Master of Heaven III

The next day they failed to make the trip as scheduled, because Henry Zhang fell ill. He had a high fever since he woke up in the morning, and he kept talking in his sleep in a daze. He was really caught off guard when he came here suddenly. He was given western medicine and water with talismans. After a whole day of tossing around, the high fever finally subsided.

Nie Xingfeng was not worried on the contrary. He knew that it was caused by Henry Zhang's sudden burst of divine power last night, and his body suddenly couldn't bear it. Seeing him lying on the bed without saying a word, it was pitiful and embarrassing. Cute, I couldn't help poking Zhang San's face while helping him to take medicine, but unexpectedly found that I could slightly control the movement of my limbs.

Maybe if he tries harder, he can completely break away from Zhang San. After discovering that he is not possessed by consciousness, Nie Xingfeng has been thinking about this issue. Although he still can't understand his current situation, he finally understands , He can act independently and separate from Zhang San, but it is a pity that Zhang San's willpower is too strong. After his body recovered a little, Nie Xingfeng returned to the immobile state.

Two days later, Henry Zhang's illness was completely cured, but he had been sluggish after the high fever. Zhang San urged him to hurry, but he couldn't lift his spirits. He lay on the bed and refused to leave, begging: "Master, let's go home Okay? I don't want to go to your house anymore."

"why?"

"They are all bad guys. They kicked you out of the teacher's school, and now they suddenly let you go back. They must want to get Suo Hunsi back. You are injured. If you can't beat them, you will suffer."

Zhang San's heart moved, he had thought about what Henry Zhang said, but his attachment to the magic weapon was far less than that of beauty, and Suo Hunsi was passed on to him by his master before his death. If others covet the magic weapon, it depends on whether there is one Get that skill.

He patted Henry Zhang, picked him up from the bed and carried him on his back, picked up the package and left, and said, "You think everyone is like you, so you want Suo Husi so much."

"No, Master, I think..."

Henry Zhang lay on Zhang San's back, leaning closely, so that Nie Xingfeng could clearly feel his unstable emotions, as if he was about to say something, but stopped halfway, pursed his lips and thought for a while, and said: "Then Master, you can teach me spells on the way, I want to become more powerful."

Henry Zhang has a lazy personality, and he has always been more enthusiastic than diligent in learning spells. It is rare to hear him offer to practice martial arts, and Zhang San was stunned for a moment.Recalling his aura when he subdued the divine beast that night, he smiled and said, "You are already very powerful, and Master has nothing more to teach you."

+ + + + +

After the fierce fight that night, Zhang San was seriously injured. Fortunately, Zhang Xuan asked the beast for the drop of dragon tears. He used the dragon tears as an introduction and took them together with the wound medicine. The injury healed quickly. Smashed and ground into powder like that, and made into a medicinal cream for beauty, Henry Zhang was curious and wanted to use it, but Zhang San pushed him away, saying that he was a child and didn't need to use this kind of thing.

So nothing happened on the road, Henry Zhang began to think about how to use his loot, the golden scale looked beautiful, but it was actually useless, it was too vague to be used as a mirror, and it was not real gold when used as gold, Henry Zhang thought for a long time, and finally thought of it A good idea is to grind the golden scales into a dagger, the blade is sharp and golden, it is very suitable as a light hand weapon for children.

The further west they went, the colder the weather became. After Henry Zhang finally ground the golden scales into a dagger completely, they also arrived at their destination - at the foot of an unknown snow mountain in the northwest border.

"This mountain is called Chasing Cloud Peak. When I was your age, I never went down the mountain."

Zhang San took his apprentice's hand and walked up the stone steps to the mountain. Looking at the endless mountains in the distance, recalling the past, he couldn't help sighing. Nie Xingfeng felt that he was in a peaceful state of mind, as if he had seen through the world. Although he was a little nostalgic, But will not cling to the past.

It's a pity that it is impossible for a six-year-old child to understand his state of mind. Henry Zhang climbed the stone steps and said casually: "No wonder you are a road idiot."

The cool sentence captured Zhang San's full of sighs, and he waved his hands angrily. Seeing that the situation was not good, Henry immediately ran up the mountain like a monkey.It was deep winter at this time, and the heavy snow in the mountains had dyed the green pines and cypresses with a layer of silver. Looking around, there was a vast expanse of whiteness. to the end.

The two masters and apprentices came to the top of the peak one after the other. It was already evening, and the north wind howled, rolling up snowflakes on the pine branches, flying in front of them. Right in front of them was an antique mansion with blue bricks and green tiles. On the corners of the eaves stood four square beasts and spell carvings, which were simple and solemn. A disciple the size of Henry Zhang was sweeping the snow at the door, and greeted them after seeing them.

Zhang San took out the received letter and handed it to the young disciple. Not long after he took it in, he ran out quickly and said to Zhang San: "Please follow me."

The two followed the young disciple into the house. The ancient house has not changed for a hundred years. The stone gate of the corridor and the ancient well with green pines are still the same as when Zhang left more than 30 years ago. The scene in memory is like a black and white photo, which is frozen with his departure. At the moment when he came back, he dyed it again, and with the rotation of the clock of life, more than ten years passed silently.

As soon as they entered the front yard, a few people came rushing towards them. The leader was a man in Tsing Yi who was over the age and stood tall. Standing up, standing in this snow-colored world, revealing a bit of the taste of Daofengxiangu.

"Third Junior Brother!"

The man in Tsing Yi came to Zhang San quickly, stopped, and stared at him, his eyes revealed a bit of excitement, he stretched out his hand, but stopped halfway, and said in a deep voice: "Tuzhi, you are back!" .”

Zhang San's reaction was much calmer. Nie Xingfeng only felt his heart beating slightly, and soon he calmed down. He bowed to the man and called him "big brother" in a low voice. Nodding his head, he said, "Long time no see, are you all safe?"

"It's all good, it's just master..." At this point, the elder brother's eyes darkened, "He passed away three years ago, and he still remembered you when he left, but we sent people to look for you, but we couldn't find you."

The atmosphere became stiff because of this topic. Nie Xingfeng didn't know if it was his own illusion. When he saw the senior brother saying this, the other senior brothers looked a little sad, and Zhang San was also a little depressed, but then He laughed and said, "It's just a matter of fate. When I die one day, I'll just see Master again."

Everyone's faces changed slightly, and a slightly fat man said to the senior brother with a yin and yang, "I said that since the third senior brother has left, he will no longer fall in love with the past, but you don't believe it. At the beginning, the master loved him the most, but you see that he has already left." Seeing through life and death, I didn't take Master's death seriously."

"Okay, okay, it's the day of Master's death soon, and it's rare for the third junior brother to come back. Don't mention the right and wrong back then. As long as you have the heart, worshiping now is the same."

The one who smoothed things over was a tall, thin man. Except for the elder brother, he had the most upright aura. It could be seen that his Taoism cultivation base was not inferior to Zhang San's, but his smile was so kind that it made people feel uncomfortable. Feeling hypocritical, after he finished speaking, he cast his eyes on Henry Zhang and asked, "This kid is..."

"The disciple I accepted is called Henry Zhang."

The man seemed to be quite interested in the aura of Henry Zhang, and reached out to pinch his shoulder, which meant to probe his spiritual bones. Zhang San took a step forward and separated quietly. The man didn't care, and rushed to Henry Zhang He smiled and said: "My name is Zhang Xueshan, and I am your second uncle, this is your great uncle Zhang Luo, and your fourth uncle Ji Kai... This is your junior uncle Qu Xingchen, look at you, Xingchen was still very young when you left , is now an adult."

The last sentence was for Zhang San. Following Zhang Xueshan's introduction, Qu Xingchen hurriedly saluted Zhang San, but it was not like other people's greetings, but a respectful and respectful teacher's gift. He is handsome , but there is a slight sadness between the brows, as if there is something that cannot be resolved, suppressing the heroic spirit that should be.

Zhang San returned the salute, and seeing Henry Zhang staring around, as if he hadn’t heard it, his mouth was closed tighter than a clam shell, even if the other party was acting, they had to deal with it, so as not to be said to be out of etiquette , so he tugged at him, and pretended to scold him: "Aren't you called someone? You're dumb!"

"No," Henry Zhang looked up at him, and asked innocently: "But Master, haven't you been kicked out of the teacher a long time ago? Why did I suddenly pop out so many uncles?"

Nie Xingfeng saw that after he finished saying this, a group of people changed their expressions at the same time, even the eldest brother Zhang Luo looked embarrassed, as if no one wanted to mention the incident back then, but he was stabbed by a child, but Tong Yanwuji, you can’t do anything to him, only Nie Xingfeng and Zhang San know that Henry Zhang did it on purpose, and this guy’s desire for revenge is as strong as his greed for money.

In the end, Zhang Luo diverted the conversation, and asked Zhang San to go to the hall to talk, but after being disturbed by Henry Zhang, no one had the cheek to call him third junior brother, but changed it to Juzhi. Zhang San smiled and said: "Everyone should still call me Zhang San. After so many years, I'm used to it. Zhang Tingzhi disappeared more than ten years ago."

Zhang Luo's face changed, but he didn't say any more. Nie Xingfeng saw his eyes flickering, with a bit of guilt, and he still didn't dare to look at Zhang San, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.

After everyone was seated in the lobby, Zhang Luo ordered his disciples to bring some refreshments. It is said that they live in a remote place and do not go down the mountain for many years, so they should live in a cold environment. , I think this master was a person who knew how to enjoy when he was alive, and Zhang San's master and apprentice have learned a lot on this point.

When he heard that Zhang San had changed his name, the chubby fourth junior brother named Ji Kai said angrily, "Zhang San, Zhang San, this name is really popular."

"The name is just a code name for convenience."

Zhang San was kicked out of the teacher's school back then. He chose another name just not to let people associate himself with the teacher's school, so as not to cause trouble to the teacher's school. However, there is no need to talk about these old things. He smiled slightly and said: "You call me Zhang Sanfeng ,it is also fine."

Ji Kai punched empty fists, feeling very uncomfortable, couldn't help but continued to sneer: "Even the name taboo given by the master has been changed, but the magic weapon is still kept and not returned, isn't it justified?"

Henry Zhang was originally attracted by the dim sum, and when he heard Ji Kai mention Suo Hun Si, he immediately raised his head and glared at him. Zhang San understood his psychology, even if he didn't teach it formally, in the hearts of his apprentices, the Suo Hun Si was already his Private property, if someone covets it, he will do his best.

“Let’s go out and play.” He patted Henry Zhang on the head and said.

Henry Zhang didn't want to go, but the little disciple who brought them in heard this and ran over excitedly to call him. The two were about the same age and could chat better. Henry Zhang rolled his eyes and didn't object anymore, chewing the pastry in his mouth I went out with my little disciple.

"That child is also an abandoned baby, picked up by the master and brought up, named Zhang Zheng, in the hope that he will be an upright person in the future." Seeing Zhang San follow the two children away, Zhang Luo explained.

"Master's teaching is correct, a person should be upright."

Zhang San was also an abandoned baby. Although he handled things freely, he still felt a little sad when he thought of his teacher's upbringing. He said, "I want to go to the back mountain to pay homage to the master, is that okay?"

There is a cemetery on the back mountain of Chasing Cloud Peak, disciples without family members will be buried there after death, but it is also a forbidden place, outsiders cannot enter, when asked, Zhang Luo hesitated, said: "Master did not buried there."

Zhang San was stunned, Zhang Luo stood up and said, "Actually, this is one of the reasons why we invited you back, please come with me."

A word of please opened the distance between each other inadvertently, and Zhang San didn't take it seriously. When he went out, he wanted to ask Henry Zhang to go with him, but he didn't know where he ran with his companions, so he gave up. That guy said something nonsensical to scare people.

Zhang Luo took Zhang San to the backyard, and the other senior brothers stopped halfway, only Zhang Xueshan followed. When passing through the bluestone corridor in the backyard, there was a loud howl in the distance, this kind of howling of snow-capped wild wolves Zhang San has heard it a lot since he was a child, but this howl was obviously made in the house. An angry growl.

Zhang San thought the cry was a bit familiar, and his footsteps paused slightly, but Nie Xingfeng had already heard it. The feeling of howling the wolf was a bit similar to the roar of the beast they saw on a rainy night, but it was much more immature in comparison.

The disciples of the Celestial Master often go down the mountain to slay demons, and occasionally bring back demons that cannot be tamed, so it is not surprising that there are wolf demons in the house. It is just that the wolf is on the verge of death, but it is still trapped here. Zhang San couldn't figure it out, and the other two were also slightly taken aback, but they didn't explain, they walked quickly to the quiet room in the backyard, opened the door, and invited Zhang San in.

Smelling the light incense in the room, Zhang San felt sad. This is the room where the master meditated and practiced before he was alive. He was also expelled from the teacher here. People are not.

The quiet room remained the same as it was when Zhang San left. There was an old man lying on the bed. Three years after his death, his body had already been stiff and dry, but there was no sign of decay. The outline was clear and he maintained the appearance of his life.

"Before the master passed away, he said that he would stay here and wait for his resurrection, so we did so. I don't know what magical power the master used to leave behind his own body. Maybe it's God's will. When the day after tomorrow comes, he will be resurrected. .” Zhang Xueshan said next to him.

Zhang San looked at him in amazement, it was hard to believe that the peaceful and indifferent master would have the idea of ​​resurrection, he knelt down and bowed to the corpse three times, and when he got up, he asked Zhang Luo, "What's going on?"

"Go out and talk, we need your help."

The three of them left the quiet room and walked along the long corridor. Zhang Luo said: "We caught a wolf demon a month ago. It has practiced for thousands of years, and it still has some kind of ancient divine power. I counted it. The inner alchemy is enough to bring people back to life, and the day after tomorrow is the day of Master's death, we hope you can help, gather everyone's strength to take out the inner alchemy, and assist the resurrection of the master."

Nie Xingfeng was very surprised that the practitioner actually uttered the words of killing, and Zhang San didn't take it seriously. He asked, "Do you want to use living people to pay homage to the dead?"

"The wolf monster killed innocent people indiscriminately, and we caught it. Afterwards, we heard from Xingchen that in order to understand Taoist magic, it deliberately seduced Xingchen with its beauty. This kind of monster should have been killed. If the senior brother brought it back, it It has been skinned by angry villagers to vent their anger, and now we are just taking its inner alchemy to do a good deed, which is not an exaggeration."

Zhang Xueshan talked eloquently, Zhang San glanced at Zhang Luo, saw that although Zhang Luo didn't behave like Zhang Xueshan should, but didn't deny it, he couldn't help feeling disappointed, and said: "I have been away from Master for too long, and I didn't say anything." position, but I think with his old man’s conceit, he doesn’t bother to use the monster’s inner alchemy to revive him.”

Zhang Luo was noncommittal, but said, "Let's go and have a look at that wolf demon first."

The three of them came to the courtyard specially used to imprison monsters. From afar, they heard the wolf demon's shouts and the fierce impact of iron objects. A strong aura came from it. This time Zhang San felt that the wolf demon was carrying the beast. The breath, remembering what the beast had said, realized that I had made a mistake before.

When I got closer, I saw a wolf demon locked in an iron cage. The beast was right. It was a noble wolf with pure white fur. Its claws were on the dragon gate. It was as tall as a grown man. What is surprising is that the wolf demon is actually a nine-tailed wolf, with the ferocity of a wild wolf on its face and the cunning of a fox. If you are not in a cage, but appear in the wild in the snow-capped mountains, the nobility and beauty must be very fascinating.

It's a pity that it is just an imprisoned monster now. Its swollen white tail and limbs are splashed with blood. The blood and dust make it look like a mess. After finding that it could not be shaken, it crazily hit it with its head and body again and again. The iron chain that tied its hind foot was pulled and made a fierce sound. Judging from the twisted angle of its pulling, that hind leg should have been broken , but it didn't care, it just desperately wanted to break through the barrier that was imprisoned.

The impact opened the wound on its body again, and the blood dripped onto the ground drop by drop, some of which splashed in the white snow in the distance. The setting sun had already set, but the blood dripped against the white snow, and it was still bright and charming. As if unconscious, it was still constantly bumping. The iron rod with thick wrists had been knocked out of shape. If it weren't for the several Dao Talismans pasted on the door, the iron cage wouldn't be able to hold it at all.

Noticing the abnormality, Zhang Luo hurried over and asked, "What's going on here?"

"I don't know, I don't know!"

Qu Xingchen stood a little far away with a pale face. His original hatred of the white wolf turned into fear. Just now, when he heard the strange roar of the white wolf, he immediately ran over. After all, we have known each other for many years. He hated the white wolf, and he couldn't help being concerned, but he was immediately overwhelmed by what he saw.

He has seen the violence of the white wolf when it killed a life, but it has never been so crazy. Since it was locked up, its eyes have always looked at itself with sadness and disbelief, with disappointment after being betrayed, but now the pair of eyes He no longer existed in the pupils, and the dark green pupils were filled with thick murderous intent, the wild anger and ruthlessness frightened him, even though he knew that there was a Dao talisman on the cage, he couldn't help but backed away, Otherwise it will be torn to pieces, he thought vaguely.

The question was futile, Zhang Luo looked at the white wolf's eyes, the white wolf was not crazy for no reason, its eyes were fixed on the two children standing in front of the cage, its eyes were like knives, and it could cut them into pieces. hate.

Zhang Zheng would occasionally come to the backyard with his seniors, but he had never seen such a terrifying scene before. He was frightened and foolish for a long time, and hid behind him by pulling Henry Zhang’s clothes tightly, but Henry Zhang’s reaction was exactly the opposite of his, completely indifferent Sensing the white wolf's hostility towards him, he licked his fingers and watched it go berserk with interest. If Zhang Zheng hadn't held his clothes tightly, he might have ran up to take a closer look.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Luo frowned slightly. Henry Zhang was different from ordinary children. He was aware of it the first time he saw it, but he couldn't figure out why the white wolf went crazy for him. Only Zhang San and Nie Xingfeng knew, Henry Zhang had a golden scale dagger on his body, and the white wolf must have smelled the smell of golden scales, thinking that Henry Zhang killed his companion, otherwise it would be impossible to get what belonged to it.

Seeing that the wolf's movements became more and more intense, Zhang Luo stepped forward and added two more seals on the Dao Talisman, but still couldn't block the impact of the wolf. In the end, it didn't want to escape or hurt people, but simply Self-mutilation, the wolf raised its head and let out a shrill howl. The sound spread far into the deep valley and echoed in the valley. The howling was full of despair and sadness. In the end, the wolf gradually lost its voice, but its head was still held high. Its ferocity is shocking. Fear, but in addition to being frightened, I can't help but be shocked by its unruly momentum and feel sad for it.

Zhang San didn't understand wolf language, but guessed that it was calling for a companion divine beast. Unfortunately, the divine beast was tricked by him to the extreme north, thousands of miles away from here.

Look at the clear and sad eyes of the wolf monster. Although it is full of hostility, it is hostile and not evil. The faint white aura surrounds the whole body, which is a proof of meditation. A monster that has committed killing should not have such a pure aura. Nine-tailed The fox is already hard to see, and the nine-tailed white wolf is even rarer. Zhang San couldn't help feeling compassionate, and asked, "Looking at how it has cultivated for many years, it has already cultivated human form. How could it commit murder so easily?"

"How can we understand the thoughts of demons and goblins?" Hearing that Zhang San didn't believe their words, Zhang Xueshan sneered: "You have been away for so long, and your heart has softened. Don't forget the teachings of the master back then—eliminate evil and do everything!"

Zhang Luo also nodded and said yes, "Don't be fooled by its pitiful appearance. We all saw it when it killed people that day. If it is pitiful, what about those innocent people who were killed?"

He asked Zhang San to leave with him, Henry Zhang wanted to watch again, but was dragged away by Zhang San's collar, Zhang Zheng also hurriedly followed behind them, only Qu Xingchen stayed in place alone, silently watching the white wolf in the cage, His face was devastated.

Zhang Xueshan shook his head and sighed, and after walking away, he whispered to Zhang San: "Actually, the one who was hurt the most was Junior Brother Qu. The wolf demon lied to him for six years and got a lot of magic secrets from him. The saddest one is a cultivator." It's the level of love, you were like this at the beginning, and now he is like this, if the master knows about it, how can you rest assured."

The words came slowly, seemingly sighing, but Nie Xingfeng heard something wrong. Since everyone thinks that the master will be resurrected, how can he say that he knows it underground?It's a pity that Henry Zhang was ignorant, but Zhang San was upset, and no one thought about it.

+ + + + +

That night, Zhang Luo hosted a banquet for Zhang San's master and apprentice, and several other senior brothers accompanied the dinner. Nie Xingfeng heard them chatting, and then he knew that Zhang Luo was born in a wealthy family. I am quite spiritual about practice, so I learned it all the way.

As for the other senior brothers, they either cultivated halfway, or were found abandoned babies like Zhang San. Only Qu Xingchen was rescued by his master when he was a child, and he was the only one in the family. survive.

When he was young, he witnessed the tragic death of his family members. Compared with other people, Qu Xingchen hated spirits and monsters more. So when he found out that the person he liked was a wolf demon, he was shocked. Don't worry about his mood, let him bow his head and drink alone.

The banquet was rich, but Zhang San didn't know what to eat. Perhaps he had been away for too long, and he could no longer integrate into this world. Whether it was the upright and old-fashioned senior brother, or the tactful second senior brother, he felt out of place, let alone Talking about other senior brothers seems to be polite, but in fact they are alienated. Although everyone did not tell the truth, Zhang San understands that he was the one who was loved and valued the most by the master back then. is his.

This alone is enough to make people jealous.

He drank heavily, thinking to himself in self-deprecation, what does it mean to get rid of all evil?No matter how evil the spirit is, can it be more evil than people's hearts?