smile to heart

=====================

Countless water ghosts emerged from the blackened river, rushing ferociously towards the shore.Amid the torrential water, a woman's figure suddenly appeared, with a pale expression and fierce hatred in her eyes, determined to render the long river beneath her feet into an endless tide of hatred, flooding Liuxi town.

Seeing this, the two of them did not speak too much, and cooperated tacitly to build a sword formation wall to block the water pass.

Chu Yan, who lost her mind, wanted to use the power of the river god to stir up troubles and vent her hatred and revenge, but her cultivation was insufficient. When the advantage on the river was gone, she could only resist stubbornly.

Seeing the success or failure of the battle, Mu Yun calmed down and flew across the sword. The cold front swept away, and the sword light wailed and turned to Chu Yan, broke through the water waterfall, and swooped away.

Qi Zhong was stunned, looking at his actions in a daze, wondering that he would put Chu Yan to death in order to protect a group of foolish people... so cruel.

She was clearly a victim.

When the thoughts were wandering, black mist suddenly appeared around the embankment, and the ghost came in time to help Chu Yan out of the predicament.

Qi Zhong looked at the two of them again, only to see that the countless life-threatening sword qi all passed by, all false moves.Suddenly, Qi finally understood what Mu Yun did. He was trying to force out the evil spirit behind the scenes to create such a bluff.

When Chu Yan saw the person coming, she was stunned for a moment, her skills were restrained, and the surface of the river suddenly became calm and desolate.

Taking advantage of the distraction of the two, Qi Zhong hurriedly set up an array of illusions. For a moment, a hundred flowers were brilliant and dazzling, and countless fireworks were ignited by the river, as if flashing back to a night of love many years ago.

The two of Chu Yan fell into the illusion, and they didn't want to come out anymore, so they died in the past.

Everything becomes nothingness.

The willows are in harmony, and the river is quiet.Qi Zhong stood at the fence, feeling a little sad, he thought that someone must start the killing, so it is better to make a quick decision so as to avoid future worries.

Mu Yun retracted his sword speechlessly, Shen Leng approached him, put his hands on his shoulders, and said in relief: "Brother Qi, you did nothing wrong. Although they were once the masters of suffering, they later became evil spirits and persecuted innocent people. It violates morality. Persuasion, helplessness and helplessness, killing, may be the best way to pay for life with life."

"Really? I thought you would blame me for being so presumptuous and not giving you a chance to preach to them?"

Qi Zhong was quite surprised and heard the comforting meaning in the words.

Mu Yun smiled lightly, and said inexplicably, "Maybe we already have an excellent tacit understanding."

"Huh?" Qi Zhong stood there in a daze, a little moved in his heart, but he didn't know why.

……

After the spirit-supporting ceremony that day, Liuxi Town never had such a sacrificial ceremony, nor did the curse of the newlyweds appear.

It is worth mentioning that the gentry in the town raised money to rebuild the theater building, and it became a public theater. Anyone who knows the operas left by their ancestors can sing on stage. No one guards the theater building, only a sweeper and his sheep.

There were also kind-hearted people in the town who went to the intersection of the three forks, burned paper money in the jar under the willow tree, and comforted them a few words. After that, there were no more dancing phantoms.

After finishing these, Qi Zhong and the others packed their bags early in the morning and prepared to set off for the next section of the road.

Before leaving, Qi Zhong counted the number of people and found that Mu Yun, who was never late, was not there. He was quite suspicious, and hurried back to the inn to search for him.

As soon as he entered the door, Qi Zhong saw a tall and slender figure suddenly standing in front of the checkout counter, and he recognized Mu Yun.

Can't help crossing his hands on his chest, pouted his lips, and walked forward leisurely.

He suddenly patted his shoulder, leaned against his side, and asked with a smile: "Hey, Mr. Yun. I wondered why you didn't come out and hurry, so you left here to settle accounts?"

Looking down, he saw that his knuckle-boned hands were maintaining the posture of tying a money bag.

And the shopkeeper at the side was still counting the number, and it looked like a lot of silver.

Feeling the warmth of him leaning against his shoulder, Mu Yun froze for a moment, keeping his eyes still.

It suddenly occurred to him that when they came here, they had already paid for the rent, and there was no need to pay at all.

Qi Zhong looked at the white money, and his eyes became angry: How dare this bastard shopkeeper cheat Mu Yun's money?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, Qi Zhong strode forward, snatched most of the money back, and scolded: "Profitable merchant! You let us live in a leaky house, but now you dare to lie to my brother's money under the nose of the young master? Do you want to be beaten?"

When Min Zhi and the others heard the movement, they hurried forward and surrounded him, as if they wanted to help him out.

The shopkeeper was so frightened by the aura of this dry person that he didn't know what to do, he hid aside tremblingly, and cast a weak look at Mu Yun for help.

After understanding the meaning, Mu Yun hurriedly persuaded him: "Brother Qi, you misunderstood. He didn't cheat me of money."

"Just kidding, this profiteer is so cunning, he must be the one who lied to you." Qi Zhong was very righteous, and glared at others unceremoniously.

Mu Yun pulled him over and returned the money: "I gave it voluntarily."

"What? Self, voluntary?" Qi finally wanted to laugh even more, and asked doubtfully, "No, why did you give him money?"

"Let's go out first, let's talk." Seeing that the guests eating in the room were frightened by his loud voice, Mu Yun couldn't bear to ruin other people's small business, so he led them out of the inn first.

Walking on the road away from the town, Qi Zhong still had doubts and asked anxiously, "Hey, you haven't told me yet, why did you give money to that profiteer?"

"Repair the roof." Mu Yun told the truth.

"What? He paid for the repairs of his rotten inn! You are his father, and you paid for the repairs for him."

"……no."

"Then why?"

"That night when the flower cat went to the tiles, I mistook it for a thief to steal. When I was chasing after them, I accidentally knocked over a few blue tiles and accidentally injured the layout of the courtyard. Didn't you say that businessmen are most taboo about Fengshui? I think it fits." Give some compensation."

Fang Yanxiao originally followed Qi Shengsheng on the road in a dispirited manner, but when she overheard the conversation between the two, she stopped in shock and looked at Mu Yun's back in astonishment, with nameless admiration in her eyes.

It was hard for her to imagine that he was so honest. He clearly stepped on those tiles and made a noise to get out. He was just a murderer, and he didn't destroy anything at all. , he actually went to settle accounts.

What kind of heart, can't bear to hurt the innocent so far?Even a small amount of money of ordinary people cannot be damaged.

After working as a killer for so many years, he has stained his hands with the dirty blood of a lot of hypocrites. Wherever he goes, he fights, no matter how he manages these restraints, and what he destroys, the owner of the thing thinks he is unlucky.

This kind of unwritten rules of the rivers and lakes was completely overthrown by him, and she saw it completely new today.

Thinking of the thought of blinding someone that night, a strange feeling ran in her heart. Fang Yanxiao couldn't help but lowered her head, looked at the few strands of red threads on the palm of her hand, and her expression became more and more unnatural: she would be quite moved by this. guilt?

"Oh~ so that's the case." Qi Zhong curled his lips and said again, "Although that's the case, you are too honest. Let me tell you, you will suffer a disadvantage outside like this, and the shopkeeper is not very good thing……"

……

Fang Yanxiao suppressed the emotion in her eyes, and followed her pretendingly.

×

When you come to Cangzhou, which is not far from the capital, you can see the appearance of the bustling market.

"Little glutinous rice cake..."

"Turn sugar man..."

"The cattail fan, the round fan, the price has been greatly reduced..."

The cries of hawking came one after another, and the southern Hokkien accent of the street peddler made Qi Zhong very excited when he heard it, and he also drank a few sentences, learning it well.

A trace of sweet and greasy fragrance passed by, Qi Zhong stopped, hurriedly drank the candied haws seller, took several sticks, and distributed them to everyone.

Mu Yun looked at the red candied haws in his hand, pursed his lips, but didn't eat it, and put it back in the candy wrapper.

"Yeah, it's delicious." Qi Zhong walked past him appreciatively, and smiled contentedly.

When he got to the side of the road, he saw Min Zhi stopping in front of the sugar dealer again, Qi Zhong stepped forward curiously: "What kind of candy is this? Why is it colorful, like beads."

"This is called glazed sugar. It's made of various fruits. It's fragrant, sweet, and chewy. It was my favorite food when I was a child. The craftsmen in Shengjing can't do anything bad. Try it if you don't believe me."

It's rare for Min Zhi to speak in such a calm tone, Qi Zhong watched it for a long time, but didn't know which flavor to start with first.

"No, try this, peach flavor." Min Zhi made the decision for him, picked up a small pink candy and handed it to him.

Mu Yun came slowly, just happened to see this scene, couldn't help but squeeze the candied haws in his hand, lowered his eyes, turned slightly sideways, and looked away.

"Uh...I have to choose myself."

Subconsciously refusing, Qi Zhong hurriedly picked up a piece of green candy and stuffed it into his mouth.After eating it twice, with a weird expression, he said vaguely, "Hiss... it tastes like mint, it's not good."

Min Zhi put her hands behind her back, and smiled happily: "I told you not to listen to me."

Qi Mo curled his lips, asked the boss to hand over candy wrappers, and picked some: "Buy some for Yuan Qian. He likes sweet things the most."

……

Mu Yun walked away on his own, and he didn't force much on the happiness that he couldn't get into.

In a daze, a flower seller rushed over and fell in front of him. The poor little girl seemed to be stunned by the fall, and lay on the ground miserable.Mu Yun hurried forward, helped him up pitifully, and asked with concern, "Little friend, are you alright?"

The child Nuonuo got up, held the flower basket in his arms, and shook his head in thanks: "I, I'm fine. Thank you big brother."

Mu Yun smiled slightly, and straightened the collar of his worn clothes for him: "That's good."

The child nodded, took the most colorful peony flower in the basket and handed it to him, and said innocently: "Brother, if you want this flower, give it to your sweetheart, she will like it very much...no money is required."

Mu Yun understood what he meant, and saw that he was poor, so he couldn't help feeling more sympathetic. While receiving the flowers, he quietly put some money in his basket, and smiled exaggeratedly: "Thank you for your flowers and blessings."

Tucking the flowers into his clothes, Mu Yun stood calmly by the side of the street, when suddenly, the voice of a young couple's conversation suddenly entered his ears.

The girl said: "Today is the Flower God's Day. You gave me flowers, and I hung flowers for you. We will never be separated from now on, and you are not allowed to send flowers to other girls..."

The young man said: "No, no. If you give me flowers, I will only love you forever. From now on, I will come to buy flowers for you every holiday."

……

Sweet talk is the most disgusting.

He lowered his head in embarrassment, looking at the peony flower in his hand, he was inexplicably at a loss, throwing it away, disappointing the child's heart, not throwing it away, there is really no reason to stay by his side.

At this time, a figure suddenly passed by, and picked the flowers in his hand.

Qi Zhong sniffed the flower, and joked: "Brother Yun, where did this flower come from? Do you want to give it to me?"

"This...um." Mu Yun paused for a moment, then nodded slyly, feeling quite logical in his heart.

The crowd gathered together and walked along the street.

As we walked, the commodities on the street began to change.

"Why are there so many river lanterns? Is it July and a half?"

Counting the days, there are indeed a few days until the Ghost Festival.

Qi Zhong's unintentional words made Mu Yun look cold and mourn in his heart.

"That's right. The Mid-Autumn Festival in Dijiang is also a good time to appreciate the moon. That night is probably very lively."

Min Zhi had already imagined in Min Zhi's mind the scene of the full moon hanging high that night, handsome men and beautiful women coming out to admire the moon.

Downstairs in Nanchuan, there is a steady stream of customers.

As soon as Qi Zhong and the others entered the door, Xiao Er rushed to greet him.

"Several guest officials, do you want to stay overnight? Or drink?"

"Both, open the guest room first."

Qi Zhong experienced the leaky roof of the black heart inn last time, so he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

"Okay, everyone. Sit here first, and the tea will come soon."

Xiao Er was about to leave.

Qi was finally unhappy: "Tea? Who wants tea? Serve the wine."

"Oh, guest officer, I'm really sorry, we haven't shipped the wine from Nanchuan Building today, and I think it will be delivered to you later."

Xiaoer scratched at the apron, embarrassed to explain.

"Why? Is there anything unique about your wine?"

Qi finally became interested. He felt that this restaurant had something to do with it. The previous drinks were tasteless. This time, he should try his luck to get a good drink.

Xiaoer could see their foreign temperament, and said quite proudly:

"Hey, guest officer, you don't know. Our Cangzhou wine is not made by ordinary people. The Jiangxinquan method passed down from generation to generation by the winemaking family is to sink tin poppy to the bottom of the river and pretend to be underground. Clear spring water, this kind of wine has a light fragrance, and after entering the rhyme, the aftertaste is endless."【[-]】

"Besides, you've come to the right place. The wine in our Nanchuan Building is one of the best here. I hope you drink it mellowly."

"Wow, that's great. Then I'll make a reservation first. Once it's shipped back, it will be delivered to my room. I heard what you said, and my heart is itching to death."

Qi Zhong was very happy, and quickly grabbed Xiaoer to make a reservation.

"No prospect." Min Zhi pursed her lips and snorted.

Not long after, Xiao Er brought the dishes.

Before leaving, Qi Zhong caught him and asked, "Xiao Er, let me ask you, have any strange things happened in your place recently?"

"Oh, guest officer, there are some. Some time ago, the God of Plague came from outside the city, and a great plague broke out. People in the city dare not go out for fear of being infected. After all, they will die. The government please Many good doctors can't help."

"What about the people outside? Let them die?" Min Zhi asked.

Xiaoer replied: "I had no choice but to be like this. Thanks to God's eyes, not long ago, a living fairy came here, with superb medical skills, he suppressed the disease in two strokes, and taught the big guys a lot of precautions." ability."

"What about others? Did they leave after being cured?" Qi Zhong asked.

"No. A few days ago, he came to drink tea with us. Everyone loves him and calls him a doctor."

"What does it look like? An old man with a white beard?" Qi Zhong habitually imagined the man's appearance.

"No, no, he's a young man, and he's handsome. He also has the heart of a bodhisattva." Xiaoer's tone was full of admiration.

Fang Yanxiao couldn't help frowning after hearing this, and thought, I hope it won't be him.

"Hey, it probably has nothing to do with what we're looking for."

Qi Zhong asked a few more questions, feeling that it had nothing to do with the journey and mission, so he didn't ask further.

"Oh, by the way, I saw a pear seller outside just now. Brother Qi, you like to eat pears. I'll buy some for you." , and gradually loosen his guard.

"Okay, okay. Why didn't I see it just now, thank you, sister."

Qi Zhong wholeheartedly agreed, but felt weird: "But, how do you know that I like pears?"

"You told me before. You came back from vigil that day and said you wanted to eat white pears."

Fang Yanxiao smiled calmly.

Min Zhi glanced at her, turned around in displeasure, and ate food silently.

While eating, a handsome young man outside the door, dressed in a hay-colored light shirt, entered the building leisurely.

Xiao Er happened to see this person after running the hall, and hurried over to greet him respectfully.

"Hey, benefactor, it's you. I'm finally free today. Please, how about the seat from last time?"

"No, I'll share the table with them."

The man smiled and shook his head, then approached Qi Zhong and the others.

--------------------

The author has something to say:

【[-]】: The description of the wine comes from the record of Cangzhou Wine in Ji Xiaolan's "Yuewei Thatched Cottage Notes".