In a deep mountain in Licorice Hall, an old man sat cross-legged in front of the entrance of the cave. Using tree branches as pens and the ground as paper, he wrote the four characters "Hanging the Pot to Help the World".
Hearing the sound of the collision of wine bottles, Old Man Yong looked in the direction of the sound, made a sound, and immediately turned his head back. He was not the person he wanted to see. I was not in a good mood today originally, but after seeing that person, my mood became even worse.
Fortunately, Old Man Yong did not stop the man from continuing to climb the mountain.
The man walked up to Old Man Yong and said with a smile: "Junior Li Zhilan has met Senior Yong."
Old Man Yong said: "Didn't your master teach you how to call me?"
Li Zhilan paused. He hadn't visited his senior for a long time. It wasn't that he didn't want to come, but that his senior didn't like others to disturb him. When I was young, I followed my master to visit my senior. My master told me that when I see my senior in the future, I can only call him uncle.
But Li Zhilan felt that this was not respectful enough. His master had already called him uncle, so he called Senior Yong uncle, and the two of them were invited down the mountain. His master even scolded him and said he would call him his uncle.
The second time, Li Zhilan still felt that he was not respectful enough. He should like the word "senior", so he called him "senior". As a result, the two of them were invited down the mountain by Old Man Yong. Li Zhilan's master was so angry that he hit Li Zhilan twice on the head.
"What? Can't remember? Do you want me to invite you down the mountain again just like I asked you to go down the mountain with your master?" Old Man Yong said and began to move slowly with his hands.
Li Zhilan immediately shouted: "Hello, Uncle Master, Hello, Uncle Master. Look what I brought to Uncle Master. I heard from the disciples that Uncle Master likes to eat kiln chicken the most. Unfortunately, the kiln chicken is sold out, so I brought a roast chicken." Come with the roast duck. And two bottles of good wine, Yun Shangxian."
Old man Yong looked at Li Zhilan who was busy working on his own at the side, and shook his head. People say that I like to eat kiln chicken, but do I really like to eat kiln chicken? Besides, how can these kiln chickens compare to those made by that kid?
Li Zhilan handed the filled glass of wine to Old Man Yong and said with a wry smile: "Uncle, we seem to have really done something wrong."
Old man Yong took the glass of wine and drank it in one gulp. He smiled and said, "If you're wrong, just correct it. What's the big deal?"
Li Zhilan also drank it all in one gulp and sighed: "Tell me, if my master and I had listened to you at that time, so many things would not have happened now, and a child with such potential would not have been killed. Die."
There were two points in the meeting of the Ten Great Halls. First, they talked about the Medicine Fairy Conference that was not completed last year and will be held this year. The second thing is that Fan Yintang was attacked. Logically speaking, this is Licorice Hall's own family matter, but there are also people in other schools who have been attacked. Mao Qi from the Blood Scorpion Hall was one of them, and according to the confession, it was learned that the people who attacked were the same person, both Red Sheng Dan.
Then it is possible that the poison used by the white bears that Licorice Hall encountered in the village was made by the same group of people. This was also the case when Wuchen Pavilion was burned down a few years ago. Therefore, it was unanimously decided that each of the ten universities would send one person to form a team to investigate this matter.
In fact, after the meeting, Li Zhilan could probably guess who was behind all this. As for why the mastermind did this, he also had this reason. However, this reason alone will not bring him to this point, but it is true that only he can instigate Hong Zhishun and let Hong Zhishun embark on this path.
Li Zhilan thought of this and drank it all in one gulp. Everything seems to make sense, but none of it seems to make sense.
"Uncle Master, if I had listened to you then, I would have slapped him to death. Wouldn't it be better?" Li Zhilan said with a bitter smile.
Old Man Yong smiled and said: "Whether it's better or not, I don't know. Anyway, the position of the leader of the Licorice Hall is not yours now."
Li Zhilan smiled and said: "It doesn't matter if it's me. As long as life is better than now, at least Hong Zhisun won't die."
Old Man Yong said with a smile: "If you had killed him back then, wouldn't there be a second him to instigate Hong Zhishun? After killing him, would life really be better than now? I don't think so. Besides, , isn’t this a bad day now? I’m glad that you and your master didn’t listen to me at that time.”
After hearing what Old Man Yong said, Li Zhilan looked at Old Man Yong and said, "Uncle, do you think life is better now?"
Old man Yong smiled and nodded: "Zhilan, you have to believe in yourself, your teaching methods, and I believe that you are right to persist. I do feel that the world is a little better, especially if you become a After becoming the leader of Licorice Hall, both Master and disciples are doing well."
"Thank you for the compliment, uncle." Li Zhilan smiled and filled a glass for Old Man Yong again. Li Zhilan really didn't expect that one day he would be praised by Old Man Yong.
"By the way, do you want to do this task yourself?"
"No, the hall master can't go. So I want Gu Tianhai to go."
"Gu Tianhai? Hong Zhishun's teacher, the one who went to the warehouse as a caretaker after Hong Zhishun died."
"Uncle Master is very well-informed. It seems that Uncle Master can get along well with the new generation of our Licorice Hall."
"At least it's easier to talk to than you, the hall master."
The two looked at each other, smiled, and had a drink.
After finishing a bottle of wine, Li Zhilan wanted to go back. After all, senior likes to be alone, so he shouldn't disturb him too much. He said everything he needed to say and got praise from senior, so why don't you leave quickly.
"Zhilan."
Li Zhilan had not taken a few steps when Old Man Yong called him to stop. He could only turn around and ask: "Master, is there anything else you can do?"
Old man Yong said with a smile: "In the future, if you have nothing to do, you can come up and chat with me more, or if you have any questions, you can come to me."
After listening to this, Li Zhilan's eyes turned red. He raised his hands and said to Old Man Yong, "This junior will definitely talk to my uncle."
Old man Yong looked at Li Zhilan's retreating figure and realized that he had been called uncle for many years. It seems that Li Zhilan's master's master also calls himself uncle. Old man Yong looked into the distance. He had lived for many years and had not been so happy for a long time.
——
"Tang Turing of Licorice Hall, I would like to see the master of Qiu Su Sect."
"Hong Yongfu of Liuchun Pavilion, I would like to see the master of Qiu Su Sect."
"Shen Yingchun of Liuchun Pavilion, please see the master of Qiu Su Sect."
"Dong Tingting Xiling, please see the master of Qiu Su Sect."
I saw a child, putting the fish tank on top of his head, taking a deep breath, clasping his hands into fists, and said like the seniors before him: "Chen Hongjing of Licorice Hall, please see the master of Qiu Su Sect."
The few disciples of the Qiu Su Sect standing at the door felt a little embarrassed. They had been shouting here for two full incense sticks. In fact, they had just gone in to communicate, but the sect master was They retreated and asked Senior Brother Sun Xingming, but Senior Brother Sun Xingming said to let them continue to stay outside.
Xiling said with a smile: "Is this how your Qiu Sumen treat guests? If you can take care of the entire Ai Ling Jing Cao Garden alone, wouldn't your Qiu Sumen all go to heaven?"
Several disciples looked at each other with sighs. At first, they confidently refused to let the people from the Licorice Hall come in and asked the people from the Licorice Hall to give them justice to Qiu Sumen. Tang Turing responded directly, "You want us to come in and see the sect master, so that I can give you justice." If you don't let us in now, it's hard for us to say that we are justified.
Seeing that they were at a loss, Xiling continued, "What? Can anyone speak? If not, please ask Qiu Sumen to find someone who can speak."
"What does it look like to be arrogant? When did the way we treat guests at Qiu Sumen change, so that guests can only stand and wait outside the door? Why didn't I know?"
The voice came from behind Tang Turing and the others. The people who came were none other than the elders of Qiu Sumen, Elder Chanhong and the senior brother of Qiu Sumen, Wang Yidian.
Several disciples of the Qiu Su Sect raised their hands and said, "Greetings to Elder Chan Hong and respect to Senior Brother."
Wang Yundian immediately said: "As I said, don't call me senior brother. There will always be only one senior brother, and that is senior brother Hong Zhishun." After saying that, he looked in the direction of Tang Turing.
"Why are you still standing there? Open the door. Do you want me to open the door myself?" Elder Zen Hong said.
Several disciples immediately opened the door, and Elder Chanhong smiled bitterly and said: "Guys, I'm really sorry. We didn't treat guests well this time. If you have anything, let's go in and talk about it."
Elder Chanhong is the easiest person to talk to among the Qiu Sumen, and he is also the one who looks at things most objectively. Everything must be considered before acting. Even when it came to Hong Zhishun, it was he who suggested to Hong Zekong not to act on impulse but to find out the truth. As a result, Hong Zekong passed away before the truth could be found out.
As for Wang Yundian, although he is relatively rational, he also hates the Licorice Hall in his heart. He has come to the door of the Licorice Hall several times before, holding a sword and watching quietly. He was asked to go in and did not sit down. When he saw Confucius Just ask when they will be given an explanation for Qiu Sumen.
Chen Hongjing bumped into Tang Turing once at that time. At that time, Tang Turing told Chen Hongjing that nothing happened and that some matters were still under investigation.
Chen Hongjing and the others were taken to the place where Fan Xiaoxi and the others were trapped by Wang Yundian, while Tang Turing and Hong Yongfu were taken to another place by Chanhong.
Wang Yundian made a few empty strokes in the air, and the barrier was released.
Wang Yundian said: "I heard that you and the Blood Scorpion Hall also had some misunderstandings, but after your Licorice Hall misunderstood, you immediately asked the Blood Scorpion Hall to give you an explanation. As for our matter, it has been six years, and your Licorice Hall has What explanation was given to us about Qiu Sumen, but nothing, not even a clue was given to us."
This is very clear and realistic.
Wang Yundian looked at the people in Licorice Hall, shook his head, turned around and left.
"Wang Yundian, I'm sorry."
Wang Yundian stopped. If that sentence had been spoken by someone else, he might not have accepted it, but it was Lian Yueting who said it. Hong Zhishun often mentioned Lian Yueting and Gan Muyu beside Wang Yidian.
"I'm sorry? You're not just saying this to me, but also to our entire Qiu Su Sect's disciples and elders, and truly give our Qiu Su Sect an explanation." Wang Yundian said lightly.
After Wang Yundian left, Lian Yueting and others were left behind in the courtyard, and the barrier was no longer there.
Chen Hongjing sat down and looked at Lian Yueting. If it were Zhong Xiaofan or Liang Siheng who went astray, I would risk my life to save them both. Unfortunately, after Lian Yueting found out, Hong Zhishun was already dead.
"Indeed, Licorice Hall really can't stand up to Qiu Sumen in this regard." Xiling sighed. All the sects in Yinbinzhou, big and small, have heard about this matter, but after all, Qiu Sumen They didn't go to Licorice Hall to argue or explain, and they had no right to speak, so they could only feel sorry for themselves secretly.
After Chen Hongjing heard what they said about what happened back then, it was actually not easy to give an explanation. Everyone in the Ten Great Halls agreed that this was a humiliating matter and could only investigate it secretly. Some people said it was so humiliating and they were expelled directly from the school. Keep your mouth shut.
Of course, Licorice Hall would have to investigate it personally, but it would be very hard work. But now it's clear, and the truth of the incident is slowly coming to light. Next, it depends on how Master and the others will act.
Two days have passed, and Chen Hongjing and others are still staying in the courtyard, while Tang Turing and Hong Yongfu followed Elder Chanhong to find Head Zheng Cexiao, but they have not come out until now.
Chen Hongjing leaned against the courtyard door, looking outside and inside. No one came to see them, and the people inside were not in a hurry. Chen Hongjing had no choice but to hold the fish tank and go in to continue watching Gao Zhuli and Fan Xiaoxi play chess.
Three more days passed, and the sun was about to set. Xiling said, "Since there is nothing to do for the time being, I will go back first. If there is anything that needs my help, Yingchun, please let me know."
Fan Xiaoxi held up his hands and said, "It's hard work for Miss Xiling to accompany you for so many days. After our Licorice Hall resolves this matter, we will definitely go to Dongting Pavilion to visit her."
Xiling said with a smile: "Old Master Tang has already said what you said. But it's okay, we at Dongting Pavilion don't mind if you get an extra gift."
After these few days of getting along, Xiling somewhat understood why the master asked her to help Licorice Hall.
As night fell, in a deep mountain thirty miles away from Qiu Sumen, a house glowed with firelight. There was a person sitting inside, drinking wine, and looking out the door from time to time, as if waiting for someone to come.
With a "squeak", the door was opened and immediately closed again.
"No one is following you," the drinker said.
"There is no one, there must be no one. They are all guarding everyone in the Licorice Hall. The elders and the head are in retreat and have not come out. I took a look before I dared to come over." The speaker turned out to be an Qiu A disciple of Sumen.
And the man drinking was the woodcutter who was panicking that day.
The woodcutter smiled and said: "How can such a timid person achieve great things? How do you want me to recommend you? Little brother."
The disciple of Qiu Sumen said: "I only need money, no recommendations. According to the agreement, I will help you lure Gan Muyu and Hong Jingjie out and have a private conversation, and you will give me the money to pay off the gambling debt."
It turns out that that day, Hong Jingjie took the initiative to talk to Gan Muyu alone. It was this Qiu Su sect disciple who suggested it. He owed a huge debt because of his gambling habit. If this matter spread to the sect, he would definitely He was expelled from the division. The woodcutter happened to find him, and the two reached a consensus.
The woodcutter threw a stack of silver notes on the table and said with a smile: "Little brother, after you took the money, you can still return to your sect so openly. Don't you feel guilty?"
"It's none of your business." The Qiu Su disciple put the banknotes into his clothes and walked out the door.
Just as he was about to open the door, a long sword had already passed through his chest. The disciple turned to look at the woodcutter. Just when he was about to say something to him, he died and fell down.
The woodcutter took back the pile of silver notes from his clothes and said, "You don't feel guilty, but I do. So, I won't let you go back. Anyway, there will be no good fruits to eat if you go back."
"You don't have to feel guilty. As long as you come out now, I will take you back to Luokui Hall and let your hall master give you a lighter sentence. If you come out, don't blame us for taking you back, Guo Yiqing."
Tang Turing's voice, as well as the sound of dozens of swords being unsheathed, Guo Yiqing smiled bitterly, looked at the dead Qiu Sumen disciple, and said that he was not being followed. Sure enough, trash can't be trusted.
Guo Yiqing smiled and shouted: "Tang Turing, don't be so loud. Just take me back and talk about it later."
Guo Yiqing withdrew his sword and broke out from the roof.
Without seeing the sword, dozens of arrows were heading in his direction.
