[Fantasy] The Song of the Six Dynasties (Complete) - 6

page views:1 Publication date:2023-07-23

Chapter Seven

. A soft tinkling of jade pendants echoed from outside the corridor, followed by the slow, graceful entry of a beautiful woman. She prostrated herself before Gao Yanei, bowing deeply, and said in a soft voice, "This humble woman, Ruan Xianglin, greets you, Your Excellency."

Gao Yanei, leaning lazily against the couch, said, "Rise."

The woman raised her head; indeed, it was the wife of the head镖师 (bodyguard) of the Weiyuan Escort Agency, the alluring Ruan Xianglin. She had deliberately dressed up, her appearance quite different from usual.

Her jade-like cheeks were lightly powdered, her eyebrows meticulously drawn, and her lips adorned with expensive rouge. She had also changed into a pale red cloud-patterned dress.

The bodice beneath was extremely low-cut, revealing most of her fair, snow-white breasts, and her lower body wore a thin, green silk skirt. Under the lamplight, her eyebrows appeared even more exquisite, radiant and captivating.

Gao Yanei, his eyes filled with smugness

, beckoned her hand. Ruan Xianglin rose gracefully, swaying her slender waist, and walked over with an elegant and charming air. Gao Yanei grabbed her waist, pulled her onto his lap, and then kissed her on the lips without any hesitation.

Ruan Xianglin, already smitten, now looked shy and half-heartedly nestled in his arms, tilting her face up to let him kiss her.

If this were a scene like Gao Taiwei's, an old bull preying on a young woman like Li Shishi, he might have been enraged and jumped down to give him a good stab.

But Gao Yanei, though fat as a pig, was only fifteen or sixteen, while Ruan Xianglin was a woman in her thirties, old enough to be his mother. Seeing

such a hot and beautiful woman being messed with by a young rascal, Cheng Zongyang felt a strange sense of amusement and didn't rush to disturb the illicit couple.

While kissing the beautiful woman's bright red lips, Gao Yanei kneaded her full, snowy breasts with his hands.

Ruan Xianglin nestled softly in his arms, her round, snowy buttocks resting on his lap. She tilted her face up, her rosy lips parted, and her tongue darted out for the little one to suckle.

Gao Yanei's hands grew increasingly restless, burying his face in Ruan Xianglin's smooth cleavage, licking it, while reaching to untie her sash.

Ruan Xianglin managed to pull her mouth away, clutching her sash with both hands, and said softly, panting, "Young Master, I... I can't..."

Gao Yanei glared at her, "I've already done it all! Why can't I now?"

Ruan Xianglin said gently, "My daughter will be coming to serve you in a few days, Young Master, I... can't do this again..."

"Your daughter is your daughter, and you are you. What's the problem?"

Since Ruan Xianglin had given her daughter to Gao Yanei, she was practically his mother-in-law. For the sake of at least some dignity, she couldn't continue her affair with him. Gao Yanei pulled and tugged, but Ruan Xianglin resisted repeatedly, refusing to cooperate.

Remembering Lu Qian's words, Gao Yanei released his grip and put on airs, saying, "You surnamed Ruan, your Weiyuan Escort Agency lost my valuables, a jade belt bestowed by the emperor; I've already compensated you by having your daughter accompany me for a year. What about the 100,000 strings of cash?"

Ruan Xianglin's face paled slightly. Knowing she was in the wrong, and unable to afford 100,000 strings of cash, she was speechless for a moment, finally saying softly, "I beg for your mercy, sir."

"Mercy? Easy!" Gao Yanei groped between her legs through her clothes, lewdly grinning, "If you don't have money, pay with your body, okay?"

Ruan Xianglin whispered, "I am a respectable woman, not a prostitute..." "

So what if you're a respectable woman?" Gao Yanei said, "I'll make a deal with you. Let me have my way with you for one string of cash, how about it?"

Ruan Xianglin looked bewildered and didn't answer for a moment.

Gao Yanei, assuming she was unwilling, snorted and said, "You, surnamed Ruan, have you thought this through? The best courtesans in Lin'an's brothels only earn ten or so strings of cash a night with someone. Even selling yourself for ten thousand strings wouldn't earn you that much. I'm offering you one string per slit. Just spread your legs, and you'll easily earn over a thousand strings. Where in the world is there such a cheap deal?"

Ruan Xianglin was already willing, but she couldn't agree outright. Her hand, which was holding her sash, gradually softened.

Gao Yanei, seeing the bargain, leered and ripped open her sash, pulling her long skirt down to her buttocks.

Ruan Xianglin's emerald green silk skirt slid down halfway, revealing her snow-white buttocks. Her waist was extremely slender, but her hips were round and large, exuding the voluptuous charm of a mature woman.

Gao Yanei leaned down on her, one hand reaching between her thighs. Ruan Xianglin shyly covered her lower abdomen, but Gao Yanei's words changed her mind.

Gao Yanei rubbed his fingers together and lewdly said, "Even a touch counts as one point!"

Ruan Xianglin's last line of defense finally crumbled. The candlelight flickered red, and the beautiful woman leaned against the couch, her emerald green silk skirt torn down, revealing one snow-white leg hanging limply beside the couch.

She held onto the back of the couch with one hand and the edge with the other, her jade-like body lying prone, her cheeks flushed, her legs spread wide, exposing her private parts.

Ruan Xianglin was still wearing a cloud-patterned robe on her upper body, but her lower body was completely naked; the bodice hanging from her robe had been flipped up, revealing her smooth genitals.

Gao Yanei, like a little boar, lay between her legs, lewdly fondling her private parts, then picked up a wine cup from the side of the couch and made her drink.

Ruan Xianglin gasped, "This servant doesn't drink..."

"Wine? This isn't wine! It's a top-quality aphrodisiac," Gao Yanei said. "Drink it, and I'll give you a good time. If you're willing to work hard, you can earn ten thousand strings of cash tonight!"

Hearing that she could earn ten thousand strings of cash in one night, Ruan Xianglin's heart swayed. Since she had already satisfied Gao Yanei's wishes, it didn't matter whether she used the aphrodisiac or not, so she took it and slowly drank it.

The aphrodisiac was extremely potent, and soon Ruan Xianglin's lustful desires were revealed, her eyes filled with alluring lust.

Gao Yanei laughed, "What a fragrant and wonderful thing!" He opened his mouth and kissed the beautiful woman's secret place, licking her jade gate.

Ruan Xianglin let out a soft cry, her jade legs suddenly straightening, her toes tightly hooked, her delicate body trembling as he teased her with his tongue.

After a short while, Gao Yanei finally released her. Ruan Xianglin's jade-like vulva opened wide, revealing a patch of crimson.

Her vulva was plump and soft, her engorged labia parted like flower petals, the red, moist flesh glistening with lustful fluid; illuminated by the lamplight, it resembled a peony nestled between her jade thighs, trembling slightly, delicate and alluring.

Gao Yanei got up, undressing as he said, "Take off your clothes!"

Ruan Xianglin, also aroused, obeyed, undressing herself piece by piece, placing them aside, finally removing her bodice, leaving her completely naked. She lay on her back on the couch, legs spread.

Gao Yanei raised his penis and thrust it into her wet, moist vulva.

Ruan Xianglin couldn't help but let out a soft cry. Just then, the screen behind her was suddenly pushed open, the hall lights streaming in, illuminating the couch, followed by a burst of laughter behind her.

Ruan Xianglin lay naked on the couch, her smooth, snow-white body exposed, Gao Yanei's penis inserted into her vulva. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw a dozen or so richly dressed young men laughing wantonly behind the couch.

"This prostitute is pretty good, boss, you're really lucky!"

"She's not a prostitute, she's the wife of the chief镖头 (chief镖师) of the Weiyuan镖局 (镖局 is a type of security escort agency)! She's also some kind of female warrior, and you still managed to get her, boss!"

"So slutty! She's soaking wet down there, dripping wet. Boss, did you give this bitch some aphrodisiacs?"

"I've never played with a female warrior before. I heard women who practice martial arts are especially powerful, both playful and succulent, is that true?"

Ruan Xianglin suddenly realized this, and while trying to push Gao Yanei off her, she hurriedly tried to cover herself. But as soon as she moved her arm, she realized she had no strength at all; she couldn't even push the young master off her.

Ruan Xianglin suddenly remembered the medicinal wine she had drunk, which contained not only aphrodisiacs but also drugs that would disrupt her inner energy. Unable to circulate her true energy, she was even weaker than an ordinary woman.

Gao Yanei, like a mischievous child, thrust his penis forcefully: "This bitch's pussy is so tight! Men! Spread her legs open for me!"

A group of thugs grabbed Ruan Xianglin and spread her beautiful legs wide.

While penetrating her honey hole, Gao Yanei said, "This bitch owes me money and is willing to pay it off with her body. We agreed that one guan would be paid for each sip, totaling 100,000 guan. Ruan, you bitch, I can't handle this 100,000 guan by myself, so I called my brothers to come and collect the debt together. What do you think?"

Someone nearby said in a strange tone, "Let's have the Thirteen Protectors fight Ruan, a hundred thousand rounds! We guarantee to beat Ruan so badly she'll run away with her tail between her legs!"

Cheng Zongyang lay on the beam, secretly clenching his fists. To curry favor with Gao Yanei and protect her valuables, Ruan Xianglin willingly traded her body for him. While it wasn't exactly fair, it was a mutually agreeable arrangement, and she had no grounds for complaint. However, the young rascal's actions were undeniably excessive.

The guards and servants in the garden, knowing their master was causing trouble at the waterside pavilion, wisely kept their distance. Dealing with these brats wouldn't be difficult.

Cheng Zongyang stared at Ruan Xianglin, secretly preparing to act. Once he rescued her, he could jump into the water; West Lake was so vast that even Lu Qian with the Imperial Guards wouldn't be able to stop him.

Ruan Xianglin was startled and turned pale.

Lu Qian's accusation that she was vain and greedy for wealth wasn't unfounded. She had sought help from Gao Yanei regarding the lost goods, and he had taken advantage of her. Although she regretted it afterward, the thought of climbing the social ladder through the young master of the Grand Commandant's mansion filled her with a sense of smug satisfaction.

The Grand Commandant's mansion holds military power, and countless escort agencies in Lin'an City have tried to curry favor with it but to no avail. Yet here she is, not only having entered the Grand Commandant's household, but also having slept with the young master's son. Having intimate relations with the young master, whom the Grand Commandant cherishes like a treasure, and still relying on her hands? How can that possibly bring pleasure? Forum reputation guaranteed! High-grade silicone video, Fan Bingbing's genitals realistically molded, highly lifelike vulva shape, soft and delicate skin! Built-in large protrusions closely resemble female anatomy, providing a more realistic experience... Intense and irresistible! Click to enter.

Since she has already satisfied the young master's desires and lost her reputation, she might as well take advantage of his happiness to secure a minor official position for her husband.

Ruan Xianglin weighed the options carefully. She was getting on in years, and the young master was likely only interested in novelty. He might forget about her after a few times, leaving her with nothing but the loss of her virginity. Even if the young master didn't leave immediately, she, as a married woman, couldn't be going to the Grand Commandant's mansion every few days. Therefore, she considered marrying him off, hoping for a long-term solution.

Earlier, when the young master Gao offered her body for 100,000 strings of cash, Ruan Xianglin agreed, partly for the money and partly to secure her connection with him, using the pretext of paying off a debt to gradually win him over.

She hadn't expected Gao to treat her so cheaply, not content with just taking her body, but also inviting his cronies to use her for their own amusement.

Ruan Xianglin was filled with shame and indignation, her hatred surging. She only wanted to wait until her powers returned so she could kill all these scoundrels!

Amidst the torment of shame and resentment, a vague thought flashed through Ruan Xianglin's mind, quickly becoming clear.

These young men, adorned with gold and jade, were all sons of powerful and influential families, their lineage perhaps not far behind that of Gao Yanei.

If she could establish connections with them, her family's escort agency could handle their goods, and her husband could secure a military position; with so many powerful scions supporting her, she would surely thrive, her own status would rise accordingly, and her future wealth would be limitless…

This thought grew stronger and stronger; Ruan Xianglin seemed to see wealth beckoning her, and her initial shame and indignation vanished.

Gradually, only one thought remained in her mind: these powerful scions were all incredibly generous; if she could curry favor with them, any price would be worth it.

Cheng Zongyang had just straightened up when he saw Ruan Xianglin pause for a moment, then suddenly tremble, revealing a seductive smile, and say in a coquettish voice, "Good young master, be gentle, don't damage my tender hole..." The crowd roared with laughter, "What a slut!"

"She can still laugh so happily even when being fucked by the boss, boss, you're such a man!" "Although she's a bit old, her body is still quite lustrous. Boss has a good eye!"

As they spoke, a young master squeezed through the crowd, his face contorted with rage, and grabbed Ruan Xianglin's ample breasts, twisting them forcefully.

Ruan Xianglin winced in pain, wondering why this unfamiliar young nobleman looked so annoyed.

Someone nearby laughed, "Little Liang got beaten up by this bitch's daughter, he'll have to get his revenge tonight."

Gao Yanei, while thrusting into Ruan Xianglin, said, "If Little Liang hadn't been beaten, I wouldn't have called her here to help you get revenge. Little Liang, after I'm done, you can try her out. This bitch is a martial arts expert, she's really good!"

Young Master Liang was overjoyed, "Thank you, brother!"

Ruan Xianglin looked at the gold ring on his finger, a slightly intoxicated look in her eyes, then raised her eyes and said sweetly, "Young Master Liang, don't be angry. After I'm done, I'll keep you company..."

Cheng Zongyang slowly released his grip, his eyes fixed on Ruan Xianglin's expression.

He didn't understand why Ruan Xianglin, who was already on the verge of utter shame and indignation, had suddenly made such a 180-degree turn.

At this moment, Gao Yanei finished, ejaculating unceremoniously into Ruan Xianglin's honeypot, then smugly climbed up. "What do you think of this bitch? Look at that beautiful body, she's just as good as any of the hottest prostitutes in the brothel!"

"Big boobs and a slutty ass, a natural slut!"

"What good is being pretty? My concubines are like logs in bed, unlike this old bitch. When the boss was fucking her, she was writhing and screaming down there, it got me hard."

One of the young men said, "This bitch is not only beautiful, but she's also incredibly slutty and wanton! Boss, where did you find her?"

"Cai Er, didn't I just say? This is the wife of the chief镖头 of the Weiyuan Escort Agency!"

"So she's just a commoner." The young man surnamed Cai said, "I thought the boss had stolen someone's concubine." Ruan Xianglin lay naked on the couch, being pointed at, touched, and fondled by the young thugs.

Her smooth, snow-white body, with the plumpness and whiteness unique to mature women, was fully revealed under the light, her engorged nipples red and purple.

Her vulva, exposed after intercourse, was a mess. Her face flushed, and she let out soft, panting breaths. Her full breasts rose and fell incessantly, and when someone touched her most sensitive spot, she let out a few seductive moans.

"Move aside! Move aside!" Gao Yanei said, "It's Liang's turn!"

Gao Yanei pointed at Young Master Liang and said, "This is Young Master Liang, the eleventh of the Thirteen Protectors!"

Ruan Xianglin said sweetly, "Young Master Liang."

Young Master Liang undressed, embraced Ruan Xianglin,

and was about to mount her when Ruan Xianglin whispered something in his ear. Young Master Liang grinned lewdly, then released her, tearing off the gold ring from his finger and tossing it to her. Ruan Xianglin picked up the ring, put it on her finger, gave him a flirtatious look, and then, with captivating charm, raised her body, one hand on the couch, arching her back and protruding her round, white buttocks.

Gao Yanei said, "Little Liangzi, what are you doing?"

Young Master Liang laughed, "This whore said she wanted a token of love from me after our first time making love. To apologize, she's changing positions so I can fuck her from behind."

The group of scoundrels burst into laughter, all saying that this Lady Ruan was truly lewd.

Ruan Xianglin seemed completely unconcerned about the scoundrels' jeers. She looked at the ring on her finger with delight, her eyes filled with blissful intoxication.

The group of young men felt no pity for this beautiful woman, who was older than them, especially since she was such a lewd woman.

Several hands simultaneously reached out and spread open the woman's snow-white buttocks. Young Master Liang, with his erect penis, forcefully thrust into her from behind.

Looking at the smile on Ruan Xianglin's face, Cheng Zongyang felt no urge to intervene; his eyes turned icy cold.

Ruan Xianglin might have been a little vain and greedy for wealth, but she wasn't this lewd. From the wife of a chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort), to a promiscuous woman who would sell her body for a ring, this transformation was too abnormal.

The thugs were completely oblivious to Ruan Xianglin's sudden change. In their eyes, a woman of lower status than their own was a prostitute they could humiliate at will, especially since this slut didn't even have an official in her family.

Young Master Liang, however, was a quick finisher. He ejaculated after only a few coins and crawled off amidst the jeers of the crowd.

Gao Yanei laughed and cursed a few times, then said, "Everyone, take turns! Let's see who can make this bitch ejaculate first!"

Amid the laughter, Gao Yanei pulled another boy to Ruan Xianglin and said, "This is Young Master Cai, the number one of the Thirteen Protectors... You two get to know each other better!"

Ruan Xianglin had already been with him twice, but her beauty was still exceptionally striking.

Stimulated by the aphrodisiac, her jade cheeks flushed a captivating red, her lower body throbbing with desire, her honeyed orifice overflowing with thick semen. She said sweetly, "Young Master Cai."

Young Master Cai pulled off a ruby ring: "Here you go!"

Ruan Xianglin grasped the ring, saying seductively, "This is a token of our love from you, Young Master. I will wear it carefully. From this day forward, our love will be stronger than gold..."

"You slut, give me a reverse candle dance!"

Ruan Xianglin, naked, climbed onto the young man, spread her legs, and guided his penis into her body. While twisting her snowy buttocks, she vigorously used her honeyed orifice to manipulate his penis, saying seductively, "Young Master Cai, never forget me..."

In the brightly lit pavilion, the beautiful woman's white, luscious body was like a soft, full-bodied jade begonia, its alluring stamens attracting swarms of bees and butterflies to gather fragrance and explore its beauty.

Ruan Xianglin was taken in one after another by a group of boys, from the couch to the round table at the banquet, then from the table to the chairs and the floor.

Her lewd moans mingled with the unrestrained laughter of the hooligans, echoing far across the starless, moonless surface of West Lake.

Cheng Zongyang pushed open the door, took a deep breath of the cold air, then walked down the steps, stretched his limbs in the courtyard, before heading towards the front yard with his hands behind his back.

In seven months, he had leaped from a novice to a master who had entered the fifth level of the Sitting Illumination Realm. Even with the aid of the Life and Death Root, this speed was astonishing.

Cheng Zongyang didn't know if other people with the Life and Death Root had his luck, having participated in several wars in less than a year, two of which were major battles with tens of thousands of casualties.

The abundant death energy provided a continuous source of true yang, allowing Cheng Zongyang's cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people.

For ordinary people, the fifth level of cultivation meant fifty years of training. Even those with exceptional talent, with their rapid progress, would still need more than twenty years of arduous training—he had only taken seven months.

Although he didn't show any pride because of Wang Zhe's warning, he couldn't help but feel smug about his progress. It wasn't until he heard Yang Hou's reminder before leaving Jiangzhou that he became more aware.

Following Yang Hou's guidance, Cheng Zongyang re-examined his cultivation progress.

Perhaps because of his improved cultivation, or perhaps because he had been patient enough this time, Cheng Zongyang finally noticed that the subtle white light forming the energy wheels in his dantian wasn't the pure light he had imagined, but rather accompanied by many indistinct, tiny dark objects, containing a large amount of impurities.

The Root of Life and Death is unique in nature, connecting life and death, transforming death into life. On the bright side, he had encountered incredible luck, possessing a peerless treasure; the old man's so-called chosen one, who else could it be but him! On the other hand, this kind of thing only existed in legends; hardly anyone had ever seen it, and no one could guide him.

Yang Hou's reminder was merely a deduction based on his status as a grandmaster; to truly understand the Root of Life and Death, he would probably have to dissect himself and study it for ten or eight years.

Cheng Zongyang could only guess that these impurities might be related to the souls of the deceased. When the Root of Life and Death absorbs the aura of death and transforms it into the source of life, it also absorbs a large amount of impurities.

Most of these impurities are cleared out during cultivation, but some remain in the body. When these impurities are few, it's manageable, but now the absorbed death energy isn't just a few hundred or a few thousand strands, but tens of thousands—a terrifying number when accumulated.

The negative consequences of impure true energy are well-known to most cultivators. In short, it's like building a house; if the foundation is unstable, the faster and taller you build, the greater the chance of collapse.

Therefore, after leaving Jiangzhou, Cheng Zongyang no longer deliberately pursued higher cultivation levels, but instead spent two hours each day condensing true essence to remove impurities from his true energy.

However, the removal progress was much slower than he had imagined. After all, he had absorbed no less than ten thousand strands of death energy; to completely refine it cleanly would probably take eight to ten years.

Cheng Zongyang wasn't in a hurry; he could wait eight to ten years. The problem was that some people couldn't.

Having appeared in the Six Dynasties for less than a year, Cheng Zongyang already had a long list of enemies thanks to his adoptive father-in-law, Yue Niaoren.

Moreover, Cheng Zongyang knew very well that this was just the tip of the iceberg of Yue Niaoren's legacy; the real enemies were likely yet to come. His

current cultivation level was sufficient to deal with scoundrels, but if he encountered a true master—not to mention someone as far back as Qin the Eunuch—any one of them would be instantly defeated.

To protect himself, he needed at least a sixth-level cultivation, enough to escape even if he couldn't win. Now, he urgently needed to improve his cultivation, but he also needed to avoid the unbearable consequences of rapid advancement. Finding the right balance was truly difficult.

Cheng Zongyang strolled to the door, then turned back. A few days ago, he had the mood to take a walk outside, greet the neighbors, and experience the daily life of Lin'an's citizens.

But that mood was quickly ruined after news of his identity as a junior official in the Tuntian Division spread.

Imagine going out for a walk early in the morning, only to be greeted by a group of people, young and old, men and women, all bowing politely and addressing him respectfully as "Master Cheng." For Cheng Zongyang, who always considered himself a modern urban white-collar worker, this was a nightmare.

He couldn't avoid it even while strolling in the courtyard; as soon as he turned around, someone approached, clasped his hands, and loudly proclaimed, "Master Cheng!"

Cheng Zongyang's mood was ruined by this "Master Cheng," and he said with a dark face, "Wolf Lord, have you eaten too much mutton?"

Jin Wuzhu said gruffly, "Commander Qin instructed that when you see an official, you must address him by his official title!"

"Stop! Your 'official' has given me the creeps!" Cheng Zongyang said, "What is it? Speak quickly!"

"Skinny Feng is here."

"Feng Yuan?"

Jin Wuzhu said, "He arrived before dawn. Old Qin treated his injuries without disturbing the outsider—Master."

Cheng Zongyang rushed to the guest room; Qin Hui, Yu Ziyuan, and Lin Qingpu were all there, but he didn't see Feng Yuan.

"What happened? How did Feng Dafa get injured?"

Qin Hui said, "Something happened to the Snow Falcon Regiment."

Cheng Zongyang's heart tightened. "Which way?"

"Outside the city, at Commander Xue's hiding place by West Lake," Qin Hui said. "The murderer was after Commander Xue. Feng Dafu went out to buy things last night, and when he returned, he found no one alive, and Commander Xue's head had been taken. Old Feng wasn't injured, but he was exhausted from running back and caught a cold."

Xue Yanshan's injuries were gradually healing, and he had intended to replace Feng Yuan and send Xue Yanshan to Jiangzhou, but before he could do so, this happened.

Cheng Zongyang asked as he walked, "Where are the others?" "

Ao Run went to the branch to gather information, and some brothers from the gang went with him. He should be back by now."

Cheng Zongyang went into the inner room and looked at Feng Yuan. Feng Dafu's face was pale and bluish, as if he had suffered great shock, but his life was not in danger. He had just taken his medicine and fallen asleep.

Cheng Zongyang quietly withdrew, complaining, "Why didn't you wake me up for something so important?"

Qin Hui replied, "Young Master, you returned late from the entertainment district last night. I acted on my own initiative; please punish me if there was anything inappropriate." Cheng

Zongyang felt embarrassed. He had spent two hours in the Oak Tree Entertainment District after returning from his villa by West Lake last night, and by the time he got back to his residence, it was almost dawn.

He was quite miserable; he wasn't lacking in women. Forget beauties like that brat and Mengniang, even that bitch Zhuo could easily overpower the Oak Tree Entertainment District.

Since leaving Yunzhou, he had been hanging out with a group of bachelors. For the past month, apart from a chance encounter with You Chan where they had a casual fling out of friendship,

he had lived a life even more austere than a monk. Last night's live sex show was unbearable for any man; the fact that he didn't immediately jump down and kick those bastards to the ground and take down that slut Ruan Xianglin was already a testament to his self-control.

But these reasons were hardly something to be told to outsiders, so Cheng Zongyang could only pat Qin Hui on the shoulder.

"You did well, but if you encounter something like this, still call me. We share the good times and the bad. It's not right for you to be risking your lives outside while I'm sleeping in here."

Qin Hui cupped his hands and said, "Yes."

Cheng Zongyang sat down and pondered for a while, then said, "Although it was the Snow Falcon Regiment that had the incident, they were on their way to Jiangzhou before it happened. Clearly, the person who did it was targeting Jiangzhou. I told Commander Xue that the Snow Falcon Regiment's affairs are my affairs, and I will take responsibility for this! Huizhi, go to the place where the incident happened and look for any clues."

"Yes." Qin Hui accepted the order and left.

Cheng Zongyang asked Yu Ziyuan, "Have you found out about that villa?"

Yu Ziyuan said, "I have. The garden is called Cuiwei Garden, and it's Grand Commandant Gao's villa. It shouldn't have anything to do with the Black Demon Sea."

It seems I was just being paranoid. In terms of blood feud with Yue Niaoren, Hei Mo Hai probably even surpasses Jia Shixian in this regard. However, since their encounter in Qingzhou, Hei Mo Hai has remained completely silent, a peculiar behavior that only fuels

Cheng Zongyang's suspicions. Although he knew of Ning Yu Ji's existence during his last meeting with You Chan, he had no idea what she was doing in Lin'an.

If Hei Mo Hai had simply let such a huge loss slide without retaliation, they wouldn't be Hei Mo Hai.

Thinking this, Cheng Zongyang casually remarked, "What's Gao Taiwei like? Could he be a truly loyal minister?"

Gao Qiu's reputation as a traitor was almost as bad as Qin Hui's, but in the distorted world of the Six Dynasties, who knew if he might become a saint?

"Gao Qiu is nothing but a treacherous villain," Yu Ziyuan said disdainfully. "That fellow has no redeeming qualities, except he's a good football player. He caught the eye of the former Song emperor and somehow joined the army, rising rapidly through the ranks. Since becoming Grand Commandant, he's been amassed wealth relentlessly. The Imperial Guards under his command not only serve as grooms and gatekeepers for officials, but some officials even use them as laborers when building houses, treating them like his own servants.

He's made a fortune while currying favor with the officials." Lin Qingpu laughed, "We absolutely mustn't let such a good official fall from power."

Cheng Zongyang also laughed. “Huizhi said our informant is worth tens of thousands of elite soldiers, and I think this Grand Commandant Gao is at least worth an army. It’s a blessing for Jiangzhou to have such a Grand Commandant in the Song Dynasty. What about the Imperial City Guard? Any activity?” “Instructor Lin is preoccupied with family matters and can’t attend to official duties. The Imperial City Guard doesn’t have the manpower to deal with us for the time being.”

“A cunning rabbit has three burrows; it seems we need to prepare another one.” Cheng Zongyang said, “Before we left, Boss Meng instructed that the Imperial City Guard is keeping a close watch. The people left in Lin’an, whether overt or covert, are at risk of leaking information. Avoid contact if possible. Find a secluded place and quietly arrange a house. With Commander Xue in trouble, we should be careful; if we’re targeted here, we’ll have a place to stay.”

"Yes."

After Yu Ziyuan left, Lin Qingpu said, "Young Master has been busy these past few days, and Huizhi wanted you to rest a bit more."

Cheng Zongyang looked at him for a while, then smiled and said, "I have never doubted Huizhi's loyalty, nor am I suspicious of his abuse of power. You will know in the future that I was warning him, but it was actually for his own good. Alas, I have gone to great lengths to prevent our treacherous brother from going astray!"

Lin Qingpu smiled and said, "I haven't known Huizhi for long, but I can see that although he is shrewd and worldly, he has backbone and wouldn't become a treacherous minister."

Cheng Zongyang patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother Lin, I don't want to gamble with you on this. Have you made contact with Jiangzhou?"

"I'm ashamed. I have tried many times to enter Jiangzhou but have failed."

"That's not your fault; it was my oversight. Actually, with Qi Laosi in Junzhou, sending a message to him only takes three or four days, so it won't matter."

"I have already contacted Mr. Qi."

"Well done!"

Lin Qingpu produced a dossier, in which he had informed Qi Yuan of the Song army's deployment of the magic array, instructing him to send a message to Jiangzhou warning Meng Feiqing and others of Qin Han's plan to assassinate them during the peace talks. Another part contained Qi Yuan's report on the recent situation in Junzhou.

Cheng Zongyang's manipulation of grain prices through the peace talks had completely crippled the grain merchants of Junzhou. The Cheng family's grain shops were now a thorn in the side of the Junzhou grain merchants, but they were backed by Teng Fu, and Wu Sangui had spread rumors that the Cheng family's grain shops were actually Teng Dayin's private property; once this news spread, those grain merchants who intended to report the Cheng family immediately fell silent.

Qi Yuan did not completely eliminate them, but instead purchased their surplus grain at relatively favorable prices, helping them overcome their difficulties.

Currently, in Xiangzhou and surrounding counties, 70% of the tradable grain was controlled by the Cheng family's grain shops, and the market price of grain was approaching 1.5 guan.

Looking at the dossier handed to him by Lin Qingpu, Cheng Zongyang finally understood why Wen Ze, as a sorcerer, could serve as a major alongside the Eight Horsemen at the Xingyue Lake camp, and become Wang Zhe's right-hand man in the Zuowu Army.

An excellent Shadow Moon Sect sorcerer was the perfect candidate for intelligence and coordination, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was the most important nerve center in the command system.

"Old Wu's move was ruthless enough to drag Teng Da Yin down with him." Cheng Zongyang laughed, "It seems that Teng Da Yin's position is still very secure. Such a big matter as embezzling military funds has been left unresolved and has no further development."

"There are rumors outside that the Song Kingdom is experiencing financial difficulties, and Prefect Teng has shown considerable financial acumen in Junzhou these days. The Song Emperor intends to recall him to the court."

"Is that so?" Cheng Zongyang's heart skipped a beat. If Teng Fu could return to the court to serve as Minister of Revenue, it would be entirely beneficial to his business.

"There's one more thing," Lin Qingpu said. "Sixth Master Yun just sent word that he will arrive in Lin'an this afternoon and invite you to meet at Fantian Temple."

"That's great!" Cheng Zongyang breathed a sigh of relief. What he was most worried about was something happening to the Yun family. His Panjiang Cheng Group was still in its infancy, and the supply of goods to Jiangzhou depended entirely on the Yun family's fleet.

Yun Xiufeng, the head of the Yun family, had traveled through six dynasties, facing immense risks along the way. If anything happened to him, Jiangzhou, without the Yun family's support, would immediately become an isolated city. Now, finally receiving news of Yun Xiufeng's safe arrival in Lin'an, his long-held worries were finally relieved.

"Sixth Master Yun's journey has been difficult," Cheng Zongyang said with a smile. "Why did you choose a temple?" "

Sixth Master Yun originally planned to enter the city, but upon hearing of Commander Xue's incident, he changed his plans to stay at Fantian Temple," Lin Qingpu said. "Sixth Master Yun and Commander Xue are close friends; the place where Commander Xue is hiding was arranged by Sixth Master Yun."

Cheng Zongyang was startled and quickly asked, "Is Fantian Temple safe?"

Lin Qingpu replied, "Fantian Temple is in the inner city and is the upper courtyard of the Ten Directions Forest; it's safe."

"Since you're arriving this afternoon, let's meet at Shenshi (3-5 PM). I'll be waiting for Sixth Master Yun at Fantian Temple."

Ao Run had visited the Snow Falcon Group's branch in Lin'an and found nothing amiss. He then rushed to the lakeside hideout, where he met Qin Hui. The two searched for every clue they could find, returning only at noon.

With very few valuable clues, Qin Hui could only deduce from the slightest traces at the scene that there was only one murderer, and that all the victims had been killed with a single blow, with no visible external injuries on their bodies.

"I dissected the chest and abdomen of one of the victims. His heart was ruptured, but there were no signs of injury on his chest," Qin Hui said. "Upon closer inspection, I discovered that his heart was shattered from the inside out, as if someone had forcefully penetrated it and then burst outwards. As far as I know, there are several martial arts techniques that can penetrate flesh and bone, specifically targeting internal organs, but at the point of impact, there are always traces of veins. This technique, which shatters the heart without any external injury, is truly strange."

"There's nothing strange about it," Cheng Zongyang said. "That person used a technique like the Xuanbing Palm. When the palm struck the chest, the heart instantly froze, the blood in the ventricles congealed into ice, expanded in volume, and caused the heart to rupture. By the time you arrived, the ice had already melted, so of course there were no traces."

Qin Hui clapped his hands and said, "I see! No wonder water in the vat easily freezes and cracks in winter."

Cheng Zongyang tapped his fingers on the table, already seventy percent certain that the murderer was very likely the expert the Snow Falcon Gang encountered during their attack on Taihu Lake.

Two days ago, I met You Chan, who said the matter in Lin'an was settled, but I didn't pay much attention at the time. Now that I think about it, it's very likely that Hei Mo Hai had already found Xue Yanshan's whereabouts and then killed him.

The question now is, has Hei Mo Hai realized that I'm also in Lin'an? You Chan left me a contact number before parting, so maybe I should try to meet her and extract some more information.

Feng Yuan has woken up now. Apart from his mediocre fire magic, his other skills are mediocre. As soon as he saw the trouble, he risked his life to escape back, and he didn't gather as many clues as Qin Hui and Ao Run.

Ao Run's eyes were red. He was a man of great loyalty and righteousness. With the deaths of his two leaders, the Snow Falcon Group was practically non-existent, which was heartbreaking for this man who considered the mercenary group his home.

"Don't dwell on your grief," Cheng Zongyang said. "Although the murderer is targeting Commander Xue, we must still eliminate any potential threats. Immediately notify the Qingzhou Snow Falcon Regiment headquarters and the Lin'an branch, and ask the Pengyi Society's carriage and boat companies for help in moving the family to Jiankang. Brothers willing to work with me should go to Jiangzhou in batches to receive training from Wu Zhanwei and Yi Biao. Those who want to find other ways are not to be stopped. Also, select a few capable men from the Lin'an branch to come with me to Fantian Temple." Ao Run knew this was not the time to be sad, so he rallied his spirits and shouted, "Yes!"

Qin Hui asked, "Is Young Master about to leave now?" "I'm going to Siying Lane, and then to Fantian Temple."

Cheng Zongyang told Qin Hui about Yun Xiufeng's arrival and instructed him to take men to welcome the Yun family's convoy. The Imperial City Guard, the Black Demon Sea, and that unknown murderer made Lin'an City feel like a storm was brewing. Cheng Zongyang didn't want anything to happen to Yun Xiufeng.

Qin Qiang, knowing the gravity of the situation, readily accepted the order and set off.

Fantian Temple was located on Phoenix Ridge southwest of Lin'an. Since traveling from the city required passing through the palace and inner city, the carriage first exited through a side gate in northwest Lin'an, then traveled west along the Qiantang River before ascending the mountain.

Lacking a shock absorption system, the carriage swayed and rattled. Although he had ridden in carriages many times, he still found the jolting uncomfortable. If it weren't for the skilled driver, the veteran from Xingyue Lake, riding a horse would have been far more comfortable.

Li Shishi parted the curtain slightly, gazing at the scenery outside, and after a long pause, asked, "What was the meaning behind your words just now?" Cheng

Zongyang smiled and said, "Treasures stir the heart. With Instructor Lin obtaining this precious sword, countless people will be envious. Of course, it's best to be careful."

When picking Li Shishi up, Cheng Zongyang finally couldn't suppress his strong urge to pretend to be a "prophet," and solemnly warned Lin Chong that such a divine weapon as the Dragon-Slaying Saber should never be shown to others lightly. Even if a high-ranking official wanted to see it, it shouldn't be taken out casually.

Although Lin Chong deeply agreed with his words at the time, whether he could actually put them into practice was another matter.

Cheng Zongyang thought with a frustrated expression: It's a pity we won't see a great drama that will go down in history.

Lin Chong bought that unlucky Dragon-Slaying Saber, and then he should have been summoned by Grand Marshal Gao, mistakenly entered the White Tiger Hall, and then there would have been the classic scenes of the Flower Monk's battle in the Wild Boar Forest, the burning of the hay storage yard, and the snowy night's ascent to Liangshan. It's a pity that I can't be a witness to such a classic moment as mistakenly entering the White Tiger Hall.

Since I've been allowed to meet Lin Chong, there's no reason for me to let him go.

Cheng Zongyang didn't intend to let Lin Chong only realize his mistake when the hay storage yard was burned. The Flower Monk didn't convince Lin Chong in the Wild Boar Forest because Lin Chong still harbored illusions; I just need to shatter his illusions first .

According to the plot I know, after Lin Chong was framed and exiled, his wife should have been forced to commit suicide by Gao Yanei.

Cheng Zongyang wasn't worried at all that his wife would suffer; he was only worried that Li Shishi would be unintentionally caught in the crossfire. Ao Run was right; even if he couldn't have her, he should keep her hidden. In short, this ripe peach couldn't be eaten by anyone else first.

Although he was curious about the origin of the Dragon-Slaying Saber and even more eager to meet that treacherous minister, Grand Commandant Gao, his most important matter in Lin'an was meeting Yun Xiufeng. Compared to this important matter, going to the White Tiger Hall to watch a play, a purely personal interest, had to be put aside.

Li Shishi gazed out the carriage window with a calm expression, her heart far from as peaceful as it appeared.

The betrayal of her parents and the indifference of her sect had chilled this young woman to the bone. Especially the vicious mockery of those scoundrels at Xiaoyingzhou in West Lake, which made her feel a shame she had never experienced before.

Her own mother had actually abandoned chastity and basic morality, becoming yet another plaything of the notorious playboy of Lin'an. She was a wife and a mother, yet for money and wealth, she had given herself to a young master half her age. This shame filled Li Shishi with unbearable humiliation and indignation whenever she thought of it.

Only when reality cruelly confronted her did Li Shishi realize that even with a father who was the head镖师 (chief镖师, a high-ranking镖师, a powerful and respected sect), a respected uncle who was a hero, she could not change anything.

The power and status of the Grand Commandant's mansion were like a huge spider web, making it impossible for her to escape or struggle against. She could only be like a butterfly trapped in the web, waiting to be swallowed up.

She even thought that if she wanted to escape the constraints, there seemed to be only one option: to end her life. But she was only eighteen years old this year, and her beautiful life had just begun. She was unwilling to end it like that under any circumstances.

What surprised Li Shishi was the young merchant she met by chance in the mountains. At first, she did not pay much attention to him. In terms of appearance, although he was not bad-looking, he was not the handsome man she had imagined; in terms of elegance and erudition, he was not as good-looking as her companion surnamed Qin.

Moreover, he was a merchant, a merchant from Qingzhou who reeked of money. Li Shishi certainly knew Bai Letian's famous line, "Merchants value profit over parting," but this unassuming merchant not only gave her a glimmer of hope, but his actions also made her value him more and more.

At Leifeng Pagoda, this young merchant surnamed Cheng, knowing the identities of Gao Yanei and his gang, still stepped forward to stop the scoundrels. On Xiaoyingzhou, he similarly drove away Liang Yanei, preventing himself from being humiliated.

Gao Qiu, Grand Commandant Gao, Liang Shicheng, Protector-General of the State… these illustrious names and official positions made his unparalleled uncle, a master of martial arts, feel intimidated; his father, the chief镖师 (bodyguard/escort), dare to speak out; and his mother even willingly abandoned her reputation to curry favor with them.

Yet this young merchant from out of town, while claiming to be flattered, acted without hesitation, seemingly unconcerned about those prestigious titles.

Li Shishi initially thought him a foolish idiot, feeling a pang of guilt for using him, but gradually discovered he wasn't some ignorant spoiled brat from Qingzhou.

His attendant, Qin Huizhi, was a man of great talent and shrewdness; the steward, surnamed Yu, appeared to be a merchant, but the glint in his eyes revealed his considerable skill; the head of the guards, Ao Run, though fond of boasting, possessed exceptional martial arts skills; the accountant, surnamed Lin, was unassuming, but a chance glimpse of a shimmering light in his sleeve revealed to Li Shishi that he was a Shadow Moon Sect master, a rare find both in government and among commoners. Even the three untamed beastmen and the crippled man leading the carriage were no ordinary servants.

Not only did they all address him as their master, but the name "Panjiang Cheng Clan" itself carried an air of mystery.

If she remembered correctly, she first heard the name "Panjiang" from her sister Yue, who had secretly gone to the Southern Wilderness.

Li Shishi couldn't understand why a merchant would be unafraid of the powerful Grand Commandant's office and the Protectorate General. It wasn't until he delivered the set of books yesterday that Li Shishi was truly astonished.

That's right, it's the set of *Jin Ping Mei* printed by Yueshengtang. He might not know what Yueshengtang's *Jin Ping Mei* meant, but Li Shishi, who loved reading, knew the status of Yueshengtang in Lin'an.

The owner of Yueshengtang, Liao Qunyu, was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in

the highest imperial examinations) who received appointments as Taifu Cheng (a high-ranking official) and Zhizhou (a prefectural governor), but he never took office, devoting himself solely to printing and collecting books. His other identity was that of a key advisor to Jia Shixian, a powerful minister of the Song Dynasty, one of the few who could truly influence this minister.

To obtain the *Jin Ping Mei* used by Yueshengtang for warding off evil spirits would require connections even with figures like Gao Qiu and Liang Shicheng, yet this young merchant casually gave it away.

Who exactly was this young merchant? What business did he run? Why did he have so many talented people around him? What was his relationship with Liao Qunyu of Yueshengtang, and even Jia Shixian? Why was he unafraid of the power of Gao Qiu and Liang Shicheng? How did he meet Sister Pan and Sister Le?

The more Li Shishi interacted with Cheng Zongyang, the more she discovered how many mysteries surrounded him, making even the man himself seem enigmatic.

When she was young, her mother had taken her to a fortune teller, a white-bearded fortune teller named Kuang, who predicted a great calamity at eighteen, but also the arrival of a benefactor. He explained that

if she chose the benefactor, she could turn misfortune into good fortune; conversely, if she refused his help, not only would she face immense danger, but her parents would also suffer.

Her mother had told her these things since childhood. When things unfolded unexpectedly, her mother believed her benefactor was Gao Yanei. Li Shishi had thought so too, but now it seemed there was another possibility.

Glancing secretly at his somewhat frivolous grin, Li Shishi felt a deep sense of confusion. Could he really be the one who could save her?

"To be able to travel with Miss Shishi is a blessing I've accumulated over many lifetimes. But this time, Miss Shishi doesn't need to worry about the carriage falling off a cliff, haha..."

Li Shishi could only manage a bitter smile at his clumsy joke. If they hadn't fallen off the cliff at Lieshan, they might have just passed each other by, never to meet again in this life. Was it a blessing or a curse?

The carriage suddenly lurched, and Li Shishi, unsteady on her feet, slumped into Cheng Zongyang's arms.

"Careful, young lady!"

Cheng Zongyang said, catching her around the waist.

The warm, soft flesh in his arms, her delicate body seemingly boneless, melted Cheng Zongyang's heart with a feeling of pure bliss. With just a gentle embrace, he could roughly guess her figure.

Li Shishi was a petite girl, her entire being like a delicate jade pendant. Her figure was slender and graceful, her waist so thin it could be encircled with one hand, clearly possessing the same slender waist as her mother.

Her breasts were even more developed than her mother's; perhaps it was the unique diet of the Bright Temple, but all the other disciples, from Xiao Xianggua to Pan Jie'er and Li Shishi, had ample breasts.

Smelling the girl's orchid-like, musky fragrance, Cheng Zongyang couldn't help but recall the scene from last night.

The beautiful woman, bearing an eight-tenths resemblance to her, lay naked, her snow-white breasts and pink buttocks exposed, giggling like a prostitute, letting the swarms of bees and butterflies plunder her honeyed depths.

If he hadn't appeared, Li Shishi would soon have faced the same fate, falling from a physician in the Tiger Wing Army to a plaything of those wicked young men, eventually becoming a famous courtesan in a brothel, unable to control herself and subject to their plunder. Even if she were favored by the emperor because of her outstanding talent and beauty, she couldn't escape her status as a prostitute.

Through the thick winter clothes, he couldn't feel her body temperature, but Li Shishi's flushed earlobes showed that she was not oblivious to his presence.

Cheng Zongyang wasn't particularly bold in other areas, but he was certainly daring in his lust, opening his mouth to kiss her ear.

Suddenly, the man driving the carriage chuckled, then cracked his whip, producing a sharp snap.

A heavy thud, accompanied by the sound of trees snapping, echoed from above. The driver's whip fell, and the two strong horses pulling the carriage neighed simultaneously, galloping forward. Immediately afterward, as if struck by a heavy object, the neighing stopped abruptly, followed by a surge of force that sent the carriage flying.

The one-armed man driving the carriage crashed into the side of the carriage, shouting, "Enemies!" He was then struck by several short, fletched arrows and fell into the bushes.

Cheng Zongyang's heart tightened. He was all too familiar with those short, fletched arrows; they were the divine crossbows issued to the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guards.

If there were only one or two, it might be possible they were stolen from the army, but to produce seven or eight at once meant the attackers must have official connections.

The attackers first pushed a boulder down the mountain to smash the carriage, and then used the divine crossbows—clearly, they were leaving no survivors. Cheng Zongyang immediately deduced: the attackers were not from the Imperial City Guard, but from the Song Dynasty military.

The carriage was traveling on a mountain road, and although the ambush site the attackers had chosen wasn't a cliff, there was a treacherous slope next to it, below which was a stream full of boulders.

It was said that other time travelers often had good luck, not only surviving a fall but also encountering some extraordinary adventure. But Cheng Zongyang didn't believe he'd have such good luck. If he fell, there was no chance of a miraculous encounter; he'd certainly be smashed to pieces.

Without thinking about where he'd slipped up and attracted the Song army's attack, Cheng Zongyang grabbed Li Shishi and leaped out of the wrecked carriage, his back arching as he slammed heavily against a pine tree.

The ancient tree, hundreds of years old, couldn't withstand his fall, its fist-thick trunk snapping with a crack.

Cheng Zongyang's back ached terribly, almost vomiting blood, but he watched helplessly as he plummeted towards the rocks in the ravine.

"Young Master!"

Yu Ziyuan shouted, tossing him a rope. He'd been sitting at the back of the carriage on guard duty, and the moment the attack occurred, he'd jumped off, even taking the rope from the rear.

The rope tightened instantly around his waist. Cheng Zongyang felt as if his waist had been snapped; he quickly took a deep breath, his internal energy surging, and steadied himself.

With Yu Ziyuan's help, he carried Li Shishi and leaped forward, covering several meters to kneel beside Yu Ziyuan.

Li Shishi's face was ashen, but her demeanor remained calm. She drew a short sword from her bosom, planted it firmly in the ground, and then slipped it from Cheng Zongyang's arms.

Yu Ziyuan removed his magnificent silk robe, turning it inside out into a drab gray long garment, its color remarkably similar to the surrounding rocks. Draped over his shoulders, he immediately blended into the landscape.

The wreckage of the carriage tumbled into the ravine with a deafening roar, followed by the appearance of over a dozen figures on the mountainside.

Yu Ziyuan, crouching in the bushes, peered up and then cursed angrily.

“I just saw the leader; he was the one selling roasted chestnuts at the alley entrance! They were watching us from Siying Alley, and I only just realized it! This attack is all my fault; please punish me, young master!”

“We’ll talk about responsibility later! Who are these people? Can you recognize them?”

Yu Ziyuan observed for a moment. “Although they’re dressed like commoners, they’re extremely skilled, and they’re arranged in a formation of about a dozen people; they must be elite Imperial Guards.”

Li Shishi exclaimed softly, “Why would they be Imperial Guards?”

“They probably just don’t like me.” Cheng Zongyang gritted his teeth, a hint of ferocity in his voice. “A dozen people want to kill me? These bastards must be terrible at math! Ziyuan, what are the losses?”

“Old Sang and Old Xia were hit by arrows; even if they’re not dead, they probably can’t move.”

Cheng Zongyang was filled with regret. He had only cared about Yun Xiufeng’s safety, neglecting the danger he himself was facing.

Qin Hui went to pick up the Yun family's convoy, Ao Run went to handle the aftermath of the Snow Falcon Regiment, and Jin Wuzhu's three roughnecks, guarding the money they had brought to Lin'an, were unable to leave.

Cheng Zongyang himself only brought three people; if he had a few more with him, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

"How far is it to Fantian Temple?"

Yu Ziyuan asked. "Hard to say. I've never been there."

"I know," Li Shishi said. "If it's a main road that a carriage can travel on, it's another fifteen li, but there's a small path across the mountain stream that can save half the distance."

Seeing Cheng Zongyang's surprised look, Li Shishi said, "I went to the temple to burn incense when I was a child." "Ziyuan! I'll go distract them, you rescue Lao Sang and Lao Xia!"

Yu Ziyuan said, "I'll lead them away—Major Cheng, we brothers don't care about life and death when we join the camp. Your life is related to thousands of brothers in the camp, please go to Fantian Temple immediately! I'll handle things here."

As he spoke, Yu Ziyuan saluted him: "No matter what, please take care!"

Cheng Zongyang could tell the priorities. Now was not the time to show off his loyalty, so he didn't waste any words: "I'll send someone back to pick you up as soon as I get to the temple!" He grabbed Yu Ziyuan's shoulder and pressed him down, "You must come back alive, that's an order!"

"Yes, sir!"

A resounding boom echoed as the bowstring tore through the air. Cheng Zongyang had heard similar sounds countless times on the battlefield. He immediately grabbed Li Shishi and twisted behind a tree.

Yu Ziyuan's figure was now visible. He let out a long howl to attract everyone's attention, then leaped out like a cheetah, attacking the foremost Imperial Guard expert.

Cheng Zongyang grabbed Li Shishi and, taking advantage of the moment when the divine crossbow was re-stringed, darted down the steep slope towards the ravine.

Li Shishi's astonishment grew.

Major, the main camp… just who was this young man? Why were Imperial Guards attacking him, and why were they dressed in civilian clothes to conceal their identities?

"Huh? Why did you stop? Your agility is impressive! Could it be that you can't hold on any longer?"

Li Shishi stared at him. "Who are you? Why are Imperial Guards attacking you?"

Cheng Zongyang's expression slowly turned serious. Just when Li Shishi thought she was about to hear an answer, he suddenly revealed a wicked smile.

"To be honest, I'm puzzled too, but don't worry! We'll find out once we capture someone alive."

Please continue reading "The Ballad of the Six Dynasties: The Clouds and Dragons" Episode

3, Lin'an Chapter.

Synopsis:

Cover Character: Ruan Xiangning. As the

saying goes, "Misfortunes never come singly." Cheng Zongyang originally thought that his identity had been exposed, which was why he was being hunted by the Imperial Guards. He never expected that he was being dragged down by Lin Chong! The person who issued the "kill without mercy" order was actually after Xingyue Lake...

In just a few days, Cheng Zongyang took over the Snow Falcon Gang, met the heroes of the Water Margin, was shocked by the identity of the informant at Xingyue Lake, negotiated the right to issue Song Dynasty paper money with Jia Shixian, and was even coerced into signing a "treaty of surrender" with the old thief Lin of the Taiyi Zhenzong. When will this ever end? Add to that the Black Demon Sea who threatened the safety of the Yun family to talk business with him. Can we say that everything is peaceful and everyone is making a fortune?

Chapter 1:

The situation was far beyond Cheng Zongyang's expectations. He encountered three groups of enemies less than two miles along the path, each with at least five people. With his current cultivation level, he could handle any group of enemies without Li Shishi's help, but to do so cleanly and efficiently, he would probably need to cultivate for a few more years.

Otherwise, if they were surrounded by a group of enemies, Cheng Zongyang would be 70% confident of breaking through, but Li Shishi wouldn't even have a 30% chance.

Seeing that the enemy's search was becoming increasingly thorough, Cheng Zongyang had no choice but to retreat into the depths of the mountains with Li Shishi.

Lying behind a tree, watching those burly men, Cheng Zongyang couldn't help but recall the scene of his visit to Lin Chong before his departure. When Cheng Zongyang knocked on the door of the Lin residence and announced his identity, Lin Chong soon came out to greet him…

Seeing Lin Chong's bloodshot eyes and still hungover, Cheng Zongyang couldn't help but laugh, “Instructor Lin, you received a precious sword yesterday and drank quite a bit.”

Lin Chong shook his head and sighed, “I drank with Senior Brother Lu until the third watch of the night. Senior Brother Lu has a large capacity for alcohol, but I drank too much and still have a hangover. I'm ashamed.”

The two sat down as host and guest, and Lin Chong said, “Brother Cheng, what brings you here?”

Cheng Zongyang said, “Miss Li Shishi has only been back in Lin'an for a few days. I've heard that the scenery at Phoenix Ridge in the south of the city is excellent. Since the weather is so nice today, I would like to invite Miss Li Shishi to visit Phoenix Ridge.”

Lin Chong smiled slightly, “Isn't that inappropriate?”

There was a hint of reproach in Lin Chong's tone. Li Shishi was, after all, an unmarried woman, and it was indeed inappropriate for a man with whom she had no relation to her to come knocking on her door repeatedly.

Cheng Zongyang coughed and shamelessly said, "I've long heard that Instructor Lin is a hero. Surely you wouldn't stoop to being a pedantic scholar who doesn't allow men and women to touch each other?"

Lin Chong was taken aback, then laughed loudly, "Someone! Go and invite Miss Shishi. Tell her that Young Master Cheng has come to visit."

The maid Jin'er went upstairs to invite Li Shishi, and the old servant brought tea. Lin Chong offered the tea, then sighed, stroking his knee, "I am but a mere warrior; I should not dishonor the title of 'hero.'"

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Brother Lin, with your martial arts skills and the position of instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, how could you not be a hero?"

Lin Chong smiled bitterly, "Brother Cheng, you don't understand. The title of instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards sounds impressive, but in terms of rank, it's just a minor military position of the ninth rank, a common one in the Imperial Guards."

With that, Lin Chong let out a long sigh, "People

say 'heroes are the cream of the crop,' but I have been ruined by the title 'hero' for the rest of my life!" Although both Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong were chivalrous heroes, their personalities were vastly different. Lu Zhishen was open-minded, fond of wine and meat, and he followed Buddhist precepts as he pleased, disregarding those he didn't. Even as a monk, he remained unrestrained.

Lin Chong, on the other hand, was steady and reserved. After years of hardship in the Imperial Guards, he possessed a deep, unsmiling nature. Perhaps due to a hangover, Cheng Zongyang saw this repressed side of Lin

Chong for the first time. Intending to strike up a conversation, Cheng Zongyang slowly twirled the teacup in his hand. "Brother Lin, what makes you say that?"

"A hero..."

Lin Chong chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Brother Cheng, have you ever seen a twelve-year-old boy called a hero?"

"Really?"

Cheng Zongyang's interest was piqued.

"When I was twelve, a great man called me a hero, and that title has haunted me for life."

Lin Chong picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and then wiped the water from his beard.

"Back then, my father was an instructor in the Imperial Guards. I went to the training ground to deliver food to him and happened to run into Commander Yue, who was there to train the troops. Upon hearing my name, Commander Yue said, 'This boy will surely become a hero!'" Hearing the name "Commander Yue," Cheng Zongyang felt a surge of anger. That scoundrel Yue, that scoundrel Yue, why is it you again?

Lin Chong said, "General Yue's words were merely casual, yet they became a lifelong burden for me. Years later, General Yue died at Fengbo Pavilion, and I wasted my time in officialdom. Every time I was promoted, my superiors would say, 'Instructor Lin

, a rare hero, you should go train troops.' For over ten years, I made no further progress." Lin Chong spoke of the past with three parts pride and seven parts resentment. "To this day, I still don't understand why the once-renowned General Yue would have shown such favor to an insignificant child like me?" "

You've come to the right person," Cheng Zongyang said, looking at Lin Chong with pity—"But I certainly won't tell you, Instructor Lin."

Lin Chong's character inherently possessed a ruthless and vengeful side, but Yue Pengju's praise became his original sin, leading to repeated suppression in officialdom and shaping his deep and reserved nature. The pent-up anger in her heart had been building for a long time, and now, fueled by the lingering effects of the alcohol, she poured it out to Cheng Zongyang, finding it difficult to control herself.

Light footsteps sounded outside the curtain, and Madam Lin entered carrying a wooden tray. She was still wearing yesterday's brocade jacket, and a golden phoenix hairpin adorned her hair, but the subtle allure in her eyes had faded, replaced by a more refined and serene air. Judging from her footsteps alone, it was clear she was indeed untrained in martial arts.

Ruan Xiangning placed the wooden tray on the table, picked up the soup bowl inside, and said softly, "I just made this hangover soup. My lord, please drink it while it's hot, or your headache will return."

Lin Chong took the bowl and said to Cheng Zongyang, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Brother Cheng."

Cheng Zongyang smiled and said, "My wife is so virtuous; I can't help but admire her."

Lin Chong drank a few sips and whispered to his wife, "These walnuts don't need to be peeled anymore. You're weak, and peeling them for soup makes it look nice, but it's too much work. Can't we just crush them and eat them?"

Cheng Zongyang praised, "My wife is so patient. Peeling the walnuts again is too meticulous."

"It's not difficult,"

Ruan Xiangning said softly, looking at her husband. "Just scald them with boiling water and then carefully peel them off. The skin on the walnuts tastes bitter in soup; it's better to peel it off."

"I truly envy Instructor Lin's good fortune,"

Ruan Xiangning smiled gently. "My lord is always busy traveling, and I have no other skills but to take care of him in terms of food and clothing."

Cheng Zongyang knew Ruan Xiangning's background, and his words were originally laced with sarcasm. However, seeing that the walnuts in the soup had been carefully peeled and then crushed, each one as translucent as jade, he couldn't help but feel a slight stirring in his heart.

Could Ruan Xiangning be so attentive to a man, merely using Lin Chong? Could he have been wrong from the start, and that Lady Lin was not Ning Yuji?

Looking more closely at Ruan Xiangning's features, Cheng Zongyang became even more certain of his judgment. Although Ruan Xiangning was beautiful and possessed the alluring charm of a mature woman, a comparison with her sister Ruan Xianglin revealed a difference.

Both had been married for over a decade, but Ruan Xianglin's mature womanly charm was ingrained in her very being, while Ruan Xiangning's allure was more about using makeup to create a sophisticated and mature aura.

From their demeanor, it was clear that while Lin Chong and Ruan Xiangning were close, there wasn't much marital intimacy—perhaps they didn't want to show it in front of him.

Cheng Zongyang dared not look too closely, only glancing at her casually before picking up his teacup and drinking.

A moment later, a slender figure descended from upstairs. This wasn't the first time Cheng Zongyang had seen Li Shishi, but each time he saw her, he couldn't help but be captivated.

This future courtesan was still dressed in a nurse's-colored white dress, her hair in two buns cascading over her shoulders, her eyes sparkling, her beauty unparalleled. The same white might have looked ordinary on others, but on Li Shishi, it didn't conceal her beauty; instead, it made her even more radiant.

Her delicate skin was fair with a rosy glow, so smooth it seemed like it could be broken with a touch. She was like a delicate yet vibrant orchid, revealing the tender beauty of a budding flower amidst the pure white.

The set of *Jin Ping Mei* he had given her yesterday had been quite provocative. If it were any other woman, she would likely feel her dignity had been offended and would be furious, perhaps even chasing him for dozens of miles with a knife, like Yue Shuang did.

But Cheng Zongyang believed Li Shishi wasn't that kind of woman.

She had an innate intuition and sensitivity to interpersonal relationships and wouldn't be intimidated by his wolfish demeanor. She was the kind of woman who could fully utilize her strengths, dancing gracefully in the flames without being touched by them.

Li Shishi didn't disappoint him; she glanced at him as if nothing had happened, then bowed respectfully to her aunt and uncle.

After drinking the hangover soup, Lin Chong felt much better, though his brow furrowed slightly, as if he regretted saying too much. He stroked his beard and said gently, "Shishi, Young Master Cheng invites you to visit Phoenix Ridge. I summoned you here to ask your opinion."

"Uncle, with all those things happening at home,"

Li Shishi said softly, "How could Shishi have the heart to travel?"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback. What did this girl mean? "Trying to pique my interest? I'm trying to save you, okay? I even thought you had some intuition and were quite perceptive."

Lin Chong smiled helplessly at Cheng Zongyang, about to refuse on her behalf, when Li Shishi added, "However, Auntie's health still needs recuperation. There's a medicinal herb grown in Phoenix Ridge, and I'm going to collect it. As a woman, it's not appropriate for me to go into the mountains alone. If you have nothing else to do, Young Master Cheng, please trouble yourself."

Cheng Zongyang inwardly gave Li Shishi a thumbs up. This girl was indeed shrewd. If it were Pan Jie'er or Le Ya'er, they certainly wouldn't have gone through so many roundabout ways.

Now, the stigma of a lone man and woman traveling together was gone; instead, it was presented as family and friends collecting herbs for their mistress—something that would be presentable and respectable anywhere.

Ruan Xiangning said softly, "My aunt's illness has already troubled Shishi, how could I trouble Young Master Cheng further?"

Cheng Zongyang asked in surprise, "My sister-in-law is unwell? What is it? I know a few skilled doctors, should we invite them to examine her?"

Ruan Xiangning's face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away.

Lin Chong stood up and said, "My wife is just weak, thank you for your kindness, Brother Cheng. Shishi, things haven't been very peaceful in Lin'an these past few days, please be careful on your journey with Young Master Cheng, and return as soon as possible."

Li Shishi straightened her clothes and bowed, "Shishi understands."

Lin Chong saw the two of them off, and Cheng Zongyang casually asked, "Brother Lin, you just said the city is unsettled, has something happened?"

Lin Chong nodded, "I heard that a notorious bandit has infiltrated the city, and the Imperial City Guard has informed the Six Doors to search for him."

Cheng Zongyang's heart skipped a beat. Was this not himself, or someone else? Could it be the murderer who killed Xue Yanshan?

Cheng Zongyang asked a few questions, but Lin Chong didn't know the details either, only that the Imperial City Guard was on high alert, and the Six Doors headquarters in Chang'an had also sent people to assist. The

Six Doors of Chang'an… Cheng Zongyang thought: If it were targeting him, Quan Yuji should have at least sent him a message. But then again, since Quan Yuji returned to Chang'an, she'd lost all contact with him. How was she doing now?

Had Zheng Jiuying's affair been exposed? Would the Six Doors clean house? He knew nothing about these things.

If Quan Yuji had been sent to Lin'an, given the Soul Pill, he should have sensed her presence the moment she entered the city. Therefore, it seemed the Six Doors had sent other constables.

Ruan Xiangning walked slowly with her head down, suddenly noticing the mud on her husband's boots. She knelt down, took a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and rubbed the dirt away.

Ruan Xiangning did it naturally, and Lin Chong was clearly used to her service. Although there was no verbal communication between them, the atmosphere of mutual respect was undeniable.

Cheng Zongyang was confused by his own discovery. Ruan Xiangning, as a concubine of the Black Demon Sea, had been hiding by Lin Chong's side for over a decade, and it was already strange that she remained a virgin.

If she had been deceiving her husband, why was there such affection between them? Besides, Lin Chong wasn't a fool; how could he not know that his wife, married for over a decade, was still a virgin?

Cheng Zongyang felt like he was trapped in a fog; what secret was hidden behind all this?

Some time had passed since he left Lin Chong's house, yet Cheng Zongyang still felt dizzy and disoriented. The unsettling scenes from the Lin family home remained vividly in his mind, though he couldn't find the answers. He also couldn't understand why he and Li Shishi had been ambushed after leaving the Lin family.

In the mountains, a man lay listlessly under a tree. He wore a blue cloth turban and was dressed as a porter, but his military leather boots betrayed his identity: a member of the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guard.

Cheng Zongyang waited under the tree for half an hour before encountering a lone, plainclothes Imperial Guard. The situation was far worse than he had imagined; in that half hour, he had encountered no fewer than three search parties.

This was no longer an attack, but a complete encirclement.

The soldier was bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose, yet he remained remarkably resilient, refusing to answer Cheng Zongyang's questions and attempting to call for help at every opportunity, infuriating Cheng Zongyang.

Cheng Zongyang wasn't without interrogation methods, but with enemies surrounding them, his methods would be wasted if they alerted the search party.

Finally, Li Shishi stepped forward, taking gauze and bandages from her medicine kit. She wiped the blood from the soldier's wounds, bandaged them, and then gently inquired about his condition.

Li Shishi was not only a skilled physician but also exceptionally beautiful. Even a steely man would soften under the gentle and meticulous care of this flower-like young woman.

“My name is Li, and I am a medical officer in the Tiger Wing Army,”

Li Shishi said softly. “May I ask who you are, sir? Why are you chasing me?”

The man seemed moved by her demeanor, spitting out blood and saying, “Telling you won’t hurt! We are the Gongsheng Army of the Upper Four Armies! We received orders from the Grand Commandant’s office that Lin Chong, the instructor of the Imperial Guards, is colluding with bandits and plotting treason. All bandits entering or leaving the Lin family’s residence are to be executed on the spot!”

As he spoke, he glanced at Li Shishi and added, “Except for women.”

This move was unexpected, and Cheng Zongyang asked in surprise, “Instructor Lin is colluding with bandits? Why don’t you arrest Lin Chong?”

"So you know! Instructor Lin was brought into the mansion to see the Grand Commandant half an hour ago."

Cheng Zongyang and Li Shishi exchanged glances, and after a while, Cheng Zongyang said, "That little brat is really ruthless! And you bunch of brainless Imperial Guards are really obedient. You're told to kill, and you kill?"

The soldier glared at him angrily, "We're following military orders!"

Cheng Zongyang originally thought that he had leaked the news and that these Imperial Guards were specifically there to deal with him, but now he realized that he had been wronged.

"The military order was given to you by Lu Yu-hou, wasn't it?"

Cheng Zongyang sneered. "You think you're doing this for the country, but actually, it's that little brat Gao Yanei who took a fancy to that girl. He not only plotted to assassinate Instructor Lin, but also tried to kill her to cover it up. Damn! That little brat is so vicious, he's an upgraded version of Gao Yanei, isn't he?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

The soldier was furious when he heard that he was an accomplice. "Lu Yu-hou personally brought the order from Grand Commandant Gao. How could it be fake?"

"Lu Qian! It really is that guy!"

Cheng Zongyang was too lazy to waste words with the man. He knocked him unconscious with one slap and then said, "The leader is very likely Lu Qian. That guy is Gao Yanei's right-hand man. With him around, this road won't be easy to travel."

Li Shishi's face turned red and white. After a while, she said, "I'm sorry, I've implicated you."

"It's more like I'm the one dragging you into this,"

Cheng Zongyang laughed. "They're only taking you alive, but they're going to kill me without mercy. If you come with me, you'll be in danger."

Li Shishi said without hesitation, "I'd rather die with you than be taken to the Grand Commandant's mansion."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled dryly, "You can't say things like that."

Li Shishi's face flushed slightly, half embarrassed and annoyed, and she said, "You're not a good person either."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled a few times in a low voice, then said, "Whether I'm a good person or not, you have no choice but to come with me now."

Li Shishi couldn't help but ask curiously, "Aren't you afraid?" Cheng Zongyang could still laugh so freely under these circumstances.

"What are you afraid of? Afraid of these Imperial Guards?"

Cheng Zongyang struck a triumphant pose, patting his chest and declaring, "If I were afraid of them, I wouldn't have come to Lin'an!" Li Shishi hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she looked at him. "You're not afraid of Grand Commandant Gao, you're not afraid of Commander Liang, and you're not afraid of these murderous Imperial Guards... Who exactly are you?"

Cheng Zongyang grinned and said, "Just a businessman. Don't believe me? Smell the stench of money on me."

Li Shishi spat.

Cheng Zongyang was filled with doubt. According to the soldier, the Grand Commandant's order that Lu Yuhou brought stated that the bandits Lin Chong had colluded with might be extremely dangerous big-time bandits, and the Imperial Guards responsible for the pursuit were authorized to kill on the spot if their lives were threatened.

It was normal for a scoundrel like Gao Yanei to bully men and women, but to resort to murder to silence witnesses was very strange. Who would have thought that the fat, big-eared Gao Yanei, who looked like a piglet in heat, would suddenly become so violent?

Logically, if he had successfully framed Instructor Lin, both Ruan Xiangning and Li Shishi would have been his for the taking. There was no need for such a drastic measure, even killing outsiders entering and leaving the Lin family. Even if he were to kill, shouldn't he have targeted the monk Hua? Why bother with a small merchant like himself?

However, another possibility couldn't be ruled out: Gao Yanei might have learned of the details of his actions in Xiaoyingzhou, and to prevent further complications, he had sent the Imperial Guards to deal with him, a merchant from out of town.

But if this possibility materialized, he would be utterly unlucky. In fact, he had no intention of standing up for Madam Lin; on the contrary, he hoped Gao Yanei could quickly deal with Ruan Xiangning and force Ning Yuji to reveal her true colors.

The path leading to Fantian Temple was not only rugged and difficult to traverse, but also covered with fallen leaves. In terms of cultivation, Li Shishi was several levels below the former Xiao Xianggua. Although she could barely keep up with his pace, stealth was out of the question.

Cheng Zongyang even suspected that if there were any experts among the Imperial Guards, they could hear the two of them walking on the leaves from half a mile away.

Suddenly, Li Shishi slipped and fell to the ground. Cheng Zongyang caught her, but she had accidentally stepped on a moss-covered rock covered with fallen leaves.

Although he had caught her, Li Shishi couldn't stand up; instead, she clutched her ankle, her face contorted in pain. Cheng Zongyang knew something was wrong. Looking down, he saw she had indeed injured her foot.

"I'll carry you,"

Cheng Zongyang said, crouching down. "Don't worry, once we get to Fantian Temple, I'll make them pay!" As if

things weren't going to go wrong, before Cheng Zongyang could finish speaking, a cold laugh came from the side. A military officer in uniform emerged from the woods, coldly saying, "You scoundrel! Put Miss Shishi down right now!"

Cheng Zongyang slowly straightened up. "So it's Lord Lu Qian leading the team personally. He's really giving me face."

"Be careful,"

Li Shishi whispered. "Lu Qian is a master swordsman in the Imperial Guard, his skill surpasses even my father's."

Cheng Zongyang nodded and raised his voice, "Lord Lu Qian! As a military officer in the Imperial Guard, with such excellent skills, a true man should fight for fame and fortune on the battlefield. Why demean yourself by becoming Gao Yanei's lackey?"

"In terms of skill, Instructor Lin is unparalleled in spear and staff fighting. Has he finally achieved his goal after all these years?"

Lu Qian gripped the hilt of his sword and said sarcastically, "Boss Cheng, instead of focusing on your ivory business, you insist on getting involved in this mess. That's unwise." "

Lord Lu Qian's connections are quite good; he knows I'm a businessman,"

Cheng Zongyang lowered his voice. "Lord Lu Qian, if you're willing to give me a way out, I'll immediately send a pair of six-foot-long ivory tusks to your residence. What do you say?"

"As an official of the imperial court, how could I accept your bribe?"

Lu Qian drew his sword expressionlessly and said coldly, "You have a path to heaven but choose not to, you have a path to hell but choose to enter! Boss Cheng, when you reach the afterlife, remember not to be so reckless again."

His attempt to sow discord failed, and the money was useless. Cheng Zongyang abandoned his previous cunning merchant demeanor and feigned surprise, saying, "Lord Lu, you wield a sword? I happen to have one too."

He magically produced a steel sword from behind him, then another, smiling, "And one more than you."

"Boss Cheng, as a merchant, you possess weapons and plot treason. I, Lu, though unworthy, am here to serve the country and share my lord's burdens."

With two swords in hand, Cheng Zongyang's courage grew. He shielded Li Shishi behind him. "Enough with the nonsense, Lu Qian. I've heard of you since I was a child. If you put it any more grandly, I might have vomited right now."

Lu Qian looked puzzled. "Where have you heard of me?"

"A true hero—unfortunately, that hero isn't you!"

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