Chapter 16 Chapter 16 I See You Feeling Pity for Two Old Men

Guan Mingmei carried Huo Qingtong down the tree and told her to swallow a snow ginseng pill first.Huo Qingtong swallowed it, only to feel a rush of hot air coming up from his dantian, and immediately his whole body felt comfortable.Guan Mingmei said: "You are really lucky, you will get better soon after you get this panacea." Chen Zhengde said coldly: "Even if you don't take this medicine, you won't die." Guan Mingmei said: "Could it be that you would rather Qing'er suffer more? "Chen Zhengde said: "If it were me, I would rather die than take his pills. What about you? Even if you are not sick, you still want to take the medicine he gave you." Tears were shining, she was so pitiful, so she held back her words, carried her on her back and headed north.Chen Zhengde followed behind, nagging and chattering all the way.

The three returned to Yuwangkun Shuangying's residence.After taking the medicine, Huo Qingtong took a nap and felt much better.Guan Mingmei sat by her bed and asked why she came out sick alone.Huo Qingtong explained in detail the plan to wipe out the Qing soldiers, the encounter with the three demons on the way, but he never said the reason for leaving.Guan Mingmei was impatient and kept asking questions. Huo Qingtong respects and loves his master the most, and he no longer hides it, crying: "He...he is close to my sister. When I transferred troops...father and everyone suspected that I had selfish intentions." Guan Mingmei jumped up and shouted: "It's the boss Chen who you gave him the dagger?" Huo Qingtong nodded.Guan Mingmei said angrily: "This person likes the new and abandons the old, and your sister is so unsisterly. Both of them should be killed." Huo Qingtong said anxiously: "No, no..." Guan Mingmei said: "I'll settle it for you This account!" Said and rushed out of the room.Chen Zhengde heard his wife yelling, hurried over to look, and the two almost collided by the door.Guan Mingmei said: "Come with me! Go kill two heartless people!" Chen Zhengde said: "Okay!" The couple ran out.

Huo Qingtong jumped up, wanting to chase him out to explain what happened, but he was only wearing underwear, he became anxious and passed out.When I woke up, the master and master had gone far.She knew that these two people were extremely irritable, and their martial arts were high. Chen Jialuo was determined to be no match for them alone. If they really killed him and his sister, what should they do?I don't care about being weak in illness at the moment, so I get on my horse and rush away. Along the way, Guan Mingmei said that the most heartless man in the world should be killed, and said angrily: "Qing'er, this ancient sword is a rare treasure. I gave it to him with good intentions. How much do I value him? But he put Qing'er in the back of his mind, and If he fell in love with her sister, he should be cut to death." Shuang Ying loved Huo Qingtong very much, and Chen Zhengde also said: "Qing'er's sister is so shameless, the person who snatched her sister made her so angry Looks like it."

On the third day, Shuangying saw the dust rising in front of him, and two horses came galloping from the south.Guan Mingmei cried out "ah".Chen Zhengde asked: "What?" At this moment, he saw clearly that it was Chen Jialuo who was galloping towards him, so he stretched out his hand and drew his sword.Guan Mingmei said: "Wait a minute, look at how fast their mounts are. If they run away, they won't be able to catch up. Let's pretend we don't know, and it's not too late to start slowly." Chen Zhengde nodded, and the two went up to meet them. Chen Jialuo also saw them, hurriedly urged the horse over, got off the horse and saluted, and said, "It's an honor to see two seniors again. Can you see Miss Huo Qingtong?" Guan Mingmei scolded in her heart: "You still pretend to miss her. " Said: "I don't see you! What's the matter?" Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he saw a very beautiful girl galloping up to him.Chen Jialuo said: "That's your sister's master, come down quickly to pay respects." Princess Xiangxiang got off her horse and saluted, and said with a smile: "I often hear my sister talking about the two. Have you seen my sister?" Chen Zhengde thought to himself: "No wonder she has to change her mind when she is young. She is indeed much more beautiful than Qing'er." Guan Mingmei thought to herself: "Little girl, she is actually so treacherous." She kept her face and asked what happened.Chen Jialuo said.Guan Mingmei said: "Okay, let's look for it together." The four walked together in bridles and headed north.

Guan Mingmei saw that the faces of the two were worried, and thought to herself: "I have done something bad, so I am naturally uneasy, but I don't know why they are looking for Qing'er. The two of them came together, most likely because they wanted to piss her off." The more she thought, the more she felt. He stayed behind and whispered to her husband, "You will kill the man later, and I will kill the woman." Chen Zhengde nodded in agreement. In the evening, the four of them camped next to a sand dune, sat around and chatted after eating.Princess Xiangxiang took out a butter candle from her pouch and lit it.Shuang Ying saw the two people under the firelight, the man was like a jade tree facing the wind, and the woman was like a rose in a cage of smoke, they were really a couple, and they sighed secretly: "Such a talent has such a bad mind."

Princess Xiangxiang asked Chen Jialuo: "You think my sister is really not in danger?" Chen Jialuo was really worried, but to comfort her, he said: "Your sister is very good at martial arts, and she is smart. Tens of thousands of Qing soldiers were killed by her. It must be fine." Princess Xiangxiang trusted him wholeheartedly, and when he heard that her sister was fine, she no longer had the slightest doubt, and said: "But she is sick, after finding her, it is better to advise her to go back and rest. "Chen Jialuo nodded and said: "Yes." Guan Mingmei believed that they were acting together as a partner, and her face turned pale with anger.At this moment, when the weather is old, Princess Xiangxiang suddenly said to Chen Zhengde: "Master, shall we have a game?" Chen Zhengde looked at his wife.Guan Mingmei nodded slowly, signaling not to make the other party suspicious.Chen Zhengde said, "Okay! What's the fun?" Princess Xiangxiang smiled at Guan Mingmei and Chen Jialuo, and said, "You guys come too, okay?" The two nodded in agreement.

Princess Xiangxiang took the saddle and put it between the four of them, put a pile of sand on the saddle, pressed it firmly, then put a lighted candle on the sand, and said: "Let's use this small knife to cut the The sand on the sand pile was cut off piece by piece, and whoever dropped the candle at the end would be fined to sing, tell stories, or dance. The old man will come first.” Handed the knife to Chen Zhengde.Chen Zhengde hadn't played with children for decades, and now he was holding a knife with an embarrassing expression on his face.Guan Mingmei pushed his elbow and said, "Cut it!" Chen Zhengde smiled, cut off a piece of sand, and handed the knife to his wife.Guan Mingmei also cut a piece. In less than three turns, the pile of sand turned into a sand column, not much thicker than a candle, and the candle could fall anytime with just a slight touch.Chen Jialuo gently dug a hole in the sand pillar with a knife.Princess Xiangxiang smiled and said, "You are necrotic!" She took the knife and dug a small hole on the other side.At this time, Shazhu was shaking a little, and Chen Zhengde's right hand trembled slightly when he took the knife.Guan Mingmei scolded with a smile: "No prospect." Princess Xiangxiang smiled and advised him, saying: "It's fine if you gently pick a grain of sand away."

Chen Zhengde went to pick it as he said, but with a little strength in his hand, the sand pillar collapsed in a flash, and the candle fell down and went out immediately. Chen Zhengde yelled: "Ah!" Princess Xiangxiang clapped her hands and laughed.Guan Mingmei and Chen Jialuo also found it interesting.Princess Xiangxiang smiled and said, "Old man, are you singing or dancing?" Chen Zhengde blushed with embarrassment, trying to evade.Since Guan Mingmei and her husband got married, they had never quarreled, practiced martial arts in a serious manner, or dealt with enemies together. They had never played so happily.Seeing her husband's naive look, he was very happy, and said with a smile, "You old man bullying children, that's not okay!" Chen Zhengde couldn't refuse, so he had to say, "Okay, let me sing a piece of Kunqu opera, "The Story of the Horse Trader"!" I got up and sang: "You and I, young couples are like a child's play, still crying there..." I couldn't help but glanced at my wife.

Guan Mingmei was in a happy mood, remembering the sweetness of her first marriage with her husband. If Yuan Shixiao hadn't returned suddenly, they would have been happy for life.Over the years, I have never treated him well, and I often get angry at him unreasonably, but he has a deep affection for himself, and sometimes jealousy and bickering are also caused by love. At this time, I suddenly feel that I have wronged my husband for decades. Go and hold his hand gently.Chen Zhengde was overwhelmed by the flattery, and felt that his eyes were hazy, and it turned out that tears welled up in his eyes.When Guan Mingmei saw that she had only shown this little bit of tenderness, he was very grateful. It could be seen that she had been too indifferent to him in the past, so she smiled at him again.

Both Chen Jialuo and Princess Xiangxiang saw the intimacy of the old couple and smiled at each other.The four of them played the sand cutting game again.This time Chen Jialuo lost, he told the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Tianshan Shuangying is of course familiar with this story, but at this time they both thought that Liang Zhu had a lover and could not become a family member, but his husband and wife could grow old together. Harmonious, it is very sweet indeed when the two become old and their feelings change.When Princess Xiangxiang heard this story for the first time, she kept laughing at first, saying that Liang Shanbo was so stupid that he didn't know that Zhu Yingtai was a woman disguised as a man.

Chen Jialuo thought to himself: "I don't know that Li Yuanzhi is a woman disguised as a man, so why not stupid?" "Can I really not see that Li Yuanzhi is a woman disguised as a man?" Stunning beauty.But when he first took over the position of chief rudder, he was deeply afraid of being overwhelmed, and when Wen Tailai was arrested, he didn't know how to rescue him.Second, in Chen Jialuo's life, the girls he got along with were just little girls like Qinghua and Yushi, who were gentle and gentle, and he listened to whatever he said.Huo Qingtong is so heroic, although she is beautiful but unfriendly, she just wants to look at it from a distance and doesn't want to get close, it seems that she deliberately wants to find an excuse to retreat to the side.In fact, he saw Li Yuanzhi's beautiful face and heavy makeup, he only thought she was a flirtatious kid who was good at flirting and deceiving women, but she was indeed much more beautiful than himself.He had always had the upper hand in everything throughout his life, and when he was suddenly compared to others, he was annoyed and jealous and prejudiced, so he inevitably belittled him deliberately and refused to face up to the truth.The day after tomorrow.On the night of Shan Xu Tianhong's bridal chamber, Li Yuanzhi came to mess around. Chen Jialuo also expected that she was Lu Feiqing's female disciple, but deep down in his heart, he didn't want to get rid of his grudge against Huo Qingtong.Since then, it was precisely because of this that she fell in love with Princess Xiangxiang, but she still failed to live up to Huo Qingtong's intentions. She was ashamed of her, mixed with joy and shame, and couldn't help but sighed. Then Chen Zhengde lost again, but he had nothing to sing about.Guan Mingmei said: "I will represent you, and I will also tell a story." Princess Xiangxiang clapped her hands and applauded.Guan Mingmei tells the story of Wang Kui's defeat of Gui Ying. As the night was getting dark, Princess Xiangxiang felt cold, and slowly leaned close to Guan Mingmei.Seeing that she was timid and shy, Guan Mingmei hugged her lightly, and smoothed her hair that was messed up by the wind.When Guan Mingmei told this story, she wanted to teach them a lesson before killing the two, so that they would know their sins and die without complaint.Halfway through the talk, I felt the fragrance was strong, as if I was in a bush of exotic flowers. When I stopped talking and looked down, I saw Princess Xiangxiang had fallen asleep in my arms.Tianshan Shuangying has no children, and the old couple is sometimes very lonely in the desert.Although Huo Qingtong is usually attached to Shuangying, but she has a strong and straightforward personality, and most of the discussions with Shuangying are about martial arts battles.Guan Mingmei suddenly thought: "It would be great if we had such a lovely daughter as Yuxue!" At this time, the candlelight had been blown out by the wind, and under the faint starlight, she saw her smiling, her right arm wrapped around her body, as if Like a child hugging its mother. Chen Zhengde said: "Everyone, rest!" Guan Mingmei said in a low voice: "Don't wake her up!" Standing up gently, he carried her into the tent, covered her with a felt blanket, and heard her talking in a dream "Sister, give me some goat's milk, don't starve it to death." Guan Mingmei was stunned, and said, "Okay, go to sleep!" Withdrew gently, thinking: "She is obviously an innocent, How could a kind-hearted child do such a thing?" Seeing that Chen Jialuo set up another tent, far away from Princess Xiangxiang's tent, she nodded slightly. Chen Zhengde came over and said in a low voice, "They live in the same tent." Guan Mingmei nodded.Chen Zhengde said again: "He still hasn't slept, and he is staring at the sword over and over again. Do we start after he falls asleep, or go and point out his crimes and let him know?" Guan Mingmei hesitated, and said: " What do you think?" Chen Zhengde's heart was full of tenderness and sweetness, and he had no intention of killing, he said: "Let's sit for a while and kill him after he falls asleep, let him die unconsciously." Chen Zhengde took his wife's hand, and the two sat leaning against each other in the desert, silent.Soon Chen Jialuo went to sleep.After another half an hour, Chen Zhengde said: "I'll go see if he's asleep." Guan Mingmei nodded, but Chen Zhengde didn't stand up, and hummed some tune in a low voice.Guan Mingmei said: "Is it ready to do it?" Chen Zhengde said: "It should be done." But neither of them made a move first, obviously they couldn't make up their minds. Tianshan Shuangying killed people without batting an eyelid in their life, countless people died under their hands in the rivers and lakes, at this time they wanted to kill two sleeping young men, but they couldn't do it.Gradually, the stars moved and the cold became worse. The old couple hugged each other.Guan Mingmei hid her face in her husband's arms, while Chen Zhengde gently stroked her back.After a while, both of them fell asleep.
When Chen Jialuo and Princess Xiangxiang woke up the next morning, they were surprised to see that the two elders had already left.Princess Xiangxiang suddenly said: "Look, what is that?" Chen Jialuo turned his head to look, and saw eight big characters written on the flat sand: "If you don't do evil, you will take your life."Each character is five feet square, and I think it was drawn with the tip of a sword.Chen Jialuo frowned, thinking carefully about the meaning of these eight characters.Princess Xiangxiang didn't know Chinese characters, so she asked, "What's the painting?" Chen Jialuo didn't want to worry her, and said, "They said they have to go first if they have something to do." Princess Xiangxiang said, "Sister, these two masters are really kind... ..." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly jumped up and said in surprise, "Listen!" Chen Jialuo also heard the faint and stern cries in the distance, and hurriedly said: "The wolves are coming, let's go!" The two hurriedly packed up the tent and water, mounted their horses and galloped.After such a delay, the pack of wolves was already approaching. Fortunately, the horses the two of them were riding were all very handsome, and they left the pack of wolves behind in a short while.The pack of wolves had been hungry for a long time, and when they saw humans and animals, they risked their lives to come. Although they were far away and had long since disappeared, they still followed the footprints on the sand. Chen Jialuo and Princess Xiangxiang ran for half a day, thinking that they were out of danger, they got off their horses to drink water, they just lit a fire to cook, when the howling of wolves approached.The two mounted their horses in a hurry, and by the time it got dark, they estimated that they had left the wolves behind by nearly a hundred miles before setting up their tents to rest.Sleeping in the middle of the night, the white horse neighed and neighed wildly, waking Chen Jialuo up, only to hear the wolves approaching again.Before they had time to pack the tent, they picked up Shuimo's dry food and mounted their horses immediately.Running and fleeing in this way, he made a big arc in the desert, still unable to get rid of the pursuit of the wolves, but he was already exhausted.The red horse finally couldn't hold it anymore and fell to the ground. The two had to ride the white horse together to escape.The white horse was loaded with a heavy load, and the slower it ran, the third day it could no longer throw the wolves far away. Chen Jialuo thought to himself: "If it weren't for the fact that this horse is so handsome, it would have died of exhaustion. It is all thanks to its continuous support for two days and two nights, but if it runs for half a day, it will definitely die." Small bush, galloped his horse past, got off his horse and said, "Stay here and let the horse rest." Together with Princess Xiangxiang, they built a low sand wall, picked some dead branches and put them on the top of the wall, lit a fire, and instantly It became a ring of fire, enclosing the two and one horse in the middle. Not long after the arrangement was completed, the wolves rushed to it.The wolves were afraid of the fire, so they circled and howled around the fire circle, but they dared not approach it.Chen Jialuoxiao: "Wait until the horse has enough strength, then charge out." Princess Xiangxiang said: "Do you think you can charge out?" Chen Jialuo was really not sure, but to comfort her, he said: "Of course." Princess Xiangxiang saw that those hungry wolves were skinny and hadn't eaten for many days, and said: "These wolves are also very pitiful." Chen Jialuo smiled and said in her heart: "This child's compassion is simply inexplicable. She is about to become food for hungry wolves, but she is pitying them, she might as well pity herself." Looking at her flushed cheeks, her skin was so white that it seemed transparent, and seeing the pack of wolves outside the circle of fire open their mouths, revealing His sharp and long white teeth dripped down on the sand, whimpering angrily, and pounced on the fire ring whenever there was a slight gap, feeling sad for a while. Seeing his loving eyes, Princess Xiangxiang knew that the hope of the two of them surviving was extremely slim, so she approached him, took his hand, and said, "I am not afraid of anything when I am with you. We are dead!" Afterwards, we will never be separated happily in the big country." Chen Jialuo stretched out his hand and held her in his arms, thinking: "I don't believe in any heaven. At that time, she was in heaven, but I was in hell." Thinking: "She was wearing a lock-clothes and leaning on the white jade railing in heaven. When she thought of me, her tears fell drop by drop. Her tears must also be fragrant. When they dripped on the flowers, the flowers bloomed more beautifully." Fragrant..." Princess Xiangxiang turned her head and saw that there was a smile on the corner of his mouth, but a sad expression on his face.He sighed, and was about to close his eyes, when he suddenly saw a dead branch in the circle of fire gradually burnt out, and the light of the fire slowly dimmed.With a cry, she jumped up to add firewood, when three hungry wolves had already jumped in.Chen Jialuo pulled her behind him.The white horse's left leg kicked a wolf out.Chen Jialuo leaned over, grabbed a giant wolf by the neck, and swung at the other gray wolf.The other two wolves rushed through the gap.Chen Jialuo made a strong throw, and threw the wolf in his hand over. The three wolves rolled into a ball, biting and screaming at each other, and came out of the fire ring.He picked up a burning branch on the ground and hit the wolf.The wolf opened its mouth wide, and the man stood up and bit his throat.As soon as he gave it away, he stuffed a red-hot branch into the wolf's mouth, and the two-foot-long branch was empty. The wolf's heart and lungs were in pain, and he jumped straight into the pack of wolves, and fell to the ground. Chen Jialuo added firewood to the gap. Seeing that the dead branches were burning less and less, he thought he had to take the risk to pick them up.Fortunately, the trees were behind them, and the distance was less than ten zhang, so I picked up the hook, sword and shield in my left hand, and the pearl rope in my right hand, and said to Princess Xiangxiang, "I'm going to collect firewood, and you can make the fire more vigorous." Princess Xiangxiang He nodded and said, "Be careful." But he didn't add more wood to the fire.She knew that the dead branches were cultivating the fire of life between the two, and once the fire circle was extinguished, the fire of life between the two would also be extinguished. Chen Jialuo shielded himself with a sword and shield, Zhusuo opened the way, and leaped towards the bushes with lightness kung fu.When the wolves saw someone jumping out of the circle of fire, they pounced on them, and the first two were knocked down by the beads.With three ups and downs, he was already approaching the tree.These shrubs are very short and cannot climb up to avoid the wolf, so he swung the hook, sword and shield with his left hand, and kept breaking branches with his right hand.Dozens of hungry wolves surrounded him, ready to pounce. Every time they approached, they were frightened away by the shining nine hooked swords on the shield.He gathered a large amount of firewood, kicked it together with his feet, bent over and tied it with a string of pearls.At this moment, a wolf took the opportunity to pounce! :, with a wave of his sword and shield, the wolf was killed immediately, but there was a hook on the sword, which caught the wolf and could not fall off, and the remaining wolf roared repeatedly.He hastily pulled hard, tore off the wolf carcass and threw it out.A pack of wolves rushed to snatch and chew.He took the opportunity to lift the bundle of branches and went back into the ring of fire. When Princess Xiangxiang saw that he had returned unharmed, she jumped forward with joy and threw herself into her arms.Chen Jialuo hugged her with a smile, threw the branch to the ground, raised his head, and couldn't help but be surprised.It turned out that there was another person in the circle of fire.The man was tall and tall, his clothes had been torn to pieces by the hungry wolves, he held a sword in his hand, his whole body was covered in blood, but his face was quite calm, looking at him coldly, it was Zhang Zhaozhong, the judge of the mortal enemy. The two stared at each other without speaking.Princess Xiangxiang said: "He escaped from the pack of wolves, he thought he saw the fire here, and ran over here. You can see how tired he is." He poured a bowl of water from the water bag and handed it over.Zhang Zhaozhong caught it, gulped it down in one gulp, stretched out his sleeve and wiped it on his face, wiping away the sweat and blood.Princess Xiangxiang yelled "Yeah", and recognized him as the military officer who fought with Chen Jialuo in the Zhaohui camp, and later fought fiercely with Wen Tailai and others in the bunker.Chen Jialuo shielded his chest with his sword and shield, waved the pearl rope, and shouted: "Go!" Zhang Zhaozhong's eyes were dull, and he suddenly fell back.It turned out that after he rescued He Erda, he came out to track Chen Jialuo and Princess Xiangxiang, and encountered wolves on the way.He Erda was killed by a pack of wolves. Relying on his excellent martial arts skills, he killed dozens of wolves in a row, ran for his life in the desert, and galloped for a day and a night in the desert. His horse fell down and he had to run on foot.With no food or drink, they endured for another day. When they saw the flames from a distance, they rushed in desperately.He held on with his breath, but after he relaxed, he couldn't hold it anymore and passed out.Princess Xiangxiang wanted to go to rescue her, but Chen Jialuo held her back and said, "This man is extremely dangerous, don't be fooled by him." After a while, seeing no movement from him, he came closer to check. Princess Xiangxiang poured some cold water on his forehead, and poured some goat milk into his mouth.Zhang Zhaozhong woke up leisurely, drank half a bowl of goat milk, and fell asleep again.Chen Jialuo thought that by mistake, he asked this big traitor to be given to me. At this time, it would be easy to kill him, but taking advantage of others' danger is not a man's behavior, and Kasili is kind-hearted. Seeing me kill this powerless person, she must not like it .But if he is spared, when he regains his strength, he will not be his opponent.Undecided for a moment, he turned his head and saw Princess Xiangxiang looking at Zhang Zhaozhong with pity in her eyes.As soon as Chen Jialuo saw her eyes, he immediately decided to spare the traitor one more time.No matter how difficult and dangerous in this life, she must not do anything to displease Kasili.Right now the three of them are in a desperate situation, this guy is excellent in martial arts, when he recovers his strength, the two of them may be able to rescue Princess Xiangxiang together, but they cannot do it alone.So I also drank a few sips of goat milk, closed my eyes and rested my mind. After a while, Zhang Zhaozhong woke up.Princess Xiangxiang handed him a piece of dried mutton, and used cloth strips for him to fix the wounds bitten by wolf teeth on his legs.Zhang Zhao felt ashamed when he saw the two of them repaying their grievances with kindness, and bowed their heads in silence.Chen Jialuo said: "Brother Zhang, we are both in distress now. We have to put aside all the grievances in the past for the time being, and we must help each other." The contents of the wolf's stomach." After resting for more than an hour, his mental strength regained a little, and he secretly thought of a way out, thinking: "Fortunately, these two fell into my hands again. All three were eaten by evil wolves. Nothing to say. If you can get out of danger, you must take the initiative to kill this Mr. Chen, and then take this beautiful baby away. The fame and fortune in the next few decades will be guaranteed." Chen Jialuo wondered what would happen if the stalemate continued.Seeing a lot of wolf dung outside the fire circle, he remembered Huo Qingtong's method of burning wolf smoke to communicate, so he used a bead rope to push the wolf dung closer, gathered them into a pile, lit them, and a thick smoke rose straight to the sky.Zhang Zhaozhong shook his head and said, "Even if someone sees it, they won't dare to come to rescue. Only thousands of troops can drive away these tens of thousands of wolves." Chen Jialuo also knew that this method would be of no avail, but it was better than nothing, so he might as well put his hope in case. As it was getting late, the three of them put a branch in the fire circle and took turns sleeping.Chen Jialuo whispered to Princess Xiangxiang: "This man is very bad, you have to pay more attention to him when I am asleep." Princess Xiangxiang nodded in agreement.Chen Jialuo piled the branches between him and Zhang Zhaozhong to prevent him from plotting against him while he was asleep, but Princess Xiangxiang was powerless to resist. Sleeping in the middle of the night, suddenly the wolf howled loudly and deafeningly, and the three of them jumped up.I saw thousands of hungry wolves sitting on the ground, looking up at the moon in the sky, howling wildly in unison, the tone was shrill, it was really creepy.After howling for a while, the sound of thousands of hungry wolves stopped suddenly.This is a habit passed down from generation to generation by jackals for tens of thousands of years, until they were later tamed into dogs, and they often cried in the middle of the night. At dawn the next day, the three saw that the wolves were still circling around the fire circle, showing no intention of leaving.Chen Jialuo said: "I only hope that a group of wild camels will pass by to lure these evil spirits away." Suddenly there were wolves howling in the distance, running towards this side.Zhang Zhaozhong frowned and said, "There are more and more evil spirits." Amidst the dust and dust, suddenly three horses galloped towards this side, followed by hundreds of wolves.When the riders saw that there were more hungry wolves on this side, they wanted to avoid the slanted stabs, but the hungry wolves from this side had already rushed up and immediately surrounded the three riders in Gaixin.Immediately, the three of them used their weapons to resist with all their strength. Princess Xiangxiang shouted: "Hurry up and pick them up!" Chen Jialuo said to Zhang Zhaozhong: "Let's save them." With weapons in hand, the two rushed towards the third horse, and the two attacked in a pinch, opening a path of blood and killing the third. Riding lead into the ring of fire.I saw another person on the same horse, with his hands tied behind his back, lying on the saddle, his body was so soft that he didn't know whether he was dead or alive, and he looked like a Huiren girl.Those three people jumped off the horse, and one of them took the girl down. Princess Xiangxiang suddenly exclaimed: "Sister, sister!" She ran over and threw herself on the woman.Chen Jialuo was startled, Princess Xiangxiang had already helped the woman up, she saw her pale face, eyes closed, it was Huo Qingtong in green feather yellow shirt. It turned out that Huo Qingtong was recovering from illness and chasing Master and Master, and soon encountered the Three Demons of the Guandong. She was powerless to resist, and wanted to commit suicide by drawing her sword, but Gu Jinbiao rushed to snatch the long sword and captured her immediately.The Three Devils of the Kanto have captured their enemies, and they are overjoyed.Yihahetai said that she was killed on the spot to avenge the three brothers.However, Gu Jinbiao had evil thoughts in his heart, saying that he would capture him back to Liaodong and sacrifice him alive in front of the spirits of the three alliance brothers.Gu Jinbiao is the elder brother, he insists on this, but Hahetai can't hold him back.At the moment, we will return to the horse and set off to return east.After walking for a day, Huo Qingtong intentionally pointed the wrong way, and lost his way in the desert.One day, I saw a black smoke in the distance, and I thought there must be someone, so I ran to him, but I didn't know that it was Chen Jialuo's smoke for help. When Gu Jinbiao saw Chen Jialuo coming up to snatch someone, the tiger's fork clanked and shouted, "Don't come near, what are you doing?" Huo Qingtong was sick and weak, and had passed out from the siege of wolves. At this moment, Youyou woke up, and suddenly saw Chen Jialuo and his sister, and felt an indescribable feeling in his heart, whether it was sadness or joy. Princess Xiangxiang cried to Chen Jialuo: "Tell him to let go of my sister." Chen Jialuo said: "Don't worry!" Turning to Gu Jinbiao, he said: "Who are you? Why did you arrest my friend?" Teng Yilei He took two steps forward, stood in front of Gu Jinbiao, looked at the three people in front of him coldly, and said, "The two of you helped each other, and I'll thank you in advance. The Puritan two have high surnames." Before Chen Jialuo could answer, Zhang Zhaozhong rushed Said: "He is the chief rudder of the Red Flower Society." The three demons were taken aback, and Teng Yilei asked again: "Please ask your Excellency, Wan'er." Zhang Zhaozhong said: "My surname is Zhang, and the cursive character is Zhaozhong." Lei snorted, and said, "So it's Judge Huoshou, no wonder the two of you are so good." Then he said the names of the three of them. Chen Jialuo was secretly worried, thinking that he didn't know how to get rid of the siege of wolves, and met these four tough enemies one after another, now he could only try to get them to let go of Huo Qingtong first, and said: "Let's not talk about our grievances for the time being. Hungry wolves are waiting around, do you guys have any good ways to escape?" This question made the three demons look at each other in blank dismay, unable to answer.Ha Hetai said: "I want to ask Mr. Chen for advice." Chen Jialuo said: "We work together to guard against wolves, maybe we still have a chance. If we kill each other, everyone will be fed by hungry wolves in a blink of an eye." Teng Ha and the two slightly Nodding, Gu Jinbiao glared and remained silent.Chen Jialuo said again: "Brother Gu, please release my friend immediately. Let's plan a plan to get rid of the wolves together." Gu Jinbiao said: "If I don't let you go, what do you do?" Chen Jialuo said: "Then among the seven of us, take turns You will be the first to feed the wolves." Gu Jinbiao shook his fork and shouted: "I want to feed you to the wolves first!" Chen Jialuo said: "My friend, you must let go! If we don't do anything, no one else will." Seems to be able to live, as long as you make a move, no matter who wins or loses, if there is always a loss, then you will die. Please think twice, friend Gu." Teng Yilei said in a low voice: "Second brother, let go first." Gu Jinbiao managed to capture Huo Qingtong, who was as beautiful as a flower and jade, but at this moment he would rather die than let him go, he couldn't help shaking his head.Teng Yilei thought in his mind: "The three of us have the same number as the three of him. But I heard that Huoshou Judge's swordsmanship and boxing skills are among the best in the martial arts. Look at the two of them, they are really good at killing wolves. Since the beautiful girl is with them, they must not be weak. If we really fight, I'm afraid they won't be opponents." After thinking about it, he didn't feel discouraged, and said in a low voice: "Second, do you want to let go? help you." After seeing Huo Qingtong, Gu Jinbiao was engrossed and obsessed.He also knew Zhang Zhaozhong's reputation, so he decided to challenge the weak-looking Chen Jialuo alone, and said viciously: "If you win the tiger's fork in my hand, you can take this girl. You are a hero, and we two will fight alone. Decisive victory or defeat." Chen Jialuo really didn't want to kill each other among the wolves at this time, he pondered for a while, before answering, Zhang Zhaozhong rushed to say: "Don't worry, I won't help anyone." These words seemed to be aimed at Chen Jialuo Said, but actually said to Gu Jinbiao, asking him not to have doubts, just challenge. Gu Jinbiao was overjoyed and shouted: "If you don't dare, then don't worry about other people's business. Otherwise, brothers can accompany you in the work, fists, kicks and swords. All three of my allies died in the hands of the Red Flower Society. How can we not avenge this revenge?" ?” The last sentence was meant for Teng Ha and the other two, meaning that I was out of public outrage, not out of selfish desires, so you can’t ignore it. Chen Jialuo looked towards Sister Huo Qingtong, saw Huo Qingtong's face showing resentment, and Princess Xiangxiang was very anxious, she thought to herself: "Both of these sisters have feelings for me, I died for them today, to repay their love Enyi, it also saves me from being in a dilemma and hurting their brotherhood." He said with emotion: "This girl is my good friend, I fought so hard for my life, and I want you to let me go." Huo Qingtong's eyes turned red, thinking of him Not entirely unkind to me.Gu Jinbiao said: "I'm fighting for my life too, and I will never let it go." Zhang Zhaozhong laughed and said: "Okay, then you will fight to the death." The three demons could tell from his tone that he was quite gloating towards Chen Jialuo . Chen Jialuo said: "The two of us fight, no matter if you kill me or I kill you, it will not benefit others. How about this, the two of us go out to kill wolves together. Whoever kills more will be considered victorious." He thought that this method could at least slightly reduce the threat of the pack of wolves, so as not to cancel out the strength of the wolves.Hahetai first agreed and applauded.Zhang Zhaozhong said: "If Master Chen wins, Second Brother Gu will hand over this girl to him. If Second Brother Gu kills more wolves, Master Chen will not have any objections." Chen Jialuo and Gu Jinbiao looked at each other angrily, but neither agreed.Because of killing the wolf, no one is sure of victory, but Huo Qingtong must not be allowed to fall into the opponent's hands.Chen Jialuo thought to himself: He must be good at hunting as a hunting tiger, maybe he has a powerful method for killing wolves.But Gu Jinbiao thought: He wants to compete to kill wolves, so he is quite sure. I can't be fooled by him, and said: "If you want to fight with me, you are gambling with your life. It's an understatement, but I'm not interested in playing with you. " Zhang Zhaozhong suddenly said: "Although this is the first meeting between you and the three of you today, you have always admired me. As for Mr. Chen, we had a bit of a festive time in the past, but we will not talk about it now. Neither of us will help. Now I have This idea can decide the victory or defeat without harming the peace between the two sides. Let's see if it will work?" Teng Yilei was overjoyed when he heard that he had a relationship with Chen Jialuo, and hurriedly said: "Brother Zhang, please tell me. Zhen Wulin must have a brilliant idea." Zhang Zhaozhong smiled slightly, and said: "Don't dare. We are surrounded by wolves, fighting each other, it is always bad. Do you think Chen is in charge?" Chen Jialuo nodded head.Zhang Zhaozhong said again: "Let's kill wolves in a competition. Second brother Gu thinks it's too casual and not a hero's behavior. I'll offer a plan: you two walk into the pack of wolves with your bare hands, and whoever is timid will escape first. Whoever loses."... After hearing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts, thinking to themselves that this person is so vicious, he walked into the pack of wolves with bare hands, who can come back alive?Zhang Zhaozhong said again: "If one of us is unfortunately killed by wolves, and the other goes back into the circle of fire, it will be considered victory." Chen Jialuo raised his eyebrows and said, "What if both of us die? "Ha Hetai said: "I respect you for being a good man, if you fall on me, let this girl go." Chen Jialuo said: "I believe Brother Ha's words, you can't bully this girl." He stretched out his hand and pointed at Princess Xiangxiang.Hahetai said: "By God, I agreed to Master Chen. If there is any disagreement, tell the wolf to eat me first." Chen Jialuo clasped his fists and said: "Okay, thank you very much." The plan in my heart has been made, let alone the wolves Surrounding him, even if there is no wolf, if he encounters these four powerful enemies alone, he will surely die.Now that he decided to give up his life, he had to return to the Huo Pavilion later than Gu Jinbiao anyway, so as to save Huo Qingtong's sister.Throwing the sword, shield and beads to the ground, he waved to Gu Jinbiao and said, "Friend Gu, let's go!" Holding the tiger fork, Gu Jinbiao hesitated.Although he is a desperado and has always been fierce, but he dare not walk into the pack of wolves empty-handed.Zhang Zhaozhong was afraid that the bet would fail, so he provoked him: "Why? Is friend Gu a little scared? This is quite dangerous in the first place." Gu Jinbiao was still pondering. Princess Xiangxiang didn't understand what they were talking about, but she just saw everyone's nervous expressions.霍青桐却每句话都听在耳里，见陈家洛甘愿为她舍命，心中感动异常，叫道：“你别去！宁可我死了，也不能让你有丝毫损伤。”她平素真情深藏不露，这时临到生死关头，情不自禁地叫了出来。只听得当啷一声，一柄猎虎叉掷在地下。 顾金标见她对陈家洛如此多情，登时妒火中烧。他性子狂暴，脾气一发作，那就是天不怕地不怕了，叫道：“我就是给豺狼咬掉半个脑袋，也不会比你这小子先回来。走吧！” 陈家洛向霍青桐和香香公主一笑，并肩和顾金标向火圈外走去。霍青桐吓得又要晕去，叫道：“别……别去……”香香公主却睁着一双黑如点漆的眼珠，茫然不解。 两人正要走出火圈，滕一雷忽然叫道：“慢着。”两人停步转身。滕一雷道：“陈当家的，你身上还有把短剑。”陈家洛笑道：“对不起，我忘了。”解下短剑，走到霍青桐面前，道：“别伤心！你见了这剑，就如见到我一样。”将剑放在她身上。 霍青桐流下泪来，喉中哽住了说不出话。就在这时，一个念头在脑中忽如电光般一闪，低声道：“你低下头来。”陈家洛低头俯耳过去。霍青桐低声说道：“用火折子！”陈家洛一怔，随即恍然，转头对张召重道：“张大哥，刚才我忘了解下短剑，请你公证人再瞧一瞧。”张召重在陈顾两人衣外摸了一遍，说道：“顾二哥，请你把暗器也留下吧。” 顾金标气愤愤地把十多柄小叉从怀中摸出，用力掷在地下，把辫子在头顶一盘，神情大变，眼中如要喷出血来。突然奔到霍青桐跟前，一把抱住，正要低头去吻，忽然后心被人抓住，提起来往地下一掼。顾金标平日和盟兄弟练武，大家交手惯了的，知道这一下除了哈合台再无别人。果然听得哈合台喝道：“老二，你要不要脸？”顾金标一摔之后，头脑稍觉清醒，大吼一声，发足向狼群中冲去。 陈家洛双足一点，使开轻功，已抢在他之前。 群狼本来在火圈外咆哮盘旋，忽见有人奔出，纷纷扑上。顾金标心知这次遇上了生平从所未有的凶险，只好多挨一刻是一刻。见两头恶狼从左右同时扑到，身子一偏，左手疾探，已抓住左边那狼的项颈，右手抢住它的尾巴，提了起来。武学之中有一套功夫叫做“凳拐”，据说有一位武林前辈夏夜在瓜棚里袒腹乘凉，忽然敌人大举来袭，一时之间，四面八方都是手执兵刃的强敌。他身无武器，随手提起一条板凳，拦架击打，把敌人打得大败而逃。这套功夫流传下来，武林中学练的人着实不少，以备赤手遇敌时防身之用。因长凳所在都有，会了这套武术，便如处处备有兵器。顾金标抓住这狼，灵机一动，便将之当作板凳，展开“凳拐”中的招数，横扫直劈，舞了开来。狼身长短与板凳相近，也有四条腿，他舞得呼呼生风，群狼一时倒扑不近身。 陈家洛使的却是“八卦游身掌”身法，在狼群中东一晃，西一转，四下乱跑。这本是威震河朔王维扬的拿手功夫，在杭州狮子峰上，曾打得张召重一时难以招架。陈家洛当日在铁胆庄与周仲英比武，也曾使过。他的造诣比之王维扬自是远远不及，却也是脚步轻捷，身法变幻。初时群狼倒也追他不上，但饿狼纷纷涌来，四下挤得水泄不通，叫他再无发足奔跑的余地。他知这套武功已管不了事，当下从怀中取出火折，迎风一晃，火折点亮，挥了个圈子。火折上的火光十分微弱，群狼却立时大骇，纷纷倒退，虽然张牙舞爪，作势欲扑，终究不敢扑上，只在喉头发出呜咽咆哮之声。 香香公主猛见陈家洛冲入狼群，大惑不解，奔到霍青桐跟前，说道：“姊姊，他干什么呀？”霍青桐垂泪道：“他为了救咱们姊妹，宁可送掉自己性命。”香香公主先是一惊，随即淡淡一笑，说道：“他死了，我也不活。”霍青桐见她处之泰然，心想她说这句话出乎自然，便似是天经地义之事，既无心情激荡，也不用思索，可见对他的痴爱，已自然而然成为她心灵中的一部分了。 张召重见陈顾两人霎时都被群狼围住，心中暗喜。突见陈家洛取出火折，恶狼吓得后退，不觉一呆，但想火折不久就会烧完，也只不过稍延时刻而已。 滕、哈二人却只瞧着顾金标。先见他大展刚勇，提着一头巨狼舞得风雨不透，各自心喜，忽见他使一招“懒汉闩门”，举起巨狼向外猛碰，跟迎面扑上来的一头狼当头一撞。两头狼都急了，不顾三七二十一张口就咬，一头脸咬得见骨，另一头颈中鲜血淋漓。群狼见血，更加蜂拥而来，扑上来你一口我一口，将顾金标手中的巨狼撕得稀烂，最后只剩他左手一个狼头，右手连着尾巴的一个狼臀。这么一来，情势登时危急，他想再去抓狼，一头恶狼扭头便咬，若非缩手得快，左手已被咬断，同时右边又有两头饿狼扑了上来。 哈合台解下腰中所缠钢丝软鞭，叫道：“老大，我去救他。”滕一雷还未回答，霍青桐冷冷地道：“关东豪杰要不要脸？”哈合台登时愣住，再看狼群中两人情势，又已不同。 陈家洛见火折子快要点完，忙撕下长衣前襟点燃了，脚下不住移动，奔向灌木。就这么慢得一慢，两头恶狼迎面扑到。他从两狼之间穿过，折了一条树枝在手，运劲反击，将抢在前面的饿狼打得脑浆迸裂。群狼扑上去分尸而食，追逐他的势头登时缓了。他忙踢拢一堆枯叶生了火，又拾起一段枯枝点燃了，挥动驱狼，一有空隙，便攀折枯枝，增大火头，片刻之间，已在身周布置了一个小小火圈，将饿狼相隔在外。 霍青桐和香香公主见他脱险，大喜若狂。那边顾金标却已难于支持，他想仿效陈家洛的法子，身边却没带着火折，只得挥拳与饿狼的利爪锐齿相斗，手上脚上接连被咬。 哈合台大惊，对霍青桐道：“算陈当家的赢了就是！”拔出她身上短剑，割断她手脚上的绳索，又道：“现下我可去救他了！”软鞭挥动，疾冲出去，但奔不到几步，群狼密密层层地涌来，腿上登时被咬了两口，虽然打死了两头狼，却已无法前进。滕一雷大叫：“老四，回来。”哈合台倒跃回来，取了一条点燃的树枝，想再冲出，但相距太远，眼见顾金标就要被群狼扑倒。他提高声音，向陈家洛叫道：“陈当家的，你赢啦，我们已放了你朋友。请你大仁大义，救救顾老二。” 陈家洛远远望去，果见霍青桐已经脱缚，站在当地，心想：“为了对付恶狼，多一个帮手好一个。”拾起一根点燃的树枝，向顾金标掷去，叫道：“接着！”顾金标双臂双腿全是鲜血，眼见树枝投来，纵身跃起，在空中接住，挥了个圈子。豺狼怕火，那是数万年来相传的习性，见他手上有火，立即退开。顾金标挥动树枝，慢慢向陈家洛走来。陈家洛又掷过去一条着火的树枝。顾金标双手有火，走近树丛。 陈家洛道：“快捡柴。”当下两人各用枝条缚了一捆树枝，负在背上，手中拿了点燃的树枝，挥动着向火圈走去。群狼不住怒哮，让出一条路来。 两人越走越近，陈家洛走在前面，香香公主靠近火圈，张开了双臂，迎他回来。陈家洛脸露微笑，正要纵人，霍青桐叫道：“慢着，让他先进来。”陈家洛登时醒悟，放下柴束，住足回头，让顾金标先进火圈。他想双方曾有约言，谁先进火圈谁输，虽然自己救了他性命，但只怕这等无义小人临时又有反复。 顾金标满眼红丝，抛下背上枯柴，举起火枝往陈家洛面上一晃，乘他斜身闪避，左掌向他背后猛推，想将他推进火圈。陈家洛侧身闪避，这一掌从衣服上擦过。顾金标右手挥出，一根火枝对准了他脸上掷去。 陈家洛头一低，那火枝直飞进火圈之中。顾金标冲面一拳，他八十一路长拳讲究的是势劲锋锐，出手快捷，一拳方发，次拳跟上。陈家洛见他只一转眼间便以怨报德，心中大怒，右手伸出拿他脉门，左手一招“金针渡劫”，直刺他面门，那是百花错拳中一招以指当剑之法。顾金标从未见过这古怪拳法，一愣之下，急忙倒退，左脚踏在一头饿狼身上。那狼痛得大叫，张口便咬，陈家洛一招得势，不容他再有缓手之机，掌劈指戳，全是百花错拳中最厉害招数。滕一雷、哈合台站在火圈边观战，见了他这路拳法，都感心惊。 陈家洛左手双指疾向对方太阳穴点去，顾金标伸臂挡格，回敬一拳，料想他定然后退，哪知他竟然不理会，飞起左脚，顾金标跨上早着，一个踉跄，右拳已被抓住。陈家洛运劲回拖，乘着敌人向后挣脱之势，突然间改拖为送，顾金标又是一个出其不意，己力再加上敌劲，哪里还站立得定，登时仰跌。这一跤只要摔倒，四周环伺的群狼立时涌上，哪里还有完整尸骨？火圈中各人都惊叫起来。 顾金标危急中一个“鲤鱼打挺”，突然身子拔起，左掌挥落，把一头向上扑来的饿狼打落，借势在空中一个筋斗，头上脚下地顺落齐来。陈家洛左足一点，从他身侧斜飞而过，右手连挥，已分别点中他左腿膝弯和右腿股上穴道。顾金标双脚着地时哪里还站立得住，暗叫：“完蛋！”双手在地上急撑，又想翻起，群狼已从四面八方扑到。 陈家洛抢得更快，伸出右手抓住他后心，挥了一圈。顾金标凶悍已极，下半身虽然动弹不得，大喝一声，双拳齐发，猛力向陈家洛胸口打到，要和他拼个同归于尽。陈家洛骂了一声：“恶强盗！”左指其快如风，又在他中府、璇玑两穴上分点。顾金标双拳打到半途，手臂突然瘫痪，软软垂下。陈家洛把他身子又挥了一圈，逼开扑上来的饿狼，便欲向远处狼群中投去。 霍青桐叫道：“别杀他！”陈家洛登时醒悟：“即使杀了此人，还是彼众我寡，且与滕哈二人结了死仇。不如暂时饶他，卖一个好，那么自己与张召重争斗之时，他们或许可以两不相助。”手臂回缩，转了个方向，将他抛人火圈，这才纵身跃回。 哈合台接住顾金标，陈家洛再行着地。这次性命的赌赛，终于是陈家洛赢了。
他正要上前和霍青桐、香香公主叙话，霍青桐忽叫：“留神后面！”只觉脑后风生，急忙低头矮身，两头饿狼从头顶蹿过。原来两狼眼见到口的美食又进火圈，饥饿难当之下，鼓起勇气，跳了进来。一头饿狼径向香香公主扑去，陈家洛抢上抓住狼尾，出力疾扯。那狼负痛，回头狂嗥，同时另一头狼也扑了过来。陈家洛反掌斩去，那狼偏头避让，一掌斩在颈里，在地下打了个滚，扑上来又咬。霍青桐掉转短剑剑头，柄前尖后，向陈家洛掷去，叫道：“接着！”陈家洛伸手抄出，揽住剑柄，挺剑向左边巨狼刺去。这狼身躯巨大，竟然十分的灵便狡猾，闪避腾挪，陈家洛连刺两剑都被它躲了开去。 这时火圈外又有三头狼跟踪跃入，一头被哈合台用摔跤手法抓住头颈掼出圈外，另一头被张召重一剑斩为两段，第三头却在与滕一雷缠斗。哈合台把顾金标带回来的树枝加旺了火头，群狼才不继续进来。 这边陈家洛挺剑向左虚刺，恶狼哪知他是虚招，向右闪避，短剑早已收回，自右方猛刺而下。恶狼这时万万躲避不开，也是情急智生，突张巨口，咬住了剑锋。陈家洛用力向前疾送，那狼舌头虽被划破，但知这是生死关头，仍是忍痛咬紧。陈家洛向后回拔，那狼死不放松，身子被提了起来，两行利齿却在剑锋上犹如生了根一般。陈家洛心中焦躁，身子略侧，飞腿踢中了另一条扑上来的恶狼后臀，那狼汪汪大叫，飞出火圈。他奋力挣夺，随着左手出掌，打在巨狼双目之间。那狼向后仰头，他手中顿觉一松，短剑终于拔出。众人只觉寒光闪耀，短剑剑锋七紫光四射。 陈家洛这一掌已把巨狼打得头骨破碎而死，可是它口中还是咬着一段剑刃。众人都感奇怪，短剑明明在陈家洛手里，又未断折，狼口中的剑刃又从何而来？ 陈家洛走上前去，左手三指平捏半段剑刃向后拉扯，岂知那狼虽死，牙齿仍如铁钳般牢牢咬住剑刃。他右手用短剑在狼颚上一划，狼脸筋骨应手而断，直如切豆腐一般。他心感诧异，举起短剑看时，脸上突觉寒气侵肤，不觉毛骨悚然。剑锋发出莹莹紫光，已非霍青桐所赠之剑，但剑柄仍然一模一样。他更是不解，俯身拿出狼口中那段剑刃，这才发觉剑刃中空，宛如剑鞘，把短剑插入剑鞘，全然密合。原来这短剑共有两个剑鞘，第二层剑鞘开有刃门，鞘尖又十分锋锐，见者自然以为便是剑刃，岂知剑内另有一柄砍金断玉、锋锐无匹的宝剑。霍青桐赠送短剑之时，曾说故老相传，剑中蕴藏着一个极大秘密，一向无人参透得出。今日只因机缘巧合，巨狼死命咬住，两下用力拉扯，才拔出了第二层剑鞘，否则有谁想得到这柄锋利的短剑之中，竟是剑内有剑？ 这时滕一雷已将火圈中最后一头狼打死，先解开顾金标被点的穴道，拔出匕首，割下四条狼腿，在火上烧烤。霍青桐叫道：“快拿开，你们不要性命吗？”滕一雷愕然道：“什么？”霍青桐道：“这些饿狼闻到烤肉香气，哪里还忍耐得住？”滕一雷心想不错，忙把狼腿从火上拿开。顾金标坐着喘息了一会，裹缚了身上六七处给恶狼咬伤的大创口，至于较小的创口，一时也无暇理会，只觉饥饿难当，拿起狼腿，鲜血淋漓地吃了起来。 香香公主将短剑拿在手里把玩，赞叹第二层剑鞘固然设想聪明，而且手工精巧已极，丝毫不露破绽。她向剑鞘里张望，见里面有一粒白色的东西，摇了几摇，却倒不出来。她取过一根细树枝，在鞘里轻轻拨动，一颗白色的小丸滚了出来。陈家洛和霍青桐见了都感奇怪，聚首细看，见是一颗蜡丸。陈家洛问霍青桐道：“打开来瞧瞧，好不好？”霍青桐点点头。他手指微一用劲，蜡丸破裂，里面是个小纸团，摊开纸团，却是一张薄如蝉翼的纱纸，纸上写着许多字，都是古回文字。 张召重望见他们发现了这张纸，假装取柴添火，走来走去偷看了几眼，见纸上写的都是回文，一字不识，不禁大失所望。 陈家洛回文虽识得一些，苦不甚精，纸上写的又是古时文字，全然不明其义，于是把纸摊在霍青桐面前。霍青桐一面看一面想，看了半天，把纸一折，放在怀里。陈家洛道：“那些字说的什么？”霍青桐不答，低头凝思。香香公主知道姊姊的脾气，笑道：“姊姊在想一个难题，别打扰她。” 霍青桐用手指在沙上东画西画，画了一个图形，抹去了又画一个，后来坐下来抱膝苦苦思索。陈家洛道：“你身子还弱，别多用心思。纸上的事一时想不通，慢慢再想，倒是筹划脱身之策要紧。”霍青桐道：“我想的就是既要避开恶狼，又要避开这些人狼。”说着小嘴向张召重等一努。香香公主听姊姊叫他们做“人狼”，名称新鲜，拍手笑了起来。 霍青桐又想了一会儿，对陈家洛道：“请你站上马背，向西瞭望，看是否有座白色山峰。”陈家洛依言牵过白马，跃上马背，极目西望。远处虽有丛山壁立，却不见白色山峰，凝目再望一会，仍是不见，向霍青桐摇摇头。 霍青桐道：“照纸上所说，那古城离此不远，理应看到山峰。”陈家洛跳下马背，问道：“什么古城？”霍青桐道：“小时就听人说，这大沙漠里埋着一个古城。这城本来十分富庶繁荣，可是有一天突然刮大风沙，像小山一样的沙丘一座座给风卷起，压在古城之上。城里好几万人没一个能逃出来。”转头对香香公主道：“妹妹，这些故事你知道得最清楚，你说给他听。” 香香公主道：“关于那地方有许多故事，可是那古城谁也没亲眼看见过日不，有好多人去过的，但很少有人能活着回来。据说那里有无数金银珠宝。有人在沙漠中迷了路，无意中闯进城去，见到这许多金银珠宝，眼都花了，自然开心得不得了。将金银珠宝装在骆驼上想带走，但在古城四周转来转去，说什么也离不开那地方。” 陈家洛问道：“为什么？”香香公主道：“他们说，古城的人一天之中都变成了鬼，他们喜欢这个城市，死了之后仍都不肯离开。这些鬼不舍得财宝给人拿走，因此迷住了人，不让走。只要放下财宝，一件也不带，就很容易出来。”陈家洛道：“就只怕没一个肯放下。”霍青桐道：“是啊，见到这许多金银珠宝，谁肯不拿？他们说，要是不拿一点财宝，反而在古城的屋里放几两银子，那么水井中还会浦出清水来给他喝。银子放得多，清水也就越多。”陈家洛笑道：“这古城的鬼也未免太贪心了。” 香香公主道：“我们族里有些人欠了债没法子，就去寻那地方，但总是一去就永不回来。有一次，一个商队在沙漠里救了一个半死的人。他说曾进过古城，可是出来时走来走去尽在一个地方兜圈子，他见到沙漠上有一道足迹，以为有人走过，于是拼命地跟着足迹追赶。哪知这足迹其实就是他自己的，这么兜来兜去，终于精疲力尽，倒地不起。那商队要他领着大伙儿再去古城，他死不答应，说道：就是把古城里所有的财宝都给了他，也不愿再踏进这鬼城一步。” 陈家洛道：“在沙漠上追赶自己的足迹兜圈子，这件事想想也真可怕。”香香公主道：“还有更可怕的事呢。他独个儿在沙漠中走，忽然听到有人叫他名字。他随着声音赶去，声音却没有了，什么也没瞧见，就这样迷了路。”陈家洛道：“有人忽然发现这许多财宝，欢喜过度，神志一定有点失常，沙漠中路又难认，很容易走不回来。要是他下了决心不要财宝，头脑一清醒，就容易认清楚道路了。倒不一定真有鬼迷人。” 霍青桐静静地道：“剑鞘里藏着的字纸，就是说明去那座古城的路径方位。”陈家洛“啊”的一声。 香香公主笑道：“我们不想要金银财宝。就算拿到了，那些鬼也不放人走。知道了路径也没什么用，倒是这口剑好，这般锋利，遇到敌人的兵器时，只怕一碰就能削断。”拔下三根头发，放在短剑的刃锋之上，道：“听爹爹说，真正的宝剑吹毛能断，不知这剑成不成？”对着短剑刃锋吹一口气，三根头发立时折为六段。她喜得连连拍手。霍青桐拿出一块丝帕，往上丢去，丝帕缓缓飘下，举起短剑一撩，丝帕登时分为两截。 张召重和关东三魔齐声喝彩，学武之人眼见如此利器，都不禁眼红身热。 陈家洛叹道：“宝剑虽利，杀不尽这许多饿狼，也是枉然。”霍青桐道：“纸上说明，古城环绕着一座参天玉峰而建。照说，那山峰离此不远，应该可以望见，怎么会影踪全无，可叫人猜想不透了。”香香公主道：“姊姊你别用这些闲心思啦，就是找到了山峰，又有什么用处？”霍青桐道：“那么咱们就可逃进古城。城里有房屋，有堡垒，躲避狼群总比这里好得多。”陈家洛叫道：“不错！”跃身而起，又站上马背，向西凝望，但见天空白茫茫的一片，哪里有什么山峰的影子？