With the gold medal in hand, Qi Ning may not be able to mobilize officers and soldiers, but it is easy to get Yue Qianliang to follow the lead.
Yue Qianliang led several officers and soldiers to lead the way, approaching the Black Rock Ridge. Although he could see the Black Rock Ridge in the distance, there was still more than ten miles to go. There were actually many ambushes along the way. , there is light and darkness, Qining thought to himself that if someone hadn't led the way, it would have been a disaster if he tried to forcefully break into Black Rock Ridge.
After sunset, when I arrived at the foot of Black Rock Ridge, I saw a steep wall in front of me. There was a narrow road leading to the mountain. The last hurdle to the bottom of the mountain was blocked by a wooden cedar railing. There were inverted spurs in front. Hundreds of officers and soldiers were here. They were well prepared and even built a wooden watchtower.
"Shangchao, there are Miao guards there." Yue Qianliang raised his finger and pointed to the narrow mountain road on the mountain, "This can lead to the mountains, but...!" After a pause, he continued: "Shangchao really wants to enter the Black Rock. ridge?"
Qining smiled and said, "Do you think I'm joking?"
"The superior's courage is admirable." Yue Qianliang showed a hint of respect, glanced at Eve and a group of people behind him, and said in a low voice: "Can the superior be a step forward to speak."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, and the two of them walked aside. Yue Qianliang whispered: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being so bold under my humble position. I wonder where these Miao people came from?"
Qi Ning said: "What's the problem?"
"It's true that we have extraordinary courage when we go up the mountain, but... we have to be on guard against the Miao people." Yue Qianliang said in a low voice: "It's better to send people to escort the envoys into the mountains, but these Miao people are detained here as hostages. If Bayali wants to go against Shangcha, we have dozens of hostages in our hands, and he may not dare to act rashly."
Qi Ning raised his hand and patted Yue Qianliang's shoulder, and said with a smile: "I know you mean well, but in this case, the misunderstanding will only get deeper and deeper. I came here this time to resolve the matter, not To deepen the misunderstanding. By the way, judging from your accent, you are not a native of Xichuan?"
"The superior has a good ear." Yue Qianliang said hurriedly: "When Lord Wei came to Xichuan to take up his post, he followed Commander Yao as Lord Wei's guard."
"I see." Qi Ning said, "You are a cautious person. Lieutenant Yue, if I can come out safe and sound, I will definitely recommend you to the court."
Yue Qianliang knew that the status of the superior who came to Xichuan with the imperial gold medal would not be low. If he was promoted a little, even if he did not become a meteoric rise, it would definitely be of great benefit. He immediately raised his hands and said gratefully: "Thank you for the humble position." Sir." Knowing that Qi Ning had made up his mind, he raised his hand and said: "Open the fir fence and send me on my way to the mountain!"
After passing the last checkpoint, Eve led the way, and everyone led the horses to the foot of the mountain. They saw that the narrow road could only accommodate two people at most. There were steep mountain walls on both sides. It would be very difficult to lead the horses up the mountain. .
Eve has already said: "Our horses can stay here. It is a few miles up from here, but it will be much more spacious when you walk over it. After climbing over this ridge, you will find the valley inside. There is a stockade there. As long as you walk through After passing that village and climbing over a hillside, you can reach the main village."
"That's very good." Qi Ning ordered everyone to tie their horses at the foot of the mountain. Eve didn't waste any time and took the lead to go over there. Before she got close, someone shouted loudly: "Who is he? If he takes one step closer, he will be shot to death immediately." .”
At this time, the sky had darkened, and the narrow mountain path in the middle of the steep wall was completely dark, and no one could be seen at all.
Qining thought to himself that it was no wonder that Heiyan Ridge dared to confront the officers and soldiers. The terrain here was too special. It was not easy to get out of the mountain, and it was even more difficult to enter the mountain.
Eve didn't say much, put two fingers in her mouth and whistled.
She whistled very clearly, three long and one short. Soon, a person emerged from inside, holding a bamboo crossbow arrow in his hand. He was very cautious. Eve approached and said, "It's me!"
The man looked at it for a few times, put down the bamboo crossbow, and said with surprise: "Eve, you... you're back, great!" He looked up and saw a group of figures following Eve, all of them were wearing Miao family clothes, and even more Huanxi: "You brought reinforcements? Haha... The cave master must be very happy to know that you are back." He turned around and gestured, and several more people came out, all with happy faces and very excited.
Qi Ning had already stepped forward and asked: "Are there any Han people entering the mountain? Are there any people from the government entering?"
"People from the government?" Several Miao people looked at each other and shook their heads. Qining was very happy. One of them already said: "We don't know. We have been guarding here and don't allow anyone to enter the mountains. Anyway, there is no one here." People have gone in.”
Along the way, Eve had already noticed that Qining had something on his mind, and finally asked: "What happened? What are you worried about?"
Qining shook his head and said, "Let's go see your brother first."
Eve nodded and said: "Why did you say that other Han people entered the mountain? This is one of the passages into the mountain. There are more than a dozen roads into the mountain on all sides of the Black Rock Ridge. No one goes in here, but it does not mean that there are no other places. People go in.”
Qin Ning said: "That's why I said I wanted to see Bayali as soon as possible." Without saying much, he walked up the mountain. When the Miao guards saw that Qin Ning came with Eve, although they were curious, they were not interested. block.
The group of people entered the narrow mountain road. As Eve said, for several miles, there were tight cliffs on both sides with rugged rocks. The road was extremely narrow. At the tightest point, only one person could pass. Qining I thought that if the officers and soldiers were to attack Black Rock Ridge, there would be absolutely no way to pass here. As long as a small number of people were arranged here, they would be enough to resist the officers and soldiers, or even block the road with stones, completely cutting off the road.
Fortunately, after walking a few miles, the road suddenly opened up, and Eve led the way.
On the Black Rock Ridge, there are actually only a handful of roads built by the Zhengerba Classics. Most of them are roads walked by people. There are no roads on the ground. When there are more people walking, they become roads.
Because of this, the roads in the mountains are extremely irregular, some are twisted, and some suddenly break off halfway.
It had already darkened. Eve walked for a moment and suddenly sighed.
"What's wrong?" Qining couldn't help but ask.
Eve smiled bitterly and said: "In the past, there were always some sounds of birds and beasts in the mountains, but now... I'm afraid there aren't many birds and beasts in the mountains."
Qi Ning immediately understood the meaning of her words.
There is no doubt that there is a shortage of food in Black Rock Ridge, so they can only hunt birds and beasts for food. Come to think of it, too many birds and beasts have been hunted in Black Rock Ridge recently, and there are even fewer birds and beasts singing.
Sure enough, as Eve said, after climbing over the mountain, there was a valley. In the valley was one of the six villages in Black Rock Cave. There were not many fires. Eve led people into the house. Apparently, the news about Eve's breakout came from the village. Everyone knows that they are overjoyed when they see Eve bringing someone back.
It's just that the men in the village are guarding around the mountains. Only the old, weak, women and children are left in the village, and some of them are preparing meals and some are making arrows.
Because he was worried that there would be too many people, Qining asked thirty guards to stay in the stronghold first, and only took Eve and Bai Yali to the main stronghold.
Although the two of them didn't understand why Qining would do this, they didn't object.
After crossing the valley, they climbed up a hillside again. After walking for more than two hours, they saw the light of fire ahead. Eve took a deep breath, turned around and said, "That's the main village over there."
Qi Ning said: "Let's go to see your brother. Don't make it public. The fewer people who know about it, the better."
Eve was a little suspicious, but still nodded.
In fact, most of the men in the village had gone out, and the old, weak, women and children who were left behind were preparing in the house. Eve was very familiar with the terrain here and entered the main village quietly. There were several places on the road where she had to be discovered by the guards. When they saw Eve, they were all overjoyed, but Eve told them not to say anything.
Arriving at a stilted building not far from the cliff, Eve went up and knocked on the door, and soon heard a thick voice coming from inside: "Who is it?"
"Brother, I am Eve!" Eve whispered.
Then he heard hurried footsteps and a "creak" from the house. The door was opened, and then the fire came out of the house. Qining saw a sturdy Miao Han standing in front of the door. Miao Han looked like he was forty years old, with strong muscles, a thick body, and a square appearance. When he saw Eve standing outside the door, his face was full of surprise. He grabbed Eve's hand and said excitedly: "Amei , Amei, you... you are back, hahaha... God of Witches bless you... you are back alive...!"
Eve was also quite excited, her eyes were red, and she choked with sobs: "Brother, I... I thought I would never see you again."
"Don't say that." Miao Han laughed and said: "The Witch God is keeping you, you are not fine now, you are fine now, hahaha...!" At this time, he found Bai Yali and Qining behind Eve, and was startled at first , looked at Bai Yali for a few times, and said suspiciously: "You... you are... but Bai Yali, the leader of Cangxi Miao Village?"
Bai Yali stepped forward, bowed, and said with a smile: "Master of Bayeli Cave, I am Bai Yali. I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still so strong."
"So... Amei, have you met the Miao King?" This Miao man is of course Bayeli, the master of the Black Rock Cave. He said excitedly: "Okay, now there will be no problem." He raised his hand and said: "White Teeth" Litou man, come into the house quickly." Seeing Qi Ning, he was startled for a moment, then frowned and looked at Eve.
Qining didn't wait for Eve to speak, stepped forward and cupped her hands: "Hello, Lord Bayeli Cave!"
Bayeli nodded slightly, and Eve already said: "Brother, this is the sworn brother of King Damiao."
"What?" Bayeli was shocked, "The Miao King's... How is this possible? The Miao King is so old, and he is a Han, how is it possible...!"
"Brother, don't be impatient. Let's talk slowly." Eve said, "Are Yagan and the others coming back?"
"Yagan?" Bayali frowned: "They are not with you?"
Eve immediately understood that after they dispersed that night, the few companions who followed her to break out did not return, and she felt uneasy. She just thought about the siege of Black Rock Ridge, and that the breakout was a narrow escape. For the sake of safety, Ya Gan and others may not return. He would take the risk and return to the Miao village, perhaps waiting for the opportunity on the periphery.
"But there's no need to worry." Seeing Eve's solemn expression, Bayeli comforted her: "The misunderstanding will be explained soon, and we can go down the mountain early tomorrow morning."
Qi Ning frowned and immediately asked: "Why?"
Bayeli smiled and said: "Because Jinyihou is here, Jinyihou is our friend. When we were in the most difficult time, he came to help us." He raised his hand and put it on Yifuxiang's shoulder: "Jinyihouye is here." Together with King Damiao and County Magistrate Bai, our Heiyan Cave will definitely be safe and sound."