Chapter 10 The Eighth Chapter: Ice Strings and Jade Pillars and the Wind Blows into the Pine
Shen Xuan wandered alone for more than half a month, and finally returned to Calabash Bay.When the boat leaned against the shore of the lake that he had grown accustomed to, he felt as if it was a lifetime away.Originally thought that Le Xiuning was waiting for him, unexpectedly even she had already left, leaving only a note pinned on the desk.She said that she saw that Shen Xuan did not return home until the end of the year, and she was very worried, so she had to go out to find out the news.
The thatched huts are all empty, with dust accumulated shallowly.Shen Xuan lay on the bed unable to sleep, counting the stars outside the window while thinking: "Sister Axiu is not here, but I don't know who to ask for the map of Li'er." I turned it back and forth, but found nothing.I also thought that the map might have been lost in the lake, so I might as well go into the water to find it.
It was early spring and February, the spring was cold and the lake was still cold.However, Shen Xuan has been very good at swimming since he was a child, so he doesn't care too much.He propped the boat to the place where Jiang Lingqian fell into the water before, and dived into the water.After searching for half a day, I searched the bottom of the lake all over, but there were only aquatic plants and small fish, and there was no sign of a sheepskin map.
After staying at home like this for half a month, Le Xiuning still hasn't come back.In February when the peach blossoms and willows are green and the grass grows and warblers fly, Huluwan is still empty and deserted.Shen Xuan fishes by the lake every night, staring at the moon shadow and starlight in a daze, and finds that his hometown can no longer keep his ethereal thoughts.Thinking about Jiang Lingqian's second wish, he decided to go out again.
A month later, Shen Xuan boarded Mount Lushan.At the northern foot of Lushan Mountain, there are three Buddhist temples, Donglin, Xilin, and Dalin. They were first built in the Wei and Jin Dynasties and are the birthplace of the Pure Land Buddhism.Lushan Taoism also has a long history. Since the Jin Dynasty famous Taoist Lu Jing built Jianji Temple, Lushan Mountain has lived innumerable masters who seek immortality and practice Taoism.During the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty, Ding Jianqiao, the senior brother of Sima Zihui, was stationed in Xijian Jiguan.Ding Jianqiao learned a set of swordsmanship from Lu Chunyang, taught it to his disciples in Guanzhong, and since then created the Lushan school of martial arts.By the time of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, the Jianji Guan Lushan School became the Taishan Beidou in the southern martial arts.At one time, there were three pillars of martial arts in the south of the Yangtze River: Mount Lu, Dongting, and Tiantai.It's just that today's Taiwanese school is dissipated, and Dongting school is declining day by day, only Lu Danxin Taoist priest of Lushan Jianji Temple is left to support the important task of calming the turmoil in the rivers and lakes.
In short clothes and straw sandals, Shen Xuan went up the mountain with a group of pilgrims.Carrying the "Moe Qin", the sword is hidden in the piano bag.The scenery of mountains and rivers, pavilions, towers and palaces have been seen in a hurry, but they have never been taken seriously.He found a woodcutter and asked him the way to the Valley of Eternal Blossoms.But the woodcutter smiled and said, "Little brother, Mount Lushan is so big and there are so many beautiful places. Why do you want to go to that ghostly place? You can listen to me, the path of Jinxiu Valley is steep and intricate. How many people lost their way and died in it?" Inside, don't go there."
Shen Xuan said: "I just ask the old man for some rope."
The woodcutter rummaged through the room and found a coil of rope: "Is it enough?"
Shen Xuan shook his head, but saw a large pile of hay in the corner of the yard, and said, "Old man, I want to use these grasses to rub some ropes, can I?"
The woodcutter said, "As you wish."
Shen Xuan sat in the small yard of the woodcutter that night, separated the three-foot-high pile of hay, twisted them into thin grass ropes, and connected them one by one.From dusk to midnight, so much hay rubbed his hands until they were full of blisters, and then the blisters burst one by one, bleeding out.Shen Xuan stared at his bloody hands in rapt attention, but his heart was filled with a kind of painful pleasure.
On the second day, Shen Xuan bid farewell to the woodcutter and wandered into the mountains.After finding the entrance of Jinxiu Valley, there is a huge sycamore tree just as the woodcutter said.Shen Xuan tied one end of the long rope firmly to the root of the plane tree, lifted the long sword and fell into the deep valley with light work.He walked all the way, laying down the straw rope on the narrow path, knowing clearly in his heart that every time the road forks, he must turn right first, and once he turns into a dead end, he will retract the rope and back out, and use the tip of his sword to carve a mark on the stone wall for the next time. Don't get me wrong.As expected, this Valley of Splendid Blossoms is untouched by humans, it is full of weeds and thorns, bobcats, wild foxes and the like run across the rocks from time to time.Shen Xuan overcame obstacles all the way without any trouble.Repeatedly like this, until the sun was westward, a refreshing fragrance suddenly wafted.
From a distance, the depths of the valley seem to be floating leisurely with a layer of white snow.It is the place where daphne flowers bloom!Shen Xuan swallowed a refreshing pill, and hurriedly walked over there.
The pine tree that once hung Qingjue's sword is still there, and the bone under the tree is still lying quietly.Shen Xuan could tell that it was a tall man, about twenty years old when he died.He stood silently for a while, bowed to the bones a few times, and then picked them up one by one.He hoped to find some relics, or words carved into the rock walls.However, I searched for a week and found nothing.Shen Xuan wrapped the bones in a cloth, walked out of the valley safely along the long rope he had let down.
Shen Xuan climbed to the top of a mountain, chose a place with good geomantic omen to bury the bone, found a large stone and carved it into a tombstone: "Tomb of the Unknown Swordsman", the rest I don't know what to write.At this time, the sun was thinning on the western mountain, and the rosy clouds were like blood. On the top of the mountain, the wind was blowing and the long grass was swaying.This chivalrous man who died trapped in the Valley of Splendid Blossoms does not know where his home is, or his origins. Maybe his relatives are still looking at each other, or maybe no one in the world remembers him at all.Shen Xuan had no way of knowing this.Since he has a Qingjue sword, which is a rare treasure, his martial arts are probably good, or he was also a generation of heroes in the world.And for what reason, he died tragically in the depths of Mount Lu, without even leaving a few last words...
The end of life is just desolation.Shen Xuan bowed to the grave and said: "Senior, although I don't know who you are, you and I are destined. Today, this junior has never brought incense sticks and paper money, so let's talk about a song as a sacrifice."
With the Moqin on his knees, he stroked a song "Green Grass Ripples".Since parting with Jiang Lingqian, he has been practicing the most for the first song in "The Introduction to the Haze of the Five Lakes".At this time, he was depressed and tangled in his heart, and his thoughts were full of emotions. He was lingering in the sound of the piano, and he actually swayed the profound and mysterious meaning of the song to the fullest and most vividly.It is clearly: "The green grass in the spring, the clear water in the spring, sending you off to Nanpu, how hurtful it is! The moon is white and the dew is white, time and light come and go, parting from the child, wandering in thoughts..."
At the end of the song, the fingers are condensed, the dusk is heavy, and a few strings are still circling in the empty sky and earth along with the returning birds in the mountains.After a while, I suddenly heard a burst of laughter from afar: "Good song, good song!"
Shen Xuan heard that the voice came from the foot of the mountain in the distance, but sent it up with a powerful and deep internal force, knowing that the person coming was extraordinary.At this time, the sound of the piano also sounded at the foot of the mountain, a song "Jieshi Diao Youlan".That person sounded like a master of the piano, although not as exquisite as Shen Xuan, but he was proficient and experienced, with a high artistic conception.Shen Xuan found that the player who played the piano was a good old man, so he fell in love with him, so he replied a piece of "Lushan Gao" to show his respect.The man also responded humbly with a song "Lushan Gao".Shen Xuan heard the old man's meaning of asking for a meeting in the song, so he walked down the mountain with the qin in his arms.
From the grass pavilion at the foot of the mountain, an old Taoist priest with white beard came out to welcome him, and bowed to Shen Xuan with a charming smile.Shen Xuan hurriedly said: "The Daoist priest can't afford such a great gift, Wan Sheng can't afford it."
The old Taoist smiled and said: "It's just a barren mountain savage, what kind of Taoism is not good. Today, the old man can hear the son's elegant music, and it is like listening to fairy music. It is refreshing. The son's piano skills are superb, and the old man admires it!"
Shen Xuan saw that his clothes were simple and simple, no different from a mountain dweller.But his spirit is hale and hearty, and his demeanor is magnanimous. It is guessed that he is deliberately modest, and he is probably a senior of the Lushan School.The old Taoist asked Shen Xuan's name and said with a smile: "I still want to ask the young master for advice. How about asking the young master to come to the humble house?"
Shen Xuan returned the courtesy and said: "I dare not ask for advice, but I want to bother the Taoist priest."
Shen Xuan followed the old Taoist priest over several mountains, and came to a Buddhist temple, looked up: "Jian Ji Guan", thought: Sure enough!However, Shen Xuan was also very curious about the prestigious Lushan School.Along the way, several Taoist priests, Taoist boys, and handy cooks met, all of them respected the old Taoist priest. The old Taoist priest led him to a quiet wing room, and sat down with each other.But another person pushed open the door, and said hurriedly: "Master..." It was Lou Difei.Only then did Shen Xuan realize that the old Taoist priest was Lu Danxin, the head of the Lushan School.
Lu Tan raised his face and said: "Di Fei, why are you always so impolite? Don't you see any guests here?"
Lou Difei also saw Shen Xuan, he was surprised but didn't dare to ask, he just said: "Master, there is an important guest."
Lu Dan frowned and said: "What's important, come back later. You step back first."
Lou Difei endured his anger and retreated.Shen Xuan was flattered, but Lu Dan said heartily: "This scoundrel doesn't even close the door when he goes out. How dare you bother the young master to cover the door for the poor." Shen Xuan pushed the rickety door, thinly The door panel didn't move at all.Shen Xuan looked back at Lu Danxin, the old Taoist was drinking tea from a teacup, as if nothing had happened.Shen Xuan has sharp eyes, but he didn't see any mechanism on the door, but it was fixed halfway and couldn't move.Shen Xuan then said: "Senior Lu, the younger generation's martial arts are low, but they can't close this door."
As expected, Lu Tanxin exerted his strength secretly in the sky and controlled the door panel, so as to test Shen Xuan's martial arts. Hearing what Shen Xuan said, he smiled and said: "Mr. Shen, I see that your eyes are shining, The inner strength is good. Why should you be modest?"
Shen Xuan said: "Although I have internal strength, I have learned very little in martial arts, so I don't know how to use it."
Lu Danxin saw that his words were sincere, and he guessed the truth. He thought that this young man might have an adventure, nodded and said with a smile: "There are all kinds of skills in the world, but martial arts is only one of them. Why stick to it? Heroes don't just rely on swords and swords. Let's see."
"Master!" Lou Difei rushed in again.
Lu Tanxin put the teacup on the table and said, "Why do you keep talking more and more?"
"It's really urgent," Lou Difei said in panic, "Master can scold if he wants to, but please ask Master to take a look, otherwise it will be troublesome."
Lu Dan smiled helplessly, and said to Shen Xuan: "Poverty, I have to excuse you for a while, Mr. Haihan!"
Lou Difei looked at Shen Xuan, and suddenly said: "This guest, can you also go and see."
Lu Dan was puzzled, but he obviously trusted this little apprentice, so he made an invitation gesture to Shen Xuan.
It turned out that the important guest was Tang Mulong!I saw him lying down in the front hall of Jian Jiguan, unconscious, with his teeth clenched, obviously his life was in danger.It stands to reason that he is newly married at this time, so he should be at home at ease, why did he come to Lushan and fall ill here?
Lu Dan took Tang Mulong's pulse, frowned while listening to Lou Difei's reply.
It turned out that Lou Difei made an appointment with Tang Mulong, and met him at Hanpokou on Lushan Mountain this morning, but he didn't see him.Suspicious, he found the entourage brought by Tang Mulong and searched the front and back of the mountain, but he couldn't find it.But when he came back, he found Tang Mulong lying on the ground at the back door of the Jianji Temple, unconscious. Several Taoist priests who were proficient in medical skills in the temple had seen it, and there was nothing they could do.
"Wait!" Lu Dan said in his heart, "I know you and Tang Mulong are good friends. But at this time, why would he come to Lushan to look for you?"
Shen Xuan was also puzzled by this.
Lou Difei smiled wryly, "Master doesn't care about these mundane things."
"What's the matter?" Lu Dan thought.
Lou Difei said: "Young Master Tang is determined to marry the granddaughter of Jiang Tingsong in Tiantai Mountain. But that young lady does not agree with him." He suddenly found that the servants of the Tang family were also present, and said: "Director Gu, this is Tell me about your family."
Manager Gu respectfully said: "Back to Master Lu, Mr. Tang and Ms. Jiang's wedding date is set on the sixth day of February, but when the date came, Ms. Jiang did not come to Luofu Mountain. It turned out that she had never returned to Tiantai Mountain. Senior Jiang was very angry, so he I entrusted Mr. Tang of my family to search the rivers and lakes. However, there is no news so far, only that she seems to have wandered around Lushan Mountain. I heard that Lou Shaoxia has seen Miss Jiang, so I came to ask."
Lou Difei quickly added: "That also happened in December last year." As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Xuan, thinking that you must have more news than me.
Shen Xuan didn't seem to see his eyes.There was an indescribable joy and anxiety in his heart. It turned out that she wasn't married after all...but where is she now?
Lu Dan thought: "This Miss Jiang, has someone plotted against her?"
Manager Gu and Lou Difei looked at each other with embarrassing expressions.It was still Lou Difei who said: "Everyone said that most of them escaped marriage. Master, this girl was brought up by the old monster Chicheng alone. She is very difficult to deal with. Everyone in the world calls her Little Demon Girl."
Lu Danxin smiled slightly, then frowned again, and said: "Young Master Tang has been poisoned, but the poison is not strong or weak, although it is not fatal, but there is no way to see it. The pulse condition is very disordered. I too... Difficult, difficult!"
Hearing that Master Lu said it was difficult, Manager Gu panicked: "How good is this? Something happened to the young master, how can I explain to the master?" For a while, the Taoists of the Lushan School also talked about it.
Lushan disciple Gongye Po said: "Who is the poison, find out and ask him to come up with the antidote!"
The rest of the disciples also echoed, "That's right, you dare to go up to Mount Lu to act wildly, you have to teach yourself a lesson!"
Lu Dan waved his hands and said, "What are you shouting about! Since the poisoner has chosen Mount Lu, it can be seen that he has a well-thought-out plan and a great plan, so he won't let us catch it easily. But Mr. Tang couldn't delay."
Everyone fell silent for a while, Lou Difei couldn't help but looked at Shen Xuan anxiously, as if hoping that he would make a move.
Shen Xuan saw his hint, but still didn't move.He looked carefully, but he couldn't see any poison in Tang Mulong, he was not sure to save him, and it was not appropriate to force himself in front of a large group of Lushan Taoist priests.What's more, Fan Dingfeng and Qian Shijun have already made him extremely disgusted with these famous sons.
A young woman came quietly outside the door, it was Zhou Caiwei.Seeing this situation, she went straight to Shen Xuan, and asked politely: "Master Shen, is there any way?"
Shen Xuan shook his head.Zhou Caiwei gave him a meaningful look.When Shen Xuan was looked at by her, his heart shivered.
He involuntarily walked to Tang Mulong's side.Feeling the pulse, it seems that there is more than one pulse in it.He held his breath and groped slowly.
After half a stick of incense, he said softly, "Thirty-one."
"Because of thirty-one poisons?" Lou Difei asked in surprise.
Shen Xuan said: "There are thirty-one pulse conditions in total."
Manager Gu didn't understand, and hurriedly said: "The thirty-one kinds of poisons, please diagnose them. Please tell me how to cure each poison. No matter what medicinal materials are used, we can do it."
As soon as Shen Xuan heard this rich man's words, he became angry, let go of Tang Mulong's wrist, and said lightly: "I don't have that ability!"
Everyone was astonished, Lou Difei felt anxious and wanted to go up and scold him, but Zhou Caiwei grabbed him.This action of his fell into Shen Xuan's eyes again.
At this moment, Zhou Caiwei glanced at Shen Xuan again.Suddenly, Shen Xuan was startled: "What's wrong with me?" Although Tang Mulong in front of him was his enemy, he was also a patient.Since he became a doctor, people have always praised him for his generosity and kindness, but today he is willing to die for his own selfishness.Is there really only one step between good and evil?
Feeling ashamed, he picked up Tang Mulong's inch again.Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
If it is really the thirty-one poisons, I believe it can be found out slowly, but the situation seems to be not that simple.He let go of Tang Mulong's hand, thought for a while, and said, "These are five poisons."
Lu Dan frowned and said, "Poverty is puzzled. Can you explain a thing or two, my lord?"
Shen Xuan said: "Five kinds of poisons, there are five kinds of pulse conditions; two combinations, there are ten kinds of pulse conditions; three or three combinations, there are ten kinds of pulse conditions; four or four combinations, there are five kinds of pulse conditions; five kinds of medicines together, there are another It’s a type of pulse condition. There are thirty-one types in total.”
Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, silent.Lu Danxin silently looked at Shen Xuan's face for a while, thoughtfully, and then said: "Then if you take these five poisons separately, Mr. Tang will be cured?"
Shen Xuan said, "Not bad."
Lu Tan thought: "Which five kinds of poisons are they, have you seen them?"
Shen Xuan said: "Lead powder, scorpion tail, cocklebur, cobra, musk."
"Is musk also a poison?" Lu Dan asked heartily.
Shen Xuan said: "Musk is not a poison. But when used here, it can add fuel to the flames. Moreover, the medicinal power of musk itself has also increased, which is enough to mess with sex. So you see that although he is unconscious, he is sweating profusely."
Lu Dan said angrily, "Damn it!"
Shen Xuan brushed up and wrote down the prescription.It turns out that these kinds of poisons are very easy to dissolve, but it takes a lot of effort to diagnose them.Shen Xuan couldn't help thinking, if I were to mix this poison, I would have to change a few different flavors, so that the properties of the medicine would change and it would not be so easy to detoxify.
Immediately someone decocted the medicine and poured it for Tang Mulong.Shen Xuan followed Lu Dan's heart and retreated, unable to tell what it was like.
In less than half an hour, Tang Mulong gradually woke up with a clear mind.
Manager Gu ran over excitedly and said, "My son wants to see the doctor who saved his life. Please come over and thank you in person."
Shen Xuan said lightly: "If I don't go, he doesn't have to thank me."
"What is this for?" Lou Difei asked in surprise, "Young Master Tang has good intentions for you..."
Shen Xuan said: "I said I won't go." After saying that, he turned around and left.
"What do you mean?" Lou Difei said angrily, and was about to go out to chase him.Zhou Caiwei held him back again: "Brother, forget it..."
"Huh?" Lou Difei was confused.
Zhou Caiwei glanced at Manager Gu, and the man withdrew wisely.Zhou Caiwei sighed: "You are too inconsiderate of Mr. Shen."
Lu Tanxin suddenly said: "What is the festival between Mr. Shen and Mr. Tang?"
Zhou Caiwei said: "This matter is not enough for outsiders to understand. Brother Lou, you have stayed in Huangmei Villa for half a month, and you didn't see that the relationship between Mr. Shen and Miss Jiang is extraordinary?"
Lou Difei was surprised: "Miss Jiang already has a husband's family, how dare he do this!"
Zhou Caiwei said: "I heard from Cousin Ji that Miss Jiang once lost her memory and was cured by Mr. Shen. I think these two...but because Miss Jiang has promised to be with others, they have to treat each other as brothers and sisters. But Mr. Tang treats Miss Jiang To me, it’s just strangers.”
Lou Difei suddenly realized, and unconsciously said: "If it were me, I can't do anything about it. This Shen Xuan is really a good person." He has always disliked Shen Xuan, and it was only at this time that his attitude changed, "It's a pity he It's really unlucky to like someone else's fiancée—is it because of this that Miss Jiang ran away from marriage?"
Zhou Caiwei said: "Based on my observation of Miss Jiang, it must be because of this. She has a stubborn temperament, and I'm afraid this matter will become more and more troublesome in the future."
Lu Dan listened to Zhou Caiwei's words with a frown all the time, and said at this moment: "This is not good. It's hard to justify it because of etiquette and affection. Although Mr. Shen has a good heart, he is quite confused. What you said today, you are not allowed to mention it in the future."
Lou Difei bit his lip.
Lu Dan said in his heart: "Although Tang Mulong is good, his father has a violent temper. I'm afraid that if this word reaches the ears of the Tang family, it will bring Master Shen a disaster."
Lou Difei said: "Then...it would be good if Master came forward to persuade Shen Xuan."
During the conversation, the eldest disciple Gong Yepo came in to report: "Master, this disciple and Chief Manager Gu have already found out who the person who harmed Young Master Tang is."
"who?"
"It's an important person in the Tang family in Luofu Mountain. Manager Gu is also very embarrassed, saying that he will explain it to Master Tang before he goes back and make a theory."
"People from their own family?" Lu Dan was shocked, and stopped talking, "In this way, it is their family's business. Let's not interfere. Take good care of Mr. Tang, and send him down the mountain when he recovers."
"understood."
After Gong Yepo went out, Lu Dan pondered for a long time, and said: "You find Mr. Shen, I want to talk to him alone."
Shen Xuan saw Lu Tanxin sitting on the teacher's chair and looking at him, so he bowed to Lu Tanxin: "Master Daoist, just now this junior was rude."
Lu Tanxin smiled and said: "It's okay. Mr. Shen, the poor know what's on your mind. It's not your fault."
Shen Xuan couldn't help blushing, and was about to argue, when Lu Tan said heartily: "It's just that I have to tell you something. Your father and I are old friends after all. When you were young...hehe, I hugged you too. Yours. If I don’t care about you, I’ll be sorry for the kindness Master Yanxia and Dongting Medical Immortals have shown to my Lushan School. Don’t be surprised, your excellent piano and medical skills should be from your grandmother Ruoyexi Chen It has been passed down in one line, and there is no other family with this unique skill in the world, and Pindao has already guessed your origin."
Shen Xuan saw that Lu Dan's wrinkled face was full of kindness, so he sat under him and listened respectfully.Lu Dan closed his eyes for a while, and asked: "Mr. Shen, when your father passed away, you were only seven years old. Do you still remember the situation at that time?"
As soon as Shen Xuan heard this, the horrific scene flashed in front of his eyes again. In the hall, his father collapsed to the ground, and the blood that flowed out seemed to be more than the water of a Dongting Lake.This nightmare almost flooded his entire childhood.He nodded blankly.Lu Dan thought: "Do you know why your father died?"
"My mother has always refused to tell." Shen Xuan suddenly remembered what Le Xiuning told him last year, "It is said that it is related to the Tiantai sect."
Lu Dan nodded heartily: "There are very few people who know the details, and everyone keeps it secret. But this is your great revenge for killing your father, you must know."
Shen Xuan suddenly felt cold in his heart, and he heard Lu Tan's heart slowly say: "Your grandfather is highly respected and famous, he is the Taishan Beidou of Southern Wulin. In his later years, he collected all his life's martial arts and wrote a secret book. The title of the book is "The River and the Sea Are Not Ties to Boats". But he never passed this book on to any of his disciples, and he didn't leave a word until before he died that he wanted to pass this book on to the world's number one swordsman."
Shen Xuan asked, "Shouldn't it be reserved for the Dongting disciples?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "Yes, although this move is heroic, it also wronged my children and grandchildren. However, everyone guessed at the time that your grandfather still wanted to leave the book to the Dongting disciples. There were four disciples in the Dongting School. The youngest one not only got the true biography of your grandfather, but also had another romantic fate, learned a magical sword technique, a long sword that was invincible all over the world. Your grandfather said that it was passed down to the person who was the first in swordsmanship, but in fact he still wanted to Pass it on to his little disciples."
Shen Xuan said, "Why don't you just say it straight?"
Lu Dan hesitated and said: "I don't really understand this poor Taoist. I only know that your grandfather also loved this little apprentice very much, but this little apprentice's temperament is a bit mediocre, and he is uninhibited. At that time, he had already left the school. Wandering in the rivers and lakes. I think your grandfather wanted to pass the book on to him because of his talent, but he refused to let him get it too easily, so this problem came up and forced him to fight for the title of the best swordsmanship in the world. Later, your father After taking over the position of head of Dongting, I will take this matter seriously, and must determine the successor of "Untied Boat" before your grandfather is buried. That year's Dragon Boat Festival, set up a ring outside the Dongting Lake Sanzui Palace, No matter what sect or sect, anyone who wins the world with swordsmanship will get the book "Untied Boats". At that time, poor Taoists were also lucky enough to watch the ceremony."
Shen Xuan thought silently that his father died not long after the Dragon Boat Festival.
Lu Dan said heartily: "A lot of people really came to the Three Drunken Palace that day, but they were all watching the excitement, and there were very few who went up to compete with swords. Everyone understands Shen Daxia's true wishes, not to mention that he has no hope of defeating that little apprentice. The three big disciples were not easy to compete with each other. Several people from Wuyi School and Luofu Mountain went up to compete, and they all lost to Dongting disciples. But the strange thing is that the competition lasted from morning to afternoon, and from afternoon to dusk , that little apprentice never came."
Shen Xuan asked: "Does he not know? Or he doesn't want the book?"
Lu Dan shook his head heartily and said, "Your grandfather's last words spread faster than the wind. For a while, there was a lot of discussion in the rivers and lakes about the matter of fighting for the book, how could he not know? He didn't want the book, but with his conceited temper, he might have Maybe, your father and several senior brothers also guessed this way at the time. But even if he really didn’t want it, he should come back to the sword competition, so that he can leave the book in the Dongting Gate. Wait until the sunset, and the sword competition is about to end That little apprentice still hasn't shown up."
Shen Xuan asked: "Then who is the number one swordsman at this time?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "Your father, your eldest disciple Wu Jianzhi, and your third disciple Le Ziyou, generally study Dongting swordsmanship intensively, and their martial arts are also extremely high. At this time, no one can beat the three of them, and the book is still in the Dongting sect. .If you talk about who is number one, it should be your father. In fact, your father is the number one person in the Dongting Gate. If you talk about the magic of swordsmanship, you have to let that young disciple. But if you add internal strength, fists, and knowledge Knowledge, combined with all kinds of skills in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, plus popularity, plus fame and friendship, no one can compare to your father. He is known as the "Dongting Doctor Immortal", a master of rejuvenation, a quilt, and a gentleman. Famous, everyone praises him. He is indeed a generation of heroes with outstanding virtue and ability."
Shen Xuan saw that Lu Dan's eyes were full of regret and lamentation, he was indeed sad for his father, and asked again: "What happened later?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "It was late at that time, everyone was discussing to end the ring, suddenly an unexpected guest came and wanted to compete swords with Dongting disciples. We saw that this match might not be easy."
Shen Xuan thought for a while and said, "Is it Jiang Tingsong?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "That's right. You must know that Chicheng Immortal Jiang Tingsong created his own Tiantai School. He is also a great master of a generation. His swordsmanship is famous for its strangeness. He is unique in the south of the world. He has always been a strong enemy of our famous sect."
Shen Xuan asked: "Then Jiang Tingsong is first-class in the evil sect."
Lu Tan pondered and said: "That's not true. It's just that he has a weird temper, is both good and evil, and usually goes his own way. He doesn't bother to associate with the underworld, and he doesn't look down on decent people. In his opinion, the good people in the world are the best." Ninety-nine percent of them are hypocrites. We originally thought that since he thinks highly of himself and has always had rifts with the Dongting sect, he would not come to seize the book."
Shen Xuan asked, "What suspicion?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "That poor man is not too clear. I heard from your grandfather that it was the enmity they forged when they were young. Your grandfather said that it was a misunderstanding, and he meant a little apologetic. Not to mention, Jiang Ting Now that Song is here, your grandfather's three major disciples have to meet him. First, your third uncle fought with him for eighty-three rounds and was defeated. Then your uncle, your uncle—— Wu Jianzhi competed swords with him. Wu Jianzhi really gave his best and fought for more than two hundred rounds. The two were almost tied, but Jianzhi was slightly inferior to Jiang Tingsong after all, and finally lost. In the end it was your father. Your father's swordsmanship is comparable to Jiang Tingsong's. In addition, Jiang Tingsong has already fought two times, but he is physically strong. We thought your father was going to win. Unexpectedly, Jiang Tingsong suddenly changed his moves at this time, making him There is a set of Tiantai swordsmanship that we have never seen before. Pindao thinks about it until now, that swordsmanship is probably the culmination of Tiantai swordsmanship, it is really exquisite, it is simply... It is the nemesis of your Dongting swordsmanship. "
Shen Xuan said: "Sleepwalking Tianmu Yin Liu Farewell."
Lu Danxin smiled slightly: "You also know."
Shen Xuan remained silent: Unexpectedly, the sword technique Jiang Lingqian taught him was actually the sharp edge that forced his father to defeat miserably. No wonder she said that the Tiantai sword technique is better than Dongting...
Lu Tan continued: "It's hard to chase after a gentleman's words. The little apprentice never came. Since no one can beat Jiang Tingsong, your father had to let him take away the book "Not Tie the Boat". Your third uncle has fun." Quite dissatisfied, and wanted to argue forward, but was also stopped by your father. The Dongting faction was defeated by this, and their faces were dull, and everyone was at a loss that night. I thought it was over like this, but on the ninth day, your father presided over For your grandfather's funeral, many friends from the world came again. Unexpectedly, Jiang Tingsong came again, saying that he wanted to settle accounts with your father. He said that the Dongting faction was despicable and shameless, with dirty hands and feet, and conspired to get "Not Tie the Boat" from him Steal it back."
"How is it possible!" Shen Xuan said.
"That's right," Lu Dan said heartily, "No one believed his words at first. But Jiang Tingsong was so convincing at the time that he even arrested a third-generation disciple of the Dongting School as a witness for the theft. He revealed There was a lot of anger, and they kept saying that as long as your father returned the book. The two sides had been arguing for a long time, and even missed the time for your grandfather's burial. Your father couldn't refute Jiang Tingsong anyway. Later, he was so angry that he committed suicide. This matter!" Lu Dan paused in his heart, and then said, "Maybe your father doesn't have to do this. However, losing the book "Not Tie the Boat" is already embarrassing. How can you allow such abuse. Your grandfather's bones were not cold, and such a thing happened in the door, and it was spread to the Jianghu, and the reputation of the whole life was gone. Jiang Tingsong was too aggressive, and your father couldn't justify it, so he had to use his own blood to wash away the grievances. , to prove the innocence of the Dongting faction with one death."
Shen Xuan's face was pale, his voice trembling: "Then what about Jiang Tingsong? What did he say?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "Your father left a message, the teachers and brothers let Jiang listen and go away. The old monster Chicheng stared at your father's body for a while, laughed like crazy and left, never again Been here. This is not over. After Jiang Tingsong returned to Tiantai Mountain, he made a major event that shocked the martial arts. He drove all the disciples from the sect down the mountain, disbanded the Tiantai faction, and lived in seclusion in his own clothes. He vowed to quit the arena and never Down the mountain. The whereabouts of the book "Not Tie the Boat" has become a mystery. We speculate that Jiang Tingsong cast doubts, framed the Dongting School, and hid himself in Tiantai Mountain to practice. But after so many years, Jiang Tingsong has indeed lived in seclusion No way, martial arts are barren, and it doesn’t look like he has practiced magical skills. No matter what he does, the Dongting faction was killed by him. After your father was forced to commit suicide, your third uncle, Le Ziyou, also left Dongting and lived in the rivers and lakes. Under Wu Jianzhi, one person is in charge of the sect and supports it independently. The momentum of the Dongting sect cannot be compared with before. As for the little apprentice, he has never shown his face in the Jianghu again, and his whereabouts are still unknown."
Shen Xuan said: "I'm afraid Jiang Tingsong has already killed him in order to seize the scriptures?"
Lu Dan said in his heart: "This poor man dare not speak out. Things in the Jianghu are confusing, specious, entangled, and entangled. Don't make rash conclusions. The poor man is just telling you everything he knows, Mr. Shen, You are a smart person, so I don’t need to say what you should do when it comes to matters related to your family feud. Besides, alas, no one thought that after more than ten years, there are still descendants of the Tiantai faction coming out of the mountain. "The matter is about to make a comeback!"
Shen Xuan understood that Lu Danxin told himself this incident to let him know that the Tiantai faction and the Dongting faction had a deep hatred, and Jiang Lingqian's grandfather was his father-killing enemy.He had no other choice but to let go of love.Moreover, Lu Tanxin was clearly implying to him that Jiang Lingqian might have ulterior motives when he was in contact with him, to find some martial arts secrets.He just felt so distraught that he could hardly breathe.Shen Xuan gritted his teeth, and said: "Thank you for your advice, senior. Now that this junior understands, he will never do anything to offend his predecessors. Please rest assured, senior."
Lu Dan nodded with satisfaction.
Suddenly, there was a "flutter" sound from outside, and there was an uproar in the courtyard: "Who is it, stop!" There was also the sound of "clinking and clanging" weapons.Lu Dan pushed open the door heartily, and Shen Xuan also followed out.But he saw a group of disciples of the Lushan School forming a eight-diagram sword array, surrounding a man in black clothes.Lu Tan smiled heartily: "Where is the expert visiting?"
At the point of the sword tip, the man's long hair fluttered, but he refused to turn his head. After a long time, he said: "Junior Tiantai Jiang Lingqian."
Lu Dan glanced at Shen Xuan heartily.In fact, he was not surprised at all, he had already noticed that Jiang Lingqian was eavesdropping on the beam.He also deliberately wanted Jiang Lingqian to listen to these words.It's just that Shen Xuan didn't know, after listening to Lu Danxin's words, he ignored Jiang Lingqian unexpectedly.I have mixed feelings at the moment, and I don't know what to say.At this moment, Tang Mulong rushed out early, and hurriedly said: "Miss Jiang, you..."
Jiang Lingqian nodded to Tang Mulong and said: "Young Master Tang, I heard that you came to Jianjiguan, so I came here specially. I didn't come here to seek trouble. You begged Master Lu for me to withdraw the sword array."
Before Tang Mulong could speak, Lu Danxin waved his hand, and a group of Lushan disciples retreated.Jiang Lingqian walked towards Tang Mulong slowly, and bowed down slowly.Tang Mulong quickly supported her, his face could hardly conceal his heartfelt joy.Lu Dan looked at the two of them heartily, he laughed and said, "Congratulations Mr. Tang!"
Early the next morning, Shen Xuan went down to Lushan Mountain.Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Lou Difei sent him all the way down the mountain and gave him a horse as a mount, but he was also in a trance and didn't respond well.What is dangling in front of my eyes is just yesterday's situation.Ever since Jiang Lingqian appeared in Jianji Temple, until he and Tang Mulong both worshiped Lu Danxin, and until he left with Tang Mulong, he never looked at him again.She and Tang Mulong rode the white horse of Luofu Mountain and rode away side by side, reflecting the fiery red sunset on the mountain...
"She is my family's enemy and someone else's wife. From now on, I have no choice but to completely forget her..." Lu Danxin's words had already weighed on his heart like a boulder.
I don't know where I can go now, so I simply drift around in the rivers and lakes.Riding on a thin horse backwards in the daytime, wandering at a leisurely pace, wherever you go.The ink forehead piano is carried by his side, and he keeps practicing diligently.Most of the time when people are depressed, there will be masterpieces.Along the way, the first four songs in "Five Lakes Haze and Clouds" have been practiced to the best of their ability, and the most difficult song "The Great Dongting" is left.
After walking this way, before I knew it, I arrived in Hunan.The mountains are gradually flattening, the clouds and water are Xiaoxiang, and the lakes are everywhere.那时湖南是马殷父子的势力范围，称楚国，也算是沈瑄的桑梓之地，可是阔别多年，连楚地方言也讲不出一句了。
这日黄昏路过衡阳回雁峰下。忽然空中传来一声呼哨，那马长嘶一声，扬起前蹄，几乎要把沈瑄掀下去。沈瑄轻轻腾起身来，临空翻了个筋斗，又稳稳地落在马背上，却是正骑着。不想再拉拉缰绳，马却不肯走了。沈瑄有些奇怪，使劲拉了几下，那马也只踱几碎步，万不肯再向前的。
抬头一看，路边正有一家小小的客栈，不如今夜就住在这里吧。进店坐下，吩咐小二准备饭菜，还特意嘱咐了一句菜中少放辣椒。原来湖南人嗜辣，每餐必是红彤彤的几大盘，无辣不欢。沈瑄在江南长大，哪里吃得消这些。领教过几回后，每次吃饭总要叮嘱过，人家看他是外乡人，自然也明白。
不过厨子好像还不很明白，那一碟炒青菜中，依然夹了五六粒鲜红的干辣椒。沈瑄只夹了一箸，就觉得舌头被烙铁烫了一下似的，火辣辣地疼起来。只得少许吃一点，就端起饭碗来。忽然，小二端上一只花瓷海碗：“剁椒鱼头，窗下那位客官给您叫的。”
那鱼头还未到面前，沈瑄就觉得一股麻辣香气热烘烘扑鼻而来，几乎呛死。瞥了一眼，只见一碗红得发黑的油汤晃来晃去，看了就发晕。沈瑄朝窗下那边望去，一个三十岁上下，虎背熊腰的风尘侠士笑眯眯地瞧着他，面前也摆了同样一碗剁椒鱼头。那侠士朝他拱了拱手，就径自把筷子伸到碗里，竟是吃得津津有味。沈瑄明白了，那人笑自己不敢吃辣椒。
究竟是少年气盛，看见那人得意洋洋的吃相，沈瑄的心不免高了起来。不就是吃一只鱼头，又能如何？
当下就把那海碗端到面前来。吃了第一口，才知道那炒青菜真的不算什么。他不敢细品滋味，只吞下去拉倒。刚咽时还不觉什么，但只一会儿，熊熊大火就从咽喉烧了上来，双唇烫得不敢碰一碰筷子。这哪里是吃饭，简直是受罪。但沈瑄是个不肯低头的人。既然吃了第一口，就一定要吃完。他气聚丹田，神形归一，一心一意对付起那鱼头来。拼了一回，居然就消灭完了。只觉得脑子里嗡嗡作响，两个太阳穴都胀了起来。舌头早是辣得没了知觉。看见茶壶在桌上，忙忙地倒了一大杯漱口。再看那侠士，也吃完了鱼，竟然拿起勺子一勺一勺地舀那红红的鱼汤喝，还满脸笑嘻嘻怡然自得的样子。沈瑄知道这场比拼还没完，也不找汤勺了，索性端起碗来喝那鱼汤。这鱼汤比起鱼头来，何止又辣了十倍。沈瑄闭上眼咕噜咕噜喝完，回过头，连肚肠都要抽搐起来。他拼命的想有什么药可以止辣的，无如脑子都被辣得麻木了，转也转不动。只得又倒茶喝，却发现茶也喝净了，遂大声叫道：“小二，倒茶呀！”
那侠士听见，端着一只酒壶就踱了过来：“小兄弟，茶水可不解辣，除非是这个。”就向沈瑄的空茶杯了倒了满满一杯白酒。沈瑄向来很少喝酒，更别说这样大一杯了。可此时辣得几乎神志不清，舌头也转不过来了，于是一言不发，接过酒一气喝了个干净。这烈酒一般是火辣，从胃里暖烘烘地逼上来，与辣椒不差什么。可是酒劲过去，的确觉得神清气爽，痛快淋漓。他不由得冲那侠士笑了起来。
那侠士哈哈大笑，就在沈瑄对面坐下，招呼道：“小二，添酒！再来两碗剁椒鱼头！”
从日落到上灯，从上灯到二更，沈瑄与侠士比赛吃辣椒，消灭了七八碗鱼汤，后来索性叫小二将一串一串的干辣椒将来下酒。沈瑄吃一口辣椒，就喝一大碗烈酒，越是辣得不行，越是放不下，觉得平生从未这样畅快刺激过，什么忧愁烦恼，离情别绪统统抛到了九霄云外。那侠士看他喝酒豪爽，也兴致勃勃，一杯一杯的相陪。沈瑄第一次放量，也不晓得什么时候是不胜酒力，只知酒中意气，酣畅胸襟。然而终于渐渐不支起来。
沈瑄醒来时，仍是夜晚。自己却躺在一间客房的床上，墨额琴摆在身边。
“小兄弟，醒了就起来喝口茶。”
沈瑄一看，那个侠士独自坐在屋角，面对墙壁不知做什么，这时转身走过来，又笑道：“你可醉了整整一天啦。”
沈瑄喝着茶，不觉不好意思起来，却看见窗外一轮明月已飞上碧霄，照得大地如银，流光若水。侠士道：“不过你的酒量也真不小，我走南闯北倒很少碰见可以与我喝上十斗酒的人。小兄弟，你叫什么名字？”
沈瑄遂说了，又问侠士的名讳，那人一笑：“我叫叶清尘。清尘浊水的清尘。本是姑苏人氏。”
沈瑄道：“我还以为叶兄不是湖南人就是四川人呢！”
叶清尘摇着头笑道：“我平生漂泊放浪，好酒嗜辣，难怪你觉得我不像姑苏人。沈兄弟，休怪我说你，酒逢知己，千杯犹少；酒入愁肠，徒损心力。再不可如此了。”
叶清尘立在窗下，双目炯炯。沈瑄看他灰布衣衫，披发散乱，全是风霜之色，但脸上威武英华，说话诚恳磊落，遂道：“叶兄说的是。小弟前日借酒浇愁，未免太颓丧了。不过既见叶兄，也算酒逢知己，是以平生第一回喝了这许多呢！”
叶清尘道：“人生不如意，十有八九。又何必事事上心？良辰美景，当须一尽豪情欢谑。我此时倒要请沈兄弟弄一回你的七弦琴，你可有兴致？”
沈瑄这时心里光风霁月的，遂洋洋洒洒地拨了一曲《河颂》。叶清尘凝神听毕，笑道：“你今日果然心情好，大没有前些日子楚囚相泣之音。”
沈瑄道：“这还是叶兄美酒辣椒的功劳。”忽然觉得不对，“你怎么知道我……”
叶清尘哈哈一笑，道：“实不相瞒，我为了听你的琴曲，可跟踪你十几天了！”
沈瑄虽然没多少江湖经验，心思却也细致。倘若有人真的跟了他十几天，他不会无知无觉，当下有些诧异。叶清尘见他不信，遂道：“初二那日夜里，你先弹的一曲《猗兰操》，然后就把一曲我也不知甚名的曲子练了一遍又一遍，直到四更天。最后却是一曲《离鸿操》结尾，情状甚是哀怨。你那不知名的曲子，练到第四日上已十分精熟，于是你又练另一首曲子，夜夜如是。这个曲子与前一首似是同属一套大曲，但尽你推敲琢磨，意境却有了一些变化，前一曲壮士悲歌，犹如燕赵之士易水击节，血溅千里，后一曲堂皇激越，好似海潮一来，汹涌澎湃，山鸣谷应。有时我听你练习另一曲，又是哀绵宛转，铮铮侠骨偏裹了一团儿女柔肠。直到你练到第四曲，忽然又变成了淡泊隐逸，宁静致远，像是烟水山岚间渔樵问答一般。”
沈瑄听他说得不错，哀婉的是《青草连波》，慷慨的是《丹阳碧水》，激越的是《彭蠡回籁》，淡泊的是《太湖渔隐》。叶清尘又道：“那天夜里我在鄱阳湖畔听见你弹琴，觉得从未听过如此绝妙的音乐。尤其是那不知名的曲子，仿佛吟咏山川湖泽，然而寄意深远，荡气回肠，非常人所为。我本来是要去洞庭湖访友的，听了你的琴曲却欲罢不能，只好一路跟了过来。”
沈瑄听着笑了：“小弟眼拙，从未发现过叶兄。我一向只弹琴给自己听，想不到叶兄却是知音之人，千里相随，厚意难当。叶兄也是此道中人么？”
叶清尘道：“呵呵，我没有练过几天琴，只是爱听。”
沈瑄将墨额琴递了过去，叶清尘也不推辞，铮铮琮琮弹了一段。虽然技艺不甚精巧，但胸臆宽广，豪气干云。沈瑄听着，此时英雄意气，觉得说不尽的投合，高声道：“如此豪情，当有酒添兴！”
叶清尘也喝道：“好！”
两人倒尽桌上残酒，各满饮了一大杯，相视而笑。叶清尘道：“沈兄弟，你我虽是初识，难得以琴为由，这等投缘。我与你拜作金兰兄弟如何？”
沈瑄此时热血沸腾，岂有不愿的？当下两人叙了年齿，叶清尘比沈瑄大了七岁，自然是大哥。两人也不备什么香烛酒礼，只对着一天明月拜了八拜，就是生死之交了。叶清尘从怀中取出一物，道：“我浪迹江湖，也只这个鬼脸木雕陪伴，如今便送给你吧。”
那晚两人就不曾再睡，只是月下长谈。沈瑄本来没有什么朋友兄弟，那钱丹又终究是少年脾性，如今竟然平白得了一个大哥，简直是喜不自胜。便将自己的经历一一说出，只除蒋灵骞不提。叶清尘听过，道：“原来你竟然是当年烟霞主人沈大侠的孙子，难怪不凡。只是你漂泊江湖，终究不是长计。我这几日看你根骨虽好，内功也不错，但功夫亟待长进。你何不回三醉宫去，请吴剑知吴掌门指点你正宗的洞庭武功呢？吴掌门端方和善，人品极好，你又是他外甥，他一定会好好教你的。”
沈瑄道：“我早有此意，只是……”
“只是什么？”叶清尘眯眼道，“近乡情怯？”
“也许吧。”沈瑄道。他小时对吴剑知的印象很淡薄，依稀记得是个严肃方正的人，对自己并不亲厚。后来隐居葫芦湾，母亲也很少提及这个兄长。不过一路上留心一些江湖传言，吴剑知的口碑是很不错的，人称“洞庭书仙”，是君山上第一个君子。
叶清尘“呵呵”地笑了一阵子，正色道：“那么我带你去。正好，我也要上门拜访吴掌门。”