"Are you scared?" asked Jingguan Xiaowu again.

"No, I just had too many questions in my mind, and no one answered them for me, which made me a little panicked. It's a good thing to set up a Hongmen banquet to kill the enemy, but why does everyone seem to be in a hurry, as if it's the end of the world?" I shook my head and smiled wryly.

During World War II, the assassination of enemy chieftains happened tens of thousands of times in the Central Plains, with big men assassinating enemy bigwigs, and small guys destroying enemy villains, giving continuous blows to the Japanese invaders from all dimensions and levels. Since it was an assassination, then I was determined to die together, and there was nothing to be afraid of when it came to the end.

Now, Zhang Quanzhong and his party are afraid to prove that they have no intention of dying with the enemy, and may have left a way for themselves to retreat.

"Don't think too much, there is no answer to anything in the world that is ready-made, and you need to think about it repeatedly. If everything can be planned and then moved, is there still the word 'failure' in the world? Everything is uncertain, but it is the best state to defeat the enemy in troubled times, what do you say?" The smile on Jingguan Xiaowu's face became deeper and deeper.

Somehow, she reminded me of Aunt Guan.

In my memory, Aunt Guan's expression was always calm and determined, as if any strange incident that happened on Qushuiting Street could not escape her control. When ordinary people cry and make a mess in fear in order to lose their souls, bump into evil spirits, see ghosts, and make chaos, as soon as she arrives, she immediately calms down and everything is straightened out.

At this moment, from Jingguan Xiaowu's face, I saw the usual determination of Aunt Guan again.

"Don't worry, what I promised will be done. I said.

"Of course I'm relieved, because you don't look like Mr. Zhang - you have no selfish intentions. The most valuable person in the world who has no selfish intentions, and the thaumaturgist who has no selfish heart should add the word 'more'. I'm waiting for you here early in the morning for your promise. Jingguan Xiaowu smiled more and more peacefully.

Suddenly, the "Nine Palaces Death Talisman" on the water surface disappeared, and the branches on all sides also swayed lightly with the wind, and the calm water surface was scattered by a wave of waves.

"Hey, Mr. Xia. Zhang Quanzhong walked out from behind the Tiegong Ancestral Hall, sleepy-eyed, rubbing his eyes as he walked.

I turned back with Jingguan Xiaowu and watched him from afar.

He carried the bronze mirror in his left hand, but his movements were very casual, which showed that the bronze mirror did not meet his expectations.

Sure enough, after he approached, he threw the bronze mirror on the ground and made a "clang" sound.

"Mr. Xia, it was so dangerous last night, right?" he asked.

I was the first to arrive and the last to leave the courtyard, and I was the only one who knew the ups and downs.

"Yes. "I only answered one word, and I didn't make any praise or disparagement of Zhang Quanzhong's humanity.

"I worked hard to get this bronze mirror back, but I couldn't use it at all. It is said that this is the legendary divine water mirror, which can predict the good and bad in the world. Unfortunately, I can't see anything, so I can only look at it as an ordinary mirror. If you're interested, please give it a try?" he added.

Of course, the bronze mirror can't be a divine water mirror, Zhang Quanzhong must have received the wrong information, so he led people to attack the small courtyard.

"There are many such bronze mirrors, if each side is a treasure, it can't be hidden. I said.

Zhang Quanzhong snorted and nodded with a smile: "That's right, that's right." ”

The three of us had different ideas, but we were pretending to be nothing, so there was no point in this conversation, just wasting time.

The sun rises, the lake is full of glow, turbulent with the waves, floating light and gold, it is very beautiful.

"That's good. Jingguan Xiaowu looked at the lake from afar.

Such a beautiful scenery of Daming Lake is exclusive to modern Jinan people, and since the new scenic spot of Daming Lake is open for free, many citizens rush to the lake early in the morning, while exercising in the morning, while enjoying the lake.

"The lake is still the same every year, and the people are different every year. I sighed under my breath.

"Don't be sad, today we are going to use the enemy chieftain to pay tribute to the innocent people. I'm ready for all the good things to happen. Zhang Quanzhong laughed.

His laughter was a little dry, full of the meaning of being strong on the outside and dry on the inside.

"Today's Hongmen Banquet, who will be Xiang Zhuang?" I asked.

Zhang Quanzhong stopped laughing, and his expression gradually became cold: "There is no Xiang Zhuang, and there is no Fan Xu." After the enemy chief took his seat, he smashed the cup, and the firing squad immediately broke in, shot and killed people indiscriminately, so that no one could escape. ”

I can't comment on his plans, the arrow is already on the string, and I can only puff up but not discourage.

"I wish you success!" I held out my right hand to Zhang Quanzhong.

"It will definitely succeed, this battle, my disciples and I, as well as the leaders of the various thaumaturgist sects in the city, will definitely go down in history. He held my hand tightly.

Jingguan Xiaowu was stunned: "Mr. Zhang, what did you just say?

I was also stunned, the Hongmen Banquet is so dangerous, if you invite those unknown characters from the rivers and lakes, what if you are dead and injured?

Those big names are the lifeblood and foundation of Jinan thaumaturgy, if they all die at the Hongmen banquet, the loss of Jinan's thaumaturgical world will be too great.

"I set up a banquet in the name of creating the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere', if they don't come, how can the enemy chieftain come? But don't worry, the firing squad is all carefully selected, clever and agile fast gunners, and they will never accidentally injure their own people. Zhang Quanzhong explained.

My heart was gloomy, it turned out that the evil omen of the "Nine Palace Death Talisman" was fulfilled in this group of people.

"Can't the list of people who go to the banquet be changed?" asked Jingguan Xiaowu.

Zhang Quanzhong shook his head: "I can't change it, I know what you're worried about, but several major sects will send capable disciples to protect the leaders tightly, and there will definitely be no accidents." ”

I didn't open my mouth, but my heart felt like a pot was boiling.

This battle made it clear that it was the next policy of "killing 800 enemies and losing 3,000 yourself". Taking 10,000 steps back, even if the leaders of the major factions avoid stray bullets and return safely, the Japanese military police agents will immediately come to the door and arrest all the people who attended the banquet and bring them to justice.

Jingguan Xiaowu and I glanced at each other, and at the same time turned to the lake to reconsider Zhang Quanzhong's plan.

"Look as you go, wait for the opportunity. "That's the only thing I can do.

Now that the "Nine Palaces Death Talisman" has appeared, it can be seen that the finale has been decided, and it is not something that can be changed by manpower. With my ability, it is most important to protect Jingguan Xiaowu as much as possible in the melee and let her find a glimmer of life.

"Good. Jingguan Xiaowu said.

"It's a bit risky, but if it doesn't happen right away, the Japanese will start another operation to clear the wilderness, causing mass casualties among the civilian population. When the time comes, you can just look at my eyes and act, especially Mr. Xia, you must follow me closely so as not to go wrong. Zhang Quanzhong said.

I reserved my opinion, and every time he said something, I nodded my head to show my full cooperation.

In the face of the chaotic situation, Zhang Quanzhong is already anxious, if I and Jingguan Xiaowu raise objections again, his Hongmen banquet will really not be held.

It is imperative that we give him faith.

"Don't worry, I'll be on call whenever I want. I said.

"Thank you, Mr. Xia, I will order someone to help you prepare weapons and fight with the firing squad. He breathed a sigh of relief.

At about half past ten o'clock in the morning, the banquet dishes have been prepared, all the cold dishes are plated, and all the hot dishes are stacked, just waiting for the pot to be stir-fried.

Outside the Iron Gong Ancestral Hall, two large tables of eight immortals were set up, and sixteen seats were covered with dark brocade, but all of them were empty.

On the table are two kinds of sake, a local sake brewed in a large clay jar and a Japanese sake in a small clay jar.

I've smelled it separately, and the sake has a bewitching aroma, and it must have been put in some special "condiments". The jar of spirits is completely different, the wine is mellow, spicy and strong, and it is an authentic Jinan good wine.

"Everything is ready, just wait for the Japanese enemy chieftain to take the bait. I told myself silently.

No one inside or outside the ancestral hall said a word, only the occasional slight movement of dishes and chopsticks in the makeshift kitchen could be heard.

The word "nervous" was written on everyone's faces, especially the three young men who followed Zhang Quanzhong in and out, from time to time stretched out their right hands under their waists, groping for the handle of the short gun.

"It's not a good sign, young people are always too tender. I sighed worriedly.

Any gang in China is good at "hiding secrets", and always has scruples about the cultivation of the next generation, for fear that "the apprentices of the church will starve to death the master". Therefore, the chronic disease of talent disconnection will always exist objectively and cannot be cured.

Those three young people are Zhang Quanzhong's helpers and disciples, but their ability to handle things is very poor, and they are not enough to take on the big responsibility at all.

In the dense forest behind the Iron Gong Temple, there was a faint figure holding a spear flickering. Those should be the firing squad ambushed by Zhang Quanzhong, waiting for orders, rushing down to kill.

In my opinion, today's Hongmen Feast is full of all kinds of discordant factors, everything is sloppy, and there is a lack of precise and thoughtful arrangement. It seems very unsafe to ambush the senior officials of the occupation army with such a formation.

Jingguan Xiaowu retreated into the courtyard and never appeared again.

She's a smart person who can see the problems I'm aware of.

Zhang Quanzhong's people have already helped me equip it, and now, I have a total of five short guns hidden in my trouser pocket, back waist, and sock tube, all of which are loaded and safely opened, and I can draw my guns and shoot angrily at any time.

At critical moments, I can help the firing squad and join in the action of shooting the enemy chieftain.

"That's the only way, it's up to people to make things happen, it's up to heaven to make things happen, let's adapt to the situation!" I comforted myself worriedly.

A little maid walked through the crowd towards me, blessed for a moment, and then told me with a shy face: "Mr. Xia, Miss is invited, meet you in the other courtyard, please come with me." ”

I nodded and immediately followed her.

Entering the courtyard to the east of the Tiegong Ancestral Hall, I saw Jingguan Xiaowu feeding the cat under the eaves.

The little maid reported: "Miss, Mr. Xia is here." ”

Jingguan Xiaowu waved her hand, and the little maid retreated on her own.

A black cat stood on the piano table under the eaves of the porch, approached Jingguan Xiaowu's hand, and ate the dried fish in her palm.

The war is imminent, and the tension outside is like a string that has been tightened twice, and it is in danger of breaking at any time, but this person and a cat are feeding one under the eaves, and they don't listen to what is happening outside the window.

"Meow. The black cat had eaten all the dried fish and looked up at me and barked.

"I'm fed today, let's go play. Jingguan Xiaowu patted the black cat on the top of the head.

The black cat's eyes shone with a faint blue light, and its tail kept wagging softly, and it did not leave obediently.

"A very nice cat. I approached slowly.

In the thaumaturgical realm, both Chinese and foreign, the black cat, which does not have a single stray hair from beginning to end, is regarded as a psychic thing, believing that it has the divine power of the two worlds of yin and yang, and the outside and the inside.

"Yes, I've been feeding for four years, and I'm a little reluctant. Jingguan Xiaowu responded.

"You're not coming back?" I frowned, not understanding what she meant.

"Something bad is about to happen, we are here, we can't help anything, only evacuate. I'm a thaumaturgist and a fighter, and once one day I find out that it's wiser to fight than to flee from it, then my values crumble in an instant. However, I can't get rid of this change, and reason tells me to always do the right thing, not what I want to do. Jingguan Xiaowu replied melancholy.

"It's better to take it with you, and it won't be troublesome. I said.

In the dark, I feel that the black cat is not a burden, but a mascot for thaumaturgists, especially for Jingguan Xiaowu.

"Yes, I can think about it, but for now you have to meet one person first—Grandma Land. She said.

Then, she gave three high-fives, and an old woman in a green cloth shirt and a black headscarf came out of the main room.

The old woman's face was still stained with tears, and she held a gray cloth handkerchief in her left hand, wiping the corners of her eyes from time to time.

"This is Grandma Land, this is Mr. Xia, the second and third young people died to save him. "Jingguan Xiaowu introduced the two of us.

The old woman wiped away her tears vigorously, her eyes that were already red from crying were slightly swollen, she glanced at me, and then turned to Jingguan Xiaowu.

"The second and third young have all traveled westward in cranes, and you are the only one who can teach Mr. Xia the diving technique. Jingguan Xiaowu said leisurely.

"Why do you want to pass it on to him? I'd rather pick a few more good ones from my godsons and teach them slowly, so that I can definitely find a successor to the submersible technique in my lifetime." The old woman shook her head vigorously.

"There's no time, it's now, and only now, you have a chance to wear the submersible technique. I don't want to be alarmist, but really, if you miss today, the Tujia submersible technique will be lost. Jingguan Xiaowu said very seriously.

The old woman blushed slowly, turned her head, and stared at the black cat beside her.

The death of the two Tujia brothers was an accident, but I also have an unshirkable responsibility.

Taking a step back, if Zhang Quanzhong didn't summon the Tujia brothers to crack the "Dragon's Head Guard" array, maybe the arranger would be able to strike a Jedi blow and completely destroy his "Tenth Enemy". It was precisely because of the tragic death of Tu Lao San that the arrangers opened the net, so that Tu Lao Er was able to sneak into the formation and rescue me.

This kind of complex change of drinking and pecking, and inverting cause and effect, cannot be easily controlled by human beings.

"I'm sorry about the Tujia brothers. I said.

The incident happened suddenly, and Zhang Quanzhong's flying pigeon sent a letter to ask the Tujia brothers to help. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, no one wants to be trapped and die in the "Eight Gates are Dead" array.

Tu Lao Er died undoubtedly from the enemy's assassination, but Tu Lao San may not have died from the thaumaturgy of the arranger, and it is likely that he was also killed by someone in the ground.

The death of these two people should not be counted on my head, and the land grandmother really wants to avenge her son, and she should go to the Japanese.

"Never—to use this kind of desperate trick to steal my Tujia's 'subterranean technique', dream of you!" said Grandma Land angrily.

I shook my head: "Old man, no one covets the thaumaturgy of the Tujia family, you are too worried. ”

"And what did you call me for?" she was even more furious.

Jingguan Xiaowu replied in a low voice: "Grandma Land, let me say it again, if you don't pass on the submersible technique to him at this moment, it will be a big mistake that you can't regret." I've risked my life to tell you twice and will never repeat it again. ”

Although her voice is gentle, this "ultimatum" is useless to anyone's ears.

The old woman sneered: "If it is lost, it will be lost, it is better to believe in others, and if he is sold in the future, he will have to help him count the money." ”

Jingguan Xiaowu shook his head: "Okay, whatever you want, go out and turn right and go back to the banquet." Forget what we just said as soon as possible, and don't say anything else. ”

The old woman held her head high and left angrily.

Looking at the other party's back, Jingguan Xiaowu sighed: "Mr. Xia, there must be something wrong with the way of working, so we each have our own reasons, and we have made different analyses of this world.

I nodded in agreement.

"What would you do if you were the one who had both of your children killed?" she asked again.

Such an assumption is meaningless, and no one except the person concerned can understand the pain of losing an heir, and both sons are dead.

"All I can say is...... I'm sorry. I whispered helplessly.

During the war years, everyone's life was like a dog, and life and death were on the line, and there was no way to do it. Even those great men who made great contributions to the fight against Japan could not have the best of both worlds.

In order to resist the Japanese, Chinese young people have sacrificed their lives one after another, and if their parents want to stand up and theorize, it will be a headless public case that will not be clear for a lifetime.

"It's useless to say sorry, it's fate. Jingguan Xiaowu said lightly, "The top priority is to pass on the submersible technique, and not let it be lost in this generation of the Tujia family." Just now, Grandma Di said that it could be passed on to other children of the Tujia family, but I knew that it was impossible. Tu Lao Er and Tu Lao San are the most talented children of the Tu family, and they can only comprehend one-tenth of the subtlety of the submersible technique, let alone others. Mr. Xia, my words have been finished, and the methods have been exhausted, and the donkey skills have been exhausted. The rest, please figure it out. ”

I frowned, and from Jingguan Xiaowu's words, I could hear the taste of "the Last Supper". It's just that I didn't ask anything and didn't say anything, so as not to say too much and affect everyone's morale.

"I'll go. I replied simply with two words.

"Okay, this matter is too important, I have to remind Mr. Xia more, only succeed, not failure. Jingguan Xiaowu's expression became extremely serious.

Although I wasn't sure, I still met Jingguan Xiaowu's expectant gaze and nodded cautiously.

Jingguan Xiaowu took a deep breath, and then added with a little sadness: "You go and deal with the matter of the submersible technique first, I have other things to do." It's time to go, I have to take another look at the mountains, rivers, flowers and plants......"

I tried my best to control myself, not to think about it, and to focus all my attention on the Tujia submersible technique.

Only by dispelling the anger and doubts of the land grandmother can we get close to the heart of this thaumaturgy.