On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the sugar melon is sticky.

According to custom, this is the day of sacrificial stoves and dusting, so on this day, every household will start to get busy.

Wealthy families set up large tables to make offerings and pray for the blessing of the stove king.

People who don't have money will also buy a few sugar melons, which can be regarded as doing their best.

The flavor of the New Year also began to become stronger and stronger from this time.

Meanwhile, at the west gate of the county seat, several armor-clad guards were warming themselves around a fire.

The wind was howling and the armor was clinging, so even in the heat of the flames, the guards were still freezing enough.

Still, when a large group of merchants passed, these guards would dutifully come forward to inspect them.

Some merchants tried to pay bribes, but they sternly refused.

However, they did not make it difficult, and they will release them as soon as possible after making sure that there is no problem.

After finishing a busy day, the sun had already risen, and one of the guards looked at the pedestrians who were talking and laughing and rushing home with some envy, and couldn't help but sigh.

"It's great, when will we be able to have a home in the county town."

Someone next to him laughed and said, "Hehe, Lao Qi, you are a gluttonous daughter-in-law!" ”

"That's right, I'm hungry for my daughter-in-law, what's the matter? Don't you want to marry a daughter-in-law? The guard, known as Lao Qi, immediately retorted.

The other party was speechless, and the guards who were baking the fire at the city gate were all silent.

Oh, yes!

Who wouldn't want to marry a daughter-in-law and start a family?

But the point is that their previous identity doesn't allow them to do this!

As the cavalry under Wei Hongbin in the past, which woman from a good family is willing to marry them?

Not even a woman from a good family, there is a person who really can't hold back the fire, and plans to go to Goolan Tile to find a courtesan to talk about life, but the other party shows disdain when he hears their identity, and he is unwilling to serve even if he gives money.

There is no other reason.

It's really that Wei Hongbin and his subordinates' reputation in Yunxiao County is too stinky.

Even if they didn't do anything bad at the beginning, once they are branded with this label, it will be difficult to get rid of them for life.

This is also the reason why these guards are in a gloomy mood.

At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves came from the long street, and then a lieutenant in armor came to the city gate alone.

When he turned over and dismounted and lifted his cloak, it was Sun Yingkui.

I saw that his face was covered with frost, and his eyebrows and beard were frozen.

Still, he didn't pause and asked.

"What's the case?"

The guards shook their heads.

"Captain Qiyu, everything is as usual."

"Well, now that the end of the year is approaching, it is inevitable that there will be those unsightly bandits who want to infiltrate the city, so you must not take it lightly." Sun Yingkui instructed.

"I'll get it."

Looking at these guards who stood in the cold wind, but did not dare to leave their posts for half a step, Sun Yingkui sighed secretly.

He didn't know the awkward situation these people were in.

That's why he patrols the city several times a day.

It's just that I'm afraid that these guards will be slack off or can't resist the temptation, so something will happen.

This kind of thing may not be a big deal to others, but to their gang of criminal and meritorious guards, it is like a catastrophe.

Because the whole county town is up and down, I don't know how many pairs of eyes are staring at them.

Fortunately, these guards also understand this truth, so they have been conscientious and have not made any mistakes.

After a few words of encouragement, Sun Yingkui turned around and was about to leave.

There was a sudden commotion on the official road, and then someone shouted: "It's Zhao Shaoxia!" ”

"Zhao Shaoxia has returned from abroad!"

Sun Yingkui was shocked, and immediately raised his eyes to look.

Sure enough.

I saw a dusty carriage appear on the official road, and the smiling young man sitting on the wheel was Zhao Ya.

A large number of people had gathered around the carriage, and they were talking to Zhao Ya with enthusiasm.

Even some of these bold women crowded forward with excitement on their faces, almost admiring something.

Sun Yingkui was stunned for a moment when he saw this, then shook his head with a smile.

He knew that Zhao Ya was quite popular in the county town now, but he didn't expect it to be so popular.

But this is not unusual, after all, in the past year, it was Zhao Ya's action that brought the county town back to life.

Nowadays, everyone in the county town is not fed, but at least the phenomenon of starvation is basically gone.

This alone is enough to make people sigh, coupled with the improvement of public security, the surrounding area of the county town has returned to peace, all of this is combined, it is not surprising that Zhao Ya can win the support of the people at the bottom.

In this short distance from the official road to the city gate, Zhao Ya walked for more than a quarter of an hour, and in the end, Sun Yingkui came forward, which was the only way to let these enthusiastic people disperse.

Then Sun Yingkui and his guards saluted Zhao Yaqi.

Zhao Ya smiled and waved his hand, "Okay, you don't have to be so polite, the city is still peaceful during the time I left?" ”

"It's peaceful." Sun Yingkui responded.

"That's good!"

Saying that, Zhao Ya was about to go to the city with the carriage, and Sun Yingkui and everyone watched.

Suddenly, Zhao Ya thought of something and threw a small bag over casually.

Sun Yingkui stretched out his hand to catch it, and then Zhao Ya's voice came.

"Today is the New Year, you have all worked hard, let's go to the city for a few drinks after the meeting, I invited it!"

In the small package are several silver tickets.

Sun Yingkui and these guards were all warm.

Not only because of these silver tickets, but more importantly, someone finally saw their efforts.

"No wonder Zhao Shaoxia is famous in the county at such a young age, this is really powerful!" There were guards who were amazed.

Zhao Ya naturally didn't know this, and at this moment, he had already driven the carriage quickly across the street and came to the door of the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall.

When they saw him, the guard in front of the door was stunned for a moment, and then shouted in surprise.

"Uncle Xiao is back!"

"The little master is back!"

The shouts came and went, and Zhao Ya was a little helpless when he heard it.

Because of those who keep calling themselves masters, some of their beards are a little white.

If this is a few years later, wouldn't someone call himself the ancestor?

At this time, Miao Shaocheng and Xu De hurried to the door, and when they saw that it was Zhao Ya and Meng Shiwen who were back, they couldn't help but be overjoyed.

"I also said that you won't come back until after the New Year, if it weren't for the drunken son, I even doubt that you kidnapped your senior sister and smuggled away!"

Miao Shaocheng is still as open-mouthed as ever.

Xu De didn't want to stop him, and couldn't help but peek at Meng Shiwen with some worry.

But seeing that she was not angry at all, as if she hadn't heard it, she pulled the drunk child and left.

Seeing this scene, Xu De couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

Senior sister didn't care, otherwise Lao Miao would be miserable today.

Thinking of this, he glared at Miao Shaocheng fiercely.

Miao Shaocheng also consciously lost his words, scratching his scalp and smirking.

"Let's go, let's go see Master first, Master has been talking about you for the past few days!" Xu De said.

When he came to the back study, Lu Dingtai was writing.

After advancing to the Five Realms, Lu Dingtai's power can be said to be increasing day by day, and he can be a little more restrained when writing.

"Master!" Zhao Ya saluted respectfully.

"I'm back!" Lu Dingtai asked without raising his head.

"Yes!"

"Is everything done?"

"Back to Master, it's all done!"

"Tell me about it."

So Zhao Ya concisely told Lu Dingtai what happened after returning to Dancing Elephant City.

After listening, Lu Dingtai put down the pen in his hand and looked up at Zhao Ya while wiping his hands with a hot towel.

"Lian Shizong? Hehe, these demons actually appeared, it seems that the world is really going to be in chaos! Lu Dingtai sneered.

"Master, do you also know about the Lianshi Sect?"

"Of course I know, do you think that Master and I have been guarding this one-third of an acre in the county town and don't know anything about the situation outside? Don't forget, Master and I have also walked the world and fought with swords. Lu Dingtai said proudly.

Zhao Ya couldn't laugh or cry.

Master's proud character is becoming more and more obvious.

So he didn't dare to speak, just nodded vigorously.

"Back then, this Demon Sect was not famous, and many of them had completely died out, but I didn't expect that now with the collapse of Dayan, these Demon Sect descendants have begun to move again."

"But you did a good job this time, you actually completely wiped out Qingzhuling, and the refining sect also killed five Gu masters, which can be regarded as a major injury to your vitality, don't think about recovering your strength in a short period of time."

Speaking of this, Lu Dingtai glanced at Zhao Ya, "And when I saw you coming in, your footwork was like stepping into the air, it seems that your light skills have improved again!" ”

"It's Master, I do have some feelings."

Zhao Ya didn't hide it.

Because in front of Lu Dingtai, he couldn't hide this progress no matter what, and he didn't want to hide it.

"Very well, it seems that your understanding is indeed beyond the ordinary." Lu Dingtai nodded with satisfaction, and suddenly looked at Xu De and Miao Shaocheng on the side with hatred.

"Look at your little junior brother, and then look at yourselves, you still eat and sleep all day long, don't you know how to be motivated at all?"

Xu De and Miao Shaocheng lowered their heads, and they didn't dare to speak.

Seeing this, Zhao Ya hurriedly played a round.

"Hey, why haven't you seen the second senior brother all the time?"

"He? Hum! After marrying a daughter-in-law, I forgot my mother's master, and I haven't shown up for the past few days, who knows what to do! Lu Dingtai said.

At this moment, Shen Dao's laughter came from the courtyard.

"Master, you have wronged me, didn't I come to visit your old man yesterday?"

With the words, Shen Dao and Shi Qingqing walked into the house together.

Lu Dingtai, who was originally full of displeasure, quickly eased his expression when he saw his apprentice coming with his daughter-in-law, and even nodded at Shi Qingqing.

"Qingqing, what do you think of the words I just wrote?"

Shi Qingqing walked closer, looked up and down, and then couldn't help but sigh: "Master, your old man's handwriting is getting better and better, in my opinion, even those calligraphers in the capital are just like that!" ”

"Oh?"

Lu Dingtai's face was happy, but he was a little embarrassed to admit it, so he could only ask: "Where is it good, you say come and listen." ”

"You see, this font is majestic and atmospheric, containing wind bones, and what is even more commendable is that it does not appear sharp because of this, but has a Shenhua introverted taste, which is really powerful!"

"Hahahaha, how can it be as good as you say, I'm just writing and playing!"

Although he said so, the joy on Lu Dingtai's face betrayed him.

The four brothers in the distance watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Second senior brother, why do I think that in the master's mind now, the little junior brother ranks first, followed by the sister-in-law?" Miao Shaocheng said.

"I don't have to think about it, but it is!" Xu De affirmed.

Shen Dao said with a smile: "But that's okay, the master is getting more and more tempered now, and it is also good to write and cultivate his temperament, it just so happens that Qingqing has been practicing calligraphy since he was a child, and he is smart, and he can make the master happy by saying a few words, why not?" ”

Saying that, Shen Daoyi patted Zhao Ya's shoulder, "Little junior brother, I heard that you came back, your sister-in-law specially bought a lot of vegetables, and tonight is at my place, let's not get drunk and not return!" ”

Looking at the second senior brother who was obviously starting to get rich, Zhao Ya said in his heart that marriage is really the best weight gain pill for a man, and then he nodded with a smile.

"Even if you don't say it, senior brother, I have to bother!"

That night, Zhao Ya took the drunken child and went to Shen Dao's house to drink with Miao Shaocheng and Xu De.

In order to entertain them, Shi Qingqing personally cooked and made a table full of dishes.

And just when their brothers were feasting.

Meng Shiwen met Lu Dingtai in the study.

"Master!"

"Well, have you worshipped?"

Although he did not pretend to Miao Shaocheng and others, when facing Meng Shiwen, Lu Dingtai was surprisingly gentle.

"Yes!"

"It's good to worship, let him pass the past grievances, then it's your father anyway." Lu Dingtai sighed.

Meng Shiwen hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Master, what happened between you and my father in the first place that made it so stiff?" ”

Hearing this, Lu Dingtai was stunned for a moment, and then sighed and said: "It's all in the past, so you don't need to ask again, but I can tell you that your father is a good person, but he is just a little more extreme." ”

"Go, it's not too early, your second junior brother must have already started eating, go over and join in the fun!"

Lu Dingtai waved his hand and motioned for Meng Shiwen to leave.

Meng Shiwen was silent for a moment before leaving.

After she left, Lu Dingtai sat on the chair for a long time and did not speak, until a long time later, he sighed slightly.

"Senior brother, I really don't know if it's good or bad for her to hide it like this, after all, it's you on one side and hers on the other...... Mother! ”

Between the words, Lu Dingtai's expression was gloomy, and he seemed to have aged a lot all of a sudden.

After the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the New Year is just around the corner.

This is the second New Year that Zhao Ya and Zui'er have spent in the county town, but this year is very different from last year.

Because so much has happened in the course of the year.

And Zhao Ya, as the absolute protagonist of it, naturally attracted a lot of attention.

Invitations flew like snowflakes, and most of Zhao Ya rejected them, and only a very small number of them had a really good relationship, and he would accept them.

Even so, it took more than ten days to finish the year.

After the Chinese New Year, everything gradually returned to normal.

Zhao Ya also quickly devoted himself to cultivation, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

On this day, just when he was in full swing of cultivation, an invitation quietly came, and there were only three words in the payment.

Shang Luoluo.

(End of chapter)