[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 24

Chapter 86 Gods Battle in the Void
As the aura grew increasingly intense, a slightly hunched blue figure appeared at the entrance of the corridor.
He walked forward without a word, and Li Yuan personally rose to greet him, leading him to a seat next to himself, clearly indicating that the old man's identity was extraordinary.
Many people below had already guessed: this old man must be the 'Overlord Blade' Yue Shan that Li Yuan had just mentioned.
'Yue Shan's' gaze swept coldly across the room, finally settling on Yuan Yueze, and his chilling aura suddenly vanished.
Yuan Yueze calmly met his gaze.
Those with high cultivation levels in the hall all knew that the two had begun a battle of auras.
After a long while, the two looked away, each gazing elsewhere.
Yuan Yueze almost laughed out loud, thinking to himself, "Second brother, you're really getting into character!" Then he thought, "Why would Song Shidao attend such an event? This is completely out of character for Yue Shan!"
Li Yuan did not introduce Song Shidao, but instead addressed Ke Dazhi and Kou Zhong in the hall: "Since our Great Tang Dynasty raised its army in Taiyuan, we have been invincible. The reason for this is that we have established our nation through military might and have recruited talented individuals from all over the country. Tonight, on this grand occasion, according to the tradition of our Great Tang Dynasty, a martial arts test is indispensable. Regardless of the winner or loser, each side will be awarded ten taels of gold as a
token of our appreciation. You two must remember that this is merely a martial arts contest, and I will personally supervise it. Once the bell rings, you must immediately stop and retreat, regardless of the circumstances." Kou and Ke nodded in agreement.
As per custom, no one except the guards and officers on duty was allowed to bring weapons, so the two had to wait for the guards to bring them. Whispers and buzzes filled the hall, the topic naturally revolving around guessing who would win.
The two looked at each other calmly, smiling serenely, without the slightest hint of tension.
Keda Zhi's pupils suddenly contracted, and he asked with a half-smile, "Young Marshal, what is this mental cultivation technique of yours, and why is it so profound?"
How could he not see that Kou Zhong was in that extremely profound spiritual realm, existing between illusion and reality!
Kou Zhong pondered for a moment and said, "This is the 'Sun and Moon Shining in the Sky Technique' created by the 'Sword Saint' Yan Fei more than two hundred years ago."
Many people in the arena were stunned.
Kou Zhong thought to himself, "Who exactly is this Yan Fei that Brother Song told me about? Is he really that powerful?"
Keda Zhi said with a hint of sourness, "Brother Kou and Brother Xu are truly blessed. Not only have they learned the ancient and extraordinary book 'The Longevity Technique,' but they have also obtained the supreme mental cultivation technique of Yan Fei, the martial arts saint from more than a hundred years ago. I admire them greatly." Since
he had said that, he would have an excuse if he lost.
Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Brother Ke, you're too kind. I've heard that you developed the 'Raging Sand Blade Technique' from the desert, a place filled with the taste of death, uncertainty, and despair, based on the principle of 'finding victory in defeat.' It's unpredictable and impossible to defend against. Today, I finally get to experience it
for myself." Before the battle even began, Ke Dazhi was already at a disadvantage. Kou Zhong knew him so well!
A shout of "Weapons here!"
relieved Ke Dazhi's predicament, and the hall fell silent once more.
Two guards presented the two men with their swords, and amidst the anticipation of the crowd, the Li clan's traditional "Tingbi" (a type of martial arts competition) finally began. The two men
received their weapons and simultaneously saluted Li Yuan. Then they separated to the left and right.
Ke Dazhi, holding the scabbard horizontally in his left hand, slowly drew the Raging Sand Blade from its sheath, producing a resounding clang that captivated the entire hall. He then slightly parted his feet, his imposing figure, like a pine tree, exuding an aura of unwavering strength and unyielding power. This immediately drew shouts, further enhancing his imposing presence. Under the bright lights of the main hall, the Mad Sand Blade gleamed with a cold, shimmering light, seemingly a divine artifact imbued with spiritual life.
Kou Zhong nodded approvingly and slowly drew the thick-backed blade from its sheath.
The moment it was drawn, it burst forth with a dazzling light; the central section of its broad blade was transparent, involuntarily reminding one of Yuan Yueze's sword.
This otherworldly blade, also named 'Moon in the Well' by Kou Zhong, was indeed a gift from Yuan Yueze.
"Young Marshal, please!"
Keda Zhi, needing to seize the initiative, let out a long howl, wielding the blade in his left sheath and spinning towards Kou Zhong like a tornado. Each spin generated a rhythmic and powerful whooshing sound; the sheath and blade intertwined, creating a sharp, lightning-fast, both offensive and defensive, protective net. A strange energy, centered on Keda Zhi, surged towards Kou Zhong like a raging sandstorm in the desert, with overwhelming force as Keda Zhi approached.
Regardless of their martial arts skills, everyone felt that Keda Zhi had transformed into the core of a terrifying storm, possessing an unstoppable force. His most formidable aspect was the subtle variations in the speed of each of his rotations, making it impossible to predict the precise timing of his attacks.
Keda Zhi's Mad Sand Blade Technique consisted of five techniques: 'Spinning, Blowing, Rolling, Coiling, and Breaking,' and the technique he was currently using was 'Spinning Sand,' as unpredictable as a whirlwind in the desert, leaving his opponent unable to anticipate his movements.
Facing Keda Zhi's attack, Kou Zhong immediately felt a terrifying, parched thirst. The entire hall seemed to have been transformed into an endless sandstorm. Such a technique, if used by anyone else, would indeed induce a sense of defeat and despair at the mere sight of a sandstorm.
A smile flickered across Kou Zhong's lips. Suddenly, he flashed forward, the Well Moon drawing an indescribable, profound line in the air, seemingly ordinary yet infinitely varied. With a few seemingly effortless steps, he traversed nearly two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) in a blink of an eye. This illusion of distance, combined with his profound swordsmanship, made both the attacker and the onlookers feel that his swordsmanship was divinely crafted, possessing a terrifying power that could change the very fabric of the world.
"Clang!"
At a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye, the two swords clashed.
Both spun away simultaneously, and when the distance reached about two zhang, they stopped spinning abruptly, as if by prior agreement, standing firmly facing each other.
A deafening roar of cheers erupted throughout the hall.
Strangely, the echoes from their weapon clash continued unabated, muffled and piercing, reverberating continuously from about one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) above their heads.
Kou Zhong and Ke Dazhi were focused solely on their opponent, oblivious to everything around them.
The people in the hall looked up in bewilderment for a moment, then their attention was drawn back to the duel between the two swords.
Within the entire hall, only those whose cultivation had reached the level of Dugu Feng, Xu Ziling, Bai Qing'er, Li Yuan, Yin Zuwen, and Hu Fu truly understood the meaning behind the constant sounds emanating from the void.
Only this very few kept their gaze fixed on the air, not even glancing at the duel between the two swords.
The cause of this strange phenomenon was none other than Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao, who sat motionless in their seats, their eyes locked in a fierce battle.
Judging from the cold expressions and shocked eyes of Xu Ziling and the others in their seats, it was clear that the two were indeed locked in combat.
In their eyes, although Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao's bodies hadn't moved an inch, their powerful essence, energy, and spirit, seemingly one with heaven and earth, appeared to have detached from their physical bodies and appeared in the void above Kou Zhong and Song Shidao's heads, engaging in a battle far exceeding the ordinary.
In the void, Yuan Yueze, his figure both real and illusory, wielded fists, palms, fingers, and elbows with incredible speed and dexterity. Each move, seemingly simple yet possessing terrifying power, unleashed a relentless barrage of powerful attacks. Song Shidao, hands clasped behind his back, secretly formed the "Nine-Character Mantra" hand seal, channeling his energy throughout his body. Finally, he unleashed his attacks with
his feet, each kick flowing freely and effortlessly, as if a celestial horse galloping through the air, leaving no trace, perfectly defending against Yuan Yueze. In the void, a breathtaking scene unfolded—a spectacle far more intense than the battle on the ground, visible only to those with a certain level of cultivation through their "mind's eye"
and spiritual senses—radiating an unparalleled, tragic, and eerie beauty. This was a "battle of the primordial spirit," a level higher than Yuan Yueze's "spiritual duel" with Kuang Lei and his "divine communion and illusionary battle" with Xiang Yutian. Based on immense power and concentrated spiritual energy, such a battle required a worthy opponent. The combined cultivation of these two was astonishing.
Kou Zhong, standing in the arena, roared and slashed his blade into the air. Though the force was immense, it seemed unable to directly threaten Ke Dazhi.
However, this was merely the perspective of the onlookers; Ke Dazhi, caught in the middle of the battle, felt it entirely differently.
Kou Zhong had indeed reached the level of a master who had established his own school. This strike completely stirred the surrounding air, forming a force field of energy like a demonic technique. Its greatest strength lay in its non-direct attack, leaving his opponent unsure how to react, losing all sense of strategy in both offense and defense, and even more importantly, making it impossible to predict his next move.
This strike contained the essence of 'Chess Sword Technique'—the strike is made first, then the opponent's reaction is observed; there are no fixed moves.
Ke Dazhi's eyes blazed with a strange light. He sheathed his blade, his robes billowing, his aura reaching its peak of ferocity.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze, becoming as desolate as a vast, windless desert, and even scorching hot. Then, Keda Zhi roared, his voice booming like thunder. The Sandstorm Blade, which had been hidden behind him, magically appeared in front of him. With an extremely profound and strange technique, he moved with the blade, striking at Kou Zhong's hand holding the blade. The Sandstorm Blade drew a swirling, wave-like trajectory in the air, endlessly swirling towards Kou Zhong. Although it was a single strike, it was composed of more than ten continuous waves, each wave undergoing subtle changes in timing and angle of attack, sending out swirling blade energy that converged into a sharp blade aura capable of splitting walls, its power unparalleled.
Keda Zhi was indeed extraordinary. He saw through Kou Zhong's strongest momentum and, without pausing before Kou Zhong's unchanging attack, turned to attack his momentum. Once the momentum was broken, the attack naturally couldn't be maintained.
"Buzz!"
Two bolts of lightning collided.
The two flew back and stood still.
The crowd, watching, even forgot to cheer.
The quick-witted Bai Qing'er pretended to focus her attention on the void, her beautiful eyes scanning anyone drawn to the battle within. One unexpected person caught her eye: Pei Ji, Li Yuan's longtime trusted minister and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Pei Ji's gaze was outwardly fixed on the fight between Kou Zhong and Ke Dazhi. If the careless Shang Xiuxun and the other two women were to observe, they would not notice anything amiss. Only the astute and skilled Bai Qing'er could perceive that his eyes were actually fixed on the void above him; his outward appearance was merely a facade. This demonstrates the meticulous planning Shan Meixian had in arranging for Bai Qing'er to accompany Yuan Yueze to the banquet.
In the void, the images of Yuan Yueze and his companion, visible only to those with the 'mind's eye,' began to fade. This indicated that the mental strain on both sides was intensifying, the battle was nearing its end, and the situation was becoming increasingly dire.
Many people around Yuan Yueze had noticed his change. Just like that morning at 'Mingtangwo,' he seemed like a soulless walking corpse. Li Yuan, on the other hand, also noticed the same thing happening to Song Shidao.
"Boom!"
A sharp yet muffled roar, echoing endlessly, seemingly capable of shattering heaven and earth, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was the clash of weapons or the clash of qi, followed. Kou Zhong and Ke Dazhi simultaneously retreated, still standing two zhang apart. Their expressions were calm, as if they hadn't fought at all, but their eyes shone with a strange light as they stared unblinkingly at each other, their gazes revealing a hint of shock that indicated the previous exchange had exceeded their expectations.
In the void, Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao each extended an elbow and kicked, their elbows and feet drawing beautiful, dazzling arcs of light in the air, colliding head-on and emitting a blindingly bright light that completely disrupted the senses of those watching the battle, rendering them numb. This attack seemed to merge into the torrent of time, rendering success, failure, life, and death meaningless, becoming an eternal part of the universe.
The strange, loud noise just now was actually the simultaneous occurrence of the final blows from both battlefields; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so bizarre.
"Clang!"
After confirming that Song Shidao was unharmed and that his alluring concubine had whispered a few words in his ear, Li Yuan immediately raised his hand, signaling the guards to ring the bronze bell signaling a ceasefire.
The hall suddenly fell silent, awaiting Li Yuan's judgment.
Yuan Yueze snapped out of his daze, first offering Bai Qing'er a reassuring smile, which earned him a cold look, before he began scanning the hall. Unfortunately, he didn't notice anything unusual, but he did see Li Shimin and a princess beside Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, secretly exchanging glances, their relationship seemingly unusual.
This scene, of course, was witnessed by Yin Zuwen, who had been keeping his attention focused on Bai Qing'er.
Li Yuan personally applauded and praised, saying, "Excellent! Excellent! The contest between the two of you was truly spectacular and breathtaking. Five moves to a draw, I will reward you both with ten taels of gold later. Please take your seats."
This immediately drew cheers and applause from the entire hall.
The two bowed in gratitude.
Taking advantage of everyone's attention being drawn to the arena, he leaned close to Li Xiuning's delicate ear and whispered, "Your second brother seems to have an unusual relationship with your third brother's princess, doesn't he?"
Li Xiuning, focused on the battle, felt a ticklish sensation from his breath and shrank her neck. Upon hearing his words, her expression immediately changed, and she gave him an unnatural, furious glance.
Yuan Yueze pondered for a moment, then moved even closer, his large lips almost touching her smooth, rosy cheek, and said, "Is your third brother's princess named Yang Guimei, and is she related to your second brother… Heh!"
Li Xiuning turned her head in shock, staring blankly at Yuan Yueze, not even noticing her luscious lips brushing against his large mouth. The fact that Li Shimin had an improper relationship with his brother's wife, Princess Qi, Yang Guimei, was known only to the two parties involved and Li Xiuning, who happened to witness it that day, within the entire Li Tang dynasty. How did Yuan Yueze know about such a shameful affair?
Yang Guimei was originally a very popular courtesan in Chang'an, with a charming appearance, alluring personality, and knowledge of poetry and literature. She was skilled in singing and dancing, and countless young men in Chang'an pursued her. Eventually, she married Li Yuanji and became Princess Qi. Not long after the marriage, the fickle Li Yuanji grew tired of his wife's beauty and began to hunt for other women. The tender-hearted Princess Qi was heartbroken and often lamented her fate and wasted youth by the spring flowers and autumn moon.
One warm spring day, the three Li brothers, each with their families, went to the hillsides near the capital to enjoy the spring scenery. Prince Qin, Li Shimin, was usually busy with military campaigns and battles, so this rare moment of leisure and tranquility made him particularly cheerful. He spurred his horse and galloped towards the foot of the distant mountains. At first, a few riders followed him, but gradually they fell behind and scattered. When he reached the woods in the mountains, only one rider caught up in the distance. As the horse drew closer, he saw that it was none other than his brother's wife, Yang Guimei. Having been chased so closely, Yang Guimei was clearly exhausted; she was panting heavily, her face flushed, and her hair and clothes were somewhat disheveled. Li Shimin quickly helped her down from her horse, and Yang Guimei's legs gave way, causing her to fall into his arms.
One was filled with tenderness and affection, the other with boundless tenderness; needless to say, an improper relationship began between them.
After that, whenever Li Shimin returned to court, he always sought ways to get close to Princess Qi. Li Yuanji's constant indulgence in wine and women, and his nights spent away from home, provided ample opportunity for Li Shimin and Princess Qi to have an affair. This extramarital affair, full of novelty and excitement, captivated both Li Shimin and Princess Qi.
Li Xiuning discovered it by chance; shocked, she remained silent, pretending nothing had happened. Today, Yuan Yueze so easily saw through it.
Suddenly, someone stood up from the seat next to Li Yuanji on the left, laughed loudly, and said, "Please forgive my rudeness, but it is rumored that Senior Yue, the 'Overlord Blade,' has mastered his divine skills. May I ask what brings you to Chang'an this time?"
Kou Zhong had already walked to the seat, glanced at the slightly shy Li Xiuning, and his carefree demeanor vanished instantly. He sat down absentmindedly, and Yuan Yueze and Li Xiuning's attention was drawn to the slightly accented Mandarin, and they followed the others in looking over. The man who stood up appeared to be around thirty years old, extremely thin, tall as a crane, handsome and aloof, with a touch of elegance in his face, which gave him a refined and intelligent air amidst his imposing presence. One glance was enough to tell that he must be an extraordinary person with both wisdom and courage.
Song Shidao sat there like a rock, his expression unchanged, and said, "What I've come here for is none of your business. And who are you?"
Li Yuan awkwardly introduced, "Brother, please don't be offended. This is Mr. Dunyugu, the younger brother of the Turkic 'Martial Venerable.' He has come to inform our Great Tang about the 'Martial Venerable's' visit to Chang'an during the Spring Festival."
Song Shidao scoffed, "You're not qualified to ask me for an answer, but your elder brother is."
Dunyugu's face turned cold, then he smiled and said, "The battle between the young marshal and General Ke tonight was truly eye-opening. Since the renowned Young Master Yuan and the resurrected Senior Yue are both present, why not add more excitement to the banquet?"
This man was full of malice. With his cultivation level, how could he not have seen the 'battle of the primordial spirits' between the two? Yet he pretended not to see it, leaving everyone helpless. Then, he stirred up conflict between Yue Shan and Yuan Yueze, not forgetting to praise Yuan Yueze while suppressing Kou Zhong, whose momentum had just surged. His purpose was obvious: to sow discord between these two men, both exceptional individuals with close ties, would be entirely beneficial to the Turks.
Mei Xun, the "Golden Spear," who was seated at the end of the table, also rose to add fuel to the fire, saying, "We've only heard rumors about Brother Yuan's martial arts. What an honor it would be to witness it with our own eyes!"
Judging from his pleasant words, but the sinister glint in his eyes, it was clear he was no saint either, still harboring resentment over Yuan Yueze's humiliation of the South Sea Sect and his killing of Chao Gongcuo.
The crowd immediately cheered. They had no time to concern themselves with Mei Xun's intentions; what an honor it would be to witness Yuan Yueze's prowess!
Mei Xun's words were so eloquent and inspiring that no one could refuse.
These people all shared a common thought: if they could use outsiders to cripple Yuan Yueze, that would be ideal. Yue Shan, who had just returned to the martial world, was undoubtedly the best 'executioner.' Although the chances of killing Yuan Yueze were slim, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, those who saw Yuan Yueze as their greatest threat would not give up trying.
Dunyu Valley's scheme didn't stop there. If they could use Yue Shan to wound Yuan Yueze, then in half a month, when Bi Xuan arrived in perfect condition, they could easily find an excuse to 'make friends through martial arts' to invite Yuan Yueze to a duel and defeat him. This would be even more unacceptable than killing him. The confidence and morale of Luoyang, and even the entire Central Plains, would plummet. Conversely, the Turks' morale would soar, and they might even be able to launch a southward invasion of the Central Plains in one fell swoop. If Yuan Yueze were to kill Yue Shan in return, it would be even better. The conflict between the Li Tang and Yuan Yueze would likely escalate further, and the Central Plains would become even more chaotic. The benefits to foreign tribes would be obvious. Everyone knew that Yuan Yueze either didn't act at all, or when he did, he showed no mercy. All notions of chivalry and chivalry were useless against him. And everyone in the hall clearly understood the friendship between Li Yuan and Yue Shan. For one thing, the fact that the emperor addressed him as "Big Brother" in public was already an immense honor.
This simple scheme, regardless of the outcome, was entirely beneficial to the Turks, and it had no flaws.
Yuan Yueze was determined to fight Yue Shan, but in the end, it would only benefit the Turks, and perhaps other foreign tribes.
Just as they were forced to act against their will, Song Shidao suddenly let out a hoarse laugh, staring intently at Yuan Yueze, and said, "Zhu Yuyan and I have agreed to settle our forty-year-old feud on the twenty-fourth of the first month. If you are interested today, how could I not oblige!"
Many who didn't know Yue Shan then realized that he and Zhu Yuyan had a deep-seated grudge; no wonder there was such a tense atmosphere between him and Yuan Yueze from the moment he entered.
Yuan Yueze secretly applauded, saying calmly, "If I were to fight you, wouldn't you be unwilling to accept defeat at Yu Yan's hands a little over a month later? Heh, old man, you must diligently improve your cultivation so you can fight Yu Yan in top condition."
His move was equally shrewd, leveraging Li Yuan's trust in Yue Shan and Li Yuan's knowledge of the feud between Yue Shan and Zhu Yu Yan. Sure enough, Li Yuan said, "Please be seated, everyone. My elder brother is a man of the martial world, and I hope everyone will abide by its rules. Since my elder brother has decided to fight the 'Empress of the Underworld,' and Young Master Yuan has no objections, I hereby issue this decree: no one is permitted to disturb my elder brother's secluded cultivation before the 24th of the first lunar month, or they will be severely punished!" No
one dared to say anything more. While Yuan Yueze secretly chuckled, the people of Dunyu Valley and the Crown Prince's faction all wore expressions of resentment. Not only had they avoided trouble tonight, but Li Yuan had also given his approval. For the next few days, those who wanted to scheme against Yue Shan would dare not act recklessly!
Clearly biased towards the Crown Prince's faction, Dunyugu, who was sitting at Li Yuanji's seat, suddenly stood up and said to Shang Xiufang, who was sitting gracefully behind Song Yuzhi, "I've heard that Master Xiufang is unparalleled in her artistic talent. In her quest for the true essence of performing arts, she has traveled all over the Central Plains. May I ask if Master Xiufang would be interested in visiting my Turkic territory? Not only can she experience the customs and traditions different from those of the Central Plains, but the vast grasslands would surely enhance her artistic cultivation. If Miss is interested, I hereby promise, on behalf of the Great Khan, to take full responsibility for her protection."
Song Yuzhi immediately sensed something was amiss. Before Shang Xiufang, whose eyes were filled with longing, could speak, she took her hand, parted her lips slightly, and softly uttered a melodious voice, "Sir, there's no need to rush. Xiufang still has a performance at the New Year's banquet. Wouldn't it be better to decide afterward?"
Her voice was crisp and powerful, possessing a captivating charm that compelled one to believe her. Moreover, it seemed that her relationship with Shang Xiufang was not ordinary, and she could indeed speak on her behalf. After a moment of surprise, Dunyugu awkwardly exchanged a few polite words and sat down.
"Damn it, I've been bullied to my head!"
Yuan Yueze thought with intense hatred.
Dunyu Valley was clearly a master of political maneuvering; inviting Shang Xiufang and protecting her was no simple matter! Everyone knew Shang Xiufang had stayed at Yuan Yueze's house for a while. Although everyone could see she was still a virgin, whether feelings had developed between them was uncertain. Their charms were undeniable. If Shang Xiufang could be controlled in the borderlands, Yuan Yueze, who loved his wife dearly, would be at a disadvantage, which would greatly benefit the future southward expansion of the Turks. Even if the two had no connection whatsoever, inviting such a remarkable woman as Shang Xiufang to the grasslands wouldn't be a loss for the Turks.
A murderous intent surged in Yuan Yueze's eyes. Dunyu Valley, under his intense gaze, sensed something was wrong. Given Yuan Yueze's temperament, it wouldn't be surprising if he killed him on the spot.
Just as Yuan Yueze's fist tightened, Li Xiuning, standing beside him, frowned, gently placed her hand on his large hand, and shook her head slightly.
A cold glint flashed in Li Yuan's eyes, and he laughed loudly, saying, "I suddenly have an idea that I'd like to share with all of you ministers and distinguished guests."
The hall immediately fell silent.
Seeing Li Yuan staring intently at the two men's clasped hands, Yuan Yueze inwardly cried out in alarm!

Chapter 87 A Shocking Conspiracy
Kou Zhong leaned against the window frame at the very top of the Ziyan Pavilion, dozens of feet above the ground, occasionally taking a swig of strong liquor.
After a long while, he turned his gaze from the moon, its light dimmed by the clouds, back into the room, looking at Xu Ziling sitting at the table, drinking tea and deep in thought. He smiled bitterly, as if talking to himself, "Do you think I'm stupid? I used to dream of sleeping with Li Xiuning in my arms, and today, when Li Yuan offered to marry his daughter to me, I righteously and sternly refused."
Li Yuan's so-called idea at the Taiji Night Banquet was to betroth Li Xiuning to Kou Zhong in a marriage alliance.
Xu Ziling sighed, "Sister Zhen has advised you more than once. That was your first love, the kind that's hard to forget. Actually, I've always thought you were just attracted to her. Outsiders don't understand matters of the heart. Isn't mutual love the best?"
Kou Zhong said dejectedly, "Do you think I don't know that Li Xiuning only has eyes for Brother Yuan? Alas, I just can't control my feelings. On one hand, I want to have her, but the thought of holding such a beautiful woman while she's thinking about other men is unbearable. What's the difference between that and just picking up a woman in a brothel? It's even worse than picking up a woman in a brothel, at least they'll flatter me after taking my money. On the other hand, I can't be as carefree as I am at banquets, able to truly forget everything."
Xu Ziling said, "Things should be over by now. I think this must be a trick by that old fox Li Yuan. From the very beginning, he arranged for the three of you to sit together; he had no good intentions. If he can sow discord between us and Brother Yuan, many people in the world will secretly laugh."
Kou Zhong took another swig of wine, jumped off the window frame, and said coldly, "I, Kou Zhong, cannot be as ruthless as Brother Yuan in dealing with people and myself, but I will never sit idly by and wait for death. Tomorrow we will return to Pengcheng and take over our hometown of Yangzhou as soon as possible. If the Li Tang dynasty does not attack and break through the pass, I will go with Sister-in-law Luoyan..." "Let's discuss it," Xu Ziling said, "I'll personally lead the troops to attack Li Shimin and show them what
happens when they only dare to scheme against me from behind!" Xu Ziling laughed, "Second Brother Song has long told you to meet his stunningly beautiful cousin. Now that I think about it, he must have known your thoughts all along and didn't want you to hang yourself on one tree."
Kou Zhong slapped his forehead and said, "Hey! A real man shouldn't worry about not having a wife. I'll take Yangzhou first, and then go see my little beauty."
Xu Ziling kicked him and said irritably, "You bastard, you're going to get lustful again!"
Kou Zhong nimbly dodged the kick, and the two of them laughed together.
※※※※※ Under the dim moonlight, Yuan Yueze pondered as he walked alone to Shanglin Garden.
The banquet ended unhappily with Kou Zhong's public refusal of the marriage proposal. Yuan Yueze clearly remembered Kou Zhong's expression after Li Yuan spoke, first with surprise, then hesitation, and finally with resolute rejection of Li Yuan's proposal. Of course, there was also Li Xiuning's numb and haggard expression, the incredulous looks of everyone else, and Chai Shao's burning jealousy.
He didn't feel guilty that his arrival had relegated Kou Zhong and his companion to supporting roles; these were all realities.
If Kou Zhong and his companion had already become famous throughout the land and had established relationships with Song Yuzhi and other women before Yuan Yueze arrived in this timeline, he, with his personality, would never have interfered. As for his emotional entanglement with Li Xiuning, Yuan Yueze would not allow it either; that wasn't his way of pursuing naturalness, and love wasn't something bestowed by others.
Kou Zhong wasn't ruthless enough; otherwise, why would he be in so much pain?
Yuan Yueze thought to himself.
This was truly absurd; where in the entire world could one find someone as ruthless as him?
With his speed, he quickly entered the brightly lit, intoxicatingly beautiful 'Northern Quarter'.
After the banquet, Yun Yuzhen had a brief chat with the women. She had secretly arranged for the fully recovered Yun Shuai and his daughter to stay in a secluded inn in the north of the city. Bai Qing'er was going to discuss with Shan Meixian and the other women how to deal with the cunning Yin Zuwen starting tomorrow. Fu Junzhuo was going to the Donglai Inn to see if Song Shidao had returned. During the banquet, Song Shidao only gave Yuan Yueze a message, instructing the two of them to use the "Primordial Spirit Battles the Void" technique while Kou Zhong and Keda were fighting. At the time, Yuan Yueze didn't understand and just did as he was told. After the women pointed it out, he realized that it was to lure out the "Holy Envoy" of the Great Ming Zunjiao. Even the slightest clue was of great importance to them. Pei Ji's unusual behavior had already aroused Yuan Yueze's suspicion. Zhu Yuyan went to Pei Ji's residence to investigate. Yuan Yueze came to pick up Xiao He'er, as leaving her outside was indeed unwise.
Arriving at the brightly lit and bustling entrance of Shanglin Garden, several gatekeepers immediately greeted him with smiles and led him inside. After a brief inquiry, he headed towards Ji Qian's boudoir on the second floor.
Ignoring the fawning words flying at him, Yuan Yueze was about to step onto the stairs when he heard a deep voice from the side: "Young Master!"
Yuan Yueze stopped and looked over. It was a pretty maidservant dressed as a servant. Yuan Yueze recognized her and frowned, then helplessly gestured for her to enter. Before she could speak, he said, "Please lead the way, Miss." The maidservant's face
lit up with joy, and she bowed her head, quickly leading him towards the back courtyard.
Following the pretty maid into a secluded courtyard house in the west of Shanglin Garden, Yuan Yueze could faintly hear Shang Xiufang's melodious singing voice drifting from the west wing: "I built my hut in the midst of human habitation, yet there is no noise of carriages and horses. You ask me how this can be? My heart is far removed, and the place naturally becomes secluded. Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the Southern Mountain. The mountain air is beautiful at sunset, and the birds fly back together. Therein lies true meaning, but I have forgotten the words to explain it."
She recited the pastoral poem of the great poet Tao Yuanming with unhurried grace, accompanied by the melodious, flowing tones of the zither, as if softly and gently narrating a beautiful poem full of mysterious allure, compelling the listener to listen intently, hoping her captivating voice would never cease.
Yuan Yueze stood frozen at the doorway, poised to step inside.
The world was a blanket of white, reflecting the light of the half-moon in the sky. Yuan Yueze suddenly felt as if the powerfully moving recitation he had received from Shang Xiufang had transported him to a distant place, from where he could leisurely wander through an endless world.
"Ding-dong."
As the song ended, another beautiful melody, seemingly effortless, floated out, carrying a lingering, melancholic sadness. The breaths between notes, the transitions between phrases, created a sense of space and linear beauty in the music, its timbre magnificent and its aftertaste lingering.
"Miss, it's time to go."
Yuan Yueze was the first to snap out of his reverie, gently patting the shoulder of the captivated maidservant.
The maidservant nodded shyly, her steps unsteady as she led him towards the west wing. Clearly, Yuan Yueze's slap had brought her a strange shock and surprise.
Pushing open the door, a tastefully furnished hall appeared before him. A fireplace burned brightly, making the space warm and inviting. The walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings, exuding a scholarly atmosphere. In the center of the hall, Shang Xiufang sat casually, leaning against a zither. Her captivating eyes, like pools of water, gazed at Yuan Yueze with a hint of melancholy.
Her jet-black hair was styled into two buns, and she wore a light green Hui-style dress, a popular style from the Northwest, with a high collar, narrow sleeves, and a wide bodice. The dress trailed on the ground, and both the collar and cuffs were trimmed with brocade. She wore soft cotton shoes with upturned toes. Her unparalleled beauty and charm would make any man in the world feel ashamed of himself.
After the maid closed the door and left, the courtyard was silent and peaceful. It had become a space-time independent of reality, yet incredibly real.
Shang Xiufang said softly, "Would you like to sit down next to me?"
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and sat down beside her.
"Ding-dong!"
A series of melodious sounds rang out.
Shang Xiufang didn't speak, but instead lightly flicked her jade-like fingers, casually plucking out fragments of notes. Although they were impromptu compositions, each one possessed a beautiful melody. Suddenly, this talented woman transformed the disjointed notes into a beautiful musical score, like sentences strung together to form an article. The melody was filled with a melancholic and astringent feeling, yet it was also captivating and intoxicating, as if gently excavating the deepest emotions within everyone's heart.
Inhaling the familiar and alluring fragrance emanating from her body, watching her snow-white fingers press, pluck, and strum the seven strings of the zither, Yuan Yueze was momentarily captivated. He leaned closer, almost resting his head on her fragrant shoulder, and took a deep breath, sighing, "Xiufang still smells so good, mmm!"
Shang Xiufang's unadorned face flushed slightly, and she turned to stare at him, saying with a hint of reproach, "You're lying!"
Yuan Yueze gazed at her gracefully contoured features, her delicate, jade-like skin with a rosy glow, and her sparkling, unfathomable eyes, and said, slightly lost in thought, "How could I be lying? I'm a... " "To be honest."
Shang Xiufang revealed a girlish, innocent expression, saying, "If Xiufang hadn't insisted, young master, wouldn't you have planned to visit Xiufang before returning to Luoyang?"
Yuan Yueze knew she was complaining about his absence these past few days and that he hadn't paid her any attention at the banquet. He awkwardly scratched his head, casually reaching into his robes to pull out a neatly folded slip of paper—the very one the seemingly unrefined maid had given her that morning at the Mingtang. He unfolded it, placing it flat on the table. On it was a line of delicate, tiny characters: "Longing, longing; tears fall, wetting the silk robes, the young master has failed in his kindness.
" He then recited: "Short longing, endless longing; if I had known it would bind my heart so, I would have preferred never to have met you."
Shang Xiufang frowned slightly, murmuring as if in a dream, "Why didn't we ever meet? Is this why you haven't come to see me, young master?"
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "How sentimental! I was merely matching the lines of the poem you wrote, Xiufang. You're incredibly clever. Even when you delivered this note to me today, you used a maid from Shanglin Garden. You must know that the more ambiguous our relationship is, the greater the harm to you. You already experienced Bi Xuan's tricks at the banquet. Why did you suddenly and openly invite me here tonight?"
Shang Xiufang boldly looked up at Yuan Yueze with her beautiful eyes and slowly said, "If Xiufang and you had a confirmed relationship, wouldn't there be no harm?"
Yuan Yueze looked at her, somewhat puzzled.
Shang Xiufang burst into laughter, her laughter as warm as if it could melt the ice and snow. She scolded, "Aunt Meixian is right, you fool!"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, puffing out his chest. "Could it be that Xiufang has also fallen for this wicked rogue?"
Shang Xiufang's face flushed crimson, even her delicate ears and slender neck were tinged with red, making her breathtakingly beautiful. She said, "Young master is so charming, what's so surprising about Xiufang falling for you? The title 'wicked rogue' isn't scary at all; it's actually quite endearing. Who gave you that nickname?"
Yuan Yueze blushed slightly and said, "..." "That brat Qing'er gave me that name, and she even called me the patriarch of hooligans."
He then met Shang Xiufang's serious gaze, paused, and immediately understood: it was only natural that Shang Xiufang harbored feelings for him. Shang Xiufang's personality was freedom-seeking; it wasn't that she disliked family life, but rather that she disliked being bound by others, and even more so, she disliked 'being a dutiful wife and mother.' These were precisely the two things Yuan Yueze disliked most. Back in Luoyang, Shang Xiufang had praised Yuan Yueze's approach of not interfering with his wife's freedom and pursuits, and it's very likely that she had already developed feelings for him at that time.
If she could maintain her freedom and pursuits, Shang Xiufang would certainly prefer to live with a man she loved. But such opportunities were rare; in this era, male chauvinism still reigned supreme, and the vast majority of men held patriarchal views. The chance of meeting someone as free-spirited as Yuan Yueze was extremely slim, and once missed, one might regret it for life.
Yuan Yueze's personality was remarkably similar to the pursuits of Shang Xiufang and Shi Qingxuan; if he truly wanted to win the hearts of these two women, it would be incredibly easy.
Amidst her shy expression, Yuan Yueze took her soft, smooth hand and sighed, "If that's the case, why didn't you say so sooner? You know I'm a bit slow on the uptake, and I'm busy right now, unable to think about anything else."
Shang Xiufang blushed and said, "Xiufang hadn't decided yet. I was just going to tease you tonight, but who knew..."
Then she added playfully, "Young master, please don't think Xiufang is after immortality. Besides, Xiufang isn't completely in love with you. I plan to travel to the outer realms and then... then..."
"No!"
Yuan Yueze raised his hand to interrupt her, saying, "Don't you understand what happened at the banquet tonight? If they capture you to blackmail me, what do you think I should do? To be honest, I'm really afraid I'll harden my heart and sacrifice you."
Shang Xiufang was slightly taken aback, then chuckled, "If the Turks capture me and ask you to exchange me for Luoyang, what will you do?"
Yuan Yueze said calmly, "Then you can blame yourself for choosing a heartless husband! If one person can die to save thousands, no matter who that person is, I won't hesitate. Even if I'm condemned as heartless by future generations, I don't care, otherwise my conscience will be uneasy. Those who, because of their personal feelings, disregard other lives and pretend to be hypocritical are all hateful. If I have the chance to see them, I will kill them all."
Shang Xiufang said without any surprise, "This is the famous, heartless yet compassionate 'Evil Emperor,' how could Xiufang blame you?" "And I was just saying that, because that kind of situation is impossible."
Before Yuan Yueze could refute, Shang Xiufang leaned her soft, hot body against Yuan Yueze's arm, lowering her head and whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "If Xiufang had given herself to you before her travels, wouldn't she have been unafraid of any difficulties?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled, "If this gets out, I'm afraid I'll have to accept countless challenges starting tomorrow."
Shang Xiufang leaned lazily against him, her cherry lips parting slightly, and said, "Aunt Meixian said back then that I would definitely surrender to you. After persisting for so long, Xiufang has finally admitted defeat."
Then, she looked up at Yuan Yueze with her eyes as mellow and hazy as fine wine, and said, "If you had used those musical scores from later generations to tempt Xiufang, I'm afraid she would have surrendered long ago, attracted by your 'talent'."
Yuan Yueze was both amused and exasperated, and said, "Why would I take something that isn't my work and claim it as my own? You underestimate me."
"Bang!"
"Ah!"
Shang Xiufang nodded approvingly, about to speak again, when a gasp came from the doorway that had been suddenly flung open.
The pretty Xiao He'er and the graceful Ji Qian appeared in the doorway, both women covering their mouths with their fingers, staring incredulously at the two people cuddling in the center of the hall.
Shang Xiufang jumped, immediately blushing and struggling to sit up.
Yuan Yueze, however, didn't seem to care and invited the two women in to sit down.
Xiao He'er stared curiously at Shang Xiufang, making her blush with embarrassment, before turning to Yuan Yueze and saying, "Brother Yuan, you're quite something! Sister Xiufang has fallen for you!"
Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Ji Qian snorted coldly and said sternly to Shang Xiufang, who was blushing from being caught red-handed, "Marriage is a serious matter. Sister Xiufang, please think carefully before making a decision. If you choose the wrong person, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Yuan Yueze's eyes sharpened, and he said rudely, "Are you done yet? What deep-seated hatred do I have for you? If you dare to say another word, I'll make sure you never speak again, believe it or not?"
The previously harmonious atmosphere in the hall suddenly became awkward.
Ji Qian's face turned frosty, her fair complexion flushing red and white with anger, her beautiful eyes, radiating a fierce aura, met Yuan Yueze's gaze without flinching.
Xiao He'er quickly rushed over and hugged Yuan Yueze's arm, looking at him pleadingly.
Shang Xiufang, unaware of the grudge between the two that would cause Yuan Yueze such anger, quickly tried to appease them, saying, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I know what I'm doing. Please calm down, young master."
Yuan Yueze pulled Xiao He'er up, ignoring Ji Qian's furious glare, and said to Shang Xiufang in a strange tone, "I came here to pick up my little sister. This place is not only unsafe, but it could also lead people astray. I'll come see you again in a few days when I have time."
After saying this, he nodded to Shang Xiufang, then turned and left, pulling the reluctant and hesitant Xiao He'er along.
After the two left, Shang Xiufang looked at Ji Qian, who was gradually calming down, with a puzzled expression, and asked, "What exactly happened between you two...?"
Ji Qian's eyes reddened, and she said to Shang Xiufang, "Such a promiscuous man, without even a shred of manners, arguing with a woman like me, is he even a man? Is he worthy of your lifelong commitment, Sister Xiufang?"
Shang Xiufang sighed inwardly, thinking how talented Yuan Yueze was, managing to anger Ji Qian so much. After hearing her words, she chuckled and said, "You don't understand him. In his eyes, there is no distinction between men and women except for his wife, so he can be ruthless to anyone, and his words are even more merciless."
Then she asked with a puzzled look, "He never provokes others. What caused the feud between you two?"
Ji Qian looked flustered and didn't know how to answer Shang Xiufang's question for a moment.
On the way to the palace while carrying Xiao He'er, Xiao He'er suddenly said, "Xiao Qian didn't mean anything by it. She... she's been in a brothel for a long time and doesn't have a good impression of people with many wives and concubines. Plus, she's stubborn and won't listen to any nice words people say."
Then, her voice trembling with tears, she said, "She hasn't had a good life these past few years. She has the reputation of being the most beautiful woman in Chang'an, but all those who fawn over her are only after her beauty. Her mind is entirely focused on honing her gambling skills and getting revenge on the Xiang family. Brother Yuan, please don't hold it against her anymore!"
Yuan Yueze sighed helplessly, "I've already been tolerant enough, but her words are so sharp and sarcastic, as if I've done something to wrong her. Since my little sister has spoken, I won't care what she does from now on, is that alright?"
Xiao He'er giggled, "I'm not the Emperor, I don't have the authority to speak... Oh! What's wrong?"
Before she could finish speaking, she sensed Yuan Yueze suddenly stop, quickly turned her head to look around, and then asked.
The surroundings were still bustling with people, a vibrant and lively scene, the lights so bright they eclipsed the stars and moon.
"Shh!"
Yuan Yueze made a shushing gesture, then darted away, carefully heading southwest, in the opposite direction from the capital.
Little Crane nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms and whispered, "Did you spot anyone suspicious?"
Yuan Yueze looked ahead and nodded.
A dozen or so feet ahead, several burly figures walked along the main road. The leader was one of the Dongming Sect members Yuan Yueze had met on his way to Chengdu. He hadn't heard from them since arriving in Chengdu, and now he was surprised to encounter them again in Chang'an.
After leaving the bustling 'North Lane,' the group looked around repeatedly to make sure no one was following them before disappearing in front of a large house in Yining Ward near Kaiyuan Gate in the west of the city.
Yuan Yueze stopped behind a large tree outside the wall and said, "Little sister, do you remember the method to suppress your breathing and close your pores?" Little Crane
, who had undergone a marrow cleansing and started practicing martial arts since arriving in Luoyang, nodded eagerly. After learning Shan Meixian's modified 'Heavenly Demon Technique' for several months, it would be truly unacceptable if she didn't even know this basic skill.
After closing their pores, the two leaped over the wall.
The spacious courtyard was pitch black, seemingly uninhabited, with only a faint light flickering in a small building on the north side.
Hiding about ten feet from the building, Yuan Yueze pressed his ear to the ground, channeling his inner energy to listen. The entire space of the building and the different sound sources within it instantly came to life in his mind. In the blink of an eye, he tracked the voices coming from the rooftop. A slightly shrill male voice said, "Could he be using a scheme to mislead outsiders, while the treasure is actually elsewhere?"
Another unfamiliar, deep male voice said, "Li Yuan is not a fool. If he trusted Yuan Yueze too much, he wouldn't be qualified to sit in the position of a ruler."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "So they're discussing the treasure vault. It seems my few words have confused everyone. I just don't know who the other people in this room are."
The familiar voice of the Dongming Sect member rang out, "These matters are none of our concern. The goods will be delivered at the end of this month. Do any of you have any questions?"
The deep voice continued, "Everything on our side is ready. As long as we proceed according to plan, we guarantee Li Shimin will not escape his fate by the Spring Festival. Hmph, if it weren't for that meddlesome Yue Shan, Li Shimin would have been finished long ago!"
The first sharp voice said excitedly, "Good, this matter is settled then. Everyone, disperse and be careful."
The building suddenly went dark.
After a long silence, Xiao He'er tentatively asked, "Why don't we capture them and
get some answers?" Yuan Yueze replied, "They're not trying to harm us, why bother?"
Xiao He'er hesitated, "But Sister Yuzhi said that if those evil people get away with it, it's better to let Li Tang get away with it. At least Li Tang would be easier to deal with!"
Yuan Yueze was taken aback. Xiao He'er was absolutely right. Just the fact that one holy envoy from the Great Ming Zunjiao had kept his whole family busy, and they only had a vague clue. He sighed, "Those people must have taken a secret passage. Who knows where they've gone. What a miscalculation."
He then picked up Xiao He'er and returned to the palace.
Along the way, Yuan Yueze's mind raced: Could those people's mention of harming Li Shimin be Xi Feng's so-called 'second plan'? The 'goods' mentioned by the Dongming Sect members were most likely weapons or something similar. They would have made their move during the Spring Festival, and how would they have killed Li Shimin?
With too many questions, Yuan Yueze's mind became chaotic again. He cursed himself for being a fool; if he had understood the principle of benefiting the Li Tang dynasty rather than the evil ones, he wouldn't be in such a passive position now.
Xiao He'er suddenly said, "According to what Brother Yuan said, those Dongming Sect people know you, and you're so conspicuous on the street, why did they still swagger here without any scruples? Could it be a trick to lure us?"
Yuan Yueze immediately stopped, astonished, and said, "What you said makes some sense. I haven't figured it out either."
Xiao He'er laughed, "They were just saying it casually. Although Brother Yuan is easily recognized, there were so many people in Beili, and we were so far away at the time, it's normal that they didn't notice you."
Yuan Yueze tapped her cute, delicate nose and said, "Let's discuss it again when we get back."
Under the dim moonlight, a purple figure sped towards Anfu Gate.

Chapter 88
When the Witch Returned to her residence like a ghost with the already sleeping Little Crane, most of the women were already asleep, except for Zhu Yuyan, Bai Qing'er, and the yawning Song Yuzhi, who were reading under the lamp.
Upon entering the room, the first thing to ask was, of course, about Zhu Yuyan's situation.
Zhu Yuyan's face flushed slightly as she said, "Pei Ji didn't act strangely after returning to the manor. He spent half an hour fooling around with a concubine before falling asleep."
Yuan Yueze stared at her in astonishment, then said after a long while, "Then we might as well follow and monitor him every day; he's quite suspicious anyway."
Zhu Yuyan pouted and nodded helplessly.
Song Yuzhi continued, "I received a coded message from my second brother while I was out. He left a message saying that Li Yuan invited him to the palace today, but even my second brother wasn't entirely sure of the purpose. At the time, we thought that the 'Changing the Sun' incident could change 'Yue Shan's' personality, so my second brother agreed, and Li Yuan didn't suspect anything. The rest is about your performance in the Taiji Hall. I'm not going to talk about it anymore; I'm going to sleep."
As she spoke, she staggered towards her bedroom amidst the laughter of the others.
After recounting her experience to Zhu Yuyan and her apprentice, Zhu Yuyan pondered, "We'll split up starting tomorrow. If we can wipe them out in one fell swoop, that would be ideal."
Yuan Yueze and Bai Qing'er nodded in agreement.
Stretching, Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly at Zhu Yuyan, "It's getting late, shouldn't we rest?"
Zhu Yuyan glared at her and said, "I'm spending today with Qing'er. Tomorrow she's going to Yin Zuwen's place to practice the 'Charming Maiden Heart Sutra.'"
Yuan Yueze nodded. Yin Zuwen's so-called poison pill was easily neutralized by Wei Zhenzhen's miraculous power. The family also discussed having Bai Qing'er run away to avoid Yuan Yueze's entanglement, then hide at Yin Zuwen's house, practice the 'Charming Maiden Heart Sutra,' and then pretend to be discovered by Yuan Yueze.
After sending Xiao He'er back to her bedroom, Yuan Yueze went to the dark, empty room next door and was about to fall asleep.
A familiar, alluring voice sounded behind him, saying, "Are you sleeping alone, my dear?"
A natural fragrance wafted in from the doorway. When he opened his eyes, there was a beauty in his arms.
Wanwan.
In the dim moonlight streaming through the window, Yuan Yueze scrutinized Wanwan's beautiful and delicate face with a half-smile. Wanwan leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek, her soft, fragrant red lips captivating. Then, she lay in Yuan Yueze's arms, closing her eyes, as bright as spring blossoms and as clear as the autumn moon. Her supple body rose and fell gracefully, her snow-white bare feet and exquisite face making Yuan Yueze's heart flutter. His hand involuntarily began to 'move'.
Wanwan let out a soft, alluring moan, seemingly enjoying it immensely.
"Who injured you?"
Yuan Yueze's hand stopped on her soft, rounded buttocks, and he asked in a low, furrowed brow.
Wanwan was seriously injured; her fighting strength was probably less than 70% at this moment. How could Yuan Yueze not notice this under such intimate contact? But someone who could injure Wanwan, who had mastered the 'Heavenly Demon Art,' was certainly no ordinary person.
Wanwan's radiant face pressed against his chest, pouting, "I ran into Shi Zhixuan in the suburbs this afternoon, but I was defeated after only a hundred moves."
Yuan Yueze was taken aback, "You're both from the same sect. If he wanted to restore the Holy Sect, why would he injure you?"
Wanwan's face remained tense, "He wanted me to submit to him and acknowledge him as my superior. How could I agree to that?"
Yuan Yueze reached out and smoothed down her delicate, furrowed brows, saying, "Sigh, I should have told you about how his strength has increased dramatically for some reason."
Wanwan said, "He told me that a few months ago he encountered a dying master, and then he absorbed some of the master's power."
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "I'm afraid that so-called dying master wasn't an ordinary person, was he?"
Suddenly, a realization flashed through his mind, and he eagerly asked again, "What did Shi Zhixuan tell you back then?" Wanwan asked,
puzzled. "He only said that he absorbed a portion of that person's power before the person escaped. If he absorbed it all, even you wouldn't be a match for him. What's wrong?"
Yuan Yueze slumped behind her head, inhaling the fragrance of her hair for a long time before speaking, "I suspect that the person whose power he absorbed was Liu Yu, because the timing matches perfectly. And there are probably very few people in the world who could escape safely after having their power absorbed by Shi Zhixuan." Wanwan
suddenly understood, and then asked, "Then why do you look so disheartened?"
Yuan Yueze replied, "I would be happy if Liu Yu were drained into a dried-up corpse, but if he escaped, it would be troublesome. Finding someone with good aptitude to perform that soul-transfer technique would be equivalent to Liu Yu being reborn without restraint. If he were to endure for a while, his power could not only recover, but he might even break through again. Do you think that's troublesome?"
Wanwan nodded solemnly.
Yuan Yueze sighed, and his strange hand slid into the crevice between Wanwan's fragrant buttocks.
Surprisingly, Wanwan didn't resist. She pressed her face against Yuan Yueze's handsome face, biting his ear shyly, and said, "Wanwan will give it to you tonight, if you can master the Demon Seed Technique before the Holy Gate Conference in April."
Yuan Yueze stopped, displeased, and said, "You're doing this just for that damn conference?"
Wanwan giggled and said, "If Wanwan's heart wasn't filled with you, my nemesis, how could the Demon Seed Technique have been fully mastered?"
Then she raised her clenched fist and punched Yuan Yueze several times, saying resentfully, "Although before you came here, Wanwan was one of the people you loved, you've been harassing me in my dreams for years, and you love to tease me." "If you ever dare to betray me, I'll... I'll..."
Yuan Yueze's strange hand climbed up her delicate, full breasts. Even through the thin gauze, he could feel the nipple. He gently pinched it and chuckled, "So what?"
Wanwan punched him again, biting his arm with her pearly teeth, saying, "I'll bite you to death! Oh!"
Yuan Yueze's large mouth had already moved along her smooth, delicate, and pink neck, biting her crystal-clear earlobe. Wanwan's body went limp, and she no longer had the strength to punch him. Her small, fragrant mouth couldn't help but let out a moan like the first warbling of a nightingale.
Yuan Yueze sealed her delicate mouth, chasing after the lilac that hadn't been seen for months. Wanwan kept moaning, her slender arms only knowing to hug Yuan Yueze tightly, as if she wanted to squeeze herself into his body.
Shedding the 'outer packaging' in a flash, a captivating image of beauty was revealed. Yuan Yueze's fingertips glided over every inch of Wanwan's skin, her eyes slightly closed and burning hot. His fingers, as if carrying an electric current, channeled the accumulating energy into Wanwan's body. She felt her mouth dry and her heart grow increasingly empty; that mysterious sacred place had begun to moisten.
Pushing away Yuan Yueze, whose large mouth was still biting at the rosy nipple on her round, jade-like breasts, Wanwan used her last bit of strength to press him down beneath her. She straightened her supple, graceful upper body, her cheeks flushed, her beautiful eyes glazed, and breathed heavily, saying, "Wan'er won't allow you to press me down."
Yuan Yueze laughed and cried at the same time, "Then I'll enjoy it!"
He then rested his head on his arms, closed his eyes, and looked on with pleasure.
The alluring Wanwan was secretly pleased, though she was still quite shy. Her slender hand reached out to grasp the terrifyingly large thing, but upon touching it, she recoiled as if electrocuted. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out again, trembling, and grabbed it in her hand. Her heart trembled; she thought to herself, "If this were to enter someone's body, it would surely tear them apart!" But unwilling to admit defeat, she squatted down and, without a second thought, aimed it at her sacred place, untouched by anyone else.
After hesitating for a long time, seeing that Yuan Yueze was probably about to fall asleep, Wanwan, her face slightly flushed with drunkenness, gritted her teeth and sat down hard, letting out a piercing scream.
Looking down, she saw shocking bloodstains slowly flowing onto Yuan Yueze's body, dripping onto the sheets, blooming into a small, terrifying crimson flower.
"Alright, alright, don't cry. It's always like this the first time. Who told you to be so reckless!"
Yuan Yueze gently pulled her trembling, immobile body against him, tenderly kissing away the tears from the corners of her eyes, stroking her back as he comforted her.
Wanwan said in a tearful voice, "Why does it hurt so much! If I had known, I would have asked Master to attend the Holy Gate Assembly. It's all your fault! Ouch, don't move!"
Yuan Yueze said irritably, "What do you mean by 'if I had known' or 'why not'? It's too late to regret it now!"
Wanwan was furious, biting his chest again with her silver teeth, and said hatefully, "I'll bite you to death, I'll bite you to death!"
Yuan Yueze exclaimed, exaggeratedly, "This little girl can bite with both her little mouths, that's amazing!"
This pair of rivals fought from morning till night, from under the bed to on the bed, even fighting while doing this kind of thing, which was indeed funny.
Wanwan's already flushed face turned even crimson, highlighting her stunning beauty and making her incomparably gorgeous. After a while, she said shyly, "My darling, move a little, I'm exhausted."
Yuan Yueze didn't say a word and began to move.
The pain was gradually replaced by a strange sensation of numbness and itchiness. Wanwan's initial moans of pain began to turn into pleasure. The witch, who still retained a sliver of consciousness, thought to herself, "No wonder my master's voice was so alluring that day. This feeling is indeed indescribable." Then, her mind went blank as pleasure surged through her brain. She only knew to call out passionately and desperately respond. Before long, she felt as if her soul had left her body. With each intimate collision between the two, the pleasure increased, pushing her soul to the highest peak of desire.
At the moment of reaching the peak, she seemed to lose all sensation. Her small mouth could only mechanically utter captivating and alluring cries, and her body began to violently entwine itself with Yuan Yueze.
After absorbing the death energy of the Demon Seed Technique, Yuan Yueze regained control over his outbursts. The little witch's first time lasted less than fifteen minutes before Yuan Yueze directly thrust his essence into the deepest part of her alluring body, almost pushing her to the peak of pleasure again.
The passion subsided, leaving only the lingering scent of debauchery and heavy breathing in the room.
Wanwan didn't even have the strength to move a single finger.
After the soft glow cleansed the deep impurities from her body, Wanwan regained some strength. Her flushed face and still spring-like eyebrows made her even more beautiful. Her hazy eyes looked at Yuan Yueze, and Wanwan sighed contentedly, saying, "If you bully me again, my sisters will help Wan'er."
Yuan Yueze kissed her smooth cheek and said, "I'm too busy spoiling you to have time to bully you."
Wanwan knew that their playful banter would only strengthen their bond. She gently twisted her body and asked, "How should I practice my Demon Seed Technique? Master has already used up the death energy of the relic."
Yuan Yueze pressed her head down and said, "You don't need to worry about that. In five months, I guarantee you'll have mastered the Demon Seed Technique. We'll start cultivating the demon seed tomorrow."
Wanwan mumbled a reply and, looking tired, nestled against Yuan Yueze and fell asleep.
The next morning, seeing Wanwan emerge from her room, supported by Yuan Yueze, and looking so drastically changed, even Zhu Yuyan was somewhat incredulous. Bai Qing'er, with a complex expression, gazed at the two, who seemed like a divine couple. The other girls, already used to it, ran over to greet Wanwan, making the usually bold Wanwan quite embarrassed.
After arranging for the girls to take care of Wanwan's still-healing wounds, Yuan Yueze instructed Bai Qing'er, "Be careful. If you are suspected, come back immediately. The plan can be canceled at any time. Remember, none of them are easy to mess with."
Bai Qing'er nodded silently.
Wei Zhenzhen said, "That Consort Lian seems to be trying to get close to me, so I'll cooperate with her and see whose abilities are more powerful."
Yuan Yueze nodded and smiled, "Just be careful, I'm going out for a bit."
Shan Meixian's eyes darted around, and she giggled, "Could it be that my husband is going to cause trouble for Shi Zhixuan?"
Yuan Yueze sneered, leaped up, and disappeared in a few bounds.
The women all shrugged helplessly, then exchanged glances and giggled.
※※※※※ The fake 'Yueshan' Song Shidao enjoyed a delicious breakfast. The shopkeeper and staff treated him with the utmost respect, treating him like a god. They even arranged for him to move into the largest and most luxurious room in the North Garden, a spacious and comfortable room separated from the other guest rooms. They were afraid of offending this old friend of the Tang Emperor.
Back in his room, sitting in the armchair in the hall, Song Shidao closed his eyes to rest, pondering the events of the past few days in order to plan his future actions.
The biggest problem between him and Yuan Yueze now is the inability to communicate in real time. This is something no one can solve, yet it urgently needs to be addressed. He racked his brains, but couldn't come up with a suitable solution.
The shop assistant's voice came from outside the door, saying, "Master Yue, a young master from Qin Chuan has come to visit."
His thoughts interrupted, Song Shidao chuckled inwardly. "Finally, he couldn't resist!" he thought. He responded to the shop assistant, then sat waiting anxiously for Shi Feixuan's arrival.
Light footsteps approached.
Shi Feixuan reached the door, gently pushed it open, and stepped into the hall.
The two met face to face.
Shi Feixuan, dressed in men's clothing, possessed a refined and elegant beauty, and Song Shidao could vaguely sense that she had broken through the 'telepathic connection' and entered the realm of 'sword heart clarity'.
Song Shidao said in a deep voice, "Please sit! What brings you here to see me, Yue Shan?"
Shi Feixuan's beautiful eyes, which seemed to see right through people's souls, stared intently at Yue Shan for a long time before she came to her senses and said, "This junior, Shi Feixuan, a disciple of Jingzhai, greets Senior Yue."
Song Shidao maintained his composure, not daring to relax in the slightest.
The two had already begun their mental battle.
One thing Song Shidao was unsure of was whether Shi Qingxuan had told Shi Feixuan about Yue Shan's passing, which was the most crucial issue concerning their future actions and plans.
Looking at Shi Feixuan, Song Shidao's eyes flashed with reminiscence and sadness. He said, "Before you even entered, I sensed the similarity between you and Xiuxin from your aura. It seems your cultivation is even higher than Xiuxin's back then. Jingzhai is indeed not simple."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes, followed by a bitter expression on her face. She said, "This junior would like to ask Senior Yue what brings you to Chang'an this time?" Song Shidao
cautiously replied, "Why should I tell you my purpose?"
Xuan said softly, "Because both Fei Xuan and my sect are surrounded by formidable enemies, if we share a common enemy with Senior Yue, why not join forces to fight them?"
Song Shidao snorted coldly, "No need, I'm not used to joining forces with others."
Shi Fei Xuan said calmly, "I heard that Senior has already made a duel with 'Empress Yin.' I wonder if Senior knows that 'Empress Yin' has somehow mastered the supreme demonic cultivation method of the Demonic Sect, 'The Great Demonic Cultivation Technique of the Dao Heart,' and it's rumored that 'Demon Commander' Zhao Deyan has already been crippled by her. What's even more puzzling is that..." "The 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan, who is currently lurking in Chang'an, has encountered some unknown fortuitous events, and his cultivation has improved to an even more terrifying level. Senior has fought against him, so you should know that what I say is true. The Demonic Sect has been our sect's adversary for a thousand years. If Senior is willing to join forces with us, then both sides will have a better chance of victory against the Demonic Sect."
Song Shidao snorted coldly again, saying disdainfully, "How could my 'Sun-Changing Technique' be a child's plaything? Aren't you well-informed? How did Zhu Yuyan achieve this?" " You don't even know about her? It's said that little Yuan Yueze succeeded in building her foundation only after using the 'Evil Emperor's Relic' from Yang Gong's Treasure Vault."
A flash of surprise crossed Shi Feixuan's beautiful eyes as she said, "Whether you believe it or not, senior, our sect only recently received reliable information that they had already entered the treasure vault and taken out the relic. I never expected you to conduct such a detailed investigation. Truly, 'know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' I admire you."
Song Shidao was first startled, then delighted.
He was naturally startled by the information Shi Feixuan had provided. Yuan Yueze's taking of the relic was extremely secretive. How did the Xuanmen know about it? Originally, Song Shidao had intended to mislead her by deliberately revealing the truth, hoping that the other party, under the pressure of Yuan Yueze's unpredictable behavior, would think in more extreme directions. Who would have thought he would receive such shocking news? What pleased him was that only just now did he realize that Shi Feixuan truly believed him to be Yue Shan; otherwise, she would never have revealed that crucial information that would put their side in a passive position. Of course, on the surface, she was merely trying to demonstrate her sincerity in cooperation.
Shi Qingxuan was indeed an exceptionally intelligent and talented woman. With her keen insight, she had likely already guessed that the identity of 'Yue Shan' would play a positive role for Yuan Yueze's side in the future. Therefore, she did not inform Shi Feixuan, who had recently visited Shi Qingxuan in Huanglong and, at Fan Qinghui's behest, read through the 'Undying Guide' left by Shi Zhixuan at 'Youlin Xiaozhu'.
Seeing that Song Shidao suddenly fell silent, as if in deep meditation, Shi Feixuan continued, "I apologize for disturbing you today, senior. But the people of the Demonic Sect are all selfish and cunning. If they can be eliminated, it will not be a bad thing for the people of the world. It may even bring about the unification of the world sooner, restoring peace and prosperity to all. I will come to visit again. Take care, senior."
After saying this, she bowed and left gracefully.
Song Shidao secretly clicked his tongue. This woman's words were indeed sharp. She knew that 'Yue Shan's' temperament and personality had changed due to the mastery of her divine skills. She was no longer the cold and aloof person she used to be. The last thing she said was an undeniable fact, which put a lot of psychological pressure on the new 'Yue Shan'.
How should he deal with this reasonably? Song Shidao fell into deep thought.
※※※※※ Yuan Yueze headed south along Zhuque Avenue, his destination naturally being the Wulou Temple in the southern suburbs.
One of Shi Zhixuan's public identities was the abbot of Wulou Temple.
He finally understood why Shi Zhixuan's improvement was so rapid. Although absorbing others' internal energy was somewhat incomprehensible, the martial arts of the Demonic Sect were inherently about harming others for personal gain, using external energy for one's own use. If Shi Zhixuan, a martial arts prodigy rarely seen in a century, didn't even have this skill, he wouldn't live up to the title of 'Evil King'.
Suddenly, someone burst out from a side alley, laughing loudly, "Brother Yuan, hello! Long time no see!"
Yuan Yueze came back to his senses and looked over. It was the 'Amorous Young Master' Hou Xibai. Even though his hat covered the upper half of his face, his unique and outstanding physique and demeanor were still very easy to recognize. Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Hou Xibai grabbed his sleeve and turned into the side alley.
As the number of pedestrians dwindled, Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Brother Hou, what brings you here?"
He then lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yuan, please don't be offended. I've come to deliver a message to Miss Wenqing and Miss Qingxuan."
Yuan Yueze immediately nodded and said nothing more. The two entered Xuanping Ward, where a completely different scene unfolded. Within Chang'an City, wards were separated by walls and streets, orderly and efficient. Each ward had four gates, and the main streets were paved with stone slabs forming a cross shape, while alleys formed a grid pattern leading to the main streets within the wards. The houses within the wards were mostly low brick and wood structures, simple and tidy, with lush trees and seasonal flowers in the courtyards, bright windows and clean tables, creating a peaceful and comfortable living atmosphere.
Hou Xibai led him straight into a deep alley, arriving at the main gate of a small courtyard. He pushed open the door and said, "Brother Yuan, please come in."
Looking around at the simply furnished, bright, and quiet hall, what truly filled the entire environment with a scholarly atmosphere were the two pairs of long couplets hanging on the east and west walls, written in a graceful and elegant style.
One of the couplets reads: "Let the bright moon rise from the mountain, quickly bring wine to the stone spring, wash away the dust of the heart. Let the breeze of Dong enter the room, play the zither in the lotus village, feel the stone bones cleansed." Another couplet reads: "Walking through the winding path, a belt of rain adds color to the willows. Roll up the sparse curtain, half a pond of wind carries the fragrance of lotus flowers."
Both are symmetrical and have a lofty artistic conception, making the reader feel comfortable.
Nodding in appreciation, Yuan Yueze asked curiously: "Sister-in-law... cough, what message did Miss Hou and Qingxuan ask Brother Hou to deliver? Why did you deliver the message for them?"
Sitting opposite him, Hou Xibai took a sip of fragrant tea and said: "This matter is a long story. To put it simply, Qingxuan told me about Master Shi and Yang Xuyan that day, saying that she got the information from Brother Yuan. Miss Hou is a relative of mine. I met her by chance more than a month ago. She asked me to deliver a message to Brother Yuan, just wait and see how the evil Xiang family will be infamous for ten thousand years. You don't need to take any more action."
Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly, "Brother Hou, why did you believe my information so easily?" Hou
Xibai smiled and said, "At first, it was indeed hard to believe that Master Shi would have so many identities, and that Yang Xuyan would be a descendant of the late Crown Prince Yang Yong. But considering Master Shi and Yang Xuyan's usual ways of doing things, it's quite normal. More importantly, Qingxuan severely injured Yang Xuyan, who was trying to lure her to Chengdu to ambush her, several months ago, and then gave me the 'Undying Seal Scroll,' which made me feel flattered."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "No wonder I didn't see Yang Xuyan in Chengdu. It turns out he was defeated by Shi Qingxuan, whose cultivation has greatly improved." He then thought that this was probably the reason why Yang Xuyan betrayed Shi Zhixuan and joined the Great Ming Venerable Sect ahead of time.
Hou Xibai continued with a sigh, "I came to Chang'an this time to fulfill my promise to Qingxuan and kill Yang Xuyan before he betrays us and joins the Great Ming Venerable Sect."
Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Brother Hou, you don't know, Yang Xuyan has already joined the Great Ming Venerable Sect." Hou
Xibai said in surprise, "I've been in Guanzhong for half a month. Based on my familiarity with the Demonic Sect, I've figured out Yang Xuyan's whereabouts and residence. After several battles, I found that his cultivation has improved very quickly. I can't do anything about him for the time being. I always thought that Master Shi was biased towards him, but I never found out that he had already betrayed Master Shi. His improvement in cultivation must be related to the Great Ming Venerable Sect, right? The way my brother from another sect acts and his scheming are indeed terrifying."
After a pause, he sneered, "However, I haven't come away empty-handed. Coincidentally, a few days ago, I discovered that he and Li Yuanji were plotting to ambush and kill the Prince of Qin during the spring hunt after the Spring Festival." Yuan
Yueze's expression hardened, a bad premonition flashing through his mind.
He realized then that things were not so simple.

Chapter 89: Sinister Intentions .
Yuan Yueze finally discovered the problem.
First, the news he heard last night was clearly about a group of unknown origin, now that he thought about it, that they were the Great Ming Zunjiao and their accomplices, those evil people, who wanted to kill Li Shimin with 'weapons' during the Spring Festival. But today, Hou Xibai said he heard Yang Xuyan and Li Yuanji plotting to ambush and kill Li Shimin after the Spring Festival.
The two accounts differed in time.
Remembering what Xiao He'er had reminded him of, Yuan Yueze finally grasped the clue: the group of Dongming Sect members and the people in the pavilion last night were actually... The purpose of luring him into a trap was simple: to divert Yuan Yueze's attention to the Spring Festival, causing a minor conflict and thus distracting him. This would allow the evil group to focus solely on Li Shimin during the spring hunt. They feared that Yuan Yueze, after weighing the pros and cons, might prioritize the Ming Dynasty's revered sect over Li Shimin, their second-in-command.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
The plan to ambush Li Shimin during the spring hunt was part of the original plot, but Yuan Yueze had been in this timeline for too long, and many events had deviated from their original course. Therefore, he hadn't expected to fall for the enemy's deception last night.
"Brother Yuan, have you noticed anything amiss?"
Hou Xibai asked, looking at the thoughtful Yuan Yueze with surprise.
Yuan Yueze nodded, saying, "Things are complicated. Brother Hou, is there anything else?"
Hou Xibai shook his head, then joked, "If I'm not mistaken, are the relationships between Master Qingxuan and Miss Wenqing with Brother Yuan not simple?"
Yuan Yueze thought to himself, " Of course they're not simple. One is my future wife, and the other is my future sister-in-law." He then said aloud, "Brother Hou, you jest. Do you have any other reliable information?"
Although he and Hou Xibai weren't exactly kindred spirits, they weren't enemies either.
Hou Xibai pondered, "I've been in Chang'an for so long, and only Yang Xuyan and Li Yuanji's conspiracy is reliable. Oh, right, and Xiang Gui's son, Xiang Yushan, sneaked into Chang'an yesterday. It can't be anything good. I must quickly inform Miss Wenqing of this."
Yuan Yueze said coldly, "Brother Hou, do you have portraits of Yang Xuyan and the others? Or could you tell me their voice characteristics?" Hou
Xibai nodded.
Painting was one of his specialties, and he quickly finished the four full-body portraits. Every subtle expression was so lifelike, so vividly depicted. The portrait
labeled 'Xiang Yushan' was of a noble young man, around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, handsome, but with an unhealthy pallor, seemingly frail.
Yang Xuyan, on the other hand, was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, tall and imposing, with a flawless physique. Every muscle in his body exuded power, and his handsome appearance carried a noble and elegant air. His only flaw was his excessively high and hooked nose, which made his already sharp eyes even more unfathomable, further revealing his innate pride and selfish nature, prioritizing his own needs over others.
Yuan Yueze looked curiously at the other two unnamed male portraits and asked, "Who are these two?"
One of them appeared to be in his early twenties, with a mysterious smile playing on his lips, yet his eyes held a world-weary, insightful look, a contradictory contrast that gave him an eerie air. His face was long and narrow, his skin as fair as a woman's; not conventionally handsome, but possessing an extraordinary charm. The other was a tall, imposing man in fine clothes, around thirty years old, with a slightly long nose and a wide mouth that always seemed to hold a smile, radiating confidence—the kind of person who constantly sought to prove himself the strongest.
Hou Xibai pointed at the younger man with a strange expression and said, "This kid is called Lie Xia. He appeared in Chang'an ten days ago and even bothered Xiu Fang and the popular girl Ji Qian at Shanglin Garden. As for this other person, I don't know his name. I only brushed past him eight days ago when I was following Yang Xuyan in the east of the imperial city. This person's cultivation has reached the Stone Master level. I was only given a cursory glance by him, and I felt like giving up. Judging from their demeanor, these two seem to have some connection. Perhaps the purpose of this drawing is to make Brother Yuan remember these two extraordinary people. However, these two have long since disappeared. If there's an opportunity in the future, Brother Yuan should be able to see them." "Theirs."
After the drawing paper dried and was carefully put away, Yuan Yueze's brows relaxed, and he said, "Brother Hou, do you know that Shi Zhixuan has arrived in Chang'an?"
Hou Xibai nodded and said, "Master Shi is always elusive, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. I didn't know he was in Chang'an at first. Yesterday, I happened to hear someone talking about a fierce battle, and after inquiring, I learned that it was Master Shi who encountered Yue Shan, who had returned to the martial world."
Yuan Yueze said, "Brother Hou, be careful in everything. The enemy is not only well hidden, but also as cunning as a fox, and his strength is considerable. If you feel that you are not up to the task, you should withdraw and plan to come back again."
Then, his figure disappeared like a ghost.
Hou Xibai stared blankly at the window where the cold wind was howling, and felt a little warm in his heart.
※※※※※ According to Hou Xibai's description, Yuan Yueze began to understand why the Xiang family was involved in the conspiracy against Li Shimin.
If the Xiang family had truly sided entirely with the Eastern Turks as depicted in the original story, Jieli would immediately gain complete control over all the latest developments in the Central Plains—something unimaginable before. Previously, Jieli could only place his men in major cities of the Central Plains, and the intelligence he obtained was rarely highly confidential, mostly hearsay. However, since the time of Yang Guang, the Xiang family, openly operating brothels and gambling dens while secretly trafficking women, had an extensive network of agents, making their intelligence network unparalleled. If Jieli had Xiang Gui and his son as his eyes and ears, the situation would be vastly different. Therefore, both publicly and privately, the Xiang family's influence must be completely eradicated.
The more he clashed with these cunning and scheming individuals, the clearer it became that even someone with his martial arts skills was helpless against such a treacherous and cunning enemy.
Yuan Yueze, traveling south along the Yong'an Canal, suddenly awoke from his reverie. Wulou Temple appeared ahead, bustling with people, the frigid weather doing nothing to dampen their enthusiasm for worship. Most of those praying were elderly; perhaps the closer one gets to death, the more one hopes for an afterlife, a continuation of life.
He walked back and forth through the crowded temple three times, his footsteps traversing every corner, yet he still had no clue where Shi Zhixuan was hiding.
Taking advantage of the monks' busy service to the devotees, he sneaked into the back quarters to search, even thoroughly examining the abbot's hall, which had been closed for years in the scripture library, but still found nothing. Strangely, he vaguely sensed Shi Zhixuan was within this area, but when he used his spiritual sense to probe, the other party had strangely concealed his spiritual aura, making it impossible for him to pinpoint Shi Zhixuan's location. Finally, he could only sit down in the pavilion beside the turtle pond. No sooner had he sat down than his attention was drawn to the extremely obvious spiritual aura emanating from Shi Zhixuan outside the temple, and he followed him directly.
Wulou Temple was located in the suburbs, and further out on the outskirts, it was a place rarely visited by people.
Shi Zhixuan, dressed in white Confucian robes and looking like an immortal, stood leisurely on the snow, his eyes gleaming with an extremely eerie light as he gazed at Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze stopped a few feet in front of him expressionlessly, also standing with his hands behind his back.
After a long staring contest, Shi Zhixuan asked jokingly, "Are you a Buddhist? Why are you in a temple?"
Yuan Yueze scoffed, "Stop pretending. You are a virtuous and holy monk. Otherwise, why would I come to Wulou Temple?"
Shi Zhixuan was visibly taken aback, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. He seemed to be talking to himself, saying, "Ever since Emperor Wu of Han dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, the struggle for orthodoxy began, and the distinction between good and evil arose. When the heretical sects came to the east, translating foreign texts into Chinese, it..." Things have become more complicated. For people in different positions, like you, the struggle for power is a political struggle, while for Mr. Shi it's a struggle for the orthodox tradition. When they flourished, I was unable to escape their influence. Frankly, I deeply abhor Buddhism, which is a foreign import. It's nothing more than spreading its heretical books, propagating false doctrines, and deceiving the ignorant. Things like past sins and future retribution, giving a penny and expecting a thousandfold reward; fasting for a day and hoping for a hundred days' worth of food—all these lead the deluded to falsely seek merit. If this were truly the way of all things... "All is emptiness, why be so greedy?"
Yuan Yueze exclaimed in surprise, "Buddhism advocates purity and non-action, while the demonic sect goes to extremes. You have combined these two seemingly contradictory philosophical ideas into the 'Immortal Seal Method,' where life and death are exchanged and replaced. No matter how powerful the opponent, you can always convert all or part of their power into your own, making you invincible. I thought you agreed with some of the theories in Buddhism!"
Shi Zhixuan did not answer, but instead asked, "Since you know my secret identity in Chang'an, have you heard anything about someone plotting to assassinate Li Shimin?"
Before Yuan Yueze could answer, Shi Zhixuan continued, "I have also received news that the righteous sects have mobilized all their forces, and your treasure may not be able to be transported back to Luoyang."
This was something Yuan Yueze had long anticipated. In order to achieve Li Shimin's goal of unifying the world, the Buddhist and Taoist sects, led by Cihang Jingzhai and Ning Daoqi, would certainly take extraordinary measures if necessary. With Yuan Yueze's abilities, who could defeat him besides gathering all the elites of the righteous path? He claims to be acting for the people and for the sake of the world, but even without the treasure, the political landscape would be rewritten. The mere name "Yuan Yueze" is enough to instill fear in the Li Tang dynasty. Therefore, the righteous path's goal is simple: to silence this "evil emperor" of the demonic sect in Chang'an.
Yuan Yueze curled his lip in disdain.
Shi Zhixuan stared intently at him, scrutinizing him as if he were a fool, for a long while before finally saying, "If you think all righteous masters are all show and no substance, then I, Shi, would be happy to see you lying dead on the streets of Chang'an. Besides, I see your connections aren't very good, so I might as well tell you something else. Yesterday, an old friend of mine came to Chang'an and said that a group of mysterious people were discovered in Chengdu smuggling a batch of swords, spears, and firearms. Among the firearms are powerful items like fire-shooting pomegranate arrows, thunderbolt smoke balls, and divine fire flying crows."
Yuan Yueze was stunned. Shi Zhixuan's information was indeed very timely. The Sha family of Luoyang was not only a master weapon maker but also the most famous firearms manufacturer in the north. The only ones comparable to the Sha family's craftsmanship were the Dongming School. Shi Zhixuan must have heard this information from An Long; An Long certainly wouldn't dare tell Shi Zhixuan about revealing Shi Zhixuan's whereabouts to Yuan Yueze that day. The purpose of Dongming's mission to Chengdu can be inferred: to secretly manufacture firearms using the rich mineral resources of Sichuan and Chongqing. These firearms could be transported north without being detected by those outside the Great Wall, and their use in ambushes often yielded unexpected and miraculous results.
Seeing Yuan Yueze remain silent, Shi Zhixuan carefully explained, "The Thunderbolt Smoke Ball is a ball made by crushing and mixing more than ten kinds of medicinal materials, including saltpeter, sulfur, wolfsbane, and arsenic. When facing the enemy, simply ignite it with a red-hot charcoal cone and throw it at them. It will release a large amount of nitric acid, causing the enemy to bleed from the mouth and nose and become poisoned. Although it won't kill them, it can be very effective in defending a city or when positioned on high ground. As for the Divine Fire Flying Crow, it is a firearm made of bamboo strips, sealed with cotton paper, filled with gunpowder, and fitted with a head, tail, and paper wings, resembling a crow soaring in the sky." The crow had four rockets mounted diagonally under its body, which could be launched into the air. Once ignited, the fire crow could fly over a hundred feet. Upon reaching its target, the gunpowder inside the crow would explode, making it the best weapon for raiding camps, and it was also difficult to defend against.
All his words repeatedly reminded Yuan Yueze of the strengths and weaknesses of these firearms, and further deduced that Yuan Yueze would definitely help Li Shimin. The reason was that Shi Zhixuan already knew this was a conspiracy by the Great Ming Zunjiao, and Yuan Yueze, if he wasn't a fool, would never sit idly by. The experienced Shi Zhixuan should also have noticed Yang Xuyan's betrayal. In the end, all his words were meant to "watch from the sidelines," to see the righteous path, the heretical sect, and Yuan Yueze fight to the death, so he could reap the benefits.
Yuan Yueze suddenly realized something, smiled slightly, and said, "Why would the Evil King tell me such important information? We are enemies, not friends."
Shi Zhixuan replied, "If Qingxuan hadn't fallen for you, I would have fought you to the death long ago. Alas! No matter how much I force her, Qingxuan won't change her mind. She's actually quite stubborn. Our feud started with Yu Yan. Since it's a misunderstanding, why not let it dissipate?"
Yuan Yueze sneered inwardly. This was just Shi Zhixuan's excuse. He said, "Enough nonsense. You injured Wan'er before the Holy Gate Assembly. Today, I've come to seek justice for her." Shi Zhixuan laughed and said
, "If there were justice in this world, there wouldn't be emperors high above and poor commoners. Since Wan'er is the leader of a sect, we must settle the score between her and me. Otherwise, who will lead the Holy Gate in the future?" Yuan Yueze didn't care
about any of that and raised his hand to throw a feint punch.
This punch was not only powerless and without substance, but also completely empty. For Shi Zhixuan, who was accustomed to using the opponent's force against them and harming others for personal gain, this was something he couldn't react to for a moment.
"Bang!"
The fist, light as cotton, carrying no wind or power, slowly struck Shi Zhixuan's dantian (energy center) with a muffled thud, suddenly unleashing a fierce and unparalleled burst of energy that shot forward...
Just as it struck Shi Zhixuan's lower abdomen, Yuan Yue immediately felt more than half of his true energy being absorbed and transformed by the opponent. He was greatly surprised, but fortunately, with the contact of their true energy, he sensed the opponent's next attack and suddenly dodged to the left, barely avoiding Shi Zhixuan's vicious kick.
The two seemed to have remained motionless, glaring at each other from a distance.
Shi Zhixuan's eyes blazed with killing intent, generating a massive, wall-like aura as he locked onto Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze could have used Shi Qingxuan's name to disrupt Shi Zhixuan's emotions, but the thought of that unfortunate beauty made him feel it would be too cruel.
Unexpectedly, Shi Zhixuan coldly snorted, darting to Yuan Yueze's right side with lightning speed, his left hand extending its middle finger to swiftly poke Yuan Yueze's weakest point—his shoulder.
As Yuan Yueze raised his arm to block, Shi Zhixuan flashed even faster, appearing in front of him, both palms thrusting out simultaneously, unleashing two completely different and astonishing energies towards his chest.
Yuan Yueze reacted equally quickly, flipping his right palm to his chest and pushing it out horizontally.
At the instant the two energies clashed, Yuan Yueze's mind suddenly became clear and transparent. The contact of the two energies was like connecting two previously separate entities. This was somewhat strange; to examine the state of someone's energy channels, one must channel true energy into their body. But this time, with only the contact of true energy, the gathering and flow of energy within Shi Zhixuan's body appeared in his mind like a map.
At the same time, he sensed the impending disaster, for he perceived that Shi Zhixuan's true killing move was a subtle, yin-like energy gathered at his toes. The thought had barely formed when Shi Zhixuan's left foot silently kicked out. In the world, perhaps only he could simultaneously unleash two opposing forces of energy—one powerful and fierce, the other unpredictable and yin-like.
"Crack!"
Yuan Yueze's left hand, still scabbard, pointed downwards, deflecting Shi Zhixuan's intended killing kick.
The two separated again.
If someone were watching, they would only see a brief contact, as if they hadn't exchanged blows, before parting ways. No one would suspect the subtle, dangerous, and unexpected turn of events.
Shi Zhixuan looked astonished, clearly not expecting his opponent to be so skillful as to effortlessly block his meticulously planned attack, showing no sign of distress.
Yuan Yueze, however, gained a significant understanding. Suddenly, he had a profound realization about the Undying Seal Technique; it was actually a unique skill that allowed one to cultivate true qi to a truly transcendent level, controlling it at will. This applied to one's own true qi, and also to the true qi of others.
Because Shi Zhixuan constantly probed his opponent's internal energy during their fights, and Yuan Yueze's pure innate internal energy also possessed this peculiar characteristic, when Shi Zhixuan sensed the state of his opponent's internal energy, Yuan Yueze, in turn, sensed it as well. This was precisely Shi Zhixuan's strength, allowing him to remain undefeated for so long.
However, if Yuan Yueze could prevent Shi Zhixuan from seeing through him, while he himself could see through his opponent's strengths and weaknesses, it would greatly aid in defeating him.
Yuan Yueze hadn't been using his full strength; he kept recalling the scene where he tried to kill Shi Zhixuan but was interrupted by Shi Qingxuan. In the end, even if Shi Qingxuan didn't acknowledge Shi Zhixuan, deep down she still considered him her father, she just wouldn't admit it. Otherwise, the incident outside 'Youlin Xiaozhu' would never have happened. Was she trying to save Yuan Yueze then? That's too unbelievable.
How to deal with Shi Zhixuan—this difficult problem now faced Yuan Yueze. In
the brief moment Yuan Yueze was distracted, Shi Zhixuan laughed and said, "I'm not the enemy you've chosen to deal with. If you want to marry Qingxuan, save your life first!"
One moment he was standing in front of Yuan Yueze, the next he had vanished into the distance, a series of complex movements—leaping, retreating, and dodging—completed in the blink of an eye.
The Illusionary Demon Body Technique was indeed divine. If Yuan Yueze truly wanted to kill Shi Zhixuan now, while it wouldn't be difficult, it wouldn't be an easy task either.
When he strolled back to the palace, Wanwan, whose physique was exceptionally good, had almost recovered and was discussing with Zhu Yuyan how to quickly cultivate demon seeds. The two women were now on par with Shang Xiuxun, their charm needless to say. Seeing Yuan Yueze enter, the master and disciple were somewhat shy. As Yuan Yueze walked in, he thought to himself that he should try their taste another day.
Zhu Yuyan's connection with him was incredibly mysterious; she seemed to have grasped his filthy thoughts and scolded him playfully, "What nonsense are you thinking about?"
Wanwan looked at the two of them like a confused little girl, her big, dark eyes filled with doubt.
Afraid that Yuan Yueze wouldn't say anything nice, Zhu Yuyan changed the subject before he could sit down, his face still bearing a wicked grin, asking, "Did you discover anything?"
This clichéd trick worked surprisingly well on Yuan Yueze. He had originally intended to take advantage of his sister, but upon hearing this, he immediately stopped his strange grip on the master and disciple's hands and slowly recounted what had happened.
Wanwan clearly harbored resentment towards Shi Zhixuan for injuring her. Her face was tense as she coldly snorted, "Hmph, does he think we're fools?"
Zhu Yuyan shook her head helplessly, "His cunning is no less than anyone else's. He must have realized we're forced into this situation and must first deal with the Great Ming Sect and the righteous path."
Wanwan's eyes darted around, and she said, "Those who plotted to harm Li Shimin should have already brought the firearms here, like the ones chosen for the explosion a few days ago. How could they have only arrived recently?"
Yuan Yueze replied, "That's completely different. The newly arrived firearms are likely more powerful, specifically designed to kill Li Shimin." "And all that was prepared. All that was before was just a pretext to harm Li Shimin."
Zhu Yuyan's pretty face flushed slightly, and she coughed lightly, saying, "Last night, when I was practicing my internal energy, I detected a faint spiritual aura in the west of the city using the 'Searching Heaven and Earth Technique.' The person who could transmit that aura is definitely not weak, and that person is definitely not Shi Zhixuan. Could it be related to that nameless person Hou Xibai mentioned?"
Wanwan quickly lowered her head. Judging from Zhu Yuyan's reaction, Zhu Yuyan must have overheard her and Yuan Yueze's 'good deed' last night. While the little witch felt shy, she also felt an indescribable thrill.
Yuan Yueze asked doubtfully, "Hou Xibai said that the person suspected to be from the Great Ming Venerable Sect has disappeared for several days. If he's mixed in with the city and deliberately concealed his pores and suppressed his aura, it would indeed be difficult to find him."
Wanwan interjected, "The problem lies in this person's specific identity, and the mysteriously vanished Liu Yu."
She then let out a soft gasp, standing up gracefully, and said, "Could that person be the one whose soul was transferred by Liu Yu's magic?"
Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan were both taken aback; clearly, Wanwan's theory had some merit.
Laughing, Yuan Yueze pulled her close, his large lips pressing against her newly opened, luscious lips, taking a deep breath before stroking her hair, saying, "Girl, your little brain is indeed quite sharp. If it's really as you say, then we can spend these days searching for that holy envoy, finding and eliminating this person, then dumping the mess on your second brother, and we can go live a carefree life. All this scheming and plotting is exhausting." Wanwan,
newly married, was clearly extremely sensitive; when Yuan Yueze's strange hands touched her buttocks and his large lips pressed against her cherry lips, she was instantly lost in the moment.
Zhu Yuyan was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to stay or leave. She could only turn away, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Wanwan glanced at Zhu Yuyan's slender back, suddenly snapping out of her daze. She struggled to sit up straight and scolded, "How can you be so lazy? You have a clever brain but don't like to think things through. How could Wan'er have fallen for you? It's truly unfortunate."
Pulling back Yuan Yueze, who looked like a 'fierce demon' and was about to 'take advantage' of the 'trembling' Wanwan, Zhu Yuyan said, "Kou Zhong and the other two have informed Li Yuan that they will be leaving Chang'an tonight. We just heard news of the Persian royal family's visit, and Li Yuan wants them to stay a few more days until the polo field is cleared, so he'll hold a polo match. He's even sent someone to invite my husband to participate."
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "In this freezing weather..." "How do we clean up the field?"
Then he said to Wanwan, "From now on, you're not allowed to call me 'my nemesis' anymore. You have to call me 'husband' like Yuyan does, understand?"
Wanwan made a face at him, and Zhu Yuyan said irritably, "Cleaning up the field isn't difficult. Li Yuan just wants to use the game to suppress our morale. We absolutely cannot let him succeed."
Yuan Yueze looked troubled and said, "I'm doomed now. I've never even ridden a horse, how would I know how to play polo?"
Then he grinned mischievously at Wanwan and said, "Girl, your 'horse riding' skills last night seemed quite impressive. Could you teach me... Ouch!"
Not only Wanwan, but even Zhu Yuyan blushed and stomped hard on his foot.
Yuan Yueze quickly dodged the two girls' small feet and stood up, saying, "I'll go and see those two lads myself, and also figure out how to deal with this game, so that Li Tang knows how 'ironclad' our relationship is!"

URL 1:http://localhost:909/htmlBlog/10396.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=10396&aspx=1

Previous Page : [Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 29

Next Page : [Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 23

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 24

comment Open a new window to view comments