Chapter 19 The Eighteenth Round
Ah Jiu was taken aback, and asked in a trembling voice: "What's the matter?" A court lady called: "Your Highness, are you okay?" Ah Jiu said: "I'm asleep, what's the matter?" The court lady said: " Someone saw an assassin sneak into our bedroom." Ah Jiu said: "Nonsense, what assassin?" Another woman's voice said: "Your Highness, let the servants come in and have a look!"
Yuan Chengzhi whispered in Ah Jiu's ear: "He Tieshou!" Ah Jiu said loudly: "If there are assassins, can I still be so safe and sound? Go, don't mess around here!" Everyone outside the door listened The princess lost her temper and dared not speak again.
Cheng Zhi walked to the window lightly, opened the corner of the curtain, and wanted to jump out of the room. With a movement of his hand, a burst of fire was dazzling, and there were more than ten eunuchs holding torches guarding outside the window.Cheng Zhi thought to himself: "I want to break out, who can stop me? But this will tarnish the princess's reputation, absolutely not allowed." He immediately stepped back and said softly to Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiuxiu frowned, and said in a low voice: "Don't be afraid, just stay here for a while." Cheng Zhi could only sit down again.
Not long after, someone knocked on the door again.Ah Jiu sternly said: "What are you doing?" It was Cao Huachun's voice who answered this time, and said: "This servant is Cao Huachun. The emperor heard that there were assassins entering the palace, so he was very worried, so he ordered the servant to greet His Highness." Ah Jiu said: "Don't dare to work for Eunuch Cao. Please go back, I'm fine here." Cao Huachun said: "Your Highness is a body of ten thousand gold, so it's better to let the slaves come in and check it out." Ah Jiu knew that Cheng Zhi must have been seen when he came in. , so they insisted on investigating, and hated Cao Huachun for meddling in his own business, but they never thought that he would actually make trouble to harm the emperor tonight.Cao Huachun knew that the princess was skilled in martial arts, and knew people from all walks of life. He Tieshou reported that someone had escaped into the princess's bedroom. He was afraid that the princess had invited her to help him, so he had to investigate and find out.
Cao Huachun was extremely powerful in the palace, and the princess had no choice but to defy him. She pondered for a while, and gestured to Yuan Chengzhi with a shy smile, ordering him to go to bed and get under the quilt.Cheng Zhi had no choice but to take off his shoes, put them in his arms, went to bed and lay down beside Ah Jiu, pulled the embroidered quilt over his body, and felt a burst of sweet fragrance, which penetrated straight into his nose.
Outside the room, Cao Huachun kept urging him.Ah Jiu said: "Okay, come and see!"
Cheng Zhi and Ah Jiu were lying on the same pillow, their clothes stuck to their clothes, and when their bare feet touched the skin of her feet, they felt soft and soft, and their hearts fluttered, but they knew that Cao Huachun and He Tieshou had already entered the room, and they dared not move. I only felt Ah Jiu's body trembling slightly.
Ah Jiu pretended to be sleepy, yawned, and said, "Eunuch Cao, thank you for your trouble."
Cao Huachun looked around in the room, but he didn't see anything unusual.
He Tieshou pretended to be careless, the handkerchief fell to the ground, bent over to pick it up, and plucked one at the bottom of the bed. Cheng Zhi and Wan'er had got under the bed before, fearing that the old things would happen again.Ah Jiu said with a smile: "I also checked under the bed. I didn't hide an assassin, right?" , Startled in my heart, I hurriedly turned my head, staring at Ah Jiu's beautiful and bright face with two eyes, full of malicious mockery and laughter.Ah Jiu's face was blushing, and she dared not raise her head when she saw it.
Cao Huachun said: "His Royal Highness is safe and sound here, so the emperor can rest assured. Let's go to other places to check." He said to the four court ladies: "Here with His Highness, don't leave for a while. Even if His Highness has an order, don't be lazy and go out. Do you know?" The four maids leaned over and said, "Listen to your father-in-law." Cao Huachun, He Tieshou and the rest of the court ladies saluted and left the palace.
Ah Jiu said: "Put down the tent, I'm going to sleep!" The two maids came over and put down the gauze tent lightly, added some sandalwood to the stove, lit red candles, and sat in the corner of the room cuddling each other.
Ah Jiu was joyful and shy at the same time. Unexpectedly, she slept in the same bed with the person she loved day and night, and couldn't help being intoxicated.Seeing a few wisps of sandalwood smoke curling past outside the gauze tent, her heart fluttered in the air like green smoke.She shrank back and retracted into Yuan Chengzhi's arms.Yuan Chengzhi stretched out his left arm, put his arms around her waist, and thought: "I just snuggled up with Wan'er under the bed. At this time, I had no choice but to hug Princess Ajiu again. The two are equally gentle and lovely, but they are different in appearance. In theory, Ah Jiu is ten times better than Wan'er, after seeing him on the Shandong Road that day, he often thought of himself, but today he threw himself into his arms." While overjoyed, he secretly rejoiced.Ah Jiu just said in his heart: "Is this real? Or am I dreaming again?" After a long time, Cheng Zhi whispered: "What should I do? I have to find a way out!"
Ah Jiu hummed, and smelling the manly breath on his body, she couldn't feel a burst of joy, and it went straight to her heart, and she leaned towards him gently, when suddenly she touched something cold on her left arm and left leg, and ate it. Surprised, he stretched out his hand to touch it, and found an unsheathed sword lying horizontally between the two of them, and quickly asked in a low voice, "What is this?"
Cheng Zhi said: "I told you, don't take offense." Ah Jiu said: "Who's going to blame you?" Cheng Zhi said in a low voice: "I broke into your bedroom by accident and was forced to sleep in the same quilt. Forcing me, I am not a frivolous and rude person." Ah Jiu said: "Who blames you! Take the sword away and don't cut me." Cheng Zhi said: "Although I hold myself up with courtesy, but like you Beautiful girls share the same bed, I'm afraid I won't be able to control it..." Ah Jiu laughed in a low voice, "So you put a sword in between...Silly...silly brother!"
The two of them were afraid that the maids outside the tent would hear them, so they buried their heads in the quilt and whispered.Cheng Zhi couldn't help turning sideways, stretched his right arm around her vest, Ah Jiu also stretched out his arms, and hugged his head and neck.Cheng Zhi picked up the Golden Snake Sword with a few fingers and put it behind his back.The two were skin to skin, and their hearts and souls were intoxicated.Ah Jiu whispered: "Brother, I want you to hold me like this forever..." Cheng Zhi moved closer and kissed her lips.Ah Jiu kissed back, his body was hot, and his hands hugged him even tighter.
Chengzhi has never been so intimate with any woman in his life, and when he and Qingqing are in the same room, at most they are just holding hands.I felt that Ah Jiuying's lips were soft, and her breath was like blue. Her soft hair brushed her face, her heart fluttered, and she secretly warned herself: "Don't have evil thoughts in your heart, it will be serious. Hurry up and find some serious things." Tell me." Quickly pursed his lips, and asked in a low voice: "Who is Prince Hui?" Ah Jiu said: "His name is Chang Run, and he is a generation older than my father. He is my uncle." Cheng Zhi said: "That's it. They want to embrace him as the throne, do you know that?"
Ah Jiu was surprised: "What? Who?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Cao Huachun had an affair with Prince Rui of Manchuria, and wanted to use the Qing soldiers to attack the Chuangjun." Ah Jiu said angrily: "Is there such a thing? What do the Manchurians have? Okay? Don’t you want to seize our Great Ming Dynasty.” Chengzhi said: “Yes, the emperor refuses to agree, Cao Huachun and the others want to embrace King Hui as the throne...” Ah Jiu said: “That’s right, Uncle Hui is greedy for power and position. I will agree to borrow soldiers to eliminate the thieves." Cheng Zhi said: "I'm afraid they will make trouble tonight." Ajiu was taken aback, and said: "Tonight? That's very urgent. Let's go and report to Father. "
Cheng Zhi closed his eyes and said nothing, hesitating in his heart.Chongzhen is the one who killed his father and enemy. For more than ten years, he has never thought of killing himself to avenge the sea of blood. At this time, there is a sudden internal change in the palace. However, if Cao Huachun and other treacherous schemes succeed, they will enter the customs with the help of Qing soldiers, and the righteous deeds of Chuang Wang are bound to suffer great setbacks.If the Qing soldiers drove straight in and King Chuang couldn't resist it, wouldn't it mean that China fell and the descendants of the Yellow Emperor fell into the hands of the Hulu?
Ah Jiu gave him a light push on the shoulder, and said, "What are you thinking? Let's take the lead and put out the villain's conspiracy." Cheng Zhi was still undecided.Ah Jiu whispered: "As long as you don't forget me, I... I will always... be with you... We will... still have times like this in the future." She slowly leaned her head over and kissed him lips.
Yuan Chengzhi was startled, and thought: "It turns out that she suspected that I was greedy for tenderness and refused to get up. Well, let's go and see the situation first. In fact, I really don't want to get up..." He whispered: "What you said is true." Don't forget. You tap the maids' acupuncture points and cover their eyes with a quilt so that we can go out." Ah Jiu said: "Where is the point? I don't know."
Yuan Chengzhi took her right hand and led her to touch the end of the eleventh rib on his chest. When holding her hand, he felt smooth and soft, as if boneless, and said: "This is Zhangmen point, you Hit this part with your knuckles, and they won't be able to move. But don't push too hard, or you may lose your life."
Ah Jiu worried that his father was in danger, so he hurriedly lifted the tent and got out of bed.The four maids stood up and said, "What do you want, Your Highness?" Ah Jiu walked behind the brocade curtain, called the maids over one by one, and hit each of the acupoints according to the method Cheng Zhi taught.The last percussion part was inaccurate, and he yelled out "ah".Ah Jiu covered her mouth with one hand, touched the acupoints before hitting her, which made her faint.She came out from behind the brocade curtain, and Yuan Chengzhi had put on his shoes and got off the bed.After getting dressed, Ah Jiu smiled shyly at Cheng Zhi. Cheng Zhi couldn't bear it anymore, put his arms around her, and kissed her lightly on the lips.Ah Jiu whispered: "Brother!" Cheng Zhi whispered: "Ah Jiu." Ah Jiu blushed and asked in a low voice: "You will never forget me, will you?" Cheng Zhi suddenly thought of Qingqing, Deng felt embarrassed Unusual, but at this moment, he had no choice but to hug her tightly and said: "Of course, I will never forget you!" The two opened the curtains, saw no one outside the window, and jumped out together.
Ah Jiu said: "Come with me!" Pulling Cheng Zhi's right hand, he went to Qianqing Palace.When approaching the gate of the palace, he saw vague figures in front of him, about hundreds of people gathered.Ah Jiu said in surprise: "The rebels have surrounded the royal father's bedroom, go quickly!" The two rushed quickly.
After running for more than ten zhang, a eunuch came up to greet her. Seeing that it was Princess Changping, she was taken aback, but seeing that she had only one entourage, she didn't care, bowed and said, "Isn't Your Highness still resting?"
Chengzhi and Ajiu saw that there were eunuchs and guards standing in front of and behind the Qianqing Palace, all of them armed with weapons, and they knew that the situation was critical.Ah Jiu shouted: "Get out of the way!" She stretched out her hand to push the eunuch away and rushed over.Several guards outside the palace gate wanted to stop them, but Cheng Zhi pushed them away.The guards did not dare to use force, so they hurriedly reported to Cao Huachun.
Cao Huachun planned to support King Hui, but he himself didn't dare to show up, and only secretly commanded outside. Hearing that Princess Changping had entered the Qianqing Palace, he thought that even a young girl would not hinder the big event, so he ordered the guards to step up their defenses.
Ah Jiu took Chengzhi and went straight to Chongzhen's study where he usually reviewed memorials.
When I came outside the room, I saw more than a dozen eunuchs and guards around the door, with blood all over the floor, and seven or eight corpses lying there, presumably the guards loyal to the emperor were shot to death by the rebels.When everyone saw the princess, Ah Jiu took Cheng Zhi's hand and rushed into the study.A guard shouted: "Stop!" He raised his knife and slashed at Cheng Zhi.Cheng Zhi turned sideways and slapped him on the chest, the guard fell straight out, and Cheng Zhi had already closed the door of the study.
I saw the candlelight in the room was bright, and more than ten people were standing.Ah Jiu yelled, "Father!" and ran towards a man in a yellow robe and a black satin bonnet.Cheng Zhi looked at this man and saw that he was about thirty-five or six years old, with a handsome face and mixed expressions of shock and anger, and thought: "This is my father-killing enemy, Emperor Chongzhen."
Before Ah Jiu could get close to the emperor, two Jinyi guards stopped him with their knives.
Chongzhen suddenly saw his daughter coming, and said, "What are you doing here? Get out quickly."
A tall, thin, pale-faced middle-aged man in Chinese clothes said: "The bandit soldiers have arrived at Ningwuguan, and they will arrive at the capital in just a few days. You still refuse to borrow troops to destroy the bandits. What is your intention? You must Give my hands to the intruder tomorrow, right?" Cheng Zhi recognized him as King Hui, and his chief steward, Wei Taosheng, was standing beside him with a single sword in his hand.Cheng Zhi didn't want to meet them, he shrank behind a rebel, and turned his head to check the situation in the study.
Ah Jiu said angrily: "Uncle Hui, how dare you be rude to the emperor!"
The middle-aged man said with a smile: "Husband? He wants to ruin the country handed down by Emperor Taizu. All of us surnamed Zhu will not tolerate him." With a sound of "cha", he drew half of his saber, raised his eyebrows angrily, and sternly He shouted: "What's the matter? It's decided with one word!"
Chongzhen sighed and said: "I have no morals and incompetence, which caused great chaos in the world. Although the bandit soldiers came to Beijing, the country will be overthrown, and the soldiers will surely endanger the country. It is not a pity that I die to thank the people of the country. It is just the foundation of the ancestors. So I handed over to others..."
King Hui drew his sword out of its sheath, took a step closer, and shouted: "Then you immediately issue an edict, let the Zen seat be given over to the virtuous!" Chongzhen trembled, and shouted: "Are you going to kill the king and usurp the throne?"
King Hui gave him a wink, and a guard in brocade clothes pulled out his long sword and shouted, "If you are a fool, you have no way, and everyone can kill him!"
Yuan Chengzhi's heart trembled when he heard his accent, and he could see clearly under the candle that this person was Mrs. An's husband, An Jianqing.
Ah Jiu yelled angrily, grabbed the chair, stood in front of his father, and parried three swords from An Jianqing one after another.All the guards brought by King Hui rushed forward one after another.Seeing that Ah Jiu couldn't hold on anymore, Cheng Zhi grabbed everyone's circle, raised his left arm, and shook the two guards out of the way, and handed the Golden Snake Sword to Ah Jiu with his right hand, standing beside Chongzhen to protect himself.More than a dozen guards in Jin Yi rushed forward to kill the emperor, and they all punched and kicked him until his tendons were broken.With the treasured sword in his hand, Ah Jiu lifted his spirits, and cut off An Jianqing's long knife in a few moves.
King Hui saw that the great event had been accomplished, unexpectedly Princess Changping came suddenly and brought a person with such high martial arts skills to escort him, but seeing this person was wearing a eunuch's uniform, he couldn't recognize him even in an emergency, so he just yelled: "Outside people, come quickly!"
He Tieshou, He Hongyao, and the four elders of the Wen family entered in response, and they were all shocked when they saw Yuan Chengzhi suddenly.Wen Fonda's eyes were about to burst into flames, and he shouted loudly: "Take care of this kid first!" The four brothers surrounded him.
Ah Jiu retreated to his father's side, relying on the sharpness of the sword, the enemy was decisive, and King Hui's men did not dare to attack for a while.But she saw that there were more and more enemies, and Yuan Chengzhi was caught by five or six masters of the opponent, and he couldn't help him. The situation was very critical.Just as he was panicking, he suddenly saw an ugly old woman dressed as a beggar with a fierce look in her eyes, raised her hands, showing sharp ten claws, and shouted: "Give me back the Golden Snake Sword!"
At this time, Chengzhi had made up his mind, and there were priorities. He had to save the emperor first, so that the plot to lure the Qing soldiers into the customs could not succeed. Family, first public and then private.However, the four elders of Wen's martial arts are so strong that even though they haven't formed a five-element formation, they are still difficult to deal with. Seeing Ah Jiu's hair disheveled and sword dancing wildly in his busy schedule, he gradually couldn't resist He Hongyao's fierce attack, and suddenly jumped in front of He Tieshou, Said: "Go and kill Cao Huachun and those who rebelled and usurped the throne!"
King Hui ordered Wei Taosheng to invite the Wudu Sect to the recruiting hall, and first gave 200,000 taels of silver, and then agreed to allow the Wudu Sect to steal the treasury silver from the Ministry of Households. After the event was completed, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces were designated as the sites for the teaching of the Five Immortals to teach and practice Taoism.For the Five Poisons Sect, it is an endless avenue for making money. Since then, it can dominate Yunnan and Guizhou, and it can really be lawless.He Tieshou thought in his heart that at most he would not be able to achieve what he wanted, and he would have nothing to lose, so he agreed.
She has learned martial arts superbly, and has never met an opponent in her life, but when she fought with Yuan Chengzhi, she suddenly saw a new world in martial arts. This young man is not only powerful in his moves, but also has many changes in his moves and strong internal strength. It is unimaginable, even dreaming I can't even imagine it.When she was five years old, her father passed away, so the ancestral martial arts in the school have not been truly handed down. Although her teacher who taught her is a master in the school, but her status is not high, many secrets have not been glimpsed.She learned from her master that many of the best moves in this teaching were learned from the body skills of the little golden snake.She usually ordered Qi Yun'ao to release the little golden snake and study its motion and movement techniques. Although she has a lot of understanding, it is limited after all.This time I have fought against Yuan Chengzhi several times, and seeing the mysterious changes in the golden snake martial arts he has learned, which is far above the little golden snake, I have already admired him.Seeing his Huashan school of martial arts and the Tiejianmen Kungfu taught by Mu Sang again, I feel that I am in a remote place in Yungui, like a frog in a well, unaware of the vastness of the world.It's like a money-grubbing person who sees a big treasure and sees it at his side. It's within reach, and he has to reach out and touch it with red eyes.She said that she couldn't fall asleep the night she played against Yuan Chengzhi, and it was true.In the past few days, the six gods have no master, and I am thinking about it, just thinking about how to worship Yuan Chengzhi as a teacher, and I am eager to ask for it, especially compared to the lovesickness of the first love when I was young.
I have been messing around all day, and Yuan Chengzhi promised to accept me as a disciple. I have been overjoyed all the time, thinking that since I have worshiped this master, what is the position of the leader of the Five Immortals? The gold and silver are all insignificant, as long as they don't violate the teacher's order from now on. "Master's orders are three, and he is talking about the first teacher's order now." Turning around and turning his arms, the iron hook with his left hand swiped towards Wen Fangwu.
Unexpectedly, Wen Fangwu expected that she would turn against him suddenly, and in shock, the whip rolled upside down to block her iron hook.But He Tieshou's move was so fierce, and he attacked him unprepared, with just one hook, he cut a hole in Wen Fangwu's left arm.The hook was highly poisonous, and within a moment, Wen Fangwu's face was pale, his left arm was numb, his body was on the verge of falling, he kept rubbing his eyes with his right hand, and shouted, "I can't see...I...I've been poisoned!" The old brothers were concerned, and had no time to attack the enemy, so they rushed to support them.
Yuan Chengzhi immediately moved his hand slowly, turned around and slapped Wei Taosheng, the manager brought by King Hui, on the back. Wei Taosheng immediately fainted.As soon as Cheng Zhi turned his head and saw Ah Jiu panting again and again, he desperately resisted the pincer attack of He Hongyao and An Jianqing.An Jianqing froze, Ah Jiu's golden sword stretched out, stabbing his left leg, An Jianqing fell to the ground.
At this time, Wen Fang realized the poison and passed out.The three elders of the Wen family couldn't help but be terrified. With a signal, Wen Fangyi picked up the fifth younger brother. Wen Fangda and Wen Fangshan rushed out of the study one by one to open the way and the other to break.He Tieshou chased it out, took out a bag of things from his arms, and shouted: "This is the antidote, go on." Wen Fangshan turned around and caught it.He Tieshou returned with a smile.
In this way, the offense and defense will change at the same time.Cheng Zhi and Ah Jiu beat the twenty or so Jin Yiwei to pieces and fled in all directions.
When the gate of the palace opened, Cao Huachun suddenly led a group of soldiers from the Beijing camp and rushed in.Seeing the enemy's crowd, Cheng Zhi shouted: "Ah Jiu, Master He, let's protect the emperor and rush out." Ah Jiu and He Tieshou agreed.The three of them stood at Chongzhen's body for a week, and were about to move forward to seize the road, when Cao Huachun suddenly shouted: "The daring traitor, how dare you disturb the imperial driver, kill me quickly!"King Hui was stunned, and shouted: "Eunuch Cao...you...you are not with me..." Before finishing his sentence, Cao Huachun raised his foot and kicked him. He fled to Guangzhou and was finally captured and executed by the Qing soldiers).At this time, not only the guards in Jinyi were shocked, but Yuan Chengzhi, He Tieshou, and Ah Jiu were even more surprised. Only Chongzhen secretly praised Cao Huachun's loyalty in his heart. (Note)
It turned out that Cao Huachun was out to listen to the news, knowing that the general situation was over and the plot to kill the emperor would fail, so he was in a hurry, so he went to lead the guards of the Beijing camp to the Qianqing Palace to rescue him.When Jin Yiwei saw Cao Huachun changing his plan, they all dropped their weapons.Cao Huachun repeatedly shouted: "Take it down, take it down!" All the soldiers took Jin Yiwei down.As soon as he left the gate of the palace, Cao Huachun shouted: "Cut it!" In an instant, all those who participated in the conspiracy were killed, and Wei Taosheng could not escape a single blow.
Seeing that the situation had been settled, He Tieshou smiled and said, "Master, I'll wait for you under the big tree outside Xuanwu Gate tomorrow!" He turned around and walked out while taking He Hongyao's hand.
Chongzhen shouted: "You...you..." He wanted to reward him for his escort, but He Tieshou ignored it and went out of the palace.
Chongzhen turned around and saw his daughter was splattered with blood, but looked at Chengzhi with a smile. At this time, the shock was a little bit, and he sat back in the chair and asked Ah Jiu: "Who is he? The credit is not small, I... I must There is a big reward." He expected that Yuan Chengzhi would kneel down and kowtow, but Yuan Chengzhi ignored it.Ah Jiu tugged at his skirt and said in a low voice, "Thank you quickly!"
Yuan Chengzhi looked at Chongzhen, remembering that his father sacrificed his life to defend the country and made great contributions, but was killed by the emperor. His heart was filled with grief, anger and hatred. When he looked closely at the man who killed his father and enemy, he saw that his cheeks were sunken on both sides, and his sideburns were already There are quite a few white hairs, the eyes are full of red silk, and the expression is very haggard.At this time, the treacherous conspiracy to seize the throne has been calmed down, and the chief culprit has been eliminated, but Chongzhen's face only appears restless, not happy.Cheng Zhi thought to himself: "As emperor, he only suffers, he is not happy at all!"
Chongzhen didn't know the many thoughts in Yuan Chengzhi's mind, and said softly: "What's your name? Where do you work?" Seeing Chengzhi wearing eunuch clothes, he also said that he was a small eunuch.
Yuan Chengzhi settled down, and said awe-inspiringly: "My surname is Yuan, and I am the son of Yuan Chonghuan, the former Minister of the Ministry of War and the governor of Jiliao!" Chongzhen was stunned, as if he didn't hear his words clearly, and asked, "What?" Yuan Chengzhi said: " My late father Yuan Chonghuan made great contributions to the country, so he was wronged and executed for the emperor." Chongzhen was silent for a while, then sighed: "Now I also regret it." After a while, he said: "What reward do you want?"
Ah Jiu was overjoyed, and lightly tugged Cheng Zhi's skirt, signaling that he should take the opportunity to ask the emperor to be his son-in-law.
Yuan Chengzhi said angrily: "I saved you for the sake of the country, what reward do I want? Well, yes, the emperor has regretted it, and I beg the emperor to issue an edict to avenge my late father's great injustice."
Chongzhen has a stubborn temper, and it is more difficult for him to admit his mistakes openly than anything else, after hearing this, he fell silent.
At this time, Cao Huachun came in to ask Sheng'an again, and said that all the rebels had been executed, and he had sent people to arrest the family members of King Hui, the leader of the rebellion.Chongzhen nodded and said: "Okay, after all, you are loyal."
When Cao Huachun saw Yuan Chengzhi, he was very suspicious: "This man is obviously the envoy of the Nine Kings of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. How could he spoil my event?"
Yuan Chengzhi was about to expose Cao Huachun's rebellion, but then he thought again, Chuang Wang Yijun would go to the capital within a few days, and let this treacherous villain be in power in the palace, it would be very auspicious for the rebel army. Said: "Give me back this sword. I'm going!"
Ah Jiu was in a hurry, not caring that his father and Cao Huachun were by his side, he blurted out: "When will you come to see me again?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Your Highness, take care." He stretched out his hand to take the sword.Ah Jiu shrank his hand and said, "Leave this sword with me for the time being, and I will return it to you when we meet next time." He stared at Cheng Zhi's face, and the meaning in his eyes was very obvious: "You have to come earlier, I will return it to you in the future." I've been looking forward to it every night."
Yuan Chengzhi saw that both Chongzhen and Cao Huachun were surprised, so it was inconvenient to say more, so he nodded and turned to go out.
Ah Jiu chased outside the gate of the palace, and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, I will never let you down." Cheng Zhi thought that now is not the time to explain, nor is it the place to talk in detail, and said: "There will be a lot of people in the world. Great changes, living in the deep palace, it is better to travel far away, you have to remember my words." He knew that King Chuang was about to enter the capital, and the palace was the most dangerous place when the army was in chaos, so he asked her to go out of the palace to avoid disaster. .
Unexpectedly, Ah Jiu would miss his meaning because of his deep affection. He lowered his head and said softly, "That's right, I'd rather be at home with you everywhere in the rivers and lakes than enjoy happiness in the palace. When you come next time, Let's... let's discuss it carefully!"
Yuan Chengzhi sighed softly, thinking of Qingqing, his heart was stunned, he lost his mind, waved goodbye, and went out over the wall.Ah Jiu was very disappointed to see that he broke up without a word of tender love.When Yuan Chengzhi came outside the palace, he saw torches shining everywhere, shouting orders, and arresting subordinates of the rebellious party.
He missed Qingqing, and ran back to Zhengtiaozi Hutong, only to feel relieved when he saw that Qingqing, Jiao Wan'er, and Luo Liru had returned safely.He was tired all night, and fell asleep when he returned to his room.At this time, in his mind, Ah Jiu and Qing Qing had a sentimental relationship and a righteous one, and it was really indistinguishable. He didn't know what to do, so he had to close his eyes and fall asleep, forgetting about the two beauties.
When he woke up, it was already the hour of the card, he came out of the hall, and saw Shuiyun and Min Zihua leading sixteen Xiandu disciples waiting in the hall.It turned out that they learned that Yuan Chengzhi's house had been attacked by the Five Poison Sect, and rushed to help.Yuan Chengzhi said sorry, and told Taoist Huang Mu that most of them are still in the world and there is a way to save them.Everyone in Xiandu was overjoyed.
Yuan Chengzhi asked them to guard the wounded, and walked out of Xuanwu Gate. After a short walk, he saw He Tieshou standing under a big tree from a distance. She greeted her with a smile, and said: "Master, I accomplished your good deed last night, how is my apprentice?" Cheng Zhi said: "The situation was extremely critical last night, but thanks to your generous help, there was no trouble. It's a big mess." He Tieshou smiled and said: "Master is really blessed. There is such a beautiful princess who loves and loves each other. In the future, she will be appointed as a son-in-law. What kind of official should I be appointed as an apprentice?" Cheng Zhi said seriously: "Don't be joking." He Tieshou She smiled and said: "Oh, it's too bad! Who can't see that she is looking at you so affectionately? Besides, if you don't love her, why would you give her the Golden Snake Sword? And you are so desperate to save her father. Emperor?" Cheng Zhi said: "That is for the righteousness of the country." He Tieshou pursed his lips and said with a smile: "Yes, sharing the same bed with others, you pity me, and that is for the righteousness of the country. Hee hee!" Cheng Zhi immediately blushed and lost his hands and feet, and said, "What... what? Why do you..." He Tieshou smiled and said, "There is clearly someone hidden in the princess quilt. Are we gangsters going to be blind? I saw the portrait of Master. How can I not let go of this friendship?" Cheng Zhi thought to himself that the portrait was confiscated so that she could see it; in a flash, he felt ashamed, if it wasn't for that portrait, He Tie It's even worse when the hands are uncovered. He Tieshou saw that his face was red to the base of his ears, and knew that his face was tender, so he changed the subject and asked, "Has Miss Xia returned safely?" Yuan Chengzhi nodded, and said, "I'll give it to you now." Let's get rid of it, friends." He Tieshou led the way, and continued to Bing, praising Ajiu for her beauty along the way, which she had never seen in her life, and said that she couldn't see a young princess with golden branches and jade leaves, who was actually good at martial arts, so it must have been taught by Yuan Chengzhi himself Well, it is of course the case that an enlightened master produces outstanding apprentices, not to mention that this enlightened master treats outstanding apprentices with special respect.Now the princess is the senior sister, and in the future she will be the teacher's wife.But I don't know Miss Xia, who is older and who is younger, one enters the mountain gate first, and the other has a noble status, it is a bit unfair, but the princess is much more beautiful, so the master probably wants to be partial.Yuan Chengzhi let her chatter endlessly, and listened to her master's in front of her and her master's yelling endlessly. Last night, she said what she said, but she couldn't keep her word. , is also unethical.There is only a wry smile and ignore it.After traveling for more than five miles, I came to Huayan Temple, an ancient temple. There are guards from the Five Poison Sect outside the temple, and they all glared at Yuan Chengzhi when they saw Yuan Chengzhi.Yuan Chengzhi ignored it. After entering the temple, he saw straw mats spread on the Daxiong Hall, and the believers who had been wounded by him were lying in rows.Yuan Chengzhi unlocked the acupoints for everyone one by one, and said in a loud voice: "Brothers have no enmity with you, but because of a small misunderstanding, I offended you. I apologize to everyone here."Everyone turned their heads and ignored them, neither returning the salute nor answering. Yuan Chengzhi thought that the etiquette had come, so he didn't say much, turned around and came out, and when he turned around, he suddenly saw a pair of poisonous eyes staring fiercely at He Tieshou.This person hid himself in the dark corner of the palace, he couldn't see his figure clearly for a while, only his eyes were shining brightly.Yuan Chengzhi was startled, thinking that this person's eyes were full of resentment and anger, who is this person?After staring again, the man has slipped into the room, and when he moved, he immediately recognized the old beggar He Hongyao. He Tie palmistry sent out of the temple.Yuan Chengzhi was quite puzzled when he saw that her expression was different, which was quite different from that of Yan Yan who was just talking about it.The two bowed outside the temple gate and said goodbye. Yuan Chengzhi went back from the original road and walked out of Lixu. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, wondering if they had other tricks?I'm afraid that after everyone's acupoints are unlocked, they will not stop harassing them again, so it's better to find out the other party's plot first, so as to be prepared first.Turning south at the moment, walking far behind the Huayan Temple, seeing no one around, jumped in from the back wall, and suddenly heard a loud hissing and whistle. He knew that this was the signal for the gathering of the Five Poison Sect, so he hid behind a big tree for a while, guessing that the congregation had already gathered, and then quietly hid behind the main hall, only to hear a burst of fierce debate coming from the hall . He put his ear on the crack of the door and listened. He Hongyao's voice was sharp and Qi Yunshou's voice was thick.One said that she was obsessed with Yuan Chengzhi, forgot the deep hatred in the sect, and instead worshiped the disciple of the enemy as a teacher; the other said that she joined forces with the enemy to ruin the great event of supporting a new king and taking the opportunity to promote the sect. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and after listening to the two talking for a while, he said, "What are you going to do?" Everyone fell silent immediately. After a while, He Hongyao suddenly said coldly: "Establish another leader!" He Tieshou said awe-inspiringly: "For hundreds of years, according to our canon rule, a new leader can only be established after the death of the old leader. So you want me to die?" Everyone was silent.He Tieshou said: "Who wants to be the new leader?" She asked three times, but no one answered.He Tieshou sneered and said: "Which one can beat me by himself, come out and grab the leader!" Yuan Chengzhi stuck his right eye to the crack of the door and looked in. He saw He Tieshou sitting on a chair alone, and dozens of congregants stood far away, obviously quite afraid of her.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I have fought each of these people from the Five Poisons Sect, and none of them can match half of her skills. But I am afraid that the leader will not be able to do it for long with force alone." Seeing the internal strife of the Five Poisons Sect , not trying to seek revenge on him and Qingqing, so don't bother, but since she has been accepted as a disciple, and she is quite attached to herself, it is difficult to ignore her life and death, just as she was walking, suddenly saw a flash of cold light, why? More and more red medicines came out, holding a strange weapon in their hands.Yuan Chengzhi saw that this weapon seemed to be a huge scimitar. Not only had he never seen it before, he had never heard of it from his master. He didn't know how to use it, so he became curious, and leaned over to look again. He Hongyao said coldly: "I don't want to be the leader, and I know I'm not your opponent. But the three ancestors and seven sons of the Five Immortals Sect spent forty years of hard work to establish the sect. How hard was that? Ben The teaching has been rampant in Tiannan for more than a hundred years, and this foundation has not come easily, and it must not be destroyed in the hands of a lowly maid like you!" He Tieshou said: "What is the crime for insulting the leader?" He Hongyao said: "I no longer regard you as the leader, come on!" Stretching his hands forward, with a cry, he swung his weapon, and the scimitar's head fell again Drill out a small tip. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and sat still in the chair.He Hongyao jumped forward, made two "Tun Tun" sounds, the scimitar had been cut twice.She was afraid of He Tieshou's strong martial arts skills, so she jumped away immediately after missing a single blow.He Tie sat in the chair with his hands in his hands, and only dodged slightly when He Hongyao attacked, but did not fight back.Yuan Chengzhi was feeling strange, his eyes squinted, and seeing dozens of congregants each holding their weapons and gradually approaching, he realized that He Tie was guarding the door tightly to prevent everyone from besieging.Because of the narrow opening in the door, he could only see a place in the hall, and presumably the congregation had surrounded her in all directions. Everyone was in a stalemate for a moment, and no one dared to rush forward.He Hongyao shouted: "Useless things, what are you afraid of? Come on everyone!" She swung her scimitar, and everyone shouted forward.He Tieshou jumped up quickly, only to hear the sound of ping-pong, and the chair had been smashed to pieces by several weapons at the same time.The two congregants screamed one after another, and were injured by the hook.The hall was full of dust, and He Tieshou, a white shadow, was criss-crossing the crowd, and the fight was fierce. Yuan Chengzhi observed the fighting situation of the people in the hall. All the sects except He Hongyao had tapped the acupuncture points for him, and he was tired for a long time.If He Tieshou wanted to get out, she shouldn't be embarrassed, but she didn't rush out, as if she wanted to use force to subdue the congregation and punish the traitor. After dismantling dozens of tricks, he suddenly saw a person in the crowd acting strangely.Although this person also attacked with the crowd, his steps were slow, holding a golden cylinder in his hand, and slowly approaching He Tieshou.When Yuan Chengzhi looked carefully, this person was Qi Yunao, a poisonous beggar in brocade clothes.All of a sudden, he yelled and moved his hands forward, and a ray of yellow light was thrown at He Tieshou. He Tieshou dodged sideways, but he didn't know that this hidden weapon was so weird that it could turn and chase in the air.At that time, several weapons attacked at the same time, He Tieshou screamed loudly, and was hit by a hidden weapon.At this time, Yuan Chengzhi could see clearly that this living hidden weapon was the little golden snake.He Tie shook his body with his hands, and hastily stretched out his hand to tear off the golden snake biting his shoulder, fell to the ground, and killed two congregants with two savage hooks.He Hongyao yelled: "This lowly servant girl has been bitten by a golden snake. If everyone catches her, the poison is about to take hold!" He Tieshou stumbled and rushed towards the apse.Although she was poisoned, she was still powerful, and the congregation did not dare to take the risk to stop her for a while.He Hongyao jumped forward, and the scimitar was like the wind, cutting off the back of her head.He Tieshou bowed his head to avoid it, and returned a hook.Pan Xiuda and Cen Qisi have blocked her way.He Tie gently pressed his right elbow on his waist, and the "innuendo" poisonous needle shot out.Pan Xiuda dodged without hesitation, before he could shout, he was already killed.He Tie had poisonous hairs on his shoulders, was in a coma, and the iron hooks danced wildly, and there were countless tricks. Yuan Chengzhi saw that she was about to die at the hands of these vicious congregants in a blink of an eye, thinking that he agreed to accept her as an apprentice in the palace last night.难追，不能于危急中欺骗一个年青女子，她眼下所以众叛亲离，实因拜己为师而起，此时眼见她命在顷刻，岂可袖手不理？忽地跃出，大叫：“大家住手！” 教众见他突然出现，无不大惊，一齐退开。 何铁手这时已更加糊涂，挥钩向袁承志迎面划来。袁承志侧身避过，左手伸出，反拿她手腕。哪知她武功深湛，进退趋避之际已成自然，虽然眼前金星乱舞，但手腕一碰到袁承志的手指，左臂立沉，铁钩倒竖，向上疾刺，仍是既狠且准。袁承志一拿不中，叫道：“我来救你！”何铁手恍若不闻，双钩如狂风骤雨般攻来。袁承志解拆数招，右脚在她小腿轻勾，何铁手扑地倒下，突然睁眼，惊叫道：“师父，我死了么？”袁承志道：“咱们出去！”拉住她手臂提了起来。 诸教众本在旁观两人相斗，见袁承志扶着她急奔而出，齐声发喊，纷纷拥上。 袁承志转身叫道：“谁敢上来！”教众个个是惊弓之鸟，不知谁先发喊，忽地一窝蜂地转身逃入殿内，砰的一声，关上了殿门。 袁承志见他们对自己怕成这个样子，不觉好笑，俯身看何铁手时，见她左肩高肿，雪白的面颊上已罩上了一层黑气，知她中毒已深，但想她日夕与毒物为伍，抗力甚强，总还能支持一会，于是抱起她奔回寓所。 众人见他忽然擒了何铁手而来，都感惊奇。青青嗔道：“你抱着她干吗？还不放手。”袁承志道：“快拿冰蟾来救她。”焦宛儿扶着何铁手走进内室施救。水云等却甚是气恼，亦觉不解。袁承志把前因后果说了，并道：“令师黄木道人的事，等她醒转后，自当查问明白。”仙都弟子一齐拜谢。 过了一顿饭时分，焦宛儿出来说道：“她身上毒气已吸出来了，不过仍昏迷不醒。”袁承志道：“你给她服些解毒药，让她睡一会儿吧。” 焦宛儿应了，正要进去，罗立如从外面匆匆奔进，叫道：“袁相公，大喜大喜！”青青笑道：“你才大喜呀！”罗立如道：“闯王大军打下了宁武关。”众人欢呼。 袁承志问道：“讯息是否确实？”罗立如道：“帮里的张兄弟本来奉命去追寻……寻这位闵二爷的，恰好遇上闯军攻关，见到攻守双方打得甚是惨烈，走不过去。后来他眼见明军大败，守城的总兵周遇吉也给杀了。”袁承志道：“那好极啦，义军不日就来京师，咱们给他来个里应外合。” 此后数口之中，袁承志自朝至晚，甚是忙碌，以闯军金蛇营营主身份，会见京中各路豪杰，分派部署，只待义军兵临城下，举事响应。 这天出外议事回来，焦宛儿道：“袁相公，那何教主仍昏迷不醒。”袁承志吃了一惊，道：“已有许多天啦，怎么还不好？”忙随着焦宛儿入内探望，只见何铁手面色憔悴，脸无血色，已然奄奄一息。 袁承志沉思片刻，忽地叫道：“啊哟！”焦宛儿道：“怎么？”袁承志道：“常人中毒之后，毒气退尽，自然慢慢康复。但她从小玩弄毒物，平时多半又服用什么古怪药料，寻常毒物伤她不得，然一旦中毒，却厉害不过。我连日忙碌，竟没想到这层。”焦宛儿道：“那怎么办？”袁承志踌躇道：“除非把那冰蟾给她服了，或许还可有救……不过我们靠此至宝解毒，要是再受五毒教的伤害，只有束手待毙了。”焦宛儿也感好生为难。 袁承志一拍大腿，说道：“我已答允收此人作徒弟，虽说当时是被迫答允，但总是答允过了，不能眼睁睁地见她送命，便给她服了再说。”焦宛儿觉得此事甚险，颇为不安，但袁承志既如此吩咐，自当遵从，于是研碎冰蟾，用酒调了，给她服下去。过不到一顿饭时分，何铁手脸色由青转白，呼吸平复，坐起身来，叫了声：“师父！” 袁承志知道她这条命是救囬来了，退了出去。洪胜海进来禀报，说仙都派掌门人水云道人来拜会。何铁手道：“我去会他们！”由宛儿扶着走向大厅。 水云道人向袁承志见了礼，向何铁手打个问讯，说道：“何教主，我们师父的事，请您瞧在袁相公份上，明白赐告。”此言一出，随他而来的仙都众弟子都站起身来。 何铁手冷笑道：“师父于我有恩，跟你们仙都派可没干系。我身子还没复原，你们是不是要乘人之危？我何铁手也不在乎。”她如此横蛮无礼，可大出众人意料之外。 袁承志向水云等一使眼色，说道：“何教主身子不适，咱们慢慢再谈。”何铁手哼了一声，扶着焦宛儿进房去了。仙都诸弟子声势汹汹，七嘴八舌地议论。袁承志道：“这事交在兄弟身上。黄木道长由我负责相救脱险便是。”仙都诸人这才平息。
这数日中，闯军捷报犹如流水价报来：明军总兵姜瓖投降，闯军克大同；总兵王承胤、监军太监杜勋投降，闯军克宣府；总兵唐通、监军太监杜之秩投降，闯军克居庸。 那大同、宣府、居庸，都是京师外围要塞，向来驻有重兵防守。每一名总兵均统带精兵数万。崇祯不信武将，每军都派有亲信太监监军，权力在总兵之上，多所牵制。闯军一到，监军太监力主投降，总兵官往往跟从。重镇要地，闯军不费一兵一卒而下。 数日之间，明军土崩瓦解，北京城中，乱成一团。 这一日讯息传来，闯军已克昌平，北京城外京营三大营一齐溃散，眼见闯军已可唾手而取北京。
又过数日，洪胜海进内桌报，门外有个赤了上身的乞丐模样之人，跪在地下不住叩头，说要请何教主饶恕，瞧模样是五毒教中的人。 承志陪同何铁手出去，青青等也都跟了出去。只见隆冬严寒之际、那人赤裸上身，下身只穿了条烂裤，承志认得是锦衣毒丐齐云璈，便是放出小金蛇咬伤何铁手那人。 何铁手冷冷地道：“你瞧瞧，我不是好好的吗？”齐云璈脸现喜色，不住叩头。何铁手道：“你来干什么？你若不是走投无路，也不会来见我。”齐云缴道：“小人罪该万死，伤了教主贵体。多蒙三祖七子保佑，教主无恙，真不胜之喜。”何铁手喝道：“你只道用金蛇伤了我，按本教规矩，你便是教主了？”齐云瓒道：“小人敌不过那老乞婆，仔细思量，还是来归顺教主。小人该受千蛇噬身大刑，只求教主开恩宽赦。”说着双手高举，捧着一个金色圆筒，膝行数步上前。袁承志知道筒中装的便是那条剧毒小金蛇，他将此利器呈给何铁手，便是彻底投降归顺，再也不敢起异心了。 何铁手嘻嘻一笑，道：“你既诚心悔过，便饶了你这遭，死罪可免，活罪难饶……”伸手正要去拿圆筒，身上剧毒初清，突然间双足发软，身子一下摇晃。 焦宛儿站在她身旁，正要相扶，突然路旁一声厉叫，一人蓦地蹿将出来，纵到齐云璈身后，一弯腰，又纵了开去。只听齐云璈狂喊一声，俯伏在地，只见他背后插了一柄尺来长的利刀，深入背心，直没至刀柄。这一下犹如晴空霹雳，正所谓迅雷不及掩耳。 众人齐声惊呼，看那突施毒手的人，正是老乞婆何红药。却见她啊啊怪叫，左手挥舞，双足乱跳，却总是摔不开咬在她手背上的一条小金蛇。原来齐云璈陡受袭击，顺手将小金蛇放了出来。齐云璈抬头叫道：“好，好！”身子一阵扭动，垂首而死。众人瞧着何红药，见她脸上尽是恐惧之色，一张本就满是伤疤的脸，更加似鬼似魔。她右手几番伸出，想去拉扯金蛇，刚要碰到时又即缩回，似乎一碰金蛇便有大祸临头一般。但见她白眼一翻，忽地从怀里摸出一柄利刃，刀光一闪，嚓的一声，已把自己左手砍下，急速撕下衣襟包住伤口，狂奔而去。 众人见到这惊心动魄的一幕，都呆住了说不出话来。 何铁手弯下腰去，在齐云璈身上摸出那个金色圆筒，罩在金蛇身上，左手铁钩在何红药的断手上一划，切下金蛇咬住的手背肉，连肉和蛇倒在筒里，盖上塞子。 众人回进屋内。袁承志对何铁手道：“你教里跟你作对的人死的死，伤的伤，已没人敢造反了，你回去好好收拾一下吧！”何铁手摇头道：“我不回去啦，以后我只跟着你。” 袁承志神色尴尬，道：“你怎么跟着我？”何铁手道：“你是我师父，我跟着师父，才好学你功夫啊！”忽地在承志面前跪下，连连磕头。承志大惊，忙作揖还礼，说道：“快别这样。”何铁手道：“你已答允了收我做徒弟，现下我磕头拜师。” 承志道：“我已答允教你武功，并不反悔，但不必有师徒的名份。要收你入门，还须得我师父允准。”何铁手直挺挺地跪着，只不肯起身。袁承志伸手相扶。何铁手手肘一缩，答道：“我手上有毒！”乌光一闪，铁钩往他手掌上钩去。 袁承志双手并不退避，反而前伸，在间不容发之际，已抢在头里，在她手肘上一托，何铁手身不由主地腾空而起。但她武功也真了得，在空中含胸缩腰，陡然间身子向后退开两尺，落下地来，仍是跪着。旁观众人见两人各自露了一手上乘武功，不自禁地齐声喝彩。 袁承志道：“何教主休息一会儿吧，我要去更衣会客。”说着转身便要入内。何铁手大急，叫道：“你当真不肯收我为徒？”袁承志道：“兄弟不敢当。”何铁手道：“好！褎姑娘，我讲个故事给你听，有人半夜里把图画放在床边。” 青青愕然不解，袁承志却已满脸通红。心想这何铁手无法无天，什么话都敢说，自己虽与阿九并未做甚过分之事，但青年男女深夜同床，给她传扬开来，不但青青生气，也败坏了自己和阿九的名声，不由得心中大急，连连搓手。 何铁手笑道：“师父，还是答允了的好。”袁承志无奈，支吾道：“唔，唔。”何铁手大喜，说道：“好砑，你答允了。”双膝一挺，身子轻轻落在他面前，盈盈拜倒，行起大礼来。袁承志为势所迫，只得作个揖，还了半礼。众人纷纷过来道贺。 青青满腹疑窦，问何铁手道：“你讲什么故事？”何铁手笑道：“我们教里有门邪法，只要画了一个人的肖像放在床边，向着肖像磕头，行起法来，那人就会心痛头痛，一连三个月不会好。先前师父不肯收我，我就吓他要行此法。”青青觉此话难信，却也无可相驳。 袁承志听何铁手撒谎，这才放心，心想：“天下拜师也没这般要挟的。如她心术不改，决不传她武艺。”当下正色道：“其实我并无本领收徒传艺，既然你一番诚意，咱们暂且挂了这个名，等我禀明师父，他老人家允准之后，我才能传你华山派本门武功。”何铁手眉花眼笑，没口子地答应。 青青道：“何教主……”何铁手道：“你不能再叫我做教主啦。师父，请您给我改个名儿。”袁承志想了一下，说道：“我读书不多，想不出什么好名字。你本来叫铁手，女孩儿家，用这名字太凶狠了些，就叫'惕守'如何？惕是警惕着别做坏事，守是严守规矩、正正派派的意思。”何铁手喜道：“好好，不过'惕守'两字太规矩了。师父，我学了你武功之后，我好比多添了一只手，我自己就叫'添手'。夏师叔，你就叫我添守吧。”青青笑道：“你添一只手，变成了三只手，那是咱们的圣手神偷胡大哥。你年纪比我大，本领又比我高，怎么叫我师叔？”何惕守在她耳边悄声道：“现下叫你师叔，过些日子叫你师娘呢！” 青青双颊晕红，芳心窃喜，正要啐她，忽见水云与闵子华两人来到厅上。袁承志道：“黄木道长的下落，你对两位说了吧。”何惕守微微一笑，道：“他是在云南丽……” 一句话没说完，猛听得轰天价一声巨响，只震得门窗齐动。众人只觉脚下地面也都摇动，无不惊讶，但听得响声接连不断，却又不是焦雷霹雳。程青竹道：“那是炮声。” 洪胜海从大门口直冲进来，叫道：“闯王大军到啦！”只听炮声不绝，遥望城外火光烛天，杀声大震，闯王义军已攻到了北京城外。 袁承志对水云道：“道长，她已拜我为师。尊师的事，咱们慢一步再说……”何惕守道：“黄木道长给我姑姑关在云南丽江府玉龙雪山毒龙洞里。你们拿这个去放他出来吧。”说着拿出一个乌黑的蛇形铁哨来。水云与闵子华听说师父无恙，大喜过望，连忙谢过，接了哨子。何惕守道：“这是我的令符。你们马上赶去，只要抢在头里，云南路远迢迢，讯息不灵，教众还不知我已叛教，见了这个令符，自会放尊师出来。”水云与闵子华匆匆去了。
两人走了不久，北京城里各路豪杰齐来听袁承志号令。他既是七省英豪的盟主，又是闯军金蛇营的首领金蛇王。袁承志事先早有布置，谁放火，谁接应，已分派得井井有条。 闯军如何攻城，明军如何守御，各处探子不住报来。过得一会儿，一名汉子送了一封信来，是李岩命人混进城来递送的，原来他统军已到城外。袁承志大喜，当即派人四出行事。 黄昏间，各人已将歌谣到处传播，只听西城众闲人与小儿们唱了起来：“朝求升，暮求合，近来贫汉难存活，早早开门拜闯王，管教大小都欢悦！”又听东城的闲汉们唱道：“吃他娘，着他娘，吃着不尽有闯王，不当差，不纳粮！”城中官兵早已大乱，各自打算如何逃命，又有谁去理会？听着这些歌谣，更是人心惶惶。 次日是三月十八，袁承志与青青、何惕守、程青竹、沙天广等化装明兵，齐到城头眺望，只见城外义军都穿黑衣黑甲，数十万人犹如乌云蔽野，不见尽处。炮火羽箭，不住往城上射来。守军阵势早乱，哪里抵敌得住？ 忽然间大风陡起，黄沙蔽天，日色昏暗，雷声震动，大雨夹着冰雹倾盆而下。城上城下，众兵将衣履尽湿。 青青等见到这般天地大变的情状，不禁心中均感栗栗。 袁承志等回下城来，指挥人众，在城中四下里放火，截杀官兵。各处街巷中的流氓棍徒便趁机劫掠，哭声叫声，此起彼落。 群雄正自大呼酣斗，忽见一队官兵拥着一个锦衣太监，呼喝而来。袁承志于火光中远远望见正是曹化淳，心头一喜，叫道：“跟我来，拿下这奸贼。”铁罗汉与何惕守当先开路，直冲过去，官兵哪里阻拦得住？曹化淳见势头不对，拨转马头想逃。袁承志一跃而前，扯住他提下马来，喝道：“到哪里去？”曹化淳道：“皇……皇上……命小人督……督战彰义门。”袁承志道：“好，到彰义门去。” 群雄拥着曹化淳直上城头，遥遥望见城外一面大旗迎风飘扬，旗下一人头戴毡笠，跨着乌驳马往来驰骋指挥，威风凛凛，正是闯王李自成。 袁承志叫道：“快开城门，迎接闯王！”说着手上一用劲，曹化淳痛得险些晕了过去。他命悬人手，哪敢违抗？何况眼见大势已去，反想迎接新主，重图富贵，当即传下令来，彰义门大开。城外闯军欢声雷动，直冲进来。成千成万身披黑甲的兵将涌人城门。袁承志站在城头向下望去，见闯军便如一条大黑龙蜿蜓而进北京，威不可当。 袁承志率领众人，随着败兵退进了内城。内城守兵尚众，加上从外城溃退进来的败兵，重重叠叠，挤满了城头。这时天色已晚，外城闯军鸣金休息。袁承志等在乱军中也退回居所。城边钲鼓声、呐喊声乱成一片。统兵的将官有的逃跑，有的在城头督战，谁也顾不到他们这一伙人。消息报来，闯军革里眼、横天王、改世王等已分别统兵入城。胡桂南等也打起“金蛇营”旗号，率令众好汉乘势立功。 群雄退回正条子胡同，换下身上血衣，饱餐已毕，站在屋顶瞭望，只见城内处处火光。 袁承志喜道：“内城明日清晨必破。闯王治国，大公无私，从此天下百姓，可以过吃饱着暖的太平日子。今晚是我手刃仇人的时候了。” 众人知他要去刺杀崇祯为父报仇，都愿随同入宫。袁承志挂念阿九，要单独前去相会，不愿旁人伴同，说道：“各位辛苦了一日，今晚好好休息，明晨尚有许多大事要办。兵荒马乱之际，皇宫戒备必疏，刺杀昏君只一举手之劳，还是兄弟一个去办吧。”各人心想他身负绝世武功，现下皇帝的侍卫只怕都已逃光，要去刺杀这个孤家寡人，实不费吹灰之力，见他坚持，俱都遵从。 袁承志要青青点起香烛，写了“先君故兵部尚书蓟辽督师袁”的灵牌，安排了灵位，只待割了崇祯的头来祭了父亲，然后把首级拿到城头，登高一呼，内城守军自然溃败。他带了一个革囊，以备盛放崇祯的首级，腰间藏了一柄尺来长的尖刀，径向皇宫奔去。 一路火光烛天，溃兵败将，到处在乘乱抢掠。袁承志正行之间，只见七八名官兵拖了几名大哭大叫的妇女走过。想起阿九孤身一个少女，
Yuan Chengzhi asked them to guard the wounded, and walked out of Xuanwu Gate. After a short walk, he saw He Tieshou standing under a big tree from a distance. She greeted her with a smile, and said: "Master, I accomplished your good deed last night, how is my apprentice?" Cheng Zhi said: "The situation was extremely critical last night, but thanks to your generous help, there was no trouble. It's a big mess." He Tieshou smiled and said: "Master is really blessed. There is such a beautiful princess who loves and loves each other. In the future, she will be appointed as a son-in-law. What kind of official should I be appointed as an apprentice?" Cheng Zhi said seriously: "Don't be joking." He Tieshou She smiled and said: "Oh, it's too bad! Who can't see that she is looking at you so affectionately? Besides, if you don't love her, why would you give her the Golden Snake Sword? And you are so desperate to save her father. Emperor?" Cheng Zhi said: "That is for the righteousness of the country." He Tieshou pursed his lips and said with a smile: "Yes, sharing the same bed with others, you pity me, and that is for the righteousness of the country. Hee hee!" Cheng Zhi immediately blushed and lost his hands and feet, and said, "What... what? Why do you..." He Tieshou smiled and said, "There is clearly someone hidden in the princess quilt. Are we gangsters going to be blind? I saw the portrait of Master. How can I not let go of this friendship?" Cheng Zhi thought to himself that the portrait was confiscated so that she could see it; in a flash, he felt ashamed, if it wasn't for that portrait, He Tie It's even worse when the hands are uncovered. He Tieshou saw that his face was red to the base of his ears, and knew that his face was tender, so he changed the subject and asked, "Has Miss Xia returned safely?" Yuan Chengzhi nodded, and said, "I'll give it to you now." Let's get rid of it, friends." He Tieshou led the way, and continued to Bing, praising Ajiu for her beauty along the way, which she had never seen in her life, and said that she couldn't see a young princess with golden branches and jade leaves, who was actually good at martial arts, so it must have been taught by Yuan Chengzhi himself Well, it is of course the case that an enlightened master produces outstanding apprentices, not to mention that this enlightened master treats outstanding apprentices with special respect.Now the princess is the senior sister, and in the future she will be the teacher's wife.But I don't know Miss Xia, who is older and who is younger, one enters the mountain gate first, and the other has a noble status, it is a bit unfair, but the princess is much more beautiful, so the master probably wants to be partial.Yuan Chengzhi let her chatter endlessly, and listened to her master's in front of her and her master's yelling endlessly. Last night, she said what she said, but she couldn't keep her word. , is also unethical.There is only a wry smile and ignore it.After traveling for more than five miles, I came to Huayan Temple, an ancient temple. There are guards from the Five Poison Sect outside the temple, and they all glared at Yuan Chengzhi when they saw Yuan Chengzhi.Yuan Chengzhi ignored it. After entering the temple, he saw straw mats spread on the Daxiong Hall, and the believers who had been wounded by him were lying in rows.Yuan Chengzhi unlocked the acupoints for everyone one by one, and said in a loud voice: "Brothers have no enmity with you, but because of a small misunderstanding, I offended you. I apologize to everyone here."Everyone turned their heads and ignored them, neither returning the salute nor answering. Yuan Chengzhi thought that the etiquette had come, so he didn't say much, turned around and came out, and when he turned around, he suddenly saw a pair of poisonous eyes staring fiercely at He Tieshou.This person hid himself in the dark corner of the palace, he couldn't see his figure clearly for a while, only his eyes were shining brightly.Yuan Chengzhi was startled, thinking that this person's eyes were full of resentment and anger, who is this person?After staring again, the man has slipped into the room, and when he moved, he immediately recognized the old beggar He Hongyao. He Tie palmistry sent out of the temple.Yuan Chengzhi was quite puzzled when he saw that her expression was different, which was quite different from that of Yan Yan who was just talking about it.The two bowed outside the temple gate and said goodbye. Yuan Chengzhi went back from the original road and walked out of Lixu. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, wondering if they had other tricks?I'm afraid that after everyone's acupoints are unlocked, they will not stop harassing them again, so it's better to find out the other party's plot first, so as to be prepared first.Turning south at the moment, walking far behind the Huayan Temple, seeing no one around, jumped in from the back wall, and suddenly heard a loud hissing and whistle. He knew that this was the signal for the gathering of the Five Poison Sect, so he hid behind a big tree for a while, guessing that the congregation had already gathered, and then quietly hid behind the main hall, only to hear a burst of fierce debate coming from the hall . He put his ear on the crack of the door and listened. He Hongyao's voice was sharp and Qi Yunshou's voice was thick.One said that she was obsessed with Yuan Chengzhi, forgot the deep hatred in the sect, and instead worshiped the disciple of the enemy as a teacher; the other said that she joined forces with the enemy to ruin the great event of supporting a new king and taking the opportunity to promote the sect. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and after listening to the two talking for a while, he said, "What are you going to do?" Everyone fell silent immediately. After a while, He Hongyao suddenly said coldly: "Establish another leader!" He Tieshou said awe-inspiringly: "For hundreds of years, according to our canon rule, a new leader can only be established after the death of the old leader. So you want me to die?" Everyone was silent.He Tieshou said: "Who wants to be the new leader?" She asked three times, but no one answered.He Tieshou sneered and said: "Which one can beat me by himself, come out and grab the leader!" Yuan Chengzhi stuck his right eye to the crack of the door and looked in. He saw He Tieshou sitting on a chair alone, and dozens of congregants stood far away, obviously quite afraid of her.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I have fought each of these people from the Five Poisons Sect, and none of them can match half of her skills. But I am afraid that the leader will not be able to do it for long with force alone." Seeing the internal strife of the Five Poisons Sect , not trying to seek revenge on him and Qingqing, so don't bother, but since she has been accepted as a disciple, and she is quite attached to herself, it is difficult to ignore her life and death, just as she was walking, suddenly saw a flash of cold light, why? More and more red medicines came out, holding a strange weapon in their hands.Yuan Chengzhi saw that this weapon seemed to be a huge scimitar. Not only had he never seen it before, he had never heard of it from his master. He didn't know how to use it, so he became curious, and leaned over to look again. He Hongyao said coldly: "I don't want to be the leader, and I know I'm not your opponent. But the three ancestors and seven sons of the Five Immortals Sect spent forty years of hard work to establish the sect. How hard was that? Ben The teaching has been rampant in Tiannan for more than a hundred years, and this foundation has not come easily, and it must not be destroyed in the hands of a lowly maid like you!" He Tieshou said: "What is the crime for insulting the leader?" He Hongyao said: "I no longer regard you as the leader, come on!" Stretching his hands forward, with a cry, he swung his weapon, and the scimitar's head fell again Drill out a small tip. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and sat still in the chair.He Hongyao jumped forward, made two "Tun Tun" sounds, the scimitar had been cut twice.She was afraid of He Tieshou's strong martial arts skills, so she jumped away immediately after missing a single blow.He Tie sat in the chair with his hands in his hands, and only dodged slightly when He Hongyao attacked, but did not fight back.Yuan Chengzhi was feeling strange, his eyes squinted, and seeing dozens of congregants each holding their weapons and gradually approaching, he realized that He Tie was guarding the door tightly to prevent everyone from besieging.Because of the narrow opening in the door, he could only see a place in the hall, and presumably the congregation had surrounded her in all directions. Everyone was in a stalemate for a moment, and no one dared to rush forward.He Hongyao shouted: "Useless things, what are you afraid of? Come on everyone!" She swung her scimitar, and everyone shouted forward.He Tieshou jumped up quickly, only to hear the sound of ping-pong, and the chair had been smashed to pieces by several weapons at the same time.The two congregants screamed one after another, and were injured by the hook.The hall was full of dust, and He Tieshou, a white shadow, was criss-crossing the crowd, and the fight was fierce. Yuan Chengzhi observed the fighting situation of the people in the hall. All the sects except He Hongyao had tapped the acupuncture points for him, and he was tired for a long time.If He Tieshou wanted to get out, she shouldn't be embarrassed, but she didn't rush out, as if she wanted to use force to subdue the congregation and punish the traitor. After dismantling dozens of tricks, he suddenly saw a person in the crowd acting strangely.Although this person also attacked with the crowd, his steps were slow, holding a golden cylinder in his hand, and slowly approaching He Tieshou.When Yuan Chengzhi looked carefully, this person was Qi Yunao, a poisonous beggar in brocade clothes.All of a sudden, he yelled and moved his hands forward, and a ray of yellow light was thrown at He Tieshou. He Tieshou dodged sideways, but he didn't know that this hidden weapon was so weird that it could turn and chase in the air.At that time, several weapons attacked at the same time, He Tieshou screamed loudly, and was hit by a hidden weapon.At this time, Yuan Chengzhi could see clearly that this living hidden weapon was the little golden snake.He Tie shook his body with his hands, and hastily stretched out his hand to tear off the golden snake biting his shoulder, fell to the ground, and killed two congregants with two savage hooks.He Hongyao yelled: "This lowly servant girl has been bitten by a golden snake. If everyone catches her, the poison is about to take hold!" He Tieshou stumbled and rushed towards the apse.Although she was poisoned, she was still powerful, and the congregation did not dare to take the risk to stop her for a while.He Hongyao jumped forward, and the scimitar was like the wind, cutting off the back of her head.He Tieshou bowed his head to avoid it, and returned a hook.Pan Xiuda and Cen Qisi have blocked her way.He Tie gently pressed his right elbow on his waist, and the "innuendo" poisonous needle shot out.Pan Xiuda dodged without hesitation, before he could shout, he was already killed.He Tie had poisonous hairs on his shoulders, was in a coma, and the iron hooks danced wildly, and there were countless tricks. Yuan Chengzhi saw that she was about to die at the hands of these vicious congregants in a blink of an eye, thinking that he agreed to accept her as an apprentice in the palace last night.难追，不能于危急中欺骗一个年青女子，她眼下所以众叛亲离，实因拜己为师而起，此时眼见她命在顷刻，岂可袖手不理？忽地跃出，大叫：“大家住手！” 教众见他突然出现，无不大惊，一齐退开。 何铁手这时已更加糊涂，挥钩向袁承志迎面划来。袁承志侧身避过，左手伸出，反拿她手腕。哪知她武功深湛，进退趋避之际已成自然，虽然眼前金星乱舞，但手腕一碰到袁承志的手指，左臂立沉，铁钩倒竖，向上疾刺，仍是既狠且准。袁承志一拿不中，叫道：“我来救你！”何铁手恍若不闻，双钩如狂风骤雨般攻来。袁承志解拆数招，右脚在她小腿轻勾，何铁手扑地倒下，突然睁眼，惊叫道：“师父，我死了么？”袁承志道：“咱们出去！”拉住她手臂提了起来。 诸教众本在旁观两人相斗，见袁承志扶着她急奔而出，齐声发喊，纷纷拥上。 袁承志转身叫道：“谁敢上来！”教众个个是惊弓之鸟，不知谁先发喊，忽地一窝蜂地转身逃入殿内，砰的一声，关上了殿门。 袁承志见他们对自己怕成这个样子，不觉好笑，俯身看何铁手时，见她左肩高肿，雪白的面颊上已罩上了一层黑气，知她中毒已深，但想她日夕与毒物为伍，抗力甚强，总还能支持一会，于是抱起她奔回寓所。 众人见他忽然擒了何铁手而来，都感惊奇。青青嗔道：“你抱着她干吗？还不放手。”袁承志道：“快拿冰蟾来救她。”焦宛儿扶着何铁手走进内室施救。水云等却甚是气恼，亦觉不解。袁承志把前因后果说了，并道：“令师黄木道人的事，等她醒转后，自当查问明白。”仙都弟子一齐拜谢。 过了一顿饭时分，焦宛儿出来说道：“她身上毒气已吸出来了，不过仍昏迷不醒。”袁承志道：“你给她服些解毒药，让她睡一会儿吧。” 焦宛儿应了，正要进去，罗立如从外面匆匆奔进，叫道：“袁相公，大喜大喜！”青青笑道：“你才大喜呀！”罗立如道：“闯王大军打下了宁武关。”众人欢呼。 袁承志问道：“讯息是否确实？”罗立如道：“帮里的张兄弟本来奉命去追寻……寻这位闵二爷的，恰好遇上闯军攻关，见到攻守双方打得甚是惨烈，走不过去。后来他眼见明军大败，守城的总兵周遇吉也给杀了。”袁承志道：“那好极啦，义军不日就来京师，咱们给他来个里应外合。” 此后数口之中，袁承志自朝至晚，甚是忙碌，以闯军金蛇营营主身份，会见京中各路豪杰，分派部署，只待义军兵临城下，举事响应。 这天出外议事回来，焦宛儿道：“袁相公，那何教主仍昏迷不醒。”袁承志吃了一惊，道：“已有许多天啦，怎么还不好？”忙随着焦宛儿入内探望，只见何铁手面色憔悴，脸无血色，已然奄奄一息。 袁承志沉思片刻，忽地叫道：“啊哟！”焦宛儿道：“怎么？”袁承志道：“常人中毒之后，毒气退尽，自然慢慢康复。但她从小玩弄毒物，平时多半又服用什么古怪药料，寻常毒物伤她不得，然一旦中毒，却厉害不过。我连日忙碌，竟没想到这层。”焦宛儿道：“那怎么办？”袁承志踌躇道：“除非把那冰蟾给她服了，或许还可有救……不过我们靠此至宝解毒，要是再受五毒教的伤害，只有束手待毙了。”焦宛儿也感好生为难。 袁承志一拍大腿，说道：“我已答允收此人作徒弟，虽说当时是被迫答允，但总是答允过了，不能眼睁睁地见她送命，便给她服了再说。”焦宛儿觉得此事甚险，颇为不安，但袁承志既如此吩咐，自当遵从，于是研碎冰蟾，用酒调了，给她服下去。过不到一顿饭时分，何铁手脸色由青转白，呼吸平复，坐起身来，叫了声：“师父！” 袁承志知道她这条命是救囬来了，退了出去。洪胜海进来禀报，说仙都派掌门人水云道人来拜会。何铁手道：“我去会他们！”由宛儿扶着走向大厅。 水云道人向袁承志见了礼，向何铁手打个问讯，说道：“何教主，我们师父的事，请您瞧在袁相公份上，明白赐告。”此言一出，随他而来的仙都众弟子都站起身来。 何铁手冷笑道：“师父于我有恩，跟你们仙都派可没干系。我身子还没复原，你们是不是要乘人之危？我何铁手也不在乎。”她如此横蛮无礼，可大出众人意料之外。 袁承志向水云等一使眼色，说道：“何教主身子不适，咱们慢慢再谈。”何铁手哼了一声，扶着焦宛儿进房去了。仙都诸弟子声势汹汹，七嘴八舌地议论。袁承志道：“这事交在兄弟身上。黄木道长由我负责相救脱险便是。”仙都诸人这才平息。
这数日中，闯军捷报犹如流水价报来：明军总兵姜瓖投降，闯军克大同；总兵王承胤、监军太监杜勋投降，闯军克宣府；总兵唐通、监军太监杜之秩投降，闯军克居庸。 那大同、宣府、居庸，都是京师外围要塞，向来驻有重兵防守。每一名总兵均统带精兵数万。崇祯不信武将，每军都派有亲信太监监军，权力在总兵之上，多所牵制。闯军一到，监军太监力主投降，总兵官往往跟从。重镇要地，闯军不费一兵一卒而下。 数日之间，明军土崩瓦解，北京城中，乱成一团。 这一日讯息传来，闯军已克昌平，北京城外京营三大营一齐溃散，眼见闯军已可唾手而取北京。
又过数日，洪胜海进内桌报，门外有个赤了上身的乞丐模样之人，跪在地下不住叩头，说要请何教主饶恕，瞧模样是五毒教中的人。 承志陪同何铁手出去，青青等也都跟了出去。只见隆冬严寒之际、那人赤裸上身，下身只穿了条烂裤，承志认得是锦衣毒丐齐云璈，便是放出小金蛇咬伤何铁手那人。 何铁手冷冷地道：“你瞧瞧，我不是好好的吗？”齐云璈脸现喜色，不住叩头。何铁手道：“你来干什么？你若不是走投无路，也不会来见我。”齐云缴道：“小人罪该万死，伤了教主贵体。多蒙三祖七子保佑，教主无恙，真不胜之喜。”何铁手喝道：“你只道用金蛇伤了我，按本教规矩，你便是教主了？”齐云瓒道：“小人敌不过那老乞婆，仔细思量，还是来归顺教主。小人该受千蛇噬身大刑，只求教主开恩宽赦。”说着双手高举，捧着一个金色圆筒，膝行数步上前。袁承志知道筒中装的便是那条剧毒小金蛇，他将此利器呈给何铁手，便是彻底投降归顺，再也不敢起异心了。 何铁手嘻嘻一笑，道：“你既诚心悔过，便饶了你这遭，死罪可免，活罪难饶……”伸手正要去拿圆筒，身上剧毒初清，突然间双足发软，身子一下摇晃。 焦宛儿站在她身旁，正要相扶，突然路旁一声厉叫，一人蓦地蹿将出来，纵到齐云璈身后，一弯腰，又纵了开去。只听齐云璈狂喊一声，俯伏在地，只见他背后插了一柄尺来长的利刀，深入背心，直没至刀柄。这一下犹如晴空霹雳，正所谓迅雷不及掩耳。 众人齐声惊呼，看那突施毒手的人，正是老乞婆何红药。却见她啊啊怪叫，左手挥舞，双足乱跳，却总是摔不开咬在她手背上的一条小金蛇。原来齐云璈陡受袭击，顺手将小金蛇放了出来。齐云璈抬头叫道：“好，好！”身子一阵扭动，垂首而死。众人瞧着何红药，见她脸上尽是恐惧之色，一张本就满是伤疤的脸，更加似鬼似魔。她右手几番伸出，想去拉扯金蛇，刚要碰到时又即缩回，似乎一碰金蛇便有大祸临头一般。但见她白眼一翻，忽地从怀里摸出一柄利刃，刀光一闪，嚓的一声，已把自己左手砍下，急速撕下衣襟包住伤口，狂奔而去。 众人见到这惊心动魄的一幕，都呆住了说不出话来。 何铁手弯下腰去，在齐云璈身上摸出那个金色圆筒，罩在金蛇身上，左手铁钩在何红药的断手上一划，切下金蛇咬住的手背肉，连肉和蛇倒在筒里，盖上塞子。 众人回进屋内。袁承志对何铁手道：“你教里跟你作对的人死的死，伤的伤，已没人敢造反了，你回去好好收拾一下吧！”何铁手摇头道：“我不回去啦，以后我只跟着你。” 袁承志神色尴尬，道：“你怎么跟着我？”何铁手道：“你是我师父，我跟着师父，才好学你功夫啊！”忽地在承志面前跪下，连连磕头。承志大惊，忙作揖还礼，说道：“快别这样。”何铁手道：“你已答允了收我做徒弟，现下我磕头拜师。” 承志道：“我已答允教你武功，并不反悔，但不必有师徒的名份。要收你入门，还须得我师父允准。”何铁手直挺挺地跪着，只不肯起身。袁承志伸手相扶。何铁手手肘一缩，答道：“我手上有毒！”乌光一闪，铁钩往他手掌上钩去。 袁承志双手并不退避，反而前伸，在间不容发之际，已抢在头里，在她手肘上一托，何铁手身不由主地腾空而起。但她武功也真了得，在空中含胸缩腰，陡然间身子向后退开两尺，落下地来，仍是跪着。旁观众人见两人各自露了一手上乘武功，不自禁地齐声喝彩。 袁承志道：“何教主休息一会儿吧，我要去更衣会客。”说着转身便要入内。何铁手大急，叫道：“你当真不肯收我为徒？”袁承志道：“兄弟不敢当。”何铁手道：“好！褎姑娘，我讲个故事给你听，有人半夜里把图画放在床边。” 青青愕然不解，袁承志却已满脸通红。心想这何铁手无法无天，什么话都敢说，自己虽与阿九并未做甚过分之事，但青年男女深夜同床，给她传扬开来，不但青青生气，也败坏了自己和阿九的名声，不由得心中大急，连连搓手。 何铁手笑道：“师父，还是答允了的好。”袁承志无奈，支吾道：“唔，唔。”何铁手大喜，说道：“好砑，你答允了。”双膝一挺，身子轻轻落在他面前，盈盈拜倒，行起大礼来。袁承志为势所迫，只得作个揖，还了半礼。众人纷纷过来道贺。 青青满腹疑窦，问何铁手道：“你讲什么故事？”何铁手笑道：“我们教里有门邪法，只要画了一个人的肖像放在床边，向着肖像磕头，行起法来，那人就会心痛头痛，一连三个月不会好。先前师父不肯收我，我就吓他要行此法。”青青觉此话难信，却也无可相驳。 袁承志听何铁手撒谎，这才放心，心想：“天下拜师也没这般要挟的。如她心术不改，决不传她武艺。”当下正色道：“其实我并无本领收徒传艺，既然你一番诚意，咱们暂且挂了这个名，等我禀明师父，他老人家允准之后，我才能传你华山派本门武功。”何铁手眉花眼笑，没口子地答应。 青青道：“何教主……”何铁手道：“你不能再叫我做教主啦。师父，请您给我改个名儿。”袁承志想了一下，说道：“我读书不多，想不出什么好名字。你本来叫铁手，女孩儿家，用这名字太凶狠了些，就叫'惕守'如何？惕是警惕着别做坏事，守是严守规矩、正正派派的意思。”何铁手喜道：“好好，不过'惕守'两字太规矩了。师父，我学了你武功之后，我好比多添了一只手，我自己就叫'添手'。夏师叔，你就叫我添守吧。”青青笑道：“你添一只手，变成了三只手，那是咱们的圣手神偷胡大哥。你年纪比我大，本领又比我高，怎么叫我师叔？”何惕守在她耳边悄声道：“现下叫你师叔，过些日子叫你师娘呢！” 青青双颊晕红，芳心窃喜，正要啐她，忽见水云与闵子华两人来到厅上。袁承志道：“黄木道长的下落，你对两位说了吧。”何惕守微微一笑，道：“他是在云南丽……” 一句话没说完，猛听得轰天价一声巨响，只震得门窗齐动。众人只觉脚下地面也都摇动，无不惊讶，但听得响声接连不断，却又不是焦雷霹雳。程青竹道：“那是炮声。” 洪胜海从大门口直冲进来，叫道：“闯王大军到啦！”只听炮声不绝，遥望城外火光烛天，杀声大震，闯王义军已攻到了北京城外。 袁承志对水云道：“道长，她已拜我为师。尊师的事，咱们慢一步再说……”何惕守道：“黄木道长给我姑姑关在云南丽江府玉龙雪山毒龙洞里。你们拿这个去放他出来吧。”说着拿出一个乌黑的蛇形铁哨来。水云与闵子华听说师父无恙，大喜过望，连忙谢过，接了哨子。何惕守道：“这是我的令符。你们马上赶去，只要抢在头里，云南路远迢迢，讯息不灵，教众还不知我已叛教，见了这个令符，自会放尊师出来。”水云与闵子华匆匆去了。
两人走了不久，北京城里各路豪杰齐来听袁承志号令。他既是七省英豪的盟主，又是闯军金蛇营的首领金蛇王。袁承志事先早有布置，谁放火，谁接应，已分派得井井有条。 闯军如何攻城，明军如何守御，各处探子不住报来。过得一会儿，一名汉子送了一封信来，是李岩命人混进城来递送的，原来他统军已到城外。袁承志大喜，当即派人四出行事。 黄昏间，各人已将歌谣到处传播，只听西城众闲人与小儿们唱了起来：“朝求升，暮求合，近来贫汉难存活，早早开门拜闯王，管教大小都欢悦！”又听东城的闲汉们唱道：“吃他娘，着他娘，吃着不尽有闯王，不当差，不纳粮！”城中官兵早已大乱，各自打算如何逃命，又有谁去理会？听着这些歌谣，更是人心惶惶。 次日是三月十八，袁承志与青青、何惕守、程青竹、沙天广等化装明兵，齐到城头眺望，只见城外义军都穿黑衣黑甲，数十万人犹如乌云蔽野，不见尽处。炮火羽箭，不住往城上射来。守军阵势早乱，哪里抵敌得住？ 忽然间大风陡起，黄沙蔽天，日色昏暗，雷声震动，大雨夹着冰雹倾盆而下。城上城下，众兵将衣履尽湿。 青青等见到这般天地大变的情状，不禁心中均感栗栗。 袁承志等回下城来，指挥人众，在城中四下里放火，截杀官兵。各处街巷中的流氓棍徒便趁机劫掠，哭声叫声，此起彼落。 群雄正自大呼酣斗，忽见一队官兵拥着一个锦衣太监，呼喝而来。袁承志于火光中远远望见正是曹化淳，心头一喜，叫道：“跟我来，拿下这奸贼。”铁罗汉与何惕守当先开路，直冲过去，官兵哪里阻拦得住？曹化淳见势头不对，拨转马头想逃。袁承志一跃而前，扯住他提下马来，喝道：“到哪里去？”曹化淳道：“皇……皇上……命小人督……督战彰义门。”袁承志道：“好，到彰义门去。” 群雄拥着曹化淳直上城头，遥遥望见城外一面大旗迎风飘扬，旗下一人头戴毡笠，跨着乌驳马往来驰骋指挥，威风凛凛，正是闯王李自成。 袁承志叫道：“快开城门，迎接闯王！”说着手上一用劲，曹化淳痛得险些晕了过去。他命悬人手，哪敢违抗？何况眼见大势已去，反想迎接新主，重图富贵，当即传下令来，彰义门大开。城外闯军欢声雷动，直冲进来。成千成万身披黑甲的兵将涌人城门。袁承志站在城头向下望去，见闯军便如一条大黑龙蜿蜓而进北京，威不可当。 袁承志率领众人，随着败兵退进了内城。内城守兵尚众，加上从外城溃退进来的败兵，重重叠叠，挤满了城头。这时天色已晚，外城闯军鸣金休息。袁承志等在乱军中也退回居所。城边钲鼓声、呐喊声乱成一片。统兵的将官有的逃跑，有的在城头督战，谁也顾不到他们这一伙人。消息报来，闯军革里眼、横天王、改世王等已分别统兵入城。胡桂南等也打起“金蛇营”旗号，率令众好汉乘势立功。 群雄退回正条子胡同，换下身上血衣，饱餐已毕，站在屋顶瞭望，只见城内处处火光。 袁承志喜道：“内城明日清晨必破。闯王治国，大公无私，从此天下百姓，可以过吃饱着暖的太平日子。今晚是我手刃仇人的时候了。” 众人知他要去刺杀崇祯为父报仇，都愿随同入宫。袁承志挂念阿九，要单独前去相会，不愿旁人伴同，说道：“各位辛苦了一日，今晚好好休息，明晨尚有许多大事要办。兵荒马乱之际，皇宫戒备必疏，刺杀昏君只一举手之劳，还是兄弟一个去办吧。”各人心想他身负绝世武功，现下皇帝的侍卫只怕都已逃光，要去刺杀这个孤家寡人，实不费吹灰之力，见他坚持，俱都遵从。 袁承志要青青点起香烛，写了“先君故兵部尚书蓟辽督师袁”的灵牌，安排了灵位，只待割了崇祯的头来祭了父亲，然后把首级拿到城头，登高一呼，内城守军自然溃败。他带了一个革囊，以备盛放崇祯的首级，腰间藏了一柄尺来长的尖刀，径向皇宫奔去。 一路火光烛天，溃兵败将，到处在乘乱抢掠。袁承志正行之间，只见七八名官兵拖了几名大哭大叫的妇女走过。想起阿九孤身一个少女，