Chang'an: Qinglian Sword Song

Chapter 9: Bali Township
In the Yunjian Building, in a narrow and dark corridor, Li Bai and Xun Qing listened to the din spreading outside, still lingering in fear.

They didn't climb very far along the ventilation duct at all. After escaping for a certain distance, they jumped down and mixed into the crowd trying to escape.But the front and back doors of Yunjianlou had been sealed, so they had no choice but to hide up.

In the darkness, Li Bai heard Xun Qing's violent panting, and his lingering fear still persisted.

Thinking of how he was desperate to save himself just now, he was suddenly grateful, and patted Xun Qing on the shoulder vigorously: "Thank you very much."

Xun Qingyan shook his head in shame.

He would rather Li Bai scold him a few words, so that he can feel more comfortable.

But without giving them more time to catch their breath, footsteps sounded again in the distance.

Li Bai and him looked at each other, and started to flee again.

Nuoda's Yunjian Building is still immersed in the aftermath of chaos at this moment, the corridors are messed up, and there are many precious wine vessels discarded everywhere, which makes Li Bai feel very sorry.

If he had to find one good thing about this place, it would be that the wine was really good.

But other than that, it's pretty much useless.

It looks resplendent and resplendent, but in fact there are no bright spots other than piles of gold and silver, and the luxurious furnishings everywhere can't stand out at all except the smell of copper.

In particular, the bad taste of its operators has penetrated into every part, and there are huge floor-to-ceiling bronze mirrors everywhere, reflecting everyone's faces, and the refracted light becomes colorful.

It's like trying to admire your own face anytime, anywhere, which makes people very annoying.

In contrast, he prefers the workshop of that old man Lu Daoxuan.Every dead thing reveals the beauty of life, and all the organs seem to be carved out of the soul, vivid.Even the workshop itself is changing all the time, as if there are endless shapes, just like this Chang'an.

But now, the more he and Xun Qing moved forward, the more they felt something was wrong.

When they looked at each other, it was difficult to hide their confusion and astonishment.

Because they went around and saw exactly the same things, no matter how they walked, they just lingered in the same place in the end.

Li Bai has seen the same broken wine glass for the third time!
"Illusion!"

Li Bai lowered his voice, and when he looked around at the flamboyant bronze mirrors around him, he finally realized it.

It's like the mirages that often appear in the desert in the clouds, and the ghosts hitting the wall that people can't get out of in the desolate ancient city.In the entire Yunjian Building, all the bronze mirrors are actually the fulcrum of the illusion!

Unless all the bronze mirrors are destroyed, outsiders like them who don't know the tricks can't get out at all, and can only be trapped in it like fish in a net.

But if there is any noise at this moment, it will be too late to shatter them all, and it will only attract the attention of those searchers!

When they came to a dead end again, the footsteps around them were getting closer.

"Hey! You search over there, I'll search here! Be more careful!"

Someone gave an order loudly, and then walked towards here with low footsteps, searching carefully room by room.

Xun Qing's face was pale, and he subconsciously held his breath.

"Relax."

Li Bai stood in front of him, still comforting him calmly: "At worst, I'll take you all the way out...they can't stop me."

Xun Qing nodded sadly.

He had seen Li Bai's swordsmanship before, so he did not doubt his ability.

However, at that time, I am afraid that the hope of obtaining evidence will be completely wiped out.If Ji Xian had been prepared, it would be difficult to catch him.

Fucked him again!

After finally catching that bastard Ji Xian's tell, and finally being able to avenge that kid, he messed it up again!Like everything he screwed up growing up.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I, I didn't mean to..."

He no longer knew how to face Li Bai.

"If you mess up this time, you have to pay attention next time. There is always something to mess up in life, so it doesn't matter even if you mess up."

Li Bai turned his head and glanced at him.

The teenager's expression was so calm, telling him, "It's not your fault."

Xun Qing lowered his head, almost couldn't help crying.

But here are not only friends, but also his enemies, no matter what, you can't cry in front of those guys, even if you die...

Just as the footsteps were approaching, Li Bai suddenly heard a small voice behind him.

A closed door suddenly opened, and in the darkness, someone waved to them.

"This way..."

Before he had time to think about it, Li Bai grabbed Xun Qing and rushed behind the door.

As soon as the door closed, I heard footsteps approaching quickly.

"Why is this place still open? Isn't it abandoned for a long time?"

The patrolling guards became alert: "Hey, is there anyone inside!"

In the silence, there was a series of crisp sounds of chains rubbing against each other.

In the dark room, the curled up figure moved its arms and legs, dragged the iron chain, and said softly and childishly, "Brother Six, I'm inside...can you let me out?"

The door opened a gap.

Outside, the guard with his sword drawn looked in vigilantly, only seeing the empty utility room and the locked up child in the corner.

Behind the door, Li Bai, who was hiding, subconsciously covered Xun Qing's mouth, and even heard the sound of his heart beating wildly.

"Is that your kid?"

After the guard saw it clearly, he sneered: "You offended Mammy, you should stay there until Mammy calms down... Did you hear anyone passing by?"

"No." The child shook his head, "I've been sleeping."

"cut."

The guard slammed the door shut and walked away unhappily.

In the dead silence, Li Bai let out a long breath and relaxed a little.

I only felt my hands sinking, only to realize that Xun Qing, an unbelievable guy, actually passed out?

frightened.

Let alone him, Li Bai himself was still in shock.

I don't understand, why... that kid wants to help them?
As if aware of Li Bai's sharp gaze, in the darkness, the manacled boy of about thirteen or fourteen raised his head and looked in their direction. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked softly:
"Is it brother Xun Qing?"

Li Bai frowned, suspecting that he had misheard. He didn't expect to meet Xun Qing's old acquaintance here. He picked up the fainted guy and asked in a low voice, "Do you know each other?"

"We used to meet each other at Duke Daoxuan's residence." The boy propped up his body, groped, picked up the pipa and walked two steps: "What's wrong with him?"

"Uh, probably... you fainted from fright?"

Li Bai scratched his head, pinched the person again, and shook vigorously again.

It took a long time before Xun Qing came back to his senses.

His face was pale, and he wanted to scream.

Li Bai quickly covered his mouth with his eyes and hands.

With the dim light, he saw the boy in front of him clearly, and his eyes widened.

"You, are you really Li Xiang?"

Xun Qing recognized this poor survivor child: "Wait, why are you here? Didn't I just misread it?"

Seeing the shackles on the child's hands and feet, and the bruises on the wrists under the cloth, his face turned livid: "Who beat you? Your uncle, that bastard?"

Li Xiang shrank his hands slightly, "I wanted to run out, but I was discovered by the nanny."

"If you are short of money, you can find me, find Duke Daoxuan, he will definitely not let you go." Xun Qing asked angrily, "Why did you come to such a ghostly place?"

Li Xiang was silent for a long time, then lowered his head: "My uncle gambled all his money and mortgaged me here..."

"That bastard!" Xun Qing was furious.

Li Bai——was also stunned for a while: I can't understand why there are people in this world who would sell their relatives' lives for a little money, and sell their nephews into the devil's lair!

"Don't be afraid, I'll take you away right away." Xun Qing lowered his head and tugged at the chain on the ground.

Seeing that he had been pulling for a long time to no avail, Li Bai shook his head, stretched out his hand and drew his sword, the iron light flashed by, and the shackles wrapped around the young man's wrist were broken silently.

Originally, he was prepared to startle the boy.

But he didn't expect Li Xiang to be at a loss, and he didn't even know what happened when the blade was pressed against his wrist and swiped like this.

It wasn't until he got closer that he could see clearly the empty pupils of the young man.

Pale.

This child is blind...

"This gentleman, what's your address?" Li Xiang turned his ear to this side suspiciously.

"Li Bai."

"Then, thank you, Mr. Li Bai."

The young man leaned over and saluted upright and meticulous, which was much better than that guy Xun Qing who could only cry and cry.At such a young age, he has matured like an adult.

Coupled with those eyes that can't see anything, I can't imagine how much suffering I have suffered.

Li Bai shook his head and sighed silently.

"Mr. Li Bai, why did you and brother Xun Qing come here?"

Li Xiang asked curiously, "Did you come to save me?"

Xun Qing froze for a moment, blushing with embarrassment.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were sold here. We came here originally to investigate that bastard Ji Xian, but we were almost caught. Without you this time, we would be miserable."

"Where is it, the two of you also saved me."

Li Xiang shook his head nonchalantly, hugging his pipa, with a light smile full of joy and gratitude, "I thought I would starve to death here."

"It's almost the same." Xun Qing shook his head in frustration: "Now the door is sealed, and there is illusion, we can't escape, and you have been implicated. If they know that you helped us, they must..."

will die.

Just thinking of such an ending made him almost out of breath.

Especially Li Bai and Li Xiang were implicated...

"Don't be afraid, it's not time to be discouraged yet."

Li Bai laughed, patted him and Li Xiang on the shoulders, and said solemnly, "Don't worry, you will be fine."

The young man was holding his sword, the grass root at the corner of his mouth was slightly raised, and he looked back to assure them: "I will protect you!"

No matter what happens.

He will not let innocent people die before his eyes.

"...I know a way out that might be possible."

In the silence, Li Xiang hugged his pipa and said timidly: "You can still go through the secret door, but I don't know how to get in."

The two were stunned.

"how do you know?"

"Everyone thinks I'm blind, so they never lie to me when I do things. But I have very good ears and can hear clearly." Li Xiang shook his head bitterly: "I originally wanted to run through the secret door, but I Without eyes, I could only hide in the car and get out, but I was caught for some reason.”

"Even if there is a secret door, it's useless if you can't find it." Li Bai sighed.

Before he finished speaking, he froze in place.

He stared blankly at the child in front of him.

Illusion?

In the world, is there any illusion that can fool a blind man?

How can one be deceived by what is in front of one's eyes if one cannot see it in the first place?

After a brief shock, he lowered his head and carefully looked at the child in front of him, unable to restrain his surprise.

After a long time, he squatted down and asked seriously: "Aren't you afraid? In case something goes wrong..."

"No matter how scary it is, it's nothing like being locked here as a slave for a lifetime."

Li Xiang shook his head, "Besides, didn't Mr. Li Bai say he wanted to protect us? I won't be afraid."

"Then, can you please guide me, Li Xiang?"

Li Bai solemnly stretched out his hand and pressed the child's shoulder: "Bet on my life, I assure you - you will be free!"

In the silence, the blind child froze for a long time, felt the heat of the palm on his shoulder, and nodded vigorously.

"Ok!"

Li Bai never thought that it would be so easy to decipher the illusion.

Originally they couldn't get out of the maze of bronze mirrors no matter what, under Li Xiang's groping and guidance, they turned left and right, and walked out very easily.

Even thanks to his keen sense of hearing, they didn't encounter a few obstacles along the way.

Sometimes people have not come over, they are still two corridors away, Li Xiang has already noticed, leading them to hide behind the room and the door.

Occasionally, there were two who couldn't get around, and they were instantly knocked down by Li Bai pretending to be drunk guests, and then Xun Qing slipped a rag into his mouth, tied them up, and threw them into other empty rooms.

Soon, at the end of the corridor, there was nothing on the wall in front of him.

"Going wrong?" Li Bai frowned.

"No, it's here." Li Xiang reached out and groped the wall: "There should be a secret door here, but I don't know where it is."

"Wait a minute, this style of secret door, let me see, it should be here?"

Xun Qing rolled up his sleeves and leaned forward, groping for a while, finally his eyes fell on a huge bronze mirror, he reached out to knock on it, and there was a hollow sound.

When he grabbed the candle holder and pressed it down hard, there was a muffled grinding sound from behind the bronze mirror.The huge bronze mirror turned over completely, revealing the dark corridor behind it.

A gust of wind blew from the darkness, making Li Bai's eyes brighten, and he had already heard the distant echo.

"Xun Qing, well done!"

Li Bai patted him on the shoulder, looked inside, and found that the passage behind the secret door was surprisingly wide enough for three people to walk side by side.

Moreover, after walking forward for a while, it was discovered that the space was also unbelievably large, and it even faintly led to various vital points of Yunjianlou.

Even, go deep underground!
The more you go down, the bigger the space, and you will see fewer and fewer traces left by people's lives.

Instead, there are various huge organs and parts.

It's like walking through a huge machine.

After Li Bai calculated the height, he realized that they had gradually passed through the surface of Chang'an and entered its 'inside'!
"That guy even dared to dig the mechanism transmission layer of Fangshi!"

Xun Qing's face was livid: "This is completely a joke with the lives of everyone in Changlefang!"

If Chang'an is an unprecedented huge institution, then Fangshi is its huge modules.Compared with this ancient capital, the works of all mechanics are as insignificant as dust.

Maintaining the operation of Chang'an is the unshirkable obligation of every mechanism engineer. At the same time, protecting it from damage is also the responsibility of the mechanism engineer's life on the first day of becoming an mechanism engineer.

It's a pity that the existence of Chang'an is too huge and ancient, so huge that for so many years, the painstaking exploration of countless mechanism masters has only explained one or two out of ten of it.It is so old that even the earliest records have not revealed the mystery of this city.

After experiencing countless painful lessons, the organists discovered that Chang'an does not need their maintenance and protection.Because no matter what kind of disaster it encounters, Chang'an will still exist and will never be shaken.The ones who were destroyed were just these explorers who wanted to unearth the ancient darkness without authorization...

Over time, even a taboo named 'Underworld' appeared.

Even if Xun Qing knew that Ji Xian's actions would not harm Chang'an's life, but if there was a slight mistake, the entire Changle Square would probably be affected.

As a victim who has experienced the Great Crash, he cannot accept such behavior from the bottom of his heart.

What's more, the one who did this was Ji Xian who had also experienced the pain of the Great Crash!

"That bastard!"

He gritted his teeth and was about to reprimand, but he heard the confused murmur of the blind boy Li Xiang next to him: "It smells so bad..."

I don't know when, the touch under my feet is no longer solid steel, but becomes soft, like soil.

In the darkness, a strange smelly wind blew from a distance, mixed with the sound of shaking leaves, which made him unbelievable.

If he closes his eyes, he even feels that he has suddenly come to a farmland.

It can be illuminated by the faint light above the head.

In this wide underground space, there is actually only one narrow passageway, which has already been filled with dense crops.A gust of wind blows, and there is a rustling sound of Chaoyin version.

Countless colorful flowers dance with the wind, undulating like an ocean.

A strange smell spread.

Disgusting.

(End of this chapter)