(12)
That night, Zhao Kuo, Bai Feng and his party, who had been running around for days for the Shi family, returned to the Chamber of Commerce to rest early to reserve the energy needed for tomorrow's trip.
Bai Feng, who received the sword as a gift today, was sitting in the middle of the room, with candles burning on the table. The young man stared at the sword and meditated for a long time. The shape of this sword is different from the traditional "three-foot sword". It is slightly longer than it, but far less than the dual-wielding "seven-foot sword". Of course, the most special thing is the dragon pattern decoration on the scabbard, and the four characters "White Snake Immortal" carefully carved in "small seal script" on the top of the scabbard. Because the scabbard and hilt are both a dark purple color, and this ancient writing has long been abandoned and is far from the official script and regular script that are respected today, it is difficult for ordinary people to detect the clues. If it weren't for Master Bai Fengguo's guidance, I'm afraid even if I found the inscription on it, I wouldn't be able to figure out what it meant.
The young man drew his sword out of its sheath, and the soft sword body shook a few times, making a "buzzing" sound. However, it would be too far-fetched to say that this is "Dragon's Cry". Even in such dim light, the sword body still shines brightly: this is the brilliance that only a real sword can have! It attracted Bai Feng and made him wave.
"Hey! Drink!" The young man thrust a stab forward, then quickly pulled it back in front of him, saying to himself: "It's so light!" Perhaps just to allow the owner of the sword to swing the sword with ease, the hilt was designed to be extremely simple, and There is no gold or silver inlay, just some elegant carvings like moving clouds and flowing water.
It seemed that the magic power emanating from "Longming" made the swordsman who saw its true appearance couldn't help but play with it. Due to the small space in the room, which did not allow him to stretch his body as much as he could, Bai Feng stepped out of the room, moved to the atrium, and danced with his sword under the bright moonlight breeze.
Silver light splashed and swords roared everywhere. Every move of the young man was so smooth that you could hear the roar of the gold and iron weapon cutting through the sky. Sometimes he is as quiet as a fisherman, his sword moves with his breath, and his moves are slow and hidden with murderous intent; sometimes he moves like a spiritual snake, his steps are swaying and weird, and his sword moves are swift and precise. Either standing on one foot with the sword pointing forward; or standing up and slashing with the sword. Half a moment later, Bai Feng not only didn't feel tired, but became more energetic. I don't know if it was the sword that made him dance, or if he really couldn't help it.
The evening breeze blew by, bringing with it the sound of leaves moving in the garden and the chirping of insects, as well as the sound of the swordsman's sword roaring with his breath. If you listen carefully, it really sounds like a "dragon roar". It tempts the swordsman to swing, and then rewards him with a melodious and particularly magical sound.
Murong Yan was just about to fall asleep when the sound of the sword aroused her strong interest. When he opened the wooden door, he saw the heroic figure of Bai Feng wielding a sword. Although he had always had doubts about the "White Snake Immortal" hidden in his heart, seeing the beauty in front of him so intoxicated with the sword dance, he planned to wait until Bai Feng discovered him before making any plans. The girl leaned against the red roof beam next to the door and faced the other person with a smile.
After a while, Bai Feng noticed Murong Yan beside him. The sword in his hand suddenly lost its sharpness, and the sound of piercing the air became duller. He stopped his sword dance, walked over, and said, "Yan'er, why don't you rest? You have to go on the road tomorrow!"
Murong Yan pursed her lips and smiled, moved her body away from the ceiling beam, approached Bai Feng, and replied: "Oh, when I think of Brother Feng's strange appearance today, Yan'er loses all sleep."
"Heh." The young man scratched his temples in confusion and said with a smile, "Is there anything special?"
"Hmph! Who is the 'White Snake Immortal'!"
"He...he is my master..."
When Murong Yan learned the inside story, she could no longer hold back her chatter and asked, "Brother Feng's master? What kind of person is he?"
"Master never told me who he was. He just tried his best to teach me all his talents and knowledge." Bai Feng looked up at the bright moon and recalled: "I remember that at that time, I could often see Master drinking alone under the moon. Maybe He must be reminiscing about the past..."
"Perhaps that 'Yuan Fengzi' will know about it?" Murong Yan responded: "Otherwise he wouldn't be able to forge a sword and give it to the 'White Snake Immortal'?"
"Well! If you have a chance in the future, you must visit this expert!"
After the two chatted, they stopped to admire the moon for a while, and then went back to their rooms to rest.
Soon after dawn the next day, the town was greeted by the continuous sound of ritual music. Bai Feng was still trapped in his sleep because he was addicted to martial arts training last night. Only after Murong Yan called outside the door did she remember to wake up and attend the ceremony. When the two of them walked to the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce, they saw a large number of people standing by the street, with people beating gongs and drums in the middle of the road to build momentum. Ajuan, Zhao Kuo and Zhao Xiaomei were already in the crowd and had been waiting for a long time.
Almost everyone has a mask of various shapes on their face. Even if it is not influenced by the legend of "River God punishes sins", it is still a kind of interest. Murong Yan, who was wearing a blue bird mask, pulled Bai Feng, who was wearing a flaming phoenix mask, through the crowd and met with Zhao Kuo and the others. They stood closest to the middle of the road, just to have a clear view of the festival. Although Zhao Kuo looked very dissatisfied with his pig mask and could often hear the sneers of passersby beside him, he still couldn't resist the two women around him and was dragged out of his sleep like Bai Feng.
"Brother Bai, you guys have been so late." Zhao Kuo said dissatisfied.
"Haha. After all, I have been a little tired these past few days." Bai Feng replied.
The girl wearing a golden horse mask retorted for Bai Feng: "Young Master Bai tried his best to solve the Shi family's affairs, and almost even put his finger on it. Why don't you rest a little longer?"
"Yeah, my little sister is right." Murong Yan said calmly at the side.
Zhao Kuo stroked his forehead helplessly and sighed: "No one supports me? My head still hurts!"
After hearing this, the girl wearing a pink flower mask hugged Zhao Kuo's right arm and replied: "Me! I will always stand by your side! Besides, it is indeed Mr. Bai who is at fault this time!"
"Okay, Ajuan, I'm very pleased that you have such a heart to repay the kindness." Zhao Kuo hurriedly broke away from Ajuan's ambiguous behavior and replied.
When everyone saw this, they burst into laughter. After a while, a strong young man in white plain clothes strolled over, cupped his hands and said, "So you are all here to watch the ceremony!"
The little girl who was closer to the person didn't realize who it was for a moment. She just opened her big eyes and tried hard to search for the relevant person in her mind. It wasn't until the other party took off the blue fish mask that he realized that the man wearing hemp and wearing filial piety was the new head of the Shi family, Nie Yun.
"Mr. Nie, why are you dressed like this?" the younger sister asked in confusion.
Zhao Kuo hurriedly bullied himself and said to Nie Yun: "Brother Nie, please don't blame me for not knowing etiquette."
"It's okay, Brother Zhao." Nie Yun put on the mask and replied: "Miss Zhao, this is a small gift I have prepared for you, please accept it..." Nie Yun took out a blond hair stick from his waist and put the top of it on Set with a huge pearl, it is particularly eye-catching.
"Wow! What a big pearl." The two women on the side said in unison.
Nie Yun pretended to be serious and explained: "This is a pearl produced from a thousand-year-old clam. It is rare to find and is the best among pearls."
"Brother Nie, wouldn't it be inappropriate to give such a precious thing to my sister-in-law?" Zhao Kuo said.
"Um...this, there won't be one, right?"
"Wow! Look!" the little girl suddenly said in shock. She pointed to the back of the person playing music in the middle of the road, and a large sedan chair with eight carriages came slowly.
"There must be the River God in there! I heard he was invited from the Taoist temple." Ajuan also heard the news and went to preach.
Seeing that the lady was not interested in his gift, Nie Yun smiled helplessly to himself. He accidentally glanced in the direction of Bai Feng and found that the other party had been watching him. The two looked at each other and smiled. Although they were speechless, they already knew the true meaning.
Several people gathered around Dajiao as she walked slowly, and saw that the statue gradually moved away and moved towards the pier, and the crowds of people slowly moved towards it. Only then did Zhao Xiaomei realize that Nie Yun had quietly left. She said in her heart: "Perhaps she was forced to leave by her own indifference?" As a young woman, how could she not notice Nie Yun's love? It's just that the younger sister already has her heart set on belonging. When she thought of this, she couldn't help but look at Bai Feng: "He is always followed by Sister Murong..."
Moving to the pier, it seems that the past is still in front of you. Under the "good weather" archway is the altar of the river god. And Nie Yun was right in front of the altar: burning incense, praying, killing pigs and taking blood, so that he could sail safely in the coming year, rain or shine.
Zhao Xiaomei smiled at this time and said: "So Mr. Nie has gone there!"
After the silver-clad man worshiped devoutly, he turned to face the crowd and said, "Fellow folks, in recent months there have been rumors that our Shi family has convicted the River God, and strange things have continued. However, yesterday I captured the culprit alive. , just to break this rumor, but it is a pity that Mr. Shi Da was exhausted and passed away."
After everyone heard this, they all started talking about it.
"Master Shi Da passed away?"
"Is the famous Shi Hongtu gone like this?"
"I heard that Shi Hongtu has been suffering from a strange disease. It would not be a surprise to die anytime..."
"Everyone, please be quiet." Nie Yun continued: "Since the rumors are dead, there is no reason to block the dock anymore, and boatmen no longer have to be trapped in life!"
"Okay! We will all support Master Nie!"
"Oh, now it's time to call Patriarch Nie!"
"Master Nie has done so many things for the Shi family and us at such a young age. He has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people..."
Hearing the comments of the people, Nie Yun couldn't help but feel ashamed. He must lead the Shi family to protect Wandeng Town and the safety of the trade routes along the road, and make the Shi family more prosperous. Perhaps, this is his lifelong responsibility.
After the ceremony, it’s time to say goodbye. Before sailing, Nie Yun came to see off several friends in person. Among them, Bai Feng talked a few more words with him when he was leaving.
"Why, aren't you going to make it clear to Miss Zhao?"
"Haha, no need for it!" Nie Yun replied: "It seems like Miss Zhao doesn't care much about these things?"
"This is a farewell, I don't know when we will see each other again."
"Next time we meet, I will definitely defeat you!" Nie Yun touched the handle of the knife and said, "I will definitely practice martial arts diligently and understand the secret of the 'Wind Chasing Knife' as soon as possible!"
Bai Feng smiled and said, "Then, I'll wait for you."
"Brother Feng, the boat is about to sail!" Murong Yan waved and called from the edge of the boat.
After hearing this, the two said goodbye to each other. When we meet again in the future, I'm afraid things will have changed. I just hope that my original intention will not change and my ideals will remain unchanged.
"See you later!"
