Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Tribulation within Tribulation
Seeing the giant arm sweeping towards him, Shen Zhouxu smiled and sat still.He only heard a loud "呔" shout from his side, the sound was like muffled thunder, numb shadows flickered, Yan Weigui suddenly got behind the crab monster, jumped up, and swept his foot towards the back of the crab monster's head.
The crab monster felt a sharp wind hit his head, he fell like a sharp knife, he didn't dare to neglect, he turned his arms and swept back.
With a muffled sound, the crab monster fell sideways for more than ten feet, propped its arms on the ground, and with a bang, two pits appeared on the ground.The crab monster turned over and stood still, his face flushed like a drunk, staggered, staggered a few steps, suddenly wowed, and spit out a mouthful of blood.Yan Weigui was like a big bird, flitting out several feet, somersaulted, and lightly landed on the top of a big tree, stepped on the branches, like a bird standing on the treetop, motionless.When the two fought against each other, "Boundless Foot" and "Thousand Ton Claws" were at a standstill, but the Crab Monster was far behind.
"Hoo!" There was no warning, a thin shadow pierced through the sky, Yan Weigui was startled secretly, dodged to dodge, looked in the blink of an eye, but did not know where the hidden weapon came from.It turns out that in just a short while, Shi Shougong has been quietly hidden among the mountains, rocks and trees, and he has disappeared; not only does he climb mountains and trees like flat ground, but he is also good at concealment.
"咻", the sharp sound came again, but this time it came from behind Yan Weigui, and a phantom went straight to his back.Yan Weigui couldn't dodge in time.At this moment, the fire suddenly lit up, and the "Spirit Tongue Dart" seemed to be hit by something, and it retracted quickly.
Xue Er and Mo Yi shouted happily: "Ning'er is here."
Everyone looked around, and saw Ning Ning supporting Lu Jian, standing up Tingting from the chaotic grass, and shouting: "Northeast." Yan Weigui turned around when he heard the words, and at this time Shi Shougong was climbing to a tree in the northeast. In the thick shade of the big tree, hearing the sound, he turned around quickly, and ran to the west side of the cliff, and lay still.He carries all kinds of cloth with him, and when he is in the shade of the bushes, he uses green and brown to cover his body; if he is among the rocks, he uses gray to disguise; It is extremely difficult for people to detect.
Ning Ning's "Sekong Xuantong" is extremely sensitive to colors. Even if Shi Shougong is pretending, in her eyes, the colors are still very different from the surrounding colors; Stone Shougong.Shi Shougong was seen through by her, startled, and quickly dodged.Just flustered, Yan Weigui was condescending, and saw his body move, he flew up and kicked out with a kick.
Shi Shougong raised his head quickly, and spit out the "Spirit Tongue Dart", Yan Weigui stepped aside, took off his hat, shook the air, and entangled the "Spirit Tongue Dart", when he fixed his eyes, it was a An extremely thin and flexible steel cable is connected to a slender pyramid at one end and connected to Shi Shougong's mouth at the other end.
Yan Weigui's heart twitched slightly, and he flew backwards, pulling the thin rope straight, Shi Shougong let out a miserable snort, and ran forward with Yan Weigui.It turned out that the steel cable of the "Spirit Tongue Dart" was wrapped around the root of his tongue, once Yan Weigui pulled it, if he didn't run along with it, he would pull out his tongue alive.
Yan Weigui knew what was going on, deliberately jumped up and down, he jumped on the tree, Shi Shougong had no choice but to climb the tree, and when he fell down the tree, Shi Shougong had to jump down, he spun around on the ground, Shi Shougong followed suit It's more obedient than a cow led by a shepherd boy.Even so, Shi Shougong still felt severe pain at the base of his tongue, his eyes turned white, he turned around a few times and almost fainted.Seeing this, everyone in Tianbu burst into laughter; Sha Tianhuan was extremely ashamed and angry, with a gloomy face, and said nothing.
Yan Weigui was running fast, when he suddenly felt the wind blowing above his head, he raised his eyes and saw that the sky was getting dark, but it was Chi Yingzi who was controlling the crane and rushed towards him, the giant crane's two claws grabbed it face to face, and the strong wind at the end was fierce.Yan Weigui dodged and was about to fight back when Ning Ning suddenly yelled, "Don't look into his eyes."
Before he finished speaking, Yan Weigui's eyes were already attracted by Chi Yingzi's eyes, but he felt his head sank, suddenly he was at a loss, let go of the bamboo hat with a sound, and stood there with a dull expression.Shi Shougong took back the "Spirit Tongue Dart" with great difficulty, and hurriedly took it back into his mouth. He hated Yan's return, and immediately puffed up his cheeks, and was about to shoot the poison dart, but unexpectedly, a white light flashed in front of him, and he was covered by a big white net. live.
Shen Zhouxuan was relentless and merciless, covering Shi Shougong with silk, and when the force of heaven came, "Tian Luo Wrapping Finger Sword" Chi Chi penetrated into the seven orifices of Shi Shougong, Shi Shougong's eyes straightened, and in the seven orifices Blood flowed out, Shen Zhouxu waved his hand and broke the silk, Shi Shougong's body was as limp as mud, and fell to the ground with a thud.
Seeing the robber's death, Sha Tianhuan's heart ached uncontrollably, and he yelled, "Cripple Shen plotting to hurt someone?"Shen Zhouxu smiled slightly, and unfolded the "Tian Luo Ruo Zhi Jian", strands of silk swallowed and spit out, straight and curved, flowing freely and endlessly.Sha Tianhuan waved his palms in vain, but he was unable to break his sword.Xue Er and Mo Yi seized the opportunity to snatch Yan Weigui back and slap him awake.
Ning Bukong had been listening attentively, at this moment he smiled coldly, leaned forward, and suddenly stretched out his cane, and put it on the silk, due to the "fire force", the "Tianluo Lingling Sword" turned into flying ash all over the sky.Ning Bukong dodges, skimming in front of Shen Zhouxu, stabbing straight down with his cane like lightning.
At this time, there was a strange sound of "Woolulu, Hululu", and the Great Rat Sage squatted down and opened his mouth to scream.Not long after, countless rats came from all directions, and the black tide seemed to come up, squeaking and rushing towards the people in the sky.
Ning Ning's face changed drastically, she pulled Lu Jian, turned around and fled.Su Wenxiang frowned, took out a box full of incense sticks from her bosom, took out a light yellow incense stick from it, lit it, and stuck it in front of her feet.All of a sudden, a pungent smell filled the air, and the group of rats suddenly became a commotion, screaming loudly, and turned around and ran wildly.
The Great Sage Rat was startled and angry, and the strange sound in his mouth became even more urgent. Even so, the group of rats still had no intention of turning back, and they ran away in an instant. Seeing this, the Great Sage Rat felt stunned.
Ning Ning breathed a sigh of relief and wondered: "What kind of incense is this?" Su Wenxiang said: "It's called 'Five Ghosts Repelling Rats Incense'."
Before the words fell, the crane started to cry, the giant crane's wings were like wheels, and its sharp claws were cast like iron hooks, and it grabbed it through the air.Su Wenxiang quickly took out a green stick of incense from the box, lit it quickly, and curled up the cigarette towards the giant crane.The crane's pair of iron claws were less than two feet away from the top of Su Wenxiang's head. When it was smoked by the smoke, it suddenly let out a mournful cry, flapped its wings continuously, twisted and circled half a turn in the air, and suddenly plopped and fell into the dust.
Chi Yingzi was on the back of the crane, and suddenly he was knocked down, a black bag fell on his forehead, his head was dizzy, and he was extremely embarrassed.That crane was very fierce, once fell down, suddenly got up again, limped, flapped its wings and wanted to fly, but it was restrained by that strange fragrance, its muscles were sore and weak, it could only spin around in place, unable to fly.
Ning Ning looked curiously, and asked: "What kind of incense is this?" Su Wenxiang said: "It's called 'Shocking Bird Fragrance', which can make all kinds of birds."
At this time, Chi Yingzi crawled up, stared at Su Wenxiang with both eyes, and shot out a strange light, Su Wenxiang was so dazzled that he forgot what he was going to do next, he was dazed, dazed, and the stick of incense in his hand floated to the ground.
"Golden bottles of fine wine can cost as much as ten thousand dollars, and jade plates worth as much as ten thousand dollars..." Mo Yi suddenly shook his head, reciting poems in his mouth, non-stop on his feet, walked forward in a few steps, and stopped in front of Su Wenxiang, just blocking Chi Yingzi's sight .Su Wenxiang groaned, and fell to the ground, staring at her eyes, still in a daze.
"You can't eat if you stop the cup and throw the chopsticks... Everyone closes their eyes... Draw the sword and look around at a loss... The heart is at a loss, the heart is at a loss..." Mo Yi frowned, his eyes were like torches, and he looked at the red baby with strange eyes. Mang, but the mouth is full of poems: "The heart is at a loss, the heart is at a loss,..."
At this time, Su Wenxiang finally regained his composure, closed his eyes tightly, not daring to open them, and shouted loudly: "Everyone, be careful, this person is the 'Superior Wisdom Slave' in the 'Five Supernatural Powers', don't meet his eyes." " He called twice, but he heard Mo Yi read the three words "Xin Xinran" seven or eight times, anxious in his heart, couldn't help calling: "Bookworm, can you hold on?"
Mo Yi's eyes didn't blink, and he muttered words: "... the heart is at a loss, who is afraid of whom, haha, he is a slave of extreme wisdom, and I will never forget life... I want to cross the Yellow River, which is blocked by ice, and I will climb the snowy sky of Taihang... "Ning Ning, Lu Jian, Su Wenxiang, and Xue Er were all relieved to hear him recite the next two sentences.
Chiyingzi's tribulation technique is exactly the technique of "extreme wisdom", if the opponent does not have strong concentration and looks at him, he will definitely lose his memory for a short time, be dazed and forgetful.In this way, Chi Yingzi can take advantage of the gap and do whatever he wants, or peck and pounce on him with giant cranes, or attack him with knives and daggers.
Mo Yi's tribulation technique is just the opposite, it is called the technique of "not forgetting", the "sea of robbery" is stored in the brain, and everything is never forgotten.These two tribulation techniques each have their own mysteries and restrain each other. "Don't forget to live" Mo Yi is a well-known person among the slaves, Chi Yingzi has heard his name for a long time, when he saw him approaching him, he already guessed his origin.
One of the two strives for the opponent’s amnesia, and the other strives for their own not to forget. All the energy is concentrated on the Tang poem Mo Yi recited. This poem is the first of Li Bai’s three "Journey Difficult". B stumbled and stumbled, and only memorized half of the two sticks of incense. Even an enlightened student is ten times better than him.Mo Yi often has to repeat every word and sentence many times before he can recite the next sentence with difficulty.However, because the two competed in the air, each with their jie power, whether the memorization was smooth or not, it clearly showed the strength and weakness of the two people's jie power, and they stagnated. Continuing to the latter sentence, it is Mo Yi's "never forget" that dominates.
After a long time, Mo Yi sweated like rain, his eyelids twitched slightly, half-opened and half-closed, working extremely hard; the red baby was also soaked, his face was blue and red, and his legs trembled slightly.You must know that if the technique of "extreme wisdom" does not destroy the enemy, it will inevitably backfire, so we must not slack off at all.
I only heard Mo Yi say again: "...Xue Antian...Xue Er, Xue Er must move forward...Must move forward..." Xue Er has a tacit understanding with him. Hearing these words, his heart moved slightly. He dared to open his eyes, but his ears were extremely sharp. He could hear Chi Yingzi's breathing, and he could distinguish his position as if it was right in front of his eyes. He immediately moved closer to Chi Yingzi following his voice.
From the corner of Chi Yingzi's eyes, he saw that although he was strong in robbery, his body was weak. At this moment, he was physically and mentally exhausted. If he was punched or kicked by Xue Er, he would lose energy and lose a lot. Quietly took out a dagger.Xue Er walked up to him and raised his fist as expected.Chi Yingzi was unable to stab, so he only pointed the dagger at Xue Er's fist, if he punched him, he would be cut by the dagger.
Mo Yi saw it, and hurriedly said: "... I will climb the snowy sky in Taihang... the dagger is right in front... right in front..." Xue Er heard the sound and suddenly retracted his fist, and swept his foot, hitting Chiyingzi's calf .Chi Yingzi let out a miserable snort, stared wide-eyed, and fell limp to the ground.
Mo Yi breathed a sigh of relief, let out a long laugh, shook his head, and chanted loudly: "Golden bottles of fine wine are worth ten thousand dollars, and jade plates are worth ten thousand dollars. You can't eat after stopping the cup and throwing chopsticks. When you draw your sword, you look around in a daze. You want to cross the ice of the Yellow River." Saichuan, will climb Taihang snow dark sky, leisure time to fish and sit on the stream, and sometimes take a boat to dream of the sun. The road is difficult, the road is difficult, there are many divergent roads, where is it now? When the wind and waves break, hang the cloud sails to help the sea. "At the beginning, he was restrained by others, and he stumbled and felt extremely aggrieved. At this time, he was forbidden to explain, and he recited the whole poem in one go, and let out the bad breath in his chest.
Xue Er held Chi Yingzi down, grabbed the dagger, and shouted: "Kill him?" Everyone faced each other, and Lu Jian said: "Everyone is a robber slave, why bother to kill each other, this man is also a pitiful person, let him be spared He's good."
Mo Yi nodded and said: "Forgive him, but you must bind his hands and feet and cover his eyes." Xue Er then tore off his belt, tied his hands, then tore off his clothes, and blindfolded Chi Yingzi.
Suddenly there was a loud bang, and everyone turned their eyes to see that Yan Weigui was carrying Shen Zhouxu on his back, receding like lightning, Shen Zhouxu issued "Tianluo Wrapping Finger Sword" one after another with both hands, the filaments filled the sky, like slanting rain, there was nowhere to go Absent, pervasive.Cover Ning Bukong and Sha Tianhuan in it, unable to get out.
Zebu's supernatural power needs a special terrain to show his miraculous performance. There is no swamp at this time, so among the three, Sha Tianhuan is the weakest and was trapped several times.Fortunately, Ning Bukong's "Zhouliu Huojin" is the nemesis of "Tianluo", and he burns all his mistakes, and rescues Sha Tianhuan many times, but because of this reason, he is bound hands and feet instead.Ning Bukong was overwhelmed, suddenly took out the little scorpion, listened to the sound to identify the position, and issued a "wooden thunderbolt", only to see flames and flames, loud noises flying into the air, mixed with filaments all over the sky, at first glance, it is really a spectacle .
Shen Zhouxu resisted for a few times, and suddenly let out a long laugh, the driver Yan Weigui swiped back, retreated to the place where the slaves were standing, and sat back in the wheelchair.Ning Bukong rushed forward, Fang wanted to trigger the arrow, Shen Zhouxu suddenly shouted: "Wait a minute."
Ning Bukong was silent at the moment, and said with a sneer: "What?" Shen Zhou smiled and said: "Junior Brother Ning's wooden thunderbolt is really powerful, if the fight continues, Shen must not be an opponent."
Ning Bukong stood quietly, heard the words, and said coldly: "Are you begging for mercy? This is strange, it doesn't look like you are a cripple." Shen Zhouxu also smiled and said: "Ning Bukong Junior brother was joking, when will Shen beg for mercy?" Ning Bukong frowned, and said with a sneer: "In that case, let's divide life and death first, don't talk nonsense."
Shen Zhouxu shook his head and smiled and said: "Junior Brother Ning, why are you so impatient, I told you to stop, but it was out of kindness." Ning Bukong let out a sigh, and said calmly: "You also have kindness?" Shen Zhouxu said : "Your shot from 'Wooden Thunderbolt' could not hurt Shen, but if you accidentally hurt someone here, Junior Brother Ning will regret it for the rest of his life."
Ning Bukong frowned, and said with a sneer, "What charades are you playing?" Shen Zhouxu smiled, and suddenly said in a manly voice: "Ning'er, how old are you?" Ning Bukong's face suddenly darkened when he heard this , with thick eyebrows furrowed, forming a Sichuan character.Ning Ning was also stunned, and replied: "Master, Ning'er is sixteen this year, and in two months, she will be seventeen."
Shen Zhouxu smiled slightly, and said: "Ning Bukong, what do you think?" A blank look flashed across Ning Bukong's face, and he suddenly shouted: "Cripple Shen, you are also considered a generation of Zhizong, the master of the West City, how can you Using this kind of low-level trick? Fang Ning and her child died in Luoyan Gorge long ago, could it be that you are at your wit's end, and you can't even spare the dead when you use tricks?"
Shen Zhouxu sighed, and said slowly: "Junior Sister Yue Fang Ningyue has indeed passed away. Back then, your Ministry of Fire relied on powerful firearms to indiscriminately kill and wanted to unify the Eight Divisions, but in the end it caused the Seven Divisions to join forces. In the two battles of Luoyan Gorge and Luoyan Gorge, the entire Huobu army was wiped out..." Ning Bukong gritted his teeth, and said calmly: "It's all defeated by Senior Brother Shen..."
Shen Zhouxu shook his head and said: "The Ministry of Fire has a way of self-defeating before it can be defeated by others. If you hadn't carried out your ambition at that time, killing fellow members of the West City indiscriminately and attempting to unify the West City by force, how could you have provoked the Seven Departments to join forces. If the seven departments don't join forces, with Shen's meager martial arts and ingenious plots, how can he overthrow the Huo Department. Now you must blame Shen, so it's up to you." Ning Bukong snorted angrily, scratching his stomach, but Nothing to answer.
Shen Zhouxu said again: "At sunset, in the Wild Goose Gorge, meteorites rained like rain, there were many casualties, and the way in and out of the canyon was blocked. Among the seven parts, Mother Earth has the softest heart. After this battle, she was disheartened and returned to the West City. , never to be born again; and the five masters of Feng, Lei, Shui, Shan, and Ze came out in full force to avenge their past, chasing and killing Junior Brother Ning and other members of the Fire Department. Thinking that there is no grass growing in the Luoyan Gorge, and there is no water or food. If you just wait for a few days, the people in the valley will be starved to death even if they don't die. Therefore, they led the disciples of the Tianbu to guard for four days before opening the gorge. Looking at it, The situation in the gorge is really tragic. Although the Ministry of Fire is acting ruthlessly, it is still my brother from the West City..."
"Shut up!" Ning Bukou snarled, his face livid, "Stop pretending to be a good person. On that day, one quarter of Luoyan Gorge was the family members of Huobu disciples..."
Shen Zhouxu's expression darkened slightly, and he sighed leisurely: "Someone Shen called 'Heaven's calculation', not because his true wisdom is higher than the sky, but because Shen used his calculations, he was like a faint God, selfless and ruthless, and denied by all relatives. Since he is determined to destroy you Huobu, you should cut the weeds and eradicate the roots, so as not to leave future troubles. Junior brother Ning is also a rare person who understands, if you and I change positions, you win and I lose, I guess you will not let my family go!"
Ning Bukong said calmly: "That's natural."
The conversation between the two of them, the others listened to their ears, they were all terrified and broke out in a cold sweat, Ning Ning was even more uneasy, faintly feeling that a big event was about to happen to her, her body couldn't help shaking.
But Shen Zhouxu continued: "I led the crowd to inspect the gorge, and found no living person. Just as I was about to bury the body and leave, I suddenly heard a cry of a child, although it was faint, but it was very clear. Shen followed the sound and went. I saw Junior Sister Yue leaning against the rock wall, dying, her legs were broken, her arms were covered with knife marks, she looked horrific. The crying sound came from behind her. I ordered people to move the remains of Junior Sister Yue away, but I saw There is a small alcove behind her, and a baby less than two years old is hidden in the alcove, with a pale face and dying..."
Having said this, Shen Zhouxu paused for a moment, then stared, and saw that Ning Bukong's face was livid, the veins on his forehead were bulging, his right hand was holding a small slave, trembling, his left hand was tightly clenched into a fist, and his nails were deeply sunken. Into the meat, hearing him pause, couldn't help but take a step forward, and said sharply: "Later, what happened later?"
Shen Zhouxu sighed, and continued: "I was very surprised at the time, all the adults in the gorge were dead, why this child is still alive. After careful inspection, I will know the reason: Junior Sister Yue is worthy of being a talent in the Ministry of Fire. She was supernatural. At that time, the gorge was full of cannonballs and stones. She did not die immediately, but her legs were broken by the falling rock. The child was young, and she was hidden in the recess, but she also escaped. At that time, the gorge The disciples of the fire department were either killed immediately, or were seriously injured and died soon; among all the people, she was the least injured, but the fire department was attacked suddenly, no dry food and water were prepared in advance, and the gorge was full of rocks. At first, Junior Sister Yue was able to feed the baby with milk. After a long time, she was seriously injured and did not eat, so the milk disappeared. The child became hungry and cried endlessly. Junior Sister Yue was anxious, He actually came up with an extraordinary method to cut the blood veins with a dagger and feed the baby with his own blood..." At this point, everyone exclaimed in unison, Ning Ning's face was as white as paper, and Ning Bukong's expression was as gloomy as before, his facial complexion After beating a few times, he raised his head to the sky suddenly, and laughed strangely. The malicious meaning in the laughter filled the surroundings, making people shudder.
"It's because Junior Sister Yue has deep inner strength, and this bloodletting is also a fatal act." Shen Zhouxu continued calmly, "But for some reason, she lasted for four days, until she heard The wood and rocks at the mouth of the gorge were rolling, and I just died. I think it was when I was dying, my mind was not clear, and I was afraid that we would hurt my daughter, so I hesitated in my heart. I tried my best to move my body and blocked the cave. Fortunately, the child was very hungry and was about to cry. Shen found out that when Junior Sister Yue died, her arms were covered with knife marks, and there were a few knife marks that looked like they were freshly cut, but they were white and miserable, and not a drop of blood flowed out. It can be said that Junior Sister Yue did not die from falling rocks. It was because of too much blood loss. Otherwise, with her internal strength, it would not be difficult to survive for four days. Sigh, speaking of Shen, there are only two people who have really admired her in her life, and the first one is Wan Gui Cangwan City Lord, the second one is Junior Sister Yuefang Ningyue."
Having said that, he turned around, stared straight at Ning Ning, and said word by word: "The so-called sacrificing your life to save your daughter is a touching righteousness. Ning'er, if you didn't make your mother sacrifice her life to save her, you little baby would have died a long time ago." It's in Luoyan Gorge."
Ning Ning's face was as white as paper, her mouth was slightly opened, and she flicked slightly before softening.Lu Jian was beside her and hurriedly supported her.Ning Ning stared at Shen Zhouxu, weakly said: "Master... you, what did you say?"
Shen Zhouxu pointed at Ning Bukong, and said with a smile: "Don't you understand? This Mr. Ning is your biological father. Your name is Ning Ning, just to commemorate your mother."
Ning Ning trembled slightly, turned her head to look, and saw Ning Bukong's complexion was gray, with dead eyes rolling under his eyelids, obviously extremely excited.Sha Tianhuan stared at Ning Ning for a while, then sighed suddenly: "Junior Brother Ning, this child's eyebrows and eyes really look like Junior Sister Yue...
When Ning Bukong heard this, his body moved slightly, and he wanted to take a step forward, but finally stopped, let out a breath, the crossbow slowly lowered, and said coldly: "Cripple Shen, you... Robbery?"
Shen Zhouxu smiled lightly, and said: "Everything is foregone, and if you don't forewarn, you will fail. When fighting with Junior Brother Ning, how can Shen not stay behind?"
Ning Bukong is well aware of the truth of "no master, no slave", even if he has the upper hand today, killing Shen Zhouxu is tantamount to killing his daughter.Shen Zhouxu's plan was extremely ruthless, making him hard to avenge, and instead he was restrained. Even though he was full of clever schemes, at this moment, his heart was also implicated, chaotic, his complexion was pale and uncertain, and his body was as stiff as a knife. General stone carving.
Lu Jian only felt that Ning Ning's body was cold and trembling. He knew that the pain and excitement in her chest was beyond words to describe. .Shen Zhouxu's move was originally intended to disturb Ning Bukong's state of mind, but because of this conspiracy, he did not hesitate to put Ning Ning in a desperate situation.You must know that for more than ten years, Ning Ning loved Shen Zhouxu and his wife very much, and was willing to be a slave to repay the kindness of upbringing. Who knows that this so-called benefactor is actually the enemy who killed her mother and separated her own flesh and blood. , this time, it is nothing less than an earth-shattering, no matter who it is, it is difficult to bear.
Suddenly, Lu Jian felt that Ning Ning struggled to push him away.Lu Jian was taken aback, seeing her staggering and running towards the mountains.Lu Jian hurriedly called out: "Miss Ning..." Regardless of his injuries, he tried his best to catch up.
Shen Zhouxu frowned slightly, and shouted: "Stop them!" The remaining four robbers and Ning Ning had always been friendly, but they were shocked by this change, and secretly felt wronged for her, so they all hesitated to move forward when they heard the order. Seeing Ning Ning and Lu Jian disappearing one by one.
Lu Jian shouted while chasing, but Ning Ning never looked back.After chasing for two miles like this, the mountain road became more and more tortuous, and the journey was extremely difficult.Lu Jian's heart was beating short of breath, blood was running through his brain, his legs were sore and heavy like vinegar, he suddenly kicked a vine, fell down, and when he got up, Ning Ning was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Jian was so anxious that he wondered: "Miss Ning is heartbroken, will she commit suicide?" Thinking of this, she suddenly pulled herself up with strength from somewhere, and got out of a forest, only to see the empty mountain and white clouds chasing each other There are no traces of birds or beasts, no human traces, and it is not known where Ning Ning has gone to such a huge Tianzhu Mountain.
Lu Jian's body became weak, he leaned on the tree, coughed repeatedly, and secretly hated that he was weak: "I don't know how many days I have to live, alas, I hate death, but there are many things on my mind that I can't be reconciled to." After thinking about coughing for a while, he coughed up blood again, Lu Jian smiled miserably, and couldn't help sighing secretly: "I can't protect myself, and how can I control others?" But then he thought again, "If there is no Miss Ning, I will Her bones are already cold. Now that she has suffered such an accident, how can I abandon her? Even if I can’t help her to avenge, it’s good to say a few words of comfort.” Thinking about it, he pulled himself together, supported the trees, rocks, and move forward.
After walking so aimlessly, Lu Jian's legs were as heavy as lead, and he coughed up big mouthfuls of blood along the way. His mind gradually became confused, and only one thought lingered: "Am I dead? Dead, dead..." At this time, a burst of Buddhist bells came, shaking the mountains and valleys, with a long aftertaste.Lu Jian's mind was cleared, and he walked unconsciously following the sound, passing through a valley, and suddenly saw green mountains, flowing springs spraying beads, and a majestic ancient temple surrounded by mountains and rivers.
When Lu Jian saw the water, he suddenly felt thirsty. When he walked to the edge of the water, he was about to bend over. Suddenly, his eyes became dizzy, and he plunged into the spring water, losing consciousness...
I don't know how much time passed, the Hong Zhong suddenly rang again.Lu Jian's mind was a little clear, and he opened his eyes, but there was an ugly face in his eyes, his head was bright, his snow-white eyebrows hung down to his cheekbones, his nose was straight and full, but now only half of it remained, and a scar was like blood red The whole face of the earthworm, from nose to mouth, was pulled crookedly.
Seeing him waking up, the strange man was overjoyed and grinned, his face became even uglier.Lu Jian was surprised and said, "You, who are you?"
But the man didn't answer, waved his hands wildly, and smiled. Lu Jian saw his strange behavior and felt startled. He also saw his gray robe and bald head, dressed like a monk. Thinking of the temple he saw before he fell into a coma, he thought that this man must be a monk in the temple. , maybe he was rescued by him when he passed out by the spring, and immediately said solemnly: "Thank you, Master, for saving me."
The old monk stared at his lips moving with a dazed expression. After thinking for a while, he picked up two black corn buns from the side and brought them to Lu Jian's mouth. After eating so much, Lu Jian's spleen and stomach were weak after the injury, and he vomited out after taking half a mouthful.
The old monk was stunned, waved his hand, and suddenly another gust of wind rushed out of the door.Lu Jianyou was like Monk Zhang Er who couldn't figure it out. He pondered for a moment and wanted to get up, but he felt weak and had to lie down.
After a while, I suddenly smelled the scent of sweet-scented osmanthus, and in a blink of an eye, the old monk walked quickly into the room, holding a large bowl of hot white rice porridge, came to the bed, fed it into Lu Jian's mouth with a spoon, and Lu Jian tasted it. After taking half a mouthful, I felt that the taste was sweet, mixed with finely ground lotus rice, and the sugar water in the porridge was made of sweet-scented osmanthus honey.
Seeing Lu Jian swallowing, the old monk opened his mouth and laughed straight away. At this moment, Lu Jian suddenly realized that there was only half of the tongue left in the old monk's mouth, and suddenly realized: "No wonder he doesn't speak, but he is dumb." He broke his tongue for some reason, and couldn't help feeling deeply sympathetic.
The old monk didn't realize what was on Lu Jian's mind, so he just spooned the sweet porridge into Lu Jian's mouth.Lu Jian's spleen and stomach were not good, he was full after eating half a bowl, and immediately said: "Master, I'm full." After two mouthfuls, my chest and abdomen became distended, and I really couldn't eat any more, so I had to say again: "Master, I'm full."
The dumb monk still didn't hear anything, just smiled and brought the porridge again.Lu Jian had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. The dumb monk couldn't bring it in, so he turned the bowl around, ate the remaining rice porridge, turned around, and went out again.
Lu Jian lay down for a while, and suddenly heard a clicking sound.At this time, he regained his energy a bit, got up and moved to the door, and saw the dumb monk chopping firewood in front of the door.Lu Jian thought that this place was a firewood house, no wonder it was so simple and simple, he raised his eyes and looked again, the surrounding area was surrounded by double eaves, the weather was severe, and the houses were shaded by locust trees, spreading like emerald clouds.
Lu Jian looked at it for a while, then sat down on the threshold, contemplating what he had encountered for several days, with sadness in his chest, he couldn't help but sighed softly.When he was feeling sad, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps, Lu Jian raised his head and saw four monks approaching with sullen faces, one of the monks rushed to the front, snatched the hatchet from the dumb monk, and pushed him down with his palm. The four monks gathered around, punched and kicked together, thumping the flesh with a sound.
Shocked and angry, Lu Jian leaned over and grabbed two sticks of firewood, and hit two of the monks on the back. Even though they were seriously injured and weak, the two monks still felt numb in pain.Lu Jian had repeatedly faced the enemy, his mind became stronger and stronger, and he remained calm in the face of danger. He stretched out his hands, put them around the wrists of the two monks, and performed the "Heavenly Tribulation Controlling Military Technique". He hit the goalpost and yelled.
The remaining two monks heard the yell, let go of the dumb monk, and rushed forward. Lu Jianning stood still, watching his coming, and stretched out his palms left and right, hitting the elbows of the two of them. Turned around, plopped, and sat down on the ground.
The four monks got up in a panic, and one of them said angrily, "Who are you, why are you beating people?" Lu Jian put one hand on his waist, and raised his voice, "I should ask this question, why are you beating people? "The monk was full of anger, he gave a piss, turned around and left, the other three monks also spat in unison, and followed suit.
The four monks came suddenly and left suddenly, Lu Jian was puzzled, looked at the dumb monk, and was startled again, but saw that he was covered in mud, but he seemed to be unharmed, grabbed the hatchet, and chopped firewood again Come.Lu Jian couldn't help but asked, "Old man, are you not hurt?"
The dumb monk ignored him, the black iron machete rose and fell suddenly, chopping firewood without stopping.Lu Jian saw that he behaved as usual and didn't seem to be injured, so he thought, "What kind of temple is this? The monks in the temple either beat people indiscriminately, or didn't say anything when they were beaten?"
Just as he was startled and suspicious, he suddenly heard yelling, and looked around, a dozen or so monks came quickly with sticks in their hands, and surrounded Lu Jian. A middle-aged monk with a red face shouted sharply: "Are you Who? How did you sneak into the temple?"
Lu Jian said truthfully: "I fell ill and passed out by the spring. This master rescued me." The middle-aged monk saw that his face was sallow, his pupils were dull, and a cloud of black air between his eyebrows gathered and did not disperse. Looking at the terminally ill, he froze for a while, and his expression eased a little.But I heard a young monk say: "Brother Xinwu, this old idiot is really inexplicable. The last time he brought a lame wild wolf into the temple, he bit him, and this time he brought a stranger into the temple again. , I don’t know whether it’s good or bad.”
Lu Jian sneered and said, "Is it good or evil for you to beat an old man?" Xin Wu frowned, then turned his head and said, "Xin Yuan, what are you doing beating an old idiot again? Didn't the abbot tell you not to?" Hit him."
Xinyuan was the leader of the previous four monks. At this time, the anger was still there, and he said loudly: "Brother Xinwu, you don't know. A few days ago, there was a robbery in Xiangji's kitchen, and the abbot's Su Bazhen and Xingzhi's uncle's were lost. Xueya tea and square persimmon cakes, Uncle Xingming's jade grits soup, the most abominable thing is that Uncle Xinghai has always been in poor health and needs Liuhe ginseng soup to take care of him. This soup is steamed six times and filtered seven times. People drank a bowl with the bottom upside down. For this reason, the brothers in the kitchen were punished by Uncle Xingming, and they each beat a hundred feet. We were not angry and waited all night. Not only did we get nothing, but the dim sum and tea soup were lost. So everyone was suspicious , Some said that the great fox came, and some said that it was the evil spirits. But I was a little suspicious, how could these evil spirits come to the ancestral court of the Zen sect of the Sanzu Temple..."
Xinwu nodded and said: "That's very true." Xinyuan was praised by him, and his tone became more and more angry: "Brother also knows that this old idiot has always been sneaky. I was suspicious of him at first, but I just suffered from no evidence. Just now Fortunately, Junior Brother Xintong saw him walk into the kitchen and stole the sweet-scented osmanthus and lotus seed soup that Uncle Xinghai had prepared. This is considered stolen and stolen. He caused us to be beaten, and we beat him back, so there is nothing wrong with it. ?" After saying that, he took two steps forward, picked up the large white porcelain bowl from the ground, held it up to the tip of Xin Wu's nose, and said with a sneer, "Here are the stolen goods, senior brother, please take a look."
Xinwu took a sniff, and the scent of osmanthus still remained in the bowl, he sneered and said, "It really is osmanthus lotus seed soup, the old idiot is really a thief, I need to let Uncle Minghui know, so we can make a decision."
Lu Jian was overwhelmed with surprise: "It's just a coincidence that I ended up in the Temple of the Three Ancestors?" Glancing at the dumb monk, his heart sank again: "I knew that soup was stolen, so I wouldn't eat it. This old man The thief is all for me, how can he be punished?" Then he raised his voice and asked Xiang Xin: "This master, can we discuss it."
Xin Wu said: "What are you discussing?" Lu Jian said seriously: "This master stole the lotus seed soup, but I ate it. He is old and cannot stand torture. If you want to punish him, just punish me."
Xinwu looked at him suspiciously, and suddenly sneered, "You are really kind. According to the temple rules, if you violate the precept of stealing, you will be beaten with thirty sticks first. You are sick, let alone thirty Even two or three sticks can't bear it. Besides, whether to punish or not, I don't care, it's up to the Disciplinary Academy to decide."
Lu Jiandao: "Then let me discuss it with the master of the Discipline Academy." The monks were all surprised when they saw how stubborn he was, and they frowned and said, "Forget it, you look at them, I'll report to the Discipline Academy." went.
A group of monks stood on sticks, staring at each other.But the dumb monk didn't realize it, and raised his knife to chop wood again.Xinyuan sneered and said, "Old fool, are you still chopping firewood? Be honest, and you will see me later." But seeing the dumb monk kept chopping firewood, he felt annoyed, raised his stick, and went to sweep him upright. Who knows that the firewood looks weak, but it seems to grow out of the ground, and the heart edge sweeps it twice, but it doesn't move at all.The dumb monk raised his head and grinned at him.
Xin Yuan was originally a Huogong monk in the temple. He didn't practice Zen and had a rough temper. He only thought that the dumb monk laughed at him, and became angry from his heart. He spat: "Old idiot, how dare you laugh at your grandpa?"Lu Jian stood nearby, stretched out his fingers slantly, picked up the wooden stick, and the stick was immediately released from his hand because of the heat in his heart.He didn't know why, and exclaimed: "Little bastard, let's go shoulder to shoulder."
The monks yelled, swung their sticks, and rushed forward, but Lu Jian was about to resist, when suddenly a burst of fatigue surged up, his body was so weak that he could not lift his hands or feet as he watched the sticks being swung. He hit two sticks in a row and fell to the ground.
Seeing that he had been knocked down, Xinyuan was overjoyed and shouted: "This old idiot made us hit the board, let's beat him first to vent our anger." You can't shout, you can only hold your head in your hands and roll around.
Lu Jian's eyes were about to burst, and he didn't know where a strong force came from. He pulled up suddenly, and stretched his arms in front of the dumb old monk. In an instant, the stick fell like rain on his head and shoulders, and the blood in Lu Jian's chest Chong, a fishy sweetness rushed to the throat.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a slight warmth in the dantian of his lower abdomen, and immediately a fire-like energy rose up, like a volcano erupting, spreading to the whole body.身后众僧不知有异，棍棒纷落，击中陆渐背脊，蓦然间，惊呼声迭起，众僧虎口剧痛，棍棒如出巢的鸟儿，争先恐后，窜上半空。众僧人却如断了线的风筝，抛飞丈外，挣扎不起。
棍棒及身，陆渐不觉痛楚，心中惊讶，转身望去，但见众僧躺了一地，咧嘴呻吟。他也不知发生何事，掉头再瞧，却见那哑巴老僧抱手坐在墙角，张口大笑，逍遥看戏。
陆渐正觉不解，数丈外大栎树后传来一声轻咳，似乎藏有他人。陆渐赶到树后，却又空空如也，不由忖道：“莫非有高人藏在树后，出手相助？”惊疑间，忽听一声厉喝：“发生什么事？”陆渐掉头望去，心悟与一名身着白袍的少年僧人快步如飞，赶了过来。
心缘不待陆渐开口，抢先叫道：“心悟师兄，这贼子想带老蠢货逃走，大伙儿拦不住他。”陆渐见他公然颠倒黑白，怒不可遏。心悟却是信以为真，瞪视陆渐，蓦地后退一步，左掌横胸，右手下垂，摆出一个拳架。
那白袍僧瞧了地上众人一眼，合十叹道：“偷盗已是罪过，事后潜逃，伤害守者，可谓罪加两等。”陆渐气恼已极，叫道：“大师，我……”话音未落，那白袍僧手掌猝翻，向他心口抓来。
这一下猝然而发，十分狠辣，但陆渐也非吴下阿蒙，一瞥之间，已将爪势看清，方要拆解，不料那酸软感不早不晚，二度涌至，陆渐手抬一半，便觉无力，被那白袍僧一爪制住要穴，周身麻痹，不能动弹。
“好一招'雕龙爪'！”心悟撤去拳架，呵呵笑道，“心空师弟精进神速，可喜可贺。”
“师兄过誉了。”白袍僧偷袭得手，心内却甚为不解，方才他见地上众僧情形，只当陆渐必有惊人艺业，是故这一招“雕龙爪”藏有许多奇妙后着，此时一抓而中，反而出乎意料。心空惊疑之余，微感失落，略一思索，说道：“心悟师兄，若只是偷盗饮食，戒律院惩戒便可，如今伤了这许多同门，须得告知住持才是。”
心悟知道这师弟年纪虽轻，却是戒律院首座的得意弟子，深受长辈看重，当下着意巴结，笑道：“贫僧唯师弟之命是从。”
心空瞥他一眼，微笑道：“别人自称贫僧还可，心悟师兄掌管寺中厨膳，私房最多，又何必自轻。”心悟面皮微红，苦笑道：“师弟怎也来取笑贫僧？”心空笑道：“怎么取笑？上个月下山买人参……”
心悟忙接口笑道：“那笔账已过去了，这样罢，好师弟，改日我备两盅素酒，咱们好好聊聊。”心空一笑，心道：“还算你有见识。”当即不再多说，俯身察看众僧情形，却见个个筋骨酸软，气力全无，心空猜测不透，惊疑起来，盯着陆渐道：“你用了什么武功？”
陆渐道：“我没用武功，原本是他们殴打这位老人家，我看不过去，用身子挡了两棒，但他们为何变成这副样子，我也不知。”
心空不觉失笑，问道：“这么说，他们打你，反倒伤了自己？”陆渐点头道，“适才我听见那棵树后有人咳嗽，或许是那人出的手。”
心空、心悟相视而笑，均是一般心思：“这人模样看来老实，却会编些鬼话儿骗人。”当下心空叫来几名戒律院弟子，将陆渐用铁链锁了，又叫人扶着受伤弟子，押着哑僧，共往方丈。哑老僧始终一脸懵懂，左顾右盼，不明所以。
到了方丈，心空先入禀报，才将众人引入。方丈内四壁皆空，仅设一榻一几。檀木矮几上燃一炉香，沏一壶茶，碾一砚墨，摊一卷经。几后坐一老僧，须发半白，清癯慈和，他左侧也坐一名老僧，体格魁伟，目光凌厉。
心空先将前情后果说了，采用的自然是心缘的说法，陆渐由他话中听出，清癯老僧是三祖寺住持性觉，魁伟老僧则是戒律院首座性明。
性觉不动声色，默然听罢，忽道：“带伤者来。”心悟将心缘带到他面前，心缘泪眼婆娑，歪嘴耷眼，模样儿甚是可怜。性觉将手搭上他经脉，长眉一挑，若有讶色，想了想，伸掌按上他头顶，心缘但觉百会穴突地一跳，一股热流走遍全身，顿时酸痒难耐，啊呀一声，高高跳起。
性明脾性暴烈，见状喝道：“孽障，住持面前，也敢放肆？”心缘唬得面如土色，竟忘了身子已能动弹，双腿发软，扑通跪倒。
“不怪他。”性觉摇了摇头，徐徐道，“他被人以沛然大力冲击五脏，震动奇经，故而瘫软不起，我以内力为他导引经脉，牵动五脏，故而有此异征，不足为怪。”
性明神色稍缓。性觉又道：“心悟，你将其他伤者带至药师院性智师弟处，传我法旨，请他疗治。”心悟领旨去了。性觉转眼顾视陆渐，半晌不语。性明却忍不住高声道：“住持，此事如何裁夺，还请示下？”
性觉微微一笑，道：“师兄乃戒律院首座，执掌刑罚，你先说说，如何定夺。”性明道：“依老衲看来，聋哑和尚屡犯偷戒，理应重责三十戒棍，以儆效尤。至于这少年人，大胆行凶，伤我僧众，但因为不是本寺中人，当以绳索捆绑，移交官府处置。”
他这番判词十分严厉，殊无出家人的慈悲之心。陆渐心中不平，欲要申辩，却又觉此事太过古怪，欲辩忘言，甚是烦恼。性觉却笑了笑，摇头叹道：“性明师兄，你好糊涂。”性明一愣，道：“住持此话怎讲？”
性觉道：“偷盗之事，我方才知道。盗亦有道，由偷盗之物，足见偷盗者的性情。素八珍、雪芽茶、方柿饼，玉糁羹、六和人参汤，均是珍贵茶点，这偷儿专偷此类，足见于饮食一道鉴赏颇精，乃是一位雅贼。”
“雅贼？”性明浓眉轩举，微微惊讶。
“不错！”性觉道，“何止是雅贼，活脱脱就是一位爱挑嘴的千金小姐。众人皆知，聋哑和尚再也粗蠢不过，即便入厨偷食，也是见饭吃饭，见粥喝粥，哪有这么挑剔的？故而依老衲看来，桂花莲子羹或许是聋哑和尚偷吃的，但之前的几样茶点，却未必算在他头上。”
性明沉吟道：“依住持之见，难道贼子另有其人？”
性觉道：“老衲也是猜测，但有疑点，便不可仓促定罪。”性明点头道：“住持言之有理。”
陆渐不由暗暗点头，心道这性觉身为住持，确有过人之处，剖析断案，合情合理。转眼再瞧，聋哑和尚浑无所觉，只将手伸入怀中，拈出一只只虱子，掐死了丢在地上，陆渐不觉暗叹：“敢情这和尚不只是哑巴，更是聋子，委实可怜极了。”
性明见聋哑和尚公然扪虱于方丈之中，伤生害命，污秽禅门，端的肆无忌惮，他心中愠怒已极，开口欲骂，忽又悟及此公两耳俱聋，性情混沌，即便咫尺雷鸣，狂暴骤至，于他也不过蕙风和雨，渺不沾身。想到这里，这一口气竟发泄不得。
这时忽听方丈外传来一阵咳嗽，撕心裂肺。性觉不禁眼皮微抬，笑道：“性海师弟么？好久不见，快请进来。”
伴随咳嗽之声，方丈外踱进一名僧人来，须眉稀疏，骨瘦如柴，面皮白里透青，他胸口起伏一阵，勉力合十道：“性海，咳，问，问住持安好。”性觉温言笑道：“这两月我忙于寺务，不曾探望于你，你的病可好些了么？”性海苦笑道：“老样子了，怕是好不了啦。”性觉也叹一口气，道：“师弟不要灰心，请坐一坐，容我问几句话儿，再和你一叙。”
性海坐下时，有意无意，瞥了陆渐一眼，复又耷下眼皮，轻轻咳嗽。性觉也注视陆渐半晌，慢慢道：“小檀越与鱼和尚有何干系？”方丈中人听得这话，均是心头剧震，目光齐刷刷射向陆渐。
陆渐微觉惊讶，但也并非十分意外，点头道：“住持也识得那位大师么？”性觉点头道：“金刚一门，自花生大士以降，均曾驻锡我寺，辉耀三祖道庭。老衲早年曾蒙鱼和尚点化，略识金刚神通。方才小檀越制住心缘一干人，用的正是'大金刚神力'，这门神通，一脉单传，小檀越既已学会，必和鱼和尚大有干系？”
陆渐大为不解，寻思：“我伤病缠身，怎么还能使出'大金刚神力'？即便是'大金刚神力'，我也只练成一十六相，如何能够一招不发，便震飞僧人的棍棒，封住他们的经脉？”他越想越惊，呆怔无语。性觉注视他半晌，又问道：“小檀越，可有什么苦衷么？”
“苦衷却没有。”陆渐叹了一口气道，“鱼和尚大师于我确有大恩，他坐化前，托我将他的舍利带到贵寺安放。”
霎时间，众僧均露震惊之色。“什么？”性海失声道：“鱼和尚死了……”蓦地逆气上冲，连声咳嗽，一张青白面皮涨成紫色。性觉眼中讶色却是一闪即逝，寂然半晌，说道：“心空，你解开檀越枷锁。”
心空入寺较晚，不知鱼和尚是何方神圣，但瞧众前辈神情，心知此人必然不凡，陆渐倘若与之有关，便是本寺贵客，自己唐突了他，大大不妙，心中惴惴不安，慌忙解开陆渐的铁索。
陆渐自怀中取出盛放舍利的锦囊，捧至几前。性觉伸出瘦骨棱棱的五指，抚摸锦囊，一双长眉微微颤抖，蓦地闭了双眼，叹一口气，道：“这位檀越，如何称呼。”
陆渐道：“小子陆渐。”
性明冷哼一声，蓦地高叫道：“金刚神通，一脉单传，按理说，鱼和尚坐化，应由他徒弟不能和尚送回舍利，怎么却是你来？”众僧均露疑色。
陆渐摇头道：“不能和尚已经死了。”当下将不能和尚叛佛入魔，终被诛灭的经过说了。说罢，方丈内一阵沉寂，过得半晌，性觉幽幽叹息，连连摇头，问道：“陆檀越，除了送舍利来本寺，鱼和尚还有什么交代？”
陆渐摇头道：“再没有啦。”性觉目光一闪，复又黯然。性海则捂着嘴，咳嗽不已，陆渐听他咳嗽，胸中亦隐隐作痛，当即起身道：“舍利送到，鱼和尚大师遗愿已了，小子也当告辞了。”说着站起身来，瞧了聋哑和尚一眼，见他兀自摸索虱子跳蚤，眉开眼笑，自得其乐，不觉心中难过，施礼道：“性觉大师，我有一事相求，还望大降慈悲，应允则个。”
性觉目视舍利，心神不属，闻言抬头道：“檀越请说。”陆渐道：“这位聋哑大师偷取桂花莲子羹，全是为我，请你不要责罚于他，倘若定要责罚，小子情愿代他受罚，挨这三十戒棍。”他此时身子极弱，若挨三十戒棍，必然送命，但他既知道绝症无救，自轻自贱，不将生死放在心上，故此不惜送掉性命，也要替这老僧顶罪。
性觉神色似惊非惊，注视陆渐半晌，忽而笑道：“这乃小事尔。性明，金刚一脉对本寺有恩，冲鱼和尚的面子，聋哑和尚偷盗之事，从此不予追究。”性明合十道：“谨遵法旨。”
陆渐大喜，施了一礼，正要告辞，性觉忽又道：“陆檀越，你有伤病在身么？”
陆渐一怔，点头道：“确有一些小病，但也不打紧。”他自知沉疴不治，索性称是小病，免得他人为自己担心。
性觉却笑了笑，说道：“所谓小病大治，我药师院首座性智师弟精于歧黄之术，陆檀越不远万里，送来鱼和尚大师的舍利，叫我阖寺僧众好生相敬。常言道：'既来之，则安之'，檀越既来了，就不妨多住两日，让性智师弟瞧一瞧，一来养病，二来也看看这千年古刹，禅宗祖庭。”
陆渐心忧姚晴、宁凝，又知本身痼疾无治，徒费工夫，当即拱手道：“抱歉则个，小子确有要事，不能停留。”
“什么要事？”性觉道，“不知老衲能否相助？”陆渐寻思姚晴之事，关系西城八部，凶险绝伦，性觉倘若牵涉进来，有害无益，而宁凝之事，又事关她身世秘辛，更不能为外人道，便摇头道：“住持好意，小子心领了。”
性觉道：“檀越何苦推脱，只去药师院一遭，让我师弟看过，就算不及煎药服用，就开上一两副药方，也是好的。”
他越是殷勤，陆渐越是为难。他性子冲和，不善拒绝他人，性觉又是一番好意，却之不恭，再说自己本为不治之症，看不看病，本无分别，性智若真是精于医术，必能看出此病无救，那时再行告辞，也不为迟。当下点头应允下来。
性觉轻吐一口气，颔首笑道：“心空，你带陆檀越去，传我法旨，这位陆檀越和鱼和尚渊源甚深，着性智务必将他治好。”心空领旨，合十为礼，为陆渐引路。聋哑和尚浑浑噩噩，不知发生何事，见陆渐起身出门，便也跟随而出。
陆渐道：“大师，我去瞧病，你先回吧。”一声说罢，忽听心空嘿嘿直笑，顿时憬悟，这老和尚双耳失聪，自己说什么他也无法听见，不由自嘲而笑。
又走数步，心空见聋哑和尚兀自紧随，焦躁起来，蓦地转身，伸手按在他肩头，内劲迸发，聋哑和尚身不由主，平平跌出丈余，怦然落下。心空用的乃是巧劲，聋哑和尚虽不觉痛，仍是吃了一惊，爬起来瞪着二人，眼珠骨碌碌一转，跌跌撞撞，一道烟去了。
心空哈哈笑道：“这老蠢货不会听人话，惟有给他两下，才能懂事。”转眼瞧去，却见陆渐眉头紧蹙，眉间隐有怒色，心空顿时住口，微微冷笑不已。
一时无话，二人曲折行了百步，远远传来药香，转过墙角，便见一处院落，入院处，几个小沙弥或站或坐，捣药、煎药、制丸，神情专注，两人入内，也不抬头。心空蓦地朗声叫道：“性智师叔，性智师叔。”
“叫什么叫，叫什么叫？”里屋内一个声音甚不耐烦，继而一名白须老僧挑帘而出，扫视二人一眼，目光忽地凝注在陆渐脸上，微露惊色。陆渐见状，淡淡一笑，心道：“这位大师好本事，一眼就瞧出来了。”却听心空道：“住持法旨，着师叔务必治好这位陆檀越。”
“务必治好？”性智白眉轩举，望着陆渐，神色惊疑。心空又道：“住持还说了，这位陆檀越与鱼和尚渊源甚深，不远万里，将鱼和尚的舍利送回三祖寺。”
性智听到鱼和尚三字，身子微颤，怔忡片时，旋即对陆渐点头微笑，合十道：“金刚传人大驾光临，失敬失敬。”
陆渐忙回礼道：“大师误会，鱼和尚大师并未收我为徒，金刚传人，小子可当不起。”性智微微一愣，忽又摆手笑道：“无妨无妨，鱼和尚当年对老衲有恩，你送回他的舍利，便是我性智的恩人，无论如何，老衲也要将你治好。”
陆渐叹道：“大师，我这病……”性智不待他说完，挽住他手，笑道：“里屋安静，老衲与你好好瞧瞧。”陆渐无法，只得暂且跟入。
内屋陈设精洁，方桌上一叠医书，桌后药橱，瓶瓶罐罐虽多，却是井然有序。二人坐定，性智命心空退下，伸手搭上陆渐脉门，拈须沉吟，半晌无声，惟有屋外笃笃笃捣药之声，悠悠传来。
性智忽叹一口气，抬眼注视陆渐道：“若依寻常医理，檀越伤在肺部，伤势虽重，却也并非无救。只不过，檀越体内有一股奇特潜力，不住蚕食檀越生机，倘若放任自流，必成大患。”
陆渐见他所言无差，心中佩服，叹道：“实不相瞒，小子不幸沦为劫奴，大师说的，正是'黑天劫'发作的征兆。”
“黑天劫？”性智白眉耸动，吃惊道，“'西城'的炼奴秘术？”陆渐奇道：“大师也知道西城炼奴。”性智嘴角抽搐数下，嘿然道：“是啊，多年前我曾碰见一位劫奴，听说了《黑天书》的厉害。”陆渐苦笑道：“有无四律，无法可破，故而此乃绝症，大师救不了的。”
性智若有所思，起身踱了两步，摇头道：“那也未必，当年那位劫奴曾经告诉老衲，《黑天书》并非没有破解之法。”
“此言当真？”陆渐不由得腾地站起，脱口道，“敢问，敢问大师，是，是什么法子？”性智斜眼睨着他，微笑不语。
陆渐原本心灰意冷，了无生意，但见性智如此神情，心中不忧升起一股希冀，脑子里如电光掠影，闪过许多人来……陆大海、姚晴、谷缜、鱼和尚、宁凝……刹那间，他心中对这生命生出一股无以言表的眷念，颤声道：“大师，大师若能告知我脱劫之法，陆渐永志不忘……”话音未落，身子一躬，拜了下去。
“檀越快起，快起。”性智急忙扶起他道，“折杀老衲了。”扶起陆渐时，只见他双眼微微泛红，目中泪光浮动，身子阵阵颤抖，俨然激动不已。
性智盯着陆渐，眼角跳动数下，忽而目光转向窗外，叹道：“可惜，那法子虽然神妙，这世上却已失传了。”
陆渐一颗心本已提到嗓子眼上，闻言陡然下沉。如此大喜大悲，别说他绝症缠身，就是寻常人也难承受，陆渐只觉胸口剧痛，哇的一声，呕出一口鲜血。性智急忙扶住他，在他后心度入真气，一迭声自责道：“怪我，怪我，这话说得太过。”
陆渐回过气来，苦笑道：“不怪大师，只怪我