Under the sky

Chapter 275 Catastrophe is imminent

"Son of God, please come in." Potu Daji greeted Yang Yan outside the gate of the priest's courtyard.

In this battle, Arien Palace still has the upper hand so far.The evidence of Hillidegg's guilt was conclusive, including the testimony of Da Ke and the testimony of the Suma priest. The chief priest, Kong Xiao, requested to be handed over to the Discipline Department for disposal, but was rejected. Gao Leqi proposed a public trial of Hillidegg, but of course Kong Xiao refused. .

If Hillidegg really cannot be saved, a secret execution is far better than a public trial.

"Gulthas, the Son of God has arrived." Potu respectfully requested instructions.

"Son of God, please sit down."

Different from before, this time Gulthas specially prepared a chair, and Yang Yan sat down unceremoniously.Potu bowed respectfully.

With a bang, the door of the Holy Temple was slowly closed.

"Is the Holy Body of the Son of God safe?" Gulthas asked.

"Father God bless me, my injury has healed." Yang Yan said, "Is Sa Si well?"

"For a person of my age, it's very good." Gulsasi said, "Let's get down to business. I hope the Prison Department will let Hillidger go."

"We can't let a murderer go. He has to be punished accordingly. Besides, I'm very curious." Yang Yan asked, "I've heard the story of Jin Yunjin. He saved Xili Dege, and you think highly of him. Man, I even heard Gao Leqi say that if he were still here, Hillidegg might not be able to be your heir."

"I want to know how the Priesthood plans to deal with Hilidegg." Yang Yan asked, "Don't you want to execute this traitor yourself?"

"Traitor? Healy didn't betray anyone. He was loyal to his heart." Gursasi said, "I don't know his motive for framing Jin Yunjin. It's most likely because he felt threatened, but so what. , who won’t eliminate the existence that threatens them?”

"But that's a talent you value highly." Yang Yan said.

"That won't be the case if he dies." Gulthas said, "He is not good enough to save his own life."

"He has been your penman for two years, and he doesn't have any feelings for you?" Yang Yan couldn't hold it back, "Even if it's a chicken, you can't bear to kill it after raising it for two years."

"What if he is hungry?" Gulthas asked, "Even if the dog has been raised for ten years, the son of God is extremely hungry. Should he kill it?"

"I won't kill," Yang Yan said, "I would rather die together."

"It's just a dog, and you still have relatives. Are you going to give up and reunite with your relatives for a dog?"

"I have no relatives anymore!" Yang Yan held back his anger, "Even if it's a dog, as long as you kiss me, I will protect it until death!"

"But I do. All the people of Nabu Badu are my relatives." Gursasi said, "This is a consideration and sacrifice that those who sit in high positions must make."

"Then who will redress the injustice of that innocent little priest?" Yang Yan asked.

All those in power are the same. They never consider the life and death of the people below them. They only consider the change of power and their overall situation.

The same goes for Gursasi. He doesn't care about the lives of those people. They don't care about a pen servant, a scholar, or a commoner. For example, Yan Feixi never cares about the lives of the Yang family. All he cares about is "Huashan Mountain". The prestige of "a drop of blood, a head in the world" means that no one can infringe on the dignity of Huashan.

"Do you really care about the death of that little priest?" Gulthas asked.

"I don't care, because it has nothing to do with me." Yang Yan replied, "But you must care, because that is not allowed by the law, and you should punish the person who killed him on behalf of the law."

"If I don't care, there will be no reason for Hillidger to die."

Why can't you care?Because the power is in your hands, you can decide whether others will live or die at will, or who will not die?Yang Yan thought, feeling faintly angry.

"I want the Prison Department to declare Hilidegg not guilty in this matter." Gultha said, "Just say that Jin Yunjin died in an accident."

Gulthas's words were like orders, and Yang Yan was curious about his confidence: "Why should I agree to you?"

"Because of the Vulcan God Scroll." Gulthas said.

Yang Yan stood up suddenly, feeling excited, and said in a trembling voice: "Are you willing to hand over the Vulcan Scroll to me?"

"Dake promised that as long as you master the Fire God Scroll, she will recognize you as the son of God Sa. The ban on the Holy Mountain is lifted, and we can do more things."

"What's the matter?" Yang Yan asked.

"Enter the pass to avenge the Son of God." Gulthas replied.

Yang Yan jumped up: "You...what did you say?"

"Revenge, isn't this what you want?" Gursasi said matter-of-factly in a gentle tone, "Your family, as well as Little Beggar Peng and Old Beggar Peng. I know that Old Beggar Peng is a hero worthy of respect. , but his son is much worse."

"Don't criticize Uncle Tian! He is better than all of you!" Yang Yan shouted angrily.

Even in the face of power, Peng Xiaobei still tried his best to seek justice for himself. He tried his best to seek justice for an insignificant young man who had nothing to do with him.

"He is a failed politician." Gursasi said, "Before he lost power, he was no different from us. Only his father deserves respect, but Old Beggar Peng is not a good leader. He is a hero. but……"

"Shut up!" Yang Yan shouted angrily, "Shut up, shut up, shut up! You have no right to comment on grandpa! Saying his name from your mouth is dirtying him!"

The room was too big, and the roaring sound kept echoing in the room. The voice of Potu Xiaoji came from outside the door: "Sasi, Son of God, are you okay?"

"It's okay." Gultha's voice was steady and he sent him away from a distance. As Yang Yan had guessed before, Gultha was good at martial arts.

Yang Yan noticed his gaffe and suppressed his anger: "If grandpa were here, if Uncle Tian were here, Hillidege would have died long ago!"

"That's why they failed." Gulthas said. "They didn't realize where they were."

"You!..." Yang Yan's anger rose again.

"You can kill Hilidegg." Gurthas said, "In this case, you will lose the Fire God Scroll."

Yang Yan was speechless for a moment, his anger was still burning, but he couldn't spit it out.

"This is the choice. To seek justice for someone you've never met and never cared about, or do you want to stand tall and avenge your family and choose to back down?"

"I can refuse!" Yang Yan said, "I have a way to obtain the Fire God Scroll, as long as I pull you down from this position!"

Gulthas stood up. This was the first time Yang Yan saw him stand up.He entered the room on the left and came out shortly afterwards, holding an old parchment scroll.

"This is the Fire God Scroll." He handed the scroll to Yang Yan, "You can start reading from any sentence in it."

Yang Yan was puzzled. He didn't know why Gulthas handed this coveted secret book into his hands so easily.He carefully unfolded the scroll and recited casually: "The anger is gone and Danyang is returned."

"Five internal furnaces to practice the true elixir." Gulthas continued to read.

Yang Yan was stunned for a moment, skipped a few sentences and continued to read: "The golden joints are tightly locked."

"The Thirteenth Tribulation of the Catastrophe." Gulthas read it word for word.

Yang Yan was surprised and said: "You?"

Gulthas took the parchment scroll from Yang Yan's hand, turned his back and walked to the bed.Yang Yan won and lost again, unwilling to give up. He shouted: "Give it to me!" and reached out to grab Gulsasi's shoulder.He was still worried about the old man, so he didn't dare to exert any force. However, as soon as his palm was put on Gursasi's shoulder, it was like grabbing a loach, and his hand slipped and he missed it.

Gursasi said: "I have read this Scroll of Fire God over and over again for decades. I have memorized it by heart, but I don't have the courage to practice it."

Yang Yan was stunned when he saw that his back was turned to him and a puff of black smoke suddenly appeared in front of him. When he came to his senses, he hurriedly shouted: "What are you doing!"

Gulthas turned around, and the Vulcan Scroll actually caught fire. Yang Yan rushed forward, but Gulthas stepped away and threw it away, and the parchment was scattered into ashes on the ground.

"Now I am the only one in the world who knows the formula for the Oath of Fire God Scroll." Gulthas asked Yang Yan again, "Do you want to release Hillidger if you want the Oath of Fire God Scroll, or are you going to prepare for an unknown person?" People give up on revenge? Do you want justice or revenge?"

The corner of Yang Yan's mouth twitched, he never expected that Gulthas would burn the Vulcan Scroll in order to save Hilidegg.

"Stand taller, Son of God." Gulthas's green pupils seemed to have some kind of power, making Yang Yan dizzy.

"Do you want to swear to the Fire God Scroll, or do you want to kill Hillidegg?"

"I don't want it!" Yang Yan shouted, took a few steps back, and got rid of Gulthas.

"I don't care about that little sacrifice, I don't care whether he is innocent or not!" Yang Yan said angrily, "I didn't want to seek justice for anyone, and no one from the Nine Family seeks justice for me!"

"But you mentioned grandpa and uncle Tian, ​​and said they failed and were useless!" Yang Yan said loudly, "Then I will seek justice for that little sacrifice!"

"Father God, just this time, Hillidege must die!" Yang Yan roared, "Nothing can be exchanged for it!"

Yang Yan turned around and kicked the chair away. The chair spun several times in mid-air and fell heavily with a loud noise.Without looking back, Yang Yan strode towards the door. The sound alarmed Botu outside the door. Just as he was about to ask, Yang Yan had already opened the door of the Holy Master Hall and left.

Potu stepped forward quickly: "Honorable Gulthas, why is the Son of God angry?"

"He's not angry," Gulthas said. "He just hasn't grown up yet."

Botu looked at Yang Yan's leaving figure and thought deeply.

"Send the Son of God away." Gulsasi said, "Inform Kong Xiao and let Hilidege accept a public trial."

Botu was stunned: "Yes..."

Botu quickly caught up with Yang Yan, but Yang Yan walked so fast that he was out of breath.Before getting on the carriage, Yang Yan turned around and asked Botu: "I heard that you also know the little golden cloud-breasted priest?"

Potu nodded: "Although he is cold, he is a good boy."

"Then why can you watch him die without caring?"

"When he died, I felt sad for him and prayed for him. May his soul rest in peace with God Sa." Potu replied.

"But now you know who the murderer is."

"Gulthas will make arrangements."

Yang Yan said angrily: "You don't care at all?" "Because I want to take care of the people I can take care of." Potu said, "That is the people and other small sacrifices other than the Jinyunjin Xiaoji."

Yang Yan was stunned, then slammed the car door angrily with a "bang" sound, and the carriage drove away from the priest's courtyard.

■

"What?" Wang Hong's surprised scream attracted the attention of the resting family, "You refused Gulthas to give you the Vulcan Scroll?"

Yang Yan nodded: "I saw him burn the Vulcan Scroll with my own eyes."

"Did the assassin's knife penetrate your waist or your head?" Wang Hong said, "You actually gave up like this?"

Monduk said: "This is unlikely. The Fire Oath Scroll is the divine power of the Sa Sect to suppress the religion. Did the Son of God see it with his own eyes?"

Yang Yan nodded: "He has already memorized it. When I leave, he can write a copy silently at any time."

Wang Hong said: "The commemorative value of ancient books is even higher. I'm afraid this sheepskin scroll won't have a history of a thousand years. Is he willing to part with it?"

"The parchment has been broken for 1000 years," Monduk said. "It should also be a copy. Gurthas may have hidden the original."

Yang Yan couldn't tell the difference, and Wang Hong asked: "Do you really want Hillidege to die?"

Yang Yan shook his head: "I don't necessarily want Xili Dege to die. If Gulthas doesn't insult Grandpa and Uncle Tian, ​​maybe I will change with him."

"That's fine." Wang Hong pondered, "Tucker and Gao Leqi will definitely kill Hillidege. If you accept the Vulcan Scroll, you will have another dispute with them. But why does Gulthas Want to provoke you on purpose?"

"He didn't mean to anger me, he looks down on Uncle Tian!" Yang Yan said angrily, "People like them only see power, and those who lose power are losers!"

Wang Hong still had doubts, but was just puzzled.A guard notified Tucker to summon him, and Yang Yan and Wang Hong came to Tucker's room.

"The Priesthood said they are willing to put Hilidegg on trial publicly!" Tucker said happily, "They finally know that they can't save Hilidegg!"

"What do the priests want from you?" Gao Leqi asked.Every time Yang Yan went to the priest's courtyard, Gao Leqi was very concerned about him.

"Gulthas asked me to let Hillidger go in exchange for the Vulcan Scroll."

"What!" Tucker jumped up, "No wonder they agreed to a public trial! Yang Yanhajin, do you know how important it is to kill Hillidegg!"

"I know myself……"

"Once Hilidege dies, Gulthas will have no successor, and the sound of insects will be chaotic!" Tucker interrupted Yang Yan and said anxiously, "As soon as Hilidege dies, we will win most of it. From now on, as long as Just wait until Gulthas himself dies! How can you..."

"I didn't change!" Yang Yan said loudly, "I said I must kill Hillidege!"

Tucker was stunned at first, and then almost burst into tears: "Yang Yan, Ha Jin, you are really my good brother!" He hugged Yang Yan tightly, "I knew you wouldn't betray me!"

"It seems that Gulthas is really going to give up on Hilidegg?" Wang Hong asked.

Gao Leqi was not sure about this either.

■

Hillidegg was close to despair.He had been in prison for almost a month, and so far he had not heard any good news, so when he heard that the Priesthood was willing to accept a public trial, he calmed down.

He didn't believe that Gulthas couldn't save him, Gulthas just didn't want to.

Gurthas had abandoned him.

"Perhaps Gulthas or Chief Priest Kong Xiao already have a way to save you." Wei De said, "That's why they accepted the public trial."

If there was such a way, Gao Leqi should have released him before the public trial began. Obviously he had prepared enough evidence.

Weide followed his usual practice and secretly lit a lamp in the dark cell. Sometimes Hillidegg felt that it was because of this lamp that he did not go crazy in this dirty, smelly, lonely and dark cell.

Weide tasted all the food for him and even smuggled him a small jug of bad wine.

"Weide, tell me about you." Hillidegg had nothing to ask.There will be a public trial tomorrow, and after Wei De leaves, he will have to endure a long night.

"Youngster has nothing to say," said Weide, "he's just a jailer."

"Just tell me," Hillidegg said, "How do you usually live your life?"

Wei De's life is ordinary and boring.His wife died young, and his once seriously ill child has grown up and works as a clerk in a humble grocery store.Weide had no other hobbies except his work as a jailer. In his spare time, he would go to the southern mountains of Batu to enjoy the scenery.He would bring a pot of bad wine up the mountain, eat dried meat and barley cakes and enjoy the flowers.He had eaten wheat noodles with butter soup several times. It was really delicious, but too expensive.He likes haggis and sago, and his dutiful son occasionally buys them for him.

"My life is just so boring," Weide said.

"No, it's interesting," Hillidger said. "I haven't heard a story like this in years."

The next day, before Hillidegg was escorted away, he specifically stopped, touched his heart with his left hand, and stretched out his dirty right hand to hold Weide's hand.

"As the chief priest of Hillideg, I would like to pray to God Sa to bless his faithful servant Wei De."

Wade was moved to tears.

Hillidegg walked to the prison department in almost the most embarrassing appearance. They deliberately did not give him clean clothes and a chance to clean himself. His hair was disheveled, his body was covered in dirt and feces, and he exuded a stench. Still wearing the priest's robe, but there was no aura of dignity.

There were many people watching outside the Prison Department's door, and Hillidegg felt so humiliated for the first time.He was once showered with reverence and respect. Who could see him and not kneel down on one knee with his left hand to his heart and pray for his blessing?But now these people's eyes are like looking at a monster, with pity, sympathy, and even hatred, but no respect.

He has obviously not been judged yet. Although he has really done such a thing, these people's eyes have already judged him.Hilidegg was unwilling to accept that he fell down in such a place.

There are three people in charge of the trial, the consul Gao Leqi, the prison warden Saixi, and the chief priest Kong Xiao.Gao Leqi was the presiding judge. He first asked Hillidegg whether he had pleaded guilty.

"I refuse to plead guilty." Hillidegg said, "I did not murder Jin Yunjin Xiaoji."

There was nothing to struggle with. A piece of testimony signed by Dakosas himself proved that Jin Yunjin was still alive at that time, but Hillidegg refused to admit that he was Jin Yunjin, which led to the refugees attacking the hunting team. Jin Yunjin died in the rebel army. middle.The objection raised by the chief priest Kong Xiao did not prove that the prisoner who claimed to be Jin Yunjin was really Jin Yunjin.

Gao Leqi invited a witness, who went with Hillidegg to find Jin Yunjin's Xiaoji in the hunting party.After so many years, this person is still a small sacrifice, what a waste.He pointed out the image of Jin Yunjin among the many portraits. The fact that he could remember the encounter so clearly over ten years ago must be perjury prepared by Gao Leqi in advance.Kong Xiao also raised doubts and asked the young priest to demonstrate his ability to remember faces in court.

Xiao Ji hesitated, but still insisted that the man was Jin Yunjin, because he called out Xili Dege's name, and it was impossible for an ordinary person to recognize Xili Dege.

Finally, there was a warrior from the Sacrifice Army who had accompanied him to Suma Batu. "Although the war was chaotic at the time, I did see it." The soldier said, "Priest Xili Dege pushed the priest Jin Yunjin off his horse. I really saw it."

There was an uproar at the scene.

How long did it take Colachi to collect this evidence?It must be several months.He could actually do it?Yes, because there was no sound of insects in Sumabadu, he also secretly met with Da Kesasi. As for the soldier of the Sacrifice Army, he should be a witness who was found after he was imprisoned.

Almost no one believed that Hilidegg was innocent. Even the chief priest, Kong Xiao, was at a loss for words. Moreover, he was a just Kong Xiao. Even with the instructions of Gulthas, it would be difficult for him to ignore the evidence.

There was a violent commotion outside the door, and many people were shouting. Hillidegg couldn't hear what they were shouting, but the voices were getting closer and closer.

"Gulthas!" was a shout full of admiration and respect, "Gulthas is here!"

A carriage with a golden dome and a bright red carriage, engraved with flame patterns and a large number of intersecting arcs, approached the prison department. The crowd of onlookers made way, and they all knelt on one knee and touched their hearts with their left hands to greet Gao Leqi and Sai. The chief priests Xi and Kong Xiao also stood up.

The huge carriage stopped at the door of the Discipline Department, and the dark red carpet spread along the ground to the threshold. The attendant moved the steps and opened the door respectfully.

The majestic old man stepped out of the car wearing a priest's hat embroidered with a golden sun. He also wore a large black robe embroidered with gold threads to look like a sun. Eyes of fire were embroidered on his shoulders, and red flames burned on the sleeves.

"Chief Consul, see Gulthas." Gao Leqi knelt down on one knee, with an uncertain expression on his face. Sisi and Kong Xiao also knelt down.

Hillidegg had tears in his eyes when he saw the old man walking towards him.

"Thank you, Hillidegg, for taking the blame that you shouldn't have."

Hillidegg felt the withered hands lifting him up, feeling ashamed that the filth on his body had offended the other person.

Can you possess such majesty?Hilidegg thought to himself, does he really have the ability to reverse life and death with just one sentence?

"Xilidege did murder the little priest Jin Yunjin." Gulthas said.

When this statement came out, everyone was in an uproar.

"But that's what I ordered."

These words caused even greater commotion.

"Jin Yunjin Xiaoji is the death king sent by Guan Nei." Gulsasi said, "So I ordered Hillidege to execute him secretly."

"This is unreasonable!" Gao Leqi's voice lost his composure, "Why do you want to execute someone privately?"

"Because he deceived my eyes, became my penman for two years, and stole countless secrets. I feel ashamed for this. For the sake of my majesty, I let Hillidger do it in secret."

"There is no evidence for this!" Gao Leqi said curiously, "Honorable Gulthas, you cannot lie to save your disciples!"

"Jin Yunjin has no origin," Gursasi said. "The origin and address he registered in the priest's court are all fake. He claims to be from a tribe in Sumabadu. You can send someone to Sumabadu and tell him what he has said. If you look for that tribe and that person at the address he recorded, you will find nothing."

Gao Leqi was surprised.

"Hilidege took care of my face, I can't let him lose his life in vain." Gulthas said, "Hilidege is not guilty."

The people around him were talking a lot, and Gao Leqi noticed that most people were more willing to believe Gulthas.

"Is Gulthas willing to swear an oath in the name of God Sa?" Gao Leqi was still struggling.As long as Hillidegg is removed, they will win most of this war. Gulthas has no better successor, and the chief priest of Mengde has long lost his authority and reputation.

"I would like to swear in the name of God Sa that Jin Yunjin does come from within the pass." Gulsa Si said.

The people immediately started to clamor, shouting "Not guilty! Not guilty!" Hillidegg had tears in his eyes, and he knew he was saved.

(End of this chapter)