In the Clouds: Mulan Line

Chapter 18
Whoosh!
A venomous snake that had just sprung up from the yellow sand was accurately hit by an energy bullet, and its fangs had not yet exerted their effect, and it died before it was ready.

Baili Shouyue rode on the sandbird and put down his gun. Looking at the large clouds gradually accumulating in the sky in the distance, he frowned slightly: "Captain, I'm afraid there will be a sandstorm."

Although the sandstorms in the sand sea are far less than the giant black snakes that cover the sky and swallow everything, they often bring life danger and countless troubles to travelers and caravans in the sand sea.

Once a sandstorm comes, it is easy to lose your way in the sand sea and get separated from your companions.

And if this happens in the sand sea, it is almost not far from death.

Although Hua Mulan had never seen a sandstorm, she had heard of it. She flicked her ponytail and said, "Then speed up! If you get caught in a sandstorm, be careful not to get lost."

The three chocobos were scurrying on the yellow sand. At this moment, Baili's covenant-keeping wolf's ears trembled a few times, and he said pleasantly, "There seems to be a mountain ahead...maybe we can avoid it."

At this time, the wind speed around has gradually increased, the yellow sand on the ground was rolled up, and everyone's eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of yellow mist.

After Baili kept the promise, the three urged the chocobo to run for a distance, and saw some tall silhouettes from the yellow sand in the sky.

When the distance gradually narrowed, I realized that this is not a mountain, but more like a dilapidated city.

"Maybe it's... Fengcheng?" Kai asked with some uncertainty.

When he was wandering in the sea of ​​sand, he had seen a naturally formed "city", and later he knew that it was called the Windy City.

The so-called Wind City is a unique landform that was naturally formed under the impetus of thousands of years of strong winds. The first time Kai saw it was very shocking.

The majestic and majestic appearance makes people feel the majesty of the world and the uncanny workmanship.

But when Kai entered it, he found that there was no grass growing here, and there was a dead silence all around, and chaotic energy was running around inside, making people feel chaotic and trance.

But when the distance got closer, Kai knew that he had guessed wrong.

Dozens of huge pillars are standing in the sea of ​​sand, the half-broken huge stone city wall, and only some incomplete houses with walls left, it seems to be a relic of a city.

Hua Mulan was slightly taken aback, and then her eyes lit up: "Speed ​​up!"

Just as three chocobos carried the three of them into the ruins, they heard a huge whistling wind from behind.

Hua Mulan and the others looked back, and saw the yellow sand billowing in the distance, with the momentum of overwhelming mountains and seas. From a distance, it looked like a huge sand wall rising from the ground, pushing towards everyone.

But when the sand wall was quickly pushed in front of the dozens of huge stone pillars, it seemed to hit an invisible barrier, and suddenly turned into countless dust, covering the sky and the sun in an instant.

As a result, the sandstorm bypassed the ruins, but outside the ruins, only rolling yellow sand could be seen, and the whistling wind could be heard.

Looking at this scene, Hua Mulan was shocked: "It is said that the power of the sandstorm is completely incomparable to that black snake that really covers the sky... It's really hard to imagine the scene when the huge black snake appeared."

"Even a small group of black snakes is stronger than a sandstorm. Only forces like Roaming City and the Secret Jade Society have the ability to chase small groups of black snakes and obtain black crystal sand." Baili Shouyue said from the side.

"This ruin can actually withstand sandstorms." Hua Mulan turned to look at the dozens of huge stone pillars above her head.

These stone pillars are extremely majestic from a distance, and even more so when viewed up close.

These stone pillars are probably the pillars of a certain temple in the past. Although the carvings on them have blurred a lot, they can still be seen to be delicate and gorgeous.

"I heard that every big city in the 36 countries was able to withstand sandstorms. I don't know if this is an important city in one of the countries. Although time has passed and the 36 countries have been buried in the sand sea, this city is still the same. Some energy remains." Baili Shouyue sighed.

I don't know how long these energies can protect the ruins of this city... When the last energies are exhausted, this place will become the most ordinary ancient city, and then gradually be deeply affected by sandstorms as time goes by. Buried under the sea of ​​sand.

Looking at these ruins, Hua Mulan couldn't help but imagine the grand occasion when the 36 countries were dotted like stars in the clouds and sand seas.

At that time, what was the scene of the ruins that sheltered them for a short time?

At this time, as they gradually walked to the middle of the group of stone pillars, a huge statue suddenly appeared in sight.

The statue can't see the face clearly, but you can still feel wisdom and fraternity from the weathered image. Looking at the statue, it seems that a beam of eyes is projected from the prosperous country of the past across a long time, quietly Stare at them.

One after another suddenly appeared in front of Hua Mulan's eyes. Dancing girls danced on the smooth ground. Fresh flowers and sweet fruits were placed on trays and sent one by one. Fragrant wine, thousands of people gathered around the bright bonfire soaring into the sky, dancing and singing beautiful songs.

For some reason, Hua Mulan suddenly had a feeling that this was what this palace used to look like.

"Huh."

Xiaoyu poked her head out of Hua Mulan's embrace, and her purple tassel tried to touch Hua Mulan's chin.

Hua Mulan suddenly came back to her senses.

She turned to look at Baili Shouyue and Kai, and found that they also showed a slightly dazed look.

Baili Shouyue gently brushed off some dust on the pedestal under the statue, and said, "It's a mural."

After the dust was brushed off, the jade base and the murals that had faded were exposed, and the pictures on the murals were exactly the illusion Hua Mulan had seen just now.

Recalling the extremely real illusion just now, and looking at the mural in front of her, Hua Mulan has the feeling that the people in the painting will come to life at any moment.

"Is this supposed to be the illusion of Xumi?" Hua Mulan said, "I heard that there is an ancient city with thousands of caves in a place far away in the cloud. In that city with thousands of caves, there are countless murals like this. It contains The special energy, under the influence of jade, can make people see countless different pictures, and even let people experience the rise and fall of complete civilizations one by one."

When Hua Mulan heard about this, she still felt inconceivable. How long is the history of the rise and fall of a civilization? How can people experience it with the murals that contain special energy?
But just now, Hua Mulan seemed to have witnessed the prosperity and decline of this city.

However, the murals here have completely faded, and many places are about to fall off. The jade used as the base is also much incomplete, and the luster has become a little gray. Maybe it will not take long before the energy will be completely exhausted. The records recorded in the murals The scene will no longer be experienced by anyone.

"This sandstorm won't pass for a while, and we'll rest here tonight." Hua Mulan patted Chocobo's neck, and Chocobo immediately lowered its body, allowing Mulan to easily fall to the ground.

Of course, Baili Shouyue had no objection to this, and as for Kai, he didn't say anything, but silently picked up plants that could be used for burning.

Hua Mulan also found out along the way that although Kai didn't talk much, he was very calm. Ming Ming was not very old, but he already had the feeling of a reliable big brother.

Baili Shouyue lit a bonfire under a huge pillar, and the sky gradually darkened. The light had become extremely dim when it was covered by yellow sand before, but as the surroundings became completely dark, it was known that it was entering the night up.

The night sky in the sand sea is usually full of brilliant stars, which is very magnificent, but tonight it is completely dark, with the whistling and whimpering wind in my ears, making the world even more lonely, as if entering another different lonely time and space.

But at this moment, the three of them sitting in front of the bonfire and Yuzai didn't feel this way. Hua Mulan noticed that Kai looked at Xiaoyu with some interest from time to time, and said directly: "Don't know?"

Kai shook his head honestly, then said hesitantly, "It looks like a stone?"

He is still not very familiar with Yunzhonghua, but maybe because he has an interest in talking to people, after he slowed down his speech, it became much smoother than before.

"It's jade."

Kai was really surprised, and then realized that this is probably a very special kind of life... From a jade buried deep in the ground, it became a living little creature like this.

Looking at Kai's reaction, Hua Mulan knew what he should have deduced. Speaking of which, although Kai lost his memory, he had a keen perception of things.

Moreover, Kai's every move has a trace of elegance, as well as his superb swordsmanship, which makes Hua Mulan can't help guessing that Kai's identity may not be simple before he lost his memory.

Kai watched Xiaoyu skillfully hugging Hua Mulan's calf, and smiled: "It likes you very much. It is you..."

Kai didn't know whether to use "raise" or what word to express himself, but Hua Mulan had already understood: "I picked up Xiaoyu... No, it should be said that it came to know me on its own initiative."

Thinking about it now, from the moment this little guy secretly observed her, he probably decided to entangle her.

"It feels like you two are destined." Kai said.

Hua Mulan smiled, in fact, she felt the same way.

Obviously, it was the first time for her to see such a little creature as Yuzai, but she fell in love with Xiaoyu at first sight.

She also didn't know where Xiaoyu came from. Although she had never seen other jade boys, she also knew that Xiaoyu was special.

Such a special Yuzai is unlikely to be wandering outside like this.

When the matter is over, let's investigate Xiaoyu's origin.

The night in the sea of ​​sand is exceptionally quiet, but tonight there is a strong wind howling, and it is difficult to sleep under such movement.

……

Gululu.

A slight sound came from behind the jade base, and Xiaoyu pushed a jade bottle, which was very huge for it, and rolled over with difficulty.

Hua Mulan caught the jade bottle suspiciously: "Xiaoyu, where did you find it?"

Xiaoyu stomped her feet vigorously, and gestured for a head-down posture.

"Oh, so you dug it out of the sand."

Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.

Hua Mulan held the jade bottle in front of her curiously and shook it, and heard a soft thud coming from inside, as if it contained a bottle of liquid.

She simply opened the bottle directly, and as the sealed stopper was pulled out, a strong and strange aroma immediately permeated out, making people intoxicated, and feeling more comfortable physically and mentally.

"It's wine!" Hua Mulan revealed a look of surprise.

"Xiaoyu, you did a good job!"

Xiaoyu twisted in embarrassment.

Hua Mulan was indeed pleasantly surprised.

Her adoptive father is a very serious person and usually has no hobbies except wine.

The same is true for Hua Mulan. Apart from hard training and fighting in the military camp, she has no other hobbies, except drinking.

However, for some reason, she never had a chance to drink in the barracks.

Obviously at the beginning there were colleagues who asked her to drink with her, but then they all disappeared.

As soon as they asked, they quit drinking and never drank again, but several times, Hua Mulan clearly smelled alcohol from them!
Even though they were intentionally contaminated with a lot of strange smells, they still couldn't stop the smell of alcohol from penetrating into Hua Mulan's nose.

There was even one time when Hua Mulan came to the general's tent, she clearly smelled the aroma of wine coming from inside, but when she opened the tent door suddenly, what she saw was that the general and the captains were discussing seriously. matter.

Hua Mulan felt that something was wrong at the time, but she couldn't find the flaw.

Counting today, she has not drunk for a long time.

Baili kept the promise and didn't expect that there was still wine hidden in the ruins, and when he smelled the aroma, he knew that it was a top-notch wine. After time in the natural cellar, it was even more mellow. Somewhat intoxicating.

"Captain likes to drink?"

However, it is not surprising that Baili keeps the promise. Hua Mulan is a heroic female warrior.

Hua Mulan nodded vigorously, then raised her head briskly, the bottle mouth was tilted, and the faint green liquid flowed down.

Seeing this, Baili kept the promise and gave a heartfelt hello: "The captain is really huge!"

Hua Mulan swallowed a big gulp of the wine, and said happily, "It really is good wine!"

After finishing speaking, she tossed the jade bottle, and was caught by Baili Shouyue firmly. Like Hua Mulan, she drank several sips heartily, and then showed a satisfied expression: "It is indeed a rare gift." liquor."

The jade bottle was in Kai's hands. He didn't remember whether he would drink alcohol, or whether he liked drinking, but it was a pleasure to share the same bottle of fine wine with his new teammates.

At this moment, Baili Shouyan suggested: "Just drinking like this, I always feel that there is something wrong, why don't I make some dishes to accompany the wine."

Kai was a little surprised: "Baili can cook?"

Baili Shouyue smiled and didn't speak, just took out some dried meat and a lot of seasonings like a magic trick.

These bottles and cans are lined up in a dazzling array.

Kai's eyes lit up slightly, implying a hint of anticipation.

Looking at Baili like this, he must be a chef.

He glanced at Hua Mulan next to him, who also had an expectant expression on her face.

This made Kai immediately have greater expectations for the culinary skills that Baili Shouyue is about to show.

This is the first time he has the honor to taste it, and Hua Mulan, as the captain of Baili's promise, must have tasted it many times.

Today is really good luck.

Next, Baili Shouyue's familiar movements were even more appreciated by Kai, and soon a piece of cooked grilled steak was handed to Kai by Baili Shouyue: "Try it."

Kai shyly declined: "Let Captain Mulan go first."

"You try first." Baili kept the promise.

Kai glanced at Hua Mulan hesitantly, seeing Hua Mulan's head bit by bit, he immediately felt relieved.

When he was at the Shazhou Brotherhood, those people treated him very generally, the food they ate was very small, and the smell of meat hadn't been smelled for a long time...

Kai smiled at Baili Shouyue, then lowered his head and took a bite from the grill.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Kai's eyes seemed to be shining.

Baili Shouyue looked at Kai expectantly, and asked, "How is it? Does my cooking still suit your taste?"

At the beginning, Kai just chewed slowly, but gradually he began to eat heartily. .

After he finished eating, he looked at Baili Shouyue in front of him, coughed lightly, and took a sip of water.

He knew that the wolf-eared young man in front of him had superb marksmanship.

But in terms of culinary skills, no matter what, they are also proficient!

Facing Baili's scorching gaze, Kai said sincerely:
"There is nothing more piercing than your bullets, but your cooking skills."

Baili Shouyue's ears trembled, and he happily put his hand on Kai's shoulder: "Then I will make more for you in the future!" Kai nodded solemnly.

At this moment, Hua Mulan stood up suddenly.

Her movements were so abrupt that both Kai and Baili Shouyue looked over at the same time.

"Captain?" Baili Shouyue asked suspiciously.

Hua Mulan raised her head abruptly, and gave Baili Shouyue an uncomfortable look.

Baili Shouyue was startled: "?"

How did he offend the captain?

"Captain Mulan?" Kai also asked.

Then, he was also glared at by Hua Mulan.

Before the two of them could react, Hua Mulan had already pulled out the epee behind her with a "swipe".

"Stop talking nonsense, let's fight!"

Both Baili Shouyue and Kai were puzzled.

At this time, Baili Shouyue's heart moved, and he asked tentatively: "Captain? Are you..."

Hua Mulan looked at him coldly and said, "Old man, what are you talking about?"

Baili kept the promise: "..." Well, there's no need to ask, she was really drunk.

He didn't expect that Hua Mulan could be so drunk after drinking such a small amount of wine.

Moreover, the drunken Hua Mulan seemed to be very different from usual...

However, Hua Mulan is full of fighting spirit and has the intention of beating someone impatiently. Even the three chocobos not far away can faintly feel Hua Mulan's aura. They are obviously three huge chocobos. But they were close together, curling themselves up as much as possible, exuding a weak, pitiful and helpless aura clearly.

Baili Shouyue gave Kai a wink, Kai looked at him with some doubts, then Baili Shouyue opened his mouth to him, but made no sound.

Kai thought about it again, and finally understood Baili Shouyue's mouth shape, and then looked at Hua Mulan with some surprise.

Is Captain Mulan actually drunk?

Looking at it again, although everything is normal on the surface of Hua Mulan, it seems that...something is really wrong?

"Captain, you drank too much." Baili kept his promise.

Hua Mulan snorted and said disdainfully, "You just drank too much."

After he finished speaking, he paused for a while, and added another sentence in displeasure: "Stinky old man!"

Baili kept the promise: "..."

(End of this chapter)