Jiaohua

Today is colder than yesterday. The sky and the earth are icy, and there is no sunlight at all.

Xia Zhao was wrapped tightly with three layers of clothes inside and three layers outside. He took off his hood before entering the main hall and shook off the wind and frost with the help of the female soldiers on both sides.

Inside the house, the old man, Master Danguan, and Yuan Muxue were looking at the map brought by Xia Zhaoxue.

Xia Zhaoxue went out for something, and several of his subordinates were entertaining him here.

These subordinates told the old man in detail everything that happened in Qingji Pass this month.

The battle to defend the pass a few days ago had not spread so quickly, and the old man and others only heard about it now.

The huge disparity in military strength between the two sides made them, including the old man, raise their eyebrows even though they were used to the world.

Xia Zhaoyi stepped over the threshold, passed through the spacious hall, and entered the warm room where silver charcoal was burning. He smiled and said, "Master."

The old man frowned and stood up: "How are the injuries on your arms?"

"It's okay if you don't move."

"Have you been having a fever these days?"

"It's fine now, and everything is fine."

Xia Zhaoyi looked at Dan Xianzhou and Yuan Muxue and smiled: "Master, these two seniors are..."

Of course she knew him, but she had never met him in this life.

The old man then introduced it again.

Xia Zhaoyi greeted them generously.

Several soldiers brought hot tea, cakes and cold dishes.

Xia Zhaoyi's hands were cold, but he was reluctant to let go of the hot teacup as he listened to the old man's explanation of the purpose of his visit to Qingji Pass.

The world was full of war and military affairs, and his master hated killing. When Xia Zhaoyi heard that he was coming, his first reaction was to confirm that his master was not coming to see him on purpose.

really.

As she spoke, the teacup in her hand gradually grew colder.

Xia Zhaoyi glanced down and was about to speak to others, but he saw the old man straighten an upside-down teacup, pick up the teapot on the small stove, and pour warm water into it.

Xia Zhaoyi took the teacup handed over by the master and said with a smile: "Master, you are so considerate. Thank you, Master."

Dan Xianzhou and Yuan Muxue looked at the old man with clicks of the tongue. Finally, they had a chance to tease him.

The old man ignored him and continued talking.

Xia Zhaoyi was surprised to hear that Chongmen Heng was Yuan Muxue's junior fellow apprentice: "Is Chongmen Heng also the tomb keeper of Duan Duan Cliff?"

The old man said, “Yes.”

Xia Zhaoyi lowered his voice and moved closer to the old man: "I've never heard Master say that."

The old man's voice was also very low: "I didn't know before that the mark on the Chongmen clan is the mark of the gravekeeper of Duan Cliff."

"There is still such a thing."

"Zhili discovered it by accident. I ordered him to investigate the Chongmen clan. I wanted him to find out about Tang Xiangsi, but he ended up investigating Yeshan. He wrote a letter and asked Gu Xinghai to send it to Yuan Muxue at Duan Duan Ya after returning to Wangxing Sect. When you receive a letter from Zhili next time, he will probably have sorted out the details and told you in detail."

Xia Zhaoyi nodded and glanced at Dan Xianzhou over there.

Dan Xianzhou said, "Master and disciple, what are you two whispering about?"

Xia Zhaoyi said, "Back then, at the Sihai Teahouse in Mingtai County, Chongmen Hui spotted me right after I arrived there. Master Tanguan, you must have let it slip."

Dan Xianzhou said with a frown: "How could I know that he had a demon in his heart at that time? If you want to blame someone, blame him. Who knows that the Chongmen clan is also the guardian of the spirit?"

Danxianzhou pointed towards Yuan Muxue.

Yuan Muxue said coldly: "I live in seclusion and rarely go out. I don't care about the world's affairs. I only care about guarding the spirit. It is my lifelong wish to protect my one acre and three inches of land. Why do you blame me? Do I have to let everyone know if I lose a dog?"

While the two of them were arguing, Xia Zhaoyi thought of something. She called a female soldier over and whispered in her ear.

The female soldier took the order and left quickly.

Xia Zhaoyi looked back at the old man and told them that the jade given by Meng Sixiang to Liang Dechang was deliberately stolen by Shi Baijin. Shi Baijin felt uneasy and gave it to her, but she suggested that he return it to Liang Dechang personally and told them about it.

The old man asked, "Is Tang Xiangsi down and out?" "Yes, and he is thin and weak, only a little taller than me."

The old man said: "He has been running the business for hundreds of years and has many capable people around him, yet he still ended up in such a miserable state."

Xia Zhaoyi said: "Maybe it's not well managed."

Dan Xianzhou on the other side said: "It may also be that he is not ruthless enough."

Xia Zhaoyi looked at Yuan Muxue and said, "Mr. Yuan, the old leader of Wangxing Sect, Gu, once mentioned that Chongmen Heng was stolen and sold in his early years. It was Tang Xiangsi who saw the Chongmen mark on him and took him away. Later, did Tang Xiangsi send him to Duan Duan Cliff?"

Yuan Muxue nodded: "Yes."

"You have seen him, too?"

"If I see him again, I will kill him."

Not to mention that the old man and Dan Xianzhou didn't know that the Chongmen clan were also the guardians, Yuan Muxue didn't know it either back then.

The year Tang Xiangsi sent Chongmen Heng to Duanduan Cliff, Yuan Muxue was only fourteen years old.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

The master was very fond of Chongmen Heng at that time, and said to Yuan Muxue earnestly that he was the one who picked up Yuan Muxue, and that the Chongmen clan was the most suitable person to keep watch over the body.

These words made Yuan Muxue very sad. Finally, he spent his whole life proving that he was the most suitable person to keep vigil.

And Chongmen Heng, before his master died, had already learned a lot of things, stole a lot of things, and ran away.

Later, the name of the Chongmen clan was made famous by Chongmen Heng.

He knew too well the rules of the sect guarding Duan Duan Cliff. They were not low-key, but completely stubborn and conservative, and isolated from the world.

The name of the Chongmen clan is known throughout the world, and even Duan Duan Ya may not be aware of it. Even if he is, the people from Duan Duan Ya have no way to catch him.

In this way, relying on what they learned and gained at Duan Duan Cliff, as well as the ancient mystery of the Chongmen family, Chongmen Heng prospered.

He is also a smart guy and is very good at finding out about other people's personalities. Chongmen Heng will seek out those people who are kind and generous or willing to give advice.

When Xia Zhaoyi thought of his second brother mentioning Chongmen Heng would also be drunk and free, a silent smile appeared on the corner of his lips.

The female soldier who left brought Liang Dechang back.

The female soldier had already explained her purpose when she came to find him, and Liang Dechang went back to get the seal before coming.

Ever since he realized that there might be something strange about the seal, he no longer wore it with him.

Xia Zhaoyi handed the jade that Liang Dechang handed over to the old man, and the three of them looked at it carefully. She asked about the condition of the injured.

Liang Dechang said: "Several seriously injured people are out of danger. Although their bodies are damaged, they can survive. No one has died so far today. However, something happened. Yesterday, the soldiers who were escorting a wounded person back to Tu were attacked halfway. Only two of the five survived. The accident was nearby, so Officer Ding from Zhenwu Camp led his men to rush there."

Xia Zhaoyi frowned. Attacking and killing the guards of Qingji Pass near Qingji Pass was no small matter.

The villages in the area inside the pass can be counted on ten fingers. The villagers are all simple and honest, and they usually support the defenders.

It is very likely that there are fearless bandits and horse thieves in this area, taking advantage of the New Year to come and rob. There is also a small probability that someone with great skills passed by and took advantage of the opportunity to rob.

The old men were very interested in this seal.

Dan Xianzhou took out a small bundle from his sleeves. Inside the bundle were several booklets and a stack of papers. Each piece of paper was covered with densely written words and annotations.

On the pieces of paper that Xia Zhaoyi glanced at, the words that appeared most frequently were "Han Ruiqian".

That famous king of a different surname killed a large number of Taoists and alchemists, especially King Ruinan of the Wangxing Sect, and was also the creator of the Fuguang Qinghe Book.

The old man then asked Xia Zhaoyi if he had a jade stone of the same size.

Xia Zhaoyi immediately understood what his master wanted to do and asked him to wait.

Soon, several men ordered by Xia Zhaoyi came back with a pile of Xiuyan jade.

She also thoughtfully asked someone to prepare various types of knives of all sizes.

Xia Zhaoyi said: "My arm is injured, otherwise I would help you."

The old man looked at her and said, "I only need to make one. I don't sell wholesale."

(End of this chapter)