Mountains and seas can be flat

The leader was killed, the dragons had no leader, and together with Fang Zheng and Zifeng's joint force suppression, this group of fire haters quickly gave up resistance.Hundreds of people stood by the river with their heads downcast. .

Fang Zheng asked "Lian Feng" to look around for the Ertongya and the two scorpions. Zifeng was worried that Fang Zheng would stay alone, but Fang Zheng assured "Lian Feng" that even if he couldn't see it, he had other five senses. , nothing will happen.

Judging from the temporary reactions of these fire haters, the leader was not qualified. Even his child stopped crying when he found no one was paying attention to him.Fang Zheng has the confidence to find out the crux of the matter and establish negotiations. Even if he does, he is not a vegetarian.

Fang Zheng interrogated a few words and found that there were no elders in this tribe. The only ones who could talk were a few strong young men. They were called fire crows, fire sparrows and fire harriers, with feathers and fish bones on their heads and necks. Rings, harpoons are metal.

Fang Zheng continued to question and learned the history of the tribe.

This group of fire-hating people used to be very powerful in their ancestors, but as one of the "ten thousand nations" who went on pilgrimage when Dayu cast Jiuding, they gradually declined.Now Xiazhu is the suzerain country, living by the river all the year round, exchanging food and weapons for subsistence with Danyang City by fishing, and occasionally killing passers-by for food.

The dead leader was Huo Tai, and he was the strongest of them all.No one dared to resist him.Firehaters follow the law of the strongest. If the leader is defeated by a young and strong challenger, he will be replaced.This almost primitive herd-like election rule is also one of the reasons for the decline of the fire-hating tribe. They regard the old and declining as useless, and their skills other than fighting and hunting are also useless.Therefore, there are no elders or doctors, and their mortality rate is very high.

The fire haters once relied on a powerful leader of a certain generation to sweep a large area of ​​land and obtain rich resources.But more often than not, they fight each other, living a life of tension, stocking and brawling that quickly consumes entire tribes.When the powerful leader passed away, and they needed to unite with the outside world, they were already unable to do what they wanted.

Fang Zheng understood the problem, and sighed to the fire-hating man: "We are really only here to find the way to cross the river. If we can all sit down and talk, we won't kill him, and we will even give you some things in exchange. Honestly Said, since you know how to cross the river safely, this is an advantage. If you can make good use of it, you can not only protect yourself, but also exchange a lot of resources. By then, everyone will be able to use metal harpoons without having to live in In the thatched cave, there are enough furs to wear in winter, isn't it good?"

Huo Ya looked weird, and couldn't help but refute Fang Zheng's "Arabian Nights", "How is it possible, other tribes know and will come to kill us."

Fang Zheng thought: "Don't you regard Xiazhu as the suzerain state, and Danyang City is not far across the river? Why don't you seek refuge from them? They are so close, and according to their ability, they must know that you are here, and they did not attack you. Isn't this a peace signal?"

In fact, Fang Zheng knew that there were many loopholes in this speculation, and he said this deliberately for the time being, just to get more in-depth information.

Huoyao wondered: "Xiazhu people don't attack us because they are afraid that we will destroy that..."

Before he finished speaking, he was stopped by the fire crow and fire bird next to him, and he shouted: "No! It's the Xiazhu people who don't like fighting. They think that we can help them resist some outsiders by guarding the river."

Fang Zheng already had calculations in his mind, so he kept his composure, deliberately pretending to be stupid and in a daze so he didn't hear the first half clearly, and changed the subject:

"Since you are exchanging things with them, you must be familiar with the situation in Danyang City. Do you know where 'Floating Immediately' is?" Fang Zheng asked.

"'Gone right now'? I've seen them and exchanged things with them, in the mountains southeast of Mount Dan, but I don't know the details. They never leave that paw horse every time they come." Huo Ya almost thought it was a slip of the tongue just now, but Fang Zheng didn't After asking, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fang Zheng nodded again and said, "Understood, what is your method of 'crossing the river safely'?"

Huo Ya hesitated and looked at the two strong companions. They usually fought fiercely, but when they faced outsiders, they suddenly realized that they were the people closest to them.

"To sacrifice to the gods. We are all ashamed. The gods will temporarily calm their anger and let us cross the river to fish."

There are not many opportunities for this tribe to enjoy the "human meat feast", because people will be roasted and eaten only when there is a surplus of "sacrifices".

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows: "Then if no outsiders pass by here for ten days and a half months, what will you do?"

Those people looked at each other in blank dismay, silent and did not speak, but the disgusted child who was spanked just now burst into tears again with a "wow".

"Niuniu threw it in—"

Fang Zhengxun touched the top of the child's head and asked, "Who is Niuniu?"

"Niu Niu is my sister." The tired child sobbed.

Fang Zheng suddenly felt a creepy chill in his heart.No wonder the tribe declined, with fewer and fewer people.He almost said angrily: "Aren't you stupid? Why don't you throw your head down, what kind of pigs, cows, deer—"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stopped, because when he mentioned "pig", "cow" and "deer", the expressions of those people were-greedy and scared.

Although Fang Zheng couldn't see it, he could hear the greedy sound and nervous swallowing.

Fang Zheng was suffocated for a while, thinking of the reason why he had to use human blood to bury the pit when he heard Zifeng tell in Daqinglong's tomb.

Because human sacrifices are easier to obtain than animals.

Even after experiencing this kind of thing, Fang Zheng still felt nauseous, although he tried his best to adapt.

At this moment Fang Zheng heard the footsteps of "Lian Feng" coming back.Zifeng patrolled around the nearby river bank, but did not find any traces of the two copper teeth and the two scorpions. He whispered to the other party: "It may have rushed to the downstream or the opposite side."

Fang Zheng nodded. Since they will not be found for a while, they must cross the river more quickly, but from Huo Ya's gaffe just now, Fang Zheng guessed what this tribe was guarding, which made Xia Zhu very envious, but he was afraid that they would destroy him Don't dare to snatch it openly.Fang Zheng whispered one word to Zifeng: "Check".Zifeng understood what he meant, and slipped away from Fang Zheng again.

Fang Zheng questioned the situation of the fire-hating people, and quickly found out their population composition, daily production process, how many children they had this year, and how many fish they caught.After a while, Zifeng came back, his brows couldn't hide his surprise, he leaned close to Fang Zheng's ear, and said softly: "Tree."

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows. If he was referring to the light and round tree that can be used as a boat when cut open, he can understand Xiazhu people's domineering mentality.After Fang Zheng figured it out, he felt that there was no need to stay, and he didn't want to rob other people's resources, so he said to Zifeng: "Go headhunting big animals, let's prepare to cross the river."

Presumably there is a hungry monster in the river, and there is no time to entangle it today, so let's cross the river according to the method of the fire-hating man.But at the moment Fang Zheng was about to lift his foot, the black, fire-weary child hugged his leg and cried, "Don't go."

Zifeng's facial muscles twitched for a moment, and he had the urge to drag the child into the river, but he tried his best to restrain it, and just stared at the child fiercely, so scared that the child immediately retracted his hands, but he still looked at Fang Zheng eagerly.

Fang Zheng was puzzled, "What?"

It was Huoya who spoke, a little reluctantly, but his voice was terrified: "Huoya is dead, he, he said before, if he wants to dedicate things to Danyang City, the Xiazhu people will protect us... from the beginning to the end, he One person is in contact with that side, what should we do now..."

Fang Zheng was dumbfounded, he didn't expect that the big dead man had such cunning ideas of "traitors", nothing more than exchanging treasures for blessing or glory.He is the most powerful and able to restrain everyone, but if he exchanges things that belong to the whole clan, it is presumably not the safety of the whole clan that is exchanged.Even a few fire-hate youngsters can see this clearly.Because after the treasures were handed over, the tribe would have nothing to keep them close, and they would not be able to deter the Xiazhu people. They would be invaded and wiped out casually, and captured as slaves...

Now is a delicate timing. Fang Zheng and Zifeng killed Huolu by mistake, and the deal with the Xiazhu people was naturally interrupted. The tribe's treasures were temporarily preserved, but how would the Xiazhu people who had been breached of the contract retaliate?This is what worries them the most.

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment, and said: "Would you like to change your place of residence? - Our tribe is short of people, I guarantee you freedom, food, clothing, and no need to be my slaves. But you have to abide by some rules. Will Respect your habits, but you must also respect others. You can't do it by fighting to choose a leader or killing a priest. I don't care about you precious trees—" Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows and said, "Do you have to guard it? Can it be transplanted? Of course, if you insist on staying here, I didn't say anything."

Huo Ya was surprised at first: How did Fang Zheng know about their treasure?But then they felt unbelievable that Fang Zheng was unmoved, and what made them even more at a loss was the message in Fang Zheng's words: what is meant by not being a slave but obeying the rules, what is meant by respecting their habits, and what is meant by guaranteeing your freedom... These are very foreign concepts.They listened in a daze, but in fact those words were very simple, and they vaguely understood the general meaning, and felt that it was unbelievably beautiful—how could it be possible?

"My brother Zheng, what he said is true." Zifeng saw the confusion on their faces more clearly, "Believe it or not, we still have to hurry."

In fact, compared to the blind Fang Zheng, these fire-hating people are more directly afraid of Zifeng, who can kill instantly. But seeing his opponent Zheng follow his lead, it seems that Fang Zheng's strength should not be underestimated.

Fang Zhengdao, "You want me to help, I will show you the way. You can figure it out, we really have to leave quickly."

"Then, there..." The tired child timidly grabbed Fang Zheng's trousers, "How do I get there?"

Fang Zhengji thought carefully: "You can't go in vain. After all, there are mountains and water resources in my place, and there is no suzerain power, and the people living in it are also very good. If you want to go, please be a little more sincere."

Fire Crow and the others exchanged glances, "If it's really what you said, we'll dedicate the 'Three Bead Tree' to you."

Fang Zheng was surprised, it turned out that it was not an ordinary tree, but a "three-bead tree"?It is a unique sacred tree in the "Shan Hai Jing". It grows on the red water, the tree is like a cypress, and the leaves are like pearls.It is said in the classics that "the Yellow Emperor once traveled to the north of Chishui, climbed Kunlun Mountain, and accidentally dropped the Xuanzhu when he returned. The three-bead tree may have been transformed by the Xuanzhu."

Zifeng leaned into Fang Zheng's ear and said softly: "What they said is true. The biggest tree in the depths of the woods is seven or eight people tall and has no insect marks at all. Brother Zheng, this should also be a kind of spiritual thing. Bar."

Although the land by the river has been eroded, it is still very strong, presumably it is also the credit of the trees that fix the wind and sand. If the spiritual things are used properly and suitable for eyes, they can conserve water and soil.But if it is not nurtured by a virtuous person, it will be difficult to fully exert its role.

Fang Zheng pondered and said to Yanhuo: "Is this something I can't take away? You said give it to me, how can I use it?"

Yan Huo said: "This tree has always been there and has never been moved. We are afraid that if we leave it, it will be taken over by the Xiazhu people, and we are also afraid that if we move it, it will die immediately. We have cut off a branch of it before. Dry, it is not affected. You can cut a branch to make a boat, this branch has a very special taste, and you don’t need to throw the sacrifice down, and the gods will let it go.”

Fang Zheng weighed the pros and cons and said: "Okay, I promise you." Fang Zheng patted the little purple man who slipped onto his shoulder at some point, and said, "Let that little brother of yours lead them the way."

The little purple monkey screamed into the air, and after a while the white-faced beast jumped out from behind the stone, scratching its ears and cheeks. Fang Zheng said, "Follow this old monkey, and you will be able to reach me. Be careful on the road, and when you reach the valley There are people here to take care of you. You should move that tree by its roots, maybe it can grow alive with me.”

At that time, Fang Zheng didn't know that among the fire-wearers, only the elderly remembered the prophecy, but the old fire-wearers had died, and the prophecy was lost. Now these young fire-wearers don't know, this tree from the Yellow Emperor The "three-bead tree" that has been handed down from the period can actually bear fruit, but on this stormy riverside, in poor mountains and rough waters, it has never produced fruit.According to the prophecy, only when you really arrive at the chosen place and meet the monarch who is destined for the world, can you bear fruit.

The two parties reached an agreement, and the fire-hating man took Fang Zheng to the "three-bead tree" deep in the woods. Fang Zheng couldn't see the luxuriant scene with round, bead-like leaves, but he could touch the trunk that only three or four people could hug.The fire-weary children danced and told them that Fang Zheng's black long sword had cut off the tree in one fell swoop just now, and these fire-weary people climbed up the tree and borrowed Fang Zheng's sword to cut off a branch.But the sword was like ordinary iron in their hands, leaving only a white mark on the trunk.

Fang Zheng didn't believe in evil, and was going to climb up to try it for himself.Zifeng hugged Fang Zheng and said, "Brother Zheng, I will ask you to go up." With the help of Zifeng, Fang Zheng successfully groped and climbed up the tree trunk, took the Chonghua sword to saw a slanting branch next to it, and only waved it once. The waist-thick branch broke off in the middle and fell to the ground.Everyone was stunned.

"This sword...can still pick people?" Those fire-hating people were dumbfounded, looking at Fang Zheng with very complicated expressions.

They cut open tree trunks to make a round wooden boat, and carried Fang Zheng, Zifeng and Xie Qian into the middle of the river. The old monkey waved goodbye to its "boss" by the river, making pitiful cries.Fang Zheng looked back and saw that those people had already taken out stone plows to dig up the soil and dig trees, and he wondered if they could transplant them smoothly.

The boat sailed to the center of the river, and there was no storm.All of a sudden, the spirit squeaked on Fang Zheng's shoulder again, and saw two soft things standing up in front of him, similar to the tentacles and arms of a giant squid.

Although Fang Zheng couldn't see it, he felt that "Lian Feng" beside him was tensing up.He patted the back of "Lian Feng"'s hand, and said in a low voice, "I don't feel the murderous intent."

"Neither have I." Otherwise, Zifeng would have shot through with an arrow, still tense, and described the scene ahead to Fang Zhengting in a low voice.At the end of the two tentacles that are as tall as a man, there is an astonishingly huge strange thing under the water, but at this moment there is no wave or wave, and the two tentacles are lined up on both sides, as if they are welcoming each other and saying hello in a friendly way. of.

"Is this tree really so magical?" Fang Zheng asked in a low voice.

"I don't know if it has some origin from ancient times." Zi Feng was also shocked.

Seeing this, the fire haters on the shore all trembled and knelt down—they used to use the "three-bead tree" boat to sail to the center of the river, although they were not attacked, but the thing would not come out of the river, so they friendlyed with them. greet.

Zifeng's expression became a little conflicted, and the two soft tentacles gradually came closer, leaning softly on the side of the boat. Fang Zheng also smelled the strong smell of the river, and whispered to Zifeng, "Don't shoot, it It's not like attacking."

It's kind of like asking for protection.Rao is still unable to relax with two big black tentacles on the side of the boat.Sitting behind Fang Zheng, Zi Feng hugged Fang Zheng tightly in his arms, afraid that the two tentacles would touch him.Fortunately, the monster seemed to be only interested in the hull, and its tentacles didn't stick in.

The driving speed slowed down obviously. The tentacles reluctantly clung to the hull, but they didn't change their course. Instead, they supported them across the middle of the turbulent river, and gradually approached the opposite bank. Then the monster released its two sticky legs. The wet tentacles retracted into the river, out of sight.

Fang Zheng obviously felt the chest that was stuck behind him relax for a moment, and coughed to Zifeng: "Xiaofeng, you hug me so tightly. Let go."

In the darkness invisible to the eyes, the weightlessness of driving and the swaying of buoyancy made the body extremely unstable, and there was an ancient monster beside the hull.At that moment, Fang Zheng was actually thankful that his whole body could be entrusted with a hug. It was so strong, solid, warm, and full of strength, as if it wanted to protect him from the world's harm.

This kind of mood is beyond words, after all, it means dependence and weakness.Will he be inseparable from such an appropriate and gentle treatment one day?Even though it meant that there was little hope of regaining his eyesight, Fang Zheng suddenly felt that his previous fear had faded.If "Lian Feng" could always be by his side... Thinking of this episode, Fang Zheng also forgot to break free, and it took a long time to realize that "Lian Feng" did not let go of his obedience.

"breeze?"

"Brother Zheng, is everyone free?" Zifeng asked.

"Under the premise of not offending others." Fang Zheng said.

"Then I..." Zifeng said anxiously, "Am I offending you by hugging you like this?"

"No." Fang Zheng's voice was a little low.

Zifeng suddenly became happy, "Then can I hug you for a while?"

Fang Zheng was silent for a while, and his voice became softer: "Yes."