The snow had stopped for a few days, and the air in the city of Vaud was chilly. The streets and houses were black, white, and gray. Under the eaves on both sides of the road, people wearing sleeves squatted there, watching the passersby come and go. White mist came out from people's noses. Not many people spoke loudly, and the occasional glances on the road were mostly filled with anxiety and fear.
Some people had already packed up their horses and carriages and were ready to leave. Under a tree in front of the road, a child was crying. In the opposite door, the other children waving at him were also crying. Young lovers who did not know what the future would be met in the narrow alley. Most of the merchants had closed their doors, and the martial artists of the Lulin Forest were in a hurry, going somewhere to help.
This was a scene of chaos. Shi Jin had first seen it more than ten years ago, and now he felt even more emotional. This feeling made people feel disappointed in this world, but it also made people feel something they could not let go of. Along the way to the temple of the Great Radiant Sect's branch altar, the noise started. Inside were the shouts of the guardian monk soldiers practicing martial arts, and outside were the monks preaching and the believers that crowded half the street. Everyone was seeking the blessings of Bodhisattva.
Shi Jin, who was wearing a cotton-padded jacket, looked like a farmer from the countryside, but the long bundle on his back gave some hints of being a man of the Lulin Forest. He walked towards the direction of the back door. Halfway through, a well-dressed man with a dignified appearance came to greet him, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully. "The Dragon King has arrived. Please come in."
Shi Jin just walked in silently.
The monk soldiers who were practicing martial arts in front of the temple made loud noises, but that was just a show for the ignorant commoners to see. At this time, those who gathered behind the temple were the masters who came with Lin Zongwu. Under the eaves, in the courtyard, regardless of whether they were monks or young men, most of them had sharp eyes. Some of them glanced over, some of them were sparring in the courtyard.
The Jianghu seemed idle, but in fact, there were many rules and ostentation. Lin Zongwu was now the world's number one master, and most of the people gathered under him were heroes of a region. If ordinary people wanted to enter this courtyard, they would have to fight and weigh their options. When facing different people, their attitudes and treatment would also be different.
Compared to scholars who were modest, martial artists were much more straightforward. What they practiced was their craft, and what they sought was face. If they were good at their craft, they would not be able to gain less face, and they would have to earn it back by themselves. However, Shi Jin was no longer in this category. Some people recognized the man who looked like an old farmer and stood respectfully. Some people asked in a low voice and then quietly retreated, watching from a distance. Among them, there were some young people with arrogant eyes, but the middle-aged man didn't dare to act rashly. The more experienced a person was in the world of martial artists, the more timid they became. In truth, it was not that they were timid, but the more they saw, the more they understood, and they would no longer have unrealistic delusions.
After passing through two similar courtyards, Gu Shenwei saw a garden with plum blossoms in it. The water in the pond was not frozen yet, and there was a pavilion on the water. Lin Zongwu came up to him and said, "Dragon King, I had something to attend to just now. Please forgive me for not welcoming you earlier."
"Sect Leader Lin." Shi Jin just cupped his hands slightly.
Shi Jin didn't like Lin Zongwu. This man had a strong desire for power and was unscrupulous in many things. The Great Light Sect only sought to expand and bewitch people, and its disciples and disciples had also done many evil things that were devoid of conscience. But in the eyes of the Lulin Sect, this man was just an ambitious person. He looked generous and kind on the surface, but he also had a sense of propriety when it came to personal matters. Back then, Brother Song Jiang of Liangshan was the same.
At that time, Shi Jin only sought loyalty, and he had also entered Liangshan. Later, as he became more knowledgeable, especially after carefully thinking about Grandmaster Zhou's life, he realized that Liangshan was also a divergent path. But after spending more than ten years in this world where it was hard to distinguish right from wrong, he wouldn't fall out with Lin Zongwu because of such a disgust. As for the competition in Zezhou last year, although he was beaten to the point of vomiting blood by the other party, it was a fair duel, and he was indeed not as skilled as the other party. He was open and aboveboard, so he didn't take it to heart.
After greeting him, Lin Zongwu led Shi Jin to the pavilion in front, where tea had already been brewed. He said something like "Dragon King, it's so difficult to invite you", but when he arrived at the table, he turned around and formally cupped his hands.
"I've heard about Wang Gan. The Dragon King defeated six hundred people with only thirty people and saved the old and the weak in the village. The Dragon King is a true hero. Please accept my respect. "
With his identity as the world's number one, his attitude was so full. If it were other people of the Lulin Sect, they would probably be convinced immediately. However, Shi Jin just looked at him and cupped his hands in return. "I heard that Sect Leader Lin has news about Mu Anping, so I came for that. I hope that Sect Leader Lin will be generous enough to tell me."
"… Take a seat first." Lin Zongwu looked at him for a moment, smiled, and spread out his hands. The two sat down in the pavilion. Lin Zongwu said, "The Eight-armed Dragon King is a compassionate man. Back then, he led Mount Chifeng against Lady Zhenren. He was a great hero that everyone had to give a thumbs-up to. The last time we met was in Zezhou. At that time, I saw that the Dragon King was depressed. I thought it was because of the chaos in Mount Chifeng, but today, I know that the Dragon King is doing it for the suffering of the people in the world."
Listening to his nagging, Shi Jin thought to himself, 'I'm your mother.' He casually replied, "Why do you think so?"
"If it's really for Mount Chifeng, the Dragon King can just lead the people back. Why did you have to wander around Vaud for a year? I heard that the Dragon King was originally looking for Mu Anping, but then he couldn't help but come and go because of the Lady Zhenren. Now the Dragon King has a deathly look on his face. It's the sign of someone who hates the world and wants to die. The monk must be rambling, and the Dragon King must be thinking, 'What kind of bullshit is this …' "
Lin Zongwu smiled amiably and pushed a cup of tea over. Shi Jin held the cup and thought for a moment. "I'm here for that Mu Anping. If Cult Master Lin has any news about this child, please tell me."
Lin Zongwu nodded. "I also have some doubts about this child and would like to consult the Dragon King. At the beginning of July, due to some matters, I came to Vaud. At that time, Master Tian of Weishan Hall held a banquet to entertain me. On the night of the third day of the seventh month, something happened … "
The weather was cold, and steam rose from the hot tea in the pavilion. Lin Zongwu's expression was solemn as he talked about the great battle that had taken place that night. It started mysteriously and ended mysteriously in the end.
"… Walking in the pugilistic world, there are times when you're muddle-headed and get implicated by some matters. Speaking of which, it's a joke … Later on, I started investigating in secret. After some time, I found out the ins and outs of the matter. The constable named Mu Yi had his wife killed and his child kidnapped. He was hysterical, and the monk had nowhere to retreat to. Tian Weishan deserved to die, and that Tan Lu deserved to be killed the most. “
Lin Zongwu paused. "A few days ago, I found out that Mu Yi and the Dragon King were old friends. During this period, I heard that a great expert had been delivering messages for the Jurchens south. Later on, he died in battle in the Yamping Barracks. Although it was said that he had barged into the barracks, this person had the skills of a grandmaster. Most likely, he was seeking death. Later on, it was confirmed that this person was Constable Mu. He probably didn't want to live because of his wife and child … "
As he said this, he reached out to pour a cup of tea and looked at the steam on the tea. "Dragon King, I wonder what the background of this Mu Yi is."
"… He's already dead," Shi Jin said. "Even if Sect Leader Lin knows, what's the use?"
Lin Zongwu smiled with a complicated look on his face. "I'm afraid that the Dragon King has misunderstood something. This competition is a bit confusing, but I've told others that I'm the best in the world in kung fu, so I don't necessarily have to go after the competition. It's just that … What does the Dragon King think that I seek in this life? "
Shi Jin quietly drank a cup of tea. "I admire Sect Leader Lin's martial arts skills."
"Yeah." Lin Zongwu smiled bitterly. He paused for a while and said, "I'm fifty-eight years old this year. I like to boast in front of others, but I'll be looked down upon by the Dragon King if I say the same thing in front of him. A monk's life was filled with impure desires, but what he desired the most was the reputation of being the best in the world in martial arts. “
The huge monk drank a mouthful of tea and said, "When I was young, I thought I was strong in martial arts. However, Fang La, Fang Qifo, Liu Dabiao, and the others were all geniuses. In the north, there was Zhou Dong who presided over the Imperial Fist Dojo and was invincible. The Holy Cult was usurped by Fang La, I had no choice but to go into hiding with my Shijie and Shidi. By the time my martial art skill reached the peak, Liu Dabiao was already dead. Fang La and the Seven Buddhas fought for supremacy over the world, but they were defeated in Hangzhou. When I regrouped, I had always wanted to challenge Grandmaster Zhou, the number one martial artist in the world, to prove myself. Unfortunately … At that time, Zhou Dong was almost eighty years old. He didn't want to spar with a junior like me. I also felt that even if I found him, what could I do? Even if he defeated him, it would be an unfair victory. Not long after, he stabbed Guhan and died. "
"… From then on, I could no longer compete with him for the title of number one in the world." Lin Zongwu sighed in the pavilion. After a while, he looked at Shi Jin and said, "I later heard that Grandmaster Zhou stabbed Guhan, and the Dragon King followed him and even received guidance from Grandmaster Zhou. In the Dragon King's opinion, what do you think of Grandmaster Zhou's martial arts skills?"
Shi Jin looked at him and said, "You are no match for Grandmaster Zhou."
Lin Zongwu clapped his hands and nodded. "I think so. Now, looking back at the glory of the predecessors, I yearn for it. It's a pity that I couldn't meet him when I was alive. This is one of the biggest regrets in my life. "
He sighed and stood up from his seat, looking at the eaves and the sky not far away.
"If it were before, I wouldn't have been willing to admit it," he said. "But in July, Mu Yi's spear skills have amazed me. In Mu Yi's spear technique, there are traces of Grandmaster Zhou's spear technique, so since then, I have been inquiring about this person. Brother Shi, the deceased is gone, but I can still remember him in my heart. This person's martial arts skills are so high, he is definitely not a nobody. Please tell me his identity, Dragon King, so that I can answer a question in my heart. "
Shi Jin looked at him for a long time and then said, "This person is my elder brother in Liangshan, one of Grandmaster Zhou's disciples in the Imperial Boxing Club, 'Leopard Head' Lin Chong, who once served as the instructor of the 800,000 imperial guards. My elder brother was originally a good family, but later he was killed by the villain Gao Qiu. His family was destroyed, and he was forced to Liangshan …"
The cold wind outside sobbed through the courtyard. Shi Jin told the story of Brother Lin's life from the beginning. He was forced to Liangshan, and then Liangshan was destroyed. He reunited with Zhou Dong and was expelled from the sect. Later, he lived in seclusion for those years and had a family, but the family was destroyed again … These days, he was worried about many things and could not sleep at night. At this time, his eyes were bloodshot. When he talked about Lin Chong, the redness in his eyes was not clear whether it was blood or tears.
"The world is heartless." Lin Zongwu listened to these things, nodded slightly, and then let out a sigh. In this way, he knew where the madness and determination of Lin Chong's spear technique came from. After Shi Jin finished saying everything, the courtyard was quiet for a long time before Shi Jin said again, "I'm not sure.
Shi Jin then said, "Now that Brother Lin is dead, the only flesh and blood he left in this world is Anping. Grandmaster Lin summoned me here, saying that there's news of a child. If it's not to make fun of me, I'll thank you."
Lin Zongwu looked at him and fell silent for a moment, as if he was making an important decision. A moment later, he said, "Brother Shi is looking for Mu Anping's whereabouts, and I'm also looking for the ins and outs of this matter. It's just that it's been a long time since this happened, and Tan Lu … hasn't been found. "However, the Qi Clan's young master who committed the crime has been captured recently. I got people to detain him, and he's now locked up in a private prison in Wo State City."
He took out a token and pushed it toward Shi Jin. "The number one martial arts dojo at the entrance of Huangmu Alley, Rong Clan. Brother Shi, you can go and get him later. However … I've asked, and he probably doesn't know Tan Lu's whereabouts. "
"That's enough. Thank you, Sect Master Lin …" Shi Jin's voice was very soft. He took the token. Although he was still sitting like before, the killing intent and viciousness in his eyes had accumulated. Lin Zongwu pushed a cup of tea toward him. "Is the Dragon King willing to listen to a few words from me?"
"Sect Master, feel free to speak."
"Brother Shi, you can't let go of the people in this world." Lin Zongwu smiled. "Even if your heart is filled with Mu Anping's whereabouts, you still can't let go of the perilous situation of the Jurchen coming south. "The monk … isn't a good person. He has many desires in his heart, including the desire for power and fame. But overall, the Dragon King, our Great Radiant Sect has a clear conscience in doing things. "Ten years ago, I've raised troops to fight against the Jin Dynasty. All these years, the Great Radiant Sect has also been taking on the responsibility of fighting against the Jin Dynasty. "Now that the Jurchen is coming, it'll be hard to defend Wo State. The monk is going to fight against the Jurchen. Brother Shi, you should know this as well. Once the situation becomes dangerous, you'll definitely go up to the city walls of Wo State. "Brother Shi is good at commanding troops. You only used over 30 brothers to kill 600 of Wanggan's men … I've asked Brother Shi to come over because of this."
He said, "Over ten years ago, I learned that Grandmaster Zhou had died after assassinating Zihan. I knew that I would no longer be able to compete with him for the title of the world's top expert. "At that time, I established the Great Radiant Sect and had hundreds of thousands of followers. If I were to assassinate Zihan and die for a righteous cause, I would inevitably be laughed at by the world. "Therefore, I led my followers to the north. It's a pity that there are too many experts in the underworld, but too few people who know the art of war. "Brother Shi, the world is heartless, and the people of the world are suffering. But if you want to change everything, the martial arts of one or two people are useless. “
"I know that the chaos in the Crimson Peak Mountain has caused Brother Shi to have many doubts. However, for the sake of peace for the younger generation, you can only endure the big and small matters … I'm thinking that if Brother Shi has the time, can you come to my Great Radiant Sect and help to discipline these subordinates? If we fight against the Jin Dynasty, you and I can fight side by side. If Brother Shi has other plans in the future, whether it's to roam the world alone or to take back the Crimson Peak Mountain, I guarantee that I won't force you to stay. We will forever be brothers."
After saying this, he poured some tea for Shi Jin. Shi Jin was silent for a long time before he nodded and stood up. He cupped his hands and said, "Let me think about it."
"Of course." Lin Zongwu stood up, spread out his hands, and smiled. Shi Jin expressed his thanks again. Lin Zongwu said, "Although our Great Radiant Sect has a mix of good and bad people, we have a lot of people after all. I'm still getting people to find out about Tan Road's news. Once there are any results in the future, I'll definitely inform Brother Shi at once."
As he said this, he sent Shi Jin out of the courtyard. When he returned, he sighed softly. Wang Nantuo was already waiting here. "I didn't expect that person to be Zhou Dong's disciple. After experiencing such evil things, it's no wonder that he would risk his life whenever he sees someone. "His family has been torn apart, so it's not wrong for me to lose."
In the great battle in July, Wang Nantuo had lost an arm and was almost killed by Lin Chong on the spot. It was just that he usually didn't differentiate between good and evil. Now that he was involved in such a bullsh * t matter, even though his martial arts had deteriorated greatly, his attitude was still considered a hoodlum.
"It's a pity that this Dragon King has a grudge against the way my sect does things and isn't willing to be recruited by me."
"In that case, why didn't Senior Martial Brother tell him that Mu Anping was saved by you? Shi Jin would definitely be extremely grateful that we saved Lin Chong's only child. At that time, it wouldn't be easy for him to reject us when we bring up the matter of him joining the sect. "
However, Lin Zongwu shook his head. "Shi Jin is different from others. For the sake of righteousness, he'd rather die in glory than live in dishonor. Even if I hand the child over to him, he'll only return the favor in private and won't join the sect. What I want is his ability to lead troops. I want him to submit to me wholeheartedly. What's the use of him giving me his life in private? "
The fat monk paused for a moment. "For the sake of righteousness, it's best to fight in a place of righteousness. Once the war breaks out in the Northern Lands, Shi Jin won't be able to leave. With our friendship on the battlefield, it'll be much easier to talk about these things. "Let's settle things first and then let him see the child. Only then will we truly win his heart … If he's around, the tens of thousands of people on the Crimson Peak Mountain will also be an elite troop. At that time, he'll want to take it back. "
Wang Nantuo nodded and then said, "But at that time, when the two of them meet, won't Shi Jin know that you've lied to him when the child says it?"
"I've already decided to take Mu Anping as my disciple. The Dragon King will think it through." Lin Zongwu put his hands behind his back and smiled faintly. "Zhou Dong, oh Zhou Dong. I've never had the fate to meet him. Among his successors, Fu Lu has obtained the true teachings and is probably guarding Zhou Dong's grave. I'm guessing that it'll be very difficult to find him. Yue Peng raised General Yue … He's busy with military affairs and can't verify the martial path with me anymore. I'll take this disciple and give him the true teachings. In the future, when his name shakes the world, my fate with Zhou Dong will be complete. "
At this point, he nodded. "… I've explained everything."
After a moment of silence, Lin Zongwu walked to the tea table in the pavilion and turned his head to ask, "That's right, how's Yan Chuxiang?"
"He Yun just returned from Gaizhou. He's not doing too well." Wang Nantuo hesitated for a moment. "Yan Chuxiang and the Gaizhou branch have probably leaned towards that woman."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zongwu's expression became even more ferocious. With a 'peng' sound, the pillar of the pavilion to the side flew into the air. Lin Zongwu had casually punched the stone pillar, and a hole the size of a bowl appeared on the pillar.
Last year, during the internal strife in Prince Jin's territory, Lin Zongwu had taken the opportunity to make a deal with Lou Shuwan, negotiating for the right to preach to the Great Radiant Cult. At the same time, he had molded Lou Shuwan into the Descending Mysterious Maiden, sharing the influence in Prince Jin's territory with her. Who knew that after more than a year had passed, that woman who looked like a lunatic had formed alliances and improved the methods of bewitching people's hearts. Now, she had managed to rope in more than half of the Great Radiant Cult's influence. Many of the followers of the Great Radiant Cult outside of Prince Jin's territory knew that the Descending Mysterious Maiden was a good leader and did not have to worry about their livelihood if they followed her. It was only then that Lin Zongwu realized the dangers of the world. The power struggle in the grand scheme of things was much more dangerous than the conflicts in the pugilistic world.
However, the foundation of the Great Radiant Sect was not small. Even though Lin Zongwu had experienced many ups and downs in his life, he would not fall because of these things. Seeing that Prince Jin began to resist the gold and Tian Shi personally led the army, Lin Zongwu also understood that in this troubled world, it was not enough to rely on weak and incompetent incitement. He came to the State of Vaud and sent messages to Shi Jin several times in order to recruit soldiers and buy horses, so that he could make a name for himself.
When he heard that Yan Chuxiang from the Gai Prefecture branch had sided with Lou Shuwan, Lin Zongwu's anger flared. It took him a while to calm himself down. It was not even noon yet. The courtyard was blanketed in white snow, and the sky was as clear as if it had been washed. However, someone could be heard rushing in from the outside. When he arrived in front of Lin Zongwu, he was already stuttering.
"Re-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-report, the Female Zhen army … the Female Zhen army … has come …"
"Say what? “
"Female Enlightened Master … Arcane Master, Arcane Master, Arcane Master, Arcane Master, Arcane Master, Arcane Master, and Arcane Master appeared fifteen kilometers north of Ozhou City. The number … the number is unknown. It's said that it's no less than fifty thousand …" The messenger added with a sobbing tone. "No less than fifty thousand …"
Lin Zongwu stood there in a daze.
At this moment, the monk soldiers were still practicing in high spirits. On the streets of the city, Shi Jin was quickly passing through the crowd, heading in the direction of the Rong Clan Martial Arts Club. Not long after, he heard the sound of warning bells and gongs.
War had broken out. In this great battle on the West Road of the Central Plains, Wang Juyun and Tian Shi had mobilized a million troops and sent them north one after another. In the four conflicts that had already broken out, the two forces that had lost consecutively attempted to trap the Female Zhenrens in the wilderness near the Taiyuan Ruins with a huge and chaotic situation. On one hand, they would cut off the supply route, and on the other, they would constantly attack. However, with Zong Han and Xi Yin's methods, how could they possibly follow the enemy's plans?
On the 23rd of the tenth month, Shu Lie's vanguard army appeared 30 kilometers outside the City of the State of Vaud. Initial reports said that there were no less than 50,000 people, but in reality, there were more than 32,000 people. On the morning of the 25th, the army arrived at the State of Vaud and completed their formation outside the city. Zong Han's saber also slashed towards Tian Shi's back. At this time, Tian Shi's personal vanguard army, excluding those that had retreated to the south these days, still had more than 400,000 people. They were divided into three large legions, the nearest one was still a hundred kilometers away from the State of Vaud.
Just like ten years ago, Shi Jin climbed the city wall and participated in the defense of the city. Before the arrival of the bloody moment, Shi Jin looked back at the white city. No matter when, he would never be able to let go of this suffering world. This emotion was like a blessing, but also like a curse. He held the octagonal copper rod with both hands, and what he saw in his eyes, was still Zhou Dong's figure.
That's right, from the beginning to the end, he was looking at the old man's back as he moved forward, because the back was so high-spirited, once he saw it once, he would never forget it for the rest of his life.
At the beginning of the battle in the State of Vaud in the north, near Xuzhou to the south of the Yellow River, there was a strange smoke signal rising into the sky.
At the same time, in the direction of the east, a troop of more than a million 'hungry ghosts' was gradually gathering in the direction of Xuzhou City. The leader of this troop was the initiator of the 'hungry ghosts', Wang Shitong …
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