Chapter 19 The Eighteenth Round
Ah Jiu was taken aback, and asked in a trembling voice: "What's the matter?" A court lady called: "Your Highness, are you okay?" Ah Jiu said: "I'm asleep, what's the matter?" The court lady said: " Someone saw an assassin sneaking into our bedroom." Ah Jiu said: "Nonsense, what assassin?" Another female voice said: "Your Highness, let the servants come in and have a look!"
Yuan Chengzhi whispered in Ah Jiu's ear: "He Tieshou!" Ah Jiu said loudly: "If there are assassins, can I still be so safe and sound? Go, don't mess around here!" Everyone outside the door listened The princess lost her temper and dared not speak again.
Yuan Chengzhi walked to the window gently, opened the corner of the curtain, and wanted to rush out of the room. With a movement of his hand, a burst of fire was dazzling, and there were more than a dozen eunuchs holding torches guarding outside the window.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I want to break out, who can stop it? But this will tarnish the princess's reputation, so it must not be allowed." He immediately stepped back and said softly to Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiuxiu frowned, and said in a low voice: "Don't be afraid, just stay here a little longer." Yuan Chengzhi had to sit down again.
Not long after, someone knocked on the door again.Ah Jiu said sharply, "What are you doing?" This time it was Cao Huachun's voice who answered, "The Emperor heard that there were assassins entering the palace, and he was very worried, so he ordered his servants to come and greet His Highness." Ah Jiu said: "Don't dare Work for Eunuch Cao. Please go back, I am fine here." Cao Huachun said: "Your Highness is a body of ten thousand gold, so it is better to let the slaves come in and check." Ah Jiu knew that Yuan Chengzhi must have been seen when he came in, yes Because they insisted on investigating, they hated Cao Huachun for meddling in his own business, but they never imagined that he would provoke the emperor tonight.Cao Huachun knew that the princess had martial arts skills and knew people from all corners of the country. He Tieshou reported that someone had escaped into the princess's bedroom. He was afraid that the princess had invited her to help him, so he had to find out.
Cao Huachun was extremely powerful in the palace, and the princess had no choice but to defy him. She pondered for a while, and gestured to Yuan Chengzhi, ordering him to go to bed and get under the quilt.Yuan Chengzhi had no choice but to take off his shoes, put them in his arms, went to bed and lay down, pulled the embroidered quilt to cover his body, and felt a burst of sweet fragrance, which penetrated straight into his nose.
Outside the room, Cao Huachun kept urging him.Ah Jiu said: "Okay, come and see!" He took off his coat, walked over and unlatched the door, then jumped on the bed with a stride, grabbed the quilt and covered him.
Yuan Chengzhi suddenly felt that Ah Jiu was sleeping next to him, with his clothes sticking to his clothes. When the skin under his feet touched, he felt soft and greasy, and his heart rippled, but he knew that Cao Huachun and He Tieshou had entered the room, so he didn't dare to move Feel Ah Jiu's body trembling slightly.
Ah Jiu pretended to be sleepy, yawned, and said, "Eunuch Cao, thank you for your trouble."
Cao Huachun looked around in the room, but he didn't see anything unusual.
He Tieshou pretended to be careless, dropped his handkerchief on the ground, bent over to pick it up, and put one under the bed.Ah Jiu said with a smile: "I also checked under the bed. I didn't hide an assassin, right?" , Startled in my heart, I hurriedly turned my head, staring at Ah Jiu's bright face with two eyes, full of malicious mockery and laughter.Ah Jiu's face was blushing, and she dared not raise her head when she saw it.
Cao Huachun said: "His Royal Highness is safe and sound here, so the emperor can rest assured. Let's go to other places to check." He said to the four court ladies: "Here with His Highness, don't leave for a while. Even if His Highness has an order, don't be lazy and go out. Do you know?" The four maids leaned over and said, "Listen to your father-in-law." Cao Huachun, He Tieshou and the rest of the court ladies saluted and left the palace.
Ah Jiu said: "Put down the tent, I'm going to sleep!" The two maids came over and put down the gauze tent lightly, added some sandalwood to the stove, lit red candles, and sat in the corner of the room cuddling each other.
Ah Jiu was joyful and shy at the same time. Unexpectedly, she slept in the bed with the person she loved day and night. She couldn't help but be fascinated. The heart is also like green smoke floating in the air.She didn't dare to turn her body, and she just said in her heart: "Is this real? Or am I dreaming again?" After a long time, Yuan Chengzhi whispered: "What should I do? I have to find a way out!"
Ah Jiu hummed, and smelling the manly breath on his body, she couldn't feel a burst of joy, and it went straight to her heart, and she leaned towards him gently, when suddenly she touched something cold on her left arm and left leg, and ate it. Surprised, he stretched out his hand to touch it, and found an unsheathed sword lying horizontally between the two of them, and quickly asked in a low voice, "What is this?"
Yuan Chengzhi said: "I told you, don't take offense." Ah Jiu said: "Who is to blame you?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "I broke into your bedroom by accident and was forced to sleep in the same quilt. Forced, I am not a frivolous and rude person." Ah Jiu said: "Who blames you! Take the sword away and don't cut me." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Although I hold myself with courtesy, I am like you. I'm afraid I won't be able to control it..." Ah Jiu laughed in a low voice, "So you put a sword in the middle...Silly...silly brother!"
Afraid of being heard by the maids outside the tent, the two of them buried their heads in the quilt and whispered.
Yuan Chengzhi only felt that Ah Jiu was blowing like blue, and her soft hair brushed his face, his heart fluttered, and he secretly warned himself: "Young brother has such affection for you, why don't you have evil thoughts? Hurry up and find some serious things. Say." Quickly asked: "Who is Lord Cheng?" Ah Jiu said: "It's my uncle." Yuan Chengzhi said: "That's it. They want to embrace him as the throne, do you know?"
Ah Jiu said in surprise: "What? Who?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Cao Huachun had an affair with Prince Rui of Manchuria, and wanted to use Qing soldiers to attack the Chuangjun." Ah Jiu said angrily: "Is there such a thing? The Manchus have What's good? You don't want us to make our country better." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Yes, the emperor refuses to agree, Cao Huachun and the others want to support King Cheng to ascend the throne..." Ah Jiu said: "That's right, Prince Cheng is stupid and stupid, he will definitely Promise to borrow troops to eliminate thieves." Yuan Chengzhi said: "I'm afraid they will make trouble tonight." Ajiu was taken aback, and said: "Tonight? That's very critical. Let's go and report to Father. "
Yuan Chengzhi closed his eyes and said nothing, hesitating in his heart.Chongzhen is the one who killed his father and enemy. For more than ten years, he has never thought of killing himself to avenge the sea of blood. At this time, there is a sudden internal change in the palace. However, if Cao Huachun and other treacherous schemes succeed, they will enter the customs with the help of Qing soldiers, and the righteous deeds of Chuang Wang are bound to suffer great setbacks.If the Qing soldiers drove straight in and King Chuang couldn't resist it, wouldn't it mean that China fell and the descendants of the Yellow Emperor fell into the hands of the Hulu?
Ah Jiu gave him a light push on the shoulder, and said, "What are you thinking? We have to take the lead and put out the villain's conspiracy." Yuan Chengzhi was still hesitating.Ah Jiu whispered: "As long as you don't forget me, I... I will always... yours... we will... there will be times like this in the future." As she spoke, she slowly leaned her head over, and her left cheek touched his right cheek.
Yuan Chengzhi was startled, and thought: "It turns out that she suspected that I was greedy for tenderness and refused to get up. Well, let's go and see the situation first." He whispered: "You ordered the maids' acupuncture points and covered their eyes with the quilt , let's go out." Ah Jiu said: "Where is the order? I don't know."
Yuan Chengzhi had no choice but to hold her right hand and lead her to touch the end of the eleventh rib on his chest. When he held her hand, he felt smooth and soft, as if boneless, and said: "This is the end of the chapter. The door point, you can tap this part with your knuckles, and they will not be able to move. Don’t use too much force, or you may lose your life.”
Ah Jiu worried that his father was in danger, so he hurriedly lifted the tent and got out of bed.The four maids stood up and said, "What does Your Highness want?" Ah Jiu walked to the brocade curtain, called the maids over one by one, and hit each of the acupoints according to the method taught by Yuan Chengzhi.The last percussion position was not correct, and he called out with a loud sound.Ah Jiu covered her mouth with one hand, touched the acupoints before hitting her, which made her faint.She came out from behind the brocade curtain, and Yuan Chengzhi had put on his shoes and got off the bed.The two opened the curtains, saw no one outside the window, and jumped out together.
Ah Jiu said: "Come with me!" He led Yuan Chengzhi to Qianqing Palace.When approaching the gate of the palace, he saw vague figures in front of him, about hundreds of people gathered.Ah Jiu said in surprise: "The rebels have surrounded the royal father's bedroom, go quickly!" The two rushed quickly.
After running for more than ten zhang, a eunuch came up to greet her. Seeing that it was Princess Changping, she was taken aback, but seeing that she had only one entourage, she didn't care, bowed and said, "Isn't Your Highness still resting?"
Yuan Chengzhi and Ah Jiu saw that there were eunuchs and guards standing around the Qianqing Palace, all of them holding weapons, and knew that the matter was critical.Ah Jiu shouted: "Get out of the way!" With a shake of his right hand, he pushed the eunuch away and rushed over.Several guards guarding outside the palace gate were about to stop them, but Yuan Chengzhi pushed them away.The guards did not dare to use force, so they hurriedly reported to Cao Huachun.
Cao Huachun planned to support King Cheng, but he himself did not dare to show up, and only secretly commanded outside. Hearing that Princess Changping had entered the Qianqing Palace, he thought that even a young girl would not hinder the big event, so he ordered the guards to step up their defenses.
Ah Jiu took Yuan Chengzhi to Chongzhen's study room where he usually reviewed memorials.
When I came outside the room, I saw more than a dozen eunuchs and guards around the door, with blood all over the floor, and seven or eight corpses lying there, presumably the guards loyal to the emperor were shot to death.When everyone saw the princess, Ah Jiu took Yuan Chengzhi's hand and rushed into the study.A guard shouted: "Stop!" He raised his knife and chopped off Yuan Chengzhi's right arm.Yuan Chengzhi turned sideways and slapped him on the chest. The guard fell straight out, and Yuan Chengzhi had already brought him to the door of the study.
I saw the candlelight in the room was bright, and more than ten people were standing.Ah Jiu yelled, "Father!" and ran towards a man in a yellow robe and a black satin bonnet.Yuan Chengzhi looked at this man and saw that he was about thirty-five or six years old, with a handsome face, mixed expressions of shock and anger, and thought: "This is my father-killing enemy Emperor Chongzhen."
Before Ah Jiu could get close to the emperor, two Jinyi guards stopped him with their knives.
Chongzhen suddenly saw his daughter coming, and said, "What are you doing here? Get out quickly."
A fat man in his thirties with a thick beard said: "The bandit soldiers have already broken through Tongguan, and they will arrive at the capital in just a few days. You still refuse to borrow troops to destroy the bandits. What is your intention? You will definitely kill me tomorrow." Give your hands to the intruder, don't you?"
Ah Jiu said angrily: "Uncle, how dare you be rude to the emperor!" Yuan Chengzhi knew that this was King Cheng who was plotting to usurp the throne.
I only heard the fat man laughing and said: "Husband? He wants to ruin the country handed down by Emperor Taizu. All of us surnamed Zhu will not tolerate him." He drew half of the saber with a bang, raised his eyebrows angrily, and shouted sharply: "What's the matter? It's decided with one word!"
Chongzhen sighed and said: "I have no morals and incompetence, which caused great chaos in the world. Although the bandit soldiers came to Beijing, the country will be overthrown, and the soldiers will surely endanger the country. It is not a pity that I die to thank the people of the country. It is just the foundation of the ancestors. So I handed over to others..."
King Cheng drew his sword out of its sheath, took a step closer, and shouted: "Then you immediately issue an edict, let the Zen throne be given over to the virtuous!" Chongzhen trembled, and shouted: "Are you going to kill the king and usurp the throne?"
King Cheng winked, and a Jinyi guard pulled out a long knife, and shouted: "The king has no way, everyone can kill him!"
Yuan Chengzhi's heart trembled when he heard his accent, and he could see clearly under the candle that this person was Mrs. An's husband, An Jianqing.
Ah Jiu yelled angrily, grabbed the chair, stood in front of his father, and parried three swords from An Jianqing one after another.All the guards brought by King Cheng rushed forward one after another.Seeing that Ah Jiu couldn't support it, Yuan Chengzhi rushed into the crowd, raised his left arm, and shook the two guards out of the way, and handed the Golden Snake Sword to Ah Jiu with his right hand, and stood beside Chongzhen to protect him.More than a dozen Jin Yiwei rushed forward to kill the emperor, but he punched and kicked all of them, causing their tendons to be broken.With the treasured sword in his hand, Ah Jiu lifted his spirits, and cut off An Jianqing's long knife in a few moves.
King Cheng saw that the great event had been accomplished, but Princess Changping came suddenly and brought a person with such high martial arts skills to escort him, and shouted: "Outsiders, come quickly!"
He Tieshou, He Hongyao, Mr. Lu Qi and the four elders of the Wen family entered in response, and they were all shocked when they saw Yuan Chengzhi suddenly.Wen Fonda's eyes were about to burst into flames, and he shouted loudly: "Take care of this kid first!" The four brothers surrounded him.
Ah Jiu retreated to his father's side, relying on the sharpness of the sword, the enemy was decisive, and King Cheng's subordinates did not dare to attack for a while.But she saw more and more enemies.Yuan Chengzhi was caught by five or six masters of the other side, and he couldn't help him. The situation was very critical, and he was in a panic when he suddenly saw an old woman with an ugly face and a beggar's attire with fierce eyes, raised her hands, and showed a sharp look. Claw, shouted: "Give back the Golden Snake Sword!"
Yuan Chengzhi had already made up his mind at this time, and there were priorities. In any case, the emperor must be rescued first, so that the conspiracy to lure the Qing soldiers into the customs could not succeed. After the king entered Beijing, he would kill Chongzhen to avenge his father. The great righteousness of following the family and prioritizing public affairs and private interests.But the martial arts of the four elders of the Wen family are already very strong, and together with Mr. Lu Qi and He Tieshou, they couldn't take care of themselves immediately. Seeing Ah Jiu's hair disheveled and dancing wildly with his sword in his busy schedule, he gradually couldn't resist He Hongyao's fierce attack, and suddenly had an idea With one move, he dodged a few times, avoiding the cigarette pouch that Mr. Lu Qi dropped on his head and the steel rod swept by Wen Fangshan, and rushed to He Tieshou.
He Tieshou smiled and said: "We attack more with less, I'm sorry!" He said with a hook.Yuan Chengzhi turned his head to avoid it, and shouted: "Are dozens of your believers dying?" He Tieshou was startled, and jumped out of the circle, and Yuan Chengzhi followed.
Wen Fonda's twin halberds stabbed at the back of his heart.Yuan Chengzhi said to He Tieshou: "You stop them for me!" A brother surnamed Xia?" He Tieshou has been infatuated with Qingqing's handsome appearance since he saw Qingqing's handsome appearance, and he couldn't help himself. The iron hook slammed towards Wen Fangwu.
Unexpectedly, Wen Fangwu expected that she would turn against him suddenly, and in shock, the whip rolled upside down to block her iron hook.But He Tieshou's move was so fierce, and he attacked him unprepared, with just one hook, he cut a hole in Wen Fangwu's left arm.The hook was highly poisonous, and within a moment, Wen Fangwu's face was pale, his left arm was numb, his body was on the verge of falling, he kept rubbing his eyes with his right hand, and shouted, "I can't see...I...I've been poisoned!" The old brothers were concerned, and had no time to attack the enemy, so they rushed to support them.
Yuan Chengzhi immediately moved out slowly, seeing that the poison on He Tie's hand hook was so powerful, he didn't feel startled, and when he turned his head, he saw Ah Jiu panting again and again, desperately resisting the pincer attack of He Hongyao and An Jianqing, seeing that he couldn't hold it, immediately He flew forward obliquely, grabbed He Hongyao's vest, and threw her straight out.An Jianqing was stunned, but was stabbed in the left leg by Ah Jiu's sword, and fell to the ground.
Over there, He Tieshou had fought Mr. Lu Qi, and Mr. Lu Qi, seeing Wen Fangwu's tragic poisoning, became more and more discouraged the more he beat him, he raised the pipe and waved it three times, jumped out of the circle, and shouted: "I'm sorry! "He Tieshou said with a smile: "Mr. Lu Qi, goodbye, goodbye!"
At this time, Wen Fang realized the poison and passed out.The three elders of the Wen family couldn't help but be terrified. With a signal, Wen Fangyi picked up the fifth younger brother. Wen Fangda and Wen Fangshan rushed out of the study one by one to open the way and the other to break.He Tieshou chased it out, took out a bag of things from his arms, and shouted: "This is the antidote, go on." Wen Fangshan turned around and caught it.He Tieshou returned with a smile.
In this way, the offense and defense are in a different situation.Yuan Chengzhi and Ah Jiu beat Jin Yiwei to pieces and fled in all directions.
When the gate of the palace opened, Cao Huachun suddenly led a group of soldiers from the Beijing camp and rushed in.Seeing the enemy's crowd, Yuan Chengzhi shouted: "Ah Jiu, Master He, let's protect the emperor and rush out." Ah Jiu and He Tieshou agreed.The three of them stood at Chongzhen's body for a week, and were about to move forward to seize the road, when Cao Huachun suddenly shouted: "The daring traitor, how dare you disturb the imperial driver, kill me quickly!"King Cheng was stunned, and shouted: "Eunuch Cao...you...you are not with me..." Before finishing his sentence, Cao Huachun's sword pierced through his chest.At this time, not only the guards in Jinyi were shocked, but Yuan Chengzhi, He Tieshou, and Ah Jiu were even more surprised. Only Chongzhen secretly praised Cao Huachun's loyalty in his heart.
It turned out that Cao Huachun was out to listen to the news, knowing that the general situation was over and the plot to kill the emperor would fail, so he was in a hurry, so he went to lead the guards of the Beijing camp to the Qianqing Palace to rescue him.When Jin Yiwei saw Cao Huachun changing his plan, they all dropped their weapons.Cao Huachun repeatedly shouted: "Take it down, take it down!" All the soldiers took Jin Yiwei down.As soon as he left the gate of the palace, Cao Huachun shouted: "Cut it!" In an instant, all those who participated in the conspiracy were killed, which was exactly his poisonous plan to kill and silence.
Seeing that the situation has been settled, He Tieshou said with a smile: "Yuan Xianggong, tomorrow I will wait for you under the big tree outside Xuanwu Gate!" He said, took He Hongyao's hand, turned around and left.
Chongzhen shouted: "You...you..." He wanted to reward him for his escort, but He Tieshou ignored it and went out of the palace.
Chongzhen turned around and saw his daughter was splattered with blood, but looked at Yuan Chengzhi with a smile. Then he was shocked, sat back in his chair, and asked Ah Jiu: "Who is he? The credit is not small, I... I There must be a big reward." He expected that Yuan Chengzhi would kneel and kowtow, but Yuan Chengzhi ignored it.Ah Jiu tugged at his skirt and said in a low voice, "Thank you quickly!"
Looking at Chongzhen, Yuan Chengzhi remembered that his father gave up his life to defend the country and made great achievements, but was killed by the emperor. He felt extremely sad, angry and resentful. There are quite a few white hairs, the eyes are full of red silk, and the expression is very haggard.At this time, the treacherous conspiracy to seize the throne has been calmed down, and the culprit has been eliminated, but Chongzhen's face only looks restless, not happy.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "He is just suffering as the emperor, and he is not happy at all!"
How did Chongzhen know the many thoughts in Yuan Chengzhi's mind, and said gently: "What's your name? Where is your job?" Seeing Yuan Chengzhi wearing eunuch clothes, he also said that he was a small eunuch.
Yuan Chengzhi settled down, and said awe-inspiringly: "My surname is Yuan, and I am the son of Yuan Chonghuan, the former Minister of the Ministry of War and the governor of Jiliao!" Chongzhen was stunned, as if he didn't hear his words clearly, and asked, "What?" Yuan Chengzhi said: " My late father made great contributions to the country, but he was executed by the emperor." Chongzhen was silent for a while, then sighed: "Now I also regret it." After a while, he said: "What reward do you want?"
Ah Jiu was overjoyed, and gently tugged Yuan Chengzhi's skirt, signaling that he should take the opportunity to ask the emperor to be his son-in-law.
Yuan Chengzhi said angrily: "I saved you for the sake of the country, what reward do I want? Well, yes, the emperor has regretted it, and I beg the emperor to issue an edict to avenge my late father's great injustice."
Chongzhen has a stubborn temper, and it is more difficult for him to admit his mistakes openly than anything else, after hearing this, he fell silent.
At this time, Cao Huachun came in again to ask Sheng'an respectfully, and said that all the rebels had been executed, and he had sent people to arrest the family members of the rebellious Shoucheng King.Chongzhen nodded and said: "Okay, after all, you are loyal."
When Cao Huachun saw Yuan Chengzhi, he felt frightened: "This man is obviously the envoy of the Nine Kings of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. How could he spoil my event?"
Yuan Chengzhi was about to expose Cao Huachun's rebellious plot, but on second thought, Chuang Wang Yijun would go to the capital within a few days, and let this treacherous villain be in power in the palace. Said: "Give me back this sword. I'm going!"
Ah Jiu was in a hurry, not caring that his father and Cao Huachun were by his side, he blurted out: "When will you come to see me again?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Your Highness, take care." He stretched out his hand to take the sword.Ah Jiu shrank his hand and said, "Leave this sword with me for the time being, and I will return it to you when we meet next time." He stared at Yuan Chengzhi's face as he spoke, the meaning in his eyes was very obvious: "You have to come earlier, I will give it back to you." I look forward to it day and night.”
Yuan Chengzhi saw that both Chongzhen and Cao Huachun were surprised, so it was inconvenient to say more, so he nodded and turned to go out.
Ah Jiu chased outside the gate of the palace, and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, I will never let you down." Yuan Chengzhi thought that now is not the time to explain, nor is it the place to talk in detail, and said: "There will be great changes in the world. Living in a deep palace is not as good as going far into rivers and lakes, you have to remember my words." He knew that King Chuang was about to enter the capital, and the palace was the most dangerous place when the army was in turmoil, so he asked her to go out of the palace to avoid disaster.
Unexpectedly, Ah Jiu would miss his meaning because of his deep affection. He lowered his head and said softly, "That's right, I'd rather be at home with you everywhere in the rivers and lakes than enjoy happiness in the palace. When you come next time, Let's... let's discuss it carefully!"
Yuan Chengzhi sighed softly, said no more, waved goodbye, and crossed the wall to leave the palace.I saw torches shining everywhere, orders shouted, and subordinates of the rebellious party were being arrested.
He missed Qingqing, and rushed back to Zhengtiaozi Hutong, only to feel relieved when he saw that Qingqing, Jiao Wan'er, and Luo Liru had returned safely.He was tired all night, and fell asleep when he returned to his room.
When he woke up, it was already the time of the card, and he came out of the hall, and saw Shuiyun and Min Zihua leading sixteen Xiandu disciples waiting in the hall.It turned out that they learned that Yuan Chengzhi's house was attacked by the Five Poison Sect, so they came to help.Yuan Chengzhi said sorry, and told Taoist Huang Mu that most of them are still alive.Everyone in Xiandu was overjoyed.
Yuan Chengzhi asked them to guard the wounded in the house, and walked out of Xuanwu Gate. After a short walk, he saw He Tieshou standing under the tree from a distance. She greeted her with a smile, and said: "Yuan Xianggong, I accomplished your good deed last night, is it enough for a friend?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "The situation was extremely critical last night. Fortunately, Master He helped you with righteousness, so there was no trouble." It's a big mess. Brother is really grateful." He Tieshou smiled and said: "Yuan Xianggong is really blessed. There is such a beautiful princess who loves and loves each other. In the future, she will be appointed as a son-in-law. Do you still recognize friends like us?" "He Tieshou smiled and said: "Ah, it's too late! She looks at you with such affection, who can't see it? Besides, if you don't love her, how can you give her the Golden Snake Sword? You are so desperate to save her father?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "That is for the righteousness of the country." He Tieshou pursed his lips and smiled: "Yeah, sharing the same bed with others, you pity me, and that is for the righteousness of the country. Hee hee!" Yuan Chengzhi blushed immediately, at a loss, and said: "Wow... What? Why do you..." He Tieshou laughed and said, "There is clearly someone hidden in the princess quilt. Are we gangsters blind? Hee hee, I was about to shake it out, but fortunately my eyes flickered , I saw the portrait of Yuan Xianggong. How can I not let go of this friendship?" Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself that the portrait was confiscated so that she could see it; It was even worse when He Tieshou uncovered the quilt. He Tieshou saw that his face was red to the base of his ears, and knew that his face was tender, so he changed the subject and asked, "Has Mr. Xia returned safely?" Let’s teach friends to untie the acupuncture points.” He Tieshou led the way and continued westward, praising Ah Jiu for her beauty along the way. Well, it is of course true that an enlightened master produces outstanding apprentices, not to mention that this enlightened master treats outstanding apprentices with special respect.Yuan Chengzhi let her chatter endlessly without answering.After traveling for more than five miles, I came to Huayan Temple, an ancient temple. There are guards from the Five Poison Sect outside the temple, and they all glared at Yuan Chengzhi when they saw Yuan Chengzhi.Yuan Chengzhi ignored it. After entering the temple, he saw straw mats spread on the Daxiong Hall, and the believers who were injured by him were lying in rows.Yuan Chengzhi unlocked the acupoints for everyone one by one, and said in a loud voice: "Brothers have no enmity with you, but because of a small misunderstanding, I offended you. I apologize to everyone here."Everyone turned their heads and ignored them, neither returning the salute nor answering. Yuan Chengzhi thought that the etiquette had come, so he didn't say much, turned around and came out, and when he turned around, he suddenly saw a pair of poisonous eyes staring fiercely at He Tieshou.This person hid himself in the dark corner of the palace, he couldn't see his figure clearly for a while, only his eyes were shining brightly.Yuan Chengzhi was startled, thinking that the eyes were full of resentment and anger, who is this person?After staring again, the man has slipped into the room, and when he moved, he immediately recognized the old beggar He Hongyao. He Tie palmistry sent out of the temple.Yuan Chengzhi was quite puzzled when he saw that her expression was different, which was quite different from that of Yan Yan who was just talking about it.The two bowed outside the temple gate and said goodbye. Yuan Chengzhi went back from the original road and walked out of Lixu. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, wondering if they had other tricks?I'm afraid that after everyone's acupoints are unlocked, they will not stop harassing them again, so it's better to find out the other party's plot first, so as to be prepared first.Turning south at the moment, walking far behind the Huayan Temple, seeing no one around, jumped in from the back wall, and suddenly heard a loud hissing and whistle. He knew that this was the signal for the gathering of the Five Poison Sect, so he hid behind a big tree for a while, guessing that the congregation had already gathered, and then quietly hid behind the main hall, only to hear a burst of fierce debate coming from the hall . He put his ear on the crack of the door and listened. He Hongyao's voice was sharp and Qi Yun'ao's voice was thick.One said that she was greedy for lust, forgot the deep enmity in the sect, and turned against the sect; He Tieshou sneered slightly, and after listening to the two talking for a while, he said, "What are you going to do?" Everyone fell silent immediately. After a long while, He Hongyao suddenly said: "Establish another leader!" He Tieshou said awe-inspiringly: "For hundreds of years, according to our canon rule, a new leader can only be established after the death of the old leader. So you want me to die?" Everyone was silent.He Tieshou said: "Who wants to be the new leader?" She asked three times, but no one answered.He Tieshou sneered and said: "Whoever can beat me by himself, come out and grab the leader!" Yuan Chengzhi stuck his right eye to the crack of the door and looked in. He saw He Tieshou sitting on the chair alone, and dozens of congregants stood far away, obviously quite afraid of her.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I have fought against each of these people from the Five Poisons Sect, and none of them can match half of her skills. But I am afraid that the leader will not be able to do it for long by relying on force alone." Coax, it's not trying to seek revenge against him and Qingqing, so don't bother, just about to get out of the temple, suddenly saw a flash of cold light, He Hongyao came out more and more, holding a strange weapon in his hand.Yuan Chengzhi saw that the weapon seemed to be a huge pair of scissors. Not only had he never seen it before, he had never heard of it from his master. He didn't know how to use it, so he became curious, and bent over to look again. He Hongyao said coldly: "I don't want to be the leader, and I know I'm not your opponent. But the three ancestors and seven sons of our Five Poison Sect spent forty years of hard work to establish the sect. How hard was that? This sect has been rampant in the south of the sky for more than a hundred years, this foundation has not been easy to come by, and it must not be destroyed in the hands of you, a lowly servant!" He Tieshou said: "What is the crime for insulting the leader?" He Hongyao said: "I don't think you are the leader anymore, come on!" Stretching out his hands, with a sound of cracking, the weapon opened, like scissors The appearance is just that the blades are bent inward, more like a pair of pliers. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and sat still in the chair.He Hongyao jumped forward and made two swallowing sounds, the scissors had already caught it twice.She was afraid of He Tieshou's strong martial arts skills, so she jumped away immediately after missing a single blow.He Tie sat in the chair with his hands in his hands, and only dodged slightly when He Hongyao attacked, but did not fight back.Yuan Chengzhi was feeling strange, his eyes squinted, and seeing dozens of congregants each holding their weapons and gradually approaching, he realized that He Tie was guarding the door tightly to prevent everyone from besieging.Because of the narrow opening in the door, he could only see a place in the hall, and presumably the congregation had surrounded her in all directions. Everyone was in a stalemate for a moment, and no one dared to rush forward.He Hongyao shouted: "Useless things, what are you afraid of? Come on everyone!" She swiped her giant scissors, and everyone shouted forward.He Tieshou jumped up quickly, only to hear the sound of ping-pong, and the chair had been smashed to pieces by several weapons.The two congregants screamed one after another, and were injured by the hook.The hall was full of dust, and He Tieshou, a white shadow, was criss-crossing the crowd, and the fight was fierce. Yuan Chengzhi observed the fighting situation of the people in the hall. He had tapped the acupoints of all the sects except He Hongyao, and they were tired for a long time.If He Tieshou wanted to get out, she shouldn't be embarrassed, but she didn't rush out, as if she wanted to use force to subdue the congregation and punish the traitor. After dismantling dozens of tricks, he suddenly saw a person in the crowd acting strangely.Although this person also attacked with the crowd, his steps were slow, holding something in his hand, and slowly approaching He Tieshou.When Yuan Chengzhi looked carefully, it turned out that this person was Qi Yunao, a poisonous beggar in brocade clothes.All of a sudden, he yelled, and as soon as he sent his hands away, a ray of yellow light was thrown at He Tieshou. He Tieshou dodged sideways, but he didn't know that this hidden weapon was so weird that it could turn and chase in the air.At that time, several weapons attacked at the same time, He Tieshou screamed, and he was hit by a hidden weapon.At this time, Yuan Chengzhi could see clearly that this living hidden weapon was the little golden snake.With a shake of his hand, He Tie quickly stretched out his hand to tear off the golden snake biting his shoulder, fell to the ground, and killed two congregants with two savage hooks.He Hongyao yelled: "This lowly servant girl has been bitten by a golden snake. If everyone catches her, the poison is about to take hold!" He Tieshou stumbled and rushed towards the apse.Although she was poisoned, she was still powerful, and the congregation did not dare to take the risk to stop her for a while.He Hongyao jumped forward, her pair of scissors were like the wind, and went straight to the back of her head.He Tieshou lowered his head and returned a hook.Pan Xiuda and Cen Qisi have blocked her way.He Tie gently pressed his right elbow on his waist, and the "innuendo" poisonous needle shot out.Pan Xiuda dodged without hesitation, before he could shout, he was already killed.He Tie's shoulders were poisoned, he was in a coma, and the iron hooks were dancing wildly. Yuan Chengzhi saw that she was about to die at the hands of these vicious congregants in a blink of an eye, thinking that asking her in the palace last night if she wanted to see her young brother was really a deliberate deception. I can't help but feel apologetic for the honest and upright behavior of a man. The reason why she is betraying her relatives is actually because of what I said last night. Seeing it with my own eyes at this time, how can I just ignore it?Suddenly jumped out and shouted: "Everyone stop!" Seeing him appearing suddenly, the congregation were all shocked and retreated together. He Tieshou was even more confused at this time, and swung his hook to row towards Yuan Chengzhi head-on.Yuan Chengzhi turned to one side, stretched out his left hand, and took her wrist instead.Unexpectedly, her martial arts are superb, and it is natural to advance and retreat when she is avoiding. Although the Venus dances in front of her eyes, when her wrist touches Yuan Chengzhi's fingers, her left arm sinks, and the iron hook stands upside down. It is both ruthless and accurate.Yuan Chengzhi couldn't catch it, and shouted: "I'll save you!" If He Tieshou didn't hear it, the double hooks would attack like a violent storm.Yuan Chengzhi dismantled several tricks, hooked his right foot on her calf, and He Tie fell to the ground with his hands, suddenly opened his eyes, and exclaimed: "Yuan Xianggong, am I dead?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Let's go out!" He took her arm and lifted it up. The sects were watching the fight between the two, and when they saw Yuan Chengzhi rushing out with her support, they uttered a cry and rushed forward one after another. Yuan Chengzhi turned around and shouted: "Who dares to come up!" The congregation were all frightened, and they didn't know who yelled first, and suddenly turned around and fled into the hall in a swarm, closing the door with a bang. Seeing that they were afraid of him like this, Yuan Chengzhi didn't find it funny. When he leaned over to look at He Tieshou, he saw that her left shoulder was swollen, and her snow-white cheeks were covered with black air. He knew that she was deeply poisoned, but he wanted to She was with the poison day and night, and her resistance was very strong, and she could still support her for a while, so she picked her up and ran back to the apartment. Everyone was surprised when they saw that he had suddenly captured He Tieshou.Qingqing said angrily: "Why are you holding her? Don't let go." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Take Bingchan to save her." Jiao Wan'er helped He Tieshou into the inner room to rescue her.Shuiyun and the others were very annoyed and puzzled.Yuan Chengzhi explained the cause and effect, and said: "After she wakes up, she should investigate and understand the matter of Master Huang Mu Taoist." The disciples of Xiandu all thanked him. After a meal, Jiao Wan'er came out and said: "Her poison gas has subsided slowly, but she is still unconscious." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Give her some antidote and let her sleep for a while." Jiao Wan'er agreed and was about to go in when Luo Liru rushed in from the outside and shouted: "Yuan Xianggong, I am overjoyed!" Qingqing smiled and said: "You are overjoyed!" Luo Liru said: "Chuang Wang's army defeated Ningwu Pass. "Everyone cheered together. Yuan Chengzhi asked: "Is the information true?" Luo Liru said: "Brother Zhang in our gang was originally ordered to find... The person who was looking for this Second Master Min happened to be in the middle of breaking into the army to attack a key point, and the offensive and defensive sides fought fiercely. He couldn't get through. Later, he saw the defeat of the Ming army, and Zhou Yuji, the chief soldier who defended the city, was also killed." Yuan Chengzhi said: "That's great, the rebel army will come to the capital in a few days, let's give him a cooperation." In the next few days, Yuan Chengzhi was very busy from day to night, meeting with heroes from all walks of life in central Beijing, assigning deployments, and only waiting for the rebels to come to the city to respond to the incident. When he came back from going out to discuss matters that day, Jiao Wan'er said, "Yuan Xianggong, the leader He is still unconscious." Yuan Chengzhi was taken aback, and said, "It's been many days, why is it not good?" He hurriedly followed Jiao Wan'er into the room Visiting, I saw that He Tieshou looked haggard, bloodless, and was dying. Yuan Chengzhi pondered for a moment, and suddenly shouted: "Ah!" Jiao Wan'er said: "What?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "After ordinary people are poisoned, the poison gas subsides, and they will naturally recover slowly. But she played with poison since she was a child, and she usually took some weird drugs. The medicine, ordinary poisons can't hurt her, but once poisoned, it's the most powerful. I've been busy for days, but I didn't think of this." Jiao Wan'er said: "What should I do?" Yuan Chengzhi hesitated: "Unless the ice toad给她服了，或许还可有救……不过我们靠此至宝解毒，要是再受五毒教的伤害，只有束手待毙了。”焦宛儿也感好生为难。 袁承志一拍大腿，说道：“此人虽然跟咱们无亲无故，但如此眼睁睁的见她送命，终是不忍，给她服了再说。”焦宛儿觉得此事甚险，颇为不安，但袁承志既如此吩咐，自当遵从，于是研碎冰蟾，用酒调了，给她服下去。过不到一顿饭时分，何铁手脸色由青转白，呼吸也已不再气若游丝，慢慢粗重起来。 袁承志知道她这条命是救回来了，退了出去。洪胜海正在找他，一见到，忙道：“袁相公，五毒教找上门来啦！”袁承志眉头一皱，问道：“有多少人？”洪胜海道：“有一个人已到了门外，不知后面还有多少。” 袁承志寻思：“五毒教中除何教主一人之外，余下的武功均不如何高强，只是阴狠毒辣，无所不用其极。他们本来见了我就望风而逃，现下居然找上门来，定是有恃无恐。那冰蟾至宝又给何铁手服了，要是有谁再中了毒，那是无可救治的了。”对洪胜海道：“你去叫大伙儿都聚集大厅，不得我号令，谁也不许出战。”洪胜海应声去了。 袁承志快步出堂，抢出门去，只见一个人赤了上身，下身穿着一条破裤，双手按地，头下脚上的倒立在门口。袁承志见过五毒教教众的许多怪模样，这时也不以为异，眼光往下望时，见是锦衣毒丐齐云璈。只见他肩头、背上、双臂一共插了九柄明晃晃的尺来长尖刀，每把刀都深入肉里，却无鲜血流出。这时锦衣毒丐却成了烂裤毒丐了。 袁承志严加防范，不知他使何妖法，喝问：“你来干甚么？”齐云璈不答，大声念道：“九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠！”袁承志道：“我跟贵教以后各走各路。你们别来纠缠，我也不与你们为难。你快走吧！”齐云璈犹如中邪着魔一般，不住的念：“九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠！”袁承志仔细再看，见每把刀的刀柄上都缚着一件毒物，有的是蝎子，有的是蜈蚣，都在蠕蠕而动。 这时洪胜海已邀集众人，聚在厅中，他独自出来察看。袁承志使了个眼色，洪胜海会意，听清楚了齐云璈的话，返奔入内，与焦宛儿一同来到何铁手室中，问道：“何教主，'九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠'，那是甚么意思？” 何铁手服了冰蟾之后，神智渐复，听得洪胜海的话，忙即坐起，问道：“谁来了？”洪胜海道：“一个上身不穿衣服的叫化子。”何铁手道：“好。你这位姑娘，请你扶我出去。”焦宛儿见她重病初有起色，不宜便即起床，正想劝阻，何铁手摆摆手命洪胜海出房，坐起身来，慢慢穿上长衣。焦宛儿道：“你不能出去。”何铁手道：“你扶我一把。”焦宛儿伸手相扶。何铁手右手一翻，已拿住了她手腕。焦宛儿吃了一惊，手上登如套了一只钢箍，身不由主的随她走到门口，不由得又是害怕，又是钦佩。 何铁手跨出大门，喝道：“你瞧瞧，我不是好好活着么？”齐云璈脸现喜色，双手一挺，在空中翻了个筋斗，仍然头下脚上的倒立。 何铁手道：“你又为甚么来了？你若不是走投无路，也决不会后悔。”齐云璈道：“教主明鉴，小的罪该万死，伤了教主尊体，多蒙三祖七子保佑，教主无恙。” 何铁手喝道：“你只道用金蛇伤了我，我势必丧命，按本教规矩，你便是教主了，是不是？”齐云璈道：“小的该受万蛇噬身大罪，只求教主开恩宽赦。” 何铁手道：“好啦，你去吧！”齐云璈双臂一屈一伸，额角不住碰在地上行礼，砰砰有声。何铁手道：“你为甚么来谢罪？”齐云璈道：“小的不敢相瞒教主。照教中规矩，原该由小的继任教主，但那老乞婆与小的相争，小的敌他不过……”何铁手道：“我早知道你不安好心，现今既已对我归服尽忠，便饶你一命。”说着俯身在他肩头拔起一刀。齐云璈大喜，行了一礼，翻身直立，大踏步去了。 何铁手扶着焦宛儿回到厅中，众人都对刚才的怪事不明所以。何铁手笑道：“他给逼到了穷途末路，在教里已容身不得，才来求我。”青青道：“这些刀子干甚么呀？” 何铁手把刀上缚着的一只蝎子取了下来，拿手帕包了几重，放入怀中，笑道：“这是我们的邪法，各位不要见笑。九柄刀上都有虫豸的剧毒，每一条虫毒性不同，以毒攻毒，只有用原来虫豸的毒汁，再和上别的药材，方能治好。我每天给他拔一柄刀，刀上毒虫就由我收了起来，以后每年端午，他体内毒发，我就给他服一剂解药。”青青点头道：“这样他永远做你的奴仆，不敢起反叛之心。”何铁手笑道：“夏相公料得不错。” 青青又问：“那么他自己把刀拔下来不成么？”何铁手道：“那些刀是他自己插上去的。他来求我拔，就是向我归顺。他曾用金蛇伤我，如不用这九刀大法，知道我决不能饶赦。”青青道：“干么不一次给他拔下来？他身上还有八柄刀，岂不是还得痛上八天？”何铁手笑道：“这人可恶，就是要他多吃点苦头！”顿了一顿，微笑道：“要是夏相公饶了他，明儿我就一齐拔了。”青青道：“由得你吧。我也不可怜这种恶人！” 水云待她们谈得告了一个段落，站起身来，举手为礼，说道：“何教主，我们师父的事，请您瞧在袁相公份上，明白赐告。”此言一出，仙都众弟子都站起身来。 何铁手冷笑道：“袁相公于我有恩，跟你们仙都派可没干系。我身子还没复原，你们是不是要乘人之危？我何铁手也不在乎。”她如此横蛮无礼，可大出众人意料之外。 袁承志向水云等一使眼色，说道：“何教主身子不适，咱们慢慢再谈。”何铁手哼了一声，扶着焦宛儿进房去了。仙都诸弟子气势汹汹，七嘴八舌的议论。袁承志道：“这事交在兄弟身上。黄木道长的下落，我负责打探出来便是。”仙都诸人这才平息。 次日齐云璈又来，何铁手给他拔了一刀，接连数日都是如此。
这数日中，闯军捷报犹如流水价报来：明军总兵姜玮投降，闯军克大同；总兵王承胤、监军太监杜勋投降，闯军克宣府；总兵唐通、监军太监杜之秩投降，闯军克居庸。 那大同、宣府、居庸，都是京师外围要塞，向来驻有重兵防守。每一名总兵均统带精兵数万。崇祯不信武将，每军都派有亲信太监监军，权力在总兵之上。但闯军一到，监军太监和总兵官一齐投降。重镇要地，闯军都是不费一兵一卒而下。 数日之间，明军土崩瓦解，北京城中，乱成一片。 这一日讯息传来，闯军已克昌平，北京城外京营三大营一齐溃散，眼见闯军已可唾手而取北京。
又过数天，齐云璈身上只余下一柄毒刀未拔，中午时分，来到门外。洪胜海禀报进去。这时何铁手已毒清痊愈，众人想看齐云璈身上毒刀拔除之后，何铁手如何对他，都跟她走出大门。何铁手转头对青青笑道：“夏相公，这人虽然本性恶劣，但武功却强，我送给你做奴仆好不好？你有解药在手，他终身不敢违背你半句话。” 青青愠道：“我一个女孩儿家，要这臭男人跟在身旁干甚么？” 何铁手大吃一惊，自识青青以来，见她始终穿着男装，越瞧越是心爱，竟没瞧出她是女子所扮。旁人明知何铁手误会，但都怕她狠毒厉害，谁也不敢稍露口风。袁承志连日忙于迎接闯军的大事，全没想到此节。以致何铁手一直蒙在鼓里，这时听青青一说，呆了半晌，问道：“甚……甚么？”青青道：“我不要。”何铁手颤声道：“你说甚么女孩儿家？” 焦宛儿退开两步，低声道：“何教主，这位是夏姑娘啊。她从小爱穿男装，别说你认不出来，我们大家初次见到，也总当是一位相公。” 何铁手眼前一花，头脑中一阵晕眩，定神细看，见青青面色白腻，双眉弯弯，确是一个美貌女子，不禁又气又恨，心想：“我怎么如此胡涂，竟为一个女子而叛教？弄得身败名裂，我……我也不要活了。”她性子刚硬，心中越气，脸上越是露出笑容，小嘴一张，左颊露出一个酒窝，说道：“我真是胡涂啦！”走下阶石，俯身去拔齐云璈背上最后一柄毒刀。但饶是她要强好胜，终究倏遭大变，心神不定，不由得双足发软，身子一下摇晃。 焦宛儿正要上前相扶，突然路旁一声厉叫，一人蓦地窜将出来，纵到齐云璈身后，一弯腰，又纵了开去。只听齐云璈狂喊一声，俯伏在地，背后那柄尺来长的毒刀已深入背心，直没至刀柄。这一下犹如晴空霹雳，正所谓迅雷不及掩耳，虽有袁承志、程青竹、沙天广、哑巴等许多高手在旁，但没一个来得及施救。 众人齐声惊呼，看那突施毒手的人时，正是老乞婆何红药。却见她啊啊怪叫，左手挥舞，双足乱跳，却总是摔不开咬在她手背上的一条小金蛇。齐云璈抬头叫道：“好，好！”身子一阵扭动，垂首而死。众人瞧着何红药，只见她脸上尽是怖惧之色，一张本就满是伤疤的脸，更加令人不忍多瞧一眼。她右手几番伸出，想去拉扯金蛇，刚要碰到时又即缩回，似乎一碰金蛇的身子便有大祸临头一般。 何铁手只是嘻嘻而笑，袖手不语。何红药白眼一翻，忽地从怀里摸出一柄利刃，刀光一闪，嚓一声，已把自己左手砍下，急速撕下衣襟包住伤口，狂奔而去。 众人见到这惊心动魄的一幕，都呆住了说不出话来。 何铁手弯下腰去，在齐云璈身上摸出一个铁筒，罩在金蛇身上，左手铁钩在何红药的断手上一划，切下金蛇咬住的手背肉，连肉和蛇倒在筒里，盖上塞子。 袁承志问道：“这金蛇是哪里来的？”何铁手微微一笑，说道：“这姓齐的虽然求我收留，但总不放心，怕我见害，因此在第九柄刀旁暗藏金蛇。倘若我给他拔刀，那就罢了，如有加害之意，他便以金蛇反击。哼哼，哪知姑姑却放他不过。总算她心狠得下，切下了自己的手，再迟片刻，就不可救了。”青青道：“你的左手，也是这样割断的么？”何铁手横了她一眼，并不回答，忽地掩面奔入。青青碰了一个钉子，气道：“这人也真怪。” 焦宛儿脸现忧色，低声道：“我去陪陪她，别出甚么乱子。”入内片刻，随即匆匆出来，说道：“袁相公，何教主关在房里，我叫她总是不理。”袁承志道：“让她休息一会吧。”焦宛儿道：“不，我瞧情形不对。”袁承志道：“好，瞧瞧她去。” 三人来到何铁手房外，焦宛儿伸手拍门，里面寂无回音。焦宛儿绕到窗口，往里一张，突然大叫：“不好啦，袁相公，快来！”她语声甫毕，双掌已推开木窗，飞身入去。袁承志和青青跟着跃进。只见何铁手解开衣襟，跪在一尊小小的木雕像面前，右手拿住金蛇，正要放到自己喉头。袁承志右手疾挥，嗤的一声，一枚铜钱破空而去，打入金蛇口中。何铁手一惊，放下金蛇，伏在桌上大哭起来。 青青抢过铁管，把金蛇收入，柔声道：“干么要自寻短见？你教中那些家伙不听你话，你跟我们在一起不好么？”何铁手只是哭泣。袁承志劝道：“何教主，五毒教本是害人邪教。你弃邪归正，跟五毒教一刀两断，那是何等美事，又何必伤心？”这时程青竹等闻声，也都过来劝慰。 何铁手愧恨难当，本想一死了之，但在生命关头突然得人相救，这求死的念头便即消了，双眸仰视，精光四射，笑道：“袁相公，你如肯答应一件事，我就不死啦。” 青青心想：“这人片刻之前正要自杀，哭了一场，忽然又笑，她要大哥甚么呢？啊哟不对，莫非是看中了他！”忙问：“你要他答应甚么？”何铁手道：“袁相公你先说肯不肯。”袁承志道：“不知何教主要兄弟办甚么事。”他也起了疑心，不即答应。 何铁手向青青、焦宛儿一笑，忽地在袁承志面前跪下，连连磕头。袁承志大惊，忙作揖还礼，说道：“快别这样。”何铁手道：“你不收我做徒弟，我就赖着不起来啦。” 青青心头大宽，笑道：“何教主这么厉害的功夫，谁能做你师父啊？”何铁手道：“师父，你不收我这徒弟，我在这里跪一辈子。”袁承志道：“我出师门不到一年，怎能授徒？何教主如不嫌我本领低微，咱们可以互相切蹉，研讨武艺。拜师之说，再也休提。”何铁手直挺挺的跪着，只是不肯起身。袁承志伸手相扶。何铁手手肘一缩，笑道：“我手上有毒！”乌光一闪，铁钩往他手掌上钩去。 袁承志双手并不退避，反而前伸，在间不容发之际，已抢在头里，在她手肘上一托，何铁手身不由自主的腾空而起。但她武功也真了得，在空中含胸缩腰，陡然间身子向后退开两尺，落下地来，仍是跪着。旁观众人见两人各自露了一手上乘武功，不自禁的齐声喝彩。 袁承志道：“何教主休息一会儿吧，我要出去会客。”说着转身出门。何铁手大急，叫道：“你当真不肯收我为徒？”袁承志道：“兄弟不敢当。”何铁手道：“好！夏姑娘，我讲个故事给你听，有人半夜里把图画放在床边。”她一知青青是女子，立时察觉她对袁承志钟情甚深，而袁承志对青青的神态也是非同寻常，便想到床边肖像之事大是奇货可居。 青青愕然不解。袁承志却已满脸通红，心想这何铁手无法无天，甚么事都做得出，自己与阿九的事本来问心无愧，但青年男女深夜同睡一床，这事给她传扬开来，不但青青生气，也败坏了自己和阿九的名声，不由得心中大急，连连搓手。 何铁手笑道：“师父，还是答应了的好。”袁承志无奈，支吾道：“唔，唔。”何铁手大喜，说道：“好呀，你答应了。”双膝一挺，身子轻轻落在他面前，盈盈拜倒，行起大礼来。袁承志为势所迫，只得还了半礼。众人纷纷过来道贺。 青青满腹疑窦，问何铁手道：“你讲甚么故事？”何铁手笑道：“我们教里有门邪法，只要画了一个人的肖像放在床边，向着肖像磕头，行起法来，那人就会心痛头痛，一连三个月不会好。先前师父不肯收我，我就吓他要行此法。”青青觉此话难信，却也无可相驳。 袁承志听何铁手撒谎，这才放心，心想：“天下拜师也没这般要胁的。如她心术不改，决不传她武艺。”当下正色道：“其实我并无本领收徒传艺，既然你一番诚意，咱们暂且挂了这个名，等我禀明师父，他老人家答允之后，我才能传你华山派本门武功。”何铁手眉花眼笑，没口子的答应。 青青道：“何教主……”何铁手道：“你不能再叫我作教主啦。师父，请您给我改个名儿。”袁承志想了一下，说道：“我读书不多，想不出甚么好名字。就叫'惕守'如何？惕是警惕着别做坏事，守是严守规矩、正正派派的意思。”何铁手喜道：“好好，夏师叔，你就叫我惕守吧。”青青道：“你年纪比我大，本领又比我高，怎么叫我师叔？”何惕守在她耳边悄声道：“现下叫你师叔，过些日子叫你师母呢！” 青青双颊晕红，芳心窃喜，正要啐她，忽听得水云与闵子华两人来到房外。众人走了出去。袁承志道：“黄木道长的下落，你对两位说了吧。”何惕守微微一笑，道：“他是在云南大……” 一句话没说完，猛听得轰天价一声巨响，只震得门窗齐动。众人只觉脚下地面也都摇动，无不惊讶，但听得响声接连不断，却又不是焦雷霹雳。程青竹道：“那是炮声。” 众人涌到厅上。洪胜海从大门口直冲进来，叫道：“闯王大军到啦！”只听炮声不绝，遥望城外火光烛天，杀声大震，闯王义军已攻到了北京城外。 袁承志对水云道：“道长，她已拜我为师。尊师的事，咱们慢一步再说……”何惕守道：“黄木道长被我姑姑关在云南大理灵蛇山毒龙洞里。你们拿这个去放他出来吧。”说着拿出一个乌黑的蛇形铁哨来。水云与闵子华听说师父无恙，大喜过望，连忙谢过，接了哨子。何惕守道：“这是我的令符。你们马上赶去，只要抢在头里，云南教众还不知我已叛教，见了这个令符，自会放尊师出来。”水云与闵子华匆匆去了。
两人走了不久，北京城里各路豪杰齐来听袁承志号令。袁承志事先早有布置，谁放火，谁接应，已分派得井井有条。 闯军如何攻城，明军如何守御，各处探子不住报来。过得一会，一名汉子送了一封信来，是李岩命人混进城来递送的，原来他统军已到城外。袁承志大喜，当即派人四出行事。 黄昏间，各人已将歌谣到处传播，只听西城众闲人与小儿们唱了起来：“朝求升，暮求合，近来贫汉难存活，早早开门拜闯王，管教大小都欢悦！”又听东城的闲汉们唱道：“吃他娘，着他娘，吃着不尽有闯王，不当差，不纳粮！”城中官兵早已大乱，各自打算如何逃命，又有谁去理会？听着这些歌谣，更是人心惶惶。 次日是三月十八，袁承志与青青、何惕守、程青竹、沙天广等化装明兵，齐到城头眺望，只见义军都穿黑衣黑甲，数十万人犹如乌云蔽野，不见尽处。炮火羽箭，不住往城上射来。守军阵势早乱，哪里抵敌得住？ 忽然间大风陡起，黄沙蔽天，日色昏暗，雷声震动，大雨夹着冰雹倾盆而下。城上
Yuan Chengzhi asked them to guard the wounded in the house, and walked out of Xuanwu Gate. After a short walk, he saw He Tieshou standing under the tree from a distance. She greeted her with a smile, and said: "Yuan Xianggong, I accomplished your good deed last night, is it enough for a friend?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "The situation was extremely critical last night. Fortunately, Master He helped you with righteousness, so there was no trouble." It's a big mess. Brother is really grateful." He Tieshou smiled and said: "Yuan Xianggong is really blessed. There is such a beautiful princess who loves and loves each other. In the future, she will be appointed as a son-in-law. Do you still recognize friends like us?" "He Tieshou smiled and said: "Ah, it's too late! She looks at you with such affection, who can't see it? Besides, if you don't love her, how can you give her the Golden Snake Sword? You are so desperate to save her father?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "That is for the righteousness of the country." He Tieshou pursed his lips and smiled: "Yeah, sharing the same bed with others, you pity me, and that is for the righteousness of the country. Hee hee!" Yuan Chengzhi blushed immediately, at a loss, and said: "Wow... What? Why do you..." He Tieshou laughed and said, "There is clearly someone hidden in the princess quilt. Are we gangsters blind? Hee hee, I was about to shake it out, but fortunately my eyes flickered , I saw the portrait of Yuan Xianggong. How can I not let go of this friendship?" Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself that the portrait was confiscated so that she could see it; It was even worse when He Tieshou uncovered the quilt. He Tieshou saw that his face was red to the base of his ears, and knew that his face was tender, so he changed the subject and asked, "Has Mr. Xia returned safely?" Let’s teach friends to untie the acupuncture points.” He Tieshou led the way and continued westward, praising Ah Jiu for her beauty along the way. Well, it is of course true that an enlightened master produces outstanding apprentices, not to mention that this enlightened master treats outstanding apprentices with special respect.Yuan Chengzhi let her chatter endlessly without answering.After traveling for more than five miles, I came to Huayan Temple, an ancient temple. There are guards from the Five Poison Sect outside the temple, and they all glared at Yuan Chengzhi when they saw Yuan Chengzhi.Yuan Chengzhi ignored it. After entering the temple, he saw straw mats spread on the Daxiong Hall, and the believers who were injured by him were lying in rows.Yuan Chengzhi unlocked the acupoints for everyone one by one, and said in a loud voice: "Brothers have no enmity with you, but because of a small misunderstanding, I offended you. I apologize to everyone here."Everyone turned their heads and ignored them, neither returning the salute nor answering. Yuan Chengzhi thought that the etiquette had come, so he didn't say much, turned around and came out, and when he turned around, he suddenly saw a pair of poisonous eyes staring fiercely at He Tieshou.This person hid himself in the dark corner of the palace, he couldn't see his figure clearly for a while, only his eyes were shining brightly.Yuan Chengzhi was startled, thinking that the eyes were full of resentment and anger, who is this person?After staring again, the man has slipped into the room, and when he moved, he immediately recognized the old beggar He Hongyao. He Tie palmistry sent out of the temple.Yuan Chengzhi was quite puzzled when he saw that her expression was different, which was quite different from that of Yan Yan who was just talking about it.The two bowed outside the temple gate and said goodbye. Yuan Chengzhi went back from the original road and walked out of Lixu. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, wondering if they had other tricks?I'm afraid that after everyone's acupoints are unlocked, they will not stop harassing them again, so it's better to find out the other party's plot first, so as to be prepared first.Turning south at the moment, walking far behind the Huayan Temple, seeing no one around, jumped in from the back wall, and suddenly heard a loud hissing and whistle. He knew that this was the signal for the gathering of the Five Poison Sect, so he hid behind a big tree for a while, guessing that the congregation had already gathered, and then quietly hid behind the main hall, only to hear a burst of fierce debate coming from the hall . He put his ear on the crack of the door and listened. He Hongyao's voice was sharp and Qi Yun'ao's voice was thick.One said that she was greedy for lust, forgot the deep enmity in the sect, and turned against the sect; He Tieshou sneered slightly, and after listening to the two talking for a while, he said, "What are you going to do?" Everyone fell silent immediately. After a long while, He Hongyao suddenly said: "Establish another leader!" He Tieshou said awe-inspiringly: "For hundreds of years, according to our canon rule, a new leader can only be established after the death of the old leader. So you want me to die?" Everyone was silent.He Tieshou said: "Who wants to be the new leader?" She asked three times, but no one answered.He Tieshou sneered and said: "Whoever can beat me by himself, come out and grab the leader!" Yuan Chengzhi stuck his right eye to the crack of the door and looked in. He saw He Tieshou sitting on the chair alone, and dozens of congregants stood far away, obviously quite afraid of her.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I have fought against each of these people from the Five Poisons Sect, and none of them can match half of her skills. But I am afraid that the leader will not be able to do it for long by relying on force alone." Coax, it's not trying to seek revenge against him and Qingqing, so don't bother, just about to get out of the temple, suddenly saw a flash of cold light, He Hongyao came out more and more, holding a strange weapon in his hand.Yuan Chengzhi saw that the weapon seemed to be a huge pair of scissors. Not only had he never seen it before, he had never heard of it from his master. He didn't know how to use it, so he became curious, and bent over to look again. He Hongyao said coldly: "I don't want to be the leader, and I know I'm not your opponent. But the three ancestors and seven sons of our Five Poison Sect spent forty years of hard work to establish the sect. How hard was that? This sect has been rampant in the south of the sky for more than a hundred years, this foundation has not been easy to come by, and it must not be destroyed in the hands of you, a lowly servant!" He Tieshou said: "What is the crime for insulting the leader?" He Hongyao said: "I don't think you are the leader anymore, come on!" Stretching out his hands, with a sound of cracking, the weapon opened, like scissors The appearance is just that the blades are bent inward, more like a pair of pliers. He Tieshou sneered slightly, and sat still in the chair.He Hongyao jumped forward and made two swallowing sounds, the scissors had already caught it twice.She was afraid of He Tieshou's strong martial arts skills, so she jumped away immediately after missing a single blow.He Tie sat in the chair with his hands in his hands, and only dodged slightly when He Hongyao attacked, but did not fight back.Yuan Chengzhi was feeling strange, his eyes squinted, and seeing dozens of congregants each holding their weapons and gradually approaching, he realized that He Tie was guarding the door tightly to prevent everyone from besieging.Because of the narrow opening in the door, he could only see a place in the hall, and presumably the congregation had surrounded her in all directions. Everyone was in a stalemate for a moment, and no one dared to rush forward.He Hongyao shouted: "Useless things, what are you afraid of? Come on everyone!" She swiped her giant scissors, and everyone shouted forward.He Tieshou jumped up quickly, only to hear the sound of ping-pong, and the chair had been smashed to pieces by several weapons.The two congregants screamed one after another, and were injured by the hook.The hall was full of dust, and He Tieshou, a white shadow, was criss-crossing the crowd, and the fight was fierce. Yuan Chengzhi observed the fighting situation of the people in the hall. He had tapped the acupoints of all the sects except He Hongyao, and they were tired for a long time.If He Tieshou wanted to get out, she shouldn't be embarrassed, but she didn't rush out, as if she wanted to use force to subdue the congregation and punish the traitor. After dismantling dozens of tricks, he suddenly saw a person in the crowd acting strangely.Although this person also attacked with the crowd, his steps were slow, holding something in his hand, and slowly approaching He Tieshou.When Yuan Chengzhi looked carefully, it turned out that this person was Qi Yunao, a poisonous beggar in brocade clothes.All of a sudden, he yelled, and as soon as he sent his hands away, a ray of yellow light was thrown at He Tieshou. He Tieshou dodged sideways, but he didn't know that this hidden weapon was so weird that it could turn and chase in the air.At that time, several weapons attacked at the same time, He Tieshou screamed, and he was hit by a hidden weapon.At this time, Yuan Chengzhi could see clearly that this living hidden weapon was the little golden snake.With a shake of his hand, He Tie quickly stretched out his hand to tear off the golden snake biting his shoulder, fell to the ground, and killed two congregants with two savage hooks.He Hongyao yelled: "This lowly servant girl has been bitten by a golden snake. If everyone catches her, the poison is about to take hold!" He Tieshou stumbled and rushed towards the apse.Although she was poisoned, she was still powerful, and the congregation did not dare to take the risk to stop her for a while.He Hongyao jumped forward, her pair of scissors were like the wind, and went straight to the back of her head.He Tieshou lowered his head and returned a hook.Pan Xiuda and Cen Qisi have blocked her way.He Tie gently pressed his right elbow on his waist, and the "innuendo" poisonous needle shot out.Pan Xiuda dodged without hesitation, before he could shout, he was already killed.He Tie's shoulders were poisoned, he was in a coma, and the iron hooks were dancing wildly. Yuan Chengzhi saw that she was about to die at the hands of these vicious congregants in a blink of an eye, thinking that asking her in the palace last night if she wanted to see her young brother was really a deliberate deception. I can't help but feel apologetic for the honest and upright behavior of a man. The reason why she is betraying her relatives is actually because of what I said last night. Seeing it with my own eyes at this time, how can I just ignore it?Suddenly jumped out and shouted: "Everyone stop!" Seeing him appearing suddenly, the congregation were all shocked and retreated together. He Tieshou was even more confused at this time, and swung his hook to row towards Yuan Chengzhi head-on.Yuan Chengzhi turned to one side, stretched out his left hand, and took her wrist instead.Unexpectedly, her martial arts are superb, and it is natural to advance and retreat when she is avoiding. Although the Venus dances in front of her eyes, when her wrist touches Yuan Chengzhi's fingers, her left arm sinks, and the iron hook stands upside down. It is both ruthless and accurate.Yuan Chengzhi couldn't catch it, and shouted: "I'll save you!" If He Tieshou didn't hear it, the double hooks would attack like a violent storm.Yuan Chengzhi dismantled several tricks, hooked his right foot on her calf, and He Tie fell to the ground with his hands, suddenly opened his eyes, and exclaimed: "Yuan Xianggong, am I dead?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Let's go out!" He took her arm and lifted it up. The sects were watching the fight between the two, and when they saw Yuan Chengzhi rushing out with her support, they uttered a cry and rushed forward one after another. Yuan Chengzhi turned around and shouted: "Who dares to come up!" The congregation were all frightened, and they didn't know who yelled first, and suddenly turned around and fled into the hall in a swarm, closing the door with a bang. Seeing that they were afraid of him like this, Yuan Chengzhi didn't find it funny. When he leaned over to look at He Tieshou, he saw that her left shoulder was swollen, and her snow-white cheeks were covered with black air. He knew that she was deeply poisoned, but he wanted to She was with the poison day and night, and her resistance was very strong, and she could still support her for a while, so she picked her up and ran back to the apartment. Everyone was surprised when they saw that he had suddenly captured He Tieshou.Qingqing said angrily: "Why are you holding her? Don't let go." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Take Bingchan to save her." Jiao Wan'er helped He Tieshou into the inner room to rescue her.Shuiyun and the others were very annoyed and puzzled.Yuan Chengzhi explained the cause and effect, and said: "After she wakes up, she should investigate and understand the matter of Master Huang Mu Taoist." The disciples of Xiandu all thanked him. After a meal, Jiao Wan'er came out and said: "Her poison gas has subsided slowly, but she is still unconscious." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Give her some antidote and let her sleep for a while." Jiao Wan'er agreed and was about to go in when Luo Liru rushed in from the outside and shouted: "Yuan Xianggong, I am overjoyed!" Qingqing smiled and said: "You are overjoyed!" Luo Liru said: "Chuang Wang's army defeated Ningwu Pass. "Everyone cheered together. Yuan Chengzhi asked: "Is the information true?" Luo Liru said: "Brother Zhang in our gang was originally ordered to find... The person who was looking for this Second Master Min happened to be in the middle of breaking into the army to attack a key point, and the offensive and defensive sides fought fiercely. He couldn't get through. Later, he saw the defeat of the Ming army, and Zhou Yuji, the chief soldier who defended the city, was also killed." Yuan Chengzhi said: "That's great, the rebel army will come to the capital in a few days, let's give him a cooperation." In the next few days, Yuan Chengzhi was very busy from day to night, meeting with heroes from all walks of life in central Beijing, assigning deployments, and only waiting for the rebels to come to the city to respond to the incident. When he came back from going out to discuss matters that day, Jiao Wan'er said, "Yuan Xianggong, the leader He is still unconscious." Yuan Chengzhi was taken aback, and said, "It's been many days, why is it not good?" He hurriedly followed Jiao Wan'er into the room Visiting, I saw that He Tieshou looked haggard, bloodless, and was dying. Yuan Chengzhi pondered for a moment, and suddenly shouted: "Ah!" Jiao Wan'er said: "What?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "After ordinary people are poisoned, the poison gas subsides, and they will naturally recover slowly. But she played with poison since she was a child, and she usually took some weird drugs. The medicine, ordinary poisons can't hurt her, but once poisoned, it's the most powerful. I've been busy for days, but I didn't think of this." Jiao Wan'er said: "What should I do?" Yuan Chengzhi hesitated: "Unless the ice toad给她服了，或许还可有救……不过我们靠此至宝解毒，要是再受五毒教的伤害，只有束手待毙了。”焦宛儿也感好生为难。 袁承志一拍大腿，说道：“此人虽然跟咱们无亲无故，但如此眼睁睁的见她送命，终是不忍，给她服了再说。”焦宛儿觉得此事甚险，颇为不安，但袁承志既如此吩咐，自当遵从，于是研碎冰蟾，用酒调了，给她服下去。过不到一顿饭时分，何铁手脸色由青转白，呼吸也已不再气若游丝，慢慢粗重起来。 袁承志知道她这条命是救回来了，退了出去。洪胜海正在找他，一见到，忙道：“袁相公，五毒教找上门来啦！”袁承志眉头一皱，问道：“有多少人？”洪胜海道：“有一个人已到了门外，不知后面还有多少。” 袁承志寻思：“五毒教中除何教主一人之外，余下的武功均不如何高强，只是阴狠毒辣，无所不用其极。他们本来见了我就望风而逃，现下居然找上门来，定是有恃无恐。那冰蟾至宝又给何铁手服了，要是有谁再中了毒，那是无可救治的了。”对洪胜海道：“你去叫大伙儿都聚集大厅，不得我号令，谁也不许出战。”洪胜海应声去了。 袁承志快步出堂，抢出门去，只见一个人赤了上身，下身穿着一条破裤，双手按地，头下脚上的倒立在门口。袁承志见过五毒教教众的许多怪模样，这时也不以为异，眼光往下望时，见是锦衣毒丐齐云璈。只见他肩头、背上、双臂一共插了九柄明晃晃的尺来长尖刀，每把刀都深入肉里，却无鲜血流出。这时锦衣毒丐却成了烂裤毒丐了。 袁承志严加防范，不知他使何妖法，喝问：“你来干甚么？”齐云璈不答，大声念道：“九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠！”袁承志道：“我跟贵教以后各走各路。你们别来纠缠，我也不与你们为难。你快走吧！”齐云璈犹如中邪着魔一般，不住的念：“九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠！”袁承志仔细再看，见每把刀的刀柄上都缚着一件毒物，有的是蝎子，有的是蜈蚣，都在蠕蠕而动。 这时洪胜海已邀集众人，聚在厅中，他独自出来察看。袁承志使了个眼色，洪胜海会意，听清楚了齐云璈的话，返奔入内，与焦宛儿一同来到何铁手室中，问道：“何教主，'九刀穿洞，为奴尽忠'，那是甚么意思？” 何铁手服了冰蟾之后，神智渐复，听得洪胜海的话，忙即坐起，问道：“谁来了？”洪胜海道：“一个上身不穿衣服的叫化子。”何铁手道：“好。你这位姑娘，请你扶我出去。”焦宛儿见她重病初有起色，不宜便即起床，正想劝阻，何铁手摆摆手命洪胜海出房，坐起身来，慢慢穿上长衣。焦宛儿道：“你不能出去。”何铁手道：“你扶我一把。”焦宛儿伸手相扶。何铁手右手一翻，已拿住了她手腕。焦宛儿吃了一惊，手上登如套了一只钢箍，身不由主的随她走到门口，不由得又是害怕，又是钦佩。 何铁手跨出大门，喝道：“你瞧瞧，我不是好好活着么？”齐云璈脸现喜色，双手一挺，在空中翻了个筋斗，仍然头下脚上的倒立。 何铁手道：“你又为甚么来了？你若不是走投无路，也决不会后悔。”齐云璈道：“教主明鉴，小的罪该万死，伤了教主尊体，多蒙三祖七子保佑，教主无恙。” 何铁手喝道：“你只道用金蛇伤了我，我势必丧命，按本教规矩，你便是教主了，是不是？”齐云璈道：“小的该受万蛇噬身大罪，只求教主开恩宽赦。” 何铁手道：“好啦，你去吧！”齐云璈双臂一屈一伸，额角不住碰在地上行礼，砰砰有声。何铁手道：“你为甚么来谢罪？”齐云璈道：“小的不敢相瞒教主。照教中规矩，原该由小的继任教主，但那老乞婆与小的相争，小的敌他不过……”何铁手道：“我早知道你不安好心，现今既已对我归服尽忠，便饶你一命。”说着俯身在他肩头拔起一刀。齐云璈大喜，行了一礼，翻身直立，大踏步去了。 何铁手扶着焦宛儿回到厅中，众人都对刚才的怪事不明所以。何铁手笑道：“他给逼到了穷途末路，在教里已容身不得，才来求我。”青青道：“这些刀子干甚么呀？” 何铁手把刀上缚着的一只蝎子取了下来，拿手帕包了几重，放入怀中，笑道：“这是我们的邪法，各位不要见笑。九柄刀上都有虫豸的剧毒，每一条虫毒性不同，以毒攻毒，只有用原来虫豸的毒汁，再和上别的药材，方能治好。我每天给他拔一柄刀，刀上毒虫就由我收了起来，以后每年端午，他体内毒发，我就给他服一剂解药。”青青点头道：“这样他永远做你的奴仆，不敢起反叛之心。”何铁手笑道：“夏相公料得不错。” 青青又问：“那么他自己把刀拔下来不成么？”何铁手道：“那些刀是他自己插上去的。他来求我拔，就是向我归顺。他曾用金蛇伤我，如不用这九刀大法，知道我决不能饶赦。”青青道：“干么不一次给他拔下来？他身上还有八柄刀，岂不是还得痛上八天？”何铁手笑道：“这人可恶，就是要他多吃点苦头！”顿了一顿，微笑道：“要是夏相公饶了他，明儿我就一齐拔了。”青青道：“由得你吧。我也不可怜这种恶人！” 水云待她们谈得告了一个段落，站起身来，举手为礼，说道：“何教主，我们师父的事，请您瞧在袁相公份上，明白赐告。”此言一出，仙都众弟子都站起身来。 何铁手冷笑道：“袁相公于我有恩，跟你们仙都派可没干系。我身子还没复原，你们是不是要乘人之危？我何铁手也不在乎。”她如此横蛮无礼，可大出众人意料之外。 袁承志向水云等一使眼色，说道：“何教主身子不适，咱们慢慢再谈。”何铁手哼了一声，扶着焦宛儿进房去了。仙都诸弟子气势汹汹，七嘴八舌的议论。袁承志道：“这事交在兄弟身上。黄木道长的下落，我负责打探出来便是。”仙都诸人这才平息。 次日齐云璈又来，何铁手给他拔了一刀，接连数日都是如此。
这数日中，闯军捷报犹如流水价报来：明军总兵姜玮投降，闯军克大同；总兵王承胤、监军太监杜勋投降，闯军克宣府；总兵唐通、监军太监杜之秩投降，闯军克居庸。 那大同、宣府、居庸，都是京师外围要塞，向来驻有重兵防守。每一名总兵均统带精兵数万。崇祯不信武将，每军都派有亲信太监监军，权力在总兵之上。但闯军一到，监军太监和总兵官一齐投降。重镇要地，闯军都是不费一兵一卒而下。 数日之间，明军土崩瓦解，北京城中，乱成一片。 这一日讯息传来，闯军已克昌平，北京城外京营三大营一齐溃散，眼见闯军已可唾手而取北京。
又过数天，齐云璈身上只余下一柄毒刀未拔，中午时分，来到门外。洪胜海禀报进去。这时何铁手已毒清痊愈，众人想看齐云璈身上毒刀拔除之后，何铁手如何对他，都跟她走出大门。何铁手转头对青青笑道：“夏相公，这人虽然本性恶劣，但武功却强，我送给你做奴仆好不好？你有解药在手，他终身不敢违背你半句话。” 青青愠道：“我一个女孩儿家，要这臭男人跟在身旁干甚么？” 何铁手大吃一惊，自识青青以来，见她始终穿着男装，越瞧越是心爱，竟没瞧出她是女子所扮。旁人明知何铁手误会，但都怕她狠毒厉害，谁也不敢稍露口风。袁承志连日忙于迎接闯军的大事，全没想到此节。以致何铁手一直蒙在鼓里，这时听青青一说，呆了半晌，问道：“甚……甚么？”青青道：“我不要。”何铁手颤声道：“你说甚么女孩儿家？” 焦宛儿退开两步，低声道：“何教主，这位是夏姑娘啊。她从小爱穿男装，别说你认不出来，我们大家初次见到，也总当是一位相公。” 何铁手眼前一花，头脑中一阵晕眩，定神细看，见青青面色白腻，双眉弯弯，确是一个美貌女子，不禁又气又恨，心想：“我怎么如此胡涂，竟为一个女子而叛教？弄得身败名裂，我……我也不要活了。”她性子刚硬，心中越气，脸上越是露出笑容，小嘴一张，左颊露出一个酒窝，说道：“我真是胡涂啦！”走下阶石，俯身去拔齐云璈背上最后一柄毒刀。但饶是她要强好胜，终究倏遭大变，心神不定，不由得双足发软，身子一下摇晃。 焦宛儿正要上前相扶，突然路旁一声厉叫，一人蓦地窜将出来，纵到齐云璈身后，一弯腰，又纵了开去。只听齐云璈狂喊一声，俯伏在地，背后那柄尺来长的毒刀已深入背心，直没至刀柄。这一下犹如晴空霹雳，正所谓迅雷不及掩耳，虽有袁承志、程青竹、沙天广、哑巴等许多高手在旁，但没一个来得及施救。 众人齐声惊呼，看那突施毒手的人时，正是老乞婆何红药。却见她啊啊怪叫，左手挥舞，双足乱跳，却总是摔不开咬在她手背上的一条小金蛇。齐云璈抬头叫道：“好，好！”身子一阵扭动，垂首而死。众人瞧着何红药，只见她脸上尽是怖惧之色，一张本就满是伤疤的脸，更加令人不忍多瞧一眼。她右手几番伸出，想去拉扯金蛇，刚要碰到时又即缩回，似乎一碰金蛇的身子便有大祸临头一般。 何铁手只是嘻嘻而笑，袖手不语。何红药白眼一翻，忽地从怀里摸出一柄利刃，刀光一闪，嚓一声，已把自己左手砍下，急速撕下衣襟包住伤口，狂奔而去。 众人见到这惊心动魄的一幕，都呆住了说不出话来。 何铁手弯下腰去，在齐云璈身上摸出一个铁筒，罩在金蛇身上，左手铁钩在何红药的断手上一划，切下金蛇咬住的手背肉，连肉和蛇倒在筒里，盖上塞子。 袁承志问道：“这金蛇是哪里来的？”何铁手微微一笑，说道：“这姓齐的虽然求我收留，但总不放心，怕我见害，因此在第九柄刀旁暗藏金蛇。倘若我给他拔刀，那就罢了，如有加害之意，他便以金蛇反击。哼哼，哪知姑姑却放他不过。总算她心狠得下，切下了自己的手，再迟片刻，就不可救了。”青青道：“你的左手，也是这样割断的么？”何铁手横了她一眼，并不回答，忽地掩面奔入。青青碰了一个钉子，气道：“这人也真怪。” 焦宛儿脸现忧色，低声道：“我去陪陪她，别出甚么乱子。”入内片刻，随即匆匆出来，说道：“袁相公，何教主关在房里，我叫她总是不理。”袁承志道：“让她休息一会吧。”焦宛儿道：“不，我瞧情形不对。”袁承志道：“好，瞧瞧她去。” 三人来到何铁手房外，焦宛儿伸手拍门，里面寂无回音。焦宛儿绕到窗口，往里一张，突然大叫：“不好啦，袁相公，快来！”她语声甫毕，双掌已推开木窗，飞身入去。袁承志和青青跟着跃进。只见何铁手解开衣襟，跪在一尊小小的木雕像面前，右手拿住金蛇，正要放到自己喉头。袁承志右手疾挥，嗤的一声，一枚铜钱破空而去，打入金蛇口中。何铁手一惊，放下金蛇，伏在桌上大哭起来。 青青抢过铁管，把金蛇收入，柔声道：“干么要自寻短见？你教中那些家伙不听你话，你跟我们在一起不好么？”何铁手只是哭泣。袁承志劝道：“何教主，五毒教本是害人邪教。你弃邪归正，跟五毒教一刀两断，那是何等美事，又何必伤心？”这时程青竹等闻声，也都过来劝慰。 何铁手愧恨难当，本想一死了之，但在生命关头突然得人相救，这求死的念头便即消了，双眸仰视，精光四射，笑道：“袁相公，你如肯答应一件事，我就不死啦。” 青青心想：“这人片刻之前正要自杀，哭了一场，忽然又笑，她要大哥甚么呢？啊哟不对，莫非是看中了他！”忙问：“你要他答应甚么？”何铁手道：“袁相公你先说肯不肯。”袁承志道：“不知何教主要兄弟办甚么事。”他也起了疑心，不即答应。 何铁手向青青、焦宛儿一笑，忽地在袁承志面前跪下，连连磕头。袁承志大惊，忙作揖还礼，说道：“快别这样。”何铁手道：“你不收我做徒弟，我就赖着不起来啦。” 青青心头大宽，笑道：“何教主这么厉害的功夫，谁能做你师父啊？”何铁手道：“师父，你不收我这徒弟，我在这里跪一辈子。”袁承志道：“我出师门不到一年，怎能授徒？何教主如不嫌我本领低微，咱们可以互相切蹉，研讨武艺。拜师之说，再也休提。”何铁手直挺挺的跪着，只是不肯起身。袁承志伸手相扶。何铁手手肘一缩，笑道：“我手上有毒！”乌光一闪，铁钩往他手掌上钩去。 袁承志双手并不退避，反而前伸，在间不容发之际，已抢在头里，在她手肘上一托，何铁手身不由自主的腾空而起。但她武功也真了得，在空中含胸缩腰，陡然间身子向后退开两尺，落下地来，仍是跪着。旁观众人见两人各自露了一手上乘武功，不自禁的齐声喝彩。 袁承志道：“何教主休息一会儿吧，我要出去会客。”说着转身出门。何铁手大急，叫道：“你当真不肯收我为徒？”袁承志道：“兄弟不敢当。”何铁手道：“好！夏姑娘，我讲个故事给你听，有人半夜里把图画放在床边。”她一知青青是女子，立时察觉她对袁承志钟情甚深，而袁承志对青青的神态也是非同寻常，便想到床边肖像之事大是奇货可居。 青青愕然不解。袁承志却已满脸通红，心想这何铁手无法无天，甚么事都做得出，自己与阿九的事本来问心无愧，但青年男女深夜同睡一床，这事给她传扬开来，不但青青生气，也败坏了自己和阿九的名声，不由得心中大急，连连搓手。 何铁手笑道：“师父，还是答应了的好。”袁承志无奈，支吾道：“唔，唔。”何铁手大喜，说道：“好呀，你答应了。”双膝一挺，身子轻轻落在他面前，盈盈拜倒，行起大礼来。袁承志为势所迫，只得还了半礼。众人纷纷过来道贺。 青青满腹疑窦，问何铁手道：“你讲甚么故事？”何铁手笑道：“我们教里有门邪法，只要画了一个人的肖像放在床边，向着肖像磕头，行起法来，那人就会心痛头痛，一连三个月不会好。先前师父不肯收我，我就吓他要行此法。”青青觉此话难信，却也无可相驳。 袁承志听何铁手撒谎，这才放心，心想：“天下拜师也没这般要胁的。如她心术不改，决不传她武艺。”当下正色道：“其实我并无本领收徒传艺，既然你一番诚意，咱们暂且挂了这个名，等我禀明师父，他老人家答允之后，我才能传你华山派本门武功。”何铁手眉花眼笑，没口子的答应。 青青道：“何教主……”何铁手道：“你不能再叫我作教主啦。师父，请您给我改个名儿。”袁承志想了一下，说道：“我读书不多，想不出甚么好名字。就叫'惕守'如何？惕是警惕着别做坏事，守是严守规矩、正正派派的意思。”何铁手喜道：“好好，夏师叔，你就叫我惕守吧。”青青道：“你年纪比我大，本领又比我高，怎么叫我师叔？”何惕守在她耳边悄声道：“现下叫你师叔，过些日子叫你师母呢！” 青青双颊晕红，芳心窃喜，正要啐她，忽听得水云与闵子华两人来到房外。众人走了出去。袁承志道：“黄木道长的下落，你对两位说了吧。”何惕守微微一笑，道：“他是在云南大……” 一句话没说完，猛听得轰天价一声巨响，只震得门窗齐动。众人只觉脚下地面也都摇动，无不惊讶，但听得响声接连不断，却又不是焦雷霹雳。程青竹道：“那是炮声。” 众人涌到厅上。洪胜海从大门口直冲进来，叫道：“闯王大军到啦！”只听炮声不绝，遥望城外火光烛天，杀声大震，闯王义军已攻到了北京城外。 袁承志对水云道：“道长，她已拜我为师。尊师的事，咱们慢一步再说……”何惕守道：“黄木道长被我姑姑关在云南大理灵蛇山毒龙洞里。你们拿这个去放他出来吧。”说着拿出一个乌黑的蛇形铁哨来。水云与闵子华听说师父无恙，大喜过望，连忙谢过，接了哨子。何惕守道：“这是我的令符。你们马上赶去，只要抢在头里，云南教众还不知我已叛教，见了这个令符，自会放尊师出来。”水云与闵子华匆匆去了。
两人走了不久，北京城里各路豪杰齐来听袁承志号令。袁承志事先早有布置，谁放火，谁接应，已分派得井井有条。 闯军如何攻城，明军如何守御，各处探子不住报来。过得一会，一名汉子送了一封信来，是李岩命人混进城来递送的，原来他统军已到城外。袁承志大喜，当即派人四出行事。 黄昏间，各人已将歌谣到处传播，只听西城众闲人与小儿们唱了起来：“朝求升，暮求合，近来贫汉难存活，早早开门拜闯王，管教大小都欢悦！”又听东城的闲汉们唱道：“吃他娘，着他娘，吃着不尽有闯王，不当差，不纳粮！”城中官兵早已大乱，各自打算如何逃命，又有谁去理会？听着这些歌谣，更是人心惶惶。 次日是三月十八，袁承志与青青、何惕守、程青竹、沙天广等化装明兵，齐到城头眺望，只见义军都穿黑衣黑甲，数十万人犹如乌云蔽野，不见尽处。炮火羽箭，不住往城上射来。守军阵势早乱，哪里抵敌得住？ 忽然间大风陡起，黄沙蔽天，日色昏暗，雷声震动，大雨夹着冰雹倾盆而下。城上