"The disciple is at fault! The disciple is guilty!"
"Disciple knows everything!"
"The clues left by the master and the secret of the Xingxuan Sword are all known to the disciples!"
"Please forgive me, Lord! This disciple is willing to change his ways!"
...
The cold winter wind blew across the wall like a knife, leaving behind a chilling sound that made one's teeth chatter. The dancing light spots in the brazier swayed constantly, and the humble begging for mercy seemed to be possessed, intermittent, sometimes crazy, sometimes gibbering in sleep, but There was only deathly silence in response to him.
Wrapped in thick winter clothes, two disciples from the Sword Forging Villa sat around the fire pot, stretching out their hands to warm themselves up while they couldn't help but complain.
One of them said: "He was so unlucky that he was assigned to guard this lunatic. If you ask me, it would be better to just kill him. I don't know what the village owner and the others are thinking."
"Xiao Liu, please stop talking nonsense about the owner of the village. If the steward hears it, watch your skin." Another person quickly spoke out to dissuade him.
Xiaoliu smiled sheepishly, but still said in a low voice: "Brother Song, it's freezing cold today. How can the manager come here to hang out with nothing? I just think we are unlucky, so I'm just complaining. Dozens of days People draw lots, but we are the unlucky ones, and we get the job of seeing the prison cell."
"You, you."
Song San shook his head helplessly, looked around, and then said cautiously: "I know you are not really dissatisfied, you are just trying to be cheerful, but Xiaoliu, I still want to advise you, you can Don’t forget your duty.”
"I understand, I understand."
Xiao Liu shrank his neck, but he still couldn't help asking: "Song Sange, what kind of secret do you think is hidden in the Xingxuan Sword? I heard other people are spreading the news that this sword is related to A big treasure, tell me, if it is really like this, how much is this treasure worth?"
"Hey, you little Liu, you still don't listen to my advice, right? You still ask!"
Song San punched him twice, and Xiao Liu then hid back, not daring to ask any more questions.
At this time, the sound of sharp footsteps came from the cold wind. Their expressions changed, and they quickly got away from the brazier and hurried outside to greet them.
I saw a solemn-looking middle-aged man in gray arriving, and the two of them saluted: "I've met Manager Li."
Manager Li nodded as a greeting. He looked past the two of them to the heavy steel prison door behind him and asked, "How is the sinner?"
Song San lowered his head politely and replied: "Sinners cry out for mercy every day."
"Um."
Manager Li responded noncommittally, and then ordered: "Remember, no matter what he says, ignore it. The owner of the village has an order that no one is allowed to visit him. You all should be carefully guarded by me."
"Disciple accepts the order." The two men bowed in agreement.
"Yes, Not Bad."
Manager Li nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Also, some distinguished guests will come to visit soon. I don't have extra manpower to spare for you. Song San, you are an old man in the villa, you should know how to be considerate."
"Don't worry, Manager Li, this disciple understands." A bit of bitterness flashed across Song San's downcast face. Although he wanted to refuse, his words turned into an honest promise.
"Don't worry, if you do a good job this time, I will thank you for your credit." Manager Li did not forget to encourage him before leaving.
"Thank you, Manager Li. Manager Li, go slowly."
No matter what Song San thought in his heart, he was extremely grateful for Manager Li's verbal promise. When the man walked away, he sighed deeply, sat back by the brazier, and warmed himself up in silence. .
Seeing that Xiao Liugan on the other side was anxious, he sat down with a sigh, and opened his mouth to express his grievances for Song San: "My good third brother, that guy named Li always deceives you like this, why are you just doing this? Let’s get beaten. This time, we agreed to have six guards working in shifts, but now we are the unlucky ones again. Is this looking at the prisoner, or is he going to jail?”
"Xiao Liu, stop talking." Song San shook his head, looking a little frustrated.
"I just don't obey him!" Xiao Liu stood up angrily, and regardless of whether anyone could hear him, he said in a loud voice: "Isn't he just relying on a few stinky money to gain the favor of the boss? I target you, Third Brother, in every aspect. In terms of qualifications and abilities, Third Brother, there is nothing about you that is not better than him!"
Song San's expression changed and he scolded in a low voice: "Okay, who did you hear this from? Don't say it anymore."
Xiao Liu said a little aggrievedly: "I'm not lying. Those disciples in charge of general affairs said so privately. I also complain for you, Third Brother Song..."
"That's enough! Sit down."
Song San emphasized his tone, and Xiao Liu reluctantly sat back down, awkwardly holding his face.
The unnatural silence lasted for a while, and then Song San slowed down and said, "Xiao Liu, remember, trouble comes from the mouth... Let's not mention these things. By the way, in a few days, we will There are many heroes from the world of martial arts who come to pay their respects. Don’t you like to watch the martial arts competitions? It will also be an eye-opener for you.”
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Xiaoliu's eyes lit up.
Song San explained: "Xiao Liu, you have only been in the villa for a short period of time, so it is normal not to know. You must know that in the past, our Sword Forging Villa would usually take out some forged weapons every three to five years. We invite colleagues from all walks of life to come and taste it.”
Xiao Liu stood up again excitedly, and he quickly asked: "Are you going to use force to make friends and compete for weapons?"
Song San smiled: "This is our villa's custom. Swords match heroes. If you want to use the weapons of the Sword Forging Villa, it's not enough to have money. You also have to pass the martial arts skills."
Xiaoliu has always admired the martial arts knights. With his decent martial arts talent, he entered the Sword Forging Villa. Although he only became a marginal chore disciple, he could be regarded as stepping into the martial arts world he dreamed of.
In the past, Xiao Liu could only hear about those heroes from storytellers. Now when Song San said that he could watch those heroes compete at close range, he was extremely happy.
But after being happy for a while, the cold reality made him shiver again. Xiaoliu lowered his head and said: "Brother Song, we were ordered by Manager Li to guard the prisoners here. I'm afraid we won't be able to leave."
Song San looked at Xiao Liu, as if he saw his former self, and shook his head with a smile and said: "Xiao Liu, it's enough for me to guard the prisoners. Your three-legged cat skills will make no difference whether you stay or not. "
Xiaoliu scratched his head and said with a smile: "Song Sange is so powerful in martial arts, how can I compare with you?"
After that, with a hopeful expression on his face, he asked again: "Brother Song, I will really go and see it then."
"Go ahead, go ahead, see more of the world. Just remember, if you meet the managers, remember to avoid them and don't get caught." Song San did not forget to remind them at the end.
"Don't worry! I'm very cautious." Xiao Liu slapped his chest loudly.
It was as if the unhappiness just now had never existed. The two of them started talking to each other as usual, and they started chatting all over the place. Around the sword tasting meeting at Zhujian Villa, Song San could always talk about the wonderful things. This caused Xiao Liu to exclaim again and again.
The two got excited about chatting, but they didn't realize that the cell, which had been crying and begging for mercy, was now unusually quiet.
In the cold cell, the prisoner wearing only thin and coarse clothes held his breath and dragged four heavy chains as he moved closer to the cell door. He listened carefully to the words of Song San and Xiao Liu outside.
