Chapter 18 Chapter 17 A Sword of Light and Cold

【one】 February twenty-sixth. Chang'an. Gao Jianfei was waiting. Zheng Cheng told him: "Mr. Zhuo can't see you yet, but he said you can wait here." Xiao Gao smiled: "I will wait." His smile was gentle and calm, "I can assure you that you have never seen someone who can wait like me." "Oh?" "Because I am more patient than anyone else, perhaps more patient than an eighty-year-old man." Xiao Gao said, "I lived in the mountains since I was a child. Once, I waited for a camellia to bloom. Guess I waited." how long?" "How long have you been waiting?"

"I waited for three full days." "Then you pluck that flower and put it on your skirt?" "I haven't." Xiao Gao said, "I'll leave when the flowers bloom." "You waited for three days just to see the moment when the flowers bloom?" Zheng Cheng himself is also a very patient person, and seems to be able to understand Xiao Gao's meaning. "No matter what you are waiting for, there is usually no purpose." He said to Xiao Gao, "Although you did not pick the flower, your purpose must have been achieved, and your purpose is not just to see It's just a camellia blooming."

"What other purpose would I have?" "A flower is also a life. The moment the flower blooms is the time when life is born." Zheng Cheng said, "A life is born in the gestation of heaven and earth, and the changes are subtle and wonderful. There is absolutely nothing in the world." comparable." He stared at Xiao Gao: "So I think your three days were not wasted. After that observation, your swordsmanship must have improved a lot." Xiao Gao looked at him in surprise, this young man with an ordinary square face was far smarter than he looked. "Waiting for others will not be without purpose, and of course you will not wait until Mr. Zhuo arrives." Zheng Cheng asked Xiao Gao lightly, "What is your purpose this time?"

He didn't let Xiao Gao speak, and said: "You don't need to answer me this question, and I don't want to know." "You asked me this yourself, why don't you want me to answer it, and you don't want to know?" "Because the less one knows the better." "Since you don't want to know at all, why do you ask?" "I'm just reminding you that since I would say that, Mr. Zhuo must think so too." Zheng Cheng said: "When Mr. Zhuo asks you this question, you'd better have a good reason to answer him and satisfy him, otherwise you'd better not wait any longer."

He is very serious and sincere: "Not many people who make Mr. Zhuo feel dissatisfied are still alive." After saying this, he left, he didn't want to wait to see how Xiao Gao reacted to what he said. But when he reached the door, he turned around again: "Is there something else I forgot to tell you?" "What's up?" "Mr. Zhuo also told me that I will give you whatever you want, no matter what you want." "Did he really say that?" "Really is." Xiao Gao laughed very happily: "That's great, really great." 【two】

It was almost noon when Zhuo Donglai summoned Zheng Cheng. Zheng Cheng couldn't see any difference from his usual ones at all. The tragic and terrible things that happened yesterday seemed to have nothing to do with him at all. What did Zhuo Qing do? To avenge him?He also never asked. He only asked Zheng Cheng, "Is Gao Jianfei still waiting?" "Yes. He is still waiting." Zheng Cheng said, "But there is no way to find everything he wants for him." "What does he want that you can't even find?" "He asked me to prepare 20 tables of the best food and drinks for him within an hour, and only the cooks from Chang'anju and Minghuchun places would do it." Zheng Cheng said, "He also asked me to prepare them within an hour. Get all the red girls in the city to drink with him."

"How much did you find for him?" "I only found seventy-two for him, and more than half of them were pulled out from other men's quilts." Zhuo Donglai actually smiled. "At that time, a girl who didn't have a man in the bed was not a red girl." He said, "You have done a good job with this matter. Our place must be very lively this morning." "It was indeed very lively. Even the brothers in the escort agency who knew how to drink were dragged by him to drink with him." Zheng Cheng said, "He must have everyone celebrate him well."

"Celebrate? Celebrate what?" Zhuo Donglai asked, "Is there anything worth celebrating for him today?" "He didn't say it." Zheng Cheng said, "But I've heard before that many people would do this when they knew they were going to die." Zhuo Donglai was deep in thought, his pupils suddenly began to shrink again, and he said after a long time, "It's a pity that I know he won't die for the time being." 【three】 The wine is drunk, the guests have left, and in the flower hall and corridor in front, apart from scattered hairpins and rings, belt socks and a few broken snuff bottles and rouge boxes, there are some people who can't even think of it. Things, as if to prove to the owner that they are indeed drunk.

Where is their master? If the host is not drunk, how can the guests enjoy themselves? Xiao Gao was like a dead person, lying on a soft couch with his stomach open, but when Zhuo Donglai walked up to him, the dead person suddenly woke up and sighed. "Why do you always wait until the end of the show to come? Don't you naturally like to see other people happy?" Zhuo Donglai looked at him coldly, and said lightly: "I really don't like it. It's not very interesting to wake up and see drunk people..." He stared into Xiao Gao's eyes: "Fortunately, you are not drunk yet. It is someone else who is drunk, not you."

There was not even a hint of alcohol in Xiao Gao's eyes. "I can see that you are still sober." Zhuo Dong said, "You are more sober than a rabbit in March." Xiao Gao laughed, laughing loudly. "You're right, you're right," he laughed, "Your eyes are sharper than a fox in September." "You want others to be drunk, why don't you get drunk?" "Because I know that the fox will come sooner or later," Xiao Gao said. "If the fox is coming, how can the rabbit not stay awake!" "If the fox comes, it's useless for the rabbit to be sober."

"Oh?" "If you know that a fox is coming, the rabbit should run away quickly." Zhuo Donglai laughed, "Unless the rabbit is not afraid of foxes at all!" "Why is the rabbit not afraid of the fox?" "Because there is a gun behind it. This gun has been aimed at the fox's heart and can be pierced in at any time." "Gun!" Xiao Gao blinked, "Where did you get the gun?" Zhuo Donglai smiled: "Of course it came from a box, a lost and found box." Xiao Gao stopped smiling and blinking, and showed an expression of admiration from the bottom of his heart. "You already know?" He asked Zhuo Donglai, "How did you know?" "What do you think I know?" Zhuo Dong said, "I just know that there are people in this world who, if they suffer a loss from others once, will find ways to get it back tenfold. I just know that Xiao Lei Xue happened to be this kind of person, and happened to find you." He smiled again: "That's all I know." Xiao Gao stared at him for a long time and sighed. "It's not just that, it's enough." He sighed, "No wonder Xiao Leixue told me that it is definitely a pleasure to discuss business with Mr. Zhuo, because there are some things you don't have to say at all. He already knew it all." Zhuo Donglai's smile seemed to have turned into a wry smile: "It's a pity that I don't know how much I already know." "Do you know that Xiao Leixue asked me to come this time?" Xiao Gao answered the question himself, "Of course you already know, and you must already know that it is definitely not a good thing he asked me to talk to you." "There are many kinds of bad things," Zhuo Donglai asked, "Which one does he want you to talk about?" "Probably the worst kind." Xiao Gao sighed again, "If it wasn't because I owe him something, even I wouldn't want to talk to you about this kind of thing." "You're wrong!" Zhuo Donglai actually smiled again, "You're wrong about this." "Which point?" "In one aspect, the best things are often the worst things, so in another aspect, the worst things are always the best things." Zhuo Dong said, "Human affairs are often There are many of them." He also explained: "If Mr. Xiao doesn't want anyone to talk to me at all, but comes to me with his suitcase in the middle of the night when no one is around, that kind of thing is the worst kind of thing." "So whatever it is he wants me to talk to you, you won't find it unpleasant?" "I won't." "That would be great." But Xiao Gao's expression suddenly became very serious, imitating Zhuo Donglai's tone, and said word by word: "He wants me to take over Sima Chaoqun's position, to take over the orders of the Great Escort, and to be the head of the Great Escort. .” After saying these words, everyone thought that Zhuo Donglai would definitely jump up. But he didn't even blink his eyes, he just asked Xiao Gao indifferently: "Is this really what Mr. Xiao meant?" "yes." Xiao Gao asked Zhuo Donglai, "What do you mean?" Zhuo Donglai didn't even think about it, he simply said two words. "very good." "Very good?" Xiao Gao was surprised instead: "What does it mean to be very good?" Zhuo Donglai smiled and bowed to Xiao Gao. "It's very good to say that your Excellency is now the number one leader of the Great Escort, and has already taken the top spot in the Great Escort." Xiao Gao was stunned. Zhuo Donglai's attitude towards him has become very respectful. "From now on, the thirty-six heroes under the Escort Bureau have all come under your control. If anyone refuses to accept, Zhuo Donglai is willing to be the vanguard and cut him down by the sword." He looked directly at Xiao Gao with his dark gray eyes: "But from now on, you are also a member of the Great Escort, the only one who follows the lead of the Escort, and you have to do your best for the Escort, and the difficulties of the Escort are yours." Difficulty, the enemy of the Escort Bureau is also your enemy." Xiao Gao finally exhaled. "I understand what you mean." Xiao Gao smiled wryly: "At first I didn't understand why you agreed so quickly, but now I finally understand what you mean." "Things have always been like this, just like the two sharp edges of a sword." Zhuo Donglai's voice was serious and calm, "If you want to gain something, you must pay the price." His voice suddenly became a little hoarse: "I think you must also pay the price." Know what price Sima Chaoqun has paid." "What about you?" Xiao Gao asked him suddenly, "What have you paid for?" Zhuo Donglai smiled. "What did I give? What did I get?" His smile was full of sadness, "I'm afraid I can't answer this question, because I don't know myself." This sentence is not a lie, and it is indeed a bit sentimental, even Xiao Gao began to sympathize with him a little bit. Fortunately, Zhuo Donglai immediately regained his rock-like calm, and immediately asked a question that was sharper than a knife's edge. "I am willing to support you as the master of the Escort Bureau, and I am willing to serve you loyally. I believe that we already know each other very well, and it will be beneficial to both of us!" He asked Xiao Gao, "But what about others?" "other people?" "None of the thirty-six people in the Great Escort is an easy character to mess with. It's not easy for them to sincerely support you as the chief executive." He asked Xiao Gao again: "What are you going to do?" "What do you say I should do?" "You must have prestige before you can have trust. Only with prestige can you command the heroes and make others submit to you." Zhuo Dong said, "You are in this position, of course you must first gain prestige." "Li Wei?" Xiao Gao asked, "How can I get Wei?" "Now Sima and I have broken up, he has gone away in anger, and his whereabouts are unknown." "I know." "Not only you know, but I believe many other people also know." Zhuo Dong said, "Before Zhuo Qing died, he will never forget to send someone to spread the news." "As long as he can retaliate against you, and it is something he can do, I believe he will not forget to do even one thing." Xiao Gao said: "I also believe that there must be many things he can do." "It's quite a lot." "So when you heard that Mr. Xiao asked me to take over the Escort Bureau, you didn't even have any objection." Xiao Gao smiled wryly, "Because you also need me to help you clean up the mess." Zhuo Donglai did not deny this point. "It's true that our situation is not stable now. Mr. Xiao must be very aware of this situation, so he asked you to come." Zhuo Dong said, "Mr. Xiao and I know each other very well, and I'm sure I will never refuse." He stared at Gao Jianfei, and said word by word: "In this case, you have to stand up, Of course, the most direct and effective method must be used." Xiao Gao also stared at him, and after a long time, he asked word by word: "Do you want me to kill Zhu Meng to stand up?" "yes." "This is your condition?" "It's not the conditions, but the general trend." Zhuo Donglai said coldly, "The general trend is so, you and I have no choice." Gao Jianfei suddenly stood up and walked to the window. The snow outside the window has not yet melted, but the weather has cleared up. The earth is still silvery white, but the sky has turned blue.In the distance, a white cloud suddenly flew over, stopped suddenly, and flew away again suddenly. I don't know how long it took before Zhuo Donglai sighed softly. "I understand you. You and Zhu Meng are both people from the rivers and lakes. They value promises and despise life and death, because the difference between life and death is just a matter of snapping fingers." I can promise you life and death." There was indeed some emotion in his sigh: "In the eyes of Mr. Gentlemen who don't know what 'friends' are at all, you may not be friends at all, but I understand you." Zhuo Dong said: "So I also understand that it is indeed a very sad thing for you to kill Zhu Meng. It is not only your sorrow, nor his, but the sorrow shared by all of us." Xiao Gao was speechless. "So I also hope you can understand one thing." Zhuo Dong said, "If you don't kill Zhu Meng, someone else will kill him. If he doesn't die by your hands, he will die by someone else. .” "why?" "Qin lost his deer, and the whole world chased him. Sima Chaoqun lost his status, and the situation is the same." Zhuo Dong said, "That's why Zhu Meng's head has now become the target of the thirty-six heroes of the Great Escort Bureau." He also explained: "Because Zhu Meng is also the hero of the whole life, and is the mortal enemy of the Great Escort. Whoever can remove his head in the Great Escort can use this to gain prestige among the heroes and take the Sima position instead. " Zhuo Dong said, "At least three of them have hope." "You are afraid of them!" "It's not them I'm afraid of." "Then why don't you replace it yourself?" "Because of you." Zhuo Dong said, "I'm not afraid of you, but with Mr. Xiao, no one in the world is invincible." This time he was telling the truth. "I didn't kill Zhu Meng in the past because I wanted to leave him to Sima, but this time I didn't kill Zhu Meng because I wanted to leave him to you." Zhuo Dong said, "Instead of letting others kill him, it's better to let someone else kill him." He died at your hands, anyway, sooner or later he will definitely die." Xiao Gao suddenly turned around and stared at him, his eyes bloodshot.There was not even a trace of blood on his face. "The three people you mentioned just now, have they also arrived in Chang'an?" Xiao Gao asked Zhuo Donglai. "Very likely." "Who are they?" "It's a ruthless sword, a deadly gun, and a bag of hidden weapons that seal their throats when they see blood." Zhuo Dong said, "Each of them is eligible to be included in the list of the seventy most terrifying weapons in the world." "I'm asking about their people, not their weapons." "Their people are all murderers, and they all have eyeliners in Chang'an, and they can find Zhu Meng within an hour or two." Zhuo Dong said, "All you need to know is enough." "Why don't you say their names?" "Because after you know their names, it is likely to affect your fighting spirit and mood." "Can we find Zhu Meng before them?" "You can't, I can." "Where is Zhu Meng at the moment?" "In my grasp." Zhuo Donglai said leisurely, "He has always been in my grasp." 【Four】 The evening clouds are all together, the mountains are in the boundless twilight, Zhu Meng is also there, in front of a pile of loess. A pile of newly piled loess, the spring grass on the tomb has not yet grown, and the stone tablet in front of the tomb has not been erected, because the people in the tomb may have turned into butterflies and flew away. What is buried in the tomb may be nothing more than a lost heroic age and a tenderness of children that will never fade away. But Zhu Meng is still there.Sima is still there. Therefore, the entangled grievances and hatred between them are still there, and the knot between them cannot be untied by anyone. Twilight deepened. Zhu Meng stood there bewildered for an unknown how long. His remaining ten or so brothers looked at him bewilderedly. No one knew what was going on in his heart, and no one knew what was going on in his brothers' hearts. What is it like. But they all know in their hearts that if life is really like a play, if his life is just a play, then the play is undoubtedly coming to an end. No matter how tragic and sensational the play may be, it is now time to end the curtain. Die Wu just took a step first, but they still have to finish the last part of the road. No matter how hard it is, they have to finish the journey, and they only hope to sprinkle the blood of their enemies all over their way home. Zhu Meng finally turned around, facing his group of brothers who shared life and death together, looked at them with his big bloodshot eyes, looked at them one by one from their faces, and paused on everyone's faces. For a long time, it seemed that after seeing this one, it would never be seen again. Then he said in a hoarse voice. "There is never a feast that never ends in life. Even my son and I always have a time to break up. Now it's time for us to break up." The faces of his brothers had changed, Zhu Meng pretended not to see it. "So now I want you to go, it's better to divide it into several groups, not more than two people." Zhu Meng said, "Because I want you to live, as long as one of you can survive, the Lion Hall will still be alive." A renewed hope." No one walks, no one moves. Zhu Meng jumped up and hissed loudly. "I fucked your ancestors, didn't you hear what I said, don't you want everyone in the Lion Hall to die?" Still no one moved, and no one spoke. Zhu Meng pulled down a palm-width leather belt around his waist, and rushed towards them. "If you don't leave, you are going to die. Well, I will beat you to death here first, so as not to make me angry." The strips were pulled off, one strip had a bruise, and the other strip had a bloodstain. But his brothers, who know neither life nor pain, just shut their mouths, gritted their teeth, and didn't even move. Sima Chaoqun stood far away, watching from a distance, as if he didn't even feel anything. But there was already a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. He clenched his teeth so tightly that blood flowed from his bite. There was a wind, and I don't know when the wind suddenly blew.The kind of cold wind that blows on people like a small knife. Zhu Meng's hand finally dropped. "Okay. You all stay and die with me, so I will let you stay." He said sharply, "But you must remember that no matter who wins or loses in this battle between me and Sima Chaoqun, I will fight with you." It doesn't matter at all, you must not touch him." Sima Chaoqun suddenly sneered. "It's useless, no matter what method you try to impress me, it's useless." "What are you talking about?" Zhu Meng hissed, "What are you talking about?" "I just want you to understand that even though my family is broken now, I will never deliberately let you kill me, let you use my head to revive your prestige and revive the Lion Hall." Sima Chaoqun's voice was completely hoarse, "If you want this human head on my neck, you still have to show real kung fu." "Screw your mother's shit." Zhu Meng was furious, "Who wants you to let me go on purpose? I thought you were a human being, but who knew you were shitting." "Okay, good scolding." Sima looked up and smiled, "Come here if you have the guts!" Zhu Meng was about to rush over, but suddenly stopped, the thunderous rage subsided suddenly, and suddenly looked at Sima Chaoqun with a strange expression, as if he was seeing this person for the first time. "Why don't you dare to come here?" Sima was provocative again, "Do you have the courage to deal with your own brother? Could it be that 'Lion' Zhu Meng is such a coward." Zhu Meng suddenly laughed too, and laughed wildly on his back. "Okay, good scolding, damn good scolding." He laughed like a monkey, "It's a pity that it's useless for you to do so." "What are you talking about?" Sima Chaoqun was still sneering, "What kind of fart are you talking about!" This time, instead of getting angry, Zhu Meng sighed: "Sima Chaoqun, you are a hero. I, Zhu Meng, have never been convincing in my life, but I already admire you a little." He said, "But if you think that I, Zhu Meng Meng is just a reckless man who doesn't know what to do, you are wrong, I still understand what you mean." "What do you understand?" "You don't need to provoke me to kill you, and you don't need to use this method to provoke my anger." Zhu Meng said, "Although I have already collapsed, I have become lost like an idiot because of a woman. My mother is still sad when she died." He suddenly slapped his chest hard: "But as long as I, Zhu Meng, have breath, I will fight to the end. I don't need you to provoke me, I will fight to the end." "Oh?" "The head on Zhu Meng's neck will not be taken away casually, and it will not fulfill you." Zhu Meng said sharply, "But I don't want you to fulfill me either." He stared at Sima with big eyes: "Today you and I are fighting, the outcome of life and death has nothing to do with it, I didn't take it to heart at all, but if you have any intentions, you will fulfill me." Zhu Meng's voice was even more severe, " As long as you have this kind of intention, you, Sima Chaoqun, are either raised by your parents or a bastard raised by dogs. As long as you let me do every move, I will die in front of you immediately, and I will turn into a ghost and I will not spare you. " Sima Chaoqun looked at him, looked at his big bloodshot eyes, looked at this man who, despite his frail body, still had the majesty of a lion, and said after a long time, "Okay, I promise." You, no matter what, today I will try my best to fight you to the death." Zhu Meng was also looking at him, looking at this heroic idol who was once held in the sky by the heroes of the world but now fell into the mud, suddenly he looked up to the sky and sighed: "You and I are destined to be enemies in this life, I, Zhu Meng, hope to have It’s just in the next life, I hope we can make friends in the next life, no matter who wins or loses in today’s battle, who lives or who dies.” 【Fives】 The wind is colder. The distant mountains are already cold, the green mounds are already cold, and the people are also in the cold wind, but they all have warm blood in their chests. Such blood can never be cold. Because there are still some people in this world who have such a blood that can never be cooled, so we should never be afraid in our hearts, because we should know that as long as people still have this blood in their chests, justice will surely last forever. This point must be emphasized, because this is the spirit of righteousness. The twilight also deepened. In the twilight, Sima Chaoqun and Zhu Meng had become nothing more than two hazy figures. But in the eyes of these passionate heroes, these two hazy figures are far more vivid, stronger and grander than any other image in the world. Because they are not fighting for life and death, honor, shame, success or failure. They disregarded all the honors and disgraces of life and death that people in the world cannot give up. They were just doing something they thought they had to do. Because this is the principle of their life. The head can be broken, the blood can be shed, and the wealth and glory can be discarded like a shoe, but this principle must never be discarded. —Would anyone think they were stupid if they did this? —If someone thinks they are too stupid, what kind of person is that kind of person? 【six】 Zhu Meng stood upright, confronting Sima Chaoqun in awe, life and death were decided in an instant. The strange thing is that the repulsion that surged between the two of them was not hatred, but a rush of blood. Zhu Meng asked suddenly: "In the past ten years, you have been invincible and have never met an opponent. Did you use a thousand-hammer iron sword when you defeated the enemy?" "yes." "Where's your sword?" "The sword is not there, but my people are," Sima Chaoqun said. "What you want to fight is not my sword, but my people, so as long as my people are there, that's enough." "You want to fight to the death with me, why don't you bring your sword?" "Because I can kill a lion and a tiger with my bare hands." Zhu Meng slowly tied his belt around his waist, only a pair of empty fists and bare hands remained. "I, Zhu Meng, have roamed the rivers and lakes all my life, and I have killed countless unfaithful, righteous, shameless villains by my sword." He said, "When I kill, I usually use a big broom. Knife." "Where's your knife?" "The knife is here." Zhu Meng said, "My knife is here." He stretched out his hand, and someone brought him the big sweeping knife that can take the head of the enemy commander among thousands of troops. "A good knife." Sima Chaoqun said loudly, "This is the knife for killing people." "This is indeed a good knife for killing people." Zhu Meng caressed the edge of the knife gently: "It's just that this knife always kills villains, not heroes." The knife is in his hand. He held the handle of the knife in his left hand, and bent the edge of the knife with his right. With a "bang", the knife was still in his hand, but it had already been broken into two pieces. The broken knife turned into a flying rainbow, flew into the deeper, denser, darker and farther twilight, and disappeared. Although Zhu Meng's voice became hoarse and could hardly be heard anymore, his heroic spirit was still there: "Sima Chaoqun can fight a lion and tiger with his bare hands, why can't I, Zhu Meng?" He clenched his fists tightly, his fists were like iron, and Sima Chaoqun's pair of iron fists were also as sharp as blades. "You are a guest from far away," Sima said, "I won't let you, but you should act first." "it is good!" Hearing Zhu Meng say the word "good", Man Niu knew that he was about to die. 【seven】 "Brave Bull" is a person, a hero. But sometimes he is like a bull, with the temper of a bull, the stubbornness of a cow, wilder than a buffalo, wilder than a bull, with a body of copper and iron, just like an iron bull. It's a pity that the iron bull's heart is like made of porcelain, it can't be touched, and it will shatter when touched. So he always sits furthest away. Everyone else stood, but he sat, because he was afraid that he would not be able to bear it. There are many things that he can't stand. He couldn't bear the villain who betrayed his friends the most. When he met that kind of person, he could use his only life to fight for it at any time. He also can't stand the kind of person who is too loyal to his friends, because when he meets such a person, he will sell his only life to him at any time.Sell ​​without any conditions, no regrets. So as soon as he heard Zhu Meng say "OK" and saw Zhu Meng punch out, he knew that he was about to die.It was as if Ding Xie saw that Zhu Meng had already stood beside Xiao Gao.Apart from death, he has no other way to go. He only hoped to see Zhu Meng knock down Sima Chaoqun before he died.I only hope that before I die, I can follow Zhu Meng and go to the escort to fight with Zhuo Donglai. As long as he can do this, God will treat him well, and he himself will die without complaint. Qiangu is the only one to die, and he is ready to die now, this request should not be too much. It's a pity that God just refused to agree to him. Just when he saw that Zhu Meng seemed to have regained his former majesty, swinging his iron fist and rushing to attack, suddenly a black noose flew softly from behind, wrapping around his throat. By the time the bull wanted to struggle and resist the cry, it was too late. The noose had tightened, lodged in his Adam's apple.He only felt that the strength in his whole body suddenly disappeared, the muscles in his whole body suddenly relaxed, and all the excrement suddenly flowed out at the same time. At this time, Zhu Meng and Sima were still fighting hard, and the others were watching their battle attentively. No one knew that he was dead, and no one turned around to take a look. So such a hero like an iron bull quietly bid farewell to this world. His death was worse than spikes. 【Eight】 The battle between masters is often a matter of one move, and the outcome of life and death is often decided in an instant. The battle between Sima and Zhu Meng was different. This battle was fought hard. They were all tired, not only mentally exhausted, but exhausted. Those moves that could kill a person in an instant can no longer exert their original power in their hands. Sometimes Sima Mingming could knock Zhu Meng down with a single punch, but after hitting with a palm, the strength and position were two points short. Zhu Meng's situation is the same. It is really a sad thing to see two heroes who are invincible in the world, now fighting to the death like two beasts. The strange thing is that Zhu Meng's brothers didn't even respond at all. Sometimes Zhu Meng was knocked down by a palm, and then they struggled to get up, but they didn't respond at all, and they seemed completely indifferent. They've all been knocked out by each other.Being knocked down is no big deal as long as you can stand up after falling down. But this time when Sima fell down, an indescribable fear suddenly appeared in his eyes, he suddenly rolled over on the ground, rolled over and hugged Zhu Meng's leg. This move is by no means a move used by heroes. Sima Chaoqun has never used such a move in his life, and Zhu Meng never thought that he would use it. So he was dragged down all at once, and the two of them rolled to the ground at the same time, Zhu Meng's anger had already risen. A "bang" punch landed on Sima's back. Sima still hugged him tightly, but whispered in his ear with a strange voice: "Your brothers are probably all dead. But we must pretend not to know." Zhu Meng was shocked, and was about to ask, "Why?" He didn't say a word because his mouth was already gagged by Sima.Then he said in his ear: "We have to continue to fight, let others think that we are about to lose both sides, and we will die together." Zhu Meng is not a reckless man who only knows how to show off his bravery. He is also an old Jianghu, and he has already discovered the change of the situation at this moment. Although his brothers were still there, everyone's necks were already drooping limply. He already smelled a disgusting stench. While they were fighting hard, someone had already cut the throats of his brothers without a sound. How could his experienced brothers really die in the hands of others so easily? Zhu Meng didn't believe it, couldn't believe it and didn't want to believe it. But he was completely cold. Sima actually took the opportunity to roll over on top of him, punching his soft ribs and ribs hard. But he didn't hit hard, and his voice was softer. "No matter whether we are enemies or friends, you must listen to me this time, otherwise you and I will die with regret." "What do you want from me?" "Let's go, let's go together." Sima Chaoqun said, "When I said to go, we jumped up and walked together." Suddenly someone laughed. A yin and yang voice said: "Sure enough, little Sima is a little smart, but unfortunately it is still useless to Zhu Meng." The man smiled sullenly, "There is only Zhu Meng who kills his head, and there is no Zhu Meng who escapes. " Sima suddenly jumped up and said softly, "Go." 【Nine】 At night, it was cold and dark, and even a person with well-trained eyesight would find it difficult to see the trees and rocks close at hand, and of course it would be impossible to distinguish the road and direction. What's more, there is no road here at all. If a person has reached a place where there is no way, it usually means that the person has reached the point where there is no way to go. Sima Chaoqun was panting. Although his lungs were about to burst, he still tried his best to suppress his panting. Every bone and every muscle in his body seemed to have been placed on the butcher's table, being cut with a knife. Zhu Meng's situation is not better than him.The two stood shoulder to shoulder in this desolate darkness, panting continuously.Although the hunter's bowstring and footsteps could not be heard, one could already feel the desperate pain and sadness of the beast being hunted by the hunter after being injured. "Do you know who that person was?" "I know." Sima said, "There is more than one of them here, and any one of them may be enough to deal with us." Zhu Meng sneered: "Unexpectedly, Sima Chaoqun, who is unparalleled in the world, would say such discouraging words." "It's not a pessimistic talk," Sima said, "it's the truth." Zhu Meng was silent, and it took a long time before he said sadly: "Yes, this is the truth." His voice was full of sadness, "Sima is no longer the Sima of the past, and Zhu Meng is no longer the same Zhu Meng as before. Otherwise, how could he be portrayed like that?" Chasing him like a wild dog with nowhere to go?" "I understand what you mean. You would rather die than run away. There is only Zhu Meng who killed his head, and there is no Zhu Meng who escaped." Sima Chaoqun said, "But why did you give your good head to someone else?" Despicable and shameless villain? Why should he lift our heads in exchange for his fame and glory, wine and singing?" "I also understand what you mean." Zhu Meng said sharply, "Even if we want to give this head to someone else, we must choose someone worthy of us, and we must not give it to Zhuo Donglai." Suddenly someone was applauding in the darkness. "You're right, absolutely right." It was that eccentric person again, and that kind of sinister laughter again: "How can such two good heads be given to a villain like Zhuo Donglai? I think you might as well give them to me." His laughter was far and near, left and right, making it impossible to tell where he was. 朱猛的全身都已僵硬。 这个人不是卓东来，却比卓东来更可怕，朱猛这一生中还没遇到过轻功如此可怕的人。他简直不能相信世上竟有人能练成这般鬼魅般飘忽来去自如的轻功。 可是他很快就又恢复了镇定，因为他已经听见司马超群的耳语：“说话的不是一人，是孪生兄弟两个。”司马超群说，“只要我们能沉住气，他们也不敢轻举妄动的，所以我们绝不能让他看出我们的虚实。” 就在这个时候，他们两个人的脸忽然被照亮了，脸上的每一根皱纹每一根伤痕每一种表情都被照亮了。 最少有三十盏巧手精致的孔明灯，三十道强烈的灯光从四面八方照过来，照在他们身上。 就在这一瞬间，他们的身子已经站得笔直，脸上已经全无表情。 他们虽然还是看不见对方的人在哪里，可是他们也没有让对方看出他们疲乏伤痛和恐惧。 两个身经百战、百炼成钢的人，两条永不屈服的命，无论谁想要他们颈上的人头都很不容易。 灯光虽亮，远方的黑暗仍然是一片黑暗。 司马超群忽然笑了笑。 “公孙公孙，别来无恙？”他微笑着道，“我一向知道你们都是很知道好歹的人，如果我成全了你们，成就了你们的霸业，你们一定会把我们这具没有头的尸体好好安葬，每到春秋祭日，一定会以香花美酒供奉在我们的坟前。” 黑暗中又立刻响起了掌声和笑声：“你说得对，说得对极了。” 这一次笑声从左右两边同时响起来的，然后就有两个人从左右两边同时由黑暗中走入了灯光可以照得到的地方。 两个看起来完全不同的人。 一个头戴珠冠，腰束玉带，带上悬长剑，剑上缀宝玉，衣着华丽如贵公子。 另一个却好像是个乞丐，手里拄着根长木杖的跛足乞丐。 可是如果你仔细去看，这两个人的身材容貌却是完全一样的。 ——公孙公孙。 ——孪生兄弟。 朱猛忽然想起了两个人，两个他本来一直认为完全没有关系的人。 ——总领关东二十七大寨，钟鸣鼎食，饮食起居比王侯贵公子更讲究的“富贵公子”公孙宝剑。 ——浪迹天涯，三餐不继，经常醉卧在沟渠中，连丐帮都不肯收留的公孙乞儿。 没有人知道他们是兄弟，而且是孪生兄弟。 既然是亲生的兄弟，为什么要让其中一个锦衣玉食，另一个却自甘贫贱？朱猛还没有想通这种道理，却想到了另外两个人。 他忽然想到了司马超群和卓东来。 ——卓东来为什么要将司马超群捧成天下英雄的偶像？ 这其中的道理，既复杂又简单，虽简单却复杂，非但朱猛在一时间想不通，别人也同样想不通。 可是朱猛总算想通了一点。 如果司马超群也不知道他们是孪生兄弟，一定也会认为公孙宝剑是天下无双的轻功高手，听到那种鬼魅般的笑声后，一定也会被他们震慑，就好像朱猛自己刚才的情况一样。 现在朱猛已明白，那只不过是一种烟幕而已。 在金吾不禁的元宵夜，皇宫大内中施放的烟火也是这样子的，看来辉煌灿烂，千变万幻，如七宝楼台，如鱼龙曼衍。 其实却都是假的，空的，在一瞬间就化作了虚无空假，空假虚无。 但是它却掌握了那一瞬间的辉煌光采。 在某些人心目中，能掌握这一瞬间的辉煌，就足已永恒。 如果说人生本如逆旅，那么在这悠悠不变的天地间，“一瞬”和“永恒”又有什么区别？ 所以他们之中有一个宁愿为一个人去牺牲，而且毫无怨尤。 唯一的问题是——真正被牺牲的是谁？真正得到满足的又是谁？ 这问题朱猛非但更想不通，现在的情况也不容他再想这些事。 他听到司马超群正对公孙兄弟说。 “其实我早就知道两位会来的。”司马仍在微笑，“多年之前，两位就己想将我驱出大镖局，只不过一直没有把握而已，没有把握的事，两位自然不会做的，所以才会等到今日。” 他忽然叹了口气：“可是我实在想不到两位怎么会来得如此快。” “你应该想得到的。” 公孙宝剑说：“像今日这样的机会，我已等了很久。” “你怎么会知道机会已经来了？” "Of course I know." “你几时知道的？”司马超群说，“我知道你的马厩中不乏千里良驹，可是就算你能日行千里，最快也要在四五日之内才能赶来这里。” 他问公孙宝剑：“难道你在五天之前，就已算准了会有昨日之事发生，难道你在五天之前就已算准了我会和卓东来反目成仇，拔刀相对？” “你有没有想到过，也许我在大镖局中也有卧底的人。” “我想到过，可是那也没有用的。” "Why didn't it work?" “因为五天之前，连我自己都没有想到会有今日，别人怎么会知道？” “卓东来呢？” “他也想不到的。”司马的声音中已有了感伤，“直到我拔刀之前，他还不信我真的会拔刀。” "Oh?" “就算那时他已想到，也不会告诉你。” "Oh?" “我与他数十年交情，虽然已毁于一瞬间，可是当今世上，还是没有人比我更了解他。”司马说，“就算他要出卖我，也不会卖给你。” "why?" “因为你还不配。”司马超群淡淡地说，“在卓东来眼中，阁下两兄弟加起来还不值一文。” 他又叹了口气：“所以，我实在想不通你怎么能在今日赶到这里，除非你真的有那种未卜先知的本事。” 公孙乞儿忽然也叹了口气：“我虽然没有未卜先知的本事，可是我已经想到了。” 公孙宝剑立刻问他的兄弟：“你想到了？你想到了什么？” “我忽然想到你实在也应该跟我一样，在江湖中来走动走动的。” "why?" “因为你如果也跟我一样老奸巨滑，你就会明白他的意思了。” “他是什么意思？” “他的意思只不过要我们多陪他聊聊天，说说话。”公孙乞儿道，“因为他的胆已丧，气已馁，力已竭，正好利用我们陪他说话的时候恢复恢复元气，等我们出手时，说不定还可以招架一两下子。” 他摇头叹息：“不到黄河心不死，不见棺材不掉泪，不等到脑袋真的被砍下来时，我们的小司马是绝不会死心的。” 司马超群忽然笑了，朱猛也笑了，两个人居然同时大笑。 “你说得对，说得对极了。” 朱猛大笑着向乞儿招手：“来来来，你赶快过来，越快越好。” “你要我过去？” “因为朱大太爷已经看上你这个老奸巨滑的小王八羔子了，很想把老子这个脑袋送给你，只看你有没有本事能拿得走。” 司马超群大笑着拍了拍他的肩。 “好，这个小王八羔子就给你，那个比他大一点的王八羔子归我。” “好！就这么做。”朱猛的笑声豪气如云，“若是凭咱们两个还对付不了这两个小王八蛋，那么咱们不如赶快去买块豆腐来一头撞死。” 两个人并肩而立，纵声大笑，什么叫“生”，什么叫“死”，都被他们笑得滚到一边去了。 公孙兄弟的脸色没有变。 有些人的脸色永远都不会变的，脸上永远都不会有什么新表情。他们兄弟就是这种人。只不过公孙乞儿又叹了口气，叹着气问他的兄弟：“你有没有听见那位仁兄的话？” "I heard it." “那位仁兄是谁？” “好像是雄狮堂的朱猛。” “不会吧，不会是朱猛吧。”公孙乞儿说，“雄狮堂的朱猛是条恩怨分明的好汉，和大镖局的小司马一直是不共戴天的死敌，现在他们两个人怎么会忽然变得穿起一条裤子来了？” 朱猛忽然用力握住司马超群的臂，沉声问：“那乞儿说的话你可曾听到？” “我听得很清楚。” “乞儿说的话虽然总带些乞儿气，却也一语道破了你我今日的处境。” 朱猛说，“你我本是一世之死敌，谁能想得到今日竟成为同生共死的朋友。” “我们已经是朋友？” “是的。”朱猛大声道，“从今日起，你我不妨将昔日的恩仇一笔勾销。”司马大笑。 "Okay, great." “你我一日为友，终生为友。”朱猛厉声道，“只要我朱猛不死，如违此约，人神共殛。” 司马超群只觉胸中一阵热血上涌：“你放心，我们都死不了的。” 这股热血就像是一股火焰，又燃起了他们的豪气，连他们的生命中最后一分潜力都已被引发燃烧。 因为他们已经知道，他们在这个世界上并不寂寞。 因为他们至少还有一个朋友，一个同生共死、生死不渝的朋友。 人生至此，死有何憾。 两个人互相用力一握对方的手，只觉得这股热血己带一股神奇的力量，自胸中奔泻而出，连脸上都焕发出辉煌的光采。 公孙兄弟的脸色却变了。 朱猛与司马同时转身，以背靠背。 “你们来吧。”司马超群厉声道，“不管你们有多少人，都一起来吧。”夕阳己没于西山，英雄已到了末路，公孙兄弟本来已将他们当作釜中的鱼，砧上的肉。 可是现在这兄弟两人不约而同后退了两步。 现在他们才知道，英雄虽然已至末路，仍然还是英雄，仍然不可轻侮。 这时候天色更暗了，仿佛已到了黎明前最黑暗的那段时候。 无边无际的黑暗中，忽然响起了一阵凄冷的萧声，一个哀婉柔美的少女声音，伴着萧声曼声唱起了一曲令人永难忘怀的悲歌。 歌声是从哪里来的？ 在一个如此寒冷黑暗的晚上，如此荒凉肃杀的深山里，怎么会有人唱这曲令人心碎的悲歌？