Chapter 9 The Ninth Pipa Princess

Hu Tiehua rubbed her eyes desperately, and said, "Am I dazzled?" Chu Liuxiang smiled bitterly: "I hope this is not a mirage in our eyes." I only heard bursts of laughter coming from among the trees on the oasis. This is a joyous laughter, but in this cruel and ruthless desert, in the ears of a person who is dying of thirst, this laughter is more mysterious and terrifying than anything else. Hu Tiehua became nervous again, and said, "Could this be Shi Guanyin's secret cave? Apart from this evil spirit, how could there be such a happy person in the desert?"

He waited for a while, but no one else spoke, so he continued: "Besides, she hasn't come to trouble us for the past two days. Could it be that we have already calculated that we will find this place by ourselves?" Chu Liuxiang was silent for a while, then stood up and said, "You guys wait here, I'll go and have a look." Hu Tiehua also stood up and said, "I'll go." Ji Bingyan said coldly: "Is your lightness skill higher than Chu Liuxiang's?" Hu Tiehua sat down and stopped talking. This oasis is not only beautiful, but also not small. In this ugly desert, such a beautiful place suddenly appeared, it is like a myth.

From time to time, laughter like silver bells can be heard among the green leaves. Is this really a fantasy, a demonic realm in mythology? Hidden in the green leaves, could it be those ogre banshees that lure lonely travelers to devour them in mythology? Chu Liuxiang took a long breath, and walked over cautiously. Although his current qinggong has been greatly discounted, he is undoubtedly still a first-class master in the world. He skimmed lightly up the branches. Peering through the dense foliage, he immediately beheld a sight that was alluring, bewildering, and almost unbelievable. There are two clear green ponds, one big and one small.

Beside the larger pond, there are three gorgeous tents, and in front of the tents stand several warriors with golden arms and brilliant armor. Beside the smaller pond, there are several layers of veils surrounding it at the moment, blocking the view from that side. A beautiful long-haired girl is bathing naked in the pond. Chu Liuxiang's breathing almost stopped. At this moment, although he was no longer in the mood to appreciate beauties, the beauty of this naked girl still made him unable not to appreciate it, and unable to be tempted. Her beautiful body, under the sunlight that is gradually slanting to the west, is like a most perfect statue. Drops of crystal water roll along her perfect neck and roll onto her white jade chest, her smile The sound is like a silver bell, and the smile is like a hundred flowers blooming in spring.

There were three or four young girls with long hair, some holding bath towels, some holding gauze clothes, and some holding bath utensils, standing by the pond and smiling coquettishly. They splashed water on each other, and the water splashed with golden light. Chu Liuxiang, who came from hardships, dangers, hunger, thirst, and blood, suddenly saw this scene, and couldn't tell if this was still the world or the sky. In this situation, even Chu Liuxiang didn't know what to do. The girl's face was originally facing that side, at this moment her bright eyes suddenly turned to Chu Liuxiang's side, Chu Liuxiang immediately knew that she had found him.

If other girls found someone peeping, they would definitely cover up and hide, but this girl stood up gracefully like a hibiscus after turning her eyes. Chu Liuxiang's face turned a little red, and she saw the girl's beautiful carcass hidden in the gauze in the hands of the girl by the pool. Then, facing Chu Liuxiang, she said slowly, "Those who peeped, haven't you seen enough?" Her voice is soft and melodious, like an oriole out of the valley, but her accent is slightly jerky, just like a girl from Wu Nong who is just learning Beijing. Chu Liuxiang sighed secretly, smiled wryly and jumped down from the tree. In his entire life, he never felt more embarrassed than this moment.

He really didn't want to be seen as a peeping apprentice, and he didn't want to meet such a beautiful girl under such circumstances. But he couldn't escape, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk over. The girl looked him up and down a few times, her eyes that were already full of anger seemed to have softened a little, she glared at Chu Liuxiang and said, "You are quite courageous, you didn't run away." Chu Liuxiang smiled bitterly and said: "Although I didn't mean it, I feel very ashamed. If I want to escape, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing?"

The girl's eyes flickered, and she said: "So, you came here by pleading guilty?" Chu Liuxiang said: "Exactly." There was a smile in the girl's eyes, and she said slowly: "You are brave enough to admit your mistakes, and you are worthy of being a man, but do you know what crime you committed?" Chu Liuxiang sighed: "Young lady should have separated this side with a veil." The girl's eyes widened again, and she said angrily, "You peeked at me taking a shower, do you still want to blame me now?" Chu Liuxiang said: "I came here unintentionally, how would I know that there is a beautiful woman out of the bath here?"

The girl said: "If you know?" Chu Liuxiang pondered for a while, and said: "If I already knew that there is a beautiful woman like a girl out of the bath here, and also know that there is a side here that is not separated by a veil..." The girl said: "Then you won't come?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "Even if my legs are broken, I might crawl here." That girl was really stunned—how could this hateful man have such a thick skin and such courage?She could never have dreamed that a man would talk like that. She should have been annoyed, but she couldn't be, she wanted to laugh, but she held back, and the hairy girls next to her could no longer hold back their "puchi" laughter.

After laughing, they realized that they shouldn't be laughing, so they put on a straight face and said, "What a bold man, to talk to the princess like that?" The word "princess" really surprised Chu Liuxiang. Chu Liuxiang bowed slightly and said, "I shouldn't have said that, but I'm a man, and he's a man who never lies." The princess's eyes fluttered, and she said slowly: "Unexpectedly, there are men who dare to tell the truth among the Han people. I only heard that in your place, those who have the courage to speak the truth will be looked down upon instead."

Chu Liuxiang sighed secretly. He himself knew that most people in the world would rather value a hypocrite who is full of lies than a real villain who speaks out loud. But he just smiled lightly and said: "In the place of the princess, do you think highly of people who dare to speak the truth?" The princess said: "Yes!" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "Then the princess should be forgiven her innocence." The princess stared at him for a long, long time, and suddenly a smile like a spring flower appeared on her face, and said: "Maybe I will not only forgive your sins, but also treat you as a guest of honor, but it depends on whether you are courageous or not." There's nothing else to do." She tied her hair with her slender hands, turned around and said, "You didn't escape just now, do you dare to follow me now?" In the beautiful tent, light music and joyous laughter could be heard from time to time, and the warrior standing outside the tent stared at Chu Liuxiang like an eagle. At this time, the beautiful princess had already entered the tent and was beckoning to him. Chu Liuxiang smiled and patted the shoulders of these two ferocious warriors, Shi Shiran walked in, but he was already prepared in his heart, no matter how dangerous the tent was, he would not be surprised, in this damn desert Here, he had planned for the worst about everything. But there is not even the slightest sign of danger in this tent. In fact, this tent can be said to be the least dangerous place in the world. There was a soft and beautiful grass outside the tent, but inside the tent was a carpet that was ten times softer and ten times more beautiful than any grass in the world. A few low tables were lined up on the carpet, and the tables were piled up with fresh fruits and wine and vegetables. Several people in fresh clothes were happily sitting on the carpet and drinking. The happiest one was a man in red robes with tendrils and beard and a golden crown on his head. He was sitting high behind a low table in the middle, holding a gold cup in his left hand and embracing the slender waist of a beautiful woman with his right hand. He laughed heartily and said, "Everyone!" Please see, is our Princess Pipa even more beautiful after her new bath?" He turned his eyes, saw Chu Liuxiang, and smiled again: "But my dear daughter, who is this guest you brought? I remember that there is no such handsome man within hundreds of miles from here! " Princess Pipa pursed her lips and smiled, walked to her father as lightly as a swallow, bent down, and whispered a few words in his ear. While she was talking, the red-robed man nodded his head, but his eyes couldn't stop turning around Chu Liuxiang. Although he had a smile on his face, there was an intimidating majesty in his eyes. Chu Liuxiang also looked back at him with a smile, feeling happy in her heart. He felt that the wine here was delicious, the food was good, and the girls were all beautiful and lovely. It seemed that this old man would never be a bad person. At this moment, four golden spears pierced from behind him like lightning. Four golden daggers, two up and two down, the length of the daggers is almost two zhang, although the warriors holding the daggers are not high in martial arts, but their strength is not small, the long daggers thrust out like a poisonous snake coming out of its hole. It is simply impossible for a person who has not eaten a grain of rice or drank a drop of water in two or three days to avoid this vicious hidden weapon. The bloody tragedy was obviously bound to happen, but the few people sitting on both sides drinking didn't even look this way. It seemed that no matter what happened, these people could not be tempted. Only Princess Pipa's eyes were wide open. When she saw the four golden daggers, they almost reached the back of Chu Liuxiang, but Chu Liuxiang didn't react at all. Her eyes showed panic and regret. It seems like I can't stand still. Only two sounds of "Zheng" were heard, and gold and iron mingled. Chu Liuxiang didn't move, and didn't look back, but for some reason, the four golden weapons were caught under his arm. The four golden armored warriors all bumped into each other, their hands were so numb that they couldn't lift them up. The five drinking people on both sides began to look at Chu Liuxiang, and then showed surprise in their eyes. The red-robed old man clapped his palms and laughed loudly: "Good kung fu, it really is good kung fu! My daughter is right." Chu Liuxiang said lightly: "But I was wrong. I didn't realize that Your Excellency would plot against others." The man in the red robe laughed and said, "Don't blame me, it's none of my business." He took Princess Pipa's hand and said with a smile: "This is my daughter who wants to try you. She said that as long as you can survive this blow, you will be her guest." Chu Liuxiang said: "If I can't hide from you?" Princess Pipa pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Anyway, you have escaped now and are my guest. A guest should never lose his temper with the master." Chu Liuxiang sighed and smiled wryly. On the left, a man in green with a pale face and a hooked nose suddenly sneered and said, "My friend is so handsome, who knows where?" Chu Liuxiang rubbed his nose and said with a smile, "My servant, Liu Xiang, is just a nobody." The man in green said: "Oh..." He fell down again and never looked at Chu Liuxiang again. The name "Liu Xiang" was really nothing, and he felt that he had no reason to deal with this kind of person. But Princess Pipa was always looking at Chu Liuxiang, at this moment she suddenly smiled and said: "Since you are already a guest here, why don't you sit down?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "It's more courageous to stand down." Princess Pipa smiled and said: "If you feel that you were shocked just now, how about I suppress your shock for you now?" She sat cross-legged, and a young girl brought her a four-stringed pipa with a curved neck. She placed it across her knees and waved it lightly with her delicate hands. Hearing the sound of "Shuai Cong", the wonderful sound suddenly rises, like pearls walking on a jade plate, dancing lightly like neon clothes, only the sound of pipa is heard in the world, and no other sound can be heard again. Since the Tang Dynasty, there has been no shortage of pipa masters in China, and Sima Bai Letian of Jiangzhou's "Pipa Xing" has been recited from family to family, and it is said to be a swan song. But Zhongtu's pipa has a straight neck, and under the four strings, thirteen frets are added to make the sound range more expanded and gorgeous.The posture of holding the piano is straight in the arms. At this moment, Princess Pipa is holding the qin and playing the lute. The pipa with a curved neck and four strings is farther away and crude. Chu Liuxiang did not expect to hear such a wonderful song. He was almost obsessed with listening, and almost forgot about hunger, thirst, and everything, until the sound of the piano was silent, he was still unable to move for a long time. Princess Pipa looked at him and smiled, "How?" Chu Liuxiang sighed for a long time, and said, "I don't think there is such a good performance in Absolute Territory." The man in red laughed loudly and said, "What's so strange about this, the pipa was originally introduced to Han from this country." Chu Liuxiang said: "Oh!" The red robe said humanely: "Have you heard the name 'Su Baipo'?" Chu Liuxiang suddenly stood up, and said with emotion: "Could it be that Your Excellency is the King of Kucha?" The red-robed man's eyes flickered, he stroked his beard and said with a smile: "You still figured it out after all." Chu Liuxiang said: "During the time of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty in the Five Dynasties, Su Baipo, the King of Kucha, accompanied the Turkic Empress into the Han territory with her pipa, and both the government and the public were fascinated. The story has been handed down to this day. Although my experience is poor, I still know a thing or two." King Kucha clapped his hands and said: "In a small country in the Western Regions, only this small skill is enough to show off to others. I don't want to meet a bosom friend today. Come, come, and let me toast you three cups." Suddenly someone shouted: "Old bug! Where are you?" Then, there was a series of scolding, screaming in pain, and "plop" falling into the water. Chu Liuxiang knew that someone must be thrown into the pool by Hu Tiehua again. The pale man in green suddenly stood up, frowned and said: "Who dares to be so presumptuous, I'll go and see." Chu Liuxiang smiled bitterly and said, "I'm very sorry, that's my friend." The man in green looked him up and down, and finally sat down slowly. King Qiuci laughed and said: "Liangji doesn't keep company with poor horses. Your friends must also be wonderful people. Let them come in!" Princess Pipa covered her mouth with a smile and said, "You must tell me in the future, why do people call you old bug?" Although Hu Tiehua had already thrown two proud golden armored warriors into the pool, and beat the other three until their noses were bruised and their faces were swollen, the more he felt that he hadn't let out his breath. He thought that Chu Liuxiang was not loyal enough this time. He drank here by himself, but made others work hard for him and worry about him. It wasn't until he had a few glasses of wine that he calmed down, especially the girls who poured wine for him were so beautiful that he couldn't lose his temper. Now, Chu Liuxiang also knew who the people drinking here were—these five people were all well-known figures in the martial arts world. The three people sitting on the left are actually the famous Wu family brothers of "Longyou Sword", and Situ Liuxing, a lone thief who is so powerful in both rivers. The pale-faced man in green was even more famous. He was actually the "ruthless killer" Du Huan who was famous in the Jianghu for being cruel and ruthless. It is said that few people can match this person's murder record. Others fear him like a snake and scorpion, and he himself feels very proud, but Chu Liuxiang can't help frowning when he hears this name. Only one person sitting next to Du Huan was named Wang Chong. But this person is the one that Chu Liuxiang likes the most. King Qiuci had seen it before, raised his glass and said with a smile: "Xiao Wang has nothing but hospitality in his life. These five are distinguished guests invited by Xiao Wang from afar. You three should have heard of their reputation." .” Hu Tiehua laughed and said: "I have admired the reputation of the five of them for a long time. Come, let me offer you a toast." In fact, he is not "long-awaited" at all, he just looks for opportunities to drink. King Qiuci looked at Ji Bingyan and said, "The only thing I haven't asked is your name." Without raising her head, Ji Bingyan said, "Ji." King Kucha said: "Ji? The Ji of a female minister?" Ji Bingyan said: "Yes!" King Kucha said, "Where's Taifu?" Ji Bingyan didn't even say a single word this time, but just drew two characters in the air with her fingers, like a ghost drawing, and no one could see what was written. King Qiuci was stunned, and laughed loudly: "Your Excellency is really very taciturn." Hu Tiehua also laughed and said: "His greatest ability is to keep his mouth shut." King Qiuci's eyes flashed, and he said, "Where is your Excellency?" He then immediately explained with a smile: "The best thing in Xiao Wang's life is to make friends with people who are talented in martial arts. Just now your friend has shown his skills. If you want to open Xiao Wang's horizons, Xiao Wang will be very upset." joy." Hu Tiehua laughed and said: "I drank the prince's wine, I should have played with both hands to show the prince, but it's a pity that besides drinking, I only have a few catties of stupid strength." King Qiuci was so excited, he clapped his palms and said with a smile: "It's wonderful, it turns out that your Excellency is a strong man." He clapped his hands suddenly, and at the sound of the applause, a bald, hairless, bare-chested, but wearing a pair of golden trousers came out from the purple curtain behind the tent. Hu Tiehua has seen many burly men in his life, and he himself is not too small, but compared with this big man, he looks like a child. Apart from the Four Great Vajras in the temple, or the prehistoric giant in the picture, he really couldn't think of anyone else who could compete with this big man.