My enemies became my companions

Chapter 401 A Group of Bad Friends (6k chapter)

In Room No. 1 of Tongxin Inn in Shantong City, after Lu Ying tidied up her face, she opened the window and exposed half of her face to the sunlight.

"Aren't you afraid it's a Hongmen Banquet?"

Seeing Chen Yi coming back, she asked.

Not long ago, Chen Yi went downstairs to contact Qin Tu, who told Chen Yi to meet at Qingfeng Pavilion, which was the largest and last stronghold of Lifeng Pavilion in the city.

"The county magistrate said that he would take me to see the layout of Qingfeng Pavilion first, because only familiar guests can enter there," Chen Yi asked in return, "So what if it's a Hongmen Banquet?"

"Dangerous." Lu Ying paused and said, "How can the King of Chu be someone you can easily mess with?"

"I have the spirit of my great-grandfather."

Lu Ying gave him a sidelong glance.

Chen Yi remained calm and took out a lottery stick from his arms and said, "Want a lottery stick?"

Lu Ying blinked his eyes, shook it, and drew a lot.

Sign on.

"The ancient Liu Ruan met a fairy..."

Lu Ying was shocked when he saw it. Legend has it that Liu Ruan, an ancient man, saw through the world, admired Taoism and sought immortality. Later, he traveled to Tiantai and met a fairy and achieved enlightenment. If calculated according to the interpretation of marriage, this lot means meeting a fairy, and he will meet two fairies at once.

"What are you waiting for?" Chen Yi took back the signature and said with a smile, "Let's go."

...........................

Inside Qingfeng Pavilion, there were bursts of operatic sounds. It was both a restaurant and a theater, where guests were entertained with wine and fun. There were also stunningly beautiful women in the pavilion, whose looks were no better than those of ordinary courtesans in brothels, but whose asking prices were higher, because those who were the most sought after were the most desirable.

The crippled dragon Zhao Yan stood in the building, leaning on the railing and looking into the distance, explaining the details in a leisurely manner:

"I asked Master Jiang Xin to host a banquet for the Taoists who wanted to go to Chongyang to watch the ceremony at the Sword Pond. Among them are people from Mount Taihua. So tonight, we should act quietly and kill Captain Min in secret. Don't alarm these distinguished guests."

The Soul-Loving Butterfly responded:
"My daughter will tell all the brothers and sisters. However, since we are going to kill the thousand households in secret, it is better to make full use of them and let my daughter take his essence and turn him into a human."

Her voice drifted in the air, and the group of assassins from the Lifeng Pavilion standing quietly behind her shuddered with fear.

The bewitching butterfly not only bewitches people, but also confuses itself. In the past, there were many killers who had been intimate with it, but they usually died of exhaustion within thirty days, just like human beings. This is the result of the bewitching butterfly's special liking for that person, so it restrained itself.

Zhao Yan's face was calm, and he said without turning back, "Don't make trouble unless it is necessary. Besides, your charm should be used on people who need it more."

"Who?"

Zhao Yan knocked on the Magpie Pavilion token between her chest.

The waves are rolling.

Soul-Loving Butterfly chuckled and fished out the things from the ravine. There were still some sweat stains on them. She said, "Godfather wants his daughter to seduce the new master?"

"Yes, I heard that he was promoted not long ago to fill the vacancy of the seat master. This kind of person is young and full of vigor and ambition, and it is the best time to deal with him. I left the token to you so that when Xi Que Pavilion arrives, you can seduce him and establish a connection with Xi Que Pavilion for us, so that we can plant secret agents in the capital in the future."

"My daughter obeys."

Zhao Yan wanted to say something, but when he saw a figure carrying a sword and a knife slowly approaching from the high building, he lowered his voice.

He raised his hand skillfully and said, "The prey is coming."

........................

The lights were bright and the palace lanterns were swaying in the corridor. As soon as Chen Yi and Lu Ying entered the Qingfeng Pavilion, they saw Jiang Shangli coming to greet them personally.

"Mr. Long, Miss Lu, please come to this room."

As Jiang Shangli spoke, he took a deep look at the Taoist robe on Lu Ying.

Chen Yi was about to step in when Jiang Shangli suddenly stretched out his hand to stop him.

"how?"

"Mr. Long, why don't you take off your weapons?" Jiang Shangli asked.

Chen Yi touched the jade pendant on his waist and said with a smile: "It is better to defend yourself with a sword than to attack others with an arrow from the dark. Only by putting the sword in the open can people know that I am upright."

"it is good!"

The person who spoke was not Jiang Shangli, but someone else.

Chen Yi looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the man had a thin face, his hair was tied up, he was wearing a loose robe, his brows were kind, but there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"My name is Zhao Yan, but I'm just the small shopkeeper of Qingfeng Pavilion. I heard that Young Master Long is a martial arts master and wants to discuss state affairs with the county magistrate. I wonder if that's right or not?" Zhao Yan stood up, bowed and said with a smile.

The owner of Qingfeng Pavilion appeared in front of him in a dignified manner.

Chen Yi glanced at Jiang Shangli.

It didn’t go as planned…

Is Jiang Shangli pointing at me? Chen Yi pondered for a moment.

"Exactly."

Zhao Yan laughed and said, "That's perfect. I love to meet heroes and heroes. Today, the county magistrate is hosting, so I came to meet you, young master."

As he spoke, Zhao Yan pushed the chair over and said, "Come, sit down."

Chen Yi put one hand on the head of the chair: "You are too polite."

Zhao Yan tried a little harder, but the object was stuck and he couldn't move it anymore.

"What business does Mr. Zhao do?"

"I can't say that I started a business. I have achieved nothing so far, and my family doesn't have much money."

"Wangyue Tower and Qingfeng Pavilion are both priceless."

Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, exerted force on his palm, and then loosened it, laughing: "You are too flattering, too flattering, it's not worthy of being on the stage."

After saying this, he glanced at Jiang Shangli imperceptibly and made a gesture, but the latter did not move.

It doesn't match the previous plan...

Is Jiang Shangli pointing at me? Zhao Yan was puzzled and had the same idea.

Jiang Shangli turned around and directed the waiter to serve the dishes as if nothing had happened, avoiding his sight.

Zhao Yan turned around and glanced at Chen Yi several times. Lu Ying moved closer to Chen Yi uneasily.

Chen Yi curled his lips and smiled. Zhao Yan was judging his martial arts, so was he not the same?
His hair was tied up, and every strand was gathered in a bun, so as not to interfere with his vision during fighting. His robe was loose and layered, and who knows how many hidden weapons were hidden in it. There were many wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, proving that he often squinted his eyes and looked into the distance, examining his prey.

"What did Mr. Zhao do to start his business?" Chen Yi held the chair but did not sit down: "Cook?"

"Sir, why do you think it's the cook?"

"If he wasn't a cook, then how could there be a callus on the tiger's mouth..." Chen Yi said with a smile: "How could there be a callus on the tiger's mouth?"

Zhao Yan's hand naturally let go of the chair, and he put it behind him and said, "Sit down, please."

Chen Yi sat down leisurely.

Zhao Yan stepped back, sat down as well, and made a gesture with his hands behind his back.

In the spacious room, where the lights were dim, the killer from the Lifeng Pavilion squatted down behind the long curtain and left through the secret door.

Jiang Shangli also sat down and said with a smile, "How was your conversation, you two? I, the county magistrate, was left here."

"How dare I ignore the county magistrate?" Zhao Yan stood up and poured him a glass of wine, saying, "But I have something to ask the county magistrate. What did Young Master Long do in the past?"

Jiang Shangli said, "You still have to ask Young Master Long in person. If I knew, wouldn't that be a fortune teller?"

Zhao Yan said at this time: "I am not talented, but I happen to know how to read faces."

Chen Yi leaned forward slightly and said, "Oh? Please take a look at me?"

Zhao Yan put one hand behind his back, stood up and walked closer.

Chen Yi leaned back, leaning against the back of the chair with a lazy posture, and one foot just stretched under Zhao Yan's body.

Lu Ying, who was standing by, realized something was wrong at this moment. The foot could be raised at any time to kick someone's chin from bottom to top.

Zhao Yan stretched out his hands behind his back and placed them flat in front of his abdomen, blocking the way of the foot. Then he stretched his neck and slowly looked at Chen Yi.

"Good face, full forehead, bright brow, good luck in official career."

“But I’m traveling around now.”

"It's just that your luck is a little scattered. You have a lot of hair, which has taken away the luck on your forehead." Zhao Yan paused and said, "You have scattered too much luck."

"Where did they disperse?"

"I'm afraid that Magistrate Jiang's title as county magistrate is due to the blessing of the young master." Zhao Yan said meaningfully.

Before Chen Yi could reply, Jiang Shangli laughed and said, "As a county magistrate, how dare I share Mr. Long's career? If I did, I would not be a county magistrate anymore."

As soon as he heard the words, Zhao Yan thought secretly in his heart, it seems that Jiang Shangli did not secretly make peace with this Qianhu, and did not sell out our Lifeng Pavilion?

Chen Yi said: "Continue with the face reading?"

Zhao Yan came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Although your career has faded, your fortune has not. Where did you make your fortune?"

Chen Yi replied: "When you do escort work, you see blood and people along the way, and all the money is earned through hard work."

"Whose money is not hard-earned money?" Zhao Yan said.

The two looked at each other and laughed in unison.

Lu Ying looked at Chen Yi, then at Zhao Yan. The girl didn't understand the meaning of the words, but was afraid of embarrassment, so she had to hold her face and smile.

During the banquet, a maid served wine. Chen Yi picked up the wine bowl and said, "It's hard to earn hard-earned money."

"What kind of money is easy to make?"

"It's easiest to make money without sweating." Chen Yi turned around and toasted Jiang Shangli: "I think the county magistrate's money is easy to make, just make my money."

Jiang Shangli was flattered, and lowered his wine bowl a little, saying, "I don't dare to earn the money of a hero like Mr. Long."

Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "The county magistrate wants to make money from me."

“I don’t even dare to earn money by robbing the rich to help the poor.”

"It's hard to earn money on either one, so we have to earn money on both?"

Jiang Shang broke out in a cold sweat.

rustling.

There were footsteps outside the room.

Chen Yi and Zhao Yan became alert and held down their weapons at the same time.

Jiang Shang stood up and said, "The clerk from the government office is looking for me. Please wait a moment."

Zhao Yan said: "County Magistrate, please don't go too far. It makes people worried."

"nature."

Jiang Shangli responded and walked out the door, revealing half of his figure at the door.

Qin Tu appeared in front of him. After receiving a signal from Jiang Shangli, he bent down and lowered his head, saying in a low voice:
"County Magistrate, aren't you going to sell this Young Master Long to Lifeng Pavilion?"

"Look at the woman next to him, the Taoist robe... She's from Yinjian Mountain!" Jiang Shangli said quickly: "Jianjia... Can you afford to provoke her? You can't hurt her by mistake, at least you have to get rid of her."

Qin Tu's eyes widened as he asked, "What should I do? If I don't sell this Young Master Long, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave Qingfeng Pavilion. So I better sell it."

Jiang Shangli glanced back secretly and said:

"The plan doesn't go as planned.
They are going to unite with me!"

.....................

Compared to the undercurrent on the third floor of Qingfeng Pavilion, there was a banquet held by a group of Taoists somewhere else, and they were having a lot of fun.

Since it was a meeting of Taoists, due to their different fasts, they naturally used tea instead of wine. The issue of drinking wine as a side dish was naturally a topic of conversation at the previous Taoist meeting.

"What a great phrase 'Great Fullness is like a Chong'. I never thought that these words in the Taoist scriptures that have been repeated over and over again by our predecessors would have such an interpretation today."

"Fellow Daoist Yin is indeed very knowledgeable. If you further improve the solution of 'rushing up, then fullness', it will definitely surpass the predecessors." "You are all too modest."

Yin Weiying bowed slightly, his face showing a calm expression, like a still pond.

In a previous discussion on Taoism on Mount Taihua, the theme of the discussion was first taken from the Taoist scripture "Great achievement is like a lack", and then everyone brought out their own theories one by one, and then explained them by citing scriptures. However, there are always differences in the levels of theories, not to mention that people's perspectives are not the same, so they often hold different opinions and no conclusion can be drawn. But today was different. The Taihua Goddess, who had just come from the Taoist scripture, chose another sentence from the Taoist scripture "Great fullness is like a rush" as the theme, and hinted at the solution in the end, and finally proposed the solution of "rushing will lead to fullness", which actually convinced everyone.

All the Taoists who came to discuss Taoism were impressed and amazed.

Therefore, at present, there were many words of praise in the Yangxin Hall, and after the praise, people started talking about the Taoist partner of the Goddess Taihua.

Practice the four great treasures: wealth, Dharma, companions, and land.

As the daughter of King Jing, it goes without saying that she is rich. She is also the Goddess of Taihua for sixty years, and is blessed with Dharma and land. The only thing she lacks is a Taoist partner. However, a year ago, the news of Yin Weiying and Chen Yi's marriage had already spread far and wide through the mouth of King Jing's Mansion. The last word "partner" has been complete since then.

Among the four treasures, if an ordinary person gets one, it would be a great honor for his ancestors. But Yin Weiying got all four. How amazing is that?

"The Golden Boy and Jade Girl of Mount Taihua are world-famous. Daoist friend Yin's Taoist partner must also be a rare dragon and phoenix in ancient and modern times..."

"That's right. I have also heard about it while living in the mountains. Chen Yi is indeed a genius. He was included in the Spring and Autumn Register when he was only in his twenties. However, it seems that he has committed a serious crime of disrespect."

"Even if I have committed the crime of disrespect, I will know that you are truly a genius. Otherwise, how can you be worthy of the Goddess Taihua?"

Previously, Yin Weiying's discussion of Taoism amazed everyone. Out of love for him, all the Taoists praised him endlessly. Only three-tenths of their praise were deliberate flattery, while the other seven-tenths were sincere and convinced.

As everyone was praising her, the nun just smiled and said, "They are not Taoist companions, but just a cauldron."

As soon as the words fell, everyone in the room was shocked.

The nun's face remained calm. She shook the tea bowl gently and continued, "I am walking on a new path. I do not seek a Taoist companion on this path. I am the only one who walks the path of immortality. I seek immortality with my own strength, so why do I need a Taoist companion to accompany me? The higher you stand, the more you will know that a Taoist companion is just an obstacle."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone on the scene was surprised. Although they had heard that the Goddess Taihua regarded it as a cauldron, they were still shocked to get personal confirmation from the person herself. After the initial reaction, there was indescribable amazement.

No one could have imagined that a nun could be so arrogant and conceited, only seeking immortality, and everything else was dirt. She even regarded the Taoist partner that everyone dreamed of as nothing. She was really so magnanimous!
What an extraordinary woman!
Thinking that the Goddess Taihua had such a high vision, all the Taoists could not help but feel ashamed. The elders kept everything that happened in their hearts, waiting to use it to spur the younger generations in the mountain gate after returning.

Yin Weiying held the tea bowl in his hand. Although he looked calm on the outside, he was secretly resentful in his heart.

I told you to hook up with other fairies!
Don't blame me for being unjust if you are unkind.

I will spread the word everywhere and let everyone think that you are my Dinglu!

Yin Weiying's mind was filled with mixed emotions. Before she knew it, a scene of a man and a woman joyfully chasing each other in the city emerged in her mind. She felt so sad that she could not express it in words.

With no other options, she could only drink the tea.

This tea...why is it more bitter than wine?

........................

"My Lord, I am sorry for not treating you well."

As soon as Jiang Shangli came back, Zhao Yan greeted him with a smile and a teasing tone.

The county magistrate forced a smile and said:
"I'll do my best. You two are both distinguished guests. I'm just a small county magistrate. It's difficult for me to have the best of both worlds."

Chen Yi said at this time: "Then...you can't please both sides?"

"Oh, you are being tactless. How dare I please both sides?"

As Jiang Shangli spoke, he held up the wine pot and served the two of them wine:

"Let's talk about state affairs first. Although our Shantong City has been neither high nor low since the Jinmen Mountain Road was closed, it is still a frontier. The county government is short of money and it is difficult to support it. Now a group of Western Jin spies are protecting the thief Guyanjian and absconding. We can only rely on you two."

Zhao Yan asked, "Then I wonder if you should rely on me or Young Master Long?"

This is asking people to take sides... Jiang Shangli said: "I rely on Young Master Long..."

Zhao Yan's hand had already pressed on the weapon in his arms, his body was straight, and there was murderous intent between his brows!
"...and also rely on Boss Zhao."

Zhao Yan put his hand down and looked at Chen Yi. The two of them laughed at each other.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Zhao Yan took a sip of wine and said, "The county magistrate is short of money. I am an ordinary citizen and my money is hard-earned. I am afraid it will be difficult for me to make money from you."

Jiang Shangli sat down and said with a smile: "There is no county magistrate in the world who does not make money from the people. The people's fat and blood is indeed abundant, but I am different. If I want to make money, I will make money from the royal family."

Chen Yi turned his head and asked, "How about earning money from the royal family?"

Jiang Shangli tapped the table with one finger and said slowly, "Captain Chen!"

Chen Yi's pupils shrank slightly.

Lu Ying was stunned for a moment, and then her heart, which was as calm as a crane, calmed down. She suppressed the strange feeling and turned her head to see that Zhao Yan's pupils were also trembling, and his attention was all on Jiang Shangli.

Zhao Yan slowly spoke, "Although I came from the Western Jin Dynasty, I have also heard that the current family is arresting the former Qianhu Chen Yi and Chen Zunming. I wonder what County Magistrate Jiang wants to do?"

Jiang Shangli said: "Of course, we have to arrest Captain Chen so that we can report to the Heavenly Family, but we have to do it slowly."

After the words fell, Zhao Yan understood a little. The county magistrate was using "Captain Chen" to refer to "Captain Min" whom Lifeng Pavilion wanted to kill.

"Dragon liver and phoenix marrow are natural delicacies."

At this time, Chen Yi said slowly:

"But Captain Chen is probably far away."

Jiang Shangli said: "This is the end of the world."

"Oh?"

"Wherever Tianya is, there is Captain Chen."

Jiang Shangli explained:

"I told you where Captain Chen is, and that's where he is. He was tortured into confessing and arrested someone to take the blame. Captain Chen, he's right here!"

"Haha, well said, it's right here."

"Then what is the county magistrate going to do?" The one who spoke was Zhao Yan. He slowly leaned forward and said, "I think this Captain Chen is definitely not an ordinary person. I heard that there is a Captain named Min in this city. We have to find someone who is convenient to take the blame."

Chen Yi blinked, feeling confused.

Min Ning is also in Shantong City? Didn't she go to Xishu?
Zhao Yan had unknowingly leaned close to Jiang Shangli and said, "You should pick the softest persimmons."

“No matter how hard it is, it’s still a persimmon.”

Jiang Shangli glanced at Lu Ying's Taoist robe and said fearfully:
"But you have to wait until the persimmon softens. Don't be impatient."

Zhao Yan didn't understand what Jiang Shangli was waiting for, but he had to be patient for the moment.

Jiang Shangli picked up the wine bowl and said, "Shall we discuss state affairs first?"

"To discuss state affairs."

"Gu Yanjian is a cunning guy. He doesn't trust anyone and runs around everywhere. He is also very good at selling out his friends to survive. It is very difficult to catch him." As he said this, Jiang Shangli looked at Zhao Yan.

The fact that Lifeng Pavilion sheltered Guyan Sword was no secret between the two of them. County Magistrate Jiang was asking for too much... Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "It's not that difficult to lure the snake out of its hole. I'll pay more and lure him out, but... if you borrow, you must pay back. It won't be difficult to borrow again."

Jiang Shangli bowed and said, "Understood. After tonight, we will capture Gu Yanjian..."

At this time, Chen Yi suddenly said: "The Lone Smoke Sword has been caught."

Zhao Yan and Jiang Shangli both widened their eyes at the same time.

When was it caught?

Lu Ying also widened his eyes in confusion.

Chen Yi held the wine bowl in his hand and shook it, saying, "Although the little thief Gu Yanjian has some martial arts skills, he is no match for me. It will be easy to capture him."

Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes and asked, "Excuse me, Master Long, where is the Lone Smoke Swordsman?"

"here."

"Oh?"

Chen Yi spoke slowly, "I am Gu Yan Jian, don't you know that, County Magistrate?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the field fell silent.

Jiang Shangli looked at Zhao Yan, then at Chen Yi, his pupils trembled violently.

Did these two guys plan this in advance?!
Now, there are three people in the room who are all martial arts masters. If two of them join forces, one of them will die on the spot. As these words fell, the layer of window paper between them seemed as thin as it could not be.

Zhao Yan, who had seen the Lone Smoke Sword, glanced at Chen Yi, then at Jiang Shangli, and his pupils suddenly shrank.

These two have teamed up?!
Chen Yi sipped his tea slowly.

After such a long period of mediation and several rounds of probing each other, Chen Yi finally figured out the situation.

Zhao Yan urged many times and was eager to take action, but he was afraid that he would join forces with Jiang Shangli to betray him. Jiang Shangli seemed to be afraid and did not dare to take action directly in the room.

As for what Jiang Shangli was afraid of.

Chen Yi glanced at Lu Ying.

The answer is obvious.

This is a game. In the small room, no one dares to be the first to turn against each other, and the information everyone knows is extremely one-sided, so a delicate balance is maintained.

And Lu Ying, who had no idea what was happening, was the fulcrum of this balance.

Chen Yi knew about this, Jiang Shangli knew about it, but Zhao Yan, who was at home, did not know about it, simply because he was from the Western Jin Dynasty.

"joke!"

After a long silence in the room, Jiang Shangli came back to his senses, clapped his hands and laughed:

"Mr. Long is such a joker. This Guyan Sword's surname is not Long."

"People can make up a fake name, but swordsmanship cannot deceive people." Chen Yi paused and said with a smile: "Gu Yanjian and Duan Jianke are both disciples of Loulan Sword Emperor, and both are killer swords."

The sword suddenly came out of its sheath.

A cold light flashed, and the sword made a clanging sound. Chen Yi's momentum changed suddenly, and the escaping aura caused cracks on the wine bowls on the table.

Jiang Shangli narrowed his eyes and could see the sword moves from the cracks.

It’s the murderous sword!

Zhao Yan was also shocked, and Chen Yi's murderous intent was revealed in an instant, and his hand reached for the weapon in his arms.

Cold sweat broke out on my palms.

Fighting one against two is more likely to be disastrous than good.

Steam was rising from the yellowed tablecloth. There was stewed lamb, stir-fried beef, braised lion's head, steamed sea bass... The aroma of the dishes was so appetizing, but the four pairs of chopsticks were still in place. Lu Ying noticed this detail and realized that the situation was tense.

All three were ready to kill.

But who to kill first?
All three of them were faced with the dilemma of being outnumbered two at once, and they were unable to take action for the time being.

Chen Yi thought that this was the home ground of Lifeng Pavilion, so he took the initiative and said, "Let's both take a step back. County Magistrate Jiang doesn't need to arrest me. The spies who followed me will stay here and report to the authorities."

Jiang Shangli had already regarded Chen Yi as Gu Yanjian, and said with a smile: "Good suggestion, good suggestion, no one will be embarrassed, it's the best of all, the best of all!"

After saying that, Jiang Shangli and Chen Yi looked at Zhao Yan at the same time.

Zhao Yan thought for a moment and thought that the two were afraid that Lifeng Pavilion had a large number of soldiers hidden in Qingfeng Pavilion, so they proposed peace talks in order to avoid provoking Lifeng Pavilion.

In this case, it might not be a bad idea to pretend to be accommodating first and then make plans.

Zhao Yan smiled and said, "It's best to have all three. Then let's have all three?"

"Then why are you still talking so much?" Chen Yi sheathed the Hou Kang sword and raised his glass, saying, "Are you still not going to eat or drink?"

"I will order the courtesan to entertain you two tonight." Zhao Yan also raised his glass: "Why not have some fun?"

Jiang Shangli held the cup with both hands and toasted the two of them, saying, "What a great time to eat, drink and have fun!"

"What a group..."

The three of them said in unison:
"Bad friends!"

(End of this chapter)