On February 16, the small county town near Sipinggang.

It has been two days since the thunderstorm, and the sky is clear, and everything is growing on the land that has faded from the smell of winter. When the carriage stopped at the inn, the big man from the capital stepped down.

In the recent period, with Sipinggang as the center, the nearby townships and towns have not been peaceful. Of course, this kind of peace is only a breath that can only be felt by people with a keen sense of smell, if it is for ordinary people, it is only that there are slightly more bandits in the vicinity, and occasionally there are a few cases of bloodshed, if it does not affect their own homes, there is no need to care, after all, if on weekdays, some hooligans splash their skins in the township and towns to break their heads and bleed, there are also things.

As far as the people in the green forest near Sipinggang, or the people concerned, starting from the sudden attack of Tietianying Zong Feixiao and others on February 11, the next few days were really bloody and bloody. In five days, the nearby towns and villages have actually been ploughed back and forth several times by the people of the Criminal Department, not only the remnants of the Yongle Dynasty who absconded were swept away, but also some of the nearby underworld characters and people in the green forest were also greatly affected, although the vicinity of Sipinggang is a place to ascend to peace, but in the surrounding mountains, there are actually a few relatively fixed mountain bandit villages - this situation is not the norm everywhere except for the richest Jiangnan, in fact, everywhere - they do not hurt people's lives casually on weekdays, and the most they do is to collect some protection money from the passing dart teamOf course, sometimes it is inevitable to run rampant. Under the tremendous pressure of the past few days, several bandit villages have also been forced to disband and flee.

The law and order felt by ordinary people has declined, and the chickens and dogs of the green forest people have jumped. For another person, it's a different situation. For them, even if the current matter affects one party, it is not even a trivial matter, and sometimes a glance is often for a special result. Zuo Houwen, who just arrived here, is one of these people.

As the principal of the Zuo family in the capital, the cousin of the great Confucian Zuo Duanyou, he came here more just because he happened to be on the way. For him. The situation has been complicated for several days. All he cared about was a simple sentence: "How's the situation going?" ”

"The remnants of Yongle led by Fang Baihua are already at the end of the crossbow, although they are still fleeing for the time being. However, the Iron Catcher and the Zong Catcher mainly intercepted the escape route to the southwest. For a few days. Already narrowing the circle, I believe it won't be long before ......"

After getting out of the car, Zuo Houwen walked to the inn. The person who followed him was actually the third chief arrester of the Criminal Department, Fan Chong, who arrived here yesterday. At this time, there were a total of seven chief arresters in the Criminal Department, and now three of them have gathered here, and Fan Chong has a close relationship with the Zuo family, so he was recruited by Zuo Houwen. However, after he opened his mouth and said a few words, Zuo Houwen waved his hand as he walked.

"How about Fang Baihua and Fang Qifo, there are people who have their own Young Master Wang to care. What about the accounts? ”

Fan nodded solemnly: "The person who went north with the accounts this time was Deng Yuanjue, who was one of the four major generals when he was under Fang La, and it was quite tricky. But now they are deliberately making a noise, and we have cut off their way and go. Now Fang Baihua and others are in the southwest, and Deng Yuanjue and other bandits are in the north, it seems that they want to make the attitude of killing the capital and making the accounts public, so as to create an opportunity for Fang Baihua and others to escape. But...... It is unlikely that they will escape, and it is estimated that they will see in three or five days at most. ”

"How does Mr. Fan think of the reliability of the accounts?"

"This ...... The lower officials didn't dare to say anything, but it seems that there are a lot of people who care about this matter. ”

While speaking, Zuo Houwen had already arrived at the back of the inn, and his own servant girl led the way in front and opened the door of the room that had been arranged. Zuo Houwen waved his hand and motioned for Fan Chong to come in and sit, his complexion was simple, but there was an unquestionable momentum between his gestures. After Fan Chong sat down, he waved his hand and asked the maid to go out, and then personally poured Fan Chong a cup of tea and placed it in front of the other party.

"If everybody wants it, it's a good thing. Mr. Fan is the best at this, and I, an outsider, don't say much. The involvement of this account can be big or small, and it has something to do with my left family, but after all, it is not big, but it is ...... It is better to fall into your own hands than in the hands of others. ”

Fan Zhong took the tea and drank it, and when he was about to leave, he remembered something: "I don't know how long Zuo Gong will stay when he comes over this time?" ”

"It's probably two or three days, waiting for your good news. How? ”

"Well, recently, there have been a lot of dragons and snakes in the vicinity, and it's not very peaceful. The criminal department has scared away some people, but after all, Fang Baihua and others have a reward, and there are many people in the green forest who have come over in the past few days, seeking fame and fortune, or the dark lines arranged by some other people, including...... The people of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion and the Secret Investigation Division...... Although it is not much, it is inevitable that there will be branches. Zuo Gong stays here, please be sure to take care. ”

Zuo Houwen nodded and smiled: "I know what I said, Xie Lu Xie Fan always reminded me." "After the incident in Sipinggang, Fang Baihua and others were chased and intercepted in this area, and some of the green forest people were driven out of the city, but there were more rushed over from different channels, and they could barely hold a half-hero conference. The reason why Fan Chong came here is because of this. However, the Zuo family has a deep heritage, and Zuo Houwen naturally has the support of masters around him, so it is enough to mention this, but one of the existences has attracted his attention: "The secret investigation department is also here, who is here?" ”

"There are not many people, about 20 people came, and the leader was a scholar named Cheng Zhouhai from the Prime Minister's Mansion, they came late, and the root system was not deep, so they couldn't find out too many things, but they were quite obedient. There is not much that Cheng Zhouhai can do, and now he has to visit Tie Zhu Shou once a day, called ventilation, but in fact, he may want to talk nonsense. But...... He couldn't detect much. ”

Zuo Houwen nodded: "I know it." Chengzhou Hai ...... I have heard that he is a disciple of Qin Siyuan, and it will not be simple. Just be careful. ”

"Yes." Fan nodded, and was about to leave, and then hesitated for a moment, "Xia Guan heard that the affairs of the Secret Investigation Division on the side of the green forest are now being handled by a person named Ning Yi, and I heard that this person is acting on the wrong side. When Zuo Gong was in the capital, he didn't know ......"

"It's just a man who wants to be rich." Zuo Houwen smiled, and his fingers tapped the table casually, "Maybe it's because of this, I'm acting more ruthlessly." Qin Xiang is good at using this kind of person, but he has left the way of a gentleman, so he can't be on the stage, so he doesn't have to pay attention to it. ”

"Yes, the lower official has resigned."

"Go ahead."

The two sides answered casually, after Fan Zhong left. Zuo Houwen frowned slightly. Forthwith. Shake your head and let your thoughts wander.

***************

In the small town, matters related to the life and death of hundreds of people only account for a small part of Zuo Houwen's thoughts. And for the people involved, it is necessary to risk their lives to arrange and rush. Over time. What had once become chaotic has begun to become clear again.

The few who were completely scattered were left alone. At least on both sides of the crowd these days. One side, headed by Deng Yuanjue and An Xifu, held the account book, and put on an attitude of going north. The other side is still led by Fang Baihua. This group of people fought and fled, suffered heavy casualties, and wanted to cross the southwest hills and enter the branch of the Dabie Mountain, seeking a glimmer of life.

However, in just a few days, the whole situation has changed quite quickly. From the night of the eleventh day when Tie Tianying and the others attacked, and then chased and fled, they never stopped. The joint search and arrest of several prefectures and counties, on the one hand, dug out the bandits who were scattered, and on the other hand, the fighting was going on at any time. Fang Baihua and the others were shifting their direction and hiding their traces, and Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao were also desperately dispatching troops in the chaotic and complex information, and the information of the people who were arrested every day, the dead and wounded, or the mysterious green forest masters who appeared mysteriously gathered together, one by one, and they were able to sort out the clues from them, and finally pressed the traces of the two groups of people within a certain range, which was enough to prove that they were experienced in this area.

When the message became clear again, everyone understood that things would only come to light in the last day or two. Of course, there is the possibility of Fang Baihua and others escaping, but this possibility is quite slim.

When the water dries up, the fish die. For Fang Baihua and others, what they are facing now is exactly this situation. When it was suddenly dispersed, there were still places for everyone to move in the surrounding states and counties, but when time passed, after Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao led everyone to gradually sort out, there were fewer and fewer places that could really be moved. In just a few days, the only way out left for them was to flee southwest into the mountains, but at this time, the direction leading to the Dabie Mountain area also happened to become the center of gravity of the Iron Sky Eagle people.

And these things, for them, are also clear in themselves.

The afternoon sun shone on the rocks in the mountains and forests, and when he looked up at the sun, Du Kill pursed his lips, and the blood on his pale face floated for a moment, and then returned to the terrible whiteness.

He only had one hand left.

It took only two or three days for his broken arm to come to his senses, to speak, to walk, and even to raise a knife to kill again. On the thin man in front of him, there seemed to be another incredible demon god supporting him at this time, and even when Luo Bingren sent water, he made a weak and firm decision: "Go tell the princess...... We're not leaving. ”

In the nearby mountain col, gathered at this time were the most dozens of people that Fang Baihua could carry, and most of them were injured. It was a bit presumptuous to make such a decision at the moment, but when Du Kill said this, Luo Bingren understood his reason, and even in a sense, he had been waiting for Du Kill or someone to say it.

So he went to tell Fang Baihua about it. Sitting in the shadow of the strange rock, the middle-aged woman, who was also haggard but resolute, glanced up at him, and then stood up with her spear in hand. At this time, someone next to him was already speaking: "What are you doing!" Luo Bingren! You tyrants have to withdraw! At a time like this!? ”

"Shut up!" Fang Baihua scolded the person next to him, looked at Luo Bingren, and then looked at the few members of the Overlord Sword around him, "You know the way, at this time, only when you go to the southwest and enter the mountains can you have vitality." ”

"That's not either." Luo Bingren smiled, "The princess also knows that she will die early when she is hugged together at this time, and if she is alone, there are few people who may fish in troubled waters and leave a life." ”

Luo Bingren said this truth, in fact, everyone understands that the biggest purpose of Tie Tianying, Zong Feixiao and others is to capture Fang Baihua, for those who are scattered, although the search is also strict, there are always a few people who can get away with it. In the past few days, in fact, some people have realized this one after another. Those who chose to leave alone - of course, most of them will still be captured and killed - as for those who remain, most of them are diehards under the command of Fang La and Fang Baihua, the uprising has failed, the rescue has failed, the dead and wounded of their companions have been killed, and if they leave alone, they will have nothing, not to mention. The chances of survival if you leave alone are not great.

But about the reason why Badao and others want to stay. After a while, everyone will be able to understand.

Because Liu watermelon is missing.

Two days earlier, Liu Xigua, Fang Shuchang, and Qian Luoning went out to inquire about the situation, which was originally one of the top martial arts players in the team. Later, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning came back. Inform Lu Yulin about Evil Zen. I guess the two of them will go first. The watermelon must have been able to run away, but then it turned out that he had been tricked and the watermelon never came back. At the time of the transfer on the same day. Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning felt guilty and chose to stay and wait for clearer news, and it is said that they fought with Zong Feixiao and left injured.

The next day, when he met with a group of Sikong Nan's subordinates, he found out the news that Liu Xigua was defeated by Lin Xichan and had been killed by their sect leader and thrown into the river.

This news was forced out after they caught a few of them, and it is not without credibility. Only the fact that there is no corpse left some hope, but at this time, there is still no news, and Du Kill and the others are unwilling to leave again.

Fang Baihua couldn't say anything, and after a while, the afterglow of the sunset fell, and everyone in the valley was divided into two groups, one group went to the southwest direction, and the other group of people stood in the light, looking back at the way they came, not knowing where to go......

*****************

A large number of officers and soldiers walked quickly across the mountain road, and on the nearby foothills, Zong Feixiao rode a horse and watched all this.

The location of Fang Baihua and the others has been almost determined, and next, it is a sweep one by one. He is unwilling to disperse his strength to startle the snake, and without overwhelming strength, even if he wins, it will be easy to scatter these people again. The other party is a master, and once they are scattered, there are fewer people who can be arrested. Only by surrounding them with overwhelming force at once can we accomplish all of them.

Anyway...... They are already heading towards despair, and at this time, without violent external stimulation, the remaining people should still be in a group.

One day...... Or in two days at most, the matter will be over, and they will be able to go to Beijing to recount.

When it won't be cross-section......

He calculated the situation again in his heart, including Sikong Nan and Lin Xichan, including the people on Fang Baihua's side, including the force of Deng Yuanjue who suddenly killed him, and then including some of the green forests and grass that gathered around this time, and even the small group of people from the Secret Investigation Division...... After thinking about all of this, I reconfirmed that there should not be too many factors other than calculations involved.

And just as he passed through this mountain range, a team of more than 20 people was moving forward in the small town that had gathered more than ten miles here. The leader was probably in his forties, with a sturdy figure and superb martial arts, and he was a deputy on Tie Tianying's side, called Tian Li's head catcher, who came here today to send out for an information, but just now, he had already met with another group of people outside the town.

Right now, the people around me are talking about it.

"Brother Tian, what was the origin of that scholar just now, he has been in and out of our camp every day for the past two days."

"There are only more than 20 people from the Secret Investigation Department here, and they can't get too much information, and they want to talk to us. What are you doing so curiously, doing this, you don't have to ask about anything. ”

"No, I heard that this person is from the capital...... Let's just wonder, why would a scholar get involved in this kind of thing, it's not peaceful around here at the moment, is he tired of living......"

"Secret Investigation Division, they always do some strange things, we still don't know what they do." Tian Li sneered, "A scholar, I haven't been in contact with these much, so it's not strange that I always want to interfere." I used to handle cases, because I didn't understand anything, and I wanted to point fingers, but there were too many scholars, and he wouldn't understand when he died......"

"But then again, Brother Tian, there are really a lot of people who interfere in this matter, and the person named Lin Zongwu also said that he wants to challenge Zhou Dong, is it reliable?"

"Challenging Grandmaster Zhou is qualified, if you want to win, forget it." Tian Li smiled, "But speaking of which, there are too many masters around this time, just on our side, I, Tian Li, am usually first-class in the rivers and lakes, but now I have to rank a position, and I can't get into the top ten...... Fang Baihua's side, although a little embarrassed. But it's all top-notch. Fang Baihua is powerful in itself, let alone Baoguang Rulai Deng Yuanjue, I may not be able to stand up to one over there, what kind of tyrant Liu Dabiao...... Her father is really powerful, even if he challenges Zhou Tong, he is not ambiguous, and now although this Liu Watermelon is a woman, his skills are not inferior to Fang Baihua, but unfortunately I heard that he was killed by Lin Zongwu......"

He paused: "As for Lin Zongwu, he used to be called Lin Evil Chan, the Demon Buddha of more than ten years ago. It's amazing. When I became famous, I didn't know anything...... Wang Nantuo is also qualified to challenge Grandmaster Zhou, and their subordinates are also full of talents and are very strong...... As for the green forest people who came to join in the fun this time. Speaking of which, there are quite a few good players. Compare yourself to these people. It's a little bit worse...... But to be honest, if you handle a case on weekdays, you will meet these people. I took a detour, and this time there were a lot of people...... For example, on the side of the Secret Investigation Division, a scholar came to watch the excitement...... But there's no need to offend, after all, people are from Beijing, so I greeted him just now, and it can be regarded as kind, give me a face, and see each other in the future......"

Speaking of this, Tian Li stopped, looked ahead, and then lowered his voice: "It's almost, just ahead." ”

He glanced at everyone, and the group immediately stopped chatting and scattered around and in front of them, and after a while, surrounded a small courtyard.

Everyone was hiding under the wall, about to bang on the door or climb over the wall, when suddenly, there was a loud bang behind the courtyard, and the sound of breaking the door and the sound of weapons clashing came. Someone is shouting: "Catch him ......"

"It's a sword bandit......"

"Don't let him run...... Ahh

Everyone immediately rushed over there, and at this time, it was Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who had been recuperating from their injuries for two days.

The sunlight tilts slightly and turns red. There were still a few hours before the expected but unexpected battle, and this was just a small episode in the drama that arose because of the Seven Buddhas near Sipinggang, but a moment later, Tian Li, who was not an important participant, was shocked by a scene that he had not expected at all.

That was what happened after chasing Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who were still injured, out a few streets. At that time, everyone had already decided on a plan to chase and block. Since Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning still had amazing skills after recuperating from their injuries, they still chose the strategy of avoiding their sharpness and encircling attrition at the beginning. After the battle, the gong of warning in the town also sounded, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning ran to a street, saw that there were people killing in front and behind, and chose the fork in the road next to them to escape, and then, they seemed to see someone.

The two of them raised their knives at the same time to kill the past, the figure disappeared over there, only a few ping-pong sounds were heard, the heavy and shocking, a knife light flew up in the sky, but it was Fang Shuchang's knife, which was broken into two and flew out, and the next moment, Fang Shuchang's whole person was knocked out, spit blood in the air, rolled on the ground a few times, and lost consciousness.

Qian Luoning shouted. Everyone had already rushed to the intersection, and when they looked over there, there was only one person on the street who was fighting with Fang and Qian. At this time, when the figure simply and simply dismantled a few moves with Qian Luoning, he suddenly pushed two palms on Qian Luoning's body, these two palms were one in the chest and one in the middle abdomen, which looked silent, but the body was moving very fast, Qian Luoning's footsteps seemed to leave the ground, rushed through the street half a foot away, and suddenly hit the earthen wall on the side of the road.

The earthen wall collapsed, the smoke and dust billowed out, Qian Luoning's body fell in it, and there was no sound for a while, the figure who was fighting with the two leaned over and threw the steel knife on the ground aside, stood up, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood stains on his face.

Not far away, more than 20 people from the Secret Investigation Department were hurrying over.

Tian Li opened his mouth and looked at the figure of a scholar in a robe in the smoke and dust in a daze, because Fang Shuchang vomited half of his face blood when he flew out, he wiped it again, causing half of his face to turn a strange red. When the subordinates of the Secret Investigation Division came over, they also watched this scene with some dumbfounded, but the scholar just said indifferently and simply: "Arrest it." ”

The young man named Cheng Zhouhai looked at this side, and for a moment, a kind smile appeared in his indifferent expression: "Let's just say that it's a coincidence, Tian Zhutou." ”

"You...... You ......" Tian Li frowned, his thoughts were a little disordered, he was now a master in the green forest, and most of the people around him could understand the level of Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning. They still felt that there were only more than 20 people from the Secret Investigation Division, and they couldn't interfere in this matter, but if it looked like the scene in front of them that this young man's skills had been perfected, the few tricks he had just made to fight with Qian Luoning were also subtle and exquisite, which made people tremble. At this moment, the existence of the secret investigation department suddenly turned into a vicious wolf lying on the side of them in their eyes.

Sure enough, I heard that the right minister is shrewd, and the Secret Investigation Department actually sent this kind of person, which is really not easy to mess with...... Thinking like this in their hearts, the people from the Secret Investigation Division over there had already tied up Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning by themselves. The man named Cheng Zhouhai over there said gently: "Tian Zhutou seems to have something to say, you and I are siblings, if you have something to say, please don't be polite." ”

Tian Li swallowed his saliva: "This ...... These two people are actually the ...... that our criminal department is pursuing."

"Oh?" The other party's voice paused, and after a moment, his expression tilted his head a little intriguingly, "So, you want to ......"

The voice came slowly: "...... Snatching food? ”

After a moment of silence, Tian Li suddenly laughed: "How could it be, how could it be, Mr. Cheng misunderstood, misunderstood...... He decided to come down, with his own level, it is better not to negotiate with the leader of this secret investigation department for the time being......

**************

When the sunset turned orange, Chen Fan finished feeding Ji Qian'er the last mouthful of porridge, and then looked at the sunshine.

Sometimes, perhaps it should be regarded as fateful luck, two days, when he was ready to die, the expected pursuit, but did not come this way. Chen Fan himself knows how to treat injuries and grasp medicine, and in two days, he hung Ji Qian'er's life, and also made some other things begin to become clear.

Putting down the porridge bowl, he put Ji Qian'er's mandarin duck knife on the inside of the bed, and Ji Qian'er's hand showed a somewhat cheerful smile.

"I'm leaving."

"Now?"

Ji Qian'er looked at him there.

"I guess it's almost time......"

Two days was enough time for him to go out to collect some information, including the approximate range of Fang Baihua's whereabouts, including Deng Yuanjue, An Xifu's, as well as the general actions of the Criminal Department, Sikong Nan and others, and even ...... The disappearance of Liu Watermelon. When the water was drying up, the fish were about to emerge from it, and he had no reason to stay.

Although it is said that if he chooses to stay out of the matter, he and Ji Qian'er may survive. And what happened outside, no matter how you look at it, seems to have no possibility of returning. But sometimes, men have to know what they can't do.

Ji Qian'er also understands this.

"Little Fan Na ......"

"Huh?"

"Master said before that if a person wants to die, he must hold his head up."

"......" Chen Fan was silent for a moment and smiled, "I didn't plan to die...... But if you really want to die......" he tilted his head.

Ji Qian'er also smiled: "Xiaofan, my family's mouth is also dead, if you also go, don't worry about me, I will kill a few more people, and then catch up with you." ”

Chen Fan smiled silently, but he was slightly reluctant and nostalgic, and after a while, he said: "Sister Qian'er, I remember when I was young, I watched you practice knives, and then I wanted to defeat you, I started later than you, but now I am better than you...... I'm fast, you have to hurry, you have to hurry. ”

He took a breath, and then suddenly said, "But ah, when you see my corpse, believe in such an impossible thing." When I was a child, someone calculated for me, saying that I was a master of success and ten thousand bones withered, and before I was invincible in the world, how could I die. After all, you are a woman, and your knowledge is still shallow...... I'm leaving, take care of your wounds, you ......"

When listening to him, Ji Qian'er closed her eyes with a smile and turned her head inward. Chen Fan waved his hand and walked towards the door, and after a while, when Ji Qian'er turned around, the sunset had already engulfed the resolute back in a patch of orange......

The sun sets, and the mountains and forests are sneaky.

The wind howled......

************

I wanted to update before twelve o'clock, but I didn't catch up after all...... (To be continued......)