[Wuxia] The Carefree Journey of the Tang Dynasty (Book) - 22-24

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Chapter 92 Another Battle with the Holy Venerable

Yuan Yueze tightened his grip on Xiao He'er's slender waist and said, "This is the real Xiu Ning. Her status determines that she cannot truly enjoy love."

Shang Xiuxun, who had been eating heartily beside him, mumbled, "Doesn't my husband want to marry her into the family?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "It would be a lie to say I don't want to, but not now, and only if you don't object. So for now, it's best for Xiu Ning to be herself."

Wei Zhenzhen giggled, "It would be better if my husband married more women, so that the sisters could sleep peacefully every night. Otherwise, you would torment us to death."

The bold Lian Rou, though still a virgin, looked eager to try, making the other women laugh.

At this moment, three drums sounded in the arena, and the polo ball was thrown into the air from the announcer's hand. Li Jiancheng and Xu Ziling, who were waiting for the ball, rode forward from both sides to compete for it, while Dugu Feng and Fu Junzhuo, one galloping forward and the other retreating, took turns. Li Xiuning also charged forward, her horsemanship no less than Li Shimin's. Li Shimin and Li Yuanji moved in from the flanks to support Li Jiancheng.

The thunderous sound of hooves filled the air, everyone held their breath, watching the game intently.

Xu Ziling and Li Jiancheng simultaneously lunged forward, their spurs flicking at the ball. The two horses brushed past each other, and Li Jiancheng, as expected, seized the ball and charged forward on horseback.

Cheers erupted, drums thundered.

Although Xu Ziling learned quickly, Li Jiancheng recognized his habitual way of winning the ball, leading to this mishap.

Kou Zhong and the retreating Xu Ziling immediately moved in from the left and right, intercepting Li Jiancheng. Li Xiuning had already rushed to the sideline, waiting for a pass from her teammate. Fu Junzhuo had returned to the goal, galloping back and forth calmly.

Caught between two opponents and unable to advance further, Li Jiancheng reluctantly passed the ball to Li Yuanji, who was making a diagonal run from behind. Kou Zhong and his companion, channeling their inner energy into their horses' hooves, crossed paths in front of Li Jiancheng's horse like a fancy equestrian act. Li Jiancheng's horse reared up in shock, as Kou Zhong suddenly increased his horse's speed to its limit, even exceeding it, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. Everyone present was astonished that he could intercept Li Yuanji's attack so quickly.

Startled, Li Yuanji cleverly tapped the ball back with the tip of his staff, passing it to Li Jiancheng, who was still galloping forward and brushing past Xu Ziling. With

a "thud!"

, Dugu Feng, returning to defense, swiftly flicked the ball with her staff towards the still-moving Kou Zhong.

Seeing the ball bounce to about a person's height, with Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji already surrounding them, and knowing without a doubt that the sound of horses' hooves behind them belonged to Li Xiuning, Kou Zhong immediately swung his arm and struck. The ball, accompanied by a whistling sound, shot like a hidden weapon towards the back of Dugu Feng, who was galloping forward.

Everyone in the east and west stands held their breath.

Just as the ball was about to pierce through Dugu Feng's body, who was now within ten paces of the goal guarded by Li Shimin, she suddenly leaned forward, pressed herself against the horse's back, and without even looking, swung her staff backhand.

Everyone was stunned.

Dugu Feng's strike sent the ball diagonally downwards, towards the direction where Xu Ziling was coming to receive it.

Because Li Shimin had abandoned his goal to intercept Dugu Feng, Xu Ziling easily put the ball into the hole.

This was Li Tang's home ground, and apart from Yuan Yueze and his group, naturally no one dared to cheer loudly. They all admired Dugu Feng's ability to pinpoint the location of the ball even after it was faster than lightning. With

a lightning-fast goal at the start, the young coach team took the lead, and the Li clan was already four points behind.

After a few cheers, the conservative Zhu Yuyan secretly cursed Wei Zhenzhen's audacity, then whispered to Yuan Yueze, "Do you think it's credible that the Buddhist and Taoist sects know about the removal of the relic?"

Yuan Yueze answered without hesitation, "That's hard to say. Logically, Shi Feixuan wouldn't lie. Besides our family, no one else knows the location of the relic. Oh! Wait!"

A clue suddenly appeared in his mind, and he whispered, "Perhaps Xi Feng told the White Path this news. Because he obtained a secret method from Xiang Lao's disciples that allows him to sense the relic from a distance, and I have indeed taken out the relic several times in the past few months. If he sensed the relic by chance..." "Given the general direction and our family's knowledge of the treasure vault, we should be able to guess the true location of the relic."

Shan Meixian nodded and said, "My husband is right. He secretly told Bai Dao, but that was just a ploy to kill someone else, and he wanted to sit back and watch the tigers fight."

Yuan Yueze curled his lip and said, "The Wu brothers have already said that there are spies in Cihang Jingzhai of the Great Ming Zunjiao. What Xuanmen chief is being played around without even knowing it!"

Xiao He'er grabbed Yuan Yueze's chest with her jade hand and shouted, "Start the game!"

Zhu Yuyan closed her eyes and entered a state of no thought. The others hurriedly looked over and saw Li Jiancheng kick off the game in the center of the field, passing to Li Xiuning on the left. The latter bent half of her body on her horse and used her cane to control the ball to roll along the ground.

Kou Zhong forcibly entered the Well in the Moon Mind State and rushed forward to intercept Li Xiuning.

Just when the two were about eight steps apart, Xu Ziling and Dugu Feng had already attacked from a distance, each protecting a certain area.

Just before Kou Zhong's stern-faced cue touched the ball, to everyone's surprise, Li Xiuning didn't pass the ball. Instead, using her left-handedness, she passed the ball between her horse's hooves, aiming it diagonally behind Kou Zhong. She then spurred her horse from one side to the other, tiring Kou Zhong so much that he not only missed his target but also couldn't stop due to inertia.

In the instant Xu Ziling and the other realized something was wrong, Li Xiuning, with her superb horsemanship, swerved to the left, sharply reined in her horse, and then hooked the ball forward.

Shouts rose, drums beat louder, and everyone knew Li Xiuning had seized a golden opportunity to attack.

Fu Junzhuo remained motionless, like a beautiful jade sculpture.

When Li Xiuning was about fifteen paces from the hole, she suddenly flicked the ball to the right front, passing it to the rapidly advancing Li Yuanji.

Fu Junzhuo spurred her horse forward, her cue stick moving with unpredictable yet masterful precision, striking the ball with incredible skill.

Li Yuanji's backhand sidehand strike hit the ball just before Fu Junzhuo's polo mallet could reach it, sending the ball spinning low to the left.

With a single tap, the ball returned to Li Xiuning's charging mallet, who pushed it forward, sending it nestling obediently into the unguarded east gate net less than ten feet away. The drums thundered, and cheers erupted. The three Li brothers rode over to greet their skillful polo sister's triumphant return. Fu Junzhuo pouted,

remaining silent. Xu Ziling quickly comforted her, "Mother, it's your first time playing polo, mistakes are inevitable. There will be many more opportunities." This was true; Fu Junzhuo was only skilled at riding, but polo clearly required more than just riding ability and a calm mindset. Yuan Yueze smiled at Li Xiuning and Fu Junzhuo, who were looking at him, then turned and asked, "Hey! Where's Yuyan?" The girls then noticed that Zhu Yuyan had disappeared sometime earlier. Having eaten her fill, Song Yuzhi leaned lazily against Wei Zhenzhen, patting her belly, and said, "Sister Yuyan didn't also vanish into thin air, did she?" The others burst into laughter at her comment. The game resumed, this time with the Young Marshal's team employing an all-out attack. Kou Zhong single-handedly dribbled the ball across midfield, passing it to Xu Ziling before Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin could intercept. The three of them coordinated their attacks, weaving and passing the ball unpredictably, sometimes forward, sometimes backward. Before Li Jiancheng and his two companions could react, and with Li Yuanji alone in goal, the ball found its way into the net, securing a comfortable and effortless victory. The first game of the next round ended with a fifteen-minute break. Zhu Yuyan, like a ghost, drifted out of the palace and sped towards the south of the city.

She loved quiet, and with her current cultivation level, her location didn't matter. For example, the high-decibel cheers from the girls around her, completely absorbed in the game, and the nearby spectators, were like a dream she would never wake from for Zhu Yuyan, who was in a meditative state. Though she sat there, she became an existence independent of the entire stadium.

Just as she subconsciously entered a state of no-thought, activating the 'Searching Heaven and Earth Technique,' a surge of joy filled her heart.

The aura she had detected in the west of the city had reappeared in the south.

So, without disturbing Yuan Yueze and the others who were completely absorbed in the game, she chased after it alone.

With her current extraordinary cultivation level, she quickly reached the outskirts of the city along the 'Yong'an Canal' west of Guangde.

Although the aura was well concealed, Zhu Yuyan, deliberately pursuing it, had grasped every trace of its scent, even its mental imprint, along the way.

Zhu Yuyan suddenly stopped.

On the desolate, snow-covered ground, where few people roamed, a tall man stood with his hands behind his back. He wore a strange mask, revealing only his deep eyes fixed intently on Zhu Yuyan. His tight-fitting black clothes accentuated his handsome, albeit not particularly muscular, physique.

What drew Zhu Yuyan's attention was a bizarre design embroidered on the mask, predominantly red and yellow. At first glance, it resembled the head of a strange beast, or perhaps a blue-faced, fanged human, exuding an inexplicable air of mystery.

"You've finally arrived,"

the man spoke after a long silence between them.

His voice was deep yet subtly resonant, clear yet melodious, a perfectly blended combination of contrasting qualities that created a truly eerie effect.

Zhu Yuyan smiled faintly and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you should know that I've been 'watching' you all along."

The man nodded and said, "The Demon Seed Technique is indeed extraordinary, and the method of using spirit to overcome matter is even more astonishing."

Having spent a long time with Yuan Yueze, Zhu Yuyan had also picked up the habit of being direct. She smiled slightly and said, "Enough with the nonsense. Only one of us can leave alive today."

The man shook his head and chuckled.

From the beginning, the two chatted like ordinary people, without emitting any aura, but the intense mental confrontation between experts was constantly escalating.

When the mental collision was about to spark, the man shouted, "Let me see if you have a heart as firm as your master's!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly leaped up and swooped down from a height of two zhang. The surrounding air immediately seemed to solidify. His palms, carrying a tangible force as heavy as Mount Tai, shot towards Zhu Yuyan like lightning.

Facing the overwhelming shadow cast by the two palms piercing the air above her, Zhu Yuyan nodded slightly, remaining motionless, and said, word by word, "Your right side is weak and your left side is strong, a 40/60 split. I can fight you head-on, or I can use a strategy of using strength against weakness, and weakness against strength. As long as I take the first step to use strength against weakness, your strength will also weaken."

Just as he was about to kill Zhu Yuyan, the man suddenly withdrew his palms and retreated, his imposing aura completely dissipated.

The two returned to a standoff.

Zhu Yuyan said, "You mentioned my master, so why don't you reveal your true form and state your name?"

The man laughed loudly and ripped off his headscarf. He said, "I suppose you've already guessed that I am the Holy Venerable of the Great Ming Venerable Sect. I've come today to test how advanced the Venerable's Demon Seed Technique is."

Zhu Yuyan's expression remained unchanged, still calmly looking at him.

In fact, the middle-aged man who had revealed his true form was not unfamiliar to her; he was the person Hou Xibai had described to Yuan Yueze as having 'cultivation no less than Shi Zhixuan'. Zhu Yuyan was stunned. She clearly sensed the well-hidden aura within him, identical to that of the 'Demon Seed'. Without much thought, she knew this man had a close relationship with the Great Ming Sect. His probing attack just now probably didn't even utilize thirty percent of his power. Considering his cunning lately, Zhu Yuyan suspected this man was Liu Yu, who had used the Soul Transfer Technique.

His mention of Zhu Yuyan's master had stirred up memories from decades ago. She remembered hearing her master speak of a man who had fervently pursued her as a child—it must have been Liu Yu. However, due to her position as the leader of a sect, she had been forced to suppress her feelings. Recalling her master's indifferent expression at that time, the weathered Zhu Yuyan understood: her master might have had some feelings for him, but certainly not to the point of life and death. Liu Yu's attempt to disrupt Zhu Yuyan's composure was futile.

Seeing Liu Yu's completely unpretentious expression, Zhu Yuyan chuckled inwardly. He was still unaware that the Wu brothers had leaked his secret to Yuan Yueze, and the sudden disappearance of Wu Shouyi, whom he had groomed as a 'reserve,' had clearly thrown his plans into disarray. Judging from the situation, he had resorted to a less desirable method in an emergency, finding someone with decent physical strength to perform the soul-transferring technique.

This kind of evil technique was indeed insidious, capable of completely expelling a person's mind and usurping their power.

It seemed that Hou Xibai's claim that this person had left Chang'an was inaccurate.

In a flash, Zhu Yuyan understood everything. Suddenly,

Liu Yu's ordinary eyes flashed with a sharp light, brighter than starlight and lightning.

Zhu Yuyan was shocked. Logically, Liu Yu should have had some of his power absorbed by Shi Zhixuan; even if his soul-transferring technique was executed perfectly, he couldn't possibly be this strong. Zhu Yuyan instantly deduced that the Liu Yu before her was definitely capable of forcing her to use her full strength.

What was even more surprising was that at the very moment Liu Yusen unleashed his chilling demonic energy, Zhu Yuyan experienced a very strange feeling. Although her opponent was standing more than ten feet away from her, she could barely sense his presence. This meant that if she closed her eyes, Zhu Yuyan would have absolutely no chance of pinpointing Liu Yusen's location. Generally, experts who have reached the level of "entering the subtle realm" can cultivate a kind of tactile sense close to a sixth sense; though it leaves no trace, the mind immediately senses danger when someone approaches. But Zhu Yuyan, a master of mental techniques, was stunned by Liu Yusen's simple move.

Even if she was unwilling, Zhu Yuyan had to admit that his martial arts were truly bizarre.

Liu Yusen clearly wanted to continue applying pressure. His gaze became almost tangible, the mysterious light reflected in his dark pupils striking the depths of Zhu Yuyan's mind like a series of heavy hammer blows.

Not yet fully prepared, Zhu Yuyan began to feel short of breath, her heart pounding with fear. A feeling of weakness and despair spread throughout her body, and then her entire being gradually softened.

"Hmph!"

With a delicate snort, Zhu Yuyan's beautiful eyes also brightened, her feminine yet masculine demonic energy swirling into a powerful aura that forced Liu Yu back, its momentum growing stronger and stronger, seemingly capable of crushing a person to dust.

"Pfft!"

The energy emanating from the two of them produced a muffled thud.

At the same time, both of them withdrew their energy and spiritual power.

After resuming their standoff, Zhu Yuyan spoke first: "Your cultivation is indeed remarkable, but if you were to fight me with that move you just made, you would surely die within ten moves."

Liu Yu chuckled: "I congratulate you on finding someone to entrust your life to after your rebirth, Venerable One, but think back in the quiet of the night, is this the life you truly want? I know you still harbor resentment towards Yuan Yueze and me, but it's been so many years, why is he still holding onto it? Didn't I give him two fingers back?" He

then raised his gloved right hand, revealing... With a bitter smile, he said, "Your Excellency must still have questions: My Great Ming Venerable Sect aims to spread its teachings, and in the Central Plains, it has an irreconcilable conflict with your Holy Sect. But the reality is different. My Great Ming Venerable Sect has already abandoned the Central Plains and is preparing to spread its doctrines in the Eastern and Western Turkic lands and even further west. One of my subordinates, by chance, learned our sect's martial arts and attempted to assassinate you. I'm sure you're not happy about that. Actually, think about it. At that time, you really didn't have the heart and methods of a member of the Holy Sect. If you still hold a grudge about such a thing, it will only make me look down on you."

He was naturally referring to Xi Feng, and hearing his gentle yet reasonable voice, Zhu Yuyan was momentarily at a loss for words.

Liu Yu continued softly, "Your Excellency is destined for great things; you should know that while the love between men and women can be intoxicating, it is also the most painful. Only by wielding the power of life and death can one find the greatest pleasure."

Zhu Yuyan had already grasped the purpose of his earnest persuasion: he simply wanted to awaken her from her love and eliminate Yuan Yueze. Liu Yu indeed seemed to be the same as Yuan Yueze had described—not like a martial artist, but more like a persuader.

Based on her understanding of his deep cunning and his recent infiltration of Chang'an, she knew he was simply deceiving her.

Overly selfish, arrogant, and prone to projecting his own ideas onto others, Liu Yu had clearly miscalculated. He hadn't yet experienced the magic of love; his 150-plus years of life had been wasted.

Zhu Yuyan chuckled lightly, saying without revealing her true feelings, "Your words, though plain, contain profound meaning. I will consider them carefully, provided, of course, that you can leave alive!"

Before she finished speaking, her lotus foot took a small step forward, covering a distance of two zhang, then abruptly stopped in mid-air. She drew her left hand from behind her back and slowly pointed a finger. Her movements were extremely slow, yet Liu Yu knew that the speed of her constantly changing finger within that short distance was even faster than lightning.

The contradiction in time was both real and illusory.

Liu Yu's aura changed drastically. His right leg generated a rapidly spinning and swirling aura, unleashing a devastating kick.

"Bang!"

Finger and foot collided, and the force of the impact surged outwards like a tidal wave, scattering thick snow into fragments of varying sizes, carrying mud and swirling in the air.

A blush flashed across both of their faces, and they each took a half-step back to their positions.

Zhu Yuyan, her face filled with astonishment, said, "Shi Zhixuan told me that he absorbed some of your power several months ago. Just now, I used all my strength in one finger strike, yet you were able to fight me to a standstill without using your full power. How is that possible?"

Upon hearing Shi Zhixuan's name, Liu Yu's eyes flashed with intense killing intent. He then replied, "It's true that that opportunistic Shi Zhixuan absorbed some of my power, but I practice the 'War God's Record,' which is even more advanced than the Venerable One's Demon Seed Technique. The recovery speed is beyond my comprehension, Venerable One."

Zhu Yuyan was astonished. How could Liu Yu possibly have learned the most ethereal of the Four Great Classical Novels, the 'War God's Record'? It was unbelievable.

It should be known that the 'War God's Record' is located in the 'Jingyan Palace,' a massive project with a mysterious and unpredictable origin. It seems to have existed between heaven and earth since ancient times. Beneath it lies a vast labyrinth built by the Golden Essence Crow Mother, which is harder than steel. The 'War God's Record' is located within it. This supreme treasure, the foremost of the 'Four Great Mysterious Books,' is said to connect with the Heavenly Dao and transcend life and death, coveted by countless martial arts practitioners. However, the vast 'Jingyan Palace' seems to possess a life of its own; no one knows where it will appear next, and it only opens once every thirty years, for a mere two hours each time. These strange phenomena have made the 'War God's Record' a true legend.

Having sparred with him personally, Zhu Yuyan was convinced he had no reason to lie. He had been lying low for so long, deliberately luring her out today, even potentially alerting Yuan Yueze, yet he showed no fear, demonstrating his confidence in his current strength.

His revelation of the 'War God's Record' likely had a deeper meaning: to put sufficient pressure on Yuan Yueze and his group.

But how did he obtain the 'War God's Record'?

Although Zhu Yuyan still had questions, she knew that even if she asked, he wouldn't answer truthfully. She had obtained a valuable clue; her current task was to kill him with all her might to eliminate any future trouble.

Sensing the intense killing intent emanating from Zhu Yuyan, Liu Yu glanced behind her and chuckled, "The Venerable One cannot stop me. Farewell!"

The moment he uttered the first word, he shot backward like a feather, his entire body clearly infused with powerful true energy. His control over the interplay of hardness and softness, positive and negative forces, was truly masterful.

He vanished in an instant, demonstrating the extraordinary skill of his movement technique, likely comparable to Shi Zhixuan and Yun Shuai.

Zhu Yuyan did not pursue him, for she sensed someone approaching from behind.

Judging from the aura, it was Wanwan, who had only been cultivating her demonic seed for a little over half a month and had reached a minor level of mastery.

Wanwan landed beside Zhu Yuyan like a little fairy, looking in surprise at the two-zhang space that had been ravaged. She asked in confusion, "Wan'er just entered meditation, and through the spiritual techniques taught by Master, I faintly sensed Master and another killing intent, so I rushed over. Who could possibly escape Master's clutches?"

Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly, took Wanwan's fair hand, and said, "I heard there are hot springs in the west of the city. We'll talk about it when we get there." Wanwan nodded

happily.

In front of Zhu Yuyan, she was always a cute little girl who would never grow up.

Before coming to find Yuan Yueze, she had entrusted the sect's affairs to several elders. For the past half month, due to the depletion of her internal energy, she couldn't show herself and had been practicing every day, which had been quite dull. Zhu Yuyan's thoughtfulness was a rare treat, and she was naturally overjoyed.

After running east for nearly half an hour, the master and disciple finally stopped in front of a large group of buildings.

This was the imperial palace and villa of successive dynasties. Passing the sparse guards, she entered the deserted Feishuang Palace and arrived at a luxurious pool shaped like a stone lotus, steaming with hot water. She removed her robes, revealing two perfect bodies that could make even the gods swoon, and like a mermaid from the celestial realm, she leaped into the pool.

Comfortably soaking in the hot spring, Wanwan hummed a little tune with contentment.

Then Zhu Yuyan recounted the events in detail. Wanwan frowned slightly as she listened, splashing water to wash Zhu Yuyan's smooth, silky back, and asked, "If Master and Husband had acted together, could Liu Yu have escaped?"

Zhu Yuyan closed her eyes slightly, shook her head, and said, "It's hard to say, but today I've confirmed that Shi Zhixuan absorbed his power from him, and he truly completed the soul transfer technique. As for how he obtained the War God's Manual, we probably can't even guess."

The clear spring water, flowing with the sun and moon, neither overflowing nor scalding, moistened the two women's already delicate skin, turning it a rosy white. Their wet, jet-black hair clung to their bodies, further highlighting their healthy and alluring pinkish-red complexion.

Wanwan leaned against the edge of the pool, a little dejected, and said, "If only Wan'er's Demon Seed Technique could be perfected by tomorrow."

Thinking of her own bizarre experience practicing the Demon Seed Technique, Zhu Yuyan's pretty face, already slightly flushed from the steam of the hot spring, turned even redder. She turned around, stroked Wanwan's long hair, and said, "If you wanted Wan'er to master it sooner, I wouldn't mind practicing later. Who knew you two would be fighting all the time back then, and he..."

Wanwan quickly hugged Zhu Yuyan, saying urgently, "Wan'er didn't mean to blame Master."

Then she lowered her head and said, "Originally, I was happy for Master that you had such a good match. I originally planned to never let him touch Wan'er again, but I couldn't resist his provocations. If it weren't for Master's constant encouragement, Wan'er would never have been able to open her arms."

Suddenly, the two women's bodies trembled simultaneously. They looked at each other and both saw shyness in each other's eyes.

Each of them had a snow rabbit on their chest, covered by a pair of familiar large hands.

-

Chapter 093 A flurry of arrivals.

Zhu Yuyan blushed, her delicate body limp as she leaned against Yuan Yueze's left shoulder.

Wanwan was also somewhat shy, her jade-like hands in the spring water pinching Yuan Yueze's waist, pouting as she said, "You scared me to death! You didn't even say you were coming! Eh, when did you take off your clothes, husband?"

Yuan Yueze, who was already completely naked, let out a strange laugh, kissing Zhu Yuyan's slender, pink neck, who dared not raise her head, followed by a forceful kiss on the resisting Wanwan, saying, "I just arrived, and I couldn't take in the full view of this beautiful woman bathing, what a pity."

As he spoke, he began to knead the two 'treasures' in his hands with his strange hands, sometimes heavily and sometimes lightly.

Hot springs can stimulate the deepest desires of the human body, and with Yuan Yueze's sudden strange hands caressing their sensitive areas, both women felt their mouths dry, their bodies burning hot, and their bodies empty. In addition, the fact that the master and apprentice were facing Yuan Yueze at the same time made them feel a bit excited amidst their shyness, so the two women couldn't help but let out soft moans and pressed themselves tightly against Yuan Yueze.

Clearly sensing Wanwan's equally rapid breathing as she furtively glanced at her, Zhu Yuyan knew she couldn't overcome Yuan Yueze's brute strength and was trapped. She forcefully suppressed the tingling sensation from Yuan Yueze's large hand on her buttocks and softly said, "I...I saw Liu Yu." Sure

enough, Yuan Yueze's strange hand stopped. Just as Zhu Yuyan was about to break free, she found Yuan Yueze's hand tightly gripping her slender waist. He asked, "Didn't you take him down?"

Over the past half-month, Yuan Yueze's wives had split into two groups. One group was naturally Zhu Yuyan. Although her conservative nature had improved considerably, she wasn't yet open enough to revel with other women. Wanwan, on the other hand, was much more open. The first time Yuan Yueze pulled her among the women, she had been shy, but after a few days, she completely enjoyed it. With her beautiful eyes hazy and dreamlike, she saw her usually aloof and imposing master so weak and shy today. While her curiosity was piqued, her excitement was also greatly amplified. Hearing Yuan Yueze's question, Wanwan quickly explained for Zhu Yuyan.

Yuan Yueze said in a deep voice, "I clearly remember that he used to learn the 'Five Extremes Annihilation Hand,' which integrated the classics of Persian Manichaeism. If he really learned the most mysterious of the 'Four Great Books,' the 'War God's Manual,' how terrifying would that be!"

Zhu Yuyan sensed Yuan Yueze's worry and took the initiative to hug his waist with her snow-white arms, comforting him, "Don't worry, his qi cultivation was broken by you, and his true qi was absorbed by Shi Zhixuan. Even if he really learned the 'War God's Manual,' his strength will definitely not be as formidable as you think." "

Wanwan nodded, "Besides, we have this extraordinary body and a mental cultivation method that my husband has mastered, comparable to the 'Four Great Classical Novels,' so there's really nothing to worry about."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "The level of cultivation is secondary; what I'm mainly wary of is that guy's cunning and scheming. Even Yu Yan's advanced mental cultivation technique was able to evade his search, which shows that if he doesn't come out, we're helpless. However, we can kill him by first luring out his underlings and then drawing him out."

"Ah!"

The two women beside her nodded as well, but then Yuan Yueze suddenly lifted Zhu Yu Yan up and connected the two of them tightly in a way they knew all too well.

The already moist emptiness suddenly felt a throbbing and full sensation, and Zhu Yu Yan's delicate eyebrows furrowed, then she involuntarily let out a captivating moan.

Realizing Wanwan was staring at her in surprise, Zhu Yuyan's pretty face flushed even more. She bit her lower lip tightly with her pearly teeth, silently resting her head on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, not daring to lift it again. Her voice trembled as she said, "Stop! Someone will see us..."

After a violent thrust, Yuan Yueze laughed, "This place is only for the emperor. Besides the guards outside, there's no one else."

Zhu Yuyan could only nod.

After a few thrusts, the pleasure surged, and Zhu Yuyan's mind began to blur. She vaguely heard Yuan Yueze and Wanwan kissing beside her. Peeking over, she saw Yuan Yueze groping Wanwan, using his tongue and hands. The breathless little devil was already overflowing with lust, trembling and moaning softly, oblivious to everything else, continuously emitting sweet, seductive cries, further stimulating Zhu Yuyan, who was intimately connected with Yuan Yueze in the hot spring.

The initiative was entirely in her hands. Her slender arms were wrapped around Yuan Yueze's back, while she secretly watched the passionate scene that thrilled her. She tightened her shapely legs, already wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, and swayed her hips to her preferred rhythm.

After a while, Zhu Yuyan was simply responding instinctively to Yuan Yueze's control. Although she had escaped the torment of Yuan Yueze's large mouth, Wanwan, whose chest was still throbbing with electricity, stared intently at Zhu Yuyan, whose eyes were slightly closed, who was moaning softly and panting, displaying a wanton demeanor.

In sync with the beauty's wild embrace and thrusting, Yuan Yueze's hands continued, reaching close to Wanwan's ear as she gasped for breath and her body writhed, asking, "Isn't it exciting?"

Wanwan nodded, then closed her large, watery eyes, burning with desire, and leaned weakly against Yuan Yueze's right shoulder.

With Yuan Yueze's gentle yet powerful movements, the bewildered Zhu Yuyan once again felt that familiar, intoxicating pleasure. No longer caring for Wanwan, she completely opened her arms, her alluring voice rising louder from her red lips. In moments, she felt her soul soar to the heavens. Then, her body jerked, trembling as she pressed herself against Yuan Yueze, once more savoring that blissful, pleasurable sensation.

Placing her limp body on the specially designed resting spot on the pool wall, Yuan Yueze withdrew his left hand. Wanwan, who had been waiting impatiently, immediately turned around, her jade hand grasping that thing she both loved and feared, guiding it into the already muddy path, and began moving swiftly.

Looking at the master and disciple before him, one conservative and shy, the other passionate and generous, Yuan Yueze felt extremely satisfied. He caressed them with his hands, touching them here and there, while simultaneously launching a frenzied assault on Wanwan, who was moaning softly, swaying her hips, and twisting her slender waist.

When the blissful, cloud-like sensation filled her entire body, Wanwan, her head thrown back, let out a scream, finally reaching the peak of her ecstasy.

Glancing at Zhu Yuyan, who had regained her strength and was pretending to be asleep out of shyness, Yuan Yueze chuckled, grabbing Wanwan's breasts with both hands, kneading her erect pink nipples with his fingers, and occasionally sucking and nibbling at them. Wanwan, having just regained some strength, was aroused again by his stimulation, and her slender hands naturally grasped her large member, beginning to stroke it up and down. It was soaking wet, covered in the fluids released during the master and disciple's climax, which excited the little witch immensely.

Yuan Yueze placed Wanwan on his lap, his hands stroking her smooth, jade-like back. Her skin was as white as snow, flawless and delicate, without a single blemish. Affected by the steam from the hot spring and her recent climax, her alluring body was veiled in a dreamlike blush, captivating all who saw her. Yuan Yueze lowered his head and gently patted the little witch's plump buttocks facing him, then gently parted her buttocks. He saw that the two pink, moist petals were slippery and covered in transparent fluid. With the occasional twitching of the petals, a stream of clear spring water was slowly squeezed out, dripping down to Yuan Yueze's chest, leaving a long trail of water.

Unsurprisingly, the little witch and Yuan Yueze were engaged in oral sex. She boldly scooped up his powerful erection, her face flushed, and forced her alluring eyes open. Her delicate tongue licked the large tip, sucking the semen mixed with her and her master's fluids.

Yuan Yueze trembled as she sucked, his mouth moving closer to gently lick the little witch's most tender crevice. Then, his lips and tongue skillfully kissed her plump, round, snow-white buttocks and delicate cleft. Overwhelmed by intense pleasure, Wanwan felt as if a thousand ants were crawling through her body, and she couldn't help but moan, "Mmm...husband...so good...lower...ah..."

Yuan Yueze tightly embraced the little witch's full, round, snow-white legs, burying his face between her fragrant thighs, sucking and licking, savoring the nectar flowing from her honeypot. The little witch's most sensitive spots were being thoroughly teased, eliciting shy "sizzling" sounds. Wanwan was drenched in sweat, her little garden completely soaked, her pink skin turning a vibrant rose color, her plump, white buttocks writhing involuntarily, uttering dreamlike moans as she rapidly stroked and sucked on Yuan Yueze's long spear.

The two continued to twist and thrust, offering their most sensitive parts to each other.

As Yuan Yueze's rough tongue skillfully scraped the walls of her honeypot, the little witch's moans grew louder. She arched her fragrant buttocks downwards with incredible speed, clearly feeling her beloved's tongue brush against every inch of her tender flesh. The thought that her master, whose cultivation was above hers, was likely feigning sleep out of shyness filled the little witch with inexplicable excitement. Finally, as if struck by lightning, her snow-white body jerked back, her long, flowing hair flying down her back. She thrust her chest and buttocks forward, her body taut, and a gush of fluid erupted from her intoxicatingly wanton vagina, splashing onto Yuan Yueze's face as she reached her climax. Her delicate breasts rose and fell rapidly with each breath, her long legs trembled slightly from the intense orgasm, and her vulva and vagina twitched rhythmically.

Simultaneously, Yuan Yueze, whose massive member had been thrusting several times, also reached the brink of climax. His body stiffened abruptly, and a large amount of scalding hot semen gushed from the tip of his penis, shooting into the little witch's half-open cherry-like mouth.

Wanwan let out a muffled groan, her small mouth tightly gripping Yuan Yueze's enormous penis, sucking hard and swallowing every last drop of his hot semen. With each hungry swallow, Yuan Yueze, having ejaculated dozens of times, withdrew his thick, hot member, a strand of clear semen hanging wantonly between his long shaft and cherry lips.

Wanwan slumped limply against Yuan Yueze, her jade hands occasionally stroking his penis, pressing it against her delicate face.

Zhu Yuyan's face was flushed, her heart pounding with embarrassment, almost bleeding. But she maintained her feigned unconsciousness; otherwise, even if her disciple didn't care, she wouldn't be able to swallow her pride—wouldn't she die of shame? Unexpectedly, Yuan Yueze gently released Wanwan, then with a sudden pull, drew her into his arms, mimicking the little witch's earlier position.

Zhu Yuyan's body trembled, barely managing to keep her beautiful eyes closed, yet she felt the enormous thing she loved so passionately throbbing beside her flushed face.

Yuan Yueze knew she was pretending to be asleep, so he didn't say anything, instead staring intently at her overflowing little garden, which betrayed her secret: the glistening, sparkling fluid had blurred the entire triangle area; the black, curly pubic hair shimmered with dewdrops, and the high, protruding mound of flesh looked as if it had been rained on in spring, warm and moist; the two slightly everted pink labia were fresh and translucent, and the clitoris was round and full, fully exposed outside the foreskin.

Yuan Yueze gently stroked her sensitive perineum, and Zhu Yuyan could no longer hold back, involuntarily letting out a moan.

Yuan Yueze sucked hard on Zhu Yuyan's pink flesh, causing her to shudder again, before turning her around so they were face to face.

Zhu Yuyan was too ashamed to open her eyes, but suddenly, she realized something was wrong. Because while Yuan Yueze was gently kissing her cheek, a nimble little tongue was harassing and kissing her tender little garden.

Zhu Yuyan groaned, opening her hazy eyes, and was horrified to find that it was her disciple kissing her most delicate flower valley. Zhu Yuyan forcibly guarded her mind, pushing against Yuan Yueze's chest, twisting her slender waist, and weakly cried out, "Wan'er, stop! What...what are you doing? Oh!"

It turned out that Yuan Yueze had kissed the two protruding nipples on her indescribably beautiful, constantly bouncing breasts.

Yuan Yueze released his mouth and smiled at her.

Zhu Yuyan took a deep breath and looked at her disciple reproachfully.

Wanwan leaned against Yuan Yueze's chest, her pretty pink face and lips glistening with lustful fluid.

Yuan Yueze, with one on each side, chuckled, "Why blame Wan'er? Aren't we family?"

Zhu Yuyan's reaction was merely instinctive due to her conservative nature; how could she truly blame Wanwan? Her heart softened, and she lowered her head helplessly, taking Wanwan's small hand in hers to comfort her.

Wanwan had been bewitched by Yuan Yueze and was incredibly audacious, so performing oral sex on her respected master was something she really wanted to try. Before she could speak, Yuan Yueze had already slapped her buttocks, his large mouth pressing against Zhu Yuyan's full breasts, quickly taking her nipples into his mouth and teasing them. Overwhelmed by

pleasure, Zhu Yuyan instinctively closed her beautiful eyes, covering her face with her hands, a mixture of shyness, excitement, and anticipation—a feeling difficult to describe.

Yuan Yueze gave Wanwan a wink, then lowered his head and took Zhu Yuyan's entire left nipple into his mouth, gently pulling it back before releasing it. The breast bounced immediately. He licked the bright red bud with his tongue, his saliva soaking the entire breast.

Zhu Yuyan was lost in passion, her consciousness beginning to blur. But she clearly sensed Yuan Yueze suddenly pull her down, and another slippery little tongue appeared on her overflowing little garden. Needless to say, it was the little devil again.

Wanwan's tongue was different from Yuan Yueze's; it was much smoother, giving Zhu Yuyan a stimulating and pleasurable sensation she had never experienced before. She didn't care anymore; she had already embarrassed herself in front of her disciple. So, she occasionally let out soft moans, her previously shy and unnatural expression relaxing.

Attacked from both sides by her beloved man and her personally trained disciple, Zhu Yuyan was instantly lost in a sea of lust. She could only cover her face with her hands, moaning and panting, her exquisite body writhing incessantly.

Yuan Yueze teased Zhu Yuyan's upper body while gesturing for Wanwan to spread Zhu Yuyan's legs wide. Wanwan, increasingly excited, immediately complied. Zhu Yuyan's private parts were now completely exposed, laid bare before her disciple Wanwan. Two beautiful pink petals opened, gleaming brightly, the pink clitoris proudly erect.

Wanwan placed two slender fingers on her master's tender petals, spreading them apart, then massaged the clitoris with one finger. Her tongue, meanwhile, slipped into the tight, delicate, and moist opening, gently stirring it.

Zhu Yuyan's body trembled as if struck by lightning and engulfed by fire, quivering from the stimulation and involuntarily letting out intoxicated moans. Her cheeks flushed crimson, her beauty unparalleled, her heart filled with boundless shyness. Reason gradually vanished under the intoxicating stimulation, as Wanwan carefully squeezed and scraped the tender walls of her flower path, pleasure rapidly spreading through her limbs, causing Zhu Yuyan to unknowingly sink into the raging sea of carnal desire.

"Ah!"

Zhu Yuyan's body trembled violently, letting out a long moan, and suddenly her honey pot tightened, a gush of far more lustful fluid than usual splashing from the depths of her flower core, spraying her disciple's face. She couldn't help but thrust her full, snowy buttocks upwards, as if trying to suck Wanwan's entire tongue into her flesh cave.

The little witch was inexplicably excited, swallowing her master's lustful fluids completely.

Zhu Yuyan gasped for breath, but Yuan Yueze released her nipple, parted her rounded legs that were tightly closed due to her orgasm, and brazenly climbed up her inner thighs with his index and middle fingers, probing until he reached her wet, slippery vaginal opening, gently touching her tender clitoris. Zhu Yuyan was somewhat numb, so she didn't react much, only letting out a soft moan.

Her soft, dark hair was disheveled, and in the middle of her pink flesh, the slightly parted entrance of her paradise, still contracting from her lingering orgasm, gushed out streams of milky white, viscous love fluid. This warm, slippery liquid flowed into her slightly parted, rosy vulva, forming a lovely, winding stream.

Yuan Yueze, holding his engorged, reddish-purple penis, aimed it at her vulva, slid it up and down a few times to coat it with fluid, and then pressed his entire body down.

"Mmm!"

Zhu Yuyan, who was enjoying the climax brought by her apprentice's oral sex, was suddenly penetrated and screamed loudly with pleasure, her whole body arching into an arc.

Oral sex can never replace real intercourse, so the climax can only be considered a "false climax". The huge object entered her body, bringing a familiar feeling of fullness. Zhu Yuyan felt an unbearable numbness in her honey pot. The huge object, as hot as a burning coal, rubbed powerfully against the tender flesh of her flower passage. The soft and sore pleasure made her scream again, responding to Yuan Yueze's thrusts with shyness and passion. She shyly welcomed its touch against her flower core. Wave after wave of sticky and thick vaginal fluid gushed out, flowing through her slippery jade groove and down her snow-white thighs.

Wanwan leaned against the side, recovering her strength, while watching her master's wanton appearance, her excitement growing. She couldn't resist moving closer, letting her two full breasts rub against Yuan Yueze's back, seeking pleasure in the process.

As Yang Liming thrust harder and harder into Zhu Yuyan's narrow, lubricated flower passage, Zhu Yuyan's reborn, petite, and tight passage grew increasingly hot, scalding, and wet. Under the repeated friction of the thick, massive member, the tender walls of her honeypot involuntarily began to clench tightly, the incredibly sensitive and delicate mucous membranes clinging tightly to the thrusting, thick member.

Zhu Yuyan's intermittent moans and cries grew louder and more urgent with each thrust: "Husband... mmm... faster... ah... so good..."

While thrusting, Yuan Yueze also began to tease the little witch's fleshy hole behind him, and the little witch moaned joyfully.

In a short time, Zhu Yuyan was completely and uncontrollably immersed in the surging waves of carnal pleasure, her small mouth uttering incoherent cries. The sounds grew louder, more plaintive and melodious, alluring and seductive. Her cheeks were flushed, her delicate brows furrowed, and her cherry lips parted slightly as she let out soft moans—a captivating sight, a mixture of unbearable pain and sweet pleasure.

Yuan Yueze thrust wildly and domineeringly into the depths of Zhu Yuyan's mysterious, tight, and fiery honeypot. Drowning in the waves of desire, Zhu Yuyan's body was drenched in fragrant sweat from his increasingly powerful thrusts, trembling and twisting in response, hoping that each thrust would penetrate deep into the very core of her body.

The different styles of the master and disciple's moans and cries mingled together, like an enticing melody of decadence.

The enormous, burning hot tip of his penis rapidly kneaded Zhu Yuyan's already extremely sensitive, tense, and expectant flower core. Her sensitive core could only respond to the pleasure with even louder screams. With her apprentice present, her sensations were more intense than ever before. Under Yuan Yueze's fierce thrusts, Zhu Yuyan's orgasms came in waves, her slender waist arching, the muscles of her legs taut, making her appear even more delicate and adorable.

Suddenly, she cried out hoarsely, "It's coming... I'm dying... I'm dying... Oh!"

Her hot, wet vagina trembled uncontrollably, her lower abdomen aching, and streams of vaginal fluid gushed out, hitting the tip of Yuan Yueze's penis.

Yuan Yueze ground her throbbing core tightly, kissing every drop of sweat from her pretty face. After her spasms subsided somewhat, he pulled the impatient little devil over, and amidst her satisfied moans, thrust his spear all the way in.

After several more rounds, exhausting both master and apprentice, Yuan Yueze finally erupted.

After wiping them down and dressing them, he carried one on his back and held the other in his arms, returning to the palace.

A cold wind blew, and Zhu Yuyan, carried in Yuan Yueze's arms, became slightly more awake. Looking up, she saw Wanwan, looking tired, sleeping on Yuan Yueze's back. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she scolded, "You've ruined my reputation!"

Yuan Yueze, carrying the two women, felt no burden whatsoever, laughing as he ran, "If people always live for their reputation, what joy is there in life!"

Zhu Yuyan pouted, helplessly asking, "Weren't you going to see Qing'er? How did the polo match go?"

Yuan Yueze replied, "I'm going to visit Qing'er tonight. I came out to chase after you before the match was over, so I definitely don't know the result." Zhu Yuyan

nodded, said nothing more, and closed her beautiful eyes to rest.

In the main hall of 'Purple Smoke Pavilion',

Shan Meixian and the other women, along with Kou Zhong and the four polo players, sat around a table.

Xu Ziling picked up a piece of green vegetable and put it in his mouth, praising, "When it comes to cooking skills, we have to look to Sister Zhen and Brother Yuan. The food prepared by the imperial chefs these past few days has been simply inedible."

Ba Feng Han nodded in agreement, "The young marshal said the same thing yesterday. I thought he was just bragging, but after tasting it myself today, I know he was right. Madam's cooking skills are truly superb."

Wei Zhenzhen smiled generously and raised her cup to toast Ba Feng Han.

Hou Xibai interjected, "Not only are the ladies flawlessly beautiful, but they also evoke an indescribable feeling, a feeling that's hard to put into words. It's like the way I can chat with the Young Marshal without any reservations—a feeling I've never experienced with any other woman."

Shan Meixian thought to herself that this was the fundamental difference between being open and reserved. Lian Rou looked at Kou Zhong and interjected, "Why did you lose the last round? It was clear that Li Tang was no match for you; the match shouldn't have ended in a draw. Was it influenced by Li Yuan's announcement during the break that Bashu had decided to support Li Tang?"

Kou Zhong nodded and smiled wryly, "Please forgive me, sister-in-law. Explaining this would probably take some time."

The match ended perfectly, at least for both sides. The Young Marshal's team was stronger than Li Tang's, which was obvious to everyone, yet they gave Li Tang face in the end. The Young Marshal's strength and Li Tang's prestige left a deep impression. Ultimately, Kou Zhong was still somewhat soft-hearted; Li Tang's gains in the competition were clearly greater than those of the Young Marshal's team. This is because momentum is a strange thing; unlike strength, it cannot be accumulated in a predictable way. Therefore, if Yuan Yueze had been present, he would never have allowed this situation to occur.

With the situation in the Central Plains becoming increasingly clear, only the two major military groups led by Yuan Yueze and Dou Jiande possessed sufficient strength to rival Li Tang. Xiao Xian, who held considerable military power, was originally considered a major force vying for supremacy, but his situation was the most unfavorable. Restrained by Du Fuwei, Xiao Xian was unable to move. If he wanted to act, he could only do so before Luoyang was stabilized, because after that, Du Fuwei would surrender to the ruler of Luoyang. But this was clearly unrealistic. Shen Luoyan had already captured the strategically important city of Xiangyang three days prior, and Li Tang's expedition beyond the Great Wall was only a matter of time. Even if Xiao Xian possessed extraordinary abilities, he could not achieve anything significant under the watchful eyes of Zhu Can, Lin Shihong, and others. As for Kou Zhong, since his power was still in its early stages and outsiders generally considered him a puppet of Yuan Yueze, we will leave him aside for now. The Song clan, located in the remote Lingnan region, had maintained a low profile in recent years after losing its key figure, Song Que, and Song Shidao, who was initially a promising successor. They were more than capable of carving out their own territories and establishing their own power bases. However, relying solely on their own strength, and given that southerners were ill-suited to the harsh northern climate, they were

powerless to effectively control the situation. Meanwhile, Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu, allied with the Turks in the north, dared not act rashly until the Turks had forged alliances with the various tribes beyond the Great Wall. They could only watch from the sidelines as the battle for supremacy centered on Luoyang raged on.

Therefore, in this delicate situation, the choice made by Bashu (Sichuan and Chongqing) became the most crucial factor in turning the tide. Li Yuan received the envoy from Chengdu. This decision, once announced, immediately drew cheers from the Li Tang faction. Everyone knew Yuan Yueze was a formidable figure, and Guanzhong, without the natural barrier of Hangu Pass, would likely have been annexed long ago. Now, with the support of Bashu, a strategically vital region that offered both offensive and defensive advantages, Li Tang was even confident of victory against the combined forces of Yuan Yueze and Dou Jiande.

Shan Meixian and the other women clearly remembered their shocked expressions at the time. However, the matter was certainly not simple, so although they had questions, they didn't show any surprise, deciding to discuss it only after everyone had left.

Lian Rou addressed Kou Zhong without any formality, instead giving him a charmingly disdainful look.

After the meal, Ba Feng Han and Hou Xibai took their leave. One planned to continue practicing martial arts, while the other had accepted Li Yuan's invitation to paint for the court. Kou Zhong and Hou Xibai, since they were leaving the next day, also went back to sleep.

When only Shan Meixian, Xiao Bei, Song Yuzhi, and Xiao He'er remained sitting in the living room, Xiao Bei spoke up, "Something big must have happened in Chengdu, otherwise why would Jie Hui choose to support Li Tang? You know, the pressure my husband puts on him is no less than Li Tang's."

Shan Meixian frowned and said, "Let's not worry about this for now. Since it's already happened, let's send someone to investigate."

Xiao Bei nodded silently.

Song Yuzhi suddenly asked Xiao He'er, "What did my little sister mean when she said your friend Ji was in trouble at the basketball court?"

Xiao He'er, who had been radiant after enjoying the delicious food, suddenly paled upon hearing this, saying, "Li Yuanji has always harbored ill intentions towards Xiaoqian. A few days ago, he even went to Shanglin Garden to force her to make a decision before the Spring Festival: either become the Princess of Qi or leave Chang'an."

Song Yuzhi exclaimed in surprise, "How could this be? Ji Meizi's situation should be similar to Xiufang's, right? She's a well-known figure in Chang'an, and I don't think Li Yuan would allow Li Yuanji to force himself on Ji Meizi, lest it bring trouble to the Li family. Besides, Li Yuanji also needs to consider his own image and reputation. In addition, I know that most of Li Yuan's close ministers have good relationships with Ji Meizi, so Li Yuanji..." "You can only try to win Ji Meizi's heart like other suitors, how could you use power and influence to force her?"

Xiao He'er exclaimed in surprise, "I always thought Sister Yuzhi didn't like to get involved in these kinds of things, I didn't expect you to know so much."

Song Yuzhi smiled and said, "You don't know, among Li Yuan's trusted ministers, there is an inside agent that my father has been planting for many years."

Xiao Bei continued, "Li Yuanji's behavior is indeed a bit abnormal. He must have been secretly communicating with Li Yuan, because there are two people in Chang'an that Li Yuan most wants to bring into the palace, one is Ji Meizi, and the other is Hu Xiaoxian. With his lustful nature, how could he openly 'steal beauties' from his own son?" "Indifferent to the situation?"

Xiao He'er pouted. "I advised Xiaoqian for a long time today, asking her to come see Brother Yuan and have a calm talk. Only Brother Yuan dares to oppose Li Yuanji. Who knew the result would be like that..."

After a pause, she continued, "Xiaoqian has been in a chaotic place for too long, and being the most popular courtesan in Chang'an, she has gradually developed a temperamental and short-tempered personality. When she's in a good mood, she can be very obedient, but when she's in a bad mood, she throws a tantrum at any time and place, even kicking people out of casinos. I heard that now all the men in Chang'an are proud to have been kicked out by her, which at least means she can anger her. Actually, you guys shouldn't..." "Looking at her, she's actually very kind, but she keeps her heart tightly sealed, not letting outsiders get close."

Shan Meixian sighed, saying, "I'm afraid only a very few people, like my husband, would be ashamed to have been kicked out by her."

Xiao He'er said seriously, "Sisters, please think of a solution for me.

Xiaoqian has been through thick and thin with me; it's not a good idea for her to stay in the brothel all the time." Song Yuzhi said, "Then let's forcibly take her to Luoyang and then give her her freedom."

Xiao He'er shook her head, saying, "No, she's so stubborn; she'll probably go against us without considering the consequences."

The women almost simultaneously sighed helplessly; the messy situation was tormenting them.

"Leave it to me. Marrying me is a little better than marrying Li Yuanji!"

Yuan Yueze's voice rang out from outside the door.

The women's faces lit up with joy, but when they looked towards the door, they couldn't help but secretly curse.

Wherever Yuan Yueze, with his youthful vigor and fearlessness, appeared, he brought boundless vitality and hope.

Yuan Yueze carried Wanwan, who was fast asleep, and Zhu Yuyan, who was pretending to be asleep out of shyness, to the bedroom. He then sat down in the hall and exchanged information with the women.

After listening to Xiao Bei's detailed account of the events, Yuan Yueze pondered for a moment and smiled, "Whether Bashu supports Li Tang or not, they are no match for us. You don't need to worry about this. Fortunately, before I left last time, I spoke with Fan Zhuo, telling him to prioritize the gang. He should be on our side; he's just pretending to support Li Tang because of the situation."

He then took Xiao He'er's hand and asked, "Little sister, do you think the method I just mentioned is feasible?"

Xiao He'er naturally understood his meaning and hesitated, "But that wouldn't be good for Brother Yuan and Xiaoqian, would it? Your relationship with her isn't as deep as your relationship with the other sisters."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "Letting someone with her personality into my house would be like letting a rotten apple spoil the whole bunch. " "You've spoiled the whole thing. Sorry, I was being careless with my words, but don't you think it's quite apt?"

The women simultaneously showed expressions of disgust, with Xiao He'er particularly displeased, saying, "Brother Yuan, you're being too harsh! Xiaoqian isn't as willful and capricious as you think."

Yuan Yueze awkwardly replied, "Ji Qian's problem is far more troublesome than Liu Yu's, and Li Yuanji's abnormal behavior is also highly problematic."

Shan Meixian agreed, "Husband, you can go and investigate Li Yuanji's residence, Wude Hall, tonight. It's located in the West Inner Garden, so it's convenient to go back and forth."

Yuan Yueze said, "I need to see Qing'er tonight, so I'm afraid I can only go to Wude Hall tomorrow night."

Song Yuzhi suggested, "Husband, you can go and see Qing'er first, then explore Wude Hall."

"Big brother might even have a 'fortuitous encounter'!"

Dugu Feng's slender figure appeared at the door, stretching as she walked. Her alluring manner almost made Yuan Yueze's eyes pop out. He sat down, sipped his fragrant tea, and said contentedly, "Eating and then sleeping, so comfortable."

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Then you've really become a little pig. By the way, what 'fortuitous encounter' is Feng'er talking about?"

Ignoring the girls who were secretly laughing, Dugu Feng rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze and said, "Because that Consort Zhang is fond of collecting masterpieces, among the treasures of the four families of the previous generation..." Among them, only one original painting by Zhan Ziqian, "Winter Forest and Clear Distance," was missing. The painting that Father had asked Feng'er to give to Li Yuan had become Li Yuan's gift to curry favor with Consort Zhang. Consort Zhang had been constantly inviting him over these past few days, and during a meal, she drunkenly complained that Li Yuan liked to disguise himself and sneak out of the palace. "Brother, you should understand what that means!"

Yuan Yueze understood after a moment's thought: Li Yuan, accustomed to being emperor, wanted to experience the life of an ordinary person, so he disguised himself and sneaked out of the palace to entertain himself under a different identity. He was naturally fond of women, and naturally couldn't do without entertainment related to them. As a high-ranking person, Li Yuan was tired of using power to obtain women's bodies; he wanted to gain genuine admiration from women in an ordinary way.

And the 'chief steward' arranging this entertainment was none other than Yin Zuwen. Although Yin Zuwen was Li Yuan's father-in-law, it seemed unreasonable for Yin Zuwen to provide women to his son-in-law. However, considering Li Yuan's status as emperor, his fawning over Yin Zuwen becomes unsurprising.

Outsiders probably wouldn't understand Dugu Feng's meaning, but Yuan Yueze, having read the original novel, wouldn't agree.

He said, "Who can guarantee that if I go to check on Qing'er tonight, I'll definitely encounter Li Yuan leaving the palace?"

Song Yuzhi interjected, "Today they first gained the allegiance of Bashu, and then saved face on the polo field. Isn't this the perfect excuse to go out and have fun?"

Yuan Yueze nodded in sudden understanding, saying, "Zhenzhen has a close relationship with Consort Lian, and you're also close to Consort Zhang. Is Consort Yin close to any of you?"

Shan Meixian replied, "Yuzhen is often invited by Consort Yin; they've been scheming against each other these days."

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.

It was nearly midnight, the moon and stars shining brightly.

Yuan Yueze stood like a ghost on a large tree overlooking the backyard of the Yin residence, looking towards the main building. The main hall was brightly lit, and the faint sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard.

Bai Qing'er had been subjected to Zhu Yuyan's 'Imprisonment Technique,' making it easy for Zhu Yuyan to track her every move in Chang'an. Before Yuan Yueze left, Zhu Yuyan had told him that Bai Qing'er had been staying at Chi Shengchun's residence these past few days. Zhu Yuyan had also pretended to visit Yin Zuwen's residence. They already knew that Yin Zuwen would not keep Bai Qing'er in his own residence.

Tonight, Yuan Yueze had many tasks: first, to investigate the Yin residence and try his luck to see if he could really encounter Li Yuan, who was indulging in pleasure; second, to find Bai Qing'er, as agreed; and third, to find Li Yuanji.

The Yin residence was his first target. From what he had just seen, Yuan Yueze could not tell whether Li Yuan was in the Yin residence, but he could see that Yin Zuwen was indeed a person who indulged in nightly revelry and thoroughly enjoyed the world's riches and luxury.

Most people are never satisfied; their pursuit of power and wealth is endless. People like Yuan Yueze and his friends, who have no interest in power or fortune, are a minority.

Before he could finish his reflection, he heard light footsteps.

Looking closely, he saw four people walking leisurely towards the building along a gravel path through the trees in the garden, chatting and laughing.

Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes, focused his attention, and concentrated on his ears, relying mostly on his senses to avoid alerting them.

He recognized two of the four. The one in the middle was Li Yuan, dressed in plain clothes. The man to his left was about the same height, with hawk-like eyes, a hooked nose, and graying temples; he had a powerful appearance and appeared to be only in his forties. Although he didn't recognize him, the fact that he could walk alongside Li Yuan indicated that he was of high status. The other two lagged slightly behind, presumably feeling their status was insufficient to walk alongside the two. One was Yin Zuwen, and the other was a eunuch.

Normally, Yuan Yueze probably wouldn't even bother to glance at the eunuch, but just now, when the eunuch turned to scan his surroundings, Yuan Yueze recognized him from a fleeting, peculiar, yet familiar look in the man's eyes—he was none other than Xi Feng, with whom he had fought before.

He had actually managed to disguise himself and infiltrate Li Yuan's inner circle as a eunuch; tonight's gains were indeed considerable. No wonder he hadn't been able to find Xi Feng; it turned out the guy had been hiding deep within the palace.

Li Yuan laughed, "Your evening was truly wonderful. Yin Guoyue's arrangements were impeccable—first-rate beauties, first-rate dances."

The man beside him smiled, "This is genuine. Congratulations, my worthy brother, on acquiring another beauty."

Li Yuan was the emperor, yet this man still treated him as an equal, addressing him as a brother, indicating a deep friendship between them. Furthermore, his cultivation was extraordinary; his true age was at least sixty years old. He and Xi Feng, disguised as eunuchs, were undoubtedly Li Yuan's personal bodyguards.

The four stopped before the steps of the small building. Li Yuan nodded and said, "Brother Yuwen, you jest. How about we come here again to have some fun the night before last? Or perhaps somewhere else?"

The man frowned and said, "For now, my dear brother, it's best to limit your activities to the Yin Guoyue residence. Once we get rid of Yuan Yueze and Shi Zhixuan, you can go wherever you like."

Li Yuan smiled wryly, "How could I not obey what you say, brother?"

Yin Zuwen flattered, "The clan leader is thinking of the Emperor's safety! And even more so, he's thinking of the people of the world."

Yuan Yueze instantly understood the man's background.

The four most prominent clans in the martial arts world are the Li clan, the Dugu clan, the Yuwen clan, and the Song clan. The first three clans are major clans in the north, and have long been loyal to successive dynasties. Therefore, although these three clans are constantly fighting for power, their relationships remain intricate and ever-changing. In the struggle following the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the Yuwen clan collapsed, and its remaining followers, relying on old ties, sought refuge with Li Yuan. The man before him was none other than Yuwen Shang, the head of the Yuwen clan. In terms of martial arts, among the four major clans, "Heavenly Blade" Song Que was

undoubtedly the best, followed by Yuwen Shang, Yuwen Huaji's uncle, who was even superior to Li Yuan. With such a master protecting him, Li Yuan could relax and enjoy himself. But Li Yuan was clearly a fool. Yin Zuwen not only had an unusual relationship with Xi Feng, but Yuwen Shang was also a supporter of the Turkic Shamanism in the Central Plains.

Wait a minute! Shamanism and the Great Ming Zun Sect should be irreconcilable enemies, so why would Xi Feng appear with Yuwen Shang?

Yuan Yueze suddenly felt a headache coming on.

-

Chapter 094 Discussing Zen and Tao

Yuan Yueze left the Yin residence and headed straight for Yongfu Ward in the northeast of Chang'an City.

It was the dead of winter, and the weather was bitterly cold. In the dead of night, the streets were deserted, making the place seem even more desolate and lonely.

He hadn't gleaned much useful information from the conversation between Li Yuan, Yuwen Shang, Yin Zuwen, and Xi Feng. So, after they left, he rushed out, carefully pondering why Yuwen Shang was associating with Xi Feng and Yin Zuwen. After much thought, he could only deduce one answer: as a high-ranking member of the Great Ming Sect, Xi Feng naturally knew more than the other two; he was probably the one truly in control. Moreover, Zhu Yuyan had mentioned that Liu Yu was secretly watching, meaning they must have meticulously planned their conquest of the Li Tang forces. This was what Yuan Yueze needed to focus on next.

He had now reached the north side of Yongxingfang, where a cold wind was howling.

He suddenly turned south, heading towards a small, dark temple not far away.

Before the stone lions at the gate stood an elderly man in a tall hat and wide robe, with a long beard and an ancient, simple face. His already tall stature was accentuated by the heavy brocade robe, making him appear even more imposing. He gazed intently at the starry sky, exuding the air of a reclusive hermit.

Noticing Yuan Yueze's arrival, the old man glanced back briefly, smiled slightly, and continued to look up at the heavens.

His serene gaze left a deep impression on Yuan Yueze. That single glance seemed to lead into another world, completely untouched by worldly affairs, as if eternally existing on a mysterious and unfathomable level, containing an immense and unparalleled power. His calm and ethereal gaze revealed frankness, sincerity, and even a touch of childlike innocence. Combined with his ancient and slender face, he possessed an otherworldly charm.

Approaching him, Yuan Yueze said, "So you are the Daoist Master Ning. I am honored

to meet you." He then joined him in gazing at the sky.

It was the mysterious and profound spiritual connection between masters that led Yuan Yueze here. This old man was none other than

Ning Daoqi, the 'Recluse' hailed as the number one person in the Central Plains. A cold wind blew intermittently, and the usually bustling street was now deserted except for two people with leisure to gaze at the stars. The two stood with their hands behind their backs; any outsider passing by would surely freeze in place. For the two seemed to have become independent entities transcending heaven and earth; the feeling of being both present and absent, both real and illusory, fully demonstrated their extraordinary cultivation. After a long silence, Ning Daoqi said softly, "Look! How beautiful the starry sky is! The entire constellation, impossible in the human world, becomes possible." Yuan Yueze agreed, "Just as our eyes gaze upon the stars, we are intimately connected with nature. The truly enlightened can even merge their own vital energy with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and may even enter the boundless realm of the 'Tao' in the chaos. King Wen studied celestial phenomena and debated the principles of heaven, ultimately creating the *I Ching*. This shows the profound truth contained within the starry sky. If one can open their mind to contemplate it, one can explore the true meaning of nature and pursue the pinnacle of wisdom." Ning Daoqi, still gazing at the starry sky, said naturally: “Well said, young master. How would you describe tonight’s starry sky?” Yuan Yueze replied, “Sixteen words: magnificent and radiant, vast and profound, solemn and sacred, free and tranquil.” He paused, then continued, “In the past, there were three gods in the world: the Southern Emperor in the south, the Northern Lord in the north, and the central god named Hundun. He treated the Southern Emperor and the Northern Lord extremely well, so they gathered to discuss how to repay their kindness. They decided that everyone should have seven orifices for seeing, hearing, eating, and breathing. So they had one hole drilled in Hundun every day. After seven days, Hundun had opened all seven orifices and died. Since you are a master of Laozi and Zhuangzi, you should understand what I mean.” Ning Daoqi showed slight surprise, his expression becoming serious. Yuan Yueze had already guessed that the other party had come prepared; talking about looking at the stars was just a pretext. Ning Daoqi was a supreme Taoist master, a man of profound wisdom. Every word he uttered was significant; with just a few words, he had secretly begun a war with Yuan Yueze. What he wanted to do was undermine Yuan Yueze's confidence. He knew that at their level of cultivation, physical cultivation was negligible; their focus was entirely on improving their spiritual cultivation, and a calm mind was the guarantee of spiritual improvement. If Yuan Yueze hadn't answered well, Ning Daoqi would have retaliated, accusing him of outdated thinking and thus affecting his mental state. But Yuan Yueze, with just a few words, displayed his far-sighted vision, broad mind, and profound wisdom to Ning Daoqi, rendering his attempt futile. The parable of 'the awakening of chaos' was the beginning of Yuan Yueze's counterattack; his words already revealed the 'natural way' contained within the starry sky, subtly mocking Ning Daoqi and others who studied the 'Dao' but didn't understand the true 'natural' essence of the 'Dao'.

Ning Daoqi, of course, understood the implication. He stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Young master is right. We are indeed following the trend, even anticipating the consequences. You should have known long ago that we support the King of Qin, because the Li Tang dynasty is now no different from the powerful Qin of the late Warring States period. Unification is only a matter of time, ordained by Heaven. That's why I've shamelessly come here to ask you to consider the well-being of the people and stop now."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that they were taking advantage of the fact that Bashu had submitted and the Li Tang was at the height of its power. If this had happened to someone else, it would indeed have been a moment of great despair, when their confidence was severely shaken and they were most easily persuaded. Unfortunately, this tactic had no effect on Yuan Yueze; he was completely unaffected by the surrender of Bashu.

He could easily wage war against Ning Daoqi, or even kill him, but he preferred to shatter the other's beliefs. So he said leisurely, "There is still a chance for fate to change. It is too early to say who is the most qualified to contend for the Central Plains."

Ning Daoqi smiled and said, "Young master must have heard the story of the 'Way of Walking on Water'!"

Yuan Yueze nodded.

The story of "The Way of Swimming" tells of a man describing to Confucius how he learned to swim. Confucius asked him, "Is there any special method to swimming?"

The man shook his head and replied, "I have no special method. At first, it was my natural inclination; as I grew up, it became my habit; and my achievements came naturally. I went down to the bottom with the eddies and swam to the surface with the upward current, going with the current without resisting it. That is my way of swimming."

Confucius asked for a more detailed explanation, and the man replied, "I was born in the mountains and was content with mountain life; that is called my natural inclination. Growing up, I lived by the water and was content with water life; that is called my habit. I don't know why I live this way, but I live this way; that is called naturalness."

Ning Daoqi's words are even more shrewd than Shi Feixuan's. This story aptly illustrates that Yuan Yueze was arguing illogically, because he acted "according to his own will," not in the way he claimed to have achieved "naturalness."

But the clash of deeply ingrained beliefs is irreconcilable. No matter how extraordinary you are, you still can't change the deepest beliefs in someone else's heart, just as both of them believed their own 'Dao' was the Great Dao.

Yuan Yueze's expression remained unchanged, showing that he was not disturbed by Ning Daoqi's 'offensive'. He calmly said, "I give you eight words, Master: 'Even thieves have their code of honor,' and bid you farewell!"

After saying that, he flew towards the palace.

Ning Daoqi's expression had become complicated.

The situation was beyond his expectations, and all his prior preparations had been ineffective. Yuan Yueze's defense was perfect, and he could seize the opportunity to launch the most fatal blow.

"Even thieves have their code of honor, even thieves have their own" are both parables from Zhuangzi. "Even thieves have their own code of honor" tells the story of how King Lu, to show his love and respect for a seabird, played the most beautiful music in the palace for the bird and treated it to the most sumptuous feast. However, the bird, oblivious to King Lu's hospitality, was terrified and became erratic, refusing to eat a single piece of meat or drink a drop of water. It starved to death in just three days. This story suggests that Ning Daoqi, knowing only this aspect and not that aspect, violated the standard that different objects should be treated differently; all his actions were wishful thinking and a waste of time. The

saying "Even thieves have their code of conduct" refers to the story of Dao Zhi, a notorious thief from the Spring and Autumn period. Dao Zhi's subordinates asked him for his "rules of the great thief." Dao Zhi replied: "To be able to guess how much wealth is stored in a house is sainthood; to be the first to enter is courage; to be the last to leave is righteousness; to judge whether to act is wisdom; to divide the loot equally is benevolence. It is impossible to become a great thief without these five qualities."

This set of teachings is exactly the same as the Confucian "Way of the Sage." If the "Way of the Sage" is used to educate virtuous people, they can be cultivated into sages; if it is used by wicked people, they can become great thieves. However, there are few sages and many great thieves in the world, showing that the "Way of the Sage" brings more harm than good to the world. Yuan Yueze ostensibly criticizes Confucianism, but in reality, he is subtly satirizing the hypocrisy of Ning Daoqi and his group of righteous people.

Of course, the "Way" here generally refers to principles and methods; throughout China's thousand-year history, those great thieves who have used these as "morality" are worthy of praise.

Yuan Yueze's words are inseparable from Laozi and Zhuangzi, forcing Ning Daoqi, this master of Laozi and Zhuangzi, to reveal a crack in his mind. This method of "using one's own spear to attack one's own shield" is extremely profound.

Today is just a small test; the war with the righteous path has only just begun.

To avoid arousing Ning Daoqi's suspicion, Yuan Yueze bypassed the palace and arrived at the back wall of the Chi family mansion in Yongfu Ward. He suppressed all signs of life, including body odor, faint heartbeats, and pulses. Following the message from Bai Qing'er, he arrived at an inconspicuous, dilapidated entrance to the basement in the northeast corner of the mansion.

It was just past midnight, and most people in the Chi mansion had already gone to bed, with only a few buildings still lit. All was quiet and peaceful. Once he was certain there were no vicious dogs or experts nearby, he didn't hesitate and lightly stomped his feet twice.

Suddenly, a crack appeared in the door piled with goods, and Yuan Yueze slipped inside like a ghost.

The basement was luxuriously decorated. Before Yuan Yueze could even take a good look at the room, Bai Qing'er, dressed in light clothing, grabbed him and rushed into the bedroom. She slipped under the covers and pressed her warm

, fragrant lips against his, whispering, "Zuo Youxian is just outside, be careful, young master." Yuan Yueze, his mind reeling from her shapely, fragrant body, bluntly said, "Give me a kiss first." Before Bai Qing'er could protest, he forcefully pressed his lips against her soft cherry blossoms, teasing her clumsy, inexperienced tongue while greedily sucking her sweet saliva.

Bai Qing'er hadn't expected him to be so forceful. Her first kiss was stolen instantly, her mind went blank, and she instinctively grabbed Yuan Yueze's head, returning the kiss with soft moans.

When they parted, Bai Qing'er suddenly became more sober. She gently pushed Yuan Yueze away, her jade-like hand firmly pressing down on his mischievous hand that had slipped inside her undergarment. She whispered reproachfully, "You lecherous devil! What if someone finds out?"

Yuan Yueze said softly, "This is a technique that Mei Xian taught me, similar to the Heavenly Demon Field. All sounds can be controlled within the field, and only those with higher cultivation than me can hear our conversation."

Only then did Bai Qing'er raise her head with relief. In the dim light, Yuan Yueze noticed that her pretty face radiated a holy and flawless glow, making it difficult for modern people to discern good from evil, and making her beauty even more extraordinary, indicating that her 'Charming Maiden Heart Technique' had made further progress.

Yuan Yueze's strange hand lightly pinched her breast. Bai Qing'er's long, slender eyebrows furrowed slightly and then relaxed. She smiled and said, "Does Young Master only want Qing'er's body?"

Yuan Yueze stared at her dumbfounded for a long time before releasing her hand and saying, "If that's what you think of me, then we shouldn't have any more contact."

Bai Qing'er pressed closer and continued, "Qing'er isn't like Master and Senior Sister, people you liked before you even came to this era. They're just minor characters, so naturally there's no need to worry about them."

Yuan Yueze pulled his hand away... He pressed his hand against her pert, fragrant buttocks, and said resentfully, "Don't you know the difference between reality and ideals? How can longing and actual experience be the same? In my heart now, you are all equally important. When have you ever seen me show favoritism?"

Bai Qing'er exaggeratedly exclaimed "Ouch!" before scolding, "Young master, you're so boring. Can't Qing'er even joke?"

Then, she said seriously, "Yin Zuwen wants Qing'er to perform for Li Yuan on the first night of the month. Do you think there might be some problems?"

Yuan Yueze then stopped what he was doing and exchanged detailed information with Bai Qing'er. While Bai Qing'er greatly admired Yuan Yueze's eloquence, Yuan Yueze said, "There are too many things involved. I'll go back and discuss it with them. You must be very careful."

Bai Qing'er felt Yuan Yueze's concern and said with a smile, "Qing'er's 'Charming Maiden's Heart Technique' is about to be perfected, but unfortunately, I can't find out much information. I can only take it one step at a time."

Yuan Yueze kissed her again and said, "When will Qing'er surrender? Wan'er surrendered long ago."

Bai Qing'er pinched him shyly, saying, "That'll have to wait until we leave Guanzhong!"

Yuan Yueze nodded, pressing her head against his chest, and said, "I'll put Qing'er to sleep before I go find out about Li Yuanji."

Bai Qing'er's slightly flushed face held a satisfied smile. After offering a kiss, she twisted her body, found a comfortable position, and closed her beautiful eyes.

Yuan Yueze, however, frowned, his bright eyes fixed on the roof.

At the first watch of the night, heavy snow began to fall again in Chang'an.

Zhu Yuyan, dressed in a close-fitting outfit with a long overcoat, walked through Yankang Ward and turned left onto Yong'an Street. Ahead lay the 'Yong'an Canal,' which stretched across Chang'an from north to south and was over ten zhang wide, with the magnificent Yuema Bridge standing majestically over it.

The heavy snow continued to fall, and the surroundings were deserted. The frigid weather even made the city patrollers hide in their post checkpoints to slack off.

Zhu Yuyan slowly walked to the bridgehead, seemingly speaking softly to herself, "Now that you two have arrived, why not show yourselves?"

A strange and humorous Buddhist chant came from the frozen river, followed by the soft sound of bells. The chanting seemed to come from a distant horizon, indistinct if one wasn't paying attention, but clear and distinct if one focused—clearly a miraculous skill of Buddhism.

In the cool, hazy night, two monks appeared. One, holding a staff, possessed an elegant and refined air, a robust and imposing figure, and white eyebrows and beard, standing on the bridge. The other sat casually on the railing. At first glance, he seemed over a hundred years old, given his long white eyebrows that reached past his ears and his snow-white beard that covered his protruding belly. But upon closer inspection, while his eyes were bright and piercing, his skin was as smooth as a baby's, fair and rosy, radiating youthful vitality, and his bald head reflected the moonlight. Though plump, he wasn't bloated, exuding a leisurely and contented air, giving off a kind and approachable feeling.

Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly and said, "So it's Venerable Dixin of the Huayan Sect and Master Daoxin of the Chan Sect. Yuyan greets you both." Venerable Dixin

clasped his hands together and said, "It's been decades since we last met. Your Majesty, you are still as elegant as ever, and your divine skills have greatly improved. Congratulations!"

Zhu Yuyan returned the greeting and thanked him, saying, "You all arrived in Chang'an within nine days and stayed at the Dongda Temple. I was unable to pay you a personal visit, which is truly impolite."

If someone unaware of the inside story saw this warm scene, they would surely think that the three were long-lost friends exchanging greetings.

In reality, even before they met, a subtle power struggle had already begun among the three.

Zhu Yuyan was naturally not like Yuan Yueze, who had a 'defensive counterattack' personality. She would never let the initiative slip away, so she launched the first offensive.

Daoxin took a swig from his gourd and said, “My heart encompasses the vast emptiness, my capacity extends to the boundless sands. I search for spring all day, yet find no spring; my straw sandals wear out the clouds on the mountain peaks. Returning home, I casually smell the plum blossoms; spring is already fully present on the branches. Throughout history, the Demonic Sect has produced many talented individuals, but none have ever mastered the ‘Great Method of Planting Demons in the Heart of the Dao.’ You, Zhu Yuyan, have profound blessings, having successively mastered the ‘Great Method of Heavenly Demons’ and the ‘Great Method of Planting Demons in the Heart of the Dao,’ transforming from demon to Dao, your temperament has drastically changed, and your cultivation has surpassed the realm of the celestial beings. I deeply feel that the cruel and bloodthirsty aura you possessed decades ago is gone.”

His words, however, did not fully express his thoughts; the brilliance lay in the poem. The poem spoke of how people, in their pursuit of life's truth and wisdom, often put the cart before the horse, seeking externally instead of internally. Daoxin merely wanted to enlighten the transformed Zhu Yuyan, asking her about the will of her ‘true heart’ before choosing her actions. Because ‘a pure heart is Buddha, Buddha is the heart’ is precisely the essence of Zen, as taught by the Fourth Patriarch Daoxin.

Zhu Yuyan stood gracefully, without uttering a word.

The Venerable Emperor Heart continued, “Though the seed of a flower depends on the soil, the flower grows from the soil. If no one sows the seed, the flower will not grow on the soil. When Master Daoxin was still an adult, he paid homage to the Third Patriarch of Zen, Master Sengcan, and asked, ‘I beg the Venerable Master to have compassion and grant me the Dharma of liberation.’ The Third Patriarch countered, ‘Who binds you?’ Master Daoxin replied, ‘No one binds me.’ The Third Patriarch said, ‘Why seek liberation?’ Does Zhu Yuyan understand the meaning behind this?”

Zhu Yuyan was not foolish; how could she not understand? What the Third Patriarch meant was that human bondage is not external, but internal. Bondage entirely stems from the inverted delusions of one's own mind—that is, discrimination, calculation, and attachment. If one sees through these delusions, knowing that they come without coming and go without going, that they are inherently empty, and no longer swayed by them, then liberation can be attained. Without inner liberation, one will not be at ease anywhere. Therefore, liberation resides in the mind, not externally.

In truth, neither Daoxin nor Dixin could fathom Zhu Yuyan's thoughts at this moment. The only thing they could do was to proceed with courtesy before resorting to force, explaining their reasoning before taking any further action.

Zhu Yuyan said, "The mind is pure and undefiled, inherently perfect. By detaching oneself from delusions, one becomes like a Buddha. Yuyan understands this principle and has always acted accordingly." Daoxin

and Dixin were momentarily at a loss for words.

Zhu Yuyan meant that a person's mind is like a beautiful jade; even when placed in polluted water, it retains its luster. It's just that people haven't consciously discovered it. Once these impurities are removed, one's Buddha-nature can be revealed. This implicitly conveyed the idea of 'great seclusion in the wilderness,' subtly stating her position and attitude.

The Emperor persisted, saying, "Since Empress Zhu, having achieved such great divine power, is so connected to Buddhism, why does she still linger in this mortal world? Know that a hundred years of life is but a fleeting moment, like a white horse galloping

past a crack in the wall; in the blink of an eye, dust to dust, ashes to ashes, all vanish into nothingness. Finding a secluded place in the deep mountains brings personal freedom and brings peace to all living beings—why not?" Zhu Yuyan smiled and replied, "At midday, I sit by the window, engrossed in my book, my mind filled with a virtual world. The birdsong seems to understand my heart, their joyful cries breaking through the shade of the green willows. Your Excellency should understand my heart now!"

This Zen poem suggests that everything in the world is a virtual construct of the mind, not that the world is false and meaningless. As long as those who are immersed in it are not too attached and learn to view the world from a more detached perspective, they can learn much more from it.

Daoxin was slightly taken aback, then sincerely praised, "Your Majesty has truly undergone a transformation, uttering such Zen-like words."

Zhu Yuyan shook her head, saying, "I only often chat with my daughter, Meixian, and I heard all this from her."

Before Daoxin and the other could speak, Zhu Yuyan continued, "I have a question, but I don't know if I should ask it?"

Daoxin said, "Please speak, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuyan gazed at a pawnshop faintly visible in the snow in the distance and said, "The pawnbroking industry flourished during the Southern Dynasty, supposedly originating from the 'temple treasury' system of Buddhist temples. Is that correct?"

Emperor Xin nodded, "Indeed. Your Majesty, do you wish to ask why Buddhist temples engage in such lucrative activities, which contradicts the renunciation of worldly desires of monks? In reality, monks also need to eat. Temples can accumulate vast wealth through donations from various levels of society to support the livelihoods of numerous monks, conduct various religious activities, and maintain and expand their temples." Building a temple requires funds, so the idea of "making money from money" came to mind, through lending and profiting. The Buddhist concept of "endless treasury" also contains the saying, "Without ceasing to generate interest, its benefit is inexhaustible,"

and the maxim, "At that time, the six assemblies should sow seeds, sow seeds that yield interest, either taking or giving, either producing or pledging." Therefore, monks could confidently lend money and profit to support the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Zhu Yuyan nodded, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Venerable One. If there's nothing else, I'll offer you four lines of advice before taking my leave."

Daoxin and Dixin were confused by Zhu Yuyan's question. Daoxin nodded, saying, "Please come again, Venerable One! Until we meet again."

Zhu Yuyan nodded slightly, turned gracefully, and walked slowly forward, her clear voice reciting, "White clouds escort me out of the mountains, the red dust fills my eyes. Do not say there is no good in the city, for every speck of dust, every moment, every pavilion..."

Daoxin and Dixin's expressions finally turned serious.

Zhu Yuyan recited a verse of profound meaning, suggesting that monks retreat to remote mountains to escape the hustle and bustle of the world. However, true Buddhist practitioners should not think this way. As the saying goes, "Originally there is nothing, where can dust settle?" Even within this inescapable world, one's own practice ground is found. Whether it's a speck of dust, a fleeting moment, or any other place, it is both the world and the pure land. As long as one can reach the state of "non-duality of purity and defilement," nothing else matters.

These four sentences, combined with the previous question about the 'pawnshop,' theoretically provided Daoxin and his companion with a favorable counterattack, and also demonstrated Yuan Yueze's attitude that he would never stand idly by while so many monks who were not truly Buddhist disciples 'grew powerful.'

Zhu Yuyan pondered as she walked.

She had sensed the spiritual aura emanating from Daoxin and his companion after entering a meditative state, within the unique and wondrous spiritual realm of the Demon Seed Technique. That was why she had come out to meet them in the middle of the night. The three of them seemed to be chatting casually, but in reality, they were searching for weaknesses and vying for the initiative. In the end, it ended with Zhu Yuyan gaining a slight advantage.

Like Yuan Yueze, Zhu Yuyan could also guess the main reason why Bai Dao had made his move at this moment, and she thought much deeper than Yuan Yueze: the 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault' was planned by Yang Su, a prominent minister and general of the previous dynasty, to be used as a tool for rebellion when Emperor Wen, Yang Jian, was dealing with him. Furthermore, Lu Miaozi, known as the "Number One Master Craftsman Under Heaven," designed a secret location for his treasure. The items hidden there were undoubtedly extraordinary; whoever possessed them would have unpredictable consequences, far exceeding the reach and significance of the "He Shi Bi" (a legendary jade disc). They would not only influence the struggle for supremacy but also affect the balance of power between good and evil in the martial arts world.

Under the long-standing influence of the "Evil Emperor" Yuan Yueze, a sense of fear naturally arose in the hearts of the people. If he succeeded in seizing Luoyang through cunning and claimed the "Yang Gong Treasure Vault," it would ultimately create a two-way struggle with the already powerful Li Tang dynasty, leading to a prolonged period of division and suffering for the people far exceeding that of the present. More importantly, Yuan Yueze was a member of the demonic path who opposed the rise of any single religion. If he won, the demonic sects could very well surpass Buddhism and Taoism, resulting in a decline of Taoism and an increase in demonic power—a precarious situation.

Therefore, both Buddhism and Taoism had to seize this opportune moment to stop Yuan Yueze; today's events were merely the beginning.

Reaching out to catch a beautiful snowflake, Zhu Yuyan drifted into the West Garden like a ghost.

---

Chapter 095 The Promise of Growing Old Together .

When Yuan Yueze slipped out of the Chi residence, it was nearly midnight.

Braving the heavy snowfall, Yuan Yueze cursed inwardly at how quickly the once bright and clear weather had changed, as he hurried along the northern city line towards the West Garden.

The Wude Hall was quite famous in the old Sui Dynasty. Located in the West Garden, adjacent to the East Palace, it was here that Emperor Wen of Sui issued his edict deposing Crown Prince Yang Yong into a commoner. In the early Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan granted Li Shimin residence in the Chengqian Hall and later granted Li Yuanji

residence in the Wude Hall, which facilitated his communication with Crown Prince Li Jiancheng. In a few leaps, bypassing the already distracted guards, Yuan Yueze crept into the residential complex behind the Wude Hall, where a few lights were still lit.

Soon, a magnificent mansion appeared before him, with two imposing jade lion statues lifelike and grand in appearance before the gate. A dozen or so bright lanterns hung high on either side of the vermilion gate, emitting dazzling light. After thinking to himself how extravagant

it was, Yuan Yueze leaped into the courtyard. He focused his ears, listening intently to any sounds emanating from the buildings where the lights were still on. Strangely, the sounds coming from inside were long, even breaths, as if the people inside were fast asleep. However, a faint sound came from a dark room on the right, seemingly a man and a woman talking, but due to the distance and the walls, it was unclear.

Yuan Yueze leaped out and crept to the window of that room, listening carefully.

After a series of kissing sounds and the rustling of clothes, Li Shimin's familiar voice rang out, softly saying, "You've suffered."

Another soft, breathy female voice replied, "For you, I fear nothing."

Then came the sound of kissing again.

Yuan Yueze clicked his tongue in amazement; the two inside must be Li Shimin and his brother's wife, Yang Guimei.

Is it really that interesting to steal someone else's wife?

Yuan Yueze, this old-fashioned man, couldn't understand it at all.

But the sounds and actions of the two people inside the room had clearly escalated, and then Yang Guimei's delicate voice rang out again: "No...no, I invited Xiuning to keep me company. What if she finds out!"

Li Shimin indeed stopped what he was doing and said, "Third brother, did you go to Shanglin Garden to seek pleasure again and not come home at night?"

Yang Guimei didn't answer, but Yuan Yueze guessed that Li Shimin must have guessed right, otherwise how would he dare to come and steal someone?

After a while, Yang Guimei's voice rang out again, and she sobbed, "You must be careful. The Prince of Qi was drunk the night before last and said that he would definitely not let you live past the spring hunt. I'm so scared!"

While confirming his guess, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that Yang Guimei really cared about nothing for Li Shimin. Such important news, if it were any other woman living in the palace, would just pretend that nothing had happened to avoid getting into trouble.

Li Shimin remained silent for a long time before sighing sadly, "Thanks to your news, my elder brother and third brother have been so cruel to me. We are of the same blood, how can we be so cruel to each other!"

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, if Li Shimin's words were sincere, the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident' would not have happened.

In reality, Yuan Yueze's view was biased. Li Shimin launched the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident' because he had been oppressed by the Crown Prince's faction. If he didn't seize the initiative, he would only be killed by Li Yuan, who was easily swayed by slander, and his two brothers. Objectively speaking, as an ancient emperor, Li Shimin's achievements are worthy of the title 'Emperor of a Thousand Ages'. The biggest difference between him and Yuan Yueze lay in their stances and methods of handling affairs. This stemmed from their different identities. Yuan Yueze was a free-spirited rogue, while Li Shimin was a politician skilled in power struggles and only seeking personal gain.

As the kissing resumed, Yang Guimei's moaning voice rang out again, "No... Xiuning..."

Li Shimin said, "When is Xiuning coming? Perhaps we should send someone to tell her not to come!"

Yang Guimei chuckled, "She won't arrive for another half hour, will she? I just sent someone to invite her. Are you going to stay here if she doesn't come?" Li Shimin laughed

, "That's exactly what I was thinking. What other news do you have? Tell me quickly."

Yang Guimei smiled charmingly, "If you want to know the news, you'll have to show some skill!"

Then, with a soft cry, the two became entangled again.

Half an hour was indeed enough for them to "have their fill."

Yuan Yueze had no interest in eavesdropping on such things. Since Li Yuanji wasn't there, he should have retreated, but judging from the conversation between the two inside, it seemed Yang Guimei had some important news she hadn't revealed and wanted to curry favor with Li Shimin. Therefore, he had no choice but to go outside first and wait until the two inside had finished their "great undertaking" of lovemaking before he came back to eavesdrop.

Just as he leaped over the high wall and circled back to the gate, two pretty palace maids emerged, chatting and laughing.

One said, "The princess often comes to keep the queen company, but she never comes late at night. Do you know why?"

The other whispered, "Gossiping! Don't you want to live? Hurry up and get some sleep so you can come back to fetch the princess."

The two women glanced around and hurriedly slipped away.

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized something: if Li Xiuning were to witness Li Shimin and Yang Guimei's affair, the awkwardness between them wouldn't matter to Yuan Yueze; wouldn't he lose the information Yang Guimei had revealed?

So he hurriedly leaped back into the courtyard and listened carefully.

Li Shimin and Yang Guimei were deeply in the throes of their illicit lovemaking, their breathing and moans heavy and suppressed, clearly enjoying themselves.

Li Xiuning had just come out of the south wing, presumably to change her clothes, and was walking in this direction.

Yuan Yueze had no time to ponder why Li Xiuning had arrived earlier than Yang Guimei had predicted. He swiftly moved forward, pressed his large hand against her lips, and pulled her behind a large tree in the garden. He whispered in her ear, "It's me."

Li Xiuning initially stiffened, but upon smelling Yuan Yueze's familiar scent, she immediately stopped struggling, turned her head, and nodded to him, her large, watery eyes conveying trust.

Yuan Yueze released her grip, and Li Xiuning pressed her graceful body against him, her face slightly flushed. She asked in surprise in a low voice, "Why is Young Master here?"

The close contact between them caused her delicate, pale face to gradually turn red with embarrassment, making her incredibly alluring.

Yuan Yueze paused for a moment, then pointed to the dark room. Seeing Li Xiuning's puzzled expression, he realized that she hadn't learned martial arts and therefore had poor senses. He picked her up and said, "You'll understand when we get there."

Li Xiuning was incredibly embarrassed, yet secretly pleased by his gesture. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nodded slightly.

When Yuan Yueze stopped outside, Li Xiuning's body trembled violently, and her face turned deathly pale.

It wasn't because of the faint sounds of lewd whispers coming from inside, but because the owners of those two familiar voices were none other than her second brother and her third sister-in-law.

Glancing at the bewildered Li Xiuning in his arms, Yuan Yueze lightly pecked her cheek and whispered, "I just happened to run into this. Your third sister-in-law might reveal some big news to your second brother afterward, so I'll have to trouble you to listen here."

Li Xiuning didn't know whether to answer or not. She felt very comfortable in Yuan Yueze's embrace, and the sounds in the room seemed to bewitch her, making her feel her body rapidly warming up. Even in such cold weather, she could still feel the fragrant sweat on her forehead. What was even more unbearable was that because the two were pressed tightly together, Yuan Yueze's hand was pressing against the edge of her breast. That large hand seemed to have magic, transmitting waves of electricity into her body through her clothes. Her consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred, and Yuan Yueze's normal male physiological reaction was pressing against her fragrant buttocks, making her feel hot all over and her mouth dry. Although she had been born into a wealthy family and grown up in the palace, and was well-versed in matters of love and sex, she was still a virgin, and the man holding her was the one she had fallen for. How could she possibly control herself?

Sensing that the two inside were nearing ecstasy, and that Li Xiuning in his arms was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, Yuan Yueze hurriedly sealed her panting lips with his own, channeling his inner energy to help her breathe.

Li Xiuning's pent-up desire was suddenly ignited by this kiss, exploding forth, and she threw herself into the passionate kiss without restraint. While listening to the sounds of her second brother having an affair with her third sister-in-law coming from inside, she kissed Yuan Yueze without making a sound, a strange thrill rising within her. She twisted her body slightly, squeezing her entire left breast into Yuan Yueze's hand, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Yuan Yueze, being no saint, didn't hold back. The two inside grew faster and louder, and the two outside did the same. Only one remained still, the other moving.

After Yang Guimei let out a desperate, hoarse moan from inside the room, silence returned.

Yuan Yueze had already left Li Xiuning's cherry lips, where her eyes were glazed, her body trembling, and her breath coming in short gasps. A gust of cold wind brought Li Xiuning back to her senses, and she buried her face in Yuan Yueze's chest like an ostrich, her embarrassment growing even stronger upon hearing Yang Guimei's voice.

After a while, Yang Guimei's charming voice came through, saying, "I secretly saw a letter in Prince Qi's study. It says to deal with Yuan Yueze during the spring hunt. Isn't that good news?"

Li Xiuning's body visibly trembled. Li Shimin's voice rang out, "Indeed, it's good news. That way, I won't have to bother."

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly—what a load of rubbish! Anyone who dared to mess with me would only face certain death.

Yang Guimei hesitated, then asked, "Would you kill Prince Qi and the Crown Prince?"

Li Shimin replied softly, "How could I? We're brothers, blood is thicker than water. They harmed me, but I can't bear to harm them."

Yang Guimei said happily, "That's good then. I've always felt... I felt..."

Her voice trailed off. Li Shimin said considerately, "I know you feel sorry for your third brother, but has he done right by you? I promise you I won't kill him, is that alright?"

A loud kiss rang out. Yang Guimei, this infatuated woman, had clearly been deceived by Li Shimin. Suddenly, Yang Guimei exclaimed softly, "Oh no, Xiuning is coming soon! You'd better leave through the back door!"

Li Shimin responded, and the sound of dressing could be heard from inside.

Yuan Yueze hurriedly carried the silent Li Xiuning to a secluded spot and asked, "Xiuning, what do you plan to do?"

Li Xiuning struggled to stand up and whispered, "I want to go back. No servants saw me when I was changing clothes."

Yuan Yueze sighed and said, "You don't need to blame yourself. Only one of you can live, your second brother or I. You should have known that long ago. If he or anyone else has the ability to kill me, I welcome it. I'll take you back."

Watching the guards and maids seemingly invisible to Yuan Yueze as he sneaked into Princess Yiyuxuan's bedroom, Li Xiuning sighed inwardly, her face flushed, and struggled to get up. She straightened her disheveled and wrinkled clothes, and when she looked up, she met Yuan Yueze's lecherous eyes. Her face turned even redder, and she stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

Realizing his lapse in composure, Yuan Yueze scratched his head and said, "Xiuning, have someone inform your Third Sister-in-law, then go to sleep. It's late."

He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped, frowning. "Hmm! This smells familiar."

Li Xiuning quickly looked up, feigning composure, and said, "Thank you, young master, please go back."

Her behavior was clearly unusual. Yuan Yueze ignored her, wrinkling his nose as he took a few steps to the left. Before Li Xiuning could catch up, he pushed open a small door, revealing a small study inside.

Li Xiuning grabbed Yuan Yueze's sleeve, pleading, "Young Master, please leave. This is where Xiuning paints; there's nothing worth seeing here."

Yuan Yueze shook his head, saying, "No."

He then dragged the weaker Li Xiuning along, until they saw a stack of soft paper exuding a refreshing fragrance on a delicate pine desk. He bent down to sniff it, then reached into his robes, took out an envelope, and opened it. Inside were a neatly folded silk scroll and a piece of paper. Comparing them, he found the fragrance was exactly the same.

Li Xiuning could no longer hold back and burst into tears, throwing herself into Yuan Yueze's arms.

This left Yuan Yueze at a loss; nothing he said mattered. Her tears flowed like a burst dam.

After crying for what seemed like an eternity, until her tears had probably dried up, Yuan Yueze stroked her trembling back and whispered, "You were the one who warned me to be careful in Luoyang and Chengdu, weren't you?"

Li Xiuning lowered her head, offering no reply.

Yuan Yueze then said apologetically, "In Chengdu, I was too devastated by the news of Yu Yan's death, so I lost control of my emotions and said some very hurtful things. Only now do I truly understand Xiu Ning's feelings. Anyone could betray me, but you certainly wouldn't."

Li Xiu Ning leaned weakly on his shoulder, choking back sobs as she murmured, "In Chengdu, even Xiu Ning's personal maid was bribed by Third Brother. Just from her strange behavior when she recognized you, Third Brother deduced it was you. Xiu Ning truly hates that you saved me in Luoyang. Why didn't you want me to die? That way, I wouldn't be in such pain."

Yuan Yueze glanced at her; her once bright and clear eyes were now clouded and dim.

Who truly knew the bitterness in her heart, torn between family and true love? It was a miracle that such sorrow hadn't driven him to madness. Yuan Yueze had gone to extremes to avoid being put on the defensive, and while he was satisfied, he had caused immense suffering to the unrequitedly infatuated Li Xiu Ning.

After sighing, Yuan Yueze solemnly said, "After the Central Plains are unified, I will marry Xiu Ning. Are you willing to marry me?"

Li Xiu Ning raised her head in surprise, first showing joy, then her face fell.

These words were tantamount to saying that only one of Yuan Yueze and Li Tang could survive to the end. This was the outcome she least wanted to see, yet it was something no one could change. Li Xiuning looked at him with tears welling in her beautiful eyes, her face upturned, a sight that could break one's heart, and said sorrowfully, "Why is this happening?"

Then she said resolutely, "Young Master, forget Xiuning!"

Yuan Yueze didn't even think, and said in a terrifyingly calm voice, "No problem, I will leave after the Spring Festival, take care!"

Watching Yuan Yueze's imposing figure disappear out the door, Li Xiuning could no longer stand, her beautiful eyes red and swollen, her face deathly pale, and she collapsed softly.

Just as she said: Why is this happening?

But she had no choice, because she had fallen in love with the mortal enemy of her family.

Yuan Yueze didn't take this to heart at all; a temporary stalemate between the two was better for everyone. He had already decided that once the world was at peace, he would take Li Xiuning away, even if it meant forcibly. Her pitiful appearance had captivated Yuan Yueze's heart. She sacrificed too much for the family's interests.

I'll make it up to her with happiness someday!

Thinking this, Yuan Yueze rushed back to the VIP hotel.

He carried the sleeping Zhu Yuyan to Shan Meixian's side, embracing one in each arm, and slept soundly. The next day, Yuan Yueze, who had almost had his head twisted into a pig's head, discussed the matter with the women and concluded that Yin Zuwen intended to offer Bai Qing'er as a gift to Li Yuan. In this way, after the spring hunt, Li Shimin would be killed, and Li Yuan would be captivated by Bai Qing'er. When the time came, Li Yuan would be of no use. While ordering Bai Qing'er to make love to Li Yuan, Yin Zuwen could use the "Charming Maiden's Heart Technique" to kill Li Yuan in the midst of his ecstasy. Bai Qing'er, already "poisoned," would also suffer a terrible fate afterward. This perfectly fulfilled the malicious wish of Yin Zuwen. He wasn't even worried about the reaction from Zhu Yuyan and Yuan Yueze if they discovered this, because Bai Qing'er was already Li Yuan's concubine. If a conflict arose because of her, the Li family and Yuan Yueze would fight endlessly, a scene that Yin Zuwen and others would be more than happy to see. The mastermind behind this plan was likely the vicious and cunning Xi Feng or Liu Yu.

Yuan Yueze couldn't visit Bai Qing'er frequently, so he decided to send one of the women with lower cultivation levels to see her before the Spring Festival. He just needed to inject his special power into her sea of consciousness to ensure no one could harm her.

The three Li brothers, the mysterious Liu Yu, Shi Zhixuan, and the Bai Dao group, all engaged in their own power struggles, were secretly plotting something. Yuan Yueze had no interest in paying attention to them. That afternoon, he took Xiao He'er to Shanglin Garden. Xiao He'er naturally came to see Ji Qian, while Yuan Yueze was just there to cover for her; he wanted to see Shang Xiufang.

Before even reaching the entrance of Shanglin Garden, the radiant Hu Xiaoxian stood gracefully in the crowd, smiling and waving at Yuan Yueze. In the bustling flow of people, she was like a splash of red amidst a sea of green, injecting a vibrant energy into the scene. Her hair was styled in a coiled bun, her face adorned with vermilion floral decorations, and she wore a pale green, tight-sleeved blouse, a crimson shawl, a creamy white, narrow-legged skirt, and pointed shoes, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure. While her beauty paled in comparison to the women in Yuan Yueze's household, her captivating eyes possessed a seductive allure that was utterly irresistible.

Yuan Yueze, accompanied by the displeased Xiao He'er, entered Shanglin Garden alone. After instructing the timid guards to take good care of her, he approached Hu Xiaoxian alone.

Upon approaching her, Yuan Yueze asked, "Is there something you need, young lady?"

Hu Xiaoxian stared at Yuan Yueze for a long while with her captivating eyes before smiling sweetly, "This humble servant wishes to speak with you further, young master. Is that convenient?"

From her gaze, Yuan Yueze sensed her subtle use of seductive arts. He glanced at her without changing his expression and said with a hint of disgust, "No need. I must go protect my little sister."

Hu Xiaoxian was taken aback, then pressed closer, smiling seductively, "But what have I done to offend you, young master?"

"Ahem!"

A light cough rang out, still clear in the bustling street, indicating that the person who coughed was a trained fighter.

Yuan Yueze turned his head and saw several burly men escorting a man towards them.

Frowning, Yuan Yueze immediately recognized the man as Chi Shengchun. Although he was taller than Xiang Yushan, his slender and refined appearance bore a striking resemblance to the Xiang Yushan depicted by Hou Xibai. His demeanor was refined, devoid of any vulgarity typical of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world), and a confident, sophisticated smile played on his lips, revealing his sociability. He wasn't handsome, but his appearance was pleasing to the eye.

Seeing Yuan Yueze turn to look at him, Chi Shengchun cupped his hands and smiled, "Younger brother Chi Shengchun greets Brother Yuan."

Then, turning to Hu Xiaoxian, he said, "I didn't expect to see you here, Xiaoxian."

Hu Xiaoxian adopted a pitiful, charming expression, most likely to captivate men, and moved closer to Yuan Yueze, almost pressing her ample breasts against his arm, casually smiling, "I was just passing through; thank you for your concern, Boss Chi."

Her every expression and movement was charming and alluring, radiating a captivating allure that stirred the imagination.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Chi Shengchun's eyes, but he maintained his composure as best he could, saying, "I heard that Brother Yuan has won against 'Northern Thunder' Lei Jiuzhi and Miss Hou of Baling. Would you be interested in playing a few rounds at my 'Six Fortune Casino'?"

He then turned to Hu Xiaoxian and asked, "Great Immortal, are you satisfied with that 'Illustrations of Virtuous and Wise Women'?"

Hu Xiaoxian nodded awkwardly.

Yuan Yueze had felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. Chi Shengchun's demeanor certainly displeased him, so he calmly replied, "I need to go see my younger sister, so I cannot accompany you. If Brother Chi is interested, we can gamble our lives on it another day, how about it?"

At this point, he suddenly remembered his previous bet with Ji Qian, the outcome of which he had long forgotten.

Hu Xiaoxian shuddered involuntarily, recalling Yuan Yueze's frenzied behavior last time. Chi Shengchun, who had initially been disdainful, was immediately taken aback upon hearing this. He could only brace himself and say, "I heard that Brother Yuan once had a life-or-death bet with Miss Ji of Shanglin Garden, but the result is unknown to outsiders. Could it have been a draw?"

Yuan Yueze shook his head and asked Hu Xiaoxian, "Does Miss know the result of that bet?"

Chi Shengchun and his group were completely baffled: Yuan Yueze had bet his life and didn't even know the result? This was too ridiculous.

Hu Xiaoxian unabashedly placed her jade hand on Yuan Yueze's arm and said with a charming smile, "Please come in, young master, and I will explain it to you in detail."

After saying that, she ignored Chi Shengchun, whose eyes were about to spit out anger, and led the bewildered Yuan Yueze around to the backyard of Mingtangwo.

Once inside the quiet VIP lounge of Daxian Hall, where no one else could disturb them, Hu Xiaoxian released Yuan Yueze's arm and sat down across the table with an air of nonchalance. Her alluring demeanor was enough to make anyone lose their senses, except for Yuan Yueze, whose expression remained blank. Because Hu Xiaoxian was constantly using her seductive arts, he would have already stormed off if he hadn't been deep in thought.

After sitting down, Yuan Yueze tapped the dice cup on the table and said, "Miss, don't play games with me. Just say what you need to say quickly, I have urgent business."

Hu Xiaoxian tried her best, but Yuan Yueze wouldn't even glance at her. Dejected, she said, "Is it because I have no appeal at all? Young Master won't even look at me."

Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "You are naturally charming and full of youthful energy, but it's a pity you have to use such wicked seductive arts. It's as if you lack confidence in your own charm."

Hu Xiaoxian smiled sweetly and said, "I thought only a woman like Xiufang could move Young Master's heart."

Yuan Yueze chuckled and said, "Miss, could you tell me the result of the bet that day?"

Hu Xiaoxian frowned and said reproachfully, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave, Young Master? Your little sister won't be in danger at Shanglin Garden!"

Yuan Yueze shrugged, remembering what Hu Xiaoxian had said on the street, and said, "Miss, what did you mean by 'let's talk further' on the street? If you don't tell me, I'm really leaving."

Hu Xiaoxian, unusually shy, said softly, "Young master, will you have time at dusk? I've already reserved a table at Fuju Restaurant in the West Market."

Yuan Yueze frowned, but a sudden realization flashed through his mind: Hu Xiaoxian was probably using him to deal with Chi Shengchun.

Chi Shengchun had always harbored ambitions towards Hu Xiaoxian. If Yuan Yueze hadn't appeared in this space, Chi Shengchun would have bought the 'Winter Forest and Clear Distance' painting from the Dugu family at a high price as a betrothal gift to marry Hu Xiaoxian. Recalling Hu Xiaoxian's behavior in the street just now, it was probably a deliberate act to incite Chi Shengchun's jealousy and fear of Yuan Yueze. And the painting Chi Shengchun mentioned was probably a substitute for the 'Winter Forest and Clear Distance' painting. It seemed that the painting had already fallen into Hu Fu's hands, and Hu Xiaoxian's fate was about to be decided. Since Hu Xiaoxian was only Hu Fu's adopted daughter, sacrificing the happiness of a daughter was nothing to Hu Fu, who was always thinking about how to develop the Great Immortal Sect. Therefore, she had no choice but to seek help from the fearless Yuan Yueze.

Having thought all this through, Yuan Yueze said calmly, "You want to use me, don't you?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Hu Xiaoxian's eyes, but she did not answer.

----

Chapter 96 The Battle of Wits

Hu Xiaoxian asked in surprise, “Why would you think of me like that, young master? I merely admire you!”

Yuan Yueze, stubborn as ever, assumed she was being hypocritical and sneered, “What makes me worthy of admiration?”

Hu Xiaoxian covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, “Just your humble attitude is a great virtue. The other day, I saw you hand the note from Shanglin Garden to your wife in public. Although it was a small matter, it shows how honest and respectful you are to your wife.”

Yuan Yueze stood up and walked out, saying, “If any woman in the world doesn’t want a complete husband, that’s the biggest joke. I already have enough wives; I can’t accept your kindness. Don’t joke with me anymore. Farewell.”

Although he only thought Hu Xiaoxian’s words were just his daily habits, he couldn’t deny that it was indeed the best proof of honesty and trust between lovers, and also a manifestation of how he differed from men of this era. Hu Xiaoxian's answer was indeed brilliant, but unfortunately, she encountered a rare case of stubbornness.

Staring blankly as Yuan Yueze left, Hu Xiaoxian's eyebrows furrowed tightly, and she slumped down.

Just as she entered the Shanglin Garden, a burly man approached, bowing respectfully and saying, "Young Master Bai has sent me to invite Young Master Yuan to the second floor for a chat."

Yuan Yueze was completely bewildered, wondering where Young Master Bai had come from.

Despite these thoughts, he didn't stop walking, nodding to the man and following him into a side hall at the south end of the second floor.

The burly man closed the door and left.

The room was tastefully furnished, simple yet elegant, with paintings of landscapes, birds, and animals hanging on the walls, exuding a scholarly atmosphere. Only one person was inside; his back seemed familiar, admiring the paintings.

Hearing the burly man's footsteps fade into the distance, he turned around and said, "Greetings, Brother Yuan."

It was Hou Xibai's familiar voice, though he was wearing a rather unremarkable mask, making it difficult to distinguish his true identity.

Yuan Yueze sat down and smiled, "Was this mask given to Brother Hou by Kou Zhong and the other two?"

Hou Xibai pulled off the mask and nodded, saying, "Besides Master Lu, who else in the world could make such a perfect mask? It's inconvenient for me to meet you in my true form, so this is the only way."

As Shi Zhixuan's personal disciple, and quite compatible with Yuan Yueze and Kou Zhong, he was indeed in a difficult position, caught in the middle.

Yuan Yueze smiled faintly and said, "Brother Hou, is there something important that you've come to see me?"

Hou Xibai gave a helpless smile and said, "It's nothing important. I've just been too stressed lately, so I came out under a different identity to drink and have some fun. When I saw Brother Yuan's younger sister arrive, I knew that Brother Yuan would definitely come as well, so I called you over."

Yuan Yueze thought that since he could freely enter and leave the palace, Shi Zhixuan would definitely assign him some tasks that he didn't want to do, which was why he was so depressed. So he raised his cup and said, "Life inevitably has its share of disappointments, just take it easy. Let's drink to that."

After downing his drink, Hou Xibai sighed, "Even someone like Brother Yuan has his share of disappointments, what am I compared to him!"

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "I'm happy every moment, it all depends on how you choose to act. By the way, Brother Hou, have you noticed anything suspicious during your stay in the palace?"

Hou Xibai pondered for a moment and said, "I heard from several palace maids who were once servants of the Li family in Taiyuan that the palace is very safe because there are experts who have followed Li Yuan for many years secretly protecting it. I don't know about the others."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that these experts must be either Xi Feng or someone else. Who could it be? Suddenly, he remembered the few people of unknown origin who had secretly protected Li Xiuning in Luoyang that day, and realized that Li Yuan indeed had many experts around him. He then entrusted Hou Xibai with the task of keeping an eye on Xi Feng, who was disguised as a eunuch.

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed in Hou Xibai's eyes. Shi Zhixuan must have given him such an order.

Yuan Yueze continued, "Brother Hou, your application of painting to martial arts, and martial arts to the Dao, is truly marvelous. I, a mere mortal, cannot compare to you, haha."

Hou Xibai's eyes shone brightly, and he clapped his hands several times, exclaiming, "That's right! If I could integrate the realm of painting into martial arts, creating a new path, it shouldn't be inferior to the 'Undying Seal Technique,' which I've struggled to understand. When I paint, my intention is in the brushstroke, transcending self and others; the brush follows the intention without any hindrance, and my mind contains nothing but the world within the painting. Ha! Fortunately, Brother Yuan reminded me, otherwise I fear I would not only be entangled to death by the superior 'Undying Seal Technique,' but also unable to defeat Yang Xuyan, who has learned evil arts."

Then, he swiftly opened his folding fan, laughing, "Brother Yuan's talent is beyond my reach! Just the five questions on the Tianjin Bridge alone have spread throughout the world and been discussed by many schools of thought."

Yuan Yueze shook his head and chuckled, wondering if Hou Xibai had yet to grasp the concept of applying painting to martial arts. He then curiously glanced at the smooth fan surface and said, "I've heard that Brother Hou's 'Beauty Fan' is made of ice silkworm silk, impervious to swords, with ribs forged from refined steel and bonded together with sap from a thousand-year-old oak tree. It emphasizes 'beauty, craftsmanship, lightness, and elegance,' and is painted with beauties from all over the world. How come it's different from the rumors?"

Hou Xibai replied, "That day outside Luoyang, I fought alongside Brother Yuan—ha! Perhaps it wasn't really a joint effort. After returning to Luoyang, I had the honor of meeting your wife, Miss Susu. I apologize, but I really can't connect her with the word 'wife.' Alas! How can I put it? When I first saw Feixuan, it was like seeing a precious piece of calligraphy. I felt there couldn't be a better beauty in the world. But after meeting several of Brother Yuan's wives in Luoyang, like the thousand-pound maid from the Pegasus Ranch, I truly understood the essence of beauty. It transcends all human language, and even surpasses..." The Zen-like quality of my younger brother's paintings... Since then, I've spent a fortune to exchange this fan, which I'll never paint on again. Hou Xibai is no longer the Hou Xibai of the past. Before, I always longed for intimacy, but now I only appreciate it. Only in this way can the most moving and mysterious feeling between men and women be preserved.

He casually and naturally shook his head and recited: "Though throwing oneself into someone's arms is moving, how can it compare to the desire to resist? And the desire to resist is not as good as the longing for what is unattainable. Love that cannot be obtained and has no outcome is the most moving."

Seeing Yuan Yueze's amused expression, Hou Xibai asked curiously, "Brother Yuan, do you think there's anything wrong with my thoughts?"

Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that everyone has different ideas, but each has their own reasoning. It's like the ancient stories of Kuafu chasing the sun and Yu Gong moving mountains. I value the process of striving and fighting more. As for the outcome, since it's not something one can control, it's unpredictable. Actually, I think Brother Hou is too fixated on the result."

Hou Xibai was taken aback, then smiled helplessly, "Perhaps so. People are always different, and even after thousands of years of debate, we probably still won't reach a definitive conclusion on who is superior. However, my brother and Feixuan greatly admire Brother Yuan's carefree personality."

Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "I'll pass on Feixuan's admiration; I can't accept it."

Hou Xibai knew he harbored resentment towards Feixuan, so he didn't mind, saying, "If I'm not mistaken, Feixuan will definitely come looking for you these next few days. I saw her the other day; she just arrived from Chengdu."

He paused, then said wistfully, "After leaving Chang'an, she truly returned to her sect, never to return to the world again, completely isolated."

Yuan Yueze's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly thought of the decision by Bashu to submit to the Tang Dynasty, which must have been related to Feixuan. He had no interest whatsoever in whether Feixuan would return to the world.

Just as he was about to speak again, footsteps sounded outside; it was Ji Qian inviting him.

Yuan Yueze didn't have a good impression of Ji Qian, but thinking it must have been Xiao He'er's idea, he followed the maid under Hou Xibai's ill-intentioned gaze.

Entering Ji Qian's small house, not far from Shang Xiufang's residence, and into the luxurious and elegant living room, he saw Ji Qian and Xiao He'er chatting and laughing around the table. This beauty, whose fame was second only to Shang Xiufang, was dressed in Hu clothing—a short-sleeved, tight-fitting top with a turned-down collar, trousers, and leather boots. This outfit not only showcased her slender, graceful, and delicate figure but also possessed a lively and healthy beauty, a kind of feminine charm disguised as a man.

In contrast, Xiao He'er's looks were far inferior, but in Yuan Yueze's eyes, Xiao He'er was clearly more adorable than Ji Qian.

This was the problem with being so stubborn.

Xiao He'er was the first to come over and pull him down to sit, saying, "There are no outsiders here today, so please stop arguing and talk things out, okay?"

Ji Qian was noticeably less cold than before, which made Yuan Yueze uncomfortable. So he coughed and tried to make conversation, saying, "Um... um... what should we talk about?"

The two women were taken aback, then burst into laughter. Xiao He'er almost rolled on the floor laughing, clutching her stomach, and said, "Xiao Qian, you see? Although Brother Yuan isn't good at lying, he's actually quite funny."

Then, seeing Yuan Yueze's bewildered expression, she became serious and said, "Brother Yuan, you must help Xiao..." "Qian, we absolutely cannot let Li Yuanji succeed."

Ji Qian saw that Yuan Yueze didn't even glance at her. Just now, her charming and alluring laughter would have captivated any man, yet this promiscuous man wouldn't even look at her. Her arrogance flared, and she threw a tantrum, saying, "Although you are not from the lower realm, don't think that Ji Qian is after you. I am a mortal woman, and you don't need to condescend to help me."

Only then did Yuan Yueze look at her carefully. Little Crane, seeing that her eccentric temper was about to flare up again, and knowing that the ending would inevitably be unpleasant, kept tugging at her clothes under the table.

Yuan Yueze glanced at Xiao He'er again, surprised, and asked, "Did my little sister tell her about my background?"

The matter was of great importance, and Xiao He'er dared not raise her head. She nodded slightly and whispered, "I had no other choice. Marrying Brother Yuan is better than marrying Li Yuanji, right? Anyway, I'd find out sooner or later!"

Yuan Yueze and Ji Qian almost simultaneously said, "Nonsense!"

Ji Qian coldly interjected, "Let's stop here. I'll forget about your background soon." With

a muffled snort, Yuan Yueze echoed, "Do you think I'd marry a woman like you with big breasts and no brains? But think carefully about why Li Yuanji is acting so strangely..." "Isn't there some kind of conspiracy involved? Otherwise, why would I say another word to you?"

Ji Qian had been angered by him several times, and this time it was a blatant insult. In fact, she wasn't stupid; how could she not have guessed the motive behind Li Yuanji's unusual behavior? However, once her anger flared, she couldn't remember anything else. She disdainfully said to Yuan Yueze, who was leisurely drinking tea, "What conspiracy could he possibly have! I'm just a helpless little woman. At most, he might take my body, but what else could he do?"

Yuan Yueze curled his lip and quickly tapped her head a few times with his fingers. How could Ji Qian, who had never learned martial arts, dodge that lightning-fast speed? She heard him say, "That's why I say you're all looks and no brains. Now your relationship with my little sister is already known, and my relationship with my little sister isn't a secret either. It's hard to say that this isn't a vicious scheme he's using against me." Ji

Qian, who had been evenly matched with Yuan Yueze, suddenly showed a weak demeanor. Her beautiful eyes reddened, and two crystal tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She suddenly stood up, crying and staggering as she rushed out the door.

Yuan Yueze suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Ultimately, his disregard for Ji Qian's womanly nature stemmed from his dislike of her unreasonable and capricious behavior. But no one is born that way; a person's character is inextricably linked to their childhood experiences and social circle. Ji Qian's fate was already unfortunate, and she had spent years surrounded by men who coveted her beauty and sought to conquer her. Over time, she naturally closed herself off, adopting an aloof demeanor. She was cold and arrogant, but everyone has a heart; the more someone acts this way, the more lonely and vulnerable they are inside, only they hide it exceptionally well.

Thinking of all this, Yuan Yueze stroked Xiao He'er's hair, whose face was filled with grievance and confusion, and said softly, "Little sister, don't worry. From today onwards, no one can force Ji Qian to do anything she doesn't want to do."

Xiao He'er was overjoyed and buried her head in Yuan Yueze's arms. Yuan Yueze's words had already made his stance clear: Ji Qian could not only avoid the calamity of Li Yuanji, but would also regain her complete freedom in the future. Could there be anything more exciting than this?

Noticing that Yuan Yueze's roguish hands were starting to wander again, Xiao He'er twisted her delicate body, a clear sign of arousal.

This was understandable; a virgin girl, constantly being groped and teased by this rogue Yuan Yueze, only to have him stop at the crucial moment—it was too inhumane. Who could stand it?

Yuan Yueze asked, "What is Xiufang busy with?"

Xiao He'er raised her flushed face and pouted angrily, "You only remember Sister Xiufang! She's been composing a song for Xiaoqian these past few days, which Xiaoqian is going to perform at the Spring Festival Gala."

Yuan Yueze nodded. The Spring Festival Gala was just a small performance; the real show would take place during the spring hunt three days later. He got up to go find Ji Qian to have a heart-to-heart talk when a maid outside the door stopped him, saying that Hu Xiaoxian wanted to see him.

After pushing away the disgruntled Xiao He'er, Yuan Yueze asked her to convey a few words of apology to Ji Qian and followed the maid to the front hall.

He felt he should make contact with Hu Xiaoxian, at least to glean some clues and information. Among the various enemies, the relationships between the Great Ming Sect, the Crown Prince's faction, and Yin Zuwen were the most difficult to ascertain. Chi Shengchun was the nephew of Xu Liuzong, another disciple of the Extinction Path, and his relationship with Yin Zuwen was far from simple; this was evident from the fact that Yin Zuwen had safely hidden Bai Qing'er in his residence.

Upon arriving at the front hall, he saw Hu Xiaoxian standing there, dressed in a different outfit. Gone was her alluring beauty; instead, she possessed a delicate, pitiful charm.

Hu Xiaoxian seemed slightly surprised that Yuan Yueze had readily accepted her invitation. After instructing someone to take good care of Xiao He'er, the two set off towards the West Market, where Fujulou was located.

Walking side-by-side on the neatly paved streets, Yuan Yueze paid no heed to the envious glances of those around him, simply taking in the bustling prosperity of Chang'an's markets.

Seeing that Yuan Yueze didn't speak or look at her after leaving, Hu Xiaoxian could only point to a row of dozens of silk shops along the roadside and introduce them to him. Then she said, "How could you agree to my request so easily, young master? You looked so scary before!"

Turning his head to look at her, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but think of Shan Wanjing, who was traveling overseas. So a deep look of longing appeared in his eyes, and he said, "Enough with the nonsense. Miss is so smart, how could you not guess the answer?"

Having encountered countless men, Hu Xiaoxian could discern the true nature of even the slightest expression. She naturally understood that the man's affectionate demeanor wasn't directed at her, and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. "How could I possibly guess? Rumor has it that the ladies of your household are incredibly wise; I'm no match for them."

Yuan Yueze gently squeezed her hand, which was unabashedly resting on his arm, and continued walking. "So, young lady, you finally realize you shouldn't use your charms on me? If I have the ability to help you solve your problems, just say so. Why resort to such childish tricks?"

Hu Xiaoxian said aggrievedly, "But how can I easily trust people? There aren't many good men out there... Oh! I didn't mean the..." "Except for you, young master."

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "If you always judge the whole world based on your limited perspective, then you're like a frog in a well. How can 'men' be summarized by the understanding of just one or two people? You've exaggerated the 'commonality' and ignored the 'individuality'."

Hu Xiaoxian thought for a moment, then wrapped her slender arm around Yuan Yueze's arm and said happily, "Young master, what you say is so sweet! So I thought about it for an hour and decided to try my luck again. It seems I've come to the

right place this time!" Yuan Yueze followed her tone and asked, "What troubles do you have, young lady, that I can help you with?"

Hu Xiaoxian looked worried and sighed softly, "It's precisely because I can't find a suitable husband that..." "Isn't the young lady troubled by this? Heh! I was just joking. My real trouble is that someone thinks he's my ideal husband, but I feel disgusted whenever I see him. Can you help me find a solution, young master?"

Yuan Yueze pondered for a while, then smiled and said, "Who dares to force the young lady to do something she doesn't want to do?"

Hu Xiaoxian, like a little girl, held up her fingers and counted them one by one: "First is that bastard Chi Shengchun, who thinks he's better at gambling than me and is the most qualified to be my father's son-in-law; second is Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, who was the one who proposed marriage; the third person is the most hateful. I thought he was taking special care of our Hu family, but it turned out to be the opposite. And besides that, there's a fourth person, my old man..." "Father, alas!" He was forced into it; who told him to covet Chang'an, dreaming that one day the Li family would rule the world, allowing him to vigorously develop the gambling industry. "Young master, do you think I'm currently surrounded by enemies, with no control over my own destiny?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Then the third person forcing you is Consort Yin's father, Yin Zuwen? Why don't you explain clearly, young lady?"

Hu Xiaoxian looked around in slight panic, then whispered in astonishment, "How could you have guessed, young master?"

Yuan Yueze turned his head and said, "Our voices are all controlled within a foot by my aura. Unless someone's cultivation is higher than mine, no one can hear us."

Hu Xiaoxian was first taken aback, then smiled sweetly, her expression becoming much more relieved.

Yuan Yueze continued, "What's so strange about that? The two largest open and legal casinos in Chang'an are 'Mingtangwo' and 'Liufu Casino.' You have Yin Zuwen, the father of Li Yuan's favorite concubine Yin Defei, backing you up, while 'Liufu Casino' has Li Yuanji protecting it. So you both have a very strong position, and even Li Shimin,

who advocates banning gambling, can't do anything to you." Hu Xiaoxian saw Yuan Yueze calling out Li Yuan's name in the street. Although outsiders couldn't hear it, she still subconsciously glanced left and right before letting out a sigh of relief. She raised her left hand and lightly patted her high, round chest twice, thinking to herself that this famous man was indeed notoriously lawless. Yuan Yueze continued, "If I'm not mistaken, you're now in a desperate situation. The painting Chi Shengchun mentioned should have already been given to your father as a betrothal gift, but I wonder if he has agreed?"

Hu Xiaoxian pouted and said, "What you say is true, sir. Chi Shengchun somehow obtained an authentic work, 'Illustrations of Virtuous and Wise Women,' by Wang Shijiang, the uncle of Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who is known as the 'First in Calligraphy and Painting.' Five days ago, he showed it to my father for appraisal. Then, Prince Qi, on his behalf, wanted to use it as a betrothal gift to marry me. However, I strongly objected, so my father had to stall for time and use his words to persuade me. Alas! Time is running out. When Prince Qi holds a birthday banquet for one of his concubines at the end of the first month, my father will have to give him an answer."

She wanted to add, "If you don't save me, sir, I will have no choice but to commit suicide," but fortunately, remembering Yuan Yueze's strange personality, she stopped herself in time. Otherwise, if Yuan Yueze misunderstood that Hu Xiaoxian was threatening him, there would be no room for negotiation.

Yuan Yueze realized that forcing Hu Xiaoxian to marry Chi Shengchun was a clever tactic by the Xiang family to expand their gambling business. The Xiang family was infamous and ostracized by the righteous martial arts world. If the Tang dynasty unified the country, it would surely sweep away their businesses. However, if the Xiang family could merge with Da Xian Hu Fu's gambling empire through marriage, they could legitimately expand their operations under a different guise. Yin Zuwen, who secretly colluded with the Xiang family, had ulterior motives in supporting Mingtangwo.

With a sigh, Yuan Yueze revealed his thoughts.

Hu Xiaoxian was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.

But given Yuan Yueze's character, he would never slander Yin Zuwen and Chi Shengchun, as they were unworthy.

Hu Xiaoxian was in turmoil; the situation was beyond her control. She anxiously said, "I need to go back and discuss this with my father."

Without even bowing, she turned to leave.

Yuan Yueze grabbed her arm and said, "Although they have ulterior motives, they won't harm you for the time being. I have even more shocking news for you, don't you want to hear it?"

Hu Xiaoxian's body stiffened, but she immediately regained her previous charming demeanor, took Yuan Yueze's arm again, and said with a smile, "Young master will help me solve this, right? If you're willing to let me accompany you and please you tonight, I'll be devoted to you. Because Xiaoxian admires you!"

Yuan Yueze felt rather embarrassed and raised his hand, saying, "Stop, stop, I have a princess at home, I haven't had time to make a move yet. Miss, you've made a mistake in your affections, I can't accept it. We've arrived."

Hu Xiaoxian pouted helplessly, and the two went up to the third floor of Fujulou.

Fujulou was known as the 'Number One Restaurant in the West Market,' and the view from the third floor was the best. The seat Hu Xiaoxian had reserved on the east side offered a panoramic view of the charming scenery of Yong'an Street and Yuema Bridge area.

Because the two arrived a little earlier than scheduled, the owner kept smiling apologetically at Yuan Yueze, this VIP guest, while instructing his staff to prepare.

After the two sat down, Hu Xiaoxian pointed to the bustling Yue Ma Bridge and said, "There seems to be some change under the Fu Gui Bridge these past few days, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Your cultivation is much higher than mine, young master. Could you explain that?"

Fu Gui Bridge is another name for Yue Ma Bridge, because both sides of the bridge are areas where wealthy merchants and nobles reside.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "This is a Li Tang person I've bewitched

. How am I supposed to explain this to you?" But then he heard a soft, pleasant, clear voice coming from the top of the stairs, saying, "Young master, how have you been?" Ordinary people couldn't afford to book the third floor, so at this time, only Yuan Yueze and Hu Xiaoxian were available. The owner was probably afraid to accept any more bookings because of Yuan Yueze's unruly behavior, so the "young master" must have been referring to Yuan Yueze.

Upon hearing the voice, Yuan Yueze immediately recognized its owner as Shi Feixuan, the worldly successor of Cihang Jingzhai.

Hu Xiaoxian glanced towards the stairwell and saw Shi Feixuan, dressed alone in men's clothing, gracefully approaching with an ethereal beauty.

Yuan Yueze, however, remained indifferent, gazing at the bridge and casually saying, "Greetings, Fairy Shi."

Hu Xiaoxian immediately understood the visitor's identity and stood up to politely invite Shi Feixuan to a seat, demonstrating Shi Feixuan's irresistible charm.

Shi Feixuan thanked him and sat down calmly, maintaining her usual aloof demeanor, seemingly unaffected by Yuan Yueze's use of the word "fairy."

Another silence followed.

After an unknown amount of time, Yuan Yueze turned back, staring at Shi Feixuan, and said, "Long time no see, how about a passionate kiss?"

Shi Feixuan remained composed, meeting his gaze and looking deeply into his eyes.

------
04-20
Chapter 103 Unparalleled Demonic Power

Since Zhu Yuyan mastered the 'Heavenly Demonic Technique' and re-emerged into the martial world, her decisive victory over the formidable Yuan Yueze in the street cemented her status as one of the 'Three Grandmasters' after Fu Cailin.

However, she later submitted to Yuan Yueze. Although rumors circulated that she had somehow mastered the 'Dao Heart Demonic Seed Technique,' considered superior to the 'Heavenly Demonic Technique,' people secretly began to speculate about the veracity of her 'Grandmaster' title.

Today was destined to be a day recorded in history.

With the three masters gathered, Zhu Yuyan was determined to personally prove her strength.

Ning Daoqi stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Excellency seems too hasty. Why don't we wait for the onlookers who are on their way?"

Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly and nodded gently.

Half an hour later, three people arrived from three directions.

Song Shidao, disguised as Yue Shan, and Gai Suwen were present. The last one to arrive was Yuan Yueze, who had just survived a deadly battle.

Yuan Yueze exchanged a reassuring glance with Zhu Yuyan, then stood silently in a corner of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.

The others looked on in astonishment. They had just sensed through their spiritual aura that Yuan Yueze was at his limit, yet in such a short time, he had recovered nearly forty percent of his fighting strength—what terrifying recovery power!

Bi Xuan finally understood why Zhu Yuyan was completely unaffected by his words.

He had assumed Zhu Yuyan would be worried about Yuan Yueze's safety, so he had launched a barrage of words, trying to make her agitated and create an opening. But she remained indifferent. At first, he thought it was Zhu Yuyan's deliberate act to make him feel unfathomable, but now he realized the extent of Yuan Yueze's strength.

Although Yuan Yueze's current fighting power was insufficient, if Ning Daoqi, Liao Kong, and Bi Xuan joined forces, they could cripple him, if not kill him.

Unfortunately, they couldn't do that.

Leaving aside the fact that a master like Zhu Yuyan would certainly not stand idly by, it's also hard to say whether the seemingly unfathomable Yue Shan would intervene. Most importantly, if they did, they would lose all face in the martial world.

Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen stared at Yuan Yueze, who was gazing at the moon, their faces grim, but they felt helpless.

Liao Kong gave Yuan Yueze a deep look and sighed softly, "Your cultivation far surpasses ours; another grandmaster has emerged in the world."

His words were genuine, conveying his heartfelt sentiments. Yuan Yueze, indifferent to fame, didn't even glance at him, merely waving his hand dismissively.

Gai Suwen, having been tricked by Yuan Yueze, had been hiding in an inn, fearing gossip behind his back. His hatred for Yuan Yueze had reached an unbearable level. He had come out today specifically to watch the battle, naturally hoping for a crushing defeat for Yuan Yueze's side.

Song Shidao had come purely to observe the battle. He couldn't conveniently refuse Yin Zuwen and Li Yuan's proposal, but he used the excuse that "Zhu Yuyan disagreed with advancing the duel date" to leave them speechless. He did this simply because he couldn't fathom their thoughts; he only knew he shouldn't let them get away with it so easily. Seeing the righteous path masters appear today, each dealing with Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan, he vaguely guessed there was some shady dealing between the righteous path and Li Yuan—undoubtedly, Li Shimin acting as the middleman.

He was glad he hadn't agreed to Li and Yin's offer.

Zhu Yuyan floated into the courtyard like a weightless willow catkin, saying, "We should begin too, brother, please!"

Several others also entered the empty courtyard. Gai Suwen casually took out a candle, symbolically lit it, held it in his hand, and loudly proclaimed, "Suwen is fortunate to witness the duel between the Dispersed Immortal and Empress Zhu today!"

No one had time to ponder his true intentions in not mentioning Bi Xuan.

The confrontation between Zhu Yuyan and Ning Daoqi, though separated by a distance, had begun.

Their eyes flashed with divine light as they stared at each other, neither giving an inch.

When their almost tangible spiritual energies collided to the point of sparks, Ning Daoqi, hands behind his back, took a large step forward, instantly widening the distance between them to two zhang (

approximately 6.6 meters). Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen, standing nearby, were also greatly surprised. Everyone present could clearly feel that Zhu Yuyan had been tightly locking onto Ning Daoqi with her aura. Any rash move by him, drawn by the energy, would inevitably provoke a fierce attack from Zhu Yuyan. Yet, Ning Daoqi's simple step had shifted the entire balance of their confrontation, leaving them unable to launch an attack. It was like two people wrestling, suddenly twisted to one side by their opponent, unable to exert any force.

Their reaction was not surprising; they had underestimated Zhu Yuyan, only observing her solemn demeanor, and knew that the situation was far more complex.

Ning Daoqi, of course, noticed this and smiled, saying, "Venerable One is too stingy, even using the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' as the opening move."

Zhu Yuyan chuckled, "Yuyan suddenly recalled the battle with you thirty years ago, when I used the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art,' and I can't help but feel nostalgic. Be careful, Brother Dao!"

Before she finished speaking, she slowly raised her hands, and two sharp, imposing energies shot towards Ning Daoqi.

Ning Daoqi nodded, saying, "Venerable One can actually condense energy into ribbons, their power no less than the 'Heavenly Demon Ribbon.'"

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and then his slender, crystalline hands seemed to emerge from the void, meeting Zhu Yuyan's energy energies from the left and right.

The onlookers, while showing shock on their faces, couldn't help but cheer inwardly. This was because Zhu Yuyan's two streams of energy were so indistinguishable from each other, like two ribbons. The one on the left moved in a straight line, radiating a chilling aura and giving the impression of invincibility, while the other moved in a wave-like shape, possessing an extremely yin and gentle beauty. The most remarkable aspect didn't stop there. The left stream of energy didn't even create a ripple in the air as it moved, while the right stream emitted a piercing whistling sound. The onlookers could clearly hear the piercing roar, like the wailing of a vengeful ghost.

Most perplexing was the unusually slow speed of her two streams of energy. Everyone thought that it would take at least half the candle in Gai Suwen's hand to burn before they could cover the two-zhang space and reach Ning Daoqi. Ning Daoqi's seemingly unremarkable and unpretentious move seemed premature. Of

course, the reality was quite different. Those present were no ordinary people; they could easily see that Zhu Yuyan's energy, seemingly slow, was actually fast, and Ning Daoqi's strategy was flawless.

In a battle between masters, there is no room for error, even by the slightest margin.

"Bang!"

In a flash, their energies clashed, and the two simultaneously stepped back.

Ning Daoqi returned to his posture with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "Your Excellency's strike, using only seven-tenths of your strength, is enough to seize the destiny of heaven and earth. Ning Daoqi truly doesn't deserve the title of 'Grandmaster.'"

Zhu Yuyan smiled and said, "Brother Dao, you are too kind. Your composure in the face of honor and disgrace is truly worthy of the title of Grandmaster."

Zhu Yuyan genuinely spoke these words. Their adversarial relationship stemmed from differing stances, something no one could change. However, Ning Daoqi, based on just those first two sentences, knew that no verbal attack could affect Zhu Yuyan's composure. Therefore, he abandoned the psychological warfare and met the attack head-on. After the strike, he made no attempt to conceal his admiration for Zhu Yuyan, truly displaying the demeanor of a master.

Bi Xuan, standing to the side, seemed to be merely seeking attention.

Zhu Yuyan continued, "I know that your 'Eight Scattered Hands Strikes' are unrestrained and without any fixed rules, but please forgive me for only demonstrating a few moves. Whether you can grasp only a few of their essences, or all of them, depends on you, brother."

The Great Dao is simple and easy, beginning with one and ending with nine. 'Eight Scattered Hands Strikes' certainly doesn't refer to eight moves, but rather eight essences, each of which is infinitely variable, like a celestial horse soaring freely without any constraints.

Zhu Yuyan had fought Ning Daoqi several times thirty years ago, so she was naturally very familiar with his unique skills.

Her words also meant she would no longer hold back.

Just how miraculous was the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique'?

Those who had never witnessed Zhu Yuyan's attack almost simultaneously pondered this.

Ning Daoqi remained calm, his mind entering a mysterious Dao realm of thoughtlessness and egolessness, saying, "Venerable One, please!"

Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly and suddenly vanished without a trace.

Except for Yuan Yueze, who remained gazing intently at the starry sky like a jade statue, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Under the spiritual perception of those with celestial cultivation, they clearly realized that Zhu Yuyan had indeed disappeared into thin air—her body, her aura, and even her spirit.

How could this be!

Yet this bizarre feeling, completely defying common sense, was so real.

Ning Daoqi's expression remained unchanged as he slowly closed his eyes, his mind entering a higher state of emptiness and clarity, where existence and non-existence coexist.

A whirlwind swept in from all directions, filling the entire courtyard.

The fierce wind stirred up mud and snow, breaking grass and trees. Even

the candle flame protected by Gai Suwen's true energy was affected, flickering intermittently.

Ning Daoqi was like a boulder at the heart of a raging storm, unmoved despite the destructive winds surrounding him.

The storm suddenly ceased.

Then, an immense and unfathomable force pulled him forward.

Even though Ning Daoqi had reached a state of supreme tranquility, unaffected by the surrounding demonic illusions, he was still pulled forward by that powerful force, his right foot shifting half an inch.

The next moment, Zhu Yuyan suddenly rose before him like a demon emerging from hell, striking him with a palm that shifted infinitely, its speed unpredictable.

Realizing he had moved forward an inch, Ning Daoqi knew he was at a disadvantage. He had been in a state of utter despair, and should have been aware of Zhu Yuyan's true attack intentions, but he couldn't grasp the force and momentum of her palm strike. This showed that Zhu Yuyan's extraordinary ability to manipulate matter with her mind had not only invaded his mind but also affected

his spirit. Ning Daoqi suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense, radiating a powerful and formidable aura. He clearly understood that Zhu Yuyan's palm strike was all-encompassing, leaving him no choice but to fight back head-on. So, he moved forward, seemingly pouncing, his movements both slow and fast, his speed unpredictable yet exuding a sense of effortless grace. At the same time, his hands curved and straightened, emerging from his sleeves. His left hand moved forward, palm to claw, claw to finger, finally thrusting his index finger towards Zhu Yuyan's palm, which was striking with two opposing forces. The subtlety of his movements was breathtaking. With a

resounding

boom, Ning Daoqi staggered back several steps before regaining his footing.

Zhu Yuyan, however, seemed completely unmoved, standing with her hands behind her back and a smile on her face, praising, "Brother Dao, you actually managed to block my first full-force attack since mastering the Demon Seed Technique. Truly remarkable."

Ning Daoqi's sleeves were ripped by the force of the attack, making him look rather disheveled, but he showed no sign of dejection despite being at a disadvantage. Instead, he said with delight, "The Demon Seed Technique is indeed incredibly wondrous. I, Ning, had to unleash three different techniques in succession, ultimately relying on the power generated by my hands to withstand the Venerable's attack."

The essence of the 'Eight Scattered Hands' lies in the word 'emptiness.' Emptiness can generate energy, hence its infinity. Purity leads to emptiness, and this emptiness becomes reality. Between emptiness and reality, though the forms are varied, they are all simply the way of nature, mysterious beyond mystery, without greatness or smallness. It was precisely in this way that Ning Daoqi was able to unleash a series of unexpected moves to block Zhu Yuyan's earth-shattering palm strike.

Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen, upon first witnessing the Demon Seed Technique, wore frosty expressions and solemn demeanor. Zhu Yuyan's strength far exceeded their expectations, and with Yuan Yueze added to the mix, the Central Plains might truly fall into their hands one day, and the nightmare for foreign races would begin at that moment.

Ning Daoqi continued, "Your Excellency's martial arts have reached a transcendent level, transforming the mundane into the miraculous, the dazzling into the ordinary. Though it was only a single palm strike, it conveyed boundless profound truths. What's even more remarkable is that it no longer carries the trace of the massacre of countless beings from thirty years ago. Your Excellency, please make another move!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly spread his arms wide, his hands swishing like bird pecking, assuming a stance. Although graceful and beautiful, it ultimately came down to force, inconsistent with his Lao-Zhuang style of tranquility and non-action. Moreover, actively inviting his opponent to make a move seemed even more contrary to his usual style.

Zhu Yuyan, her hands behind her back, smiled and said, "Brother Dao, please don't be so polite!"

Ning Daoqi laughed heartily, then suddenly rushed forward, his hands transforming into two playful little birds that frolicked and chased each other, pecking and swooping, seemingly enjoying themselves immensely, as he pressed towards Zhu Yuyan. Then, a childlike innocence appeared on his face as he looked around at the strange spectacle of the virtual birds leaping and frolicking in the air. It was as if there was an invisible tree, and the birds were playing lively and full of life among its branches. All their movements seemed unintentional, yet meticulously executed, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

The five-zhang distance gradually shortened.

Zhu Yuyan, who had been watching the spectacle like an outsider, smiled, completely unconcerned about Ning Daoqi's unexpected techniques and strange attack methods. She lightly lifted her lotus foot and kicked out.

Both Ning Daoqi and the others watching were astonished.

This seemingly simple kick defied the limitations of time, giving the intuitive feeling that Ning Daoqi would be struck by Zhu Yuyan before he could actually hit her.

This bizarre move, where speed and slowness coexisted in a seemingly illogical yet incredibly strange way, was a characteristic of the Demon Seed Technique, which emphasized spiritual cultivation.

Ning Daoqi's hands began to conjure, and the two birds instantly transformed into hundreds and thousands of birds. Each of his techniques was woven with his pure and divine innate qi cultivation, creating an invisible yet tangible net of energy that, like silkworms spinning silk, enveloped Zhu Yuyan's small foot. This true energy would accumulate to its peak and explode the moment it clashed head-on with her.

Zhu Yuyan smiled faintly, and the kick still came out, but the once incredibly swift kick became as slow as a snail climbing a tree. The sudden change in speed was so sudden that just one glance was both unbelievable and maddening.

Although Ning Daoqi's move was both offensive and defensive, and he continued to advance, his calm heart was stirred by Zhu Yuyan's sudden change in speed.

In an instant, the incredibly slow kick landed between Ning Daoqi's hands. This completely defied the laws of time and space; just as the slowness of the kick was felt, it pierced through the air net and forcefully charged into the 'flock of birds.'

Ning Daoqi's hands, as agile as a real bird, could slip into any gap, launching a relentless, mercury-like close-range attack on Zhu Yuyan's kick. Amidst the flying dust, the two figures shifted positions with lightning speed, advancing and retreating, rising and falling, dazzling the eye.

After a series of sounds that seemed to be a single, resounding clash of energy, the figures separated abruptly.

The moment Ning Daoqi was forced to take another step back, he saw Zhu Yuyan's eyes flash with a strange light, her pupils blazing with purple light. She slowly said, "From inaction to action, from power back to inaction, and then to action without action, and inaction with action—this is the essence of Laozi and Zhuangzi's teachings. In your hands, Brother Dao, it has reached its pinnacle. Brother Dao, pay attention, Yuyan's final move is coming!"

After uttering the last word, Zhu Yuyan pursed her lips and shrieked, emitting a demonic sound.

The expressions of the onlookers were incredibly varied. Even before Zhu Yuyan spoke, they had already heard the demonic sound. In fact, Zhu Yuyan only shrieked after uttering that long sentence. Those of their cultivation level, though they knew it was an illusion caused by their mental influence, could not distinguish between reality and illusion. This only proved one thing: Zhu Yuyan's cultivation was far superior to theirs.

Even Yuan Yueze became interested in this final move and turned to look.

Her deafening shriek filled everyone's ears, like a sudden, fierce sandstorm on a long, arduous journey through a desert. At first, it was short, powerful, and jarring, but then the demonic sound transformed into an all-pervasive, almost tangible mass of sand, relentlessly and overwhelmingly assaulting them. Under its onslaught, some even felt their vision blur, the world spinning, as if the demonic sound engulfed them like a raging storm.

Immediately afterward, the raging aura suddenly contracted around Ning Daoqi.

Ning Daoqi abruptly realized that everything around him had vanished, leaving only him and Zhu Yuyan in the world. The latter remained motionless, her long hair flying backward, pointing a finger directly at him.

She seemed both extremely far away and yet so close.

He knew that under the opponent's sophisticated and mysterious mental pressure, he had lost his composure. The only thing he could do was to turn the tables. So he mustered all his strength, his robes billowing out in countless ripples, while simultaneously pressing both palms forward. Countless vortexes of energy surged around his palms, rushing towards Zhu Yuyan's sword-like finger.

Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes, recalling why he disliked Zhu Yuyan when he first studied. It was all because of this move, a prelude to the "Heavenly Demonic Art" and its transformation into a self-destructive act, that he remembered: initially, he disliked Zhu Yuyan because she wanted to drag Xu Ziling and Shi Feixuan down with her during the self-destruction. But after several repetitions, his aversion vanished. Whether it was Kou Zhong or Xu Ziling, weren't they also excited when they heard Zhu Yuyan wanted to perish with Shi Zhixuan? Xu Ziling would say "Zhu Yuyan is ruthless," so could he be considered a "good guy"? Ultimately, it came down to a difference in perspective. Of course, the Demonic Sect's actions were also partly due to their excessive actions, but such things had their causes.

Actually, no one was wrong; the only mistake was being born in an era where politics and religion were so closely intertwined.

Sigh!

A helpless smile appeared on Yuan Yueze's lips as he recalled these events.

Zhu Yuyan's sword finger struck precisely at the center of Ning Daoqi's palms.

Not a sound was made.

A sudden gust of wind arose, dark clouds covered the sky, and the stars and moon

were extinguished. Gai Suwen's candle was also blown out.

Zhu Yuyan's beautiful eyes shone with an eerie light as bright as stars. She had entered a transcendent state, using the Dao Embryo Demon Seed within her body as a medium to continuously channel the energy of heaven and earth into Ning Daoqi's meridians.

No one could withstand this earth-shattering and awe-inspiring attack.

Except for their family, who possessed extraordinary bodies.

Ning Daoqi could have tried to transform himself into a boundless vessel to contain the true energy transmitted by Zhu Yuyan, but he was already injured, and Zhu Yuyan's attack was too fierce. He could only sigh helplessly.

Liao Kong rushed forward immediately, his palm against Ning Daoqi's back, and whispered, "Venerable One!"

Zhu Yuyan, immersed in the pinnacle of martial arts, suddenly realized something was wrong and immediately forcibly withdrew her power, shaking Liao Kong and the other man away.

Liao Kong and the other man spat out blood and flew backward, sitting on the ground in a sorry state.

Zhu Yuyan, who was initially unharmed, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed limply backward.

Yuan Yueze swayed and caught her by the waist before she fell.

Their true energy probed each other, finding her unharmed, Yuan Yueze picked her up without a word and vanished from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

Song Shidao quietly left, while Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen took a few steps forward and approached Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong. Gai Suwen asked with a puzzled expression, "May I ask, Master, what exactly happened just now?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Ning Daoqi's eyes, and he smiled bitterly, "If I'm not mistaken, Empress Zhu just broke through the Heavenly Human Realm, but she gave up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

This undoubtedly meant that Zhu Yuyan had reached the Void Shattering Realm, a dream come true for martial artists, in a fleeting moment.

Not only Gai Suwen, but even Bi Xuan was dumbfounded. After a long while, he exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you so sure, Brother Dao?"

Ning Daoqi shook his head and remained silent. Liao Kong gazed at the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared and sighed, "My feeling was exactly the same as yours, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The moment I touched you, I sensed that the demonic seed within Zhu Hou, imbued with righteous energy, was faintly radiating an aura of explosive rebirth. Despite her injuries, she forcefully suppressed its boundless power, which is why she vomited blood."

Bi Xuan scoffed, "What is there to cherish in the mortal world? She has experienced so much; is she going to succumb to romantic love again?"

The other three ignored him, but all looked in the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared.

The reason why Zhu Yuyan's Demonic Seed Technique hadn't broken through the Heavenly Human Limit was due to the lack of refinement. Even Xiang Yutian needed a hundred years to reach the Shattered Realm, showing how difficult this path was. But today, Zhu Yuyan encountered Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong, and at the last moment, she fully immersed herself in martial arts, merging with the Heavenly Heart, which led to the signs of Shattering.

When a battle transcends the usual feuds and vendettas of the martial world, it becomes a pursuit of the true path of martial arts. Only when swords clash do life reveal its true nature.

Tonight, Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong are to Zhu Yuyan what Meng Chixing is to Chuan Ying, and Pang Ban is to Lang Fanyun.

The level of masters in the Tang Dynasty is still too low!

Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan are of one mind and naturally understand what happened in that instant. After a sigh, he looked down at Zhu Yuyan, who was comfortably closing her eyes, and smiled, "Don't you want to experience the legendary feeling of being an 'immortal'?"

Zhu Yuyan pouted and said, "Just like Yan Fei said, who knows what the other side will be like? I only took a small step out, but luckily I stopped in time. Now I have no interest in becoming an immortal or a saint, and aren't we already immortals?"

Yuan Yueze corrected him, "We should be 'monsters' now."

Zhu Yuyan said, "It's truly unimaginable that countless martial arts practitioners have had their dreams shattered. Knowing full well that the other side is an unpredictable space, they would still abandon this life to desperately pursue that mysterious world."

Yuan Yueze sighed, "Human curiosity has its advantages and disadvantages. The so-called 'curiosity killed the cat' is probably just like that."

Zhu Yuyan nodded slightly; this was absolutely true. She had once been someone who longed for that unpredictable space.

Back in the West Garden, he told the remaining girls about his experiences that day, and they all sighed.

Dugu Feng hasn't returned yet, but there's nothing to worry about. First, it's hard to say whether she can catch up with Liu Yu, and second, with Yun Shuai around, even if Shi Zhixuan wanted to capture her, it would be wishful thinking.

Shan Meixian said, "The Buddhist and Taoist masters have finally suffered a setback, but Shi Zhixuan is chasing Liu Yu for some unknown reason."

Wanwan chimed in, "Could it be that he wants to absorb some of his internal energy?"

Yuan Yueze stroked her cloud-like hair and said, "That's possible. Even if Liu Yu doesn't die this time, he'll have to run away with his tail between his legs."

Song Yuzhi said from the side, "Second Brother once said that Yin Zuwen told him that Shi Zhixuan and the White Path would deal with us after the Spring Festival. Why did he mention coming before the Spring Festival?"

Xiao Bei laughed, "Have you forgotten that after Yin Zuwen, Li Yuan also went to seek a master from the Tao? Wait, something's not right!"

The group almost simultaneously realized something was wrong.

Logically speaking, the White Daoists always plan carefully before acting. Their actions today should have been planned in conjunction with the Li Tang high command. However, considering the relationship between Li Yuan and Xi Feng, and the fact that the Great Ming Zunjiao was colluding with Yin Zuwen, it was indeed strange that neither Yin Zuwen nor Xi Feng had shown up today.

Zhu Yuyan stood up and said, "I'll go visit Qing'er tonight."

Yuan Yueze pulled her back and said, "No rush, let's talk about it after you've 'healed'."

The girls' pretty faces flushed at the same time.

---

Chapter 104 A Plan Within a Plan

Yuan Yueze had just come with the girls and was feeling so good that he wanted to pull Shan Meixian aside for another round of teasing when Shan Meixian suddenly smiled mysteriously and struck the door with her palm.

With a soft cry, Lian Rou appeared before everyone.

Her beautiful eyes were burning with passion, watery and full of allure, her cheeks flushed, and her chest heaving. Clearly, she had been eavesdropping outside the door and had been discovered by the slightly recovered Shan Meixian.

If it were anyone else, they would probably be so embarrassed they'd burst into tears. Lian Rou, always bold, remained silent, but her large eyes were fixed affectionately on the naked Yuan Yueze, completely ignoring the other girls who were snickering. When her gaze fell upon the terrifyingly large thing between his legs, Lian Rou couldn't help but

let out a soft "Ah!", clearly startled.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "My dear princess, what do you think of eavesdropping?"

Lian Rou rolled her eyes at him and said defiantly, "I was just passing by, I'm leaving now."

Wei Zhenzhen stepped forward, grabbed her shoulders, and laughed, "You dare leave before your husband has even given the order?"

The other girls laughed and surrounded her, quickly stripping Lian Rou completely naked. Lian Rou's entire body was as translucent as jade, her skin smooth and delicate, seemingly boneless. Her eyes, characteristic of people from the northern frontier, were clear and bright like pure gemstones. Her cherry lips were rosy and alluring. She possessed bowl-shaped breasts, a slender waist, and a firm, smooth abdomen. Her legs were long and shapely. Her long, fine, jet-black hair framed her flower-like face, cascading loosely over her shoulders, exuding a captivating and alluring charm.

The crowd watched, marveling at her beauty. Lian Rou didn't hide anything, only blushing slightly as she coquettishly said, "If I were to refine my body, I wouldn't be any less skilled than my sisters!"

Yun Yuzhen leaned her exquisite and alluring body against Yuan Yueze, her slender, jade-like fingers on her delicate, snow-white hands manipulating Yuan Yueze's penis and the two black testicles below, while she laughed, "I wonder what kind of skills you, Rou-mei, possess?"

Lian Rou wasn't stupid; she understood the implication, gave her a sidelong glance, and then directly reached out her jade-like hand, taking Yuan Yueze's enormous member from her and beginning to manipulate it.

Yuan Yueze, meanwhile, teased the Fu sisters.

Yun Yuzhen pointed to her lips and giggled, "Using your hands alone won't do; my sisters' skills are far superior to yours."

Lian Rou hesitated slightly, then mustered her courage, parted her fragrant lips slightly, and gently took the tip of the penis into her mouth. Then, instinctively, she let out a soft, pursed tongue, her smooth jade tongue awkwardly licking it.

Yuan Yueze, who was teasing Fu Junyu, let out a soft groan of pleasure, his large mouth forcefully sucking on Fu Junyu's tender garden, eliciting loud moans from her.

Lian Rou blushed, her beautiful eyes slightly hidden, her cute, red lips pursed as she took Yuan Yueze's enormous member into her mouth. Although she felt a little disgusted, she was still excited and curious. Her fragrant tongue gently curled, softly licking the edges of the huge, hot head. At the same time, she used her small, white hand to caress the black testicles below.

The other girls, influenced by this lewd scene, were aroused again and began to rub their penises.

Lian Rou released the penis, her small hand quickly stroking it, while she kissed Yun Yuzhen beside her. Doing this with a woman gave her an indescribable excitement and stimulation.

Fu Junyu, on the other hand, was being attacked by Yuan Yueze's hands and mouth, and soon climaxed.

Yuan Yueze, with her fragrant juices in his mouth, turned to look at Lian Rou. She used both hands to manipulate the long spear, tilting her head back as she enjoyed the strange and wonderful feeling of Yun Yuzhen's red lips kissing her hard, pink nipples.

With her delicate breasts exposed, Yuan Yueze couldn't resist touching them. Lian Rou felt as if she'd been electrocuted, a surge of indescribable pleasure mixed with shyness—a feeling that no same-sex kiss could provide.

Yun Yuzhen looked up at Yuan Yueze's puffed-out cheeks, immediately offering her small mouth to swallow Fu Junyu's salty, wet, lustful fluid, then engaging in a passionate kiss with Yuan Yueze.

Lian Rou stared in disbelief, her hands stopping their movements; she couldn't have imagined what was happening before her eyes.

Yuan Yueze released Yun Yuzhen, his large hands beginning to caress Lian Rou's entire body. Lian Rou's already hot body became even hotter, and she moaned without restraint.

Yuan Yueze's tongue traced down her smooth skin, finally stopping on her two beautiful, tender petals. Her pubic hair was different from the other girls'; it was brown, which opened Yuan Yueze's eyes. At the same time, his nimble tongue began a fierce assault on that virgin territory.

Lian Rou's body trembled, influenced by his skillful teasing and the movements and moans of the surrounding girls, her delicate body began to writhe, emitting loud moans.

Desire surged rapidly, and Lian Rou softly collapsed in the center of the bed, her snow-white legs unconsciously clamping tightly together, her hands gripping the blankets tightly. Seeing the opportunity, Yuan Yueze rolled over, parted her long, slender legs, and slowly inserted his hot, thick member, aided by her wetness.

His spear pierced her hymen in an instant, leaving drops of blood.

In the ecstasy of pleasure, her lower body was suddenly struck, and Lian Rou cried out in pain, her small hands reaching towards Yuan Yueze's chest, trying to push him away.

Yuan Yueze slowly moved his massive member, caressing her soft breasts at the same time, teasing her earlobe with his tongue, and whispering gently in her ear, "Rou'er's body is so healthy, you'll feel comfortable in a little while."

Under the influence of his gentle caresses and the wanton postures of the other women, Lian Rou's body slowly began to react, the pain gradually lessened, and pleasure gradually surged. Originally, she had been aroused by overhearing others' erotic tales outside, but after entering, she felt ashamed yet had to appear indifferent, and her attention was diverted, so her desire naturally subsided until Yuan Yueze reignited it. Her stiff muscles began to relax, her waist began to twist slightly, and her hands tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's back.

Fu Junyu, who had regained some strength, also came over and teased her sensitive nipples, and Lian Rou's mind began to blur.

Yuan Yueze increased the speed of his thrusts, his massive member hitting her clitoris with each stroke, causing the petals to move in and out with each thrust. Lian Rou felt waves of pleasure washing over her, the comfort causing her to open her cherry lips, tilt her chin high, and moan incessantly. Her jade-like legs excitedly wrapped around Xu Yu's body, her small hands grabbing wildly, finally grasping Fu Junyu's full breasts, kneading them haphazardly, reigniting Fu Junyu's recently subsided desire.

Lian Rou and Fu Junyu engaged in a passionate kiss, kneading each other's breasts, while Lian Rou thrust her hips forcefully, meeting each increasingly heavy thrust. Yuan Yueze felt a wave of pleasure wash over him, a tingling sensation spreading through his lower body. He began to thrust harder, each stroke hitting her clitoris. Lian Rou's hips arched desperately, her body twisting violently.

After hundreds of thrusts, not only the two of them, but also the other women in the mirror were drenched in sweat, their lust reaching unprecedented heights. The atmosphere in the bedroom was incredibly lewd.

The two women's hips rose and fell dramatically. With each rhythmic, powerful thrust of Yuan Yueze, Lian Rou let out a muffled cry. She gripped Fu Junyu's breasts tightly, causing Fu Junyu to scream in pain, but Lian Rou heard nothing. Her mind went blank, her body arching violently, thrusting her hips to their maximum limit. Her vagina convulsed powerfully, and a gush of hot fluid spurted from her tender core.

Yuan Yueze thrust wildly dozens of times, his massive member pounding and ramming wildly inside Lian Rou's smooth vagina. A wave of tingling pleasure washed over her. He stopped, pressing himself tightly against Lian Rou's body, his scalding fluid shooting into her core.

Stimulated by this, Lian Rou, whose wave of pleasure hadn't subsided, was swept up in another wave of ecstasy. Her alluring buttocks thrust upwards again, her full, white body trembling violently, her lower body involuntarily contracting and quivering, another gush of vaginal fluid erupting. Her core frantically bit and sucked at the tip of his penis.

Yuan Yueze's massive member pressed tightly against her clitoris, like a piston deeply embedded in her tender cervix. Lian Rou gasped for breath, her hands gripping Fu Junyu's and her legs clinging to Yuan Yueze's, utterly powerless. She lay limp on the bed, still moaning softly.

After enjoying the exquisite sensation of her virginity, Yuan Yueze pulled Fu Junyu aside and began another round of revelry with the other women.

A faint, sensual atmosphere filled the spacious bedroom.

Most of the women had fallen asleep.

Only Shan Meixian and Fu Junzhuo, lying on either side of Yuan Yueze, remained awake.

Slightly opening her beautiful eyes, Shan Meixian glanced at Lian Rou, who was fast asleep on Yuan Yueze's body, and chuckled inwardly. Then, raising her still flushed face, she said, "Husband, shouldn't you go and keep Mother and Junior Sister company?"

Yuan Yueze looked up at the ceiling and said, "Wait a moment. I'm thinking about how to deal with the attacks from all sides at tomorrow's Spring Festival banquet."

Fu Junzhuo swayed her voluptuous body like a water snake, and said with her eyes closed, "If they dare to provoke us, they should be prepared to die. Isn't that Husband's motto?"

Shan Meixian laughed, "Junzhuo is becoming less and less inclined to use her brain."

Seeing Fu Junzhuo look up at her, she continued to explain, "Gai Suwen will definitely not let this go. If he doesn't get some interest from Husband, then being teased to the point of incontinence in the street by Husband will become a stain on his life. He will never be able to live as freely as before, in front of others or in private." Fu

Junzhuo suddenly understood.

Gai Suwen is, after all, her compatriot. If he pushes too hard, the always lawless Yuan Yueze will show no mercy. There's no need to worry about a direct fight, but in a verbal battle, Gai Suwen will inevitably be at a disadvantage. Gai Suwen already knows Yuan Yueze's strength. Although Yuan Yueze isn't at his best right now, the cunning Gai Suwen probably won't actually make a move. Therefore, their conflict will be limited to a war of words, inevitably touching upon Goryeo and even its history. Yuan Yueze can certainly criticize the arrogant and ignorant Goryeo people without reservation, but Fu Junzhuo will certainly not be pleased.

No longer the ruthless Rakshasa woman who only knew how to wield swords, she was now incredibly clever. She instantly grasped her husband's psychology, smiled sweetly, and said in a coquettish voice, "Liu De of the Western Han Dynasty said, 'Study the ancients and seek truth from facts,' Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty said, 'Investigate things to acquire knowledge; principle is found in practice,' and Wang Yangming of the Ming Dynasty added, 'Unity of knowledge and action'... Oh!"

It turned out that Yuan Yueze's large hand had slid down her smooth back to her pert buttocks, pinched them, and he interrupted her with a laugh, saying, "Don't show off your knowledge."

Her long, delicate eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed. Fu Junzhuo retorted, "How is this showing off? He meant compared to the Central Plains..." "Goryeo's historical background is indeed pitiful. It's already commendable that my husband is thinking of others. Besides, we've already decided on Goryeo's future autonomy. What harm is there in exchanging a few words with Gaesomun?"

She paused slightly, then gave a cold, coquettish snort, saying, "For the past few years, I've had my northern intelligence network keep a close eye on Gaesomun. I've learned that he's visited the Turks, Khitans, Shiwei, and Mohe tribes several times. I can't believe he has any good intentions."

Shan Meixian sighed, "If it's about patriots doing anything for their country, that's normal. But given the current situation, the biggest threat to Goryeo is..." "It wasn't the war-torn Central Plains, but the Turks whose ultimate goal was expansion and conquest. Yet Gaisuwen actually went to visit the Turks."

Yuan Yueze gently stroked the soft, pink back of the woman who had just lost her virginity, and continued, "I suspect that both Gaisuwen and the rulers of Goryeo were conflicted. On one hand, they wanted to unite the surrounding tribes to defend against the Turks; on the other hand, they feared that after the unification of the Central Plains, the rulers would follow in the footsteps of Yang Guang. Therefore, their ideal scenario was to support the Turks' invasion of the Central Plains, causing them to become bogged down and resulting in a mutually destructive conflict with the Central Plains."

Fu Junzhuo's jade-like face dimmed, and she said: "At first, people were wondering why Master didn't explain the situation to the Goryeo rulers. But just look at how the Goryeo people forgot about him in less than a year after he left, and instead praised Gaesomun. This shows Master's wisdom back then. People will eventually be forgotten in history. In such a chaotic world, Master only has a name left, with no influence whatsoever."

Yuan Yueze kissed her forehead and comforted her, "Don't overthink it. If Gaesomun dares to provoke me tomorrow, I'll humiliate him again, but I won't kill him." The two women looked at Yuan Yueze at the same time, their beautiful eyes filled with deep surprise and affection. After

several years in the world, Yuan Yueze had gradually matured. At this time of great chaos in the Central Plains, killing Gaesomun would indeed bring him temporary pleasure, but it would bring countless troubles. The now powerful Li Tang and the various foreign tribes, like frightened birds, would surely harbor conspiracies again, and might even collude together. In this way, it would be the people of the Central Plains who would suffer.

Shan Meixian glanced at Dugu Feng, who was sleeping like a rag doll after being tormented by Yuan Yueze, her pretty face slightly flushed. She said, "It's a pity Feng'er still couldn't catch up with Liu Yu; he got away. Will Shi Zhixuan catch up?"

Yuan Yueze shrugged slightly. Now that Liu Yu had escaped, the situation in Chang'an would be much clearer. Wait! The Holy Envoy was still missing!

He suddenly realized this problem. Lian Rou, who was on top of him, woke up with a soft moan, raising her even more perfect face after the refinement. Her bright, clear eyes were hazy as she looked up at Yuan Yueze, her soft breaths mingling with her seductive voice, "Husband, you've gotten bigger again!"

The two women beside her simultaneously lowered their heads and spat.

They were very surprised that Lian Rou had joined them in the revelry tonight. After all, Lian Rou was still a virgin. The enthusiasm and generosity of women from other regions made even the people of the Demonic Sect feel ashamed. The two women understood the meaning of her words all too well, because they both knew that Yuan Yueze and Lian Rou were still closely connected.

But the next moment, they involuntarily pressed their newly heated, soft, and boneless bodies against Yuan Yueze, for his strange hands had already begun to move erratically without warning. The two women, whose bodies had long been thoroughly explored, and the princess, who could accommodate Yuan Yueze's magnificent member, could not withstand the lecherous methods of this demon. They immediately lost themselves in it, their shyness overwhelming. The two women pressed their flushed cheeks against Yuan Yueze's arms, their bodies twisting slightly, as if cooperating with his strange hands, seeking even greater pleasure. Lian Rou, with her excellent constitution, seemed unaffected by the pain of losing her virginity. Her pair of white, jade-like arms wrapped around the neck of the man who loved her, offering her luscious, red lips. In just a moment, the three women's passion was reignited, and they could only gasp and pant. Lian Rou finally could not bear it any longer. The sheer power of that burly 'Little Evil Emperor' instantly ruptured her already unhealed wounds, and her groans turned into painful cries. Yuan Yueze immediately regained his senses, gently kissing away the tears on her pale face, and asked, "It's my fault, does it still hurt?"

The two women beside him gradually came to their senses and helped comfort Lian Rou. After a while, Lian Rou finally smiled through her tears, rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze, and said, "I only found out today during a casual chat that Sister Wanwan has made quite a bit of progress these past few days. Husband, aren't you going to go see her and Sister Yuyan?"

The three of them looked delighted. They knew that besides practicing her martial arts, Wanwan had only one task: to secretly monitor the 'not simple' Chai family that Pei Ji and Hu Xiaoxian had mentioned. If they found anything, it would definitely be a good clue for Yuan Yueze.

Gently stroking her hair, Yuan Yueze said impatiently, "Princess, tell me quickly! Meixian and the other two must be getting impatient too."

Lianrou retorted, "You have to call me Rou'er like Father does!"

Glancing at the two equally impatient girls, Lianrou said, "Then when you see Sister Wanwan later, you must pretend you don't know anything, otherwise she definitely won't let you off the hook!"

The three of them laughed together. It seemed that this clever Western Turkic princess was no match for the little devil!

Lianrou continued, "Sister Wanwan said that at dusk this day, someone sneaked into Pei Ji's residence. When they followed them back, they discovered that the person was actually from the Chai family."

Yuan Yueze praised, "Well done. It seems I should investigate these two families tonight."

Shan Meixian smiled and said, "My husband is seriously injured now. Such a thing can be done by the few of us."

As she spoke, she and Fu Junzhuo got up to dress.

Yuan Yueze put down the weary-looking Lianrou, patted her to sleep, and then got up and walked towards the room of Zhu Yuyan and her apprentice.

Half an hour later.

On a large tree outside the VIP hotel, a hunched, thin man dressed in night clothes yawned and muttered to himself, "Damn it, I, the mighty 'Heavenly Hearing,' am actually listening to erotic music here. This Yuan fellow's 'fighting prowess' is truly remarkable; he can be back in action after just a short rest. No wonder he has so many beautiful wives and concubines. Tsk tsk, if he dies, I'll take a couple to relieve my pent-up desire. Just hearing those women's loud and alluring moans makes my heart itch."

Suddenly, his expression stiffened.

A long sword, gleaming with cold light, was pressed against his neck without him noticing.

The location was extremely secluded; even the guards couldn't detect it. Yuan Yueze and his wives and concubines were probably still engaged in their trysts. Who was behind it all?

Before the thought could even form, he was struck unconscious and lost consciousness.

Late in the evening.

In an inconspicuous pavilion in the corner of the Chai residence's backyard.

The pavilion gave off a sinister and terrifying impression, amplified by the faint light flickering within.

Pei Ji and Xi Feng sat facing each other around a small table, sizing each other up. After

a long while, Xi Feng said, "I didn't expect Lord Pei to also be a member of my Holy Sect. I've been infiltrating the palace for so long without being detected. I admire you."

Pei Ji replied, "Mr. Xi, you've been able to lie low in the Cold Palace for so long without me noticing either. I admire you."

The two smiled at each other.

Xi Feng sighed, "My real name is Lie Feng. Along with Brother Kuang Lei, we are two great generals under the Holy Venerable. I've used the name Xi Feng for so long that I'm starting to forget my real name."

Pei Ji also chimed in, "Since I became the prefectural registrar at the age of fourteen and met the Holy Venerable, who imparted to me the supreme cultivation method of the Holy Sect, more than thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Thinking back to when he first arranged for me to serve as the deputy supervisor of Jinyang Palace in Taiyuan, to cultivate a relationship with Li Yuan, the then-prefect of Taiyuan, and then later, to raise an army, enter the pass, and establish the Tang Dynasty—every step was foreseen by the Holy Venerable. It's a pity I couldn't see him this time. Thirty years have passed; I wonder what level of cultivation he has reached."

Xi Feng said, "Because I was hidden in the deep palace by Li Yuan as a guard, I only saw the Holy Venerable twice. He's always elusive. Didn't Brother Pei receive a personal letter from the Holy Venerable? As for cultivation..." "Well, I'm afraid Brother Pei will be quite surprised to hear this, but the 'War God's Record,' which was copied by our ancestors from the He Shi Bi jade and recorded in our Holy Sect's scriptures, was obtained by the Holy Venerable several months ago. If he has some time to practice it, wouldn't the whole world belong to our Holy Sect!"

Pei Ji lowered his head to drink his tea, a strange look flashing in his eyes. He then looked up in

surprise and said, "Wasn't the He Shi Bi jade stolen by those two brats, Kou Zhong?" Xi Feng shook his head and said, "I don't know the details either. When I was killing Yuan Yueze with the Holy Venerable, I was injured. The Holy Venerable said a few words while healing me. Heh! I'm afraid Brother Pei won't believe it, but this is the first time I've seen the Holy Venerable's true form. He looks only about thirty years old."

Pei Ji said enviously, "I don't have Brother Xi's good fortune, but that Yuan Yueze is indeed terrifying." " Brother Xi, you must have sensed the powerful spiritual fluctuations in the east and outside the city today. The righteous path has finally made its move, humph! But it suffered a crushing defeat!"

Xi Feng glanced around the small hall, and Pei Ji smiled, "Brother Xi, there's no need to worry. Chai Shen and I have a life-or-death bond. I've secured many things for his Chai family. This building originally had a tunnel leading outside the city, which I specifically left for escape. No one would suspect that my relationship with Chai Shao's father is unusual. A few days ago, I vaguely sensed someone monitoring me, undoubtedly a master sent by Yuan Yueze. But today, he and Zhu Yuyan are both injured, and I've sent a listening master, whom I've kept in the mansion for over a decade, to keep an eye on him. He'll be fine."

Xi Feng nodded and said, "Brother Pei, you must not underestimate Yuan Yueze. Originally, when we besieged him, the Holy Venerable also called..." "I brought along a mysterious expert from my Holy Sect who has been stationed by Li Yuan's side for many years, but he was killed by Yuan Yueze in one move. Today, Li Yuan sent me to take advantage of the four bald men and Yuan Yueze's battle when they were both exhausted. When I arrived, Yuan Yueze had already recovered 30% of his fighting strength, so after a little thought, I planned to kill the four bald men and frame Yuan Yueze. Little did I know that the injured four bald men were not simple at all, and I could only barely injure the wise old monk."

Pei Ji asked in surprise, "Then how will Brother Xi continue to infiltrate the palace?"

Xi Feng smiled and said, "I have my own way of not being recognized by those four old monks. As for Li Yuan, I just need to tell a lie."

Pei Ji nodded and said, "Xi Feng is truly remarkable. Now we can wait and see what the next step of the plan is..."

Before he finished speaking, his face darkened and he looked towards the door.

Xi Feng turned his head and looked at the tightly closed wooden window.

The meditation room in the back hall of Yuhe Temple.

Ning Daoqi, Liaokong, Jiaxiang, Daoxin, and Dixin sat around an exquisite round table, while the person at the head of the table was none other than Fan Qinghui.

The Abbot of Cihang Jingzhai had actually come in person.

They had all entered a meditative state, and judging from their complexions, their injuries had healed considerably.

"Knock knock!"

After two knocks on the door, Liaokong said, "Please come in."

The two walked in side by side.

There stood Li Shimin, dressed in casual clothes, and Shi Feixuan, dressed in simple nun's robes.

The group quickly snapped out of their meditative state. Li Shimin bowed respectfully and said, "The kindness of the host and the seniors will never be forgotten by Shimin and the Li family. We apologize for disturbing your meditation tonight."

The group glanced questioningly at the serene Shi Feixuan. Receiving reassuring looks, Fan Qinghui said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, may I call you Shimin? Please, no need for formalities, have a seat."

Li Shimin nodded, flattered. Although he was used to grand occasions, he still sat down with a slight air of restraint. Shi Feixuan returned to Fan Qinghui's left rear and knelt with her head bowed.

The hall returned to silence. Li Shimin, who had grown up in the world of fame and fortune, surprisingly showed no signs of agitation. The people present were all highly cultivated and extraordinary, and sitting with them seemed to wash away his own worldliness.

After a long silence, Fan Qinghui finally spoke, sighing, "This failure was entirely due to my carelessness. I underestimated that evil man and Zhu Yuyan, and almost caused Master Zhihui's death. I am truly sorry."

Emperor Xin chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "At this time when the Way is waning and the Demon is flourishing, the Venerable Master's noble sentiment of sacrificing his own cultivation to eliminate demons for the sake of all living beings is admirable. We old bald men will naturally do our best as well. We need not worry about Master Zhihui's matter."

Li Shimin whispered, "Could the masked man who attacked the four masters be Yuan Yueze, who disguised himself and returned to fight?"

Daoxin shook his head, "Absolutely impossible. Their physiques are very different, and most importantly, their demeanor is different. Although Brother Yuan..." Despite being a member of the Demonic Sect, his true energy and swordsmanship exuded the peaceful and vast aura of Taoism, whereas the one who attacked us was filled with evil.

Jiaxiang couldn't help but think of Yuan Yueze's words about the 'evil sword,' and that self-deprecating tone was utterly ironic to the Four Holy Monks. He could only sigh and say with a bitter smile, "What a pity for such a person with Buddhist nature, alas!"

Li Shimin said, "A few days ago, Father Emperor sent his old friend, the 'Spear Demon' Yan Pingzhao, with high-ranking officials and generous rewards to invite him out of seclusion to ambush Yuan Yueze. Who knew he would meet such a tragic end? He also has Zhu Yuyan, whose demonic skills are unparalleled, by his side. It will be too difficult to touch him again." Upon

hearing this, the hall returned to silence.

Ever since hearing Ning Daoqi recount Zhu Yuyan's ability to break through the void, Fan Qinghui and the others had been avoiding mentioning her. Now, with the unsuspecting Li Shimin bringing it up, even these highly skilled hermits could no longer remain calm and sighed helplessly.

It was indeed incredibly ironic that a ruthless member of the demonic sect could ascend to the Heavenly Dao faster than those of them, who had renounced worldly life, devoted themselves to cultivation, and were free from desires. Even more laughable was that this member of the demonic sect had given up this opportunity that countless people dreamed of without a second thought. Even those with profound mental cultivation like Liao Kong, Ning Daoqi, and Fan Qinghui were baffled by this.

The coarse white robes did not conceal Shi Feixuan's captivating beauty; on the contrary, they perfectly revealed her ethereal features and otherworldly, serene气质. She lowered her head, her beautiful eyes reflecting a complex and unfathomable expression.

From the scriptures passed down through her sect, she knew that cultivators of the Heavenly Dao must sever the seven emotions and six desires, for desires and emotions are difficult to control. Cultivators are like small boats in raging waves; a single moment of distraction can lead to them becoming slaves to their emotions and desires, from which they can never escape. Zhu Yuyan, however, broke through the limitations of the Heavenly Dao, which brought an unprecedented and enormous shock to her mind. For cultivators who enter the world, the most difficult hurdle is naturally the bond of emotions. With Zhu Yuyan as a precedent, a thought unexpectedly flashed through Shi Feixuan's mind: Is it really necessary to overcome the bond of emotions?

Inner demons thus quietly began to grow.

Of course, things were not as she thought. Before the Great Hero's Eagle Horse treads through the void and shatters, he still holds the body of the 'Red-Powdered Queen' Qi Bishao, grieving bitterly. Before his Nirvana, Buddha Shakyamuni earnestly warned the world of the terrifying realm between life and death. It is clear that the presence or absence of emotions has little to do with whether one can transcend the Heavenly Dao.

Shi Feixuan didn't know about Chuan Ying, but she knew about the Buddha, and her doubts grew.

Fan Qinghui remained motionless and asked, "Xuan'er, do you have something to say?"

Knowing that her sudden heartbeat had caught her master's attention, Shi Feixuan said softly, "Young Master Yuan told me that he had no intention of eradicating Buddhism and Taoism, but only wanted to fight for a legitimate space for the Demonic Sect to survive. Moreover, Master also knows that Empress Zhu has been working to revise the Demonic Sect's system for the past few years..."

Although what Shi Feixuan said was true, Fan Qinghui still laughed out loud, "Xuan'er underestimates your opponent."

Li Shimin then realized why Fan Qinghui had suddenly come down the mountain to personally plan this 'demon-slaying operation'.

They first noticed by chance that Yuan Yueze had been staring at an ordinary hill for the past few days, and began to suspect that something was amiss there. When Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu started fighting, the news quickly spread into the city, and the righteous sects immediately decided to take action to intercept Yuan Yueze. Although it was considered taking advantage of the chaos and damaging to their reputation, they did it for the sake of the common people, so they didn't care about such things. Li Shimin's recent suggestion to Yuan Yueze that Li Yuanji harm his family after the Spring Festival was merely a diversionary tactic. Unfortunately, this meticulously planned operation still ended in failure, and the righteous path almost lost a master.

This was the price they paid for underestimating Yuan Yueze.

Fan Qinghui said calmly, "I know that Senior Brother Kong, Brother Dao, and several masters have a good impression of Yuan Yueze, but think about how he obtained Luoyang and how he treated our Buddhist sect. He has always concealed his true strength. If it weren't for the intervention of the four holy monks today, who knows how long the world would have been deceived by him. Fei Xuan also said that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, knowing that Yuan Yueze was a member of the demonic sect, still maintained a close relationship with him because Yuan Yueze generously gave the Young Marshal's army a million taels of silver that day. This act not only won the Young Marshal's army's trust but also earned the praise of the local people." This shows that this young man is not as indifferent as he appears; on the contrary, he possesses the sinister characteristics of a member of the Demonic Sect, harboring malicious intentions and having a deep and cunning mind. Before I went down the mountain, I received news from my scouts that Xiangyang had been captured by Shen Luoyan. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling deceived everyone, traveling day and night, and returned to Pengcheng in three days. They secretly launched an attack, seizing Zhongli and Donghai counties with lightning speed. They also issued a proclamation, denouncing Fu Gongshi for killing Li Zitong years ago, usurping power, and preparing to march on Yangzhou.

Liao Kong and the others remained silent. Shi Feixuan lowered her head, and no one knew what her expression was like.

If Yuan Yueze were here, he would definitely point at Fan Qinghui's small nose and curse: "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason. You underestimate me, but then you say I'm hiding my strength, damn it!

" Li Shimin's face was stern as he asked, "Does the Master know how the Song Clan, Lin Shihong, and Xiao Xian have behaved?"

His question was full of profound meaning. With Shen Luoyan already north of the Yangtze River, the fate of Fu Gongshi and Yangzhou will largely depend on the movements of the three major southern powers.

Fan Qinghui seemed to recall something from the past, a hint of sadness flashing in her bright eyes, before she calmly said, "The Song Clan hasn't made a move. Lin Shihong has already met with Shen Luoyan in Xiangyang. Xiao Xian is being held back by Shen Luoyan, his 400,000 troops remaining inactive."

Li Shimin inwardly cried out in alarm. Didn't this mean Yangzhou would eventually fall into the hands of the Young Marshal's army? If that were the case, the world would be in a 'four-star' situation: Yuan Yueze in the center, the Young Marshal's army in the east, the Great Xia army in the north, and the Li Tang army in the west. With the Li Tang already possessing Sichuan, even if the other three armies didn't unite, their controlled territories and armies would be a major obstacle to the Li Tang's unification of the Central Plains. On the other hand, the hesitant Xiao Xian in the south and the Song Clan, having lost 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que, are much weaker.

Fan Qinghui sighed softly, as if speaking to everyone, yet also murmuring to herself, "This humble nun has come out of seclusion this time because she cannot bear to see the calamity continue. If Yuan Yueze is truly a detached person, why does he insist on opposing the Tang Dynasty after listening to advice? Isn't this going against the will of Heaven?"

This was Fan Qinghui's true purpose in coming out of seclusion. Originally, with the Tang Dynasty resembling the powerful Qin Dynasty of the late Warring States period, the course of the world was almost set. However, the rampant expansion of the Young Marshal's army and Shen Luoyan disrupted their plans. Yuan Yueze, being stubborn as a mule, would agree with whatever the current situation, but he simply refused to retire. Upholding the swordsman's spirit of not allowing the slightest mistake, Fan Qinghui wanted to nip any terrible signs in the bud, hence her decision to come out of seclusion to contact the righteous masters.

Li Shimin knew that the spiritual leader of the Central Plains martial arts world was giving him a pointer, so he quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said sincerely, "Master's words and deeds are like a morning bell, which I will always remember. Your great compassion for all people makes me feel ashamed. However, regarding my father, the Crown Prince, and my brother... alas!" Liaokong

said in a deep voice, "Your father is too indecisive. We have already reminded him that the child in Consort Lian's womb is Yang Xuyan's, but he insists on waiting until the child is born to have its blood tested to confirm, watching helplessly as Yang Xuyan roams around Chang'an. Alas! We are ultimately people who have entered the Buddhist order, and our power is meager. This is all we can do to help." "Alright. But the Crown Prince has a close relationship with the Turks, and the Prince of Qi is secretly colluding with the Demonic Sect to harm you through trickery. Even if you are siblings, you should know that politics does not tolerate any mercy. Never mind, this humble monk is rambling, Prince Qin, please don't take it to heart."

Thinking of how he had ruined Li Yuanji's spring hunt plan and confiscated the firearms they had secretly hidden, Li Shimin smiled bitterly: "Master's good intentions are clear to me, but I still can't bring myself to kill my brothers."

He paused, then added: "I heard from Miss Shi that the Master will be returning to Jingzhai tomorrow, and I will come to see him off then."

Fan Qinghui nodded and closed her eyes.

Li Shimin bowed and turned to leave.

-

Chapter 105 A Plan Within a Plan

Xi Feng's expression was cold and stern, his secretly urging oath was constantly intensifying, but his tone was calm and unwavering as he coldly said: "Both of you are Madam Yuan, right? How should I address you?"

Shan Meixian stood at the door with her hands behind her back, while Fu Junzhuo leaned against the wooden window with her sword in her arms.

The doors and windows showed no signs of having been opened; the two women seemed to have emerged from the ground.

In terms of cultivation, these two women were comparable to Zhu Yuyan among Yuan Yueze's family. However, Zhu Yuyan's reputation was somewhat overshadowed by the mysterious religious aura and thousand-year-old lineage of the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique.' In fact, Shan Meixian's improved 'Heavenly Demon Technique' and Fu Junzhuo's 'Sword Control Divine Technique' were in no way inferior to the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique,' provided they were both proficient in Yuan Yueze's strange self-created Qi cultivation method.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned tense and solemn.

Shan Meixian was completely unaffected by the terrifying energy emanating from Xi Feng, which seemed to fill the hall with a tangible force. Instead, she smiled and said, "Lord Pei is actually a Holy Envoy under the Great Ming Holy Venerable. I have been watching you for a long time."

Knowing that a tough battle was inevitable, Pei Ji, who recognized the seemingly delicate and beautiful woman before him as no ordinary person, laughed heartily and stood up, saying, "Madam actually cares about me. How fortunate I am!"

Although he said this, his expression grew increasingly cold and somber.

A flash of golden light, and the spear was already in Xi Feng's hand. The spearhead, gleaming eerily in the lamplight, pointed at Fu Junzhuo. His aura locked onto her, and his gaze sharpened as he coldly said, "The Holy Venerable said the enmity with Yuan Yueze should have ended long ago, yet you have repeatedly opposed my Holy Sect. Do you think we are afraid of you?"

Fu Junzhuo retorted with a huff, "Your wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious. Since your Holy Venerable said he would no longer plot against the Central Plains, why have you two been left here? Isn't this just a cover-up?"

Xi Feng grunted, "Then let me, Xi Feng, witness Madam's methods!"

Fu Junzhuo smiled slightly, gracefully leaping down from the windowsill and straightening her delicate body. A chilling aura surged through nearly four zhang of space, pressing towards Xi Feng. His tight-fitting clothes and hair immediately billowed in response.

Xi Feng's expression turned grave, revealing the immense pressure he was under from Fu Junzhuo's powerful aura. Standing less than ten feet beside him, Pei Ji and Shan Meixian at the door showed no discomfort whatsoever, demonstrating Fu Junzhuo's precise and masterful control of her inner energy.

Shan Meixian slowly extended her pair of slender, translucent hands, like white jade, and smiled, "If Lord Pei does not surrender, I will have no choice but to be impolite!"

Her smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, giving one an unparalleled sense of comfort, but Pei Ji inexplicably broke out in a cold sweat. He clearly felt that her ridiculously slow-moving hands were gathering immense energy as she extended them. If she were to straighten her hands before attacking, Pei Ji would likely have no chance of winning, because he knew that moment would be the peak of Shan Meixian's power.

If there were any onlookers at this moment, they would surely find it unbearable to watch.

Pei Ji suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "Once a fight breaks out, the ladies probably won't gain anything. This is the Chai family's residence!"

The two women's momentum immediately diminished, and before Pei Ji could even feel pleased, their frenzied energy pressed down again.

Shan Meixian smiled and said, "I guess only a handful of people in the Chai family know that Lord Pei has come here. Also, if I'm not mistaken, this small building must be a forbidden area of the Chai family, otherwise why would Lord Pei consider this his last refuge?"

Pei Ji's face turned frosty, knowing that the two women had overheard most of his conversation with Xi Feng. His original intention was simply to force the two women away so he could make other plans, but the perceptive Shan Meixian had guessed his weakness, leaving him speechless.

His psychological warfare had failed.

Just from his expression, Shan Meixian knew that her guess was correct.

Pei Ji's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Suddenly, he let out a low shout, and without even moving his wrist, a long iron fan appeared in his right hand. This was the 'Forgetful Fan,' the very fan he used to summon heroes from all over the world. At the same time, his figure moved forward like a ghost, bringing with it a chilling killing intent, and he thrust it towards Shan Meixian, whose arms were not yet fully extended and whose clothes were fluttering in the wind from his force.

This simple starting gesture alone showed that he had been hiding his strength all along; even if he was not as strong as Xi Feng, he was probably not far off.

Almost at the same time, Xi Feng flicked his golden spear, and a chilling and terrifying killing intent immediately spread out. A lifelike golden dragon danced wildly and pounced on Fu Junzhuo, as if it wanted to devour this small human.

Fu Junzhuo's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent. She could sense the brilliance of this spear strike, a culmination of Xi Feng's peak cultivation. The spear's power and angle constantly shifted as it traveled, first like a mighty river whipping up wave after wave of giant waves, then conjuring countless golden dragons that darted across the sky, slicing through a four-zhang space. In a flash, it reached her, transforming back into a single spear, utterly powerful and invincible.

Such spear technique was truly unmatched in the world. She wondered what would happen if Shen Luoyan's silver spear clashed with it.

With a sigh, Fu Junzhuo deftly drew her sword with her delicate fingers, remotely summoning the 'Yuxu Treasure Sword.' Without a sound or a wisp of air, it traced an arc of beauty beyond the mundane, slowly meeting Xi Feng's golden spear.

Pei Ji's iron fan gathered into a sharp, chilling point, piercing the air towards Shan Meixian's throat with utter cruelty.

The entire hall suddenly shifted.

Space distorted, and Xi Feng and Fu Junzhuo, not far away, seemed to have become people from another world.

The Great Demon Arena.

Shan Meixian, with her right hand behind her back and her left hand forming a blade, slashed diagonally at Pei Ji's fierce iron fan.

A dull, piercing sound, like the clash of metal and qi, followed, followed by two vortexes of air shooting outwards. Nearby furniture and chairs tumbled and shattered like fallen leaves, rolling in all directions.

Shan Meixian and Fu Junzhuo were forced outside the doors and windows.

The two women showed no sign of dejection; instead, they exchanged a smile, nodded, and leaped into the dark hall.

Running swiftly through the long tunnel, Xi Feng asked, "Brother Pei, how many exits does this tunnel have?"

Pei Ji, his expression calm, slowly replied, "This is just a tunnel dug when the Chai family was built. Chai Shen said there are two exits."

This man was indeed extraordinary; as a Holy Envoy, his cultivation far surpassed Wang Shichong's. Because when a person is running at full speed, the circulation of blood, qi, and true energy within their body is at its peak. If they speak at the same time, their voice will naturally be both rapid and forceful, consistent with their outward expression. Even those who have reached the level of first-rate masters can only maintain a calm tone. However, the fact that Pei Ji's speaking speed is completely opposite to his running speed shows that he can defy the natural order and achieve complete control over the release of qi and voice. Pei Ji's martial arts have probably reached the level of a master.

Xi Feng said, "Those two bitches should find the entrance later. We must split up. What do you think, Brother Pei?"

Pei Ji nodded and said, "Run another half mile, and there's a fork in the road ahead. As long as we can avoid those two women's pursuit, I've already spoken to Li Yuan tomorrow, and I can stay directly in the palace. They can't do anything about it."

Xi Feng said, "I don't know where the Holy Venerable is. I can only take it one step at a time. I'm afraid we can't return to the palace. Take care, Brother Pei."

There were already six forks ahead.

From Pei Ji's words, it was clear that only two of the six exits led to the surface, while the other four were dead ends.

After pointing out the correct exit to Xi Feng, Xi Feng said, "If there is a wise envoy, he will appear in the world."

Pei Ji replied, "To enlighten all beings and liberate them from suffering."

Then, the two figures disappeared into the fork in the road.

Shan Meixian and the other woman arrived shortly after, and were stunned when they saw the six cave entrances.

Fu Junzhuo asked, "Sister, do you have a way?"

Shan Meixian frowned and shook her head, saying, "With cultivation levels like theirs, their pores can completely close, leaving no trace of their aura in the air, let alone any footprints."

Fu Junzhuo resolutely said, "This is an opportunity not to be missed; we have to take a gamble!"

After Shan Meixian nodded, the two women also disappeared into the cave entrances.

Perhaps it was a trick of fate, but Shan Meixian and Pei Ji had chosen the same path, while Fu Junzhuo had chosen a dead end. Xi Feng's life was truly fortunate.

Yuan Yueze, carrying the corpse of the lewd man who called himself "Tian Ting" and had been captured by Shan

Meixian and Jun Zhuo, drifted out of the West Garden like a leaf. They hadn't gotten any information. Wanwan mentioned discovering someone secretly traveling between the Pei and Chai residences. Shan Meixian and Jun Zhuo naturally investigated the Chai residence first, since Pei Ji wouldn't conduct any mysterious activities there. Unexpectedly, they had stumbled upon the right place.

Yuan Yueze continued interrogating, but the man truly knew nothing except that he had been sent by Pei Ji to eavesdrop. He killed him without hesitation, comforted the exhausted and weak Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan, and went to find Bai Qing'er alone.

Pei Ji's true colors had finally been revealed. He had supported this arrogant "Tian Ting" for ten years without any benefit. Meixian and Jun Zhuo could capture him alive, or even kill him if they wanted.

Yuan Yueze buried the body in a desolate corner outside the palace, muttered a thought to himself, and then rushed to Yin Zuwen's residence.

Zhu Yuyan told him that she could clearly sense Bai Qing'er's anxious mood, so it was necessary to go and see for herself.

Bai Qing'er was whispering to Wen Caiting, who had come to visit her, in bed, talking about intimate things between young women, occasionally letting out a clear laugh.

When she inadvertently glanced behind Wen Caiting, Bai Qing'er's expression froze, then turned strange, and she said, "Uncle Ting, it's late, go to sleep!"

Then, she raised her jade hand and sent out a palm strike, extinguishing the already dim candle.

Wen Caiting, who was lying on her side facing her, asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Then she turned her head and looked, and was right against a broad chest, her buttocks clearly being pressed against something all too familiar, making her almost cry out.

A pair of large hands swiftly covered her lips, and Yuan Yueze's voice rang in her ear, softly saying, "Sister Ting, it's me!"

Seeing Wen Caiting nod slightly, Yuan Yueze released her, lightly leaping up and squeezing between the two women, embracing one in each arm, kissing each of their rosy cheeks, letting out a contented sigh, his eyes fixed intently on the roof.

Bai Qing'er's small mouth pressed against his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, and said, "Can you speak loudly?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, turning his head to kiss her again, but was pushed away, before proudly saying, "Of course, the Heavenly Demon aura lives up to its name."

The two women simultaneously burst into giggles.

Bai Qing'er said, "How did you get in, young master? You scared me to death."

Yuan Yueze knew she was meticulous, so he comforted her, "Don't worry, when I came in, almost everyone in the manor was asleep. It took me a long time to find this place. Couldn't Yin Zuwen have arranged for you to be in a better place?"

Then, he teased Wen Caiting, whose body was trembling slightly and who was nestled in his arms like an ostrich, saying, "Isn't Sister Ting right? Yes, how did you end up here?" The Yin Gui Sect's

wanton woman, who had countless male lovers in the past, was so embarrassed that she dared not answer. Upon hearing this, her body trembled even more violently. Yuan Yueze remembered Zhu Yuyan's words and hurriedly said, "Sister, please don't blame me for being rude. It's just that I couldn't help but feel aroused by you."

Wen Caiting said in a trembling voice, "Don't say anymore!"

Then she tried to struggle out, but she was no match for Yuan Yueze's strength. The more she struggled, the more intense the friction between the two became. Currents of electricity surged through her limbs and bones. Having not been with a man for too long, she was afraid she couldn't take it, so she immediately stopped moving and didn't say a word.

Bai Qing'er chided from the side, "It's all your fault! You scared Aunt Ting so much! Qing'er wasn't wrong, was she? If we're talking about thick skin, if you claim to be second, no one in the world dares to claim to be first, hehe!"

It turned out that she couldn't help but laugh because Yuan Yueze's strange hand tickled her a few times.

After stopping, Yuan Yueze said, "Yu Yan said she noticed that you were in a bad mood. Has something happened?"

When talking about serious matters, Yuan Yueze was no longer joking at all.

Bai Qing'er said, "After the Xiang family's downfall, Yin Zuwen and Xu Liuzong have already pledged allegiance to Shi Zhixuan. Qing'er overheard Shi Zhixuan saying that Yang Xuyan has also submitted to him again. Yang Xuyan is colluding with the Crown Prince's faction to assassinate Li Shimin on the Spring Festival and frame you, young master. However, Qing'er didn't hear the details of the plan. Please forgive me, young master."

Yuan Yueze lightly slapped her firm, fragrant buttocks and laughed, "I told you to call me husband, why haven't you changed your mind?"

Having her vital parts attacked and being intimately touched by him, Bai Qing'er, who was already unable to control herself, let out a soft moan and whispered "husband." Only then did Yuan Yueze nod in satisfaction and frown in thought.

He suddenly understood why the plan to assassinate Li Shimin had changed so many times. Initially, when he overheard Yang Xuyan's conversation with Xiang Yushan, he believed the other party was trying to lure him into a trap. The original plan, as Hou Xibai later told him, was indeed to take place during the spring hunt. However, the news of Li Shimin's seizure of a large quantity of firearms a few days prior had already caused a sensation in Chang'an, though it was overshadowed by the Xiang family's downfall. Recalling the events, it seemed Li Shimin had been secretly investigating after receiving information about Yang Guimei, which allowed him to intercept the firearms. One plan failing, another naturally followed. The Crown Prince's faction, having suffered a hidden loss, wouldn't let it go easily, hence the plan being brought forward. But in their minds, Yuan Yueze should have fallen for the trap; how could they launch an attack on the very day of the Spring Festival? Remembering his encounter with Hou Xibai on the street and then at his residence, a sudden realization dawned on Yuan Yueze. Even if they had tried to keep a low profile, they were still under scrutiny. With so many eyes and ears within Chang'an, how could the Crown Prince's faction not have informed Yang Xuyan of this? He was cunning and treacherous, and perhaps he already knew from both Buddhist and Taoist sources that Consort Lian's child was his own. His warning to Li Yuan led him to deduce that Hou Xibai had secretly discovered his secrets. It was only natural that Hou Xibai would tell Yuan Yueze about their plan to assassinate Li Shimin during the spring hunt. So, they decided to play along, planning to bring the Spring Festival forward, hoping to keep Yuan Yueze guessing their true intentions.

After sharing her thoughts with the two women, Wen Caiting, having regained her composure, finally spoke again. She said in a low voice, "Just as Qing'er said, if you, young master, were to use your brain, few would be your match."

Then she let out a soft exclamation.

Yuan Yueze then playfully kissed her lips again, chuckling, "Big sister, you flatter me! I just find thinking too tiring."

Bai Qing'er pondered from the side, "I wonder what happened today. Many experts from the Yin family were mobilized, and they didn't return until very late, looking exhausted, and went to bed early. Otherwise, my husband wouldn't have been able to sneak in so easily."

With their current cultivation levels, they indeed couldn't detect the powerful spiritual energy throughout the city.

Yuan Yueze recounted the day's events, the two women gasping in surprise at the perilous parts. Finally, Yuan Yueze said, "I was wondering why Yin Zuwen didn't seize the opportunity. I guess Shi Zhixuan was too eager to capture Liu Yu, so he ordered Yin Zuwen and other experts to apprehend the injured Liu Yu. Judging from Qing'er's description, Liu Yu must have escaped safely."

Bai Qing'er gently patted Yuan Yueze's chest, saying, "Husband, you single-handedly created your own sword technique and fought the four holy monks without being at a disadvantage. Why couldn't you break through the Heavenly Limit like Master?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Breakthroughs not only require an equally matched opponent, but also your own state of mind. I vaguely sensed that when the four holy monks attacked me with all their might, I hadn't truly entered the realm of transcendence, so it's natural that I couldn't break through."

Wen Caiting exclaimed, "Doesn't that mean you haven't used your full strength, young master?"

Yuan Yueze nodded.

How old is he! Just how much unfathomable strength remains within this extraordinary body!

The two women thought to themselves almost simultaneously.

Yuan Yueze continued to Wen Caiting, "I know that you've fallen in love with me, don't deny it. So, are you satisfied with your younger brother's directness?"

He didn't ask why Wen Caiting was there, because he knew she had a past relationship with Yin Zuwen. He figured that if she came here and said she was dissatisfied with Zhu Yuyan's changes to the Holy Gate system and wanted to secretly cooperate with him, she could easily deceive the self-centered and self-important Yin Zuwen. Anyone who likes to project their own opinions onto others is easily swayed by sweet talk, just like King Li Er. He was old and disliked negative words and flattering praise, which pleased him greatly, but ended up losing his fortune, the person who truly loved him, and almost his life. Yin Zuwen must have been deceived by Wen Caiting's lies. Yuan Yueze could clearly see that Wen Caiting was much weaker than she had been six months ago, a consequence of only practicing half of the 'Charming Maiden Heart Technique' and suffering the backlash from incomplete mastery. This explains why she has been seeking men for tonifying her body, and it also reveals her true situation over the past six months.

Yuan Yueze could understand all this, but he couldn't understand how Wen Caiting, who had experienced so much hardship, could fall in love with him. It was undeniable that he was exceptional in appearance, strength, and personality, but how could someone who had experienced so much and seen through the ways of the world be easily moved again?

It all came down to the unintentional words he uttered that day: "This smile, without any seductive arts, is the most beautiful and natural."

Similar words had been uttered by Zhu Yuyan to Wen Caiting years ago during a casual chat between the two sisters. At that time, Zhu Yuyan's demonic arts had reached their peak, and her demeanor had drastically changed, no longer possessing her former coldness. This reminded Wen Caiting of their twenties forty years ago, when they both possessed radiant, curvaceous bodies, vibrant energy, and pure, innocent hearts. Forty years had passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhu Yuyan's heart had suddenly returned to that time. How could Wen Caiting not be filled with mixed emotions? Her beauty remained, but her heart had long since died; to put it bluntly, she was a walking corpse.

At that moment, for the first time, she calmly reflected on the past, ultimately arriving at a conclusion that surprised even herself: she was even less than a prostitute; at least there were no prostitutes of her age in the brothel.

Rather than Yuan Yueze's unintentional remark later intensifying her suspicions about her past actions, it was Zhu Yuyan's words that truly touched her heart, dormant for decades and long since dead.

That day, she went to visit Bai Qing'er, who vividly recounted how Yuan Yueze's teachings were so superb and how he had defeated five top masters, leaving Wen Caiting somewhat fascinated.

Men like beautiful women, and women like strong men.

While this isn't absolute, it aligns with the thoughts of most people.

Especially for a man like Yuan Yueze, who, aside from his taciturn nature, had almost no flaws, it wasn't surprising that he could move Wen Caiting, who was already in a period of self-doubt and wavering.

But trouble followed. Once true love takes hold, one inevitably becomes foolish.

Her self-doubt turned into obsession. Hearing Yuan Yueze's frank words, she felt both ashamed and pleased, followed by self-pity, secretly believing she was unworthy of him.

Yuan Yueze clearly felt his arm getting wet, and continued with his startling words: "I know you're still bothered by the past, but think about it, with so many wives in my family, how could I possibly be a good person to run off and say these things to you? What am I if not a scoundrel? Instead of wallowing in self-pity, you should face it with composure. I believe that as long as your heart is no longer impure, then your whole being is no longer impure. If you lose even your self, what good is a perfect physical appearance? More than three hundred years later, a 'Zen Master Wude' wrote a poem: 'Spring rain and spring clouds, nourishing all things anew. Green mountains dotted, emerald grass evenly spread.'" "Evenly. The rain has cleared, the sky is still, the clouds disperse, all one color. What more can a cultivator say? 'Do you understand the meaning?'"

Bai Qing'er, seeing Yuan Yueze speak so eloquently, though initially crude, every word was reasonable, and later he even composed a short poem, became interested. She said sweetly, "Qing'er hates the false Taoists in the Xuanmen the most. Husband, tell me about it."

Within the Yin Gui Sect, her relationship with Wen Caiting had always been the best. Since Zhu Yuyan gave her complete freedom and she gained Yuan Yueze's favor, she was no longer the Bai Qing'er who only cared about profit. If Wen Caiting could truly find her heart's home, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Women understand women's hearts best; she wanted to cooperate with Yuan Yueze to untangle Wen Caiting's knots.

Yuan Yueze, of course, guessed that Bai Qing'er might have already told Wen Caiting about his background, so he smiled and said, "While people certainly need the peaceful atmosphere of spring clouds and rain, their true nature is like the vast sky in the misty spring rain, or the scenery in the cloud-shrouded fog—it doesn't change its profound and clear qualities. Making mistakes isn't terrible; what's terrible is not repenting. Of course, you can correct it and then make the same mistake again, and then correct it again!"

Bai Qing'er chuckled again, and even Wen Caiting, who was nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms, laughed, though she still didn't raise her head. Bai Qing'er panted and said, "What is this called now?" "?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "This is called being tempered a thousand times!"

Then, his stubbornness flared up, and he said, "Whether my elder sister agrees or not is irrelevant. Anyway, once I've made up my mind, no one can stop me!"

Wen Caiting didn't have time to laugh again. Her delicate body trembled noticeably, and she finally raised her pretty face, which was covered with silent tears, and said, "Thank you for your words, young master, but I..."

Yuan Yueze wiped away her tears and said, "If you want to consider it, that's fine, but you should get well first. You can take as much time as you want."

Wen Caiting knew the true meaning of these words, and she didn't nod immediately, but she didn't refuse either.

Bai Qing'er scolded, "Can't you be a little more subtle when you speak!"

Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "If I were more subtle, I would be a gentleman, and that's exactly what I hate most about gentlemen."

The two women chuckled twice, and the room returned to silence.

The three of them remained motionless, and they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats, breathing, and even the sound of blood flowing.

This was, of course, an illusion. In the quiet, deep night, a warm and tender feeling welled up in the two women's hearts, a surge of pleasure rushing to their brains, even more wonderful than real lovemaking.

Bai Qing'er suddenly said, "I heard from Yin Zuwen that my husband once flirted with Shi Feixuan in a restaurant. I wonder if it's true or not."

Yuan Yueze nodded and recounted what happened that day.

Wen Caiting, with her extensive experience, could discern Yuan Yueze's dislike for Shi Feixuan from just a few words. She said curiously, "It's truly an anomaly that you, young master, dislike Shi Feixuan. There's probably no other man like that in the world."

Yuan Yueze scoffed, "That's why I emphasized to you that I value spirit, not form. Shi Feixuan is merely a person with form but no spirit. Compared to her, I prefer you 'demonesses' with flesh and blood."

Bai Qing'er suddenly exclaimed, "I suddenly remembered something! It's all your fault for acting strangely; Qing'er's head is spinning!"

Yuan Yueze asked in surprise, "What is it?"

---

Chapter 106 Starry Night Talk

Pei Ji finally escaped back to the cliff top.

The exit of this tunnel was actually on the edge of a cliff two miles west of Chang'an City.

"Lord Pei's lightness skill isn't very good!"

Before he could even catch his breath, Shan Meixian's clear voice rang out, almost scaring him half to death.

Looking down, he saw robes fluttering in the clear, bright moonlight. A graceful figure slowly floated up the sheer cliff face from the half-closed cave entrance, like a fairy descending to earth. The nearby jagged rocks and the distant, towering peaks seemed to come alive because of her. Pei Ji even felt a sense of ethereal mist surrounding him.

The world was no longer the world, but a fairyland on earth.

It seemed like only a blink of an eye, yet also like an eternity, before Shan Meixian landed on the cliff top, standing with her hands behind her back in front of Pei Ji, calmly observing him, like an incomparably beautiful jade statue.

Oh no!

Pei Ji, his mind clouded by her presence, immediately focused his mind, and everything around him returned to normal.

He dared not look at Shan Meixian again, narrowing his eyes to slits, then widening them, shooting out tangible lightning, like the sun, its light obscured by clouds, suddenly revealing its true form, no longer afraid of any illusion. The magical transformation was breathtaking. Then, he retracted the iron fan into his sleeve, withdrawing his imposing aura. His calm and natural demeanor, coupled with his majestic and unyielding posture, gave the impression of a man of both literary and martial prowess. Although it was just a casual stance, his entire being became mysterious, revealing no flaws and seemingly blending seamlessly with the heavens and earth.

Shan Meixian's beautiful lips curved slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She said, "This must be Lord Pei's trump card. I hope you won't disappoint me again."

Pei Ji's pupils suddenly contracted. He understood why Shan Meixian and her companion had been defeated by their first move at the Chai residence. It was all intentional. Fighting there would have been disadvantageous for both sides. Shan Meixian and her companion had deliberately feigned weakness so that they could chase them out of the tunnel and fight them without restraint in a secluded place. But Pei Ji's mind was so firm that he instantly regained his composure. The long fan slid out of his sleeve and into his hand again.

With a "whoosh," the iron fan opened, and a sharp energy that seemed to fill the entire space surged out from the fan surface painted with beautiful landscape paintings like a flood. Wave after wave of energy swept towards Shan Meixian like a raging torrent.

In fact, Pei Ji had overestimated the two unfathomable women, because Fu Junzhuo hadn't caught up with Xi Feng.

Shan Meixian was slightly taken aback. His entire aura had changed drastically just now, and he had reappeared with his hidden fan. It turned out that he had been building up momentum all along, just to find a crack in her mind and launch a devastating attack.

Driven by curiosity, her mind did indeed show a crack that shouldn't have appeared. Pei Ji didn't stop, and began to shake the iron fan at varying speeds. At first glance, the speed was inconsistent and irregular, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that it followed a rhythm that seemed to follow a pattern within an irregularity. It was elusive yet impossible to grasp, feeling extremely strange, yet captivating.

Shan Meixian smiled slightly and unleashed a gentle, powerless palm strike from afar, which abruptly stopped in mid-air.

Pei Ji's expression immediately changed.

Shan Meixian's palm strike not only completely absorbed the increasingly fierce and oppressive energy he was unleashing, but its precise placement was also incredibly subtle. Pei Ji, whose momentum had reached its peak, was astonished to find all his follow-up attacks blocked, leaving him in an extremely awkward situation. He had no choice but to unleash his attack, yet he didn't know how. The suffocating feeling in his chest made him exceptionally distressed. Moreover, the palm strike was slow; although Pei Ji clearly saw every subtle movement as it swept through space, he felt an inexplicable sense that it had neither beginning nor end—utterly bizarre.

This perfectly executed palm strike was certainly no ordinary attack; it incorporated the essence of the Heavenly Demon Art, the Chess Sword Technique, and the Evil Sword.

Seeing the space around the jade palm, which seemed to shimmer with holy light under the moonlight, begin to distort, Pei Ji knew something was wrong. Instantly, he gathered a chilling, surging killing intent and charged straight at Shan Meixian.

His casual clothes began to flutter slightly against the wind, then the movement intensified, creating a loud rustling sound—not only amplifying his power but also a signal that his true energy had reached its peak.

Shan Meixian remained motionless. Her jade palm transformed into a universe capable of encompassing everything, absorbing all of Pei Ji's energy without exception. Her clear spiritual sense activated a warning claw, and her gaze swiftly shifted to her right.

There, a sky full of silvery light, bright as stars, swept in, overwhelming everything.

Streams of sharp energy, cutting painfully, pierced through her skin, then, just a foot away, suddenly solidified into a point, striking her directly in mid-air.

Even before the fan arrived, an astonishing pressure assaulted her, causing her long hair and clothes to flutter backward.

Shan Meixian's delicate shoulders swayed slightly, and in the next instant, she appeared beside Pei Ji. Her palm struck the fan stand repeatedly; after four muffled thuds, Pei Ji felt a chill run down his spine. Shan Meixian, with a combination of deflection and attack, instantly absorbed the energy from the fan, and her jade hand, powerful enough to pierce through anything, pointed towards his forehead.

"What!"

Pei Ji opened his iron fan, forcefully blocking Shan Meixian's finger strike and the kick from below. His last breath was depleted, and he was forced to retreat.

In mid-air, four small, distorted, spherical spheres of energy began to dissipate, demonstrating the speed of their battle.

Shan Meixian stood gracefully, smiling slightly. "I didn't intend to kill, but Lord Pei is a member of the Great Ming Sect. Only by capturing you can I obtain some information."

Pei Ji knew clearly that Shan Meixian's strength surpassed his, but he had no way to retreat.

Just two zhang behind him was a cliff over a hundred zhang high; even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would likely perish from such a fall.

Seeing the resolute glint in his eyes, Shan Meixian was slightly taken aback and said, "Lord Pei still has a family to support, why won't you cooperate with us? Another Holy Envoy has cooperated with us before."

Pei Ji laughed loudly and said coldly, "Don't compare me to a villain like Wang Shichong. My secrets are unknown to my family. Even if I die, I will never betray the Holy Sect's information."

Shan Meixian instantly understood why he disregarded family ties. It was because he had been mysteriously taken under the wing of the Great Ming Holy Venerable at a very young age, while Wang Shichong joined the sect later. Their different life experiences destined them to make different choices. Wang Shichong was at most a half-religious, while Pei Ji was a pure and fanatical religious figure.

There was no point in saying more, kill!

With that thought, Shan Meixian leaped into the air, kicking Pei Ji from head to toe.

The speed of this kick was beyond description. Even someone with Pei Ji's cultivation would have the illusion that when he 'noticed' Shan Meixian's leap, her kick was already half a zhang in front of him.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze, a desolate and solemn atmosphere descending. Life and death seemed to concentrate on Shan Meixian's lotus-like foot, a kick crashing down like a mountain.

Pei Ji remained fearless, defiantly unleashing a punch.

"Bang!"

A deafening roar followed, and Pei Ji's body was blasted into the air, blood spurting, plummeting off the cliff.

Shan Meixian was deeply moved: this man's loyalty to his religion had reached a point of demonic possession. That unprecedented kick was the pinnacle of her cultivation; the intangible yet tangible energy had already locked Pei Ji in place, preventing his escape. Yet Pei Ji had severed his own arm, using it as a medium to absorb Shan Meixian's power, solely for self-destruction. Such a mad act was truly beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.

A cold wind blew past, and Pei Ji's maniacal laughter faintly echoed; he seemed not yet to have reached the bottom of the cliff.

In truth, he was quite pitiful. He had been manipulated by Liu Yu since childhood, hadn't seen Liu Yu for over thirty years, yet remained so loyal, completely unaware that Liu Yu was the most despicable, shameless, and selfish person in the world.

Death, for him, might be a relief.

It was just unknown whether Jun Zhuo could catch up with Xi Feng and eliminate him in one fell swoop.

After a moment of reflection, Shan Meixian composed herself and quickly returned to the city.

West Market, right wing of Ningcui Hall.

Chang'an had over a hundred large and small clean halls, with Ningcui Hall, Qingfeng Spring in the East Market, and Lequan Pavilion in the North Market being the three most famous, all using hot spring water. This right wing was the highest-class, inaccessible even to those who paid.

In the luxurious, exquisitely decorated, steaming circular pool, four 'mermaids' could be vaguely seen.

Shang Xiufang, Ji Qian, Xiao He'er, and another person was none other than Hou Wenqing.

While splashing water, Xiao He'er asked, "Is Sister-in-law leaving tomorrow morning? Tomorrow is the Spring Festival!"

Hou Wenqing knew the relationship between Yuan Yueze and them, so she answered their questions without any concealment. She was now the 'Queen of Gambling,' and her fame was soaring.

Shang Xiufang also admired this woman who had persisted for many years and finally avenged her great grudge. She chimed in, "Since outsiders have been speculating about the relationship between Sister Qing and the young master, why not go to the palace to watch a performance before leaving? Wouldn't that be better?"

Outsiders had indeed been speculating about the relationship between Hou Wenqing and Yuan Yueze because the two had traveled together for a while in Chengdu. This was also the real reason why Yin Zuwen was unwilling to join Zhu Yuyan, but he hadn't said it aloud.

Hou Wenqing smiled and said, "Now that I've avenged my great grudge, I want to live a peaceful life with Shidao. So many years of running around have left me physically and mentally exhausted."

Xiao He'er exclaimed, "Sister-in-law should rest too! Otherwise, when you become Empress, you won't have so much freedom!"

Hou Wenqing shook her head and smiled bitterly.

Ji Qian, who had been listening silently to the three women's conversation without saying a word, grew increasingly complicated, and her long, slender eyebrows, glistening with a few drops of water, began to furrow.

Although Hou Wenqing didn't mention Yang Wengan's status as the eldest son of the Xiang family that day due to considerations of propriety, the Xiang family had no chance of recovery. Without the support of a powerful family, Yang Wengan would die sooner or later. The fact that she had brought down the Xiang family had a profound impact on Ji Qian. Initially, she felt a sense of despair and even didn't know whether to thank or hate Hou Wenqing. It was as if Hou Wenqing had completely stripped her of her life goals and ideals, leaving her unsure of what to do next. She simply lived a mechanical and numb existence. Hou Wenqing's words today had a profound impact on Ji Qian, who had recovered somewhat: she had overheard Yuan Yueze's plan, which ultimately involved ceding the throne to Song Shidao. Hou Wenqing, however, clearly showed little interest in the position of "Empress Dowager." Ji Qian's social circle was different from theirs, and she couldn't understand why anyone would dislike fame and power. But she finally understood that Xiao He'er's recent statement about someone coming to destroy the Xiang family before the Spring Festival was not unfounded. It was all the result of Yuan Yueze and Hou Wenqing's secret efforts. Thinking back to how she had scoffed at those words, Ji Qian suddenly recalled Yuan Yueze's comment, "Big breasts, no brains." Although she was still unconvinced, she had to admit she had been overly arrogant.

Xiao He'er swam over and asked curiously, "Xiao Qian, are you worried about tomorrow's banquet? Don't worry, if Li Yuanji dares to cause trouble, I guarantee Brother Yuan will make him even more embarrassed than last time when he wet his pants in the street!"

Seeing that she had also picked up a bit of a hooligan's spirit and spoke without restraint, the other women burst into laughter.

Hou Wenqing sighed, "My little sister has been corrupted by Yuzhi and Xiuxun."

Thinking of her two "rogue" predecessors, Xiao He'er's face flushed slightly, appearing even more radiant in the steam. She then said with longing, "Sister Yuzhi said that the three sisters Wanjing, Junqiang, and Ruyin, who haven't returned from their trip, are the real rogues! They're far inferior!"

The three girls laughed even harder, but Ji Qian forced a smile, thinking to herself that Yuan Yueze's family was leaving on the fifth day of the month. He could protect me once, but what about next time? Would she really have to submit to Li Yuanji?

Whatever! Enjoyment should be seized now!

Ji Qian turned and joined the three girls splashing and playing in the water.

In the Imperial Palace, in the Imperial Study,

it was late, but Li Yuan and his three sons were still awake.

After hearing Li Shimin recount the day's events, Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng, and Li Yuanji, though not truly involved, were still terrified.

Yuan Yueze, Zhu Yuyan, Liu Yu, Shi Zhixuan, Ning Daoqi, Bi Xuan, Liao Kong, the Four Great Monks, Yue Shan, and Fan Qinghui, the spiritual leader of the Xuanmen sect—more than a dozen of the most powerful cultivators in the world—had all gathered in Chang'an.

The righteous path was practically wiped out. The experts Li Yuan had secretly sent out hadn't returned yet, and his heart sank, guessing they might have died at Yuan Yueze's hands. Yuan Yueze was only around twenty years old, yet in a single day he had defeated a mysterious expert, the Four Great Monks, and Li Tang's most secretive peerless master—a feat too incredible to be true, yet impossible to deny.

Although they didn't know the mysterious expert was Liu Yu, they had heard from Li Shimin the righteous path experts' assessment of him: the elusive Liu Yu's strength was no less than that of the three grandmasters!

The four men, father and sons, each had their own thoughts. While Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were terrified of Yuan Yueze's strength, they were mostly gloating. They secretly thought, "The Buddhist and Taoist sects supported our second son, and now he's screwed. Although he's not dead, most martial artists who experience something like this are utterly devastated. That bastard Yuan Yueze is indeed incredibly cunning." Li Jiancheng glanced at Li Yuanji out of the corner of his eye. The two were of one mind; Li Yuanji gave him a reassuring look, and a smug glint flashed in their eyes.

Faced with a formidable enemy, Li Shimin ultimately chose to cooperate with his brothers who had been secretly plotting against him, simply because he considered Yuan Yueze, his primary enemy, to be dealt with first. However, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had a backup plan: Yang Xuyan had secretly informed Li Yuanji that a skilled assassin would lure Yuan Yueze outside the city the next day. When Li Shimin returned with the Buddhist and Taoist families, the Crown Prince's men, who had been lying in wait, would launch an attack, assassinate Li Shimin, and then frame Yuan Yueze on his return journey—killing two birds with one stone.

Li Yuanji wasn't stupid; he vaguely guessed that the person capable of luring Yuan Yueze out was Shi Zhixuan. He knew Shi Zhixuan harbored ill intentions, yet he still cooperated with him—it was merely arrogance. He firmly believed that someone like Yang Xuyan would not willingly be manipulated by Shi Zhixuan, so he decided to eliminate Yuan Yueze first, and deal with other matters later.

Li Yuan was deeply frustrated by the dissatisfaction he had caused with both the Buddhist and Taoist families due to his indecisiveness. He smiled bitterly and said, "What are your thoughts? Speak them out!"

Li Jiancheng hurriedly said, "I think we don't need to make any more unnecessary sacrifices right now. No matter how strong Yuan Yueze is, he's just one person. How can he face a thousand troops? What's important for us is to prepare for war first. It's not too late to defeat him when we go out to conquer him in the future. Fortunately, few people know about what happened today, otherwise it would have greatly affected our prestige."

He spoke the truth, but secretly he was criticizing the Buddhist and Taoist families for overestimating themselves and almost becoming stepping stones for Yuan Yueze's rise in power.

Li Yuan, being an emperor, turned cold upon hearing this and said in a deep voice, "Yuan Yueze hid himself too well. This matter cannot be blamed on the experts of the Xuanmen. What do you two think of the method the Crown Prince suggested?"

He had been trying to balance the relationship between the three brothers and ease their tensions, but he was only wasting his energy.

Although Li Yuanji hated Yuan Yueze to the core, he dared not act rashly again and echoed, "Your son agrees with the Crown Prince's statement."

Li Yuan was taken aback. He knew that the matter of Li Yuanji being tricked by Yuan Yueze had already spread like wildfire in the streets. Although the people only discussed it in secret, Li Yuan had eyes and ears throughout the city and had heard about it long ago. Seeing that Li Yuanji could be so tolerant, he thought he had matured and said with pleasure, "Yuanji, rest assured, our Great Tang is clear about gratitude and resentment. Yuan Yueze will definitely pay the price for his actions."

Li Yuanji lowered his head and thanked him. No one knew what he was thinking.

After a long silence, Li Yuanji raised his head and hesitated, "Your son... Your son has another plan, but..."

Li Yuan stared at him and asked, "But what?"

Li Yuanji hesitated for a long time and said, "But it will be unfair to Xiuning."

Li Yuan probably guessed his intention and pondered, "Tell me first, and we, father and son, will discuss it in detail before making a decision."

Li Yuanji immediately nodded.

Bai Qing'er said, "People are saying that now that Shi Zhixuan is backing Yin Zuwen, I'm afraid I can't beat him and won't be able to take revenge on my own."

Yuan Yueze said, "Isn't there me? You're going to perform for Li Yuan the day after tomorrow, right? Aren't you worried about this?"

Bai Qing'er smiled and said, "Would my husband allow his wife to dance for another man?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly and said seriously, "Of course not. After hearing your news just now, I had some ideas. Originally, we all guessed that Yin Zuwen's intention was for you to bewitch Li Yuan and then control him so that he could act at any time. However, considering that Bai Dao already knows that the child in Consort Lian's womb is Yang Xuyan's child, it's very likely that he has already informed Li Yuan. Although I don't know why Li Yuan didn't deal with this matter, your role has become more important now. Shi Zhixuan even intends to have you replace Consort Lian."

Wen Caiting interjected, "Even if Li Yuan doesn't punish Yang Xuyan now, he should verify the child's identity when it's born. At the very least, he could hold a blood-drop test to confirm kinship. How can Yang Xuyan hide his secret then? So, the young master's statement is highly likely."

Bai Qing'er added, "Qing'er won't be performing her dance until the day after tomorrow. Husband, you should think about how to deal with the Crown Prince's plot tomorrow!"

Yuan Yueze laughed out loud, "Do I even need to think about it? Plans can't keep up with changes. The righteous path has no one left to fight, and Liu Yu's side has suffered heavy losses. The only person in Chang'an capable of scheming against me is Shi Zhixuan. As long as I stay in the palace all day and don't introduce anyone to any invitations, what can they do?"

Without waiting for the two women to reply, he quickly picked up Wen Caiting, leaving behind the words, "Qing'er, just tell her that your Aunt Ting left in the middle of the night. I'm leaving. I'll come see you again tomorrow night!"

Being held by a man nearly forty years her junior made Wen Caiting feel somewhat embarrassed. After sneaking out of the Yin residence, she said in a trembling voice, "I must say something: Young Master shouldn't underestimate Shi Zhixuan. His Illusionary Demon Movement Technique is unparalleled in the world. How could he possibly fail to catch up with someone who is injured and exhausted?"

Yuan Yueze stopped and nodded, saying, "Feng'er was left behind by Liu Yu halfway through the chase, and my father-in-law, the Imperial Advisor, has also been appearing and disappearing mysteriously lately. I thought that with his interference, Shi Zhixuan would definitely not succeed, but what my elder sister said makes sense. Shi Zhixuan is cunning and shrewd, and I really can't underestimate him."

Wen Caiting said happily, "Young Master is willing to listen to my nonsense. He is fully qualified to be a wise ruler. Why don't you become the emperor yourself?"

Yuan Yueze said mysteriously, "If I were the emperor, when would I have time to spend with you! Don't you think I'm more carefree than an emperor right now?"

After saying that, he plopped down on the roof ridge and looked up at the starry sky.

Wen Caiting sat on his lap, nestled against his chest, and whispered, "Young Master is right. If worldly things like fame and fortune could interest you, you wouldn't be Yuan Yueze."

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "I haven't had a chance to talk to you much yet, so let's chat under the starry sky!"

Wen Caiting felt a little shy, but secretly delighted. Being carried back by Yuan Yueze like this made her feel ashamed to face Zhu Yuyan and the other women, including Shan Meixian. Although she came from the Demonic Sect, she was still bound by the social norms of this era. Despite Yuan Yueze's brief explanation, she still felt unworthy of him. However, Yuan Yueze's behavior just now was too domineering, and she had no chance to escape. If she could say something comforting now, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

Looking up, she saw Yuan Yueze gazing intently at the magnificent starry sky, as if looking at a beloved woman. She asked, "Does Young Master like the starry sky?"

Yuan Yueze nodded and pointed to the southwest, saying, "Don't you think it's beautiful, Eldest Sister?"

It was the dead of winter, and in the southwestern night sky, the seven constellations—Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen—formed the image of a majestic white tiger, its right claw pointing forward, stretching across the sky. Wen Caiting only had a rudimentary understanding of astronomy and had never observed it closely before. Today, with Yuan Yueze's guidance, she found the bright red glow of Orion and Aldebaran, the dazzling yellow light of Caracas, and the Seven Sisters star cluster all incredibly beautiful. She was momentarily stunned, experiencing for the first time the boundless and awe-inspiring grandeur of the universe.

Yuan Yueze explained the names of the stars to her one by one, which she listened to with great interest. Seeing that Yuan Yueze was staring intently at the Seven Sisters, she frowned and said, "I've heard that seeing the Pleiades is more ominous than auspicious, young master..."

Yuan Yueze turned to look at the Pleiades and chuckled, "Then I'll look at the Pleiades; seeing the Pleiades is very auspicious."

He then tightened his grip on her arm and said, "What you're saying is superstition, it's all nonsense. Look at the Lou constellation."

Wen Caiting looked over and saw several bright stars forming a ram-shaped cluster near the thick neck of the White Tiger constellation. Yuan Yueze continued... He said, “There’s a story in the West about that constellation. It’s about a king who, disliking his gentle and virtuous queen for growing old, deposed her and married a beautiful young woman. Once the young woman gained power, she began to abuse his ex-wife’s children, seeing them as thorns in his side and determined to get rid of them. The deposed queen, upon learning this, borrowed a pair of golden rams from the gods to save the two siblings from their suffering. But during their escape, the younger sister, terrified by the sound of the waves, accidentally fell into the sea and drowned. Finally…”

He suddenly stiffened before he could finish.

Wen Caiting, who was pondering the meaning of his words, looked at him curiously.

Yuan Yueze stood up, gazing westward at the city, and said, "Elder sister, wait for me here. I must leave for a while."

Wen Caiting dared not ask further, and whispered, "I have a property west of Xiude Lane. You may visit there later, young master."

She turned to leave, but Yuan Yueze grabbed her, saying, "Yes, your headquarters are in Chang'an. It's only natural to have some private property. Elder sister, don't worry. I just sensed Shi Zhixuan's presence and need to go and cause him some trouble."

Wen Caiting never expected Yuan Yueze to explain himself to her. In this era, men didn't need to explain their actions to women. Just as she was about to be moved, Yuan Yueze's next words made her blush crimson, so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head. She shook off his large hand and staggered away.

Yuan Yueze had said, "Elder sister, go back and wash yourself clean. I'll come back and have an affair with you!"

Watching Wen Caiting hurriedly flee, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that his shamelessness was truly unmatched.

The next moment, his face turned icy, and he flew towards Yanping Gate.

As he gazed at the starry sky, he naturally entered a state of absorption, just in time to sense two intense, familiar spiritual fluctuations in the west of the city. One was Fu Junzhuo's, and the other was Shi Zhixuan's.

Running a mile west of the city, the scene before him astonished Yuan Yueze: the two had been fighting for an unknown amount of time, and now stood apart. Fu Junzhuo's breathing was erratic, clearly at a disadvantage, while Shi Zhixuan appeared leisurely and composed, calmly observing the changing world.

He lightly leaped to Fu Junzhuo's side, channeling his inner energy to calm her breathing. Before he could even speak, he heard Fu Junzhuo cry out in hatred, "The Grand Preceptor Yun has been killed by Shi Zhixuan!"

Yuan Yueze trembled violently, his longsword pointing diagonally to the sky, saying nothing.

Shi Zhixuan looked up along the tip of his sword.

The Pleiades was emitting a dazzling, eerie, and malevolent blue-white light.

----

Chapter 107 The Seven Illusions of Immortality

Yuan Yueze's sharp gaze was more dazzling than the brightest star in the sky.

Affected by Yuan Yueze's chilling sword energy surging forth like a raging river, Shi Zhixuan's scholar's robes billowed backward, but he seemed completely unaffected, smiling slightly, "Your seven bloods are restless, causing your mind to be unstable. You cannot defeat me like this. Your little wife is quite capable; she couldn't last a hundred moves against me just now because of her agitated state of mind."

Fu Junzhuo had darted back and forth through several tunnels, and the one that Shan Meixian had taken had only one exit. How could she not be anxious? She glanced at Yuan Yueze with a slightly flushed face, only to see Yuan Yueze smile slightly at her before turning to look at Shi Zhixuan.

His expression was calm as he took a small step forward.

Guided by Shi Zhixuan, he became as still as an old monk, his mind rapidly reaching a state of selflessness and tranquility. Even Shi Zhixuan felt that Yuan Yueze's simple step was like a majestic mountain that had stood between heaven and earth since the primordial era, suddenly moving due to some mysterious and indescribable miracle.

Shi Zhixuan clapped and cheered, saying, "Excellent! You truly are a man Qingxuan admires. Although there are many experts among the younger generation, none can rival you. Even my two prized disciples are far inferior to you!"

With that, he too entered the eerie spiritual realm of the "Seven Illusions of Immortality," a realm that seemed to exist between existence and non-existence, reality and illusion, movement and stillness.

Yuan Yueze's heart stirred, and he asked, "Did you capture Liu Yu and drain him dry?"

This was no joke, for he had personally witnessed the profound and bizarre nature of the "Seven Illusions of Immortality." But the Shi Zhixuan before him was far stronger than before. His illusions not only made it impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion, but also caused Yuan Yueze to lose control. Just now, Yuan Yueze could grasp his next move, but now he couldn't at all. He seemed to have completely merged into the universe, leaving no gaps to be found and no illusions to be observed.

There was only one possibility: Shi Zhixuan had absorbed demonic energy from Liu Yu again. Otherwise, how could he have killed Yun Shuai, whose cultivation had also improved and whose lightness skill was no less than his own? His coming tonight to cause trouble was probably just to test his current cultivation level.

Shi Zhixuan smiled slightly, tacitly agreeing.

Wen Caiting's guess was indeed correct. Yuan Yueze originally intended to cause trouble for Shi Zhixuan, but the situation suddenly reversed.

Yuan Yueze sheathed his longsword behind his back, stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and carefree.

It was this simple action that allowed Shi Zhixuan to clearly perceive Yuan Yueze's entire spirit scattering wildly, instantly soaring to the highest heavens and descending to the deepest hells. If he had merged into the universe, then Yuan Yueze had become the universe itself.

A struggle between existence and non-existence.

Shi Zhixuan hadn't escaped the Five Elements yet, so he was at a disadvantage again. Slightly taken aback, he heard him say, "Do you know that the evil people of the Great Ming Venerable Sect sent someone to Chengdu to trick Qingxuan into coming here to deal with you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a sudden change occurred. The entire world began to twist and fold, caused by him withdrawing the aura he had merged with the world.

In a moment of stunned silence, Yuan Yueze suddenly felt lost and powerless. He cursed Shi Zhixuan inwardly for being shameless, using Shi Qingxuan to force him to lose his composure. Even if the people of the Great Ming Venerable Sect really used such a despicable trick, how could Shi Qingxuan, with her intelligence, possibly fall for it? Moreover, Shi Zhixuan would never sit idly by and watch his daughter be deceived.

Before he could speak again, Shi Zhixuan had vanished into thin air. The next instant, he appeared in front of Yuan Yueze, his eyes gleaming with evil light, and thrust a finger through the air. He said, "This is my second illusion technique, '

Using a Partial Example to Conceal the Whole.'" This seemingly ordinary finger strike, infused with life and death energy, was actually incredibly versatile and masterful. Even Fu Junzhuo, who had retreated a little further, could clearly feel the terror and strangeness of this move. She even had the terrifying feeling that Yuan Yueze had been pierced through the chest by the finger's force, let alone Yuan Yueze, who was directly involved!

The illusion had now become real, defying the laws of nature.

Yuan Yueze, his mind immediately restored, flicked his wrist, and his longsword appeared before him, its scabbard spiraling out, constantly changing angles to counter Shi Zhixuan's unpredictable and mysterious techniques.

The finger and sword shadows surged like a tidal wave, creating a series of crisp sounds.

At first, Yuan Yueze's swordplay was designed to counter Shi Zhixuan's every move. However, once their swords and fingers clashed, he turned the tables, spitting out, "You irresponsible father, how dare you mention Qingxuan! Bah!"

The myriad finger shadows vanished, Shi Zhixuan's eyes blazing with fury, his long hair standing on end, resembling a demon god, as he simplifies his complex attack with a single palm strike.

This palm strike sliced through space with a thunderous roar, demonstrating the immense killing intent it carried. With a deafening

"Boom!"

, the two separated abruptly, as if they had never exchanged a blow.

A deep crater, about an inch deep, appeared where they had fought, a testament to the superior skill of both combatants.

The swirling snow and mud had not yet reached their highest point.

As the snow began to fall, Yuan Yueze scoffed, "'Using a partial view to generalize' is nothing but nonsense."

Shi Zhixuan exclaimed in surprise, "You actually managed to deduce the partiality of my intention from the partiality of my qi, forcing me to be unable to execute my prepared follow-up moves."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that today's battle with the Four Great Monks had deepened his understanding of martial arts. In the past, he probably wouldn't have been able to comprehend the principle of partiality. So he said, "'Evil King' is so aware of his own weaknesses. It's rare indeed. How should I deal with you?"

At this point, he revealed a bitter expression. Of all his fathers-in-law, he hardly liked any of them. Each one was either a peerless master or a regional overlord. Yun Shuai, this realist, was even less likable to Yuan Yueze. However, since Yun Shuai's daughter had married him, he could no longer escape the involvement. Thinking of Shi Qingxuan made Yuan Yueze's head spin.

All this talk was just stalling for time. Even after Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan's dual cultivation healing, Yuan Yueze's combat strength had only recovered to about 70%. While this was more than enough to deal with others, the person before him was the peerless evil king, whose martial arts had been greatly enhanced once again. How could he afford to be arrogant! He clearly felt the surging true energy, neither cold nor hot, that Shi Zhixuan had transmitted into his body through the clash of their qi, completely different from before.

Just as he realized that this vast true energy within Shi Zhixuan came from Liu Yu, who had studied the "War God's Record," a strange footstep sound, heavy then light, came from within. Yuan Yueze's face showed surprise.

Several feet away, Shi Zhixuan's feet had already left the ground, stepping into the void. With each step, his figure rose straight up, like a demon god emerging from hell, about to soar to the heavens. His movements were unusually slow, his expression leisurely as if strolling in a garden, as if there were invisible stairs beneath his feet.

Shi Zhixuan, with one hand behind his back, moved through the air, gradually arriving above Yuan Yueze's head.

Yuan Yueze secretly thought that when he reached the highest point, the life-and-death energy would be at its strongest, and this move would be earth-shattering. Shi

Zhixuan, seemingly slow but actually fast, appeared to have been there for a long time, yet in the blink of an eye, he was already above Yuan Yueze's head. He said, "This is the fourth illusion technique, 'Throwing an Egg Against a Rock,'" before his body crashed down heavily. The two opposing energies of life and death clashed and collided, forming an invisible yet tangible cone-shaped aura, stronger than refined steel, centered on his right foot, possessing the power to overwhelm everything and crush all things!

Yuan Yueze didn't think about why he didn't use the third illusion technique; instead, he turned his head and blew a kiss to Fu Junzhuo, who was watching in stunned silence, looking like a lecherous rogue. At that instant, his longsword was also silently drawn, accompanied by a hissing sound, piercing towards the strongest point of the cone-shaped aura.

"Bang!"

The two separated instantly upon contact, their energy surging forth.

Shi Zhixuan tumbled like a great bird, vanishing at his highest point of about three zhang (approximately 13 meters), then reappearing above Yuan Yueze's head without pause. Swift as lightning, powerful as thunder, his left foot delivered a

devastating, mountain-like strike, as he proclaimed, "This is the third illusion technique, 'Testing the Law with One's Body'!" This kick, constantly shifting within a short distance, generated a whirlwind of excruciating pain, then drew in and focused all the surrounding air, concentrating it into this single strike, its power surpassing even the previous one.

Yuan Yueze's wrist flicked slightly, his sword light surging, his entire arm suddenly disappearing, followed by an endless rain of light that met Shi Zhixuan's attack from below.

Amidst the dense, thunderous clashes, sword and foot collided.

The rain of sparks vanished abruptly.

The two remained in a top-bottom position for a long time before a long, piercing, sharp sound rang out, creating an eerie scene.

Shi Zhixuan's vast true energy continuously flowed into Yuan Yueze's meridians, yet Yuan Yueze seemed completely unaffected. Not only was his aura calm and inwardly focused, but his gaze also became deep and clear, his pupils transforming into a boundless starry sea, a stark contrast to Shi Zhixuan's sharp gaze and murderous aura. Shi Zhixuan

inwardly cursed, his figure retreating like a ghost. However, although Yuan Yueze's posture remained unchanged, his innate sword energy, representing the pinnacle of swordsmanship, suddenly erupted. The sword light, as if possessed eyes, followed Shi Zhixuan, shooting several meters forward. Had Shi Zhixuan not possessed the world-renowned unparalleled lightness skill, he would have been crippled, if not killed.

Spitting out a mouthful of blood as he retreated, Shi Zhixuan vanished in the blink of an eye, his voice echoing from afar: "Commander Yun is not dead! I, Shi, will be waiting for you in Chengdu at the Holy Gate Conference in April!"

"Bang!"

Only then did snowflakes, mixed with dust, swirl into the air.

Fu Junzhuo flew forward and saw Yuan Yueze, his face pale, motionless like a statue with his eyes closed. After a long while, he opened his eyes, his complexion returning to normal, and sighed helplessly, "I've fallen for that old fox's trick again!"

Having witnessed the entire process, Fu Junzhuo finally understood the meaning behind Yuan Yueze's words. At their level of cultivation, they had long transcended ordinary martial arts combat; the decisive factor was the contest of "mental techniques." This invisible struggle was the true key to their victory or defeat. Shi Zhixuan didn't say much, focusing instead on channeling his non-demonic internal energy into Yuan Yueze's body. This showed his true purpose wasn't a duel, but rather that he couldn't withstand the non-demonic internal energy he'd absorbed from Liu Yu. Unable to expel it alone, he'd decided to lure Fu Junzhuo and Yuan Yueze into his fight, using them as a "furnace" to release his energy. Yuan Yueze's earlier stillness was precisely because he was forcing out the sudden external force from his meridians.

Yuan Yueze sat down on the ground and said, "I should have realized there was something fishy about the death of the Grand Preceptor's father-in-law, but Shi Zhixuan acted too hastily, not giving me time to think."

Fu Junzhuo placed her delicate hand on his back to help him catch his breath, saying, "Shi Zhixuan's target back then was only Liu Yu, how could he possibly care about Grand Preceptor Yun? Now look, Liu Yu is dead, but Shi Zhixuan is even more terrifying than him."

Yuan Yueze laughed, "What's so terrifying about him? He only has a few henchmen, and they're all hidden. As long as we eliminate them all, what he can do alone is ultimately limited." He

then let out a long sigh and said, "Judging from his tone, he's probably going to return to Chengdu immediately to cultivate in seclusion, preparing to make a big splash in April. Finally, no one in Chang'an will dare to plot against us in secret anymore. Alright, I'm going to have an affair, Junzhuo, do you want to come with me?"

Fu Junzhuo was slightly taken aback, then rolled her eyes at him, saying, "For an affair, you don't even care about the safety of me and Sister Meixian?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, put his arm around her slender waist, and said in a strange voice, "I know I was wrong, please forgive me, Madam."

Fu Junzhuo giggled and couldn't help but pinch him lightly.

It was past midnight.

Following the directions Wen Caiting had given him, Yuan Yueze crept into the dark boudoir.

Wen Caiting, dressed only in a thin undergarment, lay on the bed. In her drowsy state, she suddenly felt a warm current beside her, followed by a pair of familiar, strong arms pulling her into their embrace.

After a passionate kiss, the oblivious Yuan Yueze let out a comfortable sigh and said, "Big sister's skills are truly extraordinary."

Little did he know that his unintentional words would elicit tears from Wen Caiting, who had been trying so hard to please him.

Yuan Yueze immediately realized his mistake and hurriedly coaxed, "I didn't mean anything by it. Eldest sister should know that I never hold back when speaking to my own people. I'm sorry."

Wen Caiting sobbed for a long time before saying, "I know I'm not worthy of you, young master. I originally wanted to have one night with you and then quietly leave, but after learning your secret, I realized that such a night is not something a mortal woman can afford. A withered flower like me dares not even dream of it. As long as I can sleep in your arms for one night, young master, I will be content."

Yuan Yueze said sadly, "Yu Yan has told me a lot about eldest sister. She said that you two were very close when you were learning your skills, but later you each encountered different things..." "Same here, you suffered from the backlash of the incomplete 'Charming Maiden Heart Technique,' and you have to rely on 'replenishing' your cultivation to maintain it. Once you stop, aging will be a minor matter; what's truly terrifying is the accelerated approach to death. I said I wouldn't let you go, and I will never break my word. Even if you hate me, it's too late."

Wen Caiting stared at Yuan Yueze's handsome face for a long time with her dark eyes. Seeing that he had no intention of joking, she smiled bitterly and said, "This servant knows your feelings, young master, but I have no face to face my senior sister... Ah!"

Yuan Yueze's strange hands had already started moving. Wen Caiting, who was already infatuated with him and hadn't been with a man for too long, couldn't withstand the stimulation of this lecherous demon's skillful techniques. She let out a series of soft moans. She closed her beautiful eyes tightly in shock, her breathing became rapid, her delicate face turned red and hot, and her hands gripped the sheets tightly. Her fair face was flushed with rosy hues. In shock and shame, a familiar hot current suddenly surged from deep within her tightly pressed jade legs, and honey-like fluid gushed out. Where was even a trace of

her former licentiousness, with her three thousand male concubines? Partly it was the enjoyment of genuine love, and partly it was the backlash from her long abstinence from men, a consequence of her demonic powers. Only intense, ecstatic intercourse could release her burning desire.

Yuan Yueze's movements became gentle and slow. He lowered his head and kissed her bright red lips deeply, lightly kissing them a few times, then slipping his tongue into her mouth. The moist, warm, and soft sensation was irresistible.

His massive member stood erect, trembling against Wen Caiting's flat, perfectly proportioned belly. Wen Caiting let out a soft moan, her small hands tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's back, her slender waist swaying gently from side to side.

When the kiss ended, Yuan Yueze had already stripped her naked. Wen Caiting's face was flushed crimson, her delicate ears were also red, and her fair, smooth body trembled slightly, a picture of unbearable shame. A mix of long-forgotten reserve and shyness welled up within her, yet she also felt guilty towards Yuan Yueze. She wanted to wholeheartedly please him, but feared he would laugh at her for being wanton. This inner conflict and desire tormented her.

Yuan Yueze gently bit her earlobe and whispered, "From today onwards, we are husband and wife. If you don't let go of yourself, you're not only being unfaithful to yourself, but also betraying me."

Deeply moved, Wen Caiting abandoned all restraint and offered her sweet lips, her naked body pressing tightly against him, gently writhing. Her full, soft breasts rubbed against Yuan Yueze's chest. He clearly felt her nipples harden, so he gently extended his tongue, parting her slightly parted lips and entwining it with her delicate tongue.

Wen Caiting was lost in passion.

Her nose filled with a faint fragrance, Yuan Yueze's hands involuntarily climbed onto her tender virgin breasts, kneading them before moving along the shallow groove of her alluring back to her firm, small, fragrant buttocks.

Wen Caiting let out rapid, soft breaths, hot nectar seeping from her petals, forming glistening little dewdrops. Yuan Yueze's fingers rolled over her fragrant buttocks, crawling into the flowing crevice of her love juices from behind. With a muffled groan from Wen Caiting, Yuan Yueze's fingers invaded her beautiful, delicate petals. After a few light touches, he lowered his head, his tongue launching a fierce attack on her dark red, sweet-smelling petals.

Her pubic hair was sparse and neat, constantly brushing against Yuan Yueze's face, making him feel extremely comfortable.

Although Yuan Yueze wasn't her first man, upon first contact, Wen Caiting reached a state of blissful ecstasy. Her delicate body tensed, completely still. Yuan Yueze's nimble tongue explored her tender valley, his skillful tip guiding her to climax after climax.

Intense pleasure overwhelmed all consciousness, and Wen Caiting gasped for breath. Fortunately, she had more experience with this kind of thing, unlike a virgin who was inexperienced. She casually pulled Yuan Yueze's fiery, massive member towards her, skillfully stroking it up and down. Then she lowered her head, opening her sexy, rosy lips to take the tip inside. Yuan Yueze's heart pounded, his mind raced, and his desire surged, his member becoming even more engorged and hard, throbbing as if it might burst. It pulsated within Wen Caiting's warm, moist mouth, keeping her soft, slippery tongue busy and enjoying itself.

Actually, this was Wen Caiting's first time performing oral sex on a man. Although she had had countless male lovers, she had never met someone she willingly performed oral sex on. Her skillful movements were entirely due to the education and training she had received in this area since childhood. Her face was flushed, her desire overflowing, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, her hair disheveled, and her full buttocks heaving rapidly, causing her two snow-white, full breasts to bounce up and down like two lively white rabbits. She repeatedly offered the most sensitive areas of her lush garden to Yuan Yueze's nimble tongue, enjoying unprecedented pleasure.

Yuan Yueze's playful yet rough, yet soft tongue slowly pierced her warm, moist valley. The dark red petals were in full bloom, the depths of the flower path were muddy and gushing with lustful fluids, each wave more powerful than the last. His tongue was light and agile, like a dragonfly skimming the water, exploring and seeking in the layers of richness, again and again, striking Wen Caiting's wounded heart.

Wen Caiting panted heavily, moaning softly, her face flushed, her nostrils flared, sweat pouring down her face, her almond eyes shimmering with tears, her snow-white skin glowing with a captivating rosy blush, radiating beauty. Her mind began to blur, and she stopped swallowing the enormous thing in her mouth, breathing heavily, only her jade hand occasionally stroking and stimulating the tip of the penis. She arched her back and hips repeatedly, her breasts swaying more and more violently, her alluring body trembling intensely. On the pillow, the rolling waves of her breasts and buttocks were undoubtedly the most arousing sight in the world.

Slowly regaining her senses, she felt a slight pain in her lower body. Blushing, she looked down and saw Yuan Yueze's finger nestled between her delicate petals, gently stimulating her mature passion. Wen Caiting unconsciously swayed her hips slightly, moving her fragrant buttocks to meet his touch.

Her vagina was certainly not as tight as a virgin's, but perhaps due to some magical techniques she had learned, it was only slightly less tight, something most people wouldn't notice.

After some effort, Wen Caiting gasped softly. Yuan Yueze then kissed her body again, and finally, face to face, his burning hot penis slowly entered her overflowing, muddy flower path.

Wen Caiting let out a soft moan, gritting her teeth and gasping for breath, clearly unable to withstand the size of Yuan Yueze's enormous member.

The tightly pressed petals were slowly parted, and the fiery spear began to advance, the narrow petals tightly entwining it.

A throbbing, exquisite pleasure coursed through her body, the increasingly intense stimulation making Wen Caiting feel even more empty inside. She involuntarily twisted her slender waist, hoping for deeper caresses.

Yuan Yueze accelerated his thrusts, tearing open the tightly pressed walls, carving out a narrow passage, until he struck her deepest core.

His massive member plunged in to the hilt, throbbing slowly within Wen Caiting's beautiful forbidden zone, igniting the deepest fire of desire within her heart.

Yuan Yueze began to slowly thrust.

Wen Caiting's honeypot was not loose, giving him a satisfyingly tight, oppressive feeling. The spear continuously rubbed against the tender walls of her valley, bringing a wave of pleasure.

Dew gushed from the crevice of her flesh, dripping down her cleavage and snow-white skin. Wen Caiting involuntarily swayed her fragrant buttocks, welcoming each of his thrusts. A few beads of fragrant sweat appeared on her beautiful forehead, and she let out seductive moans. A vibrant blush rose on her hot, delicate body.

With Yuan Yueze's rapid thrusts, her tender red petals were turned inside out and then pushed back in, a large amount of nectar soaking the sheets.

The pleasure slowly accumulated with each thrust, unknowingly reaching their limits.

Half an hour later, Yuan Yueze pounded hard into Wen Caiting's flower core, grinding it vigorously. With her first orgasm, thick semen filled her body, bringing one orgasm after another.

Wen Caiting felt her soul soar to the heavens, her whole body convulsing and heaving violently, feeling incredibly comfortable.

After the storm subsided, Wen Caiting looked at the drastically changed version of herself in the mirror that Yuan Yueze had taken out, her mind blank.

To be honest, in terms of looks alone, she was only slightly inferior to Wanwan and Shang Xiuxun.

After a long while, she slowly leaned against Yuan Yueze's chest, murmuring as if in a dream, "Although I've heard of it, it's nothing compared to the shock of experiencing it firsthand. I feel like I'm in an unreal dream, and I'll never wake up."

Yuan Yueze's large hand stroked her long, shiny black hair that reached her hips, then moved to her full, round buttocks, feeling their smooth, soft texture. He said, "Will you lose yourself again, elder sister? Oh! I'm sorry!"

Wen Caiting pressed her jade-like finger to his lips, shaking her head. "The past is the past. Denying or running away is useless. I'll dedicate my days to serving you, young master, as repayment!"

Yuan Yueze frowned. "You say that, but your heart is still unresolved. I don't need anyone to serve me. You just need to be yourself, and that's what I want to see most."

Wen Caiting nodded slightly and didn't speak again.

Noticing that his chest was getting wet, Yuan Yueze changed the subject, recounting his duel with Shi Zhixuan.

After finishing her story, Wen Caiting looked up, her pretty face streaked with tears of happiness, and said, "Although Liu Yu's 'War God's Record' wasn't fully mastered, it shouldn't be this weak!"

Wiping away her tears, Yuan Yueze said, "Shi Zhixuan didn't explain how he caught up with Liu Yu, but his strength has indeed increased significantly. It must be the result of absorbing Liu Yu's power. At dawn, I'm going to the Persian temple to see if my father-in-law, the Grand Preceptor, has returned. He probably knows more than I do."

Wen Caiting pondered, "I've heard everything from Qing'er. Perhaps I'm worrying unnecessarily!"

Yuan Yueze shook his head, "No, elder sister is right. Liu Yu and that Turkic Red-Clothed Queen are the most formidable enemies."

Wen Caiting nodded . She said, "I heard from Qing'er that Senior Sister didn't get any information about the Turkic Queen from Zhao Deyan. This shows that the Queen in red has manipulated even the most intelligent members of our Holy Sect; she's no ordinary person."

Yuan Yueze sighed, "Zhao Deyan is too arrogant; that's his weakness. After Yu Yan crippled him, she only found out he was cooperating with a mysterious woman in red, and that she passed on some demonic techniques to him."

Wen Caiting frowned and said, "Could it be that the Queen really lost to Bi Xuan?"

Yuan Yueze said, "I don't know, but even if the Queen is weak, she's still on the same level as Bi Xuan. However, because their affair involves religion and the military, even if she can remain innocent, what will happen after the religion is destroyed?" She's finished. Bi Xuan came to Chang'an so arrogantly this time, which shows that the Shamanism of the Empress has been destroyed. If she wants to make a comeback, it will definitely take a hundred years. The question is whether she can live another hundred years. Come on, sweet dreams, elder sister.

Wen Caiting was still thinking about his words when she heard this and said with a slight reproach, "Young master, you still want to call me 'elder sister'?"

Yuan Yueze said in surprise, "You didn't change your address either, did you? Right, what should I call you? Should I call you junior sister like Yu Yan? Or should I call you master aunt like Mei Xian?"

Then he paused and exclaimed, "It can't be that I should call you grandmaster aunt like Wan Jing!"

Wen Caiting blushed with embarrassment at this shameless guy's words. When she looked up, she met his mischievous and teasing eyes, and then... Feigning anger, she said, "Anyway, I'm of grandmotherly age, call me whatever you like!"

Seeing that Yuan Yueze didn't answer, she whispered, "Then from now on, I'll... I'll call you husband, and you can call me Caiting."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "Alright, alright, please rest, Madam."

Wen Caiting asked again in a low voice, "Husband... when you face Shi Zhixuan at the April Grand Tournament..."

Yuan Yueze pressed her head against his chest and smiled, "I don't want to participate in this tournament yet, but Shi Zhixuan is improving very quickly, so whether I participate or not will depend on Wan'er's cultivation level. Don't worry, when I face him again, I'm confident I can defeat him."

The boudoir became quiet, with only the soft, long breaths of the two remaining.

The next day, after hiding the transformed Wen Caiting in his spatial bracelet and teaching her the Qi cultivation method, Yuan Yueze went to the Persian temple for a stroll, only to find that Commander Yun had not returned, so he had to return to the palace alone.

It had been so long since he'd used the bracelet that he'd completely forgotten about it; his memory was truly terrible.

Back at the palace, he pulled Wen Caiting out to introduce her to the other women. The former courtesan looked as embarrassed as a newlywed, much to Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan's amusement.

The family played music, sang, danced, and sang, thoroughly enjoying themselves, completely unconcerned about the dead Pei Ji and the escaped Xi Feng. It wasn't

until noon that Song Yuzhi, who had gone to 'Yu Xinglong' to retrieve information, returned with the latest news.

The results of Shen Luoyan and the Twin Dragons' battle had only just arrived, much later than Fan Qinghui's information, demonstrating the extraordinary intelligence network of the Xuanmen. All of this was expected, and Yuan Yueze wasn't surprised at all.

Zhu Yuyan and Shan Meixian exchanged a glance and nodded slightly; the two perceptive women vaguely guessed that this might be the main reason for the Buddhist and Taoist sects' actions yesterday.

Song Yuzhi also brought back a message saying that Song Shidao had bid farewell to Li Yuan and left this morning for Chengdu to gather information for Yuan Yueze, who was currently unable to leave. Hou Wenqing had also quietly departed, presumably to pursue Song Shidao.

The cave outside the city, which Liu Yu had dug, had been surrounded by Li Tang's heavy troops, suggesting that they had discovered the treasure was empty. However, given the current situation, Li Tang would not dare to act rashly against Yuan Yueze.

After talking for a while, Song Yuzhi exclaimed sweetly, "By the way, when I came back, I heard the people on the road say that Li Shimin had recently gone out of the city to see off guests. They must be from the Buddhist and Taoist sects, right? Otherwise, who would have such a big name?"

Xiao Bei frowned and pondered, "This is the best opportunity to ambush and assassinate Li Shimin. The Crown Prince's faction won't give it up. But aren't they going to frame my husband? Why didn't anyone come to lure him out?"

Wanwan said, "If they wanted to lure my husband out, it would have to be someone of Shi Zhixuan's caliber. Since he left last night, who would dare to come and die?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Shi Zhixuan might have planned this with Yang Xuyan, Li Yuanji, and others beforehand, but plans never keep up with changes. He had suddenly absorbed Liu Yu's power, and what he needed to do most now was to meditate and digest it. His goal was to unify the Demonic Sect, and the Holy Sect Conference in April was the most important thing. Small conspiracies like this could be discarded at any time.

Shang Xiuxun giggled, "This is going to be tough on Yang Xuyan and the Crown Prince's faction!"

Wei Zhenzhen frowned and said, "Although they can't frame us, the Crown Prince's faction might still act according to plan."

Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "That's possible, but it has nothing to do with us. It's like dogs fighting each other. The more intense their infighting, the happier we'll be."

Wanwan glared at him and snorted, "Pervert!"

Yuan Yueze chuckled and shouted, "Ladies, there's still plenty of time before the banquet. Shall we..."

As he spoke, he leered at the women.

Seeing that her wicked husband was about to act recklessly again, the women spat in unison and fled, leaving only Lian Rou, who was eager to try.

Yuan Yueze shook his head and smiled, "Rou'er, come with me to the Persian temple to see if your father has returned!"

The hopeful look in Lian Rou's beautiful eyes had vanished, replaced by worry and anxiety, and she nodded in agreement.

Today was the Spring Festival, and Chang'an City was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The official residences and private houses along the streets were all decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, bustling with activity. Fireworks and firecrackers were set off, and everyone was in high spirits, welcoming the arrival of the new year. It was only afternoon now, and it would probably be even more lively after dark.

Yuan Yueze had never experienced the festive atmosphere of the New Year before, and he and Lian Rou, who had also never been to the Central Plains, watched with great interest.

A moment later, the two arrived at the Persian temple. This temple was located in Chongde Lane, west of Zhuque Street and east of Qingming Canal. Due to its unique shape, the large, mushroom-shaped spire of the temple could be seen rising above the nearby houses.

The two turned into a secluded corner, leaped onto the roof, and slipped into an inconspicuous little hall.

"Who's there?"

Yun Shuai's wary voice rang out.

"Father, it's Rou'er and my husband who have come to see you!"

With Lian Rou's soft exclamation, Yuan Yueze pushed open the door and entered. Inside the simply decorated hall, Yun Shuai was sitting cross-legged, his complexion showing only minor internal injuries, nothing serious.

They nodded in greeting and recounted their experiences. When Yun Shuai heard that Shi Zhixuan had been struck by Yuan Yueze's sword, he slapped his thigh and laughed heartily, "My dear son-in-law, you've avenged me! I encountered Shi Zhixuan and Liu Yu locked in a fierce battle in the wilderness. They were evenly matched, so I tried to take advantage of the situation. But Shi Zhixuan's Undying Seal Technique was indeed superior; he constantly used my strength to deal with Liu Yu, causing Liu Yu to gradually lose ground and escape. Shi Zhixuan left me behind and gave chase! Hmph! My lightness skill is certainly no less than his Illusionary Demonic Movement Technique. I fought and chased, and what I saw was someone being chased and reduced to... "After Liu Yu fled, we separated. I never caught up with Shi Zhixuan again. His true energy was indeed higher than mine. I chased him for a hundred miles before I saw him return. He was filled with murderous intent, as if he had been possessed by a demon. According to your description, it should be a phenomenon that his body could not withstand the power he had absorbed from Liu Yu. I struck him with a palm and fled desperately. He must have been suppressing the true energy he had just absorbed and dared not move rashly. Otherwise, my injuries might have been more serious, and it would have been impossible for me to recover more than half of my strength after just one night of rest."

After listening, Yuan Yueze murmured, "For some reason, I have a premonition that Liu Yu is still alive."

---

04-20
Chapter 108 The Martial Venerable with the Palm of the Crippled Swordsman

infused Yun Shuai with vast true energy to heal his injuries. After Yun Shuai recovered ninety percent of his strength, Yuan Yueze and Lian Rou returned to the palace.

It was already late. Passing through the streets where firecrackers were going off everywhere and the lights illuminated the entire city of Chang'an as bright as day, the two entered the Vermilion Bird Gate.

Lian Rou's lovely eyebrows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Did you notice anything amiss in the atmosphere on the street, my husband?"

Yuan Yueze nodded, "There seemed to be a faint sense of solemnity and tension."

Lian Rou suddenly widened her beautiful eyes and exclaimed, "Could it be that Li Shimin has been ordered to be killed?"

Yuan Yueze shrugged, and before he could reply, he saw a group of eunuchs, led by Wei Lianxiang, waiting on the main road between the Secretariat and the Chancellery at Chengtian Gate.

Stepping forward quickly, Yuan Yueze asked Wei Lianxiang, who looked ashen, "Why are you here, Eunuch?"

Wei Lianxiang bowed and said, "His Majesty has sent me to invite your family, young master. The ladies have already gone to the Taiji Hall."

Yuan Yueze politely replied and followed them.

After walking a few steps, Yuan Yueze gathered his demonic aura and said to Wei Lianxiang, "Has something happened in the palace? I noticed the atmosphere in the city was rather strange on my way back."

Wei Lianxiang, whose cultivation was also considerable, realized that no one could hear their conversation, so she replied, "On his way back from seeing off guests, Prince Qin was ambushed by Yang Xuyan, Pichen, and Zuo Youxian, but he was rescued and only suffered minor injuries. His Majesty doesn't want to spoil the atmosphere today, so he ordered that this matter not be leaked for the time being. Perhaps Prince Qin secretly sent some people out to search in secret!"

Li Yuan is truly senile. Not only did he side with the Crown Prince's faction in the infighting among his sons, but he also didn't care about Li Shimin's life or death. What kind of father is that! After a sigh, Yuan Yueze pondered, "Did Li Yuan know that it was the Crown Prince's faction that attacked Li Shimin? And who was capable of rescuing Li Shimin from those three experts?"

Wei Lianxiang replied, "I was ordered to accompany Li Shimin at the time. It was Song Shidao disguised as Yue Shan, along with Ouyang Xiyi, who was escorting Wang Tong to Chang'an. In the end, a Western Region man named Ga Duo and the other two rescued him. Song Shidao left on the way, and Li Shimin has already invited Ga Duo to a banquet at the palace."

Having said this, her dim eyes suddenly flashed with lightning as she turned and carefully examined Yuan Yueze before turning and walking away.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "So it's true!" The Crown Prince's faction still targeted Li Shimin. Song Shidao saved Li Shimin because he was too soft-hearted. Wang Tong looked down on women and had previously refused to cooperate with Shen Luoyan. He must have come at the invitation of his former friend Li Yuan. Ga Duo's arrival in Chang'an at this time was a mystery. Just as he was thinking this, he was suddenly swept by Wei Lianxiang's sharp gaze, and goosebumps immediately appeared on his skin. He exclaimed, "I don't like men, please don't look at me like that, Father-in-law."

But in his heart, he added: You're not a man anymore either.

As Wei Lianxiang walked, she said, "I just wanted to see what made the person who could be entrusted with the lives of my two junior sisters, Wan'er, and Qing'er, so different. Who knew he was nothing special?"

Thinking that he must have already met Wen Caiting, Yuan Yueze laughed loudly and said, "Don't be jealous!"

A helpless bitter smile appeared on Wei Lianxiang's wrinkled old face. She said, "No one knows about Pei Ji's matter yet. Mei Xian's move was indeed quite clever."

Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "Only a few of us know about this matter. It will probably remain an unsolved case in the future. That's fine too; at least it's fair to his family and descendants who don't know his true identity."

The group didn't say anything more, and in no time, they arrived at the horizontal square separating the palace and the royal city.

The New Year's Eve banquet hadn't started yet, but everything was ready. The first thing that catches the eye is a towering lantern wheel, fifteen zhang high, erected in the center of the square. Wrapped in colorful silk brocade and adorned with countless lanterns, it illuminates the vast space like a seven-colored tree of light, outshining the lanterns lining the sides.

On either side of the Chengtian Gate, the entrance to the palace, stand two firecracker towers, each twenty zhang high; one can imagine the dazzling, exploding firework display when lit.

Yuan Yueze, experiencing the New Year's atmosphere for the first time, and Lian Rou, who had never been to the Central Plains before, were immediately stunned.

Wei Lianxiang and her entourage bowed and departed.

Yuan Yueze and Lian Rou walked on, admiring the spectacle, constantly exclaiming in amazement.

Thousands of guests had gathered across the square, mainly Tang Dynasty officials and their families, but also local merchants, envoys from other regions, and foreign traders—a far larger spectacle than the welcome for Yuan Yueze. In the spacious square, people chatted in small groups, talking with acquaintances. Whether palace maids and officials, or dancers, all were dressed in their finest attire, adorned in silk and brocade, shimmering with pearls and jade, their fragrant makeup adding a touch of gentle elegance to the New Year's Eve banquet. Two bands, positioned at the junction of the main street and the square, were already playing energetically, repeating famous festive tunes such as Taiping Yue and New Year's Eve Yue. The sounds of flutes and drums filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

"Brother Yuan and the Princess are late!"

Li Shimin's booming voice drew their attention. Dressed in magnificent robes, Li Shimin emerged from a group of people on his left rear, followed by the long-absent Ouyang Xiyi and Ga Duo. Ga Duo looked even more energetic than before, and his cultivation seemed to have improved.

Yuan Yueze bowed to Li Shimin,

saying, "Brother Shimin, you're too kind!" He stepped forward, extending his hands. Ouyang Xiyi and Ga Duo tacitly clasped his large hands, the three exchanging smiles without speaking.

A cold glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. He greatly admired Ga Duo's skills and carefree nature, and was trying to win him over. Little did he know that Ga Duo and Yuan Yueze were not only old acquaintances, but their relationship was likely more complex.

In this chaotic and treacherous era, Yuan Yueze had very few friends. Besides Song Shidao, Shuanglong, Hou Xibai, and Bafeng Han, he only admired Ga Duo and Liu Heita. Although he hadn't met them often, and even though he and Ga Duo were initially rivals in love and had fought to the death, it didn't diminish Yuan Yueze's admiration for them.

Li Shimin laughed loudly, saying, "So Brother Yuan and Brother Ga Duo are old acquaintances! That's wonderful."

Yuan Yueze feigned seriousness, saying, "Yes, how did you two end up together?"

Li Shimin's face darkened at the memory of their fratricidal conflict, but he quickly recovered and recounted his experience, lamenting, "If it weren't for Elder Yue, Elder Yi, and Brother Ga Duo, I'm afraid I wouldn't be alive to enjoy this Spring Festival banquet."

Ouyang Xiyi and Ga Duo quickly offered polite words. Li Shimin sighed, "Last night, when I was observing the stars, I saw the Pleiades shining brightly, and I already felt something was amiss. Who knew it would indeed be a harbinger of great misfortune?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly: Wasn't this exactly what Wen Caiting had said? Suddenly remembering how Shi Zhixuan had tricked him after seeing the Pleiades chicken last night, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that superstition was truly harmful; even he himself had started to believe in it.

Ignoring the strange looks from outsiders, Lian Rou, whose arm was tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's, stared curiously at Ga Duo for a long time, then giggled, "We're from the same hometown! Your Chinese is even better than theirs!"

At that moment, another group of officials and nobles approached. Li Shimin smiled apologetically at them, went to greet them, and accepted their congratulations. Judging from this, it was clear that Li Shimin was highly respected and that he wasn't being deliberately distanced from Jiancheng and Yuanji despite their attempts to exclude him.

Ouyang Xiyi approached Yuan Yueze and whispered, "Brother Yuan, please don't embarrass Brother Wang too much at the banquet."

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Could you elaborate, Elder Yi?"

Ouyang Xiyi sighed, "Brother Wang accepted Li Yuan's invitation to come and promote the Li Tang dynasty, and... moreover, we encountered Master Fan and his entourage on our way here. Master Fan spoke with Brother Wang alone for over half an hour before taking his leave. I suspect Brother Wang might cause trouble at the banquet. I know the Yuan family's learning well, so please show him some face."

Yuan Yueze's brows furrowed but then relaxed, and he smiled in agreement. Ouyang Xiyi patted his shoulder a few times and turned to walk towards the distant crowd.

Ga Duo said, "Congratulations, Brother Yuan, on your marriage."

Seeing his genuine blessing without a trace of jealousy, Yuan Yueze laughed, "Brother Ga Duo, aren't you angry at my infidelity? I've stolen the heart of your beloved."

Ga Duo chuckled, "Brother Yuan, there's no need to test me. I've already met Miss Wan, and I know she only has eyes for you. Since you two are mutually in love, why care about what others think? Besides, I also… heh!"

Yuan Yueze admired his easygoing nature even more, saying, "Judging from your expression, Brother Ga Duo, you must have found your other half?"

Ga Duo smiled and nodded, and Yuan Yueze… When asked why he was there, Ga Duo said sadly, "The Ga clan was originally a large clan in the Western Regions, but they were wiped out by war. I was away learning martial arts at the time, and when I returned home, only my late uncle was still alive. Afterwards, I followed his dying wish to go to the Central Plains to find a cousin I had lost for many years, but I never heard from her. I thought she must have died long ago, but unexpectedly, I saved Brother Shimin on my way back to the Western Regions."

Yuan Yueze patted him on the shoulder. Neither of them were good with words; friendship was based on sincerity, and no superfluous words were needed. Ga Duo could already sense Yuan Yueze's worry, so he smiled in return.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

The bells of the court banquet rang out at an inopportune time.

Accompanied by his close ministers, concubines, and his three sons, Jiancheng, Shimin, and Yuanji, amidst the deafening sound of drums and music, Li Yuan, wearing a dragon crown and imperial robes, ascended the Chengtian Gate Tower to receive the congratulations of his ministers and guests, and delivered some festive words. The atmosphere immediately became lively. As Li Yuan retreated from the gate tower back to the Taiji Palace, various performances began. Those who were qualified filed into the Taiji Hall for the banquet.

The seating arrangement for the evening banquet was largely the same as last time, except that four additional seats for VIPs had been added to the area flanking the head of the table. Yuan Yueze and Ga Duo were the last to enter the hall. They saw Bi Xuan, Gai Suwen, Wang Tong, and Shang Xiufang sitting in those three seats, whispering amongst themselves . Even Bi Xuan had a smile on his face, demonstrating Shang Xiufang's great charm.

Ga Duo had been invited by Changsun Wuji to sit with them, presumably arranged by Li Shimin.

Apart from Ouyang Xiyi, Yuan Yueze didn't recognize almost anyone else at the table. Although Ouyang Xiyi had come with Wang Tong, this gesture showed his appreciation for Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze glanced at the ladies sitting in the distance and nodded to them. A dozen or so women sat around a table, making the entire hall pale in comparison. However, this only drew envious glances from the women; no man dared to look more than a second. Zhu Yuyan, seated at the head of the table, was like a cold statue radiating an invisible killing intent. Anyone who dared to look at her with lewd eyes would likely suffer immediate consequences.

The bell rang again, and Li Yuan, leading Consort Yin, Consort Zhang, his three sons, and other imperial relatives, entered the hall. The large entourage of nearly a hundred people entered according to rank: Li Jiancheng, then Li Shimin, followed by Li Yuanji, and finally Li Nantian and other members of the Li clan. Even Consort Lian, perhaps due to her pregnancy, was unable to attend.

After three toasts, Li Yuan reiterated his request that everyone relax and enjoy the festival. Then, more than a hundred dancers, led by Ji Qian, floated out like butterflies from the rear doors on either side of the main hall, singing and dancing to the melodious drum music. At the very center, Ji Qian was exceptionally charming. Surrounded by numerous dancers, her graceful figure stood out even more. Accompanied by the singing of the other women, she danced lightly, her voice sweet. While not quite matching Shang Xiufang's unique and outstanding style, she possessed her own captivating charm, no wonder she was Chang'an's most popular courtesan.

As the music ended and the palace lights returned, the dancers had already exited the palace through the same route, and cheers resounded

throughout the hall. Li Jiancheng clapped and said to Shang Xiufang, "Xiufang, the dance you choreographed was truly exquisite. The music was ethereal and elegant, grand and majestic, yet it evoked a feeling perfectly suited to the festive atmosphere. It's truly admirable."

Everyone echoed her praise, and Shang Xiufang quickly declined.

At this moment, palace maids brought out a continuous stream of delicacies, and everyone began to toast each other, making the atmosphere even more lively.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Jiancheng once again "challenged" the Tian Ce Mansion. Yuan Yueze was still wondering why Li Jiancheng was so arrogant when Ga Duo, as Li Shimin's guest advisor, came to the scene and faced off against Ke Dazhi, who had been diligently studying swordsmanship since his battle with Kou Zhong.

Yuan Yueze cursed Li Shimin inwardly, convinced he was using the simple-minded Ga Duo. He then understood why Li Jiancheng, having just failed to ambush Li Shimin, dared to act so brazenly now. His actions were a way of showing Li Yuan that he was uninvolved. If he appeared anxious and guilty, it would arouse suspicion; instead, his usual arrogance would prevent suspicion and demonstrate his innocence.

While he pondered this, the duel began. The battle between the two martial arts fanatics ended instantly, a draw. However, observant people could see that Ga Duo hadn't used his full strength; the Crown Prince's faction had actually been defeated.

Before Yuan Yueze could even chuckle, he glanced at Li Jiancheng, who was forcing a smile and had ushered back Keda Zhi with a somber expression. Li Yuanji then said, "I heard some time ago that Brother Yuan had a brilliant debate with Miss Jingzhai at Tianjin Bridge. Even Miss Jingzhai admired your 'Five Questions,' which were thought-provoking and truly admirable. I toast Brother Yuan, wishing you all the best in the new year."

Heh! So, the offensive has begun?

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly, stood up, and his handsome figure immediately attracted everyone's attention. If Wanwan's charm was irresistible to both men and women, Yuan Yueze was no less so. He raised his cup and said, "Thank you. I heard that Brother Yuanji is going to marry Miss Jiqian on New Year's Eve. Is that true?"

Li Yuanji's smile was veiled, his words a veiled insult, and he spoke sarcastically. This plan could not only strike at Li Shimin, who was supported by Jingzhai, but also provoke Wang Tong's dissatisfaction. Wang Tong had once commented that although Yuan Yueze's views were good, if things continued that way, "the ruler would not be a ruler, and the people would not be people." This was clearly contrary to the long-standing Confucian ideas of "loyalty to the ruler," "sage king," "unity," and "three cardinal guides and five constant virtues." This was also one of the reasons why Wang Tong was unwilling to assist Yuan Yueze.

But Yuan Yueze was no simpleton either. A single sentence nearly choked Li Yuanji to death, and even Li Yuan, who had been letting Li Yuanji provoke Yuan Yueze from the main seat, began to look grim. Their previous talk of forced marriage was merely a scheme. They deduced from the relationship between Yuan Yueze and Xiao He'er, and Xiao He'er and Ji Qian, that Yuan Yueze wouldn't ignore Ji Qian. Ji Qian was known for her stubbornness; if Yuan Yueze wanted to persuade her, he would inevitably reveal some secrets about him. This way, Li Tang, who had planted eavesdroppers in Shanglin Garden, could find some useful information. However, that day in Ji Qian's boudoir, Xiao He'er said she had something important to say, and then whispered in Ji Qian's ear for a long time. This puzzled the eavesdropper: Why be so careful talking in one's own room? That little girl named Xiao He'er is no ordinary person!

This plan also served to divert Yuan Yueze's attention, preventing him from grasping the true reason why Li Tang was targeting him. Because it was a scheme, Li Yuan had initially ignored Li Yuanji's actions. However, recent events had rendered the earlier plan useless, and the Li family abandoned their scheme against Yuan Yueze, preparing to focus on their campaign to leave the pass and seek redress another day. Unexpectedly, Yuan Yueze brought it up in court today, exaggerating it excessively, causing the Li family to lose face.

Almost everyone of power and influence in Chang'an was present in the hall, and a hush fell over the atmosphere. Everyone vaguely sensed a tense atmosphere.

"This humble official, Yan Shigu of the Secretariat, heard from the great scholar Wang anecdote about an interesting incident in the young master's study. I wonder if I should ask?"

As the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, a gentle and pleasant voice rang out. Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and saw Yan Shigu, a Secretariat official seated to Li Yuan's right, who was highly favored by Li Yuan and responsible for handling imperial edicts.

Yan Shigu was no ordinary man. His grandfather was Yan Zhitui, a great Confucian scholar of the previous dynasty, who authored "Yan Family Instructions," a work that had a significant impact on the development of feudal family education. His father, Yan Si, was also widely read and erudite. Yan Shigu, a prodigy, inherited the family tradition from a young age, following ancestral teachings and mastering Confucianism, classics, literature, and history. He excelled in textual exegesis, phonetics, and collation, and the renowned "Annotations on the Book of Han" was his work. The three men known as the "Three Ministers of the Yan Family"—Yan Zhenqing, Yan Gaoqing, and Yan Chunqing—were also descendants of Yan Zhitui.

Yuan Yueze glanced deeply at the handsome, scholarly-looking Yan Shigu, dressed in official robes and exuding an air of refinement, secretly praising the Yan family for producing so many talented individuals. He was completely unaware that the "spear demon" who had attacked him that day also bore the surname Yan.

He casually glanced around, taking in everyone's expressions: Li Yuan and the other members of the Li Tang people looked as usual; Bi Xuan, Gai Suwen, Yin Zuwen, and others wore gloating expressions; Feng Deyi, the chief of the group to Li Yuan's right, stared at Yuan Yueze; Wang Tong lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought; most of the guests looked expectant, clearly interested in the matter; and the women all gave Yuan Yueze a smile.

Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "Lord Yan, please speak?"

Yan Shigu's expression remained unchanged as he said, "I heard that there are two large murals hanging in your study, young master. One of them reads, 'Only when things are investigated can knowledge be extended; only when knowledge is extended can the will be sincere; only when the will is sincere can the heart be rectified; only when the heart is rectified can the person be cultivated; only when the person is cultivated can the family be regulated; only when the family is regulated can the state be governed; only when the state is governed can the world be at peace.' You have deliberately marked a large X on it. The other reads, 'When the world is in great chaos, the wise and virtuous are not enlightened, and morality is inconsistent. Many people try to see things for themselves. It is like the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth, which all have their own senses but cannot communicate with each other. It is like the various skills of different schools of thought, each with its own strengths and uses.' I was very curious about this, so I asked about it. Please forgive me, young master."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "So that's what they were waiting for!" These two sentences, one from the *Great Learning* and the other from the *Zhuangzi*, combined with Yuan Yueze's usual criticism of Confucianism, prompted Yan Shigu's attack. Li Yuan's tacit approval indicated that he knew about this beforehand and wanted to see Yuan Yueze humiliated. Since force failed, he naturally opted for a literary contest. Yan Shigu had just said that Wang Tong had told him about this, and Wang Tong had also spoken with Fan Qinghui. In his youth, he had been unsuccessful in his pursuit of beauty and talent, and upon seeing Fan Qinghui again, he was naturally unable to resist, and it was hard to

guarantee he wouldn't be manipulated. Even though Fan Qinghui was gone, her offensive hadn't diminished. This old nun was quite formidable!

All these thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Is there anything strange about this?"

Yan Shigu said, "This humble official is simply thinking about your way of doing things, and I don't understand why you so dislike Confucianism." There was a hidden

meaning in his words. Few in the hall were fools; they could vaguely sense the problem: the phrase from the *Great Learning*, later simplified to "cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world," represents the goal of all gentlemen and even ambitious individuals; the meaning of the phrase from *Zhuangzi* refers to the fact that there are many schools of thought in the world, each only possessing a part of the orthodox tradition, and therefore inevitably has its own strengths and weaknesses. Yuan Yueze clearly disdained and belittled the former ideology, while the latter, though giving the impression of being magnanimous and objective, contradicted his approach to the former, making him seem overly hypocritical.

This scholar is truly remarkable!

Yuan Yueze calmly replied, "Lord Yan, you seem to have misunderstood. I also have doubts about that statement, which is why I acted as I did. I simply wonder who the subject of that statement is. For example, if you are of high moral character and erudite, would the Emperor entrust power to you? Otherwise, how can you 'pacify the world'?"

Hearing his treasonous words, many in the hall felt admiration, but dared not express it. Yuan Yueze had done what they wanted to do but dared not.

Yan Shigu's expression changed instantly. Wang Tong coughed and interjected, "So that's how it is. I suppose Lord Yan thought the young master disliked Confucianism... The young master misunderstood. The correct interpretation of this statement in the *Great Learning* is not what the young master thinks..."

He immediately categorized Yuan Yueze as an illiterate pretending to know, while also trying to change the subject. He knew that if Li Yuan misunderstood Yan Shigu as having "ulterior motives," it would be like shooting himself in the foot.

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "Words are meant to be read by people, and how they are understood varies from person to person. As long as it's not sophistry, it has its own rationality. For example, the *Doctrine of the Mean* says, 'Therefore, those of great virtue will surely obtain their position and their reward.' I think this is just wishful thinking. Does the great scholar Wang agree?"

Wang Tong said, "The young master's eloquence is indeed extraordinary. Then let me ask you, what qualifications does a treacherous person from a heretical and crooked background have to talk about the profound thoughts of Confucianism? And what reason do you have to make outsiders believe him?"

When he finished speaking, his forehead was already sweating, and his body was trembling slightly.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "It seems that if Fan Qinghui gives you a flirtatious look, you'll go and die for him!" He gave Zhu Yuyan, whose beautiful eyes were filled with murderous intent, a wink, and she withdrew her mental magic. Wang Tong immediately felt relieved.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "It is said that the great Confucian scholar Wang once presented Emperor Wen of Sui's 'Twelve Strategies for Peace,' advocating 'honoring the kingly way, promoting hegemonic strategies, studying the past and verifying the present, and controlling the world with ease.' He was deeply appreciated by Emperor Wen, but when he was asked to discuss matters with the ministers, he was neglected and ostracized

. He began to lose faith in the court and resigned to return to his hometown to teach. Does your doing so uphold the profound and extensive thoughts of Confucianism and conform to the Confucian norms of a 'gentleman'?" Wang Tong's old face turned red with anger, and his body began to tremble again, but he could not answer.

The gentleman described by Confucianism is one who does not flatter those in power, does not attach himself to those who are strong, does not fawn over those who are beautiful, does not hide from those who are ugly, does not fear the strong, does not bully the weak, befriends those who follow the good, abandons those who like or dislike, respects the elderly, and protects the young. The common people live in peace, the officials perform their duties, do not lose righteousness in poverty, and do not deviate from the Way in prosperity. Wang Tong did not give his all for the country because of personal gain or loss, which indeed violated the way of the gentleman.

Yuan Yueze grasped a key principle of debate: seize upon an opponent's weakness, amplify it infinitely, and confuse the public.

He succeeded.

In fact, Wang Tong was by no means as incompetent as some portrayed. He advocated "benevolent governance" and the "unity of the three teachings" (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism). His essays focused on reasoning, his poetry on the application of politics and education, and his essays on conciseness, clarity, classicism, and rules, advocating for reform in writing style. This aligned with the trends of the times, and later generations regarded him as a representative of the Confucian school. His disciples respectfully called him "Master Wenzhong." However, no one is perfect, and Wang Tong was no exception. He was eager for fame. After returning to his hometown, he imitated Confucius and wrote "The Continued Six Classics." When lecturing in the Hefen region, he called himself "Master Wang." No one can deny his talent, but they also cannot ignore his superficiality.

Yuan Yueze continued relentlessly, “Su Qin of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Guan Zhong of the Qi State, and Kuang Heng of the Western Han Dynasty—which of them had a good background? Although my experiences differ from theirs, my nature is no different. I am a member of the Demonic Sect, and for several years my wife, Zhu Yuyan, has painstakingly revised the regulations, deleting the selfish and self-serving rules. Even if we do this, will outsiders still condemn them?”

The hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Chapter 109: The Crippled Martial Venerable

Wanwan’s face was full of joy as she gazed tenderly at Yuan Yueze.

Although Yuan Yueze had a self-created title of “Evil Emperor,” he had never fought for any benefit for the Demonic Sect. Zhu Yuyan and her disciple didn’t blame him; after all, he was just a lazy person. Today, his simple words had given the two of them quite a surprise. You must know that Yuan Yueze was no ordinary person. His every move and word was being watched by the world. Whether his words were intentional or casual, he was now closely connected with the Demonic Sect.

Suddenly, a man stood up from Li Jiancheng's seat and said, "Young Master, you just mentioned that Confucianism is mere fantasy. Wei Zheng, may I ask, isn't your theory also fantasy?"

The speaker was none other than the well-preserved Wei Zheng. This remark was both a diversion and a counterattack, not only saving Wang Tong's face but also directly targeting Yuan Yueze's "five questions." Everyone knew that Yuan Yueze's theory, though good, was impractical.

Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "I have never denied that my theory is fantasy. But I never said that Confucianism is fantasy; I was merely commenting on that one sentence." Wei Zheng

nodded awkwardly and sat down. Wang Tong was clearly unwilling to give up and said, "Even the Buddhist monks in Luoyang have to work in the fields. How then does Young Master treat the Confucian scholars of Luoyang?"

This was an extremely tricky question, and Yuan Yueze had to answer it carefully.

The current era is rife with war, the darkest hour before dawn, and also the best time to prompt ideological reform. Many in later generations are extreme, criticizing Confucianism and Confucius, but Yuan Yueze would never do such a thing. His view is that every ideology has its progressive and backward aspects; he wants to use the ideas of a thousand years later to guide people on how to distinguish the good from the bad, and to separate truth from falsehood. If he answers well, he is likely to gain the support of Confucian scholars with a very broad base of support, and then influence their way of thinking, greatly contributing to the ideological revolution after a unified empire.

Taking a sip of tea, Yuan Yueze turned his head, nodded to Hu Xiaoxian, who was sitting some distance away and watching him, cleared his throat, and prepared to speak.

The people in the hall, seeing that Yuan Yueze was even more shameless than rumored, openly seducing a woman, had a variety of expressions—disdain, jealousy, envy, and so on. Hu Xiaoxian, under the gaze of nearly a thousand people, was incredibly embarrassed, even with her usual boldness, and hurriedly lowered her head to hide her inner turmoil.

Yuan Yueze's voice rang out, and he said, "One day after a heavy rain, four brothers in a family were preparing to go out. The eldest brother wore a pair of thick boots most suitable for late summer and early autumn, the second brother chose a pair of noble boots that would highlight his extraordinary status, and the third and fourth brothers went barefoot."

The others looked at each other, completely puzzled as to why he had suddenly started telling a story.

Yuan Yueze continued, "The reason the third brother went barefoot was that the body is just a shell, and if the heart is unpolluted, what does it matter if his feet get a little muddy? The reason the fourth brother went barefoot was the simplest: he didn't like wearing shoes."

He then asked Wang Tong, "Wang Daru, which of these four people do you think is the most commendable?"

Wang Tong's mind raced, and in a moment he guessed that the eldest brother represented the Daoists who pursued the way of nature; the second brother represented the Confucians who advocated a hierarchical system; the third brother represented the Buddhists who transcended worldly affairs; and the fourth brother represented the heretical and freedom-seeking demonic sect.

Instead of answering, Wang Tong sneered, "Confucianism has endured a century of silence. How can you, sir, apply the views of your ancestors to those of the present? If you do, how are you any different from Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi?"

Clearly, he was extremely dissatisfied with Yuan Yueze's persistent criticism of Confucianism. After the fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Confucianism almost completely disappeared during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, to salvage the declining imperial power, Confucian scholars often allied with the imperial relatives to deal with the tyrannical eunuchs. Thus, the aristocratic class and the eunuchs formed a historically irreconcilable conflict. When Cao Cao rose to power, although he had an academic background from the aristocracy, his family was of eunuch lineage, making him an enemy of Confucian scholars in politics. Furthermore, having effectively replaced the Eastern Han, his political actions were incompatible with the moral principles of his academic background, leading him to adopt the method of "promoting a rogue's style to suppress the morale of the scholars." The proclamation issued by Emperor Xian in the fifteenth year of Jian'an, relinquishing his fiefdom and refusing to relinquish military power, best illustrates this point; by the time of his son Cao Pi, the old moral standards were completely negated, causing a complete change in the customs since the Qin and Han dynasties.

Wang Tong's meaning is very simple: Yuan Yueze is criticizing the Confucianism of the Han dynasty, not the Confucianism of this era.

Yuan Yueze snorted heavily and said, "The Confucian sage Confucius first proposed ethical and moral concepts such as the relationship between ruler and subject, father and son, and benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom; Mencius further proposed the moral norms of 'affection between father and son, righteousness between ruler and subject, distinction between husband and wife, order between elder and younger, and trustworthiness between friends'; and then Dong Zhongshu of the Western Han dynasty proposed the principle of 'valuing yang and despising yin,' suppressing all other schools of thought. Although it was silent for a hundred years, it was passed down to the present day, and after being reorganized by the great Confucian scholar Wang, new meanings were proposed. But your essence is no different from Dong Zhongshu's; it's just that you advocate 'the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties'..." "The politics of the Three Dynasties are too distant to be verified, but the saying 'the Han Dynasty should be taken as a model' reveals something. If you weren't looking down on my background and belittling women, why don't you cooperate with Luoyan to reform the outdated views of Confucianism? If I were truly an anti-Confucian, I would have mentioned Qin Shi Huang, who unified the Central Plains but was not Confucianized; I would have mentioned that the Han Dynasty originally adhered to Huang-Lao thought, and the suppression of other schools of thought led to hundreds of years of great turmoil; I would have mentioned Confucius's execution of Shaozheng Mao!"

Yuan Yueze's words were startling, each word resounding and undeniable.

The hall fell silent again; Yuan Yueze's words had a profound impact on their thinking. However, people of this era were deeply influenced by feudal ethics, and their ideas were already deeply ingrained. Yuan Yueze had not expected to change them now. But he had to clarify his views and stance.

Li Shimin, seated next to Du Ruhui, stood up and said, "Then may I ask what your views are on Confucianism and other schools of thought?"

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "Every school of thought has its progressive and backward aspects. Take Confucianism for example. Ideas such as 'inner sage and outer king,' 'extending one's own feelings to others,' 'establishing oneself and helping others to establish themselves, achieving one's own success and helping others to achieve theirs,' 'the gentleman takes righteousness as his essence, practices it with propriety, expresses it with humility, and achieves it with trustworthiness,' and 'the people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important' should be passed down. As for schools of thought, I advocate the separation of religion and politics. Under reasonable state control, harmless ideas should be allowed to coexist, allowing the people to freely believe, then extracting the essence and discarding the dross to develop a more perfect ideology. Imagine, if a school of thought could..." "To combine the freedom of Taoism, the benevolence and righteousness of Confucianism, the truth and goodness of Buddhism, the philosophical thinking of the School of Names, the martial spirit of the Military Strategists, the craftsmanship of the Mohists, and the system of Legalism, integrating 'people-oriented' and 'investigation of things to acquire knowledge,' how enviable that would be! Only then could the world gradually approach the state of 'each appreciating its own beauty, appreciating the beauty of others, sharing beauty together, and achieving universal harmony.'"

His words were clearly indicating that he was not anti-Confucian. The Confucian scholars in the hall were also in control of their emotions and could not refute his last quote from Fei Xiaotong, "drawing the firewood from under the cauldron," otherwise they would be refuting the Confucian saying they believed in: "A gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity; a petty person seeks uniformity but not harmony." Everyone began to deeply consider Yuan Yueze's novel viewpoint. A

look of surprise flashed in Li Yuan's eyes. They, too, were calculating in their minds that such a system would indeed be beneficial for generations to come and for the nation. As long as the world was unified and the pace was controlled, it could be gradually implemented.

Li Shimin felt the same way. He understood better than anyone the motives behind the support from Buddhism and Taoism; otherwise, he wouldn't have promoted Confucianism after ascending the throne. Ultimately, it was to suppress the excessive expansion of Buddhism and Taoism.

The new concept of the separation of church and state greatly inspired him.

Bi Xuan said with a half-smile, "Brother Yuan, your verbal skills are indeed extraordinary. It's a pity that you defeated the four highly skilled Buddhist monks yesterday, and your injuries haven't fully healed. Otherwise, I would have liked to experience your unparalleled swordsmanship before leaving!"

Gai Suwen immediately chimed in, "The Sage is right. I, Suwen, would also like to have a duel with Brother Yuan."

"Haha!"

The two exchanged words in unison. Shang Xiufang frowned slightly, but before she could speak, Yuan Yueze let out a long laugh and suddenly disappeared. The next moment, he appeared in the center of the hall as if walking out of thin air, standing with his hands behind his back. He said, "I, Yuan, would also like to stretch my muscles. Shall we both come at me together? Or one at a time?"

Although his words were utterly impolite, his tone was gentle and pleasant, refined and calm, completely at odds with his words.

Everyone looked at each other again, never expecting that the man who had seemed so calm and composed just a moment ago, like a Taoist master, would be so fierce and ready to attack immediately. They were all greatly surprised. However, there were countless martial arts enthusiasts in this era. For example, Ke Dazhi and others from the Crown Prince's faction, and Yuchi Jingde from the Tian Ce Mansion, all began to cheer loudly, eliciting waves of applause from the crowd.

Not many people had heard of the Four Great Monks, but since Bi Xuan had said that Yuan Yueze would be injured after fighting them, it was clear that the Four Great Monks were no ordinary figures. People had various reactions: some were gloating, some were worried, some were filled with anticipation, and oh, I forgot to mention, there were also those who were just there for the spectacle. (Parody) Only a very few people knew about Yuan Yueze's battle with the Four Great Monks, and the Li Tang dynasty had also kept the news under wraps. Bi Xuan's sudden mention of it had infuriated Li Yuan, who inwardly cursed him for his shamelessness. This move was simply intended to further escalate the conflict between Yuan Yueze and the Li Tang. Seeing Yuan Yueze enter with such an arrogant attitude, the Li Tang people couldn't help but feel overjoyed: Bi Xuan had no way to escape now, and he couldn't join forces with Gai Suwen, otherwise, how could they face each other in their respective countries in the future? Although Yuan Yueze was strong, he had fought several masters in one day, and it was uncertain how much strength he could recover. If either side lost, or even died on the spot, it would only benefit the Li Tang dynasty, so Li Yuan would never obstruct the process.

Gai Suwen stood up, and the entire room fell silent. He approached Yuan Yueze without fear, standing about two zhang away, and smiled, saying, "Suwen is not a man of violence and bravado. It's just that, like the now-immortal Master Fu, I regard swordsmanship as an art, the ultimate in beauty. For me, Gai Suwen, the pursuit of swordsmanship transcends not only personal grudges and honors, but also the question of strength or weakness in the struggle between nations. It's like some people's pursuit of rare treasures and paintings; because they are returning home tomorrow, they don't want to leave empty-handed. But Suwen doesn't want to harm Brother Yuan, so I don't intend to use my sword."

As the host, Li Yuan naturally had to be polite, sighing, "Any injury to either side is the last thing I, Li Yuan, want to see."

Gai Suwen replied nonchalantly, "Suwen is indeed eager to learn your extraordinary skills and has absolutely no intention of fighting to the death."

The two seemed certain that Yuan Yueze would lose, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange. Yuan Yueze knew that Gai Suwen was using a feigned retreat to force him to agree to let him use a knife, so he went along with it, saying in a way that was both dismissive and forceful: "Is a general who doesn't use a knife still a general? Don't joke with your life. Anyone with eyes can see that there's no such thing as 'stopping at the point of contact.' Life and death, victory and defeat, are decided in just a few moves."

Gai Suwen's gaze suddenly turned sharp and piercing, and he said: "Since Brother Yuan is so eager for Suwen's little trinket, if Suwen refuses again, wouldn't he be letting you down?"

Yuan Yueze met his gaze and smiled slightly, but didn't speak.

Since, according to custom, no one except the guards and officers on duty was allowed to bring weapons, Gai Suwen had to wait for the guards to bring them. Yuan Yueze's evil sword could be taken out at will, so the Li Tang people couldn't do anything about it.

Inside the hall, everyone began to whisper and buzz again, and the topic naturally revolved around guessing who would win and who would lose.

Gai Suwen glanced at the composed Shang Xiufang again and sighed, "Lady Xiufang will be accompanying the Sage on a visit to the grasslands tomorrow. Six months later, I will be waiting for you in Goryeo."

The men in the hall murmured in surprise. The women were focused on Yuan Yueze, while the men's attention shifted to Shang Xiufang.

Tun Yugu, standing to the side, rose at the opportune moment and said, "Please rest assured, everyone, I guarantee Miss Xiufang's safety."

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly, thinking these two were still trying to use "psychological warfare" to dampen his spirits. He merely glanced at Shang Xiufang, who was staring intently at him, before looking away.

Gai Suwen and the others were secretly pleased, believing Yuan Yueze was merely feigning composure due to his emotional state. Many people already knew that Yuan Yueze had repeatedly visited Shanglin Garden and had been received by Shang Xiufang. They assumed Yuan Yueze had taken a liking to Shang Xiufang, unaware that Shang Xiufang reciprocated his feelings.

Perhaps thinking of the night she would be giving herself to him, Shang Xiufang's beautiful face flushed slightly, and a fleeting, alluring light flashed in her dark, clear eyes, nearly making the eyes of the many men pop out.

A shout of "Weapons here!"

brought everyone's attention back, and the hall fell silent once more.

A Goryeo warrior, carrying a precious sword, entered the hall and stood diagonally behind Gaesomun.

Gaesomun's right hand trembled slightly, a flash of black light, and the sheathed longsword was in his grasp.

With the sword in hand, Gaesomun slowly drew it from its sheath, his entire demeanor instantly changing. He not only became more spirited but also exuded a magnificent and awe-inspiring aura, showing that he had entered a state of focused concentration on defeating the enemy, where man and sword became one. Although his expression remained calm and composed, displaying the demeanor of a master, his eyes immediately flashed with an eerie and inexplicable light. The moment his longsword was drawn, an incomparably sharp blade aura completely locked onto and enveloped Yuan Yueze.

The sword was simple and unadorned, with a heavy, thick blade, its body a jet black and gleaming.

Seeing that Yuan Yueze was unaffected by his chilling aura and was examining his twin swords with childlike curiosity, Gai Suwen said sarcastically, "As Sun Tzu said, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' This is a forty-nine-refinement steel sword made at the request of Jin Xiying, a renowned swordsmith in our country. I named it the Shield-Strike Sword. The sheath is for backing up, and the sword is for striking. The sheath and sword together weigh one hundred and twenty jin. Brother Yuan, be careful."

He spoke with overwhelming pride, assuming that Yuan Yueze was looking for the sword's weakness. However, Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Since the General is known as the 'Five-Sword Overlord,' why do I only see one sword today?"

Gai Suwen glanced at Fu Junzhuo, who stood serenely like Guanyin Bodhisattva in the distance, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He said, "Brother Yuan is already injured. How can I, Suwen, take advantage of you? We can settle this with a single move; there's no need for a life-or-death struggle. Although the woman from Goryeo who married out has

betrayed her country, I, Suwen, do not wish to see my own flesh and blood widowed!" His words were clearly a veiled insult to Fu Junzhuo. He had previously sought her out to discuss the "Yang Gong Treasure Trove" belonging to Goryeo, but she had driven him out, a fact he found utterly despicable. Today, in front of so many people, he had finally humiliated the traitorous Fu Junzhuo.

Fu Junzhuo looked at him calmly, neither happy nor sad, for she knew her actions were without guilt. Just as Yuan Yueze had once comforted her: "Nothing can be perfect. But I strive to have a clear conscience."

His beloved wife being misunderstood was not a big deal, but being humiliated in public was far more serious. Yuan Yueze roared, "Alright! Just one move, strike!"

Almost simultaneously, a terrifying feeling arose among the thousands of people in the hall. Yuan Yueze's words seemed to create an endless, ever-rising echo that filled the heavens and earth, making one want to burst their eardrums to stop the piercing echo—a feeling utterly bizarre and eerie.

Immediately afterward, a series of whistling sounds brought everyone's attention back to reality. Gai Suwen's right hand held a heavy steel blade, already aimed at Yuan Yueze's head.

This perfect strike, imbued with all his energy and spirit, without any trace of artifice, possessed earth-shattering power.

Yuan Yueze pointed a finger.

A finger strike without any embellishment, condensing his highest level of skill, as if containing the secrets of the universe.

Palm and sword clashed without a sound.

Gai Suwen's unique senses, honed through countless battles, alerted him. In his retreat, his left hand, holding a scabbard, flicked a black disc, barely dodging Yuan Yueze's terrifying innate sword light. With

a "crack!"

the scabbard fell to the ground, and Gai Suwen's face turned ashen, his body swaying back and forth.

He knew his left hand was useless, for Yuan Yueze's powerful innate sword energy had destroyed all the flesh and meridians in his seemingly intact left arm. But he was also lucky; if it weren't for his cooperation with Bi Xuan last night, and Bi Xuan lending him a stream of "Blazing Sun True Qi," he would be completely paralyzed by now.

This was precisely why Yuan Yueze stood frozen in the center of the hall.

He finally understood why Gai Suwen dared to lead the charge—it was all because of Bi Xuan's true qi. And he, Yuan Yueze, had underestimated Gai Suwen. But having defeated him and crippled his arm, Gai Suwen was practically a cripple.

The people in the hall finally came to their senses and began to cheer loudly. If they were told the truth about the battle, they would probably be even more frenzied. Although the Li Tang people regretted that Yuan Yueze hadn't killed Gai Suwen, they felt somewhat relieved that the feud was now settled.

Yuan Yueze stretched out his right hand, as if he hadn't just survived a death battle, and said calmly to Bi Xuan, "Martial Venerable, please!"

The hall instantly returned to silence, and everyone's gaze turned to Bi Xuan.

Bi Xuan didn't even glance at Gai Suwen, who was being helped away. His feet barely touched the ground as he lightly landed in the arena. His high-collared, long-sleeved, and wide golden-patterned robe accentuated his majestic, mountain-like figure and imposing, dignified bearing. He sighed, "Brother Yuan's recovery ability is truly astonishing. Bi Xuan can finally fight with all his might."

Anyone could see that Yuan Yueze's victory had been too easy, so he didn't need to rest at all.

Yuan Yueze flipped his right hand, and the "Evil Sword" finally appeared in his grasp.

Bi Xuan's face was calm, chilling to behold, yet his eyes blazed with murderous intent. He said indifferently, "Brother Yuan, since you respect me so much, I will not disappoint you!"

Yuan Yueze seemed to be talking to himself, "In the past, when Yang Jian unified the Central Plains, he invaded the grasslands. Yang Guang's tyranny plunged the Central Plains into chaos, leading to Bi Xuan's southern invasion. Now, the Central Plains are severely affected by war, and various foreign tribes are restless. The conflicts between ethnic groups can only be ended through war, with one side completely subjugating. No one can resolve them. Does Martial Venerable think what I say is correct?"

Bi Xuan was slightly taken aback, then pondered, "With just a few words, you have explained the ethnic conflicts so thoroughly. I admire you."

Yuan Yueze glanced at him indifferently and continued, "I am not an extreme nationalist, nor do I like war, but I cannot stand by and watch my people be harassed by foreign tribes. Since Martial Venerable dares to challenge me, I hope you can accept any outcome."

The hall fell silent.

No one dared to accuse Yuan Yueze of arrogance.

The people of Li Tang were filled with emotion. They had always considered themselves people of the Central Plains, yet they had cooperated with the Turks, constantly claiming it was for the sake of the people. In the dead of night, they asked themselves, "Whom are we really working for?" Even a figure like Li Yuan showed shame, indicating that his conscience was troubled.

In contrast, many felt a sense of admiration for this capricious and ruthless "fierce man" who acted only according to his own conscience.

Bi Xuan laughed heartily and said, "We are a wolf people, living for a long time on the magnificent grasslands, growing stronger through continuous wars, and now dominating the land. This has shaped our unchanging national character. The glory of our warriors is won with blood and lives; once we have identified our goal, we will never retreat or change course."

He couldn't openly discuss aggression in front of the people of the Central Plains, but he subtly expressed the characteristics of the Turkic people and his personal determination, completely unaffected by Yuan Yueze's momentum.

Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes, saying leisurely, "Therefore, I absolutely disagree with Confucius's saying, 'If distant people do not submit, then cultivate virtue and culture to attract them; once they have come, then pacify them.' Let's make our move, and not miss any opportunity!"

Confucius meant that if distant people do not submit, then promote civility and education to win them over. Once they arrive, we must make them feel at ease. Yuan Yueze disagreed, because Confucius's view clearly deviated from the principle of specific analysis of specific problems. For a people like the Turks, whose wolfish culture prevails, only ruthless and decisive methods can resolve ethnic conflicts. Practicing etiquette might work, but it would likely take several times longer.

Bi Xuan let out a hearty laugh, and a suffocating heat filled the entire hall, giving one the terrifying feeling of being in a dry, barren desert. Then, the heat vanished abruptly, replaced by a feeling of emptiness, a dry, stifling void where not a drop of air could be felt. Bi Xuan, seemingly an immovable mountain, suddenly appeared in mid-air, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. His clothes and long hair whipped wildly in two directions, creating an eerie and unsettling scene.

Simultaneously, his hands conjured countless intricate and profound palm techniques, but regardless of the variations, his palms always faced each other, as if the entire universe's mysteries resided within his palms; and despite the myriad changes, the underlying principle remained the same—all these mystical transformations were aimed at Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze's expression grew increasingly solemn. That day, he had thought Bi Xuan's cultivation was far inferior to Zhu Yuyan and Ning Daoqi, but now he realized that Bi Xuan had deliberately concealed his strength. His first move already displayed his Grandmaster-level cultivation; the astonishingly powerful "Blazing Sun Technique," emanating from him, could simulate various air currents that influenced battlefield changes. For example, right now, the aura was strongly pulling at Yuan Yueze, as if inviting him to deliver himself into the trap.

Yuan Yueze remained calm, his clothes showing no sign of movement, only his long hair began to fly in the opposite direction, demonstrating that his aura was completely unaffected by his opponent. Then, his longsword silently drew from its sheath, raised high, and with a flick of his wrist, he continuously drew graceful rings of energy, one after another, more than a dozen rings forming a beautiful circle.

The spectators were all dumbfounded.

Even Yin Defei, whose cultivation was only average, could clearly see every movement, yet after he completed this massive "project," Bi Xuan's seemingly slow but actually swift, thunderous attack hadn't even landed on him.

"Boom!"

The figures suddenly merged and then separated.

Everyone was once again enveloped in the dry, hot, desert-like aura of the "Blazing Sun Technique," demonstrating Bi Xuan's complete control over his aura. When they could see clearly again, Bi Xuan, like a towering mountain that stood firm in a storm, was already five feet in front of where Yuan Yueze had just stood, his fists pounding forward.

Yuan Yueze seemed to vanish, leaving nothing but a pair of iron fists radiating heat capable of boiling iron and burning gold.

Suddenly, a sword thrust out from the void.

This sword strike produced no sound, yet even the spectators felt that no one could withstand it.

Yuan Yueze's true energy was entirely contained within the sword, including his entire being, the essence, spirit, and qi of heaven, earth, and man combined.

"Bang!"

The clashing energies produced a thunderous explosion that chilled the heart.

Looking towards the center of the battle, most people wore expressions of disbelief.

-----

Chapter 110 The Night of the Talented Woman

The Taiji Night Banquet has ended.

It is nearly the end of the Xu hour.

Imperial Study.

Emperor Li Yuan of Tang sat upright, with his three sons and one daughter sitting opposite him.

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat somber. After an unknown amount of time, Li Yuan finally let out a long sigh, as if speaking to his children, or perhaps muttering to himself, "Just who is Yuan Yueze? The Great Ming Emperor, the Four Great Monks, and Bi Xuan are no match for him. My confidant, Brother Yan, and the mysterious master who has protected me for decades are no match for him either. I really doubt whether he can withstand a thousand troops."

Li Yuanji, who had been completely speechless, exclaimed in surprise, "Father's mysterious master is no match for him either..."

Xi Feng had secretly pledged allegiance to Li Yuan a long time ago. Apart from Li Yuan, no one had ever seen his true face in the palace. Even Li Yuanji, who was cooperating with him, was kept in the dark and completely unaware.

Recalling the terrifying scene of Bi Xuan lying on the ground, pale and unable to get up after being beaten by Yuan Yueze, Li Jiancheng shuddered, but said, "Father is too worried. Human strength has its limits. No one with flesh and blood can withstand a large army."

Li Shimin smiled bitterly and sighed, "Who could have imagined Yuan Yueze's eloquence? Wang Daru, Shigu Shu, and others were rendered speechless after just a few words."

After the civil and military competition, the Li Tang army was utterly defeated. Not only that, but Yuan Yueze also seized the opportunity to express his personal political views in the Taiji Hall. Later, he decisively defeated the Goryeo chieftain Gaesomun and the grassland's spiritual symbol, the "Martial Venerable," Bi Xuan, thus giving the Central Plains a boost and his influence soared to its peak.

All of this was completely contrary to the original intentions of Li Yuan, the instigator. He could only lament that man proposes, God disposes. Was Yuan Yueze sent by Heaven to oppose the Tang Dynasty?

Li Yuanji said bitterly, "Are we just going to watch him leave? Such a dangerous person is a menace if he stays even a day longer!"

His words resonated with Li Yuan and his sons. With Yuan Yueze's abilities, assassinating high-ranking officials of the Tang Dynasty, or even Li Yuan himself, would be a piece of cake. How could Li Yuan feel at ease?

Li Jiancheng's face was cold as he said, "Now that Yang Gong's treasury is empty, I suspect it's hidden in that strange bracelet on his wrist. If we don't bring him to Chang'an, I'll definitely find out about the treasury."

He then turned his attention to Li Shimin, who could only smile helplessly and dare not answer. Li Yuan said decisively, "Don't mention the treasury again. Our spies say that Yuan Yueze has already invested millions of taels of gold in Luoyang, enough to fill several treasuries. Our Great Tang has the support of the wealthy Bashu region; we don't even care about a small treasury. How can we conquer the world with just money? Yes, regarding Pei Qing's matter, Yuanji has..." "What news?"

Li Yuanji shook his head and said, "After the banquet, I went to Uncle Ji's residence again. His family said he went out alone last night, and no one dared to ask too many questions. They assumed he was on official business, and then there was no news of him."

He paused, then exclaimed, "Could he have been secretly killed by Yuan Yueze?"

Seeing that his father and brothers were increasingly wary of Yuan Yueze, to the point of being terrified at the mere mention of his name, Li Xiuning, who had not left her room for days and had not even attended the New Year's Eve banquet, lowered her head slightly, remained silent, and showed a withered smile on her pale face.

Li Yuan pondered, "This is indeed possible, but the possibility is extremely low. Pei Qing has no grudge against Yuan Yueze. Although Yuan Yueze is arrogant, his style is not despicable. Alright, Xiuning, stay. You all go out. Be sure to prepare carefully for battle and don't pay any more attention to Yuan Yueze."

He was truly afraid that his son would make another foolish mistake and indirectly support Yuan Yueze.

Li Jiancheng and his two brothers rose, bowed, and took their leave. Li Yuanji and Li Yuan exchanged a knowing glance before turning away.

Once only the father and daughter remained in the room, Li Yuan asked casually, "Does Xiu Ning's heart already belong to Yuan Yueze?"

Li Xiu Ning gently shook her head and whispered, "Xiu Ning has never done anything to betray the family. Every action she takes is for the family's benefit."

Her words were true, yet they carried a hint of ulterior motive.

Li Yuan, being an experienced father, and knowing his daughter well, smiled bitterly, "Xiu Ning's thoughts are clear to me. I know Xiu Ning is conflicted, but you should understand that only one side can survive—our side or Yuan Yueze. The surviving side will gain the world, while the other will only end in ruin and death. A short, sharp pain is better than a long, drawn-out one. Xiu Ning, make your choice. Whichever side you choose, I, as your father, will understand and support you."

The Tang princess trembled violently, and two strings of tears, reflecting the light under the lamplight, slid down onto her pale hands.

With her exceptional intelligence, how could she not understand Li Yuan's meaning? Her affection for Yuan Yueze was undeniable, yet she had never done anything to betray her family. Clearly, between love and family, she chose the latter. Li Yuan and his sons understood this, so why did he force Li Xiuning to make a statement?

Li Xiuning felt a surge of fear. She vaguely sensed that Li Yuan wanted her to deal with Yuan Yueze personally, and the method certainly wouldn't be straightforward, because in the entire world, there were probably no more than three people who dared to confront Yuan Yueze directly. That meant Li Yuan planned to use a scheme to plot against Yuan Yueze one last time before he left, and Li Xiuning was the executor.

The princess, caught in a dilemma, felt a pang of bitterness. Although she had rejected Yuan Yueze, how could she so easily discard her feelings? If Yuan Yueze were the kind of cunning and self-serving politician, it would be fine, but Yuan Yueze was the one who understood her best.

Li Yuan was caught in a dilemma. To be honest, he had been forced into this desperate measure. Even if the plan succeeded, Li Xiuning's chances of survival were extremely slim. The impression of Yuan Yueze as a man of deep affection yet ruthless was already deeply ingrained in people's minds. If Li Xiuning crossed his line, he could ruthlessly destroy her without hesitation.

This was trading his own daughter's life for the future of the Tang Dynasty!

Life is full of such helplessness; he or she had no other choice.

After a long while, Li Xiuning slowly raised her head, looking at Li Yuan with a heartbreakingly calm expression. The unwavering determination in her eyes told Li Yuan her choice.

Li Yuan wept bitterly.

The eagle's wings were broken, the wolf's teeth were severed.

The invincible myth of the grasslands was shattered in the Central Plains.

In just two moves, Yuan Yueze crippled Bi Xuan's power in court. Before, people had only heard rumors; tonight, they had witnessed his terrifying strength firsthand, and no one dared to doubt him anymore.

This battle established Yuan Yueze's image in Chang'an as someone who brought glory to the Han Dynasty, was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was invincible.

After a series of fierce battles with Liu Yu, the Four Great Monks, and Shi Zhixuan, his already unfathomable cultivation level rose even higher. Bi Xuan was indeed extraordinary, but compared to the combined power of the Four Great Monks, he was far inferior. On

the sleepless night of New Year's Eve, many people returning from the Taiji Hall were spreading his deeds, but this hero of the Han Dynasty was plotting a despicable act.

He went to Shanglin Garden to have an affair with Shang Xiufang, the most talented and beautiful courtesan

in the land. Ignoring the bustling crowds, the festive decorations, and the joyous atmosphere, Yuan Yueze slipped into Shang Xiufang's courtyard like a ghost.

He tiptoed into Shang Xiufang's still-lit boudoir, peering quietly at the elegant bed shrouded in white gauze curtains. Through the curtains, he could vaguely see Shang Xiufang's beautiful figure, undulating like a mountain range, as she slept.

Yuan Yueze was dumbfounded. The sleeping beauty was unaware of how alluring her delicate, fair legs, exposed beneath the brocade quilt and thin gauze curtains, were.

After a moment of stunned silence, Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Didn't she say she'd wait for me? Why is she asleep already?" He then quietly slipped under the curtains.

What he saw almost made his mouth water. She had kicked off most of the quilt, exposing her slender waist and above to the air. Her exquisite and alluring curves were tempting, even Yuan Yueze felt an urge to lift the quilt and feast his eyes on her entire body.

She was only wearing a thin gauze nightgown, the delicate fabric barely concealing her exquisite, captivating figure. Her full breasts rose and fell with her breath, and her body exuded a faint, natural fragrance. Her long, black, silky hair was loose and flowing, making her slender neck appear unusually white. Her delicate features and exquisitely beautiful face were fair with a rosy glow, making her incomparably beautiful.

After a long while, Yuan Yueze covered her with a blanket and gently lay down beside her.

His series of battles against several top masters had left him little time to calmly summarize his experiences. Such a peak was something that most martial artists could only dream of. Although Yuan Yueze didn't consider himself a martial artist, he firmly believed that Liu Yu was not dead. If this cunning fox-like fellow were to master the mysterious and unpredictable "War God's Manual," he would be even more difficult to deal with. Therefore, he had to improve his strength. The reason was very simple: the "War God's Manual" was extraordinary.

Images of the battles flashed through his mind, and his mind began to focus, carefully savoring every detail.

Gradually, he seemed to grasp the movements of everything in the world through his infinitely extended spiritual sense, feeling extremely comfortable and wonderful.

Shang Xiufang's slightly rapid breathing naturally did not escape his notice.

Yuan Yueze opened his eyes, reached out his arm, and placed Shang Xiufang's delicate hand, who was still pretending to be asleep with a flushed face, on his arm. He said softly with a smile, "Xiu-fang, I'm here!"

Shang Xiufang suddenly opened her sleepy eyes, her face showing joy, but her rosy lips slightly pouted, and she said reproachfully, "I was asleep, what are you doing here, young master?"

Seeing her charming appearance when she was being petulant, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother Gaduo is going back to the Western Regions tomorrow, so I accompanied him for a drink."

Shang Xiufang nodded slightly, did not speak again, and only rested her head in his arm. Under their intimate contact, Yuan Yueze could clearly feel her hot and vibrant body, her soft yet elastic breasts. Overwhelmed by desire, he turned and embraced her, biting her delicate, blushing earlobe, saying, "We'll be parting tomorrow, Xiufang, don't blame me for my haste."

Shang Xiufang, her body trembling, pressed her hands tightly against his chest, not daring to lift her head, only nodding slightly.

Yuan Yueze's large mouth seemed to possess a bewitching charm, tracing its way along her neck to her cheeks, which were as red as if they could bleed. Shang Xiufang couldn't resist the tingling, itchy sensation coursing through her body. Her body twisted slightly, and she unconsciously tilted her blushing face upwards, her eyes half-closed, letting out a soft, almost imperceptible moan, a clear harbinger of burgeoning passion.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Xiufang's singing voice is the best in the world. That last note was so captivating that it made my bones go weak."

Shang Xiufang, her virginity stirred by his words, regained some clarity upon hearing this. Before she could even glare at him or utter a few coquettish words, her mind went blank, as if her soul had left her body, and she could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion.

It turned out that Yuan Yueze's large mouth had found her soft, smooth, red lips, and before she could react, his tongue had already probed inside. His devilish hands began to conquer her rear. Shang Xiufang could not withstand his methods. Her already shy and rosy face turned even redder, and coupled with her violently writhing body and increasingly rapid breathing, it was clear that she was unable to control herself, and her desire had been fully ignited.

In a daze, all her coverings were removed, revealing a flawless, perfect body before him. Yuan Yueze stared, mesmerized, at her smooth, fair, and rounded legs and the faintly visible, mysterious sanctuary, when Shang Xiufang let out another soft cry, startling him awake. He saw that she was perhaps uncomfortable from the emptiness within her body; a few beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, and her complexion was somewhat off. Yuan

Yueze leaned down and asked, "Xiufang, are you feeling unwell?"

Shang Xiufang, her face flushed and her body weak, nodded slightly, but dared not open her eyes. Instead, she whispered something in Yuan Yueze's ear.

Yuan Yueze shrugged and chuckled dryly, saying, "Let this humble servant serve Xiufang so everyone can have some peace." Shang

Xiufang was greatly embarrassed, her face turning even redder with shame, and she pinched him hard with her jade-like hand.

Holding the naked Shang Xiufang in his arms, Yuan Yueze vanished behind the screen in a flash.

Apart from Shang Xiufang's heavy breathing, there was no other sound from inside the room.

A trembling voice, seemingly both angry and reproachful, came from behind her as she said, "Young Master, your hand...hand...Xiufang..."

Yuan Yueze's voice, however, was completely serious. He said, "Oh, so this is what Bai Letian meant by 'a cacophony of sounds,' alright, Xiufang, please come in!"

Shang Xiufang gave a frustrated snort, and a moment later, a melodious sound like raindrops pattering on withered lotus leaves rang out.

Yuan Yueze's strange voice rang out again, and he said with great seriousness, "Ha! This must be 'large and small pearls falling on a jade plate'! Ouch, Xiufang pinched 'Little Evil Emperor'!"

When the two figures returned to the chaise longue, Shang Xiufang was already lying in Yuan Yueze's arms like an ostrich, while the shameless "Evil Emperor," who had been running around naked all the way, shook his head and recited: "The warbling of orioles is smooth beneath the flowers, the murmuring of springs is difficult beneath the ice. The icy spring is cold and astringent, the strings are frozen and broken, the sound is temporarily stopped. A different kind of sorrow and resentment arises, at this moment silence is more eloquent than sound. Bai Letian is really a talent, Xiufang , don't you think?"

The peerless beauty, panting and shy, was intelligent enough to understand the hidden meaning in his words, and could only helplessly pinch him again. Yuan Yueze made an exaggerated expression, his large hand moving again over her exquisite, soft body. He said, "The spring night is too short. After refining your body, I'll have a good chat with Xiufang!"

Shang Xiufang let out a soft moan in agreement, her burning passion igniting. She was completely immersed in their love, anticipating the most intense moment.

Shang Xiufang's beautiful eyes were hazy, like autumn water. She gazed deeply at Yuan Yueze's handsome face, and involuntarily opened her arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. She let out a soft moan, her eyes sparkling, and spoke softly, whispering her longing and love.

After the tender moments, Yuan Yueze lowered his head and kissed her lips. Their tongues entwined, and Shang Xiufang wrapped her arms around his waist, responding passionately.

Just now, while relieving herself, he had touched her most tender virgin territory. What was there to hold back?

Yuan Yueze kissed her perfect face incessantly, their bodies pressed tightly together, his burning member pressing against Shang Xiufang's smooth abdomen. Shang Xiufang's body trembled, she twisted and rubbed slightly, moaning softly intermittently, her expression one of unbearable lust, making Yuan Yueze's breathing heavy.

The alluring voice, heard in his ears and felt in his heart, ignited Yuan Yueze's desire. He released Shang Xiufang's luscious red lips, kissing his way down her body, from her tender, full breasts, across her smooth, plump abdomen, then parted her unconsciously closed, rounded legs, burying his head between them.

Shang Xiufang's pubic area had a moderate amount of hair, forming a typical inverted triangle. Yuan Yueze's heavy, hot breath sprayed directly onto her pure petals, and Shang Xiufang let out a soft moan.

Looking at the pink slit in the middle, Yuan Yueze's blood rushed to his brain, and he extended his tongue, licking it.

Shang Xiufang let out a long moan, her breathing becoming more labored. She covered her flushed face with her hands, shaking her head like a rattle-drum, groaning, "Mmm...it's dirty, husband, don't...mmm..."

Despite her words, she felt an unbearable tingling sensation throughout her body, like ants crawling, waves of intense itching spreading through her entire being.

Yuan Yueze looked up and laughed, "Didn't you wash yourself after you relieved yourself?"

Then, without waiting for her reply, he lowered his head and kissed her two glistening, trembling, tender petals, his nimble tongue teasing them back and forth, before his tongue slipped into the flower path that no one had ever penetrated before. As he continued to kiss Shang Xiufang's full vulva, licking her pink petals like ice cream, his fingers occasionally pressing on her cute little red clitoris, the fragrant nectar flowing out became overflowing, making her alluring garden even wetter.

How could Shang Xiufang, still a virgin, withstand such intense stimulation? Her delicate body reacted with excitement and pleasure, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, soft moans escaping her lips, her two white hands flailing wildly.

Yuan Yueze's tongue continued to playfully tease the entrance and petals of her vagina, occasionally licking the hymen formed by the protruding flesh, causing Shang Xiufang's burning body to tremble even more violently, her throat occasionally escaping with soul-stirring, fiery moans. Her jade legs involuntarily clamped tightly around his head, her fragrant buttocks trembling uncontrollably, a mixture of resistance and welcome.

The foreplay was sufficient, and Yuan Yueze no longer hesitated. He stood up, lifted her two incredibly elastic, slender jade legs, and, guiding his spear, parted her bright red petals, placing it at the entrance of her vagina.

With a "whoosh," the tip of his spear plunged into Shang Xiufang's tight honeypot.

Virgin blood dripped down.

Although she was prepared, Shang Xiufang still screamed, her legs violently bending to clamp around Yuan Yueze's waist, her beautiful brows furrowed, looking pitiful with both pain and fear.

Yuan Yueze felt her legs tightly clamped together, the fleshy walls of her petals contracting, so he stopped moving and began using various techniques to caress her smooth, delicate skin, stimulating her sensitive areas to distract her. Shang Xiufang

's brows gradually relaxed. She began to subtly sway her pink buttocks. Yuan Yueze gradually increased the speed of his movements. With each thrust, Shang Xiufang's vaginal fluids increased, occasionally splashing out and dripping onto the sheets with each withdrawal. She began to moan loudly, her appearance wanton and wild.

Her wildness made Yuan Yueze's blood boil. He vigorously kneaded Shang Xiufang's perfectly perky, round breasts, causing them to sway irregularly. He thrust even faster, holding her legs up.

Shang Xiufang was oblivious to everything else, completely lost in the pleasure, moaning softly as she clung to Yuan Yueze like a wanton woman. Her once dignified brows and half-closed eyes were now brimming with desire, her watery gaze filled with longing—a stark contrast to her usual refined and dignified demeanor.

The spear moved swiftly in and out of Shang Xiufang's incredibly tight virgin honeypot, as if entering a warm, slippery paradise. A current of electricity spread from the point of contact, sending a tingling sensation through Yuan Yueze's entire body, his joints feeling weak and trembling.

Shang Xiufang's exquisitely sculpted figure featured full, rounded, jade-like breasts, a slender waist, a flat stomach, and shapely curves. Her long, jade-like legs were free of any excess fat, and her alluring pubic hair, combined with her stunning beauty, made her lose all reason and actively respond to him, driven by lust. Seductive moans escaped her cherry-like lips as she arched her back, her snow-white, full breasts trembling. Her delicate hands gripped Yuan Yueze's shoulders, and her hips swayed wildly.

Yuan Yueze held her slender waist, his massive member repeatedly swallowed by the pubic hair beneath her flat stomach, thrusting in and out of her wet, slippery path.

A series of soft moans escaped Shang Xiufang's lips; she had forgotten everything. Each intimate union elicited a soft, sweet moan from her, beads of sweat sliding down her rosy cheeks, a captivating blush rising to her body, and drops of nectar splattering onto the sheets at their point of contact.

Suddenly, Shang Xiufang's whole body trembled, her head tilted back, her slender waist arched forcefully, and her jade legs clamped tightly around Yuan Yueze's waist. At the same time, her honey pot convulsed violently, her flower core gushing out a large amount

of vaginal fluid, finally reaching her first pleasurable climax. Yuan Yueze, continuously sucked by her pink flower core, could no longer hold back, thrusting all the way to the bottom, and held her tightly. With a low growl, he shot his hot semen deep into her beautiful body, watering that flower chamber.

Shang Xiufang was held tightly in Yuan Yueze's arms, feeling incredibly happy. Her starry eyes were closed, her soft and fragrant body completely powerless, panting heavily as she savored the blissful, cloud-like sensation she had just experienced.

Ji Qian and Xiao He'er lay in bed together.

They faced each other with their backs to each other, but their beautiful eyes were actually wide open.

The two women had originally come to accompany Shang Xiufang, who was going to travel to the grasslands the next day. After the Taiji banquet, they chatted and laughed for a long time. After bathing, the three women went to their rooms to sleep. Ji Qian and the other two women were too lazy to go back to their own rooms, so they stayed here for the night. Before they were fully asleep, the two women were awakened by a painful scream coming from Shang Xiufang's boudoir not far away. Ji Qian, needless to say, although still a virgin, knew exactly what that sound meant. Xiao He'er had heard too many erotic plays, and even in terms of theoretical experience, she was a notch above Ji Qian, so she naturally knew what that sound meant

as well. In fact, both women guessed that Yuan Yueze had just taken the virginity of Shang Xiufang, who was admired by men all over the world. Xiao He'er was not so cunning. She knew that Yuan Yueze was interested in her and had personally said that she was still young. Although she insisted that she was already a grown woman, Yuan Yueze, that old-fashioned man, just wouldn't make a move. She could only wait. On the other hand, Ji Qian's feelings were much more complicated. After listening to the erotic opera for half an hour, she felt a little dizzy. She cursed Yuan Yueze in her heart for being hypocritical, shameless, and irresponsible, completely unaware that she was acting this way because she was jealous of Shang Xiufang.

After a long commotion, things finally quieted down. The two women breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. As if by telepathy, they turned around and glanced at each other unconsciously. Although the room was pitch black and their martial arts skills weren't particularly advanced, they clearly sensed each other's erratic breathing. Xiao He'er spoke first, "Brother Yuan is so naughty! Coming here to steal my love and keep me from sleeping peacefully."

Ji Qian, gradually getting used to her roguish tone, asked, "Their family is leaving soon. Will Xiao Ji stay with me?"

Xiao He'er replied, "They're going back to Luoyang. Brother Yuan has already sent people to look for him. They should be able to find him in a few months!" Ji Qian

sighed softly and said, "Don't blame me for being nosy, but you can't make any more mistakes. Find someone to marry and live a good life. I really don't want to see my good sister become someone's concubine."

Xiao He'er exclaimed: “I know Xiaoqian has a prejudice against Brother Yuan, but thank you for your advice anyway.”

Ji Qian said with a wry smile, “How can I not feel that I have a prejudice? Even if what you said is true, that he can live as long as heaven and earth, wouldn’t he not even be able to feel the taste of life? Xiao Ji, don’t sink any further.”

Xiao He’er said, “Sister Bei loves reading the most. People have heard her tell the story of ‘You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish’? Xiaoqian is not Brother Yuan, how could she know whether his life is enjoyable or not? Besides, she likes Brother Yuan, but she doesn’t have any ulterior motives. Even if he really treats me like a sister, I’m happy. If you experience such a warm and comfortable family life, I guarantee you will have no interest in fame and fortune anymore.”

Realizing that her good friend had not only become more knowledgeable, but was also already obsessed with Yuan Yueze, Ji Qian felt a sense of helplessness and stopped talking. But she would never listen to Xiao He'er's advice to leave Chang'an. As the Taiji Banquet drew to a close, Li Yuanji had publicly clarified that he hadn't forced her into marriage. Although Ji Qian was furious, she relaxed, because this meant Li Yuanji wouldn't force her anymore.

But if she didn't leave Chang'an, what should she do? Her arch-enemy, the Xiang family, was almost destroyed. She heard from Qingjie that only Xiang Gui's eldest son was still at large; the other two sons had long since disappeared, and it seemed they would never rise again. Dealing with Yang Wengan of the Jingzhao Alliance? Absolutely impossible. Chang'an had three gangs of villains, known as the "Two Parties and One Alliance." The Alliance was the Jingzhao Alliance, and the two parties were the Crown Prince's Party and the Consort's Party. Besides, Qingjie had said that someone would deal with Yang Wengan; why should she invite trouble upon herself?

Sigh!

Seeing that Xiao He'er's breathing had calmed down, Ji Qian, whose mind was starting to go haywire, sighed helplessly. Looking out the window towards Shang Xiufang's boudoir, she recalled the alluring, seductive sound from just moments before. Unconsciously, Ji Qian squeezed her legs together, realizing her private parts seemed much slippery. She immediately muttered a curse about Yuan Yueze's lewdness and shamelessness, then pulled the covers over herself and fell asleep.

"Achoo!"

Yuan Yueze sneezed as his grotesque hands kneaded the increasingly perfect, snow-white, full, and alluring breasts of the woman in his arms.

Shang Xiufang, beautiful, pure, noble, and elegant like a snow lotus, wrapped her flawless arms tightly around Yuan Yueze's neck. Her hazy, beautiful eyes, like fine wine, revealed deep love as she calmly gazed at the man before her, the man she had fallen for and entrusted her life to. Yuan Yueze's grotesque hands made her feel incredibly comfortable; a heat rose again in her lower abdomen, and two delicate blushes burned on her cheeks.

But a sneeze completely ruined the atmosphere.

Shang Xiufang chuckled, watching Yuan Yueze mutter like a child, seemingly cursing someone. A happy smile bloomed on her beautiful face. She then pressed her head against Yuan Yueze's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling his broad chest. Noticing that his

chest was damp, Yuan Yueze gently stroked her hair and whispered, "Xiufang, are you reluctant to leave, yet also longing to travel beyond the Great Wall? Is that why you're conflicted?"

Shang Xiufang nodded slightly.

Yuan Yueze sighed, "You might blame me for not giving you advice, but Xiufang is actually very decisive. I believe you'll understand soon. Besides, we won't be separated forever. Once you've traveled enough, and the Central Plains are unified when you return, we can go to the mountains and live a carefree life. Isn't that the perfect ending?"

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, Jieli is gathering troops to invade our Central Plains. I'll be going to the grasslands soon. As the saying goes, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' I'll try some more fun with Xiufang then."

Shang Xiufang burst into laughter through her tears, scolding, "You're so frivolous!"

Then, her large, even more captivating eyes twinkled, and she smiled, "Xiufang might be able to help my lord!"

Yuan Yueze immediately understood her meaning, saying, "Xiufang shouldn't concern herself with such mundane matters, and she's absolutely forbidden from using her beauty, understand?"

A naive and playful smile appeared on Shang Xiufang's jade-like face. "I understand," Yuan Yueze said, "Xiufang wants to sell her body, but no one dares to accept it!"

Yuan Yueze was both amused and annoyed. He gave her round, fragrant buttocks a light slap and said, "Anyway, just do as you please. There's no need to do anything deliberate. By the way, your appearance has changed quite a bit. What if people notice

something amiss when you go out? I was really careless!" Shang Xiufang giggled and said, "Aunt Meixian got me a human skin mask from Master Lu a long time ago. After wearing it, even Xiufang herself can't tell which one is the real me!"

Yuan Yueze secretly praised Shan Meixian for her clever and meticulous mind. Shang Xiufang then said, "I heard from Aunt Meixian that my husband initially only wanted to grow old with her. How did things change so much?"

Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly and said, "My fate is not actually in my own hands. I vaguely feel that a bespectacled man and a woman are controlling my fate invisibly. It feels very strange, yet very real."

(Spoof) Shang Xiufang nodded as if she understood, biting her lip lightly, and lowered her head shyly, saying, "After tomorrow's parting, it will be several months at the shortest, and a year at the longest, before we can meet again. Won't my husband love Xiufang a little more?"

Yuan Yueze tightened his arms and lowered his head to find her lips.

The moon, which was hanging high in the sky, casting a golden glow on the earth, seemed to dare not watch the erotic scene inside the room, and quietly hid behind the clouds.

Yin Mansion.

Yin Zuwen, Xu Liuzong, Yang Xuyan, and Yang Wengan sat around the top floor of the forbidden pavilion,

their faces gloomy. There was not a trace of the joyful atmosphere of New Year's Eve on them.

Xu Liuzong spoke first: "Wengan, have you found any news about Shengchun and Yushan?"

A sharp look flashed in Yang Wengan's eyes, and he shook his head.

Yin Zuwen said, "That little bitch surnamed Hou won't let them get away with this. Wen Gan, prepare for the worst! Luckily, she didn't find out your secret, otherwise the Xiang family..."

Yang Xuyan pondered, "What are your plans for dealing with Yuan Yueze next, Uncle Yin?"

Yin Zuwen smiled bitterly, "What plans could I have? Brother Shi's sudden disappearance left us all behind. It's already a miracle that Yuan Yueze hasn't come looking for trouble. Originally, I doubted his strength, but after witnessing him defeat Bi Xuan in two moves, I have no more doubts."

Yang Xuyan also sighed, "Although we can't frame Yuan Yueze for Master Shi's sudden disappearance, we still... " They were confident they could kill Li Shimin, but suddenly three experts appeared. They'd never heard of the blond Western Region man before, yet his cultivation was exceptionally high. Now, Mr. Zuo and Mr. Pi didn't even dare enter the city gate, lest they be detected by Li Shimin's spies.

Xu Liuzong said, "Since it's already happened, there's nothing anyone can do. Xu Yan should think about how to avoid Li Yuan's 'blood test,' because this hurdle is extremely important to you and to all of us."

Yang Xu Yan smiled mysteriously and said, "Not only do I have a way to avoid this, but Li Yuan might even grant me an official position!"

His words were brimming with undisguised confidence.

-

Chapter 111 The Witch's Double Flight

Midnight had passed.

Emperor Li Yuan of Tang sat alone in his study, his brow furrowed in worry.

Only an oil lamp was lit in the study, its dim light making him appear like a statue exuding an eerie aura.

"Knock knock!"

Two soft but clear knocks sounded on the door, and Li Yuan looked up.

Summoned by Li Yuan to act as a special spy, Yuwen Shang, dressed in night clothes, pushed open the door and entered.

After a brief greeting, Li Yuan invited him to sit down.

Yuwen Shang cleared his throat, a complex and unreadable bitter smile appearing on his face, and said, "This humble subject does not know whether I should congratulate Your Majesty."

Li Yuan said, "We have said that we are equals, what do you mean by that, brother? Have you discovered anything special?"

Yuwen Shang nodded and said, "There has been no unusual activity at the outer guesthouse. Bi Xuan has never spoken, but Tunyu Valley has been cursing Yuan Yueze for a long time, and even said that if Bi Xuan were to go into battle with 'Agushihua,' Yuan Yueze would be utterly defeated."

"Agushihua" was the name of a wolf spear that Bi Xuan once used. It was an ancient Turkic word meaning "wolf of the moonlit night." In his youth, Bi Xuan used it to charge into battle, and was invincible on the grasslands. At the beginning of his career, he was already known as "an opponent that no one could knock him off his horse." He only abandoned the spear after the age of sixty. However, judging from Yuwen Shang's disdainful expression, it was clear that Tunyu Valley was just talking nonsense. Once one's cultivation reaches the level of Bi Xuan, a weapon can play a very small role, let alone turn the tide of battle.

Li Yuan frowned and said, "In your opinion, will Bi Xuan be completely defeated? Is Tunyugu's statement true?"

Yuwen Shang sighed and said, "I can clearly feel that Bi Xuan's heart is gradually turning to death. He is already nearly a hundred years old. Yuan Yueze's move of crippling him without killing him is truly brilliant. What could be more damaging to the confidence and morale of the Turks, who admire wolfishness and martial prowess, than a defeated symbol of the grassland spirit?"

He paused and continued, "My brother is also a master in this field. How could he not know that Tunyugu was just venting his dissatisfaction? However, he told his followers, 'After returning to the grassland, Bi Xuan will go into seclusion.' This statement is intriguing. It would be best if Bi Xuan were to be completely defeated from this point on, but Tunyugu's tone is extremely confident. I wonder if Bi Xuan has a backup plan? You know, he has only had some of his power crippled. Although his confidence has been hit even harder, once he recovers, he should be even more terrifying than he is now. Everyone understands the principle of destruction before construction."

Li Yuan pondered, "Even if your latter speculation is true, I don't know whether to be happy or sad. By the way, how is Yin Guoyue doing?"

If Bi Xuan recovers, he will definitely seek revenge on Yuan Yueze again, but this also represents the rebirth of the Turkic spiritual leader, which will undoubtedly boost Turkic morale. This is definitely not a good thing for the Li Tang, which has always been troubled by the powerful Turkic army. No wonder Yuwen Shang said such incomprehensible things at the beginning.

Yuwen Shang said, "Just as you guessed, I found out that Yin Guoyue was meeting with several other people. Two of them are Yang Xuyan and Yang Wengan. I don't recognize the voice of the other person."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly. This was not his guess at all. He had only deduced it from Song Shidao's hint that "there are people from the Demonic Sect in the court who have even placed their children by your side to influence your thoughts."

Li Yuan was not stupid, so he naturally guessed that it was Yin Zuwen. He didn't expect that he would actually guess right.

After Yuwen Shang recounted what he had heard, he said, "These are matters of my brother's family, and I shouldn't have interfered. But now it has involved the Demonic Sect, and even Consort Lian is truly..."

Li Yuan sighed, slammed his hand on the table, and said coldly, "I originally had a good relationship with the former Crown Prince. To protect his flesh and blood, I even dared to defy Brother Yue. Who knew that Yang Xuyan would be so ungrateful? Yin Zuwen is not only a member of the Demonic Sect, but also colludes with Yang Xuyan. How can I, Li Yuan, be looked down upon by them!"

Yuwen Shang said with delight, "Brother's aura truly inspires awe."

Li Yuan said, "Thank you for your hard work, brother. If my cultivation hadn't reached your level, I wouldn't have been able to uncover such important information. Without your help, I, Li Yuan, would never have been able to turn the tables!"

Yuwen Shang exchanged a few polite words, and the two smiled at each other.

Wanwan and Bai Qing'er nestled together on the couch, whispering intimate secrets.

Both women were filled with emotion. They had been rivals since childhood, never imagining they would one day be as close as best friends.

Yuan Yueze's appearance gradually dissolved the conflict between them.

Bai Qing'er said enviously, "Senior Sister, you were able to sneak in so easily, and your cultivation has improved at an astonishing speed."

Wanwan said, "If you like it, your husband would probably become your 'furnace' without even blinking an eye, right?"

Bai Qing'er sighed, "I only need to learn Senior Sister Meixian's improved 'Heavenly Demon Technique.' She once said that in terms of power, it's no less than the Demon Seed Technique." Wanwan

felt ashamed, thinking that her decision to advocate the Demon Seed Technique would cause Yuan Yueze so much suffering. She couldn't help but wonder if she didn't love her husband as much as her junior sister did. Otherwise, how could she not feel sorry for him?

Bai Qing'er had no idea what Wanwan was thinking. Sensing something was wrong, she asked curiously, "What's wrong, Senior Sister?"

Wanwan suppressed her chaotic emotions and changed the subject, saying, "Nothing. Junior Sister, have you figured out how to deal with Yin Zuwen? Shi Zhixuan is no longer in Chang'an. Do you still need our help?"

Bai Qing'er was silent for a long time before saying, "I originally wanted to cripple his martial arts, but after thinking about it carefully these past few days, I feel that's not enough. The best way to get revenge is to watch him fall from his high position to the bottom of the abyss."

Wanwan pinched her cheek with her jade-like hand and chuckled, "You're becoming more and more influenced by your husband's theories!"

Bai Qing'er giggled and reached out to tickle Wanwan in return.

Yuan Yueze's theory was that killing was the lowest form of revenge; only by destroying the will of the living could one achieve the highest level. Undeniably, his wicked and perverse thoughts were characteristic of the demonic sect, and Bai Qing'er, being from the demonic sect, naturally admired such ideas.

After a playful tussle, the two women stopped, panting. Bai Qing'er said, "After this change of heart, when my master came to visit me, I asked her to have Second Brother Song, under the guise of Yue Shan, convey to Li Yuan the true identity of Yin Zuwen. Although Li Yuan won't completely believe it, he will definitely investigate secretly. Once it's true, Yin Zuwen will certainly not have a good end."

"You little vixen, your thoughts are so wicked!"

A familiar voice rang out, and the two women felt their lips being attacked simultaneously as someone squeezed into the narrow space between them.

The familiar voice and scent—without guessing, the two women knew it was Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze lay on the couch, his arms draped over the two women's full, soft breasts.

Bai Qing'er was already used to his elusive style, and said with a slight reproach, "You always appear so silently, are you trying to scare me to death? Oh!"

Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Yueze's large lips had already kissed her fragrant, slender neck.

Fortunately, before Bai Qing'er completely lost her senses, Wanwan's coquettish voice rang out, and Yuan Yueze stopped. Wanwan said, "'Evil Emperor' Lord, you just stole Shang Cai Nu's red pill, aren't you satisfied yet?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, turned around and lay flat, pulling the two women's heads into his arms, and kissed Wanwan's tender cheek, saying, "Why don't you call me 'Holy Emperor'? Don't you both know about Xiufang's matter? What are you still jealous about?"

Wanwan gave a coquettish snort, turned her delicate body away, leaving only her beautifully shaped pink back for him.

Bai Qing'er asked, "Does my husband have any objections to Qing'er's method just now?"

Yuan Yueze replied, "I have no objections at all. However, since you made this decision so early, why are you still here?"

Bai Qing'er smiled and said, "At the time, I wasn't sure if this method would succeed. So far, Li Yuan hasn't used any special methods, which shows that my worries weren't unfounded. Therefore, if this method doesn't work, Qing'er has no choice but to settle for second best."

Yuan Yueze praised, "Qing'er's wisdom is indeed extraordinary. If it were me, I would probably have gone down this path to the bitter end long ago. How could I possibly try to do both at the same time?"

He emphasized the phrase "trying to do both at the same time," and his large hands, which were pressing on the two women's breasts, exerted force at the same time. The two women simultaneously let out a soft moan, and Wanwan kicked him back angrily.

Yuan Yueze continued, "When I came here just now, I encountered a suspicious person running out of the Yin residence. I followed him all the way and found that the person was actually Yuwen Shang."

Then, under Bai Qing'er's questioning gaze, he recounted the conversation he had overheard between Li Yuan and Yuwen Shang.

Bai Qing'er happily gave him a sweet kiss before nestling against Yuan Yueze's chest. Yuan Yueze continued, "Yin Zuwen is facing imminent disaster, and Qing'er's prepared tactics are now useless. His downfall is inevitable; it's just a matter of time. It's a pity that Qing'er's presence by his side hasn't been very effective. Tonight, I'll take you away quietly."

Bai Qing'er nodded slightly and smiled, "How could it not have been very effective? Didn't we discover many valuable pieces of information? Moreover, the 'Charming Maiden Heart Sutra' has been combined, and we've returned to the Yin Gui Sect."

Then, her delicate body began to tremble slightly, and she said in a trembling voice, "Does my husband want Qing'er tonight?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback and stopped his unconscious movements, saying, "That depends on whether it's convenient for Qing'er."

Bai Qing'er smiled sweetly, looking up at him with spring-like eyes, and said teasingly, "I'm very grateful for my husband's consideration. I'm perfectly fine tonight!"

Wanwan coughed lightly in dissatisfaction, as if implying that the two shouldn't speak so blatantly, especially since she was an outsider present.

But their attitude clearly showed that they treated her as if she were invisible.

Having witnessed Lian Rou's boldness, the openness of women from the Demonic Sect was child's play to Yuan Yueze. He slightly increased the distance between them, scrutinizing Bai Qing'er. Her starry eyes were half-closed, her beautiful hair spread across the pillow, revealing her snow-white bare arms and the half-exposed, full breasts beneath her thin undergarment—her allure was irresistible.

Glancing briefly at Wanwan, who still presented her beautiful, graceful back to him, feigning sleep, Yuan Yueze slipped his hands inside Bai Qing'er's bodice, playfully and skillfully moving them around, muttering, "You little devil, you're quite bold!"

Bai Qing'er's delicate body trembled even more violently, her face flushed red, burning bright red past her ears. She couldn't suppress a soft moan, "Didn't my husband say I was a demoness? How come I'm called a demon..."

Before she could finish, Yuan Yueze pulled her close, sealing her red, luscious lips with his. Lost in passion, Bai Qing'er seemed to have forgotten her senior sister was still nearby. Her slender hands and jade-like feet coiled around Yuan Yueze like serpents, her alluring body writhing like a water snake, as if seeking a more intense stimulation through their intimate contact. At the same time, her lips parted, becoming entangled with Yuan Yueze's.

Wanwan, unable to resist the alluring scene so close at hand, her body burning with desire from the seductive sounds behind her, her heart pounding wildly. She desperately tried to get up and leave, but Yuan Yueze's arm held her tightly, leaving her powerless to escape.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Yuan Yueze clearly sensed Bai Qing'er's rising desire. He understood, of course, that the women of the Demonic Sect were specially trained in matters of love and sex from a young age. Although their bodies were still intact, their theoretical knowledge and experience were far beyond that of ordinary women. Bai Qing'er was naturally bold, and given that the women in Yuan Yueze's household partied together almost every night, she didn't take Wanwan seriously at all, since she knew she would eventually have to join Yuan Yueze in his company.

Filled with the sweet fragrance of a virgin, Yuan Yueze said to Bai Qing'er, who was limp and nestled against his chest, "Qing'er, would you like to watch your senior sister and I demonstrate for you first?"

Wanwan was terrified, turning her delicate body away and pleading, "Husband, please spare me! If you want to take advantage of your junior sister, you must let Wan'er go. A young lady's first night shouldn't be spent with outsiders."

Bai Qing'er was clearly teasing Wanwan, and she said in a

soft, breathy voice, "Why is senior sister so timid? Qing'er doesn't mind!" Wanwan was furious, then chuckled and snuggled into Yuan Yueze's arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him, and said in a sweet, fragrant voice, "Then I'll demonstrate for my junior sister!"

She thought Bai Qing'er was deliberately trying to scare her, so she used this tactic of feigned retreat, only to realize a moment later that she had been tricked.

Bai Qing'er shifted slightly, sliding to the side. Yuan Yueze's hands embraced Wanwan tightly, her soft, warm body filling his arms. Yuan Yueze's heart fluttered. Although he knew the witch's body in his arms intimately, he was still as unable to control himself as the first time. The fiery allure and youthful, healthy, primal charm of the beauty in his arms had not diminished in the slightest; on the contrary, it had only grown stronger.

Yuan Yueze rolled over and pressed down on her.

Pressing against Wanwan's pert, lovely, and perfectly sized yet incredibly bouncy breasts, he felt he could no longer control himself. In a swift motion, he stripped off his clothes and trousers, his large, dark member already erect, gently pressing against Wanwan's flat, full, smooth abdomen. Wanwan let out a groan.

Yuan Yueze's large hand grasped Wanwan's chest, removing her white bodice. The soft, tender jade peaks, freed from their restraints, leaped out like two white rabbits just released from their cages, bouncing before Yuan Yueze and Bai Qing'er. A shimmering sea of flesh, the pink nipples and beautiful areolas, noticeably hardened with excitement, radiated a delicate glow. Against the backdrop of her jade-like breasts, they appeared even more full and alluring, exuding a captivating charm.

Seeing a body so perfect and exquisite, as if carved from ivory, a beauty beyond description, even Bai Qing'er felt dizzy and inferior. Staring blankly at the beautiful sight before her, as a woman, she was filled with envy, wondering if she could achieve her senior sister's beauty if she refined her own body.

Wanwan's captivating eyes, watery and full of affection, gazed at Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze lowered his head and kissed the two alluring nipples. Wanwan twisted her body, glancing at the dumbfounded Bai Qing'er out of the corner of her eye. She wondered why her junior sister hadn't turned around yet; perhaps she hadn't been bold enough?

In fact, Bai Qing'er subconsciously shifted slightly, but she thought that if she turned around, Wanwan would laugh at her for being timid. Besides, the scene before her was too tempting; her body was

almost beyond her control. The two women pondered this, unaware that their actions were precisely what benefited Yuan Yueze. Moreover, although both sisters felt shy, they also experienced a strange sense of excitement. Because of this, they were like under a spell, neither avoiding nor hindering Yuan Yueze's actions.

Yuan Yueze quickly pulled down the little witch's underpants, instantly exposing her long, rounded jade legs, her fair and beautiful buttocks, and her mysterious private parts, glistening with drops of clear fluid, covered in pubic hair, glistening with dark oil.

After admiring the little witch's wet, mysterious garden for a moment, Yuan Yueze grabbed her two crystal-clear, indescribably beautiful, smooth little feet and kissed them all the way up.

Wanwan's heart burned with desire, and she let out intermittent moans. Even Bai Qing'er, standing beside her, breathed heavily.

Yuan Yueze's large mouth finally reached Wanwan's breasts. He grasped her breasts with both hands, gently kneading and squeezing them, sometimes teasing her round nipples with his fingers, sometimes pulling them high and then pressing them down deeply. Then he used his chin to scratch her nipples, and then gently bit them with his mouth.

Wanwan felt incredibly comfortable, and her body began to writhe more. Her little bottom started to swing wildly, and she let out longing moans, her desire erupting intensely.

Yuan Yueze continued his "grand undertaking," his large mouth sweeping and biting her alluring breasts and nipples, occasionally sticking out his tongue to lick her engorged, dark red nipples.

Bai Qing'er's large eyes were also veiled with desire, her jade hands uncontrollably moving slowly towards her breasts and buttocks.

Wanwan's lust was extremely high, her snowy buttocks occasionally rising high, her breath coming in soft gasps. Her jade hands embraced Yuan Yueze's head, her pair of jade breasts raised high, pressing against his face, twisting and squeezing them vigorously to gain greater pleasure.

Night after night of passionate lovemaking with Yuan Yueze, although her body was still delicate, her skills and mentality had matured far too much, no longer possessing the naivety of her youth. Her breasts were so full and soft, blocking Yuan Yueze's mouth and nose, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. Yuan Yueze opened his mouth wide and bit down on her nipple, sucking hard, licking and swirling his tongue around her nipple. However, the soft, smooth breasts seemed unable to satisfy his burgeoning lust. His left hand left the little witch's breasts and began to slowly move downwards, first patting her smooth belly a few times, then stroking her round, deep navel for a long time.

"Mmm..."

The little witch twisted even more violently, her slender waist lifting, as if urging his large hand to quickly caress her overflowing flower valley below.

Yuan Yueze's large hand slid downwards, reaching the lush, fragrant grass. Soft hair, more tender than water plants, extended from the mons pubis outwards, covering the mysterious entrance. The little witch's pubic hair was delicate and smooth, making one want to lie in that fragrant grass and have a beautiful dream. The bright pearl in the grass, red and beautiful, was full of magical allure.

Yuan Yueze's fingers touched her clitoris, gently rubbing it, causing Wanwan's limbs to immediately tremble, her moans not only becoming louder but also trembling. Then, Yuan Yueze moved his erect member between her fragrant thighs, spreading her alluring legs in a V-shape, completely exposing her mysterious little garden to him and Bai Qing'er beside him.

The little demoness, her mind clouded, had long forgotten her main purpose: to force her junior sister to turn around. Bai Qing'er, also consumed by lust, probably wouldn't agree to turn around anyway.

Yuan Yueze's two large hands actively caressed Wanwan's smooth, snowy belly, playing with her two jade testicles, but compared to the activity of his hands, his massive member merely rubbed incessantly against her petals. Covered in countless drops of lustful fluid, the entire tip was soaking wet, yet he still didn't intend to insert it. This made the little demoness unbearably itchy, constantly thrusting her snowy buttocks, rubbing against that hateful, enormous tip.

After a while, Yuan Yueze still didn't make any further moves. Wanwan was a little angry, glared at him fiercely, then closed her beautiful eyes, which were burning with desire. She stretched out her delicate pink hand, grasped the huge thing, and trembled as she aimed it at her glistening, wet hole, scolding, "You bad boy! I'll suck you dry!"

Before Yuan Yueze could even thrust his hips, she first lowered her buttocks, swallowing half of the massive member in one go.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, increased his strength, and suddenly pressed down, creating a "splashing" sound that evoked a captivating wetness.

Ever since seeing his terrifying member, Bai Qing'er didn't know whether to crave it or be terrified. As Yuan Yueze and Yu Wanwan joined together, she couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her jade hands already stroking herself.

Yuan Yueze and Yu Wanwan had no time to pay attention to her. Wanwan's face was flushed, her delicate cheeks were covered in fragrant sweat, her alluring eyes rolled back, and her cherry lips trembled uncontrollably, looking like she couldn't take it anymore. As the long spear was fully inserted, Wanwan's two snow-white thighs hooked around Yuan Yueze's buttocks, gently twitching, the tender folds of flesh in her tight flower passage moving and stirring the intruding massive member.

Yuan Yueze stopped, glanced at Bai Qing'er, and laughed, "Wan'er's little mouth down there is the most powerful."

Bai Qing'er then came to her senses a little more, suddenly realizing her absent-minded actions. She immediately gasped, stopped, and blushed deeply, burying her head in embarrassment. Her watery eyes, however, were secretly watching Yuan Yueze's massive member.

Wanwan twisted and turned in protest, moaning, "I'll bite you to death."

At the same time, the walls of her vaginal opening writhed violently, countless tender little buds squeezing Yuan Yueze's long spear.

Yuan Yueze groaned with pleasure and began to thrust and rub. His large mouth kissed the little witch's luscious lips, sucking on her fragrant tongue, while his hands caressed her full breasts, the pointed nipples hardened and erect, swollen like small balls.

Overwhelmed by pleasure, the little witch cried out loudly without restraint.

After a hundred or so thrusts, the little witch relaxed her brow, listening to the soft, rhythmic sounds of the thrusting from her lower body. Her pink thighs, wrapped around Yuan Yueze's back, pressed her buttocks down forcefully, seemingly eager for his entire massive member to sink into her wanton honeypot. She twisted her pink buttocks, moaning, "Mmm...mmm...faster...ah..."

At the same time, her slender waist twisted wildly, her jade-like buttocks swaying forcefully, responding to Yuan Yueze's movements with a wild and unrestrained ecstasy.

Hearing the little witch's wanton moans, Yuan Yueze swayed his hips with abandon, thrusting his massive member in and out of her honeypot. Wanwan, beneath Yuan Yueze, also twisted and thrust her snowy buttocks, experiencing boundless pleasure; every pore on her body seemed to open in ecstasy.

Wanwan, her small mouth agape, murmured obscene and lewd words, her eyes half-closed in blissful ecstasy. Her excitement and agitation were palpable in her rapid, panting breaths. At the point where Yuan Yueze's lower body connected with the little witch's lower abdomen, the sounds of her pubic hair rubbing and the splashing of her juices as his massive member was swallowed by her wet, glistening vulva were quite pleasing to the ear.

"Oh...ah...so...comfortable..."

Wanwan cried out loudly. Her snowy buttocks swayed wildly with each thrust, her full buttocks pressing against the bed like a sieve, her warm, moist passage gripping and releasing the large head of his penis. Gushes of juices poured incessantly from her vulva, the boundless tingling pleasure forcing her to sway her slender waist and twist her hips wildly in response to Yuan Yueze's thrusting speed, her small mouth screaming. It almost lifted the roof off.

Bai Qing'er's body went limp, and she collapsed weakly. Though her mind was numb, she saw every detail clearly: Yuan Yueze's audacity and experience, Wanwan's charm and wildness, all intensified the stimulation she felt. Her breathing became more rapid, her large, watery eyes fixed intently on their intimately joined bodies, where droplets of moisture splashed. Her small hands unconsciously moved to her most sensitive areas, her pretty face flushed, her breath coming in short gasps, her once clear eyes now brimming with tears.

Bai Qing'er, oblivious to the world around her, suddenly let out a soft moan and involuntarily pressed herself against Yuan Yueze.

It turned out that Yuan Yueze's strange hand had already pulled her into the fray. Bai Qing'er felt a surge of pleasure, so intense it felt like her soul was leaving her body, as Yuan Yueze lightly touched her tender, untouched place. She arched her back, her body tense, and then screamed. Her snow-white, hot body convulsed uncontrollably, and the honeyed juices of orgasm flowed all over Yuan Yueze's palm.

Almost at the same time, her bold senior sister also let out a high-pitched, loud cry. Her exquisite, fragrant body, covered in red mist and fragrant sweat, convulsed rapidly, a violent spasm passing through her, her honey pot trembling and sucking, continuously releasing large amounts of vaginal fluid, reaching the most intense moment of her life.

Yuan Yueze thrust forcefully a few more times before finally stopping. His spearhead pressed tightly against the little witch's convulsing, delicate flower core. Unable to hold back any longer, he ejaculated, a thousand streams of scorching semen shooting straight into the little witch's alluring body, making her shiver with heat. He finally stopped after a long while, lying on Wanwan's voluptuous, alabaster-like body, panting heavily before chuckling, "You two were really loud. If it weren't for the Heavenly Demon aura, you probably would have attracted everyone from the palace."

The two women ignored him, seemingly still savoring the intoxicating feeling of ecstasy and blissful reverie.

Yuan Yueze withdrew his still-erect spear, a torrent of nectar gushing out. With a slight movement, he was already in front of Bai Qing'er.

Wanwan, drenched in fragrant sweat, lay limply on the bed, panting heavily, not wanting to move an inch.

Bai Qing'er's eyes were tightly closed, her face flushed, and her jade-like body lay sprawled out, her outer garments almost entirely removed by herself. Her beautiful body was still convulsing, not yet recovered from her orgasm.

Yuan Yueze reached out and played with her firm, full breasts, and when he reached his climax, he couldn't help but lower his head and suckle at the bright red, erect nipples.

Bai Qing'er groggily regained her senses, only then realizing that Yuan Yueze was taking advantage of her. The unprecedented pleasure shattered her regained rationality. Yuan Yueze's oral skills were superb and skillful, making Bai Qing'er's licking and kissing of her breasts both pleasurable and painful. She was overcome with lust, panting softly. Yuan Yueze's large penis rubbed against her wet, slippery vulva, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyes darted about, her body writhing beneath him, a seductive ecstasy escaping her lips.

Sparse pubic hair covered her snow-white mons pubis and full labia, the wet flesh trembling and steaming. A milky white nectar seeped from the pink cleft, yearning for his penis. Yuan Yueze gently

stroked her vulva a few times, finally pressing his hand against her partially exposed clitoris. With Yuan Yueze's gentle caresses, Bai Qing'er's round, jade-like legs parted even wider, her honeypot gushing with waves of lustful fluid. The foreskin at the very top of her pink petals began to retract, gradually revealing the engorged clitoris.

The little witch Wanwan, having regained some strength, seemed to want to tease her, grasping her firm breasts with her jade-like hands, her slender fingers playing with the two engorged nipples.

Although Bai Qing'er was well-versed in the ways of men and women, she was still a virgin. The gap between theory and practice was enormous. Attacked simultaneously on her sensitive areas, she closed her dazed eyes, her flushed, hot body writhing and moaning softly.

"Qing'er, are you ready?"

Bai Qing'er suddenly regained her senses, only then realizing that Yuan Yueze and Wanwan were using both hands and mouth to "explore" her smooth, flower-bud-like body. Staring blankly at Wanwan's still flushed face and her "malicious" gaze, Bai Qing'er desperately held onto the last shred of clarity in her mind. She pressed down on Wanwan's playful hands and pleaded almost in tears, "Senior Sister, please step aside, okay?"

Of course, she couldn't ask Yuan Yueze for help, because Yuan Yueze was an unreasonable scoundrel. Only at this moment did Bai Qing'er's shyness finally overcome her desire, and she begged Wanwan to step aside.

Wanwan, however, wouldn't grant her wish. Instead, she struggled to sit up, letting out a devilish laugh. Her jade-like hands touched Bai Qing'er's other sensitive acupoints. Bai Qing'er wanted to resist, but it was too late. She could only vaguely hear alluring moans escaping her lips uncontrollably. Then her mind went blank, immersed in the river of desire.

Yuan Yueze's spear rubbed for a long time before finally thrusting forward, penetrating more than halfway in.

Bright red virgin blood dripped down.

At the moment of deflowering, Bai Qing'er only furrowed her brows slightly; it wasn't as intense as she had imagined. This was, of course, thanks to her mastery of the "Charming Maiden Heart Technique," otherwise she would have been in excruciating pain.

However, the sheer size of Yuan Yueze's member still startled her. Watching and experiencing it firsthand were two completely different things.

However, this happened in an instant. As Yuan Yueze's movements increased in intensity and Wanwan's mischievous hands moved back and forth, Bai Qing'er, overwhelmed by instinctive lust and the intense, stimulating pleasure, forgot everything, only knowing to shout wildly and respond with all her passion.

Yuan Yueze thrust, his hands each grasping and squeezing one of the two witches' breasts. His mouth was locked in a passionate kiss with Wanwan. Wanwan's devilish hands were providing Bai Qing'er with exceptional pleasure, and her small hands, in retaliation, reached for her senior sister's recently climaxed vulva, kneading it haphazardly.

The three of them were in a position of utter lewdness.

For a moment, the heavy breathing of the frantically thrusting Yuan Yueze, the high-pitched moans of the two writhing witches, mingled with the sounds of Yuan Yueze's thrusts into Bai Qing'er's tight vulva and Bai Qing'er's exploration of Wanwan's flower valley. This only heightened the excitement of the three men, creating the most captivating symphony of lust in the world.

Both women's faces were flushed crimson, their breathing rapid, and their lips curled into lewd smiles—a stark contrast to their usual elegant and dignified demeanor.

As Yuan Yueze's spear plunged deep into Bai Qing'er's virgin flesh, it would touch her delicate clitoris, rubbing it against it a few times before withdrawing, then rubbing it against her opening again before thrusting in once more. The wetness between them created a "sizzling" sound.

Bai Qing'er's two jade-like legs were wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist and back, making her tight, alluring honeypot protrude even more prominently to meet his spear. Her body writhed and swayed incessantly, emitting seductive moans. Her flower path was long and narrow, and the tender flesh inside writhed even more skillfully than Wanwan's, like waves crashing against Yuan Yueze's entire spear, making him groan with pleasure. She was truly someone who had specialized in this kind of demonic art; ordinary men probably couldn't handle it.

The two little witches each had their own unique charm, and the three of them entangled in increasingly intense movements. Slippery, lustful fluids flowed continuously from between their legs, soaking the snow-white sheets.

Bai Qing'er's jade-like body trembled slightly, her alluring eyes narrowed, shooting out captivating glances. She struck seductive poses, displaying a wanton and seductive manner, revealing her wantonness, alluring and captivating. She used all her skills to meet Yuan Yueze's frenzied thrusts, her honey pot working harder, sucking and spitting, swallowing and spitting out, making Yuan Yueze's spear feel as if it were being bitten by teeth made of tender flesh. Then, Bai Qing'er's entire vaginal wall moved again, contracting and relaxing naturally, making Yuan Yueze feel numb and tingling all over, as if thousands of ants were crawling on him, his blood boiling, as if he were ascending to the clouds, floating on air.

Wanwan, whose flesh was being teased by her, also cried out happily. This was the first time she had experienced the service of a woman, and it felt different from the feeling of intercourse with Yuan Yueze, yet it was very alluring. She kept moaning softly, her snow-white, plump buttocks swaying back and forth and side to side with Bai Qing'er's teasing, her high, tender breasts swaying endlessly in mid-air.

Yuan Yueze's long spear was menacing, moving in and out of Bai Qing'er's alluring and lovely honey pot, frantically thrusting into her charming and seductive flesh. The well-trained Bai Qing'er could be said to be extremely seductive, being penetrated by Yuan Yueze's thick, long, and strong member until she lost all sense of direction, her juices flowing freely, her eyes wide open and her eyebrows relaxed, her plump buttocks swaying wildly, her flower opening and closing, panting softly, displaying a hundred kinds of lewdness, her seductive charm captivating.

Her stamina far surpassed that of ordinary women. Even under her senior sister's teasing, she still managed to withstand Yuan Yueze's advances for nearly half an hour.

After another hundred thrusts, Bai Qing'er, whose vaginal opening had begun to throb faster, trembled violently. Her vaginal walls contracted rapidly, and suddenly she screamed. Her entire body stiffened as a powerful orgasm overwhelmed her, her body trembling uncontrollably, filled with the lingering afterglow of pleasure. At the same time, her fingers pressed tightly against the protruding clitoris between Wanwan's thighs, trembling wildly.

Wanwan's delicate body trembled again, and she groaned loudly. Clear, fragrant fluid gushed from her honeypot, splashing onto Bai Qing'er's hands and the sheets, making a soft "sizzling" sound.

Yuan Yueze felt a throbbing sensation within Bai Qing'er's vaginal opening. A tingling, numb sensation immediately spread from his lower back throughout his body. He convulsed, a tingling sensation on his penis tip, and he rubbed Bai Qing'er's clitoris several times, his massive member throbbing continuously. The tip of his penis swelled, pressing against her clitoris and penetrating slightly into her womb. Stimulated intensely by Bai Qing'er's intentional yet unintentional tightening of her vaginal canal, Yuan Yueze roared, unleashing a torrent of scalding semen that shot towards Bai Qing'er's delicate clitoris and deep into her womb.

Bai Qing'er's body glowed with a rosy light, a sign of the purification of deep impurities. He

carefully wiped the fragrant sweat from the two women's bodies, and the three embraced softly, blissfully savoring the moving sensation of their spiritual union, digesting the afterglow of their climax.

The two little devils were no pushovers; after regaining their strength, they resumed their battle with Yuan Yueze, trying every possible position.

Only after several rounds of fighting, when the two women were completely exhausted, did Yuan Yueze stop and exchange intimate words with them.

The night passed in this way.

The next day at noon, Emperor Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty, along with a group of civil and military officials who admired Shang Xiufang, personally escorted Gai Suwen, Bi Xuan, Shang Xiufang, and others away. Shang Xiufang's skill in dressing up was indeed remarkable; she managed to conceal ninety percent of her captivating charm after her rebirth with makeup. Whether others noticed anything amiss was unknown. Gai Suwen and Bi Xuan arrived arrogantly, only to be humiliated and embarrassed, not even bothering to get out of their carriages to say hello.

Yuan Yueze did not appear.

This puzzled those who were paying attention: logically, everyone knew of Yuan Yueze's ambition towards Shang Xiufang, so how could he let her go to the grasslands alone? Under the weight of ethnic hatred, even with Shang Xiufang's unparalleled charm, she would likely be captured, thus threatening Yuan Yueze's fate. Because Bi Xuan had lost so much face in the Central Plains, how could Jieli let it go? He might even force himself on her, first humiliating her.

What a pity for such a beautiful flower!

Many people couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Time flew by, and it was already the morning of the third day of the lunar new year.

The past few days had passed uneventfully, and the entire city of Chang'an was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Yuan Yueze hadn't left the West Garden, spending his days eating, drinking, and having fun. Wen Caiting and Bai Qing'er, both hidden in bracelets, focused on practicing their skills during the day and indulged in debauchery at night. As for who Yin Zuwen would use to dance for Li Yuan, Yuan Yueze had long forgotten about it. Wei Lianxiang had regained her favor, and Zhu Yuyan heard that Li Yuan had clearly distanced himself from Yin Zuwen after the New Year, never visiting Consort Yin again. This news made Bai Qing'er cheer with joy.

Today was the day of the Li Tang's annual hunt at Renzhi Palace at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. Yuan Yueze had no interest in such things, but Shang Xiuxun and Song Yuzhi insisted on going, so he didn't refuse Li Yuan's invitation and set off with the two women.

Following the grand procession out of the Vermilion Bird Gate and into Vermilion Bird Street, they saw commoners lining the streets to see them off, with firecrackers exploding incessantly, creating a lively atmosphere.

Throughout history, many emperors and members of the imperial family have been fond of hunting. Each dynasty designated a specific area as a royal hunting ground, where hunting was forbidden to the general public.

Zhongnan Mountain was one such hunting area chosen by the Tang Dynasty after it entered Chang'an.

Countless historical events are associated with hunting. In the ancient Xia Dynasty, Emperor Tai Kang, addicted to hunting, was betrayed by Hou Yi, the leader of the Dongyi tribe, who seized the throne while Tai Kang was out hunting. However, Hou Yi failed to learn from this experience, also neglecting state affairs and suffering the same tragic fate as Tai Kang. The Zhou Dynasty even established archery ceremonies and hunting systems, elevating hunting to a national priority, even using it as a method for selecting talent.

Many capable rulers were hunting enthusiasts, such as King Zhuang of Chu, who rose to power during the Warring States period, Emperor Wu of Han, and Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms period. However, the most absurd was Emperor Ming of Wei, who established a forbidden garden in Xingyang, east of Luoyang, spanning over a thousand li, where he kept six hundred tigers, three hundred wolves, ten thousand foxes, and countless other birds and beasts. He forbade local people from harming the wild animals, which then attacked and injured people everywhere, causing immense suffering to the inhabitants. Not only does it evoke the lament that oppressive government is more ferocious than a tiger, but it also directly links oppressive government to ferocious beasts.

The Li clan inherited the tradition of hunting, regarding it as a symbol of national prosperity. Hunting and beautiful women were Li Yuan's two great hobbies.

Yuan Yueze carefully observed that both Li Yuan and Li Shimin, who was accompanying him on his left, had gloomy expressions between their brows. However, he didn't care whether they had encountered any difficult problems, so he chatted and laughed loudly with the two women beside him, which occasionally attracted strange looks from the surrounding officials and soldiers.

Glancing at the luxurious carriage at the back of the procession, which was guarded by eight guards at the front and back, Yuan Yueze lowered his voice and asked, "Is Li Yuan taking his concubines out hunting?"

Shang Xiuxun said, "That's Xiuning's carriage."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that since he overheard Li Shimin cheating on his brother's wife that night, the two had not seen each other again, and he wondered how she was doing. Immediately thinking of their different positions, Yuan Yueze suppressed the urge to go over and greet her.

In the blink of an eye, Li Shimin was galloping back towards him on horseback.

In the East Garden of Taiji Palace, at the Yunchang Pavilion,

a pavilion that Li Yuan had specially renamed to please Consort Lian when he welcomed her to Chang'an, was

located. In the beautifully decorated boudoir, Consort Lian sat alone before a square container filled with fine sand, arranging flowers.

Gazing at the solitary plum blossom she had just finished arranging, two streams of tears slid down her pale face.

Recalling her own tragic and lonely past, and how her beloved had used her as a tool and then abandoned her, this wild and untamed woman was overcome with sorrow, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed silently.

"Your Majesty, Lady Wei has arrived,"

a maid's voice rang out from outside the door. Consort Lian hurriedly wiped away her tears and said calmly, "Please come in."

A moment later, after a shout of "Lady Wei has arrived!"

, Wei Zhenzhen, simply dressed, entered the room, surrounded by two eunuchs and several palace maids.

Consort Lian dismissed the servants, leaving only the two women in the room.

Wei Zhenzhen carefully examined the perfectly placed plum blossom and nodded in praise, "I never imagined my sister's skill was so superb."

Consort Lian rose and invited her to sit down, saying, "Sister, you flatter me."

Although the two women had been scheming against each other, they had actually developed a fondness for one another over time and began to address each other as sisters.

After several days apart, Consort Lian appeared much thinner. Seeing her protruding belly as she rose, Wei Zhenzhen quickly helped her sit down, complaining, "What if you've upset your baby? Why is no one attending to you?"

A bitter smile appeared on Consort Lian's lips as she said, "They were all sent to monitor me, but I sent them away."

Wei Zhenzhen frowned slightly. If they were sent by Li Yuan to monitor her, how could those eunuchs and maids listen to her?

Consort Lian seemed to sense her question and explained, "The Emperor is out hunting. Although they are monitoring me, they dare not disobey my orders."

Wei Zhenzhen had a look of sudden realization. Looking into her eyes, she tentatively asked, "Sister, is there something urgent that must be done today, otherwise it will be too late?"

She had already sensed something amiss from the word "monitor," and seeing Consort Lian's haggard appearance, a picture gradually formed in her mind.

Consort Lian reached out her pale hand and gently pressed it against her lower abdomen, stroking it softly a few times. When she raised her head again, her expression had turned serious, and she said in a very soft voice, "Sister, can you save me this once? The Emperor wants to kill me!"

Wei Zhenzhen's delicate body trembled slightly, and she looked at her in astonishment.

---

Chapter 112

Seeing Li Shimin riding over, Song Yuzhi and the other two women slowed down and distanced themselves from Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze looked around at the procession that had left Chang'an City. It stretched for more than ten miles, its momentum far exceeding his expectations. Even the high ground along the roadside was heavily guarded by cavalry.

Upon approaching, Li Shimin smiled and gestured to Yuan Yueze. The two left the main road and rode slowly side-by-side.

Li Shimin's once spirited demeanor was now replaced by a worried expression, and he sighed softly, "The thought that this moment may never return, that I will one day face off against you on the battlefield, even in life and death, fills me with a sense of helplessness."

Yuan Yueze, unsure of his meaning, nodded and said, "Things often unfold unexpectedly. We'll deal with the future later. Brother Shimin, focus on the present!"

Inwardly, however, he wondered, "Will I be able to command an army?"

Just as Wanwan had said, he was intelligent but also lazy, rarely liking to use his brain. Perhaps influenced by the original novel, when facing shrewd characters like Shen Luoyan, Li Shimin, and Shi Feixuan, he would subconsciously use his brain to guard against them. Because people in this era are particularly fond of those who are skilled in "scheming," especially those in high positions.

Li Shimin sensed the hidden meaning in Yuan Yueze's words, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He said, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Yuan. I have already investigated thoroughly, and nothing will happen."

The infighting among the Li brothers was no secret. Li Shimin was cautious, and even if he had captured firearms and repelled the Crown Prince's party's sneak attack, he would still not let his guard down during the spring hunt.

The two were silent for a moment, then Li Shimin continued, "I hope Brother Yuan will not blame the seniors of the Xuanmen..."

Yuan Yueze raised his hand to interrupt him, saying, "Everyone has their own difficulties and helplessness. Brother Shimin, there's no need to say more; I understand."

In his heart, however, he was secretly laughing: the Buddhist and Taoist families had undoubtedly failed in their attempt to gain an advantage, because through the siege of the Four Great Monks, Yuan Yueze's strength had once again increased by leaps and bounds; Zhu Yuyan's side had even broken through the limits of the Celestial Realm in her battle with Ning Daoqi, but had not managed to escape. These two events had dealt a significant blow to the morale and psychology of the Buddhist and Taoist families.

Li Shimin glanced around and said softly, "Brother Yuan, rest assured, before you leave Chang'an, I guarantee no one will dare to disturb you." He

then added, "The spring hunt will last eight days, and Brother Yuan will be leaving the day after tomorrow. I wish you a pleasant time."

With a farewell, he spurred his horse and rode away.

Yuan Yueze sneered inwardly. With such a forceful demeanor, who would dare to provoke him? Although Li Shimin was a politician driven solely by self-interest, he was still considered one of the more capable ones. His words not only reflected a clear understanding of the current situation and a focus on the long-term battlefield that could determine everything, but also indicated a desire to befriend someone like Yuan Yueze. His magnanimity far surpassed that of his two brothers.

Reflecting on his trip to Chang'an, he couldn't help but chuckle. The tense atmosphere, initially focused on the "Yang Gong's Hidden Treasure," had been diluted by the surrender of Bashu to the Tang Dynasty. The rampant expansion of forces beyond the Great Wall had resulted in the Xuanmen's intervention ending in a crushing defeat. The appearances of Liu Yu and Shi Zhixuan had also impacted the situation in Chang'an. Judging from Li Shimin's appearance, it seems he had disrupted the Crown Prince's faction's plans. As the saying goes, plans are often subject to change.

It was almost noon when the group finally reached their destination.

Mount Taiyi is near the capital, its mountains stretching to the sea. Looking back, the white clouds seem to merge; looking closer, the blue mist disappears.

Zhongnan Mountain, also known as Taiyi Mountain, stretches across the southern part of Guanzhong, from Qinlong in the west to Lantian in the east, a distance of eight hundred li. Ancient people said that among the largest mountains, besides Taihang, none surpasses Zhongnan.

Yuan Yueze, unaccustomed to riding a horse, immediately dismounted upon arrival and stood with Song Yuzhi and the other two women on a small hill, surveying the surrounding terrain.

They saw camps stretching across the distant plains, banners like a sea.

A long wind blew, causing the banners to flutter, adding to the military atmosphere.

Yuan Yueze exclaimed, "So the tents were already set up?"

Song Yuzhi replied, "They couldn't have waited until we got here to set them up! The terrain here is flat, a vast plain with no natural defenses; they were very careful in choosing this location."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, no wonder Li Shimin spoke with such confidence earlier; it seemed all security issues had been addressed beforehand.

Gazing at the beautiful scenery of the hundreds of miles of valleys and peaks, the three of them simultaneously felt captivated by the emerald screens of the peaks and the serene elegance of the deep valleys.

Shang Xiuxun parted her lips slightly, her ethereal voice softly uttering, and recited: "Upon stepping out, I see the Southern Mountain, its beauty boundless, its verdant peaks ever-present. Sometimes white clouds rise, stretching and rolling across the sky. My heart resonates with it, and my joy is profound." Just as

Yuan Yueze was about to praise her recitation, applause erupted behind them, and the exclamations of admiration from Li Shimin and his men came simultaneously.

It turned out that Li Shimin had approached with Pang Yu, Yuchi Jingde, and several others.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Shimin pointed to the camp area and said, "That wooden stockade was originally the royal camp. There are nearly nine large tents inside. I will stay next to Father Emperor's tent, while the other tents are occupied by royal eunuchs or people close to the royal family. I have also reserved a tent for Brother Yuan and your two wives. What do you three think?"

Yuan Yueze looked closely and saw that the royal camp was built on a large, flat-topped hill. The wooden stockade was the center, and the tents on the left and right sides of the hill were called the Left and Right Guards, with dense guards, clearly responsible for the security of the royal camp. The outer tents were also arranged in a square formation, with ten tents in a group. Each group had a walkway large enough for eight horses to ride abreast, surrounding the central royal camp like stars around the moon, acting as its screen.

Between the camps, there were large open spaces with horse stables and squares for practicing riding and archery, allowing hunters to stretch their muscles, or compete in riding, archery, and swordsmanship, making it very lively, somewhat like a recreational event. Although this trip is not a campaign, the marching and camping are all conducted in accordance with military regulations and tactics. This shows that the military might and discipline

of the Li Tang dynasty are not unfounded. It was already noon, and those preparing lunch lit fires, the smoke rising gently, adding to the charm of Zhongnan Mountain. Many people also gathered in the square to play. For a moment, the neighing of horses and the sounds of people echoed above the thousands of tents. So he said, "We can stay anywhere, thank you for your trouble, Brother Shimin."

Li Shimin leaned closer to him and lowered his voice, saying, "That is the famous Deer Valley, which is also our hunting ground this time. Because a water source flows down from Zhongnan Mountain, and the surrounding high mountains block the cold winds, livestock hide in the valley during winter, making it a good hunting place. In ancient times, Emperor Qin Shihuang (Ying Zheng) hunted here in winter."

Yuan Yueze looked in the direction he pointed and saw a deep valley about a mile away. He nodded and said, "This is also the best place to ambush. If we can seal the valley entrance, the valley inside will become..." "A desperate situation,"

Li Shimin said with delight. "If it were the height of summer, as long as we could cut off the connection between the inside and outside of the valley, and then launch rockets into the valley to set the forest ablaze, the thousands of troops inside would be helpless. But now, with everything covered in snow, only specially made firearms can be somewhat effective, or we could use oil splashed onto the tree trunks to ignite them. However, the snow melts when it meets the fire, extinguishing the flames, so it's not very effective. Brother Yuan and your two wives can enjoy yourselves to the fullest. I'll take my leave now."

Judging from his expression, it was clear that everything was under his control.

Shang Xiuxun stretched comfortably, glanced at Yuan Yueze who was leering at her perfect figure, and said, "We're going to see Xiuning. We'll stay with you later, my husband!"

Watching the two women leave, Yuan Yueze began to ponder the question of the overall situation.

The situation was much simpler now; everything depended on when the Li Tang dynasty would emerge from the pass, and the outcome of the war would determine everything. Yuan Yueze wasn't worried about this aspect. On his side, Shen Luoyan, Kou Zhong, and Song Shidao were all masters of military strategy and highly experienced. Although they didn't want to see scenes of bloodshed, no one could stop this great war that would determine the fate of the Central Plains. He was more concerned about the life and death and whereabouts of Liu Yu and the Shaman Queen. Liu Yu was a given; every day he lived, he would harm more people. And the Shaman Queen hadn't shown herself since obtaining the He Shi Bi jade. If she died, the whereabouts of Xiao Bei's nephew would also become a mystery, which would surely trouble Xiao Bei, who was always thinking of Xiao Ge. Yuan Yueze was observant and could see Xiao Bei's worries. He also had his own plans, but even if the Shaman Queen was still alive, the world was vast, and where could he find someone who would never openly walk the streets?

He sighed dejectedly, sat down on the spot, closed his eyes to practice his internal energy, and savored the details of his past battles with many masters, completely absorbed in the experience.

A gentle breeze caressed his face, jolting Yuan Yueze awake. He realized the sun was already setting behind the western mountains, casting a golden glow on the earth. He knew he had been so engrossed in his practice that time had slipped by unnoticed, and lunchtime was long past. Perhaps the Li Tang people, seeing his enigmatic demeanor, dared not disturb him.

In the distance, on the vast plains, tens of thousands of people were divided into small groups, searching for prey.

He would have to wait for the evening's picnic.

After muttering to himself, Yuan Yueze rose and headed towards the camp area.

Song Yuzhi entered carrying a plate of wine and meat, saying, "Li Shimin wanted to invite my husband to hunt at Deer Valley this afternoon, but he refused. He didn't dare disturb your meditation."

Yuan Yueze grabbed a piece of meat, stuffed it into his mouth, and began to devour it.

While wiping the grease from Yuan Yueze's mouth, Song Yuzhi complained, "Once my husband enters a meditative state, even the sound of horses' hooves and the barking of hunting dogs can't wake him. But at the time, he was with Li Yuanji and his men. I happened to notice that Li Yuanji's eyes were a little strange, as if he was annoyed and regretful. Could he still dare to plot against us?"

Then she pushed away his mouth, which was trying to take advantage of her, and scolded, "Eat quickly, the Night Fire Party is about to start."

Yuan Yueze didn't take Li Yuanji seriously at all, and said while chewing, "If it's about playing tricks, I'll admit defeat. But in terms of strength, I can crush him with one finger."

Although Song Yuzhi usually seemed carefree, she had actually become much more knowledgeable over the years due to reading many books from later generations. However, influenced by Yuan Yueze's laziness, and with the women like Shan Meixian being beautiful and intelligent, she was too lazy to get involved. It was just as the saying goes, "It's better to lie down than to stay still." Laziness is the deepest part of human nature, and no one can erase it.

So she comforted him, saying, "My husband only entered the world at the age of twenty, and since then he has not encountered any setbacks. In addition, he is inherently stubborn, so it is not surprising that he is not as cunning as others. To put it bluntly, it is called naivety; to put it nicely, it is called true nature and true feelings. In short, it is a matter of opinion, so don't be troubled. To be honest, there are many people who envy you. Think about it, no matter how a person wears a mask in front of others, who doesn't deep down hope to be able to act according to their true heart at all times? In fact, a person like my husband should not exist in this world. Otherwise, why would Master have only accepted you as his disciple after 130,000 years?"

Yuan Yueze stared in astonishment at his young wife, the former second young lady of the Song Clan.

Unexpectedly, his casual remark provoked her to launch into a long speech, so he laughed and said, "Let others say whatever they want about me, it doesn't affect my eating or sleeping. If they dare to offend me to my face, I'll just settle it with a sword! By the way, is Xiuxun still with Xiuning?"

Song Yuzhi nodded and said, "Xiuning looks a bit haggard, so Sister Xiuxun stayed to keep her company."

After Yuan Yueze finished eating, he and she went to the open field. The spacious square was teeming with people. The main hall was at the north end, with over a hundred tables arranged in rows on the other three sides, each seating four to six people. Torches were planted between the tables, the flames roaring, creating an atmosphere of a wildfire party. Wine was, of course, indispensable for such occasions, and the food consisted entirely of the hunted game—birds and beasts, all prepared in various ways, the aroma of the meat filling the air, spicy and uniquely flavorful.

Under the starlight and moonlight, the central square was filled with a lively and joyous atmosphere. The spoils of the hunt were roasted until fragrant, and the bonfires illuminated the campsite, which stretched for miles, with a warm, fiery glow.

As soon as the two arrived, they were immediately seated at the third table to the left of the main hall, with Shang Xiuxun and Li Xiuning's seats to their left. The two women had been excitedly commenting on the people singing and dancing in the center. Noticing Yuan Yueze's arrival, Li Xiuning glanced over furtively before continuing to enjoy the dance.

She did look somewhat haggard, but the joyful atmosphere added a healthy blush to her pale face, making her exceptionally alluring against the crackling campfire.

Although he had only glanced at her briefly, Yuan Yueze clearly sensed the melancholy in her eyes. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that Li Xiuning was still torn by love, far less resolute than when she had made her decision. This left him feeling helpless: on one hand, he warned himself not to get involved with her at this time, otherwise not only would he be in a passive position, but Li Xiuning would be caught in the middle, suffering even more; on the other hand, he worried about her health. The effects of physical illness were far less than those of emotional distress, especially since Li Xiuning didn't know martial arts, meaning she was suffering both physically and mentally.

The picnic passed in Yuan Yueze's contemplation, and finally, with the emperor and his minister raising their glasses in a toast, the banquet came to an end. Just as Li Shimin had said, although there was a large-scale martial arts competition for rewards, no one dared to challenge him, and few even dared to look him in the eye.

Completely clueless about political intrigue, Yuan Yueze racked his brains for a solution, but ultimately couldn't come up with anything. He could only return to his tent with the two women, intending to indulge in some absurd behavior. However, both women refused. Just as the "Yin Emperor" was about to ask why, a clear female voice came from outside the door, saying, "May I ask if the young master has retired for the night? The princess invites you."

Song Yuzhi quickly responded.

Looking at the two women's expressions, Yuan Yueze realized that Li Xiuning must have spoken to Shang Xiuxun during the banquet, and Shang Xiuxun had then informed Song Yuzhi, hence his earlier behavior.

Before he could ask why Li Xiuning had invited him, Shang Xiuxun had already pushed him out of the tent.

On the plains, tents were scattered everywhere, lights shone brightly, and the sound of the Jing River flowing across the land echoed the laughter of those who were still not ready to sleep.

Li Xiuning's tent was located behind Li Yuan's camp, surrounded by more than ten other tents, all inhabited by women of high status within the royal family. It was specially separated from the other tents by wooden fences, and heavily guarded.

Yuan Yueze, following the palace maid, passed unimpeded to the tent. The maid lifted the curtain and let Yuan Yueze in alone.

The tent was lavishly furnished, with at least a dozen oil lamps lit. Li Xiuning had removed the fur robe she had been wearing, revealing only a plain white, tight-fitting outfit. Her exquisitely curvaceous and flawlessly beautiful figure was on full display, her languid posture exuding a captivating charm and a bewitching allure. She sat with her head bowed beside a small table laden with roasted game, wine, and dishes, the air filled with the aroma of meat and fire.

Hearing footsteps, Li Xiuning's delicate body trembled slightly before she raised her pale face and looked over.

Yuan Yueze's heart trembled.

In terms of both beauty and temperament, Li Xiuning could not compare to the women in his household. But she sat there alone, her jet-black hair gleaming in the bright light, which made her almost deathly pale face appear like a lonely soul in the wilderness. What moved Yuan Yueze most was her strange aura—a mixture of frailty and delicate beauty, yet

also incredible strength and captivating charm. After a slight pause, Yuan Yueze didn't stand on ceremony and took a few steps to sit opposite her. He was by no means bound by etiquette and wasn't surprised that Li Xiuning hadn't risen to greet him. He glanced at the food and wine on the table and smiled, "Xiuning is so thoughtful, noticing I barely ate anything at the picnic."

Hearing Yuan Yueze's ambiguous words, her pale face didn't change at all. Instead, a complex look, unreadable even to Yuan Yueze, flashed in her eyes, as if she were suffering from inner turmoil and didn't know how to speak.

Normally, she would have blushed upon hearing Yuan Yueze's words, but not this time. Yuan Yueze knew she was upset, so he didn't say anything more. He poured wine into their cups and raised his own, saying, "Let's have a drink first!"

Li Xiuning quickly reached out her hand, her voice urgent, "Shouldn't we say a few words first?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "Too many stories! Come on!"

A smile finally flashed across Li Xiuning's pretty face. She covered her mouth and chuckled, then, as if remembering something, her expression darkened again. She said with a hint of reproach, "But we still need to say a few words first, right?"

Seeing that she had finally smiled, Yuan Yueze exclaimed, "Please, Princess, don't hold a grudge. A prime minister's belly can hold a boat. The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky, husband and wife return home together."

Li Xiuning stared intently at him with her large eyes.

Yuan Yueze felt quite embarrassed. He had finally come up with a few words to cheer her up, but she didn't react at all. Just as he was about to speak again, Li Xiuning preemptively asked, "Would you be willing to share a cup of wine with me, young master?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback.

Li Xiuning, without blushing or skipping a beat, stood tall and expressionless, like a jade statue, staring at him without a trace of shyness or embarrassment.

The distant noise outside the tent, which had been faintly audible, now made them feel as if they were in another world, so quiet they could hear a pin drop.

In ancient times, when couples married, a gourd was split into two halves, connected by a thread. The bride and groom each took one half and drank from the same cup, symbolizing that marriage united them as one, called "Hejin wine." Over thousands of years, this evolved into "jiaobei wine" (cross-cupped wine). Li Xiuning's boldness this time left even Yuan Yueze bewildered.

After a long silence, Yuan Yueze spoke softly, "I understand what Xiuning means. You know there's no possibility between us, but you still want to express your feelings, right?"

A look of sorrow flashed in Li Xiuning's eyes. She quickly lowered her head, remaining silent, staring blankly at the glass of wine in front of Yuan Yueze.

The golden glass reflected a dazzling golden light under the bright lamplight, giving off an indescribable eeriness.

Yuan Yueze scrutinized the section of her white, jade-like neck exposed behind her lace-trimmed round collar for a long time, then drank half of the glass before offering it to Li Xiuning.

He wanted to tell Li Xiuning that Zhu Yuyan had already placed the supreme mental technique "Imprisonment of Gods" on her, a powerful demonic cultivation method. She didn't need to worry about the future; as long as her head wasn't cut off, she wouldn't die. But the words caught in his throat. Such a thing was not only bizarre and unbelievable, but also something he hadn't witnessed firsthand. Li Xiuning simply wouldn't believe it.

Li Xiuning took the glass and drank it down, two red blushes rising on her face, before she immediately choked and coughed.

Yuan Yueze immediately went over to pat her back and soothe her.

Li Xiuning, however, buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly.

Holding her beautiful body, Yuan Yueze pressed his hand on her delicate, trembling shoulders, and gently comforted her, "Xiuning, you should remember what I said that day. I will never go back on my word. You don't have to be like this."

Li Xiuning's body trembled, and she sat up straight, looking at him with teary eyes, her expression still blank.

Yuan Yueze used his sleeve to wipe away the tears that rolled down her jade-like cheeks like a string of pearls, and smiled, "Eat something. You've lost so much weight. After you eat, I'll take you for a walk, let the breeze blow, and you'll feel much better."

Li Xiuning nodded immediately.

Whether it was because Yuan Yueze had opened her heart, or because she had just expressed her feelings, Li Xiuning had a hearty appetite. With Yuan Yueze deliberately telling jokes, the two of them finally finished off the entire table of food and wine.

When they left the tent, it was already late. Except for the soldiers on night watch, most were asleep. The soldiers, being of low rank, dared not ask any questions and could only watch Yuan Yueze and Li Xiuning walk out of the camp.

Li Xiuning, having drunk too much, was already quite tipsy, and even the night breeze didn't sober her up much. The two chatted idly, and unknowingly reached the entrance to Deer Valley.

Entering the valley, the cold wind gradually subsided.

Li Xiuning still leaned against Yuan Yueze's chest; his large, strong hand rested on her slender waist. In this pitch-black environment, she felt no fear, but rather an unusual sweetness. She subconsciously looked at Yuan Yueze, her beautiful eyes radiating deep emotion.

Yuan Yueze happened to look at her too, his eyes sparkling brighter than the North Star.

Li Xiuning could clearly see the tenderness contained in those eyes.

In her dazed state, Yuan Yueze had already lifted her up in his arms, his feet never stopping, and kissed her luscious lips.

As their lips and tongues intertwined, Li Xiuning's body went limp, a powerful, soul-stirring sensation rising within her, capable of melting anyone's soul. Especially since their passionate kiss took place while they were moving, it gave Li Xiuning, raised in a strict and dignified family, an indescribable thrill.

When they parted, the princess was flushed, her starry eyes half-closed, limp and powerless against Yuan Yueze's chest, her small mouth panting rapidly, her body trembling slightly. Despite the cold weather, she clearly felt her body burning hot.

Having reached Yuan Yueze's level of cultivation, his vision was no longer affected by light or shadow. He carefully examined the alluring, yearning expression of the woman in his arms, and again desired to taste her sweet lips.

"Boom!"

A deafening roar shook the valley. In an instant, the earth trembled. Li Xiuning paled, her arms tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's neck, looking at him helplessly. Yuan Yueze remained steadfast as a mountain, his expression as firm as

a deep pool . Only then did he realize that the two of them had entered the deepest part of the valley, and explosions were ringing out all around them. The thick, acrid smell of gunpowder told Yuan Yueze that the sound was indeed from firearms exploding. Li Xiuning coughed violently, and Yuan Yueze bent down to breathe on her, while simultaneously turning back. Instantly releasing his true energy to protect Li Xiuning from the explosions, while continuing to breathe on her and searching for a way out, Yuan Yueze felt no strain whatsoever; on the contrary, he found it even more exhilarating. Li Xiuning, however, was already terrified and had no time to enjoy herself. Her reaction, however, pleased Yuan Yueze: even if this ambush was arranged by the Li Tang people, Li Xiuning was definitely not aware of it; otherwise, the thought of being deceived by her would have made Yuan Yueze feel even worse. Explosions continued to ring out around them, but Li Xiuning felt incredibly safe, as if those devastating explosions that could shatter a person's body came from another dimension and had no effect on her. And indeed, that was the case. Of course, the psychological factor of love played a part in this. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze's body trembled, and he stopped in his tracks, his lips leaving Li Xiuning's. Li Xiuning looked up and saw his once tender eyes flash with a cold light, staring intently ahead. Following his gaze, Li Xiuning involuntarily shivered. The explosion had ceased, and the acrid smoke was no longer noticeable. Less than ten feet ahead was the valley entrance, where dozens of men in black stood in a row. The leaders, each holding a lantern, stared at Yuan Yueze in astonishment. The middle-aged woman at the head of the group was none other than Sha Fang, the "Good Mother" of the Great Ming Sect, whom she had met once before. She was dressed in tight-fitting black clothes, and the dim light from the lantern in her hand illuminated her face from below, making her look like a female ghost from hell, giving off a sinister and terrifying feeling. The middle-aged man to her left held a heavy iron staff. He was tall and thin with a long face, resembling a hanged ghost. His eyes rolled back, revealing the whites. Such an appearance was frightening enough without any disguise, let alone in this situation. No wonder Li Xiuning was so terrified. Yuan Yueze suppressed his murderous intent and said calmly, "What benefits did Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji give you? To make you risk your lives for them?" Li Xiuning trembled violently, staring at Yuan Yueze in astonishment.

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