The fleet left Guri and set out for the kingdom of Khurumus (present-day Iran).

"King Tieta, this was once the famous Persian Empire, and he is one of the few influential empires other than China." Zheng He enthusiastically introduced, "The most famous local specialty is a Persian carpet, do you want to have one?" ”

Tieta laughed: "I like to lay on the floor, a bundle of straw is enough, such a good carpet is a waste for me." ”

"You seem to have some truth in what you say." Zheng He also smiled, "Let's go!" I'll take you around and buy yourself a few rugs by the way. ”

Not far from the port is a bazaar, which is full of shops and tourists, the men are burly, the noses are deep, and the women are veiled and only show a pair of eyes, which looks very mysterious.

As soon as Zheng He and his entourage walked into the market, they immediately caused a sensation, this is a rich man from China! I heard that the country was full of gold, and everyone was rich.

"Hello!"

"Wishing you prosperity."

"Happy Chinese New Year!"

"Give birth to a noble son early."

The businessmen greeted each other in broken Chinese, regardless of whether these blessings were appropriate or not, anyway, they said all the nice things they could think of, and they knew very well that as long as they made a business, they would not have to worry about the expenses of the whole year.

The tower was secretly amused, the Persian people are really enthusiastic, but to be honest, their Chinese level is really not very good.

There are beautiful carpet shops on both sides of the aisle, and Zheng He walks around and looks at the flowers, neither entering the store nor asking the price. The tower followed behind and his head was too big, and he was not interested in shopping, so he knew that it was better to stay on the treasure ship and sleep a lot.

When passing a slightly old shop, Zheng He walked in with great interest, although this store is not big, but there are many styles of carpets, exquisite handiwork, bright colors, are rare boutiques, especially the front wall of the more than five meters long, two meters high giant carpet is even more breathtaking, embroidered with verdant trees, colorful flowers, and a variety of lively and cute small animals, different postures, lifelike, giving people an immersive feeling.

"It's beautiful." Zheng He couldn't help but praise, even the iron tower was a little moved, lying on it and sleeping on it would definitely make you have a good dream.

The bearded boss was very happy, although his shop has never lacked customers, but this time it is different from the past, the status of Chinese guests is noble, if their carpets can get their love, it is definitely a great honor, can earn a lot of silver at the same time can also glorify the ancestors.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are so discerning, our store is a century-old brand, famous far and wide. All the carpets here are the work of my daughter, and her craftsmanship is one of the best in the whole of Kurumus, not only in this market. "The boss was very eloquent and full of pride in his words.

Zheng He was also very satisfied, and was about to ask him the price. Suddenly, a young man ran in from outside in a panic, panting and sweating profusely, presumably after a long run.

The boss glared at him dissatisfiedly, "Ali, you're always so frizzy, don't scare my guests away." ”

Ali took a breath and said anxiously, "Uncle, Farah has been captured. ”

"What?" The boss couldn't take care of the business, and hurriedly asked him: "Don't scare me, what happened?" ”

"She was captured by the Demon Cult." Although Ali's voice was soft, it was like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and the two local customers who were shopping in the store were both screaming "ah", and the boss fainted on the spot in front of him.

The tower hurriedly stepped forward to choke his man, and after a while, the boss woke up leisurely, and cried with tears and snot in his eyes: "Farah, my poor daughter, why are you so unlucky? ”

Zheng He said: "Young man, don't worry, let's hear it, maybe we can help." ”

Ali wiped his tears and told the whole story, and although he couldn't cry, others still understood.

"Farah is my cousin, my uncle's only daughter, and she has loved Persian carpets since she was a child, and weaving them has become an art, and she does every process herself. Our carpets are famous for their unique dyes, all of which are made from natural minerals or plant juices, so that they will not fade for a long time. Every time Farah and I went to the mountains outside the city to collect dye, there was never an accident. ”

Ali took a sip of water, and then said: "Today is the day of collecting dyes again, we rushed to the mountains west of the city early, this time we were very lucky, not only prepared all the raw materials needed, but also accidentally found a few pieces of purple ore. Farah has been looking for this color for a long time, but unfortunately he has not found it, and today he finally got his wish. We happily walked down the mountain, and when we passed the Black Wood Ridge, suddenly a large group of people shouted and chased after us, they were wearing black robes with white skulls embroidered on their sleeves, I recognized their clothes, they were from the Demon Cult! I threw away the basket and ran away with Farah, but they were outnumbered, and after chasing two mountains, they still caught us. The first middle-aged man dressed in red said to Farah, 'Little girl, you're lucky, I'm the Red Flame King of the Divine Cult. You have a strange skeleton and great talent, and you are the best choice for the Holy Maiden, now come back with me to meet the Sect Master! 'The last time the Demon Cult burned a saint to death, everyone in the vicinity knows it, how could Farah be stupid enough to be the next victim? So she didn't hesitate to refuse. In a fit of rage, the king took her captive and forced me to join them. I had to follow them up the hill, and then I slipped into a cave and hid while people weren't looking. I waited for a long time, and I guess they came back after a long journey. Uncle, hurry up and find a way to save Farah, it's too late. ”

"What now? Even the government is afraid of the Demon Sect, who should I go to for help? The boss sat down on the ground, clapping his hands on his thighs and crying.

Zheng He asked puzzledly: "I remember that what you believe in here is either *** religion or Zoroastrianism, when did a demon sect come out?" ”

Ali said: "The Demon Sect has only appeared in the past two years, and I heard that the leader of the sect turned out to be a messenger of Zoroastrianism, and he was expelled from Zoroastrianism because he violated the canons, so he set up his own door to found the Demon Sect, and it also attracted many young people to participate, all of whom are happy and disgusting, and are greedy for pleasure. Under the guise of religion, they go around swindling, oppressing the people, and sometimes even killing people! Half a year ago, when a woodcutter went up the mountain to chop wood, he saw the sect leader use magic to burn the erring saint alive, and when he came back, he told the government about it, and the government sent many soldiers to encircle and suppress it, but unfortunately they failed several times, and could only watch them do evil everywhere. Now that the power of the Demon Sect is getting bigger and bigger, even the Zoroastrian Sect has to be afraid of them, and we ordinary people are even more afraid of it, and now as long as the word 'Demon Sect' is mentioned here, everyone is in danger, and they are more afraid than seeing demons and monsters. ”

The most unaccustomed thing about the tower is that the wicked oppress the people, for the sake of the township, since this thing has happened to him, how can he stand by and watch? Comforted softly: "Boss, don't worry, I'll help you save people." ”

The boss was grateful, "Thank you, I know it's unkind to let you take risks, but I really can't think of any other way." ”

"Okay, let's split up." Zheng He said, "King of the Iron Tower, you go and save people." I went to inform the magistrates and asked them to send troops to help. ”

"Tower King, let me go and see the excitement too!" Ding Erniu looked excited.

It's a great opportunity to exercise, and of course the tower won't refuse, "You and Ali sit on my back, and my feet are fast." ”

Out of the bazaar, the tower ran all the way, about twenty or thirty miles into the mountains, the mountains are lush with trees, overgrown with weeds, large and small caves can be seen everywhere, with a big black mouth that makes people feel a burst of inexplicable fear.

The iron tower frowned, the Demon Sect was entrenched in such a hidden place, it was really not easy to find their lair, no wonder the government had no way to take them.

Halfway up the mountain, Ali pointed to a hidden cave and said, "I just got out of hiding here." ”

The weeds on the ground were trampled to the ground, and the chaotic footprints stretched all the way up the mountain. Ding Erniu said: "We look along the footprints, and there will definitely be discoveries." ”

The tower nodded, and quickened his pace towards the mountain. As he leaped over a ravine, he suddenly stopped, and stooped down to pick up a red bag in the grass, very delicately handmade, with two peacocks embroidered with gold thread.

Ali only glanced at it and said with certainty, "This is Farah's, I won't admit it." ”

Ding Erniu praised: "Farah is so smart and left us clues. ”

At this time, it was already dark, and the three of them searched all the way to the top of the mountain. Suddenly, there was a voice in front of him, and although the voice was very low, it could not hide from the ears of the tower.

"It's a pity that we can't see the fire burning people here." A male duck said in his voice.

"Alas, it's a pity!" The voice of the other man was like a broken gong.

"Didn't you see this trick last time? What's the pity? I carried it home, and I didn't see it once. ”

"I'm sorry for that little girl, with fine skin and tender meat, it's a waste to be burned like this."

"You are a toad who wants to eat swan meat, even if you don't burn to death, it won't be your turn." The male duck sneered.

"Who are you to laugh at me? I've been to a conference once, and I've had the privilege of seeing the true face of the sect leader, but you don't even have the qualifications to participate, so you can only be a watchdog below. Breaking the gong unceremoniously fought back.

"There are more people who are not qualified, and I am not the only one? Just like tonight, there are not a hundred but eighty ...... here."

"That little girl they're talking about might be Farah." The iron tower flew up on tiptoe, and after jumping over a large rock, his eyes suddenly opened up, and an open flat land appeared in the dense forest, which could accommodate thousands of people.

In a flash of firelight, several bonfires on the ground were lit at the same time, and with the sound of "crackling" dry wood bursting, the sparks rose up two or three feet high, and then fell again, illuminating the top of the hill in a flickering light. A large group of people sat cross-legged on the ground with their faces facing the campfire, and there were an estimated eight or nine hundred people in the dark, all with their lips closed and their expressions solemn, as if they were waiting for some important person.

In front of the crowd stood a flagpole three or four feet high, and at the top of it was a large black flag embroidered with a white skull bleeding from the corners of the mouth. Under the flagpole was a delicate-looking girl in yellow, her eyes full of stubbornness.

"It's Farah!" Ali exclaimed.

Tie Ta comforted: "Don't worry, her life is not in danger for the time being, let's see first." The three of them quietly came to the last row and sat down.

"You guys are so good-looking! Which Dharma King's disciple is it? Red Flame or Green Hair? A disciple next to him asked suspiciously.

"I'm a friend of your master." Ding Erniu said calmly, "He asked me to come and teach you, and he also said that I would be the advisor in the teaching." I pushed him many times, because my own business was too busy, how could I care about his mess? I didn't expect this guy to stand outside my window with a dead face and beg for three days, if it was someone else, I would have whipped him with big ears and scrapers, and he was rambling there like a fly, and he didn't let people sleep? But it's a different story, who told me to be good friends with him! Taking advantage of the good moonlight tonight, I simply came up to take a look, but this look disappointed me, how could he say it was so good? It's just a rabble. ”

It turned out to be a friend of the sect leader, and it seemed that his tone was very strong. Oh! I realized that he was probably a master of Zoroastrianism, and that he had worked with the master, so it was no wonder that the first time I saw him, I thought he was very knowledgeable, well-spoken, and graceful. This big buffalo is probably his mount, which is much more majestic than riding a horse, the only fly in the ointment is that he is an entourage, dressed rusticly, and still shrunk in a ball and shivering, as if he has never seen anything in the world. The believer's mind was full of awe, and he quickly straightened up and did not squint.

Ali was so frightened that he was in a cold sweat, and he thought that he had exposed his feet, but when he saw Ding Erniu and sent the man away in a few words, he admired it very much, and asked in a low voice: "Do you still give lectures?" ”

"How could it not? Teach them to abandon darkness and turn to the light, and turn back to the shore. Ding Erniu said seriously.

"I didn't expect this kid to learn my ability to fool people, and he was talking nonsense there in a serious way, so much so that he almost believed me." Iron Tower smiled in his heart, "Not bad! Promising. ”