Li Zhanchun has not shown up in Shanhe Mansion for five whole days, and neither has He Nan.
He Nan's disappearance was not unusual, everyone had long been accustomed to it. He usually looks like he is just idle and idle. He often disappears for several days without any explanation. Moreover, with his personality, it would not be surprising for him to be knocked unconscious by someone with a sap and left in the wilderness one day while walking on the street.
But Li Yushi is different. First of all, he has a very special status and a transcendent status. He is one of the most important figures in both Shanhe Mansion and the imperial court. The impact of his disappearance is no less than that of an emperor who does not go to court to play with birds in the palace. . Secondly - since the founding of the mansion, Li Zhanchun has never disappeared from people for so long.
There is a saying that "the clouds in the stream first rise, the sun sets in the pavilion, and the rain is about to come." Li Yushi has disappeared for five days, which makes people think of some of the recent events in the court. What's more, an official who is proficient in the art of prophecy even openly declared that "this is a sign of some kind of celestial change", and then resigned from office, which made many people believe it. People are panicking.
Of course, this official was secretly executed on the way back home for "deceiving the public". What's even more interesting is that when it comes to dealing with this person and other officials who are guilty of "confused by lies", the attitudes and methods of Shanhe Mansion and Tianbian Guards are surprisingly consistent - kill without mercy.
In fact, Li Zhanchun and He Nan didn't go anywhere. They stayed in Penglai Pavilion for five days and five nights. There is a secret door in Li Zhanchun's study that almost no one knows about, and a dark room is connected below. During these five days, the two masters and apprentices were almost sleepless, eating, drinking, and eating in this darkroom, which was even larger than the first floor of Penglai Pavilion.
The main reason why the two of them are concentrating on this underground fortress is definitely not thinking about any good things. It can even be said that they must be extremely cautious about what they plan. Apart from the two of them, no third person in the world can know about it. .
"So... this is the final plan?" He Nan held a small booklet in his hand, which was densely written in small regular script. It seems that most of the handwriting came from He Nan, and a small amount came from He Nan. The hands of Li Zhanchun. It is often said that "the words are like the person they are". He Nan's handwriting is wild and uninhibited, while Li Zhanchun's handwriting is neat and orderly. This is not a bad statement.
Li Zhanchun nodded towards his apprentice, "It's not the most perfect version yet, but it should be enough for now. If anything happens... it's all up to you to adapt accordingly."
He Nan flipped through a few more pages, thought for a moment, and responded, "That's fine." Then he stood up and stretched his muscles, as if he suddenly remembered something. "Master, every step you take is very interesting to think about." After reading what was written in this booklet, He Nan only felt that every step the master took left ample escape routes for himself.
Everything has a balance of yin and yang. Li Zhanchun regarded this as his guide, but He Nan was just the opposite. He was a person who easily went to extremes. From a certain perspective, his views are almost completely contradictory to those of his master——
Maybe this is also a delicate balance?
Li Zhanchun did not answer, but led He Nan to a small room. He Nan held up the candle and took a closer look. There was only a knife rack in the center of the room. The knife rest is completely dark and simple, and the knives displayed on it are exactly the same. The horizontal sword is three feet long, with a fierce edge and full of fishy evil.
A dark knife, a simple knife, an ominous knife, but it is not an ordinary knife. This knife is almost exactly the same as Li Zhanchun and Qi Dan's evaluation of He Nan - a handleless knife. What was unusual about the knife was that it did not have a complete handle, and only a stem less than four inches with a smooth edge remained at the end.
"Master, why do you want to compare me to a handleless knife? It turns out there is such a knife." He Nan looked at the knife and said with a smile. His eyes were full of curiosity, and he was almost glued to it. on the knife. He Nan had seen some very good weapons. Yan Chunlai's favorite pair of swords, the "Peacock Tail" and the "Golden Eagle Beak", were considered the best among swords. However, compared with the ferocious aura contained in this sword, Still slightly inferior.
"This knife... is Zhun'er's sword." When Li Zhanchun saw this handleless knife, his tone was full of sadness, and the sadness came from it and could not be cut off.
That's right... I'm afraid he is the master's late eldest son, He Nan thought to himself. He had never met Li Zhun, but he had heard some stories about him from officials who had served for a long time in Shanhe Mansion. Li Zhun showed extraordinary talent since he was a child. He was eloquent, talented in both civil and military affairs. Everyone said that Li Zhun's achievements would be even better than his father's, but unfortunately he was jealous of talents and died on the battlefield during the Western Expedition of the Sheng Kingdom ten years ago.
Seeing the master's sad look, He Nan couldn't help but feel a little moved. Since the eldest son died unfortunately, the master has been empty for nearly thirty years. It was not until three or four years ago that a younger son was born. This time, I and I were discussing things in the bunker, and I saw the relics of my old friend. I was so moved by the scene that I must have felt very uncomfortable.
The old man and the young man were silent, as if they were mourning for Li Zhun.
Not long after, Li Zhanchun came back to his senses and said to He Nan: "You are bound to encounter many dangers by accepting my order to escape into the rivers and lakes. I'm afraid it would be inappropriate not to have a good weapon. This handleless knife is like what I once What I told you is that it can cut gold, cut jade, and cut iron like clay. I'm sure I'm going, so you can take this handleless knife with you."
"How... how can this be done?" He Nan's face became unusually flustered, and he obviously felt that he deserved it. The master treasured this handleless knife in the bunker. It was probably the only relic left to him by Li Zhun... It was really inappropriate to take this knife by himself.
"Do you know why I treat you well? You are quite similar to Zhun'er, both in terms of talent and personality. He is also like this handleless knife... I guess you and this handleless knife also have something to do with each other, I will It might as well be entrusted to you with this knife." Li Mastiff said. I dote on He Nan very much, probably because he gives me a certain sense of accuracy. Sometimes, in a daze, I actually think of him as an accurate person, and I can't tell the difference.
He Nan did not shirk anymore, but nodded with a heavy face. He took a few steps forward respectfully, saluted the knife, held the handleless knife in both hands, and put it into the scabbard displayed with the knife. He did all the actions meticulously and with a sense of ritual, without any of the frivolous and casual behavior he usually does. He Nan must have felt very deeply about this matter himself.
Seeing He Nan put away the handleless knife, Li Zhanchun took out a palm-sized gadget from his arms and handed it to He Nan. It was a gray-black arrowhead made of fine steel. "This... is a token of your ability to mobilize hidden arrows. The four hidden arrows are always around me and will be active from time to time. The road ahead for you is extremely dangerous, so I will send them to protect you secretly. I have treated you a lot these days. Tell them in detail their names, appearances, where and how you can contact them. If you are in trouble and need their help, just use this thing to order them - seeing this thing is like seeing me myself."
He Nan nodded to show that he had kept it in mind, and replied: "Master, you don't have to worry about me. I just need Brother Yan or Hongyu to escort me safely for a while. I think... I won't run into anything. big trouble."
Seeing that He Nan was still holding the handleless knife in both hands, Li Zhanchun laughed a little dumbly: "It's just a knife. Although it's a legitimate thing, if I give it to you now, it's yours." , just use it as a defensive weapon. If you feel that this handleless knife is not comfortable to use, just equip it with a good hilt and handle. If you are lucky enough to meet some masters of swordsmanship, It will be of great benefit to you to ask them for some of the essence of swordsmanship." At this time, Li Zhanchun may have really regarded He Nan as Li Zhun, who was about to leave home to join the army, and his words actually became a little wordy, wishing he could give him thousands of instructions. .
Seeing that his master was no longer as gloomy as before, He Nan also joked: "This sword was originally Brother Li Zhun's weapon. Of course I can't recast it without permission. You entrusted me with this sword because you trust me to do it." How can I betray your trust by controlling this sword? If my brother can use it, I can also use it."
The two simply packed up the cellar and luggage, and then followed the secret door back to Li Zhanchun's study. Through the crack in the window, they could see that it was already midnight. He Nan put away the book and arrow order, and tied the knife behind his waist. He was about to say goodbye, but he didn't know what to say.
The master and disciple came out of Penglai Pavilion and walked all the way to the main entrance of Shanhe Mansion, but they were silent all the way. Seeing He Nan's downcast expression, Li Zhanchun said, "You don't have to have a burden in your heart... If you really feel tired one day, you can come back to Shanhe Mansion."
He Nan shook his head and whispered back: "Since I am willing to do my best for Master, there is no reason to give up halfway. It's just... I just stayed in Shanhe Mansion for so many years, and suddenly it's time to say goodbye, even me It's inevitable that... some sentimental feelings will arise." He Nan usually acted like he was the boss of the world, but how could he be so delicate and delicate like a little girl? After saying this, even he felt embarrassed and chuckled twice.
Li Zhanchun had never seen He Nan look so sad for spring and autumn, and he found it a little funny for a moment. He patted He Nan heavily on the shoulder and said: "The Peng migrates to Nanming. The water hits it for three thousand miles. It surges upward for ninety thousand miles. It goes to rest in six months."
"You are so young, so smart, and so stubborn. Life will be very difficult for you. Your name is He Nan, and I'm afraid it will be even more difficult for you to leave."
He Nan shook his head: "How could He Nan be the only one in trouble?"
Speaking of this, He Nan suddenly knelt down on his knees and kowtowed three times to his boss, master and father respectfully. The two looked at each other and no longer exchanged words, but nodded to each other.
On this side, Li Zhanchun turned around and entered Shanhe Mansion, while on the other side He Nan turned around and entered the vast world.
You can see that it will take years to get here; if you don’t see me, it’s already a long way to the end of the world.
