Every morning, the monks of White Horse Temple and the imperial army would hold a match against each other. In the afternoon, they would train separately.
For the monks of the White Horse Temple, competing against such a strong team was definitely a process of rapid improvement. Almost every time a match ended, they could learn something or comprehend something from it. These experiences might not be immediately transformed into substantial improvement, but they would be remembered in your mind and be digested and absorbed. At that time, your strength would be greatly improved.
For the imperial army experts such as Xue Na and Di Guangyuan, the matches against the monks of White Horse Temple were not completely useless. They were carefully selected from the experts of the imperial army. In the usual internal confrontations, they were clear about the level of other people. However, they were not familiar with Yang Fan and Chu Kuangge.
These two people, one had a rough fighting style, while the other had exquisite techniques. They were the type of people that they were unfamiliar with in the past, so every time they fought, in order to strengthen the confrontation, they would withdraw half of their team members and only send out five people. With five people against ten, they would fight with all their strength. This way, the strength of both sides could more or less be balanced.
These days, Maqiao was almost completely ignored. No one noticed where he was. He had never been the focus of other people's attention. Every day, Maqiao would practice martial arts in the silent pagoda forest. When Yang Fan and the others came down from the court, they would be covered in dirt and sweat. At this time, Maqiao would also come out of the pagoda forest. He was also wet as if he had just been fished out of the water.
There was a mountain spring behind the White Horse Temple. Even though it was a bit cold in autumn, it was still a bit warm at noon. In addition, their bodies were strong, so they didn't feel cold while bathing naked at the edge of the spring.
After a morning of matches, Yang Fan and the others came to the spring in twos and threes to bathe. At this time, Maqiao also came out of the pagoda forest with tired steps.
Yang Fan and Maqiao stood in a water hole to bathe. Yang Fan scooped up half a bucket of water and poured it on his head. Then, he picked up a loofah and rubbed his chest. He said to Maqiao, "I am relieved that you are so hardworking. However, going too far is just as bad as not going far enough. It's enough to practice in the morning. Don't practice in the afternoon and evening. Later, I'll teach you how to train your waist and legs. Come, help me rub my back! "
Maqiao took the melon pulp. Yang Fan leaned against a rock. Maqiao rubbed his back vigorously and said, "Good! After practicing for a few days, I feel that there is indeed something different when I use my saber. I can't explain it clearly. It's not that I've suddenly become much stronger, it's just that I feel … Yeah! In the past, I could only use the strength of my arm when I swung my saber. Now, it seemed as though all the strength of my body could be concentrated in my hand. Not only is his attack powerful, but his speed is also extremely fast. The method you taught is indeed brilliant. I think I'll just concentrate on practicing martial arts. After all, the army is a place where ability is the most important. Even Xue Na, Di Guangyuan, and the others, although they have an amazing father, they also have real ability. Only by training a body full of real ability can they have the opportunity to stand out. "
Yang Fan smiled and said, "That's right. Later, I'll accompany you back to Xiu Wen Workshop and tell Aunty about your plan. Aunty will definitely be very happy when she finds out. It will also save her the trouble of always playing with those little things. Aunty is old and her eyesight isn't good. If you want to marry a wife, it's better to rely on your own ability! "
After Maqiao finished rubbing Yang Fan's back, it was Yang Fan's turn to rub his back. Maqiao leaned against the rock and half-bent his body as he said, "Yeah! I'll listen to you. You have a body full of good ability. It seems that Great General Qiu also appreciates you. In the future, you will definitely have a bright future. Us brothers will join the army together. One day, we will all become great generals, bringing honor to our ancestors and blessing our descendants … "
"Haha, you're right to think that way. Brother Qiao, this is an important opportunity in your life. You must grasp it!"
"What are you talking about? You're laughing so happily."
Chu Kuangge walked over the stream and asked with a smile. Without waiting for them to answer, he said, "Li Da and Wei San have not seen me for many years. They want to invite me out for a drink. Lu Yan and Gao Chu also want to come along. How about it? Do you and Brother Qiao want to come along?"
Yang Fan asked, "Have you decided on a place to go?"
Chu Kuangge said, "The two of them grew up in the army and are not familiar with the restaurants in Luoyang. The places I usually go to are small restaurants. Once we leave the White Horse Temple, we can just look for one. "
Yang Fan said with a smile, "I know a place. The environment is quiet and the food is good."
Chu Kuangge smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll trouble you to lead the way."
Yang Fan patted Maqiao's buttocks and said with a smile, "Don't pout. If you keep rubbing it, the skin will fall off. Quickly put on your clothes and let's go eat!"
Yang Fan washed up and put on his clothes. He carried the wooden bucket and washing utensils back to the White Horse Temple. Before he entered the meditation room, Wang Tongjiao rode a white horse and greeted him with a smile, "Xiao Fan, General Luo, Brother Xue, we're going to the 'Golden Hairpin Drunk' to eat. Do you want to go together?"
Yang Fan had been in contact with them for a few days. He had already discovered that the ten Imperial Army Archery Masters were basically divided into two groups. Luo Kedi, Xue Na, Di Guangyuan, and the other children of the officials were one group. Li Da Yin, Wei Yong, Gao Chu, and Lu Yan were the other group. This group did not mean that the two sides were opposed to each other, but that they would naturally gather together.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Different origins, family backgrounds, and statuses naturally formed a gap between them. Therefore, they formed different social circles.
Yang Fan was startled and replied, "Unfortunately, I've already made an appointment with Brother Kuangge and the others to go out for a drink. If there's a chance, I'll drink with Brother Xue and Brother Wang again."
Wang Tongjiao was slightly surprised. She laughed and said, "Alright, then let's meet up another day. We'll be leaving first!"
At the temple gate, Luo Kedi, Xue Na, and the others were already on their horses. It seemed like they were waiting for him.
Wang Tongjiao whipped her horse and left. Maqiao anxiously said, "You idiot, they invited you with good intentions. Why did you refuse? These people are either the sons of nobles or the disciples of generals and ministers. If you can make friends with them, it will be very beneficial to your future. Why did you … "
Yang Fan lightly said, "Since I've already promised to go out with Brother Chu, how can I break the promise? Let's go and get ready. It's time to go out. "
At this time, Chu Kuangge had already walked out of his residence. He saw the scene of Wang Tongjiao and Yang Fan talking from afar. Immediately after, they spurred their horses and left the White Horse Temple. Chu Kuangge walked over and asked, "What happened to Commandant Wang?"
Maqiao blurted out, "They invited Xiao Fan to go out for a drink, but that idiot refused."
Chu Kuangge was greatly surprised. He looked deeply at Yang Fan and said, "These people are either rich or noble. You really shouldn't have refused. If you could become brothers with them, it would be of great help to your career. We brothers don't need to be outsiders. If you want to drink, won't there be plenty of opportunities? "
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Big Brother Chu, are you trying to talk like that? Don't say anymore. Look, Brother Li and Brother Wei are already ready. Let's go! "
…
In a quiet forest on Guide Lane in the south of Luoyang, the small two-story red building still stood there.
The trees in the forest rustled, and the evergreen trees were also dyed with the color of late autumn. The colors darkened, and as a result, the small red building lost some of its beauty, revealing a bit of desolation.
Usually, this restaurant had very few customers. Only a few frustrated scholars and low-ranking officials with rough official careers would come here to grieve over the hardships of life, recite poems and compose prose to vent their bitter feelings. At this time, the number of customers was even fewer.
When Yang Fan, Chu Tiange, Wei Yong, Li Dayin, Maqiao, and the others rushed over, the small building was empty. There was not a single customer.
The old shopkeeper didn't show any surprise at the sudden arrival of seven guests. It was probably because living in this forest for a long time had made him open-minded and unworldly. He seemed to be indifferent to favors or disgraces.
This was exactly what Yang Fan and the others wanted. Because there had always been very few customers, the tavern did not have enough ingredients and did not have any rich dishes. However, the wine here was still quite good. With a few plates and two jars of wine, the seven of them dominated the two-story building. They drank and talked loudly, very relaxed and happy.
"Big Brother, this first cup of wine, this little brother will first toast you. This little brother has not touched wine for many years, but today … this little brother must break the rule and drink to my heart's content. This little brother, I … "
At this point, Li Dayin's voice suddenly choked up. Two lines of tears flowed down his hairy face.
Chu Kuangge frowned and said unhappily, "Dayin, what are you doing? Don't mention that matter in the future. It is a good thing that we brothers have reunited. If you always talk about this matter, I will feel very uncomfortable. "
Wei Yong hurriedly raised his cup and said, "Dayin, Big Brother Chu is about to return to the Imperial Army. We brothers are going to be together again. This is a happy occasion. Today, let's congratulate Big Brother and treat it as an early welcome. Don't cry about such a happy occasion, it's so unlucky!"
"Good, good, good. Today is Big Brother's happy day. Brother … brother won't say anything else. Let's toast Big Brother!"
Li Dayin raised his cup with tears in his smile and drank it in one gulp with trembling lips.
Chu Kuangge patted him on the shoulder and also raised his cup to drink. The other three each drank a cup.
Wei Yong raised his cup and proposed, "This second cup of wine is for Brother Yang. Brother, after a year, we will be fellow brothers. Master Xue and Commander Qiu think so highly of you. Once you enter the army, your future will be limitless and enviable. You must drink this cup of wine. "
Yang Fan raised his cup with a smile and said, "Third Brother Wei, among us brothers, I am the youngest and the most inexperienced. How can I deserve a toast from you guys? I should be the one toasting you guys. Speaking of Master Xue and Commander Qiu's high regard, hehe, the martial arts in the arena is just a small way to entertain people and is not worth mentioning. But it can't compare to the contributions that you all have made on the battlefield. My brothers are all commoner clans, but to have such a status today, it is all because of your military exploits. This little brother admires you from the bottom of his heart! "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
