The flower is a tulip [Chu Liuxiang]

The surface of the lake, which had already calmed down, suddenly became choppy again.One after another, bubbles burst up, "Pululu", followed by a "splash", two figures hugging tightly jumped out, bringing crystal water splashes all over the sky.

Before Chu Liuxiang's feet touched the ground, he hastily looked at the girl in his arms, from head to foot, then from foot to head, for fear that she might be injured a little bit.

The girl was finally embarrassed by the sight, she burst out laughing with a "poof", and said, "Master Chu, haven't you seen enough?"

Chu Liuxiang slowly let go of her arm, but she still held her hand and said, "No, not yet. Rongrong, you scared me to death! Do you know how many things I think about in a flash? If you have what, I just..."

The girl stared into his eyes, and slowly burst into a sweet smile.Although her whole body was wet, her appearance was brighter and fresher, like a peach blossom with dew on the edge of the sky.Then she said softly: "With your words, I will..."

Both of them were immersed in surprise and warmth, and for a moment they forgot the people around them.

Hua Manlou had already stepped forward, but kept an appropriate distance from them, standing quietly aside.

Chu Liuxiang suddenly came to his senses, pulled the girl over, and was about to speak, but his smile froze immediately, and he lost his voice and said, "Why are you hurt?"

Hua Manlou shook his head and smiled, "It's fine. Aren't you going to introduce Miss Su for me?"

Chu Liuxiang sighed and said: "Why are you like this! This is Su Rongrong. Rongrong, come and help me take our playboy back to the inn. He listens to girls the most. We can't stay here for long, I'm afraid we are all dead. Being watched."

Before Hua Manlou had time to refute, she felt a pair of soft hands holding her.Following the girl's voice, she said, "What about you?"

Chu Liuxiang walked towards the lake, and said with a smile, "If you don't catch that guy under the water, he will probably feed the fish."

◇ ◆ ◇

When Su Rongrong bandaged his wound in spite of Hua Manlou's objection, Chu Liuxiang had already returned to the inn.

Although Hua Manlou couldn't see the expression on Chu Liuxiang's face, she could feel the solemnity in the air.

Chu Liuxiang was silent for a long time before saying, "Who hurt you?"

Hua Manlou pulled out the half blade from his sleeve and handed it over.

Su Rongrong only glanced at it, and quickly said: "The body is as narrow as a sword, but it is sharpened on one side. It is made of refined steel and is unparalleled in sharpness. This is the sword used by Japanese warriors."

Chu Liuxiang frowned and said, "Sure enough, he's from Dongying again."

Huamanlou said, "Eastern Ninja."

Chu Liuxiang said: "Huh?"

Hua Manlou said: "He shot from behind me. I didn't hear any sound beforehand. There was no sound of footsteps or breathing."

Su Rongrong was surprised and said, "There's not even a sound of breathing?"

However, Chu Liuxiang seemed to have known it long ago, and said with confidence: "The ninjutsu of Japanese ninjas is a unique skill. One of these skills is that it can make people hide their own 'existence'."

"exist?"

Chu Liuxiang nodded and said: "They can hide anywhere, and like chameleons, they can integrate themselves with the surrounding environment, and even their breathing and body temperature can be adjusted to be as natural as possible, so that people can't detect it." He didn't wait for Su Rongrong to continue. He exclaimed, and quickly continued, "The one who recognized my identity when I was disguised, and escaped with the 'Smoke Jade' technique in front of me, is also a Japanese ninja."

Hua Manlou also said: "No wonder even the red sword of the Central Plains can't cut him off."

Chu Liuxiang raised her eyebrows unexpectedly, looked at him and said, "A little red?"

Hua Manlou smiled and said, "He came to help me, and then left."

Chu Liuxiang couldn't help touching her nose, and murmured, "You are really popular. The number one killer in the Central Plains, who is hard to find, actually helps you fight for free."

Hua Manlou didn't answer, but said: "Do you think this Japanese ninja is the same person as yours?"

Chu Liuxiang said: "There have always been very few Dongying people here, it seems that there are probably [-]% of them. I didn't expect him to attack you..." His expression became more and more serious, and he slowly put his hand on Huamanlou's shoulder , whispered, "I'm starting to regret getting you involved."

On the corner of Hua Manlou's mouth, the smile was widening, and then he said slowly: "Are you trying to persuade me to stop?"

Chu Liuxiang said: "This is because I was meddling in my own business. Now not only Rongrong is implicated, but you..."

Hua Manlou didn't wait for him to finish, and said first: "I haven't asked yet, what happened to you? Is Miss Su okay?"

Su Rongrong looked at Chu Liuxiang's worried gaze, and said, "The people who attacked me were mediocre, but there was another ambush in the water. They should deal with..."

Hua Manlou twitched his eyebrows, and immediately said: "That's right! Neither I nor Miss Su may be the real target of the murderer. He just wants Chu Xiangshuai to stop meddling in this 'nosy'."

Su Rongrong looked at Chu Liuxiang again, and said softly: "Young Master Hua is right, your road ahead will be even more difficult."

Chu Liuxiang didn't speak all the time, she seemed to be thinking about something, and she raised her eyes after a while.Seeing his smiling eyes, Su Rongrong knew that he had made up his mind.Sure enough, I heard him say: "Chu Liuxiang wants to meddle in other people's business, I'm afraid no one in the world can stop him." He seemed to have paused, and when his eyes turned to Huamanlou again, he showed a trace of hesitation, "But, Mr. Hua ..."

Hua Manlou smiled faintly, "Does Xiangshuai doubt my courage, or my ability?"

Chu Liuxiang sighed, looked from Hua Manlou's shoulders to his hands on his knees, and back again, shook his head and said, "I have no right to ask you to do or not to do anything, I just think ...Since I got to know you, I have brought you a lot of trouble."

Su Rongrong kept looking at Chu Liuxiang, and her eyes seemed to have some ripples.Then she quietly walked forward, took Chu Liuxiang's arm, and said: "Or else, please give me a ride. You are not on the boat these days, and we are all very lonely. We are looking forward to having a guest." Woolen cloth."

As expected, Chu Liuxiang's eyes lit up, and just as he was about to speak, Hua Manlou asked, "Boat?"

◇ ◆ ◇

The place where Chu Liuxiang lives is a boat.

A ship with a deck, a mast, a sail and a rudder, a ship that can really ride the wind and waves and sail in the sea.

It was the first time Huamanlou heard that Chu Liuxiang lived on the boat.

He couldn't wait to visit this ship and "take a look" at the place where the well-known bandit commander Chu Liuxiang lived.

Moreover, the murderer lurking in the dark did not know when he would strike again.Since "he" is so afraid of Chu Liuxiang, no matter what, he will not directly break into Chu Liuxiang's residence.

What's more, not many people in Jianghu knew where Chu Liuxiang lived.That boat should be the safest place right now.

What's more, Su Rongrong made such a reasonable request.She is a girl, it is always not safe to walk alone, and she needs to be escorted.Chu Liuxiang has important things to do, so his friend will naturally do this task for him.

Hua Manlou thought about these things several times, and the more he thought about it, the more reasonable he felt, and he couldn't find any faults.So he laughed.

He smiled and said to Chu Liuxiang and Su Rongrong, "I won't go."

Not going means not going to the boat or escorting Su Rongrong.

"Even if Chu Xiang is handsome, he has no right to ask me to do anything. So I won't go anywhere."

After saying this, Hua Manlou felt that the other party's breathing was slightly disordered.

"why?"

It was Su Rongrong who asked the question before Chu Liuxiang.She looked at this gentle and polite young man in puzzlement, and suddenly said such capricious words.However, just as she was about to continue questioning, she saw Chu Liuxiang's blocking gaze.

Then, Chu Liuxiang took a deep breath, took a step back, bowed solemnly, and said word by word: "It was Chu who didn't think carefully and offended the playboy. Please don't take offense. Let's leave now. "

After finishing speaking, he took Su Rongrong's hand and walked out the door without looking back.

Su Rongrong couldn't help but secretly turned her face to look, and saw that Hua Manlou was still sitting there, even maintaining the posture when she was speaking, without moving at all.The expression on his face was dazed and dazed, as if he had forgotten everything.

After walking for a long time, Chu Liuxiang didn't speak again, but Su Rongrong finally sighed and said, "Why did you say that?"

Chu Liuxiang let out a casual "hmm".

Su Rongrong said again: "I know you are worried about him, afraid that he will be in danger again. But have you seen him just now, so disappointed, so sad, how can you..."

Chu Liuxiang suddenly laughed and said, "You've only met him once, and you've started worrying about him. If you really want to ask him to go back, I can't see that for three days, I won't be the one you're chasing after to call you big brother."

Su Rongrong sighed again, shook her head and said, "Don't pretend to be joking, I know you're not feeling well. The dude with his dragon and phoenix appearance is a friend worthy of you, are you really willing to break up like this?"

Chu Liuxiang didn't smile anymore, but was silent for a long time, before saying: "But he is too kind and pure... Pulling him into the world with me, I'm really afraid that I will hurt him..."

When he said these words, he didn't look at Su Rongrong, nor did he turn his head back, but cast his eyes on a cloud in the sky.

High sky and flowing clouds, below the clouds is the sea.

Penglai has a legend of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" since ancient times. The sea here seems to have a mythical atmosphere, and even the sea water is bluer than other places.

Chu Liuxiang and Su Rongrong came to the pier of Penglai Port and walked straight to the largest ship moored in the pier.

A two-masted pointed bow ship nearly eight feet long and more than one foot wide.

The imperial court strictly banned the sea, and the slabs were not allowed to enter the sea.Although private building of sea-going ships by the people has been repeatedly prohibited, and officials above have turned a blind eye to it, but such a large-scale pointed-headed brigantine ship is still unusually visible.

This is an official grain ship with a thousand materials.

Chu Liuxiang and Su Rongrong walked towards the boat meanderingly, neither fast nor slow, and even had some relaxed smiles on their faces, as if they were going back to their own home.

Although there were many people on the pier, no one dared to stay in front of the official ship, let alone look around.

No one saw Chu Liuxiang and Su Rongrong get on the steps of the official ship arm in arm.The pedal was a little unstable, Su Rongrong hesitated for a moment, Chu Liuxiang immediately supported her.

The backs of the two disappeared on the boat together.

How did Chu Liuxiang get on the official ship?

Could it be that this king of thieves, who caused headaches for all officials and policemen, lived in an official ship that transported food from the imperial court in a grandiose manner?

No one would believe anyone who told such a thing.

However, as soon as Chu Liuxiang and Su Rongrong stepped onto the deck, a sailor immediately laughed and shouted: "Second Young Master, Miss Rong, you are back!"

Chu Liuxiang nodded, and Su Rongrong smiled.The two of them soon heard everyone on the boat shouting: "Second Young Master and Miss Rong are back! Second Young Master is back!"

Su Rongrong's smile gradually showed a hint of ridicule.She turned to look at Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang quickly touched her nose, and hurriedly said, "I'm so hungry... I wonder if Tian'er has cooked anything delicious..."

Su Rongrong let out a "chi" laugh, watching this world-famous person rush into the kitchen like a child.

Song Tian'er was indeed in the kitchen.

She has always been a happy girl, and her greatest joy is working in the kitchen.It's like she was born for the kitchen.

And her happiness also affects those around her.Her person is like a spring of happiness, spouting happy water to the surroundings in a "gurgling" manner.

Li Hong Xiu was with her, feeling this kind of happiness.

That is to say, these two girls are laughing and chattering in the kitchen, making some delicate and delicious side dishes that won’t make you fat, paired with the wine from the Western Regions that Chu Liuxiang worked so hard to get, and drinking it by themselves. Enjoy yourself.

Chu Liuxiang stepped into the kitchen, and what she saw was such a warm and joyful scene, she couldn't help laughing.

It was a scene that one couldn't help but join in quickly.

So Chu Liuxiang shouted: "Okay, you are happy at home, but you don't think about me, I want to..."

His voice suddenly broke in mid-air.

Li Hong Xiu knew what he was surprised at, but turned his head as if he didn't notice it, and said with a leisurely chuckle: "Look at you, it's rude to shout so loudly in front of guests."

Chu Liuxiang's hand, which was about to touch his nose, froze in the air. He watched Hua Manlou, who was sitting between the two girls, stand up, and smiled at himself, "You're finally back. Is the road difficult?"

◇ ◆ ◇

When Chu Liuxiang was able to speak, he realized that Song Tianer, Li Hongxiu, and even Su Rongrong, who came over after him, were all giggling around him, as if seeing the funniest thing in the world. things in general.

Li Hongxiu seemed to read the words in his heart, and panted while laughing: "This is the first time for me... to see Chu Ershao's expression... as if swallowing an egg...I really admire it to death Playboy!"

Chu Liuxiang had no choice but to rub her nose with her fingers, as if she wanted to wipe off the embarrassment on her face, and said after a while: "Which one of you, please tell me what's going on. If I keep laughing like this, I'm going to jump into the sea."

The three girls still didn't stop laughing, but Hua Manlou stepped forward calmly, raised his hand and said, "I suddenly thought of a question, I want to ask Xiangshuai for advice, please don't blame me for taking the liberty to visit."

Seeing his calm and solemn expression, Chu Liuxiang immediately forgot all her doubts, and just repeated: "Question?"

"You said before that a total of five bodies were found at sea, and the identities of four of them have been confirmed, and it is known that they all received a letter, so they traveled far away in a hurry and died." Hua Manlou nodded Head, the voice has become slow and clear, and this question fell into the ears of all the insiders, like a loud bang, "So, who is the fifth person? Why was he found by the murderer? "

The author has something to say:

The author presses:

About Xiangshuai's ship, and his historical period.

I believe that most of the readers who have read the Chu Liuxiang series, especially the Jagged Legend series, will immediately imagine Xiangshuai’s boat as a pure white private yacht, just like me.But think about it, probably not.

The tone in the original book shows that Chu Liuxiang controls his boat alone, and this boat is his base camp, which is equivalent to 221-B Baker Street to Sherlock Holmes.But here comes the question: Excavator technology... No, what kind of sailboat can be completely controlled by one person?

Don't forget that the space on his ship is not small, enough to hold hundreds of disguise costumes, and four corpses were placed in the early stage of Fragrance from the Sea of ​​Blood.

Just talking about the most basic, there are at least four rooms for living people, and a kitchen.

When the ship gets bigger and bigger, at least I personally think that there should be sailors.Otherwise, do you think Song Tianer will be able to take the helm or Su Rongrong will be able to reef the sails?

To sum up, I tend to think that Xiangshuai's boat is a big boat, a big boat that can withstand rough seas and can be used for long-distance sea voyages.

If you think so, it also coincides with the background of the times.The early Ming Dynasty was the era of great voyages, and this yearning and desire for the ocean happened to be reflected on Xiangshuai's boat.

Another reason for setting the era as Yongle is the imperial court's attitude towards Japanese pirates and pirates in the original book.If it came to Qi Jiguang and Qi Shaobao's era, how could Japanese pirates or Shi Tianwang and his ilk be rampant!

In the early Ming Dynasty, the sea was banned, and private ships could not go to sea.Of course, Xiangshuai is a thief, but there is a thief who sails around the ports all day long without being checked, so it is hard to say that he does not have a deeper background.

He also has his own Zhuangzi, obviously an exploiting class!

Therefore, Chu Liuxiang may be far more than a thief.