Frontispiece: Dry scorpion, still poisonous, pitch black. It is the sword of evil.

Body:

In the fifth year of Tongzhi, the news of the assassination of the great general Suodian came from Beijing. For a time, the whole country was in fear. Suo Dian is the son of Cableway, the word is Zhengye, and he is responsible for guarding the northwest military camp for ten years. Ten years later, the emperor recalled him to take charge of the household and criminal affairs in Beijing. It can be said that he is in power and is favored by the emperor.

Just three months after taking office, this great general with great feats was stabbed to death in his mansion by others, and he died with a whimper.

When the emperor heard about this, he ordered the Criminal Department to thoroughly investigate the case, and found the murderer within a month within a month.

After Suo Dian's death, the Criminal Department was taken over by his subordinate Yao Yungu, and others were promoted with a smile, but Yao Yungu looked sad. He knew in his heart that without any clues, without a clue, it was more difficult to solve this case than to ascend to the sky. This is a hot potato, once you don't grasp the proportions, the black gauze hat on your head will be taken off sooner or later.

After Yao Yungu took office, although he devoted himself to solving the case, there were too few clues, and only found traces of swelling in the blood vessels of his right arm on Suo Dian's body, and the blood vessels bulging out of his right arm were black in color. No scars were found elsewhere, which only meant that this was the symptom that killed the general. It's just that Yao Yungu doesn't understand, even if his right arm is broken, as long as the internal organs are not damaged, he will not die. He couldn't imagine how such a strange symptom could kill people.

The deceased only has this symptom on his body, and there is no trace of the crime in other aspects, which shows that the killer opposite is a master.

Yao Yungu had no choice but to issue a reward notice, ordering the Kyoto Messenger Kuaima to issue the reward notice to the provincial capitals day and night, and then order the state governments to issue them to the prefectures, counties, and yamen under their jurisdiction.

When the news reached Guangzhou, Gu happened to pass through the city gate, and saw the soldiers posting notices, so he checked forward. "The case of the great general Suodian shook the whole country," the cause of his death was a bulging blood vessel in his arm and black in color. There is a reward of 100 taels of silver for finding the cause of death according to this clue, 1,000 taels of silver for those who find the murderer according to the clue, and 2,000 taels of silver for those who catch the murderer. “

"This reward is higher than the first, one hundred taels is enough for me to earn from farming for several years. Not to mention the temptation of one thousand taels and two thousand taels. ”

A person in front of Gu said.

"Don't daydream, think about it, the officials in charge of the criminal department in the capital of the imperial court, none of them are elites, they can't find the murderer, just with a brain like yours, what can you do. So, don't be a toad and want to eat swan meat, let's plant your land well. ”

The other man next to the man said with a smile.

When the crowd dispersed, only Gu gathered around the notice to ponder and analyze.

"The blood vessels in the arm bulge out and are black. When I was with Master before, he once told me that there are three evil swords in the world, one is Kangning, this sword I just acquired a few days ago, once its sword body is awakened, it gathers pale green dark spirits, which can have the power to call the white snake; the second is Limen, and the ancient texts describe it only by name, and other details have not been recorded, so it must have been lost; the third is a dry scorpion, which is pitch black and poisonous, and those who are injured by him will definitely die, because its sword body can call." The absolute spirit, the so-called absolute spirit, the whole body is black, and the same as the Gu spirit, it is a spirit with a corrosive effect, it is one of the evil spirits, and it also has a huge poison, it is injured by this spirit sword called the scorpion, the poison will quickly enter the wound within a few seconds, and then enter the blood, the injured person has difficulty breathing, and feels that the wound is extremely swollen and painful, and the whole body is as painful as being burned. When a person dies, the blood vessels are swollen and cracked, and the symptoms are black. Who owns this evil sword, I think he'll be able to do it. ”

Gu thought about it, tore the notice forward, and said, "I can find the murderer." ”

The soldiers guarding the notice immediately brought Gu to the state capital, and the state government officials entertained Gu well, because this was a major national case involving the Criminal Department, the state government officials did not dare to slack off, and sent people to the provincial capital to report overnight.

In just one day and one night, the provincial government called a fast horse, accompanied by five officers and soldiers with actual combat experience, all the way with the customs clearance papers, escorting Gu to Kyoto. The provinces along the road actively cooperated, food, clothing, housing and transportation, and by the time Gu and the others arrived in Kyoto, they had already changed five fast horses along the road.

However, even if it was so efficient, Gu Yigan had been gone for three weeks, and it took a few days to issue the notice, and there were only three days left before the date set by the emperor. Yao Yungu in Kyoto had long lost confidence and was waiting to be dismissed and exiled.

On this day, when Yao Yungu was depressed and worried, suddenly someone from the house came to report and said, "Someone came from Guangzhou to solve this case. ”

I saw that Yao Yungu's eyes suddenly had a look of energy, and his body suddenly became vibrant, he hurriedly ran out of the door, looked left and right outside the hall, searched around, and shouted eagerly: "Where are the people?!"

The man in the house led him to the living room.

As soon as Yao Yungu saw Gu, he strode to Gu's side and held Gu's hand: "Sir, does you have a good plan?"

It's like an old friend who hasn't seen each other for a long time.

Wait for Gu to explain the origin and point out the truth. Yao Yungu quieted down.

"Your Excellency, please rest assured, although the deadline is only three days, but it is not too late, those who hold the evil sword will not think that I also have the evil sword, the three evil swords in the world are all made by Ou Yezi swordsmith, although they have different spirits, but they are connected to each other and perceive, so on the way to the house, the evil sword Kang Ning contained in my wooden box, the aura leaked out, and went to the southwest of the city. Presumably, the scorpion sword was in the southwest region. Your Excellency can order someone to check the area to find out if there are any old departments of General Suodian, and if there are any people who are entangled with the Great General. ”

"Okay, sir, I'll do it. ”

Sure enough, three of the general's former subordinates were found in that place, and they all returned to Beijing with the general to receive the imperial court reward and serve as officials in Kyoto.

One of the three of them is the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites, one is the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, and the last one is the Capture Hall Division with only four products.

Yao Yungu analyzed that these three people were all people who had accompanied the general from birth to death, and the first two people were the third grade, and he only got a fourth grade. I'm afraid I've long held a grudge against the general.

Yao Yungu spent a day conducting a detailed secret investigation and found that this person named Hu Dao had an affair with the general, and after that, he directly "sent" his wife to the general.

This is a great shame for a man, and he even sent it with peace of mind, probably because he was afraid of his boss, but he was helpless.

On the third day, Yao Yungu led more than 50 people to arrest Hu Dao and entered the inner room, only to see that he was still there yesterday, and now he has long disappeared. Then he is more suspected of killing the general, or rather, it has been explained that he is the murderer of the general.

"Sir, do you know where he is?" Yao Yun Advisor Gu.

Gu closed his eyes and felt Kangning's aura move in the wooden box.

"Come with me, he didn't go far. ”

Gu ran to the southwest end, and the catchers behind followed suit.

chased until he reached the depths of a jungle a mile away from the capital, Gu stood still, and the people behind him were panting and chasing after him.

"Don't make a sound. Gu said solemnly.

Gu paced back and forth in the dark jungle.

"Be careful, he's coming. Gu said in the dark.

The wind blew inexplicably in the jungle, and those who were blown by the wind could not open their eyes.

"Be careful!" Gu shouted.

But the catcher with the torch behind him couldn't hear Gu's advice because of the strong wind.

When the wind stopped, there were three corpses lying on the ground.

"Get out of here!" he was behind us. "Gu's voice has not fallen.

I saw the sword light and sword shadow in front of me, and five or six catchers fell to the ground, and after a while, they didn't move.

Gu told the survivors: "Quickly protect the adult and flee back, and I will deal with him." ”

Everyone immediately escorted Yao Yungu to retreat, but only heard the sound of "flickering" sword swinging, and attacked. There was a fierce fight ahead, and several more people were killed.

Gu calmed down and said silently in his heart: "The reason why I am passive is that my heart is not quiet and I can't detect the enemy's movements. If another enemy is in the dark, I will naturally suffer in the light, and if you want to see the enemy, you must hide yourself in the dark. ”

There was silence all around, and Gu knew that the time for that person to attack again was coming.

Through the pointing of the Kangning Sword Spirit, Gu sensed the position of the other party, and at the moment when the other party launched a sneak attack, Gu pulled out the Kangning Sword and swung it away, and the person used the sword in his hand to block it. I saw that the two swords exuded a powerful black and green aura, evenly matched, and the sword qi of both sides hit each other's bodies, and both sides were repelled a few steps and forced out of internal injuries. Gu clutched his chest, blood flowing from the corners of his mouth. "It's now, run!"

Those catchers escorted Yao Yungu away.

Gu knew in his heart that he had met a real opponent this time. This person committed the crime without leaving a trace, which shows that he was thoughtful, and deliberately led people here to kill them all, which shows that the city government is quite deep. If he hadn't known that there was Gu inside, those who pursued him would have died long ago.

Both of them are in the dark, but they are also in the light. The two evil swords each attract and perceive each other. So both of them can sense each other's position.

"You and I both know that there is no need to hide anymore. ”

"Let's have a fair and bright competition. ”

Gu said in the darkness as he walked to a moonlit place outside the woods.

I just felt the breeze on my cheeks from time to time. Gu is waiting.

The two sides were at a stalemate for a long time. Didn't do anything.

Gu knew that whoever made the first move would be the first to show his flaws.

I don't know how long it took, but I only knew that the Kangning Sword in Gu's hand emitted an uneasy aura. That force is approaching.

A man in civilian clothes appeared in front of Gu.

The sword in his hand was also giving birth to black spiritual power.

"It's a scorpion sword, no doubt. Gu thought secretly.

"Why did you kill the general? Is it really because he took your wife and made you a second-class official?"

I saw the person in front of me shaking his head in the faint moonlight.

Gu still wanted to ask again, he had already rushed over.

Gu hurriedly caught it, and that person's swordsmanship was changeable, weird and impermanent, and unpredictable like a ghost.

Gu fought and retreated, and gradually couldn't parry.

I was about to be scratched by the opponent's sword.

"Dance has a dance path, a way, a very way. Gu remembered Master's advice before his death, "Since his tricks are no moves, then I will also use natural moves to fight him." ”

In that flat land, two people wielded and fought, two evil swords fighting, this is an extremely rare thing, not to mention that the sword wielder in his hand is second to none.

The sword spirit swung, the air swirled, the air trembled, and the leaves fell.

The two fought for a long time, and there was no difference between victory and defeat.

But the more fierce the battle became, the more he straightened his sword blade, and went straight to Gu, and Gu did not show weakness, straightened out Kangning's sword, and greeted him.

But seeing two swords collide, one summoned a huge white snake, and the other summoned a black giant scorpion.

The white snake quickly swam over and trapped the giant scorpion, whose two large pincers were tightly bound by white snake scales and could not move. The white snake's eyes emitted a pale green beam, which was the "Snake Illusion" that this spirit sword summoned the spirit lord of the white snake. It seemed that the white snake had the upper hand, but the stinger on the back tail of the giant scorpion was deeply rooted in the white snake's body. The white snake's body softened. Gone.

The giant scorpion swung its claws towards the Gu, swaying its hind tail and attacking it.

Gu took a few steps back, and said in his mouth: "Sword of Kangning, please use my essence as your sacrifice and give birth to your true strength." ”

Three king cobras spawned from the Sword of Corning, which burst out and trapped the giant scorpion.

I saw that my opponent was also sacrificing my spirit. Just as the giant scorpion was about to fall, the giant scorpion suddenly shed its skin, and three medium-sized scorpions, each with three stinger tails, emerged from its belly.

Three king cobras fight three three-tailed scorpions. As a result, the two sides were still evenly matched, and each hit the other's vital point and disappeared into the moonlight.

It's all over, and both of them are running out of energy, and they are both exhausted. Battles can no longer be fought.

"You're the first opponent I've ever met. Gu said with a heavy breath.

"You too. The man gasped and finally spoke.

The two sides stopped talking, and each was five meters apart, recovering their energy.

Wait until both of them have recovered some of their energy.

"You are superb in martial arts, and you should have made a lot of meritorious deeds. Gu said.

"Even if you have good martial arts, you still can't stretch it, and it is also the luck of my life to meet a master like you today. ”

"Although you have met with confidants, you are a national felony, and I am going to arrest you. Gu replied.

"You and I both know what we're capable of. Besides, you and I are exhausted and cannot fight anymore. The man said.

"The so-called great general Suodian who can fight well, his great military exploits were all won by me, he just sat back and enjoyed his success, I fought to the death for him to lay such a feat, but he only gave me such an official position, how can I be convinced? In addition to this, he also promoted two people who often slipped around him and did not work hard to become the left and right attendants of the Ministry of Rites, how can I not hate him? What is even more hateful is that he has usurped my wife, how can I be a dignified seven-foot man to suffer such a great humiliation, and this is why I killed him. ”

"The Qing Empire seems to be strong, but in fact, it is strong on the outside, and it is scattered. When you and I meet, it is also fate, and there will be a period later. ”

After saying that, the man was nowhere to be found.

"Is this the so-called intrigue in officialdom? It's really boring. Gu stood up, looked at the place where the person in front of him was standing and disappeared, looked at it in a daze for a long time, and finally left.

As for Yao Yungu, he didn't catch the criminal, so naturally he couldn't escape the fate of being dismissed.

On the day he heard that he was dismissed, a man in his fifties cried like a mad dog and said, "The money is gone!