Under the sky

Chapter 53 Crazy and Crazy
Kunlun, spring and February of 89
Shasili was curious about everything in Qi Zigai's house, including tables, chairs, quilts, kangs, cabinets, books, and clothes. She had never seen any of them before. After a while, she pointed at the table and asked, "What is this for?" The answer was that things should be put there. Shasili tilted her head in confusion, "Isn't it just better to put things on the ground?"

Qi Zigai said: "It's easy to step on if you put it on the ground."

Shasili pointed to the bookcase again and asked, "Where's this?"

Qi Ziguan said: "It's for storing books."

"Book?" Shasili looked at the bookcase, then looked back at Qi Zigai. She wanted to take the book on the bookcase, but hesitated to reach out.Qi Zigai took out a book and handed it to her. Shasili couldn't recognize the words on it and said, "It's black, piece by piece."

Qi Zigai nodded and said: "This is called a book. You write words on it to record some things. I will teach you to read the words in the future, and you will know what is written on it."

Shasili seemed to understand, threw the book on the ground, and went to find something else to play with.Qi Zigai picked up the book and said, "After using things, put them back to their original places. Don't throw them around. You won't be able to find them later." He put the books back on the bookshelf and said, "Everything you use in the future must be put back to its original place." Department, do you know?"

Shasili looked around, thought for a while, felt a little puzzled, pointed to the bookcase and asked, "Where are the books?"

Qi Zigai nodded, and Shasili pointed to a randomly discarded book on the floor and asked, "Where is the book?"

Qi Zigai said awkwardly: "No, this is...thrown by bad people." He picked up the book and put it back on the shelf, and then said, "Follow me."

He led Shasili to an empty room and said, "This is where you will live from now on. My room is opposite."

Shasili's eyes widened and she jumped for joy. She jumped on the kang, wrapped herself in a quilt and rolled around. She got up and threw herself at Qi Zigai.Qi Zigai dodged sideways, and Shasili jumped in a hurry and almost fell down. Qi Zigai grabbed her and asked her to sit down. He tilted his head and thought for a while. When he was about to speak, he hesitated again, touching his chin and thinking about what to say. Anyway, after a while, he said: "If you feel happy, just say thank you. Kissing and hugging can only be done to the people you like."

Shasili said: "I like my adoptive father."

Qi Ziguan said: "It's different. If you really like someone, you will naturally understand."

Shasili frowned and said with doubts on her face: "Uncle Ba didn't say that."

Qi Ziguan said: "Do you like Uncle Ba?"

Shasri shook her head: "Shasri would tremble when she saw Uncle Ba, but Uncle Ba gave Shasri something to eat."

Qi Zigai said: "I will give you something to eat, and you must listen to what I teach. From now on, you can't pull people to kiss or hug people, and you can't touch people casually, and don't touch people casually."

Shasili hesitated, as if she didn't know what Qi Zigai meant by saying this.A voice said: "If you don't obey me, I won't give you anything to eat in the future."

Zhuge Ran opened the door and came in. When Shasili saw Zhuge Ran, she couldn't help shrinking and hid next to Qi Zigai.Qi Zigai said: "Don't be afraid, call someone."

Shasili looked confused: "Call someone?"

Qi Ziguan said: "From now on, when you live here, you will meet many people, so you must be polite. Everyone has a title. When you see someone, you must say hello. Call him Uncle Zhuge."

Shasili was very afraid of Zhuge Ran and whispered: "Uncle Zhuge..."

Qi Zigai smiled and said: "Don't be afraid, your Uncle Zhuge only has a bad mouth."

Zhuge Ran pulled up a chair and sat down, saying, "You can't control your children like this." He then asked Shasili, "Do you know how old you are?"

Shasili blinked, not knowing why.Zhuge Ran asked again: "How old are you?" Shasili still didn't understand.Zhuge Ran asked again: "How many winters have you spent in the mountains?" Shasili said: "Many, six, seven, eight, nine... many."

Zhuge Ran looked at her and said: "About fifteen, no younger than thirteen, no older than seventeen, just think you are 15. From now on, when people ask you your age, just say fifteen, do you understand?"

Shasili nodded, Qi Zigai frowned: "Why are you asking her age?"

Zhuge Ran tapped the floor twice with his cane and cursed: "Don't interrupt the stinky orangutan." He then said, "Shasli is a foreign name, which arouses suspicion. Change your name. From now on, you will not be called Shasli, but Qi." ." Then he said to Qi Ziguan, "Give her a name."

Qi Zigai touched his chin: "I really haven't thought about this. Can't you just call me Shasili?"

Zhuge Ran said: "If you want people to doubt her, just scream. When she is hung on the city wall and used as a meat skewer, you will be a man to guard her and serve her generously."

Qi Ziguan said: "Then let's call her Qi Bailian, who can emerge from the mud without being stained, okay?"

"Mother Lian, this sounds awful. When have you ever seen Lian Hua?" Zhuge Ran scolded, "Change."

Qi Zijie said disapprovingly: "I think this name is quite good, easy to hear and easy to remember. You have read a lot, so here is one."

Zhuge Ran pondered for a while and said, "Let's call him Qi Xiaojian. Jian Jia is green and white dew is like frost. It's a good name."

"What?" Qi Ziguan asked, "What Jianjia, what white deer and black deer?"

Zhuge Ran said: "There is a cursor at the beginning and a jian at the bottom." He raised his crutch and gestured.Qi Zigai shook his head: "I don't even know how to write this word. Let's find something simpler."

Zhuge Ran cursed a few words, then thought about it and said: "The sun is high and the sun is rising, and the sun is shining brightly. The bigger and bigger the sun shines, the bigger and more beautiful it is. The word "yan" next to the word "woman", Qi Yan. Is this character always written?"

Qi Ziguan said: "Use some words that everyone can understand, go to remote places to find allusions, and pretend to be knowledgeable?"

Zhuge Ran scolded: "Come and listen!"

Qi Zijian asked Shasili: "Do you have anything you like?"

Shasili said happily: "Shasli loves mutton and flatbread!"

Qi Zigai asked Zhuge Ran: "Qi Xiaoyang? Qi Dabing?"

Zhuge Ran took a deep breath and said coldly: "Okay, that's the name."

Qi Zigai laughed loudly. Zhuge Ran looked around for inspiration. Shasili said again: "Shasli also likes it here. It's comfortable here."

Zhuge Ran raised his eyebrows and said, "You take her back to Kongtong and give her a home. Let's call her Qi Xiaofang."

Qi Zigai slapped his thigh: "Okay, that's the name!" He said to Shasili, "From now on, you will be called Qi Xiaofang."

Shasili didn't quite understand and could only nod.

Zhuge Ran said: "In the future, if someone asks you how old you are and what your name is, how will you answer?"

Shasili said: "15 years old, my name is Qi Xiaofang."

Zhuge Ran nodded and said: "If someone asks you where you lived in the past and how you lived, just say that your head was hit and you can't remember anything. If people still ask, you just say that your father's name is Qi Zigai. He asked your father."

Shasri nodded blankly.Zhuge Ran asked a few more times and gave instructions carefully before getting up.

Qi Zigai took the wine jug and two wine glasses, put them on the table, filled them, and asked, "Did you tell me this specifically?"

Zhuge Ran raised his glass, clinked it with Qi Zigai, drank the wine, and said, "I'm leaving."

"It's so quick, why don't you stay for two more days?" Qi Zigai filled up the wine glass, raised it to signal, and the two clinked another glass.Qi Xiaofang had never drank alcohol before, and the smell was fragrant and pungent. He was very curious when he saw them clinking glasses.

Qi Ziguan smiled and asked: "My dear daughter, do you want to try it?"

Qi Xiaofang nodded, and Qi Zigai took another wine glass and filled it. Qi Xiaofang held it in his hand and played with it for a long time. Qi Zigai and Zhuge Ran both stared at her.Qi Xiaofang imitated Zhuge Ran and clinked glasses with Qi Zigai. Qi Zigai clinked glasses with her with a smile. Qi Xiaofang drank all the wine in one gulp and choked on the spicy food.Qi Zigai laughed and asked, "Does it taste good?"

Qi Xiaofang felt a stream of heat emanating from his body. It was warm and comfortable, but he was dizzy. He said: "Very... comfortable." Then he sat on the ground, his eyes were empty, and he stared into the distance. giggle.

Qi Zigai laughed out loud when he saw her drunk, and asked Zhuge Ran: "Would you like to stay for a few more days and help me teach this daughter?"

Zhuge Ran rolled his eyes and said, "If I hadn't been captured by you to find the secret passage, I should have gone back long ago." He added, "I still have something else to do. Huashan and the Tang Sect have been having a lot of trouble recently. I think Shen Yongci How can this old boy continue on his middle path! He’s just pretending!”

Qi Ziguan said: "How old is Chu Jingtan's son, and he still holds grudges for your brother? Shen Yongci doesn't make mistakes like you when he opens his mouth. You just can't stand it."

Zhuge Ran smiled and said: "My brother doesn't mind anymore, why should I hold grudges for him? Shen Yongci is a person who can stand up or speak in a decent manner. He does one thing after another, and he is exquisite in all directions, but he is his son... Hey... he will be a person." He thought of Shen Yuqing and the loss of being mute in Qingcheng a few months ago, and he praised the young man quite a lot.

Qi Zigai poured another glass of wine: "I'm telling you, you can't live a peaceful life, why are you stirring up a pool of water? I don't think your brother will be short-lived, it's only ten years, can't you wait?"

Zhuge Ran said: "Arrange by seat, take turns talking, go to the table to eat, and go to the table to poop, how boring this life is." He held the cup, "For more than a hundred years, the Nine Families have produced dozens or hundreds of people. The headmaster, put it in the family tree, display the tablets during every year and festival, and no one can remember a few names. The headmaster, let alone the deputy head, doesn’t even have a tablet, only the headmaster’s genealogy that no one has read for ten or eight years. Put a name on the record. Although Songshan lost the battle between Shaosong more than fifty years ago, Cao Lingxue’s name was finally remembered. In this world, not only are there no knights, but there are no heroes either. Humans should not deserve to live. Such a coward." He clinked glasses with Qi Zigai and raised his head to drink. "My brother is so interested, so I will naturally play with him. You leave your name with your fists, and I will use my head. Whether it succeeds or fails, people will mention Kunlun in 50 years' time. When we discuss together, we always think of a person named Zhuge Ran."

Qi Zi knew that he wanted to make some noise in the martial arts world, but it was hard to persuade him. The two of them would have a drink, and occasionally let Qi Xiaofang have a drink, and just talk about other things.The jar of dried food quickly ran out. Zhuge Ran left and gave Qi Zigai a prescription before leaving.

"Make the medicine according to the prescription, grind it into an ointment and let Xiaofang apply it to cover her few golden hairs. It will be treated as a gift from her uncle." Zhuge Ran looked at Qi Xiaofang who was lying on the ground and sleeping soundly, and said, "That stupid boy is following you, so you have to suffer a lot for him."

After seeing off Zhuge Ran, Qi Ziguan slept for a while. When he woke up, dinner had been delivered, including two large bowls of haggis noodle soup, two steamed buns, a plate of roast beef, a plate of roast mutton on skewers, a large plate of hot vegetables, and two steamed buns. Boiled eggs with a small dish of soy sauce.If the meals of other families in the nine families were replaced, considering Qi Zigai's status, this meal would be considered shabby, but in Kongtong, Mr. Qi's daily life is considered rich.

Qi Zigai was about to ask Qi Xiaofang to eat when he saw her walking out of the house wrapped in a quilt and saying, "Shasili... I'm hungry..."

Qi Ziguan said with a straight face: "What's your name?"

"Qi...Qi Xiaofang..." Qi Xiaofang looked at the food on the table, salivating.

"From now on, when you feel sleepy, go back to the kang and sleep. Don't always ask me to carry you to bed." Qi Zizai knew that she used to sleep in the open air, but now she has a place to shelter from the wind and cold, and sleeps on the ground.In addition, there are still many problems that need to be corrected.Qi Xiaofang nodded and looked at the food on the table. Qi Zigai also nodded. Qi Xiaofang was so happy that he ran away after serving the noodles. Qi Zigai shouted to stop her. Qi Xiaofang looked at the kang and said: "It's... comfortable there... "

Qi Zigai pointed to the table and said, "You have to eat on the table." He saw her drinking the soup first and reaching out to scoop out the noodles. Qi Zigai patted the back of her hand and taught her how to hold chopsticks.Qi Xiaofang couldn't hold it up, so he rolled up the noodles reluctantly and put them into his mouth.Qi Zigai shook his head, looking at her like a child who had just become sensible, it was not difficult to guess how difficult her life had been in the past ten years.While I was sighing, I heard a knock on the door and opened the door. The man standing outside had a handsome and pale face and a very thin figure.

"Master Zhu?" Qi Ziguan raised his eyebrows and gave way.Zhu Zhixia took off her shawl and hung it on the hanger. She was very surprised to see Qi Xiaofang grabbing the beef and putting it into his mouth.

Qi Ziguan said: "The little house is called Master Zhu."

Qi Xiaofang didn't get up. He called out "Master Zhu" vaguely, then picked up the mutton and ate it.

Zhu Zhixia smiled and said: "I heard that the third master has adopted a daughter, is she her?"

Qi Zigai scratched his chin and said: "This child has lived in the mountains since he was a child. He has no father or mother and knows nothing."

Zhu Zhixia smiled slightly and didn't mind, and said: "I heard from the deputy commander about the secret passage. I sent a team of people to guard it. If we encounter people from the Sajiao tribe, we will capture them and torture their accomplices. Whereabouts." He said, sitting on the chair next to the coffee table, and said, "The third master has made a great contribution this time."

"Do I still want to be promoted?" Qi Ziguan said, "This matter is over, and my worries are gone. I didn't expect that the Sajiao really didn't give up and was still eyeing him."

"I don't know when the secret tunnel was dug and how many people were sent here. Third Master, are you alive?"

Qi Zigao looked at Qi Xiaofang and said calmly: "No, it's just a gatekeeper. I guess the climate and terrain can't accommodate too many people."

"This is also a difficulty." Zhu Zhixia said, "Spring and summer are fine, but once winter comes at the end of autumn, Lenglong Ridge is completely bare, and there are no village shops near or far. There are too many people sent to live in it, but there are too few people to live in it. .”

"Oh?" Qi Zijian asked, "What is Master Zhu planning?"

"It's February now. We'll be on guard for nine months. If no one uses this passage by November, I'm going to blow it up." Zhu Zhixia said, "This way the people inside can't get out and the news can't be spread. The barbarians We can’t get in either. If we dig another tunnel like this, it might take more than ten to twenty years.”

Qi Zigai thought for a moment and said, "Just do as Master Zhu said."

While talking, Qi Xiaofang had already finished all the food and was looking out the window in a daze.Zhu Zhixia waved and said, "Come here." Qi Xiaofang always obeyed orders and immediately walked up to Zhu Zhixia.Zhu Zhixia saw that her face was greasy after eating. Although she was still young, she had a beautiful appearance and a pair of big, clear eyes. She was innocent. He couldn't help but be stunned. He took out the handkerchief from his arms and asked, "What's your name?"

"Qi Xiaofang, my father is Qi Zigai." Qi Xiaofang said.

Zhu Zhixia handed over the handkerchief, Qi Xiaofang wiped the grease off his face and handed it back to Zhu Zhixia.Zhu Zhixia stretched out her hand to take it, but her eyes didn't move at all. She only stared at Qi Xiaofang. After a while, she put the handkerchief away and said, "Third Master, your daughter is quite handsome."

Qi Ziguan was very proud when he saw Zhu Zhixia looking stupid. His face remained calm and he said calmly: "She is good-looking." He added, "There is something else I want to ask Mr. Zhu to deal with."

"Third Master, please tell me."

Qi Ziguan said: "There is a group of horse bandits near Longnan called Raodao Shanzhai. Have Master Zhu heard of it?"

Zhu Zhixia nodded and said, "So that's what happened. Don't worry, Third Master. We suppressed them before the Lantern Festival last month."

Qi Zigui stood up suddenly as if he was struck by thunder, and said in surprise: "Suppressed?!"

※ ※ ※

Li Jingfeng was held captive by more than ten people and could not move.Rao Changsheng drew out his knife and shouted: "Give back the lives of our brothers in the village! Give back my father's life!" After that, he stabbed Li Jingfeng in the chest with the knife.

Li Jingfeng felt a pain in his chest, and suddenly someone shouted: "Young master, don't worry!" Someone grabbed Rao Changsheng's arm, but it was the old mangy man.Just listen to him say: "Young Master, let him speak, don't accuse anyone unjustly!"

Rao Changsheng scolded: "What else is there to say! As soon as the two sons of bitches left, Kongtong's dog paws came to the door less than half a month later. What a coincidence? How could it be such a coincidence?! Third Master Qi? Bah! Qi Zigai You are a shameless and untrustworthy dog! You are an ungrateful son of a bitch!"

Li Jingfeng felt bitter when he heard him yelling.The knife had already penetrated his chest, and was only half a point away from piercing his lungs. He endured the severe pain in his chest and shouted, "Third Master didn't betray you, and neither did I!"

The old man asked: "You've already left, why are you back?"

Li Jingfeng said: "I made an agreement with Third Master, if we can recruit people, we can recruit people! Let's go to Kongtong... they... they won't make things difficult for us!" After just saying these few words, he almost fainted from the pain.

Rao Changsheng said angrily: "Fuck your mother! You saw that we were not dead and you came back to harm us?!" He kicked Li Jingfeng on the head.There was a "bang" in Li Jingfeng's head, the world was spinning, and he fainted.

When he woke up again, Li Jingfeng felt severe pain in his chest. When he opened his eyes, he saw that it was still the familiar cell.He reached out and touched it. There were iron chains tied around his wrists and waist, just like before.Li Jingfeng was in a trance, as if the experiences of the past few months were all a dream. The only difference may be that the wound on his chest was not bandaged and the blood had seeped into the cotton-padded jacket. Or maybe when he raised his head, the ghost-headed sword flag swaying outside the window was gone. It no longer exists, the flagpole has long been crooked on the ground, and the crazy old man is no longer around.

He managed to sit up, coughing, and heard whimpering coming from outside the house. With a sound of "Yeah", someone opened the cell door. Li Jingfeng looked up and saw, who is it if it's not Bai Niu?I saw her looking haggard and her eyes were red. She had lost a lot of weight after not seeing her for only a month.Li Jingfeng couldn't bear it and called out softly: "Bainiu."

Bai Niu looked sad, shook her head, sat down, took out a piece of dough from her arms and handed it to Li Jingfeng.How can Li Jingfeng have any appetite at this time?He looked away, his eyes were red, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeves, unable to help but shed tears again.He kept wiping, and before he could speak, he opened his mouth, his throat was choked, and he couldn't help but sob.

When Bai Niu saw him crying, she started sobbing too. The two of them were speechless, and there was only a low cry in the cell.After a long time, Bai Niu wiped away her tears and said: "Brother Changsheng is leading the brothers to collect the corpses. After they are buried, you will be burned to death to avenge your father, Rao Daozi, and many brothers."

Li Jingfeng lowered his head and said, "I didn't betray Shanzhai, and neither did the third master." He raised his head, met Bai Niu's eyes, and asked, "What's going on?"

Bai Niu lowered her head sadly, and after a while she said: "That day when you left with the third master, everyone was in a mess. Some brothers said they wanted to move to the village, and some said they wanted to break up. The knife handle comforted the brothers, saying that he could trust you and the third master. Master, I also want everyone to change their ways and make a living by reclaiming wasteland."

"Brothers have seen the wasteland and they all know that it is not easy to reclaim the wasteland. If we don't rob the villages, how can we sustain ourselves until the wasteland is cleared? Daobaozi said he would think of a way, but he refused to leave. He said, I'm lucky this time and let you drive away the third master. , next time the Iron Sword and Silver Guards come, where will the brothers flee? Or they have to turn to the real business and turn Raodao Village into Raojia Village. Dad said, there is still an grievance tied to the knife handle, never a bad person. Knife handle Zi said that one day, he carried it alone. Everyone was worried, but they didn’t expect it to come so quickly... Just the night before the Lantern Festival, a group of people came..."

When Bai Niu said this, she couldn't help but tremble. Li Jingfeng knew that she was afraid, so he held her hand and asked, "Is it the Iron Sword Silver Guard?"

Bai Niu nodded and whispered: "They broke in and killed everyone they saw. Dad went up to stop him, but they...by them..." At this point, Bai Niu couldn't help crying again, and Li Jingfeng patted him gently. She comforted her with her arms, and then Bai Niu continued, "Take the brothers with the knife handle and let the old man drag Brother Changsheng and the young people to go first. The old people in the village, Grandma Zhang, Grandma Zhao, and Grandpa Xu, they are older and not Knowing martial arts, I hooked my arms and blocked the exit of the back mountain, preventing those bad guys from passing by. I killed many people with the knife handle, and finally...finally...the knife handle was dead. Those bad guys wanted to chase us, so let us trample on them. After passing the old people, they all..." Bai Niu trembled, and then said after a long time, "We hid for half a month, digging weeds, scraping tree bark, enduring hunger and cold, and waited until the bad guys were gone before we came back to replace our father. They were collecting the bodies, and without thinking... they met you."

Li Jingfeng's heart felt as painful as acupuncture. After a while, he said: "Third Master and I really didn't betray the cottage, no..."

Bai Niu asked: "Then why did they come so fast?"

Li Jingfeng shook his head and said: "I don't know, maybe they just happened to be discovered. They have been looking for the secret passage in the past two years. If the third master can find this, they can too. Bai Niu, I know this is too coincidental, but I I really didn't betray the knife handle." Bai Niu said: "I believe you, but maybe it was the third master who betrayed us."

Li Jingfeng said: "Impossible. I have followed the third master all the way to Lenglongling since New Year's Eve. He has not betrayed you."

Li Jingfeng narrated what happened after leaving Raodao Village that day. When he mentioned that Third Master Qi had arrested Deputy Head Cang, Bai Niu exclaimed "Ah!" and heard the two of them bickering, looking for secrets. Tao, even though his heart was miserable, he couldn't help but smile.At the end of the sentence, Li Jingfeng said: "I agreed with Third Master that I would take everyone back to the village to recruit them, and I just came back. Unexpectedly... Bai Niu, do you believe me?"

While Bai Niu was hesitating, a person walked into the door, it was Rao Changsheng.Rao Changsheng scolded: "Bai Niu, why are you listening to his nagging? Haven't he done enough harm to us?"

Bai Niu stood up, kicked Li Jingfeng, and cursed: "I misjudged you, you beast!" After that, she walked out of the cell.Rao Changsheng stepped forward, slapped Li Jingfeng, spit on him, pulled out a short knife, and cursed: "I'll cut off your hand tendons and hamstrings first!" After that, he swung the knife down and pierced Li Jingfeng's thigh. .Li Jingfeng was so painful that he almost fainted, but he held back not to cry out, but said tremblingly: "I didn't... betray... the copycat..." Compared to the wounds on his body, he felt even more aggrieved and sad at this moment.

Rao Changsheng drew out the knife and refused to give up. He punched Li Jingfeng in the face again, causing his nose to bleed. He said angrily: "I will burn you to death as a libation for my father and my brothers in the village!" After that, he was thrown into jail. door and leave.

Li Jingfeng's thigh was bleeding profusely. He tore off his clothes and tied his thigh to stop the bleeding according to the method taught by Zhu Menshang.He thought he was going to die, thinking that this life had been saved by Rao Daozi, so it was reasonable to give it back to them now.After all, he helped the third master find the secret passage. He had made some contributions in his life and it was not in vain.

He was in a daze, and he didn't know how long it had been. Suddenly he heard someone calling softly. He opened his eyes, and it was Bai Niu.Just as he was about to speak, Bai Niu covered his mouth, took out the key, and unlocked his handcuffs and anklets.

"I found it on Lao Zhang's body." Bai Niu whispered, helping Li Jingfeng out of the cell. Unknowingly, it was past midnight.

"We sleep in the house in the back mountain. The front door is guarded. There is only one person. You go there." Bai Niu helped Li Jingfeng to the stable, handed him her original intention, and said, "Let's go."

Li Jingfeng felt grateful, grabbed Bai Niu's hand and asked, "Do you believe me?"

Bai Niu nodded and sighed: "But Brother Changsheng will not believe you. He has always hated you. Dad and Dao Baozi both believe in you and the third master."

Li Jingfeng said: "You advise Changsheng, let's go to Kongtong together. The third master said that bygones are bygones, everything will be fine."

Bai Niu shed tears and said: "Iron Sword Silver Guard killed my father, how can it be okay? How can he be recruited? It's impossible for everyone to agree."

Li Jingfeng was speechless, and then said: "Then you... you come with me. If you let me go, Changsheng will be angry."

Bai Niu said: "Before the village was destroyed, my father asked me to take care of Brother Changsheng. This is a debt our family owes us." She lowered her head, "There are only a dozen or so of the village of more than 300 people left, and there cannot be any more." ... Changsheng grew up with me, he just has a stubborn temper and is not a bad person, so don’t worry about me."

Li Jingfeng didn't know what to do, so he could only say: "Bai Niu, Li Jingfeng will never forget this kindness and virtue."

Bai Niu sighed and said, "You...go."

Li Jingfeng got on the horse, looked back at Bai Niu, then rode towards the front door.The guard at the front door noticed that he had escaped and called quickly. However, the barrier at the front door had been destroyed long ago, and Li Jingfeng ran away without any hindrance.

He ran to the mountainside and saw the crazy old man. Regardless of his injuries and the pursuers, he got off the horse and pushed the crazy old man onto the horse.Unexpectedly, the crazy old man just looked at him blankly and did not struggle. He waited for the crazy old man to sit down before riding his horse again.

"At least one was saved." Li Jingfeng thought to himself.

No matter who he was, even if it was just a prisoner in Raodao's village, he would still save him.

It's the only thing he can do now.

※ ※ ※

When Rao Changsheng heard the shouting, he quickly stood up.

Bai Niu stood in front of him.

"Brother Jingfeng didn't betray us. He said he went to Lenglongling with Third Master!" Bai Niu said, "He wants to betray us, so he doesn't have to help us on New Year's Eve!"

"You let him go?!" Rao Changsheng was furious and pushed Bai Niu away. He was about to mount his horse and chase after her, but was hugged by Bai Niu.Bai Niu shouted: "Brother Changsheng, I know you are angry, but he really won't harm us!"

Rao Changsheng roared angrily: "You let go of our enemies, let go of the enemies of the village? Are you worthy of my father?!" Then he shouted, "Arrest Bai Niu!"

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do.Rao Changsheng roared angrily: "If my father dies, no one will care about me, right?! This cottage will be broken up, right?! It's okay! If you don't listen to me, the cottage will not fall apart! As long as I'm here , Raodao Village will not fall apart! I can rebuild the village by myself!"

Seeing that he was angry, the old man sighed and stepped forward to pull Bai Niu away.Rao Changsheng said: "Put her in a cell and wait for my punishment!" After saying that, he rode off to chase Li Jingfeng.The old man was afraid that he would make a mistake, so he mounted his horse and chased after him.

They didn't catch Li Jingfeng, so Rao Changsheng chased him for a while, and the old man persuaded him to go back. "He ran away for a while, but the horse was good and he couldn't catch up. We have a long way to go to get revenge, and we can't just leave the corpse with the knife handle alone." The old mangy advised, "Let's deal with the funeral affairs of our brothers first."

Rao Changsheng gritted his teeth and had no choice but to turn his horse's head.Little did they know that Li Jingfeng would soon bring an extra person with him, and it would only take another quarter of an hour to catch up.

"Everyone go to sleep." Rao Changsheng returned to the village and said to everyone, "The bodies of father and brothers will be cremated tomorrow and we will leave."

"That white girl..." a brother asked.

"Lock them up first!" Rao Changsheng roared, "Go to bed!"

Rao Changsheng left everyone behind and went to the cell to see Bai Niu. She was being tied up with iron chains.

"Why did you let Li Jingfeng go?" Rao Changsheng roared, "You like him so much that you don't even care about your father's hatred? How did the second master die? How did you forget that he died? Did you forget about the Iron Sword and Silver Guard? How did you step on our brothers' relatives to chase us? More than 200 lives! You just let him go like this? How long have you known him?!"

Bai Niu lowered her head and said, "I like Brother Jingfeng, but not that much. I let him go because Brother Jingfeng is really innocent. If he betrayed us, why did he come back to the village alone? What did he want? "

"He's here to plot against us, those of us who are not dead!" Rao Changsheng said angrily, "Did you hear that? He told us to call for help! Fuck, call for help?! He just tricked us into dying!"

"Brother Changsheng, why do you hate Brother Jingfeng so much?" Bai Niu asked, "You have never taken a good look at him, but if you spend more time with him, you will know that he is not this kind of person."

At this point, Bai Niu paused for a while and whispered: "I think you... you are jealous of him."

After hearing this, Rao Changsheng felt even more depressed, and roared: "Yes, I'm just jealous of him! So what?!"

Bai Niu stared at Rao Changsheng with wide eyes.

Rao Changsheng said: "He is about the same age as me. Why does he have a good horse, a sword, and endless money, and I have to have a full meal and a hungry meal? Why can he travel around the country, and I can only be trapped in the village? ? Why can he kill two bandits without knowing martial arts? I have learned swordsmanship for ten years, but I can only hold the line during robbery? Why does my father praise his character as soon as he comes and ask me to learn from him? Why should he learn from him? How many days can he defeat me in Arhat Boxing? Why can he flick flies? Everyone in the village has to thank him, and Qi Zigai also takes care of him? Why? Why do you like him as soon as he comes! I first saw him I hate him when I see him, so why should he take all the benefits in the world? It doesn’t make sense!”

Bai Niu lowered her head and said, "I find it interesting that he is an outsider from the village. Daobaozi, dad, the villagers, and I have long treated you like family. Brother Jingfeng... is an outsider after all... we can't compare him like this." "

"You betrayed your brothers for an outsider?" Rao Changsheng said angrily, "They were all killed by Li Jingfeng!"

Bai Niu shook her head and said: "Chang Sheng, you have too deep prejudices. I can't explain it to you."

"You think I'm wrong? Okay, I'll show you my mistake!" Rao Changsheng stepped forward.Seeing his fierce look in his eyes as he gradually approached, Bai Niu couldn't help but become frightened and said in a trembling voice: "Changsheng... you... what are you going to do?"

"Sooner or later you have to marry me, now!" Rao Changsheng rushed forward and tore Bai Niu's clothes apart.Bai Niu screamed in horror, and Rao Changsheng stuffed her mouth with torn pieces of cotton and said angrily: "You are mine! I won't give him anything!" He ravaged Bai Niu while growling. , "I want revenge! I want to kill Li Jingfeng and Qi Zigai! I want to put the flag of the cottage on the wall of Kongtong and on the heads of all the Iron Sword Silver Guards!"

※ ※ ※

Li Jingfeng was seriously injured and finally found a village to rest. He applied some medicine and rested for a few days.All the money he had left was confiscated when he was captured, and he had to take care of a madman, so he had to sell his horse and hire a carriage instead.The money on the road was not enough, so he begged the driver to take him to Kongtong. He only said that he would repay the money at the place and would not default on the travel expenses.The coachman saw that he was honest and had a sword in his hand. He thought that in the worst case, he could use the sword to pay off the debt, so he agreed.

Along the way, he heard a lot of news, Qingcheng and Tangmen were getting married, and Fourth Master Shen was going to marry Tang Jingcai in July this year.Huashan had a grudge with Tangmen and asked to use Qingcheng to attack Tangmen.It is said that some members of the Huashan sect broke into pieces and crossed the border between Qingcheng and Kongtong, gathering at the border of Tangmen. They harassed the village sects from time to time, and there was a hint of war. The leader of the alliance, Mr. Qi Erye, was mediating.

It is said that Li Xuanxuan sent an envoy to Shaolin, seemingly intending to discuss some important matters. At the same time, he also seemed to have sent someone to visit Qingcheng.

There was another rumor that he personally experienced. It was said that Zhuge Ran disappeared in Kongtong, and he went back after a month of trouble. It seemed that he had to go to Tangmen on the way back.

Finally he arrived at the border and saw Kongtong in the distance.

It was a huge fortress built on the border town.

※ ※ ※

It was the first time for Li Jingfeng to see such a magnificent building.

The border town was already majestic, but the Kongtong Sect actually added an even greater magnificence to this majesty.

It was a large city built on a city wall, more than dozens of feet high, and could be clearly seen from miles away.This big city was built based on the original border city and expanded backwards, covering the border exits and swallowing all the access roads into the city.Dozens of pagoda-like platforms were built along the left and right sides of the border city. There were iron swords and silver guards patrolling the high platforms, which contained garrisons and food. It looked like a big city with dozens of small cities extending out from both directions. It's like being connected in series.

The original name of Sanlong Pass is Hongxia Pass. In order to commemorate a battle between the Nu King, the Barbarian King and the Cavalry King You Changbo more than 100 years ago, it was renamed Sanlong Pass. It is the first line of defense from outside the pass to the inside.Entering from outside the customs, this is the only land that is flat and is the easiest for troops to enter. Therefore, all dynasties built fortifications here.After the Kunlun Conference, the Kongtong sect established the Iron Sword Silver Guard to defend the Sa religion barbarians. In order to control them nearby, the sect moved to Sanlong Pass.The original Sanlong Pass was devastated by the war and suffered a lot of damage. Kunlun jointly agreed and stipulated that the nine families should jointly fund the reconstruction of the border pass.

At that time, Kongtong mobilized a lot of stones from the south and transported them northward. At the original Hongxia Pass, a huge building was built with loess as the base and stones on the outside.The distance from the gate of Kongtong sect to the exit of the border gate is about 160 feet. It is like a city, but more majestic and towering than the city. The highest point is more than [-] feet high. There are many arrow towers. The observation deck on the top can see hundreds of miles of plains. The troops and horses outside were moving, and all the important figures in Kongtong and some of the Iron Sword Silver Guards lived in this huge city.

The high platforms on both sides are also called iron guards. There are 200 Iron Sword and Silver Guards stationed on each high platform, 27 in total. They are surrounded by the Great Wall, one every thirty feet. They are equipped with bows and arrows, grain storage, large and small stones and other types of guards. A city tool used to defend against enemies.

Kongtong is not just a sect, it is also an iron-walled fortress.It was the most glorious season of Kongtong. Inside and outside, including the disciples of the sect, the Iron Sword Silver Guards had 5 people, monitoring every move of the barbarians outside the pass. Such a large amount of expenses were all paid by the nine families. .

But that was already in the past.After the completion of Kongtong City, the Nine Families no longer supported Kongtong's expenses, and the 5 Kongtong army gradually decreased. The security in Gansu was mainly maintained by small sects, while the Iron Sword and Silver Guards patrolled and assisted in investigations, and the vast majority of the Iron Guards Still living near Sanlongguan.

So Sanlongguan became the northernmost town of the Nine Families.

Unlike ordinary cities, there is no wall behind Kongtong City.The soldiers of the Nine Families will not invade Kongtong, and the only enemy in Kongtong is outside the pass. In other words, there is no need for defense behind them.This was not out of frugality, but a declaration of determination. The city of Kongtong was broken and there was no way out.

Li Jingfeng first saw the earthen castles one after another, of different sizes, and row upon row.There are tens of thousands of earth forts built from loess. The distance between the earth forts is far enough to allow several horses to pass through.Those are the residences of the Iron Sword Silver Guards, as well as the residences of merchants and civilians. Some of the larger earthen castles are the garrison and training grounds of the Iron Sword Silver Guards.Qingcheng claims that there are thousands of Qingcheng disciples around Ba County, but there are more than [-] Iron Sword Silver Guards near Sanlong Pass alone, not counting the disciples of other sects.

Before the carriage even approached the castle, three iron guards wearing silver shawls came forward to investigate. "My name is Li Jingfeng, and I am Third Master's friend." Li Jingfeng said.

One person was surprised and said, "Are you Li Jingfeng? Why are you here now? The Third Master is waiting for you." He looked inside the car again and saw the strange looking madman, and asked, "Who is this again?"

Li Jingfeng said: "A friend has some connection with Third Master. As long as you tell Third Master that he is a madman, he will know."

The guard nodded and said: "No, the third master has told me not to embarrass you. When you enter the city, tell your name and someone will take you to see the third master."

He signaled to let me go, but Li Jingfeng refused to go through. He smiled bitterly and said, "Can you help me pay back the car payment first?"

The closer the carriage got, the more gigantic and majestic the Kongtong City became, making the surrounding castles look shabby and stingy.However, although this place is simple and simple, all kinds of people's livelihood and commercial supplies are neatly supplied. Regardless of its appearance, it is probably larger than Wuwei and other big cities in Longzhong.

The carriage entered Kongtong City and stopped at the door.As a house, this city is ridiculously big, but as a city, it is too small for horse racing.After all, this is a huge fortress, many of which are not designed to accommodate people, but to facilitate combat.

When Li Jingfeng saw Qi Zigai, his eyes turned red and he said sadly: "Third Master... Raodaozhai..."

Qi Zigai looked solemn and sighed: "I heard... I'm sorry that I couldn't help."

When Qi Ziguan saw that he had brought a madman here, he asked, "Why did you bring him with you?" Li Jingfeng told what happened at Raodao Village.Qi Ziguan said: "I asked Mr. Zhu to issue a notice that as long as they are willing to be recruited, all crimes committed in Raodao Village will be pardoned. I'm afraid... I'm afraid that they will be restless during this period and make big mistakes again."

Li Jingfeng knew that recruitment was no longer possible, and he was worried but didn't know how to resolve it.Seeing his worry, Qi Zigai patted his shoulder and asked, "Brother Jingfeng, do you want to learn martial arts from me?"

Li Jingfeng was very surprised and asked, "Third Master, you want to accept me as your disciple?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Qi Zigai said, "I'm trying to teach you martial arts."

Li Jingfeng said: "But isn't this just..."

Qi Zigaan said: "Where is it? Teaching Kung Fu means teaching Kung Fu, and accepting a disciple means accepting a disciple. If you call me master, will you be inferior to me for nothing? In short, I treat you as a friend. If you want to learn, I will teach you. If you still If you want to be an Iron Sword Silver Guard, you can consider it after you become a master."

He admired Li Jingfeng's character very much, and he had a life-saving grace on Lenglong Ridge, so he had already planned to teach him. However, Li Jingfeng never mentioned his apprenticeship, and Qi Zigai didn't say much. This was the reason why he was asked to come to Kongtong. .

Li Jingfeng did not refuse. He came to Kongtong to learn art. To be taught by a famous teacher like Qi Zigai was something he could only hope for, so he immediately agreed.

Qi Zigai said: "Get this old man settled first." He was about to send someone over when he suddenly saw an Iron Sword Silver Guard standing behind a pillar not far away, seeming to be peeping, and couldn't help but ask, "Hey, you What are you looking at?”

When the silver guard saw Third Master calling him, he hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Hello, Third Master, the younger one's name is Wang Ge."

"I didn't ask you what your name was, but why are you standing there watching us?"

The silver guard pointed at the crazy man and said, "I paid attention to this little brother before he entered the city."

Li Jingfeng said in surprise: "Pay attention to me? What's wrong?"

Wang Ge hurriedly said: "I'm not paying attention to you, little brother, but..." He looked at the crazy man, looked at him carefully, and said, "Third Master, this man... I seem to have seen him before."

Qi Zigai was very surprised and asked: "Have you seen him before? Do you know who he is?"

Wang Ge hurriedly said: "I'm not sure. I need to ask more brothers. I remember that he has a fellow countryman who is our comrade in arms."

Qi Zijie said impatiently: "Don't show off, who is he?"

Wang Ge said: "It looks a bit like... 12... [-] years ago. In short, it was almost the time when the second master had not become the leader of the alliance. At that time, I was in charge of bows and arrows in the weapons department. The second master wanted to imitate the Tang clan. Wuying' was making sleeve arrows, so he found the design craftsman of Lai Wuying', and I followed the second master at that time..."

Qi Zigai said in surprise: "You said he is the master craftsman Gan Tiechi?"

Wang Ge nodded, then shook his head and said, "I'm not sure. There is a fellow countryman from him in the team. The third master will just send someone to look for him."

Li Jingfeng asked: "Miaojiang Gan Tiechi? He seems to be a powerful person... Third Master?"

Qi Zigai walked up to the crazy man and asked, "Are you the master craftsman Gan Tiechi?"

When the mad man heard the name, he trembled all over and said hurriedly: "I'm not! I'm not!" As he said this, he shrank into the corner, very frightened.

This move made Qi Zigai even more suspicious. He walked to him and whispered: "Don't be afraid, Master Gan. I am Third Master Qi Zigai. What happened? Tell me and I can help you."

Gan Tiechi cried: "Xiang'er...Qiqi...you, you don't want...monsters...ghosts...it's ghosts!..."

Hearing something strange, Li Jingfeng had an idea and squatted down.During this time, he got along with Gan Tiechi and got to know a little about his habits. Qi Zigai was tall and stood up, which gave him a sense of oppression. Li Jingfeng was thinner and squatted down, which made him look much closer.

He asked Gan Tiechi: "Does the monster you mentioned have a name?"

Wang Ge thought to himself: "This person's question is too strange. Why is he asking for the monster's name?"

But listening to Gan Tiechi's trembling voice, it seemed that it was difficult to even utter these words.

"The monster...name...name...unknown."

An unknown monster?Qi Zigai and Li Jingfeng frowned at the same time.

(End of this chapter)