Sad Li

Zhang Yi Linji

Xuancheng in the first month is not very cold, especially on sunny days.

The clear blue sky reminds people of the clear river and gentle mountains that can be seen in the distance while drinking wine in front of the building.

Perhaps because she was thinking about these things, Meng Fanghui's expression was unavoidably distracted.Half of the fresh plum branch in his hand was covered with fingernail marks.But Meng Fang is a little absent-minded in normal times, and acquaintances don't care about him.

Master Xie of Qingji Villa happened to be such an acquaintance.

Meng Fanghui has been practicing swords since childhood, and is Zhao Yiping's most proud disciple of the Xiaoxiang Sword School.The friendship between Xie Huaide and Zhao Yiping can really be filled with thirty papers in the book.It is not an exaggeration to say that Meng Fanghui grew up under his watch; although the two factions are far apart and may not see each other for a year, Meng Fanghui gives people the impression that there is no earth-shaking change until he grows up. Make everyone around you feel like they know him well.

Xie Huaide's feelings can be summed up in one word: he is very envious of Zhao Yiping having such an apprentice, but at the same time he is glad that he does not have such an apprentice.

Meng Fang glanced slightly in the direction of the gate.Han Jin went out from that side just now, so of course he was no longer visible at this time.He was allowed by En to go to freshen up and change out of the expensive but tattered clothes.The disciples of Qingji Mountain Villa obviously wanted to ridicule him, and gave him the coarse clothes worn by servants.Han Jin accepted it calmly, but he didn't greet anyone when he left.

Just like when he came here.

Xie Huaide also noticed Meng Fang's gaze, and naturally knew what he was thinking. The two looked at each other, and Xie Huaide laughed a few times: "The old man's shots are a bit harsh, my nephew, don't mind."

"Senior was only protecting himself, he deserved what he deserved." Meng Fanghui said flatly. "No matter how you say it, after all, he has made great achievements in martial arts, and he is an old friend of the junior, so he has to ask the senior to give him a high hand and let him live."

"Oh, why don't I think so....Young people make mistakes, and their talents are obvious to all. Although the title of number one in the world is exaggerated, it is not all in the name at such an age and such skills. My nephew, please persuade him a lot, Maybe in the future, if I change my mind and turn over a new leaf, I can make up for it, and my nephew's intentions will not be in vain."

Meng Fang smiled back. "Maybe it's hard to change his mind, but it's more difficult to overcome the merits. However, if he can stay away from the storm and live his remaining life in peace, it will be considered a great fortune among misfortunes."

There was no sarcasm in his words, but Xie Huaide still felt uncomfortable listening, and couldn't help but said: "You said I abolished his martial arts, that's not the case. Although his internal injuries are serious, there are many good doctors in the world. He may not be able to make a comeback. It's just that he This skill is no small matter, but it's hard to say how it will be at that time, I advise my nephew to think twice."

"Yes, but it's hard to say what will happen tomorrow." Meng Fanghui was in a daze again, and suddenly let go, and the brutally raped flower branch fell to the ground.Xie Huaide stared at him, wondering how many times Meng Fanghui was really his apprentice, if he had the courage to slap him on the head. "However...he has always acted clearly, and he should have nothing to do with that tragedy...Maybe he thought of the old relationship and was willing to tell me the ins and outs, and there are unknown difficulties...In any case, the following crimes, I guarantee that it will never happen again in the future. If the seniors don’t believe it, I’m willing to take this as a gamble.”

Xie Huaide paused and said: "No one wants to bet with you! If you don't come, I may not kill him. You kid is not good at anything. Don't just try to persuade him, but tell him to lead you to ruin. Do what you can !"

Although Han Jin didn't hear a single word of the above conversation, he could at least guess [-]% of it.When he walked out of Qingji Mountain Villa, his steps were still very brisk, as if a person who had been wearing shackles for many days could suddenly walk normally, wishing that every step would bounce several feet high.

But he just walked a few steps before feeling dizzy.Injuries coupled with days of exhaustion and hunger, after the initial freedom, they quickly reacted and swarmed up.Even the cold, which can't be called harsh at all, took advantage of it and squeezed the bones.He stopped under a tree, collected himself, and subconsciously looked back in the direction of the villa, wondering why he stopped here, and then felt a little ashamed of his strangeness.

...He and Meng Fang haven't seen each other for several years, maybe the friendship between gentlemen is as pale as water, and it has dried up, but until the last time they separated, they don't remember any overt conflicts.If Meng Fanghui hadn't happened to visit this time, he might still be lying dying in the cell of Qingji Villa, making Xie Huaide worry about how to deal with him.As long as he still has a little conscience, this word of thanks can't be avoided.

Then why did he want to leave as soon as possible before Meng Fang came out?Perhaps his help to Meng Fanghui was not purely gratitude, but mixed with a trace of anger at being broken.He didn't want Meng Fang to see himself as he was now.There are plenty of opportunities to repay affection, but it is difficult to make up for this situation.Of course it was useless to think about it, Meng Fanghui came out in a hurry, looked around for him, and when his eyes fell on him, his expression was obviously 120 reassured.

"Han Jin! It's good that you're here waiting for me... I was afraid that you would leave first, and I didn't dare to eat, so I said goodbye to Master Xie early. He gave me some paper and pens, and I asked him Send it to Taibai Tower. You will also come with me. This clothes should also be changed, what does it look like?"

He tugged on Han Jin's sleeve and left.Han Jin couldn't make a sound, and followed him in a daze.The red paper scraps of firecrackers that have been ground into the mud are scattered along the roadside.Meng Fanghui dragged him to the Taibai Building with his feet barely touching the ground. Watching Meng Fanghui dispatch the servants who came to bring gifts, he ordered the staff to prepare this and that, and finally sat down and ordered a table. Cai, finally found the opportunity to speak.

"Xiao Meng," it's not that he doesn't know that he doesn't care about the atmosphere when he says this, but Meng Fanghui can enjoy himself so much, and Han Jin won't lose to him when it comes to killing scenery. "Why did you save me?"

Meng Fang glanced back at him. "Have a meal."

Han Jin also ignored it. "Don't think my words are ugly. I thought you would be happier if I died."

Meng Fanghui put down her chopsticks thoughtfully. "If you died silently thousands of miles away from me, and I didn't hear about it until half a year later, maybe I really can't control it. But since you are in front of me, I can't be indifferent. I don't know if you are satisfied with this explanation."

His pretended indifference made Han Jin want to laugh, so he hurriedly said, "Thank you." Now that he finally said the word of thanks, can he walk away now?

Meng Fang shook her head back. "There's nothing to thank me for, this is what you deserve."

A rib in Han Jin's body shook violently, and he looked down at his aching chest. "This situation is exactly what I deserve."

Meng Fang pretended not to hear, but was only interested in the plate of boiled prawns in front of her.On the contrary, it was Han Jin who asked again, "What are your plans next?"

"My trip to Xuancheng was actually driven out by Master. I haven't been out of the house for more than a year." Although Meng Fang smiled wryly on her face, she was probably a little bit complacent in her heart, even though Han Jin was beaten to death. I can't understand what is there to show off if I don't go out for more than a year. "Duan Chong, the second master of the Daguan sword, died suddenly, and the Jinjian in Shuzhong was destroyed. People in the rivers and lakes were panicked. It was a sign that the mountain rain was about to come. Master sent me to Qingji Villa to discuss with the owner, but unexpectedly met You. With such a coincidence, it’s hard for you to stay out of it. If you want, I would like to invite you to come back to Xiaoxiang with me.”

He said something, Han Jin nodded, and finally said as if nothing had happened: "I'm a useless person now, it doesn't matter where I go with the crowd, but you are innocent and righteous, and now walking with me, I don't know if it will ruin Xiaoxiang Sect and Fanghua Sword reputation."

Meng Fang couldn't bear it any longer, and slapped her chopsticks on the table. "Han Jin, have you made enough trouble? What did I say? You can't say anything by yourself! If you insist on forcing me to admit that I look down on you, don't worry! And then just walk away? Cooperate with me in Zhuang All the talk in front of the Lord is just to hear whether you are salty or not?"

Han Jin's heart relaxed, but softened instead. "Xiao Meng, those were all angry words just now, I apologize to you. I know you are doing it for my own good."

Meng Fang turned stern, and let out a "hum", unable to restrain herself from laughing first, she just said, "Eat." The two of them quickly cleared the table away.After brewing tea, Han Jin waited for him to continue discussing the topic just now. Unexpectedly, Meng Fang yawned back and said that she was sleepy, and suggested that the two should take a nap separately, which made Han Jin seem to be at a loss.

He slept soundly this time, and when he opened his eyes, it was already dark outside the window.There were clothes on the bedside, and Han Jin shook them off to see that they were not very appropriate. It seemed that Meng Fanghui's visual inspection was not very reliable.He hastily washed and washed, until late at night, there were only a few tables of customers who wanted to leave, and the sound of the dice shaking in the bowl was unbearably dull.Meng Fang sat back in a dimly lit corner, with a jug and two porcelain cups in front of her, looking down at her left hand, looking bored.

Han Jin stood by the stairs and regained his composure.Two or three hours ago, he was still able to keep up with the rhythm of the development of things. This dream seemed to wash away all the twists and turns. He was stunned to be as uncertain as his previous life, and he was only full of thoughts about why I am here and why people are alive. emotion.Meng Fanghui's silhouette born out of thin air is not like a clichéd glimpse in the past, but an elusive hint of the future.He walked over, sat down opposite Meng Fanghui, and reached for the jug.Meng Fang never drank alcohol, and Han Jin couldn't help being a little moved when he thought about it, although the wine was not much different from water in his mouth.

Meng Fang nodded back to the shopkeeper, signaling him to have dinner, and watched Han Jin drink three glasses of wine, and suddenly said, "I'm really surprised why you got hurt."

Han Jin almost spit out the wine after taking a sip. "I'm not a vajra indestructible body, why can't I be injured?"

Meng Fang nodded back, expressing an exclamation that something is worse than nothing. "If you knew this result in advance, you wouldn't come to Xuancheng."

"Xiao Meng, why are you so cautious. At worst, if you ask, I won't tell. But if you don't ask, what should I say?" Han Jin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and put the cup back on the table. "Old man Xie thinks I'm stubborn because I really have nothing to tell him. Someone wants his life. As for who it is, I can't say it. This is the rule. Since I did such a thing, I have to abide by it. Follow the rules."

"I understand." Meng Fang quickly waved her hand. "But what I want to ask is different from the owner. Why did you kill him?"

"It's clearly the same! Because someone wants to kill him—"

Meng Fang interrupted him and asked again. "Why did you kill him?"

Han Jin suddenly stood up, a burst of rage rushed straight to his forehead, wishing to strangle Meng Fang to death on the spot, completely forgetting that he had lost all his martial arts at this moment.Meng Fang looked back at him, which only contributed to this illusion, the stubborn fair neck was ready to be slaughtered without fear.He sat down again slumped.

"He's just a human being. If someone pays, I'll kill him. What do you think?"

"In the past few years, you have killed many people." Meng Fang bent back to pick up the tea whisk on the ground. "There may be more than a dozen, there may be dozens. The asking price for No. [-] in the world is too high, so in fact, there will not be many people who will come to kill you. There are wealthy businessmen, thieves, and powerful ones, but like Xie Huaide This is the first time for a leader of the righteous way."

Han Jin wanted to laugh out loud. "If there is a first time, there will be a next time."

"So, why the first time?"

"I don't know." Han Jin almost begged for mercy. "Xiao Meng, do you know that what you said just now is more disgusting than those old men who were half buried in the ground? Of course there is a difference between killing someone and not killing someone. But what is the difference between killing one person and killing two people? What's the difference?"

"There is a difference." Meng Fang replied. "Even if you kill 10 people, there is a difference if you kill one more person."

"You're annoying Xiao Meng to death!" Han Jin threw up the table in a panic, and Meng Fang turned her head to look at him, with a look of pride instead of shame. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, I recruited me. The person I wanted to kill at the beginning was definitely not him. Don't ask me who I am! I don't know who it is! It was in the capital. I missed it."

"...Does this mean that that person's martial arts is actually better than the best in the world?"

Han Jin is now a shadow of a snake, no matter whether Meng Fang's reply is meant to be mocking or not, his hair is standing on end. "Do you think killing people only depends on martial arts?"

"Ah, it depends on wisdom." Meng Fanghui said suddenly. "As the saying goes, a wise man has a lot of worries, and he is bound to make a mistake. It is also said that a good swimmer drowns, and a good rider falls. However, getting into this situation is not as simple as making a mistake."

"Yes." Han Jin admitted. "I fell into a trap and was captured by him. If I want to live, I have no choice." When he said this, a slight sense of shame flashed across his heart, and he glanced at Meng Fanghui's expression from the corner of his eye.Meng Fanghui didn't pay attention, she just crossed her hands and pointed at God, and asked abruptly, "Did that person ever threaten you?"

"That's not true. I've already missed, and I can't miss the appointment again. Even so, no matter whether it succeeds or not, killing Xie Huaide once is enough. I missed twice in a row. Even if the martial arts are still there, I'm afraid my reputation will be compromised in the future. This Those who travel the Yangtze River, the waves behind them will push the waves ahead, and their jobs will be a problem.”

"That's good." Meng Fanghui couldn't help saying, biting the bullet and not seeking compensation. "A few years ago, the brocade sword in Shuzhong was bloodbathed. More than [-] people died under the sword overnight. The murderer's martial arts were so high and his attacks so vicious. There are only a handful of people in the world today. There are different opinions for a while. I came all the way from Xiaoxiang. Discussions, saying that the Demon Cult, which has been silent for many years, is ready to move again, vowing to revenge the hatred of the past. That person instructed you to take action against Xie Zhuang on the cusp of the storm, it is really a coincidence."

"You mean I fell into the trap of the Demon Cult?"

"You killed a swordsman named Tang Heng last year." Meng Fang replied with a steady tone. When they met, they had never seen him so old-fashioned. This was not a compliment, and Han Jin couldn't help but feel a little impressed. "He is good at poisonous arts, and he can't be called upright in his actions, but he has always been friendly with Tang Jingshuo, the master of Jinjian. You are not a tiger in this tragedy of Jinjian, and you will inevitably be suspected of being a gangster."

Han Jin was stunned. "I don't know who entrusted the original business. I only know that the person to be killed is a wealthy businessman surnamed Feng, who donated a spare position in the court. There is a huge mansion on Chang'an Avenue. This person came from The road is not easy, and someone got away with my mistake that time—is it possible that this person, and even the person who originally entrusted him, is a member of the Demon Cult?

Meng Fang stared back at him. "...Then what, you seem to have told me everything."

"Yes, you should kill yourself." Han Jin had no temper at all, and after a while he sneered and said, "If it's really a remnant of the Devil's Cult, that would be interesting. There are three feet of dead bones on the grave, and you still want to resurrect from the ashes! That's fine." , this time taught him that he will never stand up again."

"It's good that you have such courage." Meng Fang smiled back and patted his elbow. "The most urgent thing is to heal your injury."

"You seem to have a solution." Han Jin wanted to tease him as if he was more anxious than himself, but suddenly found that he was really not in a hurry; it seemed that the sense of gratitude for his narrow escape made him ignore the seriousness of the injury, It also seemed that he never felt from the bottom of his heart that his injury would have any impact on his number one status in the world.

"I do have an idea, but let's talk about it tomorrow...tomorrow." At this time, the other guests in the lobby have dispersed, from the shopkeeper to the shopkeeper and the waiter yawned and looked at them. But it's still a little contrived.Han Jin didn't pursue it, but asked, "Leaving tomorrow?"

"Naturally the sooner the better."

Meng Fang wanted to get up, but Han Jin sat still.

"You have nothing to ask for?"

"What request?" Meng Fang rubbed her eyes back, but she couldn't help but be dumbfounded when she realized it. "My God, Han Jin, I don't want you to do anything! The situation in the world is unpredictable, and the turmoil has already emerged. If it is true that the Demon Cult makes a comeback, neither you nor I can stay out of it. Several leaders will also discuss countermeasures, let alone us... I It’s just that if you have been a killer for several years, you must be vigorous and resolute, but in the end you have learned to look forward and backward. If you really think so, I dare not force you to stay, so please go ahead.”

He pursed his lips, looking a little displeased.Han Jin himself knew everything about it, but he could only rest assured when Meng Fang said it. After all, the two had been estranged for too long, and even though it was embarrassing to test him, he didn't dare to skip this step. "Xiaomeng, it's not that I look forward and backward, I understand my current situation. It is your kindness that you are willing to let me go to Xiaoxiang. I am not a grass. If you have any difficulties, as long as I do my best, I will help you."

These words are beautiful, Han Jin will definitely not be able to do anything before his injury recovers, Meng Fanghui lowered his head and thought for a while, his eyes lit up. "Well, there are three chapters of the contract. You can drink, but I don't have enough capacity to accompany you. You can also go to find flowers and ask Liu, but don't teach me to see, and don't miss the schedule. There is still one chapter left, and I will tell you when I think about it. "

"...This means that you don't want me to drink, nor do you want me to find a woman."

Meng Fang replied: "You can understand it that way."

Han Jin: "But I don't have any money on me, why are you telling me these things?"

Meng Fang replied solemnly: "This is called heaven will send a great appointment to the people. So why are you so eager to thank? The Xiaoxiang faction is very poor, and my living standard is not high. I can't afford the ostentation of being the best in the world. I also ask you to be more patient."

He got up and walked upstairs, but Han Jin still sat still; I don't know if it was because of his injury, he found it extremely difficult to get up from the stool, his flesh and bones became limp, and he no longer listened to his instructions.He sat there as if fixed there, watching Meng Fang disappear into the dim slender back, desperately asked an old-fashioned question: "Xiao Meng, why do you believe me?"

Meng Fang turned her head, as if she was waiting for him to ask this question, but also as if she was tired of him finally asking this question.Some things cannot be expressed non-verbally, but when expressed, is it also lost at the same time?like flowers in the dark.Going back and forth is superfluous, but there is nothing he can do; he and Meng Fanghui have never had a tacit understanding.

"Why do I believe you?...Because Master Xie is still alive."