Chapter 2 Chapter One
"That brat who killed a thousand swords! Where did he go?"
From a mouth full of jagged gray beards, a hoarse and majestic shout came out from its throat. The sound was like howling a beast, but there was a strong smell of alcohol in it.
Then came the sound of objects exploding.
A small wine bottle that had just been drunk was severely smashed on the wooden handle of the chair.
The huge palm holding the wine bottle was not damaged at all - the sharp broken porcelain pieces of the wine bottle could not pierce the thick calluses accumulated after years of training on the palm.
The disciples standing beside the chairs were silenced by the angry shouting, and their faces turned blue.
No one dared to answer Master's question.
A row of five-colored flags hung above their heads, fluttering in the summer wind blowing from the harbour.The big characters embroidered on the flag, such as "Yaowu Yangwei", "I Wu Weiyang", "Dragon Tenghu Leaping", "Four Seas Friends"..., dance with the wind as if they have life.
In front of the flag array is a large arena built with bamboo sheds and wooden planks, six feet high, one foot long and one foot wide, facing the sunny harbor with the same color of water and sky on the east side, the scenery is very beautiful.
A pair of figures were flying and fighting in the center of the ring, and the four sides of the stage were densely packed with spectators who were not avoiding the hot sun. There might not be four or five hundred people, all of them were delighted to see them, and enthusiastically cheered for the boxers on the stage.There is another row of shaded stands on the west side, where all the local officials, businessmen and gentry are seated. Although they did not applaud, they are excited to watch.
This place is the coast outside Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, and the local martial arts "fighting competition" is being held four times a year.
Folk martial arts are very popular in Fujian Province, especially in the past hundred years, the coastal areas have been infested by Japanese pirates, and many children from villages and towns have practiced martial arts to defend their homes.Although Fujian does not have any martial arts schools with a long history and world-renowned reputation, the martial artists of various factions in the province are also very active, and such fighting contests or other performances are often held in order to make the martial arts gym famous and hope to win Favored by the local elders, he was hired as a martial arts instructor in the village and town, and received the apprenticeship gift money and a monthly salary comfortably.
The two people who are competing on the stage at the moment are also famous local disciples in Quanzhou: one is Zhang Ao, a young master of the Minjiao Sect;
Zhang Ao is relatively tall. On the stage, he performed the "Fanjiang Fist" of his school. His movements were stretched, and he was as vigorous as a dragon in the water. Although many people around the ring did not know martial arts, they were still excited and couldn't help clapping their hands. call.
Jing Yue stood in a low horse stance, and turned his arms and bridge hands in front of him, perfectly supporting the opponent's punches and kicks. The defense was so tight that the audience admired it.
His father—that is, the mighty man who yelled and smashed the wine bottle just now, waved his hand to sweep away the broken porcelain still sticking to his palm, and then signaled to the disciple beside him to bring another bottle.
The man's eyes with slack bellies were full of red silk, and he was already drunk before noon.But the disciple didn't dare to disobey the master's order, obediently uncorked another bottle of wine and handed it to him.
He took a big gulp, and the liquid overflowed from the corner of his mouth to his chin, where it was absorbed by his beard.He didn't even look at his son who was competing fiercely with others in the arena.
- don't look.Because the result is already known.
Sure enough, the next moment, Jing Yue on the stage performed a tiger claw grapple move, grasping Zhang Ao's wrist with five fingers, and pulled it along the way, while the other hand issued a "five thunder tiger fist", hitting Zhang Ao's waist !
At the same time Zhang Ao cried out in pain, Jing Yue took the opportunity to sweep his legs with a hook, and cooperated with the tiger's claws to grab Zhang Ao and threw Zhang Ao to the edge of the ring.Zhang Ao rolled away, and before he had time to stabilize his body, he just rolled out of the stage and was defeated.
When the victory or defeat is a point, the big drum under the corner of the stage immediately beats.Hundreds of spectators around cheered loudly.
Jing Yue smiled and raised his hands high, expressing his gratitude to Sifang.At this time Zhang Ao also stood up from the stage, he didn't seem to have suffered any serious injuries, and he saluted each other with Jing Yue on the stage.
"Okay!" The members of the South China Sea Huzun faction standing under the flag array also raised their arms and cheered, shouting with all their might—because they all knew that this match would be the only victory for our faction today.One of the disciples suddenly waved the banner of the Tiger Sect with white characters on a black background, and showed it to everyone in the arena.
Only their head, Jing Zhao, was still sitting in the top chair drinking, not showing the slightest joy in his son's victory.
"Bah... Since it's a victory, it should be more beautiful..." Jing Zhaoxiang murmured to himself, "Why don't you strike harder?..."
Occupying the left head under the flag array is the members of the Minjiao Sect.They didn't seem very disappointed when Zhang Ao returned in defeat, they just patted him on the shoulder to show comfort.Cheng Bin, the head of the Minjiao Sect who was sitting on the chair, looked towards the South Sea Tiger Sect.
The two masters looked at each other from afar, and just nodded at each other, without any hostility.
Jing Yue still stood on the stage to welcome the cheers from the audience around him.The other two sects participating in this "fighting competition": Lingshan School and Fujian Ditang School also politely applauded Jing Yue on the stage.
The tradition of competing in the arena of Quanzhou's four major sects has been going on for more than 30 years, at least, and the four sects have always won and lost each other.But in recent years, the Tiger Sect of the South China Sea seems to be a bit weak. Just look at today, there are only a dozen or so disciples from our hall gathered on the field. Is not as good.
Jing Yue just walked off the ring at this time.The disciples of Lingshan Sect and Ditang Sect, who were about to go on stage in the next round, were standing under the stage stretching their arms and legs. This time they were comparing weapons. One was holding a rattan stick wrapped in thick cloth, and the other was holding a rattan card and a wooden sword.
After Jing Yue got off the stage, he didn't immediately go back to the Huzun faction, but went to the stands between the spectator stands to say hello.The people sitting there were all the gentry and merchants from the Quanzhou area, and there were a few local officials among them.
The wealthy merchants at the banquet were all admiring Jing Yue's beautiful playing, and stuffed the red envelopes they had prepared into his hands.Flower cards for their congratulations are placed around the arena, and there are various gifts such as food, wine and cloth.
"How many games are left... before it's that brat's turn?" When Jing Zhao thought of the guy who was nowhere to be seen now, his face, which had been slightly relaxed, tensed again with anger.
"There are... four games..." Guo Chongyi, the big disciple beside him, wiped his sweat and said, "Master Pei has already gone to look for him... Master, don't worry, I don't think the younger brother ran away because he was afraid... probably fell asleep again head……"
"Why are you still here?" Jing Zhao stared with red eyes, his cheeks eroded by alcohol trembled with anger, "Do you want our South Sea Tiger Sect to lose all face because of that kid? Why don't you go out and look around?"
Guo Chongyi was well aware of his master's temper, so he nodded in panic, and ran out of the arena with his three juniors.
In this brief moment of rage, Jing Zhao seemed to have regained the momentum he had when he was known as the "Rolling Thunder Tiger" more than ten years ago.But only for this moment.After taking another sip of wine, that mighty face softened again.
"Even if you knock that brat's legs off..." Jing Zhao wiped his lips, and said to himself again, gnashing his teeth, "...you have to drag him to this ring..."
"Lie! Are you there?" The turbulent waves rolled in with a frightening momentum, and beat on the towering rocks protruding from the coastline, and the white foam splashed wet Pei Shiying's pants and straw sandals. While shouting, he leaped forward between the jagged rocks, and the wild goose feather with a dilapidated leather sheath around his waist swayed back and forth with every step. "Are you here? Stop playing, it will be bad if you don't come out this time..." Pei Shiying shouted loudly, her eyes glanced around, her thin face looked worried. ——It must be here... He usually likes to hide here when he is happy or unhappy about something... Finally, on top of a rock, Pei Shiying found a rough wooden knife full of dents.The handle of the knife was stained with blood that hadn't completely dried. Pei Shiying sighed, leaned over to pick up the wooden knife, squatted down with both legs and looked down, and sure enough, he found the nephew he was looking for in a small hollow in the rock. Jing Lie's upper body was naked, and he folded his shirt to use as a pillow. He slept on his side with his legs curled up, like a baby.The sound of intense waves came into the cave one after another, but his sleeping appearance was very sweet, as if he took the sound of the waves as a lullaby. Pei Shiying angrily stabbed Jing Lie's thigh with a wooden knife. "Sure enough, I'm sleeping! Get up!" Jing Lie opened his sleepy eyes, squinted and saw that it was his uncle, he ignored it, and just reached out and pulled the tip of the knife away. "Get up!" Pei Shiying stabbed him harder. "Look, the vigilance is so low. If I were the enemy, this is a real knife, and you would be finished!" This time, Pei Shiying stabbed the tip of the knife hard on his ass.Jing Lie suffered from pain and had to wake up. He climbed out of the hollow, looked up at the scorching sun in the sky, and slowly stood up straight and stretched. The sun shone on his fifteen-year-old young body, his copper-colored skin was so tight that it seemed to be shiny, but there were old and new wounds everywhere.The muscles of the chest and arms are not fully developed, but they have been exercised to a clear texture, like steel bars. He scratched at his messy hair fluttering in the wind before he fully came to his senses—he was too lazy to tie it into a bun, so he simply cut his hair into this jagged and weird look because he was severely beaten by his master for this matter, and even He was ordered to wear a headscarf when he went out on weekdays. "If you want to hide, you should find a fresher place." Pei Shiying grabbed the jacket from the hole and stuffed it into the nephew's hand. "I didn't hide." Jing Lie yawned. "I just wanted to take a nap. I overslept. I can't help it, I'm too tired." "I thought you didn't want to fight today." "I came up in the middle of the night last night." Jing Lie showed the palm of his right hand to his uncle. "Until sunrise, I swung 10,000 knives in succession." The palm and five fingers were covered with worn skin and blisters, and the blood was stained red. When Pei Shiying saw the blood on the wooden knife just now, she knew what stupid thing this little nephew had done again.Sighing, he took out the emergency bag from the front of his clothes, took out a piece of white cloth and tore it into long strips, and bandaged Jing Lie's palm. ——But Pei Shiying is actually a little happy in her heart: the nephew is not a weak guy who can escape. "Is it too late?" Jing Lie looked at the sun above his head. "No." Pei Shiying said while bandaging, "Go back with me now, there is still time." Jing Lie frowned and looked at the ocean.Distant islands can be seen faintly. "Master is a fool," he murmured. It should have been called "father" or "foster father".But Jing Zhao never allowed Jing Lie to call him like this. Jing Lie was an abandoned baby picked up by Jing Zhao on the shore of the island when he was traveling fifteen years ago, hence the name.Jing Lie, who grew up in the Tiger Sect of the South China Sea, was not allowed to learn his own martial art until he was eleven years old - Jing Zhao's biological son, Jing Yue, started practicing basic kung fu at the age of five. ——Jing Lie often thought: Master doesn't like me as an adopted son, right? ... But since you don't like it, why did you pick me up again? ... Only Pei Shiying knew the reason why senior brother didn't like this adopted son.That happened one day when Jing Lie was only two years old, of course Jing Lie himself doesn't remember. That day, in the deserted Hu Zun faction training ground, two-year-old Jing Lie went in to play - he knew how to walk steadily very early - and picked up a short wooden knife that was still too heavy for him at the time; Just as Jing Zhao and Pei Shiying walked in, they saw the little man, who even used a knife to put on a stance. ——Strictly speaking, of course, it wasn’t a real anti-enemy stance, it was just a natural raising of the sword to the position where it could be swung with force. At that time, Pei Shiying saw with her own eyes: the complexion of the head brother changed. In the following few years, the more Jing Lie grew up, the more he looked like a monkey who couldn't sit still.Climbing trees, throwing stones, swimming, jumping rope... These things require physical strength and coordination, and he only needs to play with the children next door for a while to learn them all. Pei Shiying knew that Jing Zhao had made up his mind at that time not to let Jing Lie learn martial arts. Everyone in the Nanhai Huzun faction knew that Jing Zhao was determined to cultivate his only son Jing Yue as the next head.Jing Zhao picked up the child Jing Lie in the first place, but only for the son to have a family member as his assistant in the future.The son changed his name to "Yue" in the hope that he would surpass himself in the future—how could he allow his own son to be surpassed by a younger brother without blood? ——Jing Zhao's selfishness is exactly the reason why the South Sea Tiger Sect's talents have withered in the past ten years.There are more than 20 disciples who left disheartened and left to bid farewell over the years.The two senior uncles also left because they were dissatisfied with the senior brother's style of work. Since then, Pei Shiying is the only senior uncle left in the Huzun sect. But Jing Lie is also surnamed Jing after all, if he doesn't even understand the martial arts of the Hu Zun sect, it will be a very strange thing in the eyes of outsiders.Coupled with the fact that many disciples spoke for the child, it was only four years ago that Jing Zhao reluctantly accepted Jing Lie into the family.However, except on the day when he was apprenticed to a teacher, he was given a boxing ceremony very casually, he was never taught martial arts at all, and he was only thrown in the care of the incompetent Junior Brother Pei, thinking that he could rest assured from now on. ——He underestimated the teacher Pei Shiying too much.He also underestimated the child Jing Lie. "Put on your clothes and follow me." Pei Shiying wrapped Jing Lie's hands, patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's really too late to go to the ring." "No way..." Jing Lie took out a green cloth towel from his waist to cover his hair, and smiled at his uncle: "I haven't warmed up yet..." Pei Shiying gets along with this nephew day and night, why doesn't he know his temper?Every time he showed this kind of smile, it was when he was playing tricks. Sure enough, Jing Lie's right fist, wrapped in a cloth belt, greeted Pei Shiying's face with one move! Pei Shiying has a thin body, and was born lacking in the kind of favorable conditions like his senior brother "Rolling Thunder Tiger" Jing Zhao. He didn't take Jing Lie's fist hard, but his body just slanted, and at the same time he waved the wooden knife in his hand, and threw it at Jing Lie. Forearm, both offensive and defensive. Jing Lie knew that his uncle loved to use this move, so he didn't draw back his arm, he just drew an arc to change his move, using "empty hand into white blade", the tiger's claws caught Pei Shiying's wrist holding the knife. Jing Lie's tiger claws just touched Pei Shiying's wrist, Pei Shiying had already reacted, and hit his finger with the handle of the wooden knife; before the impact was halfway, Jing Lie also turned the tiger claw into a palm, and slapped the handle from the side , to make Pei Shiying's knife go away... They fought back and forth like this, it was more like playing a game than a competition, both of them were smiling while fighting.Because I am too familiar with the opponent's habits and movements, many moves have not been used halfway, even just by moving the shoulders or shaking the waist, the opponent knows which move it is, and has already made a response to the move and preparations for counterattack in advance, and the results are many. Sometimes they didn't even touch their bodies, it was as if they were splitting their moves from a distance. Although they didn't really use all their strength, both of them were not slow in attacking and defending.Pei Shiying gradually couldn't keep up.Jing Lie knew his uncle's boundaries, so he controlled his speed to accommodate him. ——It was more than half a year ago that Jing Lie surpassed Pei Shiying in martial arts. Of course Pei Shiying felt that her nephew was accommodating him, so she changed her style of play, trying to conjure up some strange moves that are rarely used in normal times, and sometimes even disrupted them to test Jing Lie's reaction.Jing Lie excitedly proceeded one by one, the practice of the two changed from confrontation to feeding and receiving moves. Pei Shiying's playing style became more and more chaotic, Jing Lie couldn't give in anymore, he bent down and rushed to Pei Shiying's armpit in one breath, hugging his waist with one hand and legs in the other, pushing the tall and thin uncle to the center of gravity and falling backwards. It was not easy to stand on this uneven high rock, Pei Shiying was startled, hugged Jing Lie's shoulders and neck, and shouted: "Okay! Idiot, I'm going to fall..." Jing Lie hugged his uncle off the ground until his uncle scolded him, then smiled and gently put him back on the rock. After "playing" for a long time, Jing Lie's young and well-defined face turned ruddy.The sunlight reflected by the waves reflected into his clear eyes.Although his life has not really started yet, everyone can tell that this young man will grow into a heroic man. The happiest person, of course, is Pei Shiying who raised him into what he is now. Jing Zhao didn't miss the point back then: adopted son Jing Lie's talent is indeed extraordinary, and what's even more frightening is that ability to absorb new knowledge and skills, which can absorb water faster than paper. But no matter how powerful a genius is, if he doesn't meet the most suitable teacher, he will be buried at any time. Panting tiredly, Pei Shiying sat down cross-legged on the rock, and put the Yanling Saber at her waist on her lap. Pei Shiying was recognized as the worst disciple among the disciples of the South China Sea Huzun sect of his generation.He has a thin body and a weak frame, and is often prone to injuries during exercise. Apart from a little speed, he has no outstanding advantages—even that speed is not the fastest among his peers.He was able to survive the training and stay in the Hu Zun sect, in the eyes of fellow sects and even outsiders, it was no small miracle. —But there are not many things in the world that are miracles.Especially for the untalented. People only saw how Pei Shiying struggled to keep up with the progress of Jing Zhao's senior brothers, but they didn't see his efforts behind the scenes to keep up with them.Just because he doesn't have great talent and physique, he relies more on his eyes and head: he opens his eyes wide to observe how others play and practice, and then thinks desperately.Sometimes I learn a move that is not suitable for me at all, and I still try my best to figure out how to make it suitable; even if I still can't use it in the end, I find something new in the process of thinking... Pei Shiying is like a general who has been far inferior to his opponent for a long time.Maybe it has never won a battle, but in the process of constantly avoiding defeat, it has formed its own art of war. Pei Shiying's special experience in martial arts has never made him a master; but when a teacher like him meets a student like Jing Lie, the effect produced is completely beyond Jing Zhao's imagination. "Don't try to imitate me." Pei Shiying said to Jing Lie on the first day: "Don't try to be another me. Or another your father. Open your eyes and open your heart. Go learn everything you see Things to learn. Make them your own." For beginners in martial arts, this was originally a wrong way of learning, which could lead to self-delusion or over-doing at any time; but for a special child like Jing Lie, he immediately displayed his greatest potential for growth.Even Pei Shiying was surprised by the achievements in just four years. The last head of the South China Sea Hu Zun Sect—that is, after Jing Zhao and Pei Shiying's master Hong Tingrong died of illness, it was logical that the head of the school was taken over by Jing Zhao, the most skilled martial artist; but Pei Shiying will never forget that his master once treated him on the sick bed Say: "Perhaps the rise and fall of the Tiger Sect will one day be in your hands..." I?Pei Shiying shook her head in disbelief.For many years afterwards, I couldn't figure out why Master would say that. But seeing Jing Lie now, he began to understand. "Master, let's go." Jing Lie smiled and pulled Pei Shiying up. "I'm going to play." "Lie..." Pei Shiying looked at her nephew: "You... don't worry, right? This one..." Jing Lie took the wooden knife from Pei Shiying's hand, put it on his broad shoulders, and looked at the ocean to the southeast.That is the direction of his birthplace - of course, even Jing Zhao is not sure whether he was born in Lieyu.Maybe it was just carried there and abandoned?It's not even sure whether they are Han people - there are many such things about local girls being raped by Japanese pirates and leaving behind evil seeds. "Lie..." Pei Shiying put his shoulders on his shoulders: "You have to be patient this time and don't mess around, otherwise the head will drive you away. As long as you can stay, I firmly believe that the future signature of the South China Sea Tiger Venerable Sect must be made by You carry it." Pei Shiying's expectation to Jing Lie is just like what Master Hong Tingrong told him back then. Today is the first time since Jing Liebai joined the arena representing the Tiger Venerable Sect of the South China Sea. But it was an inevitable defeat. Without saying a word, Jing Lie suddenly jumped to the lower rock, left his uncle behind, and ran along the coastline alone. That is the direction of the test site.
Shi Yaowu, a disciple of the Lingshan School, has already stepped onto the ring.This is a battle of weapons. Shi Yaowu is wearing leather armor on his head, shoulders, chest and back, and is holding a wooden single knife. . But the other corner of the ring opposite was still empty. Jing Zhao was drinking the fourth bottle of wine today, and the alcohol made his already violent face even more terrifying.None of the disciples on either side of the chair dared to make a sound. There was one person present who was even more angry and anxious than Jing Zhao, and that was Shi Qinglong, the head of the Lingshan School.He glared at Jing Zhao from the far right, his eyes were clearly reprimanding: "What the hell are you doing?" Especially since it was his own nephew who was on the ring, he didn't want to mess up his sure victory. Jing Zhao caught a glimpse of Shi Qinglong's questioning eyes and could only pretend not to see it. The audience around the ring is also clamoring.Only Shi Yaowu signed the "Life and Death Certificate" hanging high on the wooden pillar beside the stage, but the signature under the "South Sea Tiger Venerable School Jing Lie" was still empty. The martial arts area around Quanzhou Prefecture has been divided into four parts by Lingshan School, Minjiao School, Fujian Ditangmen School and Nanhai Huzun School for a long time.In the beginning, the four sects relied on real materials, and became famous in this kind of public competition. After becoming famous, in order to protect their reputation, they continued to train and send disciples to fight on stage; but later, the four sects monopolized the local martial arts. In order to avoid vicious competition among the various factions and accumulate enmity, the four factions gradually began to have a tacit understanding of fighting: if we win this battle, we will send you a lesser disciple in the next battle Save face. Over time, this kind of tacit understanding has evolved into cooperation between the four factions. Every time they fight, they discuss first, and the outcome of each game is determined by default. The arena turned into fake fights, the chances of serious injuries for disciples were reduced, and the pressure of each faction to compete with each other was reduced.This habit of agreeing on the outcome began about twenty years ago, and has become an undisclosed "rule" among the four major factions in Quanzhou until today.The so-called "fighting is better than art" has been reduced to a performance to maintain fame and face. ——This kind of "fake fighting in the arena" has become a common practice in many martial arts places.Anyway, most people who watch the fight just join in the fun for a little excitement, how can they see the way?Occasionally, there are some outsiders who can be seen, they must be family members, and they are in the way of martial arts etiquette, so naturally they are embarrassed to say so. In the spring of this year, the South China Sea Tiger Venerable faction won two wins and one draw. This summer, they will only get one win and three losses.The only victory today was won by Jing Yue just now, and the rest including Jing Lie will lose this one. But if people don't come, you can't lose.That would be "abstaining" at best.If they couldn't truly defeat the disciples of the Tiger Venerable Sect in the South China Sea in front of others, wouldn't the previous defeat of the Lingshan Sect be in vain?Shi Qinglong was very anxious. Shi Yaowu on the stage also began to pace uneasily.He naturally knew that he was the protagonist of the faction's victory today.The opponent was a boy who was more than ten years younger than himself, and it was his first appearance. Shi Yaowu had long ago decided to fight harder, so as to make the victory look easy.Now that the brat didn't show up for a long time, he was even more determined not to keep the wooden knife in his hand later. Jing Zhao was about to break another wine bottle, but this bottle was still half undrinked, so he held back. This time he made an exception and let Jing Lie play in the ring - and it was an agreed defeat, just to test whether the adopted son was loyal and obedient.If he behaved well, Jing Zhao would consider teaching him some real martial arts formally.After all, the Huzun sect is short of talents, so it is not a bad thing to have one more capable disciple who is also surnamed Jing.Anyway, Jing Lie learned martial arts so many years late, and is eight years younger than Jing Yue, so it is impossible to catch up with his brother. ——At most, when teaching him, it is enough to keep a few unique skills... But this kid actually made Hu Zun faction ashamed in front of so many people.Jing Zhao has decided to give up this adopted son forever. "No more." He looked around, and the fifth disciple Guan Weiqiang happened to be standing closest. "Wei Qiang, you are on top." Guan Weiqiang was stunned for a while, but knowing that the teacher's order was hard to disobey, he nodded.The brothers around him began to put on the leather armor for him. But just after wearing the breastplate, there was a commotion at the entrance of the arena. Jing Lie was still shirtless, with his coat draped over his shoulders, holding a wooden knife in one hand, galloping barefoot on the sandy ground, passing through the entrance of the bamboo shed covered with colorful paper flowers, and rushing in. When Jing Zhao finally saw this boy who had worried him for a long time, not only did he not heave a sigh of relief, but his face became even more angry: Dressed like this, he looks like a wild monkey, how decent is he? Jing Lie didn't look at his adoptive father, just smiled at his brothers, raised a thumb to indicate "I can do it", and walked straight towards the central ring without stopping for half a moment.The audience in front applauded him as they moved out of the way. Jing Lie ran to the edge of the stage, jumped up with both feet, stretched out his hands and climbed up, and jumped onto the ring that was not much different from his height.Seeing his agility, the people cheered again.The drummer at the corner of the stage also followed the fiery atmosphere, beating a burst of rapid rhythm. On the opposite side, Shi Yaowu put the wooden dagger on his shoulder armor and stared fiercely at Jing Lie in front of him.Shi Yaowu gritted his teeth even more when he saw this boy who was thirteen years younger than him and a head shorter than him with such arrogance. "Jing Shaoxia! Jing Shaoxia..." A voice shouted among the noisy crowd. Jing Lie looked over to the side of the stage, it was Li the shopkeeper of the largest pawn shop in Quanzhou Mansion, "Hengtong Mortgage", he was always fair, so for more than ten years, he had been invited to be a notary for the local "competition". Shopkeeper Li is not tall, so he can only show half of his head on the edge of the stage, and he stretches out his master to hold up a large brush. "Jing Shaoxia, you haven't signed the 'Life and Death Certificate' yet!" Jing Lie walked over, but didn't get off the ring, just leaned over to take the brush, stood up straight and immediately waved his arm, throwing the brush towards the pillar with "life and death" hanging on the side of the stage. When Jing Lie moved his hand, Jing Zhao raised his eyebrows. ——This technique is the unique rope dart throwing method in the Tiger Zun Sect of the South China Sea!How could he? ——That bastard Xiao Pei, even taught him this? The brush flew flying, and the tip of the brush landed on the blank space below the name of "Jing Lie" on the "Life and Death Figure", and then rebounded and fell, leaving behind an ink mark that looked like flames and waves. Shi Yaowu's signature was half painted out. "I'll sign it now." Jing Lie said with a smile.The life-and-death figure was only a few feet away from the edge of the stage, this move was actually not too difficult, but his gesture of throwing strokes and bets was very chic, and the crowd cheered excitedly. Instead of being angry, Shi Yaowu smiled, approached, lowered his voice and said to Jing Lie: "Did you make a mistake? You're putting on a show now, and it will be ugly when you step off the stage." Jing Lie just smiled at him, noncommittal.Shi Yaowu thought: After a while, you won't be able to laugh anymore. At this time, Pei Shiying, Guo Chongyi and other three disciples appeared from the entrance of the competition arena. They met on the other side of the pier.Panting from running, Pei Shiying led his disciples back to the Tiger Sect's camp. Jing Zhao stared at his younger brother with sharp eyes for a while, then looked at the ring again without saying a word. "Stop procrastinating." Shi Yaowu shouted on the stage: "Go back to the stage and put on your armor." "I've already prepared it. Can't you?" Jing Lie still had a playful smile on his face: "I don't need to wear it——I came here today to hit someone, not to be beaten." Jing Lie said this very loudly, and everyone from the four sects at the other end of the flag array heard it. Shi Yaowu was astonished. ——This guy...does he really want to fight? ... Shi Qinglong, head of the Lingshan School, was even more furious than before. He glared at Jing Zhao in the distance, and then winked at his nephew on the stage: ——Whether this kid is real or not, don't hold back! Pei Shiying and all the disciples of the Huzun sect were very anxious, looked at Jing Lie on the stage, and urged him with expressions: ——Don't mess around!Do you want to kick out the Hu Zun faction? ... Jing Lie deliberately didn't look at this side, and went straight to the starting boundary line painted with vermilion lacquer on the ring. Shi Yaowu originally thought it was a performance, but suddenly knew that it might become a real fight, he couldn't help but get nervous, his heart was beating wildly.But it was impossible to step down like this, so he had no choice but to stand behind the boundary line on his side. Shopkeeper Li raised his hand when he saw the two standing still.The drummer at the corner of the stage beat hard. Before the sound of the drums stopped, Jing Lie had already rushed out from the boundary line, raised his wooden knife and slashed at Shi Yaowu head-on! Jing Zhao was surprised when he saw this: Although Jing Lie is small and thin, he leaps out of the sword with this move, and the coordination of his hands and feet is excellent. The essence of "! ——Didn't he only study for four years? Only Pei Shiying, Guo Chongyi and a few disciples of the Huzun sect were not surprised: in the past six months, at the request of their uncle, they secretly competed with Jing Lie, and they all lost.This is the reason why they begged their master to let Jing Lie fight: this little junior brother is definitely extraordinary, and he will surely shine on the door of the South China Sea Tiger Sect in the future, if he doesn't give him more experience in fighting outsiders as soon as possible OK) That would be a pity. ——But now they regret it: Lie, this kid, is so serious! Jing Lie's "Flying Knife" was so strong that Shi Yaowu was no longer suspicious, so he raised his wooden knife to meet him, bounced Jing Lie's knife away with a "boom", and then changed his move to stab Jing Lie in the face! Shi Yaowu had already accepted this real fight, Jing Lie was so excited that he grinned open his mouth, and flashed the bayonet on one side, and at the same time, the wooden knife in his hand was turned in the opposite direction by the force of the collision and rebound, and he turned around and made a second horizontal cut with his backhand! After all, Shi Yaowu is the nephew of the head of the sect, and he is expected to be the head of the Lingshan sect in the future. His own martial arts are not weak, and he can block the backhand knife with his strength.Regardless of his stature or age, he was much older than Jing Lie, and the strength in his hands naturally surpassed him. Jing Lie's wooden knife bounced away again. Shi Yaowu took the opportunity to turn the wooden knife horizontally and cut it towards Jing Lie's waist, but Jing Lie retreated in time. Shrinking body, let the tip of the knife pass from the front of the abdomen. Taking advantage of this attack, Shi Yaowu used his own "Piece Leaf Knife Technique" in a row, slashing three times in one breath.But Jing Lie's movements are light and nimble, and his footwork made several sideways moves, but he dodged them one by one. In fact, Jing Lie didn't wear armor, it was not due to lack of courage, but after calculation: Although it is only leather armor, it still has a certain weight and firmly binds the body. Wearing it to fight will consume a lot of physical strength. He and Shi Yaowu There is a gap in stature, and it will be even more disadvantageous if you bear the same weight of leather armor.His movements are not flexible, and fighting can easily turn into head-to-head encounters that are not conducive to him. On the contrary, he does not wear armor and uses speed to determine the outcome, and the chance of being hit by a knife is much smaller. Of course, Jing Lie also had to take the risk of being seriously injured if he was hit by a knife. ——However, fighting is a kind of gamble. Shi Yaowu summoned up all his speed and strength, and each wooden knife only passed Jing Lie's body, and all the brothers in the audience were sweating for him.Only the uncle Pei Shiying became more and more excited the more he watched. ——Jing Lie saw every knife with extreme precision, so he was able to dodge with the smallest possible evasion. Every time he dodges several stabs, Jing Lie strikes back at Shi Yaowu.Every time Shi Yaowu wanted to take advantage of his strength to knock away Jing Lie's attacking wooden sword, but Jing Lie was always able to penetrate his wrist at the last moment to withstand the counter-shock of the wooden sword's impact, which cost Shi Yaowu extra strength.Shi Yaowu couldn't succeed, and anxiously attacked Jing Lie repeatedly, but Jing Lie, who was as skilled as a monkey, dodged one by one. The crowd around the arena usually watched the fights as a fake show with spare energy. This was the first time they witnessed such an exciting real fight. Unexpectedly, it became quiet, only the sound of each wooden knife clash between the two on the stage was heard. If it was on a normal day, Shi Yaowu's martial arts cultivation and experience should actually be slightly higher than Jing Lie.But today he was just preparing to perform on stage for a scheduled performance, and he didn't practice hard at all beforehand, and even drank some wine with a few juniors;.After the two sides fought dozens of knives, Shi Yaowu's mouth gradually opened wider, and he obviously started to use his mouth to help him breathe. Seeing this phenomenon, Jing Lie raised the corner of his mouth.He knew his attrition tactics were working. How could Pei Shiying not know the tactics of her nephew.He also showed a smile similar to Jing Lie's in the audience. Shi Qinglong also noticed that the situation of his nephew on the stage was not good, so he shouted: "Calm down! Don't worry!" But it was too late. Jing Lie slashed straight at Shi Yaowu's forehead. At the same time when he drew the saber, he already knew how Shi Yaowu would block it: he swiped the saber with full force again, trying to sweep the saber away from my hand. - Anticipate the enemy's opportunity first.No matter practicing or fighting, you must use your head.This is the most precious thing that Uncle Pei taught him. Sure enough, Shi Yaowu's wooden knife swept across, exactly as expected.And because of the exhaustion of physical strength, the power and speed of this sweeping knife have weakened. --it's time. Jing Lie's straight chopping knife was halfway out, but suddenly stopped moving forward, the muscles of the right chest, shoulder, and arm were tightened instantly, and the joints were firmly fixed, and turned into fully facing Shi Yaowu's sweep! Under the violent blow, Shi Yaowu's wooden knife stopped. With the left fist that Jing Lie had been preparing for a long time, grasping this short pause, he struck from bottom to top with a "Five Thunder Tiger Fist". The protruding middle knuckles hit Shi Yaowu's right knuckles accurately! 指节骨裂的剧痛，如电殛沿手臂传上脑袋，不管怎样的壮汉都无法抵受，右手五指不由自主放松了刀柄。 ——这种打人指节的功夫，完全是荆烈自己想出来的：面对比自己高大强壮的成人，用徒手拳招的话，打胸腹腰身这些大目标不会有什么效果；要近身打眼耳、咽喉、下阴这些要害，自己的手又不够长……想来想去，最安全又有效的，就是打对方伸得最远、骨头又最弱小的手指。 ——当然，要命中那经常快速移动而目标又小的拳指，除了要求极高的准绳，还要想方法令它停缓下来——就像刚才那样。 一般擂台上比试兵器，一方的器械脱手跌了，胜负已然决定。但暴怒的施耀武绝不甘心，右手一吃痛脱刀同时，左手就伸出去想擒拿荆烈的左拳，要变成近身缠斗。 如果是习惯了打擂规则的别人，施耀武这不服输的突袭还会奏效；可是对于第一次踏上擂台的荆烈却完全无用。全身神经都高度警觉的荆烈，左拳早已缩了回来，同时右手用刀柄往施耀武箕张伸来的五指反撞过去，又砸裂了他一根尾指！ 荆烈毕竟是少年心性，加上第一次跟外人比斗，就打得如此得心应手，一时兴奋，手中刀顺势一变，刀尖斜斜探刺而出。 施耀武只感头脸左侧火辣辣的，右边耳朵擦出一丛血花！ 旗阵那边，一人自交椅上猛然站起来。不是南海虎尊派或者灵山派的掌门，却是闽蛟派的掌斗人程宾。 因为荆烈这一招刺刀，不是南海虎尊派的刀招，而是闽蛟派“云涛剑法”的常用一式“银鳞搏浪”！ ——这臭小子哪儿学来的？ 答案非常简单：荆烈在还没有正式学武之前，已经挤在大人之间观看每次“打擂较艺”；学武这四年里，他就看得更用心，更真切。 去学所有值得学的东西，再变成属于自己的——这是师叔给他的教诲。 施耀武忍着耳朵和双手指间的剧痛，还是张着双臂，冲上前抱向荆烈。 这是施耀武活到二十八岁以来，第一次认真地为了保卫灵山派的名誉而拼命战斗。 荆烈的木刀和拳头，唤醒了他身为武者应有却沉睡已久的精魂。 荆烈不再笑了，神情转而为尊重。 ——面对一个还懂反击的对手，尊重就是不要相让。 施耀武两臂一抱，却抱了个空。只见荆烈已经缩矮了身躯，头比对方肚脐更低，左手支住地面，紧接双腿凌空跳起，如剪刀般交错，夹住了施耀武的腰身！ 这次轮到福建地堂门的掌门孟兴贵，愤怒地拍击椅把——这“铰剪腿”，正是地堂门的得意技！ 荆烈一条腿勾住施耀武的腰腹，另一腿抵在他双膝后弯处，再借转腰发力双腿一剪，施耀武被绊得向后翻倒躺下；荆烈紧随也翻上去，右膝跪顶在施耀武胸骨上，令他动弹不得，同时将木刀转成反握，高举过顶，往施耀武的面门狠命插下去—— “不要！”裴仕英在台下惊呼。 硬物碎裂之音。 破裂的却并非施耀武的鼻骨或脸骨。而是他头颅旁边的擂台地板——木刀虽不能刺破台面的厚帆布，仍把底下的木板插破了。 荆烈站起来，离开躺在台上喘着气的施耀武。 台边的观众这时才如梦初醒，同时朝这个十五岁的虎尊派少年轰然欢呼。 在台上迎受这如雷欢声，荆烈却木无表情。他转身往南面站立，正面望向坐满了四大派众人的旗阵。 冷冷的目光，这时才第一次直视，那个十五年前从烈屿石滩上将他抱起来的男人。 荆照跟荆烈远远对视，浑身都在剧烈颤抖。手上的瓶子不断溅出酒来。 没有人知道，荆照这般颤抖，是因为喝醉了酒？是被义子违逆而暴怒？还是因为目睹荆烈展示出超乎他预料的修为而震惊？ ... 盛夏的阳光仍照射在这海边擂台上。今天预定举行的各场比试，还只进行了一半。 可是在场的所有练武者，心里仿佛清楚感觉：某种东西，自这一刻已经完结了。
结果到了最后，还是裴仕英师叔才找得到他。 他站在昨晚曾经面对海洋连续挥了一万刀的同一片崖岩上，身上穿的还是日间打擂时那身衣服。木刀早就遗在擂台上了，此刻手里拄着一根比自己还要高的长物事，黑夜里看不清那是什么东西。 他远远看见一点灯笼的光，正沿着海岸线往这边接近，就知道一定是师叔。 晚上在这岩丛间爬行前进，一手还要提着灯笼，其实颇是危险。裴仕英走到荆烈近前时，已是一身汗水。 “我说过，你要躲，找一个新鲜点的地方嘛。”裴仕英苦笑着说。 “让我猜。”荆烈却无笑容，眼睛还是没有离开漆黑的大海。“我已经给师父逐出南海虎尊派了。对吗？” “你猜错了。”裴仕英激动摇摇头：“连我也猜错。不错，灵山派为了这次违反比试的约定，全派上下都出动来追究了。闽蛟派跟地堂门也是一样。他们还说，你偷学了他们两派的武功，要来问个究竟。三派合共差不多两百人，团团围在我们的'虎山堂'外头，要掌门师兄把你交出来。” 裴仕英左手紧紧握着腰间那缠着破旧布条的刀柄。 “可是你师父拒绝了。” 荆烈意外地转过头来，瞧着师叔凝重的脸。 “不只如此。”裴仕英说：“他竟然向三派掌门跪下来叩头赔罪，请求他们放过你。下跪叩头。几十年来，我没有见过'滚雷虎'荆照会为别人这样做。” 灯笼映照下，荆烈的眼目充血。 “他请求三派给你机会。让你以后各连败五场给他们的弟子。只要让你留在泉州武林。” “为什么？”荆烈用手上长物击在岩石上，激动地呐喊。 声音在岩间回响。他已流下泪来。 “那笨蛋为什么要这样做？” “你知道荆师兄是什么时候开始成了酒鬼的？”裴仕英皱着眉。“就是在你只有两、三岁的时候。他决定不让你学武之后不久。” 他面朝黑色的海洋，叹了一口气：“毕竟你师父也是个武者。平白把一个孩子的天分埋没掉，他心里必定也有挥之不去的愧疚。” 裴仕英瞧着荆烈的泪眼：“然后在今天，你在擂台上终于让他看见了：自己的私心，对于南海虎尊派，对于武道，是多么的可笑。” 两人站在岩石上沉默良久。冷冽的海风吹送来，他们却感到胸膛里像燃烧着暖暖的火。 “结果呢？”荆烈问。 裴仕英摇摇头。“他们不答应。他们说：二十几年的武林规矩都给你破坏了，罪不可恕，以后只要看见你，就打；而且不只是泉州，整个福建，都没有你容身之地。” 荆烈当然明白三派何以如此盛怒。不是因为一场败仗，更不是什么偷学武功的理由。 是因为他这臭小子，一手戳穿了他们的谎言。 “他们还说……”裴仕英又说：“掌门师兄要是识趣，就当面宣布把你逐出南海虎尊派的门墙，那么三大派跟虎尊派就可以相安无事。” “可是……师父拒绝了？” 裴仕英重重地点头。 “也就是说……”荆烈收紧目光：“只要我回去虎尊派，三大派就要跟我们开战吗？” “暂时离开福建吧。”裴仕英眼神悲哀地说。他当然舍不得这个情同父子的师侄。“天大地大，你总会找到容身的地方。又或者是更好的师门。三大派现在一定派了人守着主要那几条路。我跟你的师兄们会想办法引开他们的。” 他说着，从衣襟内掏出一个小布袋，抛了给荆烈。 荆烈接过，只觉着手重甸甸的。是银两。 “大伙儿给你凑的盘缠。其他的别带了。” 荆烈看着手上那布袋，良久不语，喉头像被哽塞得几乎无法呼吸。 ——他们，都将虎尊派的未来寄托在我身上。 “还在想什么？”裴仕英催促。“你不能回去的呀。至少，不是现在。” “你放心。”荆烈将那布袋塞进了腰带内侧，徐徐向师叔说：“我本来就没有打算，打完今天这一场之后会回去虎尊派。” 裴仕英疑惑着，把灯笼举高。这时他才看清，荆烈手上拿着那根比他还要高的东西是什么。 oars. 荆烈指一指崖岩下方。裴仕英探头看下去，隐约可见岩底的石滩上，停着一只小舟，上面已经堆着粮水，看来早就准备。 “只是泉州一个地方，门派之见就这么深。我看就算出了福建，中土哪儿的武林也是一样。”荆烈解释说：“我不可能掩饰自己的身手；外面那些武林门派亦不会接纳我这陌生人带技投师。那么我要继续追求武道，就只有一个去处。” 他举起船桨，指向东面前方漆黑一片的海洋。 裴仕英愕然。荆烈早已把一切都想好了。他还劝荆烈别回去虎尊派。其实荆烈一早就不能忍受再留在这里。 ——这个师侄，比他想象中成熟得多。 裴仕英看看下面的海岸，黑得伸手不见，这样之下靠一叶小舟出海，甚是危险；可是福建海岸自本朝开国初年就严厉执行海禁，以防倭寇，各处都有屯兵的守御所和巡检司，要私自出洋，非如此乘夜泛舟不行。 “好运道的话，明天午后就会碰上外海的异族商船。”荆烈说着，已经用船桨作手杖，拾步爬下岩石去。“不好运的话，碰上的就是倭寇或海盗。” 裴仕英跟随着他，小心地攀下去，到达那片石滩。 荆烈似乎没有半点不舍，一口气就爬上了小舟。裴仕英则蹲下来，解除缚在岩石上的绳结。 把结解了后，裴仕英却没能把绳放开，凝视着他钟爱的师侄。 “来。抛过来吧。”荆烈催促。 裴仕英抛过去了。却不是船绳。 而是他腰间的那柄雁翎刀。 荆烈接着刀，一时呆住了。他知道这柄刀对师叔有多珍贵：这刀是裴仕英当军官的祖上传下来的，曾用它杀海盗，立过赫赫的战功。 “要是真的不幸碰上海盗船，你就用它拉几个陪葬吧。”裴仕英微笑说。他这刻才真正放开了。 “我有一天会回来的。”荆烈的脸容还未脱少年稚嫩，却非常认真地说：“并且会带着新的武功回来。我要把南海虎尊派，变成世上最强的门派。” “豪迈的话，留待做得到时再说吧。”裴仕英把船绳抛到舟上。 荆烈无言点点头。他双手用力把船桨往水底一撑，小舟就开始离岸出航。 荆烈不住划着船桨。在裴仕英目送下，他和小舟很快就消失在那广阔无边的黑暗中。
这一夜，荆烈决定了，为答谢师叔的恩德，取其“裴”姓下面的“衣”，将自己的名字改为“荆裂”。 荆裂出海四年之后，由副掌门师星昊率领的武当派福建远征军到达泉州，将南海虎尊派、灵山派、福建地堂门一举歼灭。闽蛟派则投降。荆照、裴仕英及一众南海虎尊派弟子全体战死。 相隔五年，荆裂乘着日本萨摩藩的勘合商船回到中土，再循陆路返泉州，看见了师父、师叔及众同门的坟墓。 海外流浪九年，他以为自己对师门的感情早已变淡。直至看见那一排坟墓，荆裂那副已经比离开时强壮得多的成熟身躯，像脱力般崩倒、跪下。 十根指头，在裴师叔墓前的泥土里抓得出血。 灭门的巨大哀恸。壮志未竟的憾恨。 可是，还有另一股同样强烈的感情，几乎要盖过这些伤恸： 是一股令身体都要发抖的兴奋——当知道面前出现了“武当派”这座高耸的大山，正等待他去挑战时。 他第二次离开泉州。一年多之后，荆裂正在西安府城东少慈巷屋瓦上急奔，跑往大差市“盈花馆”的方向。 最大的仇敌，跟最重要的同伴，都在那前面不远处。 ——为了实践十年前，向尊敬如父亲的师叔许下的约定。 武者间真实的生死决斗，尤其当使用利刃兵器时，往往数招里就分出胜负，过程时间其实颇短。有的人因此以为，武者只须锻炼短促的爆发力，体能耐力并不重要，事实并非如此。 战斗非同一般的运动，因为其中涉及高度危险，以至死亡或严重受伤的威胁，而且往往是在无准备的情况下突然发生，身陷战阵时，武者承受着不可想象的心理压力，而这压力又会严重影响身体状况。 人突然面对危险的焦虑和压力，会令身体产生通称“战斗或逃走”（Fight or floght）的神经反应。这反应产生的其中一个最主要生理变化，就是大量分泌肾上腺素，刺激心脏加速、呼吸急促、肌肉血管扩张等。这些自然生理反应，是为了令人体能对危险作出快速和强烈的应变（不论是战斗还是逃走），但同时也会在极短时间里消耗大量氧气和能量，令人很快疲倦虚弱。因此即使是很短促的打斗，其中所消耗的体能是非常巨大的。 另外当心跳急促和缺氧时，肢体的微细活动技巧（Fine motor skill）也会随之大降（例如长途赛跑后马上去穿针线，会发觉是非常困难的事），武术上一些要求精准协调和手眼配合的技巧，也就无从发挥。这是为何会看见，一些缺乏实战经验的武者，平日打套路招式巧妙，一到了真打就只能跟市井流氓挥拳殴斗无异，正是这个道理。 除非本身已经是身经百战的老兵，否则就只能靠平日锻炼去克服战斗心理与生理的影响。这主要有两个途径：第一是多与人练习对打比试，尽量模拟真实的打斗，令自己习惯了战斗压力，渐渐减低甚至麻痹了心理的不良反应。第二是进行高强度的体能耐力训练，这既加强心肺功能，将压力带来的生理影响抵销；也令身体和脑袋习惯在极疲劳状态下，仍能支持下去。 现代特种兵也有一种训练，是在长距离跑步后即时作实弹射击，正是利用跑步的疲劳，模拟战斗时的心理压力，由此更可知实战与体能的密切关系。
Notes:
"Lie! Are you there?" The turbulent waves rolled in with a frightening momentum, and beat on the towering rocks protruding from the coastline, and the white foam splashed wet Pei Shiying's pants and straw sandals. While shouting, he leaped forward between the jagged rocks, and the wild goose feather with a dilapidated leather sheath around his waist swayed back and forth with every step. "Are you here? Stop playing, it will be bad if you don't come out this time..." Pei Shiying shouted loudly, her eyes glanced around, her thin face looked worried. ——It must be here... He usually likes to hide here when he is happy or unhappy about something... Finally, on top of a rock, Pei Shiying found a rough wooden knife full of dents.The handle of the knife was stained with blood that hadn't completely dried. Pei Shiying sighed, leaned over to pick up the wooden knife, squatted down with both legs and looked down, and sure enough, he found the nephew he was looking for in a small hollow in the rock. Jing Lie's upper body was naked, and he folded his shirt to use as a pillow. He slept on his side with his legs curled up, like a baby.The sound of intense waves came into the cave one after another, but his sleeping appearance was very sweet, as if he took the sound of the waves as a lullaby. Pei Shiying angrily stabbed Jing Lie's thigh with a wooden knife. "Sure enough, I'm sleeping! Get up!" Jing Lie opened his sleepy eyes, squinted and saw that it was his uncle, he ignored it, and just reached out and pulled the tip of the knife away. "Get up!" Pei Shiying stabbed him harder. "Look, the vigilance is so low. If I were the enemy, this is a real knife, and you would be finished!" This time, Pei Shiying stabbed the tip of the knife hard on his ass.Jing Lie suffered from pain and had to wake up. He climbed out of the hollow, looked up at the scorching sun in the sky, and slowly stood up straight and stretched. The sun shone on his fifteen-year-old young body, his copper-colored skin was so tight that it seemed to be shiny, but there were old and new wounds everywhere.The muscles of the chest and arms are not fully developed, but they have been exercised to a clear texture, like steel bars. He scratched at his messy hair fluttering in the wind before he fully came to his senses—he was too lazy to tie it into a bun, so he simply cut his hair into this jagged and weird look because he was severely beaten by his master for this matter, and even He was ordered to wear a headscarf when he went out on weekdays. "If you want to hide, you should find a fresher place." Pei Shiying grabbed the jacket from the hole and stuffed it into the nephew's hand. "I didn't hide." Jing Lie yawned. "I just wanted to take a nap. I overslept. I can't help it, I'm too tired." "I thought you didn't want to fight today." "I came up in the middle of the night last night." Jing Lie showed the palm of his right hand to his uncle. "Until sunrise, I swung 10,000 knives in succession." The palm and five fingers were covered with worn skin and blisters, and the blood was stained red. When Pei Shiying saw the blood on the wooden knife just now, she knew what stupid thing this little nephew had done again.Sighing, he took out the emergency bag from the front of his clothes, took out a piece of white cloth and tore it into long strips, and bandaged Jing Lie's palm. ——But Pei Shiying is actually a little happy in her heart: the nephew is not a weak guy who can escape. "Is it too late?" Jing Lie looked at the sun above his head. "No." Pei Shiying said while bandaging, "Go back with me now, there is still time." Jing Lie frowned and looked at the ocean.Distant islands can be seen faintly. "Master is a fool," he murmured. It should have been called "father" or "foster father".But Jing Zhao never allowed Jing Lie to call him like this. Jing Lie was an abandoned baby picked up by Jing Zhao on the shore of the island when he was traveling fifteen years ago, hence the name.Jing Lie, who grew up in the Tiger Sect of the South China Sea, was not allowed to learn his own martial art until he was eleven years old - Jing Zhao's biological son, Jing Yue, started practicing basic kung fu at the age of five. ——Jing Lie often thought: Master doesn't like me as an adopted son, right? ... But since you don't like it, why did you pick me up again? ... Only Pei Shiying knew the reason why senior brother didn't like this adopted son.That happened one day when Jing Lie was only two years old, of course Jing Lie himself doesn't remember. That day, in the deserted Hu Zun faction training ground, two-year-old Jing Lie went in to play - he knew how to walk steadily very early - and picked up a short wooden knife that was still too heavy for him at the time; Just as Jing Zhao and Pei Shiying walked in, they saw the little man, who even used a knife to put on a stance. ——Strictly speaking, of course, it wasn’t a real anti-enemy stance, it was just a natural raising of the sword to the position where it could be swung with force. At that time, Pei Shiying saw with her own eyes: the complexion of the head brother changed. In the following few years, the more Jing Lie grew up, the more he looked like a monkey who couldn't sit still.Climbing trees, throwing stones, swimming, jumping rope... These things require physical strength and coordination, and he only needs to play with the children next door for a while to learn them all. Pei Shiying knew that Jing Zhao had made up his mind at that time not to let Jing Lie learn martial arts. Everyone in the Nanhai Huzun faction knew that Jing Zhao was determined to cultivate his only son Jing Yue as the next head.Jing Zhao picked up the child Jing Lie in the first place, but only for the son to have a family member as his assistant in the future.The son changed his name to "Yue" in the hope that he would surpass himself in the future—how could he allow his own son to be surpassed by a younger brother without blood? ——Jing Zhao's selfishness is exactly the reason why the South Sea Tiger Sect's talents have withered in the past ten years.There are more than 20 disciples who left disheartened and left to bid farewell over the years.The two senior uncles also left because they were dissatisfied with the senior brother's style of work. Since then, Pei Shiying is the only senior uncle left in the Huzun sect. But Jing Lie is also surnamed Jing after all, if he doesn't even understand the martial arts of the Hu Zun sect, it will be a very strange thing in the eyes of outsiders.Coupled with the fact that many disciples spoke for the child, it was only four years ago that Jing Zhao reluctantly accepted Jing Lie into the family.However, except on the day when he was apprenticed to a teacher, he was given a boxing ceremony very casually, he was never taught martial arts at all, and he was only thrown in the care of the incompetent Junior Brother Pei, thinking that he could rest assured from now on. ——He underestimated the teacher Pei Shiying too much.He also underestimated the child Jing Lie. "Put on your clothes and follow me." Pei Shiying wrapped Jing Lie's hands, patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's really too late to go to the ring." "No way..." Jing Lie took out a green cloth towel from his waist to cover his hair, and smiled at his uncle: "I haven't warmed up yet..." Pei Shiying gets along with this nephew day and night, why doesn't he know his temper?Every time he showed this kind of smile, it was when he was playing tricks. Sure enough, Jing Lie's right fist, wrapped in a cloth belt, greeted Pei Shiying's face with one move! Pei Shiying has a thin body, and was born lacking in the kind of favorable conditions like his senior brother "Rolling Thunder Tiger" Jing Zhao. He didn't take Jing Lie's fist hard, but his body just slanted, and at the same time he waved the wooden knife in his hand, and threw it at Jing Lie. Forearm, both offensive and defensive. Jing Lie knew that his uncle loved to use this move, so he didn't draw back his arm, he just drew an arc to change his move, using "empty hand into white blade", the tiger's claws caught Pei Shiying's wrist holding the knife. Jing Lie's tiger claws just touched Pei Shiying's wrist, Pei Shiying had already reacted, and hit his finger with the handle of the wooden knife; before the impact was halfway, Jing Lie also turned the tiger claw into a palm, and slapped the handle from the side , to make Pei Shiying's knife go away... They fought back and forth like this, it was more like playing a game than a competition, both of them were smiling while fighting.Because I am too familiar with the opponent's habits and movements, many moves have not been used halfway, even just by moving the shoulders or shaking the waist, the opponent knows which move it is, and has already made a response to the move and preparations for counterattack in advance, and the results are many. Sometimes they didn't even touch their bodies, it was as if they were splitting their moves from a distance. Although they didn't really use all their strength, both of them were not slow in attacking and defending.Pei Shiying gradually couldn't keep up.Jing Lie knew his uncle's boundaries, so he controlled his speed to accommodate him. ——It was more than half a year ago that Jing Lie surpassed Pei Shiying in martial arts. Of course Pei Shiying felt that her nephew was accommodating him, so she changed her style of play, trying to conjure up some strange moves that are rarely used in normal times, and sometimes even disrupted them to test Jing Lie's reaction.Jing Lie excitedly proceeded one by one, the practice of the two changed from confrontation to feeding and receiving moves. Pei Shiying's playing style became more and more chaotic, Jing Lie couldn't give in anymore, he bent down and rushed to Pei Shiying's armpit in one breath, hugging his waist with one hand and legs in the other, pushing the tall and thin uncle to the center of gravity and falling backwards. It was not easy to stand on this uneven high rock, Pei Shiying was startled, hugged Jing Lie's shoulders and neck, and shouted: "Okay! Idiot, I'm going to fall..." Jing Lie hugged his uncle off the ground until his uncle scolded him, then smiled and gently put him back on the rock. After "playing" for a long time, Jing Lie's young and well-defined face turned ruddy.The sunlight reflected by the waves reflected into his clear eyes.Although his life has not really started yet, everyone can tell that this young man will grow into a heroic man. The happiest person, of course, is Pei Shiying who raised him into what he is now. Jing Zhao didn't miss the point back then: adopted son Jing Lie's talent is indeed extraordinary, and what's even more frightening is that ability to absorb new knowledge and skills, which can absorb water faster than paper. But no matter how powerful a genius is, if he doesn't meet the most suitable teacher, he will be buried at any time. Panting tiredly, Pei Shiying sat down cross-legged on the rock, and put the Yanling Saber at her waist on her lap. Pei Shiying was recognized as the worst disciple among the disciples of the South China Sea Huzun sect of his generation.He has a thin body and a weak frame, and is often prone to injuries during exercise. Apart from a little speed, he has no outstanding advantages—even that speed is not the fastest among his peers.He was able to survive the training and stay in the Hu Zun sect, in the eyes of fellow sects and even outsiders, it was no small miracle. —But there are not many things in the world that are miracles.Especially for the untalented. People only saw how Pei Shiying struggled to keep up with the progress of Jing Zhao's senior brothers, but they didn't see his efforts behind the scenes to keep up with them.Just because he doesn't have great talent and physique, he relies more on his eyes and head: he opens his eyes wide to observe how others play and practice, and then thinks desperately.Sometimes I learn a move that is not suitable for me at all, and I still try my best to figure out how to make it suitable; even if I still can't use it in the end, I find something new in the process of thinking... Pei Shiying is like a general who has been far inferior to his opponent for a long time.Maybe it has never won a battle, but in the process of constantly avoiding defeat, it has formed its own art of war. Pei Shiying's special experience in martial arts has never made him a master; but when a teacher like him meets a student like Jing Lie, the effect produced is completely beyond Jing Zhao's imagination. "Don't try to imitate me." Pei Shiying said to Jing Lie on the first day: "Don't try to be another me. Or another your father. Open your eyes and open your heart. Go learn everything you see Things to learn. Make them your own." For beginners in martial arts, this was originally a wrong way of learning, which could lead to self-delusion or over-doing at any time; but for a special child like Jing Lie, he immediately displayed his greatest potential for growth.Even Pei Shiying was surprised by the achievements in just four years. The last head of the South China Sea Hu Zun Sect—that is, after Jing Zhao and Pei Shiying's master Hong Tingrong died of illness, it was logical that the head of the school was taken over by Jing Zhao, the most skilled martial artist; but Pei Shiying will never forget that his master once treated him on the sick bed Say: "Perhaps the rise and fall of the Tiger Sect will one day be in your hands..." I?Pei Shiying shook her head in disbelief.For many years afterwards, I couldn't figure out why Master would say that. But seeing Jing Lie now, he began to understand. "Master, let's go." Jing Lie smiled and pulled Pei Shiying up. "I'm going to play." "Lie..." Pei Shiying looked at her nephew: "You... don't worry, right? This one..." Jing Lie took the wooden knife from Pei Shiying's hand, put it on his broad shoulders, and looked at the ocean to the southeast.That is the direction of his birthplace - of course, even Jing Zhao is not sure whether he was born in Lieyu.Maybe it was just carried there and abandoned?It's not even sure whether they are Han people - there are many such things about local girls being raped by Japanese pirates and leaving behind evil seeds. "Lie..." Pei Shiying put his shoulders on his shoulders: "You have to be patient this time and don't mess around, otherwise the head will drive you away. As long as you can stay, I firmly believe that the future signature of the South China Sea Tiger Venerable Sect must be made by You carry it." Pei Shiying's expectation to Jing Lie is just like what Master Hong Tingrong told him back then. Today is the first time since Jing Liebai joined the arena representing the Tiger Venerable Sect of the South China Sea. But it was an inevitable defeat. Without saying a word, Jing Lie suddenly jumped to the lower rock, left his uncle behind, and ran along the coastline alone. That is the direction of the test site.
Shi Yaowu, a disciple of the Lingshan School, has already stepped onto the ring.This is a battle of weapons. Shi Yaowu is wearing leather armor on his head, shoulders, chest and back, and is holding a wooden single knife. . But the other corner of the ring opposite was still empty. Jing Zhao was drinking the fourth bottle of wine today, and the alcohol made his already violent face even more terrifying.None of the disciples on either side of the chair dared to make a sound. There was one person present who was even more angry and anxious than Jing Zhao, and that was Shi Qinglong, the head of the Lingshan School.He glared at Jing Zhao from the far right, his eyes were clearly reprimanding: "What the hell are you doing?" Especially since it was his own nephew who was on the ring, he didn't want to mess up his sure victory. Jing Zhao caught a glimpse of Shi Qinglong's questioning eyes and could only pretend not to see it. The audience around the ring is also clamoring.Only Shi Yaowu signed the "Life and Death Certificate" hanging high on the wooden pillar beside the stage, but the signature under the "South Sea Tiger Venerable School Jing Lie" was still empty. The martial arts area around Quanzhou Prefecture has been divided into four parts by Lingshan School, Minjiao School, Fujian Ditangmen School and Nanhai Huzun School for a long time.In the beginning, the four sects relied on real materials, and became famous in this kind of public competition. After becoming famous, in order to protect their reputation, they continued to train and send disciples to fight on stage; but later, the four sects monopolized the local martial arts. In order to avoid vicious competition among the various factions and accumulate enmity, the four factions gradually began to have a tacit understanding of fighting: if we win this battle, we will send you a lesser disciple in the next battle Save face. Over time, this kind of tacit understanding has evolved into cooperation between the four factions. Every time they fight, they discuss first, and the outcome of each game is determined by default. The arena turned into fake fights, the chances of serious injuries for disciples were reduced, and the pressure of each faction to compete with each other was reduced.This habit of agreeing on the outcome began about twenty years ago, and has become an undisclosed "rule" among the four major factions in Quanzhou until today.The so-called "fighting is better than art" has been reduced to a performance to maintain fame and face. ——This kind of "fake fighting in the arena" has become a common practice in many martial arts places.Anyway, most people who watch the fight just join in the fun for a little excitement, how can they see the way?Occasionally, there are some outsiders who can be seen, they must be family members, and they are in the way of martial arts etiquette, so naturally they are embarrassed to say so. In the spring of this year, the South China Sea Tiger Venerable faction won two wins and one draw. This summer, they will only get one win and three losses.The only victory today was won by Jing Yue just now, and the rest including Jing Lie will lose this one. But if people don't come, you can't lose.That would be "abstaining" at best.If they couldn't truly defeat the disciples of the Tiger Venerable Sect in the South China Sea in front of others, wouldn't the previous defeat of the Lingshan Sect be in vain?Shi Qinglong was very anxious. Shi Yaowu on the stage also began to pace uneasily.He naturally knew that he was the protagonist of the faction's victory today.The opponent was a boy who was more than ten years younger than himself, and it was his first appearance. Shi Yaowu had long ago decided to fight harder, so as to make the victory look easy.Now that the brat didn't show up for a long time, he was even more determined not to keep the wooden knife in his hand later. Jing Zhao was about to break another wine bottle, but this bottle was still half undrinked, so he held back. This time he made an exception and let Jing Lie play in the ring - and it was an agreed defeat, just to test whether the adopted son was loyal and obedient.If he behaved well, Jing Zhao would consider teaching him some real martial arts formally.After all, the Huzun sect is short of talents, so it is not a bad thing to have one more capable disciple who is also surnamed Jing.Anyway, Jing Lie learned martial arts so many years late, and is eight years younger than Jing Yue, so it is impossible to catch up with his brother. ——At most, when teaching him, it is enough to keep a few unique skills... But this kid actually made Hu Zun faction ashamed in front of so many people.Jing Zhao has decided to give up this adopted son forever. "No more." He looked around, and the fifth disciple Guan Weiqiang happened to be standing closest. "Wei Qiang, you are on top." Guan Weiqiang was stunned for a while, but knowing that the teacher's order was hard to disobey, he nodded.The brothers around him began to put on the leather armor for him. But just after wearing the breastplate, there was a commotion at the entrance of the arena. Jing Lie was still shirtless, with his coat draped over his shoulders, holding a wooden knife in one hand, galloping barefoot on the sandy ground, passing through the entrance of the bamboo shed covered with colorful paper flowers, and rushing in. When Jing Zhao finally saw this boy who had worried him for a long time, not only did he not heave a sigh of relief, but his face became even more angry: Dressed like this, he looks like a wild monkey, how decent is he? Jing Lie didn't look at his adoptive father, just smiled at his brothers, raised a thumb to indicate "I can do it", and walked straight towards the central ring without stopping for half a moment.The audience in front applauded him as they moved out of the way. Jing Lie ran to the edge of the stage, jumped up with both feet, stretched out his hands and climbed up, and jumped onto the ring that was not much different from his height.Seeing his agility, the people cheered again.The drummer at the corner of the stage also followed the fiery atmosphere, beating a burst of rapid rhythm. On the opposite side, Shi Yaowu put the wooden dagger on his shoulder armor and stared fiercely at Jing Lie in front of him.Shi Yaowu gritted his teeth even more when he saw this boy who was thirteen years younger than him and a head shorter than him with such arrogance. "Jing Shaoxia! Jing Shaoxia..." A voice shouted among the noisy crowd. Jing Lie looked over to the side of the stage, it was Li the shopkeeper of the largest pawn shop in Quanzhou Mansion, "Hengtong Mortgage", he was always fair, so for more than ten years, he had been invited to be a notary for the local "competition". Shopkeeper Li is not tall, so he can only show half of his head on the edge of the stage, and he stretches out his master to hold up a large brush. "Jing Shaoxia, you haven't signed the 'Life and Death Certificate' yet!" Jing Lie walked over, but didn't get off the ring, just leaned over to take the brush, stood up straight and immediately waved his arm, throwing the brush towards the pillar with "life and death" hanging on the side of the stage. When Jing Lie moved his hand, Jing Zhao raised his eyebrows. ——This technique is the unique rope dart throwing method in the Tiger Zun Sect of the South China Sea!How could he? ——That bastard Xiao Pei, even taught him this? The brush flew flying, and the tip of the brush landed on the blank space below the name of "Jing Lie" on the "Life and Death Figure", and then rebounded and fell, leaving behind an ink mark that looked like flames and waves. Shi Yaowu's signature was half painted out. "I'll sign it now." Jing Lie said with a smile.The life-and-death figure was only a few feet away from the edge of the stage, this move was actually not too difficult, but his gesture of throwing strokes and bets was very chic, and the crowd cheered excitedly. Instead of being angry, Shi Yaowu smiled, approached, lowered his voice and said to Jing Lie: "Did you make a mistake? You're putting on a show now, and it will be ugly when you step off the stage." Jing Lie just smiled at him, noncommittal.Shi Yaowu thought: After a while, you won't be able to laugh anymore. At this time, Pei Shiying, Guo Chongyi and other three disciples appeared from the entrance of the competition arena. They met on the other side of the pier.Panting from running, Pei Shiying led his disciples back to the Tiger Sect's camp. Jing Zhao stared at his younger brother with sharp eyes for a while, then looked at the ring again without saying a word. "Stop procrastinating." Shi Yaowu shouted on the stage: "Go back to the stage and put on your armor." "I've already prepared it. Can't you?" Jing Lie still had a playful smile on his face: "I don't need to wear it——I came here today to hit someone, not to be beaten." Jing Lie said this very loudly, and everyone from the four sects at the other end of the flag array heard it. Shi Yaowu was astonished. ——This guy...does he really want to fight? ... Shi Qinglong, head of the Lingshan School, was even more furious than before. He glared at Jing Zhao in the distance, and then winked at his nephew on the stage: ——Whether this kid is real or not, don't hold back! Pei Shiying and all the disciples of the Huzun sect were very anxious, looked at Jing Lie on the stage, and urged him with expressions: ——Don't mess around!Do you want to kick out the Hu Zun faction? ... Jing Lie deliberately didn't look at this side, and went straight to the starting boundary line painted with vermilion lacquer on the ring. Shi Yaowu originally thought it was a performance, but suddenly knew that it might become a real fight, he couldn't help but get nervous, his heart was beating wildly.But it was impossible to step down like this, so he had no choice but to stand behind the boundary line on his side. Shopkeeper Li raised his hand when he saw the two standing still.The drummer at the corner of the stage beat hard. Before the sound of the drums stopped, Jing Lie had already rushed out from the boundary line, raised his wooden knife and slashed at Shi Yaowu head-on! Jing Zhao was surprised when he saw this: Although Jing Lie is small and thin, he leaps out of the sword with this move, and the coordination of his hands and feet is excellent. The essence of "! ——Didn't he only study for four years? Only Pei Shiying, Guo Chongyi and a few disciples of the Huzun sect were not surprised: in the past six months, at the request of their uncle, they secretly competed with Jing Lie, and they all lost.This is the reason why they begged their master to let Jing Lie fight: this little junior brother is definitely extraordinary, and he will surely shine on the door of the South China Sea Tiger Sect in the future, if he doesn't give him more experience in fighting outsiders as soon as possible OK) That would be a pity. ——But now they regret it: Lie, this kid, is so serious! Jing Lie's "Flying Knife" was so strong that Shi Yaowu was no longer suspicious, so he raised his wooden knife to meet him, bounced Jing Lie's knife away with a "boom", and then changed his move to stab Jing Lie in the face! Shi Yaowu had already accepted this real fight, Jing Lie was so excited that he grinned open his mouth, and flashed the bayonet on one side, and at the same time, the wooden knife in his hand was turned in the opposite direction by the force of the collision and rebound, and he turned around and made a second horizontal cut with his backhand! After all, Shi Yaowu is the nephew of the head of the sect, and he is expected to be the head of the Lingshan sect in the future. His own martial arts are not weak, and he can block the backhand knife with his strength.Regardless of his stature or age, he was much older than Jing Lie, and the strength in his hands naturally surpassed him. Jing Lie's wooden knife bounced away again. Shi Yaowu took the opportunity to turn the wooden knife horizontally and cut it towards Jing Lie's waist, but Jing Lie retreated in time. Shrinking body, let the tip of the knife pass from the front of the abdomen. Taking advantage of this attack, Shi Yaowu used his own "Piece Leaf Knife Technique" in a row, slashing three times in one breath.But Jing Lie's movements are light and nimble, and his footwork made several sideways moves, but he dodged them one by one. In fact, Jing Lie didn't wear armor, it was not due to lack of courage, but after calculation: Although it is only leather armor, it still has a certain weight and firmly binds the body. Wearing it to fight will consume a lot of physical strength. He and Shi Yaowu There is a gap in stature, and it will be even more disadvantageous if you bear the same weight of leather armor.His movements are not flexible, and fighting can easily turn into head-to-head encounters that are not conducive to him. On the contrary, he does not wear armor and uses speed to determine the outcome, and the chance of being hit by a knife is much smaller. Of course, Jing Lie also had to take the risk of being seriously injured if he was hit by a knife. ——However, fighting is a kind of gamble. Shi Yaowu summoned up all his speed and strength, and each wooden knife only passed Jing Lie's body, and all the brothers in the audience were sweating for him.Only the uncle Pei Shiying became more and more excited the more he watched. ——Jing Lie saw every knife with extreme precision, so he was able to dodge with the smallest possible evasion. Every time he dodges several stabs, Jing Lie strikes back at Shi Yaowu.Every time Shi Yaowu wanted to take advantage of his strength to knock away Jing Lie's attacking wooden sword, but Jing Lie was always able to penetrate his wrist at the last moment to withstand the counter-shock of the wooden sword's impact, which cost Shi Yaowu extra strength.Shi Yaowu couldn't succeed, and anxiously attacked Jing Lie repeatedly, but Jing Lie, who was as skilled as a monkey, dodged one by one. The crowd around the arena usually watched the fights as a fake show with spare energy. This was the first time they witnessed such an exciting real fight. Unexpectedly, it became quiet, only the sound of each wooden knife clash between the two on the stage was heard. If it was on a normal day, Shi Yaowu's martial arts cultivation and experience should actually be slightly higher than Jing Lie.But today he was just preparing to perform on stage for a scheduled performance, and he didn't practice hard at all beforehand, and even drank some wine with a few juniors;.After the two sides fought dozens of knives, Shi Yaowu's mouth gradually opened wider, and he obviously started to use his mouth to help him breathe. Seeing this phenomenon, Jing Lie raised the corner of his mouth.He knew his attrition tactics were working. How could Pei Shiying not know the tactics of her nephew.He also showed a smile similar to Jing Lie's in the audience. Shi Qinglong also noticed that the situation of his nephew on the stage was not good, so he shouted: "Calm down! Don't worry!" But it was too late. Jing Lie slashed straight at Shi Yaowu's forehead. At the same time when he drew the saber, he already knew how Shi Yaowu would block it: he swiped the saber with full force again, trying to sweep the saber away from my hand. - Anticipate the enemy's opportunity first.No matter practicing or fighting, you must use your head.This is the most precious thing that Uncle Pei taught him. Sure enough, Shi Yaowu's wooden knife swept across, exactly as expected.And because of the exhaustion of physical strength, the power and speed of this sweeping knife have weakened. --it's time. Jing Lie's straight chopping knife was halfway out, but suddenly stopped moving forward, the muscles of the right chest, shoulder, and arm were tightened instantly, and the joints were firmly fixed, and turned into fully facing Shi Yaowu's sweep! Under the violent blow, Shi Yaowu's wooden knife stopped. With the left fist that Jing Lie had been preparing for a long time, grasping this short pause, he struck from bottom to top with a "Five Thunder Tiger Fist". The protruding middle knuckles hit Shi Yaowu's right knuckles accurately! 指节骨裂的剧痛，如电殛沿手臂传上脑袋，不管怎样的壮汉都无法抵受，右手五指不由自主放松了刀柄。 ——这种打人指节的功夫，完全是荆烈自己想出来的：面对比自己高大强壮的成人，用徒手拳招的话，打胸腹腰身这些大目标不会有什么效果；要近身打眼耳、咽喉、下阴这些要害，自己的手又不够长……想来想去，最安全又有效的，就是打对方伸得最远、骨头又最弱小的手指。 ——当然，要命中那经常快速移动而目标又小的拳指，除了要求极高的准绳，还要想方法令它停缓下来——就像刚才那样。 一般擂台上比试兵器，一方的器械脱手跌了，胜负已然决定。但暴怒的施耀武绝不甘心，右手一吃痛脱刀同时，左手就伸出去想擒拿荆烈的左拳，要变成近身缠斗。 如果是习惯了打擂规则的别人，施耀武这不服输的突袭还会奏效；可是对于第一次踏上擂台的荆烈却完全无用。全身神经都高度警觉的荆烈，左拳早已缩了回来，同时右手用刀柄往施耀武箕张伸来的五指反撞过去，又砸裂了他一根尾指！ 荆烈毕竟是少年心性，加上第一次跟外人比斗，就打得如此得心应手，一时兴奋，手中刀顺势一变，刀尖斜斜探刺而出。 施耀武只感头脸左侧火辣辣的，右边耳朵擦出一丛血花！ 旗阵那边，一人自交椅上猛然站起来。不是南海虎尊派或者灵山派的掌门，却是闽蛟派的掌斗人程宾。 因为荆烈这一招刺刀，不是南海虎尊派的刀招，而是闽蛟派“云涛剑法”的常用一式“银鳞搏浪”！ ——这臭小子哪儿学来的？ 答案非常简单：荆烈在还没有正式学武之前，已经挤在大人之间观看每次“打擂较艺”；学武这四年里，他就看得更用心，更真切。 去学所有值得学的东西，再变成属于自己的——这是师叔给他的教诲。 施耀武忍着耳朵和双手指间的剧痛，还是张着双臂，冲上前抱向荆烈。 这是施耀武活到二十八岁以来，第一次认真地为了保卫灵山派的名誉而拼命战斗。 荆烈的木刀和拳头，唤醒了他身为武者应有却沉睡已久的精魂。 荆烈不再笑了，神情转而为尊重。 ——面对一个还懂反击的对手，尊重就是不要相让。 施耀武两臂一抱，却抱了个空。只见荆烈已经缩矮了身躯，头比对方肚脐更低，左手支住地面，紧接双腿凌空跳起，如剪刀般交错，夹住了施耀武的腰身！ 这次轮到福建地堂门的掌门孟兴贵，愤怒地拍击椅把——这“铰剪腿”，正是地堂门的得意技！ 荆烈一条腿勾住施耀武的腰腹，另一腿抵在他双膝后弯处，再借转腰发力双腿一剪，施耀武被绊得向后翻倒躺下；荆烈紧随也翻上去，右膝跪顶在施耀武胸骨上，令他动弹不得，同时将木刀转成反握，高举过顶，往施耀武的面门狠命插下去—— “不要！”裴仕英在台下惊呼。 硬物碎裂之音。 破裂的却并非施耀武的鼻骨或脸骨。而是他头颅旁边的擂台地板——木刀虽不能刺破台面的厚帆布，仍把底下的木板插破了。 荆烈站起来，离开躺在台上喘着气的施耀武。 台边的观众这时才如梦初醒，同时朝这个十五岁的虎尊派少年轰然欢呼。 在台上迎受这如雷欢声，荆烈却木无表情。他转身往南面站立，正面望向坐满了四大派众人的旗阵。 冷冷的目光，这时才第一次直视，那个十五年前从烈屿石滩上将他抱起来的男人。 荆照跟荆烈远远对视，浑身都在剧烈颤抖。手上的瓶子不断溅出酒来。 没有人知道，荆照这般颤抖，是因为喝醉了酒？是被义子违逆而暴怒？还是因为目睹荆烈展示出超乎他预料的修为而震惊？ ... 盛夏的阳光仍照射在这海边擂台上。今天预定举行的各场比试，还只进行了一半。 可是在场的所有练武者，心里仿佛清楚感觉：某种东西，自这一刻已经完结了。
结果到了最后，还是裴仕英师叔才找得到他。 他站在昨晚曾经面对海洋连续挥了一万刀的同一片崖岩上，身上穿的还是日间打擂时那身衣服。木刀早就遗在擂台上了，此刻手里拄着一根比自己还要高的长物事，黑夜里看不清那是什么东西。 他远远看见一点灯笼的光，正沿着海岸线往这边接近，就知道一定是师叔。 晚上在这岩丛间爬行前进，一手还要提着灯笼，其实颇是危险。裴仕英走到荆烈近前时，已是一身汗水。 “我说过，你要躲，找一个新鲜点的地方嘛。”裴仕英苦笑着说。 “让我猜。”荆烈却无笑容，眼睛还是没有离开漆黑的大海。“我已经给师父逐出南海虎尊派了。对吗？” “你猜错了。”裴仕英激动摇摇头：“连我也猜错。不错，灵山派为了这次违反比试的约定，全派上下都出动来追究了。闽蛟派跟地堂门也是一样。他们还说，你偷学了他们两派的武功，要来问个究竟。三派合共差不多两百人，团团围在我们的'虎山堂'外头，要掌门师兄把你交出来。” 裴仕英左手紧紧握着腰间那缠着破旧布条的刀柄。 “可是你师父拒绝了。” 荆烈意外地转过头来，瞧着师叔凝重的脸。 “不只如此。”裴仕英说：“他竟然向三派掌门跪下来叩头赔罪，请求他们放过你。下跪叩头。几十年来，我没有见过'滚雷虎'荆照会为别人这样做。” 灯笼映照下，荆烈的眼目充血。 “他请求三派给你机会。让你以后各连败五场给他们的弟子。只要让你留在泉州武林。” “为什么？”荆烈用手上长物击在岩石上，激动地呐喊。 声音在岩间回响。他已流下泪来。 “那笨蛋为什么要这样做？” “你知道荆师兄是什么时候开始成了酒鬼的？”裴仕英皱着眉。“就是在你只有两、三岁的时候。他决定不让你学武之后不久。” 他面朝黑色的海洋，叹了一口气：“毕竟你师父也是个武者。平白把一个孩子的天分埋没掉，他心里必定也有挥之不去的愧疚。” 裴仕英瞧着荆烈的泪眼：“然后在今天，你在擂台上终于让他看见了：自己的私心，对于南海虎尊派，对于武道，是多么的可笑。” 两人站在岩石上沉默良久。冷冽的海风吹送来，他们却感到胸膛里像燃烧着暖暖的火。 “结果呢？”荆烈问。 裴仕英摇摇头。“他们不答应。他们说：二十几年的武林规矩都给你破坏了，罪不可恕，以后只要看见你，就打；而且不只是泉州，整个福建，都没有你容身之地。” 荆烈当然明白三派何以如此盛怒。不是因为一场败仗，更不是什么偷学武功的理由。 是因为他这臭小子，一手戳穿了他们的谎言。 “他们还说……”裴仕英又说：“掌门师兄要是识趣，就当面宣布把你逐出南海虎尊派的门墙，那么三大派跟虎尊派就可以相安无事。” “可是……师父拒绝了？” 裴仕英重重地点头。 “也就是说……”荆烈收紧目光：“只要我回去虎尊派，三大派就要跟我们开战吗？” “暂时离开福建吧。”裴仕英眼神悲哀地说。他当然舍不得这个情同父子的师侄。“天大地大，你总会找到容身的地方。又或者是更好的师门。三大派现在一定派了人守着主要那几条路。我跟你的师兄们会想办法引开他们的。” 他说着，从衣襟内掏出一个小布袋，抛了给荆烈。 荆烈接过，只觉着手重甸甸的。是银两。 “大伙儿给你凑的盘缠。其他的别带了。” 荆烈看着手上那布袋，良久不语，喉头像被哽塞得几乎无法呼吸。 ——他们，都将虎尊派的未来寄托在我身上。 “还在想什么？”裴仕英催促。“你不能回去的呀。至少，不是现在。” “你放心。”荆烈将那布袋塞进了腰带内侧，徐徐向师叔说：“我本来就没有打算，打完今天这一场之后会回去虎尊派。” 裴仕英疑惑着，把灯笼举高。这时他才看清，荆烈手上拿着那根比他还要高的东西是什么。 oars. 荆烈指一指崖岩下方。裴仕英探头看下去，隐约可见岩底的石滩上，停着一只小舟，上面已经堆着粮水，看来早就准备。 “只是泉州一个地方，门派之见就这么深。我看就算出了福建，中土哪儿的武林也是一样。”荆烈解释说：“我不可能掩饰自己的身手；外面那些武林门派亦不会接纳我这陌生人带技投师。那么我要继续追求武道，就只有一个去处。” 他举起船桨，指向东面前方漆黑一片的海洋。 裴仕英愕然。荆烈早已把一切都想好了。他还劝荆烈别回去虎尊派。其实荆烈一早就不能忍受再留在这里。 ——这个师侄，比他想象中成熟得多。 裴仕英看看下面的海岸，黑得伸手不见，这样之下靠一叶小舟出海，甚是危险；可是福建海岸自本朝开国初年就严厉执行海禁，以防倭寇，各处都有屯兵的守御所和巡检司，要私自出洋，非如此乘夜泛舟不行。 “好运道的话，明天午后就会碰上外海的异族商船。”荆烈说着，已经用船桨作手杖，拾步爬下岩石去。“不好运的话，碰上的就是倭寇或海盗。” 裴仕英跟随着他，小心地攀下去，到达那片石滩。 荆烈似乎没有半点不舍，一口气就爬上了小舟。裴仕英则蹲下来，解除缚在岩石上的绳结。 把结解了后，裴仕英却没能把绳放开，凝视着他钟爱的师侄。 “来。抛过来吧。”荆烈催促。 裴仕英抛过去了。却不是船绳。 而是他腰间的那柄雁翎刀。 荆烈接着刀，一时呆住了。他知道这柄刀对师叔有多珍贵：这刀是裴仕英当军官的祖上传下来的，曾用它杀海盗，立过赫赫的战功。 “要是真的不幸碰上海盗船，你就用它拉几个陪葬吧。”裴仕英微笑说。他这刻才真正放开了。 “我有一天会回来的。”荆烈的脸容还未脱少年稚嫩，却非常认真地说：“并且会带着新的武功回来。我要把南海虎尊派，变成世上最强的门派。” “豪迈的话，留待做得到时再说吧。”裴仕英把船绳抛到舟上。 荆烈无言点点头。他双手用力把船桨往水底一撑，小舟就开始离岸出航。 荆烈不住划着船桨。在裴仕英目送下，他和小舟很快就消失在那广阔无边的黑暗中。
这一夜，荆烈决定了，为答谢师叔的恩德，取其“裴”姓下面的“衣”，将自己的名字改为“荆裂”。 荆裂出海四年之后，由副掌门师星昊率领的武当派福建远征军到达泉州，将南海虎尊派、灵山派、福建地堂门一举歼灭。闽蛟派则投降。荆照、裴仕英及一众南海虎尊派弟子全体战死。 相隔五年，荆裂乘着日本萨摩藩的勘合商船回到中土，再循陆路返泉州，看见了师父、师叔及众同门的坟墓。 海外流浪九年，他以为自己对师门的感情早已变淡。直至看见那一排坟墓，荆裂那副已经比离开时强壮得多的成熟身躯，像脱力般崩倒、跪下。 十根指头，在裴师叔墓前的泥土里抓得出血。 灭门的巨大哀恸。壮志未竟的憾恨。 可是，还有另一股同样强烈的感情，几乎要盖过这些伤恸： 是一股令身体都要发抖的兴奋——当知道面前出现了“武当派”这座高耸的大山，正等待他去挑战时。 他第二次离开泉州。一年多之后，荆裂正在西安府城东少慈巷屋瓦上急奔，跑往大差市“盈花馆”的方向。 最大的仇敌，跟最重要的同伴，都在那前面不远处。 ——为了实践十年前，向尊敬如父亲的师叔许下的约定。 武者间真实的生死决斗，尤其当使用利刃兵器时，往往数招里就分出胜负，过程时间其实颇短。有的人因此以为，武者只须锻炼短促的爆发力，体能耐力并不重要，事实并非如此。 战斗非同一般的运动，因为其中涉及高度危险，以至死亡或严重受伤的威胁，而且往往是在无准备的情况下突然发生，身陷战阵时，武者承受着不可想象的心理压力，而这压力又会严重影响身体状况。 人突然面对危险的焦虑和压力，会令身体产生通称“战斗或逃走”（Fight or floght）的神经反应。这反应产生的其中一个最主要生理变化，就是大量分泌肾上腺素，刺激心脏加速、呼吸急促、肌肉血管扩张等。这些自然生理反应，是为了令人体能对危险作出快速和强烈的应变（不论是战斗还是逃走），但同时也会在极短时间里消耗大量氧气和能量，令人很快疲倦虚弱。因此即使是很短促的打斗，其中所消耗的体能是非常巨大的。 另外当心跳急促和缺氧时，肢体的微细活动技巧（Fine motor skill）也会随之大降（例如长途赛跑后马上去穿针线，会发觉是非常困难的事），武术上一些要求精准协调和手眼配合的技巧，也就无从发挥。这是为何会看见，一些缺乏实战经验的武者，平日打套路招式巧妙，一到了真打就只能跟市井流氓挥拳殴斗无异，正是这个道理。 除非本身已经是身经百战的老兵，否则就只能靠平日锻炼去克服战斗心理与生理的影响。这主要有两个途径：第一是多与人练习对打比试，尽量模拟真实的打斗，令自己习惯了战斗压力，渐渐减低甚至麻痹了心理的不良反应。第二是进行高强度的体能耐力训练，这既加强心肺功能，将压力带来的生理影响抵销；也令身体和脑袋习惯在极疲劳状态下，仍能支持下去。 现代特种兵也有一种训练，是在长距离跑步后即时作实弹射击，正是利用跑步的疲劳，模拟战斗时的心理压力，由此更可知实战与体能的密切关系。
Notes: