On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a fire on the mountain.
It is advisable to seek wealth; avoid disputes.
Zhuo County, Lousang Village.
Dead trees, lakeside, thatched houses.
In the quiet courtyard, a bed is placed under the tree. Agarwood enters the nose, which makes people feel calm. Green smoke curls from the bluestone-carved animal head incense burner.
Xiang Ji lay on the bed, feeling somewhat peaceful under the influence of the incense. One night passed, and this was already the second day he was brought into the village by that Ade. He mistakenly thought that he had been attacked by the nearby Tiger Wolf Peak. The passers-by who were robbed by rogue bandits were brought to the courtyard of the only doctor in the village.
At present, he also knows the general situation of Lousang Village. It is a village built on the mountains, and the Wang family is the largest power in the village, because there was a county magistrate a few generations ago, and it can be regarded as a scholarly family. After a generation of township chief Yu Yong was murdered by rogue bandits, the old man of the Wang family took over the responsibility of the township chief and managed the relationship with the county. He did it smoothly. In addition, he never did any bad things. He occasionally helped the villagers and did some small kindness. name.
It's just that the village has not been peaceful recently. It seems that something has happened. From time to time, villagers can be seen gathering together in twos and threes to talk. Especially after he, an outsider, appears, it becomes more obvious. At the moment, you can catch a glimpse of several women standing there. The doctor looked outside the courtyard and whispered, but Xiang Ji, who had an extraordinary ear, listened to every word.
"That boy is handsome, but he is a gangster. He also suffered a disaster from bandits. Alas, he is lucky to be alive. I really don't understand what these children think. They don't have much strength in their hands, but they always think about it. Traveling around the world, striving for fame, but never bothering to learn skills and farming. We common people have no chance to study, and we have to live in a poor family, let alone a wealthy family. It would be good to have a craftsman to earn a living."
"What Aunt Zhang is saying is that since the new emperor ascended the throne seven years ago, how many people have there been in each household in the three townships below Zhuo County? How many warriors have been born over the years? What can we do if we don't have enough to eat and don't have warm clothes? Go practice martial arts! The northwest wind cannot be eaten as food."
"Yes, our Lousang Village only has a high level of cloth manufacturing, but there are rogue bandits and bandits around it who cause chaos every year. Many people have been separated from each other because of this. The family has lost its mainstay, and the county magistrate is not willing to come. What else can we do? Big shot?"
The more the women talked, the more they sighed. They were used to seeing the tragedies of young and energetic "jianghu people", because every year, ambitious children from poor families walked out of the villages and towns, hoping to find famous teachers and seek opportunities. , there are also some passionate young people with little experience, unruly thoughts, and no chance to read books. They want to compete with others all day long, dream about galloping in the rivers and lakes, get adventures, and become famous.
However, the facts are always cold, especially in some barren and remote places, where the military supplies are insufficient, the force is weak, and there are not many sects and families. Evil beasts are rampant, and there are many lurking bandits and horse bandits. As soon as ordinary people go out, they are gone. silhouette.
People are most afraid of not knowing themselves, and even more afraid of being powerless.
"Emperor Ling has been on the throne for seven years, so it should be 175 years now. One year later will be the point where the aftermath of the party's scourge will resurface. Nine years later, there will be the Yellow Turban Uprising."
Xiang Ji listened to the villagers' words and had a general understanding of the era. It seems that as long as he waits until next year, the court will not have much energy to pay attention to him, a "little character defined as the descendant of the overlord." , one after another changes began to occur, and the Han Dynasty was also coming to an end.
There is one pavilion in ten miles and one township in ten pavilions. The leader of the pavilion chief is the township chief, and above the township chief is the county. Zhuoxian County above Lousang Village is the administrative seat of the entire Zhuojun County, and its status is very important.
Da da! At this moment, footsteps sounded in the yard, and the young man named Ade came with something in his hand. Seeing that Xiang Ji was awake, his eyes brightened.
"This courtyard belongs to Dr. Huang, a wandering Taoist priest who just came to the village a few days ago. He stayed here because he helped the village chief solve several difficult problems. He stayed here temporarily. People around him said that he has good medical skills. , is highly capable and kind-hearted, and provides free clinics every day for free, so I sent you here, hehe."
Ade smirked and handed over a small bowl of hot soup and half a piece of burnt pancake. However, he unconsciously glanced at the long knife on his back, showing a hint of yearning and envy.
The soup is very thin, there are only a handful of rice grains, and the noodles are very thin, no more than half a palm's size. It can be seen that the village is not rich in food. Being able to deliver such a meal is probably because of the owner of the house. Huang For the sake of the old doctor.
"Thank you. If you hadn't saved me, I don't know what would have happened in the mountains and forests at night. My surname is Chu and my courtesy name is Shanhe. I don't know your name yet." Xiang Ji smiled at each other and replaced Xiang with Chu, using his own new name. The "zi" who was taken later, without revealing his real name, picked up the soup bowl with a corner missing, crushed the small cake into it, mixed it, and then swallowed it. After running for several days, he was also hungry, and it was just in time to catch up. It's time.
"Everyone in the village calls me Ade. It means accumulating good deeds and doing good deeds. As for the name, hey, my father was killed by the bandits when he dragged his family to this village. He has never taken it. It is difficult to know the clan and genealogy. My mother wants me to be a People with both virtue and virtue are called Adelaide until now." Adelaide looked at him eating and couldn't help but touch his dry belly. He looked away, but his eyes couldn't help but fall on the long knife again, and he couldn't help but look at him. I couldn't help but say, "Are you a martial arts practitioner? I also yearn for martial arts. Unfortunately, I don't have enough to eat or wear warmly, so I can't get started. A master who passed by the town once praised me for my good skills. If I have to be taught by an expert, ···”
After muttering, his voice became softer later on. He didn't know what he thought of, sighed, and sat there by himself.
In the whole world, how many local sects, how many aristocratic families, and how many ordinary people can get the inheritance? Not to mention the monopolized 'supernatural power sequence', even martial arts is extremely rare. Even the children of wealthy families and junior officials can only enter the local or even royal academies to practice after being filial piety or having connections. Qualifications, but inheritance cannot be obtained immediately. It requires many reviews and inspections, and various tests before you can become a disciple and select the best to teach.
Of course, this is for ordinary people and disciples from poor families. Disciples from truly wealthy families do not need so many tests and there are other ways.
The simultaneous development of civil and military forces has always been a rule set by Emperor Guangwu, who wanted to alleviate the monopoly situation. Unfortunately, young people have always been vigorous, how many can sit still? Therefore, the majority of people practice martial arts, but taking food and medicine to bathe is a big problem.
"I'm afraid I have the idea of learning martial arts. It's a pity that at my age, I can't get started just because I don't have enough food and clothing."
Xiang Ji sighed in his heart. He still knew the basics of observing words and expressions, and he could see Ade's thoughts.
From his point of view as a warrior who has just started, although Ade is thin, his muscles and bones have not been reduced due to hard work. It is just that he has not taken enough supplements and has lost his body. This is why he has been unable to get started. He only needs to improve for a period of time before he can get better.
Although he was practicing swordsmanship, he had already started martial arts, and he could still practice the most basic fist, kick, and sword skills. It didn't hurt to teach him a few skills. Quan was supposed to reward him with "safe entry into the village."
"If you are willing, it would be okay for me to teach you some basic skills." As he said that, Xiang Ji held down the handle of the knife, put the wooden bowl aside, and went straight to the tree.
Looking at the blood-stained and even chipped knife, Ade couldn't help but ask, "Why do you always carry the knife on your back? You don't even put it down for sleeping and eating. When I changed your clothes last night, I couldn't pull it off." .”
"Because there is a dog outside the window." Xiang Ji touched the sword wound on his chest, his eyes slightly gloomy.
Ade was a little confused. "What does carrying a knife have to do with dogs?"
"Exactly, what does me carrying a sword have to do with you?" Xiang Ji smiled matter-of-factly, pointed to the open space beside him, and said no more.
Ade smiled when he heard the words. He understood something and stopped talking. He walked straight to the side and watched attentively.
Suck~
Phew~
Xiang Ji calmed down and moved his steps to the left and right. His breathing gradually became gentle, even vague, like an ancient pine standing there. As his breathing deepened, he became more upright and steady, and his feet were unsteady. , what else to practice? Only when the feet are firm, the body will not be a rootless duckweed, and the power can reach every inch of the body. This is the most basic stance.
Ade followed the instructions, and some of the awkwardness in the past were revealed. His breathing also changed from disorder to orderly ups and downs, and his skills were very solid.
Guiding his arms to move in front of his chest like water, Xiang Ji breathed even longer. The next moment, he shook his fist, and his whole limbs were squeezed inward at the same time, suddenly shrinking into a ball, like a squeezed spring. He suddenly stretched out again, his limbs bloomed, snap! There was an explosion, and even the branches of the ancient trees nearby were shaken, scattering a few leaves.
"Stand still like a mountain, move like thunder!" Ade's eyes lit up. He had heard this horoscope before at the village head's house and knew its meaning. He couldn't help but blurt it out. He understood the concept in these simple movements. Transformation occurs in an instant.
Xiang Ji nodded and said with a smile, "You do have wisdom. I don't know much, but you also understand the principle that one pulse can connect hundreds of meridians. This movement can be used not only for fists and kicks, but also for swords and swords." I'm going to practice swordsmanship when I come down, so you can watch carefully."
As he spoke, he swung the ring sword, sweeping, chopping, poking, cutting, plundering, nai (from top to bottom, it is nailuo), beheading, and thrusting. The eight methods of the sword appeared one by one, sweeping through thousands of armies and slashing with all his strength. Huashan, wrap your head and wrap your head, oblique lift, and twist and cover your body are all included in this list. They are simple and unpretentious but the most useful.
"It's really just basic sword moves." Ade's eyes were a little strange. From the beginning to the end, he saw Xiang Ji holding up the sword and slashing it down one after another. It was clearly that he had learned it from a passer-by in the Jianghu in his early years and had a good foundation in weaponry. Basic knife skills.
How many martial arts practitioners in the world don't know a few basic sword skills? Even those who practice boxing must be familiar with the most basic sword-style moves. These basic things must be dabbled in when you first get started.
But after looking at it, he discovered the problem. The posture of drawing the sword, the stance of the stance, the strength of the force, the change of moves and the connection are all things that can only be revealed by the guidance of a famous teacher. He has never understood it. But during the drill, Xiang Ji showed him one by one without hiding anything.
This was the professor's solution to the problem, and it was also a act of kindness. Ade secretly remembered it in his heart, and decided to search more when he went to the mountains to collect herbs and chop firewood tomorrow, and bring some back to Brother Shanhe.
After practicing for half an hour, Xiang Ji stood up with his sword put away, and asked Ade some things, such as the nearby army, big shots, etc., and even asked if there was a family named Liu who weaved straw sandals.
"So, the clan surnamed Liu is basically in the southwest corner of Zhuo County, and there is no one named Liu Bei or named Xuande in Lousang Village? Strange, is there something different?
That's all, I didn't ask why you want to practice martial arts. Could it be that you can't sit still and study? "
However, Xiang Ji found that he had never heard of the names of Liu Bei and Xuande. The names of those after King Jing of Zhongshan were almost becoming Zhuo County’s signatures. Without him, too many people would be born, and there were too many children and grandchildren. There were too many in the county. Most of them are somewhat related to each other, and their branches are densely packed.
This made him a little disappointed. Earlier, he thought that Ade had some connection with Liu Bei, but now it seems that he may have just overthought it.
Ade shook his head, "That's not true. I learned a lot of sages' principles from the township chief, and I can be considered well-educated in the village. But Brother Shanhe, I think, what we live in in this world is just a drop in the ocean, and even a person's life is of little significance to the world." From the perspective of heaven and earth, it might just happen in the blink of an eye, so I always want to go to the outside world and see, how can a man living between heaven and earth be depressed and trapped in one place?"
As he said that, he looked into the distance, towards the outside of the village, his eyes full of yearning. The village was too small to hold his dreams, and only when the storm suddenly rose could his ideals soar.
"Man, you have great ambitions. Ade, when you practice martial arts, don't you have the dream of becoming stronger and overlooking the world?" Xiang Ji was curious. In his opinion, practicing martial arts is not just to become stronger and increase longevity, but also to Go higher, live longer, be free and happy?
His views are very simple, because he has never really experienced the disputes between rivers and lakes, and he is still the "common man" who fantasizes about pleasure and revenge.
"Brother Shanhe, although I am not a big shot, I understand a truth. No matter how much you practice martial arts, there will always be someone better than you. No matter how smart your talent is, there will always be someone else. Therefore, live enough for yourself and be able to practice your own ideals. That’s enough.”
"Ade, what is your ideal?"
The two of them talked and went back and forth on this topic. Xiang Ji was also surprised to find that he himself had never thought about what he wanted and what he was chasing.
Until now, I have only struggled to survive and longed for longevity.
"When I was not yet born, bandits were rampant and bandits were in chaos. My father died in that turmoil. He didn't even have time to take my name. I don't know where the genealogy is or where the clan is. My mother was the only one left to raise me with all her hard work. The rest of the family was robbed and killed by bandits. In this place, we didn’t have enough food and clothing, but everyone was kind-hearted and helped us mother and son. We had hundreds of meals. At Bai Nie Yi, no one has ever looked down upon or despised us, but instead helped us as much as possible.
Therefore, when I practice martial arts, I want to protect my family and the villagers. I also hope to build a place where the elderly are safe, the young are cherished, and everyone lives and works in peace and contentment, without having to bow to the powerful or worry about harassment by the green forest.
Brother Shanhe, people in the village often say that I am unrealistic. You don’t laugh at me, do you? "Ade had some longing. This was his ideal after growing up and experiencing all kinds of things. At the end of the sentence, he smiled sheepishly.
Although it was a bit far away, and even many people laughed at it and thought it was ridiculous, he never changed. He held it carefully in his heart and rushed towards that day.
"No, no, I also hope there will be such a paradise. Unfortunately, you are Ade, not Xuande, and I am Xiang Ji, not Xiang Yu."
Xiang Ji sighed softly and muttered to himself, but the second half of his words was so low that Ade couldn't hear it clearly.
Squeak!
At this moment, the stone door was pushed open, and an old man with white hair and a crown walked in. Although he was stooped, this old man was also very tall, nearly seven feet tall. He wore a gray animal skin waistcoat, a black robe and blue clothes, and one hand He was carrying a bamboo cane and wearing straw sandals, and his attire was a bit nondescript and weird.
He seemed to hear the conversation between the two of them, glanced at Adedo twice, and then handed a stone jar to Xiang Ji and said lightly, "Drink up all the medicine in it, it will be enough to heal your sword wound. "
"Thank you, Doctor Huang." Looking at the dark medicinal juice in the stone jar in his hand, Xiang Ji twitched the corner of his mouth. It can relax the muscles and activate the collaterals, which slightly relieves his pain, and a cooling feeling spreads from his lower abdomen.
The wounds on his body also became itchy and hot, and the scabs quickly recovered. The effect of the medicine was obvious. Seeing this, Xiang Ji used his thunderous energy to activate his muscles and bones. He jumped up to ten feet high. He suddenly felt refreshed and couldn't help but laugh. stand up.
"Huh?" Old Doctor Huang's eyes moved, and he noticed something. He stared at Xiang Ji's feet, as if he felt the presence of thunderous force, and couldn't help but pause, his thoughts whirling in his mind, and he was silent for a moment.
Ade was a little confused and thought it was Xiang Ji who had learned Qinggong. He turned around and asked, "Master Huang, what's going on with the township chief? Can these gangsters leave? Isn't it possible that the county government's arrests haven't arrived yet?"
The detectives who patrol the county government are only one of the best in a hundred, and they are all beginner martial arts. The county government is a town government, and it is also the military station of a town. The county magistrate has great power. It is precisely because something happened in Lousang Village that the police were hired. Come and deal with it.
"In the future, since this little friend is a novice warrior, you and Ade go to help out. Those rogues are very rogue. Most of the strong men in the village are in the fields. If we can solve it, you, an outsider, can't help you." Your identity can be stable in the village." Dr. Huang stared at Xiang Ji, with a hint, and actually asked the two of them to go to the township chief's yard to help.
Hearing this, Xiang Ji felt something in his heart. He was about to solve the problem of his identity. If he could solve the problem, the mayor might be able to help him come up with a new identity. When the time came, he would say that he was born and raised in Lousang Village. Son, who can know?
He did what he said, and let Ade lead the way. He walked through the streets and alleys to the township chief's courtyard. This place was in the middle of Lousang Village, covering a vast area. Three large houses rose from the ground, dotted with several peach trees and flowers. There are also two stone cranes sitting in front of the door.
However, there were constant shouting and noisy sounds inside, which made it very uneasy. There were also many women and children gathered at the door to watch the excitement, their eyes were somewhat flinching, and they did not dare to come forward when facing the ruffians.
"Let's go." Xiang Ji took a step forward with his sword on his back, crossed the threshold first and entered inside. He saw a group of bare-chested men carrying thick iron embryos surrounding them.
Several Jianghu people had already come to the yard. A man with a bare chest, a messy beard, and a short jacket saw Xiang Ji and Ade, two fifteen-year-old boys, arriving. He couldn't help laughing loudly, "Where did these two babies come from?" Even though you don't have enough to eat and your clothes are in tatters, you still dare to pick up scraps of metal and learn to be a knight and enter the world?
This is not how you seek death. Please call me now and leave your valuables behind, and then I will let you out. Otherwise, I will cut your sparrows and drink them! "
The rough and harsh voice, the dirty and disgusting words, many people became angry when they heard it. This is too much!
In addition to the men, there were three middle-aged people in the courtyard. They were either dressed in smart clothes or wearing bamboo hats. They did not show their true faces and paid no attention to the two people who arrived.
"Whose dog was not tied up? It barked so stinkingly. Then he barked and stomped on the dog's head to use it as a chamber pot!" Xiang Ji had martial arts skills at his disposal. With a glance, he knew that there were no martial arts masters involved in the 'Five Heaven Pass' here. With the ability to fight four warriors alone, he naturally calmed down in his heart and dared to make a move with his mouth open, not taking that rogue guy seriously at all.
As soon as he said this, the courtyard suddenly became quiet.
Not only the shouting man was stunned, but also the women, children, old and young at the door widened their eyes and looked at the young man in surprise.
Those are famous rogues from all over the country, they are all ruthless people who have seen blood and snatched lives!
Where did this young man with a knife come from and dare to yell like this?
