[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 31

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter 115 On the Construction Site
Yuan Yueze sauntered into Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan's boudoir.
He originally intended to take Shen Luoyan, who was still awake, with him, but Shen Luoyan both respected and feared Zhu Yuyan, her nominal elder sister, and refused no matter what. After some comforting, Yuan Yueze slipped out alone. He had been with the women for several hours, and having ejaculated prematurely, he only wanted to hold the alluring bodies of Zhu Yuyan and her disciple and sleep soundly.
Neither the master nor the disciple was asleep. They were used to being disturbed by the "demonic sounds," and lay side by side reading.
They were reading "The Legend of the Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty," which Yuan Yueze had brought. The moment he slipped in and saw the cover, a sense of absurdity washed over Yuan Yueze: his wives, born in this era, were exposed to the advanced theories from books he had brought from the future; although he was born in the future, he had never left Tianshan, only stepping into the mortal world after returning to ancient times. Strictly speaking, none of his family members were normal people.
Like an eel, he slipped between the two women, indulging in a bit of hand-to-hand combat, much to the annoyance of the master and disciple. Only then did Yuan Yueze stop, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Wanwan tossed aside her book, nuzzling her head against his arm to find a comfortable spot, and asked, "When does my husband plan to leave for the Northern Frontier?"
Yuan Yueze sighed, "The sooner the better, of course. How long until your demonic seed is fully formed?"
Zhu Yuyan was already a master of the demonic seed cultivation technique. In recent days, she, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junzhuo had been taking turns using their internal energy to help Wanwan forcibly cultivate her demonic seed. Although this method was somewhat opportunistic, fortunately, the three women's internal energy was pure and profound. Even if a large portion was lost along the way, it was still enough for Wanwan's demonic seed to mature quickly.
Zhu Yuyan answered for her, "At most half a month, at least ten days."
Yuan Yueze nodded. He had never forgotten the matter of unifying the Demonic Sect. This was not only for Zhu Yuyan's ideals, but also for the sake of the great cause of unification. In fact, upon closer examination, taking advantage of the chaos in the world, the various factions of the Demonic Sect were secretly expanding their power in various ways. Lin Shihong, Qian Duguan, Fu Gongshi, and others had become warlords of varying sizes, Wang Shichong had close ties with the Demonic Sect, Zhao Deyan was Jieli's trusted advisor, and others like Bichen and Anlong controlled the economic lifeline. If all these people were to submit to the control of one person, the power and the destructive force would be unpredictable. Although history had deviated from its course due to Yuan Yueze's appearance, it was not too significant. Therefore, after the unification of the Demonic Sect, it could both embark on the right path and promote the early arrival of a peaceful and prosperous era. Why not do something that is so perfect? He casually remarked, "That's fine too. I just suddenly realized that it would be better to wait for Susu to send back the next message before setting off. That ghost demon wouldn't be so stupid as to linger at Shanhaiguan, waiting for Susu to meet him."
Wanwan said, "Husband, I'm afraid you can't leave in a hurry. Sister Luoyan said she'll give you some surprises tomorrow."
Yuan Yueze's expression was strange, wondering what kind of surprises they could be. Zhu Yuyan, who was standing to the side, suddenly sighed, "If it weren't for Yan Shuai's vicious intentions, he would truly be an outstanding talent in our Holy Sect."
The two of them shared the same thought. What might seem ambiguous to others, Yuan Yueze understood perfectly. She was referring to how, before she cast the "Imprisonment Technique" on Consort Lian, she had spent several days secretly rescuing Zhao Deyan and sending him hundreds of miles away. Zhao Deyan was moved to tears and revealed his last piece of information to her: since being deposed and returning to the Turks, Jieli had cleverly set up a pretext to force him to write down the architectural layout, advantages, and disadvantages of major cities in the Central Plains. It's important to know that Zhao Deyan is a master of siege warfare. Jieli's actions not only demonstrate his continued devotion to the Central Plains but also his attempt to extract the last remaining value from him. The fact that Zhao Deyan only revealed this information at the last minute shows his wickedness. He hates his crippled Zhu Yuyan even more, and he hates Jieli for kicking him aside. In his eyes, how could the Central Plains army compare to the fierce and valiant Golden Wolf Army? Therefore, he revealed this information to warn Zhu Yuyan and the others to prepare in advance. Of course, the best outcome would be mutual destruction; he'd probably be laughing in his sleep then.
Yuan Yueze curled his lip, completely disdainful of Zhao Deyan's despicable actions. He suddenly remembered the exposure of Song Yuhua's secret. Song Yuhua had already explained that afternoon that Shi Feixuan had come to Yuan Yueze's door after he left Luoyang, and happened to meet Song Yuhua. It's not hard to guess what happened next; Yuan Yueze and the others knew that Shi Feixuan used this information to persuade Bashu to surrender to the Li Tang dynasty. With his daughter-in-law kidnapped, if Xie Hui couldn't change his expression, would he still be a man? Song Yuhua was filled with fear and anxiety, but Yuan Yueze chuckled upon hearing this. What was the point of thinking so much now that it had already happened? While outwardly comforting Song Yuhua, he inwardly loathed Shi Feixuan's ruthless methods. Politics indeed didn't discriminate, but this matter concerned Song Yuhua's reputation, and Shi Feixuan's actions truly deserved the title of "political prostitute."
This thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and he added, "I keep thinking about who that 'Ghost Fiend' is, but my head is always foggy, and the more I think about it, the more it hurts."
Wanwan said dejectedly, "When I first heard it, the first thing that flashed through my mind was the mysterious rituals of the shamanism, but then I heard Young Master Yin say that the 'Ghost Fiend' was a man."
Yuan Yueze secretly thought that she might be the only person in the world who knew the whereabouts of Bei'er's nephew. Not only had he not captured him alive, but now he didn't even know her whereabouts or whether she was alive or dead.
Zhu Yuyan pondered, "Wan'er's theory isn't impossible. At most, she could disguise herself as a man. There are very few people capable of running rampant in the Northern Frontier. I also think it's possible that it's that Empress. Even from the perspective of the Holy Sect, her evil deeds are outrageous."
Yuan Yueze and Wanwan nodded in agreement. Yuan Yueze said, "Now that I've decided to go to the Northern Frontier, that 'Ghost Fiend' is doomed."
Zhu Yuyan glanced at the book beside Wanwan and chuckled, "The sheepskin incident is very likely a trap to deal with us. Husband, you need to establish your authority properly."
Due to the butterfly effect, it was obviously impossible to judge the cause of this matter based on the book. The sheepskin affair could involve various tribes of the grasslands. After analyzing the matter with the thoughtful women and drawing on their book knowledge, the family concluded that even if Du Xing was involved in the conspiracy, he was merely an insignificant pawn. The prime suspect was Jieli. Their initial goal was likely to capture Zhai Jiao alive, as that would pose a greater threat to Su Su. Yuan Yueze, who loves his wife dearly, would certainly not ignore this matter and would intervene, but would be forced into a passive position and manipulated by the lives of Zhai Jiao and the others. The news of Yuan Yueze's victory over the Four Holy Monks and his sword-crushing of Bi Xuan had already spread throughout the land, yet Jieli still dared to provoke him, demonstrating their thorough preparation.
Yuan Yueze kissed her delicate cheek and said smugly, "Not only will I establish my authority, but I'll also make them regret it. Heh, it's not only Li Shimin who can bring all the barbarians to pay homage. I'll start with Bai Ziting!"
At dinner, Yuan Yueze had already heard the latest news from Shen Luoyan: Bai Ziting, the most powerful leader of the Sumo Mohe tribe, known as the "Dragon King," would hold a grand ceremony to establish his kingdom in early April in Longquan Prefecture, known as "Little Chang'an." The kingdom would be named "Bohai." Longquan Prefecture is located in the middle reaches of the Mudanjiang River, surrounded by the foothills of Changbai Mountain, and bordering Jingpo Lake to the south. The Mohe tribe was originally a nomadic people between the Khitan and Goryeo kingdoms. Since Bai Ziting rose to power, their influence has grown significantly, extending east to Bohai, south to Goryeo, and southwest to the Khitan Turks. Bai Ziting admired the culture of the Central Plains from a young age, so Longquan Prefecture was built entirely in the style of Chang'an. Its political system, writing, and even clothing customs were all modeled after ours, hence Longquan Prefecture was known as "Little Chang'an."
At that time, it was estimated that both those who supported and opposed his establishment of the state would attend the meeting. Yuan Yueze only needed to quickly resolve the "ghostly demon" matter and meet with Susu. He wouldn't need to travel around anymore; he could simply go to the capital, Longquan. The arrogant and reckless would naturally come to him. Moreover, Yuan Yueze might even be able to reap the benefits and set a good precedent for the submission of the four barbarian tribes. This was because Longquan Prefecture was built on a plain, with abundant and clear water, all of which was hot spring water. The Xiangshui rice produced there was soft, palatable, and crystal white. Renowned beyond the Great Wall, Bai Ziting had always been a coveted prize for the Khitans. Fortunately, Goryeo hoped to use him as a buffer between itself and the Khitans and Turks, thus strongly supporting him. However, if Tuli hadn't broken with Jieli, greatly reducing the pressure on Bai Ziting, he wouldn't have dared to hastily establish a state. The strongest opposition came from the Eastern Turks and the Khitans, so Bai Ziting's establishment of a state was certainly not smooth sailing, and the outcome was unpredictable.
Wanwan yawned and lazily said, "This kind of profitable business is hard to find even with a lantern."
After saying that, she closed her beautiful eyes, curled up beside Yuan Yueze like a kitten, and fell asleep.
Zhu Yuyan said, "I originally planned to leave later because my act with Song Shidao has to be finished, but since you're also waiting for Susu's news, that's for the best."
Her voice grew softer as she spoke, and her pretty face flushed.
Yuan Yueze then remembered her duel with "Yueshan," and the meaning of her second half of the sentence was self-evident. After Yuan Yueze helped Wanwan master the Demon Seed Technique, his power would completely disappear. If they were separated and unable to use their unique "dual cultivation technique" to quickly restore Yuan Yueze's power, she would naturally worry.
In reality, her worries were unnecessary. Yuan Yueze's recovery speed was always astonishing; in about three months, he could fully recover more than 70% of his combat strength, which was more than enough. Although he thought this, he still said, "Then let's go to the grasslands together after you and Second Brother finish your act."
He pulled the blanket over himself, and the three of them intertwined their necks and fell asleep.
Yuan Yueze had a terrible nightmare. In it, he wielded an evil sword and single-handedly slaughtered tens of thousands of ferocious Golden Wolf soldiers at the gates of Longquan, the capital city. He fought until his inner energy was completely exhausted, yet the enemies continued to surge forward like a tide. Yuan Yueze felt a wave of powerlessness and abruptly opened his eyes.
It was already broad daylight, and Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan were no longer by his side. Yuan Yueze shook his head with a bitter smile, trying to clear his mind. He wasn't one to be easily swayed, but the vivid dream made it difficult for him to accept the fact that his hands were stained with the blood of tens of thousands. This dream had a strong prophetic quality, because he was very likely to encounter a similar scene on his upcoming trip to the grasslands. Compared to Ran Min, the national hero known as the "God of Slaughter" in history, this dream was child's play. Yuan Yueze's actions weren't for any grand ambition; they were for his ideals and the responsibilities he owed as a member of the Han Chinese people. Therefore, even if the future was a hundred times more terrifying than his dream, he would remain calm and composed.
Although Yuan Yueze was ruthless, he wasn't born heartless. However, for the sake of his unwavering ideals, he had to abandon everything and strive towards his set goals. Conquering the world was a contest of who was stronger and more ruthless. If the nomadic tribes from beyond the Great Wall were to invade the Central Plains, it would inevitably be a scene of murder, arson, rape, and plunder. Their hatred for the Han people had been formed over hundreds of years and was beyond the comprehension of ordinary Central Plains people . Everything before him might become yesterday's news in the blink of an eye. He could only persevere for his ideals until he defeated all his opponents, only then could his ideals become reality.
Nations must undergo the baptism of blood and fire; only after conquering and being conquered can they coexist peacefully.
This ideal he had always upheld flashed through his mind, and with his unwavering resolve, he instantly returned to normal.
After a quick wash, he realized that the small house was empty; the women were either busy with their own affairs or out exploring the customs and culture of Luoyang.
Yuan Yueze also planned to go out and check on the progress of the expansion project. Just as he stepped out the door, he noticed his father-in-law, Dugu Feng, rushing towards him.
People are always in high spirits when they're happy. He looked even more energetic than he had been a month ago, his eyes sparkling, and he greeted him with a hearty laugh from afar.
This was understandable; the Dugu clan was now far more powerful than when they were relatives of the emperor, serving under Yang Guang. Since establishing their father-in-law/son-in-law relationship with Yuan Yueze, the Dugu clan had risen rapidly, enjoying great success and a soaring reputation.
After exchanging a few polite greetings, the two headed towards the southeast of the city. To avoid future attacks from the Li Tang army, the city expansion was planned for the safest southeast direction, where it was unlikely to be affected by war. Of course, if the city were abandoned, that would be a different story.
As they walked and talked, Dugu Feng sighed, "It's a pity I didn't have the chance to meet the Grand Preceptor Yun."
Thinking that neither his current father-in-law nor the Grand Preceptor of the Western Turks would have immediately agreed to marry their daughter to him if he hadn't displayed his overwhelming strength, Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "After I mentioned that Liu Yu might not be dead yet, the Grand Preceptor couldn't contain himself and immediately went out to search for him, partly to avenge a personal grudge, and partly to see Tong Yehu again. There will always be a chance to meet again in the future."
Dugu Feng nodded and pointed ahead, saying, "New households move into Luoyang every day, and because the construction speed is not fast enough, many people are temporarily living in the wild." Pengliang and other places under the Young Marshal's command were also paradises, which relieved much of the pressure on Luoyang.
He paused, then continued, "My son-in-law has defeated many powerful figures, and his reputation is soaring. No one dares to attack Luoyang anymore. Luoyan is reliable in his work, and while expanding Luoyang, he has also reduced taxes, stimulated industry, agriculture, and commerce. With the full support of the Northern Trade Association, Xiangyang has also become increasingly prosperous. The Young Marshal's side has also benefited greatly, laying a solid foundation for future unification."
Looking around, one could see wooden frames rising in the southwest of the city, and many people could be seen busily working—carrying soil, making bricks, building walls, and framing—all working with great enthusiasm.
Yuan Yueze's eyes shone with longing. Once the Central Plains were unified and the strongest Eastern Turkic Khaganate beyond the Great Wall was destroyed, he would immediately retire. The worldly struggles for fame and fortune would have nothing to do with him anymore. Those who live for fame and power that have no real meaning will always be slaves. He sought a life of freedom, unrestrained joy, and boundless freedom.
Dugu Feng then whispered, "Xiao Ze, what are your thoughts on Dou Jiande's visit?"
Shen Luoyan had already discussed this with Yuan Yueze last night. Dou Jiande had come to speak with her in detail after the Spring Festival; it was obvious that the surrender of Bashu to the Tang Dynasty had caught his attention. However, their discussion hadn't gone well. Dou Jiande advocated cooperation between the Great Xia, Luoyang, and the Young Marshal, to divide the spoils after defeating the Tang Dynasty and entering the pass. This demand was clearly unacceptable to Shen Luoyan, so she refused on the spot. Dou Jiande also looked down on Shen Luoyan, a mere woman, so the negotiations ended unhappily.
Yuan Yueze didn't answer him, but instead asked, "What does Father-in-law think of Dou Jiande?"
As they spoke, the two arrived at the construction site. Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, everyone immediately stopped their work, cheering and applauding. The atmosphere was electric, boiling with respect and enthusiasm for this peerless master, a man of both good and evil.
After returning the greeting to those who had greeted him, Yuan Yueze rolled up his sleeves and joined in without a word.
Dugu Feng was taken aback, but also started digging.
A chorus of praise rippled through the crowd, making them work even harder.
Yuan Yueze's charm lay in his sincerity; his actions, like this one, were completely unpretentious, giving the impression that he was trying to win over the people. In reality, he didn't have many complicated thoughts; he simply wanted to help.
After digging a shovelful of soil, Dugu Feng said disdainfully, "This man is cunning yet approachable, much like Xiao Xian; magnanimous and good at recognizing and utilizing talent, like Li Shimin; and a hero of unparalleled stature, indifferent to success or failure, like Shi Fuwei. If he were to venture into the martial world, he would undoubtedly be a chivalrous hero, admired by all. But his negotiations this time are utterly delusional. If the Tang dynasty fails to break through the pass, it will be the best opportunity for the unification of the Central Plains. Yet he dares to attempt to divide the land and rule it separately—his vision is short-sighted."
Dugu Feng's insight was astute; his few words hit the nail on the head, and his assessment was unbiased.
Those around knew the two were discussing important matters and voluntarily moved away. Even the laborers hauling soil waited until the two had filled their carts before coming to haul them away.
He paused, then continued, "But this is understandable. North of the Yellow River, Dou Jiande is now firmly in charge. He has successively defeated Meng Haigong of Caozhou and Li Wenxiang, who controlled Mengjin. Xu Yuanlang of Chengren has also surrendered to him. Furthermore, he has advisors like Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, and Liu Bin who have established official systems and courts for him. He has well-trained soldiers and generals, and his forces number over 300,000. He certainly has the strength and qualifications to confront the Tang Dynasty head-on, or even to divide the territory and rule it. Anyone who wants to be emperor is someone who believes in 'those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me perish.' Even if he wasn't originally that kind of person, after tasting the power of absolute authority, it's hard for him to go back to the old ways."
His tone was consistently disdainful. Yuan Yueze frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "Father-in-law, do you have any updates on Liyang?"
Shen Luoyan trusted those he employed and didn't employ those he didn't trust. Dugu Feng, as the General Who Conquers the East, was responsible for guarding Hulao Pass and monitoring Liyang's every move. Dugu Feng gave him an approving look. This statement was significant. Liyang had always been a strategically important location, with thick walls and deep moats surrounding the city, diverting water from the Yongji Canal, making it virtually impregnable and difficult to attack. Although only about 40,000 troops were available, a direct assault would require at least 200,000. Therefore, weighing the pros and cons, Shen Luoyan and the young commander ignored the city and focused on preparations for war. However, Liyang connected the Jianghuai region to the south, Xiangluo to the west, and Youyan to the north, serving as a fortress blocking the western defenses of the Great Xia army. Capturing this strategic location would not only cut off one of Li Tang's arms extending beyond the Great Wall, striking a blow to their growing momentum, but also greatly enhance Great Xia's prestige. Furthermore, whether the Great Xia army wanted to advance into Guanzhong or attack Luoyang, there would be no further obstacles.
Dugu Feng said, "In the twelfth lunar month, Li Yuan sent Li Shentong with over ten thousand troops to Liyang to join forces with Li Shiji, bolstering Liyang's defenses against our three forces."
Yuan Yueze recalled Li Shentong, who had disguised himself as a Turkic expert and ambushed him in Luoyang. He realized why he hadn't seen Li Shentong in Chang'an; he had been sent out long ago.
Dugu Feng continued, "If our three forces truly wanted to take Liyang, even tens of thousands more Tang troops wouldn't make much difference. However, Li Shiji is no simple man. He is well-versed in military strategy and understands the mutual suspicion between the Xia army and us. He also understands that the Young Marshal's army has always expanded southward, so he has abandoned us and adopted a strategy of attacking from the north and defending from the south. This allows him to take the initiative strategically without leaving Liyang vulnerable."
Liyang is located northeast of Luoyang and Pengliang, and southwest of Leshou. Therefore, the southern defense refers to dealing with Shen Luoyan and the Young Marshal's army, while the northern attack targets Dou Jiande. After a brief discussion with Shen Luoyan, Kou Zhong, while preparing military supplies, marched south to join forces with Lin Shihong, who had just surrendered, to attack the Shen family father and son, as well as Fu Gongshi, who had retreated to Yuhang and were stubbornly defending Danyang, refusing to surrender. This was because the front line—Luoyang, Xiangyang, and Jiujiang—spanning the Yangtze River and connecting the two major waterways of north and south, was in front of them. He could then focus on unifying all the territories beyond this front and strive to be ready for the final decisive battle. This single brilliant strategy already demonstrated a glimpse of his innate military command talent.
Dugu Feng's voice rang out again, saying, "Seven days after Xiao Ze left Luoyang, Li Shentong first led his army to capture Zhao Prefecture, north of Liyang, which belonged to Dou Jiande. Dou Jiande was furious and personally led 50,000 elite troops south to recapture Zhao Prefecture. Li Shentong suffered heavy losses and retreated hastily to Liyang, rendering Li Shiji's strategy of attacking from the north and defending from the south futile. Now Dou Jiande is launching a fierce attack on Liyang. Once this isolated city falls, Dou Jiande can expect to clear the way into Guanzhong in a short time."
Yuan Yueze sighed, "That would be like forcing Li Shimin to leave Guanzhong early, or forcing us to launch an attack on Tongguan first. No matter which scenario comes true, it would be entirely beneficial to Dou Jiande."
Dugu Feng said, "You don't need to worry at all. The more Dou Jiande, or Li Tang, or even other forces look down on us, the better. If they knew that after Master Lu's secret research, we had already established..." Building a highly mobile and powerful navy would be incredibly difficult. The Li Tang dynasty wouldn't easily leave the pass, and during this time, our fleet will continue to grow. In just six months, our fleet will be able to dominate the Yellow and Yangtze River basins, easily overpowering the Li clan's massive fleet. Moreover, Li Shiji isn't so easy to conquer, and Liyang's defenses are formidable; Dou Jiande will find it extremely difficult to capture it. These messages were relayed by Ce'er, whom I sent to temporarily garrison Hulao
Pass. Mentioning his brother-in-law, who had always disliked him, Yuan Yueze recalled Shen Luoyan's report last night and asked in astonishment, "Luoyan said that my father-in-law dismissed my brother-in-law after the Spring Festival, leaving him idle at home. What's the reason for that?"
A hint of unease flashed in Dugu Feng's eyes. Just then, the construction site was preparing for dinner, and someone warmly invited the two to join. Yuan Yueze was happy to share the joy with the people and joined Dugu Feng at the construction site dinner. Drinking from large bowls, chewing meat heartily, and occasionally letting out a shout, the boisterous atmosphere was different from the usual dining table setting. A sense of unbridled chivalry, reminiscent of the martial arts world, welled up in Yuan Yueze's heart, leaving him with a lingering aftertaste.
After the meal, the two bid farewell to the workers. Dugu Feng led Yuan Yueze towards his residence, saying that You Chuhong wanted to see him.
Upon entering Dugu's residence, all the guards and servants secretly glanced at Yuan Yueze with genuine admiration. It was clear that although he held no real power, he had, through his personal influence, become the spiritual symbol of Luoyang.
Dugu Feng sighed, "Feng'er returned last night and stayed overnight, telling me and Mother everything that happened in Chang'an. Xiao Ze did a great job. You are now the spiritual pillar of the Luoyang army. You can no longer act solely based on your own likes and dislikes; you must consider the greater good."
Yuan Yueze knew he was being warned not to go too far in his actions northward and immediately nodded in agreement.
Dugu Feng laughed loudly, "Although Xiao Ze acts lawlessly, he can listen to reason from anyone, which is truly rare. With such a son-in-law, what more could I ask for?"
As he finished speaking, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes again.
Intuition told Yuan Yueze that he had just mentally compared his son and son-in-law, and the result was naturally reflected on his face.
Dugu Feng, having heard the servant's report, came out to greet them, clinging to their arms, and the three entered the reception hall.
Thanks to Yuan Yueze's miraculous intervention, You Chuhong not only recovered from her chronic illness and her martial arts skills improved again, but her appearance also returned to that of someone under forty years old—noble, elegant, and beautiful. No wonder Wang Bo was so infatuated with her back then. At this moment, she sat upright, while Dugu Ce, dressed in magnificent robes, stood bowed below.
Stepping into the room, the aura of a peerless master assaulted Yuan Yueze's consciousness. After bowing, he sighed, "Granny's skill has greatly surpassed before, a cause for celebration! The world has gained another unparalleled grandmaster."
You Chuhong shook her head slightly and smiled, inviting them to sit down.

Chapter 116 The Way of Handling Things
After drinking the fragrant tea, You Chuhong looked lovingly at Dugu Feng, who was nestled beside Yuan Yueze, and sighed, "Little Ze has made great strides in Chang'an, first defeating the four great monks of Buddhism, then crippling the Martial Venerable, winning unparalleled honor for the Luoyang army. You can go on your journey to the border with peace of mind, no need to worry about here." Dugu Feng said
sweetly, "Granny will also be on the frontier in the battle when Li Tang leaves the pass, so Brother, you really don't need to worry."
Yuan Yueze nodded with a smile.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng roared, "You unfilial son, come here and beg forgiveness from your brother-in-law!" Dugu Ce
trembled, knelt before Yuan Yueze, and said, barely daring to breathe, "I know I was wrong. Please punish me as you see fit, brother-in-law."
Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng stared at each other, then both looked at Dugu Feng and You Chuhong.
You Chuhong sighed and turned her head away.
Dugu Feng said with heartache, "This unfilial son colluded with Li Yuanji to harm our son-in-law. If I hadn't noticed his suspicious behavior during the Spring Festival, who knows how long he would have continued his wrongdoing? Our Dugu family might have been ruined by him."
Dugu Ce knelt there, silent, trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing the puzzled looks on Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng's faces, Dugu Feng sighed and continued, "Feng'er, don't blame me for not telling you about this last night." He
then pointed at Dugu Ce and said, "He confessed everything to me. Ever since Xiaoze and Feng'er's relationship was established, the Xiang family secretly sent people to seduce him with women. He's weak-willed and jealous of Xiaoze, so he willingly provided the Xiang family with information about everything happening in Luoyang. It was he who leaked the information about Yuhua to Li Yuanji."
Yuan Yueze's gaze turned cold. He recalled that last year in Chengdu, Li Yuanji had revealed Song Yuhua's whereabouts to Jie Hui, at the time only... It was all a coincidence, a deliberate frame-up by Li Yuanji. But the truth was far from the truth. Considering the relationship between the Xiang family (who hadn't yet fallen) and Yang Xuyan, and Yang Xuyan's collusion with Li Yuanji, it was deduced that now that the Xiang family had fallen, their remnants would naturally choose a master to serve. Li Yuanji was the best candidate. Dugu Feng must have foreseen all this long ago. Li Yuanji probably didn't have solid evidence at the time, which is why he couldn't persuade Xie Hui. So…
his mind raced. Remembering how Song Yuhua later convinced Xie Hui to support the Li Tang dynasty, he immediately asked, “Could it be that Li Yuanji was the greatest contributor to Bashu's decision to support the Li Tang?”
Dugu Feng, being so shrewd, immediately grasped the implication of the question and said, "Jie Hui did indeed use his daughter-in-law's matter as an excuse to incite the major forces in Bashu to surrender to the Li Tang dynasty. This wicked son confessed to me that he had sent a maidservant to deliberately approach Yu Hua before the new year to steal her calligraphy practice notes, and then handed them over to the remnants of the Xiang family. I think your version of events is the most likely."
Yuan Yueze wondered to himself, "Could I have wronged Shi Feixuan?"
Dugu Feng continued, “After I discovered it, this wicked son didn’t hide anything and told me everything. My mother and I made him pretend to continue cooperating with the remnants of the Xiang family. Four days ago, that person gave him a jar of wine, instructing him to find an opportunity to make you drink it after Xiaoze returned to Luoyang. After some wits, this wicked son found out from that person that Xiaoze had been poisoned by an incurable toxin. It doesn’t usually take effect, but only when it encounters a non-toxic herb will it trigger the poison.”
He paused here, then shouted sternly at Dugu Ce, “Hmph! If I had told you earlier that Xiaoze’s body was immune to all poisons, would you still dare to act recklessly! Guards, drag him away and behead him!”
Two burly guards immediately rushed in from outside. Their footsteps were steady and powerful, nothing short of a death warrant for Dugu Ce. He was so frightened that he could no longer kneel down, his body limp as he cried and begged, “Father, I know I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again.”
Dugu Feng turned his head away, ignoring him. Dugu Feng paled, her eyes pleading as she looked at Yuan Yueze, who was coldly staring at Dugu Ce.
You Chuhong coughed heavily, causing the two guards to stop abruptly, their ears ringing. She sighed, "If he hadn't tipped us off, Bashu wouldn't have decided to support Li Tang so quickly. This wicked son is heinous and must not be let off lightly."
With that, she stepped forward from her seat and knelt before Yuan Yueze, saying, "But the Dugu family only has this one lineage. I have no face to ask you for forgiveness, only to spare his life. I will bear the rest of the blame. I am old and cannot bear to see the Dugu family line die out. You are not a soft-hearted person; just give me a quick death."
The three people seated were greatly shocked. Immediately, she rushed over to help him up. Dugu Feng said painfully, "Mother, why are you doing this? Your illness has passed, and you can live for at least several decades more. There's no need to plead for this wicked son who has disgraced the Dugu family."
Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly to himself: he was indeed not a soft-hearted person, and Dugu Ce also deserved to die. But facing the pale-faced Dugu Feng, whose eyes were filled with tears as she pleaded with him, and the elder before him who was willing to exchange his life for Dugu Ce's, he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless, nor did he know how to deal with Dugu Ce.
If it weren't for their kinship, Yuan Yueze could have killed Dugu Ce without hesitation, but at this moment, he couldn't bring himself to do it. For the first time, he felt the burden of worldly affairs. He had always avoided getting too close to Li Xiuning, precisely to avoid future difficulties, but he was already entangled in this turbid world, and various emotional ties were invisibly restricting his actions. Since entering the world, no moment had made him more hesitant than this.
Dugu Feng was a shrewd and ambitious man. To protect his family, he had to be ruthless towards his son; otherwise, he would be unable to explain himself. In fact, he could have easily concealed the matter, thus getting away with it unnoticed. Even if Li Tang had indeed used such a vicious method to harm Yuan Yueze, he would never have succeeded, because no poison could affect Yuan Yueze's body. He confessed, ultimately because he liked Yuan Yueze as his son-in-law.
Yuan Yueze waved for the two guards to leave, then gently wiped away Dugu Feng's tears, sighing helplessly, "To be honest, I did want to kill my brother-in-law, but the deed is done, and killing him wouldn't change anything. It's rare for my father-in-law to be so frank, so let's just let it go!"
Everyone could hear the despondency in his words. He wasn't disappointed in Dugu Ce, because Dugu Ce wasn't worthy; he was disappointed in himself, because he hadn't been able to uphold his principles from beginning to end.
Any thought or belief that becomes too entrenched can lead to madness. Yuan Yueze's principles were so strong that others couldn't understand them; in a sense, wasn't this a kind of madness?
Who among those who live in the world can truly escape the entanglements of "emotion"? This "emotion" is certainly not simply the tender affection between lovers, but encompasses kinship, friendship, and love. For a true man, upholding principles is important, but the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries is equally crucial. The proverb "the law is no different from human sentiment" refers, to some extent, to the helplessness of those caught in complex networks of relationships.
Yuan Yueze understood everything, his spirits lifted, and invited the others to sit. Dugu Ce
, having survived, wept uncontrollably, still kneeling on the ground.
You Chuhong returned to her seat, a flash of green light in her hand, and attacked Dugu Ce.
A crisp cracking sound rang out; Dugu Ce's left arm was shattered and severed, only a trickle of blood remaining at the wound.
Yu Chuhong, with perfect timing, said, "Just cripple his arm as punishment! From now on, you'll spend the rest of your life atoning for your mistakes, understand?"
Her last sentence, delivered with sharp emphasis, was clearly directed at Dugu Ce.
Dugu Ce, formidable as he was, turned deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He gritted his teeth, suppressing a cry, and nodded in solemn oath.
Yuan Yueze secretly thought that the old woman was like Ma Rongcheng, enjoying playing with "severed arms." Dugu Feng, still worried about her brother, immediately called for servants to help Dugu Ce out to rest. Dugu Feng said hatefully, "This wretched son is weak-willed and hateful, but the Li Tang people are equally hateful. They used such despicable methods to harm Xiao Ze. If I don't teach them a lesson on the battlefield, I won't be able to quell my hatred."
You Chuhong said, "Feng'er, you're agitated. Calm down first."
Then she turned to Yuan Yueze and asked, "How did Xiao Ze get poisoned? Could it be that he wasn't careful with his food?"
From Dugu Feng's words, Yuan Yueze realized that the Li Tang used a sophisticated method of mixing poison. This advanced technique should come from Yin Zuwen of the Demonic Sect, who was skilled in using poison, or the Great Ming Zun Sect. Both of them hated him to the bone. Unfortunately, this last resort was useless. So he smiled and said, "It should be as you guessed, Granny. I will definitely repay this 'favor' properly."
His tone was as gentle as ever, but everyone present had a strange feeling of unease, and they were even more glad that they were his friends and not his enemies.
After discussing the latest situation and military matters with a few others, Yuan Yueze led Dugu Feng out of the Dugu residence, intending to visit the City Lord's Mansion.
On the way, Dugu Feng whispered, "Brother, can you keep today's events a secret? If Sister Luoyan and the others find out, I'm afraid..."
Yuan Yueze tapped her exquisitely beautiful nose and smiled, "Father-in-law is so honest with me, what else can I say? Today's events are only known to us few. We'll tell Luoyan and the others after the world is at peace."
Dugu Feng knew he never hid or deceived the woman he loved, so his words were rare, and she nodded hastily.
After greeting the guards, the two entered the City Lord's Mansion, where they happened to encounter Luo Qifei and another person walking towards them, chatting and laughing.
The man was handsome and well-dressed, but despite being in his thirties, his eyes were lined with crow's feet. He smiled before speaking, his lips curved in a spring-like smile, catching Yuan Yueze's attention. Upon meeting Yuan Yueze's piercing gaze, he immediately lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Luo Qifei, who had previously been treated kindly by Yuan Yueze, approached him with a hearty laugh, shook his hand, and introduced the accompanying man as Liu Zhicheng, a patrol officer from his jurisdiction.
Liu Zhicheng lowered his head, avoiding Yuan Yueze's sharp eyes, and bowed respectfully.
A sudden realization flashed through Yuan Yueze's mind, and he secretly gave a wink. Luo Qifei understood and signaled Liu Zhicheng to leave first.
Dugu Feng also slipped away to the backyard to see Shen Luoyan.
The two sat down in a simple pavilion. Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Luo Qifei smiled and said, "Brother Yuan, have you noticed something amiss with Zhicheng?"
He then lowered his voice and said, "The city lord had instructed me to keep an eye on him. Later, through my secret investigation, I learned that the boy couldn't resist the allure of a courtesan and became infatuated with her. This woman was extravagant and loved to gamble, causing him to accumulate huge debts. One of Xiang Yushan's men took advantage of this situation and bribed him with a large sum of money. He even argued that our army was doomed and that if he served Xiang Yushan, he would be rich and powerful in the future, thus becoming an accomplice of the villain. All the intelligence that Miss Jiao and I collected was filtered and compiled by him and reported to me, which I then informed the strategist. Alas! I never imagined that from the Pengliang Gang until now, he has always been my most trusted confidant."
Recalling the glance he exchanged with Liu Zhicheng earlier, Yu Yuan Yueze's first impression was that he was weak-willed and unrestrained in his pursuit of women. He was the kind of self-proclaimed romantic, smitten, and wicked scholar. Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "The Xiang family has collapsed, and needless to say, their subordinates should have all submitted to the Li Tang Crown Prince's faction. It seems I was overthinking things. What do I have to worry about with Luo Yan's actions?"
Luo Qifei said solemnly, "City Lord Shen is truly a heroine among women. Brother Yuan, rest assured, Miss Jiao and I are both discreet in our actions. We've already used that traitor to reveal some falsehoods, so we're not afraid that the Li Tang won't fall for it. Oh, by the way, the City Lord just told Sister Ren that Brother Yuan would be coming today, so I won't disturb you any longer!"
After saying that, he left with a teasing smile.
When Yuan Yueze stepped into the backyard, a bird call attracted his attention. After walking a few steps, he found that besides Dugu Feng, Song Yuhua, Fu Junyu, Lian Rou, and Hua Lingzi were also there. The two women in the back each played with a small hawk, flapping its wings and pecking fiercely at the dried meat that the two women offered.
Yuan Yueze stepped forward and asked, "Is this a hunting falcon?"
Lian Rou gently stroked the falcon in her hand, her eyes filled with affection, and nodded. Song Yuhua added, "These are top-quality spirit falcons that Luo Yan specially sent people to the borderlands to select. After months of searching, she finally found four. Later, Luo Yan sent people to Lingnan to invite falconers to help. In recent days, the results have been quite significant."
Yuan Yueze secretly admired Shen Luo Yan's meticulousness. If such spirit birds could be tamed, the chances of victory in battle would undoubtedly increase greatly, because these birds would be like a high-altitude spy satellite, able to clearly grasp the enemy's movements. Looking at the two falcons' sharp and intelligent eyes, one could tell that these falcons were extraordinary.
Fu Junyu smiled and said, "These two ladies grew up on the grasslands, and their experience in falconry is far beyond that of people from the Central Plains. Luo Yan has already entrusted the task to them today."
Hua Lingzi pursed her lips and whistled, and the sound of flapping wings immediately filled the sky. Another hawk swooped down from the sky, creating a gust of wind, and landed on her fragrant shoulder in an instant. Its deep, sharp eyes scanned the people around it.
Yuan Yueze was very interested and said, "Weren't there four? Why is one missing?"
Song Yuhua said, "Don't worry, Sister Ren should be here soon."
Sure enough, a moment later, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Yuan Yueze thought of Ren Meimei's charming appearance, and his heart warmed. He went to meet her.
Ren Meimei seemed to be used to pushing open the door and entered. She didn't expect Yuan Yueze to be waiting there and buried her face in his chest. The laughter of Song Yuhua and the other girls rang out not far away.
The woman, now even more alluring despite her slight loss of weight, felt deeply embarrassed. The familiar scent of Yuan Yueze filled her nostrils, making her weak and powerless. Unable to struggle, she could only lower her head and say, "Young Master... please let go."
Seeing that even her fair, slender neck was flushed red, Yuan Yueze's mischievous heart stirred. He nibbled at her ear and said, "I haven't seen you for over a month, elder sister. I've missed you terribly." Ren Meimei
's delicate body began to tremble, and she moaned, "I'm still holding onto something."
Only then did Yuan Yueze look behind her, and he was immediately stunned. It was a huge hunting eagle.
The eagle stood upright, over three feet tall, its wings bound with cloth strips, and its thick, powerful talons were chained. One end of the chain was in Ren Meimei
's trembling hand. The eagle's gray-black feathers shimmered in the sunlight, subtly gleaming with silver. Its deep, piercing eyes coldly stared at Yuan Yueze, majestic and proud, exuding a powerful aura.
The women all gathered around. Falcon was clearly no match for Yuan Yueze; he was no match for him, his eyes gleaming with inner strength, and he weakly looked away. This human-like gesture immediately earned Yuan Yueze's admiration. Ren Meimei, forgetting that Yuan Yueze was still holding her slender waist, said happily, "This is a spirit eagle that our men captured. It's fiery and untamed, and it injured several falconers. Luo Yan said that the young master would have a solution when he returned, and it's true."
Lian Rou said, "Female eagles are always stronger and fiercer than male eagles. This one should be a female. Look how shiny and lustrous its feathers are, and how hard its claws are like iron. Even the King of Eagles probably doesn't have such majesty."
Yuan Yueze asked, "What's its name?"
Ren Meimei said, "Sister Yuhua saw that it has white spots under its wings and called it Silver Feather, but Luo Yan said it wasn't imposing enough and called it Black King."
Yuan Yueze said, "Silver Feather sounds nice but is too delicate. Black King suits its imposing presence better."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and reached out to stroke its feathers, but the giant eagle suddenly lunged forward with its beak and pecked at him. Caught off guard, Yuan Yueze was pecked squarely. Retracting his finger, Yuan Yueze blew a few breaths and exclaimed, "How can this thing be so strong? It hurts!"
Song Yuhua laughed, "It's because Yunzhi was bored. She tried to tame it while channeling her inner energy into its body. After several days, its meridians must be far superior to those of ordinary birds, and its temper has become increasingly volatile."
Yuan Yueze chuckled, "She's really reckless. This eagle should be considered a fairly skilled one by now!"
Hua Lingzi chimed in, "We will teach my husband the secrets of eagle taming. On this trip to the Northeast, it can also serve as a scout, and this majestic bird will also enhance my husband's might."
Yuan Yueze nodded, "But in a short time..." "How do I teach it to obey me?"
Hua Lingzi took the iron chain from Ren Meimei and said, "Taming an eagle is not easy. First, you have to make it understand what is good for it. But this method only applies to young eagles like ours. This 'Black King' is at least five or six years old, and it's much harder to tame. The only way is through patience and love. Make it feel your affection, befriend it, and then gain its loyalty. Roujie and I will teach you eagle-training techniques and the secrets of mastering eagle language as soon as possible. The rest depends on your husband's abilities." The others
nodded secretly. The eagle-training skills of the people from beyond the Great Wall were indeed not unfounded and had their own unique methods.
Yuan Yueze happily grabbed Ren Meimei's forearm and shouted, "My two virtuous wives, let's get started! Tonight I'm going to visit Sister Ren's boudoir to catch up!"
Ren Meimei's pretty face, still flushed, burned like fire again. She glared at her fiercely, broke free in a disheveled manner, and fled, her expression extremely charming. She, this alluring woman, had always been the one to seduce and entice others. Today, however, she was being flirted with by Yuan Yueze, this shameless man, right in front of her own wife. How could she bear it?
Everyone burst into laughter.
Song Yuhua said with emotion, "After getting to know her for a long time, I realized that Sister Ren is actually shrewd and capable, not a bad woman at all."
Yuan Yueze said, "Everyone has different experiences, which naturally influence their views and choices. As long as they haven't sold their souls, there's always hope."
Dugu Feng giggled and said, "Brother, you've really done a lot of harm. Sister Yuhua just told people that not only Miss Jiao, but also Fifth Cousin and even Sister Zhang are missing you. It's a pity they all have their own things to do, otherwise they would have come to see you, Brother."
Yuan Yueze said with a strange expression, "How could Miss Zhang miss me?"
Song Yuhua nodded and said, "One day, while chatting with her, she asked about my husband's background. I didn't want to lie to her, so I told her everything! But she probably only has some feelings for my husband; it's probably not love yet."
Yuan Yueze had no time for such trivial matters. He immediately sought advice from Lian Rou and the other two women on eagle taming. Seeing the pitiful state of "Black King," bound hand and foot, he couldn't bear it. It belonged to the spirit of nature; the sky was its domain, and freedom its pursuit. If he couldn't achieve a spiritual connection with it, he had already decided to release it.
That night, Yuan Yueze sneaked into Ren Meimei's boudoir and thoroughly enjoyed the company of this beautiful woman who was infatuated with him.
For the next few days, Yuan Yueze studied how to communicate with "Black King." With his diligent efforts, "Black King's" temper finally calmed down.
As Zhu Yuyan had predicted, eight days later, Wanwan's demonic seed was fully developed, and Yuan Yueze once again became her furnace.
In the east wing study. Having successfully completed
the demonic seed cultivation technique, Wanwan's beautiful eyes shone brightly, blue with a hint of purple, both alluring and holy, her beauty captivating. Looking at Yuan Yueze, whose body was completely devoid of true energy, his face deathly pale, and who was panting heavily, Wanwan felt a pang of sadness, recalling Bai Qing'er's words from that day. She helped him up and said softly, "Does Wan'er not care about her husband? Knowing you'll suffer, you still insisted on practicing the Demon Seed Technique."
Yuan Yueze, receiving the true energy she transferred, gradually regained his rosy complexion. He lovingly stroked her smooth cheek and said, "If it's for you, I'm not afraid of death. What does this matter? Besides, it's not all for you. The Demon Seed Technique is a symbol of the Demonic Sect, making it easier for you to unify the Demonic Sect and also accelerating the arrival of a peaceful and prosperous era in the Central Plains."
Wanwan knew that his reasons were all lies, and she was even more aware of her place in his heart. Moved, she offered her sweet little mouth.
Back and forth, Yuan Yueze's lustful desires remained undiminished. Having just regained some strength, he began to take advantage of her. Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the two immediately separated.
Yunzhi's clear voice rang out from outside the door, "Are you and your sister alright? The young marshal is here."
Yuan Yueze immediately responded, and Wanwan helped him out.
Seeing Yuan Yueze's lifeless appearance, Kou Zhong was startled and immediately came to support him, exclaiming, "What happened?"
In the month since they last met, Kou Zhong's cultivation had improved even further, making him as sharp and intimidating as a drawn sword.
After a brief explanation, Kou Zhong gasped, "How could Sister Wanwan be so heartless as to murder her own husband!" Wanwan
pouted angrily and kicked him, but Kou Zhong nimbly dodged.
With Yunzhi's help, Yuan Yueze quickly regained his strength and said, "Stop fooling around. What are you doing here? How is the situation in Jiangnan?"
Wanwan began to meditate, sensing the power of the Demon Seed Technique. Kou Zhong said solemnly, "Old Fu and Old Shen are in seclusion, holding their ground. Considering that the Li Tang army will soon be dispatched, to avoid excessive losses, I only ordered them to surround the city without attacking, waiting for them to collapse. As for why I'm here, Dou Jiande asked Brother Liu to invite me to meet him. I met him in Zhao City, and I came to see Brother Yuan and Mother on the way."
Yuan Yueze nodded and asked, "What did Dou Jiande say to you?"
Kou Zhong said, "What he said to me was almost the same as what Sister-in-law Luoyan said. I hinted to him that this upcoming battle is the key to the unification of the Central Plains." However, he remained obstinate and insisted on discussing cooperation and the division of spoils after the war with me. "But..."
He paused, then sighed, "This man is indeed shrewd. Before discussing cooperation, he asked me how to attack Liyang. Li Shentong, defeated and retreating to Liyang, is holding out with Li Shiji. We can't attack, and we can't not attack either; he's having a headache over this. I blurted out some tactics, only realizing my mistake afterward."
Yuan Yueze said, "I know you're worried that Liyang will fall to him, leaving Luoyang vulnerable to attack from both sides." "But since it has already happened, it's best to start preparing a response. Since he's already in Zhao City, it's clear he's well-prepared and determined to take Liyang. Seeking your advice is just to add icing on the cake; he should have already decided on a general strategy."
Kou Zhong paused, then sighed, "Dou Jiande is a rare leader, but unfortunately, he's been blinded by power and victory. I must return to Liangdu as soon as possible and have someone prepare to contain Liyang."
Yunzhi interjected, "Does Dou Jiande show disdain when he talks about the Young Marshal's army and the Luoyang army?"
Kou Zhong nodded. “Just as my sister-in-law said, alas, our combined forces are less than 200,000. We are outnumbered, so naturally we are looked down upon. I can’t reveal the 10,000 elite cavalry that Lu Shi secretly trained.”
Yuan Yueze laughed, “Those 10,000 elite cavalry are worth 100,000 infantry. They are our greatest asset in dealing with Li Shimin’s Xuanjia elite cavalry and Jieli’s Golden Wolf Army. It’s not advisable to publicize them for now. By the way, how are you getting along with your cousin Zhizhi?”
Kou Zhong blushed, nodded, and said awkwardly, “Brother Yuan, please take a breath. I’m going to check on Mother and Sister Zhen.” He then ran away.
Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Even the renowned young marshal has a day of shyness; it's truly rare."

Chapter 117 The Evil Emperor Heads North
Yunzhi smiled, "The young marshal is such an interesting person!"
Changing the subject, she asked, "When does my husband plan to depart?"
Yuan Yueze replied, "Now that Wan'er's Great Art is complete, I have nothing to worry about. If Su Su's news doesn't arrive after Yu Yan and Second Brother's performance, I'll set off!"
Yunzhi said, "That's a bit of a pity. General Dugu heard that Wang Tong, in alliance with Yan Shigu and other great Confucian scholars, in..." After lecturing in Chang'an and Bashu to promote the Li Tang dynasty, we specially asked Old Madam You to invite her old acquaintances from many years ago—masters of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism—to help us. If we calculate the dates, my husband probably won't have time to meet them.”
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, “Who are these masters? Tell us.”
Yunzhi replied, “Master Daoxuan of Buddhism, and Mr. Sun Simiao and Mr. Pan Shizheng of Taoism.”
She paused, her face tightening as if she were suppressing a laugh, and said, “Mr. Dugu Ce of Confucianism.”
She immediately burst into laughter.
Yuan Yueze smiled wryly and said, “The Buddhist and Taoist masters are indeed famous. How did my one-armed brother-in-law become a representative of Confucianism?”
Master Daoxuan, whose secular surname was Qian, was from Dantu. He became a monk at fifteen, receiving ordination from the Vinaya Master Zhishou. Besides studying with Huiyun and Zhishou, he pursued extensive learning before the age of thirty. Later, he entered Fengde Temple in Zhongnan Mountain to study and propagate Buddhist precepts, and was known as the Vinaya Master of Nanshan. After the eminent monk Xuanzang returned to China, Daoxuan was summoned to serve as the abbot of Ximing Temple in Chang'an, participating in Xuanzang's translation work and responsible for polishing the Chinese texts in the Buddhist scriptures. His most significant achievements, however, lay in his contributions to Vinaya studies and Buddhist history. He was the founder of the Nanshan School, one of the three major schools of Vinaya Buddhism, and a Buddhist historian. He was erudite and wrote extensively.
Sun Simiao, needless to say, is a name familiar to anyone with even a modicum of education. He was a renowned physician and Taoist priest of his time. He was a famous medical scientist and pharmacologist in Chinese and world history, hailed as the "King of Medicine," and revered as a "God of Medicine" by many Chinese. Master Daoxuan was a close friend of his. Pan Shizheng was also no ordinary person; he was a renowned Taoist scholar of his time and the eleventh patriarch of the Shangqing Maoshan School.
Yunzhi sat up, panting, and said, "This is Madam You's opinion. It's inconvenient for us sisters to show our faces, so someone must be outside to represent us."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself that this brother-in-law was somewhat pitiful, becoming a puppet on a string. He said, "But Sun Simiao is a man of simple tastes; how could he easily leave the mountains?"
According to the historical records he had read, in the first year of the Dacheng era of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, due to the many troubles within the royal family, Sun Simiao went into seclusion on Mount Taibai to study Taoism, cultivate his qi, nourish his body, and investigate the art of longevity. When Emperor Jing of Zhou ascended the throne, and Yang Jian was in power, he was summoned to serve as a professor at the Imperial Academy, but he declined due to illness. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, he went into seclusion on Mount Zhongnan. When Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, ascended the throne, he summoned him to the capital and offered him a title because of his "Taoist virtues," but he firmly declined and went back to Mount Emei to refine the "Taiyi Divine Elixir." In the third year of the Xianqing era, Emperor Gaozong of Tang summoned him to the capital again, and he resided in the former residence of Princess Poyang. The following year, Emperor Gaozong summoned him and appointed him as a remonstrating official, but he still firmly declined. In the fourth year of the Xianheng era, Emperor Gaozong fell ill and ordered him to accompany him. In the first year of the Shangyuan era, he resigned due to illness and returned to the mountains. Emperor Gaozong bestowed upon him a fine horse and granted him the title of Princess Poyang's county magistrate.
How could someone so indifferent to fame and fortune, solely focused on pursuing immortality, easily venture into the mortal world?
Yunzhi said, "Old Madam You and he are old friends; she should have a way to persuade him to come out of seclusion."
Yuan Yueze nodded. In reality, Taoism and Daoism are not the same concept. However, over a long period of transmission, the two schools of thought have gradually merged, becoming confused. The "Taoists" of this era are a hybrid of orthodox Taoism and Daoism. Of course, he didn't want Sun Simiao and Pan Shizheng to come and draw talismans, set up altars, and chant incantations like charlatans. There was no need to worry about that; Shen Luoyan and the others should manage it well.
Kou Zhong rushed back to Liangdu that night. After resting for two days, Yuan Yueze spent all his time practicing Qi cultivation, except for his debauchery with the women. Perhaps his aura was no longer so fierce, and the Black King began to get closer to him, which was quite unexpected for Yuan Yueze.
January 21st.
Three days before Zhu Yuyan's duel with Yue Shan.
Song Shidao secretly came to Luoyang and met with Yuan Yueze.
Through the information he obtained from Jie Hui, coupled with Dugu Feng's prediction, Yuan Yueze knew that the greatest contributor to Bashu's decision to submit to the Tang Dynasty was still Li Yuanji. Shi Feixuan hadn't betrayed Song Yuhua, which made Yuan Yueze feel much better. From Song Shidao's words, Yuan Yueze also sensed that Jie Hui had begun to be wary of Song Shidao, speaking evasively. With Jie Hui's shrewdness, he could certainly see that as the political landscape became increasingly clear, the Song clan, led by Song Zhi, would definitely get involved. Although Song Shidao had rebelled against his family and become an enemy of Yuan Yueze, Jie Hui wouldn't be careless. After all, Song Shidao was still Song Que's son and a descendant of the Song family.
As the two were drinking and chatting, footsteps sounded outside the door, and then Song Yuzhi rushed in, saying, "Sister Susu has sent a letter."
Yuan Yueze opened the letter, read it, and then stood up coldly, saying, "I must leave immediately. It's a pity I can't witness the grand show between Yuyan and Second Brother." He
then turned to Song Yuzhi and said, "If Granny can really invite the 'Medicine King' to boost our army's morale, then please explain to me why I can't personally greet them."
The letter described how Susu had fought a battle with "Ghost Fiend" at Shanhaiguan. That "Ghost Fiend" was incredibly powerful, and even with Susu's abilities, she couldn't capture him alive. He was wounded and escaped, and Susu was also affected by evil energy, forcing her to stop healing and unable to pursue him.
Song Shidao patted his shoulder and said "Take care" before leaving through the back door first.
Yuan Yueze acted swiftly. Although this trip was supposed to be a special mission, it could also be seen as a journey to the Northeast grasslands. The women naturally wanted to travel as well, but the affairs of Luoyang were far beyond what Shen Luoyan could handle alone. Besides Shen Luoyan, Ren Meimei, Yunzhi, Lianrou, and Hua Lingzi, who were all tied up with official duties, Shan Meixian was going to Yangzhou alone. She already knew about the collusion between the Dongming Sect and the Li Tang, and a few days ago she received news that Dongming Sect ships had entered the Yangtze River. She had to go and see; if necessary, reclaiming the Dongming Sect wouldn't be a bad thing. Song Yuzhi was going to Lingnan with Yun Yuzhen. With the world on the verge of upheaval, Luoyang and the Song Clan had to execute every step of their plan meticulously, striving to remain still until the momentousest action they took. The three Fu sisters couldn't accompany Yuan Yueze either; they were already tired of the things on the grasslands, and besides, they were bound to encounter some treacherous people from Goryeo on this trip. With them around, Yuan Yueze wouldn't be able to act freely. Bai Qing'er and Wen Caiting, whose kung fu had returned to its former level, naturally couldn't stay with him either; they both had to stay and assist Wanwan with preparations for the Holy Gate Conference. Because Shang Qingya was about to give birth, Shang Xiuxun also had to return to the ranch to be with her. In the end, only Xiao Bei, Song Yuhua, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin could stay with Yuan Yueze. Zhu Yuyan would only catch up along the way after finishing her act with Song Shidao.
Just as they were discussing this, Yin Xianhe and his sister arrived. These past few days, the brother and sister had been staying in the courtyard specially arranged for them by Shen Luoyan, allowing them to catch up. This was only the second time Yuan Yueze had seen the siblings since returning to Luoyang. Although Yin Xianhe remained as aloof as ever, he no longer possessed that unapproachable aura. His heartache had vanished, and he had naturally changed drastically. Judging from his aura, it seemed that Xiao He'er had used her extraordinary power to cleanse his marrow and refine his spirit.
After entering, Yin Xianhe said, "I am familiar with the Northern Frontier. Since my brother-in-law is going on an adventure, I naturally have no choice but to help."
Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, you should stay with your little sister. You've been separated for over ten years; how could I bear to separate you again? Besides, I already have the best spies." He
then let out a long howl.
The weather suddenly changed; dark clouds covered the sun, and a sharp whistling sound came from the sky.
Yin Xianhe was startled and looked up to see a giant gray-black eagle with a wingspan of nine feet, blocking the sunlight. It swooped down and landed nimbly on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, its cold, gleaming eyes coldly observing the people and things around it.
Little Crane was stunned and rushed over, shouting, "Does it know martial arts?"
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "I'll leave the affairs of Luoyang and the rest to my virtuous wives. If my brother-in-law is interested, he can also participate."
A look of gratitude flashed in Yin Xianhe's eyes. She nodded silently and left, leaving Yuan Yueze and the women to their own devices.
Xiao Bei and the other three women had already slipped into the bracelet. Yuan Yueze looked apologetically at his group of reluctant wives before him, wiped away Yunzhi's tears, and said softly, "You've suffered so much. I, Yuan Yueze, owe you all so much for my own ideals. I will be back by May at the latest. Once the world is unified, we will have no more responsibilities on our shoulders and can return to the mountains to live a carefree life."
Yunzhi and Fu Junqiang threw themselves into his arms, their shoulders trembling, but they didn't cry out.
Shan Meixian, who had experienced countless storms, smiled and said, "It's only a few months apart, no need to be sad. Husband, you must not act rashly while you are away. Always remember why you went there." Yuan Yueze felt
a surge of emotion in his heart towards this gentle woman who was both a teacher and a friend, a sister and a wife, and immediately nodded.
After a moment of intimacy, Yuan Yueze waved goodbye.
Standing beside Shen Luoyan, Zhang Chuchen, dressed in fiery red, stared blankly as Yuan Yueze departed, oblivious to being added to his harem and having his first kiss stolen.
As he left, he encountered Linglong Jiao, a beautiful woman from Kucha, rushing towards him. Before he could understand what was happening, Yuan Yueze grabbed her shoulder, kissed her lips, and whispered in her ear, "I'll bring back the Five-Colored Stone," before leaving with a flourish.
In this era, people traveling needed horses. Dugu Feng, upon hearing the news, immediately sent a fine horse, but Yuan Yueze refused it, as he knew no riding. He had spent a few days learning in Chang'an before the Spring Festival, but the experience left him with a sore back and aching muscles. After a brief farewell to Dugu Feng, he used his lightness skill and galloped northeast.
His true energy was unfathomably deep; after Wanwan had completely drained it, he had only recovered less than a tenth of his former strength after a few days of practice. He had traveled less than a hundred li before feeling exhausted and immediately stopped to rest. Summoned by him, the Black King landed on the ground, pecking at the dried meat he had taken out.
Yuan Yueze sat cross-legged, his mind clear and bright, entering a state of utter detachment. He connected himself with the universe as an inseparable whole, the essence of heaven and earth flowing into his body through the Life and Death Acupoints and the Baihui point, refined into the purest innate true qi, spreading out in a harmonious and even distribution throughout every acupoint.
This was the incantation for practicing the technique: "Spirit gathers at the crown, qi flows through heaven and earth, rivers and seas. Qi is like a valley, essence is like floating force. Essence is exhausted, the original qi is embraced and stored away."
When he opened his eyes again, it was already dark. The Black King was dozing beside him. Feeling the trust this divine bird had placed in him, Yuan Yueze felt a surge of pride.
He pulled out a few women to roast meat and eat. The women were all bored, so they asked Shan Wanjing to dress them in men's clothing so they could travel with Yuan Yueze.
Two days later, at dusk, the five of them arrived at a hilltop and stood gazing into the distance.
Yuan Yueze took Song Yuhua's slender hand and said, "Yuhua, could you analyze the current situation for me?"
Song Yuhua had always been a well-behaved child, rarely leaving the house. Since following Yuan Yueze, she had enjoyed absolute freedom that many women in later generations could not afford, and she was in a great mood. She knew that Yuan Yueze had brought her out this time not because her affair had already been exposed, but because he was afraid she would get bored at home. The question he had just asked was clearly a test of her reading progress. So, looking at the city not far away, she said, "This city is called Weihui. A hundred miles to the northeast is Liyang. The light is concentrated in the city center, while the edges are dark." It can be inferred that there are people or things around this city that are disturbing the normal lives of the people. "
Shan Wanjing interjected, "I'm afraid it's related to Dou Jiande's army, right?"
Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "You two virtuous wives are truly extraordinary. Weihui City and Liyang City form a pincer movement. In the past, the Yuwen Clan led 100,000 elite troops from the old Sui Dynasty northward. Li Shiji abandoned Liyang and guarded Liyang Granary, while Li Mi led his army to Qingqi. They communicated with Li Shiji daily via beacon fires. Whenever the enemy attacked Liyang, Li Mi would send troops to attack his rear, putting the enemy in a pincer attack. Today, Liyang Granary is in ruins, and Li Shiji can no longer use it." The plan to retreat to Liyang Granary, however, would still be highly disadvantageous to anyone attacking Liyang if coordinated with the Tang army in Weihui. Xiao Zhong has discussed this with me in detail. He advised Dou Jiande to focus on encirclement and harassment, supplemented by surprise attacks. It seems Dou Jiande is impatient; a considerable number of his troops have already been stationed around Weihui, not for attacking the city, but simply to harass and trap the enemy.”
Xiao Bei agreed, saying, “Xiao Zhong has truly mastered the art of ‘strategic maneuvering’ and ‘deception’ in military tactics. If nothing unexpected happens, Liyang will likely be under different control within a month.”
Yuan Yueze said, “…” Even if they manage to capture Liyang, Dou Jiande's losses will be substantial. "
However, with the obstacle removed, and given that both the Li Tang and we are in the midst of tense preparations for war, Dou Jiande can also gain a chance to recuperate. Everyone knows a major battle is unlikely to erupt in a short time."
Yuan Yueze looked up at the dim sky. The Black King hovered and danced a hundred feet above, perfectly confirming his prediction of the ambush. He laughed and said, "These things are not our concern. Eating well, practicing our skills, and then setting off are what we need to do."
Three days later, Yuan Yueze arrived at Leshou.
Leshou, located between the Tuo and Zhang rivers, is a famous mountain city in the northern frontier. It controls a vast area and the transportation between the two rivers and the upper reaches of the Yongji Canal, making its geographical location extremely important. It tightly controls the land route to Yuyang and Shanhaiguan. The city walls, interconnected and robust, were solidly constructed of brick and stone, further enhanced by arrow towers and barbicans. Streams were channeled into the city, forming waterways within and moats without. Surrounded by rolling hills, its grandeur far surpassed that of ordinary cities built on plains. Though only half the size of metropolises like Luoyang and Chang'an, it possessed a magnificent and imposing presence, leaving a deep impression. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, rugged and treacherous, it was truly a strategic location for border defense.
Within the city, bustling markets thrived, with houses standing side by side, buildings facing each other. Now, at the end of the first month, the weather began to thaw; the snow melted, and the trees inside and outside the city were lush and green, a beautiful scene of spring's return.
As the Xia Kingdom grew stronger, Leshou's commerce flourished, becoming the political, economic, and cultural center of the northern frontier. Dou Jiande further constructed inner cities and fortresses along the two rivers and a canal, connecting them to Leshou by roads, forming a self-contained transportation system that further enhanced its strategic and economic importance. The city's main thoroughfares were the north-south and east-west main streets running through its four gates. At the heart of this core was the inner city, where the Summer Palace was located. Other, less prominent streets were neatly arranged around this cross-shaped axis.
To avoid being stared at like a monkey, Yuan Yueze only brought Xiao Bei. He changed out of his usual thin clothes and put on a sheepskin coat that Song Yuhua had carefully sewn for him. Using his internal energy to suppress the sharp gazes, he mingled with a group of merchants entering the city, paid his taxes, and entered.
This was the location of a intelligence outpost established by Fu Junzhuo in the northeast, and Yuan Yueze had come to the city solely to obtain the latest information.
In an inconspicuous rice shop, Yuan Yueze gave a secret signal to the clerk, who immediately led him to the back room.
A moment later, a middle-aged man who looked like a shopkeeper entered. His eyes appeared unremarkable at first glance, but in reality, they held a hidden brilliance, moving with a light and almost silent gait, clearly indicating he was no ordinary person. He curiously glanced at Yuan Yueze and his companion, then bowed and asked, "May I ask what your relationship is with Miss Junzhuo?"
Yuan Yueze and his companion nodded secretly. This man's lack of blind faith demonstrated Fu Junzhuo's careful selection of people. They replied, "My name is Yuan Yueze, and Junzhuo is my wife."
The shopkeeper was startled and exclaimed, "What!"
Despite his words, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he silently struck Yuan Yueze's chest with a palm strike. From the force of the blow, Yuan Yueze already knew the shopkeeper's cultivation was extraordinary.
Seeing that Yuan Yueze neither dodged nor evaded, he laughed loudly, "Ignorant little thief, daring to impersonate Young Master Yuan! How could I let you get away with this!"
"Bang!"
Yuan Yueze took the blow head-on. The boss unleashed a powerful burst of energy, forming a vortex in his chest that rippled outwards. Nearby furniture and chairs shattered and scattered like fallen leaves, leaving only Yuan Yueze and his wife, along with their chairs.
The boss's face showed surprise,
and he withdrew his hand, standing still. Yuan Yueze knew that because his internal energy was completely depleted, he had only recovered about ten percent in the past few days. Given the boss's skill, he would never believe his identity. Moreover, the brilliance in his and Xiao Bei's eyes had faded; although still sharp and alert, they lacked their usual intimidating gleam, further fueling the boss's suspicion of his imposter status. Fortunately, he possessed an extraordinary body capable of withstanding any attack in the world.
With a flick of his wrist, the transparent, evil sword appeared in his hand. Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Does this sword prove my identity?"
The shopkeeper was startled again and knelt down, saying, "Di Qinghe greets you, young master and madam. I have committed a capital offense; please punish me as you see fit."
Yuan Yueze was unaccustomed to being knelt to, so he stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Shopkeeper Di is a cautious man; what crime have you committed? Please rise quickly. We have come to inquire about the latest news from the north."
Di Qinghe was flattered and stood up, saying, "Young master, you flatter me." He
then cleared his throat and said, "The latest news from Luoyang says that on the night of the 24th of the first month, Madam Zhu and Yue Badao fought a duel at Changling of the Northern Wei Dynasty, thirty miles northwest of Luoyang. Because Lord Shen sealed off the scene, no one witnessed the battle, and the result was that both were injured."
As he spoke, he looked at Yuan Yueze, as if trying to find out the true outcome of the matter from him.
Seeing that this man was extremely shrewd, Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "I came out before the decisive battle, but I can tell Boss Di that the results were far from what they seemed. Alright, let's talk about other things."
In the eyes of outsiders, this decisive battle was of course the most important matter, and Di Qinghe brought it up first. Unexpectedly, he had the wrong place to talk, and said with an embarrassed expression, "On the Li Tang side, Li Yuan sent Li Shimin's main force into Hongnong, and then sent Li Yuanji to defend Taiyuan. He also appointed Li Gang as the General Commander of the Jinzhou Road Army to lead troops to aid Li Yuanji. On Liu Wuzhou's side, Song Jingang led 20,000 elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Yuci, defeating the troops of Tang generals Jiang Baoyi and Li Zhongwen."
Both sides were currently in the preparation period for war, and even if there was a conflict, it would not escalate. However, the Li Tang had obviously suffered a hidden loss due to its northern front. With just a few words, Yuan Yueze and the other man had already deduced that Song Jingang's invasion of Taiyuan was likely supported by Jieli, or perhaps not only by supplying warhorses and equipment, but also by sending elite Turks disguised as Song Jingang's subordinates. That would be something the Tang army could not handle. Yuan Yueze thought to himself, no wonder Li Yuan was so wary of the Turks and dared not openly offend Jieli. If things were to break down, Jieli could join forces with Song Jingang and march south without any scruples; who could withstand them? Fortunately, things hadn't gotten that far yet. However, this thought strengthened his resolve to pacify the border regions. He
exchanged a knowing glance with Xiao Bei and nodded, saying, "Then Liu Wuzhou's next target will be either Pingyao or Jiezhou. Once Pingyao and Jiezhou fall, Song Jingang can directly besiege Taiyuan. Taiyuan is not only Li Yuan's stronghold but also the Tang Dynasty's supply depot; it cannot be lost. They'll be in for a lot of trouble now."
He paused, then muttered to himself, "No, Li Yuan should have realized the danger sooner. Once Taiyuan fell, Song Jingang's troops could have gone south along the Fen River, following the old route Li Yuan took to enter Guanzhong, crossed the Yellow River, and headed straight for Chang'an. Otherwise, why would he have sent troops to reinforce him? I suspect Li Shimin deliberately let Li Yuanji suffer a defeat to lure Song Jingang deeper into the territory. His army in Hongnong was just a smokescreen; the real main force was probably already lying in ambush, ready to strike Song Jingang."
Di Qinghe said, "Young Master is brilliant!"
Yuan Yueze scratched his head and said, "Hey, although I've read military books, I only know how to talk about war on paper. Boss Di, you flatter me."
Only Xiao Bei knew that he dared not underestimate the invincible commander Li Shimin on the battlefield, which was why he was willing to think so deeply about things.
Di Qinghe continued, "Now, the major powers in the north, such as Prince Yan Gao Kaidao who occupies Yuyang, and the underworld tyrant Luo Yi of Youzhou, are no longer bound by the Turks' power struggles between Tuli and Jieli, and according to our information, they are considering their future plans. Young Master, your fame is renowned throughout the land; perhaps you can visit them on your way here and forge an alliance. This is truly a rare opportunity."
Yuan Yueze shook his head, saying, "Boss Di flatters me too much. With the war between the Li Tang and Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang still unresolved, Gao Kaidao and Luo Yi wouldn't make a hasty decision." If the victor is Li Tang, they might surrender to him; if the victor is Liu Wuzhou, they will have no choice but to continue being the lackeys of the Turks. Luoyang, aside from its prestige, is somewhat inferior to Li Tang in terms of military equipment and strength. Gao Kaidao and his men would never surrender to someone without overwhelming military power.
Di Qinghe sighed, "Young Master's insight is accurate and thorough; I never imagined it could be so profound."
Yuan Yueze's words were not without reason. It should be noted that although Shen Luoyan and Kou Zhong control the area north of the Yangtze River and south of the Yellow River, their combined forces number only about 160,000, with less than 100,000 elite troops. However, the Li Tang dynasty still dared not act, precisely because they were wary of the Song dynasty's forces in Lingnan. While gaining control of Sichuan and Chongqing was undoubtedly a boon for the Li Tang, nothing is absolute; every gain comes with a loss. The loss lay in the fact that the battlefront was stretched from Taiyuan through Tongguan, all the way to the mouth of the Yangtze River where it enters Sichuan. Such a long front made it impossible for either side to concentrate their forces. The Li Tang also feared a sudden attack from the Song dynasty's forces on Sichuan and Chongqing. Lingnan was primarily inhabited by the Li and Liao people, known for their simple and honest character, diligence, and fighting prowess. Although numbering only a little over 100,000, they were well-trained. With the financial support of the Song dynasty's forces and the consistently pro-war command of Song Zhi, their fighting strength was not to be underestimated. Therefore, instead of immediately expanding beyond the borders, the Li Tang chose to close its borders and strengthen its forces, aiming for a steady victory.
After meeting Zhai Jiao again, who had a terrifying appearance and a temper even more volatile than the Black King, they left her a thousand taels of gold to tide her over. They politely declined her offer of a Turkic horse, promising to recover the lost item. With a satisfied smile on Zhai Jiao's face, the two left Leshou and continued their journey northeast towards Shanhaiguan.
Xiao Bei said, "I'm afraid history will repeat itself soon."
Even she, as a contemporary, felt strange saying such a thing.
Yuan Yueze knew she was referring to the famous Battle of Baibi. He continued running, "We're too far away to help. Even if it happens again, there's nothing we can do."
He suddenly paused ,
sweating profusely, and said, "Oh no! It seems none of us speak Turkic!"
Hearing this, Xiao Bei immediately burst into laughter.

Chapter 118: A Series of Tragedy
Although they were an old married couple, Xiao Bei still blushed slightly under Yuan Yueze's gaze. She glanced at him sideways before saying, "Such an important matter, even if my husband forgets, how could we sisters forget?"
Then, she uttered a long string of words that Yuan Yueze couldn't understand, smiling at him.
Yuan Yueze felt a wave of embarrassment. He had just realized he'd forgotten to bring someone who understood Turkic. Little did he know that Xiao Bei and the other women had already secretly prepared. He grabbed her slender waist and asked happily, "Bei'er isn't Turkic, so why can you speak Turkic?"
Xiao Bei raised an eyebrow, looking at Yuan Yueze smugly, and said, "After Princess Anyi, who was sent to marry Qimin Khan of the Eastern Turks, died, to maintain relations with the Turks, Emperor Wen married Princess Yicheng, a member of the imperial clan, to Qimin Khan. My feelings for her are..." Mother and daughter often corresponded, but the Turks kept a close watch on it, so she could only write in Turkic, and I would find someone to read it to me. Over the past ten years, I have learned many words of Turkic.”
At this point, her expression darkened, and she sighed, “After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, we stopped corresponding.”
Yuan Yueze had certainly heard of Princess Yicheng’s story. This woman lived in the Turkic Khaganate for nearly thirty years, serving successively as a concubine to Qimin Khan, Shibi Khan, Chuluo Khan, and Jieli Khan, before being killed by the Tang general Li Jing.
Xiao Bei suddenly said, "Oh! I suddenly have another idea. It's very likely that Jieli originally planned to personally lead a large army to invade Taiyuan together with Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang. But because Tuli returned to his country with our help and launched a war against Jieli, Jieli was unable to spare the resources. He had no choice but to strengthen Song Jingang's military by sending men and horses. Wouldn't we be doing Li Tang a huge favor in this way?"
Yuan Yueze pondered and said, "That's true, but I think it's doing everyone in the Central Plains a favor. The Turks are used to being horse bandits." "Murder, arson, rape, and looting are commonplace for them. If they were allowed to advance directly into the Central Plains, it would cause extremely serious damage. At least with our current strength, we are absolutely no match for them."
He paused here, a bitter look flashing in his eyes, and said resolutely, "If such a day ever comes, I would rather bear the torment of eternal nightmares than let the invaders be slaughtered by myself."
Xiao Bei remained silent. Yuan Yueze's words were not unfounded, because in the hatred between nations, personal friendships have no place. Even if Tuli was grateful to Yuan Yueze and considered him a confidant, it still could not change the fact that they belonged to different ethnic groups and were on opposing sides. Therefore, he was very likely to make peace with Jieli at any time and jointly invade the Central Plains.
Holding Yuan Yueze's hand, Xiao Bei said softly, "What they lack is an opportunity. If Bi Xuan hadn't suffered a setback, perhaps the conflict between the two could be resolved. But Bi Xuan's wolf fangs are broken, so husband need not worry."
Yuan Yueze recalled the conversation between Yuwen Shang and Li Yuan that night, and said solemnly, "Whether Bi Xuan will regain his fighting spirit remains a mystery. Let's resolve the matter in the Northeast first, and then think about other things!"
Yuyang, Anle, Beiping, Liaoxi, and Zhuojun are known as the five major cities on the northeastern frontier. Because Gao Kaidao made Yuyang the capital, Yuyang was implicitly considered the foremost of the five cities, becoming the center of military, economic, and trade in the region.
Yuyang's city walls were only half the size of metropolises like Luoyang and Chang'an. Merchants concentrated on the main street that ran through the north and south city gates. Ten archways and pavilions spanned the street, and most of the houses were tiled-roof bungalows. The long street and ancient city, with its many carved buildings, filled the atmosphere of a major frontier city. As Yuyang was the largest post station and trade center south of Shanhaiguan, the city was bustling with merchants from the south and beyond the Great Wall, a vibrant mix of people from all directions.
As dusk fell, the main hall of a large restaurant in the city center was teeming with people, their voices loud and clear, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of restaurants in the Central Plains, highlighting the uninhibited spirit of the foreigners.
Suddenly, the noisy hall fell silent, all eyes turning to the entrance.
What attracted them was not the imposing, somewhat muscular man with an extremely sharp aura walking in, nor the two delicate beauties beside him, but the giant eagle perched on his shoulder, its cold, piercing eyes surveying the surroundings. The people of the Great Wall deeply revered eagles and wolves, and many of those in the restaurant were from beyond the Great Wall, but none had ever seen such a large eagle in their lives. The black eagle alone weighed at least forty or fifty pounds, and its wingspan, if spread, would probably be about ten feet.
These three were Yuan Yueze, Xiao Bei, and Shan Wanjing, who had arrived in Yuyang after a long journey of more than ten days. During this time, Xiao Bei had taught Yuan Yueze a lot of Turkic languages while he was practicing his Qi cultivation, and the other three women had also learned a little. Yuan Yueze had now recovered nearly 20% of his power, and he put on an arrogant demeanor to avoid being recognized, especially since the elusive Gui Sha would probably hide if he knew he had come to the Northern Frontier. The other two women, on the contrary, completely closed their pores, appearing weak and powerless, as if they knew nothing about martial arts, making it even harder to associate them with Yuan Yueze, since his and his beautiful wife's temperament and characteristics were known to almost everyone—their cultivation was celestial, elegant as immortals, ethereal and otherworldly.
Xiao Er glanced nervously at the terrifying Black King and Yuan Yueze, whose eyes could kill, and then steeled himself to invite the three to sit by the window. After casually ordering a few dishes, the three began to eat. Over the past few days, Black King had developed a friendship with Yuan Yueze and completely trusted him. It obediently stood on a bench, enjoying its meal. The close relationship between man and eagle drew admiring glances from everyone present, who envied the guy's good fortune in taming such a spirited eagle.
Yuan Yueze's gaze swept over the people at their table, who were constantly scrutinizing him. Faced with his sharp, piercing eyes, they all lost their nerve, immediately turning their attention back to their own tables, not daring to look over again. They drank and chatted, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively once more.
"Brother and your two ladies have handsome faces. I am a humble Taoist priest, Mule Daoist. Would I have the honor of sitting at the same table with you?"
A soft, feminine voice sounded from behind. Yuan Yueze and his companions looked over.
Approaching them was a middle-aged man dressed as a Taoist priest, carrying a teacup. He had a strange and ugly appearance, a short stature, and a pair of narrow eyes fixed intently on Black King, clearly showing his intense interest in the divine eagle.
Yuan Yueze came to this chaotic place to gather information, because outside of the Great Xia's sphere of influence, there was no other place for him to obtain information. So he picked up the Black King, placed it on his bench, stood up and gestured "please," saying, "I am Xiao Bei from Lanling, please sit down, Daoist." Xiao
Bei and Xiao Bei sounded the same, and Xiao Bei couldn't help but glare at him after hearing this.
The Mule Taoist thanked him and sat down, his eyes still fixed on the Black King, a fierce glint in them. He raised his teacup and said, "This humble Taoist doesn't know how to drink wine, so I'll offer tea in lieu of wine to Brother Xiao and your wives."
After a cup, the Mule Taoist finally looked away from the Black King and sighed, "Brother Xiao, please don't be offended. This humble Taoist has a very deep affection for animals. Look at that mule; it's my lifeblood. I've never seen such a huge divine eagle before, so I was inevitably distracted. Please forgive my rudeness."
The three followed his finger and looked out the window, where they saw a magnificent mule tethered to a pillar, its coat glossy and beautiful. They knew that the Mule Taoist's words were true.
Yuan Yueze smiled and shook his head. The Mule Taoist continued, "Judging from your attire, you three must have lived in Xia Kingdom for a long time. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
For those traveling the martial world, it's crucial to be mindful of one's words, especially avoiding inquiring about others' whereabouts and motives. The Mule Taoist's way of speaking was skillful, omitting a question that shouldn't be asked while still expressing his intentions, leaving Yuan Yueze and the others with no grounds for complaint.
Yuan Yueze didn't stand on ceremony, lowering his voice, "My cousin, Xiao Shiyong, trades in jade both inside and outside the pass. About a year ago, a batch of his goods was stolen. My wife and I have lived in seclusion for many years, no longer concerned with worldly affairs, but my brother was driven to suicide by his creditors. I couldn't bear this injustice and decided to come out of seclusion to investigate and seek justice for my brother's spirit."
The Mule Taoist was taken aback, saying, "Brother Xiao and your wives look to be only around twenty years old. How could you have lived in seclusion for so many years?"
Yuan Yueze feigned mystery, saying, "To be honest, Taoist Master, I am over fifty this year ..." "My two wives are only a few years younger than me. My wife and I received the immortal arts from Master Sun Simiao, and we have practiced them for many years, achieving considerable results. However, Master Sun does not acknowledge me as his disciple, so I hope he will keep this matter a secret."
A look of reverence appeared in Mule Daoist's eyes as he murmured, "No wonder, no wonder, you are Master Sun's outstanding disciple."
Yuan Yueze breathed a sigh of relief; at least his fabricated background was fairly complete. He had heard about the jade merchant from Zhai Jiao, but after the jade merchant's tragic suicide, the case had long been unsolved. His cleverness lay in his quick thinking invoking Sun Simiao. Historically, Sun Simiao was recorded as maintaining a youthful appearance, complexion, and gait even past fifty, and his whereabouts were always kept secret. Mule Daoist, being a Taoist himself, immediately dared not doubt him further.
Clearing his throat, the Mule Taoist said, "We are all cultivators, and I am grateful for Brother Xiao's trust in me. I am fairly well-connected in this area. How much have you heard about the recent events in the Northern Frontier?"
Yuan Yueze feigned ignorance, saying, "I only vaguely heard people mention some kind of ghost outside Yuyang, and that's all I know."
The Mule Taoist said, "The ghost is indeed a terrifying figure, but he wouldn't be related to your brother's business. Recently, strange things have been happening one after another in the Northern Frontier. The 'Anle Tragedy' five days ago and the 'Baihua Tragedy' three days ago are both very troublesome."
Seeing the three men's puzzled expressions, the Mule Taoist became even more convinced that they were hermits who had lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years. He explained in a low voice, "Anle County is located north of Yuyang. The largest gang in the city is the Anle Gang. The gang leader, Lu Pingde, is highly respected and has many connections. He offended the people of Wolf Valley while investigating a robbery case, and Wolf Valley..." The leader of the bandits led a group of skilled fighters into the city and slaughtered Lu Ping's entire family of over a hundred people in one night, sparing not even children or pregnant women. They then set the Lu family home ablaze, the fire spreading to neighboring houses, destroying dozens of buildings and killing hundreds of innocent people. Later, eyewitnesses claimed that the perpetrator was a single person, leading people to speculate that he was the legendary Ghost Fiend, whose martial arts were said to rival those of Yuan Yueze, the greatest
martial artist in the land. This incident sparked outrage in the Northern Frontier martial arts world. For the first time, the previously independent gangs united to hold a Northern Frontier martial arts conference at Yinma Post Station, determined to bring justice to the dead. He then sighed, "I despise these hypocritical martial artists the most. What right do they have to seek justice for my chess friend? Alas! What kind of gang is this, called the Peace and Happiness Gang? Only the dead find peace; I never imagined my words would come true. Brother Lu, I toast you."
His last sentence was a soliloquy, somewhat erratic, yet genuinely heartfelt expression. Only then did the group realize that Mule Daoist was a close friend of Lu Ping, the murdered leader of the Anle Gang.
Yuan Yueze, however, felt nothing at being called the number one expert. He thought to himself, "First time? Ghost Fiend has been committing crimes for so long, yet the Northern Frontier martial arts world hasn't made much of a fuss. Now that it's discovered Ghost Fiend doesn't only steal placentas from pregnant women, everyone's suddenly on edge.
" Shan Wanjing asked, "Then what is the 'Hundred Flowers Tragedy'?"
Mule Daoist asked curiously, "Madam, have you heard of 'Wolf Valley'?"
Shan Wanjing then realized she had inadvertently given herself away and said calmly, "Never heard of it, but I'm very interested in the latter case."
Mule Daoist nodded and said, "There's a famous archer here known as the Archery Master, who makes bows and arrows for those who can afford high prices. This gentleman is also the Prince of Yan's personal craftsman. I heard he made seven divine bows he was very satisfied with in his lifetime. Now he only has the 'Sun-Piercing' and 'Moon-Shooting' bows left, which he keeps as private treasures. Someone offered a thousand taels of gold, but he still..." Unwilling to part with his beloved. Master Arrow was eccentric and wouldn't listen to anyone, including the Prince of Yan. He was infatuated with Mei Niang of the brothel "Hundred Flowers Garden," and couldn't sleep without going there. Three nights ago, a masked man broke into Hundred Flowers Garden, targeting Master Arrow's room. The next day, only many corpses were found; Master Arrow had vanished. The most bizarre thing was that some said it was the work of Wolf Thieves, others said it was Ghost Fiend, and still others said it was the leader of the Wei Sha Gang, Shen Mo Huan. In short, there were many theories. The Prince of Yan considered this case a great disgrace, and despite offering a large reward, he still couldn't bring the murderer to justice.
Yuan Yueze's mind was in chaos. These sudden cases were full of suspicious points, and reasoning alone wouldn't be very effective. The Mule Taoist continued, "I believe there are only a few people who harmed your brother. The first is 'Hungry Wolf' Cui Wang. He was born in a small village called 'Wolf Valley.' His wolf bandits are elusive and swift, specializing in robbing merchants traveling to and from the border. Anyone who resists is killed without mercy. They cover their faces with black hoods when they act and then scatter to different places afterward, making them extremely mysterious. The second is Shen Mohuan, the leader of the Weisha Gang. He and his wife, Muling, are known as the 'Husband and Wife Bandits.' He is infamous in the borderlands. He leads his band of bandits and they are swift and unstoppable. It is said that they are secretly supported by Jieli, and they have ravaged Liaobei, killing countless people. The third is Huyan Jin, the Khitan bandit leader. The third is Han Chaoan, who came to Belarus. And finally..."
He glanced around warily and leaned closer to say, "The last person..." "That's Du Xing, the big boss of the Northern Overlord Gang. He has close ties with Huyan Jin and is of Turkic and Khitan descent, and he's hostile to the Han Chinese. Hey! Brother Xiao's cultivation is quite impressive; he can certainly bring honor to the Han people!"
Xiao Bei, being calm and collected, realized that he only wanted to hint to Yuan Yueze that the villains mentioned later might be related to the Anle Massacre, and that he only wanted to use Yuan Yueze to avenge Lu Ping. Of course, Yuan Yueze wouldn't ignore these two matters, so he went along with his intentions and said, "So many strange things have happened here. Thank you for your guidance, Daoist. May I ask if you've heard of Xu Kaishan, the leader of the Northern Horse Gang? My uncle left a letter saying that this person is extraordinary."
The Mule Daoist grasped her meaning of "extraordinary," and a flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes. He said, "I heard that he went to the far north more than half a year ago to search for a precious horse. He only returned to the northern frontier after the Spring Festival. Because his internal organs were frostbitten by the extreme cold of the far north, he returned..." After arriving, he began his seclusion to recuperate.
Yuan Yueze said, "Daoist Master seems to have something on his mind. I, Xiao, swear on the honor of my ancestors in Lanling, I will never stand idly by in the face of such a horrific tragedy. Please, Daoist Master, speak plainly."
The Mule Daoist apologized and said in a low voice, "Du Xing is a two-faced man. He secretly does all sorts of evil deeds, controlling a sinful kingdom of gambling, prostitution, smuggling, and tax evasion. Through violence, intimidation, bribery, and the elimination of dissidents, those who oppose him live, and those who obey him die, until everyone submits to his tyranny, daring not to speak out. On the other hand, he puts on the airs of a righteous and generous martial arts master, helping those in need and seeking justice for those who have been robbed and bullied. He even sets up a charitable hall to provide free food and drink for the poor. Xu Kaishan is his lackey, a lackey who does heinous things for him, so as not to damage his reputation. Saying he went to the far north to find a fine horse, I think he just encountered enemies chasing him." Not many. And after these past few days of deliberation, I've realized this person is very likely the Wolf Bandit. I've always believed Brother Lu was harmed by the Wolf Bandits, because he's been relentlessly pursuing their trail for the past few months. Before his demise, he went to Shanhaiguan, but according to Shu Dingtai, the second-in-command of the Anle Gang who accompanied him, nothing unusual happened. They were supposed to meet a group of Hu merchants who had been robbed by Cui Wang, but they found nothing; the merchants had already left the pass. However, Brother Lu had privately told me that Shu Dingtai and Du Xing were very close, and he had repeatedly tried to dissuade them, but to no avail. Today, my thoughts suddenly became clearer, and I realized that there must be some kind of shady relationship between Shu Dingtai, Du Xing, and Xu Kaishan.”
Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Northeast was less influenced by him, the Wolf Bandits had close ties with the Great Ming Zunjiao, and Cui Wang was actually General Gong Qi, a subordinate of “Dragon King” Bai Ziting, who was under the command of Xu Kaishan. Although Mule Daoren's speculation was not entirely accurate, it wasn't far off. Thinking of this, his eyes gleamed even brighter, flashing with powerful confidence. He said, "If it's convenient for you, Daoist Master, please spread the word that I've arrived here. I imagine those arrogant local bullies will come to provoke me."
The Mule Daoist hesitated for a moment, then said, "No problem. Brother Xiao, your skill is superb, your courage is great, and your chivalrous heart in eliminating evil for the people is admirable. I'll offer you another cup."
The three left the city and continued their journey, traveling under the stars and moon.
From the Mule Daoist's words, he gleaned the most useful information: Xu Kaishan had returned to the Northern Frontier. While the claim of searching for the precious horse in the far north was hardly credible, the Mule Daoist's statement was equally unreliable. His primary task was to first find Susu at Shanhaiguan, try to eliminate the Ghost Fiend, and then continue north. Of course, it would be even better if he could investigate the two tragic cases along the way, or even kill Xu Kaishan.
After asking for directions and checking the map, Yuan Yueze learned that if he followed the official road straight ahead, bypassing Anle and passing Yinma Post Station, he could reach Shanhaiguan directly. Although he was worried about Susu, he also knew that a disturbed mind would do no good for restoring his inner strength. He forcibly suppressed his worries and continued northeast at his usual pace.
Occasionally, he encountered passing merchants, and they would greet each other warmly, exchanging information about their journeys. Whenever the merchants saw the Black King, they would exclaim in amazement, even more astonished that Yuan Yueze, a man from the Central Plains, hadn't even prepared a horse, traveling barefoot. Along the way, they also encountered some gang members hurrying along, who would glance at the Black King and the four women accompanying Yuan Yueze with greedy expressions. However, faced with Yuan Yueze's murderous aura, they ultimately chose to continue their journey.
After traveling for several more days, it was already early February. The group of five deeply appreciated the magnificent landscape of the northern frontier. Ahead, towering mountains rose high, and vast, dense primeval forests stretched endlessly. Streams flowed through the depths of the forests, lush with vegetation. Birch and oak trees reached for the sky. From higher vantage points, they could see fields dotted with low-lying farmhouses and grazing cattle and sheep, creating a sense of seclusion and tranquility.
Yuan Yueze maintained a pace of 100 li (approximately 50 kilometers) per day. The rest of the time, besides practicing his martial arts, he learned some basic Turkic from Xiao Bei. Over the past few days, he had made considerable progress.
Dan Ruyin, holding a map, approached Yuan Yueze and pouted, "None of us have ever been to the Northern Frontier. Luckily, my husband has spiritual powers with the Black King, otherwise we would have really gotten lost. This map is giving me a headache."
Song Yuhua chimed in, "The climate in the Northern Frontier is indeed much worse than in the Central Plains. For example, at this time of year, the Central Plains would be much warmer. No wonder the people from beyond the Great Wall have always coveted the Central Plains."
Yuan Yueze sighed, "The terrain beyond the Great Wall is unique. The vast grasslands are all on plateaus, and the Gobi Desert lies to the west of the grasslands. The eastern grasslands are the widest. It is said that the sun rises from the eastern part of the grasslands and takes a whole hour to illuminate the entire grassland. People cannot..." They can choose their birthplace, but as they grow up, they have the right to choose their place of residence. However, all of this is burdened by things ranging from small habits and conduct to large national and ethnic baggage, ultimately only resolved through war.
Xiao Bei was arguably the most experienced and composed of the group. She frowned slightly and said, "After traveling a few dozen more miles, we should reach Yinma Post Station. I wonder if we can make it in time for the Northern Frontier Martial Arts Tournament."
Shan Wanjing said, "Those gang members we encountered on the road these past few days must be heading towards Yinma Post Station!"
Before Yuan Yueze could reply, the enormous figure of the Black King swooped down and circled in the sky.
The group recognized the hawk carrying the message and immediately focused their attention on the distance.
They saw dust billowing in the distance, and a moment later, knights, mule carts, and horse-drawn carriages appeared from the direction of Yinma Post Station.
Yuan Yueze said, "This group numbers at least a hundred. Their formation is disorganized; they appear to be one group, but they actually belong to different teams. They left in a hurry, as if they were hastily fleeing from Yinma Post Station. Perhaps we're too late? Ladies, please hide first; it's inconvenient for you to show yourselves."
The women hid in their bracelets, and Yuan Yueze, carrying the Black King on his shoulder, strode confidently towards the caravan. As they approached, they became even more certain that the group were merchants resting at Yinma Post Station, and they all "escaped" from the station. This group fled in a disheveled state, not even glancing at Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze grabbed a fat man dressed as a merchant and asked him what had happened. The merchant glanced at Black King, then gasped in shock, "You absolutely mustn't go to Yinma Post Station! Lots of gangsters have come there; nothing good will come of it."
Yuan Yueze said, "Yinma Post Station is dozens of miles away. Why are you in such a hurry?"
The merchant replied, "Someone saw 'Overlord' Du Xing lurking around Yinma Post Station with a large number of men. They're probably going to kill us and rob us. Of course, the farther we get, the better."
He then forcefully broke free from Yuan Yueze's grasp and staggered away.
Black King hovered low in the air, while Yuan Yueze sped towards Yinma Post Station.
He was probably too late. The martial arts world of the Northern Frontier was always rife with internal strife, and there were certainly many who were hostile to Du Xing. Du Xing had previously ignored the Ghost Fiend incident, and the Anle massacre was very likely orchestrated by him. This time, using the pretext of dealing with the Ghost Fiend, he could gather all the important figures of the Northern Frontier together to eliminate them—perfect.
After traveling more than ten miles and crossing a hill, the official road straightened out. In the distance, the trees seemed shrouded in mist, like a celestial realm, mesmerizing. Not far away was the Horse-Drinking Station.
The sound of hooves rose again ahead, and a magnificent lone mule, as fast as a horse, galloped towards them. On the mule was a man covered in blood, his clothes disheveled—none other than the Mule Taoist, whom they had only parted from a few days ago.
Seeing the Black King flying above Yuan Yueze's head, Mule Daoist was overjoyed and shouted from afar, "Brother Xiao, why are you so late!"
He stopped in front of Yuan Yueze, and Yuan Yueze immediately reached out to help him calm his breathing, asking, "Has Du Xing made his move yet?"
Mule Daoist was stunned, clearly not expecting him to guess so accurately. He smiled bitterly and said, "Everyone in the Northern Frontier martial arts world except Xu Kaishan has arrived. Du Xing arrived with an overbearing attitude, not mentioning the Ghost Fiend, but saying he wanted to choose a leader. How could anyone accept him? Naturally, everyone opposed him. And then someone exposed his weaknesses. Du Xing was just looking for an excuse, so he immediately ordered his men to attack. Only then did everyone realize they had fallen into an ambush. Du Xing had already arranged hundreds of swordsmen and crossbowmen outside the post station. Alas, it's fortunate that I don't usually provoke enemies." "His skills are also low, which is why he escaped."
Yuan Yueze's strength had only recovered to a little over 20% at this moment, making it inconvenient to continue to provide him with breathing exercises. Seeing that his breathing had calmed down, he stopped and said, "There should be some good martial artists in the Northern Frontier. How could they be so easily fooled?"
Seeing him walk towards the Yinma Inn, Mule Daoist was horrified and said, "Brother Xiao, don't be reckless. If you go now, you will have a nine-out-of-ten chance of death. The Northern Frontier is indeed not lacking in experts, but Du Xing first used his old flame, the proprietress of Yinma Inn, 'Sao Niangzi,' to put a muscle-relaxing drug in the food and drink. Moreover, Qiu Nanshan, the chief inspector appointed by the Prince of Yan, was not present. Shu Dingtai of the Anle Gang and Xiang Yuanhua of the Beima Gang also defected to Du Xing's side. Such a premeditated trap is impossible for anyone to escape. Qiu Nanshan has probably already been silenced by Du Xing."

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