Under the sky

Chapter 315: Killing Demons with Demons

Xiao Qinggu followed Su Changning back to Jinan. His face was still swollen after being beaten by his master. When Su Changning learned about this, he only said: "Now you know who is your family?"

Back at Songyunju, Xiao Qinggu frowned deeply, looked around, and asked, "Why don't you see the little witch?"

Su Wanqin said: "Yinzheng heard the news and said that the family must have a bad temper today, so she took refuge first."

Xiao Qinggu smiled bitterly: "This girl is just trying to be clever on unimportant things."

His wife Su Wanqin knew that he was worried, so she rubbed his shoulders and neck and joked with him.Xiao Qinggu tried her best to raise her eyebrows, pulled her wife to her side, stood up and said with a smile: "You are much more tired of raising children than me, so I will rub your shoulders and feet for you."

Su Wanqin said: "I'm really tired, help me coax Yan'er to sleep."

Xiao Qinggu held her child in her arms, feeling increasingly embarrassed.Su Changning wants Jueru to declare that Songshan Mountain is independent of Shaolin. This is of course forcing Master to express his position, but it is also an attempt to tell the world. How should the monks feel when they hear this news?
Su Changning took the team to Liaocheng, which shows that he had already guessed the development.Although the father-in-law is irritable, he is actually shrewd. Once he joins the war, Songshan will have no retreat. If the master cannot win, Songshan will be destroyed if he feels empty.

However, even with the strength of Songshan Mountain and half of Jin, it is still difficult to defeat the Shaolin led by Juekong, and it is not yet known whether they can get the support of all the righteous monks.Although the battle is unpredictable, there are countless examples of small victories over large ones in history. The power gap between the two sides is not as big as that between Wei Wu and Yehou. Speaking of which, the decisive battle was still in Zhengzhou...

The boundless anxiety and powerlessness came to mind again, and Xiao Qing was lost in thought.The child cried "Wow". Su Wanqin hurriedly took the child and glanced at her husband. Xiao Qinggu was full of apology and hurriedly beat Su Wanqin's shoulder.

Suddenly, a guard came to report that the head of the family had held a meeting. Su Wanqin glanced at her husband and said, "Dad just came back today, why don't you take a rest?"

Xiao Qinggu sighed: "I'll go."

In addition to Su Changning, the only people who participated in the meeting were Qin Boyang and Su Yilin, the leaders of the Taishan Sect. The shaky Zhao Dazhou had been exiled to Yantai last month. Before leaving, this reckless man couldn't understand what mistake he had made.

At this moment, Xiao Qinggu actually missed the way he was foaming at the mouth.

It's more of a task assignment than a meeting. Su Changning wants Qin Boyang to find a way to unite the Songgao Alliance, and he has to find clues from his dead brother. As for Su Yilin...

"Send a letter to Master Yan to ask Yilin to marry Yingping immediately." Su Changning said, "Take advantage of Wudang to avoid Shaolin's jurisdiction and guard it closely."

This is obviously to consolidate the alliance with Huashan and gain Huashan's support.

"We still need the support of several families." Su Changning pondered, "At least three families, we can't wait for the war to be finalized before we start to win over. The first is the neighboring Wudang. My dear, can you handle this?"

Xing Zhouzi... this person is not easy to fool. Xiao Qinggu nodded: "I'll try my best. But the most important thing is still the battle at Hengshan."

Su Changning pondered for a long time. This war was between the Beggar Clan's Canghua Mountain and Qingcheng's Hengshan Mountain. In addition, the Tang Sect seemed to want to intervene in the war. As long as they chose the right side, it would be easy to gain support.Due to the relationship between Songshan, Huashan and Diancang sects, they must support Diancang. Hengshan was attacked on both sides and Shaolin withdrew its reinforcements. Although Zhugeran fled and Diancang lost an arm, the Diancang Beggar Clan was deeply rooted and powerful and won the battle. The burden is still in the undecided sky.

"You and Yin Zheng have met the current deputy commander Dian Cang. I heard he is a good character."

"Zhuge Changzhan? I have also heard of this man..." Xiao Qinggu was startled and said, "Yinzheng will not agree."

"It's not up to her to make the decision. Do you really want to pamper her?" Su Changning said angrily, "There are all kinds of gods and ghosts in Zhenri, no matter how old you are, you should think about Songshan!"

Su Yilin said softly, "Second sister is clever and eccentric. Second Master Zhuge behaves according to the rules. I'm afraid he won't like the temper of second sister."

"Children of the Nine Clan are never dissatisfied. They only have to make plans. As long as it is beneficial, marrying a 50-year-old junior is not a problem. It all depends on what Zhuge Changzhan thinks." Su Changning said, "Zhuge Ran fled. , he has no party members in Dian Cang, and Zhuge Tingguan is a loser. Zhuge Changzhan will be cautious if he is strong, and will be restrained if he is weak. An alliance with Songshan can help him consolidate his position, so he will agree." He thought for a while, " If Yin Zheng despises someone else's ugliness, Kongtong still has Master Zhu and Third Master, and Master Zhu will be the leader and he will also need help."

Xiao Qinggu thought for a while and said: "Dad, the victory or defeat of both sides is unknown at the moment. On the battlefield, we have made a bet on the Huashan side and provided a lot of silver and materials. We also contributed money to help Huashan redeem the pledge. Kongtong and Dian Cang is close. As long as the Cang Beggar Gang wins, they will definitely support us in weakening Shaolin. If we have enough votes, the marriage is just the icing on the cake. But if we go alone, the battlefield will change, Hengshan will become the leader, Li Xuanxuan and Juekong have an old relationship, and they will in turn suppress Songshan. , it won’t help if Songshan gets support from Dian Cang or Kongtong.”

Su Changning asked: "What did you say?"

Xiao Qinggu expressed her thoughts bluntly: "If we really want to marry Yinzheng, we must choose from the three sects of Qingcheng, Tangmen, and Hengshan. Head Li is a disciple of Taoism. Although he has two male disciples, it has not become a success, and there is no headmaster in Hengshan." The rule is that only the apprentice can inherit the mantle. Moreover, the head of Hengshan must follow the Tao. If Yinzheng marries over, he will not marry the future head, but only the head's family. Over at the Tang Sect, the second girl Tang Jueyan is now taking over the cold noodles. The mantle of Madam can only be found from a sideline."

"Besides, Hengshan has been able to survive for a year under the attack of the two major factions, all thanks to Qingcheng's help. Qingcheng is also married to Tangmen. As long as Qingcheng supports it, Hengshan will definitely sell out favors. How can Tangmen not give favors to his in-laws? A little face? Even if Hengshan is dissatisfied, it would be convenient for Qingcheng to lobby other factions." Xiao Qinggu concluded, "If you want Yinzheng to marry, you have to go to Qingcheng."

Su Yilin rolled his eyes and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.Su Changning felt that Xiao Qinggu's words were reasonable, but was afraid that he was protecting his sister, so he asked deputy head Qin Boyang: "What do you think?"

Qin Boyang pondered: "Hall Master Xiao has thought carefully. Songshan cannot be trusted alone, but Huashan invades Qingcheng, and Songshan is on good terms with Huashan. Last year, he went to Ba County to feel sorry for others, and wanted to make friends with Qingcheng. When he came to Huashan, he lost face." I can't get through, and I have no excuse for the second time. Head Shen..." He thought for a while, "The former head died in a different place. Although there are rumors that he went crazy, I am afraid that only the person involved knows the reason."

Su Changning said: "Don't worry about the Huashan side, Master Yan can take care of it."

Looking at the overall situation, Songshan's division of Shaolin is definitely what Yan Feixi likes to see. Su Changning believes that Yan Feixi will understand this plan and will not turn against him.

Su Yilin said: "I once saw Mr. Shen, who was courteous and courteous, well-organized in his advance and retreat, soft on the outside and strong on the inside. He was a gentleman. Even if he was pretending, if a person can pretend for a lifetime, it would be no different from the real thing. At that time, everyone had their own problems. He may not mind what he asked for last year. Besides, this marriage will be of great help to him. It is equivalent to winning three of the ten families. In the future, Kunlun will discuss it together. Qingcheng’s opinion will be the top priority, and even... …”

"It is not impossible for Qingcheng to be the next leader of the alliance."

In terms of benefits, it is indeed the best idea to marry Qingcheng and Songshan to support the Tenth Family.

"What's the excuse?" Su Changning asked.

"Just say that Songshan is involved in the war, and I hope Yinzheng will go to Qingcheng to escape for a while." Su Yilin said, "Headmaster Shen knew it all when he saw Yinzheng."

Su Changning nodded.

Finally, there is the military discussion. Juekong will definitely send troops to attack Zezhou. Relying on the danger of Taihang Mountain, Jueru should be able to delay it. Songshan needs to cut off Hebei and Henan to protect Jueru. The war is still unclear. Su Changning will lead his own troops. go.

After the meeting, Su Changning patted Xiao Qinggu on the shoulder and said approvingly: "Today's proposal is very good. I am very pleased that you can think about Songshan."

Xiao Qinggu shook her head: "My child has been doing his best for Songshan."

But who would believe it?

Seeing that Xiao Qinggu was depressed, Su Yilin comforted him: "Go tell sister Yinzheng about this, she will definitely be happy to heaven."

Xiao Qinggu returned to Songyunju. When Su Yinzheng saw him coming back, he shouted that he wanted to take refuge and hid in the room. Xiao Qinggu said, "There is good news, will you listen to it?"

Su Yinzheng stopped and turned back: "What's the good news?"

Xiao Qinggu deliberately half-said: "Dad wants to send you away and find a good family for you."

Su Yinzheng was startled, jumped up suddenly, and said loudly: "No! Who asked me for my idea!"

It was very interesting to tease this girl. Xiao Qing pretended to frown: "The situation is so chaotic now, how can I ask you for advice? Little sister, dad insists on doing this. My brother-in-law has tried his best, but you really don't want it. No matter how hard my sworn brother and I try to persuade dad, we still can't. Let your sister and your mother help you plead for mercy."

His pretense made Su Yinzheng suspicious. Su Yinzheng jumped up on the chair and looked down from a high position. He put his fingers on his head and stared at Xiao Qinggu with frowning eyes and asked in a deep voice: "Where are you going to send me?"

"Qingcheng." Xiao Qing said, "Whether you can get close to Master Shen depends on your ability."

Su Yinzheng screamed, jumped off the chair and held her brother-in-law's arm, looking up at Xiao Qinggu with bright eyes: "My little sister is willing to go through fire and water for Songshan Mountain, no matter what!"

Xiao Qing said the same thing: "I'm afraid of wronging the Fairy Lady."

Su Yinzheng pretended to wipe his tears: "It can only be said that it is his fate."

Xiao Qinggu rewarded her with a smile, and scolded her with a smile: "You are so good at what you get! Don't be too busy to be happy, Mr. Shen may not like you."

Su Yinzheng said angrily: "Everyone with eyes knows how good I am!"

Xiao Qinggu was amused by her, her frown finally relaxed, and she said: "I'm not planning for you, Songshan really needs it. If I send you to Qingcheng, Master Shen will probably take you in. If you can really marry into Qingcheng, my father will It will be of great help to the big things." After Su Yinzheng heard this, as if he thought of something, he walked slowly and thought hard, nodded seriously and said: "I originally thought that meeting you and Jingfeng was destined to be married, but today I found out that you are both destined to be married. The medium that allowed me to meet Mr. Shen. If my brother-in-law hadn't come to Songshan, I wouldn't have come up with this idea today. If Jingfeng hadn't come, I wouldn't have been able to go to Qingcheng last year. God's will is not only difficult to violate, but also unpredictable," she said. De De said clearly, as if it were true, "I finally figured it out. Marriage is a destiny that cannot be violated. Anyone who stops me from getting married to Mr. Shen will be struck by thunder from heaven!"

Su Wanqin laughed out loud, covered her mouth and said, "You said this to your brother-in-law and Jing Feng when they came here. In the past few years, I haven't heard of anyone being struck by lightning. Don't meet other good people in Qingcheng, and Changed my mind."

Xiao Qinggu said: "You have to be more careful in Qingcheng."

Su Yinzheng nodded, looked Xiao Qinggu up and down, put his fingers on his head and squinted.Xiao Qinggu asked: "What's wrong?"

"My brother-in-law has been in a state of flux these past two years, which is very strange."

Xiao Qinggu couldn't help but be stunned when he was mentioned as the centerpiece.

"Brother-in-law has purple spiritual energy. You can do whatever you want. Just make up your mind. Random thoughts will lower your spiritual energy." Su Yinzheng shook his head, "It is not advisable to wander on the wrong road."

Xiao Qinggu smiled and said, "I understand."

"When will I leave? Do you want to pack your luggage now?" Su Yinzheng jumped up again, very excited.

"Don't worry, wait for dad's instructions." Xiao Qinggu said, thinking in her heart that she really couldn't hesitate.He looked at Su Wanqin, and his wife was also looking at him.

■

Jueru led 5000 troops from Songshan across the border and arrived in Zezhou ahead of the [-] Shaolin disciples who had withdrawn from Hengshan.Three disciples also came with three thousand monks from various places and set up a defensive position in the south of Zezhou. Relying on the Taihang Mountains, Jueru judged that Juekong would not be able to invade for the time being.

Nowadays, almost all temples have their own orthodox customs. Some places have many orthodox monks, and some places have many lay disciples. There are many factions. It is impossible to eliminate both sides. If something goes wrong, the local temples themselves will start to fight.The lay disciples were originally more diligent in cooperating with local sects than the orthodox monks who only chanted sutras. Juekong would get more support from local sects. Now Jueru could only rely on Songshan's strong support to see if he could compete with Juekong.

After everything was settled, Jueru recruited Song Liaoxin, who had been staying at Baima Temple to assist him during this period.

"I originally wanted my apprentice to tell you about this, he knows better than me, but I changed my mind and asked him to stay in Songshan." Jueru asked, "You said you met your apprentice in the Shaolin Temple and it was unclear? "

Song Liaoxin nodded in agreement. Jueru asked why Mingwuxi was in the Shaolin Temple. Song Liaoxin said that it was because Jue met the abbot and asked Mingwuxi to take care of him.

Jueru asked: "Do you think this apprentice of yours is a good person or a bad person?"

Song Liao was startled: "Xiang'er has always followed the rules and abided by the precepts. He helped Peng Xiaobei plunder Huashan in Longdi, and took risks to assassinate the stinky wolf. Even if he is not considered heroic, is his character still questionable?"

"I really can't see anything suspicious, but you've been away from Shaolin for too long, and you don't know many things." Jueru scratched his chin and told the story of Xiao Qing's stay in Shaolin, as well as the contents of the diary. content.

Song Liaoxin was stunned after hearing this, and after a while he said: "I'm just going to ask a few things. Even if Xiang'er is as evil as Hallmaster Xiao said, he framed Divination Gui for the purpose of storing the scriptures of the Scripture Pavilion to deal with this month and Fu Yingcong. It’s revenge, the reason why Hall Master Xiao was framed was because Hall Master Xiao was looking for details about him, so what is he after? Achievements, status, or fame and fortune?”

Jueru couldn't answer.It is unknown whether he is respected by the emperor. As long as he stays in Shaolin, he will be deeply cultivated. Why should he leave the temple to commit the serious crime of beheading?Ming Wuji has been keeping a low profile in the past few years since he left the temple. He has no reputation and is wandering around. He doesn't seem to be greedy for wealth. So what does he want?If he is said to be indifferent to fame and wealth, then what harm has he done?

Song Liaoxin asked again: "Besides, if Ruo Xiang'er's martial arts was already so strong at that time, why didn't he kill Hall Master Xiao to silence him, but instead directed him to Songshan Mountain, leaving behind troubles in the future?"

No one can answer these questions. Even Juekong was concealed by Mingwu back then. What Xiao Qinggu said was really unbelievable and more like nonsense to get away from guilt.

"The abbot believes in his apprentice, and I also believe in my apprentice." Song Liao said to his heart.

Jueru said strangely: "You're so good, why did my apprentice harm your apprentice?"

"Hall Master Xiao has been in Songshan for several years. He was promoted from a wanted man in white to the head of the hall, and also became a consort. His talents are mediocre. What is the most jealous thing for such a talented person? The abbot knows people's hearts well, so he should understand."

It feels like eating a fly.Although Liao Jing is lazy, he is extremely talented. Jueru has always believed that he is the best among the Liao generation. As long as he is willing, it is not only easy to enter the church, but he can even become the abbot of the four courtyards and eight halls without even forty. People with extraordinary talents may harm others for the simplest of reasons.

Just meet someone smarter than you.

"But I don't know how to change the Jin Jing!" Jueru said, "What can I say about this?"

"It's just Li Jingfeng's one-sided statement. Even if it's true, how could the abbot know that it wasn't the abbot's private teaching as a secret ploy to deal with Juekong?"

Jueru also privately taught Xiao Qing the Yi Jin Jing, which made him wonder how to defend himself.

"After Abbot Juejian met him, his attitude changed drastically. He took several actions in favor of lay monks. After the Shaolin Incident, others did not come to the aid of Abbot Juejian. Why?"

"Since Jue Jian thought the abbot valued Xiang Er, he would have discussed with him how to deal with Juekong. Perhaps Abbot Jue Jian decided on the policy at that time, so his attitude changed. How can it be said that it was Xiang Er who harmed him?" Song Lingxin Shaking his head, "There is civil strife in Shaolin, and there are all eminent monks from the four courtyards and eight halls present. Even if Xiang'er is really strong in martial arts, he may not be able to protect himself. Besides, if he really did not do anything from the beginning to the end, how could Juekong want to kill him?" "

Jue Ru was blocked and had nothing to say, and he didn't believe that his disciple had made it up out of thin air. If something went wrong, there must be a monster, so he said: "Then I ask again, you originally abide by the precepts, did you get into trouble because you brought this child back?" Lost your secular thoughts?"

Song Liao felt a thump in his heart and replied calmly, "It's because I haven't practiced enough and my Buddha mind is not strong."

"You left Shaolin for 11 years, why did you come back suddenly?"

Song Liaoxin couldn't answer.He returned to Shaolin because he was uneasy. He kept running away until he met Xiang'er again. Thinking about it carefully, could it be that Xiang'er lured him back?

As soon as a thought arises, it suddenly calms down again. "It's me who wants to come back." Song Liaoxin said firmly, "Xiang'er didn't even say a word to persuade me. He only asked some questions. It's me who wants to go back to Shaolin."

"Next time you see this disciple, ask him two things." Jue Ru said. "Ask him how he knows the Yi Jin Jing and whether the story Xiao Qing told is true."

Song Liaoxin's face turned red and she suddenly said, "Does the abbot know that Hall Master Xiao is colluding with Ye Bang?"

Jueru was surprised: "What did you say?"

Song Liao thought to himself, "Hallmaster Xiao is the needle planted by Ye Bang in Songshan Mountain."

Jueru was greatly surprised. Xiao Qinggu had never told him about this.

Song Liaoxin sneered: "It seems that the abbot doesn't know his disciple very well."

Feeling speechless.

■

Ming rested for an unknown number of days, and he wanted to see what changes there were in Shaolin now.

Temples everywhere were in chaos, monks and lay disciples were hostile to each other, and in many places monks and lay disciples were killing each other.The most tragic incident was undoubtedly the Shande Temple in Jinzhong. The monks and lay disciples in the temple had long-standing grievances. One day, they attacked each other at the same time and killed each other. More than 40 people died in the small temple with more than [-] people. It is unknown where the remaining survivors fled.

Even if the temple is not so clearly separated between the secular and the secular, the situation is still very embarrassing. Many people silently leave the original temple and go to the Shaolin Temple or the White Horse Temple.

This chaos will continue for a while.

Unknown Ming heard the news in Jinzhong that the abbot of Yanshou Temple in Jinyang was assassinated. This must have been a heinous case in the past, but it was submerged in the dispute between orthodoxy and secularity and no one paid attention to it.It is said that the whereabouts of the murderer are unknown and he is suspected of fleeing to the lonely cemetery.

Lonely graveyard...

Ming unknown looked to the west, heading from Jinzhong to the border pass, where he would pass by.

(End of this chapter)