Chapter 9 Chapter Eight
Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing were in the stone house, when they heard that the green-robed guest outside the door was actually the world's number one villain, "Evil Man Full of Evil", in shock, they rushed towards each other and hugged each other.Duan Yu said in a low voice: "It turned out that we fell into the hands of the 'No. 1 Evil Man in the World', that's really bad!" Mu Wanqing said "Oh" and put her head in his arms.Duan Yu caressed her hair and comforted her, "Don't be afraid." The upper and lower clothes of the two of them were already wet with sweat, as if they had just got up from the water and their skin was close to each other.The two people's bodies are hot, and their bodies are steamed, smelling each other's noses, making them even more tempting.One is a young man full of vigor, and the other is a young girl with deep feelings. Even if they are not stimulated by aphrodisiacs, they are already in a state of uncertainty. What's more, the "harmony of Yin and Yang" is extremely overbearing, which can turn a gentleman into a prostitute and a virgin into a slut , only teach the mind to be confused, and the sages will become beasts.At this time, it was all due to Duan Yu's unshakable spirit, never forgetting Duan's reputation and virtue, so he tried his best to restrain himself. The Qingpao guest was extremely proud, he laughed strangely, and said: "You two brothers and sisters will soon accomplish their good deeds. The sooner you have a baby, the sooner you will get out of the cage. I will go!" go. Duan Yu yelled: "Yue Lao San, Yue Lao Er! Your master is in trouble, come quickly to rescue him." He called for a long time, but no one agreed? Thinking: "At this critical moment, even if I worship him as a teacher, it is nothing to say. It is only my business to worship the wrong person as a teacher, so I must not implicate my uncle and father." Then he shouted loudly: "The South Sea crocodile God, I am willing to worship you as my teacher, I am willing to be the successor of the South Sea Sect, come and save your apprentice. After I die, you will have no apprentices." He yelled and shouted for a while, but he never heard of the South Sea Crocodile God. He let out a sigh, and suddenly thought: "Ah, that's not good! The South Sea Crocodile God is most afraid of his boss, 'full of evil', even if he hears me calling, he won't dare to come to rescue him." He couldn't help crying in his heart. Mu Wanqing suddenly said: "Duan Lang, after you and I get married, our first child, do you prefer a boy or a girl?" Duan Yu replied in a daze: "A boy!" Suddenly a young girl's voice outside the stone house said: "Mr. Duan, you are her elder brother, and you must not marry her." Duan Yu hesitated, and said, "You...are you Miss Zhong?" That girl was Zhong Ling, Said: "It's me. I overheard what this villain in green robe said. I will definitely find a way to save you and Sister Mu." Duan Yu was overjoyed, and said: "That's great, go and steal the antidote for the poison. Me." Mu Wanqing said angrily: "Zhong Ling, you little devil, go away, who wants you to save?" Zhong Ling said: "I'd better try to push this big rock away and save you first." Duan Yu said: " No, no! Go and steal the antidote. I...I can't take it anymore, I'm going to die soon." Zhong Ling said in shock: "What can't take it? Do you have a stomachache?" Duan Yu said: "No Stomach pain." Zhong Ling asked again: "Do you have a headache?" Duan Yu said: "It's not a headache either." Zhong Ling said: "Then what's wrong with you?" Duan Yu's unstoppable lust, how can he tell this little girl?I could only say: "I'm not feeling well all over, you just try to steal the antidote." Zhong Ling frowned and said, "If you don't tell me the symptoms, I don't know what antidote to look for. My father has many antidote, but you have to Prophet, you have a stomachache, a headache, or a heartache." Duan Yu sighed and said, "I don't feel any pain. I am... I took a poison called 'Yin Yang He He San'." Zhong Ling clapped his hands and said: "If you know the name of the poison, then it's easy to handle. Brother Duan, I'm going to ask Daddy for the antidote." She hurriedly climbed over the tree wall, and pestered her father to get the antidote of "yin and yang harmony and separation".The "Yin Yang He San" is Qing Pao Ke's drug, but Zhong Wanchou knew what it was when he heard the name, his face sank, and he reprimanded: "Little girl, why are you asking about these unimportant things?" ? If you talk nonsense again, my boss will beat you up." Zhong Ling said anxiously, "It's not nonsense..." At this moment, Emperor Baoding and others attacked the Valley of Myriad Tribulations, Zhong Wanchou rushed out to meet the enemy, leaving Zhong Ling alone in the house.She heard the battle of swords outside the house, and the fight was fierce, so she ignored it and searched here and there where her father kept the medicine.Hundreds of Zhong Wanchou's medicine bottles were pasted with the name of the medicine, but the antidote of "Yin Yang He San" was missing.I just didn't know what to do, so I heard someone come in, and when I went out to have a look, I met Emperor Baoding. Emperor Baoding wanted to find someone to lead the way, but he couldn't see anyone for a while. He suddenly heard footsteps behind him, and when he turned his head, he saw Zhong Ling running towards him, so he stopped and waited.Zhong Ling ran close and said, "I can't find the antidote, so I'll take you there! I wonder if you can push that big rock away." Emperor Baoding was puzzled, and asked, "What antidote?" Zhong Ling said: "You Come with me and you'll find out." The road in the Valley of Myriad Tribulations is tortuous, but under Zhong Ling's leadership, it will arrive within a short time.Emperor Baoding supported Zhong Ling's arm, but he didn't see him jumping up, suddenly soaring into the air, and crossed the tree wall smoothly.Zhong Ling clapped his hands and praised: "Wonderful, wonderful! You seem to be able to fly! Oh, not good!" But I saw a person sitting upright in front of the stone house, it was the strange man in green robe! Zhong Ling was most afraid of this half-dead person, and whispered: "Let's go quickly, and come back after this person is gone." Emperor Baoding was also very surprised when he saw this green-robed strange person, and comforted her: "I am here , you don’t have to be afraid. Duan Yu is in this stone house, isn’t he?” Zhong Ling nodded and shrank behind him. Emperor Baoding stepped forward slowly and said, "Your Majesty, please give way!" The Qingpao guest sat still as if he didn't hear or see him. Emperor Baoding said: "Your Majesty refuses to give way, don't blame me for being rude." He turned sideways and passed by the left side of the Qingpao guest, raised his right palm, pressed down on the boulder, and was about to use his strength to push it, only to see the Qingpao guest from the left. A thin iron rod sticks out from under the armpit, pointing at his "Quepen Point".When the iron rod was about a chi away from his body, it stopped immediately, trembling unceasingly, as soon as Emperor Baoding released his strength, the door between his chest and abdomen opened wide, and the iron rod came towards him, there was no way to dodge it.Emperor Baoding shuddered: "This man is extremely good at acupuncture, but who is he?" His right palm slightly raised, he slashed towards the iron staff, his left palm came out from the bottom of his right palm, and was already pressed on the stone.Qing Pao Ke shifted his iron stick, pointing at his "Tianchi Point".Emperor Baoding's palm was like the wind, changing direction seven times in a row, Qingpao Ke moved the iron rod accordingly, every time he touched the acupoints in vain to control the situation, so that even though he was pressing on the boulder, he dared not exert strength. The two changed their moves one after another, Qing Pao Ke always made Emperor Baoding unable to use his strength to push the stone, the kung fu of identifying acupoints was accurate, Emperor Baoding felt that he was not on par with himself, he was still above his brother Duan Zhengchun.His left palm was slanted, and suddenly it turned into a finger, with a chirping sound, he used his finger force to touch the iron stick quickly, if the finger hit firmly, the iron stick would have to bend.Unexpectedly, the iron staff also clicked with a snort, and the two forces collided in the air, Emperor Baoding took a step back, and the Qingpao guest also swayed.There was a slight red light on Baoding Emperor's face, and a layer of greenness faintly appeared on Qingpao Ke's face, both of which were fleeting. Emperor Baoding was amazed and thought to himself: "This man's martial arts are not only extremely high, but he also has a close relationship with me. His stick method is obviously related to Yiyang Zhi." Immediately he cupped his hands and said: "Senior, I hope to see you " Only one voice said: "Are you Duan Zhengming? You haven't grown old in these years." Emperor Baoding was even more surprised when he saw that his lips didn't move at all, but he was able to speak, and said, "Duan Zhengming next." Qingpao The guest said: "Hmph, you are the current Emperor Baoding of Dali Kingdom?" Emperor Baoding pondered for a while, and said: "You are slightly better than you in martial arts, but if you really do it, I can beat you." The green robed guest said: "That's right. After becoming this person, I haven't given up on practicing kung fu all these years." Although the voice in his stomach was strange, it was still full of resentment. Emperor Baoding couldn't figure out his origin, and countless questions swirled in his mind in an instant.Suddenly, irritable screams came from inside the stone house, it was Duan Yu's voice, Emperor Baoding shouted: "Yu'er, what's wrong with you? Don't panic, I'll come to save you." Zhong Ling said in surprise: "Duan Yu Big Brother, Big Brother Duan!" It turned out that Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing were stimulated by the violent aphrodisiac, and it became more and more difficult to resist their lust.Later, Mu Wanqing was confused, she forgot that Duan Yu was her real brother, and she just called: "Duan Lang, hug me, hug me!" She was a virgin, and she knew little about men and women, but she felt hot and unbearable. It was impossible for Duan Yu to hug him, so he rushed towards Duan Yu.Duan Yu shouted: "I can't do it!" Dodging away, the enemy naturally used Lingbo Weibu under his feet.Mu Wanqing missed, she leaned over and fell on the bed, and passed out. Duan Yu walked a few steps in succession, his inner breath naturally flowed along the meridians, he walked faster and faster, his chest was extremely depressed, he seemed to be unable to breathe, and couldn't help but let out a loud cry.With this cry, his depression actually subsided a little. Now he walked a few steps and called out, but his desire for lust faded away. The conversation between Emperor Baoding and the Qingpao guest outside the house, as well as Emperor Baoding's words telling him not to panic, had already been ignored. . The guest in Qingpao said: "This kid has good concentration. After taking my 'Yin Yang He San', he can still last until now." Emperor Baoding was taken aback, and asked: "What kind of poison is that?" Qingpao The guest said: "It's not poison, it's just a strong aphrodisiac." Emperor Baoding said, "What do you mean by giving him this kind of medicine?" The guest in Qingpao said: "In this stone house, there is another There is a woman who is Duan Zhengchun's illegitimate daughter and Duan Yu's younger sister." When Emperor Baoding heard this, he couldn't help being startled, no matter how well-bred he was, he couldn't help being furious, waved his long sleeves, and pointed at him with a sneer.Qingpao Ke blocked it with his stick, Emperor Baoding pointed out his second finger, this finger went straight to the Qitu acupoint under his throat, it was the deadly acupoint, he was expected to fight back with all his strength. The educated youth paoke said "hey hey" twice, neither dodging nor parrying.Seeing that he was not evasive or fighting, Emperor Baoding felt suspicious in his heart, immediately withdrew his fingers and asked, "Why are you willing to die?" Another layer deeper." Emperor Baoding asked: "Who are you?" Qingpao Ke whispered a word. When Emperor Baoding heard this, his expression changed, and he said, "I don't believe it!" The green robed guest handed over the iron stick in his right hand to his left, and with a snort of his right index finger, he pointed at Emperor Baoding, who leaned away and returned it. one finger.Qingpao Ke poked with his middle finger, Emperor Baoding returned with his middle finger with a solemn face.The third move of Qing Pao Ke was to sweep with his ring finger, and the fourth move was to lightly pick with his little finger, and Emperor Baoding followed suit one by one.When he got the fifth move, Qing Pao Ke pressed his thumb to come over. Among the five fingers, the thumb is the shortest, so it is also the slowest, but the strength of the finger is the strongest. Emperor Baoding dare not neglect, he raised his thumb, Also suppressed the past. Zhong Ling looked very strange from the side, and forgot the fear of Qing Pao Ke, and said with a smile: "Are you two guessing fist? You point out and I point out, but who wins?" Said while talking Come closer.Suddenly, a gust of strong wind struck silently. When Zhong Ling was startled, his left shoulder hurt sharply, and he was on the verge of fainting.Emperor Baoding waved his palm back, pushed her body flat, then leaped backwards, supported her, and said, "Stand still." Zhong Ling said in a daze, "He...he wants to kill me?" Emperor Baoding shook his head and said : "No. I am competing with him in martial arts, and no one else can approach." He reached out and stroked her vest a few times. The guest in green robe said, "Do you believe me?" Emperor Baoding took a few steps forward, bowed and said, "I will see you senior!" The guest in green robe said, "You only call me senior, do you refuse to recognize me, or Do you still believe me?" Emperor Baoding said: "As the lord of a country, Zhengming should be solemn in his words and deeds. Zhengming has no sons. This part of the reputation bears the weight of the ancestral temple and the country. Please release it." The green robed guest said: "I want the Duan Clan of Dali to be incestuous and immoral, and have no sons and grandchildren. I have waited until today, how can I let go so easily?" Emperor Baoding sternly said, "Duan Zhengming absolutely forbids it!" The Qingpao guest said: "Hey! You claim to be the emperor of Dali, but I only think of you as a traitor who seeks to usurp the throne. If you have the guts, go and call the Shence Army and the Yulin Army. Let me tell you, I Although the power is far inferior to yours, it is easy to kill the little thief Duan Yu first. If you fight with me now, you may be able to defeat me after hundreds of moves, but it is extremely difficult to kill me. As long as I don't die, you It will not save Duan Yu's life." Emperor Baoding's face was green and pale for a while, knowing that his words were true.Not to mention dispatching the Shence Army and the Yulin Army, I only need one more helper, if the Qingpao man can't resist the enemy, he will immediately harm Duan Yu, let alone with this person, he must not be killed, saying: "What do you want to release him?" The green-robed guest said: "It's not difficult! You only need to agree to go to Tianlong Temple to become a monk and give me the position, and I will undo the medicinal properties in Duan Yu's body and give you back A good nephew who is alive and well, and has good morals." Emperor Baoding said: "How can you give away the foundation of your ancestors casually?" The green robed guest said: "Hey, is this your foundation, or mine? Returning the property to its original owner, don't you just give it away? I don't hold you accountable for the serious crime of usurping the throne, which is already considered extremely magnanimous. If you insist on If you refuse, you might as well wait patiently, and when Duan Yu and her sister give birth to a boy and a half girl, I will let him go." Emperor Baoding said: "Then you'd better kill him as soon as possible." The Qingpao guest said: "Besides this, there are two other ways." Emperor Baoding asked: "What?" Then you can let him out." Baoding Emperor said: "I can't plot against you." Qingpao Ke said: "If you want to plot plots, it may not be possible. The second way, you ask Duan Yu to use a yang finger Compete with me in kung fu, as long as he wins against me, won't he leave by himself? Hehe, hehe!" Emperor Baoding was so angry that he couldn't help but wanted to explode, he finally restrained himself and said: "Duan Yu doesn't know martial arts at all, and he has never learned Yiyang Finger Kung Fu." Who can believe him?" Baoding Emperor said: "Duan Yuyou read poetry, books and Buddhist scriptures, he is compassionate, and he is determined not to learn martial arts." Qingpao guest said: "He is another hypocrite who pretends to be benevolent and righteous, and seeks fame! Such a If a person becomes the king of Dali, it is really not a blessing for the common people, and it would be better to kill him as soon as possible." Emperor Baoding sternly said: "Senior, is there another way to do it?" Qingpao Ke said: "If I had had another way to do it back then, I wouldn't have ended up in such a situation where I couldn't live or die. Others wouldn't give me a chance. Way to go, why should I give you a way to go?" Emperor Baoding lowered his head and pondered for a while, then raised his head suddenly, with a resolute and solemn expression on his face, and shouted: "Yu'er, I will try to save you. Don't forget that you are a descendant of the Duan family!" In the stone house, Duan Yu shouted: "Uncle, come in and put me to death with one finger..." At this moment, he had stopped, rested on the big stone that sealed the door, and he had clearly heard Emperor Baoding and Qing Qing. Pao Ke's second half of the dialogue.Emperor Baoding sternly said: "What? Did you do anything to ruin my Duan family's style?" Duan Yu said: "No! No, nephew...nephew is so hot that he can't live...he can't live!" Baoding Dilang said: "Life and death are fate, let it be." Holding Zhong Ling's arm, he ran across the open space, jumped over the tree wall, and said: "Little girl, thank you for leading the way, and you will be rewarded in the future." Following the same path, Before coming to the main house. I saw Chu Wanli and Fu Sigui fighting against the God of Crocodile of the South China Sea, and it was still a close call.However, the pair of Zhu Danchen and Gu Ducheng was gradually unable to support Ye Erniang's Fang Dao.Over there, although the crane in Yunzhong still did not slow down at all, it panted loudly, like a tired cow, but Ba Tianshi jumped up and down, relaxed and at ease.Gao Shengtai paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, seemingly indifferent to the fierce fighting around him, but in fact he watched all directions, listened to all directions, and his spirit covered the whole situation. As long as no one on his side was in danger, he didn't need to help.Duan Zhengchun and his wife, Qin Hongmian and Zhong Wanchou were nowhere to be seen. Emperor Baoding asked: "Where is Brother Chun?" Gao Shengtai said: "The King of Zhennan expelled Lord Zhonggu, and went to look for Mr. Duan with the princess." Emperor Baoding shouted loudly: "There are other matters here. Everyone retreat!" Ba Tianshi suddenly stopped, Yun Zhonghe rushed over, Ba Tianshi slapped his palm, and he was about to go out.Yun Zhonghe blocked it with both palms, he could only feel the qi and blood in his chest surging, and he almost spurted blood.He forced himself to hold back, his eyes were blurry, he could no longer see clearly where his opponent's punches and kicks came from.But Ba Tianshi didn't take advantage of the victory to pursue, he sneered and said, "I've learned." I only heard Duan Zhengchun's voice from behind the bushes on the left, saying: "There's nothing here, let's look at the back." Dao Baifeng said: "It's good to find someone to ask, why is there no servant in Guzhong?" Qin Hongmian Said: "My junior sister told them to hide." Emperor Baoding, Gao Shengtai and Ba Tianshi looked at each other and smiled, and they all felt that the king of Zhennan had great powers. The women who were still living sumo wrestling just now joined forces to find Duan Yu.只听段正淳道:“那么咱们去问你师妹,她一定知道誉儿关在什么地方。”刀白凤怒道:“不许你去见甘宝宝。不怀好意!”秦红棉道:“我师妹说过了,从此永远不再见你面。” 三人说着从树丛中出来。段正淳见到兄长,问道:“大哥,救出……找到誉儿了么?”他本想说“救出誉儿”,但不见儿子在侧,便即改口。保定帝点头道:“找到了,咱们回去再说。” 褚万里、朱丹臣等听得皇上下旨停战,均欲住手,但叶二娘和南海鳄神打得兴起,缠住了恶战不休。保定帝眉头微蹙,说道:“咱们走吧!” 高昇泰道:“是!”怀中取出铁笛,挺笛指向南海鳄神咽喉,跟着扬臂反手,横笛扫向叶二娘。这两记笛招都是攻向敌人极要紧的空隙。南海鳄神一个筋斗避过,啪的一声,铁笛重重击中叶二娘左臂。叶二娘大叫一声,忙飘身逃开。 高昇泰的武功其实并不比这两人强了多少,但他旁观已久,心中早已拟就了对付这两人的绝招。这招似乎纯在对付南海鳄神,其实却是佯攻,突然出其不意地给叶二娘来一下狠的,以报前日背上那一掌之仇。看来似乎轻描淡写,随意挥洒,实则这一招在他心中已盘算了无数遍,实是毕生功力之所聚,已然出尽全力。 南海鳄神圆睁豆眼,又惊又佩,说道:“妈巴羔子,好家伙,瞧你不出……”下面的话没再说下去,意思自然是说:“瞧你不出,居然胜了我三妹,老子只怕还不是你这小子的对手。” 刀白凤问保定帝道:“皇上,誉儿怎样?”保定帝心下担忧,但丝毫不动声色,淡然道:“没什么。眼前是个让他磨练的大好机会,过得几天自会出来,一切回宫再说。”说着转身便走。 巴天石抢前开路。段正淳夫妇跟在兄长之后,其后是褚、古、傅、朱四护卫,最后是高昇泰。他适才这凌厉绝伦的一招镇慑了敌人,南海鳄神虽然凶悍,却也不敢上前挑战。 段正淳走出十余丈,忍不住回头向秦红棉望去,秦红棉也怔怔地正瞧着他背影,四目相对,不由得都痴了。 只见钟万仇手执大环刀,气急败坏地从屋后奔出来,叫道:“段正淳,你这次没见到我夫人,算你运气好,我就不来难为你。我夫人已发了誓,以后决不再见你。不过……不过那也靠不住,她要是见到你这家伙,说不定他妈的又……总而言之,你不能再来!”他和段正淳拚斗,数招不胜,便即回去守住夫人,以防段正淳前来勾引。听得夫人立誓决不再见段正淳之面,心下大慰,忙奔将出来,将这句要紧之极的言语说了。 段正淳心下黯然,暗道:“为什么?为什么再也不见我面?你已是有夫之妇,我岂能再败坏你的名节?大理段二虽然风流好色,却非卑鄙无耻之徒。让我再瞧瞧你,就算咱两人离得远远的,一句话也不说,那也好啊。”回过头来,见妻子正冷冷第瞧着自己,心头一凛,当即加快脚步,出谷而去。
一行人回到大理。保定帝道:“大伙到宫中商议。”来到皇宫内书房,保定帝坐在中间一张铺着豹皮的大椅上,段正淳夫妇坐在下首,高昇泰一干人均垂手侍立。保定帝吩咐内侍取过凳子,命各人坐下,挥退内侍,将段誉如何落入敌人情形说了。 段正淳不由得一阵羞惭,低声禀告保定帝:“皇兄,那木姑娘确是臣弟的私生女儿,这青袍客将他兄妹二人囚于一处,用心恶毒……”保定帝点点头,心下了然。 众人均知关键是在那青袍客身上,听保定帝说此人不仅会一阳指,且功力犹在他之上,谁都不敢多口,各自低头沉吟。均知一阳指是段家世代相传的功夫,传子不传女,更加不传外人,青袍客既会这门功夫,自是段氏的嫡系子孙了。(按:直到段氏后世子孙段智兴一灯大师手中,为了要制住大敌西毒欧阳锋,才破了不传外人的祖规,将这门神功先传给王重阳,再传于渔樵耕读四大弟子。详见。) 保定帝向段正淳道:“淳弟,你猜此人是谁?”段正淳摇头道:“我猜不出,难道是天龙寺中有人还俗改装?”保定帝摇头道:“不是,是延庆太子!” As soon as this remark came out, everyone was shocked.段正淳道:“延庆太子早已不在人世,此人多半是冒名招摇。”保定帝叹道:“名字可以乱冒,一阳指的功夫却假冒不得。偷师学招之事,武林中原亦寻常,然而这等内功心法,又如何能偷?此人是延庆太子,决无可疑。” 段正淳沉思半晌,问道:“那么他是我段家佼佼的人物,何以反而要败坏我家的门风清誉?”保定帝叹道:“此人周身残疾,自是性情大异,一切不可以常理度之。何况大理国皇座既由我居之,他自必心怀愤懑,要害得我兄弟俩身败名裂而后快。” 段正淳道:“大哥登位已久,臣民拥戴,四境升平,别说只延庆太子出世,就算上德帝复生,也不能再居此位。” 高昇泰站起身来,说道:“镇南王此言甚是。延庆太子好好将段公子交出便罢,否则咱们也不认他什么太子不太子,只当他是天下四大恶人之首,人人得而诛之。他武功虽高,终究好汉敌不过人多。” 原来十多年前的上德五年,大理国上德帝段廉义在位,朝中忽生大变,上德帝为奸臣杨义贞所弑,其后上德帝的侄子段寿辉得天龙寺中诸高僧及忠臣高智昇之助,平灭杨义贞。段寿辉接登帝位,称为上明帝。上明帝不乐为帝,只在位一年,便赴天龙寺出家为僧,将帝位传给堂弟段正明,是为保定帝。上德帝本有一个亲子,当时朝中称为延庆太子,当奸臣杨义贞谋朝篡位之际,举国大乱,延庆太子不知去向,人人都以为是给杨义贞杀了,没想到事隔多年,竟会突然出现。 保定帝听了高昇泰的话,摇头道:“皇位本是延庆太子的。当日只因找他不着,上明帝这才接位,后来又传位给我。延庆太子既然复出,我这皇位便该当还他。”转头向高昇泰道:“令尊倘若在世,想来也有此意。”高昇泰是大功臣高智昇之子,当年锄奸除逆,全仗高智昇出了大力。 高昇泰走上一步,伏地禀道:“先父忠君爱民。这青袍怪客号称是四恶之首,若在大理国君临万民,众百姓不知要吃多少苦头。皇上让位之议,臣昇泰万死不敢奉诏。” 巴天石也伏地奏道:“适才天石听得那南海鳄神怪声大叫,说他们四恶之首叫做什么'恶贯满盈'。这恶人若不是延庆太子,自不能觊觎大宝。就算他是延庆太子,如此凶恶奸险之徒,怎能让他治理大理国政?倘若不幸如此,势必是国家倾覆,社稷沦丧,千万百姓受苦无穷。” 保定帝挥手道:“两位请起,你们所说的也言之成理。但誉儿落入了他手中,除了我避位相让,更有什么法子能让誉儿归来?” 段正淳道:“大哥,自来只有君父有难,为臣子的才当舍身以赴。誉儿虽为大哥所爱,怎能为了他而甘舍大位?否则誉儿纵然脱险,却也成了大理国的千古罪人。” 保定帝站起身来,左手摸着颏下长须,右手两指在额上轻轻弹击,在书房中缓缓而行。众人均知他每逢有大事难决,便如此出神思索,谁也不敢做声扰他思路。保定帝踱来踱去,过得良久,说道:“这延庆太子手段毒辣,给誉儿所服的'阴阳和合散'药性甚是厉害,常人极难抵挡。只怕……只怕他这时已为药性所迷,也未可知。唉,这是旁人以奸计摆布,下毒嫁祸,须怪誉儿不得。” 段正淳低下了头,羞愧无地,心想归根结底,都是由自己风流成性起祸。 保定帝走回坐入椅中,说道:“巴司空,传下旨意,命翰林院草制,册封我弟正淳为皇太弟。” 段正淳吃了一惊,忙跪下道:“大哥春秋正盛,功德在民,皇天必定保佑,子孙绵绵。这皇太弟一事尽可缓议。” 保定帝伸手扶起,说道:“你我兄弟一体,这大理国江山原是你我兄弟同掌,别说我并无子嗣,就是有子有孙,也要传位于你。淳弟,我立你为嗣,此心早决,通国皆知。今日早定名份,也好令延庆太子息了此念。” 段正淳数次推辞,均不获准,只得叩首谢恩。高昇泰等上前道贺。保定帝并无子息,皇位日后势必传于段正淳,原是意料中事,谁也不以为奇。 保定帝道:“大家去歇歇吧。延庆太子之事,只可告知华司徒、范司马两人,此外不可泄露。”众人齐声接旨,躬身告退。巴天石去向翰林学士宣诏,草制册封。
保定帝用过御膳,小睡片刻,醒来时隐隐听得宫外鼓乐声喧,爆竹连天。内监进来服侍更衣,禀道:“陛下册封镇南王为皇太弟,众百姓欢呼庆祝,甚是热闹。”大理国近年来兵革不兴,朝政清明,庶民安居乐业,众百姓对皇帝及镇南王、善阐侯等当国君臣均甚爱戴。保定帝道:“传我旨意,明日大放花灯,大理城金吾不禁,犒赏三军,以酒肉赏赐耆老孤儿。”旨意传了下去,大理全城百姓更欢忭如沸。 到得傍晚,保定帝换了便装,独自出宫。他将大帽压住眉檐,遮住面目。一路上只见众百姓拍手讴歌,青年男女,载歌载舞。大理国种族繁多,当时中原人士视大理国为蛮夷之地,礼仪与中土颇不相同,大街上青年男女携手同行,调情嬉笑,旁若无人,谁也不以为异。保定帝心下暗祝:“但愿我大理众百姓世世代代,皆能如此欢乐。” 他出城后快步前行,行得二十余里后上山,越走越荒僻,转过四个山坳,来到一座小小古庙前,庙门上写着“拈花寺”三字。佛教是大理国教,大理京城内外,大寺数十,小庙以百计,这座“拈花寺”地处偏僻,无甚香火,大理人多数不知。 保定帝站在寺前,默祝片刻,然后上前在寺门上轻叩三下。过得半晌,寺门推开,走出一名小沙弥来,合十问道:“尊客光降,有何贵干?”保定帝道:“相烦通报黄眉大师,便道故人段正明求见。”小沙弥道:“请进。”转身肃客。保定帝举步入寺,只听得叮叮两声清磬,悠悠从后院传出,霎时之间,只感遍体清凉,意静神闲。 他踏着寺院中落叶,走向后院。小沙弥道:“尊客请在此稍候,我去禀报师父。”保定帝道:“是。”负手站在庭中,见庭中一株公孙树上一片黄叶缓缓飞落。他一生极少有如此站在门外等候别人,但一到这拈花寺中,俗念尽消,浑忘了自己天南为帝。 忽听得一个苍老的声音笑道:“段贤弟,你心中有何难题?”保定帝回过头来,只见一个满脸皱纹、身形高大的老僧从小舍中推门出来。这老僧两道焦黄长眉,眉尾下垂,正是黄眉和尚。 保定帝双手拱了拱,道:“打扰大师清修了。”黄眉和尚微笑道:“请进。”保定帝跨步走进小舍,见两个中年和尚躬身行礼。保定帝知是黄眉和尚的弟子,举手还礼,在西首一个蒲团上盘膝坐下。待黄眉和尚在东首的蒲团坐定,便道:“我有个侄儿段誉,他七岁之时,我曾抱来听师兄讲经。”黄眉僧微笑道:“此子颇有悟性,好孩子,好孩子!”保定帝道:“他受了佛法点化,生性慈悲,不肯学武,以免杀生。”黄眉僧道:“不会武功,也能杀人。会了武功,也未必杀人。” 保定帝道:“是!”于是将段誉如何坚决不肯学武、私逃出门,如何结识了木婉清,如何被号称“天下第一恶人”的延庆太子囚入石室,诱服春药等情,原原本本地说了。黄眉僧凝神倾听,不插一言。两名弟子在他身后垂手侍立,更连脸上的肌肉也不牵动半点。 待保定帝说完,黄眉僧缓缓道:“这位延庆太子既是你堂兄,你自己固不便和他动手,便派遣下属前去强行救人,恐也不妥。”保定帝道:“师兄明鉴。”黄眉僧道:“天龙寺中的高僧大德,武功固有高于贤弟的,但他们皆系出段氏,不便参与本族内争,偏袒贤弟。因此也不能向天龙寺求助。”保定帝道:“正是。” 黄眉僧点点头,缓缓伸出中指,向保定帝胸前点去。保定帝微微一笑,伸出食指,对准他的中指一戳,两人都身形一晃,便即收指。黄眉僧道:“段贤弟,我的金刚指力,可胜不过你的一阳指啊。”保定帝道:“师兄大智大慧,不必纯以指力取胜。”黄眉僧低头不语。 保定帝站起来,说道:“五年之前,师兄命我免了大理百姓的盐税,一来国用未足,二来小弟意欲待吾弟正淳接位,再行此项仁政,以便庶民归德吾弟,以致未遵师兄吩咐。明天一早,小弟就颁令废除盐税。” 黄眉僧站起身来,躬身下拜,恭恭敬敬地道:“贤弟造福万民,老僧感德不尽。” 保定帝下拜还礼,不再说话,飘然出寺。 保定帝回到宫中,即命内监宣巴司空前来,告以废除盐税之事。巴天石躬身谢恩,说道:“皇上鸿恩,实为庶民之福。”保定帝道:“宫中用度,尽量裁减撙节。你去跟华司徒、范司马二人商议,瞧政费国用有什么可省的。”巴天石答应了。
巴天石辞出宫后,即去约了司徒华赫艮,一齐来到司马范骅府中,告以废除盐税。至于段誉被掳一节,巴天石已先行对华范二人说过。 范骅沉吟道:“镇南世子落入奸人之手,皇上下旨免除盐税,想必是意欲邀天之怜,令镇南世子得以无恙归来。咱们不能分君父之忧,有何脸面立身朝堂之上?”巴天石道:“正是,二哥有何妙计,可以救得世子?”范骅道:“对手既是延庆太子,皇上万不愿跟他正面为敌。我倒有一条计策,只不过要偏劳大哥了。”华司徒忙道:“哪有什么偏劳的?二弟快说。”范骅道:“皇上言道,那延庆太子的武功尚胜皇上半筹。咱们硬碰硬的去救人,自然不能。大哥,你二十年前的旧营生,不妨再干他一次。”华司徒紫膛色的脸上微微一红,笑道:“二弟又来取笑了。” 这华司徒华赫艮本名阿根,出身贫贱,现今大理国位列三公,未发迹时,干的却是盗墓掘坟的勾当,最擅长的本领是偷盗王公巨贾的坟墓。这些富贵人物死后,必有珍异宝物殉葬,华阿根从极远处挖掘地道,通入坟墓,然后盗取宝物。花的工程虽巨,却由此而从未为人发觉。有一次他掘入一坟,在棺木中得到了一本殉葬的武功秘诀,依法修习,练成了一身卓绝的外门功夫,便舍弃了这下贱营生,辅佐保定帝,累立奇功,终于升到司徒之职。他居官后嫌旧时的名字太俗,改名赫艮,除了范骅和巴天石这两个生死之交,极少有人知道他的出身。 范骅道:“小弟何敢取笑大哥?我是想咱们混进万劫谷中,挖掘一条地道,通入镇南世子的石室,然后神不知、鬼不觉地救他出来。” 华赫艮一拍大腿,叫道:“妙极,妙极!”他于盗墓一事,实有天生嗜好,二十年来虽再不干此营生,偶尔想起,仍禁不住手痒,只盼有机会重作冯妇,但身居高官,富贵已极,再去盗坟掘墓,成何体统?这时听范骅一提,不禁大喜。 范骅笑道:“大哥且慢欢喜,这中间着实有些难处。四大恶人都在万劫谷中,钟万仇夫妇和修罗刀也均是厉害人物,要避过他们耳目委实不易。再说,那延庆太子坐镇石屋之前,地道在他身底通过,如何方能令他不会察觉?” 华赫艮沉吟半晌,说道:“地道当从石屋之后通过去,避开延庆太子的所在。”巴天石道:“镇南世子时时刻刻都有危险,咱们挖掘地道,只怕工程不小,可来得及么?地底倘若多有坚石,就更难了。”华赫艮道:“那就咱哥儿三人一起干,委屈你们两位,跟我学一学做盗墓的小贼。”巴天石笑道:“既位居大理国三公,大哥以身作则,小弟等自当追随,义不容辞。”三人拊掌大笑。 华赫艮道:“事不宜迟,说干便干。”当下巴天石绘出万劫谷中的图形,华赫艮拟订地道的入口路线。至于如何避人耳目,如何运出地道中所挖的泥土等等,原是他的无双绝技。华赫艮又去传了一批昔日熟手的下属前来相助。
这一日一晚之间,段誉每觉炎热烦躁,便展开“凌波微步”身法,在斗室中快步行走,只须走得一两个圈子,内功增进,心头便感清凉。木婉清却身发高热,神智迷糊,大半时刻都是昏昏沉沉地倚壁而睡。 次日午间,段誉又在室中疾行,忽听得石屋外一个苍老的声音说道:“纵横十九道,迷煞多少人。居士可有清兴,与老僧手谈一局么?”段誉心下奇怪,当即放缓脚步,又走出十几步,这才停住,凑眼到送饭进来的洞孔向外张望。 只见一个满脸皱纹、眉毛焦黄的老僧,左手拿着一个饭碗大小的铁木鱼,右手举起一根黑黝黝的木鱼槌,在铁木鱼上铮铮铮地敲击数下,听所发声音,这根木鱼槌也是钢铁所制。他口宣佛号:“阿弥陀佛,阿弥陀佛!”俯身将木鱼槌往石屋前的一块大青石上划去,嗤嗤声响,石屑纷飞,登时刻了一条直线。段誉暗暗奇怪,这老僧的面貌依稀似乎见过,他手上劲道好大,随手划去,石上便现深痕,就同石匠以铁凿、铁锤慢慢打击出来一般。而这条线笔直无曲,石匠要凿这样一条直线,更非先用墨斗弹线不可。 石屋前一个郁闷的声音说道:“金刚指力,好功夫!”正是那青袍客“恶贯满盈”。他右手铁杖伸出,在青石上划了一条横线,和黄眉僧所刻直线