At this time, Zhu Ying's sharp eyes penetrated the dark corner and found Taihao hiding inside, her voice was as sharp as a cold sword blade: "Who is sneaking there?" ”

Tai Hao and Coriander came out in response, and Tai Hao squeezed out a trace of embarrassment on his face, as embarrassed as a caught voyeur: "Aunt Zhu Ying, it's my ......"

Zhu Ying's brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes: "Didn't you let you leave here, why haven't you left yet?" ”

Tai Hao's eyes flashed with cunning, trying to find a suitable excuse: "The junior is worried that Aunt Zhu Ying will be injured when she fights with the poor two, so ......"

The corners of Zhu Ying's mouth hooked up a sneer, as if he had seen through his thoughts: "The poor two are not old opponents now. ”

A woman walked out from behind Zhu Ying, her voice full of anger and puzzlement: "Master, why did you let Qian Zhi leave?" She was the murderer of her younger brother. ”

Coriander raised her head and met the woman's gaze, only to see her glaring at her fiercely, and then turning her head away. Coriander silently lowered her head, as if she had borne all the accusations.

Zhu Ying glanced at the woman, and her voice revealed an unquestionable majesty: "Weishi has locked Qian Zhi in the Xia Ke Tower for three years, and for three years, she has been repenting for her actions. In the past three years, she has been punished as she deserves, and now let her leave Liuding Mountain, you don't want to stop her. ”

When the woman heard this, she hurriedly lowered her head and replied respectfully, "Don't dare!" ”

Zhu Ying nodded with satisfaction, and then said to Tai Hao and Coriander Zhi, "Tai Hao, you go to the bottom of the mountain and wait first." Coriander Zhi, you come with the teacher, and there are still some things I want to say to you separately. ”

Qian Zhi answered, silently followed behind Zhu Ying, and returned to the Phoenix Pavilion. And Taihao was ready to go to the foot of Liuding Mountain to wait. Mi Hai wanted to go down the mountain and continue to wait for the mountain gate, so he walked side by side with Taihao. Tai Hao turned his head sideways and apologized to Mi Hai and said: "Mi Hai senior, how offended, please forgive me!" ”

Mi Hai sighed, his wrinkles were deep, and his face showed a look of disappointment: "You are the apprentice of Yuan Shi, your master has lived a bright and upright life, and he is committed to justice, but you are mixed with the notorious poor two, this really shouldn't be." ”

Taihao lowered his head, his voice full of helplessness: "I just want to rescue Coriander Zhi, so ...... Forced. ”

Mi Hai waved his hand, as if to drive away the unpleasant atmosphere: "Forget it, it can be seen that you are being used by the poor." Fortunately, you didn't go to the tower to steal the treasure for him, otherwise, your life today would be in jeopardy. ”

Taihao bit his lower lip, and a trace of resentment appeared on his face: "These poor two, it's really hateful." ”

Mi Hai looked at Taihao, and a trace of tenderness flashed in her eyes: "Qian Zhi is a good girl, kind-hearted. You take her away this time, but you have to take good care of her. ”

A look of confusion appeared on Taihao's face: "I'm going to take her back to Wuqu City and go to her uncle's house." But whether Coriander will follow me, I don't know. ”

Mi Hai frowned, as if thinking about an important question: "What do you think?" Do you want her to stay at her uncle's house, or do you want her to follow you? ”

Taihao was stunned when asked: "I...... I haven't figured it out yet. His voice was full of confusion and uncertainty.

Mi Hai looked at Tai Hao, and his eyes flashed with appreciation: "You can climb Liuding Mountain twice for her, which is enough to see that you are sincere to Coriander Zhi." ”

Tai Hao bowed his head slightly, showing a kind of teachable humility: "Senior Mihai, I don't know anything about this past of the rivers and lakes, and there is still something unclear, please ask you for advice." ”

Mi Hai raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Oh? What's the matter? ”

Tai Hao frowned slightly, revealing a confused expression: "I just heard that the poor two called Aunt Zhu Ying, and the name was Shi Niang, why is this?" ”

Mi Hai smiled slightly, as if recalling a distant past: "It's very simple. Because the poor master, Zhexiao, is the husband of Senior Sister Zhu Ying. According to the rules of the rivers and lakes, shouldn't you be called Shiniang? ”

Tai Hao was stunned for a moment, and didn't seem to expect this relationship: "How can Aunt Zhu Ying's husband be Uncle Zhexiao?" What's the story? ”

Mi Hai sighed, as if to tell a heavy story: "Senior Sister Zhu Ying has a good relationship with several senior brothers, although her senior brothers are much older than her, but Senior Sister Zhu Ying is in love with her Senior Brother Zhexiao. This relationship between brothers and sisters caused an uproar back then, and all the brothers were driven out of Liuding Mountain by my master, that is, Zhu Ying's sister's mother. And Zhexiao did not leave far away, but went to Kunwu Mountain, and they still secretly corresponded. Later, Senior Sister Zhu Ying gave birth to Lun'er, but then ...... Zhexiao is dead. Speaking of this, Mi Hai paused, as if sorting out his thoughts, "There are so many things that happen in it, you don't have to know them all." There was a deep sadness and regret in his voice.

Taihao's voice was full of emotion: "These things sound really tortuous, like a mountain path, twisting and turning. ”

Mi Hai smiled bitterly and said to Tai Hao, "I know, you may be curious about the past between me and your master. ”

Taihao nodded, a hint of expectation flashed in his eyes: "Yes, senior, you and your master learned calligraphy together, and then abandoned literature and martial arts, and then came to Liuding Mountain together?" ”

Mi Hai took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale those years into his lungs again: "Those things have been said for decades, but they seem to be right in front of you. At the beginning, your master and I pursued the beauty of calligraphy together, practicing day after day. But as time passed, we realized that the art of calligraphy alone could not satisfy our heart's desire, so we decided to abandon literature and pursue martial arts. ”

He paused, as if returning to that fateful moment: "So, the two of us embarked on a journey to find the true meaning of martial arts. After countless explorations and inquiries, we finally came to this Liuding Mountain, which has long been famous in the rivers and lakes. Here, we met the master of Chan Yin, who was revered as the 'Cat Ancestor'. ”

A hint of admiration flashed in Mi Hai's eyes: "At that time, Master Zhan Yin had not accepted apprentices, but he took a fancy to the determination and potential of the two of us, and he said that among the two of us, only one could be accepted as an apprentice, so he decided to put us to the test." I still remember that test vividly, as if it happened yesterday......"

Next to the bluestone of Liuding Mountain, Mi Hai is like an old painter, using words to carefully outline the picture of the past for Taihao. It was as if they had crossed the barrier of time and space, returning to that time full of challenges and trials.

The breeze swept gently, and the tranquility on Liuding Mountain was not broken. Master Chan Yin, like a wise man in the mountains, sits firmly on the bluestone. His gray hair fluttered slightly in the wind, and every trace seemed to carry the traces of time. In front of him, two teenagers stood respectfully, their eyes full of anticipation and curiosity about the future.

Zhan Yin's voice was like a stream in a deep valley, calm and powerful: "I accept apprentices, talent and martial arts foundation are important, but what is more important is character and will. He pointed to the trail hidden behind the bamboo grove and said, "That trail leads to the top of the mountain, and you must return within an hour." The difficulties and challenges are the test for you. Whoever can go to the end and have a calm state of mind is the apprentice I am looking for. ”

Yuan Shi and Mi Hai looked at each other, and there was a tacit understanding and determination in their eyes. It was as if two warriors were about to go on the march, and they set foot on that path. The leaves rustle in the bamboo forest, as if the song of nature is sending them off. Steep hills, rushing streams, they encountered all kinds of difficulties, but each time they gritted their teeth and persevered, and continued to move forward.

An hour later, both of them returned to the starting point exhausted. Their clothes were worn out and their bodies were scarred. But those eyes were still as bright as ever, shining with an unyielding light.

Chan Yin nodded slightly, expressing his approval of them. But he also knows that the real test has just begun: "Even if you have not studied martial arts, I know that you all have true qi in your body, and now I will teach you how to mobilize it." Following his guidance, both of them tried to mobilize the true qi in their bodies.

With a slight tap of Zhan Yin's fingers, two strong winds hit Yuan Shi and Mi Hai respectively. Yuan Shi faced the strong wind, his expression remained unchanged, and he responded calmly. He folded his hands, the true qi in his body swirled, and the strong wind dissipated in front of him. Mi Hai was a little flustered, he hurriedly resisted, but he was still blown by the strong wind, and his clothes flew up, and he was in chaos.

Master Chan Yin saw it in his eyes and nodded slightly. He then made another statement to test the minds of the two of them: "Suppose you encounter a strong enemy, will you fight or retreat?" ”

Yuan Shi replied without thinking: "When it is strong, it will be strong, and the battle will not retreat." His voice was firm and powerful, revealing an unyielding fighting spirit. Mi Hai hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you can save your life, you may be able to avoid the edge for the time being." His answer, while reasonable, lacked a firm determination.

Master Chan Yin shook his head slightly, and he had made up his mind in his heart. He looked at the two of them and said slowly, "Yuan Shi, you have passed my test. From this day on, you are my disciple of Chan Yin. ”

Yuan Shi was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately stepped forward to kowtow to his teacher. Mi Hai's face changed slightly, and a trace of disappointment and unwillingness flashed in his eyes. He knew that he had failed the test and had lost the opportunity to become Master Chan Yin's apprentice. But he also understood that this was not because of his lack of talent or lack of deep foundation in martial arts, but because he lacked a firm determination and fighting spirit at a critical moment.

Master Zhan Yin looked at Mi Hai's disappointed expression and said lightly: "Mi Hai, you don't have to be discouraged. This test only allows you to understand where you are still lacking, and it does not mean that your martial arts path stops. Now I can only accept one disciple, so we don't have a mentor-apprentice relationship. After that, as long as you have the heart to practice martial arts, you will definitely meet your own master, and I believe that one day you will also find your own way of martial arts. ”

Mi Hai lowered his head and pondered for a moment when he heard this, then raised his head again, and his eyes flashed with determination: "Thank you for the master's teachings." I'll keep trying. ”

Mi Hai's wife, Zhu Huang, stood quietly on the sidelines and witnessed all this. She knows the emotions and expectations behind every tiny expression, every flicker of her eyes. She saw Mi Hai's loss, but she also saw the unwillingness and determination in his eyes.

So, she walked to Zhan Yin's side gently, like a spring breeze blowing through a branch, and said in a low voice: "Look, this Mi Hai, doesn't he still have that dedication to martial arts in his eyes?" I think he is a good material for martial arts. Why don't I take him as an apprentice and teach him swordsmanship in person? ”

Zhan Yin looked at Zhu Huang, his eyes full of soft light. He knew his wife's wisdom and vision, so he nodded lightly: "Since you think he is suitable for martial arts, then do what you want." Let him stay in Liuding Mountain and cultivate with you. ”

After receiving an affirmative answer, a smile appeared on Zhu Huang's face. She turned to look at Mi Hai with an encouragement in her eyes. And the lost Mi Hai, after hearing this conversation, rekindled the flame of hope in his heart. He knew it was his chance to start over.

So, he kowtowed deeply and decided to stay in Liuding Mountain and follow Zhu Huang to learn swordsmanship. He knew that this was another starting point in his life, and it was also a continuation of his persistent pursuit of martial arts. In the wind of Liuding Mountain, there seems to be an atmosphere of expectation and passion. And Mi Hai also started his new journey here.