Ah Chong stood at the foot of Yanran Mountain, looking at the cliff carvings on the mountain wall, with a lot of thoughts in his heart.

It has been a few months since he came to Mongolia, and there is still no progress in the pursuit of the fugitives. The missing Miao Yin and the crystal ball never appeared, and Ah Chong just circled aimlessly in the desolate Mongolian steppe.

Ah Chong also knew in his heart that the so-called "traces" of Miao Yin were just an excuse for Professor Zhang to exile him, but as long as the order was in his body, he had to carry it out. From childhood to adulthood, he received this kind of "absolute obedience" type of education, which has never been violated.

Where he went or what he did, it didn't matter to him.

Over the years, Ah Chong has become accustomed to loneliness and danger, and there is no joy or sorrow in his life. To live, just to carry out orders, without asking for reasons, right or wrong.

In the past, when Ah Chong was on a mission, he always put life and death aside, and even once felt that death was a relief, which was better than enduring the torture of illness all day long.

Now, Ah Chong suddenly had a concern in his heart.

Since reuniting with Ziyang after ten years of separation, Ah Chong's mood has slowly changed.

Ah Chong never wanted Ziyang to know too much about himself, he knew how dangerous the work he was engaged in and the people and things he came into contact with. Although he deliberately avoided involving Ziyang, he was still involved.

I don't know what happened to Ziyang.

Thinking of Zi Yang, Ah Chong couldn't help frowning. Ziyang is not deeply involved in the world, and he doesn't know that people's hearts are sinister, and he is too immature compared to those old rivers and lakes. Hope he's okay!

Ah Chong raised his wrist and looked at his watch, why hasn't the person from the joint come yet?

According to the previous agreement, today is the day for him to connect with the people sent from above. The intelligence officer will bring news of the silver and the latest instructions given to him.

The place where they met was carved under the cliff stone of Yanran Mountain.

This cliff carving in Yanran Mountain was only discovered in recent years, and it is said that after the Eastern Han Dynasty general Dou Xian led the army to defeat the Northern Xiongnu, he ordered the Zhonghu army to stand up. This stone carving records the grand occasion of the Han Dynasty's cultural and martial arts and the Quartet's guest clothes.

Although the cliff carvings are a scenic spot, there are not many tourists, and most of the people who pass by are local herdsmen.

An old man wearing a shabby Mongolian robe and a fur hat slowly paced behind Ah Chong, and said in a voice full of vicissitudes: "This stone carving of "Feng Yanran Mountain Inscription" has a history of nearly two thousand years, witnessing how many golden iron horses, joys and sorrows, and now the deceased has gone, leaving this piece of cliff remnants in vain. ”

Ah Chong turned around in surprise, and after seeing the old man's face clearly, he smiled slightly: "It's you." ”

The old man didn't look at Ah Chong, put his hands behind his back, raised his head and squinted at the stone carvings on it, and said in a slow tone: "Among the many ancient literati who described Mobei, only Wang Wei's "Make it to the Stopper" is the most domineering:

The desert is lonely, and the sun sets on the long river! ”

The old man read in a low voice: "What a magnificent poem, a few words but a majestic atmosphere!" The magnificent and magnificent scene in the desert is about to come out, it is really the handiwork of God! ”

Ah Chong smiled, "I didn't expect you to have such a good study of poetry and poetry." ”

Ah Chong wondered in his heart, how could Timur appear here?

The last time he went on an expedition to the desert, Timur, as a guide invited by the American representative Alexander, was with Ziyang and them from beginning to end, and after the team was rescued, Timur also disappeared inexplicably.

Later, when Ah Chong communicated with Ziyang, he heard him talk about Timur's deeds. The old Mongolian witch doctor was silent the whole time, barely saying a few words from beginning to end. Why are you so interested today, and suddenly discuss literature with yourself?

Timur still didn't look at Ah Chong squarely, lowered his head and muttered to himself: "

The bicycle wants to ask the side, and the subject country lives extends.

Zheng Peng out of Hanse, return to the wild goose into Hu Tian.

The desert is lonely, and the sun sets over the long river.

Xiao Guan waited to ride, and he was all protected by Yan Ran.

——Wang Wei was excluded and suppressed back then, so he had to be ordered to go to the desolate Mobei Frontier to comfort the soldiers, so why did you come here, little brother? ”

Hearing Timur's words, Ah Chong's heart sank, and he finally understood the true intention of Timur's discussion with him about the poem "Make it to the Stopper". It seems that he knows his situation very well, is he the connector? But listening to his tone, he didn't look like someone from Professor Zhang's side.

Timur turned around and left slowly, muttering to himself: "I am not the person you are looking for, and there is nothing you want here, I advise you to leave as soon as possible, this is not the place for you to stay." ”

Timur's slender body slowly disappeared in the distance, and he didn't look at Ah Chong from beginning to end.

Ah Chong's heart was full of suspicions. What exactly is the background of this Timur, why is he here, and what do those words mean?

"Big brother!"

Someone shouted Ah Chong behind him, Ah Chong turned his head and looked: "Qingwu, why are you here?" ”

Song Qingwu lifted his black-framed glasses and said expressionlessly: "Master sent me to help you—who was Senior Brother talking to just now?" ”

"I don't know, a local Mongolian herdsman asked me if I wanted to buy beads." Ah Chong said casually.

Ah Chong began to follow Professor Zhang in his childhood, and was the first official disciple he accepted, Qingwu, Qingwen and others were one or two years later than him, so they should call him senior brother.

"Let's go, it's getting late, let's go to the nearest county seat to find a place to live and then make plans." According to intelligence, Miao Yin has recently appeared near Hangai Mountain. Song Qingwu said in a low voice.

Ah Chong nodded, and followed Song Qingwu into a rented three-jumper.

Ah Chong and the others arrived at a small county near Yanran Mountain, which is sparsely populated in the vast Mongolian steppe, and although this county town is the most populous place in the vicinity, there are still few pedestrians on the streets.

Most of the clothing and appearance of modern Mongolians are similar to those of mainlanders, and the biggest difference between the two places is the appearance of the city. Mongolia's economic means are simple, and its development is relatively slow, and most of the county towns are similar to the situation in the sixties and seventies in the mainland, which is several decades behind.

The main industry of the county is the coal mining business, and there is a large open-pit coal mine nearby, which is a legacy of the former Soviet Union, and most of the people in the city make a living from this coal mine. The entire county was covered in ash from coal dust, and the air was filled with the smell of cinders.

The hotel where Song Qingwu stayed was in a corner of the county, and the proprietress was a plump young woman with a fair face. Because Chinese often come here to do business, many people here speak Mandarin – and there is often a smell of Northeast dialect in their mouths.

After checking in, the hostess ushered them into a standard room on the second floor. The room was small, with little furniture other than two single beds, a dilapidated wardrobe, and a chair with only three legs left. Toilets and toilets are shared outside. The walls are so thin that when you stand in the room, you can hear the sound of melon seeds next door.

The proprietress handed the key to Qingwu, looked the two of them up and down a few times and said, "The two little brothers are coming to Mongolia for the first time, right?" Looking for some excitement at night? We've got a girl here! ”

Qingwu frowned and shook his head, "No! Go back, don't tell you not to come up. ”

The proprietress gave him a blank look, turned around and walked out with her fat buttocks twisted.

After the back of the proprietress disappeared at the staircase, Qingwu said to Ah Chong apologetically: "The conditions here are relatively simple, so the senior brother will go down." ”

Ah Chong nodded, turned to look around the room, and walked to the window to look outside. A large coal truck was rumbling through the street, and the whole room seemed to feel the vibrations.

Qingwu took out a bag of clothes from his luggage and handed it to Ah Chong, "Master asked me to bring it to you, saying that it was cold in Saibei, and you were afraid of the cold, so let me ask you to wear more clothes—by the way, this time, Master also asked me to bring you a sum of money." ”

Qingwu took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Ah Chong along with his clothes.

Ah Chong glanced back, took it and put it on the bed, turned around and continued to look out the window.

Opposite the downstairs is a row of dilapidated storefronts, most of which are shops selling groceries and doing wholesale. There is also a small shop with the words "adult products" written in Chinese, and LED lights flashing on the light signs, which looks out of place with the "unpretentious" neighbors around it.

"Miao Yin's side, Master just received a tip-off that he may appear here in Hangai Mountain in the near future to trade cultural relics brought from Tibet with a foreign antique dealer, Master is worried that you are in danger alone, so let me assist you."

Qingwu hung his hands and made a report behind Ah Chong respectfully, like an obedient elementary school student.

The two have carried out many missions together since they were young, and Ah Chong is both a senior brother and a superior to him, and the two have become accustomed to this kind of reporting relationship.

Professor Zhang has many disciples, all of whom have prodigies and abilities, and there is fierce competition among them. In order to gain the favor of the "master", the disciples often fought openly and secretly. It's called competition, but it's really a competition and wrestling. Most of the fights are point-to-point, but there are exceptions, where the two sides have a real fire as they fight, and the losing side is often seriously injured.

Professor Zhang did not prohibit this kind of thing, and even acquiesced in and encouraged such competitive behavior among his disciples.

The disciples often challenge each other, but because Ah Chong is outstanding, capable, low-key and hidden, these juniors and sisters are usually in awe of him, and no one dares to challenge his authority so far.

"I made an appointment with the informant to meet in the evening, senior brother, will you go with you?"

Ah Chong turned to look at him, Qingwu lowered his head and looked at his feet, his face expressionless.

"It's good for you to go, it's inconvenient to have too many people."

"Then I'll get ready and go."

"Stay safe, those people — it's dangerous."

Qingwu nodded: "Got it, thank you, senior brother." ”

After Qingwu left, Ah Chong stayed in front of the window for a while, suddenly turned around and hurriedly walked out, not even looking at the money and clothes on the bed.

……

Midnight, twelve o'clock.

Song Qingwu, dressed in black clothes and black pants, returned to the small hotel, the front desk was empty, and the proprietress must have fallen asleep.

Probably to save power, all the lights in the hotel were turned off at 10 o'clock at night, and only the toilet was still lit with a dim light.

Song Qingwu walked up to the second floor gently, and his footsteps fell to the ground like a tanuki without making a sound.

The door to the room was hidden, and it was pitch black with no fingers visible. The door bolt has been broken, and Song Qingwu has noticed it when he moved in.

Song Qingwu leaned sideways, slipped into the room silently like a ghost, and stood quietly in front of the bed looking at the sleeping Ah Chong.

After half a ring, Song Qingwu took out a pistol equipped with a silencer from his arms, and pulled the trigger on Ah Chong on the bed without hesitation.