Chapter 115 Chapter Nine Enemy's Narrow Road

Xiangyang is located at the confluence of various rivers beside the Han River. If you go down the river, you can reach Hannan, another smaller city, in one day, and Jingling in two days. Since Yang Guang was killed by Yu Wenhua and Qibing, the situation in various places has intensified. Those who already ruled the land as kings and emperors took advantage of the situation to expand their territories. Those who were originally Sui officials or who were taking a wait-and-see attitude rose up one after another and became local forces to protect their urban and rural homes. Qian Duguan in Xiangyang is a typical example.

"Double Swords" Qian Duguan is the leader of the Hanshui School. He is between good and evil. He is very respectable in the local black and white. When the news of Emperor Yangdi's death came, Qian Duguan was favored by the public, and was elected as the leader by the local wealthy gentry and gangs. Although Qian Duguan knew that he did not have the strength to contend for world hegemony, but at this moment when the wind is blowing and the world is in chaos, he can still guard Xiangyang and act on his own, without looking at anyone's face.At a time when Li Mi, Du Fuwei, Li Zitong and other major forces were confronting each other, he was even more successful, and even did a lot of business in exchange for what he needed, just like ceding land and becoming king.

At dusk, Shang Xiuxun and his group rushed to Xiangyang before the city gate closed, paid the city gate tax with yellow gold, and entered the city. The high walls of Xiangyang City, the archery tower at the city gate, the bell tower and the drum tower face each other. After entering the city, everyone set foot on the street that runs through the north and south city gates. At the moment when the lights are on, there are countless arches and pavilions standing across the street, shops on both sides, the long street is simple, row upon row of houses, people and cars on the road, it is peaceful and lively The scene makes people forget that the war outside is dangerous.

From time to time on the street, armed men in blue clothes walked by in groups of three or five. You could tell they were Qian Duguan's subordinates just by looking at their tyrannical demeanor that no one would give in. There are hardly any traces of aged women on the street, and the occasional ones from other places just hurried away with their heads bowed. Xu Yang, Luo Fang and others had already entered the city and waited for a long time. Luo Fang took them to a large-scale hotel. After they settled down, Kou and Xu stayed in the room waiting for Shang Xiuxun's instructions. Kou Zhong smiled and said, "Luckily we were sitting just now, and we were wearing groom's clothes. Otherwise, with our abundance, we might be recognized by those two bastards Ling Feng and Jin Bo."

Xu Ziling said angrily, "Are you crazy about yourself? It's like you feel uncomfortable if you don't praise yourself for a day." Kou Zhong said with a smile: "Everything is fine! I just want to liven up the atmosphere. Alas! I went to Jingling today, just thinking about it, I feel so upset that I want to cry, not to mention there is still Dad has to deal with it!" Xu Ziling sat on the edge of the bed in a daze, and after a while he said, "You are finally going to confront Dad, how do you feel?" Kou Zhong slumped down on the chair by the door, with a bitter smile on the corner of his mouth, he said: "I know he won't let us go this time, but if there is a chance, I will still let him go once, so it's even if we do it twice. , no one owes anyone."

Xu Ziling nodded and said: "This is a good man, amazing!" Kou Zhong sighed: "However, this time we don't think we will have the chance to be a good man. No matter fighting alone or fighting for supremacy on the battlefield, we are still one step behind him. The Jianghuai Army is an invincible force, how can it be compared with the mob of the four bandits." Xu Ziling murmured, "What is the effect of sending Liu Zongdao back to the pasture, the owner of the beauty?" Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Xu Yaodao pinched his fingers, didn't he know everything?"

Xu Ziling said with a smile: "It's really your grandma who cheated me if I had the opportunity." When Kou Zhong laughed out loud, Luo Fang knocked on the door and said, "We have booked two tables on the second floor of Jiaxianglou, the largest restaurant here, come with me!" The two were stunned, they didn't expect that under such circumstances, Shang Xiuxun still didn't forget to pay attention to ostentation. Jiaxiang Building is divided into upper, middle and lower floors. The third floor is full of VIP rooms, and reservations are not accepted at all unless they are regular customers or local dignitaries.

Outsiders like Pegasus Ranch can only book the tables on the second floor and downstairs, and Xu Yang has to bribe the shopkeeper of the inn to make arrangements. Shang Xiuxun not only put on men's clothing, but also painted her face a little black, and glued on a beard, giving her the appearance of a Taoist gentleman. Although her appearance is ridiculous, it is better than showing her alluring beauty. When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling saw her strange appearance, they were almost overwhelmed by her, and they didn't know how hard it was to bear it. Surprisingly, Shang Xiuxun didn't think he was disobedient, he just smiled, and he and Liang Zhi took the lead.

A group of people were divided into groups and walked along the street. The two old men, Shang Peng and Shang He, were in charge of adjourning. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling knew in their hearts that more and more people knew them, so they had no choice but to pull down the boy's hat to cover their eyebrows, and bent over, walking without knowing how hard it was. Luo Fangqi next to him asked, "Why are you so sneaky?" Kou Zhong dodged a group of villains with bloody faces coming towards him, and said in a serious manner: "The owner of the field has to put on a show, and we servants have to cover up and hide, right?"

Suddenly there was chaos on the left, pedestrians scattered to avoid, two gangs of more than ten people each fought, chasing along the street, swords and swords. Luo Fang was distracted, and dragged the two of them to hide aside. Shang Xiuxun stood with his hands behind his back, as if he was watching the bloody fight with great interest. Kou Zhong was puzzled and said to Luo Fang and Xu Ziling: "Look, aren't those people from the Xianghan sect under Qian Duguan's command? Why do they stand by and don't interfere?" Xu Ziling looked over, and sure enough, he saw a group of seven or eight big men in blue and strong suits, mixed in the crowd of spectators, not only watching from the sidelines, but also kept pointing, foaming and elated.

Luo Fang was not surprised, and said: "This is the rule of Qian Duguan. As long as it does not harm his interests, he will take a neutral attitude towards all struggles and killings in the Jianghu. Besides, even if he wants to control, he can't control so much?" Kou Zhong was stunned, "Is there still a king's law?" Xu Ziling smiled wryly, "There has been no kingly law for a long time." Kou Zhong's eyes flashed sharply, and he didn't speak any more. At this time, the winner and loser had been divided, and the loser left a few corpses and fled into the side alley. The big men in blue clothes from the Xianghan faction swarmed up and dragged away the corpse. In an instant, the street returned to the bustling scene just now, making people almost doubt that anything had happened. Both Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were astonished, but Luo Fang seemed not to be surprised, as if nothing had happened. A block away, the big signboard of Jiaxianglou is far away, and the sound of silk and bamboo orchestras, finger-guessing and drinking can be heard from across the street. Kou Zhong looked away, it turned out to be a brothel, the entrance was full of people, very lively. Four or five rogue bodyguards are intercepting the guests who want to go in, wondering if they should first check if there is enough silver in the pockets of the visitors. Kou Zhong couldn't help but stop to watch, remembering that every time he and Xu Ziling broke into the brothel, there was no good result, and when he couldn't help but feel amused, the three of them ran towards him in a perfect shape. He didn't dare to show his martial arts, he just moved aside at a normal pace, at this moment, one of them reached into his arms. Kou Zhong was overjoyed, he thought to himself that you are like wielding a big ax in front of Lu Ban's gate if you use your empty hand to my ancestor who specializes in picking people's money bags, so he used the true pulse-cutting technique passed down by Zhai Rang's chief general, Tu Shufang, Grab the opponent's pulse door. The man wanted to break free, so he injected him with true energy, and his whole body became numb immediately. Seeing that the matter failed, the other two fled in a hurry. "You hurt me!" Kou Zhong took a closer look, it turned out that the person who was buckling was a boy of sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features, not like a bandit. Kou Zhong thought of himself in Yangzhou back then, his heart softened, he took out a piece of gold with his left hand, stuffed it into his hand, and said in a low voice: "Your pickpocket skills are so poor, don't do it in the future!" The young man looked at him dumbfounded, and then at the gold in his hand, with a look of gratitude in his eyes. Luo Fang in front turned around and shouted, "Xiao Ning, come quickly!" Kou Zhong patted him on the shoulder and hurried to catch up with Luo Fang and Xu Ziling. The three climbed up to the second floor, Shang Xiuxun sat down early, and occupied two of the five large tables next to the window on the street side. The entire lobby on the second floor was crowded with people of all kinds, but only the big table in the middle of the street window was occupied by one person. This gentleman has a majestic figure, just looking at his back can make people feel his intimidating momentum. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's countenance changed at the same time, crying in their hearts, they all recognized Ba Fenghan's back when the man had turned to ashes. No matter the waiter or the other guests, they seemed to be accustomed to the fact that this young expert occupied the table by himself, and they didn't even give a strange wink or expression. When the two of them were wondering whether they should turn around and slip away immediately, so as not to be exposed by him, Ba Fenghan had already turned around and showed them a meaningful and ambiguous smile. Then he cast his eyes on Shang Xiuxun, with a surprised look on his face. Luo Fang was also staring at Ba Fenghan, at this moment he yanked the two of them and shouted: "Don't block the passage here, unless you want to make trouble, come on!" The two had no choice but to follow him to the table next to Ba Fenghan and sit down at the table next to Ba Fenghan, their backs facing the stairway in the middle of the back as he did. Kou Zhong and Ba Fenghan were only half a zhang apart, which also separated Ba Fenghan Han stared at Shang Xiuxun who was sitting at the table in the corner. Ba Fenghan put a jug of wine and a few dishes of side dishes on the table, but it looked like he had never touched any of the dishes, he was only drinking for himself, showing a leisurely and contented demeanor. The sword was on the table, but his saber was missing. Shang Xiuxun leaned forward a little, and looked back at Ba Fenghan, his beautiful eyes shone with emotion, obviously shocked by Ba Fenghan's perfect wild and masculine face and figure. When Liang Zhi, Xu Yang, Wu Yan, Shang He, Shang Zhen, and others who were at the same table with Shang Xiuxun were swept over by Ba Fenghan's sharp and substantive eyes, they all felt chills in their hearts and cried out inwardly. This kind of rare master is still so young, but I don't know who he is. Suddenly someone shouted loudly from the street: "Ba Fenghan come down and die!" The whole restaurant gradually became quiet immediately, but there were still shouts of "here it is again!" Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked in surprise, and saw four tall and short people standing on the opposite side of the street downstairs, all of them had fierce eyes, weapons in hand, shouting to Ba Fenghan who was sitting upstairs. Shang Xiuxun and others were all moved. Ba Fenghan, a master from the Western Regions, has challenged famous masters, local tyrants and bullies from all over the past two years, and has never lost a single defeat.Even if the enemies gather together to besiege, he can still escape calmly. He has already been widely known in the world, and he is praised as the most outstanding master of the young generation today along with Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Hou Xibai, and Yang Xuyan, and has received the highest evaluation. In the eyes of martial arts people, after the successful assassination of Ren Shaoming, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling barely caught up with the other three in terms of prestige. The four people who called the formation were all dressed in black, aged between 30 and 40, the tall ones were carrying two knives, the other three were all wielding knives, their faces were fierce, making one feel that none of them were kind. Luo Fang whispered: "See the plum blossom logo embroidered on their lapels? These four are the leaders of the Plum Blossom Gate. Together with the boss, Gu Le, they are also known as the Five Evils of the Plum Blossom. There are hundreds of men under their command. They specialize in robbing houses and doing all kinds of evil. The boss was slaughtered, now come to seek revenge." At this time, the tall man shouted: "You little thief Ba, get out of here, brother's blood debt must be paid with your blood." Kou Zhong gave Luo Fang a thumbs up, praising him for his easy guess, which made Luo Fang very happy. Ba Fenghan took the time to fill the pot with wine, without looking at the remaining four evils of the five evils of the plum blossom, he smiled and said: "What qualifications do you have to ask me to get out of here, your boss took care of me without three tricks, It will surprise me that you can take one hit." As if knowing that Shang Xiuxun was staring at him intently, she turned her head away and saluted her with a toast and a smile. Shang Xiuxun avoided his gaze unnaturally. With a loud shout, You Ruoping raised a Jiao Lei, one of them rushed obliquely, and wanted to rush upstairs. Ba Feng snorted coldly, his eyes were still focused on the outline of Shang Xiuxun's side face, the left hand holding the cup moved swiftly and incoherently, the wine in the cup turned into a wine arrow, leaping upstairs like lightning The enemy shot away. The man's feet had just left the ground, and before he stopped drinking, the wine arrow pierced his mouth accurately. The man trembled all over his body, his eyes, ears, mouth and nose spurted out blood, he fell back with his mouth open, and died on the spot. Everyone on the second floor stood up, shaking like thunder. It is the first time that everyone has witnessed the murder of a bully who is running rampant with wine turned into an arrow. Everyone in Pegasus Ranch was also shocked. Only Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling toasted and drank tea as if nothing had happened. The other three evils turned pale with fright, all the fierce flames disappeared, lifted the dead body, and immediately ran away with their heads in their hands, in a panic, which caused mocking laughter from the outsiders upstairs. Ba Fenghan continued to drink as if he had done the most insignificant thing, and after a while the restaurant returned to its previous state, just like the two gangs fighting on the street just now, as if nothing had happened. At this time Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling heard the diners at the table behind whisper: "This is the seventh batch of fools who think their lives are too long. Fortunately for them, those who came this morning were more powerful than them, but half of them Can't leave alive." Here comes the food and drink. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were still interested in talking about Ba Fenghan, but seeing that he didn't come to provoke them, they ate it freely. On the contrary, Shang Xiuxun, who had always been addicted to food, seemed to be preoccupied, and stopped chopsticks after eating two slices of yellow croaker. Shang Peng and Shang He looked at Ba Fenghan from time to time. Suddenly a voice sounded from the stairs: "I want those two tables!" The man's voice said in astonishment: "But the guest hasn't left yet!" Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other in shock, knowing something was wrong.All because they recognized that it was Qu Ao's eldest disciple Zhang Shumou's hateful voice. This time he must have come for Shang Xiuxun and the others. The people in Pegasus Ranch obviously knew who Chang Shumou was, except Shang Xiuxun and Peng He, two old fellows, they all showed nervous and guarded expressions. Of course the two did not dare to look back, thinking that the other party had come prepared, and it would be a blessing to be able to retreat with all their strength. Ba Fenghan seemed to be engrossed in his thoughts, completely oblivious to what was happening behind him. The footsteps of more than ten people approached behind Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, and a female voice shouted: "We have requisitioned these two platforms, let's go!" It was the voice of Hua Lingzi, the beauty of Tie Le who had fought against Xu Ziling. Since Kou and Xu turned their backs to them, they did not know that these two big enemies were present. As if waking up, Ba Fenghan laughed and said, "Are all the disciples taught by Qu Ao so tyrannical?" The two guests at the back, when they heard that it was Qu Ao's apprentice who requisitioned their tables, they ran away like lambs in a panic. Zhang Shumou came to the table behind Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, and deliberately sat down with his back to the window. Kou and Xu were less than half a zhang behind him, and Ba Fenghan on the left and Shang Xiuxun on the right were only a few zhang away from him. The distance, the situation is weird. Other masters of Chang Shu Mou took their seats, exactly 20 people, Geng Hu'er and Hua Lingzi sat on Chang Shu Mou's left and right chairs. Uncle Chang looked at the waiter cleaning up the leftovers left on the table for them with trembling hands and feet, and said calmly: "My Uncle Chang had heard of Brother Ba's name when he was in our country, and he admired him very much. If I have a chance to ask Gao Ming, I don’t know if Brother Unknown Ba is free these two days, so let’s choose a time and place to make out, okay?" Ba Fenghan drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, and casually threw it on the ground where he and his uncle were plotting. "when!" The porcelain cups were broken and scattered all over the ground. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances, wondering whether Boy Ba did it on purpose or not, he actually helped them at this moment! Ba Fenghan said calmly: "It's better to hit the sun than to choose the day. I'm leaving the city tomorrow, so let me, Ba Fenghan, see how much my eldest uncle has learned from Qu Ao." Everyone in the audience stopped their chopsticks, and hundreds of eyes were cast on Chang Shumou, to see how he would react. Brother Bao Hu'er and Hua Lingzi's expressions changed suddenly, and they were about to attack, but Uncle Chang waved his hand to stop them, and let out a long laugh that shook the roof tiles. Those who know the goods in the building are all moved. They can hear that his laughter is high-pitched but not loud, but it can make people's ears hurt, showing that both internal and external skills have reached a perfect state. The laughter stopped. Chang Shumou's white clothes were calm and unmoving, and a murderous look appeared immediately, a gentle smile appeared on his beautiful face, he shook his head and sighed: "It's a pleasure, but I have something important to do right now, brother Ba, can you wait for a while?" .” Then he shouted to the bewildered clerk at the side: "Give me two more tables with the food and drink that my friends in the two Pegasus Ranch behind me ate, go!" The clerk left in a hurry. Shang Xiuxun knew that the enemy would attack at any time, so he signaled to everyone to fight and leave. The so-called those who come are not good, and those who are kind do not come. Uncle Chang's faction has determined their attitude, and he must have something to rely on. Maybe there are still ambushes downstairs and outside. But it's just that the three brothers and sisters of Changshu Mou have already possessed strong strength. The other seventeen Tieler masters were all restrained and calm, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that they were definitely not to be trifled with. There was no sound in the building, and no one was willing to leave without watching the excitement, they were all waiting for Ba Fenghan's answer. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked down the street, and found that it was a boulevard with people coming and going, but now it became as quiet as a ghost land, with the shops closed and deserted.Suddenly realizing that Zhang Shumou's action against Pegasus Ranch was acquiesced by Qian Duguan, he couldn't help being stunned. Ba Fenghan's voice sounded: "This is really a coincidence. I also want to deal with some personal grievances with two friends from the Pegasus Ranch first. Elder uncle, can you wait for a while?" Both Shang Xiuxun and Chang Shumou felt astonished. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling knew that it was time for the ugly woman to see her husband, and when they looked at each other with wry smiles, Ba Fenghan suddenly said to himself: "Why is Jun Yu late?" Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were taken aback, thinking that it would be extremely bad if they met Fu Junyu. Shang Xiuxun's eyes came to them, and the cold light flickered. Kou Zhong finally opened his mouth, sighed and said: "Uncle Chang lost his golden shield, is he using an iron shield, copper shield, wooden shield, leather shield, or a rotten shield?" These words stood out like a strange peak, Chang Shumou was shocked first, he turned his head to look at Kou Zhong, and stared at the two of them in disbelief. Luo Fang was even more taken aback, and stared at them fiercely with the others. Kou Zhong don't turn his head to show a bright smile to Chang Shumou, he also waved his hand to greet, "Hey" before saying: "You've been tricked! We have colluded with each other in secret, otherwise how could you idiot today Sent to be punished. Ha! How funny." Then he pointed at the two new shields hanging on his back and laughed, "It turned out to be iron shields, ha! They suddenly became poor!" He blinked at Shang Xiuxun, who was looking at him fiercely, and said, "Master, there are a lot of them, and my two brothers will make amends!" Except for those who are concerned, everyone else is confused, not sure who is Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling?But just looking at Zhang Shumou and the others still not turning their heads, one knows that these two people have a lot of background. Hua Lingzi smiled coquettishly: "We should say it's interesting, so I'll let Miss Ben see how you two boys make meritorious deeds." After finishing speaking, the two short blades slipped from the sleeves to the hands at the same time. Ba Fenghan shouted: "Wait a minute!" In a word, the tense atmosphere was suppressed for the time being. Brother Bao Hu'er had long disliked Ba Fenghan, and sneered, "Brother Ba is here to meddle in business, isn't he?" Ba Fenghan said: "Whether I care or not, it depends on my mood at that time, but if I don't even ignore the thin face of waiting for a while, then it's no wonder that I want to get in the way." With the arrogance and conceit that Uncle Mou has always had, he does not want to set up a formidable enemy like Ba Fenghan at the same time as dealing with the master of Pegasus Ranch and Kou Xu. He is a hero who can afford to let go, he sat comfortably back in the chair with Kou Zhong on his back, clapped the stage and shouted: "The wine and food are not served yet!" Shang Xiuxun's silver bell-like laughter rang out, attracting the audience's attention, and then calmly said: "Brother Su Wenba's sword shines brightly, can you open Xiuxun's eyes?" Including Ba Fenghan, everyone was stunned and didn't understand why she suddenly took the initiative to challenge Ba Fenghan. But Xu Ziling understood her feelings a little bit, he was annoyed that he was deceived by the two of them, and even more hated that Ba Fenghan intervened at this moment to settle old scores with them, so that his elder uncle could take advantage of the fisherman. At this moment, he turned his head and looked at Ba Fenghan. Just as Ba Fenghan looked at him, their eyes met, and they clashed fiercely in the air like four lightning bolts lit up at the same time. Xu Ziling straightened his shoulders, and his aura increased sharply, revealing an intimidating demeanor that no one, including Kou Zhong, had ever seen before. He glanced sideways at Ba Fenghan and asked with a smile, "Brother Ba's knife is broken?" ?” Ba Fenghan was surprised and said: "Brother Xu really guessed right. Ten days ago, I met an unprecedented master and broke his saber. How did Brother Xu guess?" As soon as the word "Brother Xu" came out, there was a buzz of discussion. At this time, everyone guessed that the two "brothers" were Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong, who had killed Ren Shaoming. Shang Xiuxun showed an extremely annoyed expression, and stomped her feet under the stage to get angry.But Fangxin was faintly surprised and extremely contradictory. Liang Zhi, Luo Fang and others still stared blankly at the two, with mixed surprises in their hearts. When Kou Zhong saw Ba Fenghan talking about encountering a strong opponent he had never seen before, his eyes shot out an incomparably complicated look, and seemed to have endless aftertaste, and said in his heart: "It's hard to guess, we also know what brother Ba Fenghan said. The opponent I met was an elf who was so beautiful that it seemed to come from the sky, and her name was Wanwan, ha! Right?" Ba Fenghan laughed dumbly and said: "Yes! Bing! But Brother Kou guessed half of it right. She is indeed surprisingly beautiful, but she is not a girl, but the most outstanding female master in the history of the Dugu Faction." Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling lost their voices at the same time: "Dugu Feng?" This time Ba Fenghan was also stunned, and said in surprise: "Have you also fought against her?" Uncle Zhang interjected and said, "Brother Ba, did you lose the battle? Why have I never heard of this woman?" Kou Zhong said: "You haven't heard of it, what's so strange, brother Ba, don't you also have no idea who the witch is?" Uncle Chang said displeased: "I'm talking to Brother Ba, so it's up to you to intervene." Kou Zhong was about to speak, Shang Xiuxun coquettishly said: "Why are you talking so much nonsense, shut up. Ba Fenghan, let me see if your sword will be stronger than your knife." The audience fell silent again.