One.
February 27th.
Outside Chang 'an, in the wilderness.
There was still some time before daybreak, but the world was still dark.
Outside the light illuminated by dozens of Kongming lanterns, two figures appeared like ghosts following the singing. One was holding a pipa, and the other was playing a flute.
Their figures were hazy and their voices were sad. From the reflection of the lights, one could still tell that they were the blind musician who sang on the first floor of the Chang 'an Restaurant that night. Accompanying him was still the blind little girl who could break anyone's heart at first sight.
Why had they suddenly appeared here? Had someone specifically told them to come here to sing this sad song?
"Hastily combed, light makeup done, green smoke and purple mist shrouded, fluttering in the wind." The spring silkworm had died, but the silk had not yet been exhausted. The candle had died, but the tears had yet to dry.
Zhu Meng's face was full of hot blood and heroism, but it suddenly turned into fluttering threads.
Because he saw another person.
Another person suddenly appeared in the darkness, like the ghost of a butterfly in a dream. Her face was covered with a light veil, and she wore a light gauze dance dress like a cicada.
The dance dress fluttered.
"Meeting is not as good as not seeing each other. Love is like heartlessness. After the song ends, one wakes up. The moon is setting in the courtyard, and the people are quiet. "The dance dress fluttered like a butterfly, and the dancer was also like a butterfly.
Zhu Meng did not cry. Zhu Meng had no more tears. Even his blood seemed to have dried up.
He knew that she was not Dia Wu, but her dance had brought him into the butterfly's dream. It seemed real but not real, like an illusion but not an illusion.
Was it real or illusion?
So what if it was real? So what if it was illusory? Such a short life, such precious feelings, why be so serious?
Let him go! Just let him do whatever he wants! Let him go with the butterfly. It was best.
He knew that anyone could kill him with a sword, but he did not care.
He was ready to give up everything.
But Sima Chaoqun did not let him give up. The singer was still singing, and the dancer was still dancing. Sima Chaoqun suddenly pounced like a cat, wanting to kill the butterfly with his sharp claws.
Not only did the dancer not dodge, but she met it with a very light dance. She first dodged his attack, then suddenly whispered two words in his ear.
No one heard what she said, but everyone saw the change in Sima Chaoqun.
"Same here."
These were the two words she had said, two completely meaningless words.
"Same here."
No matter who heard these two words, they would not have any reaction. But to Sima Chaoqun, These two words were like a bolt of lightning that suddenly struck down from the sky.
At this moment, all of his movements suddenly stopped. His body and limbs suddenly stiffened. His eyes were suddenly filled with shock and fear as he involuntarily retreated step by step.
"Same here."
These two words were like some kind of mysterious curse, instantly sucking away Sima Chaoqun's soul.
Why was it like this?
No one knew who she was, and no one knew where she had come from. Two words that everyone would think were meaningless. How could they cause Sima Chaoqun to become like this?
No one could explain this, but there was another thing that everyone could see.
Sima Chaoqun and Zhu Meng were both finished. Their heads were about to be held in someone's hands in an instant.
The blind, white-haired musician could not see anything, but there was a hint of desolation in his voice.
The world was suddenly filled with murderous intent. Even the lanterns became pale and tragic. They shone on Sima Chaoqun and Zhu Meng's pale faces, and they also shone on Gongsun Baojian's sword-wielding hand.
The sword was about to be unsheathed, and the heads were about to fall.
The tragic lanterns suddenly flashed. Within the flickering lanterns, there seemed to be a flash of light that was even more tragic than the lanterns.
The light flashed and disappeared. A sword pierced through his chest.
Gongsun Baojian's sword had not even been unsheathed when he was nailed to the ground by a sword.
This sword did not suddenly fly over from the sky. It was a person flying over to stab him.
But this person and this sword came too quickly. It was as if the person and the sword had become one.
Did this person fly over to stab him? Or did this person fly over on this sword?
No one could tell, and no one could see clearly.
But everyone could see this person very clearly.
At a glance, this person looked like Sima Chaoqun when he was young. He was handsome, tall, elegant, and had a mighty aura. He wore clothes that fit him well, were made of noble materials, and were brightly colored. His bright eyes were filled with confidence.
At a glance, almost no one could recognize that he was the nameless swordsman Gao Jianfei who had fallen into the martial world.
Two
The music stopped, and the dance stopped. The dancers crouched on the ground, as if they no longer dared to raise their heads to watch this bloody murder.
Xiao Gao pulled out his sword. There was not a single drop of blood on the sword that was as clear as autumn water. There were only a few tear stains on it.
Gongsun Qi 'er looked at the person and the sword in shock. Although the staff in his hand had assumed the posture of a spear, he did not have the courage to stab it.
Zhu Meng and Sima Chaoqun were still standing there, as if they had not seen anything.
Gongsun Qi 'er suddenly shouted, "Where are they? Are all of you dead? Why aren't you coming over? " Outside the light, a person said in a gentle voice, "You are right this time. Your people are all dead. The lanterns have been replaced by my people." A person wearing luxurious clothes and a marten coat walked out of the darkness with his hands clasped behind his back. His gait was calm and elegant, and no one could tell that he was a cripple.
Gongsun Qi 'er's face changed. "Zhuo Dong Lai, it's you."
"It's me, of course it's me."
Zhuo Dong Lai leisurely said, "Only I will deal with you the way you deal with others. How Zhu Meng's people died, your people will die. How you kill people, I will kill you." He smiled. "You should know that I have always been fair." Gongsun Qi 'er's body suddenly slid forward, and his staff stabbed toward Zhuo Dong Lai's eyes with the Phoenix Style.
As the staff flew forward, the staff left his hand, and his body flipped backward. With a somersault in the air, he was out of the light, and was about to disappear into the darkness.
This kind of reflexes and adaptability were the essence of his life's experience, martial arts, and wisdom.
Unfortunately, he was still a bit too slow.
As his body flipped, he saw a dazzling sword light fly up like a rainbow, and suddenly appeared in front of him. The cold sword light was so piercing that he could not open his eyes.
By the time he could open his eyes, he could no longer see the sword light. He could only see the hilt of a sword, as if it had suddenly grown out of his body. It was growing out of his chest.
Even as his body fell to the ground like a rock, he was still looking at the hilt of the sword. His eyes were filled with shock and fear, as if he did not understand why a hilt of a sword had suddenly appeared in his chest.
But he knew where the blade of the sword was.
The blade of the sword had already sunk into his chest.
The sword had left his hand, and it had been a fatal strike.
"What a fast sword! What a fast attack!" Zhuo Dong Lai bowed respectfully to Xiao Gao. "The power of this sword is enough to command the Great Escort Agency." "Command the Great Escort Agency?"
Zhu Meng seemed to wake up from a dream. He slowly turned around and looked at Xiao Gao with eyes that looked as if they were about to split open.
"Now you command the Great Escort Agency?"
Xiao Gao said nothing.
"Good. Very good, Gao Jianfei." Zhu Meng laughed. "Now you really are flying." His laughter was like the tearing of silk.
"If you're here to take my head, then go ahead and take it." Zhu Meng laughed hoarsely. "I've wanted to give it to someone for a long time. Giving it to you is better than giving it to someone else." Xiao Gao did not laugh, nor did he react. In the short span of a few days, he had trained himself to be like a rock. His face was completely expressionless. "Why haven't you come?
What are you waiting for? "" I'm not in a hurry, so why are you in a hurry? "Xiao Gao said coolly." I'm willing to wait, so you should be able to wait. "He suddenly turned to face Sima Chaoqun." You should know what I'm waiting for. "After a long time, Sima Chaoqun slowly raised his head, as if he were looking at him for the first time. It was as if he had completely forgotten everything that had happened in the past.
After a long time, he spoke in a very strange voice to Xiao Gao.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Waiting to settle an old score between us."
"Good. Very good." Sima Qiqun's voice seemed to contain an indescribable sorrow. "It really is time to settle accounts. What people owe me, and what I owe others, it's time to settle them." "Given your current situation, I shouldn't have forced you to act." Gao Jianfei coldly said, "But last time you defeated me, my situation wasn't much better." Sima Chaoqun laughed.
"I don't blame you at all, so why do you have to say so much?"
"Wait a minute."
Zhu Meng suddenly shouted. "Have you already forgotten our agreement?" Sima Chaoqun's face darkened.
"You'd better get out of here. This is a matter between me and Gao Jianfei. If anyone interferes, I'll die." Zhuo Donglai sighed.
"A hero may be at the end of his road, but he is still a hero." "Hall Master Zhu, you are a hero as well. You should know what he is thinking. Why do you want to destroy his illustrious reputation?" He didn't even look at Zhu Meng. He walked over and pulled out the sword from Gongsun Qi 'er's chest.
There was no blood on the sword, only a tear stain.
Zhuo Donglai used the thumb and forefinger of his left hand to pinch the tip of the sword. He held the hilt out toward Gao Jianfei.
"This is your sword."
Xiao Gao didn't reach out to take the sword.
"I know this is my sword, but I also know he doesn't have a sword." "He doesn't have one, but you do."
Xiao Gao laughed.
"That's right. He doesn't, but I do. That's how things are." Zhuo Donglai said coolly. "So many things are like that in this world." "I understand," said Xiao Gao. "I understand what you mean." He reached out his hand.
He reached out his hand, and his hand closed around the hilt of the sword.
But in that moment, the smile on his face disappeared, and his eyes filled with killing intent.
In that instant, he stabbed out with his sword.
The tip of the sword was less than a foot away from Zhuo Donglai's chest. It was aimed at his heart. He used only two fingers to hold the sword, and he handed the hilt to someone else.
No one could make a mistake like this. Anyone who did would die under the sword of another.
Zhuo Donglai was no exception.
Under such circumstances, he didn't have any leeway to defend or parry at all.
Gao Jianfei had been waiting for such an opportunity all along.
His eyes were fixed on Zhuo Donglai's face. Because everything he did was to wait for this moment.
The moment the sword pierced Zhuo Donglai's heart.
What kind of expression would he have on his face in that instant?
There was no expression on Zhuo Donglai's face.
Because everything was within his expectations, when the sword pierced towards him, his body had already retreated.
The sword didn't stop. It continued to thrust forward.
He retreated again.
He had used all the power he could muster, and it didn't stop.
He retreated again.
The tip of the sword was still held between his two fingers. It was still at the same distance from his chest.
Xiao Gao stopped.
When he stopped, his clothes were soaked through.
Zhuo Donglai looked at him coldly. In a voice that was both warm and cold, he said, "You have worked hard this time." Zhuo Donglai said, "In order to wait for an opportunity like this, you have spent a lot of effort. You have done very well. I should have let you kill me." There was no hint of mockery in his voice, because he was merely stating the truth.
"But I want you to know that killing someone like me is not an easy task. I can't let you do it easily." Zhuo Donglai said, "Even if you kill me, it won't do you any good." Gao Jianfei was listening.
He just listened.
At this moment, everyone was listening to Zhuo Dong Lai. Aside from him, what else could they say?
He suddenly said something that shocked everyone.
"If you kill me, you're dead," Zhuo Donglai said to Xiao Gao. Zhuo Dong Lai said to Xiao Gao, "If your sword had pierced my chest, you would have died. You would have died even faster than I did." Zhuo Dong Lai rarely lied, but this time, it was hard to believe what he had just told them.
Xiao Gao couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying that if I had stabbed you, I would have died faster than you?" "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I know that there are at least five types of projectiles in the world that can kill a person in an instant." Zhuo Donglai said, "There are at least three people in the world of martial artists who can use such projectiles." "Oh?"
"Most importantly, I know that one of those three people is already here, and has already used one of those five projectiles to aim at your back." Zhuo Donglai said, "If you had stabbed me in the chest, you would have been very happy. You would have been very complacent. Anyone would have been careless, and you would have been no exception." That was the truth.
"Just when you're feeling the happiest and most proud of yourself, you'll suddenly feel as if an insect has bitten you in the back," said Zhuo Dong. "You'll suddenly collapse. When you collapse, your heart will stop beating. At that point, I probably won't be dead yet." Cold sweat was pouring down Xiao Gao's back.
Zhuo Donglai casually said, "But right now, you can relax. I'm not dead yet, so he probably won't dare to make a move. He's just like us, and doesn't want to do anything he's not sure of." "Who is he?"
"If you want to know who he is, you need to understand three things," Zhuo Donglai said to Xiao Gao.
"What are those three things?"
"First, how could the Gongsun brothers have foresight? How could they have known five days ago that something big was about to happen in the escort agency, and how could they have rushed here?" Zhuo Donglai said, "Second, where did this veiled dancer come from? Sima Chaoqun was going to kill her for Zhu Meng, so why did he retreat after hearing her say two words? And why did he seem like a completely different person? "Xiao Gao couldn't understand either of those things.
Zhuo Donglai reminded him, "Actually, those two things can be considered the same thing! It's like a room with two doors, but you only need one key to open them. "Xiao Gao laughed bitterly." Unfortunately, I don't have that key. I don't know where to look for it. "" Keys are usually found on the bodies of living people. When people are dead, they don't need keys. " Zhuo Donglai coolly said, "But if you want to find the key, you might as well look for it on the body of a dead person." "Who is this dead person?"
"The Gongsun brothers can't foresee the future," Zhuo Donglai said. "They were able to rush here in time because someone wanted them to." Zhuo Donglai asked, "But who could predict five days ago that my thirty year friendship with Sima Chaoqun would be destroyed in the blink of an eye?" He answered the question himself. "Only one person." Zhuo Donglai said, "I had a falling out with Sima Chaoqun because of this person." "This person is a dead person?"
"Yes, it should be a dead person," Zhuo Donglai said. "She knew that after she died, Sima Chaoqun wouldn't let me go. She must have laid a poisonous knife between us while she was still alive." Xiao Gao's eyes suddenly shone, and he asked Zhuo Donglai, "Can a woman disguise herself as herself?
"Can a woman disguise another woman as herself? Can she deceive her husband?" "If she's alive, of course she can't deceive him," said Zhuo Dong. "But if she's been dead for a few days, the situation is different." He said, "When a person has been dead for a few days, their muscles will be twisted and stiff, and their appearance will change. If she was hanged to death, the change would be even greater. It would be even more terrifying. No matter who it is, she would be able to fool them." Xiao Gao sighed. "When a person returns home and finds out that their wife and children are dead, they wouldn't be able to see things clearly." Zhuo Donglai asked, one word at a time, "If he suddenly finds out that his wife isn't dead, what would he do?" "At that point, he would suddenly become like a different person." Xiao Gao sighed. "Why would he do that? How could a woman have such a heart? How could she do such a thing? " "In this world, there are some people who can do anything. It doesn't matter if they are a man or a woman." Zhuo Donglai said, "You can't figure it out, because you are not that kind of person." "What about you?" Xiao Gao asked Zhuo Donglai. "Are you that kind of person?" "I am."
Three
Sima Chaoqun's pale face was completely devoid of blood. Even Zhu Meng felt bad for him.
The rapturous dancer continued to lie on the ground, as if she hadn't heard what Zhuo Donglai was saying.
Zhuo Donglai looked at her coldly. "Actually, I don't blame you. After all, we are the same kind of person." Zhuo Dong Lai said, "Of course you knew. There are three people in the Great Escort Agency who have always been at odds with me. And only those three can deal with me. So, you've been secretly communicating with them. That's how you were able to find them." Dancer was speechless.
"You did this to protect yourself," Zhuo Donglai said. Zhuo Dong Lai said, "I wouldn't have done anything to you because of that. But you made the wrong move." His voice suddenly changed. Using his unique tone, he said, one word at a time, "No matter what you did, you shouldn't have done this to Sima Chaoqun." From the outside, Zhuo Donglai didn't seem to be a violent or malicious person. But whenever he spoke in such a tone, anyone who heard him would feel their hair stand on end.
The person who understood him the most was Sima Chaoqun.
Every time Sima Chaoqun heard him speak to someone in such a tone, that person was as good as dead.
"You can't touch her."
Sima Chaoqun suddenly leaped forward, using his body to shield the mysterious dancer. In a stern voice, he said, "No matter what she did, I don't blame her. All these years, I've wronged her. Even if I die by her hands, I won't let you touch a single hair on her head." Zhuo Donglai's face suddenly changed. His pupils shrank, and he shouted, "Careful!" His warning was too late.
The dancer on the ground leaped up and shouted, "If you want to die, then die." Amidst the shout, three cold stars shot out toward Sima Chaoqun's back.
Zhuo Donglai used his left foot to knock Sima Chaoqun down, and his right palm to strike Xiao Gao's side. Xiao Gao pulled back the hilt of his sword. Zhuo Donglai used his left hand, which had been holding the tip of the sword the entire time, to pull the hilt into his right hand.
All of these actions were completed in the blink of an eye. It was so fast that it was hard to believe.
But he was one step too late.
Although Sima Chaoqun's body had been knocked down, and two of the three projectiles had missed their target, one of them still managed to hit his arm, just below his left shoulder.
Zhuo Donglai didn't even think about it. He waved his sword, and with a flash of light, Sima Chaoqun's arm was sliced off.
A viper bites the hand, and a warrior cuts the wrist.
Xiao Gao knew that the projectiles were poisoned. If he wanted to stop the poison from spreading, and if he wanted to save Sima Chaoqun's life, this was the only way.
But he still had to ask himself, if he were Zhuo Donglai, would he be able to make the decision in this instant? Would he be able to do it?
The wind of the sword lifted the veil covering the dancer's face, revealing her face.
Wu Wan.
This mysterious dancer really was Wu Wan.
Four.
The severed arm fell to the ground, and blood sprayed everywhere. Sima Chaoqun's body stood there like a javelin, unmoving.
The sword flashed again, heading straight for Wu Wan.
Sima Chaoqun used his unsevered arm to snatch Zhuo Donglai's sword.
"You can't touch her," said Sima Chaoqun, his voice hoarse. "I told you, it doesn't matter if I live or die, you can't touch her." His arm was severed, but his breath was not.
Zhuo Donglai's sword seemed to be suppressed by his energy, and he couldn't strike again.
"Wu Wan. I don't blame you. "Sima Chaoqun said," Just go. "Wu Wan looked at him. She looked at her husband with an expression that no one could describe.
"Yes, I'm leaving," she said softly. "I should be leaving." But she didn't leave.
She suddenly leapt forward and hugged him. She pressed her face against his severed arm, using her face to stop the blood from flowing out of his wound.
Blood flowed down her face, and tears streamed down her face.
"But I've already taken one wrong step in my life. I can't take another wrong step." Wu Wan said, "This time, I won't take another wrong step." She had already chosen the path she wanted to take.
The only path.
The sword in Zhuo Donglai's hand was still there.
Wu Wan suddenly hugged her husband tightly. She threw herself at the tip of the sword. The blade pierced through her back, through her heart, and then into Sima Chaoqun's heart.
This sword was an incomparably sharp treasure sword to begin with.
This sword pierced through two hearts.
"Tong Tong," said Wu Wan, moaning. "Tong Tong, we died at the same time on the same day. We died together." Those were the last words she would say in her life.
"The sword is emotionless. The hero has no tears."
Sima Chaoqun stood there like a javelin. He still had no tears.
Even in death, he did not fall. Even in death, he did not cry.
Five.
The hero's tears turned to jade blood.
There was no blood on the sword, only a tear stain. But now, the mysterious tear stain seemed to have been dyed red by the hero's jade blood.
The sword was still in Zhuo Donglai's hand, and he stared at the tear stain.
He didn't look at Sima Chaoqun, and he didn't look at Wu Wan.
There would not be any tears in his eyes.
But he continued to stare at the tear stain. It was as if he had suddenly discovered that there was a mysterious and evil power in the tear stain, and that all the misfortune was caused by it.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly said, "Of the three people who came today, the one who was truly scary was not the Gongsun brothers. It was the third person." Zhuo Donglai's voice was ice cold.
"This person should not have died, because he was too smart, too powerful. Few people could compare to him in terms of hidden weapons and the art of disguise. If he had just left, perhaps I would have pretended not to know, because I would have needed him in the future." "He hasn't left?"
"He hasn't left," said Han Dong. "Because he knows he has done something wrong. I will not let him go." He suddenly turned around and faced the white-haired blind old musician. Word by word, he said, "Mister Ji, do you really think I can't recognize you?" The white-haired musician stood in the haze between the light and the darkness. The light was hazy, and he was hazy.
The little girl with the braids also stood beside him with the pipa in her arms. There was no sadness or fear on her pale face. It was unknown if it was because she could not see anything or because she was completely numb.
The white-haired musician held the flute in one hand, and supported her shoulder with the other. His face was expressionless.
"Mister Ji," Zhuo Donglai said to him, "Three Stars Steal Life, Two Steps Change Appearance, One Trick Exterminates the Household. Mister Ji, your art of disguise is indeed brilliant, but your methods are even more brilliant." The white-haired musician opened his mouth to speak. He said, "Thank you for the compliment. Thank you, thank you. "" Mister Ji, you asked Wu Wan to perform the Dance of the Butterfly. In a flash, you destroyed the fighting spirit of Hall Leader Zhu and Sima Chaoqun. "Zhuo Donglai said," You did a brilliant job. "" Thank you, thank you. "
"A white-haired musician accompanied his beautiful granddaughter to perform on the streets. No one would pay attention to this blind, white-haired old man. So you disguised yourself as him, and brought his granddaughter here. You used the blind man's song to conceal Wu Wan's dance, and used her dance to attract attention. " Zhuo Donglai said, "No one could distinguish the white-haired musician's appearance, but his flute sound was far superior to yours. Everyone could tell." Zhuo Dong Lai said, "But under the circumstances, no one paid any attention to that." "You're right," Mister Ji admitted. "That's exactly what I was thinking." "Mister Ji, you really are a talent. An incredible talent. I've always admired you." Zhuo Dong Lai's warm and polite voice suddenly changed, and he spoke in his own unique tone of voice. "But you really shouldn't have given your Household Ending Needle to Wu Wan. You made a mistake." Mister Ji sighed. In a voice filled with sorrow and regret, he said, "I admit I was wrong. Even though I never thought Wu Wan would use it against Sima, Sima died because of it. I should have known that Mister Zhuo would blame it on me. " "Maybe you were thinking about taking someone else's life, but you forgot that it was also a weapon you used to protect yourself." Mister Ji admitted.
"No matter what, I shouldn't have given the needle to someone else." He sighed again. In a whisper, he told Zhuo Donglai, "Luckily, I still have a few." His voice was very low, as if he were telling a secret to a close friend.
Zhuo Donglai had to pay close attention to hear.
As he listened, Mister Ji's Household Ending Needles came out. They came out of his sleeves and the flute in his hand. The three tubes of needles were enough to seal off all of Zhuo Donglai's escape routes.
One tube of three needles was enough to take a life, let alone three tubes.
Besides, the needles and the machine were specially designed. They were much faster than most hidden weapons in the world.
But Zhuo Donglai was faster. He didn't dodge, but the sword in his hand drew a dazzling arc. The Sword Qi surged and spun, like a powerful whirlpool suddenly surging out of the muddy water.
The nine cold stars were sucked into the whirlpool. When the sword light disappeared, the three tubes of needles were gone.
Mister Ji's heart sank.
Gao Jianfei was a swordsman, and he couldn't help but praise.
"Good sword skills!"
Zhuo Donglai smiled. "Your sword is also a good sword. Very good." He suddenly turned to Mister Ji.
"Just now when I was talking was a good opportunity. Why didn't you take the opportunity to shoot out your last tube of needles?" Mister Ji's hands were clenched into fists.
"How do you know I have two tubes of needles? You even know how many tubes of needles I have?" "I probably know a little bit about you," said Zhuo Dong. "Probably a little more than you can imagine." Mister Ji sighed again.
"Mister Zhuo, you really are stronger than me. Stronger than anyone else. You deserve to succeed." Sadly, he said, "From now on, I won't betray you." "From now on?" Zhuo Donglai seemed surprised. "Do you really think you have a future?" Mister Ji's face didn't change. A person's face wouldn't change after changing his appearance.
However, his entire appearance had changed. He was like a poisonous snake that had suddenly encountered a red-crowned crane, becoming nervous and contorted.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked Zhuo Donglai. "Anything you want me to do." Zhuo Donglai nodded.
"I don't want you to do anything. I just want you to do the simplest thing." He said, "Something that anyone can do." Mister Ji didn't notice that Zhuo Donglai's pupils had shrunk. "What do you want me to do?" Zhuo Donglai said, one word at a time. "I want you to die."
Sometimes, death really is a simple thing.
Mister Ji died very quickly. Just as the sword in Zhuo Donglai's hand began to glow, he died.
The sword flashed, and then it was stabbing into his throat.
Gao Jianfei couldn't help but say, "Good sword technique. That sword was fast." Zhuo Donglai smiled. "Your sword is a good sword, far better than I imagined. I'm starting to feel a bit reluctant to return it to you."
Zhu Meng didn't move. He was silent.
He wasn't that kind of person. Sima's death would have caused his blood to boil, and he would have raised his arms and cheered.
He didn't move, because Sima's death reminded him of many things. Each of them was like a spear stabbing into his heart.
— Why did Wu Wan do this? Was it revenge? Or was it to protect herself?
When a person did something wrong and blamed someone else for it, they would feel no remorse. Instead, they would be filled with hatred, and would seek revenge on someone else. That was a human's most primitive weakness.
When a person did something wrong, they would harm someone else to protect themselves. That was the same thing.
Selfishness. Even the Sages and Buddhas would find it difficult to overcome this, much less mortals.
But Zhu Meng's thinking was different.
He suddenly realized that Wu Wan must have done this because she loved Sima so deeply that she couldn't help herself.
When love reached this point, and love became this way, the end result would be destruction.
And so, she destroyed herself. Not only did she destroy herself, but she also destroyed the person she loved.
Sima understood this, and so, even in death, he didn't blame her.
What about Dia Wu?
When Zhuo Donglai ordered his subordinates to attack the Lion Hall, why did Dia Wu flee? She would rather be used by Zhuo Donglai to escape?
Did she flee because of "love"? Or did she flee because she didn't love him?
If she loved Zhu Meng as deeply as Wu Wan loved Sima, and thought that Zhu Meng didn't care about her, then of course she would leave.
If she didn't love Zhu Meng, then of course she would leave.
But if she didn't love him, then why did she care about Zhu Meng? Why did she want to die?
If she didn't love, then she hated. If she loved him, then she hated him. There was only a thin line between love and hate.
Was it love or hate? Who would be able to tell the difference? Who would be able to understand such a thing?
Zhu Meng suddenly began to laugh maniacally.
"Sima Chaoqun, it's good that you died. Very good." His laughter was as shrill as the cry of an ape. "You should have died, because you were a hopeless idiot." After he finished laughing, Zhuo Donglai coldly asked, "What about you?"
"I deserved to die more than he did," said Zhu Meng. "I wanted to give my head to someone else, but they didn't want it, and instead wanted me to die by your hands. I can't die willingly." Little Gao suddenly shouted, "You can't die."
He took a step forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Meng. He gripped Zhu Meng's arm and said, "If anyone wants to touch him, they'll have to kill me first." Zhuo Donglai looked at Little Gao as if he were looking at a spoiled child. He was a bit angry, but also full of pity.
"No matter what you did to me, I didn't touch you. When you wanted me dead, I didn't touch you either." Zhuo Donglai said, "I believe you understand what I mean." Little Gao couldn't deny it.
"Of course I understand," he said. "You want to make me into a second Sima Chaoqun." Zhuo Donglai sighed sadly.
"He was the only friend I had in my life. No matter what he did to me, my feelings for him never changed." "I believe you."
"Do you believe that I can kill you at any time?"
"I really can't compare to your martial arts and sword skills. But no one in the world can compare to your scheming." Gao Jianfei said, "You just said that Mister Ji is an amazing person. But the truly amazing person isn't him, it's you. Nobody can't admire you." He stared at Zhuo Donglai, and then, using Zhuo Donglai's unique voice, said, "Even if you killed me, it would be useless. Even if I died, I wouldn't let you touch Zhu Meng." "Besides, I still have energy. As long as I have energy, you won't necessarily be able to defeat me." Energy?
What kind of energy is this? Is it righteousness? Is it chivalry? Is it courage? Is it loyalty? Or was it a combination of these Qis and the blood of a man mixed together into a blood Qi?
Zhuo Donglai's pupils shrank.
"I can't deny that you have energy," he said. "But where is your sword?" "It's in your hand."
"It's in my hand, so it's mine." "Do you have another sword?" "No."
Zhuo Donglai laughed. "You don't have one, but I do."
With a sword in hand, the sword was unsheathed.
The sword was a sharp weapon, and the hands were frightening. In fact, they were even more frightening than the sword.
After killing someone, not only was there no blood to be seen, there wasn't even a trace of it.
"If you must do this, then do it," Zhuo Donglai said. Zhuo Dong Lai said, "Maybe this is your fate. No one can change a person's fate." He, his hands, and his sword, could decide a person's fate and life in an instant.
Zhu Meng looked up and laughed. "What joy does a man have in life? What fear does he have in death? I, Zhu Meng, finally understand the meaning of these two sentences. " His laughter grew softer. "Gao Jianfei, I, Zhu Meng, have a friend like you. My death is not in vain. But you are still young. You don't have to risk your life for me." As he spoke, he used the tip of his foot to pick up the Gongsun Sword, which had fallen to the ground. He grabbed it with one hand, and with the other, he wrapped his arm around the back of Zhu Meng's neck.
But his hand was already gripped by Xiao Gao's, and he used his other hand to grab the sword. A "ding" sound rang out, and the sword was broken in half.
Zhu Meng looked at him and said, "Why don't you let me die?"
"Why do you want to die?"
"Because I want you to live," he said. "I should have died a long time ago. After I died, you wouldn't have to risk your life against Zhuo Donglai. I would have died at the right time, without regrets. I would have lived my life in vain." "You're wrong," said Gao Jianfei. Gao Jianfei said, "Right now, whether you live or die, it has nothing to do with our battle today. Whether you live or die, this battle is inevitable." "Why?"
"Because Zhuo Donglai won't let me go," said Gao Jianfei. "If I don't die, he'll die by my hand. If I can kill him right now, I won't let him live until the sun rises." He tightened his grip on Zhu Meng's hand. "What you just said about living two lives is wrong. A real man is born into this world, and if he wants to live, he wants to live happily. If he wants to die, he wants to die with value." "If you die now," said Gao Jianfei, "you're just accompanying me in giving your life to someone else. Your death isn't worth a single coin." Zhuo Donglai suddenly laughed. "He's right. After he dies, it won't be too late for you to die. Why are you in such a hurry to give your life away? Do you think I'll thank you? "Zhu Meng's hand relaxed, but Xiao Gao's grip tightened.
"If I don't die today, I'll help you rebuild the Hall of Lions, and I'll also help reorganize the Great Escort Agency." "We have a long future ahead of us," said Xiao Gao. "As long as we're alive, we can't just talk about death." Zhuo Donglai sighed. "He's right. Why do people want to die when they're alive? Why do they want to treat their lives so lightly? " He sighed and said, "It's a pity that when the time comes to die, everyone has to die. No one is an exception." He looked at Xiao Gao, and his pupils constricted.
"Now the time has come for you to die," said Zhuo Donglai. "Because you've done something wrong." "What is it?"
"You shouldn't have broken that sword," said Zhuo Donglai. "If you had the sword, you would have been able to block thirty of my moves. But now, I can take your life in ten moves." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a cold, high-pitched voice say, "This time, I'm afraid you're the one who's wrong."
Dawn was approaching, and the lanterns began to dim. A milky white mist began to rise up from the barren mountains.
From within the mist, a person appeared, as unfathomable as fog. In his hand, he carried a chest that was even more mysterious than he was.
"Xiao Lei Xue, it's you."
"It's me." Xiao Leixue said coldly, "You probably thought that I had already come down, because you must be very confident in your 'Gentleman Incense'." He said, "Actually, you should also know that a gentleman like this is usually not very reliable." Zhuo Donglai let out a long sigh. "Xiao Lei Xue, Mister Xiao, why do you always show up when you're not supposed to?" "Because I was born that way."
"I don't like people like that. I don't like them at all." Zhuo Donglai's voice was calm again. "I've met people like that before." "Have they all died at your hands?"
"Yes."
"Are you trying to provoke me into attacking you?"
"Yes."
Zhuo Donglai faced the figure in front of him, and didn't look the least bit afraid.
"I told you, when it comes to death, no one can escape." His voice sounded just like Xiao Leixue's, just as cold and arrogant. "But I also believe that even you yourself might not be able to determine who is going to die in whose hands today." Zhu Meng looked at him in shock, as if he had never seen this person before.
He had never imagined that Zhuo Donglai was such a person, so arrogant.
He didn't know that when a person's heart was filled with inferiority, they would become the most arrogant of people.
Plus, Zhuo Donglai still had the Tear Stain.
Some people believe in fate, some don't.
But most people admit that there is a cold, emotionless, and mysterious power in the world. There are some inexplicable things that happen because of this power.
When the sword was first forged, it was already envied by both gods and ghosts. It wanted to use a relative of the swordsmith as a sacrifice for the sword. This person's blood must be used to wash away the tears that the swordsmith had dripped onto the sword. Only then could the violent and murderous aura of the sword be dispelled.
The person who made the sword, Grandmaster Xiao, was undoubtedly a person who believed in fate. That was why he had shed the tear stain on the sword.
What about Xiao Lei Xue?
Did he believe in it?
The person in the fog was as indiscernible as the fog, and no one could guess what was on his mind.
But then he suddenly asked Xiao Gao, "Gao Jianfei, do you still have your sword?" "No, I don't. I don't have a sword anymore." "I don't, but he does." "That's your inspiration." "That's your inspiration," said Xiao Lei Xue. "Losing your sword was your luck, and breaking it was your inspiration." "Inspiration? Why my Epiphany? " "I don't understand." "Because I'm only willing to pass on my Sword-Breaking Art to people who don't have a sword." "If you still had a sword, if you hadn't broken it, I wouldn't have passed it on to you either." "Pass what on to me? Sword-Breaking Art." Xiao Gao still didn't understand. "What is a Sword-Breaking Art?" "There are no unbreakable sword techniques in the world, and there are no swords that can't be broken, and there are no undefeated swordsmen." Xiao Leixue said, "If the weapon and technique you use are appropriate, as long as you meet someone who uses a sword, you will be able to break through their technique, break their sword, and kill them. This is called the Sword Breaking Technique." His voice seemed to be filled with a mysterious power.
"Twenty years ago, I viewed all the famous swordsmen under the heavens as vipers and scorpions. But now, I view them as nothing more than muck." Xiao Leixue said, "In my eyes now, they can no longer withstand a single blow." He suddenly asked Little Gao, "Gao Jianfei, do you still have your inspiration?" "I think so."
"Then come here."
"Where's Zhuo Donglai?"
"He can wait a bit. I won't let him wait too long."
Eight
Zhuo Donglai watched as Xiao Gao walked over. Not only did he not stop him, he didn't react at all. It was as if he was willing to wait for Xiao Gao to master the Sword-Breaking Art.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to master it. Zhuo Donglai told himself that even if Xiao Lei Xue really did have the Sword-Breaking Art, it wouldn't be something that could be mastered in a short period of time.
But perhaps there really was a mysterious, inexplicable connection between the two of them, a connection that allowed their hearts to communicate.
Perhaps Xiao Gao really could use that bit of inspiration to understand the mysteries of the Sword-Breaking Art.
Although Zhuo Donglai kept comforting himself, he still felt a great deal of pressure.
This was because he had always had an inexplicable fear towards Xiao Leixue. He had always felt that this person seemed to have an innate ability that could restrain him — a mysterious ability that had already been cursed by the gods and devils, a mysterious yet evil ability.
Xiao Lei Xue had already opened his box.
By now, the sky was bright, and the sun had just risen. A ray of sunlight shone through the clouds in the east.
At this moment, there was only the sound of "Ge, ge, ge, ge." A magical weapon appeared in Xiao Lei Xue's hands.
The first ray of sunlight shone from the east, and at this moment, it shone on the weapon, causing it to suddenly shine with a mysterious and evil light.
No one had seen this weapon before, and no one knew what was so special about it.
But everyone who saw it would feel the strange and evil power.
Zhuo Donglai's eyes suddenly shone.
And at this moment, a spark of inspiration was triggered in his heart, and he suddenly thought of a surefire way to kill Gao Jianfei in the blink of an eye.
His body was suddenly filled with confidence and power. It was a power that he had never felt before, and even his body was shocked.
This feeling was as if some kind of god had suddenly descended upon him with a curse on life, and wanted to use his hands to completely destroy a person from this world.
It was as if there was a soul-stealing evil spirit locked inside the box, and as soon as the box was opened, someone's life would be taken, and they would be locked inside the box, beyond redemption.
Zhuo Donglai had never believed in gods, ghosts, or deities, but he believed in this, just as he believed that there was a power in this world that humans could not explain.
Because right now, he himself could feel this power.
Xiao Lei Xue handed the weapon in his hands to Little Gao.
"Why don't you go now, and bring Mr. Zhuo's life back." He said, "This weapon has never appeared in this world before, and I'm afraid it will never appear again." Xiao Leixue's voice also sounded like a curse from the netherworld. "Because the heavens wanted me to create this weapon, so that I could use it to deal with Mr Zhuo. When it appears, it means Mr Zhuo's death. It doesn't matter whose hands it ends up in, it will still be able to take his life."
Thick clouds covered the sun again, and even the lights were extinguished. The sky was dark, and the killing intent had been unleashed. This was something that even ghosts could not reverse.
Gao Jianfei flew over like a bird.
Zhuo Donglai's eyes stared at the weapon in his hands, and he suddenly threw the Tear Stain at Little Gao.
"This is your sword, I'm returning it to you."
No one could have predicted this, not even Little Gao.
This sword had been with him for many years, and it had always been by his side. It had become an important part of his life, and it could even be said to have become a part of his body, and it had become one with his flesh and blood.
Therefore, he didn't even think about it. He caught the sword with the hand he used to hold the sword, as if he had completely forgotten that he was holding a broken sword in his hand.
At this moment, it was as if he had no thoughts, and he had no control over himself.
Because a rational person would only do such a stupid thing in such a situation.
Zhuo Donglai laughed.
Now Little Gao had a sword again, but the broken sword was already in his hands.
He was a very intelligent person, and his eyes were sharper than most people's. Xiao Leixue had spoken a little too much, so he had enough time to examine this strange weapon. He could see that this weapon had many ways to counter his opponent's sword, and he could even see how to use it.
It didn't matter who his opponent was.
Only a person like Xiao Leixue could have created a weapon like this, and only a person like Zhuo Donglai could have done something like this.
These two people looked completely different, but in some ways, their opinions were the same. It was as if they could communicate with each other.
Zhu Meng's face changed.
He didn't expect Little Gao to do something so stupid, but he didn't expect what would happen next.
Gao Jianfei suddenly flew up like a bird, and with a flick of his sword, he stabbed at Zhuo Donglai.
He shouldn't have made the first move, but he had to make the first move before Zhuo Donglai could figure out the weapon's structure and use.
He had underestimated Zhuo Donglai's intelligence.
In the blinding sword light, countless sword shadows flashed, but there was only one sword.
Of the countless sword shadows, only one was real.
Zhuo Donglai could tell which one was real. When it came to using fake attacks to cover real attacks, he knew more than most people in the world.
He could see that there were at least four or five parts of the weapon's structure, and they could all lock down the opponent's sword. He could even take the opponent's sword away, and when he attacked again, it would be a fatal blow.
But he didn't want to be so ruthless.
He wasn't familiar with how to use this weapon, so why not borrow Little Gao's sword to practice?
He had absolute confidence that he could take Little Gao's life at any time.
So, he wasn't in a rush.
Little Gao's sword came, and he raised the weapon in his hand. He tried to use one of the hooks to lock Little Gao's sword.
"Ding!" The sword and the hook collided. This weapon suddenly displayed a wonderful effect that no one could have anticipated. Suddenly, a part of its structure popped out and cooperated with the hook. It was like a pair of pincers that clamped down on Xiao Gao's sword in a short while. "Ding!"
Zhuo Donglai was shocked and happy. He didn't expect the weapon to be so powerful.
He also didn't expect Little Gao's sword to be able to pierce through the weapon.
That was something that should have been impossible.
How was it possible for the opponent's sword to pierce through the middle of such a complicated and intricate weapon?
Could it be that the structure of this weapon was deliberately designed to allow a sword to pass through a gap? Did Little Gao purposely allow his sword to be locked down so that he could use this fatal blow?
Zhuo Donglai didn't want to think about it.
In that split second, Xiao Gao's sword had already pierced into his chest. It only pierced one inch and seven fen, because the sword was only that long.
But it was long enough. 1.7 inches was enough to kill, and it went right into Zhuo Donglai's heart.
This weapon was created to deal with Zhuo Donglai.
Because only Zhuo Donglai could see the weapon's structure in that moment, and only Zhuo Donglai would use his own sword to trade for this weapon. No one else could do it, and they wouldn't even think about it.
Unfortunately, everything Zhuo Donglai could think of, Xiao Leixue had already thought of, and he knew he would do it.
This weapon was a trap that Xiao Leixue had set up, waiting for Zhuo Donglai to step into it.
Now Zhuo Donglai finally understood.
"Xiao Lei Xue, Mister Xiao, I was right about you. You are indeed my fiend. I knew that sooner or later I would die in your hands." He said sadly, "Otherwise, why would I fall for your trick?" Xiao Leixue looked at him coldly. "Do you remember when I said that no matter who has this weapon, it can kill you? Even if it's in your own hands." His voice was even colder. "You should know that I always mean what I say." Zhuo Donglai laughed bitterly.
His laughter shook his heart, and it shook the blade. He suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his heart, because the blade had gone a little deeper. His life was only a hair's breadth away from death.
Xiao Gao gently pulled out the sword, and the weapon also gently slid down from the sword.
The clouds parted again, and the sun shone through, shining on the sword.
Zhuo Donglai looked at the sword, and his face suddenly filled with terror.
"Where are the tear stains?" he hissed. "Why are the tear stains on the sword gone? Could it be that I … "He didn't say the question that he couldn't die in peace.
Could it be that he was a relative of Grandmaster Xiao? Could it be that the father he had never met was Grandmaster Xiao? Could it be that when he died, the tear stains disappeared as well?
Or could it be that ghosts and gods were untrustworthy, and that the tear stains on the sword disappeared just because it was time for them to disappear?
No one could answer this question. Perhaps the old man in the pavilion could, but he had died at the hands of Zhuo Donglai.
Perhaps this was what Xiao Leixue wanted to ask the old man. If the old man had told him the answer, perhaps he wouldn't have killed Zhuo Donglai.
But it was too late now.
Zhuo Donglai's heart was broken, and he didn't understand what had happened even as he died.
Wasn't this the result of his own doing?
10
Under the sunlight, the color of the sword was as clear as autumn water, and the tear stains on the sword had disappeared.
Gao Jianfei stared at the sword in a daze, thinking about the same thing.
He didn't understand.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he thought of asking Xiao Leixue.
Xiao Leixue wasn't there, and neither was Zhuo Donglai's body or the weapon.
Zhu Meng told Xiao Gao, "Mister Xiao left. He took Zhuo Donglai with him." His heart was filled with shock and confusion. "What happened?" Xiao Gao looked off into the distance, where the sky was clear.
"No matter what happened, it doesn't matter now," Xiao Gao said slowly. "From now on, we probably won't see Mister Xiao again." The lanterns were extinguished, and the lantern-bearers were gone. Only the blind little girl was left standing there, hugging her pipa.
Although the sun was shining on the earth, there was still darkness in front of her.
Gao Jianfei suddenly felt an indescribable sadness in his heart, and he couldn't help but walk over to the little girl.
"Where's your grandfather? Is he still here? "
"I don't know."
Her pale face was completely blank. There was nothing there, not even sadness.
But anyone who looked at her would feel pain in their heart.
"Where's your home?" Xiao Gao couldn't help but ask. "Do you have a home? Do you have any other relatives? " The little girl didn't say anything. She hugged her pipa tightly, like a drowning person hugging a piece of driftwood.
— Could it be that the only thing in her life that truly belonged to her was this pipa?
"Where are you going now?" Xiao Gao asked. "What are you going to do in the future?" As soon as he asked this question, he regretted it.
He really shouldn't have asked this question. How could a little girl with no relatives or friends, with no one to rely on, think about the future?
How could she think about it? How could she dare to think about it? How could she answer it?
Who would have thought that this little girl, who would forever live in darkness, would suddenly speak in a bright voice. "In the future, I will still sing." She said, "I will continue to sing, until I die." 11
Xiao Gao and Zhu Meng watched silently as the little girl, hugging her pipa, entered the Everlasting Peace Residence. Xiao Gao and Zhu Meng didn't know what to feel.
"I believe that she will continue to sing," said Zhu Meng. "As long as she doesn't die, she will continue to sing." "I also believe that," said Xiao Gao.
"I also believe that if someone doesn't let her continue to sing, she will die." Because she was a singer, she had to sing, for others to hear. Even though her singing was always sorrowful, always making people cry, if a person didn't know the taste of sorrow, how could they understand the true meaning of joy? How could they cherish life?
Therefore, even though she had nothing, she would still continue to live.
If she couldn't sing, her life would become meaningless.
"What about us?"
Zhu Meng suddenly asked Xiao Gao. "What should we do in the future?" Xiao Gao didn't answer, because he still hadn't thought of how to answer.
But then he suddenly saw the brilliance of the sun, the splendor of the earth.
"Of course we will continue to sing." Gao Jianfei suddenly puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Even though our singing is different from hers, we will continue to sing, until we die." The song of a singer, the dance of a dancer, the sword of a swordsman, the pen of a scholar, the fighting spirit of a hero, all are like this. As long as you don't die, you can't give up.
The morning sun rose, the spring snow melted. A man, carrying a chest, quietly left the ancient city of Chang 'an.
A silent, ordinary man, an old, ordinary chest …
(End of Book)
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