow, the sovereign will leave the forbidden land to inspect the cities in the country, and the general of the northern sword will return to the capital to announce the news of this place, and then lead an envoy to Zheng Muguo. ”

The monarch nodded and said, "Okay, very good, thank you...... Go back and rest, and call General Beidao, I have something else to advise. ”

The shrike was about to leave, but just got up and said, "My lord, I think of a rumor, and I don't know whether to say it or not. ”

Hou Liao wondered, "When did you become so hesitant to talk to me?"

"It has something to do with Mr. Li Lu's identity, but my guess is too bizarre to say," Shrike explained. ”

Hou Qi was curious: "Is there anything wrong with this person? I have entrusted my life to him, and I know what he has done in the Xiangmuro Kingdom and Pengshan, he is a trustworthy person. ”

Beraut smiled wryly: "I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with this person, but his identity may be amazing." ”

Hou Li: "Do you see something? I entrusted him with a big matter, and although there are other remedial arrangements, there must be no mistakes in the end...... Does this person have anything to do with his origins?"

Shrike replied in a low voice: "The legendary Mr. Xiangsha Taiyi." ”

Hou Liao was also surprised and delighted: "Mr. Xiao is the descendant of Xiangsha's predecessors?"

But Berau shook his head: "If the little gentleman comes from the Elephant Sect, there is nothing to be surprised about. But I don't think he's a disciple, it's probably Mr. Taiyi himself!"

Hou Li's mouth opened wide in surprise, and he involuntarily stood up and said, "You're not kidding, are you?"

Shrike: "This kind of thing. How dare I joke about it? If I hadn't spoken privately to the Lord, I wouldn't have said it, even if I had guessed it in my heart. ”

This Gongzheng Lord explained to the monarch, and the reason he said was probably similar to Xiling's analysis of Xinlan at the beginning. But Xiling said this to Xinlan in Feihong City. Baoyu went through a lot later. Now that Berau suspects him of being an elephant, the evidence seems to be stronger.

There is definitely not only one person in Xiling who has seen and learned a lot of knowledge in Bayuan. As a national worker of the Ba Chamber, he has been a monk of the Six Realms for many years, and his knowledge is only more extensive than that of Xiling, and he also knows many secrets that Xiling has never heard of. His analysis is more reasonable. But there are more doubts about this speculation to fully confirm.

After hearing this, Hou Liao and Berao had the same idea, and could not believe that it was true, but could not deny that this speculation was very reasonable. He sighed: "This person saw Xingsha in Xiangmuro Country Feihong City, and he had the token of Xingsha, and when he saw Cangsha's predecessor in Longma City, he talked with Cangsha about wine and traveled together for several months.

He killed Meng Yingqiu's disciples and broke into our country, even if Gong Liang was looking for death by himself. Meng Yingqiu didn't pursue it. But he sent a message and asked him to pick up an immortal elixir bead with his own hands, which clearly meant inviting him to meet. If he is like a shyster senior, it can be explained. ”

The monarch spoke with great measure. I don't forget my promise just because I'm in the inner room, and I've had a private conversation with friends for many years. He didn't say anything about Baoyu's secret of Jinghua, and he himself suspected that Baoyu was the descendant of Qingsha. There are no rumors that Xiangsha has also cultivated the Essence Formula, but it is not impossible.

It is said that he is the eldest of the seven evils of Ba Yuan, and it is said that he has been alive for thousands of years, and he has been cultivating in the wilderness of the western frontier of Ba Yuan before the establishment of the country of Ba Yuan. Then in these long years, it is entirely possible that he has obtained the secret transmission of Jinghua Jue.

The reason why no one knew that Xiangsha's predecessors would also be able to perform the Essence Recipe was because he didn't need to use this secret method to show others, and the Essence Recipe was not used to fight with others. If you look at it, all the people who have seen him in Ba Yuan are afraid that they have witnessed it with their own eyes, because the elephant has always shown people in the form of a child, and if he doesn't say it himself, no one can imagine that he is the legendary elephant sha.

Legend has it that the mystery of the Jinghua Jue is that it allows people to have a long life of youth, if Mr. Taiyi had broken through the Six Realms when he was a teenager and cultivated the Jinghua Jue, then he might have such a description for the rest of his life. Unless there is a change in one's state of mind and another manifestation in one's description, it is even more beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Thinking of this, Hou Qi asked again: "The more I think about it, the more I think your speculation is reasonable, but I have seen Mr. Li Lu with my own eyes, and he is confident and has the ability to recognize people, how can I see him as a child! ”

Berau smiled bitterly again: "I'm confident that I won't look away, Li Lu is indeed a teenager, not just a teenager." But if he is like his predecessors, it is not impossible. It is said that he is a childlike and immortal, and he has seen all kinds of things in the world without losing the simplicity of the beginning, which is his cultivation and a great supernatural power. The same is true of his realm, and he is also a child in the world for a thousand years. ”

Hou Qi let out a sigh and said, "In this way, Mr. Li Lu may really be Taiyi's senior." If you want to confirm, I'm afraid there is only one way, to ask him face to face - are you the predecessor of Xiangsha Taiyi?"

Shrike hurriedly waved his hand and said, "The Lord must not be like this, you may not know the cultivation of such a master. He called himself Mr. Li Lu when he walked in Bayuan, so he was really Mr. Li Lu. If you do this, if he is really an elephant, he will not deny it, but Li Lu is no more, and what is in front of you is an elephant, what should the lord do?"

Hou Qi smiled: "I'm just joking with you, how can I really do that? I seem to think I'm smart, but I'm embarrassed." Mr. Xiao is Mr. Xiao, if he is really like a senior, then we can't ask for it, this is also a great blessing for Shaowu!"

......

When Baoyu left Jinling, he didn't know that Berao had also made the same guess as Xiling. Now the kings of the two countries of the Prime Muro Country and the Ba Muro Country all suspect that he is the legendary Mr. Xiangsha Taiyi. But this kind of thing will not reach his ears, because no one dares to talk nonsense.

If others had heard of Baoyu's deeds, would they have made the same guess?—— which is a very interesting and unanimous misunderstanding.

The queen of the monarch left the forbidden land of Pengshan, surrounded by the honor guards, and inspected the cities of the country with great vigor, receiving the blessings and greetings of all the people. Everywhere he passed, it became a grand festival for the local people. The general of the Beidao clan rushed back to the national capital from the Pengshan forbidden land and announced the good news to the ministers left behind in the court-the monarch was treated by a divine doctor with rare elixir, and his body was as healthy as ever.

The monarch's physical condition was a very secret matter, and the original people who knew about it were only a very small number of people, and the vast majority of people only made various speculations based on rumors. Of course, those in the know today are suspicious of this news, and it is impossible for Hou Liao to live long, so is there another purpose in doing so now? But this kind of suspicion can only be held in the heart or talked in private, and must not be openly spoken.

Then the general of the Beidao clan was ordered by the monarch to lead a delegation to visit Zheng Muguo. There was a reason for this visit, because there was a flood in the southern border of Bamuroguo last year, and in order to help the victims, Bamuroguo borrowed food from Zheng Murokook.

This is not because the country of Bamuro is short of money and food, in fact, its Koucang is richer than the country of Zhengmu, but the flood occurred in the southernmost border of the country and the city of Zencheon.

At that time, because the flood had washed away the roads, and the victims could not wait too long, Hou Liao sent people to ask Zheng Muguo for help, and it was faster and easier to transport supplies from the neighboring country. Zheng Murokook agreed, so that he could also have a good reputation morally, but they put forward a proviso - Ba Muroku would pay back more money afterwards.

This is equivalent to lending money to collect profits, Zheng Muroguo agreed to borrow grain, but let Bamuro return other goods, the value of which is obviously greater than that batch of grain, anyway, Bamuro can afford to pay it back. If it was just ordinary goods, Zheng Shiguo also deliberately asked for a batch of armor and ordnance.

The densely populated city outline on the Ba Yuan can now also organize large-scale mining and metallurgy. But the best utensils, at least treasures, are smelted and built by folk craftsmen, and finally need to be refined with mana, otherwise it is difficult to obtain pure materials, and ordnance cannot have excellent performance.

Gold, silver, bronze and other things are sometimes easy to say, as long as a lot of money is invested, but things like stainless steel cannot be made by ordinary craftsmen, and must be refined by monks. Although ordinary iron tools can be smelted occasionally, the process is extremely difficult and expensive, and the things smelted have a lot of impurities and are unusable, and they will rust away after a period of time.

Therefore, each city will set up the position of engineer, and invite all monks above the three realms in the jurisdiction to work together. As long as they have entered the initial realm and can cultivate, and they may become co-workers in the future, they will be exempted from tax and hard labor.

Zheng Muroguo's request was very excessive, but they just used the banner of Wufu Qiu, saying that they were preparing to enshrine a batch of exquisite sword treasures for the cultivation of the masters on Wufu Qiu, and it was difficult to raise them for a while, so they also asked Ba Muroku to do a favor. Hou Liao knew that the other party was blackmailing, and he might want to take the opportunity to weaken the armament of the Ba Mu country a little, but he also nodded and agreed.

In the following years, the road had been completed, and Bamuroguo decided to "return" the goods and utensils demanded by Zheng Muroguo, and it was necessary to keep his promise. The envoy went to deliver something, and Hou Liao also ordered the envoy to express his gratitude to the monarch of the Zheng family in person.

Originally, the leader of such an embassy should not be a general, and there was a batch of armor and ordnance among the materials that could be returned, so it was reasonable for Hou Liao to send the Beidao clan as the national envoy. As the general of Zhenbei, the Beidao clan was originally in charge of the defense of the northern border of the Bamuro Kingdom, and the Zheng Muguo in the south was not very familiar with him. However, the Beidao clan himself was very familiar with the situation of Zheng Muroguo, because he had gone to Wufuqiu to learn art when he was young.

Hou Liao inspected the various cities in the territory, and the first thing he went to was the north, and the Beidao clan also left the capital and set out with the mission to the south. Hou Liao was very interesting, not only returned the goods and utensils requested by Zheng Muguo as required, but also specially thanked Zheng Muguo for another batch of very valuable gifts.

As a result, the mission was very large, and the procession was long, with only two horse-drawn carts at the front and the rear, and all ox carts carrying goods in the middle. The mission looked more like a large caravan, but in reality it was also a caravan. The return of Zheng Muroguo's goods and utensils, as well as the gifts specially thanked by Hou Li, as well as the materials needed by the mission personnel themselves on the road, did not need to carry so many cars, and the mission also brought the caravan in.

Because this kind of mission will not be taxed when passing through the checkpoint, the caravan with which the relevant party will often bribe the envoy to mix in their own goods and transport them to neighboring countries for sale, and then buy goods from the neighboring countries and bring them back in the ranks of the mission.

Sometimes, the envoy himself would temporarily engage in the trading of merchants, and he would get a batch of goods to be carried in the team and order his subordinates to be responsible for the sale, so as to make more money. Traveling thousands of miles to travel to neighboring countries is a hard job, so do some of this kind of thing to make up for it, as long as it is not too much, the monarch and the garrison will also turn a blind eye.