At dusk in autumn in Luoyang, the number of pedestrians on the streets is gradually thinning out. Even in the restaurants, cloth shops and shopkeepers in the North Market, most of them have closed their doors early before the evening drums sound, and everyone is looking for their own places to go.
Since the afternoon of the eighth day of September, Dao Chongguan Tu Liangshan was invited by a group of libertines. After being frustrated in a duel with Chong Lingzi Yang Zhaoxi in Luoyang North City, he and the libertines were attacked by Wuhou Zhang Songyue and his unscrupulous guards.
, was detained in a Wuhou Pu near Beishi City, locked in a dungeon, and stayed there peacefully for three days.
On the morning of the fourth day, Pugu Xingde, who had been sent by the temple master to lure people, learned from an acquaintance of the bad guard that Zhang Wuhou finally relented and allowed the Taoist temple to pay some money as security and promised to the Taoist sect.
If the person is no longer involved in private fights in the street, he can be taken away.
So Pugu acted virtuously and followed his heart, and reported the news to Zhan Buxi without any changes. He was so angry that he cursed in front of the desk for an hour, and then with great pain, he took out the money from his bag, threw it on the ground, and called his servant
Gu Xingde told him to get out. Pugu Xingde then picked up the money and finally fished Tu Liangshan out of Wuhou Pu.
Although these two junior fellow apprentices are not considered to be serious villains, they often do unjust things, such as bullying the weak, eating and drinking for free, stealing chickens and dogs, sleeping with flowers and willows, etc. It is as common as eating and drinking.
On this day Tu Liangshan finally escaped from Wuhou's shop, Pugu Xingde smiled and said: "Senior Brother Tu! That girl Bi Tao in Wenwenfang learned a new song a few days ago and said that she would sing it to you alone.
, she even refused to come out to see me when I went there. This little girl’s coy attitude is really making people’s teeth itch!”
Although Tu Liangshan was a bastard, he also knew the importance of things when doing things. He said with a stern face: "Junior brother Pugu, if you hadn't come to save me today, just these few words from you would have made me fall out with you. You are a money man."
, I have always been stingy, so I want to see Miss Bitao with only a few coins? Do you think she is just because of your beauty? In addition, if the visitor is willing to pay me money to get me out, he must be extremely angry at this time. I have to go back to get it first.
After being punished, I have to wait for a while before I dare to go out and look for some money. If I have money, no matter what green peaches or red peaches I have, they are just stupid things for you to use."
Pugu Xingde nodded with deep understanding and said: "Senior Brother Tu has a long-term view and is flexible and flexible. He will definitely be sure to take over the position of the leader in the future. But what kind of troublesome person did he encounter this time? What despicable methods were used?
It actually caused my senior brothers to suffer a hidden loss."
Tu Liangshan's face became even more gloomy: "Master, he is in good health and will be able to serve as the master of the temple for another thirty years. He will have plenty of time to spare. Don't mention this again in the future! You also know the person who fought with me. He is the Queen of Zhaitan Yanwu.
, the little Taoist boy kidnapped by Jingyun Temple and Longxing Temple... I didn’t expect that at such a young age, his martial arts had already improved so much!"
Pugu Xingde was also astonished: "It's actually him! On the day of the Zhaitan martial arts performance, Yang Chaoxi, the son of Shangqing Guanchong, used a wooden sword as a sword and defeated Linji Guanhua Xiko. His swordsmanship was indeed exquisite. Now that I think about it,
It's quite similar to the swordsmanship demonstrated by Gongsun Xuantong when he came to kill him. We also learned it, but why couldn't we defeat him?"
Tu Liangshan sneered and said: "What do you think Gongsun Xuantong's kindness is! He just taught us a set of fake swordsmanship, how can it be compared to the real swordsmanship taught by him personally! Whatever the husband does, no matter the means, he must rely on himself! Today
After returning home, don't believe in his bullshit swordsmanship of 'softness prevails over strength'. If you practice the 'soul-taking sword technique' taught by your master in the past, you will always achieve great results!"
After hearing this, Pugu Xingde's blood surged, and he shouted "Okay!" The two chatted some other gossip, but they never left the category of "wine, sex, wealth, and energy". It was not until after two sticks of incense that they spoke.
Return to Daochong Temple.
Daochong Temple's carved beams, green tiles and red rafters are as luxurious as ever. Most of the disciples in the temple are dandy boys from Chang'an and Luoyang who have no hope of shelter from the two capitals. They just want to cultivate Taoism and practice martial arts, or work as subordinates to feed themselves.
, or serving as a soldier to collect wages, you must always find a way out.
The spectator who had been deprived of his Taoist skills was sitting in the Purple Treasure Palace. His face was a little unwilling, but more of a slump. In his hand was a letter sent from Chang'an, with neither title nor name.
The signature was just sixteen words scrawled on a square piece of paper cut from jute paper:
If your superior intention blocks it, you can't do it. In troubled times, it's better to do it yourself.
Although there is no head or tail, Zhan Buxiu can still recognize that this is the handwriting of his adoptive father Yu Chaoen. However, the short and perfunctory content of the letter is undoubtedly a sentence for his future. He was arrogant in his youth, Sheng Sheng
He did everything he could when he was young, he knelt when he bowed to the rebels...and now that all his power has been lost, it seems that he has come full circle and is back to the starting point, but in fact he can no longer go back.
The world is like a turbulent current, who can be alone? For most of my life, I have been working in a camp that is not considered good. I have done so many wrong and evil things that I can’t even count them. Now I want to find a way to go to the world.
Black, but no longer possible.
There is no need to think about the past, the present is just random thoughts, and the future cannot be imagined... It turns out that Gongsun Xuantong's not killing them is the most cruel punishment. This feeling of almost disillusionment is really an unbearable torture!
An unreal voice came from outside the hall: "Master! The disciple is back... The disciple is not good at learning and has been defeated miserably at the hands of others. Please punish me, Master!"
Only then did Zhan Buxiu come back to his senses from the trance, and thought to himself: I am still the master of the temple, and there are these disciples. Some of the awareness that is not alarmed at all, gradually became clear: "Oh, it will be good to come back. I wanted to punish you as a teacher, but
You have indeed tried your best to fight against others. As a senior disciple of Guanzhong, since you know that you are not good at learning, from today on, you will practice sword skills for an hour more than other junior disciples in order to improve! If you practice virtue, you will be better in the future.
You, Senior Brother Tu, will concentrate on practicing Taoism and martial arts, but there are some chores in the temple that I will leave to you."
Tu Liangshan's expression changed slightly after hearing this, but he still complied honestly and bowed out of the Ziji Palace. When he looked sideways at Pugu Xingde who was staying in the main hall, his proud look was just like when he looked back.
After that, there was a hint of sinister look in his eyes, his fists were clenched, his bones were white and creaking, like a wolf that might explode at any time...
The words were divided into two parts. Fang Qidou sent Lu Qiuniang away, and Yang Chaoxi, mother and son, returned all the way south. They were overjoyed to be accompanied by Jing Xi's son Tang Juan. Although she tried to please her in every possible way, she was still not welcomed by her, but her heart was filled with confusion.
There is still an unreal feeling after drinking the fragrant mash.
At this time, noon was almost over, and the two of them were walking in the direction of Luoyang City, one behind the other. Their pace was not slow, but they always kept a distance of more than ten feet.
Fang Qidou's expression in the back was changing, and he was talking about all kinds of strange stories he had heard from hearsay, such as fox monsters turning into immortals, long swords like water, red flies running at night, and Nan Ke Yimeng. Jing Xizi Tang Juan walked in front, never saying a word,
His expression remained almost unchanged.
When approaching the city wall, Fang Qidou suddenly said: "Junior sister Jing Xizi, how can you agree to be friends with me, even if you only think of me as brother and sister? Or there is something wrong with me that is intolerable. If you tell me, we will do it."
Qidou must change it!"
Tang Juan stopped, turned around and said coldly: "Fang Qidou, what do you like about me that makes you insist on quarreling with me? I'll just change it!"
Fang Qidou was caught off guard by this sudden rhetorical question, and he didn't know how to answer. After Tang Juan finished speaking, she quickened her pace again and walked quickly in the direction of Hui'an Gate.
Fang Qidou followed and said anxiously: "Junior Sister Jing Xizi... Junior Sister Tang! Please stay and listen to me again... After saying this, I... I will not bother you anymore. I, Fang Qidou,
Although he is a rogue... he is not shameless."
When Tang Juan heard "It's not shameless", she suddenly turned around and said with a cold face: "Say it!"
Seeing that things were turning around, Fang Qidou suddenly hesitated and paced for a few steps, anxiously not knowing where to start. Seeing him like this, Tang Juan thought it was another delaying strategy, so she turned to leave.
Fang Qidou said loudly in desperation: "I have seen you since I was a child..."
Tang Juan turned half of her body and suddenly froze.
"When I was young... When I was a child, the Tang family in Luoyang was so prosperous and prosperous... But now, I am afraid that I am the only one who survives..."
As she thought this way, sadness suddenly appeared in her eyes, but in front of others, it flashed away, as if the sadness had never appeared before.
Fang Qidou continued: "The great clan of the Tang Clan came from the middle of Shu. Later it spread out and branched out. There are also many branches, some are good at hidden weapons, some are good at using poisons, some are good at formations, some are good at palm skills, some are good at machine skills.
I was only six or seven years old at that time, and I went to visit your Tang Mansion with my parents. You wore a light purple myrobalan skirt and performed a pot-throwing show in the hall. I wanted to go over to play with you, but my father didn't.
Afraid of losing etiquette, he pulled me back." Fang Qidou's voice was a little gloomy, "I told my mother at that time, 'This little sister of the Tang family is so kind. If I grow up, I must marry her.' Later this happened
Whenever the uncles and brothers in the clan mentioned this incident, it became a joke."
Tang Juan said sadly: "Yes, the Tang family in Luoyang is now... wiped out. But why do you think that I am the little girl of the Tang family back then..."
Fang Qidou also said sadly: "The Luoyang Tang family is good at the art of organization. During the Jizhou rebellion, the whole family defended the city and died for the country. I, the Fang family, also have many uncles and brothers, but they were also killed when Jizhou rebels massacred the city.
It has completely withered away, and now only the surviving ones are left...I can recognize you only because I saw the cinnabar mole next to your ear, and...your surname happens to be Tang."
Tang Juan felt pain in her heart, and the initial feeling of disgust towards Qi Dou had faded away a lot. Perhaps it was this recognition that was not acquaintance, and the reunion that did not feel like a reunion, that made the only trace of connection between the two people.
Suddenly, I had the illusion of surviving a disaster.
Fang Qidou sighed: "When the army retook Henan and Hebei, my Fang family just returned from the other side. When I went around to your Tang Mansion to see, there was only a piece of rubble left. Later I found out that your Tang family was defending the city.
At that time, I was massacred by thieves and soldiers, and I just felt sorry for you. Until...until that day in front of Linji Temple, I finally recognized you."
As the two walked away, they talked about these old things. The memories they shared were all painful.
The two entered the Hui'an Gate and walked south along the tall palace wall. When they returned to the Chengfu Gate, Tang Juan said with a calm face: "Brother Fang, when I entered the temple, I had already been ordained. In this life, I will only follow the Taoism.
I practice piety in front of you. If you still care about the friendship we met when you were young, please respect yourself and don't have any inappropriate thoughts again. In short... let's say goodbye!"
Fang Qidou had nothing to say anymore, he just stared blankly at Tang Juan, walking away. The slender and lonely figure was gradually submerged in the warm and dazzling sunlight, and finally disappeared in an instant around the corner of the red earth rammed square wall.
The sun's shadow gradually slanted, and Fang Qidou's staring body drew a slender shadow on the ground, folding into two sections on the rammed earth wall of Chengfufang. And this slim and handsome figure in the past suddenly became a figure again.
Revealing the melancholy of the dead body.
Several figures stared at him from a distance for a long time, then silently surrounded him. One of them suddenly swung two round objects and slammed them down on Fang Qidou's Tianling Cap.
Fang Qidou seemed to have eyes growing in the back of his head. He suddenly moved two feet away, narrowly avoiding the attack, and shouted softly: "Cheng Si'er, you dare to attack me with such little effort, you are really a master of your own trade!"
The person who took action was Cheng Si'er, the "Devil-Conquering Hammer" in "The Seven Heroes of Luozhong".
Cheng Si'er missed a hit and hid behind Qiu Chu'an, the "Heaven-Breaking Spear", and said with a smile: "Brother Fang is wise and martial, his martial arts is unparalleled, and he is invincible... What are you going to say next? Brother Qiu, bother me.
A heads up!"
Qiu Chu'an gave Cheng Si'er a violent backhand, and said with a smile: "My martial arts skills are just ordinary, and my talk about kung fu is useless! I have been with Brother Fang for so long, and I haven't learned any literary talent. Alas! Rotten wood cannot be carved."
!”
"Toutuo Crazy Stick" Zhao Sandao walked up with a smile: "Brother Fang, brothers have been with you for a long time. The female Taoist priest who just spoke is the junior sister Jing Xiko you mentioned a few days ago, right? She is indeed a banished immortal.
An ordinary person! In the eyes of the eldest brother, he has always been extraordinary, and the brothers admire him!"
When Cheng Si'er saw that his eldest brother didn't pursue the two hammers, he bravely came over and said, "Then why is the eldest brother so lost here? I let the brothers look at it for a long time, and it feels so sad..." Before Cheng Si'er could finish speaking, Zhao Sandao
Then he glared at her with a fierce look on his face, which frightened Cheng Si'er into swallowing the rest of his words.
Fang Qidou shook his head in a rare way: "Brother, I fell into trouble today... I fell into the hands of Junior Sister Jing Xizi..."
Zhao Sandao groped Fang Qidou in a panic: "Brother Fang, where did the female Taoist priest hurt you? Is it serious? Do you want to go find a doctor to check... Or do you have anything to tell Fang Shibo?
Brothers and sisters must bring them!"
Qiu Chuan also frowned and rushed up, hitting Zhao Sandao on the head again: "It's a mess... Brother Fang is hurt. If you want to help him cure this heartache, take that Jing Xizi to bed tonight."
Junior sister will be kidnapped and sent to Brother Fang's house to ensure that all diseases will be eliminated!"
Fang Qidou's originally depressed mood was disturbed by these bastards, and he suddenly became impetuous, angry, and funny. He couldn't help but slap one of them on the head: "Junior sister Jing Xizi has received the ordination, and she will do it for the rest of her life."
Taoist nun, I can’t think of anything else. You guys still dare to come over and cause trouble? No, stick your heads over! Let me knock a few more times..."
Cheng Si'er suddenly covered his head and shouted: "Don't hit! Brother Fang, don't hit! The Taoist nun is not a nun. Didn't she say that she is not allowed to marry? Even if the precepts are strict and it is not a one-time deal, you can still return to secular life! Nun
Even if you think about it, it is only natural for a Taoist nun to find a Taoist companion..."
Hearing this, Fang Qidou suddenly felt like he could see the sun from the clouds! He stretched out his hand and wiped a few strokes on Cheng Si'er's head, and said with a smile: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! The elm head has finally enlightened! That's it! I'll see Yuan Yi tomorrow.
Son, ask her to return to her secular life for Jing Xizi first, and then take care of her... Let's go, brothers! Go to Heshang Wine Shop, and you won't come back until you're drunk..."