Chapter 5 The fourth chapter: En Tong's foster father Youzang cheated and forced Lulu Mountain to realize his wrongdoing
Master Wuxiang seemed to know what he was thinking, and said slowly: "Don't worry, you will be able to see the martial arts of the new master in a short time. Now let me tell you a story."
It won't be long, what is "how long"?a month?Half a month?ten days?eight days?Or is it today?
This answer seems to have given a "guarantee", but it is actually quite vague.Wuliang treats the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain, and even suspects that the brother in charge is trying to help Wuming take his place, so he specially uses this "delay strategy" for Wuming.
But this is the "guarantee" of the head of the house, even if the personality is straightforward, they dare not beat the nail on the head and ask the head of the house to set a date.
The head of the sect still wants to tell him a story. At this moment, why does he still have such a leisurely mood to tell a story?
Everyone is curious and suspicious.I saw Master Wuxiang looking up into the distance, as if recalling a long past event.
"It's said that this incident happened thirty-six years ago." Master Wuxiang continued, "That year Xuan Zhenzi from the Kunlun School came to Wudang Mountain and asked for a swordsmanship competition with the master. The one who came with him was his little apprentice, a child who was only eleven or twelve years old, when the first master received them, I was by his side."
Many Taoist priests over the age of fifty still vaguely remember such a thing.But they didn't know the result of the competition at that time.
What they knew was: Xuan Zhenzi was the number one swordsman of the Kunlun School at that time, and his fame was even higher than that of the head of the Kunlun School, Xuan Tongzi.The Kunlun School, like the Wudang School, is famous for its swordsmanship.But one is in the northwest and the other is in the Central Plains, thousands of miles apart.They have very little contact with each other.
At that time, Jinguang Zhenren, the head of Wudang School, was also the master of Wuxiang Zhenren, the current head.That year Jin Guangzheng was just seventy years old, Wuxiang was his first disciple, in his forties, he was in his prime.Xuan Zhenzi is a few years older than Wu Xiang.In terms of seniority, Xuan Zhenzi is between Jin Guang and Wuxiang master and apprentice. (Because of different sects, seniority is more difficult to determine. Xuan Tongzi, the elder brother of Xuan Zhenzi, the head of the Kunlun sect, respects Jin Guangzhen as a "senior", and Jin Guangzhen, because of his modest temperament, only allows him to be on the same generation as Xuantongzi Therefore, Xuan Zhenzi can be said to be "half a generation" younger than Jin Guangzhen.)
Those who knew about this matter were not there at the time, they only heard afterwards that the real Jin Guang did not end at that time, but the real Wu Xiang stepped down for the master and defeated Xuan Zhenzi.But this "hearing" was not said by Jin Guang or Wu Xiang personally, but indirectly from the mouth of a Taoist Xiang Huo who was close to the deaf-mute Taoist.
The deaf-mute Taoist was serving Jinguang Daoist at that time, he couldn't speak, so he could only use "gestures" to tell Xianghuo Daoist, stretch out his thumb to represent Jinguang Daoist, stretch out his little finger to represent Wuxiang Daoist, turn his thumb aside, Immediately, he retracted his fingers, but the little finger straightened up, stabbed forward, made an "ouch" in his mouth, smiled, and clapped his hands accordingly.Taoist Xianghuo is his closest friend and understands what he means.That is to say that the Master Jin Guang did not fight the opponent, but stepped aside, and the apprentice Wu Xiang took the place of the master and defeated the enemy.
But this is just the "interpretation" of Taoist Xianghuo, no one knows the details.Therefore, now that Master Wuxiang is telling the story of the past, all the disciples are naturally curious and listen to it with great interest.
Master Wuxiang said: "Master was modest and didn't want to compete with him at first. But Xuan Zhenzi was very arrogant and aggressive in his speech. He even said that verbal 'admitting defeat' is not considered a defeat. If you dare not fight When I compete, I have to admit in public that the Wudang School's swordsmanship is not as good as our Kunlun School's.
"I couldn't bear it anymore, so I had to stand up and say: 'There are different generations and different ages, how can my master have the same knowledge as you, if you must compete, let me take your brilliant move.'
"Hearing this, Xuan Zhenzi sneered and said, "You are quite right. In terms of seniority, your master can be said to be half a generation older than me. It is not an honor for him to beat me; but he is old, and I If you are lucky enough to beat him with one and a half strokes, it is still invincible. However, I don’t know if your master will let you compete swords for him. Jinguang Zhenren, if you think he is the most suitable candidate, then you have nothing to say Otherwise, I can also ask you to choose another disciple you think is the most satisfactory to compete with me.'
"The first teacher is really self-cultivated. He first reprimanded me: 'Don't be rude to the guests.' Then he said: 'I am not polite, don't take it for granted. The two sects of you and me have the same origin. There is no need to distinguish between winners and losers. I don’t want to bother too much about picking another apprentice. Fellow Daoist Xuanzhen, you can just give me two tricks for this little apprentice.”
"Xuan Zhenzi was still not satisfied, so she stepped forward and said: "You have no intention of distinguishing the winner and loser, but I did. Let's talk about it first. If your apprentice loses to me, you still have to show it to the public." I surrender.'
"The first teacher smiled and said: 'If you want to do this, then so be it. However, regardless of the result of the competition, I will give you a chance to choose.' I didn't understand what the master said at the time. , Xuan Zhenzi can’t understand either.”
When all the disciples in the audience heard this, they all thought in their hearts: "Yes, since there is a winner, what should we choose?" Everyone didn't understand what this sentence meant.
Master Wuxiang continued: "Xuan Zhenzi articulated the doubts in my heart for me. He said: 'If the result of the competition is obtained, what chance is there to choose? Daoist Jin Guang, please speak clearly. What does this sentence mean?' Then the first teacher said: 'You can announce the result of the competition in public, but if you want to keep it a secret, we can also keep it secret.'"
If the meaning of these words is clearly stated, it is: "If the result of the competition is that I lose to Xuanzhenzi, my teacher is willing to admit defeat to him in public on behalf of the Wudang faction, but if Xuanzhenzi loses to me, we will fight for the sake of To save his face, you can keep the secret for him. But the beauty is that it didn't point it out."
All the disciples in the audience were thinking: "Master's words are really decent. My own side has taken over the status, and I haven't cut down the face of the other side. If Xuan Zhenzi is annoyed, I can only be angry in my heart. I can't say It was our master who underestimated him."
Sure enough, Master Wuxiang went on to say: "Xuan Zhenzi understood the intention of the first teacher, and was obviously angry in his heart, and his face changed completely. He sneered and said: 'If you lose, you lose, you don't have to. Concealment. I appreciate your "kindness". Let's get started. But...'
"I asked: 'What else is there but?'
"Xuan Zhenzi sneered and said: 'This is what you just said, there are different generations and different ages, I can barely be considered 'half generation' older than you, and I am a few years older than you, I don't want to take advantage of you.'
"I'm not saying it's because you're taking advantage.
"The first master reprimanded: 'Don't be rude. You can do as you please, fellow Taoist Xuanzhen, just go ahead and draw the way, our master and apprentice will have no objection.'
"Xuan Zhenzi said: There is a limit of one hundred moves, if the disciple can resist my hundred moves. There is no need to decide the winner, I am willing to admit defeat.
"Seeing how arrogant he is, I wanted to contradict him, but with Master present, I can't argue with the guest, so I just said: 'If you want to limit yourself, it's up to you, if I can't win within a hundred moves, I just admit defeat." In this way, he and I are talking to ourselves.
"Xuan Zhenzi probably didn't want to get entangled any longer, so she snorted and said, "Okay, I'll let you talk for yourself, what I say counts, take it!" Trick! Unexpectedly, this first trick is beyond the expectations of both parties."
Although all the disciples already knew that Wuxiang Daoist won the sword competition, they still couldn't help their hearts pounding when they heard this.How did this trick go beyond the expectations of both parties?
Master Wuxiang continued: "I know that Xuan Zhenzi practiced that set of swordsmanship called Flying Eagle Swordsmanship. There are 8864 moves in total, and each move is extremely ruthless. But I just 'know' it. I have never seen this set of swordsmanship before. I think the Taiji swordsmanship of our sect is best at braking with stillness and overcoming rigidity with softness. Since the Flying Eagle swordsmanship is known for its fierceness and fierceness, then Taiji swordsmanship is just right for it. His nemesis? That's why I was full of confidence and dared to say that if I couldn't beat him within a hundred moves, I would be willing to admit defeat.
"Sure enough, the first move he made was extremely fierce, but if it was only extremely fierce, then I expected it, but besides being fierce, the sword is so strange that I have never seen it before. Yes. Other swordsmanship, such as stabbing, cutting, circles, or points, are all well-defined. If you observe carefully, it is not difficult to see where the sword is going. Only his Flying Eagle swordsmanship is circling and flying, straight and straight. Multiplication, like the expansion of waves in all directions, is really unpredictable and unpredictable.
"His first move was to kill. He raised his body flat and struck down with his sword in the air. In his twisting and twisting sword, I can see that there are at least seven different changes hidden. At this moment, I definitely can't It is impossible for Qing to deal with the seven changes at the same time. It is impossible to break his swordsmanship. He can only use an ordinary move to push the window and look at the moon to dispel the opponent's sword force and try to protect himself. As a result, his sword is almost It was cut close to my forehead, but after all it still couldn't hurt me. I saw him '噫'. His face turned from red to blue, obviously he was also quite surprised that I was able to resolve his move."
I don't know if he was in a cold sweat at that time, but at this point, he stopped unconsciously and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.A cup of ginseng tea was handed to him on the waiting path beside him, he took a sip, and then continued: "His swordsmanship is like a flying eagle hovering, even if he didn't jump up, his swordsmanship is like flying into the air Each move is the same, and the changes hidden in each move are different. There may be three moves in one move, five moves in one move, or even nine moves in one move. Of course, the posture of each move is also very different. I have never seen this set of swordsmanship before, so I can only defend without attacking. In the process of eighty-eight-sixty-four flying eagle swordsmanship, I could only "watch quietly", and it was impossible to immediately think of how to restrain him. His set of swordsmanship is really almost impeccable. Before the sixteenth move, I didn't have any flaws at all. I only found one flaw when I reached the thirty-seventh move, and I found a second flaw when I reached the forty-eighth move. Only three flaws were found in the sixty-four moves. It is extremely precious!"
You must know that Wuxiang Daoist's martial arts attainments and ordinary swordsmanship are dismissive of him.Among the ten moves, if there are only three or two flaws identified by his eyes, it is already very good.All the disciples thought in their hearts: "Xuan Zhenzi's 8864-hand flying eagle swordsmanship has only three flaws. The headmaster gave him the four-character comment of 'invaluable', he can indeed deserve it! "Hearing this, everyone also breathed a sigh of relief, only saying that Wuxiang Daoist has discovered the opponent's flaws, and it is difficult to win.
Master Wuxiang went on to say: "I discovered his three flaws, and I was a little panicked. His first flaw appeared in the thirty-seventh move. If he followed the order and performed the second swordplay , don’t I need a hundred and one moves to defeat him?” At this point, he wiped the cold sweat off his forehead again.
Standing in front of the stage, Bubo spoke out on behalf of his fellow disciples: "Yes, I never thought of that. Uncle Master, at what move did you beat him?"
Wuxiang Zhenren said: "Fortunately, when he used the sword technique for the second time, it was out of order. The front and rear moves were used in confusion. At the time of the twenty-seventh move, the sequence should have been the forty-eighth move. As soon as a flaw in this sword technique appeared, I used the pre-thought-out solution. As soon as I used it, I jumped out of the circle. It was ridiculous that he hadn't noticed it yet, and asked: "Are you admitting defeat? I Smiling, the point of the sword pointed at his chest, he looked down, his face turned red immediately. Looking at that expression, I really wish there was a hole in the ground for him to get in!"
Bubo was overjoyed when he heard it, and asked quickly: "Master, you haven't said how you beat him?"
Master Wuxiang said: "I didn't hurt him, I just left a small mark on his chest. He looked down and found a gap the size of a copper coin in that part of his clothes. I know it's my mercy."
All the disciples cheered in unison, and several of them asked at the same time: "At this point, no matter how arrogant Xuan Zhenzi is, he can only admit defeat."
Master Wuxiang said: "He didn't admit defeat. He was speechless at that time. I saw his complexion suddenly changed. I didn't hurt him, but he was like a candle in the wind. After shaking it twice, he went Fall back."
Bubo said with a smile: "Such a person deserves it if he gets mad!"
Wuxiang Daoist didn't look complacent, and said solemnly: "Don't rejoice too early, the little apprentice who came with him helped him stabilize. He said: My master originally asked your master to compare swords. You won a move for master, I am too young to leave now, after I finish my studies, please promise to compete with me again."
Wuxiang Daoist continued: "I originally refused to agree, but Xuan Zhenzi actually said, I lost you in the sword competition today, it's not that my flying eagle swordsmanship is inferior to your Taiji swordsmanship, it's just my Flying eagle swordsmanship has not been practiced well. If you are afraid that I will teach my apprentice well and seek revenge on you, then you'd better kill me today!
"His apprentice did it even better. He drew his sword out of its scabbard and said, 'That's right, I shouldn't have begged you to give me this chance. Come, come, come, let's compete now!'
"I was angry and funny, and said: 'It's a pity that I haven't accepted apprentices, otherwise I can ask apprentices to compare with you. I won't compare with you.'
"His apprentice said: 'I think you are better than me. And the best is today.'
"I asked: 'Why?' His apprentice said: 'It's easy for you to kill me today when you compare swords with me. If you don't kill me today, when I come to you in the future, I'm afraid you will regret it too late. !'
"The first teacher suddenly said: 'Your apprentice is young, but his ambition is high. Very good, very good!'
"Xuan Zhenzi was taken aback for a moment, and immediately said: 'In this way, you are willing to agree to the young disciple's unfeeling request on behalf of the disciple.'
"The first teacher said: "I also have a small request to the virtuous master and apprentice." Xuan Zhenzi said: "But follow the instructions of the master." The first teacher said: "Only you know what I know and our apprentices know what happened today." Please don't tell others what happened today.'
"Master reiterated the previous discussion, of course for the sake of Xuan Zhenzi's face.
"Xuan Zhenzi looked ashamed, and said for a while: 'Okay, I accept your love, but this love only affects me.'
"I asked: 'What does this mean?'
"Xuan Zhenzi said: 'During my lifetime, I will always be grateful for your kindness. After my death, I don't want my apprentices to receive your kindness. This restriction can be abolished at that time.'
"It was only then that I realized that he was afraid that his apprentice would be victorious with swords in the future, and we would impose this restriction on his apprentice.
"At that time, I was indeed a little angry, and said: 'Okay, I promise you. However, I am 30 years older than Lingtu, and I only hope that Lingtu can practice swordsmanship and come to us soon.'
"His little apprentice said: 'Okay, I can also promise you, and I will give you a chance to choose. If you are old at that time, you can also ask your apprentice to replace you, or you can choose one of your nobles. The end of the disciple with the highest martial arts. In short, this appointment is still valid no matter how many years have passed!'”
Everyone couldn't help but tremble when they heard this, thinking that Xuan Zhenzi's apprentice, at such a young age, is filled with such vicious thoughts of revenge in his heart, it is really terrifying to think about.At the same time, everyone also understood the reason why the head of the sect remembered the time so clearly. Daoist Wuxiang had been the head of the sect for thirty-five years, and it was just the second year after this incident happened.Elder Wuliang thought in his heart: "I think it's because of this incident that he made contributions to the faction, so he was able to be established as the head of the sect."
Bubo asked: "Thirty-six years have passed since this incident, has that apprentice Xuan Zhenzi come to you?"
Wuxiang said: "Never. But I know he will definitely come."
Bubo was a little puzzled, and said: "If Xuan Zhenzi's little apprentice is still alive, he should have become a world-renowned swordsman. Why haven't we heard that there is such a master in the Kunlun School?"
Wuxiang Zhenren said: "You are right, he has long been a famous swordsman in the world, but according to my guess, he probably has to wait until he defeats me before disclosing his identity as a disciple of the Kunlun School."
All the disciples guessed who this person was, and Bubo was the most impatient, and said, "Master, please tell me."
Wuxiang Zhenren said: "Apart from the colorless elders of our Wudang sect, among today's swordsmanship masters, who is the most famous?"
Several replied in unison: "It's Guo Tiezheng, a Bashan swordsman who is known as the sword god. But he seems to be from the Kongtong sect."
Wuxiang said: "Is there another one who is as famous as him?"
Bubo hesitated for a while, then said: "According to what I know, there is a person who is known as the sword master in the northwestern Jianghu in recent years. He has only been around for about six or seven years, and his reputation is already quite high. But if it is said that he can be with Bashan swordsman is equally famous, maybe not. Many people think that although he is known as the sword master, he is not worthy to fight against the sword god."
Wuxiang Zhen said: "How can I see it?"
Bu Bo said: "The Bashan swordsman has been famous for twenty years, and he has never met an opponent in the Jianghu. The masters of the Qingcheng and Emei sects, I heard that they tried a move with him and were defeated by his sword. This person who is known as the sword master , no one knows his origin, not even his name. At worst, he is just a mysterious figure who can rule the Northwest, and I have never heard of any decent master in the Central Plains who has ever been defeated by him."
Wuxiang Zhen said: "You are wrong. It is precisely because he is a mysterious swordsman who rose from the northwest and has not traveled to the Central Plains. The martial arts people in the Central Plains do not know the details, so they think that he is an exaggerated name."
Bubo said: "So, the master master of the sect already knows about this person?"
Wuxiang Zhen said: "I can't say that I know his ability very well. I only know one thing. Although no one from the major sects in the Central Plains has compared swordsmanship with him, there is a very famous swordsman who once fought against him. He did."
Bubo said, "Who is it?"
Wuxiang Zhenren said: "It's the Bashan swordsman Guo Tiezheng who you think is worthy of the title of sword god!"
Bubo was surprised and said, "The Bashan swordsman competed with him, what was the result?"
Wuxiang said: "Three years ago, the Bashan swordsman traveled far back to Xinjiang, and met him by chance, and had a match. At that time, there were no other martial arts figures present, and no one knew the truth. The head of the faction said that the title of Sword God and Sword Master is really inappropriate!"
Bubo said: "So the sword master is not worthy to be compared with the sword god?"
Wuxiang Zhenren said: "What he said is inappropriate, not to this extent, it can only be said that there is a distinction between upper and lower."
Bubo said: "But all in all, the person who is called the sword master is no match for the Bashan swordsman who is called the sword god?"
Wuxiang said: "On the contrary, Bashan Swordsman thinks that his title of Sword God should be given to that person, because 'God' is above 'Holy'."
Bubo was shocked and said: "So, wouldn't even the Sword God feel ashamed of him? The Sword God has always been extremely conceited, would he really say that?"
Master Wuxiang said: "That's right, that's right. This sentence was said by the Bashan swordsman to the head of the Qingcheng faction. The head of the Qingcheng faction has a very good relationship with Bujie, and he told Bujie himself. Of course There will be no fakes." When he mentioned his dead apprentice, he felt a little sad.
Bubo said: "I don't suspect that brother Bujie is spreading rumors, I, I, I just..." He didn't go on, but no one understood what he meant. He was shocked and "dare not" to believe it was the truth .
Wuxiang said: "This happened three years ago. That person was about ten years younger than the Bashan swordsman. After three years, one has changed and the other has changed. His swordsmanship is probably stronger than that of Bashan. Swordsmen are better."
Bubo asked: "Is that person Xuan Zhenzi's little apprentice back then?"
Wuxiang Zhen said: "I didn't dare to be sure before, but now I can be sure. Yes, this person known as the sword master is Xuan Zhenzi's apprentice Xiang Tianming!"
The name of Xuan Zhenzi's little apprentice was only said at this time from the mouth of Wuxiang Daoist.
Among the disciples of the second generation, Bubai was more likely to travel in the rivers and lakes. Hearing the name "Xiang Tianming", he couldn't help but exclaimed: "That's no wonder!"
Everyone was listening with gusto, annoyed that he interrupted the master's words, some hissed him, and some glared at him.
Wuxiang Daoist smiled and said: "I just want to take a rest, Bubai, please tell everyone, what's wrong with it?" After saying that, he sat down, and the little Taoist priest serving him immediately offered him ginseng tea.After talking for a long time, he was indeed a little tired.
Bubai went on to say: "In the spring of this year, I passed by Jinan, Shandong, and heard a news that caused a sensation in the local martial arts. The most famous martial arts master in Shandong, everyone must know who it is?"
Bubo snorted, and said, "It must be Zhong Liutang, the head of the Wuji School who thinks his swordsmanship is better than our Wudang School's Tai Chi swordsmanship."
Bubai said: "That's right, he named the sword technique he created as the Wuji sword technique, which is derived from the words in the Taoist classics: Wuji produces Taiji, Taiji produces Liangyi, Liangyi produces Sixiang, and Sixiang produces gossip. In other words, the head of the faction and the two elders disdain to argue with him, but I am not convinced by his arrogance. To be honest, when I passed by Jinan that time, I wanted to pick his place, but what I wanted to do Just two days before I passed through Jinan, someone has already done it for me."
Wu Se said: "Although Zhong Liutang is a little arrogant, his swordsmanship and our Taiji swordsmanship are also superior swordsmanship in which softness overcomes rigidity. There are quite similarities between the two. You can't underestimate him." Look. Who was the man who defeated him?"
Bubai said: "It's a strange foreigner. It is said that Zhong Liutang was teaching his disciples how to practice sword that day. The foreigner did not know who let him in, but suddenly appeared in front of him. Zhong Liutang has a young son who is only seven years old. At that time, he was playing with a wooden sword on the sidelines. Zhong Liutang yelled and asked the stranger what he was doing here. Me, let me play a trick with your father, okay? The kid heard that there was a trick to watch, and he played it with his father, so he happily lent it to him. Zhong Liutang suspected that he was a lunatic, and said, Whoever plays tricks with you, go, go, if you don’t go, I will throw you out! The stranger said, you have to play with me if you don’t want to! Little brother, look, don’t turn your eyes away!”
Bubai continued: "At that time, Zhong Liutang was teaching his apprentices how to practice swordsmanship, and the green steel sword he held in his hand hadn't been sheathed yet. He is a master of a school, how can he use a sword made of refined steel and someone else's wooden sword? Fighting swords? But he couldn't do it if he didn't want to fight. The foreigner was talking, and the wooden sword in his hand was already pointed at his throat. His two apprentices went up to push the foreigner, but they didn't see him fight back. With two bang bang bangs, the two disciples of Zhong Liutang fell three feet away!"
Hearing this, Bubo couldn't help shouting: "This is the best martial art of Zhanyi and eighteen falls!"
Bubai said: "That's right, so Zhong Liutang has to parry. He raises his sword to meet him, and he can cut off the opponent's wooden sword with just one stroke. Who knows—hehe, guess what?"
Bubo said: "Zhong Liutang is a master of the school, so he won't be defeated by the opponent's wooden sword all at once, right? I just wonder how many moves did the foreigner use in total?"
Bubai said: "Don't say you can't guess, Zhong Liutang probably couldn't even dream of it. It is said that many disciples of Zhong Liutang have not seen it clearly, but seeing the sparks flying, Zhong Liutang's green steel sword flew out of his hand! The total is only Three tricks! This is what Zhong Liutang himself said later."
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help looking at each other in amazement.Bubo asked, "What happened to his wooden sword?"
Bubai said: "Zhong Liutang's green steel sword just fell beside his son, the stranger walked over, handed the wooden sword back to his son, and said: "Little brother, look, is your wooden sword intact?" Take a closer look at your father's green steel sword! There is a gap on the green steel sword, not only Zhong Liutang's son can see it clearly, but also Zhong Liutang's apprentice standing next to him. Who would dare Go forward and make things difficult for him?
"The stranger said: "The wooden sword is not damaged, but the iron sword is damaged. Little brother, is this trick I played with your father good?" Give it to me, okay?" The stranger said with a smile: "Little brother, I shouldn't coax you. This is kung fu, not juggling. I'm sorry. Now I want to teach you, but you can't learn it." , then go.
"Zhong Liutang's face was ashen, and he said in a harsh voice: 'Your Excellency's swordsmanship is superb, and Zhong is willing to bow down. Please leave Wan'er, Your Excellency!'
"The stranger said: 'Why leave a name for an unknown soldier? I didn't intend to cause trouble either.' Zhong Liutang picked up the sword and said in a miserable voice: 'If Your Excellency doesn't even bother to give you your name, then Zhong will be born shamelessly. Seeing that he wanted to kill himself, the stranger said, "I'm just playing with you, why should I be so serious? You must know my name, so I'll tell you, I am—a handful of copper coins, embedded in On the pillar, line up the three characters Xiangtianming.'
"The foreigner went away, and all he left behind was the name Xiang Tianming, which he made out with money darts embedded in the pillars. The disciples of the Zhongmen all looked at each other in blank dismay, and remained silent!"
After Bubai finished talking about this "news", all the disciples of the Wudang School also looked at each other in blank dismay, silent.Some people thought to themselves: "If this Xiang Tianming fights with me, I wonder if I can resist his three moves?" The internal strength is profound (immeasurable), one is the strong swordsmanship (colorless), but it is not as perfect as Xiang Tianming's internal strength swordsmanship. If he comes to Wudang Mountain to challenge, I don't know who can save the reputation of the school. "
Bubo was stunned for a moment, and muttered to himself: "I really didn't expect that the leader of Wuji Sect would be defeated by that Xiang Tianming's men within three moves. Zhong Liutang really suffered an indiscriminate disaster."
Bubai said: "Yes, this spring when I was traveling to Jingnan, this incident had just passed, and friends in the martial arts were still talking about it. No one knew the origin of Xiang Tianming, and what made them even more puzzled was Well, Zhong and Xiang are strangers to each other, why did Xiang Tianming come here specially to humiliate Zhong Liutang like this?"
Bubo suddenly said: "That's because they only want to know that Xiang Tianming will never be an unknown person like he said, but they still don't think that he is a famous sword master."
Bubai said: "If you are a sword master, can you show off your prestige? Zhong Liutang did not offend him."
Bubo said slowly: "I couldn't figure it out at first, but now I figured it out. Yes, Zhong Liutang did not offend the sword master, but this sword master Xiang Tianming, who was originally Xuan Zhenzi's apprentice, wanted to offend our Wudang Pie!"
Although Bubai's brain is relatively slow, after a little bit of him, he suddenly realized, and said: "Oh, I understand. The Wuji School's swordsmanship is quite similar to our Wudang School's Taiji Swordsmanship, so he deliberately I need to find Zhong Liutang to try my tricks."
Bu Bo said: "That's right, to put it more clearly, he asked Zhong Liutang to test his moves, it was just a practice before he was ready to challenge our faction! Hmph, hum, Zhong Liutang can't resist his three moves, so it doesn't mean that we Wudang The people sent will definitely not be able to beat him!"
The other disciples of the Wudang sect did not dare to be as conceited and optimistic as Bubo, and they focused their attention on the master again.
Master Wuxiang had drank ginseng tea and became more energetic. He sat on the stage and said, "Master asked me to accept his indefinite date back then. Do you know why?" Bubai said, "If you didn't agree to them , their masters and apprentices will kill themselves." Wuxiang Zhen said: "You are only half right."
Bubai said: "What is the other half?"
Master Wuxiang said: "At that time, my teacher asked me. There is a saying in the past: There is no foreign disease in the country, and the patient will perish. Why does a country perish without foreign troubles? Do you understand this? I said, if a country is often attacked by foreign enemies If there is no threat from foreign enemies, it will definitely reorganize its army and strive to become stronger. If there is no foreign enemy threat at all, it will relax, get used to comfort, and become weak. It has been weak for a long time, and even if there is no foreign enemy invasion at that time, it will itself will perish.
"The first teacher said: Yes, this principle can also be applied to the martial arts school. Our Wudang school's boxing and sword skills are highly respected by others, and the disciples are so proud and complacent that they even think that they are already the best in the world. Master Xuan Zhenzi and his disciples, although they cannot be called enemies, they are determined to use their Flying Eagle swordsmanship to surpass our Taiji swordsmanship. In a broad sense, they can also be called "foreign troubles". According to me It seems that Xuan Zhenzi, a young apprentice, will surely surpass Naishi in future achievements, and is qualified enough to become a "rival" of our Wudang sect. Soon I will hand over the head of the sect to you, and you have The date of the sword competition with him is tantamount to a spur to you, reminding you that on the one hand, you must keep improving the swordsmanship handed down by your ancestors, and on the other hand, you must cultivate talents, so that no one will challenge you when you are in trouble."
At this point, what is the reason for the other half is already a self-answer. Wuxiang Daoist paused, sighed and continued: "I have been the head of the sect for thirty-five years. My teacher expects me to , I didn't even do it, I feel ashamed..."
Wu Liang said: "Senior brother, what you said is self-effacing. Nephew Bujie is dead, so let's not talk about him. Nephew Buqi's swordsmanship, in my opinion, is pretty good, he might not be able to deal with Xuanzhen That apprentice!"
Wuxiang Daoist said solemnly: "It's just not enough. As the head of the sect, I must tell you the truth. Mo Shuobuqi is far from Xuan Zhenzi's apprentice, and I am afraid that Wusei's junior disciple may not be able to compare." Go to him. Because if he dares to come to Wudang Mountain to challenge one day, the three flaws in his Flying Eagle Swordsmanship are supposed to have been repaired. At that time, his Flying Eagles Swordsmanship can rival Taiji Swordsmanship , although the swordsmanship of Wu Seijun may not be lost to him, but..."
Wu Se smiled and said: "Brother, you don't have to hide it, I know that I lack internal strength, and I am not even as good as Bu Qi in this respect."
Master Wuxiang continued: "So when I heard the news that Xiang Tianming had appeared in the Central Plains, I had to prepare for the battle. After much deliberation, the only way was to invite Junior Brother Mou, who was still a hero of Zhongzhou at that time, to go up the mountain to preside over the overall situation." gone."
Wuming stood up and said, "I dare not take it."
Wu Liang's face became very ugly, and he said: "Senior brother has already given you the position of head, so why don't you dare to be the head?"
Master Wuxiang explained to him calmly: "I should have discussed with the two junior brothers about the head of Lixin beforehand, but because the matter is urgent and I have no time to deal with it, please don't worry about it."
Wuliang had no choice but to say together with Wuse: "Senior brother is serious, of course the person selected by senior brother is not wrong. We are deeply celebrating the person we have won for our sect, and it is too late to be happy. How can we be grudges?"
They said the same thing, but no one could tell that Wu Se was sincere, but Wu Liang was insincere.
Following Wu Liang, he asked alone: "Brother, you said that the matter is urgent, do you have any new news?"
True Wuxiang said: "That's right, I've already received Xiang Tianming's invitation."
Wu Liang was surprised and said, "When did you receive it?"
No Truth said, "It was just this morning."
Wu Liang thought about it, it was his apprentice Bubai who was patrolling the front mountain this morning, and he sent someone to deliver the greeting card to Tianming, Bubai should know, why didn't he come and report to him?He became suspicious and stared at his apprentice unconsciously.
Bubai was full of sulking, and took the opportunity to shout: "Master, don't blame me for not coming to report, I was injured, and I don't know who those two people came to send the greeting card for. It happened to be the unknown master uncle Going up the mountain, the nameless uncle took the invitation for the head of the sect."
Wuliang frowned and said, "What's going on?"
Bubai looked at the old head, Wuxiang said, "Bubai, you can tell everyone about what happened this morning."
Wu Liang listened to what his disciple said, and thought: "Wu Ming handed over the letter of greeting, I'm afraid there is something strange in it!" He said: "In this case, the two envoys of Xiang Tianming are too rude."
Wuxiang Zhen said: "It can't be entirely blamed on others. At that time, Bubai attacked first. This can only be said to be a misunderstanding. Those two people have already been punished by Wuming Junior Brother. Finally, our Wudang sect did not lose face. What worries me is that those two people are just Xiang Tianming's followers, and their abilities are already so great, so it can be seen that Xiang Tianming should not be underestimated."
无量看看天色，说道：“依照武林惯例，递了拜帖，本人就该跟着来的。如今已是过午时分，怎么还不见来呢？”
无色道：“只要不过当天，那就不算违背规矩。”
无量说道：“要是他今晚才来，那怎么办？难道咱们就一直在这里恭候他吗？还有，新任掌门的人选问题，是应该等待这件事情过后才决定呢？还是现在就算定了？师兄，你别误会我是反对无名师弟继位掌门，但我不能代表所有门人的意见。依照武林惯例，我不能不有此一问。”
要知根据武林的惯例，对掌门的人选，倘若有不同的意见，那就应该在取得长老的同意之外，还得有大多数的本派弟子表示拥护才行。不波已经提出要在“见识”过无名的武功之后，方始能够决定是否拥护他做掌门的，即使这不是大多数人的意见，最少也是一部份人的意见。而无相真人中途插入这个“三十六年前的故事”，起因也是为了阻止不波之坚持要和新掌门人比试的。尽管他没有明白说出来，众人也都可以意会得到，他是要把这个击败挑战者的机会留给无名。无名若然得胜，他的武功当然亦已为一众同门所共见了。
因此，在目前来说，讨论还未得出结果，即使已经在口头上表示同意，将来也还可以改变意见。新掌门的人选，实在还未能确定是谁。
无相真人沉吟了片刻，说道：“这样吧，再等一个时辰，要是向天明不来，咱们就先散会。”
无量道：“好，那么师兄请容我告退，我要下去看看不败伤得如何？”
不败是和不岐站在一起的，无量下来，叫他们二人跟过一边，佯作关心徒弟的伤势，察视一番，问了几句，忽地用上内功，将声音凝成一线，送入不岐耳中。不岐的内功和他差不多，他这样在近距离运用“传音入密”的内功，不但在台上的无相、无色等人听不见，即使是站在不岐身旁的不败也听不见了。
“不岐，你可别上了牟沧浪的当！那个什么剑圣向天明，可能是和他串通了的，你懂得我的意思吗？”
不岐城府甚深，其实用不着别人提醒，他亦已是想到的了。他想的正是：“防人之心不可无，即使那个剑圣当真是玄贞子当年那个徒弟，但焉知他和牟沧浪不是早已有了交情？”
不岐暗自想道：“高手比斗，只差毫厘。得失之间，如人饮水，冷暖自知。万一他们串通作弊，只怕掌门师父也未必看得出来。对向天明来说，扬名天下固然是他所欲，但这个目的，他是没有把握达到的。倘若牟沧浪答应给他更大的好处，他又何妨诈败让招。武当派是数一数二的大门派，牟沧浪若因他的让招，得以顺利当上掌门，他可能得到的好处就难以估计了。”
无量见他点了点头，微笑说道：“你懂得我的意思就好，你是聪明人，待会儿如果向天明当真来此赴约，想必你也应该懂得怎样做了。”
他用传音入密的功夫和不岐说话，旁边的人都听不见。就在此时，忽听得远处隐隐有笑声传来，音细而清，宛似鹤鸣九霄，从天而降。
无量喝道：“来的是什么人，胆敢如此放肆！”在场的几百个武当派弟子，都给他这喝声震得耳鼓嗡嗡作响！
其实他也猜得到这来者是谁，他是有意炫露这一手功夫，用以挫折对方的威风，同时也是有意在无名面前逞能。
他话犹未了，那人已是接下去说道：“你想必是武当派的首席长老无量道长吧？嘿嘿，听说武当派中，除了掌门无相真人，就数你的内功最高，果然名不虚传。只可惜我知道你是谁，你却不知道我是谁，如果你知道我是谁，你就不会说我放肆了！”
在他开始说话的时候，他的身形尚未显露出来。他的声音也并不大，但场中所有的人，却都感觉到好像是那个人在他们耳边说话一般。武当派弟子的武功虽然有深有浅，但都是有见识的人，两相比较，那举重若轻，似乎比他们的首席长老还要高明一筹。
说时迟，那时快，那个人话音一落，他的身形也就出现在众人面前了。众人定眼一看，只见那个人面上毫无血色，而且木然毫无表情，就好像从古墓走出来的僵尸似的。众人不禁为之一愕。要知他刚才笑得那样放肆，大家都以为他一定是个意态飞扬，神情狂傲的人，哪知却是这么一副半死不活的样子。
不波陡地喝道：“不管你是谁，给我把剑放下！”声出招发，一个“夺剑式”就劈那人手腕。那人剑不出鞘，冷笑道：“你这是什么臭规矩？”剑鞘反指不波虎口。
有两个人同时喝道：“这是朝廷替我们立下之规矩？”“敬老尊贤，这是每一个人都应该遵守的规矩！”说前面一句话的是不败，说后面一句话的才是不波。他口中说话，手捏剑诀，已是以指代剑，避招进招，刺向那人手背的冷渊穴。
那人冷笑道：“你们究竟是要讲哪一条规矩？”手中连鞘的剑改为横挡，还了一招“横云断峰”。武当派弟子留神看他的剑势，果然像是波浪形的往外扩展。
不波移形易位，脚踏中宫，一个“抱掌”，划出一个圈圈，化解了他的攻势，冷冷道：“我们武当派掌门在此，论年纪、论辈份，你总高不过我们的掌门吧！不管是要讲哪一条规矩，你都应该把剑放下，然后才能以礼求见。”
武林中的确有这么一条规矩，不同门派的人，第一次去拜会另一派的掌门，即使他们可以平辈论交，客方也是应该以不带兵器来表示尊敬对方，倘若客方年纪较轻，辈份较低，那就更不用说了。无相真人德高望重，在各大门派的掌门人中，也是以他的年纪最大。有“资格”和他平辈论交的人，当真可说得是寥寥可数。
不过令得一众同门在心中赞叹不已的，还不是他说话的得体，而是他招数的老练。他虽然没有用剑，但却是把太极剑法化为指法的。更妙的是，他出招的手势，似乎只是要拦阻对方的前进；而对方的剑未出鞘，手臂也不屈伸，只凭一股内力，便令得剑鞘抖颤，招数似有还无，亦虚亦实。表面看来，也不像是攻击对方，只是想绕过对方的拦阻。
牟一羽不知什么时候又来到不岐身边，轻声说道：“不波师兄果然是深藏不露的高手，他这抱掌划圈的一招，似拙实巧，已是深得太极剑法的精髓。”
不岐说道：“不错，这的确是一场别开生面的比剑。不过不波师兄虽然了得，对方也很不弱呢！”他口里这么说，心里却在想道：“这个向天明的剑法虽然可以称得高明，但也不如所言之甚！”
心念未已，只听得那人已在说道：“在贵派掌门面前，别的人有剑在手自是失礼，但唯有我乃是例外！”说至此处，倏地一个转身，面向着无相真人朗声说道：“玄贞子门下特来践约！”
无相真人说道：“哦，原来是向兄来了，不波，住……”“住手”的“手”字还未曾说出，忽听得声如裂帛，不波戴的道冠已是给剑鞘劈开两半，向天明冷冷说道：“你可以让我过去了吧？”
不波哼了一声，说道：“你的本领是胜我一筹，但这一招还未能令我输得心服。”
要知当无相真人说话的时候，不波虽然还没住手，但心里已是打算一待掌门把话说完，便即住手的，他一有这个打算，以指代剑使出来的剑法已是在不知不觉间减弱了几分逼人的气势了。高手比剑，气势一弱，就难免给对方乘虚而入。
不过，向天明剑未出鞘，就能够把不波的道冠劈开，但却连不波头上的一根头发都未损及，剑法的巧妙，功力的精纯，亦足以令武当派一众弟子，包括不波在内，心中惊叹了。不波所不佩服的，只是他这一招的取巧而已。
向天明笑道：“是吗？那不打紧，你不服气，待会儿可以和我再比。”
不波道：“我已承认你是胜我一筹，十招之内输给你，和百招之内输给你，都是一样。何须再比？我在武当派门下只是个不成材的弟子，比我胜过一筹、两筹的师兄弟多着呢，你还是留点气力吧。”言下之意，倘若向天明不是“取巧”的话，他自信可以抵挡向天明的一百招。
向天明木然毫无表情，淡淡说道：“但愿你这话不假，让我有眼福一见比你胜过两筹甚或三筹的武当高手。”
说话之间，他已走到台下，施礼说道：“无相真人，一别三十六年，你荣任掌门，我还未曾有机会向你道贺呢，请恕我迟来了。”
无相真人还了一礼，说道：“向兄拣日不如撞日，你今天来得正是时候。”
向天明道：“真人想必已经收到我的拜帖了，蒙贵掌门严阵以待，实是令我这个无名小卒有不胜荣宠之感。”话语之中，暗含讥消。无相真人微笑道：“剑圣之名，名闻天下。向兄你太谦了。不过，你说的这几句话，却也是有点误会了。”
向天明一怔道：“什么地方误会，请掌门示知。”
无相真人道：“我已经不是掌门了，新掌门是我这位师弟。本派弟子集会并非是为了阁下。”
向天明道：“哦，原来我是适逢其会。那就更好了，我可以做第一个向贵派新掌门道贺的客人。”话好像说得相当客气，但“适逢其会”四字，已是隐隐含有向新掌门挑战之意。
无名跟在师兄背后，降阶迎客，还礼说道：“不敢当。你可以保留你的道贺，待这件事情过了再说。”
依照武林惯例，一派的新掌门人，在“内定”之后，还需要举行一个公开宣告就任的仪式，邀请各派掌门以及武林名人前来观礼，经过这个仪式，他的掌门地位方始算得是确定下来。因此无名这段话可以解释为他现在尚未正式就任，不敢便即接受外人道贺之意。
但武当派的弟子则都明白，无名是要在击败向天明之后，方始能够心安理得的坐上掌门位子，否则即使一众同门由于尊重老掌门人的原故，接受他做新掌门人，他也没有脸面。
向天明冷冷地瞅着无名，忽地说道：“你不是中州大侠牟沧浪吗？”
无名道：“这是我的俗家名字，现在我已经出了家，道号无名。”
向天明道：“你今天早上，好像还是俗家？”
无名道：“不错，今天早上，你派人送来的拜帖，就是由我以武当派俗家弟子的身份代师兄接下的。”
向天明道：“那时你想必已是武当派内定的候任掌门了，这拜帖你本来是可以替无相真人接下的。不但如此，我还要替我那两个下人多谢你给他们的教训？”
无名道：“本派弟子不败，也该多谢贵使者的赐招。这个小小的过节，望你不要放在心上。”弦外之音，彼此都有损伤，已经算是扯平，谁也不必追究。
向天明道：“这点过节，自是不值一提。现在是该言归正传了，三十六年前，我与令师兄订下的约会，他和你说过没有？”
无名道：“此事我早已知道。”
向天明道：“好，如今你既然接任了武当的掌门，那么当年我与无相真人的比剑之约，是由你替代他呢，还是仍然由他本人践约？”
无相真人苦笑道：“你看，我都已经是快要进棺材的人了，还能和你比剑么？”
向天明道：“我不过循例问你一声而已，老实说，即使你愿意和我比剑，我也不愿意给人笑话，我是只知欺负老弱无能之辈呢。好，那么我唯有向贵派的新掌门人请教了。”
无名说道：“三十六年前的旧约，我看还是算了吧。”
向天明冷冷说道：“算了。我若甘休，先师在泉下也不能瞑目！”
无名说道：“武学上善意的切磋无伤大雅，但向先生，你这样的说法却似乎是存着报复之念而来了。”
向天明厉声道：“不错，我是替先师报复来的，那又怎样？”
无名说道：“凡事以和为贵，向先生何必这样认真！”
向天明道：“事关师门荣辱，非认真不可！嘿嘿，你要一笔勾消那也可以，你当众向我认输吧！”
无名道：“向先生有剑圣之称，贫道的剑法自是不能和剑圣相比。”
向天明道：“你弄错了，我是要你以武当派掌门人的身份，邀请武林同道，当众承认你们武当派的剑法比不上我们昆仑派的！”
此言一出，武当派弟子大哗，有许多人禁不住叫道：“无色长老，请你老人家来教训这个妄人吧！”
无色摇了摇头，说道：“无名师兄，我看若然不答应和向先生比剑恐怕是不行了，请你也别一再谦让了！”
无名道：“这个……”
向天明喝道：“你们商议好了没有？”
不岐忽地越众而出，朗声说道：“我的师父不能和你比剑，我和你比！”
向天明道：“哦，你是无相真人的徒弟？”
不岐道：“不错，你是替你死去的师父来挑战的，我也有权替我的师父应战。”
向天明侧目斜睨，状似不屑，半晌说道：“我三十六年前和令师订下约会之时，就曾经说过，如果到时他因年老，我可以任他挑选贵派剑法最好的人和我比试，现在你的师父并没有指名叫你，看来在你师父的眼中，你似乎不能算是武当派的第一高手吧？”
不岐淡淡说道：“你当年也只是自说自话而已，家师为人忠厚，这'自高身价'四个字他是不好意思说你的。你说得一点不错，我当然不是武当派第一高手，不过，人贵有自知之明，依我看，你恐怕也只配和我动手吧！”
向天明倒也并不动怒，脸上仍是毫无表情地说道：“你也说得不错，有例在前，你是有权向我挑战的。不过，由于你并不是令师指派，也不是贵派掌门挑选出来的人，我虽然可以和你比剑，但却只能是当私人的比剑。说得明白些，我是看在你师父的份上和你随意比划那么几招，并不是把你当作代表武当派的高手来和你比！你明白么？”
不岐冷笑道：“现在我不和你斗嘴，你喜欢把我当作什么就当作什么，只要你肯和我比剑。出招吧！”
向天明皮笑肉不笑地打了个哈哈，说道：“我答应和你比剑已经是抬举你了，我让你三招！无名道长，待会儿我再向你请教！”弦外之音，要胜不岐那是易如反掌，所以只需无名道长“待一会儿”。
不岐道：“不必你让，你比我高半辈，我先出第一招就是！”说罢，长剑指出，剑尖向下一点，这一招有个名堂，叫做“朝天一炷香”，是向平辈的高手表示礼貌的。
无名站在无相真人身旁，说道：“不岐倒是很能沉得住气啊！”
“朝天一炷香”并不是用来攻击敌人的，向天明道：“不必客气，这一招可以不算。”话犹未了，不岐已是倏地抢上一步，挽了个剑花，运劲刺出，喝道：“这一招算不算？”
向天明剑未出鞘，一个转身，不岐的剑尖恰好碰着他的剑鞘，说时迟，那时快，剑锋已是顺势倒卷上去，削他握剑的手指，叮的一声，剑尖弹起，落点刚好又是指着他的手背的冷渊穴。向天明霍地身躯一矮，缩手避招，不岐的第三招又已闪电般的使出来了。这一招更是又狠又快，剑锋逆向削下，一下子就从他意想不到的方位削到他的膝盖。
这一招快如闪电，又狠又准，看来向天明已是决计难以避开，陡然间只见一道光芒，破空飞出，向天明喝道：“三招已满，还招！”当的一声，把不岐的长剑格开。
此时众人方始看得清楚，只见向天明的剑鞘已是落在地上，当中裂开。他并不是用一般拔剑的动作，拔剑出鞘的，剑鞘乃是给他的内力震裂，因此才能够在那间不容发之际，迅速及时还招，以剑对剑，化解对方攻势。他的剑裂鞘而出，不但格开了不岐的长剑，而且余势未衰，直刺不岐小腹。
不岐应变也快，一个黄鹄冲霄，身形平地拔起，向天明的剑锋从他脚底削过，倘若他慢了片刻，只怕已是断足之灾。不岐半空中一个鹞子翻身，头下脚上，一招鹏搏九霄，凌空击下。向天明横剑一封，只听得一片金铁交鸣之声，两条人影倏地由合而分，两柄长剑几乎都是贴着对方肩头的琵琶骨削过。
这几下快招，端的是有如兔起鹘落，看得众人眼花缭乱，到了此刻，方始爆出如雷的彩声！
不波呆了片刻，暗自想道：“我潜心钻研祖师留下的拳经剑谱，只道已经洞悉本门剑法的奥妙，哪知不岐师弟的变化之奇，仍然有我想象不到的！他的内功或者不及我，剑法实已是在我之上。不过他的剑法偏于奇巧，毕竟还不能算是本门的正宗剑法。他这样子练下去，恐怕是练不到最上乘的境界的。”他心里是这样想，口里则在替不岐喝彩打气，说道：“不岐师弟，你只不过才出三招，就能够令到'剑圣'裂了剑鞘，这已经算得是赢了一招了！”但他却不提向天明让了不岐三招，当然不能算是持平之论。
比剑越来越紧张了，众人已是无暇思想，甚至无暇为同门担忧了。每个人的目光都给那两柄盘旋飞舞的长剑吸引了去。
只见不岐的剑法施展开来，剑光一圈接着一圈，连绵不断，向天明的剑势则似波浪形向四边扩展，使到疾处，端的有如惊涛骇浪，好像要把不岐淹没在波浪之中！
懂得太极剑法的武当弟子看得如醉如痴，心中俱是想道：“原来太极剑法也可以使得这样快！”未曾学过太极剑法的则更加看得目瞪口呆，眼前所见，只是两道盘旋飞舞的剑光。谁也没有注意他们是已经过了几招了。
但无相真人却是非常留意的，看了向天明使了三十六招，他就悄悄和无色说道：“玄贞子那套飞鹰剑法的三个破绽，如今果然是都已修补，半点破绽也没有了。”
原来飞鹰剑法虽然共有八八六十四招，但向天明并不是顺序施展出来的，那三个破绽，一在第三十六招，一在第四十八招，一在第五十九招，向天明使出三十六招之时，原来有破绽的这三招剑法，已是都使出来了。
无色说道：“不岐能够抵敌得住，也算难得了。说老实话，在学剑的天份上，他的天份实在是比我更高。不过，他太偏于奇巧一路，究非正途。”
无名说道：“奇正相生，亦可相辅相成，到他的领悟更深一层，终归可能踏上正途，师弟，他的剑法乃是你所授，如果他真的能够青出于蓝，不但你应该高兴，我们也要向你贺喜呢。”
无相真人忽道：“不对，不对！”
无色一怔道：“他的剑法有哪招不对？”
无相真人道：“我不是说他的剑法。”
无色道：“你是说向天明的剑法吗？惭愧得很，我都看不出来。”
无相真人道：“向天明的剑法连半点破绽都无，哪有不对？”
无色莫名其妙，说道：“那么师兄说的不对，是指什么？”
无相真人道：“三言两语，很难说得明白的。待我看过后再说。或许是我猜想错了，也说不定。”
“不对”通常来说，是应该指已经出现了的事实的，怎的又说道“猜想”呢？无色不解其意，但场中的比剑已是越来越紧张了，即使无柏真人愿意说，他也不便此刻发问，何况无相真人已经言明是要押后再谈呢。他只好把疑团存在心中了。
原来令得无相真人感觉“不对”的是。向天明的剑法是如他预料那样修补完满了，但在功力方面，虽然也很不弱，却比他预料的程度差了许多。要知不岐乃是半途出家。二十六岁才拜在无相真人门下的。而向天明则是一直苦练玄贞子的飞鹰剑法，三十六年的苦练之功岂比寻常？论理他的功力是应该胜过不岐许多的。
而且，即