Chapter 946 Waiting for work

On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the Teng people in western Hunan, by the Baicui Lake.

At noon, Teng Sanshi, who had eaten and drunk enough, sat leisurely by the lake fishing. More than a dozen Teng clan disciples holding knives and swords stood in a fan shape 30 meters away. They held their heads high, their eyes were sharp, and they silently protected Teng Sanshi.

Not far from Teng Sanshi, there is a well-maintained tomb. Originally, there were two tombs beside Baicui Lake. However, when Teng Sanshi learned that Xiao Zhirou was his beloved daughter "Teng Rou", he immediately sent people to demolish her "cemetery".

Therefore, today, there is only the lonely grave of "Mrs. Teng" left by the Baicui Lake.

"Boo boo..."

"puff!"

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a ripple appeared on the mirror-like surface of the lake, and at the same time, the fishing rod was pressed down, which immediately changed the look of Teng Sanshi who was deep in thought.

With a slight lift of his wrist and a quick swing of his arm, the long fishing line hooked a lively mandarin fish that broke out of the water, leaving a streak of shimmering light in the air before being firmly grasped in Teng Sanshi's hand.

"Another one!"

Teng Sanshi took off the fishhook with great interest and murmured to himself with satisfaction.

However, when he threw the violently flapping mandarin fish into the fish basket, his eyes subconsciously looked towards his wife's grave.

In an instant, the pair of old eyes that were full of interest froze slightly, and the joy on their faces gradually dissipated, replaced by an indescribable sense of loss and longing.

"Madam, you loved to eat the 'marinated fresh mandarin fish' I made when you were alive. Unfortunately, I was young and impetuous at that time, and I could never concentrate on fishing. I remember that you and Rou'er often chattered in my ear, coaxing and tricking me to catch fresh mandarin fish for you. You lied to Rou'er and said, 'Only the mandarin fish caught by Daddy himself is the most delicious mandarin fish in the world.' For this reason, Rou'er often hugged my legs and kept acting coquettish, making it difficult for me to move. I had no choice but to accompany you here to fish... At that time, I thought you were the naive ones, but when you left... I realized that the really ridiculous person... was me. In fact, I never understood your true thoughts. What you like is not boring fishing, but... the relaxed and comfortable family talking and laughing together. However, every time I took advantage of your mother and mother's inattention, I secretly hid the dead fish prepared in advance in the fish basket to make up the number. I often did things in a hurry, and the longest time I accompanied you fishing... was only half an hour..."

At this point, Teng Sanshi's eyes became a little moist, and he blamed himself and said, "Madam, I didn't cherish the days I spent with you... I really regret it! Now, I want to exchange the rest of my life for half an hour of reunion with you and your mother... No! Even if it's just a stick of incense or a cup of tea, I would be more than happy. Madam! I have been fishing for this fresh mandarin fish for twenty years. Now the fish has been caught, but you... are gone..."

With an endless melancholy sigh, Teng Sanshi flicked his sleeves and said self-deprecatingly: "I am really old! I cry easily. If you were here... you would definitely laugh at me for being sentimental. Haha..."

Before he finished speaking, Teng Sanshi threw the bait into the lake again, took a deep breath, and continued: "Fortunately, God has mercy on me and did not let you all leave me, nor did he make me a complete loner. Now, not only has my daughter returned, but she has also brought back a pair of children, who are our grandchildren... I am happy! Really happy! Just like... I was as happy as I was when I was playing and laughing with you two here. Madam, I believe that if you are in heaven... you must be as happy as I am. Although our grandson is in some trouble now, I assure you... As long as I am here, no one in the world dares to bully him. I have met many "old friends" during this period of time, and I have also heard some strange things. Qingfeng and his daughter are as cunning as snakes and as vicious as scorpions. They want my grandson to be a scapegoat, which is simply a foolish dream. I will definitely do everything I can to expose their hypocritical masks and reveal the truth about Luo Tianjin's murder to the world..."

When Luo Tianjin was mentioned, Teng Sanshi's eyes could not help but flash a trace of entanglement, and he murmured: "Luo Tianjin is indeed despicable and shameless, but he finally did a good thing before his death. He helped Rou'er and Jueqing Valley wash away the stigma of Jianghu demons and martial arts heretics, so that she can live upright in the future. In this way, Luo Tianjin has suffered the consequences of his own actions, and his death is worthy. Now, Rou'er has found her own children, and I am very relieved. Madam, please wait for me for a few more days. I will solve all the problems of Rou'er, Xunyi and Ping'er, and reunite with you in the underworld immediately. By then, I will be patient and accompany you to do everything you want to do..."

"Clan leader!"

Just when Teng Sanshi was overwhelmed with worries and thoughts, an old voice suddenly sounded from a distance.

Teng Cang, with gray hair and beard, tiptoed forward, first glanced at the fish basket, then looked at Teng Sanshi carefully, and smiled flatteringly in a low voice: "It seems that the clan leader has a good harvest today."

"What's the matter?" Teng Sanshi frowned and said without turning his head, "When I fish, those who are willing to take the bait always take the bait. You don't have to make a fuss. If you have something to say, just say it."

"Yes." Teng Cang smiled shyly, but his voice was still slow. "Not long ago, the clan leader asked me to secretly investigate something, and now I have received the news."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Teng Sanshi's tiger eyes suddenly flashed with a terrifying light, and he asked in a serious tone: "What is the result?"

"In fact, Longxiang Mountain's life in Yunnan is not easy, and it can even be described as 'living in misery'." Teng Cang answered respectfully, "As a last resort, Yun Zhuiyue could only bring the four Dharma protectors Si Wudao, Tang Xuan, Shao Yuanqing, and Wuming with him. Not only that, Longxiang Mountain's disciples also left Yunnan one after another and entered the Central Plains. I think... Yun Zhuiyue and Longxiang Mountain's 'foundation' in Yunnan is already shaky and insecure. So they went to the Central Plains to make a comeback."

"Hiss!" Teng Sanshi was shocked and seemed to be in disbelief: "Why is this happening?"

"Wulianhetai, the Mongolian general stationed in Dali, didn't like the presence of quacks dominating the territory under his jurisdiction." Teng Cang recalled, "Before this, Yun Zhuiyue repeatedly sent people to make overtures to Wulianghetai, but unfortunately, he was met with a cold shoulder, and he was ignored."

"It's not surprising. Although Longxiang Mountain has a fierce reputation in the martial arts world, in the eyes of the Mongolian generals who command thousands of troops... they are just a group of bandits." Teng Sanshi pondered, "What's more, Yun Zhuiyue betrayed the Mongols during the martial arts conference. It's natural for them to hold a grudge against them."

"What the patriarch said is absolutely true."

"How will the Dali royal family react?" Teng Sanshi raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "I heard that the Duan family has a close relationship with Longxiang Mountain and has been helping each other for many years. Now that Longxiang Mountain is being squeezed out by the Mongols, Duan Xingzhi... should not stand idly by."

"The Mongols seem to be ostracizing Longxiang Mountain, but their real intention is to suppress the stubborn power of the Duan family in Dali." Teng Cang answered cryptically, "When Dali surrendered, many tribes in Yunnan refused to surrender, so the Mongols asked Duan Xingzhi to lead the army to suppress the rebellion. At that time, Longxiang Mountain served the Duan family and helped them solve many problems. Now, the "troublemakers" in Dali are dead or fled, and even if they survive by chance, they can no longer make a difference. Therefore, the Mongols decided to put away their bows and throw away their bows, and turn their spearheads to Yun The last native force in the south is the Dali Duan family. However, the Mongolian Khan and Duan Xingzhi had an agreement that they would not kill all of them after they surrendered, so they did not dare to attack the Duan family directly to avoid being criticized. Therefore, the Mongols decided to cut off their wings and blunt their edge, and put Duan Xingzhi under house arrest in a cage of wealth and glory, with no chance of turning over in this life. However, the main force of the Dali Duan family had long been exhausted, and the soldiers and horses were gone. At present, the Duan family's biggest wing is undoubtedly the Longxiang Mountain, which is full of masters. Therefore..."

"I understand. Duan Xingzhi is also willing but unable to do so." Teng Sanshi suddenly realized and looked helpless. "So, Yun Zhuiyue is fleeing to the Central Plains with his family this time?"

“I guess so!” Teng Cang said with a wry smile, “Although Ailao Mountain still has the banner of Longxiang Mountain, it… has long been in name only.”

"No wonder all the people from Longxiang Mountain came out in droves. That's why." Teng Sanshi stuck the fishing rod in his hand diagonally into the soil, and slowly stood up with the help of Teng Cang. A trace of guilt appeared between his brows, "It seems that I was worrying too much! Xiang'er... showed up in the Central Plains because he had nowhere else to go, not because he had any ill intentions as I imagined."

"The clan leader thought he..."

"I thought he and Qingfeng and his daughter...had some secret collusion that they couldn't reveal."

"Yun Zhuiyue concealed the truth first and then evaded responsibility. No wonder the clan leader suspected him." Teng Cang patiently persuaded him, and then changed the subject, "By the way! The situation outside the Great Wall has gradually stabilized in the past few days. Since the Wudang disciples entered the Tiger's Den and Dragon's Pond and gained nothing, many of them have given up the idea of ​​hunting down Liu Xunyi and have gradually withdrawn to the Central Plains."

"Where's Liu Xunyi?" Teng Sanshi was secretly delighted, but remained calm on the surface. "Any news about him?"

"It's strange, Liu Xunyi seems to have evaporated from the face of the earth, and disappeared without a trace." Teng Cang puzzled, "Now many people suspect that the news released by Qingfeng leader is wrong, and even suspect that Kongtong leader Zhongli Mu is eager to win credit and 'falsely reported military intelligence', and Kongtong disciples have never seen Liu Xunyi in the Northeast. I heard that... many people plan to unite to ask Qingfeng leader for 'travel expenses'. After all, it costs a lot to feed people and horses after tossing around in and out of the pass. Of course, it doesn't matter for big families like Wudang and Kongtong, but small gangs that travel thousands of miles to join in the fun and want to 'eat meat and drink soup' are complaining bitterly."

"Let them make a scene!" Teng Sanshi sneered, "The more chaotic the better, and it would be best if it can't be resolved."

"This……"

"Clan leader!"

Before the puzzled Teng Cang could ask the reason, a clear female voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

Following the sound, I saw Teng Qiner walking quickly towards the lake in a hurry.

"Why are you so nervous?"

"Reporting to the clan leader, two 'old friends' came uninvited."

"Old friend?" Teng Sanshi and Teng Cang were stunned. They looked at each other and asked at the same time, "Who?"

"Song Yu and Leng Yiyi from Jinjianwu."

……

(End of this chapter)