Chapter 242: The Return of the Undead

At the entrance of the city gate, Zhou Yinzhi gradually stopped bleeding and collapsed in the path. Amidst the rising yellow soil smoke, a bloody prelude began faintly.

Yan Lin waved his hand and the army entered the city.

Jiang Xuening walked from the outside of the city gate to the inside, and those familiar streets appeared in front of her once again. From the past life to the present life, they still vaguely looked the same. Just there isn't an open shop, either the doors are tightly closed, or it's in a state of disrepair. Where else can there be the grandeur of the bustling capital of the past?

A long time ago, it was on this long street that Yan Lin was full of energy and led her to gallop past the lantern festival; You Fangyin was clumsy and wanted to see a wallet, but she knocked over someone else's stall; When Shen Zhiyi went to Tatar for a wedding, the seemingly joyful but actually sorrowful procession also meandered through the city; Xie Ju'an is still hiding his time, walking from his mansion to the Youhuang Pavilion to find Lv Xian for a string and a few good pieces of wood

Everything starts here and will eventually end here.

She thought she had killed Zhou Yinzhi and avenged him, so she should be very happy.

But it doesn't seem like so.

Standing on this long street, watching the soldiers advancing one by one, Jiang Xuening felt a sense of emptiness in her heart, as if she suddenly didn't know what she was going to do next and where to go.

Xie Wei stood by her side, watching with her, but didn't say a word.

Jiang Xuening suddenly asked him, "What about you?"

Xie Wei looked back and said, "What?"

Jiang Xuening said, "What are you going to do after avenging yourself?"

Xie Wei looked at her for a long time without answering.

After more than 20 years of heavy obsession and blood feuds overturning his background, would he feel relieved if he were to be avenged once and for all?

Or perhaps, just like her sudden feeling

Jiang Xuening is difficult to speculate on.

The fallen leaves of late autumn were swept by the wind and covered the corners of the long street. The sound of marching footsteps extended all the way to the end of the street. The sentry who was scouting for information was riding a fast horse, while Lv Xian frowned and was talking to Yan Lin. On the other end of the long street, a young monk dressed in blue quickly ran over, but was stopped by soldiers along the way. He struggled to explain something until he suddenly saw Xie Wei on the other end, so he pointed out and his eyes lit up

Xie Wei suddenly fell into a daze.

"Let him come over," he said to Dao Qin beside him

Dao Qin walked over according to his words, instructed the soldiers over there, and walked over with the little monk.

Jiang Xuening looked curiously.

The little monk clearly had some fear towards Xie Wei, but when he arrived in front of him, he politely bowed his head before saying, "A few days ago, there was a benefactor named Meng who was covered in blood. After the abbot asked, he said he wanted to inform Xie. I heard that the Xinzhou army had already entered the city, so I came to report it to you."

Xie Wei knew who he was talking about and lowered his eyes slightly, saying, "Thank you."

Jiang Xuening looked at the monk but was very confused.

Xie Wei suddenly turned to her and asked, "Have you ever been to the White Pagoda Temple?"

Jiang Xuening's heart trembled sharply.

She has heard of the name Bai Ta Temple, but has never been there before.

The words were stuck in my throat, unable to be spoken.

Xie Wei took her hand and smiled, saying, "There is an old friend you also know over there. I have to go there. How about you go with me?"

Jiang Xuening was unable to say a refusal.

Xie Wei pulled her onto the horse, directly wrapped her in his arms, rode away, crossed several streets, and soon saw a tall white tower from a distance.

The desolate city was desolate and desolate.

The ground was originally covered with fallen leaves and no one cleaned it up. In the neighborhood, no ordinary people can be seen, even if some people have not left the city, they still close their doors tightly to avoid trouble.

However, the road ahead was surprisingly clean.

On the old slate moss, there are fresh marks left by brooms, and not a single leaf has fallen. At the end is an ancient and remote temple, where maple leaves have already turned red. In this late autumn season, there is a hint of cloud like brilliance.

Xie Wei restrained his horse here.

He handed Jiang Xuening his hand again and helped her dismount.

In front of the temple gate, a young monk brought out a water basin and sprinkled water on the freshly swept ground. He seemed to have no idea that someone would come to worship the Buddha at this moment, and when he first saw them, his eyes still showed a hint of strangeness.

However, when he saw Xie Wei, he instantly widened his eyes.

Xie Wei knew that he recognized him, but he didn't waste his time. He only asked, "Where is Abbot Forgetting Dust?"

The little monk stuttered as he spoke. After standing for a while, he quickly placed the basin in his hand in the corner of the wall and said, "The abbot is meditating in the meditation room. I'll go preach now!"

After speaking, he ran quickly inside.

Xie Wei didn't care about him either, just walked into the temple with Jiang Xuening.

There are many Bodhi trees planted under the wall.

The abbot's meditation room is still behind, a simple and ordinary small one.

When she reached the front, Xie Wei said to her, "Wait for me here for a moment."

Jiang Xuening nodded.

Xie Wei walked straight inside, his figure blocked by the door leaf in the blink of an eye. Inside the window of the meditation room covered in yellowed window paper, a Buddhist chant came, followed by a gentle conversation.

As is well known, although Xie Wei was in the court, he could not only read Taoist scriptures but also understand Buddhism, so he could not only make good friends with scholars, but also be on par with the earlier National Teacher Yuanji Monk.

But this is still the first time she has ever seen him really intersect with the temple.

The benefactor surnamed Meng, she still knows

Is it Meng Yang?

Jiang Xuening thought about it and realized that she didn't seem very curious about it. She only looked up around and saw the stone pavilion not far ahead.

At that moment, she clearly did not see the name of the stone pavilion, but there was a strange sensation that made her heart suddenly beat, so she lifted her step and walked towards it.

As you get closer, you can see clearly.

It is indeed Chaoyin Pavilion.

The seven steps raised the stone pavilion, inside which was an old wooden table. A incense burner was placed on the table, as if it had only been burned in the morning. Although there were no cigarette curls at this moment, the faint scent of agarwood could be faintly smelled from the void.

Next to this stone pavilion is a vast forest of steles.

Each piece is six feet high and one foot wide.

It is engraved with one name after another.

Later on, some people didn't even have a name.

It can be seen that they have been standing here for a long time, with traces of wind and rain erosion on the edges of each piece, even covered in dust and ash.

Jiang Xuening slowly walked inside to see that Zhao Qian, Sun Li, had any surname; Some have names and surnames, complete and tidy; Some seem to have not yet gained a name, only a nickname engraved on the monument; There are also many unnamed ones at the back

Three hundred righteous children's graves.

She had never seen it in her past life, because it seemed to have nothing to do with her after all. If it hadn't been for hearing You Fangyin mention it later during the house arrest in Kunning Palace, she might not have known that the ultimate ups and downs of her past life fate were actually related to this bloody old event more than twenty years ago.

I finally saw it today.

She didn't look fast, stopping for a moment every time she saw a name, as if she wanted them to leave a few traces in her memory.

However, as she reached the southeast corner, Jiang Xuening suddenly stopped for a long time and did not continue forward.

In front of me is also a stone tablet.

But it is particularly different from those around it.

On the nearby stone tablet, either there is a clear surname engraved or there is no character left. On this piece, it was originally engraved with a surname, but it seems that it was not finished yet. It was forcibly cut off by someone, leaving only a few mottled indentations and a few messy inscriptions on it.

A voice suddenly sounded from behind her, "This is me."

Jiang Xuening turned around.

===Kunning Section 298===

Xie Wei had already come out of the meditation room at some point. In the distance, by the steps under the Chaoyin Pavilion, stood an old monk with a pale faced Meng Yang standing beside him, but he only watched and did not walk over.

At the first moment, Jiang Xuening did not understand Xie Wei's meaning.

But he came to her side.

The dust accumulated on the dark stone tablet was gently brushed away by him.

Xie Wei looked at her and smiled, saying, "Originally, names were supposed to be engraved here, but she refused to believe it no matter what. The pile of snowmelt bones and mud was mine. When the craftsman carved the name on it, she took the carving knife and destroyed it. Then she told others that her child might not necessarily die, even if she had already suffered misfortune and wanted to be buried in the ground, she didn't want to have the surname Xiao anymore."

It was clearly said with a smile.

Jiang Xuening listened, but for some reason, her eyes were hot and she felt a slight choking in her throat.

Xie Wei said quietly, "I was someone who should have died more than twenty years ago."

Jiang Xuening reached out to grab his hand and shook his head at him, "No, you're not."

Her palms were sweating and even trembling.

Xie Wei smiled and said, "What are you afraid of?"

Jiang Xuening couldn't tell him, she just said, "Anyway, she wants you to live."

Xie Wei's Adam's apple surged slightly, and he remained silent for a long time. His fingers hanging on his side clenched tightly, but in the end, he didn't respond to her words. He just said, "Don't come here alone from now on. It's time to go."

He pulled her out.

As he passed under the Chaoyin Pavilion, Meng Yang glanced at them, and the Forgotten Dust Abbot chanted the Buddha's name to them: "Amitabha Buddha, all Dharma forms are empty!"

Jiang Xuening has no wisdom and cannot understand.

Xie Wei did not respond.

He led Jiang Xuening out of the White Pagoda Temple, with Yan Lin leading the dark soldiers waiting outside. Lv Xian stood below the steps and saw them coming out. He glanced at Jiang Xuening first before walking forward.

Thank you for stopping.

He came up and whispered a word to him.

Xie Wei seemed indifferent and said, "Let her come, there's no need to stop her."

Lv Xian stared at him for a long time and asked, "Do you really want to win?"

Xie Wei said, "I think so."

Lv Xian then said, "But if what you want changes, your win is a loss for others."

Xie Wei said calmly, "I won't lose."

He didn't speak to Lv Xian again.

During the time he entered the White Pagoda Temple, Yan Lin and others had already led their troops to investigate the situation in the city. After the rebels of the Tianjiao sect entered the city, they clearly encountered a long planned ambush. Blood flowed everywhere in the southern city of the western city, spreading all the way down Chang'an Street to the Forbidden City.

On the roadside, some were from the Heavenly Church and some were from the imperial court.

There are even those who have been injured but haven't stopped breathing.

As the Xinzhou army passed by the bloodstained road, they cried and begged, "Help us, help us..."

Most people have feelings of concern when they see it.

However, Xie Wei's gaze swept over them, only evoking memories of the past without much pause. Along the way, with Yan Lin and others, they headed straight towards the overly quiet Forbidden City ahead.

The palace gate has long been conquered by the Heavenly Sect.

Corpses that have not yet been cleaned up can be seen everywhere.

The originally golden Tai Chi Hall has now been covered with a layer of blood red.

Wan Xiuzi looked around and couldn't believe it.

Surprisingly, there were only a few thousand remaining soldiers following him, each with red eyes and injuries on their bodies. Even above his own waist and abdomen was a feather arrow that had not been removed, only the body of the arrow was broken off, and the arrow remained inside his body, but he dared not remove it for the time being.

The situation before the main hall was not much better.

Thousands of elite soldiers lined up in front of the main hall, guarding the emperor in the middle. Just Shen Lang's disheveled and barefoot appearance, where does he still look like the former ruler of a country?

He laughed nervously.

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, those who did not surrender to the enemy, those who did not flee, and those who were loyal to the emperor, are now trembling and limping in the main hall, looking with lingering fear at the Tianjiao Rebellion that has already been forced to confront them in front of the hall.

Prince Shen Jie of Linzi, Duke of Dingguo Xiao Yuan, Minister of Justice Gu Chunfang, Minister of Revenue Jiang Boyou, and even Xiao Dingfei were among them

Just didn't see Zhang Zhe.

Xiao Shu, who was already the supreme consort of the imperial consort, stood in the corner and looked at Shen Lang, who was laughing. She felt cold all over her body and a gloomy heart.

If we only talk about mental skills, Shen Lang is undoubtedly a qualified emperor.

He deliberately drew troops from the city gate and instead had people ambush at the narrow entrance of the market. When the Heavenly Sect thought he had won, he gave them a head-on blow, truly catching them off guard.

All the way, they fought hard and surprisingly won one by one!

Although he has been beaten to the palace now, he shows no signs of panic and even an indescribable pleasure, which only makes people doubt whether this emperor still has any other trump cards in his hand?

Wan Xiuzi looked at him with a gloomy gaze, feeling a bit uncertain for a moment.

No matter what happens behind, the dragon chair is placed high in the Tai Chi Hall.

More than twenty years ago, he was only one step away from this position; Unfortunately, the Prince of Pingnan was entangled in royal enmity and insisted on exterminating the Shen family's bloodline, resulting in being killed by reinforcements and ultimately failing!

More than twenty years later, he once again stood under this dragon chair!

In front of the Tai Chi Hall, the sunlight was blazing brightly, and tens of thousands of people on both sides were facing each other. However, in the formation, only the sound of wind and hunting passed by, and no one dared to make any sound.

So at this moment, the sound in the distance became clear.

At that time, the sound of many people's neat and uniform footsteps fell one by one on the solid ground paved with stone slabs in the palace, gradually getting closer, as if every sound was stepping on a person's heart, beating around the beat of their heart!

There was a stir on both sides of the Heavenly Sect and the court.

Shen Lang and Wan Xiuzi both looked towards the direction of the palace gate.

When they saw the raised Xinzhou military flag from afar, the remaining soldiers on the Tianjiao side only felt a burst of panic, while a small portion of the officials on the court side almost immediately cheered up, even with a hint of tears of joy!

"It's the Xinzhou Army of General Xie and Prince Yan!"

"They have finally arrived!"

"Master of the Diligent King, the heavens help our court. The thieves of the Heavenly Sect will surely be confessed here today!"

However, in contrast, Shen Lang's face suddenly turned pale.

Wan Xiuzi seemed more like he had heard a big joke, pointing his fingers at these foolish pustules and laughing loudly, "Help, you guys are still here as reinforcements! Hahaha..."

Xie Wei, dressed in a snow-white Taoist robe that was not stained with dust, slowly approached in the rapidly blowing wind.

Almost everyone's gaze was directed towards him.

Jiang Xuening was beside him, watching the scene of the brutal confrontation in front of him, only feeling that the whole world turned white, giving rise to a strange sense of dizziness.

The overwhelming force of the army was like a tide, forming an array in front of the Tai Chi Hall, almost surrounding everyone.

The people in the court heard Wan Xiuzi's laughter and a commotion erupted.

Wan Xiuzi only thought that he was already pitiful and pitiful, but never thought that there were people in the world who were even more pitiful and pitiful than him. He laughed even more wildly and raised his hand to point to Xie Wei, shouting loudly, "I have been an official in the court for seven or eight years! It's right under your nose! You didn't recognize him! This is not the Crown Prince and Young Master who has devoted all his life to your court. This is clearly a devil who demands your life and repays your blood debts at any time!"

Xiao Dingfei hid in the crowd, sighed lightly, and thought to himself: The days of deceiving others into eating and drinking are coming to an end

Xie Wei walked up the steps without speaking.

Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan looked at him and then at Wan Xiuzi. Suddenly, something came to his mind, and an indescribable fear spread in his heart!

Immediately afterwards, that ominous premonition came true.

Amidst the anxious gaze of everyone, Wan Xiu's voice, which was filled with immense malice and even a hint of pride, sounded in front of the spacious Tai Chi Hall, but carried an eerie aura: "Over twenty years ago, at that time and here, he was not called Xie Ju'an, but rather - Xiao Dingfei!"

Many people from all over the country suddenly heard a buzzing sound in their heads.

Xie Wei just stood still and looked at the crowd with an unusually calm demeanor, calmly saying, "It seems like I came a bit late with all this excitement."