Chapter 65 Chapter 07

There was the sound of a waterfall in my ears.In the dead of night, it seemed extraordinarily loud. "If I remember correctly, this should be the location of the Jizo Bodhisattva. Ah! There is a notice board hanging on this tree, which says Jizo Sakura." The two climbed a lot of slopes along the mountain road next to Qingshui Temple, but Grandma didn't blush and was out of breath. After arriving at Kiyomizu Temple, Grandma stood in front of the hall and immediately called out to the dark place: "Son! Son!" Grandma's concerned eyes and anxious calls are full of old mother feelings.Atong, who was standing behind her, felt that the grandmother at this time was completely different from her usual self.

"A Tong, don't let the lantern go out." "understood." "Not here! Not here!" Grandma muttered to herself, and went around in a circle: "The location written in the letter is this Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva!" "Is the time to write tonight?" "I didn't write whether it's today or tomorrow. No matter how old the child is, he still looks like a child... Shouldn't he just come to the hotel? Maybe it's because of what happened in Sumiyoshi, so I'm embarrassed to show my face?" Atong tugged on her sleeve and said:

"Grandma, that person must be Youba, right? It seems that someone has come up the mountain." "Really?" She gazed at the path of the cliff, and cried: "Son—" Not long after, the people who came up the mountain walked around the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple without even looking at Grandma, and then returned to the original place.He raised the lantern and stared unceremoniously at A Tong's snow-white face. Atong took a deep breath, but the other party didn't seem to notice it.The two met each other at the Gojo Bridge on New Year's Day, but Kojiro Sasaki probably doesn't remember this incident, right?

"Girl, grandma, did you just go up the mountain now?" "..." Because he asked too abruptly, Atong and Ashanpo only stared at the flashy Kojiro with big eyes. At this moment, Kojiro suddenly pointed at Atong's face and said: "There is a girl about your age, named Zhu Shi, with a rounder face and a petite figure than you. She is an urban girl from a teahouse, so she looks more mature. I wonder if you have seen her around here? " "..." The two shook their heads silently. "How strange! Someone saw her near Sananpo. She should spend the night in a nearby temple!"

The first half of the sentence was spoken to the other party, and the second half of the sentence seemed to be talking to himself.He didn't ask any more questions and left by himself. Grandma was speechless and said: "What is that young man! Does he look like a samurai with a sword behind his back? He looks like a hero, and he chases after girls at night... Hey! We don't have that much time to spare!" Ah Tong thought about what was in his heart: "That's right! The woman who got lost in the hotel just now—it must be that woman." No matter how hard she thought about the triangular relationship between Musashi, Zhu Shi and Kojiro, she couldn't figure it out.Atong fell into his own imagination, and watched Kojiro leave blankly.

"Let's go back!" Grandma was very disappointed, and finally gave up, let go and left.It is true that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was written in the Eight Letters, but he did not come.The sound of the waterfall sounds even more chilling at this moment, penetrating directly into the skin. Not long after the two went down the mountain, they came to the door of Hongan Hall and met Kojiro just now. "..." After the two sides glanced at each other, they quietly walked away.Ashan looked back and saw Kojiro going straight down the mountain from Ziantang to Sannianpo. "What a terrifying look... like Musashi."

Grandma was muttering to herself, when she saw something suddenly, she arched her back in shock. "Woo..." Like the hooting of an owl. Under the shade of a giant cedar tree—someone is beckoning. Even in the dark, Grandma could recognize who that figure was. "Come here." The opponent gestured with his hand.It seems that he seems to have scruples.Hey!Such a naughty guy—A Shan immediately understood what his son meant. "A Tong!" Grandma turned her head and saw Atong waiting for her twenty meters away. "You go first, but don't go too far, just stand by the small mound and wait so that I can follow you."

A-Tong nodded honestly, and took a step first. Grandma continued: "But don't try to run away! My grandma's eyes will be on you, you know?" After the grandma finished speaking, she immediately ran under the fir tree. "Is it another eight?" "Mother!" From the darkness, stretched out a hand, and tightly grasped Grandma's hand. "What's the matter? Hiding in such a place... Ah! Why are your hands so cold, kid?" At this moment, grandma's arrogance was gone, and there were tears in her eyes. Youba said with trepidation: "But mother, that person just walked over!"

"Who is it?" "A young man with a sharp knife and sharp eyes!" "do you know him?" "I don't know anyone! His name is Sasaki Kojiro. I was in the pine forest in Liujo a few days ago, and he brutally killed me!" "What? Sasaki Kojiro? Isn't Sasaki Kojiro yourself?" "Why, why?" "I don't remember when, but when you were in Osaka, you showed me Nakajo Ruenko's scroll. At that time, didn't you say that your alias is Sasaki Kojiro?" "It's a lie, it's a lie. After the mask was exposed, he was punished by the real Sasaki Kojiro. In fact, after asking someone to bring a letter to my mother, I came to the appointed place immediately. I didn't expect to see that person here. Guy. It would be troublesome to be targeted by him, so I hid. It should be fine now! It will be troublesome if he turns back again."

"..." Ashanpo was too surprised to speak.Seeing that Youba did not hide his helplessness and timidity, he felt that this child was even more lovable. "Leave these things alone." Grandma could no longer listen to her son's weak voice, she shook her head and said. "Youba, do you know that your Uncle Quan has passed away?" "Ah? Uncle Quan... Really?" "Is this kind of thing deceitful? After he said goodbye to you at the seaside of Sumiyoshi, he died at the seaside." "I don't know at all." "Even though your Uncle Quan is dead, an old woman of my age is still wandering around on a sad journey. Do you know what I am for?"

"Once in Osaka, you made me kneel in the ice and snow and gave me a lesson. I will always remember this incident and never forget it." "Very well, you still remember my lesson. There is something that you will be happy to hear!" "What's up?" "A Tong's matter." "Ah! So the woman who followed you just now is really her?" "Hey! Another eight!" Grandma showed reproach on her face, stood in front of Matahachi, blocked his sight and said: "How do you plan on this matter?" "If it's Atong... Mother... please let me meet her, let me meet her." Granny nodded—— "I wanted you to meet her, that's why I brought her here! But Youba, what are you going to do when you see Atong?" "I want to say to her: I was wrong, I'm sorry for her, please forgive me." "and then?" "Then... Mother... I also ask Mother to forgive me for my temporary mistakes." "and then?" "And then, just like before." "what?" "Just like before, I want to marry Atong! Mother, does Atong still miss me?" Grandma didn't wait for him to finish, and cursed: "Bastard, bastard!" And slapped him again. "Ah... mother, what are you doing?" Youba swayed a few steps, covering his painful face.I have never seen my mother's face so terrifying since I was a child. "Didn't you just say that you will always remember my lesson?" "..." "When did my old woman teach you to humbly apologize to a hateful woman like Atong? She has trampled on the reputation of the original Tian family, and even eloped with Musashi, our enemy for generations!" "..." "A-Tong betrayed your fiancé, and loved your enemy Musashi wholeheartedly, like a beast, do you still want to bow your head to her and make amends... Is it necessary to make amends? Hmph!" Grandma grabbed the hair on the back of Youba's neck with both hands and shook it from side to side. Youba's head was trembling unceasingly, his eyes were closed, and tears kept flowing.The mother's scolding can only be tolerated willingly. Grandma gritted her teeth and scolded: "Why are you crying! Could it be that you still miss that bitch? I, I don't have a son like you!" With all her strength, she pushed her son to the ground, then sat down herself, and wept together with Youba. "Hey!" Ashan returned to Yan's mother's appearance again, and sat up straight. "Youba, now is the time to show your courage. Maybe my old woman only has ten or twenty years of life left. It will be impossible to listen to my teachings after I die!" Youba turned his face sideways, with an expression of understanding. Ashan was a little worried about whether the relationship between the mother and the child was destroyed, so she immediately went on to say: "Think about it, A Tong is not the only woman in the world, don't miss her any more. In the future, if you have a girl you like, even if I, an old woman, have to go to the woman's house hundreds of times, I will go-oh ! It should be said that if I give my old life, I will definitely let you marry her in." "..." "However, only A Tong and Ben Wei Tian's family are not in the same family. No matter what you say, I will not agree!" "..." "If you insist on marrying Atong, you have to kill me, the old woman first. After I die, you can do whatever you like. But as long as I live—" "Mother!" Seeing his son's aggressiveness, Ashan felt a burst of displeasure: "It's outrageous that you call me in such a tone!" "Then let me ask you, do I marry a wife, or do you marry a wife?" "Aren't you asking knowingly? Of course you married a wife." "For example, if I marry a wife, of course it should be my choice!" "You are still so disobedient..." "But, but... as a parent, this is too much, too domineering." The mother and son are both impatient, and when they encounter problems, they will act emotionally. Instead, the two sides cannot communicate, which leads to a situation of confrontation.And this kind of thing is not accidental, it has been like this for a long time, and it has become a habit. "What is too much! Whose son are you? Whose belly did you come out of?" Seeing that her mother was pale again, she no longer refuted, but looked up at the sky and said softly: "You are making unreasonable words, mother... No matter what, I want to marry Atong...I like Atong." Ashan's thin shoulders kept shaking. "Youba, are you telling the truth?" As she said that, she suddenly pulled out her dagger, ready to kill herself. "Ah! Mother, what are you going to do?" "Don't stop me. Why don't you help me out?" "No, don't do stupid things... As a son, how can I just sit back and watch my mother commit suicide?" "Are you willing to give up Atong to show your spirit?" "Mother, why on earth did you bring Atong here? Just to let me see Atong's figure? I don't know your real intention." "It's easy for me to kill her, but it's better for you to solve this woman who betrayed you by yourself. I have worked so hard, why can't you understand, don't you know how to be grateful?" "Does mother mean that I should kill Atong?" "You do not want it?" These words are like the words of the devil. Youba couldn't believe that his mother would say such a thing. "If you don't want to, just say you don't want to, don't hesitate." "But, but, mother!" "Are you attached and reluctant? Alas! A guy like you is not my son, and I am not your mother anymore... Since you can't cut off the woman's head, you should be able to cut off the mother's head! Cut it off! " Ashan was originally threatening, but at this moment he picked up the short knife again, pretending to commit suicide. Willful children make it difficult for parents; and difficult parents make it difficult for children. Ash is an example.If not handled carefully, this old man may come for real.The son thinks that the mother looks more than just putting on a show. Youba trembled all over. "Mother! No, don't be so impatient! Alright! I understand. I give up delusions." "Is that all?" "I will... personally punish Atong with my own hands." "Are you going to kill her?" "Well! Kill it for you to see." Grandma dropped the dagger and held her son's hand, weeping with joy: "That's right! In this way, I can say to my ancestors: You Ba is a descendant who inherits the incense of the Tian family, and he is a man of backbone." "Can I go there?" "I asked Atong to wait in front of the small mound below! Hurry up and ask for thieves to kill the enemy!" "Well... I'll go now!" "Send Atong's head with a letter to Qibao Temple to show the villagers. At least it can save our family's face. In addition, if that kid Musashi hears that Atong was killed by you, he will surely Automatically appear in front of our mother and son... Youba, hurry up!" "Mother, do you want to wait for me here?" "No, I'll follow along too. But A-Tong saw that I might protest that I didn't keep the agreement. To avoid trouble, it's better for me to hide behind a tree and watch." "Just a woman!" Matachi stood up unsteadily: "Mother, I will definitely take Atong's head. You can just wait here... It's just a woman, there's no problem, and she won't be allowed to escape." "Don't take it lightly! The other party will resist when they see you holding a knife!" "I see...it's not difficult at all." Youba walked down the mountain while talking, A Shanpo followed behind worryingly and exhorted: "Don't be careless!" "Mother, you are here! Didn't I tell you to wait here?" "Okay! The little mound is down there—" "I said I got it!" Youba said angrily: "If you want two people to go, mother, you can go alone! I'll wait here." "Why are you so awkward, haven't you made up your mind yet?" "She's human! It's not as easy as killing a lynx!" "It makes sense. No matter how unfaithful a woman is, she is still your fiancée... Okay! I'll wait here and show me well." Youba didn't answer, and walked down the cliff. Atong has been standing in front of the small mound waiting for Ashanpo since just now. "It's better to run away at this time..." It's not that she hasn't thought about it that way, it's just that in this way, the days of swallowing her anger for more than twenty days will be wasted. "Be patient a little longer!" Atong thinks of Musashi, but also Jotaro.She looked blankly at the stars in the sky. Thinking of Musashi, countless stars twinkled in her heart. "See you soon! Soon..." As if in a dream, she counted her hopes for the future.The words Musashi said on the mountain on the border, and the oath he said by the Hanada Bridge, kept regurgitating in her heart. She firmly believed that no matter how many years passed, Musashi would never betray that oath. However, as long as she thinks of the woman Zhu Shi, Ah Tong will be filled with displeasure, which is like a shadow covering her hopes.But compared with the strong confidence in Musashi, this shadow is not a threat at all, and it is not enough to worry her. Since we parted ways with Musashi at Hanadabashi, we haven't seen each other or spoken to each other...but for some reason, I feel extremely happy.I am so happy, why would Ze An think that I am unfortunate and call me pitiful? Whether she was sewing, or standing in the dark solitude waiting for someone who didn't want to wait, she could enjoy herself.Therefore, when others think she is empty and helpless, it is the most fulfilling moment of her life. "A Tong!" This is not Grandma's voice - who is calling himself in the dark?Only then did Atong come back to his senses. "Ah! Who is it?" "It's me!" "Who are you?" "Mata Matahachi, Benji." "what?" She took a step back— "Are you Mynah?" "Have you forgotten my voice?" "Is it...really the voice of Mynah? Have you met Grandma?" "My mother is waiting over there... Ah Tong! You haven't changed at all, just like when you were at Qibao Temple—you haven't changed at all." "Mynah, where are you? It's pitch black, I can't see you!" "Can I come to your side... I came just now, but I just felt ashamed to see you, so I hid in the dark and looked at you for a while... What were you thinking just now?" "No... I didn't think about anything!" "You don't miss me, do you? I don't miss you every day!" Youba's figure slowly moved over and was reflected in front of Atong's eyes.Because grandma didn't come together, the sense of uneasiness hit my heart. "Mynah again, did Grandma tell you anything?" "Hmm! Just said something!" "Talk about me?" "Oh!" Atong is relieved. Ah Tong thought: Grandma should have told You Ba what she wanted according to the agreement.And Ba came here alone to make a promise to me! "If Grandma has already told you, you will definitely understand my feelings. Mynah, I want to ask you, just treat the past as if we are not destined, and forget about it tonight!" What is the agreement between mother and Atong?Maybe it's another trick of the mother to lie to the child. "No, wait first!" Youba didn't intend to ask clearly about what Atong said just now. "I feel very sad when you talk about the past. It's all my fault, which makes me ashamed to see you. As you said, if I can forget it, I really want to forget it. But, for some reason, I Can't give up on you." Atong was puzzled: "Mynah again, a gap has appeared in our hearts." "That divide has been around for five years." "That's right, it's like time is gone forever, and our former hearts can never be called back." "No! Nothing is impossible! A-Tong, A-Tong!" "No! Can't!" You Ba was intimidated by Atong's cold tone and face, and he stared at Atong. When Atong is full of enthusiasm, it always reminds people of bright red flowers and sunny summer days.But she also has a cold side!This personality is as cold as white wax, as if it would break if touched by a finger. Seeing Atong's indifferent appearance, Youba recalled the past under the eaves of Qibao Temple in his mind. He thought of the orphan girl sitting under the eaves of the temple, with big wet eyes, looking at the sky thoughtfully all day long. For an orphan girl, Fuyun is her mother, her father, brother and friend.It was this feeling of loneliness and helplessness that formed Atong's indifferent personality in the future! After explaining this, Youba gently approached the thorny white rose. "here we go again!" He whispered into her cheek. "Okay? Atong—we can't bring back the past! Let's do it all over again!" "Mynah again! Where did you think? I don't mean the years, but the soul." "That's why I said that from today onwards, we must restore our former spirit. I'm not making excuses, who doesn't make mistakes among young people?" "What are you talking about! I have no heart to listen to you anymore." "It's my fault! I, a big man, have already apologized to you like this... Okay, Ah Tong!" "Let go of me! Brother Mynah, from now on, you will also be on the road to being a man, why should you be obsessed with this?" "For me, this is a lifelong event! If you want me to kowtow to you, I can do it. If you want me to swear, I will do it too." "Stop talking." "No... don't be angry... Ah Tong, this is not suitable for heart-to-heart talks, let's find another place to talk!" "don't want!" "If mother comes, it will be troublesome... Let's go! I can't kill you no matter what! How can I do it?" Youba shook her hand, but she shook it away forcefully. "No. Even if you kill me, I won't go with you." "You said no?" "That's right." "No way?" "right." "Atong! So, you've been thinking about Musashi all the time?" "I adore him—it will be him not to marry in the next life." "Humph……" And eight was trembling with anger. "A Tong! That's what you said!" "I've told my grandma all these words! Grandma said these things to you in person, so I've been waiting for today." "I understand! It was Musashi who instructed you to say that when you met me!" "No! No! My life is decided by myself, there is no need to be ordered by Musashi." "I'm also a person with ambition. Ah Tong, all men have ambition, since you think so..." "What do you want?" "I'm a man too! Will I let you be with Musashi? Even if I bet my life, I won't allow it. Who will allow it?" "What are you talking about? Who are you talking about?" "Let me tell you, and Musashi! Atong, there is no engagement between you and Musashi, right?" "No... But, you have no right to ask." "No, I have. Atong, you were originally Matahachi's fiancée! As long as I don't nod your head, you can never become someone else's wife. Not to mention...elope with Takeshi and Musashi." "You still dare to speak of me?! A long time ago, you and Ajia signed a letter of dissolution of engagement to me, and now you dare to say such things, you are really despicable and shameless!" "I don't know! I don't remember writing this kind of letter, did A Jia send it to you on her own initiative?" "That's not true. You clearly said in your letter that we were not meant to be, and told me to marry someone else." "Show me the letter!" "After seeing it, Master Ze'an laughed and took it to blow his nose, and threw it away." "It won't work if you don't have evidence. No one in my hometown knows about our engagement. I have countless witnesses, but you have no evidence at all. Ah Tong, don't be too short-sighted. Even if you forcefully marry Musashi, I'm afraid it won't work." Live happily. Maybe you are still doubting about Ajia, I have already made a clean break with that woman." "It's useless for me to ask about it, mynah, I don't want to hear about it." "I am so humble, is it useless to ask you?" "Mynah again! Didn't you just say that you are also a man? How can a woman fall in love with a shameless man? Women appreciate men who are not sissy." "What did you say?" "Let go! The sleeve is about to be torn off by you." "Bastard, bastard!" "What do you want... what are you going to do?" "If you are still indifferent after I earnestly promise you, don't blame me for tearing your face!" "what?" "If you want to save your life, swear immediately that you will never think about Musashi again. Quickly! Quickly swear!" You Ba wanted to draw out the dagger, so he let go of A Tong's sleeve.As soon as the knife was pulled out, You Ba's expression changed suddenly, as if controlled by the blade. People with knives are not scary.What is terrible is the person who is controlled by the sword. Atong screamed, and she saw Youba's face was more terrifying than a sword. Youba's knife cut through the belt behind Atong's back: "How dare you escape! You woman!" Can't let her escape! In a hurry, he chased and shouted loudly: "Mother! Mother!" Grandma heard the sound and ran over quickly. "Did you screw it up?" As she said that, she also pulled out her dagger, and hurriedly looked for A-Tong. Youba shouted: "Mother, over there, catch her!" Grandma saw that you were yelling and cursing and chasing after her, her eyes widened like big discs: "W-where?" Atong was nowhere to be seen, and Youba ran up to Grandma, almost bumping into her. "Did you kill her?" "Let her run away!" "Fool!" "Below, it seems to be there!" Atong, who was heading straight down the cliff, got his sleeve caught by a branch, and was desperately trying to break free. Under the nearby waterfall, there was the sound of Atong's footsteps running in the water.With her torn sleeves, she scrambled and fled desperately. The footsteps of Youba's mother and son gradually approached. "This is the end for you!" Atong has no way to escape, there are cliffs in front of him and beside him, and the depression of the cliff is under the dark foot. Grandma yelled loudly: "Youba, hurry up! Ah Tong, your end is here!" Matachi, holding the blade, completely lost his mind, rushed forward like a leopard and shouted: "brute!" You Ba saw A Tong who had fallen between the withered grass and bushes, and immediately swung his big knife over. With the sound of branches breaking, there was a scream of "wow" from the ground, and blood spattered everywhere. "You stinky bitch! Stinky bitch!" After chopping three or four times in a row, Youba, who was intoxicated in the pool of blood, took a big knife and slashed at the branches and miscanthus several times. "..." Tired of chopping, he woke up from the pool of blood in a daze, holding a blood knife in eight hands. His hands were covered with blood.He touched his face, which was also stained with blood.The warm, wet and viscous blood splashed all over his body like bits of phosphorous fire. Thinking that every drop of blood is the source of Atong's life, Youba felt dizzy and his face turned pale. "Finally killed her!" Grandma poked her head out from behind her son in a daze, staring intently at a chaotic bush. "It deserves it! I can't move anymore! Son! Well done! This way, most of the anger in my heart has disappeared, and I have the face to face the elders in my hometown... Youba, what's wrong with you? Hurry up and take it away." Get off the head of Atong, cut it off!" "Hahaha!" Grandma laughed at her son's timidity. "You worthless guy! Killing a person will make you terrified. If you don't dare to cut, let me do it! You stand aside!" Grandma was about to move forward.Matachi, who was dazed and dumbfounded, suddenly grabbed the handle of the knife and gave his mother a hammer on the shoulder. "Ah! What are you doing, what are you doing?" Grandma almost fell into the bottomless bushes, but managed to stabilize her feet. "Youba, are you crazy? Hit my mother with a knife - what do you want to do?" "Mother!" "What are you doing?" "..." Rubbing his eyes with the back of his blood-stained hand, Youba choked up and said: "I...I...killed Atong! Killed Atong!" "Aren't I praising you? Why are you still crying?" "Can I not cry... stupid! Stupid! Stupid old woman!" "Are you sad?" "Of course! If it weren't for your troubles, I could have reconciled with Atong. What kind of family reputation, what shameless meeting with Jiangdong's elders... But, it's too late..." "It's really stupid and ignorant! If you are so reluctant to part with Atong, why don't you kill me to save Atong?" "If I can do it, I don't have to cry and talk stupid things here. The most unfortunate thing in this world is that my parents are unreasonable." "Don't talk about it! Look at your virtue... I'm so special to praise you for doing a good job." "Whatever you say! I've decided to live my life as I want." "This is your bad nature, just talk nonsense and make my mother's brain trouble!" "I just want to make you worry. Shit old woman! Evil mother-in-law!" "Oh! Oh! It doesn't matter what you say, stand aside and have a good talk with you after I cut off Atong's head." "Who, who wants to listen to your heartless old woman's reasoning?" "It doesn't matter if you don't listen. You can think about it after you see the divorced head of A Tong. What is beauty... No matter how beautiful a woman is, she is just a pile of bones after death... Now you will understand better. reason." "I don't want to listen! I don't want to listen!" Youba shook his head frantically: "Hey, think about it carefully, my hope is all on A Tong. When I think of joining hands with A Tong to create a future, it will make me work hard and find a way to stand. This is not for the reputation of the family, nor for you. The old woman, but the hope that Ah Tong gave me." "How long are you going to talk about these boring and useless words? It's better to recite more Buddhas...Namo Amitabha." Grandma had already stood in front of Yatachi at some point, pushing away the blood-stained bushes and dead grass. A dead body lay under the grass. Grandma broke off the dry grass and branches, spread them on the ground, and sat respectfully in front of the corpse. "A Tong, don't hate me. After you become a Buddha, I won't hate you anymore. This is completely predestined. You should realize Bodhi sooner!" Grandma said as she reached out to touch the corpse—and grabbed the corpse's hair. At this time, a call came from above Otowa Waterfall: "Girl Atong!" The cry seemed to come down from the starry sky, pass through the treetops, and float to the bottom of the valley with the wind of the night.