Under the sky

Chapter 168

Amao didn't want to follow the townspeople to seek refuge.

He had food, but one bag was not enough. He thought he would have to go back and get a few more bags later, but he just had to be careful not to be noticed by Li Jingfeng.

He struggled to carry the sack that was almost half his height.The fleeing townspeople holding torches were orderly in twos and threes, like a long snake heading west along the street. He followed this long snake and came to the west courtyard of the town. When the townspeople left the town, he turned into In the courtyard.

No one paid attention to him, no one paid attention to him.

The crooked door reflected firelight, and he turned into the backyard. The smelly old man was facing the guest room window, wondering what he was doing.Amao threw the sack to the ground and cursed: "I have food, it's not your fault! You still have to rely on me to support you!"

The smelly old man chuckled lightly and said, "I heard it. There are so many people outside, and they are all very happy. They must have got food. That Li Jingfeng is really capable."

"Bullshit!" Amao stepped forward.

"Be careful."

"What are you being careful about?" As soon as Amao finished speaking, something seemed to be tripped under his feet and he heard the ringing of a bell.

Is it a wind chime?
Amao leaned down and saw a thin line on the ground. The line was very thin but tough. Along the end of the line, he touched a string of small bells.

"What is this?" Amao asked.

"Beef tendon, the material of bowstrings." The smelly old man answered as he groped on the wall.

"Why are you doing this?" Amao scolded, "If I don't go back to the cellar to hide from you, I will have to carry two more sacks for you to waste."

"It'll be enough if you bring back that bowl of porridge tonight." The old man stood up straight.Amao went over to take a look, only to find that the old man tied one end of the string to the window pane and the other end to the tree in the opposite yard. Many small copper pieces were hung on the string.

Like wind chimes?

"We still have a lot of work to do." The old man frowned suddenly, "Are you here?"

Amao was startled and turned around, but who was Li Jingfeng?It was dark, and Amao couldn't see clearly the expression on his face, and he cursed angrily: "What are you doing with me?"

Li Jingfeng hesitated for a while and then said: "Old man, it's been a long time."

The old man nodded: "It's been two years. I heard that Lao Zhang was arrested. How is the shopkeeper?"

"The shopkeeper is dead and was chased by Lengdao Li. Don't you know?" Li Jingfeng asked back.

"That's not my job." The old man shook his head, "The shopkeeper is stingy, he's a nice person, it's a pity."

Amao listened to their questions and answers, and they actually knew each other?

"We all know he is a good person, why do we want to harm him?" Li Jingfeng asked.

The old man remained silent and groped forward with his crutch, followed by Li Jingfeng.

"Help the old man, tie this thread to the tree over there." The old man took out a thin thread from his belt and handed it to Li Jingfeng. There were also many copper pieces strung on it.Li Jingfeng took it, and in the dark, Amao couldn't even see what the old man was holding. Li Jingfeng didn't light a torch, but he could see clearly.

The old man tied the other end of the filament to the corridor handrail.

"In our line of work, we don't ask so many questions." The old man said, "If you want to ask me who is the mastermind, I don't know."

"What do you want to do?" Amao heard the contradiction and stared at Li Jingfeng.

"Did you teach Amao about Piaoshi?" Li Jingfeng asked, "It was a big help, otherwise the death and injury would be even worse."

"Tie it higher," the old man said, stroking one end of the silk thread and measuring its height.Li Jingfeng adjusted the silk thread higher and asked, "Is this so?"

The old man nodded and pulled out another silk thread and handed it to Li Jingfeng: "Tie it up for me."

"It's only been two years, and you already have such skills. Your assassination of the deputy head of Songshan was well known." The old man suddenly burst out laughing, "Speaking of which, when I went to Fuju Hall to look for work that day, it was you who helped me Only if I intercede will the shopkeeper be willing to hire me."

"Don't talk about it, I'm annoyed." Li Jingfeng said.

"Is there anything to eat?" the old man asked. "There is still a lot of work to do."

Li Jingfeng took out a piece of dried meat from his pocket, which was the dry food he brought for today's night raid, and handed it to the old man.

Amao said angrily: "What are you talking about? I don't understand!"

"We are reminiscing about old times. Brother Li and I are old friends." The old man took the dry food, tore half of it and handed it to Amao.

"Senior, aren't you leaving?" Li Jingfeng asked.

"There is a secret cellar here. No one will find it if it is hidden in it." The old man smiled, "I am blind and can't keep up with you. I am just a drag." He added, "Now share the food. You stay here. What if something goes wrong?" What to do? It’s better to go and take care of it. It’s never too late to say anything later.”

Li Siliang and Wang Meng were both injured. Gao Yu took the first step and really needed someone to look after him. Li Jingfeng hummed and said, "I'll come back later."

He was about to leave when the old man said again: "One more thing. Don't just run away. If there is any leftover food, pile up those grain trucks and empty trucks at my door. This is the road to the west of the town. It’s blocked, and they’ll have to work hard to get around it.”

Li Jingfeng felt that it made sense and said, "I understand."

After Li Jingfeng left, Amao asked, "How do you recognize this idiot?"

"I met him when I was working in Ba County before," the old man said. "The house also needs to be decorated. Fortunately you came."

Amao couldn't help but ask: "What are you doing with these?"

The old man said: "The enemy is coming in, I can hear it."

"What can you do if you hear it?" Amao cursed, "You are blind!"

When Li Jingfeng returned to the gate of the town, most of Dian Cang's grain carts had been taken away. The empty horses and vehicles were commanded by Li Siliang, who put the wounded soldiers on the empty carts and took them away.Wang Meng also got in the car, and Li Jingfeng asked him to go first.

By the time the grain distribution was over, [-]% of the townspeople had gone. Li Jingfeng climbed up to a high place and looked from a distance. He saw a fire flashing in the distance and let out a sigh.Li Siliang asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"

"There's fire!" Li Jingfeng jumped down from the eaves.

"Dian Cang is coming after you?" Li Siliang asked in shock, "So fast?"

"I'll go take a look!" Li Jingfeng looked for a horse and ran out of the town, only to see a dozen horses leading a convoy coming from afar.

Why is it a convoy, not cavalry?

Li Jingfeng suddenly realized that it was Liao Ming!Liao Ming came with the disciples of the Tieling Gang!

After confirming who the enemy was, Li Jingfeng rode back to report. When Li Siliang learned that it was Liao Ming, he couldn't help but cursed.

"He expected that we had no food and couldn't take these treasures away, so he wanted to rob us!" Li Jingfeng said, "I estimate there are nearly a hundred people. The disciples are injured and exhausted, so we have to go faster!"

Li Siliang urged everyone to pack up quickly, and Li Jingfeng said: "Pile all these cars in front of the Zhenxi compound to block the road and delay them."

Li Siliang praised: "Brother is so attentive."

Li Jingfeng didn't explain to him and rode towards Zhenxi Courtyard.

"Liao Ming is back!" Li Jingfeng shouted, "Old man, let's leave quickly!"

The old man was tying a silk thread with Amao in the hall. When he saw him coming, he smiled and said, "I'm almost done. You guys will wait a moment." After that, he walked to the backyard.

Amao heard that Liao Ming was back and said anxiously: "What are you talking about now? Are you walking fast?"

Li Jingfeng said: "I have prepared a horse and can carry the old man without any delay."

After a while, the old man came back again. Li Jingfeng saw that he had thrown away his crutches, hung a big bow on his back, and held two large barrels of arrows in his hands. They probably weighed only a few dozen kilograms. Although he was blind, he was full of energy. He was not as old as before. ?Surprised, he asked: "What is this?"

Amao had never seen the old man so energetic and couldn't help but be surprised.

The old man put down the quiver and made a loud "dong" sound, which showed its importance: "You are wounded and exhausted soldiers. The horses have been pulling food for another day. The pursuers are full of energy and will definitely be overtaken. You have to use people to cut off the rear and delay Chasing troops.”

Amao's eyes widened, what nonsense is this old man talking about?
"Amao, you can follow Brother Li from now on. He is a good man and will take care of you." The old man said.

Amao said angrily: "You are a blind man, blind man! Why do you want to stop the pursuers? If I try to stop you, all your bones will be broken!"

Although Li Jingfeng knew what he was capable of, he was blind after all. What's the use of a blind archer?He said hurriedly: "Old man, leave this delay to me. I'm good at it and I can find a way to get out."

"The door is locked on the left! Hit!" The strong wind swept past Li Jingfeng with the sound of words. Amao didn't even see when the old man pulled the bow or fired the arrow.

With a snapping sound, Li Jingfeng could see clearly that the arrow was inserted into the bolt of the crooked door on the left. Half of the arrow was stuck in the wood, and the feather tail vibrated slightly, which showed his profound skill.

Only then did Amao realize that this bad old man was not only not bad, but also had great skills.

"This is my manor. I know every plant and tree. It's dark now and they are blind, but I am not."

Amao knew that the old man was serious and he really wanted to stay.

"Do you think I'm a cat or a dog? If you like me, keep it, but if you don't like it, give it away?" Amao was so angry that he stamped his feet, his eyes were red. He grabbed the old man's arm: "Smelly old man, let's hide in the cellar and take care of these people." Go to hell! We are hiding, we have food and water, and it doesn’t matter if we live for a year or two! Don’t let the dogs pick on the mice, have you forgotten how they beat you?” Amao tried his best to pull, but he couldn’t move the old man half an inch.

The old man touched Amao's head and said with a smile: "You must keep that string of wind chimes. If you gain weight someday, it will sound nice wearing it."

Amao cried loudly: "I have found all the food for you, why don't you want me? Why don't you want me!"

He threw away the old man's arm and turned to run, but suddenly he was hit hard in the back and he fainted immediately.

The old man hugged A Mao around his waist and said to Li Jingfeng: "I owed you last time, and I owe you again this time. Just stay here. This child has a hard life. He has learned badly, has insufficient abilities, and will not change his temper. Something bad happened."

He handed Amao to Li Jingfeng. Li Jingfeng hugged Amao and couldn't help but said: "Senior, let's go together." The old man still shook his head: "When I leave this manor, I will be a blind old man. I am just a burden and you can't take care of me. so many people."

Li Jingfeng had no other words to say. He held Amao on his horse and looked into the courtyard.Two years ago, I met this old man for the first time. Because of this old man's arrow, my life changed drastically.

Following the old man's instructions, leftover grain and empty trucks filled the only road out of the town from the west.The old man hid the arrows in various places, crouched in the corner of the room, and listened attentively.

The sound of horse hooves heading west of the town gradually faded away, and Li Jingfeng and the others left.

In the darkness, everything was silent except for the sound of the wind.

The sound of wind brought the sound of horse hooves from far away and came closer.

coming.

Liao Ming led his wife's uncle, Tieling Gang leader Chen Xiu, and a group of disciples to chase him, and saw grain trucks and empty trucks jamming the road.

"Where do these sons of bitches get so much food?" Liao Ming cursed.

"Is there any other way?" Chen Xiu asked.

Just as Liao Ming was about to speak, there was a sudden "swish" sound. Liao Ming didn't even notice what happened, and a sharp arrow had passed through his chest.

"There's an ambush!" Chen Xiu shouted in surprise and got off his horse.Little did they know, the sound of hoofbeats and shouts gave away their position.

Swish, swish, swish, three arrows were shot in a row, each arrow was faster than lightning, and the two disciples fell down after being hit by the arrows.The arrow shot at Chen Xiu penetrated the horse's belly. If Chen Xiu hadn't been hiding behind the horse, the arrow would have killed him long ago.

"In the yard!" Chen Xiu lowered his body, "There is an ambush in the yard! Raise your shield and rush in!"

Thirty disciples raised their small bucklers and rushed into the courtyard, followed by more than ninety disciples.

Brushing, brushing, brushing, several arrows hit the round shield with such force that the arm of the disciple holding the shield went numb.

But they saw no enemy, not a single one.Unknown crises permeate the dark night.

The old man was lying on the eaves. He heard the sound of arrows hitting bucklers, the shouts of soldiers, and the sound of wind chimes mixed with the sound of wind.

"What is it?" A disciple was stumbling on the thin rope and was about to lower his head to look when a sharp arrow penetrated his lower abdomen.

He can distinguish between the natural sound of wind chimes and the sound of wind chimes stirred by others. The former sound is gentle, natural and irregular, but comfortable to listen to, while the latter sound is messy and rapid.

"The roof! On the roof! Chase!"

He was not surprised that his whereabouts were exposed. The old man turned over and jumped to the backyard. He kept wandering around the courtyard, his steps were as gentle as a cat, making no sound.

He is familiar with this place. This is a manor he built with his own hands. Every protrusion on the ground, every fragrance of flowers, and every protrusion of beams are marks he left deliberately when he built the manor, letting him know exactly where he is. at.He doesn't need crutches, the hours pass by, and in the dark night, the blind man is the only one who can see.

A sharp arrow shot out of the guest room, and a man fell.

who?where?how many people?Chen Xiu couldn't tell the difference, and the disciples of the Tieling Gang couldn't tell the difference.

From the beams of the hall, three cold lights took away three lives.

The old man moved quickly.

"I see, it's there!"

They were approaching with the sound of chasing footsteps and the ringing of backyard bells.

He knew where to hide. At the eaves and corners of the warehouse, hidden ghosts took away two more lives.

"I see, it's there!"

"Fuck! How many people are ambushing?!"

The arrows were gone, no, just the arrows in the quiver were gone. After all, carrying a lot of arrows on his back would make it difficult to move around easily.

He rolled down from the warehouse, and there was a barrel of arrows in the corner of the warehouse.

Five enemies were running towards him, and their undue shouting allowed him to confirm the distance.Before the opponent approached, he had no time to shoot out arrows one after another. One arrow meant a life. They may have thought they had time to dodge, but they obviously overestimated themselves.

He hurried towards the yard, the scent of jasmine still lingering.

"Here's one, catch him!"

This time he failed, and the bow and arrow bounced off something unknown.It must be a shield, he thought, leaping up, holding a bow in his left hand, grabbing the eaves of the pavilion with his right hand and flipping up, running quickly towards the corridor, flying past, and landing on the corridor.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, such a thin sound breaking the wind, is it a small hidden weapon, a locust stone?He lowered his body and narrowly avoided it, followed by a violent blast of wind.

Playing with bow and arrow in front of me?He became competitive, listened for the coming, turned around and drew his bow.

Another person fell.

But he himself also took a hit, probably from a sleeve arrow or something. He had no time to dodge and his right arm was injured.

He was running and shooting at the same time, not taking any accuracy at this time, mainly intimidating the enemy.There were twenty or thirty disciples there, and it was quite chaotic to be huddled together.

The quiver was empty again. He had rushed to the end of the corridor, bent down, picked up the full quiver at the corner, shot five arrows while running, and jumped into Amao's room.

The sharp arrows flying out of the window injured several more Tieling Gang disciples. When they broke into the room, there was no one inside, leaving only an empty quiver.

"The shield bearer is out, everyone gather together!" Chen Xiu shouted, and the round shields formed a circle, protecting all sides, but they did not pay attention to the sky. Four sharp arrows falling from the sky took away the two innocent souls who died in vain.

But the next two arrows were blocked.

Chen Xiu was afraid. He didn't dare to be reckless. He planned to hold on.

The old man also stopped attacking, he needed to take a breath.

In this stalemate, the sighted person does not know where the blind person is hiding, but the blind person controls every move of the sighted person.

Time passed little by little.

More used to be better.

Chen Xiu gradually became impatient, and he finally ordered: "Group of five, equipped with a shield, and search carefully!"

Just as the shield array dispersed, a sharp arrow came straight towards him and passed through the abdomen of a disciple.

"Over there! Chase!"

A large number of people moved in the direction of the old man.

The old man began to feel tired, but he did not stop.The sound of wind chimes in the backyard alerted him to the ambush, so he returned to the hall and walked among the beams.

"Shoot him down! Fuck! Shoot him down." Chen Xiu was furious when he found the old man.

Shoot at each other, he drew his arrows and fired back. Hearing the wailing sound, he clung to the lintel and climbed to the roof.

He heard many voices in all directions.Almost all the wind chime traps laid were triggered, and he could no longer use the wind chime wires to determine the enemy's position.

"Catch him! Catch him!" shouts came one after another.

Finally surrounded?As he ran, he felt the sharp weapon scratch his arm, felt the sharp weapon scratch his thigh, and felt something drill into his chest.It should be a sleeve arrow, it hurts, very painful, he can't breathe, and his strength is lost with blood.

But he was not idle, he kept shooting arrows. When the quiver was empty, he must have killed a few more people. The two large barrels of arrows had already been used up.

This is the last bottle.He hid in the warehouse and resisted, holding his bow to the door.This was a dead end, and he waited with his bow fully drawn.

No need to reserve your strength.The first person to break in was holding a round shield to protect himself. The sharp bow and arrow penetrated the round shield with internal force and penetrated his forearm.

Full bow, second arrow!The arrow penetrated one person's chest and even injured the person behind him.

Full bow, third arrow!He heard a wave of shouting approaching, very close.

The arrow shot out and penetrated the abdomen of one disciple, knocking down the disciple behind him. The protruding arrowhead pierced the abdomen of the second disciple.

There was no fourth arrow, the bowstring had been cut off, and one, two, three, and four knives were directed at him.But he didn't feel any severe pain. He only felt that he was losing his body bit by bit because the Tieling Gang disciples who were extremely angry, hated, and frightened had chopped him into pieces.

In the darkness, he finally lost consciousness.

"Fuck! Just one person, just one fucking person!" Chen Xiu couldn't help but stamp his feet in anger, "32 of our brothers died! Just such an old man!"

"Keep chasing!" Chen Xiu shouted. They delayed for too long. Not only did they suffer heavy casualties, they also lost their brother-in-law's life.It was getting dark, and they had to chase the fleeing townspeople and seize some property, otherwise this trip would be in vain.

They were about to push away the grain cart blocking the road when they suddenly heard the sound of rapid horse hooves.Chen Xiu was stunned and looked up, seeing more than two hundred riders running towards them.

"Did you hijack the grain truck?" the leader shouted.

Disciple Dian Cang meets disciple from Hengshan?Is there anything left to explain at this time, a misunderstanding?

"Kill!" Chen Xiu shouted and rushed forward.

"Kill!" Captain Dian Cang, the leader, raised his spear high.

The sun rose slowly from the east, and the first light of the day finally shone into Pingyuan Town.

(End of this chapter)