My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 82 Drum

"Girl, we are sorry that we can't do anything..."

Mu Qingge saw the embarrassed looks on the faces of the members of the Lingyu Sect branch.

Xiong Jingyan handed her a token last night, which helped her escape Fenglin Huoshan. However, Ah Sheng escaped without a trace. With the stubborn temper of this naive child, seeing his family and elders imprisoned, he might do something irreversible and impulsive. If he fell into the hands of Fenglin Huoshan...

Mu Qingge was helpless and could only seek help from the Lingyu Sect.

However, these people are just ordinary branch members. At such a delicate juncture, they do not have the power to act on their own and escalate the conflict, and it is even more impossible for them to be driven by Mu Qingge.

"Girl, holding the token, you are a good friend of the Lingyu Sect. If you encounter any trouble, we will do our best to rescue you. That goes without saying." The other party said with difficulty, "It is not difficult to protect one more child. But the child ran away without a trace. If we can find him, it will be good. If he has fallen into the hands of Fenglin Huoshan, we can do nothing."

These two people were hesitant and unwilling to take responsibility, which was in stark contrast to Xiong Jingyan's decisive style last night.

But if you think about it carefully, it is indeed human nature, they are just ordinary members of the branch.

And last night, Xiong Jingyan, a mere district leader, faced Feng Lin Tianjiao's rage head-on and refused to give in. He was probably an exception.

She asked directly, "I wonder what Captain Xiong is going to do and when he will be back?"

The other party replied: "I really don't know. I am of low status and dare not ask."

"Did Captain Xiong leave any instructions?"

The other party hesitated and seemed unwilling to speak.

Mu Qingge's mind turned, thinking about Xiong Jingyan's excessive enthusiasm and concern over the past few days, and most of the enthusiasm and concern were not directed at Baihua Valley.

She lowered her voice and said, "It's related to Senior Brother Li Bailong, right?"

The other party's expression changed slightly, and he had been discovered by the head of the Six Gates.

She stared at him until he sighed helplessly: "That's right. Captain Xiong told us to protect those who hold the token. In addition, we must lock our doors and not be enemies with Fenglinhuoshan. But if Young Hero Li Bailong is trapped and about to be imprisoned, we must do our best to protect him regardless of the consequences..."

Regardless of the consequences...

Mu Qingge chewed over these four words.

For sects at the level of the six major sects, the word "consequences" means far more than just life.

After a moment, she made a decision.

"Is there any way to contact Captain Xiong?"

"Yes, but..."

"Can I borrow your sect's communication bird?" Mu Qingge said decisively, "I want to send a message to Mr. Xiong and Senior Brother Li Bailong."

She was entrusted by Li Bailong to save Wu Wei's orphan, but the situation was serious and beyond her ability to resolve. The only thing she could do now was to return the problem to the person involved... and then do her best.

This morning, a letter was sent from Baihua Valley, which not only asked for help to save people, but also told about the solution.

Her aunt told her that Baihua Valley had decided to side with Xuanyuan Sect, and that once the sect leader came back and worked out a plan with the Taoists, they would be able to fight back and force Lin Huoshan to retreat. Before that, she must be patient.

That is to say, before Xuanyuan Sect comes to the rescue, Baihua Valley must sit idly by and watch Fenglin Huoshan's actions in Lin County. Impulsiveness will only lead to bad results, which means some possible consequences and dangers.

From Feng Guozhong, who has a highly vested interest, to the innocent but insignificant people, even the pirated booksellers who to some extent brought it upon themselves, and Wu Wei, who is determined to pave the way for his descendants with his life.

There is also an innocent and stubborn boy.

endure.

When you are powerless, patience is the only option, in order to be rewarded in the future.

But for some people who call themselves heroes, this price may be too high.

Mu Qingge hesitated for a long time and finally started writing the letter.

Write to Xiong Jingyan first.

As she wrote the content, she sighed…I am so bold.

If things go wrong, she won't be able to do any work at the Six Gates, and she will definitely be dismissed and confined at home. After a few years when the turmoil subsides, she will be married off far away, and all she can do for the rest of her life is to have children and take care of them.

Then write to Li Bailong.

The letter to Li Bailong was very short. It first talked about the failure of the operation to shelter Ah Sheng, then talked about Tiexianmen's current situation after being arrested, and the rumors of suspected torture.

She hesitated again and again, and added a lot of words to the letter.

These are what Ah Sheng said.

Those boring, empty, naive and childish conversations that just happened were the shallow understanding of chivalry and the childish definition of responsibility of a young man born in a wealthy family. It was his foolish insistence on doing things beyond his ability, and it was his foolish behavior of following the guidance of empty books and putting them into practice in reality.

"Legend of Huangji Zhantian" is the spiritual guide for his current behavior.

Ah Sheng said that the principles in the book were not written by Long Batian, but have existed in the world and in the hearts of mortals since ancient times. Occasionally, they are picked up by brave people, and then this person becomes a knight.

And Long Batian just happened to write down this principle.

It doesn’t even matter whether the author believes in this truth or not, it is enough for him to believe in it.

Mu Qingge hesitated for a long time and wrote the last sentence in the letter.

——Is that so, brother?

The two spiritual birds flew into the sky. Mu Qingge watched them from afar and then turned and left.

She also wants to find Ah Sheng.

If she hides in Lingyu Sect at this moment, it will be the safest place in the world. After this incident, she can return to the capital and be her eldest daughter and the head of the Six Gates. No one will blame her. Feng Lin's conspiracy has nothing to do with her. She is just a small constable who has no choice. No one will ask anything of her.

But to get away with it unscathed means to sit back and watch everything happen, and watch the foolish boy step into his death.

The price for her was simply too high.

Soon after, Yaqian Square.

Wen Renzhuo couldn't help but sneer as he listened to the report about the Lingyu Sect.

Gradually, people gathered in the square. They were the three shifts of yamen runners who were forced to call on the people of the county to come and see. The fragile mortals looked stunned, and then they were surprised, because the person kneeling in the center of the square was a famous person in the county.

He was successful at a young age, went to a big sect to fight and make his way, became a martial arts scholar, and finally returned home in glory, having built up a remarkable sect... He was old man Wu Wei.

At this moment, his clothes were tattered, his silver hair was disheveled, and his body was covered in blood. He was kneeling on the ground like a miserable beggar.

The gazes coming from all directions pierced the warrior's self-esteem.

What made Wu Wei even more uneasy was that there seemed to be familiar people in the crowd.

——Although the disciples were strictly ordered to hide in various places in the city and not go out, the news spread and Old Master Wu of Tiexian Sect was put in shackles in the square for public display. Those disciples were sentimental people, so who would be willing to hide at home?
And, there is his Ah Sheng.

He searched almost frantically for the figure he was most worried about.

"If your crime is made public here, the Iron Wire Sect will have no future at all. The suspicion of colluding with the Demon Sect will always accompany them for the rest of their lives. Is this a trivial matter?"

Wen Renzhuo's voice was indifferent and reached Wu Wei's ears: "Guess how many of your followers, disciples, and even family members and descendants are among the crowd? If you don't want to live, how can they live?"

Wu Wei's breath was rushing, he was extremely weak, his thoughts were like tangled cotton, floating and withering.

How could he, a mediocre warrior, fight against the most brutal force in the world?

"If you tell the truth in front of everyone now, and let the people of Lin County see Li Bailong's true face, I will still consider you a repentant person, and all the conditions I promised will be valid."

Wu Wei's mind was racing, with fear and a sense of luck coexisting. Even though he had made up his mind, he was a flesh and blood man and always had the instinct to fear death. His body was trembling, and his instinct was urging him to surrender.

But he suddenly thought of Ah Sheng's face. The young man's eyes were bright, and the look he gave him was full of admiration and trust. Grandpa was his sun, his shield, and his guide.

"He still has a long way to go."

"what?"

"He has believed in me for so long... Now if I collapse, what else can he believe in?"

Incomprehensible words.

But I could already hear the rejection.

Wen Ren Zhuo sneered coldly and glanced around. The warriors around him swung their whips and threw Wu Wei to the ground, leaving hideous bloodstains on his back.

Feng Lin Tianjiao looked around and the crowd made a noise of fear.

He raised his voice and said, "Li Bailong!"

The voice spread far away, and the people in Lin County were surprised to hear this familiar name.

"You are secretly communicating with the Demon Sect, and your accomplices are still covering up for you. Are you just going to hide in the dark and watch Wu Wei help you to die?!"

One whip after another.

Wu Wei's internal energy had long been exhausted. He was just an old man in his seventies. Even if his muscles and bones were strong, how could he resist? He rolled on the ground, being beaten until blood was dripping. It was unbearable to watch.

The people gathered in the square listened to Wen Renzhuo's shouting in extreme fear and anxiety. They were surprised at first, and then looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Li Bailong—are you going to watch him get beaten to death?"

"Do you want the wire door to help you hold the tank?"

"How many people have been implicated and thrown into jail because of you!?"

Wen Ren Zhuo shouted calmly, but he was grinning in his heart.

Of course Li Bailong is not in Lin County. These words are not spoken to him, but to these foolish people. Seeds of malice will sprout, ruin his hypocritical reputation, and negate all his previous good deeds in Lin County. Moreover, this voice will eventually reach the ears of the other party.

After all, fools who claim to be chivalrous are most susceptible to this.

Soon, Li Bailong will break free from the constraints of the sect and foolishly run to Lin County and fall into the trap.

He had no choice but to surrender in Lin County's tight net.

Once Li Bailong falls into their hands, Baihua Valley will be completely passive and the next plan can be implemented immediately.

Wenren Zhuo has done similar things many times.

None of these foolish and simple-minded so-called heroes will live long.

——Just then, the crowd exclaimed.

A figure stood out from the crowd and flew swiftly.

But he did not rush towards Wu Wei in the center of the square.

Instead, he passed the Jingshan Pavilion, passed the inscriptions on the stele praising the good deeds of the county's warriors, avoided the warriors around the square, and rushed towards the gate of the county government.

Wu Wei, who was rolling on the ground, suddenly stood up with strength he didn't know where he got from.

He hissed, "——Asheng!"

The next moment, Wenren Zhuo stepped on his back and trampled him.

"Who is this kid? Is he your grandson?" Wen Renzhuo said with a smile, "He has just joined the sect and is quite brave. Why doesn't he come to save you? What does he want to do? Oh..."

Feng Lin Tianjiao laughed slowly, as if he had seen the funniest thing in the world.

He smiled and said, "Want to play the Dengwen drum?"

Wu Wei spat out blood and struggled frantically, but it was a pity that Fenglin was like a volcano. Fenglin was like a mountain. One foot stepped on him, making him powerless. He could only roar like a beast: "Asheng! Stop!"

"You say the word and I'll have someone stop him."

Wenren Zhuo whispered like a devil.

"Otherwise, I also want to see something new - how long has it been since I last saw someone beating the drum?"

Wu Wei's lips trembled. His impulsive and naive Ah Sheng had appeared. The reasons he had persisted until now seemed meaningless. The fear of death, the torment of life, everything was pressing down like a mountain, crushing all his awe-inspiring will to sacrifice and his strong character. He hummed like an ant.

"I..." he murmured, "I..."

I should have compromised, but looking at Ah Sheng's figure who never looked back and kept moving forward, the words of submission seemed to be sealed in my throat, unable to come out -

Strike the drum to report the incident.

The wind whistled in the boy's ears.

He had been looking at his grandfather for a long time, and even when he heard his grandfather calling him, he never looked back.

He wanted to keep his grandfather until he could be of use and see if he could do something, but his grandfather was dragged out to be put on display, whipped and kicked, and might be beaten to death in the next moment... So the boy took action.

He had no time to think about how to deal with the situation. He was weak and incompetent. He could only do one thing.

Strike the drum to report the incident.

My grandfather once said, if the drum is beaten twice, the prefectures and counties will hear it, and if the drum is beaten three times, the emperor will hear it.

No one came to save Grandpa, no one came to save them. Lin County was isolated, and Baihua Valley didn't dare to come. He had no other choice... Even if he beat the drum to report the incident, no great official would come to save them, but at least the prefecture and the court would know what happened in Lin County.

Ring it! Ring it!
The boy leapt into a gallop, his heart pounding.

It might fail... No, it's very likely to fail!
The people here are all stronger than me in martial arts. If I am stopped by them, then everything will be over... In that case, I will die together with Grandpa!

He ran as fast as he could...

"Ah Sheng! Catch this!"

I heard a voice behind me. It wasn’t Grandpa, but the girl named Mu... Catch what?
Ah, that thing was knocked down by a hidden weapon, there was a sound of fighting, Sister Mu was stopped... don’t look back!

Drum beat drum beat drum!

He glanced at the nearby warriors with a look of alertness, fear and pleading.

If I am stopped by them, my plan will fail. Will they stop me? Will they kill me?
Climb the stairs.

No one moved.

Their eyes were either indifferent or playful.

why?
The young man had no time to think...Bang drum, beat drum, beat drum!
Climbing up the steps and entering the yamen, you will see the huge drum that is of brass color, simple and heavy. According to my grandfather, it was made by the Ministry of Works and deployed in prefectures and counties, so the three-beat drum can be heard by the emperor.

The drumstick is next to the drum.

Four hundred and eighty kilograms.

He held the drumstick in his hands. It was heavy...too heavy! But, lift it up! Lift it up!
The boy's muscles were flexing, his bones were rumbling, and his internal energy, which had not yet entered the room, was running wildly. He tried his best to strengthen it, inch by inch, and the drumstick was slowly raised with a desperate roar.

"Ah Sheng - stop -"

Grandpa, there is nothing I can do.

After knocking, I will be killed by this group of people, but this is the only thing I can do - in this way, my grandfather, parents, and senior brothers will have a chance to survive...

and so……

Ring, ring!
The young man took a difficult step, and as if he was holding up a mountain, he raised the drumstick and smashed it hard against the Dengwen drum.

Hammer face connection.

thump.

A muffled sound.

The drum surface vibrated hummingly, and force was released in response to the sound. The ingenious creation of the Ministry of Works condensed the reaction force of the drum vibration into a beam, pushing the 480-jin drumstick downward, breaking the stubborn martial bones and crushing the tender skin. It was like a mountain pressing down on a man, pressing him onto the earth and into the dust.

Dengwen Drum provided warriors with a channel to reach the emperor and a way for the court to supervise lower-level institutions. However, this mechanism was designed from the beginning that the drum could only be struck by humans, so no one tried to stop Ah Sheng and everyone knew the result.

Wu Wei howled like a wild beast.

Wenren Zhuo moved his feet and let the old man roll and crawl towards his Ah Sheng.

The young man lay on the ground with his face up to the sky, his body twisted strangely. This was the pressure of the world. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked at the blue sky in confusion. Perhaps he had thought about his own death, but he had not thought of the way.

After spitting out a few mouthfuls of blood, he looked blankly at his grandfather who was rushing towards him and forced a smile.

"This world is so boring, Grandpa..." He said slowly, "I want to go into the book..."

A light laugh was heard not far away, and the prince had been witnessing everything.

"Innocent children, doing foolish things, you can't beat this drum."

Indeed, the dull drumbeat was only half a sound, and it couldn't even "shake the whole county". The strange half sound was only enough to be heard not far outside the city gate and fall into the ears of a person who was rushing there with all his might.

Not far from the county town, Li Bailong stopped.

He rushed here as soon as he received the letter. He had imagined countless action plans. He also had the token of his seventh uncle in his arms. If the situation was irreversible, he could use the token to declare himself the son-in-law of the Cao Gang... He didn't even know why he came. Was it the so-called chivalrous persistence or Mu Qingge's letter.

But now, everything has lost its meaning.

The range was approaching the city. The location of A Sheng's reader number was marked on Long Aotian's map. He saw with his own eyes that A Sheng's golden light spot rushed towards the main gate of the county government office, and after bursting out with an extremely strong light, it immediately disappeared.

A muffled sound came from afar.

Long Aotian said calmly: "He is dead."

Li Bailong did not answer. He stood in front of the county town with calm eyes and calm expression. He turned around and left calmly.

I spent a long time editing this chapter, and finally decided to write it in a simpler way.

The story of Ah Sheng has been laid out since Chapter 30. I hesitated later, but finally decided to follow the original plan. However, I am still a little worried that it might be too hurtful to the readers.

And.

Start to work hard.



(End of this chapter)