The emperor's pursuers appeared at any time, Xiao Heng did not dare to take the official road, so he had to take some mountain and forest paths, and he might encounter more dangers, and everyone tensed his nerves.

Xiao Heng has been running around for several days in a row, and it is dark and rough, although there was intrigue in the palace before, but it was also raised by gold, and he carried this kind of wind and food and sleeping in the open for life. There was a commotion in the forest on the left, and he immediately stopped his horse and looked that way, but it was nothing more than a bird.

The brothers did not dare to take it lightly. A few days ago, I encountered a nest of bandits and was almost taken captive, but fortunately I escaped.

The wind was moving in a small forest in front of him, and Xiao Heng could see at a glance the corners of the clothes that had not been hidden.

is so shoddy, he must not be a powerful person.

Yun Huai also noticed, exchanged a look with Xiao Heng, and took a few steps forward: "We are just passers-by, and we don't have any robberies on our bodies!" All the heroes ahead, please make way! ”

The man in front of him seemed to move, as if he was discussing something. After a while, a tall man walked out: "Everyone, I'm sorry, it's our fault that blocked the way of your brothers." But I have a wife and children at home, and I am really hungry, so I beg you to be kind and leave some money to buy the road! ”

Xiao Heng untied a small cloth bag and threw it to him. The man opened it and looked at it, and his face changed: "I'm not the only one, there are many brothers who are also waiting for food, I wonder if I can ...... it again?" ”

Xiao Heng shook his head. There is enough "money to buy the road" scattered along the way, and I don't know if there is enough food for the brothers.

Seeing that it didn't work, the man hesitated for a while, but his expression slowly became vicious: "Since you can't keep the money to buy the road, leave your life to pay off the debt!" ”

Behind him rushed out a group of people, ragged and armed with axes and kitchen knives, looking like refugees with no way out. The people around Xiao Heng knew that they also had difficulties, and they didn't hurt the killer, but despite this, they still knocked down the group of people in two blows. The man who had just come out had two efforts, but he still resisted for a while, and finally was put to his neck by a sword: "I have already advised you to give way, but now that you don't listen, don't blame us for being a killer!" ”

The man's eyes were desperate, but he suddenly became ruthless: "I can't protect my wife and children, I can't repay the country, what's the point of being greedy for life in the world!" As he spoke, he grabbed the Dark Guard's sword and wiped it from his neck.

Xiao Heng tightened, flew the sword in his hand, and shot down the man's sword. The sword in the man's hand was knocked away, and he looked at it in disbelief. Xiao Heng rode up to him on a horse and asked, "What's your name?" Where do you live? Why bandits? ”

The man was not a fool, he knew that there was a noble person in front of him, maybe he would give him a way to live, and hurriedly responded: "My name is Cao Qi, I am a grass man in Duanzhou, this year there is a drought in Duanzhou and other places, the old mother starved to death at home, and it is difficult for his wife and children to survive. I am not a vicious person, but I am really forced to be helpless, and I beg the noble man to spare my life! ”

Xiao Heng looked at him carefully before saying, "It's okay to let you live, but there is one thing you have to agree." ”

Cao Qi didn't agree immediately, but asked Xiao Henglai: "Ask the son what's the matter?" I have been upright all my life, I don't do anything that harms my wife and children, I don't do anything that harms my country's land, if I am a demon who endangers the Quartet, I would rather not have this life! ”

When Xiao Heng heard this, he looked up to the sky and laughed three times: "It's a real man!" I, Xiao Heng, am also an upright person, and now I am going north to beg for thieves, protect the peace of my country, and return the people to Heqing Haiyan, a peaceful and prosperous world, are you willing? ”

When Cao Qi heard this, he put his mind at ease, knelt down in front of Xiao Heng, and bowed deeply: "I am willing to follow my son!" ”

The remaining refugees, those who were willing to follow, followed them, and those who were unwilling left. Xiao Heng left money for Cao Qi's wife and children, and continued to move forward.

In the evening of that day, he slept in the woods. Xiao Heng ate some dry food and was about to rest, but saw Yun Huai standing outside his camp. When Yun Huai saw him coming, he wanted to ask something, but he endured it and didn't have an exit. Xiao Heng walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "They are all brothers, and they have something to say." ”

Yun Huai glanced at him, and still asked, "How can Gongzi recruit someone who doesn't know the details?" ”

Xiao Heng shook his head: "It's not that I don't know your details?" If you had been an assassin sent by the Emperor to test me, would I still be standing here in good shape? ”

Yun Huai was speechless. Xiao Heng patted him on the shoulder again: "I choose people and have my own decisions and ideas." It's late at night, go to sleep. ”

After Yunhuai left, Xiao Heng slowly recalled this question: why did he recruit a bandit casually?

Is it because of the mastery of martial arts? Although it can pass a few tricks, it still can't compare to the refined dark guard; Because the wind makes the rudder? He won't leave a villain around.

Why is that? Xiao Heng didn't quite say it clearly. Maybe it's because Cao Qi is affectionate and righteous, when others sell their wives and children during the great drought, he is willing to be a bandit for his wife and children; Maybe it was the surprise and curiosity he felt when he said "what's the point"; It may also be that he told him before he lived that he would rather die than harm the Quartet.

Xiao Heng understands this emotion for the first time: this is appreciation, trust, and sympathy between heroes.