At this time, a team of Khitan soldiers and horses suddenly arrived at the foot of the mountain, and a leading officer and soldier shouted on the cliff: "Khitan envoy, come to Taibai Mountain to meet the Yellow Sect Master of the Great Virtue Sect" The heavy stone gate on the cliff wall was reopened. The men in black cloaks came out and said to the Khitan envoy: "Welcome to the Khitan envoy to the Great Virtue Sect, please come to the envoy." ”

The Khitan envoy was invited into the cave. The people of Yi Dan watched from afar.

"Hmph, this Great Virtue Sect really colludes with the Khitan. Zuo said.

"Yes, the most ironic thing is that Huang Yuetian still claimed to be a hero who resisted the Khitan, which is really ridiculous. Yi Dan said.

"Many things in the world are not as simple as they seem, and those who let their people charge into battle for themselves may be secretly making peace with the enemy. Zuo said.

"Yes, it's ridiculous that the world is ignorant, completely unaware that it's just a child's play of the powerful. Sheng Luniu answered.

"Well, yes, the most pitiful are always innocent people. Oh, yes, what are we going to do now? You can't just linger at this door all the time, can we?" Yi Dan asked.

"Even though the cave gate was heavy, it wasn't completely out of the woods. These days, I have carefully explored the terrain of this area, and on the cliff behind it, there is a heavenly mouse cave, which should be able to lead directly to the main altar and hall of the Great Virtue Sect. Zuo Patian pointed to the direction behind the mountain and said.

"Okay, let's go over then. ”

After a while, everyone came to the back of the mountain, looked up, and sure enough, they saw a small hole in the middle of the cliff above a hundred feet.

"That's right, you see, there is indeed a hole in the cliff, but I don't know if there is anyone guarding it?" Yi Dan asked

"Not really, but it's a cliff, sheer than it is. Ordinary people can't go up at all. Zuo said.

"It's easy to do. Why don't we find some rope and slide down the mountain?" Yi Dan said.

"Well, good idea, then let's use more vines to make ropes, so that it can also hide people's eyes. Sheng Luniu said.

The four of them found some vines in the nearby woods, climbed to the top of the mountain from the other side of the cliff, and tied the vines to a large rock at the top of the mountain.

At this time, Yi Dan grabbed the rope and said, "I'll go down and investigate first, if it's safe, I'll shake the rope and you all come down." ”

"No, it's too dangerous for you to go down alone. I'd better go down first," Zuo said.

"It's okay Zuo Daxia, I'm good at light work, if it's really dangerous, I'll just fly down the mountain," Yi Dan said.

"That's fine, then you have to be careful," Zuo said.

"Yes, senior sister, you have to be careful," Youming advised.

"No problem, don't worry"

After that, Yi Dan protected himself with light skills and slid down the vines. Soon they came to the mouth of the rat cave. Seeing that there was no sound in the black hole inside, she stood at the entrance of the cave and shook the rope a few times. After a while, the other three all slid down one after another.

The three of them met at the entrance of the cave, and Youming asked in a low voice, "How is the senior sister?" Did you find anything?"

"It's pitch black inside, there shouldn't be anything," Yi Dan said.

"Okay, let's go down and have a look first," Sheng Luniu said.

So the four of them cautiously jumped out of the cave and adjusted to the light inside. I found that there was an iron cage wall blocking the way in front of me. Through the light coming in from the cave, I could see clearly that this was a cell.

"Immortals, there are immortals coming. Suddenly, an old voice behind him shouted.

The four of them were startled by the sudden sound. Look back. An old man with gray hair crouched in the corner.

"Immortals, immortals, take me away. The old man shouted.

"What is this place?" Youming took a step back.

The old man looked at the four of them with a puzzled expression.

You Ming quickly pulled out the sword in his hand, pointed at the old man and asked, "Who are you?"

The old man asked, "Who are you? Are you immortals from heaven?"

"Senior brother must not be rude, put away your sword quickly, this old man doesn't look like a bad person. Yi Dan said to his junior brother.

You Ming put away his sword, Yi Dan stepped forward and asked, "Old man, we are not immortals, we are here to inquire about the news, who are you, why are you locked up here?"

The old man got up and walked over slowly, looked at the four of them, and said disappointedly, "So you are not immortals?

"Old man, why do you say this? What happened?" asked Zuo Xuantian.

"Yes, old man, who are you?" Yi Dan asked.

"Who am I? I've almost forgotten who I am, who am I? Who am I?" the old man muttered to himself.

Zuo Tiantian gently approached Yi Dan and whispered in her ear, "Is there something wrong with this person's brain?"

"You're in the right head. The old man hurriedly said.

The old man stepped forward, and everyone saw the old man in front of them, about sixty, ragged and unkempt. Although the years have carved deep marks on his face, there is still a pair of bright eyes, which clearly reveal a sharp light.

"Old man, may I ask why you are locked up here?" Yi Dan asked again.

"I've been here for more than 20 summers, and I didn't expect someone to talk to me today, and I thought I'd never see anyone outside again in my life. Speaking of this, the old man couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Who are you, old man, and why have you been locked up here for so long?" Yi Dan asked.

"Hey, my original name is Huang Xun, I was originally a military general in this Bohai country, and I have always fought against the Khitan in the west for the Bohai Sea when I was young. There are two sons under the knee, the eldest is called Huang Ping, the younger is called Huang Fan, my two sons have been practicing martial arts with me since childhood, the younger son Huang Fan is modest and studious, honest and kind, while the eldest son Huang Ping is..."

"What's wrong with your eldest son, Huang Ping?" Sheng Luniu asked.

"My eldest son, Huang Ping, is greedy for power, vain, insidious and vicious, and corrupt in virtue. More than 20 years ago, he went to the Central Plains, and somewhere he learned a set of harmful witchcraft, and after returning to Xiande Mansion, he began to form the Dade Sect. He used the magic of witchcraft to force people in the martial arts, and joined the religion with the local people, claiming to be the leader of the Holy Sect, and also changed his name to Huang Yuetian."

"Huang Yuetian, Sect Leader of the Great Virtue Sect, Huang Yuetian?" Yi Dan asked in surprise.

"That's right, this rebel is really mad, when his younger brother Huang Fan found out that he used Gu poison to attract people into the church, he went to persuade him not to harm people, but he didn't expect him to arrest his younger brother, and his whereabouts are unknown since then. "Speaking of which. Huang Xun couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Don't be sad, old man, maybe your youngest son is still alive," Yi Dan comforted.

"Hey, it's been more than 20 years, and I don't dare to think about it anymore," Huang Xun said.

"And what about you, old man, why are you locked up here?" Yi Dan asked.

"My youngest son Huang Fan went to find his brother, but then he disappeared and his whereabouts are unknown. I suspected that this matter had something to do with Huang Ping, so I went to him. Persuade him not to engage in those strange things, and let him and I work together to defend the family and the country. But he didn't want to say anything, and he didn't admit that Huang Fan's disappearance was related to him. Not only that, but he also persuaded me to run the Dade Sect with him. Use his methods to unite the congregation and resist the Khitan. Although my Huang family is not a famous family, they have been loyal to Bohai for generations, how can they persecute their own people at the price. Rather than this, it would be better to open the door and let the enemy in, so that the people would at least have their lives. Thinking of this, I did not agree to his request. ”

"So he imprisoned you here, didn't he?" asked Zuo Daotian.

"That's right. He couldn't persuade me, so he made an excuse to let me stay in Taibai Mountain. But I always tried to find a chance to escape, and then he simply tore his face. Locked me up. ”

"He may have made this decision because he was afraid that you would publicize the matter of his use of Gu," Sheng Luniu said.

"Perhaps. I am his father, and even if he does something wrong, he only persuades, so how can he bear to expose him to the king? Huang Xun sighed.

"I didn't expect this Huang Yuetian to be so hateful. Zuo said.

"That's right, it's no wonder that in recent years, the rivers and lakes have been besieging this great virtue sect. Youming said.

In fact, in the first few years, he was able to lead the sect to resist the Khitan, and he also gained a good reputation in the rivers and lakes. But later, his fame grew and his congregation grew, and his heart began to swell hard. Slowly, he didn't resist the Khitan much, but preserved his strength and exercised his own authority within the sect. bullied the local people and became the actual controller of Taibai Mountain, and even the Bohai Royal Court had nothing to do with him. Huang Xun said.

"That's right, we've also seen this Gu poison technique, it's really terrifying, it can make people lose their minds and turn into a killing tool," Yi Dan said.

"In fact, in the final analysis, it is the human heart that is the most terrifying," Huang Xun said.

"Mr. Huang is right. The heart of greed for power is the most terrifying," Yi Dan said.

"In fact, the Central Plains Imperial Court has already resolutely stopped the poisoning of the Gu, and if it is discovered, it will be punished as a heinous crime. The rivers and lakes also looked down on this kind of indiscriminate tricks of Gu San, so Huang Ping kept it a secret and quietly raised Gu in Taibai Mountain to cultivate his own power. In addition, the Bohai Sea is far away, and the Tang Dynasty can't control it, so I, a rebel, have committed such a heinous crime. Oh, I'm ashamed. Huang Xun sighed.

"Mr. Huang, you have been locked up here for too long, maybe you don't know what's going on outside, right? In fact, Datang has been extinct for almost ten years. Yi Dan said.

"Really, the Tang Dynasty has been extinct for more than ten years, so isn't it already a mess in the world now?" asked Huang Xun with a surprised expression.

"Yes, the world is chaotic, and it's surprisingly chaotic. Youming said.

"Then, may I ask if the Bohai Kingdom has been affected, and what is happening to the people now?" Huang Xun hurriedly asked.

Although there is no major war in the Bohai Kingdom for the time being, the Khitans are eyeing the enemy, and there is a possibility of annexing the Bohai Sea at any time. Youming said.

"Hey, it's a pity that I'm locked up here and go out, even if I go out, I'm old and useless now, and I can't contribute to my family and country, I'm really ashamed, ashamed. Huang Xun said.

"Old Mr. Huang, do you mean that he has been imprisoning you since the time you went to look for that Huang Yuetian?" asked Zuo Xuantian.

"That's right, since then, Huang Ping's ambition has swelled, and he is bent on getting the whole Bohai Sea and becoming king himself. He also said that he would wait until the day he became the king of Bohai to let me out, and I would regret it when the time came. Huang Xun said.

"Hmph, King Bohai? It's just wishful thinking. Sheng Luniu said.

"Mr. Huang, you are also a general of the Bohai Kingdom, Huang Yuetian locked you up, didn't the king ask him for someone?" asked Youming.

"He reported to the king, saying that I had died of a vicious disease. He is my son, and the king will not doubt what he says. So I became a living dead and was imprisoned here for twenty years. However, I tried to escape from this place several times without success, the hole above was not so big, I dug it out with broken tiles for three years, and I originally wanted to escape from here. But when I looked out, there was a cliff below, so I didn't dare to jump down. Hey, it's all my fault for being greedy for life and afraid of death, if I jumped off for a hundred, it wouldn't be so painful. Huang Xun said.

"Mr. Huang, you are not greedy for life and afraid of death. You are concerned about your youngest son and your country, and you are reluctant to die. Yi Dan said.

"I'm ashamed. Later, Huang Ping found the hole I had dug out, and he knew that I didn't dare to jump down, so he didn't let people seal it. It seems that one day, this place may be used as an emergency escape. Ay. I didn't expect to inadvertently do a good deed for him, it's ironic. Huang Xun said.

"Listening to what you said, Mr. Huang, I think this Huang Yuetian is indeed a treacherous and cunning person. Sheng Luniu said.

"I see. Don't be afraid, Mr. Huang, since we are here. I won't let you suffer this sin again. We'll get you out. Yi Dan said.

"Really? Great. However, this Taibai Mountain is full of Gu poison, you must be careful. Huang Xun said.

"Don't worry, we'll be careful. Yi Dan said.

"Oh yes. It's all cliffs outside, how did you get in?" asked Huang Xun.

"We slid down from the top of the hill with vines. Yi Dan said.

"Then how are you going to get out?" asked Huang Xun.

"We're here to check on things, and we don't have a clue yet, so we won't go out for the time being. Mr. Huang, are there guards here?" Yi Dan said.

"Yes, but rarely here. I'm listening to the commotion below, there should be some conference today, so there is no one outside this door now. ”

At this time, Yi Dan asked Zuo Xuantian: "Zuo Daxia, do you think we have to find a way to get out of this cell?"

Zuo Xuantian looked at the lock of the cell door and said: "Simple, this rusty broken lock can also trap the defenseless Mr. Huang, I'm not afraid of it, the green dragon broadsword." ”

"That's great, then ask Zuo Daxia to cut it off quickly," Yi Dan suggested.

"Okay, you all get out of the way, I'm going to do it. ”

After saying that, Zuo Xuantian raised the Qinglong Broadsword and aimed it at the broken lock, and then raised it high and slashed it down fiercely.

"Bang"

There was a jolt, and the broken lock was cut in two.

"Great, Brother Zuo's treasure knife is really good. Sheng Luniu said happily.

"Shhhh Zuo Xuantian pushed open the cell door and said.

"Mr. Huang, the door is open, let's go, can you go out with us?" Yi Dan said while holding Huang Xun's hand.

"I, I haven't been out for 20 years, I don't know what it's like outside," Huang Xun sighed.

"Come with us and see your little son again." ”

Huang Xun listened to Yi Dan's words, and a hopeful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Okay, thank you heroes, let's go out together." ”

Under the leadership of Huang Xun, everyone crossed the three caves and three bridges and came to the highest place behind the cave of the Dade Sect. From this vantage point, you can see the situation under the cave clearly, and it can be said that you can see it at a glance.

I saw that the huge cave was about ten zhang in circumference and about three zhang high. The floor of the cave is divided into two steps, "upper and lower", the upper one is smaller, about a zhang high from the ground, and a gorgeous and heavy golden chair is placed on it, which is supposed to be the seat of the leader. The steps below were secondary, and there was nothing on them. At the bottom is the flat ground, where the congregation gathers. Torches were lit all around, illuminating the dark and damp cave even more eeriely.

At this time, thousands of cultists wearing black cloaks and holding shovels and weapons had gathered in the cave. They stood in neat lines. Some of the congregants were still holding long strips of cloth in their hands, and from the light through the torches, they could see from the reverse side that it roughly read: "The Holy Sect Master has no borders of life"

At this time, behind the main hall, which was invisible to everyone, a man in his forties, with a stomach and a meaty face, sat on a chair. I was playing with this exquisite piece of jade in my hand. He carefully looked at the patterns and words carved on the jade.

A man in his fifties came over and said, "Sect Master, are you still looking at this piece of jade?"

"Yes, Fourth Uncle, why do you say this piece of jade looks so enjoyable? You see, this small piece of jade is carved with such a delicate picture, not only the carving is very good, but the most important thing is that these words are too relieving. The pot-bellied man said.

"Not bad. It seems that in this world, not only our Dadejiao hates Shaolin, but there are also many heroes, literati and writers, who hate Shaolin as much as we do. Our Great Virtue Sect is not fighting alone. The fourth uncle said.

"Well, that's right, it's a pity that when I grabbed this piece of jade, the sect leader killed the Cloud Cliff Daoist on the spot, and now I don't know who carved this jade. If you know. The sect leader must invite him to Taibai Mountain as a guest, give him a good reception, and thank him for doing such a relieving thing. The pot-bellied man said.

"By the way, the sect leader, the subordinates forgot to get down to business. Today, a Khitan envoy came to see you, and now that you have arrived at Taibai Mountain, do you see it or not?" said the fourth uncle.

"Of course we have to see, we are now resisting the Khitan on the surface. But in fact, they still have to rely on them in order to gain a foothold in the Bohai Sea. Are you just satisfied with just one Great Virtue Sect Protector?" said the fat-headed and big-eared sect leader.

The fourth uncle rolled his eyes and said, "As long as the subordinates are loyal to the sect leader, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it." ”

"Fourth uncle. Although you joined the church relatively late, after all, we are all a family, as long as you are loyal to me, you will definitely benefit in the future. The Sect Master said.

"Thank you, sect leader!" said the fourth uncle respectfully.

"Okay, you first gather the other four Dharma Protectors, and after you control the situation in the main hall, then the sect leader will go out. The sect leader ordered.

"Yes, the subordinates obey the order" After saying that, the fourth uncle bent down and bowed, retreated and left slowly.

At this time, on the high steps at the back of the main hall, Yi Dan and the others were observing the situation in the cave. I heard one disciple shouting loudly, "The five Dharma protectors have arrived!"

At this time, the sect members who were already neatly lined up all bent down and shouted in unison, "Welcome to the five Dharma Protectors." ”

After shouting, I saw five men wearing tiger skins and mink clothes walking out of the front side of the cave in turn. They stand on the steps below the chairs from left to right.

At this time, Huang Xun, who was hiding above the back of the cave, carefully identified the five major hair care and found that the so-called senior uncle was also among them, so he whispered: "Hey, I really didn't expect that my fourth brother also entered the Dade Sect, it's really unfortunate for the family." ”

"Mr. Huang, may I ask which one is your fourth brother?" Yi Dan asked.

"From the left, the second one is my fourth brother Huang Zheng. ”

"Then what do these five people do?" asked Zuo Xuantian.

"It should be gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, the five protectors. Huang Xun said.

At this time, Huang Zheng, who was standing second from the left, suddenly took a few steps back and stood on the far left side from behind. The man in his forties who was originally on the far left asked, "Mu Protector, why are you standing in front of my Golden Protector?"

"I like to stand here, what can you do to me?" said Huang Zheng.

"Our gold, wood, water, fire, earth, and the five protectors of the Dharma have always stood in strict order. In the past, even if there was a vacancy, everyone let it be empty, and they would never stand in a position that did not belong to them.

"I'm more qualified than you to rank at the top of the five Dharma protectors, so why can't I stand?" asked Huang Zheng.

"In terms of qualifications, only I, the Golden Protector, can stand on the far left. I was the first to join the church, assisted the sect leader to get started, and worked hard for the sect leader to establish the foundation of this great moral religion. And you've only been in the Sect Protector for a few years, but because you're the sect leader's uncle, you are ranked second, and you can look up. Don't take chicken feathers as arrows, don't give me back soon. The Golden Protector scolded.

Huang Zheng didn't listen to the words of the golden protector, and stood still and didn't move. At this time, the third person from the left said, "Wood Protector, please come over first, I have something to tell you." ”

Huang Zheng heard this, so he retreated. The man stepped forward and whispered to Huang Zheng: "Don't argue with him first, if you can't bear it, you will make a big plan, bear with it first." Settle accounts with him in the future, don't startle the snake. ”

When Huang Zheng heard this, he felt that there was some truth, so he nodded and stood back in the second position proudly, and the argument between the two finally came to an end.

"The Holy Master has arrived"

Hearing only a shout, the five Dharma Protectors turned around and knelt down to greet them. There were thousands of scrawny sect members in the cave, all of them prostrate on the ground, their hands folded on top of their heads, and they greeted the so-called Holy Sect Master with a five-body posture.

"Huang Yuetian is coming out," Youming whispered.

"That's right, stop talking, let's take a look again," Yi Dan said.

At this time, I saw a stone door open behind the chair, and a man in his forties, with a meaty face and a strong belly, with two towering shoulder pads on his head, and a serious and fierce expression, glanced around, and then walked to the chair and sat down.

"Long live the Holy Sect Master," everyone shouted in unison.

"Okay, get up. The Sect Master said.

"Thanksgiving Master"

Everyone stood up, and then there was another young man prostrate on the ground and did not get up.

Huang Yuetian looked at the disciple lying on the ground and asked, "Why does anyone dare to disobey the fatwa?"

At this time, the person who was prostrate on the ground raised his head and said with tears streaming down his face: "Holy Sect Master, the disciple is a new initiator, I didn't expect to finally see your old man, your old man's kindness is higher than the sky and deeper than the sea, the disciple will be loyal to you and serve you in this life and this life, the Holy Sect Master is the sun in the disciple's heart, only by following the sun can there be light and hope, please accept the disciple's pious worship, the disciple will dedicate everything to you..."

"Okay, your loyalty, this sect leader understands, get up first. The Sect Master said.

"Thank you for the great kindness of the Holy Sect Master" The man got up and stood up straight.

"Have all the people expired?" the sect leader asked the five Dharma Protectors under the seat.

At this time, the Golden Dharma Protector replied, "Holy Sect Master, except for the disciples who are doing business outside, the other twelve departments, eighty-one small branches, and one thousand and ninety-eight people have all arrived. ”

"Well, now that everyone has arrived, then I will invite the envoy of the Khitan Kingdom. The sect leader gave an order, and everyone knelt on the ground in submission.

"I invited the envoy of the Great Khitan Kingdom to enter the palace. The Golden Protector shouted.

The same words were repeated in the direction of the entrance of the cave. At this time, I saw a Khitan man with a bearded hair, leading seven or eight followers, swaggering all the way from the back and bottom of the cave. (To be continued.) )