Chapter 188: myth

Qin Nuo dropped the wooden stick in his hand and returned to the hillside.
With a smile, he asked, "Why can't you go, is the forbidden area of ​​the noble tribe below?"
Suluoer whispered: "No, there is a danger zone, uh, it is a forbidden area, it is a place of sacrifice." He stretched his fingers again, "Not only the lower part of the slope, but the large area in front, Can't go. "
Qin Nuo looked in the direction of her finger, and was surprised that the land that Su Luoer had crossed occupied most of the entire valley.
Earlier, Su Luoer suggested that he should not walk around. There is a forbidden area in the valley, but it is unexpected that the scope of the forbidden area will be so wide.
He immediately remembered that almost all the camps were located on the of Dongtou. This is the highest place in the entire valley. When he entered the valley during the day, he also noticed that most of the green was concentrated near this slope. The wider area below is a vast and yellow.
Theoretically, the more low-lying areas, the thicker the soil and the wet water, the more suitable for planting crops, right?
Qin Nuo hesitated and asked: "Since there is such a warm place and the place is vast, why not move the people here in the winter, and why do you have to grab the site of Panluo City?"
Su Luoer smiled bitterly about Qin Nuo's doubts: "My lord doesn't know. You can't stay here for long, or you might endure the wrath of the goddess of the world."
Wrath of the goddess? Qin Nuo's eyes lighted up. This was the first time he had heard the name of the goddess from Su Luoer after he came to Xuelie clan.
As the target chosen by his god-making plan, Qin Nuo was once confident. Who knew that halfway through the sand, the Xuelie tribe didn't believe the goddess. He is very interested in the inside story.
After questioning, Su Luoer hesitated at first, but finally he opened his mouth.
"Because the goddess has fallen. It is said that during the great disaster of twenty years ago, the goddess sacrificed herself in order to keep the last people, and transformed into this valley, giving us the last place to live and giving the tribe a chance to recover. For years, the goddess never showed any miracles, and the blood of God was cut off. "
"Goddess self-sacrifice?" Qin Nuo was surprised. This was the crookedness of Xuelie clan, and no one could see God.
Su Luoer lowered his head and whispered, "Yes, the distinguished spirit lady at that time, at the most difficult time of the tribe, left the people, climbed the holy mountain, and jumped off the cliff. The high priest sent people She searched for help, but only saw her body turned into a starry sky, and eventually fell to the ground and turned into this valley. "
Qin Nuo blinked, and suddenly realized that the goddess of the Xuelie tribe was incarnate in human beings, that is, the spirit girl inherited from the temple.
The inheritance of the spirit girl is quite secular. It is passed down from mother to daughter. Each generation of the spirit girl can choose a certain city lord or warrior as her husband. If the child is born, she will follow the father's surname and inherit the status of the nobleman. If you give birth to a daughter, it will be even more honorable and heir to the next spiritual woman.
From a sociological point of view, it is a rare female title inheritance in patrilineal society.
However, according to myths and legends, this law is beautified by the cruel reality evolution. This spirit girl, should be ... can't stand the miseries and died in despair? Or just accidentally stumbled down the cliff while exploring the road?
After being beautified and processed by the people in the clan, it became a goddess who sacrificed herself and opened up a way for the tribe. Coincidentally, the Xuelie people found this secluded valley in the deep mountains, and after a connection, it became a solemn myth.
"What about the anger of the goddess you just said?"
Su Luoer bit her lip and saw that no one was around. This lowered her voice and said, "In the legend, the spirit girl's undead is still wandering here. After her death, she is still full of resentment against the suffering of the tribe, causing her soul Unable to return, turned into an invisible death swamp, devouring anyone who approaches her. "
"Although over the years, the high priest has also led the main sacrifice of the temple, offering many sacrifice and offering sacrifices to the goddess, but no response has been received, and the goddess' anger is growing."
"Originally this valley was home to many people, but those innocent people are often swallowed up by the wrath of the goddess, some in labor, some in sleep, and even on the dining table. Inexplicably lost his life. "
"And as long as the footsteps of the goddess step across the area, it will become dead silence. There is only a barren desert, and no life can come near."
"There are more and more people who are dying gradually, and more and more places that cannot be set foot. Now this whole valley is about to become a place of silence."
"When I was young, most people of the tribe lived here. The days are carefree and the life is rich. But the valley has become increasingly desolate these years. Everyone is saying that the whole valley is about to die. It will also dissipate. The high priest will take the tribal warriors out to build the city. "
Qin Nuo was stunned. No wonder he saw that the city where the Xuelie people lived was very rudimentary, and it was just built in recent years.
Recounting the past, Su Luoer's bright eyes were full of sorrow. She was born and raised in this beautiful valley. She looked at the once vibrant place and gradually became barren. Although I moved to the outer city with my parents and relatives, I still loved it.
"Sir, remember that you said that the song is the original scenery called the hometown? When I first heard it, what came to my mind was what this land looked like, and when I was a kid ..." choked. When he got up, Suluor quickly wiped his eyes and bowed in salute, "I'm dysfunctional, please forgive me."
Qin Nuo had pity in his heart and whispered: "Anyone who leaves his hometown is always sad ..." These days he lives in the north, and he is also thinking about his homeland and his relatives in the palace.
Before he could finish speaking, a strange tone came suddenly from afar, like some violent monster, hissing. The direction of the sound seemed to be underground, but also like a distant mountain top.
Followed by a slight vibration from the feet.
"What's wrong?" Qin Nuo changed his face.
Agitated by this voice, Chen Changan jumped up and immediately rushed down the hillside. At about the same time, Pei Tuo rushed out of the sleeping camp and looked around with vigilance.
Chen Changan was relieved to find that Qin Nuo and Su Luoer were standing well under the slope.
Su Luoer was startled by these people's too fierce response, and quickly waved: "It's nothing, just a roar of mountains."
Qin Nuo looked around, and the camps of those Xuelie people were in peace, including the temple where the high priest was located, apparently accustomed to this roar.
Qin Nuo and Su Luoer returned to the hillside.
"Since nothing is wrong, everyone is going to rest."
Everyone confirmed that the weird sound just now was caused by natural reasons, and then they relaxed.
Yao Xingxu replaced Chen Chang'an to stay on the night, and most soldiers went to sleep in the tent.
In the early morning of the next day, life was restored in the valley. Although the climate was still cold, nothing could stop the enthusiasm of the Xuelie people.
Many people are working in the fields, taking care of the plants, women are washing the laundry, taking care of the children, and others are collecting sulfur stones, seemingly making evil sachets.
"This yellowstone sachet is a special product of our Xuelie tribe. Even the merchants from the distant Western Regions and Dazhou will come to buy it." Su Luoer introduced, "Every year we can get a lot of food weapons."
Rich valleys, rich food, and various minerals. No wonder the Xuelie people look so rich and can be revived in just a dozen years.
Everything is well organized, and life in the valley is more familiar and natural than in the city below the mountain.
Over the course of a day, Qin Nuo stood and watched closely. Sure enough, no one would go downhill, and everyone's range of activity was above one line.
And the part above this line only occupies about one fifth of the entire huge valley. And they are all the coldest regions, and nearby plants are not growing enough.
Geothermal resources are, of course, the warmer and more comfortable the lower you are. Looking far away through the midday sun, there are many stone and dirt houses in the deserted area below, which seem to have been abandoned for a long time. It is enough to prove that the original Xuelie people in this valley lived in those places with the most abundant water plants. However, due to some changes, it gradually moved eastward and the site gradually shrank.
What is it that made them abandon the blessed land below and move up?
The curse of the weird goddess of death, and the inexplicable death.
Above the hillside, there are some elderly people standing near this invisible line, looking at the deserted houses below, full of nostalgia.
Look at the expression of their nostalgia, and then look at the Xuelie people who ants move in and out.
Qin Nuo suddenly understood why the Xuelie clan would carelessly bring himself as an outsider into the valley.
There is naturally no need to keep a place to be abandoned.
"It used to be the most beautiful and rich place, and it was the pearl that God gave to our tribe, but now it's dying." A voice filled with vicissitudes and emotions rang from the side.
Qin Nuo turned to look at the old man with white hair. The high priest did not know when he came to him, overlooking the remote valley land.
"This is indeed a paradise of paradise." Qin Nuo nodded. Looking back at Tao Yuanming's Tao Yuanming in the textbooks of previous middle schools, the world of Tanaka recorded is just like this.
"If possible, I also hope that I will live in such a beautiful place forever and be carefree." The high priest smiled bitterly. "Unfortunately, this existence that violates heaven and earth cannot be owned for a long time. It can be enjoyed for nearly two decades. To give the tribe a chance to recuperate and rejuvenate is already a great gift. Everything is a blessing to the goddess. "
Qin Nuo was curious and couldn't help but ask: "The people who heard the noble tribe said that it was the spirit girl who became a people and turned into this rich land?"
The death of the Spirit Girl is less than 20 years old. Young people like Suluor have no impression, but the old men such as the high priest have witnessed history and should know the truth.
Speaking of the spirit girl, the body of the high priest trembled slightly, and the expression at that moment could be described as sadness.
"It was the goddess who sacrificed herself, in exchange for this vitality, for the entire tribe."
Sacrifice! This word suddenly gave Qin Nuo a taste of blood.
I remember the materials seen in previous lives. In the barren tribes, such sacrifices are mostly synonymous with brutal and violence.
Then I thought that the Spirit Girl is distinguished, as the incarnation of the goddess in the world, and the status is still above the high priest in front of her. Is this impossible?
"She loves the tribe deeply, but also hates the tribe." Finally, the old man said such an ambiguous sentence.
A conversation didn't last long, it seemed to think of the dying spirit girl, the severed inheritance, and the high priest left sadly.
Leaving Qin Nuo alone for infinite thought.
After another day, the fighters returned, and the valley became more lively.
This time, it was a big victory. The Xuelie tribe set up an ambush in the city below the mountain, and wiped out the soldiers and horses of the Pan Luo City and the Rising Sun City that had come to the expedition. They also defeated the reinforcements of Rising Sun, causing them severe losses, and they dared not come out of the Shrunken City. The exiles have been rescued.
"If it wasn't for the continuous siege of Blizzard, it would be necessary to clean up even the Rising Sun on this trip." Tao Yunqing came to visit and talked about the state of war, his face full of joy.
"Sooner or later, Sun Rising City will clean up, and the spring snow will begin to melt, so we will attack."
"It's all Mr. Zhen's excellent plans. Now Panluo City has completely become our place. When the next migration, there will be no unsightly forces to dare to plunder the people."
"Now that our Xuelie people are not the kind of bullies we were bullying ten years ago."
A group of young generals rejoiced.
Listening to the sound of discussion around him, Qin Nuo felt more complicated, especially looking at the hundred people who were escorted through the in front of him.
In less than ten days, I once again saw Zhong Yue, the master of Panluo City, and this was the case!
In this battle, the soldiers of the Xuelie clan not only completely wiped out the remaining main force of Panluo City, but also captured Zhong Yue and other high-level personnel. They were taken back to this valley secret.
Zhong Yue's expression was frustrated and frightened, with a desperate fate. He looked around and suddenly glanced at Qin Nuo's party.
"It's General Pang, General Pang can help!"
After catching the last straw, Zhong Yue seemed to have completely forgotten that he had counted each other's affairs.
Qin Nuo and his party were very speechless.
Tao Yunqing behind was politely knocking Zhong Yue's head with the handle.
"Don't hesitate, who are you shameless dog thieves who wanted to kill General Pang Xiao and plant it on our Xuelie clan? Your evil behavior has been discovered long ago!"
Zhong Yue was frustrated for a while, but he reluctantly continued to choke up: "Little general, these unscrupulous thieves intend to rebel. We in Pan Luocheng are loyal and loyal. You must report to General Murong!
Seeing that he has become the core of the surrounding people's pointers, Qin Nuo has a headache, and he should not be curious for a while, and came to participate in their sacrifice activities.
Before the temple sent someone to invite themselves, it should be rejected.
Fortunately, the sacrifice began immediately, and the people entered the solemn ritual procedure, and no one paid more attention to the Qin Nuo people.
However, seeing the next sacrifice process, Qin Nuo deeply regretted once again that he should not have promised to come to participate in the sacrifice of Lao Zizi, at least not be disgusted with food.
The sacrifice process is actually very simple.
The captains of the Pan Luo and Rising Sun officials were lined up, and dozens of temple soldiers stepped forward, separating their throats with daggers.
All executions can be regarded as a common method of treating prisoners of hostile forces in ancient times.
But the whole scene made Qin Nuo very uncomfortable.
Their throats were cut open, and these people would not die immediately. Blood spewed out. Some captives began to struggle and yell at them. Others kneeled and begged, tears flowing.
The sloping ground of the valley was noisy for a while.
But no matter begging or struggling, there was no use. The captives had hundreds of people. They quickly cut off their throats and pushed down the slope.
They fell to the ground, and the hoisting hoists generally fell down steep slopes.
Some people are not ready to die for a while, and they continue to struggle and make miserable sounds.
In this situation, Qin Nuo couldn't help recalling the scene of killing the chicken in his hometown in the previous life, cutting off the chicken's throat and flowing blood, but the chicken did not die immediately, but fluttered and fluttered around.
It's just that they were killed in front of them, not chickens, but hundreds of people.
In this cruel sight, Qin Nuo turned his head and didn't want to keep watching, he lifted his feet and left. Several people of Pei Tuo were by his side, and there was no interest in watching.
Soon everyone reached the top of the slope.
The condescendant looked down, and there was a crowd of people, almost covering the entire slope.
The main sacrifice was Su He, the main sacrifice, who was guarded in the center by everyone. He read something aloud, like a mysterious spell.
With his voice, the clans and soldiers of the Xuelie clan, everyone was kneeling and praying. Religious, low voice.
In the cruel mourning and groaning below, the solemn prayer seemed especially sacred.
Qin Nuo has seen a lot of records in history books about this barbaric sacrifice, but with his own eyes, the impact is far better than any description on black and white.
In an unnoticed corner, Lin Jia came to his side.
"This is a prayer to the goddess of the world to reduce anger and not to expand the scope of anger and resentment."
"Is this and sacrificial sacrifice able to dispel the wrath of the goddess?" Qin Nuo shook his head and sighed. According to the information he had previously contacted, the legendary goddess of crossing the world is a compassionate who saves the world, so he chose this sect Carry out God-building plan.
I didn't expect the world to change too quickly and the intelligence work was too late. I didn't know that the legendary Goddess of Crossing had become an equal existence with death and revenge.
Lin Jia was also helpless: "My son already knows, the secret of this valley."
A living place that is gradually being swallowed up by the goddess' resentment, it is no wonder that the cross-goddess's belief in the Xuelie tribe is waning.
"The subordinates really think that we should still choose another tribe, start another stove and start again."
Qin Nuo stared at the tribe people praying on his knees in the distance, and suddenly another thought came up.
Still not right, why do they think that all these calamities and deaths are goddesses?
If it is really the spirit girl who sacrificed for the people and transformed into this valley, should such a pure goddess not be eulogized by all ages, the subsequent death can also be explained as the loss of the goddess's blessing. .
Well, he is not studying mythology, and these evolutionary processes are really impossible to speculate. But I always feel that the most critical part is missing.
The dusk was dark, covering the entire valley.
The night came again, and the soldiers who returned from the battle also stayed, preparing to return tomorrow morning.
However, that night, things had changed weirdly.
Many years later, when recalled, Qin Nuo can still remember the creepy feeling at that time, and all kinds of chaos afterwards.
Death really came like this, suddenly.