Chapter 2: The Journey of Death (1)
Ding... Liu Bang could only swing his sword to block, the blades clashing with a crisp sound, while his body was sent flying into the woods.
Murong Xian exclaimed in astonishment: "Since it has always been a hidden danger, and it is merely a few civilian organizations, if the court cannot appease them, why not send troops to eradicate them? This would also eliminate the thoughts of some ill-intentioned individuals"
The expanse of this dense forest far exceeds the imagination of Gu Che, which adds a layer of shadow to his heart
"No way? Master Han, you are already this grown up, could it be that you are still in a child's body?" Ji Kongshou exclaimed in surprise as he glanced at him.
He has already experienced the cunning of his opponent, and he has decided to wait, to wait for the smoke and dust to clear
In a moment's time, Murong Xian had already led the soldiers to surround the area.
Suddenly, a patch of grass in front of Murong Xian rose up from the ground, shooting towards him, a fierce sword wind, swift as a gale, surged through the myriad blades of grass, pressing towards the major vital points of Murong Xian
By the time Murong Xian arrived outside the forest, Liu Bang's figure was already twenty zhang away.
When Liu Bang saw Murong Xian, he retreated without a moment's thought. Murong Xian seemed to have anticipated Liu Bang's retreat; with a loud shout, his entire body shot forward like an arrow. At the same time, he swung his arm, and a brilliant sword light burst forth, conjuring an incredibly mysterious illusionary rainbow that appeared in the air.
With two loud bangs echoing simultaneously, another projectile followed closely behind and shot into the water
The search began, and Xiao He, Cao Can, and Gu Che each led a contingent of troops into the forest
Han Xin hurriedly covered his mouth and said: "Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you afraid that no one can hear you? My youthful body is honest and trustworthy, are you not?"
He gasped in shock, instinctively taking a step back. Then, with all his might, he swung his blade, and only at that moment did he realize that the enemy before him was merely in his twenties, with striking features and an overwhelming aura of murderous intent, resembling a fierce deity.
As soon as he entered the water, he immediately felt the river's scorching heat, while at the same time, it seemed as if countless immense forces were tearing at him, leaving his mind in a daze, as if he were in a dreamlike state
Suddenly, a shout echoed from outside the forest, followed by the sound of strings being plucked. Murong Xian was taken aback, her figure leaping up, and at the same time, to confirm her thoughts, she shouted loudly: "Leave me a live one!"
The sound of galloping horses suddenly erupted, swift as thunder, approaching rapidly from afar, heading straight for the important town of Huaiyin downstream of the Huai River. The hooves kicked up clouds of dust, like a fierce gale sweeping across the vast wilderness. Leading the charge was none other than Murong Xian, the magistrate of Sishui County
If the young man does not wish to perish alongside the cart, he must forgo the opportunity to kill the cart. Therefore, he did not hesitate to dart sideways and maneuver behind the large tree that the cart was leaning against
The sword has not yet arrived, but the murderous aura it has unleashed has already seeped into the skin of the valley cart, chilling to the bone
Ji Kongshou did not speak, merely smiling mysteriously, as if he were already a seasoned player in the realm of romance, a master of seduction. In fact, he was secretly pondering: "You are honest and trustworthy, and I am equally genuine; we are both equally matched, and neither of us is superior to the other in any significant way"
Gu Che had never seen such a fierce sword before; it was at this moment that he finally understood the true reason why Murong Xian had led numerous experts in a grand pursuit.
Murong Xian wore a grim expression, nearly on the verge of an outburst, and angrily exclaimed, "Where has he gone?" He had always held Xiao He in high regard; had it been someone else, they would have already faced a barrage of reprimands.
A long knife suddenly emerged from the shadowy cloud in the valley, confronting the forefront of that arc.
The surroundings were tranquil, yet he sensed a hint of danger in the air
Every nerve in the valley cart tightened and tensed, and the hand holding the knife involuntarily trembled slightly
Murong Xian thought to herself: "This is not good!" She felt as if her long sword had no point of leverage, and as she exerted force forward, it only accelerated Liu Bang's fall.
Seeing that Liu Bang was only a few zhang away from the river, Murong Xian no longer hesitated. He suddenly stopped, reached out, and took out his beloved featherless bow. The item used by Murong Xian was a treasured ancestral weapon! Murong Xian took a deep breath, drew the bow to its full tension, while three blazing projectiles were firmly secured in his hand.
The gradual fading of consciousness made Liu Bang realize the seriousness of the situation, and he hurriedly spread the internal energy throughout his body, but the impact of the water flow quickly knocked him unconscious
Xiao He is the most valued figure by Murong Xian, not only excelling in swordsmanship but also possessing great strategy, adaptability, and generosity. He is well-known throughout the Sishui County, with no one unaware of his name
The two individuals discussed some trivial matters, engaging in idle chatter about the neighbors, and noticing that it was getting late, they stood up, intending to run to the river to wash off the mud and sand from their bodies
The Seven Clans of Jianghuai have a long history, having been established in the Jianghu for over a century. It is said that most of the members of these seven clans are descendants of the nobility from small states during the Warring States period. Due to certain historical reasons that are not widely acknowledged, they found themselves scattered in the Jianghuai region, gradually forming their own sects. In Peixian, they began to take shape. Although these members are not typical Jianghu individuals, they mingle among the various trades and professions in the bustling streets and alleys, thus they are also referred to as the Nine Streams and Seven Clans.
At this time, Liu Bang had already escaped from the forest and was rapidly heading towards the riverbank
On the day Zhao Gao appointed Murong Xian to take over the position of the magistrate of Sishui County, he remarked: "Although the Seven Clans of Jianghuai are not renowned associations in the martial world, and the disciples within them do not possess any prominent figures known in the Jianghu, the manpower and financial resources they command, along with their influence, have always been a significant hidden danger in the minds of the court. This is a consensus shared by all discerning individuals. Therefore, upon your appointment, you must prioritize appeasement, diligently cultivate relationships, and bring them under my control. If they are utilized by the other four factions or the righteous army, it would be akin to a tiger gaining wings, leading to irreparable regret."
Liu Bang only felt a tremendous force crashing into his back, the heat was astonishing. He stumbled, and at the moment the fierce flames exploded in the water, he leaped into the surging waves that erupted.
The two sat down dejectedly, and Ji Kongshou sighed, saying: "We both encountered quite a bit of misfortune last night, and there is no hope for wealth. We can only hope that after this wash, we won't be plagued by bad luck."
The whistle, imbued with internal energy, can be transmitted over great distances, serving as the secret signal predetermined by Murong Xian.
The sound of metal clashing echoed as the swords lightly touched, and Gu Che suddenly felt a pulling force from the opponent's sword, causing his blade to veer and strike towards the nearby tree.
Zhao Gao said: "If it were possible to eradicate them, the court would have acted long ago. Why wait until now? It is precisely because these seven factions have a long history, are deeply rooted, and have followers spread across the various walks of life that it is difficult to eliminate them all at once, which is why the court has not taken action. Moreover, at this time of turmoil, our world pavilion urgently needs the assistance of these exiled individuals, which is why I have sent you. You must not mess up this task."
Both of these individuals are rascals from Huaiyin City. The younger boy, whose surname is Ji and given name is Kongshou, may appear young, but he is quite cunning for his age, having rarely suffered losses in the streets, which is quite a miracle in the world of rascals. The older boy, whose surname is Han and given name is Xin, possesses great physical strength and has a passion for martial arts. He has even created three unique boxing techniques, making him a notable figure among rascals. The two have been inseparable since childhood, sharing a brotherly bond, often scamming for food and drink, and occasionally employing clever tricks, always working as partners.
The young man heard Xiao He's voice, paused for a moment, and softly exclaimed: "Enough." He leaped and vanished into the dense wild grass of the forest.
When they slipped out of the city and opened the money bag, they discovered that there were only a few taels of silver inside. This left Ji feeling unlucky, as the cost of one night was not even worth the few rounds he could have walked on the street. Thus, he dragged Han Xin to the river to wash away their bad luck.
Murong Xian was taken aback, his figure retreating violently. He could only withdraw in order to mitigate the opponent's sword momentum and buy himself some time
"Where is the person?" Murong Xian glanced at the nearly lifeless Gu Che and glared at Xiao He as she asked
"Are you possessed?" Han Xin waved his hand in front of him, but was swatted away by Ji Kong with a palm.
When the subordinate arrived, the enemy had already fled. Xiao He replied calmly and unhurriedly
Suddenly, several powerful arrows shot through the air like a torrential rain, heading towards the young man's back
Liu Bang! Could it be him? As the chief of the Qin, how could he return from Chen?" Xiao He could not help but feel worried
Recently, Murong Xianyi has received several reports indicating that within Peixian County, there are individuals engaging in frequent activities, moving about restlessly, and contacting the Seven Clans of Jianghuai, seemingly harboring rebellious intentions. Murong Xianyi has always been wary of the Seven Clans of Jianghuai; if these matters are true, it would undoubtedly cause significant concern for the court. Given the martial prowess of the young people from the previous year, he cannot help but associate this with the Seven Clans of Jianghuai
Han Xin looked in the direction and indeed saw a small black dot drifting upstream on the river
Strange, why does this voice sound so familiar? Xiao He felt a sudden jolt in his heart, and a figure emerged in his mind
Although he had made up his mind, he was unwilling to make unnecessary sacrifices. Therefore, he checked the status of his internal energy operation at the fastest speed and found that his condition was not as bad as he had imagined, which gave him a strong sense of confidence
"General Xiao, thank you for your timely rescue," Gu Che said, his face pale and enduring the excruciating pain.
At that moment, he saw a person—Murong Xian! Murong Xian is a person highly regarded by Zhao Gao, possessing martial skills and wisdom that surpass those of ordinary individuals
"Which direction did he go?" Xiao He glanced around and then pointed in the opposite direction. The reason Xiao He dared to do this was that he knew Gu Che, in order to evade the deadly strike just now, had his line of sight obstructed and was completely unaware of which direction Liu Bang had fled.
Ji Kongshou looked for a long time, shook his head and said: "It seems to be a corpse"
Murong Xian no longer hesitated, and immediately divided his forces into two groups. Xiao He and Cao Can pursued directly, while he himself led another contingent of troops to take a detour and advance.
This is because he knows that his opponent is not a weakling, and he has heightened his vigilance to an extreme level
Dede ... ...
As the smoke and dust cleared, Murong Xian beheld a scene that was not as imagined; instead of finding the opponent lying on the ground, there was only a large hole in the earth, and the opponent had vanished without a trace, leaving Murong Xian with an indescribable anger.
This person completely disregarded the slash from the cart, instead taking a misstep, twisting their body to evade the chilling edge of the blade, and then drawing a beautiful and brilliant arc of the sword in the void
However, although we did not make a fortune this time, we gained a lot of knowledge. Thinking of the sound of Xiaotaohong's cat-like meow still makes my heart flutter to this day. Han Xin's face lit up with excitement as he gulped down a mouthful of saliva.
Murong Xian, both angry and anxious, turned around and shouted: "Immediately send people to search along the river for fifty miles in both directions. I want to see the living if they are alive, and I want to see the corpses if they are dead!"
Originally, it would have been impossible for him to traverse the flat ground between the forest and the riverbank as easily as he does now. However, Murong Xian's timely shout prompted over a hundred soldiers outside the forest to draw their bows, arrows nocked, yet no one dared to recklessly release their shots
"Look quickly, something seems to be floating down from upstream," Ji Kongshou suddenly jumped up.
As his body sank, Liu Bang felt immense regret. In order to gain the trust of Chen Sheng Wang and expedite the restoration of his country, he had sealed off fifty percent of his own power before heading to Chen's territory. Otherwise, how could a character like Murong Xian have forced him into such a predicament?
With a forward and backward motion, the advance was faster than the retreat. Just as Liu Bang retreated to the edge of the forest, Murong Xian's sword light was already striking directly towards his face
Murong Xian, timid and compliant, after taking office, kept Zhao Gao's admonitions in mind, and managed to win over one or two sects among the seven factions, diligently nurturing them. Just as he began to see some progress, the uprisings led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang broke out. Within a few months, they captured cities and plundered counties, unstoppable in their momentum, and their influence was unparalleled at that time. Moreover, they established a state in Chen territory, which made Murong Xian anxious. Therefore, he would never let the current enemy slip away easily
Murong Xian observed the surrounding terrain and environment, then brandished his sword and pressed towards a certain area of the dense forest
"Pah, pah, pah..." On a riverbank thirty miles downstream, two ragged boys approached. The boy in front was only about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a mischievous expression, frowning and constantly spitting. The one behind him appeared to be in his early twenties, with his head drooping, following the younger boy dejectedly.
Murong Xian wore a serious expression, his gaze fixed intently on a small black dot rapidly moving over a hundred zhang away, not letting it slip from his sight. As he watched the target about to vanish into a dense forest, he felt a growing sense of anxiety. By the time Murong Xian reached the edge of the forest, the enemy had already darted into the woods.
Ah... Liu Bang spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body falling into the grass like a kite with a broken string
Just as Liu Bang was about to exit the dense forest, he suddenly felt his heart skip a beat
The two of them were well aware of the good relationship between Ju Gong and the top courtesan Xiao Tao Hong at the Xing Chun Courtyard. Therefore, upon arriving at the Xing Chun Courtyard, without a word, they quietly hid under Xiao Tao Hong's large bed... Until dawn, they finally retrieved the money pouch that Ju Gong had hung by the bedside.
General Gu, quick retreat! A voice accompanied by the sound of arrows arrived, and then a middle-aged general clad in cotton armor rushed over; it was indeed Xiao He
When Murong Xian arrived at the riverbank, the raging waves had calmed, and the river gradually returned to its former tranquility, yet Liu Bang's body remained conspicuously absent from the surface...
Could it be that fortune has arrived? Han Xin couldn't help but feel excited
Gu Che, eager to take credit, was the first to rush into the forest
Xiao He, Cao Can, and Gu Che, each of you lead a group of men to encircle this dense forest. I, Murong Xian, do not believe that this fierce bandit can escape from my grasp!" Without hesitation, Murong Xian issued the command, and with a wave of his hand, hundreds of men dismounted, dividing into four routes to swiftly surround the dense forest.
With a loud roar, countless sword shadows suddenly blossomed in the void like flowers, striking heavily at the very tip of the opponent's sword momentum. As sparks erupted, two powerful currents of air collided at a single point, then exploded like a burst of gunpowder
The reason he left the person alive was twofold: first, because of the individual's importance; although he was still unaware of the opponent's true identity, he believed that the other party must possess something he needed. Second, the internal force wielded by Liu Bang's sword reminded him of a terrifying figure. If what he suspected in his heart were true, then the situation would become even more complicated
Murong Xian merely swayed her body slightly, then crossed her sword over her chest, her gaze fixed on the dust raised by the energy, not daring to advance.
Before Gu Che could figure out what had happened, the man had already lifted his foot, kicking the few falling heads as if they were hidden weapons, shooting them towards Gu Che with a sound like wind and thunder. Gu Che moved sideways at the fastest speed. Just as he made a move, he suddenly felt a flash before his eyes, and a figure suddenly darted in front of him
Ah... the pain in the hand from the cart quickly spread throughout the body like a sharp pang
At that moment, a cold gleam as swift as lightning swept into the void, a flash of white light passed, and the heads of several soldiers had already spun into the air
When Murong Xianhou's heels entered the forest, the figure of Liu Bang seemed to suddenly vanish into thin air, completely disappearing.
Xiao He smiled and remained silent, suddenly recalling something, he puckered his lips and let out a sharp, crisp whistle
Liu Bang's relentless sword strike, whether in terms of the timing of the attack or the angle chosen, has approached perfection.
Last night, Han Xin came and said that he saw Ju Gong, the eldest son of the Ju family from the East Gate, enter the Xingchun Courtyard. Ji Kongshou has always been displeased with the Ju family's bullying and monopolistic practices. Upon hearing that Ju Gong entered the Xingchun Courtyard, he devised a plan and prepared to take action against him
He stumbled back several steps and collided with a large tree
His smile made Han Xin feel somewhat embarrassed, so he could only change the subject and awkwardly say, "The weather is quite nice today, Ji Shao!"
He sincerely wished to assist Liu Bang, yet he was troubled by the fact that Murong Xian was personally overseeing the troops. However, as they were brothers, he would never stand idly by.
Intercept him, do not let him escape! Upon Murong Xian's command, the soldiers finally came to their senses and spurred their horses to give chase
Ji Kongshou seemed to have not heard at all, as his two eyes suddenly stared intently in the direction upstream of the river
With a soft sound, the blade pierced into the trunk of the tree. Startled, Gu Che was about to draw his sword when he saw the opponent's long sword sliding down the blade towards his palm, aiming to slice it flat.
As he watched the cold gleam of the sword approaching him without pause, he could think of nothing else to do but wait for death
Xiao He had extremely keen senses, and the sounds made by the young man did not escape his notice. However, by the time he arrived close by, the young man had already vanished without a trace
Upon reaching the riverbank, the two individuals hurriedly removed their clothes and leaped into the water. Both were excellent swimmers, and soon they began to play, resembling two white fish leaping and gliding on the water's surface. After a considerable time of swimming and tiring themselves out, they finally climbed back onto the shore and lay on the riverbank to bask in the sun