Chapter 3(1/2)
It was already noon. The sunshine in early spring and March was slightly warmer.
The time when Li Yuansong washes his hands in the golden basin is today at noon.
Lu Xiaofei still stood there without moving, but his nerves became extremely tense after seeing the young Taoist priest. He had already made a plan for the assassination mission, but the sudden appearance of the little Taoist priest became the biggest accident outside the plan.
Lu Xiaofei felt an unprecedented pressure for the Qingcheng Yamaha Suzhen, who had never heard of her name and never saw her. Although the young Taoist priest had never had any famous acts in the world, he could have become the one who amazed and praised the heads of all major sects in the martial arts world, who dared to take it lightly?
Li Yuansong has a deep connection with the Chongzhen Sword Sect. If he suddenly died in front of Ye Suzhen, how could the young Taoist priest give up?
But the task is the task, and Lu Xiaofei has no way out.
Li Yuansong's wife's surname is Chen and her name is Lanzhi. She is about thirty years old and is at the age of mature and charming. She is smart and capable, and has a good reputation in Changzhou. At this moment, Chen Lanzhi is walking out of the inner hall with light steps, smiling and greeting everyone. As a virtuous supporter of Changzhou Iron Sword, this woman is very decent in dealing with people.
Although she was dressed relatively simple and did not wear heavy makeup, she naturally showed the unique charm of mature women in her elegant manner. Many people in the crowd sighed in their hearts that Li Yuansong was very blessed and could marry such a woman.
As time approaches, most of the people in the courtyard sit down and wait for the protagonist to appear.
Chen Lanzhi came to Li Yuansong and said with a smile: "My husband, the time is here."
Li Yuansong gently held the woman's soft hand and smiled and said softly: "Madam, I have been wandering around the world for many years. I have never faced you day and night, which has caused you a lot of grievances. In order not to let me have any worries, you have been working hard to manage this family. Now you are not left alone. I am really grateful to you and feel guilty. But after today, I will definitely be with you to make up for my debt to you." He said sincerely, and his expression was also full of guilt.
Chen Lanzhi looked at him, and his face was still full of smiles. She also held Li Yuansong's hand with her backhand and said, "Since the day she met her husband, Lanzhi knew that having a sword to avenge the world has always been your dream, so she has never stopped you from exploring the world in the world. She could only pray in her heart that everything is safe. Fortunately, God has mercy on her, and my husband is finally intact today, so I am satisfied. As for the others, you and I are connected to the same fate, and I should share your efforts for the best of my ability. Why should I be polite to me?" She said softly, and the tenderness between her eyebrows and eyes was really envious.
Li Yuansong sighed softly and said to the woman softly: "I will remember my heart when Madam treats me." His expression was full of pity for women.
Huo Zhendong, who was closest to him, smiled and said, "Brother Li can marry a woman as reasonable and smart as his sister-in-law. It is really a blessing for many lifetimes to cultivate. Although I am grateful for Brother Li's retreat, I am very happy for you to see you so lovingly today."
Chen Lanzhi turned her beautiful eyes to Huo Zhendong, smiled and said, "My husband has been out there over the years. Fortunately, Brother Huo and others are helping me. The little woman is very grateful. I will definitely pay a glass of wine to express my gratitude later."
Huo Zhendong laughed and said, "Mrs. Sister-in-law, you are polite. Brother Li and I have a relationship with each other. They are like each other and regard them as confidants. Huo should have no choice but to help with all his strength in the affairs of the world. But from now on, Brother Li will rely on his sister-in-law to take care of him."
Chen Lanzhi naturally understood that Huo Zhen had a joke in his or her tongue, so he continued: "Brother Huo has an order, Lanzhi should obey it and dare not violate it." After saying that, he glanced at Li Yuansong, and his eyes were circulating.
Li Yuansong also smiled and said, "Brother Huo, don't worry. Although Yuansong can't fight with you again in the future, the door of the Li family will always be open to you."
Huo Zhendong smiled and said, "My skin is thicker than the calluses on his hands, so Brother Li is relieved. He will come here to bother with a few glasses of wine in the future."
Everyone in the courtyard couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.
Huo Zhendong looked at the sky and said, "Brother Li, let's talk and let's gossip, don't miss your good time."
Chen Lanzhi also echoed: "My husband, let's start now."
Li Yuansong nodded with a smile.
Chen Lanzhi immediately instructed the servants to start the ceremony of preparing the Golden Basin's hand washing. In a short while, the servants set up a desk outside the inner hall gate. According to the rules, before washing hands, the Jin Basin had to worship the heaven and earth and his ancestors. Therefore, the fruit, wine, food, incense, candles and other necessary for worship were also arranged on the desk by the servants.
There was a three-foot-long black-shewn sword on one side of the desk, which was the iron sword that Li Yuansongzhang became famous for.
A servant walked to the desk with three incense sticks and put them down. Then Lu Xiaofei also walked out of the inner hall and placed the copper basin filled with clear water in his hand on the desk. After that, Lu Xiaofei immediately stepped down and stood far away, waiting quietly.
Everything was ready, and the courtyard was quiet at this time, and everyone's eyes were focused on Li Yuansong.
Li Yuansong, the Changzhou Iron Sword who has been in the world for more than 20 years, will retire today.
Li Yuansong breathed a sigh of relief in secret, and then walked to the desk. Chen Lanzhi and Huo Zhendong, who were closest to him, both consciously took a few steps back.
Li Yuansong took the three incense sticks from the desk with a respectful expression, and then a servant came forward to ignite it for him.
The three incense sticks quickly drifted out of Li Yuansong's hands, and a faint fragrance emitting from the air.
Lu Xiaofei, who was standing in the distance, looked at the three incense sticks, and his heart suddenly became tighter.
Li Yuansong held incense and knelt on his knees in front of the desk to bow to heaven and earth. Then he turned around and knelt down to the inner hall and saluted to the ancestors of the Li family.
Then Li Yuansong stood up and inserted the incense into the incense burner. The servants immediately filled the three wine glasses on the desk table with wine. Li Yuansong looked solemn and respectfully raised the wine glasses one by one, then sprinkled the wine on the ground for a sacrifice.
After the gift was over, Li Yuansong looked a little relaxed. He turned around and faced his fellow friends all over the yard.
Li Yuansong took a deep breath and looked at the familiar faces of the people in the yard. He couldn't help but think of the years of the world in the world. He had been happy and fighting with revenge, and the generous way to raise a glass to drink on a moonlit night. But the so-called world is just a day of licking blood from the knife, but it was also the proud and glorious past for him. Over the years, he has been unable to leave the world because he is a worldly person. Now as long as he put his sword hand in the basin of water in front of him, and then drink a glass of farewell wine with these people, he will not be involved with the world again. Even his dream of the world in the world when he was a boy will dissipate in the basin of clear water. Li Yuansong felt a feeling when he was floating in his thoughts, and his heart was mixed, and he was silent for a long time.
Everyone in the courtyard understood the complicated mood of the famous hero at this moment, and they were silent for a while.
After a while, Li Yuansong sighed softly, and he looked at everyone and said, "Today, thanks to all the friends from the world who are in the world who are not abandoned, Li is very grateful. Li was in his twenties and brought his sword down the mountain to the Chongzhen Sword Sect in Qingcheng, and has been in the world for more than twenty years. Over the past twenty years, Li has experienced many grudges in the world, and has almost died after five steps. However, it is the duty of our martial artists in the world who are fighting against the strong and helping the weak and protecting the morality. Over the years, Li has made many friends like those who are present today, and he has also become accustomed to him.
A young enemy, but Li has always had a clear conscience in what he did when he travels through the world, so Li never retreated and regrets. Although Li has a little reputation, I think about it carefully but feel guilty. Apart from doing something that is within my ability and responsibilities with an iron sword, I have never done other earth-shaking deeds that can be proud of. Fortunately, with the strong support of all my fellow practitioners over the years, Li Yuansong has the opportunity to escape today. I, Li Yuansong, will never forget this friendship."
When he spoke, he expressed his true feelings. Thinking that he had been wandering in the world for half of his life, countless pasts flashed through his mind at this moment, but those unforgettable experiences were about to become the past, Li Yuansong's expression couldn't help but reveal a little desolation.
Someone in the crowd said, "For more than 20 years, Li Daxia has been circling the world with an iron sword, saving people with danger and eliminating violence and good fortune. He has never put his own interests first and foremost. He is truly a model for our martial arts world and can be called the name of a hero. Recently, he has even eliminated the flower thief who is notorious for harming the world. It is just at the peak of the sky, but he chose to retreat bravely at this time. It is a huge loss in the world, which makes us and others feel deeply moved." After that, the people in the courtyard couldn't help but sigh and agree with each other, and the regret was beyond words.
Seeing this, Li Yuansong was quite excited. He shook his head gently and said, "Hua Wuji has been intimidating the world for many years, and everyone has been punished. Since Li is in the world, it is worth mentioning to eliminate harm to the people. Moreover, this matter is even more helpful to Huo Zhendong and Huo brothers, and it is not my only contribution."
Huo Zhendong, who was standing beside him, heard this and continued, "If it weren't for Brother Li, you had already made a plan and make decisions, otherwise it would be extremely difficult to get rid of Hua Wuji's cunning and cunning. So the main cause of this matter must be you, and I'm just helping him from the side."
Li Yuansong sighed, "Now that the flower thieves have been eliminated, Li has felt more comfort. Although I have no shame in my heart over the years, I am often walking on thin ice. In recent years, I have been more unable to do it. The battle to eliminate Hua Wuji made me feel even more tired. Although I have pursued the sword in the world for my whole life, I can see that there are too many grudges, love and hatred, which makes me understand that in addition to the world, there are other more important things in my life. So after thinking about it for a long time, I decided to wash my hands, seal my sword and retire from the world today. After today, Li only hopes to spend a peaceful life with his beloved wife forever, and never ask about the right and wrong in the world."
Li Yuansong looked around the people in the yard with a serious expression. He took a step forward, took the iron sword and held it in his hand. His fingers gently stroked the scabbard, his eyes full of reluctance. This sword was with him for many years. In those years of killing and blood, this iron sword was his most loyal friend and support. Now he was going to seal it forever. Li Yuansong felt a vague pain in his heart, just like he was farewell to a friend who had lived with his life.
Li Yuansong held the sword in his hands and said seriously: "Now, I, Li Yuansong, have officially told the world that I have washed my hands and sealed my sword and retired. The grievances in the past in the world have all been eliminated. I hope that all my fellow practitioners present will witness it today!" After saying that, he bowed deeply to everyone.
Then a servant came forward with a long wooden box. The box was the same length as the iron sword, with a cover and a lock, and obviously wanted to seal the iron sword in the wooden box.
Sure enough, Li Yuansong hesitated for a moment, obviously feeling reluctant. But he immediately adjusted his expression and solemnly put the iron sword that he had been with him for many years into the wooden box. Finally, he personally covered the lid and locked the lock.
Then the Ding took the box with a respectful hand and retreated.
After the iron sword was sealed, Li Yuansong did not delay any longer. He rolled up his sleeves and put his hands into the clean water in the copper basin on the desk. His hands washing was no different from when he was usually combed, but his inner feelings were hard to describe.
Washing hands is just a form, so Li Yuansong quickly pulled out his hands and then picked up a cloth towel to clean his hands. After these things, it means that the golden basin hand washing ceremony was officially completed today, and the "Changzhou Iron Sword" became the past forever.
Everyone in the courtyard focused their attention on Li Yuansong and waited for him to complete the hand washing ceremony. Everyone was silent and no one spoke to show respect.
Lu Xiaofei, in the distance, saw Li Yuansong's tense heart slightly relaxed after washing his hands.
Afterwards, Li Yuansong poured a glass of wine and said to everyone: "Today, you are here to gather here without hesitation, which makes the humble man shine. Li is fortunate to know you all in the world, and today he is different from you, and finally has a beginning and an end. The same thing, Li will never forget the love that my colleagues used to protect each other. But after today, I can no longer walk with you, and I hope you will take care of each other, and see you again if you are lucky."
His tone suddenly choked, and he seemed to be quite excited. Then he forced a smile and raised his glass to continue, "The humble house is simple and the hospitality is not good. Don't laugh. Please drink this cup with me to thank you for your feelings."
There were servants in the yard pouring wine at the wine table, and Li Yuansong said this and everyone in the yard picked up the wine glasses nearby.
The young Taoist priest who was quite far away from the crowd was still holding a cup of tea.
At this time, someone said, "Li Daxia has made a lot of contributions to the world, and even the martial arts fellow practitioners will never forget that this glass of wine is also what we all respect to Li Daxia. From now on, although Li Daxia is far away from the world, we still want to drink your child's full moon wine." After saying this, a burst of laughter suddenly broke out in the yard, but it also dispersed the atmosphere of silence that was originally silent.
When Li Yuansong heard this, his face turned slightly red. He turned his head and looked at Chen Lanzhi beside him. The latter looked shy and had already lowered his head.
Li Yuansong coughed twice in his mouth to relieve his embarrassment, and then laughed: "Li also wants to fulfill this wish earlier, so he will naturally not forget to invite everyone to come and meet." After a meal, he raised his glass again and said: "Li will do this glass of wine first."
He was about to drink the glass of wine, but Huo Zhendong next to him suddenly stepped forward and said, "Brother Li, wait!"
Li Yuansong was quite surprised, and immediately put down his wine glass and asked, "Brother Huo, do you have something to say?"
Huo Zhendong looked solemn, he glanced at the wine in the glass and said, "Brother Li, please drink slowly, I'm just saying something."
Everyone in the courtyard also suddenly calmed down and looked at Huo Zhendong.
Li Yuansong smiled and said, "Brother Huo just said something."
Huo Zhen looked east at the people in the courtyard, then raised his voice and said, "Brother Li, you have been in the world over the years, and you are known to the world for your heroic and righteousness, but you have also formed many enemies. Today, the news of your retirement of the sword has spread throughout the world. Now there are many guests here, and they are all familiar with each other, so there is nothing suspicious about this. But I think you should be careful for the sake of safety, just be afraid that those villains in the world will take the opportunity to find you bad luck."
As soon as this statement was spoken, although everyone felt that Huo Zhendong's words were a little stiff, after careful consideration, he felt that it made sense, so no one refuted him.
When Li Yuansong heard this, his face was not abnormal, but his eyebrows were still slightly frowned. He looked around the courtyard with his eyes and said, "Brother Huo, all the people present today are my old friends and relatives, and no other strangers come here. I, Li Yuansong, have been open and unscrupulous for half my life, so why are you afraid of those monsters and monsters? If someone really takes the opportunity to come and disturb trouble, Li will follow it."
Huo Zhen said: "If you are open and upright, Brother Li will naturally be able to deal with it. I am afraid that those sinister and despicable methods will make people unable to guard against it." As he spoke, he took out a silver needle and continued: "So, Brother Li, please forgive me for my own decision and try this glass of wine myself."
Li Yuansong was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Brother Huo, it's rare that you are so meticulous today and think about me like this. How could Li blame you?" After that, he brought the glass of wine and sent it to Huo Zhendong.
Seeing Li Yuansong so decisive, Huo Zhendong looked a little hesitant. But when he saw Li Yuansong's eyes full of trust, he stopped talking and reached out to put the silver needle into the wine.
Silver needle test poison is a common method in the world.
Everyone looked at Huo Zhendong.
Soon, Huo Zhendong took out the silver needle. Everyone looked carefully and immediately relaxed.
The silver needle did not change anything, and there was no problem with that glass of wine.
Huo Zhendong's expression also eased. Li Yuansong looked at the life friend in front of him, smiled and said, "Brother Huo, are you relieved now?"
Huo Zhendong seemed relieved and said with a smile: "Brother Li, you and I have known each other for more than 20 years. We regard each other as our lifelong confidants. Friendship is no longer within ordinary friends. Today, you retire with swords. Although I am reluctant to leave, I am always happy for you. From now on, Brother Li and I will not go the same path, so in this last time, I don't want Brother Li to have any accidents. I hope Brother Li will understand this."
Li Yuansong laughed and patted Huo Zhendong on the shoulder, saying, "The friendship between you and me has long surpassed life and death, so there is no need to say much about other things. Let's wait until we drink this cup together, we will get drunk with you again."
"I should be with you." Huo Zhendong also picked up a glass of wine and said with a smile.
Chen Lanzhi looked at the two of them with mutual appreciation and couldn't help but say, "Looking at the deep affection between you and your two people, I'm drinking a lot of jealousy here." After that, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laughed out loud.
Huo Zhen said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, even if you drive Brother Li away in the future, he will not be able to leave."
Li Yuansong's face turned red again, and he had to smile and say nothing.
Huo Zhendong then turned around and said to everyone: "Everyone, let's raise our glasses together to congratulate Li Daxia on his success and will bear fruit in the future!"
Li Yuansong raised his glass and said to everyone: "Thank you, everyone!" After that, he drank the wine in the glass.
Everyone in the courtyard also drank with them.
The young Taoist priest had a smile on his lips. He did not drink alcohol, but only took a sip of tea slowly.
He thought to himself: Li Yuansong has such a friendship and is deeply loved by the people, and it seems that he is indeed well-known.
Li Yuansong pulled Huo Zhen to the host: "Brother Huo, you and I have to have fun today, and no one is allowed to vomit first."
To be continued...