Exorcism

Xiaoqiu opened her eyes, her mind went blank, and she felt extremely sleepy. However, with the support of habit, she jumped to the ground, walked a few steps in a daze, and bumped into a stool before she remembered that this was not her home. Today He doesn't have to let go, but is going to a distant and unfamiliar place.

Granny Feng walked out of the back room. She was a little hunched over and staggered a little, but she was extremely calm. Not only did she quickly plan a future, she even made all the preparations without making any sound: enough food for three days. Food, scattered silver coins stored separately, a few changes of clothes, etc., have all been packed into two large bags. The note with the address was given to Fangfang for personal collection, and a set of saddles was even provided.

Fangfang changed into Granny Feng's old clothes, which were of moderate length and slightly fat. She didn't seem to be too sleepy. Her face was blank. She only showed reluctance and shed a lot of tears when she hugged Granny Feng goodbye. , jumped on the horse's back, bowed his head and said nothing.

Although she was grateful to Granny Feng for her care and guidance, Xiaoqiu was still very happy to leave here. There was always a questioning look in the old woman's kind eyes, which made Xiaoqiu dare not look at her.

The bay horse knew nothing about its future itinerary. After walking out of the yard, it naturally turned to the east of Yelin Town. It also wanted to go to the familiar woodland to graze. When Xiaoqiu corrected its direction, it did not object and walked silently on the road. .

The two set out early in the morning, and the sun soon became scorching. The bay-red horse walked consciously under the shade of the trees, always wanting to stop and graze. Xiaoqiu ran forward and back, urging it to continue walking, and occasionally raised its head to peek at the horse. Fangfang on the back.

It was too silent, and the monotonous sound of horse hooves made Xiaoqiu panic, "Grandma Feng." After an hour, he finally came up with something to talk about.

"Yeah." Fangfang still lowered her head, looking unhappy.

"She is really amazing. She has acquaintances in Xijie City and is kind-hearted. She has prepared so many things for us, including saddles. It seems as if she already knew that we... you would leave Yelin Town."

"She's fine." Fangfang whispered, her lips not seeming to move at all.

Xiaoqiu felt bored and didn't understand why Fangfang, who seemed excited yesterday, was so listless when she woke up. He jumped into the woods on the roadside, picked colorful wild flowers, and quickly made a garland.

He did these things unconsciously. It wasn't until he held the beautiful garland in his hand that he felt that only Fangfang could wear it. But he couldn't speak, and he was even embarrassed to make any hints. The little girl on the horse was so unfamiliar. , he can't see her true appearance now.

When it was almost noon, the wreath was still in Xiaoqiu's hand.

The official road turns a big bend not far away, turning from west to south. From there, the lush trees will gradually become rarer and transition into patches of wormwood as high as a person.

Xiaoqiu ran ahead, still a few feet away from the corner. Xiaoqiu stopped and was attracted by a strange mark on the road.

It was a line of floating soil across the road, like a tunnel dug by ants, but the soil was too rough and looked more like a child's work.

Fangfang caught up on horseback, reined in the reins, and asked, "What is that?"

This was the first time she asked a question all morning, but Xiaoqiu didn't notice it. Her mind was entirely focused on the floating soil, "It seems like someone drew the line. I don't know what it means..."

The two people immediately knew what it meant. A long rope, woven from tree bark, jumped out of the floating soil. It was followed by shouts from both sides of the road, which were heartbreaking and reached the sky. , startling dozens of nearby birds to fly away.

The two people and the horse were startled at the same time. Xiaoqiu instinctively jumped back a step. The bay-red horse raised its front hooves and neighed loudly. Fangfang fell to the ground with an ouch.

Things happened so fast, several figures rushed out from the grass on both sides. Xiaoqiu had no time to help Fangfang and faced the fastest ambusher. She also opened her mouth and let out a loud shout, never losing to the opponent in terms of momentum.

Xiaoqiu knocked down the first ambusher, and then fell into a siege and melee. There were people everywhere. There was no need to look for targets, they could just reach out and hit them. There was no way to defend, and the fists came like raindrops.

"Stop, stop fighting, stop it all!"

The melee stopped. Xiaoqiu's arms were entangled with one person, and her neck was strangled by another. There were two people beside her with their fists raised, ready to join the fight.

A few steps away, Er Shuan scanned the whole place majestically and found that everyone was obedient except for one person.

Baldy was young and small in stature. He cleverly did not pounce on Xiaoqiu, but regarded Fangfang, who had fallen on the ground, as his opponent. At this moment, the two were still fighting, and Baldy did not gain an obvious advantage.

"I said stop." Er Shuan raised his voice.

The bald man finally heard the leader's order. He was obedient and immediately relaxed all his strength. Fangfang pushed him in front of his chest with both hands. He moved his arms wildly and fell to the ground. However, he did not cry out in pain, but laughed.

"We are not here to arrest anyone," Er Shuan said.

All the teenagers let go of their hands, even Xiaoqiu let go. He saw two brothers, Daliang and Erliang, and somewhat believed Ershuan's words.

Xiaoqiu was even more confused and asked warily: "Aren't you here to take us back to town?"

"Of course not. I just guessed that old crazy woman was lying, so I stayed here waiting for you."

"Then why are you doing this?" Xiaoqiu pointed to the rope on the ground. The other party's behavior was more like interception than help.

"I'm afraid you'll run away." Er Shuan seemed to think that this matter was so simple that no further explanation was needed.

Daliang said hurriedly, "It was my idea. I thought you might speed up and run away when you see... Ershuan, but I didn't let them jump out and fight." Daliang glanced at Lengzi angrily. He just didn't stop.

There were eight teenagers blocking the road. Except for brothers Daliang and Erliang, the other six were part of Erchuan's group. If Xiaoqiu had seen them, of course he would have jumped on his horse and fled with Fangfang, "Why are you helping me?" ?”

"Because what you did was a good thing." Er Shuan turned to Fangfang, his voice was solemn and a bit pretentious, "Fangfang, I apologize to you on behalf of the Shen family. I hope I can make amends."

Er Shuan's change was unexpected. Xiao Qiu and Fang Fang were stunned. They looked at each other with doubts. Xiao Qiu finally saw Fang Fang's appearance clearly.

It was different from the little girl in his memory. After only a few years, Fangfang had undergone many changes. Only one thing remained the same as before: there was always a look of fear in her big eyes, as if she would be called out at any time. Talking in front of a group of strangers.

She gave the decision-making power to Xiaoqiu.

"I don't believe you." Xiaoqiu said. Although brothers Daliang and Erliang were present, he still found it difficult to accept the changes of Ershuan and his group.

"I can make you trust me." Er Shuan was very confident and paused, "Where are you going?"

"It's none of your business."

"Anyway, we have to take the official route. Let me tell you, you can only go as far as Linhe Town. If you go any further, you will be arrested. My father has sent people to Xiaoerbao to report to the official. The Xuanfu Army has already set up a dragnet at this time. You can't go anywhere."

Xiaoqiu was shocked. He had seen the Xuanfu Army once when he was seven years old. He was extremely impressed by those soldiers who were all covered in black armor. He was filled with awe in his heart. He never thought that one day he would be hunted by them. The target, but he refused to admit defeat, "I have my own way to avoid it."

"What if we can't escape? Fangfang still wants to marry my brother. My father no longer likes her, and you. My father is so angry that he wants to beat you to death."

Xiaoqiu was a little discouraged. He knew almost nothing about the world outside Yelin Town and had no way to avoid the Xuanfu Army. He glanced at Fangfang, who was even more confused than him, and then looked at Daliang. Daliang He nodded, obviously convinced by Er Shuan.

"Okay, I believe you." It was very difficult for Xiaoqiu to say this, but once the words were spoken, he felt relaxed. With a young mind, it is always very easy to hate someone and forgive someone, "We are going to the West. "Jie Cheng, there...there are acquaintances there."

"Xijie City!" The teenagers exclaimed in unison. Like Xiaoqiu, they only had a vague concept of the capital of their country and thought it was a place far away.

Er Shuan was the only one who didn't look surprised, "Xijie City is good. You can hide well. My uncle's family lives there, and I lived there for a few months."

The expressions of the young men looking at Er Shuan changed. He was already the tallest, but now he looked even taller.

"Do you have a way to avoid the Xuan Fu Army?" Xiao Qiu asked.

Er Shuan nodded, "You can't go on the big road, you have to take the small road."

Xiaoqiu had never even walked on the main road, and of course she didn't know the small roads, so she could only nod.

"I have a map at home." Er Shuan's words completely established his position as leader. Brothers Daliang and Erliang took a breath. Even Xiaoqiu couldn't help but slightly open his lips. They didn't even know what the map looked like. Never seen it.

Er Shuan squatted on the ground, picked up a long pointed stone, and first drew a circle, then several horizontal or vertical lines, .a. com "Our Yelin Town is in the east, and Xijie City is in the southwest. In fact, they are not too far apart, but there is a big mountain and a large forest in the middle. The official road goes around and becomes far away. My plan is to get closer. Road, enter the forest and follow the river to the southwest. I estimate that I can get out in five or six days, and then turn to the official road. There are only a few days left to go to Xijie City. "

Er Shuan said it with such certainty, as if he had walked this shortcut before, so no one raised any objections. On the first day after leaving home, all they felt was excitement.

"Okay." Xiaoqiu completely believed Er Shuan, "Let's take a small road, you help me delay the time, and don't let the Xuan Fu Army chase me."

Er Shuan stood up and shook his head vigorously, "Let's go to Xijie City together, I will lead the way."

Xiaoqiu still didn't fully understand, "Why...why do you want to help us?"

Er Shuan rubbed the top of his head twice and said, "Just because I yelled OK, my dad beat me up yesterday and said that I was eating everything inside and outside. I want to show him what it means to eat everything inside and outside."

The matter was settled like this. The boys who were fighting with Xiaoqiu just now became partners in the same boat in the blink of an eye, and came up one by one to pat his shoulders.

Only one boy hesitated a little, "Is it safe in the forest? I heard that monsters like to live in the deep mountains and old forests. A Taoist priest came to the town the day before yesterday. My father said that he was not here to catch children, but to catch monsters."

"What are you afraid of?" Er Shuan puffed up his chest, "Let's go together and beat the monster until he kneels down and begs for mercy."

Er Shuan took big steps and was the first to walk into the forest that the teenagers knew nothing about.