seven relics

This is Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province, which belongs to Fourteen Towns and Two Townships. It reaches the East China Sea in the east and South Yandang Mountain in the west. Most residents in the county gather in the South Yandang Mountain Range, and the place where Lian Jiangyue will eventually return is also here.

When he arrived at Daitou Village, Nanyan Town, the sun had already set in the west, and it was time for every household in the village to have dinner. The smell of food was wafting in the air. Neighbors were visiting each other with rice bowls. They were all elderly. When they saw Lian Jiangyue, they all nodded to him.

A few children ran around and barked in the street, causing some local dogs to run all over the street excitedly, and some old people followed the children, chasing and shouting with bowls in their hands.The village is very lively.A few black mountain shadows are reflected in the dark blue night.

Two running children collided with Lian Jiangyue, one fell to the ground, and the other shook his head while covering his forehead.On the same road, about ten meters behind them, a short and fat old woman ran towards them, shouting: "Come back! Come back! If you make trouble again, I'll send you up the mountain! Go blacksmithing and coal burning!"

Lian Jiangyue helped up the fallen child, looked at the one shaking his head, handed over a box of peony cakes, and said, "Let's share it."

The children first looked back, and the old woman stopped on the side of the road after running for a few steps, bent over and panted, and muttered: "Xiao Lian, Xiao Lian, those two dead children..."

Lian Jiangyue patted the child: "Let's go."

The two children were happy. The one who fell to the ground earlier grabbed Lian Jiangyue's sleeve and wiped his shiny mouth. He grabbed the gift box he gave him and ran away after hugging him tightly. The one who shook his head followed him. also ran away.The old woman stood there panting, and when Lian Jiangyue came to her, she said angrily: "In two years, I will also send them to Master Bian to teach! Go to school and make trouble in the school, and go home to make trouble in the ancestral hall! I can't move my old bones! I can't move them!"

Lian Jiangyue held her arm and said, "Grandma Xu, are you home alone?"

Grandma Xu nodded, looked at Lian Jiangyue, patted the back of his hand, and said softly, "I just came back from outside, haven't I eaten yet? Go to Grandma's house to eat?"

Lian Jiangyue looked forward: "There is still a long way to go up the mountain. I am afraid that I will go back late and make too much noise to disturb the master's rest."

Grandma Xu frowned and complained: "Oh, you have too many rules, okay, okay, then go back earlier." She didn't want to keep him anymore.

Lian Jiangyue sent Grandma Xu home and walked towards the mountain shadow.Passing by the village committee, and passing through a colorful pavilion, he came to a stone step built on the side of the mountain and went straight up. The noise of the village was far away from him, and there was no one on the small road without street lights.

In the sparse moonlight cast by a crescent moon, only twenty or so stone steps and two half-person-high metal guardrails are pulled at the beginning of the steps. The fitness trail is dangerous at night! Visitors are not allowed to enter! Consequences are at your own risk!" notice.

There are black grass on both sides of the stone steps.

Lian Jiangyue climbed over the guardrail, stepped on the stone steps, and went up the mountain.

After walking up a hundred or so steps, his breathing was even and his steps were easy, and the luggage on his back didn't feel heavy, but he was holding the Weeping Rain Sword brought out from the Que Que Temple in one hand, and the fire in the other hand. The special products bought at the station, when going up, the blade of the sword was quite in the way, and the wine and cakes were always bumping into each other, so he crossed the sword and hung Du Kang on one end, and the gift box of peony cakes on the other. On the shoulders, keep climbing.

Perhaps because the black sword is made of stone, and it is light and thin, he returned to Zhejiang from Henan, and every time he encountered security checks, he said it was a prop for taking photos, but he passed the customs without incident.

Bypassing a mountain peak shaped like a pen holder in this way, seeing a temple with a black roof and yellow walls sandwiched between the two mountains at the foot, Lian Jiangyue climbed out of the steps and walked into a dense forest.At night, the woods were completely silent, except for the sound of his own footsteps, breathing, and the sound of the luggage scraping against the leaves. Because it was a moonlit night, there were many shadows in the forest, almost without light, and it was impossible to see. Clear the way, but Lian Jiangyue took every step, step by step, all on the ground.He has walked this mountain road countless times.

After walking so unhurriedly for a while, according to the smell, I picked some honeysuckle, pinellia and other herbs, and a sound of water entered Lian Jiangyue's ears.Lian Jiangyue probed her head, but saw a curtain of waterfalls gleaming with silver light behind a branch.

There are many rocks in front of the waterfall, many bamboo shoot-shaped, canine-shaped slender stones pointing straight to the sky.The waterfall hangs high among these chaotic rocks, looking up at this moment, as if it is hanging from the crescent moon.This trickle fell on the ground and merged into a clear pool.

Just behind this waterfall, a dark cave is facing Lian Jiangyue.

Lian Jiangyue took off her shoes and socks at the water's edge, held her shoes with one hand, rolled up her trouser legs, and walked into the cave by stepping on the water that didn't reach her calves.

The whole area of ​​Pingyang is affected by the sea breeze blowing from the east all the year round and the green barrier in the west. The temperature is constant in four seasons and the humidity is abnormal. Along the way, the hot and humid air in the woods has made Lianjiangyue covered all over. Sweating, but as soon as you enter this cave, the water vapor around your body seems to evaporate automatically.The cave behind the waterfall is very dry and refreshing.

Lian Jiangyue put on her shoes and socks, turned on the flashlight mode of her phone and walked along the road.The cave has a high ceiling and a narrow body, and the bright white light shines in front of it, not only illuminating the road ahead, but also illuminating the statues of gods placed against the stone walls on both sides.In front of these statues are wooden plaques, incense burners, and some fruits and flowers.The names of the gods and Buddhas are written on the wooden plaques in gold ink.

A few bats landed in front of the statue of Zhu Rong, nibbling on the red apples that were being offered. As soon as Lian Jiangyue approached, the bats flew away. He bowed to Zhu Rong three times, walked forward a few steps, and saw the statue of Ou Yezi , and bowed to him three times.There are also statues of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Vajra Warrior, and General Moye in the cave.He also worshiped them all one by one.

After passing through the cave, Lian Jiangyue walked up a small slope covered with cobblestones.There is a wooden sign in front of this slope, which reads: Pingyang Bianrugou.

After going up the ramp, Lian Jiangyue couldn't help speeding up his pace. After walking along the path for about ten minutes, he saw a Jiangnan house with a white wall and a black door. He opened the door and entered.

The entrance of this house is a square courtyard. Electric lights are hung under the porch, and there are some porcelain vats with kumquats and rhododendrons. Six people sitting at a table.

Lian Jiangyue came forward and saluted with one of the six people, an old man whose temples were stained with frost, who was born with a Chinese character face, with peaks of eyebrows like mountains, and piercing eyes. There was a small wine cup in front of him, and the empty wine glass saluted, and said: " Master, I'm back."

This old man is Lian Jiangyue's master Bian Rugou.Sitting on Bian Rugou's left is his wife Mingming, sitting on his right is his only daughter, who is also Lian Jiangyue's elder sister, Bian Shizhen, Bian Shizhen sits on the other side with a round head and a belly He is also round, with round eyes, a man with a pair of fat hands holding chopsticks, this is her husband, Lian Jiangyue's second senior brother, Zhao Youzhi.Three years ago, Zhao Youzhi joined Bian's family, and the two got married.These people were of higher seniority than Lian Jiangyue, so he saluted them first, and greeted them one by one, and then greeted a man and a woman sitting at the table.The boy is dressed in white and black trousers, with a handsome face. This is Lian Jiangyue's younger brother Xingshan. Teacher Bian's parents are ranked fourth in his family. This year he is twenty-six. The girl is only 16 years old, called Quan Suya, the youngest, is Bian Ru Hook the disciples who were only accepted last year.When Lian Jiangyue was talking to Quan Suya, her clever eyes were rolling around the gift box and the black sword in Lian Jiangyue's hands.

The dishes on the table have been eaten in sevens and eighties.Lian Jiangyue said: "I bought some peony cakes, I'll go get some for you to try, and use them as desserts after dinner."

Quan Suya snickered, and gave Lian Jiangyue a look, as if thanking him for his understanding.

Lian Jiangyue was about to go to the kitchen, but Bian Rugou called to stop him, saying, "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Sit down and eat some."

The master teacher opened his mouth and felt helpless for Jiangyue. He looked back at Quan Suya, who shook her head and lowered her head to pick up the rice.Lian Jiangyue responded, walked to the two empty seats between Xingshan and Zhao Youzhi, and sat on the seat next to Xingshan.

Xing Shan said: "I'll get the bowls and chopsticks for the third brother." He got up and walked away.

Bian Rugou nodded, but then called Lian Jiangyue to come to his side: "You sit here." He waved at Bian Shizhen: "It's true, let Ah Yue sit here."

Bian Shizhen silently gave up his position.Lian Jiangyue sat down next to Bian Rugou, the two masters and apprentices were so close to face each other, the teacher and father looked at Lian Jiangyue, a pair of falcon-like eyes suddenly dimmed, as if she was about to cry, Lian Jiangyue was busy Said: "Master, everything is done."

Bian Rugou sighed, and said, "Your father saved my life, it's hard not to be sad when the savior died."

The rest of the people on the table put down their bowls and chopsticks and sat silently, sad with the teacher and father.

Lian Jiangyue looked at the teacher's father's white hair, mournful expression, suddenly dim eyes, and thought: Unknowingly, the master is so old, and I can't help but feel sad.He said: "People cannot be resurrected after death, Master, don't think too much, just take care of your body."

At this time, Xingshan came out with the bowl and chopsticks, and handed them to Lian Jiangyue.Mingming's wife used this to change the topic, and said: "Is this wine bought for your master?"

Lian Jiangyue unwrapped Dukang's package and said, "I bought it in Luoyang, a local specialty, and I don't know how it tastes."

As soon as Bian Rugou raised his head, he suppressed his mournful expression, smiled and said to Lian Jiangyue, "Come on, let's have a taste, since you're not here, Master doesn't even have someone to drink with."

At this time, Bian Shizhen called out: "Dad." Holding her rice bowl, she raised her head, looked at Lian Jiangyue, then at her father, and added, "How much have you drank today, don't drink it!" ..."

Lian Jiangyue said: "Then drink it next time."

Bian Rugou glared at Bian Shizhen, but Bian Shizhen lowered his head, stirred the rice in the bowl, and stopped talking.Bian Rugou glared at Lian Jiangyue again, snatched Du Kang, opened it, poured himself a full cup, and then poured a lot into Lian Jiangyue's bowl.He clinked glasses with Lian Jiangyue himself, took a sip of wine, looked at Lian Jiangyue again, his old eyes were full of pity, he patted his shoulder, and sighed again: "How can you relieve your worries, only Du Kang, you man It's gone, don't think about it, don't talk about it!"

The master respected him and Lian Jiangyue quickly drank half a bowl.

Master Mingming smiled and said: "It's true, bring in the soup, I'll warm it up for Ah Yue, so what's the matter with letting others drink on an empty stomach?"

She got up, Bian Shizhen put down the bowls and chopsticks, picked up the soup bowl on the table and followed her mother into the kitchen.

A table of people continued to eat, Zhao Youzhi glanced at Lian Jiangyue's black sword leaning on the table from time to time, and Su Ya looked over frequently, Lian Jiangyue knew that they were full of doubts, but the origin of this black sword was true. It was too bizarre, he didn't know whether to tell these senior brothers and sisters, but luckily the teacher and father just drank and didn't ask or ask a word, the disciples had no choice but to keep their mouths shut no matter how much they wanted to ask.

The hot soup came to the table, Bian Rugou said: "If you finish eating, you should leave, I will talk to Ah Yue."

After hearing this, Quan Suya looked left and right: "Don't you want to eat this cake?"

She also said: "Master, wife, senior brothers and sisters, I am not greedy, this cake looks very high in calories! I don't know how many laps I have to go to the bamboo forest dojo if I eat one bite, but what we eat here is not cake , It's the hair of the iron rooster!"

Everyone laughed when they heard what she said.Mingming got up with a smile, took the bowl and chopsticks, and carried the box of peony cakes, and said, "Let's go, let's sit in the back room and watch TV while eating."

Suya cleared up the empty plate in front of her, and followed Mrs. Mingming.The rest of the people also packed up their own dishes and left.

When only Bian Rugou and Lian Jiangyue were left in the courtyard, Bian Rugou asked him, "What's the matter with your stone sword?"

Lian Jiangyue said: "I've been thinking about how to say this just now. This fact is a bit bizarre, and I don't know if I should say it or not."

He then told Mr. Bian everything about what happened to Lie Que Si and his party in Shitou Village. He just skipped the matter of Qu Jiuchuan and Jiuquzhu, and said that this young man who was implicated for no reason was a bit brave. After a lot of work, he entered the Que Temple and was attacked by a monk. In desperation, he pulled out the sword and wanted to fight the monk to the death.

After hearing the story, Bian Rugou nodded and said, "Whether or not to tell others about this story should really be considered."

Lian Jiangyue added some wine to Bian Rugou, and Bian Rugou looked at him with a more serious expression, and said to him, "If your senior sister and the others ask, they will say it is your father's relic."

Lian Jiangyue agreed, but Bian Rugou was a little sad, with a flash of disappointment in his eyes, Mochizuki sighed: "In the past, people in Jianghu liked to listen to stories the most. The more bizarre the story, the better, and the more bizarre the story, the more true it is. "

Lian Jiangyue wanted to say something to comfort the master, but her mouth was already opened. The master waved his hand and said, "Stop talking about that, you said that phantom grass you picked up, show me."

Lian Jiangyue took out the scorched branch of the phantom grass that Qu Jiuchuan secretly hid, and put it on the table.Bian Rugou first squinted his eyes to look at it, then picked up the dead branch with chopsticks, turned it up and down, left and right many times, and said to Lian Jiangyue: "I have never seen a plant that can cause hallucinations. There are not a few in nature, and it is not a miracle."

Bian Rugou put down the Phantom Grass, and said, "Give this grass to me, and I'll go and inquire about it."

Lian Jiangyue said again: "Master, I saw a strange pattern on the back of that monk's hand. I don't know if you have any clue."

As he spoke, he dipped his fingers in some wine and drew the pattern on the table.Bian Rugou looked at it, bent his fingers and tapped on the table, muttering, "It looks familiar, it looks familiar..."

After a while, his eyes lit up, and he said: "I remembered, this is the book on birds and insects from Yue Kingdom."

Lian Jiangyue has heard about this kind of document. At that time, the sword of Yue King Goujian was unearthed in Hubei, and there were eight inscriptions on the bird and insect script on it. According to Bian Rugou, looking at it like this, it does have the meaning of the bird and insect script. But what is the meaning of this book of birds and insects?

Teacher and father seemed to see through his mind, and said: "This is two words, yes, but."

Lian Jiangyue trembled all over: "It's exactly the name of the Que Temple!"

Bian Rugou nodded in agreement, and said: "Our patriarch Ou Yezi visited famous mountains and rivers in various countries when he was young, just to find good materials for making swords and knives. In his notes, he recorded such a story. To the border of Lu State, I heard a legend in a place called Heiyu Village in Heiyu Mountain.

"It is said that hundreds of years ago, there was a stone that fell from the sky in the Black Rain Mountain. It was born with a crack. The villagers regarded it as a sacred stone. They worshiped it with clear springs and flowers day and night. One day, the stone suddenly cracked and one stone became two. Since then, there have been continuous torrential rains in Heiyu Mountain, and there has been no sunshine all year round. From a distance, the whole mountain is shrouded in black mist, and people around them regard it as an ominous place. A brilliant wizard came and tried to exorcise evil spirits.

"The sorcerer came to Heiyu Mountain and saw the stone that was split in two. He asked the mountain people to build a kiln for him in front of the stone, and prepared ten barrels of clear spring water and two sticks. After these things were ready, he told the villagers Leave and stay alone.

"Ten days later, the wizard returned to the village with a long, dark thing with a long handle in one hand, and another long, dark thing in the other hand. The wizard said that the two This stone has a very evil spirit. If it is left alone, the evil spirit will corrode everything in the world. At that time, not only the Black Rain Mountain will be shrouded in black mist, but the entire continent will be darkened.

"The wizard said, now, I have made these two things, and you can call it 'Quiet'. When the two are combined into one, the world will be peaceful. Once the two are separated, the world will be in chaos. Gone. After the wizard left, everything in Black Rain Mountain returned to normal.

"Ou Yezi believed that this wizard was the earliest swordsmith in the world, and that 'Liu Que' was the earliest sword in the world. The wizard cast two stones, one into a sword and the other into a sheath. He called this sword "Liu Que" sword'."

Bian Rugou looked at the black sword and said, "However, Ou Yezi didn't find any special sword-making materials in the Black Rain Mountain. In later generations, another craftsman heard about this legend and went to the Black Rain Mountain. At that time, the Black Rain Mountain It had long since disappeared on the map, so the craftsman forged a sword from the ore excavated at the location of the Black Rain Mountain in the biography, called Weeping Rain, and gave it to a Taoist friend of his.

"A Wooden and Bamboo Taoist in the Ming Dynasty wrote a legend "Record of Seeing Demons and Demons", which wrote: "The long sword weeps and rains, cuts off thousands of demons and evils, and eventually becomes a demon by itself, causing chaos in the world. For ten days and nights, after exhausting the anger of crying and raining, Tianshi Zhang sealed it into a peachwood treasure box, buried it in the ground, and built a pagoda on it. The Tianshi ascended to the Tao, and the pagoda collapsed. There was a faint sign of revival of this magic sword. Suppress it, Fang Ping'an'."

Lian Jiangyue was so fascinated by the story that she lost her voice.Bian Rugou said again: "These are just legends. I have been to the Shangqing Palace, but I have never seen any pagodas. I asked around, and no one has heard of the Weeping Rain Sword. It seems that this Taoist Muzhu made it up on his own. Yes."

Only then did Lian Jiangyue get distracted from the story of Hei Yu and Crying Rain, and said: "When I wield this sword, I really felt that it seemed to have its own consciousness, and it seemed to have its own consciousness when I was in the Que Que Temple. It was surrounded by black air, and it was so heavy that I needed two hands to lift it."

Bian Ru hooked up and raised his sword to the moon: "This sword has only a sword and no sheath. This sword is both like a sword and like a sheath. It is as thin as a cicada's wing. This weight is as light as a feather among swords, and it has no edge. , and there is no light," the teacher's father stroked the sword body, and the long sword trembled slightly, "it looks like it is made of stone, but there is a golden sound echoing, it is really strange, your brother Xingshan has outstanding swordsmanship, and he has the demeanor of his mother back then. The sword can let him try his hand."

Bian Rugou leaned Crying Rain on the side of the table, and said to Lian Jiangyue: "Don't think too much about the matter of the Que Temple. There are so many things in the world. Once you come, you will be at ease. It is useless to think too much. You have worked hard these days. , take a rest after eating."

Bian Rugou sat down again, drank two more glasses of wine, and finished the meal with Lian Jiangyue. The master and apprentice cleared the table, Bian Rugou went back and went into the courtyard, saying that he was going to have a rest.

Lian Jiangyue said goodbye to her master, looked at the Crying Rain Sword in her hand, walked around to the backyard, left the house through the back door, and went to a bamboo forest.