The Complete Adaptation of "A Step into the Past" (45 Episodes) Original Author: Huang Yi Adaptation: frank511127

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[Event] Chang'e Flies to the Moon, First to Arrive
Volume 4
, Chapter 1, The Peerless Villain
Ji Yanran This building was built of white stone, nestled among flowers and trees, its style ancient and elegant, like
a fairy palace in a fairyland, where a beautiful fairy who is immortal lives. Stepping up the stone steps to the top of the building, there is an exquisite entrance hall for
guests to place their clothes and weapons. Two beautiful maids are already waiting there, serving them attentively. Tan Bang whispered in
Xiang Shaolong's ear, "The talented lady Ji does not like anyone bringing a sword into her private quarters." Xiang Shaolong nodded to indicate that he
understood this talented lady Ji was really arrogant. Knowing that a distinguished guest like Lord Xinling was visiting, she still lay in bed,
and the maids dared not wake her, nor did she allow anyone with a sword to enter the building.
But upon reflection, he felt this display of power was justified. He had to admit, deep down, that men are
inherently fickle ; the harder a woman is to obtain, the more precious she becomes. Even he, at this moment, longed to see just how beautiful she truly
was. The two pretty maids were particularly fond of Xiang Shaolong, serving him with meticulous care, carefully wiping
the dust from his clothes and wiping his face with a damp cloth. Once everything was settled, the four entered the hall.
Just as they stepped inside, a loud, clear voice called out beside Xiang Shaolong, "Distinguished guests have arrived! Distinguished guests have arrived
!" Startled and bewildered, Xiang Shaolong looked around and couldn't help but chuckle. It was a
talking parrot perched serenely on its perch. The two beautiful maids clearly adored it, giggling as they fed the obedient creature with grain
.
Xiang Shaolong glanced around. The hall was elegantly decorated, its most distinctive feature being the absence of floor mats, replaced by
several sets of low tables and couches. The hall was filled with exquisite potted plants, as if a portion of the outside garden had been brought in. On
one large wall hung a giant silk painting of a lady, lightly painted with delicate colors, elegant and refined, perfectly complementing
the lady of the house's talent and temperament. At this moment, three of the four sets of tables and couches in the hall were occupied, each set containing two to six people.
The dozen or so were all conversing in hushed tones, as if afraid of disturbing the lady of the house's nap.
Lord Xinling led the way into the hall, and immediately more than half the people stood up
to pay their . The others, clearly meeting Lord Xinling for the first time, only then recognizing him, and also hurriedly rose to greet him.
Xiang Shaolong immediately noticed several of them. Especially striking were the four men on the left, near the window.
Three were dressed as warriors, exuding an extraordinary air, but what caught his attention most was their fierce and ruthless aura. One of them, in particular
, was a burly man, towering like a majestic mountain, slightly taller than Xiang Shaolong himself. His hands and feet were extremely thick, his long hair
flowed down his shoulders , and he wore a silver headband. His face was rugged and broad-shouldered, his eyes like copper bells, carrying a sinister and cunning expression. His
imposing appearance radiated a sinister and intimidating charm.
The other two warriors beside him were also powerful and ruthless, but standing next to him, they were immediately overshadowed. Strangely,
all three men had burn marks on their hands. Another group that attracted his attention was the six
scholars . One of them was tall and slender, with a refined and elegant appearance. His deep-set eyes shone with the light of a wise man, making him appear
like a celestial being. The last group consisted of only two people. The shorter one had an ordinary appearance, and judging from his clothing,
he was not from Wei. It was unclear which country he came from, but to be able to meet Ji Yanran here, he must be
someone of some status.
Lord Xinling first greeted the group of six on the right, and said to the man with the unusual appearance, "We were just talking about
Mr. Zou, and I didn't expect to see you so soon." He beckoned to Xiang Shaolong, saying, "Shaolong, come and greet
Mr. Zou Yan, who is proficient in the art of the interaction between heaven and man."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "So this is the metaphysical master who is famous in our time for his 'Theory of the Five Elements'." Just as he was about to step forward to pay his
respects, a deep and powerful voice came from the left, "Young Master Wuji, may I ask if this is
Brother Xiang Shaolong, the imperial swordsman from Zhao?" Xiang Shaolong's heart skipped a beat, and he looked in the direction of the voice. The speaker was none other than the warrior who looked like a demon king
descended to earth . Lord Xinling, clearly unfamiliar with the man, exclaimed in surprise, "This valiant warrior..."
The Wei man who had apparently introduced the three warriors to Ji Yanran stepped forward respectfully and said, "
Feng Zhi, a guest minister under Lord Longyang, greets you, my lord. This is Mr. Xiao Weimou, renowned in Qi for his wisdom and courage. The valiant warrior on the right is Ning
Chong, and the one on the left is Zheng Le. Both are famous warriors of Qi and are Mr. Xiao Weimou's personal guards."
Lord Xinling and Xiang Shaolong were both astonished. They hadn't expected this fierce man to be so persistent, openly chasing them all the way to the main beam.
He clearly had ill intentions, and with Lord Longyang's protection and the King of Wei's backing, it was no wonder he was so ruthless and domineering.
As Xiang Shaolong felt a severe headache coming on, Xiao Weimou strode forward, bowed to Lord Xinling, and moved in front of Xiang Shaolong,
extending his hand and saying, "I have long admired Brother Xiang's superb swordsmanship. I must have the opportunity to learn from your skill." Xiang Shaolong knew he wanted to
test his strength, and reluctantly reached out to shake his hand. A cold smile appeared on Xiao Weimou's lips. He gripped the handle tightly
, and Xiang Shaolong's hand felt as if it were bound by an iron clamp, which continued to tighten.
Xiang Shaolong felt a chill run down his spine. Although he managed to resist, he still felt excruciating pain, knowing that his opponent's
strength was indeed superior. Fortunately, he possessed exceptional patience, preventing himself from being embarrassed on the spot. He even smiled and said, "Mr. Wei
, have you recently experienced a fire? Why are there burn marks on both hands?" A flash of frenzied rage appeared in Xiao Wei Mou's eyes. He
tightened his grip and coldly said, "Just some petty tricks of lowly villains. It's nothing. Besides, those who play these
little games will only succeed temporarily. Sooner or later, I'll tear them to shreds." The heavy tension was palpable even to Zou Yan and his men
, indicating that something very unpleasant must have happened between the two.
Xiang Shaolong struggled against his astonishing strength. Xiao Wei Mou had originally intended to crush his finger bones on the spot, teaching him
never to wield a sword again. But after testing Xiang Shaolong's strength, he knew that such an effect was impossible. He sneered
, released his hand, and retreated. His two subordinates stared intently at Xiang Shaolong, their eyes filled with deep hatred, showing
how badly the wildfire had burned them.
Lord Xinling winked at Xiang Shaolong and introduced him to the Wei people beside Zou Yan, all renowned scholars and high-ranking officials of Wei
. It was clear Zou Yan was very popular among the Wei people. After the introductions, Lord Xinling's gaze fell on the remaining group of Wei people, and
he smiled saying, "This is the first time I've met Mr. Zhang Fengchang here." Looking at
the man of medium build beside him, whose appearance was plain except for his bright eyes, he asked, "And this is…?"
Zhang Fengchang smiled and said, "This is Han Fei from the South. I'm here thanks to him, because
Miss after reading Han Fei's *On the Difficulty of Persuasion*, praised it highly and sent word that she wanted to see him. So, I, Fengchang, had no choice but
to accompany him and bring Han Fei here to meet Miss." Lord Xinling and the others were all moved, never expecting to encounter such a great synthesizer of Legalism…
A man of refined literary talent and elegant demeanor. Yet, a slight unease lingered, for he hadn't expected this man to be so unremarkable in appearance. This
Han Fei, whose name would be remembered for millennia, was clearly not skilled in social graces; he gave an awkward smile and a slight bow, which served as a greeting.
Two beautiful maids hurriedly invited Lord Xinling and the others to sit on a low couch opposite Han Fei and his companion. Only
one couch beneath the large painting of court ladies remained empty, presumably the seat of the talented woman Ji. Xiang Shaolong, like the others, leaned
against the couch, sipping the snacks and tea served by the maids, his mind a jumble of emotions. With the arrival of Xiao Weimou, the situation
had become far more complicated. Moreover, this man possessed astonishing strength, his body as solid as a fortress of bronze and iron; although he was confident, he
might not be a match for him. If he joined forces with the local bully, Lord Longyang, and Lord Xinling harbored malicious intentions towards him, this trip
would truly be fraught with peril.
While pondering, Xiang Shaolong heard Lord Xinling ask Han Fei, "Young Master Han, what brings you to our country this time
? Please tell me, and I, Wuji, may find some assistance." Han Fei replied, "This time… alas! This time,
Han Fei has come to your country on the orders of my king to borrow grain."
Xiang Shaolong was surprised; he hadn't expected Han Fei to speak so haltingly, so incoherently, and so inarticulately,
failing to the opportunity to explain the advantages and disadvantages, and to point out why Wei needed to lend grain to Nanbang. Lord Xinling indeed frowned and said, "I
see. How much grain does your country need to borrow?" Han Fei coldly replied, "Ten thousand shi!" and said nothing more.
Lord Xinling, of course, remained unmoved, smiled slightly, and said nothing more. Zou Yan raised his voice, "Extreme prosperity inevitably leads to decline, and
extreme decline inevitably leads to prosperity; the five virtues alternate. The current severe drought in South Korea was foreshadowed. Five years ago, I saw a comet fall
into South Korean territory and predicted a natural and man-made disaster; today, it has indeed come true." Han Feizi frowned deeply,
clearly displeased and disbelieving Zou Yan's words, but those around Zou Yan readily agreed. Across from Zou Yan
, Xiao Weimou, also from Qi, laughed heartily, "Mr. Zou, you are well-versed in the ways of Heaven. Today, the seven kingdoms are powerful; could you explain
the Mandate of Heaven to enlighten us?"
Zou Yan smiled slightly, about to reply, when the sound of jade pendants rang out, and a stunningly beautiful woman, escorted by four maids,
entered the hall from the inner steps. Xiang Shaolong immediately looked over, his mind reeling with a sense of awe and wonder. A
beautiful woman, with skin as smooth as jade and a radiant face, like a fairy descended from heaven,
gracefully . Her captivating gaze drew all who beheld her, leaving them mesmerized. Her hair
was styled in a high, side-swept bun, perfectly complementing her slender figure, delicate waist, exquisite neck, and
flawless skin, making her even more alluring and radiant.
Her deep, dark eyes shone with a sparkling light, no wonder her beauty was renowned far and wide; she was truly breathtaking
. She wore a white robe with blue floral patterns, and the wide sleeves, opening and closing with her light, graceful, and ethereal steps,
further accentuated her exquisite beauty. Her bright eyes and white teeth, combined with her radiant
inner beauty, created a picture of divine beauty. Xiang Shaolong felt as if he had entered a fairyland, oblivious to the world around him. Even with Wu Tingfang's
beauty, she paled in comparison in terms of allure, demonstrating just how captivating
Ji Yanran was. Her charm only intensified when she gracefully leaned against the high edge of the central couch, her languid posture exuding irresistible allure
. Her half-sitting, half-reclining posture was already incredibly alluring, but when she tucked her legs onto
the couch, a glimpse of her flawless, supple feet was revealed beneath her silken robes. This made Xiang Shaolong want nothing more than to climb
onto the couch, pin her down, and explore her exquisite body, inhaling her delicate fragrance. After
Ji Yanran face tilted to the side, and she smiled sweetly, saying, "Yanran was a bit sleepy, I've kept you all waiting!"
Xiang Shaolong snapped out of his reverie and looked at everyone. He saw that whether it was Lord Xinling, Zou Yan, Han Fei, or even Xiao Weimou
, they all wore expressions of infatuation, showing even less self-control than he did. While everyone was busy declaring they had nothing to do with it,
Ji Yanran's sparkling, jewel-like black eyes drifted over Xiang Shaolong, darted around, then to Xiao
Weimou's group, scrutinizing each person before finally looking at Han Fei. A hint of delight flashed across her face as she asked, "Is this perhaps
Young Master Han Fei?" Xiang Shaolong and Xiao Weimou were both greatly disappointed; Ji Yanran's interest in Han Fei was clearly greater than theirs
.
Han Fei's face flushed red, and he nervously replied, "I am indeed Han Fei." Ji Yanran's bright eyes lit up, and she said
with delight , "I have read your masterpiece, Young Master. It truly reveals what no one has done before. I admire you wholeheartedly."
Although Xiang Shaolong found it rather uninteresting—Han Fei's appearance was utterly unappealing—Ji Yanran treated him with special regard.
Clearly, this woman valued a person's inner qualities more than anything else, unlike ordinary women. In terms of writing and insight, he
was like a kindergarten student compared to a Nobel laureate. However, there was also a sense of relief, for he was currently in dire need of his own safety
, and it was certainly not the time to pursue beautiful women, lest he be unable to handle the situation. Han Fei, praised by the beauty, was even more at a loss,
unsure of what to do with his hands.
At this moment, Ji Yanran seemed to have only eyes for Han Fei, and softly said, "Sir, your theory of governing the country by combining 'law,' 'method,' and 'power
,' proposing that 'when the world changes, things change, and when things change, the law must change,' truly hits the nail on the head and
is thought-provoking ." Han Fei became even more flustered, only able to nod repeatedly, making one feel sorry for him. Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that if Han Fei
were more eloquent and handsome, he might have been able to win her heart today.
Zou Yan let out a long laugh, drawing the attention of Ji Yanran and everyone else before confidently saying, "
With Young Master Han's insight, he will surely be highly valued by your king. Why is it that your country's struggle for supremacy has yielded no progress?"
Xiang Shaolong cursed inwardly; Zou Yan's incisive rebuke of Han Fei was truly excessive. Han Fei's face
showed indignation, but he was speechless.
Ji Yanran, clearly admiring Han Fei's talent, came to his rescue, saying, "Even a wise man needs a wise ruler
. Shang Yang of Wei achieved nothing in Wei, but after a few years in Qin, he achieved remarkable political success. Does Mr. Zou agree with what Yanran said?"
Xiang Shaolong inwardly praised her; this woman was indeed extraordinary. Just as he thought Zou Yan would be speechless, Zou Yan smiled slightly and said
, "Miss's words are certainly profound, but the focus is still on human affairs. Who knows that above human affairs lies the Way of Heaven
? Shang Yang only succeeded by taking advantage of the situation; he couldn't escape the control of the Five Elements. Only
those who deeply understand the principles of the Five Elements' mutual generation and restraint can grasp the workings of the Way of Heaven."
Han Fei snorted coldly, speaking more fluently, "Mr. Zou's words… say… are vague and ethereal. Then…
then should we… sit and wait for fate, doing nothing?" These words were reasonable,
but coming from his stammering, they lacked persuasiveness. Zou Yan, a man of great eloquence, laughed heartily and said, "Of course
not. As long as we can grasp the Way of Heaven, we can foresee human affairs and know the goals and directions of our efforts, for example..."
"Digging a well requires knowing where the water source is to avoid wasting effort."
Han Fei was so angry that his face turned red, but he couldn't find a rebuttal or know how to express himself. Xiang Shaolong
felt a surge of sympathy for him and wished he could find paper and pen so that Han Fei could express his opinion. Applause rang out; it turned out that Xiao Wei Mou was clapping in agreement
. Ji Yanran looked at Xiao Weimou, her delicate brows furrowing. "And this is...?" Xiao Weimou puffed out his chest, like a
wild beast seeking a mate, and loudly replied, "I am Xiao Weimou of Qi. I wonder if Miss has heard of me?"
Ji Yanran suddenly realized, "So you are Mr. Wei, who advocates learning from beasts. If humans were no different from beasts, wouldn't
the world immediately descend into chaos?" Xiao Weimou, seizing this opportunity to demonstrate his knowledge to this beautiful woman, was not about to let it slip by.
He smiled and said, "Miss, having lived in the city for so long, of course you wouldn't understand the world of beasts. I, Xiao, have long taken nature as my teacher,
observing the lives of birds, and have concluded that only by following one's nature can one avoid betraying Heaven and
enjoy the gifts of life under the greater laws of nature. If one forcibly suppresses one's nature, it is only useless and harmful, merely turning one into
a hypocrite who is inconsistent inside and out."
Ji Yanran looked at him deeply, a thoughtful expression on her face. Xiang Shaolong inwardly cursed. This beautiful woman
was clearly curious and easily attracted to novel theories. If Xiao Weimu got her, even he would feel heartbroken
and it wouldn't be worth it. He couldn't help but say, "How can humans and beasts be the same? Even different beasts have different
ways of life ." Xiao Weimu sneered, "Ways of life may differ, but nature remains the same."
How could Xiang Shaolong be polite to him? He glared at him and smiled, "The difference between humans and beasts is that we are not
driven by instinct and desire; we can even sacrifice our precious lives for a greater ideal. Beasts walk on four legs, but
we can stand up. Our hands, because we don't walk, have become more delicate and dexterous, allowing us to create this house and all
our necessities. Do beasts have this ability?" Xiao Weimu had clearly studied this question before and mocked, "
What you're saying is just..." "Skills, not essence. Birds can fly, but can humans? Fish can live underwater,
but can humans?"
Xiang Shaolong was by no means a theorist, but now that he was in a difficult situation, he persisted, saying, "What I'm talking about is essence.
Because the structure of the human brain is different from that of animals, we can think and reflect. In addition to food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, we also
need a spiritual life. But animals do everything for survival; they eat their fill, sleep, and mate when the time comes. Animals
are bewildered and passive in nature, while humans can resist and overcome nature. This is because humans have a different
essence, understand progress and development, which makes them superior to animals."
Xiang Shaolong's not-so-brilliant theory was common knowledge in the 21st century, but
it was very novel to people of this era, making Ji Yanran and the others look at him with new respect. Xiao Weimou, clearly unprepared for this
question , retorted angrily, "What's the difference? I've seen both human and beast brains; they're just bones and meat paste!" Xiang
Shaolong laughed, "You've just pointed out the biggest difference between humans and beasts. Do beasts even study the differences between their brains and human brains
?" Xiao Weimou was speechless for a moment, his eyes flashing with murderous intent, wishing he could tear Xiang Shaolong apart.
Zou Yan, though disagreeing with Xiao Weimou's theory that humans should indulge in the unrestrained behavior of beasts... However, since they were all from Qi, he also
wanted to embarrass Xiang Shaolong in front of Ji Yanran, so he nitpicked and said, "Brother Xiang just said that the difference between humans and beasts
is that we can stand up. But how do you explain that gorillas and apes can walk standing up?"
Xiang Shaolong was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself that he couldn't possibly explain evolution to them. Fortunately, a flash of inspiration
struck him, and he said, "The difference is still in the structure of the brain." He then touched his forehead and said, "Gorillas don't have our foreheads,
so their attention can only be focused on the present moment, and they don't think about tomorrow. But we can arrange and plan
for tomorrow, or even for a year or ten years from now. Moreover, humans can create language and writing,
record , pass them on to future generations, and continuously progress. How can apes compare to that?"
In fact, Xiang Shaolong's thoughts were quite disorganized, but everyone knew that gorillas did not have foreheads,
so they all felt that he had some merit. Ji Yanran clapped her hands and giggled, "That was truly wonderful! It's been a long time since I've had
such an interesting debate." Her beautiful eyes drifted to Xiang Shaolong, and she smiled sweetly, "Sir, I'm afraid I don't know
who you are yet!" Xiang Shaolong was stunned for a moment, inwardly groaning. He had impulsively made up a story; he
hoped she wouldn't take a liking to him.
Chapter Two: Chu Mo's Poisonous
Talisman. When Ji Yanran inquired about Xiang Shaolong's background, Lord Xinling hurriedly said, "This is Xiang Shaolong, the chief swordsman from Zhao
. Yanran, remember him." Ji Yanran glanced at Xiang Shaolong with a smile, then her gaze returned to Han Fei. Xiang Shaolong
breathed a sigh of relief , knowing she still hadn't "taken a liking" to him, but he couldn't help feeling somewhat disappointed, extremely conflicted. After all
, he had always been extremely attractive to beautiful women, and his pursuits had always been successful, yet he hadn't caught the eye of this beautiful and talented woman;
it was truly a setback.
Tan Bang leaned closer to Xiang Shaolong and whispered, "This is Ji Yanran's rule; only she can ask my name and identity.
I 've been here no less than twenty times, and she still hasn't asked who I am. Shaolong, you've already made an impression on her."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself that this beauty was really arrogant. Anyway, he didn't want to pursue her, so why should he put up with her attitude? He saw
her chatting and laughing with Han Fei alone, while the others could only stare blankly, waiting for her to ask. Feeling extremely bored,
he stood up . Lord Xinling was stunned and said, "Shaolong! What are you doing?" Ji Yanran also turned her head to look at him, her beautiful eyes
flashing with a strange light, clearly only now noticing his perfect physique and majestic demeanor. Xiang Shaolong smiled slightly and said,
"Miss Ji is indeed naturally beautiful and intelligent. I am honored to have met you, but I have urgent business to attend to and must take my leave now
. Please forgive me."
Ji Yanran was slightly taken aback, then smiled faintly as if she could read his mind, "
How many more ?" Xiang Shaolong was already calculating how to deal with the fierce Xiao Weimu, and replied noncommittally, "Probably
several more days!" Lord Xinling and the others also stood up helplessly and accompanied him away.
On the way back to Xinling Mansion, Lord Xinling complained in the carriage, "Shaolong, don't you know what a great
opportunity ? Ji Yanran rarely smiles so much; she might even play the zither and sing to entertain the guests! Alas!" He spoke with great
regret, showing how outstanding Ji Yanran's singing and zither skills were. Xiang Shaolong, however, was thinking about the vicious look in Xiao Weimu's eyes when he left
. This guy was not a reckless and brave man; he had many capable men under his command, and his situation was indeed very dangerous.
Back at Lord Xinling's residence, upon arriving at Lady Ya's quarters, she immediately pulled him into the room, saying, "I've contacted
Wu Zhuo and Cheng Xu, conveying your instructions. Wu Zhuo also wants to tell you: their eyes and ears at the Great Ridge are unknown..."
"Because this incident involves the struggle between Lord Xinling and Lord Longyang, he has hidden himself and refuses to contact him. Now he
can only rely on himself. He also said he would try to sneak into the city." Upon hearing this, Xiang Shaolong's mood soured, and he slumped onto
Lady Ya 's embroidered couch. Lady Ya came up to take off his boots and said softly, "Ya'er has discovered the entrance to the tunnel.
How will you reward her?"
Xiang Shaolong sat up with great joy, embraced her, and kissed her fragrant lips passionately, saying, "My lady is truly capable
!" Lady Ya was overjoyed and whispered in his ear, telling him in detail where the tunnel entrance was. Then she sighed and
said, "Stealing the 'Secret Records of Duke Lu' may not be too difficult, but how to leave Wei and evade the pursuers is the most
difficult thing. The 'Secret Records of Duke Lu' is such an important thing. Lord Xinling will check it every day. Once he finds it
missing, he will naturally think that we tampered with it."
Xiang Shaolong also felt a great headache. At this moment, Lord Xinling sent someone to find him and ordered him to come see him immediately. The attendant led him to
the inner hall where he had eavesdropped on Lord Xinling and his sister's conversation that night. After they were seated as host and guest, Lord Xinling said solemnly, "Anli
has issued an edict requesting you to send Zhao Qian to the palace the day after tomorrow. He will host a banquet for you, his special envoy, that evening." Xiang Shaolong's
heart sank; he knew the crucial moment was imminent.
Lord Xinling said in a deep voice, "Lord Longyang will use a sword duel as a pretext to kill you. The one who will do it will definitely be that
Xiao Weimou. That way, Anli and Lord Longyang will not have to bear any responsibility, because Xiao Weimou is a guest from Qi."
Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned. If he were to fight Xiao Weimou openly, his chances of winning were pitifully small; in terms of
physical strength alone, he was already at a significant disadvantage. Lord Xinling said in a low voice, "Lord Longyang hates you even more now, and he certainly
won't let you leave Daliang alive. And because he has the King backing him up, I'm afraid I can't even protect you. What are your
plans, Shaolong?"
Xiang Shaolong cursed Lord Xinling in his heart and sighed, "What can I do? I can only take it one step at a time."
Lord Xinling scrutinized him for a while, then took a deep breath and said, "Shaolong, if you wish to escape this calamity and
enjoy endless wealth and glory, there is only one way. Do you want to know it?"
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "Here it comes!" He pretended to be excited and said, "Your Majesty, please instruct me!"
Lord Xinling said, "It is to kill that tyrannical ruler Anli and Lord Longyang." Xiang Shaolong pretended to be startled and exclaimed
, "What?"
Lord Xinling coldly said, "No ruthlessness is no virtue. He is unrighteous, and I will not be unrighteous either. I also have men around Anli. We can
hide weapons in the palace. As long as you kill Anli, my men can immediately take out the weapons and wipe out Lord Longyang and the others
. Then, when I ascend the throne, with you as my powerful general, I can take advantage of Qin's inability to invade the east and unify
the three Jin . Wouldn't the world be ours then? You can also kill Zhao Mu to avenge yourself. Otherwise, if you return to Zhao, you will also face
certain death."
The prospect he described was indeed very tempting, but Xiang Shaolong knew that it was all a lie. Nodding, he said,
"That is indeed the only way, but King Anli will surely have someone protecting him closely, and I cannot openly take up a weapon. How can I
kill him?"
Seeing that he didn't object, Lord Xinling's eyes lit up with excitement as he said, "I originally planned to hide the dagger under your
table, but that's not quite right. Now that we've guessed that Xiao Weimou will challenge you at the banquet, you can
defeat him and then, while accepting Anli's congratulations, unexpectedly kill him. Then, with your swordsmanship, create some
chaos , and we'll have a chance to act. At the same time, my men will storm the palace. How can we not succeed?"
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "What if I get killed by Xiao Weimou?" A thought struck him: it would be
foolish not to seize this opportunity to gain some advantage. He solemnly declared
, "As long as I have no worries, I, Shaolong, will entrust my life to Your Majesty and give it my all." Lord Xinling frowned, "What do you mean by 'no worries'?" Xiang Shaolong replied, "It means that
if Lady Ya and Zhao Qian can leave Daliang, I will have no more concerns and can act with complete freedom."
This was a classic case of asking for the moon and settling for less. He knew, of course, that Lord Xinling wouldn't let Zhao Qian go, but he wasn't afraid of
Lady Ya leaving, because regardless of whether the assassination attempt succeeded the day after tomorrow, Lord Xinling could preemptively order his men to
bring Lady Ya back. As expected, Lord Xinling said, "Zhao Qian absolutely cannot leave, because you still need to send her to the palace.
As for Lady Ya? Since you have this request, Shaolong, I will certainly find a way to make it happen." Xiang Shaolong felt half relieved
and said, "The King will never allow Zhao Qian to become the Crown Princess, so why bring her to the palace?"
Lord Xinling sighed, "Shaolong is too naive. Anli can easily make Zhao Qian die
mysteriously announce that she died of illness and send her body back to Zhao. Even the King of Zhao will find it difficult to do anything about it. Although this is a bit extreme,
it is the best solution Anli has no other choice." Xiang Shaolong felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and his desire to save the beauty grew even stronger.
Lord Xinling said, "If you kill Anli, won't everything be resolved?"
Xiang Shaolong shook his head and said, "That's just how I am. I don't want to implicate others in anything I do. If Zhao Ya
and Zhao Qian weren't here, I could take responsibility for everything. Even if I failed and was captured, I wouldn't betray the Lord. But if I think about
the possibility of implicating them, I'm afraid I won't dare to act." Lord Xinling couldn't do anything about him, so he suppressed his anger
and nodded, "Let me think about it. There's always a way to solve it."
Hearing this, Xiang Shaolong was secretly delighted. He then remembered that Wu Zhuo had said he would try to sneak into the city and said, "
In order not to arouse Anli's suspicion, I'd better not just hide in the Lord's mansion these two days. I should wander around easily, and then
Anli will be even less wary of me." Lord Xinling frowned and said, "How can that be? Lord Longyang will find someone to deal with you."
Xiang
Shaolong laughed, "He wouldn't be that stupid. He saw how easily I killed Sha Xuan, and now Xiao
Weimou is taking his place. Can't he even wait two days? I'm only doing this for the good of the Lord, hoping the plan will succeed more easily."
Lord Xinling, needing his help, didn't want to refuse his request too much, so he sighed and said, "What else do you want
? I recently received several singing and dancing girls from Chu, all beautiful and talented. Let me send two to entertain you
!"
Xiang Shaolong, knowing his life was in danger, had no interest in fooling around with beautiful women. Su Rong said
, "I shouldn't be with any women these past two days to maintain my best condition, which is why I had no intention
of lingering at Lady Ji's place today. Heh! If I can kill Anli, even if Your Majesty doesn't send me any beauties, there will be beauties throwing themselves at me
." Lord Xinling's eyes flashed with mockery, and he laughed, "If things go well, you can have the Queen and Princess of Wei
with you without any problem." Xiang Shaolong thought to himself: You probably think I want your vicious sister! The two
exchanged a glance and laughed, each with their own ulterior motives.
Xiang Shaolong left Lord Xinling's inner residence and headed towards Lady Ya's Caiyun Pavilion. As he passed through the garden, a maid hurriedly
brushed past him, stuffing something into his hand. Xiang Shaolong caught it in surprise, and the maid quickened her pace, disappearing into
the woods. Because her head was bowed, he couldn't even see her face clearly. Xiang Shaolong opened his hand
and saw it was a neatly folded small silk handkerchief. Unfolding it, he saw a delicate map drawn on it, with
a few : "Waiting for you at Fengqiao, between Shen and You (3-5 PM), Ji Yanran."
Xiang Shaolong was greatly surprised. Looking closely at the location, he saw it depicted the route from Lord Xinling's residence to Fengqiao. "Hey! This
talented woman is really shameless, using this method to arrange a date with me. She obviously doesn't want others to know. I didn't expect that
despite her seemingly unapproachable pride, she's actually fallen for me." His heart instantly burned with excitement,
but then he remembered his current predicament, surrounded by enemies on all sides. He sighed, sat down in a small pavilion in the garden, and considered whether he should
accept the invitation.
Footsteps sounded, and a guard rushed over, saying, "Young Master requests your presence, sir!" Xiang Shaolong was greatly surprised and followed the guard back to
the inner hall to see Lord Xinling. Lord Xinling said happily, "Shaolong is truly capable. Yanran just sent a message inviting me
and you to her residence at dusk tonight to continue our debate that we hadn't finished today. It's clear she has a very good impression of you.
I'll send someone to take you there later!"
Xiang Shaolong was startled, secretly relieved. The silk scarf from before was a trap, but this time it was real
. He had been so careless and almost fell for it. The main reason was his overconfidence in his own charm, and he felt a mixture of shame and remorse
. Seeing his strange expression, Lord Xinling asked in surprise, "Shaolong, are you unhappy? Everyone in Daliang considers it an honor to attend
Yanran 's party!" Xiang Shaolong, who was pondering who was plotting against him, smiled bitterly upon hearing this, "It would be
best if I didn't go, lest I be distracted."
Lord Xinling laughed, "Don't be so nervous, and don't think that Yanran will fall for you so easily
. Your eloquent arguments today have aroused her interest a little! If you don't go, it will only arouse suspicion."
Xiang Shaolong sighed and said, "Just now, Your Majesty said you were looking for someone..." "Send me there, won't Your Majesty go yourself?"
Lord Xinling sighed, "She invited me only out of politeness, her target is still you. Go
! I'll regret missing Yanran's party for you!" Actually, Xiang Shaolong also longed to see this
uniquely . His departure today was based on his worries about his situation. Now, with Lord Xinling's encouragement, it
would be somewhat pretentious not to go. Having made up his mind, he steeled himself and said, "I can go by myself, and I can wander around while I 'm at it
." Lord Xinling smiled and agreed.
When Xiang Shaolong returned to Caiyun Pavilion, Zhao Qian and Zhao Ya were chatting in the hall. Seeing him return, they smiled
brightly and were very happy. Seeing Zhao Qian present, he dared not reveal Lord Xinling's words, fearing it would frighten the delicate
princess. Lady Ya understood and smiled, "Come! Princess! Let us serve Xiang Lang as he takes a bath!"
Although mind being intimate with Xiang Shaolong, she even let him touch her freely under the covers. But having never experienced being naked together in broad daylight
, her pretty face immediately flushed red, and she fled in terror. Lady Ya, half-jokingly, dragged him to the bath.
As Xiang Shaolong embraced the alluring beauty's captivating body and played in the water like mandarin ducks, he
revealed that Lord Xinling had ordered him to assassinate the King of Wei. Lady Ya's body grew cold, and although Xiao Zhao and the other eight women poured hot water into her, it was to no avail. She exclaimed in dismay
, "The day after tomorrow is so soon! What should we do?" Xiang Shaolong replied, "Assassinating the King of Wei is naturally impossible.
Whether succeeds or fails, I will not survive. Therefore, the only option now is to find a way to steal the *Secret Records of Duke Lu*."
"Then everyone escaped safely."
Lady Ya frowned and said, "You make it sound so easy. This is where the Wei people's power is strongest. King Wei and
Lord Xinling are both on high alert. It's impossible to move an inch. How can we escape?" Xiang Shaolong hugged her tightly, kissed
her cheek, and said, "Don't worry! Lord Xinling is just putting on an act. He wants you and Cheng Xu to leave, otherwise I will
refuse to carry out his assassination. The problem is, how can you avoid his pursuit? What's more, he might
secretly take you away without my knowledge."
Lady Ya buried her head in his arms and said in a trembling voice, "He will definitely do that. And how could he bear to leave you
? If we're going to die, let's die together." Xiang Shaolong said, "This time, it's my turn not to allow you..." "Trust me when you say 'death'
!" He paused, then said, "Ya'er is an expert at stealing intelligence and secret documents. This time, she came specifically to steal the '
Secret Records .' Surely she planned this all along?"
Lady Ya said, "Of course I planned it! I just didn't expect it to be a trap! Based on
the fragment of the scroll with the method of making cloud ladders that Guo Zong obtained, I made a silk scroll. As long as we can steal the real 'Secret Records,'
Xiao Zhao and I, along with eight others, can work together to copy a large section of the beginning of the scroll. I guarantee it will be a perfect imitation. If
Lord Xinling only looks at the beginning of the scroll when he checks it, he will never notice that we have tampered with it. However, it will take at least ten
days."
Xiang Shaolong had a sudden inspiration and said, "In that case, why don't you spend one night..." He roughly copied
a section , then cut off the rest and attached a blank fake scroll, which would make it even more likely to deceive Lord Xinling
. Lady Ya hugged him tightly with delight, gave him a sweet kiss, and exclaimed, "Ya'er is so foolish, she couldn't even
think of such a good method!" Then, filled with sorrow, she said, "But how can we leave Wei? If Lord Xinling leaves you and Qian'er
here, even if we manage to escape, it will be useless."
Xiang Shaolong said, "There's always a way out. We must have a way that satisfies both sides." Lady Ya's bright eyes
shone, "There's always a way out, a perfect solution! Xiang Lang's words are both fresh and pleasing to the ear. Ya'er loves you to death
!"
Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "Now let me go see if I can run into Wu Zhuo..." " You are intelligent and brave, and
familiar with the situation in Wei. You will surely come up with a good plan. Tonight I'm going to Ji Yanran's party. I'll sneak
back then. Tell me the entrance to the secret passage quickly." After Zhao Ya told him the location and how to open the secret passage, Xiang Shaolong
felt much more at ease. He couldn't help but hug Zhao Ya's slender and soft waist, his left hand exploring the base of her thighs in the water. He whispered in her ear
, "Ya'er, won't you tell me the entrance to your secluded passage while you're at it?"
Zhao Ya was already burning up from his touch. She hugged
Xiang
around his waist in the hot water. Using the buoyancy, she rubbed her labia and pubic hair against Xiang Shaolong's penis. Her honey hole, below the tip of the shaft, had its labia slightly parted, revealing a bit of tender inner flesh, sucking on the veins on his penis. Xiang Shaolong was amazed.
Zhao Ya was truly born with a seductive nature, her charms endless
. No wonder even powerful figures like Lord Xinling, who had all the beauties in the world at their disposal, could not forget her.
Xiang Shaolong was now burning with lust. He cupped Zhao Ya's plump buttocks in the water, squeezing her thighs tightly to
open her honeyed orifice. His dragon penis, like a giant dragon, plunged in, creating ripples in the water. A soft
cry escaped Zhao Ya's lips, followed by surging waves and waves of moaning and panting. The women serving nearby, including Xiao Zhao, watched with
bated breath, their hearts pounding and their bodies burning with desire. They all longed to share in Xiang Shaolong's pleasure, each gently rubbing
their breasts and honeyed orifices, eager to receive his thrusts.
Zhao Ya, in the water, swayed her slender waist and wrapped her pink legs around him, welcoming Xiang Shaolong's thrusts. Her honeyed orifice was filled with
warm water and lustful fluids. His penis pumped violently within, like a pump constantly forcing the fluids into her uterus
, sending Zhao Ya into a frenzy of pleasure and repeated orgasms. On the contrary, Xiang Shaolong felt less stimulated because the water reduced
the friction and temperature, but Zhao Ya's more aroused and excited reaction than usual, coupled with
the churning water beside her, was truly captivating!
Zhao Ya's uterus tightened from Xiang Shaolong's underwater dragon, her vaginal canal twitched uncontrollably, and soon her limbs
felt weak , and she was panting heavily. Xiang Shaolong carried Zhao Ya to the edge of the pool, letting her soft body lie there while his lower body remained
in the water. Xiang Shaolong stood up, lifted Zhao Ya's buttocks out of the water, and as soon as his dragon penis withdrew, her vaginal fluids and the pool water
immediately overflowed. Zhao Ya regained her senses, and Xiang Shaolong thrust his hard penis into her again, causing
her to cry out again, "Ah... Shaolong... so... so good... Ya'er... I'm... I'm... going to... die!"
Xiang Shaolong felt Zhao Ya's vaginal walls return to their original softness and tightness, and the pleasure of her clitoris sucking intensified. His
penis felt like it was being squeezed and sucked, even more stimulating than a vacuum suction device made by modern technology. He secretly marveled at
how lucky he was to have won her heart and enjoy this rare beauty all to himself.
Zhao Ya was now on the verge of orgasm, her vagina constantly clenching around his penis to meet his thrusts, waves of pleasure washing over her,
and her love juices flowing endlessly. Xiang Shaolong felt waves of tingling sensations running down his spine from his lower body, while an electric current surged through his body
from his shoulder blades. The two converged in his lower back and then in his lower abdomen, swirling and condensing like a vortex. Xiang Shaolong
felt that his mind and body had become one with Zhao Ya's. He felt every change in Zhao Ya's body, including her heartbeat, blood flow
, and adrenaline surge. Zhao Ya also felt Xiang Shaolong's reaction and his burning love for her.
An unprecedented emotion welled up in her heart, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. At the same time, her body reached
the peak , trembling uncontrollably.
As Xiang Shaolong felt Zhao Ya reach the peak of her climax, he suddenly released the swirling current in his lower abdomen along with
his semen , instantly splashing into Zhao Ya's uterus and overflowing throughout her vagina. Zhao Ya felt as if she were floating in mid-air
and then suddenly thrown into the vast sky. Only a little clarity remained in her mind. She only knew that she was in
the arms , but she did not know what she was. All five senses were lost, and all six senses were numb. Even ascension to immortality was no different.
Xiang Shaolong and Zhao Ya collapsed into each other's arms beside the bath. Xiao Zhao and the other women, though their vaginas were already dripping with desire,
could only help the two men aside to bathe and wash. It was an hour or so before they awoke. After leaving the bath,
they carefully discussed the details, and Xiang Shaolong, having gathered his gear, went out.
Just as he stepped out of Lord Xinling's residence and onto the street, a man bumped into him, saying, "Does Bingwei recognize me?"
Xiang Shaolong looked at him in surprise, finding the face very familiar. After a moment
, he remembered that it was Pu Bu, a famous retainer under Lord Shaoyuan, as renowned as Xu Hai, whom he had killed. He exclaimed happily, "So it's Brother Pu Bu!"
Pu Bu pulled him into a restaurant, and after sitting down, whispered, "Most of us are
disillusioned and unwilling to remain among the treacherous and unreliable Wei people, hoping to follow Bingwei and make a name for ourselves." " A momentous
event." Xiang Shaolong frowned and said, "But I'm barely able to protect myself right now. Zhao Weijun is not a safe haven for me .
If you follow me, you might even lose your lives."
Pu Bu said, "There are forty-eight of us, all of us brave and fearless. We've considered all
aspects deciding to follow Bingwei. Just seeing Bingwei's considerate attitude towards us, we're willing to risk our lives for
him. With Bingwei's talent, he'll achieve great things sooner or later. Please take us in!" Xiang Shaolong's heart stirred and he said:
"Aren't you staying at Lord Xinling's residence?"
Pu Bu asked. "Some of us are staying at Lord Shaoyuan's residence, while others are temporarily residing at a nearby inn
. We are now awaiting instructions from Bingwei." Having learned his lesson, Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that he couldn't trust this man so easily for the time being.
After agreeing on a method of communication with him, he asked, "Are you all from Zhao?"
Pu Bu shook his head and said, "We have people from all sorts of countries. Bingwei, don't worry! We genuinely admire your character and
military strategy, and we have no ulterior motives." Xiang Shaolong said, "Alright! Go back to the inn and await my orders." Pu Bu left
happily . No
sooner had he left than Wu Zhuo sat down in his seat. Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and quickly discussed countermeasures with Wu Zhuo in secret. After parting ways with
Wu Zhuo , the sun was still high in the west. Seeing that it was still early, he followed the map to the Wind Bridge
. Sure enough, the bridge lived up to its name; a cold wind was blowing, and few people crossed it, and those who did were hurrying to and fro. The bridge was flanked by woods at both ends
, with few houses and a secluded location—an ideal place to carry out an assassination. Logically, neither Lord Longyang nor Xiao Wei Mou would need
to go to such lengths to kill him here, and his other enemy, Lord Shaoyuan, wouldn't be foolish enough to jeopardize his uncle's grand plan.
Who was trying to lure him here?
His curiosity piqued, he waited until the enemy hadn't arrived, then hid under the bridge
, using a grappling hook to secure himself tightly. Even if someone searched the area below, they wouldn't immediately notice his presence.
Xiang Shaolong waited patiently. When the appointed time passed, light, rapid footsteps echoed on the bridge, as if the enemy
wasn't even wearing shoes. Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "That was close! If I had truly believed the beauty's promise, I would have suffered a great loss
.
" Someone called from above, "Young man! Xiang Shaolong probably won't be coming. There
's not ." Xiang Shaolong, below the bridge, was startled. Could it be Yan Ping, Zhao Mo's leader? A booming voice said
, "How could this brat see through our trap? It's really strange!"
Xiang Shaolong didn't recognize Yan Ping's voice, but he felt even more troubled. These people above were either "Qi Mo" or
"Chu Mo"—their intelligence network was incredibly efficient; they even guessed that the talisman was on him. It was truly one problem
after another. The man who had spoken earlier said, "Talent! What should we do now?" The talisman sneered, "
Does he think we can't find him just because he's hiding in Lord Xinling's residence? Others may fear Lord Xinling, but why should I, Fu Du, fear him?"
His subordinate whispered, "I heard he's going to the King of Wei's banquet the day after tomorrow. Lord Longyang and Xiao Wei Mou certainly won't..."
"Let him go, so if we're going to make a move, it'll only be tonight or tomorrow night." Fu Du pondered for a while before saying, "We still need to
prepare, so let's make our move tomorrow night! If possible, we can also kill Lord Xinling
while we're at it. That way, it will be much easier for our Great Chu to deal with the Wei people in the future."
Xiang Shaolong secretly rejoiced that he had come. He had heard about this grand conspiracy and also knew that it was Chu Mo who had come. He couldn't help but thank God
in his heart . Since the other side had an inside man, they naturally knew the situation and defenses of Lord Xinling's mansion well. They even dared
to enter the mansion to kill and rob, which showed that they were incredibly powerful. But now that they knew about the other side's conspiracy, it was a completely different
matter.
Chapter 3, Debate with the Heroes
When Xiang Shaolong arrived at Ji Yanran's Yahu Xiaozhu, more than a dozen magnificent carriages were already parked in front of the door, even more grand than the scene that afternoon
. After he gave his name to the gatekeeper, one of the pretty maids he had seen that morning came out to greet him. She led
him past the building where he had met Ji Yanran that afternoon, carrying a lantern and leading the way through a forest path.
Suddenly a large, single-story house with colorful lanterns hanging from its eaves came into view, and he could faintly hear voices coming from inside. Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but ask the
pretty maid, "Who else is coming tonight?"
The pretty maid replied casually, "Tonight, all the guests are distinguished guests specially invited by Miss. In addition to the
three gentlemen, Han Fei, Zou Yan, and Xiao Wei Mou, whom you met today, there is also Lord Longyang, Minister Xu Jie, and General Bai Gui."
Xiang Shaolong gasped. Ji Yanran really had a lot of nerve. Bai Gui was the man Lady Pingyuan was going to remarry,
so he was no ordinary person. Lord Longyang was a favorite of the King of Wei, and he had also come to the gathering, which showed
how high her status was in Wei. Although he didn't know who Xu Jie was, he was certainly not an unknown person.
Then he wondered, if Lord Longyang wasn't interested in women,
what was he here for if not for Ji Yanran's beauty? Was he here to humiliate him and vent his anger? In terms of knowledge, he couldn't even keep up with these
learned men; asking him to speak would only lead to immediate embarrassment. His heart pounded with anxiety. Entering the hall, he saw
a feast laid out. All the people the maid had mentioned were there, comfortably seated on mats around the table.
Two other beautiful maids came forward to help him remove his outer garment and boots. Fortunately, it was winter, and his thick
cotton-padded clothes meant that unless one touched him, they wouldn't notice his undergarments. A fire pit burned in the room, making it
warm and cozy. Lord Longyang was still as alluring as ever, even introducing him to the others. Bai Gui
was the oldest, seemingly no less than fifty, but very strong, with gleaming eyes that gave him a shrewd
impression. Furthermore, Xiang Shaolong, with an arrogant demeanor, received only a cold greeting before
whispering amongst themselves with Xu Jie, a physician who appeared to be a typical Confucian scholar.
Xiang Shaolong's seat was positioned between Han Fei and Zou Yan. The seat next to Han Fei was still empty, clearly reserved for Ji Yanran,
the host. Following them were Longyang Jun, Bai Gui, Xu Jie, and Xiao Weimou. Xiang Shaolong felt somewhat relieved to not have to face Xiao Weimou directly
. Zou Yan was quite indifferent to Xiang Shaolong, offering only a brief greeting before
engaging in conversation with Xiao Weimou, who was also from Qi, ignoring Xiang Shaolong completely. On the other hand, Han Fei,
impressed still managed to offer Xiang Shaolong a glimmer of warmth amidst the icy coldness, despite his own lack of eloquence.
Ji Yanran appeared then, dressed in a snow-white robe, her stunning beauty immediately drawing everyone's attention
. Even Longyang Jun was stunned, while Xiao Weimou almost drooled, and Han Fei blushed
. Although their expressions differed, they were all captivated by her. Ji Yanran smiled and surveyed the crowd,
her clear Her
body, carrying the fragrance of a post-bath bath, further fueled their fantasies.
As soon as she sat down, she smiled and said, "Let's punish Mr. Xiang with a cup first. How can you leave before the meal is over?"
The crowd immediately joined in the teasing. A pretty maidservant promptly poured wine and served food. After Xiang Shaolong happily shared a drink with her
, Ji Yanran's captivating eyes sparkled throughout the room, and her eloquent words flowed
like feel at home. However, she seemed to value Han Fei, Zou Yan, and the physician Xu Jie particularly, showing them
extra attentiveness and smiles, while paying little attention to Xiang Shaolong and his sworn enemy, Xiao Weimou.
In fact, Xiang Shaolong was completely ignorant of the romantic poetry and songs they discussed,
and even if he wanted to chime in, he was powerless to do so. When they had almost finished eating and drinking, at everyone's insistence, Ji Yanran had a long flute brought out and played
a tune . Xiang Shaolong didn't know what melody she played, only that her flute playing was flawless, reaching
the pinnacle of perfection, with a tender and poignant quality, like a lament. Like the others, he was completely immersed in the world of the flute's music, listening
with rapt attention .
After Ji Yanran finished playing her piece and received everyone's sincere praise, she smiled and said to Xiao Weimou, "Mr. Xiao,
please forgive my rudeness, but I dare to ask you a question." Whether influenced by the atmosphere at the banquet
or intentionally trying to curry favor with Ji Yanran, Xiao Weimou spoke much more politely, softly replying, "As long as it comes from Miss's
lips , I am happy to answer any question." Ji Yanran smiled charmingly and said, "The difference between humans and beasts lies in whether
they have a sense of shame. What do you think, sir?"
Everyone knew that the main event of the evening was about to begin, so they stopped eating and listened quietly to their exchange. Xiang Shaolong, who
had come thinking that Ji Yanran was treating him differently, was worried about how to respond. Seeing that Ji Yanran
was still , he felt somewhat relieved. He was thinking about how to find an excuse to sneak back and steal the "Secret Record" for Madam Ya
and the eight maids to copy, so he didn't pay much attention to their conversation.
Xiao Wei Mouxian, having come prepared, laughed and said, "Miss, you might misunderstand my meaning. I'm not saying that humans and
beasts are no different, but rather that in some essential aspects, such as survival and reproduction, they are identical! Therefore, beasts also have
many things we can learn from them. For example, beasts don't lie or deceive; they are much more sincere than us. Thus,
only being true to one's nature and sincerity can one fully enjoy life." He then coldly snorted at Xiang Shaolong, "
Brother Xiang, what profound insights do you have regarding my statement?"
Xiang Shaolong, who was currently thinking about Chu Mo's poisonous talisman, was stunned upon hearing this and said, "What? Oh! I have no
objection ." Everyone, including Ji Yanran, was astonished and showed contempt. Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly to himself
. He wasn't an eloquent speaker, and even if he understood what he meant, he didn't want to get entangled with him now in order to extricate himself. Anyway, he
had decided not to pursue Ji Yanran, so being embarrassed wasn't a big deal.
Doctor Xu Jie glanced at Xiang Shaolong disdainfully and said, "Mr. Xiao's words are highly problematic.
The difference between humans and beasts lies in their fundamental nature. Human nature is inherently good, which is why we develop a benevolent heart; beasts, in order to fill their stomachs..."
"Completely devouring other birds and beasts, even their own kind! If people were to become so unworthy as to emulate beasts,
wouldn't the world descend into chaos?" This ruthless man, Xiao Weimou, was utterly humiliated by this Confucian scholar who revered Mencius's teachings. He
coldly retorted, "Don't humans kill other animals? What is Doctor Xu eating now?"
Xu Jie laughed heartily, "This is precisely the difference between us and the raw-eating, blood-drinking beasts. Moreover, we
only domesticated poultry; would beasts know how to do such a thing?" Xiao Weimou was clearly no match for this man and was speechless for a moment
. Xu Jie, having achieved a resounding victory and feeling quite pleased with himself before Ji Yanran, turned his attention to Han Fei, saying, "
I have also read your masterpiece, Young Master Han. Your arguments are brilliant, but unfortunately, you have made the same mistake as your teacher Xun Kuang: believing that human nature is inherently evil. Therefore,
you do not understand the great way of governing with virtue and influence, but instead rely solely on law and punishment, implementing policies that deceive and fool the people
. It is truly regrettable that you, with your talent, have strayed so far."
Han Fei was stunned, not expecting Xu Jie to be so blunt and offer such uncompromising criticism. He was angry
, and although he was full of profound insights, his anger only made him stammer and unable to speak. Lord Longyang, Bai Gui, and Zou Yan all
wore cold smiles, "happily" watching him suffer. Ji Yanran frowned, feeling both embarrassed for Han Fei and
quite impatient with his inarticulateness. Xiang Shaolong, an observer, suddenly understood the underlying
meaning of Ji Yanran's party: she hoped to find a good way to govern the country, which was why she treated Han Fei differently and invited
important figures from Wei to accept new doctrines and ideas.
Seeing that Han Fei had no ability to refute, Xu Jie became even more arrogant and boasted, "As for your denial of the ways of
the former kings , it is to abandon the fundamental principles and forget the origins. Just as building a house requires a solid foundation, without a foundation, the building cannot withstand
wind and rain. This foundation is precisely the model established by the sages of the past." These words were directly aimed at Han Fei's proposition that there was no
unchanging method of governance. Han Fei believed that following the old ways was like waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree stump, so one should not be bound by convention
but should take appropriate measures according to the actual situation of each period. This idea was certainly
more progressive ; it was just a pity that Han Fei didn't have the eloquence to express it.
Seeing Han Fei nearly burst a blood vessel from anger, Xiang Shaolong couldn't bear it and blurted out, "Nonsense!" He realized his mistake as soon as the words
left his mouth ; sure enough, everyone's eyes were on him. Xu Jie looked at him disdainfully and sneered,
"It turns out that besides leading troops in battle, Xiang Bingwei also has insights into governance. This humble official would like to hear your profound thoughts."
Xiang Shaolong felt Ji Yanran's burning gaze fixed on him and thought to himself, how could he lose face in front of such a beauty? He forced a smile and
said, "Times are moving forward. For example, in the past, chariot warfare was the main method, but now it's mixed
warfare It's clear that clinging to the past won't work." Ji Yanran sighed in disappointment.
"Mr. Xiang is a bit confused by Doctor Xu's argument. He's talking about principles, not methods. It's like war
is still war, but how it's fought is another matter,"
Longyang Jun said with a smile. "Brother Xiang, although your swordsmanship is superb, it seems you haven't read many books. Right now, we're arguing with
Young Master Han about the difference between 'rule of virtue' and 'rule of law'!" Xu Jie recited loudly, "Governing with virtue
is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it." He paused and then recited, "If you govern by laws and regulate by punishments, the people will avoid punishment but
have no sense of shame. If you govern by virtue and regulate by rites, they will have a sense of shame and thus become upright."
These are famous sayings of Confucius, meaning that the way to govern a country must start from the foundation of morality in order to educate
the masses and bring peace and prosperity to the country. This is completely different from the focus of those who advocate the rule of law. Xiang Shaolong felt very bored and thought
it would be better to leave as soon as possible. What does "governing with virtue" even mean? He didn't even understand the underlying principles. The
sooner he left, the better, to avoid embarrassment. He stood up, bowed, and took his leave. Everyone was stunned, not expecting
this man to back down before even getting to the point.
Ji Yanran looked at him unhappily and said, "If Mr. Xiang leaves after only a couple of sentences like he did during the day, Yanran will be
very unhappy." Longyang Jun hadn't had enough of him yet, so he couldn't bear to let him go and also tried to persuade him to stay. Xiang Shaolong
thought to himself, "Why should I care whether you, Ji Yanran, are happy or not? My life and the lives of these beautiful women are more important." Suddenly, he noticed Han Fei gently
tugging at his sleeve, and his heart softened, so he sat down. Ji Yanran said happily, "That's more like a real man!
Mr. Xiang seems to be deliberately suppressing his thoughts. Yanran really wants to hear your profound insights!"
Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly to himself, "Miss Ji, you really flatter me. Compared to you all, I'm just
a . What do I have to say to you?" Xu Jie, who had the upper hand tonight, was secretly pleased that he might win the favor of a beauty
. He wasn't about to let the opportunity slip by, and pressed on, asking, "Mr. Xiang, what do you think is superior, rule of law or rule of virtue
?"
Seeing the mockery in his eyes, Xiang Shaolong became angry and retorted, "It's not
a question of superiority or inferiority; it's a question of whether it works or not. Rule of virtue is purely an ideal. If there were only saints and no
wicked people in the world, everyone could be law-abiding without any means. But that's clearly not the case, and it will
never be. Therefore, we need laws and standards that everyone understands to govern
everyone and make them obey. Only after achieving this can we talk about benevolence, morality, and the education of rites and music. That's
all I have to say."
Everyone was taken aback. This was a principle everyone in the 21st century knew, but for
people of that era, it was more thorough and novel than Han Fei's theory of rule of law. Ji Yanran's bright eyes lit
up carefully examined Xiang Shaolong again, pondering the meaning of his words. Han Fei also showed a thoughtful expression,
nodding . Zou Yan also remained silent, seemingly pondering some question.
Xu Jie, of course, was not so easily convinced, but he dared not underestimate his opponent again, and said solemnly, "If a
country relies solely on punishments to maintain itself, wouldn't those in power be able to arbitrarily use the law to oppress the weak?" Bai Gui said, "
If the ruler values propriety, the people will not dare to be disrespectful; if the ruler values righteousness, the people will not dare to disobey; if the ruler values trustworthiness, the people will not dare to be unfaithful. This
is the ultimate way of a ruler. If the ruler himself values punishment, what will become of the people? Mr. Xiang, please enlighten me."
Xiang Shaolong laughed heartily, gave Ji Yanran a deep look, and then said to Bai Gui and Xu Jie, "This is merely the law..."
The governance isn't thorough enough! Giving all governing power to the monarch is merely rule by man. What use is it if the monarch is immoral and incompetent, and leads the way in
betrayal and treachery ? If laws were jointly established by the people, and everyone was equal before the law—as Shang Yang established—
even the king would be punished the same as a commoner, and anyone who killed without cause would be punished. Who would dare to kill indiscriminately? I'm
not saying we shouldn't have benevolence and morality; those are the fundamental spirit behind any law. Only by combining rule of law with rule of virtue
can we truly govern a country. Absolute power only corrupts absolutely.
When he said, "The king is subject to the same laws as the common people," Ji Yanran exclaimed "Ah!" Han Fei's
eyes immediately lit up, and everyone else, including Xiao Weimou, showed expressions of astonishment and horror. The last
two sentences, in particular, struck like a thunderclap in their hearts.
For , this was truly a groundbreaking statement.
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that he had only so much to say, and that further discussion would only lead to more mistakes. He stood up and said:
"I have already expressed my humble opinion. Hey! I have urgent business to attend to, so I'll take my leave!" Ji Yanran
frowned and complained, "Sir, you were just getting to the point, and you're leaving already? Do you dislike Yanran?"
Zou Yan pulled him back to his seat and laughed, "Xiang Bingwei has really piqued my interest!
I would like to ask how such a thorough rule of law, which even includes the monarch, can be implemented?" Lord Longyang said
, "Brother Xiang's way of governing the country is more ideal than the benevolent governance we speak of!"
Xiao Weimou sneered. "And that's even more impractical!" Xiang Shaolong said with a wry smile. "Yes! It's not feasible now
, but it's developing in that direction. Because the people are not yet enlightened, and transportation is inconvenient, one day, when the people
can all receive intellectual education, a separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and administrative branches will naturally emerge. Monarchs will
be elected by the people, and only then will there be... hey... the French Revolution... oh! No, true fraternity, equality, and
liberty." He almost blurted out "French Revolution," but fortunately, he quickly swallowed it back.
His words were earth-shattering, and everyone couldn't digest them for a moment. For
those who had lived under a monarchical system for a long time, this was such an unacceptable idea, yet it was also very exciting and novel. Seeing everyone's
brows thought that if he didn't leave now, when would he? He stood up, immediately moved away from his seat, bowed, and said, "I'm just
rambling, please don't take it to heart." He turned and left, ignoring even Ji Yanran calling him.
Chapter Four, The Stole and the Changed:
When Xiang Shaolong returned to Lord Xinling's residence, he could still hear Ji Yanran's voice calling him. While every
visitor to her tried every means to keep her there, he did the opposite, as if afraid of being entangled by her, and quickly slipped
away. This woman was indeed unique. Upon first hearing of her beauty and talent, he had imagined her to be the melancholic
Lin Daiyu type, or a haughty, aloof beauty. Only after meeting her did he realize that she was actually full
of passion for life, constantly seeking truth, hoping that insightful people could find a good way to govern the country, and perhaps
even truly searching for her perfect husband. But that would never be him, Xiang Shaolong.
He had neither the time nor the ability to have relationships with other women. He had to devote all his energy to protecting and rescuing
Lady Ya and Zhao Qian, among others; it was his inescapable responsibility. If he were distracted by other beauties and caused
hatred, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Although he was notoriously promiscuous, he possessed a strong sense of responsibility, and besides, he deeply loved
these beautiful women.
Using the light emanating from the mansion, he made a wide detour, using tools to climb the precipitous
mountain behind Lord Xinling's residence. He then easily slipped into the mansion, moving with the swiftness of a cat to the top of a tree beside a building. This was the inner quarters of Lord
Xinling's residence, heavily guarded, with patrols of vicious dogs frequently seen in groups. Fortunately,
he had sprinkled the powder brought by Lady Ya on himself; otherwise, he would have been caught long ago by these beasts' keen noses. It was nearly
the end of Hai Shi (9-11 PM), and light was still shining from the small building, indicating someone was still awake.
According to Lady Ya, this must be where Lord Xinling's family lived; if someone was downstairs, it would be difficult for him to enter the secret passage
silently . After anxiously waiting for over half an hour, he finally lost patience and decided
to take the risk, as copying required time, and he couldn't wait any longer. He raised the treasure in his hand, activated the mechanism, and
the grappling hook soared through the air, traversing a three-zhang (approximately 10 meters) distance, landing lightly on the roof ridge and securing itself there. Then, like a bird
, he glided silently to the rooftop. Finding a foothold, he vaulted over to the second-floor
terrace enclosed by railings, peered through the window, and saw
a lavishly furnished room. Besides a low couch with draped curtains, there were dressing tables, bronze mirrors, and other items
typical room was brightly lit, and the sounds of moaning and panting from the bed could be heard. Xiang Shaolong thought to himself:
Since this is the entrance to the secret passage, it must be inhabited by someone trusted by Lord Xinling, perhaps even his beloved wife or concubine. If
Lord Xinling wanted someone to serve him, he could simply summon the women here; there's no need for them to come "from afar." Could it be that his wives or concubines are
having an affair? However, he had no time to think further. As he was about to vault down to the lower level, he heard voices below. A group of guards arrived
downstairs , stopped, and spoke in hushed tones.
Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned. After waiting a while, the people below still showed no sign of leaving. He gritted his teeth, pulled out
a flying needle, and slipped it through the window crack. He gently pried open the latch, pulled the window open, and climbed into the room. A gust of wind swept
into the room. Xiang Shaolong knew something was wrong. Before he could close the window, a man's voice came from inside the tent: "Zhichun,
you must not have closed the window properly. Look! The window is open!" The voice was familiar; it was Shaoyuan Jun.
The woman named Zhichun exclaimed in surprise, "There's no reason for that! Let me close it; it's so cold!" Xiang
Shaolong was greatly alarmed. Although the room was large, there was nowhere to hide. The low couch was less than a foot off the ground;
he couldn't squeeze in even if he wanted to. In a moment of quick thinking, he rolled over to the candle and extinguished the wick. Just as Zhi Chun
sat up , she cried out, "Ah!" "The candle's out!" Xiang Shaolong dared not hesitate. He tiptoed to the
door, tried to push it open, and it opened easily. Overjoyed, he slipped out under the cover of Zhi Chun's movements, closing the door
behind him .
Outside was an empty hall, with a staircase leading downstairs to two other rooms. Suddenly
, he heard the sound of a door opening behind him. Xiang Shaolong was terrified and rushed forward, managing to hide behind a screen in the hall.
At that moment a completely naked, alluring woman emerged from the room. She was no more than twenty years old, with delicate features,
fair skin, and a full, captivating figure. Her breasts swayed and bounced as she moved, exuding a powerful allure. Zhi Chun
walked seductively towards the screen.
Xiang Shaolong was startled, only then realizing that the chamber pots and other urinals were at his feet. He quickly
slipped behind the screen, lying prone to avoid being seen by the candlelight. Just then, Zhi Chun stepped behind the screen, her
movements perfectly concealing him. Xiang Shaolong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and crawled to the stairs.
Hearing thumping sounds from behind the screen, he began to descend.
As he reached the corner of the stairs, he heard voices from below—at least four men. Xiang Shaolong stood frozen
at the corner, inwardly groaning. If he failed to steal the "Secret Record" tonight, he would be in deep trouble. He turned the corner and peered down the stairs...
Looking down into the hall, he saw four warriors sitting around a table, chatting quietly.
He knew that no matter how . He was so anxious he almost wanted to beat his chest in frustration. In his utter despair, Zhi Chun's clear
voice came from upstairs: "Is anyone else here?" Someone answered and started walking up the stairs.
Xiang Shaolong knew he was in trouble. He was trapped, with no way out in either direction. He steeled himself, pulled out a
flying needle, and focused intently on the warrior approaching the stairs, simultaneously hiding in a corner so the warrior wouldn't see
him . The man replied as he walked, "What are your orders, Madam?" Xiang Shaolong suddenly realized that Zhi Chun was
one of the two concubines that Lord Shaoyuan had brought from Zhao. The warrior reached the top of the stairs and suddenly came face to face with Xiang Shaolong. "Ah!
" he cried out. It was Liu Chao, another master warrior on par with Pu Bu.
Xiang Shaolong was about to throw the needle, but seeing it was him, he quickly stopped. Zhi Chun's voice came down, "Liu Chao
! What is it?" Liu Chao, still shaken, exchanged a glance with Xiang Shaolong and replied, "Nothing! I just saw
a mouse walk by and got a fright."
Women are most afraid of small animals, and Zhi Chun was no exception. She said in a trembling voice, "Young Master is hungry, and Xiao Ying
and the others are asleep. Please have someone from the kitchen bring some wine and food." After saying that, she fled back to her room as if her life depended on it. Liu Chao
approached and whispered, "We were just talking about Bingwei. What brings Bingwei here? How can we help
?" Xiang Shaolong steeled his heart and told him about stealing the "Secret Record."
Liu Chao was overjoyed to see how much Xiang Shaolong trusted him and said, "Bingwei, please wait a moment!"
After going back to inform the other three, he asked Xiang Shaolong to come out. Xiang Shaolong first instructed one of them to go to the kitchen to get some wine and food, then
carefully searched the hall, and finally searched the room, where he found the secret door to the tunnel entrance under a couch. Liu
Chao said, "Bingwei, go down without worry! We'll keep watch for you!"
Xiang Shaolong's heart stirred, and he said, "It would be best if you came down with me. If necessary, you can put that thing back
where it was." Liu Chao readily agreed. Together, they grabbed the copper ring, lifted the stone slab, and descended more than ten stone steps to reach the secret passage
. One end led towards Lord Xinling's inner chambers, while the other led to the back mountain. It was clearly a secret passage for safely escaping
Lord Xinling's residence, as no one would expect that there would be an escape route on that treacherous rocky mountain.
Liu Chao took a lantern and illuminated the passage before the two of them proceeded towards Lord Xinling's bedroom. When they reached
another set of stone steps leading upwards, Xiang Shaolong stopped and carefully examined and tapped on the walls of the passage. He discovered
that one of the walls had a hidden feature. The two tried to push it, but the wall remained unmoved. Xiang Shaolong had a flash of inspiration and examined each
stone Finally, he found that one of them protruded slightly. He tried to pull it, and the brick came out easily,
revealing a keyhole inside.
Overjoyed, Xiang Shaolong took out his lock-picking tools and, following the method taught by Lady Yiya, quickly opened the lock
. When the door opened, illuminated by the lanterns, the two were stunned; it was a treasure vault. The vast
underground stone vault contained more than ten chests of jewels and precious objects. Two of the chests were opened, and under the lanterns, the jade, gold, and silver glittered
dazzlingly. Xiang Shaolong said in a deep voice, "Do not tell the other three about this. Only after we have
a way to leave Daliang should we steal a few items for our travel expenses. Remember, never let greed take hold, otherwise, as the saying
goes, 'Man dies for wealth, birds die for food,' and you'll lose your life too."
Liu Chao, also a heroic figure, was deeply moved by this warning and thought with a stern voice, "Bingwei's lesson is well-deserved! Liu Chao understands
." At the same time, he felt a surge of respect for Xiang Shaolong's unwavering devotion to the treasure. Xiang Shaolong searched quickly and, after a while,
found an even more hidden compartment in a corner. He took out a rectangular iron box, opened it, and found the *Lu Gong Secret Records* wrapped
in layers of anti-corrosion and moisture-proof cloth.
Flipping through it, Xiang Shaolong felt relieved. The silk of the scroll was old and yellowed, and it was over ten
zhang long, thick and heavy. Even if he were Lord Xinling, he wouldn't have to examine it from beginning to end every time he checked it, so his
plan was definitely feasible. A quick glance revealed that it was filled with diagrams of various offensive and defensive tools, with detailed annotations
of the materials and manufacturing processes—truly breathtaking. Time was short, so the two hurriedly left.
When Xiang Shaolong awoke, Lady Ya and her eight maids were still diligently copying the scroll; it was still dark. Lady Ya had already
joined the fake scroll with a section of the real one, and then dyed the edges yellow with mineral pigments, making it incredibly lifelike—truly
an expert . Xiang Shaolong, intending to act under the cover of night, easily retrieved the "Secret Record," only the first section of which was genuine, and returned
it to the underground chamber. What would normally be an impossible task became effortless with the help of Liu Chao and others.
By the time he returned to Lady Ya's quarters, dawn was breaking. Lady Ya and the others were exhausted and went to rest.
Xiang Shaolong held her as they slept, only returning when Lord Xinling sent for him. He then hurriedly washed and went to see him. Lord Xinling,
seemingly having also been awake all night, perhaps feigned friendliness, received him in a side hall within the inner courtyard. After sitting down, he smiled and said, "
I didn't sleep a wink last night because of your matter, and finally came up with a proper arrangement." At this moment, a beautiful maidservant brought
fragrant tea. Lord Xinling instructed, "I have something to discuss with the guards; no one is to step into this place!" The maidservant
obeyed and left.
Lord Xinling casually asked, "Did you win Yanran's heart last night? I heard Lord Longyang and Xiao Weimou were both
invited ." Xiang Shaolong sighed, "Don't mention it! How could I possibly have a say in such a gathering!"
Lord Xinling disagreed, "That's not true at all. Your idea is very creative, and Tan Bang admires you greatly
!" Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "What's the use of admiring me? I'm just a stepping stone and sacrifice for you." Seeing
his silence, Lord Xinling casually asked, "Has Shaolong had breakfast?" Xiang Shaolong patted his stomach and shook his head.
Lord Xinling called out, "Someone come here!" Then he slapped his forehead and sighed, "I'm so forgetful, I just chased everyone away.
Sit down for a while , let me have someone bring breakfast." He got up and went outside.
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and jumped up. His first target was to sneak into the inner room, which looked like an office, filled
with files and similar items. There was a side door leading to a large courtyard, beyond which appeared to be a bathhouse or similar
place. Time was running out. He pushed open the side door and, sure enough,
found himself no entrance to the tunnel. He rushed forward, lifted the lid of the bed, and there it was: the tunnel entrance. Strangely
, a copper pipe extended from the floor, reaching the bed and emerging as a copper dragon head,
a unique decoration for the headboard.
Xiang Shaolong immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurried back to the inner hall. Just then, Lord Xinling returned, laughing, "
Serve it up immediately! Come! Let me tell you my plan!" But Xiang Shaolong's mind was preoccupied with that copper pipe.
It was clearly a listening device leading to the tunnel and the secret chamber; the sound inside would be transmitted through copper pipes to the dragon head at the foot of Lord Xinling's bed—
a clever design. Fortunately, he hadn't gone to bed last night, so his actions hadn't been noticed. Lord Xinling said,
"I will have someone forge a document and send it to Your Majesty today, ordering Zhao Ya and all your retainers to return to Zhao, leaving only you
and Zhao Qian. Zhao Ya is a guest I invited; Lord Longyang has no right to object."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself: You're just talking to yourself. With your power, letting them go is as easy as lifting a finger.
He also realized that in reality, he wouldn't let anyone leave; it was just an act for his benefit. He feigned
great joy and said, "That's wonderful! But could you please let them leave sooner?" Lord Xinling first feigned reluctance before replying,
"If I can't even handle such a small matter, Shaolong will look down on me. Alright! I will arrange for Lady Ya and the others
to leave the city this afternoon, meet with your entourage, and then depart immediately. Shaolong, rest assured."
Xiang Shaolong chuckled inwardly and asked, "Then how will you handle Zhao Qian's problem?" Lord Xinling replied, "I will
send someone to impersonate her and have you escort her to the palace. Then, I will find a secluded place to hide her. I, Lord Xinling, swear to Heaven that regardless
of success or failure, I will send her back to Zhao unharmed."
Xiang Shaolong secretly admired his cunning. It was as if he had a hostage in his hands. He didn't need to worry about Xiang Shaolong disobeying orders;
even if failed and was captured, he wouldn't dare to betray him. He was indeed extremely shrewd and calculating. He hoped to send her away as soon as possible. Lord Xinling
watched him eat and smiled, "Shaolong, are you satisfied with these arrangements?" Xiang Shaolong feigned gratitude, saying, "Very
satisfied! I will certainly not fail you!"
Lord Xinling laughed heartily, as if he had succeeded. Seeing that Xiang Shaolong did not object to him detaining Zhao Qian, he assumed that Xiang
Shaolong completely trusted him, and his suspicions about Xiang Shaolong vanished. While the two were each harboring their own secrets, a servant came to report that Ji Yanran had come to see
Xiang Shaolong. Both were stunned. Ji Yanran actually came to see a man; this was truly an extraordinary event. Lord Xinling's
eyes flashed with intense jealousy, which he covered with a dry cough, saying, "Shaolong, go see her! Maybe she's taken a liking to you
!"
Xiang Shaolong, however, frowned deeply. He had countless things to do today, all of them important
matters . No matter how attractive Ji Yanran was, he could not waste his time on her. Lost in thought, he followed
the servant to the outer courtyard's living room. Ji Yanran, draped in a white fur coat, stood gracefully and serenely by a large window, gazing at
the beautiful garden outside, without a single attendant. The hall was deserted, but all the entrances and
side doors were crowded with guards, maids, and servants eager to catch a glimpse of her. Her allure
was undeniable, like that of a 21st-century superstar. Fortunately, autographs were
n't .
Xiang Shaolong approached her from behind and whispered, "Miss Ji!" Ji Yanran turned gracefully, giving him a
sweet smile, "Could you spare a moment?"
Seeing her radiant smile, Xiang Shaolong couldn't bring himself to refuse her outright, nodding, "If it's just for a moment
, no problem." Hearing it was just for a moment, Ji Yanran gave him a reproachful look and softly said, "Then follow
me!" She led the way towards the main gate. Xiang Shaolong wondered, where was this beautiful woman taking
him ?
The carriage departed from the gates of Lord Xinling's residence, heading east. Inside were only Xiang Shaolong and Ji Yanran.
As the carriage swayed, they constantly brushed against each other. Xiang Shaolong stole glances at her beautiful profile; she wore no makeup, her
face radiating youthful glow, her body fragrant and alluring. Suddenly, Ji Yanran recited, "Absolute
power corrupts absolutely. This is the first time I've heard such incisive and wise words. You have great
courage, sir. After you left last night, everyone, including myself, lost interest in speaking.
I didn't sleep , pondering every word you said, and remembering the unwavering conviction in your eyes when you spoke."
Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned; this was truly an unintended consequence. But he had no time for romance.
Ji Yanran's face turned cold, and she said indifferently, "Why did you and Lord Xinling come to see me, Mr. Xiang?" Xiang Shaolong wanted
to say that it was Lord Xinling's arrangement and had nothing to do with him. But how could he bear to hurt this peerless beauty like this? He sighed,
"Would Miss Ji really question each and every guest who comes seeking her out like this?"
Ji Yanran also sighed softly, and said gently, "Mr. Xiang is the first person I've ever wanted to ask this question. Tell me
frankly , do you find me repulsive? Is that why you're always in such a hurry to leave, and now you're thinking about how to get out of this
carriage?" She rolled her eyes at him and continued, "I've never met anyone as unfathomable as you. You keep everything to
yourself, only revealing half of your thoughts when you have no other choice. How I wish I could have a long talk with you, a candid conversation
!"
Xiang Shaolong felt relieved. It seemed she still hadn't fallen in love with him, but was merely curious and wanted to know more about
his thoughts. Of course, if he launched his offensive now, picking out a few brilliant theories from the 21st century to please
her, he might just win her heart and become the most beautiful woman. He lamented that he was too preoccupied with
his own affairs to quickly contact Wu Zhuo and Pu Bu to arrange their escape from Daliang.
The carriage stopped. Xiang Shaolong looked out the window in surprise. They had arrived at a clearing in the woods,
quiet and deserted. Ji Yanran reached out her slender hand and gently nudged his shoulder, her eyes flashing with a strange light. "
If you still don't find Yanran unpleasant, then get out of the carriage!" Xiang Shaolong was even more confused.
What ? Unable to resist her repeated urging, he stepped down from the carriage in a daze. Ji Yanran said to the burly man driving the carriage, "
Go hide somewhere far away. You can return in half an hour."
After the burly man obeyed and left, Ji Yanran took off her white fur coat, revealing a warrior's outfit underneath. Xiang Shaolong's
eyes lit up . He stared in disbelief at the infinitely beautiful curves of her body and her imposing figure. Ji Yanran drew
her sword and said with a charming smile, "Xiang Shaolong! I am here on the King's orders to kill you. Accept the challenge!" Xiang Shaolong
was taken aback and said, "Miss is joking!"
Ji Yanran's face was as cold as ice, her beautiful eyes shooting out a sharp and profound light. She snorted and said, "Who is joking with you? Take this
!" Xiang Shaolong saw nothing but flashes of swords before him and dared not be careless. He drew his sword and parried the
beautiful woman's fierce sword with a clang. He felt that her strength was heavy and powerful, no less than that of a man. What shocked him even more was that
her sword seemed to have a kind of sticky force, making it impossible for him to unleash his sword technique. Ji Yanran was like a female leopard that had transformed, and she
moved back and forth like a ghost. Her waist twisted powerfully as if it were equipped with springs, making full use of the strength of her waist and wrists. Her sword technique
was like the Yangtze River, attacking relentlessly.
Xiang Shaolong was both angry and furious. He unleashed the Mozi Sword Technique, desperately defending himself. After blocking more than ten sword strikes, he finally found a way to counterattack.
Seizing the opportunity to attack, she struck the tip of his sword. Ji Yanran's arm strength was naturally no match for Xiang Shaolong's; she relied solely on her exquisite
swordsmanship , rendering Xiang Shaolong powerless. Caught off guard, he hastily retreated. Ji Yanran giggled
, "Finally willing to reveal your true skill?" Xiang Shaolong, overwhelmed by her previous rapid attacks, was struggling to defend himself. Although
he had lost the initiative, the main reason was her superior swordsmanship, surpassing even Lian Jin's. Now, he dared not let her have
her way, thrusting his sword into his chest with impeccable angle, force, and timing.
Ji Yanran's beautiful eyes flashed. In a flash, she sidestepped, avoiding a fatal blow to his chest, her longsword striking upwards, clashing with
the Flying Rainbow Sword. Xiang Shaolong nearly dropped his weapon, and in shock, he dodged to the side. Ji Yanran's sword blazed brightly, easily
regaining the initiative. Her swordplay unleashed a flurry of rapid, lightning-fast attacks, giving her opponent no
chance to breathe. Xiang Shaolong finally understood why she ranked second in swordsmanship in Wei, surpassing him entirely
. However, this was only in terms of pure swordsmanship; his strength lay in the fact that every part of his body was a weapon.
To survive this time, he had to resort to unconventional tactics.
He parried and blocked, employing the defensive techniques of the Mozi sword style to the fullest extent, while simultaneously observing the terrain, searching for a way
to turn the tide. Ji Yanran fought with increasing ferocity, each movement brimming with vitality, both
terrifying and alluring. Suddenly, Xiang Shaolong retreated, his back slamming into a large tree. Ji Yanran laughed, her longsword
flashing and then suddenly slashing. Xiang
Shaolong parried with a horizontal sweep. With a crisp "clang!", Xiang Shaolong's flying sword flew out of his hand.
Ji Yanran froze, for it was clear that Xiang Shaolong had deliberately flung her hand, causing her to knock the sword away. She had used considerable force, and
her body involuntarily lurched forward in the same direction. With a "bang!", Xiang Shaolong's flying kick struck Ji Yanran's buttocks
squarely, causing her to stumble forward in pain and fall onto the soft, thick grass. Startled, Ji Yanran tried to roll over
, attempting to spring back up, but Xiang Shaolong had already pounced on her, pinning her down. His large hands gripped her wrists like
iron clamps , instantly immobilizing her.
Xiang Shaolong chuckled and leaned closer, looking into her beautiful eyes from about three inches away. "Aren't
you convinced Ji Yanran's body went limp, she released her grip on the sword, her pretty face flushing red, making her even more stunningly beautiful
. She said softly, "How could Yanran be unconvinced?"
Xiang Shaolong's face darkened. "Then how will you explain this to your king?" Their bodies were intertwined, waves
of intoxicating pleasure washing over them, yet they were exchanging such hostile words. Xiang Shaolong truly didn't know what to feel
. Ji Yanran completely gave up resisting and lay limply on the ground, blinking her beautiful eyes. "What explanation?
Yanran doesn't understand what you're talking about, Mr. Xiang."
Seeing the genuine joy in her eyes, Xiang Shaolong gradually understood. He stood up angrily. "So you
were lying to me." Ji Yanran retorted, "Aren't you going to help me up?"
Xiang Shaolong was so angry he almost didn't want to talk to her anymore. But he couldn't bring himself to be cruel to this beauty and reached out to pull her up.
Ji Yanran bowed and said, "Don't blame Yanran, okay? Otherwise, how could I have tested your unparalleled...hehe...
unparalleled footwork? That place still hurts!" Xiang Shaolong shook his head with a wry smile, went to pick up the Flying Rainbow Sword, put it back in its sheath, and
turned to leave.
On the carriage journey back to the manor, Ji Yanran, with an air of smug delight and charmingly naive delight, kept stealing glances at
the sulking Xiang Shaolong, and said gently, "Xiang Shaolong, you look so handsome when you're angry!" Xiang Shaolong was speechless with anger,
glaring at her fiercely, and said, "I never thought the talented and beautiful Ji Yanran could lie, and do it so convincingly."
Ji Yanran rolled her eyes at him with her alluring gaze and said, "Aren't you surprised why someone wanted to test your swordsmanship?"
Xiang Shaolong leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and adopted a nonchalant attitude, chuckling, "You wanted to see
if I, Xiang, am qualified to be your future husband, is that it?"
Ji Yanran pursed her lips shyly and said, "You're only half right, because it hasn't reached that point yet, and you're only
barely qualified." "!" Then she chuckled and said, "To this day, you're still the first one to make the cut. If you
really want to pursue her, Yanran can do her best to make things easier and give you opportunities."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself that this woman was truly wonderful. He frowned and said, "Love is a subtle feeling between men and women,
it comes naturally. Why are you so particular about it?" Ji Yanran's beautiful eyes shone with an indescribable light as she smiled and
said, "You've said it very well, better than anyone else. So Yanran knows that you're just pretending not to
like , but the way you look at me reveals your inner secret. Especially when you pinned me
down on the grass just now, Yanran understood your feelings for me even more clearly."
Xiang Shaolong felt ashamed and was speechless again, only able to stare at her blankly. Ji Yanran asked excitedly, "Should
we go back to Lord Xinling's residence, or to Yanran's Elegant Lake Cottage?" Xiang Shaolong snapped out of his daze, cursing himself for
bewitching her, and shouted, "Turn left quickly!"
Ji Yanran gave the order again, and before reaching the main gate of Lord Xinling's residence, they turned into another street. Xiang Shaolong said
, "Please stop at the next street corner, I need to get out of the carriage." After giving the order, Ji Yanran said resentfully, "Mr. Xiang
, is Ji Yanran really so unrequited to you?"
Xiang Shaolong felt a pang of heartbreak, sighed, and whispered in her ear, "Miss is
the most captivating woman I have ever met in my life. But the time and place are too inappropriate. Soon Miss
will understand my predicament and forget me, okay?" He made up his mind and got out of the carriage. Just as he stood on the street,
Ji Yanran lifted the curtain and called out, "Mr. Xiang!"
Xiang Shaolong sighed inwardly and moved to the window. Ji Yanran looked at him intently, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wisdom, and
said softly and calmly, "Yanran understands. If you encounter any difficulties, remember that Ji Yanran will do everything in her power to
help you."
Chapter 5, Bloodbath on the Long Street: Xiang
Shaolong met Wu Zhuo in an abandoned old house. This comrade-in-arms, with whom I've shared life and death and with absolute reliability, said:
"We have done as you instructed, digging a tunnel under the camp leading to a forest behind the camp. We also sent men through the tunnel
to build more than ten rafts, which we secretly hid in the bushes beside a small river that connects to a large ditch. Sailing downstream,
we can reach the southern border of Qi in two days." Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and said, "Lady Ya and the others will
return to . You have Cheng Xu pretend to be waiting until tomorrow to set off, then Lord Xinling won't be wary of us.
"
Wu Zhuo frowned and said, "Then how will you sneak out of the city? Lord Xinling will definitely have people keep a close eye on you."
Xiang Shaolong said, "I absolutely cannot leave, otherwise no one can escape. The best way to evacuate people using that tunnel is..."
"It will take at least a full hour. You must act immediately after sunset, using dummies to deceive others. All
armor horses, and heavy equipment must be left behind. Once you reach Qi territory, try to buy some horses from the herdsmen. Travel by night
and hide by day, and you will surely return safely to Zhao. The secret lies in secrecy; just pretend you are a bandit."
Wu Zhuo's expression changed. "Then what about you, Sun Gongye? If I leave you behind, my master will surely kill me! At least
I must stay with you." Xiang Shaolong said solemnly, "This is an order. You must do as I say. Without
you, Cheng Xu will not succeed." Then he softened his voice and comforted him, "I will never disregard my own life
. Moreover, I have a detailed plan that will not only save myself but also allow me to take Zhao Qian with me."
Wu Zhuo still shook his head. Xiang Shaolong sighed and frankly told him the whole plan. After listening, Wu Zhuo
pondered for a while and then said, "If Young Master Sun cannot return to Zhao within three months, I, Wu Zhuo, will commit suicide to
repay his boundless kindness." Xiang Shaolong was both moved and helpless, urging him not to act impulsively.
They discussed some more details, and after parting, he cleverly contacted Pu Bu. After a secret meeting, he
leisurely returned to Lord Xinling's residence.
Lord Xinling invited him to lunch, and afterwards, Xiang Shaolong went to Caiyun Pavilion to see Lady Ya. Lady Ya had already been
informed by Lord Xinling and had packed her bags. Upon seeing him return, she threw herself into his arms, crying, "Without you
, Ya'er will never leave!" Xiang Shaolong was greatly troubled. He tried both to comfort and scare her, finally forcing her to reveal the entire plan.
Lady Ya knew this was their only way to save their lives, and tearfully agreed. Xiang Shaolong then instructed her on some arrangements after returning to Zhao
, especially regarding Zhao Ni and Xiao Pan, emphasizing the need to protect them well so they could escape to a distant land later. Hearing
her lover's entrustment, Zhao Ya's tears turned to smiles, and she returned to her residence to prepare.
The time for departure arrived. On Zhao Qian's side, the three servants also wept bitterly, their expressions a poignant farewell,
truly heartbreaking to witness. Only after Xiang Shaolong's repeated urging did the two maids, Cui Lü and Cui Tong, finally set off, tears streaming down their faces. Lord Xinling personally accompanied
them out of the city. Upon arriving at the camp, Cheng Xu, following Xiang Shaolong's instructions, insisted on waiting until the next day to depart. Xiang Shaolong
feigned helplessness, giving Lord Xinling a knowing look, and accepted Cheng Xu's suggestion. Lord Xinling smiled and said, "Don't worry!
I've specially dispatched a battalion of light cavalry; they can escort them back early tomorrow morning."
Xiang Shaolong had already spotted the Wei army camp nearby, and judging by its size, knew it had no fewer than two thousand soldiers.
He chuckled inwardly and returned to the city with Lord Xinling. The two rode side by side. Lord Xinling said, "From now on, it's best if
Shaolong stays in the manor. Firstly, to rest and recuperate, and secondly, to avoid any unexpected complications that could ruin our plans. I've already sent
someone to hide Zhao Qian in a secluded place, so that Shaolong can focus on tomorrow's banquet without distractions." Xiang Shaolong's heart
sank into an abyss. If Zhao Qian was detained, wouldn't he be completely controlled by this treacherous man? But he
had to feign gratitude. Heavens! What would he do now?
Lord Xinling casually asked, "What did Yanran want from you this morning?" Xiang Shaolong's thoughts were preoccupied with what would happen
if Lord Xinling discovered that Lady Ya and the others had all vanished by tomorrow morning. He would doubt his sincerity, and how would he deal with him
and Zhao Qian then? Hearing this, he forced a smile and said, "I don't know what she wanted. She talked to me about all sorts of things for a while
and then left."
Lord Xinling thought to himself: As long as she doesn't fancy you, that's fine. He didn't say anything more. Xiang Shaolong, in a terrible mood, returned to Lord Xinling's residence
absentmindedly . After dismissing the four beautiful maids, he sat restlessly, his heart burning with anxiety
. Suddenly, a stone wrapped in silk was thrown in. Xiang Shaolong removed the silk; it was
a message from Liu Chao. The message said that Lord Xinling had increased his surveillance on him, Xiang Shaolong, and therefore dared not meet him. Zhao Qian
had taken to Lady Pingyuan's residence and placed under house arrest; they would keep a close watch on her. A simple map was drawn on the back of the cloth
, indicating the building where Lady Pingyuan was located.
Xiang Shaolong immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that Zhao Qian was still in the residence meant he wouldn't be at a loss. At the same time, he
guessed that Lord Xinling had ill intentions and would, as before, have Lady Pingyuan send Zhao Qian to the palace on his behalf the next day,
treating like a fool. It was getting dark. Xiang Shaolong, relieved, had the four beautiful maids return to serve him his
bath and grooming. He then went to the outer hall to dine with Lord Xinling, engaging in some perfunctory pleasantries.
During the meal, Xiang Shaolong said, "Tonight I want
to
practice my sword alone. It would be best if no one were sent to serve me. Heh! Without Lady Ya, and with those maids being so alluring, I'm afraid I might lose control!" Lord Xinling, unsuspecting, smiled and agreed. He secretly thought, "As long as I send more men to monitor you, and Zhao Qian is in my hands, what do I have to fear from you?"
After returning to his room, Xiang Shaolong immediately made a small hole in the roof, shot out a grappling hook, and attached it to
a nearby tree. Just as he was about to tie his wooden sword to the door, a knock came. Xiang Shaolong reluctantly removed
his equipment , went out, and opened the door. He saw Lady Pingyuan standing there, radiant with beauty,
gazing at him with a complex and intense expression. He knew something was wrong, but reluctantly welcomed her in.
Lady Pingyuan moved gracefully toward his bedchamber. Xiang Shaolong was instantly terrified. The bed was now filled with
things that couldn't be seen in the light of day; how could he allow her to barge in? In a moment of quick thinking, he rushed forward and caught her from behind, embracing her tightly
. Lady Pingyuan let out a soft moan, leaning against him, tears streaming down her face. Xiang Shaolong had never
seen so many women weep for him in his life; the sight gave him a headache. He turned her around, lifted her tear-streaked
face , and feigned helplessness, asking, "What is it?"
Lady Pingyuan closed her eyes, clenched her teeth, and forced back her sobs, shaking her head, her face filled with sorrow. No one
understood her conflicted feelings better than Xiang Shaolong. She wanted to cruelly frame him, sending him to his death, yet she couldn't help but come to
see him—what was the reason for this? Lady Pingyuan threw herself into Xiang Shaolong's arms, holding him tightly, burying her face
in his broad chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned. With her clinging to him like this, how could he possibly rescue Zhao Qian?
If Chu Mo's ascetic-like swordsmen arrived, he might not even be able to save his life.
Lady Pingyuan calmed down a bit, biting his earlobe and whispering, "Shaolong! Carry me to the room!" Xiang Shaolong
almost cried for help; how could that room be "presentable to anyone"? He hurriedly said, "Madam! Wasn't it supposed to be later?"
Lady Pingyuan stamped her foot and scolded, "I want it now! Aren't you going to carry me in?" Xiang Shaolong picked her up by the waist
. Suddenly, the door knocker sounded again. Both of them froze. A servant's voice sounded outside the door: "Madam
, the Lord has urgent business and requests your immediate presence."
Xiang Shaolong put Lady Pingyuan down, feigning helplessness and sighing. But he knew perfectly well that Lord Xinling
had received Lady Pingyuan's report and, fearing his sister's emotional outburst would ruin the grand plan, had sent someone to invite her.
"Go." Lady Pingyuan's face first flushed with anger, then darkened. "Coming!" she replied, rushing forward to embrace
Xiang Shaolong , offering him a passionate kiss—a mixture of joy, pain, and the complex emotions of parting—before pushing open the door
and leaving without looking back.
Xiang Shaolong, at that moment, didn't know whether to hate or love her, but that kiss had left him with an unforgettable,
soul-stirring, love-hate relationship. When Xiang Shaolong arrived at Lady Pingyuan's grand residence, Zhao Qian's desolate and
helpless heart was yearning for him; he had become this beautiful princess's only hope. On one hand, she
had an almost blind faith in Xiang Shaolong; on the other hand, she deeply feared he was unaware of her confinement. These two conflicting
thoughts tormented her unbearably. Suddenly, the two strong women who had been constantly guarding her
suddenly shuddered and fainted, while the handsome and imposing Xiang Shaolong appeared proudly in the room.
Overjoyed, Zhao Qian threw herself into Xiang Shaolong's warm and safe embrace, her delicate body trembling violently.
Xiang Shaolong carried her to a corner out of sight from the window and began to remove her cotton robe. Even though Zhao
Qian had always been willing to comply with Xiang Shaolong, she was still startled, secretly wondering why he would be interested in doing this in such a dangerous situation.
Just as she was about to protest, Xiang Shaolong lovingly kissed her fragrant lips and continued to remove her skirt.
As his nimble fingers caressed her sensitive skin, making her feel both itchy and weak, she was completely disoriented when she
realized Xiang Shaolong had already untied the small bundle on his back and dressed her beautiful body, which was now only covered by cotton underwear, in a set of
thick, warm clothes, and then added a black armor vest. Xiang Shaolong then knelt down and helped her put on her travel
boots . Zhao Qian was moved to tears, her heart filled with happiness and gratitude. At this moment, she
would gladly die for Xiang Shaolong.
Once everything was settled, Xiang Shaolong stood up and embraced her tightly as if holding the most precious treasure in the world, whispering
, "My little darling, are you being good?" Zhao Qian nodded frantically. Xiang Shaolong took out a cloth belt and
bound to his back, then wrapped her slender legs around his waist and tightened it. The two were instantly one, without
any barrier between them. These cloth belts were hastily made by Madam Ya at his request. Xiang Shaolong was trained and understood
the importance of proper equipment, so he had made thorough preparations beforehand.
Zhao Qian lay on his strong back, all her previous worries and anxieties swept away, so comfortable and satisfied that she almost moaned
. Xiang Shaolong went to the window, looked outside, gently pushed open the window, and listened intently. A patrol of guards had just
passed by outside. After they had gone, Xiang Shaolong, carrying Zhao Qian on his back, darted out the window and landed lightly on the lawn outside
.
During his military training, he often carried dozens of kilograms of weight over mountains to build his strength; such a lithe
beauty naturally didn't hinder his movements at all. In the garden, he would sometimes remain still, sometimes
sprint like the wind, moving swiftly and skillfully, his target being Shao Yuanjun's two-story house. Suddenly, from the southeast corner, bells and drums
sounded in unison, followed by a clamor of voices and the barking of vicious dogs.
Xiang Shaolong was startled and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see flames shooting into the sky, a truly terrifying sight in the starless night
. He thought to himself, "Fu Du, you've come at just the right time!" Taking advantage of everyone's attention being focused on the fire , he quickly rushed towards Shao Yuanjun's residence. The shouts of battle were deafening, and the clash of weapons came
from the direction of Xiang Shaolong's bungalow.
Xiang Shaolong had already arrived at the flower bushes behind Shao Yuanjun's house. He saw Shao Yuanjun leading Liu
Chao and others, weapons in hand, rushing out of the house towards the direction from which the fighting was coming.
He chuckled inwardly, then climbed into the house through a window Liu Chao had already opened. He skillfully slipped into the tunnel,
closed the entrance, and then ran down the tunnel towards the back mountain. His boots were padded with soft material,
so even though he was running quickly, his footsteps were silent, lest Lord Xinling hear him. Besides, Lord Xinling was certainly not still on his bed.
After running for a while, the tunnel turned south at a ninety-degree angle. In the time it takes to drink a cup of hot tea, he reached the exit
at the other .
He took out his lock-picking tools, opened the iron gate of the exit, locked it again, and then followed the stone
steps leading up to the outermost exit on the ground. Outside was a dense forest, located
outside the south wall of Lord Xinling's residence. After sealing the tunnel, Xiang Shaolong studied the direction and headed towards the nearest city wall of Daliang City.
Leaving the city would greatly increase his chances of survival.
The streets were deserted, like a ghost town. He only regretted that every household had lanterns hanging in front of their doors; though the light
was dim and swayed precariously in the north wind, it was still difficult to conceal his movements. Xiang Shaolong avoided the main streets, taking only dark
alleyways. Suddenly, the sound of hooves rang out. Xiang Shaolong had just crossed a main street and was about to dart into another alley when he was
spotted by the enemy, who spurred their horses towards him. Xiang Shaolong was greatly alarmed, wondering how Lord Tongling could
have freed up men so quickly to pursue him. Thinking about it was useless now; he could only run for his life.
Zhao Qian, clinging tightly to his back, trembled slightly, clearly very nervous, which made him feel even more tenderness towards her.
This beautiful woman, of noble birth, was also suffering such a calamity! After galloping out of the alley and turning into a main street,
the sound of hooves thundered from the left, and more than ten riders swept in like a whirlwind. Knowing there was no escape, Xiang Shaolong steeled his resolve, moved aside
, turned his back to the houses, and faced the enemy. The riders dismounted, one of them laughing loudly, "Xiang Shaolong, let's see where you
can run this time!" It was none other than the arrogant Wei Mou, who took beasts as his teacher; his right-hand men Ning Chong and Zheng Le
were among them.
Xiang Shaolong silently counted; there were nineteen of them, all fierce and powerful. Fortunately, they
had clearly rushed there and hadn't brought crossbows or powerful arrows for long-range attacks; otherwise, simply pulling the trigger would
have killed the two of them. The nineteen men spread out, forming a crescent shape, leaving him with no way to escape. Xiao Weimou
sneered , "I knew you'd back down at the last minute, so I've been watching you day and night. Ha! That beautiful
princess on your back must be! Tonight, I guarantee she'll die happy." His men
laughed .
Xiao Weimou added, "After I've had my fill, you'll all get a share!" These thugs
yelled , clearly seeing Zhao Qian as theirs for the taking. Xiang Shaolong, following the methods taught in his previous military training, used
deep breaths to maintain his composure. At the same time, he loosened the bindings on Zhao Qian and instructed, "Qian'er! This is
a matter of life and death. You must muster your courage and stay behind me."
Zhao Qian was initially terrified, but hearing Xiang Shaolong's calm and confident voice, her courage returned. She steadied herself
, but her legs, still weak from lack of blood, went numb. She quickly pressed her hands against his shoulders and leaned against his back. Xiao Weimou...
Seizing the opportunity, Xiang Shaolong brandished his heavy sword and shouted, "Charge!" He drew his wooden sword, opened his gates, and silently fixed his sharp, hawk-like eyes on the enemies rushing in
from the left, center, and right. Xiao Weimou and his men pressed forward, tightening their encirclement of Xiang Shaolong. People awakened by the commotion peered out of their windows to see what was happening, but were terrified by a shout from Xiao Weimou's men and retreated back into their rooms, too afraid to watch. At that moment, three longswords attacked Xiang Shaolong simultaneously. Xiang Shaolong recognized the formidable opponent's power and swordsmanship; if his men were this strong, Xiao Weimou was undoubtedly even more formidable. However, he had no time to think. He flicked his wrist, concealing a flying needle, striking the enemy on the left in the face. With a thud, his right hand deflected the incoming sword with his wooden sword. As the sword swung, he sidestepped groin, then swept away another attacker from the right with his sword. Those struck by the needles fell backward , dying instantly. Those struck in the foot were thrown backward, unable to rise again. Xiao Weimou, never expecting such ferocity, flew into a rage, shouting, "Attack!" He charged forward with his sword, not giving Xiao Weimou another chance to retrieve the flying needles. Xiang Shaolong drew his Flying Rainbow Sword from his waist with his left hand. For this highly trained special forces soldier, both hands were equally powerful and dexterous, unlike most people who only use one hand . Xiang Shaolong yelled, "Qian'er, follow me!" He swiftly shifted sideways, avoiding Xiao Weimou. Zhao Qian staggered behind . Killing intent and sword light surged from three directions. Xiang Shaolong knew this was a life-or-death situation; retreat was not an option. A surge of heroic spirit rose within him, vowing to protect the beautiful woman behind him at all costs. With his wooden sword in his right hand and the Flying Rainbow Sword in his left, he took a horse stance and launched a furious attack, his fierce and powerful aura far surpassing that of his enemies. With a clang of metal clashing against wood, Xiang Shaolong and his two enemies simultaneously bled. His chest was slashed by an enemy's sword, but fortunately, his vest armor protected him; though the blade was sharp, it only managed to cut a small gash, leaving a wound about half an inch deep. Another sword struck his waist, but struck the steel needles of his belt, leaving him unharmed. This kind of close combat was extremely dangerous; it was a matter of life or death. Especially since Xiang Shaolong was protecting Zhao Qian , he had no way to avoid the enemy's sword. Therefore, blood was drawn immediately upon contact, and only the last one standing would determine the victor. Of the five attackers, one had his throat slit by Fei Hong and died instantly. Another was struck in the arm holding a sword by his wooden sword, causing the sword to clatter to the ground, and he staggered back. The other three were forced back by his returning sword strike. Suddenly, the sound of blades cutting through the air and shouts rang out from the right. Xiang Shaolong swung his sword to the right, only to see Xiao Weimu rush in from the right, swinging his sword down at his head. At the same time, Zhao Qian screamed as another enemy rushed in from the left, close to the wall, his target naturally Zhao Qian behind him. Zheng Le and Ning Chong, two swordsmen whose skills were second only to Xiao Weimu, also attacked from the front, one after the other, aiming to annihilate Xiang Shaolong in one fell swoop. These men were all seasoned veterans, and once they attacked, they gave Xiang Shaolong no chance to escape. Xiao Weimu's head-on sword strike, seemingly simple, actually contained hidden variations, and could be changed to a side strike at any time . However, that one strike was already difficult for Xiang Shaolong to deal with, and he dared not even be distracted. He could only rely on his hearing to judge the other attacks . With all his might, Xiang Shaolong swung his left hand, the Flying Rainbow Sword, heavily deflecting Zheng Le's incoming sword strike, forcing the opponent back three steps. Then, with a flick of his left hand, the Flying Rainbow Sword flew out, transforming into a bolt of lightning that pierced the breastplate of the assailant lunging at Zhao Qian. Simultaneously, his wooden sword slashed upwards, deflecting Xiao Weimu 's deadly attack. He then adopted a defensive stance, employing the profound principles of Mozi's swordsmanship. The wooden sword, seemingly offensive yet not defensive, startled even the ferocious Xiao Weimu, causing him to temporarily retreat . At that moment, Ning Chong's sword was aimed at Xiang Shaolong's neck from the front. Xiang Shaolong's wooden sword was too late to parry, but quick thinking allowed him to leap into the air. With a clang, Ning Chong's sword, intended to sever the neck, instead swept across the bag of steel needles at Xiang Shaolong's waist. As Ning Chong was taken aback, Xiang Shaolong's wooden sword slashed horizontally, striking the side of his head . A cracking sound of skulls rang out, and Ning Chong was thrown to the side, knocking two enemies rushing from the left into a rolling mess. At that moment, another enemy seized the opportunity, thrusting a sword at his chest as he landed. Xiang Shaolong barely avoided the heart, but the enemy's sword pierced his armor and stabbed into his left side. A searing pain shot through Amid Zhao Qian's agonizing scream, Xiang Shaolong launched a flying kick, slamming into the enemy between them. The man , his sword still in motion, was kicked backward, sword and all, just as he collided with another enemy trying to attack. As the sword was violently pulled from Xiang Shaolong's left side, blood gushed out. So far, Xiang Shaolong had suffered two sword wounds, one minor and one serious, but he had killed four enemies and severely wounded three others, including a top-tier fighter like Ning Chong. All of them were bloodthirsty, and the remaining twelve men launched a frenzied attack. Enraged, Xiao Weimu lunged again from the right , slashing down with his sword. Knowing he was injured, Xiang Shaolong was no match for Xiao Weimu. He shouted, "Qian'er, come with me! " and moved to the left, hugging the wall, his wooden sword extended to its full extent to block the enemy's sweeping, devastating attack. Xiao Weimu, now blocked by his own men, angrily ripped aside his subordinates and charged forward, launching a frenzied attack. Zhao Qian, hiding behind Xiang Shaolong, saw the flashing blades and blood splattering from her lover's body from three sides. She managed to keep up for about ten steps before her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. Xiang Shaolong, already wounded by countless swords, felt Zhao Qian fall behind him and knew it was all over. He unleashed his fury, disregarding his own safety, and channeled his divine power, sweeping away the onrushing enemies and parrying another heavy blow from Xiao Weimu. Xiao Weimou's sword strike was a full-force attack. His arm strength was already superior to Xiang Shaolong's, and the latter , exhausted from the fierce battle, immediately dropped his wooden sword. Xiang Shaolong's body was covered , he kicked out, bracing himself against Xiao Weimou's abdomen, sending the thug staggering backward, but clearly unable to injure him. Two swords attacked. In desperation, Xiang Shaolong drew his flying needles, flicking them with both hands. The right needle pierced the enemy's chest, but the other needle, hampered by the severe sword wound on his left arm, missed its mark, only striking the enemy's shoulder . The man's sword continued its attack, ignoring the needle wound. Xiang Shaolong thought to himself that this was truly the end. He drew his dagger, intending to kill Zhao Qian first to prevent her from being violated, when the crossbow fired, and a bolt shot out, piercing the man's neck and sending him sprawling to the ground , dead on the spot. Both sides looked towards the point where the arrows had been fired, and saw a strange man wearing a ferocious mask and a long black robe galloping in. He tossed aside his crossbow, drew his spear, and unleashed a flurry of spear shadows before charging into the fray. The enemy , terrified, turned to fight back. The man's spearmanship was unparalleled, and being a newly recruited soldier, he was truly unstoppable, cutting down enemies who stumbled and fell. In the blink of an eye, he reached Xiang Shaolong's side, his spear thrust expanding, forcing Xiao Weimou and the others back, and he growled in a low voice, " Get your horse!"

Xiang Shaolong recognized Ji Yanran's voice. Overjoyed, he lifted Zhao Qian onto his horse, picked up his wooden sword, and with his
last strength leaped behind Zhao Qian. Ji Yanran controlled the horse purely with her feet, her spear flashing with countless rays of light,
once again forcing back the frenzied Wei Mu, breaking through the encirclement, and fleeing in disarray with the two of them.
Chapter Six: Healing in a High Building
Xiang Shaolong had countless nightmares. He dreamt that a time machine sent him back to the 21st century and judged him for the heinous crime of
disrupting history. Suddenly, countless different faces appeared before him. These included his parents, relatives,
the beautiful silkworm girl, Wu Tingfang, King Zhao, Zhao Mu, and so on. He heard weeping and the wailing of ghosts in his ears! He vaguely knew
that he was hovering between life and death. No! I must live. For others and for myself! I cannot give up.
His body was alternating between hot and cold, his soul seemed detached from his body, seemingly in unbearable pain, yet also feeling nothing at all
. After struggling on the brink of death for an unknown amount of time, Xiang Shaolong finally awoke. It seemed as if he
had returned to the safe dormitory of the military headquarters in the 21st century. A cheer erupted beside the bed, and Zhao Qian rushed to its edge,
tears streaming
down her face as she laughed and cried. Before Xiang Shaolong could even see Zhao Qian clearly, everything went black, and he fainted. When he awoke again, Xiang Shaolong's mental and
physical condition was much better. Zhao Qian was overjoyed and could only weep. Xiang Shaolong weakly wiped away her tears and
asked feebly, "Where am I? How long have I been unconscious?" A familiar voice
rang out from the entrance: "This is the fifth floor of my Heavenly Viewing Tower. Shaolong, you have been unconscious for nine days. Anyone else with
such severe injuries and blood loss would have died long ago. But you are no ordinary person, so you absolutely cannot die.
It seems fate is predetermined, and its prophecy is unerring!"
Xiang Shaolong was stunned. He saw a man come to the bedside—it was Zou Yan from Qi. He had
never , and he never expected him to risk his life to save him. He exclaimed in surprise, "Why did you save me, sir?"
Zhao Qian, sitting on the edge of the bed, said, "Mr. Zou truly saved your life. If it weren't for his medical expertise and meticulous treatment..."
Zou Yan laughed, interrupting Zhao Qian, and looked down at Xiang Shaolong closely, saying, "The one who truly saved you was
Ji Yanran. I just happened to be there! This Guantian Tower is where I study astronomy, and it's also the tallest
building in Daliang. I guarantee no one will find their way here." "Besides, I have no relation to you, so no one will suspect
me." Xiang Shaolong's spirits improved, and he gradually regained his strength to speak. He asked, puzzled, "Sir, you still haven't
answered my earlier question."
Zou Yan smiled and said, "This matter needs to be explained from the beginning. Three years ago, I discovered a new star in the State of Qi. It moved to
the border between Zhao and Wei in Tianchang, and I knew that the new sage of this era had finally appeared. So I came to Daliang to find
the new master." Xiang Shaolong was completely confused and asked, "What is Tianchang? There are also Zhao and..." "The State of Wei?"
Zou Yan said proudly, "Heaven and man interact; every event that happens on earth corresponds to a celestial omen.
My study of the Five Elements and their cycles is based on the five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—and uses celestial destiny to interpret human affairs. The celestial field divides the heavens
into regions corresponding to the countries and territories on earth. For example, if a guest star invades the ruling star of a certain region, the ruler of that region will face calamity,
and this prediction will never fail." Xiang Shaolong had no interest in listening to these superstitious and abstruse theories at this point, and said, "
What does that have to do with me?"
Zou Yan looked at him, who was wide-eyed... Looking at him with eyes full of admiration, Zhao Qian became even more excited and
declared, "How could it not be related to you? At the very moment you arrived at the main beam, that new star happened to fly over the position of the main beam in the celestial
arena , and so I knew that the new sage had arrived. Although I felt that you had the bearing of a dragon and tiger when I first saw you,
I did not realize it at the time. It was not until that night when you uttered your earth-shattering theory of governance that I guessed that you were the new sage. It was not until you were attacked that night
that I was absolutely certain that I had not misjudged you." After saying this, she knelt down and respectfully kowtowed three times.
Xiang Shaolong was both amused and exasperated. He quickly urged Zou Yan to stand up, saying, "I understand the first part, but why does my
injury during the attack strengthen your resolve, sir?" Zou Yan replied, "On the afternoon of the day you were attacked,
Miss Ji returned to Yahu Xiaozhu looking dejected. After I repeatedly questioned her, she finally said that you refused to pursue her. So I told her
: 'A new star in the sky is being eclipsed by another star, and I fear you will face a calamity that night.' That's how Miss Ji was able to
rescue bring you here. Tell me, Shaolong, if you are not a new sage, how could such a coincidence happen?"
Xiang Shaolong was speechless. A wave of fatigue washed over him, and after taking his medicine, he fell into a deep sleep. When
Xiang Shaolong woke up, he was much better than before. He could sit up and eat, and all ten-odd sword wounds had scabbed over
. Only the wound under his arm was still very painful; the others were fine. Zou Yan had gone out, leaving
only Zhao Qian on the top floor of the primitive observatory. The beautiful princess happily fed him a thin porridge containing precious medicinal herbs.
Xiang Shaolong said with pity, "Qian'er! You've lost weight." Zhao Qian said softly, "Compared to your sacrifice for me
, this is nothing. That night, seeing you shield me from the thief's sword with your own body to prevent me from getting hurt, my heart broke
." Then she said worriedly, "Sister Yanran hasn't come for three days, it really worries me."
Xiang Shaolong perked up and said, "Does she come to see me often?" Zhao Qian nodded and said, "She cares about you so much
. Every time she comes, she helps me wash your wounds and change your dressings."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said, "Does that mean you two have seen every part of my body?" Zhao Qian nodded shyly
, but her face was beaming with joy, her expression extremely alluring. Xiang Shaolong's heart fluttered, and he grasped her soft hand, saying, "I must
take revenge , I must see every inch of our princess's body."
Zhao Qian gently withdrew her hand, continuing to feed him porridge, her face flushed with embarrassment, "Go ahead and look!" Xiang Shaolong
was filled with endless tenderness and affection; how could he not feel grateful for the beauty's kindness? He smiled and said, "Not only do I want to see, but I want
to go deeper. Does the princess object?"
Zhao Qian's ears turned red, and she gave him a reproachful glare, not daring to answer him, but her expression was one of complete agreement. Xiang
Shaolong sighed with satisfaction. Footsteps sounded from the stairwell. Both of them tensed up simultaneously. Ji Yanran's sweet
voice came from
upstairs, "Don't be afraid! It's Yanran." Zhao Qian was overjoyed and went to greet her. Soon, the two women appeared before Xiang Shaolong, arm in arm. Ji Yanran had also lost weight
, but when she saw him, her bright eyes immediately sparkled, their gazes lingering on his. Xiang Shaolong said, "I will never forget your life-saving grace,
Miss ." Ji Yanran sat down on the edge of the bed without any hesitation, first examining his
wounds before letting out a sigh of relief. "Don't be so polite. Your recovery speed is truly amazing. You
have no idea how frightening you looked covered in blood that night; it made me cry." Then, her face flushed, she said,
"This is the first time Yanran has ever cried for a man!"
Zhao Qian smiled and said, "Sister Yanran is so good to you!" Xiang Shaolong's heart fluttered, and he boldly reached out to hold
Ji Yanran's delicate hand, saying softly, "It seems I've not only passed the test, but I've also taken a step further into Miss's heart,
isn't that right?"
Ji Yanran gave him a reproachful look, saying nonchalantly, "I'm sorry. I'm still only at the passing stage."
Although she said that, she showed no intention of withdrawing her hand. Xiang Shaolong's heart was filled with love, and he smiled and said, "As long as you pass
the test , there's a chance. Miss Ji, won't you try your best to make things convenient for me?"
Zhao Qian found their exchange amusing and couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Ji Yanran glared at Zhao Qian before turning to Xiang Shaolong
and saying, "They went through so much trouble to get here, and now they're sitting next to you. Isn't that convenient for you?" Xiang Shaolong was
jolted back to reality by her words and asked, "What's the situation outside?"
Ji Yanran calmly replied, "Lord Xinling, Lord Longyang, and Xiao Weimou are all searching for you with all their might. The city's defenses are several times
stronger . Even the area outside the city and along the river is filled with checkpoints and patrols. You'd probably have to turn into a bird to fly out."
Xiang Shaolong asked fearfully, "What about the others?"
Zhao Qian sat down affectionately beside Ji Yanran and said, "Don't worry! I already asked Sister Yanran. They all
escaped safely; not a single one was caught." Xiang Shaolong breathed a sigh of relief, but thinking of Lord Xinling, he could
n't smile . Having lost the *Secret Records of Duke Lu*, how could he possibly let him go? Ji Yanran's face darkened. She said, "These
past few days, the Wei people have been searching your territory house by house, and they'll eventually find you here. For now, they're only watching me
and haven't suspected Mr. Zou yet, but it's still very dangerous for you to be away from the main beam every day."
Zhao Qian said softly, "Sister, with your abilities, you must have a way." Ji Yanran said, "I'm thinking of a way
all the time , but the city defenses are so tight." Remembering something, she asked Xiang Shaolong, "That
thing you wear on your waist is very strange. Even someone as knowledgeable as Mr. Zou has never seen it before. Where did you get it?"
Xiang Shaolong knew she was referring to the climbing hook and waist belt. "I designed it myself," Zhao Qian replied. "It was made by craftsmen from
Zhao Once we reach the city wall, I have a way to take Qian'er over it." Ji Yanran was greatly
surprised. She looked at him intently for a while and sighed softly, "The more I get to know you, the more unpredictable you seem.
However, under the current circumstances, it's impossible for you to reach the city wall without being detected by the guards on the watchtower. Even if
you get the city, you can't avoid the tens of thousands of guards outside. So we still need to think of another way."
Zhao Qian whispered in her ear, "Sister, are you growing to like him more and more?" Ji Yanran blushed
. Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang in the room. Before Xiang Shaolong knew what was happening, the two women exclaimed, "
The enemy is coming!"
Ji Yanran helped Xiang Shaolong up, while Zhao Qian hurriedly gathered up the blood-stained sheets and everything
related to Xiang Shaolong. Xiang Shaolong exclaimed in horror, "Where do we hide?" Ji Yanran helped him to a large
cabinet, opened the door, and saw that it was filled with clothes, leaving no room for a person. Then she pushed, and the clothes
miraculously rose up, revealing a hidden compartment inside.
At this moment, Zhao Qian had finished packing and even lowered the curtain, and rushed over. Together, they helped Xiang Shaolong hide in the hidden compartment
. Ji Yanran pulled down the outer sleeve containing the clothes, and the cabinet door closed automatically, a very clever design.
The space that was originally meant for one person to hide in was now crammed with three people, and the cramped feeling was unimaginable. The three of them were pressed sideways together, Zhao Qian's alluring
body pressed tightly against his back, while Ji Yanran was pressed face to face with him to the point of being almost impossible to penetrate. He could
clearly feel the exquisite curves of Ji Yanran's body, especially since he was only wearing shorts, the sensual and stimulating sensation almost
made him forget the danger before him.
Ji Yanran was slightly taller than Zhao Qian, her pretty face resting on his shoulder. She whispered, "This is a life-saving place that
Mr. Zou designed for himself. I never thought we'd have to use it." Although the space was small, it didn't
feel stuffy, clearly thanks to cleverly designed ventilation holes. Xiang Shaolong thought to himself: In this era, no matter how
high , everyone lived in constant fear of insecurity. That's why Zou Yan had this hidden compartment, and Lord Xinling had his
secret escape route.
Suddenly, strange noises arose from the compartment. Xiang Shaolong paid close attention and realized that both women were breathing rapidly
, their chests heaving, intensifying the sensation of their bodies rubbing against each other. Fortunately, Xiang Shaolong was still quite weak and
didn't experience any male physiological reaction, otherwise it would have been even more embarrassing. The women's bodies grew increasingly soft and weak, and Xiang Shaolong's
heart stirred. He couldn't help but reach back with one hand and forward with the other, pulling them into a tight embrace. Ji Yanran was a little better off, but
Zhao Qian let out a soft moan, her slender hand reaching out from behind to hug his waist tightly, her body burning hot.
Footsteps sounded, indicating that someone was searching each floor, finally reaching the top floor. Lord Xinling's voice
rang out from the outer hall: "This is my first time visiting Mr. Zou's Observatory. Oh! What is this?"
Zou Yan calmly replied, "This is an instrument for measuring the positions of celestial bodies. I am preparing to create an accurate star chart."
Lord Xinling, clearly not interested in sightseeing, pushed open the door and entered, saying, "Oh! I thought this room held some other secret,
but it turns out to be your bedroom." Zou Yan laughed, "My work can only be done at night;
how can I do without a place to sleep?"
Lord Xinling said, "Why don't I go to your observatory and broaden my horizons?" His footsteps led
him towards the upper observation platform. The three of them breathed a sigh of relief. Then someone else entered the room, searching carefully, even opening cabinet doors, truly leaving
nothing behind. The three women's hearts leaped into their throats, cursing Lord Xinling for his despicable act of diverting Zou Yan's attention and allowing his men
to conduct a thorough search.
After the commotion, Lord Xinling and Zou Yan went downstairs. The three women felt a little relieved, but immediately felt the stimulating sensation of their bodies
intertwined . Zhao Qian and Ji Yanran were both virgins, and although they harbored deep feelings for Xiang Shaolong, they were still
incredibly ashamed. Zhao Qian, used to being intimate with Xiang Shaolong, was somewhat
better off; Ji Yanran, however, had never experienced being so close to a man, and her heart pounded wildly. In this quiet environment
, how could she escape Xiang Shaolong's ears? This alone was enough to make her extremely ashamed. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, all three seemed reluctant to leave
this safe space.
Xiang Shaolong's lips brushed against Ji Yanran's earlobe, and he softly said, "Hey!" Ji Yanran looked up blankly,
feeling Xiang Shaolong's breath on her face in the darkness. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she forgot to speak. Xiang Shaolong was about
to ask her if she could leave when he suddenly felt her fragrant lips so close to his. He thought to himself that if he didn't take advantage of her now, when would
he? He then kissed her moist red lips heavily. Ji Yanran's body trembled violently. Finally, she followed Zhao Qian's example and reached out to hug
him tightly, tilting her pretty face up and letting this man carry out his ungentlemanly act in the dark.
Footsteps sounded again. Although she knew no one could see what was happening inside, Ji Yanran was still startled and pulled her red lips
away Xiang Shaolong's alluring mouth. Then Zou Yan called out in a low voice from outside the counter, "Can you come out now
?" Xiang Shaolong felt something was amiss. Given Xinling Jun's status and position, Zou Yan had no reason not to escort him to the outside
; if he did, he wouldn't have returned so quickly. Besides, everyone had already left; with Zou Yan's composure
and elegance, there was no reason for him to speak in such a hoarse voice.
Zhao Qian was completely intoxicated by Xiang Shaolong's strong masculine aura and paid no attention to anything else
. Ji Yanran, however, was in a daze, and in her confusion, she thought it was really Zou Yan calling from outside. Just as she was about to answer, Xiang Shaolong's
lips sealed hers again. Ji Yanran cursed inwardly, thinking why this man was so lustful, ignoring even Zou Yan's calls
. The man called out twice more from outside. Ji Yanran suddenly regained her composure, realizing something was amiss,
but also understanding that Xiang Shaolong wasn't as eager as she thought.
The man outside muttered under his breath, "Your Majesty is really going to unnecessary trouble. There's clearly no one there, yet you still make me impersonate Zou Yan
and call out three times on each floor! Heh!" The man finished cursing and went downstairs. All three wiped away cold sweat. Lord Xinling was indeed cautious,
which also showed how many capable people he had under his command. This man's imitation of Zou Yan's voice was remarkably lifelike, only slightly lower and hoarse
. Ji Yanran, confident in her intelligence, felt ashamed despite being captivated by Xiang Shaolong's kiss. She also
admired Xiang Shaolong's wit immensely, and a surge of love welled up within her. She actively and passionately engaged in a passionate kiss with Xiang Shaolong
.
Xiang Shaolong's hands greedily groped the backs and buttocks of the two women, a hint of spring stirring in the shadows. The earlier danger
had only served to ignite their passion. Just as things were about to spiral out of control, footsteps sounded again, followed by the cabinet door opening
and the front shelf rising. The two women, blushing, buried their heads in the back of Xiang Shaolong's neck. Xiang Shaolong looked at Zou Yan awkwardly
and said with a wry smile, "It seems I'm not some new saint after all, because I completely lack the composure of a saint." Zou Yan chuckled and
said, "I see you've recovered even faster than I imagined a saint would."

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The Complete Adaptation of "A Step into the Past" (45 Episodes) Original Author: Huang Yi Adaptation: frank511127

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