Under the sky

Chapter 314: Killing Demons with Demons

Kunlun April Summer 91

The wall was covered with holes left by arrows, and the crenellations and turrets had almost all collapsed. The collapsed city wall in the northeast corner was three feet shorter than its surroundings, like a rugged hillside. Only the Armillary Sphere flag on the city tower was still flying.

The war in eastern Hunan was many times more brutal than that in western Hunan. Li Xuanxuan held firm in the west, but pressed forward with strong troops and generals in the east to counterattack, hoping to drive the beggar gang out of Hunan first.

The Beggar Clan's fierce attack in the past year and Hengshan's fierce counterattack caused more than [-] casualties on both sides. Dozens of famous masters died in the battle. There were more than [-] chief and deputy heads of the execution hall, war hall, and soldier hall in various places. Several young men of the sects were killed. The dead and injured were all exhausted, leaving only orphans and widows, and the casualties were still increasing.

The Beggar Clan was wealthy and had no shortage of food and grass, but the military discipline was not as strict as that of Dian Cang. The villages along the road were affected by the war, and many fugitives and refugees fled to surrounding towns.Zhuo Yelan, the commander-in-chief of the Changsha War of the Hengshan Company, also died in the battle in November last year. The war in eastern Hunan was transferred to Bai Jili, the leader of the Gujian Sect.

Xu Fangge personally commanded the front, launching wave after wave of fierce attacks. More than [-] disciples were involved. Peng Zhenwen and Peng Naner sent more than [-] civilians to Gan to help transport food. Li Xuanxuan constantly sent reinforcements to fight back. .

The two major factions approached Hengshan in a pincer attack, and Dian Cang took the lead again, taking Lingling directly. The situation that was originally a great advantage became more and more unfavorable.

Xu Fangge was very dissatisfied with the Huashan defeat. He had lost like this in just a few months. Not to mention a drop of Huashan's blood, the blood was almost drained.Qingcheng joined the war in the south before Shaolin, distracting Dian Cang, otherwise even the west side of Hengshan's defense would have to be breached.

The Beggar Gang did not have no chance. At the end of last year, the first batch of reinforcements from Shaolin had just arrived in eastern Hunan. Xu Fangge was well prepared and set up an ambush to attack them head-on.Shaolin was defeated and defeated. After finally reorganizing its troops, it formed a horn with Changsha City in the north to resist the enemy. If it were not for the reinforcements led by the lay monk Zhu Baoqi, whose original name was Jue Zhu, he would have captured Changsha long ago.

In February this year, Zhuge Ran fled due to the failed coup. This news almost shook Xu Fangge's determination.Is that good-for-nothing Zhuge Tingguan the leader of Dian Cang?Xu Fangge couldn't imagine it.Fortunately, the new deputy commander Zhuge Changzhan sent a message to Xu Fangge and Dian Cang that he would not withdraw his troops and would fight Hengshan to the end.

Xu Fangge knew that Zhuge Yan, the second son, was smart and diligent, and Zhuge Ran praised him highly. His daughter-in-law Zhuge You also said that the second brother was reliable, but did he have Zhuge Ran's cunning and cunningness?

No, to think about it differently, as long as we win this battle, Dian Cang changing hands may not be a bad thing.The alliance between Dian Cang and the Beggar Clan can achieve success now. In the long run, Dian Cang may become the opponent of the Beggar Clan in the long run. Losing Zhuge Ran is not necessarily a bad thing. At least any of his sons is more reliable than Zhuge Tingguan.

In March, he heard even worse news. The Tang Sect had gathered heavy troops in southern Sichuan, and Mrs. Lengmian sent a letter to Dian Cang, intending to mediate.

The cold-faced lady had endured it for a whole year, and now she took action.

It's not far from southern Sichuan to Kunming, but the mountain road is difficult and supplies are difficult. Xu Fangge has no intention of worrying about Dian Cang, but the Tangmen's intervention in the war will indeed distract Dian Cang.A Qingcheng is not enough, plus the Tang Sect, this will test Zhuge Changzhan's ability and Dian Cang's strength.

From the original pincer attack between the two factions, with Huashan containing Qingcheng, now, except for Kongtong Wudang, all seven factions are involved in the war.Xu Fangge knew that neither Dian Cang nor the Beggar Gang had a way out. Li Xuanzhen had no intention of giving them a way out from the beginning. Hengshan had lost more than [-]% of its elites in eastern Hunan and northern Guangdong. Even so, he still refused to give them any chance of peace talks. He was determined to resistance.

If this battle fails, a new alliance will be formed. From then on, the leaders of the nine major families will no longer be able to shine, and the hope of their own family and the world will most likely be shattered.Dian Cang cannot fail either. With this defeat, they will most likely never be the leader of the alliance again.

Changsha was already at the end of its strength, the city walls were crumbling, and it was almost impossible to defend. The reason why the Beggar Clan was unable to attack for a long time was only because of the reinforcements from Shaolin.

Xu Fangge looked at the city in the distance. For the current plan, he could only continue to attack fiercely - to seize Changsha before the Tangmen dispatched troops to the common people.

The Beggar Clan army launched another offensive, and the city wall was covered with rows of stilt arrows. The Beggar Clan disciples climbed up the city wall amidst shouts of killing.

As the battle raged, a horse suddenly rushed toward the Chinese army's camp. Zhao Zhiwu, the head of the Shiye Sect who was responsible for resisting the Shaolin reinforcements from the north, got off his horse and saluted with his hands in hand.

"Why are you here?" Xu Fangge frowned and asked, "The army in the north was defeated?"

"Report to the gang leader!" Ye Shiwu couldn't hide his joy, "Shaolin has withdrawn its troops! I'm here to ask the gang leader if he is pursuing us!"

Xu Fangge was overjoyed: "Shaolin has withdrawn its troops?" He still didn't believe it, fearing that it was Zhu Baoqi's trick to lure the enemy.

"Really withdrawn!" Ye Shiwu said, "In the morning, my subordinates saw that there was no movement in the camp. The spies told Shaolin to withdraw their troops. My subordinates still didn't believe it, so they sent people to investigate and confirmed that the camp was empty!"

"Don't pursue!" Xu Fangge said, "Capture Changsha with all your strength!"

In April of the 91st year of Kunlun's reign, the city of Changsha was broken, and the Beggar Clan's army approached Hengyang. Li Xuanxuan, the leader of Hengshan, personally led the army to fight.

■

After the Shaolin Incident, Juekong claimed to the outside world that the three monks of Wenshu Monastery were dissatisfied with Juewen's reforms and colluded with three upright monks to launch a coup to kill the abbot. Juekong suppressed the rebellion and elected Juewen as abbot.Kyawen had a good reputation among the righteous monks, and this move indeed alleviated the suspicion of some righteous monks.

However, Jueru raised the flag of rebellion in Shanxi, threatened that Juekong was plotting rebellion, and that if he felt that his position was unfair, the whole world would punish him. He called on the righteous monks in the world to defend Buddhism together.

This move was not unexpected by Juekong, it was just unpreventable.The assassination failed, and the northward assault failed again. Jue Ru made arrangements in advance, and twenty thousand monks and lay disciples from Yu were sent to rescue Hengshan. Juekong had to control the various sects within his jurisdiction to avoid changes, and had no time to go north.

For Jueru, excluding the solitary graveyard, there is less than [-]% of the territory under the jurisdiction of Jin, and there are a large number of lay disciples in it. Jueru cannot kill all these people, but must try his best to appease them, and at the same time call on the righteous monks in Shaolin to respond. , he also needs time to clean up.It was a wonderful move for Juekong to make Juewen the abbot. Although Juewen was a member of Juekong's party, he practiced diligently and had a good reputation among the righteous monks. His succession as abbot really made many monks wait and see.

What worries Jueru the most is the [-] troops that are about to rush back to Shaolin. This group of people almost follows Jueru's lead and will join the war as soon as they arrive in Shaolin and attack the White Horse Temple.Facing this large army, Jueru was not sure of holding Zezhou, or it was impossible to hold it at all.

What's more, there is also the issue of Ji Di. With the current situation, Ji Di is under the control of Juekong. His weakness is undoubtedly obvious. He must find a way to get reinforcements, preferably those who can join the war immediately.

Xiao Qinggu received the letter and learned about the changes in Shaolin. She hurriedly reported Su Changning. Before her father-in-law could make up her mind, she led three hundred cavalrymen to White Horse Temple at night to meet her master.When passing through Yudi, due to the huge momentum, the team was stopped and interrogated by border guard disciples who did not know their origins. Xiao Qinggu used the excuse that he found the Songgao League hiding in Jindi and wanted to arrest them.He was so anxious that he didn't want to bump into his master leading a team of 20 people on the way.

"Master!" Xiao Qinggu was overjoyed when she saw her master. She finally let go and hurriedly stepped forward to inquire.

Jueru looked behind him and said, "Just bring this few people?"

"There are too many people to cross the border, and we can't move faster. Master, your feet?" Xiao Qing asked with concern when she saw that she was limping when she dismounted.

"I was injured and haven't recovered yet." Jueru said sadly, "Senior Brother Wu is dead."

Xiao Qinggu had already heard the news in the letter, and she felt sad and said: "I will escort Master to Songshan Mountain. Where are the other senior brothers?"

"Liao Zhi is guarding the White Horse Temple, and others are leading troops to come to the rescue." Jueru turned around and said, "Please help me send urgent documents for [-] miles. I want to see Su Changning. Without further ado, we will meet in Liaocheng. "

Xiao Qinggu originally thought that the master was going to raise a rebellion, and she was worried. When she saw him rushing to Songshan, she thought he wanted to hide in Songshan to avoid trouble. When he heard that he wanted to see his father-in-law, he immediately understood the master's intention, and he must have asked Songshan for help.

Songshan is under the jurisdiction of Shaolin and cannot stay out of the matter. Su Changning is afraid of Juekong and certainly does not want Juekong to become a powerful person.Xiao Qinggu doesn't want the situation to worsen, but the war in Shaolin is a foregone conclusion. Even if she wants the world to be peaceful and live a happy life, she can't.

He sighed and sent someone to deliver the letter back to Songshan.

Xiao Qing was afraid even thinking about her master's prejudice against her father-in-law's temper.

In this world, can’t people live in peace and contentment?

■

Liaocheng is on the border of Lu and Jueru took the risk to cross the border. Fortunately, he did not encounter any trouble on the way.When he arrived, Su Changning and Su Yilin were already waiting in Liaocheng, and Jueru paid him a visit immediately.

"Songshan is a member of Shaolin. Juekong has rebelled and usurped the throne. The poor monk hopes that Songshan will help us to uphold Buddhism and protect our Shaolin." Jueru said to Su Changning, "Please also ask Master Su to send troops immediately."

Xiao Qinggu looked at her father-in-law.Su Changning was sitting on the chair. He had always been irritable, but at this moment he was calm and composed.Su Yilin sat aside and did not respond immediately.

Xiao Qinggu knows very well that irritability does not mean incompetence or ignorance. Incompetence or ignorance means the inability or inability to handle things correctly. This is related to the brain, but irritability is temper.He has seen too many irritable but capable people, such as Abbot Jueji. It is true that irritable people can easily become impatient, but Su Changning is not in a hurry at this time.

"I only heard that the three monks of Wenshu Monastery rebelled, and Juekong was the first to suppress it, not to mention that the current abbot is Master Juewen." Su Changning said, "It is difficult to tell the truth at the moment. Songshan has never participated in Shaolin political affairs, and there is no reason to raise troops. "

Xiao Qingu heard something in his father-in-law's words, so how could Jueru not hear it? He took a breath and said with a smile, "When will it be Songshan's turn to participate in Shaolin political affairs?"

At this moment, the master has returned to his smiling appearance, Xiao Qing thought.Master also has a nickname among his brothers, which is "a sword hidden in a smile".

Su Changning chuckled: "Since it is not Songshan's turn to participate in Shaolin political affairs, why did Master Jueru come to find Su? The Songshan Sect is just a sect under Shaolin. Even if the jurisdiction is larger, it is still under the control of Shaolin. Who is the abbot? , Songshan has to listen to someone."

Jueru said with a smile: "The poor monk still doesn't know that Master Su is so happy and who is behind the Songgao League. Has Master Su not heard any rumors? Could it be that if the poor monk falls, the traitor Juekong will let Songshan go?" ?”

"Abbott talks nonsense, how can he accuse someone of innocence?" Su Changning still pretended to be stupid, "If there is evidence, Su will not sue Shaolin?" Jueru said: "My lips are dead and my teeth are cold. Juekong has sinister intentions. Master Su will not fail to do so." I understand. If you hook up with Huashan, how can Juekong tolerate you? Unless Juekong dies and all the lay monks leave, Songshan can maintain its current appearance."

"The first seat of Juekong is very old." Su Changning said, "Su can afford to wait."

Xiao Qinggu knew that the key to negotiation was not to give in easily, but her father-in-law seemed to want more than she expected.

Jueru sneered and said, "In that case, let's just treat this poor monk's trip as a waste."

After saying that, he stood up. Xiao Qing knew that the master could not leave like this, and she had to give him a step. She hurriedly stepped forward to hold Jueru, and said, "Master, don't let both sides suffer." Then she turned back and shouted to Su Changning, " father!"

Su Changning said: "Master Jue Ru, you said this is Jue Kong seizing the throne. To be honest, for Su, this is just a dispute between the orthodox and the secular. Whether it is an orthodox monk or a lay monk, no one in the Songshan Gang will pay attention to it. It might as well be Stay out of the matter. If you take a step back, even if Songshan is not a Taoist, it is still a layman. Bang Juekong has a better chance of winning. Maybe he can resolve the past grievances with the leader and shake hands."

Jueru said with a smile: "It turns out that the Songshan sect has long learned to work lying down. Master Su, please tighten your buttocks." He then changed his words and said, "No, it's better to take it easy. It won't hurt if Juekong lies down."

Su Changning laughed and said, "Master Jueru is really experienced. No wonder there are always some gossips in the Shaolin Temple." His face darkened, "Master Jueru has invited me."

Xiao Qinggu said anxiously: "Songshan is also under the jurisdiction of Shaolin, why is it unreasonable? If Kong is in an unfair position, the whole world will attack together. This is a great disaster for Shaolin!"

Su Changning said coldly: "My dear, if you want to help Master, I can't stop you, but you have to think about Wanqin." He added, "Whether you feel the position is upright or not, even if it is not upright, just change the abbot. The battle between the orthodox and the secular has been going on for decades, and it is possible that they will continue to fight for a few more years. How can Koujuekong have the time to pay attention to Songshan? We have to rely on Master Jueru to help delay it."

Xiao Qinggu's heart trembled when she heard what her father-in-law wanted.He knew very well that although Su Changning hated and feared Juekong, he had never been a tough Songgao sect. He had been in Songshan for eight years and worked hard to stabilize most of the independent elements in Songshan. In addition to his ability, Su Changning also had the full support of Su Changning. The reason.The friendship between Songshan and Huashan was only to increase support and prevent Juekong from being unable to protect himself when he advanced. He always thought that Su Changning only wanted to eliminate the hidden worry of Juekong and continue to maintain the relationship between Songshan and Shaolin.

I never expected it, no, I might have doubted it, but I didn't expect it to actually happen - I never expected that Su Changning would take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But it is impossible for the master to agree.

Jueru walked up to Su Changning, bent down and pressed his hands on the armrests, putting his head close to Su Changning's face: "I promise you, poor monk."

Xiao Qinggu was surprised again.

"What did you promise?" Su Changning asked with a smile.

Jueru smiled and said: "Let Songshan Mountain be separated from Shaolin. As long as the poor monks sweep away the rebels and quell the civil strife, Songshan Mountain will no longer be under the control of Shaolin."

"This is not enough. There are only Nine Families in the world." Su Changning shook his head, "Kunlun has reached a consensus. The Nine Families share boundaries. Songshan Mountain is not outside the customs. How can it not be under the jurisdiction of the Nine Families, unless..."

Jueru was still smiling, with the corners of his mouth raised unnaturally: "The Shaolin Association supports Songshan to become the tenth family, but it still needs more than half of the Kunlun consensus to pass it."

"I hope that the master can tell the world." Su Changning said, "The matter is urgent and there is no preparation. There are 5000 troops and horses in Liaocheng. As long as the master agrees, these [-] troops will immediately follow the master, and the food and grass will follow. "

Xiao Qinggu said anxiously: "Master!"

"Shut up!" Su Changning shouted.

"The poor monk will do as he is told." Jue Ru said, "The poor monk will tell the world that Songshan will not belong to Shaolin from now on." He paused for a while, stood up straight, and continued, "There are still many details to be discussed in this matter, Baima The temple is in urgent need of reinforcements, we can discuss this later.”

"Okay." Su Changning nodded, "Lin'er, take Abbot Jueru to order the troops."

Su Yilin said respectfully: "Master Jueru, please come with me."

Su Yilin led Jueru away, and Xiao Qing knew that her father-in-law must have something to say if he stayed behind, so she waited respectfully.

"Old boy!" Sure enough, as soon as the master left, Su Changning smashed the coffee table beside him with one palm and yelled loudly: "Are you from Songshan or Shaolin? Have you thought clearly?"

"I'm planning for Songshan!" Xiao Qing said, "Shaolin has not interfered in Songshan affairs for 50 years. As long as Juekong is removed, it will not interfere in the future. It is probably not a good thing to be on bad terms with Shaolin!"

"No intervention? Is forcing Songshan to remove Li Jingfeng's warrant last year considered intervention? Once this case is opened, there will be two or three cases, slowly shrinking Songshan's power! You are always smart, how come you are so confused in this matter? As long as Shaolin Pressing on Songshan Mountain, even if Juekong dies, ten years later, 20 years later, 30 years later, there will not be another Juekong? Not to mention far away, I think your master is like the next Juekong, he will let go easily Songshan?"

"Dad has never supported the Songgao Alliance. The only person he fears is Juekong. Why did he change his tune today?"

"I don't support it because the Songgao League's methods are extreme, and Songshan has no ability to fight against Shaolin. For the sake of the people of Songshan, this is a compromise! Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Internally, I can appease the Songgao League, use it for my own purposes, and once and for all. , completely draw a clear line with Shaolin!"

"Dad! The Nine People will not support Songshan!" Xiao Qing said, "The lessons of our ancestors are not far away. No one really supported Songshan during the Shaosong War!"

"That's a problem for the future! One moment and the other, now is not the situation of the Shao-Song conflict. You should find a way to help Songshan and find a way to get the nine people to support Songshan, instead of thinking about Shaolin!"

Xiao Qinggu lowered his head. Shaolin and Songshan were originally one family. He didn't understand why Songshan was so persistent in establishing its own business.Su Changning advanced for Songshan, the master gave in for the Buddha, and Juekong slaughtered the monks for the sake of Shaolin. 50 years later, or 100 years later, if these powers are not handed over to the people behind them, what is the meaning except for the disintegration of Shaolin?It's just to weaken their own family. Only a united Shaolin is the real martial arts leader.

"I know you have a good relationship with Master. He taught you martial arts, protected you, and saved your life." Su Changning said, "Wanqin has given birth to Yan'er. This is Songshan's child. You can't take it away. My daughter can't be taken away while she's here." You're still young and can remarry. It's up to you whether you want to be a Shaolin or a Songshan person, but don't be half-hearted and think clearly."

When Xiao Qinggu heard his father-in-law mention his wife, his heart tightened and he said anxiously: "My son and Wanqin have a deep love, so I put Wanqin first, but my teacher's kindness is profound, and I want to repay it."

"There is no unending kindness in this world." Su Changning sighed, "You help your master first, then you should repay his kindness, and don't be inconsistent in the future."

Xiao Qing reluctantly resigned and was going to find her master. She bumped into Su Yilin on the way.Seeing that he was dejected, Su Yilin patted his shoulder and asked, "Did you get scolded by your father?"

Xiao Qinggu sighed: "Dad wants me to choose between Shaolin and Songshan, but is this really a matter of choosing one side?"

"Dad knows that you are affectionate, and he also likes people who are affectionate. He is not jealous of you, he is just forcing you. This is all for Songshan." Su Yilin comforted, "The situation is like this. After all, you can't please both sides."

If he just couldn't get it right, he just suffered some grievances. Xiao Qinggu sighed deeply in her heart, shook her head and said: "Master and I will go to Baima Temple. When the situation is a little more stable, we will return to Songshan and ask the little witch to help take care of my sister."

Su Yilin pinched his shoulder and said: "There is no eye on the battlefield. Thinking of Wan Qin and Yan'er, be careful."

Xiao Qinggu nodded and went to meet the master.

Songshan's 5000 people formed three long queues and streamed out of the city from the three gates in the south, west and north. Xiao Qinggu found his master at the west gate.Seeing him, Jueru stepped forward and suddenly shouted: "What are you doing here? There is no need for you to be pretentious!"

Xiao Qinggu was scolded inexplicably, and she felt sour in her heart. She thought, could Master also blame me?Suddenly I heard a low voice: "Stand still!" Two punches were suddenly thrown from the left and right, hitting Xiao Qinggu so hard that her nose was bruised and her face was swollen, and stars appeared in her eyes.

"You didn't say a word to help me, but you still have my master in your eyes? This poor monk doesn't need you as a disciple who deceives his master and destroys his ancestors. Get out of here!"

Xiao Qinggu was confused. He only heard a low voice: "No need to follow, go back to Su Changning. From now on, you can do whatever he says. Be filial and do whatever you want. Don't pay attention to Master."

Xiao Qinggu was stunned.

"Then find a way to kill Su Yilin and become the leader." Jue Ru said, "It's up to you to bring Songshan back to Shaolin."

Xiao Qinggu was stunned.

"Get out!" Jueru roared, kicked Xiao Qinggu to the ground with a flying kick, and said loudly, "I don't have an apprentice like you!"

Xiao Qinggu sat on the ground and stared blankly at her master's back.

Damn it, it turned out that in the end, I was the only one who was the most naive?Master, dad, what are they going to do to themselves?

When Mingwu suggested that he come to Songshan, did he expect that he would end up in such a situation sooner or later?
"Song Gao is not only in Shaolin, it is big enough for a hidden dragon to live in." I met Xie Gubai at the inn that day. Did he leave these twelve words for the same reason?
All kinds of feelings, dilemma, at this moment, Xiao Qinggu just wanted to cry loudly.

(End of this chapter)