Jiuxi

Chapter 31 031 [North and South]

"This is Qiong Ye, a specialty of Qingliu Mansion. I had someone buy it specially. Please give it a try, senior sister."

When the time came to mid-April, seven days had passed since Lu Chen followed Lin Xi to practice the Xuan Sutra, and the two of them gradually became familiar with each other.

Although they are not close enough to talk about everything, they both seem to be more relaxed compared to how reserved they were when they first met.

Every time Lu Chen came over in the next few days, he would bring a special snack.

"Thank you, brother."

Lin Xi took it with a gentle expression.

Under Lu Chen's repeated insistence, she removed the word "Lu" in front of Junior Brother, although in her opinion, this word difference made no difference.

The two walked towards the table. Lu Chen noticed that Lin Xi had changed into elegant clothes today, a light red butterfly-playing narcissus dress and a moon-white gauze top, which made her waist slimmer and lighter.

In the past few days, the clothes Lin Xi chose were narrow-sleeved shirts and mainly light colors.Although similar attire can highlight her slim figure as a martial arts practitioner, it still has a somewhat alienating effect.

Today's change seems to have shortened the distance. Of course, Lu Chen would not comment on the other party's clothing rudely.

Lin Xi had naturally had breakfast, but she still picked up a piece of crispy Qiong leaf and tasted it carefully.

Lu Chen did the same, and introduced at the same time: "This crispy Qiong Ye cake is steamed by the vendor the night before, then cut into thin slices, coated with honey or oil according to different tastes, and then slowly grilled on a low fire. After it's baked, place it on the ground with paper to spread the heat. It tastes extremely crispy and has a good texture."

Lin Xi listened very carefully, nodded and said, "Junior brother is indeed knowledgeable and talented."

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Actually, I heard it from others, so that my senior sister wouldn't be able to answer anything when asked."

Lin Xi blinked and said, "I know."

Lu Chen thought to himself that you still praise so seriously...

Lin Xi seemed to know what he was thinking, and said warmly: "Junior brother has my heart, I can't turn a blind eye."

These days, the two of them have formed a fixed pattern of teaching and learning.

Lu Chen would come over with delicious and exquisite snacks, and the two would taste the food and chat for a while. Next, Lin Xi would test Lu Chen's progress in school, and Lu Chen would ask Lin Xi about his doubts. After a detailed discussion, the maid in the front yard was ready. What a hearty lunch.

After finishing the meal, Lin Xi would rest for an hour, while Lu Chen continued to study the extremely profound Shangxuan Sutra.

"Senior sister should be familiar with the green forests of the Northland, right?"

After taking a sip of tea, Lu Chen asked with interest.

Lin Xi put down the tea cup and said calmly: "Yes."

Lu Chen asked again: "Sister, have you ever heard of Bodhisattva Man?"

Lin Xi's eyes flashed, and he said calmly: "I've heard of it."

After these days of contact, Lu Chen has revised his view of Lin Xi. She is not introverted or dull, but she is cautious by nature, or has a natural indifference towards strangers.

But if he is willing to lower his attitude and pursue fiercely, Lin Xi will not be too cold and harsh.

He asked with some persistence: "It is said that this Bodhisattva is ninth on the martial arts list at a very young age, and her origins are extremely mysterious. She always wears a mask when she appears. No one knows her true identity so far. In fact, I am curious. Yes, for such a heroine who has never seen the beginning or end of the dragon, don’t the heroes of the North want to find out her identity?”

Lin Xi suddenly pursed his lips and smiled.

Lu Chen was slightly startled.

This was the first time Lin Xi smiled in front of him since they had known each other for many days. Although it was very indifferent, it still brightened her face immediately.

Like pearls and jade covered in dust, one can see the beauty once.

He quickly returned to normal and asked curiously: "Why is Senior Sister laughing?"

Lin Xi avoided answering and said softly: "There are all kinds of strange people in the green forest, and the Bodhisattva's barbaric habits are not surprising. For example, there is a master named Dian who never likes others to call him by his real name. If someone does this If he does, he will fight the opponent to the death. However, if he meets a reckless master, he will force the opponent to call him, and over time others will only dare to call him Dian Kuang."

She looked into Lu Chen's eyes and said calmly: "He is ranked ninth on the martial arts list, just ten places higher than Bodhisattva."

Lu Chen couldn't help laughing and said, "Maybe he can change his name." Lin Xi said, "Don't let him hear this."

Of course, Lu Chen had no interest in provoking such an evil top expert, so he returned to the previous topic: "So in the eyes of the people in the green forest, Bodhisattva Man's behavior is not surprising?"

Lin Xi agreed: "Yes, for most of the masters on the martial arts list, as long as she doesn't provoke him, no one cares who Bodhisattva Man is."

Lu Chen originally wanted to ask Lin Xi who was stronger or weaker between himself and the masters on the martial arts list. After thinking about this question, he still felt a little offended. If Lin Xi was not strong enough to enter the martial arts list, wouldn't it embarrass her?

Thinking of this, he changed the subject and said: "Senior sister, there are countless green forest heroes in the North, but I wonder what they think of the Qi-Yan conflict?"

For the regular army, small fights in the wild rivers and lakes are naturally not a threat, but judging from what Lu Chen has learned during this period, the Northland Green Forest is not that weak.

Whether it is the Seven Star Gang, the largest gang in Green Forest, or the Jinsha Gang, Yunhu Village and other gangs that jointly protect themselves, they are all large organizations with thousands of gang members.

In times of peace, the imperial government would certainly not condone these reckless gangs, but now that Beiyan has become a puppet of the Jing Dynasty, the imperial court has weaker control over the people, and excessive taxes have led to widespread resentment, giving these gangs the soil to develop and grow. and space.

Jingchao's cavalry is extremely powerful, but it is still difficult to eradicate them quickly in the face of these grassy beasts that can easily break into pieces and escape into the mountains.

As the daughter of the leader of the Seven Stars Gang, Lin Xi naturally has a great say in this matter.

She pondered for a moment and said concisely: "This has nothing to do with us."

Lu Chen was slightly puzzled.

This involves a deeper issue - the Jing Dynasty was established by the Jinglian tribe, a nomadic people in the north, and was essentially different from the Qi people in the north.

In the past ten years, the Jing Dynasty has continuously squeezed the flesh and blood of the Qi people in the north through the Northern Yan court. Logically speaking, public dissatisfaction and turmoil should have arisen long ago.

Lin Xi's face darkened, and he said slowly: "Do you know why the Seven Star Gang was in dire straits back then?"

Lu Chen said seriously: "Sister, please tell me."

"The reason why the Seven Star Gang was established was because the emperor of the Qi Dynasty imposed excessive taxes and made the life of the poor people extremely difficult, so he joined the bandits to protect himself. After defeating the army several times, the emperor became angry and demoted him, which naturally angered the court. Some of the powerful people in the group led to that large-scale siege. If my father had not secretly helped me at that time, perhaps the Seven Star Gang would have disappeared long ago."

Lin Xi paused for a moment, and a deep sadness appeared on his face: "Later, Marshal Yang, who was guarding the Jinghe defense line, was unjustly imprisoned and tortured to death. This was the Qi Dynasty's own fault. After the fall of Heluo, the Qi Dynasty The royal family and dignitaries fled southward in panic, leaving countless people in the north to die at the hands of the Jing Dynasty's army."

Lu Chen looked solemn.

Lin Xi looked directly at him and said slowly: "Now 13 years have passed, and the Southern Qi court has been calling for the Northern Expedition to regain its homeland, but it has been indulging in pleasure all day long. Although Huaizhou still belongs to Southern Qi, if this continues, this land will be lost. Territory is a matter of course sooner or later. With such a court, such an emperor and powerful people, what is it worth for the people of the North to fight for?"

These words left Lu Chen speechless.

Not to mention that he had no feelings for Nan Qi in the first place and had no intention of sacrificing his life to serve the country. Even if he was really a loner like Su Yunqing, at this moment, facing Lin Xi's statement that seemed calm but actually contained countless blood and tears, I am afraid he could only keep silent. .

Lin Xi continued: "Whether it is Qi, Yan, or Jingchao, there is no difference to the people of the North who live in dire straits."

This sentence is somewhat close to the essence of the matter.

Lu Chen asked tentatively: "So the idea of ​​senior sister and your father is that instead of placing their hopes on the Emperor of Southern Qi, it is better to rely on their own strength?"

Lin Xi's heart tightened, and when she saw that Lu Chen probably just said it unintentionally, she said softly: "I don't know what my father is thinking. Junior brother, it's time for us to practice."

Lu Chen also put away his reverie and nodded in agreement.

Of course, he was so attentive not because of Lu Tong's often suggestive warnings, but because he was in troubled times. After witnessing the bloody struggle of the Weaving Department and the Procuratorate, he was eager to have as much self-protection as possible. Ability.

Now that there is such an opportunity to improve himself, how can he waste time?

Lin Xi carefully explained to Lu Chen her understanding of the Shangxuan Sutra, but Lu Chen's last words echoed in her mind from time to time.

Will father's wish... come true?
What made her feel gratified and surprised was that Lu Chen's understanding was beyond her expectation. He could already vaguely feel the presence of Qi in his body in just seven days, which seemed to be faster than she had before.

A few days later, Lin Xi got up early as usual, finished eating and waited for Lu Shen's arrival.

However, until it was three o'clock in the morning, Lu Chen did not show up, nor did he send anyone to inform him.

She frowned slightly, then returned to the bedroom to change into ordinary and smart clothes, and soon appeared among the scattered houses in the city.

(End of this chapter)