Traveling through the heavens starts from practicing swords in the palace

Chapter 115 114. Invitation

Although it was called the Hubei sub-rudder, of course there was no Hubei Province but only Huguang Province at that time. Hubei means the northern part of Huguang.

Lin Pingzhi was once invited by Ling Chang to go to the Fujian sub-helm of the Beggar Clan. He knew that although the Beggar Clan is ruled by all beggars, it is actually extremely rich in material and financial resources.

The same is true for the Hubei sub-rudder, which encloses a large area in the suburbs of Xiangyang. When you get closer, you can see that the gate is towering and quite imposing.

But of course the beggars also have to feel ashamed to set up a plaque with "beggars" on such a luxurious gate, making people laugh at the beggars for being so grand. They only hang couplets on the huge pillars on both sides of the gate, which is said to be unparalleled in the world , You said to help the poor and save the suffering.It's a bit of homophony.Although there is no connection between the upper and lower reaches, many of the beggar gangs are illiterate beggars, so such half-elegant words are more appropriate.

With Yan Chu leading the way, the guards naturally didn't stop them and let them in—in fact, Lin Pingzhi had a token from Ling Chang, so he could enter even without Yan Chu.

There are all kinds of buildings in here, the style is vulgar but they are neatly located. Walk along the main road for a while, pass the garden rockery, and then walk for a while, you can see the stone bridge and small river, with lush trees on both sides of the river, and you can see pavilions and pavilions. Beautiful scenery.

Lin Pingzhi followed Yan Chu across the stone bridge, walked downstream along the small river, and heard Yan Chu say that the upstream end of the river is the place where the sub-rudder masters live and handle gang affairs.

There are many beggar gangs, but only one of a hundred can take up positions in the sub-helm. Considering the huge number of beggar gang disciples, these people can be regarded as the elite.

Most of these people also have accommodation in Fentuo, and houses are built along the river for them to stay.

Yan Chu was just an ordinary three-pocket disciple in the Beggars' Clan. Because of Ling Chang's personal relationship, he reluctantly entered the Hubei branch to take up the most ordinary position and also lived in the branch.

After walking downstream for a long time, I finally found Yan Chu's residence in a remote place. Compared with the houses I saw along the way, it was much simpler, just a dilapidated thatched cottage.

Lin Pingzhi didn't mind, he went in and sat down with Yan Chu, and didn't want to delay, he asked directly: "Then where is Fengliang? Let's go find him now."

Yan Chu said embarrassingly: "It's ashamed to say that Feng Liang often follows our helmsman. He is currently the most popular fried chicken in our sub-rudder, and he has been promoted to a six-pocket disciple a while ago. I want to see him at my rank. It's hard, he came to me the first two times."

Lin Pingzhi was surprised and said, "Six-pocket disciple? Isn't that just one level behind your uncle Ling Duozhu? How old is he, and he can reach this level."

Yan Chu said: "He's not much older than me, probably about the same age as Mr. Lin."

Lin Pingzhi didn't expect that he was still young and promising. He was already a disciple of Liubao of the Beggar Clan when he was about 20 years old. His future was really limitless.

No wonder Ling Chang felt that this matter was difficult to deal with. To move a six-pocket disciple of the Beggar Gang is really not something that can be solved by writing a letter from the rudder leader of other provinces.

Yan Chu continued: "However, many people in the gang don't accept him, probably because they haven't seen how high his martial arts are or how outstanding his abilities are. Everyone guesses that he will have this opportunity. First, because the leader appreciates him, and second It's because of his family."

Lin Pingzhi asked: "His family? What is the background of his family that can make him so famous in the beggar gang?"

Yan Chu scratched his head and said, "I'm not too sure about it, I just heard that his family has contacts with many great sects, and he has a lot of connections and means."

"However, the further we go in the beggar gang, the more difficult it is to be promoted. Five to six is ​​certainly difficult, but six to seven bags is even more difficult. It’s true that you can’t go any further in a lifetime of poverty.”

Lin Pingzhi said: "Yes. Then how can we find him?"

Yan Chu said: "He should be in the upper reaches of the river when we first came, where our helmsman handles the affairs of the gang. The helmsman likes him very much and always takes him with him wherever he goes. Some people in the gang secretly say that he is the helmsman. The Lord’s…hey, the helmsman’s sweetheart.”

Lin Pingzhi said, "Is it true that your helmsman is good at this?"

Yan Chu said: "Hey, this is just rumored from the bottom, no one can tell if it is true or not." He found a broken bowl, opened a jug of wine hidden in the house, poured it Pour it into a bowl and hand it to Lin Pingzhi.

Lin Pingzhi didn't mind, picked up the broken bowl and took a sip of wine, then he had an idea and said, "I have a token from Ling Duozhu here, so I said that I want you to share Duozhu Ling's words with you, so I will come to the door .”

"When the time comes, I will chat with you as the rudder masters, and you will go and make a martial agreement with Feng Liang."

After hearing what Lin Pingzhi said, Fengliang felt that it was feasible. He clapped his hands and said, "Master Lin really has a way. How about we go now?"

For the two young people, it was natural to leave without saying anything.

Going straight up the river, Lin Pingzhi held the token from Ling Chang in his hand, thinking about what he would say to the rudder master of the Hubei sub-rudder later, and he must pass some meaningful words without embarrassing conversation.After thinking about it for a long time, I didn't expect it, Xindao could only say that Ling Duozhu asked me to pay you a good old age on his behalf, and if I bring out some gold at that time, I should be able to fool the past.

All the way, the houses are more prosperous as you go upstream, and even more trees are planted by the riverside. It seems that this gang of hundreds of thousands of beggars is also hierarchical, and everyone is not equal after all.

Finally, outside a building complex of blue bricks and red tiles, it can be seen from a distance that there are many beggars guarding the entrance with weapons. Most of these beggars are holding sticks and some are holding swords. There are at least four pockets on their waists. Well, it seems that those who guard the door of the helmsman are not badly treated.

Lin Pingzhi didn't want to waste any more time, so he took out the bamboo stick token Ling Chang had given from his waist, and had to show it to the guards and let them deliver the report.

At this moment, a loud whoosh sound was suddenly heard, which seemed to be coming from a very far away.

Lin Pingzhi and Yan Chu heard the sound and looked into the distance, but saw fireworks rising from the sky in the distance and blooming in the sky.

Lin Pingzhi was shocked to see Yan Chu's appearance, knowing that he knew the meaning of the fireworks, so he looked at him and waited for his explanation.

Yan Chu panicked and said: "It's a first-class convening order. All Beggar Clan disciples in the sub-rudder must rush to the conference hall immediately to discuss important matters when they see this signal."

Lin Pingzhi didn't expect to come here, and suddenly there was a summoning order, so he had to say: "Then you hurry over, don't delay the business."

Yan Chu nodded, looking anxious, but he still didn't forget to ask: "What about you, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Pingzhi said indifferently: "It's not easy for me to listen in on the affairs of your beggar gang, not to mention that the people in your ranks are naturally familiar with each other. I can't cover it up if I go there together. I'll just wait for you nearby."

Although Yan Chu felt that it was impolite for Lin Pingzhi to be here alone, there was nothing he could do about calling for an emergency. He could only smile apologetically at Lin Pingzhi, then turned and ran towards the meeting hall.

The reason why Lin Ping was wandering around by himself was that since all the disciples of the Beggar Clan were in the meeting hall at the moment, he was afraid that his beggar-like attire would misunderstand the guards, so he deliberately avoided people's sight and just strolled by the river.

The place chosen by the Beggar Gang is really good, with green willows, blue waves and pleasant scenery.The river breeze was refreshing, and even though it was hot summer noon, I didn’t feel that it was too hard.

After walking for a while, I saw a pavilion built somewhere by the river, which was supposed to be for resting and viewing. Lin Pingzhi had nothing to do with him, so he approached and wanted to sit in the pavilion for a while.

Walking outside the pavilion and seeing the scene inside the pavilion, Lin Pingzhi was surprised that someone was inside.

A man in black, with his hands behind his back, was watching the scenery of the small river from the pavilion.

Lin Pingzhi never expected that the sub-rudder issued a first-level order, and there were people here leisurely sightseeing and enjoying the scenery as he did.

The man in black should have heard the movement behind him, but he didn't move at all. He still kept his hands behind his back and looked ahead.

Lin Pingzhi kindly reminded: "Your Excellency is a member of the Beggar Clan? Your helmsman has sent out the convocation fireworks. If you are a disciple of the Beggar Clan, you should go to the meeting hall immediately. Don't be greedy for the beautiful scenery and delay important matters."

Hearing Lin Pingzhi's words, the man in black finally turned his head and looked back.

Only now did Lin Pingzhi see his face clearly, and saw that he was well maintained, his face was smooth, he looked like he was in his forties, but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes could not be concealed, showing that his actual age was much younger than his appearance big.

The appearance is delicate, but this person's aura is not gentle. In fact, Lin Pingzhi can sense a kind of domineering from him, not only in terms of martial arts, but also a natural aura-Lin Pingzhi deduces that this person should be a long-term A person who is used to giving orders.

As for the gleam in this person's eyes, although restrained but still caught by Lin Pingzhi, it is obvious that his internal strength is also extremely high.

Lin Pingzhi was thinking about who this person would be.

Hearing Lin Pingzhi's reminder, this person looked back at Lin Pingzhi, only snorted coldly, but didn't speak, but turned his head away again, as if Lin Pingzhi was air.

Standing high above no one.

If he met this person in other places, Lin Pingzhi would definitely break the casserole and ask the truth to satisfy his curiosity, or even try it out.

But now that he is in the Beggar Gang and was brought here by Yan Chu, Lin Pingzhi and Ling Chang are also related, so he doesn't want to involve them in trouble.Seeing that this person is so arrogant, he only let out a hey, no longer put his hot face on his cold butt, and left around the pavilion without saying a word.

He continued to think about who this person was: looking at his temperament, he looked better than Lingfengzi, who was drinking and whoring together in Fujian that day, and other Baidao masters, although temperament is not necessarily reliable.

Most likely some distinguished guest from the beggar gang, perhaps a friend of the leader of the hubei branch, seeing Lin Pingzhi's ordinary beggar gang disciple's attire, he naturally didn't take notice of him.

However, Lin Pingzhi was just curious, and forgot about it after walking for a while.

An hour later, Lin Pingzhi thought that Yan Chu's discussion might be over, so he went to the meeting hall to look for it.

Although the sub-rudder is large, the layout of the four places has its own rules. Lin Pingzhi followed the direction Yan Chu left just now and searched all the way. After a while, he heard a sound coming from a place. There was a sound, and walking forward, I saw a hall.

He had no interest in what the beggar gang was discussing, so he just quietly waited outside for Yan Chu to come out.

After another cup of tea time, people in the hall came out one after another. Lin Pingzhi performed light work and stood on the branch of a big banyan tree outside, using the lush branches and leaves to hide from his body.

After fifty or sixty people came out, I saw Yan Chu. This guy looked a little lost. Lin Pingzhi jumped down from the tree lightly, walked beside him and patted him. He was shocked. After Lin Ping, he said: "Mr. Lin! Hey, you scared me to death."

Lin Pingzhi smiled and said: "What's the matter, seeing you looking lost and depressed, what important matter did you discuss that made you panic?"

Yan Chu was frustrated when he heard the words, and said: "Hey, don't mention it, Mr. Lin, what do you think is the reason for summoning everyone temporarily? It's actually announcing that Feng Liang will be the deputy helmsman!"

Lin Pingzhi said: "Associate rudder master? Isn't this kid 20 years old, already the biggest other than your sub-rudder rudder master in the Huguang area of ​​your Beggar Clan?"

Yan Chu said dejectedly: "Isn't it? Just now when the helm master announced this, the audience was in an uproar. One of our sub-rudders has made a great contribution to the gang and has suffered a lot of knives. The six-pocket disciple is 66 years old this year. Now that he is old, everyone thinks that he can be the co-pilot of the sub-rudder, and it is a comfort to be old."

"In terms of seniority, merit, prestige, and people's aspirations, this old man should be the deputy helmsman, but I didn't expect that Ding Ding, who was so ungrateful, made an exception to let Feng Liang sit in this position. It’s really chilling our hearts.”

Lin Pingzhi said: "Hehe, it seems that Feng Liang is really loved by your Ding Duozhu. Ding Duozhu is so desperate to support him, so it's because of the wind blowing by his pillow."

He couldn't help but think of Yang Lianting, the face of Dongfang Bubai on Heimu Cliff.It's just that Lin Pingzhi doesn't know whether the sub-rudder leader likes a rough face like Yang Lianting, or a boy with a fair face.

Yan Chu also sighed after hearing this, obviously very dissatisfied with Feng Liang being the deputy helmsman.

Lin Pingzhi said again: "Then where is Fengliang? Let's not care about his being the second helmsman, we will avenge you first, and beat up that person from the Wudang sect before we talk about it."

Yan Chu said: "I just had a chat with a well-informed uncle next to me in the meeting hall, and then I found out that the disciple of the Wudang Sect who competed with me also has a great background. He is a direct descendant of the head of the Wudang Sect, Taoist Priest Chongxu. The disciple’s disciple is very popular among the elders of the sect among the third generation disciples of Wudang.”

"Hey, Feng Liang and this Wudang disciple don't like provocations. If you hadn't agreed to help me, Mr. Lin, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to gain a foothold here."

Then he answered Lin Pingzhi's words: "Mr. Lin, Feng Liang is still in the conference hall. The rudder master left him to order some affairs in the gang - he actually follows Ding rudder master's ass every day, why bother to order now?" , it’s nothing more than the helmsman showing his respect to us in front of us.”

Lin Pingzhi said calmly: "Let's stand here for a while and wait for him to come out."

The two chatted casually for a few more words, and sure enough, they saw a middle-aged man coming out of the room. He looked like a shrewd and capable person.Yan Chu whispered next to Lin Pingzhi: "This is the rudder master of our Hubei sub-rudder, Ding Qiao Ding rudder master."

Lin Pingzhi nodded, at this time another young man came out, he looked about 20 years old, he was neither a rough man with beards nor a gentle boy with a gentle face, just an ordinary appearance, not very outstanding.

Lin Pingzhi was surprised, and asked Yan Chu, "Is this Fengliang? I thought he should look a bit extraordinary when he ascended to a high position at such a young age. Why does he look like an ordinary person?"

Yan Chu said bitterly: "Isn't it? There are many people in the gang who think like you, Mr. Lin."

Seeing them coming out together, Lin Pingzhi thought of how to find a way to distract Ding Qiao, the helmsman, and let Yan Chu find an opportunity to set up a contest with Feng Liang.Unexpectedly, after Feng Liang sent Ding Qiao away respectfully, he didn't follow him anymore, but just watched the helmsman go away.

The timing was just right, Lin Pingzhi walked over directly without waiting for Yan Chu to speak.Seeing that Lin Pingzhi was so impatient, Yan Chu had no choice but to follow behind him.

Seeing Lin Pingzhi approaching, Feng Liang showed no abnormality on his face, and said calmly, "Brother, you look unfamiliar, is he a newcomer to the sub-helm? Do you need me for something?"

Lin Pingzhi heard him speak in a kind tone, not aggressive, nor condescending, and couldn't help but feel a little strange: "I heard what Yan Chu said, and I thought that this Fengliang must be an arrogant and domineering second-generation dude, what do you think? Doesn't he sound like this kind of person?"

At the moment, there was only a hum, which was regarded as a response.

Fengliang saw Yan Chu again, with a look of concern on his face, and said: "Brother Yan, how is the injury on your hand? Swords have no eyes. Brother Zhu couldn't hold back his sword and hurt you. I feel really sorry. "

Lin Pingzhi felt something was wrong again: "Look at the expression on Fengliang's face that doesn't seem to be fake, could it be that this person is so hypocritical, he is clearly trying to scheme against Yan Chu, but on the surface he is pretending to be fake. And the ability to make people unable to see his true intentions at all, it is no wonder that he can be the sub-ruler."

But Yan Chu seems to have become a person whose words and deeds are inconsistent. He who was gnashing his teeth at Fengliang just now put on a smile and said: "The relationship between Xie Fengruozhu is just a skin trauma. It will be fine after a few days." It's all over. Hey, since I agreed to the martial arts competition, I would like to admit defeat. As Master Feng said, swords have no eyes, even if I were killed by Brother Zhu of the Wudang sect, I would have no complaints."

Feng Liang stood upright, and he could tell from his standing posture that he was a very self-disciplined person. He reached out and patted Yan Chu's shoulder, his movements were seasoned and natural.

Yan Chu always had a smile on his face, letting Feng Liang pat him on the shoulder, showing no sign of hostility at all.

Lin Pingzhi lamented why these young people are so yin and yang, obviously dissatisfied and had conflicts with each other, but this meeting is really like a good partner with sincere feelings.

Although he is sometimes very deep in the city, but that is when he has to be careful with the head of the big faction, but he doesn't take the two little brothers in front of him very much. Since they are here for Yan Chu's affairs, then He said straightforwardly:

"Master Feng Tuo, brother Yan and I came here because I heard that you know a friend from the Wudang sect, who has strong martial arts skills and easily defeated him."

"I have lived in Fujian for a long time, and I came to the north to see the world. I also have a set of swordsmanship in my family, so I want to learn the Taiji swordsmanship of the Wudang School and learn from each other."

Feng Liang seemed to be trying to pretend to the end, but he still had a kind expression on his face when he heard the words, he looked Lin Pingzhi straight in the eye, and asked, "This brother originally came from Fujian, dare I ask, but he is our brother at the helm of Fujian? What's his name?"

At this time, Lin Pingzhi was dressed as a beggar by Yue Lingshan. Although he didn't really put on any makeup, he deliberately dressed up to look ugly. He really looked like a beggar, so Feng Liang thought Lin Pingzhi was from the beggar gang at first glance. disciple.

Lin Pingzhi told him whether to admit or deny, and answered according to the words he had planned in advance: "Hey, my name is Lin Ping, and I often work with the captain of the Fujian branch, Ling Changling."

What he said was vague, and Feng Liang didn't seem to be able to hear it, so he said lightly: "It turns out that it is Brother Lin. You asked Brother Zhu from the Wudang School I know to compete in martial arts. Did you mean it yourself, or did you see that Brother Yan was defeated by Brother Zhu?" Come on, so you want to get back this place?"

Obviously, Feng Liang is also a person who doesn't hide anything, so this question is also straightforward.

Yan Chu showed an embarrassed expression when he heard the words, as if he felt embarrassed that his true intentions had been exposed.

Lin Pingzhi has experienced many things and met many masters. Seeing that he asked directly, it was just what he wanted, and he replied: "Hey, I have all of them, and the main reason is that I like to practice swords and find people Sword competition. It doesn’t matter if Brother Zhu mentioned by Feng Tuozhu doesn’t want to compete, as long as he admits that the sword skills on Wudang Mountain are nothing more than that, and the kung fu in the northern martial arts is not as good as ours in Fujian.”

He thought that young people are the most competitive, and they always like to argue about meaningless fame, so he proposed the illusory concept of "Northern Wulin", and brought in the Wudang faction, so that the other party could not refuse.

Hearing this, Feng Liang said calmly, "Brother Lin, there are many outstanding people and geniuses in the south, and there is a Buddhist temple like Putian South Shaolin Temple with a lot of Zen masters and eminent monks. , it’s no worse than these sects in the north.”

"However, if you want to say that the Wudang School's swordsmanship is not high, and the northern martial arts martial arts are not as good as your Fujian province, that's not necessarily true, hey, not necessarily."

He raised the southern sect a little bit, and said two things in a very flat manner, but he didn't turn into a rage and make excuses to fight back, which surprised Lin Pingzhi.

Feng Liang said again: "However, since Brother Lin is interested in this, I will talk to Brother Zhu from the Wudang School when I have time, and see what he means, the comparison is naturally up to him."

"However, if he agrees to the competition, regardless of the outcome, I implore Brother Lin to treat it as a private competition, and don't say that winning or losing represents a certain place—of course it is just a suggestion, and I have no intention of threatening Brother Lin."

Seeing that he spoke politely, Lin Pingzhi couldn't help but feel a little powerless in his heart. This time, he thought he was going to beat up the man in Wudang Mountain after talking a lot of rubbish with Fengliang, but he didn't expect that Fengliang really As his name suggests, he is gentle, courteous and frugal as soon as he meets him. Lin Pingzhi immediately felt helpless because he stole Wudang's Taijiquan.

However, Yan Chu has always greeted each other with a smile on his face. At this time, he said with a smile: "What Feng Ruozhu said is very true. My brother Lin is also a sword lover. I admire Wudang Taiji Sword in private. Naturally, this time I will focus on learning from each other. , absolutely not hurting peace."

Feng Liang's body was straight, and there was a little joy in his eyes when he heard the words, but he still said in a flat tone: "That's good, if Brother Yan and Brother Lin can do this, it's really great."

Lin Pingzhi suddenly had a feeling of being suppressed. This Fengliang was old-fashioned, and to be honest, he had a face-to-face chat with Lin Pingzhi, let alone the deputy helmsman. He often doesn't seem to be as sophisticated as Feng Liang.

No wonder Yan Chu looked resentful and helpless when he talked about Feng Liang, but now he was smiling face to face.

From Yan Chu's point of view, if he got into trouble with this kind of opponent, he could only be cautious, even if he was bullied, he would only dare to swallow it.

Thinking of this, Lin Pingzhi couldn't help sympathizing with Yan Chu, and said to Fengliang: "Master Feng, please refer to that Wudang disciple surnamed Zhu, hey, you tell him, if he doesn't agree, I will So I went up to Wudang Mountain to call and challenge him."

"Since he can compete with my little brother Yan, there is no reason why he should not accept me."

(End of this chapter)