[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 17

Chapter 55 Shaken Beliefs
Yuan Yueze turned his head in the direction of the voice.
Standing six zhang behind him was a man with a burly, imposing physique and a long, handsome face.
It was none other than Song Jingang.
The last hunter finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Yuan Yueze thought to himself.
The representatives of various forces in Luoyang City had all left, but they deeply regretted their two attacks on Yuan Yueze. In just over ten days, Luoyang City had changed hands at an unimaginable speed and in an unimaginable way. In the eyes of these representatives, the biggest beneficiary of the Luoyang war was only one person: Yuan Yueze. Even after they all came to visit, pushing all the blame onto the defeated Wang Shichong, Yuan Yueze's behavior remained unchanged: neither blaming them nor giving them a kind look. In the end, only Li Tang and Fu Qian gained anything.
Li Tang invited Yuan Yueze, but even Yuan Yueze wasn't quite sure of his motives, only able to guess that it was related to the treasure vault. But how did Li Tang know that the treasure vault was in Chang'an?
Fu Qian learned the true identity of Pei Ju, the sworn enemy of the various tribes beyond the Great Wall, from Shan Meixian. However, Shan Meixian spoke with absolute certainty that even Yuan Yueze, at present, dared not claim he could defeat the Evil King. No one knew how Fu Qian would ultimately retaliate.
Song Jingang, as Liu Wuzhou's representative, was the only one who had never offended Yuan Yueze, so he had the qualifications and the means to discuss some politically intimate matters with him.
Turning back, Yuan Yueze cupped his hands and said indifferently, "So it's Brother Song, long time no see."
Song Jingang had been lying low in Luoyang, and his arrival today was undoubtedly a sign of 'no good intentions, no good intentions.'
Song Jingang strode forward, his intelligent, slightly melancholic eyes shining brightly on his long face, and said cheerfully, "Since our parting in Lingnan, Brother Yuan has achieved boundless success, which is truly admirable."
He was, of course, referring to Yuan Yueze's position as the 'Emperor Emeritus' of Luoyang.
Yuan Yueze turned back to gaze at the starry sky and said, "Brother Song, you're too kind. May I ask what brings you here?"
Song Jingang, already standing beside Yuan Yueze, flashed a hint of helplessness on his face. He hadn't expected Yuan Yueze to be so direct. He lowered his voice and said, "Back in Lingnan, I could see Brother Yuan's lofty ambitions, and seeing you today only strengthens my belief. However, please forgive my bluntness, but Brother Yuan's 'step' has been ill-advised."
His meaning was clear in those few words: Yuan Yueze's seizure of Luoyang at this time was definitely not a wise move.
Yuan Yueze smiled mysteriously: "Brother Song, do you really think the Song family of Lingnan would ignore my life or death?"
His words were actually self-deprecating. Song Jingang's words were loaded with meaning, confirming Yuan Yueze's true relationship with the Song clan while also pointing out Yuan Yueze's current predicament, intended to unsettle him. However, at this moment, whether the Song clan and Yuan Yueze had been putting on an act in the past was no longer important. Having seized this strategically important city in the Central Plains, Yuan Yueze would certainly not be indifferent to the fate of the Song Clan. Given their kinship and Yuan Yueze's personal prestige, the Song Clan would undoubtedly offer him their full support.
However, Song Jingang had personally witnessed Song Zhi's unwillingness to be subservient in Lingnan. Therefore, he was unsure whether Yuan Yueze or Song Zhi held the reins in Luoyang, and thus probed with words. The answer, however, clearly disappointed him, as Yuan Yueze's reply was ambiguous, leaving Song Jingang even more confused.
Song Jingang awkwardly said, "Brother Yuan is right. The forces in the Central Plains are currently mixed. The truly powerful ones are only Bashu, Feima Ranch, the Li Tang of Guanzhong, and Brother Yuan."
Bashu and Feima Ranch can now be considered independent states. Bashu has geographical advantages, while Feima Ranch has technological and human advantages. On one hand, it has the renowned expert Lu Miaozi, who has been famous for over sixty years, overseeing the area. He has invented numerous new tools for city defense and has also defeated the Four Great Bandits with force, achieving unprecedented fame. On the other hand, Shang Qingya had announced to the public long before Yuan Yueze's wedding: "Feima Ranch will adhere to its ancestral precepts and remain neutral forever."
Thus, those with ambitions lacked the courage to act, and due to the need for warhorses, they could only watch as Feima Ranch became an independent little country north of the Yangtze River.
However, Song Jingang had just mentioned that Yuan Yueze was also a powerful figure, clearly only because he couldn't refuse out of politeness. Furthermore, he didn't mention Liu Wuzhou, which only highlighted his objectivity and pragmatism.
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly and said, "Brother Song, you're too kind. Luoyang is currently just an isolated city; it can hardly be considered truly powerful."
Song Jingang said seriously, "In the past, among the heroes of the world, in terms of prestige, the invincible Li Mi was undoubtedly the leader, but in terms of strength, Dou Jiande and Du Fuwei were roughly equal. Does Brother Yuan agree with my absurd assertion?"
Li Mi was a thing of the past, but only recently.
Yuan Yueze said, "Li Mi ultimately lost. How can he be compared to Dou Jiande and Du Fuwei?"
Song Jingang smiled awkwardly. In the eyes of outsiders, Li Mi was indeed defeated by Yuan Yueze, but he was by no means as incompetent as Yuan Yueze described. So he said, "The difference between Li Mi and Du Fuwei lies in the fact that one tried to win people's hearts, while the other only sought victory by any means necessary. Therefore, the former adopted a conscription system, while the latter forcibly conscripted civilians from the beginning. As a result, Du Fuwei could replenish his troops in a short time, as long as he could handle the weapons, provisions, and horses. The drawback of this method is that the soldiers are mixed and not skilled, and their morale is low. But under Du Fuwei's strict methods, there will generally be no trouble."
Yuan Yueze vaguely grasped the purpose of Song Jingang's visit and did not reply, continuing to look up at the starry sky.
Song Jingang added, "Although Du Fuwei is powerful, in my opinion, he is a man without great ambition. A man with great ambition would not be so short-sighted, only concerned with immediate gains."
He wanted to give Li Mi a few more positive comments, but Li Mi was a thing of the past, so he had to abruptly end the conversation.
Yuan Yueze's mind raced, and he had already guessed the purpose of Song Jingang's trip: The situation was somewhat delicate. Although Luoyang was an isolated city with few troops, Li Mi had just been defeated, and the Yuwen clan, who had surrendered to him, and Xu Yuanlang had both gone to occupy their own territories and declare themselves kings. They were also fighting incessantly with Dou Jiande and Meng Haigong in Lu County, Pengcheng, Liangdu, and other places, trying to expand their gains. Therefore, they had no time to attend to Luoyang. The biggest threat to the west, the Li clan, had Xue Ju and his son, who occupied Western Qin, and Li Gui, who were two worries about their rear. There were also Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu, who were watching with predatory eyes and waiting for an opportunity. Even if Li Shimin could stir up a huge storm, it would not affect Luoyang for the time being.
However, this doesn't mean Yuan Yueze and Luoyang will remain carefree. Yuan Yueze's reputation precedes him, and he also has the Song Clan behind him. However, the Song Clan can currently be ignored. Firstly, they are too far away to be of significant influence; secondly, their soldiers are mostly collaborators, significantly reducing their fighting strength in the north; and most importantly, the Song Clan has lost its once-powerful and invincible commander, "Heavenly Blade" Song Que, whose influence is far less than before.
Therefore, the biggest threat to Yuan Yueze and Luoyang currently comes from several major forces in the south. Xiao Xian and Lin Shihong, situated between the Song Clan and Yuan Yueze, and given the more chaotic nature of the southern forces compared to the north, dare not act recklessly. The greatest threat comes from Du Fuwei of Jianghuai, which is precisely why Song Jingang repeatedly mentioned Du Fuwei in his speech. Given the current situation east of Guanzhong, Xue Ju, the new Qin overlord, was defeated by Li Shimin in the last campaign and, having learned his lesson, is now preparing for a major counterattack. At that time, Chang'an will be too preoccupied with its own problems to manage the area outside the pass, and can only watch as Du Fuwei displays his power. As for Dou Jiande, he cannot defeat Yuwen Shang and Xu Yuanlang in a day, nor will he dare to rashly march south. When will it be his turn to besiege Luoyang? Once Du Fuwei captures Jiangdu, he will advance north along the Grand Canal. Furthermore, with the entire Jianghuai region as his rear, Du Fuwei will not have to worry about food shortages. At that time, who in the world can rival the formidable army of Jianghuai?
Song Jingang never intended to actually extract the Song Clan's military intentions from Yuan Yueze. That wasn't important; anyone with a brain would know the Song Clan wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He was merely trying to start a conversation. His purpose was simple: Liu Wuzhou wanted to take Taiyuan, so he used Song Jingang's visit to persuade Yuan Yueze, using the argument of a 'common enemy' to sway Yuan Yueze into dealing with Du Fuwei, while Liu Wuzhou could then easily march his army into Taiyuan and advance into Guanzhong.
After pondering for a while, Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Brother Song, I fully understand your intentions, but Luoyang can barely manage its own affairs right now, including recruiting and training soldiers. You should know that once Li Tang or Dou Xia recover from the current crisis, they will be the first to attack Luoyang. What's even more frightening is that they might unite."
Song Jingang showed a helpless expression. How could he not understand the meaning behind Yuan Yueze's words? Luoyang only had a mere 60,000 troops, stationed in several surrounding subordinate cities. Song Jingang could have used this point as leverage to persuade Yuan Yueze to cooperate with Liu Wuzhou, but because of it, Yuan Yueze could easily refuse to send troops, citing his own predicament. Therefore, Song Jingang ultimately failed to use this issue to blackmail Yuan Yueze.
However, Yuan Yueze then said, "But I will consider Brother Song's suggestion. After all, in this world, it's hard to say who will survive tomorrow. Rather than worrying about future disasters, the present is more important. Du Fuwei is indeed our greatest enemy right now."
Song Jingang was overjoyed and nodded, bowing, "Brother Yuan's insight is indeed brilliant. I know you won't misjudge the situation. I will visit again another day. Please wait." As
Song Jingang's footsteps faded into the distance, Yuan Yueze thought coldly: Who would cooperate with a national traitor like you? It's just a polite excuse.
Then he considered the current situation, which was constantly changing. Luoyang was indeed in their hands, but their situation was even more dangerous. The most dangerous thing was the possibility of all the surrounding forces uniting. Fortunately, his family's talented daughters were all eloquent and politically astute, so they managed to sow discord among their surrounding enemies while maintaining a low profile and refraining from expansion in Luoyang. This should allow them to transition until the moment of ultimate unification arrived. Once that moment came, no one could alter the fate of the Central Plains.
But was that truly the case?
Suddenly, Yuan Yueze realized they were on a bridge! There should be many pedestrians coming and going. Although they had been speaking in hushed tones, if someone overheard them, they would be trapping themselves.
Looking to his left, Yuan Yueze noticed that there weren't many pedestrians on the bridge anymore; the closest ones were at least ten zhang away. Looking to his right, Yuan Yueze's heart skipped a beat.
Three zhang away from him stood a person.
It was none other than Shi Feixuan, dressed in men's clothing, handsome and refined, with an ethereal elegance.
Seemingly sensing Yuan Yueze's sudden shift from calm to murderous intent, Shi Feixuan took only two steps to stand beside him, almost shoulder to shoulder, as he gazed at the starry sky like a statue. She softly said, "Feixuan did not intend to overhear your conversation, young master. Please forgive me."
Her melodious voice, like heavenly music, resonated across the slightly noisy bridge with an unparalleled captivating power.
Yuan Yueze had already guessed she wouldn't miss the chance to harass him, but choosing this location for his conversation with Song Jingang was a huge mistake. No matter how low their voices were, it was clear they hadn't escaped Shi Feixuan's ears. Yuan Yueze hated himself for forgetting everything around him while so engrossed in his thoughts; he hadn't even noticed Shi Feixuan's arrival. Her first words seemed to tell him: I heard your conversation with Song Jingang.
Cursing himself inwardly, Yuan Yueze remained motionless, like a statue.
The two stood there, and many passersby stood in awe, watching from a distance.
The bright moon, the Luo River, the Xinzhong Bridge—a man and a woman, like immortals.
This scene made outsiders unable to move forward, fearing that their intervention would disrupt this scene that seemed utterly otherworldly.
Yuan Yueze looked up at the sky, while Shi Feixuan gazed down at the ceaselessly flowing river.
Time seemed to stand still before Shi Feixuan finally spoke, her voice as beautiful as heavenly music: "Young Master is not a member of the Demonic Sect, so why are you so close to them?"
The two faced off, a silent contest of strength that began the moment they stood together. In this battle of wits, Shi Feixuan was clearly outmatched, as evidenced by her speaking first.
Her way of opening the conversation was clever; even though Yuan Yueze believed she was there for political reasons, he couldn't ignore her, because her words contained no political undertones.
However, Shi Feixuan also made a mistake: the second half of her sentence was clearly directed at Wanwan.
Yuan Yueze didn't even glance at her, saying indifferently, "I am a member of the Demonic Sect, so what?"
Shi Feixuan's usually cold and aloof face finally showed a hint of confusion. She spoke again, "Young Master's temperament, inner energy, and true qi are devoid of any evil. How could you be a member of the Demonic Sect?"
The Demonic Sect's reputation had worsened since the Han Dynasty's great exodus, largely due to their increasingly violent and eccentric methods. By this day, their reputation was utterly infamous. Besides members of the Demonic Sect, what normal person would be proud to be one?
Yuan Yueze was the only one.
"I've already stated my views on good and evil; you haven't forgotten, have you?"
A hint of helplessness flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes. She nodded slightly, then regained her composure. After a long pause, she spoke again in a tone filled with sorrow for the past: "Since the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, Luoyang has repeatedly become a battleground, destroyed and collapsed many times, causing countless people to flee, leaving the Central Plains desolate, desolate for thousands of miles, with hunger and cold leading to death and drowning in ditches."
Yuan Yueze nodded and sighed: "The rise and fall of dynasties throughout history can be seen in Luoyang."
Shi Feixuan revealed a rare smile and looked at Yuan Yueze, saying: "Why did your father and wife become the city lord, young master?"
The implication was clear.
Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes and said in a completely emotionless voice, "I didn't make Luo Yan sit there. I swear to heaven, I am not in charge of any political affairs in Luoyang. And if you want to discuss the state of the world today, please refrain from speaking, as I am not very knowledgeable about it and have no interest in it."
Shi Feixuan's face showed surprise, but she still smiled and said, "Young master, you and Mr. Song Jingang didn't get along very well just now, so how could you be someone who doesn't understand the state of the world?"
Seeing that Yuan Yueze was still as dead as a statue, Shi Feixuan gave a bitter smile and sighed weakly, "Feixuan really doesn't know why young master has such a great prejudice against my sect. Feixuan can feel your disgust for my sect and for Feixuan herself."
Yuan Yueze snorted inwardly, what a clever retreat!
After letting out a long breath, Yuan Yueze looked at Shi Feixuan. Her temperament, coupled with her pitiful expression, was more captivating than any seductive art in the world. More importantly, this situation was utterly incompatible with the despicable and reviled term "seductive arts"!
"Hmph!"
Yuan Yueze was no ordinary person.
The will of a cultivator is as firm as steel, and although Yuan Yueze was not a cultivator, his will was no weaker than that of a cultivator!
After a cold snort, Yuan Yueze said, "I have no aversion to you. I told you that day that I admire your sentiments, but I cannot agree with the methods of your sect."
Shi Feixuan was somewhat dissatisfied with Yuan Yueze's disdainful attitude and said, "Our sect is only seeking peace for the world and stability for the people. What's wrong with that?"
Yuan Yueze said, "Didn't Master Liaokong say that thoughts and actions are two different things?"
Caught off guard by Shi Feixuan's gaze, Yuan Yueze continued, "If I said that everything you've done is to maintain the status and interests of the Buddhist and Taoist sects represented by Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chanyuan, and that choosing a wise ruler for the people is just an excuse, would you agree or disagree?"
Shi Feixuan frowned slightly and said, "There is good and evil in the world. Buddhism emphasizes universal salvation and encouraging people to do good. Taoism emphasizes acting without striving, benefiting without harming. The demonic sect, however, advocates ruthlessness, the annihilation of humanity, selfishness, and unscrupulous means. Even if, as you say, my sect is acting for its own benefit, it's still a thousand times better than the resurgence of the demonic sect!"
Yuan Yueze turned to Shi Feixuan, looking at her with astonishment. He couldn't believe she would say such a thing, because her words were tantamount to admitting the hypocrisy of the righteous path. They were merely using the demonic sect to highlight the righteous path.
Under Yuan Yueze's intense gaze for a long time, Shi Feixuan finally gave in and lowered her head.
Yuan Yueze snapped out of his reverie and said calmly, "As I've said before, the Demonic Sect's past methods were indeed wrong, but the reasons aren't entirely their fault. Future events will prove everything."
Before Shi Feixuan could speak, Yuan Yueze sighed again, "Religion is an inevitable product of human development. It's a consciousness that profoundly influences the thinking, lifestyle, psychological interests, and behavioral norms of its believers. At the same time, as a worldly entity, the vast organizations and large groups of believers of various religions play a unique historical role in politics, economics, culture, and other aspects. But..." "
But do you know that Buddhism and the Buddhist sect are two different concepts? The Xuanmen sect takes the Chan (Zen) philosophy, which combines Buddhism and Taoism, as its core principle. More accurately, it should be said that Buddhism is primary, with Taoism as secondary. How many magnificent temples are there in the Central Plains? How many monks only know how to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, never working? Everyone has the right to choose their own faith, but faith resides in the heart, not in the waste of resources and manpower to build temples and Buddha statues, especially when the people's lives haven't yet achieved basic sustenance!"
"From our past conversations, you should understand to some extent that I am also a partial believer in Buddhism, but I only focus on cultivating the mind. You, or your sect, are completely the opposite of me. You should understand why I say this. Also, have you completely forgotten the bitter history of the rise and fall of Buddhism during the Southern Dynasties?" "
My ideal world should be one where all kinds of positive ideas flourish, with a hundred schools of thought contending. I will never allow any one school of thought to cling to political power and become dominant, because every school of thought has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Taoism emphasizes purity and non-action; this can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage. The disadvantage is that it weakens people's competitive spirit, slowing down human progress. Buddhism contains a lot of simple materialism… Oh, I'm sorry, you wouldn't understand even if I explained. For example, Buddhism has 'all conditioned things are impermanent, all phenomena are without self,' and so on." The idea of "not on this shore, not on the other shore, not in between" is commendable. However, what was originally a good doctrine has gradually deviated from the original intention of Buddhism due to the drive for profit. If Buddhism is supposed to have compassion for all beings, then why are there so many impoverished people struggling for food on the outskirts of Luoyang, while the monks in temples like Jingnian Temple and Baima Temple are all well-fed and meditating all day? Aren't you Buddhists? Doesn't Buddhism emphasize self-sacrifice for the benefit of others? Have those monks ever cared about the poor? On the contrary, it's me, a member of the demonic sect, who has been... "By throwing away hundreds of thousands of taels of gold, I admit that my actions were indeed appeasing those people. Everyone should earn their own living, but given the current situation, at least I can face my conscience. How many of you Buddhists can face your conscience? I'm not afraid to say something you won't like to hear: I, Yuan, am more worthy of the word 'Buddha' than any of you!"
He then continued, "In the southwestern kingdom of Kipin, there once lived a very famous monk who practiced asceticism in a secluded hermitage. One day, he encountered a grand vegetarian feast being held at a temple. The gatekeeper, seeing his ragged clothes, refused to let him in. The monk tried several times..." He entered through the gate. He borrowed fine clothes from others before going in. After he sat down, people offered him various delicacies, but he poured them all onto his clothes. The people, finding this strange, asked the monk, "Why do you do this?" He replied, "I've come several times before, but they wouldn't let me in. Only because I changed into fine clothes were I allowed in. I receive these delicious offerings because of these clothes, so let them eat first!" Seeing Yuan Yueze becoming increasingly agitated, Shi Feixuan's cold expression vanished, her resolve crumbled, and her mental state collapsed once more. What
Yuan Yueze said was precisely what he resented most: the religion's abuse of royal power to grow powerful, especially its practice of promoting doctrines regardless of the people's living standards, which he despised. Finally, he used a Buddhist parable to satirize Shi Feixuan and the short-sighted "wise men" of the righteous path.
Shi Feixuan's voice trembled slightly as she said, "It's not what you say. I am choosing a wise ruler for the future destiny of all people."
Hearing Shi Feixuan's voice, Yuan Yueze sighed. Although she was a tool and puppet of her sect, she still had her own thoughts. Her current behavior was a manifestation of her self-contradiction.
Yuan Yueze continued, "I've said it before: the world belongs to all people, not to any one person or sect. Your starting point is merely that both Buddhism and Taoism will gain the greatest benefit after the ruler ascends the throne. Given the current situation, why would you choose Li Shimin instead of Li Yuan, the current ruler of the Tang Dynasty, or at least the current Crown Prince Li Jiancheng?"
Shi Feixuan's original intention in coming here was definitely not to discuss Buddhist or Taoist doctrines with Yuan Yueze, but under his onslaught, her thinking was already in disarray. No matter how strong her will was, she couldn't withstand the overwhelming facts.
Yuan Yueze gently patted her shoulder a few times, realizing for the first time that her slender shoulders actually bore a heavy burden, all of which had been forcibly imposed upon her by others. He also realized for the first time that she and Wanwan had, in some ways, similar experiences—both merely tools in the power struggles within their sects. The main reason she was disliked was her hypocrisy; what good had Wanwan ever done? One could say she was extremely ruthless, except that Wanwan was more like a living, breathing person than Shi Feixuan—a person with flesh and blood, with feelings.
Shi Feixuan didn't even have a chance to dodge Yuan Yueze's hand. Her face slightly numb as she looked at him, she asked a completely unrelated question: "Is humanity inherently good or evil?"
Yuan Yueze withdrew his right hand and looked up at the sky again.
This was a topic that people had debated for thousands of years. Yuan Yueze didn't know why Shi Feixuan asked such a question, but he still pondered and said, "Since the beginning of chaos, it has always been the case that yin alone cannot produce, and yang alone cannot grow."
He then glanced at Shi Feixuan and smiled, "Don't you already know the answer?"
Shi Feixuan's delicate body trembled slightly. She had just forced herself to calm down and asked this question, confident that Yuan Yueze had a high chance of answering 'human nature is inherently evil.' If that were the case, Shi Feixuan's mentality would definitely return to its original state, because Yuan Yueze's answer would mean his hypocrisy.
After scanning the bracelet with his eyes closed for a while, Yuan Yueze realized that almost all the books Yun Jizi had prepared had been taken out—some given away, some left at home. Fortunately, there were a few books on materialistic philosophy and the Crusades. Without caring whether Shi Feixuan could understand them, he took them all out, about a dozen books, and stuffed them directly into the hands of the dumbfounded Shi Feixuan before turning and leaving.
Seeing Yuan Yueze walk several feet away, Shi Feixuan remained persistent, finally asking, "Could you please tell me the answer, young master?"
Yuan Yueze replied without turning his head, "Good and evil coexist, virtue and vice are intertwined; whether something is good or bad depends on one's own heart."
Watching Yuan Yueze's retreating figure, Shi Feixuan frowned, glanced at the scattered books in her arms, and sighed softly. She had originally intended to use the conversation between Yuan Yueze and Song Jingang as an opportunity to persuade Yuan Yueze to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, thus ending the chaos more quickly. Given the numerous threats surrounding Luoyang, Shi Feixuan had a significant advantage and confidence. However, she had inexplicably strayed into discussing the two great sacred sites of the Xuanmen sect, and then Buddhism and Taoism. Shi Feixuan now experienced the 'powerlessness' that Li Shimin had described.
However, Yuan Yueze's words weren't entirely without merit. Although Shi Feixuan regained her trust in her sect after a moment of confusion, the seed of doubt had already sprouted in her heart. She also vaguely sensed that since her first meeting with Yuan Yueze, that inexplicable and indescribable strange emotion had become increasingly clear, causing her great anxiety and fear.
※※※※※ The Minister's Residence.
Study.
The study was completely dark, without a single light. The aged-looking Wang Shichong sat by the window, leisurely gazing at the star-studded night sky, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
Suddenly, a very faint rustling sound came from outside the door, quite clear in the quiet night.
Wang Shichong turned his head and said in a displeased tone, "Who goes there!"
But there was no further movement outside the door.
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, carrying the rustling sound outside the door, and a blurry shadow, seemingly human yet ghostly, was reflected on the thin gauze of the door in the moonlight.

Chapter 56 The Real and Fake Su Su
Yuan Yueze wandered home alone. The girls had already eaten dinner and were chatting and laughing together.
Scanning the room, Yuan Yueze noticed that Hong Fu and Shen Luoyan were not there, and immediately asked about it.
Yun Yuzhen replied, "The palace is now abandoned. Luoyan has been too busy these days and is staying in the newly established city lord's mansion. Sister Zhang went to keep her company."
Yuan Yueze nodded, and was about to forcibly pull Song Yuzhi over to take advantage of her when he saw Song Yuzhi blush slightly, forcefully break free, and hide to the side, while constantly giving Yuan Yueze meaningful glances.
Yuan Yueze followed her gaze and saw that Song Yuhua was also there, but she was sitting in a secluded spot, and her head was always down, so the careless Yuan Yueze hadn't noticed her.
Awkwardly scratching his head, Yuan Yueze picked up the pastries Wei Zhenzhen had prepared and began to munch.
Then they talked about how to stabilize Luoyang and how to find the secret of the Great Ming Holy Venerable.
Shang Xiuxun suddenly interjected, "Husband, I have to go back to the ranch. Father said Mother is pregnant, and Xiuxun wants to go back to see her."
Lu Miaozi, a shrewd old man, had been showering Shang Xiuxun with care over the past year, personally making a trip to Luoyang every month. Over time, Shang Xiuxun, whose resentment towards him had already lessened, couldn't withstand this onslaught. Finally moved, she completely forgave his past behavior and even began to call him "Father."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "That's great! Xiuxun will have a younger brother or sister to take over as the head of the arena, and you can continue to live a carefree life. But it's a good thing for Master Lu. He just used a few tricks, and you're already calling him 'Father.'"
Shang Xiuxun rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze and said, "You'll have to change your address to Xiuxun's from now on."
Yuan Yueze exaggeratedly said, "If we're talking about Yuyan, I'm on the same level as Master Lu!"
Suddenly mentioning Zhu Yuyan, Yuan Yueze felt a pang of longing. She had left without a trace. To stop Zhao Deyan's ambition, she should have finished with just one fight and returned long ago. Why hasn't she made a sound since?
Shan Meixian, guessing Yuan Yueze's thoughts, smiled and said, "In the world today, the three grandmasters are still the highest. Since Mother has been revered as another grandmaster after Master Fu, husband, don't worry. She must have something else to do, otherwise she would have returned long ago."
Song Yuhua, listening from the side, was terrified. She secretly glanced at Yuan Yueze's affectionate and longing expression, and then heard Shan Meixian call her "Mother." She immediately thought to herself, "Wouldn't that mean three generations of our family are all... "
The women, being understanding, changed the subject, and the atmosphere eased somewhat.
"It would be such a pity if we couldn't recruit Wang Tong to our cause,"
Shan Meixian sighed again.
Yuan Yueze nodded in agreement: "If we are to ignite a wave of ideological reform in the future, then today's preparations are essential. Confucianism does indeed have some positive aspects that benefit the country and its people, but it also has many extreme, impractical, and deeply misleading elements. Most importantly, the Confucian system of thought, which emphasizes hierarchy and takes 'benevolence' as its core, is deeply ingrained in the minds of people in this era. I dare say it will be difficult to fundamentally change it within the next few decades."
Yun Yuzhen thoughtfully echoed, "Therefore, we must proceed gradually. Wang Tong is renowned in our time and is a leading figure in Central Plains Confucianism..." "As for the representative figure mentioned, he is indeed the best candidate to take the first step in ideological reform."
Shan Meixian gritted her teeth and said, "I will visit him again tomorrow. Last time he and Elder Yi visited my husband, I discussed some Confucian issues with him, but this man is typical of those deeply poisoned by the idea of male superiority over females. There is always disdain in the deepest part of his eyes, so I didn't discuss it in depth with him. I spent most of the time chatting with Elder Yi."
Yuan Yueze curled his lip and said, "Pretending to be high-minded. Male superiority over females is the most detestable idea. Meixian doesn't need to care too much about him. He's nothing."
The women spat in unison.
Of course, Shan Meixian couldn't take Yuan Yueze's words seriously, because it was just said in anger. Song Yuhua, on the other hand, secretly praised him.
Yuan Yueze asked again, "Is he still in Luoyang? Why hasn't he returned to Dongping?"
Shan Meixian smiled and said, "He's probably catching up with Wang Shichong. I guess he'll leave in the next few days. If we don't make an effort now, it'll be difficult to recruit him later."
Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "You don't need to humble yourself in front of him."
Shan Meixian didn't say anything, but gave Yuan Yueze a reassuring smile.
※※※※※ A blurry figure flashed outside the study, and the door was pushed open, revealing a figure entering.
Although Wang Shichong had lost all his power, he could still see clearly. He turned his head to continue gazing at the starry sky and asked, "What brings Xiao Nini here?"
The newcomer was none other than Dong Shuni.
Dressed in night clothes that accentuated her curvaceous figure, she quietly closed the door and approached Wang Shichong, saying in a coquettish voice, "Uncle, I've come to rescue you, let's go!"
Wang Shichong's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "There are so many guards outside, how can you possibly rescue me? Besides, I'm living a very comfortable life now, why should I go with you?"
Dong Shuni asked, puzzled, "My second cousin has already been bribed, why is Uncle still here? Yuan Yueze won't let you go, otherwise why would he send so many guards?"
Wang Shichong didn't answer her, but instead asked, "How did you sneak in?"
Dong Shuni replied, "I'm skilled in martial arts."
A hint of disdain flashed in Wang Shichong's eyes as he said, "Then tell me, where are we going after we leave with you?"
Dong Shuni smiled and said, "Little Nini has already arranged a superior place for you, Uncle. Only there can you..." "Enjoying life is better than being watched by a bunch of guards outside."
Wang Shichong revealed a profound smile and said, "Let's not talk about that. Your uncle asked you why you don't hate me when he once wanted to marry you off to the Li Tang dynasty."
Dong Shuni said, "I don't know, but my uncle wouldn't harm me, would he?"
Wang Shichong shook his head and said, "Your uncle did want to harm you back then, but now, aren't you trying to harm him too?"
Dong Shuni said in horror, "No, my uncle wouldn't harm me, and I certainly won't harm him!"
Wang Shichong sighed and replied with a desolate tone, "While you still have a chance to turn back, don't make any more mistakes. It was because I had no chance to turn back that I ended up like this. Go."
Dong Shuni asked again, puzzled, but Wang Shichong remained motionless like an old monk, completely ignoring her.
Having failed to persuade her, Dong Shuni had no choice but to leave quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, Wang Shichong felt sleepy and was about to get up to rest when he realized that Yuan Yueze had been sitting not far behind him.
Wang Shichong paused slightly, then walked to the opposite side of Yuan Yueze and sat down.
After a while, Wang Shichong spoke, "It's so late, I wonder what brings you here, young master?"
Yuan Yueze sighed, "Why doesn't Minister Yuan curse me out? You should hate me the most."
Wang Shichong gave a bitter smile, "The only truth in this world is that the victor becomes king. Now, not only am I not dead, but I can also live out the rest of my days in peace, which is already quite remarkable. I'll waive the title of Minister." Wang
Shichong was now merely holding an official title; he spent his days living in his residence.
Yuan Yueze smiled helplessly, "Whether Elder Wang believes it or not, I am indeed a soft-hearted person. This step in Luoyang was indeed necessary. I came here so late because we were just talking at home about Elder Wang's words regarding the Great Ming's reverence for the religion. I have some questions and came here specifically to ask them again."
Wang Shichong said calmly, "In life, some wounds will gradually fade with the passage of time, but some wounds will always follow you. I, Wang Shichong, have been defeated this time with complete acceptance. I have died and been resurrected, faced death again, and been resurrected once more. Two lives and two deaths, what else do I have to be upset about? You don't need to apologize. I know your ambitions are far-reaching, and the world has underestimated you. These past few days, living a simple life, I have thought more about the past. Thinking of those years only makes me more painful."
Yuan Yueze knew that he must have suffered great pain in his heart, but he didn't dare to ask, and could only nod silently.
Wang Shichong's expression flickered with emotion, but he sighed again, "To have enlightenment overnight sounds simple, but it's incredibly difficult to achieve. Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in a single night, and Bodhidharma, after eighteen years of facing the wall, also achieved sudden enlightenment in an instant. Alright, tell me what your questions are."
Yuan Yueze asked, "Regarding Elder Wang's knowledge of the Holy Venerable's name, how do you explain that? I met him once, and he wore a mask. Logically speaking, such a person rarely lets anyone see his true form, so how could he easily reveal his real name?"
Wang Shichong replied, "That was just what he said when he initially tried to gain my allegiance. Liu Yu was a historical emperor. I only took it as a way of placating me and didn't take it seriously. Did you, sir, actually take it seriously?"
Yuan Yueze then understood that the Holy Venerable had just made things up on the spot, and his family had been speculating wildly based on history.
He then asked, "Has Elder Wang ever seen this man's face? And how do you know he's no more than ninety years old?"
Wang Shichong shook his head and said, "No, I can only deduce from his inner energy, eyes, and movements."
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "I suddenly recalled something that I didn't say to your wife that day."
Yuan Yueze secretly compared the age of the Holy Venerable as described by the Wu brothers with that of Wang Shichong. The Wu brothers had personally told Yuan Yueze that they had heard the Holy Venerable talk about events from over a hundred years ago in the borderlands. Whose account was more accurate? Judging from the current situation, Wang Shichong's account seemed the most credible.
Upon hearing Wang Shichong mention that there were still unspoken secrets, he immediately looked at him with curiosity.
Wang Shichong said, "The Holy One enjoys raping young women and also likes to defile boys around ten years old. In particular, after he has played with them, he will castrate them according to his interest, and even decide the life or death of the child entirely based on his whim. More than ten years ago, when he came to the Central Plains to recruit me, he stayed in Luoyang for a while. I searched everywhere for young boys and girls to cater to his tastes. Alas, my..."
Yuan Yueze got goosebumps listening to this, and seeing Wang Shichong suddenly burst into tears, he became curious but dared not ask, so he could only wait for him to recover.
After wiping away his tears, Wang Shichong said sadly, "I have two sons, as you already know. Actually, I had an illegitimate son outside the main residence before, but during the few days that the Holy Venerable recruited me to join his ranks, my nine-year-old son mysteriously disappeared. Originally, I sent people to secretly protect him at the outer residence, but anyone capable of abducting a child through layers of protection and then silencing everyone else on the spot is obviously someone you can guess without even thinking about it..."
Yuan Yueze was shocked on the spot, realizing that these evil people were truly incomprehensible and terrifying. Seeing Wang Shichong's expression, he could guess how intense his feelings were for his outer residence and illegitimate son. When he was under the Holy Venerable's command, it was alright, but now that he had broken away from the Holy Venerable, this hatred erupted, more ferocious and terrifying than a mountain torrent.
After a moment of stunned silence, Yuan Yueze comforted him, "I will never let the Holy Venerable go. As for the Second Young Master, he is honest and kind. I swear to Heaven before Elder Wang that I will never mistreat him."
Wang Shichong smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you, Young Master. I hate nothing more than seeing the Holy Venerable die at your hands. Although he is a Celestial, I still believe that only you are his match. As for Xuan Shu, I know him better than anyone. I entrust him to you from now on. Now, there is one more thing I need to ask of you, Young Master."
Yuan Yueze sensed the uncertainty in Wang Shichong's tone and felt helpless, but he didn't show it. He quickly said, "Please speak, Elder Wang."
Wang Shichong said, "I only have two relatives left now, Xuan Shu and Shu Ni. I don't need to worry about Xuan Shu's character." But Shuni was naive and only liked strong and powerful men. She was already blinded by Yang Xuyan and couldn't see the light. Just before you arrived, she came to see me, saying nice things about rescuing me. But I knew all along that it was Yang Xuyan's doing, luring me away so he could kill me to silence me.”
Yuan Yueze's heart skipped a beat: “Old Wang, do you want me to save Dong Shuni?”
Wang Shichong nodded: “If so, I can die without regret. I've been lost in the pursuit of fame and fortune for most of my life, but I can finally return to my true self. I should actually thank you.”
Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly. The two seemed like close friends despite their age difference. Wang Shichong's last request was a bit excessive, but Yuan Yueze couldn't refuse, so he nodded and said, “I'll try my best.”
Then he wondered why Yang Xuyan wanted to kill Wang Shichong. Judging from the current situation, Yang Xuyan shouldn't have betrayed the Evil King yet. Right now, the only one who wanted to kill Wang Shichong most was someone directly commanded by the Great Ming Saint Venerable. Could it be that Yang Xuyan had secretly defected to the Great Ming Venerable Sect?
Yuan Yueze had assured him of his safety, and Wang Shichong understood that Yuan Yueze's greater goal was to use him as bait to lure out the people of the Great Ming Zunjiao. However, Wang Shichong wasn't a fool; he knew the Minister's residence was the safest and most comfortable place for him to spend the last years of his life, so he wouldn't leave under any circumstances. He even wanted to see those who came to kill him die at the hands of Yuan Yueze's family, and even the elusive Yang Xuyan—Wang Shichong hoped to see him die before he passed away.
After offering a few words of comfort, Yuan Yueze rose to take his leave. As the door closed, Wang Shichong's desolate voice echoed: "Autumn night is cold, the wind is chilly, the moon remains the same, but the beauty is gone..."
Thinking of Wang Shichong's poem mourning his deceased wife, Yuan Yueze became even more certain that promising Wang Shichong the safest environment to live out the last days of his life was the right decision.
Back in the courtyard, only a faint light could be seen in the east wing; the other rooms were completely dark.
Entering the east wing bedroom, Yuan Yueze found Song Yuzhi, dressed in a light gauze nightgown, sitting languidly on the edge of the bed. Her beautiful eyes gazed tenderly at Yuan Yueze, who had tiptoed in. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
On the other side of the spacious bed, another person could be vaguely seen sleeping, her back turned to the outside. In the dim light, the back resembled Susu.
Yuan Yueze took a few steps and sat down beside Song Yuzhi, scrutinizing her exquisite face as if admiring a masterpiece. His gaze swept across her face, finally settling on her straight, full nose, which pierced directly between her brows—Song Yuzhi's most captivating feature, conveying both her strong and unyielding character and her refined, proud air. But the Song Yuzhi before him possessed no trace of arrogance; only tenderness and affection remained.
After staring at Yuan Yueze for a long time, the desire in her jewel-like black eyes grew stronger. Song Yuzhi, her eyes filled with lust, finally gave in and fell into Yuan Yueze's arms with a soft moan, hugging him tightly as if she wanted to squeeze herself into his body.
Yuan Yueze wrapped one arm around her slender waist, clearly feeling her smooth, snow-white skin through the thin veil. With his other hand, he gently combed her slightly disheveled, cascading hair, tucking the last strand behind her delicate, jade-like ear, which was burning with shyness and passion. He pressed his lips to her earlobe and whispered, "Zhizhi, why aren't you asleep so late? Are you waiting for me?"
Song Yuzhi breathed softly into Yuan Yueze's ear, her breathing noticeably rapid, and whispered, "My sister and I are waiting for you."
Yuan Yueze was immediately startled, wondering if Song Yuhua was sleeping inside.
Song Yuzhi seemed to have guessed Yuan Yueze's thoughts. Before he could turn around, she pressed close to his ear, her voice barely a whisper, "Eldest sister is in the south wing. Sister Susu is inside."
Yuan Yueze finally relaxed, secretly wiping away a bead of sweat. To be honest, this guy had a fear of Song Yuhua, perhaps because she was usually too serious.
Knowing all this, Yuan Yueze chuckled wickedly and began to tease Song Yuzhi with both hands and mouth.
Song Yuzhi, already aroused, writhed incessantly under his touch, her sensitive areas quivering, her throat uttering soft moans, her cherry lips responding passionately as if she'd found a treasure. Her clitoris throbbed and throbbed, employing all the techniques she'd honed over time, leaving Yuan Yueze utterly captivated.
Inside, Susu, usually a passionate and unrestrained woman, remained motionless, though a closer listen revealed her breathing had become rapid, though she seemed to be feigning sleep. Unfortunately, Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi were so engrossed in tearing at each other's clothes that they completely missed Susu.
Yuan Yueze's skillful touch quickly stripped the already thinly clothed Song Yuzhi bare, her glistening body burning hot. As she writhed, she casually extinguished the dim, almost negligible light from the bedside lamp.
The moment the lights went out, Yuan Yueze pinned the fragrant Song Yuzhi down. He caught a glimpse of Susu's slightly trembling body as she lay on her side, and his heart leaped with delight. He thought to himself, "Susu's being shy today. She'll be unable to resist and pounce on me
soon enough." "Yuan Yueze, let go! How can I get in if you don't let go?"
Yuan Yueze kissed his way from Song Yuzhi's full, firm breasts up her slender neck, finally landing on her sensitive earlobe, where he gently bit it.
Lost in passion, Song Yuzhi forgot that she had already grasped his large, hot, hard, throbbing member with her small hand. Hearing Yuan Yueze's words, the passionate and generous Song Yuzhi showed no shyness. Instead, she pulled the large member to her entrance and began rubbing it against herself.
Yuan Yueze suddenly wanted to laugh out loud, and whispered, "Little girl, you dare to tease me?"
Apart from a few rays of moonlight streaming in from the window, the room was pitch black. Song Yuzhi twisted her body, moaning and coquettishly saying, "Don't talk about me like that, husband, come quickly."
Taking advantage of the last moment before 'starting work,' Yuan Yueze focused his gaze on Su Su's back a few feet to his side. He saw that her shoulders were trembling more violently, and her breathing was rapid. However, masked by Song Yuzhi's even more rapid breathing, it was almost impossible to detect Su Su's breathing unless one strained their ears.
Su Su wasn't taking the initiative, which greatly puzzled Yuan Yueze, but this wasn't the time to think about it. His penis, glistening with dew, nibbled at the rosy nipple on Song Yuzhi's breasts, and his 'little Ze' followed the muddy path straight to the heart of the beast.
The emptiness instantly filled Song Yuzhi, who let out a satisfied groan. She wrapped her arms around Yuan Yueze's neck, cooperating with his 'plowing'.
Wave after wave of pleasure surged through her mind, and Song Yuzhi's initial suppressed moans evolved into passionate, high-pitched cries. Yuan Yueze knew she was initially shy, worried about disturbing the sleeping Susu beside her, which was why she had suppressed herself so much.
Between vigorous movements, Yuan Yueze also diverted a sliver of attention, deliberately and unintentionally touching Susu's pert, fragrant buttocks beneath the veil.
Susu, seemingly unwilling to concede, remained still, only subtly lifting her buttocks away from Yuan Yueze's reach.
Yuan Yueze couldn't spare much attention, especially under the influence of Song Yuzhi's melodious moans. With a loud, instinctive cry, the two reached the pinnacle of their inspiration. The dark bedroom returned to silence, broken only by the heavy, rapid breathing of Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi.
Lying on Song Yuzhi's alabaster-white body, Yuan Yueze whispered in her ear, his breath glistening with sweat, "Yuzhi, how come you have so much stamina? Isn't it exciting?"
Song Yuzhi's body went limp, feeling as if her soul had flown to the heavens. She weakly tightened her arms around Yuan Yueze, panting, "Husband, you're too amazing. I'm no match for you."
Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Susu, is she on her period? I remember it shouldn't be around this time, how come she..." "So much self-control today?"
Song Yuzhi whispered in Yuan Yueze's ear, "Husband remembers the sisters' 'that' dates very clearly, how could he be wrong? Sister Susu must be waiting for you to seduce her!"
Yuan Yueze thought about it and agreed. He leaned over and lay down between Susu and Song Yuzhi, pulled up the only long gauze quilt on the bed to cover Song Yuzhi, and with his other arm he directly wrapped Susu's hand around her armpit, his large hand sliding down her smooth skin and directly covering Susu's chest, which was only covered by her undergarments.
The moment he pulled Susu over, her body stiffened noticeably. Yuan Yueze was a little puzzled, but the fragrance that entered his nose was different from usual. His right hand nimbly went around the bodice and pressed directly on the well-proportioned breast, with a cherry between his two fingers.
The room was filled with an extremely sensual atmosphere due to the 'battle' between Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi. Now, being so close to Su Su, Yuan Yueze noticed the subtle change in her body fragrance.
A kiss on Su Su's delicate face made Yuan Yueze feel intensely hot, and Su Su trembled violently. Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Did you change your bath perfume today? Your scent has changed."
As he spoke, he increased the pressure on his hand.
In the darkness, Su Su, already unusually close to Yuan Yueze's face, was aroused to the point that her cherry-like lips parted slightly, her breathing heavy, and her moist, musky fragrance washed over Yuan Yueze's face.
Seeing that she was already aroused, Yuan Yueze pressed his lips directly against her rapidly breathing lips, his other hand caressing her firm, round buttocks. But Yuan Yueze felt that Su Su was different from usual.
Su Su's return kiss was noticeably awkward, clumsy, and even hesitant. Her figure was indeed similar to Su Su's, but there were subtle differences. Yuan Yueze hadn't noticed them earlier because his lust had clouded his judgment. Only after experiencing it firsthand could he perceive these extremely subtle differences.
Although he was thinking about these things, Yuan Yueze's hands didn't stop, and Su Su had already begun to let out involuntary, soft moans. Just as
Yuan Yueze was about to turn around and ask Song Yuzhi, he realized that she had already fallen into a deep sleep, breathing evenly. Hearing the moans again, Yuan Yueze stiffened, focused his eyes, and looked down, immediately exclaiming, "Big Sister!"

Chapter 57 The Butterfly Effect
No matter how Yuan Yueze spoke to Song Yuhua, she kept her head firmly resting on Yuan Yueze's arm, not saying a word.
Seeing that she was usually so serious, but now she was like a docile little lamb, Yuan Yueze immediately became mischievous. With a forceful movement of his strange hands that were on Song Yuhua's two 'high grounds', he lifted her, who was only wearing her undergarments, onto his body with a soft cry. The two of them faced each other, and her two delicate and plump breasts were instantly crushed into meat patties.
In the pitch-black environment, Song Yuhua simply rested her head on Yuan Yueze's strong, broad chest. Her breathing, which had calmed down considerably, became rapid again, but she remained silent, which undoubtedly spurred Yuan Yueze to exert himself even more.
Yuan Yueze's strange hand, which had been resting on Song Yuhua's fragrant buttocks, slid down her snowy skin and into her underwear, slowly moving towards the most mysterious area between her thighs. The
moment Yuan Yueze's fingers touched that overflowing valley, Song Yuhua's brain went blank, and she even forgot to reflexively close her legs. She had just listened to the sounds of Song Yuzhi and Yuan Yueze's battle for a long time, and was already overflowing with lust, on the verge of collapse, only managing to suppress it with her extraordinary willpower. Who knew that Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi had just finished their battle, and before she could even catch her breath, Yuan Yueze had already begun to provoke her.
"Ugh..."
A very faint moan escaped from Song Yuhua's throat, but it was still quite noticeable in the dark and silent bedroom. Song Yuhua's body trembled slightly.
Yuan Yueze hadn't expected Song Yuhua to reach such ecstasy so quickly after her sensitive areas were touched. He then realized that she must have been completely affected by her earlier encounter with Song Yuzhi.
Although Yuan Yueze had initially only intended to tease Song Yuhua, judging from the current situation, he couldn't stop. Now, recalling everything, he guessed that Song Yuzhi had set a trap for him and Song Yuhua, which was what Song Yuzhi always said about "keeping the good stuff in the family."
However, for so long, Yuan Yueze had only greeted Song Yuhua with a salute at most, without any in-depth conversation. In addition, Song Yuhua was Jie Hui's daughter-in-law. Although Yuan Yueze was not satisfied with Song Que using his daughter as a political bargaining chip, he could have simply forced himself on Song Yuhua. But Song Yuzhi had said that Song Yuhua was extremely conservative, and Yuan Yueze knew it was better to talk to her more first.
"Big...Yuhua, what do you think of me?"
Yuan Yueze asked, seeing that Song Yuhua's breathing had calmed down, but her face, pressed against his chest, was still hot.
He actually quite liked this seemingly fragile but strong-willed woman.
Song Yuhua remained silent, so Yuan Yueze continued, "If you think I, Yuan Yueze, am someone you can entrust your life to, then stay with our family from now on, how about it?"
Song Yuhua had never encountered a more awkward situation in her life.
She hadn't learned martial arts, so she wasn't very sensitive to her surroundings. Plus, she had drunk a few sips of red wine at dinner, and feeling dizzy, she had fallen asleep. When she was awakened by strange noises around her, before she could even turn around, she recognized the sounds of Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi being intimate beside her. Song Yuhua had long known of Yuan Yueze's absurdity, but in this situation, the naturally conservative Song Yuhua didn't know whether she should get up and run away. While she hesitated, Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi had already begun their "battle," their alluring and seductive sounds filling the air. Song Yuhua felt her bones soften and her body go weak. Yuan Yueze even touched her from time to time, making Song Yuhua both ashamed and angry, yet she dared not move. Finally, after listening to their "enchanting sounds," Song Yuhua secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but a sudden sense of loss welled up in her heart.
To say that she wasn't attracted to a man like Yuan Yueze, who, apart from his somewhat immature personality, had almost no flaws, would be a lie. The key question was just how much her heart had been moved. After spending a short time together, Song Yuhua had inevitably become more or less attracted to Yuan Yueze. In addition to the three Fu sisters, Yuan Yueze also had a mother and daughter in his family. Song Yuhua knew that he even had affairs with other women's grandmothers, so the matter of sisters sharing a husband was perfectly normal in Yuan Yueze's eyes. This eased Song Yuhua's conflicted feelings considerably. Therefore, with her gentle yet strong personality, she forcibly suppressed her physical desires and did not stop Yuan Yueze's advances.
Hearing Yuan Yueze's direct confession, Song Yuhua was both ashamed and happy, but she still dared not speak. Even though she had read some of Yuan Yueze's books in the past few days, how could ideological reform be so simple?
Seeing that Song Yuhua still did not move, Yuan Yueze quickly grasped the key point and bit her earlobe, saying, "Then I will offend you. Blame me if you want."
A moment later, the terrible 'weapon' broke into her body, and excruciating pain swept through her entire body. Song Yuhua screamed in pain, pressed her pretty face tightly against Yuan Yueze's chest, and cried out.
Yuan Yueze was completely dumbfounded. The sensation he had just felt was incredibly clear. How could Song Yuhua still be a virgin? No wonder her return kiss was so awkward; it was very likely her first kiss. But hadn't she already married into the Duzun Fortress?
He paused for a moment, kissing away the tears on her face. Although he had doubts, Yuan Yueze knew this wasn't the time to ask. After offering a few words of comfort, he slowly began to move...
The passion subsided.
The dark bedroom was filled only with the scent of debauchery and Song Yuhua's gradually calming breathing.
The frail Song Yuhua only lasted for less than a quarter of an hour before experiencing the intoxicating pleasure of ecstasy once again.
"I...I feel like...I died...I died once..."
Song Yuhua murmured dreamily, resting on Yuan Yueze's chest.
Seeing that she had finally spoken up, Yuan Yueze affectionately stroked her smooth, silky back and said softly, "It's like this the first time. I was wrong just now. You can stay here from now on. Don't worry about what the people of Bashu and the Song family think of you. Leave it to me."
Seeing how directly he spoke, Song Yuhua could feel the love in his voice and nodded gently.
With Song Yuhua's gentle and intelligent nature, how could she not guess that Song Yuzhi had arranged all of this? She didn't know whether to thank her or hate her. Her gratitude stemmed from having consummated her marriage with Yuan Yueze, while her hatred was for Song Yuzhi's disregard for propriety and recklessness.
Knowing her reserved nature, Yuan Yueze continued, "Actually, I'm very dissatisfied with my father-in-law's approach of using you as a tool for a marriage alliance. I understand your personality, but a person with unresolved issues can't truly enjoy life. Look at everyone in the family, aren't they all happy every day? It's because none of us have any unresolved issues."
Sensing the implication in Yuan Yueze's words, Song Yuhua, having regained some strength, softly said, "I can't blame Father. You've never been the head of a large family, so you don't understand many things. Some things are beyond our control; Father's words alone can't make a difference."
Yuan Yueze vaguely understood that the opinions of the Song clan's higher-ups might have forced Song Que to act this way, and could only nod awkwardly, saying, "There are no restrictions in our family. You should understand this by now. From now on, you are you, not anyone's appendage." "As long as you live according to your own wishes, that's what we most want to see."
Mentioning this, Song Yuhua said happily, "Yuhua has seen it all. You treat women differently from other men. All the sisters have their own freedom; I was quite envious at first..."
Seeing her voice grow softer, Yuan Yueze teased, "You don't need to be envious anymore. I know you love peace. You can be free, and you can also participate in our grand plan, striving to achieve it as soon as possible, so we can also enjoy a carefree life that belongs entirely to us."
Song Yuhua nodded happily, "The sisters are all secretly working hard to restore peace and prosperity to the world; how can I selfishly only think of my own well-being?"
Then she said sadly, "But...but I've been married before..."
Seeing that she was still uneasy, Yuan Yueze had to comfort her again. After a long while, he asked, "How could Yuhua still be...heh."
Song Yuhua knew what he was asking and whispered, "Because of my father's relationship with... Uncle Jie, my two siblings and I have known Wenlong since childhood. We've built a deep friendship. Wenlong and I are close in age. Six years ago, unable to withstand family pressure, my father married me off to the Jie family for a political alliance. How could he not understand the relationship between Wenlong and me? There was absolutely no romantic love between us. Wenlong has liked a maid named Lian'er since childhood, but Uncle Jie always scolded him for not knowing his place. In the end, he even sold Lian'er to a brothel. Wenlong dared not resist Uncle Jie, and after that, he began to give up on himself, going to the brothel every day to see Lian'er, and getting drunk every night. Wait until I..." When she married into the family, Wenlong's heart was as if it were dead. We still respected each other, but we never shared a bed. How could Uncle Jie not see this? In a fit of rage, he sent someone to poison Lian'er. But luckily, someone Wenlong had bribed to protect Lian'er discovered this, thus saving her life. However, the poison was difficult to cure, and Lian'er's lifespan was slowly being eroded. Heaven seemed to sense the injustice, and in the end, it was my younger sister who used her magical power to save Lian'er's life.
Yuan Yueze listened and sighed inwardly: Song Yuhua was right. He had never sat in the position of the head of a large family, so how could he understand the helplessness involved? This kind of thing is not a matter of "the bystander sees more of the game," but rather "the one involved sees more of the game." It's ridiculous that he, who always shouts "Long live understanding," used to secretly look down on some of Song Que's actions. Fortunately, he would never have to face such troubles and helplessness in his life, otherwise, with his personality, he would have gone mad sooner or later.
As for Xie Wenlong, he truly was a sentimental person. Suddenly remembering something, Yuan Yueze spoke up: "Last year at our wedding in Lingnan, I told a story about 'the most precious thing in the world' during the banquet. At that time, Xie Wenlong looked extremely pained and said that the most precious thing in the world is what has been lost. I guessed then that he might have a sad past, and after hearing what you said today, I understand now."
Song Yuhua said shyly in a voice barely audible: "My younger sister initially wanted to persuade me to leave the Xie family, but I couldn't let go. Later, my sister Susu knocked me unconscious, and when I woke up, we were almost out of Sichuan. They told me that story on the way, and although I didn't quite understand why they told me that story, I understand now."
Yuan Yueze understood that she was subtly expressing her feelings. He stroked her soft hair and said, "Silly girl, the happiest person is the one who lives according to their own heart. If anyone dares to force you again, I'll kill them with my life."
Song Yuhua hurriedly covered Yuan Yueze's mouth with her small hand and scolded, "Don't say such unlucky things."
Accustomed to her usual seriousness, Yuan Yueze chuckled at her innocent tone today and asked again, "So Zhizhi was just lying to me about inviting you here. Does anyone in Duzun Fort know that she brought you out?" Song Yuhua shook her head slightly and said
, "Only Wenlong knows. With my sister and Susu's lightness skills, outsiders can't detect them at all. Wenlong will probably find an excuse to go to another place to enjoy himself with Lian'er, who was secretly sent away long ago." Yuan Yueze nodded.
He wasn't afraid of Song Yuhua being discovered, but if Jie Hui, who was extremely concerned about his reputation, found out about this, the difficulty for Yuan Yueze to peacefully win over Bashu would increase dramatically in the future, and it might even cause the bloodshed and death of millions. However, the women in Yuan Yueze's household were accustomed to covering their faces with light veils when going out, and given the significant changes after their bodies were refined, it was truly difficult for ordinary people to recognize Song Yuhua.
After a while, Song Yuhua said again, "I read that pile of books a few days ago. Why are there so many accounts of people from this era, yet the events are somewhat different?"
Yuan Yueze knew she was referring to the original text and immediately smiled, "Perhaps it's the butterfly effect."
Song Yuhua asked curiously, "What is the butterfly effect?"
Seeing that she was still not tired after receiving his favor, Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly. After Song Yuhua let out an alluring moan, he slowly separated the two who were still connected. He walked past Song Yuzhi, who was fast asleep like a little pig, lit the oil lamp by the bedside, turned the flame to its maximum, turned around, and pulled the two women, who looked very similar, back into his arms, one on each side, and pulled the quilt up.
Staring blankly at Song Yuhua's still-blushing face, her eyes and brows brimming with spring-like allure, Yuan Yueze, under her tender gaze, answered after a long while: "The butterfly effect refers to the phenomenon in a dynamic system where a tiny change in initial conditions can trigger a long-term, massive chain reaction throughout the entire system. It's a chaotic phenomenon, like a butterfly flapping its wings in the Central Plains potentially causing a storm in the distant Turkic Khaganate."
Song Yuhua's delicate brows furrowed slightly, her lips parted slightly, and she said shyly, "Yuhua is too slow; I don't quite understand."
Yuan Yueze kissed her forehead and said, "That's a saying from a thousand years in the future; it's my fault for not explaining it clearly. Let me give you an example: because of my sudden appearance, many people's destinies have changed..." For example, your sisters, and those connected to them were indirectly influenced by me and had their fates changed, such as your father-in-law, Master Fu, Master Lu, your second brother, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and so on. Going further back, Xi Ying was killed prematurely, the Four Great Bandits died early, Li Mi and Wang Shichong were defeated, and so on—all indirectly due to my appearance.”
Thinking of that short-lived Xi Ying, Yuan Yueze found it amusing, but his death at Fu Junyu's hands was something to be proud of. Even Yuan Yueze's family didn't know the specifics of the battle. In a normal fight, Yuan Yueze might not even be as good as Fu Junyu, because Fu Junyu's greatest advantage lay in her unimaginable swordsmanship; for any master, the psychological impact of such an encounter would be enormous.
Song Yuhua nodded.
Yuan Yueze continued, "The things in that book, only the relationships between people and things that haven't happened yet, can be somewhat believed, but not entirely."
Song Yuhua interjected, "Is it because of the Great Ming Emperor and the Turkic Empress?"
Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded, "These two people's origins are too mysterious, and they're not recorded in the book, so the space we're in now isn't exactly the same as what's described in the book."
Song Yuhua bit her jade finger and said, "What are your plans next, my husband?"
Yuan Yueze kissed her again and laughed, "Finally, you're calling me husband."
Then, amidst Song Yuhua's purring cheeks and protests, he pondered... He said, “My plan is this: with Luo Yan in Luoyang in the open, and you sisters in the shadows, plus the help of Lord Yang, General Zhang, and Father-in-law Dugu, I can leave with complete peace of mind.”
Song Yuhua asked in surprise, “Where to?”
Yuan Yueze smiled and said, “If you’re reluctant to leave, you can come with me. It’s just for a while, after all, I promised Li Tang I would visit Chang’an in the winter. I just remembered what Wang Shichong said about the Holy Venerable having a past relationship with Xiang Yutian, and Xiang Yutian has four disciples. I want to personally capture them and interrogate them. I won’t let go of any opportunity to get clues.”
Song Yuhua nodded and said: “But the world is so vast, where can we find them? Can we really find them in such a short time?”
Yuan Yueze said, “This period should be the time for Xiang Yutian’s four disciples to fulfill their vows and re-enter the world. Moreover, this trip will allow me to also gather intelligence on the movements of other forces along the way, and try to sabotage their plans to seize Luoyang.”
Leaning against Yuan Yueze’s strong arm, Song Yuhua said, “During your trip to Chang’an, my husband will likely be drawn into even more open and covert struggles.”
Yuan Yueze replied, “That’s for sure. There’s the internal power struggle within the Li Tang dynasty, the influx of other forces from the Central Plains, the righteous path, the demonic sect, the heretical cults, and so on. ” "The entire clan is likely to get involved,"
Song Yuhua sighed. "It's hard to imagine that my husband, who so admires freedom and unrestrained living, would get caught up in the quagmire of power struggles."
Yuan Yueze glanced at Song Yuzhi, who had a cute sleeping face, and smiled. "Although I pursue freedom, freedom has 'form' and 'spirit.' Before, I was detached from both body and spirit. Now, to realize my ideals, though I'm mired in the mire, my thoughts remain unchanged. Today, I must thank your good little sister; otherwise, how could I have gained another gentle and virtuous wife?"
Song Yuhua blushed deeply, gently patting Yuan Yueze's chest with her jade hand, and said coquettishly, "My husband also... also..."
Following her gaze, Yuan Yueze knew that Song Yuhua meant he hadn't been satisfied yet. He immediately suppressed his desire and said, "Your body is weak, and you've just lost your virginity. There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself in the future. How could I be so selfish? Let's sleep tonight."
Then, amidst Song Yuhua's blissful smile, Yuan Yueze flicked his fingers and extinguished the oil lamp.
After exchanging a few more whispered words, the two fell asleep.
※※※※※ The next morning.
In a mansion north of Luoyang, not grand in scale, nor luxurious in the slightest, yet possessing a unique, simple yet dignified air.
In the small garden of the mansion's backyard, Shen Luoyan, dressed in a plain white martial arts outfit, was practicing martial arts.
She had originally used the deadly hairpin, but after dissipating all her power, Yuan Yueze had chosen for her a silver spear, the 'Cold Star Cold Moon Spear,' forged from rare iron from both the north and south, weighing seventy jin and six feet three inches long. For a city lord to use a hairpin as a weapon is hardly presentable, but a spear is different; in a woman's hands, it displays a more heroic and valiant spirit.
Spear techniques are a unique style of martial arts in China, its profound level being no different from swordsmanship, and can be said to have originated from swordsmanship. Shen Luoyan's spear technique evolved from Wei Zhenzhen's 'Plain Maiden Sword Technique'.
The women who practiced martial arts all based their techniques on Yuan Yueze's Qi cultivation method. Apart from the three Fu sisters, the other women either learned Shan Meixian's improved Heavenly Demon Technique or Wei Zhenzhen's swordsmanship.
When Shen Luoyan unleashed her spear technique, she was as graceful as a startled swan and as agile as a swimming dragon. Man and spear gradually became one, and the moves were as fluid and natural as flowing clouds and water. What she contained was not a domineering masculine aura, but a flavor of yin and yang, a balance of strength and gentleness. When this was used by a woman, it truly made people cheer.
The spear trembled, its tip gleaming with a cold light, like a sky full of stars. With increasingly skillful techniques—blocking, seizing, stabbing, thrusting, hooking, entangling, circling, pouncing, pointing, and deflecting—Shen Luoyan transformed into a silver sphere, indistinguishable to the naked eye, soaring and darting within a five-zhang radius, leaving the guards nearby speechless.
Over the past ten days, while Shen Luoyan's progress hadn't been as frantic as Yuan Yueze's initial advancement, it was still several times faster than the average person's Qi cultivation. The former Yuan Yueze, after comprehending a vague and incomplete method of Qi cultivation, had progressed extremely slowly due to excessive greed. Later, through analysis and summarization with Shan Meixian and the other women, and combining this with the cultivation methods created by Fu Cailin and Song Que, Yuan Yueze's method was modified to be much more complete.
On one hand, it emphasized extreme caution when absorbing external Qi, avoiding rashness and greed, and advocating a gradual and progressive approach. On the other hand, the acupoints for circulating Qi in the Gathering Valley have been streamlined from 108 to 18. These 18 are all the most important acupoints in the human body: Tianchi, Juque, Zhangmen, and Qihai on the torso; Shenting and Tiantu on the head and neck; Jianzhen, Tianquan, Quchi, Shaohai, Yangchi, and Taiyuan on the arms; and Yinlingquan, Yanglingquan, Sanyinjiao, Sanyangjiao, Taichong, and Taiheng on the legs. The acupoints and
meridians for circulating pure Qi have also been processed and improved. When circulating Qi, it begins at Taiyin and ends at Jueyin, with the Ren and Du meridians as the main channels, circulating endlessly like a ring.
When Qi circulates through the eight extraordinary meridians, the Du meridian runs along the midline of the back, ascending to the head and face. The Ren meridian runs along the midline of the chest and abdomen, reaching the chin. The Chong meridian ascends alongside the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian, encircling the lips. The Dai meridian originates below the ribs and encircles the waist. The Yin Wei Meridian originates on the inner side of the lower leg, ascends along the inner thigh, and meets the Ren Meridian at the throat. The Yang Wei Meridian originates on the outer side of the dorsum of the foot, ascends along the outer side of the knee, and meets the Du Meridian at the back of the neck. The Yin Qiao Meridian originates on the inner side of the heel, ascends with the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, and meets the Yang Qiao Meridian at the inner canthus of the eye. The Yang Qiao Meridian originates on the outer side of the heel, ascends with the Foot Taiyang Meridian, and meets the Yin Qiao Meridian at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends along the Foot Taiyang Meridian to the forehead, and meets the Foot Shaoyang Meridian at the back of the neck.
Among the twelve primary meridians, the true qi circulation route is as follows: the three Yin meridians of the hand run from the internal organs to the hand; the three Yang meridians of the hand run from the hand to the head; the three Yang meridians of the foot run from the head to the foot; and the three Yin meridians of the foot run from the foot to the abdomen.
The body's qi and blood circulate through the twelve primary meridians in a continuous cycle, maintaining normal function. When Qi and blood surge forth, filling the meridians, they flow into the eight extraordinary meridians—which are not directly connected to the internal organs and have no exterior-interior relationship—and instead travel along separate paths, becoming the extraordinary meridians. Most superior internal cultivation methods in the world primarily utilize the eight extraordinary meridians, supplemented by the twelve regular meridians, such as the *Longevity Formula*. A very few, however, prioritize the twelve regular meridians, supplementing with the eight extraordinary meridians, such as the *Heavenly Demon Great Art*.
Generally, superior internal cultivation methods, despite their variations, all adhere to the same principle: how to cultivate true Qi within the body, select the meridians and acupoints for the generation and flow of Qi, and how to defeat the enemy. The internal cultivation method summarized and improved by Yuan Yueze's family is unique and unparalleled in every aspect, from the methods of cultivating Qi to the way of circulating it. The eight extraordinary meridians and the twelve regular meridians are no longer distinguished as primary and secondary. This method can be considered unprecedented, and after its improvement, ordinary people, as long as they are bold enough and can grasp the proper measure of Qi absorption, can also practice it.
Only then can a true internal cultivation method be considered truly complete.
The path of exploration was arduous and long, and the price paid was considerable. Yuan Yueze and the other women were pioneers, while those after Yunzhi, such as Shen Luoyan, would benefit.
The spear thrust suddenly ceased.
The silver sphere exploded into countless points of cold light, shooting in all directions. The guards instinctively drew their weapons to block, but these points of light had no killing power; they all passed right through them. When they looked up again, they saw Shen Luoyan not far away, carrying a long spear, looking at them with a half-smile. The men blushed with embarrassment, but inwardly they all admired her: What a beautiful woman, skilled in both literature and martial arts!
Turning towards the study, in a small pavilion about twenty feet in front of it, Susu, carrying a basket, was waiting for her with a smile.
"Sister Zhenzhen made some pastries and asked me to bring them over. Thank you for your trouble,"
Susu said with a smile.
Shen Luoyan reached out and grabbed a piece of pastry, put it in her mouth, and replied, "Aren't you all the same? Hmm, Sister Zhenzhen's cooking is so good."
Su Su chuckled, "Can't you act like a city lord a little?"
Shen Luoyan stuck out her tongue, and seeing Su Su hand her the basket and turn to leave, she immediately asked, "Aren't you going in to sit for a while?"
Su Su said, "The eldest young lady is going to the north, leaving today. I have to see her off."
Mentioning Zhai Jiao, and recalling the great effort she had put into persuading Shan Xiongxin, Shen Luoyan's pretty face fell, and she sighed softly, "It's because of me, isn't it?"
Su Su patted Shen Luoyan's shoulder comfortingly, "In the past, everyone served their own masters, and they had no choice. The eldest young lady has a fiery temper, as you know. If she wants to leave, let her be."
Shen Luoyan nodded helplessly. Su Su didn't say anything more, smiled slightly, waved her hand, and left.
Entering the study, Shen Luoyan began to review the thick archives. Since she took office, she had only assigned positions based on ability.
Militarily, Yang Gongqing and Zhang Zhenzhou were appointed as the supreme commanders, and troops were distributed to eight major cities surrounding Luoyang: Xiangcheng, Hulao, Huaizhou, Nancheng, Feicheng, Dongcheng, Hejiacheng, and Yaoyicheng. Dugu Feng remained in Luoyang. As the head of a clan, Dugu Feng was a capable and skilled commander, adept at training troops, and possessed the qualities of a great general. However, to Shen Luoyan's regret, apart from Shan Xiongxin, Bing Yuanzhen, Gao Ziming, and Zhan Gongxian, the other capable generals from the former Wagang Army had all been lost, likely having already defected to other forces.
Financially, Ren Meimei, whom Yuan Yueze had rescued along the way, was known for her shrewdness, meticulousness, and ability to calculate. She was very attentive to everyone's needs, and given Shen Luoyan's understanding of her, she was promoted to steward upon arriving in Luoyang. Shen Luoyan was confident that Ren Meimei could handle all financial matters, from income to provisions, with great efficiency. Ren Meimei was flattered and overwhelmed by the favor.
Regarding domestic affairs, although outsiders perceive a lack of talent, the women behind the scenes possess abundant knowledge and experience, making this aspect the easiest for Shen Luoyan to handle.
Currently, even with Luoyang primarily focused on defense, it still lacks a figure who can openly discuss military and political matters with Shen Luoyan at any time, akin to a 'prime minister'.
Putting down the documents and closing her eyes, Shen Luoyan began to savor Wei Zhenzhen's cooking.
Light footsteps sounded outside the door.
Before there was a knock, Shen Luoyan said, "Please come in."
Ren Meimei entered, accompanied by two men.
The one on the right was a scholarly man in his thirties, with a very refined air. His demeanor was composed and dignified, his eyes revealing a deep understanding of martial arts, indicating considerable skill. He was handsome, with a straight nose and a long beard, which, combined with his refined features, gave him an air of otherworldly elegance. The man on the left was also in his thirties, unremarkable in appearance, tall and thin, like a typical country bumpkin, but with exceptionally long limbs and bright, intelligent eyes, suggesting a calm, collected, and extremely agile individual.
Shen Luoyan rose and arranged for the three to sit at the desk.
Ren Meimei began by introducing, "This is Mr. Xu Xingzhi, specially sent by the Second Young Master Song to assist the City Lord. And this is Luo Qifei, our former head of Rentang Incense, known as 'Ghost Shadow.' When the Second Young Master was helping us defend Pengcheng, Qifei was responsible for gathering information on the Jianghuai Army and Li Zitong, so he got separated from us. Our spies only encountered him yesterday. Qifei is not only highly skilled in light-footed martial arts, but also proficient in disguise. As a spy, he is no less capable than Miss Linglong."
The handsome Xu Xingzhi was the one with refined features, while the unassuming Luo Qifei was the one with plain looks. She only mentioned Xu Xingzhi briefly because she had never met him before.
Shen Luoyan was overjoyed. It was exactly what she had hoped for! Wasn't Xu Xingzhi the best candidate to take the position of strategist?
Very few outsiders truly understood the relationship between Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao. Song Shidao, in order to build a close relationship with Xu Xingzhi, would probably reveal some information to him; otherwise, why would he have come to Luoyang today? The members of the Pengliang Society and the generals in charge of military and political affairs in Luoyang only knew a little bit. Since all of them had sworn oaths of loyalty, they wouldn't leak the information.
Now was not the time to announce the relationship between Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao, the Song Clan.
Having figured this out, Shen Luoyan nodded to Luo Qifei and said, "Mr. Luo's arrival can also relieve Linglong's pressure."
Luo Qifei didn't dare look directly at the charming Shen Luoyan and quickly lowered his head, repeatedly saying he didn't dare. Shen Luoyan smiled slightly and said to Xu Xingzhi, "Sir, you are truly talented. My husband always speaks of you, often calling you 'the reincarnation of Marquis Wu.' I am truly flattered that you have come to assist me today."
The other three people in the room knew that Yuan Yueze did not interfere in any political affairs in Luoyang, so they had no doubt about Shen Luoyan's authority. Xu Xingzhi said somewhat awkwardly, "What merit do I possess to deserve the attention of the renowned Young Master Yuan? I have heard much about Young Master Yuan from the Second Young Master. A few days ago, I accompanied the Second Young Master on a trip and met Master Lu at the Flying Horse Ranch. We had a very pleasant conversation and stayed there until a few days ago when the Second Young Master came to the ranch to inform me to come to Luoyang."
Shen Luoyan smiled and asked, "And how did you come to meet Second Brother Song?
" Xingzhi replied, “I was originally from Jingling, and served as a clerk under Fang Daoyuan, the Right Vanguard of Duba Manor. However, at that time, the Jianghuai Army heavily guarded the city, cutting off land and water transportation, while a mysterious enchantress bewitched the manor lord, causing brothers to turn against each other and kill one another. Knowing that disaster was inevitable, I was about to secretly leave Jingling when Third Master Song suddenly appeared and took me to Lingnan. Later, I had a long talk with the Second Young Master and became his confidant. I also received many precious books as a gift.”
Shen Luoyan paused slightly when she heard him say “took”, guessing that Song Lu might have forcibly taken him to Lingnan, and that the enchantress he mentioned was likely Wanwan. She smiled inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged as she said, “Then, sir, you should know our plan?”
Excitement flashed in Xu Xingzhi’s eyes, and he nodded.
Shen Luoyan then asked, "Does Mr. Luo have any latest news?"
Luo Qifei replied solemnly, "Du Fuwei is currently stationed east of Danyang, only twenty li from Jiangdu. He is coordinating with the army of Shen Faxing's son, Shen Lun, stationed north of Piling. They have launched three fierce attacks on Jiangdu, resulting in casualties on both sides, but the attack ended with Li Zitong at a slight disadvantage. Piling originally belonged to Li Zitong, but it was captured by Shen Lun a month ago, causing Li Zitong to lose all the counties south of Jiangdu."
Shen Luoyan asked curiously, "Isn't Li Zitong dead?"
The other three looked at her with strange expressions.
Shen Luoyan then realized that no one outside the group knew that Kou Zhong and his companion had killed Li Zitong. She had let it slip and quickly said, "Li Zitong should be out of resources, so how could he still hold onto Jiangdu under attack from two sides?"
Ren Meimei replied, "Li Zitong still has other resources, such as more than ten cities and counties north of Jiangdu. Among them, Donghai County, which borders the sea to the northeast, and Zhongli County, which borders the Huai River, are the most important. The former is his hometown and rear base, while the latter is his transportation hub to the inland. The fall of either of these places would be a fatal blow to him."
Shen Luoyan recalled Yuan Yueze telling her that Song Jingang had tricked her into sending troops to deal with Du Fuwei. Du Fuwei was currently the only force that could threaten Luoyang. Obviously, the later Jiangdu fell, the more beneficial it would be for Luoyang's development. With Luoyang's current strength, it couldn't even take care of Liangdu, let alone the more distant Donghai and Zhongli. So they turned to Xu Xingzhi: "Sir, what are your thoughts on how to proceed with Luoyang?"
Xu Xingzhi replied with a "I dare not," then said, "The Second Young Master said that Young Master Yuan's wives are all highly talented and well-versed in literature; they must already have a plan."
Ren Meimei and Luo Qifei were both startled, as they knew nothing of these matters, only that the women in Yuan Yueze's family were all more beautiful than celestial beings.
Shen Luoyan smiled slightly, tacitly agreeing with Xu Xingzhi's words, and said, "My sisters only occasionally offer opinions; ultimately, I am the one who makes the decisions. Moreover, it's not convenient for them to exchange ideas with me at any time, hence my question earlier."
Xu Xingzhi said, "In my opinion, Luoyang at this moment should first encourage production and consolidate its foundation. Second, streamline the organization of the army. Third, adjust taxes and travel restrictions to promote the economy and trade. Fourth, regarding laws, I believe the city lord has already formulated them. And based on the changing situation and Luoyang's own steady progress, it can be done in the most..." At the opportune moment, we must seize Xiangyang. Xiangyang borders Sichuan to the west, controls Hunan and Hubei to the south, and is adjacent to the Yellow River and Luo River to the north. Therefore, whenever there is war, beacon fires and banners are always visible. During the Three Kingdoms period, Wei, Shu, and Wu fought fiercely for this city, resulting in the death of Guan Yu there. Later, the Western Jin Dynasty used Xiangyang as a base for its campaigns against Wu, and Huan Wen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty used it as a base
for his northern expeditions. Therefore, Master Lu also told me a few days ago, "The reason why the Six Dynasties were able to protect Jiangzuo was because they had strong troops stationed in Huainan and Jingxiang." His words pointed out Lu Miaozi, and Shen Luoyan understood that the two of them must have made the most accurate judgment on the current situation, which was completely consistent with the conclusions of Shan Meixian and the other women. The only thing that needs to be grasped is the timing of the attack; otherwise, if it is not done well, it will surely attract the surrounding forces to abandon their hatred and jointly besiege Luoyang.
For Shen Luoyan, the only truly difficult places to conquer in the Central Plains were the geographically advantageous Guanzhong and Bashu regions. While there were other strategies to deal with Bashu, Jingling and Xiangyang held the greatest strategic significance for advancing into the Guanzhong Plain. Of the two, Xiangyang was particularly important. Although not a major metropolis like Luoyang, Xiangyang, located in the middle reaches of the Han River, was a crucial transportation hub connecting Hubei, Henan, Sichuan, and Shaanxi provinces. Anyone wishing to travel south from the Central Plains or north from the Jianghan Plain had to pass through Xiangyang. Xiangyang could serve as a powerful shield against southern forces and prevent invasion from the east. Most importantly, once Xiangyang was captured, Luoyang would no longer be a dead city, but rather a city that could be attacked or defended. Given Luoyang's historically fortified defenses, Xiangyang was undoubtedly Shen Luoyan's primary target. The chaotic situation east of Liangdu was not something she should be concerned with at the moment.
Shen Luoyan nodded in praise, "Sir, your points are indeed insightful. Regarding the tax issue, I have decided to completely abolish taxes in a few days. As for Xiangyang's argument, Sir and Master Lu's judgments are indeed extremely accurate."
The three looked surprised. Ren Meimei, who was in charge of finance, frowned and said, "However, recruiting soldiers and building the facilities required by the city lord both cost money. If taxes are only reduced, it's fine. But if taxes are abolished, our current funds may not last more than three months before they are completely used up."
Shen Luoyan smiled mysteriously and said, "Tonight, please invite the three of you to my home for a simple meal. Then Sister Ren will understand that your worries were completely unnecessary."
The three looked puzzled.

Chapter 58: A Chance Encounter in Xiangyang
at Dusk.
Xiangyang.
In a secluded corner outside the back door of Jiaxianglou, the largest tavern in the city, strange noises could be faintly heard.
In the corner, a girl in tattered clothes, with disheveled hair, sat slumped on the ground, sobbing like a frightened deer, her eyes behind her long hair filled with terror.
Standing before her were four burly men in black, their faces contorted with menace. The leader, a burly man, snarled, "I thought you were a pretty boy, but you're actually a young woman. Not bad looking, though. We're in luck today."
The girl, seemingly exhausted from sobbing, pleaded in a low voice, "Gentlemen, please spare me, I really..."
The burly man interrupted her, "You stole a gold ingot from me. How can you not pay the price?"
The girl cried out in horror, "Please forgive me, sirs! I was starving. Besides, didn't you already take the gold back?"
The burly man walked up to the girl and forcefully grabbed her... He grabbed her chin and sneered, "That's because I'm capable enough to notice when you touched my purse; otherwise, you would have had the gold long ago. Come on, serve us gentlemen."
The girl was terrified. How could she possibly be a match for the four burly men before her? She shouted again, "The main street is not far behind us. If I shout loudly, your violence will surely be noticed!"
One of the three men still standing behind laughed loudly, "Lord Qian has long established a rule that as long as his interests are not harmed, he will remain neutral in all matters. Besides, even if he wanted to intervene, he couldn't interfere so much."
"Hmph!"
A cold shout, as if coming from afar yet whispered in their ears, suddenly reached the ears of the five men present.
The four men and one woman looked in the direction of the sound.
Less than three zhang behind them, on a mud wall, a middle-aged man in fine clothes was leaning against it. Judging from his attire and demeanor, he should have been a nobleman with impeccable manners, yet his slovenly posture perched on the wall was undeniably comical.
However, these four burly men were clearly intimidated by the cold shout, but saving face was paramount. The leader instantly recalled a scene from a movie, realizing there was no such person in Xiangyang City. He smiled slyly and said, "Your skill is impressive, managing to approach us brothers silently. But at least mind your own business. We brothers are from Xiangyang..."
Before he could finish, the middle-aged man who had been sitting there slowly stood up and walked over, simultaneously striking out with his palm.
This palm strike was utterly unremarkable, lacking even any imposing aura or wind. Yet, the four thugs were horrified to discover that although it was only one palm strike, it seemed as if it was aimed directly at them. How could this be? The angle of the palm's movement constantly shifted, as if all the variations were concentrated in this single strike.
What the four found even more unbelievable was that, on one hand, the middle-aged man had already brushed past them, their energy completely locked and unable to move, and leisurely walked towards the girl whose clothes had been torn; on the other hand, they clearly noticed that the hand in front of them was still slowly moving forward, still touching their bodies. This scene, where the speed was indistinguishable and seemed both real and illusory, was extremely eerie.
Things happened too fast. The girl, bewildered, stood up, staring blankly at the middle-aged man who had only spoken a single sentence before slowly approaching her. She glanced at the four thugs, who stood motionless with their backs to her. The
middle-aged man wasn't particularly handsome, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable, and coupled with the elegant aura he exuded, he possessed a captivating charm.
Approaching the girl, who had already tidied her disheveled hair, the middle-aged man gave her a deep look and nodded approvingly. The girl appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. Although her clothes were tattered and her face bore some dirt, it did not detract from her delicate features and innocent charm.
Patting the girl's shoulder as she stared blankly at him, the middle-aged man reached into his robes and took out a large ingot of gold, weighing several pounds, placing it in her hand. He said softly, "Don't stay in this city. With war raging, how can you protect yourself? Take this gold and find a safe place to live."
He turned to leave, but the girl snapped out of her daze and hurriedly said, "Thank you for saving my life, sir! They…they…"
The middle-aged man turned back and saw her pointing at the four still-standing thugs. He chuckled and casually pushed them aside; the four men collapsed like rag dolls. The girl took a few steps forward and, upon closer inspection, realized that the four thugs were bleeding from all seven orifices and were clearly dead.
The young girl was shocked. Not a sound had escaped her lips; how had these four men died? Seeing the middle-aged man about to leave, she hurriedly grabbed his arm and whispered, "Sir, if you don't mind, I'm willing to follow you and serve you."
The middle-aged man laughed, "You believe me so easily? Aren't you afraid I'm here to harm you?"
The girl also laughed, "Sir, you so kindly saved me, giving me so much money without even asking my name. I don't believe someone like that could be a bad person!"
The middle-aged man shook his head and chuckled, "I'm just passing through Xiangyang. Are you sure you want to come with me? Do you have any family?"
The girl's face darkened, and she gently shook her head.
The middle-aged man knew he had touched a raw nerve and quickly said, "There's a tavern up ahead. I think you must be hungry. Let's go in and eat something."
The girl smiled shyly and nodded hastily.
The third floor of Jiaxiang Restaurant was entirely filled with VIP rooms, quiet and elegant. Reservations were only accepted by regulars or prominent local figures. The middle-aged man intended to go up to the third floor for some food and drinks, but the innkeeper refused to serve him. Disappointed, he shook his head and was about to reserve a table on the second floor and downstairs when a soft, alluring voice sounded behind him: "Innkeeper, this gentleman is a friend of mine. Could you do me the honor?"
The middle-aged man, the young woman, and the innkeeper all turned around.
Not far away stood two elegantly dressed women, their faces veiled, exceptionally beautiful. They possessed equally lustrous black hair, bright, expressive eyes, snow-white skin, and exquisitely curvaceous figures that captivated all who beheld them.
However, many of the diners around them only glanced at them furtively before lowering their heads to continue drinking, as if nothing had happened.
The middle-aged man saw the two women, narrowed his eyes, and remained silent. The shopkeeper glanced at the two women, then at the middle-aged man, and hurriedly stepped behind the counter, bowing and smiling obsequiously, "So you are Madam Qing'er! How could I dare not give you face? Please come upstairs."
The woman speaking was Bai Qing'er, the concubine of Qian Duguan, the lord of Xiangyang City.
The young girl clung tightly to the middle-aged man's arm, curiously looking at the two women whose alluring beauty was almost eerie. She followed the middle-aged man to a quiet room on the third floor.
The middle-aged man instructed the shopkeeper to take the girl downstairs to freshen up, while the shopkeeper went to prepare wine and dishes. Only the middle-aged man and the two women, their faces veiled, remained in the room.
"Rumor has it that the young master went into seclusion a month ago. Why has he come to Xiangyang?"
Bai Qing'er stared at the middle-aged man with a half-smile and slowly asked.
The middle-aged man snorted coldly, "I'm just passing through and will leave before sunset. You're really something. Even with my disguise, I couldn't escape your eyes. I'm truly impressed."
Ignoring the middle-aged man's mocking tone, another woman giggled, "Young master's appearance and clothing are indeed very well done, but your aura is not well concealed. Especially when you killed those villains behind the building, you instantly released your previously suppressed aura. I happened to be passing by and naturally noticed it."
The middle-aged man sneered, "If I remember correctly, you were one of those who attacked Meixian in Yuyao. If Meixian hadn't told me not to make things difficult for you, you would surely be dead by my hand today. I have never shown any mercy to anyone outside my family."
The woman was not afraid at all and smiled charmingly, "I was wrong that day. Thank you, young master and Meixian, for your understanding."
The middle-aged man was none other than Yuan Yueze in disguise.
Seeing that Yuan Yueze was still coldly staring at the woman who was throwing flirtatious glances, Bai Qing'er quickly introduced, "This is Qing'er's martial aunt, and also an elder in the sect, Wen Caiting."
She emphasized the words "martial aunt," as if to remind Yuan Yueze: Wen Caiting is Zhu Yuyan's junior sister and also an elder. Yuan Yueze had been defeated by Zhu Yuyan, so he had to give her some face. On the one hand, she was trying to dampen Yuan Yueze's spirits, and on the other hand, she wanted to resolve the past grievances between the two.
Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Actually, there's not much personal grudge between us. Please don't flaunt your low-class seductive skills in front of me, okay?"
A hint of embarrassment flashed in Wen Caiting's eyes. The clean-washed young woman returned just then. Although her appearance was somewhat less striking than the other two women, she possessed a unique vitality and sunshine, a youthful and innocent charm. Especially captivating were her extremely alluring, long, and shapely legs, which drew admiration from Yuan Yueze. The young woman sat shyly beside Yuan Yueze, and the waiter began bustling about, bringing wine and dishes.
After a while, the wine and dishes were all served. Bai Qing'er and the other woman removed their veils, revealing breathtakingly beautiful faces, causing the young woman, who was happily eating, to momentarily lose her composure.
After exchanging a few polite words, Bai Qing'er glanced at the girl out of the corner of her eye and whispered to Yuan Yueze, "Young Master is going to visit Chang'an in winter, but is it really for the Yang Gong Treasure Treasury?"
Yuan Yueze already knew that Bai Qing'er had come with a purpose, so he whispered back, "It's not convenient to talk about it now. Let's talk about it after this little girl finishes eating."
Bai Qing'er nodded.
The girl was clearly starving. After she finished eating, Yuan Yueze arranged for her to sleep in the guest room, while Yuan Yueze and the other two women stayed to enjoy tea.
Taking a sip of tea, Yuan Yueze said, "I was invited by Princess Li Tang to be a guest. What does this have to do with the treasure vault? And where did you hear this news from?"
Bai Qing'er smiled and said, "It came from Guanzhong. It spread so fast that it started to sound more and more true."
Yuan Yueze frowned and said, "Then what are your purposes? Just say it directly. I'm not good at scheming."
Wen Caiting said, "Young Master is indeed straightforward. We just want to cooperate with you. You take the treasure, and we want something from the treasure vault."
Yuan Yueze said decisively, "Is it the Evil Emperor's Relic?"
The two women were both taken aback, not expecting Yuan Yueze to say it.
Yuan Yueze continued, "Have you forgotten that I am also a member of the Demonic Sect?"
Bai Qing'er covered her mouth and chuckled, "Young Master, your words are truly interesting. The Demonic Sect is just a name used by hypocritical people from the righteous path. How could someone from our Holy Sect claim to be a member of the Demonic Sect?"
Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "Last time in Luoyang, didn't you already believe that I was a member of the Demonic Sect?"
Bai Qing'er replied, "Although the rumor seemed very true, Qing'er and my martial uncle thought about it for a long time afterward and found many loopholes. First, the Holy Sect has never had the title of 'Evil Emperor.' Second, it is rumored that Young Master was a disciple of the previous Evil Emperor, so why aren't you the current Evil Emperor? Why can't you produce the Evil Emperor's token, the Holy Light Ring?"
Yuan Yueze's head began to ache: Wanwan's fake ring might fool outsiders, but for these two people who grew up in the Demonic Sect, they would see through the deception at a glance.
But he didn't want to be entangled with the two women in front of him, because he had other things to do, so he spread his hands and said, "Everyone outside thinks I'm a member of the Demonic Sect, but now you say I'm not. What should I do?"
Bai Qing'er said coquettishly, "Wouldn't it be fine as long as you agree to Aunt Ting's cooperation request?"
Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "Why should I cooperate with you? When I get to Guanzhong, who would dare to stop me?"
Bai Qing'er whispered, "Isn't it true that you're taking your family with you, young master? Qing'er can secretly protect them." "Besides, isn't the Great Ming Venerable Sect your enemy, young master? Qing'er happens to be dealing with some of them."
Yuan Yueze scoffed, "Miss, you should already know that even the 'Sword-Wielding Fairy' is my wife, and your Martial Aunt Ting has seen the beauty's martial arts; their cultivation is definitely no less than yours. Why should you protect them? As for the people of the Great Ming Venerable Sect, those you're dealing with are just small fry. I don't care about them. The only one I care about is the Great Ming Holy Venerable."
Bai Qing'er and Wen Caiting both showed helplessness in their eyes and sighed softly.
After a while, Bai Qing'er asked again, "Young master, you've been in Luoyang for almost two months now. I've heard that Luoyang is thriving. But aren't you afraid of the threats from the surrounding forces if you suddenly leave?"
Yuan Yueze understood that she was negotiating again and said helplessly, "The city lord of Luoyang is Luo Yan, not me. Do you think I'm stupid enough to be a city lord, and I don't know any conversation skills?"
The two women almost simultaneously burst into laughter, as beautiful and charming as blooming flowers.
Yuan Yueze, momentarily distracted, gave Wen Caiting a thumbs-up and praised, "That smile, untouched by any seductive arts, is the most beautiful and natural."
He then turned to Bai Qing'er and said sternly, "I won't waste any more words. May I ask, young lady, is your purpose in all this to take revenge on Yin Zuwen of the Extinction of Emotions Path, or is it truly a thirst for power?"
A faint blush rose on each of Wen Caiting's cheeks, despite her numerous male concubines, while Bai Qing'er trembled violently, exclaiming, "You... how could you know?"
Yuan Yueze made a pained expression: "I just didn't want... " "Don't you find it tiring to talk to you in such roundabout ways?"
Seeing Bai Qing'er's somewhat distraught appearance, Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "If your goal is just to get revenge on Yin Zuwen, then I can help you take him down when I enter Chang'an this winter. If it's for power and profit, then I can't help you."
Yuan Yueze originally intended to ask about Zhu Yuyan's whereabouts, but he figured the two of them wouldn't know too much either. Judging from Bai Qing'er's tearful expression, Yuan Yueze must have guessed right. That's fine, it saves him from having to scheme against the two women. He then stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "The Great Ming Sect is far from simple. For your own safety, you must not easily trust Rong Jiaojiao and the others. That's all I have to say. Farewell."
Bai Qing'er hurriedly asked, "Young Master... why do you want to help Qing'er take revenge?"
Yuan Yueze was taken aback. He had only wanted to avoid dealing with Bai Qing'er. Without turning his head, he said, "When Yin Zuwen falls in the future, just consider it a stranger helping you take revenge."
Yuan Yueze's footsteps faded away. Wen Caiting said helplessly, "We originally wanted to obtain the relic and find out his next move, but who knew he would turn the tables on us."
Bai Qing'er said with a complicated expression. “Because Qing’er lost her composure, we were at a disadvantage. Please punish us, Martial Aunt.”
Wen Caiting sighed softly, stroked Bai Qing’er’s pretty face, and gently shook her head. “He is sincere, not the cunning person outsiders say. Qing’er has met a benefactor this time.”
Bai Qing’er asked in surprise, “So, outsiders’ thoughts have always been wrong?”
A strange look flashed in Wen Caiting’s eyes as she replied, “Martial Aunt can only rely on her years of experience in judging people to infer, not on any evidence. Let’s try to have less contact with the people of the Great Ming Venerable Sect in the future.”
Bai Qing’er nodded silently.
※※※※※ Back in his guest room, Yuan Yueze saw the girl sleeping soundly in the inner room. He shrugged helplessly and chuckled to himself: He didn’t even know the girl’s name yet, and he only left after she woke up.
Sitting alone at the table in the outer room, Yuan Yueze pondered the matter of Xiangyang.
After Yang Guang's death, the situation intensified across the land. Those who had already seized power and declared themselves kings or emperors took the opportunity to expand their territories, while former Sui officials or those who had been observing the situation rose up in rebellion, forming local forces to protect their homes and communities.
Qian Duguan of Xiangyang was a typical example. Known as
"Double-Knife" Qian Duguan was the leader of the Han River faction, a man straddling the line between good and evil, influential in both the legal and illegal worlds. He was a wealthy silk merchant. After Yang Guang's death, Qian Duguan, with popular support, was elected leader by local gentry and gangs, ousted the Xiangyang governor, formed his own militia, and seized power.
Although Qian Duguan knew he lacked the strength to conquer the entire country, in this turbulent and chaotic time, he could maintain his position in Xiangyang, independent of anyone else's authority. While major powers like Shen Luoyan, Du Fuwei, and Li Zitong were locked in a standoff and mutually restraining struggle, he skillfully navigated the situation, even engaging in large-scale business deals to obtain what he needed, essentially acting as a local tyrant.
Bai Qing'er, on the other hand, was the Yin Gui Sect's best spy infiltrated into Xiangyang. With Zhu Yuyan's help, acquiring Xiangyang would be much easier; the key problem was that Zhu Yuyan was currently nowhere to be found, leaving Yuan Yueze anxious and helpless. The promise he made to Bai Qing'er today inadvertently brought the two sides closer. If Zhu Yuyan hadn't appeared before Shen Luoyan planned to attack Xiangyang, Yuan Yueze could have discussed some cooperation terms with Bai Qing'er.
Suddenly, Yuan Yueze chuckled to himself: he was becoming more and more like a politician, but to people like Li Shimin, he was still as naive as a child who couldn't speak.
Just as he was lost in thought, a very slight knock came at the door. Yuan Yueze, composed and unhurried, said in a low voice, "Please come in."
A figure flashed, and inside appeared a man dressed in fine clothes, with a striking face, carrying a weapon wrapped in layers of thick cloth. The door seemed never to have been opened.
The two men stared at each other, momentarily stunned. Yuan Yueze tentatively asked, "Second Brother?"
The newcomer removed his finely crafted mask and sat down opposite Yuan Yueze. It was Song Shidao, but like Yuan Yueze, he had come in disguise.
Yuan Yueze also removed his mask, and the two smiled at each other.
After taking a sip of tea, Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "How did you know I was here, Second Brother?"
Song Shidao replied, "Your disguise was prepared by your younger sister, wasn't it? The belt is unique to the Song clan; ordinary people can't tell the difference. I arrived in Xiangyang yesterday, and just now when you entered the city, our scouts spotted you, so I guessed it must be you."
Yuan Yueze looked down at the belt and asked, "I really have to thank Second Brother for sending Xu Xingzhi to help Luoyan. Where have you been for the past month?"
Song Shidao answered, "After failing to defend Pengliang Society in Pengcheng, I received a letter from my younger sister saying that there might be spies from the Great Ming Zunjiao among the high-ranking officials in Lingnan. So I went back and discussed it in detail with my second and third uncles."
Yuan Yueze realized that it must have been Wang Shichong who revealed his knowledge of the cult, and Song Yuzhi immediately sent a message to Song Shidao. Then he asked, "Have you been staying in Lingnan for the past month or so?"
Song Shidao chuckled dryly, "I've been practicing the *Longevity Manual* and have made some progress."
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Are the *Longevity Manual* that Kou Zhong and his two lads showed you still in the mountain city?"
Song Shidao shook his head, "They fully recovered from their injuries half a month ago and left. I just happened to glance at the *Longevity Manual* and, based on the experience in the book, naturally mastered the seventh diagram."
The experience he spoke of was naturally the experience of the two dragons in the original Tang Dynasty novel. The most important experience that allowed them to cultivate the *Longevity Manual* was the movements after cultivating the chaotic true qi within their bodies. Most people would consider this a qi deviation, which could lead to paralysis at best, and death from ruptured meridians at worst. If it didn't work out, they wouldn't dare to continue practicing. This was due to preconceived notions. Initially, the twin dragons, completely unaware of what was going on, simply believed it should be done this way: single-mindedly pursuing their goals, they tried anything, and unexpectedly grasped the essence of the diagrams. Unexpectedly, Song Shidao had taken an even simpler shortcut. The mental cultivation method he practiced was created by Song Que, but that method and swordsmanship were difficult to coordinate perfectly. Now, he was beginning to cultivate the Longevity True Qi, and he was sure to achieve great things in the future.
Yuan Yueze nodded: "Then congratulations, Second Brother."
Song Shidao smiled: "You should have read that book too, right? As one of the 'Four Great Wonders,' it's indeed not simple. Haven't you thought about cultivating the 'Longevity Manual'?"
Yuan Yueze was taken aback, scratching his face, "I've read it once, but I've never thought about practicing the diagrams."
Song Shidao sighed: "Your body is different from ours; you should practice the mental cultivation method that even we dare not practice."
Yuan Yueze painfully explained to Song Shidao everything: his previous lack of restraint in practicing Qi had led to his current stagnation, the evil Qi left behind by the Holy Venerable was causing trouble in his meridians, and the purpose of his trip.
Song Shidao asked with a sigh, "Haven't you found a good way to expel that evil energy in the past month or so?"
Yuan Yueze shook his head, "During this time, I've been refining my vital energy almost day and night. Although the refining speed isn't slow, those evil energies in my meridians are like maggots clinging to my bones. They can't be completely expelled without a long period of seclusion, and I simply don't have that much time for solitary seclusion right now."
Song Shidao nodded, "Just be careful. It's not someone at the level of a Saint Venerable, so they shouldn't pose a threat to you. How many people at the level of a Saint Venerable are there in the world?"
Yuan Yueze smiled, "That's true. What are your plans next?"
Song Shidao replied, "My second and third uncles are in Shancheng. I originally planned to go to Luoyang to see my eldest sister and younger sister, and then disguise myself and remain anonymous in the martial world to continue cultivating the 'Longevity Technique' and swordsmanship."
Yuan Yueze suddenly seemed to remember something and closed his eyes for a moment. Song Yuhua and Dugu Feng were then forcibly pulled out.
Upon seeing the drastically changed Song Yuhua, Song Shidao began to scrutinize her repeatedly with ill intent.
After Yuan Yueze invited the two women to sit down, Song Yuhua felt extremely embarrassed by Song Shidao's gaze and repeatedly massaged Yuan Yueze's lower back under the table. Yuan Yueze grimaced and changed the subject, and the four of them began discussing the current state of affairs and the latest news from the North and South.
Dugu Feng stood to the side with a resentful expression. During her short stay at home, Yuan Yueze had brought three women into the house. The day she saw Song Yuhua preemptively consummate her marriage with Yuan Yueze, Dugu Feng was furious. When she was about to offer herself to him, she discovered that Yuan Yueze had gone into seclusion to cultivate his inner energy, which greatly frustrated her. After more than a month of seclusion, Yuan Yueze immediately went out to inquire about the Holy Venerable's whereabouts. Dugu Feng insisted on coming along, and in the end, Shan Meixian had the steady and quiet Song Yuhua accompany her to Yuan Yueze's side.
After talking for a long time, Song Shidao smiled and said, "Then let's part ways now. Be careful in everything."
Yuan Yueze and the two women stood up together to see him off. After Song Shidao shook his head and waved, his figure disappeared outside the door like a ghost.

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