【I Desire the World】【Part Three】

"To be precise, that old sheepskin is actually a treasure map!" Wei Lingyao replied with a slight smile. "It contains not only wealth beyond measure, but also powerful weapons and equipment sufficient to arm 100,000 elite troops!"
"A treasure map?" Wu Zi'ang took out the tattered sheepskin from his pocket and examined it for a moment, but found no trace of any patterns or markings.
"This sheepskin has been soaked in a special material. To reveal the patterns, it must be soaked in fresh blood!" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's puzzled expression, Wei Lingyao explained with a smile.
"I see!" Wu Zi'ang's face showed a look of realization, and he turned to look at her with a smile, saying, "Fairy, your knowledge is truly admirable!"
"I also saw it yesterday…!" At this point, Wei Lingyao suddenly stopped speaking. Although the veil concealed her unusual expression, a hint of shyness could not be hidden in her beautiful eyes.
Wu Zi'ang immediately understood that she had seen the sheepskin when she changed his clothes yesterday, and therefore had already studied it then!
"Ahem! I understand!" Wu Zi'ang coughed lightly, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Yesterday, Brother Wu suffered a qi deviation, his life was in grave danger, and the fiery energy within you was so intense that ordinary people couldn't even touch you. In this emergency, I had no choice but to act impolitely. Please forgive my rudeness, Brother Wu!" Wei Lingyao forced her voice to sound calm and natural. Although she had cultivated the Dao since childhood and her mind was more resilient than most, seeing a man naked for the first time still made her feel unbearably ashamed.
So that's how it is. No wonder the other party wouldn't let the waiter change his clothes. Wu Zi'ang suddenly understood, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Being seen naked by a beautiful woman was somewhat embarrassing, but he hadn't lost anything! Perhaps, strictly speaking, he had the advantage! If he and Wei Lingyao had switched places in this matter, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to offer these apologies.
“If it weren’t for your rescue, Fairy, I would probably be dead already. What blame could I possibly have?” Wu Zi’ang smiled sincerely and said, “Fairy, you flatter me!”
“It’s good that Brother Wu doesn’t mind!” At this moment, the shyness in Wei Lingyao’s eyes faded, and she returned to her usual tranquility. After a
pause, she asked, “Brother Wu, could you do Lingyao a favor?” “Oh, please speak, Fairy!” Wu Zi’ang replied immediately after a moment of surprise.
“I know that Brother Wu is a man of integrity. I have no objection to being entrusted by Chang Shun to deliver the lost soul to Luo City. However, I humbly request that Brother Wu tell me where the transaction with the Demonic Sect takes place.” Wei Lingyao’s eyes showed earnestness as she softly stated her request.
Wu Zi’ang thought for a moment and immediately understood her intention. He smiled and asked, “Does Fairy intend to wait until after the transaction is completed before attempting to seize it from the Demonic Sect?”
“Brother Wu is indeed clever. That is exactly what Lingyao intended!” Wei Lingyao said with a hint of admiration in her voice.
“In that case, I won’t have broken my promise! Hmm, I can help with this, but only if the safety of Changshun’s wife and children is guaranteed! Can you do that, Fairy?” Wu Zi’ang pondered for a moment, then asked with a smile.
“Lingyao can guarantee that Changshun’s wife and children will be absolutely unharmed!” Wei Lingyao didn’t deliberately emphasize her words, but one could clearly feel the strong confidence in them.
“Since that’s the case, I’ll do this favor. I wonder if this can offset the life-saving grace you gave me?” Wu Zi’ang played with the sheepskin in his hand and asked with a light laugh. “
Lingyao finally understands that Brother Wu was only generous in words, but in the end, he still couldn’t bear to hand over the Demon God Record and the Profound Heart Technique! Since Brother Wu thinks that his life is only worth this ready-made favor, then I have nothing more to say!” Seeing that the other party agreed, a hint of joy appeared in Wei Lingyao’s eyes, and she answered crisply.
Upon hearing this, Wu Zi'ang chuckled and said, "Hearing you say that, Fairy, I'm truly ashamed of taking my life so lightly! Fairy, listen carefully, the place where I'm making a deal with the Demonic Sect is in a place called 'Soul-Stealing Cave' in Luo City!"
"Soul-Stealing Cave!" Wei Lingyao frowned slightly, a thoughtful look in her eyes, indicating that she was quite unfamiliar with this place as well. After a moment, she raised her eyebrows and said, "Lingyao doesn't know this place, but I think Elder Zuo can answer our questions!"
"Is it that Senior Zuo Xingyuan from earlier??" Wu Zi'ang asked casually.
"That's right!" Wei Lingyao nodded lightly and said, "Once the ship docks, we'll find out the location of the Soul-Stealing Cave and set off immediately. Does Brother Wu have any objections??"
"I'll follow Fairy's instructions. Anyway, I'm just doing a favor, so don't expect me to be of any help!" Wu Zi'ang put away the Soul-Stealing Charm and answered slowly, feigning laziness.
"It's alright, Brother Wu, you can just observe from the sidelines. Lingyao will take care of the rest!" Wei Lingyao said with a smile.
"If I may ask, Fairy, you are so determined to obtain this Soul-Losing Charm. Do you perhaps also aspire to rule the world?" Wu Zi'ang asked tentatively.
"What do you think, Brother Wu?" Wei Lingyao countered with a half-smile.
"I don't know much about you, Fairy, so I dare not make any pronouncements!" Wu Zi'ang said truthfully.
"The first thing I will do after I retrieve the Soul-Losing Charm is to burn it in front of you, Brother Wu. Do you understand what I mean?" Wei Lingyao said with a light laugh.
"Understood!" Wu Zi'ang nodded and smiled, "By burning this thing, everyone will have nothing to fight over, which will surely prevent a lot of unnecessary killing. Fairy's actions are indeed of immeasurable merit!"
"Don't flatter Lingyao. Burning the Soul-Losing Guide was at my master's behest. Now that the Demonic Sect's power is growing stronger, if such a thing falls into their hands, the consequences will be unimaginable! Therefore, only burning it is a permanent solution!" Mentioning the Demonic Sect, Wei Lingyao's tone contained a hint of worry, and she sighed softly.
"Demonic Sect? What kind of sect is that?" For Wu Zi'ang, everything the other party mentioned was unfamiliar, and out of curiosity, he fully demonstrated his spirit of not being ashamed to ask questions.
"More than two hundred years ago, the last emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, King Cheng of Zhou, passed away. Various powerful ministers seized the opportunity to raise armies and establish their own regimes. After more than ten years of chaotic warfare, the world was divided into four kingdoms: Eastern Qin, Western Jin, Southern Wei, and Northern Liang. However, some loyal ministers and elders of the Great Zhou Dynasty always harbored the idea of restoring the Great Zhou. Therefore, they secretly gathered forces and founded the Huitian Sect! It was a metaphor for using the power of heaven to restore the Great Zhou Dynasty! And this Huitian Sect is the predecessor of the Demonic Sect!" Wei Lingyao patiently explained to the other party: "Later, as the four kingdoms were divided for a long time and the four-way division of the world was established, the restoration of the Great Zhou became increasingly unlikely. In their eagerness to expand their power, the Huitian Sect began to indiscriminately recruit highly skilled martial artists, resulting in a large number of notorious and infamous people infiltrating the sect. The sect's rules were corrupted and its doctrines were lost. Over time, it eventually evolved into the Demonic Sect we know today!"
“I understand!” Wu Zi’ang nodded and smiled. “Actually, I only asked casually, but I didn’t expect the fairy to answer in such detail!”
“Brother Wu, are you finding Lingyao too long-winded?” Wei Lingyao asked with a slight reproach.
“No, no, fairy, please don’t misunderstand! I had no such intention!” Hearing the other’s coquettish tone, Wu Zi’ang’s heart couldn’t help but flutter. He wondered if the fairy would show this human side when talking to others?
Wei Lingyao turned her head and looked at the shimmering river, as if talking to herself, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been so long-winded!”
Hearing this, Wu Zi’ang also turned his head to the river and sighed softly, “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone so long-winded!”
Wei Lingyao was taken aback at first, and then couldn’t help but chuckle. She said, “Perhaps it’s because I feel a connection with Brother Wu. I find it very pleasant to talk to Brother Wu!”
“I feel the same way!” Wu Zi’ang said with a smile, his gaze still fixed on the vast river.
The boat had now reached the middle of the river. Looking out, the vast expanse of water stretched out before them, bathed in the gentle breeze and bright sunshine under a clear blue sky—a truly breathtaking and delightful sight. Standing at the bow, observing the river scenery like this was a first for Wu Zi'ang.
"We've been chatting for so long, Brother Wu, won't you tell us about yourself? Are you going to Luocheng to see your father?"
After a pause, Wei Lingyao suddenly asked.
"Indeed!" Mentioning his father, Wu Zi'ang frowned slightly, nodded, and sighed softly.
"And after that, Brother Wu, what are your plans?" Wei Lingyao asked again.
"Of course, it's to assist my father in defending Luocheng!" Wu Zi'ang frankly stated his thoughts.
"Forgive my bluntness, Lingyao, but Zhao Qi's 100,000 troops are currently stationed outside Pingyang City. His intentions are self-evident. If Pingyang falls, Luoyang will have no external support, and your father will inevitably be caught in a dilemma. Nanwei doesn't need to attack the city directly; a simple siege will be enough to make Luoyang fall without a fight." Wei Lingyao seemed quite knowledgeable about the current situation in Qinwei, and her words revealed the crisis facing Wu Tianyao.
Wu Zi'ang had, of course, heard about Zhao Qi's large army stationed outside Pingyang City. While secretly cursing Wuwei's unwise move, he was also deeply worried about his father. Hearing her words, he couldn't help but nod and sigh, "What you say is indeed true, Fairy. I believe Father is aware of this as well. However, I really can't think of any way to resolve this crisis!"
"Although the situation is critical, it is not without solutions!" A glint of brilliance flashed in Wei Lingyao's eyes as she smiled and said.
"Oh? What good plan does Fairy have?" Wu Zi'ang's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and he quickly asked.
"Abandon the city!" Wei Lingyao slowly uttered two words.
"Abandon the city!?" Wu Zi'ang exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right. Since Luocheng is doomed, why not abandon it and defend Pingyang? Then we can advance north to take Wuwei and replace it. Although Zhao Qi is a famous general, he may not be able to withstand your father's might. Alternatively, we can defend Pingyang and bring the surrounding nine cities, including Ji, Ding, and Qing, into our sphere of influence, thus forming a north-south confrontation with Wuwei!" Wei Lingyao's beautiful eyes shone with wisdom as she spoke eloquently.
Volume 2 Night Rain Jianghu Chapter 039
"The fairy's insight is indeed brilliant!" Wu Zi'ang's face showed admiration, and he smiled and said, "However, with Luo City besieged, how can Father safely evacuate? If he wants to transport all the hundreds of thousands of Luo City's defenders across the river by boat, it will be no easy task!"
"Brother Wu, you underestimate your father!" Wei Lingyao looked at the increasingly clear Luo City walls, her tone unable to hide her heartfelt admiration as she said, "Your father is ranked first among the four great generals for his unpredictable military tactics. Doing what ordinary people cannot is always your most terrifying quality. Thinking back to the beginning of the year, who could have imagined that Luo City, a stronghold in the Southern Guard and relied upon as the northern gateway, would fall into your father's hands?"
"Hearing the fairy say this, I feel much more at ease!" Even this otherworldly fairy before him has strong confidence in his father, so what reason does he have to worry?
The merchant ship sailed a short while longer and soon approached the Luoyang ferry. Looking at the towering, sturdy city walls, Wu Zi'ang recalled Wei Lingyao's description of them as "impregnable," which was indeed no exaggeration.
As soon as the ship docked, Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao disembarked first, followed by the four people who had been resting in the cabin.
Wei Lingyao briefly introduced the three elders to Wu Zi'ang, excluding the yellow-robed elder, Zuo Xingyuan.
From Wei Lingyao's introductions, Wu Zi'ang learned that the gray-robed elder with a ruddy complexion and narrow, seemingly perpetually closed eyes was named Yan Bufu; the gaunt elder holding a pipe and puffing out smoke called himself Mr. Beiguo; and the last, taciturn middle-aged man, who seemed too lazy to utter a single word, was named Mo Yan, true to his name.
Although he had never heard of these men before, Wu Zi'ang knew that all four were martial arts masters, and therefore spoke with great politeness.
On the contrary, these people seemed to have witnessed Wu Zi'ang's performance in the Green Pine Forest by the Green Lake, and therefore did not act like seniors, speaking to Wu Zi'ang with considerable politeness!
This shows that strength is also an important factor in measuring a person's worth; only those with great strength will be treated with respect. Wu Zi'ang had already grasped this point in modern society.
After the two sides introduced themselves, Wei Lingyao asked Zuo Xingyuan about the 'Soul-Stealing Cave' in Luo City.
Upon hearing the words 'Soul-Stealing Cave,' Zuo Xingyuan was taken aback, then revealed a strange expression.
"Does Elder Zuo not know about it?!" Wei Lingyao couldn't help but ask.
"No, this old man does know of this place, but it's not suitable for Lingyao to go there!" Zuo Xingyuan coughed lightly, a slight embarrassment on his face as he explained, "It's the most famous brothel in Luo City!"
So that's how it is! No wonder it's called the 'Soul-Stealing Cave'! Wu Zi'ang suddenly understood.
Upon hearing this, Wei Lingyao's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of shyness, but she still spoke calmly, "It's alright, Lingyao can disguise herself as a man and sneak in as Brother Wu's attendant!"
"Why don't we just go with the four of us plus Young Master Wu? In my opinion, that should be enough!" Mr. Beiguo had just finished smoking a pipe, tapped it a few times on his heel, and slowly suggested.
"It's not that I don't trust you seniors, but I promised Brother Wu that I must ensure Changshun's wife and children are unharmed. Besides, the items in this transaction are extraordinary, and the Demonic Sect will definitely send a large number of experts. With Lingyao here, we will naturally have more strength. As the saying goes, it's better to have more than less. Do you think what Lingyao said makes sense?"
Hearing Wei Lingyao's words, Zuo Xingyuan and the other three looked at each other. Mo Yan nodded first, and then Zuo Xingyuan smiled and said, "Lingyao's consideration is very thorough. Let's do it this way!"
After agreeing, the six of them headed straight for the city gate of Luocheng.
During the journey, Wei Lingyao suddenly reminded Wu Zi'ang, "Brother Wu,
shouldn't we go see your father first?" Wu Zi'ang pondered for a moment, then shook his head, saying, "Let's deal with the fairy's matter first, and I can visit my father later!"
"Alright!" Wei Lingyao nodded.
After entering Luo City, the six of them, led by Zuo Xingyuan, headed east.
Zuo Xingyuan was clearly very familiar with Luo City, leading the group through several turns until they arrived at a rice shop.
Seeing the rice shop owner's respectful attitude towards Zuo Xingyuan, Wu Zi'ang immediately recalled the scene when his subordinate company manager met him in modern times, and guessed that this old man Zuo must be a wealthy man.
The six of them sat down in the hall, and then Wei Lingyao, led by the rice shop owner's wife, went to the back room to change clothes.
After a while, when Wei Lingyao returned to the hall, she had transformed from an ethereal fairy into a handsome and unparalleled young man in a blue robe.
That familiar face caused Wu Zi'ang to momentarily lose his composure. Although the other person was dressed as a man, he couldn't help but think of the beautiful figure that haunted his dreams. Suddenly noticing the strange gazes of the other four, he forced a smile to conceal his emotions, saying, "Even dressed as a man, you are so handsome, making others think I'm the one in blue!"
"How about this?" Wei Lingyao smiled slightly, turned around, and made a few gestures with her hands on her face. When she turned back, her handsome face had become an ordinary one.
"That's perfect!" Wu Zi'ang smiled after examining her.
"Brother Wu also has a mask, right? To avoid unnecessary trouble later, it would be best if you wore one?" Wei Lingyao reminded him with a smile. The mask on her face was exquisitely crafted; when she smiled, the mask even reflected her expression.
“The fairy is right!” Wu Zi’ang pondered for a moment, then took out the human skin mask from his robes and put it on.
The other four examined it carefully for a moment, and Yan Bu’fu seemed to have discovered something and chuckled, “It’s quite interesting, Young Master Wu and Ling Yao’s masks look quite similar, one plain and unremarkable, the other ordinary, both with the same face shape!”
“Hmm, I feel the same way!” Zuo Xingyuan also laughed, “They don’t look like master and servant, but more like brothers!”
“It’s a pity the fairy is not a man, otherwise I would really like to try and become sworn brothers with her!” Wu Zi’ang said casually.
“Young Master Wu, you are mistaken. Who says that only men can become sworn brothers? Throughout history, there have been countless instances of men and women becoming sworn siblings!” Mr. Bei Guo smiled and corrected the other’s mistake, his pipe already lit again, wisps of smoke rising from it.
Wu Zi'ang was taken aback upon hearing this, then chuckled and said, "This junior was just joking, senior, please don't take it seriously!"
"Good lad! You're the first person to dare joke with Lingyao like this. Boy, don't you feel any guilt for blaspheming a fairy?" Yan Bufeng's narrow eyes, which seemed perpetually closed, widened at this moment, scrutinizing Wu Zi'ang from head to toe as if he had seen something extraordinary, making the other man feel uneasy.
"It's not that serious, is it?!" Wu Zi'ang felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Although he called Wei Lingyao a fairy, and although he had been awestruck by her holy beauty, in the end, she was just a woman, a beautiful woman who resembled Yiyi. He had never regarded her as a deity, so there was no question of blasphemy. In comparison, he preferred Wei Lingyao, who had chatted with him on the boat earlier.
Witnessing this scene, Wei Lingyao's heart suddenly skipped a beat. With her intelligence, she could tell that this young man didn't treat her like an untouchable fairy, as others did! Just as Elder Yan had said, since she descended the mountain, no one had ever spoken to her in such a relaxed, casual, and sometimes joking tone! In truth, she was already tired of that high-and-mighty feeling of being admired. Stripped of the mysterious veil of being the successor of Tianchi, she was just an ordinary mortal woman!
"Let's go!"
The middle-aged man, Mo Yan, who had been silent and sparing with words, stood up, uttered a single word, and led the way towards the door.
"Ah, business is more important!" Zuo Xingyuan also quickly stood up, smiling, "Let's set off now!"
Wu Zi'ang, Wei Lingyao, and the others nodded. The group left the rice shop and entered the main street.
Zuo Xingyuan led the way, the others following closely behind. They walked through the streets and alleys, finally arriving at the place known as the 'Soul-Stealing Cave,' a place of brothels and willows.
Wu Zi'ang had already heard from Zuo Xingyuan that the so-called "Soul-Stealing Cave" was actually a brothel called "Thousand Red Pavilion," which attracted many philanderers who would linger there every night, indulging in unbridled pleasure.
Although it was daytime, the entrance to "Thousand Red Pavilion" was bustling with people, a picture of thriving business. After
observing for a moment, Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao stepped into the gate of "Thousand Red Pavilion" one after the other.
"Young Master, it's been a long time!"
Before Wu and Wei could even stand still, a flamboyant woman in red suddenly appeared from the side, her two white arms expertly wrapping around Wu Zi'ang's right arm, her full, round breasts pressing against his.
Looking at the woman before him, whose appearance was fairly pretty, Wu Zi'ang smiled slightly, his expression unchanged, and said, "Miss,
you've mistaken me for someone else. This is my first time visiting Qianhonglou!" "Oh! What does it matter? Why don't we make the best of a bad situation? Perhaps this will even lead to a perfect match?" the woman in red chuckled, her ample bosom suggestively rubbing against his arm to display her impressive assets.
"May I ask your name, Miss?" Wu Zi'ang asked in an extremely gentle voice. Before meeting Yiyi, he was a regular at some well-known hotels that offered 'services,' and although the times were different, he felt no stage fright in the nearly identical situation.
Hearing Wu Zi'ang's question, the woman in red mistakenly thought a deal had been struck and replied with delight, "My name is Xiao Cui, hehe, and you, sir?"
"My name is Lin Zixuan!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and gave his old name.
"So it's Young Master Lin!" the woman in red said with a coquettish smile. "As the saying goes, a moment of pleasure is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Now that we've met, please come upstairs with me quickly!" With that, she moved her feet, intending to lead him upstairs for their intimate moments!
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 40:
"Miss Xiao Cui, please wait!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and stopped the woman in red who was eager to solicit customers upstairs. He said unhurriedly, "Miss, you are as beautiful as a flower, which has truly captivated me. However, I have important matters to discuss with the owner of your establishment. May I ask if you could inform him?"
The woman in red was slightly taken aback, then a look of surprise appeared on her face. She said, "Young master, you wish to see my Aunt Yun?"
Wu Zi'ang's heart skipped a beat. The Aunt Yun mentioned by the woman must be the owner of this 'Thousand Red Pavilion.' He nodded and smiled, "Indeed!"
The woman in red, Xiao Cui, hesitated for a moment, then smiled again and tentatively asked, "Young master, do you know Aunt Yun? You should know that my Aunt Yun never easily receives strangers!"
"I don't know him! But I'm here on the behalf of a friend, and the owner of your establishment should know this friend...!" Wu Zi'ang, gazing into the woman's eyes, deliberately emphasized each word, "His name is Chang Shun!"
Upon hearing the name 'Chang Shun,' the woman in red's expression changed instantly. She released Wu Zi'ang's arm and once again sized him and Wei Lingyao up and down. After a moment, she nodded and said, "Please, sir, have a seat. I will go and inform him immediately!"
Having observed the woman's expression, Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao immediately understood. They hadn't been entirely confident, as Chang Shun had only mentioned the transaction location was 'Qian Hong Lou,' without specifying that the owner was the person being transacted with. But now it seemed that Qian Hong Lou had a close connection with the Demonic Sect, and upon further reflection, it was even possible that Qian Hong Lou was a branch of the Demonic Sect!
"Thank you for your trouble, young lady!" Wu Zi'ang said with a smile.
"Please wait a moment, young master!" Although the young man before him wasn't exactly handsome, his gentle and polite demeanor was quite pleasing! The woman in red smiled charmingly at Wu Zi'ang, lightly touching his face with one hand before turning and heading towards the back hall.
"Shall we go and wait?" Wu Zi'ang whispered to Wei Lingyao, then walked to a round table and sat down. Wei Lingyao followed his instructions, but instead of sitting down, she stood behind Wu Zi'ang.
"I am now your attendant, therefore I cannot sit on equal footing with you!" Wei Lingyao also said softly.
"Really? Then call me 'Master'!" A mischievous thought immediately welled up in Wu Zi'ang's mind, and he chuckled.
"Brother Wu, are you taking this opportunity to bully me?"
Although he couldn't see Wei Lingyao's face at the moment, from her coquettish tone, Wu Zi'ang could almost imagine the slightly shy and angry expression beneath that mask.
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a burly, fierce-looking man sitting on a round stool opposite him, his arm around a woman in bright makeup.
"Sir, please be gentle!"
The woman in bright makeup sat on the man in an ambiguous position, her arms tightly wrapped around his thick neck, letting his large mouth ravage her snow-white neck, and occasionally letting out soft moans.
The burly man, his face contorted with urgency, was biting the woman's neck while his other hand pressed against her ample breasts through her clothes, kneading them vigorously.
Seeing this erotic scene, Wu Zi'ang, a man accustomed to the ways of the world, felt only a slight thrill, nothing more. However, Wei Lingyao, behind him, frowned, wanting to look away. But within the Thousand Red Pavilion, all she saw were couples indulging in wanton behavior, some even more outrageous than the one before her!
With a sigh, Wei Lingyao slowly lowered her head, her right hand forming a hand seal, secretly applying the 'Guardian Heart' technique, instantly shutting out the numerous vulgarities and allowing her mind to enter a state of perfect tranquility.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wu Zi'ang, growing impatient, suddenly sensed a flash of red beside him. Looking up, he saw the red-clad woman, Xiao Cui, had returned. A soft laugh rang out as the other woman said, "Aunt Yun has agreed to see you, young master, please follow me!"
She then turned and led the way. Wu and Wei exchanged a glance and followed. They
exited through the back door, walked along a cobblestone path, and through a winding corridor before the woman in red led them to a garden in the back courtyard.
This place was quite far from the front building, and the sounds of laughter and chatter were barely audible. Under the bright sun, clusters of flowers vied for attention, and a gentle breeze carried their subtle fragrance, intoxicating the senses.
Gazing at the garden's vibrant colors and inhaling the rich aroma, Wei Lingyao felt a surge of emotion. She hadn't expected such beauty in this secluded place!
"It's practically a sea of flowers!" Wu Zi'ang exclaimed inwardly, its scale comparable to his mother's 'Yiqing Garden' in the General's Mansion.
After navigating several flowerbeds, the woman in red stopped outside a pavilion in the center of the garden. Wu and Wei could clearly see a woman inside, gently fanning herself with a silk fan, sitting with her back to them on a stone bench. Although their faces weren't visible, her graceful and gentle figure easily evoked the image of a beautiful woman!
"Aunt Yun, Young Master Lin has arrived!" The woman in red, Xiao Cui, bowed respectfully to the woman in the pavilion.
"Hmm!" the woman responded softly, turning around. Her silk fan partially obscured her face, revealing only a pair of beautiful eyes that gazed intently at Wu and Wei.
Wu Zi'ang met her gaze, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn't look away, his heart pounding wildly. He had never seen such captivating eyes, filled with sorrow and resentment, infatuation and anger, containing an indescribable magic. Even a casual glance could bewitch a soul and steal one's spirit!
"A beauty!" The word suddenly flashed through Wu Zi'ang's mind, and his gaze towards the woman became increasingly intense!
"Young master, it's hot, please wipe your sweat!"
Just as Wu Zi'ang was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Wei Lingyao's voice behind him, disguised as a servant. His body trembled, and he abruptly snapped out of his reverie.
What was wrong with him? He was so easily captivated by the woman's eyes; how utterly useless! No, something was wrong! There must be something strange about this woman's eyes!
Thinking of this, Wu Zi'ang became more cautious, casually pulled a white silk handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his face a couple of times, and smiled, "It is indeed a bit hot!"
"Eh!" The woman in the pavilion let out a soft exclamation, her beautiful eyes revealing surprise as she looked Wei Lingyao up and down behind Wu Zi'ang. Just now, she had almost successfully captivated Wu Zi'ang with her seductive arts, but she hadn't expected that his attendant would suddenly speak, awakening him with words imbued with the power of Taoist incantations, thus ruining her plan!
After a moment's hesitation, the woman gently waved her fan, signaling the woman in red to step back.
As the fan moved aside, Wu Zi'ang finally saw the woman's full appearance. The woman was a middle-aged beauty, with a high-piled bun and a delicate face, and her long black dress accentuated her snow-white skin. To be frank, while this woman's appearance was beautiful, it was only above average; however, her captivating eyes were like the finishing touch, adding immeasurable charm to her!
"Are you Madam Yun?"
After the woman in red stepped back, before the woman in black could speak, Wu Zi'ang stepped forward and asked with cupped hands.
"That's me!" A charming smile appeared on the middle-aged beauty's face, and her soft voice carried a seductive softness that stirred the imagination!
"I presume you already know my purpose, Madam?" Having learned from past mistakes, Wu Zi'ang carefully avoided Madam Yun's captivating gaze as he spoke.
"Hmm! Young Master, you've come to make a deal on behalf of Chang Shun, haven't you?" Madam Yun rose gracefully, stepping lightly out of the pavilion to stand before Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao.
"Indeed, may I ask where Chang Shun's wife and children are?" Wu Zi'ang asked directly.
Madam Yun smiled slightly, clapping her hands lightly. After two crisp claps, two men and a woman emerged from the flower bushes on the right.
The two men, both dressed in black, had fierce expressions on their faces. Each man extended a hand to grip the woman's left and right arms.
"May I ask, Young Master Lin, where is the Soul-Stealing Charm?" Madam Yun glanced gently at Wu Zi'ang, lightly stroking a strand of black hair beside her neck, and asked in a sweet voice.
“The Soul-Losing Charm is on me, but before handing it over to you, madam, could you please show me proof that she is Chang Shun’s wife?” Wu Zi’ang smiled and pointed to the disheveled, withered woman.
"Young master, do you suspect me of forgery?!" Madam Yun's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "You should know that I only want this Soul-Locking Charm. It's a one-time transaction; there's no need
for me to forge anything!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and shook his head, saying, "If Madam can't provide proof, then let me examine it. Chang Shun once told me that his wife has a small black mole behind her right ear. May I verify it?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yun's expression finally changed. Although her smile remained, a murderous glint flashed in her captivating eyes. She stared at Wu Zi'ang for a long time before speaking, "I believe that the mask is exceptionally well-made. It's impossible to discover its secrets with just the naked eye. May I
ask where you saw the flaw?" "To be honest, I didn't see any flaws! It's just that I've never seen Chang Shun's wife before, so I was cautious and tested Madam!" Wu Zi'ang said calmly, looking at the so-called 'Chang Shun's wife'.
"So, Chang Shun's wife didn't have that so-called black mole behind her ear at all!? Young Master Lin, you're quite the schemer!?" Madam Yun laughed angrily, waving her hand. The woman disguised as Chang Shun's wife slowly peeled off a human skin mask, revealing a beautiful face.
"Further words are useless. Madam, by setting up this deception, can you indirectly prove that Chang Shun's wife and child are no longer alive!?" Wu Zi'ang put his hands behind his back, his eyes suddenly shooting out two sharp glints as he stared directly at the other woman.
Madam Yun's expression changed again, and after a long while, she nodded and said, "Young Master is only half right. Although Chang Shun's wife is dead, his young son is still alive!"
"Very good! How about I use this Soul-Losing Charm to exchange for that child?" Wu Zi'ang took out the old sheepskin from his pocket and gestured to the other woman.
Madam Yun glanced at the object in the other's hand for a moment, then suddenly shook her head and chuckled, "Forgive me for not having the patience. Since the item is with you, young master, I think it's easier to just take it from you directly!"
With that, she clapped her hands lightly again, and after the sound, a dozen figures appeared amidst the rustling wind in the garden where beauties vied for attention. (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 41)
Wei Lingyao had already noticed the men in black lurking around, so when Madam Yun called out the so-called wife of Chang Shun, she was already suspicious. If they really intended to make a deal, why would they need so many men lying in ambush? Just as she was about to remind Wu Zi'ang, she saw him force Madam Yun to reveal her true colors through conversation and laughter. Her heart skipped a beat. Wu Zi'ang, from an official family, possessed such seasoned experience in the martial world—it was truly beyond her expectations. At that moment, she had a strong intuition that the man standing before her resembled a businessman!
"Judging from the situation, Madam is planning to rob us?" Looking at the dozen or so men in black slowly approaching from all sides, Wu Zi'ang vaguely felt a powerful killing intent emanating from them. He was slightly startled, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked with a smile.
"Does Young Master think that I've gathered so many people just to keep you company?" Madam Yun's beautiful face regained its charming smile as she softly spoke, waving her fan.
"If I were to tell you, Madam, that what I hold in my hand is merely an ordinary sheepskin, I wonder what you would think?" Wu Zi'ang seemed completely unconcerned about the slowly approaching man in black, fiddling with the old sheepskin in his hand, a profound and unfathomable smile on his face as he slowly asked.
"Is that so?" Madam Yun chuckled softly, shaking her head with an unmoved expression. "Unfortunately, I don't believe it!"
"Since you don't believe me, Madam, then I have nothing more to say!" Wu Zi'ang released his right hand, tossing the symbol of 'wealth and power' to the ground like trash. Then, he slowly raised his right fist to his chest, unleashing the 'Hidden Power' technique. His eyes blazed with divine light, and he uttered a soft shout: "Come on!"
The fist technique recorded in the 'Demon God Record' was originally known for its imposing aura. With the 'Hidden Power' technique unleashed, even without attacking, Wu Zi'ang exuded an aura as majestic as a mountain and as vast as the sea. Its power was so great that even the flower clusters a few steps away trembled slightly, as if brushed by a breeze! Madam Yun, standing a few steps in front of Wu Zi'ang, was the first to bear the brunt of his aura. Under the impact of his aura, she couldn't help but retreat five steps before regaining her footing!
Upon seeing this move, everyone present immediately felt increased pressure. The dozen or so men in black who had been slowly advancing halted in their tracks. They were also well-trained experts, and seeing the overwhelming aura displayed by their opponent, cautious expressions appeared on their faces.
At this moment, Wei Lingyao behind him turned and took a step back, positioning herself with Wu Zi'ang back to back.
Seeing this, Madam Yun's beautiful eyes flashed with horror. Because she had almost subdued Wu Zi'ang with her charm technique, she had underestimated him. In her mind, the only troublesome person should be the blue-clad follower behind him who had broken her charm technique with the power of true words!
However, the reality before her reminded her that this young man called Young Master Lin was equally troublesome. In a direct confrontation, her side was not entirely confident that they could stop these two from leaving! Thinking of this, she couldn't help but frown slightly. Judging from the other party's behavior just now, he was clearly a seasoned veteran. Therefore, it was reasonable for him to place the Soul-Losing Charm elsewhere and come empty-handed to guard against unforeseen circumstances.
After carefully weighing the matter in her mind, Madam Yun suddenly let out a coquettish laugh and said, "Young Master Lin, why don't we discuss this further? Are you truly willing to disregard the death of Chang Shun's wife and exchange the Soul-Losing Charm for her child?"
"I have already made myself very clear: I will exchange the Soul-Losing Charm for her child! Is Madam hard of hearing?" Wu Zi'ang's aura grew stronger, and a half-smile appeared on his face as he sneered. At this moment, he had already guessed that the other party believed that what he had just dropped on the ground was indeed an ordinary sheepskin. Coupled with the power he had displayed, he had given up the idea of forcibly taking it. The reason he asked this question knowingly was just to find a way to back down.
“If that’s the case, I’m willing to make a fair trade with you, young master, exchanging the goods for the person!” Madam Yun showed no anger whatsoever. She waved her hand, and the woman disguised as Chang Shun’s wife immediately nodded in understanding and turned to leave. The dozen or so men in black also slowly retreated, but still formed a circle around Wu Zi’ang and Wei Lingyao.
Seeing this, Wu Zi’ang dissipated his energy and smiled, “That’s right. I don’t want to make a big fuss either. A fair trade would make us both happy, wouldn’t it?”
Madam Yun nodded and smiled sweetly, “Young master is right. I didn’t think things through just now. I’m truly sorry!” As she spoke, she bowed slightly to Wu Zi’ang.
“I wouldn’t dare. I just hope that you won’t cause any more trouble and waste our time!” Wu Zi’ang’s attitude was very gentle and polite, but his words contained a clear warning, reminding her not to use any more tricks.
"I understand!" Madam Yun nodded, seemingly accepting instruction.
After a while, the woman returned, this time with a boy of about eight or nine years old under her arm!
Pointing to the handsome little boy, Madam Yun chuckled, "This is Chang Shun's son, not yet ten years old. He's absolutely genuine. If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself!"
"No need! I believe you, Madam!" Looking at the boy's complex expression filled with fear, sorrow, and helplessness, Wu Zi'ang's eyes flashed with pity, and he shook his head.
"In that case, please tell me, sir, where is the Soul-Stealing Charm?" Madam Yun asked softly with a smile. At the same time, with a wave of her fan, the woman immediately took the boy's arm and brought him before Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao, then retreated to her original spot with a wary expression!
"Don't be afraid, your father sent your uncle to take you home!" Wu Zi'ang smiled warmly, comforting the boy before turning to Wei Lingyao and asking with a smile, "Are you confident?"
"Brother Wu, are you underestimating Lingyao?" Wei Lingyao reached out and pulled the boy under her arm, replying with a smile.
Seeing this, Madam Yun's expression changed, and she said softly, "Young Master Lin, are you going to break your promise?"
Wu Zi'ang laughed heartily, saying, "Madam is too nervous. How could I be a faithless person? The Soul-Losing Charm is right here, Madam, take it!" With that, he bent down, picked up the tattered sheepskin from the ground, and tossed it to her.
Madam Yun took the old sheepskin with some suspicion, unfolded it, and found it to be completely blank.
"You, you're courting death!?" Madam Yun's pretty face turned ashen. She slammed the tattered sheepskin to the ground. She usually prided herself on her intelligence, but she never imagined she'd be so easily manipulated by a seemingly unremarkable young man. His words were a mix of truth and falsehood, leaving her completely bewildered.
Seeing Madam Yun's furious expression, the dozen or so men in black around her immediately knew their master had been tricked. Before Madam Yun could give an order, they roared and charged forward.
Wu and Wei were prepared. Seeing the enemy approach, Wei Lingyao let out a long, dragon-like roar—a pre-arranged signal to attack from Zuo Xingyuan and the other three experts.
Wu Zi'ang stepped forward, and before the enemy could reach him, he let out a low growl and unleashed a powerful strike.
A flash of red light, and a wave of flames surged into the sky!
Where Wu Ziang's fiery energy surged, the air seemed to distort and blur due to the scorching heat. The first black-clad man, unaware of the force of the attack, snorted angrily and raised his fist to block it. With
a muffled thud, the black-clad man screamed in agony, his massive body, engulfed in flames, stumbling towards the flower bushes.
The other three black-clad men, however, were exceptionally alert. Sensing the unusual force of the punch, they immediately dodged to the side, but even so, the scorching heat that brushed past them caused them unbearable pain and agony. The flower bushes behind them suffered collateral damage, bursting into flames with a whoosh.
Seeing such power, the group of menacing black-clad men immediately halted, daring not to advance further.
Wei Lingyao, who was back-to-back with Wu Zi'ang, had someone under her left arm, but this did not affect her agility at all. Moving forward, backward, left, or right, her elusive movements, combined with finger strikes imbued with Daoist true energy, caused the four men in black to fall to the ground without even touching her clothes!
Seeing this, Madam Yun was both shocked and furious. She flashed forward, appearing before Wu Zi'ang, her slender hand reaching out swiftly, striking his eyes with lightning speed.
"Hmph!" Wu Zi'ang snorted coldly, neither retreating nor dodging. His right hand, fingers joined together, pointed out, a 'whoosh' of red light erupting as he used the Xuan Tian Sword Technique to strike between her proud breasts, arriving before her.
Unexpectedly, Wu Zi'ang had such a surprising move. Not wanting to suffer mutual injury, Madam Yun suddenly leaned back, dodging his sword energy while her skirt billowed as one of her slender legs whistled through the air as she kicked towards Wu Zi'ang's chin. Her actions, a blend of allure and ruthlessness, were truly in keeping with her nature!
Wu Zi'ang had no time to admire the glimpse beneath the beautiful woman's skirt. He retreated swiftly, his right hand flashing out seven crimson sword energies that created a sky full of red light, instantly engulfing Madam Yun.
The hissing sounds were incessant. No matter how skilled Lady Yun was in martial arts or how swift her movements, she still couldn't dodge Wu Zi'ang's seven dense sword energies. With a cry of pain, Lady Yun suddenly retreated seven steps, her pretty face showing shock. Upon closer inspection, her once beautiful black dress was now torn in several places by the sword energy, her breasts half-exposed, and her jade-like legs almost completely bare. Her snow-white, dazzling skin contrasted with the red wounds, exuding a unique kind of 'beauty'! (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 42)
Enduring the burning pain from her wounds, Lady Yun gritted her teeth, a resentful look on her pretty face. She said, seemingly extremely aggrieved, "Young master, don't you have any pity for me? You've made me suffer so much pain!"
Meeting her sorrowful gaze, Wu Zi'ang's heart stirred, and a feeling of pity welled up within him.
"Something's not right!" Wu Zi'ang suddenly remembered his previous experience and immediately snapped out of his daze, quickly averting his gaze. He was now certain that Madam Yun was using some kind of wicked skill that could bewitch men!
"Why don't you look at my injuries, young master? They're quite severe!" Madam Yun said pitifully, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a flawless left arm.
Wu Zi'ang glanced at it subconsciously, and saw that under the sunlight, her snow-white arm shimmered with a dazzling light, making his heart flutter!
"Is my arm beautiful?" Madam Yun said softly, slowly moving towards him.
Wu Zi'ang nodded absently, his eyes still fixed on that jade-like arm, not blinking an eye.
At this moment, not only Wu Zi'ang, but even Madam Yun's subordinates were captivated by their mistress's arm, standing there motionless as if in a daze.
"Then this servant will let you see as much as you like, young master!" Madam Yun's pretty face revealed a smug smile, and she took two more steps, closing the distance between herself and the other party.
Just then, Wu Zi'ang's expression suddenly changed, his brows furrowed, and a struggle appeared in his eyes, his body trembling slightly.
Madam Yun was startled at the sight. Her 'Soul-Stealing Hand' was one of the most powerful seductive techniques recorded in the 'Mysterious Charm Technique'. Men who looked at her would lose their senses and submit without resistance! Yet this young man was showing signs of struggle and resistance, which showed how resilient his mind was!
Thinking of this, Madam Yun no longer hesitated. Taking advantage of the other party's lack of awareness, she rushed forward, her bare jade arm swinging, transforming into a dazzling white light that struck straight at Wu Zi'ang's throat.
At this critical moment, Wei Lingyao's graceful figure suddenly appeared, her right hand lightly flicking out a finger.
Ah!
Madam Yun felt a sudden, excruciating pain in her left wrist, letting out a cry of agony. Ignoring the injury, she hastily retreated, clutching her sore spot.
"Brother Wu, Brother Wu!" Wei Lingyao called softly, her right hand flashing, knocking down three more black-clad men attacking Wu Zi'ang. These men, though well-trained and powerful, were worlds apart from her. Aside from Madam Yun, the Demonic Sect had no other formidable experts, a fact that surprised her greatly.
Hearing Wei Lingyao's call, Wu Zi'ang finally snapped out of his daze, but the image of that arm still lingered in his mind. He couldn't help but marvel at its power.
"What kind of skill is that?!"
Wu Zi'ang asked Wei Lingyao after sending two black-clad men flying with a powerful strike.
"It should be the 'Soul-Sealing Hand' from the Demonic Sect's seductive arts!" Wei Lingyao replied softly, watching Madam Yun retreat, clutching her wrist in pain.
Madam Yun originally had seventeen men in black under her command, but in a short time, more than half of them had perished. Apart from the three injured by Wu Zi'ang, the rest were all brought down by Wei Lingyao's wondrous finger techniques.
At that moment, a gust of wind arose, and four figures arrived in mid-air—it was Zuo Xingyuan and his group!
At this point, the victory for Wei Lingyao's side was no longer in doubt. Zuo Xingyuan, Yan Bufu, and the other two experts only needed to exert a little force, and the remaining men in black lay on the ground without exception, leaving Madam Yun standing there, her face filled with shock and anger!
In reality, the Demonic Sect had originally stationed many experts at Qianhonglou, but most of them had died at the hands of the Ghost King yesterday while trading with Chang Shun in Pingyang. Upon hearing of the Ghost King's intervention, the Demonic Sect had ordered reinforcements from its headquarters to arrive in Luocheng no earlier than tonight.
And coincidentally, Wu Zi'ang arrived at Qianhonglou for the trade at this time, so Madam Yun only had these seventeen men in black to temporarily mobilize!
"I surrender! Do with me as you please!" Madam Yun glared at Wei Lingyao with extremely venomous eyes, her tone filled with undisguised deep hatred. Wei Lingyao's finger strike hadn't just injured her wrist; it had completely shattered the 'Soul-Stealing Hand' technique she had cultivated for years.
"The fault for causing this disharmony lies entirely with you, Madam!" Wu Zi'ang stepped forward, calmly picking up the old sheepskin from the ground, and said with a smile, "I have already given this 'Soul-Stealing Charm' to you, Madam, but I didn't expect you still wouldn't let us go!"
"Since I have surrendered, why must you continue to mock me with your words, young master?!" Madam Yun glared at Wu Zi'ang and said angrily.
"No! Madam misunderstands me!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and shook his head. "I just wanted to explain to you that the sheepskin I gave you earlier is indeed the genuine 'Soul-Losing Charm.' Therefore, I did not break my promise; it was you who were too hasty!"
"You…!" Madam Yun's face instantly turned extremely ugly. She pointed at Wu Zi'ang, almost speechless. After a long while, she suddenly let out a long sigh, her face showing dejection. She said, "Young master is brilliant. I am completely convinced!"
"Madam flatters me. I have no intention of making things difficult for you. I just want to ask you a question!" Wu Zi'ang turned and pointed at the boy beside Wei Lingyao, asking calmly, "How did this child's mother die?"
"That has nothing to do with me. Chang Shun's wife committed suicide. Last night, when I received news of the deaths of Chang Shun and other masters of our sect, unfortunately, Chang Shun's wife and children were also present. So last night, Chang Shun's wife hanged herself!" Madam Yun answered honestly.
Seeing that the other party's expression seemed genuine, Wu Zi'ang slowly nodded and turned to Wei Lingyao, saying, "This thing is for you to handle, Fairy!" As he spoke, he slowly handed over the old sheepskin.
"Careful!"
Just as Wei Lingyao's jade hand touched the old sheepskin, Yan Bufeng, who was standing opposite Wu Zi'ang, suddenly flashed a look of surprise in his eyes and shouted.
Almost simultaneously with Yan Bufeng's warning, Wu Zi'ang suddenly felt an incredibly powerful killing intent surge towards his back like a raging tide.
This is…! Without time to think, Wu Zi'ang abruptly turned around, exhaled, and threw a punch without looking.
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, a figure in blue moved, and an extremely cold palm force silently pressed against Wu Zi'ang's punch.
The immense force struck, and Wu Zi'ang's vision blurred. The familiar chilling energy broke through his defenses like a hot knife through butter, surging into his body. Its power was so great that even his 'Wait and Grievance' technique couldn't withstand it.
It's the Ghost King! The Ghost King wants his life! Upon recognizing the attacker, Wu Zi'ang also sensed the other's intentions. However, in this hasty situation, he had no countermeasures and could only grit his teeth and exert all his strength to resist.
*Thud!* Under the pressure of the opponent's power, Wu
Zi'ang spat out a mouthful of blood, his body involuntarily retreating.
Just then, a jade-like hand quietly pressed on his back acupoint, a gentle yet abundant force instantly surging into his body.
Wu Zi'ang immediately realized this was Wei Lingyao's help, his spirits lifted, and he used all his strength, combined with the internal energy Wei Lingyao had infused, barely managing to resist the powerful cold force surging into his body! With a
whoosh
, Mr. Bei Guo's pipe flashed a streak of yellow light, aiming straight for the Ghost King's vital point on the back.
Almost simultaneously, Yan Bufeng leaped into the air, delivering a sharp kick to the Ghost King's Baihui acupoint on the top of his head. Driven
by their eagerness to save him, both men targeted the Ghost King's vital points, determined to force him to release his grip.
Zuo Xingyuan and Mo Yan each took a step diagonally, arriving on either side of the Ghost King, their internal energy concentrated but not released!
The Ghost King sneered, unleashing a chilling force from his palm. Wu and Wei both let out muffled groans, staggering back five steps. Then, the Ghost King's figure flashed like a ghost, easily dodging the combined attack of Yan Bufeng and Mr. Beiguo, and pounced on Wu Zi'ang again.
A flash of green robes appeared before Wu Zi'ang's eyes, and he felt a numbness in his left hand as the Ghost King snatched the old sheepskin from him.
Having obtained the Soul-Stealing Charm, the Ghost King didn't stop there. His eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he swiftly struck Wu Zi'ang's head with his palm.
Although Zuo Xingyuan and Mo Yan were prepared, they hadn't expected the Ghost King's movements to be so fast, so fast that they had no time to react.
At this critical moment, Wei Lingyao, behind Wu Zi'ang, suddenly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his lower back and rolling to the side.
With a loud "boom," the Ghost King's murderous palm struck the ground, narrowly missing its target. Just
as the Ghost King was about to deliver another fatal blow, a powerful and forceful fist strike silently surged towards his back.
With a cold snort, the Ghost King, without turning his head, swung out a palm,
directly clashing with the source of the fist's force. Another muffled thud echoed; the Ghost King's shoulder swayed slightly, but he quickly regained his footing, while Mo Yan staggered back three steps, his face flushed.
Mo Yan's attack was full-force, while the Ghost King's was merely a casual counterattack; the difference in strength was obvious.
Taking advantage of this respite, Yan Bufeng and Mr. Beiguo quickly rushed forward, protecting Wu and Wei behind them.
The Ghost King did not attack again, standing in place with the Soul-Stealing Spell in hand. His gaze swept over Zuo Xingyuan, Mo Yan, Yan Bufu, and Mr. Beiguo, before he sneered, "Flowing Cloud Sleeves, Hundred-Step Divine Fist, Yan Family Startling Wind Leg, Qiankun Acupoint Strike—a very strong combination, but unfortunately, it's nothing to me!" He paused, then glanced at the pale-faced Wu Zi'ang, a half-smile appearing on his thin face. "Zi'ang, you must be more careful in the future. Know that I can take your life at any time!" With that, he laughed heartily, and in a flash, he appeared on the rooftop. After a few more leaps, he vanished without a trace! (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 43)
Hearing the Ghost King's words, Wu Zi'ang felt a chill run down his spine. Provoking such a terrifying top-tier expert was tantamount to being cursed with a death warrant. It seemed his future would be filled with unease!
Given the Ghost King's status, the fact that he was so 'concerned' about him was truly 'overwhelmingly flattering'!
Zuo Xingyuan, Mo Yan, Mr. Bei Guo, and Yan Bufeng exchanged glances, bitter smiles appearing on their faces. All four were renowned martial arts masters, yet even combined, they couldn't defeat the Ghost King. The
'Green-Robed Ghost King,' one of the Four Great Masters, truly possessed unparalleled martial arts prowess!
"Brother Wu, are you alright?"
Wei Lingyao asked softly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Wu Zi'ang's pale face.
"I'm fine!" Wu Zi'ang shook his head, apologetic. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't protect the Soul-Losing Charm!"
"Brother Wu, there's no need to blame yourself. If the Ghost King takes a fancy to something, there are very few people in the world who can protect it!" Wei Lingyao said with a bitter smile. "Never mind! It's better for the Soul-Losing Charm to fall into the Ghost King's hands than into the hands of the Demonic Sect!"
"Let's go!"
Glancing at the still-frightened Madam Yun, Yan Bufeng took the boy's hand and said.
Hmm!
The others nodded and continued along the same path.
Leaving the Thousand Red Pavilion, the group of seven returned to the main street.
On the way back to the rice shop, Wu Zi'ang frowned slightly, staring blankly at the boy clinging to Yan Bufeng's back.
Wei Lingyao, noticing his unusual expression, asked softly, "Brother Wu, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about how to take care of this poor child!" Wu Zi'ang's face showed a hint of distress. He was already struggling to cope with the formidable Ghost King under the Wudu Tree; how could he possibly care for this eight- or nine-year-old child?!
"Young Master Wu, there's no need to worry. I have a perfect solution!" Before Wei Lingyao could speak, Yan Bufeng suddenly turned and smiled.
"Oh! Senior, what's your good idea? Please tell me!" Wu Zi'ang's face lit up with joy, and he quickly asked.
"I am now over sixty years old, yet I have no son to inherit my mantle. Today, seeing that this young boy has good potential, I have decided to take him as a disciple. I wonder if you, young master, would be willing to grant my request?" Yan Bufeng said with a smile.
"Senior has truly helped me greatly! Thank you, senior!" Wu Zi'ang was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly thanked him.
"Young master, there's no need for thanks. In truth, I've gained a great advantage, acquiring a disciple for free!" Yan Bufeng looked at the boy who had fallen into a deep sleep on his back, a look of pity appearing on his aged face. The reason he wanted to take this child was partly because he genuinely wanted to take a disciple to pass on his mantle, but also because he felt the child's background was too pitiful. Comparatively, the second reason probably outweighed the other! When
the seven returned to the rice shop, it was nearly noon. Zuo Xingyuan instructed the rice shop owner to prepare wine and dishes, and then led everyone to the back hall.
Wu Zi'ang originally intended to take his leave and go to his father's place, but Zuo Xingyuan and the others earnestly urged him to stay, so he reluctantly agreed to leave after the meal.
Before long, the banquet was ready, and Zuo Xingyuan, Wu Zi'ang, Wei Lingyao, and the boy took their seats.
At this time, both Wu Zi'ang and Wei Lingyao had removed their masks. Wei Lingyao was still dressed as a man, but her elegant and ethereal face still made Wu Zi'ang's heart flutter.
"Young Master Wu, come, let me fill your cup!" Zuo Xingyuan stood up to pour wine for Wu Zi'ang, but the latter quickly stood up as well, saying, "This won't do, I'll do it myself!" He took the wine pot from the other's hand and poured wine for Zuo Xingyuan, Yan Bufu, Mr. Beiguo, and Mo Yan, then looked at Wei Lingyao and smiled, "Does the fairy know how to drink?"
"A little!" Wei Lingyao nodded with a smile.
After pouring a cup for Wei Lingyao, Wu Zi'ang filled his own cup last before sitting down and smiling at Zuo Xingyuan and the others, "Seniors, please don't call me 'Young Master,' just call me Zi'ang!"
"Good! Calling me Zi'ang sounds more intimate!" Yan Bufu picked up a chicken leg for the boy next to him with his chopsticks and said with a smile.
"Then Zi'ang doesn't need to keep calling us 'Seniors,' just call us as Lingyao does!" Zuo Xingyuan said with a smile, stroking his silver beard.
"Yes, ma'am!" Wu Zi'ang said with a smile.
"Alright, enough with the chit-chat! Let's have a drink first!" Looking at Mr. Bei Guo's greedy expression, Wu Zi'ang guessed he must be a drunkard. Hmm, smoking and drinking go hand in hand; this old man's tastes are certainly wide-ranging.
Hearing Mr. Bei Guo suggest wine, everyone raised their cups. Except for Wei Lingyao, who only took a small sip, everyone else drank it all in one gulp.
After finishing his cup, Wu Zi'ang got up again to refill everyone's glasses. Just as he was about to pour himself a cup, he suddenly heard Wei Lingyao say, "Brother Wu, you were quite injured just now; it's best to drink less!"
Wu Zi'ang was slightly taken aback and involuntarily stopped pouring.
"Lingyao is right! Zi'ang, you should drink less! I'll take care of the wine pot!" Zuo Xingyuan reached for the wine pot, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. Although Wei Lingyao's actions were merely out of concern as a friend, it was a concern that only Wu Zi'ang had received so far!
"Forgive me for not being able to drink with you all!" Wu Zi'ang slowly sat down and smiled at everyone. He also sensed Wei Lingyao's different attitude towards him, but he wasn't so narcissistic as to think he possessed any extraordinary charm that would make this fairy throw herself at him! His past experience in the business world told him that she might have ulterior motives for approaching him!
"Hehe! One less person to grab the wine, I'm more than happy!" Mr. Beiguo chuckled, tilted his head back, and downed the wine in front of him. Yan Bufu
, Zuo Xingyuan, Mr. Beiguo, and Mo Yan were all fond of wine, so they clinked glasses and drank with great gusto.
Wu Zi'ang stopped drinking and simply ate a bowl of rice with the dishes. Although he reminded himself to maintain a certain image, his long-standing habit still caused his chopsticks to reach into the various dishes like autumn leaves swept by the wind. Not only did Zuo Xingyuan and the others stare in disbelief, but even Wei Lingyao couldn't help but smile, her bright, watery eyes brimming with laughter.
"Sorry! It's a habit!" Noticing the amused looks in everyone's eyes, Wu Zi'ang blushed and said awkwardly.
"It's alright, it's alright! In my opinion, Zi'ang's eating movements have captured the essence of Old Yan's 'Wind-Striking Leg' technique, truly swift as the wind and executed in one breath!" Zuo Xingyuan laughed heartily.
Speaking of martial arts, Yan Bufeng suddenly thought of something and smiled at Wu Zi'ang, saying, "Zi'ang, yesterday at Bihu Gushan, was the sword energy you displayed the Xuan Tian Sword Technique?"
"Yes!" Wu Zi'ang nodded, but then added, "However, I only learned three moves!"
"So, Zi'ang, are you acquainted with Tie Ren?" Yan Bufeng then asked.
“Iron Blade? Brother Iron!” Wu Zi'ang was taken aback at first, then exclaimed in surprise, “Elder Yan knows Brother Iron?”
“Haha! Thirteen years ago, on the day of the Crown Prince of Wei’s wedding, I happened to be in Hangzhou. Having long admired the Hundred Flowers Wine, I specially sneaked into the Imperial Wine Cellar late at night, hoping to feast on it! However, I never expected that someone had already beaten me to it, with Hundred Flowers Wine in one hand and braised pig’s trotters in the other, leaning against a wine barrel, eating and drinking to their heart's content! Guess who that person was?” Yan Bufeng asked with a smile.
“Could it be Brother Iron!” Wu Zi'ang answered without hesitation.
“It was indeed this lad!” Yan Bufeng nodded with a smile.
“And then what happened!?”
Hearing Yan Bufeng recount this old story, not only Wu Zi'ang, but also Wei Lingyao, Zuo Xingyuan, and the others were intrigued and wanted to hear what he had to say next.
"Later! Later I thought, we're all thieves, what am I afraid of! So I showed myself and went in, saying to that kid Tie Ren, 'Hey, young man, make way for this old man!'" Yan Bufeng said to everyone with a serious expression.
"And then what?" Wu Zi'ang asked, suppressing a laugh.
"Hehe, and then, that kid Tie Ren and I drank all the dozen or so jars of Hundred Flowers Wine in the wine cellar clean!" Yan Bufeng's eyes showed a look of intoxication, as if he was reliving the scene of drinking to his heart's content that day.
"So, Old Yan, you and Brother Tie got to know each other!?" Wu Zi'ang shook his head and chuckled. He only knew that Tie Ren loved to eat, but he never expected that the other party was also a professional drinker.
"Hmm! That kid was about your age back then, yet he already enjoyed a great reputation in the martial world. 'Ink Sword travels the world, killing one person in ten steps!' Since the battle at Tongyun Lake, when Iron Blade single-handedly killed twenty-one masters of the Demonic Sect, the name Ink Sword Iron Blade has been on par with the Four Great Masters!" At this point, Yan Bufeng smiled at Wu Ziang and said, "First there was the Demon Emperor, then there was the Ink Sword. With such a powerful backer, apart from the Ghost King, the Immortal Saint, and the Dao Madman, I'm afraid no one will dare to touch you in the slightest!"
Wu Ziang listened to the other party's words in a daze, and after a long while, he smiled bitterly and said, "Unfortunately, the person who wants my life is precisely among the top masters that Elder Yan has excluded!"
"That is indeed a difficult problem!" Yan Bufeng put away his smile and put on a solemn expression. "With the Ghost King's unpredictable abilities, Ziang's future days will probably be difficult!"
"Demon Emperor!" At this moment, Mo Yan, who never spoke easily, suddenly uttered two words.
"Hmm, that's a good idea!" Zuo Xingyuan immediately understood Mo Yan's meaning and said to Wu Zi'ang, "Why don't we invite the Demon Emperor? Since we're both among the Four Great Masters, he should give us some face, right?"
"That's hard to say!" Wu Zi'ang shook his head with a wry smile. Back in the Green Pine Forest, the Ghost King had clearly stated his close relationship with Wei Xuanyi, yet he still ruthlessly tried to kill him. This showed that once the other party turned against him
, they would be ruthless. Furthermore, Uncle Wei was currently far away in Hengcheng; distant water couldn't quell the immediate crisis. He feared that before he could even send a message, the Ghost King would have already taken his life! Shaking his head, Wu Zi'ang temporarily put this troublesome matter aside and smiled, "Don't let my affairs spoil everyone's enjoyment of the meal. Come, let me toast you all with rice instead of wine!" Saying this, he picked up his rice bowl and chopsticks, continuing his earlier whirlwind of eating.
Wei Lingyao's beautiful eyes watched the man beside her, head down, completely oblivious to his image, and she couldn't help but chuckle. Countless young talents and scions of prestigious families were cautious in her presence, striving to present their most perfect image to her. Yet the man before her was completely different, displaying an indifferent expression.
Perhaps in his eyes, she was no different from any other woman? Perhaps in his heart, there was only a woman named Yiyi who resembled him?
Thinking of this, Wei Lingyao felt a strange sense of loss welling up inside her! She was immediately startled. Why did she feel this way? She had only approached him to guide her onto the path of 'Dao,' nothing more!
Gently shaking her head, Wei Lingyao expelled the loss from her heart, and her beautiful face regained its usual serene and elegant expression!
Volume Two, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 44:
After lunch, Wu Zi'ang, concerned for his father, did not linger and rose to bid farewell to Wei Lingyao, Zuo Xingyuan, and the others!
"Zi'ang, don't forget to come drink with us old folks when you have some free time!" Zuo Xingyuan, Mr. Beiguo, Yan Bufu, and Mo Yan, all beaming, saw Wu Zi'ang to the door.
"Definitely!" Wu Zi'ang smiled, glanced at the boy again, and said to Yan Bufu, "I'll trouble you with this child, Elder Yan!"
"Don't worry, Zi'ang, as his teacher, it's only right that I take care of him!" Yan Bufu said with a smile, patting the boy's head.
At this moment, the boy no longer showed any panic or hesitation. Although he was not yet ten years old, he could distinguish right from wrong. His big, dark eyes looked at Wu Zi'ang, and there was even a hint of reluctance in them.
"Farewell, everyone!" Wu Zi'ang's gaze swept over everyone's faces, finally settling on Wei Lingyao. Suddenly remembering something, he took out a thin book from his robes and smiled, "I have no way to repay your life-saving grace, so I can only express my gratitude with this book. I hope you will accept it!"
"Thank you, Brother Wu!" Wei Lingyao did not refuse, smiled and thanked him, and reached out to take the sect's secret manual, 'Mysterious Heart Technique,' which had been lost for three months!
"Farewell!"
Wu Zi'ang cupped his hands to everyone and turned to walk towards the street.
"That kid...!" Watching Wu Zi'ang's departing figure, Zuo Xingyuan couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"What did Elder Zuo want to say?" Wei Lingyao turned and asked.
"I want to say that this kid is not simple. Not only is his martial arts amazing, but he is also mature beyond his years and has an extraordinary mind! If given time, his achievements may not be inferior to the Four Great Masters!" Zuo Xingyuan stroked his silver beard and said solemnly.
“I feel the same way!” Wei Lingyao nodded upon hearing this, recalling her trip to Qianhonglou that morning, and said with deep feeling, “Just like this morning in the garden of Qianhonglou, if I hadn’t known the details beforehand, I would almost have thought, like Madam Yun, that old sheepskin lying on the ground was just a fake. Observing his mature and composed behavior, like a seasoned veteran of more than ten years, I really couldn’t connect him with a young master from an official family who had been born into wealth since childhood!”
“If he were an enemy, such a person would undoubtedly be dangerous!” Yan Bufeng seemed to be reminding Wei Lingyao, and said in a solemn tone.
“Lingyao realized this a month ago!” Wei Lingyao sighed softly, looking at Zuo Xingyuan and the others, and said, “If you seniors knew that he was still a novice in martial arts a month ago, you would understand why Lingyao is so worried now!”
“What?”
Upon hearing this, Zuo Xingyuan and the other three were greatly surprised, and their faces showed horror.
***
Leaving the rice shop, Wu Zi'ang rented a carriage on the street and headed to the Luo City Governor's Mansion. Whether in modern or ancient times, taking a taxi is undoubtedly the most time-efficient and energy-saving way to reach an unfamiliar destination.
The carriage journey took half an hour to reach the Luo City Governor's Mansion; walking would likely have doubled the time.
After getting off the carriage and paying the fare, Wu Zi'ang headed towards the gate of the Governor's Mansion.
"Halt!"
Although the gate was open, four guards stood guard both inside and outside, swords drawn. Upon seeing Wu Zi'ang, two guards immediately stepped forward to block his path, calling out softly.
"I have urgent business to discuss with General Wu Tianyi!" Wu Zi'ang quickly explained his purpose.
"Who are you?"
Hearing that he wanted to see Wu Tianyi, the two guards immediately showed suspicion and pressed for an answer.
"I am Wu Zi'ang, son of General Wu!" Wu Zi'ang truthfully stated his identity to the two guards.
"Oh?" The two guards were slightly surprised upon hearing this. They looked Wu Zi'ang up and down, and seeing that he was composed and showed no signs of suspicion, they said, "Young Master, please wait a moment!"
Then they turned to one of the two guards inside the gate and said, "Go and inform Steward Liu to come and identify me!"
The guard nodded, then turned and ran straight into the mansion.
Hearing the guard mention Steward Liu, Wu Zi'ang's heart skipped a beat. Could it be Uncle Fu?
A moment later, the guard returned, followed closely by an old man.
At a glance, Wu Zi'ang recognized the old man as Liu Fu, the old steward of the Wu family.
"Young Master!"
Looking at Wu Zi'ang standing outside the gate, Liu Fu's old face showed excitement. He took a few steps forward and grabbed the old man's hand, saying happily, "It really is Young Master!
Uncle Fu, you, how did you come to Luocheng? My mother, she…!" "Before Wu Zi'ang left the General's Mansion with Wei Xuanyi, he ordered Liu Fu to escort Qiu Xueqing back to the Ninth Prince's Mansion. He thought that with Liu Fu's loyalty, he would surely stay to protect his mother!
"Young Master, don't worry, Madam is alright. Let's go inside and talk in detail!" Liu Fu saw the other's worry and quickly explained.
"Alright!" Hearing that his mother, Madam Ling, was alright, Wu Zi'ang felt relieved and followed Liu Fu into the City Guard's Mansion.
After entering the front hall, Liu Fu instructed a servant to make Wu Zi'ang a cup of tea, while he stood aside.
"Uncle Fu, where is my mother now?!" Wu Zi'ang was concerned about Madam Ling's safety, so he didn't bother to drink the tea and asked urgently.
"Madam is at the Ninth Prince's Mansion, with the young mistress accompanying her every day. Young Master, you can rest assured!" Liu Fu hurriedly recounted the events of that day to Wu Zi'ang. It turned out that when Liu Fu escorted Qiu Xueqing back to the Ninth Prince's residence, the Ninth Prince had already learned of the changes at the General's Mansion and secretly dispatched four highly skilled maids to bring back Madam Ling and Xia Shidonghua. Liu Fu had originally intended to stay by Madam Ling's side, but Madam Ling was preoccupied with her husband's safety and sent Liu Fu to Luocheng to fulfill her duty of protection.
After hearing the story, Wu Zi'ang was completely relieved. It seemed his father-in-law was on the General's side. However, he guessed that his father-in-law's actions weren't solely due to their in-law relationship; he must have other motives! Regardless, his mother's safety was his greatest comfort!
"Where is my father?" Wu Zi'ang asked after taking a sip of tea.
"Master is still inspecting the southern city and hasn't returned yet!" Liu Fu sighed softly. In fact, Wu Tianyao spent the rest of his day on the city wall, except for sleeping at night.
"What's wrong, Uncle Fu? " "Hearing the other party sigh softly, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but ask.
"Recently, the Southern Guard army has been attacking the city more frequently, and I've also heard that the imperial army has arrived outside Pingyang City. Although my father appears normal on the surface, he is actually extremely anxious and often stays up all night. If this continues, I'm afraid his body will eventually give out!" Liu Fu's face grew more worried as he sighed.
Wu Zi'ang was also aware of the situation Liu Fu described. He recalled Wei Lingyao's words about the 'abandoning the city' plan when they arrived in Luoyang by boat, and couldn't help but think to himself, with his father's abilities, he should have thought of this plan as well, so why is he so worried!?
'Woo, woo, woo…'
Just as Wu Zi'ang was pondering this, he suddenly heard a low horn sound coming from outside.
"Uncle Fu, what is this…!?" Wu Zi'ang asked hurriedly.
"Alas, the Southern Guard army has started attacking the city again!" Liu Fu frowned and sighed deeply as he answered.
"Uncle Fu, take me to see my father!" "Instead of sitting here waiting, why not go to the city wall? Perhaps I can do something for my father." Wu Zi'ang thought for a moment and immediately made up his mind.
"That won't do! Although it's just for defense, arrows have no eyes. What if they hurt you, young master!" Liu Fu didn't know that Wu Zi'ang was no longer the same naive man he once was, so he quickly tried to dissuade him.
"Don't worry, Uncle Fu, nothing will happen!" Wu Zi'ang said with a smile. "If Uncle Fu won't take me, I can go by myself!"
"Alright, alright!" Seeing the other's determination, Liu Fu nodded helplessly and said, "Young master, you must be extremely careful. Try to hide behind this old servant!"
"Okay!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and nodded in response.
"Then follow this old servant!" Liu Fu reluctantly led the way, taking Wu Zi'ang with him.
The old man and the young man left the city garrison and hurried towards the south city wall of Luo City. The distance between the city garrison and the south city wall was not far, and the two of them arrived on foot in less than a quarter of an hour.
At this time, the south of Luo City was already filled with a tense atmosphere. On the city wall, countless guards drew their bows and nocked arrows, pointing them at the approaching Southern Guard army below.
Wu Tianyao stood proudly on the city wall, his tiger eyes fixed on the Southern Guard infantry below, who were in neat formation, holding swords and shields, and advancing step by step.
Behind Wu Tianyao were several generals, including Yan Heng and Zhao Yiheng, among whom was General Tian Guang, who had come from the capital.
"This siege by the Imperial Guard is different from the last!" After observing for a while, Wu Tianyao frowned deeply and said slowly.
"Indeed, judging from the formation of their vanguard, it's three times larger than the last siege, and the siege equipment such as battering rams and ladders they've deployed has also greatly increased!" Tian Guang stared intently, his expression suddenly changing. He pointed to a massive object among the Imperial Guard infantry and said, "Is that the Lü Gong Chariot?"
"If our eyes aren't deceiving us, then it must be!" Wu Tianyao said calmly.
"That thing is truly a headache!" Yan Heng, standing behind him, looked grave and said slowly.
The Lü Gong Chariot was a massive siege weapon, several stories high, as tall as the city walls, housing soldiers inside and covered in leather. Once pushed to the city walls, the soldiers inside would either fire powerful crossbows or leap onto the walls to fight directly, causing considerable trouble for the defending side.
However, this type of cart was difficult to manufacture due to its high material and time consumption, and its large size required more than twenty soldiers to push it forward. Its limited terrain also made it uncommon.
However, the cart that Wu Tianyao and his group saw was undoubtedly an improved version. While the height remained the same, the cart body was much narrower, and correspondingly, its speed was significantly increased. Around the cart, a squad of infantrymen held up large shields to protect the soldiers pushing it from archers on 　　the city walls .
Just as Wu Tianyao and his group were intently watching the cart's movements, a soldier rushed over, kneeling on one knee and reporting, "Reporting to the General, Steward Liu and the young master have arrived!" 　　Upon hearing this, Wu Tianyao's face showed a momentary scare, followed by a barely perceptible hint of excitement in his eyes. He calmly replied, "Bring them here!" 　　"Yes!" 　　the soldier responded, rising to go back and relay the message. 　　"Is it Zi'ang who has arrived?" General Tian Guang asked in surprise. 　　"It should be!" Wu Tianyao turned his gaze back to the densely packed Southern Guard siege troops below the city, wondering why his son had come to Luocheng to find him. Could Xuan Yi have come too? 　　A moment later, Liu Fu and Wu Zi'ang appeared on the wall. 　　"Father!" Wu Zi'ang quickly took two steps, knelt down before Wu Tianyao, and bowed. 　　"Get up. The military situation is urgent. We can talk after the enemy has retreated!" Wu Zi'ang's gaze only lingered on his father's face for a moment before returning to the Southern Guard army slowly advancing below the city. 　　"Your son obeys!" Looking at his father's slightly haggard face, Wu Zi'ang understood the immense pressure his father was under due to internal and external troubles. He sighed inwardly, stood up silently to the side, and also turned his gaze to the thousands of Southern Guard troops below the city. 　　Gazing at the massive, well-organized Southern Guard army atop the city walls, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but gasp. Although he had seen ancient siege battles in television and movies, experiencing it firsthand now filled him with both tension and excitement. 'Boom, boom!' 　　The rhythmic, powerful footsteps revealed the exceptional quality of this attacking force. 　　"Kill!" 　　Just as they were about to reach the archers' firing range, the Southern Guard army erupted in a deafening battle cry, simultaneously accelerating their advance. 　　"Release the arrows!" 　　With a command, the defenders of Luo City unleashed a volley of arrows, countless arrows swarming like locusts, darkening the sky and hurtling towards the Southern Guard army below. 　　Swish...swish! 　　The sound of arrows piercing the air was incessant, followed by the continuous screams of the Southern Guard soldiers. Despite the shields erected, the dense rain of arrows from above still inflicted heavy losses on the Southern Guard soldiers at the forefront. 　　Waves of soldiers fell, struck by arrows, yet the next wave pressed forward relentlessly, stepping over the corpses of their comrades. 　　Meanwhile, the Southern Guard archers drew their bows and began to return fire, hoping to suppress the enemy's ranged fire and reduce casualties among the attacking forces. 　　"Tianyao, you should go back with Zi'ang! I'll manage here!" Looking at the arrows raining down from below, Tian Guang, worried about Wu Tianyao's safety, suggested. Since arriving in Luoyang on the orders of Emperor Qin Wuwei, he had not only failed to persuade the emperor as instructed, but had instead used various excuses to remain in Luoyang, helping Wu Tianyao defend the city. 　　"No need!" Wu Tianyao shook his head, his gaze fixed on the enemy's slowly moving chariot, and said in a deep voice, "Pass down the order: once the enemy's chariot enters range, prioritize shooting down the soldiers pushing it!" 　　"Yes!" A subordinate general obeyed and left. 　　Gazing at the colossal army, numbering no fewer than thirty, Wu Tianyao and his generals understood that the Southern Guard had gone all out in this siege! 　　Amidst the deafening battle cries, a portion of the Southern Guard troops finally broke through the barrage of arrows from the city walls and began constructing a pontoon bridge across the moat for the subsequent attacking forces. 　　Under the cover of shields and archers, the attacking troops braved the arrow rain to cross the moat, reaching within three meters of the city wall to begin using siege ladders. Meanwhile, the battering rams covered in cowhide slowly moved towards the city gate. 　　After paying a considerable price, the Southern Guard troops finally reached the city walls, climbing the siege ladders and beginning the battle to capture the city. 　　In this era of cold weapons, the attacking side was undoubtedly at a disadvantage. Before even reaching the city walls, nearly half of the attacking soldiers had already been shot down by the defending archers. They then erected siege ladders and began their ascent, only to face oncoming logs, rolling stones, and even boiling oil! 　　A soldier from the Southern Guard stubbornly climbed the ladder, but just as he was about to reach the top, a sharp forked pole suddenly extended and severed both his hands. He fell with a scream amidst spurting blood. Three meters below, a vast array of jagged wooden stakes awaited him, already pierced with the corpses of hundreds of Southern Guard soldiers. 　　In contrast, the defending army, sheltered behind crenellations and parapets, had suffered minimal losses. 　　Such an uneven disparity in casualties between attackers and defenders led Sun Tzu to say, "The art of besieging a city is a last resort!" 　　The deafening battle cries could not conceal the series of agonizing screams. 　　"War for land leaves fields of blood; war for a city leaves a city of blood! This is war!" Looking at the utterly horrific scene, Wu Zi'ang's face showed a complex expression. "Life, in this brutal war, is as worthless as grass, yet it is necessary. In this chaotic world, if an individual, a force, or a dynasty wants to survive, it relies solely on 'iron' and 'blood'!"

The battle continued. The Southern Guard army, with their fearless spirit, finally scaled the walls using ladders, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Simultaneously, the thirty-odd massive siege engines of the Lü Gong chariots gradually advanced towards the city walls.
Although the defenders on the walls followed orders, firing intensely at the chariot-pushing soldiers, the Southern Guard had prepared wave after wave of reserves; as the chariot-pushing soldiers fell, those behind quickly filled in. Groups of Southern Guard soldiers' corpses paved the way for the advancing Lü Gong chariots.
"Catapults, prepare! Fire!"
Seeing the Lü Gong chariots slowly approaching, the catapults mounted on the walls, under the command of the flags, began to fire.
Catapults of this era could only project small stones, making them unsuitable for siege warfare. However, if used by the defenders to destroy the attackers' wooden siege equipment or inflict casualties on densely packed troops, they were often highly effective.
In an instant, countless stones whistled through the air. Although the projectiles were not perfectly accurate, they still caused immense damage to the Southern Guard's attacking army.
Several battering rams were smashed into piles of rubble, and even more slow-moving, massive siege engines were riddled with holes by the falling stones, with the soldiers atop them suffering heavy losses. Even those siege engines that weren't hit were still riddled with blood and gore from the falling stones.
"General! This can't go on!"
On a higher hillside behind the Southern Guard army, a middle-aged general anxiously pleaded with Mo Buwei.
"General Qi, do you have a better idea?" Mo Buwei turned around, his face expressionless, and asked in return.
"No, no!" The general surnamed Qi was taken aback and shook his head embarrassedly, but then hurriedly said, "But attacking the city like this will cause too many casualties! And at this rate, even if we lose all our troops, it will be impossible to break through Luo City!"
"How could I not know what you're saying!" Looking at the tragic scene of thousands of soldiers fighting each other, Mo Buwei said with a helpless expression, "His Majesty ordered me and Qinghou to take Luo City within half a month. Now that half the deadline has passed, we are at a loss. The ministers in the court are also quite dissatisfied with this. I really had no choice but to attack the city!"
"These soldiers have followed me through countless battles, fighting in the west and north for years. Do you think I don't feel heartache? But what can I do? Before I returned to the capital at the beginning of the year, I repeatedly warned Huang Zu about the garrison commander of Luocheng. I told him that Ding Ping was greedy and lustful, unfit to shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding the north gate. But I never expected that the scoundrel would ignore my advice, ultimately leading to the loss of Luocheng. My 300,000-strong army was held back by the fortified city of our dynasty, suffering heavy losses and failing to capture it! Whether Luocheng is recaptured or not, it will be a disgrace to our Southern Wei Dynasty!"
At this point, Mo Buwei's face showed anger. In his more than twenty years of military campaigns, he had never fought such a humiliating battle! Huang Zu was guilty of misusing personnel and should have been severely punished, but because he was a subordinate of the Crown Prince, he was spared punishment!
"But what about now...!" Seeing Mo Buwei's unusually angry expression, the general surnamed Qi knew that his usually calm and composed commander, who never showed his emotions, was truly enraged by this matter, and thus dared not continue speaking.
"Even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, I will not give up. Right now, Qinghou Nanxi and I will attack the city together, so as not to keep Wu Tianyao busy dealing with it! If we can delay for a few more days, the final outcome will be clear!" Mo Buwei regained his usual composure, a glint of light flashing in his deep eyes, and said in a deep voice. "Does the general have another brilliant plan!?" The general surnamed Qi understood the implication in the other party's words and asked with delight.
"Not me, but Zhao Qi!" Mo Buwei replied calmly.
"Zhao Qi?" The general surnamed Qi was bewildered upon hearing this, and after a long pause, he said, "Isn't that the old general of Qin?"
"General Zhao Qi of Qin has now led 170,000 Qin troops to the outskirts of Pingyang City. If I am not mistaken, there will be a major battle in Pingyang in the coming days!" Mo Buwei had a slight smile on his lips. "If Pingyang is taken back by Zhao Qi, Luoyang will be an isolated city. Once Wu Tianyao's supplies are cut off, the city will fall without a fight!"
"If that is the case, General, why do you need to launch such a strong attack now? Just surround it and wait for the right opportunity!" The general surnamed Qi's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and then he added.
"No!" Mo Buwei shook his head, a solemn look appearing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice, "I cannot give Wu Tianyao a single chance to breathe. No matter how heavy the casualties, I must not allow him to be distracted from Pingyang!"
"This subordinate understands!" The general surnamed Qi now fully understood Mo Buwei's intentions. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. To make two of the dynasty's most famous generals so cautious, Wu Tianyao's terrifying nature was beyond question!
The battle for the city had now reached a fever pitch. The remaining dozen or so chariots of the Southern Guard finally managed to approach the city walls. The soldiers on the chariots immediately jumped onto the walls and, together with the soldiers who had climbed up the ladders, launched an attack on the Qin soldiers defending the city.
Chapter 46 of Volume 2 Night Rain in the Jianghu
The fierce siege continued until dusk. Beneath the walls of Luo City, corpses littered the ground, and the blood of countless soldiers almost soaked the earth.
After losing nearly ten thousand Southern Guard soldiers, Mo Buwei finally ordered a retreat. Thus, the afternoon's siege ended with the Southern Guard returning empty-handed.
"Mighty! Mighty! Mighty!"
Seeing the Southern Guard army retreat, the soldiers guarding the city walls of Luo City waved their weapons and shouted in unison, creating a series of earth-shattering cheers.
Watching this scene, Mo Buwei's eyes showed admiration. He admitted he couldn't have gained such loyal support from his soldiers.
"What a mighty general! What a Wu Tianyao!" Looking again at the tall, proud figure standing atop the city wall, Mo Buwei sighed softly before slowly turning away and heading towards his camp.
***
Wu Tianyao entrusted the post-battle cleanup to Yan Heng and Zhao Yiheng, and returned to the Luo City garrison headquarters with Tian Guang, Wu Zi'ang, and the steward Liu Fu.
Removing their full armor, Wu Tianyao and Tian Guang sat down and simultaneously let out a long sigh.
"Zi'ang, what brings you to Luo City? Where is your Uncle Wei?" After taking a sip of tea, Wu Tianyao turned to his son and asked.
“Uncle Wei is recuperating outside Hengcheng!” Wu Zi’ang hurriedly replied, “Uncle Wei sent me south to Luocheng to find you!”
“Xuan Yi’s injuries haven’t healed yet!” Wu Tianyao’s face showed a hint of worry, and he sighed softly, then said, “Tell me about what you’ve been through this past month since you left the General’s Mansion!”
“After leaving the General’s Mansion with Uncle Wei, I went to Qingyin Temple to keep an appointment…!” Seeing his father’s question, Wu Zi’ang immediately recounted what had happened to him in the past month, but he omitted the part about fighting the Ghost King and being saved by Wei Lingyao, and he also only briefly mentioned his martial arts skills.
The reason he concealed some things was that he was afraid his father would worry about him. If his father knew that he was being ‘cared for’ by the Ghost King, wouldn’t he be even more worried?
“Xuan Yi understands me!” After listening to Wu Zi’ang’s account, Wu Tianyao’s expression changed, and after a long while, he sighed. At this moment, he understood Wei Xuanyi's intentions: firstly, to allow him to see Zi'ang one last time before withdrawing his troops back to Qin; and secondly, to ensure Zi'ang was spared from the consequences and could settle peacefully within the territory of Nanwei.
"Father, what are your plans for the future?" Having learned that his mother was unharmed, Wu Zi'ang was now most worried about his father's whereabouts, so he tentatively asked.
"Why do you ask that, Zi'ang?" Wu Tianyao calmly countered.
"When I came to Luocheng, I happened to meet Fairy Wei and listened to her analysis of the current situation in Luocheng. I found it very reasonable!" Wu Zi'ang recounted exactly what Wei Lingyao had told him that morning, then asked Wu Tianyao and Tian Guang, who was sitting nearby, "What do you and Uncle Tian think?"
"Abandon the city!" Wu Tianyao and Tian Guang exchanged a glance, both filled with surprise.
"I underestimated this Tianchi disciple!" After a moment, Wu Tianyao turned his head and a smile appeared on his face as he slowly spoke.
“Since Fairy Wei can see that abandoning the city is our only way out, how could Mo Buwei and Huo Quanhou not see it too!” Tian Guang said with a puzzled look on his face, “What are Mo Buwei and Huo Qinghou doing? You should know that with their 300,000 troops alone, they are no match for us. Forcing an attack on the city will only increase casualties! If I were them, I would simply surround the city firmly, and when you, Tianyao, have to retreat to Pingyang due to trouble in your rear, I can recapture Luocheng without losing a single soldier!”
“They want to use continuous sieges to force me to not be distracted by Pingyang! And they can’t easily lead the army to retreat!” Wu Tianyao said calmly, “Old Huo and Old Mo are both men who are unwilling to suffer losses. I have occupied Luocheng for so long, and they have suffered heavy losses. Do you think they would let me retreat to Pingyang so easily?” “Tianyao,
are you absolutely sure about the withdrawal?” Tian Guang pondered for a moment, and then asked in an expectant tone.
"Given the current situation, a complete retreat is impossible. We must leave a force of elite troops to deal with the garrison's attack on the city!" Wu Tianyao said slowly, looking at Tian Guang. "According to the original plan, Lao Tian, you will first lead 50,000 cavalry across the river to Pingyang tonight!"
"Me?" Tian Guang was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and said, "Let Yi Heng handle this. I'll stay and help you defend the city!"
"The current crisis in Pingyang is even greater than in Luoyang. Tu Yi is holding it alone there, and he's having a very tough time. Go and help him. I still have nearly 40,000 elite troops here, which is enough to defend the city!" Wu Tianyao said with a relaxed expression and a smile.
"And then what?" Seeing that the other party said this, Tian Guang could only nod in agreement, but being cautious by nature, he asked another question.
"After holding off another wave of attacks from the Imperial Guards, I'll leave five thousand elite troops to cover the rear, and the rest will retreat!" Wu Tianyao said confidently with a smile. "Old Tian, you can retreat with peace of mind; I've already arranged everything here!"
Hearing the confidence in Wu Tianyao's tone, Tian Guang felt relieved and smiled, "Alright, then I'll go and make the arrangements. Tianyao, see you in Pingyang!"
"Good!" Wu Tianyao nodded with a smile and said, "There's no time to lose, Old Tian, go quickly!"
"I'll take my leave now! It's been a long time since you and your son have seen each other; have a good chat!" Tian Guang cupped his hands in a salute to Wu Tianyao, turned, and left the hall.
After Tian Guang's figure disappeared, the smile on Wu Tianyao's face gradually faded, and he lowered his head in deep thought, remaining silent.
"Father!" Wu Zi'ang called softly to him.
"Oh!" Wu Tianyao suddenly realized his son was still in the room, and a forced smile appeared on his face. "Zi'ang, you've come from afar, you must be tired. Go and rest. I'll tell Old Liu to prepare dinner later!"
"I'm not tired!" Wu Zi'ang shook his head, his gaze fixed on the other man, a strange expression on his face. He said softly, "I want to ask Father something!"
"What is it?" Wu Tianyao was slightly taken aback.
"I want to ask Father, who commands the five thousand elite soldiers left to cover the rear?" Wu Zi'ang stared intently into the other man's eyes and asked softly.
Hearing this question, Wu Tianyao's body suddenly trembled, and a hint of surprise and trepidation appeared in his eyes as he met Wu Zi'ang's gaze.
"Why do you ask this? Of course, I have my own arrangements!" In just a brief moment, Wu Tianyao's face returned to calm, and he answered calmly.
"It's you, Father, isn't it?" Observing the change in the other man's expression, Wu Zi'ang understood completely that his father had indeed made up his mind to die on the battlefield as his final destination!
"Zi'ang, when did you become so clever!" Wu Tianyao looked at his only son with an unusually complicated gaze and sighed softly.
"As the saying goes, 'A father and son are of one heart!' How could I not know what you're thinking!" At this point, Wu Zi'ang's face showed a bitter smile and said, "Father, are you really going to just abandon Mother and me like this?"
Wu Tianyao felt a pang of pain in his heart upon hearing this, but his face remained unusually calm as he said, "I once said that as a general, the entire meaning of my life lies on this battlefield where thousands of troops crisscross. I may fall on the battlefield, but I will never fall on the execution platform! Zi'ang, if one day you become a general, you will understand that a soldier's dignity is above all else!"
"Father!" Wu Zi'ang's eyes welled up with tears, and he said in a trembling voice.
“My mind is made up, Zi'ang, there’s no need for further words! If you see your mother in the future, just tell her I’ve wronged her!” Wu Tianyao suppressed the turmoil in his heart, stood up, went to the window, and waved his hand at Wu Zi'ang with his back turned, saying, “You may leave now!”
“Your son takes his leave!” Knowing that his persuasion would not change his father’s mind, Wu Zi'ang could only leave the back hall dejectedly.
Hearing Wu Zi'ang’s footsteps fading into the distance, Wu Tianyao slowly turned around, his eyes glistening with tears, but his face remained resolute. He murmured, “A general will die in a hundred battles, but a broken spear and sunk sand need not return!”
As Wu Zi'ang left, feeling sullen, he suddenly saw the steward Liu Fu squatting in the courtyard, holding a pipe and puffing away.
“Uncle Fu!” Wu Zi'ang walked over and called softly.
"Young Master!" Seeing him approach, Liu Fu raised his aged face, holding his pipe and smilingly gesturing, "Would you like a puff, Young Master?"
Wu Zi'ang was taken aback, then squatted down and shook his head.
"Young Master looks troubled, is it because of Master's matter?" Liu Fu gently tapped his pipe on the stone steps, extinguishing the remaining embers before tucking it into his robes, and asked Wu Zi'ang with a smile.
Wu Zi'ang nodded sadly, sighing softly, "Father has made up his mind to live and die with Luo City, and I cannot persuade him to change his mind!"
"Master's decision will not be changed! Young Master, let nature take its course!" Liu Fu turned his gaze to the hall and shook his head.
"Uncle Fu, what are your plans for the future?" Wu Zi'ang looked at the old man with gray hair and beard before him and asked with concern.
"An old servant?" Liu Fu chuckled upon hearing this. "My plan is to be wherever Master is! Thirty years have passed, and Master will be very uncomfortable without my service!"
"I understand!" Wu Zi'ang nodded, speaking slowly but resolutely. "If Uncle Fu is so determined, then as his son, I should stay and accompany my father to defend the city!"
"Absolutely not!" Uncle Fu exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly saying, "This old servant is already quite old and my death is not a pity, but Young Master is still young and has a long road ahead of him! Besides, Master will not agree to you staying!"
"My decision will not change!" Wu Zi'ang chuckled, stood up, and said, "Uncle Fu, I'm hungry. Shall we prepare dinner?" (
Volume 2, Chapter 47 of Night Rain in the Jianghu)
That night, Tian Guang led 50,000 cavalry across the river as planned, while at this time, Huo Qinghou's troops attacked Luoyang under cover of night. He and Mo Buwei took turns attacking the city day and night, not wanting Wu Tianyao to be overwhelmed.
Wu Tianyao had anticipated this. Although most of the 100,000 garrison troops had left the city, the remaining forces could hold the city for at least ten days to half a month.
While a night attack would allow the attacking side to use the cover of darkness to quickly approach the walls with individual soldiers, enabling them to launch a strong assault on the defenders at minimal cost, every advantage has its disadvantage. The defenders could simply light torches and extend them beyond the walls, using the dazzling light to obscure the view from the top, putting the attackers in a passive and defensive position. Both sides were well aware of this.
Huo Qinghou's attack on the city was merely a harassment; he sent fewer than three thousand troops to launch a feigned attack. After encountering resistance from the city's defenders, he withdrew without further ado.
Meanwhile, the evacuation within Luoyang proceeded smoothly, with fifty thousand soldiers and their horses aboard nearly two hundred warships, retreating overnight towards Pingyang. The massive movement was remarkably quiet, save for the occasional neighing of horses—a testament to Wu Tianyao's disciplined command. It wasn't
until dawn the following day that all fifty thousand cavalry crossed the Luo River and safely reached Pingyang.
Wu Tianyao hadn't slept all night, only breathing a sigh of relief after the last soldier boarded a warship. Looking up, he saw the first light of dawn; a new day had begun.
Returning to the city's garrison, before he could even close his eyes for rest, he heard the booming of drums outside the city, signaling that the Southern Guard's army had resumed its assault.
Wu Tianyao sighed softly, put on the armor he had just taken off, and prepared to head to the south city wall. In the past, even if he didn't go, generals like Yan Heng and Yue Yiheng could command in his stead and the city would remain intact. But now, with only 40,000 troops remaining, he had to personally oversee the defenses to maintain high morale.
"Father!"
He had barely stepped out of his room when he heard someone calling from behind. Wu Tianyao turned around and said calmly, "Zi'ang, what is it?"
"Father, do you want to go to the city wall? I want to go with you!" Seeing his father's exhausted face from a sleepless night, Wu Zi'ang felt a pang of pity and spoke up.
"It's still early. You should rest in the manor. I'm just going to inspect the city wall; it's nothing serious. The Southern Guard's attack is just a show!" Wu Tianyao's face softened, and he smiled at the other man with feigned ease before turning and striding away.
"Father...!" Gazing at his father's tall figure, Wu Zi'ang hesitated, then lowered his head helplessly. He knew he couldn't help at all; perhaps the only thing he could do was die alongside his father on the day the city fell! So be it. His life had come to him in a muddled way, and as a son, this was only right! It was just that the dog emperor of Wuwei had benefited, unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, unworthy of being a ruler! If he were his father, he would have rebelled long ago!
With a low sigh, Wu Zi'ang shook his head. In this ancient world filled with the idea of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, his father's willingness to die on the battlefield rather than seize power was, in his eyes, stubbornness and blind loyalty, but in his father's eyes, it was the duty of a subject! Frankly speaking, his father might be a hero, but not a tyrant, and in this chaotic world, the latter might be easier to survive! If given a chance, he would rather be the latter.
The morning passed, and by lunchtime, Wu Tianyao still hadn't returned.
“Young Master, please eat first! Judging from the looks of it, Master is probably eating communal meals with Generals Zhao and Yan on the city wall!” Liu Fu shook his head, as if he were used to this situation.
“Alright!” Hearing this, Wu Zi’ang had no choice but to pick up his rice bowl and eat his lunch alone, without tasting it.
After the meal, the drumbeats outside the city gradually subsided, presumably indicating that the Southern Guard army's siege had come to an end.
Wu Zi’ang and Liu Fu waited for another half an hour before they heard familiar footsteps coming from outside the door. Then the door opened, and Wu Tianyao appeared before them.
“Master, have you eaten?” Liu Fu hurriedly stepped forward, removing Wu Tianyao's armor, and asked with concern.
“Yes, I have! You and Zi’ang have eaten too, haven’t you?”
Wu Tianyao couldn’t hide his deep fatigue; his eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse as he said, “I’m going to rest in the back hall. If there’s any military news, please inform me immediately!” After speaking, he glanced at Wu Zi'ang again before turning and heading to the back hall to rest.
Wu Zi'ang knew his father hadn't slept all night and must be exhausted, so he and Liu Fu quietly withdrew to avoid disturbing Wu Tianyao's rest.
Once in the courtyard, Liu Fu sighed and said, "Master handles everything personally, big or small. He expends many times more effort than the average person. If this continues, he'll eventually collapse!"
Hearing Liu Fu's words, Wu Zi'ang remained silent. He thought of himself in modern society, struggling against powerful competitors, just like his father, exhausted and mentally drained. The business world is like a battlefield; the winner survives, the loser perishes—the rules are the same! The only difference is that the former loses wealth, while the latter loses their lives—the lives of themselves and their soldiers!
"What are you thinking about, young master?" Noticing Wu Zi'ang's silence, Liu Fu couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing! Just feeling a little troubled!" "Wu Zi'ang's face showed worry as he spoke.
"Young Master, why don't you go for a walk? This old servant can arrange for two guards to accompany you to ensure your safety!" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's troubled expression, Liu Fu couldn't help but suggest this.
"I'll just walk a short distance outside the city magistrate's mansion; I don't need any attendants!" Wu Zi'ang waved his right hand lightly.
"Alright then, Young Master, please don't go too far!" Liu Fu nodded, still reminding him.
"Don't worry, Uncle Fu, it'll be fine!" Wu Zi'ang smiled slightly and turned to walk towards the city magistrate's mansion gate.
"Young Master!" The gate guards bowed their heads and greeted him as Wu Zi'ang approached.
"Hmm!" Wu Zi'ang smiled and nodded at the four soldiers before stepping out of the gate.
Standing on the main street, observing the bustling crowds, Wu Zi'ang noticed that although the city had been conquered by the Qin Dynasty represented by his father, the residents seemed unperturbed, likely due to his father's policy of "not disturbing the common people."
Before he knew it, Wu Zi'ang had walked further and further, arriving at the most prosperous part of central Luo City. He saw various stalls selling all sorts of goods lining both sides of the road, with vendors calling out their wares in unison.
This seemed to be a market. Looking at the lively street, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but feel a desire to stroll around, his steps following the flow of people in what appeared to be a market.
Suddenly, a figure came towards him, bumping into him lightly.
"Ouch, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" the person said, bowing repeatedly in apology.
"It's alright, be careful!" Wu Zi'ang, too lazy to dwell on these unintentional mistakes, said a few words indifferently and continued walking forward.
Uh oh! After only two steps, he suddenly felt something was amiss. He instinctively reached into his robes and was startled to find that some silver and the 'Demon God Record' inside had vanished.
The scene from just moments ago flashed through his mind, and he cursed inwardly. Turning around, he saw the person who had bumped into him quickly escaping under the cover of the crowd.
What terrible luck! He'd only been out a short while, and already had the honor of being robbed by a petty thief. He truly couldn't understand how his ordinary attire could attract such a thief!
Without time to think, Wu Zi'ang channeled his inner energy, his body suddenly leaping into the air as he pounced on the thief. The silver was one thing, but the Demon God Record was absolutely crucial.
The thief hadn't expected Wu Zi'ang to possess martial arts skills and, caught off guard, was grabbed by the back of his clothes by the sudden appearance of the other man.
"Here we go again!" "Wu Zi'ang said coldly.
However, before he finished speaking, he felt his hand loosen. The thief had actually used the Golden Cicada Shedding its Shell technique, spinning around and discarding his clothes to continue his escape.
Looking at the clothes in his hand, Wu Zi'ang was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh in anger. These ancient thieves seemed to be much more cunning than modern ones! Throwing away the clothes, Wu Zi'ang continued the chase. The two of them, fleeing and chasing, immediately attracted the attention of passersby.
Knowing Wu Ziang possessed light-footed skills, the petty thief learned his lesson, frequently changing his escape route and specifically targeting densely populated areas. Due to his short stature, Wu Ziang nearly lost sight of him several times.
The thief was undoubtedly very familiar with the terrain, weaving east and west until he approached an alleyway. He only needed to escape inside to confidently use the terrain to evade pursuit.
However, just as he was about to rush into the alley, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him without warning.
"Bang!" Caught off guard, the thief crashed headfirst into the other person's arms, feeling as if he had hit a stone wall. A sharp pain shot through him, and he collapsed to the ground, seeing stars.
"Ouch, I'm so sorry, so sorry!" the person stepped forward, repeatedly apologizing, but then gently placed a hand on the thief's shoulder.
"You're blind…!" The thief was about to unleash a torrent of curses when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. When his eyes met the other person's face, his expression turned ashen, and he swallowed the rest of his words.
At this moment, Wu Zi'ang rushed over and was taken aback by the scene.
"Brother, you must have also been robbed by this scoundrel, right?" the man asked, turning to Wu Zi'ang with a grin.
"Thank you for your help, brother! I was indeed robbed of something important by this little thief!" Wu Zi'ang regained his composure, his eyes scrutinizing the young man who had captured the thief. The man was about his age, not exactly handsome, but possessed a striking air of heroism. His bright eyes gleamed, and although he wore only a plain gray robe, he exuded the air of a master.
"Don't mention it. If you hadn't been so persistent, brother, it would have taken me quite a bit of effort to catch this fellow!" the young man said with a smile, then turned to the thief, who was now only wearing a white undershirt, and said, "Give it to me!"
***
I was away for a week this time, which delayed updates. Things were very urgent, so I didn't have time to inform everyone. I apologize for keeping you waiting. Updates will resume today!
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 48:
"Wh-what? Ouch!" The thief tried to feign ignorance, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and couldn't help but cry out.
"Give it to me!" the young man called out again.
The pain made the thief realize he was doomed, and he had no choice but to obediently reach into his robes with his other hand.
Wu Zi'ang's silver, the Demon God's Record, and a purple hairpin were pulled out.
The young man took the hairpin from the thief first, his face unable to hide the joy of finding something he had lost. He released his grip on the thief, gently rubbing the hairpin, his eyes softening.
Wu Zi'ang didn't stand on ceremony, stepping forward to take back his silver and the Demon God's Record. Upon closer inspection of the petty thief's face, he was taken aback. Contrary to his expectations of a sleazy appearance, the thief had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with a rather handsome face. If he hadn't been caught red-handed, he would never have imagined that the man was a petty thief who made a living by stealing from underground pits.
"This fellow does have some skill. We're dressed in ordinary clothes, yet he could tell at a glance that we possess extraordinary treasures!" The young man put away his purple hairpin, glanced at the thief, and said to Wu Zi'ang with a smile.
"I feel the same way! It seems this young brother is quite capable!" Wu Zi'ang looked at the ashen-faced thief and nodded with a smile.
"Brother, what do you plan to do with this petty thief?" the young man asked with a smile, seeking Wu Zi'ang's opinion.
Hearing the discussion about how to deal with him, the thief's face immediately changed, and his body began to tremble slightly. Being caught red-handed while stealing, even being crippled would be justified, especially since he already knew that these two men were skilled in martial arts. Therefore, he couldn't help but feel afraid.
"Well, thankfully the item has been recovered, so let's let him go this time! What do you think, brother?" Since the item wasn't lost, Wu Zi'ang wasn't worried about getting away with it and said this immediately.
"Alright, then let this scoundrel off this time!" The young man waved to the thief and laughed.
Knowing that the other party had let him go, the thief's face lit up with joy, but after taking a slight step, a look of pain appeared on his face. He couldn't help but look up at the young man, his eyes pleading.
The young man immediately understood his meaning, gently patted the thief's shoulder, and said, "Consider yourself lucky, get lost!"
Feeling his body relax and half of his body regain feeling, the thief hurriedly passed by the two men, running and darting, disappearing into the alley in a moment.
"Brother, what is your name?" Seeing that the thief had vanished without a trace, the young man turned around and asked Wu Zi'ang.
"My name is Wu Zi'ang!" Wu Zi'ang replied with a cupped hand and a smile, then paused and asked, "And you, brother?"
"Feng Yihan!" the young man also introduced himself, then smiled and said, "It's fate that we met Brother Wu here. I would like to invite you for a drink. Would you do me the honor?"
Sensing the other's intention to make friends, Wu Zi'ang smiled slightly and said, "It would be my pleasure!"
The two smiled at each other and walked away side by side from the alley entrance.
They randomly found a restaurant by the roadside, and Wu and Feng chose a cool spot near the window to sit down. They ordered half a jin of Shaoxing wine, a jin of braised beef, and a few side dishes, and began to drink.
"Brother Wu, please!" Feng Yihan raised his wine bowl to the other first, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing the other's hearty manner, Wu Zi'ang had no choice but to also drink his wine in one gulp. Although he found it slightly spicy, it wasn't unpleasant to drink. Reaching out
, Feng Yihan picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth. He smiled and said, "Brother Wu
, you're not a local, are you?" "Yes!" Wu Zi'ang nodded and smiled, "I'm sure Brother Feng can tell that I'm not familiar with this place, otherwise I wouldn't have asked passersby for directions to the restaurant!" He paused for
a moment and then said, "Brother Feng, you're not a local either, are you?" "I came from Quanzhou, intending to visit an old friend, but I didn't expect that my friend had just passed away!" Feng Yihan sighed softly and shook his head, saying, "It's true that misfortune can strike at any time. A perfectly healthy person can just be gone like that!"
Wu Zi'ang sensed from the other's words that his old friend had met with misfortune. He had only just met the other man, so it was inappropriate for him to inquire further. Instead, he said, "I came to Luocheng to find relatives, and everything went smoothly. However, I didn't expect to encounter a petty thief while just strolling around today. Fortunately, Brother Feng appeared in time, otherwise, the thief might have escaped!"
"So, meeting Brother Wu today is purely fate! Come, let's have another bowl!" With that, Feng Yihan poured wine for himself and the other man, then picked up his bowl again and downed it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. Since entering the martial world, most of the people he had met were heavy drinkers. Brother Tie Ren was like that, as were Zuo Xingyuan, Yan Bufu, and others, and now this newly acquainted Feng Yihan was no exception! Perhaps in this martial world, the spirit of heavy drinking was a common practice among many heroes! After thinking for a moment, he also downed his bowl of wine, leaving not a single drop.
"I never imagined Brother Wu was such a drinker!" Watching Wu Zi'ang down two bowls of wine without batting an eye, Feng Yihan's eyes lit up, a look of joy on his face as if he'd found a kindred spirit.
"That's all. Any more, and I'm afraid I'll reveal my true colors!" Wu Zi'ang shook his head and laughed.
"Brother Wu is probably just being modest!" Feng Yihan looked unconvinced, picking up the wine jar to refill his cup. Just
as Wu Zi'ang was about to decline, a cold voice rang out: "If Zi'ang won't drink, then pass it on to me!"
Before the words were even finished, Wu Zi'ang and Feng Yihan saw a flash of blue light, and a scholar in a green robe appeared beside them.
Meeting the scholar's icy gaze and paler-skinned face, Wu Zi'ang was startled, realizing something was terribly wrong.
"This senior is…!" Feng Yihan, seemingly unaware of the Ghost King, asked Wu Zi'ang in surprise.
"This is Uncle Ouyang! My elder!" Wu Zi'ang, after his initial shock, suppressed his emotions and smiled at Feng Yihan. What's meant to be will be! Fear was pointless now, especially since the Ghost King would have already done it if he wanted to kill him; there was no need for him to be sitting beside him.
"So you're Brother Wu's elder. Waiter, bring another set of chopsticks and a bowl!" Feng Yihan, slightly taken aback, quickly called to the waiter.
The Ghost King sat beside the two men, expressionlessly scrutinizing Wu Zi'ang and Feng Yihan. Only after the waiter placed a bowl and chopsticks in front of him did he say calmly, "I once said I would take your life at any time. Instead of trying to avoid it, you come here so ostentatiously to drink and make merry. Do you think I'm joking?" "
Zi'ang wouldn't dare! Zi'ang simply can't stand living that kind of life of hiding and cowering. Besides, with your abilities, even if I hid at the ends of the earth, it would probably be useless!" Wu Zi'ang met the Ghost King's sharp gaze and answered with unusual calmness.
"Come, come, senior, please have a drink!" Feng Yihan, seemingly oblivious to the underlying killing intent beneath the calm between Wu Ziang and the Ghost King, rose, picked up a wine jar, filled a bowl for the Ghost King first, then poured one for Wu Ziang, and filled his own, saying with a smile, "I've long admired Senior Ghost King's name, but have never had the chance to meet you. This unexpected encounter is truly an honor for this junior!"
Hearing Feng Yihan's words, a look of surprise appeared in Wu Ziang's eyes; it turned out the other party already knew the Ghost King's identity.
The Ghost King coldly observed the two young men before him, a slight hint of admiration appearing in his heart. His name, Ghost King, was enough to terrify anyone who heard it, causing them to avoid him at all costs. Yet, these two young men, seemingly unafraid of his power, sat calmly before him, their courage quite rare.
"Bring me your sword so this old man can have a look!" After a brief silence, the Ghost King suddenly spoke.
A sword? Wu Zi'ang was utterly bewildered. Whose sword? He himself had no weapon, and Feng Yihan was also completely empty-handed. What was the Ghost King's intention in demanding a sword?
Feng Yihan's expression changed upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. His right hand instinctively reached for his waist.
"Don't hesitate. As the successor of the 'Heavenly Blade,' you should always carry the 'Remnant Sun Blade,' shouldn't you?" The Ghost King lightly tapped the table with his index and middle fingers, speaking calmly.
"Senior's discerning eye is indeed accurate; I am truly impressed!" Feng Yihan's surprise deepened. His right hand, which had reached for his waist, moved slightly, and with a soft click, a flash of yellow light appeared, revealing a bronze-colored, sheathed longsword on the table.
Although the longsword was not drawn, the ancient patterns on the scabbard alone suggested it was a valuable and powerful weapon. Wu Zi'ang realized that Feng Yihan wore it as a belt, and he was also secretly amazed by the Ghost King's abilities, as he could instantly discern the other's origins.
"Twenty-one years have passed since we last met, haven't we?!" The Ghost King seemed to be talking to himself, reaching for the longsword, his eyes flashing with an unusually complex light.
"Senior…!" Seeing the other's hand gripping the hilt, Feng Yihan's expression changed, and he couldn't help but speak.
"When the setting sun rises, blood is shed! Is that so?" A faint, gentle smile appeared on the Ghost King's cold, pale face as he softly asked.
"Indeed!" Feng Yihan nodded quickly after a moment's surprise.
"Put it away!" After examining it for a moment, the Ghost King slowly placed the longsword on the table and closed his eyes.
Feng Yihan picked up the longsword with both hands, transforming it back into a belt and fastening it around his waist. The blades were tightly joined end to end, making it appear completely indistinguishable from an ordinary belt.
"How did you know I was the successor of the Heavenly Blade, senior?" Feng Yihan asked with a look of surprise after fastening his 'belt'.
Wu Zi'ang also wanted to know the reason. It wasn't surprising that the Ghost King recognized him as the Demon Emperor's junior in the Green Pine Forest by the Azure Lake, since he had used Wei Xuanyi's unique skills. But now, Feng Yihan was just sitting there, and the Ghost King had already revealed his background, which was truly puzzling.
Upon hearing this, the Ghost King suddenly let out a low laugh, his eyes snapping open as he said, word by word, "I am the original owner of this sword!" 　　Feng Yihan was startled and exclaimed, "What?" "Don't be surprised! This
Remnant 　　Sun Sword is the gift I gave to your master years ago!" The Ghost King's face showed a nostalgic expression as he sighed and asked, "How is your master doing lately?" 　　"My master has been plagued by illness for over ten years!" Feng Yihan shook his head, his tone revealing his worry. He had heard his master say that the Remnant Sun Sword was a gift from an old friend, so he didn't doubt the Ghost King's words and truthfully told him about his master's condition. 　　"They've all grown old!" the Ghost King murmured to himself, his gaze falling on the bowl of wine on the table. After a long while, he smiled wryly, picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp. 　　Whether it was a misperception or not, at this moment, Wu Zi'ang clearly felt that the Ghost King sitting beside him seemed to have aged considerably. 　　"I see a faint purple aura between your brows; you must have already achieved some success with the Purple Sun Heart Sutra?" After drinking a bowl of wine, the Ghost King looked at Feng Yihan and asked. 　　"This junior is dull-witted; I've only reached the sixth level so far!" Feng Yihan replied, a slight blush appearing on his face. 　　"The Purple Sun Heart Sutra, along with the Phoenix Nirvana Technique, are two of the most powerful and potent martial arts in the world today. While the former is not as refined as the latter, its domineering nature is slightly superior when executed using the 'Borrowed Blade' technique. You two are inheritors of these two extraordinary arts; such a chance encounter is indeed unusual!" The Ghost King's gaze swept over Wu and Feng, a strange expression flashing across his face: "If we are enemies, we will both be severely injured; if we are friends, we can benefit each other!" 　　Hearing the Ghost King's words, Wu Zi'ang and Feng Yihan exchanged a glance, their faces showing confusion. They couldn't understand the Ghost King's purpose in saying these words. Was this an implication that the two should not be enemies in the future? But what did this have to do with the Ghost King? Could it be that the Ghost King was making such an implication because Feng Yihan was a disciple of an old friend? 　　At this moment, Wu Zi'ang vaguely sensed that the Ghost King's appearance this time was not aimed at him, but at Feng Yihan. He himself was merely there by chance, and thus encountered the Ghost King! 　　"Zi'ang, compared to your martial arts, your performance in the back garden of Qianhonglou is even more astonishing. That Yun Jieyi is quite an old hand, yet she was still manipulated by you, a newcomer! Zi'ang's intelligence is evident!" After a pause, the Ghost King suddenly changed the subject, smiling at Wu Zi'ang. 　　"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind! Although I managed to deceive Madam Yun with my cleverness, in the end, you, senior, reaped the benefits, causing my efforts to be in vain!" Wu Zi'ang replied with a bitter smile. 　　"I too feel it's a pity. If I hadn't watched my young disciple make his move, Zi'ang would probably be a soul in the underworld by now!" 　　The Ghost King still wore a faint smile, but Wu Zi'ang clearly sensed that the Ghost King who seemed to be lamenting the passing of time was gone. In his place was the same Ghost King who had tried to kill him in the Green Pine Forest and the Thousand Red Pavilion. He was immediately startled and became wary, but his expression remained unchanged. He smiled and replied, "This junior truly doesn't understand. Senior has already obtained that thing, so why won't you let me go? Several people already know that it's in your hands. Does Senior intend to silence them all?"

"Even if the whole world knows that this Soul-Stealing Charm is in my hands, what do I have to fear!?" The Ghost King's face showed arrogance as he sneered.
"Soul-Stealing Charm!?" Upon hearing these three words, Feng Yihan's expression changed drastically, and his gaze fixed on the Ghost King.
The Ghost King ignored Feng Yihan's strange expression and continued, "If it were you, Zi'ang, would you choose to nip your enemy in the bud, or let them grow into a major threat?"
"An enemy!? A major threat!?" Wu Zi'ang understood the other's meaning and immediately shook his head and laughed, "What virtue or ability do I have to dare to be an enemy of you, senior? Your words truly give me the feeling that 'if you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext!'"
"Perhaps!" The Ghost King chuckled lightly, "I act entirely according to my personal preferences. From the first moment I saw you, Zi'ang, I felt that you would one day become my formidable enemy. In that regard, I can only say that you are extremely unlucky!" "
Although the power of life and death is in your hands, senior, I will not sit idly by and wait for my death!" Wu Zi'ang's smile remained unchanged as he picked up his wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. Kill him? The other party would likely not succeed! Perhaps before the other party could even make a move, he and his father would have already died on the walls of Luo City.
"I admire Zi'ang's boldness and look forward to the next encounter where he will bring me new surprises!" The Ghost King chuckled softly, then turned to Feng Yihan and said, "Give this to your master, and tell her that I have fulfilled my promise to her!" He then took something from his robes and placed it on the table.
Wu Zi'ang's gaze fell upon the unusually familiar old sheepskin on the table, and the words 'Soul-Stealing Charm' almost escaped his lips. It was truly unbelievable that the Ghost King had gone to such lengths to seize this rare treasure, the 'Soul-Stealing Charm,' only to give it to someone else. This suggested that the Ghost King's relationship with Feng Yihan's master was definitely extraordinary!
"This is…!?" Feng Yihan stared at the tattered sheepskin on the table, a look of hesitation flashing across his face.
"This is what your master wanted most, and isn't that what you came here for too?"
Upon hearing the Ghost King's words, Feng Yihan's face showed disbelief. After a long while, he exclaimed in surprise, "Senior, are you joking?"
"This old man has never heard of joking!" The Ghost King snorted lightly, stood up, and with a flash of his green robe, he had already floated to the door.
"Zi'ang, we'll meet again!" In the blink of an eye, the figure had disappeared, but the Ghost King's cold voice still echoed in Wu Zi'ang's ears.
Perhaps, he was just too unlucky! He had inexplicably provoked a demon like the Ghost King! But it didn't matter now; his final destination was destined to be on the city wall of Luo City!
"Brother Wu, is this really the 'Soul-Stealing Charm'?!" Feng Yihan reached out and took the piece of sheepskin in his hand, a look of doubt on his face.
"Given the Ghost King's status, there's probably no need for him to lie to Brother Feng! Moreover, this thing was once in my possession, and I can guarantee its authenticity to Brother Feng!" Wu Zi'ang replied with a smile.
"Judging from what you just said, this thing must have been taken from Brother Wu by Senior Ghost King, right? Does Brother Wu intend to return it to its rightful owner?" Feng Yihan asked slowly, a strange look in his bright eyes.
"Brother Feng, are you testing me?" Wu Zi'ang shook his head with a smile. "To be honest, I have absolutely no interest in this thing!"
Feng Yihan didn't reply, but stared at him intently, as if trying to discern the truth in Wu Zi'ang's words. After a long while, he said with admiration, "A person as free from greed as Brother Wu is one in a million. Faced with such a rare treasure, I admit I cannot remain unmoved!"
"Brother Feng flatters me. If you understood my current situation, you wouldn't have such thoughts!" For someone about to return to the underworld, no treasure could arouse his interest! Wu Zi'ang sighed inwardly, reached for the jar of Shaoxing wine, poured himself a full bowl, and then said to Feng Yihan, "Brother Feng, please!"
Feng Yihan was slightly taken aback, then put away the old sheepskin, picked up his wine bowl, and smiled, "Brother Wu, please!"
The two clinked their bowls together briefly, then each tilted his head back and drank.
Wiping the wine stains from his lips, Wu Zi'ang cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you very much for your hospitality, Brother Feng, but I have other matters to attend to and cannot continue to enjoy myself with you!"
"Brother Wu, you're leaving already?" Feng Yihan put down his wine bowl and asked in surprise.
"If we ever meet again, I will certainly drink with you until we're both drunk. However, I do have urgent business to attend to right now, so please forgive me!"
Hearing Wu Zi'ang's words, Feng Yihan knew he couldn't force him to stay, so he nodded and said, "I'm currently in room number three of the Anping Inn. If you have time, you can come find me there. It's just a pity that I won't be lingering in Luo City any longer!"
Looking at the other's regretful expression, Wu Zi'ang could tell that the other intended to befriend him, but he feared he wouldn't have the chance .
"Farewell, Brother Feng!"
"Take care, Brother Wu!"
After bowing again, Wu Zi'ang stood up and left the Hongyun Restaurant.
Watching Wu Zi'ang's departing figure, Feng Yihan shook his head and sighed softly. He felt that the other was very much to his liking. If he weren't in a hurry to return to Tianshan to return the 'Soul-Stealing Guide' to his master, he would have stayed in Luo City for much longer.
Lost in thought, he suddenly sensed something amiss on his right. Turning his head, he met several pairs of strangely shifting eyes. A thought struck him, and he immediately remembered the rare treasure in his possession, the 'Soul-Stealing Charm'! The Ghost King hadn't deliberately lowered his voice when speaking, so he guessed the words 'Soul-Stealing Charm' had likely reached the ears of those around him.
Feng Yihan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Anyone who dared to plot against him, let them try! He immediately pulled a silver ingot from his robes, placed it on the table, and called out, "Waiter, the bill!"
***
Wu Zi'ang had barely stepped into the city magistrate's mansion when he sensed something was amiss! The entire mansion, inside and out, exuded a tense and solemn atmosphere.
"Young Master, the General is searching everywhere for you!" The gatekeeper, seeing Wu Zi'ang, beamed with joy and quickly said.
"Oh, I see!" Wu Zi'ang replied, a vague sense of unease creeping into his heart. He hurried towards the main hall.
Upon entering the front hall, Wu Tianyao was seen pacing back and forth in his room, while Generals Zhao Yiheng and Yan Heng, along with the steward Liu Fu, stood on either side, their expressions sorrowful and their eyes red.
"Zi'ang, you've returned just in time! I've made all the arrangements. You must quickly retreat to Pingyang with the other generals!"
Before Wu Zi'ang could speak, Wu Tianyao stepped forward, grabbing his hand and speaking urgently.
"No, I've made my decision. I will defend the city with you, Father!" Wu Zi'ang shook his head, his face resolute. He took a step back, freeing himself from the other's grasp.
Looking at his son's determined expression, tears welled in Wu Tianyao's eyes. He slowly turned around and uttered two words in a trembling voice: "Take him down!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Liu Fu's short, stout body lunged at Wu Zi'ang from behind, his finger flashing like lightning, lightly striking the other's back. (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 50:
The Outer Garrison Camp of Luo City)
"General, the soldiers on the watchtower just reported that most of the garrison on the walls of Luoyang have suddenly withdrawn, and their movements are unknown!" General Qi hurriedly entered the central army camp to report this unusual news to Mo Buwei.
Upon hearing this, Mo Buwei's eyes flashed, then a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. After a long while, he muttered to himself, "Could it be that they are preparing to withdraw their troops?!"
"General, what should we do? Should we attack the city?" General Qi asked urgently.
Mo Buwei took two steps, then suddenly turned around and looked at General Qi, saying in a deep
voice, "Order the three armies to attack the city immediately!" "Yes!" General Qi responded and turned to leave the tent.
"If you can come and go as you please, where will the prestige of my Southern Guard Army be?" Mo Buwei's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he shouted, "Men, prepare the horses!"
***
Hearing the booming war drums outside the window, Wu Tianyao glanced at the unconscious Wu Zi'ang again, then said to Liu Fu, "Take good care of Zi'ang!"
"Master, you, you can rest assured!" Liu Fu's old face was already covered with tears, and he answered in a trembling voice.
"Here is a letter, Yan Heng, please give it to General Zhao Qi for me!" Wu Tianyao picked up the prepared envelope from the table and handed it to Yan Heng, instructing him in a deep voice.
"Yes, General!" Yan Heng took the letter with both hands, his eyes filled with tears as he answered.
"Alright, take care, everyone. We...we must part ways here!" Wu Tianyao forced a light laugh, cupped his hands to his men who had shared life and death with him for many years, and then strode towards the door.
"General!" Zhao Yiheng suddenly knelt down, calling out in a trembling voice.
"General!" Immediately afterward, everyone in the room, except for Wu Zi'ang who was unconscious in his chair, knelt down and called out in unison.
Wu Tianyao's body suddenly trembled, but he did not stop. With a flick of his cloak, he stepped out the door.
***
Amidst the sound of war drums, tens of thousands of Southern Guard troops had already formed ranks, waiting only for their commander's order to begin the assault. The repeated failures to capture the city over the past few days, although not fundamentally shaking the morale of the Guard troops, had left a shadow in the hearts of every attacking soldier. The towering walls of Luoyang seemed like an insurmountable chasm.
"Wait!" Standing atop the mountain city, firmly seated on his horse, Mo Buwei suddenly noticed a familiar figure on the city walls of Luo City. A thought struck him, and he couldn't help but call out softly.
"General, is something amiss?" General Qi, about to issue the order for a general attack with his command flag, was startled by the shout and asked in surprise.
Was he going to retreat? Why wasn't Wu Tianyao, the commander, leaving? Did he intend to perish with Luo City? Or was this a ploy to lure him into attacking? Mo Buwei frowned, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to his subordinate's words.
"Begin the siege!" A moment later, Mo Buwei suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, and gave the order in a deep voice. Only by trying could they know the true situation.
The booming footsteps echoed through the rumbling war drums beneath Luo City. Having noticed a sharp decrease in the number of defenders on the city walls, Huo Qinghou and Mo Buwei launched a joint siege.
As the sun set, thousands of Southern Guard soldiers, clad in armor and armed with weapons, began yet another siege.
Wu Tianyao stood atop the city wall, watching the approaching Guard army, yet a strange sense of peace and tranquility filled his heart.
From his youth to adulthood, twenty-five years had passed; he had fought in countless battles, never suffering a defeat. Now, his military career was about to end on the walls of Luoyang. Ironically, he had orchestrated all of this himself!
People, indeed, change! The young crown prince who had once seemed like a brother to him, after more than twenty years as emperor, still couldn't help but suspect him. Children born into royalty could never truly open their hearts to each other like ordinary people! He recalled how Wu Wei had held his hand, speaking with exceptional sincerity: "Tianyao, you can make all your own decisions, act freely, without consulting me! If it weren't for the constraints of patriarchal law, I truly wish to swear brotherhood with you!"
'Hmph!' Wu Tianyao let out a self-deprecating chuckle. He, so confident in his shrewdness, had so easily believed such lies. Imperial power! If there was even the slightest sign of it threatening that thing, even his own brothers and sisters would be severed, let alone him, an outsider!
So be it! Wu Tianyao shook his head, and slowly raised his right hand in the slanting sunlight.
"Release!" As his hand fell, the thousand-odd soldiers guarding the city immediately released their bowstrings, countless arrows whistling through the air as they rained down on the Southern Guard's attacking army that had entered their range. To minimize the casualties of his elite troops, whom he had personally trained, Wu Tianyao had only left these thousand soldiers.
Amidst the splattering blood, a group of guards fell, but many more noticed that the firepower of the city's defenders had weakened considerably compared to before.
"Charge!"
Under the command of the generals, the various siege weapons of the Southern Guard once again came into play. At the forefront were the troops erecting trench bridges, followed closely by hundreds of siege ladders. The Southern Guard army discovered the offensive against Luocheng from the west and south of the city. In an instant, the battle cries shook the heavens, and under the afterglow of the setting sun, the entire southwest of Luocheng was engulfed in blood.
For several months, the residents of Luocheng had become accustomed to the sounds of war drums and battle cries. Regardless of who won or lost, as long as their lives and livelihoods were not threatened, as ordinary citizens, they had no energy to care about anything else. Although they were nominally citizens of the Southern Guard, this did not prevent them from having a great deal of goodwill towards the Qin general who had not disturbed the people in the slightest for months!
Therefore, seeing a large number of Qin troops retreating to the ferry, the residents of Luocheng did not feel any joy.
As Zhao Yiheng, Yan Heng, Liu Fu, and others boarded their warships and slowly sailed away from the Luocheng ferry, the shouts of battle from the southwest of Luocheng had already subsided. Looking at Luocheng, Generals Zhao and Yan couldn't help but shed tears. They knew that Luocheng, defended by a thousand soldiers, couldn't hold out for long against the attack of nearly three hundred thousand Southern Guard troops, and their revered general would perish with the fall of Luocheng.
For twenty years, they had fought alongside Wu Tianyao in countless battles, but now they could only watch helplessly as their commander died a martyr; the pain in their hearts was like being cut by a knife. And the culprit behind all this was their Emperor—Wuwei!
Without their general, how could Great Qin contend with the Southern Guard, which possessed two great generals? Who would defend the territory their general had painstakingly built over twenty years?
"A tyrannical ruler!" Yan Heng clenched his fists, his eyes filled with intense hatred as he uttered these words.
"Is the young master alright?" Zhao Yiheng secretly wiped away a tear and turned to ask Liu Fu.
"I merely used my unique technique to put the young master to sleep; he's fine!" Liu Fu stood on the deck, the river wind ruffling his white hair, making him appear incredibly old. If Wu Tianyao hadn't ordered him to take care of Wu Zi'ang, he would definitely be on the city wall of Luocheng, not on the warship bound for Pingyang.
"The master's intention is that after the Wei army recaptures Luocheng, the young master will be allowed to return to Luocheng after a period of time, and then stay in Nanwei instead of returning to Da Qin!"
Zhao Yiheng and Yan Heng exchanged a glance, their faces filled with even deeper resentment. They understood the general's intention, of course. Even if the general died in battle, Wu Wei, given his character, might not be willing to let his wife and children go, hence this arrangement!
Although neither of them spoke, their angry eyes revealed that their hatred for Wu Wei had exceeded the limits of their tolerance.
On July 25th of the 17th year of Jianxing, after occupying Luocheng, a key town in the southern border region, for four and a half months, the Qin army was forced to withdraw. General Wu Tianyao's grand plan to pacify the south was thus aborted, and the culprit behind this outcome was
none other than Emperor Wuwei of Qin. That night, news of the fall of Luocheng and the death of General Wu Tianyao was delivered to Emperor Wuwei and the Ninth Prince of Qin.
Clutching the short letter in his hand, Qin Emperor Wuwei's eyes flashed with a complex and inscrutable expression. Dead!? Wu Tianyao, whom he had always considered a major threat, was dead! From now on, he could rest easy! But why did he feel no excitement? In fact, he felt a pang of sadness. He recalled that when he was the crown prince, he had heard of the formidable reputation of Wu Tianyao, the only son of the old General Wu Tieyi. When the princes' power struggles intensified, whoever gained the support of the General's Mansion undoubtedly gained the approval of the military. Therefore, to cultivate a good relationship with the General's Mansion, he did not hesitate to humble himself and address Wu Tianyao as "elder brother" behind his back. He repeatedly stated that if it weren't for the constraints of the imperial clan system, he would have truly become sworn brothers with him.
His efforts were not in vain. With the support of the General's Mansion, he smoothly inherited the throne, and after ascending the throne, he used various fabricated charges to eliminate his third brother, who had been his fiercest rival for the throne, and demoted his fourth, sixth, and seventh brothers to remote prefectures as kings! Thus, all threats to imperial power were eliminated!
Just when he thought he was safe and sound, a new hidden danger gradually appeared before him over time. Learning from the precedent of the four powerful ministers who destroyed the Zhou Dynasty over a hundred years ago, he failed to see the unwavering loyalty of Wu Tianyao, the Qin's top general. He forgot Wu Tianyao's achievements during the struggle for the throne, and even felt jealous of the fame Wu Tianyao had earned through years of campaigns. "There are many in the world who do not know the Qin Emperor, but few who do not know Wu Tianyao!" Upon hearing this rumor, for the first time in his life, he harbored murderous intent towards Wu Tianyao!
Now, the news of Wu Tianyao's death on the battlefield proved his loyalty, and for him, it was a tremendous irony. His decisions and suspicions seemed so petty and reckless in the face of this news. How could he face his court officials tomorrow morning?
"Wu Tianyao, Wu Tianyao! Why do you still make me uneasy even in death?" Wu Wei shook his head and sighed softly.
Looking at the burning red candle on his desk, Wu Wei placed the letter on the wick, about to burn it, when the door to the imperial study creaked open. Startled, he turned to see his younger brother—the Ninth Prince Wu Shang—enter.
"Brother, I have something I'd like to discuss with you!" The Ninth Prince Wu Shang's face was unusually calm, but his eyes shone with a light completely different from usual—fiery, excited, and seemingly impatient! (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 51)
"Why are you here?" Wu Wei's face darkened with displeasure. Even his younger brother shouldn't have barged in without his summons. Were the eunuchs on duty outside dead? Letting someone in without even announcing their arrival!
"Your Majesty, I have something important to discuss with you!" Wu Shang stepped forward, approaching Wu Wei, his expression strange.
"What is it?" Wu Wei frowned, the strange look on Wu Shang's face making him uneasy. He asked in a low voice.
Ninth Prince Wu Shang smiled slightly, but did not answer immediately. Instead, he slowly walked to the side of the desk, reaching out to stroke the chair inlaid with a dragon image. He said slowly, "I was thinking, shouldn't this chair be given to someone else?"
Seeing Wu Shang touch the dragon chair, Wu Wei was already slightly angry. Hearing Wu Shang utter such treasonous words, Wu Wei's face darkened. He said sharply, "Ninth Brother, what did you say?"
"Your Majesty, I have already made myself clear. This chair should be given to me!" Wu Shang said with a smile, and indeed sat down on the dragon chair, which symbolized the supreme status of the emperor.
"Wu Shang, you, you dare to be so insolent!" Wu Wei, his face contorted with rage, pointed at the other man and roared, "Get off this chair!"
"It's truly comfortable, my brother! Do you know how long I've wanted to sit in this chair? It's not just a day or two! Today, my long-cherished wish has finally come true. How could I possibly get off?!" Wu Shang, ignoring the other man's furious expression, gripped the intricately carved armrests, his face filled with a blissful intoxication.
"Guards!" Wu Wei had reached his limit. He didn't care whether the man before him was his own brother or not; anyone who dared to covet his throne would not be spared.
At his angry shout, to his surprise, no one answered. Wu Wei paused, then shouted again, "Guards! Guards!"
Wu Shang leaned back comfortably in his wide chair, completely unconcerned by Wu Wei's loud cries, knowing that even if the other man shouted until his throat was hoarse, no one would appear! If he weren't so confident, how could he dare to confront the other party!
After calling out several times without response, and seeing Wu Shang's unperturbed expression, Wu Wei's heart sank, sensing something was amiss! His calls hadn't brought anyone to his aid; there could only be one reason: the guards and eunuchs outside were under the other party's control!
"Why doesn't Your Majesty continue calling? Is it because you're considering our brotherly bond and can't bring yourself to do it?" Seeing the other party suddenly fall silent, Wu Shang chuckled, asking with a hint of sarcasm.
"Ninth Brother, what do you intend to do? Do you really intend to rebel?!" Wu Wei, after all, was the ruler of a nation. Realizing his precarious situation, he suppressed his anger and spoke calmly.
"I don't want to repeat my purpose again!" Wu Shang met the other's questioning gaze without backing down, his smile vanishing as
he said in a deep voice, "Brother, abdicate!" Even though he knew the other's intentions, hearing Wu Shang so brazenly demand his abdication enraged Wu Wei. He was about to explode when he suddenly realized his predicament and suppressed his anger, saying gently, "Ninth Brother, you're being foolish. This Qin empire belongs entirely to our Wu family. You and I are brothers born of the same mother, why should we distinguish between us?"
"Since we don't distinguish between us, what's wrong with me, your subject, sitting on the throne?" Wu Shang feigned ignorance and asked in return.
"You…!" Wu Wei's face turned ashen, but he held back, ultimately not immediately turning hostile.
"Among us nine brothers, in terms of scholarship, you are no match for our deceased third brother; in terms of martial arts, you are no match for our seventh brother, who is far away in Hancheng; and in terms of scheming and political maneuvering, you are far inferior to me. Apart from being cold-hearted and suspicious, you only display the mediocrity of a mercenary. It is only because you are the eldest son, and because you are lucky enough to have Wu Tianyao's help, that the throne of Great Qin would have fallen to you. Now that you have obtained this empire, you do not remember Tianyao's kindness in helping you, and you turn your back on him and want to kill a loyal minister. How can such a foolish act be worthy of being the ruler of Great Qin? If this continues, won't the century-old foundation of Great Qin be destroyed in your hands?" Wu Shang's face showed a mocking expression, and every word he spoke was merciless, directly hitting the other party's sore spot.
"You, you bastard!" Wu Wei could no longer hold back and pointed at the other party and shouted angrily.
"Brother, enough with the nonsense! Tonight, only one of us brothers will leave this Imperial Study alive. So, I advise you to save your energy!" Wu Shang slowly stood up, stepped forward, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "Defeating me is your only chance to turn the tables!"
Outside the Imperial Study, the eunuchs and guards remained at their posts, oblivious to the shouts and fighting coming from inside.
Just then, a tall, thin figure slowly approached. The eunuch on duty glanced at him in the moonlight, his expression changing. He quickly went to greet him, saying respectfully, "This servant greets the Chief Eunuch!"
"Hmm!" The newcomer was none other than Chief Eunuch Zhao. He glanced arrogantly at the young eunuch before him and drawled, "So, it's you on duty, Xiao Shunzi!"
"Yes, it is this servant on duty tonight!" Xiao Shunzi replied, bowing his head.
"Has His Majesty not rested yet? Hmm, what's going on in the room?!" Eunuch Zhao immediately noticed the commotion in the Imperial Study and asked with a change in expression.
"Reporting to the Steward, His Majesty is in a bad mood and is throwing a tantrum!" Xiao Shunzi replied calmly, showing no sign of panic.
"Oh? Let me go in and see!" Eunuch Zhao looked suspicious and took a step towards the door.
"Steward, you mustn't! His Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed to disturb him!" Xiao Shunzi stepped forward, blocking Eunuch Zhao's
path with a fawning smile. "You audacious servant, how dare you block my way!" Eunuch Zhao shouted angrily.
"Steward, don't make things difficult for me! Disobeying His Majesty's orders is a capital offense!" Xiao Shunzi looked troubled, but still stood in front of Eunuch Zhao.
"Rebellious! Rebellious!" Eunuch Zhao trembled with anger, about to slap this ignorant servant, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. "Master Steward, what has angered you so much?!"
Eunuch Zhao turned around and immediately saw his deputy, Eunuch An, walking towards him with a surprised expression.
"You've come at the right time! Discipline your servant! He's blocking my way and preventing me from seeing the Emperor!" Eunuch Zhao said angrily.
"Master Steward, please calm down! This servant is ignorant and has angered you. I will punish him properly later!" Eunuch An said, turning to Xiao Shunzi and scolding, "You damned servant, get out of the way!"
Xiao Shunzi was slightly taken aback, but after seeing the fierce glint in the other's eyes, he immediately understood and retreated.
"Please, Master Steward!" After Xiao Shunzi stepped aside, Eunuch An smiled and gestured for him to leave.
"Hmph!" Eunuch Zhao snorted angrily, strode to the door, and reached out to push open the tightly closed door of the Imperial Study. Suddenly, he heard a faint rustling sound, followed by a chill down his spine as a sharp weapon was plunged deep into his body.
"You...!" Eunuch Zhao slowly turned around, his gaze meeting Eunuch An's sinister, fat face. Incredulity flashed across his face as he pointed a trembling finger at the other, uttering only one word before his body slowly collapsed to the ground.
"Clean it up!" Looking at Eunuch Zhao's still wide-open eyes, Eunuch An's fat face revealed a cold smile. He reached into his robes and pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe his bloodless right hand. From now on, the position of Chief Eunuch of the Imperial City would belong to him, Eunuch An!
"Yes!" Xiao Shunzi bowed and responded, clapping his hands lightly. Immediately, two guards emerged from the shadows, dragging Eunuch Zhao's body away from the palace.
Meanwhile, the sounds inside the Imperial Study gradually faded, finally falling silent. After a while, the door creaked open, and a figure appeared before Eunuch An and the others. In the bright moonlight, Emperor Wuwei of Qin wore a smug smile on his handsome face. Eunuch
An was taken aback upon seeing this, then knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "This servant, An Desheng, greets Your Majesty!"
"Rise, Eunuch An!" Wuwei smiled slightly, personally helping him up, and said with unusual warmth, "Eunuch An, you've worked hard. It's getting late. After cleaning the study, go back to rest. I also need to return to Consort Xiao's quarters!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys!" Eunuch An's plump face showed a look of flattery. He turned and gestured to Xiao Shunzi, and the two of them entered the Imperial Study one after the other.
Wuwei turned and glanced at the brightly lit Imperial Study, let out a soft sigh, then put his hands behind his back and walked towards Yongfu Palace, where Consort Xiao resided.
The fifth most beautiful woman in the world, Jiao Rao, evoked a burning desire in Wu Wei at the thought of the myriad charms emanating from her beautiful and alluring face. He was not usually one to indulge in lust, but tonight was an exceptionally special night. Wasn't it a right of an emperor to favor his beloved concubine? (
Volume 2, Night Rain in the Jianghu, Chapter 52)
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Hearing the soft, melodious voice and gazing at the stunning beauty before him, Wu Wei's face lit up with excitement. He stepped forward, took Xiao Guifei's slender hand, and smiled, "My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formality. Rise!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Guifei responded softly, straightening her body. When she looked up and met his intense gaze, she shyly turned her face away, her captivating charm unintentionally revealed.
A delicate fragility tinged with a tender charm that evoked pity was the unique allure of Consort Xiao, ranked fifth among the Ten Beauties. Like a delicate narcissus in a greenhouse, she inspired both pity and a desire to destroy. Her rise from an ordinary concubine to the most prestigious Yongfu Palace in the harem was not solely due to her beauty, but more importantly, to her masterful display of a captivating, alluring charm that blended feigned reluctance with allure!
Consort Xiao vaguely sensed that the Emperor was somewhat different tonight, but she didn't dwell on it. She glanced at him coquettishly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I will undress you!"
"No rush!" Wu Wei shook his head, his eyes fixed intently on her beautiful face. He smiled and said, "I wish to take a good look at my beloved consort!"
"I am of ordinary appearance, what is there to admire?" Consort Xiao shyly turned her face away, but Wu Wei suddenly grasped her chin. He then said, "I wish to see, my beloved consort, are you unwilling?"
Hearing the hint of displeasure in his tone, Consort Xiao was startled. She quickly put on a charming smile and raised her head, saying, "Your Majesty loves me so much, I am overjoyed, how could I be unwilling!?"
"Very good!" Wu Wei released his grip, took a step back, narrowed his eyes, and slowly said, "I would like to admire the beautiful sight of my beloved concubine undressing. I wonder if my beloved concubine would allow me to feast my eyes on this?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Xiao's pretty face froze slightly, but upon seeing the other party's ambiguous smile, she immediately lowered her head and shyly whispered, "Your subject obeys!" She knew in her heart that the emperor's orders were not to be disobeyed. Although she felt that the king's behavior tonight was somewhat abnormal, she still shyly reached out her jade hands and began to remove her clothes layer by layer.
When she was only left with her undergarments, Consort Xiao was about to stop when she suddenly heard Wu Wei say in a deep voice, "Keep going!"
Helpless, she swept her jade hand away, and the last piece of red bodice fluttered down like a butterfly, revealing Consort Xiao's flawless body to the soft candlelight.
Wu Wei stared unblinkingly at her white jade body, his eyes growing increasingly intense. He stepped forward and reached out his hands, caressing Consort Xiao's soft and firm breasts without any restraint.
"Mmm!" Consort Xiao couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her beautiful eyes slightly closed, her pearly teeth gently biting her lower lip, her expression incredibly alluring.
"Undress me!" Wu Wei's voice became somewhat hoarse, carrying a sense of unfamiliarity that Consort Xiao had never felt before.
Consort Xiao hesitated for a moment, but still reached out her jade-like hand to touch the emperor's dragon robe. Perhaps it was just her imagination.
As the layers of clothing were removed, finally revealing Wu Wei's rather robust physique, Consort Xiao's expression finally changed. Her jade-like hands hovered in mid-air, trembling unnaturally.
Having served the emperor for over five years, she probably knew his body better than Wu Wei himself. Therefore, when she removed the last piece of clothing from the 'emperor' before her, she immediately noticed something amiss.
"What does my physique seem to my beloved consort?" Seeing her expression, Wu Wei knew that this beauty had seen through his disguise, and deliberately asked.
"You, you...!" Consort Xiao's pretty face showed a look of fear. She took three steps back and covered her breasts with her hands, exclaiming, "You are not the Emperor!"
"Oh? How did my beloved consort know!?" Wu Wei's eyes flashed with a dangerous light as he asked knowingly in his original voice.
"The body...the body is wrong, the voice is wrong! You...who are you?" The fear in Consort Xiao's heart at this moment was indescribable. Since the other party dared to impersonate the Emperor, there was no doubt that the real Emperor must have met with misfortune. Who was this imposter? Not only was his face flawless, but even his voice was perfectly imitated!
"Hehehe!" Wu Wei let out a low, sinister laugh, reaching out to gently peel off the human skin mask from his face, revealing a face that Consort Xiao was not unfamiliar with.
"Ninth Prince!" Consort Xiao's beautiful face showed disbelief as she exclaimed.
"Not the Ninth Prince, it's the Emperor!" Ninth Prince Wu Shang gently placed the mask on the table, then suddenly pounced forward, pressing Consort Xiao's naked body onto the bed. One large hand was already gripping her slender neck, emphasizing the error in her address in a chilling tone.
"Your Majesty!" Startled by the tightening grip of his hand, Consort Xiao's beautiful face paled with fear as she struggled to utter the word "Your Majesty.
" "You're a clever woman! You should realize that since I dare to appear here, it proves that Wuwei is no longer coming back!" Wu Shang stopped tightening his grip with his right hand, his other hand roaming unrestrainedly over Consort Xiao's smooth body, his words chilling: "If you don't want to die, then you must absolutely obey me, understand?"
Consort Xiao nodded frantically, her beautiful eyes pleading. She had no other choice but to obey, for she still wanted to live.
"Very good!" A satisfied expression appeared on Wu Shang's face as he released her neck. He knew that from now on, this beauty would belong entirely to him, the new emperor. Compared to launching a coup and directly seizing Wuwei's throne, he preferred this method of ruling Qin by borrowing Wuwei's identity. His original intention was to use Wu Tianyao's power to ascend the throne under his true identity, but he never expected that this powerful general, who commanded a large army, would rather die in battle than cooperate with him to fight against Wu Wei. Under these circumstances, even if he launched a coup and succeeded, his legitimacy would be questionable, and he would certainly face resistance from princes, ministers, and other members of the royal family. Without the strong military support of the General's Mansion, he would likely fail.
Therefore, he wisely chose the second option. He had been meticulously observing Wu Wei's every word and action, deliberately imitating his voice. After donning the human skin made by Lu Miao, the most skilled craftsman in the world, he was confident that no one would notice any flaws.
"Be a good girl, and I may grant you your wish to become the Empress of Qin!" Wu Shang bent down, parted Consort Xiao's slender legs, and without any foreplay, thrust deeply into her tender lower body.
"Ah!" Consort Xiao couldn't help but cry out in pain, her beautiful face showing unbearable agony.
"Hehe!" Wu Shang let out a smug laugh, enjoying the delicate, pained state of the beauty beneath him. A sense of conquest welled up within him, and he began to exert himself more forcefully.
In an instant, the Yongfu Palace was filled with soft moans.
***
The night was as still as water, the stars filling the sky.
In the backyard of the Pingyang Prefectural Governor's Mansion, Wu Zi'ang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast starry sky, his mind seemingly merging with it.
Although the world was different, the night sky was no different—equally vast, equally mysterious!
He felt himself becoming more and more integrated with this world. Although it had only been a little over two months, his memories of the modern world were fading, except for...except for Yiyi!
With the fall of Luoyang, his father's martyrdom was an inevitable reality. The once-renowned general, revered as a god by his soldiers, the stern father who had once been disapproving of his son's lack of ambition, was now gone. All that remained was his glorious, almost mythical, legendary military history.
How many valiant generals throughout history had not died on the battlefield, but had fallen at the hands of the very royal family they had served their entire lives! Clearly, his father did not wish for such an end, and thus chose death in battle as his final destination. Although he disapproved of this passive approach, it did not diminish his deep respect for his father's character.
Recalling his father's expression at the Luoyang garrison, Wu Zi'ang immediately felt a surge of sorrow. Indeed, his father lamented the incompetence of the king, the bleak future of Qin, and his own undefeated military career, only to be forced to choose Luoyang as the final resting place.
"A strong wind whips up the water, trees crumble. Suffering is unbearable, rest is nowhere to be found. A hundred years pass like flowing water, wealth and honor turn to cold ashes. The Great Way is lost day by day, what use are heroic talents? A valiant man brandishes his sword, a vast sorrow fills the air. Rustling leaves fall, rain drips on the mossy ground." Overwhelmed with emotion, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but recite the annotations of the "Lament" style from the Demon God's Record taught by Wei Xuanyi. Intentionally or unintentionally, a surge of true energy rose from his dantian, flowing directly to all the extraordinary meridians throughout his body. With his inner strength abundant, Wu Zi'ang's purple robes seemed to flutter as if blown by the night wind. The true energy surged to the jade pillow and Baihui, but instead of flowing back along the Ren and Du meridians as usual, it stagnated. A feeling of oppression came over him, and Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but let out a mournful howl.
With the howl, the true energy suddenly opened up, flowing along the jaw, throat, and Tanzhong acupoint, finally returning to the lower dantian.
The most difficult of the nine techniques in the Demon God's Record, "Sorrowful Lament," was mastered by Wu Zi'ang, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Volume 3, Chapter 53:
On July 26th of the 17th year of Jianxing, the day after the fall of Luoyang, something astonishing happened in the Qin capital's imperial palace. Upon hearing the news of Wu Tianyao's martyrdom, Emperor Wuwei of Qin beat his chest and wept bitterly.
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances, utterly baffled as to why their emperor, who had so desperately wanted Wu Tianyao dead, would display such remorse and grief upon hearing of his death.
"It is my fault! It is my fault!" Wuwei cried, tears streaming down his face, openly blaming himself for his mistakes. His genuine emotion moved all the ministers. Under this dramatic performance, almost everyone in the court believed that the emperor had been shaken by the news of Wu Tianyao's death and had begun to reflect on his own errors! Only the Right Chancellor Wei Ruoxuan and the Left Chancellor Zhang Zhongshu observed coldly. Knowing the Qin Emperor's character well, they absolutely did not believe that Wu Wei had any remorse; such behavior must have another purpose.
"Your Majesty, please restrain your grief!" Seeing the emperor weeping so bitterly, the ministers could not remain silent. Led by the Right Chancellor Wei Ruoxuan, they knelt on the ground and urged him in unison.
However, Emperor Wu Wei did not stop crying because of the ministers' urging. Instead, he wept even more bitterly, finally crying out, "It's too late to regret!" before fainting on his dragon throne.
The ministers panicked at the sight. The Deputy Chief Eunuch An hurriedly sent someone to summon the imperial physician, then squatted down and carried the emperor on his back, rushing towards Ganquan Palace.
The Right Chancellor Wei Ruoxuan, the Left Chancellor Zhang Zhongshu, and General Feng Chang, among other important ministers, quickly followed, while the remaining ministers waited in the main hall.
A moment later, Imperial Physician Fang rushed to the Qin Emperor's palace, Ganquan Palace. After taking Wuwei's pulse, Fang breathed a sigh of relief and said to Wei Ruoxuan and other important Qin officials, "His Majesty fainted due to excessive grief. He will be fine after a few days of rest!"
"That's good, that's good!" Wei Ruoxuan and the others also showed expressions of relief and said repeatedly.
"We should withdraw and let His Majesty rest well!"
At Imperial Physician Fang's suggestion, the officials left Ganquan Palace one after another, leaving only Eunuch An and two maids behind.
Just before leaving the room, Wei Ruoxuan glanced at Eunuch An, her brows furrowing slightly. Why wasn't it the most favored Eunuch Zhao who came to serve the emperor after he fainted? Moreover, from the morning court session until now, there hadn't been a trace of the chief eunuch. How strange! Although Wei Ruoxuan had doubts in her heart, she never expected that the emperor of Qin was no longer the same ruler in the palace yesterday.
After a long while, Eunuch An appeared below the main hall with an imperial edict in hand. After informing the emperor that he was unharmed, he began to read the Qin emperor's decree, the contents of which shocked the assembled officials: "General Wu Tian is posthumously conferred the title of Prince of Zhennan, a hereditary title! A royal mausoleum shall be built near the imperial tombs to commemorate his life's achievements and for posterity to pay homage! Wu Tianyao's son, Wu Zi'ang, shall inherit his father's position and be conferred the title of General of the Great Qin! General Feng Chang is hereby ordered to personally go to Pingyang to present the edict immediately!"
Upon hearing Eunuch An finish reading the edict, all the civil and military officials were astonished. Conferring a title upon someone outside the imperial family was unprecedented in the more than one hundred years since the founding of the Great Qin. Moreover, Wu Zi'ang had not only made any contributions to military and political affairs, but had also never commanded a single soldier, yet he was directly conferred the title of General of the Great Qin, who held the power of most of the nation's military.
This was even more incomprehensible! Right Chancellor Wei Ruoxuan's eyes flashed with shock. What exactly did Wu Wei want to do? Wasn't the other party determined to strip the general's family of their military power to eliminate potential threats? Why then did he shoot himself in the foot, handing back the military power he had just gained?
Many among the ministers shared Wei Ruoxuan's thoughts; however, the emperor's words were law, and the decree was irrevocable. Furthermore, the ministers felt sympathy and respect for Wu Tianyao, who had died in Luoyang, so although they felt the emperor's reward was excessive, they didn't have many objections. They shouted in unison, "Our Emperor is wise! Long live the Emperor!"
Thus, the dramatic performance in the morning court came to a close.
Meanwhile, far away in Pingyang, Wu Zi'ang was unaware that his situation had changed so drastically overnight.
After the news of Luoyang's fall and Wu Tianyao's death arrived, everyone from generals like Wu Zi'ang, Tian Guang, Xu Tuzhi, Zhao Yiheng, and Yan Heng down to ordinary soldiers wore mourning clothes. Filled with righteous indignation, the generals of various units gathered at the prefectural governor's mansion for a meeting. Surprisingly, more than half of them supported taking their troops back to the capital to stage a coup and seek justice for the fallen general.
Amidst the fervor, General Tian Guang spoke up: "Gentlemen, calm your anger. General Zhao currently commands 170,000 troops outside Pingyang. If we proceed with the coup, we must first fight our own army! Regardless of the outcome, it will be the lives of our Qin soldiers that are lost!"
"I don't care!" Before Tian Guang finished speaking, a burly man abruptly stood up from his chair, slamming his helmet to the ground, his eyes bloodshot. "No matter what, I'll twist that dog emperor of Wuwei's head off! If it weren't for this bastard, the general wouldn't have met such a tragic end in Luoyang!"
"Old Chu!" Seeing the general's emotions spiraling out of control, Zhao Yiheng quickly intervened.
"Bullshit!" "What's there to say!" General Chu slammed his hands on the table, roaring, "When I go back to gather troops for the capital, if that old Zhao dares to stop me, I'll kill him and feed him to the dogs!" With that, he tossed his cloak aside, turned, and left the prefectural governor's council hall.
"I'll go check on him, just in case he causes any trouble!" Zhao Yiheng's face showed worry. He knew Chu Heng's fiery temper well and knew that he was a man of his word. He nodded to Tian Guang and the other generals, then turned and followed him out.
"Internal strife and fratricide are the last things the General wants to see! Otherwise, with the General's abilities, it would be easy for him to raise an army and establish his own rule, or even march on the capital. You are all loyal subordinates who have followed the General through thick and thin; you should understand the General's good intentions!" "I know my words have no authority whatsoever. The young general is here today, so you may all listen to his opinion. If he agrees to send troops to Hengcheng, I, Tian Guang, will volunteer to lead the vanguard without hesitation!" Tian Guang finished speaking in one breath, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the generals before finally settling on Wu Zi'ang, who remained silent to the side. At this moment, he had decided to completely transfer the power of decision to Wu Zi'ang. If Wu Zi'ang insisted on sending troops to seek justice for his father, then he would have nothing to say.
Hearing Tian Guang's words, the generals, including Yan Heng and Xu Tuzhi, also turned their gazes to Wu Zi'ang. As Wu Tianyao's son, Wu Zi'ang undoubtedly had the priority to decide this matter.
"As a son, my desire for revenge is no less than that of my uncles, but Uncle Tian is right. Fratricide was the last thing my father wanted to see. Therefore, my father would rather die in battle than hold power and establish his own rule. On behalf of my father in the afterlife, I thank you all for your kindness!" "Having said that, Wu Zi'ang stood up and bowed deeply to the assembled generals.
Seeing Wu Zi'ang bow so deeply, Yan Heng quickly rose to help him up, and the other generals also stood up from their chairs, not daring to accept Wu Zi'ang's bow.
"Young General, we understand what you have said! But we are truly frustrated and unable to calm down! General, General...!" Mentioning Wu Tianyao, Xu Tu's eyes welled up with tears, and his voice choked involuntarily.
Wu Zi'ang looked at the faces filled with sorrow and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. What had he done to make these generals so devoted and sworn to follow him to the death?! From this, it was clear that his father, as a general, possessed a personal charisma far beyond that of ordinary people; in other words, his father was born with the qualities of a leader.
"Listen to me, everyone!" At this moment, Yan Heng waved his hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Since the Grand General does not wish to see a situation of internal strife, then we must not disobey the Grand General's dying wish. We might as well observe the situation and see how Wu Wei acts. If this fellow takes the initiative to order General Zhao to attack Pingyang, then don't blame us for raising an army to resist!"
Hearing Yan Heng's words, the generals thought for a moment, and then responded one after another, "Old Yan is right, let's do it this way!" Seeing this, Tian
Guang couldn't help but smile bitterly. Knowing Wu Wei's character, he certainly wouldn't easily let Wu Zi'ang and his loyal followers off. While he might not order Zhao Qi to continue the attack, to maintain the emperor's dignity, he was very likely to select a few generals to execute as a warning to others! In that case, it was only a matter of time before these Wu-affiliated generals rebelled against Qin.
However, he knew this, yet he couldn't say it aloud. His only option was to wait and see, and perhaps even prepare for the worst!
Just as the generals were making their plans, a soldier suddenly burst into the room, panting, and said, "General Xu, General Yan, something terrible has happened! General Chu Heng has mustered his troops and is heading towards the north gate. General Zhao couldn't stop him and sent me to report this!" Upon hearing this ,
the generals were all shocked. They all knew that Chu Heng's force numbered only about ten thousand men. If they forced their way out of the city and northward, they would undoubtedly be wiped out by Zhao Qi's 170,000-strong army!
"Old Chu has gone mad! We must go and see!" After their initial shock, the generals hurriedly left. Wu Zi'ang hesitated for a moment, then followed them. (
Volume 3, Chapter 54 of Qin Capital Chronicles)
By the time Wu Zi'ang and the other generals arrived at the garrison north of the city, it was too late. The hot-tempered General Chu Heng had already mustered his ten thousand-plus troops and opened the north gate. As for Zhao Yiheng, who wanted to stop him, he had been tied up by Chu Heng's soldiers. Yan Heng, seeing this, quickly dismissed Chu Heng's soldiers and untied Zhao Yiheng.
"That old Chu!" After the ropes were loosened, Zhao Yiheng smiled bitterly and said, "He won't listen to anyone except the Grand General!" "
Old Yan, quickly mobilize your Iron Cavalry! We must stop Lao Chu's troops before he enters Zhao Qi's garrison area! Let's mount our horses and chase after him! With the young general here, I believe Lao Chu won't go too far!" Xu Tuzhi, though also anxious, remained calm and made a decision immediately.
Yan Heng responded, turned, mounted his horse, and rode away.
The other generals leaped onto their horses, and Wu Zi'ang also mounted one. This was only his second time riding a horse; the first time was during a trip to the grasslands in modern times, when he had been taught by local herders. Therefore, his riding skills were truly terrible.
After the generals mounted, they gripped the reins and cracked the whips, heading straight for the north gate. Wu Zi'ang had no choice but to grit his teeth, crack the whip, and spur his horse to follow closely. Fortunately, he now possessed a foundation in martial arts, so he gripped the horse's flanks tightly. As the horse's speed gradually increased, he tried to match the rhythm of the galloping horse's movements to those taught by his herder friends. Although his movements appeared somewhat stiff, he was not in danger of being thrown off.
Once outside the north gate, Wu Zi'ang, along with Xu Tuzhi, Tian Guang, and other generals, urged their horses onward, and in no time they had caught up with Chu Heng's more than ten thousand infantrymen.
"Stop! Stop right there!" Xu Tuzhi and the other generals shouted loudly as they rode through Chu Heng's army, but the soldiers ignored them and continued on their way. General Tian Guang shook his head and sighed inwardly; truly, like father, like son. These soldiers, with their indignant expressions, were just as unyielding as Chu Heng, refusing to listen to advice.
The generals had no choice but to continue forward to find the 'culprit,' Chu Heng. They were certain that if they didn't subdue him, they wouldn't be able to stop these hot-headed soldiers.
After riding for a while longer, they finally saw General Chu Heng beneath a large banner bearing the character 'Chu' fluttering in the wind.
Seeing Wu Zi'ang and the other generals approaching on horseback, Chu Heng, his eyes wide, brandished his iron spear and shouted, "Stop them!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a squad of soldiers immediately stepped forward and blocked Wu Zi'ang, Xu Tuzhi, and the others.
"Old Chu, stop your rudeness! The young general is here!" Xu Tuzhi shouted immediately upon seeing the situation.
"I don't know any young general! I only know that the great general is dead, and I'm going to avenge him! If you try to stop me, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Tears welled up in Chu Heng's eyes as he pointed his left hand at Wu Zi'ang and Xu Tuzhi's men, shouting fiercely, "Seize them!"
"Avenge the great general!" The surrounding soldiers brandished their iron spears, shouting like thunder. They surrounded Wu Zi'ang, while the soldiers around Xu Tuzhi had their spears pointed forward, rendering them immobile.
Xu Tuzhi hadn't expected Chu Heng to be so resolute, showing no mercy to anyone. Although he was exceptionally intelligent, he was helpless against someone who couldn't be reasoned with.
Seeing this, Wu Zi'ang immediately realized that words alone wouldn't persuade him; the only option now was to use force. Wu Zi'ang clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chu Heng, saying, "General Chu, your righteousness is truly admirable. However, the current situation does not allow for such reckless action. Therefore, I apologize for offending you!"
The word "apologize" had barely left his lips when Wu Zi'ang suddenly leaped from his horse, charging towards Chu Heng like a roc.
Seeing his opponent charging towards him, a look of surprise appeared on Chu Heng's rugged face. He had long heard that the general's son was a good-for-nothing, and thus had initially looked down on him. However, seeing his opponent charging towards him, he was shocked, and raised his iron spear to meet Wu Zi'ang's attack.
"Old Chu…!" Xu Tu and the other generals, knowing Chu Heng's abilities, couldn't help but call out, reminding him to show mercy.
The iron spear pierced through the air, and Wu Zi'ang saw it clearly. His right hand swiftly reached out and grasped the tip of the spear, his body landing diagonally on the ground.
"Withdraw!" Chu Heng shouted, forcefully pulling back the iron spear with his right hand, hoping to force his opponent to back down.
Unexpectedly, the spear didn't budge an inch, and the opponent, surprised, suddenly felt a surge of heat emanating from it.
Wu Zi'ang gripped the spear tightly, silently channeling the power of his Samadhi True Fire, slowly pushing it towards Chu Heng. Even with Chu Heng's innate superhuman strength, he couldn't withstand this extreme innate heat. The spear was already burning red-hot, but Chu Heng gritted his teeth, holding on tightly, refusing to let go.
Seeing Chu Heng's glaring eyes and profuse sweat, Xu Tu and the other generals were startled. They realized that Chu Heng, known for his superhuman strength, was now showing signs of weakness.
Chu Heng's soldiers also sensed their commander's predicament, and some rushed forward, wanting to relieve Chu Heng's siege.
Wu Zi'ang glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his brow furrowing slightly. He let out a low whistle and unleashed his "Powerful" technique.
Instantly, his purple robes billowed, his long hair fluttered, and an extremely powerful force surged outwards from Wu Zi'ang's center.
A chorus of exclamations rang out. These ordinary soldiers were no match for this powerful true energy flow; they staggered, their bodies involuntarily retreating.
Almost simultaneously, Wu Zi'ang flicked his right hand, adding three-tenths of his strength. Chu Heng, on the other end, finally couldn't hold on any longer, letting out a muffled groan as Wu Zi'ang instantly hurled his massive body off his horse.
Chu Heng remained calm in the face of the chaos, gripping his iron spear tightly and struggling to regain his balance. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he immediately exerted force again, trying to retrieve his spear.
Wu Zi'ang did not embarrass this impetuous general, who was devoted to his father. He applied just the right amount of force, barely suppressing Chu Heng and then said, "General Chu, please hear me out! I am deeply moved by your desire to avenge my father. However, firstly, the imperial army far outnumbers ours. With only ten thousand troops, your northward march is like lambs to the slaughter. Secondly, my father would rather die in Luoyang than see infighting. You are loyal to my father, so why do you do such a foolish thing against his wishes?"
Under Wu Zi'ang's internal force, Chu Heng's initial shock and feverish mind gradually calmed down. He found the other's words to be reasonable and slowly lowered his head. His iron spear fell into Wu Zi'ang's hand.
At this moment, the sound of thunderous hooves approached from afar. The banner with the character "Yan" fluttered, signaling the arrival of Yan Heng's fifty thousand iron cavalry.
The Pingyang garrison's actions immediately provoked a reaction from Zhao Qi's army outside the city. War drums sounded, and several Zhao troops slowly advanced, assuming a defensive posture.
"Old Chu, how could you be so foolish? How can you act so recklessly, worthy of the great general who died in Luocheng?" Generals Yan Heng and Zhao Yiheng rode up to Chu Heng's side and whispered to him.
Wu Zi'ang sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and presented the iron spear with both hands, saying, "General Chu, I have offended you just now!"
Chu Heng expressionlessly took the iron spear, turned around, took two quick steps, and suddenly knelt down with a thud, raising his head and letting out a deafening howl towards the south.
After the howl, Chu Heng threw away the iron spear in his hand, buried his head on the ground, and began to weep loudly!
Yan Heng and Zhao Yiheng dismounted and stepped forward, wanting to help him up, but Chu Heng shook them away with both arms.
"Let him be!" Xu Tuzhi, who knew Chu Heng's character well, sighed and shook his
head upon seeing this. Wu Zi'ang looked at Chu Heng, who was pounding the ground with his hands and weeping uncontrollably. He was moved and couldn't help but think to himself that if one wanted to achieve great things, such loyal generals were indeed indispensable. His father had spent his life on the battlefield and had so many loyal subordinates. He was fully capable of rising up to become king, but alas...!
As Chu Heng's crying gradually subsided, Xu Tuzhi dismounted and walked forward, placing a hand on his shoulder and gently advising, "Old Chu, come back with us!"
Chu Heng wiped away the tears on his face, slowly stood up from the ground, not even picking up his iron spear. He turned around, took a few steps, leaped onto his horse, flicked the reins, shouted "Giddy up!", and rode off towards the city gate.
Yan Heng, Zhao Yiheng, Xu Tuzhi, and the other generals looked at each other, each showing a relieved expression. Although Chu Heng's emotions were still not very stable, at least the immediate trouble had been resolved.
“If the General were here…! Alas!” A trace of sadness appeared on Xu Tuzhi’s face. He slowly mounted his horse and said to Wu Zi’ang and the other generals, “Let’s go back!” With that, he spurred his horse and turned it headed towards the Pingyang city gate.
The Zhao Qi army, located several miles away, was completely bewildered by the actions of the Pingyang garrison. They remained in place for a long time until the Pingyang garrison had completely retreated before slowly returning to their camp.
That evening, in Xu Tuzhi’s quarters, Xu Tuzhi, Yan Heng, Zhao Yiheng, and Chu Heng, several key generals of the Wu faction, sat around a table. The atmosphere was tense.
“What’s all this secrecy? It’s like there’s a conspiracy!” Chu Heng was still very agitated. He hadn’t wanted to attend the gathering that evening, but Yan Heng and Zhao Yiheng had both dragged him there.
“Old Chu, shut up!” Xu Tuzhi, contrary to his usual calm and collected demeanor, angrily rebuked Chu Heng.
Uh!? Chu Heng stared in astonishment at the stern-faced man, his lips twitching a few times before he surprisingly fell silent.
Aside from General Wu Tianyao, Xu Tuzhi was the only person he usually respected, which was the fundamental reason why Wu Tianyao had chosen Chu Heng to serve under Xu Tuzhi and remain in Pingyang.
Seeing Chu Heng remain silent as instructed, Xu Tuzhi's expression softened slightly. He addressed Yan Heng and the others present in a deep voice, "No matter how much we don't want to face it, we cannot change the reality that the Great General is no longer here. Grief is grief, but we must make plans
for the future!" "To be honest, I'm still undecided about what to do next!" Zhao Yiheng glanced at the others and said sullenly, "I want to avenge the Great General, but I dare not disobey his last wishes; if I abandon my post and return to my hometown to farm, not only will I be letting down my soldiers,
but I myself will also feel resentful." "The Great General's departure has placed us in a dilemma!" Yan Heng smiled bitterly and sighed, "Even if the Great General didn't want to see infighting, given Wuwei's character, would he let us go? If we don't want to be helplessly awaiting our deaths, it's only a matter of time before we rise up against Qin!"
"Alright! I understand what everyone means!" Xu Tuzhi glanced at the three men and said slowly, "Wuwei won't let us go; that's almost a done deal. We also don't want to continue serving that tyrannical emperor. Therefore, to save our lives, rising up against Qin is our only way out! But the question now is, should we passively defend and seek to establish our own independent territory, or should we take the initiative and make overthrowing Qin our ultimate goal?!" "
Old Xu, you...!?" Upon hearing Xu Tuzhi's words, Zhao and Yan's expressions changed drastically. Although they had thoughts of rebelling against Qin, they had never considered overthrowing Qin.
"Rebel against his ass! We'll storm the capital and kill that bastard Wuwei. I, Old Chu, won't mind who becomes emperor!" In contrast, Chu Heng showed no surprise. He simply wanted to storm the capital to avenge Wu Tianyao; nothing else was on his mind.
"Old Xu, what do you think?" After a long pause, Yan and Zhao, recovering from their shock, exchanged a glance and asked Xu Tuzhi. In truth, they had already vaguely guessed the meaning from the other's words, but this matter was no child's play, and to be on the safe side, they were determined to get to the bottom of it.
"What I mean is, if it's the former, then after we repel Zhao Qi's 170,000 troops, we should bring the surrounding prefectures of Ji, Ding, and Qing under our sphere of influence. If Wuwei doesn't cause us trouble in the future, we can live peacefully with the court, taking it one day at a time until the end of our lives. Old Zhao, Old Yan, what do you think of this?" Xu Tuzhi asked the two men calmly.
Zhao and Yan exchanged a glance, both deep in thought, and didn't answer each other. In fact, if they only sought a peaceful existence in a corner of the land, it would be easier to retire and live a simple life. The reason they chose to rebel against Qin was twofold: first, they couldn't bear to leave their troops behind, and second, they were unwilling to end their military careers.
"Do you know how much I wished the General could shed the burden of loyalty to the emperor, and like the founding emperor of the Zhou Dynasty, don the yellow robe, replace Qin with Wu, and establish a new dynasty?" Xu Tuzhi's eyes shone with longing as he continued in an extremely powerful tone, "I, Xu Tuzhi, believe I have the wisdom to assist a ruler. If I only seek to maintain a corner of peace, wouldn't I be wasting all my learning? I would rather retire from the army and return to my hometown than waste my remaining years in such a muddled way!"
"But the General is no longer here!" Influenced by Xu Tuzhi's tone, Zhao Yiheng's eyes flashed, but then dimmed again. He sighed and reminded the other party.
"That's right, the General is no longer here, but he is not without an heir!" Xu Tuzhi clenched his fists, his expression slightly agitated.
"You, you mean...!" The two generals, Zhao and Yan, finally understood what the other meant and were dumbfounded, standing there speechless.
After a long pause, Zhao and Yan's expressions returned to normal. They lowered their heads in thought for a moment, and Zhao Yiheng asked in a serious tone, "Young General? Is he capable?"
"Like father, like son," Xu Tuzhi replied succinctly and forcefully to Zhao Yiheng's question. In fact, besides his careful observation of Wu Zi'ang, Xu Tuzhi's confidence stemmed from his almost blind faith in Wu Tianyao.
"Old Xu is right. Just based on what the young general showed during the day, I, Old Chu, am convinced he's no good!" Chu Heng, who always judged by martial prowess, expressed his opinion without hesitation.
Zhao and Yan, while shocked by Wu Zi'ang's performance during the day, were also deeply impressed. Now, seeing the usually calm, composed, and resourceful Xu Tuzhi so confident, their minds raced, and their eyes began to light up with excitement.
"It's decided just like that?!" Yan Heng's voice trembled slightly, for he knew very well that their decision could lead to the birth of a new emperor and a new dynasty.
"Isn't this too hasty?" Zhao Yiheng seemed to be asking someone else, yet also himself, his expression somewhat bewildered, yet unable to conceal his excitement. Since it was
all rebellion anyway, why not make the grand general's heir? This was the fundamental reason why Zhao and Yan so readily agreed to Xu Tu's suggestion.
Just as the three most powerful generals of the Wu faction made this momentous decision, General Feng Chang, holding the imperial edict of conferment from the Qin Emperor, was already on his way to Pingyang.
At this time, Wu Zi'ang was unaware that in just a few days, his fate would once again take a dramatic turn—either imperial investiture or being crowned king.
Volume 3, Chapter 55 of Qin Capital Chronicles:
Three days later, the garrison on the walls of Pingyang discovered a surprising phenomenon. Zhao Qi's army, stationed outside Pingyang City, suddenly reared up, turning the vanguard into the rearguard, and slowly withdrew.
The officers on duty immediately reported this to Xu Tuzhi, Yan Heng, and Zhao Yiheng, the generals in charge of Pingyang City.
"Oh?" Several generals, including Tian Guang, showed surprise upon hearing the report.
"Go and see!" Yan Heng grabbed his helmet from the table and rushed out the door. The other generals, unable to suppress their questions, followed him.
On the walls of Pingyang City, Xu Tuzhi, Zhao Yiheng, Yan Heng, and Tian Guang watched the army slowly retreating for miles, each showing a puzzled expression.
"Has something major happened in the capital? Otherwise, why would Zhao Qi suddenly withdraw his troops?" Xu Tuzhi pondered for a moment, then thought of a possibility and spoke up.
"Or perhaps, Wuwei has changed his mind and is taking pity on us?" Zhao Yiheng said jokingly, a half-smile on his face.
"Who needs his mercy? Hmph! With our more than 100,000 elite troops, if we really fight, Zhao Qi might not be our match!" Yan Heng said with a cold snort.
General Tian Guang remained silent. He knew Yan Heng's words were not an exaggeration. Although Wu Tianyao was gone, the fighting power of the more than 100,000 elite troops under the command of Xu, Zhao, and Yan, three generals of the Wu faction, far surpassed that of Zhao Qi's hastily assembled new army. It was precisely for this reason that Zhao Qi's side had been hesitant to attack the city.
"Hey! Look there!" At this moment, Zhao Yiheng suddenly pointed forward and exclaimed in surprise.
Even if Zhao Yiheng hadn't spoken, the other three generals had seen it. Two riders had broken out from the retreating Zhao army formation and were galloping straight towards Pingyang.
Amidst the sound of hooves, the two riders rode side by side and soon arrived at the walls of Pingyang.
As the distance closed, Xu Tuzhi and the others could make out the appearance and physique of the two riders.
"Hey, isn't that Old Feng?" General Tian Guang suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"And the other one, isn't that General Zhao Qi?!" Xu Tuzhi's gaze, however, was focused on the old general with the flowing white beard.
"What are they doing here?" The generals exchanged glances, their faces full of confusion.
At this moment, two riders cautiously stopped outside the range of the city wall's archers. One of them looked up and shouted, "Where are the city's officers? Quickly inform your commander that General Zhao Qi and General Feng Chang have come to deliver an imperial edict on behalf of the Emperor!" He paused, seemingly noticing familiar figures on the city wall, and then shouted again, "Old Tian, Old Xu, you're both here! That's great! Quickly open the city gate and let us in!" Upon
hearing this, Xu Tuzhi and his generals looked even more surprised. After a moment's thought, Xu Tuzhi ordered his subordinate officers, "Open the city gate and let the two generals into the city!" There were only two of them, so he wasn't worried about any unforeseen events, and he had always trusted Feng Chang's character.
The drawbridge was lowered, the city gate was opened, and Feng Chang and Zhao Qi rode in one after the other.
Xu Tuzhi, Yan Heng, and the others had already descended the city wall and were waiting for the two at the city gate.
"Old Feng, General Zhao!"
Tian Guang needed no introduction about Feng Chang, and Xu Tuzhi, Zhao Yiheng, and Yan Heng were also very familiar with him. Therefore, they didn't use the formalities due to subordinates, but instead expressed their closeness with embraces.
As for Zhao Qi, Tian Guang and the others dared not be negligent. Although they had resolved to rebel against Qin, they couldn't be disrespectful to this veteran of two dynasties, who was on par with Wu Tianyao's father. Therefore, they all bowed in unison.
"Generals, there's no need for such formalities!" General Zhao Qi, already over sixty, with white hair and beard, but a ruddy complexion and bright eyes, smiled and helped the generals up, speaking.
"Let's return to the mansion for now! I have an imperial edict to read; it's really inconvenient here!" Feng Chang's tone seemed to reveal a hint of impatience, and seeing the undisguised joy in his eyes, Xu, Zhao, and the other generals guessed that the news he brought was definitely not bad.
"General Zhao, Old Feng, please!" Xu Tuzhi and the others, eager to understand Wu Wei's schemes, mounted their horses and led the way to the Prefectural Governor's residence.
Upon returning to the Prefectural Governor's council hall, Feng Chang hurriedly pulled out an imperial edict from his robes and asked Tian Guang and the others, "Where is my nephew Zi'ang?"
"He should be resting in his room! Old Feng, you should read the edict first!" Tian Guang replied, staring at the edict in Feng Chang's hand.
"Old Tian, you've misunderstood. This edict isn't aimed at Old Xu and the others, but at Tianyao's son, my nephew Zi'ang!" Feng Chang shook his head, his eyes reddening at the mention of Wu Tianyao, a pang of pain in his heart.
"Oh?" Tian Guang and the others looked surprised. Xu Tuzhi then ordered his servants to fetch Wu Zi'ang. They wanted to see what kind of edict the tyrannical emperor, who had been trying to eliminate the Grand General, would issue!
In no time, Wu Zi'ang arrived.
Upon seeing so many people in the room, he was momentarily stunned. Besides Uncle Tian and his group, he noticed Uncle Feng and an elderly general with white hair and beard.
"Zi'ang!" Feng Chang rushed forward excitedly upon seeing Wu Zi'ang enter.
"Uncle Feng!" Seeing his friend's excitement, Wu Zi'ang's heart warmed, and he knelt down to pay his respects.
"Get up, get up!" Feng Chang, looking at his friend, was moved to tears and quickly helped him up.
"This is General Zhao Qi, you've come to greet him!" Despite his emotions, Feng Chang didn't forget to introduce Zhao Qi to Wu Zi'ang.
"General Zhao!" Wu Zi'ang glanced at the still-sharp Zhao Qi and bowed again.
Zhao Qi, with his bright eyes, looked Wu Zi'ang up and down before nodding and sighing, "This old man is truly unworthy of your bow, please get up!" He then stood up and personally helped Wu Zi'ang up.
Wu Zi'ang stood up, guessing that the old general's "feelings of shame" must be a reflection of his guilt over being ordered to besiege the city, which led to his father's predicament and eventual death in Luoyang. It seemed this old general was indeed a man of feeling. Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably disposed towards Zhao Qi.
"Zi'ang, quickly kneel down and receive the edict!" Upon recalling the contents of the edict, Feng Chang's grief and anger subsided. Regardless, the Emperor's actions could be considered compensation for the Wu family.
However, to his surprise, Wu Zi'ang frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Uncle Feng, whose edict is this?"
Feng Chang was taken aback, then replied, "Of course, it's His Majesty's edict!"
"Wuwei?" When Wu Zi'ang uttered these two words, the disdain and hostility in his tone were unmistakable.
Feng Chang, Tian Guang, and the others understood why the other party spoke in such a tone. Wu Tianyao's death was indirectly caused by Emperor Qin Wuwei; the hatred for killing one's father was irreconcilable. It would be strange if Wu Zi'ang were to actually kneel to accept the decree. In fact, not only Wu Zi'ang, but even generals like Xu Tuzhi would not kneel. In their hearts, Wuwei was no longer the emperor, but an enemy.
"Uncle Feng, you have come on orders, and I will not embarrass you. Therefore, you may read this decree here. However, as for kneeling, please forgive me!" Wu Zi'ang's tone was very soft, but it was filled with unwavering determination.
Feng Chang looked at Wu Zi'ang for a long time, and finally nodded helplessly, saying, "Alright, I won't kneel then!" He then unfolded the decree with both hands and read its contents aloud.
The content of the decree was not long, but it was enough to leave everyone except Zhao Qi and Feng Chang dumbfounded, their faces showing disbelief.
After the imperial edict was read aloud, Yan Heng suddenly stood up from his chair, his face contorted with rage, and roared, "This must be a scam! That scoundrel Wu Wei is definitely trying to trick the young general into returning so he can eliminate him completely!"
"Old Yan!" Feng Jian frowned at the sight and gently scolded, "General Zhao is here; don't be so insolent!"
Zhao Yiheng, standing nearby, quickly tugged at Yan Heng's sleeve, reminding him that Zhao Qi was still present and he shouldn't continue to speak disrespectfully of Wu Wei. Zhao Qi was a court official, and the Zhao family's unwavering loyalty to the imperial family was well-known. Yan Heng's insults towards Wu Wei would undoubtedly embarrass the old general.
"It's alright! General Yan is a man of strong character! Besides, what the Emperor did was truly excessive. What a pity for Tianyao!" Zhao Qi sighed. Wu Tianyao's death was an immeasurable loss to the Great Qin. The Zhao and Wu families had a deep friendship spanning generations, and Wu Tianyao was his nephew, in the prime of his life. To die before this white-haired old man like himself was truly heartbreaking. Therefore, he showed no displeasure at Yan Heng's excessive actions.
Xu Tuzhi, Tian Guang, Zhao Yiheng, and the others exchanged glances, all finding it unbelievable. Posthumously bestowing the title of Prince Zhennan upon Wu Tianyao, while an unprecedented honor in the Great Qin, was merely a nominal post since the dead were gone. But the subsequent appointment of Wu Zi'ang as Grand General of Might and Valor was a slap in the face to Wu Wei, who was determined to strip the general's mansion of its military power. What exactly was Wu Wei trying to do? Was it truly, as Yan Heng had said, to lure Wu Zi'ang back to the capital to eliminate him completely?
"Is this Wu Wei's intention?" Wu Zi'ang, also unsure of Wu Wei's true intentions, asked Feng Chang.
“Indeed, three days ago, upon hearing the news of the General’s death, His Majesty wept bitterly in the main hall and eventually fainted on the spot. Afterwards, he personally drafted this edict and summoned me here! All the civil and military officials witnessed this. If His Majesty is truly as Old Yan says, going back on his word and breaking his promise, even if he removes Zi’ang, how can he face the officials? Wouldn’t the emperor’s authority be destroyed in an instant? I believe only a fool would do such a thing!” Feng Chang recounted the events that occurred in the hall that day and expressed his thoughts.
“I’m afraid this is inappropriate. Given Wu Wei’s character, I would never believe he has suddenly repented!” After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yiheng slowly shook his head.
“However, what Lao Feng said makes sense. The Grand General is dead, and Wu Wei has achieved his goal. He wouldn't need to use such tricks to deceive Zi Ang back to the capital. If anyone should be deceived, it should be us. After all, compared to him, the three of us generals with elite troops are the most threatening!” Xu Tuzhi's eyes showed confusion. Even with his wisdom, he couldn't fathom Wu Wei's true intentions.
“Child, come back to the capital with me!” At this moment, Zhao Qi stood up, came to Wu Zi Ang, looked at him, and said in an extremely solemn and powerful tone: “If Wu Wei dares to go back on his word this time, I will be the first to not let him go!”
Volume 3, Qin Capital Chronicles, Chapter 56.
Hearing Zhao Qi address Emperor Wu Wei of Qin by his name, Wu Zi Ang and the others were all taken aback. From Zhao Qi's resounding words, they could clearly feel the old general's sincerity and determination.
But Wu Zi Ang wondered, even if Wu Wei was truly repentant, could he accept this edict? "The man is dead. What use are these empty titles and honors? Can the hatred for killing one's father be so easily resolved?"
"Zi'ang!" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's unmoved expression, Feng Chang stepped forward and sighed softly, "I know what you're thinking. The Emperor does bear an unshirkable responsibility for Tianyao's death. Although he now shows remorse, it's too late. Your refusal to accept the Emperor's honors is understandable! But what I want to say is, Zi'ang, have you ever thought about your father?"
"What do you mean by that, Uncle Feng?" Wu Zi'ang asked, looking puzzled.
"The Wu family has been loyal and virtuous for three generations: your great-grandfather Wu Teng, your grandfather Wu Tieyi, and your father Wu Tianyao. Their reputation for loyalty and righteousness is renowned throughout the land!"
Hearing Feng Chang speak of this, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but sneer, "What good is loyalty? In the end, they still meet such a chilling end!"
"Zi'ang, please let me finish!" Feng Chang's gaze swept over Xu Tuzhi and the others, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly. Although Xu, Yan, and the others didn't interrupt at this moment, their disdainful expressions revealed that they shared the same thoughts as Wu Zi'ang. No wonder, the Emperor's actions were indeed chilling!
"The reason I advised Zi'ang to accept the investiture was entirely for the sake of Tianyao's illustrious reputation. Zi'ang, let me ask you, do you really want your father to die with the stigma of treason? With such an opportunity to clear your father's name, can you, as his son, miss it?" Feng Chang continued in a deep and powerful voice, "Your father would rather die in battle than betray the court. Why? You must know, don't you?"
Wu Zi'ang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. Of course he knew that his father would rather die than raise an army to rebel against Qin, all for the sake of 'loyalty and righteousness'! Although he himself scorned such blind loyalty, his father considered it an essential virtue for a subject.
"By refusing the investiture, you are refusing an opportunity to clear your father's name! Although posterity will judge loyalty and treachery, good and evil, if it can immediately restore Tianyao's innocence, why wouldn't we do it!?" Feng Chang's eyes swept over Xu Tuzhi, Zhao Yiheng, and the others. His words were not directed solely at Wu Zi'ang, but were intended to make these loyal subordinates of Wu Tianyao understand his intentions.
"Old Feng, what you say makes sense, but the question is, what guarantee do you have for the young general's safety?" Zhao Yiheng pondered for a moment before asking.
Xu Tuzhi and Yan Heng also looked at Feng Chang. Having been persuaded by him, they now needed a guarantee, a guarantee that Wu Zi'ang would not be harmed after entering the capital!
"My life!" Feng Chang answered, word by word.
"And my life!" Zhao Qi then said in a deep voice.
"Old Feng, General Zhao, it's not that we don't trust you! We're worried that if Wu Wei really wants to harm the young general, you two will be helpless!" Xu Tuzhi said, still uneasy.
"I, Zhao Qi, always keep my word! If I say I can guarantee the child's safety, then I will definitely do it!" A glint flashed in Zhao Qi's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Although I am old and frail, I still have some influence. If the Emperor truly acts like a treacherous villain, I will not waste any more words and will join the generals in rebellion!"
Seeing Zhao Qi's willingness to make such a statement, Xu Tuzhi and the other generals exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Xu Tuzhi then said to Wu Zi'ang, "Young General, you must make the decision yourself!" This turn of events was truly unexpected, and it seemed that his grand plan to establish a new emperor and replace Qin would have to be postponed.
Wu Zi'ang admitted that Feng Chang's words made sense, and for the sake of his father's reputation, he should indeed accept the investiture and return to the capital. With the guarantees from Feng Chang and Zhao Qi, he was not worried that Wu Wei would go back on his word. However, he deeply despised this untrustworthy, suspicious, and incompetent emperor! The thought of having to feign compliance with him made him frown deeply.
"Before leaving, I made a special trip to the Ninth Prince's residence. Although the Ninth Prince wasn't there, I met the Princess Consort and my sister-in-law—your mother, Madam Ling! I also sought her opinion!" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's troubled expression, Feng Chang continued.
"Oh? What did Mother say?" Wu Zi'ang asked hastily upon hearing his mother mentioned. In this situation, his mother's opinion was undoubtedly the basis for his decision.
"Your mother's intention is for you to return to the capital, Zi'ang! And the Princess Consort also conveyed the same message on behalf of the Ninth Prince!" Feng Chang told Wu Zi'ang.
"Old Feng, why didn't you just tell us Madam's intentions earlier? Why waste so much breath?" Yan Heng complained. Since the General's wife agreed to the young general's return, what else was there to say?
"The trump card is always the last one to be played!" Feng Chang said with a smile.
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll return to the capital with Uncle Feng and General Zhao!" Wu Zi'ang sighed softly and nodded slowly.
"Good!" Feng Chang couldn't hide his joy upon hearing this. "After lunch, we'll set off back to the capital!"
***
After noon, Xu Tuzhi, Yan Heng, and Zhao Yiheng escorted Wu Zi'ang, Tian Guang, Feng Chang, Zhao Qi, and Liu Fu all the way to the city gate.
At the moment of parting, Yan Heng suddenly said to Feng Chang solemnly, "Old Feng, I must remind you again, if anything happens to the young general, I, Yan Heng, will fight to the last man to take Wu Wei's life!"
"Old Yan, don't worry!" Feng Chang pressed his hands on the other's broad shoulders and said in a deep voice, "My friendship with Tianyao is no less than yours and Old Xu's. As long as Old Tian and I are here, no one will be able to harm Zi'ang in the slightest!"
"Good!" Yan Heng's expression softened, and he turned to Wu Zi'ang with a smile, "Young general, take care!"
Although he knew that Yan Heng, Zhao Yiheng, and the others loved him because of his father, this did not diminish his heartfelt respect for his father's loyal and passionate generals. Wu Zi'ang remained silent, but knelt down and bowed three times to Xu Tuzhi and the other two.
"No, you mustn't!" Xu Tuzhi and the other two hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, but he seemed to weigh a thousand pounds; no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get him to stand. Helpless, they had no choice but to accept Wu Zi'ang's three bows.
After the three bows, Wu Zi'ang finally stood up, his eyes filled with tears, and said to Xu Tuzhi and the other two, "Uncles, please take care. Zi'ang is leaving!" With that, he turned, mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and rode off ahead.
The old servant Liu Fu also bowed to his master's generals and said in a hoarse voice, "Generals, there's no need to worry. I will protect the young master! Farewell!"
Following Liu Fu, Feng Chang, Tian Guang, and Zhao Qi also mounted their horses. The five of them bid farewell to Xu Tuzhi and the others and embarked on their journey back to the capital.
Watching the five depart, Xu Tuzhi and the others were lost in thought for a long time. After a while, Zhao Yiheng suddenly sighed softly, "Old Xu, your grand plan to establish the nation is likely to fail!"
"Not necessarily!" Xu Tuzhi withdrew his gaze from the five riders who were gradually disappearing into the distance and turned to Zhao and Yan, saying calmly, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature! As long as Wuwei is still in power in Great Qin, we will have plenty of opportunities!"
At this time, in the Ninth Prince's Mansion in Hengcheng, the capital of Qin, Lady Ling, the Ninth Prince's wife, and Qiu Xueqing were gathered together.
Lady Ling's face looked unusually haggard. Wu Tianyao's interrogation was undoubtedly the most significant blow she had ever suffered in her life. After three sleepless days, her nerves were on the verge of collapse. If it weren't for her longing for her beloved son far away, she would have already followed her husband in death.
"I was wrong after all. I originally thought Tianyao would return to the capital to apologize, but I didn't expect him to do it this way...!" Madam Ling's eyes reddened, and her voice choked with sobs.
"Sister, don't be too sad. Although the General is gone, there is still Zi'ang. Besides, the Emperor has issued an edict to reflect on his mistakes. Although it's too late, the General's innocence has been cleared, and he can rest in peace in the afterlife!" Seeing Madam Ling's expression, the Ninth Princess was also heartbroken. All she could do now was to offer kind words of comfort to ease her grief.
Seeing Madam Ling's sorrowful expression, Qiu Xueqing's beautiful face lost its former coldness. She slowly approached Madam Ling, gently taking her hands and softly advising, "Mother, please don't cry! Taking care of yourself is the most important thing. If Zi'ang returns and sees you like this, he won't feel good either!" Although Wu Zi'ang wasn't present, it was the first time in her life that Qiu Xueqing had addressed him by his name like this, and she felt a little strange. "Xueqing is right.
General Feng Chang should be arriving in Pingyang by now. In a few days, Zi'ang will be able to return to the capital. Sister, you should take care of yourself! I've already instructed the cook to prepare some congee. Have something to eat and get some rest!" The Ninth Princess took the opportunity to persuade her.
Thinking that her son was safe and sound, Madam Ling felt a slight relief from her grief. She nodded slightly, looked up at Qiu Xueqing, and gently stroked her face, sighing softly, "Good child, I almost caused you so much suffering!"
Qiu Xueqing shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful face, "Mother, you're too kind. We're all family, there's no harm involved!" Strangely enough, ever since the upheaval at the General's Mansion, she had unconsciously embraced the role of Madam Ling's daughter-in-law. Even during Wu Zi'ang's escape, she had felt a tinge of worry.
Perhaps she had resigned herself to her fate? She often told herself this, but deep down, there was always a sense of self-deception. Oh well, let nature take its course. Marrying such a man didn't seem so bad after all!
Just as Qiu Xueqing was lost in thought, a servant bowed and entered the room, respectfully announcing, "Your Highness, Princess Xue, the talented Su requests an audience!"
"Oh!?" Although they had never met Su Qimeng, they had long heard of her reputation. Hearing the servant report that she had come to request an audience, both the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing showed surprise. "Please come in quickly!" The 　　Ninth
Princess hesitated for a moment before speaking. 　　A moment later, a graceful and charming figure appeared before Qiu Xueqing, the Ninth Princess, and Lady Ling. 　　"Qimeng greets Your Highness and Princess Xue!" Su Qimeng, still dressed in a white dress, her beautiful face radiant with a captivating smile, bowed slightly to the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing, speaking in a soft, ethereal voice. 　　"No need for such formalities, Miss Su! Please take a seat!" The Ninth Princess looked the renowned first lady of talent before her up and down, her expression revealing surprise and admiration. She thought to herself, "No wonder my husband has been praising Miss Su so highly since returning from the banquet at the General's Mansion last month. Seeing her beauty and bearing today, she is indeed extraordinary! 　　" "This must be the General's wife?" Su Qimeng didn't sit down, but instead moved gracefully to stand before Madam Ling, asking softly. 　　"Indeed!" Although still grieving, Madam Ling didn't want to be impolite, so she nodded slowly in response. 　　"I had to rush to the North Sea a month ago, and only upon returning did I learn of this unfortunate tragedy at the General's Mansion. The General is a man of loyalty and integrity, whom I have always deeply admired. Therefore, I have come to the Prince's Mansion to pay my respects to the General's wife. Please accept my condolences!" With that, she bowed gracefully. 　　"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Su! Ah! Please, take a seat!" Hearing the words of comfort, Madam Ling felt slightly better and forced a smile, gesturing for her to sit down. 　　Su Qimeng turned back and sat beside Madam Ling. 　　From the moment Su Qimeng entered the room, Qiu Xueqing's gaze had been fixed on her. Although she was usually confident in her beauty, upon seeing Su Qimeng's appearance and demeanor, she secretly nodded in agreement, acknowledging that this renowned Miss Su was indeed no less than herself. 　　In fact, Su Qimeng felt the same way. Su Qimeng's appearance was comparable to hers, though her temperament was slightly aloof, which only accentuated her pure and elegant beauty. 　　When beautiful women meet, they inevitably compare themselves to each other—a common trait among most beauties. Therefore, Su Qimeng and Qiu Xueqing were no exception. 　　"Serve tea!" Seeing Su Qimeng sit down, the Ninth Princess immediately ordered the servants to prepare tea, and then smiled and said, "Since returning from the North Sea, Miss Su has come to offer her condolences. I am truly grateful!" 　　Su Qimeng's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed softly, "Qimeng is ashamed that I cannot be of any help, so I can only come in person to express my condolences!" 　　"Miss Su is too kind. I am already very grateful for your kind intentions!" Madam Ling's expression showed a hint of gratitude. She knew that the other party had no connection with the Wu family, and her son had even done something that tarnished their reputation. It was already very rare for the other party to 　　come and pay a visit in person. "Madam and Princess, please don't stand on ceremony. Just call me Qimeng!" Su Qimeng leaned forward slightly, her expression very respectful. 　　"Alright! I see that you are about the same age as Xueqing, so I will take the place of an elder and call you Qimeng!" The Ninth Princess said happily. 　　"Qimeng is indeed a junior! Your Highness, please address me as such!" At this moment, a servant had already served tea. Su Qimeng picked up the teacup, lifted the lid, took a sip, and then spoke again: "I heard that the Emperor of Great Qin has issued an edict posthumously conferring the title of Prince of Zhennan upon the Grand General, and has sent General Feng Chang to Pingyang to bring Young Master Wu back to the capital. Is this true?" 　　"What use are so many empty titles now that the person is gone!" Madam Ling replied with a bitter smile: "If it weren't for clearing Tianyao's name, I would rather Ang'er never come back!"

"In any case, now that Tianyao's injustice has been redressed, and Zi'ang has assumed the position of Grand General, with the strong support of the Master and Generals Fengtian, I believe that the prestige of the General's Mansion will soon be restored, and Tianyao can rest in peace in the afterlife!" The Ninth Princess congratulated her again.
"Qimeng is guilty, for causing Madam grief again!" Seeing the sorrowful look on Madam Ling's face, Su Qimeng showed an apologetic expression and lowered her head slightly.
"It's alright!" Madam Ling forced a smile and shook her head, saying, "This is reality after all, and what must be faced must be faced! Qimeng, haven't you had lunch yet? Would you like to stay and have lunch with me?"
Su Qimeng hesitated for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Alright, then I'll disturb Madam, Princess, and the Princess!" In fact, she had already eaten lunch when she came and wanted to decline, but seeing Madam Ling's weak face, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. As a skilled physician, how could she not see that the other woman was weak and had not eaten for several days!
Seeing that Lady Ling was willing to eat, both the Princess and Qiu Xueqing couldn't help but show a hint of joy on their faces. The Princess immediately ordered the servants to prepare a banquet to entertain Su Qimeng, this rare guest!
***
On the fifth day, Wu Zi'ang, Tian Guang, Feng Chang, and General Qi, escorted by five hundred elite soldiers, arrived at the outskirts of Hengcheng, the capital of Qin.
Because they were traveling by carriage, their return to the capital was inevitably slowed by nearly half. There were two carriages in total. Tian Guang and Zhao Qi rode in the first one, and Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang rode in the second one. The old servant Liu Fu rode on horseback on the outside of the carriage.
"Young Master! We are almost there!" Looking at the towering city walls in the distance, Liu Fu said to Wu Zi'ang in a low, hoarse voice.
He was back! In just two short months, his life had changed one after another, and now, he was about to return to Hengcheng again, but sadly, his father, that once-renowned general, was no longer there. Lifting the carriage curtain and gazing out, Hengcheng was already faintly visible. Looking at the scenery on both sides of the road, Wu Zi'ang suddenly thought of Wei Xuanyi and the Tie Ren couple. Were they still hiding in that secluded paradise? Wu Zi'ang sighed softly, a feeling of being in another world washing over him.
As Hengcheng drew closer, the five hundred elite soldiers guarding the city and their leading officer gradually relaxed. In fact, within the Great Qin territory, who would dare to be so audacious as to harm the imperial army? Moreover, given General Wu Tianyao's reputation for loyalty and righteousness, no one would dare to harm his offspring! Furthermore, the journey had been calm and peaceful, without a trace of danger.
All these factors combined caused the five hundred elite soldiers to lower their guard. However, what was about to happen would tell them that their thinking was extremely wrong!
Whoosh! Suddenly, a terrifying whistling sound tore through the air. Before the soldiers could react, a colossal object hurtled towards the second carriage at an astonishing speed.
"Bang!" Several officers on horseback, blocking the carriage, had no time to dodge and were immediately slammed into by the behemoth. Screams rang out instantly as blood and flesh flew everywhere, the officers' bodies reduced to countless chunks of blood scattered in all directions.
Almost simultaneously with the behemoth's attack, Liu Fu, guarding the carriage, made the most swift and decisive move. He uttered a low shout of "Young Master, be careful!" and then struck the carriage with a palm strike before leaping from his horse.
The seemingly effortless strike brought the carriage to a complete halt, causing it to lurch violently to the side of the road.
A mournful cry followed as the two tall horses pulling the carriage followed in the officers' footsteps, smashed to pieces by the behemoth. The behemoth continued its momentum, hurtling over the carriage and cruelly claiming the lives of several soldiers before crashing to the ground with a thud.
At this moment, the panicked soldiers finally saw the true form of the enormous object: a bronze sphere studded with countless sharp blades. The long, narrow blades, still stained with blood, gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and one end of the sphere was tied with an iron chain. Weighing over a hundred pounds, the bronze sphere, with its jagged blades, was thrown with tremendous force, its momentum truly unstoppable; no one dared to block its edge.
"Protect the general! Protect the young master!" The soldiers, as if waking from a dream, took up large shields and positioned themselves around the carriage under the command of their officers.
With a whoosh, several figures emerged from the roadside bushes, rushing towards the overturned carriage. These assassins, dressed differently, were all without exception masked in black. Their judgment was precise; they spared the first carriage and focused their attack on the second. Their sole objective was to take Wu Zi'ang's life, and of course, eliminating Feng Chang as well!
Amidst the flashing blades, screams of agony rang out. Soldiers blocking the carriages fell one after another; though elite troops, they were no match for these masked assassins skilled in martial arts.
"Spear formation!" Zhao Qi and Tian Guang, emerging from the first carriage, were shocked. The latter shouted an order.
At Tian Guang's command, dozens of soldiers wielding long spears surged forward, their long tips spreading in all directions like a porcupine swarm around the carriages. Meanwhile, Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang emerged from the fallen carriages. Looking at the dozen or so agile assassins, the latter was both shocked and furious. He never expected to be attacked by assassins just before entering the capital.
Faced with dozens of gleaming spear tips, the assassins, though skilled in martial arts, dared not easily seize the blades, leaping high into the air.
Seeing this, Tian Guang frowned slightly. Faced with the impenetrable spear formation, even leaping up would be futile. What were these assassins trying to do?
"Whoosh!" The ear-piercing sound of air being torn apart rang out. The assassins, leaping in mid-air, each lightly waved their hands, and immediately a group of spear-wielding soldiers fell to the ground, creating an opening in the previously dense spear formation.
Using the advantage of concealed weapons to create a gap, the masked assassin landed and swiftly plunged into the spear formation, his blade flashing, cutting down more than a dozen soldiers.
Finally, two assassins broke through the soldiers' blockade, their figures flashing as they rushed towards Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang. Before they even arrived, a sharp blade light appeared in mid-air.
Just then, an angry snort rang out, and Liu Fu's short, stout figure appeared before Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang, his eyes flashing with a piercing light as he stared at the descending blade light.
As the blade flashed, Liu Fu neither dodged nor evaded. With a strange, fluid movement of his hands, he reached out and retracted, instantly dispelling the dazzling light. The assassins' two knife-wielding hands were now firmly in Liu Fu's grasp.
The sound of breaking bones echoed clearly, followed by the two assassins' agonizing screams. Liu Fu, who had sworn never to harm another, had broken his vow in the face of his master's death and his young master's peril. With his 'Dislocating Bones and Tendons Hand,' he had twisted the two assassins' arms into braids. (
Volume 3, Chapter 58 of Qin Capital Chronicles)
In a single exchange, he had crippled the arms of two highly skilled assassins. Liu Fu's skill astonished the other assassins and greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers, who charged fearlessly towards the assassins.
Tian Guang and Zhao Qi, witnessing this, felt slightly relieved. Judging by Liu Fu's skill, even if all ten or so assassins attacked together, they would be no match for him.
At this moment, two more assassins pounced. One leaped into the air, feigning a downward strike, while the other adopted a ground-lying, knife-wielding stance, his body rolling like a gourd as he attacked Liu Fu's lower body.
Seeing this, Liu Fu suddenly let out a sharp roar, like a thunderclap in mid-air, instantly causing everyone present to tremble.
The assassin flying in the air, affected by the roar, had his inner energy momentarily weakened and immediately fell from the sky. Liu Fu, who had been waiting for this moment, stepped forward, his right hand transforming into a dragon claw that shot out like lightning, firmly pressing down on the assassin's chest.
*Thud!* Amidst the billowing blood mist, the assassin's chest and back were a bloody mess. Liu Fu's claw strike, imbued with internal energy, instantly shattered his opponent's internal organs, leaving him no chance to even cry out before being killed on the spot.
The assassin attacking from below was also shaken by the whistling sound, his ears ringing and his body trembling violently. By the time he recovered, a kick imbued with the power to shatter metal and stone had already slammed heavily into his right chest. His massive body was thrown through the air by the immense force, then crashed to the ground. In a mere moment, this assassin followed in the footsteps of his companions, becoming a lifeless corpse.
In the blink of an eye, Liu Fu had killed four enemies with a combination of hands and feet. This old servant, who usually appeared frail and elderly, had now transformed into a bloodthirsty demon king, his white beard and hair stained with blood, radiating a terrifying killing intent. In fact, thirty years ago, before encountering General Wu Tianyao, Liu Fu was indeed a ruthless and skilled underworld figure. If these assassins had investigated Liu Fu's background before making their move, their actions today would have been much more cautious.
"Roar!" With a roar, one of the assassins suddenly broke free and pounced on Liu Fu. Clearly, among these assassins, this exceptionally burly masked man was the most skilled. He used his bare hands as weapons, yet his killing speed was far faster than the other assassins wielding blades. With each punch, a soldier would be sent flying, coughing up blood. His strength and power were so great that even soldiers wielding large shields could not stop him.
"Bang!" A loud crash rang out as Liu Fu and the unarmed assassin clashed. Their fists collided, Liu Fu's shoulder swayed slightly, while the assassin staggered back three steps. In comparison, Liu Fu had a slight advantage.
The burly assassin retreated briefly before lunging forward again, unleashing two powerful punches aimed at Liu Fu's vital chest and abdomen.
Liu Fu snorted coldly, his hands transforming from fists into claws, swiftly reaching for the assassin's arms.
The assassin, however, recognized the danger, abruptly withdrawing his fists and replacing them with a fierce leg strike.
Liu Fu's attack remained unchanged, his hands sweeping downwards; anything touched by his bone-dislocating techniques would inevitably suffer broken bones and tendons.
However, this seemingly burly assassin moved with surprising agility, withdrawing his leg mid-strike and once again attacking with his fists. Having already realized he was no match for Liu Fu in their previous exchange, he immediately changed tactics, using a combination of feints and real attacks to entangle Liu Fu, while his subordinates seized the opportunity to kill their target—the General's son, Wu Zi'ang!
A strange howl rang out from the burly assassin's mouth. Hearing the howl, the other assassins, who had been entangled with the soldiers, suddenly unleashed their ultimate moves, killing the surrounding soldiers in one fell swoop. They then leaped up and pounced on Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang.
Liu Fu immediately realized the assassin's sinister intentions. With a furious roar, his hands conjured a storm of claw shadows, raining down on the burly assassin. However, the assassin was indeed very skilled. His burly body moved with the agility of an eel, twisting, dodging, leaping, and darting. Despite being extremely disheveled, he still managed to evade Liu Fu's series of attacks without serious injury.
"Zi'ang, be careful!" Seeing more than ten assassins rushing towards him from mid-air, Feng Chang hurriedly drew his long sword from his waist with a clang and stepped forward to shield them behind him. He knew very well that although he possessed martial arts skills, he was no match for these well-trained assassins whose profession was killing. But at this moment, he had no other choice. Even if it meant death, he had to preserve Tianyao's only bloodline.
"Let my nephew come!" Feng Chang, who was focused on the enemy, suddenly heard Wu Zi'ang's calm and composed voice. Immediately afterward, with a whoosh of wind, a figure flashed out from behind him, blocking his way.
Seeing Wu Zi'ang automatically appear within their attack range, the assassins were overjoyed. They each let out a low growl and lunged forward with all their might, determined to kill their target in one fell swoop.
"Zi'ang!" Tian Guang, who was not far away, was shocked and cried out in grief as he rushed towards them.
Watching the assassins descend from the sky with their fierce aura, Wu Zi'ang slowly joined his index and middle fingers together. As his purple robe fluttered without wind, a fierce light suddenly flashed in his eyes.
Without warning, a blinding red light shot into the sky, and in an instant, sword energies powerful enough to melt gold and refine stone became the dominant force in the space, mercilessly engulfing the assassins who were still in mid-air and had no chance to land. Dazzled by the blinding red light, everyone involuntarily closed their eyes.
Painful groans followed one after another, then the sound of heavy objects crashing to the ground. When Tian Guang, Feng Chang, and the many soldiers opened their eyes, the dozen or so assassins who had been soaring in mid-air were now all corpses, each bearing scorch marks as if burned by fiery flames. Wu Zi'ang, on the other hand, remained standing, his right hand still flickering with crimson sword energy.
Faced with this horrifying scene, the burly assassin's eyes widened in horror. He abandoned his fight with Liu Fu and turned to flee. Several soldiers tried to intercept him, but were forcefully knocked away by his massive body.
"Don't chase!" Tian Guang, regaining his senses
, immediately ordered. Looking at the corpses scattered on the ground, the fire in Wu Zi'ang's eyes gradually subsided. He slowly withdrew his fiery energy and lowered his right hand.
"Young Master, are you alright?" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's somewhat tired expression, Liu Fu quickly approached and asked with concern. More than being astonished by the martial arts he had displayed, he was more concerned about whether Wu Zi'ang was injured. Although he couldn't discern the style of the martial arts, he logically deduced that the more impressive the move, the greater the consumption of internal energy.
"I'm fine!" Wu Zi'ang slowly shook his head, his eyes sweeping over the gaping faces, and smiled slightly, "Alright, everyone, let's continue on our way. We're almost home!"
Tian Guang, Feng Chang, and Zhao Qi, though utterly shocked by Wu Zi'ang's skills, knew it was inappropriate to press him further at this time and place. The soldiers were now tasked with examining the bodies of the assassins for any usable clues to track down the mastermind behind them.
The first few soldiers found nothing, but the last, short and thin soldier seemed to have discovered something on the body. His face lit up with joy as he rushed towards Feng Chang, exclaiming, "General, I found this!"
"What is it? Bring it here quickly!" Feng Chang's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and he waved the soldier forward.
The soldier took a few steps, and when he was still a few steps away from Feng Chang, Tian Guang, and Wu Zi'ang, a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face. His right arm slowly extended forward, already holding a cylindrical object that pointed directly at Wu Zi'ang and the others.
Liu Fu, seeing this, knew something was wrong and rushed forward, but it was too late.
With a soft click of a mechanism, more than a dozen cold glints shot out from the cylinder, hurtling towards Feng Chang, Wu Zi'ang, and Tian Guang.
The two were too close, and the area covered by the cold light was too wide. Seeing that the three had nowhere to hide, Wu Zi'ang, instead of retreating, advanced directly to meet the cold light.
More than ten cold lights struck him, and Wu Zi'ang's body suddenly trembled, but he still stubbornly refused to fall.
The soldier, however, had not expected Wu Zi'ang's move. Holding his hidden weapon, he hesitated for a moment, then realized what was happening and turned to flee.
"Roar!" A deafening roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, rang out. The soldier trembled involuntarily upon hearing the roar, his movements slowing. In that brief instant, a long spear pierced through the air, passing through his back and pinning him firmly to the ground.
Almost simultaneously, Wu Zi'ang suddenly felt a numbness throughout his body, his vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Young Master!" Having killed the assassin disguised as a soldier, Liu Fu flashed to Wu Zi'ang's side, his old face showing panic as he called out.
"Zi'ang!" Tian Guang, Feng Chang, and Zhao Qi were also shocked and rushed to Wu Zi'ang's side.
Seeing Wu Zi'ang lost in a daze, Liu Fu sensed something was wrong. The needle-shaped hidden weapons were coated with deadly poison, a common tactic used by assassins, and he figured this time would be no exception. Without hesitation, he ripped Wu Zi'ang's clothes apart.
Eleven poisoned needles, gleaming with blue light, were embedded in Wu Zi'ang's naked body. Liu Fu's hands moved swiftly, removing all the needles one by one, and with lightning speed, he sealed several vital acupoints on Wu Zi'ang's chest and abdomen to prevent the poison from spreading to his internal organs. After doing all this, Liu Fu took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, removed the cork, poured out the last remaining white pill, and was about to give it to Wu Zi'ang. Suddenly, he heard a thud beside him, and Feng Chang suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Old Feng!" Tian Guang exclaimed, rushing forward to help Feng Chang up.
Seeing Feng Chang's dark complexion, Liu Fu inwardly cursed. Although the young master had intercepted most of the poisoned needles, a few must have still struck General Feng Chang.
"I'm... fine!" Feng Chang clutched his right shoulder, his face contorted in pain, yet he still struggled to sit up.
"General Feng, please wait!" Liu Fu moved Feng Chang's left hand aside, used two fingers to remove the poisoned needle from the man's shoulder, and then sealed his acupoints.
Holding the pill in his hand, Liu Fu hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying to Feng Chang and Tian Guang, "There's only one pill left. I'm afraid I can't spare the general's life!" With that, he turned and pried open Wu Zi'ang's lips, inserting the pill.
Tian Guang's eyes were filled with tears as he looked at the dark-faced Feng Chang, his lips trembling as if he wanted to speak but couldn't. He knew he couldn't blame Liu Fu. Given the choice of saving only one, the other had no reason not to ask for his young master's help. Besides, Tianyao only had this one bloodline left; if he were in his shoes, he would also choose to save Zi'ang first!
"Save Zi'ang first, I don't want to…!" Feng Chang fainted before he could finish speaking.
"Old Feng!" Tian Guang cried out in grief, supporting the other's shoulder and sobbing uncontrollably.
"General, don't worry!" After feeding him the pill, Liu Fu said urgently to Tian Guang, "Let's each choose a fast horse, and each carry the young master and General Feng into the city to seek help from the imperial physician. Perhaps we can still make it in time!"
"Yes, yes!" These words were like a wake-up call. Tian Guang nodded repeatedly upon hearing this and hurriedly ordered his soldiers to choose two fast horses. He and Liu Fu each carried one person and rode quickly towards the capital.
Meanwhile, Zhao Qi and his troops were also marching at full speed towards Hengcheng.
Volume 3, Chapter 59 of Qin Capital Chronicles:
Two riders, one after the other, galloped towards the south gate of Hengcheng, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The soldiers guarding the city saw the two riders approaching rapidly and rushed forward to meet them. Upon closer inspection, they recognized General Tian Guang and immediately knelt in salute!
"Get out of my way!" Anxious and impatient, Tian Guang ignored the flow of people entering and leaving the city, and disregarded the prohibition that officials must dismount before entering. With a furious shout, he cracked his whip and galloped into the south gate like lightning.
Immediately afterward, Liu Fu followed closely behind on horseback.
The soldiers guarding the city were stunned. The dynasty's prohibition stipulated that even princes and ministers must dismount and walk into the city. Seeing General Tian Guang violate this prohibition and openly ride into the city at high speed, the soldiers hesitated. A few bolder ones wanted to step forward to stop him, but upon meeting the general's fiery eyes and seeing the other man on horseback, they were all taken aback.
"Isn't that General Feng? What happened to the General?" Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the city guards involuntarily made way for Tian Guang and Liu Fu to enter the city.
"Go to the Ninth Prince's Mansion first! Then I will personally go to the Imperial City to fetch Physician Fang!" After entering the city, Tian Guang turned to Liu Fu and shouted.
"Okay!" Liu Fu nodded and followed Tian Guang towards East Street.
Ninth Prince's Mansion.
Perhaps due to her son's imminent return, or perhaps due to the tonics given by Su Qimeng, Madam Ling's complexion had improved considerably in the past two days. Although she still couldn't hide her haggard appearance, she no longer showed the weakness she had shown at the beginning.
The Princess and Qiu Xueqing were somewhat relieved to see this. In the past few days, she had stopped refusing to eat. If this continued, they believed that Madam Ling would soon be able to emerge from the shadows and no longer have any thoughts of suicide.
To the Princess and Qiu Xueqing's slight surprise, the renowned Su Qimeng visited the Prince's Mansion almost every day, bringing some tonics to prepare medicinal meals for Madam Ling. Rumors circulated that the talented Su was arrogant and rarely associated with the powerful. Her current actions were likely not simply out of respect for Wu Tianyao's character.
"Your Highness, Princess, General Tian requests an audience!"
Upon hearing the steward's report, the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing, who were drinking tea in the back hall, were momentarily stunned, then their faces lit up with joy.
"Quickly, invite them in!" the Ninth Princess said hastily.
However, before the Ninth Princess could finish speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by two figures rushing into the back hall one after the other.
"General Tian! Liu Fu!" The Ninth Princess was already surprised to see the anxious expressions on their faces, and when her gaze fell upon the person behind them, she couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
"What, what's going on?" Qiu Xueqing's face instantly turned pale, her voice trembling slightly. She had clearly seen that the person Liu Fu was carrying was none other than her nominal husband, Wu Zi'ang, who had been away from the capital for two months. Moreover, the other party's eyes were tightly closed, and his face was filled with black mist, clearly indicating a very bad situation.
"Your Highness, Princess, Lao Feng and Zi'ang have been poisoned. Time is of the essence. I'm going to the capital to find Imperial Physician Fang. Please prepare a room quickly!" Tian Guang, disregarding the formalities of a subject, said urgently, panting heavily.
Upon seeing this alarming scene, the Ninth Princess knew the situation was critical. Without ordering the servants, she said without hesitation, "Follow me!" She immediately turned and led Tian Guang and Liu Fu to the east wing.
After Liu Fu placed Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang on the bed in the east wing, Tian Guang turned and left without a word. Feng Chang and Wu Zi'ang were in imminent danger; he had to rush to the capital to seek the imperial physician immediately.
"What happened? How did it get like this?" After Tian Guang left, the Ninth Princess asked anxiously.
Liu Fu recounted the attack on the road in detail, his eyes flashing with hatred as he concluded, "If this old servant finds out who the mastermind is, I will tear him apart, bone by bone!"
"Who would commit such a heinous act? The General didn't have many enemies in his lifetime, and now that he's gone, what hatred could drive someone to kill his only son?" The Ninth Princess looked puzzled, shaking her head in confusion.
Qiu Xueqing gazed intently at the face shrouded in black mist, her beautiful face unable to conceal her worry. She didn't care who the real culprit was; she was only concerned about the other person's life.
"How is he? Is his life in danger?" After a long silence, Qiu Xueqing asked softly.
"Young Master's current situation is precarious. Although this old servant gave you the only 'Heart-Protecting Pill,' I have no confidence in its effectiveness!" Liu Fu sighed, seemingly aging considerably in an instant. He had promised Wu Tianyao he would take good care of Wu Zi'ang, but unexpectedly, in just a few days, Wu Zi'ang had suffered such a calamity. The guilt and resentment in his heart were beyond words.
"Let's wait for Imperial Physician Fang!" The Ninth Princess knew that the only hope at this moment was for Tian Guang to bring the imperial physician, but only if Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang could hold on until then. Judging from their current condition, it seemed they could die from the poison at any moment.
At this time, Lady Ling was taking a nap in her room, unaware that her only beloved son was in extreme danger. Fortunately, she was not there, otherwise Lady Ling, who had not yet emerged from the shadow of her husband's death, would have faced another heavy blow. And for Lady Ling, whose mind and body were both very fragile, this could very well be fatal.
Time ticked by, and for Qiu Xueqing, the Princess, and Liu Fu inside the room, waiting was agonizing. Tian Guang had been gone for nearly half an hour; given the distance between the capital and the Ninth Prince's residence, a half-hour round trip on horseback was sufficient.
Finally, as footsteps approached, Liu Fu raised an eyebrow and hurriedly opened the door.
Sure enough, Tian Guang, as expected, entered the room with one—no, three—imperial physicians.
The Ninth Prince's Princess and Qiu Xueqing recognized these three physicians; they were the most authoritative physicians in the capital: Fang, Hu, and Yang.
Having learned the seriousness of the matter from Tian Guang, the three physicians disregarded formalities and rushed to the bedside. Physicians Hu and Yang each took one of Feng Chang's and Wu Zi'ang's hands, beginning the first step of diagnosis: pulse taking.
Physician Fang then lifted Feng Chang's and Wu Zi'ang's eyelids, intently observing their pupils.
Qiu Xueqing, Tian Guang, and the others stood silently by, not daring to utter a sound, watching the three imperial physicians diagnose the two. They knew very well that Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang's lives were now in the hands of these three physicians.
"Your Highness and the Princess, please excuse yourselves!" After the initial consultation, Physician Fang's face turned grave as he addressed the Princess and Qiu Xueqing.
Hearing this, the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing, though filled with unease, had no choice but to turn and leave.
After the Princess and Qiu Xueqing left, the three imperial physicians stripped Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang of their clothes and examined them closely. Their expressions changed drastically.
Following the physicians' gaze, Tian Guang and Liu Fu also noticed a faint black line winding upwards from Wu and Feng's dantian, heading straight for their left chests.
"It's a single thread!" Physician Fang's eyes dimmed instantly, and he said bitterly.
"A single thread?" Although Liu Fu didn't know what kind of deadly poison it was, seeing the expressions on the faces of the three imperial physicians, he sensed something was terribly wrong and hurriedly asked, "Three imperial physicians, how can this poison be neutralized?"
Physician Fang and the other two physicians exchanged glances, shook their heads with a bitter smile, and clearly uttered four words: "There is no cure!"
"How is that possible?" Liu Fu went berserk. This underworld tycoon, who had cultivated his mind and character in the Wu family for over twenty years, immediately reverted to his true colors in the face of such a ruthless blow. His aged face was filled with endless ferocity and violence. He stepped forward and lifted Physician Fang up like an eagle snatching a chick, roaring, "You quack, say that again if you dare!"
Seeing an old servant with white hair and a hunched back transform into a vicious and ruthless man in an instant, Physician Fang was stunned for a moment, then his face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and he was too terrified to utter a single word.
Tian Guang was stunned upon hearing this, staring blankly at the two imperial physicians,
Hu and Yang, as if hoping they would overturn Hu's conclusion. However, the two physicians both shook their heads with bitter smiles, their eyes filled with helplessness. They had come by imperial decree to cure Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang's poisoning, but now they had been diagnosed with the long-lost, incurable poison 'A Thread of Connection'. While feeling sorry for Wu and Feng, they couldn't help but worry about their own fate. Who knew if the emperor would be furious and make the three physicians pay with their lives!
The Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing, hearing Liu Fu's roar, hurriedly pushed open the door and entered.
"Uncle Fu, let go!" Seeing that Physician Fang's face had turned purple, Qiu Xueqing quickly stepped forward to dissuade him.
Upon hearing the words "Uncle Fu," Liu Fu's mind cleared. Zi'ang used to call him that too. With a sudden release, Physician Fang collapsed to the ground with a thud, gasping for air. Although Liu Fu hadn't exerted himself intentionally, it was still beyond the physical capacity of this frail scholar.
"Your Highness, Princess, please forgive our incompetence! This poison is truly incurable!" Physician Fang, along with Physicians Hu and Yang, knelt on the ground, speaking in alarm.
"Is there really no cure? What kind of poison is so potent?!" The Ninth Princess's face showed disbelief. These three physicians were the most renowned medical masters in the Great Qin Kingdom; if they said there was no cure, it was practically a death sentence for Feng Chang and Wu Zi'ang.
"Your Highness, this poison is called 'One Line Tie,' made from the juice of a poisonous herb called 'Black Star Grass' from the northern border. Those poisoned by this will develop a black line in their dantian, gradually spreading towards their heart," Physician Fang answered truthfully.
Even without medical knowledge, the Princess and Qiu Xueqing understood the consequences of poison attacking the heart.
"Because Black Star Grass is extremely rare, and the terrain of the Northern Frontier is treacherous, teeming with poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, obtaining the material is extremely difficult. Therefore, it is rumored that the secret formula for making the poison has been lost for a long time. If it weren't for the unique and obvious characteristics on the poisoned person's body, we would never dare to make such a judgment!" Physician Hu interjected, his helplessness evident.
"There is no antidote!" Qiu Xueqing repeated softly the words that would determine Wu Zi'ang's fate, a
hint of despair appearing on her jade-like face. The atmosphere became as heavy as iron at that moment. Liu Fu's breathing became rapid, a terrifying light flashing in his bloodshot eyes, and a faint cracking sound coming from his hands hanging at his sides.
The three physicians' hearts tightened. They could feel that the words 'no antidote' had unleashed the endless killing intent of this old man who had transformed into a demon. And his target was very likely to be the three physicians who had made the diagnosis.
Volume 3, Chapter 60 of Qin Capital Chronicles:
"Uncle Fu! No wonder the three imperial physicians are acting this way!" Seeing Liu Fu's expression, Qiu Xueqing quickly stepped forward, blocking the three imperial physicians, and said,
"Young Madam, these three quacks can't save my young master. This old servant will make them pay with their lives!" Liu Fu's tone couldn't hide the violence and murderous intent born of despair. "Uncle Fu, calm down!" Qiu Xueqing shook her head sadly, "Zi'ang can't be saved. Even if you kill the three imperial physicians, it won't help. Let's think carefully and see if there's any other way!"
"What other way is there? This old servant can only go to the Yellow Springs with these three quacks to accompany the young master!" Liu Fu's eyes revealed a kind of despair. He also knew the authority that the words spoken by the three imperial physicians of Qin carried! Therefore, he had made up his mind that if the young master couldn't be saved, he would pay with his life along with these three imperial physicians!
The Ninth Princess was also panicked. General Feng and her son-in-law were on the verge of death, and this extreme old servant was about to kill the three imperial physicians in revenge. This left her, who already lacked decisiveness, at a loss. She secretly wished her husband were still alive!
General Tian Guang stood frozen to the side, staring blankly at Wu and Feng, whose faces had turned black, motionless like a statue. The Grand General had just passed away, and his only child and his longtime friend were also in danger. This blow was too much for even the strong-willed man to bear.
"Your Highness, Princess! Miss Su has arrived!" At this moment, the steward of the Prince's mansion rushed in to report. Seeing his master's bad expression, he spoke very cautiously.
"Qing'er, I'll go out and greet the guests first. You stay here and wait for them." After all, they were distinguished guests, and the Ninth Princess dared not neglect them. She instructed Qiu Xueqing to stay, while she prepared to go out and greet the guests.
"Your Highness, wait!" At this moment, Physician Fang, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly raised his head and called out to the Ninth Princess.
"Physician Fang, don't worry for now, with Qing'er here, everything will be alright!" The Ninth Princess mistakenly thought that he was worried about her life, so she comforted him.
"No, Your Highness! What I wanted to ask was whether the talented Miss Su who came to the Prince's residence was a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Wang Xiuzhi? The Miss Su Qimeng who was famous throughout the world for her talent?" Physician Fang asked urgently.
"That's right! Just as Physician Fang said!" The Ninth Princess nodded and replied with a slight sense of surprise.
"That's wonderful! That's wonderful!" Upon hearing this, Physician Fang's face lit up with joy, and he quickly said, "Perhaps, the two generals can still be saved!"
"Oh!" Hearing Physician Fang's words, the Ninth Princess was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise and delight, "Please tell me, Physician Fang!"
"Don't keep me in suspense, speak quickly!" Hearing that Wu Zi'ang still had a chance to live, Liu Fu grasped at a straw, his voice trembling slightly. He took two steps forward, grabbed Physician Fang by the collar, and said sternly,
"That talented lady Su is a descendant of the divine physician Su Qinglin, and her medical skills must far surpass those of the three of us. I believe she must have a good antidote!" In fact, Physician Fang had no confidence whatsoever that talented lady Su could cure this thread-connecting poison, but seeing the old servant's murderous aura, which could take the lives of the three of them at any moment, he had no choice but to recommend talented lady Su. However, he was not lying; Su Qimeng's father, Su Qinglin, was indeed one of the two great divine physicians of the world. However, Su Qimeng was renowned for her talents, so few knew her identity as the daughter of a divine physician.
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess recalled the tonics and blood-nourishing medicines Su Qimeng had given her during her visits to the palace these past few days. She began to believe the physician's words more readily and exclaimed happily, "I'll go and invite Miss Su right away!" She then turned and hurried out.
Hearing that things had taken a turn for the better, Qiu Xueqing and Tian Guang felt a glimmer of hope. Liu Fu, however, released the physician's collar, his bloodshot eyes fixed on him, and said sharply, "If Miss Su can't cure the poison, you'll all be buried with her!"
A moment later, the Ninth Princess returned, Su Qimeng's slender and beautiful figure now standing behind her.
"This is it, Qimeng!" the Ninth Princess said, pointing to the two shirtless figures on the bed.
Su Qimeng nodded, slowly approaching the bed. Her beautiful eyes fell upon the dark lines between their chests and abdomens, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Sister Su!?" Qiu Xueqing's heart tightened upon seeing this, and she couldn't help but call out softly.
"It is indeed a 'Thread of Fate'!" Su Qimeng's expression remained solemn as she spoke, "This symptom is the unique hallmark of 'Thread of Fate'!"
"Is...is there any hope?" Qiu Xueqing almost felt her voice trembling.
The Ninth Prince's Consort, Tian Guang, Liu Fu, and the three imperial physicians also turned their gazes to this exceptionally talented woman, anxiously awaiting her answer.
Su Qimeng stood still, a thoughtful look flashing in her beautiful eyes, and after a long while, she slowly said, "There is a method we can try!"
"Really!?" Upon hearing this, Qiu Xueqing's face lit up with surprise and joy. The joy of melting ice and spring returning to the earth made Su Qimeng pause in surprise, secretly praising the other's beauty.
"I'm not entirely sure! But given the current situation, the only option is…!" Su Qimeng didn't finish her sentence, but everyone present understood her meaning. In this situation, they had no choice but to try anything, even if it was a desperate measure.
"Qimeng, everyone understands what you mean. Quickly tell us what method you have!" the Ninth Princess Consort asked hastily.
"To date, no medical book records an antidote for this 'Thread-Binding Poison,' but that doesn't mean it's incurable! Presumably, the three imperial physicians have told you that this 'Thread-Binding Poison' is extracted from 'Black Star Grass,' a poisonous herb that grows in the Northern Frontier. Everything in the world has its counterpart; although this Black Star Grass is extremely poisonous, there is a type of silkworm that feeds on it without harm!" At this point, Su Qimeng turned to the three imperial physicians who had just risen and said, "This silkworm is called 'Green Silk,' I believe the three imperial physicians have heard of it!"
"What you say is correct, Miss Su! This Green Silk silkworm does indeed feed on poisonous herbs, but whether it is immune to the poison of the Black Star Grass, we dare not make a definitive judgment!" Imperial Physician Fang answered truthfully.
"Regarding this, my father also learned it from an ancient medical book, but its authenticity is impossible to verify. Based on this record, my father speculated that using the Green Silk Silkworm as a medicinal guide, combined with other effective antidotes, might be able to neutralize the 'Thread-Connecting' poison! However, because this poison has been lost for a long time, my father has never had the opportunity to verify it!" Su Qimeng sighed softly and looked at everyone as she spoke.
"Talented Lady Su, please tell this old man where to find the Green Silk Silkworm? This old man will go and find it right away!" Liu Fu asked impatiently.
"Old man, don't be anxious. Although the Green Silk Silkworm is precious, it is not difficult to find! You can ask any imperial physician to return to the palace to retrieve it!" For some reason, two blushes suddenly rose on Su Qimeng's jade-like cheeks as she spoke softly.
"Yes, this humble official will return to the palace immediately!" Imperial Physician Fang nodded repeatedly and turned to leave.
"I'll go myself!" Time was of the essence, and Tian Guang couldn't tolerate the old imperial physician's slow pace. Without further ado, he grabbed Physician Fang, tossed aside his cloak, and strode out of the room.
"General, please remember, it must be silkworms that haven't been soaked in medicinal wine!" As she said this, Su Qimeng's blush became even more pronounced, leaving the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing secretly puzzled.
Only the three imperial physicians understood the reason. Although the silkworms fed on poisonous herbs, their own toxicity was not strong. Moreover, soaking their specimens in medicinal wine had miraculous aphrodisiac and kidney-tonifying effects. Therefore, not only the Qin court, but also the other three kingdoms used this method to soak medicinal wine for the pleasures of their kings and nobles. And how could Su Qimeng, as the daughter of a divine physician, not know the wondrous uses of silkworms in the palace?
“I still have two Jade Heart-Protecting Pills here. Although they can’t cure the poison of the Thread of Connection, they can temporarily suppress the effects of the poison. Let them take them first!” Su Qimeng took out a jade bottle from her bosom, poured out two jade-green pills, and gave them to Qiu Xueqing.
“Young Madam, let this old servant do it!” Liu Fu quickly took the medicine and fed it to the two women. At this moment, the black lines on their bodies were only three fingers’ width away from their hearts.
After taking Su Qimeng’s pills, the black lines didn’t change, but the black aura on their faces had lessened considerably, no longer as terrifying as before. It seemed that the pills did have a detoxifying effect.
Another anxious and long wait ensued. The three imperial physicians looked at each other, all with tense and panicked expressions. They desperately hoped that Su Qimeng’s method would be effective and pull them back from the brink of death.
Su Qimeng looked at Wu Zi'ang on the bed, her heart filled with worry. She didn't want such a talented person, skilled in the zither, to perish. Thinking of his miraculous survival after falling into the Luo River, his escape from the General's Mansion after its upheaval, and now his near-death experience on his way back to the capital, this scion of a prestigious family, whom she couldn't quite understand, seemed to be plagued by misfortune.
After nearly half an hour of agonizing waiting, Tian Guang, covered in dust, finally returned. Upon entering the room, he pulled out five identical porcelain bottles from his robes, his eyes fixed on
Su Qimeng, who was still panting, and said, "Four bottles per bottle, twenty in total. That's all the unused silkworms in the palace that haven't been used in medicinal wine! Is that enough?" "It should be enough!" Su Qimeng nodded, then turned to the three imperial physicians and said, "Besides needing your help, please come with me!"
The three physicians, eager to get rid of this fierce-looking old servant, immediately nodded repeatedly.
"If you need anything, just tell the steward! Qing'er and I won't bother Qimeng any longer! The Ninth Princess knows that Qiu Xueqing and I wouldn't be of much help anyway, so she chose to stay put.
" "Alright!" Su Qimeng took the porcelain bottle from Tian Guang, and gracefully stepped out of the room. The three imperial physicians quickly followed. Only Qiu Xueqing, the Princess, Tian Guang, and Liu Fu remained in the room.
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Volume 3, Qin Capital Chronicles, Chapter 61
Watching Tian Guang and Liu Fu each feed Feng Chang and Wu Zi'ang a full bowl of bluish-green medicine, everyone, including Su Qimeng, felt uneasy.
The prescription was written by Su Qimeng's father, the renowned physician Su, based on guesswork, so Su Qimeng had no confidence in its efficacy. Qiu Xueqing, the Ninth Princess, and the three imperial physicians were also well aware of this.
After the medicine was fed, everyone held their breath, staring intently at Feng and Wu's faces, their expressions filled with tension and anticipation.
A moment later, the blackness on Feng Chang and Wu Zi'ang's faces thinned, their chests began to heave rapidly, and then, with a "whoosh," they each spat out a mouthful of ink-black, foul-smelling liquid.
Tian Guang and Liu Fu quickly turned Wu and Feng around, facing the ground, and gently patted their backs.
After spitting out several mouthfuls of foul-smelling liquid, Wu Zi'ang and Feng Chang gradually calmed down, their bodies no longer stiff, and they seemed to regain consciousness.
"Help them up!" Despite the foul stench in the air, Su Qimeng didn't even flinch, speaking directly.
Tian Guang and Liu Fu helped Wu and Feng up, while Su Qimeng and the three physicians simultaneously looked at their chests and abdomens.
"Thank goodness!" Seeing the dark lines that had mostly disappeared, Su Qimeng's beautiful face lit up with joy, her heart finally at ease.
"It worked! Truly worthy of being the daughter of a divine physician! We are completely humbled!" The three physicians' faces showed a mixture of gratitude and admiration; thanks to Su Qimeng, they wouldn't have to be buried alive with her.
"That's wonderful! That's wonderful!" The Ninth Princess also beamed, quickly turning to instruct the steward to clean the ground, while she took Su Qimeng's hand gratefully, saying, "Thanks to you, Qimeng!"
"The two generals are incredibly lucky. To be honest, I had absolutely no confidence!" Su Qimeng lightly wiped the sweat from her brow with her right hand, shaking her head and smiling.
The three imperial physicians then stepped forward to take the pulses of Wu and Feng, finally putting their minds at ease. They addressed the crowd, saying, "The pulses are normal; it seems there's no serious problem. Just prescribe two more doses of medicine according to Su's prescription, and I believe the two generals will recover soon!"
"Sister, come with me to rest for a while!" Seeing the physicians' diagnosis, Qiu Xueqing felt relieved and, overjoyed, took Su Qimeng's other hand with a smile.
"The three imperial physicians can handle this! Let's go downstairs!" the Ninth Princess said.
Su Qimeng nodded and followed the Ninth Princess and Qiu Xueqing out of the room to rest in the back hall.
***
In a daze, Wu Ziang felt incredibly hot, and this heat wasn't on his skin, but rather emanated from his heart. Fire, a burning desire, suddenly rose inexplicably from his dantian, spreading throughout his body like wildfire.
Wu Zi'ang groaned in pain, his lower abdomen burning with desire that desperately sought an outlet. The unreleased agony twisted his face in a grotesque contortion.
"Ah!" Finally, unable to endure the torment any longer, Wu Zi'ang cried out, opening his eyes and sitting up in bed.
"Young Master! What's wrong?" A familiar voice rang in his ears. Wu Zi'ang turned to see the concerned gaze of his old servant, Liu Fu.
Wu Zi'ang froze, instinctively saying, "Uncle Fu!"
"Young Master, you're finally awake!" Liu Fu, tears streaming down his face, grabbed Wu Zi'ang's shoulder without warning, choking back sobs.
What happened to me? Wu Zi'ang pondered, then suddenly remembered that he had been ambushed on his way back to the capital.
"Where am I, Uncle Fu?" Wu Zi'ang asked softly, regaining his composure.
"Ninth Prince's Mansion! Young Master, we're home!" Liu Fu released the other man, wiped away his tears, and recounted in detail what had happened after the man fell unconscious.
"Does Mother know about my situation?" After listening to what the other man said, Wu Zi'ang pondered for a while before suddenly asking.
"Madam doesn't know yet! The young mistress specifically instructed that we must wait until the young master wakes up before informing Madam of your return!" Liu Fu replied.
"That's good!" He was most afraid that his mother would suffer another blow, and now that he heard Qiu Xueqing had made proper arrangements, he couldn't help but feel relieved, and at the same time secretly praised his nominal wife's thoughtfulness.
"How is Uncle Feng?" Wu Zi'ang suddenly remembered Feng Chang, who had also been poisoned, and hurriedly asked.
“General Feng’s poisoning is less severe than yours, young master! He woke up this morning, but didn’t show himself for fear of disturbing Madam, and is resting in another room.” At this point, Liu Fu’s old face showed gratitude. “Thanks to Miss Su, your lives and General Feng’s were saved!”
“I will personally come to thank you!” Wu Zi’ang sighed softly. He had only been in this strange world for two months, yet he had already stepped into the gates of death twice. First, it was Wei Lingyao, then Su Qimeng; both women had come to his rescue, and he owed them a debt of gratitude .
Just then, the door creaked open, and two delicate figures entered the room, appearing in Wu Zi’ang and Liu Fu’s sight.
Looking at the two equally beautiful faces, Wu Zi’ang was stunned, and subconsciously said, “Miss Su, Xueqing!”
“You, you’re awake!” Qiu Xueqing’s face showed surprise, and she moved over.
"Young Master Wu, how are you feeling?!" Observing Wu Zi'ang's flushed face, Su Qimeng couldn't help but step forward and ask.
As the two women approached, a fragrant aroma wafted over, and their sweet voices filled the air. Wu Zi'ang's heart began to race, a surge of heat rose from his lower abdomen, and his breathing became rapid.
Su Qimeng was startled by this and leaned down, gently stroking his right wrist with her delicate hand.
Feeling her soft, smooth skin, gazing at her angelic face, and inhaling her rich fragrance, Wu Zi'ang felt his blood boil. He let out a low gasp and,
surprisingly, grabbed Su Qimeng's hand firmly. This sudden turn of events startled Su Qimeng. Just as she was about to withdraw her right hand, she was unexpectedly pulled forcefully, and her delicate body lost its balance under the force, falling into her arms.
"Let go...!" Su Qimeng only managed to utter one word before her cherry lips were firmly sealed by a pair of hot lips, turning the unspoken "let go" into a helpless sob.
Qiu Xueqing stared in disbelief at the scene before her. She never dreamed that Wu Zi'ang, who had just escaped a predicament, would be so lustful as to assault Su Qimeng in front of her and Liu Fu.
Liu Fu was also stunned, but as a seasoned veteran, he reacted immediately. His right hand moved like lightning, swiftly sealing Wu Zi'ang's Jianjing acupoint.
Wu Zi'ang felt a wave of numbness and weakness in his right arm and half his body, and his grip loosened, allowing Su Qimeng to escape from his embrace.
Immediately afterward, Liu Fu struck out with two more fingers, rendering Wu Zi'ang completely immobile on the couch.
"Young Master, how could you be so rude!" Liu Fu was furious. Although he was loyal, he wasn't unreasonable. Seeing his young master openly disrespecting his savior, he couldn't help but shout angrily.
Despite being unable to move, Wu Zi'ang's lustful gaze was still fixed on Su Qimeng, his face flushed almost eerily, and he was making hoarse breathing sounds.
At this moment, Qiu Xueqing finally came to her senses. Looking at Su Qimeng, whose beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, and then at Wu Zi'ang, who was panting heavily on the bed with a frightened expression, she was overwhelmed with confusion. She couldn't understand how such a terrible thing could have happened.
"Old man, please don't be angry!" To Liu Fu and Qiu Xueqing's surprise, the humiliated Su Qimeng simply wiped away her tears. Although her expression showed some grievance and shyness, she didn't show the anger and resentment they had expected. She sighed softly and said, "This matter is not Wu Gongzi's fault; it's all Qimeng's fault!"
Qiu Xueqing and Liu Fu were both stunned by Su Qimeng's words. They were very puzzled as to why the humiliated Su Qimeng would take the blame upon herself.
Under Qiu Xueqing and Liu Fu's astonished gazes, Su Qimeng stepped forward again and, disregarding past grievances, took Wu Zi'ang's pulse again.
After a moment, Su Qimeng gently shook her head and sighed again, "As expected, it was Qimeng's mistake in administering the medicine!"
"Sister Su, you mean...!" Unable to suppress her doubts, Qiu Xueqing tentatively asked.
"Because I was concerned that Young Master Wu was too deeply poisoned, I used too much of the Green Silkworm!" Su Qimeng explained with a bitter smile, "I didn't mention it to you yesterday, but although the Green Silkworm feeds on poisonous herbs, it is not very toxic itself. Moreover, when used as a base to make medicinal wine, it has a miraculous effect of strengthening the body and replenishing vital energy. That's why I asserted that there must be such a thing in the palace!"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Xueqing was stunned at first, and then two blushes appeared on her jade-like face. The intelligent girl immediately understood the meaning behind the other party's words, and also suddenly realized why the other party had blushed when mentioning the Green Silkworm yesterday.
"Severe cases require strong medicine!" However, in the end, I was still wrong. Young Master Wu woke up only half a day later than General Feng, his resistance to poison is truly extraordinary! And I cannot blame Young Master Wu for this sequela! "Speaking of this, Su Qimeng stood up and forced a smile at Qiu Xueqing and Liu Fu, saying, "This sequela is harmless, sister and old man, please rest assured! Qimeng will take her leave now!" With that, she turned and gracefully walked out of the room.
Volume 3 Qin Capital Chronicles Chapter 62
Qiu Xueqing was stunned for a moment, then quickly chased after her out of the room, calling out, "Sister, please wait!"
Su Qimeng stopped upon hearing this, turned back and forced a smile, "Is there anything else, sister?"
Qiu Xueqing blushed and whispered, "I would like to ask sister, what method can be used to restore him to normal!"
"This, sister can do!" Su Qimeng couldn't hide the blush in her eyes. Seeing that the other woman didn't seem to understand her meaning, she added, "As long as you and he consummate your marriage, everything will be fine!" With that, she said goodbye again and gracefully left.
"Consummate your marriage?!" Qiu Xueqing stood frozen, repeating those four words softly. Her cheeks burned instantly, and she was so ashamed she couldn't lift her head. She fled towards the side door in a panic, nearly bumping into someone.
"Qing'er, what's wrong?" The Ninth Princess, who was about to visit her son-in-law's illness, asked in surprise when she saw her adopted daughter looking so distracted.
"Mother! Is everything alright?" Seeing it was her adoptive mother, Qiu Xueqing lowered her flushed face and answered softly.
"Is Qimeng still there? How is Zi'ang's illness?" The Ninth Princess took her adopted daughter's hand and asked casually.
"Sister Su just left, as for Zi'ang…!" "Speaking of which," Qiu Xueqing, disregarding her shyness, relayed Su Qimeng's words to the Princess Consort.
"Is that so?" The Princess Consort glanced at her blushing adopted daughter and smiled, "Then it depends on your wishes, Qing'er. If you're unwilling, I can have a maid take your place!"
"Mother!" Qiu Xueqing was so embarrassed she didn't know what to do. Although she wasn't mentally prepared to 'do that' with Wu Zi'ang, the thought of having a maid take her place made her slightly uncomfortable.
"I've heard you say that because you knew the General's Mansion was about to face a great calamity, Zi'ang didn't harm you at all on your wedding night. Such a man of principle and loyalty, what is there for Qing'er to worry about! Now that the Emperor has bestowed upon Zi'ang the title of Grand General, and Qing'er is about to become the General's wife, from any perspective, Qing'er, it seems you should make a decision: should you accept being the General's wife?" "The Ninth Princess's face showed a loving expression as she looked at her beloved daughter and said, 'You know, your father and mother have no children of their own, and have always treated you as our own daughter. Although there may be other motives behind this marriage, the main reason is that your father feels that Zi'ang is not the mediocre person the rumors suggest, which is why he decided to agree to General Wu's proposal!'
'Mother, I understand what you're saying, but...!' Qiu Xueqing's face remained flushed with shyness as she said bashfully, 'I just don't feel comfortable!'
'Mother knows! In that case, let Wanhe and Shuixian serve you in bed first!' The Princess didn't insist, and smiled, 'Go and summon them both!'
'Alright!' Qiu Xueqing replied with a complicated expression, and turned to leave.
'This child!'" Watching her beloved daughter's retreating figure, the Ninth Princess shook her head and chuckled. Having been through similar experiences, she had already discerned that although her adopted daughter hadn't yet fallen head over heels in love with Wu Zi'ang, she already harbored considerable affection for him! Before this, no man had ever made the renowned "Ice Beauty" of the capital so shy!
A moment later, the two maids, Wanhe and Shuixian, followed Qiu Xueqing to the backyard. The Princess had already explained the situation to the old servant Liu Fu. Upon learning that this method was the only way to remove the aftereffects, Liu Fu couldn't help but chuckle. However, he was quite puzzled as to why the young mistress hadn't done this herself, but instead had two maids do it!
Despite his confusion, as a servant, Liu Fu knew he had no right to interfere. As long as it could cure the illness, Liu Fu had no objection; besides, both maids were beauties, so the young master wouldn't lose out!
Wanhe and Shuixian were both virgins, and when they first heard the princess arrange this, they were startled. However, as maids, they had no right to refuse. Let alone their chastity, even if it meant their lives, they would have no complaints. Moreover, the princess had always treated them well, so the two women came without resentment.
After letting Wanhe and Shuixian into the room, Liu Fu released Wu Zi'ang's pressure points. The latter immediately let out a low growl and pounced on the two pretty maids!
Liu Fu couldn't linger, so he turned and went out to close the door, standing guard at the entrance.
"Your Highness, Young Madam, you should go back and rest. This old servant is fine here! I will report any situation immediately!" Hearing Liu Fu
's words, the Princess and Qiu Xueqing exchanged a glance and nodded. They knew this situation wasn't suitable for the two of them to stay, so they gave Liu Fu a few words of advice and returned to the inner hall to await news.
Meanwhile, the sounds of tearing clothing and the gasps of two maids could be heard from inside the room.
Wanhe and Shuixian hadn't expected Wu Ziang to be so frenzied. Inexperienced and vulnerable, they trembled uncontrollably under his terrifying gaze, filled with desire and possessiveness.
Lost in his rage, Wu Ziang saw nothing but the two delicate maids... The beautiful woman, though possessing nothing else, possessed immense strength and, without a word, swiftly and brutally tore off all the clothing, including that of the two women.
The two maids gasped in shock, unable to contain themselves as they saw a naked man for the first time in their lives, their hands frantically covering their private parts.
The dazzling white body, the faint scent of virginity, wildly stimulated Wu Zi'ang's senses. With a low growl, he pounced on Wanhe onto the bed.
Without any foreplay, after parting her snow-white thighs, Wu Zi'ang's body suddenly plunged down, brutally entering Wanhe's body.
"Ah!" A cry of pain rang out, causing Liu Fu, who was guarding outside the door, to frown slightly. Given the young master's current state, these two delicate young girls probably couldn't withstand it!
Liu Fu's thinking was actually quite reasonable. Unlike normal lovemaking, what was unfolding in the room was a one-sided scene of debauchery. Bloodstains and cries of pleasure filled the air! Wanhe and Shuixian suffered the pain of deflowering one after another, then cried out in agony under Wu Zi'ang's relentless onslaught.
This was Wu Zi'ang's first release in this strange world. A burning, seemingly inextinguishable lust completely consumed his reason. His hands gripped Shuixian's slender waist, and each fierce thrust transformed Shuixian's tender, high breasts into waves of milk!
"Young...Young master, I can't take it anymore!" Shuixian finally couldn't endure such a brutal and violent onslaught and pleaded for mercy.
Seeing this, Wanhe, exhausted, quickly dragged herself forward and kissed Wu Ziang, drawing his attention back to her.
The sounds of their moans continued to echo in the room as the two women took turns, allowing Wu Ziang to enjoy their bodies.
Liu Fu had underestimated the two maids' abilities. Although more than half an hour had passed, and the women's cries of pleas for mercy could be heard from time to time, the final outcome proved that the victor was not the dominant Wu Ziang, but the two delicate beauties.
Finally, a low, pleasurable roar signaled the end of their intense physical struggle.
Just as Liu Fu was about to report, the Princess and Qiu Xueqing arrived with two other maids.
"Young Madam, the young master must be alright now. Please go in and see him!" Considering there were still two maids inside, Liu Fu couldn't go in himself, so he said this.
"Yes!" Qiu Xueqing blushed, pushed open the door, and led the two maids inside!
A decadent atmosphere wafted through the air. Entering the room, Qiu Xueqing immediately saw the maid Wanhe lying naked on the bed, her snow-white body covered in bruises, her breasts rising and falling with her low breaths.
Shuixian was in a similar state; her snow-white body was being pressed tightly against Wu Zi'ang's, her beautiful eyes glazed, her long hair already soaked with sweat.
The culprit, Wu Zi'ang, was fast asleep, his head resting on Shuixian's full breasts.
Witnessing this, Qiu Xueqing and the two maids behind her blushed deeply, their hearts pounding.
Qiu Xueqing quickly turned around and ordered, "Help Wanhe and Shuixian get dressed!"
"Yes!" The two maids, though shy, dared not disobey. They put down the prepared new clothes and helped Wanhe and Shuixian dress, then helped the two women to their feet.
"Go back and wash up, and get some rest!" Qiu Xueqing said softly, looking at the two exhausted women who seemed unable to even lift their hands. "You two have worked so hard!"
"It's what we should do!" Wanhe and Shuixian replied weakly, then left with the help of two other maids.
Qiu Xueqing turned around, approached Wu Ziang who was lying on the couch, reached out and covered him with a blanket, then looked closely at his satisfied face, couldn't help but let out a soft spit, and then left the room with a shy expression.
"How are you?" Seeing Qiu Xueqing come out, the Ninth Princess, who was guarding outside the door, quickly stepped forward and asked.
"I should be fine!" Qiu Xueqing replied softly, her face flushed.
"That's good!" The Ninth Princess and Liu Fu, who was standing beside her, finally breathed a sigh
of relief. "Wanhe and Shuixian have been tormented quite a bit! Qing'er, should we consider giving the two maids a proper title in the future?" Recalling Wanhe and Shuixian's condition just now, the Ninth Princess suggested with a smile.
"Yes! I'm not a petty person! I'll explain to Zi'ang once he recovers!" Qiu Xueqing had always been fond of these two maids who had grown up with her since childhood, and besides, it was perfectly normal for maids to accompany their husbands in marriage, so she had no objections. "
That's excellent, it's not in vain that they've followed you for so many years!" The Ninth Princess nodded with a smile, "Alright, heaven blesses the virtuous, Zi'ang and General Feng are safe and sound, we can finally rest easy!"
"Mother, there's something else!" Qiu Xueqing suddenly remembered something and frowned slightly.
"What is it?" The Ninth Princess asked with a smile, in a very good mood.
"It's like this...!" Qiu Xueqing blushed and recounted in detail how Wu Zi'ang had forcibly kissed Su Qimeng.
"What?" The Ninth Princess was shocked upon hearing this and exclaimed.
Volume 3 Qin Capital Chronicle 63
Wu Zi'ang woke up from his sleep, stretched lazily, and slowly sat up from the couch. The blanket slipped to the side, and he realized he was completely naked.
Huh!? What happened? Wu Zi'ang froze, vague images flashing through his mind. A snow-white, naked body, a frenzied, intense urge, two beautiful faces filled with sorrow and unbearable pain…!
Wu Zi'ang's gaze slowly swept around, and when he saw the scattered pieces of clothing on the floor, his body trembled. He remembered—in a fit of madness, he had brutally taken the virginity of two women in this room!
Why did this happen? Wu Zi'ang groaned softly, burying his face in his hands. Having witnessed countless romantic encounters in his life, he considered himself exceptionally strong; why had he suddenly become so beastly? Was the author playing a trick on him?
Just as he was filled with confusion, the door creaked open. Two maids walked in side by side, carrying brand-new clothes.
"Young Master is awake! We are here on the orders of the Princess to help you change your clothes!" Two maids bowed slightly to Wu Zi'ang, who was lying on the bed in a daze, and said.
"Oh! Just put it there!" Wu Zi'ang came back to his senses and replied, then waved his hand, "You may leave now!"
"Yes! We take our leave!" Looking at the torn clothes scattered on the ground, the two maids seemed to remember something, their faces flushed, and they put down the clothes and left in unison.
"Who are those two women? I'll ask Uncle Fu later!" After a moment's thought, Wu Zi'ang got off the bed, picked up the clothes on the table, and put them on one by one.
Pushing open the door, the bright sunlight made Wu Zi'ang, who had been in the room for a day and a night, involuntarily squint.
"Young Master!" Hearing a familiar voice, Wu Zi'ang knew without turning around that it was the old servant Liu Fu.
Sure enough, when he turned around, he saw Liu Fu looking at him with a slightly mischievous smile on his old face.
Wu Zi'ang's face flushed slightly as he spoke, "Uncle Fu, I have something to ask you!"
"This old servant knows, young master wants to know who those two women are, right?" Liu Fu chuckled, seemingly anticipating this question.
"Yes!" Wu Zi'ang nodded honestly.
"They are the young mistress's personal maids, Wanhe and Shuixian!" Liu Fu chuckled, "The antidote you took was overdose, causing these side effects, so the young mistress sent her maids to alleviate your lust!"
Wu Zi'ang was stunned. He hadn't expected the poison he'd been given to be so troublesome; even after being completely cured, it still tricked him.
"Young master, you should go see Madam quickly; she misses you terribly!" Seeing Wu Zi'ang's dazed expression, Liu Fu reminded him.
"Mother!" Suddenly, that loving face flashed into Wu Zi'ang's mind, and he felt a surge of emotion. He said to Liu Fu, "Uncle Fu, quickly take me to see Mother!"
***
"Ang'er, is that you?" Madam Ling stared at the young man who had suddenly appeared before her. Her teacup trembled, and with a thud, it fell to the ground and shattered.
"Mother! It's your son!" Looking at his haggard and thin face, Wu Zi'ang couldn't help but burst into tears. He took two steps forward and knelt down.
"It really is Ang'er!" Madam Ling exclaimed joyfully, rushing forward to cup her beloved son's face in her hands. She examined him closely for a long time before saying in a trembling voice, "I've missed you so much! Get up, get up!"
"Look, Zi'ang has returned safely, hasn't he? I told you, sister, you didn't need to worry at all!" The princess walked over with a smile and, together with Lady Ling, helped Wu Zi'ang up.
General Feng Chang and Tian Guang exchanged a glance, shook their heads with a wry smile, and thought, "Truly 'safe'!" They were just one step away from joining the deceased general in the underworld.
Lady Ling was overjoyed at her son's safe return, but couldn't help thinking of her deceased husband; her eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face.
"Mother, don't be sad anymore. From now on, I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my life!" Wu Zi'ang knew his mother was thinking of his father who had died in Luocheng, and gently comforted her.
"Yes! Besides, there's Qing'er! Wait two more months, and the young couple can give you a grandson, wouldn't that be even better!"
"Mother!" Hearing her adoptive mother's words, Qiu Xueqing blushed deeply and quickly lowered her head.
Upon hearing the word "grandson," Madam Ling's sorrow lessened considerably. She reached out and tightly grasped her beloved son's hand, sighing, "If you can truly give the Wu family a son and continue the family line, then I can finally put my mind at ease!"
"Mother, don't worry! I will try my best!" Although he knew his mother was aware that he and Qiu Xueqing hadn't consummated their marriage, Wu Zi'ang feigned confidence to comfort her.
"What good is your effort?" Madam Ling's gaze darted left and right, but remained fixed on Qiu Xueqing, her face filled with intense anticipation.
Seeing this, the Ninth Princess subtly nudged her daughter, smiling gently, "Don't worry, sister, Qing'er will also try her best to give you a grandson soon! Isn't that right, Qing'er?!"
"Yes!" Qiu Xueqing's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, barely audible to herself. To avoid disappointing Madam Ling, she could only nod in agreement.
"Haha!" Feng Chang and Tian Guang burst into laughter. The latter said to Madam Ling, "The young couple has given their assurances, so what else is there for you to worry about, sister-in-law? Just wait to hold your grandson!" Hearing this
, Madam Ling smiled for the first time, turning to the two generals and saying, "Thank you for your kind words. On the day of the baby's arrival, we will certainly invite you both to our residence for a celebration!"
"Even if you don't invite us, sister-in-law, we will still go!" Tian Guang smiled slightly, stood up, and bowed, saying, "It's getting late, we'll take our leave now!"
"Zi'ang, I will personally escort you to court tomorrow morning! Farewell, everyone!" After instructing Wu Zi'ang, Feng Chang also rose to take his leave.
"Generals, take care!" "
The Princess instructed the steward to escort Generals Feng and Tian out of the palace.
After Generals Feng and Tian left, Wu Zi'ang, Madam Ling, the Princess, and Qiu Xueqing remained in the inner hall.
Concealing his harrowing experience, Wu Zi'ang recounted his experiences of the past two months to his mother, mother-in-law, and wife, Qiu Xueqing,
only sharing the good news. After chatting for a while, Wu Zi'ang suddenly remembered he hadn't seen the Ninth Prince and asked, "Where is my father-in-law?!" "
My godfather went to Lingnan to visit friends and has been gone from the palace for several days!" Qiu Xueqing replied, a strange look flashing across her face.
"Soon, the Prince sent word that he will be back in the next few days!" the Princess said with a smile. She paused, then added, "Zi'ang, are you hungry? I'll have the cook prepare dinner, let's all have a family reunion meal!"
After dinner, Wu
Zi'ang chatted with his mother for a while before returning to his bedroom with Qiu Xueqing to rest.
Wu Zi'ang was familiar with Qiu Xueqing's room; the last time he was drunk at the Prince's mansion, he had spent a difficult night in this very room, lying face-to-face with Qiu Xueqing.
"Turn around!"
Qiu Xueqing gently got into bed, looking at Wu Zi'ang with her beautiful eyes, and softly said.
"Oh!" Wu Zi'ang turned around as instructed, and after a moment, he heard a faint sound. His heart
skipped a beat; he knew what she was doing! Wu Zi'ang's heart pounded immediately. What did she mean? Had his mother's words about wanting a child today worked? Did she really intend to share a bed with him and make love?
"Turn around!" Just as he was lost in thought, he heard Qiu Xueqing's soft voice. Turning around, he saw her with her back to him, hidden under the covers, her white dress neatly folded at the head of the bed.
Wu Zi'ang's heart continued to race. He vaguely understood her meaning; although she might not have fallen in love with him, she had at least tacitly accepted the fact that they would become husband and wife.
After hesitating for a moment, Wu Zi'ang took off his boots and outer garment, opened the covers slightly, and slipped inside.
He could clearly feel Qiu Xueqing's delicate body trembling slightly. The intoxicating fragrance of her hair filled his nostrils, he heard her suppressed breaths so close to his, and his eyes were fixed on the exposed white nape of her neck. Wu Zi'ang felt a surge of heat rise from his lower abdomen, and the desire buried deep within him began to stir.
At this moment, Qiu Xueqing suddenly turned her head, her clear, watery eyes flashing with an unusual light as she met Wu Zi'ang's gaze.
"Shall we take Wanhe and Shuixian as concubines?" "You took their bodies, you should give them a proper status!"
Hearing Qiu Xueqing's sudden question, Wu Zi'ang was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "If this can compensate them, I completely agree!" He had no intention of denying it, and since Qiu Xueqing didn't object, he had no reason to refuse. However, the mere mention of the two women's names immediately conjured up a series of erotic and stimulating scenes in his mind, and his lower body inevitably became aroused.
"Hmm, then let's sleep!" Qiu Xueqing bit her lip lightly and turned away again.
Sleep? Wu Ziang smiled bitterly to himself. How could he possibly sleep with such a beautiful woman lying next to him? And unlike last time, this time Qiu Xueqing had actually taken off all her clothes before lying down.
Are you an idiot?! Since she took off her clothes willingly, that means she allowed you to 'do that,' so what are you hesitating for?
His desire burned ever brighter, and Wu Ziang finally raised his arm, encircling her body with his through the blanket.
Qiu Xueqing's body trembled slightly, but she didn't resist. Instead, she gently rested her head on Wu Ziang's chest and whispered, "Be gentle, okay?" "
Volume 3, Qin Capital Chronicles, Chapter 64:
A heavy panting echoed in the room, mixed with captivating moans.
The red candles on the table burned brightly, illuminating the two lovers locked in a passionate embrace on the bed.
The blankets had been kicked away, and their naked bodies moved incessantly. Two months into their marriage, Wu Zi'ang and Qiu Xueqing were finally celebrating their wedding night.
Once their passion was ignited, it was like a flood bursting its banks, unstoppable. Before this flawless, perfect body, Wu Zi'ang completely surrendered. His hands gripped her firm, supple breasts, his hips thrusting slowly yet powerfully into Qiu Xueqing's tender lower body; the tight, almost unbearable sensation made him feel as if he were in paradise."
Qiu Xueqing's jade-like legs were already tightly wrapped around Wu Ziang's waist. The pain of her first time had subsided, her beautiful eyes were hazy, and she gently bit her lower lip. A mixture of pain and pleasure appeared on her exquisite face. Her hands rested lightly on his broad chest, and with each powerful thrust, her flushed body arched, emitting a soul-stirring moan.
What a beauty! Wu Ziang had never imagined that beneath that icy exterior, this beauty possessed such captivating allure! Watching such a beauty writhe and moan beneath him, a powerful sense of conquest surged within him, fueling his vigor and making him thrust with increasing ferocity.
For a time, the room was filled with the warmth of spring, and the alluring moans continued until late into the night.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room, Qiu Xueqing quietly opened her beautiful eyes.
Staring blankly at the still-sleeping man before her, a complex expression appeared on her face. This was her husband, the man who had possessed her for the first time in his life.
Recalling the first time she encountered this man at the bridge, his lecherous expression had disgusted her. Now, though his appearance was the same, he exuded a mature and composed aura that made her feel safe.
He was truly an unfathomable person! Qiu Xueqing sighed inwardly, gently stroking his face with her delicate hand. Although she wasn't sure if she liked this man, at least from now on, she could peacefully be a virtuous wife and loving mother! Perhaps, this was fate!
"Have you looked enough?" Wu Zi'ang suddenly opened his eyes, looking at his wife with a half-smile.
Qiu Xueqing was slightly startled, two blushes rising on her cheeks. She tried to kiss him but withdrew her hand, only to have it firmly grasped by his.
"Wife!" Wu Zi'ang called out in an archaic tone, staring into her beautiful eyes and smiling, "Don't you think your husband is very handsome?"
"Handsome?" A confused expression appeared on Qiu Xueqing's face; she didn't understand the meaning of that word.
"Oh! It just means good-looking!" Wu Zi'ang quickly explained.
"Tsk!" Qiu Xueqing chuckled softly, her breath sweet as orchids, "How can you boast like my husband! But, using the word 'handsome' to describe someone's good looks is a first for me!"
"Aren't you shy?" Wu Zi'ang reached out and gently lifted her smooth chin, teasingly smiling.
Qiu Xueqing shyly avoided his burning gaze, but unexpectedly, the man suddenly leaned in.
"Mmm!"
Qiu Xueqing let out a soft moan as he firmly kissed her fragrant lips, and at the same time, she felt a large hand slip under the covers, expertly caressing her right breast.
"No, no, it's dawn!" Qiu Xueqing struggled to break free from his passionate kiss, grabbing his mischievous hand and pouting, "We have to go to court soon! Get up quickly!"
Hearing this, Wu Zi'ang suddenly remembered that General Feng Chang would be taking him to the palace today. Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand, gazing at Qiu Xueqing's beautiful face and whispering, "My wife, you are so beautiful!" Hearing her praise, Qiu Xueqing
was delighted and whispered, "Get up quickly, don't be late!"
"My wife is right!" Although he had no interest in going to court to meet the emperor, and even somewhat disliked meeting Qin Huang Wuwei, Wu Zi'ang had no choice but to do so to clear his deceased father's name. Heeding Qiu Xueqing's advice, he got up and dressed.

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