風聲由北而至,江州入冬格外陰寒。城南舊渡口,一行四人踏水而過,足音沉穩。
41Please respect copyright.PENANAgWeHoe9lGB
楚紅練走在隊伍最末,紅衣未動,眼神卻未曾離開前方那逐漸可見的白骨嶺輪廓。她自決加入後,始終寡言,僅以行動應每次提問。
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXuv6WPG26B
無名領路,神情如常,卻明顯心思不在腳下。他一邊行走,一邊默默計算江州近期動靜:斷魂棺消息、黑刃寨變動、血煞動向不定,皆非偶然。
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeApPGsdVc4
林慧芳一邊趕路一邊發牢騷:「唉……說好問完心就可以去泡溫泉的,怎麼一轉眼就變成血煞殺堂的送命旅程啦?」
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnSAACsGXtu
楚紅練語聲冷靜:「若你不來,我亦不怪你。」
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkPlDg7QXih
她語罷片刻,又補上一句:「但你來了,我便信你,不會先退。」
41Please respect copyright.PENANArI5AXl2rWU
林慧芳眼神一凜,雖笑不改,但語氣明顯凝了幾分:「我嘴巴賤,可不是沒膽的人。」
41Please respect copyright.PENANAAVznQA6pDV
阿狗仍走在最前方,重劍未語,但肩膀比過往更穩,步伐更重。他不再看後頭,因為他知道——現在他不是孤身。
41Please respect copyright.PENANAFTEHXWLpYO
風聲穿過老林,遠處山頭積雪未融。那裡,便是白骨嶺的南支,一處名為「黑刃寨」的地方,正靜待風暴降臨。
夜雨如刃,斜斜斬過白骨嶺的亂石崖壁。41Please respect copyright.PENANAoTZWoL2BDl
41Please respect copyright.PENANAxqZurkfpgz
阿狗背著重劍,獨自立於嶺口,那柄從風蹄馬溫手中接過的血鋒此刻沉沉垂在肩後,似也感受到這場山雨帶來的怒意與殺機。41Please respect copyright.PENANA1LYYzrUTG7
41Please respect copyright.PENANAQPmS6RICwX
他從未想過,自己竟會成為「主事之人」。41Please respect copyright.PENANAfQqCQ2G9bF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHQ5x4KiLN3
從前他是跟隨,是守護,是執行。但此刻,無名與林慧芳皆在後方整備,而他,是先鋒,是試路者——是那第一個涉入泥沼的人。41Please respect copyright.PENANAR0W46TNL9z
41Please respect copyright.PENANAseEaByO8HZ
「狗命一條,撿回來幾次,也該還回去了。」他自語,聲音被風雨吞沒。41Please respect copyright.PENANAxLKIc6vQSv
41Please respect copyright.PENANAF4h9tpZHLB
前方,是白骨嶺南支的一處黑崖斷口。據馬溫所述,血煞樓的一支分部便隱於此地——名為「黑刃寨」,實為血煞的外戍殺堂,專門清除異己與反意者。41Please respect copyright.PENANAGRx0v83FVH
41Please respect copyright.PENANAf0eEWh7Ncf
這一戰,無需計謀,無需佈局。只有一個目的:殺。41Please respect copyright.PENANAf7HhDgYxpi
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZU9CJGeGN
他將面具戴上——那是一張鐵面黑紋的兇獸面具,來自馬溫舊時劍樓執刑司遺物。戴上它,就代表他是「為恨而來,不問生死」。41Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ3iRtaBlY
41Please respect copyright.PENANA92uoFfXjqJ
他踏進雨中林徑,腳步如雷。血煞樓斥候剛欲呼喊,便見一道黑影疾閃而至——劍光未出,人已斃命。41Please respect copyright.PENANATWFHzPwBVa
41Please respect copyright.PENANAMumRtZNofE
這一夜,山林之中,鋼鐵與血肉的碰撞聲響不絕於耳。41Please respect copyright.PENANA9Xry4G17Pk
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6Bh4NDblg1
後方山道,林慧芳一邊揉著腳踝一邊抱怨:「說什麼先鋒開路,這傢伙真的一個人殺進去了?他瘋啦?」41Please respect copyright.PENANA8jHpNLM1ms
41Please respect copyright.PENANAspxOBmmv6e
無名不語,只靜靜望著遠方雷光閃過的山腰,一道道影影綽綽的火光從林間亮起——那是兵器撞擊的火花,是命運決裂的光芒。41Please respect copyright.PENANAFynnIl6dlj
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8zzLPBN5K3
「他沒瘋。」無名終於開口,「只是這次……他不想再退了。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAgep7G2ryMz
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHDVwh639SC
林慧芳撇撇嘴,取出折扇:「不退可以,但也別真死了,我這段子還沒人接哏呢。」41Please respect copyright.PENANA7bGUDWnNKR
41Please respect copyright.PENANAjf4eGt9p0S
黑刃寨內,已然血流成河。阿狗身披血衣,雙眼猩紅,氣息如狂風裂空。寨中十餘高手圍殺於他,卻一一倒下。41Please respect copyright.PENANAjQhzRYwnw3
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1hLGuue8M3
風蹄重劍並不鋒利,卻每一擊都沉重如山。他不以技巧勝,而以怒與恨與不屈一意貫之。41Please respect copyright.PENANA7W8luyZpmQ
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeyGNbAgZc0
「你們殺我兄弟,滅我鄰村,染我江州成血地——」41Please respect copyright.PENANA55feOg88Af
41Please respect copyright.PENANA95rOkFmdK2
「今夜!我還給你們一劍一命!」41Please respect copyright.PENANAZW20TegchV
41Please respect copyright.PENANATdssC2rrQA
最終,他一腳踏破寨門,重劍倒插於地。天際雷聲狂吼,他立於數十具屍骨中央,一身殺氣仍未散盡。41Please respect copyright.PENANA6tfrzqjggh
41Please respect copyright.PENANAx6R2TFRPD6
黑刃寨,滅。41Please respect copyright.PENANAsmsWe13ul4
白骨嶺風勢未歇,阿狗立於屍山血泊之間,心頭卻無絲毫喜悅或成就感,只有一種近乎死寂的平靜。41Please respect copyright.PENANAFhwWTQApce
41Please respect copyright.PENANAsk9qbHE52p
他緩緩拔出插在地上的風蹄重劍,雨水沖刷劍身,血跡在石板上匯聚成流。他低頭對著屍堆輕聲說道:「這只是開始。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAeti8gF5yrP
41Please respect copyright.PENANARUpomyeKeY
此刻,他身後傳來輕輕腳步聲——是林慧芳。她披著一件酒紅色輕斗篷,扇子敲著手心,語氣少了以往的輕挑,多了幾分凝重。41Please respect copyright.PENANAF8hiqgq63l
41Please respect copyright.PENANAoSnkJdupXQ
「你這樣打下去,不怕真走火入魔?」41Please respect copyright.PENANAtWyaGgrw8B
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0m6q2y97Cf
阿狗沒有回頭,只冷冷道:「我若不殺,他們便會繼續殺人。我不是英雄,但我知道,這一回我不動手,沒人替我們出頭。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAQVFT3RZY5H
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUIiHoJsV9F
「你不怕死?」林慧芳側頭問。41Please respect copyright.PENANAbGL1ldnF2o
41Please respect copyright.PENANAV3zR8nm1en
「我怕,但更怕那些無聲無息就被埋的人,死了也沒人記得他們為什麼死。」阿狗聲音低啞卻堅定。41Please respect copyright.PENANAbE0G9WoA2H
41Please respect copyright.PENANABu55eDFAOB
林慧芳忽然一笑,從懷中取出兩枚小酒壺,丟了一個過去:「那就喝一口,給死去的兄弟,也給活著的你自己。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAo2Qw98S2S2
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3nX8lJyh2u
他接住酒壺,一仰脖喝了半壺,喉頭滾動如焚火,心中卻微微暖了些。他知道,林慧芳不是在勸他退,而是在提醒他——別忘了還活著。41Please respect copyright.PENANAP906lFLESt
41Please respect copyright.PENANA5yIOoZRczL
不遠處,無名與楚紅練也來到現場。楚紅練望著一地屍骨,眼中悲憫:「這不是江湖,這是屠場。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAHJj111LLne
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzP3i1RcC8w
無名未語,反望向阿狗,緩緩開口:「你走得太快,我們差點跟不上。但你若還要走下去,記得讓我們知道你要去哪裡。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAxJu8Vl7Viv
41Please respect copyright.PENANAH9VPOmCQiR
阿狗轉過身,聲音穩重得異常:「我要走的,是江州的血路。若有人要阻,我不讓;若有人肯隨,我不等。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAlzEwUC3ucW
41Please respect copyright.PENANAycyPmwxzmw
三人靜默,而後林慧芳嘆道:「那我不就既不能阻,也不能等?乾脆跟到底好了。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAK4L1iQLByo
41Please respect copyright.PENANAibvqKVqDu2
「接下來去哪?」楚紅練問。41Please respect copyright.PENANA6n6yeFGqCy
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZq9GedrD9N
阿狗望向山南方向,語氣冷然:「黑刃寨滅,血煞樓必會有所動作。他們下一步,不是在白骨嶺等我們,而是在江州城主府——等我們犯錯。」41Please respect copyright.PENANA3U12LMZtpZ
41Please respect copyright.PENANARWMAaalDLM
無名點頭:「那我們就去江州,主動讓他們知道,我們不會錯,只會斬。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAvz4b8hk4mb
41Please respect copyright.PENANAi9QmMaO13Y
四人身影離開嶺口,山風呼嘯,似為這場戰爭拉開真正的序幕。41Please respect copyright.PENANAiysgXshG4s
41Please respect copyright.PENANACOH7Oidv2x
而在他們離開不久,一名身著青紗的女子悄然出現在屍堆之中,拾起一截斷劍,輕聲念道:41Please respect copyright.PENANAwCyiBxyk7h
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVgD9cD8HNE
「江州之血,原來還沒乾淨過。」41Please respect copyright.PENANANDyD4B7e3k
江州城南,雨後初晴。41Please respect copyright.PENANAVMKv1A84YY
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8x2SPQNXs
城主府外,三道身影自市集隱入暗巷,無聲地貼近城牆。阿狗走在最前,雙眼警覺如鷹,一手緊握風蹄重劍的布鞘。41Please respect copyright.PENANAURpFWnOil8
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmw5qyfB3ph
「據馬溫情報,城主府近期頻繁接見來自‘洛陽道場’的使者,極可能與血煞樓有密約勾連。」楚紅練低聲說。41Please respect copyright.PENANAp9qcT1NU6X
41Please respect copyright.PENANARZdK4qSJeg
林慧芳翻了翻眼:「這年頭什麼道場、什麼盟都能搞黑吃黑?不如我們也開間正派,專收江湖敗類?」41Please respect copyright.PENANADK7euHyMkI
41Please respect copyright.PENANAhGgkz0jQ9Y
阿狗沒答話,他的注意力集中在那座宏偉門廊與守衛交錯的陣列。他目測距離,默記巡邏節奏,眼神銳利得像正瞄準目標的狼。41Please respect copyright.PENANAibmAafLrMu
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkw8HBrDz6P
「走右邊水渠,進側門,趁交班混入內苑。」他語速極快,語氣卻冷靜得出奇,「這次只探,不戰。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAOgEOj1qwO1
41Please respect copyright.PENANA5BKE8pLUZK
林慧芳舉手:「那我先說好,如果遇上比我還吵的,我保不準會忍不住打人。」41Please respect copyright.PENANABa0AZT3bMZ
41Please respect copyright.PENANATVgRVpXrxD
三人沿著排水暗渠潛入,進入內苑小院。他們尚未深入,一道輕微的機括聲便響起,緊接著十數名身著錦甲的死士現身,悄無聲息圍住整座院落。41Please respect copyright.PENANAATkOHfmZMZ
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzEXUzntAxk
為首者乃一中年男子,氣息極沉,雙手負背,目中無喜無怒。41Please respect copyright.PENANAvSqv2nu36d
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8PJA5OG874
「阿狗,江州近年來無人不知你的名。可惜——你走錯了地方。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAPEtl6qG16V
41Please respect copyright.PENANAD5rJrwI5SO
阿狗冷笑:「我若不走錯,就輪不到你這種人當狗主子。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAZAAL6yYpvE
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzuNjuV34mo
中年男子語聲淡漠:「江湖已無正道。你們這些自命清白的敗兵殘將,早該退出棋局。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAer4gXnUb7m
41Please respect copyright.PENANAFYkq3aSuU8
「是嗎?」林慧芳扇子一揮,「那讓你見識一下,什麼叫笑裡藏刀!」41Please respect copyright.PENANATdbnnL7igo
41Please respect copyright.PENANAu2Fz932xDh
話音落,阿狗率先拔劍突進,一劍橫掃三名死士,重劍未出劍花,卻力道驚人。楚紅練暗中施術,指尖陣符翻飛,助無名封鎖退路。41Please respect copyright.PENANAFWPm7jmOVP
41Please respect copyright.PENANARZI9HKMx79
混戰瞬間爆發,城主府的白牆被劍痕劃破,地面雨水混著鮮血四濺。41Please respect copyright.PENANAUzhvbZFhlV
41Please respect copyright.PENANAwXYdCzPWhV
那中年男子忽然大喝一聲,單掌一震,竟逼得阿狗連退三步,臂骨震麻。此人內力極深,不在馬溫之下。41Please respect copyright.PENANAJo99xB2Iof
41Please respect copyright.PENANAw18PPsabOA
「若再戰,必死。」無名擋下第二擊,眼神凝重,「撤!」41Please respect copyright.PENANADZ6jB0PDHm
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUNHMikTp54
阿狗不甘咬牙,終還是隨眾人撤入後牆暗道。41Please respect copyright.PENANAIYsFiri8pN
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0bhEpQhoqE
當夜,他獨自坐於江州舊碼頭,一人一劍,對著江水靜默許久。41Please respect copyright.PENANA8Sv7q9VeAy
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHxiKXLcoG4
他終於低聲道:「我們還是太弱了。要斬血煞,不止靠恨,還得靠——命中每一劍的準心。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAk0OZYfIACC
41Please respect copyright.PENANAMOZeuRJbDv
林慧芳坐在他旁邊,將酒壺往他手裡一塞:「那就繼續活著,直到劍能斬乾淨為止。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAwENfWLPnkC
江州城主府之戰後三日,風聲鶴唳,滿城風雨。41Please respect copyright.PENANAKEDKCr5hBG
41Please respect copyright.PENANADAk4OiJsEd
阿狗手握重劍,立於江南舊碼頭,望著來來往往的貨船與行人,心中一片沉靜。儘管昨夜一戰無功而返,但那一掌的重量,卻如鐵錘般敲在他的心口。41Please respect copyright.PENANAO39pDcieFU
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3sJnvgklBZ
「若連我這條命都斬不進敵陣,那還談什麼報仇雪恨?」41Please respect copyright.PENANAYKs8yJJKes
41Please respect copyright.PENANASRXr3ClSk1
他低聲自語。41Please respect copyright.PENANAw6ZCOLVjaY
41Please respect copyright.PENANAbZBHZNcLKH
遠處,無名與楚紅練走來,林慧芳則提著一串糖葫蘆慢悠悠跟在後頭。41Please respect copyright.PENANAMLp06EHrPq
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPFkSuEqDaK
「今早收到線報,血煞樓在北碼頭動作頻繁,似在運送什麼重物進城。」楚紅練說。41Please respect copyright.PENANAHNROd6x9Zj
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvDwTfA1aWG
「是斷魂箱。」無名語氣平淡卻帶著一絲殺意,「據傳那是一種以血煞之術封印人魂的禁器,一旦開啟,能操控數十死士無痛無思,形同魔兵。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAdyEcHoIp88
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXl0Fz9Rmwg
林慧芳吐出糖籤:「這麼噁心的東西都能用?我看江湖比我見過最爛的市集還亂七八糟。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAlllPgvm8Wc
41Please respect copyright.PENANABW0nmxXSuI
阿狗道:「我去查,今晚動手。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAN7y9CpLglo
41Please respect copyright.PENANAz7X8QRtcqL
「我們一起。」楚紅練說。41Please respect copyright.PENANApmOxIZmG2y
41Please respect copyright.PENANA5EDzcUNfKw
阿狗搖頭:「這次,不適合一群人行動。我熟水道,能潛入無聲,若失敗,你們再接手。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAjbiKlgwBae
41Please respect copyright.PENANAplPkx5Kohe
林慧芳皺眉:「你這是想當烈士?」41Please respect copyright.PENANAnLdWH3xOnV
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYM7XIoTM8Y
「不,是想確定我還配不配活著。」41Please respect copyright.PENANA1MGouDiMsU
41Please respect copyright.PENANANVM8n2VJNI
當夜子時,江州北碼頭。41Please respect copyright.PENANAy4yrslgcY2
41Please respect copyright.PENANAaHopZoWfcV
風聲低迴,船影寂靜如鬼。阿狗換上潛衣,背劍潛入水道,不多時便摸至水下船艙。41Please respect copyright.PENANATf3VJ6b8DF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1o4hCtEKZ
艙中陰氣森然,果然擺著三口黑鐵棺槨,周遭佈滿禁符與血印。41Please respect copyright.PENANAWNvmS9yRIR
41Please respect copyright.PENANAed4ctsi4cS
他剛欲探查,忽有聲響自棺內傳出——嘶啞如獸,卻又帶著人語低吟。41Please respect copyright.PENANA5Uje7NP0Wa
41Please respect copyright.PENANAuu7AAz1VYz
「開……門……放……我……」41Please respect copyright.PENANA6DlU6krKqQ
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYrCgIMQsw8
阿狗猛地轉身,劍橫胸前,一名身形古怪的武者自暗處撲來,臉上血紋遍布,眼神空洞無神。41Please respect copyright.PENANAOo69AI5c60
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHzpKT6Th4U
「這就是斷魂者……」他心中一寒。41Please respect copyright.PENANALCipOXjWc2
41Please respect copyright.PENANAlxhghyRJke
他與對方激戰十餘招,發現對手全然不懼傷痛,筋骨硬如精鐵,唯有重劍刺入胸口要害方能令其倒下。41Please respect copyright.PENANAfdPuk7r6Wb
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJVXU2bA97W
但就在他拔劍之際,另一具斷魂者已自棺內破印而出,形如狂猿,怒吼震艙。41Please respect copyright.PENANATSkh8wX9zj
41Please respect copyright.PENANAsuhNb53cAl
阿狗低聲一喝:「來吧!」41Please respect copyright.PENANAK5xK6gZCqd
41Please respect copyright.PENANAX2xWG9s0w9
戰聲驟起,黑夜中劍光怒舞。41Please respect copyright.PENANAXJTkWYVvjY
41Please respect copyright.PENANApGHdiNZuJb
41Please respect copyright.PENANAFSA1XmwHJd
遠處高樓,林慧芳望著燃起的火光皺眉:「他要是沒回來,我就真把這江州給炸了。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAnbq62QAAca
41Please respect copyright.PENANArl2jkpqZBQ
無名站於她旁,只輕聲說道:「他會回來。因為他不是為殺而戰,是為讓自己還能回來而戰。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAadLqds5w7q
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3OFQch7Xc
江水滔滔,火光映紅北岸。41Please respect copyright.PENANAZO1ywJDkBM
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHCHRPTqH4U
阿狗雙手染血,一身狼狽自船艙中縱出,重劍斷了一角,卻仍死死握在掌中。他已將三具斷魂者全數斬殺,船艙破損嚴重,火勢蔓延至碼頭邊倉。41Please respect copyright.PENANAhRRUwg5LCY
41Please respect copyright.PENANAJp7B3v3dxq
他躍上岸邊,一腳踉蹌,幾乎跪倒。此時一隻手攙住了他,是無名。41Please respect copyright.PENANAIRa0wMsgeH
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZlWNHlnhsH
「走得夠遠了,該回來了。」無名語氣平靜卻堅定。41Please respect copyright.PENANAVasLKExWsl
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXsUiqKLr3m
阿狗氣喘如牛,卻還是擠出一絲笑意:「我回來了,帶著他們的命回來。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAu4o7iXOLR6
41Please respect copyright.PENANAy6rYpv4Y0S
林慧芳與楚紅練從後巷趕來,見阿狗尚存,齊齊鬆了一口氣。林慧芳嘴上雖罵:「你再晚一炷香我就要去拆你那船啦!」眼底卻分明泛著水光。41Please respect copyright.PENANApw1mRpk3bc
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOcpsDNNvXW
楚紅練則默默取出丹瓶為他敷藥,不多言語,動作卻格外輕柔。41Please respect copyright.PENANA2zAprkeDlO
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfiu5F5SSzq
「那三口斷魂棺已毀,血煞樓必會震動。這不是勝利,但至少,是第一記耳光。」阿狗咬牙將自己撐起。41Please respect copyright.PENANAf0BzXx6MFw
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqsV8wP6Gh3
數日後,江州南郊,柳塘之畔。41Please respect copyright.PENANAT5S64hdlJ5
41Please respect copyright.PENANA6cMy7b2ESD
風蹄馬溫站於老槐樹下,望著遠處滿城煙塵,忽然道:「他那一戰,是殺出了江湖人的氣。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAubr4svlaLT
41Please respect copyright.PENANAjIm9joYATv
林慧芳斜靠槐樹,啃著糖葫蘆說:「我認識他這麼久,第一次覺得他像個主角。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAYjG31vLWCo
41Please respect copyright.PENANAYklrWeQCQV
馬溫道:「他不是主角,他是劍,是一把擱得久了、終於出鞘的劍。」41Please respect copyright.PENANA1SkKFZF2tb
41Please respect copyright.PENANAlpwqt6dxOg
無名走來,語氣如常:「江湖不是戲,主角不一定能活。但若連劍都不敢拔,就更別說什麼正道。」41Please respect copyright.PENANASjYVUVKLHD
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvGhAX3eGJX
眾人對視無語,唯有微風掃過塘面,掀起一片靜水波痕。41Please respect copyright.PENANABPnZggsDSg
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8TXyQQVQ1k
夜裡,阿狗獨自站在客棧窗前,望著天邊殘月。他低聲說:41Please respect copyright.PENANAIONJsPD7BU
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmm2R9RR8lX
「我不是什麼大俠,更不懂什麼道理。但若這江湖還有人能被我救一命,那我就不能死在半途。」41Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2lNEk3Z1D
41Please respect copyright.PENANAlwDmQ7rqC4
這一刻,他終於明白,那場白骨嶺的誓言,不是為了誰報仇,也不是為了證明什麼,而是為了讓自己活成一個,能讓人信任的——人。
41Please respect copyright.PENANAE2zCQgvjMF
41Please respect copyright.PENANAMJIlIcu9xH
第九章:完