Chapter 41 Returning Home Old Friends
sunset.
One hundred and forty-two people died on the banks of the Yellow River in Lanyang County, Kaifeng Prefecture, all of them with their eyes wide open.
The corpses were scattered all over the ground, all of them were bandits from the nearby Sanhe Water Fort.
There were three half-burned ships on the river bank, all charred black.
"Finally, someone has taken care of these damned bastards!"
"I heard that they hijacked a boat and were preparing to return to the water stronghold. I don't know what happened, but they had an internal conflict and fought among the pirates. The boat caught fire and they had to dock nearby. Then they all died inexplicably."
"Not only these bandits, I heard that more than a hundred people died in the water stronghold. The corpse of the stronghold leader 'Fan Jiang Jiao' is still hanging in front of the gate of the water stronghold. More than a hundred elite soldiers were all killed, and the remaining bandits were so scared that they fled in all directions."
"He robbed someone he shouldn't have robbed, and is here to seek revenge. I guess he is a true disciple of the Eight Great Sects."
"Whoever did it, I have to say, well done!"
The onlookers applauded.
The inspectors from the Kaifeng Prefecture Inspection Office and the detectives from the nearby county government looked at each other and continued the autopsy.
Soon, the coroner got the result and came to report to Qin Zhi, the inspector of the Inspection Office.
Qin Zhi asked first, "Another broken neck? Died from someone breaking his neck?"
"Your Excellency is right."
The coroner bowed, swallowed his saliva, and said nervously: "One hundred and forty-two people, without exception..."
Qin Zhi was secretly shocked and murmured, "The third one has started..."
The deputy next to him was also shocked. Looking at the corpses on the ground, he was terrified: "How did he do it? The first incident happened in Guide Prefecture. All 500 bandits of the Iron Horn Gang were killed. Dozens of people died in the mountains. The second incident happened in Ningling, on the border between Kaifeng and Guide Prefectures. The same thing happened in Jinsha Village. The necks of people outside the village were broken, and those inside the village were beheaded with a single knife. Now it's Lan Yang... Is he killing people while on the road?!"
Qin Zhi nodded solemnly: "Most likely."
"Oh my goodness~"
The deputy was shocked and said, "Looking at this method, he doesn't seem to be from a famous and upright sect. For the sake of fame, the disciples of those big sects usually show their martial arts in public, only killing the main culprit and letting others help them to become famous. But this one is different. He killed everyone who has a little bit of ability! The rest of them don't even know who killed them... It's a bit like the style of the Pacification Division, but even more cruel and ruthless!"
Qin Zhi pointed at the official and said, "Look."
The deputy looked over and saw two lines of wheel tracks winding away.
The ruts were very wide, and it was not an ordinary carriage. The horse pulling the carriage was also unusual. From the hoof prints left behind, it could be seen that the horse's hooves were as big as bowls, and it must be a famous BMW horse.
The most important thing is that there are such wheel tracks and hoof prints near the three cases.
It's obvious that a group of people did it.
According to the captured bandits and pirates, there was only one murderer, who was about seventeen or eighteen years old and had a handsome face.
Not a group, but one person!
Qin Zhi pondered and said, "This kind of carriage and horses came from Fengyang and Yingtian. They are probably some high-ranking official in the court. The person who escorted them slaughtered three waves of bandits on his own and killed hundreds of people, but he did not seek fame and only took away the bandit leader's personal belongings. He is most likely a senior official in the Pacification Office."
The deputy agreed: "Killing the bandits is like chopping melons and vegetables... As the saying goes, why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? Who will be his main target if he can send this lord out?"
Qin Zhi frowned, having no idea for a moment.
"Heading north, looking at this direction, of course it's 'King of Backers'~"
Suddenly, a lazy and gentle voice sounded, making the listener feel tingling in the heart.
King of Backers?
Qin Zhi and his deputy turned around suddenly and saw a young woman in purple clothes, about 23 or 24 years old, walking out of the crowd.
As soon as they saw her face clearly, they felt their heads buzzing and they were completely lost in the beauty. This woman was too charming and beautiful, even more beautiful than the most beautiful courtesan in Yihonglou, Kaifeng. She was charming and graceful, and she was so charming that she could captivate people.
The woman in purple looked at their infatuated expressions and raised the corners of her lips in satisfaction.
The people watching around were also stunned where they were. Both men and women stared at her intently, fascinated and unable to control themselves.
The woman ignored everyone and walked to the center of the corpse gracefully. She closed her eyes and made hand seals, sensing carefully:
"Within a radius of ten feet, the vital energy is in disorder. It is indeed a magic..."
She opened her eyes and looked in the direction where the wheel track was going away, her eyes were cold and grim: "I want to see who is coming!"
……
"How much did you get this time?"
On the official road, the carriage swayed forward.
Zhao Wumian had another bag in his hand, this time it was from "Fanjiangjiao", the leader of Sanhe Water Village.
Lu Chang leaned on the soft animal skin, watching him take out things one by one with great interest, and complained: "The carriage that the emperor prepared for me has been stuffed with a lot of things!"
"Not much."
Zhao Wumian pretended not to hear the second half of his sentence, opened the bundle, picked and chose, and said with a look of disdain: "This Fanjiang Jiao is even poorer than the leader of Jinsha Village! Apart from two thousand taels of silver notes, two [Rejuvenation Pills] for detoxification, and a set of silk soft armor, there are only two secret manuals, "White Wave Divine Art" and "Vortex Hand"... With such a small amount of property, you dare to be the boss?"
Lu Chang said casually: "You didn't miss it."
"It shouldn't be."
Zhao Wumian thought carefully, "After I killed the man, I searched the bedroom and checked all the mechanisms, but there was only this little thing... I have to learn the whole book of "Qi-Observation Technique". The perspective of "Observing Words and Expressions" is still short. If it is "Qi-Observation Technique", I can use the changes in the vital energy to see if there is any treasure."
Lu Chang didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "The Art of Looking at Qi is used to look at Feng Shui, you kid..."
Zhao Wumian was a little helpless: "I didn't expect that among the three waves of bandits, the most valuable one turned out to be the first one we met, the leader of the Iron Horn Gang, Shen Gang. Not only did he have a set of Tiandao Sect swordsmanship, he also had a good weapon. The others were useless."
Zhao Wumian looked at the [Cicada Wing Knife] at his waist.
This knife is of the lower grade Xuan rank, made of wing steel with seven years of effort, with a South China Sea coral as the handle, three and a half feet long, as thick as a cicada's wing, soft or hard, hard or flexible, and can be wrapped around the waist. Although it is a steel knife that has been tempered a hundred times, but when it comes to the enemy, it is like duckweed swept by the wind, leaving no trace, and can cut off the heart meridian without leaving any trace.
Extremely rare.
Lu Chang didn't know much about these things, but he could tell that this knife was extraordinary: "How much can this knife sell for?"
Zhao Wumian said: "It's a lower grade Xuan rank, it can probably be sold for 10,000 or 20,000. Keep it for now, it's not bad to use."
Lu Chang was eager to try: "How about a round? Let's bet on this knife."
Zhao Wumian raised his eyebrows: "Do you still have money to gamble? Theoretically, this carriage is mine now."
"..."
Lu Chang was silent for a moment, then he got angry and said, "I didn't expect you to not give up a single round! Do you know how to respect the old and love the young?"
Zhao Wumian said faintly: "I have already given you seven pieces..."
"cough!"
Lu Chang coughed and said, "Give me two more."
"...Okay. You first."
"it is good!"
Lu Chang sat up suddenly, his expression serious, ready to avenge himself, and was about to leave.
"and many more."
Zhao Wumian suddenly called for a stop, his pupils shrank slightly, he picked up three chess pieces, and threw them out of the car with his backhand.
Lu Chang listened attentively: "Is someone following us?"
Zhao Wumian recovered as usual: "It's just a thief. Go ahead."
"Then it's even three-five."
"Flat four four."
The carriage galloped along, going farther and farther.
Behind the carriage, in the dense forest.
The woman in purple stared at the thick tree in front of her—three chess pieces made three fist-sized holes, brushed past her body and shot backwards, sinking deeply into the soil!
"Warning? Or do you not want to take action at this time?"
The woman's face darkened. She looked at the carriage in front of her and sneered, "No matter how sharp your perception is, it's only at the second level. Tough guy? I like tough guys!"
...That evening, the carriage passed through Kaifeng Prefecture and arrived at Kaizhou, Daming Prefecture.
After more than half a month away from Beijing, I am finally here.
Lu Chang's hometown was in Changyuan County under the jurisdiction of Kaizhou, while the Yunmeng Mountain bandits were eighty miles east of Kaizhou.
The carriage moved slowly among the crowd and stopped a few feet away from the city gate.
Lu Chang lifted the curtain of his carriage, looked up at the words "Kaizhou" on the tower, and said with a smile: "I'm finally back... I thought I would never come back in this lifetime."
Zhao Wumian said, "Lü Gong is worrying too much. The emperor is not going to kill someone just because of honest advice. Let's go directly to Changyuan County. Maybe your old friend is waiting for you."
"You are more anxious than me."
Lu Chang smiled, looked in the direction of his home, and sighed: "To be honest, I'm not sure if he is here... But I am sure that he will be able to predict my return. I have known Liu Bowen for many years, and I know that he can see through the yin and yang, and spy on the secrets of heaven. His supernatural methods are beyond my reach."
Zhao Wumian thought to himself that there were not many half-immortals like him throughout history.
"drive!"
A wave of the whip.
Zhao Wumian drove his carriage into the city.
Daming Prefecture is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. Kaizhou is located in the central area and is very prosperous. There are many warriors with swords on the streets.
Zhao Wumian went straight through the city and ran towards Changyuan County in the southwest.
The closer they got to home, the more excited Lu Chang became, and his tone trembled as he gave orders to move forward.
Soon the carriage arrived at the end of an alley, where a large grove of green bamboo came into view.
Normally, it would be impossible to have such green plants in the north in February, but now the lush green is swaying in the wind, elegant and natural.
There are five small houses in the bamboo grove, two on the left and three on the right, all made of thick bamboo.
An old man was heating wine on a stone table in the yard, and a young man in cloth clothes was sweeping the courtyard with a broom.
Lu Chang's eyes were a little red.
It had only been two months since they last saw each other, but being here at this moment, in this situation, made him feel deeply moved.
Lu Chang jumped out of the car and ran into the bamboo forest: "Bo Wen, you really came..."
The old man had gray hair and an elegant face. He was in his twenties, had the temperament of a scholar, and was as gentle as jade.
It was Liu Bowen and his eldest son Liu Lian.
Liu Bowen stood up and said with a smile: "Brother Lu has returned home to enjoy his old age. How can I not come and ask for a glass of wine for such a good thing? I hope you don't blame me for coming here first."
Lu Chang shook his head, looked at the courtyard and sighed, "I haven't been back for several years. I guess it has been in a state of disrepair. I have no children, but you came all the way here and cleaned it up so cleanly. You also made this courtyard full of life and saved me from suffering. I can't thank you enough. How can I blame you?"
Liu Lian took a step forward, bowed and said, "Liu Lian greets uncle."
"Good! Good!"
Lu Chang quickly helped him up and said to Liu Bowen, "Why did you take his family with you? Meng Zao (Liu Lian's courtesy name) is a man of great learning, and the emperor wanted to make great use of him. But you took him away with you, and the emperor was furious."
Liu Bowen sighed, "If Lian'er stays in Beijing, something bad will happen. I have no choice but to do this. Besides, I also kept Jing'er. He has been with the army for the past few years and has not been involved in government affairs. He is relatively safe. With him around, the emperor will not issue a warrant for my arrest."
I laughed at the end.
Lu Chang shook his head helplessly: "The emperor did not allow you to resign, so you did this, but it attracted a lot of criticism. I was really afraid that the emperor would listen to Hu Weiyong's slander and issue a warrant for your arrest. Now it's good, the storm is over, and you can finally retire."
"One last thing."
Liu Bowen looked at Zhao Wumian with a gentle gaze.
At that moment, Zhao Wumian's whole body tensed up, as if he was exposed to the sun, and all the secrets inside and outside were exposed!
"Heaven is jealous of him."
Liu Bowen said: "It has been eight hundred years since Lanling Prince Gao Changgong appeared in the world."
"..."
Zhao Wumian's pupils shrank sharply.
God is jealous?
Liu Bowen can even see fate?!
Lu Chang was surprised: "No wonder... since ancient times, those who are envied by the gods have a hard time lasting long. Is this boy the same?"
Liu Bowen nodded: "There are still two years left. After two years, there will be a catastrophe of death."
I rely on!
Is it useless to add lives?
Zhao Wumian bowed down without saying anything: "Please lend a hand, Mr. Liu. Wumian will never forget it!"
A man can bend and stretch.
Lu Chang was also a little nervous. He had gotten to know Zhao Wumian quite well in recent days and thought that this boy was not bad. He also said, "Bo Wen, can you tell me? You people who practice the Way of Heaven cannot reveal the secrets of Heaven at will. If you can..."
"Since ancient times, those who are envied by heaven are all extraordinary. If used in the right way, it can benefit the world!"
Liu Bowen said sternly, "Brother Lu, you don't have to do this. I will not sit idly by, but... it is not easy to change your fate! Gan Luo of Qin, Guanjun Hou of Han, and Lanling Wang of Qi were all gifted with natural talents, but they died young and died in an untimely manner. This cannot be reversed overnight. Two years later, when you are doomed, I will appear to lend you a hand. Whether you can avoid it depends on you."
The last sentence was directed to Zhao Wumian.
Zhao Wumian felt much more relieved and said sincerely: "Thank you, Mr. Liu!"
"You have killed many people, but none of them are innocent. If not for this, I would not be saying these words today."
Liu Bowen raised his hand: "Don't think too much now, just let it go. Get up."
"Yes……"
Zhao Wumian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and slowly stood up.
Lu Chang also breathed a sigh of relief for him.
With Liu Bowen's ability and his help, he would not be doomed to death.
Lu Chang thought to himself, no wonder this kid’s chess skills are so high, even if my chess skills are poor, I won’t be defeated miserably with only seven pieces. I didn’t have such a hard time even when I played against Liu Bowen in the past, and I had no power to fight back!
It turned out to be like this...
I'm just saying that I'm not that bad, this kid is really extraordinary.
Lu Chang felt slightly comforted.
Liu Lian brought a bamboo stool, smiled at Zhao Wumian and invited him to sit down.
Zhao Wumian thanked him solemnly, and several people sat around the table.
Zhao Wumian clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Liu, the emperor ordered me to fetch something..."
Liu Bowen laughed and said, "That's not what he said."
Zhao Wumian did not hide it and said bluntly: "Yes, he also asked you to go back, but I don't think it's necessary to ask."
Liu Bowen said, "There is no rush for this matter. You can do your thing first. The person is outside."
who?
Zhao Wumian turned around in surprise and saw a beautiful young woman in a purple dress frowning at the bamboo forest. She was clearly facing the stone table and bamboo house, facing everyone, but she seemed to be unable to see them. She just looked around at the entrance, pacing back and forth.
The scene was indeed a bit weird.
Zhao Wumian recognized her.
One of the four generals under King Kaoshan: "Poison Spider", Dong Shisan Niang.
……
(End of this chapter)
