After cultivating the internal strength, Taihao returned to the thatched house side by side with Lihe.

Tai Hao asked Li He with concern: "Third Senior Uncle, have you had any dealings with other senior uncles over the years?" ”

Li He couldn't help but sigh and sighed: "There are eight of our senior brothers, the old ones, the dead ones, and the still alive are all wandering in all directions, how can there be any communication at all." ”

When Tai Hao heard this, a sense of loneliness arose spontaneously and came to his heart. He was silent for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Third Senior Uncle, maybe you don't know, Seventh Senior Uncle has also returned to the West. ”

When Li He heard this, his expression was shocked, and a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes. He slowly turned his head and looked at Tai Hao, his voice trembling slightly: "Really? The seventh junior brother he ...... Alas, the world is impermanent. ”

Tai Hao bowed slightly, and there was a trace of sadness in his tone: "I met the Seventh Master in Pibo City in Tibet, however, he was unfortunately poisoned by the housekeeper......"

Lihe asked with concern, "Have the evil stewards been caught?" ”

Tai Hao replied gloomily: "Yes, the housekeeper is also dead." ”

Li He sighed softly: "That's good, the seventh junior brother can rest in peace, and he can also look under the nine springs." ”

Taihao looked at Li He affectionately, and said with concern: "Third Uncle, you must be careful when you live here!" The 'Big Four' will surely come back to you for trouble. ”

Li He replied calmly: "It doesn't matter, the martial arts of the four of them are under me, and their purpose is just to take away the secret book of "Leading the Cat and Lying in the Sand" from me, but that secret book has been put elsewhere for me, and they will never find it." ”

Tai Hao asked, "Third Uncle, You Li said that you beat them badly last time, which was it?" ”

"Not long ago, I was returning from a cruise in the north, passing by a cliff. There, a thrilling battle unfolds, with soldiers bravely battling the 'Four Demons'. However, those soldiers, suffering heavy losses, fell one after another, and seven or eight hundred died. After witnessing this tragic scene, I could no longer stand idly by and decided to help. After dozens of rounds of fierce fighting, we finally pushed the 'Four Demons' back, and they fled the battlefield. At this time, a carriage unfortunately fell from a cliff, and the man in the carriage was also killed. Then, I left there in silence. Alas, if it weren't for my intervention, perhaps the 'Four Demons' would not have known that I would have lived in seclusion in this land. ”

Tai Hao nodded slightly, a glimmer of enlightenment flashing in his eyes. He finally understood the reason why Zi Bowl was able to cut off Xiao Siyi's head, however, he did not listen to Rikazu and continued to recount the scene of his feat of stepping forward to save the soldier that day. Instead, he changed his words and asked curiously: "Third Senior Uncle, it is said that if you have gathered the first eight volumes of "Cat Ancestor Divine Skill", you can know where the ninth volume is now?" Is it true? ”

Li He nodded slightly, and there was a hint of mystery in his voice: "There is indeed such a saying circulating in the rivers and lakes, but except for my master, I'm afraid no one can uncover the truth about it." He paused and continued: "Taihao, remember Uncle Shi's advice, focus on your internal cultivation, and don't be greedy for more. It is enough to be proficient in one martial art. ”

Tai Hao replied with a little confusion: "To tell you the truth, Third Uncle, I have now mastered many martial arts such as boxing, fingering, knife and swordsmanship, and it is really difficult to choose, which one should I focus on practicing next, and abandon other skills." ”

Li He gently comforted: "Letting you master one martial art does not make you completely give up other martial arts. The main purpose of martial arts cultivation is to strengthen the body and protect oneself. It is important to practice chivalry and righteousness, punish evil and promote good, but it is only a secondary matter. You can choose to devote all your heart and soul to your swordsmanship, and you will continue to improve until you reach the point of perfection. As for other techniques such as fisting, fingering, and knife techniques, they should only be used when necessary. ”

Tai Hao thought for a moment, nodded slightly, and said, "The words of the third uncle made me suddenly enlightened. I understand, I know what to do in the cultivation of martial arts in the future. ”

Lihe smiled and nodded, encouraging, "Very good, Taihao." Any martial art requires more effort and time on your part. However, you also have to remember that internal cultivation is equally important. Only with a strong body as the foundation can the power of martial arts be better exerted. ”

Taihao nodded solemnly in agreement, he knew that this was a long and hard road, but he also understood that this was the only way for him to become a true chivalrous man.

Li He continued to teach: "For example, in the process of cultivating swordsmanship, you must not only pay attention to the proficiency of the moves, but also understand the sword intent. Each sword has a unique temperament and soul, and only by establishing a tacit connection with them can we truly comprehend the mysteries. ”

Tai Hao couldn't help but ask: "Uncle Shi is practicing stick technique, so he is so proficient in swordsmanship?" ”

Li He said: "Whether it is stick or swordsmanship, no matter what kind of martial arts, it is fundamentally common. Swords, guns, swords, halberds, axes, hooks and forks, all kinds of weapons on the rivers and lakes all reflect the power and artistic conception contained in it, as long as you master the skills and reach a certain realm, you can be handy! ”

Tai Hao listened to it with relish, and learned from the idle conversation that the third uncle had a high understanding of martial arts, which made him endlessly admired. He understands that any kind of martial arts is not only a pile of skills, but also a kind of realm and cultivation. He decided to keep learning and exploring with an open-minded mentality, and use his martial arts to protect justice, punish evil and promote good.

The thatched hut was filled with a warm atmosphere, and Taihao and Lihe sat side by side, exchanging each other's experiences and understandings. They know that although it is important to practice martial arts, what is more important is the firmness and kindness of their hearts.

As the night wore on, the moonlight poured into the room through the windows, reflecting the calm and thoughtful expressions on their faces.

Li He personally prepared some wine and food and placed them on the humble table. Taihao picked up the wine glass and gently tasted the mellow aroma. The wine flowed in his mouth, bringing a hint of warmth, making him forget the distractions and pressures of the outside world.

"Third Uncle, although we haven't been together for a long time, you are definitely the senior I admire the most." Tai Hao said sincerely, his eyes full of respect.

Li He smiled slightly, and said, "Taihao, you are a smart and potential young man, I believe that you will achieve great things." ”

Tai Hao was full of emotion, he knew that it was not easy to be accompanied by a hero like the third uncle. An inexplicable sense of gratitude welled up in his heart, hoping to get more guidance from Lihe.

"Uncle Shi, I still have a lot to be desired, I hope you can give me more advice." Taihao said humbly.

Li He smiled and waved his hand, and said, "Taihao, Uncle Shi can see that you have extraordinary talent and perseverance, as long as you keep your original intention and persevere, you will definitely be able to become a generation of grandmasters." ”

Then, with the help of fine wine, they immersed themselves in sleep and enjoyed the gift of sleep. It wasn't until dawn the next day that Taihao woke up, bid farewell to Lihe respectfully, and then returned to the foot of the mountain, gathered his army, and continued their journey.

Three days later, Taihao led a large army to the city of Yichuan, and the soldiers guarding the city gate learned that officials sent by the imperial court were coming, but did not stop them, but opened the city gate and respectfully welcomed them into the city. However, the moment he stepped into Yichuan City, Taihao found that the city lord Kui Kangfeng had already fled here with his family a few days ago, and no one knew where they fled to.

Taihao interrogates the officials in the city one by one, only to find that they have no intention of betraying. It seems that only the city lord Kui Kangfeng, who has fled, has secretly colluded with the rebels in Yichuan City. After a careful search of the city lord's mansion, Taihao discovered that Kui Kangfeng had maintained correspondence with Yao Fuji, and later discovered some correspondence with Siamese officials. Taihao knew that there were many cat people in Siam, and although their appearance was different from that of the Eastern Empire, they also had unique beauty. Tai Hao eagerly ordered Zhi Lun to lead his army and investigate along the road to Siam. As expected, some residents on the side of the road did witness Kui Kangfeng hurrying past with his family. From this, it can be asserted that Kui Kangfeng has gone into exile abroad.

Taihao urgently reported the news to the imperial court, and after half a month of waiting, Taihao finally received the emperor's decree. The decree clearly states that since Kui Kangfeng has fled to Siam and has not caused any harm to the country and the people, the matter will not be pursued. Taihao thought that the emperor would order him to return to the capital, however, to his surprise, the emperor decided to appoint him as the new lord of Yichuan City in his holy decree.

This Yichuan City is an important city in the Lingnan region of the Eastern Empire, and has an important strategic and administrative position. The Lingnan region has always been a place of exile for officials, and compared with the wealth and prosperity of the Central Plains, the economic and social development of the Lingnan region still lags behind.

Taihao finally realized that the emperor sent him to lead the army to arrest Kui Kangfeng, in fact, to demote him to this land. For the emperor's arrangement, Taihao was deeply dissatisfied in his heart. However, there was nothing he could do but accept the emperor's order and assume the responsibility of managing the city.

On this day, Taihao took Zhilun into the countryside to visit the folk customs. On the way, he came across an old man who was sitting on the edge of the ridge and resting. When Tai Hao passed by him, he could hear him reciting a poem: "Miasma Jiangnan goes to the clouds and smoke, and Huangmao is the seaside." The rain in the belly of the mountain adds to the signs, and the heart of the pond is warm and salivating. The shooter skillfully waits for the tourist figure, and the hurricane mother is frightened by the passenger ship. From now on, it is not a matter of worry, how can Huafa wait for the passing years. ”

After listening to this, Taihao couldn't help but exclaim: "Wonderful, really wonderful!" ”

The old man raised his head slightly, his gaze fell on Taihao, but he did not stand up immediately. He asked lightly: "This son, which official of Yichuan City are you?" ”

Tai Hao was dressed in civilian clothes, not wearing official clothes, hearing the old man's words, he was quite surprised, he smiled slightly: "Tai Hao, the city lord of Yichuan City, dare to ask the seniors how to see through the identity of the subordinates?" ”

The old man smiled and said, "An official like you, the old man has seen a lot, you must be from the north, and you are not a local citizen from the looks." ”

Tai Hao bowed his hand and asked with a smile: "I will go to the countryside today to understand the suffering of the people." I just listened to the recitation of the predecessors, the poem is full of charm, I don't know if it is written by the predecessors? ”

The old man spoke slowly: "This poem was not written by the old man, but by Liu Zongyuan, a giant in the human literary world. The poem is titled "Lingnan River Journey", which depicts the unique geographical landscape of the Lingnan region, such as the miasma river, Huangmao, elephant traces, Jiao saliva, archers and hurricane mothers. These depictions tortuously show the desolate and backward nature of the area. At the same time, he used symbolism to subtly express the danger of the political environment he faced after being degraded. He expressed his deep emotion of 'from now on, how can Hua Hua wait for the passing years', hinting that he is full of worries about the future. This also means that he does not want to sit back and watch the passage of time, but actively devote himself to the cause of local governance. ”