[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - Chapter 40 (End)

Chapter 156 The Battle of Loulan
Li Shimin was deeply troubled. First, the rumors circulating in Luoyang that Li Jiancheng's death was related to him had already reached the Tang army. He was confident he had handled it cleanly, as the two brothers had used the same wine cup at the banquet that night, making it undetectable to others unless they looked closely. Furthermore, the colorless and odorless poison wouldn't take effect immediately, only weakening the user at a fixed time. Although Li Jiancheng's confidants hadn't reacted much, Li Shimin knew they were already suspicious of him. If this reached Guanzhong, how would Li Yuan react? Li Shimin shook his head and smiled bitterly. Secondly, there were matters of war, which were Li Shimin's primary concern at the moment. After Li Jiancheng's death, the soldiers were filled with grief and indignation, their fighting spirit soaring. Once the preparations at Jianshui were complete, Li Shimin could launch an offensive directly. The defeat at Luokou was not due to a lack of skill, but rather the premature fall of Chengdu and the constant bad news from Hebei, which quickly put the Tang army on the defensive, making them vulnerable at every turn. For example, in the Battle of Luokou Granary, Li Shimin could have launched a decisive attack when he had the upper hand. However, due to the urgent situation, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to war, only to be defeated by Shen Luoyan, whose wisdom was in no way inferior to his own. This perfectly illustrates Sun Tzu's
famous saying, "The skillful strategist brings the enemy to victory, not the other way around." But now, how much confidence does he have left? A gust of cold, desolate wind blew into the room from outside the window. It was late autumn again! He intensely missed his beloved Princess Changsun, his other consorts, and all his children. Unfortunately, since eliminating Li Jiancheng, or more precisely, since Yuan Yueze obtained Luoyang, there was no turning back. He was skilled in warfare and knew that the day of the decisive battle between the two sides was fast approaching.
Fan Qinghui had done his utmost to lure away the two troublemakers, Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan, so he had to end the battle before they returned. What worried him even more was that although the Tang army's fleet was continuously sending provisions and supplies to the border regions to support the massive army, no matter how full the Li clan's treasury was, and how overflowing its granaries, the reserves were dwindling due to years of war. Furthermore, the Tang military system involved conscripting able-bodied men during wartime, who were then discharged to farm and engage in production during peacetime. Except for the personal guards of princes and generals, who served for life, other military duties were performed on a rotating basis. This expedition of hundreds of thousands of troops to the border regions, for example, resulted in a shortage of manpower for production, significantly impacting agricultural harvests. Supporting these soldiers, who had no time for production, year after year was also a huge blow to the people's livelihood. Even in the prosperous Guanzhong region, its people still had to live a frugal life, and in other areas far less developed than Guanzhong, the people were even more impoverished. A knock at the door brought Li Shimin back to reality. After responding, Pang Yu pushed the door open and entered. Li Shimin had known this subordinate for many years and sensed the unease and anxiety beneath his calm expression. He asked in a deep voice, "What news is there from Luoyang?"
Pang Yu smiled bitterly, "Since we infiltrated the Luoyang army's territory in batches, Liu Zhicheng hasn't sent out a single message."
Li Shimin nodded slightly. Over these past few days, he had guessed that Shen Luoyan had long since noticed something amiss with Liu Zhicheng, the traitor. On the day Shen Luoyan deceived everyone, Liu Zhicheng was the first one she tried to fool, and Liu Zhicheng actually fell for the trap, sending false information, which led to Li Shimin being tricked. Since Liu Zhicheng hadn't sent any more messages, he had probably already been secretly executed by Shen Luoyan. However, regarding the fact that the Luoshui and Sishui dikes had not collapsed, he still couldn't understand how the other side had discovered the tampering with the dikes. None of the soldiers secretly sent out had returned, which instilled in Li Shimin a subconscious fear of Shen Luoyan's profound wisdom. Pang Yu's voice continued, saying, "Our people say that after the news of the Crown Prince's death reached Hebei, the Prince of Qi secretly returned to Chang'an, and very few people know about it."
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, our people saw Tunyu Gu and Yang Xuyan secretly entering and leaving the Prince of Qi's temporary general's residence, and no one knows what they talked about."
Almost everyone knew about the infighting among the three Li brothers, so it was perfectly normal to send spies to each other's sides. Li Yuanji's return to Chang'an further disrupted Li Shimin's plans. If Li Yuanji were to complain to Li Yuan, wouldn't Li Shimin's safety be greatly affected? What was even more worrying was that all his concubines and children were in Chang'an; these most important hostages would tie Li Shimin's hands. Even more critically, the Turks, utterly defeated by Yuan Yueze, clearly hadn't given up their ambitions for the Central Plains. Jieli would never cooperate with Li Shimin unless absolutely necessary, because Li Shimin would never willingly become a puppet, and supporting the arrogant Li Yuanji was the best solution. Yang Xuyan, who had been missing for too long, was their intermediary, and he was Jieli's true puppet. Even if Li Jiancheng's death had nothing to do with Li Shimin, Li Yuanji wouldn't believe it. Jieli had chosen this moment perfectly, sensing the impending doom. Li Shimin's pupils constricted, his expression shifting several times, clearly understanding everything. Finally, he decisively asked, "How are the ambush ships at Jianshui prepared?"
Although Li Shimin now held military power, if Li Yuan wanted to punish him, he would have to forcibly recall him to Chang'an, seize his military power again, and execute him when he was powerless to resist. At this critical moment of life and death, Li Yuan would never do such a foolish thing. If the great battle were won and Li Shimin held absolute power, he would have no fear of anyone plotting against him. But would that really be the case? Li Yuan hadn't been involved in military affairs for many years, and the changes were so drastic that even Li Shimin harbored some doubts. However, the situation left him no room for hesitation. With cities along the Yellow River falling one after another, Pang Yu, well aware of Li Shimin's current predicament, hung his head dejectedly and said, "Minister Yang is holding the city gates tightly, and his troops are constantly patrolling and scouting around Mianchi and Xin'an. We've been infiltrating Heyuan in small, scattered groups. It will take at least three or four more days… Alas!"
Li Shimin stood up and shouted, "Good! In four days, we'll take Mianchi first, then advance directly on Xin'an and Cijian. Brother Pang, quickly notify the generals on the other fronts to act simultaneously!"
Pang Yu accepted the order and left. Li Shimin let out a long sigh, as if releasing the shackles of his heart and casting aside the heavy burden he had carried for half his life. His expression returned to calm, like still water, and his eyes shone brightly as he gazed out the window.
Mingyue sighed softly, "Since the beginning of history, human history has always been inseparable from struggle and vendettas. But besides hatred, there are also great sentiments and love in the world. I hope that your actions this time will ensure that there will be no more calamities of war in the world!"
Yuan Yueze thought to himself that large-scale wars could certainly be avoided, but small-scale conflicts would never disappear. Mingyue's gentle voice rang out again, slightly surprised, "I came to invite you to see something, young master. Why are we chatting? Please!"
Yuan Yueze stood up and smiled, "Just call me Xiaoze. I wonder if, after the borderlands are pacified, Auntie, have you considered letting the people of Wushuang Kingdom leave this oasis again and live under the normal sunlight?"
Mingyue was stunned, a fierce light flashing in her empty, lifeless eyes. She nodded and said, "I need to discuss this matter with several elders before I can decide."
Led by Mingyue, Yuan Yueze followed her to the top floor of the pavilion. Above was a spacious hall, square on the outside and round on the inside, simply furnished. In one corner were many musical instruments from the Central Plains. Combined with the circular overall structure that allowed the sound of music to circulate and spread, it was clear that this hall was designed specifically for people to enjoy music. Looking around, Yuan Yueze's gaze finally landed on the giant blue axe hanging on the west wall, and he immediately stopped in his tracks. Mingyue turned around gracefully, gazing intently at his face, and said softly, "Xiao Ze's cultivation is extraordinary. Do you know the origin of that giant axe?"
Yuan Yueze came to his senses and nodded, "The owner of this axe fought with me a few years ago, but why is he here?"
Mingyue's bright, endless eyes, like the deep sea, flashed with confusion. She said, "This axe was picked up by our warriors about a month ago near Puchanghai, fifty miles away. For some reason, every time I touch it, I feel a very strange sensation. After Xiufang arrived, I asked her, but she had no clue either. Oh! What's wrong?"
Yuan Yueze had already rushed behind her, shielding her with his arm. Mingyue turned around, her firm, soft breasts brushing against his back, and she couldn't help but feel angry, saying unhappily. Yuan Yueze had no time to pay him any attention.
His gaze fixed on the tightly closed door, he said loudly, "Now that you're here, why be so sneaky?" Mingyue leaned out, only to realize that someone had appeared on the bench against the wall. He leaned back, his gaze meeting Yuan Yueze's sharp, piercing eyes with an air of nonchalant ease. Mingyue felt a chill run down her spine. Influenced by the strange atmosphere and pressure between them, she couldn't utter a word and instinctively leaned against Yuan Yueze's back. Yuan Yueze said coldly, "Liu Yu, you really aren't dead!"
The newcomer was none other than Liu Yu, the Great Ming Saint Venerable who had disappeared approximately two years prior. He had become even more terrifying; even Yuan Yueze struggled to gauge his strength, indicating that his cultivation was nearing the pinnacle of the "War God's Record." Seeing Mingyue tremble as she pressed herself against Yuan Yueze, a flash of ferocity crossed Liu Yu's eyes, followed by a smile. He said, "How could I disappoint Brother Yuan?"
Mingyue was surprised. Shang Xiufang had already told her everything about Yuan Yueze, so she naturally knew the identity and origin of Liu Yu, who had been resurrected in Xu Kaishan's body. Seeing Yuan Yueze's solemn expression, her delicate body involuntarily pressed even closer. Yuan Yueze had finally confronted the source of all this evil, but he struggled to ensure he could keep him. Furthermore, the fact that the other party had evaded Zhu Yuyan's mental probing after lunchtime was enough to explain everything. However, he finally realized that Liu Yu had just become jealous, which meant that his opponent had not yet reached Xiang Yutian's level. So he calmed down, wrapped his arms around Mingyue's slender waist, glanced at the giant axe on the wall, and smiled, "Did you kill Kuang Lei?"
Mingyue felt annoyed. She hadn't had any physical contact with any man for many years. Who knew Yuan Yueze would be so shameless? She immediately struggled, but the more she struggled, the more intense the friction between them became. Her body began to feel hot and weak. She was startled and dared not move again. The bone-melting, soul-stirring feeling slowly subsided. Yuan Yueze saw that Liu Yu seemed to have ambitions for Mingyue and was deliberately trying to disrupt her peace of mind. Liu Yu, however, showed no further unusual behavior. He turned to look at the guzheng on the side, neither answering nor denying Yuan Yueze's question. Then, as if talking to himself, he sighed, "I have lived for more than a hundred years. I have experienced birth, old age, sickness, and death. It is not an interesting thing..."
His voice gradually faded until it was almost inaudible. Yuan Yueze and Mingyue remained silent. Liu Yu continued wistfully, "Life is a burden built on ignorance and limitations—ignorance of birth and death, limitations of reality and dreams. Do you understand?"
Mingyue, with her turbulent life and rich experience, felt a pang of sympathy. Yuan Yueze, however, chuckled strangely, "Have you also attained enlightenment?"
Liu Yu feigned a wry smile, saying, "You mean my hands are stained with blood? Then let me ask you, are your hands stained with less blood than mine?"
Yuan Yueze was speechless. Since entering the world, he had personally killed at least nine thousand people, if not ten thousand, so Liu Yu's sins were certainly not as heavy as his. Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Liu Yu spoke softly to Mingyue, "Does this humble servant have the honor of hearing the Emperor's celestial music?"
Mingyue paused slightly, struggled to her feet, and gracefully walked to the guzheng, sitting down. Her expression was solemn, eyes downcast, like a jade bodhisattva. Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu watched her silently. Mingyue closed her eyes, her ten slender fingers beginning to glide across the guzheng, playing with flowing grace. The music resonated throughout heaven and earth. The entire space began to change; both Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu seemed to see a pure scene in their minds: under a blue sky and white clouds, a gentle breeze, birds flying over rolling green fields, all things in the world coexisting and merging with nature. The rhythm suddenly shifted, becoming faster and faster, the guzheng music growing increasingly intense. In the ominous and tense atmosphere, a cold-blooded and ferocious tiger suddenly appeared, shattering the tranquility. The guzheng music grew increasingly shrill, fierce and piercing, filled with a violent and murderous intent, sending chills down one's spine. "Buzz!"
The music suddenly stopped. Mingyue sat with her head bowed. Liu Yu laughed heartily, stood up, and said, "Brother Yuan seems determined to kill me, but with your current cultivation, I'm afraid you can't keep me here. See you in Loulan in six months!"
As he finished speaking, he had already disappeared outside the door. Yuan Yueze first touched the giant axe of Kuang Lei, then sat down in front of Mingyue and sighed, "Auntie, are you trying to influence Liu Yu in your own way, subtly telling him to stop this pointless fighting?"
Mingyue looked up and nodded calmly. Yuan Yueze continued, "No one can remain unmoved except for those who are inherently evil and cold-blooded."
Mingyue asked doubtfully, "Just now, a force bound my hands, preventing me from continuing to play."
After a pause, she asked, "Why is he here?"
Yuan Yueze pondered, "This further demonstrates his strong will. When he realized he was about to be influenced by you, he immediately stopped you from continuing to play. If I'm not mistaken, Liu Yu has long harbored ambitions towards you, because that axe contains his spiritual imprint. If you 'communicate' with it for too long, you will eventually become his prisoner. His sudden appearance is probably because he's afraid of me… Heh!"
Mingyue showed a look of sudden realization. How could she not understand his meaning after hearing the rest? Thinking of this, she felt both ashamed and angry, and at the same time, she was terrified by Liu Yu's terrifying methods. Her chest heaved violently for a long time before she said irritably, "Then why didn't he fight you? Instead, he uttered those philosophical words about life earlier?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Perhaps he wanted to put me down in front of you, or perhaps he initially wanted to show weakness, but he didn't realize I wasn't affected by his words, so he had to change his strategy. He is extremely cunning; he can't unify the land smoothly without eliminating me, and I must kill him. Once he and his henchmen are dead, Jieli's defeat will be certain, and the day of peace in the world will not be far off."
Mingyue frowned, half-believing and half-doubting, "You're confident you can kill him in just half a year?"
Yuan Yueze nodded firmly. Mingyue remained silent for a long time before sighing, "I once heard someone say that ordinary martial artists, no matter how much they cultivate, only accumulate acquired qi, limited by their physical potential. Only those who cultivate innate qi can break through these limitations and advance to the supreme martial path. Therefore, there are countless martial artists in the world, but very few can glimpse the innate path. If Liu Yu has reached that level, why is he still attached to worldly illusions?"
Mingyue's suspicion was not wrong. Once a martial artist enters the innate realm, they undergo a complete transformation, transcending the mortal world. The process of cultivating innate qi is much longer and more arduous than cultivating acquired qi; it is fraught with danger and twists, and a single misstep can lead to utter ruin. When one reaches the end of innate qi, taking just one more step will return one to the original power from which all things in the world originate, returning from Taiji to Wuji. Therefore, those who reach that ultimate point can sense a mysterious power existing beyond that point, and thus become indifferent to worldly affairs. Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Auntie made the mistake of not analyzing the specific problem in a specific way. Liu Yu is no ordinary martial artist. His willpower is probably no less than mine. And given Elder Xiang's precedent, he naturally hopes that after mastering the power to break through the void at any time, he can first rule the land and enjoy himself. When he gets bored, he can leave at any time. Isn't that more perfect?" As
Mingyue stared in disbelief, Yuan Yueze's voice, as if from the ethereal realm of the Nine Heavens, entered her ears again, saying, "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Liu Yu, Liu Yu, if I don't eliminate you in half a year, wouldn't I be letting down Your Excellency's expectations!"
Before the arrival of winter, the Mianchi War finally broke out in full force. Mianchi had not undergone long-term repairs and fortifications, and was not as sturdy as cities like Luoyang and Xin'an, making it extremely difficult to defend. The fully armed commander Shen Luoyan, along with Generals Yang Gongqing, Xuan Yong, and Ma Chang, and a group of generals of all ranks, stood solemnly on the wall. The various facilities and garrison on the city walls were also in full swing. The Tang army was at its peak, with banners stretching like a sea, and numbering at least 60,000.
The central army was mainly composed of cavalry, supplemented by heavily armored troops. The vanguard consisted of shield bearers, archers, swordsmen, axemen, and fortification soldiers, equipped with siege equipment such as logs, ladders, and siege towers. The left and right flanks each had 10,000 troops, all of them cavalry. Behind the central army were two more units, which could both defend the rear and serve as reinforcements. The key factors for victory in war are called the four essentials of "formation, momentum, change, and strategy," among which "formation" is the most important. In a duel between two people, the one with superior skill will win. In a battle between two armies, the strength of cooperation is paramount, and what matters most is the formation. This is what is meant by "creating endless variations, sometimes lying in wait, sometimes rising, sometimes orthodox, sometimes unorthodox, seemingly orderly yet not orderly, seemingly chaotic yet not chaotic. When united, they form a formation; when scattered, they form a formation; when moving, they form a formation. The enemy neither knows why we retreat nor why we advance." Only in this way can our full strength be unleashed. Therefore, on the battlefield, individual bravery, aside from boosting morale, has very little effect. Even someone as strong as Yuan Yueze or Zhu Yuyan could not quickly kill a large number of enemies in a short time, which illustrates this point.
The key to victory or defeat lies in the discipline of the troops and the command of their generals. Judging from the iron will and confidence displayed by the enemy's army, as well as their ingenious battle formations, one can see that although Li Shimin lost the initiative, he still lived up to his reputation as an invincible commander with countless battles under his belt. The sun slowly rose, illuminating the gleaming weapons of both sides, further enhancing the atmosphere of battle. War drums sounded outside the city, and over a hundred iron-plated siege towers, specifically designed to block arrows, moved forward in a horizontal line. Behind each tower were more than ten archers, ready to fire arrows from behind the towering iron plates, reaching a distance of two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters), thus covering the attack of others. The siege towers also began to advance, moving towards Mianchi like towering pagodas. The soldiers on these towers, being at roughly the same height as the city walls, could not only cover the entire city wall within arrow range, but also directly leap over the walls when they reached it, storming into the city. In addition, over a hundred catapults, pushed by fortification troops, followed behind the iron-plated siege towers.
Another burst of rapid drumbeats sounded, and the Tang army shouted in unison, their warhorses neighing wildly, creating a terrifying spectacle. The Luoyang army responded in unison, and in an instant, the wind and clouds changed color, and the earth trembled. The Tang army's siege towers finally entered the Luoyang army's firing range. Yang Gongqing began to give orders, and amidst the shouts, nearly a hundred catapults deployed on the walls launched boulders and countless powerful arrows, raining down on the nearly ten thousand attacking enemies. The Tang archers and catapults also began to retaliate. In an instant, siege towers were overturned, and men were thrown about; the carnage was extremely fierce. The siege and defense continued until the afternoon, and the Tang army, with only a few hundred casualties, finally filled in the unexpanded moat of Mianchi. With the sound of horns outside the city, the fortification soldiers and shield bearers pushing the siege ladders began to move, followed by the siege towers ramming the city walls and gates. The Tang army's siege ladders had reached about ten zhang below the city walls. Both sides' soldiers had bloodshot eyes, their minds seemingly focused on a single, simple goal: to kill the enemy by any means necessary.
Shen Luoyan raised her left arm high and cried out, "Luoyang will prevail!"
Then, with a flick of her right wrist, her silver spear magically sprang to her right hand, and she leaped into the air, transforming into a white meteor as she plunged down the wall. Few of the Luoyang soldiers had truly witnessed her abilities; seeing her overwhelming courage and unparalleled bravery, no less than any man, they responded in unison, causing the earth to tremble. Generals like Yang Gongqing quickly dispersed on the city walls, ignoring Shen Luoyan's "suicide," and continued their own commands. Suddenly, a large, dark cloud rose from the wall, rushing down with Shen Luoyan—it was the Qiongqi Guard led by Yin Xianhe. The sixty-two men killed indiscriminately, and amidst the splattering blood, the enemy's siege force immediately fell into chaos. Fortunately, the drums sounded in time, and Tang cavalry reinforcements arrived from both flanks, entangled Shen Luoyan and her men. The siege force finally reached the city walls and launched its first attack. At Yang Gongqing's command, the drawbridge was lowered, and 1,500 elite cavalry, led by Wang Xuanshu's Chaos Guard, charged out, hacking and slashing indiscriminately. The Tang army's attack rhythm was disrupted once again, their siege ladders and other equipment were destroyed, and countless soldiers and civilians perished. The blood-red setting sun finally sank below the walls, and the Tang army's first wave of attack ultimately failed. Corpses lay everywhere on and around the city walls, crimson blood constantly adding to the charred remains, mingling with the stench of scalded corpses and the billowing black smoke rising from the destroyed and burned siege engines, palisades, and ladders—a truly horrific sight. The
city's civilians, acting as fortification soldiers, continuously transported arrows, stones, and boiling oil to the walls to replenish their supplies, while the walls were bustling with soldiers and civilians. Shen Luoyan and her group lingered below the walls; when the Tang army retreated, their strength was nearly exhausted, and they immediately withdrew into the city. The Tang army gave them no respite. As soon as the remnants retreated, the war drums sounded again, and another army of nearly ten thousand began advancing towards the city walls, keeping them constantly on the move. A new round of hand-to-hand combat on the city walls began. Torches burned brightly inside and outside the city, turning the dim night sky a blood-red hue, a shocking sight. The shouts of battle were incessant until late into the night when the Tang army finally sounded the retreat. The war lasted ten days, with heavy casualties on both sides. The once-intact city walls and gates of Mianchi were scarred, revealing numerous collapsed gaps. The Tang army continued to increase its forces and launched feigned attacks on other gates to divert their attention. However, with the support of two ancient "special forces" under Shen Luoyan's command, Mianchi held firm.
That night, Li Shimin urgently summoned several generals who were still by his side, including Li Shiji, Changsun Wuji, Pang Yu, and Yuchi Jingde. Over the past few days, they had all suffered injuries of varying degrees, but having long been accustomed to battle, these injuries were nothing to them. Li Shimin offered his condolences and then asked in a deep voice, "Is the preparation at Jianshui ready?"
Pang Yu frowned and said, "Our scouts report every day, but they haven't returned yet today..."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a bad premonition and involuntarily recalled the situation outside Luokou Granary that day. This fleet was essentially the executor of Li Shimin's "penetration tactic," and if something went wrong, the chances of victory were slim. Li Shimin's face turned ashen, and he finally smiled bitterly, "I rarely think carelessly, but today I suddenly remembered many things I thought I had long forgotten. I didn't like studying when I was young, so I only liked riding and archery. My mother often said that my personality was too stubborn and fierce, or perhaps it was this personality that made my father increasingly dislike me."
Several generals who had followed him for many years sensed the desolation in his words. Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice, "Why does the Prince of Qin..."
Li Shimin reached into his robes and took out a yellow silk scroll, handing it over.

Chapter 157 A Battle of Titans: A
Free and Easy Journey Through the Tang Dynasty Having vaguely guessed what this was, Changsun Wuji took it with trembling hands and slowly opened it to read. His face turned deathly pale, his body trembled violently, and the yellow silk scroll slipped to the ground with a "thud." Embroidered on the back of the scroll were two large, flamboyant characters: Imperial Edict. Li Shiji and the others immediately picked it up and read it. Yuchi Jingde's eyes, like copper bells, blazed with murderous intent. He slammed his palm down on several surfaces, sending wood chips flying, and angrily cursed, "Now, in the south, the Song family army is advancing on Hanzhong; in the middle, Shen Luoyan and his generals; and in the north, Kou Zhong, Song Shidao, and Dugu Feng lead a fleet of iron cavalry. Add to that Sun Simiao and others building momentum in the realm of righteousness, and the enemy is no less powerful than our Great Tang in any aspect. This is truly a time of national crisis. Who, besides the Prince of Qin, can stand against the enemy? What a despicable Li Yuanji!"
The others did not react to his blatant disrespect, but instead looked at Li Shimin. An indescribable sorrow appeared on Li Shimin's face, his eyes reflecting a despair at the shattering of all hope. He gazed out the dark window and sighed, "This is the secret edict I just received, ordering me to immediately return to Chang'an alone to meet the Emperor. My last hope for my father has been extinguished. I devoted myself wholeheartedly to building the Li family empire, never thinking of anything in return, but the unfolding situation has pushed me step by step into a corner."
Li Shiji, who had been somewhat dazed, calmed down and pondered, "Prince Qi should reach some kind of agreement with Jieli, which is very likely related to the ownership of Youzhou."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Youzhou was now at the gates of Kou Zhong, and with Li Yuanji's military capabilities, he certainly couldn't claim complete control of the town. Using it as leverage to reach an agreement with Jieli in exchange for their help would be the best course of action. Li Yuanji, accustomed to arrogance and conceit, certainly didn't take Youzhou seriously, and was probably overconfident in his idea. He thought that as long as the Turkic army and Kou Zhong fought to a standstill, he could then seize the greatest advantage. In fact, Youzhou was not only a transportation hub and commercial center in the north, but also a northern bulwark for the Central Plains. The An Lushan Rebellion broke out here, and Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to the Khitan, sowing the seeds of the Song Dynasty's demise. Therefore, the military importance of Youzhou is self-evident. Jieli is cunning and treacherous, with outstanding military capabilities. Once he gains control of this city, how can he allow others to conquer it? Li Yuanji is undoubtedly trapping himself. Changsun Wuji remained silent for a long time before saying, "The Prince of Qin must not return, otherwise his life will be in danger. Jingde is right, this plan must have been instigated by the Turks to incite the Prince of Qi, and... the Emperor is no longer the Emperor who established the Tang Dynasty..."
The others nodded in unison. Faced with the righteousness and loyalty of his subordinates, Li Shimin responded with a bitter smile, dejectedly saying, "If I don't return, it's tantamount to openly defying the imperial decree. Not only will Father use this as an excuse to punish my family, but the families of you loyal generals who remain in Chang'an will also be exterminated. How can I, a dignified man like Li Shimin, be so selfish?"
The others sensed the helplessness and desolation in his words, and for a moment, they were speechless. In reality, if Li Shimin were to openly rebel, the outcome would already be predetermined: it would be tantamount to losing the support of supplies and provisions. Winter was approaching, and with enemies in front and behind, Li Shimin's fate was almost predictable. If something happened to him, his soldiers stationed in the fields would surely rise up and declare independence, and the Li Tang dynasty would be torn apart. The victory of the Luoyang army was almost inevitable. Changsun Wuji and the others exchanged glances, rose together, knelt down, and said in unison, "We swear to live and die with the Prince of Qin!"
As dusk fell, the final large-scale clash erupted. Li Shimin's last hope was shattered. Throughout the entire operation, no matter how many fireworks they sent as signals, the fleet remained completely still, confirming their earlier suspicions. Watching his demoralized and listless soldiers continue their numb charge, Li Shimin, standing on the command post, sighed inwardly, lamenting the irony of fate. If not for the threat from Chengdu, with his patience and perseverance, how could he have been forced into a defensive posture, only to be forced into a passive, defensive position? Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in reality. The most bizarre and terrifying aspect of reality is its raw and cruel reality. Taking one last deep look at the magnificent landscape painted against a backdrop of blood and flesh, Li Shimin closed his eyes and signaled for a retreat. Both sides suffered heavy losses in this battle; the Tang army suffered because they were the attackers, while the Luoyang army suffered because Mianchi was not fortified enough.
The two Tang armies confronting Zhang Zhenzhou and Shan Xiongxin retreated westward along with Li Shimin's main army, withdrawing back to Tongguan, the "eastern gateway to Guanzhong." Shen Luoyan, seizing the opportunity, first sent a secret letter back to Luoyang to Shan Meixian, who was stationed there. Then, she ordered Zhang Zhenzhou and Shan Xiongxin to coordinate with the Xiangyang garrison to control the area, while she, along with generals like Yang Gongqing, led 15,000 troops in pursuit. They finally set up camp near Beitou, about 20 li outside Tongguan, to coordinate with the Luoyang navy, which could easily advance westward along the Yellow River. Tongguan, a strategic pass controlling the entire country, was a formidable fortress. Originally located south of the village north of the city, it was later moved by Yang Guang to the Kengshoukan Valley between the north and south cities. After nearly two years of continuous repairs and expansions by the Tang army, Tongguan was now exceptionally formidable, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even with Shen Luoyan's abilities, she dared not launch a rash attack. Fortunately, the Song family army, which occupied Chengdu, was providing support from the south, so Shen Luoyan only needed to hold off the enemy. Her forces were neither too large nor too small, ensuring the enemy neither dared to attack recklessly nor underestimate her.
If Hanzhong, the "southern gateway to Guanzhong," were captured, Tongguan would become meaningless. She maintained firm control of the initiative. Being her enemy was no pleasant experience. Winter was approaching, and with a steady stream of supplies, the 15,000-strong Luoyang army was busily building camps, digging trenches, erecting palisades, and conserving their strength to safely weather the winter and launch their first, and possibly last, full-scale attack on Guanzhong when spring arrived. Half a month later, while Shen Luoyan was chatting and laughing with Dugu Feng, who had come to complain, a guard outside the command tent reported that Wei Lianxiang was requesting an audience outside the camp. The true identities of Wei Lianxiang and Feng Deyi were not known to most, so it was normal for the guards not to let them in. Shen Luoyan and her generals quickly went to greet them outside the tent. After exchanging a few pleasantries and sitting down, Shen Luoyan calmly asked, "Is Li Shimin finished?"
Wei Lianxiang, still looking like a dead man, nodded blankly and said, "Under the instigation of his concubines and Li Yuanji, Li Yuan interrogated Li Jiancheng's trusted generals who had been sent back to Chang'an by Li Shimin. He concluded that Li Shimin was definitely involved in Li Jiancheng's death and, in a fit of rage, decided to summon him back to Chang'an to report."
In the past few days, Shen Luoyan and the others had roughly deduced the reason why Li Shimin was forced to urgently retreat to Tongguan, but not in as much detail as Wei Lianxiang had described. Ma Chang interrupted in astonishment, "Does Li Yuan not know the situation at the front? Without Li Shimin, the Tang Dynasty would surely collapse."
Wei Lianxiang gave him an approving look and continued, "Li Yuan is not entirely without merit. Under the strong persuasion of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui of the Tiance Mansion, he decided to reconsider for another night. I was not the one serving him that night. The next day at court, Li Yuan looked particularly unwell, saying he had caught a cold and that Li Yuanji would temporarily act as regent. Li Yuanji showed the officials a decree personally issued by Li Yuan, ordering Li Shimin to return to Chang'an alone to report."
Everyone understood the implication. Yang Gongqing asked, "Li Yuanji..." "You must have bribed... Brother Wei, right? Has Li Yuan shown his face since then?"
Wei Lianxiang smiled slightly and said, "The General's guess was indeed accurate. Li Yuanji gave me a large amount of treasure and asked me to do things for him. Li Yuan has been recuperating in the inner palace since then, and I haven't even seen him again. As for the court, most people are sensible and support Li Yuanji. Only a few people in the Tiance Mansion are extremely resistant, but they are afraid of implicating their families and dare not persist to the end." As long as
Li Shimin is alive, he will pose a great threat to Li Yuanji's ascension to the throne. He rushed to go on the expedition precisely to suppress Li Shimin's military achievements. It was already widely known that he was determined to kill Li Shimin. After Li Jiancheng's death, how could Li Yuanji restrain himself? As for Li Yuan's illness, it was probably the work of a master operative secretly sent by Li Yuanji from the Turks. Only in this way could Li Yuanji rightfully seize power. Wei Lianxiang's voice rang out again, saying, "Li Shimin had no choice but to return to the city, but he wasn't alone; he brought a group of generals who truly followed him. Because Qin Shubao had been injured and returned to Chang'an to recuperate, he acted as an inside agent, bypassing the ambush arranged by Li Yuanji along the way, and directly entered the palace.
Before Li Yuanji could make a move, Li Shimin took the initiative to request to see Li Yuan. His actions were reasonable, and the civil and military officials couldn't find fault with them. However, Li Yuanji, who had been sitting as the 'acting emperor' for several days, didn't buy it and displayed his official arrogance, listing four major crimes committed by Li Shimin: First, disobeying the imperial edict..." Li Shimin was guilty of several crimes: first, he did not return to court alone, which was disloyal; second, he plotted to harm the Crown Prince, causing Li Yuan to fall ill, which was unfilial; third, he was incompetent in leading troops, resulting in heavy casualties among the Tang army, which was inhumane; and fourth, he incited his generals to defy the imperial decree, dragging them down with him, which was unjust. Therefore, Li Shimin's crimes were serious and he deserved to be executed. Changsun Wuji and others were so enraged that they cursed him on the spot, resulting in bloodshed in the palace. Li Yuanji already had skilled assassins lying in ambush, and Mei Xun and others, originally subordinates of Li Jiancheng, chose to surrender to him. How could Li Shimin and his men possibly withstand them? They all died tragically on the spot.
The crowd was chilled to the bone: "We are all of the same blood, why are we so cruel to each other!" Before the supreme power of the throne, even kinship ties were incredibly fragile. Li Shimin's death was truly a result of the circumstances. Shen Luoyan sighed helplessly, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Is Feng Deyi still safe?" she asked
. Wei Lianxiang sneered, "Many innocent people were implicated in the disaster. Lord Feng had already prepared an escape route; his clansmen were fleeing Chang'an and were secretly making their way to Luoyang in batches. I escaped in secret too. Humph, how could Li Yuanji let me, an informant, go?"
She paused, then continued, "I secretly stayed in Chang'an for a few days to gather information. I learned that with the deaths of Li Shimin and his confidants, except for the women who still possessed beauty, all their other family members, regardless of age or gender, had defied the imperial decree." Their crimes were heinous and they were all implicated and executed. Under Li Yuanji's ruthless methods, the people, though fearful, did not descend into chaos. When I finally slipped out, I heard rumors that Li Yuan had issued an edict abdicating the throne to Li Yuanji. If I'm not mistaken, Li Yuan, having lost two sons, must be devastated and has already, or will soon, die. Li Yuan, oh Li Yuan, did you ever imagine that the country you built with your own hands would be destroyed by your own sons!
This last sigh, filled with sorrow, reminds one of his witnessing the decline of the Sui and Tang dynasties, the countless hardships and tears of which are unimaginable to ordinary people. After lunch, Wei Lianxiang took his leave first. He was already weary of court life and only wanted to wholeheartedly assist Wanwan in revitalizing the Demonic Sect. Shen Luoyan let him go. Over the next three days, news kept arriving from various places: 20,000 Golden Wolf soldiers had entered Youzhou territory, joining forces with the Tang army to fight against the Young Marshal's army; Kou Zhong was also temporarily unable to capture Youzhou; the Song family army was still actively expanding its forces and preparing for war; beset by internal and external troubles, the morale of the Li Tang army was greatly affected, with some generals either openly rebelling against the Tang and declaring independence, or choosing to surrender, so the other Luoyang armies achieved gratifying results. On the morning of the fourth day, a soldier reported that the Tang army had come out of the pass to challenge them. Shen Luoyan knew that Li Yuanji had finally realized that the Tang Dynasty might be destroyed in his hands, so he had to establish his authority as soon as possible. Therefore, she led her troops to meet them. Both sides had 10,000 troops each, and they lined up to face each other on the plain five miles outside Tongguan. The two large armies, dark and imposing, all had solemn and dignified expressions, their military flags fluttering, and their murderous aura seemed to freeze the wind and clouds. Suddenly, a path opened up in the Tang army formation. Surrounded by several cavalrymen, a burly general, gripping a golden spear with its tip protruding from his right shoulder, rode proudly to the front of the formation and shouted, "The fierce wind under the Tang Emperor's command is here! Shen Luoyan, do you dare to fight me to the death on the battlefield?"
He infused his voice with internal energy, making it carry for miles, and a deafening cheer erupted from the Tang army. Shen Luoyan recognized him immediately, thinking that he must be sent by Jieli to assist Li Yuanji. Given the current situation of the battle lines being dispersed, Jieli dared not rashly enter Chang'an before repelling Kou Zhong, so Li Yuanji had a reason to have him. If Xi Feng could kill or severely injure Shen Luoyan on the battlefield, the benefit would be comparable to winning a war. Shen Luoyan didn't pretend, letting out a silvery laugh, and after several somersaults, landed twenty feet in front of Xi Feng. Standing proudly with her legs slightly apart, her alluring body ramrod straight, left hand naturally behind her back, right hand gripping a gun resting on her shoulder. Their eyes met, a glint of lightning flashing within them, their gazes as imposing as towering mountains. Shen Luoyan said with a half-smile, "You alone probably can't kill me!"
Her voice was extremely soft, yet those on both sides, a thousand paces away, felt as if she were whispering right next to their ears. The Luoyang army erupted in cheers. Lie Feng dismounted and slowly moved forward, each step firm and steady, coldly declaring, "Little brat, when I, Lie Feng, roamed the martial world, your parents weren't even born yet!"
Lie Feng's gait appeared simple, but it was a strange footwork that produced seemingly arrhythmic yet disciplined footsteps, like the pounding of a death drum, striking straight into the heart and sending chills down one's spine. Simultaneously, his breathing became long and forceful, audible from near and far, clearly a sign of entering a highly advanced state. His energy rapidly reached its limit, emanating a chilling killing intent. His mind, however, remained calm and attentive, carefully listening to Shen Luoyan's breathing, heartbeat, and even pulse. The moment she couldn't withstand his aura, the slightest fluctuation in her emotions, would be the moment he unleashed his full power. The distance between the two instantly shrank to ten zhang. A chilling atmosphere filled the air.
The warriors on both sides, affected by the strange and eerie pressure emanating from them, felt an unbearable sense of oppression, as if they couldn't breathe. Shen Luoyan remained motionless, her jade-like face as still as water, watching his every perfectly executed movement. She chuckled softly, "How can age represent achievement? My husband, in his early twenties, can withstand the Four Great Monks; my sister Wanwan can rival the Evil King Jie. Do you still value age so much?"
Her words were a masterful psychological attack, for the invincible image of Yuan Yueze and his companions was deeply ingrained in the minds of the people. Lie Feng, who had suffered several defeats, felt this even more keenly, and upon hearing this, his steps faltered slightly. A mysterious smile played on Shen Luoyan's lips. Lie Feng snorted coldly, and without any apparent movement, his golden spear was already in front of him, pointed at Shen Luoyan. The spearhead gleamed, dazzling to the eye. Instantly, a chilling, frost-like killing intent surged forth, solidifying into a fierce, steel-like aura and pressure that pressed heavily towards the composed Shen Luoyan. Simultaneously, with a roar, and using incredibly profound footwork, he arrived within two zhang of Shen Luoyan in a single step. The golden spear transformed into a dazzling, raging dragon of lightning, like the radiant sun,
violently attacking Shen Luoyan along a strange trajectory. Immovable as a mountain, yet moving like thunder. The omnipresent, chilling true energy was almost tangible; Shen Luoyan, at the center, had her clothes fluttering wildly, yet her laughter grew ever wider. Lie Feng's composure was already wavering; this preemptive attack was a sign of his insecurity. Shen Luoyan remained motionless; her mind had long since entered a state of utmost stillness, a state of unburdened tranquility. Just as even Tang Jun felt Lie Feng was being somewhat cruel, the Cold Star and Cold Moon Spear suddenly trembled, emitting a soul-stirring buzzing sound, before vanishing in an instant. "Clang!"
Just as the golden spear was about to pierce Shen Luoyan's chest, her silver spear blocked it in time. The tips of the spears touched, creating a deafening, jarring sound that made one's heart ache. The figures merged and separated in an instant. A strange light flashed in Lie Feng's eyes. With a long howl, his retreating feet had not yet touched the ground when he abruptly stopped. The golden spear sprang into the air, conjuring golden dragons. Accompanied by waves of killing intent stronger than the last, it swept towards the retreating Shen Luoyan like a whirlwind. The howling wind could be heard a thousand paces away, its power so extreme that it chilled the heart to the bone. No one shouted or cheered, because the burden in the hearts of everyone watching was simply too unbearable. Shen Luoyan chuckled, "You're afraid, sir!"
She was indeed right. Lie Feng hadn't taken Shen Luoyan seriously, only realizing his underestimation after their initial exchange. Furthermore, her deliberate mention of Yuan Yueze and Wanwan reminded Lie Feng that his opponent possessed more than one expert. Besides Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan, far away in the borderlands, and Fu Junzhuo and Fu Junyu, who were on a military expedition, there was another, even more formidable than Shen Luoyan, Shan Meixian, who had yet to reveal herself. This thought significantly impacted Lie Feng's state of mind. Taking a step back, Shen Luoyan rotated her wrist, her silver spear suddenly expanding. Hundreds of silver rays swirled and rolled, seemingly still, like a sky full of stars in the night, beautiful as a divine object brimming with spirit, seeking out her opponent's golden spear. "Clang!"
The countless golden and silver spear shadows only produced a clear ringing sound. It was impossible to tell whether their movements were too fast or the spears had only clashed once. Lie Feng shuddered violently, staggering back three steps before finally stopping. Shen Luoyan, however, had already closed in, saying, "Where is Kuang Lei, who is on par with you? Your Holy Venerable can barely protect himself; you won't leave alive today!"
Her hands didn't stop, switching from wielding the spear with one hand to two, her movements mirroring the spear's, like an arrow shot from a bow, striking Lie Feng with lightning speed and power. Her gentle voice completely drowned out the sounds of the spears clashing, creating a bizarre and inexplicable scene. Lie Feng had no way to retreat, knowing that if his opponent gained the upper hand, she would relentlessly pursue him until he was defeated and killed. With a wild shout, the golden spear tumbled and swished upwards. After exchanging over a hundred blows in one breath, Lie Feng, his mind greatly affected, used all his strength to barely deflect the final, relentless thrust of his opponent. The figures separated again, then tacitly merged once more. The spear is the weapon best suited for hand-to-hand combat. Drawn by their respective auras, the two spear masters clashed once more, the air crackling with gunfire and surging with energy. Shen Luoyan's advantage lay in her inexhaustible inner strength, which made her fearless. What shocked Lie Feng most was that her spear technique had transcended the natural physical limitations of women; each strike carried the force of over ten thousand pounds, and her vast true energy forced its way into his body with every impact, ravaging and destroying his meridians.
Her spear technique had reached a state of perfection. Lie Feng knew he couldn't unleash his full power, only regretting that his opponent's energy was controlling him from afar, making escape impossible. He gritted his teeth, focused his mind, and forgot about life and death. His golden spear, like the Yangtze River, surged relentlessly towards his opponent. Each strike generated an incomparably fierce aura, a move of no return, a mutual destruction. You feint, I strike; I use unorthodox methods, you use conventional ones; one advances, the other retreats; one is sharp, the other swift. You are stronger by an inch of length, I am more dangerous by an inch of shortness. Just as his true energy was about to run out, Lie Feng had no choice but to retreat. A
strange noise erupted from his left front. Lie Feng didn't even have time to glance at it before his golden spear flashed out. The spear tip landed in mid-air. Lie Feng knew he was in trouble; a chilling aura had already pierced his chest. Shen Luoyan appeared directly in front of him, her beautiful eyes sparkling. Her slender, crystal-clear jade hand gripped the tip of the golden spear tightly, her right hand bending the silver spear outwards, plunging it into Lie Feng's heart. A stream of black blood, unlike that of a normal person, shot through his body. Lie Feng let out a deafening roar, his muscles tensing as he channeled his inner energy, gripping the Cold Star Cold Moon Spear tightly, while simultaneously striking Shen Luoyan's face with his left palm, a posture of mutual destruction. "Bang!"
Lie Feng's palm landed solidly on Shen Luoyan's beautiful forehead. Shen Luoyan's scream and the sound of bones cracking did not ring out as expected. Her delicate body trembled violently, and she staggered back a few steps before barely managing to regain her balance, her face deathly pale. The fierce wind, its chest ripped open in a terrifying gash, tossed her away like a kite with a broken string. In mid-air, he stared incredulously at Shen Luoyan. "Thud!"
The fierce wind, its internal organs shattered, fell backward several dozen feet, dying instantly, its eyes still fixed on Shen Luoyan. Even in its dying moments, it gripped its golden spear tightly. Blood spread rapidly, staining the half-dried grass black. The battlefield was deathly silent; neither side uttered a sound, save for the occasional long wind blowing across the grassland and the faint neighing of horses, which were unusually jarring. Yang Gongqing glanced at Shen Luoyan, who was leaning on her spear with her eyes closed, and shouted an order. The Luoyang army then snapped out of their daze, erupting in deafening cheers and shouts. Amidst the thunderous roar of hooves, they surged past Shen Luoyan, charging like a tidal wave into the enemy ranks. Before setting out, Li Yuanji had confidently guaranteed that Lie Feng would kill Shen Luoyan, but the result was completely the opposite. The morale of the Li Tang army was shattered; they dared not fight. They hastily sounded gongs and horns, and retreated into Tongguan under the cover of archers.
The sun set, and the world was shrouded in a vast expanse of gray. Two miles south of Youzhou City, on a hilly outcrop, Kou Zhong, Fu Junzhuo, Liu Heita, and other generals stood on a wooden watchtower, observing the enemy's situation. Several days earlier, 20,000 Turkic Golden Wolf soldiers had stormed into Youzhou like a whirlwind, setting up camp behind the moat, close to the city walls. This gave them not only the advantage of having a strong fortified city behind them, but also the ability to protect the moat from being filled in. The Turks' cavalry and archery were superior to those of the Central Plains; crossing the moat was already extremely difficult, even for Kou Zhong, who was at a loss. The only solution was to feign weakness and lure the enemy into attacking first. Liu Heita suddenly pointed to the right and said, "Young Marshal, please look!"
Everyone looked intently and saw a group of about three thousand Golden Wolf soldiers crossing the moat and heading towards the Young Marshal's camp. They finally lined up in formation on the plain about half a mile from the moat. Fu Junzhuo, who stood proudly with her sword in hand, narrowed her beautiful eyes, wrinkled her nose slightly, and coldly snorted, "Bi Xuan!"
Among the armored generals leading the central formation, one stood out in a simple hemp robe, completely out of place in the scene—it was none other than Bi Xuan, the "Martial Venerable," whom they hadn't seen for nearly two years. His gaze, seemingly encompassing the heavens and earth, was calmly fixed on the wooden sentry post. Kou Zhong's tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slapped the moon reflected in the well and laughed heartily, "Everyone, come with me to take a look!"
Five hundred of the Young Marshal's Iron Cavalry followed Kou Zhong like a whirlwind out of the camp, stopping two thousand paces in front of the Golden Wave Army's formation. The warriors on both sides were all fierce and brave, staring at each other without giving an inch. Kou Zhong and the leisurely Bi Xuan stared at each other for a long while, then Kou Zhong laughed loudly, "From despair comes rise, from defeat comes victory. Two years have passed, and your Saintly cultivation has far surpassed what it once was—congratulations!"
Several burly generals beside Bi Xuan showed anger, clearly interpreting Kou Zhong's words as sarcasm, but they did not utter a word of rebuke. Bi Xuan, however, knew Kou Zhong had no such intention. He smiled faintly and sighed leisurely, "Young Marshal's cultivation has also improved so much; Bi Xuan admires you."
A flash of lightning appeared briefly in Kou Zhong's eyes, then vanished. He feigned ignorance and asked, "I wonder what brings the Sage here after emerging from seclusion?"
Bi Xuan's gaze suddenly turned stern and profound, a chilling smile playing on his lips.

Chapter 158: A Great Enlightenment
Li Yuanji leaned back on his high seat with his eyes closed, his brows furrowed. Even he exuded a unique majesty and domineering aura under the nine-dragon crimson imperial robe and imperial crown. The spacious imperial study was completely silent. A few streaks of blood-red sunset sunlight streaming in from the window, the dim yellow oil lamp, the large desk in the center, and the large bookcases filled with documents and books around the perimeter created a scene of almost terrifying stillness. Li Yuanji's brows furrowed even more deeply. Everything he had done before was for the throne. Now that the throne was in his grasp, satisfaction was followed by worry. He hadn't yet experienced emptiness, for the current situation of the Li Tang dynasty was far from optimistic, best described as "fraught with crisis." Before dusk, he received the latest news from the front lines: Lie Feng had died in battle, Shen Luoyan had been severely wounded, and the two sides continued their stalemate outside Tongguan. This news left Li Yuanji unsure of what to feel. Lie Feng's death and severe wound to Shen Luoyan not only weakened the covetous Jieli forces but could also affect the morale of the Luoyang army—a good thing, of course. But this would also further destabilize the already unstable morale of the Tang army. When Li Yuan learned of Li Shimin's death, he died on the spot. This was precisely Li Yuanji's scheme: he would never allow a higher emperor above him to exist. "The Li Tang dynasty will ultimately be destroyed in your hands! Let's see how you face your ancestors in the underworld!" Li Shimin's righteous and stern words before his death still echoed in his ears.
Li Yuanji snorted coldly. His primary task now was to weather the winter and stabilize the morale of the people and the army in Chang'an. Shen Luoyan's injury was definitely not light; she certainly wouldn't be fully healed before the spring blossoms. Jieli had already guaranteed that the alliance between the Eastern Turks and the Tang Dynasty would remain in effect until Yuan Yueze was destroyed. Therefore, Li Yuanji's confidence soared. Jieli had said that he had sent experts to deal with Yuan Yueze, who had ventured west beyond the Great Wall. Li Yuanji prayed that even if he couldn't kill him, he would at least wound him, leaving him without a front line of battle, thus increasing the Tang army's chances of victory. As for whether Li Shentong and other imperial relatives would blame him after the world was at peace, Li Yuanji didn't care at all. The victor is king, the loser is villain; those born into imperial families understood this principle. His mood suddenly brightened, as if he would soon be able to rule the world and enjoy the worship of millions. A series of hurried footsteps outside the door shattered his beautiful dream. The newcomer was a eunuch. He walked with his head bowed, finally kneeling on the ground before the desk, his voice hoarse as he reported, "Your Majesty, a fire broke out in the villa where Princess Changsun resided for some unknown reason. We did our best to put it out, but afterward, we found that the bodies of Princess Changsun and the others were charred..."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze shooting towards the eunuch. He then noticed that the man's hair and clothes were quite disheveled, and his hands were blackened, suggesting he wasn't lying. He angrily shouted, "Bastards! You couldn't even save a fire! What use are you to me?"
Before Li Shimin and his trusted generals were killed by Li Yuanji, their families had already fallen into Li Yuanji's hands. Only a few beautiful women survived, including Li Shimin's first wife, Princess Changsun. After Li Yuan's death, his most favored concubine, Consort Zhang, also became Li Yuanji's target. They were all "invited" to live in a secret compound outside the palace. To prevent them from committing suicide, Li Yuanji assigned many skilled guards to accompany them. The palace has always been rife with debauchery, so it was not unusual for Li Yuanji to "take over" his father and brothers' women. But before he could even enjoy them, they died—how could this not infuriate him? Listening carefully to the eunuch's trembling account of the fire, Li Yuanji sensed something amiss, and a chill he had never felt before rose in his heart. There was another knock at the door. Li Yuanji calmed down and waved the eunuch away. Qiu Tianjue , a trusted confidant of Li Jiancheng, entered and knelt down, saying in a deep voice, "Jieli personally led tens of thousands of Golden Wolf soldiers, bypassing our eyes and ears, and secretly traveled a thousand miles south, launching a fierce attack on Wugong City!"
Li Yuanji could no longer remain calm, abruptly standing up and exclaiming, "What?"
Before Bi Xuan could speak, a powerful and familiar voice rang out from the north, saying, "Young Marshal, would you mind ceding this battle to me?"
Every word was deafening, yet the tone was calm and gentle. Bi Xuan's expression remained unchanged, but a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. Everyone's attention was drawn to it. The sound of hooves grew louder as two fine horses, one black and one red, galloped side by side like a whirlwind. Seated on the black horse was a tall and handsome man, none other than the long-absent Ba Feng Han. On the red horse was a beautiful foreign woman carrying a long sword, whose appearance, attire, figure, and skin were breathtakingly beautiful. It was Zong Xianghua, the head of the palace guards of the Sumo tribe. Her icy expression, tinged with a hint of resentment, tempted even those with ulterior motives to offer her some "comfort." The thousand-step distance passed in an instant. When they were twenty paces in front of the young marshal's army, Ba Feng Han and his companion flew to Kou Zhong and the others. They laughed heartily, their strong hands clasped tightly. Ba Feng Han briefly introduced them. Fu Junzhuo and the others had no time to ask why the two were there together. They heard Ba Feng Han point his halberd at Bi Xuan and shout, "Young marshal, you are the commander of the army! How could you, Bi Xuan, a mere brute who knows only martial arts, be a threat? Do you dare to fight me to the death!" Ba
Feng Han's bravery was already renowned throughout the Central Plains and beyond, and he was a loyal ally of Yuan Yueze and Kou Zhong. His shout immediately drew thunderous cheers from the young marshal's army. Fu Junzhuo placed her jade-like hand on Kou Zhong's shoulder, who was itching and eager to try, and shook her head slightly. Kou Zhong immediately understood her meaning and awkwardly scratched his head. Kou Zhong calmed down, entering a profound state of stillness and tranquility, completely grasping the situation on the battlefield, down to every corner. Bi Xuan's purpose in coming this time was definitely not just to humiliate him. There must be ambushes around. As long as Kou Zhong was suppressed even slightly, the main army would immediately move out. With this shift in power, Kou Zhong would probably have no chance to turn the tide. Glancing at the dense forest about a mile to the southeast, a profound and unfathomable smile appeared on Kou Zhong's lips. Ba Feng Han rode out of the formation, stopping after a hundred paces, his eyes fixed on Bi Xuan.
Bi Xuan laughed loudly, then spurred his horse to meet Ba Feng Han, who was standing outside the formation. As his horse took a step, his electric claws suddenly shot into the air, a black light flashed behind him, and when he stopped, a black spear was already in his hand. The Turkic warriors were thrilled by Bi Xuan's acceptance of the challenge, erupting in thunderous cheers. It was known that Ba Feng Han, Yuan Yueze, and Ren Jun were the "culprits" behind the crushing defeat of the Golden Wolf Army in the Battle of Longquan; this battle was a disgrace to Jieli and the Golden Wolf Army. If Bi Xuan could defeat Ba Feng Han, it would be a cause for celebration! Bi Xuan, spear in hand, rode slowly forward, shaking his head and sighing, "I abandoned spears after the age of sixty, yet today I not only don armor but also wield this wolf spear with renewed vigor."
Ba Feng Han's eyes lit up, fixed on the approaching Bi Xuan. The spear in Bi Xuan's hand was the "Agu Shihua," weighing ninety-nine jin, which Tunyu Valley had once mentioned. In his youth, Bi Xuan wielded it across the grasslands, invincible. At his debut, he was hailed as "no one could knock him off his horse." Two years later, having reached new heights, he relied heavily on this spear, demonstrating his unwavering determination not to stand idly by and watch his people perish. The last rays of the setting sun disappeared below the horizon. Both sides lit torches, instantly eclipsing the sparse stars and moon with their crimson flames. Suddenly, several generals descended from the front, each emitting a howl like a wolf, the sound spreading from the front lines to the rear. For a moment, the entire forest was filled with the howls of wolves, causing warhorses to buck and chilling all who heard them. At Kou Zhong's signal, the young commander's iron cavalry fell silent, a stark contrast to the enemy. Bi Xuan reined in his horse ten paces in front of Ba Feng Han, calmly meeting his gaze. A chilling atmosphere filled the air. "Clang!"
The Zhan Xuan sword was drawn, pointed at Bi Xuan, its sharp aura urging him onward. Ba Feng Han laughed loudly, "Bi Xuan, you can't let go of worldly affairs; how can you reach the pinnacle of martial arts? You are utterly unworthy of the title of Grandmaster!"
Bi Xuan's indifferent expression finally vanished. With his cultivation deepening day by day, how could he, having entered the Innate Realm, not understand the troubles of the mortal world? But faced with the crisis of national annihilation, he had no choice. Ba Feng Han's words had just stirred up his pent-up emotions. Ba Feng Han's voice rang out again, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "If I unfortunately die in battle, it's because I'm inferior in skill. Young Marshal, do not avenge me!"
Given his arrogance and conceit, these words already indicated fear. In a battle between masters, fear signifies defeat. Bi Xuan's pupils suddenly contracted. The howls of wolves in the Turkic ranks rose higher, as if witnessing Bi Xuan's victory, their power amplified. Kou Zhong and the others inwardly exclaimed in admiration: Ba Feng Han's apparent weakness was actually extremely clever, because a duel on the battlefield would greatly affect morale. Most importantly, if Bi Xuan died in battle, the Golden Wolf Army outside Youzhou City would lose their minds, everyone going mad to wash away the humiliation brought by Bi Xuan's death. Ba Feng Han's words forced Bi Xuan to admit that the battle stemmed from personal grudges, and victory or defeat was a matter of personal choice. Therefore, regardless of Bi Xuan's ultimate victory or defeat, life or death, the impact on morale would not be as significant as anticipated. Bi Xuan had seen through his intentions. The Turkic warriors hadn't considered such a profound meaning.
Bi Xuan coldly snorted, "If Bi Xuan is defeated, it is naturally due to inferior skill!"
The howls of wolves in the Turkic ranks noticeably paused, then rose again. Bi Xuan's demeanor quickly returned to calm and composure, devoid of any human emotions such as joy, sorrow, greed, fear, or madness. His eyes were as cold as a wolf's gaze upon its prey, and suddenly his warhorse reared up. The wolf spear pointed diagonally into the night sky, and the wolf howls instantly transformed into thunderous cheers and shouts, further enhancing his arrogant and domineering aura. The psychological warfare had succeeded, but Ba Feng Han felt no joy whatsoever. Because with Bi Xuan's actions, a wave of heat swept over them like an overwhelming tide. If the "Scorching Sun Technique" of the past represented a vast, arid wasteland, then the "Scorching Sun Technique" of this moment represents the power of the sun! Its heat and energy are incomparable to a mere desert. Ba Feng Han's hand gripping his sword remained firm, and he coldly shouted, "Please enlighten me!"
His warhorse's forehooves touched the ground, and Bi Xuan spurred it forward like an arrow. The wolf spear spun rapidly in the sky. With each rotation, the force on the spear intensified. At the moment of direct confrontation with Ba Feng Han on horseback, the spear's power would reach its peak. The spear's force stirred up the soft mud and fallen leaves on the grass. An invisible pressure that suffocated everyone swept over them; even the warriors on both sides, a thousand paces away, could feel the ferocity of this spear. The pressure on Ba Feng Han, at the heart of the attack, was unimaginable. The Turks shouted themselves hoarse, hoping Bi Xuan would defeat them with a single spear thrust. Ba Feng Han smiled slightly. For two years, he had finally overcome his most difficult "mental hurdle," thanks in large part to Yuan Yueze's guidance. His mind entered a state of ethereal clarity, free from worldly concerns, his spiritual awareness extending from his body to the endless universe. The shouts of the Turkic warriors seemed to come from another dimension. With his legs clamped around the Taklamakan Desert, Ba Feng Han charged towards Bi Xuan.
Seven zhang, six zhang… The wolf spears swirling above Bi Xuan, initially slow, gradually increased in speed, transforming into whirlwinds that pierced the air with a deafening whistling sound. Those with keen eyesight, like Kou Zhong and Fu Junzhuo, could see that Bi Xuan was timing his thrusts according to the approaching speed of the two riders, aiming to unleash a spear strike with maximum force. Five zhang, four zhang… Ba Feng Han's posture remained unchanged, creating a stark contrast between his dynamic and static movements and Bi Xuan's increasingly rapid actions. Two zhang. With a roar, Bi Xuan's countless spear shadows vanished, transforming into a single, powerful spear that pierced through Bi Xuan's chest. This spear was truly the culmination of Bi Xuan's life's work; its speed, angle, and momentum were all incomparably fierce. It concealed its skill within its apparent simplicity, seemingly a straightforward spear, yet containing a myriad of variations within. Even the heavens and earth seemed to change color upon it. Ba Feng Han, caught in the midst of the attack, felt the true fire of the sun, which had filled the heavens and earth and tightly enveloped him, suddenly vanish with the thrust of Bi Xuan's spear. What followed was a vague, unsettling emptiness that made his blood and qi restless.
His true qi was now highly concentrated at the spear tip. Ba Feng Han let out a long roar, his Zhan Xuan sword seemingly sinking downwards, then suddenly pointing diagonally upwards. Man and sword became one, man and sword moving in perfect harmony, tracing an arc of divine perfection, like flowing water , shooting towards Bi Xuan like a powerful arrow, filled with an unyielding intent. "Clang!"
The Zhan Xuan sword struck the tip of Agushiwaa's spear without any flourish. Spear and sword clashed, air currents surged, sparks flew, and a deafening roar resounded. The sound waves shot into the eardrums of everyone watching, making their hearts pound and their spirits pound. The figures merged and then separated, both flying back more than ten feet before regaining their footing. Bi Xuan stood proudly, a strange crimson flashing across his face. About five feet in front of him lay a pile of mangled flesh, the remains of his mount, which had died tragically because Bi Xuan had failed to fully neutralize Ba Feng Han's sword energy. Ba Feng Han
coughed up a mouthful of blood, swaying several times before regaining his balance. Taklamakan knelt on all fours, trembling uncontrollably, having escaped the calamity only because of his desperate protection. Kou Zhong, who had been carefully observing the movements of the ambushing troops around him, suddenly raised his arm, and the young commander's iron cavalry roared and cheered wildly. The Turks, naturally not to be outdone, also erupted in cheers, but far less intense and confident than before, because everyone could see that Bi Xuan and Ba Feng Han had both been injured in the previous clash. This greatly affected the confidence of the Turkic warriors who had originally expected Bi Xuan to win easily. Bi Xuan, however, knew he had lost.
He had lived for nearly a hundred years, while Ba Feng Han was not yet thirty. It is known that a person's cultivation slows down with age. Although the current situation was evenly matched, given time, he would definitely not be Ba Feng Han's match. After two years of secluded cultivation, he finally understood that Yuan Yueze had planted the seed of defeat in his heart. For someone of his level, cultivating the spirit and mind was more important. Yet, he had spent the past two years diligently cultivating internal energy, sacrificing the greater good for the lesser. The ability to rise from despair, to succeed from defeat, lies in the mind, not in strength. Ba Feng Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief; if it weren't for Yuan Yueze's marrow cleansing and his diligent study of those profound mental techniques, he would have surely died on the spot. At this moment, the scorching true energy that Bi Xuan had infused into his body had not been completely neutralized, and the burning sensation within his internal organs was extraordinary. This showed just how astonishingly powerful Bi Xuan's internal energy cultivation had become over the past two years. The shouts and cheers gradually subsided, and the world fell silent, as if time itself had stopped its relentless flow. After a long, intense gaze at Ba Feng Han, Bi Xuan softly asked, "Tell me, you are also from beyond the Great Wall, so why do you trust Yuan Yueze so much?"
Ba Feng Han's eyes, flashing with an unusual light, fixed on Bi Xuan, and he laughed loudly, "Whether Brother Yuan is loyal or treacherous, history will judge. I admire not only his sincerity but also his ambition!"
Bi Xuan coldly replied, "Ambition?"
Ba Feng Han nodded, "Brother Yuan insists on killing everyone, but he won't allow ambitious people to appear, like Jieli."
Bi Xuan scoffed, "What is he? His concern for his own people is ambition, but our concern for our own people makes us ambitious?"
Fu Junzhuo's menacing snort rang out. Ba Feng Han immediately raised his left arm, calmly saying, "Military affairs are an extreme form of politics, a bloody form of politics. Once force is used, the only solution is survival. This applies to nations as well as individuals; hence, the strong rule. Different positions naturally lead to different views and opinions. If Martial Venerable still wishes to fight, I will accompany you to the end."
Bi Xuan showed a thoughtful expression. Kou Zhong's voice came from behind, "Jie Li has been used by the person impersonating the Great Ming Saint Venerable, yet the Saint ignores it. It's clear your heart is still in the mortal world, far abandoned by True Person Ning!"
His words were blunt, and Bi Xuan was taken aback, his eyes shining brightly as he stared intently at Kou Zhong. After several changes in expression, he said, "What Great Ming Saint Venerable? I know nothing of him. Could it be that Brother Ning no longer cares about worldly affairs?"
Only then did Kou Zhong and the others realize that Bi Xuan was completely unaware of Liu Yu's collusion with Jie Li. Fu Junzhuo's voice came, "Master Ning gained a lot after his battle with Sister Yuyan, and he also witnessed the battle between the Evil King and Wan'er. He has now retreated to the deep mountains with the Four Great Holy Monks, and no one knows where they went."
The Evil King has attained the Great Dao, and Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks are not far behind. Bi Xuan was stunned upon hearing this, then a look of shame appeared on his face. Ba Feng Han said softly, "The past is an unnecessary burden. Martial Venerable is a person of great wisdom. Can you still not let go of those glories and wars?"
The Turkic warriors were anxious when they saw Bi Xuan's obvious weakness, but they dared not utter a curse. They could only stare intently at the enemy with eyes that could kill. Bi Xuan looked up at the moon, his eyes shooting out a deep, unfathomable light, and murmured, "Our era has passed?"
When he uttered the last word, his voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, lingering endlessly. Liu Heita said thoughtfully, "The alternation of old and new is merely a superficial phenomenon and a necessity of natural development. Can't the human spirit be perpetuated?"
Kou Zhong and the others used both soft and hard tactics, ultimately only out of respect for Bi Xuan as martial artists. Moreover, they currently held a significant advantage; even if Bi Xuan refused to back down, it would be difficult to save Jieli from his fate of defeat. It's always best to leave some room for maneuver. Bi Xuan suddenly threw away his wolf spear, leaped into the air, and said, "I will personally verify with the Great Khan whether your words are true. If so, Bi Xuan will no longer concern himself with worldly affairs and will devote himself to the Dao; if you utter even a single falsehood , Bi Xuan will certainly come again to seek your guidance!"
With a long laugh, his imposing figure disappeared into the vast night sky. The Turkic army was unusually quiet. Ba Feng Han and the recovered Taklamakan returned to the young marshal's side. A Turkic horn suddenly sounded, and the distant sound of hooves shook the earth. "Clang!"
The Moon in the Well was drawn. Kou Zhong laughed loudly, brandishing his sword and shouting, "Brothers, retreat!"
Yuan Yueze had been staying in Wushuang Kingdom for more than three months, wholeheartedly preparing for the final battle. Shang Xiufang did not leave, because Yuan Yueze would never allow anyone to use the people around him to blackmail him again. Shang Xiufang was not lonely, having seen that her mother had not passed away and with the extraordinary woman Shi Qingxuan by her side.
After the New Year, Shan Meixian led a large group of women to Wushuang Kingdom under the leadership of the Black King. Yuan Yueze was immediately overwhelmed, and even Mingyue was dumbfounded. Those who could come, such as Dugu Feng and Bai Qing'er, and those who could not, such as Shen Luoyan and Wanwan, all came. Even Zhang Chuchen, Sha Zhijing, Zong Xianghua, and other women were there. (The supporting female characters are only mentioned briefly in the public version, sorry.) The group of dozens of women, bustling about, truly made for a beautiful sight in the desert. Mingyue frowned and glanced at the dazed Yuan Yueze, then invited the women into the main hall. The room was noisy and crowded. Shen Luoyan gave Yuan Yueze a flirtatious wink, and he immediately understood without asking further questions.
After lunch, Mingyue had Shang Xiufang take the newly arrived women out for a stroll, while she went to her boudoir with her longtime friend Shan Meixian to catch up, leaving only Shen Luoyan and Wanwan to accompany Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze kissed and nibbled, indulging his sensibilities before releasing the two women. Their suppressed passion almost erupted. Fortunately, they were both intelligent women, and after forcibly calming themselves down, they began to report the situation in the Central Plains to Yuan Yueze. On that day, Shen Luoyan, citing her severe injuries from the battle with Lie Feng and the fact that the Luoyang army could not be without a leader, relinquished her position as city lord, causing an uproar. The people were mostly worried about Shen Luoyan's health, not the leader of the Luoyang army. Shen Luoyan, along with Xu Xingzhi, Yang Gongqing, and others, staged a performance, citing Song Shidao's outstanding military achievements and promising youth as reasons for giving him the position of city lord. Shen Luoyan then retreated behind the scenes to "recover from her injuries."
After Bi Xuan left that day, Kou Zhong used a feint to lure the enemy deeper into their territory, and then... The counterattack and relentless pursuit inflicted heavy losses on the Golden Wolf Army. Bi Xuan never appeared again after that. Two months later, the Golden Wolf Army was finally annihilated. Li Shentong and Li Yi, who had been defending Youzhou, surrendered, along with the opportunist Gao Kaidao. Meanwhile, Song Shidao's forces advanced triumphantly, and together with the young marshal's army, they completely controlled most of Hebei and Shanxi. Zong Xianghua had come to the Central Plains with Ba Feng Han to deliver a message to Tu Li; the two sides planned to meet at Tongwan City in the spring and seize the Eastern Turkic Khanate in one fell swoop. In Guanzhong, Li Yuanji, with only 40,000 troops, was no match for Jieli's Golden Wolf Army, which launched a surprise attack before winter. Although he managed to hold the fortified city of Chang'an, internal discontent grew, and morale plummeted, leaving him no choice but to submit to Jieli. The Golden Wolf Army entered Chang'an and began burning, killing, and looting, causing the city's inhabitants to flee in droves. In the Yangtze River basin, Song Zhi and Song Lu had issued an ultimatum to Xiao Xian and Zhu Can, declaring that a decisive battle would erupt in the spring. The Song family army in Chengdu was also preparing to march north to capture Hanzhong. The situation seemed extremely favorable. Thinking of the fratricide and downfall of the Li Tang dynasty, Yuan Yueze sighed, unsure how to tell Li Xiuning that she had the right to know these things.
Reflecting on the carnage in Chang'an, his hatred for Jieli surged. Shen Luoyan seemed to understand his thoughts and comforted him, "When I heard Li Shimin retreat that day, I knew things weren't simple, so I immediately sent a letter to Sister Meixian, intending to rescue Li Shimin and let him live as a commoner. But it was too late. I could only rescue the princesses, imperial concubines, and Ji Qian who were specially left behind by Li Yuanji to be raped. Hu Xiaoxian, alas! Her fate was much more tragic. After the Turks occupied Chang'an and looted it, they plundered Hu Fu's property and then developed ambitions towards Hu Xiaoxian. Hu Fu was devastated and desperately protected Hu Xiaoxian as they escaped. She and Ji Qian were both in a bad mood, so they stayed in Luoyang."
Yuan Yueze remembered the necklace Hu Xiaoxian had given him, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. At the same time, knowing that she was thinking of Li Xiuning, he was immediately grateful. After another passionate kiss, Shen Luoyan, panting, laughed and said, "I really have to thank Lie Feng. Xingzhi was still worrying day and night about the power transition, but who knew it would be resolved so easily."
Wanwan retorted, "Let's see how you handle so many women!"
Shen Luoyan remembered that Wanwan would shout "I'll drain you dry" every time she reached the peak of inspiration, and teased her with a smile, "Wan'er probably won't be able to drain him dry in her entire life!"
Wanwan's face flushed slightly, and she glared at Shen Luoyan. Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly, "Now it's finally all right. Only Liu Yu is left in the Great Ming Sect. With him dead, everything is settled. We can finally go back to our carefree lives!"
Shen Luoyan said, "Wan'er, quickly count how many sisters we have!"
Wanwan, like a little girl, held up her cute fingers and pointed, saying, "Besides the thirty-four people who came this time, there's also Master Zheng, Lian Chang, the three elders of the Holy Gate, Fan Caiqi, Shi Feixuan, Fan Qinghui..."
Then she reached out and pinched his handsome face, pouting, "Aunt Mingyue, you're not letting us off the hook either! More than forty!"
This isn't a stallion, she's a stud! Yuan Yueze clutched his head and cried out, "Spare me! It's finally over! I'm free, and so is someone else!"
Shen Luoyan asked curiously, "Who is 'someone else'?"
Yuan Yueze said bitterly, "It's that bastard who manipulated my fate!"
Suddenly, a long laugh came from outside the door, saying, "Who dares to manipulate the fate of my son-in-law?"

Chapter 159 The Emperor's Dream Shattered
in the Tang Dynasty The door opened, and walking in was none other than Commander Yun, who had been missing for two years. A weary-looking Zhu Yuyan followed beside him. Wanwan cheered and jumped into Zhu Yuyan's arms. Father and daughter were of one mind; Lianrou came immediately, crying uncontrollably. After everyone sat down, they recounted their experiences over the past few days. Yun Shuai was tasked with tracking down Liu Yu's whereabouts, but the pursuit took him all the way to Persia and Europe. It wasn't until over a year later that he realized he'd been tricked: the most dangerous place was the safest; how could Liu Yu be so foolish as to only care about fleeing? Returning to the Western Regions, Yun Shuai continued to gather information about Liu Yu while simultaneously confronting Tong Yabghu. Although Tong Yabghu was ambitious and always ready to invade eastward, he wasn't without reason and understood Yun Shuai's intentions. Because the Luoyang army, the Young Marshal's army, and the Song family army were advancing rapidly, even if Jieli occupied Chang'an, his chances of winning were slim due to his lack of
popular support. A defeat would surely bring disaster to his people. After some time pondering, Tong Yabghu still couldn't make a decision. Yun Shuai didn't press him; as long as he didn't choose to send troops, the Western Turks wouldn't be harmed. Hearing that Yuan Yueze would soon be fighting Liu Yu, he was naturally overjoyed. If Liu Yu died, neither Jieli nor Tong Yabghu would have any support. For days, Zhu Yuyan had been running around searching for the missing Marshal Yun. Today, she happened to run into Marshal Yun, who was preparing to march east into the Central Plains. Lian Rou, like a little girl, pulled Marshal Yun out for a stroll, while Yuan Yueze's lecherous hands began to reach towards Zhu Yuyan and her disciple. Zhu Yuyan was greatly embarrassed and hurriedly grabbed his groping hand, whispering, "I've 'sent out' news of your battle with Liu Yu. There will be some unexpected spectators!"
Yuan Yueze's heart stirred, and he chuckled, "No wonder you're in such low spirits. Let me offer myself to heal Empress Zhu's wounds."
After releasing her, he took the arm of the eager Shen Luoyan and Wanwan and walked towards the inner hall. Zhu Yuyan blushed, overwhelmed with shyness, a captivating allure flashing in her beautiful eyes. She wanted to turn away, but her legs seemed rooted to the spot, and she finally stomped her foot and followed. Having exhausted the three women to the point of near collapse, Yuan Yueze then tucked them in and went alone to Li Xiuning's boudoir. Inside the neat and clean room, Li Xiuning leaned against a long leather chair, reading. Her hair was simply tied up, and she wore a narrow-sleeved pink top and a white long skirt, showcasing her curves. Her smooth, delicate feet were incredibly charming, and her languid and charming demeanor carried an innate nobility and elegance. A hint of melancholy and weariness clung to her beautiful face, only enhancing her pitiful and endearing beauty. Seeing Yuan Yueze enter, she tried to rise to greet him, but Yuan Yueze swiftly moved to her side and pressed her down. He first lightly kissed her luscious red lips, then tightly embraced her soft, warm body. Yuan Yueze's gaze fell on the pair of colorful embroidered shoes with national floral patterns beside the bench, and a pang of sorrow welled up in his heart. He simply didn't know how to tell her about the fall of the Li Tang dynasty. Li Xiuning, intelligent as ever, had already guessed his thoughts upon seeing him enter the room with a frown. She immediately pressed her slender fingers to his lips, her forehead against his chest, and whispered, "Don't say anything. Wasn't Li Xiuning already dead?"
Yuan Yueze lovingly stroked her smooth face, smiling bitterly, "Why didn't Xiuning go out to play?"
Li Xiuning calmly replied, "Even Qingxuan, who loves quiet, went out to fool around with them. Because we'll be retiring soon, she wanted to experience the charm of Wushuang Kingdom one last time."
Yuan Yueze noticed a wet patch on his chest, and helplessly stroked her back, softly saying, "Cry, it'll feel better."
Li Xiuning could no longer hold back, her arms tightly wrapped around his back, her shoulders beginning to convulse violently. No matter how her father and brothers used her, the bonds and ties of blood could not be changed by heaven. Even someone as powerful as the "Evil King" Shi Zhixuan couldn't remain indifferent, let alone Li Xiuning? This silent sobbing was far more desolate than wailing. Yuan Yueze continuously channeled his true energy into her body. After crying for an unknown amount of time, Li Xiuning finally straightened up and said softly, "I deserve to die, I've made my husband worry."
Yuan Yueze tenderly wiped away her tears with his sleeve, then gently pulled her into his arms, saying, "Our seclusion doesn't mean living a dull life in the mountains, but rather a life without any burdens, doing whatever we want, a life of unrestrained freedom. If we don't travel to all the famous mountains and rivers beyond the Central Plains, how can we live up to the word 'carefree'?"
Li Xiuning understood Yuan Yueze's feelings for her perfectly. A sweet feeling, completely opposite to her sorrow, welled up in her heart. She nodded gently and then fell asleep immediately. A moment later, there was a knock at the door, and Shan Meixian and Mingyue walked in side by side. For some reason, Mingyue's pale face was flushed with a faint blush, extremely beautiful. Yuan Yueze, holding Li Xiuning, was momentarily stunned. Shan Meixian glared at Yuan Yueze, while Mingyue awkwardly turned her head away. Yuan Yueze chuckled and invited the two women to sit down. Mingyue, clearly aware of the situation in the Central Plains, glanced at Li Xiuning with a hint of sympathy and sadness in her eyes. Shan Meixian lovingly stroked Li Xiuning's hair, sighed, and said softly, "Mingyue has already discussed it with the elders of Wushuang Kingdom. After the Central Plains are restored, all their people will relocate there."
Yuan Yueze glanced at Mingyue, whose head was slightly lowered, then looked at Shan Meixian. Shan Meixian immediately gave him a meaningful, seductive look. Yuan Yueze laughed strangely, sending chills down Mingyue's spine.
Under the banners that blotted out the sky, Song Shidao and Kou Zhong, surrounded by a group of generals, ascended the command platform at the southern end of the Luoyang military parade square to hold a swearing-in ceremony to deploy troops and bestow seals. More than three hundred civil and military officials stood on both sides of the platform. At the very center of the square, 50,000 Luoyang soldiers lined up for the oath-taking ceremony, their morale high and their fighting spirit strong. Though the parade ground was teeming with people, it was deathly silent, the atmosphere solemn and dignified. Song and Kou arrived at the center of the command platform, with the major generals positioned behind them. The former surveyed the reverent gazes of the soldiers below and smiled, saying, "Brothers!"
The soldiers roared in unison, their shouts echoing into the clear sky above the palace. Song Shidao raised his hands high, and only after the cheers of his soldiers gradually subsided did he loudly proclaim, "Since the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the world has been in chaos, and heroes from all walks of life have risen up in rebellion. Li Yuanji willingly became a lackey of Jieli, and Xiao Xian and Zhu Can are trapped by their uncles and are on the verge of defeat. The opportunity for the unification of the Central Plains has arrived. It is now February, and our friend, Khan Tuli, has made an agreement with me and the young commander to meet at Tongwan City in March and decisively defeat Jieli and the Golden Wolf Army, who are harassing our Central Plains!"
The morale of the Luoyang army soared, and they responded with raised arms, the wind and clouds changing color. This time, apart from Song Shidao, Kou Zhong, and Xu Xing, the other generals still led their own armies, preparing to capture Chang'an in one fell swoop. Kou Zhong had appointed Liu Heita as commander to continue the recapture of Hebei, so he could personally participate in the northern expedition. The crimes committed by Jieli and the Golden Wolf Army in Guanzhong had reached an appalling level; every day, large numbers of people fled Guanzhong, a large portion of whom were killed. Every Chinese person hated them to the core. Taking advantage of their geographical position, the Song army's navy relentlessly pressured Hanzhong. Former Li Tang troops surrendered continuously, leaving only the Turkic generals sent by Jieli to hold out. Hanzhong would fall soon. Chang'an, however, was different. Yang Jian and Yang Guang were both suspicious men, fearing rebellion from their subordinates and even more so, that they would open the gates to the enemy. Therefore, they not only fortified the city extensively, but the city gates themselves were fortified within fortifications, making them as strong as the repaired Luoyang. Therefore, it was impossible for the attackers to capture it quickly. Only a simultaneous attack from the north and south could throw Jieli into disarray and cause him to collapse without a fight. Kou Zhong remembered a poem Wei Zhenzhen had taught him and immediately shouted, "If it benefits the country, I will risk my life; how can I avoid it because of fortune or misfortune?"
Kou Zhong's reputation was no less than Song Shidao's, and the Luoyang army immediately echoed his words.
Yuan Yueze crossed the Puchang Sea and headed northwest towards the ancient city of Loulan. The other women who were interested in the battle had already gone ahead. Upon reaching the north shore of the Puchang Sea, Yuan Yueze suddenly stopped, staring intently to his right. Shi Feixuan, dressed in a plain white robe with a long, light yellow cloak, stood gracefully in the distance, seemingly awaiting his arrival. Yuan Yueze rushed over like a gust of wind, opening his arms and laughing, "It's been over a year! Feixuan's cultivation has improved considerably; congratulations!"
A strange look flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes, whose expression had remained calm. She subconsciously took a half-step back, adopting a wary stance. Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and lowered his arms. Shi Feixuan's expression returned to calm. She let out a soft sigh and said composedly, "Young Master flatters me. Your cultivation is far superior to mine."
Yuan Yueze said casually, "This battle is something I've been waiting for for many days. How can I not improve myself? If Feixuan is here to watch the battle, please follow me!"
The two walked side by side. Shi Feixuan gazed deeply at him and said calmly, "Since that person has learned the 'War God's Manual,' what makes you so confident that you can defeat him?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled and said, "Does Feixuan really think that a 'War God's Manual' can allow anyone to break through to the ultimate Dao? Liu Yu's willpower is so strong that even I am ashamed of myself, but that is also his weakness."
What he said was true. Bei Shengtian had also personally seen the "War God's Manual" but failed to comprehend the Dao of Heaven due to his limited aptitude; Liu Yu's aptitude was certainly not the problem, but his obsession was the key obstacle to his transcendence of the mortal world. Shi Feixuan seemed to have absorbed little of what he was saying. After silently nodding, she calmly asked, "What do you plan to do with my master?"
Yuan Yueze realized she knew about Fan Qinghui's rape and was taken aback. "She tried to kill me. I've taken my revenge. We have nothing more to do with each other."
Shi Feixuan gave him a charming, amused expression, as if to say, "Is this how you take revenge?"
Yuan Yueze remembered that his "revenge" was essentially granting Fan Qinghui eternal life, and he couldn't help but chuckle. He said meaningfully, "Your master might cultivate alone for several more decades, but she will eventually come looking for me. Otherwise, once her cultivation reaches a certain level, it will be difficult to improve further."
A bitter smile appeared on Shi Feixuan's lips. She was in the thick of it all; how could she not understand this? If she stubbornly insisted on her solitary cultivation, not only would her cultivation be difficult to advance, but it might even regress. All because Yuan Yueze had left an indelible mark on her heart. Shi Feixuan let out a long sigh and said softly, "Will you retire after this battle, young master?"
Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "I still need to go back to Luoyang to pick up a few people."
He paused, as if reading her mind, and said, "Feixuan, why do you need to restrain yourself so much? Wouldn't it be better to let things take their natural course?"
Shi Feixuan's delicate body trembled slightly, then she smiled charmingly, exuding a captivating allure, and said leisurely, "The opportunity for the unification of the Central Plains has appeared, and Feixuan will continue to help her sect for some time."
Yuan Yueze knew she was still worried that the Demonic Sect would turn against the Profound Sect after gaining power, so he placed his hand on her fragrant shoulder, shook his head and chuckled, "Then I will personally come to Jingzhai to snatch her away a year later."
Shi Feixuan did not resist, raising her head to gaze at the sparse clouds in the azure sky, her jade-like face calm and serene. When the two arrived outside the ancient city of Loulan, Xiang Yutian, Fu Cailin, Song Que, and a blonde beauty with a seemingly complicated relationship who was holding his arm were already waiting on the ground. The Song sisters and Fu sisters accompanied them, and Zhu Yuyan and the other women were also there. The first four were the "unexpected spectators" that Zhu Yuyan had mentioned before. Shi Feixuan already knew about Song and Fu's affair, so she showed no surprise and calmly bowed. When Xiang Yutian looked at Shi Feixuan, he was slightly taken aback. Liu Yu's voice echoed within the ruins, "Xiang Yutian, does this child resemble Xuan Jing?"
Xiang Yutian laughed heartily, "So what if he does, or not? All these years have passed, and you still can't forget Xuan Jing."
Yuan Yueze and Shi Feixuan immediately confirmed that Xuan Jing had an unusual relationship with Xiang Yutian and Liu Yu. Liu Yu, dressed in black, slowly stepped out, shaking his head and sighing, "Back then, I specially led Fan Qinghui down the mountain just to catch a glimpse of Xuan Jing. Young Song, you should remember, right?" Song Que
laughed loudly, "No matter how you pretend, it's useless. I clearly sense your shock that Brother Fu and I are still in this world." A
look of surprise flashed in Liu Yu's eyes; he had clearly been caught red-handed by Song Que. However, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't guess that the shattered void resulting from that peak duel was actually the result of Fu Junqiang's extraordinary power. This undoubtedly increased the pressure on Liu Yu's mind and spirit. Song Que didn't want to face Fan Qinghui, so Yuan Yueze devised this plan: he, Fu Cailin, and Zhang Zhongjian each established enormous influence overseas, laying a solid ideological foundation for the future expansion of the Central Plains army. Fu Cailin stroked his beard and sighed, "The great way is simple, but knowing it is easy, doing it is difficult. If you don't correct your mindset, I'm afraid you'll never understand the ultimate truth in your lifetime."
Xiang Yutian continued, "Xuan Jing is devoted to the Dao, so she will neither fall in love with you nor with me. At most, we are friends in the Dao. You, Liu Yu, are still delusional, it's utterly laughable!"
Shi Feixuan frowned, vaguely guessing that Fan Qinghui had such deep prejudice against the demonic sect because she knew about Xuan Jing's experiences. Otherwise, with her years of mental cultivation, how could she not understand that her stubborn thoughts had already led her to demonic possession? Yun Shuai snorted coldly, "You don't need to worry, we're just here to watch the battle, we won't interfere."
Yuan Yueze leaped in front of Liu Yu, his evil sword held across his chest, and shouted, "Why aren't you making a move?"
Liu Yu was unaffected by the crowd's words, smiled faintly, and said, "If you shamelessly interfere in the siege, what difficulty is there in my death?"
Under his words, even if Xiang Yutian and the others truly wanted to attack, they couldn't, because it involved the dignity of martial artists. Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "At this moment, everyone is using their wits, you will never be able to master the final page of the 'War God's Manual'."
Liu Yu looked up at the sky, unmoved. Both sides of the decisive battle appeared carefree and relaxed, showing no sign of fighting desperately. In reality, however, this was not the case: when Yuan Yueze crossed Puchang Sea, the essence, energy, and spirit of both sides had already begun an invisible clash that was imperceptible to the naked eye. The essence, energy, and spirit of the two began to rise rapidly. Gradually, the azure sky, the desolate desert, the ancient city of Loulan, the gusts of wind, and the fluffy white clouds all vanished. Only the two figures remained, their all-encompassing, boundless, and limitless spiritual energies locked in a fierce clash. Darkness descended. Song Yuzhi's urgent cry rang out, "Ah! It's a solar eclipse!"
The crowd's focused attention scattered as they all looked up at the sky. A small, distinct trough appeared to the right of the sun, high in the sky, gradually widening. After a brief glance, everyone immediately focused on the situation. The two figures became clearer: Liu Yu's eyes flashed with light, his long hair billowed wildly, his robes fluttered, resembling a demon god. Waves of heat emanated from his body, crashing down on Yuan Yueze like ocean waves, one after another, without end.
Yuan Yueze maintained his sword-wielding stance, unchanged from the beginning, a static "drawing sword" posture. He knew Liu Yu was constantly draining his true energy, and the slightest carelessness would lead to annihilation. Therefore, he used stillness to control movement; no matter how wildly his opponent's spirit and attack power surged, his power increased with his opponent's. If Liu Yu was using Yin and Yang and the Five Elements for his own purposes, Yuan Yueze was merging with Yin and Yang and the Five Elements as one. Xiang Yutian and the others stroked their beards and smiled. The sky grew darker, a cold wind howled, and the crescent sun cast a bleak and sorrowful light. Liu Yu slowly raised his right palm, producing a deafening shrill sound. Without any visible movement, he suddenly appeared about ten feet in front of Yuan Yueze, striking with his palm. "Clang!"
The evil sword curved and sprang from its straight scabbard, arriving at Yuan Yueze's right hand. Within a few feet of space, Liu Yu's palm strikes were unpredictable, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. He drew various bizarre illusory shapes in succession, then transformed his palm into fingers, fingers into fists, and pierced through Liu Yu's chest. No one would believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes. Yuan Yueze's eyes flashed with lightning, his evil sword hummed, emitting an extremely cold aura. Then, with a "bang!" he
vanished, transforming into a torrential downpour of shimmering light, striking Liu Yu's fist. A series of thunderous explosions echoed across the sky. The figures merged and separated in an instant, the two switching positions, widening the distance to ten palms, back to back. The sand and stones swept into the air fell back to the ground like raindrops. A cold wind howled, sand and dust swirled, and the figures on the battlefield began to blur. Everyone's attention was focused on the battlefield, even forgetting the most wondrous and spectacular celestial phenomenon unfolding in the sky. Liu Yu roared, the earth seemed to tremble in response, then he leaped into the air, his palms slightly curved, making subtle and ingenious changes, seemingly slow but actually fast, as he pounced on Yuan Yueze. In the blink of an eye, his unpredictable movements shifted countless times, finally culminating in his hands clasped together, his sleeves billowing, as he "drilled" forward. Observers might perceive this move as more flashy than practical, but only Yuan Yueze, directly involved, understood its terrifying power: in their previous clash, he had forcibly channeled his true energy into Liu Yu's body. Liu Yu's current attack not only condensed the absorbed energy of heaven and earth but also incorporated Yuan Yueze's true energy, concentrating it all at a single point. Its ingenuity rivaled the wonders of nature, its power enough to awe heaven and earth. Ordinary martial artists, unless at Xiang Yutian's level, would only suffer annihilation. A cone-shaped burst of energy shot through the air, tearing sand and gravel into the air like a wall, filling the sky with dust and debris, creating an apocalyptic scene under the dim sunlight. Yuan Yueze slowly turned, his eyes gleaming, his clothes and hair perfectly still, and swung his sword back with a powerful strike. At first glance, this sword strike seemed amusing, resembling a self-entertaining sword dance. Upon closer inspection, however, the already transparent blade became almost imperceptible, a manifestation of Yuan Yueze's infused energy and spirit. Liu Yu, exerting all his strength, felt a piercing whistling sound as the evil sword slashed down, appearing and disappearing, sometimes near, sometimes far. Then, the surrounding area was filled with incredibly powerful vortexes, creating a surreal and unreal atmosphere. He felt as if he were in a boundless ocean with towering waves, completely unsure of which aspect of his opponent's attack to respond to. "Pfft!"
The earth shook. Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu groaned simultaneously, their figures separating in an instant. The two streams of true energy collided, causing the ten-zhang space to instantly contract and collapse, then expand wildly outwards like a ball being torn apart by lightning. The last "pearl" of light on the sun's surface vanished in an instant, transforming into a strange black sphere emitting white light. The sky transitioned gradually from deep black in the center to deep blue and light blue on either side, then to purple, light purple, and finally a pale red at the horizon, shimmering with gold-edged clouds and a few dazzling stars. The beauty was eerie, beyond description. Darkness descended. A deathly silence fell before the ancient city of Loulan, and the distance between Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu had widened to over thirty zhang. The light in their eyes had dimmed, revealing the immense damage they had suffered in their earth-shattering battle, possibly even internal injuries. Yuan Yueze's voice rang out, "Do you regret it?"
Liu Yu gazed at the stars in the sky, realizing for the first time the wondrous power and beauty of the universe—otherwise, how could such a magnificent solar eclipse be created? Hearing this, he seemed to speak to himself, "Regret?" His
tone held a hint of desolation and unbearable sadness, which, in the darkness of the eclipse, made the scene even more desolate and bleak. After a brief pause, he regained his composure and continued, "I am very interested in knowing your origins and why your internal organs and meridians are stronger than mine?"
Yuan Yueze said, "I told you years ago that my body has been refined."
Liu Yu sighed for some reason, slowly stepped forward, and said calmly, "Today's battle is a fight to the death. Come, let's continue!"
Yuan Yueze held his evil sword horizontally in front of him and smiled, "Please!"
Liu Yu let out a long roar, his figure spinning like a whirlwind, shooting towards Yuan Yueze. His palms conjured hundreds of hand shadows, his clothes and long hair fluttering, his appearance fierce. Yet his expression was as calm as still water, showing his mental cultivation and realm. Calmly resisting the pressing energy from all directions, Yuan Yueze swept his long sword forward and backward, his moves light and graceful, his inner strength powerful and concentrated. Liu Yu was still within movement, Yuan Yueze was moving within stillness. Yuan Yueze finally crashed into Liu Yu's palm shadows. A ray of light suddenly streaked across the sky, and the light gradually brightened. A series of muffled sounds rang out as Liu Yu, bleeding from all seven orifices, was thrown backward like a kite with a broken string, his eyes flashing with a complex expression no one could understand. Drawn by the force of the energy, Yuan Yueze, his nose bleeding, unleashed a torrent of sword shadows, pursuing Liu Yu like a whirlwind. The sudden change in light caused many with insufficient cultivation to momentarily lose their bearings, involuntarily closing their eyes and rubbing them. Only a few, including Xiang Yutian, could see every detail of the battlefield. "Clang!"
The evil sword returned to its sheath. Yuan Yueze, pale-faced, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the slumped Liu Yu. As the light intensified, the sandstorm gradually subsided, and the area outside the ancient city of Loulan became a peaceful and pure world. Xiao Ge's revenge was complete; Xiao Bei and her daughter embraced, tears streaming down their faces. Shan Wanjing cheered and rushed forward first, followed closely by the others. Liu Yu gasped for breath, seemingly unwilling, and said, "If I can master the final piece of the 'War God's Manual,' you will be no match for me."
Yuan Yueze shook his head speechlessly: This man showed no remorse even at the moment of his death. With his temperament, no matter how many more years he practiced, he would probably never reach the realm of shattering the void. But his personality was cultivated over a hundred years and could not be changed in a short time. Xiang Yutian said calmly, "What you are pursuing is something that does not belong to you. Your biological father is Li Dao'er."
Liu Yu finally raised his head, and the timid ones screamed in unison, turning their heads away. His face was frighteningly pale, blood still wet from his seven orifices, looking like a vengeful ghost, and he roared hoarsely, "You're talking nonsense! I am the Crown Prince of the Southern Dynasty, and it's all your fault that I lost my throne!"
Xiang Yutian said smugly, "Perhaps I was wrong at first, but you've lived so many more years thanks to me, haven't you?"
Liu Yu laughed loudly, laughing until blood and tears streamed down his face, a terrifying sight. After laughing, he gritted his teeth and said, "The timing was unfortunate. My defeat today was due to underestimating the enemy, not a fault in battle. Xiang Yutian, I, Liu Yu, will never forgive you, even in death!"
With a burst of maniacal laughter, Liu Yu struck Xiang Yutian on the head with a palm strike and collapsed limply. Even in his dying moments, he stared at Xiang Yutian with venomous eyes, refusing to close his gaze. At the same time, Song Shidao and Kou Zhong's troops arrived at Tongwan City, successfully joining forces with the 100,000-strong combined force led by the brothers Tuli, Geyuan, and Gunatei. (The fall of the Tang Dynasty is described rather simply; more detail wouldn't attract many readers, and this remains an extremely wish-fulfillment harem novel. I simply can't write this kind of story anymore… Also, the minor female characters' roles will be described in more detail in the bonus version.

Chapter 160: The Prosperous Dragon Soars (The End)
The Tang Dynasty travels freely to Hainan, crossing the Yangtze River to the south bank. A row of houses of varying sizes, arranged in a staggered pattern, is built against the foothills of Wuzhi Mountain, nestled among dense coconut and areca palm trees. Between the trees, bamboo fences enclose vegetable plots, where various vegetables grow tender and juicy. A clear stream flows gently past the houses, creating a warm and intoxicating feeling that makes one want to stay forever. Waterfalls rush on both sides, and hills, plateaus, and plains surround the mountains, forming a ring upon a ring, creating a majestic scene against the backdrop of the southern coast. The entire complex is a unified whole, with buildings, pavilions, terraces, and platforms all perfectly placed, a truly breathtaking sight.) A graceful, large waterside pavilion floats on a clear pool beneath the western waterfall of the housing complex, with a broken stone bridge leading directly to the main entrance. The pavilion, bridge, and railings create a tranquil and comfortable atmosphere. Inside, there is an open hall with simple yet elegant furnishings. To the east of the housing complex stands a solitary, towering boulder, upon which sits a small pavilion. A stone railing surrounds the boulder, furnished with stone fruits and benches. Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao are seated in the pavilion, enjoying the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Dozens of women can be vaguely seen playing on the beach. After a long silence, Song Shidao sighed, "Master Lu's design is truly extraordinary. These houses, nestled against the mountain, seem to have melted into nature, full of vitality and charm."
Yuan Yueze elegantly exhaled a smoke ring and chuckled, "We were the ones who did the work!"
He paused, then sighed again, "How many years has it been?"
Song Shidao also exhaled a smoke ring and laughed, "Since you defeated Liu Yu in the ancient Loulan Kingdom and returned to Luoyang to pick up Xiaoqian, Xiaoxian, and the other girls, it has been exactly forty-nine years, three months, and seven days."
Yuan Yueze was astonished, "Second Brother remembers it so clearly."
Song Shidao gave him a disapproving look and said confidently, "Of course, because in the autumn of that year, Tuli, Xiaozhong, and I defeated the Jinlang Army, and after returning to Luoyang to marry Wenqing, you didn't even show up except to send a gift. Today is the first time we've met!"
Yuan Yueze scratched his head and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Xiaozhong and Ziling haven't seen you since either, have they?"
Song Shidao slumped his shoulders in resignation. The two men exchanged a glance and burst into loud laughter. When the laughter subsided, they both wore expressions of reminiscence. That day, the Luoyang army and the Northern Frontier coalition had launched a preemptive strike, their 150,000 troops sweeping straight towards the Khanate of Jieli, invincible in their advance. Jieli, having lost Liu Yu's support and diverting some troops to defend Chang'an, was powerless to act. He ordered his troops to withdraw to the rescue while feigning a truce. Song Shidao used this tactic against him, and Jieli was defeated and committed suicide. The Eastern Turkic Khaganate was declared extinct. The external threat that had plagued the Central Plains for years was finally eliminated. This victory shook the world, even more inspiring than Yuan Yueze's victory at Longquan, washing away the waning morale of the Central Plains' military since the fall of the Han Dynasty. The foreign states, represented by the Western Turkic leader, no longer dared to resist and declared their submission. After the Luoyang army and the Northern Frontier coalition parted ways, Song Shidao and Kou Zhong rushed back to the Central Plains. After Jieli's death, the Song family army conquered Hanzhong and marched north, successfully recovering the desolate and ruined Chang'an. Simultaneously, the Song-Lu army defeated Zhu Can, and Xiao Xian was forced by Song Zhi to defend Dongting Lake, where he was annihilated by the Song navy the following year. Xiao Xian was forced to surrender and was later demoted to a commoner. Other remaining minor forces were also quickly wiped out. Kou Zhong, having achieved his goal, handed over military power to Song Shidao and, along with Xu Ziling, married daughters of the Song clan. Ironically, Xu Ziling only accepted Song Shidao's beautiful cousin because he couldn't refuse her advances. They lived a carefree and unrestrained life, enjoying the mountains and forests. Like Yuan Yueze, they traveled the world with their newlywed wives, like a divine couple, their happiness beyond description. That autumn, Song Shidao married Hou Wenqing. Subsequently, based on the opinions of ministers such as Xu Xingzhi, the new dynasty was established without an era name, using the "new calendar" as its standard. He further divided the Central Plains and the northern regions into provinces and cities, changing only the names of officials while retaining their actual power. Ten years after the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the Central Plains were reunified, with an unprecedented territory. An unprecedented golden age officially began. Domestically, Song Shidao adhered to the policy of "benevolence and righteousness as the foundation, reason and law as secondary, respecting propriety and virtue while devaluing punishment." Because political reform could not be accomplished overnight, the political system temporarily adopted by Song Shidao was not significantly different from that of the previous dynasty. The Three Departments, Six Ministries, Five Offices, Nine Temples, and One Platform had clear divisions of labor and powers; the imperial examination system continued after reforms; and only minor changes were made to laws, economic systems, and military systems. The goal was simply to reduce the burden on the people and try to reconcile the contradictions between the central government and local authorities. Since ancient times, China has produced many wise rulers who were able to accept advice and were magnanimous and tolerant. However, in dealing with foreign tribes, the Han Chinese were valued more than the barbarians, causing resentment and making them unwilling to submit. Song Shidao deeply understood that the hatred between the Han Chinese and the various tribes beyond the Great Wall stemmed from the Chinese rulers' disdain for the barbarians and their veneration of the Han. Therefore, in his foreign policy, he adopted a policy of universal love: "Regardless of whether they are Han or barbarian, treat them all equally. Those who disobey will be subdued; once they submit, they will be treated as one nation, without suspicion. Counties and cities can be established in their territories, their chieftains appointed as officials, and they granted a high degree of autonomy." He believed that conquering the world did not require grand pronouncements of benevolence and righteousness, but governing it required prioritizing these virtues. In just two years, with the support of his ministers, Song Shidao accomplished the monumental task of pacifying the country and repelling foreign aggression. Externally, his military achievements were remarkable, and he subdued the barbarians with his virtue; internally, the government was efficient and the people prosperous. Thus, an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity emerged. However, reforms and preparations for war never ceased. In the eighth year of the new calendar, 400,000 troops of the "Western Expeditionary Army," carrying the latest firearms meticulously developed by Lu Miaozi over many years, traveled to Europe and West Asia; 100,000 troops of the "Southern Expeditionary Army," a combined land and sea force, set sail for the South Seas, embarking on a bloody campaign. After Song Que temporarily left China, he went to the most prosperous Eastern Roman Empire in Europe. Over several years, through his personal abilities, he established a good image among the common people and was revered as a "true god." Having achieved his goal, Song Que led the mixed-race woman back to the old city of Lingnan to live in seclusion. To reduce bloodshed, he deliberately traveled with the army. Under his "divine pronouncements," Heraclius the Great, already weakened by the Sassanid Persian invasion, became even more desperate. Meanwhile, the West Asian expeditionary force launched attacks against the Persians who had already conquered Mesopotamia and the Arabs who had just recovered Syria and Palestine and invaded Egypt. Within five years, the Eastern Roman Empire, the Sassanid Persian Empire, and the Arab Empire all fell. Except for some desolate areas, the Chinese army controlled almost the entire Eurasian continent. Song Shidao governed according to the pre-determined foreign ethnic policies. In the fifteenth year of the new calendar, 400,000 troops entered Africa from the north and east. By the twenty-sixth year of the New Calendar, the Chinese army had traversed every corner of the African continent, bringing advanced equipment and ideas that greatly improved the local people's intelligence and livelihood. Oceania was much simpler; Zhang Zhongjian, the Bearded Swordsman, had arrived in this region after leaving China. Over the years, he had established a position in the hearts of the people, much like Song Que in the Eastern Roman Empire. This region was still uncivilized at the time, making it extremely easy to govern. As for the distant Americas, it wasn't until the thirty-eighth year of the New Calendar that Lu Miaozi's steamship was finally perfectly applied to navigation, and the expeditionary fleet set sail in a grand procession. Apart from the Maya, the standard of living in other parts of the Americas was almost the same as in Oceania. Fu Cailin had traveled to the Americas and later gifted seeds to Fu Junyu and his daughters. His status in the Americas greatly benefited the expeditionary fleet. Eleven years later, the expeditionary fleet returned laden with supplies. On the surface, the world was unified. In reality, however, it was extremely difficult to manage, especially since various reforms had not yet been fully implemented. It was only thanks to Song Shidao's robust health that the unification of the world was possible; otherwise, it would have been a harmful endeavor. For over forty years, political reforms have been gradually implemented, and the separation of powers has gradually matured. As for the next steps, Song Shidao didn't tell Yuan Yueze, knowing he would only listen in one ear and let it go in the other. Song Yuhua's soft, beautiful voice came from afar, saying, "Lunch is ready. We'll eat at the waterside pavilion on the west side. What do you think, Shidao?"
Song Shidao hurriedly stood up and bowed to this elder sister he always respected. Song Yuhua, dressed in a simple white dress, smiled and gracefully approached. Xinran took Song Shidao's hand and sighed, "You are the ruler of a country, how can I accept such a grand gesture from you?"
Song Shidao scratched his head awkwardly, looking miserable, and said, "Elder sister is making fun of me again. If Xiao Zhong hadn't run away so quickly that day, I would have pushed him into this troublesome position."
Song Yuhua and Yuan Yueze immediately burst into laughter, and the former asked, "How has Father been these years?"
Song Shidao replied, "My second and third uncles are both officials in the country, so we can meet often. Since Father and Aunt Qiong returned to the Central Plains, we have been living in seclusion in our old residence in the mountain city and have never received any guests."
Aunt Qiong was the mixed-race woman who accompanied Song Que back. Although she was about the same age as Song Shidao, she was of a higher generation. Yuan Yueze said thoughtfully, "I sensed that Master Xiang, Master Fu, True Man Ning, and Bi Xuan had all departed, and the Four Great Monks had either attained Buddhahood in their physical bodies, so my senses weren't very strong. Father-in-law should have reached that level as well, but he probably couldn't bear to leave Aunt Qiong behind!"
Song Shidao nodded and said, "Xiaoze has also reached this level, so my senses are probably correct. Perhaps Father and Aunt Qiong will reach that level together someday in the future, after all, life is still long."
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "This is all thanks to the battle with Liu Yu!"
Song Yuhua smiled gently, "Shidao, there's no need to be envious. After the country is well-governed, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy life and cultivate the Tao."
Song Shidao asked curiously, "When does Xiaoze plan to leave this mortal world?"
Yuan Yueze's eyes rippled with a dreamlike quality, and he whispered, "I love this vibrant world so much! I never even thought about leaving..."
Song Yuhua gently took their hands, and the three of them slowly walked out of the stone pavilion. Song Yuhua said happily, "I met Shidao and Wenqing's son, Changfeng, and I realized that this child is a dragon among men, whose achievements are boundless."
Song Shidao sighed, "Watching him grow older little by little, while Wenqing and I show no signs of aging, I realize how wise it was to have only one child."
He couldn't help but sigh. Yuan Yueze said helplessly, "It's a pity that the last pill was given to Aunt Qiong, alas!"
Song Shidao laughed, "Pills are things that disrupt the laws of nature; it's better when they're used up. I really hope the system will be implemented soon..."
Song Yuhua giggled, "That will probably take more than a hundred years, right? Alright, Wenqing and Changfeng are waiting for us. I need to go call the sisters, let's go!"
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked along the corridor towards the waterside pavilion. A large stone table that could rotate freely was laden with fine wine and delicacies, making one's mouth water. The table was quickly filled with people, yet there was no feeling of crowding. Yuan Yueze sat with Song Shidao and his two sons at another small table. Inheriting the dashing good looks of his ancestors, Song Changfeng stared blankly at the dozens of fairies before him, feeling a bit dizzy. Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and looked around, asking, "Why hasn't Yu Yan arrived yet?"
Song Changfeng blushed, realizing his embarrassment. Song Yuhua exclaimed, "I called for Sister Yuyan before I told you!"
Shan Meixian said, "Let's start eating, Mother should be here soon."
The girls, always eager for food, immediately agreed, and everyone smiled. They then began to eat, clinking glasses and chatting happily. Zhu Yuyan, who was reading in the front courtyard of the complex, put down her book, stretched comfortably, and prepared to have lunch. Suddenly, she stopped, a strange smile playing on her lips, and without turning her head, said indifferently, "It's been decades since we last met. How have you been, Master Fanzhai? I've prepared a lot of vegetarian dishes today; I hope you enjoy them."
After a while, "creak!"
the low wooden door was pushed open. A slender, graceful white figure appeared inside.
- The End -

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