The night is dark, the lights are dim, the stars are rising, and the Xianrenju Inn is still crowded with diners.
Liu Ruyan ate happily but drank very little wine. Luo Xiangxue was on the contrary. She didn't eat the food and just drank one glass after another. Liu Ruyan tried to persuade her to drink less several times, but she was unhappy about using the wine. I can't help but listen to his kind words and advice. She just poured the wine to each other and drank it down without moving her chopsticks. Liu Ruyan ate the food alone, which was a bit boring. After a few licks to fill her stomach, she actually started drinking wine with her. Both of them looked preoccupied. It was so dark outside the window that they couldn't see their fingers, and the red candlelight under the eaves seemed unable to illuminate their moods, which were darker than the night.
Not long after, the two pots of wine on the table were almost empty. Luo Xiangxue was already drinking too much. At this moment, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were blurred, and she felt hot in her face and throat. She was still trying to persuade Liu Ruyan to drink. She saw Looking at Liu Ruyan, her vision gradually blurred, and she muttered: "Brother Liu, drink, come on, let's keep drinking, we have to... or we won't get back drunk! Haha!" She raised the wine bottle and pointed it at the glass in front of her. I wanted to fill it up, but I started gently and shook it. There was no sound in the pot. It was obvious that there was not much left. A string of fragrant wine dripped into the cup.
Luo Xiangxue poured half a cup of fine wine down her throat and hurriedly called to the store: "Waiter... Waiter, serve the wine quickly!" Liu Ruyan hurriedly waved to stop and shouted: "That's it, don't serve any more wine! Waiter, pay the bill. "After that, he took out a five-coin silver ingot from his arms and put it on the table. The waiter trotted over, nodded and bowed, took the money and left with a smile.
The night was getting darker, the cold wind was biting, and a horse neighed outside the window. With a shout, the two horsemen reined in and stopped at the gate.
The waiter hurried forward to greet them. Liu Ruyan looked over there with blazing eyes, and saw an old man and a young girl. The old man had gray hair and was wearing a gray robe, but the girl was wearing a purple dress and had a slender figure. The girl whispered softly: "Dad, do you think Brother Liu and the others should be back?"
The old man said: "Brother Liu went up the mountain to look for me because he was worried about me. I finally saw him right." He had a kind smile on his face, full of joy.
The old and the young were none other than Chu Yunfei and his daughter Chu Menghua. The two hurriedly stepped into the lobby and glanced at the diners in the hall. Liu Ruyan glanced at the father and daughter and hurriedly stood up and waved to them: "Master, junior sister, you are finally back."
Menghua heard the news and went to see Liu Ruyan and Luo Xiangxue. She immediately smiled and waved to them and called: "Brother Liu, Miss Luo, you are indeed in the store!" She held Chu Yunfei's hand. Go to the table for two.
Chu Yunfei also looked at them with a smile and said, "When did you come back?" Menghua helped Chu Yunfei sit down at the table.
Liu Ruyan said: "Master, I didn't see you when I came back yesterday. I asked Hua Mei that you went to the mountain and Uncle Xu's family was anxious to leave, so I went up the mountain to look for you. I searched all over Wolong Valley but couldn't find you. , Disciple was worried that you were in danger. Later, Xiangmei also came up the mountain, and we went to Qixia Valley to look for you..." Before he finished speaking, the color on Chu Yunfei's face suddenly changed, and he frowned deeply, as if thinking of Two what.
Luo Xiangxue noticed the strange color on Chu Yunfei's face, glanced at Liu Ruyan again, and said hurriedly: "Uncle, you are all hungry. Eat something quickly!" She smiled slightly at Chu Menghua, and Menghua also He smiled, but there was just a hint of awkwardness.
Liu Ruyan asked the waiter to bring two pairs of bowls and chopsticks, and ordered three more dishes, all of which Chu Yunfei and Menghua liked to eat. The four of them ate quietly. No one said a word during the meal, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little dull. Chu Yunfei, in particular, kept his brows furrowed and his face full of sorrow, while Menghua on the side looked at the three of them with bright eyes.
Liu Ruyan finally couldn't help but break the silence, looked at Chu Yunfei and asked with concern: "Master, did you and Hua Mei go to see Uncle Xu's family off? Did something happen?"
Luo Xiangxue and Chu Menghua looked at each other with surprise on their faces.
After a long while, Chu Yunfei said slowly: "Let's eat first, Yan'er. You can come to the woods outside in a while. Master will be waiting for you there." After saying that, he poured a glass of wine into his throat and stood up slowly. Walking towards the door, Menghua was startled, and hurriedly stood up to follow, but was stopped by Chu Yunfei with a wave of his hand.
Menghua's face was full of doubts. She stared at her father's leaving figure, then turned to look at Liu Ruyan and Luo Xiangxue. Liu Ruyan said: "Huamei, Xiangmei, you wait here, I'll go take a look." ." His expression was solemn, as if he had guessed that what the master was going to say to him was extraordinary.
Liu Ruyan stood up and walked out of the store, his figure disappearing into the darkness, the wind roared, and an ominous premonition arose in his mind. The abnormal demeanor of the master just now made him feel uneasy. Chu Yunfei quickly stepped into a maple forest. The dark forest was empty. He had his hands behind his back, his expression was serious, and he seemed to be full of sadness. Liu Ruyan saw the master's back standing in the cold wind from a distance. His back was no longer as straight as before and looked slightly stooped. The night wind blew the skirt of his clothes fluttering, but he looked quietly into the distance, motionless.
Liu Ruyan came and stood behind him: "Master, if you have anything to say, please tell this disciple?" He stared at Chu Yun's slim figure, the once great stature no longer existed.
Chu Yunfei remained motionless. After a long time, he slowly turned around and faced Liu Ruyan. In the darkness, he could not clearly see the expression on his face. He only heard him say in a deep voice: " Yan'er, I can't help you, my teacher!" He spoke slowly and softly, as if he was slightly choking. He stretched out his hand to hold Liu Ruyan's arm, and sighed quietly, "Twenty years ago, my sworn brother handed you into my hands, but your parents were killed by evil hands. After all, I was a step too late. About you The whereabouts of my sister, and even though I have been asking around for so many years, there is no news. Your father entrusted you two brothers and sisters to me in the letter, but I can't let you brothers and sisters reunite. Well, I am really ashamed of myself. Brother-in-law!" He said, his hand holding Liu Ruyan trembling slightly. In the darkness, he reached into his arms and groped for a while. I took out two small items, but I couldn't tell what they were.
Liu Ruyan was surprised when he saw the master's behavior, and even a little nervous. He seemed to have expected that what the master was going to tell him would not be good news. He wanted to ask, and wanted to know impatiently, but he did not dare to ask. .
In the darkness, Chu Yunfei handed two yellow-covered letters to him and said in a low voice: "These are two letters. One was left by your father back then, and the other was given to me by your Uncle Xu when he returned. , take a look for yourself, you will understand everything after reading it.”
Liu Ruyan took it with both hands. He couldn't see clearly in the dark night. He fumbled with the yellow paper and found that the master's body temperature was still on the thin and rough envelope. He felt excited and warm in his heart. He knew that these two letters must have something about the Liu family. The secret of the Zhuang tragedy.
He couldn't wait to take it apart and take a look. Chu Yunfei suddenly said slowly: "Yan'er, I didn't fulfill your father's instructions before he died. I'm sorry for your parents! I'm afraid that my body is getting weaker and weaker. I'm afraid I can't help you." To fulfill your wish, you must find your little sister and find out the real culprit to avenge the tragic deaths of your parents. My child, leave here tomorrow and do what you should do!" He held Liu Ruyan's hand. His hand, his palm was thin but strong, as if a huge force spread throughout Liu Ruyan's body.
Liu Ruyan felt a fiery, warm and sad feeling in his heart. His throat seemed to be blocked by something, and he said firmly: "Master, I kneel down to thank you for your upbringing and teaching. You must take care of me! Treat your disciple well." I will settle this grudge and come back to serve you! No matter where I go, I will never forget the kindness of my master!" After that, he knelt down in front of Chu Yunfei and bowed his head heavily in thanks.
Chu Yunfei hurriedly helped him stand up and said solemnly: "Yan'er, you have to remember that no matter what happens, you must think twice before acting. If you are not sure about dealing with the enemy, you must try to protect your own safety. Don't act rashly!"
"Disciple knows, master, don't worry. Disciple will definitely remember your instructions. However, I am worried that you are not in good health. Disciple will not be around to take care of you. You and Hua Mei must be well. Disciple I will come back soon to fulfill my filial piety for you." Two lines of hot tears fell from the corners of Liu Ruyan's eyes.
Chu Yunfei said: "Now that your uncle Xu has returned to Hongqinju, Hua'er and I will go back to Wolong Valley tomorrow to build a room. We will wait for you to come back. You don't have to worry about me. Master wishes you immediate success!" He He patted Liu Ruyan on the shoulder and walked straight towards the inn.
Liu Ruyan stood blankly for a long time, with thoughts swirling in his heart. He put the letter in his arms and hurried back.
It was late at night and all the diners in the hall had dispersed. Liu Ruyan closed the door tightly and hurriedly opened a letter and read it carefully: "My dear nephew Liu Xian, I deeply sympathize with you for your miserable life experience. You have studied martial arts diligently under your sworn brother since childhood. Now you have mastered martial arts. I discussed with my sworn brother that it is time to tell you the truth. I was entrusted by my sworn brother to send spies to get clues about your enemy. This person is living in seclusion. In the Qixia Valley of Zhongnan Mountain, your enemy is called Luo Lin. He is the real culprit behind the murder of your parents and dozens of people in Liujiazhuang. His purpose is to snatch the "Bian Que Medical Classics" passed down by your family. This book It was indeed hidden by your ancestors. Your father and mother had no martial arts skills. Dozens of servants resisted desperately, and eventually they all died tragically. The medical scripture also disappeared, and it must have been taken away by the enemy. This news should be conclusive. , you quickly go to Qixia Valley in Zhongnan Mountain to seek revenge on him! Xu Feng."
After Liu Ruyan read the letter, his mind suddenly exploded. The Qixia Valley mentioned in the letter was the home of He Luo Xiangxue! That emerald green bamboo forest, that blue lake, and the letter said that his enemy was named Luo Lin, and Xiangxue was also named Luo. He suddenly thought of a terrible situation. Could it be that Luo Xiangxue had something to do with Luo Lin? He even thought of a more terrifying situation: Xiangxue was the only family in that green bamboo forest. The more he thought about it, the more doubtful he became, and the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became. However, even though she and Luo Xiangxue have been together for a long time, she has never asked her parents' names.
He was lying on the bed tossing and turning, closing his eyes and then opening them again. His mind was in turmoil. He thought of the past years, the time when he was with his parents and sisters when he was a child. He only felt the pain in his heart. Thinking about my unknown future, I feel confused.
