Chapter 5 The fourth round of the world's first sword

Xuejiazhuang is also built close to the mountain. The blue mountain range winds and stretches into the back mountain. Sometimes the fog in the garden can almost condense with the cloud on the mountain top. They walked through the back garden on the gravel road. There were no bright flowers and trees in the garden, and every pavilion and stone carried an elegant and simple meaning. Chu Liuxiang and Xue Yiren walked side by side, neither of them said a word. When a person reaches a certain position, he will naturally become a person who doesn't talk much. The wind was not cold in the autumn morning, but the sky was high. They walked into the green bamboo forest, and the dew condensed on the bamboo leaves, like pearls inlaid on emeralds.

The end of the bamboo forest is connected to the foot of the mountain. On the wall that has been stained green by moss, there is an ancient iron gate, which looks solid and heavy. Xue Yiren opened the door and said, "Xiangshuai please, the old man will lead the way." Behind the door is a long and dark stone path, with a chilly air and piercing skin. Xue Yiren waited for Chu Liuxiang to walk in, and immediately closed the door tightly again, blocking the light and warmth from the door, and the surroundings suddenly fell silent. , not even a sound could be heard. If you want to kill people, this is indeed a good place.

But Chu Liuxiang was not uneasy at all, he seemed to trust Xue Yiren very much, and he didn't seem to find it strange that Xue Yiren brought him to this secret place when he first met. Turning around a few turns on the rocky ground, he came to a deep cave. There are copper lamps embedded on the stone wall, and under the gloomy light, stone tables are lined up on all sides of the cave, and there is a dark iron box on each stone table. The iron box on the stone table in front of him was long and narrow, and it must contain the swords that Xue Yiren regarded as the archer, but what were the other iron boxes?

Holding the sword box, Xue Yiren seemed to have forgotten that Chu Liuxiang was beside him. He had melted into the sword with all his heart, to the point where he forgot himself and others. Chu Liuxiang suddenly found that the old man seemed to have changed completely. When Chu Liuxiang saw him for the first time, he only felt that his demeanor was elegant and calm, like a wise man who didn't seek fame, or like a celebrity who was tired of the world and retired to the forest. There was no disturbing edge. Chu Liuxiang had just walked side by side with him on the path less than three feet wide, and she didn't feel the slightest warning sign, as if she was walking with an ordinary old man.

But now, before the sword was out of its sheath, Chu Liuxiang already felt a piercing sword aura that chilled his bones, and this sword aura was obviously not from the "sword". This sword energy came from Xue Yiren himself! Here he is no longer an old man who gossips with his sons and daughters and relatives. Once he steps into this door, he becomes the famous hero who once ruled the rivers and lakes in the past and is happy to be kind and friendly! This place not only hides the sword, but also hides his past memories, so he never allows anyone to invade here. But why did he want Chu Liuxiang to come again?

Xue Yiren slowly opened the iron box and took out the sword. The shape of this sword is simple and simple, with a dark green blade in the dark, and there is no dazzling light, but Chu Liuxiang is eight feet away, and he already feels the cold on his skin. "Clang", Xue Yiren flicked the sword with his fingers, and the sword made a dragon chant. Chu Liuxiang blurted out: "Good sword!" Xue Yiren's eyes flickered, and he said, "Does Xiangshuai recognize what kind of sword this is?" Chu Liuxiang said slowly: "In the past, Taikang, Shaokang and his sons, the famous lords of the Zhou family, gathered famous craftsmen from all over the world to cast octagonal copper. After ten years, they got a sword, which is the octagonal bronze sword!"

Xue Yi said: "Okay, good eyesight." Although he was praising loudly, there was no expression on his face, and he took out his sword again. The sheath of this sword is gorgeous, the hilt is inlaid with turquoise stones and inlaid with gold thread, the joint between the hilt and the sword body looks like it is made of gold, but it is bronze in color. Xue Yi said: "Where is this sword?" Chu Liuxiang said: "In ancient times, the heroes all had famous swords, Shaokang made eight-sided bronze swords, Zhuanxu had 'Huaying' and 'Tengkong', Taijia had a sword named 'Wenguang', and Wuding had a sword named 'Zhaodan'..."

He smiled and said: "This sword is 'Zhaodan', but the sword box has been decorated by later generations." Xue Yi said: "Okay, good eyesight!" His indifferent face remained calm, but there was some appreciation in his eyes, and after a while, he slowly took out another sword. This sword has a black sharkskin sheath with a copper mouth, the long sword is only half an inch out of the sheath, it is already kind of gray, and the cold light of Bi Sensen shines on the eyebrows. Xue Yiren held the sword in his hand, and the light in his eyes seemed to be brighter. He focused on the edge of the sword, remained silent for a long time, and then said word by word: "Xiang Shuai, please see what kind of sword this is."

Chu Liuxiang also stared at Jianfeng and remained silent for a long time, before slowly saying: "This is the sword with no name." Xue Yiren raised his eyebrows suddenly, and said, "The Nameless Sword?" Chu Liuxiang said: "That's right, the nameless sword, but although the sword is nameless, the person is famous." Xue Yi asked humanely, "How do you say that?" Chu Liuxiang said: "General Mo Xie, does senior know?" Xue Yi said humanely: "General Mo Xie is an ancient divine weapon. Although I haven't seen it, I have heard about it."

Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "Actually, 'Ganjiang Moxie' is just the name of a couple, but a hundred years later, when the word 'Ganjiang Moxie' is mentioned, they only know that there is a sword, and forget about the person." He didn't wait for Xue Yiren to speak, and then said: "The King of Yue hired Ou Yezi to cast five swords for 'Chungou', 'Zhanlu', 'Haicao', 'Yuchang', and 'Juque'. Hu Zi obtained three swords for 'Longyuan', 'Tai'a' and 'Gongshi'. For thousands of years, no one knows about these eight swords, but they know the two masters, Ou Yezi and Feng Huzi. How many people are there?"

Xue Yi said: "Xiang Shuai means..." Chu Liuxiang said: "It's only because of the name of the sword, the light of the person has been covered by the light of the sword. Later generations only know that there is Zhanlu Juque, but they don't know that there is Ou Yezi." Xue Yi said: "Yes, there are not many people in the martial arts who still remember Ou Yezi." Chu Liuxiang said: "Senior holds the sword in his hand. Although the sword is unknown, the person who can wield this sword must be an extraordinary person." Xue Yi said humanely, "Oh! How can you see that?" Chu Liuxiang said: "It's just because the sword is sharp and murderous. If it is not a peerless master, if there is no astonishing means, but it is not enough to control this sword, I am afraid that it will be injured by the sword instead." He smiled and said: "If I'm not blind, this sword must be the one worn by senior when he roamed the rivers and lakes in the past." Hearing this, Xue Yi was shocked, and lost his voice and said: "Xiang Shuai really has lightning-like eyes, I really admire this old man." These words were exactly what Chu Liuxiang praised Xue Yiren. The two looked at each other and smiled, and each of them couldn't help feeling a little respect for each other. Xue Yi said humanely: "The rumors in the world are indeed true. Xiang Shuai's knowledge and eyesight are indeed extraordinary, but does Xiang Shuai know what are these iron boxes on the four walls?" Chu Liuxiang said: "To be able to keep company with a famous sword, there must be something special in the box." Xue Yiren opened an iron box, but there was only a long gown in the box. The snow-white gown has turned slightly yellow, which shows that it has been stored for a long time. Xue Yiren shook the gown, and Chu Liuxiang discovered that there was a string of blood on the front chest of the gown, winding there like a scarlet poisonous snake. In the dim light, the bloodstains had turned black. Xue Yiren said slowly: "Does Xiangshuai know whose blood is stained on this clothes?" Although his eyes were staring at the blood on the gown, he seemed to be looking at a place far, far away. After a long time, he smiled lightly and continued: "It was a long time ago. I'm afraid Xiangshuai didn't I've heard this person's name before, but thirty years ago, 'Impermanence Killer' Pei Huan was no ordinary person." Chu Liuxiang said solemnly: "Although the junior is young and has little knowledge, he also knows that the pair of impermanent hooks in the palm of 'Killer Wuchang' has beaten all over the seven southern provinces, but he doesn't know that this person has died in the hands of seniors." Xue Yi said humanely: "That's in Gooulou Mountain..." His mind seemed to have returned to the distant past, and he was talking slowly. In front of Chu Liuxiang's eyes, there seemed to be a chilling and desolate picture... Goulou Mountain, the twilight is vast, and the western sky is like blood. Xue Yiren, dressed in white like snow, stood alone in the cold wind, on the top of the mountain, watching the ferocious "Killer Wuchang" slowly walking over. Then, the sword light flashed. The blood splattered on the snow-like clothes, like a bunch of plum blossoms sprinkled on the snow... Xue Yiren said slowly: "Although thirty years have passed away, their blood will never disappear." Chu Liuxiang said: "Their blood? Could it be that these iron boxes..." Xue Yiren said coldly: "Don't Xiangshuai understand how the word 'blood-clothed man' came from?" Chu Liuxiang looked at the iron boxes on the stone table on all sides, and thought that there was a snow-white gown hidden in each iron box, and each gown was stained with a person's blood, and each drop of blood contained a terrifying There must be a thrilling bloody battle in every story... Thinking of this, Chu Liuxiang couldn't help feeling a chill in her heart. Xue Yiren's gaze was like a knife, and he said word by word: "People don't attack me, I don't attack others, if people attack me, the sword is ruthless, this sword has drunk the blood of countless people." With a flash of his sword light, he stabbed at Chu Liuxiang like lightning! When seeing Zhongyuan Dianhong, Chu Liuxiang already felt that his swordsmanship was unparalleled in the world. When seeing Shuai Yifan, Chu Liuxiang felt that Dianhong was not the fastest sword in the world. When seeing that "idiot", Chu Liuxiang felt that Shuai Yifan His sword skills are nothing. But at this moment, Chu Liuxiang finally knew what the real "fast sword" was... When Xue Yiren stabbed with his sword, he came completely without a trace, no one could see how he made this sword and where it came from. Chu Liuxiang didn't dodge at all. But this sword was as fast as lightning and as powerful as thunder, and when it reached half an inch in front of Chu Liuxiang's throat, it stopped suddenly. The stop was as fast as when it was fired, just as sudden, also elusive, incredible, this "stop" In fact, Chu Liuxiang was more surprised than "Yifa". Xue Yiren obviously hadn't used all his strength when he released this sword, otherwise he would not be able to stop. The sword he thrust out before he used his full strength was already so urgent, it's okay to use all his strength. Xue Yiren looked at Chu Liuxiang and seemed a little surprised. When the sword reached his throat, not only did his expression remain unchanged, but he didn't even blink his eyes. This young man already had the concentration of "Mount Tai collapses in front of him, his face remains unchanged, and the moose thrives on the left without blinking". With this concentration, there is also the courage of a generation of suzerain. Although the tip of the sword hadn't pierced Chu Liuxiang's throat, the cold sword energy had already pierced his skin. Although the skin of his throat had been covered with chills, his face remained calm. Speaking of which, this was not the first time someone held the tip of a sword against his throat. Although he also knew that the sword this time was much faster than ever before, if such a fast sword had reached the throat, no one in the world could dodge it! Xue Yiren looked at him coldly, and after a long time, he said word by word: "Are you here for my sword?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "You think I want to steal your sword?" Xue Yi said: "I have admired Chu Xiangshuai's reputation for a long time." Chu Liuxiang said: "Then you should know that he has never set his mind on a friend." Xue Yi said humanely: "There are exceptions to everything, maybe you are the exception this time." Chu Liuxiang said: "Why should I make an exception this time?" Xue Yi said: "You are not only very knowledgeable about swords, but also very interested, aren't you?" Chu Liuxiang smiled again, and said, "That's right, I'm very interested in swords, and I'm also very interested in braised pork, but I never thought of stealing a pig and raising it home." Xue Yiren said sharply, "Then why did you come here?" Chu Liuxiang said lightly: "When someone points a sword at my neck, I usually don't like to talk to him." Xue Yi said: "Do you like me to stab the sword down?" Chu Liuxiang laughed and said: "If Xue Yiren can stab Leng Jian, then I really misjudged you. If I misjudged you, even if I die by your hands, I can only blame myself for being blind. Not wronged." Xue Yiren stared at him for a long time before slowly saying: "Have you never missed anyone?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said: "If I let him stand beside me with a sword in his hand, I will never misjudge him." Xue Yiren looked up and laughed loudly: "Okay, Chu Liuxiang is really full of courage, and he really deserves his reputation." With a sound of "clang", the sword has been sheathed. Xue Yiren smiled and said: "But if it is said that Chu Xiangshuai came to Shijiazhuang because of the golden bow, I will not believe it anyway." Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "Even I don't believe it myself." Xue Yiren's smile gradually disappeared again, and he said, "Xiangshuai went to Shijiazhuang, could it be that he wanted Hua Jingong to bring you to see me?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said: "Since Xue Daxia has retired to Linquan, if I want to meet extraordinary people, I can only use extraordinary means." Xue Yiren's eyes flashed, and he said, "Why are you so eager to see me?" Chu Liuxiang pondered for a while, and said, "Three or four years ago, a group of professional assassins suddenly appeared in the Jianghu." Xue Yiren suddenly said: "Professional assassin?" Chu Liuxiang said: "That's right, these people don't distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, they just kill people as a profession, no matter who can afford the price, they will kill for him." He sighed, and continued: "They kill everyone, they kill the gangsters, they kill the white people, even those who have nothing to do with martial arts, they still kill, because of this, so I think they are really better than others. Those robbers who kill people and set fire to them are even more hateful and terrifying, because robbers at least have to choose their targets when they kill." Xue Yiren moved his face and said: "There is such a person in the rivers and lakes, how come I don't even know about it?" Chu Liuxiang said: "These people's actions are extremely secretive, if they hadn't found me, I would not have known about it." Xue Yiren said with a smile: "If they plan on Xiang Shuai, I'm afraid the end is not far away." Chu Liuxiang said: "These people are indeed dead and wounded, and they can no longer do evil, but...the leaders of these people are still at large." Xue Yi asked: "Who is their leader?" Chu Liuxiang said: "I still don't know who this person is, I only know that he is not only extremely witty, but also extremely skilled in swordsmanship!" Xue Yiren smiled slightly and said, "So Xiangshuai suspects that this person is me?" Chu Liuxiang also smiled slightly, and said, "If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have come here." Xue Yiren's eyes were burning, and he said, "Has Xiang Shuai found out now?" Chu Liuxiang said slowly: "Your Excellency's sword attack just now is indeed seven points similar to theirs." Xue Yiren said in a deep voice: "So, do you think I am the leader?" Chu Liuxiang smiled and said: "If Your Excellency is the leader of the assassin, the sword just now will not be withdrawn." Xue Yiren didn't say anything, turned around slowly, and hid the long sword in the stone box. His shoulders were heaving and he seemed very excited. After a long time, he said slowly: "Do you know why I am here today Haven't killed Zuo Qinghou yet?" When he suddenly asked this sentence, Chu Liuxiang couldn't help being startled. Fortunately, Xue Yiren didn't wait for him to answer, and said again: "It's just because I have few friends in my life, and I don't even have many enemies, especially for enemies like Zuo Qinghou. If I kill him, it will be even worse. lonely." Although Chu Liuxiang couldn't see his face, but looking at his thin back and his long white hair, she couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation in her heart, and sighed: "The ancient heroes are so lonely... a person in a low place When he was young, he always wanted to go to a high place, but the higher he went, the fewer people followed him, and when he found that he was alone in the high place, it was too late to turn back.” Xue Yi's upright body like a javelin suddenly seemed to become a little rickety. He was silent for a long time before he let out a long sigh and said: "But I am getting old. When a person is about to die, he always wants to leave his body behind." Settle the bills in front of you, and avoid bringing them into the coffin after death." Chu Liuxiang was silent because he didn't know what to say. Xue Yi said humanely: "So Zuo Qinghou and I have agreed to have a life-and-death duel on New Year's Eve this year. It will not only be a duel between me and him, but also a duel between our Xue Zuo family, because our two families have been together for a hundred years. The feud, the hatred is almost so far away that people forget the reason for the feud." Chu Liuxiang was moved and said, "Why didn't Zuo Qinghou tell me about this?" He already understood in his heart why Zuo Qinghou was in a hurry to marry his daughter to the Ding family, because once the daughter was married, she would no longer be a member of the Zuo family, and would no longer have to participate in this bloody battle of life and death——Zuo Qinghou's painstaking efforts for his daughter are really meticulous. Xue Yiren suddenly turned around, focused on Chu Liuxiang, and said: "But I thought he had already told you, that you came to Songjiang Mansion just to help you punch, so first try to find out my truth." Chu Liuxiang said: "That's why I tried to steal your sword. If a person wants to fight a tiger, it's best to try to pull out his teeth first." He smiled and said lightly: "But even if Chu Liuxiang is such a person, Zuo Qinghou will never be such a person, otherwise he is not worthy to be Xue Yiren's opponent!" Xue Yi said humanely: "If Chu Liuxiang is such a person, then even if I misjudged you, I can only blame myself for being blind, and no one else, right?" This sentence was exactly what Chu Liuxiang said to him just now.Looking at his indifferent face, Chu Liuxiang suddenly felt warm in his heart, because he had discovered that the old man was not as cold as he appeared on the outside. He sighed secretly, and said, "Is your New Year's Eve duel already inevitable?" Xue Yiren was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled, and said: "The fish is already cooked, why don't we have a drink first?" Chu Liuxiang is not an alcoholic like Hu Tiehua, he seldom drinks during the day, except when he is particularly happy or sad. Today is an exception.But he didn't know whether he was particularly happy or sad today.There are many things in his mind, and they are very complicated. He needs to find a time to think clearly.Before thinking it through, he decided to do nothing. The sea bass was indeed not badly cooked, but Chu Liuxiang suspected that the fish was not cooked by Mrs. Shi, because her hands were not even greasy. Chu Liuxiang has seen many women who can't cook, but she likes to deliberately hide in the kitchen, and then bring out the dishes, insisting: "The dishes are not cooked well, please forgive me." Let others think that she cooks the dishes, because even this kind of woman knows that being able to cook is not only the honor of being a wife, but also the honor of her husband. Chu Liuxiang always finds this kind of people ridiculous, and always wants to ask them: "Since you think it's embarrassing not knowing how to cook, why didn't you learn before?" As expected, Young Mistress Shi smiled coquettishly and said, "I'm afraid the fish might not be well cooked, don't laugh at Xiangshuai." Before Chu Liuxiang could speak, Xue Yiren said calmly: "You don't even know how to scramble eggs, and you didn't cook this fish..." Before he finished speaking, Mrs. Shi had already blushed and slipped in. Hua Jingong giggled and said, "I never thought that my in-laws could talk too. It must be because I'm in a good mood after seeing Xiangshuai. I should be thankful for that." Xue Yi said: "That's right, when Shi Juren comes, I will definitely toast him." Hua Jingong was startled, and forced a smile: "Xiang Shuai is sitting here, I'll go to the back to chat with my mother-in-law." Xue Yiren waited for her to leave before he sighed and said: "At last she understands what I say, and finally knows where she should go. This is really not easy." Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "It's really not easy." Xue Yiren raised his glass and said: "If the women are not driven away, how can men drink in peace, come and have a drink." Chu Liuxiang drank it down in one gulp, and suddenly sighed: "If it weren't for the feud between Xue Zuo and his family, you and Zuo Qinghou would definitely become good friends." Xue Yiren's complexion changed, and he said: "You were originally Zuo Qinghou's friend, and now you are also my friend, I only hope you understand one thing, the hatred between Xue Zuo's family cannot be resolved by anyone. " Chu Liuxiang said: "Why?" Xue Yiren said in a deep voice: "Do you know how many members of the Xue family have died at the hands of the Zuo family in the past hundred years?" Chu Liuxiang said: "Is it similar to the Zuo family who died at the hands of the Xue family?" Xue Yi said humanely: "That's exactly why, and because of this, the hatred between Xue Zuo's family has grown deeper and deeper, unless one of the two families dies, no one can resolve this hatred. " Chu Liuxiang felt cold when he heard it, and didn't know what to say. Suddenly a person shouted: "Okay, you have good wine and food, and you don't ask me to eat." A person walked in recklessly, but it was that "idiot" Xue Baobao, who had a green turtle embroidered on the red dress he was wearing today. Chu Liuxiang realized that he didn't seem to recognize him at all, and as soon as he sat down, he brought the whole plate of fish in front of him, picked it up with his hand and ate it. Xue Yiren frowned, and said with a wry smile: "This is Brother She who is laughing at people, he...he..." Xue Baobao's mouth was full of fish, and while spitting thorns, he smiled and said: "Xue Yiren is a great swordsman, but Xue Xiaoren is a big eater. Although Xue Xiaoren couldn't beat Xue Yiren since he was a child, but Xue Yiren would flee if he ate it." .” Xue Yiren said angrily, "Who told you to come?" Xue Baobao smiled and said: "This is also my home, why can't I come? You can scold me, scold me for being worthless, but you can't say that I am not Father Xue's son." Xue Yiren sighed, shook his head and said: "Xiang Shuai is not ridiculous, he was not like this until seven or eight years ago, and for some reason, he suddenly... suddenly changed." Chu Liuxiang sighed secretly. "Every family has scriptures that are difficult to recite." In fact, this generation of famous heroes, like ordinary people, also has his troubles and misfortunes, but these things have been covered by his dazzling brilliance, and people can only see His radiance forgets that where there is light there must be shadow. Chu Liuxiang's original intention was indeed to investigate the mysterious leader of the assassin group, but now his main purpose has changed. Zuo Qinghou is his good friend, he must solve this problem for Zuo Qinghou, besides, the matter of "borrowing the corpse to return the soul" is too incredible, he himself wants to understand this matter, before coming to "Xuejiazhuang", He had a lot to say to Xue Yiren. But now he suddenly changed his mind again, he suddenly found that there are still many things worth studying in this matter, so he decided not to say anything for the time being. Xue Yiren did not insist on keeping him, but only set a date for a later meeting with him, and then personally sent him to the door, watching him go away. Xue Baobao hid behind the door and giggled. Chu Liuxiang didn't ride a car or ride a horse. He always thought that when he walked, his mind often became very clear, because walking can make the blood flow down, and when the blood goes down, the mind will naturally calm down, and what he needs most now is a calm mind. mind. But what exactly did he discover?What are you thinking? The autumn sun shines on people, and it is as soft and warm as a lover's hand, which makes people feel indescribably comfortable. Autumn is the right time for walking. However, before he had gone far, Chu Liuxiang noticed that there was a person staring at him from behind. This person was riding a black donkey with a wide and big hat on his head, and kept his head down. It seems that he is afraid that others will see his face. Chu Liuxiang didn't look back at him at all, as if he didn't know there was someone behind him, this person became more and more courageous and walked closer and closer. Chu Liuxiang secretly thought it was funny, this person must be a novice, otherwise how could he have the guts to stare at Chu Liuxiang's tip? Near noon, Chu Liuxiang arrived at Xiuye ​​Bridge. On the bridge, there was a woman in green clothes shyly looking towards the west. Her head was wrapped with a green cloth handkerchief, and she was holding it tightly with both hands, obviously afraid of being seen by others.But Chu Liuxiang could tell who she was at a glance. When the man on the black donkey saw Chu Liuxiang walking onto the bridge, he hid behind a tree, but showed half of his face and one eye, and took off his hat casually.He seems to think that only he has eyes and everyone else is blind. Chu Liuxiang seemed to have become blind all of a sudden. The woman in Tsing Yi on the bridge was naturally Mama Liang, her old and withered face was blue from the wind, or from fear.As soon as she saw Chu Liuxiang, she hurried over and panted, "Thank you, thank God, you finally came." Chu Liuxiang said: "You think I lied to you? Do you think I won't come?" Liang Ma muttered, "But do you really have a way for me to see Miss again? As long as I can see Miss, I... I am willing to die."