[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 32

Chapter 119 Clues
Yuan Yueze asked, "Didn't the Daoist spread the word for me?"
The Mule Daoist replied, "I have, but Du Xing and the others don't take Brother Xiao seriously at all..."
Yuan Yueze secretly regretted his decision. How could a name no one had ever heard of attract attention and have a deterrent effect? So he smiled and said, "Daoist, please leave. I need to go and take a look. If Du Xing is also one of the people who killed my cousin, I will never forgive him."
After saying that, he strode towards Yinma Post Station.
After a while, the voice of the Mule Taoist sounded from behind, saying, "Brother Xiao, please wait. I am not a coward, and besides, Du Xing's wolfish ambitions have been exposed. Brother Lu's death must be related to him. You are not familiar with this place, so let me lead the way for you! By the way, where are the two ladies?"
Yuan Yueze said, "I, Xiao, have risked my life to ensure that Daoist Zhang Bao is not in danger. My wife has lived in seclusion for many years and is very disgusted with the secular world. I have arranged for them to stay in a secluded place."
After running for a long time, the two arrived at the bottom of the slope leading to Yinma Post Station. Yuan Yueze was slightly surprised. He did not expect that there would be such a strangely shaped and magnificent inn in the border region.
Yinma Post Station was located on a high mountain on the side of the valley, backed by high mountains, with the feel of a mountain stronghold, possessing military defensive capabilities.
The Mule Taoist stared at Xiao Lei, who was exhausted and foaming at the mouth, for a moment, and then began to introduce it to Yuan Yueze.
The main building of Yinma Post Station was a two-story earthen building, surrounded by a circular stone wall three zhang high. The main building was located on the side facing the mountain, and the wall extended from both sides of the earthen building, enclosing a large open square, which was also a place for carriages and horses to park. The main gate was opposite the main building, with only one entrance. Along the wall were more than fifty guest rooms. The courtyard was surrounded by a corridor with groups of seven or eight chairs and tables for people to rest and chat. In the center of the courtyard was a large water tank two zhang wide.
Mule Daoist's eyes flashed with surprise. There was no sign of fighting in the post station in front of him. He could vaguely see more than a dozen wooden fences for local horses embedded in the square, and some waiters were chatting while filling the mangers with hay and water for dozens of strong horses to eat and drink. Yuan Yueze, however, was unconvinced. Although his power had diminished, his profound spiritual cultivation was constantly improving. Through his spiritual sense, he clearly perceived a tense and eerie atmosphere in the surroundings, making people feel a tightness in their chests. He frowned and said, "This stone-built stronghold sits atop a hill. Both the plaza and the main building have only one entrance, with narrow windows. While this offers defensive advantages, if the entrance is blocked, no one can escape. And considering it's only been a quarter of an hour, the scene has been cleaned up so thoroughly. Du Xing is certainly no ordinary person."
With that, he leaped up, landing at the inn's entrance in a few bounds, and shouted, "Where is Du Xing? Come out and face your death!"
Black King nimbly flew down and perched proudly on his shoulder.
The Mule Daoist thought to himself, "How can this man be so naive and impulsive?" But his face was cold, his eyes gleaming with a powerful, almost tangible confidence. His majestic, mountain-like, and upright body, straight as a spear, resembled a god. Black King on his shoulder added to his domineering and arrogant aura, giving one the feeling that no matter what storm they encountered, this man and eagle would remain steadfast.
The sound of true energy being channeled could be heard for dozens of feet around. Suddenly, a commotion arose inside the building, and a dozen strong men rushed out of the door, wielding sharp weapons. Judging from their restrained energy and prominent, undisguised temples, Yuan Yueze deduced that these experts were likely arranged by Du Xing.
Just then, a woman in colorful robes emerged from the crowd, greeting Yuan Yueze with a charming smile: "Is this the young master Xiao from Lanling? He truly is a handsome man, even I am somewhat tempted!"
It was easy to guess that she was the prostitute of Yinma Inn, the seductive lady. Her figure was somewhat excessive, and although she was well over thirty, she relied entirely on makeup to resist the ravages of time. Dressed in a gaudy, bright red dress, she was worlds apart from Zhang Chuchen, who also favored red. The scent of perfume and cosmetics could be smelled from several feet away, and her watery, seductive eyes exuded boundless sexuality, reminiscent of cheap prostitution.
Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Mule Taoist had indeed done a lot of publicity for "Xiao Bei." Ignoring her provocative words, he waved his hand and shouted, "Du Xing, you coward! A real man should act boldly! If you don't come out, I'll tear this post station down!" The
slutty woman and her men's expressions changed drastically, and they all started cursing. Just as the slutty woman was about to find an excuse to send Yuan Yueze away, she saw the Mule Taoist running over from not far away. Her face immediately darkened, and she fell silent.
Suddenly, a loud voice came from inside the hall, politely saying, "I have long admired Brother Xiao's name. Please come in for a chat. Du Xing awaits your arrival."
As soon as the Mule Taoist stood beside Yuan Yueze, he immediately shook his head, signaling him not to fall for it. Du Xing's smile was a trap; if he went in, wouldn't that be like walking into a snare?
Yuan Yueze hadn't expected Mule Daoist to come. Now, with an extra burden, it didn't affect his confidence. He gave Mule Daoist a reassuring smile and strode confidently towards the hall entrance. Each step was firm and powerful, his imposing figure and the strange rhythm of his footsteps conveying an unwavering determination. This completely overwhelmed the aura of the assembled experts at the entrance.
Mule Daoist broke out in a cold sweat, forced to follow closely.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yuan Yueze followed Sao Niangzi into the main building, which was a spacious dining hall that could accommodate nearly thirty large round tables. Behind the main building was a large garden, the site of the famous Yinma Hot Spring. Irregularly shaped natural hot springs emitted rising steam and billowing mist, instantly elevating the simply furnished dining hall to a celestial paradise.
Only one person remained in the dining hall, yet Yuan Yueze's spiritual sense detected at least a hundred people lying in ambush behind the surrounding walls. He immediately began to devise a plan to protect Mule Daoist. Du Xing whirled around like a whirlwind, striding forward to greet him, clasping his hands in a fist salute, "Brother Xiao, please!"
The instant his gaze fell upon Mule Daoist, a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes before he regained his smiling demeanor, carefully scrutinizing Yuan Yueze and Black King.
Du Xing lived up to his name as a tyrant; tall and imposing, his physique commanding respect. His unusually high forehead indicated he was no fool. He was just over forty, not exactly handsome, but brimming with masculine vigor and radiant energy. Beneath his thick eyebrows were sharp, piercing eyes, as if nothing could hide from him. With one hand behind his back, wearing a yellow warrior's robe and cloak, and leather boots, he exuded an undeniable aura of dominance. Under Yuan Yueze's sharp, sword-like gaze, Yuan Yueze showed no unease whatsoever. He calmly sat down, while Mule Daoist trembled as he took his seat. Du Xing and Sao Niangzi both flashed mocking and disdainful looks. After personally pouring Yuan Yueze a full glass of wine, Du Xing said, "This is the proprietress's treasured Hongmao wine. It regulates qi and benefits the lungs, nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys, invigorates qi and calms the mind, soothes the liver and strengthens the spleen. Its benefits are countless. Brother Xiao, please."
Mule Daoist's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in horror, "I can't drink this!"
Yuan Yueze didn't care, drank it all in one gulp, frowned slightly, stroked the glossy feathers of the Black King, and said, "This..." "The medicinal wine is too bitter. Alright, let's get down to business! Could you hand over the martial arts figures from the Northern Frontier that Brother Du captured?"
Seeing Yuan Yueze drink it all in one gulp, Du Xing and his companion were surprised. Seeing Mule Daoist's deathly pale face, they were secretly pleased. However, Yuan Yueze's directness displeased Du Xing, who said, "Trouble arises from too much talk, and worries from being too assertive. Brother Xiao should understand this is the truth. The grudges of the Northern Frontier martial arts world are none of your concern. Do you agree?"
Yuan Yueze secretly thought, "Wow, Du Xing's adherence to the rules of the martial world has put us at a disadvantage." People of this era, especially those from the grasslands, respect the strong; only the strong deserve respect. Du Xing could tell that Yuan Yueze's strength was at most equal to his own, hence his equally bluntness.
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said, "Brother Du speaks well. Then I would like to ask about something related to me. My cousin Xiao Shiyong was robbed of a batch of goods near Shanhai County, which led to the destruction of his family. I wonder if Brother Du knows who did it? Oh! Please don't say you don't know. I have found out about Brother Du's relationship with Huyan Jin of the Khitan."
Even with Du Xing's shrewdness, his facial muscles twitched slightly upon hearing this. Although Gao Kaidao was the ruler of the Northeast, he still had little say in many areas. A regional overlord like Du Xing, backed by the Turks and Khitans, was someone everyone knew was capable of doing evil in secret, yet no one could do anything about him. Moreover, his martial arts skills were unparalleled in the Northeast, and everyone was wary of him. When had he ever been mocked like this?
Looking at his expression, Yuan Yueze secretly thought that Xiao Shiyong might really have been harmed by Du Xing.
"Bang!"
Du Xing slammed his hand on the table, making a dull thud, but not a single drop of wine spilled from the wine vessel on the table, demonstrating that his martial arts were not only extraordinary but also of an unparalleled internal style. He shouted angrily, "Your cousin's kidnapping has nothing to do with my mother! Which person in the martial world doesn't value honor? Your words are pointed. If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation today, don't even think about leaving."
Yuan Yueze continued to stroke the Black King's head, and yelled, "Honesty? You son of a bitch! Wasn't the poison in the medicinal wine I just drank put in your mouth? Wasn't it you who plotted against the martial arts world of the Northern Frontier, trying to dominate? Besides being shameless, I don't see any other skills you, Du Xing."
Du Xing laughed loudly, slapping his thigh, and said, "Since you know..." "You've been poisoned, why don't you obediently surrender? Grandpa might spare your life! Who among your ancestors dares to boss me, Du Xing, around here?"
Yuan Yueze suddenly stood up, grabbing the edge of the table with both hands. As he stepped back slightly, he lifted the entire large wooden table off the ground, then angrily hurled it upwards. The table, along with the cups, plates, and dishes, rose as if weightless, crashing heavily into the main beam of the roof. The table, cups, and dishes shattered into fragments, raining down on the group. Simultaneously, he used his right hand to send the Mule Taoist out of the window with a gentle force, saying, "Go as far away as you can! Black King will protect you!"
Du Xing and Sao Niangzi retreated together, realizing from Yuan Yueze's actions that he wanted to seize the initiative and get rid of the Mule Taoist first.
The Mule Taoist was uncontrollably thrown out of the window, grateful for Yuan Yueze's protection. At the same time, a strange whistling sound echoed from the hall, and the doorway was immediately blocked by a group of burly men wielding knives who appeared out of nowhere. Another group rushed towards him, but fortunately, Black King, having undergone a transformation in its meridians thanks to Yuan Yueze's true energy, was now a formidable opponent. The first burly man to charge was struck on the arm by its powerful wings, the pain causing him to lose his grip on his knife. Before he could even recover, Black King's black beak, harder than steel, had pecked off most of his nose. The burly man let out a pig-like scream, writhing on the ground in agony.
Yuan Yueze's movements were swift and decisive. Grabbing a bamboo chopstick still in mid-air, he poured all his accumulated energy and spirit into it, and with thunderous force, thrust it towards Du Xing, aiming to capture the bandit leader with a single, unexpected attack. The
sound of wind whistling filled the air. Du Xing dared not be careless, but unfortunately, his Overlord Axe was still hidden behind the wall, leaving him no choice but to raise his palm to meet the blow.
"Bang!"
After the clash of energies, a blush crept across Du Xing's face. Using the momentum, he smashed through the wall, simultaneously grabbing the unskilled Sao Niangzi with his right hand and throwing her towards Yuan Yueze to stop him from continuing his pursuit.
Yuan Yueze, having failed with his chopsticks attack, caught his breath and gave chase again. However, Sao Niangzi was thrown towards him. He certainly wouldn't show mercy to these members of the Great Ming Sect, striking out with a palm.
The events unfolded too quickly; Sao Niangzi didn't even have time to react before Yuan Yueze's palm struck her chest. Blood gushed from her trachea, and she collapsed to the ground, her eyes wide open in death. Even in her dying moments, she couldn't believe that the selfish and heartless Du Xing had killed her.
Yuan Yueze rushed out of the shop, but at least five hundred men surrounded him. Some wielded swords, others drew their crossbows, all in perfect unison, nocking arrows and aiming at him. At Du Xing's command, a barrage of arrows would rain down upon him. This group of men stood poised and ready, yet their breathing was utterly even, indicating that Du Xing's men were no ordinary rabble from a gang. Their appearance, so different from that of the Central Plains people, suggested they were all foreigners from the Turkic or Khitan ethnic
groups, all fierce, composed, and fearless. Du Xing, wielding a pair of massive axes, exuded an imposing aura. To his left stood a middle-aged man with a scholarly air, seemingly a secretary to a high-ranking official; to his right, a man in his thirties, wielding a longsword, with thick, bushy hair and eyebrows like iron wire, and a short, brush-like beard, possessed a distinctly defined profile and a chilling, composed gaze—a middle-aged man with considerable masculine charm.
Yuan Yueze, seemingly oblivious to the hundreds of arrows aimed at him, calmly said, "If I'm not mistaken, are the two men beside Brother Du the second-in-command of the Anle Gang and the advisor of the Beima Gang? Aside from today's Yinma tragedy, are the Anle tragedy and the Baihua tragedy also related to you? Come at me all at once!"
Du Xing's group remained motionless, staring at Yuan Yueze in astonishment.
At this moment, Yuan Yueze's mind had entered a state of emptiness and stillness, a state of no-thought, where he was one with heaven and earth, his ego nonexistent. He deliberately showed no fear or trepidation, and was fully aware of his surroundings, knowing that in this state, his opponents could not grasp his true strength or see through his supposed invincibility. Du Xing and the others felt as if Yuan Yueze had merged into the world; if their eyes hadn't told them there was a person standing there, they would never have believed it.
This is merely a spiritual state, requiring no internal strength. Yuan Yueze's aim is to undermine his opponent's confidence and morale, because the martial arts of the Turks and Khitans are characterized by brute force and a strong sense of momentum, with a life-or-death mentality. Given that his strength has not yet fully recovered, Yuan Yueze must use all means to undermine his opponent's fighting spirit from every angle.
Du Xing felt a pang of regret. He had been blinded by victory, prioritizing poison over eliminating the troublesome stranger who had come to cause trouble, thus creating an unnecessary rift. This man was so skilled that he was completely unaffected by the seductive woman's ten deadly poisons, further eroding Du Xing's confidence. Adding to this, Yuan Yueze's use of all his sword energy to lock him down only deepened his remorse, causing his fighting spirit to plummet. However, he still forced a smile and said, "If it weren't for the news from Luoyang that Yuan Yueze was in seclusion to heal the seriously injured Zhu Yuyan, I might have mistaken you for him!"
Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly. This appearance was indeed completely different from the rumors, but someone as observant as Du Xing could still see the discrepancy. Fortunately, the reason given by Luoyang was plausible, so Du Xing only harbored slight suspicion.
In a moment of slight surprise, Du Xing shouted, "Attack!"
Arrows rained down from all directions.
Before they could even rejoice, their expressions suddenly froze.
Yuan Yueze, riddled with countless arrows, charged forward like a hedgehog. Halfway there, he used his inner energy to deflect the arrows and, like a tiger, punched Du Xing.
His mind was repeatedly shaken; everyone regarded Yuan Yueze as an invincible god. Du Xing felt fear, but Yuan Yueze's speed and momentum were overwhelming, leaving him no choice but to meet him head-on with his men.
Suddenly, the Black King's shrill cry rang out, indicating that the Mule Taoist had been safely escorted away. The powerful giant eagle joined the battle, blood splattering everywhere. Even the usually fierce Turkic and Khitan people couldn't withstand the power of Yuan Yueze and the Black King; after more than two hundred were killed, some began to flee.
Having successively killed the two mediocre advisors, Yuan Yueze ignored the soldiers still charging at him and fiercely attacked Du Xing, who was dodging backward. The Black King, sensing the opportunity, used its giant wings to push back the soldiers, its steel beak sniping and iron claws clawing, buying time for Yuan Yueze.
"Bang!"
Du Xing screamed in agony, his giant axe slipping from his hand. He coughed up blood and flew several feet away, crashing to the ground.
Yuan Yueze stood beside him, his foot pressing on Du Xing's head. "You're so good at cursing, aren't you? Let me hear you curse a few more times!" A sense of
relief washed over him. If he hadn't mentally and physically broken his opponent, this battle wouldn't have ended so easily.
Du Xing spat angrily, "Han dog, don't even think about submitting to me! We Turks are fearless and undaunted!"
Yuan Yueze stomped on Du Xing's knee, a crisp cracking sound followed by a smile. "How could I let you die?"
Du Xing was in excruciating pain, his face contorted. Seeing Yuan Yueze's foot about to strike his other knee, Du Xing finally begged for mercy, "Brother Xiao, if you spare my life, I'll tell you everything."
This man was indeed extraordinary; even in this desperate situation, his mind remained sharp, striving to secure his own interests.
Yuan Yueze said, "I promise that if Brother Du tells everything, I will spare your life, but this only applies to me."
Du Xing was stunned. This time, he had offended everyone in the Northern Frontier martial arts world, both those he could and those he couldn't. Even if Yuan Yueze let him go, how could the others possibly let him go? It seemed he had to find another way out.
As his mind raced, Yuan Yueze had already squatted down and used acupressure to stop the bleeding, saying, "I hope what Brother Du knows will not disappoint me."
Looking at the corpses scattered all around, Du Xing had no choice but to swear a poisonous oath before confessing everything.
The gang leaders he had captured were all locked in the underground prison at Yinma Post Station. After Du Xing had his men clean up the battlefield, before he could even force them to sign an unequal treaty, Yuan Yueze came to cause trouble and threw him into disarray.
Yuan Yueze asked again, "Where is Xu Kaishan hiding?"
Du Xing shook his head and said, "I don't know either."
Yuan Yueze said angrily, "Have you forgotten the oath you just swore? Or do you want me to teach you another lesson? Xu Kaishan hid in another place before, and only recently returned to the Northern Frontier, claiming that he went to the far north to find a fine horse. You still dare to lie to me?"
Du Xing smiled bitterly, "That was after Xiang Yuanhua secretly submitted to me. I arranged for someone to impersonate Xu Kaishan to intimidate the internal strife within the Northern Horse Gang. The real Xu Kaishan disappeared more than half a year ago."
To be on the safe side, Yuan Yueze said, "Tell me where the fake Xu Kaishan is later. I want to go and see."
Du Xing could only nod.
The sound of hooves rang out, and Yuan Yueze looked up. It turned out that Mule Daoren had returned.
Looking at the corpses all over the ground and the dejected Du Xing in surprise, Mule Daoren was extremely excited. After Yuan Yueze briefly explained a few things to him, he asked him to release the people in the dungeon.
Du Xing hurriedly said, "Please, Brother Xiao, spare me. If they come out now, I will suffer a fate worse than death. I am already a cripple, and I only want to go back to my hometown and live a peaceful life. I have no desire for fame or fortune anymore."
Yuan Yueze stopped the mule-wielding Taoist and said, "Seeing that you are a decent man, I will let you go this time. Continue to confess."
Du Xing was overjoyed, his life was finally saved, and he immediately told everything he knew.
It turned out that the culprit who stole Zhai Jiao's 80,000 sheepskins was none other than Gong Qi, a general under Bai Ziting, who had an unusual relationship with both Xu Kaishan and Du Xing, disguised as Cui Wang. Bai Ziting was short of money when he established his kingdom, so he came up with this method: first sell the goods to people, and then his army secretly supported Gong Qi to steal the goods by pretending to be bandits, extorting money from the other party at a high price. In this way, one batch of goods was equivalent to being sold twice, and Bai Ziting made a fortune through this method. After going around in circles, we still returned to the old path of the original book. Du Xing was not involved in either the Anle or Baihua tragedy, but he knew that Huyan Jin, Han Chaoan and Gong Qi might be related to the Anle tragedy. He had no idea who was responsible for the Baihua tragedy.
Upon hearing about the instigator of his old friend's case, Mule Daoist exclaimed excitedly, "The Northern Frontier has been turned upside down by Ghost Fiend, and you still have the nerve to cause division!"
Yuan Yueze asked, "Who is Ghost Fiend?"
Du Xing replied, "I don't know either. I heard from Huyan Jin that Ghost Fiend seems to have a close relationship with the 'Mad Monk of India,' because Ghost Fiend has never committed any crimes in the Mohe region. My latest news is that Ghost Fiend has started causing trouble again, but this time in the more northerly Shiwei."
Mule Daoist asked, "Who is Funantuo?"
Du Xing said, "Bai Ziting's establishment of a kingdom against the tide is largely related to this man. Funantuo comes from India, has traveled extensively, is knowledgeable, and eloquent. It was only after hearing his story that I hastily established my kingdom. This monk is indeed quite capable. After Bai Ziting announced his establishment of the kingdom, Jieli and Tuli clashed repeatedly, leaving them unable to intervene, and the Khitan king dared not act rashly, preserving his strength to observe the situation."
Yuan Yueze scoffed, "Capable my foot!" "This wicked monk came to Turpan to preach several years ago, engaging in a fierce debate with the leaders of Manichaeism and Nestorianism. His eloquence was unparalleled, and his understanding of Buddhist doctrines was profound, earning him the praise of monarchs from various countries. He then established the Tianzhu Religion. At that time, he was not called Fu Nanda, but rather the Bitter Monk. Everyone believed him to be a highly accomplished holy monk, completely deceived by him. Royal families from various countries revered him as a god, offering him gold and treasures under various pretexts, and even having their children follow him in practicing his methods. It wasn't until the leaders of Manichaeism and Nestorianism suddenly died that people suspected he was responsible, but it was too late. He had already absconded with a large amount of wealth, and it was discovered that many beautiful female believers had been raped and murdered under the guise of practicing his methods. After Fu Nanda fled to Longquan, he began to collude with Bai Ziting, but his power expanded extremely rapidly, so Bai Ziting needed to rely on the Ming Dynasty..."
At this point, he suddenly frowned and stopped, completely unaware that Mule Daoist and Du Xing were staring at him in shock.
He had just recited a whole string of things he'd memorized from books, and as he finished, he realized the problem: although Fu Nanta was appointed National Preceptor by Bai Ziting, his power was growing, and his unparalleled eloquence made him a god-like figure in Longquan, crossing Bai Ziting's bottom line. Therefore, the two were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. This was why, in the original story, Bai Ziting secretly supported the Great Ming Zunjiao to resist Fu Nanta. If Gui Sha truly had a close relationship with Fu Nanta, then he shouldn't have been involved in the Anle Tragedy, since the Anle Tragedy only concerned Gong Qi's secret. However, after Yuan Yueze's series of suppressions, the Great Ming Zunjiao had already collapsed, and Bai Ziting should have been at a disadvantage in his covert struggle with Fu Nanta. It was best to find out as soon as possible whether Gui Sha was truly related to Fu Nanta.
In an instant, Yuan Yueze made up his mind. Du Xing smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Xiao, who exactly are you? Could you please tell me?"
Knowing that his extraordinary nature had been seen through, Yuan Yueze said calmly, "Whoever you are is fine. Brother Du, please leave as soon as possible."
Yuan Yueze kept his word. After Du Xing left a false hiding place for Xu Kaishan, he let him mount his horse and leave as promised.
Then, together with Mule Dao, they went to the dungeon to release the group of martial arts figures from the Northern Frontier.
Mule Dao hesitated to speak. Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "My real name is Yuan Yueze. I get along quite well with you, Daoist Master, and I can't bear to lie to you. Please keep it a secret."
Mule Dao trembled violently and stared at him in disbelief for a long time before happily saying, "To be able to make friends with the world-renowned Brother Yuan, how fortunate I am! If I were to reveal even the slightest secret, may I die a horrible death!"

Chapter 120 Jade Demise and Fragrance Fades
After washing up and introducing themselves, everyone returned to the hall.
Yuan Yueze then realized just how vicious Du Xing was. Except for their leaders, all the major gangs had been slaughtered by Du Xing. The only survivors were Bei Shuqun, the leader of the Northeast Gang; Bei Chenfen, the young leader; Da Gonglang, the head of the External Alliance Gang, and his mistress Su Qing; Chen He, the leader of Xianxia Cave, and his prized disciples Lü Shiqing and Lang Tingting; and Jing Kang, the leader of the Saimo Gang.
Upon learning that Yuan Yueze had crippled Du Xing's leg and then released him, these unruly and long-suffering men were filled with indignation. Had Yuan Yueze not saved their lives, they likely would have truly come to blows.
Yuan Yueze said, "Du Xing's fate is entirely up to you all. I will not let such a ruthless person go. I have already sent Black King to track him down, and I will inform you of his whereabouts when the time comes."
Jing Kang scrutinized him intently and said, "Brother Xiao, you are exceptionally capable. I only heard a few rumors a few days ago. I wonder what your true identity is? Without you, we would be nothing more than puppets, even if we don't die. We will remember this great kindness and repay it."
He was of medium height and about fifty years old. He had a commanding presence when he spoke. What was most impressive about him was his aquiline nose and his deep-set but sharp eyes, which gave him a sinister and composed air.
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, flipped his wrist, and took out the evil sword that represented his identity, saying, "My real name is Yuan Yueze. I came here to deal with the Ghostly Fiends, and I had to conceal my identity. Otherwise, if that cunning person escaped, I don't know how many more people would be harmed. I hope you will keep this a secret. As for rewards, there's no need for them. I didn't save you for any reward."
Everyone was immediately moved, and then swore a solemn oath, behaving exactly like Mule Daoist, secretly admiring his magnanimity.
Su Qing said happily, "It was actually the invincible master Yuan Gongzi, who is famous throughout the world, who saved us. It's truly unbelievable."
She had high cheekbones and a pair of brown phoenix eyes, suggesting she had mixed foreign ancestry. Her beautiful, watery eyes exuded a foxy charm, and her gaze towards Yuan Yueze was light and flirtatious, making Yuan Yueze feel overwhelmed.
Jing Kang said in a deep voice, "Besides Gui Sha, Brother Yuan, are you also here for Miss's shipment?"
He had a deep friendship with Zhai Rang and Dou Jiande in the past, so Zhai Jiao's business in the north was taken care of by him. He didn't expect to lose such a large shipment this time, and he felt ashamed.
Yuan Yueze nodded, but before he could speak, the door suddenly darkened, and the Black King's gigantic body rushed down, then stood and entered the hall, standing beside Yuan Yueze, causing everyone to marvel.
Yuan Yueze said, "It 'said' it followed Du Xing into Zunhua City, but unfortunately, it's not as clever as anyone else to lose track of Du Xing."
Bei Shuqun, a man with long, gray hair and at least sixty years old, pondered, "If I'm not mistaken, Du Xing is probably preparing to head south back to Shanhai County, where his stronghold is. This man is extremely petty and doesn't know Brother Yuan's true identity; he'll definitely be looking to get some retribution for this humiliation."
Da Gonglang, a Xi tribesman with a high nose and deep-set eyes, said in broken Chinese, "Although he suffered great losses this time..." "He's a skilled fighter, but the Northern Tyrant Gang is powerful, with over ten thousand members, making him difficult to deal with."
Yuan Yueze said, "He'd better provoke me, so I can rightfully kill him."
With Du Xing's conspiracy exposed, the martial arts world of the Northern Frontier will begin to be in turmoil. Yuan Yueze's image of giving without expecting anything in return is deeply imprinted in the minds of those present. Of course, this is not enough to make them submit from the bottom of their hearts. Yuan Yueze doesn't care about these things for the time being. As long as it has a psychological effect, it is enough. In the future, when the situation is settled, he will not worry about these people not coming to join him.
Most of these people are seriously injured. After a few more words, they all take their leave. Yuan Yueze also has to continue on his way. Anyway, it's on his way. He wants to go to Shanhai County to see if Du Xing is really not giving up.
The next afternoon, in an ordinary house east of Yutian City.
Lewd sounds came from inside the house from time to time, obviously someone was having sex.
"Knock knock!"
An untimely knock sounded at the door, followed by a loud, hoarse male voice cursing from inside: "Knock your mother! Didn't you hear I'm doing my business?! If you scare me into impotence, I'll chop you up!"
He cursed as he got up, dressed, and opened the door.
The instant the door opened, an iron claw shot in like lightning. The man didn't even have a chance to resist before being lifted off the ground, begging for mercy: "Sir, spare my life! I couldn't control my lousy mouth."
The newcomer was Yuan Yueze. He quickly entered the room, closed the door, and said, "If you want to live, behave yourself!"
The man nodded knowingly.
The room was simply furnished and dimly lit. The bed was in disarray, and a rather attractive young woman trembled, looking at Yuan Yueze with fear in her eyes. Yuan Yueze growled, "Raise your head. I'll ask you a few questions and then leave."
The man raised his head, barely managing to meet Yuan Yueze's piercing eyes.
Yuan Yueze frowned at first, then his gaze turned cold, and he said, "What's your name!"
The man, who knew no martial arts, dared not resist and weakly replied, "I'm a native of this place, my name is Wan Qing."
Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "Did someone pay you to impersonate a man named Xu Kaishan?"
A look of panic flashed in Wan Qing's eyes, and he hesitated to speak.
Yuan Yueze didn't waste any words; Wan Qing's eyes were the best answer. He threw down a gold ingot, slammed his hand on the table beside him, and said, "If anyone finds out about what happened today, I will never let you go. You'd better watch yourself!"
Then he turned and left.
Yuan Yueze left Yutian and headed southeast.
In a flash, the image in his mind gradually became clear: Wan Qing's appearance was eight parts similar to Liu Yu after his "rebirth," no wonder he was chosen by Du Xing and the clerk to be a puppet. Of course, the two were very different in terms of eyes and aura, but with deliberate disguise, he could pass for the same person. This indicates that Xu Kaishan didn't disappear at all, but was resurrected by Liu Yu. Yuan Yueze and the others had never seen Xu Kaishan before, so they couldn't have guessed this.
The Northern Horse Gang is finished. Even if Liu Yu isn't dead, he couldn't possibly return to run such a small gang.
The key to the two capitals lies between two places, the first pass of the Great Wall.
Shanhaiguan, situated between the mountains and the sea, is a crucial "throat of Liaodong and Jizhou," an important military stronghold on the eastern side of the Great Wall.
During the Warring States period, to defend against foreign invasions, various states built border walls along their borders. After Qin unified China, it connected these border walls, repaired and expanded them, forming the Great Wall stretching from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east, a distance of thousands of miles. The Han, Northern and Southern Dynasties, and Sui dynasties continued to add tiles and expand upon it. By the Sui Dynasty, Shanhaiguan had not yet achieved its peak of interconnected city walls, but it already possessed the grandeur of a formidable pass. Given the growing power of the Turks, Shanhaiguan, though having somewhat lost its military significance, remained a vital transportation route and a distribution center for goods.
The ancient city nestled between mountains and the sea, only fifteen li east of the Bohai Bay's edge. To the north, towering mountains rose majestically, their walls stretching from the Yanshan Mountains, traversing the ridges and reaching the sea from north to south, forming a complete defensive system with several watchtowers.
The county town of Shanhaiguan naturally formed an irregular square shape, longer in the north-south direction and shorter in the northwest, surrounded by city walls with four gates connected by a central crossroads. A bell and drum tower, towering above all other buildings, stood at the center of the crossroads, juxtaposed with the four gates.
Shops were concentrated along both sides of the crossroads, with residences in the back and traditional courtyard houses predominantly courtyard dwellings.
Both shops and residences were built with durable materials such as blue bricks, gray tiles, and white stone, simple and unadorned, resistant to wind and sand, creating a landscape distinct from other cities in Central China. However, its most distinctive feature was the mixed population of Han and non-Han peoples. Yuan Yueze mingled with the procession entering the city, slowly making his way down half the main street, encountering far more non-Han people than Han Chinese. Moreover, the local customs were fierce; everyone carrying weapons and bows and arrows carried a heavy load. Few walked, many rode horses, so shops had stables for tethering horses.
Upon arriving at Shanhai County, he understood even more deeply why Du Xing could reign supreme in this remote, mountainous region: with the non-Han forces powerful and the locals weak, Gao Kaidao had neither jurisdiction over this last county in the northern frontier, nor dared to. He saw half a Yan soldier on the streets, yet did not have to pay taxes to enter the city. Here, only the strong reign supreme, and only the most powerful can maintain the loose, unwritten rules and order. Everything is governed by the rules of the martial world, which is why a powerful figure like Du Xing, who wields considerable influence both inside and outside the Great Wall, has the power to take charge.
Shanhai County is even more bustling and prosperous than Yuyang, and Yuan Yueze, who has been traveling for two days, is thoroughly enjoying the sights.
He hates being watched, so he had concealed his gaze upon entering the city, but now, suddenly sensing someone secretly monitoring him, he was overjoyed, thinking, "It'd be one of Du Xing's men; then I can really cause some trouble."
A plainly dressed young man suddenly bumped into him, bowed his head in apology, and hurried away.
Yuan Yueze unwrapped the bundle of cloth the young man had given him, then strode through several alleys, making sure no one was following him, before heading out of the city.
Three miles east of the city, a rather clever young man was waiting for him.
Yuan Yueze strode forward and asked, "Who are you, and why did you summon me here?"
The young man, who was looking at him with admiration, blushed and said, "I am Ren Jun, a subordinate of Miss Zhai. I greet you, Master Yuan."
Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "So you are Miss Zhai's subordinate. How old are you?"
Ren Jun respectfully replied, "I am twenty-one."
Yuan Yueze said, "I am twenty-six. Call me 'Big Brother' instead. I don't like being called 'Master.' By the way, did you call me out for something?"
Ren Jun's heart surged with turbulent emotions. Yuan Yueze was the most renowned martial arts master in China and abroad, having defeated martial arts masters from all over the Central Plains, the grasslands, and the deserts at the young age of twenty. It was already unbelievable that he was so friendly to him, let alone call him brother. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly said, "Miss sent me here to discuss accounts with the Northeast branch. I only arrived in Shanhaiguan the night before last and learned that the branch 'Yishenglong' that Miss opened here was sealed off by Du Xing's men, and all the staff were imprisoned. It took me a whole day to find out that Du Xing had one leg crippled by Yuan... Brother Yuan, and he was planning to use our people to blackmail Brother Yuan. I spent a lot of money to bribe one of his men and got Brother Yuan's portrait. I've been patrolling the streets and recognized you from your clothes, but your eyes don't quite match."
Yuan Yueze exclaimed, "What!"
Ren Jun stared at him curiously.
What surprised him wasn't Du Xing's hostage-taking, but how Du Xing knew Xiao Bei was Yuan Yueze. According to Ren Jun, he had grasped a clue. When he let Du Xing go, he had already begun to suspect Yuan Yueze's identity. Furthermore, someone must have drawn a portrait of Yuan Yueze, which circulated widely. Du Xing must have obtained the portrait to recognize Yuan Yueze. Knowing that Yuan Yueze was not someone to be trifled with, Du Xing still dared to offend him, demonstrating his vindictive and relentless nature. Uncle Bei's assessment of him was indeed not an exaggeration.
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, placing his hand on Ren Jun's shoulder with a composed expression and eyes gleaming with powerful confidence. He said, "Little Jun, don't worry. Du Xing is finished, and the Northern Overlord Gang will collapse as well."
Just as Ren Jun was flattered, a familiar, melodious voice sounded behind him, seemingly both reproachful and affectionate, saying, "My husband has finally arrived."
A whooshing sound came from the sky, startling Ren Jun. He saw the Black King, its wings blotting out the sun, swooping down. A dozen feet away stood a stunningly beautiful woman with an ethereal air—none other than Su Su.
Yuan Yueze released Ren Jun, pounced on Su Su, and embraced her tightly, kissing her cherry lips passionately, expressing the longing he had felt for her after more than two months apart.
After a brief, playful exchange, Su Su, panting, glanced at Ren Jun, who had turned away, then glared at Yuan Yueze, and chuckled, "Little Jun, why are you so shy?"
Ren Jun was mortified and dared not turn around. His skin was extremely delicate; he couldn't imagine how much Su Su, who had once been just a maid, had changed, and he was no match for her teasing.
The two women approached Ren Jun, forcing him to turn back. His face was flushed, making Yuan Yueze reflect: In the blink of an eye, he had been in the world for many years. Wasn't he just like that when he first met Shan Meixian? The process of growing up can bring some things, but it also takes away some things, such as a naive and innocent heart.
As Yuan Yueze approached Shanhaiguan, he sent Black King to find Su Su. The two women had extremely similar auras, yet were different from ordinary people, so Black King found Su Su without much effort. Su Su, recognizing Yuan Yueze by his scent, immediately came to see him.
The three sat down on the spot and exchanged information.
Upon hearing that Bai Ziting was behind everything, Ren Jun was filled with rage and shouted, "We bought that batch of furs from the Uyghurs through Bai Ziting! The young lady once said that this man is very ambitious, and he is exceptionally talented and skilled in both intelligence and martial arts, definitely not simple. I never imagined he would stoop so low. How can he be qualified to be the ruler of a country!"
Yuan Yueze said in a condescending tone, "Young Jun's life experience is still not rich enough. People who are used to being high above others and being worshipped are obsessed with power. To keep everything or climb higher, they will stop at nothing. Otherwise, their hearts will be terribly empty, and living is more painful than dying."
Ren Jun nodded silently, recalling how that damned Li Mi killed the Great Leader Zhai Rang. Wasn't that the best proof?
Upon hearing of Du Xing's actions, Su Su said angrily, "This man is so despicable! Tonight, we'll split up. My husband will take him down, and I'll go rescue them."
Ren Jun, like a dumbfounded bird, stared at the burly Black King strolling nearby. Hearing this, he looked back at Su Su's beautiful face, which was as lovely as a fairy. Su Su rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you're alright, Xiao Jun, you can come with us to the northern frontier. With my husband teaching you Qi cultivation and summarizing techniques, it will greatly help you improve your cultivation. Whether it's to protect the young lady or to pursue your own life's dreams, it will be beneficial to you."
Seeing that Su Su, now successful, still remembered their old friendship, Ren Jun was overjoyed. Then, he looked troubled and said, "I also want to go out with Sister Su and Brother Yuan to see the world, but what about the accounts?"
Su Su said, "I'll just write a letter to the young lady. It won't make a difference if you're not there."
Ren Jun immediately nodded.
Yuan Yueze scrutinized Ren Jun for a long while, his eyes gleaming. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a simple, ancient-looking, emerald-green, four-foot-two-inch-long straight cleaver, tossing it into Ren Jun's hand. "Since we're brothers, and you wield a sword, consider this a small gift!"
Ren Jun was deeply moved. He gently stroked the obviously extraordinary cleaver as if it were a precious treasure. Its cool touch refreshed him, and he suddenly knelt down, saying, "Brother Yuan, you treat me so well; I could never repay you even if I were to be shattered to pieces.
" Yue Ze helped him sit up, patted his shoulder, and said, "I'm not trying to buy your loyalty, I just think your physique and talent are both top-notch. Although you're still just a rough diamond, with proper polishing, you'll surely become a beautiful gem with limitless potential. There's no need for such formalities between brothers."
He paused, then sighed, "It's foreseeable that in the near future, besides Xiao Zhong, the Central Plains will have another grandmaster of the sword."
Ren Jun couldn't hold back his tears any longer; his cherished dream might finally become a stark reality.
After he wiped away his tears of joy, Yuan Yue Ze asked about the battle between Su Su and Gui Sha.
Su Su pouted and said, "I'm certain I've never seen that person before. He's small and thin, and his martial arts are incredibly strange. I almost fell victim to his sophisticated mental magic. I risked taking a blow myself, resulting in a draw. It took me ten days to expel the evil energy. I heard he's stealing placentas in Shiwei again. I'm furious!"
Yuan Yueze sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "The world is full of wonders. I never imagined there would be such a terrifying expert besides Liu Yu and the Empress. Now that my whereabouts have been exposed, after dealing with Du Xing, we should immediately head to Shiwei and try to resolve this matter before Bai Ziting establishes its kingdom."
The three began to discuss the rescue plan in detail.
At the beginning of Hai hour, the entire Shanhai County was silent.
Only the 'Overlord's Mansion,' the headquarters of the Northern Overlord Gang located in the city center, remained brightly lit, displaying a magnificent and imposing scene. Two men sat in the study in the backyard .
One was naturally "Overlord" Du Xing, and the other was none other than Wang Bo, the leader of the Changbai Sect, "Knowledgeable Gentleman," who had not attended the Northern Frontier Martial Arts Conference. They sat silently facing each other. After a long while, Du Xing calmly asked, "Is the arrangement all right?" A flash of disdain crossed Wang Bo's eyes. He clearly sensed the panic in Du Xing's heart. At this moment, Du Xing had lost all his overlordly aura and courage; he was merely a tiger with its teeth pulled. Wang Bo, having suffered several defeats at the hands of Yuan Yueze last year, showed no remorse but instead harbored resentment. This time, he was the one who had secretly supported Du Xing's unification of the Northern Frontier, only to have his long-planned scheme ruined by the sudden appearance of Xiao Bei. Du Xing had even had one leg crippled. After returning to Shanhai County, he described the situation to Wang Bo, who was waiting there. Wang Bo immediately produced a portrait, which depicted his mortal enemy, Yuan Yueze. Only then did Du Xing realize just how troublesome a person he had offended. Through their conversation, Wang Bo realized that Yuan Yueze, whom Du Xing had encountered, was far less formidable than the one he had encountered in Luoyang. So he comforted Du Xing, saying, "This boy is cunning. If it weren't for me, everyone would still think he was in seclusion in Luoyang!"

When Du Xing returned to Shanhai County on horseback, no one noticed his leg injury. Instigated by Wang Bo and unable to bear the humiliation, he agreed to cooperate with Wang Bo. They simultaneously spread rumors that Yuan Yueze was not in Luoyang but had come to the Northeast, while planning to lure Yuan Yueze there with Zhai Jiao's men, then ambush and kill him with a trap and over ten thousand of their followers. Wang Bo, with his silver tongue, lectured him on many grand principles, such as, "Yuan Yueze wears armor that is impervious to swords and spears. If we trap him and starve him for ten days or half a month, he'll be at our mercy!" He
then analyzed that Yuan Yueze wouldn't immediately kill Du Xing because Wang Bo believed that Yuan Yueze's departure from Luoyang at this critical moment of war with the Li Tang dynasty was simply to gather support from various factions and win over hearts and minds; therefore, he had to consider the safety of the people in several cities in the northern frontier. Du Xing represented a force that could balance power between the interior and exterior of the pass, becoming a buffer between the foreign tribes and the Gao Kaidao. As long as Du Xing can control Shanhaiguan, the Turks and Khitans will not fear Gao Kaidao's disobedience, nor will they be in a hurry to invade the Central Plains. The common people will ultimately benefit. If Du Xing is killed, this delicate balance will be destroyed, and Gao Kaidao will engage in a battle with foreign tribes for Shanhaiguan. In the end, it will be the ordinary people who suffer.
Today, Yuan Yueze has finally arrived at Shanhaiguan. His scouts reported that he had observed Zhai Jiao's branch and met with Jing Kang, who had just returned that afternoon. Du Xing felt increasingly uneasy: Yuan Yueze was a great benefactor of the Northern Frontier martial arts world. Various forces might temporarily cooperate to resist any foreign invasion that might result from his death. Furthermore, the northern tribes are busy preparing their own conspiracies due to the establishment of the Bohai Kingdom and are unlikely to pay attention to Shanhaiguan for the time being. If Gao Kaidao cooperates with Jing Kang and other martial arts figures, they can easily control the chaotic Shanhaiguan. If he dies, from Gao Kaidao himself to the ordinary people accustomed to his exploitation, everyone will benefit.
That's why he asked such a disheartened question.
Wang Bo chuckled and said, "Brother Du, don't worry. Our plan is foolproof. No matter how arrogant Yuan Yueze is, he still has to consider the safety of Zhai Jiao's men. He's alone, and even if he hates you to the bone, he can't manage the whole thing. It would be even better if he forced his way in tonight; our nearly ten thousand ambush troops can surely trap him. If he doesn't dare to come, we'll send someone to lure him into a trap tomorrow. The 'Death Stone' at the entrance of Broken Soul Valley weighs over twenty thousand catties; it was Lu Miaozi's masterpiece back then. Hey! Brother Du, don't look at me like that. Although Yuan Yueze and Lu Miaozi are father-in-law and son-in-law, I have received definite information that Yuan Yueze actually entered Yang's territory through a tunnel when he was in Chang'an." "Public treasury, what does that mean? It means he's not smart enough, he can't learn Lu Miaozi's ingenious mechanical skills, so naturally he wouldn't dare to break in. The key to our operation this time is speed. Even if his family finds out later, it will be too late!"
Du Xing hadn't even had time to exhale after listening to his long-winded speech when a familiar voice came from outside the door, saying, "If it weren't for Granny's sake, you, Wang Bo, would have been reporting to hell long ago. You even dared to scheme against me, you're like lighting a lamp in a latrine, courting death!"
Wang Bo and Du Xing looked horrified, simultaneously drawing their weapons and looking warily towards the door. Du Xing's strange posture leaning against the table was amusing.
※※※ Chang'an Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
Emperor Li Yuan and Crown Prince Li Jiancheng were reading news from all sides overnight.
Setting down the scroll in his hand, Li Yuan asked, "Jiancheng, what is your opinion on Yuan Yueze's single-handed killing of Du Xing four days ago?"
Li Jiancheng cleared his throat and said, "I must admit that Yuan Yueze's martial arts are unfathomable and his methods are ruthless, but he is still human, so he has inherent flaws in his character, namely arrogance and hubris. His trip to the Northern Frontier was simply to gain the support of those forces that had not yet expressed their support, but judging from the lack of reaction from Gao Kaidao, Luo Yi, and others, it is clear that his scheme to eliminate Du Xing and subtly curry favor with Gao Kaidao has completely failed. After Du Xing's death, his power was divided among various factions. Gao Kaidao, having controlled Shanhaiguan, is even more powerful, so why would he still take him seriously?"
Li Yuan frowned and said, "No one is perfect, and he is indeed a bit too inexperienced. However, our people also say that the martial arts world of the Northern Frontier is extremely friendly to him, and Du Xing had conflicts with other martial artists. Could Yuan Yueze have been involved in this incident? Also, the news says that Wang Bo also fought with Yuan Yueze at the time and was wounded and fled. How could such a thing be?" "
Li Jiancheng said smugly, "I think that at the time, Yuan Yueze had to take care of Zhai Jiao's captured subordinates, and he was also surrounded by thousands of Northern Overlord gang members. It's not surprising that Wang Bo escaped. This just shows that no matter how high Yuan Yueze's cultivation is, he can't fight against a large army! It's just that after this incident, his whereabouts completely disappeared, and no one can figure out where he went."
Li Yuan nodded, preparing to discuss some military issues at the front with Li Jiancheng, when the door
was suddenly kicked open with a "bang!" and Wei Lianxiang rolled out. He rushed in, scrambling, and cried out in a panic, "Your Majesty, something has happened to the princess!"
Li Yuan jumped to his feet, about to scold her, but upon hearing this, he was immediately shocked and asked, "What happened?"
Wei Lianxiang said, "A palace maid just reported from 'Yiyu Pavilion' that the princess had ingested poison sometime during her lifetime, and it's too late to save her."
Li Yuan turned pale and collapsed to the ground, exclaiming, "How could this be!"

Chapter 121 Reunion with Feng Han
There are three misfortunes in life: losing one's father in youth, losing one's wife in middle age, and losing one's son in old age.
Li Yuan's father, Tang Rengong Li Bing, passed away when he was seven years old; Li Yuan's first wife, Dou, died of illness nine years ago; Li Yuan's beloved son, Li Xuanba, died eight years ago. It can be said to be misfortune upon misfortune.
Today, after losing his father, wife, and son, he is once again experiencing the pain of losing his daughter.
The culprit who caused all of this is himself.
Li Yuanji offered his plan that day, revealing the strange poisoning method he had obtained from Xi Feng earlier. Li Yuan hesitated for a long time before finally making this decision. To ensure that Yuan Yueze wouldn't notice anything amiss, he instructed Li Xiuning to personally poison Yuan Yueze. The wine from the spring hunt was the key, and the medicinal wine later given to Dugu Ce was the catalyst. Once Yuan Yueze drank it, he would surely die, and the Dugu family would be implicated in Yuan Yueze's death. With Luoyang thrown into chaos, the Li Tang dynasty would reap huge benefits, perhaps even unifying the Central Plains in one fell swoop.
Li Yuan had initially thought Yuan Yueze was shrewd and would immediately kill Li Xiuning if he sensed anything was wrong. However, Yuan Yueze was far more oblivious than most people imagined. Seeing his daughter unharmed and the plan successfully implemented, Li Yuan was overjoyed. No
matter how hard he tried, he couldn't have imagined that Li Xiuning would drink that wine with Yuan Yueze and become poisoned.
Since Yuan Yueze left, Li Xiuning had never left Yiyuxuan. The Li Tang people were busy preparing for war and paid less attention to her.
Looking at her face, Li Yuan guessed that Li Xiuning must have discovered the hidden poisoned wine and committed suicide. Seven days ago, a secret message from Dugu Ce arrived in Luoyang: Yuan Yueze had drunk the poisoned wine and then secluded himself to treat Zhu Yuyan's injuries.
The Li family members were all in the know. Although Li Xiuning never left her room, she was well-informed about all the news in Chang'an. This news made her lose all will to live, because she believed that Yuan Yueze was dead, and that Luoyang, to avoid affecting the pre-battle morale, would naturally lie to deceive the public. So she dismissed the palace maids and drank the poisoned wine. Little did she
know that Yuan Yueze was not dead at all, and had even gone to the northern frontier to stir up trouble. If Li Xiuning had drunk the poisoned wine a few hours later and learned of the news from the northern frontier that Li Yuan had just received, the outcome would have been completely different.
His daughter had grown up, and even as a father, he couldn't understand her thoughts.
Li Yuan collapsed in tears by the bedside.
Li Xiuning lay peacefully on the embroidered couch. At first glance, she appeared to be fast asleep, but closer inspection revealed that she had no heartbeat or breath, and her once beautiful face was deathly pale.
Li Jiancheng was equally grief-stricken. No matter how much he coveted power, he was still a human being with flesh and blood, and the strong bonds of kinship surged through him, causing him to weep as well.
Wei Lianxiang and the palace maid who had served Li Xiuning for many years stood bowed to the side.
Suddenly, Li Jiancheng shouted at the palace maid, "Has anyone been leaking the latest situation outside to the princess?"
The palace maid knelt down in fear, saying, "This servant has no choice but to obey the princess's orders. Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly."
These were her last words. The next moment, she became Li Jiancheng's tool for venting his anger. A gleaming dagger plunged into her throat, ending her short life.
The palace was not a glamorous haven; death might not have been a bad thing for her.
Li Jiancheng's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he said to Wei Lianxiang, "This matter must not be known to a fourth person."
Wei Lianxiang agreed, then discreetly picked up the palace maid's body and retreated outside the door.
Only the father and son remained in the room. Li Yuan's consciousness had not fully recovered; his face was pale. Bathed in the spaciousness of the boudoir, he appeared not only more lonely and desolate, but also as if he had aged many years in an instant. He murmured, "Xiuning, it's all my fault. Why did you do this?"
Li Jiancheng comforted him, "Father, please take care of your health. It's all Yuan Yueze's fault. If he hadn't made Xiuning fall in love with him, with Xiuning's deep sense of righteousness, how could she have done such a foolish thing?"
He paused, then coldly snorted, "Hmph! Yuan Yueze, my Great Tang will never let you get away with this! I will definitely avenge this great grudge!"
Li Yuan's body trembled slightly. He looked up at the roof beam, his eyes still filled with tears. Suddenly, he stood up, put his hands behind his back, and moved to the back window. With his back to Li Jiancheng, he remained silent, and the atmosphere in the room became slightly eerie. After a long silence, Li Yuan coldly asked, "Jiancheng, do you have a good plan?"
Li Jiancheng calmly replied, "Right now, we are stationed at Hongnong, facing off against the Luoyang army. Shen Luoyan is merely a woman; she will not dare to act rashly until she can ascertain that it is merely a feint. I firmly believe that with Shimin in the shadows and Yuanji in the open, we can surely defeat Song Jingang. I suddenly remembered the Demonic Sect Conference to be held in Chengdu. At the beginning of this month, Wanwan ordered her men to spread the word extensively. Why don't we take advantage of this to draw everyone's attention to this matter?" "What if they fall for our trap and secretly send their navy down the Yangtze River, swiftly seizing the key riverside towns of Jingling and Xiangyang, and then threatening the Flying Horse Ranch?"
Li Yuan pondered, "This method is indeed ingenious and serves as a surprise attack, but we cannot ignore the wavering Zhu Can nearby and Xiao Xian in Jiangnan."
Li Jiancheng replied cheerfully, "Father, you can entrust this task to me. Xiao Xian is tied down by the Luoyang army and the Young Marshal's army and will not dare to act rashly. As for Zhu Can, he still has some strength left; we can treat him with a policy of appeasement for now." " Once the unification is settled, we can then eliminate this man,"
Li Yuan frowned. "Zhu Can, that cannibalistic demon, is deeply despised by the people. We must never be associated with him. But if we kill him, wouldn't that be immoral? How can we maintain public order afterward?"
Li Jiancheng vowed, "The struggle for the throne is not a matter of ordinary江湖恩怨 (jianghu grievances); it's all about the outcome. I will meet with him secretly, and I guarantee that no outsiders will know about this. If anything goes wrong, please punish me as you see fit, Father."
When Li Yuan heard the phrase "it's all about the outcome," his expression suddenly changed. Leng, turning around like a whirlwind, her eyes gleaming brightly, stared intently at the bowed Li Jiancheng for a long while before her expression softened. She said helplessly, "I have already lost a daughter; I cannot lose any of you brothers. Alas!"
After a long pause, she continued with a sigh, "This is for the best. Outsiders always say you have no military merit. If your plan succeeds, and Shimin and Yuanji can repel Song Jingang before we attack Luoyang, then I will order you to lead the navy to achieve merit."
Li Jiancheng was overjoyed, kneeling to express his gratitude, thinking to himself, "Second and third brothers, don't disappoint me!" He completely forgot that his sister's corpse was right beside him.
Li Yuan said again, "This matter must not be publicized for now. You may leave first. I need to spend some time alone with Xiu Ning."
Li Jiancheng stood up and said, "If Yuan Yueze is truly sincere towards Xiu Ning, I have another plan that I guarantee can lure him away..."
Li Yuan suddenly shouted angrily, "Enough! Xiu Ning is your sister! Her body is barely cold. Do you want her to suffer even in death?"
No one knows a son better than his father, and Li Yuan was well aware of his son's ulterior motives.
A fierce glint flashed in Li Jiancheng's eyes, then disappeared in an instant. He nodded silently and left the room.
Li Xiu Ning felt extremely strange. Logically speaking, she had drunk the medicinal wine several hours ago, and the latent poison in her body should have been activated long ago. Why was she still conscious and could still hear her father and brother's conversation? But she couldn't feel her own body, couldn't speak, and wasn't like the wandering ghosts of legend.
Was this heaven's punishment for her? The young master treated her so sincerely, yet she went to harm him!
Li Xiu Ning thought sadly.
She was also saddened by the palace maid who died because of her, and heartbroken that her own brother would even use her corpse to harm Yuan Yueze. If she could control her body, she would surely be a pitiful figure with tears welling in her beautiful eyes.
Gazing at his daughter's peaceful face, Li Yuan's lips curled into a desolate smile that was hard to discern as joy or sorrow.
Du Xing was treacherous and despicable. After Su Su rescued Zhai Jiao's subordinates, she discovered that they had all been poisoned by a slow-acting poison. The family had no choice but to expel the poison from them one by one, and stayed in Shanhaiguan for several days.
On this day, Yuan Yueze set off on his journey again.
Because Ren Jun was with them, and the women were all quite tired, they all stayed in the bracelet to rest, while Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun changed into new clothes and headed north.
Gao Kaidao easily seized the unclaimed Yinma Post Station. After Du Xing's death, he sent troops to join forces with Jing Kang's men and also took over Shanhaiguan. Through Jing Kang's introduction, he met with Yuan Yueze and solemnly promised that if the Luoyang army could defeat the Li Tang, he would definitely submit to the times.
Yuan Yueze would be a fool to believe him, secretly thinking, "You wouldn't be sending people to negotiate with the Li Tang at the same time, would you?" However, he was satisfied with the result. His only regret was that his strength had only recovered to a little over 20%, and he couldn't keep Wang Bo among the thousands of Beiba Gang members.
Ren Jun's past few days had felt like a dream. Su Su had exhausted her extraordinary power to help him undergo a complete transformation, and Yuan Yueze had taught him the "Concentration Technique," the "Sun and Moon Shining Brightly in the Sky Technique," and his unique Qi cultivation method. Ren Jun was simple-minded but not foolish. Having traveled extensively and met all sorts of people, he knew that Yuan Yueze was wholeheartedly dedicated to cultivating him. Yuan Yueze's candid disclosure of his origins further deepened Ren Jun's gratitude, and he regarded him as an elder brother.
Over the past few days, he had recovered from the shock of Yuan Yueze's background and began to focus on martial arts training. Having traveled extensively with Zhai Jiao, both inside and outside the Great Wall, he was well-informed and could act as Yuan Yueze's guide, while also teaching him Turkic along the way. Most interestingly, their changed attire made it difficult for anyone to immediately recognize them as Yuan Yueze. His arrival in the northern frontier with his two wives and his beloved eagle, and his single-handedly killing Du Xing and wearing a sheepskin coat, had become a well-known secret and defining characteristic.
After traveling for half a day, the two arrived near the Changbai Mountains.
Ahead lay a cluster of towering peaks, each like a scepter pointing to the sky. The peaks were elegant and the rocks precipitous, the valleys secluded and the pines unique. Amidst the verdant shadows of the thousands of peaks, ancient temples could be faintly seen, a truly breathtaking sight. Yuan Yueze couldn't help but stop to admire them. Ren Jun
said, "That's the Thousand Lotus Mountain, renowned for its 'every peak is wondrous, every rock precipitous, every temple ancient, every place secluded,' the most beautiful mountain in the Changbai Mountains. Its scenery changes with the seasons: in spring, pear blossoms blanket the valleys and wildflowers fill the ravines; in summer, the mountains are layered with lush greenery; in autumn, the mountains are ablaze with red leaves, and the sunset paints the sky with rainbows; in winter, the mountains are covered in silver, with endless snow waves. The beautiful scenery is ever-present, captivating all who visit. If you're interested, brother, there's a hot spring a dozen miles further on. Legend has it that the water has miraculous skin-regenerating effects."
Yuan Yueze said as they walked, "I'll only leave after I've seen it with my own eyes... " "Seeing is believing,"
Ren Jun said, "so let's hurry on our journey and skip the hot springs for now." He followed closely and continued, "There are three famous temples on Thousand Lotus Mountain, known as the Three Great Zen Forests of Thousand Mountains: Wuliang Temple, Xige Temple, and Longquan Temple. Just imagine the overlapping peaks, the layers of forests, the ancient temples built against the rocks, or hidden deep in the green valleys—it's truly a magnificent place. You can't believe it until you see it with your own eyes."
Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "This time, let's travel to the borderlands and broaden our horizons!"
Four days later, the two crossed the Yanshan Mountains and arrived at the famous Yanyuan Plain in northern Liaoning, reaching the south bank of the Liao River in northern Liaoning. They saw the rolling river flowing across the vast plains, heading towards the Bohai Sea, its magnificent momentum breathtaking.
After training Ren Jun for a while, the two sat down on the riverbank to rest. Black King flew down and affectionately nuzzled its head against Yuan Yueze's arm.
Ren Jun, panting heavily, said enviously, "Black King is truly a divine eagle. It's a pity that no one but my elder brother and all the sisters-in-law can touch it."
Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and said, "It told me that a large force is approaching from the northeast."
Ren Jun nodded and said, "This is already Khitan territory. It seems very likely that they are Khitans. Elder brother, be careful. The Khitans are notoriously fierce on the grasslands, no less so than the Turks."
Yuan Yueze waved Black King away, saying, "If only we could encounter the infamous Khitan bandit Huyan Jin, then we could kill him. Which route should we take next?" " To get to Shiwei faster,"
Ren Jun said. "I've only accompanied Miss to the Khitan, Goryeo, and Mohe. Going straight north should be the shortest route, but the Khitans are starting to gather there. I've heard their relationship with the Wuluohun people in the northwest is extremely bad, with constant conflicts. Taking this route will probably cause us a lot of trouble. Going northeast would require going around many mountain roads, and the northwest is the territory of the Baixi people. I've heard they love peace."
Yuan Yueze said, "Then we'll take the northwest route, enter the Baixi people's territory, and then turn towards Shiwei."
Ren Jun began to meditate to recover his energy, preparing to face the unknown difficulties.
Yuan Yueze looked around at the boundless grassland, the endless green stretching to the end of the earth, as if God himself had laid out a green carpet. The fertile plains stretched for miles, dotted with lakes of varying sizes like pearls, interwoven with rivers. Herds of cattle and sheep grazed beneath drifting white clouds, roaming the vast, undulating grasslands. Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors, growing among wormwood, sedge, small grasses, and shrubs, enriching the grassland's plant diversity and adding a colorful variation to the verdant waves of grass. Apart from them, the vast grasslands were devoid of human presence. Occasionally, the howl of wolves echoed from the distant rolling hills, hinting at a dangerous side to this beautiful landscape.
The soft sound of hooves approached. He turned his head and saw dust rising on the northeastern horizon; a large group of riders, no less than a hundred, were galloping towards him. Ren Jun opened his eyes and said, "It's the attire of the Khitans. The characteristics of the various ethnic groups in the northern frontier are very distinct. For example, the Khitans tie their hair up, the Shiwei people wear their hair down, the Uyghurs often have tattoos, the Koreans love to wear white clothes, the Turks worship wolves, and the Baixi people worship eagles, etc. Each ethnic group has its own customs and habits, which are difficult to change."
More than a hundred riders arrived at full speed. The riders all had their hair tied up in a bun and secured with green scarves. They wore warrior uniforms with a diagonal collar and left-fastening front, with rolled-up sleeves exposing their arms. They wore belts around their waists and carried knives, swords, and other weapons. They wore matching maroon deer-skin boots with daggers tucked into them. They wore wide robes, which billowed like clouds as they rode at full speed. In contrast to the tight-fitting clothes with their belts, the contrast between movement and stillness highlighted their clear lines and made them look sharp and dashing. They possessed a unique and astonishing aura that was different from the overwhelming force of the Central Plains troops.
The leader, wearing a silver crown shaped like a lotus flower, donned a vest adorned with iron plates instead of a wide robe. He appeared to be around thirty years old, with a robust build and piercing eyes, exuding an imposing aura.
A group of men stopped a hundred paces away, coldly scrutinizing Yuan Yueze and his companion. Suddenly, the leader crossed his hands in front of his chest.
Ren Jun whispered, "Judging by their attire, they're definitely not Huyan Jin's men. They must be the most elite hawks of the Khitan chieftain Abaojia. The silver crown indicates the leader is a first-rank hawk general, while the gold crown signifies the commander-in-chief. His gesture is a signal, indicating their intentions. They must give him a satisfactory answer, otherwise, a fight to the death might ensue, with no room for negotiation."
The Khitan tribe had over a hundred chieftains; Abaojia was just one of them, while Huyan Jin was a bandit.
Yuan Yueze ignored the group and said, "Do you know how to signal? Tell them to leave; I'm too lazy to do it myself."
Ren Jun awkwardly replied, "I've only heard of it; I don't know how."
Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "Then tell them to hurry up."
Ren Jun stood up. After a period of training, he was no longer the same as before. Carrying a long sword, he exuded a formidable aura as he moved.
When they were only a few dozen paces apart, Ren Jun stopped and said in Turkic, "Greetings, fellow Khitan brothers. We are merely passersby."
The hawk soldiers suddenly shouted in unison, reined in their horses, and over a hundred warhorses stood still and neighed, creating a terrifying spectacle. The Silver-Crowned Hawk General waited until his horse's forelegs touched the ground before continuing to gallop towards them, while the other hawk soldiers formed ranks on the spot, their movements swift and impressive. The Silver-Crowned Hawk General rode to a stop about thirty paces away from Ren Jun, his horse still pawing the ground, making the Silver-Crowned General on his back appear even more menacing and imposing. He quickly glanced at Yuan Yueze, who didn't even look at him, and replied in Turkic, "Han barbarians, what are you doing in our land?"
Ren Jun knew that the tribes beyond the Great Wall were extremely martial, valuing courage and strength above all else. They only respected heroes with guts, and reputation and face were of utmost importance. If he were to be polite and allow himself to be insulted, they would only look down on him more. So he let out a loud laugh, staring at him with sharp eyes and said, "I am a Han Chinese, not a barbarian. Do you think we are easy to bully because you are so impolite?"
As his strength increased, his confidence also soared. Moreover, with Yuan Yueze by his side, he had nothing to fear and spoke without any restraint.
The silver-crowned general's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he scrutinized Ren Jun for a long while before shifting his gaze to Yuan Yueze, who was leisurely watching the river's ripples. A sense of fear for the unknown rose within him, and his expression changed slightly as he asked, "I am Huang Zhikun, the Right Vanguard General under Abaojia. What is your background, friend? And who is that person?"
Ren Jun replied calmly, "I am Ren Jun, and that is my elder brother, Ren Jie."
To Huang Zhikun, these words were an insult. He had already been very polite, but Yuan Yueze still did not turn around. With a clang, he drew his saber and shouted, "You rude Han Chinese! Let me see if you're all show and no substance!"
Ren Jun's mind had reached a state of serene emptiness, free from any worldly thoughts. He slowly drew his longsword. Although he hadn't mastered Song Que's "sword-drawing style," it was enough to startle Huang Zhikun and the others, who weren't exactly top-tier experts. Moreover, the blade was entirely emerald green, reflecting an eerie glow in the sunlight. Huang Zhikun and the others immediately felt that Ren Jun was unfathomable, and their imposing manner diminished somewhat. He sheathed his saber and politely said, "Friend, you are a true hero. I respect people like you the most. May I ask what brings you to the grasslands? Is there anything we can do to help?"
Yuan Yueze secretly chuckled. This man's skill at extracting information was quite impressive. Even rude words came out perfectly from his mouth.
Ren Jun's reply was impeccable: "Friend, you're too kind. We're just going to Yanyuan Town to do some business."
Huang Zhikun was about to speak again when suddenly the Black King's deafening shriek echoed from the sky. Huang Zhikun and the others looked up, their expressions changing drastically. Huang Zhikun abruptly turned his horse around and rode away, his voice carrying back, "So it's Brother Yuan, the 'Evil Emperor'! I was blind to your greatness. Farewell, sir."
Watching the hawks disappear like a whirlwind, Ren Jun smiled wryly, "It seems my brother's itinerary has been leaked!"
Yuan Yueze laughed, "Not necessarily. That was just a subconscious reaction." "The king didn't fall behind. After careful consideration, they might think I'm nearby."
Ren Jun watched the Black King fly away and nodded, "That's possible. It's best if they're suspicious."
Yuan Yueze said, "If I'm not mistaken, they probably have another mission and don't want to cause any trouble. Otherwise, if they figure out I'm not Yuan Yueze, they'll definitely come back to kill us. In this flat plain, if we make a move, it will be very difficult for the two of us to deal with them."
After traveling for another half day, the two crossed the Khitan region at dusk and arrived at the territory of the Bai Xi people that Ren Jun had mentioned.
Standing on a small hill and looking into the distance, they saw a green forest, with trees standing tall in rows and columns. It was full of life, and the wind carried the scent of tender grass and moisture, making them feel refreshed. Straight poplars and dense elms and locust trees grew side by side. Forming a natural sand-blocking formation, the lush green grass stretches out like a large green carpet fallen from the sky, creating a scene of paradise and fairyland with the surrounding undulating mountains.
In the vast sky, shimmering silvery-white clouds drifted leisurely and freely, like umbrellas shielding the afternoon spring sun, creating the spectacular sight of shifting clouds and changing shade on the grassland. The lake reflected the sunlight, sparkling like jewels. A gentle breeze brushed against one's clothes.
Yuan Yueze looked around and thought to himself that although the scenery here was beautiful and the water and grass were abundant, the roads were rugged and the mountains were continuous, forming a landscape of scattered small plains. Large groups of people could easily enter but not leave, and would easily be surrounded. No wonder no one had come to seize such a good place.
Ren Jun said, "Once we cross this forest, we should be in the valley. Brother, would you like to experience the hospitality and enthusiasm of the Bai Xi people?"
Suddenly, Black King swooped down from the sky, circled twice, and landed on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, somewhat spoiling the mood. Yuan Yueze's face darkened. "A large-scale conflict has occurred to the northeast," he said. "It's probably an army."
Ren Jun's eyes darted around. "Could it be related to the Huang Zhikun we encountered earlier? Did they retreat in that direction?"
Yuan Yueze patted Black King's head. "Let's see," he said. "The defeated are retreating in our direction."
He then sent Black King flying, leaping to a secluded treetop and gazing into the distance. Ren Jun hurriedly followed.
Half an hour later, dust rose from the northeast, and the approach of men and horses became visible, demonstrating the wide range of Black King's reconnaissance.
A moment later, the thunder of hooves echoed as dozens of riders galloped in. The riders were strangely dressed, many of them disheveled and covered in blood, clearly having escaped a fierce battle. The leader was relatively well-dressed, wearing knee-high chainmail, trousers tucked into high boots, and a round-necked blouse that only covered part of his arms. Most striking was his rooster-comb-shaped helmet with a brim that reached his ears and protected his neck and back; it served as both a helmet and a traditional desert hood for protection against sandstorms.
As they drew closer, Yuan Yueze suddenly shuddered.
What caught his attention wasn't the long-haired, spear-wielding, maroon-colored battle robe with a steel cable around his waist, a ferocious face suggesting a leader and considerable skill, but rather the familiar back and longsword protecting the rear of the fleeing group.
One man, one sword, covered in blood, fighting and retreating with unparalleled ferocity—who else could it be but the long-absent Ba Feng Han!
With a long howl, Yuan Yueze leaped into the air, shooting towards Ba Feng Han's head like a cannonball, laughing loudly, "Brother Ba, how have you been? I've missed you terribly!"
His palms moved swiftly, one drawing a circle, then a square, the other a square, then a circle, seemingly slow but actually fast, finally forming four points that shot out.
A familiar voice rang in his ears, and Ba Feng Han was startled. The burly man's spear was already aimed at his neck with lightning speed and extreme force. At the same time, three more bandits rose up from both sides, attacking with two swords and an axe, all aimed at Ba Feng Han.
The four were indescribably uncomfortable. They hadn't even seen the face of the nameless expert who had suddenly appeared, yet they were blinded by the overwhelming force of the attack. In desperation, they could only change their moves to save their lives, lamenting that they had missed the best opportunity to kill Ba Feng Han.
The burly, ferocious man was quite skilled; he retracted his spear and thrust again, parrying Yuan Yueze's palm strike before gracefully retreating. The other three were sent flying several feet back by Yuan Yueze, their faces pale, suffering internal injuries.
Although covered in blood, Ba Feng Han's imposing presence remained undiminished. He dismounted and smiled bitterly at Yuan Yueze, who stood before him, saying, "Seeing you here, I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
Yuan Yueze's aura locked tightly around the burly, leader-like man, and he asked in astonishment, "What do you mean?"

Chapter 122: Seeing Injustice on the Road.
The atmosphere was somewhat strange.
The opposing force numbered at least a thousand, each exuding a murderous aura, their eyes cold and sharp. Their powerful horses added to their imposing and domineering presence. However, they tacitly spread out, forming a large fan-shaped formation. Yuan Yueze and Ba Fenghan's side only had two members; Ren Jun and the group of escapees were still on their way. This was partly due to Yuan Yueze's intimidating presence, but more importantly, their leader hadn't given the order to annihilate them.
The burly, ferocious man stood tall, gun in hand, exuding a sharp aura as he confronted Yuan Yueze. His gaze was icy, fixed on Yuan Yueze, and he spoke slowly and deliberately in Turkic: "So it's Brother Yuan. Indeed, your skills are impressive, but they're far from what's rumored. It seems you're truly weakened. I advise you not to interfere in our affairs, or you'll regret it!"
Yuan Yueze's understated yet formidable strength had already caught his attention, and he unconsciously became more polite.
This was typical of grassland people.
Yuan Yueze was surprised: This man recognized him at a glance? Was he that easy to spot? It seemed his performance at the Northern Overlord Gang's headquarters was known to him; otherwise, he wouldn't have said those words, nor would he have such a fearless expression. Seeing his expression change, Ba Feng Han stepped forward and said, "Your portrait has already reached the Turks. Do you think Hu Yan Jin of the Khitan would not recognize you?"
Yuan Yueze suddenly realized that, given the relationship between Du Xing and Jieli, it was very likely that his portrait had already been sent out by carrier pigeon. Du Xing and Hu Yan Jin had a close relationship, so it was not surprising that Hu Yan Jin knew about it in advance. Faced with thousands of fierce bandits, Yuan Yueze was not panicked at all. On the contrary, he was secretly glad that these wicked bastards had finally delivered themselves to his doorstep. So he replied in Turkic, which he had only studied for a month or so: "There is a saying in the Central Plains: 'When you see injustice on the road, someone will step on it.' Besides, can't you tell that Brother Ba is my friend?"
Ren Jun and the group of fugitives had arrived by this time. They all showed respect after hearing the conversation. The captain, who seemed to be the leader, took a few steps forward, raised his right hand, and gave Yuan Yueze a strange salute. He said in Chinese: "Greetings, Brother Yuan. My name is Yue Kepeng. I am a general under the King of Cheshi in Turpan. Thank you for saving my life."
Yuan Yueze looked at him carefully. He saw that Yue Kepeng was strong and sturdy, with dark skin and an honest and simple face. However, his eyes were very sharp. He was a man of both wisdom and courage. Although the saber at his waist had twisted behind his back due to his miserable escape, it did not diminish his imposing manner in the slightest. He recalled Yue Kepeng's righteousness and enthusiasm, and laughed loudly, "Brother Peng, you're too kind. Besides, this matter involves Brother Ba, how could I ignore it?"
Seeing Yuan Yueze and the others chatting intimately, completely disregarding his side, Huyan Jin was furious and shouted, "You scoundrel with a reputation that exceeds your abilities! Let me teach you a lesson, so you'll know how cruel the grasslands are, and also avenge Brother Du!"
Ren Jun knelt on one knee, his face solemn, and said in Turkic, "Please allow Ren Jun to fight, elder brother!"
Ba Feng Han and Yue Kepeng carefully examined Ren Jun for a few moments, praising him in their hearts. Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "This young brother is quite good, with unlimited potential, but..."
He originally wanted to say that Huyan Jin should not be given a chance to escape, so it was naturally safest for Yuan Yueze to personally go into battle, because he simply did not believe that Yuan Yueze would be seriously injured as rumored.
Yuan Yueze placed a hand on Ba Fenghan's shoulder, immediately channeling his true energy to help him recover his strength. He smiled and said, "Good! Xiao Jun, if you can perform at your usual and training level, even two Huyan Jins wouldn't be a match for you!"
Ren Jun was overjoyed. Although his strength had increased rapidly, he lacked practical combat experience. He had impulsively volunteered for the fight, but now felt ashamed, fearing he might mess things up. He hadn't expected Yuan Yueze to praise him like this. So he stood up and declared proudly, "If I cannot behead Huyan Jin, I am willing to commit suicide to atone for my sins!"
He spoke with fervor and disregard for life and death. His dozens of subordinates from the Cheshi Kingdom were greatly moved and filled with hatred for their opponent. They immediately cheered loudly. Although few in number, their cheers had a unique, heroic quality, like the line from the poem "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold."
As true energy entered his body, a look of surprise flashed in Ba Feng Han's eyes. He focused his voice and said, "You're really injured!"
Yuan Yueze knew that he had noticed that his internal strength was not as strong as before, which was why he said this. He smiled and shook his head, looking at Ren Jun, who was striding forward with a dragon-like gait and a tiger-like stride, and said, "I'll tell Brother Ba about it later. You can watch how Xiao Jun wins. He is the person in the Central Plains who has the best chance of reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship, besides Xiao Zhong."
Ren Jun stopped ten steps in front of Huyan Jin, slowly drawing his straight cleaver. The tip of the blade pointed at Huyan Jin, emitting a cold, sharp aura that locked onto him. He said, "You villain whom everyone wants to kill, this day next year will be your death anniversary!"
The disdain on Huyan Jin's face faded, replaced by a solemn expression. He was the kind of person who appeared rough but was actually cautious. The news that Yuan Yueze had been unable to defeat even a thousand members of the Northern Overlord Gang and had been forced to kill Du Xing had spread across the grasslands, becoming a topic of ridicule among the various tribes of the grasslands for the weakness of the Central Plains people. Having personally fought Yuan Yueze and confirmed that he was indeed all show and no substance, Huyan Jin's fighting spirit soared. If he could kill this man here, the impact would be far-reaching, both in terms of his personal reputation and in terms of the future invasion of the grasslands. Jieli might even reward him with the title of general! Now things have turned out differently. Yuan Yueze doesn't even look at him and has sent a completely unknown young man to fight. This has caused strong resentment among the honor-loving people of the grasslands. However, having witnessed Ren Jun's extraordinary abilities firsthand, he naturally dares not underestimate him. He abandoned his complacency and laughed loudly, "Since this brother is in such a hurry to be reborn, how could I not grant your wish!"
The thousands of bandits were infected by his enthusiasm and immediately cheered, and the momentum of both sides began to be even.
Huyan Jin then said, "Since Brother Yuan doesn't want to fight, I won't make things difficult for you. How about we have a bet?"
Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Ba Fenghan coldly shouted, "If you defeat this young brother, I, Ba Fenghan, will personally offer my head!"
Ren Jun felt grateful. With Ba Fenghan's reputation and arrogance, he was trusted so much. The responsibility on his shoulders immediately increased. Suddenly, he remembered Yuan Yueze's usual teachings and immediately began to calm his mind, entering a state of blissful solitude, no longer paying attention to anything.
Huyan Jin shouted "Good!"
and shot like lightning to within two zhang of Ren Jun. His spear suddenly sprang into the air, creating countless projectiles that whirled through the air, surrounded by a chilling aura. The dazzling spear tip reflected a blinding light, instantly plunging Ren Jun into a maze of spear shadows. This single move demonstrated that his strength was no less than Du Xing's.
The bandits behind him cheered even louder.
The sky full of spear shadows vanished abruptly, becoming a single spear thrusting straight at Ren Jun's face.
Ren Jun abruptly lowered his waist, his blade held horizontally in front of him. The oppressive killing intent vanished abruptly, immediately giving Huyan Jin a strange, uncomfortable feeling, as if he had fallen into a void with no foothold. Then, he raised his wrist and unleashed a simple, unadorned slash.
Huyan Jin's expression changed drastically, and he immediately withdrew his spear and dodged. Having experienced countless battles, how could he not see that although Ren Jun was just a young upstart, this strike had completely absorbed the energy from his previous attack and channeled it into the blade, while also imbuing it with Ren Jun's own essence, energy, and spirit
. It possessed earth-shattering power, truly reaching a high level of mastery, giving him a terrifying feeling of being unable to resist. Among the others, only those as astute as Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han could discern the mystery of this strike. Ren Jun's sword energy was extremely fast, instantly increasing his psychological advantage. Moreover, this move was something he had learned from the Black King's swirling and soaring movements under Yuan Yueze's encouragement. It seemed chaotic, yet possessed a unique, unrestrained, and naturally creative design. To be on the safe side, Hu Yanjin immediately retreated.
Because Ren Jun had withdrawn his energy and channeled it into the blade, the energy pull dissipated, making further pursuit difficult. The two returned to a standoff, their energy sensing rekindled.
Hu Yanjin's spear trembled incessantly, resisting Ren Jun's powerful aura and falling into a disadvantageous position. Knowing that one cannot sustain a prolonged attack, he solemnly asked, "Brother Ren, your martial arts are superb. May I ask which family or school you are a disciple of? This sword is no ordinary weapon; does it have a name?"
Ren Jun frankly replied, "My master is Guan Changjiu, the 'Great Saber' who stole the forest. This sword was a gift from my elder brother; it is named 'Chang Kong' (Long Sky)."
Just as he answered, Hu Yanjin silently closed in, his spear thrusting several times at indescribably tricky angles, aiming for Ren Jun
's vital points. This man was extremely cunning; knowing Ren Jun lacked practical combat experience, he used words to distract him. Ren
Jun fell for the trap, and taking advantage of the weakening killing intent emanating from the "Chang Kong" sword pointing at him, he immediately launched a preemptive attack. Having undergone rigorous training from Yuan Yueze, Ren Jun subconsciously entered a state of emptiness and tranquility once more, instantly mending any gaps in his mental state, a sight that even Ba Feng Han nodded in approval.
Ren Jun's eyes blazed with fierce light as he focused on his opponent. Simultaneously, his tongue crackled like thunder, and his straight cleaver transformed into a rainbow, bursting with points of emerald light. Combined with footwork imbued with profound principles, it moved in rapid
succession, the clanging of metal against metal incessant. Finally, it pierced through the shaft of the spear, aiming for Hu Yanjin's hand gripping the spear's end. Hu Yanjin was horrified. He knew that each seemingly casual strike from his opponent was not only meant to confuse the enemy but also to accelerate and amplify the force, increasing the power of each attack as it reached him. This final strike was the culmination of that powerful attack.
Hu Yanjin sidestepped, withdrawing one hand, barely avoiding the severed arm.
Ren Jun pressed his advantage, swiftly advancing. "Long Sky" transformed into lightning, its blade energy surging and whistling through the air, crashing forward like a raging torrent. In an instant, the flashes of blade light and the sweeping energy of swords completely crushed Hu Yanjin's momentum. Ren Jun was enveloped in a cloud of emerald light, his man and sword perfectly integrated, while Yue Kepeng and the others cheered wildly. The bandits, though numerous, wore expressions of disbelief and astonishment.
Ren Jun's sword techniques were learned from the Black King, and his sword name, "Long Sky," was naturally derived from "Eagle Soaring Through the Sky." He unleashed his newly acquired swordsmanship, unleashing eighteen strikes in one breath, each with a tricky and unpredictable angle, like bolts of lightning. Amidst the ear-piercing whistling of the blades, swords and spears clashed incessantly. Hu Yanjin's face turned deathly pale; he was forced to only parry, constantly retreating.
Ba Feng Han sighed, "Brother Ren is indeed no ordinary character. Brother Yuan must have put in a lot of effort on him, right?"
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, withdrawing his hand; Ba Feng Han's strength had recovered to ninety percent.
"Clang!"
After a final, earth-shattering resounding crash, the two switched positions, facing each other back to back.
The cheers abruptly ceased, and the world seemed to stand still.
Ren Jun, his left arm stained with blood, sheathed his sword and strode towards Yuan Yueze's group, his excitement barely concealed, a testament to the immense help this battle had given him.
When he reached three steps behind Hu Yanjin, Hu Yanjin, who had been staring intently at Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, revealed a bitter smile. He staggered back and forth a few times before collapsing with a thud, his spear shattering into pieces.
Leaderless and their morale waning, the bandits didn't descend into chaos. Instead, their eyes burned with intense hatred as they drew their bows, aiming at Yuan Yueze and his companions. Ba Feng Han
shot forward like lightning, his face frosty, laughing loudly, "Truly, they won't give up until they reach the Yellow River!"
Simultaneously, his longsword appeared in his hand, bursting with a dazzling light, striking first.
Yuan Yueze left with the words, "Brother Peng, please lead your men back; leave this to us!"
before following closely behind Ba Feng Han in the attack. Although Ren Jun was slightly injured, his interest in killing the bandits remained undiminished, and he turned to follow Yuan Yueze.
The bandits cursed loudly, and a rain of arrows rained down upon them.
None of the three were ordinary people, so they were not injured. After withstanding a volley of arrows, they charged into the bandits like tigers among sheep, and screams of agony filled the air.
In the blink of an eye, nearly half of the bandits were dead, and they dared not linger, fleeing in all directions.
The three split up to pursue them, killing hundreds more before returning.
Yue Kepeng and his group, who were waiting at the valley entrance, had cleaned themselves up and were no longer dejected. Seeing the three return, they happily greeted them and offered their highest respect.
A campfire was lit, and Yue Kepeng put the wild wolves that Ba Feng Han had hunted along the way onto the fire. After introducing themselves, the group sat around the fire, feeling the joy of surviving a calamity.
Ren Jun asked curiously, "Don't the Turks worship the wolf god? How could Master Ba be so ruthless?"
After washing his face, Ba Feng Han revealed his handsome features, which looked like marble sculptures. He chuckled and said, "When the Turks are hungry, they can even eat people. What's so strange about them eating a wolf?"
Then, giving Yuan Yueze a strange look, he said, "Brother Ren calls Brother Yuan 'Big Brother,' and I 'Master Ba,' so shouldn't Brother Yuan also call me 'Master Ba'?"
Yue Kepeng and the others burst into laughter, Ren Jun's tender face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to answer. Ba Feng Han
was aloof and arrogant, only showing such a friendly demeanor when facing Yuan Yueze, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Hou Xibai. Yuan Yueze punched him and smiled at Ren Jun, "Little Jun, don't drag me into this. Brother Ba and I are of the same generation."
Everyone laughed again, and Ren Jun's face turned even redder. After the laughter subsided, Yuan Yueze asked, "Why did Huyan Jin chase after Brother Ba and Brother Peng? Where did Brother Ba's sword go? Brother Peng speaks Chinese very well."
He recalled that Yue Kepeng and his group were supposed to be on the king's orders to deliver congratulatory gifts to Longquan in the Northeast, but it would be surprising to say it under such circumstances, so he asked this question.
Ba Feng Han said, "You're asking too many questions. I need to answer them one by one. Brother Peng, please go first."
Yue Ke Peng, who was busy forcing meat, smiled and said, "During the reign of Emperor Ming of Han in the Central Plains, your general Ban Chao led troops to drive away the Xiongnu who oppressed us and established the Protectorate of the Western Regions. Later, the Han Dynasty fell, and the Han soldiers stationed there became assimilated into our country, married, and had children. I myself have Han blood, so I greatly admire the culture of the Central Plains. I have studied Chinese since I was young, and almost all of my brothers can speak Chinese."
He paused here, his eyes first dimming, then flashing with murderous intent, and said, "I am here today on behalf of..." The king ordered us to send congratulatory gifts to Longquan in the northeast. Before leaving the country, we received news from our clansmen who were doing business in Khitan that Huyan Jin, the notorious bandit leader of Khitan, had the full support of Abaojia, the most powerful Khitan force, and was determined to intercept our gifts to Longquan.
Ba Feng Han asked curiously, "Brother Peng, why didn't you choose to pass through Shiwei instead of Khitan? Is it because the Shiwei people allied with the Khitans because they opposed Bai Ziting? Are the Shen Mo Huan couple of Southern Shiwei even more difficult to deal with than Huyan Jin?"
With just this one sentence, Yuan Yueze knew that Ba Feng Han must have rescued Yue Ke Peng and the others halfway, otherwise they would have discussed such trivial matters.
Yue Kepeng nodded, and the imposing man next to him, named Kezhuan, continued, "Without a choice, we had no choice but to press on. Less than half a day after entering Khitan territory, we saw three freshly severed, blood-soaked wolf heads hanging from three long wooden poles at the front of our column. These were the 'Blood Wolf Marks,' Huyan Jin's intimidation mark on the grasslands. Anyone who saw the wolf heads would be slaughtered if they didn't immediately leave all their valuables beside the poles. But before we could even discuss a strategy, Huyan Jin's ambushing forces attacked from all sides. Outnumbered..." They said there were around three thousand men. We protected the caravan and the treasure, fighting and retreating, losing over a hundred brothers in the process. Forced to abandon the arduous task of acquiring the treasure, we barely managed to break through the bandits' encirclement and escape. Fortunately, we encountered the chivalrous Brother Ba, who had previously rid us of two bandit groups that ravaged the Turpan oasis, and with his help, we were able to save our lives. Later, with the help of Brother Yuan and Brother Ren, we were finally truly safe. The three of you are true heroes; our clan will forever remember your kindness.”
He spoke with increasing fervor, and the other clansmen also showed indignation, demonstrating the depth of their hatred for the bandits. At the end, they all bowed to Yuan Yueze and the other two.
After exchanging a few polite words, Ba Feng Han said, "After parting ways with Brother Yuan in Chang'an, I returned to the grasslands to continue my training. By chance, I learned that Jie Li wanted to lure Brother Yuan to the grasslands and was willing to kill you at any cost. I immediately rushed day and night towards Shanhaiguan to meet you. After several days, I received news that you had killed Du Xing at Shanhaiguan. I was even more anxious, but then I encountered Hu Yan Jin and his gang chasing Brother Peng. I couldn't stand idly by. After killing more than two hundred people, I was extremely exhausted and could only fight and retreat. Who knew that I would meet you like this? Life is truly unpredictable."
Yuan Yueze suddenly understood. No wonder Ba Feng Han had said such strange things at first. He was happy to see me, but sad that he had actually fallen into a trap and come to the grasslands. Recalling the fierce bandits and their bows and arrows, Yuan Yueze realized that the borderlands were vast, and bandits often attacked in large groups. Therefore, mounted archery was more effective than close-quarters combat with swords. He resolved to tell Shen Luoyan and Kou Zhong about this as soon as he returned to Luoyang. Considering that even Ba Fenghan's ability to single-handedly kill over two hundred people resulted in astonishing losses, the fighting strength of the Central Plains soldiers was indeed far inferior. This trip to the grasslands had been incredibly enlightening and rewarding, far surpassing what he had learned from hearsay or books.
Ren Jun was busy grilling meat with a Cheshi soldier when he heard this and asked, "Brother Ba, you still haven't told me where your sword went?"
Ba Feng Han gave a bitter smile and sighed, "Tun Yu Gu broke it!"
Yuan Yue Ze asked in surprise, "Brother Ba's sword was forged from deep-sea steel and extreme northern black iron. How could Tun Yu Gu break it?"
Ba Feng Han said, "I encountered him when I passed through Yan Yuan Ji. We got into a fight after a disagreement, and I killed dozens of his men. He was so angry that he took action himself. In that battle, I..." "They're evenly matched, but I know I underestimated him before. His strength is at most only slightly inferior to Bi Xuan's. Because I was in a hurry to get on my way, and he seemed to have urgent business to attend to, we didn't continue the fight."
When he mentioned Bi Xuan, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. The news of Yuan Yueze's two-move victory over Bi Xuan had already spread throughout the grasslands. Ba Feng Han's goal was to challenge Bi Xuan. Although he had also been defeated by Yuan Yueze, his cultivation had increased day by day through years of hard work. Yuan Yueze's unintentional defeat of Bi Xuan left Ba Feng Han feeling helpless.
Yuan Yueze suddenly realized that because of his appearance, Ba Feng Han had never received the He Shi Bi to modify his meridians. His current level of cultivation was already quite remarkable. So he said to Ren Jun, "Xiao Jun, give what you're carrying to Brother Ba."
Ren Jun was slightly taken aback, and immediately took out two neatly folded pieces of cloth. Ba Feng Han took them, opened them, and his expression gradually turned solemn. His strong body began to tremble. Yue Kepeng and the others wondered what could make Ba Feng Han so excited.
Yuan Yueze said, "These two sheets of paper respectively record the 'Concentration Technique' passed down to me by my master and half of the 'Sun and Moon Radiant Heaven Technique' created by Yan Fei, the 'Desolate Sword' who shattered the void more than two hundred years ago. It can be said that without these two techniques, there would be no Xiao Zhong, Zi Ling, or Xiao Jun today."
Ba Feng Han was a master in this field, so how could he not see the profundity of these two techniques? He heard himself say in a trembling voice for the first time, "How can I accept such a great gift?"
Yuan Yueze raised his arm and put it around his neck, saying, "I only wish that Brother Ba will improve quickly so that I can experience the feeling of tormenting you again."
Although his words were disrespectful, Ba Feng Han and Yue Kepeng knew that he was joking. Che Shi Guo and the others cheered for Yuan Yueze's magnanimity and were even more envious of the close friendship between the two.
Ba Feng Han retaliated with an elbow strike, saying irritably, "To single-handedly withstand the Four Great Monks and defeat Bi Xuan in two moves, I'd like to know if you've already reached the Earthly Immortal level? And how did you acquire such skills at less than thirty years old?"
The group from Cheshi Kingdom also showed expressions of interest. After Yuan Yueze repeatedly displayed his formidable strength, outsiders no longer believed Wang Shichong's initial boast that he was the successor of the Evil Emperor. To single-handedly fight the Four Great Monks at full strength—there was no one else in the world like him.
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, "It's not that I'm deliberately concealing anything, but the matter is of great importance. Brother Ba, just don't treat me like an ordinary person."
As he spoke, he drew Ba Feng Han's sword and slashed his own neck.
Everyone was shocked. After a deafening roar, a red mark remained on Yuan Yueze's neck. To everyone's astonishment, he returned the sword to Ba Feng Han.
The red marks gradually faded, and after a long while, everyone came to their senses, their eyes filled with reverence. Ba Feng Han said with a wry smile, "No wonder I couldn't defeat you back then. You're not really an immortal descended to earth, are you?"
Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "I'll give Brother Ba an even bigger surprise tonight."
At this moment, the wild wolf was roasted over the campfire, its aroma filling the air and making everyone's stomachs rumble. Black King happened to return at this moment. After Yuan Yueze introduced him to everyone, Ren Jun cut up the wolf meat and distributed it to everyone.
As Ren Jun chewed, he said, "Brother Peng and the other brothers lost their treasure. Was it taken away by Hu Yan Jin's men a while ago?"
Yue Kepeng smiled bitterly, a look of bewilderment flashing in his eyes. He nodded and said, "They only chased after a little over a thousand people; the rest must have gone to transport the treasure."
Yuan Yueze knew they were at a loss because they had lost their treasure, and asked, "What kind of treasure was that?"
Kezhuan replied, "A small portion of Western Region jewels, but most of it is high-quality cloth and silk, products of our own country."
Ba Fenghan was still guessing what Yuan Yueze's "surprise" might be when he heard this, and said in a deep voice, "Since most of it is goods rather than gold and silver, then we should go find 'dirty hand' Maji. He specializes in receiving stolen goods, and the profits are unbelievably high."
Yue Kepeng asked in astonishment, "I've heard of this person's name when I was in China, but where is he now?
" Feng Han smiled and said, "Brother Peng should know that there is a large lake a hundred miles to the northwest, and beside the lake is the famous Yanyuan Market, located on the northeastern edge of the small Gobi Desert. It is a major market for trade among various ethnic groups, and also a battlefield where various forces vie for power. No one can gain absolute control, so bloodshed is a daily occurrence. Ma Ji is a celebrity there. He is a nomadic man, and Yanyuan Market is just a market that trades seasonally, a place where people like Ma Ji are active. From him, one can roughly imagine what kind of place Yanyuan Market is."
Upon learning that the treasure might be recovered, the people of Cheshi were greatly encouraged. They all took out their small copper wine jugs and, in the cool breeze of the grassland, passed them around, savoring the pure and delicious grape wine. Their laughter carried far.
Yuan Yueze deeply felt the sincerity and enthusiasm of the warriors. He thought that if he could help them recover the treasure before entering Shiwei, it would be a meritorious deed. Moreover, Zhai Jiao's sheepskin was very likely in Ma Ji's hands. If they could retrieve it, it would be a win-win situation.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he said, "As far as I know, Brother Peng, you must have another mission in Longquan, right?"

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