Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 20: Flower of Gaoling (5.427k, 2-in-1)
In Xizhai Lane, north of Yongqiu City, Zhou Yi walked on the bluestone road.

He did not wear the attire of a Taoist monk, but only a close-fitting white robe. His hair was tied up in a bun with a green cloth, and the remaining hair hung down to his back.

This is no different from the dress of ordinary literati during the Kaihuang period.

After taking off his Taoist robe, changing the way he tied his hair, and hanging a short sword, there were definitely only a few people who could recognize him at once.

After walking a few steps into the alley, the fresh fragrance of tofu wafted into my nose.

The wooden clapper of the tofu shop in the alley knocked three times, and Mrs. Wang lifted the lid of the steaming pot. The milky white soy milk overflowed over the wooden lattice, and steam rose.

Count the third alley from Wang's Tofu Shop, and then count five more shops to the west.

When I saw a dilapidated tiled house, I knocked twice and then three times.

"Creak" the door opened.

A dark-skinned man wearing a hat appeared. He looked at Zhou Yi and said with a smile, "So it's Master Zhou. Please come in."

How come you can still recognize me even though I've changed my clothes?

At least you have to hesitate.

The guy chuckled, as if he understood his thoughts:
"In our line of work, we rely on our eyesight and hearing. If we didn't know this Taiping Heavenly Master in Yongqiu, our Ju Kun Gang wouldn't have the face to say that we make a living by selling intelligence."

Zhou Yi took over the conversation, "Then do you know what I'm here to inquire about?"

"I can guess some of it, naturally."

The waiter invited him in and closed the door. "You want to know where the Yingyangfu Army is. But it depends on yesterday's news and today's news. Which one do you want to hear?"

Zhou Yi said: "Of course it's today."

The waiter extended his hand and invited him inside: "Then please be patient and have some tea when you come in. There is no need to wait until 3 p.m. Today's news will be delivered here immediately."

After hearing what he said, Zhou Yi felt that it was a bit reliable.

The room was very deep, and I had no idea where it led to.

"Why choose such a remote location as your base? Wouldn't it be difficult to do business?"

The clerk shook his head. "We were forced to do this. After the previous leader was assassinated, our gang retreated to the southeast. Fortunately, Leader Yun took over, reorganized the gang, and brought it under control. Only then were we able to expand our reach again."

"Yongqiu is too far from the headquarters, but we have to establish a branch headquarters to explore the Central Plains. We were troubled by our mortal enemy some time ago, so we have to be more cautious."

He was a good conversationalist, so he changed the subject and said with a flattering smile, "Of course."

"If the Taiping Dao preaching uprising stops the Yingyang Prefecture army, and you become the leader of Yongqiu, Waihuang, Kaocheng and other places, you only need to give Ju Kun a little support, then it will be natural for us to open the door to do business."

Good boy, you’re setting your sights on me so soon.

Zhou Yi laughed and thought this guy was quite interesting.

"Okay, let's wait until I become the leader."

He replied.

He was not unfamiliar with these forces, and the backer behind the Jukun Gang should be the Dugu family.

"Is your deputy gang leader here?"

The person Zhou Yi was asking about was naturally Bu Tianzhi, who was the real person in charge of the Jukun Gang and was also proficient in water battles.

The fellow showed a strange look and sighed:
"The Heavenly Master is indeed an extraordinary person. Nine out of ten people who come to our gang will ask about the whereabouts of Gang Leader Yun. You are an exception. However, the Deputy Gang Leader is not in Yongqiu, but is currently in Jiangzuo."

He asked curiously, "Master Zhou, haven't you heard that our Gang Leader Yun is a stunning beauty?"

Zhou Yi glanced at him sideways. How could I have never heard of him? He must be very skilled in martial arts.

The guy kept looking at him, waiting for his answer.

Zhou Yi lifted a curtain and said to him, "I've heard of it, but you have to know that lust is like a knife hanging over your head."

"The more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she is."

The man disagreed, "The Heavenly Master is truly a wonderful person, but I think the more dangers like this, the better."

He reminisced: "In my early years, I wandered the Jianghu, hoping to live a life of drifting. Later, I met Gang Leader Yun, and from then on, I knew where my life should be anchored. So I was willing to be a doorman here."

Bah, you lick dog!
Zhou Yi was too lazy to talk to him anymore.

When the curtain was lifted, there was a small courtyard with a skylight inside. Ivy climbed on the courtyard wall, and it was lush and green. There were flower stands all around, and a stone table and four stone benches in the center. Tea and fruits were displayed there, which was quite exquisite.

"Please take a seat."

The waiter invited him to sit down.

Zhou Yi sat down and glanced to the side.

He was not the only one who came to wait for the news.

On the stone bench next to him, there was a man sitting and reading a book. After he sat down, the man closed the book and looked at him sideways.

"Taiping Heavenly Master?"

The voice was melodious, pleasant, soft and gentle.

But when Zhou Yi looked at her, he saw that this young girl, who was slightly younger than him, was wearing an exquisite black fur coat with piping and a sharp sword at her side, and her outfit looked very heroic.

Her beautiful face was frosty and cold, like an unapproachable flower on a high mountain.

Who would have thought that her voice was so soft when she opened her mouth, in stark contrast to her attire.

"Are you looking at this sword?"

She took off the sword and placed it on the stone table.

I saw coiled dragon and cloud vortex patterns on the scabbard, which is the favorite of the swordsmith masters in Wu and Yue. This sword is extremely extraordinary.

Zhou Yi was about to reply when the dark-skinned waiter brought up tea.

He didn't greet the young girl, and Zhou Yi thought she was not Yun Yuzhen, the leader of the Ju Kun Gang.

"Master Zhou, your tea."

The man glanced at the sword and suddenly said jokingly, "The Heavenly Master is in danger too."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Of course, he was making fun of his saying "the more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she is".

Zhou Yi bowed slightly and introduced himself: "Excuse me, I am Zhou Yi from the Taiping Dao of Fuzi Mountain."

The girl nodded, as if she had known him for a long time.

"Have we met before?" Zhou Yi was a little curious.

"Yes, but in a different way."

As she spoke, she wanted to reach out and touch his arms, but she turned slightly to avoid him.

It is said that female heroes in the martial arts world are not particular about trivial matters, but that is not always true.

Zhou Yi looked away, waited for her to take out something, then turned his gaze back. He took a closer look and was stunned.

On a piece of oil paper was his portrait!
Before I could ask, I saw a pair of beautiful eyes looking at me, and the voice that reached my ears was gentle and full of expectation:

"Do you have 'Secretary of the Pillow Garden'?"

"No," Zhou Yi shook his head. "Liu An took this precious book with him to the immortal realm when he ascended. How could I have it?"

"I knew it."

She was a little disappointed, but the disappointment lasted only a moment before disappearing. "What about the Taiping Magic Technique and the Star-Shifting Technique? Do you have them?"

Zhou Yi studied the painting on the oil paper, thinking and responding:
"No, it's all quackery."

I just felt that this girl had an extraordinary background, and I was worried that she would become interested and cause trouble.

However, the girl continued to ask:

"Aren't you a Heavenly Master?"

Zhou Yi looked at the painting carefully and rubbed the ink marks on it with his fingers. "He is a master of heaven, but also a painter."

"For example, this painting uses pine soot ink. The Central Plains has been quite humid lately. I heard it's rained several times in a row in the north. The girl must be from the north. Also, this painting was done recently, and the brushwork is even more hasty."

The girl looked at the painting, then at Zhou Yi, and suddenly smiled: "The person in this painting looks more honest, but the real person is very cunning."

Zhou Yi frowned and asked seriously, "Where?"

The girl's eyebrows curved, and she said cheerfully: "Where else?"

"You want to trick me into telling you where the painting came from, but you don't say it directly. And you insist on saying you're a painter. Is someone who paints talismans also considered a painter?

Are the cotton-picking craftsmen of Gaochang in the Western Regions considered danxianqin musicians?"

Zhou Yi was even more serious: "Why can't a cotton fluffer be a musician?"

As he spoke, he dipped his finger in tea and drew a few strokes on the stone table, creating a little figure that resembled the girl.

It's just a very ordinary simple drawing. The tea is far less delicate than the brush, but you can see the little man smiling.

The girl looked at it and nodded slightly: "It's quite innovative. I can tell it's a talisman painter."

This is so infuriating. Zhou Yi is still waiting to refute.

The girl pointed at the portrait on the oil paper and said:
"I got this from the Yingyang Army camp. It's on display in Yuwen Chengdu's tent. Someone said you got the 'Secret of the Pillow Treasure Garden' and Yuwen Chengdu is quite interested in you."

When she said this, Zhou Yi suddenly thought of someone.

Yue Sigui!

They were the only ones who talked about Liu An together.

Could it be him?

This girl should not be from the Yingyang Mansion Army, but she was able to enter the camp, so one can imagine how skilled she is.

Staring at her sword, Zhou Yi guessed:
"Young lady, are you the disciple of Master Yijian?"

"Why are you asking about someone's identity?" the girl said jokingly, her manners very elegant, revealing a row of neat, white teeth as she spoke. "Didn't you just say that the more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she is? Don't I look dangerous at all?"

"Well, it's actually extremely dangerous."

Zhou Yi sighed: "But there is never a shortage of people willing to take risks in this world."

The guy over there saw the girl laughing from a distance and shouted in his heart, "I've learned something."

However, he didn't dare look directly at the girl.

It's because her sword is really dangerous.

"Since you are so good at talking, I will tell you a piece of news."

"The Yingyang Prefecture Army originally planned to send only experts to capture you, but now, having heard that the Taiping Dao was about to rise in rebellion, the cavalry captain has already led his troops straight to Yongqiu."

"They will ride lightly and arrive at the city within three days."

"If you run now, you'll still have time."

Zhou Yi felt that she didn't seem to be lying, and anxiously asked, "The Taiping Dao uprising is just a figment of the imagination, why did the Yingyang Prefecture Army start a war?"

"It's a simple principle."

Her tone was gentle yet calm. "Zhang Xutuo has been strangling various rebels one after another. Yuwen Chengdu is unwilling to be inferior to others. In addition, the news that you have hidden the precious book has reached him. He doesn't want to miss out on this achievement."

At this time, a "clang clang clang" sound was heard in a corner of the patio.

Zhou Yi was attracted over and saw a small platform in the corner of the yard. An old man with a long beard stood up inside and was fiddling with a strange lock.

An old voice came out:

"Girl, why are you ruining our business for no reason?"

The old man looked unhappy. "The information you just revealed is worth at least three taels of gold. Master Zhou Tianshi was even grateful to our Ju Kun Gang after hearing it. You've wasted such a favor. If Gang Leader Bu knew, he would be heartbroken."

The young girl smiled and asked, "Does the Jukun Gang value him very much?" "Of course," the old man said, "The person in Yongqiu who is most worthy of friendship is this guy."

After saying this, the old man shook his head and said, "I know Taoist Mu's character very well. He is very concerned about his reputation. He didn't even bother to cause trouble to Taiping Dao after suffering a loss this time. It shows that he is not sure of his future."

"Master Zhou, I was planning to sell you a better one today without charging you any money. But unfortunately, this girl ruined my plan."

"Then I will give you another piece of news."

"If you lead your men away from Yongqiu, don't go to Taikang for the time being. It's also very chaotic there."

After the old man finished speaking, he threw out a wooden sign.

Zhou Yi took it and looked at the small wooden sign with a unique pattern and the word "cloud" engraved on it.

"Master Zhou Tian, ​​holding this card, is my Ju Kun Gang's distinguished guest."

"Thank you."

Zhou Yi did not refuse and said to the girl, "Your information is very important to me. I will definitely repay you in the future."

The girl smiled slightly, glanced at Zhou Yi's back, and sat down again to read the book.

She remained silent, and transformed once again into an icy flower, aloof and elegant, yet extremely dangerous.

Flipping the pages with delicate fingers, she came to the chapter on benevolence in the Analects and softly recited, "Virtue is never alone; it always has neighbors."

……

Northwest of Yongqiu, towards Chenliu.

“Gee, gee, gee~!!”

Seven or eight big men whipped their horses and galloped along.

"Brother, Yongqiu is almost here!"

A bearded man on horseback raised his voice:

"In my early years, I accompanied the elders of the Qingjiang Sect to visit the Heavenly Master Jiao Wuzi. He was a distinguished scholar with profound insights. When I visited him that year, his words alone impressed me deeply."

"Now that the Taiping Dao has started an uprising, we have this opportunity to become a disciple of the master."

Another man carrying a spear said cautiously:

"Brother, this is a bit strange. Tianshi Jiao Wuzi has been helping the poor in Yongqiu. It doesn't seem like he has any ambition to rebel and become king.

I hope the Sui army doesn't set a trap to lure us into Yongqiu and then capture us all in one fell swoop. That would be very bad."

"That's easy. We're almost in Yongqiu now. I can just ask someone."

The bearded man tugged at the reins, and with a thud the horse's hooves lifted high. He saw an old man on the side of the road carrying a hoe, and thought he must be a farmer, so he asked:

"Old man, I want to ask you something."

The old man looked up, his face wrinkled. "What do you want to ask, brave man?"

"Is the Taiping Taoist Temple on Confucius Mountain planning to rise up against the Sui Dynasty?" asked the bearded man.

The old man nodded immediately and replied, "That's right."

He sighed again and said with a sad face:

"It's time to rebel, it's time to rebel. A few years ago, one of my brothers died in the chaos of the Sui army. Now that the celestial masters have risen up in rebellion, I will sacrifice my life. I should do something for my old brother."

After hearing this, several big men expressed their feelings.

The bearded man said, "It's God's will! It's God's will!"

“Gee-gee~!!”

They urged their horses on and headed straight for Yongqiu.

The old man on the roadside looked at their backs and put down his hoe. Only then did people see the word "righteousness" tattooed behind his ear.

The old man looked dimly as he plucked a branch of spring plum and half-inserted it into the ridge of a field beside the road.

I folded flowers and sent them to the Longtou people when I met the messenger. Jiangnan has nothing, just give me a spring branch
His eyes were blank: "Brother, how long has it been since we last met?"

……

Confucius Mountain, Taiping Daochang.

"Brother!"

As soon as Zhou Yicai returned to the dojo, Feng Si came running over and said, "Dozens of people have come to pay their respects to the mountain."

"Even the people in Bianzhou City are out!"

"The civilians in Yongqiu have also heard the news. I believe that as long as Senior Brother unfurls his banner, thousands of soldiers will come at his command."

Zhou Yi's brows were solemn. "Can you still hold on down the mountain?"

Feng Si said, "It's difficult. If there are too many people, it will be difficult to control and cause trouble."

"Go, secretly transfer all the carriages from the farm below the dojo."

"Yes!"

Feng Si just obeyed the order and left.

There are quite a few people who are fanning the flames, and they are trying to put Taipingdao on the fire.

If it were someone else who was more impulsive, he would probably have become king.

Zhou Yi was very clear-headed. Starting a rebellion at this time and in this place?
Without saying anything about Yuwen Chengdu, Zhang Xutuo turned his horse around and refined it in an instant.

At this time, Xia Shu and Yan Qiu came running over:

"Brother, someone came down the mountain today to deliver a letter, saying it was entrusted by a white-haired old immortal, and it needs to be delivered to you."

After Xia Shu finished speaking, Yan Qiu took the letter from his arms and handed it to Zhou Yi.

A white-haired old immortal?
If it's not some "fox cry" or something like that, then it must have been sent by the master.

Zhou Yi took a quick glance at the letter and knew it was definitely written by Jiao Wuzi!

He stared intently at the letter, which was concise and to the point. The first sentence dispelled the confusion: "Don't be confused. The current situation at the Taoist temple is actually closely related to Li Mi."

Looking further ahead:
"Zhang Xutuo pursued the remnants of Yang Xuangan, and Li Mi was injured and disappeared.

Yuwen Chengdu captured men along the way to join the army, so Li Mi's subordinates suspected that he was deeply involved in the Yingyang Mansion Army, so they set up a plan in Yongqiu and ignited the Taiping Dao.

If the Taiping Dao rises up to fight, they can take the opportunity to rescue Li Mi."

The letter ends with:
"Things outside of your body are not valuable. Your life is the most important thing, don't worry about anything else."

Master, it turns out that you are not idle either.

After reading the letter, Zhou Yi no longer had any worries.

It turned out that it was Li Mi's people who were behind this.

However, this group of people is not just trying to rescue Li Mi.

Zhou Yi had already guessed most of it, and now it was even clearer.

No wonder Yue Sigui wanted to make Li Mi my backer early on, so that I could be their knife first and then be put back into Li Mi's scabbard.

What a secret man!

If you plot against me like this, we will have a huge feud.

Zhou Yi handed the master's letter to the two little Taoist boys.

Yan Qiu looked around the dojo with some sadness, "Brother, when are we leaving?"

"The sooner the better, but you can't follow me for now."

Zhou Yi thought of the portrait: "If any experts come after me, I have to shake them off first."

The two kids knew they couldn't lag behind, so although they were reluctant, they nodded obediently.

Xia Shu asked, "Then will Yan Qiu and I go with Fourth Brother Feng and the others?"

"Not suitable either," Zhou Yi shook his head. "I've found a place for you to go. Once there, concentrate on your studies while waiting for news from me. Don't neglect your studies."

"Yes, Brother~"

After the two kids finished speaking, they looked at him with tears in their eyes.

That night.

Several horse-drawn carriages moved overnight at the foot of Fuzi Mountain, secretly taking away valuables from the mountain and transporting them to the most remote hayfield.

Twilight.

The Taiping Taoist Temple has set up the altar, with yellow flags waving and bells hanging high, as if they are preparing to raise the banner and preach the uprising!
The carriage from Cao's mansion in Yang'e stopped at the foot of the mountain, and the old housekeeper Sun hurried over to pay his respects.

At this time, Zhou Yi was sitting cross-legged in the Tianshi Hall.

"Master Zhou."

Old housekeeper Sun came forward and greeted them, then smiled and nodded at Yan Qiu and Xia Shu.

"Has Old Master Cao read the letter?" Zhou Yi said with his back to him, his voice a little sharp.

Steward Sun bowed and said:

"After reading the letter last night, the old man tossed and turned and couldn't sleep all night."

"My second son has been in Sanqin for a long time and is not familiar with the situation in Yongqiu. He made a mistake, and the old master is very sad, but he can't blame him. I hope this matter will not cause misunderstandings between the old Tianshi and Zhou Tianshi."

Zhou Yi said: "This is human nature."

Steward Sun said, "My Cao family is a merchant family. The nearest business is in this city, and the farthest business is as far as the North Sea. Our caravan is currently in need of escorts. If you can send someone in, we can travel as far and wide as we want."

He looked at Yan Qiu and Xia Shu, and said:

"The old master has sternly instructed that if the two disciples of the old Heavenly Master come to the Cao residence, they must be treated as his own grandchildren and will not be neglected in the slightest."

Zhou Yi turned around, his stern expression disappeared, and instead he had a hint of a smile on his face.

"I admire Old Master Cao's character. Please tell the Taiping Dao that they will remember this favor."

"Don't dare."

The old butler lowered his head and smiled, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

How could the Cao family not know what was going on in Yongqiu?

At this moment, he felt that the young Taoist priest in front of him was impossible to understand, and his actions were even more unfathomable than what the old man said.

Hey, compared to him, Erlangjun’s methods are far inferior.

"Senior brother~!"

Xia Shu, Yan Qiu and Erwa came over and pulled his sleeve.

Zhou Yi rubbed their heads and said with a smile:
"Go."

In the Heavenly Master Hall, he threw off his Taoist robe and sat quietly on the cushion, with his back to Yongqiu and facing the statue of Huang Laoer.

"Dang~!"

On Confucius Mountain, a long morning bell rang.
……

Thanks to Xinghai Chenfei for the 10000 points reward! Thank you, big brother~!

Thanks to Rika Sato for the 888 points reward!

Thanks to Yisen for the 100-point reward!

Thank you all for your valuable monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~~!!
('-'*ゞ



(End of this chapter)