At dusk, the warships sailed out of the bend of the river and entered the Yangtze River upstream to Baling, while the cargo ships also went north along the river.
When Kou Zhong pushed the door open and entered Xu Ziling's room, the latter was regulating his energy and breath. Except that his face was still pale after blood loss, he didn't look like he had just been struck by a sword.
The two of them sat in two chairs by the window.
Kou Zhong sighed: "Ling, you are indeed very brave. At that time, I was really afraid that she would not be able to hold back her hand and kill you. When I think about it later, I break out in a cold sweat."
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: This is the only solution, otherwise how could she step down? It won't be good if anyone gets hurt in a fight.
Kou Zhong showed a thoughtful look and said slowly: Ren Shaoming's death not only changed the situation in the south, but also changed our destiny and made us the target of public criticism. Although it has always been like this before, our situation will be more dangerous now.
After a pause, he continued: There are two people we must be extra vigilant about. Can you guess who I am thinking of?
Xu Ziling pondered: Is one of them Ba Fenghan? When Shan Wanjing let me go, I felt that he had murderous intentions towards me. The other one should be Qu Ao, the Tiele thief, right?
Kou Zhongdao: If it's Qu Ao, why do you have to guess? What I'm thinking is Yang Xuyan. He wanted to assassinate Xiangzi. He was clearly helping Lin Shihong and Ren Shaoming, but now we have killed Ren Shaoming. He won't come to find us. It's strange to have bad luck.
Xu Ziling looked out the window at the river bank illuminated by the moon, sighed and shook his head as if he wanted to wave away all his worries.
Kou Zhong said tentatively: Even Ba Fenghan can see that the evil princess is very interested in you.
Xu Ziling replied absently: So what if it's interesting. The princess who has the most weird rules in the Dongming sect has already decided to be the prince consort.
What's more important is that I don't want to get married and have children at all. I just want to spend this life freely. I don't have the ambition like you to save the world and benefit the people.
Kou Zhong said distressedly: You are playing tricks on me again.
Xu Ziling said sternly: My point is that in terms of strategy, if you can marry Song Yuzhi, it will be the best.
Kou Zhong looked up at the cabin with a look of longing in his eyes, which was then covered with a layer of confusion, and said in a dreamy voice: It is undeniable that she is very attractive to me, but I can't treat her like I do to Li Xiuning. It's a kind of haunting dream. The feeling that keeps me awake at night is both painful and happy. Alas! Is it because I have been taught a lesson by Li Xiuning that I no longer have the courage to enter into a relationship?
Xu Ziling shook his head decisively and said with a smile: "Li Xiuning represents a key turning point in your life, Mr. Zhong. From that moment on, you transferred your longing for beautiful things to your career. So you still can't figure out whether you fall in love with Song Yuzhi." Resolutely decided to marry her. Because nothing is more important to you than fighting for world hegemony, so you can only look at the interests in this aspect. Am I wrong?
Kou Zhong said in shock: Then wouldn’t it mean that I have forever lost the ability to fall deeply in love with a woman?
Xu Ziling said sympathetically: This means that if you seek something, you will lose something. Choice means choosing this one and naturally losing others.
Kou Zhong scratched his head and said: Can I choose between the two at the same time? How about finding a balance between them?
Xu Ziling said angrily: Suppose Li Xiuning comes to you now and tells you that she finally realizes that she loves you and begs you to grow old with her. In this case, are you willing to give up Song Yuzhi?
Kou Zhong was immediately speechless.
At this time, Yun Yuzhen opened the door and walked in with a bright smile: "What are the two heroes talking about? Can I participate?"
Kou Zhong patted his thigh and said with a smile: Master Beauty, are you interested in sitting on the most comfortable meat chair in the world?
Yun Yuzhen gave him a charming look, sat on the edge of the bed and said to Xu Ziling: Does it still hurt? The princess should look like... to you...
Seeing that Kou Zhong kept gesturing to Yunyu Zhenzhiji, he changed his words and said: Hey! I almost forgot to tell you the latest news, He Shibi has appeared!
Kou Zhong looked moved and said: What are the details?
Yunyu Zhendao: There is a widespread rumor in the world that Ning Daoqi will go to Luoyang during the Dragon Boat Festival to deliver the Heshi Bi to Shi Feixuan.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked confused when they heard this.
Xu Ziling wondered: Is the Heshi Bi actually in Ning Daoqi's hands?
Kou Zhong was interested in another aspect and asked: Who is Shi Fei Xuan? Judging from the name, it should be his daughter's family.
Yun Yu's true sight aroused the interest of the two of them and said happily: This news is obviously very suspicious. The two parties involved will not leak such information that can cause endless trouble. The person who spread the rumor must be very imaginative and understand people's psychology.
Kou Zhong frowned and said, "Who are you talking to about Concubine Xuan?"
Yun Yuzhen glanced at him and said: Are you interested as long as the other person is a woman?
Kou Zhong laughed dumbly and said: My beautiful master, even if yours is Ning Daoqi. The person who wants to hand over the Heshi Bi is called Kou Lao Niu. I will be very interested in Kou Lao Niu. This is called targeting people and not things.
It's gender.
Yunyu Zhenmei smiled and said: I guess the master has wrongly blamed you! Have you ever heard of Cihang Jingzhai? She is very similar to the Yingui sect. She has a supreme status but is also mysterious. The only difference is that one is good and the other is evil!
Xu Ziling's eyes flashed and he said slowly: In that case, this Shi Fei Xuan will be the candidate of this generation to represent Cihang Jingzhai in the decisive battle with the Yingui sect.
Yunyu Zhentou said: It turns out that you also know about the two major sects of good and evil. If you kill Ren Shaoming on this trip, the Yingui sect will definitely not give up.
Kou Zhong smiled and said: Without enemies like the Yingui Sect, I would never be able to reach the level of a master like Ning Daoqi.
Yun Yuzhen stared at him for a long time and couldn't help but asked: Do you want to be an emperor or a real martial arts master?
Xu Ziling said lightly: Master Meiren'er made these two tasks as easy as being a salt owl or a cook. These two goals for Mr. Zhong are both fish and bear's paws.
Yun Yuzhen said happily: "Ling, you haven't called me a beauty master for a long time! What kind of wind is blowing today?"
Xu Ziling sighed: "Tonight, the beautiful master's every move and smile has a sincerity that has never been seen before, which makes me feel deeply and remember the beautiful days when I first met you."
Yun Yuzhen's delicate body trembled slightly, she looked at Xu Ziling and then at Kou Zhong, lowered her head and said softly: "When I met you, you were still naughty boys, but now you have killed a powerful man who has dominated the south for more than ten years. I am suddenly shocked."
Until you finally grow into independent martial arts masters.
After a pause, he sighed: Although I had plotted against you, in fact, the conflict in my heart at that time was painful. I don’t know why, but I always felt that I was particularly attached to you and wanted to trust you to do things for you. I don’t trust Mr. Xiao very much.
.
The last sentence was as quiet as a gnat.
Kou Zhong's eyes flashed with lightning and he whispered: Master Beauty, if you are willing to help me, I promise to treat you well.
Yun Yuzhen said helplessly: I hope you won't forget one day that Guarantee Ling is the witness. Xu Ziling showed a bitter smile.
Kou Zhong is gradually completing his plan; establishing his own power and reputation and successfully killing Ren Shaoming is the most important step; otherwise, how could a gang leader like Yunzhen with rich experience in the world surrender to him?
And the attraction between men and women is even more complicated.
What should Xu Ziling do if Kou Zhong does something sorry for Yunzhen in the future? Kou Zhong showed a touching smile to Yunzhen and said softly: Master beauty, don't worry! I know how to respect teachers best. Right?
!Then what kind of person is Master Fei Xuan and her martial arts skills?
Yun Yu was really infected by the charm of his smile and said happily: Shi Fei Xuan is just like Shi Qingxuan, with a mysterious flavor everywhere. Not many people have seen her, but everyone who has seen her will be impressed by her otherworldly charm.
Her temperament awes her as if she represents the most beautiful thing in the world, which makes people yearn for her but will never arouse the desire for sexual intercourse. Both men and women will feel ashamed in front of her.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were stunned when they heard that there was such a person in the world.
Xu Ziling wondered: Isn't she a nun? Why does she choose to use a lay name?
Yun Yuzhen replied: No one knows about this, but although she has such a beautiful hair and uses a lay name, her life is no different from that of a monk. She lives a hard and simple life.
Kou Zhong asked with great interest: What weapon did she use?
Yun Yuzhen shook his head and said: On the surface, she is not wearing any weapons. She has never heard of anyone making a move. Anyone who meets her respects and admires her too late. How can she arouse the desire to kill?
Kou Zhong was surprised and said: Master, why do you know so clearly? From your tone, you have never seen her, right?
Yun Yuzhen's beautiful eyes revealed a look of melancholy and hurt, and she lowered her head and said, "It was Hou Xibai before we separated. He was one of the people Shi Feixuan looked up to. He traveled with her to the Three Gorges and talked about the past and the present. Alas!"
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances and both felt Yun Yuzhen's attachment and pain towards Hou Xibai.
She refused to answer when Hou Xibai was mentioned last time. This time she appeared calmly to express her feelings to Kou Zhong and did not want to cause misunderstanding in the future.
She may have turned to Kou Zhong to use him to forget Hou Xibai's difficulties.
Xu Ziling frowned and said, "Don't Hou Xibai feel ashamed at all in front of her?"
Yun Yuzhen's beautiful eyes flashed with tenderness and whispered: He is a very special person who expresses himself freely. He is literary and charming and has a profound insight into things. Perhaps only he is worthy of being friends with the master concubine.
The two looked at each other in astonishment and then understood Hou Xibai's position in Yun Yuzhen's heart. Even though they broke up sadly, they still couldn't extricate themselves.
Xu Ziling said: Hou Xibai wants to pursue Shi Feixuan, right? Who is he and what is his background?
Yun Yuzhen replied: He is a mysterious figure. No one knows his origins, but he has endless money in his pocket and is determined to visit the world. The famous prostitute herself is more proficient in piano skills and knows how to compose. She is versatile, so she is called
Passionate young man. I deliberately met him at a brothel in Yushan just because I was curious about him. Little did I know... Sigh...
I don't want to anymore.
Kou Zhong said calmly: If this is not the case, how is his martial arts and what weapons do he use?
Yunyu Zhendao: His martial arts can only be described as unfathomable. Within five years of his debut, more than a hundred flower-picking thieves have died in his hands. He used a large folding fan with beautiful women painted on it by his own hands.
Every time he meets a woman he likes, there will be an additional portrait of a beautiful woman on his fan.
Kou Zhong said in astonishment: This boy is really a romantic seed.
Yun Yuzhen sighed and said sadly: Can we stop talking about him?
There was a knock on the door.
Kou Zhong asked: Who!
Song Yuzhi's voice sounded outside: Mr. Xu, are you free? I want to have a few words with him.
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other in astonishment.
What on earth did she want to say to Xu Ziling in private?
※※※
Xu Ziling followed Song Yuzhi and stepped out of the cabin. The river breeze blew in his face, which refreshed his spirits.
When the Jukun gang working on the deck saw him coming out, they hurriedly called Mr. Xu and looked more respectful than before. This may be due to the power he gained from assassinating Ren Shaoming.
Song Yuzhi strode towards the stern of the ship. Although her steps were not as graceful as those of Shen Luoyan or Yunzhen, she still had a refreshing and lively attitude that was pleasing to the eye.
When she stopped at the stern of the boat, Xu Ziling came to her side and remained silent.
Song Yuzhi let Xiu Sui Sui wind blow her hands and pressed her hands against the railing of the boat. She sighed quietly and said, "Are you a talkative person? Or do you just don't want to talk to me? I don't even ask why people didn't call you here to avoid suspicion."
Xu Ziling looked towards the left bank of the vast river illuminated by the moon. There were more than a dozen fishing boats moored in the distance with dim lights. When he thought that each light represented a warm home, he felt a feeling in his heart.
They have lacked a real home since they grew up, and they may never have one in the future. And he is used to the feeling of not having a home.
Xu Ziling took a deep breath and said calmly: Sister Song, please speak frankly.
Song Yuzhi turned away from her pretty face and looked at him with a smile: "How could you and Kou Zhong become closer friends than brothers?"
Your personalities are so different.
Xu Ziling met her gaze and shrugged, "It's like one is willing to fight and the other is willing to suffer. Maybe when people are more innocent, they will quickly get used to and accept each other."
Song Yuzhi's beautiful eyes were as bright as the twinkling stars in the sky. She showed a recalling expression and said calmly: Since I was a child, I have never been like a girl and always like to play with the boys in the family. I also think that I am a boy and I am better than other children.
He is very curious. When he sees a mountain, he will ask people what is behind the mountain. When he sees a river, he will want to know where the river flows.
Xu Ziling laughed dumbly and said: I really can't believe why Sister Song would think of these old childhood events?
Song Yuzhi frowned and shook his head: I don't understand either, maybe it's because I trust you and I feel particularly relaxed when I'm with you!
Xu Ziling said in astonishment: This makes me wonder why Sister Song and I have just met for the first time. Why would she trust me? Don't forget that Master Zhong and I are in the same group, so others call us two sons or two thieves.
Song Yuzhi gave him a rare coquettish smile and said: In fact, your clever words are not inferior to Kou Zhong at all, but you have always been reserved and reserved so that people can't notice your strengths in this area. But when I first saw you, I saw
When you come out, you are the kind of naturally chivalrous person who puts others first in everything, so I am willing to trust you and know that you will not lie to me.
This was the first time that Xu Ziling came into contact with her feminine and moving side. He was stunned for a moment and said with a wry smile: Can you stop asking the question just now?
Song Yuzhi looked up at the stars and said slowly: Do you guess what I want to ask?
Xu Ziling lowered his head and said in pain: No matter what happened to Kou Zhong, he is still my good brother. If you ask me about him, how should I answer?
Song Yuzhi looked down at the sparkling river water reflecting the stars and moon in the sky and said in a deep voice: All I ask for is the truth, Xu Ziling! Use your chivalrous heart to tell me whether Song Yuzhi and Kou Zhong are only using me.
Seeing the deep hatred in her eyes, Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: Sister Song called me out so late to do this, didn't she tell Kou Zhong that Sister Song was confused and he must have some way to steal it from me?
News.
Song Yuzhi calmly replied: So what if you know? He has long seen that I am in a state of confusion, so I must know the truth, and you have already told me the answer.
Xu Ziling was silent for a while and then said softly: Where did I give Sister Song the answer to this matter?
Song Yuzhi said lightly: "You haven't spoken out, but since you refused to help him deal with me, Yuzhi still doesn't understand what you mean?"
Xu Ziling sighed: If this trip is miserable, he will definitely blame me to death!
Song Yuzhi laughed and said: You are so frank! I didn't expect that I could still help laughing. Is this the joy of suffering?
Xu Ziling felt her gentle and lovely side and said softly, "Kou Zhong may be a shrewd and powerful person who only cares about practical benefits, but he is not a bad-hearted person. He is particularly rich in feelings. But now he is fully focused on it."
In the dream of conquering the world, everything else is regarded as secondary! Alas! Does this count as helping him?
Song Yuzhi's beautiful eyes shook his head and he said: No! You are just telling the truth. Kou Zhong is by no means a bad person, and he is a promising man. In every aspect, he is my ideal husband, Song Yuzhi. But I know that he is not wholeheartedly interested in me.
I knew it. Alas! But why am I still willing to follow him to Baling even though I know this? If I firmly refuse, my second uncle can't do anything to me.
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: It seems that Sister Song is already obsessed with my brother!
Song Yuzhi showed a confident smile and said calmly: "I was wrong. I am not unable to extricate myself. I just chose to face this challenge. This is my character. Song Yuzhi will never shrink back. I am coming with you this time to see what that nasty guy Kou Zhong has done."
How many degrees and means.
Xu Ziling was puzzled and said: Since Sister Song has this intention and has seen through Kou Zhong's intention, why does she still want to talk to me about this?
A bitter smile full of helplessness emerged from the corner of Song Yuzhi's mouth and he said softly: Because I'm afraid that my second uncle will sacrifice his daughter's happiness for the sake of Mr. Yang's treasure house.
Xu Ziling thought to himself that the possibility seemed very high. Song Zhi was the old fox and Kou Zhong was plotting against him. He was plotting against Kou Zhong, and Song Yuzhi became a pawn of theirs.
He asked in a deep voice: Are you really not happy with Kou Zhong at all?
Song Yuzhi sighed and said calmly: If I really didn't like him at all, I wouldn't have to worry so much now.
If I had no feelings for him, I would not reject him for the sake of the family because I know that I would not be sad for him no matter what the circumstances. But now I am very scared. Do you understand how I feel?
Xu Ziling deeply understood her contradictory moods; she loved, hated, and was unconvinced at the same time.
In any case, Kou Zhong has hurt her to some extent.
Song Yuzhi suddenly stretched tiredly and said with a smile: I feel much better now that I have finished speaking! Xu Ziling, you really did not disappoint me and you will not help others to do evil. Or maybe you can be my savior.
He walked away easily with a sweet smile.
Xu Ziling was left alone at the stern of the boat, thinking about the meaning of her last words.
※※※
Xu Ziling knocked on the door of Kou Zhong's room and Kou Zhong responded: "Ling? Come in!"
Xu Ziling knew that Yun Yu was really not in the room, so he opened the door and entered without worry. Kou Zhong had already rushed over to him, hugged his shoulders with joy and said with a smile: I'm so bad that I don't even know how hard it is. I asked you, but I was afraid that you would look down on me. Hee!
After all, did she fall in love with you and fall in love with you? If I were really unlucky for two brothers in this world, I would have to endure the pain and let love make up for the scars in my heart later!
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: Song Yuzhi's discernment had already seen that you were just using her instead of truly falling in love with her.
Kou Zhong said in astonishment: She is more powerful than I thought. It seems that I will lose more in this battle. If I had known earlier, I would have left Master Meiren here alone so that I wouldn’t be lonely tonight. Alas! Don’t take it seriously. I was just laughing to alleviate it.
The pain in my heart.
Xu Ziling said angrily: You know how to see the wind, but you don't feel anything at all. The most painful thing is that I am a good brother and a good woman; but my good brother wants to deceive that good woman.
feelings and I could only encourage her by hints not to be deceived.
Kou Zhong let go of the hand on his shoulder and said in a voiceless voice: What? Then I will be broken up again? Get the wine quickly!
Xu Ziling sat down slumped and shook his head and sighed: Stop pretending. If you continue to fight for the world in such a way that will hurt others, I will leave you!
Kou Zhong sat down on the other side of Jizi and said with a smile: "Emotions are cultivated. I promise not to hurt her, but it's useless. Now that this matter is over, you are satisfied!"
Xu Ziling pondered for a long time and said slowly: Once the matter between a man and a woman begins, no one can be sure how it will end. As your good friend and brother, why should I give you this advice: Feelings are sharper than swords and have sharp edges on both sides.
Take care of yourself.
Kou Zhongsurong said: I will follow your advice and will never make a mistake in this regard. Now I will go and announce to Song Yuzhi that I will cancel the engagement so that she doesn't have to worry anymore.
After saying that, he opened the door and left Xu Ziling alone, smiling bitterly.