Chapter 2 The second murderer
Among the three giants in Dafengtang, the famous "Golden Dragon Swordsman" Zhao Jian mysteriously lost his head on the day when his only son was rejoicing.
This is of course a major event that caused a sensation in the world.Even if they don't recognize Zhao Jian, anyone who has never met Zhao Jian has at least heard his name.
He has friends, and of course he has enemies.Whether it is his friend or enemy, he will be surprised and curious about this incident.
Some people who know more about this matter will become the object of interrogation no matter where they go. The question that everyone wants to ask most is: "Who is the murderer?"
No one knows the answer to this question, and no one dares to make a judgment.Because if someone says a wrong word, that person is also likely to lose his head in the middle of the night.Therefore, it is inevitable that there will be a lot of discussions in the arena - "Zhao Jian is really dead? Has his head been cut off?"
"It's absolutely true."
"When did he die?"
"On the day his son was married, March 27th."
"I heard that day was auspicious and auspicious for everything?"
"It was a good day indeed."
"Of course you have to choose a good day to marry a daughter-in-law, but don't you want to choose a good day to kill someone?"
"That day is suitable for everything, it is suitable for marriage, and it is suitable for killing."
"So the person who killed him has not been found out until now?"
"It may not be easy to find this person."
"But there should be more or less clues from the Zhao family?"
"It seems a little bit."
So some enthusiastic people began to want to find more clues for the people of the Zhao family!
"Where did Zhao Jian die?"
"He died in Hefeng Villa."
"There must have been a lot of people who went to the Hefeng Villa to congratulate him that day. Why didn't anyone see it?"
"Because he died in his chamber."
"His secret room is really secret?"
"Absolutely secret, not even his own daughter knows."
"Does anyone know?"
"Other than himself, there are only three people who have heard of going to his secret room."
"Which three people?"
"Sikong Xiaofeng, Shangguan Ren and his son."
"Could it be that only these three people can kill him?"
"It's really hard for me to come up with a fourth."
"why?"
"Zhao Jian is not an ordinary person. When he was less than twenty years old, he started to roam the rivers and lakes with his sword."
"I've also heard that when he was seventeen years old, he drew his sword and killed the 'Chang'an Tiger' in Chang'an City."
"From then on, within three years, he killed the 'Seven Heroes of Guanzhong' and the 'Four Jiaos of the Yellow River', and also defeated the most famous swordsmen in Guanzhong, Xiao Daoren and Tao Zhongxiong."
"So, before he was twenty years old, he was already famous all over the world."
"When he was less than 30 years old, he helped Yun Feiyang establish the Dafeng Hall. Think about it, a person like this would not be beheaded casually."
"I can't figure it out at all."
"You should be able to imagine that the person who cut his head must be someone who knows him very well, so he will be unsuspecting of this person."
"This person's martial arts must also be very high, and his shots must be extremely fast."
"Huashan Medical Yin Lu Tong was also there at the time, and also examined the corpse of Master Zhao."
"How did he say?"
"He concluded that the murder weapon that killed Mr. Zhao was definitely a sword, and he cut off Mr. Zhao's head with one sword."
"Sikong Xiaofeng and Shangguan Ren happen to be masters at using swords."
"They are all first-class masters."
"Is Second Master Zhao's son the Zhao Wuji who can be stabbed for his friends at any time?"
"it's him!"
"Of course he won't be the murderer."
"Never will."
"In your opinion, is the murderer Shangguan Ren? Or Sikong Xiaofeng?"
"I have no idea."
"you guess?"
"I dare not guess."
These discussions can be heard in public places.
In the middle of the night, under the melon trellise in the small courtyard, and next to the small table and wine bottle in the private room, there are some words that others cannot hear.
"I heard that the most suspicious person is Sikong Xiaofeng."
"why?"
"Because he was the last person to arrive at Hefeng Villa, and he only arrived on the night of March 27."
"The last person should be without suspicion."
"But later someone found out that he left Baoding on the 25th."
"Then he should have arrived at Hefeng Villa on the 26th."
"Should be here by noon at the latest."
"From the afternoon of the 26th to the night of the 27th, where did he go for more than a day?"
"Nobody knows."
"That's why some people think that he is the most suspected."
"good."
"But I heard that on the afternoon of the 27th, only Shangguan Ren was with Second Master Zhao all the time."
"So the suspicion of Shangguan Ren is not small."
"What about the two of them?"
"To this day they are still in Hefeng Villa."
"Whoever leaves will be more suspicious. Of course, none of them will leave."
"Actually, it doesn't matter whether they leave or not."
"why?"
"Because they are all life-and-death friends of Mr. Zhao, there is no reason to do such a murderous thing. If no solid evidence can be found, no one dares to doubt them."
"Have you found any evidence now?"
"No."
Today is the fourth day of April. The "first seven" have passed.
night.
It has been seven days since Wuji found his father's body.
It has been seven days and Wuji has not shed a tear, not even a single tear.
He never drank a drop of water, and of course he never ate a grain of rice.
His lips were chapped, even his skin was chapped.
His eye sockets have been sunken, and his healthy and ruddy face has become like a piece of white paper.
His whole body was stiff and numb.
Seeing this, everyone was frightened, even Qianqian was frightened.
But no one can persuade him.
He couldn't hear anything, he couldn't see anything.
The most uncomfortable person is of course Wei Fengniang, she has been crying, but now even her tears have dried up.
During these seven days, everyone seldom spoke, and everyone was looking for some clues to find out the real culprit.
But they couldn't find it.
They searched every inch of Hefeng Villa, but they couldn't find any clues that could help them find out the real culprit.
No one dared to doubt Shangguan Ren, let alone Sikong Xiaofeng, but apart from them, no one had even the slightest suspicion.
If the murderer is another person, then the murderer must be a demon who can come and go without a trace.
Although everyone seldom spoke, they always said a few words.
Shangguan Ren didn't say a word.
——Where did Zhao Jian go when he was killed?
He didn't explain, and no one dared to ask him to explain.
It was only later that others found out that he was drunk at that time, and passed out in the guest room arranged for him by Director Jiang.
It was a courtyard with five rooms, and he and his entourage arranged to stay there.
Zhao Biao was responsible for receiving them.
Zhao Biao is not only the old man of the Zhao family, but also a distant relative of Zhao Erye.
Zhao Biao has confirmed that on March 27th, Shangguan Sanye has been sleeping in the house since dusk.
Although he seldom made a sound when he was awake, he snored when he was drunk and asleep.Many people have heard his snoring.
Many people in Jianghu believed that Sikong Xiaofeng was able to achieve today not because of his martial arts, but because of his self-cultivation.
His Neijia Jinquan and Cross Wisdom Sword have not really been practiced to the peak, but his self-cultivation is definitely the best in the world.
Although these are somewhat ironic, they are also true.
It's just that everyone seems to have forgotten, how can one have such a good self-cultivation if one is not good at practicing qi alone?
He knew that the people in Hefeng Villa had doubts about him, because he had indeed arrived on March 26th.
But there was absolutely no sign of uneasiness in his attitude, let alone defending himself.
He came a day early for another reason.
That is definitely a secret and must not be known to anyone.
In the past few days, he was as calm and calm as usual, because he knew that in this situation, someone must keep calm so that the situation would not become too chaotic.
No matter what the circumstances, he will never forget what he should do.
He tried his best to arrange Zhao Jian's burial and persuade the disciples of Dafengtang. He believed that the truth of this matter would come to light sooner or later.
No matter what others say, no one can deny that he does have a stabilizing power.
So Dafengtang can never lack him.
The "first seven" had passed, and the last batch of Dafengtang disciples who stayed behind to guard the spirit also returned to their original positions.
Although Zhao Jian is a pillar of Dafeng Hall, Dafeng Hall must not collapse just because this pillar is broken.
It was like a well-designed solid building. Although a pillar was missing, it still stood still, and it could still withstand the wind and rain.
Sikong Xiaofeng has made his disciples understand this point, and he hopes that everyone can turn grief and anger into strength!
In the mourning hall in the hall, there are not many people left except for the Zhao family.
Shangguan Ren suddenly stood up and said, "Ouyang is waiting for me."
After saying this, he strode out.
There are only five words in this sentence, except for Sikong Xiaofeng, no one understands what he means.
But as long as one person understands it is enough.
If he could say what he meant with only five words, Shangguan Ren would never be able to say six words.
Qianqian watched him go out, and couldn't help asking: "Is he just leaving like this?"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "He must go!"
Qianqian said, "Why?"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Because he and Ouyang made an appointment to meet."
Qianqian said: "Who is Ouyang?"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "It's Ouyang Ping'an."
Ouyang Ping'an is the chief escort of the eighteen joint escort agencies in the Central Plains. They have already planned to form an alliance with Dafengtang.
This time, Ouyang Ping'an and Shangguan Ren must have discussed this matter.
Qianqian didn't ask again.She also vaguely heard about this matter, the Great Wind Hall really needs a powerful ally.
Ever since they knew that Thunder Mart had married the Tang Sect in central Shu, they hoped that the covenant could be signed as soon as possible.
Thunderbolt Hall's unique firearms are already terrifying enough, but now with the addition of the hidden poison weapons of Tangmen in central Shu and their unique hidden weapon techniques, it is undoubtedly even more powerful.
This has always been a hidden worry in Sikong Xiaofeng's heart.He only hoped that Ouyang Ping'an would not change the original plan because of this incident.
There was a faint sound of horseshoes outside, Shangguan Ren had obviously left Hefeng Villa with his entourage.
The sound of hooves went away, and the mourning hall became even more silent.
Wuji still knelt in front of his father's spiritual tablet motionless, his chapped lips were already bleeding.
Sikong Xiaofeng said slowly: "The things here are roughly arranged, and I will leave in a day or two."
Of course he will leave sooner or later.
Yun Feiyang was still in the closed period, Zhao Jian died suddenly, and Dafengtang couldn't lack him.
Qianqian lowered her head, wanted to say something, but held back.
She didn't dare to speak casually, as long as she made a mistake in one sentence, their family might be ruined.
But she was really afraid.Her father died, and her brother became like this again, but Hefeng Villa must be maintained.
This heavy burden has undoubtedly fallen on her.
what should she do
Sikong Xiaofeng looked at her, as if he had seen what was on her mind, and said softly: "I know you are a very strong girl, but we are really worried about him."
Of course he was worried about Wuji.
Everyone was worried about Wuji, but hoped that he could stand up and stand up with his chest out.
But no one knows when he will be able to stand up.
In the silent mourning hall, suddenly there was a sound of heavy footsteps, and Qianqian knew it was Lao Jiang without looking back.
He was short of breath, his face was flushed with excitement, and he hurried in from outside with a wine bottle in his hand.
Is he drunk again?
no.
What is in the glass is not wine, but dust.
Old Jiang gasped and said, "I found this from the guest room of the third Lord Shangguan."
He explained: "As soon as the third master Shangguan left, I took people to clean the house."
"Cleaning" is of course just an excuse.
Shangguan Ren was also suspected, but when he was around, no one dared to search his house.
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "What exactly did you find?"
Old Jiang said: "I was just about to ask you, sir, to make an appraisal."
There is only a light half cup of brownish-yellow powder in the wine glass, as if it is mud scraped from the ground.
But this half-cup of soil has a peculiar aroma.
Sikong Xiaofeng picked up a small handful with two fingers, put it in the palm of his hand, rubbed it slowly with his fingers, and then moved closer to his nose to sniff.
A very strange expression appeared on his face immediately.
Old Jiang said: "Old Chen, the deacon of the banquet, has the best nose. I have asked him to smell it. He said that there is not only lime, but also musk and dragon horn."
Sikong Xiaofeng nodded slowly.
He also had to admit that Old Chen's nose was really sharp, and there were indeed musk, dragon's horn and lime in the soil.
Old Jiang said: "I scraped this up with a knife from under the table in Shangguan's third master's bedroom."
The corners of his eyes seemed to be jumping, and his hands were shaking! "Not only on the ground, but also in the cracks of the table. I...I can't figure out what the third master Shangguan wants for these things?"
Even his voice trembled because he knew what these things were for.
Musk and dragon horn are both very valuable spices, which can be used not only as medicine, but also as antiseptic.
Lime is a very common desiccant.
In the Shangguan Blade House, is there anything that needs to be prevented from rotting and kept dry?
Zhao Jian's coffin also contained these three items to keep his body intact and dry.
But his head was not in the coffin.
In whose hands is his head?
Did that person also use these three things to preserve his head?
When you think about these problems together, it becomes a very scary problem - are there these things in Shangguan Ren's room to preserve Zhao Jian's head?
Could it be that he was the murderer who killed Zhao Jian?
Until now, no one has been sure about this matter, and dare not even say it!
But Qianqian's face was completely pale, and her whole body began to tremble unceasingly.
Even Sikong Xiaofeng's expression changed.
He forced himself to remain calm, and asked in a deep voice: "Who saw the third master Shangguan sleeping in the room that day?"
Old Jiang said: "It's Zhao Biao."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Go and find him!"
Old Jiang said: "I have already sent someone to look for him!"
He has already dispatched twelve people, and all twelve of them are experts in the Zhao family!
Now they have come back to life.
"Where are Zhao Biao's people?"
"It's just outside!"
"Call him in!"
"He can't walk in by himself!"
"Then bring him in."
Four people used the door panels to carry Zhao Biao in. Although Lao Jiang had worked with him for many years, he could hardly recognize him as Zhao Biao now.
His whole body had become black and swollen, his face was even darker and more swollen, and his facial features were distorted and deformed.
He was still panting when he came in, but when he saw Sikong Xiaofeng, he died immediately.
"Who killed him?"
"I don't know, he got a hidden weapon in his chest. It seemed like nothing just now, but he suddenly became like this!"
The people who brought him in all had expressions of extreme fear in their eyes!
Although they saw such a terrible change with their own eyes, they still couldn't believe it.
Sikong Xiaofeng said in a deep voice, "Go find a knife."
Some had daggers in their boots.
Sikong Xiaofeng used the tip of the knife to pierce Zhao Biao's chest clothes, and saw a small, thorn-like hidden weapon hit his left breast. Although the wound did not have blood, it was black and rotten.
Old Jiang took a deep breath, and said, "What a poisonous hidden weapon."
Sikong Xiaofeng looked at the knife in his hand, the blade was only stained with a bit of poisonous pus from the wound, and it had turned black now.
His face became more serious.
In the whole world, there is only one hidden weapon with such a terrible poison.
Qianqian bit her lip, which was already bleeding from the bite: "This—this is the poisonous quinoa from the Tang family in the middle of Sichuan?"
Sikong Xiaofeng nodded slowly, and said word by word: "That's right, this is Tangmen's unique hidden weapon, the blood-sealed poisonous quinoa!"
Everyone's face changed.
The Tang Sect in the middle of Shu has already married with Thunderbolt Hall. How did people from the Tang family get into Hefeng Villa?
It's just too scary.
A young servant who came in carrying the door panel seemed to want to talk, but he didn't dare to talk nonsense!
Sikong Xiaofeng had already noticed his expression, and immediately said: "What do you want to say?"
The young servant hesitated, and said: "There is something that I don't know whether I should say or not."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "You say."
The young servant hesitated for a long time, before summoning up his courage, he said: "Among the entourage brought by Lord Shangguan, there seems to be someone who came from Shuzhong, Sichuan!"
Sikong Xiaofeng said movedly: "How do you know?"
The young family member Ding said: "Because the little mother is from Shu, the villain can also speak a few Sichuan dialects. Yesterday I overheard that the attendant of the third master of the Shangguan spoke Sichuan dialect."
He thought for a while, and then said: "Besides, in order to commemorate Zhuge Wuhou, people in Sichuan usually like to wrap a white cloth on their head, and that person always wraps a white cloth on his head when he sleeps at night. He talked in Sichuan dialect, but he refused to admit that he was from Sichuan, and then he almost turned on me."
Lao Jiang continued: "Among the attendants brought by the third master Shangguan this time, there is indeed a person I have never seen before. I wanted to ask when he followed the third master Shangguan? But I also know that Shangguan I dare not ask about the third master's temper."
Now of course there is no need to ask anything.
All the evidence has been equivalent to pointing out who the murderer is.
Shangguan Ren bought Zhao Biao to give false testimony for him, but he was afraid that Zhao Biao's speech would not be stable, so he asked him, a follower from Sichuan, to kill Zhao Biao to silence him.
But the disciples of the Tang Sect in Chuanzhong were always very proud, how could they be willing to be Shangguan Ren's entourage?
There must be a bigger conspiracy.
"Could it be that Shangguan Ren already has contact with the Tang Sect and Thunderbolt Hall in Central Shu?"
"Did he kill Zhao Jian just to please them?"
Not only did everyone dare not speak out about these issues, they even dared not even think about them.
Sikong Xiaofeng clenched his fists tightly, and cold sweat broke out from his palms.
At this moment, Zhao Wuji, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly jumped up and rushed out.
Zhao Wuji's whole body was stiff and numb.He has completely collapsed and is on the verge of collapse.
The strange thing is that his heart became clear and ethereal, and his reaction became sharper than usual. No matter how many voices there were, they sounded like thunder in his ears!
Everyone's voice seemed to him to be shouting in his ear.
Maybe it's just because he's empty, fragile like porcelain.
But he did not lose his judgment.
——Why does a person's mind become more sensitive when his body is weakest?
He has figured out who the murderer is!
He jumped up and rushed out.There was no one to stop him, only Sikong Xiaofeng.
Sikong Xiaofeng only stretched out his hand to lightly block it, and he had already fallen down.
The last sliver of potential he had just been aroused by hatred was exhausted now.
Now, even a child can easily knock him down!
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "I know where you are going, I didn't want to stop you, because I want to go too."
Wuji's eyes were bloodshot, looking like a wounded beast.
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "But you must not go now, I cannot let you go to die."
Qianqian's eyes were also red, and she said loudly: "But we must go, we must go!"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Shangguan Ren is dark and prey, and his subordinates already have a group of dead soldiers who are ready to work for him at any time, plus the poisonous hidden weapons of the Tang Sect in the middle of Sichuan, even if we want to go, we can't just go like this. "
Qianqian said: "How can we go?"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "You can't go until you have the certainty of hitting a hit!"
He sighed, and said again: "If he misses the first hit, let him retreat completely, I'm afraid we will never have a second chance in the future."
He is telling the truth.
But the subordinates of Hefeng Villa refused to accept it.
In a short time, the 136 servants under Lao Jiang's leadership had gathered in the yard in front of the mourning hall, and everyone was prepared - strong bows, hard crossbows, long spears, and sharp knives.
Among the 136 people, at least half have practiced martial arts for more than ten years.
Old Jiang knelt down in front of Sikong Xiaofeng, and touched the ground with his head until blood flowed out.
His face was bleeding, and he couldn't stop begging, only asking Sikong Xiaofeng to let them take revenge.
Of course Sikong Xiaofeng could see that no one could change their minds.
He had always disapproved of violence.
But using violence to control violence, blood for blood, even he couldn't object.
He could only agree: "Okay, you go, and I will accompany you too, but Wuji—"
Old Jiang hurriedly said: "The young master must go too. We have prepared a pot of ginseng soup and a cart for the young master. Before he reaches Shangguan Fort, his physical strength will definitely recover."
Wuji never drank ginseng soup, but now he must force himself to drink it.
He must regain his strength.He must kill his father's enemies with his hands.
It's a pity that he forgot one thing - even when his physical strength was at its peak, he was definitely no match for Shangguan Ren.
Sikong Xiaofeng did not forget this point.
As for Shangguan Ren's swordsmanship, martial arts, venomous strikes, and accurate judgment, no one knows better than him.
They have fought side by side since they were teenagers, an average of thirty times a year.
Before founding Dafengtang, they had experienced at least three hundred battles.
He had personally seen Shangguan Ren stab the blade into the enemy's throat countless times, every time it was absolutely fatal, and he rarely missed it.
Once when they were dealing with the Kanto Seven Swords, Shangguan Ren's opponent was Cao Xun, the famous "Lightning Sword" in the martial arts at that time. He was wounded in seven places at the beginning, and one sword even pierced his shoulder blade.
But in the end Cao Xun still died in his hands. Before he fell down, he pierced Ding Cao Xun's throat with a sword.That's what's most terrifying about him.
He can endure pain almost like a desert lizard and has almost the stamina of a camel.
Once, six of his ribs were broken. When others bandaged him, even the mattress was soaked in cold sweat from his pain, but he didn't even groan.
At that time, Yun Feiyang was also watching from the side, and once said something that everyone couldn't disagree with: "Whoever has an opponent like Shangguan Ren will definitely not be able to sleep at night."
Sikong Xiaofeng never forgot this sentence.
Of course, he shouldn't forget Yun Feiyang's opinion of him.
"If Sikong Xiaofeng wants to fight with me one day, I will run away as soon as he comes."
Someone asked: "Why?"
"Because he will never fight an unsure fight," Yun Feiyang said, "As long as he comes, does it mean that he must be sure of winning?"
Yun Feiyang is stunningly beautiful and talented, the hero of his life, and of course he is also very knowledgeable.
Of course he would never have misjudged his friend.
In Sikong Xiaofeng's life, he had never done anything he was not sure about.
Did he have the certainty of winning this time?
Old Jiang is also in the carriage.
Years of rheumatism prevented him from walking long distances or riding a horse.
The carriage was roomy, with enough room for all four of them to sit comfortably.
But he wasn't sitting comfortably, in fact, he was almost standing there.
He has always been very aware of his identity, even though his young master has regarded him as a family member for a long time, but he has never surpassed the rules he has followed for many years.
For this point, Sikong Xiaofeng has always felt very appreciative, what he hates the most in his life is people who don't follow the rules.
So they didn't ask Old Jiang to sit more comfortably, they just asked: "How should we enter Shangguan Fort? How should we deal with Shangguan Ren? Have you already made a plan?"
Old Jiang said: "Yes."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Why didn't you say it?"
Old Jiang said: "Because the uncle hasn't asked yet."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Now that I have asked, you can tell me!"
Old Jiang said: "Yes."
He was silent for a long time, and thought about the plan he had thought through carefully in his heart, and confirmed that there were not too many loopholes in the plan.
Then he dared to speak out.
Shangguan Ren was withdrawn and severe. The Shangguan Fort under his command was of course strictly guarded, and outsiders were never allowed to enter.
Fortunately, Sikong Xiaofeng is not an outsider.
Old Jiang said: "So if we want to enter safely, you must come forward. Now Shangguan Ren doesn't know if his secret has been exposed. Not only will he not dare to stop him, but he will definitely open the gate of the fort and personally Come out and greet."
He has roughly calculated that there are more than three hundred men in Shangguan Fort, almost everyone has practiced martial arts, including a group of dead soldiers who have been trained for a long time and are ready to work for him at any time.
Old Jiang said: "This time we only came with one hundred and thirty-six people. We are outnumbered. We may not be their opponents."
Sikong Xiaofeng agreed.
Old Jiang said: "But if Shangguan Ren goes out to meet him in person, there won't be too many people around him."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Are you going to do it at that time?"
Old Jiang said: "Capture the thief first and capture the king first. As long as we can restrain Shangguan Ren first, his subordinates will never dare to act rashly!"
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "Who is sure to be able to restrain him?"
Old Jiang said: "If the young master strikes from the front, you and the second young lady attack from both sides, and then I lead a team to isolate him from his followers, it will not be difficult to hit him in one blow."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "What if he doesn't come out?"
Old Jiang said: "Then we have no choice but to rush in and fight them."
Sikong Xiaofeng said: "How do you fight?"
Old Jiang said: "Fight with our lives."
He clenched his hands: "Although there are many of them, they may not all be willing to fight us hard."
"Desperate", this method, no matter when and where it is used, is one of the most terrible strategies, and it is usually very effective.
Sikong Xiaofeng sighed, and said: "The matter has come to this, it seems that we can only use this method."
But they didn't use this method, because they never had a chance to use it.
At this moment, they saw a flame burning in the distance, which made half of the sky red.
The place where the fire started; it seems to be Shangguan Fort.
When they got there, Shangguan Fort had been burnt to a piece of scorched earth, not even a single person could be seen.
There was not a single skeleton in the scene of the fire, let alone any clues. Shangguan Ren and his subordinates, more than 400 people, men, women, old and young, just disappeared, as if they had completely disappeared from the ground.
This matter was done viciously and carefully, and there was hardly anyone in the world who could match it.
"This man's despicableness, shamelessness, insidiousness, and viciousness have already made people feel that he has to admire him and be afraid of him!"
This was Sikong Xiaofeng's final conclusion to Shangguan Ren.
Zhao Wuji never forgot this sentence.
In addition to having all the virtues of a good wife and mother, Wei Fengniang also has a good habit.
Before going to bed every day, she would write down the major events that happened that day, as well as her own thoughts, for future reference.
She has had this habit since she was very young, even when she was most sad, she never wasted a single day.
Of course, she also remembered what happened in the past few days. Although the memory was a bit messy, her views on Wuji and certain things were invisible to others.
On the fourth day of April, it was sunny.
It is really unexpected that the murderer who killed the old man would be Shangguan Ren.
I always thought that he had a better friendship with the old man than anyone else, until that afternoon, when the two of them were drinking in the garden, I still had this idea.
It's just that I also felt something strange that day.
From the window of the small building where I live, I can just see the booth where they drink.
That day I saw with my own eyes that Shangguan Ren seemed about to kneel down and kowtow to the old man, but the old man stopped him.
There are many rules among their brothers. It is not very special for the third brother to kowtow to the second brother.
In addition, I was thinking about Wuji all the time that day, and then the tragedy happened again, so I also forgot about it.
But when I think about it now, I realize that there must be a very special reason for that one prostration.
Is it because the old man discovered Shangguan Ren's shady secret, so he kowtowed to the old man to apologize?
Although the old man had forgiven him, he was still worried, so he simply killed the old man to silence him.
Wuji and Qianqian have already gone to Shangguan Fort with Uncle Sikong, and they haven't come back yet.
When he left, my heart was also very chaotic.
I know I won't be able to sleep tonight.
On the fifth day of April, it was sunny.
Wuji and the others came back early this morning, everyone looked very anxious and their faces were ugly.
Later, I found out that when they got there, Shangguan Fort had been burned to the ground, and Shangguan Ren had already fled.
He has always been cautious and thorough in his actions, and of course he has already calculated that his secret will be discovered sooner or later, and he has already prepared, otherwise, even if he can escape, he will not be able to take all his subordinates away.
With so many people walking on the road, it must be very noticeable, and they will leave some traces more or less.
Uncle Sikong thought of this and sent people to chase him down in four directions.
But I don't think there will be any results in this pursuit, because Shangguan Ren must have thought of this, and he will definitely break up his subordinates into pieces and disguise them.
Wuji still didn't say a word to me today, so I still don't blame him.
Anyway, I have already entered the door of the Zhao family, and I am already a member of the Zhao family. No matter how long he asks me to wait, I have no complaints.
I really wish I could stew a pot of his favorite food, stewed pork knuckle with shredded chicken, and feed it to him with my own hands.
But I also know I can't do it.
This is a big family, and I must be very careful with every move I make, and I must never let others gossip.
I just hope he can take good care of himself.
On the sixth day of April, it is cloudy.
Until now, there is still no news about Shangguan Ren, and everyone is even more anxious.
The strange thing is that Wuji seems to be much calmer than the previous few days, and he eats a big bowl every day.
I have been paying attention to him since I was a child, and of course I know his temper very well. He suddenly became like this, it must be because he has made up his mind to do something.
Although he didn't say it himself, I believe he must go to Shangguan Ren himself to avenge the old man.
Relying on his own strength to seek revenge is not only too dangerous, but also has little hope.
But with a temper like his, if he has made up his mind to do something, who can persuade him?
I just wish he could come in and see me, tell me when he is going to leave, and let me tell him that no matter where he goes, no matter how long he goes, I will wait for him.
Even if I have to wait forever, I am willing.
On the seventh day of April, it is cloudy.
Of the four groups of people who went out to follow up, two groups have already returned, but there was no result at all.
Where did Shangguan Ren hide?Where can they hide?
I thought of a place, but I dare not say it.
The relationship of this matter is too great, and I will never talk nonsense.
I hope Wuji will not think of this place, because if he finds it, he may never come back.
After dark, it started to rain outside, which made my heart even more confused.
Wuji, why don't you come and see me?Do you know how much I want to talk to you?Even if it's just a word.
I just wrote this yesterday, when someone knocked on the door outside, I stopped.
I added this paragraph today, because after Wuji left last night, I couldn't hold a pen anymore.
The one who came to look for me so late was of course Wuji.
When I saw her, I was really indescribably happy, but also indescribably sad.
I'm happy that he finally came to see me, but sad that I already guessed that he came to say goodbye to me.
I guessed right.
He said he was leaving and went to find Shangguan Yan, even if he searched all over the world, he still wanted to find Shangguan Yan to avenge the old man.
He said he was leaving after seeing me, and he didn't tell anyone except me, even Qianqian didn't know.
I didn't want to cry in front of him, but when I heard his words, my tears couldn't help but flow down.
He only told me about this matter, and before leaving, he only came to say goodbye to me alone, which means he still has me in his heart, but why didn't he take me away?
In fact, I also know that he can't take me away. Once he leaves, his future is boundless, and I can't drag him down.
But I can't help feeling uncomfortable.
I couldn't bear to let him go, but I couldn't help letting him go.
If I don't let him avenge his father, wouldn't I become a sinner of the Zhao family, how can I have the face to see the old man under Jiuquan in the future?
When he saw me crying, he comforted me, saying that he has been practicing hard for the past few years, and he is very sure of his martial arts, and he is ready to go out this time!
He was really prepared. Not only did he bring a lot of travel expenses, but he also wrote down all the friends who had friendship with the old man from all over the place.
He has also remembered very clearly the branch helms of Dafengtang in various places, so he wants me to rest assured that I will never be uncared for outside.
I really want to tell him how much I wish I could be there with him, to be able to take care of him by myself.
But I didn't say anything, I didn't want him to go outside and feel uncomfortable because he missed me.
I'd rather be alone here crying.
Today is the eighth day of April, the rain has stopped, and the weather suddenly becomes very hot, like summer.
I just found out this morning that Sikong Xiaofeng left last night, after he left, Wuji left.
天刚亮的时候，就已经有好几批人出去找无忌，我希望他们能把他找回来，又希望他们找不到他，让他去做他应该做的事。
不管怎样，我都决心不要再关在房里流泪了，我一定要打起精神来，好好的帮着千千来管家，因为，这也是我自己的家。
我要让老爷子在天之灵知道，我是赵家的好媳妇。
night.夜雨如丝。冰冷的雨丝，鞭子般打在无忌脸上，却打不灭他心里的一团火。
因为仇恨燃烧起来的怒火，连凤娘的眼泪都打不灭，何况这一丝丝夜雨？
他一直在不停的打马狂奔，并不是因为他已有确切的目的地，急着要赶到那里去，只不过因为他要远离凤娘那一双充满柔情和泪珠的眼睛。他不能让任何人的眼睛，打动他的决心。
夜已很深，黑暗的道路上，却忽然出现了一盏灯。在这冷雨如丝的深夜里，路上怎么会还有行人？无忌没有去想，也没有去问，他根本不想管别人的闲事，谁知道这人却偏偏挡住了他的去路。
他坐下的健马惊嘶，人立而起，几乎将他掀下马来。
他已经生气了，却又偏偏不能生气，因为拦住他去路的这个人，只不过是个小孩子。
一个穿着件大红衣裳、梳着根冲天辫子的小孩，左手撑着把油纸伞，右手提着盏孔明灯，正在看着他嘻嘻的笑。笑起来脸上一边一个小酒窝。
你怎能跟这么样一个小孩子生气？可是这么样一个小孩子，为什么三更半夜还在路上走？
无忌先制住了他的马，然后才问道：“你为什么还不让开？难道你不怕这匹马一脚踢死你？”
小孩子摇头，系着丝绳的冲天辫子也跟着摇来摇去，就像是个泥娃娃。无忌本来就喜欢孩子，这孩子也本来就很讨人喜欢。可是他的胆子未免太大了，已经大得不像个小孩子了。
无忌道：“你真的不怕？”
小孩子道：“我只怕这马匹被我不小心踩死，我赔不起。”
无忌笑了，又忍住笑，板起脸，冷冷道：“你也不怕你爸爸妈妈在家里等得着急？”
小孩子道：“我没有爸爸，也没有妈妈。”
无忌道：“不管怎么样，现在你都应该回家去。”
小孩子道：“我刚从家里出来的。”
无忌道：“这么晚了，你还出来干什么？”
小孩子道：“出来找你。”
这小孩子说出来的话，虽然每一句都让人觉得很意外，最意外的，却还是这一句。
无忌道：“你是出来找我的？”
小孩道：“嗯。”
无忌道：“你知道我是谁？”
小孩道：“我当然知道，你姓赵，叫赵无忌，是大风堂赵二爷的大少爷！”
无忌怔住。小孩眼珠转了转，又笑道：“可是你一定不知道我是谁。”
无忌的确不知道，他从来也没有看见过一个这么样的小孩子。
他只有问：“你是谁？”
小孩道：“我是小孩子。”
无忌道：“我知道你是小孩。”
小孩说道：“你既然知道了，还问什么？”
无忌道：“问你的姓名。”
小孩叹了口气，道：“我连爸爸妈妈都没有，怎么会有姓名？”
无忌也不禁在心里叹了口气，又问道：“你家里有什么人？”
小孩道：“除了我师父外，还有个客人。”
无忌道：“你师父是谁？”
小孩道：“我说出来，你也不会认得的！”
无忌道：“他不认得我，叫你来找我干什么？”
小孩道：“谁说是他叫我来的？”
无忌道：“不是他，难道是那位客人？”
小孩又叹了口气，道：“我还以为你永远猜不出来呢，想不到你也有聪明的时候。”
无忌道：“你们那位客人，难道是司空晓风？”
小孩拍手笑道：“你越来越聪明了，再这么下去，说不定有一天会变得比我还聪明。”
无忌只有苦笑。
小孩又问道：“你去不去？”
无忌怎么能不去，司空晓风既然已找到他，他躲也躲不了。
“你的家在哪里？”
小孩顺手往道旁的密林一指。
"It's right there."
细雨如丝，雨丝如帘，那一片密林就仿佛是在珠帘后。
所以你一定要走进去之后，才能看见那两扇窗子里的灯光。
有灯光，就有人家。
那两扇窗子并不大，屋子当然也不大，这本来就是一户小小的人家。
司空晓风怎么会到这里来的？
无忌忍不住问道：“你师父为什么要把房子盖在这里？”
小孩道：“这里有房子，我怎么看不见这里的房子？”
无忌道：“那不是房子是什么？”
小孩子摇摇头，叹着气，说道：“你怎么又变笨了，怎么会连一辆马车都认不得？”
无忌又怔住。
可是他总算已发现那栋“房子”下面，还有四个车轮。
如果那是一栋房子，当然不能算是栋大房子，如果那是马车，就算是辆大马车了。
那真的是辆马车。
无忌从来也没有见过这么大的马车，简直就像栋小房子。
小孩问道：“你有没有在马车上住过？”
无忌道：“没有。”
小孩道：“所以你才不知道，住在马车里，可比住在房子里有趣多了。”
无忌道：“有什么趣？”
小孩道：“房子能不能到处跑？”
无忌道：“不能。”
小孩道：“可是马车能到处跑，今天在河东，明天就到了河西，就好像到处都有我们的家！”
无忌道：“你们一直把这辆马车当作家？”
小孩点点头，还没有开口，马车里已经有人在问。
“是不是无忌来了？”
这当然就是司空晓风的声音！
宽大的车厢，用紫红色的布幔隔成了两重，布幔后想必就是主人的寝室。
外面有一张长榻，一张桌子，一张短几，几把紫檀木椅。几幅名家字画，几件精美的古玩，另外还有一张凳、一炉香、一局棋。
每样东西显然都经过精心的设计，正好摆在最恰当的地方。
每一寸地方都被利用得很好，就算最会挑剔的人，也找不出一点毛病。
斜卧在长榻上的，是个两鬓已斑白的中年人，修饰整洁，衣着合体，英俊的脸上总是带着温和的笑容。
无论谁都应该看得出，他以前一定是个很受女孩子欢迎的男人。
如果不是因为他的背，他现在一定是同样很受女孩子的欢迎。
可是他的背上却套着个用纯钢打成的支架，他的人就好像是被这个架子支起来的，如果没有这个架子，他整个人都会变得支离破碎。
无论谁第一眼看见他，心里都会有种奇怪的感觉。
那种感觉就好像你第一次看见一个人正在夹棍下受着苦刑一样。
只不过别人受的苦刑，很快就会过去，他却要忍受一辈子。
无忌只看了这个人一眼。
因为他已不想再去看第二眼，也不忍再去看第二眼。
司空晓风就坐在车门对面的一张紫檀木椅上，微笑道：“你总算来了！”
无忌并没有问他：“你怎么知道我会来？”
这个人好像总会知道一些他本来不应该知道的事。
司空晓风道：“我本来想自己去接你的，可是我——”
无忌忽然打断了他的话，道：“可是你怕淋雨。”
司空晓风显得很惊讶道：“你怎么知道！”
无忌道：“我知道，你最怕的三件事，就是挑粪、下棋、淋雨。”
司空晓风大笑。
无忌道：“我一直不懂，你为什么怕下棋？”
司空晓风道：“因为下棋不但要用心，而且太伤神。”
一个像他这样的人，当然不愿将心神浪费在下棋这种事上。
这世上还有很多事都需要他用心伤神。很多比下棋更重要的事！
榻上的主人忽然笑了笑，道：“一个像我这样流浪四方的废人，就不怕用心伤神了！”
他的笑容虽然温和，却又带着种说不出的寂寞：“我只怕没有人陪我下棋。”
窗外斜风细雨，几上半局残棋！
难道他一直都生活在这种日子里，一直都背着背上的这个架子？
无忌虽然一直都在假装没有看见他的痛苦，却装得不够好。
主人又笑了笑，道：“我当然也很怕我这个要命的架子，只可惜我又不能没有它。”
无忌再也不能假装没有听见，忍不住问道：“为什么？”
主人道：“因为我背上有根要命的背椎骨，已经完全碎了，如果没有这个要命的架子，我就会变得像是滩烂泥！”
他微笑着，又道：“所以就连我自己都很奇怪，我居然还能活到现在。”
无忌忽然觉得自己的背脊也在发冷，从背脊冷到了脚底。
虽然他无法了解这个人究竟在忍受着多么痛苦的煎熬，可是一个明知道自己这一辈子都要活在架子上的人，居然还能时常面带笑容，就凭这一点，已经让他不能不佩服。
主人仿佛已看出了他心里在想什么，道：“可是你用不着佩服我，其实每个人身上都有这么样一个架子，只不过你看不见而已。”
他凝视着无忌，就像是一个鉴赏家在端详一件精美的瓷器：“甚至就连你自己也一样。”
无忌不懂：“我也一样？”
主人道：“你也是个病人，你身上也有个架子，所以你没有倒下去。”
无忌显然还是不明白他的意思，只有保持沉默，等着他说下去。
主人道：“你身上穿着重孝，表示你最近一定有个很亲近的人去世了。”
无忌黯然。
想到他父亲的死，他心里就会刺痛，痛得几乎无法忍受。
主人道：“你的脸色苍白憔悴，眼睛里都是血丝，表示你心里不但悲伤，而且充满仇恨。”
他叹了口气，又道：“悲伤和仇恨都是种疾病，你已经病得很重。”
无忌承认。
主人道：“直到现在你还没有倒下去，只因为要复仇，所以不能倒下去。”
无忌握紧着双拳，说道：“你没有看错！”
主人道：“复仇这念头，就是你的架子，没有这个架子，你早已崩溃！”
现在无忌总算已明白他的意思。
这个人的想法虽然奇特，却包含着一种发人深省的哲理，令人无法辩驳。
他的肉体虽然已残废，思想却远比大多数人都健全灵敏。
无忌忍不住想问。
这个人究竟是个什么样的人？
他还没有问出来，司空晓风已微笑道：“这个人是个怪人。”
为什么他是个怪人？
司空晓风道：“我从未看到他赚过一文钱，可是，他过的却是王侯一样的日子。”
无忌看出这一点。
这马车里每一件摆设和古玩，价值都在千金以上，他身上穿的衣服，无论式样和质料都很高贵。
当然还有些事是无忌看不到的。
司空晓风道：“他自己虽然住在马车上，却至少有三十个人在这辆马车五百步之内等候他的吩咐，其中包括了四个连皇宫御厨都请不到的好厨子；和四个曾经替远征西域的大将军养马的马夫！”
主人微微一笑，道：“不是四个，是六个。”
他的笑容中没有骄傲之色，也没有自夸的意思。
他说这句话，只不过要改正别人的一点错误。
司空晓风道：“这辆马车的车厢和车轮都是特别精制的，远比平常人家的房子还坚固，所以分量难免重些，拉车的八匹马虽然都是好马，急驰三五百里之后，还是要更换一次。”
无忌忍不住问：“怎么换？”
司空晓风说道：“只要是他常去的地方，每隔三五百里，就有他的一个换马站。”
他叹了口气，又道：“据我估计，他养的马最少也在八百匹以上，而且还是千中选一的好马。”
一个人竟养八百匹马，这几乎已经是神话。
但司空晓风却说得很认真，无忌也知道他绝不是个会吹嘘夸大的人。
司空晓风道：“就只维持这三十名随从和八百匹马，他每个月的花费，最少也得有五千两！”
无忌道：“可是你却从来没有看见他赚过一文钱？”
司空晓风道：“他甚至连一亩地的家当都没有。”
无忌道：“说不定他开了很多家当铺，当铺一向是赚钱的生意。”
主人忽然叹了口气，道：“难道你把我看成了个生意人？难道我看起来那么俗气！”
无忌不能不承认，这个人看来的确不是个生意人，一点也不俗气！
司空晓风道：“他虽然行动不便，连只苍蝇都打不死，可是对他无礼的人，却往往会在第二天无缘无故的突然暴毙。”
主人叹息着道：“一个忍心欺负残废者的人，上天总是会降给他噩运的！”
司空晓风道：“我却一直弄不清楚，降给那些人噩运的究竟是上天，还是他自己？”
他微笑着，又道：“我只知道在他那三十个随从里，至少有十个人绝对可以算是武林中的一流高手。”
无忌听着他说，就好像在听一个神话中人物的故事。
司空晓风道：“现在你是不是已经知道他是什么样的人了？”
无忌道：“不知道！”
司空晓风苦笑道：“其实我也不知道，我跟他交了很多年的朋友，连他真正叫什么名字都不知道，但是我只要知道他在附近，我就会放下一切，赶来看他！”
主人微笑道：“我们已很久不见了，所以你想来看看我。”
他转向无忌：“可是这位年轻人却未必想看一个像我这样的残废，现在他心里说不定就已觉得很无聊！”
无忌道：“能够见到一位这样的人，无论谁都不会觉得无聊的！”他说得很诚恳：“只可惜我还有别的事，现在就要走了！”
主人道：“如果你答应留下来，我保证你今天晚上还可以见到许多更有趣的人、更有趣的事！”
无忌迟疑着，他的好奇心已被引起，已无法拒绝这种邀请。
主人笑得更愉快！
一个终年生活在孤独中的人，总是会特别好客的。
他再次向无忌保证：“我想你绝不会失望。”
今天晚上，究竟会有些什么人到这里来？
在这么样一辆奇怪的马车里，面对着这样一个奇怪的主人，已经是种令人很难忘记的经历。
无忌实在想不出今天晚上还会遇见什么更有趣的事！
长榻旁边的扶手上，挂着个小小的金钟，主人拿起个小小的金锤，轻轻敲了一下。
他微笑着解释：“这是我叫人用的钟，我只敲一下，就表示我要叫的人是我的管家胡巨。”
钟声刚响起，他的话还没有说完，胡巨已出现了，就像是个随时随刻都在等着魔法召唤的精灵。
他是个九尺高的巨人，双目深陷，头发卷曲，黝黑发亮的脸上，带着种野兽般的剽悍之态，一双青筋暴露的大手，腰带上斜插着柄闪亮的波斯弯刀，使得他看来更危险可怕。
但是在他的主人面前，他却显出了绝对的服从与恭顺。
他一出现，就五体投地，拜倒在他主人的脚下，用最恭敬的态度，轻轻吻着他主人一双穿着软绸睡鞋的脚。
对他来说，能够吻到他主人的脚，已经是种莫大的荣宠。
主人对他的态度却是冷峻而严肃的：“现在是不是已将近子时？”
"yes."
“你已经完全准备好了？”
"yes."
主人虽然很满意，却没有露出一点嘉慰之色，只淡淡的吩咐：“那么现在我们就可以开始。”
“是。”胡巨再次五体投地，才退下去。
他虽然只说了一个“是”字，无忌却已听出他的口音非常奇异生硬。
主人又看出了客人的好奇，道：“他的父亲是个波斯商人，他本来是大将军帐下的力士，有一次误犯军法，本当就地处决。”
大将军的军令如山，天下皆知，他怎么能从刀下逃生的？
主人道：“是我用一对大宛名种的汗血马，从大将军那里，把他这条命换回来的。”
大将军爱马成癖，在他眼中看来，一对名种的好马，远比任何人的性命都珍贵得多。
司空晓