Traveling back to ancient times to determine the zodiac

Qiu seemed very happy, and as usual, he told everyone: "My fellow warriors and people, although the threat from the Snake King has been resolved, the Nian Beast will not give up. To prevent it from sending its beast army to attack us again, we must not let our guard down and must do a good job of patrolling to prevent surprise attacks from the beast army."

Everyone was about to answer "Yes, sir" as usual, when Xiao Xing stepped forward and challenged Qiu again, "Cave Master, we can't let Brother Xia and Ri die in vain. The Nian Beast is determined to destroy us, and has sent beast kings to attack us again and again, which makes us defenseless. I request to lead a group of people to Tianshan to fight against the Nian Beast, avenge our hatred, and eliminate future troubles."

Upon hearing this, Chen immediately agreed, "Cave Master, Xing is right. I also want to go to Tianshan together to destroy the Nian Beast."

"I want to go too." Yue followed.

"I want to go, too!" "I want to go, too!"

At once, the brothers Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Lightning all followed suit and shouted.

Although Qiu had disqualified Dong from electing the cave master, he was still determined. Seeing that everyone supported Xiaoxing's proposal, he was afraid that Xiaoxing would take all the credit, so he stepped out and said to Qiu: "Cave Master, I will also lead a team to attack Tianshan Mountain and destroy the Nian Beast. I will not return until I destroy it."

"I support Brother Dong and am willing to fight the Nian beast!" Xi immediately raised his hand to show his approval.

"I also want to follow Brother Dong and get rid of the Nian beast!"

Bei, Zhong, Shugen, Yezi and others also raised their hands to agree.

Seeing that everyone was clamoring to go to war, Qiu frowned and replied, "Xing, Dong, when it comes to going to war against the Nian Beast, I still say the same thing: attacking is difficult, but defending is easy. First, the Tianshan Mountains are more than a thousand miles away from here, and the journey is long and difficult. Second, the Nian Beast itself is very powerful, and there are many beast soldiers and beast generals to help. Therefore, not only is it difficult to succeed in the expedition against the Nian Beast, but there is also the danger of being devoured by it."

"Cave Master, I am not afraid of difficulties or death. As long as I can get rid of the Nian beast, I will be satisfied." Xiaoxing insisted on his opinion.

"Xing, the old people always say: Don't fight a battle without preparation. What other strange beasts does Emperor Nian have? How many beast troops are there? We don't know anything. If we attack blindly, wouldn't we be putting ourselves in danger?" Qiu shook his head, still expressing his opposition.

"What the cave master said makes sense. It's hard to deal with one Nian beast alone. If we provoke a whole group of them, wouldn't that be like sending food to your door?" Ping objected.

"Cave Master, Uncle Ping, if the Nian beast is not eliminated, we will never have peace. Instead of waiting for it to be attacked, we should take the initiative." Xiaoxing argued.

"Xing is right. Only by eradicating the Nian beast can we avoid future troubles and enjoy peace. We have mentioned it many times, but everyone has opposed it. Now we can't wait any longer." Chen followed.

"Xing, Chen, you are just bragging like children. If we attack the Nian beast from a distance, there will definitely be huge casualties, and we may even be in danger of annihilation. But if we stay in the cave and wait for the beast king to come, although there will be casualties, they will be much less in comparison." Ping advised.

"Uncle Ping, why do you think that going to war is destined to result in casualties and failure, rather than safe and successful?" Xing retorted.

"Xing, with my hunting experience of more than fifty years, the probability of success is really too small. Even if the Nian beast cannot defeat us, it will flee everywhere. How can we destroy it?" Zhi shook his head and waved his hands.

"Uncle Zhi, even though we may not be able to destroy it, at least we have avenged Xia Ge and Ri and the others." Xiao Xing continued to talk.

"Xing, if Nian sends one beast king, we will kill it alone. If it sends two, we will kill both. How can it never be complete?" Qiu said unhappily.

"Cave Master, instead of guarding the cave in fear every day, why don't we just have a good fight with the Nian beast?"

"Xing, you will suffer the consequences if you don't listen to the old man. I have told you that the expedition is not easy, but you turned a deaf ear to it. You are too stubborn to do this." Qiu frowned and said impatiently.

"Cave Master, it's not that I'm too stubborn, but that you're too conservative. You always listen to what the old people say and do things according to their words. Although what the old people say are all based on experience, they are not all famous sayings or universal truths. There are exceptions to everything." Xiaoxing retorted.

"How dare you!" Qiu glared at Xiaoxing, clenching his fists as if he was about to swing at him. He asked sternly, "Xing, aren't you afraid of death?"

"Cave Master, everyone has to die since ancient times. If you die for justice, then you will die without regrets! Don't be like some people who are willing to be cowards." Xiaoxing answered sternly, neither humble nor arrogant.

When everyone saw Xiaoxing and the cave master arguing with each other, they all dared not say a word, let alone interrupt. Now seeing Xiaoxing talking back, everyone was worried for him. After all, the cave master's prestige was extremely high and could not be questioned or challenged. Even Zhi Hedong dared not disobey his words.

Qiu was stunned when he heard this, and he looked at Xiaoxing from head to toe again. In Xiaoxing's resolute eyes, he seemed to see the young and frivolous self he once was - the spirit of never giving up until he achieved his goal. Gradually, the angry veins on Qiu's forehead and the clenched fists relaxed. He walked in front of Xiaoxing, patted Xiaoxing on the shoulder, and said three good words in a row: "Good! Good! Good!"

After that, he looked back at the older generation of warriors, such as Zhi Heping, Yang, Liu, Tong, and Sang. Their old faces showed infinite loneliness, like an old and weak lion. After looking at them, he turned his gaze back to Xiao Xing, and then slowly said to him: "Xing, the Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead, and the new generation replaces the old. I am old, and now it is your generation."

Qiu turned around again, stroked his white beard, looked around at everyone on and off the stage, and said: "Ping, Zhi, Dong, Xing, and all the warriors, now I declare: you agree to go to fight the Nian beast."

"Cave Master, you, you agree to go to fight the Nian Beast?" Xiao Xing saw Qiu angry just now and thought he would be punished. He didn't expect the situation to take a 180-degree turn. He was so excited that he didn't know what to do.

"Hmm..." Qiu stroked his white beard and said in his usual amiable tone, "Xing, I am not afraid of death, and I am not a coward. I am very moved by your passion and ambition. What you just said does make sense. For the sake of justice, we must punish those who are far away. I have decided to agree to your proposal."

"Good! That's great! The cave master finally agreed!" Chen Heyue, Feng, Yun, Lei and others immediately applauded when they heard it.

"March to the Tianshan Mountains and wipe out the Nian beast! March to the Tianshan Mountains and wipe out the Nian beast!" East and west, center, tree roots, leaves, wind, clouds, thunder, lightning... everyone couldn't help but shout, and the excitement echoed throughout the cave.

Qiu waved his hand to the crowd, and when they quieted down, he stroked his white beard and said to Zhi and Ping: "Zhi, Ping, going to Tianshan to eliminate the Nian beast will be difficult and dangerous. Therefore, I decided to lead 600 warriors to go there myself. The old, weak, women and children will all stay in the cave. After I leave, all matters in the cave will be handed over to you."

Zhi heard this and said to Qiu: "Master, going on an expedition against the Nian beast is likely to be dangerous. It is better for you to stay in the cave and let me lead everyone to go peacefully."

"Zhi, I appreciate your kindness. But precisely because it is difficult and dangerous, I decided to go into battle myself." Qiu said.

"Master, since you are determined to go, then I, an old man, will go with you. With my hunting experience in my fifties, I can definitely be of some help." Once Zhi Mingqiu makes a decision, it cannot be changed.

"Zhi, you can go with us." Qiu nodded, then came to Ping, patted his shoulder, and said solemnly: "Ping, we are all gone, and I will leave everything in the cave to you!"

"Cave Master, don't worry. I will take good care of you all. I wish you and your men to eliminate the Nian beast as soon as possible and return triumphantly." Ping nodded in acceptance of the order.

After everyone had reached an agreement, they adjourned the meeting to rest.

The next day, Qiu ordered people to bury Xia Heri, Miao, Ya, and Dunzi on the mountain. After the burial, Qiu led the people to sharpen their swords and spears, make bows and arrows, and prepare weapons and dry food for the expedition.

Two days later, weapons and dry food were ready, and the warriors such as Da Mao, Xiao Mao, He, Hai, etc. who were bitten by snakes also recovered completely. Everything was ready, and Qiu officially announced the expedition to everyone. At that time, he selected 600 warriors including Zhi, Dong, Xi, Bei, Zhong, Xiao Xing, Chen, Yue, Feng, etc. to serve as the army of the expedition. Everyone took weapons and dry food and prepared to set off. In view of the fact that this expedition was more dangerous than the last time to get fire, it was naturally inevitable that there would be a separation of life and death. Some called for their mothers and children, some left their wives and friends, and everyone cried together. Hong'er saw that Xiao Xing and her father were going, so she wanted to follow them no matter what. Qiu shouted: "You girl, you don't know what is good for you. This trip is extremely dangerous, but it is a place for a girl like you. Don't act like a child, and stay in the cave obediently."

"Dad, if you all leave, it will be so boring for me to stay here! I must go with you!" Hong'er refused to listen to the advice.

Xiao Xing also urged Hong Er: "Hong Er, you just need to stay in the cave patiently. We will be back in two months at most. You should know that being away from home is not as comfortable as being at home."

"But I can't bear to leave you!" Hong'er pouted and shook Xiaoxing's arm.

"I don't want to leave you, but the outcome of this trip is uncertain. For your safety, I must stay in the cave."

"I don't want to stay." Hong'er said sadly, "If you and my father are killed by the Nian beast, what's the point of me living? I might as well die with you!"

"If I say you can't go, then you can't go!" Qiu Dawei was furious. He grabbed Hong'er and dragged her to Ping. He said to Ping, "Ping, you keep an eye on Hong'er. I'll leave her to you."

Hearing this, Ping grabbed Hong'er and said, "Don't worry, Cave Master. I will definitely keep a close eye on her and not let her go."

Hong'er still refused to give in, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free of Kaiping's strong grip. Qiu left her behind and strode to the front of the team. After the warriors said goodbye to their families, they returned to the team and waited to set off. Qiu said loudly: "My fellow warriors, since the Tianshan Mountain is a long way away and we don't know each other, we have brought out the surrendered beast kings to serve as guides."

After that, he sent more than ten people to the dungeon where the beast kings were imprisoned. When the dungeon door was opened, the beast kings sat on the ground respectfully. Dong announced loudly to the beast kings: "Listen to all the beast kings: Because the Nian beast has repeatedly sent beast armies to conquer humans, we have suffered many casualties and huge losses. Today, we want to avenge our brothers who were killed and injured. We have decided to go to Tianshan to conquer the Nian beast and completely eliminate it to prevent future troubles. Since the Tianshan mountain is far away and we don't know it, we will take you beast kings with us to act as guides."

When the beast kings heard this, they looked at each other in horror and whispered to each other in disbelief: "Humans want to conquer and destroy Emperor Nian? Emperor Nian is so powerful, how could he be defeated? Humans are really crazy!"

Dong saw their suspicious expressions and said loudly: "The power of Nian is nothing more than its great strength. How can it be compared with humans? We have weapons such as bows and arrows and spears, as well as fire and wisdom, so we will definitely defeat Nian. You don't have to be afraid, just lead the way for us."

The beast kings then said, "Great and powerful humans, we will obey your orders and are willing to lead the way for you and be loyal to you!"

Dong then ordered people to escort the beast kings out of the dungeon and lead the team as guides. Everything was ready. Before leaving, Qiu came to the bottom of the cave and prayed to the statue of Nuwa on the cave wall: "Nuwa, Bai Ling Angel, the Nian beast has repeatedly sent beast kings to attack us, causing many casualties. In order to eliminate future troubles, we decided to send troops to Tianshan to eliminate the Nian beast. I pray to Nuwa to bless us so that we can successfully eliminate the Nian emperor and return safely."

After praying, Qiu took a piece of wood and carved a statue of Nuwa, which he carried with him. Seeing that it was almost noon, he announced that the troops were ready to set out.

Just as they were about to set off, a large eagle suddenly descended from the sky and landed beside Xiaoxing. Xiaoxing asked happily, "Big eagle, are you going to fight the Nian beast with us?"

"Coo!..." The eagle called and nodded, indicating that it wanted to follow everyone.

"That's great!" Xiao Xing stroked the eagle's back and said, "If you're willing to go with me, you'll have a companion. I'm worried about you staying in the cave."