Chapter 4: Red Dust (Part 4)

Thinking about it and walking away, the cuckoo's mood was a little lighter. From then on, I will never feel sorry for Cheng Mingzhen. Helplessly, the determination was good, and the love was difficult to understand, and after only three or five days, he secretly sent someone to investigate the other party's situation.

The henchmen knew that the seven masters couldn't let go of Cheng Mingzhen, so they chose a good report every time. But Du Juan himself is becoming more and more aware in his heart that Cheng Mingzhen is not only not proficient in martial arts, but also does not even have the perseverance and patience required by martial arts practitioners. For the first half month when the scar fell off, he had been playing with a spear. Gradually, the minions became familiar with the spear, and the cheers became more and more rare, so he returned the spear to the arsenal with great interest, and picked up a Mo knife again to refine.

The Mo knife, made entirely of steel, weighs almost five times as much as an ash pole spear. Fortunately, although Cheng Mingzhen's martial arts are sparse, his strength is really not small, and he is still vigorous when he dances, which is so stunned that many spectators are stunned. Everyone has heard that it was he who beheaded Yu Zhongmou, the commander of the Sui army, that day. Don't pay attention to take a few more looks. But after watching it for three or five days, someone with a heart quietly came to the conclusion that Cheng Gongzi had great strength, but he was not proficient in tricks. The first three moves may still be able to force others to scramble, and after three moves, he is basically left with the qualifications to be beaten.

Zedi's various rumors are becoming more and more unfavorable to Cheng Mingzhen, but the young man himself is unaware. After refining the Mo knife for more than ten days, he lost interest again. I chose a mace used by the Hu people from the arsenal, and I had a lot of fun. This time it lasted even longer, and after three days, it was changed to a mountain axe. Then the fork, then the lance, and then the halberd, in just one month, almost all the well-known weapons were played. Fortunately, although there is a shortage of materials in Julu Zeli, there are more than a dozen weapons of all kinds. Cheng Mingzhen practiced one by one, and he couldn't finish practicing for a while.

Not only was Du Juan depressed when he heard it alone, but all the people who were optimistic about Cheng Mingzhen in advance no longer had any hope for him at this time. There is no hope, and of course too much attention is no longer given. Only the eight-master Liu Zhaoan, since Cheng Mingzhen's body recovered, has been anxious to finalize the date of the competition every day. As a result, the other party dragged it again and again for various reasons, until it was already smoking on his forehead, and Cheng Mingzhen lazily replied to the letter, promising that the competition could be held at any time after ten days.

Although most people have already guessed the result of the competition, at the insistence of Liu Zhaoan, the eighth master, Julu Ze still treats it as a big thing. Zhang Jin said that he specially vacated an empty field in his main camp, and the main general of the Lin Zi camp, and Hao Laodao, the fifth master, contributed money and efforts to build a big stand outside the empty field. Wang Mazi, the fourth leader, provided the day's drinks, and Xue Song, the second leader, was not to be left behind, so he moved out a large amount of food from his camp and provided it to the leaders of the battalions who were qualified to watch the excitement for free. Even Yang Gongqing and Wang Dangren, who have been living in Zedi after the defeat, also opened a gambling game with the mentality of joining in the fun, and the ratio of betting on Cheng Mingzhensheng is one to three, and the ratio of betting on eight masters to win is one to one. It's a pity that few people fall for them, and a few gamblers have joined, and they are also bought by the side of the eight masters, and they don't have any luck with Cheng Mingzhen at all.

On the day the competition really began, the solar terms were already early winter. The wind in the fields was wet and cold, and it made people uncomfortable up and down. Although the heavens are so unbeautiful, the people watching the excitement still surround the empty field. The leaders of the battalions and above, as long as they are not on duty, almost all come. A few unconscious people also dragged their families with their mouths, and they wanted to eat the poor of Xue's family, who provided food.

Everyone was lively for a while, and several family members officially took their seats. The fourth master, Wang Mazi, ordered someone to strike a gong to suppress all the noisy sounds. Then Zhang Jincheng, a big man who was full of alcohol, stood up, arched his hands around, and greeted the old and young masters. After everyone cheered and responded, he cleared his throat and emphasized again: "The main thing about recruiting relatives is to make a lively scene for young people." No matter who wins or loses, you must be able to afford to put it down. I'll start by saying that until the point is reached, you must not deliberately harm people's lives. Otherwise, even if you win this game, the owner of the village will have to treat you for the crime of mutilating your brother according to the rules of the village. When the time comes, no one will shout wronged! ”

"That's natural, Brother Cheng and I have been sympathetic for a long time." took over Zhang Jincheng's words, and the eight masters took the lead in expressing their position. After that, he looked at Cheng Mingzhen with a smug gaze, expecting the other party to retreat in front of everyone.

seems to finally know that everyone is not optimistic about himself, and Cheng Mingzhen's performance today is somewhat sluggish. After hesitating for a moment, he barely squeezed out a smile on his face, "I am willing to ask the eight masters for advice." Are they all their own family, they will definitely not be killed! ”

"That's good, then it won't be too difficult for me to be a big boss!" Zhang Jin said that he let out a long breath, as if he had let go of something on his mind. "The rules of the game are to win or lose. It's a cold day, it's all gentlemen, let's just do it. The winner can ask Du Scar for marriage, and if he loses, he will hide away when he sees the cuckoo in the future, don't continue to entangle! ”

"Good!" The people watching the excitement agreed loudly for the two parties, lest they repent. Everyone is poor, and few people wear silk clothes. If you go over and over again, the excitement is lively, and the people who watch the excitement have to freeze out after the problem.

Seeing that Cheng Mingzhen and Liu Zhaoan did not deny it, Zhang Jin said that with a wave of his hand, he was ready to announce the start of the competition. Unexpectedly, Du Scar, who had been muttering and muttering for several months, suddenly had the courage to stand up and shout loudly, "Slow, this is not fair!" ”

"Third child, how is it unfair!" Zheng Xing was suddenly poured cold water on his head, and Zhang Jincheng asked very dissatisfied.

Not only did he think Du Scar was boring, but the minions who watched the excitement also felt that the old guy was troublesome. If you objected, what would you have done earlier, wouldn't you be playing with everyone?

Ignoring the angry chatter around him, Du Scar swallowed and spit, and said with a stalk around his neck: "He, the two of them are competing, why should they take the cuckoo as a bet." Juan Zi is my daughter, I pull her up with a handful of and urine, is it easy? I have to decide who I want to marry her! Can't just compare and contrast between the two of them, but throw me aside as a grandfather! ”

This is also true, and the people who watch the excitement sigh helplessly. Everyone knows that the eight masters have always wanted to force the three masters to marry their daughters to themselves, but the three masters have looked at the eight masters everywhere unpleasant. The two family members did not deal with each other, and the brothers of the two battalions with the word "leopard" and "wood" were also on the same footing, but they did not make any big mess because of the face of the big boss. This time, the eight masters didn't ask what the three masters meant, and directly proposed to compete with Cheng Mingzhen to win the beauty. It's clear that he didn't take his future father-in-law seriously, and he was sure of Du Scar's cowardice!

People always unconsciously sympathize with the weak, thinking that they also have children and daughters in their own families, and the eyes of everyone looking at Du Scar are full of pity. The big boss Zhang Jin said that he also felt this atmosphere, hesitated for a moment, turned his head and asked, "Third master, what do you say?" Whoever wins, don't they all have to call you father-in-law? Why do you bother to make things difficult for them at this time, so that everyone feels awkward! ”

"I'm not trying to spoil everyone's fun!" Du Scar flattened his mouth and muttered, "I just think I'm a lot older and I don't have a son." If my son-in-law doesn't take me seriously anymore, I won't be able to move one day, won't I be waiting for my life alone? ”

This was even more sympathetic, and all the village owners nodded one after another. Zhang Da sighed when he heard this, patted his chest and said, "Then what do you say?" I'll call the shots for you. In short, the matter of the competition cannot be overturned, and everything else can be discussed! ”

"I don't know what to do?" Du Scar continued to mumble, causing the cuckoo to give birth to the stage. "I don't have a son, just such a daughter!" He emphasized it repeatedly like an idiot, and said it several times in a row, and finally came up with a compromise, "They compete in martial arts, and the one who wins will be my son-in-law." If you lose, you can't afford to lose, you have to lose something to my old man as compensation! ”

"Poof!" When the people who watched the excitement heard this, they laughed so much that they squirted out the wine in their mouths. I thought that the old guy felt sorry for his daughter and made trouble for a long time, but it was to get extra money for himself. "Daddy!" The cuckoo could no longer hold his strength, stamped his foot, and fled away from the stands. The other family members looked at each other for a long time before they finally came to their senses, their faces full of disdain.

"That makes sense!" Zhang Jin said that he had been drinking so much recently that he was obviously a little delirious. Knowing that Du Scar was making trouble unreasonably, he still decided to stand up for his old brother. "Well, let them both give you the most valuable thing. No matter who wins or loses, you won't lose! ”

"Well, I think that's the idea!" Du Scar thought for a moment and nodded muffledly.

The two young people who were ready to attack were also very angry, but they couldn't bear Zhang Jincheng's face. I had no choice but to walk back to Du Scar's side and ask in turn: "What do you always want us to bet on, you always say!" ”

"What do you want, just say it, don't go around!"

"I want to ......" Du Scar showed a mouth full of big yellow teeth, and looked at Cheng Mingzhen with a smile, "You kid was born with a good skin, I look happy." If you lose, be my godson. Save the cuckoo from marrying someone else, and I don't even have anyone around me to talk to! ”

Cheng Mingzhen smiled and said indifferently: "It's okay, but I have to ask my biological parents first." If my biological parents don't agree, please forgive me for not daring to make decisions on my own! ”

His father had not been heard from for many years when he had been sent to the army in Saishang. So it's a promise that will never be fulfilled. But Du Scar didn't know the details, he smiled happily, and said with his hand on his beard, "Middle, middle." Why don't you let your biological parents suffer. I pushed a cart of gifts back to them, and they couldn't speak! ”

This is simply a business for snatching someone's son! Everyone frowned when they heard this, but Du Scar was proud. After getting Cheng Mingzhen here, he turned his head to another contestant. Liu Zhaoan, the eighth master, was afraid of this shameless old immortal, lest he put forward any conditions that were difficult for him to accept in public, so he took the lead and shouted: "If I lose, I will give half of my brothers to your son-in-law." Anyway, the son-in-law is yours, and the daughter is also yours, so you didn't suffer anything! ”

"What's the ...... about me," the rebuttal almost burst out of his mouth, and halfway through his words, Du Scarqi realized that everyone around him was watching. Stretched out his hand and stroked the old mud on the back of his neck, and said happily, "It's okay, it's a big deal, I'll ask my son-in-law to give me another part of the song." Anyway, he doesn't have much experience, so he definitely won't be able to bring that many people! ”

"Alright, alright, third child, it's decided!" I really couldn't bear to see the old brother show his ugliness like this, and the second master, Xue Song, advised loudly. Stretched out his hand and pulled Du Scar away, signaling that the competition could officially begin. Zhang Jin said that he was about to order someone to strike the gong, but Cheng Mingzhen came to the scene again, waved his hand, and said loudly, "Yes, can you wait." I have something to say! ”

"If there's a fart, let it go!" Liu Zhaoan had already been provoked by Du Scar, glared at Cheng Mingzhen, and said viciously.

"I don't have a horse, so we can only compete on foot. You can't ride a horse, but let me fight on foot! Cheng Mingzhen was not angry, and proposed with a smile.

"That's nature!" Liu Zhaoan looked at him with great disdain and agreed loudly.

Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, Zhang Jincheng smiled and nodded. There was another gong in the stands, and hundreds of minions ran to the stage to clean up the field again. When everyone vacated enough space to fight, the two parties were also fully prepared. One east and one west, facing each other with fists.

Seeing the weapons of both sides, there was chaos outside the venue. After the eight masters are the heroes of the green forest, the natural one around them is a long lance. Cheng Mingzhen, who claimed to be the person behind the gate, didn't take any of the tricks he had shown by the lake, just carried a horizontal knife, and walked on the field stupidly.

"Do you want to compete?!" Liu Zhaoan was made his head as big as a bucket, and asked with a glare. He had carefully studied the number of martial arts of Cheng Mingzhen, and believed that even if the other party's performance on the lakeside was disguised, his true skills were very limited. Whether it is a flower spear or a strange knife, when you encounter your own long lance, it is guaranteed that within ten moves, you can solve the battle. But Cheng Mingzhen chose the horizontal knife, this kind of short guy is not the same grade as the long lance at all, even if he wins him happily, he will be laughed at.

"Change the long guy, change the long guy!" Although they knew that the young man was hopeless, everyone still reminded him loudly not to suffer losses in weapons. Otherwise, the three tricks and two styles will be over, how can people have an enjoyable life?

"Eight masters, just come here!" Cheng Mingzhen was stubborn at this time, swinging his knife lightly, and responded proudly.

With such an attitude, how can people endure it. Liu Zhaoan was so angry that he shouted, "Look for death!" ", stepped upright, and stabbed straight at Cheng Mingzhen's right chest. If he is solid this time, although he has not violated the rule of not harming his life, Cheng Mingzhen will become a waste person for the rest of his life. Seeing that the boy was about to be splattered with blood on the spot, some spectators instinctively closed their eyes.

For a long time, there was no screaming in the field. Instead, there was a clamour of a landslide and a tsunami. The spectators who missed the opportunity hurriedly opened their eyes to take a closer look, but saw that Cheng Mingzhen, who should have been hanging on the lance, was like a butterfly wearing flowers, circling around Liu Zhaoan's spear. Although the power of the Zhangba long lance is great, the left lance and the right lance all fall into the air, and they can't hurt the young people at all.

This time, everyone finally understood. Cheng Mingzhen's martial arts may not be high, but his ability to escape is really not bad. He was wearing a short fight, long pants, fast boots, and the horizontal knife in his hand was light and weightless. On the other hand, Liu Zhaoan, the eight-master who held a long weapon and deliberately wore armor, acted much more stupidly, stabbing out with all his strength with one lance, but the next lance had to be separated by a few breaths before he could regain his strength. Fortunately, the lance is too much longer than the horizontal knife, so he can't hurt Cheng Mingzhen, and the other party can't get close to him for a while.

The seven-master cuckoo was already ready to take advantage of the chaos to slip away at the end of the competition, but he was not worried about Cheng Mingzhen's safety, so he stood on the periphery of the crowd and secretly looked inside. Seeing that Cheng Mingzhen was jumping around but couldn't fight back, his heart was like dough, and it could squirt out of his throat at any time.

"Brother Cheng seems to have a lot of neat legs!" Sister-in-law Lian, who rushed to see off the cuckoo, didn't know martial arts, but she was more careful than anyone else. She was surprised to find that the tired Cheng Mingzhen in the past was gone, and under the shadows of the heavy lance, the young man's movements were as clean and neat as a fish swimming in a pond. On the contrary, the eight masters who are skilled in martial arts are becoming more and more uncomplacent, more and more ungraceful, and their moves have changed from stabbing and picking to sweeping, and they are simply bullying people with weapons.

"The eighth has done it!" The leaders in the stands were all discerning people, and soon discovered that the situation was out of control. The lance is three feet long, and the blade is split on both sides, if the stab is changed to a sweep, as long as one move falls on Cheng Mingzhen, the young man will be on the ground. At this time, no one could interfere, so they had to look at Zhang Jincheng with a blank eye, expecting him to make a decision.

Zhang Jincheng's eyes didn't look around at all, his eyes were firmly fixed on the two who were competing, and he cheered loudly, "Okay, good boy." Come on, cheer me on the drums, and let them work harder! ”

As soon as the words fell, the drums rang out. "Boom" and "boom" are like thunder, which makes people's blood boil. Yang Gongqing and Wang Dangren looked at each other, and secretly screamed in their hearts that it was not good. deliberately reminded Liu Zhaoan in the field to pay attention to controlling the situation, where is it too late.

But when they heard the drums, the two immediately turned into two leopards, and they didn't show any mercy. Liu Zhaoan stabbed the air with a lance, pushed his elbow abruptly halfway, swept the blade, and went straight to Cheng Mingzhen's soft underbelly with the sound of the wind. It was too late, it was fast, and at the moment when the lance blade was about to slash into his body, Cheng Mingzhen suddenly accelerated and ran forward a few steps, avoiding the range of the lance, and pushed down a lance rod diagonally with his right hand, and the whole person rose in the air.

"He's using a left-handed knife!" Only then did the spectators notice the strangeness in the field, and they didn't know when, Cheng Mingzhen's horizontal knife had been handed over to his left hand. The sturdy body was like a falcon in the air, rushing past the head of Liu Zhaoan, the eighth master.

The people fell, the knives were collected, everyone was stunned on the spot, and the drums stopped abruptly.

Liu Zhaoan, the eighth master, turned around in amazement, and the lance in his hand fell to the ground, and the sound of "dangchang" was lonely and crisp.