Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Assassins
Shi Zong was shocked when he heard this. Wuwei Temple is known as a royal temple. Important figures such as Tanchuo and Baoji have lived here for many years. Some things, the assassin's martial arts skills are not trivial, and he was about to go there in person, but he was worried that he would fall into the enemy's plan to divert the tiger away from the mountain, so he hurriedly recruited several Yu Yi, and ordered them to accompany Yang Zhi to guard at the gate of Zen Master Puzhao, and not to leave Xinju one step without authorization. , arranged properly, and then led the people to rush to the next door.
Shi Zong reacted very quickly in the courtyard, pouted at the two Yu Yis behind him, and said, "Go and have a look." Before the two could respond, they heard another exclamation: "Ah, ah, come here, Come on... someone killed...Mr. Zou was killed! There is an assassin!" The voice came from the middle and west rooms in the east courtyard, although the voice was weak, every word and sentence could be heard clearly.
Shi Zong was shocked when he heard this. This Mr. Zou is Zou Xing, the envoy of Ming Yuzhen. Wuwei Temple is known as a royal temple. Important figures such as Tanchuo and Baoji have lived here for many years. The red scarf envoy was assassinated in the temple. This was unprecedented. The assassin's martial arts skills were extraordinary, and he was about to go there in person, but he was worried that he would be caught by the enemy's plan to divert the tiger away from the mountain. He hurriedly recruited several Yu Yi and ordered them to accompany Yang Zhisong Stay at the gate of Chan Master Puzhao, and don't leave Xinju a step without authorization. After proper arrangements, he led his people to the next door.
As soon as he arrived at the gate of the Nanchanyuan, he met a small group of patrolling monks, who also rushed over after hearing the sound.The leader was monk Dazhi—he was in his early forties and became a monk since he was a child. He was the first disciple of Wuwei Temple who had no support. When he arrived at Shi Zong, he asked, "Master Shi Zongyu, what happened inside?" Shi Zong said, "I just arrived too." Dazhi asked, "Where is Xinju?" Shi Zong said in a low voice, "Still there." Next door back to the courtyard."
Fang wanted to enter the door together, when he suddenly heard someone yelling sharply from a distance in the forest in the northwest: "Who is it? Stop!" It was clearly the voice of Yu Yichang Shi Xiu, and then there were shouts and fights.Dazhi said: "The poor monk went to have a look." Just as he was about to lead people to the forest, Shi Zong hurriedly shouted: "No need. Please hurry up and send monks to guard the surroundings of Wuwei Temple, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."
When Da Zhi heard the sound of fighting in the forest intensify, someone screamed for injuries in an instant. It is expected that the enemy's martial arts are extraordinary, and there is darkness as a cover. Fangzheng needs reinforcements, but Shi Zong asked him to call monks to guard other places, which is a bit inappropriate Common sense.However, he didn't know that Shi Zong was a hunter and was good at hunting. There was a deep meaning in this arrangement. No matter whether Shi Xiu had encountered an assassin or not, he just had to guard the exit to catch a turtle. Rushing to the forest, the surrounding vigilance must be relaxed, and it is easier for the enemy to take advantage of the chaos.
Da Zhi was usually taciturn, although he was stunned and puzzled, he didn't ask any more questions, and immediately replied: "Yes." He quickly explained to the inspecting monks, and rushed to mobilize their hands.There are hundreds of monks in this temple, all of them are highly skilled in martial arts and well trained. Once an enemy comes, they can be used as an elite army.Shi Zong also didn't care about the situation of Shi Xiu in the forest, so he hurried to the courtyard of the South Chan room.
The South Zen Room is also an independent courtyard, but it is twice as large as the Huiguang Courtyard. There are several separate rooms to the north, and a row of corridors to the east and west. There are many fruit trees and camellias in the large open space in the courtyard. Like a small garden.
Strangely, the west wing where the messenger lived was pitch black, but the opposite east wing was brightly lit with candles.Two Han men stood under the eaves of the east wing corridor, one fat and one thin, both in their thirties, dressed as businessmen, looking curiously at this side.Shi Zong recognized at a glance that the two Han people were not the entourage of Ming Yuzhen's envoy, but he didn't know why they lived in the south meditation room, so he didn't have time to go up to ask, so he turned around and told Yu Yi: "Guard the gate of the hospital, and no one is allowed to enter or leave." Yu Yi suddenly responded.
Suddenly, Zou Dang, the servant of the envoy Zou Xing, rushed out of the west wing in a panic. When he saw someone coming in, he was frightened and wronged, and cried loudly: "It's someone who came! My master was killed!" Shi Zong frowned and asked, "Where is it?" Zou Dang pointed to the dark wing room and said, "There."
Entering the hall, Yu Yi was the first to light up the flint and light the candles, only to see that the small main room was very messy, the tables and chairs were overturned on the ground.The envoy Zou Xing was lying on his back near the gate, his chest was wounded by a sharp weapon.Shi Zong stepped forward, but unexpectedly found that he was still breathing weakly, so he hurriedly called a Yu Yi, and ordered: "Go to the Hall of Pharmacists and ask Doctor Baisha to come."
Seeing that Zou Xing's wound was still bubbling with blood, which stained most of his body red, he was worried that he would lose too much blood and that he would not be able to survive the doctor's visit.The secret medicine of the Bai nationality in Dali is wonderful in the world, and the gold-chuang medicine has a miraculous effect, and immediately stopped the bleeding.
Zou Dang shrank at the door, and couldn't help crying: "What should I do..." Shi Zong said: "Your master is not dead yet." Zou Dang was stunned, and said: "Really?" Shi Zong said: "Why? Just you? Didn’t Master Zou still have three followers? Where are they?” Zou Dang said, “This... I don’t even know. They have been talking to their master in the room for three nights, but I heard voices just now When I came in, I saw the master lying alone at the door. Maybe... how many of them went after the assassin?" He asked again, "This official, can my master really be saved?"
Shi Zong nodded and ignored Zou Dang.He was a poor young man, sensitive and suspicious, and when he pondered for a moment, he felt that there were many doubts about the assassination of the messenger, so he immediately ordered Yuyi to carry Zou Xing back to the bed, and then ordered the closure of the south meditation room, and detained everyone on the spot, including the two people he had just met. The Han people, the two young novice monks who worked as handymen in the courtyard, and the envoy's entourage were all under house arrest in their respective rooms.Yu Yi stepped forward immediately, and despite Zou Dang's resistance and crying, dragged him into the room and locked him up.
After roughly finishing the affairs of the South Zen Room, Shi Zong hurried to the woods in the west of the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion.But I saw figures in the forest erratic, white light flickering, like clouds leaking light, flickering to and fro, and the sound of golden blades was loud.Just when several monks arrived, they lit up lanterns and torches, and it was as bright as day for a while.Looking closely, it turned out that five figures were fighting fiercely with a masked man holding a sword.The masked man's martial arts are mysterious, his figure is erratic, his lightness is strange and strange, his sword is like the wind, and his moves are exquisite. It is expected that he is the assassin who assassinated Zou Xing.Among the five people who besieged the assassin, there were two Yuyi, two monks, and the person holding the wave sword in one hand was Duan Wen, the son of the former general manager Duan Guang.Shi Xiu and the other two Yu Yi just stood aside and watched.
With a wave of Shi Zong's hand, all Yuyi rushed forward and surrounded several people who were fighting.Seeing that Duan Wen's feet were floating and unstable, Shi Zong knew that he must have drunk a lot of wine, he couldn't help but turn pale with fright, and hurriedly shouted: "Mr. Wen, step back!"
The arena is tumbling and tumbling, the wind is blowing, and the fight is so thrilling and fierce that there is no time to care about the affairs outside the arena.Shi Zong turned his head and shouted: "Shi Xiu, how can you put Mr. Wen in danger?" Shi Xiu put his hands on his chest, but couldn't answer.One of Yu Yi said: "The enemy's martial arts are powerful, Master Shi Xiuyu was injured and lost his temper." After a pause, he added: "The two of us were also injured."
Just at this time, a long stick in the hand of a monk was cut off, and the man groaned, covered his shoulders, staggered back a few steps, put the broken stick on the ground before he stopped, panting continuously, obviously It was a sword.The four Yu Yi uttered a cry, pulled out their long knives, and stepped forward one by one from east, west, south, and north to attack. Unexpectedly, one person on the west side was caught in the arm by Duan Wenlang's sword as soon as he joined the battle group, and one person on the north side was caught by another injured monk. Knocked down, the two rolled together.
Shi Zong knew that although his side had the upper hand, the melee in the dark night was just fighting on their own, crowded with each other, it was difficult to use their hands and feet, so he hurriedly turned his head and said: "Call the crossbowmen!"
In addition to the ordinary army in Dali, there is also a group of elite soldiers called "Luo Juzi", all of whom are one-in-a-million warriors who are good at riding and shooting, and are responsible for the security of Yangjubaa City.When Duan Gong came to Wuwei Temple tonight, Shi Zong specially seconded a team of Luo Juzi to follow him.A Yuyi took out a black whistle from his pocket, put it to his lips and blew it, and suddenly a sound of "嘿嘿嘿嘿" pierced the tranquility of the night sky, ear-piercing and sharp.
Shi Zong shouted again: "Stop!" Although the voice was not loud, it was strong and powerful.After hearing the order, several Yu Yi in the arena quickly backed away, only Duan Wen refused to stop, he was drunk, and fought fiercely with a brute force, not realizing the danger, Yu Yi leaped away, instead making room for him When he reached the place, he immediately stepped forward to fight with the assassin.Both of them wield swords, strike fast, the light of the sword is lingering, the wind of the sword is turbulent, there are booming and hunting sounds, the figures are scurrying back and forth, sticking together suddenly, and then separating again, the eyes can't tell the difference if they slow down Enemy.
Shi Zong expected that Duan Wen's drunkenness would break out and the fight would start, but he was entangled with the masked assassin, his figure was extremely fast, and it was difficult for others to intervene in the battle group to help, so he stepped forward a few steps and shouted sharply: "Duan Wen Step back quickly! Xinju is here, do you dare to disobey?"
At this moment, the wave sword in Duan Wen's hand hit the assassin's long sword.The Wave Sword is Shi Xiu's personal weapon, forged from blue iron at the bottom of a smelting furnace.As soon as the golden blades of the two sides met, the flames burst out like stars in the dark night, and the long sword in the assassin's hand snapped with a crisp sound, and broke in the middle.He remained calm in the face of danger, shouted loudly, and cut off Duan Wen's shoulder with his broken sword.Duan Wenwen thought that he had already won, not to mention that the reinforcements from all around had arrived. He did not expect the opponent to be so tenacious in fighting spirit. This sword.The assassin was waiting for him to do so, he threw away the broken sword, turned around quickly, and got behind his back, grabbed his right wrist with his backhand, snatched the wave sword, twisted his right arm behind his back, and placed the blade across his back neck.
The people around clearly saw that Duan Wen's victory was imminent, but before he could utter the word "good", he was controlled by the enemy in an instant, and couldn't help but look at each other in blank dismay.Shi Xiu was kicked by the masked assassin in the chest, and he couldn't agree more before he calmed down and shouted: "Let go of Mr. Wen, you are already unable to fly, so you have to surrender!"
I saw a group of Luo Juzi rushing out from both sides of the Sutra Pavilion, all of them were dressed in black armor, with duo sheaths hanging around their waists, with arrows on their backs, and bows and crossbows in their hands.The leader of the team is the general Zhang Xijiao himself. He is over fifty years old. He has blond hair like a lion's fur and a beard like a halberd. Surrounded by layers, squatting in front of Yu Yi, he pulled the crossbow and fired arrows, all the arrows were aimed at the masked assassin in the field, and he was about to shoot.Some people were assigned to guard the four corners of the forest to prevent the assassin from escaping in the chaos.
The masked assassin was surrounded by heavy siege, without any panic, he said in a deep voice: "Get out of the way! Otherwise I will kill him!" He strengthened his hands and pushed Duan Wen forward.Duan Wen had already sobered up, and after struggling for a while, he felt half of his body numb and unable to break free, so he said out of breath, "Don't worry about me, let him kill me."
Yuyi and Luo Juzi didn't get orders, and they didn't retreat at all.The masked assassin didn't hesitate, Wang Dong walked a few steps.Zhang Xi straightened a crossbow and fired a short arrow, with a "swish", it hit the assassin's right foot, only half an inch away from his boot.When the assassin saw the divine arrow, he immediately stopped in his tracks, straightened his wave sword, and said with a sneer, "Why, do you really want him to die?"
The assassination of the envoy involves the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the matter is of great importance. In this situation, the assassin must not be let go. However, Duan Wen is the son of the former chief executive and the nephew of the current chief executive, and he cannot be allowed to be in danger. Shi Zong didn't know what to do for a while. After handling it properly, I suddenly heard someone shouting from behind: "Don't hurt anyone."
I saw Duan Gong leading Yang Zhi and others hurried over.Shi Zong rushed forward and said in a low voice: "I report to Xinju, the envoy of King Ming is not dead, but only seriously injured." Duan Gong nodded, stepped forward, and said in a loud voice: "The strong man is so skilled that he dares to rush into the city at night." Wuwei Temple is also number one, so why bother a drunk young man?"
The masked assassin saw that he was only thirty-seven or eighteen years old, he did not carry a weapon, he was elegant and scholarly, and asked: "Are you Duan Gong, the general manager of Dali?" He seemed unable to believe that he was the general manager of Dali. Will show up at Wuwei Temple late at night.Duan Gong said: "Exactly. If a strong man wants to leave this place tonight, it will be as difficult as going to heaven. Presumably you took the risk to assassinate King Ming's envoy, but you were just sent by someone. As long as you let this young man go, everything can be discussed."
The masked assassin pondered for a moment, and said simply: "Okay." Pushing Duan Wen away, he dropped the wave sword in his hand.Duan Gong didn't expect that he would let go of the hostages so easily, without first asking for conditions, but he wanted to capture them without a fight, he couldn't help being very surprised.
Shi Zong rushed forward and pulled Duan Wen away. With a wave of his hand, four Yu Yi stepped forward. They used long knives to force the masked assassin back and forth to prevent him from violently injuring others. The other two took the rope and tied his hands Both feet are bound.This rope is specially used by hunters in the mountains to bind wild animals when hunting. It has been soaked in tung fat butter all year round, and it is soft and tough, comparable to iron chains.After he was tied up firmly, he was searched carefully, but only flint and a few shell coins were found, nothing else, probably he also knew that this trip was dangerous, so he cleaned up unnecessary items in advance.
Seeing that the assassin had been captured, Duan Gong waved his hand and ordered Luo Juzi to disperse first.Yu Yi dragged the assassin to Duan Gong and knelt down in front of Duan Gong. Shi Xiu picked up her wave sword, stepped forward and tore off his face scarf, revealing a handsome and extraordinary face with a trace of arrogance I couldn't help being surprised and said: "So it's you." Turning his head and saying: "Xinju, I saw this Han boy on Lanfeng when I was looking for Baoji during the day. He claimed to be a tourist and lost his way. Lanfeng overlooks the topography of Wuwei Temple."
Duan Gong nodded, walked up to the assassin, and asked: "You are good at martial arts, and you are also a heroic person. What's your name? Who sent you to assassinate?"
The assassin had just experienced a fierce fight, his chest and back clothes were all soaked, his expression was extremely tired, he just sneered, and said: "Since I was captured by you, why bother talking nonsense, if you want to beat or kill, just listen to your respect." .” Proud and heroic, extremely free and easy.Shi Zongfei kicked him on the waist, and shouted: "Xinju asked you something, why don't you answer it quickly!"
The assassin's hands were tied behind his back, his hands and feet were connected by ropes, he couldn't move, he was kicked, his body lost his balance and fell to the ground.Shi Zong stepped forward again and kicked hard a few times, but he was very stubborn and didn't even hum.
Duan Gong saw the assassin's stubborn expression and knew that torture was useless. He was concerned about the envoy's injury, so he stopped Shi Zong and said: "Put him down and lock him up so that he can be guarded. We will interrogate him tomorrow." In response, he stepped forward and dragged the assassin away.
Duan Gong said again: "Shi Xiu, I will stay in Cuihua Building tonight, and I won't go back to the general manager's mansion. You should immediately send someone back to the general manager's mansion to inform Madam, so that she won't worry about it. Please don't wait for me, and go to rest earlier. .” When she said the last sentence, her voice was obviously more gentle and tender.Shi Xiu replied: "Yes."
It is a well-known fact in Dali that Xinju and his wife are deeply in love. Shi Xiu was about to arrange manpower when Duan Gong said, "Send more people to Wuhua Building to protect the envoy of the King of Liang." Shi Xiu said: "Yes." Step forward Asked in a low voice, "Could it be that Xinju suspects that the assassin is from King Liang's side?" Duan Gong said: "There is no real evidence, so you must not make random guesses." He waved his hand and said, "Go and do something."
There is a prison in Wuwei Temple. It is on the north side of the Hall of Pharmacists, close to the Lanfeng stone wall. It is actually a gourd-shaped natural stone pit, about five or six feet deep. An iron fence was built at the entrance of the gourd hole. The fence is as thick as a child's arm. Most of them were born naturally, and with a little manpower, they were built according to the trend, and it was a well-built dungeon.
Shi Zong resented the Han assassin for injuring several of his subordinates, and kicked off his younger brother Shi Xiu's weapon. He wanted to humiliate him and frustrate his arrogance. On the pretext of fearing that he would break the rope and escape, he ordered someone to take a long iron chain and wrap it around his neck several times. , firmly entangled him, and when he was put down to the dungeon, he didn't completely put it on the ground, but let his toes barely touch the ground, and then hung the iron chain tightly on the iron edge of the prison window.The assassin's hands and feet were bound, and he had no power to resist, so he could only let himself be manipulated.
When he left, he could only hear the rattling of iron chains in the dungeon, and the assassin struggled constantly, trying to reach the ground with his feet.Knowing that he was short of breath and suffering, Shi Zong looked into the dungeon with a sneer and said, "As long as you tell me who is responsible for the assassination, I'll let you go down immediately so that you don't have to suffer." The prison responds, knowing that the assassin will not give in no matter what, he immediately said angrily: "Then you will suffer the punishment alive, it is a pity that you can live one more night, and tomorrow is your death date." He guessed with Xinju's personality Most likely, the assassin will be handed over to the envoy of Ming Yuzhen. The envoy is seriously injured, and his entourage must be furious. If the Han assassin is not lit with a sky lantern, he will also be sawn alive by hook intestines, or sewn into a cowhide bag Buried alive.He also arranged for two capable Yu Yi to guard the prison, and said: "If the assassin is willing to confess, he will report it." Yu Yi said: "Follow the order." Shi Zong then went to Cuihua Tower to report.
When he was approaching the west gate of Cuihua Building, he suddenly saw a black shadow flickering in the tea bushes in front of him. Shi Zong hurriedly stroked the wave sword, and shouted sharply: "Who is there?" He gestured with his hand and said, "It's me, the attendant of the envoy of King Ming." He stepped forward and saw that it was indeed Li Zhizhi, Zou Xing's attendant.Shi Zong asked: "Why are you here?" Li Zhizhi said: "Master Zou was assassinated by an assassin, and I and two companions chased him out. Because it was dark and we didn't know the way, we chased randomly. I don't know how we got here. Also ran away."
Shi Zongxin said: "Isn't this nonsense? You live in the front yard, and the assassin was also captured in the front yard. Even if you are not familiar with the terrain, you can't break into the middle courtyard with high walls, not to mention the guarding monks can't let you Come in." He didn't expose the other party's lies, but he sternly said: "It's late at night, please go back to the south Zen room quickly, the temple is under martial law, no one is allowed to go around without authorization." Turning around, he winked at a Yu Yi behind him, and ordered Said: "Hurry up and escort Mr. Li back to his room to rest."
That Yuyi's name was Dong Tong, she knew it immediately, stepped forward and said: "My lord, please." Li Zhima said: "What an offense." Turning around and leaving.
Seeing that he didn't ask whether the assassin was captured or not, Shi Zong couldn't help being more suspicious, he hurried to Cuihua Building from the side door, and saw Duan Gong was in the hall with the abbot of Wuwei Temple, Chen, the first Wuyi, and the Zen master Ben Hui, three people whispering. Talking, Shi Xiu, Yang Zhi, Zhang Xijiao and others stood in the hall, not daring to step forward to disturb them.After waiting for about a cup of tea, I saw the three of Chen and the three saluted Duan Gong together, and quietly exited the Cuihua Building.
Duan Gong beckoned Shi Xiu, and asked, "How is the envoy's injury?" Shi Xiu said, "Report to Xinju, just sent someone to wake up Dr. Baisha, and has already rushed to the South Chan room. The specific situation is not yet known." Duan Gong said: " What about the monks and Yu Yi who were injured by the assassin?" Shi Xiudao: "Both were only slightly injured, and have been healed properly."
Duan Gong nodded, and asked again: "Just now, Zen Master Wuyi mentioned that two of his old friends from the Central Plains have newly moved into the east wing of the Nanchan House today. One is Shen Fu and the other is Luo Guanzhong. Have they ever been affected? Scared?"
Zen Master Wuyi was originally a Han Chinese descendant of the Southern Sect of Shaolin. Later, he came to Dali to see Ling Zhongxiu and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon in Wuwei Temple.When he was young, he traveled all over the world and made many friends. Occasionally, old friends would visit him.
Shi Zong was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "I did meet two strangers in the South Chan room. I didn't have time to ask their names and origins in a hurry. I saw that they were not the envoy's followers, but they appeared in the South Chan room for no reason. For safety's sake For this reason, they have been separated and placed under house arrest in their own rooms." Duan Gong was amazed and asked: "You ordered them to be locked up?" Shi Zong said: "Yes. The subordinates didn't know that they were old friends of Chan Master Wuyi, so they sent people let them out."
Duan Gong frowned and said: "Well, although Shen Fu is just a wealthy businessman, he is quite famous in the Central Plains, known as 'Shen Wansan'. I heard that Zhang Shicheng also regarded him as a guest of honor. His brother Shen Gui has been doing business in Shaanxi, Sichuan, The three provinces of Yunnan are big pilgrims from Wuwei Temple, who donate countless amounts of salt, silk and food here every year, if you don’t ask indiscriminately, you will randomly detain it, if Shen Gui complains to Zen Master Wuyi, how can I explain it?" Although the tone was calm, there was something hidden The meaning of rebuke.
Shi Zongdao: "The situation was urgent at that time. The messenger inside the courtyard was lying in a pool of blood. Outside the courtyard, Shi Xiu was fighting fiercely with the assassin. His subordinates had no time to ask the details. These two people appeared suspiciously at the scene of the murder without knowing their identities, so we had to Detain them first, and how to deal with them is still to be instructed by Xin Ju. Not only Shen Fu, but also Mr. Zou Xing's servant Zou Dang and the little novice who cleaned the Zen room were ordered to be detained together." Duan Gong pondered and said: "You do this, is it because you think the assassination of the messenger is strange?"
In Dali, the upper and lower levels are not as strict as in the Central Plains, and the chief executive often calls his trusted subordinates brothers and sisters, and everyone speaks freely in public.Shi Zong nodded, and said: "It's not just strange, it's really very interesting." Duan Gong said: "Well, let's talk about it, what's going on?" About Zhima, he said again: "That day, my subordinates sent the emissary and a group of five people to live in the temple. They repeatedly told that the west of the middle courtyard is the forbidden area of Dali, and they must not enter without permission. They also agreed. The gate is guarded by monks, how could he get lost and come to Cuihua Tower?"
Shi Xiudao: "Brother is very right. I should be the first to meet the assassin. I came out of the middle courtyard and happened to bump into him in the woods behind the Buddhist scriptures pavilion. He was running towards the meditation room from the south, with Holding the sword, blood was still dripping from the sword. Then Li Zhizhi said that he and his companions Ji Anli and Xu Jiangwu followed the assassin. Why did we fight in the forest for a long time, but we still did not see the three of them? According to my subordinates, these three On the surface, people came out to track down the assassins, but in fact they had ulterior motives."
Shi Zongdao, "One more thing. I was in the Huiguangyuan just now, and I first heard the sound of tables and chairs falling in the Nanchanyuan. When I ordered people to go over to check, I heard someone shouting 'Mr. Zou was killed! There are assassins!' When I rushed over, I only saw Zou Dang, the servant of the messenger, who called for help." Shi Xiu said: "There is a wall between the Huiguang courtyard and the South Zen room. Brother, I just rushed there. In a short while, it's time to meet Li Zhizhi and Ji Anli head-on." Shi Zongdao: "That's not necessarily the case. I talked to Zen Master Dazhi at the door of the South Chan room, and I heard your voice coming from the woods. , it was when you met the assassin. From this inference, Li Zhizhi and Ji Anli should have chased them out." Shi Xiu said: "But I didn't see them."
Shi Zongdao: "This proves that what they said about going out to track down the assassin is a lie. The most suspicious thing is that I heard from the servant Zou Dang that Li Zhizhi, Ji Anli, and Xu Jiangwu have been talking to Zou Xing in the room tonight. When he heard the sound of tables and chairs falling to the ground, he rushed over, but only saw Zou Xing lying at the door alone. Several big men were talking in the main room. If there were assassins, there should be shouts and fights. Yang and I Yuanwai and others were in the Huiguangyuan at that time, and they must have heard the sound, but the first thing we heard was the sound of tables and chairs falling to the ground."
Shi Xiudao: "The emissary Zou Xing looked like a civil servant and didn't know martial arts, and Zou Dang was just a servant around. Only Li, Ji, and Xu were calm on their feet, and they obviously knew martial arts. When the master was stabbed, he The two of them didn't call for help, but went out quietly to track down the assassin, and didn't call out until the servant heard the movement and found Zou Xing lying in a pool of blood, isn't this suspicious?" He was straightforward, and seeing Duan Gong frowned , obviously became suspicious, and immediately said: "Xinju, why don't you go and bring Li Zhizhi and others here now, and interrogate them carefully."
Duan Gong shook his head and pondered: "For the time being, there is no need. Although these things seem unreasonable when connected, it is true that the envoy was assassinated. The assassination happened in Wuwei Temple, and I, Dali, cannot absolve myself of the blame." Turning to Yang Zhi, he said: "Yuan Hai, what do you think about this?"
Yuan Hai is Yang Zhi's name. He is Duan Gong's partner since he was a child.He has been standing by the side silently, seeing Duan Gong's question, he said: "The residence of the Red Scarf Messenger in Wuwei Temple is a confidential matter, even the monks in the temple don't know the real identity of Zou Xing and others, they think they are just distinguished pilgrims , how can the assassin know that he is the envoy of Ming Yuzhen?" Shi Zongdao: "Mr. Yang means that there are spies inside us?" He was quite dissatisfied.Yang Zhi hurriedly said: "That's definitely not the intention..."
Zhang Xijiao has been the general in command of Dali's elite army since Duan Guang, the general manager. He is old and has the most knowledge, so he couldn't help but interjected: "I think the Han assassin has Central Plains kung fu, and his speech is also from the Sichuan area." The accent, maybe they are with the envoy at all. The so-called assassination of the envoy is just a bitter trick of the Han people. This is Wuwei Temple, and the best doctor in Dali is here. To find out clearly, it is just to make Xinju sympathize with flesh and blood injuries, and force Xinju to agree to form an alliance with Ming Yuzhen."
The Shi brothers felt reasonable after hearing this.Shi Xiu asked: "Does Yang Yuanwai also have the same intention?" Yang Zhi nodded and said: "Not only that, but according to my inference, there were originally six people in Zou Xing's party, five of them were in the open, and one was in the dark. They are together tonight." After the discussion, the person in the dark pretended to be an assassin and falsely stabbed Zou Xing. Although Zou Xing was injured, he was still insane, and he waited for the assassin and Li Zhima to leave the South Chan room before intentionally overturning the tables and chairs The purpose is to lure Zou Dang over, and when Zou Dang yells, it will attract the attention of the whole temple, so that it will be convenient for the four people who went out first to act."
Shi Zongdao: "Mr. Yang said that these people have other motives. The so-called assassination of the envoy was just to divert our attention?" Find out the terrain, why did you run to the Sutra Pavilion instead of fleeing in the direction of the main hall after the assassination was successful? I guess the four of them split up after leaving the South Chan room, and they wanted to go to investigate and find something. But people are not as good as heaven Well, what they didn't expect was that Xinju came to Wuwei Temple tonight, and he was in Huiguangyuan next door. It happened that Master Shi Zongyu heard all the movements of the South Zen room, and the security in the temple was even better than in the past. The assassin As soon as I arrived in the woods, I met Master Shi Xiuyu, and my whereabouts were revealed..."
Zhang Xijiao said: "However, the assassin restrained Mr. Wen at that time. He could have held him as a hostage to threaten Xinju, but he was easily restrained. He is indeed a bright and aboveboard man." There was a lot of admiration in his words.Shi Xiu sneered and said: "That's because he doesn't know the real identity of Mr. Wen at all." He stepped forward and said, "Xinju, with Yang Yuanwai's explanation, all doubts will be solved. These Han people are pretending to be gods and tricks, and the thieves are obviously ulterior motives. Why don't we arrest them all and torture them now."
Duan Gong waved his hand and said: "The assassination of an envoy is no small matter, unless you have actual evidence, don't speculate." Shi Xiu said: "These people clearly have bad intentions, how can we let them stay in the temple?" That's it. The assassin is the key, Shi Zong, you send more people and keep them under strict supervision, so don't make any troubles." Although he prevented his subordinates from assuming that Zou Xing and the others had other plans, it was obvious that he said so. I have doubts in my heart.
Shi Zongdao: "Do you want my subordinates to take the assassin back to the big prison in the city and imprison him?" Duan Gong said: "For the time being, there is no need. Tomorrow, the envoy of King Liang will come to Wuwei Temple to listen to scriptures. After everything is over, we will deal with the assassin." Shi Zongdao: "Follow the order."
Just as he was talking, Yuyi Dong Tong, who "escorted" Li Zhizhi back to his room, rushed in and reported to Shi Xiuhui: "Master Yuyi, my subordinates have sent Li Zhizhi back to the South Zen room, but they have never seen the other person." Two attendants."
Shi Xiu sneered and said: "I said they were uneasy and kind. Xinju, my subordinates will arrange manpower to search around." Duan Gong asked, "How is the envoy's injury?" Dong Tong said: "Return to Xinju, the envoy's injury... This..." He showed a troubled expression.Zhang Xijiao asked: "Could it be that the injury is already serious?" Suddenly someone outside the hall answered coldly: "Of course people can still be saved, but my ancestors of the Bai family taught that Han people will never be healed."
Everyone was stunned, but they saw Baisha, a physician from the Hall of Pharmacists, come in boldly, saluted Duan Gong, and said: "Xinju has a destiny, Baisha dare not disobey, but the ancestor's precepts cannot be disobeyed."
The first Zen Master Wuyi of Wuwei Temple was once bitten by a strange snake, just because he was a Han Chinese, Baisha refused to treat him, and even rejected the abbot Chen Chen's affection, and later he was a medicine boy from the Hall of Pharmacists who took some antidotes to mess around. It was only then that the snake venom was detoxified by mistake. Because the treatment was not timely, Wuyi still has a slight limp in his left leg.
Duan Gong knew that Bai Sha was withdrawn and eccentric, and that his ancestor Bai Heyuan had a grudge with the Song Dynasty in the Central Plains.
However, Zhang Xijiao knew that once the red scarf envoy died in Dali, he would definitely form a death feud with Ming Yuzhen, and a military encounter was inevitable. In this way, Dali must consider forming an alliance with King Liang because of his interests. He hates King Liang Polo was deeply unwilling to see this, so he hurriedly said: "Doctor, the injured Han people are not ordinary people, and it is related to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Please make an exception and ask the doctor to help and treat them." He is a general, the highest official position in Dali military Well, although Baisha has a great reputation, he is only a doctor after all. He is so polite, he has already surrendered his status.
Unexpectedly, Baisha didn't buy it at all, he rolled his eyes, gave him a blank look, and said to Duan Gong: "Please Xinju find someone else, if it's too late, it's too late." He turned around and left.
Zhang Xijiao was furious, and said: "Xinju, Baisha is so rude..." Duan Gong waved his hand, and said: "Forget it. Shi Xiu, quickly go to Jia Luo's rescue envoy." Shi Xiu said: "Follow the order. "But her feet didn't move. After a moment of hesitation, she asked awkwardly, "Can Jia Luo do it? Although she studied medicine in the Pharmacist's Hall since she was a child, I heard that Dr. Baisha often called her stupid." But seeing Duan Gong His eyes were like lightning, he glared at himself sternly, did not dare to say any more, hurried out of Cuihua Building, and took Yuyi to Northeast Jialuo's residence.
But he said that after the assassin was captured, he was suspended in the dungeon, suffering so much, every moment was extremely sad, the long night was long, and the torment did not know when it would end, it was really worse than any torture.
Suddenly, Yu Yi, the guard above her head, shouted: "Who is it? Stop!" His tone was extremely tense.Another sweet woman's voice replied: "It's me, it's me, Jia Luo." Only then did Yu Yi heave a sigh of relief, and said, "So it's you, it's so late, what are you doing here?" Luo said: "Well, I heard that the assassin was caught, and I want to come and see what he looks like." The voice was getting closer and closer to the entrance of the dungeon.
The assassin thought to himself: "Could it be that this Jia Luo is the girl from the Bai nationality that I met at the half-waist of Lanfeng in the daytime? The sword in her waist is unusual, and there are many Yuyi looking for her. I guessed that she is not an ordinary person." .”
The two guarding the assassins, Yu Yi, were Yang Shengjian and Yang Andao, who were familiar with Jia Luo. They knew that Xinju would stay in the temple tonight, so they rushed forward to stop them.Yang Shengjian persuaded: "It's just a Han Chinese, there's nothing to see. Besides, it's dark here, and you can't see other people in the dungeon." Jia Luo said: "I want to see." Pushing Yang Shengjian away, he grabbed the prison entrance , leaned forward and looked, and sure enough, the cave was completely dark, and he couldn't see anything, so he immediately asked, "Hey, what's your name?"
The assassin was powerless to look up and just kept silent.Jia Luo lowered his voice again and said, "Someone asked me to come and see you." The assassin felt his heart move, and asked, "Who...is... who?"Yang Andao didn't hear the assassin's answer, and hurriedly said: "He is chained around the neck and can't speak, so it's useless to ask."
Jia Luo's vision gradually adapted to the darkness, and he vaguely saw a figure hanging from the railing, and said in shock, "Oh, why do you torture him like this? Isn't it enough to tie his hands? Quickly untie the chain and let him down " Yang An said: "This is Shi Zongyu's idea, we dare not let him go." Yang Shengjian also said: "My dear Jia Luo, don't make trouble here, go back to your room and go to sleep." Luo said angrily: "You...you..." He suddenly left the cell, turned around and ran away like flying.
Yang Andao and Yang Shengjian grew up with her, knowing that she is unrestrained and self-willed, and would never give up so easily, so they couldn't help but look at each other.Yang Shengjian wondered: "Ah, is Jia Luo really angry, or why did he leave so easily?" Yang An said: "We have offended Jia Luo this time, will she be like before, and then leave again?" Put laxatives on our meals?" Thinking of the past when he was always bullied by Jia Luo, he couldn't help feeling lingering.Yang Shengjian said: "Don't worry, she will be able to show off in Wuwei Temple, we are Yuyi now, she can't bully us..."
二人暗自嘀咕一阵，忽听见不远处有巡逻的武僧喝问道：“是谁？”又听见伽罗娇声应道：“是我。”一名武僧笑道：“这么晚了，伽罗还来药师殿。”声音逐渐远去。
正愕然间，却见伽罗去而复返，二话不说，拿出一把短剑，黯黯光华，上前一剑斩在缠绕在栏杆的铁链上。那短剑虽然异常锋锐，但她手上无力，斩了好几剑，那铁链“哗啦”一声才断为两截。刺客闷哼一声，连同铁链直通通地掉到了洞底。
杨胜坚、杨安道二人目瞪口呆，傻在一旁，眼睁睁地看着伽罗为所欲为。半晌杨安道才回过神来，抢上前来先将伽罗扯开，吹亮火摺伸进牢口——只见那刺客虽去了颈中束缚，铁链依旧缠绕在颈中，他手足被绑，难以伸展，只挣扎坐起，蜷缩在一角。
杨安道跺脚道：“伽罗，你私放刺客，可惹下大祸了。”伽罗道：“是又怎样？你去信苴那里告我呀！”
杨胜坚上前瞟了一眼，忙道：“不至于，刺客只是掉进了地牢，伽罗并没有放走他。”杨安道灭掉手中火摺，道：“可是施宗羽仪长明日问起……”
杨胜坚暗中扯了下他衣角，直盯着伽罗手中短剑，问道，“呀，这不是宝姬的女儿剑么？她人在哪里？”他心思颇快，伽罗如此闹一场，他二人免不了受一顿责骂，但若是找到逃婚出走的宝姬，那便是大功一件。
伽罗尚未完全会意过来，道：“我怎会知道宝姬在哪里？”杨胜坚道：“可是这剑……”伽罗也不睬他，走到牢口，往下探望，却什么也看不见，扬声叫道：“喂，你还活着么？”
刺客虽然人陷在地牢，上面情形却是听得一清二楚。月色如霜，伽罗刚在牢口一露脸，他便认出她并非白日遇到过的白族少女，她与他素不相识，却如此大费周章地斩断铁链助他，其中必有缘由。对方身份来历动机如此可疑，他疑心本重，又当此困境，因而只是闷不作声。
伽罗又重新问了一句，依旧不见回应，不禁忧道：“会不会适才摔下去摔得晕了？”杨安道忙上前将伽罗拉开，道：“刺客你也看了，人你也放了，再不走，我可真要去告诉羽仪长了。”伽罗道：“嗯，你最好现在就去向羽仪长告状。”
杨安道见威胁无用，一时烦恼不已，忽见杨胜坚四下窥望，似在黑暗中搜寻什么，忙上前问道：“你在做什么？”杨胜坚道：“嘘……”附耳过去，放低声音道，“我猜宝姬肯定就在这附近。”杨安道一愣：“什么？不是说宝姬已经逃去龙首关了么？”杨胜坚道：“你没见到伽罗手中拿着宝姬的女儿剑么？那可是宝姬从不离身之物。”微一沉吟，便朝适才伽罗与武僧对话的药师殿外墙走去。
杨安道急忙拉住他：“等等……”杨胜坚道：“什么事？”杨安道迟疑道，“宝姬跟我们一道长大，你真要去捉她么？”杨胜坚道：“信苴下了死命，凡是见到宝姬者，务须捉拿其回府，若有人胆敢包庇，绝不轻饶。”欲往前走，杨安道却扯住他不放，讷讷道：“这……这……这样……不好……”他口舌本就笨拙，此刻一着急，更是结巴起来。杨胜坚回头凝视他片刻，挣脱他便往前走。杨安道见到一大队羽仪正提灯往这边过来，知道刻不容缓，口齿突然伶俐了起来，道：“难道你忘了我们十二岁那年玩火把误点藏经阁，闯下大祸，还是宝姬主动出头，为我们定罪……”杨胜坚听了，果然顿住脚步，一时也迟疑了起来。
伽罗见杨安道、杨胜坚二人突然走开，顿感机不可失，忙抢到牢口，叫道：“喂，我想法子救你出去好不好？”那刺客见她一个小女孩一味胡闹，看守的羽仪却不加阻止，疑虑更深，当即冷冷道：“我不用你救。”
伽罗不免大为意外。她回想起所发生的一切：她与杨宝、高浪、高潜四人被施宗发现后，不得已离开了回光院，但犹自惦记留在院中的段僧奴，因而只在附近徘徊，如此一来，杨智派来跟踪的羽仪很快就暴露了行踪。几人会意过来，低声商议了几句，杨宝有意提高声音道：“路上小心些。”高潜应了一声，便朝寺外走去。那羽仪果然上当，稍一犹豫，便跟上了高潜。虽然摆脱了监视的人，在藏经阁南面暗处藏妥，正好可以从花丛中远远监视回光院的大门，却依旧想不出法子救出段僧奴。干等了许久，忽见一条人影自南禅房闪出，往藏经阁后奔去。虽未看清面目，高浪却一眼看到那人手中提着把剑，大感好奇，正要追上前去问个究竟，又被杨宝扯住，道：“一会儿宝姬还得翻墙回去。”高浪道：“不是还有你和伽罗么？”正欲赶去，忽然南禅房又传来一阵动静，片刻后有人喊叫道：“呀，呀，来人，快来人……邹先生……邹先生被人杀了！有刺客！”伽罗问道：“邹先生是谁？”杨宝道：“应该是明玉珍的使者。”正愕然间，却见施宗率羽仪自回光院出来，迅疾赶去南禅房。片刻后，藏经阁后的树林传来打斗声。高浪道：“呀，刚才过去的那人肯定就是刺客。”忍不住要冲过去，杨宝忙拉住他道：“这是个绝好的机会，信苴肯定马上就出来了。”但段功却并没有立即出回光院，倒是不久后施宗又从南禅房出来，匆匆赶往林中，正从三人藏身的茶树前经过。只听见林中呼喝不止，高浪爱武成癖，听得心痒不已，熬了好大一会儿，正蠢蠢欲动时，又见大将军张希矫率大批罗苴子风一般地飙过。伽罗惊道：“呀，寺中真出大事了呢！”高浪道：“我去看看。”杨宝道：“等一下，信苴出来了。”扭头望去，果见段功步出回光院，率大批羽仪赶往藏经阁后。杨宝道：“快去。”领先来到回光院门口，正见一名羽仪来掩大门，猝不及防，慌忙忙拉着伽罗闪过一旁。高浪却不耐烦等待，大模大样地走过去。那羽仪赵平先前见过伽罗几人毫无征兆地从院中出来，现又见高浪出现在这里，不免莫名其妙，问道：“你是来找信苴么？他已经走了。”高浪道：“信苴都走了，你怎么还在这里？”赵平道：“寺中出了大事，信苴命我与杨丹留守回光院，以防万一。”高浪跺脚道：“你都知道出了大事，竟还在这里磨蹭！”赵平一呆，问道：“什么？”高浪道：“刺客武功厉害，信苴叫你们速去林中帮手。”赵平与同伴杨丹交换了一下眼色，毫不起疑，拔腿往林中奔去，也未留意到躲在院外的杨宝、伽罗二人。诓走两名羽仪，三人急忙进来院中，只见脱脱犹自在窗下认真翻书，似毫不在意外面的动静，这份定力和气度非常人所有，确实令人钦佩。段僧奴早已经听得清楚，忙从花丛中站起，这才发现手足早已经麻木，稍微活动了下，这才朝伽罗等人奔过去，低声笑道：“好险。”几人忙回到西墙根，高浪甩出绳索，段僧奴先爬了上去，刚上墙头，正瞧见北面藏经阁后火炬熏天，亮如白昼，那刺客放开了挡在胸前的段文，抛下兵器，束手就擒，随即被扯下了脸上的蒙面巾。她只觉得心口一热，惊得呆了，心道：“怎么会是他？”那蒙面刺客不是旁人，正是在兰峰上有过一面之缘、令她心仪不已的汉人男子。几人刚翻回中院，便见那刺客也被拖进院子，往西而去，又见羽仪簇拥着段功往翠华楼而去。好不容易等大队人马过去，总算顺利溜回了伽罗住处。杨宝叮嘱了几句，约好明天再见面想法子安排宝姬后，自与高浪离去。段僧奴却放不下那汉人刺客，她是个直性子，胸无城府，当即告诉了伽罗心事。伽罗更是天真热情，立时要去看看这汉人刺客如何样貌，竟能令宝姬一见倾心。段僧奴也欲弄明白那汉人究竟是怎么回事，坚持要与伽罗一道去。此刻寺中戒备森严，她冒险去地牢探望刺客，当真凶险万分。仗着熟识地形，避开巡视的武僧，却又见地牢口有羽仪看守。伽罗便让段僧奴先躲在一旁，自己先去探风，看到刺客被悬吊在地牢后，一想到这是宝姬爱慕的男子，忍不住大生同情之心，不假思索地奔回段僧奴藏身之处，取了女儿剑，因不及解释，到她奔回牢口斩断铁链，段僧奴都未明白是怎么回事。但伽罗却尚未会意已经由此暴露了段僧奴行踪，若非杨安道、杨胜坚有所犹豫，旁人只怕早已经召唤羽仪、武僧到此搜索。
想到此处，伽罗听见那刺客果断拒绝自己的好意，大为惊讶，道：“可是我不救你的话，你明日说不定会被信苴处死。”刺客道：“我宁可死，也不要你救。”伽罗奇道：“为什么？”刺客冷冷道：“你还是快些走吧，又有人来了。”
伽罗见他面临生死关头，却依旧倔强骄傲，大有视死如归的气概，与自己往日见过的男子很不相同，心中很是欢喜，暗道：“果然有大丈夫风度，难怪宝姬会为他心动。”她心思单纯，全然不关心世间林林总总的恩怨，甚至不关注刺客是敌是友，所在意者唯一个“情”字，既对那刺客有好感，更是坚定了要救他的念头，最好是他出去后，由他带着宝姬远走高飞，如此岂不两全其美？
她愈想愈是得意，正思忖该如何救他出去时，忽听得背后有人问道：“伽罗，你在这里做什么？”她惊然回头，才发现施宗不知道何时站在了身后，以为自己心思被人知晓，又无应变之能，不由得吃了一惊，忙站了起来。
施宗两次看到伽罗在不该出现的地方出现，满腹疑虑，又问道：“你拿着宝姬的女儿剑在这里做什么？”他尚不知道伽罗来回取女儿剑一事，以为只是宝姬逃走时未带上佩剑。一旁杨胜坚内心交错彷徨，最终还是未揭露段僧奴很可能就藏在附近一事。
伽罗见施宗身后尚跟着不少羽仪，想必他亲至地牢，定是要加强看守，防那刺客逃走，心中登时沮丧透顶，知道今夜再无可能将刺客营救出去。
施宗不知伽罗心中盘算，见她不答话，疑心更重，只是此刻盘问多有不便之处，忙道：“信苴命你速去南禅房救治伤者。”伽罗惊道：“怎么要我去？白沙医师不在寺中么？”施宗不及多解释，道：“这是信苴的命令。伤者是外伤，你快去药师殿取了药箱赶去南禅房。”又招手叫过杨安道、杨胜坚道，“你们二人送她去，若是出了岔子，唯你们是问。”说到最后，语气格外严厉，显是对二人放任伽罗留在地牢附近大为不满。
杨安道、杨胜坚忙道：“遵命。”虽然畏惧施宗的严厉，心中却多少有些庆幸亏得他的意外到来，才制止了伽罗的胡闹。
伽罗犹自迟疑，道：“可是我……”她听说要去南禅房，猜到伤者定是明玉珍使者，她的医术平常糊弄自己人还能应付凑合，可真要作为大理医师去给使者治伤，她可没这个胆量，正要向施宗解释她的医术实在不怎么高明，却被杨胜坚不由分说地拉离了地牢。
伽罗道：“可是我的医术真的不怎么好呢，哪够资格给使者治病？”杨胜坚笑道：“你是白沙医师的弟子，谁敢说你不够资格？”一边说着，一边扯着她往药师殿去拿药。
经过药师殿外院墙根时，伽罗忍不住转头望了一眼，那正是段僧奴藏身之处，不禁忧心起来，不知道她该如何从施宗眼皮下脱身，道：“哎……”杨胜坚忙道：“伽罗，你别拿着女儿剑到处跑，一会儿先留在药师殿。”
暗处段僧奴听得清楚，心道：“还是杨胜坚精明，不但猜到我藏在这里，还叮嘱伽罗将女儿剑收起来，免得别人看见了起疑，他到底还是顾念一同长大的情分。”
到得药师殿院门，因此处是禁中之禁，杨安道、杨胜坚不敢进去，只说在门口等她。伽罗无奈，独自进来院中。却见殿内灯火通明，师傅白沙正盘坐在药师爷神像下闭目念经，忙抢进去道：“师傅，原来你人在这里！信苴让我去南禅房给那汉人使者治伤，还是你替我去吧！”白沙缓缓睁开眼睛，不悦地道：“大呼小叫做什么？你不知道我从来不治汉人么？”伽罗恍然大悟道：“是哟，难怪信苴要叫我去。”顿了顿，又道，“可是我……”白沙道：“信苴叫你去你就去。”
伽罗是个天不怕地不怕的人，世间唯一可惧者只师傅一人，她深知师傅脾性执拗，不敢再多说，只道：“是，徒弟这就去了。”白沙道：“嗯。我回房睡了，千万别再来吵我。”伽罗道：“是。”径直到侧殿药房，放了女儿剑，拿过药箱，取了些止血生肌的药丸，匆匆朝外走去。
到得院中，她心中挂念墙外的段僧奴，不由自主地往北边围墙望去，只见那片种满了奇花异草的园苑中隐约有东西来回摆动，她以为只是跳舞草听见了人声有所感应，丝毫未放在心上。不料正走到门口时，忽听得园苑方向传来了呻吟之声，她吓了一跳，回头凝神细看，真有一团黑影在北面墙根下蠕动，似是一个蹲着的人影。她心道：“莫非是宝姬怕被施宗等人发现，冒险翻墙进来药师殿？”想到此节，也不敢惊动旁人，忙悄悄走进园苑，轻声问道：“宝姬，是你么？”
那人影缩了缩身子，含含糊糊应了一声，却始终站不起来。伽罗又问道：“你是不是跳墙受伤了？”加紧走了几步，忽闻见一股清淡幽雅的花香，闻之神醉，当即会意过来——宝姬当是正好跳进了曼陀罗花丛中。那曼陀罗又称醉心花，有麻醉和迷幻效果，是制作蒙汗药的主要成分，人若是长时间接近花丛，会产生晕眩和幻觉。
恰在此时，那人挣扎着抬起头，月光下露出半边脸来——这哪里是段僧奴，分明是个方头大耳的精壮汉子。伽罗不防如此意外，尖叫了一声，转身就跑，刚出园苑，正遇杨安道、杨胜坚二人。杨安道急问道：“出了什么事？”伽罗指着园苑道：“那边……那边有人……”杨胜坚反应极快，压低声音道：“难道不是宝姬么？”伽罗连连摇头道：“不是……是个男人……”
杨安道闻言，立即拔出兵刃，望园苑中去。走得稍近，果见一黑衣男子倒在曼陀罗花下，忙上前用长刀指住他，喝问道：“你是谁？”那男子也不抵抗，只是哼哼唧唧答不出话来。杨胜坚抢过来一看，讶然道：“你……你不是明王使者的随从么？”
杨安道定睛一看，那男子果然明玉珍使者邹兴的随从姬安礼，面如土色，神态甚是沮丧，不禁诧道：“怎么是你？”忙收刀如鞘，上前拉他起来。那姬安礼仿若醉酒一般，浑身软绵绵的，得搀扶才能立得稳。
杨胜坚叫道：“伽罗，你快来看看他是不是受伤了？”伽罗正烦恼不堪，哪有心思理会旁人的伤势，只漫应道：“他是被曼陀罗花叶熏的，过几个时辰自己就好了。”
忽见施宗疾步过来，厉声斥道：“伽罗，你怎么还在这里？耽误了使者伤势，信苴怪罪下来，你担当得起么？”
伽罗生父是印度名僧，大理以佛教为国之根本，名僧地位极其尊崇，她在无为寺任性娇纵惯了，哪里听过这般重话，换作平时，早就地撂挑子不干了，只是她眼下隐忧重重，既挂念墙外的段僧奴，又担心地牢中的刺客，少不得要忍气吞声，低声道：“是，我这就去。”
施宗一扭头，又见到杨安道、杨胜坚一左一右携着姬安礼走出园苑，心下登时明白了究竟——这后院药师殿虽无人把守，但本身位于禁地中院后，外人无法接近，又不断有武僧来回巡逻，这姬安礼必定是众人忙着围捕刺客时溜了进来，但不久后刺客被捕，四周戒备更严，他一时无法脱身，就藏身在园苑中，凑巧在曼陀罗花下中了花毒，失去了行动能力。他无端出现在这里，他的同伙李芝麻则被施秀撞见出现在翠华楼附近，药师殿和翠华楼正是无为寺最要紧的两处，这使者一伙的不良居心昭然若现——想透此节，也不说破，即命道：“姬大人既受了伤，便请先留在药师殿养伤吧。”一边说着，一边向身后羽仪使了个眼色。
药师殿是处两进的大宅，后面有两排廊房，可供人居住。此刻真相未明，当然要尽可能地将这些随从分开关押，以免他们串通口实。两名羽仪会意，上前将姬安礼接过，便要往殿后走去。伽罗忙抢过来道：“万万不可！他是汉人，决计不能进药师殿，万一被师傅知道，绝不会罢休。”施宗一时忽略此节，微一沉吟，道：“那先送他去演武厅。”
一行人出来药师殿，正遇上达智领一队武僧巡防过来。施宗立即上前，低声告知尚有一名叫许江武的使者随从未能找到，估摸人应该在禁地中，请务必要细细留意。达智自幼出家，四十年来见过不少意图闯入无为寺的飞盗，有欲偷窃兵书秘笈的，有想盗窃灵丹妙药的，也有对无为寺镇寺之宝黄龙剑打主意的，更多的则是来寻找南诏藏宝图的。他一听施宗交代，立即明白了其弦外之音，点头应道：“请羽仪长放心。”自去安排人手遍搜禁地。
刚到翠华楼北侧，又遇到羽仪长施秀，一见伽罗便道：“伽罗，我正到处找你！你快赶去南禅房，信苴都问了两遍了！”伽罗赌气道：“这不是正要去么？”施秀道：“刚有羽仪来报，说使者已经醒了，只是伤口太深，稍加动弹即牵动了创口，现又开始流血不止。”
伽罗“哎哟”一声，脑海中登时出现了一幅鲜血淋漓、残肢断腿的画面，她本就对自己医术底气不足，愈想愈是心惊胆寒，忽道：“不行！”抬脚便往翠华楼跑去。施秀叫道：“哎，伽罗，南禅房该往这边走。”
伽罗却不理会，一鼓作气朝大厅跑去。翠华楼周围警卫的羽仪众多，但个个认识她，又见施宗、施秀率人跟在她后面，也不阻拦。
段功犹在厅中议事，译史李贤宗正在禀告城中五华楼刚刚出了大乱子，梁王使者大都手下和建昌部落头人阿荣为一女子大打出手，都动了真家伙，不仅双方各有损伤，还祸及不少无辜。
段功皱紧了眉头，道：“阿荣脾气有点急，人也有些莽撞，可大都是梁王王傅，是梁王府的第三号人物，怎么会为了一个女子跟阿荣贸然动手？”一时感到大惑不解。
杨智知道信苴已经很是为今晚刺客之事烦心，现在居然又出了更头疼的事，当即埋怨道：“译史，你既负责陪伴梁王使者一行，何以不加以劝阻？”李贤宗道：“是，属下失职，愿领责罚。”神态甚是恭谨惶恐。
他自称“属下”，其实并非总管段功的下属，更不受杨智统属。按照元朝官制，大理路设总管、达鲁花赤、同知各一人，总管由段氏世袭，达鲁花赤由蒙古人担任，同知则由回回人担任。译史的直系上司，便是达