甫上任的應天知府杜攸抬起頭，向祭天壇上的太常丞李孜省行了一揖。李孜省也頷首回禮，他與一眾弟子身著白衣，壇上風勁，吹揚了他們的衣袂和長幡，巾帶飄飄，看上去教人誤以為是瞧見了飛升在雲霧中的仙人。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZztR0bOeRB
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB03prMicM
杜攸雙眼緊盯著栓在壇上的公牛。年輕公牛彷彿聞到不祥的氣息，開始用力噴氣。杜攸焦躁的情緒不斷積累，希望這場祭典能趕緊結束。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwqTCpowXI
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN5N7kLc7C
祭壇搭在玄武湖畔，周圍綠樹成林，杜攸一眼望去，壇下擠滿了人，他們只是些看熱鬧的鄉野村夫，但他仍不免擔憂群情沸騰時，會波及自身安危。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlU2yW2Joe
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtcZ8gItnw
自從接任知府一職，府衙官員們毫不避諱地批評他的各種作為，最後總不忘加上一句：要是沈大人還在，絕不會如此倒行逆施。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9rfeOwLQG
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46FGj7tICY
他們說得一點沒錯，論才幹、聲譽、人望，他都比不上前任知府沈孟季，而沈孟季棄官求去，他卻官運亨通。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9FWuu681K
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXhArsxpcY
多麼諷刺，他多想當著下屬的面大笑三聲。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5BJKFZqXK
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS8jBs47fP
旁人不知，他在朝中可是有著堅實的靠山──西廠提督汪直。汪公公曾多次明示、暗示：金陵即將發生不得了的大事，如果杜攸能聽話辦事，加官晉封絕少不了他。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTBcNMy0O9
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wK2ZJGlgA
明擺著的好處就在眼前，聽話辦事又有何難？329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxMEohVS2A
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbchVLOjtP
好生接待李孜省便是其一。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z28U4nI0Y
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Y9mt4M9d
杜攸照辦了，但他很快就發現，這傢伙是個招搖撞騙的江湖術士。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm21sLXELij
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSm3io8qaA
李孜省自稱曾在崑崙山修仙，還習得長生不老之術，憑著汪直的如簧巧舌，皇帝與萬貴妃居然相信了，留下此人在宮中，日日煉製可以延年益壽的仙丹。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibKbG3xRGP
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQRTB1cpyk
如今玄武湖出現妖龍作祟，皇帝命李孜省前來收妖。這一行人著實不易與，行到金陵城外三十里處，便傳令大小官員出城迎接。杜攸好不容易，風風火火地將這位太常丞大人迎進城，李大人底下的徒子徒孫又不停地向地方官員伸手要錢，一會兒說要上天界和神佛疏通，一會兒說要備置各種祭品，才能降魔伏妖。李大人既是受皇命而來，眾人自然是想盡辦法巴結。只是每回杜攸問起他何時才要開始降妖，他總是晃著腦袋言道：「時候未到，時候未到。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsURdQ8UYq
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4h4KNfMBq
直到日前京中傳來急報，皇宮遭遇天火，要盡速升壇祭天，收服妖孽，以息天怒，李孜省才勉強開始籌辦正事。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgbyRi1wZz
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WUAHXAkQz
此刻日至正中，平靜無波的玄武湖，折射出點點金光，看不出有何妖物棲息湖中。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPgIgdrUYV
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0kYi5OdfH
司禮官在一旁大喊：「午時已到。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDTTwrRoWx
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNmjkVTkxV
杜攸上前一步，高聲道：「李大人，吉時已到。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3AWNfxOu8
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0EKViABsQ
「知道了。」李孜省朝天舉起雙手。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvODU4KjtZH
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq1OKTsQ6A
四名差役將公牛拖至湖邊，四周驀地颳起一陣狂風，吹得祭天壇不住搖晃，眾人晃得狼狽不堪，幾幅長幡應聲墜地。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsiME68gMv
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTFIP03P21
「這是惡兆，會召來厄運的。」杜攸驚叫。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KFS2SCmPS
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIqRtkAS3b
圍觀群眾面面相覷。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmWRassgny
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2axSgqYvZA
「李大人，不能再拖延，著即開祭。」杜攸急道。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkLeosVbXA
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoN0n18Xjy
李孜省看似驚魂未定，但在杜攸的催促之下，煞有介事地拿起祭刀比劃了幾下，開始念誦經文。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDJSHAnYMl
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBruUh8rl3C
「我本卜祭為民，吾請自當之。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa29Bkyq23I
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8xIrSgs7t
李孜省手持觚爵，內盛秫酒，禮敬天地四方。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazNv4vXA40
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2A5XJrGfU
其餘弟子手中捧著大觚，將祭酒往各方彈灑。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpphHy8CGUV
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruVjvl5EGO
杜攸緊盯眾人，他本不願勞師動眾，搬演這齣收妖大戲，所謂孽龍，不過是幾個莊稼漢喝醉了以後穿鑿附會的鬼話。但汪直交代過，得把戲做足。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPkti7Eh5d
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOyZWkExgE
他曾聽汪直的人馬私下議論，繼任皇帝即將遷都南京，若能降伏孽龍，代表金陵王氣再起，可獲取更多民心。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVipGf5Vsyv
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulmSErldUT
杜攸心知當今皇帝無嗣，哪來的下任皇帝？不過，他這應天知府當得舒適妥貼是千真萬確的。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvG97EMTSU
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMizA329Dv
自他一上任就加徵新稅，財稅、地稅、人丁稅，開放酒麴釀造之禁，以加徵酒稅，秦淮河畔的青樓必須全照他的新規，官人們若想召姑娘陪侍，必須先喝幾壺酒。稅收既然多，在官銀上繳朝廷以前，他這個地方官開個花帳，中飽私囊，也屬官場慣例。既是汪太監給了他這個肥缺，就看在銀子的份上，幫他演上一齣降妖伏魔，飛龍在天的美戲，也僅是舉手之勞而已。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84X9IcSphb
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLlxf9voSG
「……遊赤水駕驩，越崑崙各霞迎驤……」李孜省仍在吟唱。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt5F1aXvjm
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv9dkHQ6Ra
祭詞像是永無止盡。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWY4bEPFd3
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmzzwX6jTY
杜攸忽覺一陣刺骨寒意，伴隨一股不知從何而來的腥鹹味，天色也倏忽轉暗，壇上的祭品公牛似乎也察覺到了這股莫名的寒意，放聲吼叫。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCzJwUv0U4
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhcQBUi4L0
李孜省似乎也想盡速了結，揚手召喚。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfV2T8Kn3X
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjBGX9MMzR
幾名弟子走上前去，奉上祭刀、祭酒，被四名士兵綑綁拉扯的公牛興許意識死期將至，不住地掙扎，企圖甩脫士兵的控制，士兵們必須竭力，才能將牠按在定位。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBd30TCQ7w
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3hqvS0CLJ
李孜省手執祭刀，口裡讀誦著祭語，一名徒兒將祭祀用的玉碗貼在公牛喉頭下方，準備承接牲品的鮮血。李孜省停頓了一下，端詳這隻潔淨的牲畜，牠嘗試衝向前以掙脫束縛，卻被繩索拉扯。李孜省緊握祭刀，切開了公牛的咽喉，將頸部鮮血注入玉器。公牛睜著困惑大眼，發出痛苦的嚎叫，直到耗盡最後一絲氣力，這才頹然倒地。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJVWWeUVsC
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfgNmhYUxr
李孜省手捧盛有祭牲鮮血的玉器，緩緩將牲血傾倒湖中，同時吟誦：329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfNGMYMvWU
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN25kKFq2RM
邦畿千里，為民所止，
肇域彼四海，四海來假，
來假祁祁……329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEi293Amih
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXAQRxegoX
杜攸悄悄移開了目光――他討厭見血。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVZME7pLbX
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTqxziTPEa
沒來由地，忽有幾股霧氣自湖面升起，似漣漪般地向外擴散，不久整座玄武湖全壟罩著厚重的霧靄。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q6dYYq1Fj
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQDG7UKLni
不對勁啊，杜攸心中暗忖。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFLJM7l6yU
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP2rFoigp6
他從未看過會挪移翻騰的霧。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hmW77mxqn
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzlSl0hKb4
圍觀群眾見狀，隨即一哄而散，唯有府衙的差役不得擅離職守，死死盯著霧氣中以防看不見的敵人忽然冒出來。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy3MbY05PH
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTA10B2ASO
杜攸也想逃跑，但見霧氣不停在他周圍凝聚，不一會兒，所有人的視線都被一片死白的霧牆所遮蔽。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TrhmRmg4Y
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYcyYfZ6Gr
猶如白霧攏成水滴，一縷黑影自霧中乍現，黑影聚成一名黑衣男子，逐步向杜攸靠近。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MZuhTMSi
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxYnmp1oTX
「什麼人，竟敢擅闖祭儀？」杜攸顫聲說道。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg12F3Xk94
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pipDY9Pj1
男子睨了杜攸一眼，不理會他的叫喊，逕自跨步走來。男子身形壯碩挺拔，雙眼霍爍著焰火，手中大刀已挑明此行來意。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtvLnu8NJ0
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ApCtj707
「來……來人，給我拿下！」杜攸驚慌地大喊，腳步胡亂往後退去。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq9nHGnYhg
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPXunaTRKi
幾名手握長矛的護衛又疑又懼，不敢擅動，欲先確定來者究竟是人是鬼。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9IjryTppW
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbmCpLu5ew
黑衣男子一閃身，先踢飛面前兩名差役，另一人想從後方偷襲，矛尖直指男子後心，誰知他背後也長了眼似的，從容地探手奪去長矛、朝背後肘擊，這一記撞碎了差役的鼻梁，血流滿面。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR9CJRReh4
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0znrsdodt7
其餘差役不敢靠近，紛紛對黑衣男子擲出手中的長矛，男子揮動手中大刀，毫不費力地將飛過來的長矛一一擊落，招式如行雲流水，游刃有餘。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9hcnsBU9a
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ox0DVNRJo
差役們眼見不敵，索性放下兵器逃命去了，沒人想為一名怕死的貪官賣命。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrd4FGvZuI
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24vur25LWj
杜攸驚恐莫名，雙手在空中亂揮，口裡嚅囁著：「來者何人？為……為什麼要殺我？」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd17jLaq73
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPEd1atsdI
男子啐了一口，一腳將杜攸踹翻在地。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPUjMV4A1q
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yTm3hRDdb
杜攸想起身逃跑，膝蓋卻不聽使喚，連腿都直不起來。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WAOMhyXya
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuWdeVTPl4
「別……別殺我，我給你錢……」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceoAFDgqZR
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dPScZVaGj
男子不理會杜攸的叫喊，長刀橫劈向前。杜攸只見刀上閃射的光，絲毫感覺不到利刃砍進頸脖，他的頭顱飛在半空，久久才落地。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNNVyvID3E
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZAnzJGks
所以他當然聽不到黑衣男子舉起染血長刀，向祭天壇一字一頓地大喊：「鹽幫豫明夷，為金陵，誅、此、賊。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCJnwPiNwH
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2KzhQUI4U
§329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe07xsTV8LO
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R2PmLvLHX
空中傳來詭異迴聲，巨風湧動，李孜省髮冠皆亂，寬大的衣袍在風中颯颯作響。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5bpmdBiM8
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj1vYdwBLi
好端端的祭天儀式，莫名地冒出一團迷霧，忽而混沌，忽而清明。該不會是甚麼地方出錯了，而遭天地之靈反噬？329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt1e5FRqvi
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejjzA2jOjQ
李孜省迫不及待地想逃離這祭臺，卻不敢妄動。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bMHVt9I8c
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNnKcrL32i
迷霧中甚麼也看不清，隱隱聽到遠處兵刃相交的劈砍聲，還有傷者的哀號，壇下到底怎麼了。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN9OxeEgv9
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4SnenmKVb
莫非……皇帝發現真相，這些人是來殺他的？329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR10Gouezf
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11YyZ3F4dH
李孜省後悔莫名，他真不該聽信汪直和李子龍。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBSQ1Rqvjr
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8WEU5APS8
方士李子龍是他的族兄，據傳當年在崑崙仙山得授仙法，於是他從老家前來京城投靠李子龍，起初幫著畫符念經，還煞有介事。後來李子龍不知怎地搭上了宮裡的大太監汪直，汪太監提議李子龍率其親信進宮，加入西緝事司，還特別舉薦李孜省為太常丞，專責為皇帝誦念經文祈福。此等好事，眾人自是一口答應。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpeJDDo1YR
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCBeut3CLs
進了皇宮以後，李孜省才發現這差事不如想像這麼簡單。汪直不知如何在皇帝面前說得天花亂墜，說他會收妖降魔，還會煉製長生不老的丹藥，皇帝龍心大悅，便留他在宮中，要他日日煉丹，盡管他只是假裝焚香燒爐，呈上由李子龍所煉製的丹藥，也不免憂心，萬一被人發現，那是欺君大罪，要殺頭的。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsJOw85v3I
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoLwkJFwtY
爾後金陵出現妖孽，皇帝又降旨命他前來除妖，雖說汪直要他儘管帶著眾弟子來裝模作樣即可，妖物甚麼全是假的。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPv3e99zM5
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誰知一切都亂了套，李孜省知道事跡敗露後他必遭問罪，一陣暈眩，頹然坐倒。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzMqDXyzmE
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe7hnRSw9S
當他略為警醒，霧氣已然退去，他身在湖畔，天穹像是被洗滌過的清亮透徹，玄武湖波光粼粼，一切紛擾復歸平靜，正當李孜省放鬆心神，一名身穿白色氅衣的男子踩踏在湖面上，緩緩向他走來。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl550nqX0f
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CJRFu3RiU
「殷商巫族，向來不干預世人假借巫術之名，行偷搶拐騙之事，」男子聲音溫潤，步伐輕柔，就像雲朵一樣浮著，「只是，你可能有所不知，方才進行的不是祓除邪穢之術，而是召喚之術。」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcANHfR5Jm
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOsMslwDiv
男子的聲音恍惚晃蕩，忽遠忽近。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dlbEE5ln7
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAh0TXZkYU
李孜省抬起頭與這名陌生男子對望，日光在湖面閃爍生輝，男子的身形染上一層金光。一股暖意慢慢融進李孜省的胸口，他放下戒心，單純地被男子高潔的氣度所鎮服。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6xuyj0Wu7
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這才是真的仙風道骨，衣不染塵啊！329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPN1NmxZD
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdebXsHVEY
男子走到他的跟前，嘴角漾出一抹神秘的微笑，「至於你召喚出來的東西，你就自個看著辦吧！」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLODS5Lipu4
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg1RTLmkAI
湖面泛起小小的漣漪，男子現出溫潤的微笑，使人如沐春風，李孜省只想沉浸在此刻的寧靜平和，忘記世間險惡，因此未曾發現湖面的漣漪已轉變成深廣的漩渦。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJdsqn4gUK
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6bpczEw20
李孜省望著湖裡蕩漾的水草，陡然感到一陣暈眩，身體像是微醺般輕飄飄的。當他瞧見水中一雙鎔金色的雙眼時，忍不住問：「我這是怎麼了？」329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfv3OxDQy9
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIJEw7Gbqr
「或許你永遠無法理解。」那聲音透出來的哀傷情緒，是憐憫？329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiV2yQJuAZ
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuZCaVBVFJ
白色的身影隨即消失，湖中赫然出現一個巨大的身影，他還來不及細想，一個覆著青綠色鱗片的巨大龍頭迎面其來，口裡的黑牙就和匕首一樣長。他欲張口呼救，卻發不出聲。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHPugkv5TS
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在他腦中迴盪的最後一個念頭是：原來孽龍是真的。329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3DTlLPYIz
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI5mONpo0i
