[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 35

Chapter 131 Soul Fusion
Yuan Yueze didn't answer her, but instead gazed intently at her beautiful face.
In that instant, his mind entered a state of profound tranquility, like a clear lake, his spiritual awareness reaching an unprecedented level—all thanks to Shi Feixuan.
Shi Feixuan seemed to sense that while his eyes were fixed on her face, his "inner eye" was boldly surveying her entire body, giving her the strange feeling that she had been stripped naked. Her cheeks flushed immediately, and she said with a slight reproach, "Young Master!"
Yuan Yueze snapped out of his reverie and smiled, "You ask why I came here? I just came to see you; after all, you're quite badly injured."
Shi Feixuan gave a nonchalant reply and continued, "What did you see on this pearl, Young Master?"
From beginning to end, her gaze hadn't moved an inch.
Yuan Yueze lowered his gaze slightly and said, "I only saw a single bead. What did Feixuan see?"
Shi Feixuan sighed, "With clear eyes, one observes the bright sky, finding only emptiness and nothingness. If a person, without cause, does not move their eyes but strains their gaze, they will see dazzling flowers in the void, along with everything else, chaotic and nonexistent. The same applies to the color of form. These dazzling flowers do not come from the void, nor do they originate from the eyes."
Yuan Yueze was astonished and said, "Does Feixuan intend to 'enlighten' me with the stories from the *Yuanjue Sutra*, such as 'seeing flowers in the void with clouded eyes,' 'shaking still water with moving eyes,' and 'turning fire with fixed eyes'?" Shi Feixuan sat
up straight, gently raising her head. Her deep black eyes, like bright stars in the night sky, met his burning gaze. She smiled faintly and said, "How could you, young master, be 'enlightened'?"
Then, thoughtfully, she said softly, "Feixuan was just momentarily reminded of the Southern Dynasty..." Fu Dashi once wrote a short poem: "Empty-handed, I carry a hoe; on foot, I ride a water buffalo. People walk on the bridge, but the bridge flows while the water does not."
Yuan Yueze frowned, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Feixuan is confused. Is it because of me?"
Shi Feixuan's fragrant lips uttered a bitter smile. Her gaze returned to the radiant pearl that seemed to contain infinite profound meaning. Her beautiful face regained its tranquility, and she said softly, "From the time I can remember, Feixuan has been devoted to the Dao. To me, everything in this world is illusory. For example, life and death are just different stops on the journey. Everything between life and death is just a short journey. Everything will pass, and everything will eventually dissipate without a trace. Take the lingering affection between men and women, their unwavering devotion even in death. No matter how much one becomes infatuated, in the end, it is still just a fleeting dream, like life itself."
Yuan Yueze listened attentively.
He might not be a good advisor, but he dared to boast that he was the best listener.
Shi Feixuan raised her head slightly, gazing at him with clear, unfathomable eyes, and continued, "From the books in my humble abode, I know that every generation of martial arts masters, no matter how far or how winding their life's journey, inevitably returns to this path of seeking eternity. To transcend life and death, one must not be influenced by worldly affairs. But with the living proof of Empress Zhu before me, I recall Mencius's saying, 'It is better to have no books than to believe everything in them,' and I have a question: Does the affection between men and women truly affect the transcendence of life and death?"
Yuan Yueze showed a look of sudden realization and smiled, "Feixuan, don't compare yourself to my family. I'm not belittling you, but we are somewhat special, heh! That's roughly the idea."
Shi Feixuan's beautiful, mysterious eyes, like those of a starry night, stared intently at him, pressing, "Is the key, young master?"
Yuan Yueze shrugged in acquiescence. He didn't want to lie; in fact, with Shi Feixuan's extraordinary wisdom, how could she not have noticed something!
Shi Feixuan, however, did not show the expected shock. Instead, she spoke calmly, as if confiding in Yuan Yueze, or perhaps talking to herself, saying, "I have never held any expectations for love between men and women in this world. But over time, you have always stirred some indescribable feelings within me. The longer it goes on, the deeper I feel I am falling."
Her voice lowered, and a shy, girlish blush appeared on her pretty face as she slowly lowered her head.
Faced with her words, which were almost a confession, Yuan Yueze remained as still as a rock. He lowered his eyes and pondered for a long time before suddenly opening them and looking at Shi Feixuan with an indescribable, strange glint in his eyes. He slowly extended his left palm.
Shi Feixuan's jade-like face remained calm, as if those words, which were extremely bold for a woman from the Central Plains, had not come from her own rosy lips. Her beautiful eyes shone with a holy and wise light, gazing deeply into Yuan Yueze's strange gaze. After a slight pause, she extended her slender, beautiful hand and offered it to him.
Her flawless forearm partially obscured the pearl's radiance, half her face shrouded in shadow. The contrast between light and shadow added an ineffable mystique to her already unparalleled beauty.
Shi Feixuan's jade-like fingers gently touched Yuan Yueze's palm, and both of them trembled simultaneously.
The pearl seemed to come alive, emitting a flickering light.
In that instant, they sensed nothing else in the world but each other; their joined palms formed their own independent universe.
Their hands touched and then separated.
The pearl, as if affected, returned to its previous soft radiance.
Shi Feixuan's tears flowed uncontrollably.
Through her tear-blurred vision, Yuan Yueze's imposing figure had already disappeared outside the door.
Both were beings of extraordinary spiritual cultivation; in that instant their hands touched, their hearts were tightly connected. She was him, and he was her; they could no longer be separated.
From the time Yuan Yueze could remember until just now, all his memories flooded into Shi Feixuan's mind like a tidal wave. Similarly, all of Shi Feixuan's memories and experiences were also transmitted into Yuan Yueze's mind without exception.
Their thoughts became boundless, completely transcending the limitations of time and space.
Though it was only for a moment, Shi Feixuan clearly felt his entire spirit, every detail of his life over the past ten years on Tianshan Mountain and the years he had spent in the world, and every subtle psychological activity. She even felt as if she were witnessing his growth firsthand, experiencing it all firsthand.
That instant was eternity.
No moment had allowed her to understand him better than this.
Through this spiritual communion, she learned everything about Yuan Yueze, and she also understood why he had just been deep in thought.
Firstly, when facing this "fairy," he would subconsciously maintain a calm demeanor. With his spiritual cultivation, his state of mind could indeed reach the same level as "Sword Heart Clarity," so he could naturally perceive the insincerity in Shi Feixuan's words. Secondly, Shi Feixuan's behavior was completely different from her usual inexplicable carefree and independent nature, unburdened by any human affairs. Thirdly, in this space, anyone could fall in love at first sight, except for four people: Fan Qinghui and her apprentice, and Zhu Yuyan and her apprentice. This had nothing to do with confidence or personal charm. The four of them possessed unwavering willpower and the ability to control their emotions, surpassing the level of ordinary people. If it weren't for Yuan Yueze's strenuous efforts, using his supernatural power beyond the lower realm to forcibly harass them in their dreams every night, and the subsequent series of events, would Zhu Yuyan or Wanwan have been unable to control their emotions? Let alone Shi Feixuan, who was originally on the opposing side! Ultimately, he chose to be honest because he had no patience or inclination to continue "playing" with them.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Was it moved by Yuan Yueze's noble sentiments, no less than hers, and his humble attitude in striving to create a peaceful and prosperous world? Or was it the sadness of knowing her sect could never defeat him and fulfill her master's ideals? Or was it the excitement of clearly sensing that Yuan Yueze harbored no hostility towards her, but rather a budding affection? Or was it the bittersweet realization that after Yuan Yueze learned everything about her, the sudden understanding that "different goals, different methods, and naturally different rules" filled her with mixed emotions?
Her mind was blank.
She had indeed come to the grasslands to contact Yuan Yueze on the orders of her sect. After a series of events, both Buddhism and Taoism seemed to realize that a direct confrontation with Yuan Yueze would be ineffective, so they changed their strategy. Using Shi Feixuan to bind Yuan Yueze would be the ideal solution.
Unfortunately, no matter how meticulously planned, human nature is unpredictable. Under the influence of a lingering, ambiguous feeling in Shi Feixuan's heart, this naive fairy, though uttering a series of seemingly flawless words, couldn't conceal her inner turmoil, revealing her only weakness, which Yuan Yueze caught on. The source of her inner conflict was precisely the budding affection she had developed for Yuan Yueze.
She had previously been ordered to support Li Shimin, but after several encounters with Yuan Yueze, her inner conflict and doubts grew. She believed that if Yuan Yueze were emperor, it wouldn't be a bad thing, as his actions were all under public scrutiny. However, her master, citing classical texts, described Yuan Yueze as having an illegitimate birth, a cunning mind, and a facade created to satisfy his personal desires, which solidified her resolve to support Li Shimin.
But all her confidence crumbled and vanished the moment she fully understood Yuan Yueze.
She was horrified to discover that after her soul merged with Yuan Yueze's, the inexplicable feelings in her heart were igniting like a wildfire.
Panicked and helpless, her delicate body trembled violently. She could only close her eyes tightly, silently reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra to force herself to maintain her Dao heart.
The shimmering pearl emitted rays of light like rippling water, illuminating her serene and pure face and the Color Void Sword lying on the table, creating an indescribable tranquility and peace, as if she had never experienced the shock just moments before.
The next morning.
Yuan Yueze strolled alone along Zhuque Street, attracting countless stares along the way. He remained unperturbed, and after asking for directions, headed towards Daoxiang Pavilion, renowned for its authentic Xiangshui rice.
Daoxiang Pavilion was packed; nearly fifty tables on both floors were occupied. The noise was deafening, filled with heroes and beauties from various ethnic groups, exuding an exotic atmosphere. They sang loudly, played drinking games, and drank—a scene reminiscent of the Central Plains, yet distinctly different.
The moment his figure appeared at the entrance on the first floor, the entire lobby fell silent. All eyes were on him, and the bold foreign women made no attempt to hide their admiration.
A waiter dressed in foreign attire rushed over immediately, addressing him respectfully as "Master Yuan," and ushered him upstairs. He knew that Bai Ziting not only knew about his visit to Longquan yesterday but had also publicized it extensively; otherwise, ordinary people would never have recognized him so quickly.
Sitting at a table on the upper floor facing the street, he casually ordered a few local specialties and drinks, peering out the window at the bustling Zhuque Street. He ignored the several sharp, murderous gazes and chilling aura emanating from his right rear.
His plan was to cooperate with Ba Feng Han: he would distract Bai Ziting and his group, using the bustling area to gather the latest news from within the city, while Ba Feng Han would take the opportunity to sneak into the palace to investigate.
The atmosphere gradually became lively again, and people began drinking, eating, and talking loudly.
He couldn't understand many of the languages, but he still overheard several tables of people discussing in Turkic that Shang Xiufang had arrived outside the city and that Bai Ziting had personally come out to greet her. The people glanced at him as they spoke, seemingly wanting to see his reaction.
Yuan Yueze remained motionless, like a perfectly sculpted marble statue.
Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in Hanfu, who appeared to be the owner, approached, followed by a waiter carrying an extra-large wooden tray. After bowing, the owner introduced himself in fluent Chinese and then began to introduce the food and drinks to Yuan Yueze.
The rice was naturally Xiangshui rice, and the wine was Xiangshui rice wine. Xiangshui rice is a specialty of this region because the rice paddies are built on basalt slabs covered with fertile humus-rich soil. Spring water flows between the slabs, the water temperature is relatively high, and the rice is naturally irrigated, taking full advantage of the favorable environment, hence its special quality and the name "Xiangshui" (meaning "sounding water"). The main dish was a large crucian carp, a specialty of Meituo Lake, much larger than those from the Songhua River. It was served with several local vegetables and a large bowl of hot soup, making Yuan Yueze's mouth water.
The owner respectfully said, "Young Master Yuan, we apologize for any shortcomings in our Daoxiang Restaurant. It would be our honor to offer any suggestions!"
Glancing at the Chinese-style cups, bowls, plates, and chopsticks before him, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Sui Dynasty was a rare golden age in China, inheriting the excellent cultural traditions of the Han and Wei dynasties and incorporating the achievements of the great ethnic integration of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, making it the center of Chinese and foreign economic and cultural exchange. After more than three hundred years of division and fragmentation during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was reunified, and the unified country was no longer like the Qin and Han dynasties, but a new nation that integrated and invaded various ethnic groups. Except for a few like Song Que, the vast majority of people were always affected. Bai Ziting had spent a considerable amount of time in Chang'an during his youth, and was therefore deeply influenced by the grandeur of the Sui Dynasty at its peak. Learning from Central Plains culture and establishing Longquan would not only create a sense of unity, first unifying the Mohe people and then the grasslands, but also pave the way for future invasions and rule over Central Plains. Unfortunately, this ambitious man was indeed farsighted and chose the right path, but he chose the wrong time. The Turks were still at their peak, and how could he tolerate another sleeping soundly beside his own side? His son, Da Zuorong, also established his kingdom only after the Turks had declined, showing that reviving a people on the grasslands was no easy task.
He then thought: since ancient times, the tribes beyond the Great Wall have lacked the centripetal force and cohesion of Central Plains culture. Even when a hegemon emerged and conquered vast territories by force, they quickly fragmented. This was an inevitable result of the vast, sparsely populated lands and the nomadic lifestyle of the steppe tribes. The fact that the steppe tribes' invasions of the Central Plains over the past thousand years ultimately failed to achieve their ambitions is the best example. Even if they succeeded in invading the Central Plains, they lacked the ability to rule such a vast and geographically complex land, and were ultimately assimilated and merged. However, ambitious people dreaming of achieving great things have existed in every era; they only realize this when their ambitions are extinguished.
His thoughts raced, and he raised his cup to take a sip of the wine. Indeed, it was clear, mellow, and fragrant, sweet but not cloying. He exclaimed, "Excellent wine! I see your esteemed establishment's entrance is empty, so I'll slightly modify Mr. Cao Bingjun's couplet and present it to you, sir! 'Guests arrive, we are all delighted; though we've been separated since, the misty waves of Luoyang remain, and my heart is with you, frequently inquiring about our hometown; life is but a fleeting moment, but our conversation reaches the beauty of Longquan; our reunion in a foreign land is a predestined connection.'"
The influence of a famous person exists in every era, and Yuan Yueze naturally guessed the owner's intention, thus presenting him with a couplet.
Although he had never heard of Cao Bingjun, the owner was still overjoyed, carefully noted it down, bowed, and departed with pleasure.
Chewing on the fragrant rice, Yuan Yueze exclaimed how delicious it was, when a cold snort came from his right rear, spoken in Turkic: "I thought he was some great hero, but he's just a short-sighted, skinny dog!"
The upper table immediately fell silent, everyone's attention focused on the two tables.
Yuan Yueze glanced over.
Around one table sat four or five burly men with fierce faces, bare chests, dressed in leather clothes, and carrying sabers at their waists—clearly Khitans. Their faces were filled with disdain, their eyes flashing with murderous intent as they stared unblinkingly at Yuan Yueze.
Seeing Yuan Yueze glance over, a dark-skinned man immediately stood up, pointing at him and shouting angrily, "The grasslands don't welcome you, get out!"
The owner and the other guests dared not interrupt, watching to see how Yuan Yueze would handle the situation, to see if he was truly unworthy of his reputation.
Yuan Yueze had originally planned to cause some trouble after gathering information, but since someone had started the trouble first, he wasn't about to let such an opportunity pass. So he stopped looking at him, turned around, and coldly snorted, "Just the first sentence is enough to kill you a hundred times over. Haven't you heard of 'trouble comes from the mouth'?"
Just as he finished speaking, the burly man roared, his voice echoing throughout the entire restaurant. Then, gripping his saber, he charged diagonally towards Yuan Yueze like a tiger.
The disdain on the faces of his companions deepened, as if Yuan Yueze was doomed.
Yuan Yueze didn't turn around. He merely tapped the table with his index finger, and the rice wine in his cup transformed into a wine arrow, shooting towards the burly man with lightning speed.
Before the man's roar subsided, the wine arrow accurately pierced his brow. Before it even hit the ground, his body shot towards the wall like a kite with a broken string, smashing a large hole in it, and then tumbled several feet before landing dead on the spot.
Everyone was shocked and horrified.
Yuan Yueze's single gesture spoke volumes.
To his surprise, the others neither showed any alarm nor rushed forward to avenge their companion. Instead, they didn't even glance at him again. Amidst the mocking laughter of the crowd, they scrambled downstairs to carry their companion's body.
The owner immediately ordered his servants to repair the wall. The people in the restaurant seemed unfazed by such minor incidents; the atmosphere quickly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
Yuan Yueze leisurely drank his wine, while the crowd continued to steal glances at him, their eyes filled with fear—a clear indication of the grasslands' culture that only valued strength.
Longquan was, after all, a relatively orderly city. Soon, several soldiers carrying weapons approached Yuan Yueze's table on the upper level, their menacing aura palpable. The leader, his expression blank, said, "You have committed murder without cause, which is illegal. Please come with us." He
then made a gesture to seize the man.
His hand, after falling two inches from its highest point, suddenly jerked, then slumped backward.
Yuan Yueze hadn't even moved; the soldier's internal organs had been shredded by his powerful, overwhelming energy, blood flowing from all seven orifices, and he died instantly.
The other soldiers, well-trained, attacked in unison, but the difference in strength was too great; they were all dead before the first move was over.
The upper level was deathly silent. The outsiders had finally witnessed the cold-blooded side of the rumored lawless "Evil Emperor."
Having offended the army, the people dared not stay any longer and quickly paid their bills and left. Yuan Yueze,
however, continued to eat heartily as if nothing had happened.
The innkeeper approached, saying worriedly, "Young master, your abilities are extraordinary, I admire you, but you've offended the Longquan Army..."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself that this was exactly the effect he wanted. It would be best if he could attract Bai Ziting and Fu Nanta to come in person, so he smiled and said, "Don't blame me for scaring away your customers, innkeeper."
The innkeeper waved his hands repeatedly.
The shopkeeper, as if suddenly remembering something, said, "I've heard that the young master Ren, who killed the Khitan Huyan Jin and the Goryeo Han Chao'an, has a special relationship with young master Yuan... Oh! I've been too talkative."
Yuan Yueze invited him to sit down and said, "Shopkeeper, don't panic. Ren Jun is my brother. May I ask how much you know about his capture?"
The shopkeeper glanced around somewhat guiltily and lowered his voice, saying, "Very few people know the details. I only know a little bit myself. I heard that Han Chao'an was ordered to intercept a batch of arrows belonging to Ma Ji's men at Meituo Lake." As a result, he was discovered by Young Master Ren and executed on the spot, an event that caused a sensation in Longquan. Then, a few days ago, Young Master Ren suddenly barged into the palace gates, demanding to see the King. After entering the palace, no one knows what happened. Later, news spread that he lost a duel with the Grand Preceptor, while others said he accidentally killed General Gong Qi, a subordinate of the King, angering the King and being imprisoned.
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Since you are a local, and Han Chao'an is supposed to be under your King's command, why don't you hate Xiao Jun?"
The shopkeeper's eyes flashed with murderous intent, then quickly disappeared. He
looked troubled and remained silent. Yuan Yueze was confused but didn't press the shopkeeper. His intuition told him that the game was probably getting more and more complicated and interesting.
Suddenly, his face darkened, and he said, "Shopkeeper, please go to a safe place. There are at least a thousand soldiers surrounding this place."
The shopkeeper dared not doubt his abilities and calmly left.
A series of light footsteps sounded, and dozens of burly warriors clad in gleaming silver armor strode up to the upper level. They then quickly dispersed, their movements perfectly synchronized, not only protecting those who followed but also blocking Yuan Yueze's path. This demonstrated their high level of training and martial prowess.
Another series of almost imperceptible footsteps followed, and two figures gradually came into view.
The one on the left was unmistakably "Dragon King" Bai Ziting, judging solely from his attire. He was square-faced, with large earlobes, a lion's nose, and a medium build. His demeanor was elegant, like that of a scion of a prominent family from the Central Plains. His humility concealed an air of superiority, and he possessed a pair of shrewd, penetrating eyes that inspired awe and awe. His shoulders were dark, and his face wore a perpetual, unwavering smile. He appeared to be only in his thirties, yet his aura exuded a domineering presence. What is most unforgettable is his attire: a black crown with tassels adorning his head, and a dragon robe made of black satin embroidered with cloud and dragon patterns, as if Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of Qin, who unified the Warring States period, had risen from his tomb and returned to the world.
Walking beside him on the right is a tall, thin, dark-skinned Indian man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, none other than the "mad Indian monk" Fonanda. He wears a wide, orange-apricot robe, and his bearing and presence are no less imposing than that of the powerful Bai Ziting. His hair is tied in a bun and heavily wrapped in white gauze, making his nose appear even more prominent. At first glance, it's difficult to determine whether he is handsome or ugly, or how old he is. But he possesses a captivating charm that inspires admiration, making one feel that he is an extraordinary person. Most unforgettable are his eyes; at first glance, they seem ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one discovers their unfathomable depth, occasionally flashing with a lightning-like light, as if he has seen through all of life and death in the world, and nothing can deceive or fool him.
The moment Fu Nanta's eyes appeared on the staircase, Yuan Yueze happened to look over. Their gazes met, a lightning-fast exchange, their sharp stares locked in a fierce battle of wills.
Ignoring Yuan Yueze's disregard, Bai Ziting's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he strode towards Yuan Yueze, who was seated at the table. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and chuckled, "I was unaware of Brother Yuan's arrival. I apologize for not greeting you properly."
Fu Nanta lowered his eyes, withdrawing his aura first, calmly resisting Yuan Yueze's continued onslaught of energy.
With the hostage still in their hands, and given that the other side had adopted a policy of politeness before resorting to force, Yuan Yueze couldn't act immediately .
He smiled and rose, saying, "Please, have a seat." His sharp eyes swept around, noticing Bai Ziting and Fu Nanta walking side-by-side. A few steps further away, a man and a woman stood guard on either side of them.
To Bai Ziting's right rear was a young female warrior with a long sword at her waist, about the same height as Yuan Yueze. What was most distinctive was her hairstyle: her hair was braided into two plaits, first hanging down from the left and right corners, then curving into semicircles, before wrapping around to the back of her neck and pulling it down to her spine. While her beauty was only above average, she possessed a lively, light, and vibrant energy that was quite alluring. Her face was disproportionately long, but her tall, well-proportioned figure and bright, captivating black eyes masked this flaw.
Protecting Fu Nan Tuo's left rear was a burly young man, a head taller than Yuan Yue Ze. He wore silver armor and a blue fitted outfit; while not conventionally handsome, his features were strong and his eyes deep and unfathomable. A long sword hung at his waist, giving him the impression of a powerful and imposing figure.
Bai Zi Ting and Fu Nan Tuo took their seats, while the man and woman remained standing, indicating Fu Nan Tuo's high status.
Ignoring the hostile gazes of the man and woman, Yuan Yueze stared intently into Bai Ziting's eyes and asked, "Where has Your Majesty imprisoned my brother Ren Jun?"
Bai Ziting and the others, surprised by his directness, exchanged slight glances. Bai Ziting, true to his reputation as a

cunning
and ruthless figure, quickly transformed his changed expression into a smile, appearing completely unpretentious. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Seeing is believing! Brother Yuan's straightforwardness earns my respect!"
Yuan Yueze shrugged, glancing at him indifferently. Fu Nanta
stood with one hand on his chest, his gaze slightly lowered, his lips moving slightly as if silently chanting a spell, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Bai Ziting then said, "Pour the wine!"
The female warrior stepped forward, filled the three's cups, and returned to her seat expressionlessly.
Bai Ziting raised his wine cup, his smile vanishing, and said coldly, "A true man walks the world by the principle of 'reason.' Brother Yuan, do you think what I say is wrong?"
Yuan Yueze's face revealed an extremely cold smile, and he nodded slightly.
Bai Ziting slapped the table in admiration, then leisurely rose and walked to the window a few steps away. He stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the table, and said, "Since that's the case, why would I 'trap' Brother Ren? Brother Yuan, do you know that Brother Ren impulsively killed the person I sent to pick up the goods without asking any questions? Do you know that Brother Ren unreasonably rushed into the palace to see me? I can understand these things and even admire Brother Ren's boldness. But he killed my subordinate, General Gong, in the palace without cause. Brother Yuan, can you tell me, if you were me, how would you deal with Brother Ren?"
His voice grew colder and colder, his demeanor arrogant and domineering, exuding an aura of supreme power, as if his body could soar into the void and rival the heavens.
Yuan Yueze was astonished by his words, and a strange, indescribable feeling arose within him.
After a long laugh, he said sharply, "I dare not boast, but I believe that Xiao Jun is not as unreasonable as Your Majesty claims. Moreover, this is merely your opinion; how can you expect me to believe it?"
Bai Ziting turned around, his eyes gleaming brightly as he stared intently at Yuan Yueze, saying, "Which grassland person would speak nonsense with their eyes open? I am not so low as to fabricate lies!"
This man skillfully deflected the issue, shifting the conversation to matters of character and subtly implying that Yuan Yueze's lawless behavior was merely a childish display of bullying the weak.
Yuan Yueze was not easily provoked and lost his composure. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty speaks well, I admire you. I am not used to talking nonsense, so what will it take to release Xiao Jun?"
He paused slightly, then looked at Fu Nanta, his eyes gleaming, and said, "How about we make a bet?"
After speaking, he looked at Bai Ziting, whose eyes flashed with a strange, almost imperceptible glint, which Yuan Yueze caught with perfect precision.
Meeting Yuan Yueze's lightning-fast gaze, Bai Ziting said indifferently, "What are we betting on?"
Yuan Yueze leaned back lazily in his chair, put one leg on the chair, and said casually, "We'll bet on Xiao Jun's life. I'll have a life-or-death duel with the Imperial Preceptor, how about it?"
"Clang!"
With a single sound, the weapons of the man and woman and the warriors surrounding them were drawn simultaneously, pointing at Yuan Yueze. Everyone's eyes gleamed with ferocity, constantly unleashing a fierce killing intent that swept towards him.
Yuan Yueze paid them no heed. His gaze swept over them like two bolts of lightning, and the warriors were immediately intimidated by his imposing presence. They trembled violently, their chests felt tight, and their hands gripping their weapons trembled slightly, yet they still managed to maintain their posture, demonstrating their unwavering will.
His imposing aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, and Yuan Yueze swiftly regained his composure, turning his gaze back to Fu Nanta.
The warriors immediately relaxed considerably, though their postures remained unchanged.
Bai Ziting clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brother Yuan, what a skillful move!"
His gaze then fell upon Fu Nanta, as if seeking his opinion.
Yuan Yueze understood that the other had seen through his intentions. If he killed Fu Nanta, the Longquan army would immediately crumble, and Bai Ziting would be left isolated. Forget resisting the Turkic army; even protecting his own life and that of his people would be a major problem. When Yuan Yueze spoke rudely to Bai Ziting, the group of warriors resembling imperial guards didn't make a move. Their fierce reaction to just one challenge to Fu Nan Tuo's authority speaks volumes about Fu Nan Tuo's standing among the people and soldiers of Longquan.
Thinking this, Yuan Yueze's lingering doubts became clear: Bai Ziting didn't mention the serious incident of him killing Longquan soldiers in public, probably just trying to provoke Yuan Yueze into dealing with Fu Nan Tuo, disregarding the impending crisis in Longquan. This showed he was severely suppressed by Fu Nan Tuo and must have realized that even if he could establish a kingdom, Fu Nan Tuo would inevitably replace him. His immediate priority was to eliminate this wicked monk, but he couldn't lose face. With Yuan Yueze appearing as such a convenient pawn, how could he not use him?
Fu Nanda muttered a few words of Sanskrit that no one could understand, then slowly raised his head. A mysterious and profound smile appeared on his withered, dark face. In a soft, deep, and very pleasant voice, he said, "Young Master Yuan seems to be in poor condition. How about we fight again after you recover your strength?"
Although his words were simple, they revealed his insight and wisdom. His tone was firm and melodious, resounding and powerful, with a strong infectious quality that captivated people. Judging from the slight change in Yuan Yueze's expression, it was clear that what he said was true.
Yuan Yueze's eyes flashed with a fierce light, a murderous intent flashing across them. After laughing loudly, he said solemnly, "I've heard that the Imperial Preceptor is most skilled at discussing the way of life and death, which is why he came to the grasslands where there is not a single day of peace. Have you seen through the so-called Brahma to clearly see my physical condition and every subtle psychological activity? Not to boast, but if it were just based on the 'Brahma-Atman Unity' mental technique, I'm afraid the Imperial Preceptor would not be able to defeat me."
Bai Ziting's eyes flickered uncertainly, while the others had murderous expressions on their faces, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with Yuan Yueze's contempt.
Fu Nanda, however, remained composed and unperturbed, politely saying, "Young master, your senses are indeed keen. My martial arts techniques are of little use, but Brahma truly exists. He is the power that created the gods and the three realms of heaven, earth, and space. Gods are not human, but rather a power transcending matter yet capable of manipulating it—a power of creation, protection, and destruction. In the era when the universe was still in chaos, there was no light or darkness, no nothingness, and no substance, only the 'One That,' which is Brahma, the seed from which all things arise. If we do not recognize the existence of Brahma, we are like lost travelers who never know where their home is."
Yuan Yueze finally... Having witnessed this strange man's habit of preaching regardless of the occasion and his unparalleled eloquence, Yuan Yueze decided not to persist. He waved his hand and said, "Will it be a fight or not? Give me a straight answer, Grand Preceptor!"
Fu Nanta lowered his eyes, staring at the swirling rice wine in his cup, and said, "Please grant my decision, Your Majesty!"
Bai Ziting hesitated slightly, then nodded, "Alright! This battle will take place on the main street outside the imperial city gate. There's no need for a life-or-death struggle; as long as the winner is clear, we'll honor our deal."
Everyone could tell that Bai Ziting was merely putting on a show. Yuan Yueze knew even better that his hesitation was an act, because from the moment the wager was proposed, it was destined that only one of Yuan Yueze and Fu Nanta would survive. Their mutual destruction was the outcome that the cunning Bai Ziting most desired.
Bai Ziting then asked, "Brother Yuan, are you really alright?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly. "You care about me? You're just afraid I can't kill Fu Nanta!" So he laughed and said, "Your Majesty was born on the grasslands, you should know that on the grasslands, a wounded wolf is the most dangerous!"
Bai Ziting immediately gave a thumbs up, then said with a troubled expression, "However, could the decisive battle be postponed to tomorrow noon? Because I just welcomed Lady Xiufang into the city, she said she greatly admired Brother Yuan's musical talent, so I came to invite you to tonight's banquet, which can also be considered a welcome back feast for Brother Yuan and Lady Xiufang."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Besides playing the guitar a couple of times, what musical talent do I have!" The other party didn't even mention that he deliberately caused trouble, and looking at the situation before him, who could guess the tense relationship between the two sides? He glanced at the solemn-looking Fu Nanta, and at the same time thought that the army ambushing outside was probably just for show, or they were threatened by Fu Nanta and had no choice but to do so, and were not really there to surround and kill him. The situation in Longquan is tense. Even if they could surround and kill him, the losses would be significant. Conversely, if Fu Nanta could single-handedly defeat Yuan Yueze, his standing among the people and soldiers of Longquan would rise to an unimaginable level. This would also pave the way for him to replace Bai Ziting after defeating the Turkic army, which suits Fu Nanta perfectly. Why wouldn't he be happy to do so?
Although everyone's objectives differed, they were all willing to accept this battle.
After setting a date and exchanging a few polite words, Bai Ziting led his men away.
In the afternoon, Ba Feng Han returned. From his dejected expression, Yuan Yueze knew he hadn't found anything about Ren Jun. After offering some words of comfort, he recounted his own experience. Ba Feng Han's spirits lifted, applauding Yuan Yueze's deliberate feigned weakness and cheering for his public challenge.
The two then discussed the matter in detail. Ba Feng Han disliked banquets and volunteered to scout the area around Longquan, to which Yuan Yueze had no choice but to agree.
As dusk settled, Yuan Yueze, now dressed in his pale purple robe, arrived at the palace gate. Led by the waiting officials, he walked through the gardens and courtyards towards Qifeng Pavilion, the banquet hall for the evening. A stone-carved, gilded couplet hung at the entrance archway, inscribed with the words, "Jade steps threefold to subdue the Qin plains, golden palaces four ponds to pacify the Zhou Plain."
The couplet described the scene of Chang'an, the capital of the Central Plains, dominating the Guanzhong Plain, and also revealed Bai Ziting's ambition to make Longquan a strategic military stronghold to control the Northeast Plain.
Passing through the archway, a breathtaking view unfolded before him. The Qifeng Pavilion, adorned with colorful lanterns, stood serene and elegant, nestled beside an artificial lake in the western garden of the inner palace, fed by hot spring water. Connected to a long, circular lakeside corridor, it was surrounded by shady paulownia trees and towering cypresses. Steam rose from the hot spring pool, reflecting the crescent moon in the sky, adding a touch of poetic beauty to the winding corridors, waterside pavilions, and platforms. Having seen the palaces of the three great capitals of China, Yuan Yueze found this place to have a unique charm and captivating allure.
A moment later, he arrived at the gate, where four palace maids greeted him. After bowing to the attendants, Yuan Yueze stepped inside.
The spacious hall was built on a large lakeside platform with carved railings and jade steps. In the center sat a large, embroidered round table, around which sat four people: Bai Ziting, a male and female warrior he had met once before, and a civil official in his forties beside Bai Ziting. Although dressed as a civil official, his physique and bearing, with his prominent temples, suggested he was undoubtedly a first-rate martial artist. This man had regular features and a rather handsome appearance. Neither the
"mad monk of India," Fu Nanda, nor the talented woman Shang Xiufang appeared.
Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, Bai Ziting immediately rose to greet him, smiling and saying, "It is said that Brother Yuan prefers to wear this color of long robe. Seeing you today, it is indeed more suitable for you than other colors and styles."
Perhaps influenced by the original book, no matter how skillfully and appropriately Bai Ziting flattered him, Yuan Yueze always felt a sense of dagger hidden in his smile, secretly wary, just as he had with Li Shimin and the former Shen Luoyan.
After some polite pleasantries, Yuan Yueze was invited to take his seat. He looked around and asked, "Why are Lady Shang and Grand Preceptor Fu not here?"
Bai Ziting's eyes flashed with a fierce light, his expression chillingly cold, making no attempt to conceal his murderous intent. He said in a low voice, "Fu Nanta is doing his daily prayers and cannot attend."
Judging from his expression and the fact that he addressed Fu Nanta by his name, it was clear that their relationship had become extremely strained.
After a pause, he continued, "Lady Xiufang is perhaps exhausted from her journey. She bathed in the palace's hot springs and was unable to attend the banquet. However, she asked me to tell Brother Yuan that if you have time, please visit her after the banquet."
Shang Xiufang was a woman of exceptional beauty and talent, revered by everyone in the Central Plains. Even amidst the flames of war, she remained aloof from conflict, receiving royal treatment wherever she went. Even in the borderlands, where the ruthless and powerful Jieli was, he would serve her with utmost deference. Bai Ziting was no exception; she was a true state guest. Unfortunately, faced with the crisis of national extinction, no ambitious person would take this talented woman seriously anymore. Even so, no one dared to defy public opinion and openly frame Shang Xiufang, otherwise they would become a universally condemned enemy.
Yuan Yueze nodded in agreement, and just as he was about to speak again, he saw Bai Ziting wink at him, clap his hands lightly, and the eunuchs and maids served wine and dishes in a continuous stream before all leaving, leaving only four people in the hall.
Bai Ziting then introduced the other three to Yuan Yueze: the scholar was Right Chancellor Ke Subie, the military general was his most capable general Ge Yuan, and the female warrior was his chief female swordsman, the Imperial Guard Chief Zong Xianghua.
Yuan Yueze nodded to each of them. Surprisingly, Ge Yuan and Zong Xianghua no longer showed him any hostility; instead, they carefully observed him.
Bai Ziting, still speaking in a very low voice, said, "Brother Yuan, there's no need to worry about Brother Ren and your friends from Cheshi Kingdom. They are safe. But they are not in my hands. Tomorrow, during the decisive battle, I will send someone to rescue them while Fu Nanda is preoccupied."
Seeing his cautious and hesitant demeanor, and hearing that Ren Jun and Yue Kepeng were out of danger, Yuan Yueze felt relieved.
After a few drinks, although there were only four of them, the atmosphere became superficially lively thanks to Bai Ziting's polite and attentive hospitality.
After another drink, Bai Ziting calmly asked, "I wonder if Brother Yuan knows about Dou Jiande's great victory at Liyang and Li Shimin's great victory over Song Jingang at Baibi?"
Yuan Yueze answered irrelevantly, casually replying, "I heard that on the first and fifteenth of each month, His Majesty receives reports from the Central Plains regarding the latest situation, truly embodying the principle of 'military intelligence first.'" Bai Ziting's expression changed slightly, then he smiled wryly, "Bai Ziting is impressed!"
Yuan Yueze smiled and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, could you explain to me the questions about Xiao Jun and Brother Peng from Cheshi?" Bai
Ziting didn't answer him, but lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yuan, what are your chances of defeating Fu Nanta?"
Yuan Yueze knew that he was no longer hiding his thoughts, so there was no need for him to continue pretending. He pondered and said, "A decisive battle depends on many factors such as strength, condition, confidence, and momentum. In my current state, I am at least 90% confident that I can kill this person."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ziting did not show the expected joy. Instead, he said solemnly, "Brother Yuan, do not underestimate him. The Fu Nanta we saw today is only a small part of his strength. I am not joking."
Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "Then please explain to me, Your Majesty. All I know is that he is skilled in the ways of life and death, and is proficient in the extraordinary skill of 'Brahman and Non-Duality' and the extraordinary techniques of Indian yoga." Although Bai Ziting and the others maintained their composure, they were secretly astonished that Yuan Yueze possessed such knowledge of important figures on the grasslands. After a slight smile, he said, "
Funanda's concept of 'Brahman and Non-Duality' originates from an ancient religion here, later evolving into a martial arts mental cultivation method. Internally, it manifests as the cultivation of the Five Qi, Three Channels, and Seven Chakras. His internal energy cultivation method is quite similar to the 'Turtle Breathing' of the Chinese Taoist school, allowing for an astonishingly prolonged use of true energy, with explosive power beyond imagination. Externally, it manifests as arduous and rigorous yoga training, penetrating both internal and external aspects to develop human potential, ultimately pushing that potential to its limit and then surpassing it. Through long-term arduous training, the flexibility of his bones and the elasticity of his muscles have become far superior to ordinary people, enabling him to perform any movement beyond the limitations of his limbs." Years ago, on the shores of Lake Meto, in front of me, my court officials, and thousands of people, he stuffed his body into a three-foot square iron box, locked it tightly, and sank it to the bottom of the lake. Three days later, he was pulled out of the box, showing no signs of weakness or fatigue. From that moment on, he surpassed me and became a god in the hearts of the people of Longquan.”
Yuan Yueze listened silently. Although Bai Ziting was cunning and shrewd, he would never lie at this moment, because he could see that Yuan Yueze's current strength was probably insufficient to kill Fu Nanta. Therefore, he used his words to help him “know his enemy.” He had heard of Fu Nanta's abilities, but he did not expect that the other party had become so terrifyingly strong. However, he still smiled and said, “If it were only based on these, he could at most fight me to a standstill.”
A bitter smile crept across Bai Ziting's lips as he said with some pain, "Of course, that's not all. He also possesses a terrifying spiritual technique, which he claims to have comprehended from the Great Dharma Wheel of Tibetan Buddhism, called 'Brahma Dhyana,' which far surpasses the scope of ordinary martial arts techniques for fighting and dominating." At
this point, his pupils contracted sharply, his breathing became rapid, as if he were lost in memories. The horrified expression on his face was genuine, as if he were struggling to wake from a nightmare. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and continued, "When I thought his words were just exaggerations and wanted to prove them with myself, he merely glanced at me with a flick of his inner energy. I immediately felt completely powerless, unable to muster any thought of resistance. Then he intensified his power, and my soul began to feel as if it were being forcibly pulled out of my body. In just an instant, it felt as if I had experienced countless lifetimes of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness from the beginning of time to the destruction of the universe."
He stopped, his expression shifting several times, as if he couldn't shake off the painful memories, or as if he hated Fonanda with gritted teeth. Then a trace of guilt appeared on his face, and finally he said, "Afterwards, he pushed 'Brahma Dhyana' to its peak, and my soul really left my body. I was in a terrifying Asura purgatory. If he didn't want to release me, my soul would never be able to leave that place for eternity. " Yuan
Yueze's expression turned solemn. Those who practice yoga, by challenging the limits of human potential, must possess extraordinary mental strength. He'd heard of strange sects that, to enhance their spiritual cultivation, would even mutilate their bodies; only through such long and arduous training could one possibly reach a state of complete mental mastery. But as Bai Ziting spoke, he unexpectedly recalled Xiao Ge's words about passing on a spiritual technique to Fu Nanda several months prior. Then he realized the timing didn't match. Finally, at the end, his thoughts cleared—wasn't this exactly the same as when he'd fallen victim to Liu Yu's unprecedented and evil illusionary magic?
Liu Yu once said that there were no more than three people in the world who understood this illusion technique he had combined with martial arts. Fu Nanta came from India, and Liu Yu had also traveled to Persia...
Thinking of this, a thought struck him, and he asked in a deep voice, "Has Fu Nanta colluded with Jieli?"
Everyone was stunned. He paid no attention to Fu Nanta's terrifying mental abilities, but instead asked such a question. Bai Ziting quickly recovered and nodded, saying, "Brother Yuan, you actually know such a confidential matter. I admire you!"
How could Yuan Yueze know about this? His question was very clever. Through Bai Ziting's performance, he was even more certain of the following speculations: First, Fu Nanta's mental abilities were very likely indeed passed down from Liu Yu; second, the unification of the Turks was not a rumor, but a real event, and the one who promoted the unification was most likely Liu Yu, as previously predicted; third, in order to unify the grasslands and invade the Central Plains, Fu Nanta, through Liu Yu's connections, became involved with Jieli. Little did anyone know that this wicked monk's power and authority grew ever stronger, and he began to break free from Liu Yu's control. Not only did he oppose Liu Yu's Great Ming Reverence Sect to promote his own doctrines, but he was also unwilling to submit to Jieli any longer. Therefore, he started his own power base, and seizing the Bohai Kingdom was the most important step in establishing his own authority. While the siege of Longquan by the Turkic allied forces was partly due to Bai Ziting, the greater reason was likely Jieli's inability to tolerate the growing power of the deified figure, Fu Nanta. Perhaps Liu Yu truly is not dead, but has simply retreated to the background, manipulating events from behind the scenes.
In a flash, he deduced everything and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Your Majesty must have something on you that Fu Nanda has, right?"
Bai Ziting nodded with a bitter smile and said sadly, "My five-year-old beloved son, Da Zuorong, is in Fu Nanda's hands. However, the reason I've been threatened by him these past few years isn't just that. This wicked monk is eloquent and profound in his understanding of Buddhist doctrines, so he's deeply popular. The soldiers and civilians of Longquan almost blindly revere him. Alas! If it weren't for the three loyal men from my guest family feigning infiltration into Fu Nanda's camp, I wouldn't even have a clue about the whereabouts of Da Zuorong, or even Brother Ren and the others."
Yuan Yueze then remembered the initial question and asked, "Does Your Majesty know their whereabouts?"
Bai Ziting said, "Not yet, because it's extremely difficult to evade Fu Nanda's spies. But tomorrow, during the decisive battle, I will send my entire army to search, and I believe we will find something."
How could Yuan Yueze easily believe him? He sneered inwardly and said, "Then please explain to me, Your Majesty, how Xiao Jun was captured."
Bai Ziting nodded and said, "Actually, Brother Ren infringed upon the interests of Fu Nanda. We originally planned to trade a batch of arrows with Ma Ji, but for some reason, Ma Ji's men suddenly refused to trade and split up to transport the goods away. Fu Nanda certainly couldn't lose this batch of arrows, so they sent Han Chao'an to rob it, but he was killed by Brother Ren. Coincidentally, Fu Nanda had previously learned about Brother Yuan's relationship with Yue Kepeng and others, and under the pretext of welcoming foreign guests to stay at the palace, they secretly imprisoned them, thereby blackmailing Brother Yuan to further enhance his status among the soldiers and civilians of Longquan. Who knew that one of them escaped at that time..." "The man was later hunted down and killed by men sent by Fu Nanda. That same day, Brother Ren came to my door, presumably having met that man before. General Gong Qi, originally my subordinate, later became a loyal follower of Fu Nanda. He fought the enraged Brother Ren for a couple of rounds, and somehow died on the spot from a knife wound. Fu Nanda, already harboring resentment because his plan was ruined, now had a reason to act and captured Brother Ren. Later, I discovered that Gong Qi was a member of the Great Ming Zunjiao sect, and his death was very likely orchestrated by Fu Nanda, who particularly disliked the Great Ming Zunjiao sect."
Yuan Yueze roughly understood Ren Jun's impulsive reason and knew that Fu Nanda's intentions were not far from his own guess. At the same time, he secretly laughed at Bai Ziting for blatantly lying. He had clearly been colluding with the Great Ming Zunjiao sect to deal with the powerful Fu Nanda, but Yuan Yueze's severe suppression of the Great Ming Zunjiao sect left Bai Ziting without any leverage. How could he only find out Gong Qi's identity later? He was just trying to prove his innocence. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I will certainly seek justice for Xiao Jun, but... even if I can kill Fu Nanta tomorrow, how does Your Majesty intend to face the Turks?"
His words struck at his opponent's weakness. Most of the soldiers and civilians of Longquan City had long been followers of Fu Nanta, believing death to be merely another form of advancement, not an end. They were all fearless warriors. Under such circumstances, if Fu Nanta led his army in a joint attack with the Goryeo reinforcements—which Bai Ziting hadn't even mentioned—they might indeed have a chance to defeat the Turkic wolf army sweeping across the grasslands. He had already witnessed the overwhelming momentum and high morale of the Mohe soldiers, and this fervent worship had the best effect at that moment. Once their spiritual pillar was lost, their morale would crumble, and they would have no ability to resist the fierce and powerful Turkic coalition.

Chapter 133 The Decisive Battle on the Long Street
Bai Ziting and the others fell silent, the atmosphere somewhat uneasy. After a while, Bai Ziting asked, "If I were Brother Yuan, what would I do?"
Yuan Yueze, who knew nothing about war, smiled and replied, "Only cancel the establishment of the kingdom."
Bai Ziting wasn't surprised and asked with interest, "Oh? Brother Yuan, could you explain this to me?"
Yuan Yueze said, "Your Majesty has two advantages: first, the timing is good; April is the rainiest season in Longquan, favorable for defense but not offense; second, Longquan has always been self-sufficient and is not afraid of a siege. But..." For the king, the disadvantages are even greater. With Funantha's death, the morale of the Longquan army will be thrown into chaos—that's only one point. Secondly, in recent years, Jieli has undoubtedly spent considerable effort researching siege tactics in preparation for his advance into the Central Plains. Your Majesty should know that your former national advisor, Zhao Deyan, was a renowned siege strategist, so Jieli's knowledge of these tactics is naturally considerable. These two points alone constitute the greatest challenge Your Majesty faces.
Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua's expressions changed drastically as they all looked at the composed Bai Ziting. Bai Ziting's expression shifted several times before he finally let out a deep sigh, his eyes filled with regret. Sensing the change in expression, he said, "It's all my fault for being bewitched by the evil monk, stubbornly persisting
in my ways, making one mistake after another. Now I've finally awakened, but it's too late to undo the damage. Even if we were willing to abandon our kingdom and offer the Five Colored Stones, the Turks still wouldn't give up. Brother Yuan, you must have heard of Jieli's ruthless and exterminating methods." He then looked at Ke Subie and sighed, "The three of you earnestly advised me not to trust Maji and Funantha, but I rebuked you severely. I, Bai Ziting, deeply regret my actions!"
Ke Subie and the other two were simultaneously shocked, their eyes reddening with emotion at his sincere repentance, and they all exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"
Bai Ziting raised his hand... He stopped the three men, his face showing the sorrow of a hero at the end of his rope. He gave a bitter smile, as if he had aged many years in an instant, and slowly extended his left palm, saying, "For the survival of my people, Bai Ziting must do everything in his power. I hope Jieli will not lose this battle, otherwise the history of the Great Grassland will be rewritten. Thank you for your guidance, Brother Yuan, and for your good deed in eliminating the evil monk for my people. Let the operation proceed as planned tomorrow!"
Yuan Yueze shook his head inwardly: his keen intuition told him that Bai Ziting was not genuinely reflecting on his mistakes, and so far, he hadn't mentioned a single word about amassing wealth for the sake of establishing a kingdom. More importantly, with his wisdom, how could he not guess Yuan Yueze's purpose in coming to the grasslands? If he were sincere, he would have already discussed with Yuan Yueze how the two sides should get along in the future, instead of simply offering a word of thanks. Yuan Yueze understood that the most terrifying tyrant on the grasslands was not Jieli, but this man before him. In terms of ambition and cunning, he far surpassed Jieli. If he were allowed to dominate the grasslands, it would cause far greater harm to the Central Plains! Because on the vast grasslands, no one was more familiar with the politics and culture of the Central Plains than him.
As for whether this person would go back on his word like he did with the Twin Dragons in the original story, Yuan Yueze didn't care for the time being. Whatever his purpose, Fu Nanta had to die. Through the handshake just now, he discovered an astonishing secret.
After a few more words, Bai Ziting instructed Zong Xianghua to take Yuan Yueze to see Shang Xiufang, who lived in the West Garden of the Inner Palace.
Under the magnificent and enchanting night sky, the two walked one after the other.
Yuan Yueze suddenly asked, "What is your opinion on this war, young lady?"
Zong Xianghua replied without turning her head, "Zong Xianghua is on duty. Please call me 'Chief Guard.' I am only responsible for carrying out the king's orders. Everything else is none of my business."
Although her attitude was still polite, it had a cold and aloof feel to it, and it also contained hidden hostility.
Yuan Yueze only remembered from the books he had read that this woman was a person of strong character, with a firm stance on matters of principle, which was why he asked the question. Little did he know that he would be met with a rebuff. He didn't mind the wariness of the people from beyond the Great Wall, because in reality, he was not much different from people like Fu Nanda and Jieli.
"The mountains and rivers of the past and present are uncertain. Amidst the sound of bugles, herds of horses come and go. A desolate scene unfolds before my eyes; who can I speak to? The west wind withers the maple trees. Countless sorrows must have been sung in the past. Iron horses and golden spears, green tombs on the road at dusk. How deep is the affection that has lasted? Deep mountains, setting sun,
and deep autumn rain." The familiar, clear singing voice that emanated from the hall was as moving as ever. Shang Xiufang's pure, elegant, and slightly melancholic voice, coupled with the mournful melody and endlessly sorrowful lyrics, possessed a unique, cold beauty and a sense of desolate sorrow on such a night.
Zong Xianghua's fragrant shoulders trembled slightly, as if she could see the tragic scene caused by the impending battle and the terrible sight of women, children, the elderly, and the weak being trampled under the iron hooves of the Turkic wolf army.
Yuan Yueze quickly stepped forward, pushed open the door, and said casually, "The events of a thousand years have already sunk deep; it is too much to concern ourselves with the rise and fall of dynasties. I'm sorry to disturb you, Xiufang!" Shang
Xiufang was sitting alone on the floor in the luxuriously decorated center of the hall, engrossed in reading a book. Hearing the door open, she turned her delicate body to look over.
Yuan Yueze froze on the spot.
She wore light makeup, which further accentuated her exquisite and refined beauty. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with several shimmering hair ornaments. She wore a gorgeous pale yellow embroidered foreign women's dress, the long skirt trailing on the ground. Her casual sitting posture perfectly showcased the graceful curves of her figure. Whether
light or heavy makeup, she suited him well.
Although this attire concealed much of her true nature, it didn't feel strange; instead, it made her appear elegant, graceful, and breathtakingly beautiful. It was clear that Shang Xiufang was extremely skilled at dressing up.
Shang Xiufang's soft voice rang out again, addressing the door, "Won't Chief Guard Zong come in and sit for a while?"
Zong Xianghua's polite voice sounded from outside the door, but without the coldness, saying, "Thank you, Master Xiufang. I still have military duties to attend to. Please feel free to give any instructions."
Yuan Yueze turned and went to the door, staring blankly as her tall, slender, and healthy figure, easily six feet two inches tall, disappeared into the darkness.
Shang Xiufang's coquettish voice from behind woke him up, saying, "My husband's eyes are about to pop out!"
Yuan Yueze awkwardly scratched his head, taking only one step to sit down beside Shang Xiufang, but without making a move.
Inhaling her natural fragrance, an intoxicating feeling welled up in his heart. Yuan Yueze closed his eyes, lost in the moment, inhaling deeply.
Shang Xiufang's face flushed slightly, and she revealed her smooth, radiant arms, dazzling to the eye. She gently brushed his clothes with her jade-like hands, wrinkling her delicate nose, and said, "You reek of alcohol!"
Yuan Yueze still didn't open his eyes, laughing, "Shang's fragrance is so magical, it naturally washes away the smell of alcohol."
Shang Xiufang's alluring, fiery body pressed against him, nestling in his arms, murmuring, "Xiufang can't be by my husband's side like my sisters for now, are you upset?
" Yue Ze opened his eyes, wrapped his arms around her slender back and waist, gently stroked her cloud-like hair, and said affectionately, "How could I blame you? A woman like you who cherishes freedom, if confined to a room all day, wouldn't be the Shang Xiufang we knew. Besides, I'm currently burdened with worldly affairs, even I find them bothersome. When my ideals are fulfilled, I'll accompany you to travel the world, how about that?"
As he spoke, he lifted her rounded chin, their dreamlike, affectionate gazes merging into one, boundless in tenderness.
At that moment, both of them felt a strange sensation: they simultaneously felt the blood flowing through each other's veins, as if they were in the deepest part of the sweetest dream, already possessing a state of perfect self-sufficiency.
A profound and sincere love surged between their two bodies pressed tightly together.
After an unknown amount of time, Shang Xiufang murmured as if in a dream, "Since leaving Chang'an, Xiufang has never felt sad. I even feel that whether I see my husband again is unimportant, because our hearts are already connected. Even if we are separated by thousands of miles, or even by life and death, nothing can separate us."
Yuan Yueze was moved and pressed his lips down to kiss hers. Shang Xiufang immediately withdrew her jade-like fingers, stopping him, and said reproachfully, "How about Xiufang helps my husband wash away the smell of alcohol first?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled. He swept her hot, soft body up in his arms and said, "I haven't experienced the hot springs of Longquan yet. How about a bath together tonight, Xiufang?"
Although Shang Xiufang had been intimate with him, she was still very delicate. Hearing this, a blush rose on her jade-like cheeks, quickly spreading to her ears. She glared at him with a captivating gaze, closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly, her arms naturally wrapping around his neck. Overwhelmed with shyness, she buried her head in his chest, appearing completely at his mercy.
Immersed in the steaming hot spring, the two, completely naked, entwined their tongues. Shang Xiufang responded passionately. Amidst the friction of their bodies and their rapid, panting moans, this couple, separated for months, poured out their love and longing through this kiss.
Shang Xiufang straddled Yuan Yueze's lap, her body trembling more and more violently. After parting her lips, she moaned, "Husband, your hands… your hands…"
How could the "Yin Emperor's" strange hands be obedient? His fingers slid down her round, fragrant buttocks to her most sensitive area.
Hearing this, Yuan Yueze stopped, admiring her alluring, incomparably beautiful appearance, and deliberately teased her, "It seems Xiufang said something similar during the Spring Festival in Chang'an, didn't she?"
Shang Xiufang was already lost in passion, her pretty face flushed even more. She knew he was teasing her, and also recalled how he had used that "chaotic and varied" technique to seduce her that day. She weakly slapped him a few times, spat, and then gently twisted her slender waist, letting out a soft, reluctant moan.
Yuan Yueze gently lifted her, and the two became one. With Yuan Yueze's powerful movements, Shang Xiufang's reason was consumed by desire. Her beautiful face revealed a seductive and alluring expression. Her initial reserved and shy moans turned into unrestrained shouts and cries, her demeanor wild and unrestrained. Her long, jade-like legs tightly wrapped around his waist, and she began to take the initiative.
After a powerful surge of passion swept over Shang Xiufang's soft, jade-like body, the two reached the peak of their desire together.
She lay panting softly in Yuan Yueze's arms, savoring the moment for a long while, before begging him to carry her, now utterly exhausted, back to their bed.
Then, Shang Xiufang recounted her experiences and observations over the past few months.
When she left Chang'an, she first visited the Turkic Khanate, then politely declined Jieli's suggestion that Keda Zhi personally lead a group of skilled warriors to escort her. Instead, she visited the kingdoms of Turpan in the Western Regions, spending some time in Kucha, a place renowned for its unparalleled music and dance. Only after receiving Jieli's request did she set off for the Bohai Kingdom, a journey that took over a month to reach it.
Because she had absolutely no interest in military or political affairs, Yuan Yueze only gave her a brief summary of her experiences.
Shang Xiufang, intelligent and perceptive, had already considered many things in just a few words. She frowned and said, "Xiufang chatted with Bai Ziting this morning and discovered he has immense ambition. How can you, my husband, cooperate with him?"
Yuan Yueze kissed her still-spring-like, smooth cheek and laughed, "When did I cooperate with him? He was just afraid I'd lose to Fu Nan Tuo, so he reminded me not to underestimate that demonic monk! If I'm not mistaken, he most wants us to be mutually injured, then he can easily eliminate us both and reap the benefits. I don't believe he'll rescue Xiao Jun and the others; I'll only feel at ease leaving this to Brother Ba. Ha! I can almost guess his methods. If I kill Fu Nan Tuo, he might try some kind of divine intervention..." Come, stir up the spirits! Not only will Longquan's morale not drop, but it can also eliminate my exhausted strength. Then, announce to our tribe and other tribes that this is a do-or-die effort, a courage and determination to fight to the last man against the Turks, to ignite the soldiers' will to die, to fight to the death. If this spirit of sacrificing everything can inspire the entire tribe, coupled with the myth of the Five-Colored Stone and the surprise attack from Goryeo, perhaps a miracle can truly be created, allowing our tribe to overthrow the Turks and become the new rulers of the grasslands. However, Xiufang is overly worried. When Funantha passes away, it will also be the day Bai Ziting dies. Because I have sensed that Bai Ziting has been affected by Funantha's spiritual magic, but he doesn't know it yet!
Shang Xiufang still said with a worried expression, "But..."
Yuan Yueze's eyes gleamed with a strange light, and he said resolutely, "Do you want to know how I will face the Golden Wolf Army? Don't worry!"
Shang Xiufang sat up in bed, revealing her soft, fragrant shoulders and most of her snow-white chest. Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes as she reached out her jade-like hand to stroke his face, murmuring, "Although the 'Butcher of Men' Bai Qi and the 'God of Slaughter' Ran Min of ancient times killed countless people, those they personally killed were still a minority. My husband's sins of killing will probably be hard to wash away in his lifetime. I wonder how future generations will comment on you."
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly and said, "What do I care what others say? As long as I don't catch them deliberately insulting me, that's fine! Besides, in this life, if you can't set goals for yourself early on and go for them, what's the point of being happy?"
As he spoke, he pulled her into his arms and wiped away her tears.
Upon hearing this, Shang Xiufang's beautiful eyes shone brightly, captivating all who heard her. She readily agreed, saying, "There's never a fixed standard for right and wrong. A true man should adapt to the times and circumstances. As long as he acts according to his conscience, he has nothing to be ashamed of before heaven and earth."
Yuan Yueze nodded in approval, his hand unconsciously returning to her voluptuous breasts, igniting another passionate storm.
After the storm subsided and he had lulled Shang Xiufang to sleep, Yuan Yueze went to find Ba Feng Han alone.
They met at the agreed-upon courtyard with its own hot spring in the west of the city.
Ba Feng Han was enjoying a relaxing soak in the hot spring when he heard Yuan Yueze's footsteps. Without opening his eyes, he casually reached for grapes in a plate by the pool, tossed them high, caught them, and chewed them heartily. "Brother Yuan, you smell faintly of fragrance. Have you been having a tryst with Lady Shang?"
Yuan Yueze laughed and disappeared into the warm, steaming water. "Did you find anything?" he asked. Ba Feng
Han replied with great enthusiasm, "Of course! And quite a discovery! Not only did I find where Xiao Jun and the others are hiding, but I also made another discovery!"
Yuan Yueze was overjoyed and immediately pressed for details.
Ba Feng Han said, "The palace is less guarded tonight than last night. I saw the Longquan Eight Treasures Glazed Well, known as the 'Number One Well in the Northeast,' inside the palace."
Yuan Yueze interjected, briefly recounting his experience. Ba Feng Han suddenly realized, "No wonder Bai Ziting was so reckless; it's because he's decided to completely break with Fu Nan Tuo. The reduced number of palace guards is probably related to that. Oh! Where was I? I was also a bit thirsty, so I went to the well to drink when no one was around. Looking down, I noticed the well's uniqueness; the upper cross-section of the well wall is octagonal." In the middle section, the cross-section becomes circular, gradually widening before narrowing again at the bottom. I slipped down to inspect the well wall and found that although it was constructed of finely polished, regular basalt slabs, with tight joints and diagonal snaps, making it very sturdy, there were obvious signs of human intervention in the middle section. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the mechanism at the moment. Later, I captured a eunuch who came to fetch water and used a unique method of sealing acupoints to extract a confession. I learned that Fu Nanda often dismissed everyone and personally came to this well to chant incantations. I then suspected Xiao Jun and the others. "Their hiding place is likely related to this mechanism. It's too late tonight; I'll only act tomorrow when the people of Longquan are focused on your final battle."
Yuan Yueze nodded and pondered, "Any other discoveries?"
Ba Feng chuckled, "I gathered information in Xiaolongquan, a small town east of Longquan built around the Bohai Bay docks and shipyards. Someone there said that this morning, a group of Koreans left in several waves. I guess they were the Koreans you mentioned who came to support Bai Ziting or Fu Nanda; they all fled in terror upon seeing you." "
Ignoring his maniacal laughter, Yuan Yueze muttered to himself, 'They must have been sent by King Goryeo, Gao Jianwu, to support Bai Ziting. It shouldn't be Gaesomun, whom I deposed. Goryeo's support for Bai Ziting stems not only from their desire for a powerful Balhae Kingdom as a buffer between them and the Khitan and Turks, but also from their need to secure a seaport for ship repair and resupply between Silla and China.'
Both knew that Han Chao'an, whom Ren Jun had killed, was a 'pirate' sent by King Goryeo, Gao Jianwu, specifically to intercept and rob Silla merchants at sea, with the aim of disrupting Silla's economy. Although the Korean Peninsula was small, the situation was complex. It contained three kingdoms: Goryeo, Silla, and Baekje. Since Yang Guang's three disastrous campaigns against Goryeo, the kingdoms on the peninsula had been engaged in complex and ever-changing struggles. King Kim Jin-heung of Silla was an ambitious and shrewd monarch who sought to unify the peninsula, thus constantly expanding his territory." Silla, located in the southeastern part of the peninsula, held a strategic position at the mouth of the Han River. It vigorously developed maritime trade, primarily engaging in business with major cities along the Chinese coast, greatly increasing its national strength. This provoked a coalition between Baekje, located in the southwestern part of the peninsula, and Goryeo, the most powerful nation occupying the northern part, to oppose it.
Goryeo's retreat could have many reasons, such as no longer having faith in Fu Nanda or Bai Ziting; or being constrained by Kim Jin-heung, who was always pro-China, forcing them to return to defend their territory. These reasons are currently impossible to ascertain.
Yuan Yueze then asked, "Brother Ba, did you perhaps use your unique acupoint sealing technique? Otherwise, how could you obtain useful information so easily?"
Ba Feng Han proudly replied, "My acupoint sealing technique can restrict the flow of qi and blood to the brain. After asking questions, I knock them unconscious. When they wake up, their memories of what happened before they lost consciousness will be hazy, and they will completely forget everything."
Yuan Yueze was overjoyed and said, "Teach me quickly!"
The next day
, from early morning, the sky above Longquan was overcast, a gloomy and desolate scene.
As dawn broke, a light drizzle began, shrouding the entire Longquan Plain in a hazy, chaotic mist.
Around noon,
the long stretch of Zhuque Avenue in front of the palace was already blocked off by Longquan soldiers, but spectators streamed in. Devout followers of Fu Nanda and Su Mo soldiers crowded at both ends of the street and on higher buildings further away. Despite the sea of people, no one uttered a sound; the atmosphere was heavy and tense.
Bai Ziting, along with Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and other civil and military officials, occupied a pavilion near the main gate of the palace, providing shelter from the wind and rain while ensuring they didn't miss a single detail of the decisive battle.
Wearing the same wide, orange-apricot robe and a heavy veil, the "mad monk from India," Fu Nanda, stood calmly and naturally in the center of the long street, his hands clasped behind his back. His entire body radiated true energy; raindrops, reaching five feet above his head, scattered in all directions, not a single drop touching him. Both his aura and the flow of his true energy had reached an astonishingly high level, possessing a transcendent air of ruling the world and looking down upon all living beings.
Although Fu Nanda stood proudly like a mountain, his aura gave people a strange feeling of stillness within movement, movement within stillness, as if he were there, yet also as if he were merely an illusion. Those with considerable cultivation, such as Bai Ziting, could feel that he was as if he were one with some supernatural force, hence the illusion and reality.
His
followers were all filled with excitement and respect.
"Is the Grand Preceptor ready to preach?"
A deep, gentle voice, seemingly capable of carrying across the earth, rang out, and Yuan Yueze appeared on the other side of the street.
He walked slowly, his expression calm, one hand behind his back, the "evil sword" symbolizing his identity in his left. He exuded no aura whatsoever, and the raindrops pelted him.
Most of the soldiers and civilians of Longquan wore expressions of disdain; only those with a certain level of cultivation watched with trepidation.
Although Yuan Yueze approached slowly, he gave the strange impression that he wasn't moving at all. If their eyes hadn't told them he was coming, they would never have sensed his presence. He seemed to merge into the universe; though the raindrops pelted him, his clothes remained completely dry.
The two protagonists formed a stark contrast: one moved physically, yet remained mentally still; the other remained still, yet his spirit moved.
The entire street was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Fu Nanta intently observed Yuan Yueze's every movement—his faint smile, his ethereal eyes, his elegant strides, his casual arm swings, every movement of his waist, legs, elbows, and shoulders—he didn't miss a single detail. His movements were perfectly fluid and seamless, leaving no opening for anyone to exploit.
From the moment he appeared, the two men's eyes flashed with sharpness, their attacks clashing in the air like lightning, evenly matched.
With a smile on his face and eyes like lightning, Fu Nanda held one palm up in front of his chest and looked at Yuan Yueze, who stood calmly in front of him. Surprisingly, there was no "speech" or "talking" between them. He could clearly feel that Yuan Yueze's spirit had reached a transcendent state at this moment. No words or actions could shake his rock-solid will and determination to kill him.
Yuan Yueze said leisurely, "It is said that the National Preceptor advocates that the self take vital energy as its substance, life as its body, light as its essence, emptiness as its nature, and Brahman as its origin, pervading and connecting everything. Its minuteness is like a grain of rice, its vastness is like the sky, the emptiness of all minds is vast, and the mind of all things is vast. But in terms of its true nature, there is no difference, all because Brahman and I are one. Therefore, the thought before death is the most crucial. I, Yuan, have come today to help you return to Brahman and discover your true self."
Fu Nanda laughed loudly, his true energy surging and shooting forth, the chilling evil energy causing raindrops to fly wildly. His gaze emitted a powerful spiritual force, like two blades staring directly at Yuan Yueze, as if to drag him into a terrifying abyss, no longer concealing his strength.
Drawn by the energy, Yuan Yueze sensed it, naturally focusing his energy in his eyes, his eyes blazing brightly, like golden lightning shooting from the gray sky, meeting Fu Nanda's gaze without flinching.
Their sharp gazes clashed continuously, the danger within known only to those involved.
As Fu Nanta deeply appreciated Yuan Yueze's clever strategy of feigning weakness yesterday, Yuan Yueze secretly rejoiced that Bai Ziting had revealed to him the demonic monk's extraordinary spiritual skill, "Brahma Dhyana." Otherwise, a moment's carelessness in losing his meditative focus would have been fatal. Fu Nanta's
gaze was intense, and he spoke in a melodious and infectious voice, "Through Brahma, I can see your weakness, young master. Do you still intend to persist?"
Yuan Yueze's right hand slowly gripped the hilt of his sword, steady and relaxed. Then, his robes began to flutter against the wind, and his left foot lightly stepped forward, producing a thunderous sound that seemed to resound through the heavens, echoing for hundreds of feet, shaking the earth. Its power was extremely awe-inspiring.
The longsword was drawn silently, transforming into a long rainbow, slowly thrusting out, its speed suddenly increasing, like an arrow released from a bow, shooting towards Fu Nanta's throat.
Fu Nanta's withered face revealed no secrets, but a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected Yuan Yueze's swordsmanship to be so superb. Even with his cultivation level, he couldn't see how the opponent's sword was drawn, let alone others!
His mind instantly recovered, and Fu Nanta unleashed a powerful aura, forming a massive, invisible storm. The surrounding rain was completely unaffected, while the onlookers felt only a howling wind in their ears and a stinging sensation on their skin. This demonstrated the astonishing level of his mastery of true qi.

Chapter 134 The Demonic Monk's Execution
At the very center of the aura, Yuan Yueze remained unmoved. He had already guessed that, in terms of pure internal strength, he was certainly inferior to his opponent without his full recovery. However, many other factors influenced the outcome, such as confidence and momentum. Therefore, he needed to constantly build momentum for himself and undermine his opponent's confidence, which could play a decisive role in the final battle.
He said, “Why has the Grand Preceptor stopped preaching? Has he grasped the profound truth that ‘the devil does not conquer people’s will with magic, but lures them with fabricated values, cunningly confusing good and evil, right and wrong, thus bewitching people’s will and making them believe in it’?”
Reciting the famous quote from the Russian philosopher Lossky, the longsword in Yuan Yueze’s hand underwent subtle and mysterious magical changes, slicing into the seemingly impenetrable gaps in Fu Nanda’s storm, flowing upstream, lightly and effortlessly piercing through.
Fu Nanda, with a terrifyingly deep mind, calmly said, “Brahma is the greatest being in the universe, the ruler of everything, surpassing everything. All things of sentient beings exist through his existence, and all things of Brahma exist through the existence of sentient beings. No one loves sentient beings more than him. How can he be a devil? How can he bewitch people’s will?”
Just as the sword was about to pierce the throat of this eloquent demonic monk, Fu Nanda suddenly leaned back, dodging this earth-shattering blow. With his back just a foot off the ground, he twisted his body sharply, bracing one foot on the ground while the other lashed out at Yuan Yueze's abdomen with lightning speed, a movement completely defying the limitations of human anatomy.
Yuan Yueze had never underestimated his opponent's yogic technique. After his sword missed, his ready-to-go left fist immediately slammed down to block Fu Nanta's killing move.
"Bang!"
The fist and foot collided with a muffled thud, and Yuan Yueze sprang into the air like a purple lightning bolt across the sky, instantly becoming a tiny black dot and disappearing completely from everyone's sight.
The battle had been incredibly fast, completed in the blink of an eye.
Bai Ziting and several of his confidants wore grim expressions, while Fu Nanta's followers and the Longquan soldiers erupted in deafening cheers.
Fu Nanta remained unmoved by the cheers around him. Though his face was expressionless, his pupils narrowed, and his gaze became even more intense and fierce, like surging waves. He then leaned forward slightly, his hands curling inward, and a powerful column of energy spun upward, striking directly in the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared into the air.
This pursuit was purely driven by experience gained from countless deadly battles.
Just after that strike, he felt a strange unease: through his spiritual connection with Brahma, he could clearly perceive the movement of any living being within a ten-zhang radius, yet he could no longer sense Yuan Yueze's presence. Of course, the opponent couldn't have died so easily. Fu Nanta immediately realized that Yuan Yueze had been continuously laying down layers upon layers of spiritual energy during his ascent, more powerful than weapons. This not only sealed off the entire space for a long time but also diverted everyone's attention to the layers of energy, creating the illusion that Yuan Yueze had disappeared. Even Fu Nanta, whose spiritual perception was one with Brahma, was affected, let alone others.
This momentary lapse in judgment was a fatal mistake for experts of their level. Just
as Fu Nanta was gathering his energy, a clear sound like a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl came from the sky. At first, it was barely audible, but in the blink of an eye, it resounded throughout the entire space, deafening everyone. For a moment, only this strange sound could be heard in the world.
Yuan Yueze's figure suddenly reappeared about two zhang away from Fu Nanta in mid-air. Then, a ball of pale white light burst forth in front of him, which then transformed into a crescent moon, carrying an indestructible sword aura, and slashed down fiercely with a momentum that could shake the heavens and the earth.
"Pfft!"
Yuan Yueze, wielding a sword like a saber, simply cleaved Fu Nanta's qi pillar with his sword, producing a dull yet piercing sound. Suddenly, the sword energy changed again, dispersing into countless tiny but incomparably powerful vortexes of qi, bypassing the qi pillar and surging towards Fu Nanta like a monstrous wave.
Fu Nanta's expression changed slightly.
He had clearly seen Yuan Yueze's move. Initially, his opponent's sword rain was withdrawing the qi energy spread in the air, gathering it to its peak before unleashing the simple and clumsy saber strike. However, he hadn't expected Yuan Yueze to use only a small portion of his qi energy against his qi pillar, which was composed of all his power, and then split off the remaining qi threads to attack him.
This was a mutually destructive fighting style.
Fu Nanta's entire body seemed to be supple and boneless, making bizarre and unpredictable swaying movements, leaning forward and backward, swaying left and right, drifting through Yuan Yueze's sharp, dense, and almost impenetrable qi net, dodging with lightning speed, a truly spectacular display.
Then, slightly bending his knees, when his upper body was only half a foot off the ground, he pushed off with all his might with his bent leg, his entire body rising diagonally upwards from the ground, his feet still firmly planted on the ground, instantly transforming into a thin, long "human meat pancake." His hands twirled, his ten fingers flying like plucking strings, his left hand precisely striking Yuan Yueze's palm, his right leg rising sharply, kicking out without warning, saying: "I am Brahma, you are him; you are Brahma, I am him. Brahma is me, I am him, he is Brahma. Like a spider spinning silk, like a spark leaping from a fire, like a shadow emerging from me, if you, sir, can understand this meaning, you will know the ultimate truth of Brahma and I being one."
"Bang!"
As Fu Nanta's right foot firmly struck Yuan Yueze's left shoulder, the scabbard in Yuan Yueze's left hand also struck his lower abdomen.
The figures merged and separated in an instant.
The two stood facing each other, three zhang apart. A bright red flashed across Yuan Yueze's fair face, then vanished. Fu Nanta's dark face turned deathly pale before returning to normal.
Both of them were injured in the fight just now.
A surge of intense joy flashed in Bai Ziting's eyes; this was exactly what he had hoped for. Ge Yuan and the others, however, were dumbfounded. The head guard, Zong Xianghua, even stole a glance at Bai Ziting. That morning, during a casual conversation with the talented Shang Xiufang, whom she had found congenial, the latter had subtly revealed Yuan Yueze's purpose for this trip and that he had no intention of eternally enslaving the grassland people. Although Zong Xianghua understood Bai Ziting's thoughts, she was still a woman of strong emotions and knew that even if Yuan Yueze won, he wouldn't have a good ending. At that moment, Shang Xiufang's words unexpectedly echoed in her ears: "The head guard should know your king's temperament better than anyone else; he will ultimately lead the nobility to destruction."
Zong Xianghua's expression grew increasingly complex.
"Crack!"
The evil sword that had been suspended in mid-air finally fell back to Yuan Yueze, embedding itself deeply in the ground.
This showed just how fast the contest had been.
The arena was silent; the spectators were all gripped by a breathless tension, intently watching the two standing facing each other.
Fu Nanta felt a chill run down his spine.
In a battle between masters, especially those of their level, the key lies in the interplay of their vital energies and the confrontation of their auras. They must lock onto their opponent with all their might, seizing the initiative and gaining the upper hand to determine the victor. Since his opponent's internal strength was inferior, he could naturally achieve this. Therefore, Fu Nanta decided to employ a war of attrition, intending to lead Yuan Yueze by the nose until he was exhausted. However, Yuan Yueze seized the initiative from the very beginning, initially applying pressure with a mental cultivation even superior to Fu Nanta's, causing Fu Nanta to feel a terrifying sense of being seen through. He then relentlessly attacked him both mentally and physically with various theories and a constant stream of strange moves. Finally, he even attempted a mutually destructive fight, but after being struck by Fu Nanta's strongest attack, he only suffered internal injuries. This caused Fu Nanta's mental state to finally crumble, and he felt he could no longer maintain the seamless connection with Brahma. From India to China, Fu Nanda had always been unstoppable with his unpredictable and elusive mental techniques. However, his opponent, a master of swordsmanship, used unorthodox methods to counter unorthodox ones, successfully throwing Fu Nanda out of his control and ultimately revealing a weakness in his seemingly unparalleled mental techniques, which allowed him to both deceive and anticipate his opponent's moves.
Yuan Yueze, while inwardly lamenting his misfortune, was also secretly delighted: his previous attack was the most powerful he could muster, yet it had been broken by his opponent's yogic techniques. Fortunately, he had used his extraordinary body to not only disrupt his opponent's mental state but also to make him feel unfathomable. Therefore, Fu Nanda, unusually, took a risk, risking injury from Yuan Yueze's internal energy, to even the score with Yuan Yueze's advantage. However, his opponent's extraordinary body further damaged his mental state.
Yuan Yueze smiled and said loudly, "Did the Grand Preceptor commit evil against all living beings out of great love? You want to save all living beings, provide them with spiritual help, bring great theories, and enlighten their souls. I firmly believe that when the Grand Preceptor said this, he was not lying, because you believe yourself to be like a god and have long planned to dedicate yourself to your noble cause. But your mistake lies in confusing the ethics of purpose with the ethics of practice."
The soldiers and civilians who regarded Funanda as the true god of Longquan were enraged upon hearing this. In another setting, they would probably have already cursed him and then attacked him en masse.
Yuan Yueze's words came from the Polish philosopher Kowski. It is not a problem for people to have various beliefs; the mistake lies in when belief becomes fanatical blind worship, which will lead to unpredictable consequences. The charm of Funanda's teachings lies in seeing the strong life desires and mystical yearnings deep in people's hearts. This mystical doctrine, mixed under other names, appears vibrant and infinitely moving. The nomadic lifestyle of the grasslands makes the grassland people bold and open, but ultimately, they are still a people living between governance and obedience. The people of Longquan were not unaware of the rumors spread by Bai Ziting that Fu Nanta was a wicked and treacherous villain, but they had lost their ability to rationally judge right and wrong due to blind worship. They simply believed that someone was framing Fu Nanta. Upon hearing Yuan Yueze's more rational explanation, a small group of people who were not completely lost began to ponder.
Yuan Yueze was certainly not foolish enough to think that he could change the worldview or values of others or a large group with just a few words, but he was quite gratified by the thoughtful expressions of that small group. Moreover, he only wanted to continue to put pressure on Fu Nanta. His argument was not without flaws. Fu Nanta could easily refute it with a simple Buddhist saying: "At all times, do not give rise to deluded thoughts; do not extinguish deluded thoughts; dwell in the realm of delusion without adding knowledge; in the absence of knowledge, do not distinguish between reality and illusion." The difficulty lay in the fact that Fu Nanta disdained Buddhism and, of course, would not use Buddhist principles to defend himself.
Bai Ziting's eyes flashed with a fierce light, clearly realizing that Yuan Yueze's words were, to some extent, no different from Fu Nanda's doctrines, both of which would attract the attention and worship of his own people.
Upon hearing this, Fu Nanda's eyes suddenly turned stern and profound, flashing with a sharp light, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He said indifferently, "What qualifications does the young master have to talk to me about the ethics of purpose and the ethics of practice?"
Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and said leisurely, "Then let's talk about something else. For example, the Grand Preceptor is now facing death. I wonder what new insights he has gained about the way of life and death? Why not share them with us and let us share the Grand Preceptor's insights?"
Fu Nanda snorted coldly, "Life and death are impermanent, as are victory and defeat, and they can even transform into each other at extremes!"
After saying this, his pupils suddenly contracted, shooting out a concentrated and intense demonic light. He had obviously realized that he was truly angered by the other party's words, and his mind had been taken over, making it impossible for him to maintain his connection with Brahma.
Both of them had just been struggling to regulate their breathing and suppress their injuries. Yuan Yueze was almost out of the woods. He was usually not very talkative, but his unusual behavior today was because he was constantly looking for opportunities to attack and his opponent's weaknesses. Not only were Fu Nantuo hit where it hurt by his words, but he also started to think along with them. His mind was slightly distracted, and he immediately sensed it. With a loud shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, he returned the evil sword to his hand. He followed the sword and drew a beautiful and mysterious line in the air. It was seemingly ordinary but contained a thousand changes. It attacked Fu Nantuo's chest. At first, it made a unique hissing sound when the energy was spinning rapidly. In the blink of an eye, the sharp sword energy spread to every inch of the space within a radius of several dozen feet.
Fu Nanda, being a master of his craft, swiftly regained his composure at this critical moment. His body shifted through countless illusory positions in the confined space, his right middle finger extending seemingly without artifice, appearing to strike yet not quite. Its unpredictable nature meant that if Yuan Yueze were to be even slightly careless, his initial advantage would be completely lost, or he would be overwhelmed and killed by the subsequent attacks. While
Yuan Yueze's offensive was indeed ingenious, Fu Nanda's use of advance as retreat only further excited his fervent followers.
The soldiers and civilians of Longquan immediately cheered loudly in support.
Only Fu Nanda, caught in the middle of this situation, secretly groaned. Unable to maintain his connection with Brahma, he couldn't discern which vital point Yuan Yueze's seemingly simple sword would strike. He could only evade the attack first, preparing for a later move. His joints crackled and popped like firecrackers, and he twisted backward, becoming a human-flesh-like object, rapidly rolling away.
Yuan Yueze, however, was unwilling to retreat empty-handed. Knowing the wonders of the Yoga Technique, he had prepared a follow-up. His momentum didn't diminish, but suddenly a strange "whoosh" rang out before him. Then, the evil sword's momentum shifted abruptly, transforming into countless pale white specks that, against the backdrop of a fine drizzle, seemed to blanket Fu Nanda, or like motionless stars in a dark sky—a dynamic yet tranquil movement, its exquisite and wondrous nature beyond description.
Unable to dodge any longer, Fu Nanta simultaneously kicked out with both feet in different directions from within the human circle, meeting Yuan Yueze's sword net.
The clash of swords and blades against the force of the attack produced a series of muffled explosions that filled the entire arena.
Suddenly, the two figures appeared five zhang behind the original battle circle, the muffled sounds still lingering.
Fu Nanta, now back to his normal human form from the human circle, stood with his legs apart, his palms gripping the blade of the evil sword tightly, blocking the terrifying sword energy transmitted by Yuan Yueze through the sword—waves of power and terror that erupted like a torrent.
The entire arena fell silent again. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts could see from Fu Nanta's increasingly pale face that he was at a disadvantage.
After nine waves of energy subsided, Yuan Yueze, having exhausted his inner energy, abruptly withdrew his sword and dodged. He sheathed his sword because he was afraid of accidentally falling into his opponent's illusion. Then he thought that if Funantha wanted to trap his soul, he would definitely be doomed. In front of Bai Ziting, Funantha would definitely not do such a thing that would harm others and himself.
Fu Nanta, however, was affected by Yuan Yueze's endless stream of strange moves and worried that he had more tricks up his sleeve. So he turned the tables and, with another "crack," his whole body sprang towards Yuan Yueze's head as he followed Yuan Yueze's retreating momentum. Then, his flesh and bones collapsed, his knees bent and pressed against his chest, his hands hugging his knees, and his head was tucked between his knees, turning into a "human ball" that floated erratically as it crashed into Yuan Yueze's crown.
Bai Ziting knew that the battle was about to end. As an observer, he could see that Fu Nanta had not only had his Indian mental technique of Brahman and Non-Dualism broken, but his mind had also been taken away, and he had lost his composure.
Yuan Yueze, who was retreating, had a cold expression on his face. Suddenly, he stopped, raised his hand, and held his sword horizontally. The blade emitted a terrifying white light that was sure to stealthily and slash upwards.
Fu Nanta inwardly groaned. He had used every trick in the book, changing his moves dozens of times to confuse his opponent, but Yuan Yueze's seemingly simple, even clumsy, sword strike had completely shut down all his variations, as if he had been obediently offered himself up as a weapon.
"Bang!"
Fu Nanta's right fist slammed into the tip of the evil sword. Fu Nanta let out a muffled groan, and both men were violently shaken, one above the other, forced back.
Yuan Yueze stood tall, sword in hand, with three fingers and half a hand lying scattered nearby.
Their owner was Fu Nanta.
Excruciating pain, Fu Nanta was thrown several feet above Yuan Yueze's head. His limbs suddenly expanded, transforming from a ball of flesh into a pancake of flesh. He pushed his yoga techniques to their limit, his hands and feet seemingly disconnected from his skeletal system, conjuring countless palm and foot shadows, relentlessly and mercilessly attacking Yuan Yueze below, with extreme ferocity.
Unaware of the situation, the Longquan army believed that Fu Nanta had gained the upper hand and cheered him on, their shouts shaking the heavens.
Yuan Yueze raised his head, not to look at the frantically attacking Fu Nanta, but at the vast sky behind him. Before his sharp, sword-like gaze, even the gray clouds were powerless.
He was confident that if he were in top form, he could kill this demonic monk within five moves, but this was just wishful thinking. The Black King had not returned for many days. What happened to Zhu Yuyan? Why hadn't she arrived yet?
In that instant, his swordplay resumed, and he slashed twice into the air.
Everyone had the illusion that a beautiful woman in simple clothes had just appeared out of nowhere. After regaining their senses, they were immediately dumbfounded.
His first sword strike was filled with killing intent, powerful enough to split mountains and shatter peaks. It carried a fierce, relentless momentum, as if the swordsman had only struck this blow to commit suicide. Anyone could see the boundless desolation and sorrow contained within it. The second sword strike was devoid of any killing intent; its momentum was like a feather dancing in the wind, light and gentle, continuous and unending, like the boundless joy of someone in love, reaching even to the ends of the universe without ceasing. This contrasted sharply with the second sword strike, which was indistinguishable in its timing.
Although Yuan Yueze only used two swords, they contained the essence of countless others. Fu Nan Tuo, caught in the midst of this onslaught, felt the relentless force of the attack. His strategy of attacking from mid-air was twofold: to fight desperately and to regain the initiative. Now, he was horrified to find himself with no way out. Explosive sounds of energy rang out one after another, sometimes muffled, sometimes piercing. The two figures separated, rushing in opposite directions, stopping only ten feet apart.
A strange expression appeared on Fu Nan Tuo's face. His palms were clasped together, held upright in front of his chest. Apart from his left palm being half-severed, there were no other visible signs of injury.
Yuan Yueze stood with his back to him, leaning on his sword, eyes closed.
The spectators, unable to see the final move, were now completely unaware of the outcome. They could only watch with bated breath, the entire arena so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Suddenly, Fu Nanta's body trembled violently, then his sleeves and trousers were torn to shreds, and he slowly fell backward.
In the instant he hit the ground, people realized that his hands and feet had been shattered by the evil sword; his forearms and calves were reduced to a gruesome pulp of flesh and blood.
A fleeting look of joy crossed Bai Ziting's eyes. He rose and slowly walked towards Fu Nanta, sighing, "Rest in peace, Grand Preceptor. Bai Ziting will not fail your expectations."
The soldiers and civilians of Longquan were shocked. Only now did they realize that Fu Nanta was not only crippled but also critically injured, staring in disbelief at Fu Nanta lying supine in the middle of the street.
Suddenly, Fu Nanta burst into wild laughter, muttering to himself, "I've had everything except the throne. Fu Nanta's life has been worthwhile!"
Bai Ziting gradually approached Fu Nanta, weeping bitterly, "The Grand Preceptor, three years ago..."
Fu Nanta only laughed wildly, abruptly interrupting him, "Don't even think about harming me! You won't fare any better after I die!"
Then, with a sudden jolt, he used his remaining true energy to sever his meridians and die. Before
Bai Ziting could even feel hatred or joy, he found himself weak all over, unable to stand steadily, and struggling to breathe. He couldn't utter another word before collapsing with a thud beside Fu Nanta's body.
The street was deathly silent. From the Right Chancellor Ke Subie to the ordinary people of Longquan, everyone was stunned, staring in disbelief at Fu Nanta and Bai Ziting lying on Zhuque Street in Xiao Chang'an.
"He killed the Imperial Preceptor!"
"He killed the King too!"
"Kill him!"
The streets were packed with hundreds of generals, soldiers, and civilians from Longquan City. They stood silently for a long time before someone finally shouted a slogan. In an instant, the crowd reacted, their eyes blazing with hatred and fury. They surged forward with a desperate, rage, lunging at Yuan Yueze, who still hadn't opened his eyes.
Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua, shocked, rushed towards Bai Ziting. Although they didn't know if Bai Ziting was dead or unconscious, they were certain it wasn't Yuan Yueze's doing. It was merely a slogan used by the fanatical soldiers and civilians to comfort themselves, a real call to avenge Fu Nanta. They desperately wanted to calm the frenzied Longquan soldiers and civilians, but no one would listen to a word they said.
The shouts of battle echoed all around, reverberating throughout the entire Zhuque Avenue. Armed and unarmed soldiers and civilians alike, like madmen, swarmed in and attacked. The crowd was overwhelming, and no one could stop them. They could accept Bai Ziting's death, but no one could accept the cruel reality of Fu Nanta, whom they regarded as a celestial being, dying violently in the street.
Arrows rained down, and Yuan Yueze opened his eyes. He had just attacked relentlessly, using his body to withstand Fu Nanta's desperate attack, managing to cripple his limbs with all his might, but he lacked the strength to deliver a fatal blow. Fu Nanta's demonic and unpredictable energy, neither cold nor hot, seemed to penetrate and push, leaving no gaps untouched. His extremely insidious true energy began to rage within his meridians, causing him immense suffering. He could only stop to expel the chilling energy. Then, he secretly chuckled: Fu Nanta's limbs were crippled; what difference was there between him and a dead man? Bai Ziting would certainly not let this demonic monk go. Sure enough, after a series of crocodile tears, Bai Ziting prepared to spout some kind of divine mandate, such as Fu Nanta foresaw his impending death before the founding of the Bohai Kingdom—lies to embolden his subordinates, attributing everything to Heaven. If Heaven wanted him dead, then Fu Nanta was doomed; similarly, if Heaven wanted the Sumo tribe to rise again, even the Heavenly King himself couldn't stop it. Bai Ziting must have prepared this move long ago, both to vent the grief and resentment of the Longquan army and people, to divert hatred and regain authority, and to have more confidence in facing the upcoming attack from the Turkic coalition. Unfortunately, Bai Ziting ultimately couldn't escape the nightmare Fu Nanta had brought him. Knowing he couldn't escape death, Fu Nanta simply chose to commit suicide, taking Bai Ziting with him on his "journey." Dodging countless arrows and other flying spears, Yuan Yueze soared into the air, suppressing the clamor and shouts that could drown out everything, and laughed loudly: "The three guest prime ministers should know whether I have wanted to kill your king. I, Yuan, am leaving!"
By the time he said the last word, his figure had already disappeared, but his voice was as close as a whisper.
The surrounding shouts and curses gradually faded away. People blinded by hatred had no reason left, and subconsciously chased after the direction Yuan Yueze had fled.
The entire street instantly transformed into a ghost town. Ke Subie and the others exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to do.
Zong Xianghua, her expression complex, stared at the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared for a moment before speaking first: "Let's return to the palace and prepare for the King's funeral! What does the Prime Minister think?"
Ke Subie snapped out of his daze, coughed lightly, and nodded in agreement.
Back at the palace, the court officials summoned all the imperial physicians to re-examine Bai Ziting, and the result was as everyone had predicted: the "Dragon King" was beyond saving. Ke Subie and the others were all highly skilled; how could they not have noticed? It was merely a self-deceptive act born of despair after losing their pillar of support.
Shang Xiufang's faint zither music drifted from the desolate East Garden, like a performer filled with intense emotions, yet able to interpret the joys and sorrows, rises and falls of humanity with a detached and indifferent attitude.
A group of civil and military officials knelt before Bai Ziting's body laid upon the dragon bed, weeping uncontrollably.

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