Volume 1 | North Bird Does Not Return
People believe that Hao Li is where all souls go after death.
Chang Geng, “Don’t touch him!”
Gu Yun’s face remained unchanged, he calmly took out an envelope and handed it to Chang Geng.
There wasn’t any contents in the envelope, the surface gave off a sharp, cold scent, it seemed to be a mixture of agarwood and something else.
The night before, the Eagle unit had found three envelopes from Master Wangi that were captured. This envelope was one of them. The three envelopes had different scents, the fragrance expert was quite stubborn, he didn’t want to talk no matter how hard they interrogated him. But of course, in such a short time, even if he confessed, Gu Yun did not need to trust him.
Among the three envelopes, the only envelope that Gu Yun could tell from where the source was was this one.
According to legend, there was a rotten emperor from one of the previous dynasties who believed in the dark demon arts, he had ordered people to create a kind of scent that could help him rise to a higher realm. It was named ‘Yuhuang’ 一 cold and obscure, elegant and luxurious.
Previous Emperor had secretly kept a little to himself. He decided to use it one year for fun, the aroma was completely different from the incense used in the palace.
The old emperor told him that although the aroma was pleasant, this scent was also known as ‘the death of a country’. Secretly using a little for personal use is fine, but if the ministers find out, they will surely make a big fuss, so this must be hidden at all costs.
After all these years, Gu Yun’s impression of the aroma of the ‘death of a country’ still remains.
Chang Geng was only a little tense but Gu Yun immediately realized, without waiting for him to write in the palm of his hand, he began to speculate how it might be possible to fool those people by throwing this envelope out.
Gu Yun calculated for a while and thought, ‘To choose one of the three, the percentage is still quite high. If that doesn’t work the earth can block the coming flood, the army can block the coming sword. ‘
Fortunately, he was the only person holding this ‘percentage of success’, others were forced to calm down because they could only see unquestionable certainty on his face.
The middle aged man’s expression shifted. He took the envelope and sniffed it repeatedly, his face unpredictable.
Chang Geng thought, ‘Do we still have to use violence?’
Gu Yun patted his tense hands.
The middle-aged man looked at Gu Yun. His attitude became far more sincere than before. He said, “My name is Di Song, I am the head of this merchant ship. Can I ask where you are from and where you are going?”
“This is slang,” Chang Geng wrote it clearly in Gu Yun’s palm.
Gu Yun opened his mouth for the first time and said, “Come from the ground, go to Hao Li.”
Middle-aged man named Di Song seemed surprised, he hesitated for a moment, his voice slightly weakened, “Then … then I have disturbed Sir. Please, this way.”
Gu Yun stood without moving; completely deaf and wholehearted. Only after Chang Geng gently pulled him, he finally followed his leader with a blank face, appearing perfectly like a true ‘Fragrant Master’ who had lost all his senses.
Then using Gu Yun’s broad sleeves as a cover, Chang Geng wrote in his hand, ‘How can Yifu know their slang?’
This was actually a dialogue between two crew members that had been heard by the Eagle unit when they were ordered to monitor merchant ships. They have reported to him every detail regardless of large or small. In truth, Gu Yun did not know what those words meant, but he could still use them to deceive the other party.
Like a wolf, he lied to Chang Geng, “I know everything.”
Chang Geng, “……..”
The group was able to board the Dong Ying merchant ship smoothly, several Dong Ying people appeared, curiously seeing the legendary Master Fragrance.
Dong Ying was influenced by Great Liang, Buddhist culture was also widespread there. Many of them saw that a monk followed behind Gu Yun and came forward to say hello.
Chang Geng was secretly observing these Dong Ying people 一 they were even more than he imagined. By using the name of the escort merchant ship, they are equipped with long blades, some even wear metal bracelets with oddly shaped arrows on their wrists and ankles. Getting closer, people can feel the faint smell of blood on their body.
➖⭐
Japanese Ninja Shuriken.
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Suddenly, a scream came from behind them. A masked Dong Dong man landed behind Gu Yun 一 and without a word, swung his curved dagger to Gu Yun’s back.
Chang Geng’s reaction was very fast, the sword had not been unsheathed from its cover, but the opponent’s dagger had been stopped.
The Dong Ying man screamed strangely, his tiny body twisted into a strange bow 一 his entire figure resembled a boneless snake, the dagger in his hand became a cruel and devious poisonous snake, sending seven slashes towards Chang Geng in succession. Something inside his left shoulder suddenly opened; an arrow Dong Ying flew directly towards Gu Yun.
No one knew whether Gu Yun insisted that once he played this role, he had to commit to the end or what 一 he kept standing still in one place, unaware of everything that was happening!
In a moment of despair, Chang Geng’s sword blade and scabbard split into two, he threw the scabbard with force, pushing the arrow out of his flying projectile when it almost grazed past Gu Yun’s chest.
This was not the first time Chang Geng had had a sword with someone, this was not the first time he had fallen into a dangerous confrontation 一 but this was the first time someone had nearly injured his Yifu, before his eyes. A red layer suddenly appeared on his pupils, the Bone of Impurity in his body suddenly churned.
He shouted, his wrist suddenly pointing down, using the same movements as he did to handle the sword training doll. The dagger in Dong Ying’s man’s hand shook violently, looking almost bent due to that strength. Not waiting for the other party to pull back his weapon, Chang Geng had already kicked his stomach.
Legend has it; that to be able to climb walls and glide comfortably during killing missions, the bodies of murderers must be smaller than ordinary people. This snake-like man should be the best of the best. Even though they are very flexible, they are still not good at resisting direct power. Chang Geng’s kick almost destroyed the man’s intestines, he could no longer even hold his weapon and was forced to retreat.
Chang Geng wouldn’t let go, he kicked the dagger with the tip of his foot, held it and nailed it in front of the man, the long sword in his hand turned in a circle, wanting to cut the Dong Ying man in half.
This all happened too fast, enemies and friends surrounded them, nobody could react. When Chang Geng quickly gave a definite blow intended to take the life of the opponent, three cries of ‘stop!’ sound one after another.
Several long Dong Dong blades reached out from all four sides at the same time, blocking Chang Geng’s incomparable sword.
The monk who was stunned only had time to wipe his sweat 一 Chang Chang’s words that threatened to kill him that night were actually not lies.
Chang Geng hissed, “Get away!”
Di Song hurried over and hurriedly explained, “Just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! This is the first time Mr. Uekawa came to Great Liang, he was unaware of customs. When he saw this brother also carrying a sword, he just wanted to play around a little. Hope be generous and forgive him. “
Chang Geng’s reddish gaze stared at the man who had retreated behind the others, forcing every word out, “Playing around?”
Di Song tried to smile, turned towards Gu Yun standing as if nothing was wrong.
Seeing his completely blank face, he remembered that this top-class fragrant master could neither see nor hear, he stepped forward in an effort to reach Gu Yun’s arm.
He had not yet managed to touch the man but a strong gust of wind came from behind him. Luckily, because his reaction was very fast, otherwise he would not be guaranteed that he could hold his hand.
Chang Geng, “Don’t touch him!”
Di Song, “…….”
•••••
In this group of people, there is one person who cannot hear, one who cannot speak, a pair of children, and the only person who can speak on their behalf, the holster in his hand has not even been taken.
The atmosphere was deadlocked for a moment.
At this moment, Gu Yun finally opened his mouth, “Why are we still standing here? Don’t miss the time of departure.”
The terrifying clash earlier, it seemed like he could not feel it at all.
Di Song quickly tried to defuse the situation, “Exactly, we are all family here …”
Without waiting for him to finish, Gu Yun had extended one hand, Chang Geng paused for a moment then used the tip of the sword to take the sheath on the ground, sliding the blade into the scabbard. He then stepped in to take Gu Yun’s hand and help bring it inside.
Liao Ran has to take care of the rest. He smiled kindly towards the frightened crowd of Dong Ying people. No one knows where he took an old wooden bead. The outside of the beads is covered with a layer of dark red paint, imitating the appearance of sandalwood. After being used for a long time, the paint has peeled off, making the bears bear the spots of lobular rosewood with spots.
The monk whose clothes were worn out like beads, secretly recited the scriptures, prayed for the crowd, while urging Ge Pangxiao and Cao Niangzi to run together.
This time, the Dong Ying people looked at their backs as if they were enemies, no one came to greet them anymore.
•••••
Chang Geng led Gu Yun to a place specially prepared for the Fragrant Master. His nerves have stiffened all the way. After arriving, he carefully swept his gaze outwards once then locked the door, “Yi …..”
Gu Yun turned, putting a finger on his lips.
With Gu Yun’s current condition, unless someone shouted in his ear, he would not be able to hear a single word.
But judging by the rush of air around him when Chang Geng quickly turned around after closing the door to assume that the boy might want to talk to him, he had taken the initiative to stop it first.
The special medicine that Gu Yun used to use was first formulated by him when he was ten years old by a highly skilled doctor among ordinary people who was invited by Old Marquis’ subordinates to treat him. Before that, he was forced to endure the discomfort of his non-functioning eyes and ears.
Old Marquis was very strong-willed throughout his lifetime and very strict in his own discipline. He is hard on himself, and even harder on his son.
He did not know what the word ‘spoil’. No matter whether Gu Yun could see or not, or how he felt in his heart 一 His skills had to be continuously sharpened, the iron doll itself would also not be lenient or hesitant just because of Gu Yun’s discomfort.
These dolls are not the same as those played by Chang Geng. Even though the sword training puppet was frightening, but after being specially adjusted, when making an attacking move, the sword training puppet would stop at the right time and would not hurt anyone.
When the actual iron puppets start to move, they will become beasts made of metal 一 inhumane.
•••••
He must rely on his weak eyesight and hearing, combined with the flow of air around him to deal with them. But no matter how hard little Gu Yun worked, he would never be able to meet the Old Marquis’ requirements, every time he began to adapt to a certain level of speed and strength, they would immediately be pumped to a higher level.
The original words of the Old Marquis are; Either you will learn to stand up, or find a place to hang yourself, the Gu family would rather not have children than raise an unworthy child.
This sentence was like cold steel nails 一 nailed to Gu Yun’s bones at a very young age. The nail can never be pulled out for the rest of his life. When Gu Yun entered the Palace after the Old Marquis died, he still didn’t dare to relax even for a moment.
Feelings that have been honed for years like this will always be able to help him to cover it up on several occasions. This is also the reason why he does not wear thick clothes if the air is not too cold to the point that cannot be held by human flesh.
Because fox fur coats and thick cotton coats will affect the sense of touch on the skin.
Gu Yun searched for a moment in the air then wrote in Chang Geng’s palm, “The person who just fought with you is ninja Dong Ying. Those people excel in sneaking around. Beware of eavesdropping near the wall.”
Chang Geng lowered his head, he could not help but reach for Gu Yun’s delicate hands. Exhaling a deep breath that had hung on his chest, he shook his head with an attitude of self-deprecation 一 Gu Yun would always be calm and stable, and he would forever be scared to death.
Gu Yun frowned, he did not know for what reason Chang Geng sighed, he turned to ‘stare’ at the boy, raising his eyebrows.
When Gu Yun’s eyes were closed, Chang Geng looked at his heart.
Gu Yun’s hand followed along his arm, moved to his head, and patted it.
Chang Geng closed his eyes, forced himself to resist the urge that almost made him rub his head into Gu Yun’s hand.
He took Gu Yun’s hand and wrote, “Meeting this kind of situation when I first followed Yifu, I was a little worried and scared.”
The most frightening thing was the moment when Dong Ying’s arrow had almost hit Gu Yun.
Gu Yun seemed to have just remembered something and suddenly smiled.
Chang Geng, “Why are you laughing?”
“I spoiled you too much.” Gu Yun wrote in the palm of his hand. “In the past, if I had dared to say the word ‘fear’ in front of my father, I would have been hit with a stick.”
Chang Geng secretly thought, ‘Then why don’t you ever hit me with a stick?’
Not only did Gu Yun never hit him, but he also rarely got really angry at him, his anger never lasted more than three sentences.
The first time he faced a sword training puppet, he was very scared and could not adapt to it, but Gu Yun never showed disappointment or impatience. When Chang Geng recalled it after more than a year had passed, he felt that Gu Yun was not at all like a strict elder who taught the younger generation, but more like an adult who watched a small child playing awkwardly while smiling.
Gu Yun wrote, “These Dong Ying people are very troublesome to handle. They have a lot of tricks in their sleeves, but not many of them can be considered first-class fighters. The arrows may look scary, but in actuality, the flight path is curved. He just wants to test whether I’m really blind.
“The Dong Ying people on this ship don’t worry, what I’m worried about is their destination.”
The merchant ship left inland from the path between the sea and the canal, heading East, sending products back to Dong Ying.
On their way, to be able to pass through several inspection stations, there must be a fragrance expert who rides along with their ship which is currently carrying fragrant balm, the samples tested must be submitted to each inspection station. Therefore, no matter what the actual purpose of these merchant ships, there must always be a fragrance expert to pull sheep’s fur over the eyes of others.
•••••
After ten days of travel, Ge Pangxiao sneaked into Gu Yun’s room, “Mar … Mr. Zhang, Chang Geng’s brother.”
After that, when he saw the blindfold on Gu Yun’s face, he murmured, “Forget that he should be deaf now.”
After greeting them, he began carrying several objects, first two compasses, then a box that continued to emit white steam. This fat boy is extraordinary, his stomach looks as if it can be pulled in, it is able to store a lot of things when it is sucked in, and even after taking those things … it doesn’t seem to be any thinner either.
Chang Geng, “What’s this? Is there something burning inside?”
Ge Pangxiao smiled and said, “Hehe, that’s Ziliujin.”
Chang Geng said, “Don’t you feel hot?”
Ge Pangxiao took off his clothes and revealed that he had a dark board on his chest. This is used for heat protection in heavy armor in areas equipped with explosives. The boy cuts it into the form of underwear; “Iron underwear!”
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A piece of underwear that women use under their layers of clothing, to protect the chest. Don’t imagine like a bra if you don’t want to get lost.
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Gu Yun took off his blindfold, put on Liuli’s glass, carefully looked at Ge Pangxiao’s masterpiece, and he could not help but admire it. He felt that although these children knew nothing but playing games, even at a very young age, they insisted on going with Chang Geng to the capital. Even if they didn’t have big ambitions, they would still have their own talents.
Ge Pangxiao used the monk’s sign language, “Who said that only women can wear underwear?”
Gu Yun gives him a thumbs up 一 You are absolutely right.
Chang Geng, “…….”
On the table, the two compasses circled in a frenzy. Ge Pangxiao gestured for the two of them to look, then knocked gently on the table and placed three fingers 一 The compass had been broken for at least three days.
Gu Yun often goes out 一 he can immediately understand it.
People usually carry two compasses when traveling. If one of them fails to show directions, the other compass can be used to find out if the first compass is damaged or if there is a problem with the local area. There are certain places in the desert or at sea where the compass can be ineffective, general traders and fishing boats will avoid these places.
But this group of Dong Ying people, not only did they not evade, but also deliberately headed there. The route undoubtedly deviated from the stated destination.
‘Coming from the ground, going to Hao Li,’ what exactly does ‘Hao Li’ really mean?
Ge Pangxiao, “Luckily, I also brought this.”
He spoke while opening a small box that produced white steam. It was a very delicate little object, there was a small wheel that moved quickly in the middle, connected to the shaft, the outside had several shining golden rings. The word ‘Ling’ was written in a corner, expressing that it was a product of the Ling Shu Institute.
“This is the prototype given by the Ling Shu Institute. When rotating, this axis will always point in one direction,” Ge Pangxiao pointed, “Like this 一 This is more accurate than a compass, but it works with Ziliujin. I heard that this item was rejected by the people above even before the final product could come out. Teacher Liao Ran and I had secretly made one before we left, I had taken one small bowl of Ziliujun from brother’s sword training doll.
Gu Yun carefully reached out to take the small object, feeling that it was very well made, he was afraid that he could break it if he used too much strength, “If Shen Yi can see this object, it will be enough for him to use his body to repay you (merit).”
Ge Pangxiao drew a crumpled skin map 一 no one knew where he could get it, his fat and round fingers danced for a while then stopped at a certain point.
“With our current route, Teacher Liao Ran and I predict that we will soon arrive at this place.”
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Fragrant Incense 8 