The midday sun shone on him. Li Muchan carried two swords at his waist and walked side by side with Leng Wushuang. The rugged mountain road limited the horse's speed and was surrounded by lush bamboo forests.
Li Muchan sat lazily on the horse, squinting his eyes slightly, as if sleeping but not asleep.
Leng Wushuang is a boring gourd. From the time he left the lake to now, two days have passed and he has not spoken more than ten words. He is simply immersed in his mind, trying to figure out the essence of Duanyue Sword Technique, and does not take the initiative to talk to him.
Leng Wushuang turned his head and glanced at Li Muchan, thinking to himself that this Li Zhu was different. When the male disciples came around him, they were all nervous and nervous, but he was indifferent and focused on his own affairs, which was really rare.
He lazily ignored me, which just happened to be what he wanted. He really didn't like nonsense, and he could often understand what he meant with just one look, which was really worry-free.
When we reached the top of the mountain from the mountainside, our eyes suddenly opened up, the cool wind blew slowly, and our mind was clear.
Leng Wushuang turned around: "Li Zhu, take a rest."
"Okay." Li Muchan opened his eyes, looked around, then dismounted, led the horse to the bamboo forest on his left, and Leng Wushuang's horse followed him.
After entering the bamboo forest two or three meters deep, Li Muchan stopped, let go of the reins, and let the horse find grass on its own. He untied the baggage and leather bag from the saddle.
Leng Wushuang slowly dismounted, and Li Muchan had spread the gray cloth on the grass. While Leng Wushuang was sitting down, he took off the skin and baggage of her saddle.
The two of them sat on the gray cloth on the grass. The grass was thick and soft, making them comfortable to sit on.
Li Muchan handed over the pouch, and Leng Wushuang took it and took a slow sip. The bamboo leaves covered most of the sun, and the breeze could blow in. It was just right, neither cold nor hot.
Leng Wushuang asked: "Li Zhu, is this the right direction?"
Li Muchan picked up the skin bag and took a big sip. He was not very thirsty. In order to moisten his throat, he could not drink when he was thirsty. This was the knowledge of health preservation he had learned from later generations.
He put down his bag and nodded: "Yes, this is the direction that Senior Sister Zhang and the others are going, right?"
Leng Wushuang nodded slightly, and Li Muchan frowned: "Will they still ambush Senior Sister Zhang and the others?"
Leng Wushuang frowned slightly.
Li Muchan slapped his thigh: "It's very possible! If one attack fails, another attack... They think we can't think of it and want to use a surprise to win!"
He turned his head and stared at Leng Wushuang's crystal-clear face: "Lake Master, what do you think?"
Li Muchan perked up: "Then we have to hurry up and catch up with Senior Sister Zhang and the others!"
"Yeah." Leng Wushuang agreed.
The two of them ate while talking. Leng Wushuang ate three pieces of osmanthus cake, and Li Muchan ate five pieces of pastrami. After he chewed them carefully, his mouth was full of fragrance, and he put away his baggage with satisfaction.
After hanging the baggage on the saddle, the two of them got on the horse, patted the horse and galloped out of the bamboo forest.
Zhang Qiaoyi and her three daughters were resting by a forest, sitting cross-legged under the shade of the trees, lazily chatting away.
The lake green shirt brought a bit of vitality to Xu Xiaorou. She waved the bamboo branch boredly and hummed: "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, do you think Junior Brother Li is angry? He knows we are leaving, but there is no one there!"
Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui closed their eyes and meditated, adjusting their breaths. The long swords were placed across their knees, and they made seals with their hands. Their breaths were calm and serene, their treasures were solemn, and they exuded elegance and calmness.
Zhang Qiaoyi opened her eyes and sighed: "Rou'er, this is the tenth time today!"
"Ugh..." The bamboo branches whistled in the air, and Xu Xiaorou said bitterly: "Junior brother Li is too annoying, don't blame me for nagging!"
Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head: "Then I'll say it again, he may be in retreat!"
"I don't believe it!" Xu Xiaorou curled her lips, waved the bamboo branch vigorously, and let out a soft whistle.
Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head helplessly, then closed her eyes and ignored her.
He Ruoshui opened his eyes: "Rou'er, Junior Brother Li is not that kind of person. There may be some misunderstanding. Let's ask clearly next time."
"See you next time, let's see how I deal with him!" Xu Xiaorou waved the bamboo branch hard and gritted her teeth.
He Ruoshui turned around and looked back: "Someone is coming."
Xu Xiaorou's delicate body tensed up and her eyes lit up: "Do any of these people have murderous intentions?"
He Ruoshui shook his head: "Not an enemy."
"Oh..., it's so boring!" The light in Xu Xiaorou's eyes dimmed and she became lazy again.
He Ruoshui said: "I always feel that there is murderous intent ahead, we must be careful."
"It's not Luoyang Mountain yet!" Xu Xiaorou snorted.
The thieves in Luoyang Mountain are rampant, and all of them are desperadoes who kill without hesitation and don't sell anyone's face. Unless they have little money and are too lazy to do anything, rich businessmen, officials, or beauties are all targets for robbery.
The three of them are beautiful and have no bodyguards. They are obviously tough. If they were elsewhere, the bandits would be careful and would not dare to take action. However, the thieves in Luoyang Mountain did not care and would definitely take action.
He Ruoshui shook his head: "It's not Luoyang Mountain."
"Are they the same guys from last time?" Xu Xiaorou asked.
He Ruoshui frowned and thought for a while, then shook his head: "I can't figure it out, my spiritual sense is still too weak."
"I'm just afraid they won't come!" Xu Xiaorou swung the bamboo branch vigorously, "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" It was a sword move: "See you again, I will kill them all with one strike with my sword!"
"Their poisonous skills cannot be underestimated!" He Ruoshui said.
Xu Xiaorou snorted and curled her lips and said, "I brought the poison-preventing pill!"
The sound of horse hooves became louder and louder, and two small black spots appeared on the path at the foot of the mountain. Xu Xiaorou put her left palm on her left eyebrow and quickly shouted excitedly: "It's the Lake Master and Junior Brother Li!"
***************************************
"Lord of the Lake!" The three women stood up to greet him.
Leng Wushuang waved his hand and dismounted. Li Muchan followed suit and clasped his fists with a smile: "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, Senior Sister Xu, you guys are polite!"
"Humph!" Xu Xiaorou glanced at him and turned her head.
Zhang Qiaoyi looked at her, shook her head and smiled: "Junior Brother Li, why are you talking to the Lake Master...?"
Li Muchan said: "I want to track down the murderer who hurt you, senior sister, last time."
"After such a long time, can we chase her?" Zhang Qiaoyi asked. Xu Xiaorou didn't look here, but her little ears perked up.
Xu Xiaoju said: "Lake Master, do you really believe Junior Brother Li's nonsense!"
Leng Wushuang smiled lightly and said nothing.
Xu Xiaorou turned her head and looked sideways at Li Muchan. Li Muchan hurriedly smiled and said: "Senior Sister Xu, the Lake Master and I set out with you. We can't send Senior Sister off. Are you surprised?"
Xu Xiaorou rolled her eyes at him: "Who is surprised!"
He Ruoshui pursed her lips to hold back her laughter, Zhang Qiaoyi smiled and shook her head, Xu Xiaorou glared at them fiercely, and the two women nodded hurriedly, indicating that they would not say anything.
Zhang Qiaoyi said: "Lake Master, will those people come again?"
Leng Wushuang nodded lightly: "Li Zhu speculates that these people will not give up."
Zhang Qiaoyi glanced at Li Muchan, who smiled and looked embarrassed.
Zhang Qiaoyi was secretly moved. When they were in the lake, he kept nagging them, asking them to refuse this job. It was too dangerous, it was just an insignificant risk, and it was not worth it.
But as a disciple of Xinghu Xiaozhu, how can we be afraid of life and death? Besides, last time I was just accidentally plotted, I won't be careless next time.
Unexpectedly, Junior Brother Li persuaded the lake owner to personally protect him. This kind intention warmed her heart.
Leng Wushuang didn't say much, and Xu Xiaorou quickly calmed down. She took Li Muchan to a distance to whisper, and asked him in a low voice whether he could find those guys, so he wasn't just lying to the lake owner.
Li Muchan patted his chest and promised that the tracking skills inherited from his family were very mysterious and he would be able to catch those guys.
Xu Xiaorou was dubious and said in a low voice, if you really lied, ask the lake master for mercy as soon as possible and don't hold on. The lake master knows everything and is not that easy to fool.
Li Muchan's chest thumped loudly, telling her to just rest assured, which aroused Xu Xiaorou's suspicion. He was usually calm and gentle, and spoke in a safe manner, but he had never spoken so fully. This time it was too abnormal.
Zhang Qiaoyi's voice came, urging them to go over and start on their way.
The five of them were walking together, Leng Wushuang was at the front, Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui were on the left and right, and Li Muchan and Xu Xiaorou were at the back, talking in a low voice.
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The setting sun is like a fireball, emitting dark red light, and the whole world is dyed rose red.
The five of them went up to the top of a mountain covered in red clouds. The breeze was blowing, and their eyes suddenly widened. The bamboo forest stretched out, and everything they saw was lush green.
"There's someone over there!" He Ruoshui suddenly pointed forward. Everyone looked and saw two people sitting on the roadside on the mountainside, with two horses beside them.
"Go over and take a look!" Zhang Qiaoyi said.
Xu Xiaorou was about to rush out, but Li Muchan quickly raised his hand: "Senior Sister Xu, wait!"
Xu Xiaorou stopped and turned to look at him: "What's wrong?"
Li Muchan looked at Leng Wushuang: "Lake Master, it's a bit strange, isn't it?"
Leng Wushuang frowned: "What's going on?"
Li Muchan touched his chin and thought for a while, then shook his head: "I always feel something is wrong, so be careful!"
Everyone looked slightly stern. The last time they were plotted against, they had learned that it was difficult to guard against hidden arrows. It was always better to be careful and would rather be more prepared.
Xu Xiaorou put her left hand on her left eyebrow, looked at it for a while, and said, "That man seems to be injured."
"Go and have a look, but be careful." Leng Wushuang said.
Li Muchan hurriedly said: "Lake Master, I'd better go!... Everyone wait here first, so that if it turns out to be a trap, you can react!"
Leng Wushuang looked at him, saw his determined expression, and nodded slowly: "Well, let's go."
Xu Xiaorou hurriedly said: "Junior Brother Li, your martial arts are too bad, I'd better go!"
Li Muchan smiled: "I am not good at martial arts, but when it comes to being cautious, I am the most suitable. Senior Sister Xu, there is no need to worry. With the Lake Master here, how can my life be in danger?"
Xu Xiaorou hesitated for a moment, nodded slowly, and stopped arguing. The Lake Master has the ability to bring the dead back to life, so it doesn't matter even if Junior Brother Li loses his life.
Li Muchan clasped his fists at everyone, clapped his horse and rode, and soon reached the mountainside. In front of them, they were two middle-aged people, a man and a woman.
The woman's face was dark, her eyes were a little unfocused, and her life was about to be in danger.
The middle-aged man looked honest and honest, staring at the woman in his arms with his eyes wide open, his teeth clenched, his body trembling slightly, and he was extremely sad.
This situation was really pitiful, but Li Muchan's heart was as cold as snow. He walked closer and said warmly: "What's going on with this strong man?"
The middle-aged man remained motionless and ignored him.
Li Muchan lowered his head and looked at the woman. She was breathless and dying. She would die at any moment. He took out a poison-preventing pill from his arms and handed it over: "If she is poisoned, just take this."
The middle-aged man looked up, his eyes bloodshot, staring at Li Muchan.
Li Muchan said: "Try taking this and try it. If you delay it for a while, it will be too late."
The middle-aged man took the red pill and put it to the woman's mouth without hesitation, but the woman's mouth was tightly closed and the pill could not go in.
Li Muchan said: "He chewed it up with your mouth and sent it in."
The middle-aged man hurriedly put the pill into his mouth, lowered his head and pointed it at the woman's mouth, and passed it.
The poison-preventing pill was extremely effective. A moment after the woman took it, there was movement. She moaned and slowly opened her eyes.
"Juan'er, Juan'er!" the middle-aged man was overjoyed.
The woman suddenly turned over and sat up, turned around and ran out, into the bamboo forest. The middle-aged man was stunned and wanted to chase after her.
Li Muchan stretched out his hand to stop her: "Wait a moment and let her go."
"This...?" The middle-aged man looked at him doubtfully.
Li Muchan said: "When the elixir works, it needs to expel the poison from the body."
The middle-aged man suddenly realized it. He scratched his head in embarrassment and said with his fists in his hands: "I haven't asked you your name yet, I'm Song Jiatian!"
Li Muchan said: "Li Zhu."
Song Jiatian said in a solemn voice: "Master Li, I can't repay you for saving my life. If I am sent to you in the future, I will not hesitate to die!"
Li Muchan shook his head: "I don't dare to take it seriously. I was just following orders. I am a disciple of Xinghu Xiaozhu, and I came to save people on the orders of the Lake Lord."
"Xinghu Xiaozhu?" Song Jiatian was shocked and said in surprise: "But the Xinghu Xiaozhu of Wushuang Xiaozhu on Luoxing Lake?"
Li Muchan nodded.
"I have admired you for a long time!" Song Jiatian was overjoyed and praised: "All the disciples of Xinghu Xiaozhu are unparalleled talents. It is really disrespectful!"
Li Muchan smiled: "I'm just an ordinary person, I don't dare to act like this."
The two chatted for a while. Song Jiatian was very enthusiastic. Knowing that Li Muchan was a disciple of Xinghu Xiaozhu, he no longer worried about his wife.
Li Muchan breathed a sigh of relief. He used his telepathy. The two people were open-minded and not enemies. It was just a coincidence that they met bandits on the road and were plotted and poisoned.
Soon the middle-aged woman came back with a blushing face. The darkness on her face had completely faded away, and she was fair and delicate, but she was still a beautiful woman with charm.
Song Jiatian hurriedly introduced Li Muchan's identity to her. The woman bowed and was gentle and quiet. She didn't say much and only looked grateful.
Li Muchan led the two of them to the top of the mountain, where Leng Wushuang and the others were sitting on the ground talking.
Song Jiatian and his wife saw the ceremony and thanked them for saving their lives. Li Muchan asked about what happened, who they met and why they were poisoned.
Song Jiatian said that they met a dozen people with good martial arts skills at a place ten miles away. The couple fought fiercely and finally broke through the siege. However, they were poisoned unknowingly and almost died.
As he spoke, he took out a silver needle from his arms. It was gray, as if it had been smeared with ashes on the bottom of a pot.
Li Muchan's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at Zhang Qiaoyi. Her expression also changed, and she stared straight at the silver needle. She looked at Li Muchan and nodded.
Li Muchan looked at Song Jiatian and his wife. They seemed to be masters.
He said to Leng Wushuang: "Lake Master, it seems they are still here."
"Go and have a look." Leng Wushuang said calmly.
Li Muchan asked Song Jiatian to help lead the way and find those ten people. They were enemies and must be eliminated. Song Jiatian readily agreed.
The group of people walked for more than ten miles and came to the foot of a mountain. Song Jiatian pointed in the distance: "That's it! We were attacked right there!"
It was a mile away, halfway up the mountain. Leng Wushuang shook his head: "There is no one within five miles."
Song Jiatian became anxious and said hurriedly: "Master Lenghu, I will never make a mistake, this is it!"
His wife echoed: "Yes, that's right there!"
Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui looked at each other, glanced at Song Jiatian, and their eyes flashed.
Song Jiatian saw the expressions of the two women and said solemnly: "If I tell lies, I will be struck by thunder and die!"
Leng Wushuang looked at Li Muchan: "Maybe we can find it?"
Li Muchan nodded: "Let's try it."
He stretched out his hand and said, "Brother Song, please lend me a silver needle!"
Song Jiatian was still excited, he was stunned, and took out the silver needle from his arms: "Brother Li, are you going to...?"
Li Muchan smiled: "I have a tracking technique. I can borrow objects to find people."
"Very good!" Song Jiatian breathed a sigh of relief.
He was most afraid of being wronged, and he was secretly grateful for Li Muchan's trust.
Li Muchan held the gray silver needle and closed his eyes motionless, as if he was feeling something on the needle. After a moment, he opened his eyes and pointed to the left: "In this direction!"
Leng Wushuang said: "Lead the way."
Several people turned to a winding path. The path became narrower and narrower, with only room for one person and one horse. Leng Wushuang said: "Abandon the horse and walk."
Everyone tied their horses to the nearby bamboo forest and set off on the road.
Li Muchan's Qinggong failed, so Leng Wushuang tied a bamboo cane around his waist. The bamboo cane was soft but could support him to slide forward silently.
*************************
We walked straight ahead from the Yangchang Trail for about ten miles, and finally came to a mountain wall. There was no path, only a cliff covered with bamboos and canes, going straight up and down, making it impossible to climb.
Everyone turned to look at Li Muchan.
Li Muchan frowned, pulled out his long knife, tapped the stone wall with the handle, and quickly turned around and said, "It is indeed empty. There should be a way to get in."
Leng Wushuang walked to him, her white right palm gently pressed against the stone wall, motionless.
After a while, she moved five steps to the left, put her right palm on it again, and pressed it lightly. There was a muffled "bang" sound, the stone wall cracked, the stones fell, and in front of her was a dark stone cave.
The round hole is half a person's height, and a whooshing cold wind blows out from it, fresh and biting.
"Sure enough, there is a mechanism!" Xu Xiaorou praised.
Li Muchan looked at Leng Wushuang. Such inner strength was truly amazing. None of the masters in Canghai Mountain could match her. She was really formidable.