The legend of Dukang

Du Shaokang looked up at the night, the moon was shining brightly, it was a good time to have a detailed talk with Duke Zhou, how inappropriate it was to visit friends at this time.The silvery moonlight hit his pale face, making him a jade carving that was refined from other worlds.Du Shaokang coughed a few times covering his chest, raised his eyes to look at the gate of Shen's residence, and a faint smile rose from the corner of his mouth.

After being led in by Shen Jianing, the quiet second son of the Shen family, he was left hanging in a side hall without even being served a sip of tea.Du Shaokang just sat there and waited for two sticks of incense before Shen Daoyuan took the time to come.

After finishing it on the seat, Shen Daoyuan asked his servants to serve tea, he glanced at Du Shaokang, and asked, "It's late at night, sir is not sleeping at home, but he said he has something important to ask me, what's the matter?"

Du Shaokang smiled and was about to answer, when he suddenly noticed a pair of green eyes appeared outside the window at some point, and then a huge object slid in from the window and landed lightly in the room.It has horns on its head, its body is like a leopard, its claws are sharp, and it has five strong and powerful tails behind it.

Du Shaokang couldn't help being surprised. Although this monster was huge, it had a light body and no sound under its feet.To be able to sneak into the inner courtyard without anyone noticing it without knowing it from the people all over the Shen residence, it can be seen that it is nothing extraordinary.Du Shaokang looked at it carefully again, and found that those green eyes turned dark yellow under the dim light.

The monster ignored the two big living people in the room, and jumped onto the couch next to Shen Daoyuan to take a nap, as if he was the owner of the room.

Shen Daoyuan didn't seem to expect it to come in suddenly, he was taken aback for a moment, carefully smoothed its fur, and gave Du Shaokang a cautious look.

After a brief moment of surprise, Du Shaokang smiled and said, "I've lived in Cuiping for so long, and I didn't know there was such a beast in the town."

"Oh, sir know it?" Shen Daoyuan said.

"I don't dare to say it, but I read it in the book. There is a cloud in the "Shan Hai Jing": "The mountain of Zhang'e has no vegetation, and there are many Yao and Bi. It is very strange. There is a beast, which looks like a red leopard. , with five tails and one corner, its sound is like hitting a stone, and its name is "皮'." Looking at Shen Daoyuan's impatient expression, Du Shaokang explained: "On Zhang'e Mountain, there are no flowers, plants and trees on the mountain, and there are Yao, Bi, etc. Very strange things often appear in the mountains. There is a beast in the mountains, shaped like a red leopard, with five tails and one horn, and the sound it makes is like the sound of knocking stones, and its name is hideous."

Du Shaokang looked at the monster on the couch, and said wanly: "I think the appearance of this thing is very similar to the legendary one, but I don't know if this Cuiping mountain is the legendary Zhang'e mountain, there are mountains and plains full of beautiful jade."

Shen Daoyuan smiled lightly: "Sir, you are so knowledgeable and talented!" After finishing speaking, he looked down at the resting monster, and said, "'Jiaotu' has always been mysterious, as long as it is unwilling, it will not appear in front of people. Although it lives In Cuiping Mountain, there are only a handful of people who have actually seen it. Since it is willing to appear in front of Mister tonight, it is also fate, it seems that Mister is not a mortal!"

"Jiaotu?" Du Shaokang said with a smile: "'Jiaotu' is the fifth son of the dragon in the legend. People usually use it on the door knocker to protect the safety of their homes. Hide and Jiaotu are two different beasts. Why do you have to put on a crown and wear it!" After speaking, Du Shaokang looked down at the resting "Jiao Tu" again.

As if feeling that his scrutiny was contemptuous, Shen Daoyuan frowned, and said displeasedly: "I don't read much, and I haven't heard of what you said. Whether it's ferocious or Jiaotu, the patriarch first named it 'Jiaotu'. Tu', if it is regarded as the patron saint here, then it is 'Jiaotu'."

There seemed to be flames in Shen Daoyuan's eyes, and he looked at Du Shaokang firmly, as if the words of his patriarch were imperial decrees that could not be refuted.

Du Shaokang withdrew his gaze, and did not continue to argue: "It's just a title, but the younger generation is too persistent. The ancient gods and beasts are all fierce. Since the patriarch that Patriarch Shen said can make Jiaotu the patron saint of Cuiping Town, it must be Not a mortal." After speaking, Du Shaokang raised his eyes and looked at Shen Daoyuan inexplicably.

Shen Daoyuan seemed unwilling to continue this topic, he took a sip of tea and said, "Sir, it must be that the purpose of coming here tonight is not to discuss ancient legends with this old man!"

Du Shaokang didn't betray him either, and said slowly: "The younger generation came, naturally for the three people imprisoned by the patriarch."

Shen Daoyuan said indifferently: "This old man is not a government office, how could he imprison people casually."

Seeing that he didn't admit it, Du Shaokang didn't mind: "Tianyun Villa is quite powerful in the Jianghu, and its strength should not be underestimated. Why is Patriarch Shen asking for trouble!"

Seeing him speak for Wen Ruyu, Shen Daoyuan's eyes dimmed, and he quietly clenched the teacup in his hand.

Du Shaokang straightened his cuffs meticulously, and continued: "Patriarch Shen probably didn't find all the anthers."

Murderous intent flashed in Shen Daoyuan's eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "The boy from the Wen family said that there is an informant in Cuiping Town. I didn't believe it at first, but now it seems that there is such a thing. I just don't know when the gentleman became the insider of Tianyun Villa? What is your purpose for coming here today? You might as well open up your explanation!"

Shen Daoyuan looked at Du Shaokang's pale face, and secretly estimated in his heart: This person hides so deeply, and he is so scheming, he really should not be underestimated!Right now, the whereabouts of the anthers in the sky are unknown, if it is in his hands, it will be really difficult!After thinking about it, since Du Shaokang didn't rush to put the anthers in the sky to report to Tianyun Villa, it means he has other purposes.

Du Shaokang didn't rush to answer, but instead asked an irrelevant question: "The Shen residence is so lively tonight, why don't you see Jia'an?"

Shen Daoyuan didn't expect Du Shaokang to mention Shen Jia'an, his heart skipped a beat, he didn't know what he was paying attention to for a moment, he glanced at him vigilantly, and said in a low voice: "Jia'an won't wake up until dawn, you don't have to count on him, He doesn't know anything."

Du Shaokang seemed relieved, and after a while he said slowly: "The purpose of this junior is very simple, to help you, to help Cuiping Town!"

Shen Daoyuan snorted coldly: "Really? I don't know how you can help, sir?"

Du Shaokang looked into Shen Daoyuan's eyes, and said word by word: "Give them what they want, and then let them go."

As if hearing the funniest joke in the world, Shen Daoyuan laughed loudly: "Do you really think the old man will do it, sir?"

"This is also the meaning of General Zhen Guo." Du Shaokang said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Shen Daoyuan was taken aback for a moment, and then he was furious. He smashed the cup in his hand and shouted at Du Shaokang in a hoarse voice: "Don't play your pretense, that little trick is just to deceive ordinary people." I'm just a human, but I can never deceive the old man!" His expression was fierce, as if he wanted to tear Du Shaokang to pieces.

Du Shaokang was not disturbed by his emotions, and said calmly: "Jia'an once told the younger generation that he wanted to be an official to benefit the people in the future, but you have always disagreed."

Shen Daoyuan was still angry, and said bitterly: "The emperor is despicable, shameless, ungrateful, such a court, such an official, it doesn't matter if he doesn't do it."

"Now that the world is in peace and the people live and work in peace and contentment, how can the court say that it is mean and ungrateful?" Du Shaokang raised his eyes to look at Shen Daoyuan, only to see that his face was livid and he didn't answer. Why should the patriarch still be obsessed with the past?"

Shen Daoyuan moved his mouth, and said in a deep voice, "Who the hell are you?"

Ignoring his question, Du Shaokang continued: "There is no need to mention the past, the younger generation only looks at what is in front of us. 'Picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely discovering Nanshan' This is the favorite poem of Zhen Guo General Ling Jueding Bar."

When Du Shaokang said this, Shen Daoyuan had a gloomy expression on his face, and secretly clenched the saber pinned to his body: "You are not from Tianyun Villa, you are sent by Emperor Dog!"

Still ignoring him, Du Shaokang continued: "Jia'an once told me that Cuiping Town was originally called Peach Blossom Town, but there were no peach blossoms in the town, but a lot of chrysanthemums were transplanted from other places. Tao Yuanming, who admires Xanadu, although I am not a chrysanthemum lover, I can understand its meaning."

Du Shaokang looked at Shen Daoyuan: "As far as I know, Patriarch Shen only knows some characters, but he never likes scholars. With such an elegant act, I guess it is to use chrysanthemums to remember the old people. Everyone in the world loves peonies, but few people love chrysanthemums. Although not many people know about the fact that General Zhen Guo loves chrysanthemums, the younger generation has heard of it."

After the shock, Shen Daoyuan has slowly recovered his calm. He stared at Du Shaokang quietly: "Mr. is really not an ordinary person. It seems that you have already grasped the secrets of my Cuiping Town."

Du Shaokang smiled: "It's because the patriarch's obsession with the old man is too obvious. General Zhen Guo is famous far and wide. As long as you know him a little bit, it's not difficult to find this. It's just that this place is too remote, and few people pass by. It was only a fluke that I kept it a secret for so many years."

"Although the obsession of this old man is deep, how many people still remember it after so many years?" Shen Daoyuan said with emotion: "There are not many people who can discover so much through these clues." Shen Daoyuan finished speaking and stared at Du Shaokang said: "When the master came, the old man also sent someone to inquire about your details, but they found nothing. It is impossible for a person to have such a great ability to wipe out his past completely, without any traces. No. I intended to get rid of you, but seeing you taking care of Mrs. Dong meticulously, I think you are a little filial, and my heart softens for a while... I never thought that the kindness of a woman at the beginning would lead to a big mistake... Even Dong's poor Humans can be used, willing to lie dormant for so many years, but the dog emperor has cultivated a good craftsman?"

Ignoring his cynicism, Du Shaokang said indifferently: "This junior is not from the emperor, nor from Tianyun Villa. This junior just can't bear to see Patriarch Shen make a big mistake with a single thought, and bring the entire Cuiping Town into catastrophe Zhong. Jia An is a good boy, he shouldn't have such a disaster!"

Mentioning Shen Jiaan, Shen Daoyuan sighed silently. He looked down at Jiaotu who was resting beside him, got up and walked to the window, looked at the moon outside the window, and murmured: "My parents died when I was seven years old. Wandering around, it was the general who took me in. When we first came here more than 50 years ago, it was the same moonlight. When we first met Jiaotu, it was the king aloft, looking down on the world and treating us mortals like ants. But he is extremely docile to the general. After the general died, Jiao Tu disappeared, and the beasts are so in love with their masters, let alone those of us who have been favored by the general!"

After finishing speaking, he looked back at Du Shaokang: "The general is the one we will follow forever! Back then we promised him that we would not avenge him, but the Xuantian sword is the only thing left by the general. This old man can never tolerate him falling into the court Let the dog emperor trample in our hands. Back then we were unable to save the life of the general, but now we have to hold on to his sword even if we are desperate. The sword is with the people, and the sword is dead. It is the fate of the entire Cuiping town to die for the general. Mister is not a member of the imperial court, you should leave Cuiping Town as soon as possible to avoid being implicated."

"You're wrong." Du Shaokang interrupted Shen Daoyuan sharply, stood up and pointed at the resting Jiaotu, "Jiaotu means loyalty to duty and can keep the house safe. Why do you think the general gave it such a name? The general named it "Jiaotu" because he wanted it to be optimistic about the gate of Cuiping Town and keep the people in the town safe. The general named the town after "Taoyuan" and regarded "Jiaotu" as a guardian animal, just to guard the pure land of Cuiping Town Let his subordinates live here in peace. Cuiping Town is the only thing he left to you. At the beginning, he didn’t let you avenge him, but he wanted you to stay away from worldly disputes. Since he doesn’t want you to do it for him How could you expect you to die for a sword? Can a human life not be worth a sword? As the patriarch of Cuiping Town, what you want to protect is the Taoyuan-like life of Cuiping Town, Cuiping The lives of the townspeople! If your obsession ruins everything the general has worked so hard to build, and destroys the paradise in his heart, what face do you have to go to Jiuquan to see the general?"

As if shocked by his words, Shen Daoyuan stared blankly at Du Shaokang, tongue-tied and unable to utter a sound.

Jiaotu was awakened by the words just now, opened his eyes and looked at the two people who were staring at each other, slowly climbed down on the bed, walked to Shen Daoyuan's side docilely, and rubbed the back of his hand affectionately.

Shen Daoyuan lowered his head and stroked Jiaotu's head, falling into a trance.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Du Shaokang said softly: "Patriarch Shen said that since the death of the general, Jiaotu has disappeared, so why did it come back now? Isn't it a reminder from the general? Remind you to protect it Cuiping Town. Cuiping Town is the general's sustenance and hope. The Taoyuan in the general's mind can be reproduced here. As long as this place is still here, the general's soul will have a home. Patriarch Shen, do you have the heart to let the general die with regret?"

Shen Daoyuan's body trembled, and he held on to the window sill unsteadily. He looked at the candlelight on the table and remained silent for a long time. The firelight cast a heavy shadow on his face.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Daoyuan finally sighed. He looked at Du Shaokang who had been standing in front of him, and said slowly: "This old man will let Wen Ruyu and the others go, and will also hand over the Xuantian Sword to the Dingguo Houfu. However, this The matter is not that simple, the rest..." Shen Daoyuan's words were drowned in deep lamentation.

Du Shaokang looked at the old man who had gone through vicissitudes in front of him, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.The years did not wear away his loyalty, but just a few quarters of an hour took away all his airs.He is a respectable patriarch, and Du Shaokang understands his beliefs, persistence, and concerns.

Du Shaokang took a deep breath, and comforted him: "The tranquility of Cuiping Town is worth maintaining. This is the general's wish. Hasn't Jiaotu returned?"