Tang riddles

Loulan used to be the hometown of Taoyuan in the desert, but now it has become the dust of history under the yellow sand.It is said that in the Western Han Dynasty, the water and grass here were lush and the forests were full of patches, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, creating a peaceful scene.However, the ensuing conquest completely destroyed everything in Loulan.Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty went west, and the Xiongnu invaded the Central Plains. Loulan, located at the junction of the two empires, was between Qi and Chu.So there are no two attributes, and there is no way to be safe.In the eyes of the Han people, the inferior and humble Loulan monarch with two heads and two heads is nothing more than a futile attempt by a small country to protect itself.

After lingering for two or three hundred years, Loulan finally collapsed overnight.The reason for the collapse is still unknown, but there are thousands of ghosts under the yellow sand, which cannot be erased.

When Shen Sui heard the sound of the howling wind, she thought it might be the cry of Lou Lan's dead soul.

After several days of strong winds, they have traveled hundreds of miles against the wind and sand. The old Sogdian guide who led the way ahead had the wisdom to discern the road in his weather-beaten brown eyes.He never lost his way in the wind and sand, and the team has always been under his leadership, moving forward with clear goals.

Shen Sui rode on a camel, her mouth and nose were covered in a scarf, and she wore goggles that she had made earlier to avoid being blinded by the wind and sand.Everyone in the team has this kind of goggles. The sand, dust and sunlight are too severe, so they need such goggles for protection.

At first, Shen Sui didn't dare to walk at night.But after a day, she still decided to travel for a while at night. Time was so tight that she had to take risks.The Sogdian guide did not object. According to him, he had experience in traveling at night, so as long as he followed him closely, nothing would happen.

Wearing the stars and wearing the moon, a group of people ate and slept all the way, hurried and hurried, and finally arrived at a place with a symbolic reference on the fifth day.It was a towering weathered stone forest, densely packed together, forming narrow roads between each other, and the height of each stone peak was almost the same, stretching across hundreds of miles from south to north.It seems that if you don't go through this stone forest, you can't move forward.

The old Sogdian guide Mijia said a few words to Hutuo, and then Hutuo came to Shen Sui's side and said:

"Uncle Miga said that this stone forest is called Tubalil, which means labyrinth in Sogdian. This stone forest was originally the seat of the Loulan city-state. At that time, the terrain here was higher, and Loulan was transported from Khotan in the south. A large number of stones were built here to build a tower several feet high. However, after hundreds of years of wind and sand erosion, the buildings on the platform gradually weathered and fell apart, and were integrated with the platform below. Then there was a split fault, and it gradually formed this look."

"So, this is the ruins of the ancient city of Loulan?" Shen Sui asked.

"No, the ruins here are the ruins of the old capital. Loulan once moved the capital. According to records, the ruins of the new capital should be in the northwest. Uncle Miga saw the new capital. This old capital existed before, so Uncle Miga is no stranger to it. .However, since the Kongque River is on the north side of the old capital site, we can't get around it and have to go through this stone forest."

"Uncle Mi Jia escaped from the sandstorm before and came to the military camp of Loulan Mansion. Did you pass through this stone forest?"

"He got around on a raft from the Kongque River, but he didn't enter it. But we have too much luggage now, and it is impossible to walk on the river." Kutuo explained.

Shen Sui pondered for a moment, looking at the towering stone forest in front of her, she hesitated.

"Master, can we go around from the south?" Huyan Zhuoma said.

"No, it's too far to the south, and if you go south, you will enter the territory of Tubo. Recently, Tubo is mobilizing troops. Maybe you will encounter the Tubo army. That would be bad." Shen Sui said, "Besides, this stone forest, we It is necessary to go in, perhaps, unlocking the secret of the maze is all in one fell swoop. The location of the main altar must be within the radius of this prescription, and there is no point in detouring away."

Shen Sui stepped forward and stroked one of the stone peaks in the stone forest. The rough surface of the stones, with a small amount of sand accumulated in the pores, looked so realistic, it should be a real thing, not a mirage.So, how credible is Xiao Kai's theory of mirage?

While thinking, Zhang Ruohan's voice came from behind.

"Akashi..."

"Lotus maid? Why did you come down?" Shen Sui hurriedly walked to her side and took her hand.

Zhang Ruohan didn't look at Shen Sui, but looked at the stone forest in front of him in confusion, and said thoughtfully:

"I seem to... have been here before."

"How come, this time, it's the first time for us to come here." Shen Sui said.

"However, there is an inexplicable sense of familiarity." She withdrew her gaze and looked at Shen Sui, "I seem to have really been here, right here, Huang'er... She was born..." Zhang Ruohan frowned slightly in pain raised eyebrows.

"Lotus Maid..." Shen Sui was worried, and pulled her into his arms, "Don't think wildly, Huang'er is fine, we will find her soon."

"It's not just fantasies, it's true..." Zhang Ruohan leaned in her arms and murmured, "Maybe it's...my dream."

"Dream?" Shen Suiqi said, "Dream, dreamed of this place? Why, this is not in line with common sense, you have never been here before, how could you have dreamed of this place before?"

"I don't know, but I can be sure that I have dreamed of this place. Unfortunately... I can't remember clearly. It seems to be very dangerous. It seems to be related to the birth of Huang'er. I only remember so much." She tried hard to recall. .

"It's okay, it's okay." Shen Sui gently stroked her shoulder, comforting her in a low voice.

Everyone rested in place for a while, and Shen Sui formulated a strategy for entering the stone forest.Hutuo and the elderly Sogdians led the way ahead, Shen Sui and Huyan Zhuoma led Congyun Congyu to protect Zhang Ruohan and others and their luggage in the middle of the team, and the remaining five Qianyumen brothers guarded the tail of the team.The team was arranged in an arrow shape. Apart from paying attention to the front, back and side roads around the body, Shen Sui also focused on reminding everyone to pay attention to the top of their heads, because in a narrow space, the sky above is undoubtedly the best position for a sneak attack.Everyone covered their mouths and noses, put on protective goggles, raised their shields, and all weapons were unsheathed, ready to fight at any time.

In addition, Shen Sui also asked Ying Niang to give everyone a Qingxin pill to clear their minds and avoid confusion after inhaling the smoke.

After eating and drinking enough, everything was ready, Shen Sui gave the order to set off, and the team entered the corridor of the stone forest.

Zhang Ruohan was still sitting in the felt-covered wide-wheeled car, and looked out through the felt.Just after noon, the sun was shining brightly, and the entire stone forest was illuminated brightly. Except for the shadow cast by the stalagmites and peaks, everything seemed normal.In the narrow cracked corridor, the blue sky above turned into a line of sky, and the field of vision became narrow, which still brought a sense of depression.

She looked back subconsciously, and there was no abnormality in the rear. The five Qianyumen brothers were carefully moving forward with the team, and they would look back every little while, and they would immediately find out if there was anything abnormal.Zhang Ruohan was a little confused, she didn't understand why she felt that the rear was dangerous.

Shen Sui, who was riding on a camel at the side, saw Zhang Ruohan's restless appearance, and couldn't help asking:

"Lotus maid, what do you remember?"

"I don't know...I just feel that there may be an ambush..."

"Okay, I understand." Shen Sui responded, she did not question Zhang Ruohan's words, but believed them unconditionally.Shen Sui recalled that Lotus Maid's mind was thorough and sensitive, and she had insight into Xuanming hiding in the dark. Although she couldn't tell the future correctly, she was often able to have a premonition of the crisis, most of which were manifested in her omens. In the dreamland, she chose to follow Zhang Ruohan's feeling.

"Everyone, be vigilant and don't relax!" She ordered to remind again.

Shen Sui's reminder undoubtedly made everyone in the team tighten the tension in their minds again.Although the surroundings were extremely calm, everyone walked like walking on thin ice. On top of their heads, around them, in front of them, and behind them, they kept up their spirits and observed their surroundings all the time, so that they became a little nervous.

Soon, the first straight road into the maze came to an end, and two forked roads appeared in front of her eyes. Whether to go to the right or to the left, Shen Sui pondered for a moment. Zhong took out the maze model, looked at it for a while, put it away again, and said:

"Go to the right. Since Xindu is in the northwest, let's go in the direction first."

At this moment, the old Sogdian businessman spoke. He turned the camel and said a few words to Hutuo. Hutuo seemed a little dissatisfied, but he still translated it to Shen Sui:

"Uncle Miga said that he will send us here, and he will not follow us any further."

Shen Sui looked at Mijia, didn't say anything, took out a pouch from his bosom, threw it to him and said:

"Here are the agreed fifty gold leaves. You can also ride this camel."

Mijia accepted the money bag, but did not open it to check, but saluted Shen Sui's chest, said something, then patted the camel, and went straight down the road.

"He said, may the god of fire be with you. If you find Mirgan (a young Sogdian businessman), I hope you will report to him." Kuta said, staring at his back as he left.

"Hmph." Shen Sui chuckled lightly, shook his sleeves, turned the camel around, and slowly entered the right lane.

Everything that follows is up to them.

Walking in the narrow lane, Shen Sui said to Hutuo beside him:

"Khuta, I regret it a little."

"Huh? What do you mean by that, Dalang?" Hutuo was puzzled.

"You shouldn't have come with me. Didn't you say that there is an old woman in my hometown Gaochang? You should go back to see her, but now you come here with me."

"Dalang!" Hutuo was anxious, "How can you say that! I have followed you for more than ten years. Wherever you are, Hutuo will be there. We will be able to rescue the little lady safely, and then, suddenly Tuo will take you to your hometown to taste Gaochang's fine wines and watch Gaochang's dance music, the old lady is waiting for us."

"Yes, you are right." Shen Sui smiled, "I was wrong."

However, good wishes are destined to be contrary to reality.Things got worse as we got deeper into the maze.The bright sun was shining brightly just now, but suddenly disappeared without knowing when.The sky became cloudy, the light gradually dimmed, and the wind and sand gradually intensified, whistling in the narrow stone crevices, making a terrifying whistling sound.The sound was like a devil's cry from hell, whimpering and mourning, enveloping everyone's ears for a long time.

In front, Kutuo led the team, according to Shen Sui's instructions, he must choose the right side whenever the road forks.However, after doing this for more than half an hour, they still moved forward in the narrow gap, without seeing a way forward.

Anxious emotions spread among the team, Shen Sui knew that this would not work, so he ordered the team to temporarily rest in place.She sat on the ground, took out the maze puzzle again, and began to think hard.

What is going on, how can I get out of this maze.It is impossible to go out like a headless chicken.

Going up to Qiongbi and down to Huangquan, the two places are gone...

The six spirits are on the top, and the six directions are in harmony, looking for a smooth way to the dark world...

What exactly does that mean?

"Biluo Huangquan, heaven and earth, all directions, interesting. You know, the word 'biluo' comes from my Taoism..." The words left by Master Sima Chengzhen echoed in Shen Sui's heart.

Master, have you solved the maze yet?Where are you now?Why hasn't Tuer received any news from you all this way.But the apprentice has already come to the maze, and has never met you.Where exactly are you, Tuer is very confused, never in his life has he been so confused.

Shen Sui sighed deeply, unconsciously moving the maze model with his hand.How to get out of this maze?They don't have time to be trapped here. If this continues, not only will they not be able to save Huang'er, but they will all be trapped here and die after running out of water and food.

She couldn't help looking up at the sky, the sky was getting darker, and the visibility of the surrounding scenery dropped sharply, as if there was a layer of misty smoke floating in the air, covering the sight, inhaling the nose and mouth, the smell of dust was very choking.

She coughed twice, and once again beckoned the team to set off.No matter what, you have to go on, if you don't go, you will be trapped here forever.

The team set off again, this time with Shen Sui and Huyan Zhuoma leading the way, while Hutuo and Congyun Congyu protected the family's luggage in the middle road, and the Qianyumen brothers were still cut off.

The sky is getting darker and darker. At this time, the desert has not yet reached sunset, but the sky is extremely dark.The howling wind was getting louder and louder, Shen Sui and the others braved the strong wind blowing from the cracks and moved forward with difficulty, the wind and sand hit their bodies, everyone was covered in dust.

Suddenly, there was a huge thunder in the ear, and an extremely terrifying lightning struck the sky. At that moment, the light was so strong that everyone could not open their eyes. They subconsciously raised their hands to block their eyes. Covered by strong thunder.The camel was frightened and began to run without thinking.

Shen Sui tried to control the camel, but it didn't work at all, the camel was no better than a horse, she was not familiar with the method of driving the camel, for a while, she could only let the camel run.She had a bad heart. In such a maze, if the camel ran in a panic and ran away from the team, it would be bad.

She pulled the rein and desperately forced the camel to stop, until the terrible burst of lightning and thunder passed, and the camel finally stopped.She turned around abruptly, shouting in a hoarse voice:

"Lotus maid! Qin slave! Bridesmaid!"

However, there was nothing behind her, and only her voice was left echoing in the narrow corridor.She stayed in place for a moment, looking at the scene behind her, her heart seemed to be tied to a block of iron, and she slowly sank into the cold seabed.

The team... got lost...

The author has something to say: the bug has been caught.

I will go to work tomorrow, so tomorrow's chapter will be gone.The next chapter update is still on Tuesday.That should be the last chapter before the festival. The update schedule during the Spring Festival will be explained in the next chapter in small green characters.