Just as Ji Ping'an used his "belt" to create a cage, a flying sword flew from the sachet to his opponent.
Inside the mansion.
There were screams and exclamations.
Han Bachi led his men into it, which immediately aroused a counterattack from the military men in the courtyard.
However, the whole night of feasting finally lowered their vigilance, and several minions were killed by the Tsing Yi Gang before they could react.
"Who?!" When the henchman rushed out of the house, he was only wearing a white undershirt, his hair was messy, he was holding a knife in his hand, and he subconsciously raised the rung.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
Several arrows shot in from outside, and his confidant hurriedly swung his knife to split two of them, but they were still hit, and blood bloomed on his shoulders.
His face changed drastically, and he twisted around to retreat, but a ghostly shadow pierced the air sea, and he fell down with wide eyes.
Han Bachi sheathed his knife, glanced coldly at the dancing girl hugging the quilt and screaming in fear on the bed in the room, then turned and left.
When they came to the courtyard, they saw that the shouts of killing gradually stopped, and there were lying corpses on the ground. Some people tried to leave over the wall, but were shot with crossbows by the gang members guarding outside.
"Master Ba, it's settled." The gangster Hong Guan came over with murderous intent and said, "There are still a group of ordinary people in the guest room."
Han Bachi said: "Ignore it. Order someone to take care of it first."
As long as the owner of Juxian Manor dies, the transaction will be automatically cancelled. This group of stewards and shopkeepers will avoid it and will not be stupid enough to wade into troubled waters.
But there is no guarantee of accidents.
The old Yin official waved his hand and ordered his gang to pack all the corpses on the ground into prepared sacks, load them into carriages at night, and throw them into the Hun River.
At the same time, cleaning up the traces and cleaning up the battlefield was much easier than expected.
After all, Wang Lun's visit to Beijing was to smoothen relations, not to kill.
Most of the masters still stayed in their places, and most of the subordinates they led were smart, so it was not difficult to deal with them.
The only one to worry about is Wang Lun.
A broken warrior who had been in power for many years was so troublesome that Han Bachi couldn't help but feel a little worried, and immediately led a team of killers armed with smuggled crossbows in the direction of the carriage's departure.
However, when a group of people arrived at that street.
What I saw was the scene after the battle:
The moonlight shines on the blue bricks of the long street.
A carriage rolled over on its side, the horse fell to the ground and shivered. The driver was lying on the ground, his back was pierced with a sharp weapon, and he maintained his escape attitude.
The pale-faced and beardless Wang Lun lay straight on the ground, with a blood hole on his forehead as big as an egg, with gurgling blood flowing out, and his eyes widened with reluctance and disbelief.
Ji Pingan, wearing a bamboo hat, stood nearby, flipping through the two booklets found in Wang Lun's arms.
He was calm and calm, with no trace of fighting at all, as if he was just a passerby on the way.
"See you, sir!" Han Bachi's heart was filled with fear, and he looked at Ji Ping'an with even more awe.
He had overestimated the opponent's strength, but he was still stimulated by this scene.
"Is the matter done?" Ji Ping'an closed the book in his hand and looked at him calmly.
Han Bachi nodded respectfully and narrated the process. Seeing the sword holder nod with satisfaction, he breathed out lightly and said again:
"Sir, there are many guests in that house, many of whom are related to officials in the city, but my subordinates have not eradicated them..."
This sentence is both a request for instructions and an expression that the follow-up may be troublesome.
When it comes to the death of a group of out-of-town gangsters, as long as the gang is cleaner, the government will most likely turn a blind eye.
But Juxian Village is different after all, and there are some official relationships behind it.
Once the court investigation is triggered, even the dark web will find it difficult. Han Bachi has even decided to order some people to leave the city to avoid the limelight after the incident is over.
Ji Ping'an shook his head and said:
"Don't worry about those people, there will be nothing wrong with the court."
Wang Lun's strength is indeed not weak, but with Ji Ping'an's trump card, it is not difficult to kill a martial artist. However, the pamphlets recovered from the opponent's body were somewhat interesting.
The first is evidence of transactions with imperial officials, and the second is related to the plan against Tingxuelou.
Since he wanted to repay the favor, of course he didn't just have to kill someone. This was just the beginning. He would have arrangements later, but when it came to officialdom, he couldn't use the power of the darknet.
As for Tingxue Tower... he asked: "Is the owner of Tingxue Tower in the city?"
When Han Bachi heard the sword holder saying that nothing would happen, he first breathed a sigh of relief, then was startled and said:
"exist."
He immediately reported the name of the inn.
Ji Pingan nodded and took note, put away the two booklets, and said calmly:
"You can send someone over to the Xiang brothers and sisters."
Han Bachi hurriedly bowed in response. When he raised his head, he was shocked to find that the sword holder had disappeared, leaving only two corpses on the ground in the cold street.
Old Yinguan straightened up and said:
"Put these two bodies into the car and take them away to sink them."
The darknet killers behind him hurriedly responded and looked at each other, seeing the shock in everyone's hearts.
Master Ba has been in charge of the underground world of Shendu for many years. What kind of person is he? Why be so groveling to a young man?
…
Inside the inn.
Xiang Xiaochuan slowly exhaled and woke up from his meditation.
Feeling the full power in the Qi Sea, perseverance and determination appeared in the young man's eyes.
He stood up silently, without holding a lamp, and put on his night clothes in the darkness.
And take the wiped saber and the prepared poison needle with you.
After getting ready, he tiptoed to the door and slowly opened the door.
Then he was stunned and saw a girl in a red and black sarong sitting on the ground at the door, with her back pressed against the doorpost and her arms hugging her knees.
Hearing the voice, Xiang Yiyi raised her head, her face was haggard, and she looked at him quietly with her dark and sad eyes.
"Are you leaving?" The girl was silent for a moment and asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
Xiang Xiaochuan nodded.
Xiang Yiyi thought for a while and said:
"I know I can't persuade you, and I shouldn't, and I won't act as a scapegoat for you. I just want to say, if you can't do something, just give up. There will be more opportunities in the future."
After a pause, her eyes suddenly turned red and she said:
"If you don't come back, I will hide it with Uncle Hong so that they won't find it."
Xiang Xiaochuan's nose felt sore.
He realized that his younger sister might have already guessed the risks of his trip, but people in the world should be more sensible.
Perhaps during these days, the girl took him to watch martial arts performances and awards, and looked for delicious food everywhere. It was because she had a premonition of the separation of life and death.
So I want to be happier in the last period of my life.
But he didn't seem to appreciate it. No matter whether he was in the Zangjian Restaurant or Baidi Liuan, he always kept a straight face and failed to accompany her for a good trip.
Thinking that after this scene, it might be a farewell, this young man who was burdened with a blood feud and under great pressure felt his heart soften and began to think about retreating.
But this thought only appeared for a moment, and he stopped it abruptly.
"Okay." The word rolled out of Xiang Xiaochuan's throat, and he walked downstairs with decisive steps and the solemnity of dying.
Not wanting the latter to see the tears in the corner of his eyes, he put aside life and death and devoted himself to killing the enemy with his own blood.
The door to the next door opened, and the old servant, holding a short knife on his back, silently watched him leave.
However, just when the atmosphere was brewing, suddenly several strange green-shirted guests walked out of the inn and stopped in front of Xiang Xiaochuan:
"Master Xiang, stay here."
Xiang Xiaochuan was startled and pressed the handle of the knife on his lower back nervously.
The latter hurriedly said:
"Don't get me wrong, our brothers have no ill intentions. We are just sending you something for others."
Several people spread their hands to indicate that they did not carry sharp blades. They only held two square wooden boxes and placed them on the ground. Then they cupped their hands and turned around to leave.
Xiang Xiaochuan was stunned, this unfolding was unexpected to him.
Xiang Yiyi and Hong Bo also ran downstairs. The three of them looked at each other with great confusion.
With a strange mood, he finally picked up the wooden box and returned to the room. He checked it through the box based on his experience and confirmed that it was not a hidden weapon.
Then I carefully opened the first box.
"Ah!" the short girl exclaimed, covering her mouth violently, her eyes widening.
I saw a white-faced and beardless head in the box. Was it not the enemy Wang Lun or who else?
"This..." Xiang Xiaochuan couldn't believe it. His first thought was not surprise, but confusion.
Things were so weird that the doubts in my heart suppressed the joy of getting revenge.
Uncle Hong was still older, so he immediately took action, carefully inspected the head and face, and said excitedly:
"Master, Miss... there is no trace of the disguise. It seems... it is really the thief."
The owner of Juxian Village? Just die?
Those people came here just to give this gift? But who helped them?
This is the leader of a powerful force in the world, and he can defeat all five warriors...
Xiang Xiaochuan felt unreal for a while, feeling surprised, dazed, confused, and empty... countless emotions surged through him, and he didn't know whether to cry or laugh for a moment.
"Brother, you don't have to go, he is dead, and someone has avenged us." Xiang Yiyi's tears rolled down, and they were tears of excitement.
Hong Bo reminded:
"Master, there is another box."
Xiang Xiaochuan woke up as if from a dream, and hurriedly opened the second one, and then the three of them fell into a daze again.
Inside the box were several jade vases containing elixirs, as well as dried treasures from heaven and earth, which were all top-quality medicinal materials for tempering a martial artist's body.
It was worth a lot of money, not to mention that they were now so poor that even when Xiangjiabao was still there, they couldn't afford these.
The great revenge is avenged, and treasures are delivered to the door... just like a dream.
"There is another letter." Xiang Xiaochuan picked up a folded page of paper in the box and opened it. There were only three sentences on it.
The main idea of the previous sentence is that the owner of Juxian Villa and all the gang members in the city have been killed.
The last sentence left an address, saying that if you still need it, you can go there and explain, and someone will help.
The last sentence has only four words:
"My debt has been paid."
Xiang Xiaochuan and Hong Bo looked at each other and saw each other's confusion:
"Debt? Who owes our family's debt? That's why we helped?"
But they thought hard and couldn't figure out where they could have such connections in their family.
Only the short girl stared blankly at the words "My debt has been paid" and suddenly thought of something.
He hurriedly pulled out the red rope from his neck, holding the simple and shabby jade-shaped pendant, and an idea flashed in his mind.
A guess couldn't help but arise.
And at this moment, as if to confirm her suspicion, the surface of the jade medal flashed dimly, as if all its strength had been exhausted, it shattered with a "click".
Xiang Yiyi's eyes were filled with tears. She faced the astonished gazes of her brother and old servant and said:
"It's a favor left by my grandfather, and the big man is returning the favor..."
She babbled.
The young hero and the old servant were stunned on the spot, with only one thought in their minds:
It turns out that the legend passed down by the family from generation to generation is true.
…
…
There is another inn in Dongcheng, which is reserved by Tingxue Tower. The elegantly decorated inn is quietly lit at night.
There is a pear tree planted in the courtyard of the inn, and the tree crown extends to the second floor. The owner of Tingxue House is sitting in front of the carved wooden window, looking out at the night sky hanging on the tree crown, feeling a little lost.
She was not veiled.
Under the light of the lamp on the round table, there was a rather stunning face.
Her mature aura, coupled with her tall figure and well-cultivated temperament, exudes an aura that is different from that of a noble lady from a divine city or a practitioner.
"Owner."
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a young female hero walked in, carrying a knitted bag at her waist and a row of sharp flying knives stuck in it.
Behind the head is a high ponytail, tied with a red headband, bold and lively.
Before anyone could even walk in, a "poster" was suddenly thrown out.
Tingxue Louzhu came to his senses, turned to look at the young heroine, his eyes lit up, and he said:
"Hongying, how's the matter?"
The heroine named Hongying looked down and said with some frustration:
"It's not good. Those officials are not willing to contact us at all, even if we use money or connections."
After a pause, she said angrily:
"In my opinion, it must be the fault of the people in Juxian Village."
Juxian Manor... When the owner of Tingxue Building heard this, his eyes dimmed, and unexpected bitterness surged in his heart.
In the past few years, the friction between the two factions has become more and more intense. Many businesses in Tingxue Tower have been occupied by the other party, and they have fought more than once.
In terms of cohesion and force, they are not bad.
It's just that Juxian Village is willing to spend a lot of money and accept anyone.
Correspondingly, the selection of disciples of Tingxuelou Sect is extremely strict, and the number of people cannot match the number.
Coupled with the fact that the other party colluded with the government, Tingxuelou's life became increasingly difficult.
"That's all. There are many factions in the court. There are dragons and tigers hiding in this city. Wang Lun is far from being able to cover the sky with one hand. Let's find another way." She comforted.
Hongying sat on a round stool, her ponytail hanging down listlessly, and said:
"But we can't get along."
At any time, the most difficult thing about giving a gift is never the gift itself, but finding someone who can connect with you and make the other party dare to accept the gift.
Although Jingzhong is a big place, they, a group of martial arts people from Lanzhou, had their only connections cut off, so where else could they go?
"Lord, why don't you go to Qintian Prison and try it? Everyone says..." Hongying suddenly tried.
Tingxue Louzhu’s pretty face sank and said:
"It's just a rumor from outsiders. Do you take it seriously?"
Hongying spoke quickly:
"But it's not false. The first-generation building master did have an old relationship with the Imperial Master. Although the Great Zhou Imperial Master is gone, the Qintian Prison is still there. As long as you look for it, those big shots don't look at the monk's face and look at the Buddha's face. It's better than us. It’s better to bump around like a fly on the head.”
She mumbled and talked a lot, Tingxue Louzhu frowned, as if she was in a tangle.
After a long time, he sighed softly and said with a wry smile:
"It's not that I don't want to, it's just that you have to do it accurately."
The reason why there are rumors in the world that this sect is related to the national master is not proven.
But it is said that the Imperial Master traveled to Lanzhou in the past and told the local officials that Tingxue Tower could be taken care of appropriately.
And in fact, although the sect is not close to the government, it has indeed not been at odds with the government for many years.
After all, no matter which official takes office and learns about the rumor, whether it is true or false, there is no need to risk offending the Great Zhou Imperial Master by targeting a relatively low-key martial arts sect.
It is better to believe that it exists than to believe that it does not exist.
However, there are indeed relevant records in the sect. The first generation owner of the sect did know the national master.
But more detailed records have been lost in hundreds of years of history.
First, there is no evidence, and second, there is no token...
Now that the Imperial Master had passed away much earlier, at this time, she had the audacity to approach Qin Tianjian... No matter how she thought about it, she felt it was unreliable.
In particular, there is another layer of worry:
As the saying goes, the light goes out after death. If we talk about the local officials in the past, they would still have some scruples.
But in recent years, this halo has become increasingly weak, which is one of the reasons why Juxian Village can easily invade their territory.
If she didn't go looking for him, the big shots in Qintian Prison wouldn't bother to pay attention to these rumors, but if she did, they wouldn't admit it.
As the news spreads, Tingxuelou's situation will undoubtedly become more difficult.
"Okay, you go back to your room and rest first, I'll think about it again."
Tingxue Louzhu held his forehead, unable to conceal the tiredness on his face.
Seeing this, Hongying said "yes" and left silently.
…
The door was closed, and when only the host was left alone again, this woman who was on the beauty list looked out the window at the bright moon.
Bewildered.
The tall figure only shows the weakness of a woman when no one is around.
The world is treacherous. For a sect formed by female heroes to survive, one can imagine how difficult it is. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is "all-out".
Over the years, countless people, including the owner of Juxian Manor, have been covetous of her beauty, consciously or unconsciously.
She has been supporting her with all her strength, but now she is finally unable to do so.
"Alas." Looking at the bright moon outside the window, she sighed softly, and then heard a strange voice coming from behind:
"It seems that Tingxuelou's life has not been easy these years."
"who!?"
The sound was extremely abrupt.
Tingxue's scalp was numb at first, and he didn't know when the other party quietly sneaked into the room.
Then, he instinctively put his right hand on his waist, picked up several silver needles with his slender fingertips, raised his wrist and shot them out.
"Ding! Ding!"
In the sound of metal collision, the silver needle was bounced off and hit the wooden pillar of the inn, like rain hitting a banana, revealing a dense patch of pinholes.
Tingxue Louzhu turned around and finally saw the person clearly:
A strange young man wearing an ordinary short shirt and bamboo hat sat quietly at the brown round table, holding a tea bowl in his right hand.
At this moment, he slowly put down the blue and white teacup and looked at her with a little admiration:
"Lack of alertness, but acceptable reflexes."
The female landlord felt a shiver in her heart. She slipped a flying knife out of her sleeve and held it in her palm. She stared at the uninvited guest warily:
"Your Excellency is..."
"Don't be nervous." Ji Ping'an looked calm and said:
"I've taken the liberty to visit you as a gift."
Tingxue Louzhu was suspicious, but he did not notice the murderous intention. His slender eyebrows furrowed:
"thing?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the other party throwing over a thin book.
She raised her hand to take it, opened it casually and glanced at it. She didn't notice anything at first, but the next second, her pupils shrank suddenly and her face suddenly became solemn.
He pinched the corners of the paper with his fingers and opened them one by one.
Ji Ping'an didn't interrupt and poured a glass of water on his own.
After a while, the female host raised her head, still wary, but her tone was much more respectful:
"May I ask your Excellency, where did you get this booklet?"
On it, there are impressive records of some of the industries under the sect's jurisdiction and the records of bribes taken by the "agents" therein.
Every word sent shivers down her spine, and she broke out in a cold sweat. She didn't know whether it was true or not.
Ji Ping'an said: "Wang Lun of Juxian Village."
Sure enough, it was him... The female building owner's heart sank: "He..."
"He's dead." Ji Ping'an said as if he could see through her thoughts.
Dead... dead!
Tingxue Louzhu was startled at first, and then suspected that he had heard wrongly.
That enemy with a cunning mind and outstanding martial arts skills who loomed over her like a ray of light was actually dead?
It is clear that I have seen this person at the Grand Viewpoint during the day.
"How is that possible?!" she lost her voice.
Ji Ping'an looked calm, took a sip of water, and said the most horrifying words in the calmest tone:
"Master Juxian, all the dozens of gang members who came to the capital this time have been executed. You can find out tomorrow. This book was found on his corpse. It may be of some use to you."
After speaking, he saw to his surprise that the woman opposite looked dazed and unable to speak.
It was clear that just now, she and Hongying were still worried about the situation of the sect, and felt powerless.
But in the blink of an eye, a mysterious man told him that the powerful enemy he faced was dead, and without the leader Wang Lun, the power of Juxian Village was greatly damaged.
It was enough to get Tingxue Tower out of crisis.
As for this booklet, it helps her eliminate the evil spirits... As for the authenticity, this book is an excellent proof.
"Why..." There was confusion in her eyes, and suddenly she seemed to think of something, and tentatively asked:
"Could it be that your Excellency is from... Qintian Prison?"
There are two reasons to support her guess.
First, the method of sneaking in without the other party knowing it is definitely beyond the capabilities of a martial artist.
It's more like the style of a magic practitioner.
Second, she racked her brains, and the only force she could think of that had the ability and motivation to do this in the capital city was Qin Tianjian.
Ji Ping'an didn't give an answer, just smiled.
The female host only regarded him as his "acquiescence". She had mixed feelings in her heart and was speechless for a moment.
It wasn't until Ji Pingan stood up and was about to leave that she said anxiously:
"Please stay!"
Ji Ping'an turned around and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Tingxue Louzhu took a deep breath and said sincerely:
"Can you please tell me what the relationship between the Imperial Master of the Zhou Dynasty and our faction is?"
Ji Ping'an looked slightly strange: "You don't know?"
Tingxue Louzhu smiled bitterly and shook her head. Everyone felt that she should know.
But the fact is that martial arts sects are not as good as the big sects, and it is not easy to maintain the inheritance.
Many old things are easily lost.
For example, if a leader dies unexpectedly, like Wang Lun, the sect below will face the crisis of falling apart.
The legacy of Tingxue Tower is quite long-lasting in the world.
She said bitterly:
"To be honest with you, there are only a few words left in the building, but the details have been lost."
While speaking, she suddenly walked aside, took out a book from her bag, and said:
"After entering Beijing, I saw that the biography of the Imperial Master was on sale in the "Yuanqing Ceremony". I bought it and searched carefully, but I couldn't find any words about I Tingxuelou."
Ji Ping'an felt a little strange when he looked at the correct biography.
While Tingxue Louzhu was stroking the book, he spied on the man in the bamboo hat from the corner of his eye. Seeing the other person's hesitation, he became more and more excited.
As the first poster in charge of the sect, how can you not care about the history of the sect?
It's just that I have been searching hard in the past, but I have never been able to find any clues. Now I unexpectedly encounter a strong man who seems to have a background in Qin Tianjian, and I don't want to let it go.
She cupped her fists and raised her hands, her face full of sincerity:
"I beg your Excellency to inform me. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. I will never hesitate to ask you for help in the future."
After all, Tingxue Tower has been operating in Lanzhou for hundreds of years, and the foundation is still there.
She was confident that even the big shots in Qin Tian Prison would need local cowards like them if they left the capital city and entered the world.
Although Ji Ping'an was not very interested in this, seeing the longing eyes of the other party, he fell silent for a moment, sighed softly, sat down, and said:
"The Imperial Master... has nothing to do with your sect, but we are old acquaintances with the founder of your sect."
really!
Tingxue's eyes lit up and he also sat down, as if listening.
Then I heard the man in the hat say:
"Do you still know the true identity of the first generation landlord?"
Tingxue Louzhu shook his head hesitantly and said:
"It is only recorded that the founder is a strange woman from the rivers and lakes, with a mysterious origin and strong martial arts. She calls herself 'Tingxue', so she founded our sect."
Ji Ping'an seemed to smile: "So, you don't know her real name either."
"Real... name?"
"That's right," Ji Ping'an picked up the blue and white teacup again, but his eyes fell on the "Biography of the Imperial Master" on the table, and said:
"The National Master has experienced countless things in his life, but not many of them involve the world. But if you mention the real name of the founder of your sect, you should know that her real name is 'Xue Ji'."
Xue Ji... Hearing these two words, the female host was startled for a moment, then blurted out:
"Hundreds of years ago, the witch of the Four Saints of Jianghu, Xue Ji?"
Of course she had heard of this name.
Not only did he briefly appear in the "Biography of the Imperial Master", he was also recorded in Jianghu.
She said as if recalling:
"In the past, the king of the previous dynasty was ignorant, and the whole world was fighting against him. There were turmoils in the rivers and lakes. Among them, there was a big force called the Four Holy Sect. Its leader was extremely powerful, not inferior to the famous sects. Although he followed the path of martial arts, he was A magical skill.
"Under the banner of the rebels, he practices demonic things and is notorious. He is also classified as a 'devil' by the decent sect. The so-called saints in the sect are also 'witches' and 'witches' in the mouth of the decent..."
She picked up the book, quickly turned to a certain page, and said:
"Biography records that in the past, the armies of the God Emperor and the National Preceptor also clashed with the forces of Jianghu. The Four Holy Sects were eventually destroyed by the Zhou army and completely disappeared from history. And Xue Ji is this demon sect. The witch was once an enemy of the Imperial Preceptor, but it is mentioned briefly in this book, and the record is unknown."
Ji Ping'an picked up the cup, took a sip, and then sighed:
"A single brushstroke in history books hides thousands of intentions. Not to mention these trivial matters?"
The female landlord said doubtfully:
"Does your Excellency know this secret? You said that the founder of our sect is a demon sect witch. This...please explain more clearly, how can the national master become an enemy of him? How can a martial arts sect be capable of rivaling the national master? ?”
She leaned forward, clutching the biography tightly, with strong confusion in her voice.
If I asked just now, it was just with the mentality of understanding the history.
Now, she found out that Tingxuelou, who claimed to be a well-known and upright family, actually came from the Demon Cult, which was undoubtedly hard for her to accept.
Ji Ping'an gently put down the cup, was silent for a moment, and then said:
"Back then, the Four Holy Sect was indeed a difficult enemy. Even the national master... was once imprisoned by it. Oh, there is no need to be surprised. After all, no one is strong from the beginning."
"I would like to hear the details." Tingxue Louzhu looked serious.
Ji Ping'an was silent for a moment, as if he was organizing his words:
"This matter starts from that winter, when a small team led by the young National Preceptor was defeated by the branch of the Four Holy Cults..."
…
ps: I'm stuck. I'm mainly hesitating whether to write this background story, and whether to write it in detail or in brief. After all, three of the protagonist's "old lovers" have appeared... Moreover, every time a new character is introduced, a place must be left in the subsequent outline... I want to hear everyone's opinions, whether to not write it or to write it briefly like Xu Yuanyun. , or write in detail like Liuli Bodhisattva...
(End of chapter)
