The Bashan Sword Sect dominates the northwest, and its contemporary leader Huo Zhongyuan is also quite famous in the martial arts world. Although Xiao Yunfan had a close relationship with him, he still had some respect for this famous martial arts star.
Several people stood at the foot of the mountain and looked up. The stone steps are built along the mountain and are majestic. The pines on both sides are tall and tall, standing proudly. The mountainside is shrouded in clouds and mist, which makes it feel like a fairyland.
After walking for a long time, we reached the top of the mountain. When several disciples guarding the mountain saw Yin Zhonghao returning, they hurriedly stepped forward to salute.
Yin Zhonghao said to one of the tall young men: "Fang Hua, go to the hall quickly and inform the master, asking him to wait for me in the main hall." After receiving the order, the disciple rushed away.
Xiao and Yin walked slowly through the screen wall and came to the square. Flagpoles were erected around the square, with green flags flying on them. In the octagonal stone altar in the center of the square stands a huge black stone, about three feet high, like a sharp sword, piercing the sky. On the boulder, the four characters of Bashan Sword Sect are engraved, which are vigorous and powerful. Forty or fifty disciples formed a square formation and practiced the sword formation under the guidance of the instructor.
Xiao Yunfan followed Yin Zhonghao and entered the main hall. There is a colorful statue in the hall, with white hair and a childlike face, wearing a Taoist robe, with a sword on his back, sitting upright. On the left and right are two young boys. In front of the statue, a yellow curtain hangs down, and tribute fruits and incense burners are placed on the table below.
Five old men in gray robes came out. The leader of the old man was tall, with a ruddy complexion, and a long snow-white beard that reached straight to his chest. His eyes were sparkling, and he had the air of a master. The old man raised his hands and said loudly: "I, Huo Zhongyuan, am sorry for the long distance to welcome you!"
Xiao Yunfan returned the courtesy and said: "Junior Xiao Yunfan pays homage to senior!"
Huo Zhongyuan stretched out his hand to introduce the people behind him. These four people were Chu Fangzhou's father Chu Zhongliu, mother Miao Shi, father-in-law Ji Zhongming, and mother-in-law Wei Shi. After everyone sat down, Huo Zhongyuan said with a smile: "Friend Xiao, why do you have time to come to my Bashan as a guest?"
Xiao Yunfan stood up and said: "Things happened for a reason, and I had to come. Senior Chu, Senior Ji, please express your condolences!" Hearing this, Chu Zhongliu's eyes widened, as if he heard wrongly, and he shouted loudly: "What condolences? Please explain it clearly to me. !”
Xiao Yunfan said seriously: "Senior Brother Chu and his wife were killed by traitors. This junior is here to report the news." The four old people were startled and stood up at the same time. Yin Zhonghao looked sad and whispered: "Brother, Zhou'er and Yun'er were killed, and now their bodies are in the guest room down the mountain."
Mrs. Miao suddenly fainted when she heard the bad news. Mrs. Wei even burst into tears and cried bitterly. Chu Zhongliu's body was trembling, and he quickly stretched out his hand to pinch his wife's vagina.
Huo Zhongyuan composed himself, stood up, and said slowly: "Fang Hua, take a few disciples and help your uncle and the others to take a look. If you stay, Fang Bei, I have something to ask you."
Xiao Yunfan felt sad as he looked at the stumbling backs of the four old men. These four people are all in their twilight years. Who can bear the sudden loss of a child?
Huo Zhongyuan sighed and said: "Brother Xiao, please tell me the whole story of this matter." Xiao Yunfan stated everything to Huo Zhongyuan. He pondered for a long time and asked Yin Zhonghao who was standing aside: " Junior brother, is Daxia Xiao telling the truth?"
Yin Zhonghao said: "Senior brother, when my disciple and I arrived, Zhou'er was already dead, and the perpetrator was nowhere to be found. Brother Xiao is here to explain the whole story to everyone!"
Huo Zhongyuan turned his eyes and stared at Xiao Yunfan and asked, "You said that the person who killed Zhou'er was the wealthy businessman Xu Shou. Do you know the details of Xu Shou?"
"Junior and Xu Shou are also close friends. He originally wanted to capture the golden wave snow carp. But something happened to our carriage halfway along the road. Everything must have been planned by him."
Huo Zhongyuan stroked his beard and said in deep thought: "Your Excellency, Xu Shou killed my disciples first and blamed you later. But with Xu Shou traveling together, would it be too risky for him to do so?"
Xiao Yunfan responded: "There is only one Jinbo Snow Carp. In order to save his mother, he will do anything."
Huo Zhongyuan said: "Then where is Jin Bo Xue Li now?"
Xiao Yunfan untied the baggage, took out the box and put it on the table, and said slowly: "Master Huo, I have made an agreement with Brother Xu Shouchu and his wife. I will take care of this Jinbo Snow Carp, and each of them will get a key."
Huo Zhongyuan nodded and said, "In that case, Zhou'er and his wife must have another key.
Brother Xiao, before the matter is found out, please stay here for a while. Junior Brother Yin, you take Brother Xiao to the guest room first, and I'll go take a look at the situation down the mountain. "
Yin Zhonghao led Xiao Yunfan out of the main hall. Many Bashan disciples gathered in front of the main hall and whispered, all with angry faces, obviously hostile to Xiao Yunfan. After turning two long corridors, the two came to a secluded courtyard. There are two osmanthus trees planted in the courtyard, and there are flower beds on both sides of the road.
Yin Zhonghao walked in front, opened the door of a guest room and said, "Xiao Daxia will rest here for the time being. Please forgive me for the poor hospitality." After saying that, he left on his own.
Xiao Yunfan clasped his hands behind his back and looked around. There are several recent landscape paintings hanging on the east wall, and a three-story bookshelf stands on the west wall, filled with ancient books. The house is also clean and elegant.
After struggling for a long time, he was really tired and was about to go to sleep.
Suddenly he heard footsteps outside the door. He stood up and rushed to the window in one stride. With his fingers stained with saliva, he gently pierced the window paper and looked out. I saw about twenty people outside the house with weapons in hand, surrounding the guest room.
Xiao Yunfan was angry and cursed secretly: You Huo Zhongyuan actually played this trick with me!
In the side hall of the mourning hall at the foot of Bashan Mountain, plain candles were burning high. Huo Zhongyuan wore a white cloth on his head and sat in a chair with his eyes closed and meditating. Chu Ji's family also sat down and looked tired.
Suddenly, Chu Zhongliu's eyes turned red, he slapped the table and said angrily: "Brother, this thief named Xiao killed Zhou'er, I'm going to cut him into pieces right now!" After hearing her husband's indignation, Mrs. Miao felt even more angry. It was sad, with tears still on his face, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, senior brother."
Huo Zhongyuan shook his head and said: "If Xiao Yunfan is the murderer, how could he go up the mountain with Junior Brother Yin? I'm afraid there is something hidden. Junior Brother Yin, what do you think about this matter?" Yin Zhonghao said solemnly: "Brother, I think this too Weird. When my disciple and I arrived, Xiao Yunfan was outside the car. We fought with him, and this man was really good at martial arts. I am ashamed to say that I am not his opponent. If he is really the enemy of my Bashan sect, he can be killed on the spot. If I kill him, how can he follow me up the mountain?"
Ji Zhongming rolled his eyes at Yin Zhonghao and sneered: "Senior brother, junior brother, we are a family. Why do you turn your elbows outward and instead help him speak to an outsider? This person came up the mountain confidently, and I'm afraid he has other plans. This level Have you ever thought about it carefully?" Huo Zhongyuan's thoughts moved slightly and he thought to himself: Junior Brother Ji is right. If this person pretends to go up the mountain, he is actually spying on the secrets of our sect, but he must be on guard against it.
Keeping him alive is tantamount to giving away the centuries-old foundation of our Bashan sect. If we really reach this situation, wouldn't I, Huo Zhongyuan, become a sinner of our sect? The thought made him sweat through his clothes in shock.
Seeing Huo Zhongyuan's hesitation, Yin Zhonghao hurriedly said: "Senior brother, the Jade Lion has become famous in the world in recent years. It doesn't matter if he dies elsewhere. If he dies in our Bashan sect, there is no guarantee that his master will not seek bad luck for our Bashan sect!" "
Chu Zhongliu looked disdainful and snorted coldly: "Lao Wu, how can you be more ambitious than others and not your own? It's useless for me to treat you as a brother. Zhou'er Yun'er is your nephew, and he keeps calling you Fifth Uncle. Yes, now that they died tragically, why are you defending Xiao Yunfan in every possible way?"
Yin Zhonghao's face changed slightly, and he said in a solemn voice: "But... it's..."
Huo Zhongyuan stood up, signaled Yin Zhonghao to stop talking, walked up to Chu Zhongliu, put his hand on his shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Second Junior Brother, don't worry, I, the senior uncle, will definitely pay for the hatred between Zhou'er and Yun'er. They report. I have sent people to keep an eye on Xiao Yunfan, I hope he will not escape our grasp. However, Junior Brother Yin must listen to his words. If we want to kill this person named Xiao, we have the right to do so. Sneak attacks and assassinations are not what we do with integrity. Even if As a result, this person will also bring disaster."
Chu Zhongliu glared at Yin Zhonghao and walked away. Ji Zhongming said: "Everything depends on senior brother."
Huo Zhongyuan nodded and said: "Third brother, go and persuade the second brother." Mrs. Miao and Mrs. Wei also stepped out of the room.
Yin Zhonghao lowered his head, feeling very unhappy. Huo Zhongyuan said warmly: "Fifth brother, don't take your second brother's words to heart. Zhou'er and Yun'er died violently, and parents are naturally heartbroken. Please bear with them."
Yin Zhonghao nodded and said: "I will naturally understand what the senior brother said. I will not blame the second brother. However, whether Xiao Yunfan is the real murderer needs to be investigated in detail. Our Bashan sect is open and aboveboard. We will neither let a bad person go nor unjustly accuse him." A good man."
Huo Zhongyuan sighed, looked at Yin Zhonghao, and said slowly: "We have to investigate the truth of this matter. According to Xiao Yunfan, they once stayed at the Huangling Town Inn.
I have sent capable disciples there, maybe we can find some clues. In addition, you will set off tonight to invite Abbot Hongyuan of Jiming Temple, Taoist Master Yiqing of Lianhua Temple, and Master Huang of Jinke Village. I will send someone to invite the rest of my martial arts comrades. "
Yin Zhonghao nodded in agreement and said hurriedly: "It turns out that senior brother has already made arrangements, and I will leave now."
Huo Zhongyuan looked at his resolute face, which was as high-spirited and upright as before. She reached out and gently pressed his shoulder and told him: "Be more careful on the road.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, which is a day for family reunion, but the poor Ji and Chu family are heartbroken and burst into tears. As an elder, Huo Zhongyuan watched Chu Fangzhou and Ji Yun grow up. Thinking of the past, he felt extremely sad. But as a leader, he cannot express many emotions. Chu Ji and the two have lost their bearings, and he still has to take charge of important events. He comforted each of the two families, and then went to the mourning hall in person to examine the deceased's wounds.
The two men were struck by swords in their throats, and the wounds were thin and sharp. The expression on his face was calm after death, and it was obvious that he was killed by a master of swordsmanship in an instant. According to Xiao Yunfan, the two of them were fine before getting into the car, but they were killed on the way. In other words, the murderer killed them halfway.
The strange thing is that Xiao Yunfan did not hear the screams. If the murderer told Xiao Yunfan, he wanted to seize the fish. Killing Zhou'er and Yun'er is for the key. That iron box should be his target, but why hasn't he taken action yet? Is he afraid of Xiao Yunfan's sword skills? After thinking about it, I still haven't figured it out yet.
He found a maid in the mourning hall and asked about the whereabouts of the key. When sorting out their belongings, did he find another key?
The maid shook her head when she heard this. He led Huo Zhongyuan to look in another room, and found that there were no other items except a woman's wooden comb, a rouge box, and a handkerchief.
After spending a lot of effort, I still couldn't figure it out. He suddenly remembered Ji Zhongming's words and ordered four of his disciples to carry lanterns to the wing.
Not long after, Huo Zhongyuan arrived outside the door of the wing. When a disciple of the patrol leader saw the leader arriving, he hurriedly stepped forward to salute.
Huo Zhongyuan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything, and then waved him forward to answer.
The disciple whispered: "Report to the leader, the disciple was ordered to guard this place, but Xiao Yunfan did not step out of the door. At this time, he must have fallen asleep."
Huo Zhongyuan nodded and whispered: "You all should withdraw." The disciple responded, and then stretched out his hand to signal the others to leave. Huo Zhongyuan moved away the disciple who was serving him, leaving behind a white paper lantern.
Holding a lantern in his left hand, he walked quickly to the foot of a laurel tree in the flower garden on the left. Then he jumped up and flew up the branch.
Although Xiao Yunfan was angry during the day, he still controlled his temper. I thought: If I injure a member of the Bashan sect and go down the mountain, I will be free, but the crime of murder will not be cleared. Once you have come, make peace with it, and lie down on the bed and fall asleep with the belief that those who are pure will themselves be pure.
While he was sleeping, the bed suddenly turned over and his whole body fell into a dark passage. The walls of the passage were very smooth. In addition, Xiao Yunfan was sleeping soundly, so he couldn't take precautions.
The whole person slid down the passage rapidly and fell to the ground with a bang. It turns out that there is a mechanism hidden on the osmanthus tree, which is connected to the bed board of the wing room.
This shock was really serious. He felt that his back was about to break and his whole body ached. He finally struggled to sit up. I tried to open my eyes to see, but it was pitch black without any light. He was surprised and said in his heart: Could it be that I, Xiao Yunfan, was assassinated by the gang of birdmen in Bashan? Could this be the underworld?
He slapped himself in the mouth, and his cheeks were burning with pain, and he knew it was not a dream. There was a feeling of coldness under my buttocks, and it was not a cotton mattress. He said to himself: "It's strange. I'm obviously sleeping in the guest room, so why am I here? Where is this place?"
He touched the back of his head, and it seemed that a blood tumor the size of an egg had swollen, and it was very painful when he pressed it with his fingers. Full of anger, he suddenly burst out and cursed loudly: "There is no good person up and down Bashan. If you have the guts, get out of Grandpa Xiao. Who are you talking about in front of your face? Who do you think you are a hero if you do these tricks behind your back?"
At this time, a dim light lit up not far away. Xiao Yunfan looked closely and saw half of his face exposed in a palm-sized hole. He recognized Huo Zhongyuan from his beard.
Xiao Yunfan said angrily: "What does Master Huo mean by this?"
Huo Zhongyuan said calmly: "Brother Xiao, it's hard to say whether my nephew was harmed by you or not. Although I have the intention to protect you, I'm afraid of hurting the friendship between my fellow students. I have no choice but to let you live in this dungeon for a few days. When things come to light, you can leave of course."
Xiao Yunfan smiled and said: "If this matter doesn't come to light, will you lock me up for the rest of my life?"
Huo Zhongyuan said: "There is nothing we can do about this."
Xiao Yunfan sneered: "What do you mean you can't do anything about it? It's a big joke to let the murderer go free, but to imprison Xiao here."
Huo Zhongyuan knew clearly that Xiao Yunfan was mocking him, but he didn't care. Still gentle and honest: "Brother Xiao, please be patient. I have invited dozens of martial arts comrades to come to our Bashan sect to serve as notaries. I will give you justice by then. You can rest assured that I will send someone to you in the next few days." Your Excellency, send some food." After saying that, he closed the palm-sized window on the iron door, and everything fell into darkness again.
