"The scene is filled with yin energy, like peaks and clouds sharing fire. The rays of light hold the sun up to the sky, and the red color rides on the wind into the eaves of the palace." (1)
Gu Xu suddenly felt that this poem was quite suitable to describe the scenery at this moment.
The Mangshan Ghost King is indeed powerful, but its power is limited after all, with its mere fragment of soul.
Like the morning sun dispelling the night gloom.
The black smoke in the alley quickly dispersed in all directions under the strong light and gradually faded away.
Hu Yun's body repair speed suddenly slowed down.
He didn't know if it was Gu Xu's illusion - he also noticed that there was a hint of painful emotion in Hu Yun's originally cold and empty eyes.
Such an expression had never appeared before, even when Hu Yun was being burned by the fire.
After the black smoke in the alley became thinner, Gu Xu gathered all his true energy and prepared to use "Fire" again to completely burn this "ghost waiter" who dared to hurt his fiancée to ashes.
As a person who holds grudges, Gu Xu has long remembered the Ghost King of Mangshan and his "ghost attendants" in the little notebook in his heart. However, due to his limited cultivation, he was temporarily unable to deal with the "Mangshan Ghost King" himself, so he could only deal with its minions first.
However, at this moment, like lightning piercing the night, a silvery white dazzling light suddenly flashed across the dark sky.
Immediately afterwards, a sharp sword light descended from the sky, instantly dispersing the black smoke in the alley.
Gu Xu couldn't help but look up and saw a huge hole suddenly appeared between the thick clouds, revealing the clean and clear blue sky. The sun shone in through the hole, making his eyes hurt.
In the ten thousand feet of light, Gu Xu saw a figure flying with a sword.
She was a thin woman with a cold temperament.
She was wearing a black outfit, long boots, and a bamboo hat with a halo of gauze on her head. Although her face was covered by gauze, Gu Xu could feel her sharp sword-like gaze.
Shi Xiaohan even blinked his eyes with longing.
Her dream has always been to become a heroine who can slay demons and do justice for heaven. This woman in black, wielding a sword in the air, was undoubtedly her ideal image of herself.
But the most unexpected thing was the reaction of "Ghost Attendant" Hu Yun.
When this woman in black clothes appeared in his field of vision, Hu Yun suddenly covered his head with his hands and fell to the ground, frowning and clenching his teeth, as if he was experiencing extreme pain.
In the blink of an eye, the woman in black put away her sword and landed steadily beside Gu Xu and Zhao Yan.
Gu Xu took a step forward, cupped his hands towards the woman in black and said, "I, Gu Xu, the head of the Exorcism Department, have met Pavilion Master Xu."
The cold and neat woman in front of him was Xu Man, the master of the Sword Pavilion in Shu, one of the "Five Saints" of the Qi Dynasty, and Su Xiao's master.
Although Gu Xu had never seen her, he knew her appearance and usual dress through portraits and other people's descriptions. Combined with her cultivation, he was able to recognize her at a glance.
Xu Man glanced at him and said calmly: "So you are the young genius Gu Xu who has become famous recently. It is indeed extraordinary to be able to use "Seven Styles of Burning Heaven" in such a way. No wonder Su Xiao always wants to find I have the opportunity to discuss and discuss with you.”
While speaking, Xu Man's eyes also glanced over Shi Xiaohan's body - the petite girl was lying on Gu Xu's back like a koala, with a pair of big apricot-like eyes staring at her curiously.
It seems that Shi Xiaohan's appearance awakened some of Xu Man's memories. There was a gentle sigh from behind the tulle.
As for Zhao Yan, she took a step back and remained silent.
After all, after Yan Guogong Zhao Changying rebelled against the country, her identity as a "traitor's daughter" became very sensitive. Xu Man, on the other hand, was the head of the clan and also had the title of "Taibao" in the court. Officially speaking, the two are undoubtedly on opposite sides.
Of course, everyone present did not know that Emperor Tianxing had issued an imperial edict to "kill the traitor Gu Xu". Otherwise, even if Gu Xu had the courage, he would not dare to take the initiative to say hello to Xu Man.
"Junior Sister Xu, you are here..." At this moment, Hu Yun, who fell to the ground and covered his head, suddenly spoke, his voice was painful and hoarse. m..
Xu Man finally turned to look at him.
Through the white gauze, no one could see her expression clearly.
She took two steps forward, and her attention suddenly fell on the silk flower pinned to Hu Yun's chest - Hu Yun was scarred and ragged, but the silk flower was brightly colored and clean as new, which seemed particularly abrupt.
Just when she was about to speak, black energy rose from Hu Yun's body again, and the painful struggle in his eyes disappeared without a trace, becoming cold and sinister again.
Gu Xu could probably guess that this was the will of Mangshan Ghost King and Hu Yun himself, fighting for control of this body.
But he didn't expect that after Hu Yun had been a "Ghost Attendant" for so long, his own will still existed and had not been completely wiped out by the Mangshan Ghost King.
Moreover, the relationship between Hu Yun and the master of the Jiange Pavilion must have been extraordinary - after all, when Xu Man appeared, Hu Yun's self-awareness became particularly active and tenacious, and he even faintly resisted the attack of the Mangshan Ghost King. His control.
"roll."
Xu Man glanced at the black smoke and said in a cold tone.
She did not draw her sword.
But there was a flash of silver sword light, cutting the black smoke into pieces.
Hu Yun raised his head and looked at her blankly, his eyes no longer empty and cold.
Xu Man slowly knelt down in front of him, reached out to grab the silk flower on his chest, and said softly: "Brother Hu, have you been wearing this all these years?"
"Yeah," Hu Yun laughed dryly like a fool, "I haven't taken it off since you pinned it on my clothes that year."
Xu Man remained silent and did not speak immediately.
Over the years, Hu Yun was expelled from the sect and wandered around the world. Then he somehow became the "Ghost Attendant" of the Ghost King of Mang Mountain. He then moved to Luojing City and worked as an undercover agent for many years... He has really experienced too much suffering. He had a broken arm, and his clothes were in tatters and smelled fishy, but this silk flower was still brand new.
Xu Man clearly remembered that this silk flower was made by her own hands using ordinary silk cloth when she was a girl, and it did not have any special magic attached to it.
It can be preserved intact to this day without any dust on it. It can only be because Hu Yun has been caring for it subconsciously.
"When you came to Luojing City and became a teacher at Longmen Academy, I was quite happy for you," Xu Man sighed again and continued, "I thought that you had escaped from the sword pavilion's law as you wished and walked out. To make his own way, to stand out in the Daqi Dynasty, to gain the respect of the world... Well, as you said back then, it slapped the master in the face.
“I didn’t expect that so many things happened that I didn’t know about.
"Well, if there hadn't been that ideological battle between you and Master... If you were willing to bow to Master temporarily, if I had asked for a favor for you, if... if you could stay in Jiange, stay How nice would it be to be by my side?”
"Yeah, how great would that be?" Hu Yun smiled stupidly, looked at her, and repeated what she said.
Then he lowered his head, looked at his bruised body, and sighed: "It's a pity that time can't be turned back, and I'm about to die... The spirit of this thing really kills people more than it deserves."
After all, Hu Yun is not a saint or a strong man.
Gu Xu's magic "Sui" caused fatal damage to his internal organs.
Just now it was the power from the Mang Mountain Ghost King that maintained
with his vitality and combat effectiveness.
Now, he has cut off the connection with the Ghost King of Mangshan and got rid of the control of the Ghost King of Mangshan. Naturally, he has no ability to stop the passage of his life.
But he didn't expect that he would be able to see Junior Sister Xu again on his deathbed.
This made him feel happy, regretful, and somewhat inferior.
"Come back to Jiange with me," Xu Man said, "There are still many treasures in the sect. I don't believe I can't save you."
Hu Yun looked at her with a smile, and then shook his head gently.
"No need," he said, "A ghost and monster accomplice like me is committing a heinous crime. If I remain alive in this world, I will be sorry for the people who died in Luojing City. Those treasures of yours should be left to those who need them more. .
"Actually... Junior Sister Xu, for me now, it would be the happiest thing if I could die sober and happily. It is better than living in confusion and being a puppet manipulated by ghosts and monsters."
Xu Man didn't refute again.
She lowered her head and silently arranged his dirty and tattered clothes and the bright silk flower with her slender hands holding the sword.
"By the way, Junior Sister Xu," Hu Yun suddenly said again, "Can I see your face again?"
Xu Man nodded, and then slowly uncovered the veil on the hat.
Under the gauze is a delicate and pure face.
Qiong nose, thin lips.
The eyebrows are thin, the eyes are quiet, and the facial features are picturesque.
Although she is not stunningly beautiful, she has a unique charm paired with her cool and neat temperament.
"You are so young," Hu Yun sighed. "You haven't changed at all after all these years. You still look like a young girl. You are worthy of being a genius swordsman who was promoted to a saint at the age of thirty-six.
"And I'm only one year older than you, but I'm already a bad old man with white hair and a white beard."
Once a practitioner is promoted to a saint, he can maintain his physical condition for a long time and will not age again until his life span is exhausted.
Therefore, although Xu Man has passed his sixties, his cheeks are still fair and smooth without a trace of wrinkles.
"Young girl... what you said is too exaggerated," Xu Man forced out a self-deprecating smile, "At least she is still a middle-aged lady."
"No, no," Hu Yun said with a chuckle, "In my eyes, Junior Sister Xu, you will always be the 28-year-old girl who pinned silk flowers for me."
Even though he became a "Ghost Attendant", Hu Yun still remembered the situation at that time——
The mountain of peach blossoms in Jiange is in full bloom.
He wanted to pick one off and give it to Junior Sister Xu.
Junior Sister Xu kept a straight face and shook her head repeatedly, claiming that the peach blossoms looked beautiful, but they would eventually wither and become corrupted.
Hu Yun was very frustrated and didn't know what to do for a while.
But I saw Junior Sister Xu grinning, taking out the silk flower, and said in a naughty tone: "Let me give you this peach blossom that will never wither!"
Perhaps, it was precisely because of this stubborn memory that he could barely maintain a trace of self-will and was not completely wiped out by the Mangshan Ghost King.
"You're talking nonsense again." The gauze on Xu Man's bamboo hat hung down again, blocking her beautiful face. "No wonder your name is 'Hu Yun'!"
Hu Yun continued to giggle.
While smiling, the look in his eyes gradually faded. Xu Man knew that this was his life slowly passing away.
Just when he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly remembered something important.
He supported his weak body, took out a crumpled thin book from his robe, and stuffed it into Xu Man's hand.
"Junior sister, take it for me... to that little girl," he said in an exhausted voice, "This... this is the new path I took after leaving the sect... but, I can't go on... That little girl is quite talented in swordsmanship... In the academy, I failed to fulfill my responsibility as a teacher and teach her the real swordsmanship... if she is willing. , maybe she can try to follow this path in the future..."
His words ended abruptly.
He has been a walking zombie for many years and finally turned into a real corpse today.
Xu Man stretched out his hand and closed his eyes for him, then stood up and looked for the "little girl" in Hu Yun's words.
Her eyes first swept over Zhao Yan, lingering for a moment on her fire phoenix wings and the spear in her hand, and then fell on Shi Xiaohan.
Seeing the destroyed formation in the alley, seeing the shackles on Shi Xiaohan's hands, seeing the looming bird seal pattern on the back of her neck, and seeing the "Kunwu Sword" thrown casually on the ground, Xu Man could roughly Guess what just happened.
"Are you a swordsman?" She walked up to Shi Xiaohan and asked her.
Shi Xiaohan said "hmm" and nodded.
"Hu Yun is your teacher at the academy?" Xu Man asked again.
Shi Xiaohan pondered for a moment, pursed his lips, and nodded again.
By this time her spirits had somewhat recovered.
She clearly remembered that Hu Yun asked her to practice various basic knife skills day after day, making her panting from exhaustion and her appetite increased sharply, but he refused to teach her anything more advanced; she also clearly remembered, While Hu Yun comforted her for failing to withdraw from the "Luoshui Conference", he tricked her into the formation and wanted to turn her into a "Ghost Waiter".
"Hu Yun should have done a lot of things to make me sorry for you," Xu Man continued, "Although it was not his intention, as his junior sister, I still want to apologize to you on his behalf."
Having said this, she bowed deeply to Shi Xiaohan.
Seeing a strong saint giving such a gift to him, Shi Xiaohan was startled and almost fell off Gu Xu's back.
"Pavilion Master Xu, you don't have to—"
"——Many years ago, when Hu Yun was still young," Xu Man smiled and interrupted her, "he once discussed the concept of cultivation with the former master of Jiange, who was also our master. There are some different opinions. At that time, he was very violent and made the master very angry. Later, the master could not bear him, so he broke his sword and expelled him from the sect.
"After that, he gave up the sword and became a swordsman. Based on the "Pingtian Sword Art", he created a set of sword techniques of his own. He opened the 'Fengdu Gate' and had his own Dharmakaya.
"Well, if he hadn't met the Ghost King of Mang Mountain, he might have had the opportunity to prove his enlightenment and become a strong saint.
"It's a pity that fate played a joke on him.
"I haven't read this booklet yet. But if nothing else, it records the set of sword techniques he created and what he learned throughout his life.
“Now he leaves it to you.
"In this way, you can be regarded as his only descendant and my nephew.
"If you read something you don't understand, you can write a letter and send it to Jiange. Hu Yun's sword technique was derived from Jiange's "Pingtian Sword Art". Maybe I can help you answer some questions.
"If you are willing, you can come to Jiange to practice in the future. The high mountains and ridges of Shu are much quieter than the streets and streets of Luojing."
…………
Note:
(1) Excerpted from Tang Dynasty’s Qi Bai’s “Red Clouds Represent Summer on the Shouchang Festival”;_&
