The North-South Official Road, as one of the six most important backbone routes of the Xingyao Empire, has a lot of pedestrians and vehicles. However, there is also a characteristic here, that is, every time at dusk, people stop moving, and if there is an inn, they stay in the inn, and when there is no inn, many people do not know each other, camp on the spot, and leave after a night.

But Ding Qin and He Yan are not so regular. The main purpose of the two people is to hurry, and with Ding Qin's cultivation, they are not afraid of some thieves on the road. After walking for more than ten days, they crossed the first river, and then a series of mountains could be seen in the distance.

"The front is the so-called Great Departure Mountain. Ding Qin looked at the map, "The north-south Daguan Road, which passes through the Dali Mountains, is about seventy miles. These seventy miles may be a dangerous area. ”

He Yan also leaned over and looked at it, "If it is seventy miles, it should be half a day for us, and we can pass in one day at most." However, in that case, we need to find a place to rest near the base of the mountain. However, in this case, it is not considered a safe area. ”

Ding Qin nodded and said, "That's right." We are not afraid of people blocking the way, but we are afraid that there will be too many people coming. Tigers can't fight wolves. Look here. ”

He pointed to a small town on the map, "It's fifty miles from the mountains. We arrived there today to stay and set off early the next morning. At dawn, enter the mountains, and then during the daytime you can leave the mountains and walk for fifty or sixty miles. It should be safe that way. ”

He Yan looked at it, "According to your arrangement." You're my umbrella anyway. ”

When He Yan said this, Ding Qin's brows furrowed slightly. He didn't know what He Yan's intention was in mentioning this protection from time to time, but as soon as he mentioned this, thinking that he was being coerced, Ding Qin felt uncomfortable.

However, at the current rate, it will be relatively late to arrive in that town. Ding Qin let the carriage stop for a while, fed the horses some food, and then walked forward quickly.

When he was still more than ten miles away from the town, Ding Qin suddenly felt that something was wrong.

On both sides of the road, at intervals, people appear in pairs. These people are not dressed as farmers and hunters, but as cultivators, cultivators who really fight.

Each of them carried a weapon, and their attire was predominantly fast and simple. Occasionally looking at one or two people, Ding Qin could feel the determination in their eyes.

This kind of look must be possessed by people who have experienced actual combat training.

It's actually not surprising to bump into one or two people once in a while. But the strange thing is that the distance between these people is basically the same.

This distance is not only convenient for individual action, but also conducive to mutual support.

Ding Qin's heart slowly increased his vigilance. However, he didn't tell He Yan.

The carriage followed its predetermined route and finally reached the designated town an hour after the sun had gone down. This town may have also developed because of the people who settled here, and the whole size is small, but it is relatively complete with all kinds of facilities to ensure travel.

Ding Qin chose an inn that was most convenient for evacuation before and after. But when he entered the inn, he also sensed that something was wrong.

Although it was getting late, there were unusually many people dining in the lobby of the inn. And these people, without exception, are all cultivators' energetic outfits.

The point is that these people have almost no food on the table. They sat at the table and didn't talk much, just drank to themselves.

Of course, it may not be alcohol. Because with so many people drinking, it is impossible for the lobby to be free of alcohol at all.

The shopkeeper was still very enthusiastic to greet him, which was nothing special. After arranging a room, Ding Qin and He Yan moved in.

Throughout the night, Ding Qin was on high alert. These people are unknown, and of course he can't be careless.

Fortunately, it was safe until dawn. Before the sun came out, Ding Qin and He Yan drove away. And Ding Qin also found that on the side of the road, there were still people like yesterday, and a couple appeared at a distance.

By the time we entered the mountains, it was already dawn. There are no more households and no villages, and although the road is still wide, there are few pedestrians except for the occasional pairs of people on the roadside.

Because those who want to pass through gather at the entrance, and only when there are enough of them will pass en masse.

After walking more than 20 miles, Ding Qin found traces of a fight. He stopped and took a look, the traces of the fight should still be very fresh, and it couldn't be long.

However, it can be seen that someone has already cleaned it up. Including blood stains on the side of the road, it was also covered with sand.

didn't stop too long, after Ding Qin got into the car, he immediately rushed forward.

Along the way, there were six or seven such cases. With such a high frequency of fighting, Ding Qin didn't expect it.

However, why someone would deal with it, Ding Qin has never figured it out. Could it be that these bandits did it, in order to facilitate the next robbery?

Fortunately, in the mountainous area, Ding Qin did not encounter anyone blocking the road. After coming out of the mountain, he breathed a soft sigh of relief. However, just after turning a corner, he spotted a group of people on the road behind the woods.

There were about twenty of these people, all of whom were cultivators, blocking the road entirely.

Ding Qin frowned. Could it be that now these bandits are blocking the road, and they have all changed to the intersection outside the mountain?

When he was wondering, he saw that the group of people came directly towards him.

This group of people, with uniform movements, is obviously specially trained, and even has some military flavor.

Such a team, even if the individual cultivation is not high, but the cooperation cannot be underestimated, just like the middle route army at that time.

Ding Qin wasn't sure if these people were coming at him. However, under this formation, he decided to give in first.

Parking the carriage on the side of the road, Ding Qin quietly observed the movement of the group of people. He Yan opened the front curtain at this time, "What's the matter, why don't you leave?"

Ding Qin didn't make a sound, just gestured with his head. He Yan only noticed the group of people at this time, and muttered in a low voice, "I didn't expect to run into it when I went out of the mountain." What should I do?

Ding Qin said, "Observe and wait and see what happens." ”

After finishing speaking, I found that there had also been changes in the team over there. At the back of the team, a person jumped up directly and rushed in the direction of Ding Qin.

Is it really a robbery?

Ding Qin's heart tightened slightly. However, he quickly calmed down.

In this kind of place, it is a blessing or a curse, and it is a disaster that cannot be avoided.

He owes his ass, gets out of the car, and closes the front curtain.

The speed of that person was extremely fast, and in a few ups and downs, he had reached a place about two meters away from Ding Qin.

However, when he saw his face clearly, Ding Qin found that he actually knew him.

It was none other than Cao Bei, the young owner of Caojiazhuang.

Around his waist, the nunchucks he had made himself stood out.

What is he here for? Could it be that he wants to hijack himself and go back to build a divine soldier?

However, judging from Ding Qin's contact with him, he doesn't look like this kind of person.

Seeing Ding Qin, Cao Bei actually bowed first, "I've seen the master." I've been waiting here for a long time. ”

Ding Qin didn't have any expression on his face, and asked simply, "Young Zhuang Master, why are you waiting for me here?"

Cao Bei said with a smile, "I heard at home that the master was going to Xingyao City, and later determined that the master's route was the north-south Daguan Road. However, in order to ensure your safety, I will take my people from Caojiazhuang to clear the bandits in this area for you. In this way, at least the master can pass safely. ”

Ding Qin was slightly surprised in his heart, and at the same time, he also felt a little ashamed of what he had just hijacked his thoughts. It seems that Cao Bei is not the kind of person who is selfish.

Ding Qin also returned the salute, "So, those people who appeared in pairs on the road are all from Caojiazhuang?"

Cao Bei said, "That's right. The master has been so kind to me that that's all I can do. After leaving the Great Departure Mountain, our Caojiazhuang's sphere of influence is unattainable, and in addition, there is a Seven Star Gate over there, and there are some knots between our Caojiazhuang, and we are not good to go deeper. ”

Ding Qin sincerely expressed his gratitude to Cao Bei, "Thank you to the young owner for being so attentive to me. I was still wondering why there were so many cultivators along the way, and at the same time, someone was covering up the traces of the fight. ”

Cao Bei said, "I also know that if you put it forward directly, the master will definitely disagree." So I had to do it secretly. Hope did not frighten the master. ”

Ding Qin said, "There is Lao Caojiazhuang." ”

Cao Bei laughed, "The master gave me a divine weapon, and I will be grateful for it all my life." It's not early, so let's hurry. ”

Ding Qin nodded, saluted Cao Bei again, got into the carriage, and left directly. Cao Bei took people to watch it for a long time before returning.

With this warmth, Ding Qin's heart did not calm down for a long time. When it gets dark, they come across a small town and live again as planned.

However, in the middle of the night, the fat dun, who had been lying quietly, suddenly stood up and looked at the position of the window.

It was clear that there was someone outside the window, and someone who had come to investigate on purpose. This person deliberately hid any spiritual power fluctuations, so Ding Qin couldn't feel it at the first time. His movements were also extremely gentle, and if there was no fat dun, Ding Qin would not be able to hear it either.

Ding Qin lives on the second floor, and there is a big tree outside the window. The sound of the leaves shaking when it blew easily also helped the person to cover up.

After about a few minutes, Fat Dun slowly lay down again. Ding Qin quietly walked to the window, opened the window as if it were ventilated, and looked out very carefully.

It was dark outside, and there were no suspicious people.

He thought about it, walked to the inner room, and called He Yan softly. Under the cover of night, the two men quietly left, borrowed the tree, and went directly to the roof.

And the fat dun is left in the house. If there is really any situation, it can be compatible with Ding Qin.

By dawn, sure enough, someone had arrived.