Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen
With frost on her face, Aunt Yang said in a deep voice, "Jie'er, where did you go last night?"
Qi Shijie said nonchalantly: "I, I went to Yue Hao's house last night."
Aunt Yang said: "What are you doing at his house?"
Qi Shijie said: "This, this, it's a long story—"
Aunt Yang glanced at her son's clothes stained with blood, and shouted: "Have you and Senior Brother Yue fought?" Qi Shijie said, "No, no. Mother, you, listen to me!" Aunt Yang said: "Don't talk yet! , wash your face quickly and change your clothes! Do you know what you look like now? Look in the mirror."
Of course Qi Shijie knew what he "looked like" now. He took out a ball of mud and smeared it on his face by the lotus pond of Yue's family last night, and it has not been wiped off yet.The shirt was also stained with Fan Kui's blood.After washing his face and changing into a clean coat, he also thought about his speech, so he sat down and said, "Mother, what do you think of Fang Liang and Fan Kui?"
Aunt Yang said: "When they were in Baoding, these two people were quite decent. But they disappeared inexplicably three years ago. After leaving Baoding, I don't know if they are good or bad. You can mention them two What do people do?"
Qi Shijie said: "Mother, if their lives are in danger, should the child save them?" Aunt Yang was taken aback, and said, "What, you came to Senior Brother Yue's house to save them?"
Qi Shijie said: "That's right; they went back to Baoding and visited Yue Hao for some business, but Yue Hao didn't think of their fellowship and injured them both. Fang Liang escaped and Fan Kui was captured."
Aunt Yang said: "Wait a minute, I think what you said is a bit suspicious."
Qi Shijie said: "What's suspicious?"
Aunt Yang said: "Among your uncle's six disciples, the eldest disciple Ai Chenglong has the best martial arts of course, but although Yue Hao is the second disciple, his martial arts are not as good as his junior brothers Fang Liang and Fan Kui. Duo, those servants are just three-legged cats, how can they hurt both of them?"
Qi Shijie said: "Uncle plotted against them. Fan Kui got a bone-piercing nail from uncle, which almost pierced the lute bone!"
Aunt Yang was even more surprised, she stared and said, "What are you talking about, uncle is their master, how can there be a reason for master to plot against apprentice?"
Qi Shijie sneered and said, "I also don't think it makes sense, but such a thing happens!"
Aunt Yang was speechless, she was silent for a moment, and asked, "Where's your uncle?"
Qi Shijie said: "Still at Yue Hao's house." Aunt Yang said: "Didn't he say he was going to leave Baoding?" Qi Shijie said: "Mother, how can you still believe what uncle said? He lied to us that day. Baoding handles the case, I'm afraid we know."
Aunt Yang said: "I don't care what case he is handling, the most important thing is to know whether you have been discovered by uncle." Qi Shijie said: "No."
Aunt Yang calmed down a little, and then asked: "Then how did the blood on your clothes come from?" Qi Shijie said: "It's the blood on Senior Brother Fan's body."
Aunt Yang said: "So, you have rescued Fan Kui. Your uncle's martial arts are no worse than yours. Could it be that he doesn't feel the slightest bit?"
Qi Shijie said: "I didn't save him. It was another person."
Aunt Yang asked in surprise, "Who is it?" Qi Shijie said, "I don't know yet. When I saw Fan Kui later, that person had already left."
Aunt Yang asked: "Then where is Fan Kui?" Qi Shijie said: "He and Brother Fang left together before dawn. They left Baoding by boat."
When Aunt Yang heard that they had left Baoding, Fang Shi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, what's going on, you tell mother honestly, you are not allowed to hide a single word."
Qi Shijie had no choice but to tell him about Xie Hong's case. The more Aunt Yang heard it, the more surprised she became. After listening, she slumped against the back of her chair and said for a long while: "Jie'er, I'm old, and I very, very hope that you can stay with me." By my side, stay with me for a few more years. But now I insist that you leave me. Before the sky is bright, go quickly, go!"
Qi Shijie said: "Mother, didn't I tell you that Fan Kui was not rescued by me, and my uncle didn't see me." Aunt Yang said: "He will be suspicious of you even if he didn't see you!"
Qi Shijie said: "Mother, didn't you often say that grandpa and grandma died early, and you were the eldest sister who brought up uncle like a mother. He has today's wealth, and most of it depends on you. If you don't look at the face of the monk, you will see the face of the Buddha. How dare you do anything to me?" Aunt Yang sighed and said, "An ordinary case is fine, but the case of Xie Hong is no small matter. I believe he will not embarrass our mother and son, but he is the one who works for the emperor, so we have to do it for him." For his sake, you should go outside to avoid the limelight and then come back, so as not to embarrass uncle."
Qi Shijie said: "Okay, since mother has so many worries, the child will leave you for now." But just as he was saying goodbye to his mother, he heard someone push open the door of his house, and footsteps ran in hastily!
Aunt Yang hurriedly stuffed Qi Shijie's dirty clothes under the bed, and shouted, "Who is it?" In fact, she had already guessed who it was.
Sure enough, I heard Yang Mu's voice say: "Sister, it's me. Master Luo has something to see you, so I came here specially to accompany him."
Luo Yufeng seemed to think that what he said was not complete enough, so he asked for an interview by his own name according to martial arts etiquette, and said loudly: "Luo Yufeng is here to visit my sister-in-law and brother." Aunt Yang's husband and Luo Yufeng were brothers and friends before his death.
He asked to see Qi Shijie by name, so Aunt Yang had no choice but to go out with her son to meet guests.
Aunt Yang ignored Luo Yufeng first, pretended to be a little surprised and said: "Brother, you have only been away for two or three days, and you are back from the capital so soon?" Stay in Baoding for a few more days."
Luo Yufeng said: "Sister-in-law, please forgive me for coming here. Don't be surprised if I'm rude. To be honest, I don't go to the Three Treasures Palace for nothing—" At this point, pay attention to Aunt Yang's face.
Aunt Yang said calmly, "We are all close relatives and friends, why are you polite, what's the matter, just tell me."
Luo Yufeng continued: "My matter and your younger brother's matter are related to each other. Two things are actually one thing. Brother Yang, should you say it first or should I say it first?"
Yang Mu said: "Master Luo, you are a guest, so you should talk first."
Luo Yufeng said: "Since sister-in-law doesn't treat me as an outsider, then I won't go around in circles. Open the skylight and tell the truth, I'm here to ask Shixiong for help!"
Aunt Yang said: "Brother Luo is joking, what can he do for you at such a young age?" Luo Yufeng said: "As long as Shixiong is willing to show his respect, he will be of great help to me!"
Aunt Yang's complexion darkened, and she said, "Forgive me for not understanding, what do you mean by that?"
Luo Yufeng said: "I came here to understand Hong's case, Shixiong, you should understand?" Qi Shijie said: "What to explain Hong, I don't understand!"
Luo Yufeng held back his breath and said, "Xie Hong is a court felon suspected of rebellion. He was imprisoned in Baoding Prison. He was robbed by someone last night. Shixiong, you know that the little apprentice Liu Kun is the chief arrester of Baoding Mansion." , If he is a repeat offender, the crime is not trivial. He came to beg me, so I have to come to beg Brother Shi."
Qi Shijie was both surprised and delighted, and thought to himself: "That man really kept his word, he must have gone to jail immediately after saving Fan Kui."
Qi Shijie didn't know how to hide it, he couldn't help but smile, he laughed and said: "You think I'm robbing the prison?" Luo Yufeng said: "I dare not. But Shixiong may know where he is hiding, please tell me."
Qi Shijie said: "Why do you think I know?" Luo Yufeng frowned and looked at Yang Mu, Yang Mu said softly: "Shijie, if you don't do something, you have already done it, now you can only try to make up for it, denying is denying No way. You should trust Uncle, Uncle will never harm you! As long as you tell me where you can find Jie Hong, other things can be discussed.” You know that Fan Kui was robbed last night, he also thought that It was Qi Shijie who did it.He said "other things" to imply to Qi Shijie that as long as Xie Hong is caught, he can not pursue Fan Kui's matter.
Qi Shijie said: "You must tell me, then I will tell you the truth!" Yang Mu said happily: "Yes, as long as you tell the truth, uncle will take care of the big things!"
Qi Shijie laughed and said: "You have found the wrong person! To be honest, I don't know whether Xie Hong is fat or thin, short or long. I have never met this person before. How can I know his whereabouts?"
Luo Yufeng was shocked and said: "This, this...Brother Qi Shi, this is not a joke!"
Aunt Yang said: "Jie'er is indeed not joking with you, I know clearly that this matter has nothing to do with him?"
Luo Yufeng said: "Sister-in-law, how do you know it has nothing to do with him?"
Aunt Yang said coldly: "You don't believe Shijie's words, don't you believe mine too? Hey, hey, are you going to question me now!"
Aunt Yang, known as the "Tough Hand Guanyin", sneered, her eyes were unconsciously full of murderous intent, which scared Luo Yufeng's heart to the bone. "Sister-in-law, don't be angry, I just came to ask." He said hastily.
Aunt Yang said: "How do I know it has nothing to do with him? I was going to tell you, but my temper can't be questioned! I'm sorry, I don't want to say it now, what you want to ask has already been asked .If there is nothing else, please go to another place to check!" After finishing speaking, he picked up the teacup as a sign to see off the guests.
Yang Mu quickly said: "Sister, I haven't talked about my matter yet. The two matters are related. Master Luo can't leave now."
Aunt Yang said: "You don't believe what I say? Well, then what else do you need my help for? Tell me!"
Yang Mu said: "Sister, it's not that I don't believe you, there is something, I wonder if Shijie told you?"
Aunt Yang said, "What happened?" Yang Mu asked, "Where did he go last night?" Aunt Yang said, "You're obviously still suspecting that Jie'er robbed the prison! I've never lied to you in my life. He is indeed not the one who walks away from Hong!"
Luo Yufeng said: "Then who is it?"
Aunt Yang rolled her eyes at him and said, "How do I know? You have repeatedly questioned me, do you want me to admit that I am the one who robbed the prison?" Luo Yufeng was too frightened to speak out.
Yang Mu is a well-off man, and he thought to himself: "I asked Shijie where he went last night, but he avoided talking about it. Is there something wrong with it?" He didn't dare to repeat the same mistakes, and asked his sister directly in a questioning tone , but turned around and said: "Sister, of course you won't hide it from me. But I'm afraid Shijie was confused for a moment and did something he shouldn't do, but kept it from you."
Aunt Yang said: "What do you think he lied to me about?"
Yang Mu said: "Last night something happened at Yue Hao's house, Fan Kui was robbed."
Aunt Yang pretended to be puzzled and said, "Has Fan Kui come back? He and Yue Hao are both your apprentices. What's so strange about him living in Yue Hao's house? Why do you use the word 'robbed'?"
Yang Mu didn't know if his sister really didn't know or if she didn't know, so he had to tell her: "Sister, you don't know, my unscrupulous disciple participated in the rebellion of Leng Tieqiao and his gang, this time he came to Baoding for the sake of The one who rescued Hong. Yue Hao wanted to save him and keep him. But he was kidnapped last night!"
Aunt Yang said: "Do you think this person is your nephew?"
Yang Mu said: "The man started in the dark, but I already know that he is a young man. There are not many young people who can snatch people away right under my nose!"
Aunt Yang said coldly: "So you thought it was him?"
Yang Mu quickly said: "I hope it's not him. But even if he did it, I can try to make up for it. As long as he is willing to tell the truth, I will be responsible for the big things."
Qi Shijie said loudly: "Thank you for your love, uncle, but you don't need to worry about it. Let me tell you, I was not the one who took Fan Kui away!"
Yang Mu ignored him, and continued: "Sister, you are so kind to me, you should believe that I will never make things difficult for Shijie. But if the Beijing Central Committee sends another person to investigate this case, things will be difficult." Everyone in the Yue family thinks that Shijie is the most suspect, and Liu Kun insists that he is the one who robbed the prison, and the investigators will definitely come to trouble you, mother and son!"
Aunt Yang said coldly: "You think my sister is a timid person?"
Yang Mu said: "Sister, you are the husband of a middle-aged woman, so of course you will not be afraid of trouble, but now is the time for you to enjoy your old age, and one more thing is worse than one less thing. How can you go against the government by yourself. So I hope You ask Ming Shijie, if he did it, it's better to tell me the truth, so as not to cause trouble for others!"
Aunt Yang said: "Didn't you hear, he just said that he didn't do the two things!" Yang Mu was taken aback, and said: "Sister, it's not that I don't believe Jie'er's words, but maybe he was Shang I have concerns, but I dare not tell the truth.”
Aunt Yang said: "Okay, if you don't believe him, let me tell you, the one who kidnapped Fan Kui is indeed not him!"
Yang Mu said: "But he is the most suspicious person, I'm afraid others won't believe my sister's words!"
Aunt Yang said: "Then what are you going to do?" Yang Mu glanced at Luo Yufeng and said, "Sister, Master Luo's apprentice is the head arrester of Baoding Mansion, he reported this matter to the magistrate, and asked his master to go out and investigate the matter. case. I was sent by Beijing Central to assist the local government in handling the case. I’m going to pass this test easily, but the Baoding government’s test can’t be prevaricated with a single job!”
Only then did Luo Yufeng dare to interject: "Yes, sister-in-law, I beg you to be merciful, at least find a way so that we can exchange business."
Aunt Yang changed her face and said, "So, at least you are going to take my son to the lobby of Baoding Mansion for interrogation?"
Luo Yufeng said: "Don't dare, but unless we find someone else who robbed the prison, I'm afraid I will wrong you and let your son go!"
Aunt Yang said coldly: "Do you think that Shijie is the only one who has the ability to rob a prison?" After hearing this, Yang Mu felt his heart move, and quickly asked, "Sister, do you mean that you already know the person who robbed a prison?" who is it?"
Before Aunt Yang answered, she suddenly heard someone outside say, "Don't ask her, ask me!" The voice came from outside the gate, as if speaking in Yang Mu's ear.
Yang Mu was taken aback, and shouted, "Who are you?" The man said, "I am the person who robbed the prison, and I am also the person who robbed Fan Kui. I did both things. If you want to find them, Come with me!"
After the younger brother left, Aunt Yang let out a sigh of relief and said, "You can tell, this person is Yang Yan!"
Qi Shijie said: "I already guessed it was him. Mom, let me go and take a peek in the dark, okay?" Aunt Yang said: "No!" After taking a break, he sighed and said: "I thought it would be better for you to go far away. "
Qi Shijie said: "My cousin is back, why should I leave home?"
Aunt Yang said: "Do you think Yang Yan will hand over Xie Hong and Fan Kui to his father?"
Qi Shijie said: "I know my cousin's temper. Since he has saved someone, he will never send the rescued person back to the tiger's mouth."
Aunt Yang said: "Well, he can't catch the imperial court criminals, and he can't do anything to his son, so how can he do business?"
Qi Shijie said: "Mother, are you afraid that uncle will come to trouble us?" Aunt Yang said: "At least talking is unavoidable. You are at home, and if he comes to talk a few times, my ears are not clean at all. Little, if the news spreads, the capital will send another person to investigate the case, and the trouble will be serious."
Qi Shijie said: "But uncle will soon know that these two cases were committed by his son."
Aunt Yang said: "Just because the son is closer than the nephew, he can't do anything to his son, so he can only solve the case on you. Yes, you did not do these two cases, but don't forget, you came to the house last night. Yue family, this proves that you have seen Fang Liang who is on the run, otherwise you would not have known that Fan Kui was imprisoned in Yue Hao's house. Those who are on business will never let go of any clues that can solve the case!"
Qi Shijie smiled and said, "Mother, so you don't trust uncle anymore!"
Aunt Yang sighed and said, "How can I not know my own brother's temperament? I can do everything for him, but if it really comes to a very critical moment, I'm afraid he can't even care about me, let alone you?"
Qi Shijie said happily: "Mother, it will be great if you can understand what uncle is like."
Aunt Yang said: "You can leave at ease, I have thought about it again and again, only if you leave home temporarily, I can push things away."
Qi Shijie said: "Okay, then the child is gone, mother, take care of yourself!"
Aunt Yang suddenly said: "Wait a minute, Jieer!" Qi Shijie turned his head and said, "What else can I order?" Aunt Yang asked, "Where are you going to go?"
Aunt Yang said: "You must promise me one thing!" Qi Shijie said: "Please tell me." Aunt Yang said: "You can go anywhere, but you are not allowed to go to Qaidam!" Qaidam is Leng Tieqiao's gang Only then did Qi Shijie realize where the rebel army was. It turned out that his mother was afraid that he would go to Leng Binger.
Aunt Yang continued: "Jie'er, I know you still can't let go of that girl Leng, but I don't want you to see her again. Your uncle already suspects that you and Leng Tieqiao and his gang are out of breath. You hate him, but don't tell him what to say. I, I don't want you to hang out with those people either!"
Qi Shijie said with a wry smile: "Mother, even if you don't tell me, I can't see that Leng girl again. I have such an uncle who once tried to force me to be a spy in Qaidam. Can I not avoid suspicion?" ?”
Aunt Yang said happily: "Okay, then you agree?" Qi Shijie bit his lip and said slowly: "Mother, I promise you, I will definitely not go to Qaidam!"
Aunt Yang said: "Okay, then I'm relieved, you can go." Watching her son leave, her heart felt bitter, and she burst into tears unknowingly.
The pain in Qi Shijie's heart was not inferior to that of his mother.
"I don't know where Bing'er is now. Did she go back to Tianshan, or went to her uncle in Qaidam? Well, what else do I want her to do, anyway, I can't see her again." He stirred his heart The trauma of the past, and suppressed the tears, swallowing the bitterness.
He wanted to meet Yang Yan, there were two other reasons besides being cousins.
One reason was that he couldn't help being curious, and wanted to know if Yang Yan and his father would recognize each other when they met?
Another reason is that the last time Yang Yan broke up with him when he returned to Xinjiang, he knew that Yang Yan was going to find Leng Binger, did they ever meet?Although he wants to avoid Leng Binger, deep down in his heart, he is still eager to know any news about Leng Binger.
But where should I go to find Yang Yan?He thought carefully: "Where will my cousin lead my uncle? Well, of course not to a lively place, and this place will not be too far from my house, otherwise when the sun comes out, pedestrians on the road will There are too many." It was just dawn, and the gates of the nearby houses had not yet been opened.
Suddenly he remembered a place, the Sea God Temple not far from his home.
He guessed right, Yang Yan had already led his father to the Sea God Temple at this time.
Yang Mu and Luo Yufeng suspected that there would be an ambush in the temple, so they became more and more sluggish.Yang Yan said: "Last night I sent Fan Kui here to his brother Fang Liang, Yang, Master Yang, I know you are their master, whether you treat them as apprentices or prisoners , you are not afraid of your apprentice, are you? I have already said that I have no malice towards you, since you are here, why don't you have the guts to go in?"
Yang Mu followed all the way just now, and all he saw was Yang Yan's back. At this moment, Fang Shi was talking face to face. He saw Yang Yan's face clearly, and he couldn't help feeling shocked: "Strange, why does this young man seem to have known each other?" Staring at it, the more you look at it, the more strange it feels.This feeling is not just a feeling of "deja vu", it's almost like a person I was very familiar with, and after being separated for many years, I suddenly saw it.
He heard Yang Yan call him "Uncle Yang", and his tone was gentle, and he repeatedly stated that he had no malice towards him. This feeling of intimacy unknowingly increased a bit.
He hesitated for a moment, and followed Yang Yan into the temple gate without realizing it.
Seeing that Yang Mu had already gone in, Luo Yufeng boldly followed him in.Unexpectedly, Yang Yan suddenly turned around and shouted: "Luo Yufeng, I didn't invite you, what are you doing here?"
Luo Yufeng is the most senior martial arts figure in Baoding Prefecture. There are two famous martial arts masters in Baoding, one is Yang Mu and the other is him.When Yang Mu made his debut, he had already become famous.Therefore, although Yang Mu's reputation came from behind, he still considers himself a junior in front of him.How can a famous person like him who thinks he is "highly respected" allow a young "boy" to steal his job?Immediately, I couldn't help "humming" and said: "Little friend, since you have done this big case, don't you know that the head arrester of Baoding Mansion is the apprentice of this old man? Entrusted by the magistrate..." This is because he was worried that this young man who dared to rob a prison might be superior to him, so he suppressed his anger, otherwise he would have yelled at him.
Unexpectedly, he thought that his words were polite enough, but Yang Yan was already impatient.Before Luo Yufeng finished speaking, Yang Yan immediately shouted: "Don't care what you are the chief arrester of, don't say that you are the master of the chief arrester, even the Heavenly King Lao Tzu, you have to get out of here, do you hear me, I tell you to get out of here !"
Luo Yufeng didn't dare to scold him, instead he scolded Luo Yufeng first.
Luo Yufeng couldn't bear it anymore, and said angrily: "I've lived for more than sixty years, and no one dared to tell me to go away, you, you boy..." Amidst the loud shouts, two iron gallbladders flew out immediately.
Luo Yufeng used his unique hidden weapon kung fu, Xiao Tie Dan flew out first and hit Yang Yan's face, disturbing his sight.But the big iron gallant came after the striker, passing in an arc and hitting his back.Unexpectedly, Yang Yan seemed to have eyes behind his back, he grabbed the big iron gall with his backhand, and stretched out his hands without looking back, and clamped the little iron gall that hit him.
Yang Yan took the two iron galls and said with a sneer: "Pearls of rice grains also emit brilliance, rotten iron and scrap copper, dare to show your eyes!" The two iron galls were thrown down, and with a bang, two holes were smashed into the ground. The iron gall went deep into the soil without a trace.
Luo Yufeng was scared out of his wits, and was about to run away, Yang Yan shouted: "Old man, if you don't want to get out, then lie down!" Tie Dan smashed into a hole in the ground, and the soil splashed, Yang Yan grabbed it and pinched it. A small mud ball, and shouted angrily: "Come here and don't be indecent, two iron galls, and you will have a mud ball!" The mud ball popped out and hit Luo Yufeng's knees. Luo Yufeng's legs softened, and he fell down immediately. Provincial personnel.
Surprised, he shouted, "What did you do to Mr. Luo?"
Yang Yan said with a smile: "It's not a problem. I just don't like his presence. Let him sleep well. After twelve hours, his acupoints will be resolved by themselves."
Yang Mu was suspicious, but he thought that with this young man's martial arts, if he wanted to hurt him, he would not be able to escape.So he boldly stepped into the hall with the young man.
Yang Yan said: "Do you think this is your bone-penetrating nail?"
Yang Mu followed the direction he pointed, and saw that there were indeed two blood-stained nails piercing through the bones, and puddles of solidified blood on the ground, which was shocking.
Yang Mu thought: "This boy didn't lie to me." He quickly asked, "Where is he?"
Yang Yan said: "I just said that Fang Liang and Fan Kui have been here before, and you didn't entrust me to take care of them, how would I know where they went."
Yang Mu said: "Didn't you say you brought me to catch the criminal?"
Yang Yan said: "That's right. But I didn't promise to catch the criminal for you. It's your own business to solve the case!"
Yang Mu's eyes lit up, he stared at Yang Yan and said, "Forgive me for being a prostitute, and calling you little brother. Little brother, what is your name?" Yang Yan felt sore, and thought: "Father and son meet, and you don't even know each other." Unconsciously Sighing slightly, he said, "You're wrong." He didn't know that Yang Mu's questioning of him was just to test him.
"Let me ask you what's wrong with your name?" Yang Mu asked intentionally.
Yang Yan said: "You and I can never be called brothers, why do you need to know my name?" Yang Mu asked again: "Why?" Yang Yan said: "Today's meeting is just a coincidence. If the words are not congenial, I will never see you again in the future. If I never meet again, why do you need to know my real name and real name!"
Yang Mu said: "What if it is speculative?" Yang Yan said: "At that time, the name is just a symbol, now you can call me whatever you like."
Yang Mu said: "Okay, you are very skilled in martial arts and rare in the world, so I'll call you a little hero. Little hero, although you couldn't catch the criminal this time, you finally helped me. Can you help me again? ?”
Yang Yan said: "What do you want me to do?" Yang Mu said: "To untie the bell, the person who tied it must help me solve this case."
Yang Yan sighed: "I'm not wrong, right, once you open your mouth, you're not talking speculatively."
Yang Mu said, "You won't do me this favor?"
Yang Yan said: "Not only can I not help you solve the case, but I also advise you not to break the case. Not only this case, but also don't handle similar cases in the future!"
Yang Mu was taken aback for a moment, and said, "Why do you persuade me to do this?"
Yang Yan said: "Think about it, close relatives are like father and son, but master and apprentice are also like father and son. As the saying goes, a tiger does not eat a child, but you have the heart to harm your apprentice, can you still be considered a person?" Painful, but Yang Mu could also tell that he was still persuading him with kind words, not malicious scolding.
Yang Mu said: "I didn't harm him, I wanted to save him." Yang Yan said: "Yes, you said the same to Fan Kui, but what you and Yue Hao said didn't seem to be the case, I'm sorry, I heard it all. I know you're just trying to get a confession."
Yang Mu said: "Little hero, although your martial arts are high, it's a pity that you are too young to understand some truths."
Yang Yan said: "Okay, what is the reason I want to ask you?" Yang Mu said: "Do you know what I do?" Yang Yan said coldly: "I know!"
Yang Mu said: "It's good if you know. I'm working for the emperor, how can I not handle the case for the emperor? Besides, it's better for them to fall into my hands than fall into other people's hands. As long as Fan Kui is willing to change his ways, I really want to save him."
Yang Yan said: "I hope you can turn over a new leaf!"
Yang Mu said, "What mistake did I make?" Yang Yan sighed and said, "You were originally a famous martial artist respected by people, why bother to act as the eagle claws for the Emperor of Tartars? I don't care what your reason is, it will always be a big mistake Already!"
Yang Mu said: "Okay, then let me ask you, we must have an emperor as ordinary people, don't we?" An emperor, but since there have been emperors since ancient times, probably?"
Yang Mu said: "Since there must be an emperor, what's wrong with me doing things for the emperor?" Yang Yan said: "But now the emperor is the Manchurian Tartar!"
Yang Mu said: "The Han, Manchurian, and Mongolian returned to Tibet. There are five clans in one family. No matter which clan they belong to, they are all Chinese. Why do you call the Manchurians tartars?"
Yang Yan thought for a while, and said: "You are right to blame this point, but my original meaning, the word 'Tartar', only refers to bad people who do not belong to the Han nationality. Since it is easy to misunderstand, I will not use it in the future. .”
Yang Mu said: "Since you don't particularly discriminate against the Manchus, then maybe it's not my fault that I work for the Manchu emperor. How about a family with five brothers, the Han Chinese are the eldest brother, the Manchus are the second brother, and the Mongols are the third brother... ...Why is the eldest brother only allowed to be the emperor, but the second brother is not allowed to be the emperor?"
Yang Yan felt that what his father said was reasonable, but after thinking for a while, he couldn't help shaking his head: "Although the words can be said in this way, the facts are still a bit wrong!" Yang Mu said: "What's wrong?"
Yang Yan said: "Because the Manchus became emperors, they didn't regard the Han people as brothers. Although I was young, I didn't know much about it. But I also heard people say that when the Qing soldiers entered the customs, there was something like 'Ten Days in Yangzhou' I don't know how many Han people were killed in the ''Jiading Three Massacres'' and other incidents!" At this point, I suddenly remembered something that Fang Shi had learned from Fan Kui last night, and continued, "Actually, of course you know more than me. Because your ancestor who first created the Yang family's Liuyang hand was the one who helped the rebels defend Jiading when the Qing soldiers entered the customs. Now that you are acting as the eagle's claw, don't you feel ashamed of your ancestors?"
Yang Mu blushed, and said, "Ten days in Yangzhou, three massacres in Jiading, these are all things in the past. What is the old account of more than a hundred years ago?"
Yang Yan said: "Old accounts don't count. Could it be that the current emperor treats the Han people well?" Yang Mu said: "When the Han people become emperors, they may not necessarily treat the Han people well. There is no tyrant in the history books. ?”
Yang Yan is only an eighteen-year-old boy, of course he is not as eloquent as his father, but after thinking about it for a while, he finally came up with a reason for him and said, "Okay, then it doesn't matter if he is Han or If you are a Manchu, in short, if you are a bad emperor, you must oppose it. If you are a good person, you should not be a pawn for the bad emperor!"
Yang Mu said: "How do you know that the current emperor is a bad emperor? With so many people under the emperor, it is inevitable that some people did some bad things, but I don't see that he is more bad than the previous emperor!"
Yang Yan said: "Although I have never met the emperor, I know he is a bad person. Even if he is not particularly bad, he is still bad enough!" Yang Mu said, "Why do you see it?" Yang Yan said: "I Believe me, my friend, if your emperor is not so bad, why are there so many good people against him?"
Yang Mu asked: "Who are your friends?" Yang Yan said coldly: "Do you want to catch them?" With this sentence, I must beat him!"
Yang Mu smiled and said: "I would like to thank you for being merciful to me. But you just trust your friends and not me?" Yang Yan said: "You act as an eagle's claw for a day, and I don't believe you for a day! Okay , I’ve finished everything I want to say to you, it’s up to you to listen to me or not!” After speaking, she was full of depression, and two tears dripped from the corners of her eyes.
Yang Mu shouted: "Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Yang Yan turned around and said, "Why did you ask me to come back after you refused to listen to my advice?"
Yang Mu said: "You, who are you?" Yang Yan said: "I've already said it, I can't tell you!" Yang Mu looked at him with wet eyes, and said: "Why don't you hide it from me? I also know, you, you are—”
Yang Yan quickly interrupted him and said: "If you know who I am, then you don't need to ask me. You and I are not speculative, and from now on, I will never see you again!"
Yang Mu said: "What are you in such a hurry for? I still have something to say. Oh, it's not that I don't want to listen to your advice—" Yang Yan only thought that his father had changed his mind a little, so he sat down again and said, "Then Tell me, why can't you listen to my advice?"
Yang Mu let out a long sigh, and said, "To tell you the truth, I didn't want to be a big internal guard at first, and I have unspeakable difficulties!"
Yang Yan said: "Since it is an unspeakable secret, then there is no need to say it."
Yang Mu said: "Family ugliness is not publicized, of course I would not tell outsiders, but to you—" Yang Yan covered his ears and shouted: "I don't want to listen, I don't want to listen!"
You must know that although he learned about this "family scandal" from Aunt Yang, he also learned from Leng Bing'er how his mother was wronged back then, and how she died for the rebel army later.Even though it was difficult to tell right from wrong for a while, he still had a lofty respect and love for his mother.He didn't want to hear his father say bad things about his mother from his father's mouth!
Yang Mu said: "Does it mean you know without me telling?" Yang Yan remained silent.
Yang Mu continued: "Okay, since you know I don't need to say anything. I just want to tell you that I have a son. If he is still alive, he is just as old as you. He was tricked by a bad guy, and the bad guy ruined it. Killed his father, killed his mother, but pretended to be his biological father! This is the great hatred of my life! If my son can’t be found, I’m in vain! Those who pretend to be chivalrous are sorry for me, and I don’t care about chivalry How dare you scold me!"
Yang Yan said: "If you don't want to be a big inner guard, I believe your son will come back!"
Yang Mu said: "If it is true as you said, don't talk about the inner guards, I don't even want to be the emperor! I just want father and son to depend on each other, go back to seclusion every day, and never ask about world affairs, live happily through this The rest of my life!" Yang Yan heard him speak very sincerely, and he felt the affection between father and son, and he almost called out the word "Daddy", but he still held back for the time being, and said: "Of course it is true, as long as you I resigned from office that day, and I will give you back your son!"
Yang Mu sighed: "I'm just afraid that although I have this wish, others will not tolerate me."
Yang Yan said: "Who are you afraid of? Uncle, your emperor won't let you go!"
杨牧说道：“不是。皇帝还好对付，我可以弃官而逃，用不着向他递什么辞呈。但我那对头却是不易对付，我一旦不做大内卫士，失了庇护，只怕就要遭他毒手。唉，现在你明白了吧，我当年就是因为怕了这个对头，逼不得已才做大内卫士的。”
杨炎说道：“要是他敢来找你的麻烦，我对付他！”
杨牧说道：“你知道我那对头是谁？他是天下第一快刀孟元超！”
杨炎咬着嘴唇说道：“孟元超又怎么样，我不怕他！”
杨牧说道：“或许你可以对付他，但他一日不死，我一日不得心安！”
杨炎咬着嘴唇，涩声说道：“你、你要怎样？”
杨牧沉声说道：“我要孟元超的首级！”
这八个字像八口铁钉一样，一口一口钉在他的心头。这个问答虽然早就在他意料之中，他仍是受到极大的震动！
他知道孟元超是他的“冷姐姐”最尊敬的人，过去冷冰儿曾经不只一次劝他，希望能够化解他对孟元超的敌意，“冷姐姐仅仅知道我对孟元超含有敌意，她已经是大为不安了，要是给她知道我去取孟元超的首级，她将会对我怎样？”
可是这是他父亲提出的条件，要是得不到孟元超的首级，父亲就不会改过自新。父亲为了保障自己的安全，“大内卫士”也势必要一直做下去，他若要父子团圆，若要父亲不再充当鹰爪的话，就非取得孟元超的首级不可！
是答应呢还是不答应呢？一时间不觉心乱如麻，嘴唇都咬出血来！
杨牧留神注视他神色的变化，装模作样的叹了口气，继续说道：“孟元超武艺高强，快刀天下无敌，我自己报不了仇，又岂能要毫无关系的人替我送死。罢、罢、罢，这仇我也不想报了，只盼你能够替我带几句话给我那个从未见过面的孩儿！”
杨炎道：“你要我说甚么？”
杨牧说道：“我身受夺妻子之辱，报不了仇，还有何颜面苟活世间？我死了之后，请你告诉我那孩儿，孟元超怎样害死他的双亲，他纵然没有本领为双亲雪耻报仇，也不该再认贼作父了。要是他还有一点血性，还有一点父子之情，叫他回来收拾我的骸骨吧！”
杨炎本来是个性情极易激动的人，给父亲这么一激，不由得血脉贲张，浊气上涌，这刹那间，什么顾虑都抛到九霄云外，登时叫起来道：“你的孩子不会是这样的人，你也不必自寻短见，好，你等着我替你把孟元超的首级拿来！”
杨牧大喜之下，挤出了几点眼泪，上前想把杨炎搂在怀中，说道：“好孩子，你早知道——”杨炎一闪闪开，说道：“到你不做鹰爪的时候，你的儿子才能回到你的身边。”
杨牧说道：“我不是早已对你说了吗，孟元超首级一到，我就不替皇上当差！”
杨炎道：“你肯听我的劝告，那就好了。我走啦！”他正要迈步出门，忽又回过来，说道：“我几乎忘了一件事情，本来我亲自去做的，但如今我想请你帮我的忙。”杨牧问道：“什么事情？”杨炎说道：“一件私事，绝无风险，只是要你替我带个口信。”
杨牧暗暗欢喜，连忙问道：“给谁？”他以为杨炎这个口信是带给解洪或者和解洪有关的人，那正是求之不得了。
杨炎说道：“给你的外甥齐世杰。”
杨牧怔了一怔，问道：“你要我对他说什么？”
杨炎说道：“他有一个心爱的姑娘，你不便问她是谁——”
杨牧笑道：“原来是这件事情。”
杨炎道：“哦，你已经知道了？”
杨牧说道：“你说的这位姑娘，是冷铁樵的侄女冷冰儿吧？”
杨炎说道：“不错，你知道更好，我可以省却很多解释，齐世杰喜欢这位冷姑娘，可是他的母亲不喜欢。”
杨牧说道：“其实是冷铁樵的侄女也没什么，我已经劝过我的姐姐了。是那位冷姑娘托你替他向世杰重申盟誓吧，你叫她放心，我会替她玉成好事的。”
杨炎神色颇为尴尬，半晌说道：“不是。”杨牧说道：“那是什么？”
杨炎说道：“那位冷姑娘其实只是把他当作朋友，并不想要嫁给他的。她如今已经有了一位意中人，这个人齐世杰也认识的。”
杨牧大感意外，笑道：“那么我这个信差就是不受欢迎的信差了。世杰得知这个消息，恐怕少不免会伤心了，不过，让他死了这条心也好。”
杨炎咬着嘴唇道：“我知道他一定会伤心的，但不能不告诉他！”原来他正是为了避免尴尬，方始想到可托父亲转告的。
杨牧感觉到儿子的神情有点奇特，不由得好奇心起，问道：“那人是谁，你可以告诉我么？”
杨炎也想齐世杰知道得清楚一些，心想：“只说是他认识的朋友，只怕他免不了胡乱猜疑。嘿、嘿，别人把我们的相爱当作大罪，表哥假如也是这样想，那也只好由他。我若不敢明白的告诉他，反而是显得我的心中有愧了。”
主意打定，便即说道，“你告诉他，这个人就是他在魔鬼城脱困之后，在通古斯峡碰上的那个人，不过，这是属于他和冷姑娘的私事，他愿不愿意把那个人的名字告诉你，那就是他的事了。”
杨牧尚未想到这个人就是他的儿子，外甥对他已失却利用的价值，冷铁樵的侄女儿嫁给谁，对他已无关重要了。
“好，待会儿我就去告诉他。那么，你是不打算到齐家了？”杨牧说道。
杨炎说道：“我要尽快的赶到柴达木去，免得你等得心焦。”
杨牧大喜说道：“好，但愿你马到成功，早日把孟元超的首级拿来给我！”
他话犹未了，杨炎早已走了。
杨牧的狂喜尚未尽情发泄，一个人在庙中狂笑。虽然没有抓到解洪，但事情的结果却已好到出乎他意料之外。他一面笑一面想：“比起孟元超，解洪连一根小指头都算不上。嘿、嘿，要是当真能够取得孟元超的首级，我想当上御林军的统领，皇上恐怕也会让我去当！炎儿的武功如此高强，料想对付得了孟元超吧？就算杀不了他，最少也可拼个两败俱伤。”
他狂喜之余，不觉喃喃自语：“我应该先去知府衙门呢，还是先去齐家？嘿嘿，解洪已经算不了什么，我又无须巴结知府，衙门是不必去了。冷冰儿嫁给谁，更不关我的事，也无须急于说给世杰知道。还是先回京师，把这喜讯带给总管大人吧！”
他哪知道，用不着他去告诉齐世杰，齐世杰都已听见了。当他要儿子去取孟元超首级的时候，齐世杰已经来到这座庙中。
海神庙是他小时候时常来玩的地方，熟悉得如同家里，他从大殿后面悄悄进来，藏身暗处，偷听杨牧父子的对话，连杨炎那么武功高明的人都没察觉。
他听得杨牧要儿子去杀孟元超，这一惊已是非同小可，待至听到从杨炎口中，说出冷冰儿已经情有所钟，而她的心上人竟燃就是杨炎之时，更是不觉呆了。
他最初的打算，本来是要等到杨炎和父亲分手之后，单独和杨炎会面的，可是这件事情太过出乎他的意料之外，心中也不知是什么滋味，但感一片茫然。待到稍稍恢复几分清楚之时，杨炎已经走了。他本是屏息呼吸，生怕给舅舅发现的，迷茫中手指颤抖，不知不觉的捏碎了一片瓦，也不知不觉的发出一声轻叹。
杨牧毕竟是个江湖的大行家，狂喜之中，也还保持警惕，突然听得似有声响，登时就跳起来，喝道：“谁在外面？”
他只道是儿子去而复回，不见回答，连忙跑出去看。
只见罗雨峰正在爬起身来，揉揉眼睛，好像刚刚从熟睡之中醒来的样子。
杨牧心道：“原来是他弄出来的声响，但炎儿说过，他的穴道要十二个时辰之后方能自解，凭他这点本领，怎的现在就能解开呢？”不过无论如何，罗雨峰的穴道已经解开对他总是一件好事，要知他们一起前来，假如他解不开罗雨峰的穴道，要把罗雨峰背回去，那岂不是天大的笑话。
春寒料峭，北国不比江南，雨不是“沾衣欲湿”杏花雨，风也不是“吹面不寒”的杨柳风。出了城门，一阵晓风吹来，齐世杰也不觉感到几分寒意，并非身体上的感觉，而是从心底感到的“寒意”。
这也可以令人清醒的寒意。迎着拂晓的寒风走了一会，齐世杰热烘烘的脑袋稍稍冷静下来了。“这真是令人意想不到的事，表弟怎的会跟冷姑娘爱上了？他不是一向把冷姑娘当作姐姐的么？姐弟怎的突然变作恋人了呢？”
但随即又想：“其实这也没有什么不对，他们又不是真正的姐弟，表弟从小就跟着她，长大了懂得男女之情，对她发生爱慕，也是一件很自然的事，除了年龄不大登对，冷姑娘和表弟结为夫妇，那也没什么不好呀。我应该为他们高兴才对。唉，这些事情不必想它了。”
但另外一件事情，他却是不能不去想的，也正是这件事情，令他从心底感到“寒意”。
“舅舅要表弟去杀孟元超，这件事我不知道也还罢了，但如今我已然知道，我该怎办？是设法阻止他呢，还是让他去杀孟元超呢？”
不错，他与孟元超素不相识，根本谈不上什么交情。甚至由于母亲仇视孟元超的原故，他在不知不觉之间，也还受了一些影响的，比如说，有关舅父婚变的事情，他就觉得舅父固然有不是之处，孟元超多多少少也有点儿不对。
不过那毕竟只是关系到几个人的私事，倘若杨炎真的刺杀了孟元超，那就是关系到抗清义军的大事了。而且，无论如何，孟元超总是江湖上公认的侠义道，即使他曾经做过于“私德有亏”之事，罪也不至于死。
他知道孟元超和尉迟炯是好朋友，他没有见过孟元超，可见过尉迟炯。尉迟炯的侠气豪情，给他留下了不可磨灭的印象。不知怎的，从没有见过面的孟元超，在他的心目之中，也自自然然的和尉迟炯的印象叠在一起了。他相信俗语说的“物以类聚，人以群分。”孟元超和尉迟炯是属于同一类人物。
“我帮了大恶霸岳豪的忙和尉迟炯交手，这件事已经做得不对，表弟要刺杀孟元超，这件事更加不对！”
齐世杰继续想下去：“我明知道表弟做的这件事大大不对，我不去阻止他，我也同样不对！”终于他从心底喊了出来：“不，不能！我不能让表弟去杀孟元超！”
但怎样才能阻止这件事情发生呢？找得着杨炎的希望甚属渺茫。杨炎不愿亲自告诉他，显然心中也还有点芥蒂，为了避免尴尬，这才不愿与他会面。杨炎的武功比他高明，包括轻功在内，若然决意避免见他，他就无法见到杨炎。
怎样才能帮孟元超避开杀身之祸？他想来想去，真正可行的办法只有一个，赶在杨炎前头，自己跑到柴达木去告诉孟元超。
可是他曾经对母亲十分郑重的许下诺言，他什么地方都可以去，就是不许去柴达木。
他的母亲最恐怕的是他和义军沾上关系，而孟元超可正是在柴达木的义军之中。
假如他跑去柴达木，那不是违背母亲的誓约？
他平生可从没有对母亲说过谎话，更不要说是“明知故犯”、立心欺骗母亲了。
心乱如麻，他迷迷惘惘的也不知跑了多少路，不知不觉来到了路边的茶馆。
齐世杰大清早离家，滴水都未沾唇，不觉也感到有点饥渴了。这种路旁“茶馆”是兼卖酒肉的，于是他就踏迸这间茶馆食喝过了一碗热茶，跟着要一斤白酒和半斤卤昧牛肉。
茶馆里只有一个客人，是个相貌俊雅的书生。门外系着一匹坐骑，不必问也知道是那书生骑来的。齐世杰心里想道：“这书生文质彬彬，看似手无缚鸡之力，骑的这匹马倒是一匹烈马！”他在回疆两年，见过的骏马不少，多少也懂得一点相马之术。
那书生已经喝完了一壶酒，一碟卤牛肉也已吃得只剩几块，见他进来，又吩咐店小二：“给我打一斤白酒，半斤卤牛肉。”和他要的一模一样，齐世杰不禁又是心念一动：“这书生的酒量和食量好大，莫非也是武林中人。”
那书生似乎也颇为注视他，眼角不住朝他这边眺来，齐世杰低下头来喝酒，心里想道：“管他是谁，我不让他有搭腔的机会，谅他不敢来招惹我。”书生见他神态冷漠，过了一会儿，也就只顾自己喝酒了。
齐世杰本来不会喝酒，此际只因心事重重，想要藉酒浇愁，不知不觉，有了几分酒意。
那书生倒没招惹他，但另外一个正是要“招惹”他的人来了。这人快马疾驰，以过路边茶馆，目光一瞥，发现齐世杰在里面喝酒，就像拾到宝贝似的，一声欢呼，立即下马，跑进茶馆。
“齐老弟，我正是来找你的。我正愁赶不上你，想不到在这里能见上，这里没好酒喝，我请你别处喝酒！”
不是别人，正是保定府的总捕头，罗雨峰的大徒弟刘昆。
原来罗雨峰赶到知府衙门，将他和杨牧一起到海神庙的遭遇告诉徒弟刘昆，刚好刘昆的手下也来报告一个消息：齐世杰出城了。要知齐世杰乃是劫狱的疑犯，刘昆虽然因为杨牧的关系，不敢自己去逮捕齐世杰，但他身为总捕头，少不免也要命令手下密切监视齐世杰的动静的。
刘昆和师父一样，断定杨牧已经得到破案的线索，而帮忙杨牧打跑那个“小贼”的人十九也是齐世杰，他们作了这样的判断，虽然已经不敢再把齐世杰当作疑犯，但却想要从齐世杰口中得到一点消息，也好分沾一点功劳了。
齐世杰已经有了几分酒意，对刘昆侧目斜脱，冷冷说道：“刘大捕头，你是赶来要拿我归案的吗？”
刘昆吃了一惊，把眼睛瞟向书生那边。书生正在低头喝酒，对眼前发生这事，似乎丝毫不感兴趣。
刘昆压低了声音说道：“日前的些许误会。齐少侠你莫放在心上。我是特地来向你赔罪的。”
齐世杰道：“好，那你的罪已经陪过了，你可以走啦！”
刘昆陪笑道：“齐少侠，你喜欢喝酒，我请你到杏花楼去喝。”杏华楼是保定最著名的酒楼。
齐世杰道：“我没工夫回去陪你喝酒。”
刘昆低声说道：“这里恐怕不大方便说话吧。”
齐世杰把酒杯一顿，大声说道：“事无不可对人言，有什么不方便说的。”
刘昆想道：“不知他醉了，还是这样不通世务。好，说就说吧，待他一走，我就回来把这书生杀掉，那就不怕秘密泄漏了。店小二是本地人，官府之事，谅他也不敢说出去的。但也可以将他关个一年半截。”主意打定，便即说道：“齐少侠，今晨你帮令舅的事情，我已经知道了。”
齐世杰怔了一怔，说道：“你知道我帮了杨牧什么事情？”他由于心中讨厌舅父，此际有了几分酒意，不知不觉直呼其名。那正在喝酒的书生听见“杨牧”二字，不知不觉也放下酒杯。齐世杰没有注意，刘昆却已注意到了。书生看见刘昆的目光向他瞟来，方始察觉自己失态，忙又重新喝酒。
刘昆说道：“明人不必细表，齐少爷，我不想抢令舅功劳，只想沾一点光。那两个犯人如今是怎么样了，请告诉我！”
齐世杰道：“哦，你要知道解洪的下落，好去抓他？”刘昆忙道：“不，不，我早已说过，我不会抢令舅的功劳的。”
齐世杰道：“我可信不过你。”
刘昆又再哀求：“齐少爷，你不肯把他们的下落告诉我，那么请把你们办案的结果告诉我总可以吧？比如说，那两个犯人给令舅押上京了，你让我知道，我也可以向知府大人交代呀。”
齐世杰沉吟不语，刘昆盯了那书生一眼，心里想道：“现在让你听个够，待会儿再收拾你。”他急于从齐世杰口中得知一点消息，也就顾不得在人前露出丑态了，当下一揖到地，说道：“齐少爷，请你体谅我的苦衷，我是保定府的总捕头，负责办理此案，要是什么都不知道，岂不丢脸之至！”
齐世杰忽道：“好，你要我告诉你那也不难，不过你得送我一件礼物。”
刘昆说道：“不知少爷要什么礼物？”想起他曾经要岳豪拿出五万两银子一事，虽然岳豪的银子没有真的拿出去，可也不能不有点戒心。
齐世杰笑道：“你放心，这件礼物我估计不会超过五百两银子的。”
刘昆喜出望外，忙道：“一千几百两银子的礼物，小人还送得起，少爷，请你说吧。”
齐世杰道：“好，那你听着，解范二人已不在保定了。”
刘昆心想：“我早已知道，何需你告诉我。”只道他还有“下文”，不料正在哈腰恭听之际，齐世杰突然一跃而起，飞身跳上他的坐骑。
刘昆大吃一惊，追出去叫道：“少爷，你干什么？”
齐世杰笑道：“你这匹马顶多值三百两银子，礼物我自取了！”说话之间，快马加鞭，早已去得远了。
刘昆大叫：“齐少爷，请你回来！礼物我当然要送给你的，不过，我还有话——”话犹未了，齐世杰的影子都不见了。
刘昆破口大骂：“好小子，竟敢将我如此作弄！”目光一瞥，看见书生那匹坐骑系在路旁树上，一看就知道是匹骏马，他无暇思索，立即上前去解开绳子。
不料那匹马脾气甚烈，一见生人走近，扬蹄就踢。刘昆虽然躲闪得快，没给踢个正着，亦已沾了满脸尘上。
刘昆怒道：“岂有此理，连你这畜牲也欺负我！”正待要降伏劣马，忽听得有人阴恻恻的说道：“我是个穷书生，全靠这匹马代步，你做强盗也该发点善心，别抢我的坐骑！”正是那个片刻之前还在茶馆喝酒的书生，突然来到刘昆身旁，刘昆竟然丝毫未觉。
刘昆吃了一惊，喝道：“胡说八道，我是捕头，借你这匹马去捉强盗的！”
书生摇头晃脑的说道：“不问自取，是为贼也！我知道在你们公差口中，偷即是借，借即是偷。不借，不借！”
刘昆突然一个肘锤向那书生的胸口撞去，喝道：“我不但要你的马，还要你的命！哎哟——”
他用上全身气力，突施袭击，只道这书生纵然懂得武功，也难躲避他的偷袭。那知拳头着体，就像撞着铁板一般，一股大力将他抛了起来，跌了个四脚朝天。
书生笑道：“略施薄惩，爬回保定去吧。你若敢难为店家，我会寻到保定取你性命！”跨上马背，一扬把一块银子抛入茶馆，说道：“那位齐少爷的酒钱我一并替他付了！”
齐世杰正在策马前行，忽听得蹄声急骤，有人叫道：“齐世杰，齐世杰！”
齐世杰回头一看，只见追来的正是那个书生。
齐世杰愕然说道：“我与阁下素昧平生，你追我干嘛？”
书生笑道：“那位总捕头称你做齐少爷，我想你必定是齐世杰了，果然所料不差！”
齐世杰低声道，“是齐世杰又怎么样？”书生说道：“没怎么样，只是想问你几句话。杨牧是你的舅舅吧？”
齐世杰说道：“你在茶馆里早已听到那位捕头说了，何需多问？”
书生说道：“我要从你的口中得到证实。哼，有其母必有其子，有其舅必有其甥。你是辣手观音的儿子，杨牧的外甥，怪不得会助纣为虐了。你听着，如今我来问你，你可要老老实实的回答我！”
齐世杰酒意未消，听那书生辱及他的母亲，不觉气起上来，也不去细思这书生是什么身份了。
齐世杰怒气上冲，冷冷说道：“阁下是什么官职？”
书生一怔道：“你这是什么意思？”齐世杰喝道：“少啰唆，如今是我来问你，你要老老实实的回答我。说！”依样画葫芦的把对方刚才喝问他的说话反问对方，把书生气得七窍生烟！
书生哼了一声，道：“我一不是