The vegetation was lush and the sunshine was prosperous. At three o'clock in the morning, the group packed up their luggage and walked slowly down the mountain road.
Xu Ziyi led the way, Liu Ruyan supported Gu Zhi and walked cautiously in the middle, and Xu Feng walked at the end. The morning dew has just begun to settle, and the road down the mountain is still wet and rugged. "Huashan Mountain has been the same road since ancient times." This is also the difficulty and danger that Huashan Mountain has left to the world.
The group climbed over many mountains and finally arrived at the foot of the mountain at noon. Their horses were stored at the Yuelai Inn at the foot of the mountain. This is a small inn. The sun is shining on the flagpole in front of the inn, and a yellow signboard is fluttering in the wind.
The group of people arrived outside the inn and were greeted by the owner with a smile. The shop owner was short and fat, but walked extremely quickly. He crossed the eaves in three or two steps and greeted several people warmly: "Please come in, please! Do you want to go to the restaurant or stay in the hotel?" He put the towel on his hand. Put it on your shoulders, make an inviting gesture with one hand, and bend down to welcome the guests in.
Liu Ruyan unloaded the book on his back and said to the shopkeeper: "Staff, I came to the inn to store the horses. Three healthy horses, two black and one white, were kept in the stable at the back. Is there enough food for these two days? ?” He is a horse lover, and he spent the past two days on the mountain thinking about whether the foal was well fed.
The fat innkeeper smiled apologetically and said: "Don't worry, sir, as long as the horses are kept in our store, they will be taken care of carefully. Are you going to lead the horses? Well, they are in the stables at the back. Can I ask the little one to take you there?" "With that said, he was about to lead Liu Ruyan to the stables.
Liu Ruyan hurriedly waved her hands and said, "No hurry, no rush, I'll have to sharpen the horse later, and then I can lead the horse after eating to fill my stomach."
Everyone stepped into the lobby and took their seats. Xu Feng asked everyone to order their favorite dishes. The two young people showed humility to each other and asked the two elders to order their dishes. Xu Feng ordered a few dishes and two bottles of wine. After a while, the food and wine were served. Everyone toasted to each other and ate the food. They were so happy!
Gu Zhi told Xu Ziyi: "Go back to your hometown and stay there for a while. Remember what I said as a teacher. The world is dangerous and you should be more careful. Don't be reckless when encountering trouble, and try to avoid making grudges with others. The only way forward is It's up to you!" He opened his baggage, took out a piece of green jade, and handed it to Xu Ziyi. He stared at the jade and said quietly, "This is a friend of mine when I was collecting scenery in the Mengyu Valley. As a gift. This jade jewel has the effect of expelling poison and warding off evil spirits. I give it to you now. It may be able to solve your crisis!" He handed the oval blue jade jewel to Xu Ziyi's hand.
Xu Ziyi was quite flattered. He looked at Yujue for a long time and took Yujue into his arms. He suddenly stood up and immediately knelt down to Gu Zhi and said emotionally: "Master, I will kneel down to thank you for your kindness in raising me. I will definitely come back." , Master, take good care of yourself!" After that, he kowtowed to Gu Zhi.
Gu Zhi helped him up and said with a smile: "Don't forget about the master, go and make your own world! The master is waiting for you to come back at Wolong Valley in Zhongnan Mountain. Go, child!" He looked at Xu Ziyi for a long time with a sad expression. .
The separation was right in front of him. Xu Ziyi felt uncomfortable in his heart and comforted his master again and again: "Master, remember to take your medicine on time. Your disease will definitely be cured. You have to have confidence. I will come back to see you after a while. Brother Liu By your side, my disciple feels at ease! Master, my disciple is leaving now, please take care of yourself!" A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan sighed silently in their hearts. They had experienced such separation scenes many times, but separation was always sad. Seeing the deep affection between master and disciple, the two couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion.
After everyone had lunch, Xu Ziyi slung his baggage over his shoulder, clasped his fists at the three of them and said, "Brother Liu, I'm leaving it to you, master! I'll come back to see you. Everyone, take care!" He said goodbye to everyone solemnly, Grabbing the long sword in his hand, he turned and walked towards the distance. The store owner led the horse out and handed the rope to Xu Ziyi's hand. He led the horse for a few steps and then looked back at everyone.
Everyone waved goodbye to him. Xu Ziyi had mixed feelings in his heart. He waved a few times and finally turned around and got on the horse. He reined in the horse, looked back, and rode away. The sun was shining brightly, dragging a long figure on the ground. In front of it was the only way to Guanzhong.
Everyone watched him ride away quickly until his figure disappeared around the corner of the mountain road. Wearing a fluttering purple gown, the horse flashed past on the mountain road. Gradually, even the sound of horse hooves could no longer be heard.
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There were only three people left at the entrance of the inn, standing and looking at each other, and they did not leave for a long time. Xu Feng paid for the food and drinks and said to Liu Ruyan: "Let's go back to Zhongnan Mountain quickly. Everyone is still waiting." Then he turned to Gu Zhi and said, "Brother, let's rush to Zhongnan Mountain first. We live in a small town, and everyone is settled in the inn. I will take you to meet Chu Yunfei, a layman from Nanshan. Before we come to Huashan, he must invite you to get together in Zhongnan."
Gu Zhi looked at the direction Xu Ziyi was leaving and said with some sadness: "This kid has been following me since he was a child, and it has been twenty years. In the past twenty years, we have been together day and night, and have almost never been separated. This time he came down the mountain, and I felt really sad. It's not a good feeling." He sighed, "But I can't keep him by my side forever. He should have his own life. In fact, I have asked him to go down the mountain many times before this. This child is honest and kind, and he keeps chanting My nurturing grace will never come down the mountain no matter what. If you hadn’t gone up the mountain to pick me up to take me to Zhongnan, he would never have left under any circumstances." The sentimental look on his face became thicker, and the corners of his eyes no longer felt hung. With two tears. A gust of wind blew from the mountains, making this scene even more filled with unspeakable sadness.
Liu Ruyan took the reins from the store owner and said thoughtfully: "Second uncle, don't be too sad. Brother Xu is not an ungrateful person. He will definitely come back again."
Xu Feng said: "I can see that this child has a good heart and is very exciting. Now that he has achieved success in his studies, it is time for him to go to the world of martial arts to gain some experience. Brother, don't worry. I expect that this child will be great in time." As!"
Gu Zhi smiled unconsciously, waved his hands and said, "Ziyi is a pure natured person with little scheming. As long as he stays safe, I'll be relieved."
Everyone got on their horses and galloped towards the official road at the entrance of the village. The horses' hooves were tumbling, and soon they were running into the valley. The huge cliff hung high above their heads, like a screen, as if it was about to collapse at any time. The Silent Valley seems a bit desolate due to the lack of human presence. Beside the mountain road, there is a bush tangled with vines. It is lush and green, and the sun shines into the forest, casting mottled shadows.
The group of people galloped forward from the foot of the mountain, leaving Fengqiguan, and after running for dozens of miles, they reached the Zhongnan Mountains. The Xianrenju Town located under the Diecui Peak was the famous first town in Zhongnan. They had to arrive before dark, otherwise it would be difficult to get on the road as night fell. Gu Zhi was not in a hurry to hit the horse due to his leg disease, so Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan could only slow down their speed. Liu Ruyan ran behind Gu Zhi, always paying attention to his condition. Be careful of falling from your horse.
Xu Feng was worried, but he looked relaxed on his face. It had been almost a month since he came down the mountain, but he didn't know the situation of Hong Qin at the top. Before he left, he told his steward and his slaves that if there was an emergency, he would send a letter via flying pigeon, but after so many days, he did not receive any letter! He was really worried, but what worried him the most was Ma Xiaoyun, who had followed him around for twenty years. He had left without saying goodbye before, and he didn't know when he would come back. Will he return to Hongqinju? Thinking of years of brotherly love coming back to him?
The strong horse galloped and soon ran dozens of miles away. Fortunately, this journey was all through the canyon, which was not as difficult as the mountain road. It was already three quarters in the afternoon, and in three more hours, the sky would get dark, and not far ahead was the Phoenix Market. Fenghuang Market is the largest market within ten miles. It is lively and bustling, with all kinds of people gathering here. Various traders, porters, and people from all walks of life come and go, making this town full of fireworks.
After passing Fenghuangji, and walking another thirty miles, we will reach the small town of Xianrenju. In the Xianren Road Inn, Shangguan Hongqin and a group of people were having lunch. From time to time, she raised her head and looked towards the official road outside the inn, with anxious expectation in her eyes, but the person she was looking forward to did not appear. She was mentally calculating the time for their return trip, guessing it would be today!
