【Under the Great Tomorrow】(64)

【The Great Ming Dynasty】
Author: hui329
Published: 2017/9/21 First Release
Word Count: 11385
Chapter Sixty-Four: Undercurrents
The bridal chamber was empty, and the beloved was nowhere to be seen.
Ding Shou looked up at the half-length red silk hanging from the roof beam, his expression somber and silent.
Du Yunniang, Qian Ning, and the others carefully searched the house and courtyard, looking for clues.
Miao Kui and several other important figures who were qualified to follow him to the backyard exchanged glances, remaining silent and tight-lipped
.
"My lord..." Du Xingye approached, shaking his head with a look of shame.
Ding Shou snorted coldly and looked at Du Yunniang. The nine-tailed fox demon had roamed the underworld for many years, and her experience and knowledge of the martial arts world were unmatched by
others.
To everyone's surprise, Du Yunniang also looked troubled. "Master, the person who came was highly skilled in martial arts. They took her away without leaving a
trace." She shook the broken red silk in her hand and said, "This silk is strong and resilient. Although the cut is like a knife cut, there is no metallic
smell. It must have been cut
by a palm strike." Ding Shou took the broken silk and examined it. He said with a frown, "Meilian!"
"This servant is here." Meilian, who had been hiding tremblingly behind
, knelt down with a thud. "I told you to take good care of the new concubine. How did you take care of her? She was about to hang herself!"
"This servant... I didn't know." Meilian cried, trembling. The turn of events was completely unexpected. She
really didn't dare to tell Li Feng what she had said.
"Master, please spare my mother. Please have mercy. She didn't mean it..." Rui'er knelt down and kowtowed
to beg for mercy. In just a few kowtows, her fair forehead turned bruised and purple.
With a cold face, Ding Shou paced back and forth a few times before plopping down in a chair, his heart heavy. Li Feng, a weak
woman, wouldn't dare offend such a powerful figure. This person must be after him. If it was just blackmail
, that would be one thing, but what if he took advantage of her? Feng'er had just been violated; how could she tolerate being defiled again? Heh, ever since I came to
the Ming Dynasty, I've been cuckolded by others; I never thought it would happen to me…
Seeing his uncertain expression, Du Yunniang vaguely guessed what was troubling him. She stepped forward, supporting Ding Shou's
shoulder, and gently comforted him: “Master…” "Don't worry, people with such skills are all respected figures in the martial arts world. They wouldn't stoop so low as
to engage in such despicable acts as womanizing."
Ding Shou suddenly stood up and shouted, "Does womanizing necessarily mean someone from the martial arts world? Do you believe that if we went out right now
and stole every woman in Xuanfu, you bunch of good-for-nothings wouldn't find a single clue?"
As he spoke, the Second Master pointed at Qian Ning, Du Xingye, and the other
Jinyiwei guards, whom he considered useless, until he finally pointed at Miao Kui and the others. Only then did Miao Kui realize that his previous words had been a bit too unrestrained and sheepishly
withdrew his finger.
Miao Kui chuckled dryly, "Brother, don't worry too much. Abducting a bride is a big, living person. They ca
n't have run far. I'll mobilize the cavalry to pursue them. What do you two think?"
The last sentence was addressed to Shen and Liu, who were acting as door gods by the door. These two old shrewd men seemed to
have suddenly come to life.
"That's only right. To plunder officials' families is utterly lawless. I will immediately mobilize troops with my seal."
"There's no time to lose. I will immediately send my son with my personal guards to apprehend the criminals. Xuanfu's territory spans two thousand li; there's no
reason for them to be allowed to escape."
Ding Shou bowed to the men: "I accept your kindness, gentlemen, and will repay you in the future
."
After a few polite words of "You're too kind," the three old foxes gave their orders .
Fortunately, the guests at the wedding banquet in the outer courtyard were Xuanfu's officers, so there was no need to go to the trouble of beating drums to summon them.
Amidst the chaotic commotion, Wang Liu, sweating profusely, rushed in from the front door, his face
still beaming with joy. "Second Master, I've finally found you! Another group of people have come to offer their congratulations,
and we're short on copper coins. Please inform the accountant..."
Seeing the unfriendly expressions on the faces of those inside, Wang Liu's voice trailed off, realizing he'd probably run into trouble. Sure enough
, his master roared, "A bunch of troublemakers! Do you think the Ding family eats for free? Get them all out of here!!!
"
Wang Liu clutched his head and slipped out, nearly bumping into a young eunuch. The eunuch hurriedly
approached Miao Kui and handed him a secret letter.
Miao Kui opened it, his expression changing drastically. He quietly pulled Ding Shou aside. "Something's happened 　　in the capital. Liu Daxia
has retired..."
********** ... 　　Gu Dayong, Ma Yongcheng, and a group of eunuchs sat anxiously in the hall, their faces full of worry. 　　Liu Jin, seated at the head of the table, however, calmly read a letter. 　　"Old Gu, Shou'er's getting married! He didn't even invite us for a celebratory drink! What a scoundrel!" 　　Liu Jin shook the letter, half-jokingly scolding. 　　"It's a concubine," Bai Shaochuan carefully corrected, "Perhaps Brother Ding thought it wasn't worth troubling you, 　　Eunuch." 　　"Nonsense! None of his women have been given official titles. Taking a concubine so openly must mean he truly 　　loves her. Heh, I'm really curious what kind of woman has caught this kid's eye." Liu Jin leaned back in his chair 　　, undeniably happy and content. 　　"Eunuch, that kid's eyes are watery; he's destined for many women. He'll be getting married many more times in the future. 　　Don't worry about him. Let's talk about serious matters," Gu Dayong interrupted, unable to contain himself any longer. 　　"That's right, there's plenty of time." Liu Jin clapped his hands and laughed, then paused slightly, "What do we have 　　to discuss?" 　　Gu Dayong almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Good heavens, the brothers gathered together so late at night instead of sleeping 　　, you think it's about Ding Shou's private affairs? "Liu Daxia, Your Excellency, with Liu's resignation, 　　the court will inevitably be in turmoil. We need to quickly come up with a plan to deal with it." 　　"This matter," Liu Jin seemed to finally come to his senses, giving a thumbs-up and praising repeatedly, his face full of satisfaction 　　, "Your Majesty has truly grown up. This move of going with the flow was brilliant. By using Liu Shiyong's memorial requesting resignation, 　　citing the example of Ma Futu, showing compassion for the old officials, and granting their wishes, you've silenced those bigwigs in the court, hahaha 　　..."

"Liu Daxia is a veteran official of four reigns, renowned throughout the court and the country. Now, officials from the Six Ministries and Six Offices are submitting
memorials requesting His Majesty to retain him. Perhaps we should take the easy way out and ask His Majesty to rescind his decree..." Wei Bin, who had just recovered from his injuries, boldly
suggested.
"A ruler's word is law." Liu Jin coldly glanced at Wei Bin, silencing his words.
"His Majesty has bestowed upon Liu Daxia the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, granted him a grand return with carriages and horses, and ensured that all servants and provisions are provided according to the old system. His favor is beyond
compare. Are we to go back on our word and change our orders every day because of a few memorials from those sycophants?"
"Liu Daxia's removal from office is a foregone conclusion. Further discussion is pointless. However, the cabinet members will certainly not let this go easily. The important thing now is to discuss
how to deal with this." Qiu Ju said coldly, without expression.
Wei Bin, hearing this, felt embarrassed. Ma Yongcheng, who shared his plight, said sarcastically, "How should we deal with this? Normally,
we're just small fry, neither side really hurt. But now we've taken a chunk out of their arm.
The cabinet probably wants to devour us alive."
Looking around at everyone in the hall, Ma Yongcheng sneered, "We can't compare to you in the Eastern Depot
, nor do we have the favor Zhang Gonggong has shown His Majesty in the Qianqing Palace, and we certainly don't have Luo Gonggong's
sweet-making skills that the Emperor can't live without. Tsk tsk, I'm afraid it won't be long before we become targets for the court officials."
Luo Xiang, caught in the crossfire, grinned but remained silent; Qiu Ju narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them.
"Old Ma, you're exaggerating, you're exaggerating..." Gu Dayong quickly tried to appease him, smiling as he smoothed things over.
"What do you mean, exaggerating? We're just cheap and weak, we can't withstand a few floggings," Ma Yongcheng said indignantly.
"If it weren't for our past relationship, you'd be long gone." Liu Jin squinted, seemingly
too lazy to even look at him. "Since you know your life is worthless, don't spout such vulgarities."
"You..." Ma Yongcheng made a move to get up, but instead slumped back into his chair, panting heavily.
Seeing that he had finally calmed down, Gu Dayong forced a smile at Liu Jin: "Since this wasn't our
intention, why don't you explain it to the cabinet ministers and clear up the misunderstanding?"
"Pass it on to the Emperor?" Liu Jin pointed to the sky and shook her head. "This isn't something a servant should do,
and I have no need to explain it to them."
Liu Jin slowly stood up, glanced at everyone, and said, "I called you here today to tell you to
behave yourselves better from now on and avoid doing anything foolish that could give others a handle against you. You may all leave now."
Everyone reluctantly dispersed, leaving only the Third-in-Command, Bai Shaochuan.
"Xiao Chuan, how's the matter I assigned you?" Liu Jin asked lazily.
"The man has been found. He's from Jiangxia, surnamed Cao." Bai Shaochuan's expression was calm and composed.
"That brat is a real headache." Liu Jin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Thank you for your trouble
."
"It's my duty to share the burden for the Grand Eunuch." His tone remained calm, neither happy nor sad.
"Go to Xuanfu and do me a favor." Liu Jin stood up and walked towards the back hall. "And bring that brat
back with you. Don't let him cause me any more trouble outside..."
**************************
While the powerful eunuchs of the Eastern Depot scattered like birds and beasts, the residence of Li Dongyang, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, was filled with distinguished guests
. Famous figures from both the court and the countryside gathered to welcome Wang Ao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who had just arrived in the capital.
Li Dongyang was a leader among the gentry with his literary talents. It had become a custom for his students and disciples to visit him after court each day to discuss literature and art. As the saying goes, a gentleman associates
with others but not with them, and he did not worry about slander from petty people.
"Zirong must be tired from welcoming his teacher north," a ugly scholar with triangular eyes said to Xu Jin with a smile.
"Brother Changguo, you flatter me. It's my duty as a junior. How could I dare to complain?" Xu Jin replied respectfully. Although the man before him was ugly
, his talent far surpassed his own. He was none other than Xu Zhenqing, who was ranked among the "Four Talented Scholars of Wuzhong" alongside Tang Bohu and others.
"It's not flattery, it's an exaggeration. Taking advantage of welcoming Mount Tai to have a small gathering with a beautiful lady is a wonderful opportunity
," another young man in a white robe laughed heartily.
Hearing this, Xu Jin's face flushed red, and he repeatedly said, "What do you mean? What do you mean?"
"Alright, Weixian, Zirong is an honest man and can't stand your jokes," Xu Zhenqing said lightly to the young man
.
The young man, Gu Yingxiang, was also a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign. He lived in Huzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. Hearing Xu Zhenqing
's words, he feigned displeasure and said, "You two talented scholars from Wuzhong are ganging up on me, a Zhejiang native! It's unfair!
Unfair!" " Weixian's words are biased," another 　　young scholar with a short mustache interjected. "
Your family has only been living in Changxing since your father's time; our ancestral home is Changzhou, which
is adjacent to the hometowns of the two Xu brothers. In fact, I, a native of Wuxi, am more of an outsider." 　　"Yucheng, you want to join in too? Come, come, let me, Gu, engage in a verbal battle with all the talented scholars of Southern Zhili today 　　! How delightful!" Gu Yingxiang first took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then braced himself, ready to begin his argument. 　　The scholar shook his head, ignoring his unreasonable fellow student, and smiled at Xu Jin, saying, "Zirong, you traveled south and north 　　, why didn't you bring back any local specialties or snacks? Everything in the capital is wonderful, but I'm not used to the food." 　　Gu Yingxiang, who was rolling up his sleeves, suddenly leaned over, "Brother Yucheng is absolutely right, haha, so you 　　're also a gourmand, truly worthy of the surname Gu." 　　Gu Kexue, instantly categorized as one of Gu Yingxiang's kind, stared at Xu Jin with bright eyes, 　　as if determined not to give up until the other party brought out some southern specialties and snacks. 　　As long as he didn't tease his wife, Xu Jin's mind cleared instantly. He chuckled and said, "The gifts are certainly prepared 　　, but you gentlemen are all literary talents, renowned for your scholarly achievements. If they were merely culinary delights, wouldn't that be beneath you? 　　" 　　Ignoring the disappointed pouts of the two Gu brothers, Xu Jin took out a book box and said to Xu Zhenqing, "Brother Changguo, 　　Brother Zhengming asked me to bring this. I'm offering it as a gift to you gentlemen." 　　Before Xu Zhenqing could take it, the quick-handed Gu Yingxiang snatched the box. "Let me see." He took out a 　　well-printed book and read the title with a puzzled look: "New Records of Taihu Lake?" 　　Xu Jin nodded proudly: "That's right, it is indeed 'New Records of Taihu Lake,' a collection of poems co-authored by Brother Zhengming and Brother Changguo. 　　Are you two gentlemen satisfied?" 　　The two Gu brothers, though young and impetuous, were not unreasonable and 　　immediately nodded in approval. 　　Gu Yingxiang's sip of tea hadn't been wasted after all; he immediately opened a passage and began to recite aloud: "The two mountains of Dongting..."

"It is a scenic spot in Wuzhong. It has a surrounding area, yet is not connected by city walls, allowing for a distant and lofty view. The Lingxi Pavilion, with its unique architecture, is
filled with ancient immortals and hermits' wonders, truly distinguishing it from other places. My friend Xu Zichang recently climbed West Mountain and showed me his eight
poems entitled 'Travelogue,' which I read and composed in response..."
Xu Zhenqing nodded and smiled: "This is the preface to Brother Zhengming's poem 'Traveling to Dongting East Mountain' written in the sixteenth year of the Hongzhi reign
. Although more than two years have passed, the old scenery is still vivid in my mind."
Xu Jin nodded in agreement: "The two brothers' poems about Dongting and East Mountain are a beautiful story in Wuzhong. I
regret not being able to witness it."
The two men lamented the passing of spring and autumn, while Gu Yingxiang's recitation continued: "In the past, Pi Ximei traveled to Dongting Lake and composed twenty ancient poems
, which Lu Luwang echoed. Their elegant style and refined writing still inspire people today, even after a thousand years. However, examining the inscriptions at Lumen
, most are about the Western Hills; and the beauty of the Eastern Hills is nowhere to be found. Would we be indebted to Lu Gong? I
cannot serve Lu Gong, but I hope that my trip to the Eastern Hills will not disappoint Xu Zi."
Gu Kexue clapped his hands in admiration: "The Hermit of Hengshan and Brother Changguo wish to emulate the legacy of the two sages, Pi and Lu, which is truly admirable
."
"What is there to admire? Sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone. Gentlemen, please tell me your thoughts, and don't be so self-satisfied." Yan Song, with a smile on his face,
accompanied Li Mengyang to the front of the group.
"Greetings, Brother Xianji, Brother Fenyi." The group bowed respectfully. Yan Song was close in age to them and had passed the imperial examination
in the same year, so he could be more casual in private. However, Li Mengyang was a Jinshi of the sixth year of the Hongzhi reign, a senior in the examinations, and could not be disrespected
.
Li Mengyang returned the courtesy halfway and smiled, "I wonder what you gentlemen were discussing just now? Could you tell me?"
Since it wasn't anything shameful, the men didn't hide anything and recounted what had just happened as a refined pastime.
Li Mengyang's expression changed upon hearing this. "The two sages, Pi and Lu? Are
you referring to Pi Rixiu and Lu Guimeng?" Xu Jin, still oblivious, laughed, "Indeed, during the Tang Dynasty, the two gentlemen, Pi and Lu, lived in seclusion in Wuzhong, exchanging
poems and composing verses, their works passed down through generations. Truly a blessing to the literary world, a blessing to Wuzhong."
Li Mengyang sneered, "The likes of Yuan Zhen, Bai Juyi, Pi, and Lu, when composing poetry, started with endless rhyming couplets, racking
up thousands of words without any discord. How is this different from grabbing gold in the market or performing on stage? Can such people be called sages?"
Xu Jin and the others were displeased upon hearing this. Pi and Lu had a great influence on the literary world of Jiangnan, and the elegant and flamboyant style of Wuzhong poetry was
largely inherited from them, yet they were being belittled by a man from Shaanxi. It was no wonder these men felt dissatisfied.
After arriving in the capital, Xu Zhenqing became close friends with Li Mengyang, a fellow poet. He advised, "Brother Xianji, you've gone too far.
Pi and Lu were contemporaries, each a potential match for another. While their talents may have clashed, their hearts were also aligned. Their writings are elegant and
refined, with much to their liking. Why generalize like this?"
Li Mengyang, however, was unmoved. Instead, he lamented, "Changguo previously told me he deeply regretted his past works, vowing
to revive classical literature, to follow the style of the Han and Tang dynasties, and to promote the Central Plains' spirit. But he's still stuck in the past, alas!"
This fellow scholar seemed utterly clueless about social etiquette. The other scholars exchanged bewildered glances, speechless, the atmosphere
tense.
"All writings throughout history have their merits; why be bound by the Han, Wei, and Tang dynasties?" A hearty laugh broke
the silence as Wang Ao, holding a bamboo cane, slowly approached.
"Greetings, Mr. Shouxi." Li Mengyang and the others bowed respectfully. This gathering was called a literary gathering, so they did not
address each other by official titles. Xu Jin and Xu Zhenqing, however, treated each other with the respect due to disciples and juniors.
Wang Ao smiled and nodded to everyone, then addressed Li Mengyang alone, saying, "In my opinion, Tang poetry is superior in style,
Song poetry in scholarship, and Yuan poetry falls somewhere in between. It resembles Song poetry in its essence, but its rhyme is similar to Tang. However, times have changed, and it's impossible to force a ranking
. Do you agree, Li?"
Li Mengyang, unmoved by Wang Ao's polite address, retorted, "In my humble opinion, poetry from the
mid-Tang dynasty onwards is unworthy of consideration."
Wang Ao was taken aback by the young man's retort, then smiled broadly, "Very well. Scholarship certainly requires a certain
tenacity. I have no intention of imposing my own will, but I have a word of advice: The key to learning from the ancients lies in understanding their meaning, not
just their words. This is the essence of literature."
The newly appointed scholars, along with Li Mengyang, bowed and said, "We are deeply grateful for your instruction, sir."
"Wang Shouxi, you've arrived much later than expected." The host, Li Dongyang, stepped forward and took Wang Ao's arm, saying, "The house is full of distinguished guests
, except for you. Please come with me."
Wang Ao and Li Dongyang bypassed the noisy front yard, passed through the garden, and headed straight for the back hall. Li Dongyang didn't say much along the way
, which made the old man Wang secretly curious.
"Shouxi, we've been waiting for you for a long time." The banquet was already prepared in the back hall. The people present were not the young men from the front
. In addition to the three elders of the cabinet, high-ranking officials from the ministries and the provincial governors were also present.
Wang Ao greeted everyone and bowed, then looked around and asked, "Is Dongshan here? I heard on my journey that he had retired
, and I traveled day and night, but I still missed him?"
Grand Secretary Liu Jian comforted him, "Shouxi is overthinking it. Dongshan has only retired; he wasn't forced to leave the capital. He's just going
to pick up a friend and will be here soon."
Who could possibly need Liu Daxia to pick him up? Wang Ao, filled with doubt, took his seat with the others. The host, Li Dongyang,
said, "Today, taking advantage of this welcome dinner for Shouxi, we can also discuss matters of the court."
"What is there to discuss? His Majesty is surrounded by treacherous officials, and those close to him are all sycophants
. Look at what happened to Dongshan; how can one not feel disheartened?" Grand Secretary Xie couldn't help but be furious. He had inexplicably implicated one of his protégés, and to avoid getting
tainted, he didn't even dare to offer a helping hand.
Li Dongyang looked uncomfortable, stroking his beard and forcing a smile, "We are all important ministers entrusted by the late emperor, and we have
the responsibility to uphold the government. How can we sit idly by?" At the same time, he secretly cursed Liu Jin. "I've already given you Xuanfu, and you still pull
this stunt. If you think the price you asked for was too low, you could have made a price. Why couldn't you have negotiated? You had to make me look
bad from both sides. I can't survive in this officialdom anymore. You don't even follow the rules."
"What Xiya says is absolutely right. His Majesty is young, and if he is not properly guided, we will fail the late Emperor's great favor and be ashamed of our
responsibility as regents." The old minister Liu Jian spoke eloquently: "Fortunately, Shouxi has come to the capital, and we have gained strong support. After a few days of familiarizing ourselves with
the affairs of the Ministry, we will recommend you to take charge of the Ministry of Personnel. Given our past relationship with the Crown Prince, His Majesty will surely agree. Xiya,
please also give a word to your fellow graduate."
Li Dongyang naturally knew who Liu Jian was referring to and nodded, saying, "Huian, rest assured, Jiao Biyang will certainly assist
Shouxi wholeheartedly."
Liu Jian then turned to Han Wen, the Minister of Revenue, and said, "Guandao, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the population and wealth of the entire nation; it is of paramount importance. "
"We must live within our means and not be careless."
The descendant of Han Qi, a famous prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, immediately understood and nodded, saying, "This is the Ministry of Revenue's responsibility."
"Now that there is a vacancy in the Ministry of War, we must quickly put forward a suitable candidate. The Ministry of War must not fall into the hands of treacherous officials
." Liu Jian tapped the table lightly and frowned.
"Dongshan has been in charge of the Ministry of War for a long time. Why don't we listen to his opinion?" Xie Qian suggested.
"Alright." Liu Jian agreed, "Why hasn't the person arrived yet?"
Before he could finish speaking, Liu Daxia's hearty laughter was heard, "I am late, I have kept you all waiting.
"
Everyone stood up, but Wang Ao's gaze passed over Liu Daxia and looked at the
figure behind him wearing a black hooded cloak.
"I apologize for keeping you all waiting." With a hoarse voice, the person slowly lifted
the hood on his head...
**********
...
Inside the courtyard, as always, the lights flickered, the shadows of hairpins shimmered, and women flitted about.
"Oh, gentlemen, take care, come again another day!" Yi Chengjin, her body swaying in her Xiang-style skirt
, saw off a group of guests before swaying back to her room.
Yi Chengjin's room was far from the other girls in the brothel, and its furnishings were exquisite. On the high tables flanking the door
were teacups, vases, and flowers; a carved incense burner sat on a side table; a round rosewood table was paired with four
high-backed chairs draped with silver-red floral patterns; and beneath the agate-red gauze curtains in the inner room stood a Suzhou-embroidered screen, through which one could vaguely see
a carved embroidered bed with peach-red curtains.
The moment the door closed, a sharp glint flashed in Yi Chengjin's eyes. A fragrance mingled in the room, one that was definitely not
the one originally in her own room.
Turning abruptly, Yichengjin already held a golden hairpin in his hand. "Who goes there? Show yourself."
"You're quite alert." A voice came from behind the embroidered screen in the inner room, without a trace of panic. Then, something
flew out and landed steadily on the round table in the room.
If Ding Shou were here, he would be surprised. The object on the round table was a token, its design and pattern exactly the same as his Heavenly Demon
Token, only the material was different. This one was made of pure gold, and its appearance
was much better than his black iron token.
Upon seeing the token, Yichengjin knelt down, lifted his skirt, formed a mudra in front of his chest, and said respectfully with a solemn face, "Your subordinate pays respects
to the Demon Lord. The demonic flames are boundless and will never perish."
"Rise." A woman emerged from behind the screen, a few years younger than Yichengjin, with a peach-blossom face and
radiant beauty.
"So it is the Soul-Shaking Envoy who has arrived. Your subordinate has been impolite." After rising, Yichengjin remained respectful, not
daring to overstep his bounds.
The "Soul Shaker" walked slowly to the window, looking at the two small buildings half-built in the backyard, and said softly, "
Your place is much bigger."
"A young man from Nanjing fell in love with the girl in the courtyard and insisted on building a house and garden for her. Coincidentally,
the people in the neighboring courtyard moved away, so he sold that land," Yi Chengjin replied.
"Such a grand gesture," the "Soul Shaker" scoffed, then suddenly asked, "From Nanjing? What's his name
?"
"The third son of the Vice Minister of Revenue in Nanjing, named Wang Chaoru." Though he called him a "young master," Yi Chengjin's tone
lacked any respect.
"Sure enough, it was him. He used sweet words to seduce Yi Xian on the Qinhuai River. If I hadn't been watching closely, that
girl might have been deceived." The "Soul Shaker" shook his head disdainfully.
Yichengjin suddenly realized, "No wonder. Su San is usually so arrogant, yet she treats Wang San differently. I remember
those girls swore an oath to stay with their husbands after marriage..."
"Neither she nor Xue Limei are suited for martial arts. As long as she can bring money to the Demonic Sect, let her be.
" The "Soul Shaker" interrupted Yu Tangchun and the others, showing no concern. "Your subordinate
obeys." Yichengjin then asked in confusion, "Your Excellency, you brought the Heavenly Demon Token this time. Is there any
important matter you wish to instruct us on?"
With a flick of her jade hand, the golden Heavenly Demon Token on the table flew back. "The Demon Lord's decree..." The "Soul Shaker
" held the token in her hand, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes staring directly at Yichengjin.
Yichengjin knelt down again: "Your subordinate obeys." "
Disciples of the Demonic Sect in the two capitals and thirteen provinces are to investigate one person's whereabouts with all their might. Every move must be reported."
"Who is it?" Using all the Demonic Sect disciples in the world to gather information was something Yichengjin had never experienced since joining the sect,
and she couldn't help but feel curious.
The "Soul Shaker" spoke slowly and deliberately: "The current Vice Commander of the Embroidered 　　Uniform 　　Guard 　　, 　　Ding 　　— 　　Shou 　　. 　　" 　　**********
... 　　After a moment's contemplation, the young voice, tinged with amusement, said, " 　　Then 　　let 　　's 　　wait 　　and 　　see 　　. 　　" 　　********** 　　...

The voice wasn't loud, yet it sounded like a whispered instruction, and every one of the thousands of followers heard it clearly.
"Thank you, Master," the followers bowed and rose.
The masked man nodded to the man beside him and said softly, "Begin."
The man bowed in acceptance, then announced loudly, "Once you enter the White Lotus Holy Sect, you are all brothers, loving
and helping each other. Only the annual Grand Tournament will determine victory or defeat, and life or death."
The followers in the hall were completely silent, clearly accustomed to this.
The man scanned the entire hall. "The first round of Grand Tournament begins."
Immediately, a hundred men stepped forward and gathered in the martial arts arena. These men had already chosen their opponents,
bowed to the masked man, and then engaged in combat. For a moment, the underground palace resounded with the clang of metal and shouts.
The masked man, seated high above, remained indifferent to the fierce fighting unfolding before him. He rested his chin on his hand and whispered, "
Master Luo, what are your thoughts on the recent upheavals in the pseudo-Ming Dynasty?"
Master Luo bowed and replied, "According to news from the capital, this upheaval seems to be an accident, caused by a
Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) named Ding Shou acting impulsively."
"Ding Shou? That name sounds familiar..." The masked man seemed to be pondering, "
Was he the one who stirred up trouble at the Daxing branch last year?"
"Yes, he originally intended to publicize Zheng Wang's affair, but he swiftly quelled it
. Master Zhang even apologized for it."
The masked man chuckled. "Although the desired outcome wasn't achieved, the seed has been sown.
How much weed can grow in the hearts of those pseudo-Ming imperial family members? It's all up to fate anyway. What crime has Master Zhang committed?"
"The Master is magnanimous; it's a blessing for his subordinates," Master Luo flattered.
"That's not right." The masked man suddenly remembered something and added, "I remember the intelligence from before the New Year; it seemed
that kid was also involved in the Luoyang incident. Why didn't you mention it?"
"This subordinate was negligent for a moment; please punish me, Master." Hall Master Luo knelt down in fear, begging for forgiveness.
"Get up. It would be improper for the people below to see this." The masked man made a gesture of support, and Hall Master Luo was
lifted up by an invisible force, unable to kneel any further.
"Master's divine skills are invincible; this subordinate admires you." Hall Master Luo sincerely praised.
"I know you didn't want me to mention it because the intelligence involved Left Envoy Luo's whereabouts." The masked man turned and
glanced at Hall Master Luo. "As a junior, this kind of thinking is understandable."
Hall Master Luo looked embarrassed. "My great-uncle, as the Left Envoy of the Holy Sect, behaved strangely and disobeyed the teachings. He has
been in hiding for many years, which is a serious crime. I dare not exonerate him."
The masked man chuckled. "Who doesn't have an elder with a strange temper in their family? My uncle, the Right Envoy
, is no better. Humph, what a family disgrace!"
Hall Master Luo knew that the Right Envoy's matter was the sect leader's sore spot. He could make fun of himself, but others dared not agree. He quickly changed
the subject. "Sect Leader, that court lackey named Ding Shou has repeatedly ruined my important affairs. Is it possible that..." He raised his hand and made
a downward cutting gesture.
The masked man shook his head. "The Holy Cult is about to launch an attack. Don't let a small matter cause a bigger disaster. Let him
enjoy himself for a few more days."
While the two were talking, the outcome of the martial arts competition was decided
. Dozens of cult members 　　lay dead on the ground, the rest bowing in respect.
Accompanied by Hall Master Luo, the masked man slowly descended from the platform and entered the arena 　　. He neither encouraged the victor nor comforted the wounded,
but carefully examined the gradually cooling corpses, sighing 　　, "Young brother, this mediocre skill is far from enough to be considered a master 　　in
the martial 　　world 　　... " ********** ... 　　The white-robed woman with her hair tied up in a high bun said softly, "I've received news that since the battle at Blackwood Cliff, 　　the remnants of the Demonic Sect, dormant for many years, are stirring again for some unknown reason. While you're visiting your parents this time, you should also investigate 　　. If those old devils are truly restless, I won't hesitate to return to the 　　martial world." "Don't worry, Master," the girl in the dark blue dress smiled, 　　"the Demonic Sect's clowns are nothing but trouble; I easily dealt with them." She waved her jade flute, "You and your master can live out your days in Zhongnan Mountain and continue your life as immortal 　　lovers." 　　The white-robed woman flipped her sleeve, revealing a jade flute in her alabaster hand. She lightly tapped her disciple's forehead, "Gossiping and 　　slandering your elders, you deserve a beating." 　　"Ouch!" the girl in blue cried out in pain, pouting, "If you hurt me, no one will come down the mountain to gather 　　information!" 　　"You..." The woman in white shook her head and smiled bitterly, three parts helplessness and seven parts indulgence. "You should think about 　　your own affairs after descending the mountain. Your cultivation has reached a bottleneck. If you don't find a suitable Daoist partner..." 　　The girl in green was already impatient. Before the woman could finish speaking, she waved her sleeve, "Old clichés, I won't listen. 　　" 　　She unfolded her figure, her graceful form turning into a wisp of green smoke, gradually disappearing along the mountain path. In the blink of an eye, she was gone. 　　The mountain peaks were as beautiful as a brocade screen in a painting. Under the bright sunlight, the shadows of the trees were dazzling. Kingfishers chirped softly, and the mountain breeze caressed 　　her face. The girl turned around and saw that her master and the mountain path had long since vanished. She closed her eyes and gently inhaled the fragrance of the forest flowers, her heart filled with joy. "Jianghu 　　, this young lady has arrived..." 　　[attach]2969517[/attach] 　　********** 　　... 　　Ten years ago, during his heyday, Ise Shinkuro moved his residence here and began to build it with great effort, intending it to be 　　the foundation for his family's dominance in the Kanto region. The towering walls and numerous watchtowers atop them testified to the 　　family's ambition. 　　Inside the lord's mansion, a winding bridge spanned a clear pond, where water lilies and the surrounding houses created 　　a picturesque scene, adding a touch of Zen. 　　In the courtyard, imbued with a strong Japanese atmosphere, dozens of men in black knelt, their leader bowing his head deeply to the ground 　　, pleading, "The Fuma Clan has failed in their duty to protect their lord; we beg to atone with our deaths." 　　Suddenly, the door to the main house opened, and a young man dressed in a large-patterned samurai uniform coldly surveyed the crowd. " 　　Can your deaths bring back the lives of my elder brother and Kikujumaru?"

The men in black bowed deeply again, silent.
The young samurai, his chest heaving, suppressed his anger and grief, and coldly said, "My father has ordered: you shall choose
the next Fuma Kotaro to continue serving our family's great cause."
The Fuma clan members were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this, and they all said in unison, "The Fuma clan will do its utmost to repay our lord."
The young man turned and went into the house, passing through a deep corridor until he reached the top floor of the castle tower.
He opened the shoji door and knelt before it, saying to an old monk sitting cross-legged inside, head bowed, chanting sutras,
"Father, why didn't you kill them?"
The old monk raised his head, revealing a weathered and vicissitudinous face. This was the master of Odawara Castle—
Ise Shinkuro Moritoki, whose Buddhist name after entering monastic life was Soun-an Sōzui. If it weren't for the wings of a certain troublemaker, he would
have left an even more illustrious name in the history of Japan's Sengoku period—Hojo Soun.
Shinkuro shook his head wearily. "Lord Ujichika sent a letter requesting that we send troops to
assist Uesugi Tomoyoshi in attacking Uesugi Akisada, the Kanto Kanrei. We need manpower right now, and we can't cut off our own arm."
The boy, Shinkuro's second son, Ise Ujitoki, frowned upon hearing his father's words, hesitating to speak
.
"What do you want to say?" Shinkuro asked.
"Father, now that our family has control of Izu and Sagami, it is
the time to strengthen our military and expand our territory. Why should we obey our cousin and help Ogitani Uesugi, who will inevitably become our enemy?"
Ise Moritoki sighed inwardly. He had spent half his life on the battlefield and had never been close to women. He only married
and had children after the age of fifty. His eldest son was insightful and had inherited his father's qualities. His third son was sent to Kongōin Monastery in Hakone to become a monk from a young age
. His second son was brave and skilled in battle and could have assisted his elder brother in building his career. But now that his two sons were dead, he could only start from scratch
to train this impulsive and reckless second son.
"Ujichika is not only my nephew, but also the lord of the Ise family. I am still a retainer of the Imagawa family.
The hierarchy cannot be disregarded." With a slight sigh, Ise Moritoki continued, "Our foundation is not as strong as that of the powerful clans in Kanto. In order to
win the hearts of our people, I changed the original tax system of 'five public and five private' to 'four public and six private,' which has already angered
the lords of Kanto. Without strong support, we cannot stand alone."
It's amazing that Shin-Kuro could say such a thing. The tax rate of five public and five private was only enough to make the Japanese people revolt. If it were on the other
side of the sea, who knows how many Li Zichengs would have emerged. Not to mention the outrageously low tax rate of the Ming Dynasty, in the past five thousand years, only
the Qin Dynasty had a tax rate of "half" that could be compared to this. However, the Qin Dynasty unified the six countries with its high-speed state machinery
, but because of its own system, it also caused the people of the six countries who had never experienced such a life to rebel. It can be said that "what made him successful
also made him unsuccessful."
Unfortunately, Ise Ujitoki was still puzzled and continued to ask, "Father once said that the two Uesugi clans are
stumbling blocks on our family's path to great achievements. Why should we help them?"
"The two Uesugi clans are deeply rooted. If they unite, our family will never rise to prominence. It is better to take
this opportunity to divide and weaken them and reap the benefits."
"Father's insight is profound. I understand." Ise Ujitoki bowed his head.
Shin-Kuro nodded in satisfaction. "Prepare for the expedition."
"Your son begs to resign," Ise Ujitoki said resolutely. "My brother and Kikujumaru have not yet avenged their great grudge. I have no heart to lead
an army. Please allow me to go to Tang Dynasty to seek revenge."
"You scoundrel!" Shin-Kuro roared. "Fūma Kotaro, one of the top ninjas in Japan, still died in a foreign land
. How dare you overestimate yourself? Do you want my family's great cause to end without a successor, and for me to die alone?!"
Ise Ujitoki knelt on the ground in fear. "Your son dares not."
"Step back."
At Shin-Kuro's angry shout, Ise Ujitoki hastily withdrew.
Seeing that his son had disappeared, Shin-Kuro's furious face calmed down.
"My father loves his son dearly and has good intentions." A mesmerizing voice sounded, and
a slender figure suddenly appeared behind the shoji door of the side room.
Shin-Kuro twirled the prayer beads in his hand, his voice filled with resentment: "The Tang people made this old man bury his son; I will not
rest in peace until I avenge this."
He placed the prayer beads on the ground, left the prayer mat, and respectfully bowed to the figure behind the door. "I entrust this to you
."
He nodded silently, the figure contorted, and vanished.
Alone, he climbed the observation deck of the castle tower. Shin-Kuro gazed at Mount Ishigaki and the Izu Peninsula, a
breathtaking panorama of mountains and sea. He sighed, "I really want to know what it's like on the other side of the sea..."
**************************
The waves crashed against the rocks, the rocks remaining unmoved, the scattered fragments awakening the heartbroken
young woman.
"Where is this?" Li Feng groggily opened her beautiful eyes.
"The East Sea." A figure stood gracefully on the beach, clothes fluttering, long hair flying.
The moisture dampened her padded jacket and skirt, clinging to her exquisitely beautiful body. Li Feng felt a chill and tightened
her collar. "You saved me?"
"Just doing it on the spur of the moment. I originally came to see a new friend, but—I don't want to see him anymore." The figure on the reef
shook his head. "But it wasn't a wasted trip."
He slightly opened his left hand, and a brown wine jug emerged from the water beneath the reef. He uncorked it with slender fingers, took a sip
, and said with satisfaction, "Strong wine, cold water, refreshing."
The jug swayed, the clear wine rippling, its aroma spreading towards the beauty's face.
"Liu Ling Zui!" The familiar aroma of the wine evoked painful memories, and a tear slid down her glistening cheek. "Why did you
save me?"
"And why did you seek death?"
"Women's lives are bitter, what else can they do but die?" Li Feng felt bitter and wanted to vent her emotions before dying, so she
spoke her entire story.
"Is it worth it for a man?" There was no pity, nor indifference, just curiosity.
Head bowed, Li Feng said softly, "A woman's heart can't hold too much. A man's eyes can hold the world
, but a woman's eyes only hold men."
"Then remove the man from your sight, girl. Everything a man has—wealth, power, beauty—
is within your grasp." Playing with the ribbon on the wine jug, gazing at the vast, misty waters, "If you want it, even the world
."
Startled, her eyes widened. Hearing such unconventional words for the first time, Li Feng felt a mixture of fear and...
A glimmer of hope lingered: "Women... really...?"
"Follow me, and you can." The answer was firm, proud and aloof.
The words of the person before her seemed to hold endless allure, and Li Feng's desire for death was reignited. "
Who exactly are you?"
The strong liquor went down her throat again. The figure turned around, her face as beautiful as jade, impossible to look directly at. "Decades ago, in the martial world,
I was known as the Evil Hidden One—Qin Jiuyou."
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【Under the Great Tomorrow】(64)

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