Chapter 17 Chapter Sixteen

Everyone turned their heads, and saw an old monk wearing a gray cloth robe, with big ears and a dignified appearance, coming out from behind the apricot tree. Elder Xu shouted: "Grandmaster Zhiguang on Tiantai Mountain has arrived! I haven't seen you for more than thirty years, and the master is still so healthy." Monk Zhiguang's name is not well-known in the martial arts world, and members of the next generation in the Beggar Clan don't know his origin.But Qiao Feng, the Sixth Elder, and others all stood in respect, knowing that he had made a great wish back then, traveled across the oceans and wilds overseas, collected bark of different species, and cured countless people infected with miasma in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi.Because of this, he suffered two serious illnesses, and finally lost all his martial arts, but it is not uncommon for him to benefit the common people.Everyone approached to salute one after another.

Master Zhiguang smiled at Zhao Qiansun: "The martial arts are not as good as the opponent's, and it is very difficult not to fight back when beaten. If the martial arts are better, it is even more difficult to be beaten and not fight back!" Zhao Qiansun bowed his head in deep thought, as if he had realized something. Elder Xu said: "Grandmaster Zhiguang is famous for his virtue, and no one disrespects him. But in the past ten years or so, he has stopped asking about the affairs of the world. Today, the Buddha came down, it is really a blessing for the beggars. My gang is very grateful."

Zhiguang said: "Elder Xu of the Beggars' Gang and Shan Judge of Mount Tai jointly called together, how dare I not come? Tiantai Mountain is not far from Wuxi, and the two letters said that this matter is related to the fate of the common people in the world, so it should be enshrined call." Qiao Feng thought to himself: "So you were also invited by Elder Xu and Shan Zheng." Then he thought: "I have heard that Master Zhiguang is highly respected, and he will never participate in any conspiracy to harm me. It is really a good thing that he has come." Zhao Qiansun suddenly said: "Monk Zhiguang was also involved in the great battle in front of the rocky valley outside the Yanmen Pass, let's talk about it."

When Zhiguang heard the words "in front of the chaotic stone valley outside the Yanmen Pass", a strange expression flashed across his face. He seemed to be excited, terrified, and miserable. Finally, he was filled with compassion and pity, and sighed: "Kill the evil!" It’s too heavy! The murder is too heavy! I’m ashamed of this matter. All benefactors, the Great War in Chaos Stone Valley happened thirty years ago, why bring it up again today?” Elder Xu said: "It's just that there has been a major change in the current book, and there is a letter related to this matter." As he spoke, he handed over the letter.

Zhiguang read the letter, pondered for a moment, read it again from the beginning, shook his head and said: "The old things have long passed, why bother to bring them up again today? In my opinion, destroy this letter and wipe out all traces, that's all." Elder Xu said: "The deputy head of our gang died tragically. If we don't pursue the case, the vice head Ma will be wronged, and our gang will be in danger of disintegration." Master Zhiguang nodded and sighed: "That's true, that's true!" He raised his head, but saw a crescent moon hanging slantingly in the sky, and the cold clear light poured down on the tops of the almond trees.

Zhiguang glanced at Zhao Qiansun and said, "Okay, I don't need to hide what I did wrong in the past, it's true." Wrong thing." Zhiguang shook his head and said: "Wrong is wrong, so why deceive yourself?" Turning to the crowd, he said: "Thirty years ago, the heroes of the Central Plains received a message that a large number of warriors from the Khitan Kingdom were coming to attack Shaolin Temple. The martial arts atlases hidden in the temple for hundreds of years were taken away in one fell swoop." Everyone was startled softly, and they all thought: "Khitan warriors really have a lot of ambition." Shaolin Temple martial arts stunts are the treasures of sergeant martial arts. Spread the word, everyone in the army is practicing, on the battlefield, how can the officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty be rivals again?

Zhiguang continued: "This matter is really no small matter. If the Khitan's move is successful, the Song Dynasty will be doomed. My descendants of the Yellow Emperor may be wiped out, and all of them will die under the spears and knives of the Liao soldiers. After Shaolin Temple got the news , then spread the news to the Central Plains martial arts heroes, everyone thought the matter was urgent, and there was no time to discuss it in detail. Hearing that these Khitan warriors had to pass through the Yanmen Gate, everyone immediately rushed to meet them outside the Yanmen Pass, even if they couldn't count them all. Annihilation will also make it difficult for their conspiracy to succeed."

When everyone heard about the war with the Khitan, they couldn't help their blood boil, and they couldn't help trembling with fear. The Great Song Dynasty was bullied by the Khitan for many times. It was true that the soldiers and civilians died under the Khitan's sword and gun after one battle and one defeat. Not a lot. Master Zhiguang turned his head slowly, stared at Qiao Feng, and said, "Master Qiao, what will happen if you know this information?" Qiao Feng said in a loud voice: "Master Zhiguang, Qiao has little knowledge, and his talents and virtues are not enough to convince the crowd, causing the brothers in the gang to be suspicious. It is really ashamed to say. But even though Qiao is incompetent, he is still a man with courage and integrity. Han, for the sake of righteousness and righteousness, we will never be ignorant of right and wrong. I, Da Song, was bullied by Liao dogs and defended my home and country. Who would not fight? If you know this news, you should lead the brothers of the gang, Xing Ye Go and stop it."

These words were so impassioned, everyone was moved when they heard this, and they all thought: "A man must be like this." Zhiguang nodded and said: "So, in the eyes of Chief Qiao, our move to ambush the Liao people outside Yanmen Pass is not bad?" Qiao Feng gradually became angry: "Who do you think I am? Talking like this, you obviously underestimate me." But his expression didn't flare up, and he said: "You seniors are heroic and heroic, and Qiao respects me. Don't worry, I wish I had been born thirty years earlier, so that I could follow the sages, go to righteous deeds together, and kill barbarians with my own hands."

Zhiguang took a deep look at him, with a strange expression on his face, and said slowly: "At that time, everyone was divided into several groups and rushed to Yanmen Pass. My dear brother and I," pointing at Zhao Qiansun, said: " They are all in the first batch. There are 21 people in our group. The elder brother who takes the lead is not very old, he is several years younger than me, but he has outstanding martial arts skills and a respected status in the martial arts world, so everyone recommends him Take the lead and act according to his orders. Among this group of people, the leader of the beggar gang Wang, the old hero Wang Weiyi, the Wansheng sword king, and the Taoist priest Heyun, the absolute sword of Huangshan, were all top-ranking masters in the martial arts at that time. Among the heroes, in fact, ten thousand can't be divided, they just serve the country and kill the enemy, and don't dare to be descendants. If there is any strength, just contribute. This man, his martial arts at that time were much higher than that of the old monk, let alone now gone."

Zhao Qiansun said: "That's right, at that time your martial arts were quite different from mine, at least by such a big difference." He stretched out his hands and compared them with palms up, the distance between the two palms was about a chi.Immediately, he felt that the distance between them was more than that, so he divided his two palms again, so that the distance between the palms was about a chi and a half. Zhiguang continued: "When we passed the Yanmen Pass, it was nearly dusk. We traveled more than ten miles out of the pass, and we were on guard all the way. Suddenly, there was the sound of horses galloping from the northwest corner, and there were at least ten riders at the sound. Take the lead, brother." Everyone stopped when they raised their right hands. Everyone was happy and worried, but no one spoke. Fortunately, the news was true. Fortunately, we arrived without delay and were finally able to stop it in time. But everyone Knowing that the Khitan warriors who came to attack must be very powerful people, those who are good will not come, and those who come are not good, even if they dare to provoke the Taishan Beidou Shaolin Temple of Chinese martial arts, they are naturally the Khitan warriors who are selected from thousands of people. Great Song Dynasty In wars with the Khitan, there are always more losses than victories, and it is extremely difficult to say whether we can win today's battle." "The leader waved his hand, and the twenty-one of us fell down behind the big rocks on both sides of the mountain road. On the left side of the valley is a deep valley with jagged rocks. It's dark and bottomless." "I heard the sound of horseshoes approaching, and then I heard seven or eight people singing loudly. They were singing the Liao song. Wipe dry on the trousers on my knees, and soon it was wet again. The elder brother who took the lead was lying beside me. He knew that I couldn't hold back, so he stretched out his hand and patted my shoulder twice, smiled at me, and stretched out his left palm again. With a slash, I made a gesture to kill all the barbarians. I also smiled at him, and my heart became much more settled." "The leading horses of the Liao people ran about fifty feet away. I looked out from behind the boulder and saw these Khitan warriors were all covered in furs. Some were holding spears, some were carrying machetes, some were Some of them bowed their bows and set arrows, and some even came with huge and ferocious falcons on their shoulders, singing loudly, without realizing that there was an enemy ambush in front of them. In a short while, I had seen the faces of the first few Khitan warriors, all of them with heads above their heads. Shaved, braided, with a thick beard under the chin, with a fierce look. Seeing them getting closer and closer, my heart beats harder and harder, as if it was about to jump out of my mouth." When everyone heard this, they knew it was thirty years ago, but they couldn't help their hearts pounding. Zhiguang said to Qiao Feng: "Master Qiao, the success or failure of this matter is related to the fate of the Song Dynasty, and the lives and deaths of thousands of people in the middle land, but we really have no chance of victory. The only advantage is that the enemy is in the open And I'm in the dark, what do you think we should do?" Qiao Feng said: "Soldiers never tire of cheating. When the two countries are fighting, there is no morality or martial arts rules. When the Liao dog killed the people of the Song Dynasty, why did his subordinates show mercy? In my opinion, they should use hidden weapons. On the hidden weapon, it must be fed with poison." Zhiguang stretched out his hand to pat his thigh, and said, "That's right. Gang Leader Qiao's opinion is exactly what we thought at the time. The eldest brother who took the lead saw the Liao dog approaching, and with a long howl, everyone's hidden weapons were shot out one after another. Steel darts, Hidden arrows, throwing knives, iron cones...everything was poisoned. All the Liao dogs yelled and became a mess, most of them fell off their horses." Among the group of beggars, someone immediately applauded and cheered. Zhiguang continued: "At this moment, I have counted clearly. The Khitan warriors had a total of nineteen riders. We used hidden weapons to kill twelve of them, and the rest were only seven. We all rushed forward, wielding swords and swords. All seven people were killed, and none of them escaped alive." Some people from the gang of beggars cheered again.But Qiao Feng, Duan Yu and others thought: "You said that these Khitan warriors are the first-class warriors selected among thousands, why are they so incompetent that they were all killed by you in a short time?" Only Zhiguang sighed and said: "We wiped out all 19 Khitan warriors in one fell swoop, although we were happy, but we also became very suspicious, thinking that these Khitan warriors are too pusty, they are all vulnerable, they are definitely not good fighters Could it be that the information I heard was inaccurate? Could it be that the Liao people deliberately arranged this trick to lure the enemy, so that we could be fooled? There was no discussion, only the sound of horseshoes, and two more horses galloping towards the northwest corner. "This time we didn't hide anymore, and we went up to meet him. There were two men and women immediately. The man was tall and handsome, and his clothes were much more luxurious than those of the nineteen warriors just now. The woman was a young woman. Holding a baby in their hands, the two of them came talking and laughing side by side. Their expressions were very intimate, and they appeared to be a young couple. When the two Khitan men and women saw us, their faces were slightly surprised, but they saw us soon. The 19 warriors died on the ground, the man immediately looked very fierce, he shouted at us and asked us a lot of Khitan chatter, but he didn't know what to say. "Fang Daxiong, the third brother Fang Daxiong of the iron tower in Datong Mansion, Shanxi, raised an iron rod and shouted: 'Wu Na Liao dog, take your life!' Then he swung the stick and hit the Khitan man. The elder brother who took the lead felt suspicious and shouted: "Brother Fang, don't be reckless, don't hurt his life, catch him and ask him." "The lead brother hadn't finished his sentence, the Liao man stretched out his right arm, grabbed the iron rod in Fang Daxiong's hand, bent it outward, and with a soft click, the joint of Fang Daxiong's right arm was broken. Then The Liao man picked up the iron rod and struck it down from mid-air. We shouted loudly, and seeing that it was too late to rescue him, seven or eight people fired hidden weapons at him. The Liao man flicked his left sleeve, and a gust of wind blew out. , and swept all seven or eight hidden weapons aside. Seeing that Fang Daxiong was out of luck, unexpectedly he picked up Fang Daxiong's body with an iron rod, and fell to the side of the road together with man and stick, chattering He said something again. There seemed to be one or two sentences in Chinese, but his pronunciation was not accurate, so he couldn't understand. "This man showed such skill. We were all shocked. We all felt that this man's martial arts was so high that it was rare. It was obvious that the previous information was true. At that moment, six or seven people rushed up and attacked him. The other four or five The man attacked the young woman. "Unexpectedly, that young woman didn't know martial arts at all. Someone cut off one of her arms with a sword, and the baby in her arms fell to the ground, followed by another person who chopped off half of her head. Although the Liao people were strong in martial arts, they were defeated Seven or eight masters were entangled with swords and swords, how could they separate their hands to save his wife and children? At first he made several moves, but only took away our brother's weapon, and did not hurt anyone. When his wife died, his eyes turned red The look on his face was extremely terrifying. When I saw his gaze at that time, I couldn't help being frightened and afraid to go forward." Zhao Qiansun said: "That's no fault of you, that's no fault of you!" Originally, he always spoke with a bit of sarcasm and indifference in his tone except for talking to Granny Tan, but these two sentences were deeply sad and peaceful. Sorry. Zhiguang said: "Thirty years have passed since that fierce battle. But during these thirty years, I have relived it hundreds of times in my dreams. In my heart, the Liao man had his arms slanted, and he didn't know what kind of grasping technique he used, so he grabbed the weapons of our two brothers, stabbed and slashed, and killed both of them on the spot. He sometimes flew from his horse. Down, sometimes jumping back on horseback, the rabbit rises and falls, walking like a ghost. Yes, he is really like a devil incarnate. He rushed to the east and killed one person; turning to the west, he killed another person. In just a moment, Among the twenty-one of us, eleven have died under his hands, and those eleven are all martial arts masters. "Everyone's eyes were red from this, and the leader brother, Wang Gangzhu, etc. all risked their lives to come forward and entangle with him, but that man's martial arts are too strange and powerful, every move, every move, always from an unexpected direction At that time, the setting sun was like blood, and amidst the howls of the wind outside the Yanmen Pass, there were cries of heroes dying, heads and limbs, blood and weapons were flying in the air, no matter how powerful a master was at that time, You can only protect yourself, and no one can help others. "When I saw such a situation, I was really terrified. Seeing all the brothers dying tragically one by one, I couldn't help but feel excited. I mustered up the courage and rode straight towards him. I raised my big knife with both hands, and slashed at the top of his head. If this cut fails, my life will be handed over to him. Seeing that the blade of the big knife was only a few feet away from his head, the Liao man suddenly caught a man and put his head under my knife. I glanced Underneath, seeing that this man is the second child among the three heroes of the Jiangxi Du family, I was shocked, and abruptly withdrew the knife in the midst of his busy schedule. The sword retracted sharply, and with a click, it struck my horse's head. The horse hissed and jumped away. Get up. At this moment, the palm of the Liao man has also hit. Fortunately, my mount jumped up at this time and blocked his palm. Otherwise, my muscles and bones would be broken. Is there life? The force of his palm is so powerful, it hit me so hard that I fell backwards, I flew up, landed on the top of a big tree, and stood in mid-air. "At that time, I was so shocked that I didn't know what to do. I didn't know whether I was dead or alive, and where I was. Looking down from mid-air, I saw that there were fewer and fewer brothers around the Liao man, and only five or six brothers were left. People. Then I saw this dear friend..." He looked at Zhao Qiansun, and continued: "...with a sway, he fell into a pool of blood, thinking that he also lost his life." Zhao Qiansun shook his head and said: "Although it is shameful to say this kind of scandal, there is no need to hide it. I was not injured, but fainted from fright. I saw that Liao man grabbing Second Brother Du's legs, Tearing to both sides, he tore his body in two, and all the internal organs flowed out. I suddenly felt that my heart stopped beating, my eyes went dark, and I didn't know anything. Yes, I am a coward. I saw others kill , I was so frightened that I fainted." Zhiguang said: "Seeing this Liao people killing brothers like devils, if you say you are not afraid, that is a lie." He looked up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky, and said: "At that time and that The Liao people wrapped their heads, and there were only four people left. The elder brother who took the lead knew that he was unlucky and would eventually die under his hands, so he kept shouting, "Who are you? Who are you?" The Liao people didn't answer, and passed two In the next round, he killed two more people. He suddenly raised his foot and hit the acupoint on the vest of Chief Wang. Following his left foot in a circle, he kicked the acupoint under the rib of the leading brother. This man kicked the acupoint with his toe. The strange footwork is beyond imagination. If I didn't know that I was about to die, and the two people I admired the most, I would almost blurt out my applause. "Seeing that the powerful enemy had been wiped out, the Liao man ran to the young woman's corpse, hugged her and cried loudly, crying terribly. Hearing the cry, I couldn't help feeling sad, feeling that this evil The Liao dog, which is like a beast and devil, has human nature, and the feeling of grief does not seem to be shallower than that of us Han people." Zhao Qiansun said coldly: "What's so strange about that? The bond between parent and child of wild beasts may not be inferior to human beings. Liao people are also human beings, so why are they not as good as Han people?" Dogs are ferocious and tyrannical, better than poisonous snakes and beasts, and they are very different from us Han people." Zhao Qiansun just sneered and did not answer.Zhiguang continued: "The Liao man cried for a while, picked up his son's body and looked at it for a while, put the baby's body in his mother's arms, walked up to the leader brother, and asked loudly, "Why did you kill my wife? "He can speak the words of our Han people. Although the tone is not correct, he understands it roughly this time. The elder brother in charge glared at him, suffering from the acupoints being tapped, so he couldn't speak a word. The Liao people suddenly looked up to the sky and screamed, I picked up a dagger from the ground and scratched it on the rock wall of the mountain peak, it was already dark and I was far away from him, so I couldn’t see what he was writing.” Zhao Qiansun said: "What he inscribed is Khitan script, you can see it, but you don't know it." Zhiguang said: "That's right, I saw it, but I didn't recognize it. There was no sound in the surrounding area at that time, but I could hear the chirping on the stone wall and the sound of stone chips falling to the ground. I didn't even dare to breathe." He took a breath. After an unknown amount of time, he heard a proper sound. He threw down the dagger, bent over to pick up the corpses of his wife and son, walked to the edge of the cliff, and jumped into the deep valley." When everyone heard this, they all said "ah", no one expected such a change. Master Zhiguang said: "All of you are still surprised when you hear it now, but I was even more surprised when I saw it with my own eyes. I thought that such a person with such high martial arts must be in a high position in the Liao Kingdom. This time he came to the Central Plains to attack the Shaolin Temple. He is not a big leader, but he must be one of the most important figures among all the warriors. He captured our leading brother and Chief Wang, and killed the rest of them completely. He won a complete victory. Never imagined that he would commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. "When I came to the edge of this valley earlier, I looked down and saw the clouds and fog, and the depth was bottomless. This jump will go down. Although his martial arts are high, he is still a body of flesh and blood. How can he have a life? I was so surprised that I couldn't help but yelled out. "I don't know that there are even more strange things among the strange things. When I exclaimed, suddenly two baby cries came up from the rocky valley, followed by a black thing flying up from the valley. There was a soft slap, and it happened to fall on Lord Wang. The crying sound of the baby continued, and it turned out that it was the baby who fell on Lord Wang. At that time, my fear was gone, and I jumped down from the tree and ran to Wang. When the leader looked over, he saw the Khitan baby lying on his stomach, crying. "I thought about it for a while, and then I realized. It turned out that the young Khitan woman was killed, and her son fell to the ground. He only held his breath, but he was not dead. The Liao people were mourning, and when they touched the baby's mouth and nose, they were no longer breathing. , only said that his wife and children were both lost, so he hugged the two corpses and threw himself on the cliff. The baby woke up from the shock and cried out immediately. The Liao people are really skilled, and they don't want their son to be buried alive at the bottom of the valley with him. , and immediately threw the baby, remembering the position and distance, he just threw the baby on the belly of Chief Wang, so that the baby would not be injured. He was in mid-air, and only then did he realize that his son was not dead. The accuracy of strength is even more accurate, this kind of wit and martial arts is really terrifying. "Seeing the tragic death of my brothers, I was so sad that when I mentioned the Khitan baby, I wanted to throw him on the rock and killed him. I was about to throw him away when I heard him crying loudly again. I looked at him , I saw his small face was flushed red, and his two big black eyes were also looking at me. If I didn't look at these eyes, I would throw him to death, and then everything would be over. But when I saw Seeing his lovely face, I couldn't say anything to get rid of this murderous hand, and thought: 'If you bully a baby under one year old, what kind of man is that?'" Someone among the group of beggars interjected: "Master Zhiguang, Liao dogs have killed my Han compatriots countless times. I saw with my own eyes that Liao dogs held spears and picked my Han babies alive on the spearheads. They rode through the streets, showing off their power. They killed Well, why can't we kill?" Master Zhiguang sighed: "The words are good, but as the saying goes: everyone has a hidden heart. This day I saw so many people die tragically, I really can't kill this baby again. You say I did something wrong It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if I say my heart is too soft, I finally spared the baby's life. "Following that, I wanted to untie the acupoints of the leading brother and Gangzhu Wang. At first, my ability was low, and the Khitan man's acupoint kicking skills were too special. I grasped and beat, massaged, pushed blood across the palace Loosening the tendons and rubbing the muscles, I was so busy that I was sweating profusely. I used all kinds of techniques. The elder brother who took the lead and the gang leader Wang couldn't move or speak. I couldn't do anything. I was afraid that the Khitan people would come back again, so I took three horses Ma Lai, take the lead brother and Wang Gangzhu on the back of the horse respectively. I took a horse myself, hugged the Khitan baby, led two horses, and went back to Yanmen Pass overnight, looking for a bruise doctor to treat the acupuncture point, but I also rescued it. No. Fortunately, in the evening of the second day, after twelve hours, the two sealed acupoints were unlocked by themselves. "The leader and Chief Wang were worried about the Khitan warriors attacking the Shaolin Temple. Once the acupoints were opened, they and I rushed out of Yanmen Pass to check. But they saw flesh and blood corpses all over the place, and they were still exactly the same as when I left yesterday evening. I probed into the chaotic rock valley Looking down, we couldn't see any clues. Now the three of us buried the bodies of the martyred brothers. After checking the number, we found that there were only 17. Originally, there were 18 martyrs. How could there be one missing? ?" When he said this, he looked at Zhao Qiansun. Zhao Qiansun smiled wryly and said: "One of the corpses came back alive and left on its own. It is still a walking corpse, and that is me, 'Zhao Qiansun Li, King Zhou Wu Zheng'." Zhiguang said: "But at that time, the three of us didn't think it was different. We thought that it was very common for this man to fall into the valley of chaotic rocks during the melee. After we buried the martyred brothers, the lingering anger still persisted." , Lifted up the corpses of all the Khitans and threw them into the chaotic valley. "The elder brother who took the lead suddenly said to Chief Wang: "Brother Jiantong, if the Khitan people wanted to kill us two, it would be really easy. Why did they only seal our acupoints but spared our lives?" Chief Wang said: "This matter I can't figure it out too. The two of us are the leaders and killed his wife and children. It stands to reason that he should kill them all to avenge and vent his hatred." "The three of us couldn't come to a conclusion. The elder brother who took the lead said: "The words he carved on the stone wall may contain some deep meaning." If the three of us don't know the Khitan characters, the elder brother who took the lead scooped up some stream water and melted the blood clotted underground. , painted on the stone wall, and then tore off the skirt of the white robe, and expanded the writing on the stone wall. Those Khitan characters penetrated into the stone, almost two inches, and he carved it randomly with a short knife. Jin, I think it is already unique in the world, and no one can match it. The three of them were only secretly surprised, thinking about the scene of the previous day, they still had lingering fears. Back in the pass, the leader of Wang found a cattle and horse dealer, who often went to Liao Kingdom I went to Beijing to sell horses and knew Khitan characters, so I showed him the rubbings of the white cloth. He translated it in Chinese and wrote it on paper." When he said this, he raised his head to the sky, let out a long sigh, and continued: "After the three of us read the translation of the businessman, you look at me and I look at you. It's really unbelievable. But the Khitan man had made up his mind at that time. Kill yourself, why lie on purpose? We went to another person who was fluent in Khitan, and asked him to interpret the sentences of the rubbings, and the meaning was still the same. Alas, if the truth is true, not only the seventeen martyred brothers died They were wronged, these Khitan people were also innocently affected, and this Khitan couple, we feel extremely sorry for them." Everyone was eager to know what the words on the stone wall meant, but when they heard that he didn't say anything, some impatient people asked: "What do those words say?" "Why do you feel sorry for them?" "Why did the Khitan couple Died unjustly?" Zhiguang said: "My friends, it's not that I deliberately betrayed the meaning of the Khitan writing. If the writing on the wall is true, then the actions of the leading brother, Wang Gangzhu and I are indeed very wrong. I really have no face to others. I, Zhiguang, am just a nobody in the martial arts. If I did something wrong, it’s nothing, but what is the status of the leader and the leader of the gang? What’s more, the leader of the gang has passed away, so I can’t hurt him indiscriminately. Please forgive me for not being able to say clearly about the reputation of the two of you." Wang Jiantong, the former head of the Beggars' Sect, had a great reputation, and Yu Qiaofeng, all the elders, and all the disciples were deeply gracious. Although the group of beggars were very curious, but hearing that this would damage the reputation of the head of the Beggars' Sect, no one dared to ask him. up. Zhiguang continued: "The three of us discussed it, but we didn't want to believe it, but we couldn't believe it. We decided to save the Khitan baby's life for the time being, and rushed to Shaolin Temple first to check the movement. If the Khitan warriors really attacked It’s not too late to kill this baby. I traveled non-stop all the way, day and night, and when I arrived at the Shaolin Temple, I saw that many heroes from all walks of life came to help. This matter concerns the tens of thousands of people in China. Life and death are at stake, as long as someone gets the information, everyone must do their bit.” Zhiguang's gaze slowly swept across the faces of everyone from left to right, and said: "In the gathering in Shaolin Temple, the older heroes here participated quite a bit. I don't need to go into details about what happened. Everyone be careful, The guards were tightly guarded, and more and more heroes came to help from all walks of life. However, from around the Chongyang Festival in September to the twelfth lunar month, for more than three months, there was no police call at all. But we couldn't find him again. Only then did we know that the news was false, and everyone was fooled. In the battle outside Yanmen Pass, many people died on both sides, and it was really an unjust death. "But not long after, the Khitan cavalry invaded and attacked the military states in Hebei. Everyone didn't care much about whether the Khitan warriors came to attack the Shaolin Temple. It doesn't matter if they attack or not. All in all, the Khitan people are the mortal enemies of my Great Song Dynasty. "Because the elder brother who took the lead, Chief Wang and I felt ashamed of what happened outside Yanmen Pass, apart from explaining the incident to the elders of Shaolin Temple and reporting the sad news to the family of the brother who died, we did not mention to others that the Khitan baby also It was fostered at the farmhouse at the foot of Shaoshi Mountain. After the incident, how to deal with this baby is rather tricky. We are sorry for his parents, and we can’t hurt his life anymore. But if we want to raise him, the Khitan people are the ones who died for us. Qiu, the three of us all thought of the word "raising tigers will cause trouble". Later, the elder brother who took the lead took a hundred taels of silver and handed it over to the farmer, asking them to raise the baby, and asked the farmer and his wife to think that it was the Khitan baby. After the baby grows up, he must never let him know about the adoption. The farmer couple, who have no children, happily agreed. They didn't know that the baby was of Khitan flesh and blood. Before we took the baby to Mount Shaoshi , Changed Han'er clothes for him on the way. The people of the Song Dynasty hated the Khitan people to the bone, and if they saw a child wearing a Khitan costume, they would definitely do him harm..." Hearing this, Qiao Feng guessed eighty-nine points in his heart, and asked in a trembling voice: "Master Zhiguang, then... the farmer at the foot of Shaoshi Mountain, he... what is his last name?" Zhiguang said: "Since you have guessed it, I don't have to hide it. The farmer's surname is Qiao, and his name is Sanhuai." Qiao Feng shouted loudly: "No, no! You are talking nonsense, fabricating such a nonsense to frame me. I am a dignified Han, how can I be a Khitan Hulu? I... I... Sanhuai Gong is my own father, You talk nonsense again..." Suddenly, he parted his arms and grabbed Zhiguang in front of him, grabbing his chest with his left hand. Shan Zheng and Elder Xu shouted at the same time: "No!" They stepped forward to grab someone. Qiao Feng was extremely fast, with Zhiguang's body, he dodged in a flash. Shan Zheng's sons Shan Zhongshan, Shan Shushan, and Shan Jishan rushed behind him.Qiao Feng grabbed Shan Shushan with his right hand and threw it far away, then grabbed Shan Zhongshan and threw it out, grabbed Shan Jishan for the third time and threw it to the ground, stretched out his foot and stepped on his head. The "Five Tigers of the Shan Clan" are well-known in Shandong. The five brothers have been famous for a long time, and they are not fledgling juniors.But Qiao Feng was holding Zhiguang with his left hand, and he was grabbing and throwing with his right hand. He tossed the three big men of the Shan family like scarecrows, leaving no room for the opponent to resist.The onlookers were stunned. Shan Zheng, Shan Boshan, and Shan Xiaoshan were caring for each other, and they all rushed to the rescue, but they saw him stepping on Shan Jishan's head. It is expected that his skill is powerful, and he only needs a little more force, and Shan Jishan's head will be very strong. It was trampled so badly that the three of them stopped after taking a few steps.Shanzheng shouted: "Master Qiao, if you have something to say, don't be rude! My Shan family has no grievances or enmities with you, please let my child go!" When the iron-faced judge said such things, he waited to tell Qiao Feng I begged hard. Elder Xu also said: "Master Qiao, Master Zhiguang is admired by everyone in the Jianghu, you must not hurt his life!" Qiao Feng's blood surged, and he said loudly: "That's right, I, Qiao Feng, have no grievances or enmities with your Shan family, and I have always admired Master Zhiguang as a man. You... you... want to remove my position as leader, that's fine." Well, I handed it over to others, why did you fabricate these words and slander me? I...what did I, Qiao, do that you are so hard on each other?" His last few words were also hoarse, and everyone couldn't help feeling sympathetic when they heard them. But hearing the crackling of bones on Master Zhiguang's body, everyone knows that his life is in the breath, and the difference between life and death is only tied to Qiao Feng's thought.In addition, the wind blows the treetops, the insects sing in the grass, everyone is panting, and no one dares to make a sound. After a long time, Zhao Qiansun suddenly sneered and said, "It's ridiculous! It's ridiculous! The Han people may not be superior to others, and the Khitan people may not be inferior to pigs and dogs! What's the point in pretending to be a Han person even if you are a Khitan person? My biological parents also refuse to admit it, so what kind of man do I call myself?" Qiao Feng opened his eyes wide, stared at him fiercely, and asked, "Do you also say that I am a Khitan?" Zhao Qiansun said: "I don't know. It's just that in the battle outside the Yanmen Pass that day, the appearance and figure of that Khitan warrior was exactly the same as yours. After this fight, I, Zhao Qiansun, was scared out of my wits and my heart was broken. , I will never forget the appearance of that enemy even after a hundred years. Master Zhiguang picked up the Khitan baby, and I saw it with my own eyes. I, Zhao Qiansun, is a walking corpse, and there is no one in the world who cares about me except Xiaojuan I have nothing to worry about. Whether you are the leader of the beggar gang or not is none of my business? Why should I come here to frame you? I think I participated in the murder of your parents back then. What good is there? Leader Qiao, I am Zhao Qian Sun's martial arts are far behind yours, if I don't want to live, can't I even kill myself?" Qiao Feng put Master Zhiguang down slowly, and kicked Shan Jishan's huge body lightly with the toe of his right foot, and landed on the ground with a bang.Shan Jishan stood up as soon as he hit it, and he was not injured at all. Qiao Feng looked at Zhiguang, but saw that his expression was calm, without any trace of hypocrisy or cunning, he asked, "What happened next?" Zhiguang said: "Later you found out. When you were seven years old, you were picking dates in Shaoshi Mountain and met wild wolves. A monk from Shaolin Temple rescued you, killed the wolf, and healed your wounds." , I’ve been teaching you martial arts every day since then, isn’t it?” Qiao Feng said: "Yes! So you also know about this." When the Shaolin monk Master Xuan Ku taught him martial arts, he told him not to tell anyone about it, so the world only knew that he was the leader of the Beggar Gang Wang. No one knows that he has a deep connection with Shaolin Temple. Zhiguang said: "This Shaolin monk has been entrusted by the elder brother who is the leader. He asked him to teach you from an early age so that you will not go astray. For this matter, I had a fight with the elder brother and the leader Wang. Dispute. I said that you can make a living by farming in a stable manner, and you don’t need to learn martial arts, and then get involved in the grievances of the rivers and lakes. But the leader brother said that we are sorry for your parents, and we must train you to be a hero.” Qiao Feng said: "You... How can you feel sorry for him? The Han people and the Khitan killed each other, what is there to be sorry for?" Zhiguang Han said: "The inscriptions on the stone wall outside the Yanmen Pass are still intact. You can go and see for yourself in the future. Since the elder brother who takes the lead has this idea, and the leader of Wang Gang also favors him, I can't help it. You must be sixteen years old. ，遇上了汪帮主，他收你作了徒儿，此后有许许多多的机缘遇合，你自己天姿卓绝，奋力上进，固然非常人之所能及，但若非带头大哥和汪帮主处处眷顾，只怕也不是这般容易吧？” 乔峰低头沉思，自己这一生遇上什么危难，总是逢凶化吉，从来不吃什么大亏，而许多良机又往往自行送上门来，不求自得。从前只道自己福星高照，一生幸运，此刻听了智光之言，心想莫非当真由于什么有力人物暗中扶持，而自己竟全然不觉？他心中一片茫然：“倘若智光之言不假，那么我是契丹人而不是汉人了。汪帮主不是我的恩师，而是我的杀父仇人。暗中助我的那个英雄，也非真是好心助我，只不过内疚于心，想设法赎罪补过而已。不！不！契丹人凶残暴虐，是我汉人的死敌，我怎么能做契丹人？” 只听智光续道：“汪帮主初时对你还十分提防，但后来见你学武进境既快，为人慷慨豪侠，待人仁厚，对他恭谨尊崇，行事又处处合他心意，渐渐真心地喜欢了你。再后来你立功愈多，威名越大，丐帮上上下下一齐归心，便是帮外之人，也知丐帮将来的帮主非你莫属。但汪帮主始终拿不定主意，便由于你是契丹人之故，他试你三大难题，你一一办到，但仍要到你立了七大功劳之后，他才以打狗棒相授。那一年泰山大会，你连创丐帮强敌九人，使丐帮威震天下，那时他更无犹豫的余地，方立你为丐帮帮主。以老衲所知，丐帮数百年来，从无第二个帮主之位，如你这般得来艰难。” 乔峰低头道：“我只道恩师汪帮主是有意锻炼于我，使我多历艰辛，以便担当大任，却原来……却原来……”到了这时，心中已有七八成信了。 智光道：“我之所知，至此为止。你出任丐帮帮主之后，我听得江湖传言，都说你行侠仗义，造福于民，处事公允，将丐帮整顿得好生兴旺，我私下自是代你欢喜。又听说你数度坏了契丹人的奸谋，杀过好几个契丹大人物，那么我们先前'养虎贻患'的顾忌，便成了杞人之忧。这件事原可永不提起，却不知何人去抖了出来？这于丐帮与乔帮主自身，都不见得有什么好处。”说着长长叹了口气，脸上大有悲悯之色。 徐长老道：“多谢智光大师回述旧事，使大伙有如身历其境。这一封书信……”他扬了扬手中那信，续道：“是那位带头大哥写给汪帮主的，书中极力劝阻汪帮主，不可将帮主大位传于乔帮主。乔帮主，你不妨自己过一过目。”说着便将书信递将过去。 智光道：“再让我瞧瞧，是否真是原信。”说着将信接在手中，看了一遍，说道：“不错，果然是带头大哥的手迹。”说着左手手指微一用劲，将信尾署名撕下，放入口中，舌头一卷，已吞入肚中。 智光撕信之时，先向火堆走了几步，与乔峰离远了些，再将信笺凑到眼边，似因光亮不足，瞧不清楚，再这么撕信入口，信笺和嘴唇之间相距不过寸许。乔峰万料不到这位德高望重的老僧竟会使这狡狯伎俩，一声怒吼，左掌拍出，凌空拍中了他穴道，右手抢过信来，但终于慢了一步，信尾的署名已被他吞入了咽喉。乔峰又是一掌，拍开了他穴道，怒道：“你……你干什么？” 智光微微一笑，说道：“乔帮主，你既知道了自己身世，想来定要报你杀父杀母之仇。汪帮主已然逝世，那不用说了。这位带头大哥的名字，老衲却不愿让你知道。老衲当年曾参与伏击令尊令堂，一切罪孽，老衲甘愿一身承担，要杀要剐，你尽管下手便是！” 乔峰见他垂眉低目，容色慈悲庄严，心下虽极悲愤，却也不由得肃然起敬，说道：“是真是假，此刻我尚未明白。便要杀你，也不忙在一时。”说着向赵钱孙横了一眼。 赵钱孙耸了耸肩头，似乎满不在乎，说道：“不错，我也在内，这账要算我一份，你几时欢喜，随时动手便了。” 谭公大声道：“乔帮主，凡事三思，可别胡乱行事才好。倘若惹起胡汉之争，中原豪杰人人与你为敌。”赵钱孙虽是他情敌，他这时却出口相助。 乔峰冷笑一声，心乱如麻，就着火光看那信时，只见信上写道： “剑髯吾兄：数夕长谈，吾兄传位之意始终不改。然余连日详思，仍期期以为不可。乔君才艺超卓，立功甚伟，为人肝胆血性，不仅为贵帮杰出人物，即遍视神州武林同道，亦鲜有能及。以此才具而继承吾兄之位，他日丐帮声威愈张，意料中事耳。” 乔峰读到此处，见这位前辈对自己极为推许，心下感激，继续读下去： “然当日雁门关外血战，惊心动魄之状，余无日不索于怀。此子非我族类，其父母死于我二人之手。他日此子不知其出身来历则已，否则不但丐帮将灭于其手，中原武林亦必惨遭浩劫。当世才略武功能及此子者，实寥寥也。贵帮大事，原非外人所能置喙，唯尔我交情非同寻常，此事复牵连过巨，祈三思之。”下面的署名，已被智光撕去了。 徐长老见乔峰读完此信后呆立不语，又递过一张信笺来，说道：“这是汪帮主的手书，你自当认得出他的笔迹。” 乔峰接了过来，只见那张信笺上写道： “字谕丐帮马副帮主、传功长老、执法长老暨诸长老：帮主乔峰若有亲辽叛汉、助契丹而压大宋之举者，全帮即行合力击杀，不得有误。下毒行刺，均无不可，下手者有功无罪。汪剑通亲笔。” 下面注的日子是“大宋元丰六年五月初七日”。他记得分明，那正是自己接任丐帮帮主之日。 乔峰认得清清楚楚，这几行字确是恩师汪剑通的亲笔，这么一来，于自己的身世哪里更有什么怀疑，但想恩师一直待己有如慈父，教诲固严，爱己亦切，哪知道便在自己接任丐帮帮主之日，却暗中写下了这通遗令。他心中一阵酸痛，眼泪便夺眶而出，泪水一点点地滴在汪帮主那张手谕之上。 徐长老缓缓说道：“乔帮主休怪我们无礼。汪帮主这通手谕，原只马副帮主一人知晓，他严加收藏，从不曾对谁说起。这几年来帮主行事光明磊落，决无丝毫通辽叛宋、助契丹而压汉人之事，更曾诛杀过辽国大将，汪帮主的遗令自然决计用不着。直到马副帮主突遭横死，马夫人才寻到了这通遗令。本来嘛，大家疑心马副帮主是苏州慕容公子所害，倘若帮主能为大元兄弟报了此仇，帮主的身世来历，原本不必揭穿。老朽思之再三，为大局着想，本想毁了这封书信和汪帮主的遗令，可是……可是……”他说到这里，眼光向马夫人瞧去，说道：“一来马夫人痛切夫仇，不能让大元兄弟冤沉海底，死不瞑目。二来乔帮主袒护胡人，所作所为，实已危及本帮……” 乔峰问道：“我袒护胡人，此事从何说起？” 徐长老道：“'慕容'两字，便是胡姓。慕容氏是鲜卑后裔，与契丹一般，同为胡虏夷狄。”乔峰道：“嗯，原来如此，我倒不知。”徐长老道：“三则，帮主是契丹人一节，帮中知者已众，变乱已生，隐瞒也自无益。” 乔峰仰天嘘了一口长气，在心中闷了半天的疑团，此时方始揭破，向全冠清道：“全冠清，你知道我是契丹后裔，是以反我，是也不是？”全冠清道：“不错。”乔峰又问：“奚宋陈吴四大长老听信你言而欲杀我，也是为此？”全冠清道：“不错。只是他们将信将疑，拿不定主意，事到临头，又生畏缩。”乔峰道：“我的身世端倪，你从何处得知？”全冠清道：“此事牵连旁人，恕在下难以奉告。须知纸包不住火，任你再隐秘之事，终究会天下知闻。执法长老便早已知道。” 霎时之间，乔峰脑海中思潮如涌，一时想：“他们心生嫉妒，捏造了种种谎言，诬陷于我。乔峰纵然势孤力单，亦当奋战到底，不能屈服。”随即又想：“恩师的手谕，明明千真万确。智光大师德高望重，于我无恩无怨，又何必来设此鬼计？徐长老是我帮元老重臣，岂能有倾覆本帮之意？单正、谭公、谭婆等俱是武林中大有名望的前辈，这赵钱孙虽疯疯颠颠，却也不是泛泛之辈。众口一辞地都如此说，哪里还有假的？” 群丐听了智光、徐长老等人的言语，心情也都混乱异常。有些人先前已然听说他是契丹后裔，但始终将信将疑，旁的人则是此刻方知。眼见证据确凿，连乔峰自己似乎也已信了。乔峰素来于属下极有恩义，才德武功，人人钦佩，哪料到他竟是契丹子孙。辽国和大宋的仇恨纠结极深，丐帮弟子死于辽人之手的，历年来不计其数，由一个契丹人来做丐帮帮主，委实不可思议。但说要将他逐出丐帮，却谁也说不出口。一时杏林中一片静寂，唯闻各人沉重的呼吸之声。 突然之间，一个清脆的女子声音响了起来：“各位伯伯叔叔，先夫不幸亡故，到底是何人下的毒手，此时自难断言。但想先夫平生诚稳笃实，拙于言词，江湖上并无仇家，妾身实在想不出，为何有人要取他性命？常言道得好：'慢藏诲盗'，是不是因为先夫手中握有什么重要物事，别人想得之而甘心？别人怕他泄漏机密，坏了大事，因而要杀他灭口？”说这话的，正是马大元的遗孀马夫人。这几句话的用意再也明白不过，直指杀害马大元的凶手便是乔峰，而其行凶的主旨，在于消除他是契丹人的证据。 乔峰缓缓转头，瞧着这个全身缟素、背影苗条，娇怯怯、俏生生、小巧玲珑的女子，说道：“你疑心是我害死了马副帮主？” 马夫人一直背转身子，双眼向地，这时突然抬起头来，瞧向乔峰。但见她一对眸子晶亮如宝石，黑夜中发出闪闪光彩，乔峰微微一凛，听她说道：“妾身是无知无识的女流之辈，出外抛头露面已是不该，何敢乱加罪名于人？只先夫死得冤枉，哀恳众位伯伯叔叔念着故旧之情，查明真相，替先夫报仇雪恨。”说着盈盈拜倒，竟对乔峰磕下头去。 她没一句说乔峰是凶手，但每一句话都指向他身上。乔峰眼见她向自己跪拜，心下恚怒，却又不便发作，只得跪倒还礼，道：“嫂子请起。” 杏林左首忽有一个少女的声音说道：“马夫人，我心中有一个疑团，能不能请问你一句话？”众人向声音来处瞧去，见是个穿淡绛衫子的少女，正是阿朱。马夫人问道：“姑娘有什么话要查问我？”阿朱道：“查问是不敢。我听徐长老和夫人言道，马前辈这封遗书，乃是用火漆密密固封，而徐长老开拆时，漆印仍属完好，当时这位泰山单大爷也在其旁，证明此信未经开拆。那么在徐长老开拆之前，谁也没看过信中的内文了？”马夫人道：“不错。”阿朱道：“然则那位带头大侠的书信和汪帮主的遗令，除了马前辈外，本来谁都不知。慢藏诲盗、杀人灭口的话，便说不上了。” 众人听了，均觉此言甚是有理。 马夫人道：“姑娘是谁？却来干预我帮中的大事？”阿朱道：“贵帮大事，我一个小小女子，岂敢干预？但你们要诬陷我家公子，小女子非据理分辨不可。”马夫人又问：“姑娘家的公子是谁？是乔峰主么？”阿朱微笑摇头，道：“不是。是慕容公子。” 马夫人道：“嗯，原来如此。”她不再理会阿朱，转头向执法长老道：“白长老，本帮帮规如山，倘若长老犯了帮规，那便如何？”执法长老白世镜脸上肌肉微微一动，凛然道：“知法犯法，罪加一等。”马夫人道：“若是比你白长老品位更高之人呢？”白世镜知她意中所指，不自禁地向乔峰瞧了一眼，说道：“本帮帮规乃祖宗所定，不分辈份尊卑，品位高低，须当一体凛遵。同功同赏，同罪同罚。” 马夫人道：“那位姑娘疑心得甚是，初时我也是一般的想法。但就在先夫遭难前的一日晚间，忽然有人摸到我家中偷盗。” Everyone was shocked.有人问道：“偷盗？偷去了什么？伤人没有？” 马夫人道：“并没伤人。贼子用了下三滥的薰香，将我及两名婢仆薰倒了，翻箱倒箧地大搜一轮，偷去了十来两银子。次日我便接到先夫不幸遭难的噩耗，哪里还有心思去理会贼子盗银之事？幸好先夫将这封遗书藏在极隐秘之处，才没给贼子搜去毁灭。” 这几句话再也明白不过，显是指证乔峰自己或是派人赴马大元家中盗书，他既去盗书，自是早知遗书中的内容，杀人灭口一节。可说昭然若揭。至于他何以会知遗书内容，则或许是那位带头大侠、汪帮主、马副帮主无意中泄漏的，那也不是奇事。 阿朱一心要为慕容复洗脱，不愿乔峰牵连在内，说道：“小毛贼来偷盗十几两银子，那也事属寻常，只不过时机巧合而已。” 马夫人道：“姑娘之言甚是，初时我也这么想。但后来在那小贼进屋出屋的窗口墙脚之下，拾到了一件物事，原来是那小贼匆忙来去之际掉下的。我一见那件物事，心下惊惶，方知这件事非同小可。” 宋长老道：“那是什么东西？为什么非同小可？”马夫人缓缓从包袱中取出一条八九寸长的物事，递向徐长老，说道：“请众位伯伯叔叔做主。”待徐长老接过那物事，她扑倒在地，大放悲声。 众人向徐长老看去，只见他将那物事展了开来，原来是一柄折扇。徐长老沉着声音，念着扇面上的一首诗道：“朔雪飘飘开雁门，平沙历乱卷蓬根；功名耻计擒生数，直斩楼兰报国恩。” 乔峰一听到这首诗，一惊非同小可，凝目瞧折扇时，见扇面反面绘着一幅壮士出塞杀敌图。这把扇子是自己之物，那首古诗是恩师汪剑通所书，而这幅图画，便是出于徐长老手笔，笔法虽不甚精，但一股侠烈之气，却随着图中朔风大雪而更显得慷慨豪迈。这把扇子是他二十五岁生日那天恩师所赠，他向来珍视，妥为收藏，怎会失落在马大元家中？何况他生性洒脱，身上从不携带折扇之类物事。 徐长老翻过扇子，看了看那幅图画，正是自己亲手所绘，叹了口长气，喃喃地道：“非我族类，其心必异！汪帮主啊汪帮主，你这件事可大大做错了！” 乔峰乍闻自己身世，竟是契丹子裔，心中本来百感交集，近十年来，他每日里便是计谋如何破灭辽国，多杀契丹胡虏，突然间惊悉此事，纵然他一生经历过不少大风大浪，也禁不住手足无措。然而待得马夫人口口声声指责他阴谋害死马大元，自己的折扇又再出现，他心中反而平定，霎时之间，脑海中转过了几个念头：“有人盗我折扇，嫁祸于我，这等事可难不倒乔峰。”向徐长老道：“徐长老，这柄折扇是我的。” 丐帮中辈份较高、品位较尊之人，听得徐长老念那诗句，已知是乔峰之物，其余帮众却不知道，待听得乔峰自认，又都一惊。 徐长老心中也是感触甚深，喃喃说道：“汪帮主总算将我当做心腹，可是密留遗令这件大事，却不让我知晓。” 马夫人站起身来，说道：“徐长老，汪帮主不跟你说，是为你好。”徐长老不解，问道：“什么？”马夫人凄然道：“丐帮中只大元知道此事，便惨遭不幸，你……如事先得知，未必能逃过此劫。” 乔峰朗声道：“各位更有什么话说？”他眼光从马夫人看到徐长老，看到白世镜，看到传功长老，一个个望将过去。众人均默然无语。 乔峰等了一会，见无人做声，说道：“乔某身世来历，惭愧得紧，我自己未能确知。既有这许多前辈指证，乔某须当尽力查明真相。这丐帮帮主的职份，自当退位让贤。”说着伸手到负在背上的一只长袋之中，抽了一条晶莹碧绿的竹仗，正是丐帮帮主的信物打狗棒，双手持了，高高举起，说道：“此棒承汪帮主相授，乔某执掌丐帮，虽无建树，差幸亦无大过。今日退位，哪一位英贤愿肩负此职，请来领受此棒。” 丐帮历代相传的规矩，新帮主就任，例须由原来帮主以打狗棒相授，在授棒之前，先传授打狗棒法。就算旧帮主突然逝世，但继承之人早已预立，打狗棒法亦已传授，因此帮主之位向来并无纷争。乔峰方当英年，预计总要二十年后，方在帮中选择少年英侠，传授打狗棒法。这时群丐见他手持竹仗，气概轩昂地当众站立，有谁敢出来承受此棒？ 乔峰连问三声，丐帮中始终无人答话。乔峰说道：“乔峰身世未明，这帮主一职，无论如何是不敢担任了。徐长老、传功、执法两位长老，本帮镇帮之宝的打狗棒，请你三位连同保管。日后定了帮主，由你三位一同转授不迟。” 徐长老道：“那也说得是。打狗棒法的事，只好将来再说了。”便欲去接竹棒。 宋长老忽然大声喝道：“且慢！”徐长老愕然停步，道：“宋兄弟有何话说？”宋长老道：“我瞧乔帮主不是契丹人。”徐长老道：“何以见得？”宋长老道：“我瞧他不像。”徐长老道：“怎么不像？”宋长老道：“契丹人穷凶极恶，残暴狠毒。乔帮主却是大仁大义的英雄好汉。适才我们反他，他却甘愿为我们受刀流血，赦了我们背叛的大罪。契丹人哪会如此？” 徐长老道：“他自幼受少林高僧与汪帮主养育教诲，已改了契丹人的凶残习性。” 宋长老道：“既然性子改了，那便不是坏人，再做咱们帮主，有什么不妥？我瞧本帮之中，再也没哪一个能及得上他英雄了得。别人要当帮主，我姓宋的定然不服。” 群丐中与宋长老存一般心思的，大有人在。乔峰恩德素在众心，单凭几个人的口述和字据，便免去他帮主之位，许多向来忠于他的帮众便大为不服。宋长老领头说出了心中之意，群丐中登时便有数十人呼叫起来：“有人阴谋陷害乔帮主，咱们不能轻信人言。”“几十年前的旧事，单凭你们几个人胡说八道，谁知是真是假？”“帮主大位，不能如此轻易更换！”“我一心一意跟随乔帮主！要硬换帮主，便杀了我头，我也不服。” 吴长老大声道：“谁愿跟随乔帮主的，随我站到这边。”他左手拉着宋长老，右手拉了奚长老，走到了东首。跟着大仁分舵、大义分舵、大勇分舵的三个舵主也走到了东首。三分舵的舵主一站过去，他们属下的帮众自也纷纷跟随而往。全冠清、陈长老、执法长老以及大信、大礼两舵的舵主，却留在原地不动。这么一来，丐帮人众登时分成了两派，站在东首的约占五成，留在原地的约为三成，其余帮众则心存犹豫，不知听谁的主意才是。传功长老吕章行事向来稳重，这时更加为难，迟疑不决。 全冠清道：“众位兄弟，乔帮主才略过人，英雄了得，谁不佩服？然而咱们都是大宋百姓，岂能听从一个契丹人的号令？乔峰的本事越大，大伙儿越危险。” 奚长老叫道：“放屁，放你娘的狗屁！我瞧你的模样，倒有九分像是契丹人。” 全冠清大声道：“大家都是尽忠报国的好汉，难道甘心为异族的奴隶走狗么？”