Chapter 46 The forty-fifth round of chess against opponents

The river flows again, and the light boat floats again.But he still stood there motionless, sweating profusely, and his clothes were soaked. There was an extremely strange expression on his face, maybe it was shock?hi?Still fear! A kind of fear that human beings have for a force that they cannot predict or control!Only he himself knew that this sword was not created by him. No one can create this sword at all, no one can understand the emergence of this sword's change, just like "death" itself, no one can understand, no one can predict.No one can control the power of this change.

The earth was dark.He stood there in the dark, his whole body seemed to be shaking, trembling with fear. Why is he afraid?Did he know that even he could no longer control this sword? Suddenly a long sigh came from the river, and a person sighed, "Why didn't the ghost cry? Why didn't the god shed tears?" Another boat appeared on the river, which looked like a boat on Misty Rain Lake.The lights on the boat are bright, there is a game of chess, a jug of wine, a qin, a volume of books, and a piece of black stone under the lamp. Sharpening stone! Standing alone at the bow of the boat, he looked at the old man and the broken sword in his hand.There was also an indescribable sadness and fear in his eyes.The old man slowly raised his head and looked at him.

"Do you still recognize me?" "Of course I know you." ——Cuiyun Peak, the painted boat on the green water lake, on the painted boat there are people who have gone and lost their lives. These are things the old man will never forget.On this painting boat, he sank his famous sword and his heroic years. This is the man who once lamented his stupidity and admired his wisdom.Was he smart in doing that?or stupid? "Thank you shopkeeper." "Yan Thirteen." They stared at each other and sighed sadly: "I didn't expect that we would meet again one day."

Shopkeeper Xie sighed even louder: "Cangjie created characters, and ghosts and gods cry at night. You created this sword, and ghosts and gods should also cry." The old man understood what he meant.This sword has indeed released the secret of heaven, but lost the heart of heaven.The heart of God is benevolent.Now that this sword has been created, from now on, it is unknown how many people will die under this sword. The old man was silent, and after a long time, he said slowly: "I did not create this sword!" Xie shopkeeper said: "No?" The old man shook his head and said: "I created the Thirteen Swords of Death, and found out its fourteenth variation, but I have never been satisfied, because I know it must have another variation."

Xie shopkeeper said: "You have been looking for it all the time!" The old man said: "Yes, I have been looking for it all the time, because I know that only by finding out this change can I defeat Xie Xiaofeng." Shopkeeper Xie said, "You haven't found it all this time?" The old man said: "I tried my best but I couldn't find it, but Xie Xiaofeng is dead." ——The pitch-black curtain and pitch-black coffin in Excalibur Villa. The old man said sadly: "Once Xie Xiaofeng dies, who else in the world is my opponent? Why should I look for it?"

He sighed a long time, and said: "So not only did I sink the sword and bury my name, but I also sank the idea of ​​finding this last change to the bottom of the lake. Since that day, I have never even thought about it." Shopkeeper Xie pondered, and slowly said: "Maybe it's because you never thought about it again, that's why you found it." This sword is the "god" in swordsmanship. "God" cannot be seen or found, and when God is about to come, he comes suddenly.But you must first reach the state of "no one, no self, no forgetfulness" before God can come.This principle is just like the "sudden enlightenment" in Zen.

Shopkeeper Xie said again: "Of course you now know that the third young master is not dead." The old man nodded. Shopkeeper Xie said, "Are you confident that you can defeat him now?" The old man stared at the broken sword in his hand and said, "If only I could have a good sword." Shopkeeper Xie said, "Do you still want to get your sword back?" The old man said, "Can you still find it?" Shopkeeper Xie said: "As long as you look for it, you can find it." The old man said, "Where can I find it?" Shopkeeper Xie said, "It's right here."

The notch on the side of the ship is still there. Shopkeeper Xie said: "You should remember that you carved this with your own sword." ——The famous sword at that time has been depressed, what about people?People are here now. Some people are like a sharp weapon made of refined steel, even if they are depressed, they still exist. The old man couldn't help but sighed, and said: "It's a pity that this place is no longer where I used to sink my sword." Shopkeeper Xie said: "Carving a boat to seek a sword is something a fool would do." The old man said: "Not bad."

Shopkeeper Xie said: "But you are not a fool. You did not want to come back to find a sword when you carve your boat and sink your sword." The old man admitted: "I am not." Shopkeeper Xie said: "You did that unintentionally, and there is a secret inadvertently." He continued slowly: "Since you can find the essence of your sword technique by accident, why can't you find your sword by accident?" The old man said nothing more, because he had seen his sword.In the pitch-black water of the lake, a sword has slowly floated up, and the thirteen pearls on the scabbard can already be seen.

Of course the sword will not float by itself, nor will it seek its former owner by itself.The sword itself has no spirituality.If the sword has a spirit, it is only because of the person holding the sword.The sword was able to float only because shopkeeper Xie lifted it up. The old man was not surprised.He has already seen the thread tied to the tsuba, and he has also seen that the other end of this thread is in the hands of Shopkeeper Xie.There are many incredible and unexplainable things happening in the world.Just because everything has such a thread, it's just that people don't see it.

After many painful experiences, the elderly will gradually understand this truth. Shopkeeper Xie was still explaining: "After you left that day, I picked up this sword for you, and I have been keeping it for you." "Why are you doing this?" Shopkeeper Xie said: "Because I know that you and the third young master will meet again sooner or later." The old man sighed suddenly and said, "I also know that this is our destiny." Shopkeeper Xie said: "No matter what, you have finally recovered your sword now." The sword is already in his hand, and the thirteen pearls on the scabbard are still shining. Shopkeeper Xie asked again: "Are you sure you can defeat him now?" Yan Shisan did not answer.His sword was back in his hand now, and it was as sharp as ever. With this sword, he is invincible across the world. He has always been ruthless and fearless.What's more, now that he has found the essence of his swordsmanship, he must be invincible in the world.But instead, there was an indescribable fear in his heart. He couldn't tell it himself, but others could see it. Even Shopkeeper Xie had noticed it, and couldn't help but ask, "Are you afraid? What are you afraid of?" Yan Shisan said: "Thirteen Swords of Killing was like a poisonous snake I raised. Although it can kill people, I can control it, but now..." Xie shopkeeper said: "How is it now?" Yan Shisan said: "Now this poisonous snake has turned into a poisonous dragon, and has its own supernatural powers." Shopkeeper Xie said, "Could it be that you can't control it now?" Yan Shisan was silent, and after a long time, he slowly said: "I don't know, no one knows..." Just because I don't know, I'm afraid. Shopkeeper Xie seemed to understand what he meant.They stared into the distance at the same time, with the same strange expression in their eyes. After a long time, Yan Shisan asked: "You sent me the sword specially, do you hope that I can defeat him?" Shopkeeper Xie actually admitted: "Yes." Yan Shisan said, "Aren't you his friend?" Xie shopkeeper said: "I am." Yan Shisan said, "Why do you want me to defeat him?" Shopkeeper Xie said: "Because he has never been defeated." Yan Shisan said: "Why do you want him to lose?" Shopkeeper Xie said: "Because he will know that he is not a god after he has been defeated once, and he is not absolutely invincible. He must be taught such a lesson before he can truly grow up." Yan Shisan said: "You are wrong." Shopkeeper Xie said, "Where is the mistake?" Yan Shisan said: "There is nothing wrong with this principle, but it is wrong to apply it to him." Xie shopkeeper said: "Why?" Yan Shisan said: "Because he is not someone else, because he is Xie Xiaofeng, Xie Xiaofeng can only die, not defeat!" Xie shopkeeper said: "Where is Yan Shisan?" Yan Shisan said: "Yan Shisan is the same." Yan Shisan returned to his light boat, which had swung away. Shopkeeper Xie stood silently at the bow of the boat, watching the light boat go away, and suddenly felt an indescribable fear and sadness in his heart. There will always be two kinds of people in this world. The purpose of one kind of life is not to exist, but to burn.There is light only when it burns. Even if there is only a moment of light. The other kind of people will always only watch others burn and let the light of others illuminate themselves.What kind of person is a smart person? he does not know.All he knew was that his grief wasn't for them, but for himself. It's not even dusk yet, the setting sun is already very red, so red that it seems to be burning. The maple forest under the setting sun also seems to have burned. Xie Xiaofeng was sitting under the burning sunset, outside the burning maple forest.He had no sword in his hand, not even a sword hewn from a piece of wood.He is still waiting. ——Waiting for someone?Still waiting to be burned? Murong Qiudi looked at him from a distance for a long time, and only now came over. The way she walks is so beautiful. Even if you know she is going to kill you when she walks over, you still think it looks good. "A woman is born to be seen." No matter when, she will never forget this sentence, as long as she thinks it makes sense, she will never forget it. She walked up to him, looked at him, and suddenly asked, "Is it today?" Xie Xiaofeng said: "It's today." Murong Qiudi said: "Is it now?" Xie Xiaofeng said: "It's now." The person he was waiting for could come anytime now. Murong Qiudi said: "Then you should at least have a sword in your hand." Xie Xiaofeng said: "I don't have a sword." Murong Qiudi said: "Is it because you have a sword in your heart, so you don't need to have a sword in your hand at all!" Xie Xiaofeng said: "Those who learn swords must have swords in their hearts." If you don't have a sword in your heart, how can you learn to sword?Xie Xiaofeng said: "It's a pity that the sword in my heart can never kill Yan Shisan." Murong Qiudi said: "Then why don't you go find a sword?" Xie Xiaofeng said: "Because I know you will definitely send it for me." Murong Qiudi said: "What kind of sword do you want?" Xie Xiaofeng said: "Whatever." Murong Qiudi said: "It can't be casual." Xie Xiaofeng said: "Why?" Murong Qiudi said: "Because swords are the same as people, there are many kinds. The form, weight, length, width of each sword will not be absolutely the same, and each sword has its own characteristics." She sighed, and said again: "So choosing a sword is like choosing a friend. You must not be sloppy, let alone casual." Of course Xie Xiaofeng also understood this truth.When masters fight, they can't even make a mistake. The sword they use is often the factor that determines their victory or defeat. Murong Qiudi laughed again, very proudly: "Fortunately, even if you don't tell me, I know which sword you want most in your heart." Xie Xiaofeng said: "You know?" Murong Qiudi said: "Not only do I know, but I have brought it for you." She had really brought it for him.Xie Xiaofeng will never forget the jet-black old scabbard, the quaint sword guard, and even the streaks of black silk on the hilt that have grown from frequent friction. To him, this sword is like a friend who once shared life and death with him, but stayed away from him.Although he will never forget it, it never occurred to him that they would meet again.The young guy in the inn gently put the sword on a piece of bluestone and left quietly. Xie Xiaofeng couldn't help reaching out and touching the scabbard lightly.His hand was shaking all the time, but as soon as he held the sword, it would immediately return to stability.He held the sword tightly, like an amorous teenager hugging his first lover tightly. Murong Qiudi said: "You don't need to ask me why this sword is in my hand. If you ask, I won't tell you, because I don't want to disturb your heart." Xie Xiaofeng didn't ask. Murong Qiudi said: "I also know that if I stay here, you will be upset too, so I'm leaving." She shook his hand lightly, and said softly: "But I will definitely wait for you in the inn, and I believe you will come back soon." She's really gone, and she still looks so pretty when she walks.Xie Xiaofeng looked at her slender back, but couldn't help asking himself in his heart: "Is this the last time I see her?" At this moment, he suddenly had an indescribable attachment to her, and he could hardly bear to call her back.But he didn't do that. Because at this moment, he already felt a murderous aura! It was like a gust of cold wind blowing out from the maple forest. On the back of his sword-holding hand, blue veins were protruding.He didn't look back, and he didn't need to look back to know that the person he was waiting for had arrived. This person is of course Yan Shisan! The setting sun was as red as blood, and the maple forest was also as red as blood. The world was already full of murderous aura. What's more, there are such two people in the world! Among the red leaves all over the mountain, a black figure has appeared.What black symbolizes is sadness, ominousness, and death. Black also symbolizes loneliness, pride, and nobility.What they symbolize is the life of a swordsman.Just like most swordsmen, Yan Shisan also likes black and worships black. When he walked the rivers and lakes, he never wore clothes of other colors.Now he has returned to this attire, and even his face is covered with a black scarf.He didn't want Xie Xiaofeng to recognize him as the weak and crooked old man by the medicine stove.He didn't want Xie Xiaofeng to have any scruples when he made a move. Because his greatest wish in life is to fight to the death with the unparalleled Xie Xiaofeng. As long as this wish can be achieved, why not lose?What does it matter if you die? Now he is sure that Xie Xiaofeng will never see that this black-clothed swordsman with a straight body like a javelin is just a weak old man with a waist bent like a shrimp.But Xie Xiaofeng recognized him as Yan Shisan, his strongest opponent in his life! Because he was holding a sword in his hand, with thirteen crystal pearls inlaid on the black scabbard.Although this sword is not a sharp weapon for cutting iron like mud, it has been famous all over the world for a long time.In the minds of the Jianghu people, what this sword symbolizes is ominousness and death! As soon as Xie Xiaofeng turned around, his gaze was immediately attracted to the sword, like a needle meeting a magnet.Of course he also knew that this sword was Yan Shisan's standard cloth. He also has a sword in his hand.Although the two swords have not been unsheathed yet, it seems that the sword energy is reverberating. Yan Shisan suddenly said, "I recognize you." Xie Xiaofeng said: "Have you seen me?" Yan Shisan said, "No." His eyes exposed outside the black scarf were as sharp as a knife: "But I recognize you, you must be Xie Xiaofeng." Xie Xiaofeng said: "Because you recognize this sword?" Yan Shisan said: "This sword is nothing, if it is in someone else's hands, it will be nothing more than scrap iron." He continued slowly: "The last time I saw this sword, it seemed to have died with its owner. Now, once it is in your hands, it immediately has a murderous look." Xie Xiaofeng finally sighed, and said: "Yan Shisan really deserves to be Yan Shisan, unexpectedly we finally meet." Yan Shisan said: "You should be able to imagine it." Xie Xiaofeng said: "Oh?" Yan Shisan said: "Since there are two people like us in the world, we will meet each other sooner or later!" Xie Xiaofeng said: "When we meet, is it certain that someone will die under the sword of the other party?" Yan Shisan said: "Yes." He gripped his sword tightly: "Yan Shisan can live until this day because he has to wait for this day. If he can't fight against the unparalleled Xie Xiaofeng, Yan Shisan will die with regret." Xie Xiaofeng stared at his eyes exposed outside the black scarf, and said, "Then you should at least let me see your true face." Yan Shisan said: "Why do you want to see my real face, when have you let others see your real face?" He sneered, and continued: "No one in Jiang Hu has ever known what kind of person Xie Xiaofeng is." Xie Xiaofeng closed his mouth.He had to admit that even he himself had forgotten what his own true face was like. Yan Shisan said: "It doesn't matter what kind of person you are, because I already know that you are the third young master of the Xie family, Xie Xiaofeng."