[Wuxia] The Carefree Journey of the Tang Dynasty (Book) - 25-27

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Chapter 113 Farewell to

Chang'an Sha Fang chuckled lightly, saying without revealing her identity, "What Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji? We don't know them. The woman in your arms, sir, has been poisoned by my Holy Sect's smoke. Without my antidote, she will surely die!"

Because Li Xiuning didn't know martial arts, she had just been choked by the thick smoke. To prevent her from feeling uncomfortable, Yuan Yueze kept his hand on her back, using internal energy to help her breathe smoothly. Hearing this, he withdrew his internal energy, and Li Xiuning's breathing indeed became rapid. It seemed that, as Sha Fang said, Li Xiuning was indeed poisoned.

He continued to administer internal energy while secretly laughing to himself. His previous words were just a lie. Before speaking, he had been paying close attention to the behavior of the other party. Sha Fang had indeed not revealed any flaws, but her subordinates were not as good as her. For example, the scholar-dressed man to her right clearly showed a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Recalling Song Yuzhi's words in the tent, and considering the current situation, Yuan Yueze's mind began to clear: this was the Crown Prince's conspiracy, an attempt to kill him with a large quantity of gunpowder. The afternoon was likely when Li Yuanji was preparing to execute the plan; the explosives had been planted long ago, and someone was secretly controlling them. Perhaps Yuan Yueze had inadvertently entered with Li Xiuning, and was discovered by those in the shadows, prompting Li Yuanji to make a last-minute decision to sacrifice Li Xiuning to eliminate Yuan Yueze. If this succeeded, he could then shirk responsibility, since it was Li Shimin who invited Yuan Yueze to the hunt. Li Yuanji had become utterly depraved.

The people before him were no better; Sha Fang was not only ruthless and despicable, but also attempting to disrupt his composure, which would only enrage him.

If they pressed further, Sha Fang and her group of fanatical religious followers would certainly not reveal their collusion with the princelings. So Yuan Yueze let out a cold snort, his sharp, razor-like eyes sweeping over the crowd, and said, "That shameless Lie Xia was long ago killed by me. Tell me your names, and I'll give you a quick death."

The group's expressions changed instantly.

They knew Lie Xia was the leader of the Mingzi sect. Although they didn't have much contact

with him, Sha Fang and the others were well aware of his high level of cultivation. Sha Fang was initially taken aback, but then overjoyed. With her cultivation level, she could see that Yuan Yueze was just putting on an act. Lie Xia hadn't contacted them for several days, but Sha Fang believed that with his intelligence, he wouldn't die at Yuan Yueze's hands. Relieved, she thought to herself, "I knew it! How could so many explosives not cause him any harm?"

She was completely unaware that she had fallen for Yuan Yueze's "feigned deception."

With a flick of her right hand, the Xiaoyao Tuo, gleaming with a yellowish-white eerie light, appeared in her grasp. Sha Fang let out a smug, coquettish laugh, her face showing disdain. She introduced them one by one, panting, as if making friends, without a trace of tension.

The one resembling a hanged ghost was "Dense Fog" Jiu Lingzhi. The one with fair skin and carrying a long sword was "Evil Wind" Yang Mo. The one with an ugly face, a lion's nose covered in red spots, and wielding twin swords was "Extinguished Fire" Kuo Jie. The last one, a short, stout ugly man with a broad face, thick eyebrows, protruding lips, and a bulging jaw, was "Dark Qi" Zhou Laofang.

Judging by appearance alone, these people were all between thirty and forty years old, but those who cultivated Qi could conceal their true age. Those of the level of Shi Zhixuan and Zhu Yuyan in the original work, by any measure, looked no older than thirty, but in reality, they were already renowned masters with nearly sixty years of experience.

The other three young, alluring women, dressed flamboyantly and adorned with jewels, exuding charm and allure, were clearly not respectable women. They were Shui Cha Nu, Huo Cha Nu, and "Poisonous Water" Xin Na Ya.

Yuan Yueze secretly thought it a pity that Grandmaster Xu Kaishan and Atom Yang Xuyan hadn't come; otherwise, he could have wiped them out tonight.

Perhaps due to the butterfly effect caused by his appearance, Duan Yucheng, who was supposed to become Atom, was nowhere to be found.

Under the continuous flow of true energy from Yuan Yueze, Li Xiuning felt a warm sensation throughout her body, forgetting all about the slight poisoning. With her keen intellect, she noticed something from the brief conversation between the group. This ambush was likely arranged by her eldest and third brothers. These cult members were colluding with the Crown Prince's faction, preparing to eliminate Yuan Yueze in one fell swoop. The benefits afterward were obvious: they would help the Great Ming Zun Sect build the Ming Si Temple in Chang'an and spread their teachings extensively. Otherwise, who could have planted so many explosives under Li Shimin's powerful intelligence network and secretly monitored the operation?

Could it be…?

A thought suddenly arose in Li Xiuning's mind, and her bright, beautiful eyes instantly dimmed.

However, no one saw her reaction, because everyone else had already entered battle mode. The people of the Great Ming Zunjiao sect not only wielded various weapons but were also equipped with crossbows and powerful arrows. Once unleashed, their chilling energy swept towards Yuan Yueze and his companion.

The killing intent filled the air, and the whirlwind spread everywhere.

The distance between Lugu Valley and the royal camp was far, and the explosion point was in the deepest part of the valley. Judging from the arrogance of the Great Ming Zunjiao people, it was clear that the explosion had not been detected by the Li Tang people.

Yuan Yueze held Li Xiuning in his left arm, transferring his breath, while his right hand was behind his back, fingers spread wide, ready to fight.

Sha Fang shouted sharply, and dozens of people seemed to tacitly disperse quickly, attacking from all directions. More than a dozen burly men with crossbows remained behind, all aiming at Yuan Yueze.

A sudden gust of wind howled, like the mournful cries of ghosts.

Noticing Li Xiuning's body trembling more violently, Yuan Yueze brazenly stroked her smooth face with his lips, whispering, "Xiuning, close your eyes. Don't watch me kill."

Li Xiuning felt that his casual remark not only displayed his immense confidence, but the eerie atmosphere it carried also sent chills down her spine. She knew clearly that the next Yuan Yueze would be more terrifying than a reborn demon god or a reincarnated Asura. So she obediently closed her eyes.

Jiu Lingzhi's iron staff, Kuo Jie's twin swords, Yang Mo's heavy sword, and Xin Naya's short sword surrounded Sha Fang's Xiaoyao Tuo, attacking simultaneously with a storm of moves, surging like a mighty river towards Yuan Yueze and Li Xiuning, creating a devastating, one-way attack. They showed no mercy from the start, and Kuo Jie's target was Li Xiuning, making the intention to distract Yuan Yueze all the more obvious. Zhou Laofang and the two women, Shui Huo and Nie, moved slightly slower, guarding the perimeter to prevent Yuan Yueze from escaping, demonstrating the thoroughness of their plan to kill him.

In reality, Yuan Yueze didn't care about this group at all. Among the "Ming Department" of the Great Ming Venerable Sect, Xu Kaishan, who disguised himself as the leader of the newly risen Northern Horse Gang in the Northern Frontier a few years ago, and was actually the "Great Ming Venerable God," possessed the highest cultivation, nearing the Grandmaster level. Next were Lie Xia, the leader of the Five Mingzi, "Miao Kong Mingzi," Xin Naya, one of the Five Demons, and the selfish Yang Xuyan, who were considered the most outstanding figures. According to Zhu Yuyan, Lie Xia and Xin Naya's martial arts surpassed even Sha Fang's. Yang Xuyan's martial arts talent was extremely high, and his cultivation should also be above Sha Fang's. However, even someone as strong as Lie Xia could only barely withstand two moves from Yuan Yueze before dying; let alone now, with his greatly improved cultivation!

Kuojie's actions enraged Yuan Yueze, but a fleeting, unfamiliar sword aura in the distance also caught his attention.

Without time to consider the person hiding in the shadows, Yuan Yueze's focus instantly returned to the battlefield. He moved nimbly back and forth, his hands flashing with cold light, sometimes claws, sometimes palms, like frost or snowflakes, his movements graceful and fluid as he parried and blocked attacks. At the same time, he deliberately feigned erratic breathing, shouting, "Xu Kaishan, Lie Xia, and Yang Xuyan are all gone, your fighting strength is greatly reduced, take this!"

This psychologically damaging statement was no small matter. Caught off guard, Kuojie couldn't dodge in time, watching helplessly as a handprint, deeply embedded in his chest, pierced his bone. With a "thud," he flew several feet and collapsed, lifeless.

Sha Fang and the others were frantic, ignoring their fallen comrade. A chilling, sinister killing intent surged into the sky as they unleashed another powerful attack.

This time, they split into three teams: one consisting of Sha Fang and Jiu Lingzhi, another of Yang Mo and Xin Naya, and the three Zhou Laofang who had been on the periphery forming their own team to join the fray. The three teams worked together seamlessly, attacking and harassing each other, advancing and retreating, complementing each other to gain breathing space and attempting to wear down their opponents through a series of attacks.

The sounds of clashing energy were incessant. In the dim light, mud and snow flew everywhere, and screams echoed one after another. Yang Mo, Jiu Lingzhi, and the two women, Shui Huo and Yi, coughed up blood and were sent flying back, their internal organs shattered.

Yuan Yueze had lost interest in playing with them.

Suddenly, he heard a whooshing sound behind him, and Zhou Laofang lunged forward at the same time, his fat hands turning purplish-red, aiming straight for Li Xiuning, who was nestled peacefully in Yuan Yueze's arms with her eyes closed. Those who had been holding crossbows in the distance also rushed forward to help.

Sha Fang's "Free and Easy Qi Transformation" coiled around Yuan Yueze like a serpent.

Protecting Li Xiuning with his body, Yuan Yueze took the full force of the three attacks.

After a deafening roar, the three were overjoyed. Xin Naya and Zhou Laofang had already used a secret technique to activate their true qi, which had been trained and stored within their bodies. The potent poison from the "Scripture of Light" circulated throughout their bodies with this true qi. Their goal was singular: to perish together with Yuan Yueze.

It seemed they had indeed succeeded.

But their joy was premature. Before they could stop, they felt a cold wind invade their bodies, and in a flash, the closest individuals were struck one after another, their screams echoing.

Yuan Yueze suddenly counterattacked, sweeping a kick across several people in front of him, including Zhou Laofang. The powerful kick shattered several heads, sending red and white brain matter flying everywhere, a nauseating sight. At the same time, he delivered a backhand punch, heavily striking Xin Naya's left shoulder as she stumbled back a step.

Xin Naya was lucky; if she hadn't taken that step back, she would have been blasted in two by Yuan Yueze's punch. Even though she stumbled back, she still felt as if her internal organs were about to burst, dragging blood gushing from her chest. She was thrown back, staggering towards Sha Fang. As

Sha Fang retreated, she was still wondering why Yuan Yueze showed no signs of being poisoned when she saw Xin Naya flying towards her. She realized that after activating the "Bright Poison Gas," which had no antidote, Xin Naya's entire body was poisoned. Even a touch from her or a splatter of her blood would be disastrous. Moreover, having suffered a blow from Yuan Yueze, she probably wouldn't live much longer, so...

"Bang!"

The cult member, driven by selfishness and ruthlessness, abandoned all camaraderie in her self-preservation. Xiaoyao Tuoying leaped up, sweeping towards Xinnaya's waist.

Xinnaya, writhing in pain, her expression one of shock and resentment, met Shafang's gaze without a trace of remorse. With a cold, merciless stare, she unleashed her full power, spitting out a mouthful of black and red poisonous blood, aimed directly at Shafang's face.

Having weathered many storms in various situations over the years, Shafang, having harbored the intention to kill Xinnaya, naturally took precautions. Poor Xinnaya, lying motionless several feet away like a limp rag dodged the poisonous blood.

If ghosts truly exist after death, perhaps not knowing the truth would be a good thing for her.

At this moment, apart from Sha Fang, who was still able to stand, the other male and female disciples of the Great Ming Sect lay dead everywhere, their deaths varied and grotesque, chilling to behold, demonstrating Yuan Yueze's ruthless methods.

Sha Fang pursed her lips and shrieked, uttering only the word "Yang" before falling silent.

Yuan Yueze's figure flashed over, his right hand outstretched, gripping her neck without any pity, lifting her feet off the ground, and saying in an icy tone, "Do you want to call Yang Xuyan? Don't you know that man is extremely selfish? If you cooperate obediently, I'll spare your life!"

The initial sword energy had long since vanished. Judging from Sha Fang's expression, it was almost certain that Yang Xuyan had been hiding in the shadows, preparing to ambush her, but Yuan Yueze's power had shattered his confidence, causing him to flee.

Blood seeped from Sha Fang's seven orifices, and the light in her eyes faded. Yuan Yueze withdrew some of his strength, waiting for her choice.

Sha Fang's gaze was resolute as she murmured, "Yang Xuyan... he... will not... die a good death..."

She paused, then continued with difficulty, "May the Mingzun protect me... the Great Venerable will avenge me!" As soon as

she finished speaking, a violent tremor shook her, and with her remaining strength, she severed her own heart meridian and died.

Yuan Yueze released his grip, letting Sha Fang fall slumped to the ground, a sense of helplessness and sorrow welling up within him: these people were so fanatical in their religious devotion that they would never do anything to betray the Great Mingzun Religion. Since their stance differed from Yuan Yueze's, their demise was inevitable; perhaps an early death was not a bad thing.

Hearing Li Xiuning's heartbreaking, trembling sobs, "Why do people always have to kill each other!"

Perhaps remembering her own fate, the Tang princess burst into tears, opened her eyes, looked around, and softly leaned against Yuan Yueze, uttering a dreamlike murmur.

Glancing back at Xinna's corpse not far away, Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly. Seeing Sha Fang's ruthless display of mercy towards her comrade, he had momentarily felt pity and used his imposing aura to support Xinna, but even that couldn't save her from her fate.

Zhu Yuyan's comments flashed through his mind: "My husband is at most a chivalrous knight-errant; your personality is destined to be far removed from the word 'hero.

'" "A chivalrous knight-errant at least acts like a human being, with feelings and righteousness. A wicked hero only seeks profit, ruthless and heartless; what's there to envy?"

he muttered disdainfully. Yuan Yueze composed himself, tightened his grip on her arm, and, with the absent-minded Li Xiuning in tow, headed towards the valley entrance, disappearing into the night.

West Inner Garden, the Noble Guesthouse.

Wei Zhenzhen recounted Consort Lian's ordeal and her request. Shan Meixian and the other women remained silent, lost in thought.

Judging from her appearance and attire, it was almost certain that the heartless man Consort Lian had fallen in love with was Liu Yu before the soul-transferring technique was performed. Liu Yu could have "sowed the seed" himself, but judging from the timeline, he must have already performed a soul transfer technique. Strictly speaking, his new body was no longer the same as before, so he didn't care who "sowed" the seed; they were all just tools to be used. His ultimate goal was simply to sit on the throne himself. He liked to project his own actions onto others, arrogant and conceited, believing that Consort Lian was devoted to him. So he used Consort Lian and didn't care about her life or death. But he always overlooked the fact that this weak woman was also a normal person, capable of turning love into hate. In the end, it was all the human heart that was at play.

"Bang!"

The door was pushed open, and Wanwan, who had gone out to gather information, rushed in.

Sitting next to Xiao Bei, after drinking a couple of sips of tea, Wanwan smiled sweetly at the women staring at her and asked, "Has Master not returned yet?"

The women shook their heads simultaneously.

Zhu Yuyan had fulfilled her promise on the night of the Spring Festival, secretly rescuing Zhao Deyan and sending him outside the city, but several days had passed, and she still hadn't returned.

Wanwan wasn't worried and continued, "Yin Zuwen is in trouble this time."

She then explained to the puzzled women, "How could the cunning Yin Zuwen not have noticed Li Yuan's obvious distancing and wariness? Li Yuan had already arranged for soldiers to ambush him outside his residence. He managed to sneak in under the cover of chaos. He overheard Yin Zuwen and Xu Liuzong's conversation, where they mentioned that Yang Wengan had originally been hiding in his residence but had only recently escaped to the outskirts of the city, and that Yang Xuyan had been colluding with Li Yuanji, the two of them devising a plan to deal with Li Yuan." The blood test for kinship was supposed to be conducted, but judging from Yin Zuwen's tone, it seemed that Yang Xuyan had seen through Li Yuanji's intentions and had been merely using him. Therefore, in Shi Zhixuan's absence, the usually cautious Yang Xuyan, with a long-term perspective, escaped. Coupled with his junior sister's mysterious disappearance, Yin Zuwen had already guessed it was his master or husband's doing, and in his anger, he could only hurl insults, some truly awful.

Seeing her delicate, adorable wrinkle on her small nose, so unlike the demeanor of a sect leader, the women couldn't help but smile.

Yun Yuzhen interjected, "Wan'er's assessment of Yang Xuyan must be her own speculation, right?"

She then recounted the information Wei Zhenzhen had obtained from Consort Lian.

Wanwan suddenly understood.

She also believed that even the most cautious Yang Xuyan wouldn't abandon a woman carrying his child, especially since that child was his leverage to manipulate the court. It's only now that we realize Consort Lian was actually part of Liu Yu's faction. Now, Yang Xuyan is forced to rejoin the "Evil King's" ranks. No matter how secretive this matter is, he dares not get too involved with the Great Ming Sect again. Consort Lian was indeed a good pawn, but Shi Zhixuan disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a Yang Xuyan with little influence and Yin Zuwen, who is already sidelined and whose family business is in jeopardy. Naturally, neither can achieve great things.

Xiao Bei frowned and said, "I always feel something is amiss. Logically speaking, Li Yuan could easily have secretly killed Consort Lian, then fabricated an excuse of her dying of illness, and eliminated all those who served her. Or he could have simply waited until the child was born and then conducted a blood test to determine paternity. However, he probably wouldn't have used that method, because if the child was born and it turned out not to be of the Li family line, it would be a scandal. Li Yuan values his reputation and would never allow such a thing to happen. The problem is..."

Having lived in the palace for nearly twenty years, she was far more experienced than the other women in understanding the various ruthless methods and ugly affairs within the palace. Before she could finish speaking, the other women realized that

if Li Yuan wanted to kill Consort Lian, he certainly wouldn't have let it wait until today, and even allowed her to meet with outsiders in private. If he wanted to wait until the child was born, he would definitely have the eunuchs and maids keep a close watch on Consort Lian. What if she "accidentally" fell and miscarried? Wouldn't that leave no evidence against her?

Judging from the fact that Consort Lian could still meet with Wei Zhenzhen privately without hindrance, it was clear that this matter was not simple. The reason, of course, couldn't be as she claimed—"the servants dared not disobey her." Shan Meixian spoke first, "Indeed, as you say, sister, this matter is unusual. I suspect Li Tang is planning to harm us."

Having dealt with Li Yuan for many years, she understood his character and methods extremely well. Li Tang was likely using Consort Lian to lure Yuan Yueze into a trap. If Yuan Yueze's family rescued Consort Lian, it wouldn't escape Li Tang's notice. Afterwards, if they publicized it widely, it would greatly impact Yuan Yueze's prestige. Furthermore, since a large-scale military conflict was imminent, this incident could even negatively affect morale.

The women, all intelligent and quick-witted, immediately understood and nodded in agreement.

Wei Zhenzhen hesitated, "Sister Lian's life is truly unfortunate, always being used..."

She wanted to say that Consort Lian, with her tragic fate, was innocent, but the women had already roughly deduced Li Tang's intentions, so Consort Lian absolutely could not be saved. Therefore, Wei Zhenzhen could only sigh helplessly. What chilled her to the bone was that she knew Consort Lian would ultimately face certain death, just as Xiao Bei had predicted. Li Yuan would most likely execute her secretly before the child was born. How could Wei Zhenzhen, who had already developed a delicate friendship with Consort Lian amidst their scheming and power struggles, not feel heartbroken and regretful?

Fu Junzhuo comforted her, "Why don't we wait for Sister Yuyan to return and cast a 'Prisoner of the Gods' spell on Consort Lian? At most, Li Yuan will only give her poisoned wine, which will allow her to fake her death. Once we receive the news, we can come and revive her."

Although it wouldn't save the innocent little life, it was a win-win solution, and Wei Zhenzhen quickly nodded.

Wanwan touched her belly and cried out in frustration, "We're not destined to have children!"

Yuan Yueze's body had been forcibly refined by Yun Jizi, rendering him incapable of conceiving. However, the ancients placed great importance on continuing the family line. Even though the women had been influenced by many advanced ideas, deep down they still hoped to bear a son or daughter for their beloved men. A woman who had never been pregnant, who had never experienced the moment of birth where one foot was in the mortal realm and the other in the underworld, experiencing both extreme joy and pain, could not be considered a complete woman.

Only Shan Meixian and Xiao Bei in the hall had experienced that feeling, especially Xiao Bei, who had given birth to two sons and a daughter, and felt it deeply. Both her sons had died. Recalling that she had married Yuwen Shiji at the age of fourteen and disappeared without a trace after the Twin Dragons destroyed Yuwen Shiji, and that her only daughter, Princess Nanyang, and her nephew Xiao Ge, whose fate was also unknown, Xiao Bei was overwhelmed with grief and extremely saddened.

Shan Meixian glared at Wanwan, then grabbed Xiao Bei's hand and said, "We don't know if the Empress is alive or dead. Once we return to Luoyang, after Junior Sister completes her cultivation, since my husband is going to the grasslands anyway, I'll accompany him. It'll be good to gather information along the way. Isn't your nephew our nephew? Luoyan won't be careless about the princess's matter. Hopefully, her people will have some clues when we return to Luoyang."

Xiao Bei nodded slightly.

Wanwan quickly changed the subject, and the somber atmosphere was dispelled.

Early morning of the fifth day.

Yuan Yueze held Shang Xiuxun and Song Yuzhi, who were still fast asleep in his arms, nestled on either side of him like two mermaids, their faces still flushed with spring. A calm yet blissful feeling welled up in his heart.

During this spring hunt, only Li Shimin and Li Yuanji, Li Yuan's sons, accompanied him. Since Yuan Yueze destroyed the followers of the Great Ming Zunjiao sect, the guilty-looking Li Yuanji had never left his tent. Yuan Yueze had secretly gone to check on him, intending to castrate him, but Li Yuanji wasn't even in the tent; he was probably terrified and had long since disappeared.

He hadn't seen Li Xiuning since that night, but he was secretly pleased. Her brother was so heartless; if this happened a few more times, Li Xiuning might very well abandon everything and follow Yuan Yueze.

The reason was simple: who doesn't have a heart?

After breakfast, after exchanging pleasantries with Li Yuan and the others, Yuan Yueze took his leave and returned to Chang'an. Unfortunately, Li Xiuning still didn't come out to see him off.

After meeting with his wives, he set off in his carriage, and the family traveled smoothly out of the Zhuque Gate.

Xiao He'er had been spending these days with Ji Qian at Shanglin Garden. When they passed Pingkang Ward, Yuan Yueze got out of the carriage to meet her.

Ji Qian still didn't give Yuan Yueze a friendly look, and Yuan Yueze didn't even glance at her. The two women, their eyes brimming with tears, talked for a long time, reluctant to part, before Yuan Yueze and Xiao He'er finally left Shanglin Garden.

They hadn't gone far when Hu Xiaoxian's hurried voice sounded behind them, "Young Master, please wait."

Yuan Yueze looked over and saw her, dressed in flamboyant attire, hurrying towards them. Reaching their side, the three walked side-by-side towards the main road.

Yuan Yueze said, "There's no one left to rival your father in Chang'an. He must be laughing in his dreams!"

Hu Xiaoxian lowered her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought, and gave a nonchalant reply.

Normally, she would have been alluring, her eyes sparkling, a captivating beauty.

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Chi Shengchun is finished, why do you still look so preoccupied, Miss?"

Hu Xiaoxian raised her head and carefully examined Yuan Yueze, a hint of resentment in her eyes. She said, "Even without Chi Shengchun, there will be others who will force my father to marry me off."

A dozen feet ahead, three luxurious carriages could be seen parked on the main road.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Then may I be one of them? Shall I go and propose to your father now?"

Hu Xiaoxian was taken aback, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, then replaced by sadness. She said, "Young master is kind, but please decline. My father believes the future is bright and will never give up Chang'an."

She paused, then said in a very low voice, "This servant will never forget what young master said."

With a slightly coquettish gesture, she opened her collar slightly, revealing her long, slender, snow-white neck. With a seductive movement, she slipped her hand inside her collar and placed the pearl necklace, still warm and fragrant, into Yuan Yueze's hand before turning and running away.

Holding the warm, fragrant, and dazzling necklace, Yuan Yueze watched her figure disappear into the crowd.

Chapter 114 Northern Frontier Ghost Fiend

Yuan Yueze and his group had been away from Chang'an for over ten days and would arrive in Luoyang tomorrow.

That night, after satisfying his many wives at home... Urged by Shan Meixian, he coaxed them to sleep before going to Xiao He'er's room alone.

Xiao He'er had been enduring for too long; she was a grown woman now, and while Yuan Yueze often caressed her, they never actually had sex. How could he bear it? Now that their trip to Chang'an was over, Yuan Yueze planned to take this opportunity to help her refine her body.

As he approached Xiao He'er's room, he vaguely heard a series of intermittent, almost inaudible moans coming from within.

A strange smile appeared on Yuan Yueze's face. He suppressed his aura and slipped to the window, secretly peeking inside, only to be dumbfounded.

On the luxurious bed, Xiao He'er leaned against the headboard, her face flushed, almost completely naked. Her white underpants were tossed aside, and her undergarments were pulled up to her chin. Her left hand kneaded one of her full, proud breasts, while her right hand constantly explored the area around her vulva, occasionally pinching her erect, pink clitoris with her fingers.

From Yuan Yueze's vantage point, he could see Xiao He'er's secret garden clearly. Her two legs, much longer than an average person's, were wide apart, both her labia majora and minora open, revealing the delicate flesh of her secret garden, enough to make anyone's nose bleed. Her pubic hair was of moderate length, softly forming an inverted triangle covering her raised, white mons pubis. The pink labia majora glistened, clearly from the lustful fluids secreted during her arousal, complementing her fair skin with a faint blush, further enhancing her pure and innocent girlish charm.

She was nearly twenty, her body exceptionally well-developed. Her jade-like body, refined through purification and cleansing, was snow-white and translucent, exceptionally beautiful: perfectly sized breasts, pink nipples, a smooth, flawless abdomen, long, shapely legs without a single blemish, and a snow-white, pert bottom. Combined with her overflowing virgin garden, it created a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Little Crane closed her beautiful eyes slightly, tilting her head back gently. Her slender fingers moved slowly, gradually increasing the speed, as she played with her untouched little garden. It was already overflowing with moisture. As her hands moved faster, her face flushed deeper, and her breathing became rapid. Even the corners of her mouth held a hint of wantonness. Although her face was full of desire, neither her clumsy masturbation nor her suppressed, innocent moans could be associated with "lewdness." Instead, she gave the impression of a pure, playful little girl, endearing and utterly adorable.

Because Yuan Yueze treated her extremely well, Xiao He'er's heart had long been devoted to him. However, she knew that Yuan Yueze was usually busy with his affairs and dared not disturb him too much. More importantly, she was not as bold as Lian Rou, so she had no choice but to "comfort" herself in this way. She could hear

the sounds of Yuan Yueze and the other girls partying every night, which made her extremely curious. Driven by her childlike nature, she would occasionally pretend to be confused and ask Shan Meixian and the other girls a few questions. They had told her about such things, but it was only theoretical knowledge. Moreover, Xiao He'er would be too embarrassed to listen to more than half of it and would run away.

Masturbation was not something she was born knowing. It was because she thought that Yuan Yueze often touched her little garden. Every time she felt very comfortable, so she subconsciously did it. Tonight, hearing the seductive sounds from Yuan Yueze's side again, Xiao He'er felt itchy all over. She noticed that her lower body was a little wet. She reached down and touched it and found that her genitals had already been moistened.

Uncontrollably, she pressed her fingers to her clitoris, her cheeks suddenly flushing crimson. Afraid of being heard, she desperately suppressed a scream, letting out only soft moans.

After a while, she felt the desire burning within her intensify, the emptiness expanding infinitely. She then gently inserted her slender index finger into the flower path between her thighs, moving it in and out, but daring not to go too deep, for fear of accidentally breaking the hymen that symbolized her virginity. Her lower mouth softly sucked on her finger, and Xiao He'er's pleasure increased, her pink buttocks trembling lightly, occasionally drawing out streams of clear, translucent fluid with each movement of her finger.

"Mmm..."

Xiao He'er's delicate nose began to emit adorable nasal sounds, and a few beads of fragrant sweat appeared on her flushed face. Her breathing grew heavier, and the fingers pressing on her clitoris circled faster and faster.

Suddenly, her fair, delicate hands and breathing rose to an unprecedented rhythm. Then, her childish voice could no longer be suppressed, letting out several screams. Her waist and arches arched violently, her pink jade legs kicked out forcefully, her smooth, delicate body convulsing violently a few times. A large gush of clear fluid shot out from the girl's tender honey pot, and she collapsed limply.

Yuan Yueze stared intently at the fragrant yin essence gushing from between her legs, his blood rushing to his head. He couldn't wait any longer and went straight into the room.

Although Xiao He'er had reached the legendary climax, she felt as if something was missing. Even so, it still made her feel extremely comfortable. She closed her beautiful eyes, breathing heavily as she savored the experience. Suddenly, she felt a familiar arm wrap around her still-blushing jade neck. Her body froze, and she immediately opened her unfocused eyes, meeting Yuan Yueze's clear gaze.

Thinking that her embarrassing actions might have been witnessed by this master of celestial cultivation, Xiao He'er was extremely embarrassed. Her face, already damp with sweat, turned even redder

. She let out a soft moan, "Big Brother!" and buried her head in his arms, refusing to lift her head.

Yuan Yueze lovingly stroked her smooth, fragrant shoulder and said apologetically, "It's all my fault, little sister."

Xiao He'er immediately raised her head and innocently said, "Big Brother has things to do. I'm not a child anymore, of course I can't be ignorant."

Yuan Yueze praised her, and his large hand immediately grasped one of her delicate breasts, gently kneading it. He laughed, "Little sister can't comfort herself, how about I do it for you?"

Xiao He'er knew that he must have seen everything she had just done, and she was worried about being seen as a lewd and bad girl. Unexpectedly, Yuan Yueze not only didn't blame her, but also reflected on himself, which moved her, who was already simple-minded. Yuan Yueze's hands seemed to have magic power; the gentle movements sent waves of excitement spreading from the bottom of Xiao He'er's heart, and a current of pleasure surged through her chest. Stimulated, she occasionally let out nasal moans. The pleasurable sensation was far beyond what masturbation could achieve. Her body grew hot, and she clung tightly to Yuan Yueze, moaning in a daze.

Yuan Yueze kneaded her incredibly bouncy breasts while lowering his head to kiss her trembling lips. His tongue swiftly broke through, plunging into her soft mouth, relentlessly pursuing her smooth little tongue. The two were soon entwined.

It wasn't Xiao He'er's first time kissing Yuan Yueze, but this kind of passionate kiss was a first. The sweet nectar in her mouth was being hungrily sucked by Yuan Yueze, sending an indescribable, soul-stirring sensation through her, rising to her heart and spreading throughout her body. Her exquisite, mature, and beautiful breasts trembled with pleasure, and she soon began to pant and moan, utterly powerless to resist. She vaguely realized that her already wet honeypot seemed to be overflowing again.

Yuan Yueze's large hands skillfully roamed over Xiao He'er's delicate body, kissing her while focusing his attention on one of her round, snow-white, throbbing breasts, squeezing and kneading it. Simultaneously, he released her breathless mouth and kissed her other pink nipple, carefully tasting and teasing it. The sweet scent of milk filled his mouth as Yuan Yueze's tongue began to circle the tender areola, his teeth gently biting and grinding her erect nipple.

Xiao He'er couldn't withstand such stimulation. Her beautiful eyes closed tightly, her moans rising, her snow-white arms frantically embracing his head, twisting her slender waist forcefully, as if seeking more pleasure, or perhaps trying to squeeze herself into his body.

Yuan Yueze's large hands released her breasts and began to roam, kneading and caressing her exquisite body. Moving past her smooth, flat abdomen, they reached her sacred, swollen garden, covered in soft, long, dark hair. Little Crane's two delicate, wet petals, unconsciously parted, trembled as they opened and closed, the pink cleft between them constantly emitting hot steam and increasing amounts of clear nectar, as if beckoning the entry of a male's massive member.

Releasing the two saliva-covered white rabbits, Yuan Yueze's large mouth kissed his way down, finally reaching Little Crane's jade thighs. Little Crane's mind was hazy, forgetting even her shyness, only emitting beautiful and moving moans. When Yuan Yueze kissed her smooth abdomen, she subconsciously closed her jade legs tightly.

His tongue finally slid past her navel, reaching the furry little garden. With a slight effort, Yuan Yueze parted Little Crane's limp legs, embraced her writhing buttocks, and carefully inserted his middle finger into the wet, pink cleft between her thighs, gently scraping and stirring. Instantly, water splashed everywhere, covering his finger.

"Ah!"

Little Crane bit her lip tightly, feeling the pleasure coming from between her legs, and let out a loud groan.

Yuan Yueze's face remained pressed against that delicate, pink garden, where he could clearly feel its temperature and humidity. Staring blankly at her breathtakingly beautiful secret garden, he could no longer resist. He buried his face between her legs, his nimble tongue lightly scraping and licking the two white petals and the hardened clitoris, then sucking the sweet nectar gushing from the barely visible opening beneath the delicate petals.

Xiao He'er, unable to withstand such skillful teasing, was completely lost in the abyss of lust. Her alluring body was flushed crimson, her beautiful curves and boneless form exuding a rich, stimulating fragrance that evoked male hormones.

After this teasing, Yuan Yueze, seeing Xiao He'er's alluring, wanton, and ecstatic state, knew it was time for the main event. He took another sip of the slippery, fragrant nectar. He quickly rose and pressed his already hard, erect member against the entrance of Xiao He'er's maidenly opening.

Xiao He'er subconsciously spread her long, beautiful legs even wider. Yuan Yueze used the purplish-red tip of his penis to lightly scrape and bump against her pink cleft and the small petals below, the honey-like fluid soaking the shaft like a receding tide. Xiao He'er, her pretty face flushed, cried out in a daze, "Mmm...ah...Big brother...so comfortable...so comfortable...oh!"

Yuan Yueze suddenly thrust his hips forward, the two large petals were violently separated in an instant, and the tip of his penis broke into her body.

Drops of blood fell.

Xiao He'er was pulled by the pain, slightly regaining her senses, but she was even more puzzled as to why it didn't seem to hurt as much as her sisters had described.

Yuan Yueze noticed that she only frowned slightly and did not have a violent reaction, thinking that perhaps this was the benefit of popularizing sex education early on, of course, sufficient foreplay was also necessary.

Lowering his head to kiss her fragrant lips, and then stimulating other sensitive areas, Yuan Yueze's long penis began to slowly advance.

"Sizzle!"

The long penis broke through the layers of tender flesh, finally reaching the core of her flower. The young girl's flower passage was incredibly tight, and the long spear was surrounded, sucked, and gripped by the tender flesh, making Yuan Yueze groan with pleasure.

As the spear fully penetrated, the hot tip of the spear pressed against her delicate flower core, a sweet and sour pleasure mixed with a wave of pain coming from her lower body. The girl's body trembled violently, almost climaxing again.

Yuan Yueze stopped, letting the tip of the spear slowly grind against the virgin's flower core. The pain in the girl's body gradually subsided, and under Yuan Yueze's experienced technique, she secreted more and more nectar. When the pain completely disappeared, a pleasant and comfortable pleasure flowed from the folds of flesh tightly wrapped around the hot, massive penis in her flower passage, spreading throughout her body and penetrating her mind. That full, tight, and oppressive feeling ignited the girl's desire. Her face flushed red, her body went numb, and she was obsessed with enjoying this tight and full feeling, a pleasure that she could never experience by touch alone.

Xiao He'er's delicate honeypot was swollen and full, her flower core subjected to an unprecedented onslaught. She clung tightly to Yuan Yueze's back, moaning loudly and writhing violently. She felt an intense, tingling pleasure throughout her body, her delicious nectar flowing endlessly, the tender flesh within her honeypot constantly writhing and biting at his fiery spear.

Yuan Yueze groaned and began to thrust, gradually increasing the speed. Xiao He'er, consumed by lust, cried out wantonly, her moans rising in waves, intoxicating and soul-stirring.

Yuan Yueze's speed gradually reached its peak; he frantically thrust his hips, his spear pounding in and out of Xiao He'er's long, tight honeypot like a storm. Each thrust lifted her two full, thick petals, releasing waves of fragrant nectar that soaked their lower bodies.

Xiao He'er's exquisite, snow-white body flushed red, glistening with fragrant sweat, her intoxicating scent growing ever stronger. Lost in desire, she writhed wildly, moaning and groaning incessantly. Yuan Yueze gripped her buttocks tightly, thrusting his spear even more forcefully, producing a continuous, crisp sound.

"So...beautiful...really...I'm...going to...die...mmm...ah..."

With Yuan Yueze's frenzied thrusting, Xiao He'er cried out incessantly, the wolfish fluid flowing from her honeypot soaking their genitals and the surrounding sheets. Yuan Yueze's movements grew faster and faster, as if there were no end in sight. He frantically and unrestrainedly thrust his water-covered member, each thrust almost forcing open her flower core, the tip penetrating slightly into Xiao He'er's tender womb. When it went deep, they were joined without any gap; when it was pulled out, the tip was halfway outside the opening. Then it plunged in completely. The spear constantly rubbed against the sensitive flesh walls, making the pleasure within Xiao He'er burn ever more intensely. The intense feeling of fullness overwhelmed her, and she could only cry out loudly.

A quarter of an hour later, Xiao He'er suddenly let out an unprecedented cry. Her tender body convulsed slightly, then trembled violently. At the same time, she let out a long scream, her long, jade-like legs tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, her slender, pinkish-white toes curling taut. In her soft, tight flower passage, rings of tender flesh continuously gripped and sucked, and a large gush of hot, scalding vaginal fluid gushed from her flower core, splashing onto Yuan Yueze's penis.

Yuan Yueze, overwhelmed by pleasure, thrust forcefully dozens more times, his semen powerfully spurting out, first hitting Xiao He'er's convulsing flower core, then penetrating deeper with his penis, directly shooting onto her delicate uterine wall.

Having just reached her climax, Xiao He'er couldn't withstand such stimulation. Her body, which had calmed slightly, trembled violently again, letting out a mournful cry, her little legs kicking forcefully, and she fainted. Even

in her unconscious state, she continued to convulse rhythmically. Simultaneously, she received Yang essence and began the refining of her body.

In a room not far away, Hua Lingzi lay on a soft, comfortable bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

She clearly remembered her astonished reaction when she was first brought to this fantastical and mysterious space and Yuan Yueze explained that this was the inside of the bracelet on his wrist; she had practically worshipped him as a god.

His loud voices, which made her blush with shame as an eavesdropper, carried far and wide after so many nights of revelry with various women. Each time lasted at least two hours—even a person of iron would be drained!

She had thought to herself, but Yuan Yueze seemed to grow more energetic each day, leaving her utterly astonished.

Tonight was no different, but Hua Lingzi clearly heard Xiao He'er's screams, a mixture of pain and pleasure. Although she had never experienced sexual intercourse, she knew what it meant. However, her body was weak, her mind hazy, and she didn't know how to comment on the matter.

Suddenly, a warning sounded in her heart. She opened her blurry eyes and looked to the side, stunned.

It turned out that Yuan Yueze, wearing only shorts, had appeared beside her like a ghost, staring intently at her.

Feeling guilty, Hua Lingzi immediately moved away slightly, shrieking, "What are you doing in here?"

After staring at her magnificent, undulating figure for a moment, Yuan Yueze stretched comfortably and said, "Meixian wants me to tell you something, so you won't still be in the dark."

Then, under Hua Lingzi's puzzled gaze, he recounted the events surrounding Liu Yu and the Red-Clothed Empress, adding that the person suspected of killing Qu Ao was definitely from either of these two factions.

Hua Lingzi's scalp tingled; she finally realized that even her master was unaware of the existence of true masters, truly a frog in a well.

After a moment of contemplation, she leaned down against Yuan Yueze and whispered, "If you can avenge my master, my body is yours."

Feeling the intoxicating sensation emanating from her fragrant, soft, and shapely body, Yuan Yueze shook his head and smiled bitterly: On the Great Plains, women's status was even lower than in the Central Plains; they were merely commodities. Hua Lingzi, deeply influenced by this ideology, lacked even the most basic sense of resistance. Thus, her lust vanished, and she said softly, "Even if it weren't for your master, I would never have let Liu Yu and the other two go. You don't need to force yourself. You are a person, no less than us, not commodities, do you understand?"

Hua Lingzi looked at Yuan Yueze in surprise, her mind flashing back to the image of this handsome young man who had fought against various masters in Luoyang, displaying his heroic spirit that seemed to swallow the sun and moon, and the scene of him taking meticulous care of her these past few days. Both his appearance and his thoughtfulness touched her heartstrings. If it weren't for feeling ashamed in front of his many wives and the unresolved issues in her heart, this woman, born in the borderlands and deeply influenced by the open-minded atmosphere, would have already expressed her feelings.

Having said that, she had no other thoughts. Her already watery eyes, fixed on Yuan Yueze, seemed to overflow with desire. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said in a teasing voice, "Well, I just like you, is that not okay?"

She paused, then added defiantly, "Are you up to it?"

Glancing at her burgeoning, firm breasts that threatened to burst from beneath her thin nightgown, Yuan Yueze chuckled and said, "We'll see if I can!"

Then, with a soft gasp from Hua Lingzi, his large mouth pressed against her smooth cheek, and his hands slid inside her nightgown, ravaging her alluring body.

Although Hua Lingzi wasn't as bold as Lian Rou, she was still a forthright woman from the borderlands. She showed no shyness whatsoever, even helping Yuan Yueze undress, displaying none of the timidity typical of young women from the Central Plains.

The open atmosphere of the northern frontier was one reason, but more importantly, after listening to countless erotic performances, any normal person would find it unbearable, let alone Hua Lingzi facing a heartthrob.

The young girl, full of passion, felt an unprecedented intoxicating sensation as Yuan Yueze's strange hands traversed every sensitive area, like an electric current surging through her brain, impacting her body and mind. Moaning and panting, her limbs involuntarily tightened around the man who cared for and cherished her.

After Yuan Yueze had helped Xiao He'er rest, his lust hadn't completely subsided. Now, with Hua Lingzi's slight teasing, his blood surged again. He quickly stripped Hua Lingzi naked, admiring the alluring body before him. She was petite and exquisite, yet perfectly proportioned, with every part perfectly matched: her long black hair accentuated her fair and delicate skin, and her virginal fragrance filled the air, making one yearn to caress her tenderly; her proud breasts were firm and unyielding, the deep cleavage between them captivating; two pink nipples, erect with excitement, stood proudly atop her full, round, and white breasts; her flat abdomen, without an ounce of excess fat, and her slender, soft, and rounded waist were a testament to the wonders of nature; below her smooth, jade-like, petite, and adorable navel, at the base of her long, rounded legs, lay the most mysterious and sacred place for a woman, covered in thick, dense feathers, almost comparable to those of Dugu Feng, yet not haphazardly arranged, neatly covering her swollen mons pubis, gathered in a straight line in the center like a broom, contrasting with the surrounding fair skin, creating a breathtaking and captivating charm.

Yuan Yueze's large hand pressed against her exquisitely sculpted shoulders, his lips tracing her smooth, flawless forehead, her long, arched eyebrows, her delicate nose, and her smooth, fair face, finally landing on her rosy lips. At the same time, his large hand grasped one of her proud, delicate breasts, his fingertips gently kneading the hardened nipple. It was soft and smooth to the touch, a wonderful sensation.

Hua Lingzi kept her beautiful eyes tightly closed, letting him be as unrestrained as he pleased. When Yuan Yueze pried open her teeth with his tongue, she only trembled slightly, letting out a soft moan from deep within her throat. Her slender arms wrapped around Yuan Yueze, offering her small, fragrant tongue, passionately entwining with his.

As Yuan Yueze kissed her, his hands roamed over her supple, boneless body, feeling the captivating beauty and passion of this bold woman from the borderlands.

He lingered his large lips on her fragrant petals and vulva for a moment, kissing her entire body. Hua Lingzi, her face flushed, grasped his thick, erect member and weakly urged, "Aren't you coming in?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, knowing she had listened to too many erotic plays and that little foreplay was unnecessary, as he had already sensed her arousal. He leaned down and pressed his hands against her alluring body, his palms kneading her tender breasts, the small, pink nipples shifting and changing shape with each movement. Then he played with her already erect nipples with his fingers.

Hua Lingzi trembled again, letting out moans that were a mixture of pain and pleasure, her heart filled with both anxiety and shame. After a slight hesitation, she reached out her delicate hand, grasped the hot, hard member, and aimed it at her tender, wet opening. Her buttocks thrust forward, eagerly hoping he would penetrate her quickly.

Yuan Yueze laughed, bit her nipple again, and suddenly thrust his hips forward, the tip of his member penetrating her.

Forced into a corner, Hua Lingzi's virginity was threatened; her delicate brows furrowed, and a look of pain appeared on her rosy face.

Yuan Yueze stopped, enjoying the slight contractions and tightening of her virgin passage. He continued to caress her with both hands and mouth, gently saying, "Don't be nervous, it's always like this the first time. You're too reckless."

Hua Lingzi nodded shyly, her attention quickly diverted by Yuan Yueze's skillful technique. She slightly twisted her body; the pain gradually disappeared, and a wave of pleasure began to rise in her heart. Knowing she was beginning to adjust to his muscular physique, she bit Yuan Yueze's ear and said frankly, "It doesn't hurt so much anymore, it's a little sore and itchy... Come on... come on..."

Yuan Yueze nodded slightly, continuing to kiss her sweet little mouth while gently caressing her glistening breasts. His lower body began to slowly thrust, fully penetrating her.

The thick, long member filled the emptiness, and her flower core was attacked for the first time. Hua Lingzi trembled with pleasure, moaning incessantly, her soul almost soaring to the heavens. She wrapped her long, rounded legs around his back, encouraging his thrusts.

Yuan Yueze began to increase his strength, his spear moving in and out of her tight, narrow honeypot, causing the pink petals to flutter and splash, washing away the bloodstains on the leaflet. Meanwhile, his hands either stimulated her sensitive perineum or kneaded her firm, round buttocks. His large mouth would sometimes hold her lips, which were constantly uttering soft moans, or lower himself to attack her two full, swaying breasts, occasionally biting her hard nipples to add to the pleasure.

Hua Lingzi, after enduring the initial pain, gradually reached a climax, her small mouth uttering wild cries. Her elastic waist and round buttocks arched repeatedly, welcoming Yuan Yueze's powerful thrusts. The sweet sensation between them made her completely forget herself, frantically cooperating with Yuan Yueze. Thick love fluid lubricated their joined bodies, her narrow, warm lips forcefully swallowing and releasing the hot, thick, long member. The two fought until the world seemed to spin, and the sheets on the bed were soaked with their sweat and vaginal fluids.

As Yuan Yueze thrust his lower body forward, his large mouth kissed Hua Lingzi's panting, wide-open red lips. Hua Lingzi's small mouth was sealed, her moans subsided, replaced by soft groans and delicate whimpers. She forcefully extended her tongue, entwining it with Yuan Yueze's, teasing him relentlessly.

Yuan Yueze's movements grew faster and faster, his smooth, folded flesh tightly gripping his thick, long member, wave after wave of intense, sweet, tingling pleasure driving Hua Lingzi to the brink of ecstasy. The intoxicating sensation made her feel like she was dying of pleasure, her snow-white buttocks, glistening with lustful fluids, swaying even more vigorously.

"Mmm...mmm...uh..."

Hua Lingzi's skin was flushed a rosy pink by the intense pleasure, her beautiful face filled with ecstasy. Her pert breasts swayed wildly with her movements, rubbing intensely against Yuan Yueze's chest, further enhancing her pleasure. Her small mouth remained sealed, but she had no desire for passionate kisses, mechanically responding to Yuan Yueze, saliva slowly dripping from the corners of her mouth.

Yuan Yueze thrust his lower body rapidly, his abdomen repeatedly slamming against Hua Lingzi's fair and elastic buttocks. Each time, his massive member was withdrawn completely and then thrust back in, the tingling pleasure sending Hua Lingzi into a frenzy. Her legs involuntarily tightened, binding her narrow passage even more tightly to his enormous member. His scalding hot spear relentlessly explored Hua Lingzi's tender, slippery passage. The sensitive and inexperienced Hua Lingzi finally succumbed to his experienced and ferocious onslaught, gradually being brought to the peak of pleasure by his powerful thrusts.

Her fair toes began to clench tightly, finally letting out a frantic scream. Her body trembled violently as she clung tightly to his back, a torrent of vaginal fluid gushing from her womb, spraying directly from her core.

Stimulated, Yuan Yueze let out a muffled groan. His body trembled as thick streams of semen shot out like cannonballs, powerfully hitting Hua Lingzi's delicate, soft vulva. Hua Lingzi cried out hoarsely from the heat, reaching another climax within another. Her convulsing body, now flushed a deep crimson, turned from rose-red to bright red.

The pleasurable sensation of her orgasm lasted a long time. Hua Lingzi, radiant with pleasure, lay in Yuan Yueze's arms like a limp lump of mud, the two still intimately connected, motionless.

In her dazed state, Hua Lingzi began to understand why his wives were so enthusiastic about this; having experienced it herself, she knew this alluring feeling was truly irresistible. Yuan Yueze's gentle approach allowed her to experience the sweetest pleasure a woman could receive from a man.

Afterwards, Yuan Yueze went to fetch Xiao He'er, and the two women, having regained their strength, clung to him again.

The following day at noon, Yuan Yueze, along with the reborn, fairy-like Xiao He'er and Dugu Feng, each arrived at the gates of Luoyang in an empty carriage.

After more than a month's absence, this ancient capital appeared even more magnificent and solemn. The banners atop the walls and the soldiers in armor, wielding weapons, wore solemn expressions, giving the impression of an impending storm.

The city gate guard recognized Yuan Yueze and immediately opened the gates to welcome him in; soldiers then drove the carriage away.

Luoyang was even more prosperous and bustling than it had been a month ago. The main streets were teeming with people, including many merchants dressed in foreign attire. The shops and vendors along the roadside were packed with people, a testament to Luoyang's rapid development. Looking at this prosperous scene, it was hard to imagine that this city, even greater than Chang'an, would soon again be ravaged by war.

Returning the greetings of passersby, the three finally arrived at the familiar small house in the south of the city.

"Husband!"

A clear, crisp voice suddenly rang out from inside the door, and a figure flashed before him,

enveloped in a warm, fragrant embrace. Without even looking down, Yuan Yueze knew from the familiar voice and the faint scent that Shan Wanjing had returned. Overjoyed, he immediately wrapped his arms tightly around her fragrant shoulders and slender waist, lowering his head to kiss her sweet, intoxicating lips.

Their lips parted, and Shan Wanjing breathed heavily, her dark, bright eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Yuan Yueze, clearly deeply moved.

She appeared even more ethereal than when she left home a year ago, a testament to her improved cultivation. She wore a cream-colored cloak with silver trim and a long collar, over which she wore a bright green, tight-sleeved top, blue, white, and gold striped trousers, and black leather boots. Her hair was wrapped in a turquoise floral scarf, tied with a deep red brocade ribbon. She exuded a noble and elegant air, yet also possessed a heroic spirit and feminine charm—a captivating allure.

This was the first time Dugu Feng and Xiao He'er had seen her since establishing their relationship with Yuan Yueze. They immediately came over to pay their respects. Shan Wanjing composed herself and returned the greeting gracefully, displaying the refinement of the former Princess Dongming.

"Xiao Ji!"

Before Yuan Yueze could ask Shan Wanjing when she had returned, or why the other women hadn't come out, a trembling voice came from inside the door, drawing the attention of Yuan Yueze and the three women who were chatting and laughing.

Song Yuhua and Fu Junyu walked slowly with a tall, thin man. The voice came from the man.

His face was as narrow and long as his body, his cheeks sunken, his nose long and his lips thin. The distance between his eyebrows and eyes was wider than normal, and his expression was cold and gloomy. It seemed he had never smiled since birth. He should have looked like a hanged ghost, but somehow his features combined to create a unique ugly beauty, forming a haughty and aloof air that left a deep impression. He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, yet he exuded a weathered, aged air. At this moment, seemingly oblivious to those around him, he stretched out his trembling hands, hot tears streaming uncontrollably down his thin face. He stared at Xiao He'er in disbelief, his lips twitching.

Xiao He'er was only startled for a moment, then let out a heart-wrenching cry of grief, throwing herself into his arms like an arrow. Perhaps the force was too great, and the two tumbled to the ground.

Without introduction, Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng knew that this man was the renowned "Butterfly Prince" of the Northern Frontier, and also Xiao He'er's own brother, Yin Xianhe.

The siblings knelt on the ground, embracing and weeping bitterly. No one could tell whether a tear was an expression of sorrow or a tear of joy.

Yuan Yueze quietly approached Fu Junyu and Song Yuhua, who were gazing at him with affection. He took advantage of their alluring buttocks, his hands and feet groping. The two women, sensitive and deprived of pleasure for so long, couldn't resist his advances. Fortunately, they were both sensible and each used one of their delicate hands to firmly hold Yuan Yueze's large hand, preventing him from going further. Even so, their sensitive areas still felt a tingling, intoxicating sensation, making them blush, their hearts race, and their bodies go limp.

After a while, the brother and sister stopped crying. Yin Xianhe, his eyes red and swollen, awkwardly clasped his hands in a fist and said to Yuan Yueze, "I am Yin Xianhe. Thank you, Brother Yuan, for helping my brother and me reunite. I am deeply grateful. From now on, my life is yours."

Yuan Yueze happily replied, "Brother-in-law, you don't need to be so polite. From now on, we are all family. It's not convenient here. Let's go inside and talk."

Xiao He'er, whose eyes were also swollen from crying, blushed and took Yuan Yueze's arm with a sweet smile.

A sudden realization flashed in Yin Xianhe's eyes: upon closer inspection, he noticed his sister's unusual demeanor, especially her temperament, which was remarkably similar to Song Yuhua and the other women. Clearly, his sister had already consummated her relationship with Yuan Yueze. Seeing her blissful expression, he knew Yuan Yueze hadn't mistreated her.

After entering the house and taking their seats, Shan Wanjing eagerly exclaimed, "Husband, quickly release Grandma and Mother! I miss them so much!"

Seeing tiny, bean-sized fairies float from Yuan Yueze's wrist, gradually growing larger, Yin Xianhe was dumbfounded. Even seeing it with his own eyes, it was hard to believe, yet he couldn't help but believe it. More than ten beauties, all without makeup, including Zhu Yuyan, Wanwan, and Shang Xiuxun, were breathtakingly beautiful; it seemed that even dying would be worthwhile after being looked at by them.

Little Crane quickly whispered an explanation in his ear, which Yin Xianhe listened to with repeated nods, his gaze towards Yuan Yueze becoming increasingly strange.

Gently stroking Shan Wanjing's cascading hair nestled in her arms, Shan Meixian fully displayed her elder sisterly charm, asking Fu Junyu, "When did you return? When did Young Master Yin arrive? Where are the others?"

The women, who had been chattering incessantly like little birds, immediately fell silent. Fu Junyu nodded, "Let's talk about it one by one. We returned six days ago."

Shan Wanjing suddenly interjected, saying sweetly, "My sisters and I brought back some seeds from the south that aren't available in the Central Plains. Husband, you can't say we were lazy!"

In front of Zhu Yuyan, Shan Meixian, and Yuan Yueze, she was like a little girl who had never grown up, showing no trace of her princess-like demeanor.

Everyone smiled. Song Yuhua explained, "Junyu and the others brought back seeds of millet, corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. It's truly a meritorious deed for the impoverished people of the war-torn Central Plains."

Fu Junzhuo asked in astonishment, "How could you travel such a long distance in just one year?"

Everyone except Yin Xianhe understood her meaning.

Early-maturing rice, also known as Champa rice, is a high-yielding, early-maturing, and drought-resistant rice variety originating from the Indochina Peninsula. It was only introduced to the Central Plains during the Song Dynasty and quickly spread in the Jiangnan region. However, several other plants originated from the distant Americas and were not introduced to the Central Plains until the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In just one year, and with the women having already lost their ability to fly on swords, how could they possibly travel between the Asian and American continents?

Shan Wanjing exclaimed, "I also wanted to go to the other side of the sea to see the Maya people from the Classical period, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough time. I only made it to the south and came back!"

Fu Junyu smiled mysteriously and said, "Have you and your sisters forgotten someone?"

Everyone suddenly realized.

Only Yin Xianhe was completely confused, and Xiao He'er quickly explained to him in a low voice.

Yuan Yueze asked, "You encountered 'him'? Is 'him' alright?"

Fu Junyu gave him a reassuring smile.

Yuan Yueze gave the two women an approving look.

That one look spoke volumes.

Corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and potatoes—these four cash crops are high-yielding, nutritious, and highly adaptable to their environment, and will have a profound impact on the development of the Central Plains.

Song Yuhua continued, "Junqiang and Ruyin are still bathing; otherwise, my husband would be driven mad by them. Luoyan and Yunzhi are busy with official duties, so I'm afraid we won't see them until later."

Yuan Yueze nodded and looked at Yin Xianhe, asking, "When did you arrive in Luoyang, brother-in-law?" Yin

Xianhe was somewhat embarrassed. After Xiao He'er's introduction, he already knew that the young beauty sitting not far away, like a jade statue, looking at Shan Wanjing with a kind smile, was none other than the infamous "Empress Yin," who had been renowned throughout the world for over forty years and was also Shan Wanjing's maternal grandmother. Although surprised that his extraordinary brother-in-law and his wife were already of the same age as heaven, he also admired his ability and courage to manage three generations simultaneously. Yet, subjectively, he still found it utterly absurd: according to seniority, wouldn't Zhu Yuyan have to call him "elder brother"? Of course, he would never dare accept such an awkward title.

Hearing Yuan Yueze's words, he came back to his senses and said, "I only arrived half a month ago. The people under Lord Shen's command found me. At the time, I didn't believe that Xiao Ji was still alive. I just came to try my luck. I didn't expect that my little sister was really alive."

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized that Su Su was not there. Song Yuhua, understanding, immediately said, "Miss Zhai encountered some trouble, and Sister Su Su went to help her. She has been gone for almost a month."

Xiao Bei frowned and said, "Could you tell me more details?"

Song Yuhua nodded and said, "More than a month ago, a terrible monster appeared in the Northern Frontier, abducting pregnant women everywhere. Later, someone found a female corpse in the wild that had been disemboweled and had her placenta removed."

Everyone in the room was indignant.

A cold glint flashed in Yuan Yueze's eyes as he angrily demanded, "Who exactly is this cruel fiend?"

Yin Xianhe interjected, "I'm afraid the only one who has seen this person and survived is me. He was dressed in black and his face was covered. The only certainty is that he is a man."

He paused, then continued, "This case caused a sensation in the Northern Frontier. Those of high status and large families in various sects were all victims. Countless people were hired at great expense, but none of them returned alive. That fiend continues to lawlessly steal placentas everywhere. The people of the Northern Frontier are terrified, calling him 'Ghost Demon.'"

Yuan Yueze's mind raced. According to his habitual thinking, he initially believed that Xu Kaishan was responsible, because Xu Kaishan, under the guise of being the leader of the Northern Horse Gang, had committed many despicable acts in the Northern Frontier. But upon further reflection, he felt it was impossible, because even in the original story, Xu Kaishan's planning of the "Anle Tragedy" was a last resort; he couldn't possibly be so brazen as to steal placentas everywhere. The rise of the Northern Horse Gang is a recent phenomenon, occurring only within the last few years. Xu Kaishan, a name unknown to most just a few years ago, is now a household name. The Northern Horse Gang specializes in trading with various tribes beyond the Great Wall, then selling their warhorses south for exorbitant profits. Their trade with these tribes is generally based on barter, rarely involving gold. Xu Kaishan only began trading after amassing a large fortune; otherwise, he wouldn't have risen so quickly. However, robbing property is vastly different from murder and stealing placentas. The latter is a hundred times more cruel, and if discovered, not only will one be disgraced, but many others will be implicated. Placentas have several uses, the most likely being for practicing some kind of evil martial art. Chronologically, Liu Yu was still in Chang'an at that time, making it highly unlikely that Xu Kaishan was acting on Liu Yu's orders to commit such a life-shortening act. Furthermore, the Great Ming Zunjiao sect had been severely suppressed by Yuan Yueze, and news of the deaths of Sha Fang and her group should have reached Xu Kaishan's ears. How could he still act so recklessly?

Yin Xianhe suddenly rolled up his sleeve, revealing his forearm, on which lay a shockingly deep scar. He smiled bitterly, "I wanted to rid the people of this scourge, but I overestimated myself. After exchanging a dozen blows with that man, he crippled my arm with a single palm strike. I barely managed to escape. If it weren't for Madam Yuhua's divine power saving me, I'd probably be crippled."

To inflict such a deep scar with a palm strike, and to shatter bones, that "Ghostly Fiend" was no ordinary opponent.

Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. "I'm sure that man wasn't in perfect condition," she said.

Seeing the pouting little crane and the slightly flushed face of Yin Xianhe, Wanwan giggled, "Young Master Yin, please don't be offended. I'm not saying you're useless, but I was just wondering if this man might be using 'placenta' for training?"

Placenta is another name for the placenta.

Yin Xianhe was clearly no match for her directness. He meekly agreed, no longer daring to look at her dazzlingly beautiful face.

Zhu Yuyan, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "The ancient books of the Holy Gate do indeed record some strange martial arts techniques that require the 'Placeus Cart' as a catalyst, but most of those techniques are of inferior quality."

Wei Zhenzhen suddenly interjected: "Is this related to Miss Zhai and Susu?"

Yuan Yueze and the others then realized that the topic had gone astray.

Song Yuhua said: "There is some connection. Miss Zhai has been doing business in the Northern Frontier, and some of her married wives have been victims. But more importantly, she was ambushed at the border and suffered a leg injury, as well as the loss of many brothers. A batch of high-quality sheepskins was stolen, and the 'Overlord' Du Xing of the Northern Frontier offered them 5,000 taels of gold to redeem 80,000 sheepskins."

The martial arts world of the Northern Frontier has "three gangs and one faction." Du Xing is the leader of the largest Northern Overlord Gang, the other two gangs are the Outer Alliance Gang and the Desert Gang, and the faction is the Changbai Faction led by "Knowledgeable Gentleman" Wang Bo.

Yun Yuzhen was taken aback and said, "Miss Zhai's stronghold is in Leshou. How could her family members have been killed? Would Dou Jiande not have said anything? Since the sheepskin is in Du Xing's hands, it must have been stolen by him. Now he's even extorting a ransom. Does he not know about the relationship between Susu and Miss Zhai? Does he really think my husband will let him go?"

Leshou was the political center of Dou Jiande's Great Xia army, which is why Yun Yuzhen said this.

Song Yuhua said, "According to the news Su Su sent back, the 'ghost demon' was operating in the suburbs of Leshou. Dou Jiande also felt greatly humiliated and mobilized a large force, but found no clues. It seems that the 'ghost demon' was just passing through Leshou. After that case, Leshou returned to peace. Later, the 'ghost demon' appeared near Shanhaiguan. As for whether the goods were robbed by Du Xing, it is still difficult to say. On the surface, Du Xing and Miss Zhai's Yishenglong have always had a good relationship. Whenever there is a robbery, Du Xing acts as a middleman and mediator, taking a commission. However, this time, asking for 5,000 taels of gold is an outrageous demand. Miss Zhai was so angry that she couldn't sleep for two days. Su Su's last letter was four days ago. She has already set off for Shanhaiguan."

Yin Xianhe said disdainfully, "Du Xing is nothing but a fame-seeking person. The 'ghost demon' case is not yet closed, and he has the nerve to cause trouble again!"

Yuan Yueze nodded and fell into deep thought.

His relationship with Su Su, and Su Su's relationship with Zhai Jiao, were common knowledge. No matter how strong Du Xing was, he was merely a local bully. If he angered Yuan Yueze, Yuan could single-handedly wipe out his Northern Hegemon Gang. Therefore, Du Xing would never dare to rob Zhai Jiao's goods.

However, after further consideration, Yuan Yueze overturned his previous idea: in fact, Du Xing was the most suspicious, because both the Turks and Khitans were backing him. Moreover, he had extremely close ties with Huyan Jin of the Khitan. In the Shanhaiguan area, the Khitan forces were more concentrated and therefore stronger than the Turks. Especially since Tuli, with Yuan Yueze's help, had returned home safely, he was naturally engaged in internal strife with Jieli. The Khitans, taking advantage of their power, were rampant, and anyone wanting to do business beyond the Great Wall would likely have to act cautiously. Considering the Khitans and Turks, weren't they his mortal enemies? This incident was very likely aimed at Yuan Yueze. With the Khitans or Turks backing him, Du Xing's boldness naturally increased. Su Su has read a lot in recent years and broadened her horizons considerably. She probably guessed this reason too; otherwise, given her detached nature, why would she volunteer to go to Shanhaiguan? Du Xing acted as usual, a display of "the innocent are innocent," but unfortunately, he couldn't fool Yuan Yueze, a man knowledgeable in history. The most urgent task was to go to the Northeast to resolve the "Ghostly Fiend" case, pick up Su Su, retrieve Zhai Jiao's goods, and, incidentally, eliminate Xu Kaishan. After

exchanging knowing glances with Shan Meixian and the other women, Yuan Yueze asked Yin Xianhe, "Brother-in-law, have you met Xu Kaishan of the Northern Caravan?"

Xu Kaishan, the leader of the Northern Horse Gang, specializes in trading with various tribes beyond the Great Wall. He sells warhorses to the south for huge profits, and Gao Kaidao can't control him. King Xia also trades with him from time to time.

The reason why the Northern Horse Gang is not listed among the three gangs and factions is because their rise has only happened in the last few years. Three years ago, no one had ever heard of Xu Kaishan, but now he is a household name. Overlord Du Xing has even become sworn brothers with him. Yin Xianhe nodded and said, "I have met him once. I have heard about his background from Madam Yuhua. The largest horse merchant in the Northeast was actually a member of the Great Ming Zunjiao. However, he has been missing for nearly half a year. The Northern Horse Gang is now in disarray. It is said that Xiang Yuanhua, who is in charge of the accounts, is in charge of the overall situation." Yuan

Yueze froze, his mind a complete mess: Xu Kaishan couldn't possibly be the "Ghost Fiend," so where had he gone? What was he doing? The

sounds of Fu Junqiang and Shan Ruyin laughing and talking outside the door brought Yuan Yueze back to his senses. He realized there was no use in thinking about it further; he had to go himself.

After dinner, Yin Xianhe and his sister stayed at the City Lord's Mansion to catch up, and Shen Luoyan and Yunzhi also returned "off work."

What followed was, naturally, a fierce battle.

This battle lasted for over four hours; if it were an ordinary person, they would have been drained dry long ago. Although the four women, including Fu Junyu, who hadn't been intimate with him for over a year, possessed formidable "fighting power," they were still no match for Yuan Yueze. Counting the smooth, alluring bodies on the bed, and watching the women's adorable sleeping postures, each with its own unique style, Yuan Yueze chuckled to himself that enjoying the blessings of multiple wives required ability.

Having been with him more than ten times, a completely satisfied Shen Luoyan nestled weakly in Yuan Yueze's arms, saying, "Husband, don't worry about Luoyang. Even if the Li Tang dares to send troops, they have absolutely no chance of conquering this place." "

At dinner, she recounted the developments of the past month to everyone. Under Zhu Yuyan's intimidation, Lin Shihong surrendered voluntarily, revealing that his master, Bi Shouxuan, had personally approached him, instructing him to deal with Yuan Yueze. However, as a regional overlord, Lin Shihong was adept at assessing the situation, his vision far surpassing that of Bi Shouxuan. After weighing the options, he chose to submit to Yuan Yueze, thus rejecting Bi Shouxuan's suggestion. After that, Bi Shouxuan disappeared without a trace. Xiangyang had also long since fallen into Shen Luoyan's hands. Coupled with the newly acquired Jiangdu, and the support of the young marshal's army connected with Pengcheng and Liangdu, even if the Li Tang dynasty were to truly emerge from the pass, in a direct confrontation..." They wouldn't gain much advantage, not to mention that Shen Luoyan had been actively preparing provisions and expanding the army. As long as they stayed indoors and defended Luoyang to the death, they could at least hold it for two years.

More importantly, Shen Luoyan was now deeply popular, and various welfare policies were being implemented smoothly. Political reform was, of course, a long and arduous task, but welfare was a service to the people. As long as it made things convenient for the people, it could be implemented quickly and smoothly in any era. In this way, if the Li Tang dynasty were to launch a strong attack on Luoyang in the future, it would surely provoke public anger.

Yuan Yueze affectionately stroked her jade-like back and sighed, "Luoyan, following me hasn't been a waste of your talents. Is there anything more to be proud of?"

Shen Luoyan giggled, her charming appearance irresistible, which reignited Yuan Yueze's desire.

Shen Luoyan hurriedly pleaded, "I can't come anymore. My husband should go and keep Yu Yan and Wan'er company."

Yuan Yueze chuckled strangely, making Shen Luoyan feel uneasy.

Chapter

115 On the Construction Site

Yuan Yueze sauntered into Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan's boudoir.

He originally intended to take Shen Luoyan, who was still awake, with him, but Shen Luoyan both respected and feared Zhu Yuyan, her nominal elder sister, and refused no matter what. After some comforting, Yuan Yueze slipped out alone. After several hours of frolicking with the women, his lust was long gone, and he only wanted to hold the alluring bodies of Zhu Yuyan and her disciple and sleep soundly.

Neither the master nor the disciple was asleep yet. They were used to being disturbed by the "demonic sounds," and were lying side by side reading. They

were reading "The Legend of the Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty," which Yuan Yueze had brought. He slipped in through the door and saw the seal... The moment they met, Yuan Yueze felt a sense of absurdity: his wives, born in this era, were exposed to the advanced theories from books he brought from the future; though he himself was born in the future, he had never left Tianshan, only stepping into the mortal world after returning to ancient times. Strictly speaking, none of his family members were normal.

Like an eel, he slipped between the two women, indulging in a bit of brotherly pleasure, much to the annoyance of the master and disciple. Only then did Yuan Yueze stop, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Wanwan tossed aside her books, nuzzled her head against his arm a few times, finding a comfortable spot, and asked, "When does husband plan to set off for the Northern Frontier?"

Yuan Yueze sighed, "The sooner the better, of course. How long until your demonic seed reaches full maturity?" "

Zhu Yuyan is already a master of the Demon Seed Cultivation Technique. These past few days, she, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junzhuo have been taking turns using their internal energy to help Wanwan forcibly cultivate the Demon Seed. Although this method is somewhat opportunistic, fortunately, the three women's internal energy is pure and profound. Even if a large portion is lost along the way, it's enough for Wanwan to quickly cultivate the Demon Seed.

" Zhu Yuyan answered for her, "At most half a month, at least ten days." Yuan

Yueze nodded. He had never forgotten the matter of unifying the Demonic Sect. This was not only for Zhu Yuyan's ideals, but also for the sake of the great cause of unification. In fact, if you think about it carefully, taking advantage of the chaos in the world, the various factions of the Demonic Sect were secretly expanding their power in all aspects. Lin Shihong, Qian Duguan, Fu Gongshi and others had become warlords of various sizes, Wang Shichong had close ties with the Demonic Sect, Zhao Deyan was Jieli's trusted advisor, and others such as Bichen and Anlong controlled the economic lifeline. If all these people were to submit to the control of one person, the power and the disaster they would cause would be unpredictable. Although history had deviated due to Yuan Yueze's appearance, it was not too much. Therefore, after the unification of the Demonic Sect, it could not only get on the right path, but also promote the early arrival of a peaceful and prosperous world. Why not do something that is the best of both worlds? He casually said, "That's good too. I just suddenly thought that it would be better to wait for Susu to send back the next message before setting off. That Ghost Fiend wouldn't be so stupid as to keep lingering at Shanhaiguan, waiting for Susu to meet him."

Wanwan said, "I'm afraid my husband won't be able to leave in time. Sister Luoyan said she'll give you a surprise tomorrow." Yuan

Yueze looked strange, wondering what kind of surprise it could be. Zhu Yuyan, who was standing to the side, suddenly sighed, "If it weren't for Yan Shuai's vicious intentions, he would truly be an outstanding talent in our Holy Sect." "

Their intentions were the same. What might seem ambiguous to others, Yuan Yueze understood perfectly. She was referring to how, before casting the 'Imprisonment Spell' on Consort Lian, she had spent several days secretly rescuing Zhao Deyan and sending him hundreds of miles away. Zhao Deyan was deeply grateful and revealed his last piece of information to her: since being deposed and returning to the Turkic Khaganate, Jieli had cleverly created a pretext to force him to write down the architectural layout, advantages, and disadvantages of major cities in the Central Plains. It should be noted that Zhao Deyan was a master of siege warfare; Jieli's actions were not only a sign of his continued interest in the Central Plains but also an attempt to extract the last remaining value from him. The fact that Zhao Deyan only revealed this information at the last minute shows how wicked he was. He hated Zhu Yuyan for deposing him, and he hated Jieli even more for kicking him aside. In his eyes, how could the Central Plains army compare to the fierce and valiant Golden Wolf Army? Therefore, he revealed this information to warn Zhu Yuyan and the others to prepare in advance. Of course, the best outcome would be mutual destruction; in that case, he would probably laugh in his dreams.

" Yuan Yueze With a sneer, completely disdainful of Zhao Deyan's despicable actions, he suddenly remembered Song Yuhua's secret being exposed. Song Yuhua had already explained that afternoon that Shi Feixuan had come to their door after Yuan Yueze left Luoyang, coincidentally meeting Song Yuhua. It was no surprise that Yuan Yueze and the others knew that Shi Feixuan had used this information to persuade Bashu to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. With his daughter-in-law abducted, if Xie Hui didn't change his mind, would he still be a man? Song Yuhua had been living in constant fear, but Yuan Yueze, upon hearing this, chuckled. What was the use of thinking so much now that it had already happened? Although he outwardly comforted Song Yuhua, he inwardly hated Shi Feixuan's unscrupulous methods. Politics certainly didn't discriminate, but this matter concerned Song Yuhua's reputation, and Shi Feixuan's actions truly deserved the title of "political prostitute."

This thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and he said, "I keep thinking about who that 'ghost demon' is, but unfortunately, my head is always foggy, and the more I think about it, the more it hurts." "

Wanwan said dejectedly, "When I first heard it, the first thing that flashed through my mind was the mysterious magic of shamanism, but then I heard Young Master Yin say that 'Ghost Fiend' is a man."

Yuan Yueze secretly thought that she might be the only person in the world who knew the whereabouts of Bei'er's nephew. Not only was he unable to capture him alive, but he also didn't know her fate.

Zhu Yuyan pondered, "Wan'er's theory isn't impossible. At most, she could disguise herself as a man. There are very few people capable of running rampant in the Northern Frontier. I also think it's possible it's that Empress Fa. Her evil deeds, even from the perspective of the Holy Sect, are outrageous."

Yuan Yueze and Wanwan nodded in agreement. Yuan Yueze said, "Now that I've decided to go to the Northern Frontier, that 'Ghost Fiend' is doomed."

Zhu Yuyan glanced at the book beside Wanwan and chuckled, "The sheepskin incident is very likely a trap to deal with us. Husband, you need to establish your authority properly."

Due to the butterfly effect, they certainly couldn't rely on books to determine the cause of the matter. The sheepskin affair could involve various tribes of the grasslands. After analyzing the matter with the thoughtful women and drawing on their book knowledge, the family concluded that even if Du Xing was involved in the conspiracy, he was merely an insignificant pawn. The prime suspect was Jieli. Their initial goal was likely to capture Zhai Jiao alive, as that would pose a greater threat to Su Su. Yuan Yueze, who loves his wife dearly, would certainly not ignore this matter and would intervene, but would be forced into a passive position and manipulated by the lives of Zhai Jiao and the others. The news of Yuan Yueze's victory over the Four Holy Monks and his sword-crushing of Bi Xuan had already spread throughout the land, yet Jieli still dared to provoke him, demonstrating their thorough preparation.

Yuan Yueze kissed her delicate, pink cheek and said smugly, "Not only will I establish my authority, but I'll also make them regret it. Heh, it's not only Li Shimin who can bring all the barbarians to pay homage. I'll start with Bai Ziting!"

At dinner, Yuan Yueze had already heard the latest news from Shen Luoyan: Bai Ziting, the most powerful leader of the Sumo Mohe tribe, known as the "Dragon King," would hold a grand ceremony to establish his kingdom in early April in Longquan Prefecture, known as "Little Chang'an." The kingdom would be named "Bohai." Longquan Prefecture is located in the middle reaches of the Mudanjiang River, surrounded by the foothills of Changbai Mountain, and bordering Jingpo Lake to the south. The Mohe tribe was originally a nomadic people between the Khitan and Goryeo kingdoms. Since Bai Ziting rose to power, their influence has grown significantly, extending east to Bohai, south to Goryeo, and southwest to the Khitan Turks. Bai Ziting admired the culture of the Central Plains from a young age, so Longquan Prefecture was built entirely in the style of Chang'an. Its political system, writing, and even clothing customs were all modeled after ours, hence Longquan Prefecture was known as "Little Chang'an."

At that time, it was estimated that both those who supported and opposed his establishment of the state would attend the meeting. Yuan Yueze only needed to quickly resolve the "ghostly demon" matter and meet with Susu. He wouldn't need to travel around anymore; he could simply go to the capital, Longquan. The arrogant and reckless would naturally come to him. Moreover, Yuan Yueze might even be able to reap the benefits and set a good precedent for the submission of the four barbarian tribes. This was because Longquan Prefecture was built on a plain, with abundant and clear water, all of which was hot spring water. The Xiangshui rice produced there was soft, palatable, and crystal white. Renowned beyond the Great Wall, Bai Ziting had always been a coveted prize for the Khitans. Fortunately, Goryeo hoped to use him as a buffer between itself and the Khitans and Turks, thus strongly supporting him. However, if Tuli hadn't broken with Jieli, greatly reducing the pressure on Bai Ziting, he wouldn't have dared to hastily establish a state. The strongest opposition came from the Eastern Turks and the Khitans, so Bai Ziting's establishment of a state was certainly not smooth sailing, and the outcome was unpredictable.

Wanwan yawned and lazily said, "This kind of profitable business is hard to find even with a lantern."

After saying that, she closed her beautiful eyes, curled up beside Yuan Yueze like a kitten, and fell asleep.

Zhu Yuyan said, "I originally thought I could leave later because my act with Song Shidao had to be finished, but since you're also waiting for news from Susu, that's for the best."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, her pretty face flushing red. Yuan Yueze then remembered her duel with "

Yue Shan," and the meaning of her second half of the sentence was self-evident: after Yuan Yueze helped Wanwan master the Demon Seed Technique, his power would completely vanish. If they were separated and unable to use their unique "dual cultivation technique" to quickly restore Yuan Yueze's power, she would naturally worry.

In reality, her worries were unnecessary; Yuan Yueze's recovery speed was always astonishing. In about three months, he could fully recover more than 70% of his combat strength, which was more than enough. Although he thought this, he still said, "Then let's go to the grasslands together after you and Second Brother finish your act."

Pulling the covers over themselves, the three of them huddled together in sleep. Yuan

Yueze had a terrible nightmare. In his dream, he wielded an evil sword and single-handedly slaughtered tens of thousands of ferocious Golden Wolf soldiers at the gates of Longquan, the capital city. He fought until all his inner energy was exhausted, yet the enemies continued to surge forward like a tide. Yuan Yueze felt a wave of weakness wash over him and abruptly opened his eyes. It

was already broad daylight, and Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan were no longer beside him. Yuan Yueze shook his head with a bitter smile, trying to clear his head. He wasn't one to be easily swayed, but the vivid dream made it difficult for him to accept the fact that his hands were stained with the blood of tens of thousands of people. This dream had a strong prophetic quality, because his trip to the grasslands might very well lead him to encounter... Compared to Ran Min, the national hero known as the "God of Slaughter" in history, this dream was child's play. Yuan Yueze's actions weren't for any grand ambition; they were for his ideals and the responsibilities he bore as a Han Chinese. Therefore, even if the future was a hundred times more terrifying than his dream, he would remain calm. Although

Yuan Yueze was ruthless, he wasn't born heartless. However, for the sake of his unwavering beliefs, he had to abandon everything and strive towards his set goals. Conquering the world was a contest of who was stronger and more ruthless. If the nomadic tribes from beyond the Great Wall were to invade the Central Plains, it would inevitably be a scene of murder, arson, rape, and plunder. Their hatred for the Han Chinese was hundreds of millions. The changes that had taken place over the years were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people in the Central Plains. Everything before him might become yesterday's news in the blink of an eye. He could only persevere for his ideals until he defeated all his rivals, only then could his ideals become reality.

Nations must undergo the baptism of blood and fire; only after conquest and being conquered can they coexist peacefully.

This principle he had always upheld flashed through his mind, and with the steadfastness of his Daoist heart, he instantly returned to normal.

After a quick wash, he realized the small house was empty. The women were either busy with their own affairs or out experiencing the local customs and culture of Luoyang.

Yuan Yueze also planned to go out to check on the progress of the expansion project. Just as he stepped out the door, he noticed his father-in-law, Dugu Feng, hurrying along... He arrived just in time.

People are always in high spirits when they're happy. After not seeing him for over a month, he looked even more energetic, his eyes sparkling, and he greeted us with a hearty laugh from afar.

This was understandable; the Dugu clan was far more powerful now than when they were relatives of the emperor, serving Yang Guang. Since establishing a father-in-law/son-in-law relationship with Yuan Yueze, the Dugu clan had risen rapidly, enjoying great success and a soaring reputation. After

exchanging a few polite greetings, the two headed towards the southeast of the city. To avoid future attacks from the Li Tang army, the city's expansion was planned for the safest southeast, where it was unlikely to be affected by war—unless, of course, the city was abandoned.

As they walked and talked, Dugu Feng sighed, "It's a pity I didn't have the chance to meet the Grand Preceptor Yun." "

Thinking that neither this father-in-law nor the Western Turkic Grand Turk would have immediately agreed to marry their daughter to me if I hadn't displayed overwhelming strength," Yuan Yueze laughed, "After I mentioned that Liu Yu might not be dead yet, the Grand Turk couldn't contain himself and took the initiative to go out and search for him. Firstly, to avenge a personal grudge, and secondly, to see Tong Yabghu again. There will always be opportunities to meet in the future."

Dugu Feng nodded, pointing ahead, "New households move into Luoyang every day. Due to the slow pace of housing construction, many people are temporarily living in the wild. Fortunately, Pengliang and other places under the Young Marshal's command are also fertile lands, which has reduced a lot of pressure on Luoyang."

He paused, then continued, “My son-in-law has defeated many formidable opponents, his reputation soaring. No one dares to attack Luoyang anymore. Luo Yan is also reliable in his work. While expanding Luoyang, he has reduced taxes, stimulated industry, agriculture, and commerce, and with the full support of the Northern Trade Association, Xiangyang has also become increasingly prosperous. The young marshal's army has also benefited greatly, laying a solid foundation for future unification.” Looking

around, one could see wooden frames rising in the southwest of the city, with many people busily engaged in their tasks: transporting soil, making bricks, building walls, and framing frames—all working with great enthusiasm.

Yuan Yueze's eyes shone with longing. Once the Central Plains were unified and the strongest Turkic Khaganate beyond the Great Wall was destroyed, he would immediately retire. The worldly struggles for fame and fortune would have nothing to do with him anymore; those who live for meaningless fame and power are forever slaves. He sought a free, unrestrained life, a life of carefree joy where the world was vast and he could roam freely.

Dugu Feng then whispered, "What are your thoughts on Dou Jiande's visit, Xiaoze?"

Shen Luoyan had already discussed this with Yuan Yueze last night. Dou Jiande had come to speak with her in detail after the Spring Festival; it was obvious that the surrender of Bashu to the Tang Dynasty had caught his attention. However, the two sides did not get along. Dou Jiande advocated cooperation between the Great Xia, Luoyang, and the Young Marshal, to divide the spoils after defeating the Tang Dynasty and entering the pass. This demand was clearly unacceptable to Shen Luoyan, so she refused on the spot. Dou Jiande also looked down on Shen Luoyan, a mere woman, so the negotiations ended unhappily.

Yuan Yueze didn't answer him, but instead asked, "What does my father-in-law think of Dou Jiande?"

As they spoke, the two arrived at the construction site. Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, everyone immediately stopped their work, cheering and shouting. The atmosphere was electric, boiling with reverence and enthusiasm for this peerless master who was both wicked and righteous.

Yuan Yueze returned the greetings to those who had greeted him, then without a word, rolled up his sleeves and joined in.

Dugu Feng was taken aback, but also joined him in digging.

A chorus of praise erupted around them, and they worked even harder.

Yuan Yueze's charm lay in his sincerity. Like this action before them, there was no affectation whatsoever; it didn't seem like he was trying to win over the people. In reality, he didn't have many complicated thoughts; he simply wanted to help.

After digging a shovelful of soil, Dugu Feng said disdainfully, "This man is cunning yet approachable, much like Xiao Xian; magnanimous and good at recognizing and utilizing talent, like Li Shimin; and a hero of unparalleled stature, indifferent to success or failure, like Shi Fuwei. If he were to venture into the martial world, he would undoubtedly be a chivalrous hero, admired by all. But his negotiations this time are utterly delusional. If the Tang dynasty fails to break through the pass, it will be the best opportunity for the unification of the Central Plains. Yet he dares to attempt to divide the land and rule it separately—his vision is short-sighted."

Dugu Feng's insight was astute; his few words hit the nail on the head, and his assessment was unbiased.

Those around knew the two were discussing important matters and voluntarily moved away. Even the laborers hauling soil waited until the two had filled their carts before coming to haul them away.

He paused, then continued, "But this is understandable. North of the Yellow River, Dou Jiande is now firmly in charge. He has successively defeated Meng Haigong of Caozhou and Li Wenxiang, who controlled Mengjin. Xu Yuanlang of Chengren has also surrendered to him. Furthermore, he has the assistance of advisors like Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, and Liu Bin in establishing an official government and court system. He commands a well-trained army of over 300,000 men, and certainly has the strength and qualifications to confront the Tang Dynasty head-on or even divide the territory. Those who aspire to be emperor are those who believe in 'those who submit will prosper, those who oppose will perish.' Even if he wasn't originally that kind of person, once he tasted the power of absolute authority, it's hard for him to go back."

His tone was consistently disdainful. Yuan Yueze frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "Father-in-law, do you have any updates on Liyang?"

Shen Luoyan trusted those she employed and didn't employ those she didn't trust. Dugu Feng, as the Generalissimo of the Eastern Expedition, was responsible for guarding Hulao Pass and could also monitor every move in Liyang. Dugu Feng gave him an approving look. This statement was no simple matter. Liyang had always been a strategically important location, with thick walls and deep moats surrounding the city, drawing water from the Yongji Canal. It was virtually impregnable, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although they only had about 40,000 troops, a direct assault would require at least 200,000. Therefore, weighing the pros and cons, Shen Luoyan and the young commander ignored the city and focused entirely on preparations for war. However, Liyang connected the Jianghuai region to the south, Xiangluo to the west, and Youyan to the north, serving as a fortress blocking the western defenses of the Great Xia army. If this strategic location were breached, not only would it cut off one of Li Tang's arms extending beyond the Great Wall, striking a blow to their growing momentum, but it would also greatly enhance the prestige of the Great Xia. Furthermore, whether the Great Xia army wanted to advance into Guanzhong or attack Luoyang, there would be no further obstacles.

Dugu Feng said, "In the twelfth lunar month, Li Yuan sent Li Shentong with over ten thousand troops to Liyang to join forces with Li Shiji, bolstering Liyang's defenses against our three forces."

Yuan Yueze recalled Li Shentong, who had disguised himself as a Turkic expert and ambushed him in Luoyang. He realized why he hadn't seen Li Shentong in Chang'an; he had been sent out long ago.

Dugu Feng continued, "If our three forces truly wanted to take Liyang, even tens of thousands more Tang troops wouldn't make much difference. However, Li Shiji is no simple man. He is well-versed in military strategy and understands the mutual suspicion between the Xia army and us. He also understands that the Young Marshal's army has always expanded southward, so he has abandoned us and adopted a strategy of attacking from the north and defending from the south. This allows him to take the initiative strategically without leaving Liyang vulnerable."

Liyang is located northeast of Luoyang and Pengliang, and southwest of Leshou. Therefore, the southern defense refers to dealing with Shen Luoyan and the Young Marshal's army, while the northern attack targets Dou Jiande. After a brief discussion with Shen Luoyan, Kou Zhong, while preparing military supplies, marched south to join forces with Lin Shihong, who had just surrendered, to attack the Shen family father and son, as well as Fu Gongshi, who had retreated to Yuhang and were stubbornly defending Danyang, refusing to surrender. This was because the front line—Luoyang, Xiangyang, and Jiujiang—spanning the Yangtze River and connecting the two major waterways of north and south, was in front of them. He could then focus on unifying all the territories beyond this front and strive to be ready for the final decisive battle. This single brilliant strategy already demonstrated a glimpse of his innate military command talent.

Dugu Feng's voice rang out again, saying, "Seven days after Xiao Ze left Luoyang, Li Shentong first led his army to capture Zhao Prefecture, north of Liyang, which belonged to Dou Jiande. Dou Jiande was furious and personally led 50,000 elite troops south to recapture Zhao Prefecture. Li Shentong suffered heavy losses and retreated hastily to Liyang, rendering Li Shiji's strategy of attacking from the north and defending from the south futile. Now Dou Jiande is launching a fierce attack on Liyang. Once this isolated city falls, Dou Jiande can expect to clear the way into Guanzhong in a short time."

Yuan Yueze sighed, "That would be like forcing Li Shimin to leave Guanzhong early, or forcing us to launch an attack on Tongguan first. No matter which scenario comes true, it would be entirely beneficial to Dou Jiande."

Dugu Feng said, "You don't need to worry at all. The more Dou Jiande, or Li Tang, or even other forces look down on us, the better. If they knew that after Master Lu's secret research, we had already established..." Building a highly mobile and powerful navy would be incredibly difficult. The Li Tang dynasty wouldn't easily leave the pass, and during this time, our fleet will continue to grow. In just six months, our fleet will be able to dominate the Yellow and Yangtze River basins, easily overpowering the Li clan's massive fleet. Moreover, Li Shiji isn't so easy to conquer, and Liyang's defenses are formidable; Dou Jiande will find it extremely difficult to capture it. These messages were relayed by Ce'er, whom I sent to temporarily garrison Hulao

Pass. Mentioning his brother-in-law, who had always disliked him, Yuan Yueze recalled Shen Luoyan's report last night and asked in astonishment, "Luoyan said that my father-in-law dismissed my brother-in-law after the Spring Festival, leaving him idle at home. What's the reason for that?"

A hint of unease flashed in Dugu Feng's eyes. Just then, the construction site was preparing for dinner, and someone warmly invited the two to join. Yuan Yueze was happy to share the joy with the people and joined Dugu Feng at the construction site dinner. Drinking from large bowls, chewing meat heartily, and occasionally letting out a shout—a scene unlike any other at a regular meal, yet one that Yuan Yueze found unforgettable.

After the meal, the two bid farewell to the workers, and Dugu Feng led Yuan Yueze towards his residence, saying that You Chuhong wanted to see him.

Upon entering the Dugu residence, all the guards and servants secretly glanced at Yuan Yueze with genuine admiration, demonstrating that although he held no real power, he had effectively become a spiritual symbol of Luoyang through his personal influence.

Dugu Feng sighed, "Feng'er returned last night and stayed overnight, telling Mother and me everything that happened in Chang'an. Xiao Ze did a great job. You are now the spiritual pillar of the Luoyang army. You can no longer act solely based on your own likes and dislikes; you must consider the greater good."

Yuan Yueze knew he was being warned not to go too far in his actions northward and immediately nodded in agreement.

Dugu Feng laughed loudly, "Although Xiao Ze acts lawlessly, he can listen to reason with anyone, which is truly rare. With such a son-in-law, what more could I ask for?"

As he finished speaking, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes again.

Intuition told Yuan Yueze that he had just mentally compared his son and son-in-law, and the result was naturally reflected on his face.

Dugu Feng, having heard the servant's report, came out to greet them, clinging to their arms, and the three entered the reception room.

After being aided by Yuan Yueze's miraculous healing power, You Chuhong not only recovered from her chronic illness and her skills improved again, but her appearance also returned to that of someone under forty years old, noble and elegant. No wonder Wang Bo was so infatuated with her back then. At this moment, she sat upright, while Dugu Ce, dressed in magnificent robes, stood bowing below her. As he entered the room, the aura unique to peerless masters assaulted Yuan Yueze's spiritual sense. After bowing, he said, "Granny's skills have greatly improved compared to before. Congratulations! The world has gained another peerless grandmaster."

You Chuhong smiled and invited them to take their seats.

------

Chapter 116 The Way to Handle Things

After drinking the fragrant tea, You Chuhong looked lovingly at Dugu Feng, who was clinging to Yuan Yueze, and sighed, "Xiao Ze has made great strides in Chang'an, first defeating the four great monks of Buddhism, then crippling the Martial Venerable, winning unparalleled honor for the Luoyang army. You can go on your trip to the border with peace of mind, don't worry about here."

Dugu Feng said sweetly, "When Li Tang goes out to fight, Granny will also be on the frontier, so Brother, you really don't need to worry."

Yuan Yueze nodded with a smile. Dugu

Feng suddenly shouted, "You unfilial son, come over here and apologize to your brother-in-law!"

Dugu Ce trembled, knelt down in front of Yuan Yueze, and said without daring to breathe, "I know I was wrong, please punish me as you see fit, brother-in-law."

Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng stared at each other, then looked at Dugu Feng and You Chuhong.

You Chuhong sighed and turned her head away.

Dugu Feng said with a heavy heart, "This wicked son colluded with Li Yuanji to harm my son-in-law. If I hadn't noticed his strange behavior during the Spring Festival, who knows how long he would have continued down this path, and my Dugu family might have been ruined by him."

Dugu Ce knelt there, not saying a word, trembling incessantly.

Seeing the puzzled looks on Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng's faces, Dugu Feng sighed and continued, "Feng'er, don't blame me for not telling you about this last night." He

then pointed at Dugu Ce and said, "He confessed everything to me. Ever since Xiaoze and Feng'er's relationship was established, the Xiang family secretly sent people to seduce him with women. He was weak-willed and jealous of Xiaoze, so he willingly provided the Xiang family with information about everything happening in Luoyang. It was he who leaked the information about Yuhua to Li Yuanji."

Yuan Yueze's gaze turned cold. He recalled that last year in Chengdu, Li Yuanji had revealed Song Yuhua's whereabouts to Xie Hui. At the time, he thought it was just a coincidence, that Li Yuanji was deliberately framing him. Little did he know that the truth was not so. Based on the relationship between the Xiang family, which had not yet collapsed, and Yang Xuyan, and the fact that Yang Xuyan colluded with Li Yuanji, it was deduced that the Xiang family... Now that the regime has collapsed, the remaining forces will naturally choose a master to serve. Li Yuanji is the best candidate. Dugu Feng should have foreseen all of this long ago. Li Yuanji probably didn't have solid evidence at the time, so he couldn't persuade Jie Hui. Then…

his mind raced. Thinking of how Jie Hui later decided to support Li Tang because of Song Yuhua, he immediately asked, "Could it be that the biggest contributor to Bashu's decision to support Li Tang was Li Yuanji?"

Dugu Feng, being so shrewd, immediately grasped the implication of his question and said, "Jie Hui did indeed use his daughter-in-law's affair as an excuse to incite the major forces in Bashu to surrender to Li Tang. This bastard confessed to me that he had sent a maid to deliberately approach Yuhua before the New Year to steal her calligraphy practice notes and then give them to the remnants of the Xiang family. I think your statement is the most likely."

Yuan Yueze wondered if he had wronged Shi Feixuan.

Dugu Feng continued, “After I discovered it, this wicked son didn’t hide anything and told me everything. My mother and I made him pretend to continue cooperating with the remnants of the Xiang family. Four days ago, that person gave him a jar of wine, instructing him to find an opportunity to make you drink it after Xiaoze returned to Luoyang. After some wits, this wicked son found out from that person that Xiaoze had been poisoned by an incurable toxin. It doesn’t usually take effect, but only when it encounters a non-toxic herb will it trigger the poison.”

He paused here, then shouted sternly at Dugu Ce, “Hmph! If I had told you earlier that Xiaoze’s body was immune to all poisons, would you still dare to act recklessly! Guards, drag him away and behead him!”

Two burly guards immediately rushed in from outside. Their footsteps were steady and powerful, nothing short of a death warrant for Dugu Ce. He was so frightened that he could no longer kneel down, his body limp as he cried and begged, “Father, I know I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again.”

Dugu Feng turned his head away, ignoring him. Dugu Feng paled, her eyes pleading as she looked at Yuan Yueze, who was coldly staring at Dugu Ce.

You Chuhong coughed heavily, causing the two guards to stop abruptly, their ears ringing. She sighed, "If he hadn't tipped us off, Bashu wouldn't have decided to support Li Tang so quickly. This wicked son is heinous and must not be let off lightly."

With that, she stepped forward from her seat and knelt before Yuan Yueze, saying, "But the Dugu family only has this one lineage. I have no face to ask you for forgiveness, only to spare his life. I will bear the rest of the blame. I am old and cannot bear to see the Dugu family line die out. You are not a soft-hearted person; just give me a quick death."

The three people seated were greatly shocked. Immediately, she rushed over to help him up. Dugu Feng said painfully, "Mother, why are you doing this? Your illness has passed, and you can live for at least several decades more. There's no need to plead for this wicked son who has disgraced the Dugu family."

Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly to himself: he was indeed not a soft-hearted person, and Dugu Ce also deserved to die. But facing the pale-faced Dugu Feng, whose eyes were filled with tears as she pleaded with him, and the elder before him who was willing to exchange his life for Dugu Ce's, he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless, nor did he know how to deal with Dugu Ce.

If it weren't for their kinship, Yuan Yueze could have killed Dugu Ce without hesitation, but at this moment, he couldn't bring himself to do it. For the first time, he felt the burden of worldly affairs. He had always avoided getting too close to Li Xiuning, precisely to avoid future difficulties, but he was already entangled in this turbid world, and various emotional ties were invisibly restricting his actions. Since entering the world, no moment had made him more hesitant than this.

Dugu Feng was a shrewd and ambitious man. To protect his family, he had to be ruthless towards his son; otherwise, he would be unable to explain himself. In fact, he could have easily concealed the matter, thus getting away with it unnoticed. Even if Li Tang had indeed used such a vicious method to harm Yuan Yueze, he would never have succeeded, because no poison could affect Yuan Yueze's body. He confessed, ultimately because he liked Yuan Yueze as his son-in-law.

Yuan Yueze waved for the two guards to leave, then gently wiped away Dugu Feng's tears, sighing helplessly, "To be honest, I did want to kill my brother-in-law, but the deed is done, and killing him wouldn't change anything. It's rare for my father-in-law to be so frank, so let's just let it go!"

Everyone could hear the despondency in his words. He wasn't disappointed in Dugu Ce, because Dugu Ce wasn't worthy; he was disappointed in himself, because he hadn't been able to uphold his principles from beginning to end.

Any thought or belief that becomes too entrenched can lead to madness. Yuan Yueze's principles were so strong that others couldn't understand them; in a sense, wasn't this a kind of madness?

Who among those who live in the world can truly escape the entanglements of "emotion"? This "emotion" is certainly not simply the tender affection between lovers, but encompasses kinship, friendship, and love. For a true man, upholding principles is important, but the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries is equally crucial. The proverb "the law is no different from human sentiment" refers, to some extent, to the helplessness of those caught in complex networks of relationships.

Yuan Yueze understood everything, his spirits lifted, and invited the others to sit. Dugu Ce

, having survived, wept uncontrollably, still kneeling on the ground.

You Chuhong returned to her seat, a flash of green light in her hand, and attacked Dugu Ce.

A crisp cracking sound rang out; Dugu Ce's left arm was shattered and severed, only a trickle of blood remaining at the wound.

Yu Chuhong, with perfect timing, said, "Just cripple his arm as punishment! From now on, you will spend the rest of your life atoning for your mistakes, understand?"

The last half of her sentence was stern and directed at Dugu Ce.

Dugu Ce was quite formidable; his face turned pale, devoid of color, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he gritted his teeth, not uttering a sound, as he nodded and swore an oath.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Why is Granny like Ma Rongcheng, always playing the 'severed arm' game?" Dugu Feng was still worried about her brother, so she immediately called over a servant to help Dugu Ce out to rest. Dugu Feng said hatefully, "This wretched son is weak-willed and hateful, but the Li Tang people are equally hateful. They used such despicable methods to harm Xiao Ze. If I don't teach them a lesson on the battlefield, I won't be able to quell my hatred."

You Chuhong said, "Feng'er, you're agitated. Calm down first."

Then she turned to Yuan Yueze and asked, "How did Xiao Ze get poisoned? Could it be that he wasn't careful with his food?"

From Dugu Feng's words, Yuan Yueze realized that the Li Tang used a sophisticated method of mixing poison. This advanced technique should come from Yin Zuwen of the Demonic Sect, who was skilled in using poison, or the Great Ming Zun Sect. Both of them hated him to the bone. Unfortunately, this last resort was useless. So he smiled and said, "It should be as you guessed, Granny. I will definitely repay this 'favor' properly."

His tone was as gentle as ever, but everyone present had a strange feeling of unease, and they were even more glad that they were his friends and not his enemies.

After discussing the latest situation and military matters with a few others, Yuan Yueze led Dugu Feng out of the Dugu residence, intending to visit the City Lord's Mansion.

On the way, Dugu Feng whispered, "Brother, can you keep today's events a secret? If Sister Luoyan and the others find out, I'm afraid..."

Yuan Yueze tapped her exquisitely beautiful nose and smiled, "Father-in-law is so honest with me, what else can I say? Today's events are only known to us few. We'll tell Luoyan and the others after the world is at peace."

Dugu Feng knew he never hid or deceived the woman he loved, so his words were rare, and she nodded hastily.

After greeting the guards, the two entered the City Lord's Mansion, where they happened to encounter Luo Qifei and another person walking towards them, chatting and laughing.

The man was handsome and well-dressed, but despite being in his thirties, his eyes were lined with crow's feet. He smiled before speaking, his lips curved in a spring-like smile, catching Yuan Yueze's attention. Upon meeting Yuan Yueze's piercing gaze, he immediately lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Luo Qifei, who had been treated kindly by Yuan Yueze before, approached him with a hearty laugh, shook his hand, and introduced the accompanying man as Liu Zhicheng, a patrol officer from his jurisdiction.

Liu Zhicheng lowered his head, avoiding Yuan Yueze's sharp eyes, and bowed respectfully.

A sudden realization flashed through Yuan Yueze's mind, and he secretly gave a wink. Luo Qifei understood and signaled Liu Zhicheng to leave first.

Dugu Feng also slipped away to the backyard to see Shen Luoyan.

The two sat down in a simple pavilion. Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Luo Qifei smiled and said, "Brother Yuan, have you noticed something amiss with Zhicheng?" He

then lowered his voice and said, "The city lord instructed me to keep an eye on him. Later, after my secret investigation, I learned that the boy couldn't resist the allure of a courtesan and became infatuated with her. This woman is extravagant and loves to gamble, causing him to accumulate huge debts. One of Xiang Yushan's men took advantage of this and bribed him with a large sum of money. He even argued that our army was doomed and that if he served Xiang Yushan, he would be rich and powerful in the future, thus becoming an accomplice of the villain. All the intelligence that Miss Jiao and I collected was filtered and compiled by him and reported to me, which I then informed the strategist. Alas! I never imagined that from the Pengliang Gang until now, he has always been my most trusted confidant."

Recalling the glance he had exchanged with Liu Zhicheng earlier, Yuan Yueze's first impression of him was that he was weak-willed and unrestrained in his pursuit of women. He still had that self-proclaimed charming, wicked scholar look, unable to resist the temptations of women. Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "The Xiang family has collapsed, needless to say, their subordinates should have all submitted to the Li Tang Crown Prince's faction. It seems I was overthinking things. What do I have to worry about with Luo Yan's actions?"

Luo Qifei said solemnly, "City Lord Shen is truly a heroine among women. Brother Yuan, rest assured, Miss Jiao and I are both discreet in our actions. We've already used that traitor to reveal some falsehoods, so we're not afraid that the Li Tang won't fall for it. Oh, by the way, the City Lord just told Sister Ren that Brother Yuan would be coming today, so I won't disturb you any longer!"

After saying that, he left with a teasing smile.

When Yuan Yueze stepped into the backyard, a bird call attracted his attention. After walking a few steps, he found that besides Dugu Feng, Song Yuhua, Fu Junyu, Lian Rou, and Hua Lingzi were all there. The two women in the back each played with a small hawk, flapping its wings and pecking fiercely at the dried meat that the two women offered.

Yuan Yueze stepped forward and greeted them, saying, "These two birds are very interesting. Are they hunting falcons?"

Lian Rou reached out and gently stroked the falcon in her hand, her eyes filled with affection, and nodded. Song Yuhua chimed in, "These are top-quality spirit falcons that Luo Yan specially sent people to the borderlands to select. After months of searching, she finally found four. Later, Luo Yan sent people to Lingnan to invite falconers to help. In recent days, they have achieved considerable success."

Yuan Yueze secretly admired Shen Luo Yan's meticulousness. If such spirit birds could be tamed, the chances of victory in battle would undoubtedly increase greatly, because these birds would be like a high-altitude spy satellite, able to clearly grasp the enemy's movements. Looking at the two falcons' sharp and intelligent eyes, one could tell that these falcons were extraordinary.

Fu Junyu smiled and said, "These two ladies grew up on the grasslands, and their experience in falconry is far beyond that of people from the Central Plains. Luo Yan has already entrusted the task to them today."

Hua Lingzi pursed her lips and whistled, and the sound of flapping wings immediately filled the sky. Another hawk swooped down from the sky, creating a gust of wind, and landed on her fragrant shoulder in an instant. Its deep, sharp eyes scanned the people around it.

Yuan Yueze was very interested and said, "Weren't there four? Why is one missing?"

Song Yuhua said, "Don't worry, Sister Ren should be here soon."

Sure enough, a moment later, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

Yuan Yueze thought of Ren Meimei's charming appearance, and his heart warmed. He went to meet her.

Ren Meimei seemed to be used to pushing open the door and entered. She didn't expect Yuan Yueze to be waiting there and buried her face in his chest. The laughter of Song Yuhua and the other girls rang out not far away.

The woman, now even more alluring despite her slight loss of weight, felt deeply embarrassed. The familiar scent of Yuan Yueze filled her nostrils, making her weak and powerless. Unable to struggle, she could only lower her head and say, "Young Master... please let go."

Seeing that even her fair, slender neck was flushed red, Yuan Yueze's mischievous heart stirred. He nibbled at her ear and said, "I haven't seen you for over a month, elder sister. I've missed you terribly." Ren Meimei

's delicate body began to tremble, and she moaned, "I'm still holding onto something."

Only then did Yuan Yueze look behind her, and he was immediately stunned. It was a huge hunting eagle.

The eagle stood upright, over three feet tall, its wings bound with cloth strips, and its thick, powerful talons were chained. One end of the chain was in Ren Meimei

's trembling hand. The eagle's gray-black feathers shimmered in the sunlight, subtly gleaming with silver. Its deep, piercing eyes coldly stared at Yuan Yueze, majestic and proud, exuding a powerful aura.

The women all gathered around. Falcon was clearly no match for Yuan Yueze; he was no match for him, his eyes gleaming with inner strength, and he weakly looked away. This human-like gesture immediately earned Yuan Yueze's admiration. Ren Meimei, forgetting that Yuan Yueze was still holding her slender waist, said happily, "This is a spirit eagle that our men captured. It's fiery and untamed, and it injured several falconers. Luo Yan said that the young master would have a solution when he returned, and it's true."

Lian Rou said, "Female eagles are always stronger and fiercer than male eagles. This one should be a female. Look how shiny and lustrous its feathers are, and how hard its claws are like iron. Even the King of Eagles probably doesn't have such majesty."

Yuan Yueze asked, "What's its name?"

Ren Meimei said, "Sister Yuhua saw that it has white spots under its wings and called it Silver Feather, but Luo Yan said it wasn't imposing enough and called it Black King."

Yuan Yueze said, "Silver Feather sounds nice but is too delicate. Black King suits its imposing presence better."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and reached out to stroke its feathers, but the giant eagle suddenly lunged forward with its beak and pecked at him. Caught off guard, Yuan Yueze was pecked squarely. Retracting his finger, Yuan Yueze blew on it a few times and exclaimed, "How can this guy be so strong? It hurts!"

Song Yuhua laughed, "It's all because Yunzhi was bored. She tried to tame it while channeling her inner energy into its body. After several days, its meridians must be far superior to those of ordinary birds, and its temper has become increasingly volatile."

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "She's really going to do things recklessly. This eagle should be considered a fairly skilled one by now!"

Hua Lingzi chimed in, "We'll teach my husband the secrets of eagle taming. On our trip to the Northeast, it can also serve as a scout, and this majestic bird will also enhance my husband's might."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "But how can we teach it to obey me in such a short time?"

Hua Lingzi asked Ren Mei... Mei took the iron chain from Ren Mei's hand and said, "Taming an eagle is not easy. First, you have to make it understand what is good for it. But this method only works for young eagles like ours. This 'Black King' is at least five or six years old, and it's much harder to tame. The only way is through patience and love, to make it feel your affection, to be its friend, and thus gain its loyalty. Rou and I will teach you eagle-training techniques and the secrets of mastering eagle language as soon as possible. The rest depends on your husband's abilities."

The others nodded secretly. The eagle-training skills of the people from beyond the Great Wall were indeed not unfounded; they were truly unique.

Yuan Yueze happily grabbed Ren Mei's forearm and shouted, "My two virtuous wives, let's get started! Tonight, I'm going to visit Sister Ren's boudoir to catch up!"

Ren Mei's pretty face, still flushed, burned like fire again. She glared at her fiercely, broke free in a disheveled manner, and fled, her expression extremely charming. She, this alluring woman, had always been the one to seduce and entice others. Today, however, she was being flirted with by Yuan Yueze, this shameless man, right in front of her own wife. How could she bear it?

Everyone burst into laughter.

Song Yuhua remarked with emotion, "Only after getting to know her for a long time do I realize that Sister Ren is actually shrewd and capable, not a bad woman at all."

Yuan Yueze said, "Everyone has different experiences, which naturally influence their views and choices. As long as they haven't sold their souls, there's always hope."

Dugu Feng giggled, "Brother, you've done so much harm! Sister Yuhua just told people that not only Miss Jiao, but also Fifth Cousin, and even Sister Zhang are missing you. It's a pity they're all busy, otherwise they would have come to see you, Brother."

Yuan Yueze said with a strange expression, "How could Miss Zhang possibly miss me?" Song Yuhua nodded and said, "

I was chatting with her one day, and she asked about my husband's background. I didn't want to lie to her, so I told her everything! But she probably only has a slight interest in my husband; she probably doesn't love him yet."

Yuan Yueze had no time to deal with these trivial matters. He immediately began to ask Lian Rou and the other woman about eagle training. Looking at the pitiful state of "Black King," which was bound tightly, he couldn't bear it. It should be a spirit of nature, the sky was its territory, and freedom was its pursuit. If he couldn't reach a spiritual connection with it, he had already decided to let it go.

That night, Yuan Yueze sneaked into Ren Meimei's boudoir.

This mature and beautiful woman leaned against the headboard, gazing at Yuan Yueze with affection.

Beneath her thin clothes, her tall, voluptuous curves were faintly visible; her captivating, watery eyes, tinged with a hint of melancholy, shone brightly; her full breasts stood tall and seemed to tremble incessantly. Because of her low-cut top, her snow-white, full pectoral muscles and half of her high, heaving breast were exposed. Against the backdrop of her round, pert buttocks and long, slender, fair legs, she possessed a mysterious and alluring charm that was even more captivating than when she was naked. It made one yearn to press her snow-white, alluring body beneath them and to do as they pleased.

Yuan Yueze didn't waste any words, quickly walking to her and lifting her up in his arms. He kissed her delicate face as he gently led her to the soft bed, guiding her legs to straddle his lap.

Yuan Yueze kissed her cherry lips passionately, pouring out all the love and longing in his heart. Ren Meimei, excited that her long-awaited lover was about to arrive, tightly embraced Yuan Yueze, her delicate tongue skillfully chasing and teasing him. With each inhale and exhale, their tongues intertwined, moving in and out of each other's mouths. Ren Meimei's passion gradually surged, her mouth secreting copious amounts of fragrant saliva. Her tongue involuntarily delved into Yuan Yueze's mouth, letting him suckle, her saliva flowing over it, then eagerly welcoming Yuan Yueze's moist tongue into her mouth. Their necks intertwined in a passionate, wet kiss.

Ren Meimei's passion began to overflow, her body becoming burning hot. Yuan Yueze gently kissed her sweet lips while reaching out to touch her full, proud breasts. Through the thin fabric, he noticed that the nipples on her firm breasts were engorged and hard, and playfully kneaded and pressed them with his fingers.

"Mmm..."

Ren Meimei's pretty face flushed red, her delicate body twisting back and forth. She not only offered her most sensitive spots to Yuan Yueze's grotesque hands, but also rubbed her wet, swollen garden against his engorged, burning member through her clothes, further enhancing her alluring charm. Her skill was far superior to that of a naive young girl.

Yuan Yueze's large hand quickly slid inside her undergarments, kneading her soft, elastic, full breasts, his fingertips caressing and teasing her tender nipples. Ren Meimei blushed crimson, biting Yuan Yueze's ear and murmuring, "Will my husband blame me for being so wanton..."

Yuan Yueze continued his actions, smiling, "Between husband and wife, there's only pleasure; what's this talk of wantonness?"

Touched, Ren Meimei offered her lips, and they became entangled again.

With her movements, his member parted her full buttocks, rubbing against her snowy bottom. Ren Meimei hadn't tasted a man's touch in so long, and under the influence of passion, she was utterly overwhelmed. Her face flushed crimson, her breathing rapid, and she could no longer sit still, her body leaning against Yuan Yueze's shoulder,

her delicate form still writhing and rubbing against his massive member. Ren Meimei nestled shyly against Yuan Yueze's broad shoulder. Yuan Yueze's handsome face pressed against her smooth cheek, and he began to suckle her delicate, snow-white earlobe. His left index and middle fingers gently pinched and kneaded her nipple, sometimes pressing lightly, sometimes firmly, as if it were about to drip water. His right hand yanked open her thin shirt, carefully admiring Ren Meimei's shapely upper body: her skin was soft and delicate, almost translucent, her full, rounded breasts firm and full, her curves beautiful and alluring. Her bright red nipples resembled two purplish-red grapes, or dazzling rubies. A small, dark red areola stood out beautifully against her fair, jade-like breasts and smooth, flat stomach.

Slightly distracted, Yuan Yueze lowered his head and began to suckle her tender nipples, while his right hand slid down her smooth, flat stomach and into her panties. His palm brushed past the thick, soft hair on her mons pubis, his middle finger slipping into the crevice of her already wet vulva, the tip pressing against her protruding clitoris.

As her most sensitive areas were caressed by her beloved, Ren Meimei trembled, letting out a soft moan, and tightened her embrace around Yuan Yueze.

In truth, she was conflicted, like Wen Caiting before her, wanting to please Yuan Yueze yet fearing he might harbor resentment. She tried her best to suppress her breathing, involuntarily letting out soft moans. But her body no longer obeyed her commands. Her jade-like legs naturally parted, allowing Yuan Yueze's strange hands to penetrate more easily and do as they pleased.

Yuan Yueze's slightly rough fingertips rubbed against her delicate clitoris, then penetrated deeper, squeezing down into the narrow space between her soft, boneless labia, beginning to lightly scrape the tender walls of the clitoris, kneading the two slippery petals that were slightly thicker than those of a young girl.

Ren Meimei's delicate body involuntarily convulsed violently, suppressing whimpers from her small mouth, her snow-white skin turning pink, and her entire body began to arch. The most sensitive area was repeatedly stirred and kneaded by Yuan Yueze, and the tender clitoris began to tremble. Ren Meimei felt a familiar heat flow from her lower abdomen all the way to her slender waist, rushing straight to her brain. Her delicate body also trembled uncontrollably. The clear lustful fluid became even thicker, constantly hitting Yuan Yueze's hands, and then dripping through her thin panties onto Yuan Yueze's bulging crotch, wetting a large area there.

The fiery, massive object, through the already soaked fabric, rubbed and squeezed against Ren Meimei's long-parched fertile ground, along with her fingers. The powerful, electric pleasure made it difficult for her to breathe; her pretty face flushed red, her small mouth gaped open indescribable, panting heavily, unable to control herself.

Looking at this woman, once renowned for her beauty, now shyly half-closing her starry eyes, her brows furrowed, her chest heaving, and drenched in fragrant sweat, Yuan Yueze felt a pang of emotion: Gu Long's obsession with prostitutes might be a bit extreme, but it wasn't without reason. If a person hasn't lost their true self, there's hope for redemption; conversely, even if outwardly pure and innocent, if the heart is lewd and filthy, what good is it?

Yuan Yueze withdrew his fingers and licked the semen clean. Ren Meimei suddenly felt a pang of loss, but seeing Yuan Yueze's actions again, she was immediately overwhelmed with excitement. Never before had she understood the love in Yuan Yueze's heart more clearly.

As the pleasure subsided, she struggled to her feet, her trembling breasts shaking. She then lightly kissed Yuan Yueze, leaned down onto his lap, and blushed as she removed his wet trousers. His

massive, dark red member sprang out, swaying before her eyes.

Ren Meimei had been with many men, but never before had she seen such a large thing. Stunned, she blushed and said, "Let me serve my husband."

Yuan Yueze pinched her cheek, his expression stern. "If you continue to walk on eggshells like this, I'm leaving!" Ren

Meimei nodded shyly and alluringly, her jade-like cheeks flushed. She extended a warm, moist hand, grasping Yuan Yueze's burning member, while her other hand gently caressed his testicles. After a few gentle, teasing strokes, Yuan Yueze closed his eyes in pleasure, his member swelling even more, so much so that Ren Meimei's small hand could no longer fit inside. Her movements quickened, each thrust sending a sliver of the penis through her little finger toward her head, throbbing restlessly between her fingers.

Seeing this, Ren Meimei immediately bent down, opened her mouth, and deeply took the throbbing member into her mouth.

Her small mouth was warm and narrow, her slippery, agile tongue swirling around the edges of the penis, gently caressing every vein and protrusion. Then she slowly released it, taking the large head back into her mouth, stimulating the glans with her warm, slippery tongue. Then she swallowed it completely, repeating the cycle.

Waves of ecstatic pleasure washed over Yuan Yueze, making him tremble and groan with pleasure, his large hands involuntarily pressing against her smooth, rounded shoulders.

Ren Meimei carefully observed every subtle reaction from Yuan Yueze, gradually increasing the speed of her head movements. Her jet-black hair cascaded down with her movements, brushing against Yuan Yueze's lower abdomen, creating a ticklish sensation that amplified his pleasure.

Yuan Yueze shifted further onto the bed, gripping Ren Meimei's hands tightly and exerting force. Ren Meimei had no choice but to release her engorged member, performing a front flip and landing on top of Yuan Yueze. In mid-air, Ren Meimei's underpants were shattered by the force of her internal energy, her smooth, fleshy body arcing through the air before landing on Yuan Yueze.

Ren Meimei's long, shapely, fair, and smooth legs were spread wide, revealing the beauty of her lower body to Yuan Yueze's eyes: a thick, dark pubic hair covering her plump mons pubis, the sparse pubic hair on either side of her dark red labia majora was now disheveled by her gushing vaginal fluids, the two full, round, rosy, and glossy labia majora slightly parted, revealing a small portion of the small, delicate red petals that, while not as pink as a virgin's, were still vibrant and bright red, glistening with vaginal fluids under the light.

Ren Meimei lay on her back on Yuan Yueze, the massive member bouncing against her smooth face. She shifted slightly, turning to lie on her side next to Yuan Yueze, using both her hands and mouth to serve the "Little Evil Emperor."

While gently stroking her smooth, delicate abdomen and the soft pubic hair beneath her mons pubis, Yuan Yueze wantonly kneaded her buttocks, his fingers even digging into the tender flesh, squeezing and kneading with varying pressure, savoring the fleshy texture and elasticity of this mature woman's beautiful buttocks.

After enjoying the plumpness of her buttocks, Yuan Yueze lifted her jade-like legs, and Ren Meimei's garden was immediately fully revealed before his eyes: two alluring purplish-red petals, glistening with spring water; the delicate, moist valley was exquisite and translucent, the half-hidden fleshy opening trembling slightly, slowly flowing out streams of clear lustful fluid; at the very top where the petals connected, the pink pearl was swollen and full, fully exposed outside the foreskin.

Yuan Yueze was stimulated by Ren Meimei and groaned continuously, his large hand reaching up and gently parting the two petals. Under his teasing and arousal, Ren Meimei's delicate body trembled again, involuntarily spreading her legs wider so that he could more easily use various methods on her little garden.

Yuan Yueze's middle finger, covered in Ren Meimei's secreted love juice, explored along the soft and smooth groove, from her perineum towards her clitoris.

"Mmm..."

When her fingertips touched her wet and slippery petals covered in honey water, Ren Meimei let out a hot and shy moan, her small hands and mouth moving faster, stroking Yuan Yueze's long spear up and down, her saliva wetting his lower body and the sheets.

After circling the wet and smooth petals at the entrance of the valley, Yuan Yueze inserted two fingers into the fleshy opening. A little of the lustful juice in her honey pot was immediately squeezed out, and as Yuan Yueze went deeper, Ren Meimei's beautiful and snow-white body began to twist involuntarily. Her vaginal opening was wondrous; the folds and buds inside writhed and entwined around Yuan Yueze's fingers, as if sucking him deeper.

Yuan Yueze's fingertips reached the slightly protruding sensitive area above her vulva, and Ren Meimei was struck dumb. Her whole body trembled violently, a gush of fluid flowed from her opening, and she involuntarily let out a seductive moan. An unprecedented tingling sensation immediately spread throughout her body, giving her an indescribable pleasure. She couldn't help but sway her slender waist slowly, responding to Yuan Yueze's caresses.

That was precisely the location of a woman's G-spot.

Yuan Yueze moved closer, his tongue swirling and pressing against her clitoris while his fingertips began stimulating Ren Meimei's G-spot. Already incredibly excited, Ren Meimei couldn't hold back any longer, losing all interest in licking Yuan Yueze's massive member, and began to moan uncontrollably. A moment later, her delicate body stiffened abruptly, letting out a long groan. A gush of fluid shot out from her vagina

, spraying Yuan Yueze's face with a "whoosh!" At the same time, the walls of her vagina convulsed violently.

Yuan Yueze stopped, his fingers still inside her wet, slippery vagina, feeling the contractions and spasms.

After she recovered slightly, Yuan Yueze forcefully turned her around, kissing her flushed cheeks, and asked, "Was it comfortable?"

Still panting heavily, Ren Meimei nodded subconsciously, softly resting against Yuan Yueze's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. Although there hadn't been actual intercourse, the warm and blissful feeling had melted her world-weary heart.

After lingering with Yuan Yueze for a while, Ren Meimei calmed down and said shyly, "My husband hasn't..."

Yuan Yueze kissed her cheek again, twisting his waist. Ren Meimei cooperated with the movements, and the hot, hard, enormous thing quickly slid over her round buttocks, pressing against her tender, moist vulva. "Sizzle!"

The spear, aided by the lubricating spring water, parted the two delicate petals, fully stretching open her vulva, and plunged into Ren Meimei's tight flower passage in one go, causing both of them to groan simultaneously.

Although Ren Meimei's flower passage was not as narrow as a young girl's, it was not loose either. The enormous thing, like a body, completely filled and penetrated her tight honey pot, the shaft forcefully stretching the surrounding writhing folds of tender flesh, finally pressing against the deepest part of her flower core, bringing immense pleasure to both of them.

Yuan Yueze held her alluring, hot body against his, his hands around her slender waist, and began to thrust back and forth, causing her alluring body to move up and down. With increasingly faster movements, the tip of the spear forcefully squeezed and rubbed against Ren Meimei's soft, tender flower core. Her flower core was being manipulated by the hard, hot touch, which aroused her to cry out repeatedly. She involuntarily offered her lips and tongue, her flushed body trembling and twisting incessantly, cooperating with the huge object that penetrated deep into her flower path.

Hundreds of thrusts followed in quick succession, their lower bodies colliding rapidly, producing loud, crisp "slap" sounds, interspersed with the "sizzling" of splashing vaginal fluids. Ren Meimei, overwhelmed by pleasure, had a flushed face and was drenched in sweat. She felt the deepest, untouched parts of her being stretched and tightened with each "sizzling" of penetration—a sensation she had never experienced before.

Yuan Yueze watched as her cheeks flushed, her eyes closed, her brows furrowed, and she moaned wildly. Her captivating charm was no less than that of Shan Meixian and the other women. Her tender flesh and wet clitoris seemed to possess the skillful writhing and biting of Bai Qing'er, who had mastered the art of seduction, stimulating Yuan Yueze to moan repeatedly.

Ren Meimei was indeed an experienced woman, and having been deprived of sex for so long, her stamina was almost comparable to that of Zhu Yuyan and her daughter. Aside from her first time, when she climaxed due to excessive excitement, this time she battled Yuan Yueze for a full half hour without showing any signs of ejaculation.

After Yuan Yueze thrust in and out thousands of times, she suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered in a trembling voice, "Husband, are you tired... Let me..."

Yuan Yueze stopped, gently pinched her soft, pert buttocks a few times, nodded, and sighed, "Meimei really knows how to care for people."

Ren Meimei was very satisfied with her lover's praise. After a soft smile, she supported herself on Yuan Yueze's chest with both hands and sat up, straddling him and beginning to stroke him.

Ren Meimei's movements were extremely wild. Each time she sat up, she almost completely spit out her penis, leaving half of the tip inside her honeypot. The vulva, turned outward by the shaft, formed an exaggerated circle with the tender flesh and rosy petals. When she sat down forcefully, she sat all the way down, instantly swallowing the penis, allowing her soft clitoris and the large tip to make the most intimate contact. Each time the clitoris and the tip touched, it was like two small mouths kissing each other. The wonderful feeling was hard to describe, something even Yuan Yueze had never experienced. Ren Meimei was undoubtedly a man's dream woman.

Gradually, the blush on Ren Meimei's body deepened, and her body began to lose control, rising and falling faster and faster, violently thrusting into Yuan Yueze's massive member. The contractions of the vaginal walls within her flower passage also increased in frequency. Her ample breasts danced wildly in the air with the rapid swaying, making a "slap slap" sound as they collided. Streams of clear, fragrant, lustful fluid were splashed by the intense movements, wetting the area where their bodies were joined and large patches of the bedsheets around them. The air was filled with a damp, erotic atmosphere, intoxicating the two of them.

After thousands of consecutive thrusts, Ren Meimei's mind was nearly blurred, her pink, moist vulva twitching irregularly, a clear sign that she was about to reach orgasm.

Yuan Yueze flipped her limp, numb body over, then pulled her head back to rest on his shoulder, kissing her sweat-drenched forehead, earlobes, and jade-like neck, while his lower body began to thrust upwards forcefully. Ren Meimei's smooth, rounded buttocks bounced up and down with his vigorous thrusts, the base of his massive member repeatedly slamming against her soft, tender pubic hair with louder "slap slap" sounds.

Yuan Yueze held her full, firm breasts tightly, pinching her two sensitive, dark red nipples with his fingers. Ren Meimei lay on her back against Yuan Yueze, turning her head to the side, her rosy, sexy lips immediately captured in his mouth. Her body went limp and powerless, mechanically offering her fragrant, soft tongue to entwine with his.

After a few moments of thrusting, Yuan Yueze released her left breast, his large hand guiding her weak little hand to her clitoris, grasping her slender fingers and massaging the protruding bud amidst the messy pubic hair.

Under continuous and intense stimulation, Ren Meimei's delicate body began to tremble violently. Then, she suddenly let out a series of hoarse, plaintive screams, desperately shrugging her shoulders and pulling her arms in, her jade-like hands tightly gripping Yuan Yueze's arm pressed against her chest. Her beautifully curved back stiffened into an arched shape, and her vulva and clitoris spasmed violently simultaneously, spurting out a large gush of vaginal fluid that poured down like a torrential rain onto Yuan Yueze's penis.

His massive member was gripped tightly by the layers of fleshy folds within her vaginal canal, the relentless contractions of her clitoris endlessly stimulating the tip. Yuan Yueze shuddered with pleasure, thrusting with all his might for the last few strokes, but Ren Meimei's vulva contracted so violently that not only was it difficult for him to enter and exit, but even for an outsider, it would likely break their member. Yuan Yueze thrust his penis deep into Ren Meimei's vaginal canal, enjoying the massage of her contracting, spasming clitoris, while tightly embracing her, constantly kissing her earlobes and cheeks.

Ren Meimei experienced the exquisite sensation of a true orgasm for the first time. Her spasms were extremely long, and the pleasure subsided very slowly. She felt as if she were floating in the air, an indescribable bliss.

As her beautiful flower core continued to nibble and massage her, Yuan Yueze could no longer hold back. A tingling sensation shot through his lower back, and a torrent of hot semen erupted like a volcanic eruption, drenching Ren Meimei's long-awaited flower core and the depths of her honeypot. At the peak of pleasure, Ren Meimei was driven to another, even more intense orgasm. She convulsed and trembled almost uncontrollably, her flower core gripping the tip of his penis, spurting out another large gush of vaginal fluid. The surging semen continued to be released, filling her flower core to overflowing, mingling with the vaginal fluid she simultaneously ejaculated from her honeypot, slowly squeezing out from the tight, wet joint between his penis and her vagina.

Their heavy breathing gradually subsided. Ren Meimei collapsed into Yuan Yueze's arms, her red cherry lips whispering softly in his ear.

Only after her tender flesh recovered from her climax did the accumulated fluid in her honeypot flow out in large gushes.

Most of the sheets were soaked. Yuan Yueze took out a mat, embraced Ren Meimei, whose pretty face was flushed and still tightly connected to him, and lay down on it.

The two whispered sweet nothings to each other. Until Ren Meimei's body was fully refined, the two resumed their passionate lovemaking. It wasn't until almost dawn that Ren Meimei, this incredibly resilient and beautiful woman, finally fell into a deep sleep, almost exhausted, after her tenth orgasm. She nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms, a blissful smile she had never worn before on her lips.

For the next few days, Yuan Yueze studied how to communicate with the "Black King." With his tireless efforts, the "Black King's" temper finally calmed down.

As Zhu Yuyan had predicted, eight days later, Wanwan's demonic seed was fully formed, and Yuan Yueze once again became her furnace.

In the east wing study.

Having mastered the Demon Seed Technique, Wanwan's beautiful eyes sparkled, a blend of blue and purple, eerie yet holy, her beauty captivating. Looking at Yuan Yueze, whose body was devoid of any true energy, his face deathly pale, and who was panting heavily, Wanwan felt a pang of sadness recalling Bai Qing'er's words from that day. She helped him up, saying softly, "Does Wan'er not care about her husband? Knowing you'll suffer, you still insisted on practicing the Demon Seed Technique."

Yuan Yueze, receiving the true energy she transferred, gradually regained his rosy complexion. He lovingly stroked her smooth cheek, saying, "If it's for you, I'm not afraid of death. What does this matter? Besides, it's not all for you. The Demon Seed Technique is a symbol of the Demonic Sect, making it easier for you to unify the Demonic Sect and also accelerating the arrival of a peaceful and prosperous era in the Central Plains."

Wanwan knew his reasons were all fabricated, and she understood her place in his heart. Moved, she offered her sweet lips.

Back and forth they went, Yuan Yueze, still lustful, had barely regained some strength and began to take advantage of his sister. Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the two immediately separated.

Yunzhi's clear voice rang out from outside, "Are you and your sister alright? The young marshal is here."

Yuan Yueze immediately responded, and Wanwan helped him out the door.

Seeing Yuan Yueze looking like a dead man, Kou Zhong was startled and immediately came to support him, exclaiming, "What happened?"

In the past month, Kou Zhong's cultivation had improved even more, and he was as sharp as a drawn sword.

After a brief explanation, Kou Zhong exclaimed, "How could Sister Wanwan be so cruel as to murder her own husband!"

Wanwan pouted angrily and kicked him, but Kou Zhong nimbly dodged it.

With Yunzhi's help, Yuan Yueze quickly regained his strength and said, "Stop fooling around. What are you doing here? How is the situation in Jiangnan?"

Wanwan began to meditate and enter a state of deep concentration, sensing the power of the Demon Seed Technique. Kou Zhong said solemnly, "Old Fu and Old Shen are in seclusion, holding their ground. Considering that the Li Tang army will soon be dispatched, to avoid excessive losses, I only ordered them to surround the city without attacking, waiting for them to collapse. As for why I'm here, Dou Jiande asked Brother Liu to invite me to meet him. I met him in Zhao City, and I came to see Brother Yuan and Mother on the way."

Yuan Yueze nodded and asked, "What did Dou Jiande say to you?"

Kou Zhong said, "What he said to me was almost identical to what Sister-in-law Luoyan said. I hinted to him that this upcoming battle is the key to the unification of the Central Plains." However, he remained obstinate and insisted on discussing cooperation and the division of spoils after the war with me. "But..."

He paused, then sighed, "This man is indeed shrewd. Before discussing cooperation, he asked me how to attack Liyang. Li Shentong, defeated and retreating to Liyang, is holding out with Li Shiji. We can't attack, and we can't not attack either; he's having a headache over this. I blurted out some tactics, only realizing my mistake afterward."

Yuan Yueze said, "I know you're worried that Liyang will fall to him, leaving Luoyang vulnerable to attack from both sides." "But since it has already happened, it's best to start preparing a response. Since he's already in Zhao City, it's clear he's well-prepared and determined to take Liyang. Seeking your advice is just to add icing on the cake; he should have already decided on a general strategy."

Kou Zhong paused, then sighed, "Dou Jiande is a rare leader, but unfortunately, he's been blinded by power and victory. I must return to Liangdu as soon as possible and have someone prepare to contain Liyang."

Yunzhi interjected, "Does Dou Jiande show disdain when he talks about the Young Marshal's army and the Luoyang army?"

Kou Zhong nodded. “Just as my sister-in-law said, alas, our combined forces are less than 200,000. We're outnumbered, so naturally we'll face disdain. And I can't reveal the 10,000 elite cavalry that Lu Shi secretly trained.”

Yuan Yueze laughed, “Those 10,000 elite cavalry are worth 100,000 infantry; they are our greatest asset in dealing with Li Shimin's Xuanjia elite cavalry and Jieli's Golden Wolf Army. It's not advisable to publicize them yet. By the way, how are things going with your cousin Zhizhi?”

Kou Zhong blushed, nodded, and said awkwardly, “Brother Yuan, please recuperate first. I'm going to check on Mother and Sister Zhen.” He then fled.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, “Even the renowned young marshal has a day of shyness; truly rare.

” Chapter 117,

April 20th: Yunzhi laughed, "Young Marshal, you're such an interesting person!" Changing the subject, she asked, "When does my husband plan to depart?" Yuan Yueze replied, "Now that Wan'er's magic is complete, I have nothing to worry about. If Susu's news doesn't arrive after Yuyan and Second Brother's performance, I'll set off!" Yunzhi said, "That's a bit of a pity. After General Dugu heard that Wang Tong, together with Yan Shigu and other great Confucian scholars, was lecturing in Chang'an and Bashu to promote the Li Tang dynasty, he specially asked Old Madam You to invite her old acquaintances from many years ago—masters of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism—to help us. If we calculate based on the dates, my husband might not have time to meet them." Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Which masters did they invite? Tell me." Yunzhi replied, "Master Daoxuan of Buddhism, and Mr. Sun Simiao and Mr. Pan Shizheng of Taoism." She paused, her face tightening as if she was suppressing a laugh, and said, "Mr. Dugu Ce of Confucianism." After saying that, she immediately burst into laughter. Yuan Yueze smiled wryly and said, "Both the Buddhist and Taoist figures are indeed famous. How did my one-armed brother-in-law become a representative of Confucianism?" Master Daoxuan, whose secular surname was Qian, was from Dantu. He became a monk at the age of fifteen, receiving ordination from the Vinaya Master Zhishou. Besides studying under Huiyun and Zhishou, he pursued extensive learning before the age of thirty. Later, he entered Fengde Temple in Zhongnan Mountain to study and propagate Buddhist precepts, and was known as the Nanshan Vinaya Master. After the eminent monk Xuanzang returned to China, Daoxuan was summoned to serve as the abbot of Ximing Temple in Chang'an, participating in Xuanzang's translation work and responsible for polishing the Chinese texts in the Buddhist scriptures. His most significant achievements were in his contributions to Vinaya studies and Buddhist history. He was the founder of the Nanshan School, one of the three schools of the Vinaya School of Buddhism, and a Buddhist historian. He was erudite and wrote extensively. Sun Simiao, needless to say, is a name familiar to anyone who has read even a little. He was a renowned physician and Taoist priest of his time. He was a renowned physician and pharmacologist in Chinese and even world history, hailed as the "King of Medicine," and revered as a "God of Medicine" by many Chinese. Master Daoxuan was a close friend of his. Pan Shizheng was no ordinary man either; he was a famous contemporary Taoist scholar and the eleventh patriarch of the Shangqing Maoshan School. Yunzhi sat up, panting, and said, "This is Madam You's opinion. It's inconvenient for us sisters to show our faces, so someone must be outside to represent us." Yuan Yueze thought to himself that his brother-in-law was a bit pitiful, becoming a puppet on a string. He said aloud, "But Sun Simiao is a man of simple tastes; how could he easily leave the mountain?" According to the historical records he had read, in the first year of the Dacheng era of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, due to the many troubles in the royal family, Sun Simiao went into seclusion on Mount Taibai to study Taoism, cultivate his qi, nourish his body, and investigate the art of longevity. When Emperor Jing of Zhou ascended the throne and Yang Jian was in power, he was summoned to serve as a professor at the Imperial Academy, but he declined due to illness. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, he went into seclusion on Mount Zhongnan. When Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, ascended the throne, he summoned him to the capital and offered him a noble title for his "virtuous conduct," but he firmly declined. He then went to Mount Emei to refine the "Taiyi Divine Elixir." In the third year of Xianqing (1168), Emperor Gaozong of Tang summoned him to the capital again, and he resided in the abandoned residence of Princess Poyang. The following year, Gaozong summoned him and appointed him as a remonstrating official, but he again firmly declined. In the fourth year of Xianheng (1269), Gaozong fell ill and ordered him to accompany the emperor. In the first year of Shangyuan (1161), he resigned due to illness and returned to the mountains. Gaozong bestowed upon him a fine horse and granted him the fiefdom of Princess Poyang. How could such a person, indifferent to fame and fortune and devoted to the pursuit of immortality, easily venture into the mortal world? Yunzhi said, "Old Madam You is an old friend of his; she should have a way to persuade him to come out of seclusion." Yuan Yueze nodded. In fact, Daoism and Daoism religion are not the same concept. However, over a long period of transmission, the two schools of thought have continuously merged, gradually becoming confused. The "Daoists" of this era were a mixture of orthodox Daoism and Daoism religion. He certainly didn't want Sun Simiao and Pan Shizheng to come and draw talismans, set up altars, and chant incantations like charlatans. There was no need to worry about that; Shen Luoyan and the others should manage it well. Kou Zhong returned to Liangdu that night. After resting for two days, Yuan Yueze spent all his time practicing Qi cultivation, except for his debauchery with the women. Perhaps his aura was no longer so fierce, and the Black King began to be close to him, which was quite unexpected for Yuan Yueze. January 21st. Three days before Zhu Yuyan's duel with Yue Shan. Song Shidao secretly came to Luoyang and met with Yuan Yueze. Through the information he obtained from Jie Hui, plus Dugu Feng's prediction, Yuan Yueze knew that the greatest contributor to Bashu's choice to submit to the Tang Dynasty was still Li Yuanji, and that Shi Feixuan hadn't betrayed Song Yuhua. This made Yuan Yueze feel much better. From Song Shidao's words, Yuan Yueze also sensed that Xie Hui had begun to be wary of Song Shidao, speaking in a veiled manner. With Xie Hui's shrewdness, he could certainly see that as the situation became clearer, the Song clan, led by Song Zhi, would definitely not stand idly by. Although Song Shidao had rebelled against his family and become an enemy of Yuan Yueze, Xie Hui would not be careless. After all, Song Shidao was still Song Que's son and a descendant of the Song family. As the two were drinking and chatting, footsteps sounded outside the door, and then Song Yuzhi rushed in, saying, "Sister Susu has sent a letter." Yuan Yueze opened the letter, read it, and then stood up coldly, saying, "I must leave immediately. It's a pity I can't witness the grand show between Yuyan and Second Brother." He then turned to Song Yuzhi and said, "If Granny can really invite the 'Medicine King' to boost our army's morale, then please explain to me why I can't personally greet them." The letter described how Susu had fought a battle with "Ghost Fiend" at Shanhaiguan. That "Ghost Fiend" was incredibly powerful, and even with Susu's abilities, she couldn't capture him alive. He was wounded and escaped, and Susu was also affected by evil energy, forcing her to stop healing and unable to pursue him. Song Shidao patted his shoulder and said "Take care" before leaving through the back door first.

Yuan Yueze acted swiftly. Although this trip was supposed to be a special mission, it could also be seen as a journey to the Northeast grasslands. The women naturally wanted to travel as well, but the affairs of Luoyang were far beyond what Shen Luoyan could handle alone. Besides Shen Luoyan, Ren Meimei, Yunzhi, Lianrou, and Hua Lingzi, who were all tied up with official duties, Shan Meixian was going to Yangzhou alone. She already knew about the collusion between the Dongming Sect and the Li Tang, and a few days ago she received news that Dongming Sect ships had entered the Yangtze River. She had to go and see; if necessary, reclaiming the Dongming Sect wouldn't be a bad thing. Song Yuzhi was going to Lingnan with Yun Yuzhen. With the world on the verge of upheaval, Luoyang and the Song Clan had to execute every step of their plan meticulously, striving to remain still until the momentousest action they took. The three Fu sisters couldn't accompany Yuan Yueze either; they were already tired of the things on the grasslands, and besides, they were bound to encounter some treacherous people from Goryeo on this trip. With them around, Yuan Yueze wouldn't be able to act freely. Bai Qing'er and Wen Caiting, whose kung fu had returned to its former level, naturally couldn't stay with him either; they both had to stay and assist Wanwan with preparations for the Holy Gate Conference. Because Shang Qingya was about to give birth, Shang Xiuxun also had to return to the ranch to be with her. In the end, only Xiao Bei, Song Yuhua, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin could stay with Yuan Yueze. Zhu Yuyan would only catch up along the way after finishing her act with Song Shidao.

Just as they were discussing this, Yin Xianhe and his sister arrived. These past few days, the brother and sister had been staying in the courtyard specially arranged for them by Shen Luoyan, allowing them to catch up. This was only the second time Yuan Yueze had seen the siblings since returning to Luoyang. Although Yin Xianhe remained as aloof as ever, he no longer possessed that unapproachable aura. His heartache had vanished, and he had naturally changed drastically. Judging from his aura, it seemed that Xiao He'er had used her extraordinary power to cleanse his marrow and refine his spirit.

After entering, Yin Xianhe said, "I am familiar with the Northern Frontier. Since my brother-in-law is going on an adventure, I naturally have no choice but to help."

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, you should stay with your little sister. You've been separated for over ten years; how could I bear to separate you again? Besides, I already have the best spies." He

then let out a long howl.

The weather suddenly changed; dark clouds covered the sun, and a sharp whistling sound came from the sky.

Yin Xianhe was startled and looked up to see a giant gray-black eagle with a wingspan of nine feet, blocking the sunlight. It swooped down and landed nimbly on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, its cold, gleaming eyes coldly observing the people and things around it.

Little Crane was stunned and rushed over, shouting, "Does it know martial arts?"

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "I'll leave the affairs of Luoyang and the rest to my virtuous wives. If my brother-in-law is interested, he can also participate."

A look of gratitude flashed in Yin Xianhe's eyes. She nodded silently and left, leaving Yuan Yueze and the women to their own devices.

Xiao Bei and the other three women had already slipped into the bracelet. Yuan Yueze looked apologetically at his group of reluctant wives before him, wiped away Yunzhi's tears, and said softly, "You've suffered so much. I, Yuan Yueze, owe you all so much for my own ideals. I will be back by May at the latest. Once the world is unified, we will have no more responsibilities on our shoulders and can return to the mountains to live a carefree life."

Yunzhi and Fu Junqiang threw themselves into his arms, their shoulders trembling, but they didn't cry out.

Shan Meixian, who had experienced countless storms, smiled and said, "It's only a few months apart, no need to be sad. Husband, you must not act rashly while you are away. Always remember why you went there." Yuan Yueze felt

a surge of emotion in his heart towards this gentle woman who was both a teacher and a friend, a sister and a wife, and immediately nodded.

After a moment of intimacy, Yuan Yueze waved goodbye.

Standing beside Shen Luoyan, Zhang Chuchen, dressed in fiery red, stared blankly as Yuan Yueze departed, oblivious to being added to his harem and having his first kiss stolen.

As he left, he encountered Linglong Jiao, a beautiful woman from Kucha, rushing towards him. Before he could understand what was happening, Yuan Yueze grabbed her shoulder, kissed her lips, and whispered in her ear, "I'll bring back the Five-Colored Stone," before leaving with a flourish.

In this era, people traveling needed horses. Dugu Feng, upon hearing the news, immediately sent a fine horse, but Yuan Yueze refused it, as he knew no riding. He had spent a few days learning in Chang'an before the Spring Festival, but the experience left him with a sore back and aching muscles. After a brief farewell to Dugu Feng, he used his lightness skill and galloped northeast.

His true energy was unfathomably deep; after Wanwan had completely drained it, he had only recovered less than a tenth of his former strength after a few days of practice. He had traveled less than a hundred li before feeling exhausted and immediately stopped to rest. Summoned by him, the Black King landed on the ground, pecking at the dried meat he had taken out.

Yuan Yueze sat cross-legged, his mind clear and bright, entering a state of utter detachment. He connected himself with the universe as an inseparable whole, the essence of heaven and earth flowing into his body through the Life and Death Acupoints and the Baihui point, refined into the purest innate true qi, spreading out in a harmonious and even distribution throughout every acupoint.

This was the incantation for practicing the technique: "Spirit gathers at the crown, qi flows through heaven and earth, rivers and seas. Qi is like a valley, essence is like floating force. Essence is exhausted, the original qi is embraced and stored away."

When he opened his eyes again, it was already dark. The Black King was dozing beside him. Feeling the trust this divine bird had placed in him, Yuan Yueze felt a surge of pride.

He pulled out a few women to roast meat and eat. The women were all bored, so they asked Shan Wanjing to dress them in men's clothing so they could travel with Yuan Yueze.

Two days later, at dusk, the five of them arrived at a hilltop and stood gazing into the distance.

Yuan Yueze, holding Song Yuhua's slender hand, said, "Yuhua, could you analyze the current situation for me?"

Song Yuhua had always been a well-behaved child, rarely leaving the house. Since following Yuan Yueze, she had enjoyed absolute freedom that many women in later generations couldn't afford, and she was in high spirits. She knew that Yuan Yueze had brought her out not because her affair had already been exposed, but because he was afraid she would get bored at home. His question was clearly a test of her recent studies. Looking at the city not far away, she said, "This city is called Weihui. To the east..." "A hundred li north is Liyang. The concentrated light in the city center and the dimness at the edges suggest that there are people or things around the city that are disturbing the normal lives of the people."

Shan Wanjing interjected, "Perhaps it's related to Dou Jiande's army?"

Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "You two virtuous wives are truly extraordinary. Weihui City and Liyang City form a pincer movement. In the past, the Yuwen clan led 100,000 elite troops from the old Sui Dynasty northward. Li Shiji abandoned Liyang and guarded Liyang Granary, while Li Mi led his army to Qingqi. They communicated with Li Shiji daily via beacon fires. Whenever the enemy attacked Liyang, Li Mi would send troops to attack his rear, putting the enemy in a pincer movement." Today, Liyang Granary is in ruins, and Li Shiji can no longer implement his plan to retreat and defend it. However, if they coordinate with the Tang army in Weihui, it will still be very disadvantageous for anyone attacking Liyang. Xiao Zhong has already discussed this with me in detail. He suggested that Dou Jiande should focus on encirclement and harassment, supplemented by surprise attacks. It seems that Dou Jiande is impatient. Many of his troops have already been stationed around Weihui, not for attacking the city, but only to harass and trap the enemy.”

Xiao Bei agreed, “Xiao Zhong has brought the military strategies of ‘strategic maneuvering’ and ‘deception’ to their extreme. If nothing unexpected happens, Liyang will probably be under different ownership within a month.”

"Even if we can capture Liyang, Dou Jiande's losses will be considerable," Yuan Yueze said .

Shan Wanjing said, "However, with the obstacle gone, and at this delicate moment when both the Li Tang and we are preparing for war, Dou Jiande can also take a chance to recuperate. Everyone knows that a major battle cannot break out in a short time."

Yuan Yueze looked up at the dim sky, where the Black King was circling and flying a hundred feet away, which confirmed his prediction of the ambush. He then laughed and said, "These things are not our concern. What we need to do is eat our fill, practice our skills, and then continue our journey."

Three days later, Yuan Yueze arrived in Leshou.

Leshou, situated between the Tuo and Zhang rivers, is a renowned mountain city in northern China. Controlling a vast area's transportation links to the two rivers and the upper reaches of the Yongji Canal, its geographical location is extremely important, guarding the land route to Yuyang and Shanhaiguan. The city walls are interconnected, sturdy and imposing, solidly constructed of brick and stone, further reinforced by arrow towers and barbicans. Streams are channeled into the city, forming waterways within and moats without. Surrounded by undulating mountains, its grandeur surpasses that of cities built on plains. Although only half the size of metropolises like Luoyang and Chang'an, it possesses a magnificent and imposing presence, leaving a deep impression. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, rugged and treacherous, it is truly a strategic location for border defense.

Within the city, shops and houses flourish, standing side by side, one building after another. Now, at the end of the first lunar month, the weather is beginning to thaw; after the snow melts, the trees inside and outside the city are lush and green, a beautiful scene of spring's return.

As the Xia Kingdom's power grew, Leshou's commerce flourished, making it the political, economic, and cultural center of the northern frontier. Dou Jiande further constructed inner cities and fortresses along the two rivers and a canal, connecting them to Leshou via roads, forming a self-contained transportation system that further enhanced its strategic and economic importance. The most important streets within the city were the north-south main street and the east-west main street, connecting the four city gates. At the heart of this was the inner city where the Xia Palace was located, with other secondary streets neatly arranged around this cross-shaped axis.

To avoid being stared at like a monkey, Yuan Yueze only brought Xiao Bei, changed out of his usual thin clothes, and put on a sheepskin coat that Song Yuhua had carefully sewn for him. Using his internal strength to conceal his sharp gaze, he mingled with a group of merchants entering the city, paid his taxes, and entered.

This was the location of a news outpost established by Fu Junzhuo in the northeast, and Yuan Yueze entered the city solely to obtain the latest information.

In an inconspicuous rice shop, Yuan Yueze gave a secret signal to the shop assistant, who immediately invited him to the back room.

A moment later, a middle-aged man who looked like a shopkeeper entered. His eyes appeared unremarkable at first glance, but in reality, they held a hidden brilliance, moving with a light and almost silent gait, clearly indicating he was no ordinary person. He curiously glanced at Yuan Yueze and his companion, then bowed and asked, "May I ask what your relationship is with Miss Junzhuo?"

Yuan Yueze and his companion nodded secretly. This man's lack of blind faith demonstrated Fu Junzhuo's careful selection of people. They replied, "My name is Yuan Yueze, and Junzhuo is my wife."

The shopkeeper was startled and exclaimed, "What!"

Despite his words, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he silently struck Yuan Yueze's chest with a palm strike. From the force of the blow, Yuan Yueze already knew the shopkeeper's cultivation was extraordinary.

Seeing that Yuan Yueze neither dodged nor evaded, he laughed loudly, "Ignorant little thief, daring to impersonate Young Master Yuan! How could I let you get away with this!"

"Bang!"

Yuan Yueze took the blow head-on. The boss unleashed a powerful burst of energy, forming a vortex in his chest that rippled outwards. Nearby furniture and chairs shattered and scattered like fallen leaves, leaving only Yuan Yueze and his wife, along with their chairs.

The boss's face showed surprise,

and he withdrew his hand, standing still. Yuan Yueze knew that because his internal energy was completely depleted, he had only recovered about ten percent in the past few days. Given the boss's skill, he would never believe his identity. Moreover, the brilliance in his and Xiao Bei's eyes had faded; although still sharp and alert, they lacked their usual intimidating gleam, further fueling the boss's suspicion of his imposter status. Fortunately, he possessed an extraordinary body capable of withstanding any attack in the world.

With a flick of his wrist, the transparent, evil sword appeared in his hand. Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Does this sword prove my identity?"

The shopkeeper was startled again and knelt down, saying, "Di Qinghe greets you, young master and madam. I have committed a capital offense; please punish me as you see fit."

Yuan Yueze was unaccustomed to being knelt to, so he stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Shopkeeper Di is a cautious man; what crime have you committed? Please rise quickly. We have come to inquire about the latest news from the north."

Di Qinghe was flattered and stood up, saying, "Young master, you flatter me." He

then cleared his throat and said, "The latest news from Luoyang says that on the night of the 24th of the first month, Madam Zhu and Yue Badao fought a duel at Changling of the Northern Wei Dynasty, thirty miles northwest of Luoyang. Because Lord Shen sealed off the scene, no one witnessed the battle, and the result was that both were injured."

As he spoke, he looked at Yuan Yueze, as if trying to find out the true outcome of the matter from him.

Seeing that this man was extremely shrewd, Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "I came out before the decisive battle, but I can tell Boss Di that the results were far from what they seemed. Alright, let's talk about other things."

In the eyes of outsiders, this decisive battle was of course the most important matter, and Di Qinghe brought it up first. Unexpectedly, he had the wrong place to talk, and said with an embarrassed expression, "On the Li Tang side, Li Yuan sent Li Shimin's main force into Hongnong, and then sent Li Yuanji to defend Taiyuan. He also appointed Li Gang as the General Commander of the Jinzhou Road Army to lead troops to aid Li Yuanji. On Liu Wuzhou's side, Song Jingang led 20,000 elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Yuci, defeating the troops of Tang generals Jiang Baoyi and Li Zhongwen."

Both sides were currently in the preparation period for war, and even if there was a conflict, it would not escalate. However, the Li Tang had obviously suffered a hidden loss due to its northern front. With just a few words, Yuan Yueze and the other man had already deduced that Song Jingang's invasion of Taiyuan was likely supported by Jieli, or perhaps not only by supplying warhorses and equipment, but also by sending elite Turks disguised as Song Jingang's subordinates. That would be something the Tang army could not handle. Yuan Yueze thought to himself, no wonder Li Yuan was so wary of the Turks and dared not openly offend Jieli. If things were to break down, Jieli would join forces with Song Jingang and march south without any scruples; who could withstand them? Fortunately, things hadn't gotten that blatant yet. However, this thought strengthened his resolve to pacify the border regions. He

exchanged a knowing glance with Xiao Bei and nodded, saying, "Then Liu Wuzhou's next target will be either Pingyao or Jiezhou. Once Pingyao and Jiezhou fall, Song Jingang can directly besiege Taiyuan. Taiyuan is not only Li Yuan's stronghold but also the Tang Dynasty's supply depot; it cannot be lost. They'll be in for a lot of trouble."

He paused, then muttered to himself, "No, Li Yuan should have realized the danger sooner. Once Taiyuan falls, Song Jingang's troops can march south along the Fen River, following the old route Li Yuan took when he entered the pass. " Crossing the Yellow River, they aimed directly at Chang'an; otherwise, why would they send troops to reinforce it? I suspect Li Shimin deliberately let Li Yuanji suffer a defeat to lure Song Jingang deeper into the territory. His army in Hongnong was merely a smokescreen; the real main force was probably already lying in ambush, ready to strike Song Jingang.”

Di Qinghe said, “Young Master is brilliant!”

Yuan Yueze scratched his head and said, “Hey, although I’ve read military books, I only know how to talk about war on paper. Boss Di, you flatter me.”

Only Xiao Bei knew that he dared not underestimate the invincible commander Li Shimin on the battlefield, which was why he was willing to put his mind to things.

Di Qinghe continued, "Now, the major powers in the north, such as Prince Yan Gao Kaidao who occupies Yuyang, and the underworld tyrant Luo Yi of Youzhou, are no longer bound by the Turks' power struggles between Tuli and Jieli, and according to our information, they are considering their future plans. Young Master, your fame is renowned throughout the land; perhaps you can visit them on your way here and forge an alliance. This is truly a rare opportunity."

Yuan Yueze shook his head, saying, "Boss Di flatters me too much. With the war between the Li Tang and Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang still unresolved, Gao Kaidao and Luo Yi wouldn't make a hasty decision." If the victor is Li Tang, they might surrender to him; if the victor is Liu Wuzhou, they will have no choice but to continue being the lackeys of the Turks. Luoyang, aside from its prestige, is somewhat inferior to Li Tang in terms of military equipment and strength. Gao Kaidao and his men would never surrender to someone without overwhelming military power.

Di Qinghe sighed, "Young Master's insight is accurate and thorough; I never imagined it could be so profound."

Yuan Yueze's words were not without reason. It should be noted that although Shen Luoyan and Kou Zhong control the area north of the Yangtze River and south of the Yellow River, their combined forces number only about 160,000, with less than 100,000 elite troops. However, the Li Tang dynasty still dared not act, precisely because it was wary of the Song dynasty's forces in Lingnan. While gaining control of Sichuan and Chongqing was certainly a good thing for the Li Tang, nothing in this world is absolute; there are gains and losses. The loss was that the battle line was stretched from Taiyuan through Tongguan, all the way to the mouth of the Yangtze River where it enters Sichuan. On such a long battle line, no one could concentrate their forces. The Li Tang also feared that the Song dynasty's forces might suddenly launch an attack on Sichuan and Chongqing. Lingnan was mainly inhabited by the Li and Liao people, who were simple, honest, hardworking, and skilled in warfare. Although they numbered only a little over 100,000, they were well-trained. With the financial support of the Song dynasty's forces and the command of Song Zhi, who always advocated for war, their fighting power was not to be underestimated. Therefore, the Li Tang did not immediately expand beyond the pass but instead closed itself off to strengthen its forces, aiming for a steady victory.

After meeting Zhai Jiao, whose appearance was frightening and whose temper was even more volatile than the Black King's, they left her a thousand taels of gold to deal with her immediate needs. They politely declined her offer of a fine Turkic horse, promising to recover the lost item. With Zhai Jiao's satisfied smile, the two left Leshou and continued their journey northeast towards Shanhaiguan.

Xiao Bei said, "I'm afraid history will repeat itself soon."

Even she, as a contemporary, felt strange saying such a thing.

Yuan Yueze knew she was referring to the famous Battle of Baibi. He continued running, saying, "We're too far away to help. Even if it repeats itself, there's nothing we can do."

---

Chapter 118

Although they were an old married couple, Xiao Bei still blushed slightly under Yuan Yueze's gaze. She glanced at him sideways before saying, "Such an important matter, even if my husband forgets, how could we sisters forget?"

Then, she uttered a long string of words that Yuan Yueze couldn't understand, smiling at him.

Yuan Yueze felt a wave of embarrassment. He had just realized he'd forgotten to bring someone who understood Turkic. Little did he know that Xiao Bei and the other women had already secretly prepared. He grabbed her slender waist and asked happily, "Bei'er isn't Turkic, so why can you speak Turkic?"

Xiao Bei raised an eyebrow, looking at Yuan Yueze smugly, and said, "After Princess Anyi, who was sent to marry Qimin Khan of the Eastern Turks, died, to maintain relations with the Turks, Emperor Wen married Princess Yicheng, a member of the imperial clan, to Qimin Khan. My feelings for her are..." Mother and daughter often corresponded, but the Turks kept a close watch on it, so she could only write in Turkic, and I would find someone to read it to me. Over the past ten years, I have learned many words of Turkic.”

At this point, her expression darkened, and she sighed, “After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, we stopped corresponding.”

Yuan Yueze had certainly heard of Princess Yicheng’s story. This woman lived in the Turkic Khaganate for nearly thirty years, serving successively as a concubine to Qimin Khan, Shibi Khan, Chuluo Khan, and Jieli Khan, before being killed by the Tang general Li Jing.

Xiao Bei suddenly said, "Oh! I suddenly have another idea. It's very likely that Jieli originally planned to personally lead a large army to invade Taiyuan together with Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang. However, because Tuli returned to his country with our help and launched a war against Jieli, Jieli was unable to spare the resources. He had no choice but to strengthen Song Jingang's military by sending men and horses. Wouldn't we be doing Li Tang a huge favor in this way?"

Yuan Yueze pondered and said, "That's true, but I think it's actually doing everyone in the Central Plains a favor. The Turks are used to being horse bandits..." Murder, arson, rape, and plunder are commonplace for them. If they were allowed to advance unimpeded into the Central Plains, it would cause extremely serious damage. At least with our current strength, we are absolutely no match for them.”

He paused here, a bitter glint in his eyes, and said resolutely, “If such a day ever comes, I would rather bear the torment of eternal nightmares than let the invaders be slaughtered by myself.”

Xiao Bei remained silent. Yuan Yueze’s words were not unfounded, because in the hatred between nations, personal friendships have no place. Even if Tuli was grateful to Yuan Yueze and considered him a confidant, it still could not change the fact that they belonged to different ethnic groups and held opposing positions. Therefore, he was very likely to make peace with Jieli at any time and jointly invade the Central Plains.

Holding Yuan Yueze's hand, Xiao Bei said softly, "What they lack is an opportunity. If Bi Xuan hadn't suffered a setback, perhaps the conflict between the two could be resolved. But Bi Xuan's wolf fangs are broken, so husband need not worry."

Yuan Yueze recalled the conversation between Yuwen Shang and Li Yuan that night, and said solemnly, "Whether Bi Xuan will regain his fighting spirit remains a mystery. Let's resolve the matter in the Northeast first, and then think about other things!"

Yuyang, Anle, Beiping, Liaoxi, and Zhuojun are known as the five major cities on the northeastern frontier. Because Gao Kaidao made Yuyang the capital, Yuyang was implicitly considered the foremost of the five cities, becoming the center of military, economic, and trade in the region.

Yuyang's city walls were only half the size of metropolises like Luoyang and Chang'an. Merchants concentrated on the main street that ran through the north and south city gates. Ten archways and pavilions spanned the street, and most of the houses were tiled-roof bungalows. The long street and ancient city, with its many carved buildings, filled the atmosphere of a major frontier city. As Yuyang was the largest post station and trade center south of Shanhaiguan, the city was bustling with merchants from the south and beyond the Great Wall, a vibrant mix of people from all directions.

As dusk fell, the main hall of a large restaurant in the city center was teeming with people, their voices loud and clear, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of restaurants in the Central Plains, highlighting the uninhibited spirit of the foreigners.

Suddenly, the noisy hall fell silent, all eyes turning to the entrance.

What attracted them was not the imposing, somewhat muscular man with an extremely sharp aura walking in, nor the two delicate beauties beside him, but the giant eagle perched on his shoulder, its cold, piercing eyes surveying the surroundings. The people of the Great Wall deeply revered eagles and wolves, and many of those in the restaurant were from beyond the Great Wall, but none had ever seen such a large eagle in their lives. The black eagle alone weighed at least forty or fifty pounds, and its wingspan, if spread, would probably be about ten feet.

These three were Yuan Yueze, Xiao Bei, and Shan Wanjing, who had arrived in Yuyang after a long journey of more than ten days. During this time, Xiao Bei had taught Yuan Yueze a lot of Turkic languages while he was practicing his Qi cultivation, and the other three women had also learned a little. Yuan Yueze had now recovered nearly 20% of his power, and he put on an arrogant demeanor to avoid being recognized, especially since the elusive Gui Sha would probably hide if he knew he had come to the Northern Frontier. The other two women, on the contrary, completely closed their pores, appearing weak and powerless, as if they knew nothing about martial arts, making it even harder to associate them with Yuan Yueze, since his and his beautiful wife's temperament and characteristics were known to almost everyone—their cultivation was celestial, elegant as immortals, ethereal and otherworldly.

Xiao Er glanced nervously at the terrifying Black King and Yuan Yueze, whose eyes could kill, and then steeled himself to invite the three to sit by the window. After casually ordering a few dishes, the three began to eat. Over the past few days, Black King had developed a friendship with Yuan Yueze and completely trusted him. It obediently stood on a bench, enjoying its meal. The close relationship between man and eagle drew admiring glances from everyone present, who envied the guy's good fortune in taming such a spirited eagle.

Yuan Yueze's gaze swept over the people at their table, who were constantly scrutinizing him. Faced with his sharp, piercing eyes, they all lost their nerve, immediately turning their attention back to their own tables, not daring to look over again. They drank and chatted, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively once more.

"Brother and your two ladies have handsome faces. I am a humble Taoist priest, Mule Daoist. Would I have the honor of sitting at the same table with you?"

A soft, feminine voice sounded from behind. Yuan Yueze and his companions looked over.

Approaching them was a middle-aged man dressed as a Taoist priest, carrying a teacup. He had a strange and ugly appearance, a short stature, and a pair of narrow eyes fixed intently on Black King, clearly showing his intense interest in the divine eagle.

Yuan Yueze came to this chaotic place to gather information, because outside of the Great Xia's sphere of influence, there was no other place for him to obtain information. So he picked up the Black King, placed it on his bench, stood up and gestured "please," saying, "I am Xiao Bei from Lanling, please sit down, Daoist." Xiao

Bei and Xiao Bei sounded the same, and Xiao Bei couldn't help but glare at him after hearing this.

The Mule Taoist thanked him and sat down, his eyes still fixed on the Black King, a fierce glint in them. He raised his teacup and said, "This humble Taoist doesn't know how to drink wine, so I'll offer tea in lieu of wine to Brother Xiao and your wives."

After a cup, the Mule Taoist finally looked away from the Black King and sighed, "Brother Xiao, please don't be offended. This humble Taoist has a very deep affection for animals. Look at that mule; it's my lifeblood. I've never seen such a huge divine eagle before, so I was inevitably distracted. Please forgive my rudeness."

The three followed his finger and looked out the window, where they saw a magnificent mule tethered to a pillar, its coat glossy and beautiful. They knew that the Mule Taoist's words were true.

Yuan Yueze smiled and shook his head. Mule Daoist continued, "Judging from your attire, you three must have lived in Xia Kingdom for a long time. If there is anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask." For

those who travel the martial world, it is important to be mindful of their words, especially not to inquire about others' whereabouts and purposes. Mule Daoist's way of speaking was skillful, omitting a question that shouldn't be asked while still expressing his intentions, leaving Yuan Yueze and the other two with no fault to speak of.

Yuan Yueze didn't stand on ceremony, lowering his voice as he said, "My cousin, Xiao Shiyong, runs a jade business both inside and outside the Great Wall. About a year ago, a batch of his goods was stolen. My wife and I have been living in seclusion for many years, no longer concerned with worldly affairs. But my brother was driven to suicide by his creditors. I couldn't bear this injustice and decided to come out of seclusion to investigate and seek justice for my brother's spirit."

The Mule Taoist was stunned and said, "Brother Xiao and your two wives look to be only around twenty years old. How could you have been living in seclusion for so many years?"

Yuan Yueze pretended to be mysterious and said, "To be honest, Taoist Master, I am over fifty years old this year." "My two wives are only a few years younger than me. My wife and I received the immortal arts from Master Sun Simiao, and we have practiced them for many years, achieving considerable results. However, Master Sun does not acknowledge me as his disciple, so I hope he will keep this matter a secret."

A look of reverence appeared in Mule Daoist's eyes as he murmured, "No wonder, no wonder, you are Master Sun's outstanding disciple."

Yuan Yueze breathed a sigh of relief; at least his fabricated background was fairly complete. He had heard about the jade merchant from Zhai Jiao, but after the jade merchant's tragic suicide, the case had long been unsolved. His cleverness lay in his quick thinking invoking Sun Simiao. Historically, Sun Simiao was recorded as maintaining a youthful appearance, complexion, and gait even past fifty, and his whereabouts were always kept secret. Mule Daoist, being a Taoist himself, immediately dared not doubt him further.

Clearing his throat, the Mule Taoist said, "We are all cultivators, and I am grateful for Brother Xiao's trust in me. I am fairly well-connected in this area. How much have you heard about the recent events in the Northern Frontier?"

Yuan Yueze feigned ignorance, saying, "I only vaguely heard people mention some kind of ghost outside Yuyang, and that's all I know."

The Mule Taoist said, "The ghost is indeed a terrifying figure, but he wouldn't be related to your brother's business. Recently, strange things have been happening one after another in the Northern Frontier. The 'Anle Tragedy' five days ago and the 'Baihua Tragedy' three days ago are both very troublesome."

Seeing the three men's puzzled expressions, the Mule Taoist became even more convinced that they were hermits who had lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years. He explained in a low voice, "Anle County is located north of Yuyang. The largest gang in the city is the Anle Gang. The gang leader, Lu Pingde, is highly respected and has many connections. He offended the people of Wolf Valley while investigating a robbery case, and Wolf Valley..." The leader of the bandits led a group of skilled fighters into the city and slaughtered Lu Ping's entire family of over a hundred people in one night, sparing not even children or pregnant women. They then set the Lu family home ablaze, the fire spreading to neighboring houses, destroying dozens of buildings and killing hundreds of innocent people. Later, eyewitnesses claimed that the perpetrator was a single person, leading people to speculate that he was the legendary Ghost Fiend, whose martial arts were said to rival those of Yuan Yueze, the greatest

martial artist in the land. This incident sparked outrage in the Northern Frontier martial arts world. For the first time, the previously independent gangs united to hold a Northern Frontier martial arts conference at Yinma Post Station, determined to bring justice to the dead. He then sighed, "I despise these hypocritical martial artists the most. What right do they have to seek justice for my chess friend? Alas! What kind of gang is this, called the Peace and Happiness Gang? Only the dead find peace; I never imagined my words would come true. Brother Lu, I toast you."

His last sentence was a soliloquy, somewhat erratic, yet genuinely heartfelt expression. Only then did the group realize that Mule Daoist was a close friend of Lu Ping, the murdered leader of the Anle Gang.

Yuan Yueze, however, felt nothing at being called the number one expert. He thought to himself, "First time? Ghost Fiend has been committing crimes for so long, yet the Northern Frontier martial arts world hasn't made much of a fuss. Now that it's discovered Ghost Fiend doesn't only steal placentas from pregnant women, everyone's suddenly on edge.

" Shan Wanjing asked, "What about the 'Hundred Flowers Tragedy'?"

Mule Daoist asked curiously, "Madam, have you heard of 'Wolf Valley'?"

Shan Wanjing then realized she had inadvertently given herself away and said calmly, "Never heard of it, but I'm very interested in the latter case."

Mule Daoist nodded and said, "There's a famous archer here known as the Archery Master, who makes bows and arrows for those who can afford high prices. This gentleman is also the Prince of Yan's personal craftsman. I heard he made seven divine bows he was very satisfied with in his lifetime, and now he only has the 'Sun-Piercing' and 'Moon-Shooting' bows left in his private collection. Someone offered a thousand taels of gold for them." He still refused to part with her. Master Arrow was eccentric and wouldn't listen to anyone, including the Prince of Yan. He was infatuated with Mei Niang of the brothel "Hundred Flowers Garden," and couldn't sleep without going there. Just three nights ago, a masked man broke into Hundred Flowers Garden, targeting Master Arrow's room. The next day, only many corpses were found; Master Arrow had vanished. The most bizarre thing was that some said it was the work of the Wolf Thief, others said it was the work of the Ghost Fiend, and still others said it was the work of Shen Mohuan, the leader of the Wei Sha Gang. In short, there were many theories. The Prince of Yan considered this case a great disgrace, and despite offering a large reward, he still couldn't catch the murderer. "Bring them to justice."

Yuan Yueze's mind was in chaos. These sudden cases were full of suspicious points, and reasoning alone wouldn't be very effective. The Mule Taoist continued, "I believe there are only a few people who harmed your brother. One is 'Hungry Wolf' Cui Wang. He was born in a small village called 'Wolf Valley.' His wolf bandits are elusive and swift, specializing in robbing merchants traveling to and from the border. Anyone who resists is killed without mercy. They cover their faces with black hoods when they act and then disperse to various places afterward, making them extremely mysterious. The second is Shen Mohuan, the leader of the Weisha Gang. He and his wife, Muling, are known as the 'Husband and Wife Bandits.' He has a notorious reputation in the border regions." "Far away, leading a band of bandits, they come and go like the wind, and no one can do anything to them. It is said that they also have the secret support of Jieli, and they have ravaged Liaobei, killing countless people; the second is Huyan Jin, the Khitan bandit leader; the third is Han Chao'an from Bai Gaoli; and finally..."

He glanced around alertly, then leaned closer and said, "The last one is Du Xing, the big boss of the Northern Overlord Gang. This man has close ties with Huyan Jin, and has both Turkic and Khitan blood, and is hostile to our Han people. Hey! Brother Xiao, your cultivation is not simple, you can definitely win a lot of pride for our Han people!"

Xiao Bei was calm and composed, and he realized that he only wanted to give Yuan Yueze some pointers, and the rest would be... The various villains who arrived were all potentially connected to the Anle massacre, their sole purpose being to use Yuan Yueze to avenge Lu Ping. Yuan Yueze, of course, wouldn't ignore these two matters, so he went along with Yuan Yueze's wishes, saying, "So many strange things have happened here before. Thank you for your guidance, Daoist. May I ask if you have heard of Xu Kaishan, the leader of the Northern Horse Gang? My uncle left a letter saying this man is extraordinary."

The Mule Daoist grasped her meaning of "extraordinary," a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes, and said, "I heard he went to the far north more than half a year ago to search for a precious horse, only returning to the northern frontier after the Spring Festival. He suffered frostbite from the extreme cold of the far north." "Dirty, he went into seclusion to recuperate after returning."

Yuan Yueze said, "It seems that Daoist has something on his mind. I, Xiao, swear on the honor of my ancestors in Lanling that I will never stand idly by in the face of such a horrific tragedy. Please speak plainly, Daoist."

The Mule Daoist apologized and said in a low voice, "Du Xing is a two-faced man. He does all sorts of evil deeds in secret, controlling a sinful kingdom that includes gambling, prostitution, smuggling, and tax evasion. Through violence, intimidation, bribery, and the elimination of dissidents, those who oppose him live, and those who obey him die, until everyone submits to his tyranny, daring not to speak out. On the other hand, he pretends to be a champion of justice." Lin Dahao, a generous man, always helps those in need, seeking justice for the robbed and bullied, even setting up a charitable hall to provide free food for the poor. Xu Kaishan is his lackey, a lackey who does heinous things for him, so as not to damage his reputation. His claim of going to the far north to find a fine horse seems more like he was being hunted by enemies. Moreover, after these past few days of investigation, I've realized this man is very likely the Wolf Bandit. I've always believed Brother Lu was harmed by the Wolf Bandits, because he's been relentlessly pursuing their trail for the past few months. Before his demise, he went to Shanhaiguan, but according to Shu Dingtai, the second-in-command of the Anbang gang who accompanied him... He said nothing particularly unusual had happened. They were on their way to meet a group of Hu merchants who had been robbed by Cui Wang, but they found them gone; the merchants had already left the pass. However, Brother Lu had privately told me that Shu Dingtai and Du Xing were very close, and he had repeatedly tried to dissuade them, but to no avail. Today, his thoughts suddenly became clear, and he realized that there must be some kind of shady relationship between Shu Dingtai, Du Xing, and Xu Kaishan.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Northeast was less influenced by him, and the wolf bandits had a close relationship with the Great Ming Zunjiao. Cui Wang was actually Gong Qi, a general under the "Dragon King" Bai Ziting, in disguise, and obeyed Xu Kaishan. Although Mule Daoren's speculation was not entirely wrong, it was not far off. Thinking of this, his eyes gleamed even brighter, flashing with powerful confidence, and he said, "If it's convenient for you, Daoist Master, please spread the word that I've come here. I imagine those arrogant local bullies will come to provoke me."

The Mule Daoist was taken aback, but said, "That's no problem. Brother Xiao, you are highly skilled and courageous, and your chivalrous heart in eliminating harm for the people is admirable. I'll offer you another cup."

The three of them left the city and continued their journey, traveling under the stars and moon.

From the mule-walker's words, he gleaned the most useful information: Xu Kaishan had returned to the Northern Frontier. While the claim of searching for the precious horse in the far north was dubious, the mule-walker's statement was equally unreliable. His immediate priority was to reach Shanhaiguan to find Susu, eliminate the ghostly demon, and then continue north. Of course, it would be even better if he could investigate the two tragic incidents along the way, or perhaps kill Xu Kaishan.

After asking for directions and consulting a map, Yuan Yueze learned that if he followed the official road directly, bypassing Anle and passing Yinma Post Station, he could reach Shanhaiguan. Although he was worried about Susu, he knew that a disturbed mind would do no good for restoring his inner strength. He forcibly suppressed his worries and continued northeast at his usual pace.

Occasionally, he encountered passing merchants, and they would greet each other warmly, exchanging information about their journeys. Whenever the merchants saw the Black King, they would exclaim in amazement, especially at Yuan Yueze, a man from the Central Plains, who hadn't even prepared a horse and was traveling barefoot. Along the way, they encountered some gang members hurrying on their way. The Black King and the four women accompanying Yuan Yueze would all show greedy expressions, but faced with Yuan Yueze's murderous aura, they ultimately chose to continue their journey.

After several more days of travel, it was now early February. The group of five deeply appreciated the magnificent landscape of the northern border. Ahead lay towering mountains, vast and dense primeval forests stretching endlessly, with streams flowing through the depths of the woods, lush with vegetation, and birch and oak trees reaching for the sky. From higher vantage points, they could see fields interspersed with low-lying farmhouses and grazing cattle and sheep, a scene of seclusion and tranquility.

Yuan Yueze maintained a pace of a hundred li per day, spending the rest of his time practicing martial arts and learning some basic Turkic from Xiao Bei. Over these many days, he had made considerable progress.

Dan Ruyin, holding a map, approached Yuan Yueze and pouted, "None of us have ever been to the Northern Frontier. Luckily, my husband has spiritual powers with the Black King, otherwise we would have really gotten lost. This map is giving me a headache."

Song Yuhua chimed in, "The climate in the Northern Frontier is indeed much worse than in the Central Plains. For example, at this time of year, the Central Plains would be much warmer. No wonder the people from beyond the Great Wall have always coveted the Central Plains."

Yuan Yueze sighed, "The terrain beyond the Great Wall is unique. The vast grasslands are all on plateaus, and the Gobi Desert lies to the west of the grasslands. The eastern grasslands are the widest. It is said that the sun rises from the eastern part of the grasslands and takes a whole hour to illuminate the entire grassland. People cannot..." They can choose their birthplace, but as they grow up, they have the right to choose their place of residence. However, all of this is burdened by things ranging from small habits and conduct to large national and ethnic baggage, ultimately only resolved through war.

Xiao Bei was arguably the most experienced and composed of the group. She frowned slightly and said, "After traveling a few dozen more miles, we should reach Yinma Post Station. I wonder if we can make it in time for the Northern Frontier Martial Arts Tournament."

Shan Wanjing said, "Those gang members we encountered on the road these past few days must be heading towards Yinma Post Station!"

Before Yuan Yueze could reply, the enormous figure of the Black King swooped down and circled in the sky.

The group recognized the hawk carrying the message and immediately focused their attention on the distance.

They saw dust billowing in the distance, and a moment later, knights, mule carts, and horse-drawn carriages appeared from the direction of Yinma Post Station.

Yuan Yueze said, "This group numbers at least a hundred. Their formation is disorganized; they appear to be one group, but they actually belong to different teams. They left in a hurry, as if they were hastily fleeing from Yinma Post Station. Perhaps we're too late? Ladies, please hide first; it's inconvenient for you to show yourselves."

The women hid in their bracelets, and Yuan Yueze, carrying the Black King on his shoulder, strode confidently towards the caravan. As they approached, they became even more certain that the group were merchants resting at Yinma Post Station, and they all "escaped" from the station. This group fled in a disheveled state, not even glancing at Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze grabbed a fat man dressed as a merchant and asked him what had happened. The merchant glanced at Black King, stunned, and gasped, "You absolutely mustn't go to Yinma Post Station! A lot of gangsters have come there; nothing good will come of it."

Yuan Yueze said, "Yinma Post Station is dozens of miles away. Why are you in such a hurry?"

The merchant replied, "Someone saw 'Overlord' Du Xing arrange a large number of men to ambush around Yinma Post Station. They're probably going to kill us and rob us. Of course, the farther we get, the better." He

then forcefully broke free from Yuan Yueze's grasp and staggered away.

Black King flew low and circled, while Yuan Yueze sped towards Yinma Post Station.

He was probably too late. The martial arts world of the Northern Frontier was always rife with internal strife, and there were certainly many who were hostile to Du Xing. Du Xing had previously ignored the Ghost Fiend incident, and the Anle massacre was very likely orchestrated by him. This time, using the pretext of dealing with Ghost Fiend, he could gather all the important figures of the Northern Frontier together to eliminate them—perfect for him.

After running for more than ten miles, crossing a hill, the official road straightened out. In the distance, the trees seemed shrouded in mist, like a celestial realm, mesmerizing all who beheld it. Not far away was the watering post station.

The sound of hooves rose again ahead, and a lone, swift mule, as fast as a horse, galloped towards them. On the mule rode a man covered in blood, his clothes disheveled—none other than the Mule Taoist, whom they had only parted from a few days ago.

Seeing the Black King dancing above Yuan Yueze's head, the Mule Taoist was overjoyed and shouted from afar, "Brother Xiao, why are you so late!"

He stopped his beloved mule, Xiao Lei, in front of Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze immediately reached out and circulated his qi to help him calm his breathing, asking, "Has Du Xing made his move?"

The Mule Taoist was stunned, clearly not expecting him to guess so accurately. He smiled bitterly and said, "Everyone in the Northern Frontier martial arts world except Xu Kaishan has arrived. Du Xing arrived with an overbearing attitude, not mentioning the Ghost Fiend, but saying he wanted to choose a leader. How could anyone submit to him? Naturally, they opposed it, and..." Someone exposed his weakness, and Du Xing, who was just looking for an excuse, immediately ordered an attack. Only then did everyone realize they had fallen into an ambush. Du Xing had already arranged hundreds of swordsmen and crossbowmen outside the post station. "Alas, it's fortunate that I don't usually provoke enemies, and my skills are low,"

Yuan Yueze said. At this moment, Yuan Yueze's strength had only recovered to a little over 20%, making it inconvenient to continuously provide him with breathing exercises. Seeing that his breathing had calmed down, he stopped and said, "There should be some skilled martial artists in the Northern Frontier. How could they be so easily fooled?"

Seeing him walk towards the Yinma Post Station, the Mule Taoist exclaimed in horror, "Brother Xiao, don't be reckless! If you go now, you'll have a nine-out-of-ten chance of death!" When I escaped, the leaders of the Outer Alliance Gang, Da Gonglang, the Northeast Gang, Bei Shuqun, the Desert Gang, Jing Kang, the Xianxia Cave Master, Chen He, and their followers were either dead or wounded. The Northern Frontier was indeed not lacking in experts, but Du Xingxian, through his old flame, the proprietress of Yinma Inn, "Sao Niangzi," had laced the food and drink with a muscle-relaxing drug. Furthermore, Qiu Nanshan, the chief constable appointed by the Prince of Yan, was absent. Shu Dingtai of the Anle Gang and Xiang Yuanhua of the Beima Gang had also defected to Du Xingxian's side. Such a premeditated trap was inescapable for anyone. Qiu Nanshan… "Shan was probably already silenced by Du Xing."

Chapter 119 Yinma Post Station.

Yuan Yueze asked, "Didn't the Daoist spread the word for me?"

The Mule Daoist replied, "I have, but Du Xing and the others don't take Brother Xiao seriously at all..."

Yuan Yueze secretly regretted his decision. How could a name no one had ever heard of attract attention and have a deterrent effect? So he smiled and said, "Daoist, please leave. I need to go and take a look. If Du Xing is also one of the people who killed my cousin, I will never forgive him."

After saying that, he strode towards Yinma Post Station.

After a while, the mule-wielding Taoist's voice sounded from behind, saying, "Brother Xiao, please wait. I am not one to fear death. Besides, Du Xing's wolfish ambitions have been exposed, and Brother Lu's death must be related to him. You are not familiar with this place, so let me lead the way for you! By the way, where are your two ladies?"

Yuan Yueze said, "I guarantee with my life that you, Taoist, will be safe. My wife has lived in seclusion for many years and is very disgusted with the secular world. I have arranged for them to stay in a secluded place."

After a long run, the two arrived at the bottom of the slope leading to Yinma Inn. Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback, not expecting such a strangely shaped and imposing inn to exist in the border region.

Yinma Inn was located high on the mountainside on one side of the valley, backed by high mountains, resembling a mountain stronghold with military defensive capabilities.

The mule-wielding Taoist stared blankly at Xiao Lei, who was exhausted and foaming at the mouth, for a moment before beginning to introduce the place to Yuan Yueze.

The main building of Yinma Post Station was a two-story earthen building, surrounded by a circular stone wall three zhang high. The main building was located on the side facing the mountain, and the wall extended from both sides of the earthen building, enclosing a large open square, which was also a place for carriages and horses to park. The main gate was opposite the main building, with only one entrance. Along the wall were more than fifty guest rooms. The courtyard was surrounded by a corridor with groups of seven or eight chairs and tables for people to rest and chat. In the center of the courtyard was a large water tank two zhang wide.

Mule Daoist's eyes flashed with surprise. There was no sign of fighting in the post station in front of him. He could vaguely see more than a dozen wooden fences for local horses embedded in the square, and some waiters were chatting while filling the mangers with hay and water for dozens of strong horses to eat and drink. Yuan Yueze, however, was unconvinced. Although his power had diminished, his profound spiritual cultivation was constantly improving. Through his spiritual sense, he clearly perceived a tense and eerie atmosphere in the surroundings, making people feel a tightness in their chests. He frowned and said, "This stone-built stronghold sits atop a hill. Both the plaza and the main building have only one entrance, with narrow windows. While this offers defensive advantages, if the entrance is blocked, no one can escape. And considering it's only been a quarter of an hour, the scene has been cleaned up so thoroughly. Du Xing is certainly no ordinary person."

With that, he leaped up, landing at the inn's entrance in a few bounds, and shouted, "Where is Du Xing? Come out and face your death!"

Black King nimbly flew down and perched proudly on his shoulder.

The Mule Daoist thought to himself, "How can this man be so naive and impulsive?" But his face was cold, his eyes gleaming with a powerful, almost tangible confidence. His majestic, mountain-like, and upright body, straight as a spear, resembled a god. Black King on his shoulder added to his domineering and arrogant aura, giving one the feeling that no matter what storm they encountered, this man and eagle would remain steadfast.

The sound of true energy being channeled could be heard for dozens of feet around. Suddenly, a commotion arose inside the building, and a dozen strong men rushed out of the door, wielding sharp weapons. Judging from their restrained energy and prominent, undisguised temples, Yuan Yueze deduced that these experts were likely arranged by Du Xing.

Just then, a woman in colorful robes emerged from the crowd, greeting Yuan Yueze with a charming smile: "Is this the young master Xiao from Lanling? He truly is a handsome man, even I am somewhat tempted!"

It was easy to guess that she was the prostitute at the Yinma Inn, the seductive lady. She was excessively voluptuous, well past thirty, and only through makeup could she resist the ravages of time. Dressed in a gaudy, bright red dress, she was worlds apart from Zhang Chuchen, who also favored red. The scent of perfume and cosmetics could be smelled from several feet away, and her watery, seductive eyes were infinitely provocative, reminiscent of cheap prostitution.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Mule Taoist had indeed done a lot of publicity for "Xiao Bei." Ignoring her provocative words, he waved his hand and shouted, "Du Xing, you coward! A real man should act boldly! If you don't come out, I'll tear this post station down!" The

slutty woman and her men's expressions changed drastically, and they all started cursing. Just as the slutty woman was about to find an excuse to send Yuan Yueze away, she saw the Mule Taoist running over from not far away. Her face immediately darkened, and she fell silent.

Suddenly, a loud voice came from inside the hall, politely saying, "I have long admired Brother Xiao's name. Please come in for a chat. Du Xing awaits your arrival."

As soon as the Mule Taoist stood beside Yuan Yueze, he immediately shook his head, signaling him not to fall for it. Du Xing's smile was a trap; if he went in, wouldn't that be like walking into a snare?

Yuan Yueze hadn't expected Mule Daoist to come. Now, with an extra burden, it didn't affect his confidence. He gave Mule Daoist a reassuring smile and strode confidently towards the hall entrance. Each step was firm and powerful, his imposing figure and the strange rhythm of his footsteps conveying an unwavering determination. This completely overwhelmed the aura of the assembled experts at the entrance.

Mule Daoist broke out in a cold sweat, forced to follow closely.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yuan Yueze followed Sao Niangzi into the main building, which was a spacious dining hall that could accommodate nearly thirty large round tables. Behind the main building was a large garden, the site of the famous Yinma Hot Spring. Irregularly shaped natural hot springs emitted rising steam and billowing mist, instantly elevating the simply furnished dining hall to a celestial paradise.

Only one person remained in the dining hall, yet Yuan Yueze's spiritual sense detected at least a hundred people lying in ambush behind the surrounding walls. He immediately began to devise a plan to protect Mule Daoist. Du Xing whirled around like a whirlwind, striding forward to greet him, clasping his hands in a fist salute, "Brother Xiao, please!"

The instant his gaze fell upon Mule Daoist, a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes before he regained his smiling demeanor, carefully scrutinizing Yuan Yueze and Black King.

Du Xing lived up to his name as a tyrant; tall and imposing, his physique commanding respect. His unusually high forehead indicated he was no fool. He was just over forty, not exactly handsome, but brimming with masculine vigor and radiant energy. Beneath his thick eyebrows were sharp, piercing eyes, as if nothing could hide from him. With one hand behind his back, wearing a yellow warrior's robe and cloak, and leather boots, he exuded an undeniable aura of dominance. Under Yuan Yueze's sharp, sword-like gaze, Yuan Yueze showed no unease whatsoever. He calmly sat down, while Mule Daoist trembled as he took his seat. Du Xing and Sao Niangzi both flashed mocking and disdainful looks. After personally pouring Yuan Yueze a full glass of wine, Du Xing said, "This is the proprietress's treasured Hongmao wine. It regulates qi and benefits the lungs, nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys, invigorates qi and calms the mind, soothes the liver and strengthens the spleen. Its benefits are countless. Brother Xiao, please."

Mule Daoist's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in horror, "I can't drink this!"

Yuan Yueze didn't care, drank it all in one gulp, frowned slightly, stroked the glossy feathers of the Black King, and said, "This..." "The medicinal wine is too bitter. Alright, let's get down to business! Could you hand over the martial arts figures from the Northern Frontier that Brother Du captured?"

Seeing Yuan Yueze drink it all in one gulp, Du Xing and his companion were surprised. Seeing Mule Daoist's deathly pale face, they were secretly pleased. However, Yuan Yueze's directness displeased Du Xing, who said, "Trouble arises from too much talk, and worries from being too assertive. Brother Xiao should understand this is the truth. The grudges of the Northern Frontier martial arts world are none of your concern. Do you agree?"

Yuan Yueze secretly thought, "Wow, Du Xing's adherence to the rules of the martial world has put us at a disadvantage." People of this era, especially those from the grasslands, respect the strong; only the strong deserve respect. Du Xing could tell that Yuan Yueze's strength was at most equal to his own, hence his equally bluntness.

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "Brother Du speaks well. Then I would like to ask about something related to me. My cousin, Xiao Shiyong, had a shipment of goods robbed near Shanhai County, resulting in the destruction of his family and death. I wonder if Brother Du knows who did it? Oh! Please don't say you don't know. I have thoroughly investigated Brother Du's relationship with the Khitan Huyan Jin."

Even with Du Xing's shrewdness, his facial muscles twitched slightly upon hearing this. Although Gao Kaidao was the ruler of the Northeast, he still had little say in many areas. A regional overlord like Du Xing, backed by the Turks and Khitans, was someone everyone knew was capable of evil in secret, yet no one could do anything about him. Moreover, his martial arts were unparalleled in the Northeast, and everyone feared him. When had he ever been subjected to such cold mockery?

Looking at his expression, Yuan Yueze secretly thought that Xiao Shiyong might really have been harmed by Du Xing.

"Bang!"

Du Xing slammed his hand on the table, making a dull thud, but not a single drop of wine spilled from the wine cup on the table, demonstrating that his martial arts were not only extraordinary but also of unparalleled internal strength. He shouted angrily, "Your cousin being kidnapped has nothing to do with my mother! Which person in the martial world doesn't value honor? Your words are pointed at me. If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation today, don't even think about leaving."

Yuan Yueze continued to stroke the Black King's head, and yelled, "Trustworthy? Damn it! Wasn't the poison in the medicinal wine I just drank put in your mouth? Wasn't it you who plotted against the martial arts world of the Northern Frontier, trying to dominate it? Besides being shameless, I don't think you, Du Xing, have any real skills."

Du Xing laughed loudly, slapping his leg, and said, "Since you know you've been poisoned, why don't you obediently surrender? Grandpa might spare your life! I curse your ancestors for eighteen generations! Who here dares to order me around, Du Xing?"

Yuan Yueze suddenly stood up, grabbing the edge of the table with both hands. As he stepped back slightly, he lifted the entire large wooden table off the ground. Then, in a fit of anger, he hurled it upwards. The table, along with the cups, plates, and dishes, rose as if weightless, crashing heavily into the main beam of the roof. The table, cups, and dishes shattered into pieces, raining down on the group. With a gentle force from his right hand, he sent the Mule Taoist out of the window, saying, "Go as far away as you can! Black King will protect you!"

Du Xing and Sao Niangzi retreated together, realizing from Yuan Yueze's actions that he was trying to seize the initiative and get rid of the Mule Taoist first.

The Mule Taoist was uncontrollably thrown out of the window, grateful for Yuan Yueze's protection. At the same time, a strange whistling sound echoed from the hall, and the doorway was immediately blocked by a group of burly men wielding knives who appeared out of nowhere. Another group rushed towards him, but fortunately, Black King, having undergone a transformation in its meridians thanks to Yuan Yueze's true energy, was now a formidable opponent. The first burly man to charge was struck on the arm by its powerful wings, the pain causing him to lose his grip on his knife. Before he could even recover, Black King's black beak, harder than steel, had pecked off most of his nose. The burly man let out a pig-like scream, writhing on the ground in agony.

Yuan Yueze's movements were swift and decisive. Grabbing a bamboo chopstick still in mid-air, he poured all his accumulated energy and spirit into it, and with thunderous force, thrust it towards Du Xing, aiming to capture the bandit leader with a single, unexpected attack. The

sound of wind whistling filled the air. Du Xing dared not be careless, but unfortunately, his Overlord Axe was still hidden behind the wall, leaving him no choice but to raise his palm to meet the blow.

"Bang!"

After the clash of energies, a blush crept across Du Xing's face. Using the momentum, he smashed through the wall, simultaneously grabbing the unskilled Sao Niangzi with his right hand and throwing her towards Yuan Yueze to stop him from continuing his pursuit.

Yuan Yueze, having failed with his chopsticks attack, caught his breath and gave chase again. However, Sao Niangzi was thrown towards him. He certainly wouldn't show mercy to these members of the Great Ming Sect, striking out with a palm.

The events unfolded too quickly; Sao Niangzi didn't even have time to react before Yuan Yueze's palm struck her chest. Blood gushed from her trachea, and she collapsed to the ground, her eyes wide open in death. Even in her dying moments, she couldn't believe that the selfish and heartless Du Xing had killed her.

Yuan Yueze rushed out of the shop, but at least five hundred men surrounded him. Some wielded swords, others drew their crossbows, all in perfect unison, nocking arrows and aiming at him. At Du Xing's command, a barrage of arrows would rain down upon him. This group of men stood poised and ready, yet their breathing was utterly even, indicating that Du Xing's men were no ordinary rabble from a gang. Their appearance, so different from that of the Central Plains people, suggested they were all foreigners from the Turkic or Khitan ethnic

groups, all fierce, composed, and fearless. Du Xing, wielding a pair of massive axes, exuded an imposing aura. To his left stood a middle-aged man with a scholarly air, seemingly a secretary to a high-ranking official; to his right, a man in his thirties, wielding a longsword, with thick, bushy hair and eyebrows like iron wire, and a short, brush-like beard, possessed a distinctly defined profile and a chilling, composed gaze—a middle-aged man with considerable masculine charm.

Yuan Yueze, seemingly oblivious to the hundreds of arrows aimed at him, calmly said, "If I'm not mistaken, are the two men beside Brother Du the second-in-command of the Anle Gang and the advisor of the Beima Gang? Aside from today's Yinma tragedy, are the Anle tragedy and the Baihua tragedy also related to you? Come at me all at once!"

Du Xing's group remained motionless, staring at Yuan Yueze in astonishment.

At this moment, Yuan Yueze's mind had entered a state of emptiness and stillness, a state of no-thought, where he was one with heaven and earth, his ego nonexistent. He deliberately showed no fear or trepidation, and was fully aware of his surroundings, knowing that in this state, his opponents could not grasp his true strength or see through his supposed invincibility. Du Xing and the others felt as if Yuan Yueze had merged into the world; if their eyes hadn't told them there was a person standing there, they would never have believed it.

This is merely a spiritual state, requiring no internal strength. Yuan Yueze's aim is to undermine his opponent's confidence and morale, because the martial arts of the Turks and Khitans are characterized by brute force and a strong sense of momentum, with a life-or-death mentality. Given that his strength has not yet fully recovered, Yuan Yueze must use all means to undermine his opponent's fighting spirit from every angle.

Du Xing felt a pang of regret. He had been blinded by victory, prioritizing poison over eliminating the troublesome stranger who had come to cause trouble, thus creating an unnecessary rift. This man was so skilled that he was completely unaffected by the seductive woman's ten deadly poisons, further eroding Du Xing's confidence. Adding to this, Yuan Yueze's use of all his sword energy to lock him down only deepened his remorse, causing his fighting spirit to plummet. However, he still forced a smile and said, "If it weren't for the news from Luoyang that Yuan Yueze was in seclusion to heal the seriously injured Zhu Yuyan, I might have mistaken you for him!"

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly. This appearance was indeed completely different from the rumors, but someone as observant as Du Xing could still see the discrepancy. Fortunately, the reason given by Luoyang was plausible, so Du Xing only harbored slight suspicion.

In a moment of slight surprise, Du Xing shouted, "Attack!"

Arrows rained down from all directions.

Before they could even rejoice, their expressions suddenly froze.

Yuan Yueze, riddled with countless arrows, charged forward like a hedgehog. Halfway there, he used his inner energy to deflect the arrows and, like a tiger, punched Du Xing.

His mind was repeatedly shaken; everyone regarded Yuan Yueze as an invincible god. Du Xing felt fear, but Yuan Yueze's speed and momentum were overwhelming, leaving him no choice but to meet him head-on with his men.

Suddenly, the Black King's shrill cry rang out, indicating that the Mule Taoist had been safely escorted away. The powerful giant eagle joined the battle, blood splattering everywhere. Even the usually fierce Turkic and Khitan people couldn't withstand the power of Yuan Yueze and the Black King; after more than two hundred were killed, some began to flee.

Having successively killed the two mediocre advisors, Yuan Yueze ignored the soldiers still charging at him and fiercely attacked Du Xing, who was dodging backward. The Black King, sensing the opportunity, used its giant wings to push back the soldiers, its steel beak sniping and iron claws clawing, buying time for Yuan Yueze.

"Bang!"

Du Xing screamed in agony, his giant axe slipping from his hand. He coughed up blood and flew several feet away, crashing to the ground.

Yuan Yueze stood beside him, his foot pressing on Du Xing's head. "You're so good at cursing, aren't you? Let me hear you curse a few more times!" A sense of

relief washed over him. If he hadn't mentally and physically broken his opponent, this battle wouldn't have ended so easily.

Du Xing spat angrily, "Han dog, don't even think about submitting to me! We Turks are fearless and undaunted!"

Yuan Yueze stomped on Du Xing's knee, a crisp cracking sound followed by a smile. "How could I let you die?"

Du Xing was in excruciating pain, his face contorted. Seeing Yuan Yueze's foot about to strike his other knee, Du Xing finally begged for mercy, "Brother Xiao, if you spare my life, I'll tell you everything."

This man was indeed extraordinary; even in this desperate situation, his mind remained sharp, striving to secure his own interests.

Yuan Yueze said, "I promise that if Brother Du tells everything, I will spare your life, but this only applies to me."

Du Xing was stunned. This time, he had offended everyone in the Northern Frontier martial arts world, both those he could and those he couldn't. Even if Yuan Yueze let him go, how could the others possibly let him go? It seemed he had to find another way out.

As his mind raced, Yuan Yueze had already squatted down and used acupressure to stop the bleeding, saying, "I hope what Brother Du knows will not disappoint me."

Looking at the corpses scattered all around, Du Xing had no choice but to swear a poisonous oath before confessing everything.

The gang leaders he had captured were all locked in the underground prison at Yinma Post Station. After Du Xing had his men clean up the battlefield, before he could even force them to sign an unequal treaty, Yuan Yueze came to cause trouble and threw him into disarray.

Yuan Yueze asked again, "Where is Xu Kaishan hiding?"

Du Xing shook his head and said, "I don't know either."

Yuan Yueze said angrily, "Have you forgotten the oath you just swore? Or do you want me to teach you another lesson? Xu Kaishan hid in another place before and only recently returned to the Northern Frontier. He even claimed that he went to the far north to find a precious horse. You still dare to lie to me?"

Du Xing smiled bitterly, "That was all after Xiang Yuanhua secretly submitted to me. I arranged for someone to impersonate Xu Kaishan to intimidate the internal strife within the Northern Horse Gang. The real Xu Kaishan disappeared more than half a year ago."

To be on the safe side, Yuan Yueze said, "Tell me where the fake Xu Kaishan is later. I want to go see him."

Du Xing could only nod.

The sound of hooves rang out, and Yuan Yueze looked up to see that Mule Daoren had returned.

Surprised by the corpses scattered on the ground and the dejected Du Xing, Mule Daoren was unusually excited. After Yuan Yueze briefly explained the situation to him, he asked him to release the people in the dungeon.

Du Xing hurriedly said, "Please, Brother Xiao, spare me. If they come out now, I will suffer a fate worse than death. I am already a cripple, and I only want to go back to my hometown and live a peaceful life. I have no desire for fame or fortune anymore."

Yuan Yueze stopped the mule-wielding Taoist and said, "Seeing that you are a decent man, I will let you go this time. Continue to confess."

Du Xing was overjoyed, his life was finally saved, and he immediately told everything he knew.

It turned out that the culprit who stole Zhai Jiao's 80,000 sheepskins was none other than Gong Qi, a general under Bai Ziting, who had an unusual relationship with both Xu Kaishan and Du Xing, disguised as Cui Wang. Bai Ziting was short of money when he established his kingdom, so he came up with this method: first sell the goods to people, and then his army secretly supported Gong Qi to steal the goods by pretending to be bandits, extorting money from the other party at a high price. In this way, one batch of goods was equivalent to being sold twice, and Bai Ziting made a fortune through this method. After going around in circles, we still returned to the old path of the original book. Du Xing was not involved in either the Anle or Baihua tragedy, but he knew that Huyan Jin, Han Chaoan and Gong Qi might be related to the Anle tragedy. He had no idea who was responsible for the Baihua tragedy.

Upon hearing about the instigator of his old friend's case, Mule Daoist exclaimed indignantly, "The Northern Frontier has been turned upside down by Ghost Fiend, and you still have the nerve to cause division!"

Yuan Yueze asked, "Who is Ghost Fiend?"

Du Xing replied, "I don't know either. I heard from Huyan Jin that Ghost Fiend seems to have a close relationship with the 'Mad Monk of India,' because Ghost Fiend has never committed any crimes in the Mohe region. My latest news is that Ghost Fiend has started causing trouble again, but this time in the more northerly Shiwei."

Mule Daoist asked, "Who is Funantuo?"

Du Xing said, "Bai Ziting's establishment of a kingdom against the tide is largely related to this man. Funantuo comes from India, has traveled extensively throughout the world, is knowledgeable, and eloquent. It was only after hearing his story that he hastily established his kingdom. This monk is indeed quite capable. After Bai Ziting announced the establishment of his kingdom, Jieli and Tuli clashed repeatedly, leaving them unable to intervene, and the Khitan king dared not act rashly, preserving his strength to observe the situation."

Yuan Yueze scoffed, "Capable my foot!" This wicked monk traveled to Turpan several years ago to preach, engaging in a fierce debate with the leaders of Manichaeism and Nestorianism. His eloquence and profound understanding of Buddhist doctrine earned him the praise of various monarchs, and he established the Tianzhu Religion. At that time, he wasn't called Fu Nanda, but rather the Bitter Monk. Everyone believed him to be a highly accomplished holy monk, completely deceived by him. Royal families from various countries revered him as a god, offering him gold and treasures under various pretexts, and even having their children follow his teachings. It wasn't until the leaders of Manichaeism and Nestorianism suddenly died that people suspected he was responsible, but it was too late. He had absconded with a large amount of wealth, and it was discovered that many beautiful female followers had been raped and murdered under the guise of his religious practices. After Fu Nanda fled to Longquan, he began to collude with Bai Ziting, but his power expanded rapidly, so Bai Ziting needed the help of the Ming Dynasty…”

At this point, he suddenly frowned and stopped, completely unaware that Mule Daoist and Du Xing were staring at him in shock.

He had just recited a whole string of things he'd memorized from books, and as he finished, he realized the problem: although Fu Nanta was appointed National Preceptor by Bai Ziting, his power was growing, and his unparalleled eloquence made him a god-like figure in Longquan, crossing Bai Ziting's bottom line. Therefore, the two were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. This was why, in the original story, Bai Ziting secretly supported the Great Ming Zunjiao to resist Fu Nanta. If Gui Sha truly had a close relationship with Fu Nanta, then he shouldn't have been involved in the Anle Tragedy, since the Anle Tragedy only concerned Gong Qi's secret. However, after Yuan Yueze's series of suppressions, the Great Ming Zunjiao had already collapsed, and Bai Ziting should have been at a disadvantage in his covert struggle with Fu Nanta. It was best to find out as soon as possible whether Gui Sha was truly related to Fu Nanta.

In an instant, Yuan Yueze made up his mind. Du Xing smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Xiao, who exactly are you? Could you please tell me?"

Knowing that his extraordinary nature had been seen through, Yuan Yueze said calmly, "Whoever you are is fine. Brother Du, please leave as soon as possible."

Yuan Yueze kept his word. After Du Xing left behind a false location for Xu Kaishan's hiding place, he let him mount his horse and leave as promised.

Then, together with Mule Daoist, he went to the dungeon to release the group of martial arts figures from the Northern Frontier.

The Mule Taoist hesitated, but Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "My real name is Yuan Yueze. I get along quite well

with you, Taoist Master, and I can't bear to lie to you. Please keep this a secret." The Mule Taoist trembled violently, staring at him in disbelief for a long time before exclaiming happily, "To be able to befriend the world-renowned Brother Yuan, how fortunate I am! If I were to reveal even the slightest secret, may I die a horrible death!"

-----

Chapter 120 Jade Demise and Fragrance Fades

The two released a group of martial arts practitioners. The men and women were disheveled and looked dejected. Some of them recognized the Mule Taoist. After a few brief words, they went to the back hall to wash up.

Yuan Yueze waited in the main hall. After a short while, the group, now dressed, entered.

After introductions, Yuan Yueze learned just how vicious Du Xing was. Except for the leaders of several major gangs, Du Xing had slaughtered them all. Of those still alive were Bei Shuqun, the leader of the Northeast Gang; Bei Chenfen, the young leader; Da Gonglang, the head of the External Alliance Gang, and his mistress Su Qing; Chen He, the leader of Xianxia Cave, and his prized disciples Lü Shiqing and Lang Tingting; and Jing Kang, the leader of the Saimo Gang.

Upon learning that Du Xing had been crippled in one leg by Yuan Yueze and then released, this group of unruly and hardened individuals were filled with indignation. Had Yuan Yueze not saved their lives, they likely would have actually come to blows.

Yuan Yueze said, "Du Xing's fate is entirely up to you all. I will not let such a ruthless person go. I have already sent Black King to track him down, and I will inform you of his whereabouts when the time comes."

Jing Kang scrutinized him intently and said, "Brother Xiao, you are exceptionally capable. I only heard a few rumors a few days ago. I wonder what your true identity is? Without you, we would be nothing more than puppets, even if we don't die. We will remember this great kindness and repay it."

He was of medium height and about fifty years old. He had a commanding presence when he spoke. What was most impressive about him was his aquiline nose and his deep-set but sharp eyes, which gave him a sinister and composed air.

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, flipped his wrist, and took out the evil sword that represented his identity. He said, "My real name is Yuan Yueze. I came here to deal with the Ghostly Fiends, and I had to conceal my identity. Otherwise, if that cunning person escaped, who knows how many more people would be harmed. I hope you will keep this a secret. As for rewards, you can forget about it. I didn't save you for any reward."

Everyone was immediately moved and then swore a solemn oath, behaving exactly like Mule Daoist, secretly admiring his magnanimity.

Su Qing said happily, "It was actually the invincible master Yuan Gongzi, who is famous throughout the world, who saved us. It's unbelievable."

She had high cheekbones and a pair of brown phoenix eyes, suggesting she had mixed foreign blood. Her beautiful eyes, brimming with autumn water, revealed a foxy charm. Her gaze towards Yuan Yueze was light and flirtatious, making Yuan Yueze feel overwhelmed.

Jing Kang said in a deep voice, "Besides the Ghost Fiend, Brother Yuan, are you also here for Miss's shipment?"

He had a deep friendship with Zhai Rang and Dou Jiande back then, so Zhai Jiao's business in the northern frontier was taken care of by him. He didn't expect to lose such a large shipment this time, and he felt ashamed.

Yuan Yueze nodded, but before he could speak, the door suddenly darkened, and the Black King's giant body rushed down, then stood and walked into the hall, standing next to Yuan Yueze, which amazed everyone.

Yuan Yueze said, "It 'said' it followed Du Xing into Zunhua City, but unfortunately, it wasn't as clever as anyone else to lose track of Du Xing."

Uncle Bei, with long, gray hair and at least sixty years old, pondered, "If I'm not mistaken, Du Xing is probably planning to head south, passing through Qianxi, Qian'an, and Funing, before returning to Shanhai County. His stronghold is there. This man is extremely petty and doesn't know Brother Yuan's true identity. He'll definitely be looking to get some retribution for this humiliation."

Da Gonglang, with his high nose and deep-set eyes, said in broken Chinese, "Although he lost a lot of skilled fighters this time, the Northern Overlord Gang is powerful, with over ten thousand members. I'm afraid they'll still be difficult to deal with."

Yuan Yueze said, "He'd better provoke me, then I can rightfully kill him."

With Du Xing's conspiracy exposed, the martial arts world of the Northern Frontier will begin to turmoil. Yuan Yueze's image of selfless kindness is deeply imprinted in the minds of those present. Of course, this is not enough to make them submit from the bottom of their hearts. Yuan Yueze doesn't care about these things for now; as long as it has a psychological effect, that's enough. He'll have no shortage of these people coming to submit when he defeats Li Tang in the future.

Most of these people were seriously injured. After a brief exchange, they all took their leave. Yuan Yueze also wanted to continue his journey, since it was on his way anyway, and he wanted to go to Shanhai County to see if Du Xing was truly still persistent.

The next afternoon, in an ordinary house east of Yutian City.

Lustful sounds could be heard from inside, indicating that someone was engaging in sexual activity.

"Knock knock!"

An untimely knocking sounded at the door, and a man's voice, like a broken gong, came from inside, cursing: "Knock your mother! Didn't you hear me doing it! If you scare me into impotence, I'll chop you up!"

He cursed as he got up, dressed, and opened the door.

The moment the door opened, an iron claw shot in like lightning. The man didn't even have a chance to resist before he was lifted off the ground, barely managing to say: "Sir, spare my life, I couldn't control my lousy mouth." The newcomer

was Yuan Yueze. He quickly entered the house, closed the door, and said: "If you dare to shout, you'll be dead in the next moment."

The middle-aged man immediately nodded.

The room was simply furnished, the bed a mess, and a rather attractive young woman trembled, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze tossed out a large ingot of gold and hissed, "Raise your head. I'll ask you a few questions and then leave. This gold is payment."

The man raised his head, barely managing to meet Yuan Yueze's piercing gaze.

Yuan Yueze frowned at first, then grabbed the man's throat, demanding, "What's your name!"

The man, completely ignorant of martial arts, dared not resist and weakly replied, "I'm a native of this place, my name is Wan Qing."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "I know someone paid you to impersonate someone named Xu Kaishan, isn't that right?"

A look of panic flashed in Wan Qing's eyes, and he hesitated, not daring to speak. Yuan Yueze didn't waste any words; Wan Qing's eyes were the best answer. He slammed his hand on the table beside him, shattering it, and left with the words, "If anyone finds out about what happened today, I will not let you off . You'd better watch

yourself!" Wan Qing plopped down on the ground, seemingly without any strength left. After a long while, she turned around and said, "We can't stay in this godforsaken place any longer. Anyway, we have quite a bit of savings, so let's find somewhere else to stay tomorrow!" The woman on the bed immediately nodded. Yuan Yueze left Yutian and headed towards Fengrun. In a flash, the outline in his mind gradually became clear: Wan Qing's appearance was eight parts similar to Liu Yu after his "rebirth," no wonder he was chosen by Du Xing and the clerk to be a puppet. Of course, the two were very different in terms of their eyes and aura. This meant that Xu Kaishan had not disappeared at all, but had been resurrected by Liu Yu. Yuan Yueze and the others had never seen Xu Kaishan before, so of course they could not have guessed this. The Northern Horse Gang should be finished. Even if Liu Yu was not dead, he could not possibly come back to run this small gang. After passing through Fengrun, Luanxian, and Changli, Yuan Yueze arrived outside Shanhaiguan on this day. The key to the two capitals lies in two places, the first pass of the Great Wall. Shanhaiguan, situated at the strategic juncture of the Liaodong Peninsula between the mountains and the sea, is a vital military stronghold on the eastern side of the Great Wall. During the Warring States period, to defend against invasions by foreign tribes, various states successively built border walls along their borders. After Qin unified China, these walls were connected, repaired, and expanded, forming the Great Wall stretching for thousands of miles from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east. Subsequent dynasties, including the Han, Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the Sui, continued to add walls and expand the wall. By the Sui Dynasty, Shanhaiguan had not yet achieved its peak of interconnected defenses, but it already possessed the scale of a formidable pass. While Shanhaiguan lost some of its military significance in the face of the growing power of the Turks, it remained a vital transportation route and a distribution center for goods and supplies. The ancient city is nestled between mountains and the sea, only fifteen li (approximately 7.5 kilometers) east of the Bohai Bay. To the north, towering mountains rise majestically, and the city walls stretch from the Yanshan Mountains, traversing the ridges and descending to the sea from north to south, forming a complete defensive system with several watchtowers. The town of Shanhai County naturally formed an irregular square layout, longer in the north and south than in the northwest. It was surrounded by city walls with four gates, all connected by a central crossroads. A towering bell and drum tower, atop all the other buildings, stood at the center of the crossroads, juxtaposed with the four gates. Shops were concentrated along both sides of the crossroads, with residences in the back and traditional courtyard houses. Both shops and residences were constructed with durable materials such as blue bricks, gray tiles, and white stone, simple and unpretentious, resistant to wind and sand, creating a landscape distinct from other cities in Central China. However, its most distinctive feature was the mixed Han and non-Han population. When Yuan Yueze entered the city in the procession, he encountered far more non-Han people than Han people along half the main street. Moreover, the local customs were fierce; those passing through all carried weapons and bows and arrows. Few walked on foot, and many rode horses, so each shop had a stable for tethering horses. Upon arriving in Shanhai County, he gained a deeper understanding of why Du Xing could reign supreme in this remote and inaccessible region: with the foreign powers dominating and the locals weak, Gao Kaidao had neither the authority nor the courage to govern this last county in the northern frontier. Half a Yan soldier could be seen on the streets, yet no taxes were required to enter the city. Here, only the strong could rule, and only the most powerful could maintain the loose, unwritten rules and order. Everything was governed by the rules of the martial world, which is why a powerful figure like Du Xing, influential both inside and outside the Great Wall, had the power to take charge. Shanhai County was even more bustling and prosperous than Yuyang, which Yuan Yueze found fascinating. He hated being watched, so he had concealed his gaze upon entering the city, but now, suddenly sensing someone secretly monitoring him, he was overjoyed, thinking it best if it was one of Du Xing's men, then he could really cause some trouble. A young man dressed in ordinary clothes suddenly bumped into him, bowed, said "sorry," and hurried away. He handed Yuan Yueze a bundle of cloth, which Yuan Yueze opened and immediately sprang into action, rushing towards the city gates. Three miles east of the city, a rather clever young man was waiting for him. Yuan Yueze strode forward and asked, "Who are you, and why did you summon me here?" The young man looked at him with admiration, his youthful face flushing slightly. He replied, "I am Ren Jun, a subordinate of Miss Zhai. Greetings, Master Yuan." Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "So you are Miss Zhai's subordinate. How old are you?" Ren Jun respectfully replied, "I am twenty-one." Yuan Yueze said, "I am twenty-six, five years older than you. Call me 'Big Brother,' I don't like being called 'Master.' By the way, did you summon me here for something?"

Ren Jun's heart surged with turbulent emotions. Yuan Yueze was the most renowned martial arts master in China and abroad, having defeated martial arts masters from all over the Central Plains, the grasslands, and the deserts at the young age of twenty. It was already unbelievable that he was so friendly to him, let alone call him brother. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly said, "Miss sent me here to discuss accounts with the Northeast branch. I only arrived in Shanhaiguan the night before last and learned that the branch 'Yishenglong' that Miss opened here was sealed off by Du Xing's men, and all the staff were imprisoned. It took me a whole day to find out that Du Xing had one leg crippled by Yuan... Brother Yuan, and he was planning to use our people to blackmail Brother Yuan. I spent a lot of money to bribe one of his men and got Brother Yuan's portrait. I've been patrolling the streets and recognized you from your clothes, but your eyes don't quite match."

Yuan Yueze exclaimed, "What!"

Ren Jun stared at him curiously.

Yuan Yueze wasn't surprised by Du Xing's hostage situation, but rather by how Du Xing knew Xiao Bei was Yuan Yueze. According to Ren Jun, Du Xing had grasped a clue: someone would surely draw a portrait of him and circulate it widely. Du Xing must have obtained the portrait, and when he let him go, he had already begun to suspect Yuan Yueze's identity. Considering everything, he finally recognized Yuan Yueze. Knowing Yuan Yueze was not someone to be trifled with, Du Xing still dared to offend him, demonstrating his vindictive and relentless nature. Uncle Bei's assessment of him was indeed not an exaggeration.

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, placing his hand on Ren Jun's shoulder with a composed expression and eyes gleaming with powerful confidence. He said, "Little Jun, don't worry. Du Xing is finished, and the Northern Overlord Gang will collapse as well."

Just as Ren Jun was flattered, a familiar, melodious voice sounded behind him, seemingly both reproachful and affectionate, saying, "My husband has finally arrived."

A whooshing sound came from the sky, startling Ren Jun. He saw the Black King, its wings blotting out the sun, swooping down. Standing a dozen feet away was a stunningly beautiful woman with an ethereal air—none other than the long-lost Su Su.

Yuan Yueze released Ren Jun, pounced on Su Su, and embraced her tightly, kissing her cherry lips passionately, expressing the longing he had felt for her after more than two months apart.

After a brief, playful exchange, Su Su, panting, glanced at Ren Jun who had turned away, then glared at Yuan Yueze, and chuckled, "Little Jun, why are you so shy?"

Ren Jun was mortified and dared not turn around. His skin was extremely delicate; he couldn't imagine how much Su Su, who had once been just a maid, had changed, and he was no match for her teasing.

The two women approached Ren Jun, forcing him to turn back. His face was flushed, making Yuan Yueze reflect: In the blink of an eye, he had been in the world for many years. Wasn't he just like that when he first met Shan Meixian? The process of growing up can bring some things, but it also takes away some things, such as a naive and innocent heart.

As Yuan Yueze approached Shanhaiguan, he sent Black King to find Su Su. The two women had extremely similar auras, yet were different from ordinary people, so Black King found Su Su without much effort. Su Su, recognizing Yuan Yueze by his scent, immediately came out to greet him.

The three sat down on the spot and exchanged information.

Upon hearing that Bai Ziting was behind everything, Ren Jun was filled with rage and shouted, "We bought that batch of furs from the Uyghurs through Bai Ziting! The young lady once said that this man is very ambitious, and he is exceptionally talented and skilled in both intelligence and martial arts, definitely not simple. I never imagined he would stoop so low. How can he be qualified to be the ruler of a country!"

Yuan Yueze said in a condescending tone, "Young Jun's life experience is still not rich enough. People who are used to being high above others and being worshipped are obsessed with power. To keep everything or climb higher, they will stop at nothing. Otherwise, their hearts will be terribly empty, and living is more painful than dying."

Ren Jun nodded silently, recalling how that damned Li Mi killed the Great Leader Zhai Rang. Wasn't that the best proof?

Upon hearing of Du Xing's actions, Su Su said angrily, "This man is so despicable! Tonight, we'll split up. My husband will take him down, and I'll go rescue them."

Ren Jun, like a dumbfounded bird, stared at the burly Black King strolling nearby. Hearing this, he looked back at Su Su's beautiful face, which was as lovely as a fairy. Su Su rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you're alright, Xiao Jun, you can come with us to the northern frontier. With my husband teaching you Qi cultivation and summarizing techniques, it will greatly help you improve your cultivation. Whether it's to protect the young lady or to pursue your own life's dreams, it will be beneficial to you."

Seeing that Su Su, now successful, still remembered their old friendship, Ren Jun was overjoyed. Then, he looked troubled and said, "I also want to go out with Sister Su and Brother Yuan to see the world, but what about the accounts?"

Su Su said, "I'll just write a letter to the young lady. It won't make a difference if you're not there."

Ren Jun immediately nodded.

Yuan Yueze scrutinized Ren Jun for a long while, his eyes gleaming. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a simple, ancient-looking, emerald-green, four-foot-two-inch-long straight cleaver, tossing it into Ren Jun's hand. "Since we're brothers, and you wield a sword, consider this a small gift!"

Ren Jun was deeply moved. He gently stroked the obviously extraordinary cleaver as if it were a precious treasure. Its cool touch refreshed him, and he suddenly knelt down, saying, "Brother Yuan, you treat me so well; I could never repay you even if I were to be shattered to pieces.

" Yue Ze helped him sit up, patted his shoulder, and said, "I'm not trying to buy your loyalty, I just think your physique and talent are both top-notch. Although you're still just a rough diamond, with proper polishing, you'll surely become a beautiful gem with limitless potential. There's no need for such formalities between brothers."

He paused, then sighed, "It's foreseeable that in the near future, besides Xiao Zhong, the Central Plains will have another grandmaster of the sword."

Ren Jun couldn't hold back his tears any longer; his cherished dream might finally become a stark reality.

After he wiped away his tears of joy, Yuan Yue Ze asked about the battle between Su Su and Gui Sha.

Su Su pouted and said, "I'm certain I've never seen that person before. He's small and thin, and his martial arts are incredibly strange. I almost fell victim to his sophisticated mental magic. I risked taking a blow myself, resulting in a draw. It took me ten days to expel the evil energy. I heard he's stealing placentas in Shiwei again. I'm furious!"

Yuan Yueze sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "The world is full of wonders. I never imagined there would be such a terrifying expert besides Liu Yu and the Empress. Now that my whereabouts have been exposed, after dealing with Du Xing, we should immediately head to Shiwei and try to resolve this matter before Bai Ziting establishes its kingdom."

The three began to discuss the rescue plan in detail.

At the beginning of Hai hour, the entire Shanhai County was silent.

Only the 'Overlord's Mansion,' the headquarters of the Northern Overlord Gang located in the city center, remained brightly lit, displaying a magnificent and imposing scene. Two men sat in the study in the backyard .

One was naturally "Overlord" Du Xing, and the other was none other than Wang Bo, the leader of the Changbai Sect, "Knowledgeable Gentleman," who had not attended the Northern Frontier Martial Arts Conference. They sat silently facing each other. After a long while, Du Xing calmly asked, "Is the arrangement all right?" A flash of disdain crossed Wang Bo's eyes. He clearly sensed the panic in Du Xing's heart. At this moment, Du Xing had lost all his overlordly aura and courage; he was merely a tiger with its teeth pulled. Wang Bo, having suffered several defeats at the hands of Yuan Yueze last year, showed no remorse but instead harbored resentment. This time, he was the one who had secretly supported Du Xing's unification of the Northern Frontier, only to have his long-planned scheme ruined by the sudden appearance of Xiao Bei. Du Xing had even had one leg crippled. After returning to Shanhai County, he described the situation to Wang Bo, who was waiting there. Wang Bo immediately produced a portrait, which depicted his mortal enemy, Yuan Yueze. Only then did Du Xing realize just how troublesome a person he had offended. Through their conversation, Wang Bo realized that Yuan Yueze, whom Du Xing had encountered, was far less formidable than the one he had encountered in Luoyang. So he comforted Du Xing, saying, "This boy is cunning. If it weren't for me, everyone would still think he was in seclusion in Luoyang!"

When Du Xing returned to Shanhai County on horseback, no one noticed his leg injury. Instigated by Wang Bo and unable to bear the humiliation, he agreed to cooperate with Wang Bo. They simultaneously spread rumors that Yuan Yueze was not in Luoyang but had come to the Northeast, while planning to lure Yuan Yueze there with Zhai Jiao's men, then ambush and kill him with a trap and over ten thousand of their followers. Wang Bo, with his silver tongue, lectured him on many grand principles, such as, "Yuan Yueze wears armor that is impervious to swords and spears. If we trap him and starve him for ten days or half a month, he'll be at our mercy!" He

then analyzed that Yuan Yueze wouldn't immediately kill Du Xing because Wang Bo believed that Yuan Yueze's departure from Luoyang at this critical moment of war with the Li Tang dynasty was simply to gather support from various factions and win over hearts and minds; therefore, he had to consider the safety of the people in several cities in the northern frontier. Du Xing represented a force that could balance power between the interior and exterior of the pass, becoming a buffer between the foreign tribes and the Gao Kaidao. As long as Du Xing can control Shanhaiguan, the Turks and Khitans will not fear Gao Kaidao's disobedience, nor will they be in a hurry to invade the Central Plains. The common people will ultimately benefit. If Du Xing is killed, this delicate balance will be destroyed, and Gao Kaidao will engage in a battle with foreign tribes for Shanhaiguan. In the end, it will be the ordinary people who suffer.

Today, Yuan Yueze has finally arrived at Shanhaiguan. His scouts reported that he had observed Zhai Jiao's branch and met with Jing Kang, who had just returned that afternoon. Du Xing felt increasingly uneasy: Yuan Yueze was a great benefactor of the Northern Frontier martial arts world. Various forces might temporarily cooperate to resist any foreign invasion that might result from his death. Furthermore, the northern tribes are busy preparing their own conspiracies due to the establishment of the Bohai Kingdom and are unlikely to pay attention to Shanhaiguan for the time being. If Gao Kaidao cooperates with Jing Kang and other martial arts figures, they can easily control the chaotic Shanhaiguan. If he dies, from Gao Kaidao himself to the ordinary people accustomed to his exploitation, everyone will benefit.

That's why he asked such a disheartened question.

Wang Bo chuckled and said, "Brother Du, don't boost the enemy's morale and diminish our own. Our plan is foolproof. No matter how arrogant Yuan Yueze is, he still has to consider the safety of Zhai Jiao's men. He's alone, and even if he hates you to the bone, he can't manage the whole thing. It would be even better if he forced his way in tonight; our nearly ten thousand ambush troops can surely trap him. If he doesn't dare to come, we'll send someone to lure him into a trap tomorrow. The 'Death Stone' at the entrance of Broken Soul Valley weighs over twenty thousand catties; it was Lu Miaozi's masterpiece back then. Hey! Brother Du, don't look at me like that. Although Yuan Yueze and Lu Miaozi are father-in-law and son-in-law, I have received definite information that Yuan Yueze actually dug the ground in Chang'an to..." "The fact that he entered Yang Gong's treasure vault—what does that mean? It means he's not smart enough, he can't learn Lu Miaozi's ingenious mechanical skills, so naturally he wouldn't dare to even try. The key to our operation this time is speed. Even if his family finds out later, it will be too late!"

Du Xing hadn't even had time to exhale after listening to his long-winded speech when a familiar voice came from outside the door, saying, "If it weren't for Granny's sake, you, Wang Bo, would have been reporting to hell long ago. You even dared to scheme against me, like lighting a lamp in a latrine, courting death!"

Wang Bo and Du Xing looked horrified, simultaneously drawing their weapons and looking warily towards the door. Du Xing's strange posture leaning against the table was quite amusing.

※※※ Chang'an Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

Emperor Li Yuan and Crown Prince Li Jiancheng were reading news from all sides overnight.

Setting down the scroll in his hand, Li Yuan asked, "Jiancheng, what is your opinion on Yuan Yueze's single-handed killing of Du Xing four days ago?"

Li Jiancheng cleared his throat and said, "I must admit that Yuan Yueze's martial arts are unfathomable and his methods are ruthless, but he is still human, so he has inherent flaws in his character, namely arrogance and hubris. His trip to the Northern Frontier was simply to gain the support of those forces that had not yet expressed their support, but judging from the lack of reaction from Gao Kaidao, Luo Yi, and others, it is clear that his scheme to eliminate Du Xing and subtly curry favor with Gao Kaidao has completely failed. After Du Xing's death, his power was divided among various factions. Gao Kaidao, having controlled Shanhaiguan, is even more powerful, so why would he take him seriously?"

Li Yuan frowned and said, "No one is perfect, and he is indeed a bit naive. However, our people also say that the martial arts world in the Northern Frontier is extremely friendly to him, and Du Xing had conflicts with other martial artists. Could Yuan Yueze also be involved in this matter? Also, the news says that Wang Bo was also with Yuan Yueze at the time." "How could it be that Yuan Yueze fought and then fled wounded?"

Li Jiancheng said smugly. "I think that at the time, Yuan Yueze had to consider the subordinates of his close friend Zhai Jiao. The thousands of Northern Overlords around him were enough to keep him occupied. It's not surprising that Wang Bo escaped. This just shows that no matter how high Yuan Yueze's cultivation is, he can't fight against a large army! But after this incident, he completely disappeared, and no one can figure out where he went."

Li Yuan nodded, preparing to discuss some military issues at the front with Li Jiancheng, when the door was

suddenly kicked open with a "bang!" Wei Lianxiang rushed in, tumbling and scrambling, and said angrily, "Your Majesty, something has happened to the princess!"

Li Yuan was about to scold her, but upon hearing this, he was immediately shocked and asked, "What happened?"

Wei Lianxiang said, "A palace maid just came to report from 'Yiyu Pavilion' that the princess had taken poison sometime during the day, and it was too late to save her."

Li Yuan turned pale, sat down with a "thump," and exclaimed, "How could this be!"

---

Chapter 121

There are three great misfortunes in life: losing one's father in youth, one's wife in middle age, and one's son in old age.

Li Yuan's father, Tang Rengong Li Bing, passed away when he was seven years old; Li Yuan's first wife, Dou, died of illness nine years ago; Li Yuan's beloved son, Li Xuanba, died eight years ago. These were misfortunes upon misfortunes.

Today, after losing his father, wife, and son, he is once again experiencing the pain of losing his daughter.

The culprit behind all of this is himself.

Li Yuanji offered his plan that day, revealing the strange poisoning method he had obtained from Xi Feng earlier. Li Yuan hesitated for a long time before finally making this decision. To ensure that Yuan Yueze wouldn't notice anything amiss, he instructed Li Xiuning to personally poison Yuan Yueze. The key was the wine from the spring hunt, and the medicinal wine later given to Dugu Ce was the catalyst. Once Yuan Yueze drank it, he would surely die, and the Dugu family would be implicated in Yuan Yueze's death. With Luoyang thrown into chaos, the Li Tang

dynasty would reap huge benefits, perhaps even unifying the Central Plains in one fell swoop. They had initially thought Yuan Yueze was shrewd and would immediately kill Li Xiuning if he sensed anything amiss. However, Yuan Yueze was far more oblivious than most people imagined. Seeing his daughter unharmed and the plan successfully implemented, Li Yuan and his son were overjoyed, but also ashamed of their decision and decided to make amends to Li Xiuning.

No matter how they thought about it, they could never have imagined that Li Xiuning would drink that wine with Yuan Yueze and become poisoned.

Since Yuan Yueze left, Li Xiuning had never left Yiyuxuan. The Li Tang people were busy preparing for war and paid less attention to her.

Looking at her face, Li Yuan guessed that Li Xiuning must have discovered the hidden poisoned wine and committed suicide. Seven days later, a secret message from Dugu Ce arrived in Luoyang: Yuan Yueze had drunk the poisoned wine and then secluded himself to treat Zhu Yuyan's injuries.

The Li family members were all in the know. Although Li Xiuning never left her room, she had a thorough grasp of all the news in Chang'an. This news made her lose all will to live, because she believed that Yuan Yueze was dead, and that Luoyang, in order not to affect the morale before the great battle, would naturally lie to deceive the public. So she drove away the palace maids and drank the poisoned wine.

Little did she know that Yuan Yueze was not dead at all, and had even gone to the northern frontier to stir up trouble. She had tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead.

His daughter had grown up, and as a father, he could no longer understand her thoughts.

Li Yuan's mind went blank, tears streaming down his face, and he collapsed by the bedside.

Li Xiuning lay peacefully on the embroidered couch. At first glance, she appeared to be fast asleep, but closer inspection revealed that she had no heartbeat or breath, and her beautiful face was deathly pale.

Li Jiancheng was equally grief-stricken. No matter how much he coveted power, it was ultimately just a desire in his heart. Until this moment, the strong bond of blood ties surged into his heart, and he, too, was moved to tears.

Wei Lianxiang and the palace maid who had served Li Xiuning for many years stood bowed to the side.

Li Jiancheng glanced at the palace maid and shouted, "Has anyone been leaking the latest situation outside to the princess?"

The palace maid, terrified, knelt on the ground, trembling, and said, "This servant has no choice but to obey the princess's orders. Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly."

These were her last words. The next moment, she became Li Jiancheng's tool for venting his anger. A gleaming dagger plunged into her throat, ending her short life. Her eyes widened as she fell straight to the ground, dying with her eyes wide open.

The palace was not a glamorous haven; death, perhaps, was not a bad thing for her.

Li Jiancheng's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he said to Wei Lianxiang, "This matter must not be known to a fourth person."

Wei Lianxiang agreed, then discreetly picked up the palace maid's body and retreated outside the door.

Only the father and son remained in the room. Li Yuan's consciousness had not fully recovered; his face was pale. Bathed in the spaciousness of the boudoir, he appeared not only more lonely and desolate, but also as if he had aged many years in an instant. He murmured, "Xiuning, it's all my fault. Why did you do this?"

Li Jiancheng comforted him, "Father, please take care of your health. It's all Yuan Yueze's fault. If he hadn't made Xiuning fall in love with him, with Xiuning's deep sense of righteousness, how could she have done such a foolish thing?"

He paused, then coldly snorted, "Hmph! Yuan Yueze, my Great Tang will never let you get away with this! I will definitely avenge this great grudge!"

Li Yuan's body trembled slightly. He looked up at the roof beam, his eyes still filled with tears. Suddenly, he stood up, put his hands behind his back, and moved to the back window. With his back to Li Jiancheng, he remained silent, and the atmosphere in the room became slightly eerie. After a long silence, Li Yuan coldly asked, "Jiancheng, do you have a good plan?"

Li Jiancheng calmly replied, "Right now, we are stationed at Hongnong, facing off against the Luoyang army. Shen Luoyan is merely a woman; she will not dare to act rashly until she can ascertain that it is merely a feint. I firmly believe that with Shimin in the shadows and Yuanji in the open, we can surely defeat Song Jingang. I suddenly remembered the Demonic Sect Conference to be held in Chengdu. At the beginning of this month, Wanwan ordered her men to spread the word extensively. Why don't we take advantage of this to draw everyone's attention to this matter?" "What if they fall for our trap and secretly send their navy down the Yangtze River, swiftly seizing the key riverside towns of Jingling and Xiangyang, and then threatening the Flying Horse Ranch?"

Li Yuan pondered, "This method is indeed ingenious and serves as a surprise attack, but we cannot ignore the wavering Zhu Can nearby and Xiao Xian in Jiangnan."

Li Jiancheng replied cheerfully, "Father, you can entrust this task to me. Xiao Xian is tied down by the Luoyang army and the Young Marshal's army and will not dare to act rashly. As for Zhu Can, he still has some strength left; we can treat him with a policy of appeasement for now." " Once the unification is settled, we can then eliminate this man,"

Li Yuan frowned. "Zhu Can, that cannibalistic demon, is deeply despised by the people. We must never be associated with him. But if we kill him, wouldn't that be immoral? How can we maintain public order afterward?"

Li Jiancheng vowed, "The struggle for the throne is not a matter of ordinary江湖恩怨 (jianghu grievances); it's all about the outcome. I will meet with him secretly, and I guarantee that no outsiders will know about this. If anything goes wrong, please punish me as you see fit, Father."

When Li Yuan heard the phrase "it's all about the outcome," his expression suddenly changed. Leng, turning around like a whirlwind, her eyes gleaming brightly, stared intently at the bowed Li Jiancheng for a long while before her expression softened. She said helplessly, "I have already lost a daughter; I cannot lose any of you brothers. Alas!"

After a long pause, she continued with a sigh, "This is for the best. Outsiders always say you have no military merit. If your plan succeeds, and Shimin and Yuanji can repel Song Jingang before we attack Luoyang, then I will order you to lead the navy to achieve merit."

Li Jiancheng was overjoyed, kneeling to express his gratitude, thinking to himself, "Second and third brothers, don't disappoint me!" He completely forgot that his sister's corpse was right beside him.

Li Yuan said again, "This matter must not be publicized for now. You may leave first. I need to spend some time alone with Xiu Ning."

Li Jiancheng stood up and said, "If Yuan Yueze is truly sincere towards Xiu Ning, I have another plan that I guarantee can lure him away..."

Li Yuan suddenly shouted angrily, "Enough! Xiu Ning is your sister! Her body is barely cold. Do you want her to suffer even in death?"

No one knows a son better than his father, and Li Yuan was well aware of his son's ulterior motives.

A fierce glint flashed in Li Jiancheng's eyes, then disappeared in an instant. He nodded silently and left the room.

Li Xiu Ning felt extremely strange. Logically speaking, she had drunk the medicinal wine several hours ago, and the latent poison in her body should have been activated long ago. Why was she still conscious and could still hear her father and brother's conversation? But she couldn't feel her own body, couldn't speak, and wasn't like the wandering ghosts of legend.

Was this heaven's punishment for her? The young master treated her so sincerely, yet she went to harm him!

Li Xiu Ning thought sadly.

She was also saddened by the palace maid who died because of her, and heartbroken that her own brother would even use her corpse to harm Yuan Yueze. If she could control her body, she would surely be a pitiful figure with tears welling in her beautiful eyes.

Gazing at his daughter's peaceful face, Li Yuan's lips curled into a desolate smile that was hard to discern as joy or sorrow.

Du Xing was treacherous and despicable. After Su Su rescued Zhai Jiao's subordinates, she discovered that they had all been poisoned by a slow-acting poison. The family had no choice but to expel the poison from them one by one, and stayed in Shanhaiguan for several days.

On this day, Yuan Yueze set off on his journey again.

Because Ren Jun was with them, and the women were all quite tired, they all stayed in the bracelet to rest, while Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun changed into new clothes and headed north.

Gao Kaidao easily seized the unclaimed Yinma Post Station. After Du Xing's death, he sent troops to join forces with Jing Kang's men and also took over Shanhaiguan. Through Jing Kang's introduction, he met with Yuan Yueze and solemnly promised that if the Luoyang army could defeat the Li Tang, he would definitely submit to the times.

Yuan Yueze would be a fool to believe him, secretly thinking, "You wouldn't be sending people to negotiate with the Li Tang at the same time, would you?" However, he was satisfied with the result. His only regret was that his strength had only recovered to a little over 20%, and he couldn't keep Wang Bo among the thousands of Beiba Gang members.

Ren Jun's past few days had felt like a dream. Su Su had exhausted her extraordinary power to help him undergo a complete transformation, cleansing his marrow and rebirth. Yuan Yueze had also taught him the "Concentration Technique," the "Sun and Moon Shining Brightly" technique, and his unique Qi cultivation method. Ren Jun was simple-minded but not foolish. Having traveled extensively and met all sorts of people, he knew that Yuan Yueze was wholeheartedly dedicated to cultivating him. Yuan Yueze's candid disclosure of his origins further deepened Ren Jun's gratitude, and he regarded him as an elder brother.

Over the past few days, he had recovered from the shock of Yuan Yueze's background and began to focus on martial arts training. Having traveled extensively with Zhai Jiao, both inside and outside the Great Wall, he was well-informed and could act as Yuan Yueze's guide, while also teaching him Turkic along the way. Most importantly, their changed attire made it difficult for anyone to immediately recognize them as Yuan Yueze. His arrival in the northern frontier with his two wives, his single-handedly killing of Du Xing, and his sheepskin coat had become common knowledge and a defining characteristic.

After traveling for half a day, the two arrived near the Changbai Mountains.

Ahead lay a cluster of towering peaks, each like a scepter pointing to the sky. The peaks were elegant and the rocks precipitous, the valleys secluded and the pines unique. Amidst the verdant shadows of the thousands of peaks, ancient temples could be faintly seen. The scenery was breathtaking, and Yuan Yueze couldn't help but stop to admire it.

Ren Jun said, "That's the Thousand Lotus Mountain, renowned for its 'every peak is wondrous, every rock precipitous, every temple ancient, every place secluded,' the most beautiful mountain in the Changbai Mountains. Its scenery changes with the seasons: in spring, pear blossoms blanket the valleys and wildflowers fill the ravines; in summer, the mountains are layered with lush greenery; in autumn, the mountains are ablaze with red leaves, and the sunset paints the sky with rainbows; in winter, the mountains are covered in silver, with endless waves of snow. The beautiful scenery is ever-present, making it a place one never wants to leave. If you're interested, brother, there's a hot spring a dozen miles further on. Legend has it that the water has miraculous effects on skin rejuvenation."

Yuan Yueze sighed as he walked. He said, "I've only read about these things in books. Seeing them with my own eyes is the true meaning of 'seeing is believing.' Let's hurry on our journey; we can skip the hot springs for now."

Ren Jun followed closely and continued, "There are three famous temples on Thousand Lotus Mountain, known as the Three Great Zen Forests of Thousand Mountains: Wuliang Temple, Xige Temple, and Longquan Temple. Just imagine the overlapping peaks, the layers of forests, the ancient temples built against the rocks, or hidden deep in the verdant valleys—it's truly a magnificent place. You can't believe it until you see it for yourself."

Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "Let's travel to the borderlands this time and broaden our horizons!"

After traveling at varying paces for four days, the two crossed the Yanshan Mountains and arrived at the famous Yanyuan Plain in northern Liaoning, reaching the south bank of the Liao River in the northern frontier. There, they saw the surging river flowing across the vast plains towards the Bohai Sea, its magnificent momentum breathtaking.

After training Ren Jun for a while, the two sat down to rest on the riverbank. Black King flew down and affectionately nuzzled its head against Yuan Yueze's arm.

Ren Jun, panting heavily, said enviously, "Black King is truly a divine eagle. It's a pity that no one but my elder brother and all the sisters-in-law can touch it."

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and said, "It told me that a large force is rushing in from the northeast."

Ren Jun nodded and said, "This is already Khitan territory. It seems very likely that they are Khitans. Elder brother, be careful. The Khitans are notoriously fierce on the grasslands, no less so than the Turks."

Yuan Yueze waved Black King away and said, "It would be great if we could encounter the infamous Khitan bandit Huyan Jin and kill him. Which route should we take to get into Shiwei faster?"

Ren Jun said, "I've only accompanied the young lady to Khitan, Goryeo, and Mohe. If we go straight north, we should... " "It's the shortest route, but the Khitans are starting to gather there. I've heard their relationship with the Wuluohun people in the northwest is extremely bad, with constant conflicts. Taking this route will probably cause us a lot of trouble. Going northeast would require navigating many mountain roads, and the northwest is the territory of the Baixi people. I've heard they are peace-loving. Oh, right, a hundred miles further northwest there's a large lake, and beside it is the famous Yanyuan Market, located on the northeastern edge of the small Gobi Desert. It's a major market for trade among various ethnic groups, and also a battlefield where various forces vie for power. No one can gain absolute control, so bloodshed happens every day."

Yuan Yueze said, "Then we'll take the northwest route, enter the Baixi people's territory, and then turn towards the Shiwei."

Ren Jun began to meditate to recover his energy, preparing to face the unknown difficulties.

Yuan Yueze looked around at the boundless grassland, the endless green stretching to the horizon, as if God himself had laid out a green carpet. The fertile plains stretched for miles, dotted with lakes of varying sizes like pearls, interwoven with waterways. Herds of cattle and sheep grazed lazily beneath drifting white clouds, roaming the vast, undulating grasslands. Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors, growing among wormwood, needlegrass, small grasses, and shrubs, enriching the grassland's plant diversity and adding a colorful variation to the verdant waves of grass. Apart from them, the vast grasslands were devoid of human presence. Occasionally, the howl of wolves echoed from the distant rolling hills, hinting at a dangerous side to this beautiful landscape.

He pondered the records of the Wuluohun and Baixi tribes, but was disappointed; the books he had read contained very little information about these two groups.

The faint sound of hooves approached. He turned his head and saw dust rising on the northeastern horizon. A large group of riders, no less than a hundred, were galloping towards him. Ren Jun opened his eyes and said, "It's the attire of the Khitans. The characteristics of the various ethnic groups in the northern frontier are very distinct. For example, the Khitans tie their hair up, the Shiwei people wear their hair down, the Uyghurs often have tattoos, the Koreans love to wear white clothes, the Turks worship wolves, and the Baixi people worship eagles, etc. Each ethnic group has its own customs and habits, which are difficult to change."

More than a hundred riders arrived at full speed. The riders all had their hair tied up in a bun and secured with green scarves. They wore warrior uniforms with a diagonal collar and left-fastening front, with rolled-up sleeves exposing their arms. They wore belts around their waists and carried knives, swords, and other weapons. They wore matching maroon deer-skin boots with daggers tucked into them. They wore wide robes, which billowed like clouds as they rode at full speed. In contrast to the tight-fitting clothes with their belts, the contrast between movement and stillness highlighted their clear lines and made them look sharp and dashing. They possessed a unique and astonishing aura that was different from the overwhelming force of the Central Plains troops.

The leader, wearing a silver crown shaped like a lotus flower, and instead of a wide robe, a vest made of iron plates, appeared to be around thirty years old. He was robust, with piercing eyes and an imposing presence.

A group of people stopped a hundred paces away, coldly scrutinizing Yuan Yueze and his companion. Suddenly, the leader crossed his hands in front of his chest.

Ren Jun seemed extremely familiar with the people and affairs of the Khitan. He whispered, "Judging from their attire, they're definitely not Huyan Jin's men. They must be the most elite hawks of the Khitan chieftain Abaojia. The silver crown indicates the leader is a first-class hawk general, while the gold crown signifies the commander. His gesture is a signal to inquire. We must tell them our purpose in a safe place. We must give them a satisfactory answer, otherwise, we might have to fight to the death without any room for negotiation."

The Khitan tribe had over a hundred chieftains, and Abaojia was just one of them. Huyan Jin was a bandit, so they were naturally not on the same side. Yuan Yueze ignored the group and said, "Can you give signals? Tell them to leave. I'm too lazy to do it myself."

Ren Jun awkwardly replied, "I've only heard of it; I don't know how."

Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "Then tell them to leave quickly."

Ren Jun stood up. After a period of training, he was no longer the same as before. Carrying a long sword, he exuded an arrogant aura as he moved.

When they were only a few dozen paces apart, Ren Jun stopped and politely greeted them in Turkic, "Greetings, fellow Khitan brothers. We are merely passersby."

Suddenly, the hawk soldiers shouted in unison, reined in their horses, and over a hundred warhorses stood still and neighed, their momentum terrifying. The Silver-Crowned Hawk General waited until his horse's forelegs touched the ground before continuing his gallop towards them, while the rest of the hawk soldiers formed ranks on the spot, their movements swift and impressive. The Silver-Crowned Hawk General rode to a stop about thirty paces from Ren Jun, his horse still pawing the ground, which only accentuated the Silver-Crowned General's menacing aura and imposing presence. He quickly glanced at Yuan Yueze, who didn't even look at him, and replied in Turkic, "Han barbarians, what are you doing in our land?"

Ren Jun knew that the tribes beyond the Great Wall were extremely martial, valuing courage and strength above all else. They only respected heroes with guts, and reputation and face were of utmost importance. If he were to be polite and allow himself to be insulted, they would only look down on him more. So he let out a loud laugh, staring at him with sharp eyes and said, "I am a Han Chinese, not a barbarian. Do you think we are easy to bully because you are so impolite?"

As his strength increased, his confidence also soared. Moreover, with Yuan Yueze by his side, he had nothing to fear and spoke without any restraint.

The silver-crowned general's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he scrutinized Ren Jun for a long while before shifting his gaze to Yuan Yueze, who was leisurely watching the river's ripples. A sense of fear for the unknown rose within him, and his expression changed slightly as he asked, "I am Huang Zhikun, the Right Vanguard General under Abaojia. What is your background, friend? And who is that person?"

Ren Jun replied calmly, "I am Ren Jun, and that is my elder brother, Ren Jie."

To Huang Zhikun, this tone was utterly insulting, and he had already been very polite. However, Yuan Yueze still did not turn around. With a clang, he drew his saber and shouted, "You rude Han Chinese! Let me see if you're all show and no substance!"

Ren Jun's mind had reached a state of serene emptiness, free from any worldly thoughts. He slowly drew his longsword. Although he hadn't mastered Song Que's "sword-drawing style," it was enough to startle Huang Zhikun and the others, who weren't exactly top-tier experts. Moreover, the blade was entirely emerald green, reflecting an eerie glow in the sunlight. Huang Zhikun and the others immediately felt that Ren Jun was unfathomable, and their imposing manner diminished somewhat. He sheathed his saber and politely said, "Friend, you are a true hero. I respect people like you the most. May I ask what brings you to the grasslands? Is there anything we can do to help?"

Yuan Yueze secretly chuckled. This man's skill at extracting information was quite impressive. Even rude words came out perfectly from his mouth.

Ren Jun's reply was impeccable: "Friend, you're too kind. We're just on our way to Yanyuan Town to do some business."

Just as Huang Zhikun was about to speak again, a deafening shriek from the Black King suddenly echoed through the sky. Huang Zhikun and the others looked up, their expressions changing drastically. Huang Zhikun abruptly turned his horse around and rode away, his voice carrying back, "So it's Brother Yuan, the 'Evil Emperor'! I was blind to your greatness. Farewell, sir."

Watching the hawks disappear like a whirlwind, Ren Jun smiled wryly, "It seems my brother's itinerary has been leaked!"

Yuan Yueze laughed, "Not necessarily. That was just a subconscious reaction. The Black King hasn't left. After careful consideration, they might think I'm nearby."

Ren Jun watched the Black King fly away and nodded, "That's possible too. It's best if they're suspicious."

Yuan Yueze said, "If I'm not mistaken, they must have another mission and don't want any unnecessary trouble. Otherwise, if they figured out I wasn't Yuan Yueze, they would definitely come back to kill us. In this flat plain, if we were to fight, the two of us would likely pay a heavy price to deal with them."

After traveling for another half day, the two crossed the Khitan territory at dusk and arrived at the Bai Xi people's territory that Ren Jun had mentioned.

Standing on a small hill and looking out, they saw a green forest before them, with trees standing tall in rows and columns. It was full of life, and the wind carried the scent of tender grass and moisture, making them feel refreshed. Straight poplars and dense elms and locust trees grew side by side, forming a natural sand-blocking formation. The lush green grass stretched out like a large green carpet descended from the sky, creating a scene of paradise and fairyland with the surrounding undulating mountains.

In the vast sky, shimmering silvery-white clouds drifted leisurely and freely, like umbrellas shielding the afternoon spring sun, creating the spectacular sight of shifting clouds and changing shade on the grassland. The lake reflected the sunlight, sparkling like jewels. A gentle breeze brushed against one's clothes.

Yuan Yueze looked around and thought to himself that although the scenery here was beautiful and the water and grass were abundant, the roads were rugged and the mountains were continuous, forming a landscape of scattered small plains. Large groups of people could easily enter but not leave, and would easily be surrounded. No wonder no one had come to seize such a good place.

Ren Jun said, "Once we cross this forest, we should be in the valley. Brother, would you like to experience the hospitality and enthusiasm of the Bai Xi people?"

Suddenly, Black King swooped down from the sky, circled twice, and landed on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, somewhat spoiling the mood. Yuan Yueze's face darkened. "A large-scale conflict has occurred to the northeast," he said. "It's probably an army."

Ren Jun's eyes darted around. "Could it be related to the Huang Zhikun we encountered earlier? Did they retreat in that direction?"

Yuan Yueze patted Black King's head. "Let's see," he said. "The defeated are retreating in our direction."

He then sent Black King flying, leaping to a secluded treetop and gazing into the distance. Ren Jun hurriedly followed.

Half an hour later, dust rose from the northeast, and the approach of men and horses became visible, demonstrating the wide range of Black King's reconnaissance.

A moment later, the thunder of hooves echoed as dozens of riders galloped in. The riders were strangely dressed, many of them disheveled and covered in blood, clearly having escaped a fierce battle. The leader was relatively well-dressed, wearing knee-high chainmail, trousers tucked into high boots, and a round-necked blouse that only covered part of his arms. Most striking was his rooster-comb-shaped helmet with a brim that reached his ears and protected his neck and back; it served as both a helmet and a traditional desert hood for protection against sandstorms.

As they drew closer, Yuan Yueze suddenly shuddered.

What caught his attention wasn't the long-haired, spear-wielding, maroon-colored battle robe with a steel cable around his waist and a ferocious face, but rather the familiar back and longsword protecting the rear of the fleeing group.

One man, one sword, covered in blood, fighting and retreating with unparalleled ferocity—who else could it be but the long-absent Ba Feng Han!

With a long howl, Yuan Yueze leaped into the air, shooting towards Ba Feng Han's head like a cannonball, laughing loudly, "Brother Ba, how have you been? I've missed you terribly!"

His palms flew, one drawing a circle, then a square, the other a square, then a circle, seemingly slow but actually fast, finally forming four points that shot out.

A familiar voice rang in his ears, and Ba Feng Han was startled. The burly man's spear was already aimed at Ba Feng Han's neck with lightning speed and extreme force. At the same time, three more bandits rose up from both sides, attacking with two swords and an axe, all aimed at Ba Feng Han.

The four were indescribably uncomfortable. They hadn't even seen the face of the nameless expert who had blocked their path, yet they were blinded by the overwhelming force. In desperation, they could only change their moves to save their lives, lamenting that they had missed the best opportunity to kill Ba Feng Han.

The burly, ferocious man was quite skilled; he retracted his spear and thrust again, striking upwards with a twisting motion, barely blocking Yuan Yueze's palm strike before swiftly retreating with effortless ease. The other three were directly blasted back several feet by Yuan Yueze, their faces turning pale, suffering internal injuries.

Although covered in blood, Ba Feng Han's imposing presence remained undiminished. He dismounted and smiled bitterly at Yuan Yueze, who stood before him, saying, "Seeing you here, I don't know whether to laugh or cry."

Yuan Yueze's aura locked tightly around the burly, ferocious man, and he asked in astonishment, "What do you mean?"

-

Chapter 122

The scene was somewhat strange.

The opposing force numbered at least a thousand, each exuding a murderous aura, their eyes cold and stern. Their majestic horses added to the riders' ferocity and domineering presence. However, they tacitly spread out, forming a large fan-shaped formation. Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han's side only had two members; Ren Jun and the group of escapees were still on their way. This was partly due to Yuan Yueze's intimidating presence, but the main reason was that their leader hadn't given the order to annihilate them.

The burly, ferocious man stood tall, spear in hand, exuding a fierce aura as he confronted Yuan Yueze. His icy gaze fixed on Yuan Yueze, and he spoke slowly and deliberately in Turkic, "So it's Brother Yuan. Indeed, you have considerable skill, but it's far from what's rumored. It seems you're truly weakened. I advise you not to interfere in our affairs, or you'll regret it!"

Yuan Yueze's understated yet formidable strength had already caught his attention, and he unconsciously became more polite.

This was a characteristic of the steppe people.

Yuan Yueze was surprised: This man recognized him at a glance. Was he that easy to recognize? It seemed that his performance at the Northern Overlord Gang's headquarters was known to him; otherwise, he wouldn't have said those words, nor would he have such a fearless expression. Seeing his expression change, Ba Feng Han stepped forward and said, "Your portrait has already reached the Turks. Do you think Hu Yan Jin of the Khitan would not recognize you?"

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized that, given the relationship between Du Xing and Jieli, it was very likely that his portrait had already been sent out by carrier pigeon. Du Xing and Hu Yan Jin had a close relationship, so it was not surprising that Hu Yan Jin knew about it in advance. Faced with thousands of fierce bandits, Yuan Yueze was not panicked at all. On the contrary, he was secretly glad that these wicked bastards had finally delivered themselves to his doorstep. So he replied in Turkic, which he had only studied for a month or so: "There is a saying in the Central Plains: 'When you see injustice on the road, someone will step on it.' Besides, can't you tell that Brother Ba is my friend?"

Ren Jun and the group of fugitives had arrived by this time. They all showed respect after hearing the conversation. The captain, who seemed to be the leader, took a few steps forward, raised his right hand, and gave Yuan Yueze a strange salute. He said in Chinese: "Greetings, Brother Yuan. My name is Yue Kepeng. I am a general under the King of Cheshi in Turpan. Thank you for saving my life."

Yuan Yueze looked at him carefully. He saw that Yue Kepeng was strong and sturdy, with dark skin and an honest and simple face. However, his eyes were very sharp. He was a man of both wisdom and courage. Although the saber at his waist had twisted behind his back due to his miserable escape, it did not diminish his imposing manner in the slightest. He recalled Yue Kepeng's righteousness and enthusiasm, and laughed loudly, "Brother Peng, you're too kind. Besides, this matter involves Brother Ba, how could I ignore it?"

Seeing Yuan Yueze and the others chatting intimately, completely disregarding his side, Huyan Jin was furious and shouted, "You scoundrel with a reputation that exceeds your abilities! Let me teach you a lesson, so you'll know how cruel the grasslands are, and also avenge Brother Du!"

Ren Jun knelt on one knee, his face solemn, and said in Turkic, "Please allow Ren Jun to fight, elder brother!"

Ba Feng Han and Yue Kepeng carefully examined Ren Jun for a few moments, praising him in their hearts. Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "This young brother is quite good, with unlimited potential, but..."

He originally wanted to say that Huyan Jin should not be given a chance to escape, so it was naturally safest for Yuan Yueze to personally go into battle, because he simply did not believe that Yuan Yueze would be seriously injured as rumored.

Yuan Yueze placed a hand on Ba Fenghan's shoulder, immediately channeling his true energy to help him recover his strength. He smiled and said, "Good! Xiao Jun, if you can perform at the level you usually show when you train with me, even two Hu Yanjins won't be a match for you!"

Ren Jun was overjoyed. Although his strength had increased rapidly, he lacked practical combat experience. He had impulsively volunteered for battle on a whim, and was now somewhat ashamed, fearing he might mess things up. He never expected Yuan Yueze to praise him like this. So he stood up and said proudly, "If I cannot cut off Huyan Jin's head, I am willing to commit suicide to atone for my sins!"

He spoke with great passion and disregard for life and death. His dozens of subordinates from Cheshi Kingdom were greatly moved and hated their opponent to the bone. They immediately cheered loudly. Although their number was small, it had a unique heroic flavor of "the wind is howling and the Yi River is cold".

As true energy entered his body, a look of surprise flashed in Ba Feng Han's eyes. He focused his voice and said, "You're really injured!"

Yuan Yueze knew that he had noticed that his internal strength was not as strong as before, hence his words. He smiled and shook his head, looking at Ren Jun, who was striding forward with a dragon-like gait and a tiger-like stride, and said, "I'll tell Brother Ba about it later. You can watch how Xiao Jun wins. He is, besides Xiao Zhong, the person in the Central Plains with the best chance of reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship."

Ren Jun stopped ten steps in front of Hu Yan Jin, slowly drew his straight cleaver, and pointed the tip at him, emitting a cold and sharp sword aura that tightly enveloped him. He said, "You villain that everyone wants to kill, this day next year will be your death anniversary!"

The disdain on Hu Yan Jin's face faded, and he became solemn. He was the kind of person who seemed rough but was actually cautious. The news that Yuan Yueze was unable to defeat even a thousand members of the Northern Overlord Gang and was forced to kill Du Xing when it reached the Great Grassland became a topic of ridicule among the various tribes of the grasslands for the weakness of the people of the Central Plains. Having personally fought Yuan Yueze and confirmed that he was indeed all show and no substance, Huyan Jin's fighting spirit soared. If he could kill this man here, the impact would be far-reaching, both in terms of enhancing his personal reputation and influencing the future southward invasion of the grasslands. Jieli might even reward him with a general's title! But now, Yuan Yueze completely looked down on him and sent a completely unknown young man to fight. This caused strong dissatisfaction among the honor-loving grassland people. However, having witnessed Ren Jun's extraordinary abilities, he naturally dared not underestimate him. Overcoming his underestimation of his opponent, he laughed loudly, "Since this brother is so eager to be reborn, how could I not grant your wish!"

Infected by his words, the thousands of bandits immediately cheered, and the momentum of both sides began to be even.

Huyan Jin then said, "Since Brother Yuan doesn't want to fight, I won't make things difficult for you. How about we make a bet?"

Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Ba Fenghan coldly shouted, "If you defeat this young brother, I, Ba Fenghan, will personally offer my head!"

Ren Jun felt grateful. Given Ba Fenghan's reputation and arrogance, the fact that he trusted him so much immediately made him feel a greater sense of responsibility. Suddenly, he remembered Yuan Yueze's usual teachings and immediately began to calm his mind, entering a state of blissful stillness, no longer paying attention to anything else.

Huyan Jin shouted "Good!"

and then shot like lightning to a point two zhang in front of Ren Jun. His spear suddenly sprang into the air, creating thousands of shadowy figures, swirling with a fierce wind, surrounded by a cold glint. The dazzling spear tip reflected a blinding light, instantly plunging Ren Jun into a sea of spear shadows. With just this one move, it was clear that his strength was no less than Du Xing's.

The bandits behind him cheered even louder.

The myriad spear shadows vanished in an instant, transforming into a single spear aimed directly at Ren Jun's face.

Ren Jun abruptly lowered his waist, his blade held horizontally before him. The oppressive killing intent vanished abruptly, instantly causing Hu Yanjin to experience a strange, uncomfortable sensation, as if he had fallen into a void with nowhere to land. Then, he raised his wrist and unleashed a completely unadorned slash.

Hu Yanjin's expression changed drastically, and he immediately withdrew his spear and dodged. Having experienced countless battles, how could he not see that although Ren Jun was a mere youth, this slash had absorbed all the previous blade energy and channeled it into the blade itself, while also bearing Ren Jun's own essence, energy, and spirit. It possessed earth-shattering power, truly reaching a high level of mastery, giving Hu Yanjin a terrifying feeling of being unable to resist.

Among the others, only those as skilled as Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han could discern the subtlety of this strike. Ren Jun's sword energy was extremely fast, instantly giving him a significant psychological advantage. Moreover, this move was something he had learned from the Black King's swirling and soaring movements under Yuan Yueze's encouragement. It was seemingly chaotic, yet possessed a unique and naturally creative flair. To be on the safe side, Hu Yanjin immediately retreated.

Because Ren Jun withdrew his energy and channeled it into his sword, the energy pull dissipated, making it difficult to pursue. The two returned to a standoff, and the energy connection rekindled.

Hu Yanjin's spear trembled incessantly, resisting Ren Jun's powerful aura and falling into a disadvantageous position. Knowing that one cannot sustain a prolonged attack, he solemnly asked, "Brother Ren, your martial arts are superb. May I ask which family or school you are a disciple of? This sword is no ordinary weapon; does it have a name?"

Ren Jun frankly replied, "My master is Guan Changjiu, the 'Great Saber' who stole the forest. This sword was a gift from my elder brother; it is named 'Chang Kong' (Long Sky)."

Just as he answered, Hu Yanjin silently closed in, his spear thrusting several times at indescribably tricky angles, aiming for Ren Jun

's vital points. This man was extremely cunning; knowing Ren Jun lacked practical combat experience, he used words to distract him. Ren

Jun fell for the trap, and taking advantage of the weakening killing intent emanating from the "Chang Kong" sword pointing at him, he immediately launched a preemptive attack. Having undergone rigorous training from Yuan Yueze, Ren Jun subconsciously entered a state of emptiness and tranquility once more, instantly mending any gaps in his mental state, a sight that even Ba Feng Han nodded in approval.

Ren Jun's eyes blazed with fierce light as he focused on his opponent. Simultaneously, his tongue crackled like thunder, and his straight cleaver transformed into a rainbow, bursting with points of emerald light. Combined with footwork imbued with profound principles, it moved in rapid

succession, the clanging of metal against metal incessant. Finally, it pierced through the shaft of the spear, aiming for Hu Yanjin's hand gripping the spear's end. Hu Yanjin was horrified. He knew that each seemingly casual strike from his opponent was not only meant to confuse the enemy but also to accelerate and amplify the force, increasing the power of each attack as it reached him. This final strike was the culmination of that powerful attack.

Hu Yanjin sidestepped, withdrawing one hand, barely avoiding the severed arm.

Ren Jun pressed his advantage, swiftly advancing. "Long Sky" transformed into lightning, its blade energy surging and whistling through the air, crashing forward like a raging torrent. In an instant, the flashes of blade light and the sweeping energy of swords completely crushed Hu Yanjin's momentum. Ren Jun was enveloped in a cloud of emerald light, his man and sword perfectly integrated, while Yue Kepeng and the others cheered wildly. The bandits, though numerous, wore expressions of disbelief and astonishment.

Ren Jun's sword techniques were learned from the Black King, and his sword name, "Long Sky," was naturally derived from "Eagle Soaring Through the Sky." He unleashed his newly acquired swordsmanship, unleashing eighteen strikes in one breath, each with a tricky and unpredictable angle, like bolts of lightning. Amidst the ear-piercing whistling of the blades, swords and spears clashed incessantly. Hu Yanjin's face turned deathly pale; he was forced to only parry, constantly retreating.

Ba Feng Han sighed, "Brother Ren is indeed no ordinary character. Brother Yuan must have put in a lot of effort on him, right?"

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, withdrawing his hand; Ba Feng Han's strength had recovered to ninety percent.

"Clang!"

After a final, earth-shattering resounding crash, the two switched positions, facing each other back to back.

The cheers abruptly ceased, and the world seemed to stand still.

Ren Jun, his left arm stained with blood, sheathed his sword and strode towards Yuan Yueze's group, his excitement barely concealed, a testament to the immense help this battle had given him.

When he reached three steps behind Hu Yanjin, Hu Yanjin, who had been staring intently at Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, revealed a bitter smile. He staggered back and forth a few times before collapsing with a thud, his spear shattering into pieces.

Leaderless and their morale waning, the bandits didn't descend into chaos. Instead, their eyes burned with intense hatred as they drew their bows, aiming at Yuan Yueze and his companions. Ba Feng Han

shot forward like lightning, his face frosty, laughing loudly, "Truly, they won't give up until they reach the Yellow River!"

Simultaneously, his longsword appeared in his hand, bursting with a dazzling light, striking first.

Yuan Yueze left with the words, "Brother Peng, please lead your men back; leave this to us!"

before following closely behind Ba Feng Han in the attack. Although Ren Jun was slightly injured, his interest in killing the bandits remained undiminished, and he turned to follow Yuan Yueze.

The bandits cursed loudly, and a rain of arrows rained down upon them.

None of the three were ordinary people, so they were not injured. After withstanding a volley of arrows, they charged into the bandits like tigers among sheep, and screams of agony rang out one after another.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half the bandits were dead. Daring not to linger, they fled in all directions.

The three men split up to pursue them, killing hundreds more before finally returning.

Yue Kepeng and his group, who were waiting at the valley entrance, had cleaned themselves up and were no longer in a state of despair. Seeing the three return, they joyfully greeted them, offering their highest respect.

A campfire was lit, and Yue Kepeng placed the wild wolves that Ba Feng Han had hunted along the way onto it. After introducing themselves, the group sat around the fire, feeling a surge of joy at surviving such a calamity.

Ren Jun asked curiously, "Don't the Turks worship the wolf god? How could Master Ba be so ruthless?"

After washing his face, Ba Feng Han revealed his handsome, marble-sculpted features and chuckled, "When the Turks are hungry, they'll even eat people, so what's so strange about eating a wolf?"

He then gave Yuan Yueze a strange look and said, "Brother Ren calls Brother Yuan 'Big Brother,' and I 'Master Ba,' so perhaps Brother Yuan should also call me 'Master Ba'?" Yue

Kepeng and the others burst into laughter, while Ren Jun's tender face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to reply.

Ba Feng Han was aloof and arrogant, only showing such a friendly demeanor towards Yuan Yueze, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Hou Xibai. Yuan Yueze punched him and laughed at Ren Jun, "Little Jun, don't drag me into this. I'm of the same generation as Brother Ba." Everyone laughed again, and Ren Jun's face turned even redder. After the laughter subsided, Yuan Yueze asked, "Why did Huyan Jin chase after Brother Ba and Brother Peng? Where did Brother Ba's sword go? Brother Peng speaks excellent Chinese."

He recalled that Yue Ke Peng and his group were supposed to be delivering congratulatory gifts to Longquan in the Northeast on the king's orders, but it would be surprising to say it under such circumstances, so he asked this question.

Ba Feng Han said, "You're asking too many questions. I need to answer them one by one. Brother Peng, please go first."

Yue Ke Peng, who was busy forcing meat, smiled and said, "During the reign of Emperor Ming of Han in the Central Plains, your general Ban Chao led troops to drive away the Xiongnu who oppressed us and established the Protectorate of the Western Regions. Later, the Han Dynasty fell, and the Han soldiers stationed there became assimilated into our country, married, and had children. I myself have Han blood, so I greatly admire the culture of the Central Plains. I have studied Chinese since I was young, and almost all of my brothers can speak Chinese."

He paused here, his eyes first dimming, then flashing with murderous intent, and said, "I am here today on behalf of..." The king ordered us to send congratulatory gifts to Longquan in the northeast. Before leaving the country, we received news from our clansmen who were doing business in Khitan that Huyan Jin, the notorious bandit leader of Khitan, had the full support of Abaojia, the most powerful Khitan force, and was determined to intercept our gifts to Longquan.

Ba Feng Han asked curiously, "Brother Peng, why didn't you choose to pass through Shiwei instead of Khitan? Is it because the Shiwei people allied with the Khitans because they opposed Bai Ziting? Are the Shen Mo Huan couple of Southern Shiwei even more difficult to deal with than Huyan Jin?"

With just this one sentence, Yuan Yueze knew that Ba Feng Han must have rescued Yue Ke Peng and the others halfway, otherwise they would have discussed such trivial matters.

Yue Kepeng nodded, and the imposing man next to him, named Kezhuan, continued, "Without a choice, we had no choice but to press on. Less than half a day after entering Khitan territory, we saw three freshly severed, blood-soaked wolf heads hanging from three long wooden poles at the front of our column. These were the 'Blood Wolf Marks,' Huyan Jin's intimidation mark on the grasslands. Anyone who saw the wolf heads would be slaughtered if they didn't immediately leave all their valuables beside the poles. But before we could even discuss a strategy, Huyan Jin's ambushing forces attacked from all sides. Outnumbered..." They said there were around three thousand men. We protected the caravan and the treasure, fighting and retreating, losing over a hundred brothers in the process. Forced to abandon the arduous task of acquiring the treasure, we barely managed to break through the bandits' encirclement and escape. Fortunately, we encountered the chivalrous Brother Ba, who had previously rid us of two bandit groups that ravaged the Turpan oasis, and with his help, we were able to save our lives. Later, with the help of Brother Yuan and Brother Ren, we were finally truly safe. The three of you are true heroes; our clan will forever remember your kindness.”

He spoke with increasing fervor, and the other clansmen also showed indignation, demonstrating the depth of their hatred for the bandits. At the end, they all bowed to Yuan Yueze and the other two.

After exchanging a few polite words, Ba Feng Han said, "After parting ways with Brother Yuan in Chang'an, I returned to the grasslands to continue my training. By chance, I learned that Jie Li wanted to lure Brother Yuan to the grasslands and was willing to kill you at any cost. I immediately rushed day and night towards Shanhaiguan to meet you. After several days, I received news that you had killed Du Xing at Shanhaiguan. I was even more anxious, but then I encountered Hu Yan Jin and his gang chasing Brother Peng. I couldn't stand idly by. After killing more than two hundred people, I was extremely exhausted and could only fight and retreat. Who knew that I would meet you like this? Life is truly unpredictable."

Yuan Yueze suddenly understood. No wonder Ba Feng Han had said such strange things at first. He was happy to see me, but sad that he had actually fallen into a trap and come to the grasslands. Recalling the fierce bandits and their bows and arrows, Yuan Yueze realized that the borderlands were vast, and bandits often attacked in large groups. Therefore, mounted archery was more effective than close-quarters combat with swords. He resolved to tell Shen Luoyan and Kou Zhong about this as soon as he returned to Luoyang. Considering that even Ba Fenghan's ability to single-handedly kill over two hundred people resulted in astonishing losses, the fighting strength of the Central Plains soldiers was indeed far inferior. This trip to the grasslands had been incredibly enlightening and rewarding, far surpassing what he had learned from hearsay or books.

Ren Jun was busy grilling meat with a Cheshi soldier when he heard this and asked, "Brother Ba, you still haven't told me where your sword went?"

Ba Feng Han gave a bitter smile and sighed, "Tun Yu Gu broke it!"

Yuan Yue Ze asked in surprise, "Brother Ba's sword was forged from deep-sea steel and extreme northern black iron. How could Tun Yu Gu break it?"

Ba Feng Han said, "I encountered him when I passed through Yan Yuan Ji. We got into a fight after a disagreement, and I killed dozens of his men. He was so angry that he took action himself. In that battle, I..." "They're evenly matched, but I know I underestimated him before. His strength is at most only slightly inferior to Bi Xuan's. Because I was in a hurry to get on my way, and he seemed to have urgent business to attend to, we didn't continue the fight."

When he mentioned Bi Xuan, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. The news of Yuan Yueze's two-move victory over Bi Xuan had already spread throughout the grasslands. Ba Feng Han's goal was to challenge Bi Xuan. Although he had also been defeated by Yuan Yueze, his cultivation had increased day by day through years of hard work. Yuan Yueze's unintentional defeat of Bi Xuan left Ba Feng Han feeling helpless.

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized that because of his appearance, Ba Feng Han had never received the He Shi Bi to modify his meridians. His current level of cultivation was already quite remarkable. So he said to Ren Jun, "Xiao Jun, give what you're carrying to Brother Ba."

Ren Jun was slightly taken aback, and immediately took out two neatly folded pieces of cloth. Ba Feng Han took them, opened them, and his expression gradually turned solemn. His strong body began to tremble. Yue Kepeng and the others wondered what could make Ba Feng Han so excited.

Yuan Yueze said, "These two sheets of paper respectively record the 'Concentration Technique' passed down to me by my master and half of the 'Sun and Moon Radiant Heaven Technique' created by Yan Fei, the 'Desolate Sword' who shattered the void more than two hundred years ago. It can be said that without these two techniques, there would be no Xiao Zhong, Zi Ling, or Xiao Jun today."

Ba Feng Han was a master in this field, so how could he not see the profundity of these two techniques? He heard himself say in a trembling voice for the first time, "How can I accept such a great gift?"

Yuan Yueze raised his arm and put it around his neck, saying, "I only wish that Brother Ba will improve quickly so that I can experience the feeling of tormenting you again."

Although his words were disrespectful, Ba Feng Han and Yue Kepeng knew that he was joking. Che Shi Guo and the others cheered for Yuan Yueze's magnanimity and were even more envious of the close friendship between the two.

Ba Feng Han retaliated with an elbow strike, saying irritably, "To single-handedly withstand the four great monks and defeat Bi Xuan in two moves, I'd like to know if you've already reached the Earthly Immortal level? And how did you acquire such skills at less than thirty years old?"

The group from Cheshi Kingdom also showed expressions of interest. After Yuan Yueze repeatedly displayed his formidable strength, outsiders no longer believed Wang Shichong's initial boast that he was the successor of the Evil Emperor. To single-handedly fight the four great monks at full strength—there was no one else in the world like him.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "It's not that I'm deliberately hiding anything, but the matter is of great importance. Brother Ba, just don't treat me like an ordinary person."

As he spoke, he drew Ba Feng Han's sword and slashed it hard against his own neck.

Everyone was shocked. After a deafening roar that shook the earth, a red mark appeared on Yuan Yueze's neck. To everyone's astonishment, he returned the sword to Ba Feng Han.

The red mark gradually faded, and after a long while, everyone came to their senses, their eyes filled with reverence. Ba Feng Han smiled wryly, "No wonder I couldn't defeat you back then. You're not really an immortal descended to earth, are you?"

Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "I'll give Brother Ba an even bigger surprise tonight."

At this moment, the wolf was roasted over the campfire, its aroma filling the air and making everyone's stomachs rumble. Black King returned just then. After Yuan Yueze introduced him to everyone, Ren Jun cut up the wolf meat and distributed it to them.

Ren Jun chewed as he spoke, "Brother Peng and the others lost their treasure. Did Huyan Jin send people to transport it away?"

Yue Kepeng smiled bitterly, a look of bewilderment flashing in his eyes, and nodded, "They only chased after a little over a thousand people; the others must have gone to transport the treasure."

Yuan Yueze knew they were at a loss because they had lost their treasure, and asked, "What kind of treasure was that?"

Kezhuan replied, "A small portion of Western Region jewels, but most of it is high-quality cloth and silk, specializing in our country."

Ba Fenghan was still guessing what Yuan Yueze's "surprise" might be when he heard this, and said in a deep voice, "Since most of it is goods rather than gold and silver, then we should go find the 'dirty hand' Maji. He specializes in receiving stolen goods, and the profits are unbelievably high."

Yue Kepeng said in astonishment, "I also heard of..." "I've heard of this person's name, but where is he?"

Ba Feng Han smiled and said, "Brother Peng should know that there is a large lake a hundred miles to the northwest. Beside the lake is the famous Yan Yuan Market, located on the northeastern edge of the small Gobi Desert. It is a large market for trade among various ethnic groups, and also a battlefield where various forces vie for power. No one can gain absolute control, so bloodshed is a daily occurrence. Ma Ji is a celebrity there. He has no fixed abode. Yan Yuan Market is just a market that trades seasonally, and it is also a place where people like Ma Ji are active. From him, one can roughly imagine what kind of place Yan Yuan Market is."

Upon learning that the treasure might be recovered, the people of Cheshi Kingdom were greatly encouraged. They all took out the small copper wine jugs from their pockets and, in the cool breeze of the grassland, passed them around, tasting the pure and delicious grape wine. Their laughter carried far and wide.

Yuan Yueze deeply felt the sincerity and enthusiasm of the warriors. He thought that if he could help them recover the treasure before entering Shiwei, it would be a meritorious deed. Moreover, Zhai Jiao's sheepskin was very likely in Ma Ji's hands. If he could retrieve it, it would be a win-win situation. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he said, "As far as I know, Brother Peng, you must have another mission in Longquan, right?"

-
04-20
Chapter 123 Princess Nanyang

The Cheshi people were astonished. Yue Kepeng nodded and said, "I didn't expect Brother Yuan to be so powerful. Brother Yuan and the other two are sincere people and saved our lives. I don't want to hide anything. I am going to Longquan this time to attend the founding ceremony of the Sumo tribe. I do have another purpose and am prepared to risk my life."

Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun both showed curious expressions.

Yue Kepeng briefly recounted the crimes committed by Fu Nanda in the eight kingdoms of Turpan, saying, "Two years ago, some of our men went to Longquan to do business and happened to run into Fu Nanda. Although he had shaved his beard, he was still recognized at a glance."

Ren Jun suddenly realized, "You've come here under the guise of delivering gifts, but actually you're going to settle accounts with Fu Nanda. My elder brother said that Bai Ziting is not a good person either. He must be in cahoots with Fu Nanda, swindling your wealth to use for the founding of the kingdom."

Faced with everyone's puzzled expressions, Yuan Yueze explained the theft of Zhai Jiao's sheepskin and what he knew about Bai Ziting's character.

Ke Zhuan was startled and said, "The same thing happened to us before. About three years ago, we bought a hundred cartloads of the famous Xiangshui rice from Bai Ziting, but we were robbed on the way! A few people managed to escape, but the others were brutally murdered. We always thought we had encountered bandits and never suspected Bai Ziting. It seems it's not as simple as we thought."

Yuan Yueze sneered, "As long as we get the evidence, I'll turn his founding ceremony into a funeral for the fallen nation. What kind of king is he? What kind of demonic monk is he? I'll kill all these people who bring disaster to the country."

As Ba Feng Han hesitated, a strange cry startled everyone, and they all looked over.

A dozen feet away, a strangely dressed man was kneeling and kowtowing to the Black King, who was enjoying a delicious meal.

Everyone looked at each other in surprise.

After kowtowing more than ten times, the man stood up and walked over with a powerful stride.

He was of medium appearance, around forty years old, imposing and dignified, at least a head taller than Yuan Yueze. His skin was dark, his muscles were muscular, like an iron tower. He wore a tight-fitting red leather coat with an embroidered image of a fierce, outstretched eagle on the chest. A curved sword was at his waist, a longbow slung over his shoulder, and daggers were tucked into his boots, making him appear incredibly imposing.

Yuan Yueze remembered what Ren Jun had said, and seeing this man's respect for the Black King, he deduced that he was most likely a member of the Bai Xi tribe.

Approaching him, he reluctantly withdrew his gaze from the Black King, glanced around at the crowd, and then fixed his gaze on Ba Feng Han. He placed his left hand across his chest and said in Turkic, "Hello, I am Buri Gude. Welcome to the Bai Xi."

The crowd quickly rose to invite him to sit down.

Burigude smiled slightly, politely sat down, and accepted the wolf meat Ren Jun offered. His eyes remained fixed on the Black King, and he said, "This Turkic brother can actually tame a divine eagle; truly remarkable." Ba Feng Han

laughed, "This 'Black King' isn't mine, but his treasure."

Burigude followed his finger to Yuan Yueze, who appeared quite thin to the steppe people. After carefully examining him, he exclaimed in surprise, "Han people are indeed extraordinary; I admire you."

His tone was calm, making it impossible to reconcile it with his imposing appearance.

Yuan Yueze smiled and shook his head.

Burigude looked up at the sky; it was already late, and the red sun had sunk behind the western mountains. He said, "It seems you brothers have nowhere to stay. You can come to my house; I still have some empty rooms."

Yue Kepeng and the others had fled all the way, and their tents and other belongings had long since fallen. They were worried about this, but their gazes turned to Yuan Yueze, as if waiting for him to speak.

Yuan Yueze was deeply impressed by the hospitality and simplicity of the other party. They had been invited to visit without even being asked their names, so Yuan Yueze said in Turkic, "Brother De, you are so hospitable, we won't refuse."

Ba Feng Han laughed loudly, "Brother Peng, and then Brother De! 'Buri Gude' means 'eagle' in Turkic, you insist on calling me by my name!"

Buri Gude smiled and said, "My full name is Buri Gude Wudun Qibi. Qibi is my tribal name, Wudun is my ancestral surname, and Buri Gude is my given name. It sounds nice to call you Brother De too!"

Yue Kepeng nodded from the side, saying, "My full name is Yue Kepeng Taguruna. Luna is my tribal name, Taguru is my ancestral surname, and Yue Kepeng is my younger brother..." "Your names are too long. I think it's quite nice to address you like Brother Yuan!"

Yuan Yueze blushed and scratched his head, saying, "Please don't be offended by your long names."

Then he said to Burigude, "I didn't expect to meet a descendant of the Qibi tribe here. I've also heard of the great name of Yiwuzhen Mohe Khan."

The Qibi tribe was one of the Tiele tribes. About twenty years ago, the Tiele tribes rose up against the tyranny of the Western Turks and jointly elected the Qibi leader, Geleng, as Yiwuzhen Mohe Khan. However, it didn't last long. Geleng was defeated and killed, and the Xueyantuo leader, Yishibo, was elected as Yedie Khan. Yishibo then led his tribe to establish their court at Yanmo Mountain, thus becoming a powerful tribe among the Tiele. Burigude's

expression darkened, and he changed the subject, saying, "It's getting late. Let's set off. It's still an hour's walk up the mountain to my house."

When they arrived at the valley where Burigude's house was located, only a sliver of the setting sun remained.

The group chatted idly along the way, talking about all sorts of random things.

The scene inside the valley was truly amazing.

The houses were all carved into the walls, with only wooden doors of varying sizes visible from the outside. Burigude explained that this was to protect against the harsh northern winter. Along the way, they encountered many men and women. The men were mostly dressed similarly to Burigude, except for their leather jackets, all embroidered with eagles on their chests, demonstrating the tribe's reverence for eagles. The women mostly had long hair braided into thin braids, their heads wrapped in floral cloth, and wore loose robes embroidered with various strange and beautiful patterns. Small copper bells hung from the hems of their robes, jingling as they walked, a distinctive feature of their tribe. The younger women were even bolder and more enthusiastic, frequently casting flirtatious glances at the dashing Yuan Yueze and the handsome Ba Fenghan as they passed. The men's attention, however, was focused on the Black King, who stood on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, eyes closed in rest. Had Yuan Yueze not foreseen this and mentioned it to Burigude beforehand, the men would likely have come over to kowtow.

Burigude explained to the group that Bafeng Han had traveled extensively through deserts and grasslands and had never actually visited a tribe that still retained such a strong primitive social atmosphere, let alone Yuekepeng and his group who rarely left the Cheshi Kingdom. The group listened and watched with great interest.

Burigude's home was located in the middle of this small village that could barely be called a "village." After placing the horses outside the cave, they pushed open the ordinary door and felt as if they had entered another world. The house, which looked unremarkable from the outside, actually occupied a large area. The cave was actually carved out, and the walls were built with rammed earth, dividing the large space into several small rooms. They were now in what appeared to be the living room, which was at least five zhang in diameter. Although the facilities were simple, they were complete, and a large oil lamp hung from the ceiling, providing ample light. Along the walls carved into the windows, there was a wide array of items, from small handmade trinkets to leather clothing and hats, and even large items like bows, arrows, and swords. In one corner of the hall, there was a square pit with a fire burning, on which sat a large iron kettle, steaming slightly. Beside it were pots, stoves, basins, bowls, chopsticks, and other cooking utensils.

Burigude invited everyone to sit around a large wooden table on a tiger-skin mat in the center of the hall. Although the table was large, it could only seat a dozen or so people. Yuan Yueze's group of over thirty people had some soldiers voluntarily sit in the back before they finally took their seats.

A clear, crisp voice rang out, uttering a phrase Yuan Yueze couldn't understand. The wooden door on the west side opened, and a slender figure appeared inside, looking at the group of outsiders with surprise.

Everyone's eyes lit up. A beautiful young woman, over six feet tall, yet not at all bulky, with brown hair, well-defined features, a high nose, and deep-set eyes, bore a striking resemblance to Lian Rou. A pair of deep, clear blue phoenix eyes stared curiously at the group.

In fact, Burigude also had clear blue eyes, but Yuan Yueze and the others hadn't noticed.

Burigude introduced in Turkic, "This is my younger sister, Qiqige."

Then, to Qiqige, he said, "These friends come from all over and have nowhere to stay. I've invited them to our home. Go and ask your father to come out."

Qiqige responded and turned to leave. Burigude

went to the corner, filled a ceramic teapot with hot water, and brewed homemade mountain tea for everyone. He then began to introduce his family. His father was named Chaolu, and his mother was named Ulan. They had three sons and one daughter. Burigude was the eldest, and he and his second brother, Amur, were already married. Only his third brother, Erdemutu, and his younger sister, Qiqige, remained unmarried. According to tribal custom, they all lived in their father's house and made their living by hunting and farming.

Sipping the fragrant tea, everyone praised it. Yuan Yueze wondered whether civilization was a good thing or a bad thing. Although he had never descended the Tianshan Mountains in his later years, the books he had read gave him a deep understanding of how humanity had recklessly destroyed the natural ecological balance in pursuit of a higher material life. The scene before him, brimming with natural beauty, was something that could not be experienced simply by watching some ancient movies. Lao Tzu's views on "small countries with few people" and "living and dying without interacting" were not without merit.

Seeing Yuan Yueze's entranced expression, Ba Feng Han asked, "Brother Yuan, what are you thinking about?" Without hesitation,

Yuan Yueze sighed in Chinese, "Working at sunrise, resting at sunset. Digging wells to drink, tilling fields to eat. What power does the emperor have over me!"

Yue Ke Peng put down his teacup and said, "This is the 'Song of Tilling the Soil' by Emperor Yao, one of the 'Five Emperors' of the Central Plains. Why did Brother Yuan suddenly recite this folk song?"

Yuan Yueze's eyes shone with longing, and he sighed, "Perhaps I'm influenced by the primitive customs here and Brother De's simplicity. This is the kind of peaceful and prosperous world I yearn for."

Ba Feng Han said with deep feeling, "This kind of feeling..." "The ideal will never appear, because human desires and wants only grow stronger with each passing day.

The saying 'having gained one thing, one desires another' perfectly describes this." Yuan Yueze said with a bitter smile, "Yes! If everyone had such an ideal, then the times would never progress. Civilization is truly a double-edged sword. Even a thousand years, or even ten thousand years from now, no one will be able to truly balance gains and losses."

A long laugh came from the west gate, and an old man with a large beard walked over, accompanied by two men who bore a resemblance to Burigude, one around thirty and the other around twenty, and a rather clever child beside them. It was obvious that the three adults were Burigude's father and brothers, and the child must be Burigude's son. Chaolu was tall and thin but not hunched over; his other two sons were both robust and imposing. Erdemutu, in particular, possessed a refined and scholarly air, quite similar to Bafeng Han.

After introductions, another table was set up, and more than thirty people sat down to chat. This family didn't understand Chinese at all, so they had no recollection of the name Yuan Yueze. However, upon hearing that Ba Feng Han was visiting, they showed him immense welcome, demonstrating Ba Feng Han's popularity on the grasslands. Yuan Yueze was handsome, with an elegant demeanor. Though he spoke little, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, radiating unparalleled wisdom. Furthermore, after hearing Rigude recount the story of the Black King, the father and sons immediately felt that this young man must be a hero in the Central Plains, and thus treated him with equal enthusiasm.

Ba Yin, the son of Buri Gude, nestled in his father's arms, curiously scrutinizing Yuan Yueze with his clear, bright eyes. In his childish voice, he said, "This uncle is even prettier than the woman Deya's family bought."

Everyone burst into laughter. Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and asked, "Is that woman the prettiest here?"

Ba Yin blushed, nodding sheepishly, "That woman is also Han Chinese. Deya said her father rescued her."

Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback and asked Chao Lu, "Could you explain this, sir?"

Chao Lu, thinking he was a stranger in a foreign land, felt a subtle connection with his fellow countrymen. "Deya is the daughter of Sude, a hunter at the village entrance," said Erdemutu. "Few of us go out to hunt. Sude is the best hunter, and he has the best catch. He goes south twice a year to sell the finest animal hides to you Han people and exchange them for daily necessities. He rescued that Han woman a few months ago."

Erdemutu smiled strangely and continued, "She's pitiful. I saw her being beaten and scolded by Sude's wife."

They were all men, and some things could be guessed without being said. Sude must have been unfaithful to the woman, but his wife was a shrew; she wouldn't let him have his cake and eat it too.

Little Bayin, of course, didn't understand what the adults were thinking and chided in his childish voice, "More than ten days ago, another Han man came here. He was only a little younger than Grandpa. We all saw him build a thatched hut outside the village and settle down."

Yuan Yueze suddenly felt a desire to meet these two fellow villagers.

Seeing Ren Jun listlessly sipping tea, his eyes constantly glancing at Ximen, Ba Feng Han teased, "What are you looking at, little Jun?"

Ren Jun's delicate face flushed red, and he was at a loss for words. Anyone with eyes could see that he had his eye on the girl, but according to their customs, only adult males of the family were allowed to attend such occasions, hence his dejected expression.

At this moment, the women began to bring out the delicious food they had prepared, and Qiqige ran around several times, making Ren Jun's eyes almost pop out of his head. Chao Lu and his son did not speak, but carefully examined Ren Jun for a few moments, finding that although this young man was not as good as Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, he was still a fine young man.

With dishes and wine served, Bayin was carried away, and the dinner, rich in ethnic flavor, began in a lively atmosphere. Guests and hosts toasted each other, chatting and laughing. The Chaolu father and son were extremely hospitable, demonstrating the hospitality of the nomadic peoples

of the frontier. The Chaolu family had many women, and the meats they prepared using various primitive methods, along with the bitter vegetables pickled with mountain spices, whetted everyone's appetite and drew praise. Historical records about the Baixi people are extremely scarce, and Yuan Yueze heard many interesting tales about their unique customs during the meal.

After another drink, Yuan Yueze suddenly said, "If I'm not mistaken, your family should be descendants of the Tiele Qibi tribe. How come you live here?"

The Chaolu father and son looked astonished, then glanced at Burigude, who could only manage a wry smile. Who knew Yuan Yueze's imagination could be so vivid? In fact, even Ba Feng Han, a native of the grasslands, and Yue Kepeng and other Cheshi people knew very little about the Qibi tribe.

Ba Feng Han patted Yuan Yueze on the shoulder and laughed loudly, "Don't panic, everyone! I, Ba Feng Han, guarantee with my life that Brother Yuan has no ill intentions. Have you heard about Bi Xuan being defeated?"

Chao Lu nodded in surprise, "Su De heard about this in the south of Shiwei last time. When he came back, everyone thought it was just a rumor. Who doesn't know Bi Xuan? He's a god of the grasslands. Who could defeat him? Could it be..."

Ba Feng Han said proudly, "It was my Han brother who did it. He's a hero, and I, Ba Feng Han, am also his defeated opponent. Just imagine, if he really wanted to harm someone, who could stop him? And Xiao Jun, Huyan Jin was killed by his own hands. His body is still in the wild; we don't know if it's been eaten by wolves."

Yue Kepeng also nodded in agreement. Chao Lu and his son all looked at Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun, their expressions turning to horror. With Ba Feng Han's reputation and status as a general of the Cheshi Kingdom, how could he possibly lie?

Yuan Yueze blushed at the praise, punched Ba Feng Han, and sincerely raised his cup, saying, "I misspoke. If you gentlemen have any difficulties, please forget about this matter."

Chao Lu and his son quickly raised their cups and drank another cup. Amur stared at Ren Jun and said, "Although our people rarely go out, we have indeed heard of Huyan Jin's infamous reputation. Brother Ren was able to kill him, so he must be a top expert."

Ren Jun quickly replied politely.

Chaolu gulped down a cup of wine and sighed with regret, “You are all heroes, worthy of our admiration. Indeed, we are descendants of the Qibi tribe. Back then, Khan Geleng was a man of both literary and military prowess, chosen as the leader of the Tiele, leading his people to resist the Western Turks. He won eight battles in a row, and the Western Turks retreated step by step. But one night, he was assassinated in his command tent, which was protected by thousands of troops. I was serving the Khan at the time, reading at night. If I hadn’t been too timid and fainted from fright, I probably would have been dead. After that, our army suffered a great defeat, and only later did Yishibo rise to power and establish his tribe at Yanmo Mountain. After the Khan’s death, a group of people who were loyal to him began to migrate. After nearly a year of travel, we finally found this place and settled here. Almost twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Looking at his pained expression, everyone deeply felt that he still felt remorse and regret for his incompetence back then.

Yue Kepeng was taken aback and said, "I was born in the Western Regions and know a bit about the Tiele, but I've never heard anyone mention your tribe."

Ba Feng Han nodded and said, "I was born in Gaochang of the Uyghurs, and I've only occasionally heard people mention your tribe. The decline of one tribe on the grasslands represents the rise of another. It's rare for a tribe to fall so quickly like yours. If the news is deliberately suppressed, it's not difficult for outsiders to know about it."

Chao Lu wiped away the cloudy tears from the corner of his eyes and said, "At the time, we all thought it was done by a master from the Western Turks. But after hearing what you two said, it seems that Yi Shibo is also involved. I met this person back then. Although he has great talent and ambition, he is cunning and has a strong desire for power. There is a possibility that he conspired with the Western Turks to kill the Great Khan."

Yuan Yueze thought that at that time, Commander Yun had just settled in the Western Turks. Not to mention that he didn't have the ability to assassinate someone in the midst of an army at that time, judging from the time, Tong Yabghu probably hadn't even set off to invite him yet. A person suddenly flashed through his mind, and he said in a deep voice, "Old man, could you describe this person's appearance to me?"

Chao Lu's eyes shot out a deep light of hatred, and he said fiercely, "I will never forget him in my life. That person was burly, dressed in all black, wearing a ferocious mask, and exuded an aura of death. His eyes were sharp enough to kill! But when he spoke, he was gentle and refined, without the slightest hint of arrogance."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "If it's not Liu Yu, then who is it!" Suddenly, he realized that it was no wonder that Tong Yehu spoke so highly of him; it turned out that the two of them had known each other even before Yun Shuai.

In a flash, Chaolu continued his recollection: "When the Great Khan died, the soldiers charged forward fearlessly. That man leaped into the air, high-fived another accomplice who appeared out of nowhere, and used the momentum to escape. That accomplice had a sallow complexion, an ordinary appearance, a large mole on the corner of his mouth, and a large, flat nose—I had never seen anyone with such a big nose. The Great Khan had over a thousand guards, all highly skilled. When I woke up after midnight, I found them all dead, all dead..."

He could no longer continue, clearly overwhelmed by the deepest memories that had stirred up his mind, causing him grief and fear.

His three sons immediately comforted him.

Yuan Yueze frowned and asked, "Did that accomplice use a golden spear or a giant axe?"

Chao Lu shook his head, leaning over his desk, and said, "He did use a spear, but it wasn't a golden spear."

Even so, Yuan Yueze was almost certain it was Xi Feng. Although their appearances were different, he remembered that Xi Feng had once disguised himself as a eunuch in Chang'an, so he knew that Xi Feng was very skilled in disguise. As for why he didn't use a golden spear, perhaps he hadn't obtained such a divine weapon at that time, or perhaps it was to deceive others!

Chao Lu was emotionally out of control and had drunk quite a bit of wine. Yuan Yueze helped him calm down and put him to sleep. After he fell asleep, Amur arranged for everyone to stay in a row of empty rooms in the east house. Yue Kepeng and the others, having fled for a day, buried themselves in the soft, thick fur mats on the large, heated kang bed made of adobe bricks and, fueled by the alcohol, fell into a deep sleep.

Because of their high regard, Yuan Yueze and his two companions were arranged to share a room. First, they pulled Shan Wanjing out to cleanse Ba Feng Han's marrow and refine his genitals, then coaxed her back. The three lay on the warm earthen bed, wide awake, chatting. Faced with Ba Feng Han's confusion, Yuan Yueze didn't hide anything, telling him everything he could. Ba Feng Han gasped, then smiled bitterly, "Although you now consider yourself a 'monster,' I really doubt your resilience. You know, Jieli was implicated and severely humiliated because of Bi Xuan's setback. If he can't get revenge, his image in the hearts of the grassland people will plummet. Therefore, he will definitely mobilize a large number of Golden Wolf soldiers. You saw the strength of the Khitan bandits today, didn't you? The Golden Wolf army is at least stronger than them." "Double. Can you even kill them all?"

Yuan Yueze shook his head with a wry smile, saying, "Do you know what Bi Xuan did after returning to the Turkic Khaganate?"

Ba Feng Han shook his head, disdainfully saying, "A defeated general has no right to talk about bravery. Bi Xuan is old and used to being high and mighty. Once he's hit, he'll never be able to recover."

For some reason, Yuan Yueze remembered what Yuwen Shang had said that night, followed by what Chao Lu had said. His mind began to swirl. He glanced at Ren Jun, who was staring blankly at the ceiling, and said to Ba Feng Han, "Brother Ba, teach Xiao Jun how to fall in love. This kid has no experience and is a hopeless romantic. I need to visit my two fellow villagers first."

After saying that, he left the amused Ba Feng Han and the embarrassed Ren Jun, got up, dressed, and left.

Ba Feng Han thought to himself, "I'm not like you, an expert in this area." Seeing Ren Jun's excited eyes, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and begin to explain.

Under the moonlight, Yuan Yueze easily found the hunter Su De's house at the village entrance, as Chao Lu had mentioned. Chao Lu's house was already one of the larger ones in the village, but Su De's house was even more spacious. A two-story building was carved into the smooth stone walls, and the small garden outside was crisscrossed with ditches, seemingly planted with enough grain and vegetables for their own consumption. Light still shone from the second-floor window, and a rough, gruff woman's voice

could be faintly heard. Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Heaven is on my side!" He leaped up and leaned over the window. He heard the rough woman cursing incessantly in Turkic, using vulgar language like "little slut," "a whore who only knows how to seduce men," and so on. Another woman was sobbing softly, not daring to answer. A loud voice came from the first floor, and the rough woman cursed again, then footsteps sounded as she went downstairs.

Having already confirmed the identities of the three people, Yuan Yueze was inwardly cursing the woman's rudeness when a sob suddenly came from the window. He could imagine the poor woman's tearful eyes and her lamenting to the moon. With a swift movement, he slipped inside, his large hand pressing against her lips, whispering in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm Han Chinese."

The woman immediately nodded.

Their bodies pressed close together. The woman's body was supple and boneless, her skin full and radiant with youthful vitality. Before Yuan Yueze could even see her face clearly, he was already captivated by her allure. Before his primal instincts kicked in, he quickly pulled away, and what he saw immediately stunned him.

She wore a somewhat dirty coarse cloth gown, yet it did not diminish her striking beauty and captivating figure. Exquisite features were perfectly set in her face, and her large eyes, fixed on Yuan Yueze, were filled with terror.

What stunned Yuan Yueze was not the innate noble air emanating from her bones, nor the red handprint on her slightly puffed-up, delicate face, but rather her appearance—she bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Bei!

-----

Chapter 124

She secretly brought the noble woman out and summoned Xiao Bei to confirm. Sure enough, the woman was her own daughter, Princess Yang Yan of the former Sui Dynasty. (Note: This name is a personal invention of the author. Originally, I intended to name her based on her younger sister Yang Ji'er in "The New Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties," but Yang Ji'er's name is also a fabrication, so I decided to create my own. This name is based on the names of her three brothers. Any resemblance to actual persons,

living or dead, is purely coincidental. The mother and daughter embraced each other in anguish, as if in another world.

Yuan Yueze watched quietly from the side.

Only in this way could Xiao Bei vent the deepest worries buried in her heart, and Yang Yan could release the sorrow and bitterness accumulated in this inhuman life.

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, there were many famous court women, from the two empresses of the Sui Dynasty...) From Dugu Jialuo and Xiao Bei, to Empress Dou, the first wife of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, to Empress Zhangsun, the first wife of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, to Princess Nanyang of the Sui Dynasty, and Princess Pingyang of the Tang Dynasty, each of them left a beautiful name in the history books of later generations. Not to mention Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in history, and Chen Shuozhen, the "Wenjia Emperor," and so on.

The mother and daughter were exhausted from crying. Xiao Bei looked at her daughter's bruises with heartache, and a rare look of ferocity appeared on her usually serene face. She got up, intending to vent her anger on Su De's wife.

Yang Yan's fragrant shoulders were still trembling slightly. She weakly pulled Xiao Bei, shook her head, and whispered, "Mother, there's no need for this." "If it weren't for their rescue, I would have died in Hebei long ago. Consider these past few months as repayment for their life-saving grace."

Her voice was mournful and moving, her appearance pitiful. Seemingly unable to change her address quickly, she still subconsciously referred to Xiao Bei as "Mother." Yuan Yueze's bright, star-like eyes carefully examined her.

Historical records describe her as having "beautiful bearing, noble character, and always acting with propriety." Yang Yan married Yuwen Shiji at the age of fourteen. When her father-in-law, Yuwen Shu, was seriously ill and near death, she, despite her noble birth, personally prepared his food and served it to him, demonstrating her filial piety. Despite her seemingly weak appearance, this royal noblewoman possessed a remarkable character... Extremely resolute.

Historical records state that Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Shiji returned to the Tang Dynasty from Jibei. At that time, the most powerful force in Hebei was Dou Jiande, the King of Xia. When former officials of the Sui Dynasty were introduced to Jiande, they were all terrified and lost their composure. Only Princess Nanyang remained calm. When she met Dou Jiande, the princess recounted the destruction of her country and the loss of her family, unable to avenge her family. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke eloquently and earnestly. Jiande and all those who witnessed her were moved to tears and deeply respected her. Later, when Dou Jiande wanted to punish the Yuwen family, he said to her, "Yuwen Huaji personally committed regicide, and now his entire clan will be exterminated. Your son, Princess, should be punished according to the law. If you cannot bear to part with him, you may spare him."

Princess Nanyang's act of allowing Dou Jiande to kill her ten-year-old son, Yuwen Chanshi, is utterly incomprehensible in the eyes of later generations, demonstrating a foolish loyalty to ancient customs. Shortly afterward, Princess Nanyang became a nun and lived within Dou Jiande's sphere of influence. After Dou Jiande's defeat, Princess Nanyang returned to Chang'an, the western capital, and later encountered Yuwen Shiji again in Luoyang, the eastern capital. The princess resolved not to see him again. Yuwen Shiji approached her and asked to remarry. Princess Nanyang refused, saying, "You and I are enemies." "I only regret that I cannot kill you with my own hands, but it's only because you were unaware of your brother's treason beforehand."

Shi Ji, knowing he could not be subdued, bowed and took his leave.

Xiao Bei was not one to forget everything in a moment of impulse; hearing this, he stopped and introduced the two.

In fact, Yang Yan had already guessed Yuan Yueze's identity; Xiao Bei's sudden appearance explained everything. Moreover, how could such a heroic man kill so many people while charging around recklessly? But she had always been aloof; not only before, but even after being rescued by Su De, she had never been treated like this by a man. She stared intently, a hint of displeasure rising in her heart. In contrast, Yuan Yueze possessed a refined demeanor and clear eyes, showing no lecherous intent whatsoever, but rather an inexplicable air of respect. This caused her to blush inexplicably, her heart pounding, and she awkwardly turned her head away.

Yuan Yueze snapped out of his reverie, looked up at the sky, and sighed, "The moon's shadow lingers in the distant night, only the plum blossom's soul remains, its essence faded." Ignoring Yang Yan's astonished gasp, he simply gathered the two women away and turned to speed towards the direction of the other "fellow villager" Bayin had mentioned.

He left everything to Xiao Bei to explain slowly. Arriving

at the makeshift shack, a faint light shone from within.

Yuan Yueze gently knocked on the door and called out in Chinese, "I'm just passing through. May I come in?"

The light inside suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness. From within, a hostile, aged voice replied in Chinese, "I've already gone to bed. Please excuse me, I cannot receive guests. Please come in, brother."

Yuan Yueze pushed the door open and burst in, laughing loudly, "People say, 'A long drought meets sweet rain, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination,' and so on!" "We're all from the same hometown, why are you being so formal, sir?"

Although he disdained formalities, he wouldn't do something so impolite. He had only vaguely sensed fear in the old man's voice, a vague outline forming in his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp the key point, so he decided to force his way in.

Although the small house was pitch black, Yuan Yueze's bright eyes took in everything: besides a fire pit and simple cooking utensils in a corner, there was a simple wooden bed in the corner and a small... Beyond the wooden table, there was nothing else. On the moldy cotton wadding sat a man not yet fifty. His balding head was supported solely by his long, seemingly unbearable neck. He had a gray mustache, his eyes were tired and thoughtful, his face was sagging, and his eyelids were puffy—a picture of decay born of years of indulgence in wine and women.

Yuan Yueze stepped forward, lit a lamp, and sat down opposite him on the ground. He took out two cigarettes, lit them, and handed them to him, taking a deep drag. He said, "Sir, please do not be afraid. I am Yuan Yueze, and I have come with no ill intentions."

The man initially… He mechanically accepted the cigarette, and in the dim light, when he clearly saw Yuan Yueze's face, his eyes lit up with a sharp glint, then returned to their usual weary, despondent state. He took a drag, mimicking Yuan Yueze's gesture. Upon hearing his self-introduction, he immediately jumped up, his eyes wide, his body trembling as he pointed at him, stammering, "You...you..."

Yuan Yueze exhaled a smoke ring, shrugged, and said nonchalantly, "Sir, do you have a grudge against me?"

The man breathed heavily for a moment before sitting down, saying calmly: "Brother Yuan, what brings you here?"

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "It's strange, I originally just heard that a fellow Han Chinese lives here and wanted to come and see, but when I arrived at the door, I felt a vague clue in my mind, so I had to come in to find the answer."

The man looked sad and murmured, "Fellow countryman! Fellow countryman!"

Then his eyes lit up and he stared at Yuan Yueze and said, "It seems that the rumors are true. Brother Yuan's spiritual perception has reached a profound realm that ordinary people cannot reach. May I ask why you have come to the grasslands?"

Yuan Yueze had no obligation to answer his rude question, yet he spoke bluntly, "I've come for two reasons: first, to confront the Ghostly Fiend; second, for the future unification of the land. If you encounter any injustices, sir, feel free to tell me. I, Yuan, am fond of meddling in such matters."

In truth, anyone with half a brain knew that Yuan Yueze was a man with ambitions for the world, and anyone could guess that he had come to prepare for conquering the grasslands and deserts.

The man's eyes flashed with sorrow, yet he laughed loudly. The pain and resentment in his heart were like molten lava buried deep underground, about to erupt from a volcano if suppressed any longer. Two streams of turbid tears welled in his eyes, his laughter filled with desolation. In the dim light of the oil lamp, his hunched and thin figure appeared even more lonely.

Yuan Yueze, smoking a cigarette, calmly watched him.

After a long while, the man's laughter gradually subsided. He wiped away his tears, took two deep drags on his cigarette, and said, "I've long forgotten my real name. Everyone calls me 'Master Arrow.' A man of your stature, Brother Yuan, would never have heard of me."

Yuan Yueze shook his head and recounted the "Hundred Flowers Tragedy" he had heard about on his way from Shanhaiguan. He concluded, "I never expected to meet you here, sir. It's truly astonishing."

Master Arrow said bitterly, "How could I have been captured or killed so easily!"

He paused, then continued, "Brother Yuan, have you ever crossed the border?"

Yuan Yueze shook his head, but said, "I know that your enemy is Shen Mohuan of Shiwei."

Master Arrow was taken aback, then looked as if he had aged several years, his face drained of color. He nodded and said, "Four hundred li north of here is..." "The Shiwei are my mortal enemies."

He then fell silent for a long time before slowly saying, "It was seven years ago, one summer. I was running a workshop in Shanhaiguan, specializing in bows and arrows. I had just married a beautiful wife and was living a blissful life. One day, a man claiming to be a member of the Shiwei royal family named Shen Mohuan came with a large entourage to buy goods from me. I saw that he was handsome and spoke with a generous and dignified manner. Moreover, he was buying goods to deal with the Turkic bandits I hated most. In addition, he welcomed me warmly and even let me into his home, treating him as a confidant. But who knew... Alas! Who knew that this man was heartless and treacherous! Alas!"

Yuan Yueze said in a deep voice, "Shen Mohuan was the leader of the Shiwei Sand Gang. He and his wife, Muling, were known as the 'Husband and Wife Bandits.' They were infamous beyond the Great Wall, leading their band of thieves to come and go like the wind. No one could do anything to them." "How could they? I've heard they even have the secret support of Jieli, wreaking havoc in Liaobei and killing countless people. How could you, sir, be so fooled?"

Master Arrow said painfully, "Back then, he was indeed a member of the Southern Shiwei royal family, his infamy not yet known. It was only after the Southern Shiwei was defeated by the Great Shiwei that he became a notorious bandit. One night, he deliberately got me drunk, raped my wife Xiaojuan, and stole all my treasured bows and arrows, disappearing like a crane in the wind. Poor Xiaojuan fell ill and never recovered, eventually dying with resentment."

Yuan Yueze nodded, "That's old news. From what you're saying, sir, was he also responsible for the 'Hundred Flowers Massacre' a while ago?"

Master Arrow said, "I recognize the Sand Gang members even if you beat me to death. Luckily, they weren't there to steal my two hidden divine bows, otherwise I wouldn't have survived."

Yuan Yueze said, "Please tell me more, sir."

Master Arrow... The master's old eyes flashed with deep hatred as he said, "They used the sudden 'Anle Tragedy' to draw the attention of the Northern Frontier people to Anle, which is why they suddenly attacked me. From what they said, they only wanted to capture me alive and hand me over to Jieli. Hmph, no matter how ruthless they are, how could they possibly be a match for my wits? After escaping, I remembered someone saying that the Baixi tribe has a primitive culture and everyone loves peace, so I thought of coming here to live in seclusion, hoping to take revenge in the future. It seems that Heaven has truly taken pity on me, allowing me to meet Brother Yuan today." Yuan

Yueze felt a chill in his heart. He was now certain of Jieli's purpose in sending people to capture the archery master. Everyone on the grasslands was skilled in riding and archery. "A craftsman must first sharpen his tools if he wants to do his work well." If they could have someone like the archery master to make bows and arrows for the Turks, then the strength of the Turks would be greatly enhanced. This further showed that Jieli would never let go of the fat piece of the Central Plains. Further speculation suggests that, seeing Zhao Deyan's disappearance, Jieli might have worried about his long-held plan being exposed, thus changing his strategy and intending to take advantage of the upcoming Li Tang invasion to launch a surprise attack on the south.

Of course, this is just speculation.

Taking another puff of his cigarette, Yuan Yueze said, "Even without your great grudge, sir, I wouldn't have let Shen Mohuan and his wife go. If you don't mind, sir, could you come back to the Central Plains with me for a while?"

The archery master was taken aback and said, "Of course, I even want to make more bows and arrows to properly 'repay' Jieli. But if I follow you, brother Yuan, I'm afraid I'll hold you back."

Yuan Yueze led him into the bracelet, gave a brief introduction amidst his shocked expression, arranged for him to rest, and then came out alone.

When he returned to Chaolu's house, Ren Jun was nowhere to be found; only Ba Feng Han and Erdemutu were chatting idly.

Upon seeing Yuan Yueze enter, Erdemutu immediately stood up and respectfully said, "Brother Yuan, you are the man who was once renowned throughout the land? I truly misjudged you."

Yuan Yueze patted his shoulder, then glanced at Ba Feng Han, who was lying in bed, knowing that he was boasting again.

The two sat on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), and Yuan Yueze looked around and asked, "Where did Xiao Jun go?"

Ba Feng Han rested his head on his arm and sighed, "Your good brother's eyes light up the moment he sees a girl. Just now, Brother Tu encouraged him a couple of times, and he even forgot what his father's name was, jumping around to bother her."

Erdemutu said happily, "Brother Ren is a generous man, and he also killed the Khitan villain Huyan Jin. He is a great hero. My sister has always been picky, but I think they are quite a good match."

Yuan Yueze shook his head and chuckled, then said, "Brother Tu is exceptionally brave and valiant. Perhaps you are not content to spend your remaining years here?"

Having been in the world for a long time, he also had some ability to judge people.

Erdemutu sighed

upon hearing this, "I truly long to venture out and find the villain who assassinated the Great Khan, but my father and the other elders have established clan rules forbidding us descendants from leaving this place." He paused, then smiled bitterly, "Brother Ba just explained to me the high level of skill of the assassin who killed the Great Khan, and I feel disheartened."

Ba Feng Han suddenly said, "According to your father, your clan only arrived here twenty years ago. As far as I know, the Bai Xi people have existed for far more than a century."

Erdemutu explained, "Brother Ba, you misunderstand. Before our clan arrived here, the Bai Xi people did indeed live here. There were about six tribes at that time, the strongest of which was the Dulun Hejin tribe, located 140 li away, led by Chief Huolundu, with 40,000 households. I was still young then, and I heard..." My father said that most of the local people lived by primitive means of life. Gradually, some people from the Khitan, Xi, and Shiwei tribes, tired of the war, began to migrate here, bringing new habits. After more than ten years of integration, they became the Baixi tribe as we know them today. For example, Sude was originally a Khitan.

Ba Feng Han pondered, "So that means this village is only a small part of the Baixi tribe, and Huo Lundu is your leader?"

Erdemutu said, "More or less, but due to the heavy rains of the past few years, this area is full of swamps, and it is temporarily impossible to truly establish an army. Therefore, he cannot compare with the current Ahui clan of the Xi tribe."

The Xi tribe was formerly known as Kumoxi. They were a branch of the Donghu Xianbei Yuwen tribe, along with the Khitan. They were divided into five tribes: Ruhewang, Mohefu, Qige, Mukun, and Shide. Each tribe's chief was called Sijin, and Ahui clan was the chief of the tribe.

Yuan Yueze realized that this place was indeed riddled with hidden swamps, no wonder no one had dared to invade. His deduction during the day had clearly been too hasty. He said, "Brother Tu should already know that I am a mortal enemy of the person who assassinated the noble Khan, so you can rest assured. As long as I have a breath left, that person will surely suffer the consequences."

Erdemutu's face lit up with joy, but a fleeting shadow of sadness crossed his eyes. Both Yuan Yueze and Erdemutu knew that he was troubled by his inability to leave this place, but no one could help him with this matter. Just then, Ren Jun returned, beaming with pride. It seemed he had made quite a haul, and he was bound to be teased by the others.

The following day, to thank the Chaolu family for their hospitality, Yuan Yueze left them a considerable amount of gold and silver, instructing them to buy more daily necessities to improve their lives. The group then departed.

After discussion, Yue Kepeng and his party decided to continue the mission's itinerary. Yuan Yueze had temporarily prepared a batch of rare treasures for them, which could be used to fill the gaps in Longquan. Even if they couldn't recover the goods, they could still complete their mission. Yue Kepeng and the others were extremely grateful. Meanwhile, Yuan Yueze, along with Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun, decided to first go to Yanyuan Village to find Ma Ji.

Ba Feng Han, leading his horse, sighed, "If there's anything that surprises me most, it's not that you walked right into the trap on the grasslands, but that you didn't even prepare a horse."

Yuan Yueze glanced at Ba Feng Han's beloved horse, "Taklamakan," and laughed, "I still prefer to walk on my own two legs."

Then, turning to the sullen Ren Jun, he said, "Little Jun must be reluctant to leave Qiqige. You should go back and be with her!"

Ren Jun's face flushed red, and he awkwardly explained, "No...no, brother, you've misunderstood, I..."

He was clearly not a good liar and couldn't even come up with an excuse.

Ba Feng Han laughed loudly, "Gentle fragrance is a hero's grave, Little Jun, remember that! Ha! Brother Yuan is an exception."

Yuan Yueze said irritably, "How am I an exception? I just understood the situation. Don't worry, Little Jun, after this trip, I'll accompany you to propose marriage."

Ren Jun's tender face was still red, but a look of gratitude flashed in his eyes.

Ba Feng Han said, "Jieli intended to lure you to the grasslands, but why hasn't he taken any action yet?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Plans never keep up with changes. Maybe Jieli realized he can't afford to offend me!"

Ba Feng Han knew he was joking, and shrugged helplessly. He then said, "Two people have suddenly disappeared from the village. Will anyone notice? Especially Su De."

Yuan Yueze pondered for a moment, then said, "Su De harbors ill intentions towards the princess. Even if I had spoken to him politely, he probably wouldn't have given up. Sigh, hearing you say that, I suddenly have a bad feeling."

Ba Feng Han gracefully mounted his horse, saying, "Even if Su De knows the person is missing, he probably wouldn't dare to spread it. His wife is so terrifying; she probably wishes the princess would disappear sooner."

He then spurred his horse, and the Taklamakan rose to its feet, letting out a long neigh before shooting forward like lightning. Ba Feng Han laughed loudly, "Brother Yuan, you wouldn't have any designs on the princess either, would you?"

Before Yuan Yueze could react, Ba Feng Han had already galloped forward several dozen feet.

After shaking his head and chuckling, he and Ren Jun used their lightness skills to follow closely behind Ba Feng Han. The three of them and their horse galloped freely across the boundless green expanse stretching to the horizon.

Yan Yuan Ji could not be called a city, county, or town; it was merely a trading market for various nomadic tribes from the vicinity of the eastern shore of the great lake, Fishing Lake. Centered around a vast open space, it was surrounded by nearly a hundred irregularly distributed tents, each with its own unique features and vibrant colors, creating a spectacular sight.

When the three arrived, the open space was filled with people, bustling and noisy. Judging from their clothing, they were mainly of Khitan, Mo, Turkic, and Hui ethnicities, both men and women, all dressed up meticulously, creating a festive atmosphere.

The three men stood atop a small hill, gazing into the distance. Ba Fenghan said, "We're a bit lucky; we've stumbled upon their trading day. This situation will continue for over ten days, with people constantly coming and going. For the people of the grasslands, this is a crucial moment. They can not only trade for goods and wealth they lack, but even for women."

Ren Junzheng watched as a caravan of oxcarts entered the outskirts of Yanyuan Market, followed by a magnificent sheep herd of hundreds of sheep, their bleating incessant. Yuan Yueze said thoughtfully, “People from the Central Plains often say that the land beyond the Great Wall is a barbaric place, but it’s really just different customs due to different geographical factors. For example, some tribes on the grasslands live in tree nests, while others hide in earthen caves or build houses by mixing mud with the blood of cattle and sheep. In fact, no one wants to be like that; they are just influenced by nature.”

Ba Feng Han nodded and said, “There are countless customs on the grasslands, some of which are probably unimaginable to you people from the Central Plains, such as brothers sharing a wife, or using a wife to entertain guests. There are even absurd ones. Under normal circumstances, the trading of women is limited to within the tribe, but if slaves are captured in war, they will be brought here to be exchanged for more useful things such as horses, sheep, and sable. Now, Brother Yuan, you should understand why I…” "I traveled thousands of miles to the Central Plains precisely because I admire your culture. During the prosperous Sui Dynasty, the royal families and tribal chiefs of the various border states all learned your language."

Yuan Yueze chuckled mischievously, "Was your Chinese taught by Badier?"

Ba Feng Han was taken aback at first, then fell silent, and after a long while said painfully, "You bastard, you know too much. Alas, how can I put it? I used to think that only solitude could lead to the pinnacle of martial arts

, but after meeting you, I've become somewhat confused, and what's worse, I can't help but think of her from time to time." Back then, Badier was only fifteen years old, the wife chosen by Tuli Khan. She was chasing Ba Feng Han in the desert with Tuli and his elite warriors when a sandstorm struck, leaving her lost and alone, where she was captured by Ba Feng Han. Her slender yet voluptuous beauty, her alluring, expressive eyes, and her defiant and challenging gaze strongly attracted Ba Feng Han, igniting his deep-seated desires and leading to their most intimate relationship. Afterwards, Badel fell deeply in love with him and even wandered with him across the desert grasslands for a time.

Badel was Zhao Deyan's disciple, and her martial arts skills were truly inherited from him. Ba Feng Han learned his Chinese from her, and it was during this time that he developed a longing for the profound culture of the Central Plains, deciding to travel south. For the sake of his martial arts pursuits, on a heartbreaking night, he finally and quietly left her. Badel was the only woman who could make him feel guilty.

After encountering Yuan Yueze, a man with many wives, Ba Feng Han began to question his past actions.

Yuan Yueze said casually, "Regarding this matter, I can't give you much experience. I just feel that if you put your heart into it, you don't need to consider the people and things around you, because those are all illusions. Only a heart trained under such circumstances can be the strongest heart."

Ren Jun seemed thoughtful after hearing this, while Ba Feng Han's tiger eyes gleamed as he said, "What you said does make sense. Perhaps it's similar to some Buddhist views, but how easy is it to control the seven emotions and six desires?"

Yuan Yueze didn't answer him, but instead asked Ren Jun, "Little Jun, what do you think is the highest level of dealing with 'emotions'?"

Ren Jun realized that the emotions he was referring to were not simply romantic love, and pondered, "I think being heartless is the highest. Like Brother Ba, it's somewhat similar to 'ruthlessness.' Brother Ba, please forgive my bluntness."

How could Ba Feng Han blame him? He smiled bitterly upon hearing this. Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Human emotions are indeed difficult to control. Throughout history, those who wish to cultivate the Dao and comprehend life and death have all been lonely. This certainly doesn't just refer to the 'heartlessness' that Xiao Jun mentioned, but rather to viewing all things in the world with a transcendent perspective, which is a step above 'ruthlessness.' However, I believe the most profound is 'emptiness of emotion.' I firmly believe that people certainly have the ability to control their emotions at will, being immersed in tenderness one moment and abandoning everything the next."

Ren Jun said, "Brother, what you advocate is cultivating the mind. If you have the right mindset, the illusions will disappear on their own, and I will be free and unrestrained."

Ba Feng Han sighed, thinking, "To achieve that, would I still be human? It's not as convenient as my method." He spurred his horse down the hill and laughed loudly, "Brother Yuan, please forgive me for not being able to do what you say. Let's go into the market first!"

Chapter 125 The Situation in the Northeast

Three people and one horse, walking and observing. Standing in the heart of Yan Yuan Market, experiencing the customs of the nomadic peoples of the northern grasslands. Regardless of gender, everyone carried a bow and a sword, sitting on horseback as peacefully and comfortably as if they were sitting in a chair. Different ethnic groups had different dialects, and their clothing and attire were dazzling to the eye and completely incomprehensible to the ear.

Those who came to trade here included ordinary herders, but more often chieftains, local tyrants, and bullies. Everyone followed established rules, haggling over prices, and there was no bullying of the weak. The goods traded were abundant, including various livestock, cowhides, sheepskins, deer hides, local wines, and utensils, as well as silk and ceramics from the Zhongshi (a type of official). The sight was dazzling and eye-opening. The absence of other Han Chinese in the market made Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun particularly conspicuous. Many Khans with unfriendly expressions wanted to cause trouble, but they immediately retreated upon seeing the uniquely shaped straight cleaver on Ren Jun's back.

Ba Feng Han sighed, "The bandits we didn't finish killing yesterday should have already spread the news of Huyan Jin's death. Little Jun has become famous overnight

." Ren Jun blushed at the praise and nodded meekly.

Yuan Yueze said, "It's clear that most of these people loathe us; their eyes are burning with hatred."

Ren Jun muttered, "That's Yang Guang's fault. During his reign, he made the relationship between the Han people and the various tribes of the grasslands extremely bad. We haven't done anything wrong."

Yuan Yueze said wistfully, "How many people in the world can objectively view commonality and individuality?"

As he spoke, Ba Feng Han led the two to the front of Ma Jin's group of tents. More than ten burly Turkic armed men rushed out from between the tents, blocking their way. Just as they were about to shout angrily, they suddenly caught sight of Yuan Yueze's face as he turned his head. Their expressions changed drastically, and after letting out a strange cry, more than a hundred burly armed men poured out from the nearest group of tents, surrounding the three of them with murderous intent.

The curtain of the main tent, sixty paces away, was suddenly lifted, and two burly figures appeared at the door, slowly walking over.

The man on the left, dressed as a Khitan, carried two swords. Though not handsome, he was tall and imposing, with dark, gleaming skin. Most striking were his eyes, which seemed to flash with a sharp light when open and remain unfathomable when closed, giving him an air of disdain and arrogance. His broad forehead and high brow bones revealed his strong and stubborn personality, and his slightly upturned lips seemed to always carry a hint of disdain and confident smile, making him unforgettable.

The man on the right, wielding a spear, was young, handsome, and exuded the air of a first-rate master. The two men reached the outer edge of the battle in just a few steps, coldly observing the three, their eyes sharp as blades.

The young man holding the spear said in Chinese, "I was unaware of your arrival, Brother Yuan and Brother Ba. Tuoba Miefu has failed to greet you properly; please forgive me."

Ba Feng Han could tell these two were no ordinary men; his face remained calm as a rock, showing no emotion. He said, "Brother Tuoba, you are too kind. The three of us only wish to see Maji."

Tuoba Miefu's eyes flashed with anger at Ba Feng Han's disrespect, but he still spoke politely, "Where has my lord offended Brother Ba?"

The Khitan giant glared at Ren Jun with eyes blazing with fury and coldly snorted in Turkic, "I am Huyan Tiezhen, the chief warrior of the Khitan chieftain Abaojia." " I've heard that Brother Ren's martial arts are extraordinary. Would you be so kind as to let me witness your skills?"

Ba Feng Han looked at him and praised, "I've heard that you are hailed as the most outstanding master of the new generation of Khitan. You are indeed remarkable. What is your relationship with Huyan Jin?"

Huyan Tiezhen was not afraid of Ba Feng Han's imposing aura at all. He still stared at Ren Jun and said, "Huyan Jin has no relation to me, but he was the chieftain's subordinate. He was killed by Brother Ren, and I must seek justice for him. Otherwise, what face does the chieftain have?"

More and more people gathered around, and many of them had already drawn their bows and aimed

at the three of them. Upon hearing this, they cheered loudly. Yuan Yueze had initially been observing coldly, but suddenly he sensed something was wrong. The two people in front of him were talking incessantly, obviously stalling for time. Maji must have taken the opportunity to escape. He scanned the surroundings and noticed smoke and dust rising in the southeast. He immediately flew after them and shouted, "Attack!"

In an instinctive reaction, a rain of arrows chased after Yuan Yueze.

The next moment, everyone on Maji's side was dumbfounded: Yuan Yueze vanished dozens of feet away in the blink of an eye, like a hedgehog.

In that brief moment, Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun had seized the initiative.

"Clang!"

"Chang Kong" and "Zhan Xuan" were drawn simultaneously, emitting only a crisp sound.

Green and white lightning streaked across the void at lightning speed as Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun charged into the crowd.

Ordinary characters were no match for the two. Having just cut down two Dangxiang warriors, Ren Jun felt a sense of danger. Killing intent and sword energy enveloped him completely. Two sharp sword energies attacked his head and back from the upper right, with astonishing speed.

Before he could curse himself for being too arrogant and forgetting Yuan Yueze's words about saving strength in every strike, he spun around, his sword flashing and transforming into a sky full of green light, protecting his entire body.

"Clang!"

One came with premeditation, the other with hasty counterattack; the difference in skill was immediately apparent.

Ren Jun was no match for Huyan Tiezhen's seemingly simple two-slash attack, which was actually incredibly varied and fierce. He was forced back four steps, and the chilling true energy pierced his meridians, causing him extreme discomfort.

Huyan Tiezhen laughed loudly, "What kind of Central Plains master are you? You can only bully small fry like Huyan Jin!"

With that, he sprang into the air, his twin blades slashing down like two bolts of lightning,

aiming straight for Ren Jun's head. After cutting down dozens of ferocious men, Ba Feng Han was almost out of true energy. His combat experience was far richer than Ren Jun's. He used his most proficient technique of multitasking, killing enemies while keeping a portion of his attention on Tuoba Miefu, who stood guard at Yuanting Yuezhi. Just as Tuoba Miefu's momentum reached its peak and his body leaned slightly forward, causing Ba Feng Han to momentarily lose focus, the burly man in front of him wielding a longsword suddenly turned his sword, creating a dazzling sword flourish that not only affected Ba Feng Han's left-side vision but also posed a significant threat to his distracted state.

Almost simultaneously, Tuoba Miefu transformed into a wisp of smoke, striking with lightning speed. His spear, like an angry dragon emerging from its lair, generated a whistling wind, its trajectory a sharp, powerful strike symbolizing the pinnacle of force. Seemingly clumsy yet skillfully precise, it relentlessly attacked Ba Feng Han's face with overwhelming force, displaying extreme power.

Ba Feng Han let out a long roar, shifting his sword slightly to the right, then pulling back with a downward elbow strike. He then twisted his body sharply, causing his sword to explode within his robes, creating a ball of energy reflecting multicolored light. This explosion not only dispelled the sword net obstructing his vision but also combined deflection with a barrage of light, a rain of light surrounding the seemingly real sword strike, meeting Tuoba Miefu's spear with exquisite and divine precision.

"Clang!"

A piercing sound rang out, and Tuoba Miefu shuddered violently, staggering back two steps. Ba Feng Han gave Tuoba Miefu no chance, flashing forward in pursuit.

Huyan Tiezhen's twin swords were incredibly varied and sharp, truly deserving of the title of the most outstanding warrior of the Khitan. His twin swords were like two venomous snakes seeking an opening, relentlessly attacking Ren Jun without giving him any chance.

Ren Jun, however, remained as still as a meditating monk, his mind as calm as water. Through the interaction of their energies, he clearly perceived that Huyan Tiezhen's twin swords, attacking simultaneously, not only differed in their intensity and timing, but also in the angle, force, and point of attack—all perfectly executed, seemingly unchanging yet infinitely varied.

With a sharp whistle, the azure light intensified, transforming into countless illusory phantoms that seemed to spill mercury across the ground, penetrating every crevice to meet Huyan Tiezhen's attack.

The sound of metal clashing was incessant, but the first round of attacks had no effect. Huyan Tiezhen felt fear and only took a small step back when the countless sword shadows suddenly vanished, revealing Ren Jun, his eyes gleaming with divine light, wielding his swords and slashing down with both hands.

Huyan Tiezhen was terrified. His opponent's seemingly ordinary, even clumsy, strike evoked in him the horrific image of a massive, blood-soaked battle, a scene of carnage where the sun and moon were obscured. His intuition told him: this strike was absolutely unacceptable.

"Clang!"

A deep, thunderous sound followed, and Huyan Tiezhen coughed up blood, his body sent flying several dozen feet by Ren Jun's blade.

On the other side, Ren Tuoba Miefu, who had exerted all his strength and repeatedly altered his spear stance but could not counter Ba Feng Han's seemingly effortless and natural swordplay, also let out a scream and was thrown from the battle, his fate unknown.

The battle descriptions are slow, but in reality, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

Although Ba Feng Han and his companion killed over a hundred people, the enemy was too numerous, and another volley of arrows forced them to switch from offense to defense, missing a good opportunity to pursue.

However, having undergone Yuan Yueze's marrow cleansing and transformation, their strength was incomparable to what it used to be. Moreover, their attackers were a mixture of Ma Ji's and Hu Yantiezhen's men. Hu Yantiezhen had fled with his tail between his legs, and his men were not foolish enough to throw their lives away. In addition, most of their morale had been broken, and they began to flee.

The two of them had killed hundreds of people together, and their true energy was almost exhausted. Ren Jun sat down on the ground, panting heavily, and asked, "Brother, can you catch up with Ma Ji?"

Ba Feng Han did not answer him, but instead stared intently at the isolated main tent.

At this moment, there was not a single person in sight.

Yuan Yueze's exasperated voice rang out, "Ma Ji, why don't you get out here?"

In a flash, Yuan Yueze appeared in front of the richly equipped tent.

A fleshy ball rolled out from inside.

Yuan Yueze stared at him in astonishment.

Whether in the northern frontier or the Central Plains, he had never seen anyone dressed more luxuriously, more adorned with jewels than Maji. His Hanfu, both inner and outer robes, were not only well-tailored but also exquisitely embroidered, using sun, moon, and star patterns to create a colorful and magnificent effect. Maji's tall crown and jade belt were adorned with jewels, sparkling in the sunlight. Everywhere he could hang chains and rings was covered in them. It looked cumbersome, yet he seemed perfectly content.

This most notorious thief and scoundrel of the vast grasslands was certainly not a pleasant sight; he was fat and short, with a large belly, a swollen face, and bulging eyes—a picture of excessive indulgence in wine and women. He slumped in front of Yuan Yueze like a defeated rooster, his flesh hanging limply.

Ba Feng Han and his companion surrounded him.

Yuan Yueze said to the two men, "Damn it, this bastard dared to play me, sending someone to deliberately lure me away, planning to quickly kill you first before leaving. Heh! Do you think my brothers, Yuan Yueze's brothers, are so easily dealt with? Do you have anything to say before you die?"

Ma Ji's fat body trembled violently. He looked up and met Yuan Yueze's intimidating eyes, and said in fluent Chinese with a miserable expression, "I admit defeat. I'm willing to exchange secret information for Brother Yuan's life!"

When he spoke, he habitually narrowed his eyes, which flashed with a strange light, revealing not only his profound skill but also his shrewdness and cunning, making him no easy opponent.

His cultivation was like that of a child in front of Yuan Yueze and the other two, but seeing that he remained composed even in such a disadvantageous situation, it was clear that his years of experience in the martial world had not been in vain.

Ba Feng Han said disdainfully, "What great secret could a small merchant struggling to make a living know that would be worth exchanging your dog's life for? I'll just kill you now."

After saying that, he raised his sword and slashed down.

Ma Ji didn't beg for mercy, facing Ba Feng Han's terrifying sword strike with unwavering pride.

Yuan Yueze nodded inwardly; Ba Feng Han wasn't impulsive, and his actions were a test of Ma Ji's sincerity.

Catching Ba Feng Han's sword, Yuan Yueze thought this man certainly had something to rely on, and said, "If the information satisfies me, I promise to spare your life, but don't let me see you again. Moreover, this promise only applies to me."

Ma Ji replied without hesitation, "Then kill me! Otherwise, with Brother Ba and Brother Ren's cultivation, which one of them couldn't kill me?"

This guy was indeed extraordinary, instantly turning the tables and throwing Yuan Yueze and the others into disarray.

Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "If you swear that the information you provide is indeed valuable, the three of us will not touch you for twelve hours, or we will suffer a terrible death."

Ma Ji was overjoyed and immediately swore a solemn oath. Ba Feng Han was always a man of his word; no one could doubt his promise. He was confident he could escape to safety in a day and a night, and return to cause trouble after things had calmed down, seeking revenge for this humiliation.

Yuan Yueze grabbed him, lifted the curtain, and said to Ba Feng Han and the other man, "Let's talk inside."

The four sat down in the spacious tent. The carpet was soft and comfortable, and the walls were decorated with colorful tapestries and embroidered brocades, making it magnificent and luxurious. In the center were baskets of various fresh fruits, precious Persian tableware, and large platters of fragrant mutton, showing the luxurious and refined lifestyle of its owner.

Maji pulled the dagger stuck in the roasted mutton, cut off three slices and offered them to the three men, sighing, "My three brothers are skilled in martial arts and uphold chivalry. I, Maji, suddenly regret my actions over the years..."

Yuan Yueze shouted, "If you dare to ramble on and play tricks, I'd rather not listen to your news. Since I dared to come alone, I didn't take Jieli seriously!"

Maji's momentum vanished, his fear of Yuan Yueze resurfacing, and he said dejectedly, "If I'm not mistaken, Brother Yuan's purpose in coming here is to create more chaos on the grasslands, preventing them from invading the Central Plains due to internal strife."

Yuan Yueze said, "Anyone with a brain can guess that. Enough with the nonsense."

Maji continued, "I only have one piece of information, which I believe is enough to save my life. Brother Yuan, do you know that the Eastern and Western Turks are about to reunite?" "Unified?"

Yuan Yueze and the other two were stunned. Ba Fenghan asked, "Jieli and Tongyehu have differing political views, why would they agree to unite as one? Who will be the Great Khan?"

Maji shook his head and said, "I don't know the details, but this news is absolutely true. Brother Yuan probably doesn't know that Jieli originally planned to lure you to the grasslands to kill you. I only received the news of the Turkic reunification a few days ago. I wonder if Jieli will cancel his plan to kill you?"

The image of Liu Yu flashed through Yuan Yueze's mind. He thought that if this man were still alive, he would indeed be able to persuade Jieli and Tongyehu that the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates could never be unified again. But if he could just point out a common goal between Jieli and Tongyehu, such as the Central Plains, they could cooperate to invade the Central Plains in the future, divide the spoils, and then decide whether to fight or make peace. Jieli and Tongyehu would not miss such a good opportunity. If that were the case, it seemed that his father-in-law, the Grand Turk, Yun Shuai, had not accomplished anything in the Western Turkic Khaganate.

Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "Are you aware of Jie Li's original plan to ambush and kill Brother Yuan?"

Ma Ji smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid Brother Ba won't believe it, but I hate Jie Li to death. My cooperation with him is only superficial, and of course he wouldn't reveal any important secrets to me."

Yuan Yueze absolutely believed this. The major powers such as Bai Ziting, Funantuo, Khitan, Shiwei, and Goryeo were all opposed to Jie Li. Jie Li was cruel and tyrannical, running rampant on the grasslands, levying exorbitant taxes, and everyone dared not speak out against him. Just like the fate of the Arrow Master, it was very likely that Shen Mo Huan was forced by Jie Li to arrest the Arrow Master. Thinking of this, he had a sudden thought and said, "Let's not talk about Jieli for now. Tell me about your plans with Bai Ziting first."

Maji said, "Funantuo has forced Meiyan to hand over the Five-Colored Stone to Bai Ziting. The establishment of the Bohai Kingdom is a foregone conclusion. That's why I said Jieli might cancel his plan to besiege you, because the urgent matter is how to deal with the soon-to-be-unified Mohe. I only received news this morning that Tuli has made peace with Jieli and is preparing to join forces to destroy the common enemy, the Bohai Kingdom."

Meiyan refers to Maji's biological daughter, Funantuo's lover, the beautiful lady of the Yiwu tribe. She is elusive and has no fixed abode. She is as beautiful as a flower and as venomous as a snake. Her beauty is renowned throughout the northern frontier, attracting a large number of devoted men who flock around her.

Yuan Yueze hadn't expected things to develop so quickly; the Five-Colored Stone had already fallen into Bai Ziting's hands. No wonder Tuli had made peace with Jieli; they would stop at nothing to prevent anyone from unifying the eight tribes of Mohe using the Five-Colored Stone.

Ren Jun asked curiously, "What is the Five-Colored Stone? Can it influence the situation on the grasslands?"

Yuan Yueze answered without hesitation: "The five-colored stone is a symbol of the founding of the orthodox Persian Mingzun religion. Its original name was 'Hegennile,' meaning 'stone of light.' Fifty years ago, it was brought to the grasslands by the messenger of light, Ramo. Ramo originally intended to deal with a group of apostates who had fled from Persia to the grasslands, but his mission failed because those apostates settled in the Uyghur lands and established another Mingzun religion. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Leluan tribe split into seven tribes, collectively known as the Mohe. Later, their lord obtained this treasure from Ramo and used it to adorn the crown of the chieftain. From then on, the five-colored stone became a symbol of the Mohe leader. Later, the Khitan invaded, the Mohe were destroyed, and their people scattered to various places, forming the seven Mohe tribes. The most powerful were the Heishui Mohe in the north and the Limo Mohe in the south, while the other five tribes were insignificant." The five-colored stone thus fell into the hands of the Khitans. It had originally been kept in Abaojia's tent, but was suddenly stolen several years ago and its whereabouts became unknown. For Bai Ziting to obtain this stone was like the Central Plains people obtaining the He Shi Bi jade; it would greatly increase his power, allowing him to legitimately establish a state.

Ma Ji stared at Yuan Yueze for a long time,

then sighed, "Brother Yuan, you know so much about this matter; it's truly admirable." He paused, then continued, "I knew him before Funantuo came to Longquan. This man is incredibly eloquent, deeply cunning, and extremely formidable. Five years ago, Bai Ziting was still content to be the chieftain of his Sumo tribe, enduring Jieli's harsh treatment year after year. When he came west to Funantuo to spread the Dharma, he obtained the famous divination for establishing a state, which changed his fate, and also the fate of the entire Sumo tribe. Not long after obtaining this divination, the Khitan Abaojia sent over the stone he had kept for many years..." The news of the stolen five-colored stones further fueled Bai Ziting's confidence, which he interpreted as a sign from the divination. Furthermore, friction arose between Tuli and Jieli on numerous matters, and Jieli's excessive use of Zhao Deyan and his harsh demands caused those who had previously aligned themselves with Jieli to become disloyal. Under these circumstances, Bai Ziting embarked on a massive construction project at Longquan, expanding his army and preparing for war. In reality, the truly ambitious one was Fu Nanta, and Bai Ziting was merely his puppet. I suspect that even if Balhae successfully established itself as a nation, Fu Nanta would still kill Bai Ziting, install his son as a puppet emperor, and become the retired emperor himself, eventually taking over the throne when the time was right. Unfortunately, Bai Ziting, despite his lifelong wisdom, only became suspicious when Fu Nanta began associating with Gaesomun of Goryeo more than two years ago; by then, it was too late. Even more terrifying was that Fu Nanta had already become a loyal follower of Sumo. "The god in the land is like Bi Xuan to the Turks, or Fu Cailin to Goryeo. Even Bai Ziting couldn't touch him."

Ba Feng Han pondered, "Even if Bohai were to establish a kingdom, what would Fu Nan Tuo use to fight against the Golden Wolf Army and the Black Wolf Army?"

Ma Ji said, "This is a high-stakes gamble planned by Fu Nan Tuo. Ideally, Bai Ziting would die in battle, and Fu Nan Tuo would lead the troops to repel the Wolf Army. Gai Su Wen would then seize the throne of King Gao Jianwu of Goryeo and take his place. At worst, Fu Nan Tuo could share the gold and silver treasures that Bai Ziting had accumulated over the years with Gai Su Wen, and then return to their respective countries. Only the Su Mo tribe would die; they wouldn't lose a single hair. If successful, the benefits would be immeasurable."

Yuan Yue Ze thought to himself that Gai Su Wen had already lost an arm, but it seemed that his influence in Goryeo's politics and army had not decreased but increased, which was puzzling. He casually asked, "How much do you know about the Ghost Fiend? I know he has some connection with Fu Nanta."

Ma Ji was taken aback and said, "I really don't know anything about this. We were originally allied to rebel against Jieli, but Fu Nanta is too treacherous and cunning. There has always been a rift between us, and we each acted independently. How could we possibly cooperate seamlessly?"

Ren Jun interjected, "Boss Ma, shouldn't you spit out some goods? We're here for the goods from Cheshi Kingdom and the young lady."

A fierce glint flashed in Ma Ji's eyes as he said, "The goods from Cheshi Kingdom were only delivered by Huyan Tiezhen today and haven't been shipped out in batches yet. I received the young lady's sheepskin from Bai Ziting. I've only processed a small portion. The goods are all in the warehouse in the right rear. Ah, the three of you have come at just the right time. Would you like to come with me to inspect them?"

The three of them simultaneously remembered that he had fled in the face of battle, disregarding their lives.

Yuan Yueze waved his hand, indicating it wasn't necessary, then asked curiously, "What state is Bai Ziting in now?"

Ma Ji shook his head blankly, saying, "He might still be fighting a final battle with Fu Nan Tuo, or he might have already been controlled by Fu Nan Tuo. I don't know."

Yuan Yueze said calmly, "Please leave, sir. I hope we never meet again."

Ma Ji lowered his head, no one knew what he was thinking, he responded softly, and turned to leave.

Yuan Yueze shouted, "Take that woman behind the screen away!"

Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun subconsciously looked towards the large screen in the distance.

When Yuan Yueze entered, he had already sensed a woman behind the screen. His spiritual cultivation had entered a mysterious and unfathomable realm, far beyond what Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun could currently match. At that time, when he used his spiritual sense to investigate, he found that the woman's breathing had ceased, and there was no sign of true qi flowing through her meridians, only a faint sign of primordial spirit activity. Although he was curious, he didn't pay much attention to it.

Without turning his head, Ma Ji said, "I'm exhausted from my own escape, how could I have the energy to take care of her? Besides, she was half-dead when I rescued her, so I'll just give her to the three of you!"

Watching his fat figure leave, Ren Jun said, "Are we just going to let him go like this? If we can kill him, it'll cut off a shortcut for the bandits to get rid of their stolen goods."

Ba Feng Han replied, "One chicken dies, another crows; killing him doesn't make much sense."

Ren Jun pondered for a while and said, "But this man is not simple-minded; he won't give up so easily. We can't leave a threat behind."

Yuan Yueze got up and walked towards the screen, saying, "I agree with Xiao Jun's statement. The moment he left, I clearly felt his murderous intent. Our promise only lasts for twelve hours. Leave everything to Xiao Jun. After you've dealt with this, come to Shiwei to meet us immediately. I will send Black King to contact you."

Ren Jun responded, stood up, and ran out of the camp.

Yuan Yueze turned to the luxurious screen and stared blankly at what he saw.

On a long couch covered with thick brocade quilts lay a petite woman with a delicate figure, dressed only in a thin undergarment. Her long, cloud-like hair was loose, and her beautiful oval face was adorned with a cluster of small, star-like spots on each cheek, giving her a playful and wild air. Her long, phoenix-shaped eyes were tightly closed, and her hands were clasped together on her chest, like a beautiful goddess who had been asleep for many years.

She had no breath or heartbeat, no different from a dead person. But Yuan Yueze could clearly feel the youthful and fiery aura emanating from her still-soft body, and her skin was smooth and radiant, without a trace of death.

Ba Feng Han, who had just arrived, was also stunned and blurted out, "Chunyu Wei!"

--

Chapter 126 Black Mountain War

Although Yuan Yueze felt strange about why this woman was here, he continued to use his true energy to examine her condition.

Chunyu Wei was under the influence of an extremely strange evil spell, which followed the same path as the "Imprisonment of Gods" technique of the Demon Seed Great Art, but was much more sophisticated. With his abilities, he could not break this spell without extraordinary force.

Yuan Yueze certainly wouldn't unleash his extraordinary power, otherwise it would take several days to recover, delaying their journey.

Shan Ruyin nestled weakly in Yuan Yueze's arms. Chunyu Wei, now awake, curiously surveyed everyone with her beautiful eyes.

Discovering that Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, two heroes she would never forget, were also there, a flicker of joy crossed her face, quickly fading. Her voice, hoarse and in broken Mandarin, she said, "Thank you for saving my life."

Apart from Xiao Bei and her daughter still catching up, the other women had all come over, and they sat in a circle, surrounding Chunyu Wei. Perhaps due to her long unconsciousness, she was weak and listless, the contrasting qualities of her inner wildness and outward gentleness creating a particularly captivating charm.

Yuan Yueze was momentarily lost in thought when he heard Ba Fenghan say, "How did you end up here?"

Seeing two red clouds rise on her pale face, Shan Wanjing immediately rushed over to help her up, secretly channeling her inner energy, and said, "Sister, please don't blame us for being rude, not even giving you time to rest."

Chunyu Wei stared blankly at her beautiful face, which was more beautiful than a fairy, for a long time before shaking her head and saying, "You have done me a great favor, and the Turks never owe anyone a favor."

She paused, as if recalling a memory, and continued, "There's a mysterious cult within the Turkic Khaganate that has existed for many years. My master said that decades ago, this cult changed its leader and began secretly sending its followers to infiltrate the upper echelons, influencing the Great Khan's decision-making. Their ambition is obvious. After careful planning by my master and the Great Khan, they decided to wipe out this cult with overwhelming force. I won't go into the details, but before the Spring Festival, their headquarters on Dujin Mountain was razed to the ground overnight by the Golden Wolf Army. Most of their followers died as martyrs, while some who had infiltrated the Khan's court earlier surrendered."

She stopped there, her beautiful eyes flashing with a mixture of hatred and fear, her breathing becoming rapid.

Everyone stared silently at her pretty face.

After a few breaths, she calmed down and continued, "According to the confessions of those who surrendered, my master personally took action, found the hiding place of their leader, and severely injured him in front of the Great Khan. That leader was no simple man; he ultimately escaped with serious injuries. My master was ordered to go to the Central Plains, so my second senior brother and I, along with the Eighteen Cavalry of the Northern Frontier, came out to search for the leader's whereabouts."

Yuan Yueze and the others listened intently, immediately realizing that the "leader" she spoke of must be the Red-Clothed Empress.

When Ba Feng Han saw Chunyu Wei mention the leader, his expression became extremely strange and complex, even he couldn't understand it. In a flash, he asked, "Does Bi Xuan believe that with the strength of your group, you can kill the injured leader?"

Chunyu Wei's expression became even stranger, and she lowered her head without answering him.

Su Su offered a few words of comfort, and Chunyu Wei raised her pretty face, staring blankly at Ba Feng Han for a long while before bitterly smiling and saying, "Master is so cruel! Alas! Poor Second Senior Brother and the others lost their lives in vain."

Only then did everyone realize that Tuoba Yu and his group had died long ago, and Chunyu Wei was the only survivor. Hearing this, they couldn't help but look at each other, not understanding why she suddenly said such an ambiguous thing.

After a long silence, Chunyu Wei sighed again, "When Master was fighting that cult leader, we realized that she was a close friend of mine and my second senior brother's for over ten years. My second senior brother had a crush on her, and in the heat of the moment, the Khan noticed something amiss. When Master sent us out, he told me on the boat that this journey was fraught with danger and that I should leave halfway. I didn't understand what he meant then, but now I do!"

Everyone suddenly understood. Although Chunyu Wei was naive, she wasn't stupid. Combining all the clues, she had guessed that Bi Xuan had to prove he had no connection with the Empress. Therefore, the best way was to send Tuoba Yu and others to capture the Empress. No matter the outcome, it wouldn't affect Bi Xuan's respected position in front of Jieli. Tuoba Yu had followed him for many years and could naturally deduce some of her thoughts, which was why he advised Chunyu Wei to leave. However, Chunyu Wei regarded him as an elder brother, so how could she leave so easily?

Yuan Yueze said in a deep voice, "Your group encountered the Empress? Brother Tuoba and the Eighteen Cavalrymen died at her hands?"

Chunyu Wei sneered, "Who else could it be but her! She came to the Northeast to stir up trouble, stealing human placentas, attempting to restore her power with evil magic so she could take revenge on Master and the Great Khan!"

Yuan Yueze and the others were greatly surprised. Su Su immediately asked, "Sister, are you talking about Ghost Fiend? I've fought him before, and I'm certain he's not a woman."

Facing the doubts of Su Su and the others, Chunyu Wei said confidently, "I've known her since childhood. Just a simple glance and her unusual relationship with Master..." The similar scorching true energy confirmed that the Ghost Fiend was her, but why she suddenly turned into a thin, old man, I don't understand. That day, our group landed at the Crude Sea Chart Wharf near Black Mountain Head in Shiwei. That night, while resting, we were ambushed by him. Three of the Eighteen Cavalrymen were killed. Later, we pursued him to Wangjian County, a hundred miles away, where he again ambushed us while we rested, killing my senior brother and the others, and capturing me.”

Yuan Yueze lowered his head in deep thought, finally arriving at an answer that was both laughable and pathetic: the Empress was a hermaphrodite, not a true woman at all. This answer wasn't fabricated, as he recalled Yunzhi's abduction that day.

Ba Feng Han asked again, "Then why didn't he kill you?"

Chunyu Wei readily replied, "Because he couldn't bear to. He also said he never kills women, and since we're sisters, he wouldn't easily kill me. My constitution allows me to form a sacred embryo, enabling him not only to recover his former cultivation but also potentially surpass it. Then he made me lose consciousness, and I woke up here."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this, and they understood why Chunyu Wei was so certain that Gui Sha was the true reason behind the Empress's existence. Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Could it be because he never kills women that Yun Zhi was able to save her life?" He was an experienced womanizer and could tell at a glance that Chunyu Wei was still a virgin. The Empress had hidden her away, and Ma Ji and the others must have encountered her by chance. The Empress was probably looking for a suitable "seed planter."

Su Su's eyes darted around, and she said with a charming smile, "Then how about we turn the tables on her?"

Everyone understood her meaning. Chunyu Wei was slightly taken aback, but her beautiful eyes fixed on Yuan Yueze, shooting out a look of trust.

Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded at her, exuding an indescribable air of elegance and charm.

The next day, Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han left the tent and headed north towards Shiwei. The people of Yanyuanji were used to this kind of situation and quickly returned to their usual bustling life. The corpses scattered on the ground were cleaned up, leaving only the main tent, which faintly exuded an aura of death, and no one dared to approach it.

The bright moon hung obliquely in the night sky, illuminating the grassland with a hazy beauty. A gentle evening breeze rose, and the night was cool as water. The surroundings were completely silent, and the atmosphere was extremely eerie.

Thirteen days passed, and the gathering of Yanyuanji had long since dispersed. On the vast, open plain, only a solitary tent stood alone. A long wind blew, and the cloth curtain in front of the door fluttered. In this exceptionally deep darkness, it gave people an indescribable feeling of dread, making it all the more desolate and sinister. The howling of wolves came from afar, as if reminding them that the seemingly peaceful and beautiful grassland was actually fraught with hidden dangers.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han hid behind a small natural hill about a hundred feet away from the tent, gazing intently ahead.

Having kept watch for so many days, the two grew weary and began to chat idly.

Yuan Yueze asked, "Why hasn't Xiao Jun returned yet?" Ba

Feng Han replied, "Ma Ji was terrified. On the grasslands, if one is focused on traveling, one can cover six or seven hundred li in a day and night. Xiao Jun's stamina isn't enough, so the round trip naturally takes longer. By the way, how's your strength recovering?"

Yuan Yueze sighed, "Not even thirty percent."

It was already early March, and Zhu Yuyan still hadn't arrived. Although he was very dissatisfied with his recovery speed, he was also quite helpless.

Ba Feng Han sighed, "If we could truly resolve the evil spirits here, Brother Yuan wouldn't have had the chance to visit Shiwei."

Yuan Yueze said, "I only know that Shiwei is located upstream of the Black River, occupying the downstream section where it flows to the sea. The Black River is the largest river beyond the Great Wall. Shiwei originated from the Fengxi clan of the Nine Yi tribes of Northeast China, also known as Shiwei. They were a clan that made their living by raising pigs, with five major tribes and dozens of smaller tribes. Their language was the same as that of the Khitan."

Ba Feng Han nodded, "The five tribes are Shiwei, Da Shiwei, Bei Shiwei, Nan Shiwei, and Mengwu Shiwei. Among them, the most famous is Mengwu Shiwei. The clans of the Great Grassland all call them Mengren. It is said that they are a branch of Bo Shiwei, whose ancestors were branches of Peng or Fa before the Western Zhou Dynasty. This tribe is known for its bravery among the Shiwei people. Their annual wrestling festival and horse racing festival attract many participants. Some say that they will one day unify the Great..." "They are the most likely candidates from the grasslands,"

Yuan Yueze agreed. "However, compared to Jieli, the Mengwu Shiwei can at best be considered the Shiwei tribe with the greatest potential."

Ba Feng Han's eyes shone brightly as he said, "This tribe is full of experts. Among them, the brothers Belgunatai and Bugunatai are the most powerful in the Junggar River region. It is said that no one has ever met a general who could last ten rounds against them. They are both people I admire, and I hope they will not disappoint me one day."

Yuan Yueze frowned and said, "Gui Sha ran into trouble in Shiwei, and Belgunatai couldn't even stop him."

Ba Feng Han chuckled and said, "Shiwei is a vast territory. Just look at how well Gui Sha hid Chunyu Wei. You can tell that he is particularly careful to conceal his whereabouts. Moreover, he is quite skilled. Even Tuoba Yu and the Eighteen Fierce Cavalry, who are good at coordinated attacks, died at his hands. I'm afraid the Belgunatai brothers will also have a hard time killing him."

Yuan Yueze nodded slightly, thinking that he had to capture Gui Sha alive so that he could find out Xiao Ge's whereabouts from him.

Mentioning the vast grasslands, Ba Feng Han became interested and continued, "The vast grasslands are high and flat, covering a wide area with thousands of lakes of varying sizes. They stretch from the Greater Khingan Mountains in the east to the Altai Mountains in the west, from the Yin Mountains in the south to Lake Baikal and the upper reaches of the Yeni River and the Irtysh River in the north. They are over 3,000 li from east to west and over 2,000 li from north to south. Even with the fastest horse, traveling at a speed of 100 li a day without rest, and without any obstacles, it would take at least a month to cross this vast grassland. The vast area from the Kenchi Mountains to the Greater Khingan Mountains, from the Onon River to the Kerulen River and the Yin Mountains, consists of gently rolling hills, plains, deserts, and mountains. The vast Gobi Desert, with its endless yellow sand, is located in the southern and western parts of the grasslands. Severely lacking water, it is the most daunting barren land on this plain, and the climate is extremely changeable, with strong winds in spring and heavy rains in the north during summer." "The south is arid and hot,"

Yuan Yueze nodded. "In this vast region with its unique natural scenery, the most precious things are grass and water, the basic conditions for survival, neither of which can be lacking. Whenever the water and grass in one place run out, people move to different pastures to solve the problem of raising livestock, thus forming a nomadic lifestyle of living by water and grass."

Ba Feng Han continued, "Livestock is a means of livelihood, and water and grass are basic conditions. The peoples on the grasslands wage a struggle for supremacy around these two elements. From the Xiongnu, to the Xianbei, Rouran, and today's Turks, one after another, they have become the hegemons of the grasslands. Some peoples have been annexed and merged with the annexed, while others have fled to distant places. The speed of these changes is probably unimaginable to Brother Yuan."

Yuan Yueze nodded secretly: Under these circumstances, the peoples who survive are all fierce and brave, and they value military force to protect their water, grass, and livestock. Therefore, there are many masters and countless capable people. Bi Xuan and Ba Feng Han are the best examples.

Ba Feng Han's voice continued, "The most fertile pasture of the Great Grassland, Hulunbuir Pasture, lies between the two great lakes, Kuolianhai and Buyurhai. It is currently the base of Jieli, essentially the imperial palace of your Han people. If someone successfully invades this area, he will replace Jieli and become the new overlord of the grassland."

Then, his eyes gleamed with longing, and he sighed, "The Hulunbuir Grassland is vast and prosperous, hailed as the cradle of nomadic peoples. I have been there. Lakes of all sizes dot the landscape like mirrors, and rivers of varying lengths flow across the lush green ground. Herds of wild horses gallop freely, and the air is filled with the fragrance of wildflowers. Being there is like being trapped in an endless, beautiful dream."

He paused, then added, "The two largest lakes are Julunbo and Buir Lake." Connected by the Urson River, it flows into the grassland from the east. The river's course is constantly changing, much like the nomadic lifestyle of the people, causing the water to sometimes become salty and sometimes fresh, yet it is rich in fish. "It would be a real pity if Brother Yuan couldn't see it for himself."

He spoke of the grasslands of this era, which filled Yuan Yueze, a man who had only read about the future, with envy. He said, "Let's talk about that later."

After a pause, he continued, "Du Xing told me that Gui Sha is very likely to have a close relationship with Fu Nan Tuo. What do you think of this, Brother Ba?"

Ba Feng Han pondered for a moment, then shook his head, saying, "I can't deduce any useful clues for now, but anyone could guess that they're at most colluding and using each other!"

Suddenly, the two men shuddered, stopping their conversation and looking towards the northeast.

Both were unparalleled young masters, and while talking, they were distracted by the changing situation around them. A series of noisy footsteps approached from several hundred feet away, immediately drawing their attention.

Ba Feng Han focused his eyes and said, "There are only two people coming, their steps unsteady. If they are desperate ghosts, that would be even better."

Yuan Yueze's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "There are at least three people coming."

Ba Feng Han was taken aback and said, "I heard one person's footsteps, two people's breathing, one rapid, the other intermittent, possibly a dying person being carried. How did Brother Yuan know there was a third person?"

Yuan Yueze did not answer him, but gestured for him to continue looking.

In the blink of an eye, two figures appeared in their sight. The person in front was short, carrying a large man on his back, while a few dozen feet behind was another strong man chasing after them.

Ba Feng Han's pupils shrank. The short person moved with incredible speed, as if gliding across the grass, and his entire body carried no imposing aura. This level of cultivation had reached a transcendent level; no wonder he escaped Ba Feng Han's ears. The burly man behind was also quite strong, but he was nearing his limit, his breathing erratic, his steps unsteady, the difference between him and the shorter man like heaven and earth.

In the blink of an eye, the two were a dozen feet away from the tent. The shorter man suddenly stopped, whirled around, and turned his back to Yuan Yueze and the other man.

The two exchanged a knowing glance, both understanding that the shorter man was most likely Gui Sha. Yuan Yueze was surprised. He had seen the Empress once before, and she looked like a pure woman. If it weren't for Chunyu Wei's reminder, he certainly wouldn't have recognized that the person in front of him was the same person as the Empress, let alone Su Su, whom he had only heard of. The

burly man who had been chasing them was extremely tired and immediately stopped as well. The two faced each other from a distance.

One was panting heavily, the other was calm and composed. Without even fighting, the difference in their strength was obvious.

Yuan Yueze and his companion exchanged glances again, both vaguely understanding that the burly man on the short figure's shoulder must be the chosen "seed planter," and the pursuers must be his relatives and friends.

The short man spoke, his voice chillingly low in Turkic: "Do you want me to finish you off, or will you take your own life?"

His voice was high-pitched and deep, yet it gave off a strange feeling, as if it pierced through the magnificent starry sky and shook the mountains and grasslands.

The burly man's breathing calmed slightly, and he also spoke hatefully in Turkic: "Ghost Fiend, you kidnapped my elder brother for no reason and severely injured Brother Ren who stood up for justice. Even if my cultivation is inferior to yours, I, Bugunatai, will never bow down!"

Yuan Yueze and his companion were stunned. Needless to say, the identities of the two men before them were clear: the man on Ghost Fiend's shoulder must be Belgunatai, and the pursuers were his younger brother, Bugunatai. What surprised the two even more was that the "Brother Ren" mentioned by Bugunatai was very likely Ren Jun. Perhaps Ren Jun had encountered this matter halfway and intervened, only to be severely injured by Gui Sha.

Yuan Yueze remained calm. Bugunatai's words indicated that Ren Jun was only seriously injured, not dead. Even so, his hatred for Gui Sha had reached a new level.

The two carefully observed Bugunatai, whose breathing had stabilized. He was not tall, but as strong as an iron tower. His broad, thick shoulders made him appear square. A saber hung at his waist, his eyes were sharp, and his hair was cut to a short length, stiff as iron needles, resembling a boar bristle brush. His appearance was not handsome, but he possessed a powerful and charismatic aura that was endearing.

Gui Sha chuckled, "I searched for a long time before finding your elder brother. He's the reincarnation of my Holy Sect's child, so he should do his best for me. Besides, I'm not harming him; I just want him to enjoy a beautiful woman."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "What you say is indeed true, but judging from your methods and actions, no one can believe it."

Sure enough, a cold glint flashed in Bu Gunatai's eyes, followed by his pupils dilating and shooting out strange light—a sign of his gathering power.

With a roar, Bu Gunatai leaned his left shoulder forward, sprang up with his right foot, and stepped forward with his left, shooting towards Gui Sha like a cannonball. After a crisp sound, his twin blades were already in his hands. He drew two small semicircles, one above and one below, drawing all the life and death energy into the blades. The blade tips gleamed like two cold stars, attacking Gui Sha's throat and dantian.

The chilling blade energy filled the entire space. This one move alone was enough to show that he was no ordinary person.

This was a move he had unleashed with twelve percent of his power, a relentless and brutal attack, a fight to the death.

With a low whistle, the Ghost Demon advanced instead of retreating, his withered right hand emerging from his wide sleeve. His thin, hunched figure magically shifted to a spot a foot to the left of Bugunatai, where he struck out with a palm.

His palm strike produced no whistling sound, nor did it generate any force. Yet, Bugunatai clearly realized that not only was his attack futile, but all his counter-attack routes were blocked by his opponent, leaving him completely at their mercy.

While Gui Sha was still pondering how to toy with Bugunatai, he suddenly felt a warning: two extremely powerful sword energies were attacking from the left and right. He dared not be careless, throwing Bugunatai away and parrying with his own palm.

Strangely, neither palm made a sound as they met the two swords.

"Pfft!"

The combined attack of Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han was too much for even the mighty Gui Sha to withstand, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood and stagger back two steps before regaining his footing.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han had already blocked all his escape routes.

Given their personalities, they wouldn't easily combine their attacks, but the current situation was special, and Yuan Yueze wasn't in perfect condition, so the two attacked together, giving Gui Sha no chance to escape.

The two sides clashed.

Ghost Fiend appeared to be at least fifty years old, his face wrinkled, his skin purplish-red, and his eyes half-open, occasionally flashing with a sharp light, as if reminding one that he was no ordinary old man.

From any angle, he bore no resemblance to the woman Yuan Yueze had seen that day. Upon

seeing Yuan Yueze's appearance clearly, a look of surprise flashed in Ghost Fiend's eyes, and he coldly snorted, "Yuan Yueze! I heard you left long ago, but I didn't expect to see you here. What? Want to meddle? We'll see if you have the ability." He seized

the opportunity to run over and help his brother, Bugunatai, up, staring blankly at Yuan Yueze. He hadn't expected to receive help from a Han Chinese man, whom the grassland people had always looked down upon, at the most dangerous moment.

Ghost Fiend didn't mention Ba Feng Han, seemingly impassioned, but actually feeling guilty. He simply wanted to force Yuan Yueze into a one-on-one fight, because he sensed Ba Feng Han's sharp aura locking onto his entire body; he was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "The last time I saw you, you were a woman. How did you suddenly become a man? And look so old?"

Gui Sha's expression changed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, clearly unable to maintain his calm composure.

This was exactly what Yuan Yueze wanted to see.

But this question was also something he couldn't understand.

With a light snort, Yuan Yueze seized the opportunity and struck with lightning speed. The evil sword and his entire arm seemed to have vanished, followed by thousands of cold lights. For a moment, the world was filled with sword blades and excited vortexes, whistling through the air. He shouted, "If you can defeat me, I will no longer concern myself with other people's business today."

From the moment he appeared, he began to create momentum with various means, gradually weakening his opponent's fighting spirit and seizing the initiative. Gui Sha was first startled by his sudden appearance, and then his insulting words provoked his anger, widening the cracks in his composure. This was not his fault, because what Yuan Yueze mentioned was the greatest insult to someone like him who was neither male nor female.

Yuan Yueze's soft hum was anything but simple; he channeled his full inner energy directly into Gui Sha's ears, causing him to suddenly find it hard to breathe. It felt as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing on his heart, and his entire body felt as if it were being cut by knives. The sudden burst of cold energy from his opponent's sword made him feel as if he were immersed in millennia-old ice. He had come to the grasslands because he had heard that Yuan Yueze was injured, but Yuan Yueze's current behavior showed no signs of injury. Having lost the initiative, he could only barely regain his composure, forming a sword with his fingers, his fingertips trembling as he thrust out repeatedly at strange and tricky angles to meet Yuan Yueze's overwhelming attack.

Belgunatai was dumbfounded. With his cultivation and eyesight, he could only barely make out the traces of energy left by Yuan Yueze and Gui Sha in the air. He thought to himself that if he were in that situation, he would have been torn to pieces long ago.

A series of muffled, dense sounds of energy clashing rang out, and the figures instantly separated.

The light dissipated, and the two stood in place, as if they had never fought.

Ghost Fiend's face turned pale, but he narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Brother Yuan, instead of worrying about the people of the Great Ming Sect, you come to the grasslands to meddle in other people's business. How strange!"

A blush flashed across Yuan Yueze's handsome face, then disappeared. He stood tall with his sword, his expression indifferent, and said, "Don't waste your energy. No one can stop me from killing you today."

Ghost Fiend chuckled, "Is that so? Your wife, oh! Yang Guang's first wife probably won't allow you to kill me so easily, will she?"

Yuan Yueze's expression changed slightly, as he had been hit where it hurt. Ghost Fiend acted on his impulse, taking only a small step forward, and like a ghost, he traversed several feet of space, his eyes blazing with fire, and he threw a punch straight at Yuan Yueze's chest.

The two onlookers were horrified. The instant Ghost Fiend spoke, his body erupted with a raging storm that filled the heavens and earth, his aura scorching and boiling, capable of boiling iron and melting gold, even more terrifying than Zhu Bixuan's Blazing Sun Technique. His punch, though seemingly simple, was propelled by astonishing speed and force. It not only continuously varied in its movements, but its heat also steadily increased, becoming immeasurable and uncontrollable. Yet, it appeared completely unchanged, returning to its origin, where a thousand variations converged within the unchanging. Such martial arts seemed to seize the very essence of heaven and earth.

This was the true power of Ghost Fiend, the master of the Red-Clothed Shamanic Method.

At the center of the aura, Yuan Yueze's long hair danced wildly, his robes fluttering. He inwardly sighed: his previous sword strike had injured his opponent's meridians with its energy, yet Ghost Fiend was completely unaffected; the destructive power of this attack remained astonishing.

In a flash, his mind returned to normal, and he slowly thrust out a clumsy sword.

Bugunatai felt a strange sensation. Although Yuan Yueze had only unleashed one sword strike, he couldn't see anything, only a sky full of sword shadows and the deafening roar of wind-breaking attacks. For a fleeting moment, he even felt a profound stillness in the world.

It was an indescribable feeling.

Ba Feng Han's eyes shone brightly as he imprinted every detail of the battle before him into his mind, to be recalled and pondered later.

Each punch and sword strike produced over a hundred rapid, ear-piercing sounds.

The exchange between the two seemed to happen in an instant, yet also felt endlessly long.

The figures separated again.

Yuan Yueze's face was deathly pale. The instant he took a step back, Gui Sha was suddenly thrown back into the air, flying more than twenty feet. Though he coughed up blood, he laughed loudly, "I'm off! Thank you for your help, Brother Yuan..."

Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed drastically.

His chest had been pierced through by the Zhan Xuan Sword.

He was too weak to run forward and collapsed.

--Chapter

127

Ghost Sha lay on the ground, his eyes blazing with fury, glaring angrily at Ba Feng Han who was walking leisurely towards him.

He said, "Ba Feng Han roams the grasslands, a hero of great skill, yet he's so despicable and shameless, taking advantage of others' power."

Ba Feng Han, seemingly pleased, sat down directly in front of him and said cheerfully, "I've never considered myself a good person, but even I can't stand your behavior. If we're talking about shamelessness, I dare say I'm second to none."

Gui Sha was speechless.

Yuan Yueze, his body invaded by yang energy, felt as if his internal organs were burning. It took him a long time to expel the yang energy. He immediately pulled out Xiao Bei and her daughter, preparing to question Gui Sha about Xiao Bei's nephew, Xiao Ge. While healing, his spiritual senses were incredibly sharp, and he had already sensed that although Gui Sha's vitality was tenacious, he could only live for another quarter of an hour at most.

After a brief conversation with the mother and daughter, the two women were overjoyed. The treacherous Gui Sha was finally going to die. Xiao Bei immediately rushed towards Ba Feng Han's direction.

Upon arriving before the Ghost Fiend, who lay half-reclined on the ground, still trying to prolong his life, Xiao Bei's joy was instantly replaced by shock. Her delicate body trembled violently, and she gasped, stammering, "You...you are Ge'er?"

Her gaze fell on the Ghost Fiend's chest, where the Zhanxuan Sword had pierced through. The surrounding clothes had been shattered by the sharp sword energy, revealing large patches of the Ghost Fiend's terrifying purplish-red skin. A distinct black swastika tattoo was visible on his chest, which was the reason for Xiao Bei's shock.

Yuan Yueze bowed to Yang Yan, who was dressed elegantly and had a blank expression. The two followed, just in time to hear Xiao Bei's soft cry. They exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

Bu Gunatai also came over, carrying his brother who was unharmed but whose acupoints had been sealed by a special technique.

Yuan Yueze's gaze fell on the mark, and he remembered what Xiao Bei had said that day.

Gui Sha opened his eyes, but saw that the divine light within them was scattered, a sign of life fading away. He looked up at Xiao Bei's pretty face with difficulty, his eyes beginning to moisten, but his tone was unusually calm as he said, "Aunt!"

Xiao Bei and her daughter cried out in grief, rushing forward to hug his thin, hunched body tightly, and weeping loudly.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han looked at each other. Although the world is unpredictable, this matter was too bizarre; no one could have foreseen it beforehand.

Ghostly Fiend, that is, Xiao Ge, didn't shed a tear. He turned to look at Yuan Yueze, his expression strangely calm, and said, "I accept that I've fallen into your hands. Brother Yuan, are you interested in making a deal with me?"

Xiao Bei trembled and said, "No, Ge'er can definitely be saved. As long as you have half an hour, Auntie can revive you."

Excitement flashed in Xiao Ge's eyes for a moment, then dimmed, and he said, "I feel the flame of my life rapidly fading away. I can only live for less than a quarter of an hour at most."

How could Xiao Bei not see this? He was only saying such things because he was in a state of panic. Moreover, reviving such a villain would be a real sin. Hearing this, tears streamed down his face, and he murmured incessantly.

Yuan Yueze knelt before him, placing his large hands on the shoulders of Xiao Bei and her daughter, channeling his inner energy to calm them down. He said in a deep voice, "As long as it's not something that harms others for personal gain, of course it's fine."

Xiao Ge's eyes, which had just begun to gather some divine light, became unfocused again. He murmured, "Harm others for personal gain, harm others for personal gain..."

Then he burst into laughter, and black blood dripped continuously from the long sword piercing his chest, showing how agitated he was.

After the laughter subsided, he gasped, "Is my current situation Liu Yu's fault? Do you even know who he is?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback, not expecting his relationship with Liu Yu to be so complicated. He then briefly recounted what he knew. Xiao Ge was astonished, and after a long pause, he smiled bitterly, "So you all know so much detail, but no matter how you think about it, you'd never guess that I sent the Wu brothers."

Ba Feng Han, who had been listening intently, suddenly shouted, "Who is this expert? Please come and meet me!"

A faint sound of footsteps arose, and a beautiful, slender figure appeared in the distance, walking gracefully with seemingly slow yet actually fast steps. It

was Shi Feixuan.

She was still dressed in men's clothing, her demeanor even more serene and ethereal than during the Spring Festival, her otherworldly beauty even more pronounced.

In the blink of an eye, she was in front of everyone, her gaze lingering on Xiao Ge. "This must be Gui Sha," she said.

Yuan Yueze ignored her, his mind racing. He understood that Xiao Ge and Liu Yu must have a deep connection; otherwise, Xiao Ge wouldn't have sent the Wu brothers to betray him. His purpose was simple: he wanted Liu Yu and Yuan Yueze to fight to the death so he could reap the benefits. Past events flashed through his mind, and Yuan Yueze even grasped a vague clue.

Xiao Ge seemed oblivious to Shi Feixuan's arrival, speaking as if to everyone, or perhaps muttering to himself, "When our homeland was destroyed, my father and I were separated in the chaos of war. Later, I was rescued by Liu Yu on the verge of death." The

homeland he referred to was naturally Western Liang, and his father was Xiao Bei's elder brother, Xiao Cong, the last emperor of Western Liang.

Xiao Ge continued, "Liu Yu was extremely good to me, but later he... alas! I just never expected him to... Now you know why I dress as a woman!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. Although he didn't explain it clearly, Yuan Yueze and the others remembered what Wang Shichong had said and knew that Xiao Ge had been castrated after being violated by that perverted Liu Yu, and that Xiao Ge's mentality had undergone a significant change afterward.

Shi Feixuan, knowing too few details of the matter, listened in a daze.

Xiao Ge's voice lowered, and he said haltingly, "This is the greatest humiliation of my life, but before I die, I feel that honor and shame, face and all that are unimportant. As long as Brother Yuan promises to kill Liu Yu with his own hands for me, I will tell you everything else."

Yuan Yueze answered without hesitation, "I promise you!"

A look of relief appeared on Xiao Ge's pale face, and he continued, "Later, I escaped his control and was rescued by the Shaman Master by chance. He saw that I was pitiful and had excellent aptitude, so he taught me the 'Blazing Sun True Skill' of the sect. Later, I became the sect leader and began to fight back against the Great Ming Venerable Sect. Along the way, I also showed no mercy to your side."

Xiao Bei sobbed, "Auntie doesn't blame you." "You're a victim too."

Xiao Ge forced a smile, coughed up blood, and said, "You might not know why Liu Yu and I were so determined to obtain the He Shi Bi. It's because, after removing the outer layer of energy, there's a rubbing of the 'War God's Record.' I saw it when I was following Liu Yu around, secretly flipping through his classics. This supreme secret can only be learned using a unique method. After obtaining the He Shi Bi, I used my unique method to study it for months. Just as I was about to open it, a middle-aged man with an aura very similar to Liu Yu broke in, took advantage of my weakness, injured me, and then stole the precious jade. I hate it so much!"

Shi Feixuan showed a thoughtful expression, indicating that the most mysterious of the Four Great Classical Novels had captured her attention. Suddenly remembering what Yuan Yueze had said to her in the restaurant that day, Shi Feixuan couldn't help but give him a wry look.

Yuan Yueze frowned deeply. The reason Liu Yu had mysteriously learned the "War God's Manual" was so complex. From this, he deduced that after Guang Chengzi and before Bei Shengtian and Chuan Ying, there must have been another master who entered the War God's Temple and then preserved the forty-nine diagrams in the He Shi Bi using spiritual imprints or other mysterious methods, waiting for a destined person to learn them. It could be said that Xiao Ge was a complete failure, and his life was a tragic mess. Recalling the details of that day, Yuan Yueze understood that Liu Yu's purpose in going to Luoyang was not to steal the He Shi Bi at all. He had been using Xiao Ge all along. His scheming was so deep that no one in the world could surpass him.

Yuan Yueze revealed that Liu Yu had been injured and had transferred his primordial spirit into Xu Kaishan's body. Xiao Ge burst into loud laughter, spitting out blood in a rage that was too painful to watch, revealing the depth of his hatred for Liu Yu. After the laughter subsided, Xiao Ge said, "I was still recovering from my serious injuries when Bi Xuan came knocking. Beset by internal strife and external threats, the Shamanic sect was wiped out overnight. I lost control of my emotions and went into a state of demonic possession. I eventually remembered a technique mentioned in the sect's ancient texts that used the placenta as a catalyst, and I began practicing it, which aged me considerably. Later, when I faced Brother Yuan, my confidence was severely shaken, leading to this near-death experience."

Yuan Yueze asked, "What is your relationship with Fu Nanda?

" Ge said, "It was nothing more than mutual exploitation. He secretly exchanged twenty pregnant women for my mysterious spiritual technique, I wonder who he'll use it to harm."

Suddenly remembering Yuwen Shang's words, Yuan Yueze asked, "Within the Shamanic sect, are you the only one who knows the direct lineage martial arts?"

Xiao Ge nodded reluctantly, then, as if recalling something, said, "I have a subordinate named Wuxiang, who is in charge of all the sect's scriptures. He was also ordered by me to infiltrate the Khan's court. On the day the sect was destroyed, he didn't appear. I think he probably hated me too much and betrayed me!" His eyes filled with

affection as he spoke of Wuxiang, making Yuan Yueze and the others' hair stand on end.

Yuan Yueze vaguely deduced that this might be the key to Bi Xuan's resurgence.

Suddenly, Xiao Ge's eyes widened, his divine light converging, making him seem unlike a dead man. This terrified Xiao Bei and her mother, whose eyes were blurry with tears. Everyone knew that this was a final burst of energy before death, and his life was about to end.

Xiao Bei had been continuously channeling her inner energy into him from the beginning, and seeing this, she quickly intensified her efforts. However, Xiao Ge's body continued to grow cold, unable to absorb even a fraction of her pure inner energy. Xiao Bei was terrified and cried out wildly, "Ge'er! Ge'er!"

As if deaf to his aunt's calls, Xiao Ge continued, "I have committed too many sins, I deserve to die. Aunt, please don't grieve for me. Death isn't so terrible; at least for the first time, I have a thought of repentance. After I die, please cremate me dressed as a woman. The one behind me should be a disciple of Cihang Jingzhai, right? I'll tell you something: Liu Yu has already infiltrated your sect as a spy." He

then coughed violently, his eyes slowly closing, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid, and he murmured, "Life has no roots, drifting like..."

Before he could finish, the light in his slightly open eyes vanished completely, his eyelids drooped limply, his head lolled to the side, and his whole body turned cold.

Xiao Bei and her daughter cried out in grief, tightly embracing him, their sorrow cascading like a raging river.

Yuan Yueze felt a deep sadness.

Xiao Ge was not inherently a villain, but under Liu Yu's influence, he had gone astray and was beyond redemption. Death, for both himself and those he had harmed, was the best ending.

He concluded by saying that "Life has no roots, drifting like dust on the road" was the best description of himself, and in truth, who isn't like that! Life is like dust raised on the road, moving with the wind, involuntary.

Yuan Yueze looked up at a few unpredictable, ever-changing clouds in the brilliant starry sky and sighed, "The clouds in the sky are like white robes, changing in an instant like greyhounds. The world is ever-changing, nothing more than this, nothing more than this!"

The wind kept blowing from the boundless horizon, making the oil-soaked firewood flicker and leap, sending out rapid crackling sounds, each time sending a cloud of smoke and sparks into the void.

Everyone watched as Xiao Ge's body, dressed up by Xiao Bei, turned to ashes in the fire.

Yuan Yueze didn't care how shocking his actions were, and invited everyone to rest inside the bracelet. Su Su

and the other girls surrounded them, seeing that Xiao Bei and her mother looked pale, they didn't ask any questions and helped the two of them to rest.

After some effort, they managed to revive Belegunatai. Chunyu Wei, already familiar with the situation, led the two to wash up.

Shi Feixuan's face remained calm, but her heart was in turmoil. She surveyed this paradise for a long time, then fixed her gaze on Yuan Yueze, before glancing around again.

Ba Feng Han smiled bitterly, "Did I do a good thing or a bad thing?"

Yuan Yueze, knowing his thoughts, comforted him, "Although Xiao Ge is Bei'er's nephew, his actions are heinous and deserve to be punished. Brother Ba, don't feel guilty. It's rare that he could have such a profound realization before his death. Let's leave this matter at that. The real culprit is Liu Yu."

Ba Feng Han was grateful for his understanding and nodded silently.

The three remained silent, and a subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere, a strange silence settling in.

Ba Feng Han glanced at the thoughtful Yuan Yueze and the curiously scanning Shi Feixuan, laughed, and got up to leave.

After a long pause, Yuan Yueze finally raised his head. His eyes were met with Shi Feixuan's delicate and beautiful features. Her small, white ears, partially hidden by her hair, were crystal clear and exuded a healthy fragrance. It was as if he were in a fairyland, causing his heart to flutter.

He asked, "Feixuan, why have you come to the grasslands?" His impression of her had changed drastically after learning that Shi Feixuan hadn't betrayed Song Yuhua, and he unconsciously used such an intimate term of endearment.

Shi Feixuan, who had just turned her head, met Yuan Yueze's deep, unfathomable eyes. She was caught off guard by his question, yet a strange joy rose within her. Her cheeks flushed crimson, making her breathtakingly beautiful, radiating feminine gentleness and charm. She instinctively lowered her head and softly replied, seemingly unrelated to the question, "Is Young Master truly a divine being descended to earth?"

Yuan Yueze, equally seemingly unrelated, replied, "If you say you came to eliminate the Ghost Fiend, I'll be the first to disbelieve you."

Shi Feixuan raised her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips, and said nothing more.

Yuan Yueze said in a deep voice, "If I'm not mistaken, Feixuan is acting on orders from her sect, and her target is me. You said you wouldn't enter the mortal world after the Spring Festival, but now you're back; there must be a compelling reason."

Shi Feixuan's beautiful eyes flashed with a mysterious light that no one could understand as she stared intently at him.

Yuan Yueze was momentarily lost in thought, then said, "I was just thinking about this. In fact, you've been fooled too; Jieli is indeed not simple."

A look of surprise flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes.

Yuan Yueze knew his guess was pretty accurate. He meant that someone was secretly communicating, luring Shi Feixuan to the grasslands from afar—it must be with ill intentions. In the Central Plains, Cihang Jingzhai was a sacred place revered by the righteous martial arts world; dealing with Shi Feixuan, a successor sent by Jingzhai, would certainly be no easy task. But in these grasslands far from the Central Plains, it was a different story. Moreover, Yuan Yueze was here; if something happened to Shi Feixuan, the first person the Xuanmen would suspect would naturally be him, the peerless demon of the demonic sect.

The human heart has no bottom; it only gets deeper.

The Xuanmen, knowing Yuan Yueze's actions, would naturally try to stop him. However, they were unaware that they were merely the mantis stalking the cicada, while being watched and killed by the oriole.

Shi Feixuan said calmly, "Young Master, are you not concerned about your own life or death?"

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily, saying, "Of course I care, but unfortunately, there's no one who can kill me."

A look of doubt flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes. Her "Sword Heart Clarity" had reached an extremely high level, and she clearly sensed that Yuan Yueze's inner energy was not as powerful as before. She wondered if he was seriously injured as rumored, or if it was a lingering effect from his battle with Gui Sha. If she attacked now, Shi Feixuan might have the upper hand. However, considering he hadn't committed any major evil deeds, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

After a long internal struggle, Shi Feixuan came to a conclusion that surprised even herself: if she killed Yuan Yueze, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life, and would never be able to glimpse the Heavenly Dao again.

Raising her head slightly, Shi Feixuan met Yuan Yueze's clear, penetrating gaze. A sudden unease gripped her; she realized Yuan Yueze seemed to have grasped her thoughts and understood her inner turmoil.

A strange feeling arose within her; through a profound and subtle spiritual exchange, they had become kindred spirits. In her panic, she stammered, "Please let me out, young master. The matter of the Ghost Fiend is settled, and Feixuan must take her leave."

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Death is like a lamp going out. Although Xiao Ge committed many evils, he was also a victim, and he showed remorse before his death. I hope Feixuan will not mention this matter to outsiders; let it pass!" Shi Feixuan

, kind-hearted, would not gossip, and nodded in agreement.

No sooner had she left than a burst of deep laughter echoed in; it was the brothers Ba Feng Han and Belgunatai, chatting and laughing.

Belgunatai was slightly taller than Yuan Yueze, with strong limbs and a perfectly proportioned physique. He had long, flowing hair, was no more than thirty years old, and possessed a full beard. His features were clearly defined, giving him a majestic and imposing presence, radiating an aura of dominance. He resembled a towering tree that would never fall, unafraid of any storm.

Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, a look of gratitude flashed in his eyes. After bowing, he said in Turkic, "Belgunatai thanks Brother Yuan for saving my life."

He didn't mention being forcibly taken away by Xiao Ge, showing himself to be a magnanimous man. However, Yuan Yueze, being astute and perceptive, vaguely sensed that Belgunatai was quite ambitious and cunning, unlike his younger brother, Bugunatai, who was straightforward and frank.

After a few polite words, the group sat down. Hearing that Ren Jun was recuperating in seclusion a hundred miles away, Yuan Yueze nodded and asked, "Are you two going back to Shiwei next?"

Belgunatai shook his head, saying, "We were planning to come out anyway, but since this has happened, we'll take the opportunity to visit Longquan."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke of Longquan.

Then, his gaze fixed intently on Yuan Yueze, he asked, "What are your thoughts on the fall of Liyang, Brother Yuan?"

Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback, replying, "Liyang has fallen? Since leaving Shanhaiguan, I haven't received any news from the Central Plains."

Belgunatai said, "We only recently received the news. Dou Jiande led nearly 200,000 troops, taking advantage of Liu Wuzhou's fierce attack on the Taiyuan area by the Li Tang, and attacked for three days and three nights, capturing Liyang. Only a few Li Tang generals escaped."

Yuan Yueze understood; this guy had already begun his "attack." His expression remained unchanged as he sighed, "I somewhat regret saving you."

Belgunatai's expression changed slightly, then turned red. He clasped his hands and said, "I admit defeat. Please forgive me, Brother Yuan. For the sake of our people, we had no choice but to do this. Alas!"

Belgunatai tried to ease the tension from the side. Fen said, "Brother Yuan, please understand my elder brother's predicament. Everyone has times when they are not in control of their own destiny."

Yuan Yueze replied without hesitation, "I understand your concerns. Since ancient times, whenever the Central Plains became unified and powerful, it was a time when the nightmares of the northern tribes would descend. But aren't the northern peoples the same? As long as the grasslands are unified, the nightmares of the Central Plains will arrive."

Ba Feng Han interjected, "This is human nature, and has nothing to do with race or nation."

Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly. The northern tribes not only produced many heroes, but also had formidable armies. Even the elite Tang army of the Li clan paled in comparison. They were waiting for a pack of ferocious wolves and hungry lions to roam outside the fields, waiting to pounce and devour the fattest creatures, while the people inside the fields were still fighting to the death, fighting amongst themselves and splitting apart.

The world must be unified, and political reforms, no matter how difficult, must be implemented.

Belgunatai's voice rang out again, saying, "Brother Yuan, if you can unify the Central Plains, how will you treat the foreign tribes?"

Yuan Yueze gave him a thumbs-up and nodded, saying, "Just treat them equally, it's that simple. Preserve their ethnic customs, and Han people and all foreign tribes can enjoy equal rights."

His words clearly revealed his ambition.

The other three fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, Belgunatai laughed and said, "To be honest, Brother Yuan, we came to Longquan for two purposes. One is to destroy Baiziting's establishment of the state, and the other is to kill Shenmohuan. This man colluded with Jieli and is a traitor to our Shiwei people. Everyone hates him to the bone. As long as my brother and I kill him, our prestige will immediately soar, and we will naturally unify the Shiwei. Originally, we planned to surrender to Brother Yuan then and pay tribute every year. I didn't expect Brother Yuan's ideals to be so lofty, that everyone should be equal. Good! If Brother Yuan really unifies the Central Plains in the future, my brother and I will also unify the Shiwei, then we will definitely support you with all our might!"

A wise man knows when to yield.

Whether his words were sincere or not, they were entirely beneficial to the Shiwei tribe. Since the recent split between Tuli and Jieli, the situation in the northeast had drastically changed. Apart from the Mohe, both Abaojia and the Belgunatai brothers harbored ambitions to unify the Khitan and Shiwei. Whoever could seize this opportunity to rise to power could expand outwards, securing internal stability while dealing with external threats; therefore, no one wanted to see their neighbor become stronger. Yuan Yueze, whatever his purpose, was undoubtedly here to cause trouble on the grasslands. This would not have any negative impact on the Belgunatai brothers, and they could gain the support of this unparalleled master who had defeated Wuzun in two moves and intimidated the hearts of the grassland people. If they truly unified the Shiwei, and after expansion, even unified the entire grasslands, and their tribe became powerful, they could do as they pleased, no longer needing to consider Yuan Yueze's wishes. Belgunatai was indeed a far-sighted and patient man.

These were the qualities a qualified politician must possess. Even

if Yuan Yueze was slow-witted, he could guess a thing or two. He smiled slightly upon hearing this and changed the subject, saying, "The Five-Colored Stone has made Bai Ziting the target of everyone's attacks. What is the current situation in Longquan?"

Bugunatai replied, "The conflict on the Great Grassland has now evolved into a struggle between the Eastern and Western Turks, the Tiele tribes, the eight branches of the Mohe, the Tuyuhun, the Khitan chieftains, and the various Shiwei tribes. Those who understand the times know that if they don't want to lose their families and tribes, the first priority is to unite internally. Therefore, Bai Ziting had no choice but to take a risky gamble before the conditions were fully ripe. In fact, Bai Ziting is the most farsighted and capable man in the Northeast." The leader, Bai Ziting, outwardly claimed to be building a miniature Chang'an out of admiration for Central Plains culture, but in reality, it was a campaign of cavalry warfare against neighboring countries, using city defense instead of open field battles. The Khitan had attacked Longquan three times, all without success; only by being able to defend could they launch an attack. Moreover, Bai Ziting had the strong support of the King of Goryeo behind him; otherwise, why would neighboring countries need to join forces to attack him?

From his hesitant expression, Yuan Yueze could roughly deduce the mentality of the other tribes on the grasslands: on the one hand, they hoped that the Mohe would become strong enough to deal with the Turkic wolf army; on the other hand, they feared that the Mohe would become too powerful and become a second Turk. This contradictory mentality made them completely disregard morality in their actions.

Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "We should think about how to deal with Jieli."

The Belgunatai brothers nodded in agreement.

Knowing that a battle with the Golden Wolf Army was inevitable, Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "I have my own plans. Everyone, please rest first. We'll set off tomorrow and pick up Xiao Jun along the way."

It was late, and after everyone had gone to sleep, Yuan Yueze went to Xiao Bei's room.

The other women were already asleep, except for Yang Yan, dressed in a simple white dress, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed reading, keeping watch over her.

This poor woman, who had recently found her lost daughter, had lost her closest relative today and failed to preserve her brother's bloodline. Her emotions were too turbulent, and she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Yuan Yueze treated Yang Yan with great respect, always bowing upon meeting her. After Yang Yan returned the bow politely, Yuan Yueze sat on the other side of the bed, carefully examining Xiao Bei's haggard face. She seemed to be troubled by nightmares even in her sleep; her long, delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Yuan Yueze felt a surge of tenderness at the sight and gently combed her slightly disheveled hair.

Yang Yan held the book and softly recited: "The wind has ceased, the dust has settled, the flowers have faded, and the day is late; I am too weary to comb my hair. Things are as they were, but people are not; everything is over, and before I can speak, tears flow. I hear that spring is still beautiful at Shuangxi, and I intend to take a light boat there. But I fear the small boat of Shuangxi cannot bear the weight of so much sorrow

." Yuan Yueze raised his head, meeting her gentle gaze, and sighed deeply, saying, "Relatives may grieve, but others have already sung. What can be said of the dead? My body will rest with the mountains. Does the princess hate that Brother Ba killed your cousin?"

Yang Yan shook her head and whispered, "Actually, I have never met him. I have only heard my mother speak of his talent. He did so many wrong things; the world cannot tolerate him."

After some time, she had changed her address, no longer calling Xiao Bei "Mother." Yuan Yueze solemnly said, "The princess is deeply righteous, far surpassing many men in the world." Yang

Yan's face flushed slightly, and she shook her head modestly, no longer daring to meet Yuan Yueze's gaze.

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