Chapter 11 The Ninth Princess Presents a Tripod
The girl stepped forward and said: "I'm really sorry that I surprised you..." Tuoba Yu'er was puzzled, and said: "Who are you? Why did you suddenly appear here?"
The girl said: "My name is Dugu Ning Ke, and I am the princess of the imperial court."
Tuoba Yu'er said: "Hmph, no wonder that dog officer called you princess just now, since you are also a running dog of the Sui family, then take your life!" He raised the lancet and was about to cut it.Chen Jingchou stretched out his hand to stop her, and said, "Let her finish speaking first..." Dugu Ning Ke was frightened, covered her nose with a silk handkerchief, and cried bitterly.
Tuoba Yu'er also regretted being too reckless, and said: "Okay, I won't make things difficult for you... tell me what's going on!"
Dugu Ning Ke gently wiped the corners of his eyes with Sipa, and said, "I'm not one of them. If I wanted to harm you, why did I save you just now?"
Tuoba Yu'er asked: "Aren't they your subordinates?"
Dugu Ning Ke looked aggrieved, and said: "They are the subordinates of Grand Master Yuwen, they were sent to monitor me..."
Chen Jingchou asked strangely: "Surveillance? ——Aren't you the princess? Why do they want to watch you?"
Dugu Ning Ke lowered her head and said: "At first, I came out with Grand Master Yuwen to see how he catches the assassin. ——Unexpectedly, as soon as I left the dragon boat, I knew that the world was in chaos, and the people were devastated! ——I used to They are all in the palace, and they have no idea of the miserable situation outside! I saw that the people who rebelled were all forced by the tyranny, and I felt very unbearable! But Grand Master Yuwen brutally suppressed them in order to please the emperor. I can’t stand it , and quarreled with him!—”
Chen Jingchou said: "So, he sent his subordinates to put you under house arrest?"
Dugu Ning Ke nodded and said: "Yes, he planned to send someone to take me back to the capital. Fortunately, he met you halfway and killed his eagle dog..."
Chen Jingchou pondered for a while, nodded slightly, and said: "So that's how it is... Sister Yu'er, you see that you scared people just now!" Tuoba Yu'er put down the lancet, and said: "Princess, how much did you do just now?" Offended, please forgive me!" Dugu Ning Ke hastily returned the gift.
Chen Jingchou said: "By the way, we are looking for a divine cauldron that was taken away by Grand Master Yuwen. Have you heard any news?"
A smile appeared on the corner of Dugu Ning Ke's mouth, and said, "You mean the Shennong Ding, right? The Shennong Ding is on this ship!" Chen Jingchou was shocked when he heard this.Yu Xiaoxue let out a cry.Dugu Ning Ke was afraid that they would not believe her, so she turned around slowly, and continued: "Grand Master Yuwen is planning to secretly transport the divine cauldron back to Beijing and hide it in the grand master's mansion without telling the emperor! —— and the person who transported the divine cauldron This is the ship!"
Chen Jingchou struck each other with both hands, and said joyfully, "There is no place to find if you break through the iron shoes, and it's so easy to get here! What a coincidence!"
Yu Xiaoxue also said: "Great! Brother Chen, Sister Tuoba, if this divine cauldron is really on the boat, we won't have to look around anymore!"
A strange look flashed across Dugu Ning Ke's face, and it disappeared in an instant, and he said, "May I ask—what is the purpose of all of you trying to find this divine cauldron?"
Chen Jingchou hesitated for a moment, and said: "The thing is like this, this Shennong Ding, originally a sacred object in this Tuoba girl's tribe, was forcibly taken away by Grand Master Yuwen, so..."
Dugu Ning Ke said with a smile: "Since that's the case, then I will return this tripod to you!" As soon as this remark came out, several people were greatly surprised.Chen Jingchou said: "Well, how can this be done? If Grand Master Yuwen pursues it, you..." Dugu Ning Ke interrupted, shaking his hand and said: "The tripod was not ours in the first place, and it happened to be returned to its original owner today!— —Come with me, the tripod is placed at the bottom of the boat, and I will take you down with me!" He was very straightforward, and went out of the cabin without hesitation after speaking.Chen Jingchou was overjoyed, and Yu Xiaoxue also walked down.
Tuoba Yu'er suddenly said: "Wait!" Chen Jingchou turned around and asked, "Sister Yu'er, what's wrong?" Tuoba Yu'er said: "You are too unsuspecting! —— Zhiren Knowing the face but not knowing the heart. In case she just acted from the beginning to the end and set a trap, the three of us all went down, do you think we can still escape?"
Chen Jingchou scratched his head and said, "Well, it makes sense—but why do I think she is a good person, she shouldn't lie to us?" Tuoba Yu'er snorted and turned her head away.Yu Xiaoxue asked: "Sister Tuoba, what do you think we should do?" Tuoba Yu'er said: "Then there is no need to ask, of course we sent someone down first!" Chen Jingchou said: "That faction Who's going?" Tuoba Yu'er frowned, and said, "Fool! Of course it's you... why don't you let us two girls die first! Besides, hum! Don't you just want to go down with her!" Chen Jingchou felt strange, and said: "Of course I want to go down." He had no choice but to turn around and go down the cabin alone.
Dugu Ning Ke waited by the wooden ladder in the bottom cabin for a while, but saw Chen Jingchou coming down alone, and asked, "What's wrong with everyone? Why are you the only one coming down?"
Chen Jingchou hesitated and said: "Here, one of my companions is worried that this is a trap...so..." Dugu Ning Ke shook the silk fan in her hand and said with a smile: "Really! Since she said that, I will go up and ask She'll take me as a hostage!" Chen Jingchou hurriedly said, "Ah, that's unnecessary..." Dugu Ning Ke turned around and walked up.Chen Jingchou also followed.
Dugu Ning Ke walked up to Tuoba Yu'er, and said with a smile: "Miss Tuoba! You really are——I returned the divine cauldron to you, and you still refuse to believe me!"
Tuoba Yu'er crossed her hands in front of her chest, and said: "I'm very sorry...but it is necessary to be on guard against others, and this vigilance is still necessary!" Dugu Ning Ke said: "Okay... since you Don't worry, you can use the knife to escort me away!" Tuoba Yu'er said without thinking, "This is a good way!" As he said that, he wanted to stretch out the knife.Chen Jingchou hurriedly stopped him, saying: "Wait a minute! Sister Yu'er! This...is so rude!" Yu Xiaoxue also said: "Sister Tuoba, we can't do this!" Tuoba Yu'er hung the knife In the middle of the air, he said: "This is the enemy's land, if something goes wrong, none of us can get out alive!" Unexpectedly, Dugu Ning Ke put his neck on the blade and said with a smile: "Hehe, it's fun Yes, it's nothing! Let's go!" Chen Jingchou had no choice but to let Tuoba Yu'er escort Dugu Ning Ke, and walked down together.
Dugu Ning Ke led the crowd to the innermost cabin at the bottom of the ship.I saw a big bronze tripod standing in the room, about half the height of a person.Dugu Ning Ke pointed at the tripod and said, "This is the magical tripod that Grand Master Yuwen snatched!" Tuoba Yu'er let go of Dugu Ning Ke, approached it, leaned over to examine it carefully, stretched out her hand to caress it, and said happily: " Ah! The patterns on this tripod are completely correct, this is really the divine tripod of our tribe!"
Chen Jingchou said: "Look...they returned the tripod to you sincerely, but you treat others like this!"
Tuoba Yu'er walked up to Dugu Ning Ke, and said, "I'm sorry, Princess, I blamed you!"
Dugu Ning Ke waved his hands quickly, and said with a smile, "It's okay!" Suddenly remembered something, and said, "By the way, this is such a huge tripod, how can you move it back to the north?"
Chen Jingchou said with a smile: "Princess, don't worry! My master once gave me an ancient artifact, it should be able to fit into this thing!" He took out an old white jade pot from his bosom, the bottom of which was only bigger than The fist was slightly wider, and the mouth of the pot pointed towards the Shennong Cauldron. In an instant, the Shennong Cauldron disappeared, turned into a white light, and was actually sucked into the pot.When Dugu Ning Ke saw it, she was very surprised. Looking at the porcelain pot, she couldn't help but gasp.
Chen Jingchou said: "Princess Dugu, do you recognize this pot?"
Dugu Ningke waved her hands as if waking up from a dream, and said, "No, no, of course I don't know! I just saw such a big tripod fit into this small pot, I thought it was strange!"
Chen Jingchou put the jade pot in his arms, and said: "This is not an ordinary pot, but a national treasure of our Chen Dynasty in the past - just like the divine tripod guarded by sister Yuer's tribe for generations - the name It’s called the Demon Refining Pot.”
Dugu Ning Ke nodded and said: "So that's how it is..." After a while, he said: "Young Master Chen, you must be careful! —— Don't let that nasty Grand Master Yuwen find out, if he knows that you have such a treasure , will definitely send people to snatch it by any means!" Chen Jingchou said: "Thank you, princess, for reminding me!" Dugu Ning Ke raised her head and said, "Okay, let's go up first and then talk about it."
Everyone climbed up the wooden ladder and was walking into the aisle of the upper cabin.Suddenly saw two maidservants rushing from outside the cabin, ran to Dugu Ning Ke, bowed their knees and saluted, and said in unison: "That's great! The Princess is safe and sound, but I'm worried about the death of the servant girl!" Dugu Ning Ke was overjoyed and said with a smile, "Ah! So it's Xiao Xiao and Yan Hong. You don't have to worry, I'm fine!" Turning her head, "These three young heroes are here to help us and fight against Grand Master Yuwen!" Xiao Xiao and Yan Hong saluted, and praised: "The righteous men are really amazing!" Dugu Ning Ke thought for a moment, and said: "By the way, you all go up and prepare another boat for me. I want to take this boat Give the boat to some friends!"
Chen Jingchou hurriedly said: "Princess Dugu, we owe you too much! This, how can this be done..." Dugu Ning Ke said with a smile: "You're welcome, you're welcome—friends who know you, I'm the one who is too late to be happy!" With a wink, Xiao Xiao and Yan Hong hurried up to the deck.Dugu Ning Ke said: "Come on, let's go up too!"
When everyone came to the deck of the ship, Xiao Xiao and Yan Hong had already been waiting there, and said together: "Princess, the boat you ordered is ready." Dugu Ning Ke nodded, turned to Chen Jingchou and said, "You can Take this big ship, along the waterway, and take the Shending back to the north with peace of mind." Chen Jingchou was grateful in his heart, and said, "Princess, thank you so much! I really don't know how to thank you!" Dugu Ning Ke shook the silk fan with a smile, and said, "You're welcome, everyone will be your own from now on!" Yu Xiaoxue also thanked her.
Dugu Ning Ke said: "This little girl's white hair is so beautiful, it's as white as snow, I didn't notice it just now!" As she spoke, she looked at Xiaoxue carefully.Yu Xiaoxue was shy, lowered her head, and said: "I...my hair..." Dugu Ning Ke said with a smile: "My face is flushed... so beautiful! By the way, I think this hairpin with bells is very suitable for you, so I will give it to you." I'll give it to you, we don't have any other presents when we meet for the first time!" As he spoke, he untied a golden hairpin from his head and stuffed it into Yu Xiaoxue's hand.Yu Xiaoxue saw that the hairpin was exquisitely carved and inlaid with jewels and jade, it was very exquisitely made, so she didn't dare to accept it, and quickly withdrew her hand.But Dugu Ning Ke insisted on her accepting it.Yu Xiaoxue looked at Chen Jingchou, but couldn't help it, so she had to thank him.
Chen Jingchou remembered something, took out the map from his arms, and said: "Princess Dugu, I would like to show you this map. By the way, do you know the meaning of this map?" Dugu Ning Ke asked curiously: "What map ?" Chen Jingchou handed over the map and said, "We found this from the subordinates of Grand Master Yuwen." Dugu Ning Ke took a look, his face changed slightly, but he didn't think so, and handed the map back, Said: "It's the first time I've seen this map, and I don't know what the pattern means! I'm so sorry!"
Chen Jingchou said: "It's okay, I'm just asking casually!" Dugu Ning Ke shook his silk fan and said, "However, I know that Grand Master Yuwen has been urging the emperor to build some Tongtian Pagoda near Luoyang!—— Recently, I have been looking for the five ancient artifacts of the Qin, Ding, Yinjing, and Stone. I really don’t know what he wants to do!" Chen Jingchou was surprised: "Grand Master Yuwen is also collecting ancient artifacts? Could it be that he is also going to be in the ninth and fifth ranks? !" Dugu Ning Ke wondered, "The Ninth Five-Year Formation... what is that?"
Chen Jingchou calmed down and replied: "Master once told me: as long as you collect all five ancient artifacts, including Fuxiqin, Shennong Ding, Kongtong Seal, Kunlun Mirror, and Nuwa Stone, you can make a list called the Ninth Five Array." Formation, this formation will allow those who form the formation to own the world!" Dugu Ning Ke was taken aback, and said, "Then, Grand Master Yuwen's ambition is to defeat his cousin and become the emperor himself?" Chen Jingchou was not quite sure. , said: "It is indeed possible! But the world is already chaotic enough, if such an ambitious person as Grand Master Yuwen is allowed to be the emperor, the people will really have no way to live!" Dugu Ning Ke said: "Chen The young master is right! We must stop him, and we must not let his conspiracy be punished!" His cheeks flushed with anger, and he said: "It's really disgusting! I have to go back and tell my cousin, tell him to stop Beware of this scoundrel!" Turning around, he said, "I'm sorry, I'll take my leave first... On your way back, you must be careful to guard against the sneak attack of Grand Master Yuwen! It's a pleasure to meet you all, and we will meet later!" Said and stepped off the boat.Chen Jingchou and the three also waved goodbye.Yan Hong and Xiao Xiao paddled their wooden oars, and the boat gradually moved away from the sight of the three of them, disappearing into a wave of sparkling light.
Chen Jingchou stood at the bow of the boat, watching Dugu Ning Ke leave.Tuoba Yu'er said: "I really can't tell, this Princess Dugu is actually a good person!"
Chen Jingchou said: "You always suspect others for no reason, you know now!" Tuoba Yu'er folded his hands on his chest, and said: "Okay, okay, this time it's my fault! Is that okay?" Yu Xiaoxue asked: "Brother Chen, where are we going now?" Chen Jingchou hesitated for a moment, and said: "Of course we are going to the Demon King's Village to return the tripod." Tuoba Yu'er shook his head and said: "Yes, no! Ah Qiu, let's go to Daliang to refine the medicine first!" Chen Jingchou hurriedly said: "But, Sister Yu'er, there is not much time left, so is it in time?" Tuoba Yu'er said: "Now There is still some time before the 15-day deadline, so we should be able to make it in time! I am afraid that if I lose in the martial arts competition with King Cheng, it will not delay your important event." Chen Jingchou was grateful in his heart.
Several people immediately set sail, and after a few days, the boat had reached the shore of Daliang.Chen Jingchou and others came into Decheng, asked passers-by, and found the largest herbal medicine shop in Daliang City.The three of them walked into the shop, Chen Jingchou took out the prescription, handed it to the shopkeeper, and said, "Take a pair of medicine, please."
The shopkeeper of the pharmacy took it, and couldn't help being stunned, twisting his long beard, with a look of embarrassment on his face.Chen Jingchou hurriedly asked: "Excuse me, old man, is there anything wrong with this prescription?" The shopkeeper shook his head and said, "These five herbs are rare folk prescriptions, rare medicinal materials. Although four of them were just brought back from overseas yesterday. .But it’s just the same meat, the shop really can’t do anything about it.”
Chen Jingchou, Yu Xiaoxue, and Tuoba Yu'er looked at each other, and said: "Then where can I buy this meat? I hope the old man can advise." The shopkeeper paused, and said: "This is the same meat. It is an extremely ferocious bird that nests in deep mountain caves and is huge in size. None of the hunters who captured it has ever come back alive. It is difficult to see it once, let alone buy it!" Chen Jingchou listened and pondered After a long while, he asked, "Then do you know where this fellow haunts?" The shopkeeper shook his head and said, "I don't know much about it. I heard that in the deep mountains dozens of miles outside the west gate of Daliang, someone once saw it." After a few times." Yu Xiaoxue said: "Brother Chen, what should I do?" Chen Jingchou thought for a while, then he made up his mind, and said, "Shopkeeper, please pack the four medicines for me first!" Then The shopkeeper repeatedly agreed and grabbed the medicine.Chen Jingchou paid the bill, put the medicine in his arms, and the three of them came out of the store.
Chen Jingchou clarified the direction and headed westward.Yu Xiaoxue asked: "Where are we going?" Tuoba Yu'er said: "Someone is going to arrest comrades, let's follow." Yu Xiaoxue said: "Really? That's very dangerous!" Chen Jing Qiu said: "Even if it is dangerous, I will try it."
From time to time, he went out of the west gate, and after walking for more than an hour, he came to the bottom of a big mountain.Looking up, the mountain peaks are erected, the clouds are blocked and the forest is dense.The three of them walked up the mountain, the valley was green, the winding stream was deep, the sound of the water was faint, and the grass reached knees.After a while, it started to rain lightly, the surrounding area was misty, the pines were covered with rain, the clothes were completely wet, and the road was indescribably slippery and muddy.Go up the mountain step by step with difficulty.After passing through a valley and turning over halfway up the mountain, the rain just gradually stopped.The three of them walked slowly along the path close to the cliff, and beside them was a cliff of ten thousand zhang. The clouds and mist rolled up and down under the cliff, and the bottom of the valley could not be seen.After a while, the trail is even narrower.Yu Xiaoxue turned her head and looked down the mountain, panicked in her heart, slipped and almost fell into the deep valley.Fortunately, Chen Jingchou stopped him in time.A few more steps forward, the path is only a few inches wide, and there is a gap in front of it, the gap is nearly two people wide, and it is impossible to go any further.Chen Jingchou had no choice but to stop, looked up to the top of the mountain, and saw a hole half a foot high on the stone wall, said: "Let's go to the cave to rest for a while! We will make further calculations later." Ba Yuer and Yu Xiaoxue agreed.Chen Jingchou breathed a sigh of relief, kicked his feet, climbed up the vine first, and then pulled Yu Xiaoxue and Tuoba Yu'er up.
As soon as they walked into the cave, a gust of cool wind blew head-on from the cave. Yu Xiaoxue covered her mouth and nose and couldn't help sneezing.Chen Jingchou wondered: "The wind is really weird! Could it be that the hole is connected at both ends?" Fearing that the two of them would catch cold, he hurriedly found some dead branches and lit a fire to keep Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue warm warm up.I also sat aside.The three of them roasted for a while, and the clothes on their bodies were just a little dry.Suddenly a gust of cold wind blew out the bonfire, sending smoke and dust flying.Chen Jingchou sat on the side of the cave entrance, unable to dodge in time, his face was covered in charcoal ashes.
Tuoba Yu'er smiled and said: "Xiaoxue, look, the charcoal burner is here!" Chen Jingchou wiped it with his sleeve, Yu Xiaoxue took out a handkerchief and went forward to help him wipe it clean.Tuoba Yu'er walked a few steps into the cave, and said, "Ah Qiu, this cave is really weird, should we go in and have a look?" Chen Jingchou had this intention, so he got some torches and divided them into two To Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue, the three of them went against the wind direction and walked towards the cave.The cave was extremely humid, water dripped down from the roof of the cave, and drops of water came out from the cave wall.The soles of the feet are extremely slippery.The three held hands with each other and walked forward cautiously.After about a meal, he got out of a half-height stone hole and came to a huge cave.Chen Jingchou looked up, and saw a ray of light coming down from the top of the cave, about ten feet high, the cave was round, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, like a huge bronze bell, enclosing itself in it.
Yu Xiaoxue said: "Why is this cave so strange!" Chen Jingchou nodded and said, "I've never seen a cave with this shape!" Looking around, there was nothing unusual.Tuoba Yu'er said: "I don't know if that giant is hiding here, let's take a closer look." Chen Jingchou nodded, and the three walked around the cave, looking while walking, but there was no other exit in the cave, and they couldn't find it. No trace of any bird or beast.Had to turn back to the center of the cave.Yu Xiaoxue saw a bunch of dead branches on the ground, walked over and gently opened them, and suddenly said: "Look, what is this on the ground?" Animal feces, and some fragments of feathers, the shortest feathers are two feet long.Chen Jingchou was surprised and said: "These feathers are so long, they are definitely not of ordinary birds." At this moment, there was a piercing scream from the top of the cave.Chen Jingchou froze in his heart, made a gesture, and said, "Everyone, back off and hide with me!" The three quickly retreated to the edge of the stone wall, hiding behind the huge rock, holding their breath, and staring at the center of the cave with all their attention.
After a while, I only heard the sound of flapping wings, fluttering.Chen Jingchou looked up, and saw a huge black shadow flying down slowly, almost filling the entire entrance of the cave. The sunlight was difficult to see through, and the cave was completely dark.After a while, there were several muffled whirring sounds, and a burst of dust immediately rose from the bottom of the cave.Chen Jingchou quietly stretched out his head to look, and couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart. He saw a Datong with five-colored feathers standing in the center of the cave. There were two people standing there, staring fiercely, with his head raised. look around.
Chen Jingchou gestured backwards, Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue understood, they both gently took out their weapons and held them in their hands.Chen Jingchou secretly charged his palm and pressed down on the hilt of his sword.The giant fellow looked at it for a while, and a puff of white air came out of his nose, as if aware of it, he walked away a few steps, and slowly turned around along the cave wall.Chen Jingchou waited for the giant colleague to approach, suddenly shouted, jumped out, and slapped him fiercely.At this time, Chen Jingchou had already mastered the technique of falling water like ice and stones, he slapped out with a palm, and a gust of cold wind was blown up, attacking the giant fellow.Ju Tong was startled, his wings fluttered forward, hissed, and he jumped high.With the palm energy, feathers of five colors fluttered all over the sky, fluttering and falling down one after another.Ju Tong was not afraid, he let out a long cry, flapped his wings several times, and suddenly spread his wings like a sword, leaning over and rushing towards Chen Jingchou.Chen Jingchou hastily jumped back to avoid it.Ju Tong couldn't catch it, so he quickly flapped his wings and flew up.In an instant, sand and rocks flew on the ground, making it impossible to look away.Tuoba Yu'er raised the lancet and threw it towards Jutong.The giant turned sideways slightly, with a light movement of its right wing, it blocked the lancet.The lancet turned half a circle in the air, and with a bang, sparks splashed and penetrated into the rock wall.Ju Tong turned around in mid-air, opened his claws as big as a bucket, and grabbed Chen Jingchou violently.Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue called out to be careful.Chen Jingchou hastily took a step back, and suddenly heard a chirp, and there were three big slits in the front of his chest.Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue rushed to rescue them, attacking from left and right.Jutong couldn't catch it, so he spread his wings and swept towards Xiaoxue and Tuoba Yu'er with all his strength, a gust of wind was blown up, and it was heavy.Tuoba Yu'er was shocked, and quickly fell to the ground and rolled away.Yu Xiaoxue was stunned, and was about to jump away, when she suddenly felt a pain in her leg, she was thrown to the ground, and she turned over several times before she stopped.Jutong was still about to attack, Chen Jingchou shouted loudly, drew out his iron sword, jumped up, turned around in the air, head and foot, with a chirping sound, the long sword passed through his neck.Jutong was in pain and hissed, flapping his wings wildly as if going mad.Before Chen Jingchou had time to jump up, he was thrown several feet away, and his vest fell on a protruding rock, the pain was unbearable.Jutong flapped his wings eagerly, and was about to fly away to escape, but just as his feet left the ground, he fell down.The whole body was gradually invaded by the cold, trembling constantly, and the limbs gradually became stiff. After struggling a few more times, a white mist appeared faintly on the body, and it was impossible to move.Finally, it stood on the ground, covered with condensed hoarfrost, like an ice statue.Chen Jingchou got up slowly, felt a sharp pain in his back, his bones were about to be broken, and he staggered back.Tuoba Yu'er also helped Yu Xiaoxue up, inspecting her injury, only to see a high swelling on her leg, a large area of bruise, the injury was serious.
Tuoba Yu'er applied medicine to Yu Xiaoxue, and came to check on Chen Jingchou's injuries, and saw that his vest was also bruised and purple, so he quickly applied the medicine for him too.The three rested for a while, and Tuoba Yu'er said: "A Qiu, Xiaoxue, what do you think?" Chen Jingchou said: "I'm fine, you can show Xiaoxue." Yu Xiaoxue hurriedly said: "I, I Your injury is not a problem. You should take a look at Brother Chen’s injury again!" Tuoba Yu'er stood up, pouted and said: "Since you are all fine, then I don't care about it." Then he turned around.Chen Jingchou looked down at the three rips on the lapel, recalling the dangerous situation just now, he couldn't help but secretly fear, if he was half a step slower at that time, he would have been ripped open.After resting for a while, the cold air on Ju Tong's body gradually melted away, and water droplets slowly flowed down Tong's legs.Chen Jingchou got up, took out the dagger, and said: "Jutong's cold air is almost gone, we cut the flesh, let's go back quickly!" Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue both agreed.Chen Jingchou stepped forward, cut off a palm-sized piece of flesh from the giant's leg, put it in his bosom, climbed onto his back, and pulled out the long sword.The three supported each other and went down the mountain.
Back on the boat that night, without resting, Chen Jingchou put the five herbs into the Shennong cauldron according to the method stated in the prescription, and a fire was lit at the bottom of the cauldron. After a while, a red mist rose from the mouth of the cauldron, which lasted for seven quarters of an hour. Afterwards, the red mist gradually dissipated, and the five medicinal materials were fused together, turning into a red pill the size of a thumb.Chen Jingchou carefully took out the pill. The pill was extremely precious, and he couldn't find a suitable thing to store it, so he wrapped it with silk letters and put it in his arms.Several people are excited.Yu Xiaoxue was extremely tired, and even had a leg injury, so she went back to the cabin to sleep first.
When the night is calm and the wind is light, a round of bright moon is reflected in the river, the river is full of white, the land is quiet, and the birds on the other side pass through the night sky, and the song can be heard from time to time.Chen Jingchou stood on the deck, with the breeze blowing on his face, he couldn't help feeling refreshed and happy.Holding on to the railing, he walked back a little at a leisurely pace, but saw a man standing on the side, staring at the moon shadow in the water alone.Chen Jingchou walked slowly, recognized Tuoba Yu'er, approached and said, "Sister Yu'er, it's so late, why are you still up?" Tuoba Yu'er was slightly startled, and quickly turned her head Seeing that it was Chen Jingchou, he turned back without answering.Chen Jingchou also leaned on the railing, and said: "I have already made the medicine to cure Master Gongshan. Tomorrow we can bring the Shennong Cauldron back to the Demon King's Village and go to Brother Cheng! I hope it's not too late. It's too late, and there's still time!" Tuoba Yu'er turned her head, looked at Chen Jingchou with both eyes, and said, "Achou, don't you also need this divine cauldron in order to restore the country?" Chen Jingchou looked at the river, Sighing, he said: "Recovering the country?——For me, this divine cauldron is only for refining medicine, curing Uncle Gongshan's sword wound, and then rescuing Master!" Tuoba Yu'er said: "Then, didn't you say last time that your master wants to form a ninety-five formation, and this divine cauldron is necessary for the formation?"
Chen Jingchou was silent, and after a long while, Fang said: "That's just the wish of Master's life. ——Actually, to me, it doesn't matter if I don't return to the country, I don't have the world... I just want to be happy Live with Master, read books, compose poems, and visit the world’s famous places in your spare time!” Tuoba Yu’er smiled and said: “You are a very honest guy, I have always wronged you before. I always thought that you I will take the divine cauldron away." Chen Jingchou said with a smile: "Sister Yu'er can also praise people! It's really rare!" Tuoba Yu'er pouted and turned her head away.The two continued to stand for a while, Chen Jingqiu said: "Tomorrow morning we will rush to Demon King's Village, it's getting late, the wind is strong by the river, be careful of catching cold, go back to sleep!" Tuoba Yu'er said: "You Get some rest too!" Turning around, he went down to the cabin.Standing by the railing, Chen Jingchou felt a dull pain in his back, and went to rest himself.
At dawn on the second day, several people drove the boat to the southeast, stopped at the east bank of the canal, and then turned overland.A few days later, I arrived at Demon King's Village, which happened to be the last day of the 15-day deadline.Along the mountain road, halfway up the mountain, you can already see Dazhai on the top of the mountain from a distance.The three of them quickened their pace and walked towards the middle of the stronghold.When he was approaching the door, Tuoba Yu'er suddenly stopped and said: "A Qiu, Xiaoxue, wait a minute." He hurriedly dragged Chen Jingchou and Yu Xiaoxue to the woods beside the road.Chen Jingchou didn't understand, so he said, "Sister Yu'er, what happened?" Tuoba Yu'er said, "Look at the gate of the village!" The recruits were all in the style of officers and soldiers, and even the guards at the gate were replaced by officers and soldiers in armor. They were surprised: "ah, why are officers and soldiers guarding the gate of the cottage? Brother Cheng, can something happen?" Xiaoxue said: "Could it be that the Demon King's Village has been taken down by the officers and soldiers?" Tuoba Yu'er also looked at it for a while, then turned around and said: "It is very possible, if this is the case, we have to be more careful! It's a pity that the entrance to the secret road is in the Houshan, we can't infiltrate the stronghold to inquire now." Chen Jingchou bowed his head and pondered for a while, then said: "I'll pretend to be a passerby, go and find out first. If brother Cheng is really arrested by the officers and soldiers, we must save him Help." Tuoba Yu'er nodded and said: "You have to be careful." Chen Jingchou handed the iron sword to Yu Xiaoxue, holding the dagger in his pocket, taking precautions, and walked towards the gate of the village alone.Both Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue were sweating.
As soon as he arrived at the gate, an officer and soldier guarding the gate stepped up to the front post and asked, "What are you doing?" Chen Jingchou saluted and said, "The villain is just passing by. Because he doesn't know the way here, he got lost in this place." Here, I would like to ask the military master to show you a way down the mountain." The officer and soldier were about to answer when another man in military uniform walked by him and looked at Chen Jingchou for a while.Chen Jingchou secretly accumulated energy in his palm.Suddenly, the officer suddenly realized: "Oh! Didn't you half a month ago. Did you come to see the little brother of the king?" Chen Jingchou saw that he was wearing a military uniform, but he called him the king.When the officer saw him, he said with a smile: "I don't know, my brother. Our King Cheng has already surrendered to the imperial court. Mr. Zhang Xutuo Zhang, please wait here for a while, and let me go in and report." Then he turned and walked into the village .Chen Jingchou breathed a sigh of relief, and made a gesture, and Tuoba Yu'er and Yu Xiaoxue had also rushed over.Chen Jingchou told them what he said before, and they were both very surprised.
Not long after, the gate of the village opened wide, and two people came out first, and one person laughed and said from a distance: "It really is you, boy!" Wearing armor and a golden helmet, he has changed to a general's attire.Chen Jingchou asked suspiciously: "Brothers, what?..." Qin Shubao said: "Brother Chen, if you have anything to say, please come in and talk about it!" He led the way first and brought the three of them into the hall.The guest and the host are seated separately.Cheng Yaojin laughed and said: "I heard the report, and I guessed it was you, who came just in time! Lao Tzu's village will be moved out in a few days, today is just a good time to get together with a few little righteous men Get together!" Although he submitted to the imperial court, he couldn't change his words for a while.Chen Jingchou was puzzled, stood up, and said: "Brother Qin, Brother Cheng, why are you so corrupt in the court today?" Qin Shubao stroked his beard, smiled and said: "Good question, your question hits the nail on the head What has been in Brother Yu’s heart for many years!” After a pause, he said: “In today’s world, the ruler is ruthless and the people are miserable. Although Brother Yu has the heart to help the world and save the people, he suffers because he has no power to save the people! ——Brother Cheng Xian and I alone , plus a few thousand people, it’s not easy to save the people of the world!” Chen Jingchou said: “So...you and Brother Cheng…” Qin Shubao continued: “Brother Chen, don’t worry, brother Cheng Xian and I will surrender The imperial court is definitely not acting as a pawn for a foolish king! Mr. Zhang Xutuo is upright and dares to be the master of the people. Brother Cheng Xian and I surrender to him. With the help of the army, it is unknown whether the people will be saved from misery in the future." Cheng Yao Jin smiled and said: "The last time you came, I saw Brother Qin discussing things with me in the inn at the foot of the mountain. He was the one who advised me to wash my hands!" Chen Jingchou didn't know whether it was right or wrong, and he didn't know what to say. something.Qin Shubao said: "Since you are here, don't rush to leave, stay here for a few days first. Brother Cheng Xian and I will take up posts in the army in a few days, so we can go down the mountain together." Cheng Yaojin was busy Said: "Yes, yes, stay for a few days first!" Turning his head, he said: "Come here! Quickly pack up the food and drink, and serve good wine!"
Tuoba Yuer stood up and said: "Wait a minute, King Cheng, I have found the Shending and brought it to the Demon King's Village!" Cheng Yaojin looked around, thought for a while, patted his head, and said: "Oh! You It’s the treasured cauldron!” Tuoba Yu’er said: “Since I have brought back the divine cauldron as scheduled, next, I want to ask King Cheng to abide by the agreement!” Cheng Yaojin wondered: “The agreement... What agreement does my old Cheng have with the girl?" Look at Qin Shubao.Qin Shubao looked at Tuoba Yu'er with a smile on his face, and praised: "You are really a good girl. You can keep the agreement and bring back the divine cauldron on time, which is worthy of praise! But..." Turning his head, he said: "Brother Cheng Xian, that scene Martial arts competition... I think it can be avoided!" Cheng Yaojin suddenly remembered, laughed and said: "This girl, she has a good memory! I have long forgotten about it!" Waved his hand "Forget it , I am no longer interested in that tripod, so you can keep it for yourself."
Tuoba Yu'er took a step forward and said: "No, no! If King Cheng refuses to accept my challenge, even if I take the divine cauldron away, I can't feel at ease!"
Cheng Yaojin said: "Forget it, forget it, even if I give you the tripod, you don't need to fight anymore!" Chen Jingchou and Yu Xiaoxue also stepped forward to persuade, but no matter how much Tuoba Yuer persuaded, he just refused to listen. Must compete with Cheng Yaojin.Qin Shubao turned his head and said with a smile: "What should I do, brother Cheng Xian... She is so enthusiastic about fighting, I think you should make gestures with this little girl, exercise your muscles and bones, and compete!" Cheng Yaojin said helplessly: "Okay, okay! , then I just hit him casually!" Stretching his waist, he strode out the door.Everyone followed.Cheng Yaojin stands in the center of the open space in front of the village.Qin Shubao stood on the sidelines and said: "Today's martial arts competition, everyone must stop, no weapons are allowed, don't hurt your peace!"
Tuoba Yu'er untied the lancet, put it on the ground, jumped into the arena, put on a stance, and said: "Offended!" She was about to attack.
Cheng Yaojin raised his right hand, and suddenly said: "Wait! Why are you alone?"
Tuoba Yu'er stopped halfway and said, "What's wrong? King Cheng? Of course I'm the only one!"
Cheng Yaojin shook his head and said, "No, no, I can't fight a little girl like you! You three come down together."
拓跋玉儿柳眉微竖，转头对陈靖仇道：“这是我和程大王之间的事，你们绝对不许插手！以三敌一，赢了他也不光彩！”
程咬金喊道：“不行不行，那我不打啦！和一个女娃娃打架，传出去还不让老子给江湖好汉们笑死！”
拓跋玉儿急道：“你不打，那我的鼎……我的鼎不就永远拿不回来了！”两人登时僵在场中。
陈靖仇望望秦叔宝，道：“秦大哥，这，这可如何是好？……”秦叔宝脸上不动声色，过了一会，走入场中，道：“这样好了，我也下场！你们三个一块上，这公平了吧！”拓跋玉儿无法，只好让陈靖仇和于小雪也走入场中。程咬金哈哈笑道：“这才像话嘛！”
各人摆开架势。陈靖仇团团一揖，道：“两位大哥，小弟得罪了。”挥掌向前拍出。程咬金和秦叔宝同时迎了过来。三人前后趋避，攻守进退，上下架打，条理清晰。于小雪站在当地，不知该不该上前。拓跋玉儿跟着飞身过去，不知怎地，拳路总是被陈靖仇挡住，怎么都插不入手去，围着程咬金，秦叔宝和陈靖仇团团转了几圈，只急得额上汗珠直冒，喝道：“阿仇！快让开！”陈靖仇似乎没听见，继续进招。三人登时胶着在一起。
几十合过去，拓跋玉儿仍然一招未出，心中一急，突然绕到陈靖仇背后，拽住他的衣领，使劲向后一拉。陈靖仇万料不到拓跋玉儿竟会如此，啊的一声，一个踉跄，倒退三步，差点摔倒，回过头时，拓跋玉儿已和程咬金打在一块。程咬金双拳分左右向拓跋玉儿打来，他本就膂力惊人，心中虽时时提醒着自己，用力轻些，别打伤人，但出拳仍是威力巨大。陈靖仇和程咬金过了数招，已知他劲力难以收发自如，这两拳只要有一拳打实了，拓跋玉儿非受伤不可，正要上前挡开，只见秦叔宝左手捋着胡子，轻轻一跃，已落在二人中间，右掌顺势向拓跋玉儿拍去，来势甚缓，但背心正好封死了程咬金的拳路。程咬金双拳出到一半，心中大骇，但怎么都停不住。陈靖仇赶紧跃上，接过程咬金的来招。局面已成了二对二。秦叔宝和拓跋玉儿过招，他武艺极强，倒是不用顾虑。
哪知拓跋玉儿刚过几招，便撇开秦叔宝，向程咬金攻来，定要和他分个高下。此时程咬金和陈靖仇双手互拆，一个出招沉稳，一个身法灵活，旗鼓相当，不分高下。程咬金正打得兴起，发起喊来，一拳向陈靖仇击去。若是陈靖仇，自然能毫不费力地化解掉。拓跋玉儿却刚好迎了过来，忽觉劲风扑面，啊的一声，忙俯身躲闪，拳头疏忽已到面门，已然不及。陈靖仇大惊，从左边伸掌架去。秦叔宝也急忙从右侧挥掌挡来。砰的一声，拳掌相交，竟将程咬金的拳头架了起来。程咬金收势不住，拳头直在拓跋玉儿头顶擦过。拓跋玉儿大惊之余，急挥双掌，击在程咬金小腹上。程咬金皮粗肉厚，这两掌充其量，也只能给他挠痒。但程咬金却捂着小腹，倒退几步，喊道：“大家住手。”陈靖仇和秦叔宝急忙收起架势。
程咬金跳出圈外，哈哈笑道：“小娃娃们不错，老子输啦！”拓跋玉儿不乐，走到一旁，皱眉道：“你们太不诚实了，分明是在欺负我！”秦叔宝笑道：“哎，大家切磋武艺，点到为止。姑娘年纪轻轻，就能有如此身手，真令愚兄大开眼界啊！”
拓跋玉儿听了，方才脸露微笑，转头道：“程大哥，那就谢谢您了！以前多有得罪，还请您原谅！”程咬金笑道：“好说，好说！”秦叔宝道：“那就请各位，到厅上小酌几杯如何？”陈靖仇拱手推辞道：“多谢秦大哥美意，既然事情已解决了，小弟还有要事在身，所以得先告辞！还望……”话没说完，忽觉手上一紧，如入铁箍一般。程咬金大喊大叫，将陈靖仇拉入厅中。陈靖仇无法，只得在几案边坐下，拓跋玉儿和于小雪也挨着坐了。
不多时摆上酒菜，众人互相劝酒，酒过半酣，陈靖仇将师父被困，自己正要将药送回雷夏泽，以治好师伯等事说了。秦叔宝听了，停杯不饮，道：“今日天色已黑，陈老弟还是在蔽处暂住一宿。明日一早，愚兄再送兄弟下山。”陈靖仇心想也只好如此了，几人喝了一回，程咬金一碗接着一碗，喝了五六斤酒，已是醉眼惺忪，摇摇晃晃，坐立不稳。陈靖仇等离席告退。秦叔宝也不甚留，吩咐手下，安排好客房，让三人早早歇息了。
第二日清早，陈靖仇就要上路。程咬金苦留不住，只得和秦叔宝送到山寨门口。秦叔宝叫人牵来三匹快马，又从手下兵卒手里取过一个包袱，道：“陈贤弟远道而来，离家千里之遥，路上多有不便之处。这点绵薄之礼，聊表愚兄一点心意，还望贤弟勿却。”陈靖仇接过，只觉包袱中沉甸甸的，尽是成块的金属物件。道：“这……小弟怎敢……”
程咬金不悦，接口道：“老弟！你是不是嫌我老程的银子脏啊？”陈靖仇忙道：“不，程大哥，小弟怎敢，我只是觉得这礼物太贵重了！”
秦叔宝道：“这些银两，都是程贤弟先前从官府手中所取，但收不妨。”
陈靖仇只得接过。程咬金哈哈大笑，道：“陈兄弟，这才像话嘛！”陈靖仇作揖道：“多谢两位大哥！——今日一别，不知何日才能再相见。”
秦叔宝道：“我和程老弟改日就要离开此地，前去军中赴任。大家都是志同道合之士，贤弟只要时刻记着救百姓于水火，能出力就出力，虽相隔万里，亦如在眼前一般。”陈靖仇点头称是，又团团行了一回礼，拓跋玉儿和于小雪也道了别。三人牵了马，下山去了。