I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

Chapter 197 If you don’t catch me, I still want to leave?
When Huang Zifeng saw that Xie Yuan had been surrounded by the horse bandits, he immediately closed his eyes and showed a look of pain.

However, he was the leader of the team and was very decisive. He immediately said:
"Let's go! Let's go first!"

The other three opened their eyes wide, and Lin Zhen said in a trembling voice:

"But Junior Brother Zhang..."

"Let's go! It's too late, let's leave first. Did you forget what we said before we set off?"

Huang Zifeng's voice became stern. The other three were shocked and had to force themselves not to look back and run away.

The horse bandits were stopped for a while and kept some distance, but they quickly divided into several teams to pursue them.

The four of them ran for a long time, and seeing that the distance was getting closer and closer, while they were thinking of a solution, Pei Yu took out a round black ball from his chest and threw it behind him.

There was a loud bang, like thunder exploding in their ears, and several Sword Sect disciples trembled.

Looking back, they saw a huge ball of fire exploding behind them and black smoke rising. The first few horse bandits were left with only their bodies lying on the ground, and the rest were frightened and reined in their horses.

More importantly, the horses and camels were frightened by the loud explosion. They lost control and started running around, and were quickly left behind by the four people.

Huang Zifeng was surprised:

"This is……"

"This is the top-grade thunderbolt from Jiangnan Lei Zhen Tang. I still have one left. If they catch up with us again, I can use it again."

Pei Yu patted his chest, causing the other three people's eyelids to jump, and they subconsciously distanced themselves.

Jiangnan Lei Zhen Tang is a sect that specializes in making all kinds of explosive hidden weapons, and Thunderbolt is their signature weapon. This thing can kill warriors, and ordinary people can also use it. It has always been sold at a sky-high price, and only people with Pei Yu's wealth can carry it with them.

Lin Zhen bit her red lips and said hesitantly:

"Why didn't you just..."

"It was too sudden just now. I wanted to use it, but it was too late... I also gave one to Junior Brother Zhang, but I don't know if it can be used."

Pei Yu's face darkened. Although he didn't say a word to that silly junior brother, they were from the same sect. They came out together but didn't go back together, which made him feel heavy.

The other three were surprised to hear that Pei Yu had given Xie Yuan a hidden weapon for self-defense. They didn't expect that he was such a cold-faced but warm-hearted person.

It’s a pity that it didn’t seem to work in the end.

Several people ran madly for a long time and finally reached the top of the sand dune. They saw that the bandits behind them were not chasing them anymore and they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They were close to Hulukou now, so they thought they were safe. Suddenly, the four of them felt extremely tired, and they sat down on the sand, gasping for breath.

After a series of battles and running for so long, several of them were exhausted.

The four of them sat there in silence for a moment, and Lin Cheng suddenly said:

"I want to go back and save Junior Brother Zhang."

Huang Zifeng's face darkened slightly, and he shook his head slowly:
"I'm afraid Junior Brother Zhang has already..."

Although Zhang Shan said at the end that he would not die if he revealed his identity, that was only an ideal situation. The greater possibility was that he would have been chopped into pieces.

"No, he is right. The bandits may not kill him right away if they catch him."

Lin Cheng shook his head and said:
"I'm going to save him. I want to see him alive or dead."

Huang Zifeng frowned slightly:
"How can you save so many people?"

"Although there are thousands of people, I will go."

Lin Cheng's expression was firm.

Lin Zhen and Pei Yu struggled to stand up and nodded heavily.

Huang Zifeng poured cold water on him:

"Your determination is very strong, but determination cannot kill people. There are more than a hundred horse bandits on the opposite side of the Fengsha Group. Even if you all have the strength of the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, you have to think twice, not to mention a few external practitioners."

"Then...are you not going to save him?"

Lin Zhen asked in a trembling voice, and Pei Yu also looked unwilling.

"Of course we need to save him."

Huang Zifeng's voice was firm and his words were very direct:
“But I’m going by myself.

"The trial is over now. Go back and ask for help immediately. Otherwise, you will only hold me back."

The one who was holding back finally left.

Xie Yuan was surrounded by the horse bandits, raised his hands, and thought subconsciously.

Several leaders rode on their horses, looking down at him from above, and shouted:
"Run! Run! Can you outrun my horse?"

"Tell me your name and where you're from. How dare you cause trouble for our cavalry? I'm going to drag you behind a horse and expose you to the sun for three days and three nights!"

Xie Yuan tried hard to raise his head, but with a bang, a man jumped off his horse and stepped on his back.

Although he didn't feel any pain at all, he still groaned and said in a muffled voice:
"Report! My name is Zhang Shan!"

"Zhang San? I'm still Li Si!"

The man cursed fiercely and whipped Xie Yuan with a horsewhip:

"Behave yourself! Don't think I don't know your tricks. Where are you from?"

"My goodness, my real name is Zhang Shan, and I am a disciple of Yunshan Sword Sect."

Xie Yuan curled his lips secretly. This man spoke with an accent and couldn't distinguish between flat and retroflex tongue.

"Yunshan Sword Sect?"

The bandits around were startled, looked at each other, and snorted:

"You said you are who you are? I also said I am from Xuanzhen Sect!"

Although he said this, his tone was obviously softer.

The Yunshan Sword Sect is not far from the Western Desert, and disciples often come here to travel.

Although Lu Laosan is the bully of the Western Desert, occupying an oasis city and the surrounding water sources, and having thousands of bandits under his command, he never has a head-on conflict with the Yunshan Sword Sect, and dares not do anything openly to the disciples of the Sword Sect.

He looks rough and tough, but in fact he is very meticulous and good at judging the situation and seizing opportunities. Otherwise, he would not have risen from an ordinary horse bandit to where he is today.

Especially after the Autumnal Equinox Sword Contest between Yunshan Sword Sect and Cangjian Pavilion, Li Xingtuo has risen to the sixth place on the Flying Dragon Ranking, and his reputation has spread like thunder in the Western Regions. Lu Laosan has repeatedly told his men to stay away from the disciples of the Sword Sect. Otherwise, if they provoke the Sword Sect, several elders will come together, or Li Xingtuo will come in person, and no matter how many horse bandits he has, he will not be able to save his life.

Therefore, when these horse bandits heard Xie Yuan reveal his identity, they all frowned.

"Indeed, here is my sword, and my clothes."

Xie Yuan gestured, and the bandits took a look and untied his bag, and indeed saw a white robe.

"It really is!"

The bandit felt very troubled and said through gritted teeth:

"Can't you decent disciples keep your clothes on properly?"

"What if you run away?"

Xie Yuan laughed.

The vein on the leader's forehead jumped and he couldn't help but want to whip him again, but he finally resisted the urge.

Xie Yuan's eyes flashed. This guy is quite sensible.

But it was no use, he had already remembered that whip.

Several leaders gathered together and discussed for a while, but they didn't know what to do.

If they let him go, what would they say about the death of so many of their brothers? Should they just let it go?

But if he took it, what could he do? The chieftain strictly ordered not to provoke the disciples of the big sect, especially recently...

Although the leader was still furious, he was determined to let the man go. He said coldly:
"So what if you are a disciple of Yunshan Sword Sect? You can provoke our cavalry at will? No, you must give an explanation."

He seemed stern, but actually he gave an excuse.

"What's the provocation? Didn't your people try to rob us first?"

Xie Yuan said with a smile:
"Forget it, what do you want to explain?"

"Humph, I was going to take your life, but today I will let you go. As long as you pay me some money, I will let you go..."

"No! I don't have money, but I have my life!"

Xie Yuan shouted with his neck stiffened.

The leader's forehead jumped and he thought to himself, this guy might be a fool.

He said coldly:

"If you don't want to give it to me, I'll search for it myself, and when I find it, you... just get out!"

"You dare to search for the Sword Sect's disciples?"

Xie Yuan shouted angrily.

Veins bulged on the leader's forehead. If it were anyone else, he would have died a hundred times over if he had done this.

He resisted the urge to use the knife, and said with his eyes closed:
"Forget it, I'm in a good mood today, get out of here now and don't show up in front of me, or I will never let you go next time!"

"Next time? If you have the guts, do it now!"

Xie Yuan shouted.

The leader couldn't help himself anymore, his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot:
"Just get out of here if I tell you to. Why are you talking so much nonsense? F*ck!"

Xie Yuan saw the man on the other side withdraw his hand and looked at him warily, as if he wanted him to leave. He thought to himself:

"The Sword Sect's reputation is growing... No, it would be a waste of time! Do you want me to leave if you don't want to catch me?"

He brushed off the sand on his body, took the sword and bag politely handed over by the bandit, said thank you, and then stared at the leader coldly:

"Lu Laosan's group of horse bandits gathered in Fengshaji. Humph, I don't know what you are up to. I will report it to the division commander right away."

When these words were spoken, the ordinary bandits didn't notice anything yet, but several leaders' faces suddenly changed.

The leader forced a smile and said:

"What's there to say? We are just picking on Su Xing. It has nothing to do with your Sword Sect." "Who knows? I have to report it anyway and let all the masters and elders come and take a look."

The leaders looked at each other in bewilderment. The leader pinched his forehead and pointed at Xie Yuan with trembling fingers:

"Tie him up for me!"

The bandits surrounded Xie Yuan again and looked at him warily. As a result, Xie Yuan politely handed his sword and bag back to the bandits beside him, surrendered, and snorted coldly:

"Wouldn't it be right to do this earlier?"

"..."

"Damn it, I met a fool today!"

"If he can get into the Sword Sect, why can't I? If I had known earlier, I would have gone to Yunshan to learn martial arts instead of being a horse bandit!"

When several leaders saw Xie Yuan stiffening his neck, they all cursed in their hearts.

Xie Yuan was tied up with ropes by several horse bandits. All his weapons, including the small axe at his waist, were confiscated, and he no longer looked threatening.

The bandits all relaxed, threw Xie Yuan onto their horses' butts, and hurried back to Fengshaji.

Xie Yuan lay on his horse, facing the wind and sand, looking at the bandits, a cold light flashed quietly in his eyes.

He dared to do this, so he had the confidence.

Although he was tied up tightly, these horse bandits thought he was San Lian. They did not dare to be too harsh on him because of his sword sect. They just tied him up a few times until Si Lian could not struggle free.

Xie Yuan couldn't do anything with this method of tying him up, and he could break free at any time if he wanted to.

As for these enemies, it is true that the three leaders are all at the first level of Qi and Blood Transformation, and their strength is not weak.

After years of fighting in chaotic places like the Western Desert, those who are able to survive and become a leader are much stronger than ordinary warriors, and naturally they also have the skills and training methods bestowed by Lu Lao San.

However, compared with the disciples of the big sect, their hard power is still a point weaker. Xie Yuan used the Golden Bell Cover to at least withstand three of their palms without getting hurt, which was enough to break free from the ropes and gain the upper hand. At that time, whether he fought or used the combination of Tianyinshu and Yunlongbu to escape, these horse bandits would be unable to do anything to him.

Xie Yuan has always kept the name Lu Laosan in his heart.

No matter whether it was the feud between him and him, or the revenge of Mu Chaoyun being hunted down by him, he dared not forget them;

The deep blood feud of Longteng Escort Agency always made Xie Yuan feel anxious.

Although we can't do anything to him now, since we have noticed that he is going to do something big, we must take a look and get involved. We must not let him get his way easily.

Fengshaji is located on a strategic road, and it is impossible for Lu Laosan to occupy it all the time. He has been in charge of this place recently, and he must have some ulterior motive, and it happened recently.

Said that he was chasing after Su Xing? Xie Yuan didn't quite believe it. He felt that Lu Lao San was not such an impulsive person.

Anyway, he has changed his appearance and is confident. As long as Lu Laosan is not in Fengshaji, it doesn't hurt to find out a little before making any plans.

Xie Yuan followed the bandits back to Fengshaji. When he passed by the first shop in the Western Desert, he was lying on the back of a horse when he met the proprietress behind the counter.

The lady boss was obviously stunned and giggled:

"After all this fuss, you just caught a kid? He looks so honest, what's the point of catching him?"

The leader's face was gloomy. He didn't want to arrest him, but in the end he had to, and he couldn't tell anyone.

You can't say that this kid is courting death again and again, and is simply begging for him to catch him?
Especially when he returned to the market, he saw that the bodies of the bandits who had been killed before had been gathered together and piled up in a large area.

Seeing so many of his men dead or injured, the veins on the leader's forehead throbbed and he snorted angrily:
"Did you kill all these people?"

"I?"

Xie Yuan snorted:
"I only have three trainings, how can I kill so many people?"

The leader thought about it and agreed. He asked in a deep voice:
"Which one of you killed him? Tell me your name."

"So what if you've signed up? Do you still dare to attack Yunshan?"

Xie Yuan chuckled:
"Is there any need to ask? Whoever is the strongest will be the one to kill."

The horse thief leader instantly thought of Huang Zifeng and nodded secretly. His strength was indeed outstanding, which was in line with his imagination of the disciples of Yunshan Sword Sect.

But he also had a little doubt. Huang Zifeng spent most of the time fighting with him. How could he have the time to kill those ordinary bandits on both sides?
Could it be that he was hiding his strength and holding back to fight me? In fact, he was moving as fast as the wind?
His face was solemn and he didn't think about it too much. Even if he knew it, as this annoying guy said, could he reach Yunshan?
The leader really wanted to tear this guy's mouth apart... However, he just thought about it and couldn't really do it.

He resisted the urge to look at Xie Yuan, and turned to discuss what to do with the others.

Xie Yuan pricked up his ears and vaguely heard:
"…Return to camp…to report?"

"The commander-in-chief... is in the city... and can't come for the time being..."

"The main force... the camp..."

After listening to a few sentences, he gradually understood what was going on, and his eyes flashed:
"This is just an outpost guarding a strategic location. Their real camp is somewhere else!"

"That camp is occupied by most of Lu Lao San's men. Apart from the necessary forces to guard Oasis City, almost all of them are out!"

"Lu Laosan himself is in Oasis City, waiting for the camp to report the news."

"So, the bandits guarding the main roads outside are only trying to prevent passers-by and merchants from entering the 'camp' and 'persuading' them to change their routes. What is done in the 'camp' cannot be disturbed by others, because Lu Laosan's real purpose is hidden there..."

Xie Yuan's eyes lit up. These horse bandits thought that if they lowered their voices he wouldn't be able to hear them, but Xie Yuan was at the fourth level of health-preserving skills, with sharp ears and eyes, so he could still hear them even if they lowered their voices even more.

So that's what's going on. When Lu Laosan said he wanted to chase Su Xing, he was actually trying to divert attention and deceive others.

What's hiding in that camp?
Xie Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he showed great interest.

No matter what it is, as long as Lu Laosan wants to do it, he naturally cannot be allowed to do it.

Anyway, he is not in that camp. The guards there are at most those who have reached the second or third level of Qi and Blood. The Heavenly Hidden Technique is of infinite use to those below the Grandmaster level and is almost undetectable. As long as he is careful, he should be fine.

The next step is how to guide these bandits to lead me there...

While Xie Yuan was thinking, he heard the leaders say:
"If we leave this kid here, I'm afraid someone will come to rescue him, so we might as well take him away."

Well, it saves me the desire to act, and also avoids the risk of going too far and arousing suspicion.

Xie Yuan was thinking when suddenly his eyes went dark and he was put into a sack and placed on the horse's back.

“It’s really a mob.”

With Xie Yuan's eyesight, he could still vaguely see the scene outside through the sack, but it was a complete waste of effort.

Of course, the horse bandits had never been put into a sack themselves, or if they were put into one, they did not have the strength of Xie Yuan, so they just put themselves in a sack to deal with the matter.

The horses' hooves were pedaling, and this time the journey took a long time, lasting a whole day and night.

Xie Yuan was lying on the horse's buttocks and felt uncomfortable. If he hadn't been so strong, he would have vomited. He closed his eyes and rested for a long time. Finally, he felt the horse team climbed a sand dune, and then heard the whispers of the horse bandits:

"finally reached……"

He turned his head quietly, opened his eyes wide, gathered his internal energy, looked forward through the gap in the sack, and then held his breath.

Spectacular!

This was the first word that came to his mind.

Standing on the sand dune, what comes into view is a huge circular pit under the sand dune, with a radius of ten miles, like a miniature basin or a huge meteorite crater.

In the middle of the pit, there are broken walls and ruins everywhere, collapsed houses, and independent broken pillars, all of which bear the traces of countless years of wind and sand erosion. They look like antiques among antiques, and it is unknown how many years ago they were built.

These are the remains of an ancient city.

In the very middle of the ruins, there is the only relatively well-preserved building with magnificent stone walls and pillars, taller than all the surrounding broken walls. You can vaguely see how grand it was when it was intact, and it seems to be a temple.

Xie Yuan glanced at the giant pit, then turned his eyes and found that there were traces of horse bandits everywhere in and around the city ruins.

Some horse bandits lived directly in the ruins' houses or set up tents.

The tents are scattered from the top of the sand dune at the edge of the pit to the flat land below the dune, extending into the city.

At the top of the sand dunes, there is at least a tent at regular intervals, with a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps, making it difficult for even birds and animals to sneak in.

"What's the reason for such a scene?"

Xie Yuan pondered secretly.

The cavalry continued to move down, crossed the first defense circle on the sand dunes, walked into the plain under the sand dunes, and stopped at the tents on the periphery.

Then Xie Yuan was thrown down, into the tent, and the sack was taken off.

The leader warned fiercely:

"Behave yourself, I'll deal with you later."

Xie Yuan was in line with his character of preferring to break rather than bend. He snorted coldly, and then saw the leader give some instructions to the guard at the door of the tent and then leave.

He sat on the ground. Although he was wrapped in several layers of thick hemp rope, he seemed to be sitting leisurely, thinking to himself:

"According to what I saw on the mountain just now, this is only the second defense circle. Inside is the entrance to the city ruins, the third in the middle, and the fourth at the temple entrance. Is it true that the first transformation of Qi and Blood can only go here, and then there are the second and third transformations inside?"

This is both good news and bad news for him.

The good thing is that he is safer now, the ruins are still some distance away;

The downside was that he was thinking about going in to investigate, but now it seemed much riskier, as the place was full of horse bandits at the Qi and Blood Transformation stage. It was likely that 90% of the masters under Lu Laosan had come here.

Whatever happens, let’s get out first.

Xie Yuan's body shook, a golden light flashed, and the hemp rope began to break off bit by bit.

He stood up steadily, stretched out his arms and stretched his muscles for a moment, then rolled his eyes and shouted outside the tent:
"Someone come! Someone come! I'm thirsty!"

The guard outside the tent didn't want to pay attention to him, but when he saw him howling inside, he lifted the curtain and walked in impatiently:

“Drink, I’ll feed you a drink… huh?!”

In front of him, Xie Yuan was standing there with his hands behind his back, smiling, but the ropes on his body had fallen all over the floor.

"!"

Before the guard could react, his vision went dark and he fell to the ground.

Xie Yuan looked at him, with a faint light in his eyes, as if a black and white lotus was spinning in them.

Then he returned to normal, grinned, and quickly stripped the guard of his clothes.

After a while, the guard walked out of the tent as usual, looked around, tightened his belt, and walked to the tent next door with a swagger.

(End of this chapter)