Chapter 47 Forty-seventh chapter Confidante
The wind shakes the reed leaves, and the waves beat the Polygonum flowers;It's time for tired birds to throw themselves into the forest and fishing boats to sing late.Riding a steed, he is still walking along the north shore of Gaoyou Lake.
The rider is a middle-aged man with a long beard like a halberd. This man is the famous ranger Miao Changfeng in the world.
After he broke up with Qunhao in the Wang family, he rode the green-maned horse Wang Yuantong gave him to chase Liu Kang who was transporting the coffin northward.It didn't happen on the first day, and now it will be the second day.
Yangzhou is located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the Canal, where the Gaoyou South Stream flows into the Yangtze River.Going north from Yangzhou, it was more convenient to go by water, but because Liu Kang was transporting a coffin, the coffin contained Han Peng who had died in feigned death. If so, it would be inconvenient to open the coffin and bring the "dead" back to life in front of Zhouzi.Moreover, if an accident occurs while traveling by water, the danger is much greater.Therefore, Liu Kang chose to follow this desolate ancient road on the Hubei Province of Gaoyou, which has been seldom traveled by people.And his choice had already been told to Miao Changfeng.
Miao Changfeng rode the steed specially chosen by Wang Yuantong for him. After walking for two days, he still hadn't caught up with Liu Kang, so he was quite surprised.Liu Kang sat in a cart drawn by two ordinary horses and drove it himself.Although there were two horses, the cart carried a heavy coffin. According to common sense, Miao Changfeng should be able to catch up with him after walking for an afternoon on the first day and a whole day on the second day.
Miao Changfeng looked at the sky, the sunset glow reddened the scale-like clouds, the wind was soft, and the waves of Gaoyou Lake were as smooth as a mirror.I thought: "Looking at the sky, tonight should be a night with a moon. Anyway, if you miss Sutou, let's just catch up with the night road at the same time."
I made up my mind, and I didn't feel so troubled anymore.The reeds by the lake were higher than a person's head, and he rode by, occasionally startling a few sand gulls hiding in the reeds.Birds chirping at dusk, I feel extraordinarily quiet.Looking at the misty lake, it seems to be covered with a layer of veil.There are no waves and a breeze, and the sound of the lake water gently hitting the shore is like soft music.Miao Changfeng was unconsciously attracted by the quiet scenery.
"In such a quiet scenery, if there is a confidant who walks with you, it will be even more joyful in life." Miao Changfeng thought to himself.
With this thought, without knowing it, Yun Ziluo suddenly came to mind.
"The white head is like new, and the cover is as old as before." Miao Changfeng thought to himself: "These two words of the former sages are really good. Some people have known each other for a lifetime, and their hair is all gray. They still don't know the heart, just like new acquaintances Just like strangers; but some friends meet each other on the roadside, stop the car, talk for a while, and hit it off immediately. (Note: When parking, the car cover tilts, so it is called the cover. It is also a metaphor for the shortness of time.) The depth of friendship , it is not measured by the length of time we have known each other. Isn’t this the case with my friendship with Meng Yuanchao and Yun Ziluo? At first I didn’t know that Ziluo had a crush on her, and I had some unreasonable thoughts about her, but she is open and aboveboard , still treats me as a big brother, and has no grievances. Well, how can others understand this pure friendship? Alas, not to mention the rumors of ordinary people, I am afraid that Meng Yuanchao also misunderstood my love What about Violet's emotions?"
"But maybe I misunderstood." Miao Changfeng thought of Meng Yuanchao's heroic yet melancholy character, and thought again in his heart: "He asked me to take care of Ziluo, maybe it's because he already understood what I'm doing now. He treats me as a friend who can confide in his heart, so he entrusts me so much. If I thought he was trying to match us up, I’m afraid it’s a secular view with too low a level.”
The mountains are covered with little clouds, and the sky is sticky with decaying grass.There is no end to the white lake, and the reeds densely covering the lakeside seem to reach the sky.The fast horse galloped by, and the reeds rustled in the wind, but still only the resident birds were seen flying away, and no one could be seen.
"Why don't you see Liu Kang?" Miao Changfeng thought in his heart, "This time I came to Yangzhou to pay homage to Wang Yuantong's birthday. It was a worthwhile trip. Not only did my friends reunite, but I also made new friends. Like Meng Yuanchao and me, Liu Kang and I can be said to be the same as before. I heard that he is from Zhongmu County, Shandong, and he only went to Hangzhou to study. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to talk to him. He is originally from Zhongmu, and he may have met me. Sister."
The wind blowing from the lake, Miao Changfeng thought about it, and sighed: "The past thirty years ago, just like the Gaoyou Lake in front of me, was shrouded in thick fog, so blurry that I can hardly remember it. The senior sister has been dead for many years, and the weeds in front of her grave are probably higher than the head of a person, right?"
The old things are dusty, and the memory has long been blurred.But the senior sister's voice and smile, when he thinks about it, is still as vivid as before.I suddenly remembered the mood I had back then.Miao Changfeng suddenly realized that it was not because his memory was fuzzy, but because he had gone through many vicissitudes and avoided recalling the past.
The veil of memory was torn off, and time went back in a flash, back to thirty years ago, when he was only a child of twelve or thirteen years old.
Senior sister is the youngest daughter of his master. Although she is the youngest daughter, she is four years older than him.When he first entered the teacher's school, his senior sister was already a young girl who knew things well.I still remember that in the first one or two years, his martial arts was taught by his senior sister on behalf of his father.
As soon as he entered the teacher's school, he was taken care of by his senior sister, so among his fellow students, he and his senior sister are also the closest.From the eyes of others, the two of them are like brothers and sisters.After two years, his master taught him by himself, and he was still inseparable from his senior sister, because he was used to looking for his senior sister whenever he was free.
Childhood memories are sweet and interesting. He unknowingly remembered one thing. The first time he fought with someone was because of his senior sister.
That day, he asked his senior sister to go up the mountain with him to catch birds. The senior sister was embroidering pillows in the room. What she embroidered was a pair of mandarin ducks. The first one had already been embroidered, and the second one was missing a wing. The senior sister refused to accompany him. Going to play, he didn't have the patience to watch his senior sister embroider, so he ran back to his study sullenly.
A senior brother who is slightly older than him is usually jealous that his senior sister is especially close to him. Seeing him come back disappointed, he maliciously jokes about him. According to the customs in his country, child brides are usually older than their husbands, so that senior brother makes fun of him. Said that he is a toad who wants to eat swan meat, and wants to be the "little husband" of the senior sister.As soon as he heard it, he lost his temper, grabbed his senior brother, and fought hard.
The senior brother beat him to a bruise on the face, and he also broke his nose.In the end, the senior brother couldn't beat him, and said with a sneer, "Senior sister is going to get married next year, how can you keep pestering senior sister all the time? It's no wonder that her husband doesn't kick you out of the gate."
For this fight, he and his seniors gave Master a heavy punishment, but no one dared to tell the reason for the fight.
Thinking of this funny incident, he couldn't help laughing secretly: "Fortunately, the master came at that time, otherwise I would have to fight with the brother again."
"Why did I get so angry when I made fun of my senior brother? I heard that my senior sister has a husband's family, and I was depressed for several days in a row?"
He remembered that he was fifteen years old, a country boy, at this age, he still didn't know much about the relationship between men and women. "Of course it's not for the love between men and women," he thought to himself, "but is it purely for respect and love? But it doesn't seem to be the case at all. I am very happy when I am with my senior sister, but I am not afraid of her. Perhaps this is also a kind of A dim love, right?"
Suddenly he remembered: "Why did I fall in love with Yun Ziluo so much? Ah, I understand. Because she is like my senior sister back then. The similarity is not in appearance, but in their personality. They are smart, sensible, and have the same personality. Experience. It's a pity that the senior sister is dead, otherwise if she and Yun Ziluo met, they would definitely become good friends."
In the second year after that fight, his senior sister really left the cabinet and married a family surnamed Wu in Zhongmou County, Shandong, and they haven't seen each other since.The elder sister's husband was an anti-Qing patriot. After marrying, the husband and wife were martyred at the same time during an anti-Qing campaign.Counting it has been ten years.
"In the past ten years, I haven't been to the grave of my senior sister to pay homage. I hope that I can find Liu Kang and ask him to take me to the grave of my senior sister. This wish has been fulfilled."
The sky was getting dark, and a gust of wind was blowing head-on, bringing the faint sound of rumbling cars, interrupting Miao Changfeng's memories.
Miao Changfeng was both happy and surprised, it was so late, how could there be any sound of carriages and horses on the desolate ancient road?Of course it must be Liu Kang who transported the coffin.
Miao Changfeng hurried forward and rushed forward, and he saw a cart with two horses running out of the reeds in front of him.It doesn't run fast, it seems that the car is loaded with heavy loads.
Although Miao Changfeng expected to be Liu Kang without a doubt, for the sake of caution, he still didn't dare to call out Liu Kang's name.
The distance between the chariot and the horses was getting closer. Although the man driving the chariot did not turn his head, he could already see his back quite clearly.
Much to Miao Changfeng's surprise, looking at this person's back, he didn't look like Liu Kang!
Miao Changfeng was greatly disappointed, and suddenly became suspicious: "There must be something wrong with this car, I have to see what is on the car!"
The fast horse passed by the car, Miao Changfeng pretended to be a reckless man, and drove the horse with a whip. Accidentally, he opened the curtain hanging in front of the car.
In the midst of this flash, there was only a "click", and Miao Changfeng's riding whip was cut off with a knife.A girl suddenly jumped out of the car.The carriage also stopped.The driver was a strong young man, he and the girl seemed to be brother and sister.The girl scolded: "Why are you bullying people?" The boy stopped his horse's head.
The curtain of the car was lifted, and the situation inside could be seen. It was indeed a coffin!
Miao Changfeng had no choice but to get off his horse and apologize: "I'm sorry, I bumped into your car unintentionally!"
The boy snorted and said, "Unintentionally? Who are you?"
Miao Changfeng's horsewhip was cut off by the girl. It is known that she is not weak. Now that this rough boy is clearly a master, Miao Changfeng became more and more suspicious, thinking: "How can there be such a person?" What a clever trick! It's also a coffin-carrying car? Could it be that they snatched this car from Liu Kang?"
Miao Changfeng made up his mind to find out the truth anyway, and said, "I was chasing after a friend."
The girl asked, "Who is your friend?"
Miao Changfeng smiled and said, "You interrogate me, courtesy is reciprocal, and I have to ask you, who died in this coffin?"
The boy's face changed, and he shouted, "Why are you asking this?"
Miao Changfeng said: "To be honest, my friend also transports coffins."
The boy asked, "Is your friend named Liu?"
Miao Changfeng said happily, "That's right, it's Liu Kang. You know him? Is this car his?"
As soon as these words came out, the two brothers and sisters all changed color, and the girl said: "Brother, there is no need to interrogate him, let's do it!"Miao Changfeng "shifted shape", grabbed her knife with his backhand, and said, "You didn't say anything clearly, why did you do it?"
The young man thought to himself: "That's right, this guy is here to follow Liu Kang, so he must be Eagle Claw." When he saw his sister's lancet, he was about to snatch it away with his bare hands, and he had no time to take care of it. Thinking, the long sword was out of its sheath, and immediately made a move of "pointing directly at the sky", and the tip of the sword pierced the "Fengfu point" on Miao Changfeng's vest.
Miao Changfeng shouted: "Who are you guys? Tell the truth quickly, so as not to mistake yourself!" It turned out that he was also a little suspicious, suspecting that the two brothers and sisters were Eagle Claws.
The siblings only knew that Eagle Claw was following Liu Kang, but they didn't expect that the person following him was Liu Kang's friend. (Because Liu Kang once told them that all his friends had come to the home of Old Escort Wang to celebrate his birthday.)
Their skills are not as good as Miao Changfeng's. First, they believe that Miao Changfeng is an eagle's claw, so they only think that Miao Changfeng wants to ask them about their origins; secondly, they dare not speak out like Miao Changfeng.When Miao Changfeng shouted and asked, their pair of lancets and a green steel sword attacked more and more tightly.
Fortunately, although Miao Changfeng was a little skeptical, it was only "a little bit".Of course he is much more experienced than these two brothers and sisters. On the one hand, he suspects that they are Eagle Claws, but he also thinks of another possibility, maybe they are friends of Liu Kang, so before he finds out, Miao Changfeng will never Cast killer.
The martial arts of the two brothers and sisters are extraordinary, with double knives circling, long swords flying, and strange tricks, unexpectedly appearing endlessly.Miao Changfeng dealt with it with a pair of fleshy palms, but he felt a little bit embarrassed to deal with it.
Miao Changfeng's heart suddenly moved: "I seem to know their swordsmanship and swordsmanship before, but I can't remember which family's moves? This little girl seems to have seen it somewhere, how strange!"
Suspicion arose, and Miao Changfeng quickly used the special skill of "flicking fingers", and flicked away the young man's long sword with a bang.This trick makes it very risky, the timing must be very accurate; the strength used must also be just right, otherwise it will hurt the opponent.
Miao Changfeng unexpectedly flicked the young man's long sword away, he couldn't help being taken aback, and then he felt strange: "This man's skills are far superior to mine, why is he showing mercy?"
Before thinking about it, I saw that Miao Changfeng had jumped into the carriage and lifted the coffin lid.It turned out that he wanted to check whether Han Peng's body was in the coffin.There are many doubts in his mind, but only this mystery can be solved by himself without the two brothers and sisters telling him.
The lid of the coffin was lifted, and there were only bricks inside. Where was Han Peng's body?
"Hey, where did Han Peng go?" His thoughts moved, and he heard the sound of the golden blade chopping the wind behind him.It turned out that the girl stepped on the shaft of the car with one foot, and used the stance of the hob to attack upwards, and the two sabers slashed out in a row, cutting his heel.
Miao Changfeng kicked backwards.Condescending and kicking towards the girl's face, the girl hurriedly gave a "phoenix nod", the short knife in her left hand returned to protect her face, and the long knife in her right hand changed to a slanted slash.Only a sound of "Peng" was heard, it turned out that Miao Changfeng's upside-down kick was a combination of fiction and reality, and his intention was not to hurt the girl.When he forced the girl to retract the dagger, she propped up against the carriage wall, and her figure shot forward like an arrow.
The girl shouted: "Brother, do it quickly!" The boy was thinking in his heart: "This person is a bit strange, why didn't he want to hurt me just now?" Whether it is an enemy or a friend is not yet clear, so how can it be ignored.
Miao Changfeng had been prepared long ago to prevent him from attacking with his back and abdomen. As soon as his toes touched the ground, he slapped his backhand.The girl just attacked from behind, seeing him use this move, she felt very strange, she thought to herself: "How come this fellow can make my grandpa's big capture technique of closing eyes and changing palms?" This set of closing eyes and changing palms The big grabbing hand was originally used to deal with the enemy in the dark, but now that Miao Chang didn't return the limelight, it was tantamount to closing his eyes to deal with her.
Miao Changfeng noticed that the girl's saber movement slowed down, and knew that she was already suspicious, so he quickly struck out with his long palm, defusing the young boy's attacking sword move, and turning around with his figure, as if predicting which direction the girl was going to come from. It was as if he was attacking, and when he turned around, he just met the girl's double sabers.
The girl's pair of knives formed a circle, and Miao Changfeng pointed like a halberd, and quickly tapped in from the circle of knives, shouting: "Your move 'Long River Falling Sun Yuan' is wrong, quickly change it to 'Dharma crossing the river', Only then can I deal with my move 'Desert Dust Straight'!" Miao Changfeng referred to the sword, using a sword technique passed down by the girl's family, and before he finished his words, the girl had already acted naturally. The change of move was to use the move "Dharma crossing the river" that Miao Changfeng said!
The girl couldn't help but shouted: "How do you know my unique sword technique?" It turned out that her unique sword technique is the transformation of sword technique into saber technique.Among the weapons, the master of the sword is strong, and the master of the sword is soft. It is extremely rare in the martial arts world to use two swords to use swordsmanship. Now Miao Changfeng not only knows her unique swordsmanship, but can also "point out" her future moves , how could this girl not be greatly surprised!
Miao Changfeng was also full of surprises at this time, and hurriedly asked: "Who is Zhao Wenqi to you?" He and the girl asked each other, and the girl was even more surprised when she heard his question.
"You know my mother, who are you?"
The boy suddenly called out: "Are you Uncle Miao?"
Only then did Miao Changfeng breathe a sigh of relief, and said with a smile, "Yes, I am Miao Changfeng, and your mother is my senior sister."
The girl put away her two knives, hurriedly stepped forward to salute, and said: "It turns out to be Master Miao, no wonder your skill of closing your eyes and changing your hands is so good. My mother often talks about you."
Miao Changfeng smiled and said, "This set of palm techniques was taught to me by Lingtang on behalf of your grandfather when I first entered the school."
The young man said: "That's right, my mother also told us about this. She said that among the brothers in the same school, the smartest one is Uncle Miao. When we were young, she taught us this set of palm techniques. My sister is fine." , but I can’t practice at home.”
The girl smiled and said: "Brother, don't praise me in front of Uncle Miao. Mom said that Uncle Miao practiced this set of palm techniques in the past, but after only one month of practice, he became outstanding. I have practiced for three full months. Besides , I am far behind you in the kung fu taught by daddy."
The young man smiled and said, "Let's stop flaunting each other, let Master Miao listen to the joke."
The girl said: "That's right, we should ask Uncle Miao for more advice. Uncle Miao, we practiced this palm technique when we were eleven or twelve years old. You were probably at the same age when you practiced this palm technique, right? Why do you get so fast, there must be some tricks, you have to teach us."
Miao Changfeng sighed and said: "Yes, this happened thirty years ago. It was all thanks to my senior sister's careful teaching. I don't have any unique experience. By the way, I haven't known your names yet. !"
The girl smiled and said: "Look, how confused we are. We have been talking for a long time without telling you the name. My name is Wuzhuang, and my brother's name is Wuduan." At this point, the eye circles suddenly turned red, and the smile stopped, Then he said: "Master Miao, my mother has been dead for ten years, she died in battle on the same day as my father. Master Miao must have known about this, right?"
Miao Changfeng said: "I already know the news, but I don't know the details yet. At whose hands did your parents die?"
Wu Duan said: "Daddy has a good friend surnamed Liu who was with my father and mother at the time. According to what Uncle Liu told us afterwards, they were ambushed by the masters of the Qing court. There were three people who besieged my father and mother. , one is Bei Gongwang, the other is Bei Gongwang's younger brother Ximen Zhuo, and the other is a traitor named Sha Miyuan who returned from the Shaolin Temple. It is said that Bei Gongwang killed our parents that time. It was only then that he continued to be promoted and became the commander of the Imperial Forest Army."
Miao Changfeng said: "Okay, I have written down the names of these three people. Brother Bei Gongwang, I was going to arrest them to settle accounts, and that Sha Miyuan, I will definitely find him in the future, for you Now it’s time to talk about Liu Kang’s matter. The coffin’s carriage originally belonged to him, right? Please tell me what happened.”
Wu Duan said: "Brother Liu is our neighbor, and the Uncle Liu I mentioned just now is his father."
Miao Changfeng said: "Ah, so you and Liu Kang are neighbors, if only I knew about it earlier."
Wu Zhuang said: "Uncle Miao, so you and Brother Liu have known each other for a long time, but I haven't heard Brother Liu say that yet."
Miao Changfeng smiled and said, "Liu Kang and I just met a few days ago, but we hit it off right away. After I knew he was from Zhongmou County, I wanted to ask him about your family, but I never had the chance to mention it. "Now tell them how I met Liu Kang in the restaurant, and tell them the brothers and sisters.
Wu Duan said: "My younger sister treats brother Liu better than my own brother. She tells brother Liu everything, and brother Liu tells her anything."
Wu Zhuang blushed, and said: "Chew your tongue, isn't Brother Liu treating you the same way?"
Miao Changfeng smiled and said, "No wonder you became suspicious when I questioned Liu Kang just now. It turned out that Liu Kang never mentioned that I was a new friend. Then you came to Yangzhou with him this time." ?"
Wu Zhuang pouted and said, "We were going to come with him, but he refused to agree."
Wu Duan smiled and said: "Yes. My sister is reluctant to part with Brother Liu, so I have to accompany her to take advantage of the excitement."
Wu Zhuang said: "You're talking nonsense again. I'm just not convinced that he refused to take us to take advantage of the excitement. He refused to take me, so wouldn't I come by myself?" Then he laughed and said: "But in the end, I still didn't catch up. Let’s go to Old Escort Wang’s house to see the excitement.”
Miao Changfeng said: "Did you run into Liu Kang on the way?"
Wu Zhuang said: "There is no such a coincidence. On the way we met Shen Xinghuo Zhang, he was a good friend of my father during his lifetime. Uncle Miao, do you know this person?"
Miao Changfeng said: "I once joined hands with him on a matter in Beijing. I also know that he has arrived in Yangzhou. The day before yesterday, I celebrated my birthday at Wang's house, and his old partner Li Mazi was also there, but I didn't meet him this time. face to face."
Wu Zhuang said: "He told me about Brother Liu's transport of the coffin to the north. He said that he had found an eagle claw following Brother Liu, and asked us to try to help him escape. We didn't go this way. Happy Zhang took us to find it. He found him last night in a small inn in Qinglong Town." Qinglong Town is a small town by the Gaoyou Lake, about 200 miles away from Yangzhou, and Miao Changfeng passed by this town this morning, busy on his way, Did not go in to inquire.
Wu Duan continued: "At that time, time was running short, and we couldn't ask for details. Happy Zhang came up with this plan for us to replace Li Tao with a dead man, and let us pretend to be Brother Liu to drive the car for him, so as to distract away the eagles who were following us. He took Han Peng out of the coffin, told Brother Liu to carry Han Peng who pretended to be seriously ill, and hid with him in another place."
Miao Changfeng said: "Where did they go, do you know?"
Wu Duan said: "It's a small village a few miles away from Qinglong Town. There is a family in the village who is a small leader of the Haisha Gang. This person is a friend of Happy Zhang. Happy Zhang's plan is to go to that person's house , then change to the ship of the Sea Sand Gang, and avoid the pursuit of the Eagle Claw through the waterway."
Miao Changfeng said: "That's right, it's safer this way." Wuzhuang said: "Is the Haisha Gang one of our own?" Miao Changfeng said: "The leader of the Haisha Gang, Luo Jinao, and the leader of the Xiaojinchuan Rebel Army have become allies. Happy Zhangye already knew about this matter, but Liu Kang didn't know about it yet."
Suddenly remembering something, Miao Changfeng asked: "Happy Zhang said that he found the eagle claws tracking, did those eagle claws arrive in Qinglong Town last night?"
Wu Duan said: "There is only one inn in Qinglong Town, and there is no suspicious person. Happy Zhang reckons that the Eagle Claw must be going to a remote place before doing it. They only know to follow this car. The car is placed in front of the inn. Happy Brother Zhang and Brother Liu sneaked away through the back alley with lightness kung fu, so even if Eagle Claw had arrived in Qinglong Town last night, it is expected that they would not notice."
Miao Changfeng suddenly said: "I'm afraid something is wrong?"
Wu Zhuang was taken aback and said, "What's wrong?"
Miao Changfeng said: "Have you encountered any eagle claws that are stalking today?"
Wu Zhuang said: "No!"
Miao Changfeng said: "Is it? You didn't meet Eagle Claw, it's wrong!"
Wu Duan hesitated, and said: "Uncle Miao is right, there is indeed something wrong. Sister, think about it, the places we walked all day today, there are several places that are uninhabited and dangerous. Why doesn't Claw get his hands on these places?"
Wu Zhuang said with an "ahhh" voice: "You mean that Eagle Claw has already seen through our Li Daitao's deadlock plan, so you can't be fooled by us, and went to track down Big Brother Liu again?"
Miao Changfeng said: "I hope it's not the case." The implication is that he is quite worried.
The words are still unfinished.Suddenly I heard the ringing of the horse bell, and in the twilight, I saw three fast horses appearing among the reeds in the distance, running towards them.
Miao Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Okay, the Eagle Claw is finally here. Hehe, I'm going to meet them for real this time!"
Wu Zhuang said: "Does Uncle Miao know these eagle claws?"
Miao Changfeng said: "That's right. They are the people who gambled with me in the restaurant that day. One is named Wu Hong, one is named Wei Qing, and the other is named Ximen Hu. Among the three, only Wei Qing has the highest martial arts skills." Gao, just let me send them away later. Ah, no, no!"
Wu Zhuang said: "What's wrong? Ah, it's really wrong, these three people don't seem to be in the same group!" Before the words were finished, Miao Changfeng jumped on the horse and shouted: "The two in front are friends, and the one in the back It is the enemy. I will resist the enemy, and you will save people!"
It turned out that the three people who came here were beyond Miao Changfeng's expectation.He knew only one Ximen Tiger, and the other two were strangers, and they seemed to be seriously injured.
Ximen Tiger suddenly found Miao Changfeng in this remote place, and this shock was no small matter.He had seen Miao Changfeng's ability in the restaurant that day, and he knew that he was definitely not his opponent, so he turned the horse's head and fled.
Miao Changfeng's heart skipped a beat, thinking: "Among Wu Hong, Wei Qing, and Ximen Hu, Ximen Hu's martial arts is the weakest. Now he is the only one chasing him. Where are the other two?" One must know that if all three of them had come as he had expected, it could be concluded that Shijiu hadn't found out about Liu Kang's whereabouts. It would be hard to say if Wei Qing and Wu Hong, who are now the strongest in martial arts, didn't come.
Miao Changfeng was eager to catch the enemy, find out the truth, and shouted: "Where are you running?" Immediately, he took out three copper coins and hit Ximen Tiger with the technique of "meteor chasing the moon", while urging his horse to chase after him.
The Ximen Tiger is very good at riding, hiding in one stirrup, avoiding a coin dart, and the second copper coin is hitting the saddle.Ximen Tiger is hiding in the belly of the horse, with his feet hooked on the saddle.He dodged two money darts, but the third one couldn't dodge it, just hitting his head hanging upside down.It's a pity that the distance is more than a hundred steps away, otherwise his head will be blown.But even so, this copper coin has already hit him with starry sky and brain pain like cracks.
Miao Changfeng's horse was fast, and in a blink of an eye, the distance between the two sides was already within thirty steps.The Ximen Tiger was quick-witted, and suddenly rolled off his horse, jumped into Gaoyou Lake.
The two rode up to the Wu brothers and sisters, and a young man at the head called out, "Is that Mr. Wu?" Wu Duan said, "That's right, I am Wu Duan, brother Liu Kang's friend.
Before the words were finished, I saw that the two people had already rolled off their horses.It turned out that they were seriously injured. Once they knew that they had met the person they were looking for, they breathed a sigh of relief, couldn't hold on any longer, and passed out.
Miao Changfeng has some water skills, but water warfare is not his forte.Hearing the screams of the Wu brothers and sisters behind him, he thought to himself: "This guy has a coin dart from me. Even if he can escape by diving, this suffering is enough for him." So regardless of Ximen Tiger's life or death, he went back to save others first. .
Miao Changfeng pushed blood across the palace for these two people, and after a while, the young man woke up first.But he didn't have the strength to speak yet, he slowly opened his coat, and there was a fish embroidered on the side of the coat.
Wuduan said "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" the boy nodded.It turns out that Luo Jin'ao, the leader of the Haisha Gang, has the word "Ao" in his name, which means that the members of the gang use the fish as a symbol.Surprised and delighted, Wu Zhuang hurriedly asked: "Then Brother Liu Kang was at your house last night? Did something happen to him?"
The young man had regained some energy, and opened his mouth and said: "We just came to inform you. He is my father, alas, my father suffered more serious injuries than me."
At this time, the old man had also woken up and turned around. Miao Changfeng had already applied Jinchuang medicine on him, and said: "Although the old man's injury is not serious, the internal injury is not serious. He will recover after a few days of rest." ,Do not worry."
Wu Zhuang gave the boy a bottle of water and asked, "Is it better?" The boy said, "It's much better, girl, thank you very much." Wu Zhuang said, "Okay, then take your time." Tell me, what happened?"
The boy said: "Last night at midnight, Happy Zhang, Liu Kang, and Han Peng came to our house, and that brother Han was completely out of breath, as if he was dead."
Wu Zhuang was impatient and interrupted his words: "He is not really dead. We already know about this, let's talk about what happens later."
The young man took a breath, and then said: "Yes. Brother Liu has already explained it to us. He said that Brother Han has been in a coma for three days, and he will wake up after taking the antidote. This morning, it happened to be the third day. "
"When they arrived at my house, my father immediately sent someone to find the brothers of the gang to prepare a boat to meet them. It was around four o'clock, and before five o'clock, the enemy came. Liu Kang gave Han Peng the antidote, which was considered a misfortune Fortunately, Big Brother Han just woke up when the enemy broke through the gate."
Miao Changfeng secretly called out: "It's a fluke." He thought: "If Han Peng hasn't woken up yet, it will be difficult for Liu Kang to escape if he carries him on his back." He asked: "Who are the enemies here?"
The boy said: "The Ximen Tiger just now is one of them. There are three others. According to Brother Liu, one is named Wu Hong, the other is named Wei Qing, and the other is Shi Chaoji, the deputy commander of the Imperial Forest Army."
Miao Changfeng had expected the three people in front, but Shi Chaoji in the back was beyond his expectation, so he was taken aback and said: "Shi Chaoji just came back from the Wang family, and he went out in person? Ah, Liu It is not easy for Kang and Happy Zhang to resist four masters."
The boy said: "That's right, that Brother Han just woke up, and his martial arts haven't recovered yet. Therefore, we can only obey the command of Happy Zhang, and escape in two ways. They separated this Ximen Tiger to hunt and kill us, and the others The three of them are all chasing Big Brother Liu and the others."
Miao Changfeng said: "Do you know where Liu Kang and the others are fleeing to?"
The young man said: "My father and I broke through first. I don't know what happened to them. However, if they can break through, they must have fled to Qinglong Beach. There are ships from our Haisha Gang waiting for them to board. Qinglong The beach is directly south of Qinglong Town."
Miao Changfeng turned his head and said to the Wu brothers and sisters, "Okay, I'll meet them, and you take care of the patients."
The old man had applied Jinchuang medicine, he was already better, and said: "The enemy is very strong, you don't need to allocate your manpower to deal with the old man, you'd better hurry up and work together to save Daxia Liu and the others."
Miao Changfeng said: "No, how can we leave you alone."
Wu Duan said: "Well, I will stay with them two. Sister, you go with Uncle Miao."
Miao Changfeng thought about it, and smiled secretly: "I'm really confused. Listening to what their brothers and sisters said just now, Liu Kang and Wu Zhuang Ganqing have long been in love, so why don't I let her go with me?" So he said: "Yes, this way It’s even more possible to take care of it. Let’s go.” Before he finished speaking, Wuzhuang had already stepped on his mount.
Happy Zhang's martial arts is not very high, but he is full of wit.It was he who designed Haisha to help the father and son break out.Later, Liu Kang and Han Peng's breakout was also thanks to him a lot.
When the enemy broke in, Han Peng had already regained consciousness, but his martial arts had not yet recovered, so Liu Kang had to take care of him.
The enemy is strong and the enemy is weak, Zhang Xingzhang assesses the situation, so he can only take a risk and escape separately, one by one.He and Liu Kang protected Han Peng and rushed out from the front door, while the father and son Haisha Gang escaped on horseback through the back door.They happened to have two horses at home.Originally they wanted to leave the mount to Liu Kang, but Liu Kang explained to them: "Shi Chaoji and the others came on horseback. If I can't fight the enemy, I can't run away with the mount. But the main target of the enemy is not you. You have I lost my mount, but I have hope of breaking through."
Sure enough, as Liu Kang expected, Shi Chaoji only assigned a Ximen Tiger to hunt down and kill the two father and son.He, Wu Hong and Wei Qing tightly blocked the gate, determined to capture Liu Kang and Han Peng alive.
Liu Kang fought against Shi Chaoji first, and the two sides knew each other well, Liu Kang couldn't get out, and Shi Chaoji couldn't take him down either.
Wei Qing followed and came to arrest Han Peng, Liu Kang stood in front of Han Peng and fought Wei Qing.Wei Qing's skill is weak, so he was shocked back two steps.But Liu Kang made a move to deal with Wei Qing, but gave Shi Chaoji an opportunity to take advantage of it, and immediately tapped Liu Kang's acupuncture points with both pens.Liu Kang walked around like a coiling dragon, his acupoints were not lit, but his left shoulder was injured by the pen tip.
Shi Chaoji and Wei Qing had the upper hand, but Wu Hong came up to catch Happy Zhang, but suffered a little.
It turns out that although Wu Hong's real ability is much higher than that of Happy Zhang, his agility is far inferior to him.
Wu Hong opened his big palm-like hand, trying to catch him, but he caught nothing, only heard a "pat", and instead slapped Happy Zhang.
Wu Hong was so angry that he yelled, it was too late to say it, and at that time, Kuaihuo Zhang had already slipped out of the gate and ran towards the three horses they had brought.These three mounts are tied to a tree outside the door.Wu Hong shouted: "Well, this little thief wants to steal our mount!"
Shi Chaoji's mount is a famous Dayuan horse given by Sa Fuding, he was reluctant to let Happy Zhang steal it, so he ran out of the gate and shouted: "He can't run away!" .刘抗要保护一个消失武功的韩朋，石朝玑自忖可以稳操胜券，因此他是想要射毙了快活张之后，回过头来再对付他们。
快活张叫道：“哎呀，不好，痛死我啦！”在地上一个打滚，忽地站了起来，哈哈大笑道：“骗你欢喜欢喜，哈哈，没射着！”他这么一个打滚，已是和身滚到了那棵树下，割断了系马的绳子。
石朝玑大怒，追出来喝：“哪里跑？”飞身就朝快活张扑去。只要坐骑不给敌人偷去，他料想刘抗也跑不掉。
快活张不慌不忙地说道：“来而本往非礼也，你也接接我的暗器！”一扬手掷出两包东西，石朝玑心道：“这是什么暗器？莫要着了他的道儿。”呼的一记劈空掌打出，令那“暗器”不能近身。
不料他不震落“暗器”还好，这掌力一震，反而真的是着了快活张的道儿了，原来快活张所发的“暗器”是两个石灰包。是这家人家准备用来粉饰墙壁的，多余下来的石灰，刚好就给快活张利用上了。
撒石灰迷人眼睛，这是市井流氓的手段。石朝玑平生的敌手都是江湖上有身份的人物，根本就想不到快活张会用这个手段。百忙中连忙闭目挥袖，挥袖成风，把石灰吹开。伍宏没有如此功力，只能闭上眼睛，舞刀护身。饶是他立即闭上眼睛，石灰亦已渗入眼角，痛得他眼泪直流。
石朝玑也真了得，闭上眼睛，听风辨向，依然不差毫厘，一个起落，就向他自己的那匹坐骑扑去。
粉雾迷蒙之中，刘抗和韩朋却也趁着这个机会跑出来了，魏庆拦他不住。
快活张未曾跨上坐骑，石朝玑已然扑到，快活张笑道：“石大人，何必这样生气，你要坐骑，还给你就是。”一矮身钻过马腹，却把一柄匕首，插进了马臀。
那匹马是正在向着主人跑过来的，突然给快活张在屁股戳了一刀，不由得四蹄腾空，就跳起来，向石朝玑当头扑下。
石朝玑爱惜骏马，不能将它击毙，只好和衣一滚，避开马蹄的践踏。说时迟，那时快，刘抗、韩朋已是抢上了另外两匹坐骑了。
石朝玑大怒，连珠袖箭射出。韩朋武功未曾恢复，只能一个镫里藏身，躲避暗箭，哪知石朝玑不是射人而是射马。袖箭射着了他那匹坐骑的后腿，登时把韩朋摔了下来。
刘抗回过头来，倒骑骏马，挥刀拨箭，把射向他的三枝全都打落。看见韩朋摔倒，连忙回马救他。
说时迟那时快，石朝玑已朝他扑来。快活张侧边闪出，一把抓着韩朋，便向刘抗抛去。刘抗接了韩朋，两人合乘一骑，拨转马头便跑。刚好比石朝玑快了一步，石朝玑扑了个空。
石朝玑气得七窍生烟，喝道：“先抓这个小贼。”快活张一个筋斗翻过去，只听“嗤”的一声，石朝玑撕下了他的一幅衣裳，却仍是给他逃了。魏庆、伍宏二人左右齐上，也都拦不住他。快活张哈哈笑道：“石大人，你要抓我这个小贼嘛，只怕也不容易。不信你就来试试。”
魏庆劝道：“石大人，正点儿要紧，何必和这小贼生气？”
石朝玑瞿然一省，按下怒气，说道：“伍宏，你去找一匹坐骑，随后跟来。魏庆，我和你先去追捕犯人。”他随身带有大内秘制的金创药，当下给两匹受伤的坐骑敷上了金创药，骑上受伤的马，楔而不舍的仍然追赶刘抗、韩朋二人合乘的坐骑。
石朝玑的坐骑是千中挑一的大苑名驹，虽然刚刚敷上了金创药，只能止痛，跑得远远不如原来的速度，但却也不输于普通的健马。刘、韩二人合乘一骑，骑的又是普通的马匹。追了一会，石朝玑把魏庆甩在后头，却是可以看见前面刘、韩二人合乘的那匹坐骑了。
快活张轻功超卓，跑起路来，十里之内，亦不输于健马，就在石朝玑正要快马加鞭，赶上刘抗二人之际。快活张突然不知从哪里钻了出来，拦着石朝玑的马头，笑道：“石大人，你不痛惜你的宝马么？”
石朝玑只因在急切之间，找不到另外的坐骑，无可奈何，只好骑着受伤的骏马追敌的，此时给快活张调侃，不由得怒火又生，唰的一鞭打下，喝道：“小贼，你来找死，我就先毙了你！”
快活张跃过一旁，说道：“我是好意来找你谈一宗生意的，你竟要毙了我，嘿嘿，这可当真是狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心了。”
石朝玑本来已经强压下心头怒火，不想再理睬他的，听得他这么说，眼睛却不禁向他看去。只见快活张拿出了一串亮晶晶的珠子，在乎中把玩，一面笑道：“这串珠子大概还值得几个钱吧？”
石朝玑又惊又怒，喝道：“好小贼，竟敢偷我的御赐朝珠！”原来这串珊瑚朝珠，乃是由于去年他参与小金川的某一次战役有功，皇帝赏给他的。
快活张哈哈大笑，说道：“不错，你骂我是小贼，我就叫你见识见识小贼的手段！你也应该明白，干我们这一行的规矩，发了誓是决不轻易放手的，失主要想得回东西，要嘛是讲交情，要嘛是拿银子来赎。石大人，你我是谈不上什么交情的了。对不对？你准备拿多少银子来赎？”
这串朝珠，虽然并非无价之宝，但皇上所赐，失掉了若给皇上问起，石朝玑拿不出来，这可是担当不起。石朝玑不由得怒火冲天，拨转马头，就来赶他。
快活张左边一兜，右边一绕，打着圈儿乱转的跑。石朝玑的骏马跑直路是可以追得上他的，这样的乱转圈儿的跑，马匹可就不如身有上乘轻功的快活张那么灵活了。
石朝玑非要夺回朝珠不可，只得跳下马来，抓了一把铜钱当作暗器打他。他的袖箭已经射完，但他运上内力发出钱镖，劲道亦不输于袖箭。
快活张一面躲避暗器，一面与他绕身游斗，心里想道：“我的长力不如他，也该适可而止了。”当下把那串朝珠用力一抛，笑道：“石大人，你好不小气！好吧，看你急成这个样子，我姑且卖你一个交情，朝珠还你，你自己去捡。先此声明，我卖交情，只此一次，下不为例！”
石朝玑气得七窍生烟，可还不能不对快活张的说话奉命唯谨，乖乖去捡那串朝珠；那串朝珠恰好抛落在湖边的泥沼里，石朝玑捡起朝珠，满身泥泞，花了不少时候。快活张早已跑得影子也不见了。
刘抗和韩朋跑到青龙滩，找着海砂帮接应的船只，舍马登舟。但因不见快活张来到，心中颇是不安。撑船的那个小头目说道：“快活张机灵之极，想必不会着了道儿。后有追兵，咱们还是先开船吧。”刘抗道：“快活张定是把石朝玑引开，他为朋友这样热心，但愿他能够脱险才好。”无可奈何，只好开船。
韩朋两次死里逃生，都是靠了朋友之力，听了刘抗的说话，却是不由得好生惭愧了。刘抗好似知他心意，扶他坐稳，说道：“过去的事让它过去好啦，不要多想它了。”
韩朋满面羞惭，说道：“小弟贪图过安逸日子，一步步走入了敌人圈套，这次更几乎变成了石朝玑的帮凶，若不是吾兄和尉迟大侠等人尽力救我，恐怕我还要死在石朝玑的手中。唉，小弟真是该死、该死！”
刘抗正容说道：“前车之覆，后车之鉴。你经过这次教训，分清了是非好坏，这就是坏事变成了好事啦。过去种种比如昨日死，韩兄你说是吧？”
韩朋苦笑道：“我是已经死过一次的了，以后还不醒悟，那还是人吗？”
刘抗道：“好，那就莫提过去的事了。我该为你庆贺你的'重生'啦。你饿了吧，咱们先弄点东西吃吃。”
那小头目道：“船舱里有两尾鲜鱼，刘大哥，你来划船，我给你们做红烧鱼吃。”
吃过了东西，韩朋气力渐渐恢复，帮忙他们轮流划船。
高邮湖波平浪静，那小头目站在船头，看了看天色，道：“就快起风了，这是一股顺风。嗯，顺风顺水，咱们这条船可以走得更快了。”话犹未了，果然吹起了东风。
刘抗笑道：“你的话真灵。”那小头目笑道：“没什么，只不过凭经验看风色罢了。我在长江和高邮湖本来是当船夫的，撑船已经撑了二十年了，咦，后面来了一条船，这不是打鱼的季节，小船来得这么快，不知是否本帮的船只？”
刘抗把眼望去，只见一条小船，挂起风帆，疾如奔马，正向着他们追来。过了一会，看得渐渐清楚了，刘抗吃了一惊，首先嚷出来道：“不好，是石朝玑！”
石朝玑哈哈大笑之声掠过湖边，叫道：“石某特地来送你们一程。嘿嘿，山水自有相逢日，这话当真说得不错，这回看你还能走得上天？”石朝玑站在船头，魏庆在他背后。
刘抗道：“沉着点儿应付。”韩朋咬一咬牙，说道：“不错，大不了跟他们拼吧。”刘抗说道：“别忙，逃不了再拼。”要知双方虽然都是两个人，但韩朋武功还未完全恢复，对付一个武功本来就要胜他一筹的魏庆，定然凶多吉少。而刘抗自知，他和石朝玑乃是在伯仲之间，谁也难以言胜的。
那小头目道：“你们瞧，他们的船忽然慢下来了。啊，我明白啦！”
刘抗说道：“明白什么？”那小头目说道：“石朝玑这条船是抢来的，舟子不肯为他卖力。”
他所料不差，原来这舟子乃是一个曾经深受官府与恶霸欺压的渔人，他有两个儿子，都给官府拉了去当兵，在高邮湖打鱼，渔税三年加了两倍，老妻生病没钱请医生，轻病变成重病，为了不愿连累丈夫，悬梁自尽。几年间家破人亡，妻离子散，当真可说得是苦大仇深。
这老渔夫给石朝玑封了他的船，强迫他加速划船，心里已是十分愤恨的了。此时他已经知道了石朝玑是要捉前面那条船上的人的，更是忍不住怒火中烧，心里想道：“我宁可舍了这条老命，决不能帮这些恶人去害好人。”
石朝玑见他越划越慢，骂道：“有气没力的，你怎样啦？”那老渔夫苦着脸道：“大人明鉴，小的当真是有气没力，因为我还没有吃饱饭呢。”石朝玑喝道：“胡说八道，分明是想偷懒。你不卖力，我杀了你。”老渔夫说道：“你杀了我，也没有办法。我的确是尽了力啦。”
魏庆说道：“杀了他无济干事，让我来划。老头儿你好好替我们把舵。若敢玩弄花招，我也不杀你，却有十八种酷刑，让你一件件来尝。”
魏庆水陆功夫都颇了得，抢过了两支桨，亲自划船，果然胜过那渔夫。石朝玑监视那渔夫，不时叱喝。
两条小船的距离渐渐近了，但始终还保持着十数丈的距离。石朝玑心急，也拿起了桨帮忙魏庆划船。他是未曾划过船的。但因内力深厚，在魏庆指点之下，手法渐渐熟练。两条小船的距离渐渐拉近得只有六七丈远了。
石朝玑一看这个距离，暗器已是可及，猛地喝道：“看你们还往哪里跑？”一扬手，嗖嗖嗖飞出三柄飞刀，把刘抗那条船的船桅断为三截！
船桅一断，风帆塌下，刘抗忙把塌下的风帆挑开，但船的速度已是大减。石朝玑哈哈大笑，脚尖一点船头，便跳过去。
不料在他纵身跃起之时，那老渔夫突然拿起了他抛下的桨，一桨打他的小腿。这一下他是用了浑身气力，虽然不会武功，也打得石朝玑的脚骨碎裂了一小块。石朝玑一个倒栽葱半空中跌下来。老渔夫用力扳舵，小船滴溜溜转了个方向。石朝玑未能踏上船头，落在水里。
老渔夫这个举动，大出魏庆意料之外，待他一掌击向那老渔夫之时，那老渔夫早已跳下水里去了。
石朝玑抓着魏庆伸下来的竹篙，爬上船来，浑身湿漉漉的像个落汤鸡，气得破口大骂。魏庆说道：“大人不值得为这老杀材生气，咱们回头还可以责成当地官府抓他。”石朝玑敷上了金创药，说道：“对，先抓刘抗紧要，追！”
刘抗这条船失了风帆，在湖中逃跑，迟早会给敌人追上。刘抗审度形势，当机立断，对那撑船的海砂帮头目说道：“划到岸边，我们上岸，你回去救那老渔夫。”
魏庆加速划船，衔尾疾追，两条船差不多同时靠岸。那小头目赶快把船划开，刘抗挽着韩朋，飞身上岸。
韩朋气力已经恢复，但湖畔乃是泥泞的沼地，非有上乘的轻功不能飞跑，他却还未能提气运用轻功。
说时迟那时快，石朝玑和魏庆已是追上岸来，大声喝道：“哪里跑！”韩朋说道：“和他们拼了吧！”刘抗说道：“你快跑，我给你抵挡一阵。”
哪知石朝玑首先扑向韩朋，魏庆却来和刘抗纠缠。韩朋豁出性命，一觉背后微风飒然，反手就是一掌。
石朝玑见他拼了命，倒也不敢太轻敌。拆了几招，石朝玑找到对方破绽，一招“怀中抱月”式，五指并拢，手心向上，虚托敌手肘尖，顺势一拖，抓住了韩朋的手腕，喝道：“给我过来吧！”
韩朋愤怒之下，也不知是哪里来的气力，他突然仆倒地上，也是奋力一拖。石朝玑反而给他拖得一齐跌倒。
刘抗一掌震退魏庆，恰好及时赶到。石朝玑无暇再和韩朋缠斗，急忙抓着韩朋的脚踝，一把将他甩开，跳起身来，回头应付刘抗。
韩朋给他这一摔，摔到数丈开外，幸好地上泥泞，摔得虽然不轻，可没受伤。但身子却是深陷泥泞之中，两条腿在急切之间，哪里拔得起来？
魏庆冷冷笑道：“你本来是答应替石大人办事的，只要你回过头来，咱们还是朋友。”韩朋骂道：“我没有你这号朋友，宁可死在你的手里！”魏庆冷笑道：“你执迷不悟，没办法，那我只好对你不客气了！”
刘抗与石朝玑本领相当，一交上手，两人都是难以摆脱对方。
魏庆正要上去活捉韩朋，忽听得一声长啸，远远传来，竟然震得他的耳鼓嗡嗡作响。魏庆大吃一惊：“此人功力非同小可，不知是友是敌？”
抬头一看，只见两骑马疾驰而来。前面一骑是个白衣少女，后面一骑是个中年汉子，正是曾在扬州和他赌过酒的那个缪长风。
那次赌酒，魏庆曾经吃过缪长风的大亏，此时一见是他，不由得胆战心惊，如何还敢恋战？慌忙拗步就跑，三步并作两步，跑回船上。
石朝玑在急切之间，却是难以摆脱对手，说时迟，那时快，武庄快马加鞭，已是跑到湖边。缪长风的坐骑比不上她的，是以稍稍落在后面。
沼地泥泞，不适于骏马奔驰，武庄跳下马来，叫道，“刘大哥，我来啦，你没事吧？”施展轻功，拔刀出鞘，立即就朝刘抗奔去。
刘抗叫道：“别忙，这臭贼我对付得了。”他是不愿武庄为他冒险，故而出言暗示。要她等待缪长风来到，再来助战。但武庄心急如焚，哪肯等待，他话犹未了，武庄已是跑了到来了。
石朝玑看见这个少女和缪长风一起来，这一惊亦是非同小可，不过他惯经阵仗，虽惊不乱。心里想道：“这小姑娘纵有本领，谅也不高。抓着她作为人质，倒是一个可以反败为胜的机会。”当下一声喝道：“来得好！”不理会刘抗向他的攻击，倏的就向武庄抓去。
哪知武庄却是虚斫一刀，刀光一闪，迅即便是一个盘龙绕步。石朝玑一抓抓空，“乓”的着了刘抗一掌。石朝玑忍着痛，腾身向武庄抓去，却忘记了自己腿上受伤，这一跃没扑着武庄，却把自己摔倒了。武庄回身一刀斩下，石朝玑伏地一滚，踢起二团污泥，武庄爱洁，本能的缩身一闪，石朝玑滚出了数丈开外，两枝判官笔反手掷出，劲风呼呼，对准了武庄射去。原来他的袖箭已经射完，急切之间，来不及再掏暗器，只好把所用的兵器当作暗器了。
刘抗飞身扑来，接了他一枝判官笔，武庄横刀一磕，把另一枝判官笔磕落。虽然磕落，虎口却是给震得隐隐作痛，心里想道：“这厮身为御林军副统领，果然是有几分本领，幸亏我刚才没有和他硬碰。”原来她粗中有细，一见石朝玑和刘抗交手的情形，便知对方功力在她之上，故而一上来便用闪展腾挪的小巧功夫。
刘抗哈哈大笑道：“你缴了械是否想要投降？好，那就快磕头赔罪吧。”石朝玑逃命要紧，只能忍受他的调侃，爬起身来，带着满身污泥，跑到岸边，魏庆小舟刚刚离岸，忙把竹篙伸过来，石朝玑抓着竹篙，跃上小船，武庄追来，已是迟了一步。
武庄跌足叹道：“可惜，可惜，给他跑了。反而累得我的鞋子溅了污泥。”
刘抗笑道：“虽然给他跑掉，他也是够狼狈的了。你不过溅了一点污泥而已，他的兵器都已经扔下了。”
刘抗过去拉起韩朋，缪长风亦已来到。好友会合，大家都十分高兴。缪长风笑道：“贤侄女，你刚才打得很聪明，我起初还怕你有勇无谋呢，真是难得。”武庄甚为得意，说道：“多谢师叔夸奖。师叔，你骑在马上，一眼就看出了我是怎样打法？侄女更是佩服得紧。”缪长风哈哈笑道：“再说下去，可变成咱们叔侄互相标榜啦。好在刘兄不是外人。刘兄，我这侄女可是特地为你赶来的啊，你知道吗？”武庄面上一红，低下了头。
刘抗又是欢喜，又是诧异，说道：“你们怎么以叔侄相称？”
缪长风道：“她的母亲是我的师姐，我昨天才知道的。”
说话之间，忽见高邮湖上又出现了几条小船。武庄“咦”了一声，道：“师叔，你看，他们正在围攻石朝玑那一条船。”
众人抬头望去，只见那几条快船紧紧跟着石朝玑那一条船，乱箭纷飞，朝他射去。石朝玑站在船头，拨打乱箭，手忙脚乱。
武庄拍手道：“好呀，石朝玑这条船着火了。”原来是那几条快船所发的乱箭之中夹着几枝火箭。
魏庆加速划船，石朝玑舞起长篙，硬冲出去。武庄叫道：“呀，还是给他跑了。好，好了，他的帆也给烧掉了，船桅倒啦！”火光之中，只见魏庆背着石朝玑，跳下水去。此时他们已是将近到了对岸，终于魏庆还是把石朝玑救了上岸，走了。
缪长风笑道：“石朝玑接连吃亏，当真是变成了丧家之犬，你也应该可以满意啦。他欺负刘大哥这笔帐，慢慢和他再算。”
刘抗说道：“咱们那条船也回来啦，嗯，看来这帮人大概是海砂帮的。”
刘抗料得不差，这帮人果然是海砂帮的帮主罗金鳌派来接应他的。为首的人是副帮主张源。
那小头目已经把老渔夫救了起来。刘抗首先向他道谢，然后与海砂帮副帮主张源叙话。
张源说道：“敝帮帮主已经决意和小金川的义军联手，目下正在准备截劫官方的粮船。帮主不能亲来，刘大哥，韩大哥，累你们两位受惊了。敝帮帮主的意思，如果你们两位没有别的紧要事情，就请你们一同回去，