This year's winter was earlier than in previous years. The cold wind came from the north, and a chilling atmosphere shrouded the Central Plains. A heavy snow fell one after another, covering the vast wilderness, turning the sky and the earth into a snow-capped world.

On the gloomy sky, several eagle calls came from high in the sky, and four divine eagles soared, overlooking the vast snow-covered land.

"Da da!"

At this moment, waves of uniform horseshoes hit the ice and snow ground, pressing over like thunder.

On both sides of the official road in Xiangcheng County, people who were rushing to cut firewood for the winter looked around. Against the backdrop of the white snow, they saw a large flag moving northward. The bright flag condensed in the air like blood flowers looked so bright in the ice and snow.

Gorgeous. Everyone took a breath and was stunned.

After the banners, at least ten thousand black-armored knights pressed forward fiercely. For a moment, swords and spears blocked the sun, shining brightly, and the banners were like clouds, rolling all over the sky. It was really murderous.

Although this elite cavalry is just marching normally and has no ill intentions towards the people, the evil aura it exudes is even more terrifying. This is a kind of aura that will last a hundred battles and lick blood with the blade of the sword. The bloodthirsty and tough aura is more powerful than the common people.

I have seen Wang Shichong and Zhu Can's army countless times stronger.

Where did this powerful army come from? It has such terrifying momentum?

Among the many woodcutters who stood silently and saluted the army, Taoist Qihui was definitely the most inconspicuous one. He had ordinary facial features and a short stature. He was less than five feet tall and had a thin body. At first glance, he looked very ordinary.

It's hard for people to think that such a person could be the master of Louguan Taoism, because he doesn't even have the slightest trace of the splendor of a peerless master.

Louguan Taoism is one of the Taoist sects. In the Wei, Zhou, and Sui dynasties, it was revered and revered by the royal family. Since ancient times, Taoists have had a tradition of "watching the stars at night". Louguan Taoism is knotted with grass as a building, and people can watch the stars and watch the energy.

, hence the name Lou Guan. With the support of the rulers of the Northern Wei Dynasty, it officially became a large number of followers and had a certain influence on the government and the public. Guan Lou Dao developed in the Zhou Dynasty and flourished in the Sui Dynasty. Yin Xi was respected as the founder.

The foundation of Chang Xuan's philosophy is "Tao follows nature" and "Quietness and inaction".

Qi Hui became a Buddhist monk during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty. In the third year of the Emperor Kaihuang's reign in the Sui Dynasty, he studied under Master Su Daobiao of Louguan Taoism. He later inherited the position and became the master of Louguan Taoism. At that time, Buddhism was unparalleled in power. In order to balance its power, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty strongly supported the imperial family.

The close relationship with Louguan Taoism led to the prosperity of Louguan Taoism in Guanzhong. As the host, Qihui became famous in Guanzhong. He was the guest of Guanlong dignitaries, and he must be called "immortal chief" in his words.

In the seventh year of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Wu personally conquered Liaodong. Qi Hui predicted that "the way of heaven will change" and told his disciples that "there will be descendants of the old gentleman to rule the world" and "from now on my religion will flourish." In the next few years, the world of the Sui Dynasty was indeed full of chaos.

When Li Yuan raised his troops in Jinyang and directed his troops towards Guanzhong, Li Xiuning stationed his troops in Yishou Palace, and Qi Hui watched all the corridors to provide food and grass for the "women's army"; later Li Yuan's troops arrived at Pujin Pass, and Qi Hui said happily: "This is the true king.

"When we come, we will surely pacify all directions." At the same time, more than 80 Taoist priests from Guanzhong came to the front of the pass to receive them, and they were awarded the title of Zijin Guanglu. Before the Tang army attacked Chang'an, the capital of Sui Dynasty, Li Yuan, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, specially sent an envoy to set up a memorial ceremony at Yilou Temple to pray for blessings.

Riguo defeated Chang'an.

After that, Qi Hui often entered the palace according to imperial edicts, presided over fasting ceremonies, and prayed for the country. He was highly respected by Li and Tang Dynasty. Louguan Taoism was very popular for a while. On the one hand, Li Yuan needed to use "I come from my ancestors and from Laozi"; on the other hand, it was also

Qi Hui has the merits of "receiving the Holy King" and "being successful in fasting and drinking".

However, times are fickle. Within a few years of Li Tang taking over Guanzhong, he was beaten up by the Sui Dynasty. Li Yuan, the 'descendant of the old gentleman', retreated to Xiangyang in disgrace. As a staunch supporter of Li Tang, Lou Guanwang

All the dignitaries in Guanlong were liquidated by the Great Sui Dynasty. All the Taoist temples on Louguan Road in the Great Sui Dynasty suffered bad luck. Their land, forests, Taoist temples, shops, money, food and other properties were all confiscated. It can be said that it was a loss.

It was so tragic that ordinary Taoist priests were so frightened that they voluntarily returned to secular life without being forced by the court. They received land from the court and became ordinary people leisurely. As for the key members, they were either executed or went to the border to build the Great Wall.

Although it is still the state religion of the Li and Tang Empire, Li Tang only has such a small territory, and Bashu is the place with the most Taoist sects. In the early days, Louguan Taoism was mainly developed in Guanzhong, Central Plains, Hedong, Hebei and other places. In Bashu, it became

An outsider, and because he is a sect recognized by the royal family, has become a prominent figure. He has been ostracized by various sects. His reputation is far less than it was before, and even survival is quite difficult.

Qihui's move to choose Li and abandon Sui became the source of the sect's weakness. He was criticized by the higher-ups in the sect and his presiding position was in jeopardy. This made him feel quite uncomfortable and frustrated. After all, his original choice was supported by everyone, but now

It is undoubtedly quite unfair for him to shoulder all the responsibilities alone.

But human nature has always been like this. When you help others to achieve glory, others take it for granted; but when you bring others into trouble, you will become a public enemy and the culprit who ruins people's financial paths. This

Regarding the concept of human nature, even Taoist priests are no exception.

Qi Hui is a very shrewd person. He is not only proficient in Taoism and politics, but also a master of swordsmanship. He has had his own glory. When Li Tang and Xue Ju fought, he participated in the battle as a guest. Unfortunately, it turned out that

On an upright battlefield where there is chaos and chaos, swordsmanship is very useful. Horse fighting and foot fighting are completely different things. Battlefield fighting skills are also completely different from fighting in rivers and lakes. At that time, he even used swordsmanship to fool Yu Juluo, a fierce general of the Sui Dynasty.

But on horseback, or in a life-and-death battle, his swordsmanship was completely useless.

As an ambitious person who had enjoyed glory, Qihui was naturally not willing to die with the grass and be forgotten, so when Li Yuan summoned him, he agreed to the request to assassinate Yang Tong without hesitation, even though he knew that the assassination of the emperor would kill him.

Driving is a road of no return, but he must stab a sword for himself and Louguan Dao before he grows old.

At this moment, if a warrior who is proficient in swordsmanship observes carefully, he will find that Qihui, who seems to be very casual, is actually ready to go. His eyes saluting towards the marching team are very focused, giving the impression that he is on a pilgrimage.

Generally speaking, for Qihui, such concentration is also a kind of practice, which can keep him in peak condition, because what he is about to face is the emperor among thousands of armies. He only has one chance, and he must gather all his energy to

This sword.

Even if Li Yuan said that he was just an assistant and that the real killer was someone else, apart from the Lord of Louguan Dao, he was still a dignified swordsman. From the moment he took over this task, Qihui did not place his hopes on anyone else.

On his body, he wanted his sword to become an eternal sound and a sword that broke the pattern of the world.

Qihui didn't resent having himself reduced to an assassin, because Jing Ke's assassination of Qin was famous for generations and his reputation would be passed down for thousands of years, so today he wanted to imitate Jing Ke.

Li Yuan had made careful arrangements for today's situation, and even made precise calculations about the time, location, and even the guards around Yang Tong who would inevitably appear today. However, these had nothing to do with Qihui. All he needed was to determine the target and then complete the mission.

For today's earth-shattering sword that changed the world, he had prepared for more than two months to adjust his condition to the peak of his heyday.

Amidst the rumbling sound, the Sui army marched northward like a red tide, with horses' hooves trampling on the ground and splashing many snowflakes.

The target location was getting closer and closer. Even though Qihui tried not to think wildly, as the target gradually approached, some distracting thoughts inevitably emerged.

Not only has he passed his golden age, but he has also lived in comfort for many years. He cannot remain at his peak forever. Now he may no longer deserve the title of a master of swordsmanship.

Such thoughts kept running through Qi Hui's mind. It was not until he saw his target that all kinds of distracting thoughts were quickly cleared. He was ready to stab the most brilliant sword in his life.

**********

Generally speaking, Yang Tong would handle official duties on the carriage. At lunch time, he would eat with Princess Yang Qinfang of Lujiang and Concubine Hui Xiao Yuexian. The marching food was not good, but he would talk about military affairs and chat with his family while eating.

With some daily routines and chatting, the trip was not boring.

Xiao Yuexian was in a low mood during this period, was lethargic and very sleepy. After the military doctor diagnosed her, she learned that she was pregnant. After the diagnosis, Xiao Yuexian's face was filled with tears of joy, and she hugged her tightly regardless of the presence of outsiders.

Looking at her husband, she cried with joy.

In the eyes of the ancients, no matter how noble a woman's birth is, she is only as valuable as her mother. If she has no heirs, she will be lonely and helpless in old age. If she cannot continue her bloodline and inherit her incense, in more serious cases, even her ancestral graves will be lost after her death.

Not allowed! Xiao Yuexian's biggest wish is to have an heir, so that her name as Concubine Hui is justified. Now she is fine, the gloom in the sky has disappeared, her life is full of hope, and her heart is completely settled.

In order to take care of the newly pregnant Xiao Yuexian, the marching speed was also much slower. However, it was still very early before the Spring Festival, so Yang Tong was not in a hurry.

When he got off the carriage, he suddenly felt his hair standing on end. This feeling of being stared at by a wild beast was no stranger to Yang Tong. He didn't even have time to think about it, so he almost instinctively grabbed half of the car door and closed it.

"Pfft~"

The moment he closed the car door, an arrow whizzed into the nanmu door. The exposed arrow flashed green, clearly a poisonous arrow.

"There's an assassin!"

Yang Tong reacted very quickly. He shouted, and already drew out the Chaolu sword from his waist, and kicked Yin Mingyue aside as he walked in front of him. However, he heard the sound of the second arrow tearing through the sky. Without thinking, he

, stretched out his arm and waved his sword, cutting the flying arrow into two.

What happened at this moment was only between the rising of the rabbit and the falling of the falcon, and Yin Mingyue realized it. If it hadn't been for Yang Tong's kick, she would have become a dead soul under the second arrow.

No one would have thought that someone would assassinate Yang Tong in the army. Even Yang Tong himself did not believe it. Although he was not frightened, when he saw that the Shura Guards had reacted, he looked around vigilantly.

Almost at the same time, the snow beside the official road suddenly opened up. More than 20 people all dressed in white armed with long swords attacked the carriage where Yang Tong was sitting. The sharp swords carried cold murderous lightning.

Arrive

Yang Tong did not move, but looked coldly at the assassin who was quickly approaching him.

"Pfft!"

A crossbow arrow pierced the assassin's throat. The sprinting assassin fell straight and silently to the ground less than three feet away in front of Yang Tong. His limbs twitched a few times and made no sound.

"Puff puff puff~"

Amidst the sound of crossbow arrows exploding, blood flowers bloomed on the snow one after another. Under the powerful crossbows of the Shura Guards, no assassin could get within three feet of Yang Tong. In just an instant, more than twenty assassins fell down.

There is a short arrow stuck in each of the body's vital points.

Yin Mingyue put down the crossbow in her hand, pulled out a dagger from her body, bowed and said: "The last general neglected his duty and frightened the Holy One. He deserves death!"

After saying that, he stabbed the dagger into his heart, decisively and without any hesitation.

"Ding!"

With a clear sound, Yin Mingyue's dagger was knocked away by Yang Tong. Yin Mingyue did not raise her head, but she did not seek death again.

"Stupid woman!" Yang Tong never hit women, but now he couldn't help but slapped Yin Mingyue's pretty face as white as jade. He almost made this stupid woman angry to death. If he had been slower,

So little by little, she almost killed herself.

In fact, Yang Tong knew that the Shura Guards and the Xuanjia Army could not be blamed. They marched normally in the state of long snakes. The middle was the weakest link. When the rest time command was sounded, it was a relatively relaxed time. The assassin suddenly crossed the official road. Everyone

Everyone felt caught off guard.

"The matter is not over yet, let's go!" Yang Tong stared forward and saw a white figure, taking advantage of the gap between the Shura Guards to kill more than twenty assassins, breaking through the blockade and heading towards him like an arrow from a string.

Yin Mingyue looked at the charging Qihui, her beautiful eyes became extremely cold, and with a wave of her hand, two short arrows were already shot at the opponent's vital points.

Qihui, who had been sneaking evenly closer, suddenly accelerated at this moment. The speed of his body was so fast that Yin Mingyue was overwhelmed. At the same time that she shot two short arrows out of the chamber, Qihui was already approaching, and she didn't know what was in her empty hands.

A short sword appeared at that time, reflecting the cold air of the moon under the snowy light, and stabbed Yang Tong without hesitation.

"Puff~"

The two short arrows penetrated deeply into Qihui's body, but did not hit the vital point. Yin Mingyue pulled out the Tianyi Sword and stabbed Qihui's chest with his backhand, but Qihui's Zhijian mysteriously bypassed Yin.

The bright moon pierced Yang Tong's throat.
To be continued...