The sun was scorching hot that day, and the team that sneaked into Taluosi City put on black clothes and large food army uniforms. The crops in the valley outside Taluosi City had long been deserted, and the other side of the river had gone through many battles, and it was like ruins. The four walls of the city were dilapidated, but there were nearly 200,000 people gathered outside and inside the city, and the scene was extremely spectacular for a while.
The riders galloped on the plain, approaching Taluosi constantly. This place used to be the holy city of Zoroastrianism, and also the three major areas where the prophet Zoroastrian preached. When the military power of the Tang Dynasty was at its strongest, its influence extended to this place. After the Sassanian Dynasty fell, the Tang army continued to retreat eastward. .
Hong Jun has regained his composure, and put the previous matter aside for the time being. After all, Artest's life and death are more important to him right now. Only Li Jinglong rode his horse and followed behind him, exchanging glances with Qiu Yongsi from time to time, worrying that this was just the tranquility before the rain.
In the city of Talas, the temple has been destroyed, and on the altar square that can accommodate 100,000 people, there is a huge mural on the north side, on which is the god of light Allahu Mazda bestowing the ring of fire on Zoroastrian god In the first scene, in front of the mural is a giant full-body sculpture of Zoroaster, whose head has long been destroyed, and one hand stretched forward, symbolizing the light.
Li Jinglong and the others got off their horses and looked towards the center of Taluosi. Seven days ago, Bath had sent a message to the entire New Moon Valley to destroy the Holy Ring in Taluosi and execute the last member of the Yisiai family who tried to restore it.
"Come here." Li Jinglong had scouted the topography of the city and planned the route. The city was crowded with people. They first sneaked into a house, and a middle-aged man in black appeared inside. Seeing them enter, he took off his mask.
"This is Lashan." Li Jinglong said to the crowd, "Zoroastrian."
The middle-aged man made a gesture, which meant that the flames were transpiring. Qiu Yongsi asked Li Jinglong with his eyes. Li Jinglong nodded to indicate that he could believe it, and said, "He was the one who took us to find Artest that day."
"Aman hasn't entered the city yet." Lashan could speak Chinese, and said a little bluntly, "Bath will show up at the highest point when the sun rises in the sky. Where's the brother you're talking about?"
"It's him." Li Jinglong patted Hong Jun on the shoulder and said, "You are responsible for cutting off Bath's arm with a flying knife and untying Artest's iron chain."
Hongjun said "hmm", and Lashan said: "You can ambush, follow me."
"What about children?" Lashan noticed Chen Feng and said again.
Chen Feng replied: "I will follow them and won't make trouble."
"You are so good." Lashan smiled, and handed Chen Feng a dagger, saying, "You can protect yourself."
The dagger was bigger than Chen Feng's arm, so Yuzhou picked him up, tied the leather sheath with the dagger behind his back, and used it as a dagger. Lashan led them out along the market. At that time, there were many people, and all of them were dressed in black, like guards who came to patrol.
"I saw him." Hong Jun whispered.
Leaving the bazaar and walking along the dilapidated stone road, you will find the Temple of Talas and the square in front of the temple. In the center of the square, Zoroaster holds a scepter in his left hand and presses forward with his right hand. The scepter stands like a stone pillar, while Artest's clothes are torn, his hair is full of blood, he is tied to the scepter, his head hangs down, he doesn't know whether he is dead or alive.
Under the altar and in the square, there were crowds of people who came to witness the history.
"Go." Qiu Yongsi urged, "Don't stay longer."
Lashan took them to a remote place, and said to Hongjun, "Please follow me."
Lashan reached the side of the temple and threw out the rope. Hongjun and Yuzhou took Chen Feng and climbed up to the side of the temple. On a hidden platform, everyone hid in the shadow of the sun, and the situation on the square was clearly seen. In front of the altar, the place where Artest was bound was exposed within Hongjun's range.
"I wanted to hand it over to Mo Zhigen." Li Jinglong said, "But after much deliberation, it's safer to leave it to you."
After all, Li Jinglong does not know what weapon Bath will bring. If it is not an ordinary magic weapon, I am afraid that Mo Zhigen's seven nail-headed arrows will be difficult to restrain, and it seems that the chain that locks Artest is engraved with runes. Cross branches.
"Is it far?" Lashan was obviously very nervous.
"The distance is just right." Hong Jun replied, "Don't worry."
Li Jinglong pulled Qiu Yongsi and nodded to Hongjun, and the two jumped down from the temple and mixed into the crowd, while Yuzhou and Chen Feng sat down.
The tops of the dwellings, in front of the temple, behind the pillars, and the market were all full of people, except for a space above the altar, which was tightly surrounded by guards. The open space is a hundred steps away from the nearest roof, and the arrows are already exhausted before reaching the altar.
Bath was obviously confident and determined to completely destroy Zoroastrianism at this moment. Standing in all directions, the guards in black, each holding a scimitar, remained motionless under the scorching sun, staring at the altar.
Hong Jun noticed the guards on the heights of the ruins of the temple, thinking that once the incident happened later, they would be besieged. Larsan read his meaning from his expression and said, "They are all our own brothers."
Yuzhou asked, "How many people do you have?"
Lashan gestured three fingers, and replied: "Sanbai, originally you didn't come, everyone is desperate to save Yisiai."
Hong Jun thought to himself that Artest still had loyal old troops in Taluosi, but only three hundred people could not rescue Artest.
Yuzhou: "It's impossible."
Lashan said: "It can't be saved, even if he died in battle."
When Li Jinglong sneaked into Taluosi, he searched everywhere for Artest's whereabouts. Because of this, he ran into Lashan. If Lashan intended to betray them at that time, he would be arrested and taken hostage on the spot. It would not cost much Zhou Zhangdi assisted them in pretending to set up a trap to save people.
Hong Jun said: "Who gave the order?"
"You issue the order." Lashan said, "Everyone waits for you to make a move, and rush to rescue His Majesty."
Hong Jun nodded, and asked again: "What spells does Bath have?"
Lashan shook his head and said, "Everyone has never seen him use spells."
Hong Jun is only afraid that Bath has some unusually powerful abilities, but even if he is a big monster, Qiu Yongsi has the magic pestle and Li Jinglong's heart lamp, so he is not afraid of him. His eyes were fixed on the center of the altar, and with the throwing knife in his hand, he only wondered which direction Bath would come from. But Lashan thought that Hongjun was too nervous, so he began to tell him the history of Taluosi, as well as the battle between Tang army, Tubo army and Huihe army here.
Since ancient times, Dashi, Sasanian, and Datang have joined forces and fought against each other here. They fought inextricably. They once fought for the control of Asia Minor and the Crescent Valley. After the Sassanian Dynasty fell, the Tang army had returned powerless. Although Dashi controls a large area, the tax is too heavy, and a few people still miss the former dynasty...
"What are you going to do to rescue Artest this time?" Hong Jun asked suddenly when he heard this.
"We don't have the foundation to restore the country anymore." Lashan replied, "As long as His Majesty is rescued, maybe we will leave Taluosi."
"Where are you going?" Hong Jun didn't know why, but thought of the Holy Land of the Yaozu.
Lashan said: "Live by water and grass, and build a new holy city."
"Isn't that the same as us?" Chen Feng said suddenly.
Yuzhou made a hush gesture, signaling Chen Feng not to interrupt.
"If your strength is enough to take back Taluosi from Dashi." Hongjun asked Lashan again, "Will you fight to rebuild the Sasanian Dynasty?"
"Of course." Lashan said, "The glory of Cyrus the Great is still there, who wants to give up?"
"Can't we coexist?" Hong Jun murmured, this sentence was not a rhetorical question, but a question to himself.
"War and blood are eternal." Lashan replied, "Assyrians and Macedonians have ruled us, and now they are Arabs. The suffering can only be saved and liberated by our own hands."
Hong Jun glanced at Lashan with complicated eyes, Lashan said: "You Tang people have not experienced this, you don't understand."
Hong Jun didn't argue with him, just at this moment, there was a burst of cheers from the crowd below, the guards separated the people, and a short general came slowly on a tall horse.
"That's Bath," Larsan said. "Your Majesty's life will be yours if you strike at any time."
As he spoke, Lashan turned towards Hongjun, holding a scimitar in his right hand and pressing it on his left chest. At that moment, Hong Jun noticed the subtle movements of all the big food guards around and waiting on the top of the temple. They all raised their scimitars, turned slightly sideways to the area where Hongjun was, raised their wrists calmly, and pressed them on their left chest.
It was a sort of Sasanian courtesy, to show him gratitude.
Hong Jun said in a deep voice: "I know."
Artest was tied to a stone pillar, and when he heard the cheers, he raised his head slightly. Bath pushed aside the crowd and arrived at the altar. Lou said something.
"He said, the Isai family's..."
Hong Jun waved his hand, indicating that Lashan did not need to translate, but just looked at Artest quietly. Suddenly he had an illusion, as if he saw another self tied to the scepter. Bath's voice was resonant and powerful, and the square was silent. Nearly 200,000 people stared at the center of the altar. Bath was not tall, but his voice was very strong, echoing far under the blue sky. Obviously counting the crimes of the Yisai family.
When Debath finished speaking, the crowd cheered again.
"How much do you think they are true and how much are they false?" Qiu Yongsi and Li Jinglong stood together, observing the crowd.
"I'll know soon." Li Jinglong replied.
Several attendants stepped forward, and one of the attendants held a tray and put Zoroaster's sacred fire ring on it. This ring symbolizes light and fire, and it will last forever in the world.
The other two attendants held two trays, one with scriptures, and the other with a long dagger, with a gold handle and inlaid with countless treasures. Although it was made in the shape of a knife, it was called the "Holy Sword" by the Caliph , it is often said that one holds the scriptures and the other holds the sword to preach, which comes from this.
In an instant, the dark crowd in the entire square held their breath, there was no sound, and needles could be heard.
The attendant placed the sacred fire ring in the center of the altar. Bath first pressed the scriptures and recited the holy commandment. Everyone in the square knelt down, Bath's voice was cadenced, and Artest slowly raised his head, looking at the altar with his bloodstained face .
"I think..." Hong Jun spoke softly in the silence.
Lashan turned her head suddenly and looked at Hongjun.
Hong Jun flicked the knife in his right hand, and made a knife, and said in a low voice: "No matter who is ruling this land..."
At the same time, Barth held the holy sword in his hand, raised it towards the divine fire ring, and revealed the big sun golden wheel on his wrist that reflected the sunlight. In front of the altar and under the altar, the atmosphere was extremely tense—
"All beings are equal." Hong Jun closed his eyes and said, "The only hope is that there will be no more killings and no more sorrow."
Bath yelled, and the holy sword slashed down, and immediately after, Hong Jun held the Mo Dao and swung it coolly!
In an instant, the saber energy flew out, taking an extremely tricky angle, first cut off the stone pillar behind Artest, and then cut off its chains together, and the next moment it whizzed past the altar and shot at Bath. At the moment when the chain was broken, Bath sensed the danger and fear as if at a critical moment, and instinctively blocked it.
The Zhanxian Mo knife collided with the holy sword, and the clanging sound was like shaking the sky.
The saber energy was actually blocked!
This is the highest magic weapon competition in the history of China and the Western Regions. The Flying Sword of Immortals is said to be from Lu Yadaojun, the god of Sanxian when he was named a god. The word "Immortals" is enough to show his sturdiness. Since the magic weapon, he has been victorious in countless battles without a single defeat. He originally planned to cut off one arm of Ba Si with saber energy and take away the Great Sun Golden Wheel, but today he was blocked by the holy sword, and he instantly knew what the enemy had. A super weapon!
"Save people!" Li Jinglong stopped shouting, and rushed to the altar at the same time as Qiu Yongsi!
Artest staggered and fell to his knees, and there was a sudden chaos in the arena. Hong Jun took the Mo Dao away and flew down. Immediately afterwards, arrows rained down, and all the guards in black under the altar fired arrows at the altar with their crossbows at the same time!
With a loud shout, Hong Jun shook off the five-color divine light to block the sharp arrows coming from the siege. Yuzhou handed Chen Feng to Lashan and said, "I leave it to you, take him away!" Then he also flew down.
For a moment, the altar became the target of everyone's criticism, and the clusters of black arrows shot towards Zoroaster like a torrential rain, and the impact made Hongjun retreat.
Lashan gave an order, and the ambush soldiers came out, and they kept beheading the crossbowmen.
"I haven't got the golden wheel yet!" Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi rushed up to the altar, supported Artest from left to right, and shouted, "Yuzhou takes him first!"
Artest had been bound for a long time, his legs were weak, and he knelt down in front of the altar, stretched out his bloody, welt-scarred right hand, and groped on the altar to grab the fire ring.
"It's too late!" Qiu Yongsi shouted, "He's going to use a spell!"
Bath staggered to his feet and shouted angrily. The two sides did not understand each other, but Yi Hongjun guessed that Bath must have been extremely angry. Immediately afterwards, Bath flew into the air, raised his left hand, and quickly turned the pages of the scriptures. He held the holy sword in his right hand, and the holy sword burst into thousands of bright lights, rising to the top of the sky.
In an instant, God's wrath covered the sky where Taluosi City was located. Two hundred thousand people fled in panic, staggered to their knees, and cried loudly to beg God's forgiveness.
Hong Jun said loudly: "I can't get the golden ring! The holy sword is not something you can resist! Go!"
However, thunder burst out around Bath, threatening to kill them all. With a flick of his right hand, the holy sword instantly transformed into thousands of sharp blades in the air, covering the entire city of Taluosi! The next moment, countless separated holy swords flickered and fell towards the earth like meteors.
Hong Jun yelled, and pushed his hands obliquely. In an instant, the five-color divine light spread from covering the altar to the entire city of Taluosi. However, the moment the Holy Sword fell and hit the Demon Subduing Pestle, there was a backlash from the force, causing Qiu Yongsi to retreat and vomit blood!
Li Jinglong shook his hand, opened the bow, and the heart lamp radiated light, followed by a string of arrows, and shot towards the sky, but the white flames bursting out from the heart lamp arrow fell when they encountered the holy sword, and they were broken one by one!