In the blink of an eye, it had been more than half a year since Puyang City was captured. The late spring wind blew on his body, making him feel a little hot. Linzi countryside, clear Zishui River bank weeping willows, fine swallows lightly cut. The chaotic world was peaceful, and people could have a moment of peace in this beautiful natural scenery.
On a half-exposed rock by the river, a young girl in a thin red shirt was sitting on it with a wild flower in her hand. Her snow-white feet were gently swaying in the water, having a good time. The river reflected her peerless beauty, making her look exceptionally beautiful.
The fisherman in the distance pulled back his net, and a dozen fish jumped and struggled in the net. The sunlight flashed with a dazzling silver light. The young girl suddenly sang in a gentle voice,"The river is vast, the north flows alive, the water is deep, and the tuna flies."”
Her voice was clear and loud, and it was soul-stirring. There was an indescribable charm in her voice.
The pedestrians on the shore were attracted by the song and craned their necks to look. When they saw the girl's face, they couldn't help but shout,"Heavens, there's actually such a beautiful woman in this world!”There were even some youths who were mesmerized as if they were possessed. They forgot to hurry on their way and just stood there in a daze.
The young girl saw the silly looks of the youths drooling and pursed her lips into a smile. She stopped singing. The frivolous man continued to sing,"There are vines in the wild, and there is no dew. There is a beautiful person, clear and beautiful ah. We meet again and again, just as I wish." It turned out to be a wild romantic tune, and the youths who were restless took the opportunity to echo it.
The young man saw that they were so presumptuous, but he was not angry. He just stood up and put on his shoes and socks. Suddenly, he jumped into the middle of the river, and his body fell to the surface of the water like a willow catkin. Before everyone could exclaim, they saw the girl's left foot lightly touch the duckweed like a dragonfly skimming the water. With another leap, she had already reached the opposite bank. Then, her figure disappeared into the grass and disappeared without a trace.
The teenagers by the river were tongue-tied, as if they were in a dream. The girl had disappeared for a long time, but they were still rubbing their eyes desperately, thinking that they had seen a fairy floating away.
That's right! Other than fairies, how could there be such a beautiful and refined woman in the human world? The news that there was a woman as beautiful as an immortal in Qi State spread like wildfire and soon spread all over the world.
The spring breeze was warm, and the warmth even filled the girl's face. The girl's steps were as light as her heart. She thought of the stunning scene just now and couldn't help but feel proud. I must tell Shixiong about it when I go back. I wonder how he will laugh! The moment that handsome and muscular figure appeared in her mind, the young girl's footsteps suddenly became gentle, and her cheeks flushed red.
Walking out of the wild wormwood field, he saw a green hill. At the foot of the green hill, beside the oak forest, a small courtyard could be seen. The cottage in the courtyard had a thatched roof and a few gardens on the roof were filled with fruits and vegetables. A cluster of wildflowers was also blooming. The purple morning glory on the bamboo fence outside the courtyard was nodding slightly at the girl in the wind.
The young girl walked into the courtyard with light steps. Just as she was about to knock on the door, her eyes suddenly turned and she tiptoed to the window. She held back her laughter and secretly peeked inside.
The furnishings in the room were simple, but it was exceptionally clean. A young man was kneeling on a straw mat close to the inner wall. A short table in front of him was piled with a piece of plain silk, which was densely written with seal characters. The young man was studying it attentively.
The girl outside the window frowned and muttered in her heart," Senior Brother, oh Senior Brother, your mind is filled with sword manuals. I'm afraid that before you become a swordsman of your generation, you'll become a "stupid swordsman"!
As she thought about this, a sense of loneliness suddenly flashed through her heart. Every time she saw her senior brother's focused appearance while practicing the sword, the girl always felt an inexplicable uneasiness and sorrow choking in her heart. She couldn't stop her senior brother from practicing the sword, but in her heart, she also hoped that her senior brother wouldn't continue to study the sword. However, she couldn't say all of this because she knew that her senior brother practiced the sword to avenge his master. Compared to the righteousness of revenge, she could only bury her feelings in her heart.
" Senior Brother has swords, righteousness, and hatred in his heart. I wonder if he has me…" The girl stood outside the window and thought in a daze.
Suddenly, the young man moved his right arm, and a bronze sword appeared in his hand. His body did not move, but the long sword was slanted to the right. His wrist shook slightly, and there were three " Ka " sounds. The sword had already returned.
The young man looked ahead with a solemn expression. After a moment, he sighed softly and looked very depressed. It turned out that there was a thin hemp rope hanging from the roof beam on the upper right. The hanging end was tied to a short wooden stick. The three swords of the young man had just slashed on the wooden stick.
The girl looked at her senior brother's dejected expression with heartache and changed her mind. She pushed the door open and called out with a smile,""Senior Brother!"
When the young man saw her, his expression relaxed and he smiled."Li Ji, where did you go to play instead of practicing?”
The man and woman were Jing Ke and Li Ji, who had escaped from Wei and lived in Qi.
The same passage of time had caused different changes to Jing Ke and Li Ji. After staying in the countryside of the Qi Capital, Li Ji was immersed in the leisure life of the common people. She gradually recovered from the pain caused by her grandfather Gongsun Yu's death. However, Jing Ke's determination and will to take revenge did not diminish. Instead, it increased day by day. He anxiously hoped to practice amazing martial arts to take revenge on his master.
Revenge always made people risk their lives, and it also made Jing Ke ignore the mature and rich feelings of a young girl beside him.
" I don't want to be like you," Li Ji replied." I only know how to hold a sword all day long. I've almost turned into cold bronze." Hurry up and talk to it, ignore me as soon as possible!”
Jing Ke only smiled and said nothing. This little girl had a sharp tongue, and bickering with her was just asking for trouble. Besides, he had just made a big decision, and he didn't know how to tell Li Ji. He didn't know if he could bear her reaction after hearing it.
Lizzie jumped onto the straw mat and looked at the wooden stick carefully. She saw three new sword marks on it, which were almost the same depth and distance. She shouted happily,""Senior Brother, your sword technique has improved again!”
There was no joy on Jing Ke's face. He shook his head and said,""After half a year of hard training, the progress is minimal.”He pointed at the sword scar and said," Look at the uneven and rough cut. The three scars are not connected and smooth. The sword intent is intermittent and difficult. This is a sign that you haven't seen the way of luck.”
Li Ji listened to what Jing Ke said and observed carefully. She could see that Jing Ke was not lying and could not help but be silent.
After a moment, she said softly," No matter what, my sword technique has improved. Take it slow. I'll definitely achieve great success." Senior Brother, I believe you."
"Slowly?" Jing Ke smiled bitterly. Until when? Wait until Ying Zheng died? Master…" He suddenly reacted and swallowed the second half of the sentence. He turned his head and pretended to look at the silk on the table, not daring to touch Li Ji's eyes again.
Jila bit her cherry lips and raised her pale and beautiful face. Her clear and bright eyes looked at Jing Ke with deep affection and said softly,""It's not that I don't want revenge, but I'm afraid that because of revenge, I won't be able to see you again one day!”
Jing Ke's heart thumped, as if a strange emotion was surging in his heart. He wanted to say something but stopped. But at this moment, what could he say?
He was afraid of this feeling. He was unfamiliar and afraid of his romantic self.
After a moment of silence, Jing Ke suddenly realized that he shouldn't think about anything else besides sword practice and revenge. Those were not things he could hope for at this moment. If he didn't control his emotions, it would be even harder for him to say what he wanted to say. He quickly took a deep breath and suppressed his surging emotions. After calming down for a while, he steeled his heart and thought,"Li Ji, I have something to discuss with you.”
Li Ji's heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling that what Jing Ke was going to say next would bring about a major change in their future. At least, it would break the current life of a hermit.
As expected, Jing Ke said in a deep voice,"I want to leave Qi State for a period of time."”
Li Ji's calmness was beyond his expectation. She asked,""Where do you want to go?"
"The State of Zhao," Jing Ke replied.
"Is it Handan?" Liji nodded and asked.”
Jing Ke's face revealed a trace of surprise.
"Are you going to find Ge Nia?"
Jing Ke sighed and said,"So you've thought of it long ago."”
" Yes," Li Ji said softly." I used to hear my grandfather mention that Ge Nia's Hundred-step Flying Sword is the best technique in the world. Handan is not far from here. With your current swordsmanship, who else can you ask for advice from other than him?"”
Jing Ke was secretly impressed. Li Ji was really a smart girl. A feeling of reluctance and reluctance arose spontaneously. He couldn't help but ponder for a moment before replying resolutely,"However, before I go to the State of Zhao, I have to do something first.”
"What is it?" Li Ji raised her eyebrows and questioned.
Jing Ke hesitated for a moment." Li Ji," he said," I want to take you away from here. I want to find a better place for you to stay. Only then can I go to Handan to learn swordsmanship."”
Li Ji's expression changed drastically, but she suppressed her surging emotions and said slowly,""Where do you want to put me? Where would be a better place?"
Li Ji's usual liveliness surprised Jing Ke. He felt a little guilty as he said,""Zhao State is adjacent to the strong Qin State in the west, and there have been frequent wars recently…I think it would be much safer for you to stay in Qi State.”
Li Ji shook her head with a bitter smile." The Qin Dynasty is in chaos now. How can there be a peaceful place in the world?" The Qin army was spying on the Central Plains. What was the difference between the countryside of Qilu and Zhao Wei's land?”
Jing Ke was silent.
"If you don't want me to follow you to Handan, then let me wait for you here.”" This is the home we built together," Li Ji sobbed." If you don't want me to stay by your side, then let me wait here for you to come back."”
Jing Ke looked at Li Ji's beautiful and determined expression. After a long while, he sighed and said,""As long as the Violent Qin Empire is not destroyed, there will be no paradise! If the Qin Dynasty is not destroyed, there will be no paradise!" He suddenly felt heroic as he stood up and shouted,""In this chaotic world, if you can't even protect a woman, how can you be considered a swordsman under Gong Sun? Alright, Lizzie, let's go together!”
Qi State and Zhao State weren't far apart, so it didn't take long for the city walls of Handan to be in sight.
Handan was the capital of Zhao State, and also one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Although it was in a chaotic time, there were still many merchants gathered, and the streets were bustling with people.
Just as the two of them reached the city pass, Jing Ke suddenly exclaimed and pulled Li Ji, who was dressed as a man. Li Ji followed his gaze and saw two burly men who looked like peddlers walking towards them. Other than being taller and sturdier than the average person, there was nothing special about these two men.
"Senior Brother, is there anything wrong?" Li Ji asked in a low voice.”
Jing Ke frowned." These two are reserved and agile. Although they are disguised as ordinary merchants, they are first-class experts."”
Hearing this, he hurriedly pulled the two of them closer. As expected, his temples were slightly protruding, and his eyes were shining brightly. Clearly, he was an expert in internal martial arts.
"Senior Brother, what do you think their background is?" Li Ji asked in a low voice.”"I can't say." Jing Ke shook his head. He turned his gaze back and said,"Let's get down to business first. We can't meddle in other people's business."”
The two of them entered the city and asked around about the Gai Residence. Ge Nia was the most famous swordsman in the world, famous throughout the Six Nations for his unique sword technique, the Hundred Steps Flying Sword. He had moved to Handan for some time, and many martial arts practitioners were familiar with him. Immediately, a young swordsman pointed out the way, and the two of them went on their way.
When he arrived at the Gai Family, it was just a small courtyard with black tiles and white walls. The young man who opened the door said,"My master is out on business and has not returned yet." Young hero, if you want to see my master, please come again in the future.”
Jing Ke couldn't help but feel disappointed. Li Ji walked up and asked the young man gently,""Then…when will Mister Gai be back? Can you tell me?"
"This…I don't know either." The master of the family went out, sometimes half a month and ten days, sometimes several years, without a certain number. My master left this morning and I don't know when he will return…"
As the three of them were talking, a middle-aged man with a slender figure and a long sword on his waist suddenly walked over with an imposing manner. He walked unhurriedly, but his steps were as smooth as flowing water. In an instant, he was in front of them. Jing Ke couldn't help but be stunned. Just as he was thinking about who this person was, the youth called out in surprise,""Master, you're back!"
When Jing Ke and Li Ji heard that it was Ge Nia, they quickly bowed. Ge Nia had already seen the two from the corner of the street. Now that he looked closer, he realized that although they were wearing coarse clothes, their actions were courteous and polite. He immediately had a good impression of them, so he invited them in for a chat.
The three of them sat down in the hall. Jing Ke looked around and saw that the decorations were simple and simple, looking like an ordinary house. Although there were no big things in the hall, it was elegant and orderly, faintly revealing a graceful demeanor. It could be seen that although the owner did not admire vanity, he must be a person with noble life.
Ge Nie was thirty years old, and his eyes were filled with lightning. He sat there calmly, giving off the aura of a grandmaster. Seeing this, Jing Ke was already deeply impressed. After a respectful exchange of greetings, he immediately stated his intentions and said that he was willing to take Ge Nie as his master to take revenge.
"Mister Gongsun was an old friend of mine," Ge Nia said."I deeply admire him for sacrificing his life for the country. "Young Hero Jing, you are interested in learning from me. I didn't dare to reject you, but unfortunately…" Hearing this, Jing Ke's heart skipped a beat. Ge Nia sighed and continued," Unfortunately, I'm about to leave Zhao, so I don't have time to spar with you.”
"I can stay in Handan for the time being and wait for your return, sir," Jing Ke said anxiously.”"I don't even know when I'll be able to come back from this trip," Ge Nia said. Young hero Jing, how long do you want to wait?"
Disappointment and anxiety intertwined in Jing Ke's heart, and he could not speak for a moment. Li Ji, who was beside him, saw Jing Ke's anxious expression and felt a wave of sadness in her heart. She stood up and said to Ge Nia,"Mister Gai, if you don't want to teach me, then just say it.”
Ge Nia heard her soft and crisp voice, and her words were very fierce. He couldn't help but be slightly startled. He looked at Li Ji and smiled."So there is a female guest here.”
Seeing Li Ji's rudeness, Jing Ke felt embarrassed. He glared at Li Ji, bowed his head and apologized,""She's my junior sister Li Ji. She disguised herself as a man because the journey was dangerous. Please, sir, on account of her young and ignorant age, don't take it to heart.”
"You must be Master Gongsun's granddaughter, Li Ji." Ge Nie straightened his back.”
Li Ji was still holding her breath, but she didn't want to make things difficult for her Senior Brother, so she just stood aside and didn't say anything.
Ge Nia saw Li Ji's expression and sighed."Miss Gongsun has misunderstood me. Since there are no outsiders here, I might as well say it. I'm going on a long journey not to escape from anything, but to track down an enemy.”
"Mister Gai's swordsmanship is the best in the world. Who dares to be your enemy?" Jing Ke asked curiously.”
"This person is called Xiahou Yang," Ge Nie muttered."Not only is his martial arts powerful, but he has also gathered a group of outlaws to form an assassination organization. He was sinister and cunning by nature, and my family was destroyed by him. I've been chasing him for many years, but I've never succeeded. The future of this trip is unpredictable, so I don't dare to rashly agree to Young Hero Jing's request.”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]