Love and passion, cutting up the wasteland

I don't know how much time passed, but after everyone entered the tunnel, they circled downwards, circle after circle, as if they had entered a tomb or the stomach of a giant sky-swallowing beast.

There were no lights on the surrounding walls, and it was pitch black. Except for Lu Meng and a few other people who could sense the road clearly, even the soldiers of the Ember Order had to support each other while touching the rock wall of the mine tunnel and slowly descending. Avoid falling.

Only the mountain people who led the way were walking with flying feet, more familiar than walking on the ground. For them, this is the place where they grew up - not just these generations of mountain people, but the ancestors of the miners dating back thousands of years. Our ancestors have lived here for generations.

Many people's body structures have undergone partial mutation and evolution to adapt to the environment in the mines.

Don't say there is no light, close your eyes, even if you are dizzy, you can find a way out by walking backwards or crawling on the ground.

And this is only the first part of the story.

It gets more complicated further down.

It's like an ant's nest.

No wonder the Blood Rebellion broke out so unexpectedly. It was a completely unfamiliar world to the people on the ground. Even if the rebels were defeated on the ground, the suppressing coalition forces believed that they could not completely wipe them out. This was already It’s not that the cunning rabbit has three burrows, but it’s so riddled with holes that I don’t even know where to start to block them.

The leader of the mountain people on this trip didn't think anyone could remember even one of the passages after only walking through it once.

Hundreds of beasts of burden followed at the end. They were a little panicked when they suddenly entered the deep mine tunnel. They all relied on the animal trainers in the team to calm them down. The only one who felt excited was Xiaogu, who was mixed in with the beasts. Among the group, he crouched between the four legs of the bull and the camel, like an ordinary shepherd dog.

Whether it's darkness or claustrophobia, it's used to it.

Strictly speaking, Aikang Town was not created by United Urban Construction. It was already in work during the Second Empire. As for the site selection, it may be even earlier - Lu Meng could feel the cutting of the rock wall at the beginning of the entrance. It was smooth, as if it were made by a large machine or even a laser, but gradually it started to become rough and rough as we walked for a while, and finally there were obvious traces of some artificial shovels.

It’s simply a history of civilization’s degradation.

The key point is: since Aikang Town was abandoned due to the blockade of the coalition forces, the mountain people should no longer mine ore to make a living, so the history of the formation of these mine tunnels goes back even further.

‘It’s impossible for matter to come out of thin air,’ Lu Meng thought to himself, ‘I don’t know how many of the materials that make up the current skeletal body structure are refined from the ores underground in Aikou Town. ’

During the long walk, the mountain leader might have deliberately walked in circles, but they finally arrived at a relatively open underground space that could barely accommodate everyone.

Lu Mengren held the line in the middle of the team, with Bo leading the team in front. Today's mountain people can no longer be regarded as the original rebels, but at least they still have the Blood Rebellion as their origin.

Bo, the anti-slavery person, obviously has more in common with the other team leader.

When the leader of the team arrived at the cave, Lu Meng and the following teams were still in the mine tunnel, but he clearly heard a commotion from ahead, but the reaction was quite slight, and was immediately followed by the scolding of the mountain guards, which did not expand.

Because it was not aimed at them, Lu Meng did not move, but followed the rhythm of the team to reach the hole naturally. The vision suddenly opened up, and there was finally light here—not an electric lamp or a bonfire, but a luminous lantern made by the Hive Tribe that was as bright as a night pearl.

Fluorescent light yellow but quite filling.

Hanging on the top of the rock cavity, it really looks like the moon in the sky.

The light made people see clearly what was happening in front of them: in addition to Lu Meng and others and the returning mountain people, there were more than a dozen prisoners in the cave, and the source of the commotion was several of them.

Lu Meng glanced in the direction of the prisoner and was a little surprised because he saw a familiar figure.

The man's hair was disheveled and he looked like a homeless man, but he was tied up and his mouth was gagged.

The other party tilted his head, obviously seeing Lu Meng, and their eyes met.

Lu Meng:......

Bud:…

Why are you here?

Overturned, overturned...

The tied prisoner looked like the bard Bard who left without saying goodbye.

As a 'non-staff member' of the Ember Order, he arrived at the Depression Lagoon first and preached the story of the First Fire among the drifters in the lower city.

It is precisely because of Bard's operation that it can be said that before the real person who gave way to the dream showed up, his 'image' had already spread throughout the bottom level.

Later, the reason why they were able to organize and mobilize the drifters was that they had a common enemy, the strength displayed by a few people, and the anti-slavery people's leverage. But the more important reason was that Bard had already laid the foundation of public opinion. , just waiting for an opportunity to ignite - if Lu Meng does not appear at this time, I am afraid that it will not be long before they themselves find a leader, such as the 'illegitimate son of the first fire', to fill this vacancy.

Of course, it’s hard to say what the final outcome will be.

The bard's ability to confuse or propagandize is unquestionable and has been proven time and time again. At critical moments, he can even influence the direction of the situation.

Lu Mengyou guessed that the other party's next step was to go to Ai Mine Town, but he didn't expect that he would not 'grow' among the wild people for a while, but would plunge into the depths of Ai Mine.

Being able to avoid the cannibalized city dwellers all the way, he is also a ruthless person.

But in the end, he still fell into the hands of the mountain people.

——Literally, Bard has no words to say.

He has always been a storyteller. Since he came into contact with the Ash Cult and Lu Beiyou behind it, he has been able to create endless creative materials.

In this regard, they are considered to be in sync.

However, Bard is not a faithful recorder. The original appearance of the event is not important to him... to them.

What the bard really needs is ups and downs, legends, and topics.

It can even be a tragedy.

Therefore, it is not their style to always follow the hero to record stories.

A top bard like Bard will never be satisfied with this.

As the old saying goes:

If there is no news, then make it.

From the perspective of the bard, he can brag to everyone: You see, my poems are not legends, but realities that are about to happen - how can recording history be as refreshing and joyful as prophecies coming true?

The aura of a prophet can enhance reputation, even if it was caused by his own hands.

That's why he operated in the depression lagoon - from the results, it can be said that Lu Meng took advantage of Bard's momentum to lead the drifters and finally let them return to Shandi; but on the other hand, it can also be said that Bard forced him to choose this paved road.

Otherwise, it will affect the reputation of Shandi, the Embers Cult and even the Red King himself.

In extreme cases, if a believer finds that the statue is not as good as he thought, it is most likely to fall into the abyss in reverse, and it may even be more fanatical than ordinary enemies.

In Lu Meng's era, there is a very appropriate word...

De-fan and return.

This puts the two in a cooperative and exploitative relationship, and only Lu Meng can catch up with the speed of the bard's fabrication of "rumors" and turn them into facts one by one.

Bard knows that the Red King knows this, and he also knows that Lu Meng knows that he knows that he knows this... So the bard has not been prepared to go back since he left the Embers Cult.

On the one hand, it was out of the need to create legends and make heroes, and on the other hand, it was because he didn't want to be caught by Lu Meng, which would be so embarrassing...

But I didn't expect that.

This time, the target was wrong.

"Blood Moon Rain." The leader of the mountain people saluted the guards who were guarding the prisoners, and repeated the situation after explaining the purpose of the visit.

These guards were obviously stronger and more mature, and their status was also higher. Although the chain mail on them was a little worn, it was well maintained and polished. It shone brightly under the illumination of the brilliant lanterns, showing a natural sacredness.

"Purify the world." The Silver Moon Guard returned the salute.

They are a group of fanatics!

Bard shouted in his heart.

But he could only make a mumbling sound.

It is said that under the preaching of a leader codenamed "Preacher", all the mountain people have joined a sect called "Witcher". They use the two bright moons in the sky as totems and corresponding organizational forms. In this desolate ruin of the Sorrow Mine, only the two huge lights in the sky that never fall can bear the faith of people in pain and struggle.

In this case, Bard broke in to preach the doctrine of the Embers Cult...

Isn't that a pagan!

Even if Bard himself is not a devout believer of the Embers, with his mouth that can make the false true, he actually shook the foundation of faith of several listeners and implanted several "prophecies" - unfortunately, he didn't know the other party's identity and background at the time, and dug a corner in front of him.

Now, even if there are still mountain people willing to listen, the priests of the Witcher Cult will definitely not let him go. They directly captured him into the mine tunnel nest and stuffed his mouth to prevent him from continuing to "confuse the public with evil words".

While the guards were discussing whether to cut off Bard's tongue, Lu Meng and others came down from the ground and met him.

In addition to Lu Meng, the soldiers of the Iron Hand Guards also recognized him. Many of them were introduced to the Embers Cult after listening to Mr. Bard's preaching.

Seriously speaking, if you don't consider Bard's own bad taste, this bard is indeed an excellent "political worker" talent--

Help!

Seeing the villagers, the tied up bard twisted on the ground, quite excited, with warm tears in his eyes.

Immediately, Bard saw in despair: the white-haired young man moved his sight away.

As if he didn't know him at all.

"Pah!"

With a loud bang, a patrolling Silver Moon guard slapped his buttocks with the back of a knife. The bard shrank and immediately became honest.

The warriors of the Embers Cult recognized Bard, but none of them spoke, just exchanged glances-naturally they couldn't recognize each other at this time.

Unlike Bard, they did not show that they were from another sect, so they could coexist peacefully with the mountain people.

Mr. Bard was still alive, which meant that the mountain people had not decided to kill him immediately, and there was still room for maneuver.

In addition to Bard, there were other captives on the scene, many of whom were city dwellers who had turned into cannibals. After being captured, they were neither timid like humans nor as frenzied as wild beasts, and they were very quiet with their teeth clenched.

They only occasionally looked at everything around them with their bulging eyes.

This scene was originally quite strange, but compared with the several clay pots behind them that were more than one person tall and filled with unknown things, it seemed nothing - as soon as everyone stepped into this underground cave, a strong and dirty bloody smell filled their noses, almost making people unable to breathe.

Xiaogu crouched down and stared at the clay pot. The smell was coming from it.

In addition to the cannibals, there were actually two normal people like Bard on the field. A Shak woman was also tied up and covered her mouth with horror. Next to her was a soldier bee.

But unlike Bard and the woman, his mouth was empty.

But he behaved quite quietly.

After the Silver Moon Guard gave Bard a "knife", he was about to give the Shak woman a blow. The soldier bee's eyes moved and moved his body to block her in front of him -

"Crack."

The hollow of the mine tunnel suddenly lit up, and a flash of fire burned fiercely, attracting the attention of the Silver Moon Guard.

An Iron Guard stood up, stretched out his left hand, and the flames burned from his palm, burning through his sleeves, revealing the machinery and skeleton made of steel, showing it to everyone.

On the other side, the leader of the mountain people had already told the guards about the discussion between Bo and him.

"You really brought oil."

The majestic Silver Moon Guard watched the flames burning in the palms of the Iron Guards, and the light and shadow flickered behind him.

This is a deal.

Unlike what outsiders know, the mountain people who are blocked in the Sorrow Mine Town, surrounded by cannibals, and trapped in the underground mines, what they lack most is not food.

But fuel oil.

Without energy supply, the descendants of these miners' rebels cannot use the machinery and tools of the entire Sorrow Mine Town even if they have control.

At the same time, many Silver Moon Guards subconsciously looked at Bard, who was tied and gagged, with surprise on their faces:

The other party's first prophecy.

It came true.

Someone will come with oil and fire.

Although the Blood Moon Priest had already severely reprimanded him, whether it was a coincidence or this crazy pagan poet really had the ability to predict, when he really saw this scene, his heart was still touched.

Bard, who had become honest, secretly raised his eyes to look in the direction of the flame. Lu Meng was behind the warrior, blending in with the crowd.

It looked ordinary.

The two met eyes again.

Bard: Good cooperation, right?

Lu Meng: Not familiar.

He ignored the poet who was twisting his body again and turned his head away again.