In the evening, on the border of Yuzhou, there is a small town called Ping An.
At this time, ordinary people in the town have returned home from a day's work and are ready to eat and sleep.
Even some people who were reluctant to part with lamp oil went to bed early.
However, on the hillside to the east of the town, the houses at the other end were brightly lit, as bright as day.
The houses here are all newly built, and there are even a few houses that are still under construction.
These were built by wealthy families in the county or by wealthy people from neighboring towns who came here to escape the war.
Speaking of which, this safe town is also strange.
Although it is located on the border, there is a road leading directly to Yongzhou not far away, but no Yongzhou army has ever been seen entering this place.
The people in the town can only attribute this to the appearance of gods.
You must know that since the war started, faces from neighboring towns and villages have rarely appeared in front of people in Ping An Town. And every time those with connections or money fled here, the news they brought was that soldiers were ruthlessly expropriating people. The bandits burned, killed and looted.
Ping An Town is like a pure land outside the world. Except for the invasion of the black and white evil spirits, there is no trace of danger.
This has also attracted more and more wealthy business tycoons from around here to settle here.
The old mayor is also happy to see this situation, because these rich people will donate a large sum of money to the town first, no matter what, as a meeting gift and a qualification to settle here.
Of course, there were some unscrupulous guys who tried to be tough, but after Mr. Lan Yu led Qi Zixian and He Yiqi to visit them, they all became more honest and started crying and asking for help. Contribute to the harmonious development of the town.
It is also true that in this year of war and chaos, the people in the town are all smiling, and their lives are easier than in the past.
Among the gentlemen who were either rich or noble, there were also some good people who secretly assigned everyone a rank of three, six or nine. Among them, a gentleman who claimed to be surnamed Zhang was ranked at the top.
Because in this chaotic era, it is naturally impossible for everyone to reveal their wealth easily, so the origin and credibility of this ranking are naturally greatly reduced.
However, everyone was very polite and in awe towards Mr. Zhang, who was at the top of the queue.
Just because Kuo Shao, who was famous for being arrogant and domineering, relied on the support of his famous fifth-grade master, he fell in love with Master Zhang's wife. He tried to coerce or induce her several times but was rejected by Master Zhang, so he actually wanted to take advantage of her. Taking advantage of her going out, he sent his men to rob her back.
However, the young man never thought that the seemingly weak Mr. Zhang had a richer background than him, and that there was also a peerless master hidden beside Mr. Zhang's wife.
That night, the master's head was placed in Mr. Kuo's house, and Mr. Kuo's family excused themselves and left that night. They only packed up some small items and did not dare to stay too long.
After this incident, no one dared to underestimate this mansion. After all, no matter how rich these powerful people were, few of them could invite a fifth-grade master to be a guest in the mansion, let alone use them for their own use. Master Zhang killed a fifth-grade master without saying a word, and even forced Young Master Kuo to run away.
This strength is unfathomable.
Zhang Mansion.
As dusk grew darker, smoke rose from the town. A beautiful woman wearing a thick mink coat stood on the pavilion, leaning on the railing made of red sandalwood.
Her eyes were wandering, as if deep in the distant mountains and forests, dangerous and curious, and also as if they were even further away...
"Madam, it's getting cold."
A pair of big hands covered her shoulders with a fox fur cloak.
The man's voice was low, magnetic, and sounded very gentle. His words were just reminders without any persuasion, as if he was a loyal servant taking careful care of his master.
The beautiful woman turned her head and looked at the handsome man behind her, who was slightly thin but powerful, and said softly, "I want to stand here for a while longer, okay?"
The man nodded slightly, and then his figure disappeared behind the weft in the house.
The beautiful woman continued to stand there, like a low-key king surveying the territory he had just acquired, and like an exiled prisoner, no matter where he was, he was in a cage...
Behind the weft in the house, the man silently looked at the back of the beautiful woman in the corner.
At this moment, in the darkness, a hand handed a letter to him.
"Tell them to be careful when entering and exiting the town from now on. We are outsiders after all, and Ping'an Restaurant is the owner here. Guests are welcome to do as they please," the man said in a deep voice.
The figure in the darkness lowered his head and said yes.
The man opened the envelope and began to smile as he browsed through it.
"What makes you laugh so hard?"
The beautiful woman walked into the house at some point.
The man waved his hand, and the kneeling figure beside him immediately dispersed.
"It's just some chores. It's time for dinner, madam. I'll arrange for someone to be sent here." The man turned around and left.
However, at this time, the beautiful woman stepped forward and grabbed his arm, leaning against him.
The man was stunned for a moment, his expression a bit astonished.
"Since you left Chang'an, although you have avoided me in everything, you have never let me really know the inside story. I don't have to ask, but you want me to know what you are doing at least?" The beautiful woman's eyes were filled with tears. Wei Hong said, "I am a woman, and I am just a woman, but if you, Zhang Wenling, treat me as a woman, what is the difference between me living here and living in Chang'an City? What is the difference between you and Jiang Nanchu?" the difference?"
Zhang Wenling's hand that subconsciously wanted to push Li Qinxi away stopped. He knew very well that the day he had been avoiding this relationship was finally coming to an end.
In the final analysis, Li Qinxi is like a canary that has been in a cage for a long time, yearning for passionate freedom and long-term dependence, and she is like a ray of breeze.
He can help her blow open the cage door that is not closed tightly, but in the end, it all depends on his decision whether to stay with her and follow her for a long time, or to just leave.
"Actually, I..." Zhang Wenling opened his mouth, wanting to explain or say something, but when he faced Li Qinxi's flawless face, the face that once haunted him, all the words he had to say were forgotten.
"When I was very young, a fortune teller said that I was born to be rich and wealthy, and I would have no worries about food and clothing throughout my life. However, my destiny was too thin and there was no place where I could enjoy this wealth for a long time. Moreover, I Everyone around me will want to take advantage of me, and there will be no one for me to rely on or protect me, and no one can protect me. I will not end up well in this life!"
Li Qinxi leaned on Zhang Wenling's shoulder and talked about herself calmly, with a calm expression as if she was talking about a person who had nothing to do with her.
"I was raised by my brother, who is twenty years older than me. Our family was born in Yuzhou and initially followed Lord Meng Huang.
Not long after I was born, our parents died in a battle with the demon clan, and all the servants who followed my parents also left.
So several elders in the family, as well as several uncles, wanted to divide the property and power under my parents' names. At that time, I didn't understand anything. I would only be held in my brother's arms and cry.
So there would often be scenes where my brother would patiently comfort me at the conference table, while also scheming with those bad old men.
Fortunately, my brother is so powerful. With his outstanding talents and ability to see into people's hearts, he alone led me to gain a foothold in that cold and heartless family.
Later, I grew up and became somewhat pretty. Many young people in my family wanted to pursue me, and even a few disgusting elders wanted to...
However, my brother protected me very well. At that time, he was already the mainstay of the family. He was so highly regarded by Lord Meng Huang that he had almost been appointed as the next governor of Yuzhou.
But at this time, my brother became very busy, and I spent less and less time with him every day.
I also understand how difficult it is for him and cherish the time I spend with him even more.
He promised me that if I wait a little longer, Emperor Meng will soon put down the demon rebellion, and Kyushu will soon have peace.
At that time, I didn't know how important Lord Meng Huang was to my brother. I only knew that every time he talked about this name, his eyes would be filled with brilliance, just like every time I saw him.
Later, one of my brother's sworn enemies secretly kidnapped me and wanted to offer it to the elder who had a crush on me, in exchange for his support, and to compete with my brother for the position of Yuzhou Prefect.
My brother was on the front line at the time. After learning the news, he desperately asked Emperor Meng to allow him to withdraw.
He made this decision at the risk of being executed by Emperor Meng with military orders, and his sworn enemy also wanted my brother to be executed by Emperor Meng.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Meng actually approved my brother's request and personally ordered a thorough investigation of the matter.
It was also after this that my brother's nemesis and the elder were both captured and interrogated, and I returned to my brother safely.
During that time, I cried and hugged him every night. I couldn't fall asleep until I was tired from crying.
I ask him every night if he can stay with me every day in the future. I am very afraid that one day I will wake up and not see him.
He always touches my head and says, no, he will always be by my side and will never let anyone bully me again...
But later, he still broke the appointment.
On the day that Emperor Meng died in battle, he, who had already served as the governor of Yuzhou, was silent for a whole day. I had never seen him so vulnerable.
He cried and threw himself into my arms, just like when I was a child and felt wronged by the elders and disciples of the same age, I threw myself into his arms for comfort. "
At this point, Li Qinxi burst into tears, and the tears soaked Zhang Wenling's shoulders, but he didn't notice it at all. He just bit his lips and looked at her distressedly, listening to her tell her heart.
Every man wants to stand in front of the woman he loves when she is wronged and protect her from the wind and rain.
"His eyes were watery and he asked me over and over again to tell him that Emperor Meng was not dead. I just hugged him silently and couldn't say anything.
I don't know how to comfort people. Ever since I was a child, I have been the one who is comforted and the one who is protected.
After the news of Emperor Meng's death in battle spread throughout the nine states, Emperor Jiang announced his succession and led the nine states to counterattack the demon clan.
My brother said with red eyes, someone will pay the price for Emperor Meng’s death.
I looked into his eyes, which were as red as when he led his troops into the room that night and saved me when I was about to be violated by the elder.
But he made me feel at ease when I saw him that night, but this time he made me scared.
Later, he took me to your Sword Immortal Sect.
My brother said that this was the intention of the family elders and I was the best candidate.
I asked him, do you want to do this too?
He doesn't speak.
I also knew his answer. "
Zhang Wenling lowered his head unconsciously, but Li Qinxi chuckled and leaned into his ear and said, "I was really happy during the time I stayed in your Sword Immortal Sect."
Zhang Wenling said nervously, "Really...really?"
Li Qinxi held his face with both hands and said seriously, "Really, the time you and Han Xuan spent with me in Jianxian Mountain was the only time I felt real in Yongzhou.
After that, a ray of sword energy from the Sword Immortal was buried in my body, and it would torture me every once in a while. In Yuzhou, my brother could help me suppress it, but in Yongzhou, no one could help me. .
When my brother left, he told me that I should find the right opportunity to activate the sword energy and assassinate the man.
That night, the moment he stepped into the door, I knew that I would not find a chance in front of him. "
Li Qinxi gently touched Zhang Wenling's face and said, "He asked me if there is no one in this world that I can only care about except my brother? I hesitated and began to wonder how many people there are in this life. It's worth worrying about.
He also said that as long as I stayed in the palace peacefully, he would let me see acquaintances.
I promised him and didn't use that ray of sword energy again.
I don't think he was afraid of this wisp of sword energy, but he just found it troublesome to deal with it.
After all, he is the high and mighty Emperor Jiang.
Then, I saw you in the palace.
However, you have always refused to recognize me and have been avoiding me. "
After all, Zhang Wenling couldn't help the tears in her eyes. Years of emotional accumulation were finally vented at this moment.
The silence at this moment was deafening, but the tears fell silently.
"I'm sorry that I have wronged you all these years." Zhang Wenling finally turned around and hugged Li Qinxi's soft body.
Just like when he was above Chang'an City, holding her in his arms and flying across the icy-cold cage.
Li Qinxi pursed her lips and whispered, "I just... want you to forget my identity as queen. When my two sons die, I will no longer be the queen..."
"My brothers, Jiang Huang, Feng Qing, and Ruo Ting all left me for their own purposes. Only you are always by my side. It was you who took me away from Chang'an City, but why do you still refuse to get close to me again? What about some?”
Zhang Wenling had mixed feelings in her heart, and could only hold Li Qinxi tightly, muttering sorry in her mouth.
Although he entered the palace with the secret help of Emperor Jiang and was able to stay with Li Qinxi, at the same time he also lost his human qualifications.
In his heart, he was no longer worthy of the perfect woman in front of him.
Li Qinxi broke away from Zhang Wenling's arms, held his face, and said with watering eyes, "I choose to let you stay with me in this town because I hope that we can live in peace and that I can I have a warm support, but if you keep rejecting me..."
Zhang Wenling showed a trace of struggle in his eyes.
ticking
Whose tears fell to the ground.
In the hazy night, the man finally kissed the woman's face gently, not letting the tears from the corners of his eyes continue to flow.
I only hope that your heart will be like mine, and I will live up to my love.
"Qinxi, I love you."
"You know, I have been waiting, and the people accompanying me have changed one after another, but no one has ever said this to me. Even if I can understand your men's eyes, why do you Why are you still refusing to speak? You and your senior brother are the same. I have seen your intentions before, but we were both ignorant at that time. I told myself in my heart that if I can regain my freedom in the future , then whoever of you expresses your feelings to me first, I will follow..."
"I won't make you wait anymore."
After a long time, the two released their embrace.
However, Li Qinxi still held Zhang Wenling's arm tightly. She raised her head slightly and asked, "Can you tell me what you are doing now? Is it dangerous?"
Zhang Wenling caressed her head gently with his eyes, took out the letter he was reading just now, and handed it to her, "I have a power in Yuzhou called Tianxian Pavilion. I support their sect with one hand, and I am their sect leader." My half-apprentice is a very interesting girl. After a while, the situation becomes more stable, I will take you to see her, and I also let my senior brother Han Xuan stay there..."
That night, the light in the room was on all night.
The sky outside was already slightly bright. On the bed, although Li Qinxi was a little sleepy, she still leaned in Zhang Wenling's arms and put one hand around his neck.
Zhang Wenling gently stroked her forehead and asked, "If you are tired, take a rest. I won't leave."
"I'm afraid this is a dream. If I fall asleep, I will wake up from the dream."
"No, no, no."
Although Zhang Wenling said he would not do it, he did not persuade her to sleep.
Perhaps, he was also afraid that this was a dream.
"I heard that the young owner of the restaurant in the town is going on a long trip?"
Zhang Wenling pondered for a moment and replied, "Yes, it seems to be today. His identity is actually not simple, the power behind him is very powerful, and there are many eyes staring at the restaurant."
Li Qinxi whispered, "Then ignore them, we just want to live a peaceful life..."
Within a moment, Li Qinxi fell asleep in Zhang Wenling's arms.
Like a cat that has found a nest.
As long as Zhang Wenling's body moved slightly, she would hold him tighter.
Zhang Wenling silently stared at the sleeping face of the beautiful woman in his arms, with tenderness in his eyes.
At the same time, on the other side of town.
At the gate of Ping'an Restaurant, Lan Yu supported Aunt Biao, who had red eyes, and was saying goodbye to He Yiqi and his group who were surrounding the carriage.
The lame man and the old man were checking the luggage tied to the car, and they were arguing about what wine to bring.
The presbyopic man can't get used to the bland osmanthus wine, and the lame man can't get used to the strong Shaodaozi, but the other party likes to drink this kind of wine.
Qi Zixian gently stroked the horse pulling the carriage. This horse was the horse he rode from Chang'an City.
"Aunt Biao, don't worry, I can take care of myself outside!" He Yiqi said with a smile.
But Aunt Biao shook her head, pursed her lips and said, "You are still young, how can you understand the world outside, and there is still a war outside!"
But He Yiqi said nonchalantly, "It is precisely because I am young that I have to go out and make a living! If you had given me a tael of gold and a tat of wind when I was young. Don't you think so, Master Lanyu!"
Lan Yu was stunned when he heard this, then nodded with a helpless smile, "Why do you still use what Master said to try to flatter Master!"
However, Lan Yu felt complicated in his heart. If it weren't for the fact that he had to stay here to teach and educate people, he would really want to travel around with He Yi and his group.
After all, that young man didn’t have the dream of wielding a sword to the end of the world and enjoying revenge?
Now that he is older, with countless burdens on his shoulders, entrustments from teachers, and expectations from students, he is like a tree rooted here, unable to move any further.
Because of this, Lan Yu also supports and looks forward to He Yi's dream of abandoning the world.
"When you go out, don't act in a moment of anger. Think twice before doing anything." Lan Yu patted He Yiqi's shoulder, thought for a while, and then said, "The most important thing is to take care of yourself!"
He Yiqi nodded solemnly and said, "Remember Master's teachings."
Aunt Biao's eyes were already red at this time, and she was speechless looking at He Yiqi's face.
As for warnings, I already said too many things last night.
It is said that a mother is worried when her son travels thousands of miles away. Although Aunt Biao is not He Yiqi's mother, he has watched He Yiqi grow up. She has long regarded He Yiqi as her own child since she has no children.
"Abandoned child, you...remember to go home early!"
Before she could finish her words, Aunt Biao burst into tears. Lan Yu helped her and couldn't help but sigh.
When every child of Jianghu steps into Jianghu and lives a happy and gratifying life, there may be a pair of parents who endure the pain of separation and longing at home.
He Yiqi also had a look of unbearable expression on his face when he saw this, but he still stubbornly held back his tears, squeezed out a smile and comforted her, "Aunt Biao, just wait at home! I will come back in the spring next year!"
At the same time, He Yiqi silently added in his heart, "I will also bring the boss lady back by then!"
After Aunt Biao said yes, she turned around and wiped away her tears.
Lan Yu gathered her emotions and walked to Qi Zixian's side. The two close friends fell into a brief silence at this moment.
"Take good care of the abandoned child, and take good care of yourself!" Lan Yu hesitated for a long time and then said.
Qi Zixian nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination, "In the past, I studied literature and martial arts and worked for the emperor's family. Now I also want to ride on the young man's wind and travel around the world again."
The two said goodbye without much greeting.
A small carriage, carrying a small amount of luggage, stumbled towards the world outside the town.
"Remember to go home!"
Although the carriage had traveled a long way and the Ping'an Restaurant at the end of the road had become a small black dot, Aunt Biao's voice still came through.
He Yiqi, who was sitting on the carriage luggage with Qi Zixian, turned around and waved vigorously in the direction from which he came.
It’s a farewell, a response, and a reluctance to say goodbye.
Sitting on the carriage in front, the lame man and the presbyopic man who were driving together were each carrying a jar of wine and drinking.
In the end, they each brought their favorite drinks.
"Then the old ladies still don't want to come out." Presbyopia muttered.
The lame man said angrily, "Why are you worrying about other people's affairs? Just take care of yourself."
"By the way, brother Qi! You said before that the abandoned child was going to the martial arts conference. How should we move?" the cripple asked loudly.
Qi Zixian thought for a while and said, "Lanyu told me before that the war in Yuzhou is fierce now. We will first detour to the border of Jingzhou and then go to Yangzhou. I heard that there is a special method in Yangzhou that can reach Yuzhou directly."
The lame man was a little confused, "What means can Yangzhou have to send people directly to Yuzhou?"
The presbyopic man glanced at the lame man and said, "That was created by the nerds from Tianxia Academy. It's called Xin Chi Fashen. It's a special formation that can send three people to where they want to go at one time."
When the lame man heard this, he was surprised and said, "Is there such a powerful formation?"
Presbyopia said with disdain, "Look at your worthless appearance, but these nerds in the World Academy probably won't be so kind as to give it to everyone for free, and the cost of using this formation once is very high."
Qi Zixian nodded and said, "I have heard before that there are many experts in Tianxia Academy who are skilled in mental cultivation, and their methods and moves are very different from physical cultivation. If they are not willing to let us use this formation, we We have to think of another way there. Fortunately, there are still five months until the martial arts conference starts, so we should be able to make it in time."
Presbyopia's face was not pretty, as if he had thought of something, he stopped talking and just drank silently. The cripple patted him on the shoulder, took out a hookah pipe from his arms, and handed it over.
Presbyopic, smoking and drinking, his cloudy and dull eyes seemed to be filled with stories.
He Yiqi didn't notice anything wrong with the atmosphere around him. He was in a very complicated mood at the moment. The nervousness, excitement, apprehension and a trace of fear of traveling for the first time made a young man under twenty feel very uneasy. .
The carriage traveled slowly along the winding and rugged mountain road. It finally finished the uphill road and was about to go downhill.
In the morning light, the presbyopic man held a wine bottle in one hand and a hookah in the other. He blew out a smoke ring from his mouth, and the expression on his face was like memories, but more like calmness.
The lame man crossed his left foot with difficulty in front of him and put his right foot on the frame. His face was filled with ease and freedom, as if the defeated general was finally about to turn defeat into victory. He was driving the horse with the reins in one hand and the whip in the other. Wine jar, so happy.
Qi Zixian lowered his head and looked at the detailed map in his hand. Lan Yu found it inexplicably at home last night. The two of them did not delve into the reason. Although the carriage was bumpy, Qi Zixian, who was sitting cross-legged, seemed to be in meditation. Moving like a mountain.
He Yiqi looked around curiously, feeling curious and fresh about everything outside.
This scene looks so peaceful and quiet, and under a tree not far away, two figures stand silently.
"Sima Nan from Qingcheng Mountain really feels that his sect still wants to be as powerful as before, so he simply refused our request. Next time, we should use some means..."
Zi's deep voice was like a venomous snake spitting out snake bites in the dark, which was terrifying to hear.
However, the lady boss next to her had a normal expression. She just stared blankly at the car of four people below.
The landlady and Zi's bodies were covered in mud and dust, and their eyes were full of exhaustion. The two of them rushed back from Qingcheng Mountain in Yongzhou just to hide in the dark and watch these people go out.
"The troops on the edge of the town are all He Shengbai's cronies. Because of Qi Zixian, they will not set foot in the town. They have the map we sent, and as long as they follow the route they have set, there will be no trouble. "
The landlady sighed after hearing this and shook her head, "I'd better not go down to see him, otherwise I won't be able to leave again."
Zi didn't delve into the proprietress's reluctance to leave, and who she was referring to. She just asked, "Qingcheng Mountain is unwilling to tell us fortune telling, so where should we go next?"
The proprietress looked at the backs of He Yiqi and his group disappearing over the horizon, thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to Yangzhou!"
