Chapter 6 The sixth round of Emperor Liubin
The past is like smoke, and no one can keep the past days, but I can come back and tell you what happened before this fog has risen.At that time the night was deep enough, the stars were very bright, on the mountainside of Huashan Mountain, under the rustling leaves of the dense forest...
Nan Gongping and Mei Yinxue looked at each other for a long time, neither of them turned their head.
Between Nangongping and Mei Yinxue, no one knew who was the strongest. Mei Yinxue's numb figure finally started to move. She stretched out her hand, stroked the messy hair on her temples, and said: "Are you really going to wait for them?"
Without hesitation, Nangong Ping said in a deep voice, "Naturally!"
He didn't know that when the women were stroking their hair, their minds were disturbed. He just thought it was something to do, so he said it without hesitation.
Mei Yinxue sighed quietly, and said: "It's up to you!" Her skirt fluttered for a while, and she flicked back to the place where the coffin was parked, but she turned her head again, and added coldly: "Only this once!"
The coffin under the starlight did not show any changes. Mei Yinxue leaned against the trunk and sat down, while Nangong Ping stood beside the coffin, pacing back and forth... His heart was also very disturbed!
Then, he suddenly stopped in front of Mei Yinxue: "Let me ask you..." He said these four words loudly, but he seemed unable to continue with the words that followed.
Mei Yinxue rolled her eyes and said, "What are you asking?"
Nangong Ping was stunned for a moment, then said in a low voice: "I opened that coffin just now, why is it empty?"
Mei Yinxue smiled lightly, and said: "There is a layer in this coffin, can't you even see it?"
Nangong Ping let out an "oh", before walking away.
Mei Yinxue smiled again, and said: "You just wanted to ask me, I'm afraid it wasn't this sentence!"
Nangong Ping was stunned again, then turned around, the two looked at each other again, Nangong Ping nodded and said: "Not bad!"
Mei Yinxue said: "Then what did you want to ask?"
Nangong Ping said: "Now I don't want to ask anymore!" Putting his hands down, he walked away.
Mei Yinxue also seemed to be taken aback for a moment, and suddenly sighed quietly: "If I hadn't used the moonlight to shine through the flowing water just now, I would have thought I was already old!"
Nangong Ping looked back and said, "What did you say?"
Mei Yinxue loosened her cloud-like soft hair and let it fall over her shoulders. Under the moonlight, her pale and clear face was indeed beautiful beyond the ordinary.
She looked up at the starlight leaking from the gap between the trees, half closed her eyelids, and looked through her long eyelashes with moving eyes. Although Nangong Ping turned her head, she didn't look at her. She couldn't help but to herself again Sighing softly: "I have been in the world since I was fourteen years old. No one who has seen me has ever treated me like you..."
Nangong Ping snorted coldly, stretched out his hand to caress the delicate patterns carved on the red sandalwood coffin, if he lifted the coffin lid at this moment, there must be many stories missing in the martial arts world, but he just stroked it lightly, nothing means to open.
"I have seen many pretentious teenagers." Mei Yinxue was still stroking her cloud-like hair, and when her slender fingers rested on the jet-black hair, it was like a delicate ivory carving on black velvet satin : "I have also seen many pretentious and famous high-rollers. Until now, I can still clearly remember the pitiful and ridiculous eyes they looked at me..."
Nangong Ping's eyes froze, and he looked straight at her with two sharp eyes, and said coldly: "It's better to keep these proud memories of you in your heart."
Mei Yinxue said: "Oh—is that so?—" She smiled slightly: "If you don't want to listen to me, you can go far away!"
Nangong Ping twitched his eyebrows slightly, and slapped the coffin lid with a "bang", the coffin shook violently, and there seemed to be a slight moan coming from inside, but he was so angry that he didn't hear it.
"I hear people's flattery everywhere, and I see those pitiful and ridiculous faces everywhere..." Mei Yinxue said leisurely, "It's been like this for nearly ten years. During the ten years, there are indeed many self-absorbed, boring men for me. Bleeding, fighting for me, just because I once glanced at him or smiled at him, so some people in the martial arts began to scold me, saying that my blood is cold, but--this is what they do voluntarily, so why? Can I be blamed? Well—you don't think so?"
Nangong Ping said: "Hmph—"
Mei Yinxue smiled sweetly, the angrier Nangong Ping got, the happier she seemed to be.
"Ten years ago, I finally met a very special person." She sighed softly, and said, "Others looked at me bewitchingly, but he didn't. Others nailed me like a fly, and he didn't." , other people either scolded me or flattered me in vain, but he only spoke to me moderately, and he could even be said to understand me a little bit, and he was suave, handsome, good-natured, good at martial arts, and his family background was also very high, In addition to piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, silk and bamboo playing and singing, they all know everything, and sometimes they can recite a few quatrains and fill in two small orders, which are also quite clear and beautiful to recite. Solve disputes, do some chivalrous things, and gradually make friends with him!"
She spoke eloquently, full of words of praise for this person, until Nangong Ping's heart skipped a beat, and he secretly thought: "If I meet such a person, I must make friends with him." Can't help but blurt out: " Who is this person, is Xia Zong still common in Jianghu at this moment?"
Mei Yinxue said: "You know this person." She smiled very gently: "It's a pity that he will never appear in this world again..."
Nangong Ping secretly sighed regretfully, but Mei Yinxue suddenly withdrew her smile and said coldly, "Because this person has already died by your sword!"
Nangong Ping was stunned for a moment, as if someone had slapped his chest, he said in a low voice, "You...what did you say?"
Mei Yinxue didn't seem to hear his question, so she continued, "Although this person looks like a good person, in fact, hehe! One day when it was snowing heavily, I was with a friend of his who was also quite famous in the martial arts at that time. When I drank half of the wine, I suddenly found that the taste of the wine was not right, and their expressions were also not right, so I pretended to be drunk, and only heard his friend clap his hands and say: "Yeah, yeah." Also.' And said: 'You rode this poor horse, don't forget my credit!' I heard it clearly, so I simply didn't move, let's see what he wants! "
This story has obviously attracted Nangong Ping at this moment, he stopped interrupting, only to hear Mei Yinxue say again: "This guy with a human face and a beast heart actually laughed while hugging me to the bed, just as he was about to undress me, I couldn't help it Immediately jumped up, and slapped him face to face. Although this guy has a bad mind, his martial arts are not weak, he opened the window with his palm, and Rufei escaped. At that time, I had actually drank a little medicinal wine, and my whole body was still too weak Very, with that slap, he didn't hurt him at all, and I couldn't chase him!"
"A moment later," she stared at her palm, eyes full of resentment, and continued, "Using my internal strength to force out the medicine, I couldn't help being angry, so I ran out and killed his despicable friend." After stabbing seven swords in a row, all the swords and swords stabbed at his vital points!"
Nangong Ping felt a chill in his heart, and said, "It's so ruthless!"
Mei Yinxue sneered, and said: "If I have a little less experience in the Jianghu, and I am dirty by them, who in the Jianghu will believe me, I am afraid that I will seduce him, but who will be at that time?" 'Woolen cloth?"
Nangong Ping was startled, lowered his head speechlessly, and sighed inwardly.
"The next day, I threatened the world that as long as I saw that person again, I would first goug out his eyes, then cut off his ears, and kill him slowly one by one. People in the world don't know For some reason, all kinds of rumors spread out..." She smiled sadly, and said, "Of course, these words are trying to hurt me as much as possible!"
Nangong Ping couldn't help being filled with anger again, he frowned and said angrily, "Who is this person?"
Mei Yinxue sneered coldly, and said: "This person is naturally well-known in the world, everyone calls him 'Young Master Swordsman', 'Master Swordsman'..." She sneered again three times.
Nangong Ping's heart shuddered, and he blurted out: "He... isn't he..."
Mei Yinxue said coldly: "He is the direct cousin of that 'Danfeng' Ye Qiubai!"
Nangong Ping sat on the coffin lid with a "pop"!
Mei Yinxue said: "I didn't go to the 'Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix' meeting that Ye Qiubai shamelessly initiated. I have been considered treasonous by the people in the Jianghu. Now I want to kill the cousin of 'Danfeng' Ye Qiubai. Is this okay? If others don't say it, the 'Immortal Dragon' will be the first one not to agree. There are a lot of people in the Jianghu who are stalking people, who can tell right from wrong, of course they all believe in that upright and chivalrous 'Swordsman'. Who will believe me, the "devil head" and "sex demon"? Besides, I killed the only witness, so the "immortal dragon" sent me a "dragon post" and told me to go to Jiuhua Go to the top of the mountain and take your life!"
Her voice became more and more passionate, but Nangong's flat head hung even lower. She only heard her say again: "I went. At that time, I was only in my twenties. I was proud and arrogant. I thought I was invincible in martial arts. I didn't pay much attention to the number one warrior 'Immortal Dragon'. When I arrived at Mount Jiuhua, I proposed four duel methods to Long Bushi, and he agreed without thinking about it. I have never met an opponent in martial arts, even a first-class swordsman like 'Gongzi Swordsman' would run away when he saw me, and 'Immortal Dragon' so readily agreed to my choice of fighting method, I was really happy in my heart."
"I don't know," she sighed softly, and continued: "I lost the first round of light kung fu, and I lost very badly. In the second round, I tried my best to compete with him in soft kung fu. I saw that he was tall and powerful. Meng, thinking that soft work must not be his forte, but——I lost again. I was already in a hurry during the third round of hidden weapons. If you lose your eyes, plotting is useless!"
The praise from the enemy's mouth is really the most precious gift in the world, Nangong Ping sighed secretly, and thought: "Master, the old man's life is really not wasted!"
"When the fourth battle of swords began, the 'Immortal Dragon' was furious, and told me that he would never spare me, because I plotted against him, so he naturally believed in the words of the 'Master Swordsman' even more. I am a lustful and evil woman!"
Nangong Ping's heart skipped a beat, he remembered what the Taoist priest in the high bun and green robe scolded her, and remembered...
Mei Yinxue sighed, and said again: "Even so, he still gave me three moves. After letting me take the advantage, he counterattacked himself, only seven moves..." She looked up at the sky, "It's only seven With that move, he knocked the long sword in my hand away, forced me under an ancient fir tree, stabbed me in the face with a single stroke of the sword—”
"I saw a ray of light shining in front of me, so I had to close my eyes and die in peace!" She closed her eyes slowly, her long eyelashes covered her eyelids, and sighed softly : "I didn't know that I waited for a long time, only to feel a gust of wind passing by my ears, and there was no more movement. I opened my eyes, and the sword in the palm of the 'Immortal Dragon' had completely sunk into the ancient pine behind me. It's like cutting carrion, without making any sound."
Opening her eyes, her eyes turned, and she continued: "At that time, I couldn't help being startled, but I heard the 'Immortal Dragon' say in a deep voice: 'I defeated you with a sword, and everyone in the world will say that I bully the small with the big, and you lose!" I haven't seen willingness to surrender yet!" He slapped his palms, retreated five feet, and said: "If you beat my palms with a sword, I will let you give birth to this peak!"
"At that time, my life and death were at stake, and I couldn't care less about anything else. Before he finished speaking, I was already on top of him. I was so desperate that I used all my offensive moves, because I knew his martial arts well. Qiu Neng will suffer both defeats with him, and there is no hope of defeating him at all, you must know that this is not because I intend to be a rogue, but because I use the weak to attack the strong, and this is the only way."
Nangong Ping could neither nod his head nor shake his head, so he could only listen to her in silence and said: "But after twenty moves, my strength has run out. At this time, he is using a move that seems to be a common move in martial arts" Yunlong Tan Claw', came to my face, I saw a huge empty door exposed under his left flank, I couldn't help but feel happy, I immediately dodged a wrong step, attacked with a move of "Peacock Feather Picking", and stabbed him with a sword Throw him to the left."
She stretched her slender hands unconsciously and made a "peacock picking feathers" move. Nangong Ping saw that her move was flexible and the position was magical. Although it seemed plain, it was actually a brilliant move. Can't help but admire it secretly.
She continued: "This move 'Peacock Picking Feathers' is the most poisonous and ruthless move in my so-called '1742 Style' peacock sword. This sword does not seek self-protection, but Begging to injure the enemy, among the last few moves left, there is another move that will kill me at the same time, who knows that my sword is stabbing out, only to see a blur in front of him, he clapped his palms together, and grabbed the long sword I thrust out , taking advantage of the trend, an 'elbow fist' hit my waist and eyes, I only felt a burst of heat rising from my waist, and instantly spread all over my body, followed by a feeling of extreme comfort, my whole body seemed to be flying Fly up, and then - then fall limply to the ground!"
Nangong Ping felt a chill in his heart, and thought to himself: "Master must have hated her so much at that time, that's why he used the 'Qijue Shenlong Kungfu' to dissipate the kung fu from her whole body."
Mei Yinxue sighed sadly, and said: "What is the strange change of his move? I have been thinking about it for ten years in that wooden coffin, but I still can't figure it out. , Hurt people, it is as if the night replaces the day, the back wave pushes the front wave so natural, so irresistible, but I don't feel any magic and mystery, just because I don't see any special magic, and I don't know it at all How can I resist... Sigh! I can only say that this move is really inexplicable and indescribable."
Nangong Ping secretly smiled, and thought: "This move is exactly the essence of master's old martial arts. It has exhausted the two characters of 'kong' and 'spirit'. You can't see it!"
"Stick", "stick", "force", "cut", "pick", "poke", "contain"... etc., although they are all martial arts secrets, they are all nothing but low-level skills, "empty" The two characters "Ling" and "Ling" are the essence of superior martial arts. One can get the magic of the two characters "Kong" and "Ling". The Buddhist verse "There is nothing in the first place, where is the dust" is used to describe the Wu family's "empty" and "spiritual", although they are "different tunes", they have the magic of "same work".
Mei Yinxue sighed to herself again: "Since I was young and grown up, I don't know how much painstaking effort, hard work, and self-cultivated martial arts, just in this moment, he gently destroyed me. At that time, I was really shocked. Angry, horrified, scared, and sad, it was ten times more painful than killing me with a single sword. I couldn't help but yelled at the 'immortal dragon' for being vicious, and sadly told the story. I shouted loudly. Scolding: "Is this my fault? What right do you have to treat me like this? You pretend to be fair, why don't you find out the reason, why do you shelter such a despicable and shameless person, and bully me a woman'!"
Her expression gradually showed resentment and resentment, those past events that made her sad and angry seemed to come back to her heart at this moment.
The more Nangong Ping listened, the more he sighed in his heart, and the more sympathy he felt for her.
Mei Yinxue continued: "After listening to my words, the Immortal Dragon's face turned blue and white, and his beard and hair fluttered. After a long time, Fang Zi said slowly, "Why didn't you say it earlier!" His voice trembled, his fists clenched , I was obviously extremely angry and regretted to the extreme, but——what's the use of regretting!..."
She slowly stopped her excited and trembling voice, bowed her head in silence for a long time, Nangong Ping looked at her slender fingertips and cloud-like hair, and secretly sighed: "Who is good or evil in the martial arts?" Can you tell the difference?"
"At that time, the 'Immortal Dragon' immediately took out the holy medicine for healing internal injuries and asked me to take it." Mei Yinxue finally continued: "But I rejected him, even if I can not die for a while, what's the use? In ten years, I I have made countless enemies in the Jianghu, if they know that my martial arts are gone and my martial arts are lost, why don't they come to seek revenge on me?
"But 'Immortal Dragon' is an upright and chivalrous character after all. He begged me with a long sigh. If I die, he must be guilty for the rest of his life. He wants to make up for the big mistake he made by himself. Protect me, find that shameless 'Prince Swordsman' for me, and avenge me!"
Her expression gradually regained her composure, and she continued: "He couldn't help but poured the wound medicine for me, and healed my injury on the mountain with his inner strength, so he only fought with me for a day, but in Three days later, I went down the mountain, the people in the martial arts saw him with a languid expression, thought it was because he fought me for three days, they all cheered for him!... Alas! Who knows the inside story?"
Nangong Ping sighed secretly: "Master, the old man heard those cheers at that time, I'm afraid he didn't know how uncomfortable it would be!"
"Before he came down the mountain, he tapped my acupoints and placed me in a secret cave." Mei Yinxue continued: "The next night, he rushed up the mountain, but ordered two burly men, He was carrying a coffin behind him, and he actually put me in the coffin, of course the reason was to avoid the eyes and ears of the world, the most important thing—"
She smiled and continued: "Maybe it's to avoid the eyes and ears of 'Danfeng' Ye Qiubai!"
Nangong's face turned pale, and he said in a deep voice, "How do you say that?"
Mei Yinxue brushed her long hair with her hand, and suddenly giggled coquettishly: "Don't you know?" She coquettishly smiled and said, "Danfengye Qiubai is both beautiful and demure, and his martial arts are also extremely high , and she has good looks, she was fifty years old at the time, but she still looked like thirty people, so people in the world also called her 'Immortal Danfeng', which is just worthy of 'Immortal Dragon' Pair, she's fine with everything, it's just—"
In her laughter, which was full of ridicule and sneering, Nangong Ping slightly changed his color: "Just what?"
"It's just that I like to be jealous!" She still smiled unscrupulously: "As juniors, you naturally don't know this!"
Nangong Ping suddenly puffed out his chest, but Mei Yinxue's frivolous and smiling face suddenly became very solemn again in the blink of an eye.
The change of expression on her face is always so sudden and sudden, making it difficult for people to fathom what is on her mind.
"But—" she continued solemnly and heavily: "During those dreary nights, in that dark room, I learned a lot about Ye Qiubai from the mouth of the 'Immortal Dragon'..." Her voice gradually slowed down, she suddenly sighed again, and said: "Think about it, if Ye Qiubai hadn't been too eccentric, she would have married the 'Immortal Dragon' long ago, one of the 'No. "Warrior", one is a "peerless chivalrous woman" with super talent, united swords side by side, Xiaoao Jianghu... What an enviable life should have been. However, none of them did this, just spent their lives lonely...Lonely ……lonely……"
She suddenly lowered her head, her cloud-like hair fell down like night, falling in front of her, covering her face and her thoughts!
Nangong Ping was stunned for a long while, but he couldn't help feeling an unspeakable melancholy in his heart.
"Lonely...Lonely..." At this moment, he suddenly understood the loneliness of many people-this is the loneliness of a woman who is called "cold-blooded" in the world... Ye Qiubai of the "Phoenix" also has loneliness. The person he admires the most in his life, the swordsman "Immortal Dragon" in the martial arts, why is he not enduring the embarrassing loneliness?
The road of life is rugged, winding and long. The higher one climbs, the more lonely one will be. Until he climbs to the top, maybe he will find everything on the top, except the golden fame and honor, the silver In addition to the taste of success in white, there is only loneliness in gray and black.
Nangong Ping felt a chill in his heart, and he suddenly understood why his master's benevolent face always had such a serious look, and why there was always a lack of joyful smiles? ... This is the secret in the heart of the contemporary martial arts swordsman and the number one warrior in the world. Of course he would not reveal it in front of his disciples. He is still lonely, and he has to endure more dark women than him. Even if he has a firm heart, he will inevitably reveal some of the secrets in his heart...
He disregards success or failure, despises death, and even less fame and wealth in the world. However, he cannot escape the emotion hidden deep in his heart, nor can he escape the shadow of "Danfeng" Ye Qiubai. He has fearless courage. , in the face of everything, he has a sharp long sword, and he can run across the world, but...he can't stop the love in his heart.
This is the secret in the heart of the benevolent and the brave, this is the weakness in the heart of the wise and wise, and it is also the humanity in the heart of the mythical hero in the martial arts. However, his shining status and reputation have dazzled the eyes of others. No one else can see these.
In the world, no one will ever sympathize with his loneliness in life, or pity his misfortune in love, because all people have only admiration, envy, or jealousy and hatred for him.
This is the sorrow of a hero, but throughout the ages, the sorrow of a hero is the least that will be discovered by others!
Nangong Ping finally couldn't help but let out a long sigh. He looked around melancholy, and his heart couldn't help beating violently. At this moment, he was actually in a sea of silver. That kind of clear brilliance made the universe and the earth They all turned into a piece of transparent crystal, and Mei Yinxue in the crystal had turned into a statue of a goddess.
After an unknown amount of time, Mei Yinxue slowly raised her head and continued what she had just said.
"Since that day, I haven't had the chance to see the sun again. It's a pity that I didn't know that I would be separated from the stars, the moon, and the sky for such a long time, otherwise I would definitely look at them with nostalgia..."
In her plain and indifferent voice, there was suddenly a flood of emotions: "Ten years..." She continued: "The Immortal Dragon did not fulfill his promise, he did not clarify my grievances, he did not avenge me, of course ... I know what the reason is—" She stopped speaking very suddenly, looked up at the light and shadow floating in the forest, and did not say another word.
Tu Song's silence was like a thousand-weight hammer, hitting Nangong Pingxin hard.Because he knew very well that in her wordless silence, how much her resentment, disappointment and pain were contained, as well as how much her pity, sympathy and tolerance were contained.
For the sake of Ye Qiubai, and because the "Master Swordsman" is Ye Qiubai's younger brother, his master was unable to capture the "Master Swordsman", and naturally he could not clear Mei Yinxue's grievances... and the "cold-blooded" Mei Yinxue... Xue didn't force his master to do it, which is naturally because she had already developed pity and sympathy for the old man's feelings...
He knew very well that in that dark cabin, his master must be in the same pain as hers—because he was also in deep pain at the moment, and he could not say a word of comfort, let alone Not a single word begging her forgiveness.
She was gazing at the stars, and he was gazing at the soft grass on the ground. There was another awkward, wordless silence. Then, Mei Yinxue's bright eyes suddenly turned to his face, and he slowly Raising his head, he found that the corner of her soft and exquisite mouth was wearing a smile that he couldn't understand, like the distant starlight that made him elusive:
She stared at him deeply, and said with a sudden smile: "But do you know...do you know?" She repeated these four words.
Nangong Ping couldn't bear to ask: "Know what?"
Mei Yinxue was still staring at him deeply, and said slowly: "What your master didn't do for me, you have done for me. I have personally heard his conversation with you, and I have personally heard The scream he made when he was wounded by your sword!"
Nangong Ping only felt a loud ringing in his ears, his body was about to fall, and he said in a low voice, "Then... that Taoist...is he the 'Grand Master Swordsman'?"
"Taoist..." Mei Yinxue sneered full of resentment, and said, "Has he become a Taoist, okay!" Her voice became so sharp again, and it passed through the air like a whip: "Although I don't know What he has become now, but his voice—his voice, I will never forget until I die!"
Although Nangong Ping's face was always calm, he couldn't hide the surprise in his heart at this moment. He didn't know whether he should be proud or sorry - the famous swordsman in the martial arts in the past would die under his sword today! ——But no matter what, the original resentment and guilt for the death of the Taoist in his heart have been greatly diluted at this moment.
I only heard Mei Yinxue slowly say again: "This is the grievance between your master and me, it should be what you wanted to ask me just now but didn't want to ask, you avenged me, so I want to tell You, let me tell you that that person died not wronged at all. All these years... I have been lying in a coffin. I have no other wish in my heart, I just hope to recover my skills quickly, desperately try to recover my skills, and seek revenge from him, so I Just now I heard his miserable cry, although I was happy, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and resentful, I even thought about it, and killed the person who killed him for me first!"
Nangong Ping's heart shuddered, and Mei Yinxue's mouth showed a slight smile again.
"But, somehow..." she said with a calm smile, "Maybe my mood has changed over the years. Instead of wanting to kill you, I am grateful to you because you made my hands less bloody." chance, and a person's hands can be less bloody, in any case, it is a very good thing."
This woman who is called "cold-blooded" actually said such words at this moment, Nangong Ping couldn't help being stunned again, he tried to think of an appropriate word at this moment, but he pondered for a long time, but only subconsciously He said: "After you were dismissed by the master, your martial arts have recovered at this moment. This is really a strange thing."
Mei Yinxue smiled mysteriously, and said softly: "Is this a very strange thing?" She didn't continue, and Nan Gongping couldn't guess the meaning of her words.
When he asked the question just now, he said it casually, but at this moment it was really strange. He suddenly thought of her words: "... desperately trying to recover martial arts..." His heart couldn't help but move: "Could it be that she recovered martial arts?" What kind of improper method did you use?" Fang Zi couldn't help but wanted to ask, but Mei Yinxue sighed and said: "It's very strange, although my martial arts have recovered, I feel that it is useless now. There is no grudge, alas! This is much better than being full of hatred."
She who was sometimes angry, sometimes resentful, sometimes excited, and sometimes resentful, at this moment she sighed calmly, leaned on the tree, stroked her hair, and sang in a low voice: "Shake, shake, shake! Grandma Qiao, grandma calls me a good baby...Little baby, I want to sleep, and my mother is sitting by the cradle. Shake, shake..."
Her voice is so sweet and gentle, and the expression on her face is so serene and peaceful, she seems to have returned to a very distant dream, when she was still very young, she must have a very gentle mother, her mother also I will definitely sing this ordinary and sweet nursery rhyme for her, which is so familiar and kind in everyone's heart.
The starlight is broken and the night is bright... The night is gradually going away, and the milky white morning mist gradually begins to diffuse in the mountains and forests. Nangong Ping listens to this gentle singing and looks at the peaceful face. Sigh, she has been wandering around since she was fifteen years old, she must have not remembered this song for a long time.
Therefore, she sang so chaotically that she even sang two different songs into one, but to Nangong Ping's ears, the chaotic singing was extraordinarily sweet and kind. He hoped to keep her forever The state of mind at this moment, and I hope that I can maintain this state of mind forever, because he himself seems to have returned to a distant dream at this moment-if the world can maintain a state of mind like a baby, then there will be fewer bloody and ugly things up.
The singing, along with the milky white morning mist, swayed slowly in the milky and transparent mountain forest.
The earth, like the face of a girl who has been washed by water, is fresh and beautiful.
Nangong Ping was tired for days, but at this moment, he felt warm and tired. With the ethereal singing sound hitting him, he unconsciously lowered his eyes... The singing sound seemed to be further away...
Suddenly, a sneer sounded in his ear!He suddenly opened his eyes, in the misty morning mist, a figure suddenly appeared outside the forest, Mei Yinxue suddenly stopped singing, Nangong Ping shouted: "Who?"
With a flash of a figure, a gray-clothed boy suddenly appeared in front of him!
At this moment, the two faced each other and looked at each other a few times. In Nangong Ping's eyes, this young man who came suddenly should be amiable and handsome, but at this moment, he had an arrogant and contemptuous expression With a sneer, he looked at Nangong Ping with disdain.
Nangong Ping twitched his eyebrows slightly, and asked in surprise: "Who is Your Excellency? Why are you here?"
The gray-clothed boy's sharp gaze sized Nangong Ping up and down again and again. "Excellent, excellent!" He suddenly sneered and said, "The proud disciple in the master's eyes, the proud younger brother in the mouth of the senior brother, turns out to be a character who is still in the mood to sit here and listen to the girls singing nursery rhymes when the master's life or death is uncertain." , Wonderful, wonderful!"
Nangong Ping said in a low voice, "It doesn't seem to have anything to do with Your Excellency!"
The boy in gray laughed and said: "So you are still so arrogant, don't you still admit your mistake?"
Nangong Ping said: "It depends on who you are and why are you here?" He had a calm face and a quiet voice, neither showing weakness nor showing strength, he simply stated a fact, he did not want to be in a Explaining anything in front of a man whose purpose is unknown and who has no friends or enemies is just like he would not hide anything in front of a well-intentioned friend!
There was a flash of light in the gray-clothed boy's eyes, he glanced at Mei Yinxue who was leaning on the tree and did not move, and suddenly he looked up to the sky and laughed again. "You need to know who I am? What is my purpose..." He laughed loudly and said, "First, we need to see if you are wrong!"
Nangong Ping let out a cold "hum", and said slowly: "If you want to provoke, just pull out the soft weapon hidden in your waist, and you don't have to go around in circles."
Mei Yinxue smiled lightly, obviously appreciating his performance at the moment.
The laughter of the gray-clothed boy stopped abruptly, and he was stunned for a moment, as if wondering how the boy could have such a calm demeanor and calm words when he was provoked by him. How could this young man who had never been involved in the rivers and lakes have such keen eyesight, he could tell at a glance that he came here deliberately, and at a glance he could see that there was a soft weapon hidden under the clothes around his waist that was not easy to use!
As soon as they met, he seemed to be at a disadvantage, which made him very surprised, and he was a little panicked, hoping to give the other party a thunderbolt counterattack immediately!
He thought for a while, and said with a sneer: "If I didn't come here for provocation, you--" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly felt that his job was just another chance for the other party to laugh at him, so he couldn't help but shut up in panic, who knew Nangong Ping Just looking at him silently, the ridicule did not hit him as he imagined, as if he had already guessed what was on his mind.
In an instant, many thoughts flashed through the gray-clothed boy's mind, only to hear Nangong calmly say: "Your Excellency, if it wasn't on purpose—" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly yelled: "Even if I came here on purpose to provoke you!" Already!" With a spin of his body, he faced Nangong Ping once again, and in his palm was a silver gun with a soft handle that flashed with brilliance!
Nangong Ping's long sword was stuck on the silk sash around his waist. Although his mood was not calm, he was always paying attention to this long sword, because he didn't want to lose the scabbard. To lose this sharp sword from his master again!
At this moment, he smiled slightly and said: "Since Your Excellency intends to provoke, I have no choice but to accompany you with two moves!" With a twist of his wrist, he gently drew out the sword without any sharpness, and it was not like ordinary swordsmen nowadays, relying on the speed of drawing the sword Come to show off the strength of your swordsmanship!
He is calm and resolute, not as extreme and jealous as Shi Chen, nor as easy to be seduced by Shi Chen, he is kind and forthright, but he is more secretive, cautious and wise than Long Fei. His opponent is flying and unrestrained, which happens to form a non-contradictory, but interesting contrast!
He slowly raised his arms, flattening his sword against his chest!
The gray-clothed boy flicked the tip of his spear, and in an instant, he saw five or seven shining spear points filling the air.
Nangong stretched out the tip of the sword slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Please!" He raised the tip of the sword slightly, offering the sword as a gift, he seemed to have seen at this moment that the young man was not seeking revenge maliciously, but just angry, so he could use his words and actions without hesitation. Be polite!
As soon as the gray-clothed boy pulled the gun through, a silver light was seen in the morning mist, passing through the spear he had shaken out. Nangong Ping secretly applauded, this boy's marksmanship is really unbelievably fast!
His footsteps moved slightly, the tip of the sword followed the tip of the opponent's spear, a blue light, a silver light, "swipe" each half circle, and the gray-clothed boy suddenly screamed and jumped up!
A silver light followed, Nan Gongping took a step back and raised the tip of his sword.
灰衣少年身形凌空一折，雪亮的银枪，穿破晨雾，闪电般下刺而来，宛如凌空飞舞的灰鹤，以利喙捕捉地上的猎物！
南宫平心头一动：“天山七禽身法！”脚步一错，斜斜一剑，向上挥去。
一片青光，封住了银枪的去路，灰衣少年枪尖一抖，竟在剑尖上轻轻一点，只听“呛”地一声，他身形竟又藉势掠起。
南宫平口中突也清啸一声，脚下疾走七步，此刻朝阳未升，晨雾却已较清，一阵阵清新的冷风扑面而来，他只觉全身上下都充满了新生的活力，这一连七步跨出，已置身那灰身少年的银枪威力之外。
他目光凝注，并不还击，静等着这灰衣少年身躯落下！
却见灰衣少年微曲的双腿向后一踢，翼张的双臂当中一穿，宛如翱翔的苍鹰束翼而下，一道匹练般的银光，划空而来，南宫平脚下一动，突又连走七步，他静时如山，动时如电，这七步行来，有如一脚便已跨出，掌中长剑青光的闪动，恰好与那飞腾的银枪一般迅快！
灰衣少年一击又不中，飞腾的身躯，终于落下地来，此刻南宫平若是运剑而上，虽未必胜，却定然可以抢得先机！但他只是持剑而立，只见灰衣少年飘然落下地来，矫健的身躯，立刻凝然卓立，只有他掌中的银枪，枪尖仍在不住颤动！
一线阳光，突地自林梢投落，映在这颤动的枪尖上，幻出七色的彩光！
他目注着枪尖，暗中自语：“狄扬呀狄扬，你可要再试一招？”
这灰衣少年自然便是狄扬，他埋葬了那具尸身，便飞快地来到山下，一心想看看龙飞口中称赞的“五弟”，究竟是何人物。
他生性豁达，并没有将别人对他的怀疑放在心上，但是一股少年人定有的傲气，却使得他在见到南宫平时便想斗上一斗，另外，他当然也有些奇怪，这少年在此时此地怎会还有心情来听一个女子的儿歌？
但此刻他与南宫平面面相对，心中实已生出惺惺相惜之心，他枪尖继续不断地颤动着，实是一着极为犀利的招式之先兆，只是他这已在弦上的一招，却久久未发出来！
南宫平平剑当胸，卓然而立，目光亦自凝注在这颤抖的枪尖上，哪知梅吟雪突地轻轻一笑，道：“你们不打了么？”
两个少年的四道目光，一齐转到她身上，梅吟雪缓缓站起身来，她神态间总是那么娇媚，就是这样一个从地上站起来的简单姿势，已令人见了不得不多看两眼。
她袅娜走到狄扬身前，缓缓道：“你可是昔年天神剑'九翅飞鹰'狄老前辈的后人么？”
狄扬一直没有注意看她，此刻便像是久困于黑暗中的人突然看到闪电一般地发现了她的绝艳，这艳绝人寰的姿色自然也就像闪电般眩惑了他。
他怔了一怔，点了点头，竟没有说出话来。
梅吟雪轻轻一笑，又道：“你方才可是见着了他的师哥？”
狄扬又自一怔，又自点了点头，南宫平心中大奇：“她怎地知道？他怎会见着师兄？”忍不住要问这少年是在哪里见着的，但梅吟雪已又含笑道：“他师兄可是在你面前称赞了他，你心中有些不服，是以此刻便想试上一试？”狄扬双目一张，满面俱是惊奇之色，却又不禁点了点头。
她一连问了三句，句句都问到狄扬心里，使得已被她绝艳震惑的狄扬，不禁又被她这种绝顶的智慧慑服。
南宫平心中更奇，只见她轻轻一笑，转过身去，道：“这就是了，你们还打什么！”来到树下，缓缓坐了下来，秋波一转，望了望面前的两个少年，突又笑道：“我是从他武功的招式上看出他的来历，从他言语神态上猜知他的来意，这一点也不稀奇，你心里却在奇怪些什么？”
她语气自若，说来就像这本是人人都可以猜到的事似的。
狄扬心中暗叹一声，忖道：“好一个聪慧的女子！”口中突地哈哈道：“好一个聪慧的女子！”他心中听思，与口中所言虽是一样，但说出来的语气却和心中思忖时的意念不大相同。
南宫平目光一转，道：“阁下不知——”
狄扬道：“不错，正如这位姑娘所说，我方才的确见着了令师兄，此刻他犹在山巅，此刻天已大亮，你不妨上去一寻。”他语声微顿，不等别人开口，便又大笑着道：“在下狄扬，今日见着兄台，实在高兴得很，日后但愿能再相见——”
南宫平道：“阁下何不留下暂作清谈……”
狄扬笑道：“方才无端冒犯，此刻我实在还有些不好意思，好在来日方长，今日就此别过！”
说到“意思”两字，他身形已动，最后一句说话，已从林外传来，南宫平出神地望着他掠去的方向，暗叹道：“好快的身法。”突听梅吟雪娇笑着道：“你可知道他为什么这么匆遽地走了么？”
南宫平微一沉吟，还未答话，梅吟雪已又笑道：“这因为他实在不敢再看我了！”
南宫平呆了半晌，头也不回，冷冷道：“只怕未必吧！”心中却不禁为之暗暗叹息一声。
突觉一阵幽香飘入鼻端，梅吟雪已盈盈走到他身边，轻轻笑道：“你心里常常认为我说的话是对的，但嘴里却总是不肯承认，这是为了什么？”她面带娇笑，得意地望着南宫平的面靥，心中暗忖：“你否认也不好，承认也不好，这次我倒要看看你该如何来回答我？”
哪知她话声方了，心念还未转完，南宫平已沉声道：“你永远将人性看得太过恶劣，是以我不愿也不忍赞同你的话，但我口中却也从未否定你说话的价值，你且仔细想想，是么？”
真实的事实，永远胜过花巧的雄辩，梅吟雪笑容渐敛，手托香腮，发起怔来，只见南宫平深深凝注她两眼，转身托起棺木，沉声又道：“你最好随我去见见我的大师兄，那么你就会知道，这世上还有几个真正的男子汉！”
梅吟雪呆呆地怔了半晌，南宫平手托棺木，已自去远，她竟也身不由主地跟了过去，走了许久，突又顿住脚步，这时南宫平已将又复跃到那一线插天的苍龙岭上，梅吟雪望着他的背影，冷冷笑了两声，道：“好个尊师重道的徒弟，原来竟是这等人物！”
南宫平怔了一怔，回首问道：“你说什么？”
梅吟雪冷笑道：“我说的是中国话，你难道听不懂么？”
南宫平皱眉道：“你若是不愿解释，我不听也无所谓！”回转头去，又复前行。
梅吟雪恨恨地望着他，她自出道江湖以来，一颦一笑，便已不知倾倒过多少男子，那曾见到这样的少年，等到南宫平一个纵身之后，还未回过头来，她便忍不住跟了过去，道：“喂——”
南宫平脚下不停，头也不回，问道：“什么事？”
梅吟雪道：“你师傅命你跟随我，保护我，你此刻为何独自跑上山去？”
她口中说话虽是如此气恼，但脚下也没有停住脚步。
南宫平却是顿住身形，回首看了她一眼，道：“你不是也跟来了么，怎地说我独自上山？”
梅吟雪道：“我……我……”突地一跺脚，道：“我才不跟你上山去哩！”
南宫平道：“好极，好极……”
梅吟雪秀目一张，嗔道：“你说什么？”
南宫平微笑道：“你若是不愿跟我上山，便请在此间等我一等，我也好将这具棺木放在这里。”
梅吟雪银牙一咬，道：“谁说我要在这里等你？”
南宫平道：“那么……”他不知是真的不懂，还是故作不懂女子的心意，随便怎样，他竟都没有说出一句恳求的话，“那么……”他故意讷讷道：“该怎么样办呢？”
梅吟雪道：“你随我下山去……”
南宫平道：“这个自然，我自然要随你下山去的……”
梅吟雪微微一笑，道：“那么……走！”
南宫平亦白微微一笑，道：“但你也该随我上山去走一趟。”
梅吟雪方自泛起的笑容，立刻消失，大怒道：“你到底……”
南宫平微笑接口道：“你在这小小一具棺木中，躺了数千日，也该散散心了，你看，今日风和日丽，草木繁荣，是何等好的天气，在这景物幽奇、冠绝天下的华山上游玩游玩，岂非也是一件乐事？”
梅吟雪独自气恼了半晌，突地银牙一咬，霍地从南宫平头顶上掠了过去，掠到南宫平前面，道：“跟我来！”终于还是上了山。
南宫平望着她飘散的头发，心中暗笑：“江湖中人，俱道她如何冷酷，如何毒辣，但我看她却也不过是个天真末泯的女孩子。”他极力忍住不笑出来。
哪知梅吟雪却在前面“噗哧”一笑，道：“听一次别人的话，倒也是蛮有趣的，但是——”她突又顿住笑声，凹过头来，道：“只此一次。”
南宫平道：“极是极是，只此一次。”忍不住也转过了头，不愿自己面上的笑容被梅吟雪看见。
朝阳初升，华山山巅，一片光辉灿烂，甚至连那简陋破旧的竹屋，都被这灿烂的阳光映得发出辉煌的光彩。
南宫平心中焦急，仅仅在那歧路脚印边，石壁字迹下，以及那几方巨石的刻像前停顿了一下，便笔直来到这间简陋的竹屋，但竹屋中却已空无人踪，他失望地叹息了一声，道：“他们都已走了……”
梅吟雪悠然道：“你却空跑了一趟！”
南宫平目光一转，突地大声道：“只怕未必吧！”
他突地一拧身躯，将掌中木棺，交到梅吟雪手里，梅吟雪竟来不及考虑，便接了过来，只见他一步掠上前去，掀开那陈旧的蒲团，梅吟雪没有看到蒲团外露出的一角黄笺，此刻双手托着棺木，冷笑道：“那下面难道还会有什么宝贝？”
南宫平道：“正是！”缓缓转过身来。手中已多了一方淡黄色的纸笺，他凝神看了两遍，面上渐渐露出宽慰的笑容，但笑容中又有些诧异的神色，然后，他缓缓将它放入怀中。
梅吟雪手里托着棺木，看义无法看到，忍不住道：“喂！”
南宫平故作愕然之状，道：“什么事？”
梅吟雪“哼”一声，双手举起棺木，向南宫平推了过去，等到南宫平接过时，她已掠出门外。
她心中气恼，实在不愿再看南宫平一眼，但走了许久，却又忍不住回头去望，这时南宫平却正仔细看过了那两方山石上所刻的画像，悠然走了过来，他此刻竟像十分平静，方才的心事，此刻都好像是已经没有了大半。
但梅吟雪却越发气恼，又走了两步，却忍不住又回首道：“你到底说不说？”
南宫平道：“说什么？”
梅吟雪“哼”一声，纤腰微拧，“刷”地掠开数丈，南宫平方自微微好笑，哪知她却又“刷”地掠了回来，大声道：“那张黄纸上究竟写的是什么？”
南宫平微笑道：“你要看看这张字柬，怎地不早些说呢？不说我怎会知道！”
他右手托棺，伸出左手，手掌一摊，原来他竟早巳又将那张字柬放在掌心里，梅吟雪凝注着他掌心里的纸笺，呆了半晌，心里忍不住幽幽叹息一声，忖道：“我虽然美貌，但世上的男子却未必人人都会对我着迷，我虽然聪明，但人家也未必都比我笨……”望了南宫平两眼，心里不知是愁？是怒？hi?伸手取过纸笺，展开一看，只见上面赫然写着八个银钩铁划、古趣盎然的朱砂篆字：
“天帝留宾，神龙无恙！”
“神龙无恙……”她轻唤一声，诧声道：“不死神龙，竟然还没有死么？”
南宫平微微含笑道：“不会死的！”
梅吟雪抬头望他一眼，沉吟道：“这'天帝'两字，却又是什么意思呢？”
南宫平道：“自然是一位武林前辈的名字了，除此之外，难道……”
梅吟雪冷冷截口道：“是谁？你可曾听过武林中有人唤做'天帝'的？”南宫平微微一怔，梅吟雪道：“也许……”她本想说“天帝”这两字，也许是“极乐世界”的代名词，也许是仇家故意用来取笑、欺骗他们，或是友人用来安安他们的心。
但她见了南宫平的神色，突地又觉不忍说出口来，“天帝！天帝，”她只是淡淡说道：“只是这名字我未听人说过而已。”
将要下山的时候，她又忽然一笑，道：“我们还是走小路下山的好！”
Nangong Ping said: "Why?"
梅吟雪一掠鬓发，轻笑道：“我这样的打扮，见得了人么？”
南宫平侧目瞧了她几眼，只见她秀发如云，秋波如月，苍白的面靥被阳光一映，也有了几分粉红的颜色，衬着她一身雪般洁白的衣衫，当真是美的超尘绝俗，哪里有半分见不得人的样子？不禁失笑忖道：“你这副样子若是再见不得人，那么还有些别的女孩子真该找个地缝钻下去才是！”
他乍闻神龙平安之讯，师兄们的行踪至今虽仍未见，但毕竟不久便可相遇，是以此刻但觉心怀甚畅，是以没有说话，随着她自小路下山，在漫天夕阳，嫣红如紫，以及西北著名的风沙中，到了临潼。
将近黄昏，未到黄昏，风沙中的临潼城，在日色蒙胧、烟雾迷蒙中越发显得美了。
青石板铺成的正街是笔直的，经过一天疲劳的工作后冀求获得松懈或刺激的人们，拥塞在这条笔直的街道上，给这朴实的西北名城，平添了许多繁荣与热闹。
诱人的香气，眩目的灯光，以及令人闻之心动的刀勺声，自沿街的青帘中、高楼上传来，南宫平手托棺木，喃喃叹道：“这棺木真的重得很，难怪师傅费了许多心力才能找到抬棺人，但他们还是做不了多久便要走了！”
梅吟雪依依跟在他身边，闻言秋波闪动，微微一笑。
她这一笑中竟似又含蕴着一些秘密，但南宫平却未看出，他只是接口道：“你可知道那些抬棺人之中，有的还是些洗心革面的绿林人物——”话声未了，目光动处，突地瞥见街上每一双眼睛，都在瞬也不瞬地望着自己。
一个英俊轩昂，但却托着一具棺木的少年，一个美绝天人，但装束却极为奇特的女子，并肩走在这繁荣的街道，若不引人注意，除非这满街的人都是瞎子，南宫平面颊一红，垂下头去，轻轻道：“若是从大路下山，便可叫得到车了。”
梅吟雪却仍然神色自若，微微笑道：“你若是怕人看，这两旁的店家多得很……”言下之意，却是我已被人看惯了。
南宫平道：“极是极是……”埋首往路边走去。
他目光一瞟，只见路边一家最大的酒楼门楣上，那写着“平记快聚楼”五个黑漆大字的招牌，竟是鲜红的颜色，甚至连门帘都是红黑二色，与别的店家酒楼俱都不大相同，他神色似乎微微一变，但仍然笔直地走了进去。
但是他还未走到门口，店里一个瘦长的伙计却已迎了出来，但却绝非欢迎，而是双手将他拦在门外，南宫平怔了一怔，道：“做什么？”店伙面上的神色，混合首倨傲与虚伪，冷冷道：“你做什么？”
南宫平道：“自然是来吃饭打尖的。”心中却大为奇怪道：“怎地这家店对待客人如此怠慢。”不禁接口道：“难道你们这家店铺，不是做生意的么？”
瘦长的庙伙冷冷一笑，道：“生意是做的，可是带着棺材的客人，我们却绝不欢迎。”
南宫平恍然一笑，道：“可是……我这口棺材是空的，你不相信我可开开给你看！”他正待放下棺材，哪知道店伙却举手向他一推，厉叱道：“空的也不欢迎、”他身材虽瘦，但手底却有些力气，显见也是练过几天的把式。
此刻四周也围拢来一些看热闹的人，南宫平剑眉微轩，怒火渐升，但看了四周的人群一眼，却终于压下了怒火，和声道：“我和你们掌柜的认得，可不可以方便方便，我将棺材放在——”
他活犹未了，那店伙已大怒道：“跟掌柜的认得也不行，快走快走……”
梅吟雪似乎也看出了南宫平不愿惹事，此刻轻轻一拉他衣袖，道：“这家不行，我们就换一家！”
南宫平和悦颜色地看了这店伙几眼，终于分开人群走出，只听这店伙却仍在后面大骂：“也不打听打听这是什么地方！是谁开的？咱们的公子爷是淮？再来胡闹，不打断你的腿……”
梅吟雪偷偷瞧了瞧南宫平，只见他脸色平和，竟然丝毫没有动怒之态，心中不觉甚是奇怪，哪知换了一家酒铺，店伙竟道：“快聚楼没有留下的客人，小店也不敢留……”换了三家，竟然都是如此，南宫平剑眉渐渐扬起，跟在他们后面低声讥笑的闲汉，尤其令他不耐。
但是他仍然没有发作，直到转过这条大街，他们才在一条陋巷中找到一家小店肯接待他们，那年迈苍苍的店主人为他们摆上杯筷，口中却也在低声道：“本来快聚楼不收的客人，我们也不愿留下，可是……唉！客人你年纪轻轻，又带着家眷……唉！听说他们家还有一位公子爷，仗义疏财，声名赫赫，五湖四海，都有朋友，方才你老遇到的，大概就是尤二爷，这位尤二爷就是从那位公子爷办的招聚英雄馆出来的，据说还跟那位公子爷练过几天武，虽说是个伙计，可是就连他们掌柜的都惹不起……唉！这就叫做宰相家奴七品官呀。”
他唠叨而轻声地说完了这么长一篇话，便已将杯筷以及三两盘花生鸡子之类的小菜都摆好了，南宫平仍是神色安洋，毫无表情。
梅吟雪听了这老人的活，本来还似有些奇怪、诧异，但后来却忍不住有些奸笑了。
吃了两口菜，南宫平突地要过纸笔，写了几行字，仔细地折了起来，走到门门，交给一个街边的闲汉，低低说了两句话，又缓步走回。
梅吟雪望着他嫣然一笑，也不问他是在干什么，竟也是胸有成竹的样子。
他俩人安详地吃着东西，过了半晌，门外突地跌跌撞撞地奔进来一个锦衣华服、面容白净的中年汉子，奔进来便向南宫平当头一揖，还未说话，门外又一阵风似的奔进一个人来，“噗”地向南宫平拜倒在地，竟然就是那瘦高的店伙“尤二爷”。
南宫平目光一转，缓缓长身而起，道：“小二爷，你这是做什么？”
倨傲而虚伪的“尤二爷”，此刻已是可怜而可笑地说不出话来，那锦衣汉子亦是满面惶恐之色，赔着笑道：“想不到……想不到……公子爷大驾，竟到了西北来。”
小店中的老人此刻也惊得呆了，望望南宫平，又望望店外的人群，摸了摸自己苍白的头发，实在不相信自己的眼睛。
要知“南宫世家”，有敌国之富，普天之下，几乎都有着他们的生意，在“南宫世家”闻名的红黑两色标志下讨生活的人，不知有几千几万，但却无几人认得他们的少主人南宫平！
但此刻南宫平所写的窄窄一张纸柬，小小一个花押，却使得这位“尤二爷”及那掌柜的华服汉子充满了惊惧惶恐之情，面对着他们的少主人，这两人实在不知该说些什么奉承、求恕的话才好。
梅吟雪轻轻一笑，道：“我们大约可以换个地方吃饭了吧！”
南宫平垂首笑问：“尤二爷，我们抬着棺材可以进去么？”
但是，他的属下自然不会再让他们的少主人，来抬棺材的，那华服汉子连连道：“请公子先移驾到店中，等会小的再命人来抬这口棺材。”他心里也不禁奇怪，我们的公子为什么要抬着一口棺材在身边？但这些话他自然不敢问出来。
南宫平微微一笑，自怀中取出一个柔丝的香囊，随手抛在桌上，向那惶恐的老人笑道：“这是你的酒菜钱——”又道：“再等两天，我会安排你去做快聚楼的总管，我相信你会使那里的店伙们对客人仁慈客气些。”
他根本不容那老人致谢，便与梅吟雪飘然出了这小店。
直到他们的身形转出陋巷，看热闹的人也俱都跟去，这满心欢喜的老人还愣愣地站在门外，几乎还以为自己只是做了一场春梦。
他坐在桌边，打开那丝囊，一阵珠光，立刻腾耀而出，像是初升的阳光，闪耀着他的眼睛，也闪耀了他的心。
这幸福来得太过突然，又像是来得太迟了些，他摸摸自己面上的皱纹，想到自己死去的妻子，心里不知是该高兴抑或是该叹息。
突地——他似乎听到“喀喇”一声轻响，于是他转过头——
但是他目光方动，体内的血液，却已都被一阵突来的寒气给凝结住了。
一声轻响，丝囊也落到地上，四粒明珠，滚了出来，滚到那口停放在墙角的棺木边……