At the beginning of winter, it rains continuously.
But in Jining City, there was a warm and festive atmosphere.
Because yesterday the young prince of the Nalu Palace issued an order: the Fire Lotus Sect will be removed from its status as a "holy sect" and will be disbanded immediately. All the property collected in the sect will be confiscated and will be returned within a few days. To the local people in Jining.
You can only imagine how the people reacted as soon as this announcement was posted.
Maybe a day ago they hated the Fire Lotus Immortal and Zhu Huo who supported him deeply, but after that day, Zhu Huo in their hearts was not "reborn in the blue sky and loves the people like a son". "If you know your mistakes, you can correct them and make up for them."
The government did not need to do any public opinion guidance. The common people came to a conclusion on their own - if there was anything wrong, it would be the fault of the Fire Lotus Immortal. The young prince must have been raped in the past few years. This traitor is deceived.
Of course, such a reaction was expected by Eunuch Wei.
This old eunuch has lived to this age and has a clear view of many things, especially human nature. He knows very well: the people are the most difficult to serve, but also the easiest to deal with.
People at that time still believed in the concept of "imperial power and heavenly right", so they often had some blind worship and respect for those relatives of the emperor, the so-called "noble blood" people. Awe.
Even if they have suffered great grievances, as long as a royal family member is willing to apologize, make a gesture, and compensate them... they will probably feel that the grievances they have suffered are "worth it." , they will unconditionally accept any excuses and justifications given by the other party, even if the other party makes no excuses at all, they will make up their own minds.
The general idea is: "Have all the people in the royal family bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes to me, a commoner? I still won't let you go? Then am I still a human being?"
There may be someone here. Now that you know how to say it, is this cheap?
From our modern point of view, it is quite despicable, but in ancient feudal society, this was a common phenomenon.
Besides, isn’t this what our world is like today?
In this era where consumerism is rampant and even people are extremely objectified, hasn’t the trend of laughing at the poor but not at prostitution become more explicit? A person can get a large number of fans just because he is good-looking or born rich. What is the essential difference between this trend and the behavior among the elderly?
People who worship money make fun of those who worship imperial power? Do people who worship faces look down on those who worship blood?
When I look in the mirror and reflect, I am the bitch.
That's a long way off... Let's go back to Eunuch Wei.
Although the bodies of the Fire Lotus Immortal and the four hall masters under him were not found, Eunuch Wei and Mr. Zhao just knew that these guys were dead, and one of their "plans" was therefore started in advance. .
On the day of the Winter Clothes Festival, the Fire Lotus cultists, who had recovered from the sound of Yuzai’s flute, saw that Sun Yixie and Jiang Muchan had disappeared, so they might as well...They stopped chasing him, because in their opinion, it was much more important to go to the main altar to "support (rescue) the religious (rich) owner (things)" than to hunt down the few escaped guys.
So, these hundreds of Fire Lotus Cult minions just had a brief discussion, and then they all rushed towards the Fire Lotus Cult main altar. Even if it wasn't put out, they didn't care, just patted their butts and ran away.
There was no other way but the people at the scene came to clean up the mess they left and went home to get things to put out the fire.
After a while, all the members of the Fire Lotus Sect returned to the main altar, but they soon discovered that something was wrong: the brothers who stayed at the main altar told them, what is going on here? Nothing happened, and the leader and hall masters never came back.
Just when these "leaderless" Fire Lotus cultists were confused, General Zhao Qi had already led a large group of troops to kill and surrounded the place...
< p>What happens after that will be easy to handle.Don’t forget that the Fire Lotus Sect has nearly a thousand people, but in front of the regular army, they are nothing... The Jin Yiwei, together with some local officers and soldiers, can make up one or two hundred people, which is enough to take down all the eighteen hundred believers. Anyone who dares to resist will be killed.
That night, after getting some evidence collected by Zhao Zongqi from the Fire Lotus Sect General Forum, Eunuch Wei came to Zhu Huo and made his identity clear. "Mission"
What else he talked about with Zhu Huo that night is unknown to outsiders. What people know is that Zhu Huo issued that order the next day, and from that day on After that, the young prince became very honest and a very low-key person; not only did he dismiss all his retainers, he was not even that interested in women and fun, and spent all day drinking in the palace. He lived in confusion...until a few years later, within a month, Zhu Huan and his father died of a sudden illness, and the lineage of King Lu was cut off.
Of course, Eunuch Wei and General Zhao Qi did not stay here until that day. They both left Jining in the spring of the second year after the fall of the Fire Lotus Sect and returned to the capital to resume their duties. .
Judging from the results of this whole thing: Zhu Xu's ambition was killed in the initial stage, the power of King Lu essentially disappeared without being publicly "cut down the vassal", and the "old Zhu family" His face was not covered in dust, and the emperor was very satisfied.
As for what the "Li Zi" of Lao Zhu's family did in this matter, and how long ago he started doing it... these are all secrets that no one will mention.
On the other hand, the story of Sun Yixie, Huang Donglai, Jiang Muchan, Xiao Wuji, and Wen Yuzhai, the five "folk righteous men" who "removed harm for the people" in Jining City, soon followed in some circles. Under the conscious operation of the forces, it began to spread widely.
Obviously, Eunuch Wei hopes that the people can focus on these "chivalrous knights" instead of thinking too much about things they shouldn't think about - although, in Eunuch WeiIt seems that what these people did is just the icing on the cake. Even without them, the outcome of the matter will not change.
…………
On the night of the Winter Clothes Festival, outside Jining City.
Beside the fire, five people were sitting or standing, with different expressions.
Just now, Wen Yuzhai told them about Xiao Zhun's conspiracy to sacrifice the "Blood Sword Fetus" and his plan to use the "Seven Ultimate Formations of Swords" to break into Wujian Villa.
This is the first time that Sun, Huang, and Jiang have heard of these two pieces of information; although Shuangxie had already obtained information related to it from Kang Haijiao before, he had also obtained information from Yiyong Escort Agency. The fact that Mr. Xie San's family was given the title of "Stealing Life" inferred that Xiao Zhun was engaging in some evil deeds beyond common sense, but this information was not enough for them to get to the real core of the incident... Until this moment, Wen Yuzhai As soon as they talked about this, they suddenly understood and connected all the clues.
"Mr. Wen, it's not that Jiang doesn't believe you..." After a moment, Jiang Muchan was the first to speak, "But this matter is really unbelievable..." He paused and frowned, "Although Jiang is in the green forest, he also knows that the owner Xiao of Wujian Villa is not only a world-famous swordsman, but also a recognized knight in the world... Regardless of martial arts, money or fame, he has everything, like Is it really necessary for such a person to do such an extreme thing?"
"Humph..." As soon as he said this, before Wen Yuzhai could answer, Xiao Wuji had already sneered. , immediately said, "If there is no shortage, there will be no fighting, then the world will be peaceful... I may not know about others, but Xiao Zhun, a hypocrite, will not be surprised at anything he does."
"Huh? You seem to know him quite well." Hearing this obviously prejudiced statement, Sun Yixie had already sensed something. He squinted at Xiao Wuji and said tentatively, "By the way, Did you say before that your surname is actually Xiao?"
As soon as this question came out, the expression on Wen Yuzhai's face changed slightly, and his eyes immediately turned to Xiao Wuji.
As for Xiao Wuji, although his "smile" is frozen, his eyes and face can also move. After listening, he looked obviously hesitant, and then seemed to have made up his mind. As if determined, he glanced around Sun, Huang, and Jiang, and then said: "Hmph...it doesn't hurt to tell you." He paused for half a second and then continued in an almost disgusted tone, "Yes, my surname is Xiao. My original name is Xiao Xuan, and I am Xiao Zhun’s only son.”
“What the hell?” Shuang Xie had the same reaction when he heard this.
Jiang Muchan's eyes widened even more, digesting this fact in surprise.
"But you don't have to worry...I have severed the father-son relationship with him a long time ago." Xiao Wuji said, "I changed my name and moved away because I don't want to have anything to do with this hypocrite Xiao Zhun. "
"Oh?" Huang Donglai asked, "What happened between you to get to this point?"
After Xiao Wuji heard this question, he turned his head and glanced at Wen Yuzhai., and then said with a sneer: "This is my private matter, I have no comment." He paused, "But I can guarantee... Xiao Zhun can completely do what Brother Wen said just now, or "It's because of him that I can do it."
"I understand." Sun Yixie took over the conversation and turned to look at Wen Yuzhai. "Mr. Wen tried his best to keep Xiao Wuji in front of us last time because he was a key figure in your plan. Even if he did not join the Seven Swords Jue Formation, based on his understanding of Wujian Villa, he would still treat you The plan is of great help..."
"Yes." Wen Yuzhai nodded, "Sun Shaoxia is indeed very smart..." He said and bowed, "Speaking of which, Wen Mou I also want to apologize to you two. When I last met, Wen still had doubts about you, so I didn’t explain the reason clearly to you. Please forgive me.”
"Hey, Mr. Wen, that's a serious statement." Huang Donglai then added, "We wouldn't tell someone we meet for the first time such a big thing. It has nothing to do with whether the other person has a chivalrous name. It's true. The saying goes, "You know people but don't know their hearts."
"That's right." Sun Yixie also agreed.
"Thank you both for your understanding." Wen Yuzhai answered with cupped fists.
"Huh?" Jiang Muchan interrupted at this time, "But Mr. Wen and I... this is the first time we've met each other. Why don't you tell me now?"
"Heh..." Wen Yuzhai smiled, clasped his fists again and replied, "Brother Jiang...you, Brother Sun and Brother Huang, in Jining Prefecture, are taking risks for the sake of the people. Afraid of the power of the palace, and the power to kill demons... This has already made Wen Mou admire him so much that he feels inferior. How can Wen Mou doubt you again?"
"Okay, don't do it. I took the opportunity to flatter others." But Xiao Wuji poured a basin of cold water on him at the right time, and said to Jiang Muchan with a smirk, "Brother Jiang, let me tell you the truth, we want you to come too. Are you willing to make up the numbers in this 'Seven Jue Formation of Swords'?"
"Me?" Jiang Muchan was quite surprised when he heard this, and then he pondered thoughtfully, "This..."
Wen Yuzhai saw that he seemed to be in trouble, and immediately continued: "Brother Jiang, Wen knows that you are walking on the green forest road. This river and lake matter is inherently It has nothing to do with you, and going there is very dangerous and the future is uncertain... Therefore, if you don't want to go, Wen will not force you."
"No, no... Mr. Wen has misunderstood." Cicada said, "Jiang is definitely not a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death. Not to mention that you and Brother Xiao saved my life today. Jiang should repay me; even if it's just about what Xiao Zhun did, I'm willing to do it for him." To prevent him from doing anything...it's just...Jiang is worried that with his martial arts, can he be qualified for one of the 'Seven Skills of Swords'?"
Jiang Muchan's worries are indeed true. Of course, the experience of being "taught" by Eunuch Wei a few days ago was still vivid in his mind. In addition, he also fought against Xiao Wuji... These two confrontations made Jiang Muchan clearly feel that even though his sword skills Strange, unique, but when facing a real master, his internal strength is bound to become a major weakness for him.
"That's true." Xiao Wuji spoke at this time, and he said to Wen Yuzhao, "To be honest, although Jiang Muchan's sword skills are high, his internal strength is too poor. , I myself... my internal strength is not bad, but in terms of moves alone, my sword skills are probably not as powerful as the sword skills I have given up long ago... Are you sure that we can team up with masters like Haicangfeng and Three-Character King? Won't it hold them back?"
"This..." Wen Yuzhai frowned when he heard this, "What you said makes sense, but... within a limited time, It is really difficult to gather seven warriors who are trustworthy, have high enough martial arts skills, and just meet the requirements of 'four swords and three swords'..." At this point, his eyes caught sight of the sword on Huang Donglai's back. "Eh? Brother Huang, you are also a swordsman. I don't know your swordsmanship..."
"Don't ask, he has no swordsmanship." After a second, Huang Donglai still didn't answer, Sun Yi Xie answered for him first.
"Will you die if you stop saying a few words?" Huang Donglai tilted his head at Brother Sun and cursed unhappily. Then he turned back and said to Wen Yuzhao calmly, "He's right, I There is no swordsmanship."
Wen Yuzhai wanted to laugh for some reason, but held it back.
"But...I have an idea." Unexpectedly, Huang Donglai immediately changed the subject.
"Oh? Brother Huang, please tell me." Wen Yuzhai answered.
Brother Huang raised his eyebrows at this time and looked at Xiao Wuji first: "Your sword skills are not very good, then you can let Jiang Muchan, who is better at sword skills, give you some guidance, and you can improve quickly. Are you ready?" He looked at Jiang Muchan again, "Xiao Jiang, your problem will be easier to solve. Isn't it because your internal strength is not good? Let Brother Sun teach you a way to ensure that you will make rapid progress in a short period of time. "Fei Chong..."
"Stop!" Sun Yixie quickly interrupted him, "Should I teach a Maoist? I need someone who doesn't know any internal skills to practice from scratch. Otherwise, people will die, have you forgotten?"
"We can abolish his martial arts," Huang Donglai said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Since his internal strength is already very poor, let him use his internal strength first. I will lose them all to you, and then I will cut off his meridians and let him practice your 'Reverse the Universe' technique from scratch. In this way, he will be able to surpass his original cultivation level in a few days. The moves cannot be abolished anyway, so why are you panicking? "
"What a heck, why don't we just let him learn your 'Wu Qigong' style?" Sun Yixie asked in return, "Is your style any better than mine? Ah, and he can practice it directly."
"No, my martial arts belongs to the sect, and I don't dare to spread it casually." Huang Donglai said.
"Nonsense, my martial arts is still passed down from my family, and he is not my son, so I can pass it on?" Sun Yixie said, "Besides... doesn't everything in your sect depend on 'chance'? Isn’t this what it is now? Have you ever heard of ‘The Tao of Thieves’? These four words have already closely connected you. You can’t explain it, right?”
"Yi Youdao" is this what his mother meant? "Huang Donglai said.
"On the other hand, for a person like you, is it okay to say that you are a thief in the Tao? "Sun Yixie argued forcefully.
These two guys just talked to each other like this, talking about cross talk very naturally. They talked about abolishing martial arts, cutting off people's meridians, saying that people are sons... In any case, the other three were dumbfounded and could not get in even if they wanted to get in.
Anyway... After a while of arguing, Huang Donglai finally relented; after these few days of contact. , the two of them had already figured out Jiang Muchan's character, so they thought it would be okay to teach him some "Wuqi Kung". If something went wrong in the future, they would go to the Xuanqi Sect and hire someone to "clean up the house". ".
As for Xiao Wuji, he is thick-skinned now, and he doesn't mind asking Jiang Muchan for advice on sword skills, and Jiang Muchan agrees with this.
After the few people agreed on this, they assumed that the "one sword and three swords" in the "four swords and three swords" were stable. Wen Yuzhao was very happy to receive such help from Shuangxie.
However, there is really not much time left for them; according to Wen Yuzhai's information, the creation of the "Blood Sword Fetus" is now in progress (the creation cycle is up to forty-nine days), and the birth of the fetus Within seven days, Xiao Zhun must kill 7,749 swordsmen with this object to achieve "The Sword Demon Comes to the World". In other words, Xiao Zhun must take action in more than a month at most.
In this month, in addition to solving Jiang Muchan and Xiao Wuji's shortcomings in martial arts, they still have three swords to find, which is not an easy task.
Of course, In terms of "swordsman", Shuangxi already has a very reliable candidate in mind.
"Mr. Wen, if you have no direction, how about we recommend someone? "While everyone was talking about this, Sun Yixie mentioned this.
"Oh? May I ask who it is? Wen Yuzhan asked.
Jiang Muchan and Xiao Wuji also looked at Sun Yixie with expectant eyes, wondering who the person recommended by this "Dong Xie" would be. .
The next second, Sun Yixie and Huang Donglai looked at each other. Without communicating with each other, they both turned to look at the crowd and said in unison: "Lin Yuancheng. "
"What? "Hearing this name, Wen Yuzhai's face actually showed a bit of surprise, "The two of you are talking about the gangster who single-handedly selected ten masters at the 'Yomeng Tower' in the capital a few days ago. Yuan Shen Sword'Lin Yuancheng Lin Shaoxia? ”
When these words were said, both Sun and Huang were stunned.
They were either on the road or busy dealing with others, and they did not explore the world much. News, so when they heard what Yuzhai said, they were a little overwhelmed.
"Oh? Sun Yixie said with a crooked face at that time, "It's been a while since we last seen each other, and this kid has already caused such a big stir in the capital?" ”
“Cuna, this nickname of ‘Hunyuan Divine Sword’ has something to it. It sounds much more awesome than ‘Eastern Harmony and Western Poison’.. "Huang Donglai said with an unhappy look.
Wen Yuzhai didn't know why these two were so scolding, but judging by their tone, they seemed to be quite familiar with Lin Yuancheng: "So Say...are you two talking about him? ”
“That is. Sun Yixie said proudly, "Xiao Lin is our brother... Since you know his whereabouts now, it's better. Ask Brother Huang to write a letter, and he will be there in a minute." "
Wen Yuzhai didn't understand what "minutes" meant, but he understood the general meaning of the other party. He said excitedly: "Okay! If Lin Shaoxia is willing to come, then the second sword will be decided! "
At this point, the "Seven Skills of Swords" have been selected for five people.
At this time, Wen Yuzhai did not expect that when he later led the team to break into the Wujian Villa, There are still only five people in this lineup...
Because there is one more person who will not be encountered until they arrive at Wujian Villa.
What do you mean, even if there is one more person? One person, or just three swords and three swords, is it still not enough?
Then you are wrong.
Six people can still make up the "four swords and three swords". Because there is one person among them... After a month, he has mastered the skill of using a sword with his left hand and a sword with his right hand.
And that person, without a doubt, is Xiao Wuji. .