Chapter Sixty-Four: Giant Sail Ship
As the boat sailed south, the scenery along the shore was breathtaking.
Zhang Ji stood on the bow of the boat with a heavy heart. Xiao Ruo stepped forward and said, "What else is there to worry about?" Zhang Jidao said, "Based on this map alone, we will go out to sea rashly. I really don't know if we can find Paradise Island..." Xiao Ruo said, "We can definitely find it. Yes. Zhao Nan and his team have tried every possible means to collect this map, and now that it is given to you, aren't they just trying to use your hands to get rid of the masters in the White Lotus Sect, and then reap the benefits? It's because of Zhao Nan's calculating ability. , there is no reason why we can’t find it.”
Zhang Ji nodded and said: "That's true. With Zhao An's ability, he was able to find the Futon Cave before, and now he will definitely be able to find the location of the Paradise Island. But..." He paused again.
Xiao Ruo then said: "It's just that your sworn brother Chu Jianghan and Miss Shen are with Master Shang, so you are still worried, right?" Zhang Jidao: "Yes, I'm really afraid that he will be bewitched by Shang and help the tyrants to do evil. , it will really lead to a big mistake."
Xiao Ruo smiled and said: "Since you brothers can be sworn brothers with him, you can naturally trust his character. He will never do anything evil, so you can rest assured." Zhang Ji listened. He smiled and said, "That's right, I'm worrying too much."
It was cold winter and the river was calm. Even if there were occasional waves, the fishermen were skillful in maneuvering the boat and could always turn danger into safety. He raised another triangular sail and caught the north wind, moving as fast as an arrow. In a few days, it merged into the Yuejiang River.
The two sides of the bank were gentle and the river was wider. At night, Zhang and Ji went into the cabin to rest, leaving only the fishermen to operate the boat.
In the middle of the night, he gradually heard the surging river in the distance and vaguely heard human voices. Zhang Ji woke up Xiaoruo and hurriedly went out of the cabin to ask.
The fisherman came forward and said, "There is a fleet behind us. It looks like it is going to dock for the night." Xiao Ruo asked, "Is there a fleet on this river?" The fisherman said, "Since Zheng He made several voyages to the west, After the sea route was opened up, my Ming Dynasty maritime business continued year after year."
Zhang Jidao: "Where did the sea fleet come from at this time of year?" Xiao Ruo also said: "Yes, there won't be such a big merchant ship at this time of year. Why don't we follow quietly and take a closer look." As she said this, she pulled Pulling Zhang Ji's lapel.
At that moment, several people turned off the lights and quietly approached the shore. Only the fisherman was left to stop the boat and moor the rope. Zhang and Ji moved along the river bank.
On a gentle shoal, four or five large ships were docked one after another. Looking at it through the night, the ship was about several feet high and more than ten feet long, with an extraordinary appearance.
Zhang and Ji approached secretly and saw a man standing on top of the lead ship in the middle to command. After a while, the ships were moored one after another, a total of six ships in front and behind.
Xiao Ruo whispered: "Looking at this posture, it doesn't look like an official ship." Zhang Jidao: "But if it weren't for the government, who else could build such a big ship?"
The two of them were wondering when suddenly a loud voice from above the deck said: "Thank you for your hard work, Gang Leader Ren!" The man in command laughed a few times and said: "Whatever the senior said, it's all the responsibility of our Haisha Gang." made."
Haisha Gang? Zhang Ji was even more puzzled: Back then, he had killed most of the backbone leaders of the Haisha Gang who had done all kinds of evil with just one punch. How could the Haisha Gang be able to build such a huge ship now that it was resurrected? Could it be that the Haisha Gang started some shady business in the Lingnan area and became bigger again? With this doubt in his mind, he was already very angry. He took Xiao Ruo's hand, jumped onto the ship, hid in the dark and listened carefully.
But under the torch, I saw the Iron Hand Taoist and a middle-aged man standing on the bow of the boat talking to each other. The middle-aged man must be the leader of the Haisha Gang.
Taoist Tie Shou said: "This time, the heroes of the world have followed the orders of leader Zhao and went south to track down the demon sect. If they succeed, the first contribution to the elimination of evil in the martial arts world will go to the Haisha Gang and Gang Leader Ren."
The gang leader Ren waved his hands and said: "The Haisha Gang has been in defeat since the death of my late father. After Ren Feng took over as gang leader, he determined to change what his father did during his lifetime and promote our Haisha Gang in the martial arts world to appease his ancestors." Master, my spirit is in heaven. This time I can do my best for the Central Plains martial arts world. It is also the opportunity given to me by my senior and Alliance Leader Zhao. Ren Fengzi should keep it in mind."
Taoist Iron Hand pointed at the giant ships in front of him and said, "Where did Gang Leader Ren come from? Looking at the world of martial arts, the only ones with such skill are Xianyun Village and Haisha Gang." Ren Feng replied: "If my younger brother hadn't established a friendship with the government, so that he could take on the job of guarding the imperial court and overseas trade, I wouldn't have been able to accumulate such a fortune in another three lifetimes with my humble deeds."
Zhang and Ji heard everything clearly, and while they were calculating, they saw Tang Shaojie walking out of the cabin again, shouting loudly: "You two stop talking, Alliance Leader Zhao has invited you!" Taoist Iron Hand and Ren Feng heard the words and entered. into the cabin.
Zhang Ji pulled Xiaoruo, jumped to the shore, walked quietly away, and then spoke.
Xiao Ruo said happily: "It seems that Zhao An and his gang are waiting on this boat. It's a good idea. We don't have to go to sea alone." Zhang Ji also said: "It's best. Let's go to sea on their big ship."
The two discussed it and returned to the fishing boat. Zhang Ji took out the gold, gave it all to the fisherman and his wife, and sent them back overnight. He changed clothes with the fisherman and his wife, pretended to be servants, and dived to the big boat at the back overnight, looking far away from the lead boat where Zhao An and others were.
That night, the two got on the big ship and slept there for half the night. In the middle of the night, the horn on the lead ship sounded to urge the expedition, and then the five large ships lined up in sequence and set off along the river.
The big ship that Zhang Ji and his two men were on was ranked third, and was headed by Taoist priest Xuanhe of the Qingcheng faction. On the giant ship, in addition to the Qingcheng disciples led by Taoist Master Xuanhe, there were also disciples from the Haisha Gang. The two of them pretended to be servants of the Haisha Gang who were serving food and drink. They observed in secret and roughly understood the structure and layout of the ship. They also saw that Taoist Master Xuanhe was tall and heroic, and they secretly admired him.
The sky cleared, and six large ships lined up in a mighty formation and sailed down the river. At noon, they gradually entered the sea. The two sides of the river were even more open. As far as the eye could see, there was an endless expanse of blue, which made me feel relaxed and happy.
Zhang Ji whispered to Xiao Ruo: "You haven't seen such a scene, have you?" Xiao Ruo smiled and said: "I grew up in the mountains and countryside, so I can't compete with you on the battlefield. I have seen all kinds of battles. .”
The two of them were joking with each other beside the cabin. Suddenly, Taoist priest Xuanhe shouted loudly in the cabin: "Here comes someone!"
After shouting twice in a row, the two thought they were calling someone else. They were only half a minute late when a steward from the Haisha Gang came out of the cabin and said angrily: "You bastard slave, are you deaf? Go and serve tea to Master Dao!" Apparently! He had a very high status in the Haisha Gang and could not recognize his subordinates one by one, so he actually regarded Zhang and Ji as his servants.
Xiao Ruo rolled her eyes at him and turned away, but the steward saw her and deliberately stood outside the cabin. When Xiao Ruo brought tea, she was about to step into the cabin when she was tripped by the steward's foot. He also acquired the skill of being able to easily dodge a movement under his feet.
The steward deliberately wanted to teach Xiao Ruo to make a fool of himself so that he could vent his anger, but Xiao Ruo easily dodged it. Unexpectedly, this scene was seen by Taoist priest Xuan He in the cabin. Taoist Master Xuanhe is the first disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, and his knowledge of martial arts is first-class. He saw Xiaoruo's superb body skills and deliberately held back.
After Xiaoruo finished serving tea, he was about to remove the tray when Taoist priest Xuanhe suddenly turned his right wrist and came to take Xiaoruo's Mingmen.
Xiaoruo flicked his right wrist and was about to retreat like a snake. Unexpectedly, Taoist Master Xuanhe used a unique grappler from the Qingcheng sect. His skills were extremely skillful. As soon as Xiaoruo retreated, Taoist Master Xuanhe was chasing after him with his steel claws. She grasped it in the wrist again and held it firmly.
Zhang Ji heard a strange noise outside the cabin, and calmly stretched out his hand to catch the steward and stepped inside. He was about to rescue but was still half a minute late. Xiaoruo's left wrist was taken away, and the tray had already landed on the ground.
Taoist Master Xuanhe said coldly: "What a means! What a skill!" Seeing the steward being arrested again, he was surprised and asked, "I never thought you could have such a means, tell me! Is it a trick from the Demon Sect?"
Xiaoruo had an idea and said deliberately: "You don't have to ask me about my origins, I'm afraid you will regret it." Taoist priest Xuanhe sneered, and exerted force on his wrist, Xiaoruo screamed in pain.
Zhang Ji felt anxious and exerted force on his arm. The steward under his arm had difficulty breathing, his face turned red and he passed out. Taoist Xuanhe was even more surprised when he saw him. After only a few days of contact, he already knew that the leader of the Haisha Gang was not an ordinary person in martial arts. To be restrained so easily was a testament to his magical power.
Xiao Ruo pretended to be angry and said: "If you are wise, please let me go, otherwise I will ask you to try this palm power that is the best in the world."
Taoist priest Xuanhe was slightly moved, and he pulled away more than half of Xiaoruo's hand, but still did not let go of Xiaoruo. Seeing this, Xiaoruo said: "You want to know my origins but you can't, but I have to tell you, the Haisha Gang mobilizes so many people and openly goes to sea on an official ship. Someone must know where to go, right?"
Taoist priest Xuanhe's expression changed again, and he slowly let go of Xiaoruo's hand. Seeing that this statement was indeed effective, Xiao Ruo secretly rejoiced, and then continued: "We are official missionaries under orders, just to explore the purpose of the ship's trip, and don't ask anyone else. Don't worry, if this trip is successful, Then our rivers, lakes and temples will all make great contributions." Upon hearing this, Taoist Priest Xuanhe slowly stood up and no longer dared to sit down.
Zhang Jidao: "Taoist Priest, you don't have to be like this. You only need to know our identities. Don't leak them out." Taoist Priest Xuanhe clasped his hands and nodded slowly.
Xiaoruo smiled and said: "You don't have to be nervous, we just pretend we don't know each other." After that, he added: "Rescue him quickly so that no one will find him."
Taoist priest Xuanhe responded, stepped forward and woke up the steward, then changed his appearance and said, "Master Liu, don't be nervous. I have tried both of these two, and they were invited by Alliance Leader Zhao." Master, you are secretly helping me, and you are not an enemy." Captain Liu was doubtful and didn't say much.
Suddenly the horn sounded, and Taoist priest Xuanhe asked hurriedly: "What is the meaning of the order?" Captain Liu replied: "There is enemy sentiment!" Several people hurriedly rushed out of the cabin, but the situation in the distance was blocked by the front boat, making it impossible to see clearly. .
Another horn sounded, and Captain Liu hurriedly explained: "Shuai Chuan ordered, two ships and three ships move forward abreast, four ships and five ships are surrounded by archers, and six ships are cut off!" Taoist priest Xuanhe said urgently: "Follow the order."
Captain Liu ordered people to beat drums and send orders to his own ship, and dozens of big men turned the giant sail together. The two big ships behind him rushed forward early, and the second and third ships followed the main ship and advanced together. In just half a tea time, the formation was already in place. Come on.
There was no obstruction in front of me, but I saw a five- to six-foot fast boat sailing forward in front of me. There were about seven or eight people standing on it. It was too far away to see clearly.
Taoist priest Xuanhe laughed loudly, looking at Zhang Ji and the two from time to time, and said: "Haha, it must be the demon sect Shang Jiutian and his party, let's see where he is going!" Zhang Ji carefully stared at the people on the boat in front of him. , I wanted to see clearly whether Chu Jianghan and Shen Yu were there, but the ship had received the order and never got too close, so I never got a clear look.
Suddenly, a roar like a dragon roaring and a tiger roaring came from the main ship. It was Zhao Hao who shouted: "Master Shang, where are you going now?"
There was also a loud roar from the thunder class in front, and Xiaoruo felt dizzy in front of his eyes. It was obvious that the opponent deliberately showed off his inner strength, clearly outshining Zhao An. But I heard the other party shout: "Hahahaha...I won't run away. Boys, turn the bow of the boat to meet him. I want to see how much the martial arts leader in the Central Plains weighs."
Taoist priest Xuanhe was shocked when he heard this and shouted: "No! If Shang really breaks into the main ship, leader Zhao and others will definitely not be opponents even though they have many people." Hall leader Liu also said anxiously: "My gang leader Also on the main ship, Taoist priest Xuanhe, you have to go up quickly for reinforcements!" Taoist priest Xuanhe stamped his feet anxiously and said: "Hey! The distance between the two ships is so big, even if the poor Taoist has two wings from his ribs, I can’t get through either!”
Before the two ships on the left and right could outflank it, the small ship in front turned around and headed towards the main ship. The view ahead was blocked again, and several people suddenly became nervous.
Zhang Jizheng planned to restrain Taoist Xuanhe and ask him to force the ship to pass by, so that he could go and help. Hearing shouts and screams from the main ship, he saw seven or eight figures jumping onto the main ship from a distance. Among them were two women, one with long hair and a green dress was very easy to identify, it was Shen Yu. Zhao An led a group of people to form a formation and surrounded them.
Shang Jiutian also led a total of eight people, including the Four Fiends Outside the Pass, Chu Jianghan, Shen Yu, and the white-haired Xue Zongchang, to jump onto the main ship. Then there was a burst of laughter and he said: "Zhao, I didn't miss you. You are really a character!"
Before Zhao Chan could give orders, a group of martial arts masters on both sides had already surrounded the eight people.
As soon as the Taoist Iron Hand saw Chu Jianghan, he cursed: "Traitor, you have really joined the Demon Cult, and you must clean up the family today!" After saying this, he was about to draw his sword, but Tang Shaojie stopped him and whispered: "Senior Wait a minute! Let's see what Alliance Leader Zhao thinks." He said loudly to Zhao An: "Alliance Leader, the leader of the Demon Cult is right in front of us. Please give the order. Let's all take action together. We will definitely eliminate harm to the martial arts world today."
Zhao An rolled his eyes, stepped forward and said with a smile: "Master Shang, today we have to decide whether to live or die." Shang Jiutian said: "You commanded all the heroes to chase us all the way, but they were all killed by our holy sect. Now you don't know whether you will survive or not." If you dare to come, it seems that your methods are nothing more than this. I won’t offend you, but since you want to offend me, it doesn’t matter, just kill a few more today." As he said this, he looked at Xue Zongchang, and the two looked at each other and laughed. .
Sang Boyong took a step forward and said: "Master, how can you kill a chicken with a knife? Since my subordinates dare to ask the leader for the job of protecting the Dharma, they naturally have to show some skills. Let's ask the leader today to see how capable my subordinates are with their fists and feet. You are not worthy of being a protector under the leader."
Shang Jiutian was overjoyed when he heard this and said loudly: "Okay. Brother Sang, if you defeat the masters of several famous sects today, it will prove that you are enough to establish a sect, and I will let you take the position of Brother Zuo. "
Sang Boyong stepped forward in response, threw away the Ziwu Yuanyang Yue in his hand, took out a dagger from his sleeve, stepped forward and said: "Master Zhao, you are the leader of the Central Plains Wulin Alliance. I am not talented, but you are also a hero of the green forest outside the pass. He is highly regarded and promoted as the leader. We are both equally matched. Today we want to see who is the best in the martial arts in the Central Plains or in the green forest outside the pass? Leader Zhao, please accept the move."
The Taoist Iron Hand cursed loudly: "Shut up! It's in vain that you claim to be the leader of the Green Forest outside the Pass, and now you are willing to be someone else's slave. It seems like a low-level person like you is not worthy to be compared with Leader Zhao."
Another person jumped out from beside Zhao An and shouted: "I have heard for a long time that the leader of the four heroes outside the pass, Sang Daxia, is good at using double hooks. Now it seems that this sword skill is even more amazing. Lu is not talented, but he relies on a few tricks. I want to learn how to use the Cang Sword Technique to conquer the world."
Famous figures such as Zhao An and Tie Shou Taoist were overjoyed to know that Lu Cangsong of the Diancang sect, together with Liu Canghai and Chu Canggu of the Diancang sect, are collectively known as the Three Swordsmen of Diancang. They are all famous swordsmen today. Although Wudang, Huashan, etc. People from famous sects who are famous for their swordsmanship should never underestimate him. Among the heroes present, in terms of swordsmanship alone, he was probably ranked first. Now that Lu Cangsong is taking part in the battle, the odds of winning are not even 10%, but 90%.
Zhao An secretly calculated in his heart: If Lu Cangsong wins this first round, he will knock off the devil's arm, and the rest will be the old man named Chu and the white-haired old man. Let me take my time to think about it.
Sang Boyong sneered, raised the dagger in his palm and rushed towards Lu Cangsong. Lu Cangsong raised his sword in return. The two of them were going back and forth, and in an instant they had made more than ten moves.
The heroes were all shocked. Sang Boyong's swordsmanship was so superb that it shocked the world. Even Shang Jiutian looked surprised and secretly admired him.
Chu Jiang Leng watched on and thought to himself: Although I was framed and reduced to hiding and running with these people, I really shouldn't help them. I simply came to help two people and see how they fight. I also saw that these two people were skilled in swordsmanship, one was better than the other, and I couldn't help but admire them secretly. He also used what he had learned to figure out how to break through the tricks one by one, and he was able to break them with just a little effort.
Sang Boyong and Lu Cangsong were fighting with their swords. For a while, they could neither win nor lose, nor could they distinguish between high and low.
Tang Shaojie, who was watching the battle on the side, was thinking fast and suddenly said loudly: "It's amazing, it's amazing! I think this Sang Daxia's swordsmanship is so good that I can't find any opponent in the world. Leader Zhao, you are a great master. According to you, It seems that compared to Chu Shaoxia, the Danyang swordsman who is known as the 'Sword of the Universe', who is better with this swordsmanship and who is lower?"
Zhao An was extremely shrewd. Although he couldn't understand everything at the moment, he knew that he meant to interfere with his words. He replied loudly and casually: "In my opinion, he is still better than Chu Shaoxia." Although Chu Jianghan knew both of them I made this statement intentionally, but I couldn't help but think to myself: Based on what I have learned, it is not difficult to defeat his swordsmanship.
Tang Shaojie said again: "Leader Zhao, brother, I missed the grand gathering of heroes at the Shaolin Temple a few days ago due to family matters. I have a question for you, Leader Zhao."
Zhao An replied: "Young Master Tang has something to say, but it's okay to say it!" Tang Shaojie said: "I heard that Master Juehui of the Shaolin Sect and Taoist Chongbai of the Wudang Sect both died due to their superb swordsmanship. I wonder if this is true. ?”
This incident was a major event that caused a sensation in the martial arts world. No one in the martial arts world knew that Tang Shaojie had another purpose for pretending. Zhao An suddenly saw the clue, his expression changed, and he thought to himself: You Tang Shaojie, this move is actually better than mine! It seems that we need to be careful about this person in the future.
Zhao An's mind was racing with thoughts, but he said: "That's right! The heroes of the world gathered in Shaolin last time just to discuss this matter. It's a pity... The real culprit has not yet been determined, and the great hatred of the two seniors has not been avenged. ." Tang Shaojie continued: "From what I can see, the murderer is here."
Chu Jianghan was not angry at first when he heard what the two of them said. But after hearing this, he thought that the Tang man wanted to bring up the old matter again in order to arouse public anger to deal with him. He couldn't help but get furious and almost insulted him and drew his sword.
Then I heard Zhao An say in a neutral tone: "Oh, is that so? Now I need to ask Tang Shaoxia for advice?" Tang Shaojie suddenly said: "The murderer of the two seniors is the unparalleled swordsman Sang Boyong!"
