Under the sky

Chapter 78 Songzhi Hanging Sword

Why did Juekong come to Shandong? Is it for public or private reasons?

Xiao Qinggu was thinking about it.

If it's for personal reasons, it's his own business. It's polite for Songshan to send someone to say hello. If he doesn't pay attention, there will be local sects to entertain him, so it's not a big deal.If it's for the public... His official position is the head of the Samantabhadra Temple, but in fact he is the leader of the lay monks and the de facto second-in-command of the Shaolin Temple.

Puxianyuan is in charge of Shaolin's security and military defense. In the old dynasty, it was the Ministry of Punishment and half of the Ministry of War.The other half of the military department is the Guanyinyuan Zhengyu Hall, which Master Jueru used to run. The current director is Ping. I heard that he was stabbed by a knife in the nest when he took office and suffered a lot.

Although Songshan is still under the command of Shaolin, in fact, the two factions have a tacit understanding of each other's division of power, and he has no control over military power. Is it because the Songgao League has been making trouble in the past few years, and wants to knock the mountain to shake the tiger, and suppress Songshan's arrogance?But this is not like Juekong's style.

Should I turn a blind eye, or should I show some courtesy?Seeing that he is still in Liaocheng, if he enters Jinan territory, the leader will have to greet him.It only happened in the past two days, why did you choose to come at a troubled time?

Thinking about it, it feels strange. These are things that should be handled by the master. Why is it the turn of the execution hall master to worry about this?The patrol of the Songshan compound, the assassination of Zhao Dazhou, the first entry of Juekong, and the deep love between the second sister and Li Jingfeng. As long as he leaves it alone, nothing will happen to him.

The old days were still good, with morning and night rest in the Sutra Pavilion, reading, sleeping, eating and chatting... If anything, the vegetarian food in Shaolin Temple was a bit unpalatable.

Just as he was getting a headache from thinking about it, a pair of soft hands pressed on his forehead and kneaded it gently, which was very comfortable.

Also, you are not allowed to have a wife in Shaolin Temple, so this is too different.If I become a lay monk, my master will definitely beat me to a disability.

The scriptures are right, it is very difficult for people to turn back when they are addicted to desire.

If you think about it more carefully, it’s not a big deal to be busy with these things. Master doesn’t always say that living is only when you have to work?Those who can do more work.Hmm...this scalp massage is so comfortable.

"Are you asleep?" Su asked.

"No." Xiao Qinggu opened her eyes and asked, "Where did Brother Li go?"

"The second sister came to him early in the morning and dragged him to paint."

"Oh?" Xiao Qinggu held Su's wrist, pulled her to sit beside her, and hugged her with her hands.Su smiled and said, "They will be back soon."

"Has your adopted brother been looking for you recently?" Xiao Qing asked.

"I haven't seen my eldest brother since the Mid-Autumn Festival." Su Shi said, "Speaking of which, you haven't gone to say hello to your mother in two months."

"Say hello!" Xiao Qinggu jumped up and said, "Go and say hello to mother!"

Mrs. Su's bright eyes widened, seeming to be surprised and surprised, and asked: "Are you going to say hello to mother?"

Xiao Qinggu nodded vigorously and said, "Just go!" She took Su's hand and left.

※ ※ ※

"What day is it today?" Ms. Ni sat on the edge of the bed and asked, "You actually came to greet me?"

Xiao Qing said, "I've been very busy these days. The people from the Songgao League have caused a lot of trouble, and Coach Zhao met an assassin again. I just miss my mother all the time, so I came here to pay my respects."

"I believe you when you say you are busy these days, but from the Dragon Boat Festival to the Mid-Autumn Festival," Ms. Ni asked, clasping her fingers, "you only came to see me once. You don't come when you are free, but come when you are busy. It's really Show your filial piety. Come on, just come over during the Qingming Festival in a few years, don’t delay.”

Mrs. Su hurriedly advised: "Mother, my husband has many things to do..."

"Yes, the punishment hall has taken charge of the head's affairs, why not more?" Ni said coldly, "In a few years, your father will have no work to do."

Xiao Qinggu blushed and said hurriedly: "The child is unfilial."

Mrs. Ni nodded and said: "It's good to know that you are unfilial. After all, if you don't give birth to your child, you are just a son-in-law. What can you expect? I can still take a few bowls of soup and medicine, and I am content. By the way, I heard a few days ago Senior brother told a joke, it sounds funny, let me tell it to you."

Ni was born in Mount Tai, and the senior brother she was talking about was Qin Kunyang, the deputy head.

Xiao Qinggu thought to herself, "I'm sure I won't be able to laugh at the joke you told me." She couldn't help but say, "Mom, listen, kid."

"There was a rich man who went out on business and passed by a dilapidated house. There was a couplet posted on the door. The first couplet said: 'A family with ten thousand gold is not rich.' The second couplet said: 'Five children are lonely.' The rich man looked at the dilapidated house and thought, I thought it was strange, so I knocked on the door, and an old man came out. The rich man asked: "Old man, your couplet is weird. How can you not be rich if your family has ten thousand gold, and how can you be lonely with five children? Could it be that you encountered a misfortune and your wife and children were separated?" ?'"

Xiao Qinggu pretended to be curious and asked: "It's really weird. Is this old man a liar?"

Mrs. Ni said: "Then my father-in-law said, I gave birth to ten daughters. People say that daughters are worth a thousand pieces of gold. Doesn't that mean the family has ten thousand pieces of gold? They also say that a son-in-law is a half-son. If I have ten sons-in-law, don't I have five sons? ? As a result, after her daughter got married, she didn’t end up alone for the rest of her life. Do you think this joke is funny?” Ms. Ni laughed.Xiao Qinggu heard the humiliation and could only laugh and said: "Interesting."

Mrs. Su hurriedly said: "Mother, some sons-in-law are also filial!"

Mrs. Ni was surprised and said, "That's such a blessing."

Xiao Qinggu thought to herself, other people's mothers-in-law became more and more interesting when they looked at their sons-in-law, but their own mother-in-law became more and more angry when they looked at their sons-in-law.He really had nothing to do with his mother-in-law, so he had to ask: "Has your mother slept peacefully at night recently?"

Ni said: "It's not bad." She looked at Su and said, "Your elder brother has taken good care of me."

Mrs. Ni was in poor health. After Su Changning took a concubine, she slept in a separate room. Su Yilin lived in the opposite room and took care of her in the morning and evening.

After Xiao Qinggu heard this, he asked, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Ni said: "I don't see him busy with anything. He greets you day and night, serves soup and medicine, and your father takes a rest, so he comes back to rest."

While they were talking, Su Changning and Su Yilin came back.Seeing Xiao Qinggu's arrival, Su Changning frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Qing said, "I came here especially to say hello to my mother."

Su Changning looked surprised and said, "It's rare, it's rare! Hard work, hard work!" He added, "Now that you're here, don't go back to Songyunju, have a meal before leaving."

Xiao Qinggu said hurriedly: "Yes."

Su Changning asked the cook to add two more dishes, and sent someone to bring Su Yinzheng back.Su Yinzheng opened his mouth and said angrily: "Why doesn't Jingfeng come? Brother-in-law, go and catch him!"

Xiao Qinggu put a piece of sweet and sour yellow carp into her bowl and said, "If he doesn't come, he won't come. If he's reserved at the table, it won't be interesting if he doesn't enjoy the meal."

Su Changning scolded: "We are having a family dinner, why did you invite an outsider to mix in!"

Su Yinzheng said: "We will be a family from now on, let's get used to it first!"

Mrs. Ni had heard about Li Jingfeng a long time ago and said in surprise: "You're a weird girl. You pick up one after another. Why can't you imitate other people's children and just pick up some cats and dogs for fun?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Su couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing.Xiao Qinggu's face turned red and she said to Su Yinzheng: "You have only known each other for a few days. He doesn't like you, so there's no point in forcing him."

Su Changning said angrily: "Is it his turn to be picky?"

Su Yinzheng said: "That's because he doesn't know how good I am! If you live here for a long time and get familiar with me, he will like me!"

Ms. Ni said, "That's not necessarily the case. There are people who have lived together for more than ten years and were robbed for nothing."

As soon as these words came out, the desktop suddenly became silent.Xiao Qinggu looked embarrassed, Su's face turned pale, Su Changning glanced at Ni, who made a mistake and didn't know what to do.

There was silence at the dinner table, and even Su Yinzheng only focused on eating the rice without speaking.After a while, Su Yilin stood up as if nothing had happened, picked up the soup bowl in front of Mrs. Ni and said, "Mom, let me help you fill the soup."

After dinner, Su Yinzheng pouted and plucked leaves in the yard. He was probably unhappy because his mother was right.Su Yilin sent Mrs. Ni back to her room to rest. Su Changning was chatting with his wife in the room, probably complaining about what she said at the dinner table today.Xiao Qinggu was sitting on the steps in front of the courtyard, watching Su Yinzheng pull out leaves. Mrs. Su sat next to him, held his hand and said, "Don't take what mother said to heart."

Xiao Qinggu said with a smile: "Your mother has hated me for several years. Can you still live with her in your heart?"

He glanced at Su Yilin and saw Su Yilin walking out. He turned to Mrs. Su and said, "You go talk to the second sister. I have something to say to my adopted brother." After that, he stood up and said hello, "Adopted brother!" He was older than Su Yilin. He is a few years old, but according to his wife, he calls him adopted brother.

Su Yilin saw him coming and asked, "What's the matter?"

Xiao Qinggu came here to get the look from her mother-in-law because of Su Yilin. She asked calmly, "The day the second sister took Brother Li to climb over the wall, there was a patrol saying that they saw someone climbing over the wall to return to the Songshan compound."

Su Yilin asked: "Why don't you shout for arrest?"

Xiao Qing said: "It was still dark at that time, and the patrol was only in a daze, so I didn't dare to say anything. Because of the incident involving Mr. Zhao, I asked the patrol if there were any suspicious people, and that's when I found out."

Su Yilin thought for a while, looked at Xiao Qing and said, "You said there are people from the Songgao League in the courtyard who are traitors?"

Xiao Qing said: "He even knows when he has climbed over the wall without being discovered. He is obviously very familiar with the guards."

Su Yilin said: "I will change the guard route."

Xiao Qinggu nodded, and suddenly asked: "Sister-in-law, for such a big thing, why didn't you ask me when and where the person climbed over the wall?"

Su Yilin was stunned for a while, and then he said: "You said that when the sky was still dark, I guess it was the end of Yin Dynasty and the beginning of the first month of the Yin Dynasty, so I climbed over from the west wall courtyard."

Xiao Qing said, "It was really that time. My eldest brother's guess was very accurate." He added, "It's too late. Wanqin and I will go back to Songyunju first. Brother-in-law, mother, please keep an eye on me."

Su Yilin suddenly said: "At the end of the year and the beginning of the year, there were no patrols outside the west wall courtyard. Brother-in-law, which guard saw it?"

This time Xiao Qinggu was stunned.He thought for a while and said, "Perhaps the patrol was really dazzled."

※ ※ ※

Li Jingfeng was practicing swordplay in the front yard of Songyunju. He was sweating profusely from practicing when he suddenly felt a pain in the back of his head, as if he had been hit by something.He turned around and looked down, and saw a white pebble falling on the floor tiles, which was particularly abrupt. He recognized it as a decorative stone in the outer courtyard. He looked up and saw two figures standing in the distance outside the courtyard.The two places were tens of feet apart. Xiao Qinggu's throw was able to hit the back of his head, and the accuracy of the shot was extraordinary.

Li Jingfeng frowned and said, "Master Xiao?"

Xiao Qinggu walked slowly with Su on her arm and asked, "Can you really see it?"

Li Jingfeng asked: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Qinggu said it was okay and said to Su, "Go in and rest first." After Su entered, Xiao Qinggu said, "Try your eyesight. Brother Li, don't be angry."

After Li Jingfeng received this blow, he remembered that he was at a loss when encountering a crossbow the day before, so he asked: "Master Xiao, can you tell the position by listening to the sound?"

Xiao Qing said: "Everyone who has traveled around the world has practiced a little bit of this Kung Fu. The depth of the Kung Fu is just different. What's the matter?"

Li Jingfeng said: "I want to learn, can you teach me how to practice?"

Xiao Qinggu was surprised and said: "I see that the sword technique you used just now is not simple. Why, you know how to use the sword technique, but you can't distinguish the position by listening to the sound?"

Li Jingfeng shook his head and said, "No one has ever taught me."

Xiao Qinggu touched her chin and said, "You are really incomprehensible. You are good at swordsmanship but you can't tell your position by listening to sounds. You are the third younger brother of the Crown Prince of Qingcheng, but you dress like a dart boy. You are said to have a high status." , you have no airs, you say you are poor and lowly, you don’t even want to be Songshan’s son-in-law.”

Li Jingfeng said: "Miss Su is just fooling around, how can we take her seriously?"

Xiao Qinggu picked up the pebbles from the ground and threw them hard. The pebbles flew far away.He asked: "What if this girl of mine is serious?"

"It still doesn't work. I don't want to stay in Songshan." Li Jingfeng saw clearly that the stone landed in a pile of pebbles more than fifty feet outside the courtyard. It was full of skill.

Xiao Qing asked, "Where do you want to go?"

Li Jingfeng said: "I have said it many times, I just want to learn kung fu well first, and then think about other things later."

Xiao Qinggu put up a posture and said, "I'm pretty good at kung fu, can I teach you?"

Li Jingfeng shook his head and said, "I'm very happy that you taught me kung fu, but I don't want to stay in Songshan. Why are you forcing me like this?"

Xiao Qinggu smiled bitterly and said, "What's wrong with my sister?"

Li Jingfeng said: "There's nothing wrong with it, but now I don't want to get married, and secondly, I don't want to stay in Songshan."

Xiao Qinggu sighed: "My girl may not be able to see the golden and purple colors, but she does have some weird talents. She must have noticed something different about you, so she treated you differently." He put his arm around Li Jingfeng's shoulders , said, "When things in the Songgao League calm down a bit and the leader's anger subsides, I'll ask him to let you go. How about I send you a message and ask your brother to redeem you. I'll teach you some skills in the next few days. If you stay with my sister, we'll treat each other as equals."

Li Jingfeng had no choice but to agree.Xiao Qinggu took him to his practice room, took a few pots, cut small holes, tied them with ropes, filled them with five minutes of water, put pots and bowls underneath, and asked him to break down the distance and height of the dripping water. sound.The first thing is to listen to the water hitting the pots and bowls, then the position, and finally the sound of the water falling.

"This Kung Fu is easier said than done. Once you have more experience in facing enemies, you will naturally be on guard and dodge if something goes wrong. If you really want to say it, listen carefully, you would have died a long time ago." Xiao Qing said, "It's just the feeling." It’s true. You train your ears to distinguish distance from near, and the rest is just practice.”

Xiao Qinggu asked again: "I see that your swordsmanship is quite powerful. What kind of skill is it?"

Li Jingfeng said: "Dragon City Nine Orders."

Xiao Qinggu said in surprise: "From the Kongtong sect? There are not many people who know this swordsmanship. If you don't become a disciple, how can you get this swordsmanship?"

Li Jingfeng said: "Third Master taught me."

Xiao Qinggu was even more surprised: "That third master of Kongtong?"

Li Jingfeng nodded and said, "But he didn't confiscate me as a disciple."

Xiao Qinggu touched her chin and said, "I really believe in my second sister." He added, "This swordsmanship is more complicated and difficult than you think. A set of practiced tricks is not enough to deal with ordinary people. It can be used against ordinary people." How can a true master follow the routine?"

Li Jingfeng asked: "I understand the truth, but what should I do?"

Xiao Qing's old saying: "Learning Kung Fu pays attention to one's understanding. Practice and practice. First, practice makes perfect, and then you need to understand the many changes in the moves, so that they can be used to face the enemy. So the same routine, different people have different levels of practice. Instead of nine When you have mastered the moves, it is better to focus on the three moves first, familiarize yourself with the first three moves over and over again, and understand all the changes, so that you can deal with the enemy with the three moves, then practice the three moves, and finally practice the three moves again. The Nine Orders of Dragon City are Top swordsmanship, if you master this swordsmanship, you can hope to become a first-class master."

Li Jingfeng asked: "A master like Fang Jingjiu?"

Xiao Qinggu frowned and asked, "Do you still know Fang Jingjiu?"

Li Jingfeng said: "I fought against him and he was quite powerful. I couldn't see the reality clearly. If there wasn't someone to help me, I would have died a long time ago."

Xiao Qing asked: "Who else do you know? Are you familiar with Xu Fangge? Have you ever dealt with Peng Xiaobei? Do you have any friendship with Juekong? Who is your cousin Li Xuanxuan? Is Zhuge Yan your godfather?"

He mentioned the names of several important figures in one breath, intending to tease them, but unexpectedly Li Jingfeng said: "I recognize Deputy Master Zhuge, but I have never seen Master Dian Cang."

Xiao Qing said: "Come on, don't worry, with these people you know, Songshan really wants to keep you, for fear of being besieged by the world!"

Li Jingfeng could only smile bitterly.He felt that he was smiling bitterly every day, and he didn't know whether it was really funny or a joyful smile.

Early the next morning, Su Yinzheng came to disturb him again. He made an agreement with Su Yinzheng that he would practice kung fu in the morning, go to the garden with her in the afternoon, and go back to their rooms in the evening.Su Yinzheng initially refused, but Li Jingfeng was stubborn and couldn't pull anyone away, so he sat in the practice room and practiced listening with his eyes closed.When Su Yinzheng quarreled with him, he treated it as noise and interference. Seeing that Su Yinzheng couldn't resist it, he had to sit aside in a daze. When he couldn't sit still, he went to find painting tools for Li Jingfeng to paint or played the kite, but Li Jingfeng ignored him completely.In the afternoon, Li Jingfeng would accompany her to the garden and chat, mostly talking about other things. When talking about the past events of the Shaosong Controversy, Li Jingfeng asked about the Songgao League.

Su Yinzheng said: "Actually, many people in the Songshan sect support Shaosong's separation, but it's just about how to divide the family. The Songgao League wants to be tough. After the Shaosong dispute, most of the successive leaders wanted to be soft. The two sides were in a stalemate and quarreled. It was so cruel. At that time, there were still many people in the sect who wanted to take advantage of the chaos of the dispute between Shaolin's orthodoxy and customs to rebel and separate the family. It was not until my brother-in-law entered Songshan that things slowed down."

Li Jingfeng recalled vaguely hearing his elder brother and second brother talking about this matter on the boat to Tangmen, but he couldn't remember clearly.Su Yinzheng continued: "Brother-in-law advocates that Shaosong should not be separated, but he will not force it. He told his father that Songshan is not strong enough to become the tenth family. To become the tenth family, in addition to Shaolin's objection, the majority of the nine families must agree. That's all right. We have to stop the internal fighting in Songshan first, and then we can consider it after Songshan becomes stronger. He used this statement to appease many elders. Now that Shaosong's irreconcilable faction is gradually rising, according to his brother-in-law, he just waits and sees what happens. Let’s discuss it again in 30 years.”

Li Jingfeng nodded and said, "Master Xiao's words make sense."

Su Yinzheng said: "Eldest brother doesn't think so."

Li Jingfeng said "Oh?" and asked, "How do you say that?"

"The eldest brother said that after 30 years, everyone will be used to what my brother-in-law did, and Shaosong won't need to break up anymore." Su Yinzheng said, "But the brother-in-law also said that the Songgao League assassinated important people and injured many innocent people. That's fine. It’s your share. Besides, Songshan also has rules, and those who violate them will be punished.”

Li Jingfeng nodded and said: "Master Xiao's words make sense. He is a sensible person."

Su Yinzheng held his hand and walked towards the east courtyard without comment.Nearby was a residence of the Su family, with the most unique courtyard layout. Su Yinzheng introduced exotic flowers and plants, but it was not the flower season, and most of them were just dead branches.Li Jingfeng was interested in seeking knowledge, and even though there were no flowers to reward, he still listened with great interest until the afternoon.It was October at this time, and the sky was already dusk at the end of the year.

A group of guards passed by and when they saw the second lady walking with the man, they all saluted.The leader looked carefully and said in surprise: "Brother Li, is it you?"

Li Jingfeng looked around and saw that it was Xi Dagou. He hurriedly stepped forward and greeted: "Vice President Xi!"

Xi Dagou smiled awkwardly and said: "I am now the patrolman of the East Campus, and I want to call me General Xi."

Li Jingfeng guessed that he was promoted and said with a smile: "Congratulations!"

Xi Dagou scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and said, "Thanks to you that day! Have you visited Mr. Zhao? He is always thinking about you and said that he wants to thank you very much."

The two chatted for a while, and Li Jingfeng asked about Old Man Xi. Xi Dagou shrugged and said, "My father was so scared that day that he wanted me to go back to my hometown to farm. I finally became the patrolman of the East Courtyard, how could I listen to him?" !”

Su Yinzheng coughed lightly, held Li Jingfeng's arm and said, "It's getting late, go back and eat."

Xi Dagou originally thought that Li Jingfeng was just a guest of Hall Master Xiao, but his eyes widened when he saw the second young lady being so close to him.Li Jingfeng was very embarrassed and said, "I'll visit Old Man Xi another day."

The two of them walked towards Songyunju. In the courtyard, the guards were picking up lanterns and lighting oil lamps.When the sky darkened, he suddenly heard a "whoosh" sound. Li Jingfeng turned his head and looked around. Sparks suddenly exploded in the sky in the east courtyard and scattered, and then he heard shouts from everywhere.He didn't know what happened, and just as he was about to ask, a group of about 25 or [-] guards rushed up. Seeing Li Jingfeng standing next to Su Yinzheng, they all drew their swords.Su Yinzheng said hurriedly: "This is my friend!"

A man who looked like a captain came forward with a knife, grabbed Su Yinzheng's arm and said, "Second Miss, come into the room!"

Su Yinzheng grabbed Li Jingfeng and said, "Follow me!" Li Jingfeng was half pushed and half squeezed to a small room near the garden, with more than [-] guards surrounding him.

Someone shouted again: "Second Miss is here, come with another team!" Another team of more than [-] people surrounded the small house three times in front and three times in the back, forming a lotus petal shape. Seeing the huge momentum, Li Jingfeng asked: "What happened?"

Su Yinzheng said: "An assassin broke in!"

Someone else shouted: "The leader is being assassinated, protect the leader!"

Su Yinzheng's expression changed greatly, and he was about to rush out of the house. The guard captain stopped him and said, "Second girl, don't run around, wait for the instructions from the guard captain!"

Su Yinzheng said anxiously: "Get out of the way, I want to find dad!"

Li Jingfeng saw that she was anxious and said, "You stay here and I'll go take a look!"

Su Yinzheng said anxiously: "They didn't recognize you and cut you into pieces as an assassin!" As he was about to break out again, the guard captain just stopped him.

The sound of killings in the east courtyard was loud, and the sounds of people and footsteps outside the house were chaotic. It was unknown how many people poured in and how many people died.Not all the oil lamps in the courtyard were lit yet, and there was no time to pay attention at this moment. In the half-darkness, Li Jingfeng felt Su Yinzheng pinching his arm tightly.Li Jingfeng knew that she was worried about her father, so he comforted her: "Don't be afraid, the leader will be fine."

After a while, another message was heard: "The assassin has been executed, the master is safe! The assassin has been executed, the master is safe!" Su Yinzheng breathed a sigh of relief and ran quickly to the east courtyard, followed by Li Jingfeng.

The entrance to the east courtyard was crowded with guards, and corpses were carried out from the courtyard one after another.Su Yinzheng squeezed through the crowd, and everyone gave way when they saw that the second young lady was coming.Su Yinzheng shouted: "Father! Mother! Big brother!" After squeezing into the courtyard, Li Jingfeng had just been stopped when he saw a body being moved out.

It was Xi, a big dog, all dressed in bright red, with blood pouring from his chest.

※ ※ ※

Old Man Xi didn't say anything. He lowered his head and went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water.Li Jingfeng was afraid that he would be too sad, so he followed him.Old Man Xi drank one glass and then another. He seemed to feel that it was not moist enough, so he simply took the pot and poured it into his mouth.The water poured all over his mouth and clothes. The temperature had dropped sharply in the past few days. Li Jingfeng was afraid that he would catch a cold, so he quickly took off his coat and wiped it for him.

Old Man Xi let him play around, and Li Jingfeng said: "Old sir, go back to your room and change your clothes."

Old Xi nodded and went back to his room. Li Jingfeng followed him and saw him walking to the bookcase. He raised four earthen jars one by one and looked at them. He said, "On October day, all the crickets are dead." After that, he sat on the bedside. Asked, "When will you come back?"

Li Jingfeng lowered his head and said, "Master Xiao, help them collect the bodies and prepare a good coffin for delivery tomorrow night."

Old Man Xi murmured: "I named you Big Dog, but I had to change it to Donghu. How can you bear such a good name because you are so humble? I also asked you not to learn martial arts, but you have to learn it. You just don't listen to dad, say What about the East Campus Patrol, seven taels of silver a month?" He raised his head and asked Li Jingfeng in a hoarse voice, "Seven taels a month, do you think it's worth it?"

Li Jingfeng's eyes turned red and he felt sad. He didn't know how to reply, so he could only shake his head.

Old Man Xi cried loudly: "Seven taels of silver, a coffin, is it worth it! Is it worth it!..." He cried hoarsely, and kept shouting, "Seven taels of silver, a coffin, is not worth it! No!" It's worth it!...I've raised you for 20 years!...It's just seven taels of silver and a coffin! Damn it, who the hell harmed my son!" He whined and sobbed, and couldn't breathe several times. He couldn't help it. Coughing and yelling, my voice became hoarse, and I refused to give up.

Li Jingfeng held Old Xi in his arms and let him lean on his shoulders, while he choked.

※ ※ ※

"Fuck you!" Su Changning split a large piece of the table corner with one palm.

"Twenty assassins! Sneak into the Songshan compound, hide in the warehouse in the east courtyard, wait for it to ambush as soon as it gets dark, and pick them when the guards are changing. Damn it! Damn it! There are no bitches in the brothel. People can see so clearly!" Su Changning raised his palms, and in a rage, he lifted the Eight Immortals table into the air, hit the roof beam with a bang, and fell heavily with a bang. Xiao Qinggu and the others He quickly pulled the chair away to avoid getting hurt.

"If I didn't still have some skills, I would have died a long time ago! If I didn't die, my wife would die! If my wife didn't die, my daughter would die! If someone breaks into the east courtyard, damn it!" He was still angry, He kicked the overturned Eight Immortals table, and the sandalwood table leg flew away, hitting the window and making a small hole.

Qin Kunyang advised: "Master, calm down!"

"Stop your mother!" Su Changning yelled.Lu Kaiting said: "There must be a traitor in the courtyard!"

"Rape your mother! Isn't this nonsense? Who!?" Su Changning was so angry that he spoke without hesitation.

"Find Elders Chen, Elder Xu, and Elder Wu from the south courtyard, as well as the foremans of guards from each courtyard, and investigate them one by one!" Lu Kaiting said.

"I do think there is someone suspicious." Qin Kunyang said, "Didn't Songyunju have a new guest recently?"

"You mean Brother Li?" Xiao Qing asked, "He is not from the Songshan Sect."

"As soon as he arrived, Zhao Dazhou encountered assassins, and these people just happened to be able to break in?" Qin Kunyang asked, "Is it such a coincidence?"

Xiao Qing said the same thing: "He was either followed by his second sister or me all day long, so he had no time to send a message." He suddenly raised his head and looked at Su Yilin, "Brother, my foster father was assassinated yesterday. Where were you?"

Su Yilin was stunned for a moment and remained silent. After a while, he said: "The leader of Juekong will arrive in Jinan tomorrow. According to etiquette, dad is going to see him. I think Jinan is not peaceful these days. I am dispatching guards in the study and want to choose some loyal and reliable ones." Protective father."

"What a coincidence?" Xiao Qing asked, "You were the one arranging the guards. How could there be such a big loophole and you happened to be absent?"

Su Yilin pursed her lips and said slowly, "More than 1000 people are quite a lot, but if you want to guard this compound, it's impossible to cover everything. There will inevitably be gaps when changing shifts, and it will be the same with 1000 more people."

Xiao Qing said, "How did the Songgao League know about this loophole?"

Su Yilin shook his head and said, "I don't know."

"The day the second sister and Brother Li sneaked out of the house, they saw you talking to someone at the foot of the mountain. Who was that person?" Xiao Qing asked.

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but be stunned.Su Changning was surprised and said: "Xiao'er, what do you mean by this?"

"I'm asking about my sworn brother." Xiao Qinggu stared at Su Yilin and asked, "Sister sworn brother, who did you see that night?"

Su Yilin pursed her lips tightly and said after a long while: "I don't know what you are talking about. I haven't left the compound in the past few days."

Xiao Qing said: "From now on, all guard dispatching will be under my command."

"Why?" Su Yilin puffed up his chest and said loudly, "The torture hall is not enough, I even have to give you the military power of the compound?"

"Since I am the master of the punishment hall, your punishment is too light for your negligence in guarding!" Xiao Qinggu was not to be outdone and said loudly, "Unless you tell me clearly who you met that night!"

Seeing their tense situation, Lu Kaiting hurriedly advised: "If you have anything to say, please speak up! Hall Master Xiao, although Guard Su has neglected his duty, this punishment is too much."

Qin Kunyang said: "Hall Master Xiao, please..."

"I am the head of the Punishment Hall, the deputy head!" Xiao Qing said, "Brother, don't let me send people to arrest you!"

Su Yilin pursed her lips and said coldly: "I want to protect my adoptive father! No one can trust him except me!"

When Su Changning saw that they were arguing like this, most of the anger in his heart disappeared, and he said calmly: "Lin'er, I can trust you..."

"I can't believe it!" Xiao Qing said, "Second sister was able to escape in the middle of the night. Instructor Zhao was ambushed and the leader was assassinated. The guards are obviously not attentive! This is not going to be punished. Why do I, the torture master, come here!"

What he said was reasonable and reasonable, and Su Changning couldn't refute it for a while.

Su Yilin said: "What are you planning to do?"

"You don't need to ask! From now on, I will be responsible for allocating the guards!" Xiao Qing said, "And you, you must leave Songshan Courtyard!"

"I said no!" Su Changning suddenly stood up and said, "I am still the head of Songshan, and I have the final say!"

Xiao Qinggu also stood up, pointed at Su Yilin, widened his eyes, and said word by word: "If he hadn't been the son of the leader, he would have been in jail long ago awaiting investigation! Dad, the rewards and punishments are clearly for obedience. Now, he is suspected Don’t let any of them go!”

Su Changning said angrily: "Xiao Qinggu! Don't think that since you are my son-in-law, I won't dare to deal with you! Are you going against me? Songshan's surname is still Su!"

Qin Kunyang advised: "Is this a quarrel among your own family, or is it the Songshan faction discussing something?"

Su Yilin was silent for a while, then took out a token from his arms and said, "I will move out of the compound later."

Su Changning became angry, grabbed the token, stuffed it back into Su Yilin's arms, and said: "I won't change it, you damn torture hall master, if you don't want to do it, don't do it!"

Everyone was stunned when they saw the situation, and they didn't know how to dissuade them.Xiao Qinggu took a breath and said slowly: "Dad, do you really not want to replace your sworn brother?"

Su Changning said in a deep voice: "You are smart and capable. I can trust you, so I leave Songshan's affairs to you. Your sworn brother was raised by me and he protects my life. He is the only one I can trust."

Xiao Qinggu looked at Su Yilin and said slowly: "Brother, I hope you remember what dad said today. He treats you as his biological son, so don't let him down." Then she turned to Su Changning. He said, "I can't trust anyone at this moment. Dad, I'll take this trip for you over to Juekong's first seat. You stay in Songshan and transfer all the guards in Jinan City to guard the Songshan compound. Don't let the Songgao League get in." Empty."

Su Yilin said: "I will send someone to escort you out of the city."

Xiao Qing said, "I don't believe the people you sent."

After he finished speaking, he left and did not stay again.Qin Kunyang and Lu Kaiting were both stunned and didn't know how to persuade them.

※ ※ ※

Xiao Qinggu returned to Songyunju. When Su saw him, she was surprised and said, "Why is it so early today?"

Xiao Qinggu shook her head and said, "It's okay."

Su Shi said: "Brother Li wants to see you for something."

Xiao Qinggu was surprised and said: "What a coincidence? I also have something to ask him about. Where is he?"

Su Shi said: "In the practice room, my second sister is with me."

Xiao Qing asked suspiciously: "Didn't you drag him out?"

Su Shi shook her head and said: "Brother Li is in a bad mood. He wants to practice more, but the second sister can't hold him back."

Xiao Qinggu walked to the practice room and saw Li Jingfeng practicing the sword. Just as he instructed, he repeatedly practiced the first three moves of the Nine Orders of Dragon City.At this time, Li Jingfeng took off his coat and was only wearing a single shirt. On this October day, he was still covered in sweat and his clothes were soaked. He didn't know how long he had been practicing.

Su Yinzheng held his cheeks in his hands, looking bored. He just focused on watching Li Jingfeng practice his sword, looking thoughtful.Seeing her deep in thought, Xiao Qing asked, "What's the matter?"

Su Yinzheng pouted and said, "Not happy!"

Xiao Qinggu asked: "Are you unhappy if he doesn't accompany you?"

Su Yinzheng's eyes widened and he said, "Have you never heard that the future is long?"

Xiao Qinggu said with a smile: "How can your future be long if you pester me like this?"

Su Yinzheng snorted and said: "You ordinary people don't understand the troubles of my clairvoyance!" Then he pressed his thumb on his ear, pressed his forehead with four fingers, and stared at Xiao Qinggu with his eyes narrowed.

Xiao Qinggu was amused by her and said with a smile: "Yes! Yes!" Su Yinzheng stopped talking and turned to look at Li Jingfeng, looking troubled.

After Li Jingfeng finished the three moves of Dragon City Nine Orders, Xiao Qinggu threw a towel to him.Li Jingfeng wiped his sweat and asked, "Mr. Xiao, have you found out about those people from the Songgao League?"

Xiao Qinggu asked: "Not yet, what's wrong?"

Li Jingfeng said: "If there is any use for me, just give me orders."

Xiao Qing said: "You are not from Songshan..."

Li Jingfeng said: "They assassinated important people and injured many innocent people, right?"

Xiao Qing said, "Yes, but..."

Li Jingfeng nodded and said: "That's it. If you break the law and hurt innocent people, you will have to go to trial. I just want to help."

Xiao Qinggu thought for a moment and said, "Save some energy. I'm going to see the first seat of Juekong tomorrow. Come with me."

Li Jingfeng said in surprise: "Juekong's first seat? Me?"

Xiao Qing said, "It's just the two of us. You have good eyesight. I'll lend it to you when needed." After saying that, she turned to Su Yinzheng and asked, "Can I borrow it for a day?"

Su Yinzheng snorted and said, "The days are long, right?"

Xiao Qinggu laughed loudly.

Voices came from outside the house, and Xiao Qing said, "I'll go take a look." When they arrived at the hall, there were 60 people standing outside Songyun Ju.When Xiao Qing saw Su Shi talking to Su Yilin, her expression changed and she stepped forward and asked, "What does this mean?"

Su Yilin said: "I transferred patrols from Jinan City and found out that in front of Songgao League, Songyunju must be guarded."

Xiao Qing asked, "Are you guarding against the Songgao League, or are you guarding against me?"

Su Shi said hurriedly: "Brother, that's not what you meant."

Xiao Qinggu looked at Su Yilin: "I really hope I misjudged you."

Su Yilin said: "When you come back, I will evacuate these people."

Xiao Qinggu nodded and said: "Okay!"

Su Yilin said: "Sister, I'm leaving first."

Li Jingfeng saw them arguing and asked, "Master Xiao, what happened?"

Su also asked: "Ms. sir, what's going on?"

Xiao Qinggu shook his head and said, "You will know in two days." When he saw Su Yilin walking sixty or seventy feet away, he suddenly asked, "Brother Li, do you think I can get him without him?"

Li Jingfeng asked in confusion: "What do you mean?"

Xiao Qinggu picked up a pebble by the rockery and threw it violently. The pebble flew like a meteor and hit the back of Su Yilin's head. Su Shi screamed in surprise.

Su Yilin didn't look back, stretched out his hand to cover his back and caught the pebbles.Li Jingfeng said: "He continued! He is so good at identifying the position by listening to the sound!"

Xiao Qinggu frowned and said, "Can you really see it?"

Li Jingfeng said: "It's very clear!"

※ ※ ※

Early the next morning, Li Jingfeng followed Xiao Qinggu to Pingyin County.Pingyin County is only a few dozen miles away from Jinan City.The Miaofa Temple in the county is the Shaolin residence. There are only a few monks in it, only in name but with no real power.There are mostly two types of monks stationed in Shandong. One is the monks who have made mistakes and are useless, a bit like being exiled to the frontier. The other is the monks who rely on their connections to get casual jobs. The only job they have to do occasionally is to receive people sent from the Shaolin Temple. Messengers and express delivery documents exchange horses here, just like a post station.

The temple is not big, but it is neat and clean. I don't know whether it is always like this or because Juekong came. However, seeing that there is no trace of incense ash on the incense table in front of the Buddha in the Main Hall, it is not difficult to guess the clues.

This is the first time Li Jingfeng has seen Juekong. He has heard about this monk before, but the rumors are not as legendary as Third Master. He only knows that he is the second most popular monk in Shaolin and the No. 1 lay monk.He has met many leaders of a sect. Master Zhu is temporarily in charge of Kongtong, he is deep and elusive, Deputy Master Zhuge is cunning and wise, Xuanxu is kind and kind-hearted, Yan Feixi is sinister and majestic, even in smaller sects, Yu Jien is worldly and noble, Su Changning is He seemed to be the head of the family, and in general, they all had a somewhat inviolable temperament. He expected to meet a majestic monk.

But he didn't expect that Jue Kong felt more coercive than he thought.

He was an extremely tall monk. He couldn't tell who was taller, him or the third master. The third master was definitely stronger than him, but he seemed to be taller than the third master.Seeing that straight back, Li Jingfeng couldn't help but straighten his chest and back, feeling ashamed of his usual rough manners.He looks about 50 years old, but his actual age should be older. His face is sharp and angular. He even walks upright and proud, almost making you feel that the wrinkles in his cassock are fixed every time.

Li Jingfeng didn't dare to take a breath in front of him.

"Sit." Juekong motioned to Xiao Qinggu to sit down.The polite words in his mouth sounded majestic, like an order.When he sat down by himself, even his waist was straight. Xiao Qinggu, who had always been lazy, also sat upright at this time. As for Li Jingfeng, who was standing aside, his muscles were stiff and he felt a little uncomfortable.

"There has been something going on in Jinan recently, and my father ordered me to greet the leader on my behalf." Xiao Qinggu cupped his hands and said, "I am Xiao Qinggu, the master of the execution hall."

"You look very much like someone I know well." Juekong said. He speaks simply and directly and never talks nonsense.

"May I ask which old friend Xiao looks like?" Xiao Qinggu asked.

"The traitor of this temple, Liao Jing, murdered fellow disciples and defected eight years ago."

"Is there such a thing?" Xiao Qinggu raised an eyebrow, "It seems that my face is ominous, and I actually resemble the murderer."

"He is a talented person, but it's a pity that he cast his talent in secret." Juekong said, "There is no need to mention the past."

"I don't know if the leader has come to Jinan and wants to discuss something important with the leader. Where will he go?" Xiao Qing asked.

"I have a granddaughter who got married in Jinan. I came to visit for no other reason." Although he said it in a homely manner, his tone was dignified. "Master, you can go by yourself. I will stay for two days and then come back."

Does this mean you can leave?Li Jingfeng breathed a sigh of relief.It was difficult to even stand in front of this monk.

I didn't want Xiao Qinggu to say, "There is something going on in Songshan. I hope to discuss it with the leader."

"Please say."

"The Songgao League has been rampant in the past two years and has assassinated many Songshan disciples. I am thinking, the many people of the Songgao League do not gather together on weekdays. Food, clothing, and the assassins' settlement expenses, where did they get this much silver? It must be Someone is instigating behind the scenes and providing financial support." Xiao Qing said, "The Shaosong family made the original wish, but the Songgao League has repeatedly stirred up troubles. If they were allowed to succeed, and the regretful events of the Shaosong dispute 50 years ago would be repeated, wouldn't it cause pain to the relatives? , Haters are quick?"

"Do you want Shaolin to help you find out the mastermind behind this?" Juekong asked.

"Songshan is weak and has no intention." Xiao Qinggu said with cupped hands, "I can guarantee that Shaosong's family will remain the same for the past 50 years and will remain the same for the next 50 years."

Juekong nodded and said, "I understand."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I take my leave." Xiao Qinggu stood up, bowed her hands and bowed, and then withdrew.Li Jingfeng also bowed and exited. It was not until he got on his horse and ran out that he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The majesty of the first seat of Juekong is terrifying."

Xiao Qinggu said coldly: "His calculations are even more terrifying."

"How do you say that?" Li Jingfeng said in surprise, "Looking at his majesty, what else is he planning?"

Xiao Qing said, "I understand now. I didn't just say that someone was funding the Songgao League. Guess who it was?"

Li Jingfeng was shocked: "Is it the leader of Juekong? But...but he is the leader of Shaolin. Why does he support the Songgao League, which advocates the separation of the Shaosong family?"

"What can the Songgao Alliance accomplish?" Xiao Qinggu turned her horse's head and pointed at a hill, "Let's go up there and take a look."

Li Jingfeng nodded and followed up the mountain.

"Even if they kill the leader, can they seize power? After the Shao-Song Controversy, Songshan has been in constant turmoil. It is even less capable of fighting than 50 years ago. Who does it rely on? Isn't it just these Song-Gao rebels who want to kill themselves? People are messy and arrogant. Apparently, they are enemies of Shaolin, but in fact they are enemies of Songshan. Who is responsible for this?" Xiao Qinggu sneered, "Juekong alone has made Songshan unhappy for 50 years. You Is this plan scary?"

Li Jingfeng did not expect that the majestic monk's palace was so deep, and asked: "Don't the Songgao League themselves know?"

Xiao Qinggu laughed loudly and said: "They thought it was for the good of Songshan. In fact, if Songshan could rest properly, Shaolin has been plagued by the dispute between the orthodox and the secular in the past 50 years. Songshan connected the nine great families, and maybe it would have happened long ago."

After he finished speaking, he pointed forward and said, "Take a look for me."

Li Jingfeng looked over and said after a while: "About a hundred people."

Xiao Qinggu smiled and said, "Your eyes are really mean. Can you bypass them?"

Li Jingfeng said: "There is a small road. I can go around it faster, but I don't know if I will be overtaken."

Xiao Qing said, "I can only gamble." After saying that, he clamped his legs and rode down the mountain.Li Jingfeng caught up from behind.

"I was born in Shaolin, and I support the Shaosong family." Xiao Qing said, "No matter what, it is better for Songshan to have less disputes and casualties. In recent years, the number of rebellious parties in Songgao has gradually declined, and these generations of leaders have long stopped being persistent. The matter of Song’s family separation.”

Li Jingfeng remembered what Su Yinzheng said. In 30 years, Songshan would get used to it and no one would mention Shaosong's family separation again.

"But Juekong is still worried. He insists that Songshan be under his control." Xiao Qing said, "From the very beginning, the person Songgao League wanted to kill was me. Killing Zhao Dazhou and assassinating the leader are all to strengthen Master, be on alert. Juekong came to Jinan to give the Songgao League an opportunity to plot to kill me."

He turned his horse's head and ran towards the path, and Li Jingfeng followed him. "Hurry up!" Xiao Qinggu shouted.Li Jingfeng clamped his horse and ran faster.

The road for dozens of miles was flat and unobstructed. "But I heard that Juekong's martial arts is very powerful, and there's no one here, why didn't he..." Li Jingfeng asked, "Why didn't he take action just now?"

"The leader of Shaolin killed the son-in-law of the head of Songshan?" Xiao Qing asked, "He is not that stupid."

As soon as they walked across the path, the hundreds of horsemen spotted them, turned their horses and chased after them.

"Catching up!" Li Jingfeng shouted.

"Run faster!" Xiao Qing said.

"If you go any faster, you'll have to run with your horse on your back!" Li Jingfeng said.

Xiao Qinggu laughed loudly.

The path is steep and rugged, and even if we go around it, I'm afraid we won't be able to get out of it.

"So you're going to take advantage of the situation?" Li Jingfeng asked, "Go to the appointment alone?"

Xiao Qinggu pointed to a slope and said, "That!"

The two went up the slope.

"Are you really sure that your step-brother caught the stone?" Xiao Qing asked.

"I even saw what was written on the note on your stone." Li Jingfeng replied.

"What did you write?" Xiao Qinggu asked curiously, "Can you really read it so carefully?"

"I saw it, but I can't understand it." Li Jingfeng said, "Your handwriting is too rough." He looked into the distance, frowned and said, "I didn't see anyone."

Seeing the pursuers approaching, Li Jingfeng asked again: "Are you sure your sworn brother will really come to save you?"

Xiao Qing said, "Didn't you hear from my second sister that he has a golden spiritual color?"

Li Jingfeng laughed loudly and added: "It's covered by the pursuers. I can't see clearly if anyone is coming."

The more than a hundred people arrived immediately and surrounded the slope.Li Jingfeng recognized that the three crossbowmen on the stage that day were also there.

Xiao Qinggu frowned: "Deputy head?"

Qin Kunyang smiled and said: "Why don't you run away? Still can't escape, are you accepting your fate?"

Xiao Qinggu looked at Li Jingfeng, who nodded.Xiao Qinggu raised the whip and pointed it at Qin Kunyang and said, "You are already the deputy leader, why do you want to join the Songgao League?"

Qin Kunyang spat and said: "Okay, Songshan has produced several generations of trash, and none of them can succeed. Songshan is just a sect under Shaolin, so what is Taishan, a sect under Songshan? Songtai does not separate families, what they hope is Taishan can be as majestic as the Peng family!"

"Don't Master Qin know about your thoughts?" Xiao Qinggu deliberately delayed and said, "If mother knows that you are the chief envoy, she will definitely be sad."

"Bah! Don't mention your mother! You were stupid to marry Su Changning back then!" Qin Kunyang said, "Are you going to commit suicide or do you want to die in my hands?"

Li Jingfeng realized his original intention and said to Xiao Qing: "Master Xiao, I want to avenge Brother Xi!"

Xiao Qinggu nodded, even he saw Chensha behind him, pointed behind Qin Kunyang and said: "If you want to kill me, you have to see if my brother agrees."

Qin Kunyang was startled and looked back, only to see Su Yilin coming with a team of more than a hundred people.When both parties met, they were both stunned.

Xiao Qinggu frowned and said, "Why did you only bring these people here?"

(End of this chapter)