The streets under the sun were unusually lonely and deserted. Occasionally, a few pedestrians pass by slowly, carrying bamboo baskets, hoes, or burdens. They are local villagers at first glance.
A skinny, skinny, big black dog ran over leisurely from a distance, stopped at the gate of "Lanyue Tower", and stared blankly at the lobby.
At this time, the shopkeeper was fiddling with the abacus at the counter and sorting out a thick account book. From time to time, he raised his head and glanced at the three people who were eating and drinking.
A little boy held a big bowl in his hands. The bowl contained a few cleanly chewed bones. He walked quickly towards the gate and came to the big dog. Everyone just thought he was trying to drive away the big dog. , but saw him suddenly pouring all the bones in the bowl on the ground. The big dog seemed to have no fear, looking at him with bright eyes, and its two black pearl-like eyeballs seemed to be full of gratitude. He kept shaking his head and tail at him, as if he was extremely hungry. He looked at the waiter warily, and then at the three people in the hall. Then he opened his mouth and gnawed the bones. After chewing one, he picked up the remaining bones in his mouth and ran away quickly.
The three of them ate for a while and were full. Xu Feng called the shopkeeper to come and pay the bill.
The three of them immediately stood up, each took their swords and walked towards the gate.
The sun was still shining brightly, casting mottled shadows on both sides of the street.
The three of them walked to the tree where the horses were tied, and Liu Ruyan suddenly asked: "Uncle Xu, this is the boundary of Jianmenguan, but we have no clues about Uncle Lei's whereabouts. Where should we find him?" Looking at Xu Feng, he was worried.
Xu Feng looked at the end of the street, sighed, stroking his beard and muttered: "Don't be anxious. Right now, our only clue is that he is coming to Jianmen Pass to seek revenge." His eyes flashed, and he thought, "Although We don’t know what his enemy looks like, but if you have seen him, you will remember his appearance. Why don’t we draw a picture of him and then ask around around Jianmen Pass. Before, you heard He had mentioned that the man killed his cousin just for money, but he did not know the identity of the murderer. And he said that the murderer fled to Jianmen Pass, but there was no way to verify whether the news was true. If the murderer is a gangster, it would not be difficult to find out, but if he is just an ordinary gangster, bandit or robber, then it will be very difficult to find his whereabouts!"
Luo Xiangxue and Liu Ruyan also frowned, their minds were confused and they couldn't figure it out for a while.
Luo Xiangxue thought deeply and suddenly said: "What Uncle Xu said is true. If we search blindly, we will undoubtedly find a needle in a haystack. The chance of finding him is too slim. In my opinion, after we arrive at Jianmen Pass, as Uncle Xu said , first ask the painter to draw Uncle Lei's face, and then use the drawing to make inquiries separately." Her eyes suddenly lit up, she looked at Xu Feng, and asked in a deep voice, "Uncle Xu, what do you think about the Jianghu sect located near Jianmen Pass? Is it familiar?"
Xu Feng was suddenly startled and frowned: "What does Miss Luo mean?"
The two of them looked at Luo Xiangxue in confusion. She smiled faintly and said quietly: "At present, we don't know the identity of the murderer, but if you think about it, since the murderer seeks money and kills, he must not be a timid person. , it is very likely that he is a gangster in the Jianghu, and he must have a trick on his hands. Twenty years have passed since this murder, and even if the murderer is still alive, his appearance must have changed. After he absconded, he may have already concealed his name and hid. In a very secret place, he will never show his true face to others. If the murderer is really a person from the Jianghu, living in this place, he will inevitably have to deal with the Jianghu people here. In this way, if Uncle Xu is familiar with the Jianghu people here , we can take the pictures to various gangs to inquire! And Brother Liu and I can ask the ordinary people around here, maybe we can get some clues!"
She paced on the spot and spoke out her opinions. When the two of them heard this, they thought about it for a moment and suddenly had an enlightenment. The two of them couldn't help but sigh in their hearts that women's minds are so sharp and delicate, which really cannot be compared to grown men like them.
Xu Feng stroked his beard, nodded slowly, and said thoughtfully: "That's right! Miss Luo has thought it through. I think this is a better strategy." He stared at Liu Ruyan, his eyes flickered, and he said quietly, " Nephew Liu Xian, what do you think?"
Liu Ruyan pondered deeply, nodded, frowned and said: "This is a good idea, then we will follow Xiangxue's plan. It is getting late, let's hurry up and get on our way!"
The strategy Luo Xiangxue came up with made the three of them suddenly excited. The three of them each saddled their horses, shouted and turned their horses' heads, and galloped away in the direction of Jianmenguan.
It was not far from the Jianmen Pass. The three of them galloped along the winding mountain road for a while before arriving at the Jianmen Pass Castle Tower.
Jianmen Pass is located between two towering and precipitous mountains. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. The terrain of Jianmen Pass is complex and dangerous, with steep cliffs on both sides.
The three of them immediately stopped at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the Jianmenguan Tower, which has the reputation of "the best gate in the world". My heart was filled with passion, and I felt a sense of majesty and heroism.
Xu Feng's eyes were as bright as fire and he murmured: "I didn't expect that after so many years, I would come to this place again! It's just that the Sword Gate, the first gate in the world, is still the same as it was back then. It's still so majestic that people dare not look at it!" He suddenly I remembered the bloody battle between myself and Ma Xiaoyun against Tangjiabao when the sword gate was closed. I couldn’t help but feel my heart surge and express a lot of emotions.
The battle with Tangjiabao back then was thrilling and extremely tragic. More than ten of his brothers were all killed in this battle. However, because he and Ma Xiaoyun were alone, they were surrounded and suppressed by dozens of elites from Tangjiabao. He almost didn't escape.
Unexpectedly, ten years later, he set foot on this land where he had shed his blood. The tragic past was vivid in his mind, and he didn't know what it was like!
The three of them stood at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the dangerous and majestic Jianmen Pass. After a while, Liu Ruyan said slowly: "It's getting late, Uncle Xu, let's find an inn nearby to stay!"
Xu Feng glanced at the two of them, nodded and said: "There is a Guanyun Inn in front of Liujiazhuang. Xiaoyun and I stayed there ten years ago, but I don't know if it is still there? Let's go!"
Luo Xiangxue stared at Liu Ruyan, and suddenly there was deep melancholy in her eyes. She saw that Liu Ruyan was often worried about her master's affairs, her expression was full of sadness, and she felt bad, but she just hoped to help him find the master as soon as possible!
Being able to do something for the people she likes filled her heart with a sense of satisfaction and security that she had never felt before!
Luo Xiangxue looked at Liu Ruyan and suddenly said: "Brother Liu, don't worry too much. I believe we will be able to find Uncle Chu. You must have suffered a lot during the days we have been apart. You They are all thin!" She stared at him with pity in her eyes.
When Liu Ruyan heard her say such words, her heart suddenly trembled. She avoided her eyes and looked into the distance. She smiled awkwardly and said, "A lot of things have indeed happened in the past few days. After I find the master, I will do it again." Let me tell you slowly! It’s very hard to travel around with us, aren’t you afraid?”
Luo Xiangxue blinked, pursed her lips, and said quietly: "Brother Liu, I'm not afraid of hard work. As long as I follow you, I'm not afraid of any hardship!" Her face turned red, and a deep tenderness suddenly appeared in her eyes. , seemingly with a bit of joy.
Liu Ruyan only felt warm in his heart, and such fiery and explicit words made him a little embarrassed. He was speechless for a moment, his heart was moved, and he didn't know what to say!
In the blink of an eye, the three of them had rushed to Liujiazhuang not far ahead. This is a remote village in the mountains.
The village is not big, it looks like there are about a dozen families. They are all houses with red walls and blue tiles, and each house is built exactly the same. This village was different from the ones they had seen before, but at this moment, seeing these ordinary cottages full of human smoke and fire, they suddenly felt a long-lost sense of peace and tranquility in their hearts.
At this time, curls of cooking smoke were already rising from the roofs of some houses. Wisps of white smoke shot straight into the sky, and were blown away by the mountain wind and drifted into the sky.
The Guanyun Inn is located next to the mountain road at the end of Liujiazhuang.
The three of them came to the door of Guanyun Inn. Xu Feng thought: "After so many years, I didn't expect that this inn is still open. Hey, it would be great if Xiaoyun was around! After so many days, he Have you finished your work and returned to Hongqin Residence? I hope he can come back safely!" He thought to himself, then called the two of them in.
The three of them tied their horses to the horse posts in front of the door and strolled inside again.
At this time, an old man with gray hair wearing a green cloth gown came up to him with a smile.
"Three guests, please come in quickly!" After saying that, he welcomed the three people into the lobby.
Xu Feng looked around in the hall and suddenly asked: "Old shopkeeper, I want to ask you something?"
The old man was startled and said with a smile: "What do you want to know about, sir? Just tell me!"
Xu Feng asked thoughtfully: "Is there a painter nearby?"
The old man was startled when he heard this, and thought to himself: "Who are these people? Why are you asking about the painter?" Although he felt strange in his heart, he said: "Oh, how many of you want to hire a painter? There is one in Liujiazhuang. Yes, but I don’t know if he is at home during this period!”
The three of them looked at each other, Xu Feng smiled slightly, and said, "Can I ask the old shopkeeper to introduce me to you?" He couldn't help but feel happy.
The old man chuckled and said, "Why not! It's a great honor for me to serve these three guests! Are those three working as a top-level officer or staying in a hotel?"
Xu Feng smiled and said: "I'm afraid we have to stay here for a few days. I would like to ask the store owner if there is still room available?"
When the old man heard that the three of them were going to stay in the hotel, he was immediately elated. The wrinkles on his face seemed to have bloomed into flowers. He said with a smile on his face: "There are some, and there are several large rooms up there that are vacant. Excuse me." How many rooms do the three of you want?"
Liu Ruyan suddenly said: "Excuse me, shopkeeper, the three of us need three rooms!"
Xu Feng paid the rent for three days in advance, and the three of them followed the old shopkeeper to the guest room upstairs. Each person had their own room. After placing their luggage and belongings properly, the three of them, led by the old shopkeeper, arrived at the home of a painter named Wu in Liujiazhuang.
Seeing that the door was closed, the old shopkeeper was stunned. He thought that the painter named Wu was not at home, so he hesitantly reached out and knocked on the door three times.
After a moment, the door opened, and a young man with a handsome and cheerful face was seen standing at the door.
