Shi Hao said: "The meanings are quite different. Never mind, you speak first and I will listen first."
Xu Xiaoyan said: "When you were practicing sword in the daytime, I went outside the mountain to inquire about the battle situation. Do you know what the current situation is?"
Shi Hao asked: "What's going on?"
Xu Xiaoyan said: "After Fu Shiyuan, the hero, started his army, he moved to Changbai Mountain and took down many cities with Changbai Mountain as his base. Many people responded to his call, and in Liaoyang Province alone, several places responded.
"In order to suppress this momentum, the Barbarian Court mobilized various armies to jointly encircle and suppress it. Do you know what the biggest business is in a war like this?"
Shi Hao asked: "What is it?"
Xu Xiaoyan said: "Medicinal herbs! In any war, people will die. When one person dies, many more people will be injured. Many people actually have a chance to survive, but because there are not enough medicinal herbs, they can only wait to die.
"So once war breaks out, the price of medicinal materials will inevitably increase exponentially. This is especially true for those wound medicines."
Shi Hao nodded: "So you want to find a channel to purchase goods and then smuggle medicinal materials?"
"Hear me out!" Xu Xiaoyan said with a smile, "When it comes to alchemy, Chongxian Sect is obviously the best. This is not to say that their alchemy skills are truly unrivaled. The key is that they control a large amount of immortal materials. They have a special medicinal material base, and the Barbarian Court allows them to grow medicinal materials on a large scale."
Shi Hao said in a deep voice: "Not bad... Keep talking!"
Xu Xiaoyan said: "In Chongxian Sect, there is a small pill that is specially provided to the Barbarian Army. A small pill can stop bleeding and save lives, and its efficacy is far better than the golden wound medicine in the martial arts world. The Jing'an Temple of Chongxian Sect, which is closest to us, is refining a large number of these small pills to provide to the Barbarian Army."
"If we can steal a large number of Xiao Huan Dan, transport them to Changbai Mountain, and sell them to the rebels against the barbarians, don't you think this is a big business of making money out of nothing?"
Shi Hao smiled and said, "It sounds very touching, but there are a few problems."
Xu Xiaoyan asked: "What's the problem?"
Shi Hao said: "First, smuggling elixirs is not an easy task. A large number of elixirs were stolen from Jing'an Temple, and they must have reported it to the Six Gates, so this trip is definitely not as safe as imagined. Moreover, stealing them from Jing'an Temple is a difficult task in itself.
"Secondly, the anti-barbarian side will indeed need a large amount of life-saving elixirs. Even the most common wound medicine is in urgent need of them, not to mention the small pills that are far more effective than wound medicine. But on the other hand, a large number of refugees are pouring in now. Although it seems that the resistance to the barbarian court is growing stronger, the logistics support is extremely difficult, and the repression they face is also very great."
"Can we really make a lot of money on this trip?"
Xu Xiaoyan said, "How do you know if you don't try?" She turned around, faced Shi Hao, raised her head, and stepped back with her hands behind her back. "If you're scared, it doesn't matter."
Looking at the bun on her head swaying in the wind, her pretty face under the moonlight, her thin figure and her breasts that were proudly raised because she was going to do "big business".
Shi Hao smiled and said, "Why not? When you are in the martial arts world, you have to do some big things, so that your training in martial arts will not be in vain."
Xu Xiaoyan glanced at him, turned away, shook her flower-decorated braids, and hummed a song under the moonlight that spread across the ground like silver frost.
Her song is sweet and melodious, like a nightingale, spinning lightly among the wild mountains and ridges, and it is unforgettable to hear.
They took the Blood Killing Sword and returned to the circular valley. Taoist Tie Yu had been waiting for a long time.
Shi Hao handed the Blood Killing Sword to Taoist Tie Yu. Along the way, he felt as if there was some voice in the Blood Killing Sword that bewitched him from time to time.
After arriving at the valley where the furnace stood, the blood shadow overflowing from the Blood Killing Sword was like a struggling poisonous snake. The moment he put down the Blood Killing Sword, the blood shadow entangled towards him.
Bang! Taoist Tie Yu picked up a big iron hammer that was heated red in the fire and hit the blade of the Blood Killing Sword hard.
The Blood Killing Sword is much more honest!
Chapter 56: More Powerful Sword Moves
Taoist Tieyu grabbed the Blood Killing Sword, came to the sword furnace, and threw the Blood Killing Sword directly into the furnace.
The Blood Killing Sword cast a black shadow in the fire, and it was like the scream of a baby, which was so unbearable to listen to.
Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Uncle Yan, are you going to destroy it just like that?"
Taoist Tie Yu said: "If we keep this magic sword, we don't know how many people it will harm. What's the point of keeping it?"
Xu Xiaoyan looked like she was in pain. "It's a famous sword after all. We can sell it for a lot of money. Besides, a sword is just a sword. What really matters is whether the person who uses it is good or bad. Killing someone with a kitchen knife is still killing someone. We can't say kitchen knives are bad just because of that, right?"
Taoist Tie Yu said solemnly, "Don't think like that. Evil things like this are different from ordinary swords and are living things. People always think they can resist temptation, but in fact, there are very few people who can truly withstand temptation."
“Some temptations should never be touched from the beginning. Some evil things should never exist from the beginning.”
"The Dao Sect emphasizes one's character, which is completely different from the people in the Demon Sect who use all kinds of means that harm the world and destroy lives in exchange for the source of magic. Don't use things that you shouldn't use, and don't touch things that you shouldn't touch."
Xu Xiaoyan stuck out her tongue: "I know, I know!"
Taoist Tie Yu looked at Shi Hao and said, "Bring the Blood-Slaying Sword here for me. According to the agreement, I will forge something for you. What do you want?"
Shi Hao said: "Sword! I want a top-quality sword."
Taoist Tie Yu asked, "Do you have any requests?"
Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, "After putting on the scabbard, it is best not to let people know it is a sword, so it is easier to hide. It doesn't need to be too wide or too long, and the rest..."
Swish! Before he could finish his words, Taoist Tie Yu swung his hammer, and a red-hot sword spun around and flew towards Shi Hao.
Shi Hao quickly drew his sword and with a bang, he knocked the red-hot sword back.
Taoist Tie Yu praised: "Great swordsmanship! I understand. Come and get the sword in half a month!"
Shi Hao said: "And..."
Taoist Tie Yu said, "I understand now. Go away quickly and don't disturb me while I am forging the sword!"
Xu Xiaoyan said: "Before I got the Blood Killing Sword, his attitude was fine. But once the job was done, he started to drive me away. He really is like crossing a river and destroying the bridge."
Taoist Tie Yu smiled and said, "Girl, you can't stay here anyway. It doesn't matter whether I chase you away or not."
Xu Xiaoyan snorted: "How can there be no difference? The attitude is different." She pulled Shi Hao and said, "Let's go. Don't pay attention to this fat guy."
Taoist Tie Yu shouted, "Wait a minute, the sword in your hand. I lent it to you. If you want to take it, you have to pay..."
Xu Xiaoyan dragged Shi Hao out and shouted without looking back, "Give it to him first, and I'll return it to you when you come to get the sword in half a month."
Taoist Tie Yu said: "You two, you... don't run, stop right there..."
—
A ray of dawn began to appear in the eastern sky.
A barbarian youth named Shi Tuxiong staggered out of the forest and came to a river.
A middle-aged man was sitting cross-legged on a rock by the river. He seemed to have merged into the earth. Some birds landed beside him, but flew away in panic because of the sudden intrusion of the barbarian youth.
The middle-aged man faced the surging river with his eyes closed. On his forehead lay a sword in a black scabbard.
"You lost?" The middle-aged man did not turn around, but said lightly.
Shi Tuxiong gritted his teeth and said, "I lost, I lost to him!"
The middle-aged man asked, "Where is the Blood Killing Sword?"
Shi Tuxiong turned his head away: "He took it away."
The middle-aged man asked, "Is his skill higher than yours?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "We are both seventh-grade, but his power is weaker than mine."
The middle-aged man asked, "Does he have a sword that is more powerful than the Blood Killing Sword you use?"
Shi Tuxiong shook his head: "No... It's just an ordinary sword, at most a mid-grade one.
The middle-aged man asked, "What despicable means did he use?"
Shi Tuxiong gritted his teeth and said, "No!"
The middle-aged man finally opened his eyes.
The moment he opened his eyes, his whole body was like a sword, with sword energy running rampant. The river water was cut off and rolled for a while before slowly flowing downstream.
The middle-aged man said, "In other words, he defeated you purely in swordsmanship?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "Yes!"
The middle-aged man asked, "Did you use the 'Blood Palace Crazy Killing' that I taught you?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "I used it... but lost."
The middle-aged man asked, "What's his name?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "Shi Hao... He said his name is Shi Hao."
"I've never heard of this name before. It seems like a new face in kendo!" The middle-aged man slowly closed his eyes.
Shi Tuxiong looked at his motionless back and said, "Teach me a more powerful sword technique. Next time, I will beat him. Next time, next time... I will never lose next time!"
"It's useless!" The middle-aged man said slowly, "Blood Palace Crazy Killing is the strongest move you can use at the moment. Even so, you still need the Blood Killing Sword to use it. Of course, I have more powerful sword moves, but you can't learn them."
Shi Tuxiong said angrily: "Teach me a more powerful sword technique. I want to defeat him. I will definitely defeat him next time."
The middle-aged man said calmly: "I told you, even if I teach you, you won't be able to learn it. You don't have the skills!"
Shi Tuxiong's face was distorted and he staggered: "His skills are not as good as mine, and his sword is not as good as mine. But I lost, and I lost in swordsmanship. The swordsmanship you taught me is not as good as his. So, not only did I lose, you also lost. What's the tenth on the black list, what's the sword demon, just like you lost to Zhao Gucheng, he is the best swordsman in the world."
"And you are nothing!"
The middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes again: "Do you really want to learn stronger sword moves?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "I want to beat him. I want to beat him fairly. Next time, next time I will definitely win."
The middle-aged man showed a mocking look on his face: "With your current ability, I can't teach you a stronger sword technique, and no one in the world can do it. If you really want, I will teach you a magic ritual, and you can learn a stronger sword technique from there, a sword technique that should not appear in the world... Do you really want to learn it?"
Shi Tuxiong said: "Tell me, what to do? I want to win, I must win."
"Hmm!" The middle-aged man slowly put away the mockery on his face. "I admire your desire to become stronger, but it's a pity. If you take your time, with your talent, you should be able to become a top-notch swordsman in the future, but you are too impatient. Let me ask you again, do you really want to become stronger... as quickly as possible?"
"I want to become stronger. I want to learn more powerful sword moves. I want to win... I must win next time!"
—
"Are these all the fields of Jing'an Temple?" Shi Hao stood on the cliff, looking at the endless wheat fields. "So many?"
"What do you think?" Xu Xiaoyan said, "These stinky Taoist priests, with the support of the Barbarian Court, are tyrannical. They have plenty of means, using the Barbarian Court's policies, a large number of natural disasters, banditry and military turmoil to force the surrounding people to sell their fields and land, sell their children, and then they grow faster and faster, and grow bigger and bigger.
"This is not like Western Shu. After all, Western Shu is remote, and some small landowners stick together, which can make the barbarians and these wealthy families more cautious. Here, even if you are a small landowner with dozens of acres of land, you can't stop the encroachment and occupation of the barbarian wealthy families and the evil sects like Chongxianmen. You will go bankrupt if you say so."
Shi Hao couldn't help but keep shaking his head... No wonder more and more people have become refugees.
Whom God wants to destroy will be made crazy first.
But when the so-called "royal family" and those forces that have surrendered to the royal family are able to use simple means to frantically destroy every household, they are actually heading towards destruction themselves.
However, these forces have become gluttons that constantly devour everything they can around them. They have long been unable to control their appetite and cannot stop at all.
It is precisely for this reason that the rebellion in Changbai Mountain shocked the whole country and caused unrest in the government and the country.
On one side, there is the rebel army that is constantly rushing forward and gathering in size, and on the other side, there is the Barbarian Court and the forces that have surrendered to the Barbarian Court, which are frantically encircling and suppressing them as quickly as possible at all costs.
"That's the Jing'an Temple!" Xu Xiaoyan pointed there. "The Chongxian Sect has Taoist temples in every county in the eight provinces. However, these Taoist temples are also large and small. In places like Chuyin and Lingnan where the Barbarian Court has little actual control, there are not many Taoist temples, and they are generally not very big. But this place is special."
Shi Hao looked at the Taoist temple with its scattered and extremely gorgeous buildings and shook his head and said, "In terms of land area alone, it is probably more than three times that of the Mingkun Temple in Jin County."
Xu Xiaoyan smiled and said, "Although this is the case, in fact, the layout of all these Taoist temples in Chongxianmen is similar. According to my investigation, the pills provided by Jing'an Temple to the Barbarian Army are generally in boxes. There are at least tens of thousands of pills in one box. Generally speaking, a carriage can be loaded with two or three boxes to deliver the goods.
"We don't want too much. If we steal one box, we can sell it for at least a thousand taels of silver, and that's still a low price. The elixir stones refined by Chongxian Sect may not be available on the market."
Shi Hao said, "But there is a problem. Chongxian Sect claims to be the most authentic sect in the world. Even in Jing'an Temple, there are at least several good fighters of the sixth and seventh ranks. There are probably twenty or thirty fighters of the eighth and ninth ranks. There are also a large number of outer disciples who actually serve as thugs."
"Do we really have a chance to sneak in? If we sneak in, can we steal a box of medicinal pills?"
Xu Xiaoyan smiled and said, "Don't forget, I also went into Mingkun Temple and stole important information."
Shi Hao said: "Don't forget, this Jing'an Temple is bigger than Mingkun Temple."
Xu Xiaoyan pulled him along with a grin, "So, there's one more person like you, right? If something unexpected happens, you must make sure to take care of the consequences in order to complete this big deal."
Shi Hao said, "You mean we've been discovered, and I'm the one who's going to stop them, and you're just going to abandon me and run away?"
Xu Xiaoyan pulled him: "Let's go!"
Shi Hao asked: "Where are we going?"
Xu Xiaoyan said: "Let's steal a carriage first so we can pick you up in the evening."
Chapter 57 Night Walk, Night Thief
When Xu Xiaoyan said she wanted to steal a carriage, she really did steal a carriage and refused to pay a penny.
At dusk, the carriage was hidden in the mountains and forests. She sat on the driver's seat, untied her fallen horse bun, hummed a song, and combed her hair.
Shi Hao stood aside, with his hands behind his back, watching her comb her hair and sing... I have to say, this was also a kind of enjoyment.
Although she was wearing a cloth skirt like an ordinary village girl, she was actually a beauty who was no less beautiful than Du Yuejiao.
She had an oval face, rosy cheeks, a small cherry mouth, and was very delicate... He didn't know if it was because she felt more like his "fellow traveler", but Shi Hao even felt that she was prettier than Du Yuejiao.