其後數日,任永在白天修練「徐家刀法」,夜間打坐練習內功。任永想:「方頴是天下間惟一清楚我胸腹內力問題的人,若她攻我此處,我必敗無疑。不能讓她使掌,要跟她在兵刃上交鋒。」又想:「方頴只怕她師父蘇寧霜一個,偏偏女魔頭不在此處。」當下苦思破敵之策,仍無頭緒。538Please respect copyright.PENANAMFg0wWsOrL
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任永每晚臥床欲睡的時候,心中又想起喬思頴與朱恆互訴情意的一幕,每次皆讓他抽泣不停。每朝醒來,任永精神反比前天更差。538Please respect copyright.PENANAW2x4vgBplC
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距離「諸王論武大會」還餘一天。是日夜裡,一位額頭深陷、骨瘦如柴的人前來拜訪任永,正是徐璉。任永心驚膽顫,想道:「他會否知道當日放火行兇之人,就是我?」任永對「一盞閻王」徐璉無甚好感,但他始終是皇帝的人,不能不見。徐璉來到廳中,任永反要讓他坐主家位。538Please respect copyright.PENANA8HObayKz09
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徐璉道:「皇上要我詢問,任兄弟是否有必勝把握?」任永默不作聲,心想:「原來是皇上問我勝算如何。我連續敗給方頴四十多次,若正面交鋒,必敗無礙。」於是直言道:「沒把握。」徐璉笑道:「你我算是一場相識,徐某勸你一句,若你失敗,皇上定不饒你。」538Please respect copyright.PENANACp2utx5DR5
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任永見他神色自若,說道:「徐大人胸中可有良策?不,『一盞大人』之名如雷貫耳,徐大人可帶領部下,於今夜偷偷潛至寧王住處與喬思頴交手,耗她一些體力內力,亦是好事。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vz6dgTzAT
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徐璉哈哈大笑,說道:「徐某平身最討厭人家自命君子,還以為任兄弟是這種人。想不到英雄所見略同,知道解決困難,不可循規蹈矩。我們小施手段,定可一擊即中。」徐璉在泉州見過任永和喬思頴聯手,還以為任永會念舊情,現下聽任永一言,以為他到了生死關頭、功利名關,可以六親不認,不禁對他略為改觀。538Please respect copyright.PENANAk1j2LUcLfG
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任永心生厭惡,隨即又想:「我最近所作所為,跟徐璉無甚分別,沒有資格說他。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAPTXcv02gZc
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徐璉又道:「西樓大火後,寧王加強守備力,法平大師又在那裡作客。我若強闖,只怕會被寧王手下生擒,大丟皇上面子。」任永聽徐璉尊稱法平為「大師」,言語頗為尊重,心中大奇,問道:「徐大人不是天下第二高手嗎?何用怕法平和尚?」538Please respect copyright.PENANArXfGozNyV3
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徐璉道:「九年半前,法平大師在『大明武會』與我大戰二十合,互相勝對方不得,我倆到了非要以真力相拼不可的地步。大師不想拼命,收手認輸。其實以大師功力,所謂天下第一的謝長千,也未必是他的對手。」任永汗流浹背,心想:「若法平和尚在當晚替天行道,我任永豈會有命?」538Please respect copyright.PENANA72JU4YvXSN
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任永不想再思此事,拉回正題道:「明日比武,徐大人可有妙計?」徐璉笑道:「你與喬思頴一同上場的時候,皇上會命內監張永賜茶。喬思頴喝了茶後,嘿嘿,不出一柱香的時間,她的心肝會慢慢衰竭。兄弟奮力廝殺,裝作錯手殺人。皇上一定會幫兄弟主持公道,寧王必不能怪罪於你。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAtBOBHcSN0Q
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這一計是朱壽和徐璉共同商量而得。徐璉曾經提議使用讓人即時斃命的毒藥,但朱壽礙於文武大臣、宗室後宮皆在現場,不能如此明目張膽,故命徐璉下一種令人慢慢死去,了無徵兆的毒藥。538Please respect copyright.PENANAtZKQcHk7WN
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任永大驚,說道:「這……似乎去得太……」欲說「去得太盡」,但這計始終是皇上的主意,任永不便直斥其非,改口道:「皇上思想周密、策無遺算,但我為皇上擔憂,怕殺人之舉會惹人非議。徐大人可換別藥,讓她漸漸感到暈眩,或使她內息不暢,不用殺人滅口。」任永對喬思頴一心一意,絕不能讓她中毒身亡。538Please respect copyright.PENANA1CIltIOZ6B
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徐璉大笑,心想:「皇上聰明絕頂,豈會如此麻煩。成祖皇帝開始,歷代聖上經常假借宦官之手擅殺大臣,罪名往往由內監負起,後世愚史皆言宦官亂政。你任永殺人,讓人非議的不是皇上,而是你任永。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAfau1YNWudE
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徐璉道:「皇上要下馬威,用以震攝寧王,殺雞儆猴,使他不敢作反,從此天下太平。我知道你和喬思頴是舊識,但皇上主意已決,喬思頴必須死。聖上說的話,你只得配合,不可異議。成功後,皇上會封你為正五品『天策將軍』,從此為皇上辦事,不愁衣食,必享榮華富貴。」任永無話可說,徐璉拂袖而去。538Please respect copyright.PENANA9KxHGLQsNz
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任永大為緊張,心想:「必須通知方頴。」步出廳後,二十多名衛士守在面前,眾人身後又有二十多名弓弩手,邢珣的部下全被撤換。任永苦笑道:「眾位兄弟辛苦了。」一名將軍道:「徐大人為任先生健康着想,希望先生多加休息。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAyFKxAVAVlg
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任永暗暗拿出十兩,輕聲說道:「將軍笑納,我想讓將軍傳達訊息。」那將軍神色大變,輕聲道:「我……不敢受。」任永再取出十兩,以利誘之。將軍驚道:「我我……我父母尚在、有妻有兒,若然收之,徐大人一定不會放過我全家上下數十人,請先生體諒。」任永頓感灰心:「我布衣白身,不能保他全家老少,給他銀兩亦是無用。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAdtvp0idT6T
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是日夜裡,任永忐忑不安,仍未想出拯救喬思頴的方法。次日,任永和徐璉的士兵入宮,進入御武場。烈日當空,萬里無雲,御武場範圍極大,足以容納一隊千人軍隊,外圍均有軍士把守。一座座帳亭立於場東、場北和場西,亭內置放不少椅桌,桌上皆有酒菜。御武場538Please respect copyright.PENANAkh6ZO35F8v
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場北分為左、中、右三個範圍。左北帳是宗室貴族的所在地,淮王、荊王、襄王、鄭王等六位派員參加大會的王爺悉數出席,他們的代表如齊敗、曹煦民、羅灝等亦在場中。淮王代表陳銘臻沒有到席,何仲禎和何婉兒卻在其中。此外,朱壽的後宮寵妃與貴人皆在席上。538Please respect copyright.PENANARwKDkbZwEu
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右北帳是文武大臣和宦官內人的席位。鎮國公、威武大將軍朱壽,即大明皇帝朱厚照麾下寵臣全數列席,包括太監張永、張雄、張脫、賴義,皇帝寵臣錢寧、張泰、江彬、徐璉,大學士楊廷和、蔣冕、毛紀,及其他各部內人和大臣等等。大明制下,太監宦官由皇帝直轄,部分宦官出任官員的副手,甚至成為邊將,故此權力甚大,與大臣同列。538Please respect copyright.PENANAtogPGGZCAL
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中帳有一高台,台上又有一座大帳,那是皇帝、太后和皇后的位置,但皇帝朱壽、張太后和夏皇后未至,故此來賓都趁機把酒談笑,等候聖上來臨。場西是寧王陣營的帳亭,寧王與其手下仍未到步,亭內僅有負責招待茶水的宦官和宮女。場東是任永所屬帳亭,方婷、邢珣、江希遙和宋素卿早已坐在席上。538Please respect copyright.PENANABy4qi0MdPM
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任永見此排場,心中惶恐不安,自思決不能輸,但喬思頴亦不能死。538Please respect copyright.PENANAtWv3wWxy0b
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任永步入東帳,方婷立時離座,直奔任永懷內。任永抱起方婷片刻,方婷欲言又止,臉色稍差,想是多日不見任永的緣故。邢珣亦同時站起,與一名膚色偏黃、鼻樑高挺、手長及膝、相貌頗俊的男子一起向任永問好,那男子正是宋素卿。538Please respect copyright.PENANAHdbHFXR9Jp
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任永向方婷道:「小妹妹要坐在邢大哥身邊。」此舉旨在讓喬思頴分神,方婷微有猶疑之色。江希遙雙目失明,聽到任永聲音後,才知道任永到來,未等方婷回應,搶口叫道:「不行,我要坐在邢大人與方妹妹之間,姓宋的自己找別的位置。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA9n544rq2we
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江希遙目盲,根本看不見東西,誰坐她身旁亦沒關係,她卻不想宋素卿在身邊囉囉唆唆。宋素卿神情沮喪,瞧着任永苦笑。任永想:「江希遙在幼時僅僅認識二哥這一名年輕男子,才跟他相戀多年。其實他們倆行事思想不同,問題可多得很。」又想:「二哥和江希遙關係惡劣,應該與當今皇上有關。難道當今皇上亦橫刀奪愛?」538Please respect copyright.PENANATC0j6BcbXW
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任永欲曉之以理,解釋道:「江姑娘聽我說,我害怕方頴出手搶走小妹妹。有大哥在側,她必不敢胡來。懇請江姑娘將就一次,坐在宋二哥旁邊。」任永心情非常矛盾,他要勝戰喬思頴,又怕喬思頴遇上不測,更憂慮喬思頴在皇上面前胡來。若然她不理後果,比武期間搶去方婷,任永向皇上求情千次萬次,亦不管用。538Please respect copyright.PENANAQKG6W7UwC8
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江希遙誤解任永欲為宋素卿說好話,又聽任永稱呼他為「二哥」,心生厭惡之感,於是道:「我知道你的對手是方姐姐,為何方姐姐成了你的敵人?」任永斬釘截鐵地道:「他受奸人蒙蔽,一時間想不通。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAE4q0EcSKoT
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江希遙哈哈大笑,諷刺任永道:「肯定是你任永過於無賴、缺德無能、武功又差,方姐姐才捨你而去。我看方姐姐不是受奸人蒙蔽,是你缺點甚多、自視過高、自欺欺人。方姐姐收拾你這小子後,我一定拍手叫好。」說話一如以往,一針見血,一矢中的。538Please respect copyright.PENANArJ8HSlBtI9
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若是以往的任永,一定不屑回應她的奚落,但是次居然認真地思考她話中的一字一句:「是……是我的問題嗎……是嗎?」538Please respect copyright.PENANAU7ywMiPkxC
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江希遙再次成功地使辯才了得的任永啞口無言,得意洋洋地道:「說中了,活該!」任永形形自愧,不停撫心自問。538Please respect copyright.PENANAfhubn3lrlY
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邢珣誤以為任永有心幫助宋素卿,才說出此等藉口,讓宋素卿能坐到江希遙身邊,於是附和道:「三弟說得沒錯,我要坐在方妹妹之側,防備方頴。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA9Sm8cOkRlJ
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方婷忙道:「姐姐不會的……任大哥你……你想讓姐姐……」任永想:「我已向小妹妹說明一切,她知道我的用意,現在仍是猶疑。」伸手摸摸方婷的頭,笑道:「你答應大哥辦那事的。」任永說出「那事」二字,以免邢珣知道自己在耍手段。538Please respect copyright.PENANAKqyYzE7mOs
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方婷神色難堪,吱吱唔唔地道:「可……可是……」任永彎下腰來,雙手輕扭方婷的臉蛋,在她的耳邊輕聲說道:「乖乖婷兒……」聲線柔和至極。方婷頓感甜滋滋,紅着臉,柔聲說道:「大哥再叫一次。」任永在她耳邊吹了一口氣,輕輕地道:「好婷兒、乖婷兒、親親婷兒、寶寶婷兒。」說到「寶寶」二字,內心一沉,憶起朱恆以「大寶寶」稱呼喬思頴的事。方婷喜上眉梢,甚麼也肯答應,乖乖找個位置坐下。538Please respect copyright.PENANAg2rGApaJwL
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忽然間,江希遙從懷中取出一面黃色令牌來,說道:「邢珣聽令,坐在我與混蛋之間。」邢珣大驚,急忙跪下,直到江希遙收起牌子為止。江希遙居然懷有皇帝令牌,那令牌不是邢珣所持的同一項信物,而是見牌如見聖上的另一種。538Please respect copyright.PENANABX5X9XLweK
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江希遙大肆破壞任永的計策,任永並不慌亂,笑道:「邢珣聽令,不用聽她廢話。」538Please respect copyright.PENANADtQSKYziOz
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江希遙怒道:「你根本甚麼都沒有,欺我盲目看不見。宋素……沒事了。」江希遙經常以宋素卿作為自己雙目,讓他道出所見所聞。不過,二人日久不和,江希遙不再要求他幫助自己,生活多有不便,幸好這幾天方婷住進宮中商團居地。538Please respect copyright.PENANA22lD0ZNTel
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江希遙叫道:「任永你好讓的,我鬥不過你。」宋素卿坐到江希遙身邊,說了幾句安慰話。江希遙罵道:「你再說話,我坐地上!」宋素卿無計可施,不斷嘆息。538Please respect copyright.PENANALE6ULqJ1wy
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邢珣來至任永身邊,在他耳邊輕聲說道:「馬昂死了。」任永佯裝大驚,說道:「可惡,這……我不能手刃仇人。」又扮作不知情道:「病死的?」邢珣道:「被人用刀或劍殺死的。」任永長嘆一聲。邢珣想:「三弟不能親手將馬昂治罪,一定大失所望。」任永卻想:「給我一次機會,或許不會……不會殺他的孫女。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAqcuAkb2PqF
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未幾,朱勝領着彭鵠、劉養正、法宏與一眾寧王府衛士到達西帳。朱恆和喬思頴手牽手跟在眾人後方,寶兒居然在朱恆另一只手中。任永眼睜睜地看着二人,男的英俊瀟灑、女的秀美迷人,實是天造地設的一對。538Please respect copyright.PENANAFs9jkYqgkn
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喬思頴眼光柔和、雙頰微紅、嘴角含笑,遠超任永想像。朱恆和喬思頴坐定後,二人把小狗寶兒傳來遞去,似是玩耍,喬思頴又伸衣袖為朱恆擦汗。任永傷心欲絕,但邢珣和方婷皆在身邊,自己不能將情感宣之臉上。538Please respect copyright.PENANAWPl9GIDsQd
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「頴兒並非無情,師父說她故意抑壓內心情感,終有一天會害了她。頴兒江湖經驗甚淺,你要多加留意,導之以正。」一年半前,任永離開海豐前,蘇寧雪曾一本正經地囑咐任永,任永現在想起此話,不禁嘆息。538Please respect copyright.PENANASH74pJxKoA
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任永左顧右盼,企圖無視喬思頴,最終也是失敗,眼光仍留在她身上。未幾,任永轉看北帳大臣席中的徐璉,心想:「現在不是妒嫉的時候,要快快想出法子,不然方頴會被毒死。」但任永心神不定,未能思出計來。538Please respect copyright.PENANAPdYpvOlzCR
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不久,朱壽、張太后、夏皇后與及一眾衛士、內監和宮女步入會場。一瞬間,人聲鼎沸的御武場變得鴉雀無聲,眾人紛紛對着皇上身處的方向跪下。朱壽雖然身穿龍袍,外表仍是一臉貧病的模樣。朱壽和兩宮在中帳坐定後,眾人大喊:「皇上萬歲,太后千歲,皇后千歲。」朱壽緩緩站起,朗聲道:「平身。」眾人大叫:「謝皇上。」538Please respect copyright.PENANATiUCL5OXya
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朱壽高聲道:「今天是『諸王論武大會』的喜慶日子,朕的代表任永會對上寧王的……」忽然板起面孔,向朱勝道:「請問寧王在哪?」538Please respect copyright.PENANAxmdHzPMHgJ
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朱勝站出跪地,說道:「啟稟皇上,父王身體不息,最近患有重病,不能親自來臨。臣為父王謝罪。」朱壽站在台上的,臉上展現一絲不快,但此意一閃即逝。任永想:「寧王怕皇上發難,才故意裝病,連李士實亦沒有到場。法平和尚在寧王處作客,寧王必定無恙。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAQCD2Mn10xd
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朱壽笑道:「世子請起。寧王是朕的長輩,如蜀漢重臣諸葛亮一樣,乃國之棟樑。世子不必多禮。」朱勝謝過皇帝後,返回自己座上。538Please respect copyright.PENANAwSwWB7y23B
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其實朱壽此言意在諷刺寧王。三國時代,諸葛亮多次舉兵攻打魏國,縱使他是天下奇才,伐魏依然了無寸功,本人更死在軍中。當年的諸葛亮以天下僅僅一州的國力,抗擊堂堂中原大國,正是以卵擊石、逆天而行,尤如寧王一樣。538Please respect copyright.PENANAACenRfM1gQ
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朱勝和劉養正皆知皇上諷刺寧王。劉養正更想:「其實皇上亦沒甚麼可怕,小說家言諸葛亮最大的敵人司馬懿畏蜀如虎,正如皇上害怕諸位王爺一起反叛,才不敢在京師捉拿王爺。但防人之心不可無,是次比武,我們勝算甚大,皇上說不定藉故危害王爺,李兄顧慮甚是恰當。」寧王不現身是李士實的計謀,用意防止朱壽當場抓破臉皮。538Please respect copyright.PENANAW8656wrJOu
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朱壽坐回龍椅上,目視太監張永。張永站到御武場場邊,大喊道:「大會開始,請兩方代表上陣,站至場中。」口說「兩方代表」上陣,實際上每年「諸王比武大會」均有一道不成文規矩,就是由皇上的代表先進武場,王爺的代表次之。538Please respect copyright.PENANAl6A01TY8oU
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任永背持無弦反曲弓,連箭也沒帶上,一步一步,戰戰兢兢地走至場中。喬思頴背持「虹天劍」,在任永眼中,熟悉的臉、熟悉的神情緩緩推進,一足一踏徐徐地走近,身子由任永眼珠中的一小點慢慢變大,直至填塞任永全部目光。538Please respect copyright.PENANAIhShVgAd5l
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京都一別後,任永無機會站到喬思頴身前,喬思頴亦未曾近距離站在任永前方。即使在寧王府中,任永和喬思頴僅是背對着背,各自對付敵人。王府大戰後,喬思頴沒有跟任永說過一句話,便乘馬離去。538Please respect copyright.PENANAnEx2AWrnit
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任永思潮起伏,凝神看着一名既陌生又熟悉的喬思頴。喬思頴眼光直指任永身後遠處,眼眶中全是親妹方婷的模樣。二人對站一刻,眼神並未交換,便要轉朝北方,面對皇上、皇太后和皇后。538Please respect copyright.PENANA7WMolW2Z3H
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張永由一位太監手上領了兩杯茶,左手持一杯遞向任永,右手握另一杯茶遞向喬思頴。任永緊張無比,大使眼色,喬思頴注意到任永眼神,了解茶中有古怪。這時張永道:「皇上賜茶為兩位壯膽。這茶名為『六安茶』,是江南齊山茶的上品。兩位用後,倒數便即開始。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAHBglwcOMP0
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喬思頴神態猶疑,任永七上八下,二人皆不接茶。張永臉色大變,又不好意思在皇上面前訓斥兩位。任永想:「如何救方頴?如何救方頴?別灰心,想辦法……對了。」任永想起喬思頴在京都的說話。喬思頴當日說完「別灰心,想辦法」後,任永仍是無計可施,喬思頴卻暗中擲石子,令歐華利不戰而敗。538Please respect copyright.PENANAPaqv0oXI5m
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任永決定依樣葫蘆,於是左手接過屬於自己的茶杯,雙手把杯握在胸前貼近衣衫的位置。任永左臂徐徐而上,酒杯遮蔽胸口位置;右手暗暗放到杯後,再潛入懷中抽出一物套在指頭上,那物正是由何婉兒處搶來的指環。任永決心一博,欲施展「徐家刀法」擲物招式「朔望回歸」,把指環擊向毒茶茶杯。538Please respect copyright.PENANAGwS5T9k9Oj
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任永曾經多次在比鬥中使出「朔望回歸」,不過以往擲出的是短弓,並非細小的指環。此招本旨在擲出武器,讓武器在空中旋轉攻敵,再自動返回手中,並非使運暗器的手法。任永想:「我要救她,惟有一賭。」538Please respect copyright.PENANANPQRIw9oS8
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任永再抬左臂,舉茶至唇邊,另手下垂,陰使柔力,把指環疾速擊向張永右手手持的毒茶茶杯。任永不施重手,只使柔勁,一來是為了讓指環能快速地在空中迴轉,返回手中;二來是為了令張永握杯不定,造成茶杯脫手的意外。如果施展巨力,恐怕指環會擊碎張永茶杯,指環亦會掉到地上,屆時坐在遠處的朱壽必然察覺。538Please respect copyright.PENANAemqpAXAzD4
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指環細小,飛速極快。張永眼光全都放在還未接茶的喬思頴上,沒有留意一物徑向茶杯而來。其實別說不會武功的張永,連在席上的徐璉、何仲禎、法宏、邢珣等高手亦看不出細物奔出的一刻。指環快要碰到茶杯的時候,張永不耐煩地道:「請喬姑娘用茶。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAANzZgVS0zt
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張永開口說話,握杯右手微移,指環僅碰到杯尾一角、一點細小如塵的地方,不足以讓張永手脫茶杯之餘,指環仍往直飛,竟不回轉。任永胸口狂跳,心想:「皇上見指環後,必加罪於我。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA4S8qgrHB3S
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怎料指環曲線下墮的剎那,喬思頴左手移至腰旁,突把手掌張開,指環溜入掌心,手掌急急合上。538Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ1r7ljV71
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在天廷山上,喬思頴曾要求任永傳授「朔望回歸」。當時喬思頴即場練習新招式,不久後領略此技大要,與任永比試練習時亦曾使出一次,那次施招的威力與勁道更勝任永。538Please respect copyright.PENANAr41WoRvWtW
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任永大使眼色,心裡祈求:「方頴阿方頴,我不知道你有否勤加練習。但你天資遠勝於我,不能失敗。」喬思頴沒有瞧見任永目光,想法卻與任永一致,左掌施出陰勁,擲出指環,正是「朔望回歸」。538Please respect copyright.PENANA8qyHTdqTup
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指環飛射,輕擊茶杯。內力傳至,張永右掌微震,茶杯頓時倒下,一地成碎。指環去勢未止,竟直插杯中水內。朱壽臉色大變,任永立時道:「張大人不用緊張,就讓我與方……喬姑娘共享一茶。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAVdRBZpoahG
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任永不等朱壽和張永說話,立刻喝茶,其間把指環含在嘴內,然後速速把茶杯遞向喬思頴。喬思頴一口氣把茶喝去,任永趁勢將指環吐出,把它收入掌中,置在懷內。喬思頴把空杯交給張永,向任永展開一剎珍貴的微笑。任永大樂,說道:「請大人倒數。」張永害怕朱壽開口降罪,忙道:「請兩位就位。」538Please respect copyright.PENANASOsJaT4gQ7
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剛才任永一心一意救人,現在忽然想起要與喬思頴相拼,心情轉愁為樂,當真天意弄人。任永不能輸,以免受到重罰;喬思頴不能敗,她要與朱恆成婚。任永往喬思頴臉上瞧去,喬思頴無甚表情,目光刻意避開任永。任永過往毫不清楚她腦中所想,今番居然目睹對方神色有異,便想:「五天前,陳銘臻多次向方頴進攻,她遲遲不肯還手,足見她是顧念舊情的人。我當利用此點。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA6SR5nVFN3F
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任永和喬思頴分站兩方,任永抽出反曲弓,喬思頴拔出「虹天劍」,二人等候張永倒數。任永想:「她首招必使『如日中天』,我多次敗在此招手上,今天不能再敗。」張永退到場邊倒數,說出「比武開始」四字時,任永雙足後移,手臂直伸,弓臂筆直立於身前。538Please respect copyright.PENANAeQ2NohKu0u
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當日在天廷山上,任永為了跟喬思頴比試,在夜裡通曉了五招刀式,其中一招名曰「陰霾閉天」。過去三天,任永苦思破解「如日中天」之法,心想:「徐懷成是喬老勁敵,說不定刀法藏有破解喬老武功的招式。」不久後,任永終於想出以「陰霾閉天」抗衡「如日中天」,無論招式名稱或套路技法,這招正正是「如日中天」的剋星。538Please respect copyright.PENANA7WVSyGio30
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任永意圖遮蔽「如日中天」所反射的陽光,把弓臂直立身前,喬思頴卻一動不動,手未抬、招不使,只顧直視坐在邢珣身旁的方婷,看得呆呆出神。538Please respect copyright.PENANA0iQgIdccOH
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喬思頴憂心如焚,臉上僅顯露些微猶疑之色。任永清楚她在擔憂方婷安危,心想:「方頴動情已久,不再是以前冷冰冰的人。若我打敗她,皇上不降罪之餘,朱恆的奸計必會落空。日後……日後的事往後再想。」伸弓搶攻,施出「暗潮二式」。這招本是一虛一實,現下喬思頴心神不寧,於是任永稍作變通,使兩式橫劈皆實。538Please respect copyright.PENANAxtNKYeRYVc
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喬思頴修成喬老第四層神功,原是由任永一手造成。任永深知對方功力厲害,揮弓時施上十成力量。喬思頴感到前方風聲凌厲,突然清醒過來,一弓已到腰間,但她反應極快,後發先至,寶劍疾出,擋去一擊。任永微感對方勁力,惟恐喬思頴神功俱發,先往後躍,喬思頴卻沒有追擊。538Please respect copyright.PENANAVoXNOVTmoq
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任永趁勢持弓狠劈,施出當日與法宏相鬥的一式「沉天蝕日」,一劈如伸千手,一揮如有萬刃,從東、西、南、北、左、右、上、下多個方位攻擊。在天廷山上,任永僅通曉五式「徐家刀法」,其餘招式喬思頴一概不知。喬思頴不敢怠慢,持劍守禦,不時眼望方婷。538Please respect copyright.PENANAbponSa7tyg
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任永面對故人,出手狠辣,邢珣大皺眉頭。方婷見兩位至親相鬥,心中矛盾。江希遙目不見物,又與宋素卿不睦,於是向方婷詢問場中情況。朱壽使毒不成,本也憂慮任永勝之不得,但見他步步進逼,心中大寬。538Please respect copyright.PENANAWsSGjz6OMW
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何婉兒向何仲禎道:「看來任永小賊當真很想打倒他的大對頭,才找爹爹麻煩。」當天任永誘使何婉兒幫助,騙她說喬思頴是自己的對頭。不過,任永所謂的「對頭」,是指「這僅僅一次的比武大會中,任永自身必須勝出的對手」,何婉兒卻誤會「對頭」的意思是「一生仇人」、「永遠敵人」之類,兩人關於「對頭」的理解大有不同。538Please respect copyright.PENANAtQlznTBztW
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何仲禎道:「哼,小人膽敢抓我寶貝女兒,他必敗無礙。」何婉兒皺眉道:「喬思頴在幹甚麼,竟被打得無法還手,當真可惡。」何仲禎道:「陳兄弟臨別時跟我說,喬思頴本名方頴,是海豐掌門的徒兒。任永曾經幫助海豐派掌門送信給師父,他與方頴必是舊識。就如上次,方頴不敢向故人動手,時日一久,她認真起來,不出十合,任永便要投降。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAA4M526AdWk
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何婉兒聽得父親言任永必敗,心中大喜,問道:「小賊和爹爹相比,如何?」何仲禎低頭沉思,並不回答。何婉兒想:「爹爹當年排得天下第五,難道這小賊竟比爹爹厲害?如此說來,俞伯伯亦未必是這小賊的對手。」538Please respect copyright.PENANA5C2BJHk0Qt
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何氏父女說話之際,任永連番出手,二十回合瞬間過去,喬思頴仍在左閃西避,猶豫不決,招招取守,每施幾手,向方婷處瞧上一次,不自覺地露出破綻。不過,任永深知對方反應迅捷、舉手間便能反勝,於是穩紮穩打,不敢攻向她的要害。538Please respect copyright.PENANA8qHGtqqsdZ
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三十合後,喬思頴右肩破綻大露,雙珠現出方婷模樣,任永當下更無猶疑,施出「月落烏啼」。「月落烏啼」招式名稱,取自唐朝詩人張繼所寫的《楓橋夜泊》,訣要與這首七言絕詩的頭句相同,即是「月落烏啼霜滿天」。短弓從高如月落下,揮弓嗚嗚有聲,滿灑弓影。任永每手每擊柔中有剛,如霜雪點點。喬思頴感到頭頂涼風四起,似是雪落滿天、霜降灑地,又見任永一弓乘虛而入,由高處直點肩頭。538Please respect copyright.PENANANHqCkMwTJN
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喬思頴右足一點、腰向後縮,舉劍格劍。任永雙足踏地,乘時前躍,無弦弓臂由高點下,如暴雪陣臨、如浪花翻落。喬思頴身法輕快,任永不斷往前,亦攻她不得,弓臂還未碰上她的衣衫長劍,喬思頴已離開任永攻擊圈中。538Please respect copyright.PENANA5byovz1K93
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久攻不下,任永忽然大叫:「阿婷……」喬思頴面露驚恐之色,視線立刻轉移,腳步因而放緩。任永弓臂末端重擊喬思頴右肩,喬思頴右肩承受任永十成轟擊,皮膚滲出瘀血,右手不聽使喚,「虹天劍」脫離右掌。538Please respect copyright.PENANAeaLfVqOQ0z
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何仲禎罵道:「惡賊任永,如此奸詐。」何婉兒驚道:「爹爹不是說小賊必敗嗎?」何仲禎道:「婉兒仔細看看,惡賊帳中有一女子,與方頴樣貌相同。陳兄弟說方頴有一位雙生兒親妹,就是此人。」何婉兒聰明無比,立時想個清楚明白:「小賊以方頴的妹妹要脅對方。」何仲禎罵道:「當真可惡。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAP5QT9uM03C
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陳銘臻有要務在身,需要離開京師。何仲禎出席大會,一來代替他的兄弟前來,二來欲親眼觀看任永吃下敗仗。任永曾經囚禁何仲禎的女兒,現下展現勝機,何仲禎大感不快。538Please respect copyright.PENANAfkkWuflCjr
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方婷見任永重傷親姐,大叫道:「大哥不要。」喬思頴右肩衣衫顯出血跡,右臂衫布滿沾鮮血。任永後悔施了重手,但畢竟勝出比武,心中大寬。朱勝鐵面青色,朱恆大急慌張。朱壽開懷大笑,示意張永宣告勝利。538Please respect copyright.PENANAcj38fQ9l8c
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張永正欲上前,喬思頴伸出左手,拾回「虹天劍」,運起神功叫道:「不!我還未輸!」內力貫徹、響音震天、回聲四起,大臣、宗室、內監、宮女人人肝膽俱裂。任永驚慌不已,說道:「你已受重傷……」朱恆亦大叫:「頴兒回來,夠了。」喬思頴強忍痛楚,臉上了無血色,叫道:「我不能輸,不能!」喬思頴堅決無比,任永更為懼怕。538Please respect copyright.PENANAtnrqAjLrSg
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霎時間,喬思頴挺天向上,劍尖指天。任永清楚「如日中天」的一舉一動,立刻提弓,施出「陰霾閉天」,正好趕及擋下對方寶劍劍尖反射的日光。招式不靈,喬思頴不詳加細想原因,拉下本來往天朝的寶劍,劍尖反指地面,改使「射陽式」。任永知她下手必使劍尖擦地、劍身彎曲、借力反彈,於是施出「倚月式」,舉弓身前,不住橫掃,護着各處要害。豈知喬思頴寶劍彈地後疾馳向上,避開任永搖動的反曲弓,劍尖直指任永喉頭。538Please respect copyright.PENANA5sSMfYO1dn
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任永本以為「徐家刀法」是「天公劍法」的剋星,既然能以「陰霾閉天」抗衡「如日中天」,「倚月式」對上「射陽式」時,必能取勝無礙。豈知事實並非如此,「倚月式」與「射陽式」兩招間全無關連。任永大吃一驚,心想:「徐懷成害我,今番我又輸在這招之下。」538Please respect copyright.PENANAB5vXZj4O2V
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剎那間,喬思頴左手下垂,寶劍向下,劍尖離開任永項前。原來她身子微側,左手伸劍前刺之際,雙肩肌肉呈擴張之狀,觸動右肩發出痛楚,寶劍劍尖離任永咽喉五六寸之地時,手不由自主地放下。538Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ye5by7jOp
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方婷見親姐打法拼命,不禁悲從中來,哭聲悽厲,淚瀉不止,泣道:「姐姐不要。」江希遙被方婷驚動,不斷問道:「方妹妹怎麼了?發生甚麼事?」邢珣亦感悲苦,覺得上天要這二人相鬥,甚是殘忍。但喬思頴心有所屬,非君不嫁,決不能輸,挺劍平揮。任永不想再鬥,欲開口說話,勸喬思頴放棄比武。殊不知喬思頴寶劍平平直揮之時,劍勢竟如雷霆萬鈞、勢如破竹般厲害,卻是一招「至陽一擊」。弓劍相交,任永被喬思頴內勁震退八九步,幾乎站立不穩。538Please respect copyright.PENANAsvMnzrNGsF
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任永印象中的「至陽一擊」,使用者須伸臂後拉,蓄力片刻,才能施出強力一擊。兩年半前,蘇寧雪曾以此招令任永極度狼狽,任永對這招甚有印象,卻不知道喬思頴這淡淡一劍內有乾坤,勁力說來便來,連蓄力的部分亦可省卻。538Please respect copyright.PENANAulRSIRHTxm
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喬思頴一擊得手,瘋狂向任永攻擊。任永左閃右避,左擋右擋,喬思頴明明有傷,任永竟要全力防守。十招之內,任永守了十手;五回合內,任永防蓋五合。喬思頴右肩痛感傳至全身,輕功身法略為不順,雖未能如平日般行如鬼魅,但仍是迅捷無比,更勝任永。538Please respect copyright.PENANAjpBfkowa2i
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任永後退一步,喬思頴追上一步半,任永再退兩步,喬思頴追上兩步半,二人距離漸漸拉近。喬思頴了解自己現下境況,曠日彌久的比武對己大大不利,於是盡使七八種不依賴身法的劍式,全部招數都是蘇寧雪和方婷從未使過。538Please respect copyright.PENANAfTdAB4zNCc
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蘇寧雪不盡數習得六十三式「天公劍法」,因劍法中有大量招式需要使者輔以深厚內力,蘇寧雪未得內功秘要,自然不能學會這些招數,僅能修練純以劍招技巧迎敵的套路。538Please respect copyright.PENANAvI2xRWer1R
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喬思頴每舉一手、每伸一劍、每攻一擊、每挺一刺,皆是勁力四起,無懈可擊。比武場地雖大,任永卻被劍光包圍,無路可逃,心中大駭,惟有直接放棄閃躲的念頭,舉弓使出「月明星晞」,以弓臂格擋敵方寶劍的每一次攻擊,進攻的想法煙消雲散。538Please respect copyright.PENANAFN9N4GKRAw
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喬思頴寶劍忽左忽右,連擊數十次,盡數被任永「月明星晞」技法巧妙地擋去。喬思頴急於速勝,大叱一聲,十成神功貫注劍刃,自上而下,普普通通地直劈一劍,劍勢卻凌厲非常。任永面對喬思頴平平凡凡的一招,左臂橫弓格擋,讓「虹天劍」直劈弓臂中央。弓臂承受寶劍傳來的勁力,任永手臂劇震,卻沒被擊退。538Please respect copyright.PENANACNgMiSTX5K
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任永想:「她受傷已久,內息不暢,體力漸乏,我以逸待勞,必能獲勝。」喬思頴重施故技,平平淡淡直劈弓臂同一位置,任永繼續橫弓而架,擋下一擊,身子站定。喬思頴再三直劈,任永依樣擋下。喬思頴再使一擊,寶劍潛藏力量突然爆發,「虹天劍」如奔流狂嘯、龍虎亂舞。喬思頴一聲大喝,「虹天劍」以排山倒海之力急速而下,硬生生把任永祖傳反曲弓劈成兩截。538Please respect copyright.PENANAwvzL6DygRU
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