[Wuxia] The Carefree Journey of the Tang Dynasty (Book) - 28-30

Chapter 128 Spring Scenery of Songjiang

The two remained silent.

Only Xiao Bei's long, even breaths filled the room.

Yang Yan secretly glanced over and saw Yuan Yueze gazing at Xiao Bei with the same deep affection one would show to a work of art, as if nothing in the world could move this man who shook the world.

After spending some time together, her initial misunderstanding of Xiao Bei, and even her slight dislike for Yuan Yueze, had completely vanished. She developed a great fondness for Yuan Yueze, and she herself didn't know when it had started; she had begun to like him, and even felt a little jealous of her mother.

Of course, she wasn't envious of immortality; it was simply the most natural emotion in her heart at play. Having been a princess of a kingdom, she had seen many fine men, but most were arrogant, selfish, and obsessed with the thrill of conquering women. After obtaining their alluring bodies, they rarely considered the delicate feelings of women, let alone genuinely respected them.

Yuan Yueze, however, was an exception. He was gentle and polite, and although he had many wives, he treated each one equally. Just looking at Susu, Shan Wanjing, and the other women, their carefree and uninhibited demeanor was enough to make any woman in this era envious. The constraints of societal norms were heavy, but what normal woman didn't yearn deep down for a husband who wouldn't restrict her?

Yang Yan was no exception.

The room was utterly silent, but she felt no embarrassment. On the contrary, she found the scene warm and pleasant, something she would never tire of even if it lasted until the end of the universe. After

an unknown amount of time, she couldn't help but yawn, startling Yuan Yueze. Her pretty face flushed again, and she lowered her head shyly.

Yuan Yueze stood up and said, "It's getting late, Princess, please rest early."

Yang Yan responded softly.

Yuan Yueze turned and left.

He knew that the mother and daughter had been living together these past few days, and it was inconvenient for him to stay.

Yang Yan watched his retreating figure disappear through the door, lost in thought.

Passing a room still lit, Yuan Yueze stopped.

The door was wide open, and Chunyu Wei sat there blankly, her beautiful eyes gazing listlessly out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Accustomed to the attire of the Hu people, she had been wearing a loose-fitting robe and long skirt for the past few days, revealing her small, bare feet beneath. On a small table beside her lay a veiled hat adorned with pearls and jade, and a waist knife.

Yuan Yueze coughed lightly, and Chunyu Wei immediately turned around, her face beaming with joy. She smiled sweetly at him, rose, and said, "Please come in, young master."

Her voice was both delicate and sweet, yet carried a foreign accent, creating a peculiar quality.

Yuan Yueze was utterly captivated by her dark, untamed, wild eyes. After a polite exchange, he approached her. A fragrance wafted through the air, neither quite orchid nor quite musk, its scent subtle yet deep and lingering, stirring a feeling within one's heart.

After sitting down, Yuan Yueze's gaze fell upon the waist knife. Bathed in the lantern light, it gleamed, its cold gleam clearly indicating its exceptional quality. The blade was slightly curved, sharp at the front and angled at the back, without a handguard. A strip of cloth was tied to the hilt, the blade cleanly and evenly sharpened from the tip upwards, without any pits. Because the blade was only about an inch wide, it was extremely sharp.

Chunyu Wei explained, "This kind of knife is very popular among the Turks, best used for horse racing."

She paused, then whispered, "My master gave it to me..."

Yuan Yueze began to understand why she had seemed bewildered earlier. Bi Xuan might dote on her as a disciple, but under the circumstances that day, sacrificing a disciple or two to prove one's innocence was not a big deal. So he sighed, "If you like it here, you can live here forever. In the eyes of outsiders, you are already dead."

Chunyu Wei didn't expect him to be so direct. She was stunned for a long time before whispering, "Then what should I do?"

Yuan Yueze could tell that she said this subconsciously because she was confused. Among the women of the grasslands, very few are truly independent. They are used to being treated as commodities. Chunyu Wei had been used to obeying Bi Xuan's orders for many years. After this incident, she seemed to have lost her backbone, and her future became unpredictable.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "That's easy. From today onwards, you are Chunyu Wei, belonging to no one, living in this world solely by your own will."

Chunyu Wei's bright eyes lit up, regaining her usual charming and wild nature, and she exclaimed joyfully, "Really?"

Yuan Yueze immediately encouraged her, and Chunyu Wei cheered, revealing a charming and sweet smile. Her fragrant lips pressed directly against Yuan Yueze's handsome face, and after a loud kiss, her large, watery eyes sparkled as she stared at him without blinking, without the slightest hint of shyness. This charming and lovely girl made Yuan

Yueze once again appreciate the open-mindedness of the northern frontier, and he said with a wry smile, "Can I take this as the girl falling in love with me instead of simply being grateful?"

Chunyu Wei's pretty face moved closer, the two of them only half an inch apart. The girl's unique, delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, and Yuan Yueze's mischievous hands were no longer still. He smoothly pulled her slender waist into his arms, the fiery warmth and softness of her body drawing him close. Chunyu Wei gasped softly, "You're so powerful, even my master isn't your match. What's wrong with someone liking you?"

Yuan Yueze laughed, "

According to your logic, wouldn't countless people like you?"

Chunyu Wei's youthful and vibrant body pressed against him, inhaling his fresh, masculine scent. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she said, "This time is different! No man has ever touched my body before!"

Then, she giggled, revealing her lovely, white, and even teeth, her eyes filled with intoxication. She said, "Actually, I've liked you ever since you became famous a few years ago. If it weren't for the fact that all your wives are more beautiful than me, I would have been unable to restrain myself long ago!"

Yuan Yueze didn't mind. In fact, people in the border regions admired the strong, and women, due to their low status, were often submissive. Their yearning for powerful men was beyond the imagination of ordinary people. But her next words left Yuan Yueze both amused and exasperated. He had never seen such a bold and open woman before, far more assertive than Lian Rou. Moreover, this woman was innocent and naive; in boldly expressing her feelings, she had completely forgotten being betrayed by her master.

Yuan Yueze disregarded everything else, lowering his head to kiss her full, rosy lips. Although Chunyu Wei was bold, she had never been so intimate with a man before, and immediately let out a soft moan, closing her beautiful eyes, lost in the passionate kiss. Yuan Yueze's strange hands caressed her incredibly elastic buttocks, finding the feel exquisite, and his movements became more vigorous.

Women from beyond the Great Wall were indeed extraordinary; Chunyu Wei was passionate and generous, her small, inexperienced tongue entwining with Yuan Yueze's, her exquisite body twisting back and forth, responding to Yuan Yueze's strange hands. Her small, lovely nose emitted soft, moist breaths, exhaling waves of fragrance like orchids, deeply moved.

Unbeknownst to her, Chunyu Wei had been completely stripped naked.

A vibrant and alluring body appeared before Yuan Yueze: her slender waist was as supple as a water snake, and her two prominent breasts, though not as voluptuous as Ren Meimei's, were of moderate size. Swaying with Chunyu Wei's slightly trembling body, they resembled two lively little white rabbits, their pink nipples rolling around like red jewels with each sway. Combined with her exquisitely beautiful yet wildly alluring features, she possessed not only stunning charm but also a pitiful and delicate allure. Chunyu

Wei's face flushed, her breath coming in short gasps, her beautiful eyes half-open, as she lazily reclined on Yuan Yueze's lap, her breasts held high, proudly displaying her most beautiful side.

Yuan Yueze glanced at the dark pubic hair between her shapely legs, then tightly embraced her hot, delicate body, feeling its soft, boneless touch. Inhaling her delicate fragrance and feeling her soft, smooth cheek, he was completely captivated.

Chunyu Wei's passion surged, and her breathing became heavy. The handsome face and elegant demeanor of the man before her were unparalleled in the world, making her heart utterly intoxicated.

Yuan Yueze reached out and embraced her slender waist, lowering his head to kiss her fragrant lips. His tongue deftly parted her pearly white teeth, entering her warm, fragrant mouth, teasing her inexperienced little tongue. Chunyu Wei was a quick learner, soon mastering French kissing. Her little tongue took the lead, chasing and dodging, incredibly alluring.

Her lips were pink, and Yuan Yueze gazed lovingly at her beautiful, refined face, flushed crimson. Even at her boldest, Chunyu Wei was still an innocent virgin, her heart pounding, her cheeks flushed, infinitely shy, adding to her allure.

Yuan Yueze kissed her again, his large hands beginning to gently caress her delicate, youthful body. His hot, swollen member pressed against her soft waist, as if carrying a strange current, constantly coursing through her body. It gave her a sensation both ticklish and soothing, like a gentle caress on her skin. Her already burning body felt like it was on fire, and her mouth was parched.

Yuan Yueze kissed Chunyu Wei's slender neck while moving his hands to her firm, beautiful breasts, finding them soft, smooth, and incredibly comfortable. Chunyu Wei obediently allowed him to do as he pleased, kneading and playing with them haphazardly. As he kneaded and rubbed, Chunyu Wei's cheeks flushed even more, her lips parted slightly, her breath quickened, and she became increasingly aroused. Although she felt a little strange, she felt mostly comfortable and empty, and her lower body seemed to be starting to feel itchy and wet. The reason, of course, was that Yuan Yueze's strange hands were exploring and teasing her naked body, and how could her virginity withstand such teasing? She couldn't help but let out a charming moan, captivating and alluring, as dew glistened between her pink legs, moistening her enchanting valley.

Chunyu Wei's bright eyes seemed to be misty with a layer of moisture, her delicate lips slightly parted, her pearly teeth lightly licking her cherry lips as she softly moaned. She began to gently twist her slender waist, trying to find some friction to relieve the strange itching and discomfort in her lower body. Yuan Yueze, while sucking on her erect nipple, teasing it with his tongue, gently parted her two round, slender, white jade legs, revealing her peach blossom honey cave at the base of her thighs: a standard inverted triangle of dark forest softly covering her bulging mons pubis, with sparse hair on the tender labia majora. Amidst the lush grass, the bright red flesh cave between the pink and delicate labia majora flowed with pale white, transparent lustful fluid, making the pubic hair on the clean labia majora look messy like after a rain. The entire honey pot, soaked with lustful fluid, glistened, showing that the owner of the body was already aroused and waiting for the beloved man's favor.

Yuan Yueze's large hands climbed up her full, snow-white legs and her firm, soft buttocks, indulging in their pleasure. Her round, smooth buttocks were gently caressed and kneaded, sometimes parting outwards, sometimes squeezing inwards, rubbing back and forth.

"Mmm..."

Yuan Yueze's middle finger lightly pressed against Chunyu Wei's shy, delicate clitoris, gently circling and rubbing it. Chunyu Wei's body trembled, her heart pounding wildly from the intense stimulation, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her beautiful face flushed.

Yuan Yueze then kissed Chunyu Wei's luscious, panting red lips, his left hand groping her breasts. His hands were relatively large, so when he opened his palm wide, the tips of his middle finger and thumb could simultaneously touch the two firm, pink nipples on Chunyu Wei's petite chest. His thumb pressed against one nipple, circling it back and forth; his middle finger moved horizontally, repeatedly twisting the other nipple. His right hand moved up and down between Chunyu Wei's overflowing vulva, sometimes pressing her clitoris, sometimes teasing her moist petals, and even probing her pink opening with the tip of his little finger.

Chunyu Wei completely lost her senses, utterly controlled by lust. The other's skillful techniques brought her an inexplicable, agonizing stimulation. The tingling, itchy pleasure shook every nerve in her body, and her blood boiled.

Under Yuan Yueze's teasing, Chunyu Wei gasped and moaned, while also licking her slightly parted cherry lips with her small, fragrant tongue, as if she were extremely thirsty. Her skin, which had turned from pale pink to bright red, was covered with fine beads of sweat, making it appear even more translucent. Her slender waist swayed like a snake, welcoming Yuan Yueze's caresses from all three sides. Her long, shapely legs spread wide, and her petals slowly opened and closed, fully enjoying the pleasure of desire. The "foreplay master," Yuan Yueze, seized the opportune moment and immediately rolled over to Chunyu Wei's half-closed eyes, his fiery member parting her soft, plump labia majora and delicate, smooth petals. He rubbed it up and down along the glistening crevice several times, eliciting a loud groan from Chunyu Wei. With a "whoosh," he slowly forced his way into her narrow, virgin passage.

His long spear broke through the barrier and entered the narrow, moist, slippery tunnel. A trickle of warm, bright red blood seeped from Chunyu Wei's roughly stretched opening, flowing down her perineum and blooming into a terrifying little blood flower on the white sheets, with a few drops staining Yuan Yueze's black spear.

The loss of her virginity caused Chunyu Wei to let out a painful, delicate groan. Her mind cleared slightly, and her slender hands involuntarily pushed forward in mid-air, pleading, "Ah...slower...slower...it hurts...I'm going to die..."

Although her virginity was incredibly wet, it remained unusually tight.

Yuan Yueze had no choice but to stop and began using various techniques. His hands caressed every sensitive spot on her body, gradually arousing her desire.

The intense pain gradually subsided, replaced by a swelling, tingling, and numb sensation. Chunyu Wei bit her lower lip tightly, her disordered breathing gradually calming down, but the long eyelashes on her tightly closed phoenix eyes still trembled. She had finally given her virginity to the person she loved most, a feeling that filled her with immense pride.

As time passed and Yuan Yueze continued his caresses, Chunyu Wei felt the pain gradually lessen, and she began to moan softly again. Her slender legs trembled as they wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, and her honeypot between her thighs once more surged with heat. The tingling and itching sensation made her very uncomfortable, and her slender waist involuntarily twisted.

Heavy breaths and loud, delicate cries continued to emanate from her.

The sound might not be audible from a distance, but Xiao Bei and her mother, separated by only one room, could hear it. Xiao Bei was fast asleep due to exhaustion, while Yang Yan, who had just lain down, was still reading poetry from later generations. Upon hearing the strange sound, she immediately understood what was happening. At first, she cursed Yuan Yueze for being shameless, but then she herself was aroused by the enchanting, seductive sound, her body burning with desire, her face flushed, and her usually clear eyes misted over. She glanced at her still-sleeping mother, gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and slipped her slender fingers inside her undergarments, gently moving them. She pressed her other hand to her mouth, barely managing not to wake Xiao Bei. Little did she know that this thought would only fuel the desire that surged through her brain, and she began to moan softly, even more delicately than a cat's meow.

Born into the palace and naturally dignified, she and her husband, Yuwen Shiji, only shared a bed two or three nights a month. However, after experiencing life-and-death situations and humiliation, her palace consciousness had faded, and she greatly envied her mother's open-mindedness. This led to her "heroic act" of "comforting herself" due to the influence of the nearby demonic sounds. Yuan Yueze slowly began, his spear gradually penetrating the deepest part of Chunyu Wei's delicate flower path.

Chunyu Wei's virgin honeypot gave him an extremely tight feeling; the narrow flower path's fleshy walls, layered and wrinkled, trembled frequently, tightly surrounding and enveloping the terrifyingly large object that had broken into her body, making Yuan Yueze feel extremely comfortable, and he hummed softly. Under the interaction of forces, the fleshy walls also brought Chunyu Wei an unprecedented tingling, numb, and itchy pleasure. Satisfied moans continuously escaped from the beautiful lips of this innocent and lovely Turkic girl.

The massive object finally reached the very core of Chunyu Wei's virgin honeypot. Chunyu Wei's heart trembled as she felt the ultimate pleasure emanating from the deepest part of her body, a place that had never been touched before. In a spasm of delicate, tingling, and itchy sensation, her tender, soft, shy bud gently touched the hot tip of the spear that had penetrated the deepest part of her honeypot.

Yuan Yueze gradually increased his force, thrusting his spear in and out repeatedly, causing Chunyu Wei to gasp repeatedly. His already enormous member, with its fleshy buds biting and massaging, throbbed and swelled even more violently. It grew larger, harder, and hotter, filling and tightening the smooth walls of Chunyu Wei's flower passage. Under his powerful thrusts, Chunyu Wei groaned loudly, her girlish flower passage shyly revealing itself, her clitoris trembling slightly, constantly gripping and sucking the thick, hard spear. Yuan Yueze's thrusting speed increased, feeling Chunyu Wei's tender girlish flower passage contract and tremble with each thrust; Chunyu Wei experienced a surge of pleasure, an overwhelming wave of ecstasy washing over her brain, her consciousness beginning to drift, her soul seemingly soaring to the heavens. Her moans grew more urgent, her fair, pink buttocks, wet with her juices, began to thrust forward, in sync with Yuan Yueze's thrusts.

"Ah!"

In less than a quarter of an hour, with another deep thrust from Yuan Yueze, Chunyu Wei's whole body tensed up, her slender waist arching upwards in a beautiful arc, while she let out a high-pitched cry. A surge of heat welled up from deep within her, pouring onto Yuan Yueze's penis.

Chunyu Wei's desperate cry echoed, and Yang Yan simultaneously reached her peak of inspiration. She dared not utter a sound, pressing her lips tightly to her mouth, her body beginning to convulse.

The pleasure, like the sensation of the penis, rapidly spread through her limbs. Yuan Yueze immediately embraced the trembling, crimson body of Chunyu Wei tightly, and with a series of spasms, a torrent of hot semen gushed out, hitting her violently convulsing core. Under the rapid and powerful thrusts, Chunyu Wei once again reached the peak of pleasure, her vaginal fluids gushing out again, leaving the point of their union and the sheets a mess.

After calming down, Yang Yan glanced at the still-sleeping Xiao Bei. Her face flushed, she shyly withdrew her hand, which glistened in the lamplight. Her damp, slender fingers made her heart race, but the stimulation was even more intense. After turning off the light, she fell asleep peacefully.

Chunyu Wei stared wide-eyed at the enormous changes that had occurred to her body. She paid little attention to Yuan Yueze's later account of his background, because in her heart, Yuan Yueze was already a god, so what did the "monster" identity before her matter?

Holding the soft, boneless, and alluring body in his arms, Yuan Yueze was lost in thought.

The following day, the Belguna brothers were the first to depart. They needed to inquire about the Shen Mohuan couple in Longquan and the surrounding area. This "evil thief couple" was known for their elusive and swift movements; finding them on the vast grasslands was extremely difficult. Since Yuan Yueze had promised to rid the people of this scourge if he found them, the Belguna brothers were overjoyed and eager to find them as soon as possible.

Yuan Yueze, having resolved the matter of the Ghost Fiend, planned to enjoy the grassland life with his wives, as long as they reached Longquan before April. Ba Feng Han, still worried about Jie Li's conspiracy, agreed to meet Yuan Yueze in Longquan at the end of March before departing to continue his training journey. Ren Jun was brought back and found to be only slightly injured. Ren Jun also requested to go out for a walk, agreeing to meet again in Longquan at the end of March. The Arrow Master became engrossed in books from later generations within the bracelet, reading them day and night.

Yuan Yueze was happy for him to do so, and the family began their journey eastward, enjoying the grassland scenery and savoring the simple pleasures of a carefree life.

Xiao Bei, a sensible person, knew that Xiao Ge's sins were grave and he should not live in this world. With the meticulous care of Yuan Yueze and her sisters, she was filled with happiness. After more than ten days, her worries gradually faded, and she returned to her usual self.

Yuan Yueze practiced diligently. Although Zhu Yuyan had not yet arrived, his strength had recovered to nearly forty percent, and he was seventy percent confident in defeating the "Indian Demon Monk" Fu Nanda, who was proficient in the ways of life and death and skilled in the "Brahman and Atman as One" spiritual method.

Traveling at various times, the family left the vast grassland and entered the more varied mountainous region. Along the way, they were surrounded by dense and sparse primeval forests, covering the undulating hills. Clear streams murmured deep within the forests, and occasionally, flat grasslands could be seen. The spring breeze rustled through the trees, creating a soothing and uplifting atmosphere. Emerging from a secluded valley nestled between two mountains, a vast expanse opened up before us. Below, a long, sloping hillside stretched endless grasslands and a dense forest. Hidden among the waves of grass were tents and earthen houses. Fields of barley, spring wheat, and flax grew alongside herds of grazing cattle, showcasing a different kind of semi-agricultural, semi-pastoral lifestyle beyond the vast grasslands. The earthen houses resembled makeshift tents.

A few of us lined up, feeling a gentle breeze that refreshed us and brought immense comfort.

Chunyu Wei, who had blossomed into a beauty resembling a fairy, was an expert on the grasslands. Pointing to a large lake nestled peacefully among the mountains in the distance to the north, she said, "That's Songhua Lake. A dozen or so miles beyond that lake is the Songhua River. It's said that the river flows directly from Changbai Mountain here, merging with the Nenjiang River to form the Songhua River."

Everyone strained their eyes to see. Songhua Lake stretched along the mountainside, winding and varied, with cormorants busily circling above it. The shimmering blue water reflected the dozen or so colorful tents pitched on the lakeshore, creating a picturesque scene that was truly breathtaking. The area boasted a diverse array of trees—Pinus sylvestris, Pinus koraiensis, Larix gmelinii, and Elm—each vying for height, their colors vibrant and varied, almost like a fairyland.

Yuan Yueze cheered, "Good! Let's set up camp by the river tonight, and I'll prepare a sumptuous all-fish feast for all my virtuous wives!"

The women all applauded. Yang Yan blushed with embarrassment, having been unwittingly added to his list of wives, though she was secretly delighted.

Last night, Xiao Bei had already hinted to Yuan Yueze not to hold back and to act decisively. Yang Yan was her only family besides her brother in Chang'an, and of course she didn't want to see her grow old and die. With the example of Zhu Yuyan and her two grandchildren, what hesitation could Xiao Bei possibly have?

No one noticed Yang Yan's shy expression. Chunyu Wei clapped her hands, saying sweetly, "Songhua Lake is rich in silver carp, crucian carp, common carp, and bluefin bream. I especially love crucian carp cooked in the lake water; the meat is delicious, tender yet firm, and incredibly smooth."

Yuan Yueze grabbed her hand, laughing, "Are your hands as soft as Wei'er's?"

Chunyu Wei rolled her eyes, brandishing her fist in a show of defiance, causing everyone to chuckle.

Shan Ruyin was the first to run down the slope, shouting, "Let's hurry up and see who catches the most fish!"

The other girls followed, leaving only Yuan Yueze and Yang Yan behind. Yang Yan didn't know martial arts, making descending such a slope extremely difficult for her. Yuan Yueze scratched his head, saying, "Princess, please forgive my rudeness."

Then, with a soft cry from her, he scooped her up in his arms and leaped after her.

Yang Yan nestled shyly against his broad chest like an ostrich, listening to the whistling wind in her ears, a sense of security she had never felt before welling up inside her.

Several figures raced back and forth, their laughter carrying far and wide.

Yuan Yueze displayed his culinary skills, grilling the fish the women had caught using various methods, much to their delight.

As evening fell, two tents, one large and one small, were pitched along the riverbank.

Yuan Yueze was pushed out of the large tent by the women, and with a shrug, he walked towards the small tent that belonged to Yang Yan.

After taking a few steps, he noticed Yang Yan standing alone by the river, her back graceful and elegant, seemingly admiring the night view of the Songhua River. In the tranquil night, her simple long dress fluttered in the wind, like a fairy descended from heaven.

In fact, she was three years older than Yuan Yueze, but having lived a life of luxury for so long, she was remarkably well-preserved. If she had truly worked hard at Su De's house for a few years, she would have aged very quickly.

Hearing the rustling footsteps behind her, Yang Yan's delicate body trembled slightly, but she didn't turn around.

Yuan Yueze came to her side and looked at the river with her.

The river was wide and calm under the night sky, with rolling hills on the opposite bank. Scattered throughout were gray-yellow mud houses and tents, some still lit up, like bright pearls embedded in the earth. More than a dozen fishing boats with lights on floated on the river in the distance, giving people an indescribable sense of tranquility and serenity.

Inhaling her natural fragrance, Yuan Yueze felt refreshed and sighed, "Fishing in the Songjiang River is also a sight to behold. The pool is clear and the autumn mist is calm. Fishermen are itching to try their skills, so I also set out on a boat. The nets swirl and swirl as we approach the shore. In the clear waves, we can count the minnows, perch, and silver carp. Among them, the sturgeon is the largest, measuring several feet in length."

Yang Yan continued, “The waves crash down like a jade mountain collapsing, throwing a fork a hundred times is no difficult task, hooking and pulling with a rope brings it to land, and slaughtering an ox is a one-in-five chance. Raising the net requires the strength of many, silver knives and snow halberds fly and tumble, merit is calculated and rewarded, then the journey ends, only to worry about the autumn river waters turning cold.”

Yuan Yueze turned his head and looked at her fair face, and said in astonishment, “Princess, you have only read those books for a short time, yet you can remember this poem. It is truly remarkable.”

Yang Yan turned her head slightly, a beautiful smile appearing on her lips, and for the first time boldly met his burning gaze, saying, “Young master, you flatter me. I have loved these things since I was a child.”

What was most attractive about her was not her exquisite features and beautiful contours, but the complex temperament of elegance, simplicity, and purity mixed with an innate nobility.

Yuan Yueze exclaimed "Oh!"

and, staring into her beautiful eyes, smiled and said, "Princess, would you be interested in discussing poetry with me by candlelight? I also have some insights."

Yang Yan's cheeks immediately flushed red, and she dared not look at him again. Turning her head to gaze at the river, she whispered, "Does the young master think that Yang Yan is a promiscuous woman?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "Of course, the princess is not a promiscuous person, but suppressing one's true nature too much is never a good thing. It's not much different from being wanton; it's all about not knowing the right measure."

Yang Yan nodded thoughtfully and said, "Then is the young master a promiscuous person?"

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and said, "Of course, I'm not a promiscuous person, but when I'm promiscuous, I'm not even human."

Yang Yan burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth, her expression extremely captivating.

Yuan Yueze stared blankly for a moment, then sighed, "Outsiders might think I'm too casual, but this is just a personal matter. What does it have to do with outsiders? Some people with nothing better to do always like to meddle in other people's private affairs, shouting things like 'I control everything, from the heavens to the earth, and even the air; I control you on the left, him on the right, and everyone else on the right.' Bah!"

Yang Yan had long heard of Yuan Yueze's "rogue" reputation, and seeing him acting like a wild child, she couldn't help but laugh even harder.

The water plants beneath her feet were thick, and suddenly she slipped, losing her balance, her graceful body shooting straight towards the river.

Amidst a cry of surprise, Yuan Yueze's strong arm had already wrapped around her slender waist, and with a light touch of his toes on the water, the two began to glide low into the air.

Yang Yan was utterly embarrassed. Yuan Yueze had one arm around her waist, while the other slipped under her armpit, his palm landing squarely on her delicate, perfectly sized breast. Yang Yan's heart pounded like a deer's, a mixture of shock and shame washing over her. Her body felt hot and weak, yet she dared not move. The feeling was incredibly awkward.

Yuan Yueze seemed to enjoy this sensation, gliding and taking breaths on the surface of the water, much to Yang Yan's dismay.

When they reached the shore, Yuan Yueze released Yang Yan, who, already limp, let out a soft moan and fell backward. Yuan Yueze immediately reached out and grabbed her soft hand, his other arm encircling her waist, whispering, "Princess, be careful."

Yang Yan trembled like a startled bird, her beautiful face flushed crimson, her ears turning bright red, as she pressed herself against his chest, her full breasts pressing tightly against his.

Their breaths immediately became heavy.

Yuan Yueze lowered his head slightly, bringing his large mouth close to her ear, and said, "Does the princess think I, Yuan Yueze, am someone worthy of entrusting one's life to?"

Yang Yan, confused and utterly embarrassed, was secretly delighted upon hearing this. Not daring to raise her head, she gently nodded.

Yuan Yueze pushed her delicate shoulders away. Yang Yan hesitated for a long time before finally bravely raising her head to meet his gaze. She didn't look away, her slender, curvaceous breasts heaving rapidly, revealing her inner nervousness. Suddenly, she lowered her head again, whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Young master, you've made a mistake. Yang Yan is no longer a virgin; she would tarnish your reputation."

Yuan Yueze laughed out loud, "Then think about it, is the man standing before you still a virgin?"

Yang Yan had never heard of such a theory before and couldn't help but giggle again.

Unfortunately, she only managed a single laugh before Yuan Yueze's large mouth sealed her fragrant lips.

Yang Yan, always mindful of propriety, couldn't withstand the stimulation of Yuan Yueze's experienced techniques. Her mind went blank, she closed her eyes, lost in his teasing, her slender arms involuntarily wrapping around his back, trembling violently.

Yuan Yueze continued talking, his hands deftly slipping inside her clothes, invading her two "high grounds"—her alabaster breasts and her plump, pert buttocks—all subjected to "ravaging." The intense stimulation and pleasure surged through her body like an electric current, Yang Yan's breathing became even more rapid, and her arms, which had been holding Yuan Yueze, fell limply to her sides. Had he not been holding her, she would have collapsed to the ground long ago. When they parted

, Yang Yan's pretty face was flushed, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, her small mouth slightly open, an alluring sight of someone unable to control themselves, ready to submit to his every whim.

Yuan Yueze whispered, "Has the princess ever experienced the feeling of 'field battle'?"

Yang Yan, slightly more awake, was an avid reader with a sharp mind. She instantly grasped Yuan Yueze's meaning, giving him a charming sidelong glance before shaking her head vigorously, blushing, "Wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing!"

Yuan Yueze picked her up and carried her towards the small tent, saying, "Your sisters all love field battles! The princess will surely enjoy it in the future."

Seeing that he didn't force her, Yang Yan was delighted. Thinking about what was about to happen and that she would be on the same level as her mother, a strange excitement rose within her, burning her delicate body.

Lust is an animal instinct, and as Yuan Yueze said, both forced suppression and excessive indulgence are not good. Yang Yan belonged to the former; her passion and desire had accumulated for too long, and once truly aroused, it erupted like a flash flood, uncontrollable and raging.

Shan Wanjing, along with Shan Ruyin and Chunyu Wei, lay in a corner of the large tent, listening intently, occasionally exchanging a few words of discussion and argument.

Xiao Bei, Song Yuhua, and Susu, lying on comfortable benches, couldn't help but chuckle.

Yang Yan was placed on a comfortable cushion by Yuan Yueze. Her beautiful eyes were tightly closed, her breathing rapid, her

delicate body trembling slightly. Her heart pounded like a deer, her pretty face burning red. Yuan Yueze gazed deeply at Yang Yan's beautiful and alluring features and proud, exquisite curves for a long time, then lifted her rounded chin with his large hand, pressing his lips against her luscious lips.

Yang Yan, having been celibate for a long time, had already been aroused by Yuan Yueze's teasing outside the tent. Coupled with her secret feelings for him and her mother's subtle hints that she should open her heart, she boldly wrapped her arms around Yuan Yueze's strong neck, shyly protruding her tongue. A unique fragrance of a noble young woman stimulated Yuan Yueze's desire.

Their tongues intertwined, exchanging deep and shallow kisses. Overwhelmed with passion, Yang Yan reached out her slender, fair hand and gently stroked Yuan Yueze's hair. Yuan Yueze's large hand encircled her soft, slender waist, caressing it for a while before sliding down to her round, plump buttocks, kneading and squeezing her incredibly elastic, snowy bottom through her clothes.

Yang Yan's pretty face flushed red, her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her hands gripped Yuan Yueze's hair tightly. While gently teasing her fragrant tongue, Yuan Yueze untied the ribbon at her waist, causing her long skirt to slip to the ground. Yuan Yueze's large hand reached inside Yang Yan's underpants, reaching behind to caress her two smooth, fleshy, plump buttocks and her full, smooth, jade-like legs. Yang Yan let out a soft moan, her delicate body swaying gently with the rhythm of his caresses.

Yuan Yueze released Yang Yan's fragrant lips and instead kissed her delicate earlobe, first licking it with his tongue, then gently biting and licking it until it was wet. Yang Yan, already drenched in sweat and panting, became even more limp from the kiss, leaning completely against Yuan Yueze, her head resting weakly on his broad shoulders, her long, beautiful hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Yuan Yueze gently pressed her soft, fragrant body down onto the bed. Yang Yan, overcome with desire and shy, dared not open her eyes. Yuan Yueze leaned down and kissed her again, his large hands beginning to remove her outer garments. The "outer packaging" was quickly removed, and Yuan Yueze's gaze was deeply captivated by the beauty before him: her snow-white, rounded breasts swayed with her rapid breathing; two rosy nipples, like pink cherries, stood erect on her rounded areolas; her smooth, flat abdomen; her slender, graceful waist; her small, adorable navel; her fair, plump thighs; her beautiful, delicate calves; her fair, clean feet; and of course, most alluring of all, the sexy triangle of dark pubic hair between her tightly closed thighs, a shape identical to her mother's. From above, the soft pubic hair gathered in the middle, forming a broom shape. Upon closer inspection, Yuan Yueze was overjoyed: the pubic hair further down was noticeably moist and glossy, clearly the result of the lustful fluids secreted by this conservative former Sui princess due to arousal.

Staring blankly at the fair, full, and alluring body before him for a moment, Yuan Yueze grasped Yang Yan's breasts with both hands. With a firm squeeze, the engorged nipples rose sharply. He took one into his mouth, gently kissing it, lightly licking it with his tongue, gently biting it with his teeth, and kneading it from side to side with his palms. Yang Yan, unable to contain her passion, twisted her slender waist, her face flushed, her breathing rapid, and she let out soft moans.

Yuan Yueze used only one hand to knead Yang Yan's two swaying nipples atop her rounded breasts, while his other hand slid down her smooth abdomen. At the same time, his large mouth nibbled at Yang Yan's trembling, bright red earlobe, and he whispered, "Open your legs."

Yang Yan's delicate body flushed crimson. She trembled at his words, but without replying, she actually parted her long, straight legs slightly.

Yuan Yueze affectionately kissed her smooth cheek, which was burning red with shyness, then lowered his head to take her other breast into his mouth, gently sucking on the nipple. Yang Yan's body was weak and powerless to struggle. Driven by desire, her slender, white hands cradled Yuan Yueze's head, involuntarily pressing it against her chest, and a faint, suppressed moan escaped her lips.

Yuan Yueze's other hand had already reached Yang Yan's slightly swollen mons pubis, gently stroking the tender grass, then moving towards the small garden. Yang Yan's legs were barely parted, and with a slight pressure from Yuan Yueze's index and middle fingers, Yang Yan's jade legs spread even wider, powerless. Yuan Yueze's fingers finally traversed the grass, passing through the protruding clitoris, conquering the stream surrounded by the entire black forest. The

clitoris was being touched by an outsider for the first time, and an unprecedented pleasure exploded in Yang Yan's mind. She involuntarily let out a long moan, which she quickly suppressed.

Yuan Yueze's fingers began to circle on the two thin petals, wet with her juices, and then his finger probed into her engorged vagina, stirring it. Yang Yan's delicate body trembled violently, and she let out a shy, muffled groan. She clearly felt an itch deep within her long-empty passage, and a warm flow secreted from her tender clitoris. Then, her delicate petals and the entrance to her honeypot, caressed by Yuan Yueze, twitched several times, and more lustful fluid flowed from her slightly parted vulva. Some of it clung to Yuan Yueze's hands, while most flowed down her perineum onto her pert buttocks, finally soaking into the white sheets.

Yuan Yueze's mouth also began to move, spitting out her hard, swollen, purplish nipple, covered in his saliva, and kissing it all the way down to the outside of her little garden.

Yang Yan hadn't completely lost her senses. With the last bit of strength, she closed her thighs and said shyly in a barely audible voice, "There...it's dirty...don't..."

Although she had never experienced a man kissing her private parts, she instinctively sensed Yuan Yueze's intentions.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, using his chin to part her limp legs, carefully admiring Yang Yan's mysterious little garden: the damp, sticky pubic hair tangled messily, fully revealing her half-exposed clitoris, slightly parted pink petals, and gushing, moist opening to Yuan Yueze.

Yang Yan understood, of course, that if a man treated a woman like this, it meant he was infatuated with her body, and even more so, it meant he loved her. So, she was secretly delighted and didn't stop Yuan Yueze, only her body twitching slightly, her jade hands gripping the sheets tightly.

"Ah!"

Yuan Yueze's tongue skillfully circled the entire garden, finally sucking on Yang Yan's sensitive, moist passage. Yang Yan was struck dumb, her slender waist arching slightly, her cherry lips uttering a high-pitched, joyful moan, which then subsided.

After satisfying his oral cravings, Yuan Yueze's penis was already swollen and unbearable. He quickly pressed down on Yang Yan's hot, delicate body, guiding his hard, erect member to rub against her overflowing, wet vulva. Yang Yan was still too shy to open her beautiful eyes, but her jade hands involuntarily wrapped around his waist.

The burning member penetrated deeply into the flowing stream, and unprecedented pleasure quickly spread throughout Yang Yan's body. She had only had sexual relations with her husband, but how could his endowment compare to Yuan Yueze's?

Yang Yan's vagina was as tight as a virgin's, so Yuan Yueze's movements were slow and rhythmic, slowly inserting his entire member into the deepest part of her snow-white, full body, until the tip of his penis pressed against her trembling, tender clitoris.

Among the women in Yuan Yueze's household, Zhu Yuyan was the most conservative, followed by Yang Yan. As Yuan Yueze entered her warm, moist body, an intense, almost maddening pleasure surged through her, yet she managed to maintain a semblance of consciousness, struggling to suppress a sound.

These ancient, ridiculous rituals were truly harmful. Sexual intercourse between husband and wife was an instinctive, natural act; if one was bound by such constraints, what joy was left in life?

With a sigh, Yuan Yueze slowed his movements, pressed his cheek against hers, and softly said, "Princess, suppressing your instincts isn't a good thing. No one will laugh at you, though."

Yang Yan slowly opened her tightly closed eyes, nodded slightly, and groaned, "You still call me princess."

Yuan Yueze chuckled, increasing his force. Encouraged, Yang Yan loosened her grip considerably. Her burning body began to tremble violently, and she bravely raised her head to seek Yuan Yueze's lips, offering her fragrant tongue and sweet saliva, opening her cherry lips to greedily kiss him.

Yuan Yueze's thrusts quickened, and saliva flew freely at their point of contact.

The enormous tip of the penis relentlessly rubbed and pressed against Yang Yan's delicate and soft clitoris. Yang Yan involuntarily twisted her smooth, jade-like white body, instinctively tightening her flat abdomen and writhing her deep, fleshy walls. The hot, deep, and incredibly wet walls of her vagina gripped the wildly thrusting, thick penis, the hot, swollen folds of flesh coiling and wrapping around the enormous tip.

Yuan Yueze's thrusting speed was rapid, and Yang Yan responded shyly and passionately, bashfully welcoming the massive object's thrusts against her clitoris. Waves of sticky, thick vaginal fluid gushed out, flowing through Yang Yan's slippery vulva and down her snow-white, jade-like buttocks. Yang Yan swayed her slender waist and full hips with force, her breasts and buttocks tracing beautiful arcs, welcoming Yuan Yueze's thrusts. As Yuan Yueze thrust harder and harder into Yang Yan's narrow flower passage, her delicate and tight passage grew hotter and more slippery and wet. The tender flesh walls involuntarily clenched tightly under the repeated friction of the thick spear. The sensitive and tender flesh buds clung tightly to the thick spear that moved in and out. Yuan Yueze's increasingly heavy thrusts also made Yang Yan's plaintive and alluring moans louder and more rapid.

Yuan Yueze's heavy breathing, Yang Yan's satisfied moans, and the rhythmic collision of their bodies blended into erotic music within the tent.

Yuan Yueze thrust all the way in, violently impacting her soft flower core. Yang Yan's pretty face was completely covered by the heat of passion, her alluring eyes half-open, panting, and drenched in fragrant sweat. Her long, beautiful, and smooth legs were tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, twitching occasionally, clearly close to climax.

"Mmm... I'm dying..."

A surge of intoxicating pleasure rushed over her, Yang Yan's back arched into a beautiful curve, her whole body tensed, and she let out a soft, seductive cry. The tender flesh and clitoris of her honeypot began to contract rapidly, and a thick, clear stream of long-dormant fluid gushed out. The yin essence poured wildly onto the tip of his penis, and Yuan Yueze could no longer endure it. Amidst Yang Yan's dazed and wanton moans, a large amount of hot yang essence shot powerfully into the deepest part of her beautiful body.

Yang Yan was nearly knocked unconscious by the blows. In the throes of her orgasm, she trembled violently again, her smooth, snow-white abdomen and slightly protruding, soft valley convulsing rapidly. A glistening, slippery stream of love fluid gushed from her core, pushing her climax to another.

Both were drenched in sweat, tightly embracing each other, their bodies convulsing as they savored the peak pleasure of their spiritual and physical union.

The clear fluids of her own body mixed with her semen, forming a warm, thick liquid that flowed over Yang Yan's convulsing perineum, down her snow-white buttocks, embroidering a large, pale white flower on the disheveled white sheets.

After refining her body, and provoked by Yuan Yueze, Yang Yan, having tasted the sweetness of love, couldn't resist the temptation and engaged in another round of physical combat with him. Although her physique wasn't as strong as a martial artist's, she possessed natural resilience. However, enduring Yuan Yueze's varied and powerful attacks all at once was unprecedented. Pushed to wave after wave of inspirational peaks, Yang Yan released all her suppressed desire, no longer restrained, and passionately cried out in response.

After a final, loud, high-pitched moan and hoarse roar, the surroundings quieted down.

Shan Wanjing stretched as she walked, smiling sweetly, "Finally, I can get a good night's sleep today..."

Her eyes widened when she saw the scene before her.

Xiao Bei and the other two women had already fallen asleep.

-----

Chapter 129 Longquan to the Capital

The sun hadn't yet set behind the distant, rolling mountains, casting countless rays of afterglow. After

spending a night by the Songhua River, the next day, Yuan Yueze and his group simply built a large wooden raft and set off along the river. After

several days of travel, they noticed that the further northwest they went, the denser the forests became.

As Yuan Yueze admired the misty mountains, the flowing streams, and the sea of clouds amidst the pines and clouds, Song Yuhua's voice rang out, "If we continue along the river, we might not reach Longquan before April!"

Yuan Yueze turned his head and saw her holding a map, her long, delicate eyebrows furrowed as she looked in Chunyu Wei's direction.

Chunyu Wei, who was chatting animatedly with Shan Wanjing, was taken aback at first, then her pretty face flushed slightly, and she said coquettishly, "Oh! I just remembered that I need to reach Longquan by the end of March."

The others all showed expressions of amusement and exasperation.

Chunyu Wei had suggested that they travel along the river, reaching the confluence of the Huhan River and the Songhua River, and then going downstream to the east bank of the Huhan River, where Longquan was located, offering scenic views while saving energy. Of the group, only she was familiar with the terrain of Northeast China. Looking at the modern map Yuan Yueze had shown them, many places didn't match up. They could only follow her instructions, but she was even more oblivious than Yuan Yueze. Today was March 26th; if they really traveled along the river, they would definitely miss the founding ceremony of the Bohai Kingdom.

Sitting next to Song Yuhua, Yang Yan leaned over to take a closer look, pointing to a spot and asking, "Has Harbin been built yet? We can speed things up, land here before dark, and then travel directly by land. We should be able to reach Longquan within a day."

Everyone gathered around. Chunyu Wei tilted her head and thought for a long time before saying, "There isn't a city there yet, but there is a large riverside market nearby called Alejin."

Everyone nodded. Over the past few days, they had heard many things about the grasslands from Chunyu Wei, such as how every conveniently located and particularly prosperous area had a center for the distribution of people and goods. The previous Yanyuan Market and the Mudan Market at the confluence of the Huhan River and the Songhua River had both arisen in this way.

Yuan Yueze sat at the bow of the raft practicing his internal energy, while Xiao Bei, with his profound inner strength, propelled the raft forward at the stern. The other women chatted and laughed. As they approached Alejin, many more rafts appeared on the river, with fishermen casting their nets.

Alejin, located on the south bank of the Songhua River, was a long, narrow market town stretching as far as the eye could see. Although the terrain was gentle, it was still hilly, with scattered earthen houses and tents, most densely packed near the widest and flattest part of the river—the center of the market.

Before it was completely dark, the group had already gone ashore. The women were fascinated by the sights before them, their eyes darting around.

The shore was sparsely populated, with few lights, creating an indescribable sense of desolation. Entering the market area, the streets, neither bustling nor deserted, saw groups of people dressed in foreign attire emerging from the streets. Upon seeing several women of striking beauty, dressed in Han Chinese clothing, people turned and whispered among themselves. Some girls dressed as herdsmen openly stared at Yuan Yueze. Many of them, after losing their composure, began to glare at Yuan Yueze and his entourage as they swaggered through the streets. If looks could kill, Yuan Yueze and his companions would have been dead countless times over.

Yuan Yueze didn't mind. The conflict between the Central Plains and the nomadic tribes of the grasslands had a long history, escalating to an unprecedented level during the reign of Emperor Yang Guang. If he were to truly concern himself with it, he would likely be exhausted.

Yang Yan clung weakly to Yuan Yueze's side, not daring to raise her head. All of this was the result of her father's misdeeds, and as his daughter, she naturally felt terrible.

"May I ask if you are Young Master Yuan Yueze? I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Yuan Yueze, with the shy Yang Yan by his side, walked past what appeared to be a restaurant when a respectful voice came from behind, speaking fluent and fluent Mandarin.

The speaker was a Shiwei man. He stood at the shop entrance, looking at Yuan Yueze with utmost respect, giving the women beside him only a fleeting glance. He was dressed in Hanfu, with long hair flowing down his shoulders. Around forty years old, he differed from the tough Belgunatai brothers Yuan Yueze had previously encountered; he was refined and handsome.

After a brief pause, the group approached. Yuan Yueze clasped his hands in greeting and said in Chinese, "Brother, your Chinese is excellent. May I ask what brings you here?"

The man was overjoyed and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Please come in, sir."

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and, without any concern, filed in with the women. At the man's service, they sat around a large wooden table on the earthen kang (heated brick bed) inside the shop.

The man shouted a few words in a language no one could understand to the back room. Receiving a response, he continued without looking away, introducing himself, "My name is Shuwen, from the Shiwei tribe. I have been trading horses in the Northeast for many years, hence my fluency in Chinese. The chieftain instructed me to wait here for you and your ladies."

Yuan Yueze and his companions realized he was a subordinate of the Shiwei chieftain Belgunatai. After a few polite exchanges, they invited him to sit down as well.

Unable to refuse, Shuwen returned to the back hall and personally served tea before sitting down next to Yuan Yueze.

Everyone took a sip of the fragrant tea brewed from locally sourced tea leaves and praised it highly.

Setting down his teacup, Shuwen solemnly asked, "May I ask if you have heard anything about the recent events in the Northeast, young master?"

Yuan Yueze replied, "To be honest, Brother Shuwen, I have been completely unaware of any news from the outside world lately. Do you have any intelligence to share with me?"

Since arriving on the grasslands, lacking an intelligence network and with Black King dispatched to search for Zhu Yuyan, Yuan Yueze and his group had been almost entirely ignorant of the outside world. Seeing Shuwen today, they secretly admired Belgunatai's thoughtfulness.

Shuwen hurriedly said, "Young Master, you flatter me. Just call me by my name."

After a pause, he continued, "There are a few important matters I must tell you. First, about half a month ago, Jieli, in alliance with Tuli, the Khitan chieftains led by Abaojia, and Houjin Tiefuyou of the Mohe, a Mohe tribe whose alliance with Baiziting is irreconcilable, led nearly 200,000 troops to besiege Longquan. They vowed to force Baiziting to abandon its state, or else they would raze Longquan to the ground and kill all its people. This afternoon, we received news that Tuli's 50,000 Black Wolf Army has already encamped near Yanshouji, a hundred miles from here, on the edge of Taohuan Mountain. Judging from the timing, Jieli and his men should be able to reach Longquan before the first day of the fourth month." As

he spoke, he glanced at Yuan Yueze, who remained calm, nodding as he listened, his gaze fixed on the beautiful scenery of the fertile plains stretching for miles along the riverbank outside the window. The other women also showed no change in expression, seemingly unconcerned about such matters.

On the distant grasslands, several herdsmen wearing brightly colored caps drove their large herds of cattle and sheep slowly away; on the river flowing northwest, fishermen on rafts cast and unloaded their nets—everything was brimming with the vitality of life. Unfortunately, amidst the increasingly treacherous struggles among the various tribes beyond the Great Wall, the current peace and tranquility could not last.

Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly, withdrew his gaze, and said, "Hasn't Jieli allied with that infamous couple of thieves from your Shiwei?" Shuwen's

eyes first flashed with hatred, then revealed an extremely joyful expression, saying, "With Jieli's backing, this pair of scoundrels has been plundering the livestock of various Shiwei tribes in recent years, committing all sorts of crimes, from rape to robbery. Fortunately, thanks to the chieftain's investigation, their whereabouts were discovered seven days ago on the border between Shiwei and Mohe, and they were also helped by Ba Feng Han, whom they encountered on the road. Unfortunately, Shen Mo Huan still managed to escape."

He paused, then explained animatedly, "That day, Master Ba and the chieftain's three brothers..." The Shang Shenmohuan bandits numbered over three hundred. Master Ba, acting out of righteousness, challenged Shenmohuan to a duel to the death. Shenmohuan, always arrogant and audacious, accepted the challenge. After a hundred exchanges, just as Master Ba was about to kill him with a single sword strike, his wife, Muling, stealthily attacked Master Ba, who killed her on the spot. The sand bandits, devoid of any sense of honor, all attacked the three chieftains together. Although the three chieftains ultimately routed the sand bandits, Shenmohuan, only slightly wounded, escaped. The sand bandits were masters of concealment and tracking, and even the chieftains were helpless against him.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "This Shenmohuan seems truly formidable; he even managed to escape from Ba Feng's cold sword. " Shuwen's voice continued, "Another piece of news is that another friend of yours, Master Ren, who killed the Khitan bandit Huyan Jin, also killed the Goryeo bandit Han Chaoan, who was committing murder and robbery, five days ago at Meituo Lake, shaking the Great Grassland with his might."

Yuan Yueze glanced at Shuwen's respectful yet complex expression, then exchanged another look with the women, inwardly chuckling. He thought to himself that these two brothers were truly capable; they had wiped out the three strongest bandit groups in the Northeast in such a short time. At the same time, he also sensed Shuwen's extraordinary knowledge of the Northeast.

Dan Ruyin interrupted hastily, "Then where is your clan leader?"

Shuwen dared not look at her, and sighed with his head down, "Please allow me to speak slowly, Madam. Just the other day, I received the latest news from Longquan City that Lord Ren challenged the Imperial Preceptor Fu Nanda of Bai Ziting for some unknown reason, and was defeated and captured in public. His fate is unknown, and I have already ordered my men to do their best to rescue him..."

Yuan Yueze's expression finally changed, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger, "That wicked monk Fu Nanda, how dare he be so audacious!"

Then he got up to leave.

Song Yuhua quickly grabbed him, saying, "Husband, you mustn't be impulsive. If something really happens to Xiao Jun, it will be too late to leave now!"

Yuan Yueze slumped down.

He knew that Ren Jun would never challenge Fu Nanda just to improve his strength or to show off; that was not his style. There must be some reason that others did not know. Concern clouded his judgment. Remembering the instructions given to him by Shan Meixian and Dugu Feng before his departure, he immediately calmed down, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes. He said, "Brother Shuwen, please tell me the rest of the news. I must rush to Longquan tonight!"

A chilling killing intent filled the entire space. Shuwen felt a chill run down his spine and gritted his teeth, saying, "The clan leader heard this news and immediately set off back to the clan to gather manpower, preparing to storm Longquan and rescue Master Ren. As for the rest of the news, oh! I'm afraid there's no need to say anything."

Everyone followed his gaze and saw a burly man with a sword walk in through the door. He looked very much like Tuli, but was younger than Tuli. At this moment, he stood at the door, forcefully resisting Yuan Yueze's omnipresent and sharp energy.

Yuan Yueze let out a long sigh, calming himself down. Ignoring the burly man at the door, who clearly had a close relationship with Tuli, he continued to Shuwen, "Brother Shuwen, please continue."

Both Shuwen and the burly man at the door were somewhat embarrassed. Shuwen coughed, excused himself, and stood up, speaking in Turkic, "What brings you here, friend?"

The burly man offered a simple, polite greeting, then stepped forward and bowed to Yuan Yueze, saying, "Greetings, Brother Yuan. My name is Jieshelu, and I am the younger brother of Tuli Khan. The Khan has sent men to keep watch on us along the way. He invites you to Yanshouji for a chat."

Yuan Yueze... Ze scoffed, "What's there to talk about? Since Tuli is in cahoots with Jieli, are they trying to lure me over to ambush me?"

Jieshe's eyes flashed with anger, but he dared not contradict him, forcing a smile, "Brother Yuan, you jest. With your abilities, who in the world could ambush you?"

Xiao Bei grabbed Yuan Yueze's large hand, generously saying, "General, please don't be offended. My husband is in a very bad mood; his words just now were unintentional. We'll go with you then."

Under the moonlight, Jieshe's group of several dozen men led the way, with Yuan Yueze, Xiao Bei, and Shan Wanjing following far behind.

The other women had already been taken away by him when no one was looking. Shan Wanjing spoke up, "Just now, Mr. Shuwen told me that Jieli invited Sister Xiufang to perform for Baiziting, who is obsessed with Central Plains culture, at the founding ceremony. They should arrive in Longquan in the next few days. They definitely don't have good intentions."

Yuan Yueze's heart had calmed down. Just as Song Yuhua said, if Ren Jun really had an accident, there was no use in being anxious now. If he lost his composure, he would not be able to continue thinking rationally. After hearing Shan Wanjing's words, Yuan Yueze immediately replied, "Jieli originally wanted to harm me, but he was affected by the situation on the grasslands and temporarily shelved his plan to kill me. By having Xiufang lure me to Longquan, he can both destroy the Bohai Kingdom and kill me with his army. He kills two birds with one stone. Why wouldn't he be happy to do it? Hey! That old fox Jieli, how can I not 'repay' you for this 'favor'!"

The two women were overjoyed to see him regain his composure. The three of them increased their speed even more, easily overtaking the Jieshe group who were desperately riding their horses, and headed southeast.

Jieshe and his companions were dumbfounded. Initially, they had secretly mocked Yuan Yueze, this man from the Central Plains, for overestimating himself by daring to come to the grasslands without even preparing a horse. Now, they no longer doubted his abilities.

Yuan Yueze and his two companions stopped on a hilltop by the Mayan River and looked out. Looking down, on the basin-shaped alluvial plain across the river, lakes and marshes were scattered like stars. Hundreds of feet away, on the shore of a large lake, thousands of military tents were arranged in an orderly fashion, with campfires everywhere, eclipsing even the moonlight and starlight. The soldiers on guard duty and those roasting food had clear divisions of labor, and despite the large number of people, there was no disorder, demonstrating the strict discipline under Tuli's rule. The military flag with a black wolf's head was raised high, and the banner fluttered in the long wind blowing across the grasslands.

After a long time, Jieshe and his group finally caught up. Exhausted, he still pursed his lips and let out a strange cry, as if sending a signal to the distance.

The sound of hooves rang out, and a dark figure gradually became clear in the distance—it was Tuli in military uniform.

Tuli leaped off his horse, somersaulted, and landed in front of Yuan Yueze and his companions. He grabbed Yuan Yueze's shoulder and laughed heartily, "Brother, I've finally waited for you!"

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly, embraced him, and then they parted.

Tuli's solo arrival seemed to indicate his stance. Yuan Yueze, of course, had prepared for the worst: that Tuli would lure him into a trap and attack him. This had nothing to do with their friendship or Tuli's character, because Yuan Yueze was someone who could influence the survival and development of any race. In such a situation, personal feelings had no place. Tuli, a ruthless and ambitious man, was well aware of this.

Tuli seemed to sense that Yuan Yueze was not in a good mood and quickly asked him to introduce Shan Wanjing. Then, with a respectful expression, he said, "Lord Shen sent someone to deliver grain seeds suitable for the northern climate to me at the beginning of this month. He said that my sisters-in-law collected them near Tianzhu. I am very grateful!" He then bowed respectfully. Shan Wanjing returned the bow

graciously . Yuan Yueze secretly praised Shen Luoyan's skillful and appropriate way of winning people over, and a sense of pride welled up inside him. He put his arm around Tuli's shoulder and laughed loudly, "Brother Tuli, why are you being so polite? Won't you invite me to your tent for a few drinks?" The group of members who led the society thought Yuan Yueze was quite extraordinary, but after hearing his words, their expressions became quite interesting. Tuli was clearly pleased with his coarse language and laughed in return, "I just happened to have hunted a tiger today. It would be perfect to bring it to entertain the three of you." The group then began to walk towards the military camp.

Tuli suddenly whispered, "Brother Yuan, I am deeply grateful for your trust in me."

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Even if Brother Tuli plotted to ambush me, it's no big deal, I understand."

Tuli said solemnly, "Although I bear the heavy burden of my people's future, if I were to do such a thing, heaven and earth would not forgive me! If it weren't for Brother Yuan's rescue that day, where would I be today?"

Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "Brother Tuli is not a fool, you should know that I only saved you to restrain Jieli."

Tuli laughed loudly, patted his shoulder hard, and said, "Damn it, I am a fool! Ha! It is truly a blessing in life to be friends with such a straightforward person as Brother Yuan!"

As they entered the camp area, many soldiers stopped to salute Tuli, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary figure Yuan Yueze. Their expressions towards Yuan Yueze were full of respect and gratitude, knowing that this young master who was famous throughout the world was also highly regarded on the grasslands. Of course, it was also possible that Tuli had promoted him vigorously.

Yuan Yueze returned the soldiers' salutes and greetings with a smile.

Before Tuli's main tent, more than ten people stood in two rows, welcoming him. Finally, they were ushered into the tent, which was simply furnished yet exuded an air of majesty.

A bonfire burned in the center of the tent, where several soldiers were roasting a large, whole tiger.

The group sat down, and Tuli introduced everyone.

Among the other guests were almost all prominent chieftains under Tuli's command. One of them caught Yuan Yueze's attention: the son of Shi Jianhoujin of the Uyghur Yaoluo tribe, a warrior who always led from the front and was invincible. He was tall, with broad, thick shoulders, a square face covered with a short, bushy beard, and his face was covered in dust and sweat. Beneath his thick eyebrows were a pair of long, beautiful eyes that seemed disproportionate to his high cheekbones and straight nose. His gaze was firm, clear, and calm. He appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, reminiscent of the Vajra warriors protecting the temple. When he met Yuan Yueze's deep gaze, a sincere look of gratitude appeared on his face.

After the introductions, Tuli's voice rang out, "Enough with the pleasantries. I, Tuli, hereby swear to the mountains and plains that I am brothers with Brother Yuan for all eternity. I will support Brother Yuan in unifying the land, and wherever my brother is needed, I, Tuli, will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Yuan Yueze looked at him in astonishment, then glanced at the crowd who were all raising their glasses, their eyes flickering, and asked, "Brother Tuli, why did you suddenly make this decision?"

Tuli, who was raising his glass, made a strange expression and said, "I met with the Belgunatai brothers a few days ago, and after hearing them talk about Brother Yuan's policies towards foreign tribes, I was greatly moved..."

Before he could finish, Yuan Yueze clinked glasses with everyone, downing three cups in a row, before laughing, "Brother Tuli is too dishonest!" Tuli

burst into laughter.

Everyone stopped, looking at the two men whose words and actions were so unusual, and all noticed their frankness and lack of pretense.

After laughing, Tuli sighed, "Brother Yuan might be disdainful knowing that I've reconciled with Jieli. But this is no ordinary matter. When he approached me, he bluntly stated that if I refused to make peace, he would fully support that fool Bai Ziting. I simply don't have the capacity to wage a full-scale war on two fronts. If Bai Ziting were to unify the Mohe tribes, I would be attacked from both sides. If we fought to a draw, Jieli would undoubtedly benefit. Although Bi Xuan's mission to the Central Plains caused him to lose face, it didn't significantly impact our military strength, especially in the civil war. I was forced to cooperate with him then, but now, seeing Brother Yuan, my dejection has vanished, and I can finally take the initiative!"

As Yuan Yueze pondered his words, Shan Wanjing interjected, "Isn't the Khan going to unite because of the Eastern and Western Turks?" "Was it a forced collaboration with Jieli to become one?"

Upon hearing this, everyone suppressed their laughter. Tuli chuckled and said, "That's just a rumor from Longquan, merely a tactic used by Bai Ziting to win people's hearts!"

He paused, then sighed, "Since the Turks defeated the Rouran in the north of Huaihuang during the Western Wei period in the Central Plains, and the Rouran Khan Anaxiang committed suicide after his defeat, our ancestor Ashina Tumen established the Turkic Khaganate, dominating the grasslands. Its territory was even vaster than that of the ancient Xiongnu, and its scale was unprecedented. Unfortunately, it later split into two major khanates, East and West. Yang Jian unified the Central Plains and repeatedly invaded, using divisive tactics to incite endless internal wars among the various tribes of our grasslands. The reunification of the East and West khanates seems a distant prospect, and judging from the current situation, it's unlikely to happen within a century."

Yuan Yueze and the two women were bewildered, wondering if they had been deceived by Maji. But how could Tuli not have received any information about such an important matter, given the oath he had made? But his argument also made sense. Establishing a kingdom in Baiziting would naturally face numerous difficulties, most importantly, the other neighboring tribes didn't want to see him grow powerful. Therefore, he could fabricate this rumor that would terrify any tribe on the vast grasslands, diverting attention while simultaneously winning hearts and minds to fight against Jieli.

Xiao Bei asked, "What does the Khan mean by 'taking the initiative'?"

Tuli answered irrelevantly, "How much do you and your sister-in-law know about the latest situation?"

Yuan Yueze recounted the information he received from Shuwen, and only then did Tuli say, "Shuwen was probably ordered to gather intelligence on Longquan. In fact, many major events have occurred. For example, I received news four days ago that Song Jingang first decisively defeated Li Yuanji, forcing him to hastily retreat to Guanzhong. Then Song Jingang marched south, and Li Shimin led his troops across the Yellow River at Longmen to meet Song Jingang. The Tang army clashed several times, but was defeated by Jingang each time. Finally, Li..." Li Shimin adopted a scorched-earth strategy, fortifying his camps and building fortifications to repel the elite cavalry of Song Jingang, recognizing their weakness of insufficient supplies and inability to sustain a protracted war. Song Jingang eventually ran out of food and retreated north. Li Shimin launched a full-scale attack, first defeating Jingang at Lüzhou, then pursuing them relentlessly. His army marched over 200 li in a single day and night, engaging in ten battles, chasing them all the way to Queshu Valley, winning eight battles in total, inflicting a crushing defeat on Jingang, capturing and killing tens of thousands. Jingang retreated to Jiezhou, where they arrayed their troops seven li long to the west of the city. Li Shimin sent Li Shiji to fight them, feigning defeat and retreat. While Jingang pursued, Li Shimin personally led elite troops to outflank them from both sides. Caught in a pincer attack, Jin Gang was no match and collapsed, allowing Li Shimin to recapture Jinyang.

Yuan Yueze said thoughtfully, “If we follow Brother Tuli’s logic, Jieli shouldn’t have lured me to Longquan to ambush and kill me. If I could return to the Central Plains to restrain Li Shimin, a mutually destructive outcome would be the best strategy. Otherwise, if Li Shimin were to sweep through the Central Plains with unstoppable momentum, Jieli would be his next target.”

Tuli replied, “Brother Yuan, you truly underestimate yourself! Jieli considers you his primary enemy. If he were to eliminate you, the morale of the people of the Central Plains would be severely damaged. You must have already witnessed Tuli’s…” The Jurchen cavalry was so powerful that the Central Plains could only win by sheer numbers or by holding onto isolated cities. "Hmph, that bastard Jieli has been suppressing me relentlessly. This time, I'll use a counter-strategy. When he attacks Longquan, I'll join forces with Brother Yuan to launch a pincer attack and wipe him out!"

Yuan Yueze began to understand Tuli's thoughts and attitude. With Bi Xuan's personal attack failing and Song Jingang's failure to capture Li's home base and Jinyang, the bulwark of Guanzhong, Jieli had changed his policy. He first sought peace with Tuli, hoping to use this opportunity to unify the grasslands and deserts, and then wait for the best moment to invade the Central Plains. Talk of racial peace was just wishful thinking in the short term. Hatred wasn't built in a day. Since Qin Shi Huang, whenever the Central Plains was powerful, the policy towards the various tribes of the grasslands was "those who submit prosper, those who resist perish." Yang Guang was the most direct example; the law of the grasslands, the survival of the fittest, applied universally, and only the strong prevailed. The steppe people, of course, wouldn't easily believe Yuan Yueze's almost utopian racial policy. Tuli's change of attitude was partly due to their friendship, but more importantly, it was because, both in the short and long term, his actions would secure more benefits for his people. If they could truly eliminate Jieli through this scheme, Tuli would inevitably rise to power.

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Chapter 130 Shocking News

Even assuming Jieli survives, with the support of the monstrous Yuan Yueze, if Tuli can win a few impressive battles and demonstrate his ability to rival Jieli, he will undoubtedly gain the strong support of the various tribes under the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, whose hearts are broken by Jieli's harsh policies and who harbor rebellious intentions. Jieli will then be plunged into an abyss of no return. Of course, if Yuan Yueze's ethnic policies are successfully implemented in the future, Tuli and his people can rely on their connections to surrender early and reap greater benefits. In short, by standing on the same side as Yuan Yueze, Tuli will never suffer a loss. This is what he meant by "seizing the initiative."

Having instantly understood everything, Yuan Yueze didn't blame Tuli: in this era, strength determines everything. Luoyang, relatively speaking, is not as strong as the Li Tang dynasty, so people don't fully trust him. There's nothing he can do; one cannot win people's trust and support with just strength and empty words—that's simply wishful thinking.

Thinking of this, Yuan Yueze stared at the flickering campfire in the center, his eyes shining. He said, "It would

be best if Jieli went to Longquan in person!" The expressions on everyone's faces became unnatural. Tuli, of course, sensed the dissatisfaction in his words and awkwardly cut a piece of fragrant roasted meat from the tiger's back, handing it to him, saying, "I know Brother Yuan's abilities, but the Golden Wolf Army is the most ferocious force on the grasslands. We need to plan carefully."

No matter how capable he was, no one would believe that one person could resist countless Golden Wolf soldiers, let alone what attitude the Longquan Army would take!

Yuan Yueze himself had doubted how many armies he could withstand on his own. He was emotional, but his mind was as calm as still water. At this moment, he knew he had finally forgotten the nightmare that might have driven him mad, and could face all the troubles and the Golden Wolf Army that followed with peace of mind.

Ultimately, it's because the realm of the Great Tang is too low. When Chuan Ying reached the Shattered Void realm, he could single-handedly withstand an army of ten thousand, and then easily killed Si Hanfei before leaping into the void. Yuan Yueze hasn't reached that realm yet, but Zhu Yuyan is already considered half a Wandering Immortal. If she could arrive, Yuan Yueze is confident that the couple alone could annihilate most of the Golden Wolf Army in Longquan.

Has she encountered some trouble? Why hasn't she arrived yet?

Yuan Yueze lost interest and drank his cup in one gulp.

The Bodhisattva then offered a toast, thanking him for killing Sha Fang. Tu Li then spoke about the situation in the Central Plains: Shen Luoyan was actively preparing for war, and the Twin Dragons had also achieved a great victory over the Shen family father and son, bringing the Yuhang area under their control. Their forces were currently positioned north of Liangdu to prevent Dou Jiande, who had just won a Pyrrhic victory, from launching a surprise attack on Hulao Pass, the most important city east of Luoyang.

Yuan Yueze didn't listen to much, just silently drinking his wine. Military and political affairs were not his forte, and he had complete confidence in Shen Luoyan and the Twin Dragons.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they dispersed. Yuan Yueze rose to take his leave, preparing to rush to Longquan that very night to rescue Ren Jun.

In front of Tuli, Yuan Yueze expressionlessly put Xiao and Shan into his bracelet, then rose and left the main tent.

Tuli followed closely behind. The two walked silently for a distance before Tuli asked, "Brother Yuan, are you angry that I'm not straightforward?"

Yuan Yueze only gave a cold, almost cruel smile, gazing at the brilliant, tranquil starry sky, and said, "Everyone naturally has their own beliefs and values, and believes that what is right is right. Khan, there's no need for that. I, Yuan, am truly naive. What talk of ethnic equality? If anyone disobeys me in the future, I can just kill them, and that will be the end of it!" Tuli

smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Yuan, you are truly dissatisfied with me! You may not know that the regimes in the Central Plains and the Turkic Khaganate are different. In the Central Plains, only the monarch can lead and make decisions, but in the Turkic Khaganate, the leader is elected by the chieftains of each tribe, the army is composed of various tribes, and the tribal chiefs all have authority. As for the Great Khan of Jieli, it is..." "Let a lowly Khan like myself rule a vast Khanate. I truly hope that the policy you proposed can be implemented. I believe that no one on the grasslands understands your character and strength better than I do. Those who oppose you will only meet one end: death. The only difference is sooner or later. Therefore, I am grateful for your sincere treatment and will reciprocate with the same sincerity. If you don't trust me, Brother Yuan, you can kill me now. Or I will await your unification of the Central Plains. When you arrive on the grasslands, I will personally offer my head, and all my tribesmen and soldiers will be under your command as a sign of my sincerity. If I break this oath, may I die a horrible death!"

Yuan Yueze realized that he was also acting against his will. He turned around like a whirlwind, grabbed his shoulder, and said, "Then why did you look so greedy and greedy during the banquet?"

Tuli said helplessly, " As I just said, I must consult with the chieftains and listen to their opinions before taking any action. I trust you, but they don't, so I came up with this compromise. The banquet was just a performance for them, to let them know that I put the interests of my people first. Once they see Brother Yuan's abilities with their own eyes, who will dare to underestimate you? Brother Yuan, rest assured, I have gone all out this time and will certainly not disappoint you!"

Yuan Yueze sighed and smiled, "The grasslands are a place full of courageous men and heroes. It's easy to make mortal enemies, but also easy to make friends who are instantly loyal and devoted. You, Tuli, are my only grassland friend besides Brother Ba. It seems I haven't misjudged you after all. I've never made a promise before, but today I make one to you." "From now on, you, Tuli, will be the leader of the ethnic autonomous region on the grasslands!"

Tuli's body trembled, a look of gratitude flashing in his eyes. He chewed on the new phrase "ethnic autonomous region" several times, and said, "I am content even if I die for your words, Brother Yuan!"

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Why do you so firmly believe that I can conquer the Central Plains?" Tuli

chuckled, "Luoyang and the young marshal's army have countless capable men. Although their military strength is slightly insufficient, the Song clan of Lingnan is holding back Sichuan and Chongqing, causing the Li Tang's battle lines to be too long, and they dare not send troops rashly. In terms of overall strength, the Li Tang is truly inferior to you. Ha! Just by looking at your expression, I know that the Song clan must be secretly supporting you!"

Yuan Yueze's worries vanished, and he told Tuli about his plan from back then without reservation. Tuli was speechless. How could he have imagined that Yuan Yueze's plan was so meticulous and his vision so far-reaching! No wonder he was not worried about any changes in the situation in the Central Plains! No wonder he was not surprised at all by Li Shimin's great victory at Baibi!

At the same time, he was even more excited by Yuan Yueze's trust.

Yuan Yueze then inquired about his plan to attack Jieli from both sides, mentioning that he had been in a bad mood and hadn't listened to much of what Tuli was saying

. Tuli was both amused and exasperated, but remarked that having such a straightforward, honest, and sincere person as Yuan Yueze was truly a great fortune in life. The two sat down on the ground, and Tuli explained the plan again. Yuan Yueze listened attentively, offering suggestions from time to time, and the plan was finalized just before dawn.

Tuli stretched, looked at the horizon turning a pale white, and said, "With Brother Yuan's stamina, you should be able to reach Longquan before sunset. I hope Brother Ren will be alright. I'd also like to get to know this benefactor of the grassland people."

Yuan Yueze's pupils contracted sharply, then relaxed, and he rose to take his leave.

Longquan Shangjing was the largest city in the northeastern part of the grasslands. It bordered Meituo Lake to the south, was surrounded by the Changbai Mountains, and was surrounded by water on three sides. Built on a vast alluvial plain, the fertile land was primarily agricultural, with animal husbandry as a secondary industry. Its Xiangshui rice was renowned throughout the grasslands and considered the finest rice. Another unique feature was that the city's water source was entirely hot spring water, resulting in numerous stone-lined canals. The water was clear and plentiful, providing a pleasant and comfortable environment for washing, irrigation, and playing.

Longquan was only a quarter the size of Chang'an, and it was divided into three parts: an outer city, an inner city, and a palace city. It had ten gates on all four sides: three on the north and south sides, and two on the east and west sides. The central avenue, also called Zhuque Avenue, divided the city into left and right halves and led directly to the south gates of both the inner and outer cities.

In addition, four main streets crisscrossed the city, along with other secondary roads, dividing the city's residential areas into large and small neighborhoods, much like Chang'an. The inner city, located in the center of the north, had a circumference of nine li (approximately 4.5 kilometers), and the palace city was located within the innermost part of the city. To the east of the city lies the Forbidden Garden, featuring ponds, small bridges, artificial hills, and pavilions—a place of exceptional beauty.

While Longquan City's defenses were far less extensive than those of Chang'an, the walls, still five zhang high and constructed of basalt, were extremely sturdy. Combined with magnificent arrow towers, they were well-defended against various enemy forces, primarily composed of cavalry. The palace complex consisted of five layers of halls, with the main palace also known as Taiji. The various halls were connected by covered corridors, and Bai Ziting was the location for official business.

Outside the South Gate stands a stone lighthouse, constructed of twelve sections of carved basalt, ancient and imposing. Every night, a special person lights the torch atop the tower, its light shining brightly for miles, becoming a symbol and landmark of Longquan.

The common people of Longquan, in their clothing, customs, writing, culture, and systems, are virtually identical to those of Chang'an; being there, one almost feels transported back to Chang'an in the Central Plains.

At dusk, Yuan Yueze, having exhausted ninety percent of his strength after a long run, finally arrived in Longquan, swaggering in to pay his taxes and enter the city.

Ignoring the hateful stares of the guards who recognized him immediately, he turned onto Zhuque Street. He saw throngs of pedestrians, carriages vying for space, a bustling, chaotic scene, almost impossible to move an inch. People of different races spoke different languages, creating a vibrant and harmonious blend of cultures. It seemed as if they completely disregarded the approaching Golden Wolf Army.

With the founding ceremony just two days away—a moment crucial to the fate of the Mohe people and indeed the entire grasslands—envoys from all sides arrived to offer their congratulations. Those among the Mohe who supported Bai Ziting flocked to the city, making it an unprecedented spectacle. The bustling Zhuque Street rivaled even Luoyang in its grandeur. Perhaps due to news of Jieli's impending attack, the city's defenses were greatly strengthened. The city gates and walls were heavily guarded, and squads of armored Bohai soldiers patrolled the area to prevent any disturbance. They showed no fear of the invincible Golden Wolf Army sweeping across the grasslands; instead, their morale was high and their spirits soared. Even Yuan Yueze secretly praised Bai Ziting's skillful leadership.

After asking for directions, Yuan Yueze headed towards the outer guesthouse near the inner city on Zhuque Street.

He reasoned that the Cheshi Kingdom delegation, led by Yue Kepeng, should have already arrived in Longquan and would likely have a better understanding of the city's situation. Therefore, he first intended to gather information about the latest developments within the city.

The guesthouse felt eerily lifeless, as if no one lived there. Yuan Yueze leaped down from the eaves and asked someone for clarification. It turned out that Bai Ziting, to entertain its distinguished guests, had already invited them all to stay at the palace, and everyone was praising the "Dragon King's" hospitality.

Yuan Yueze immediately sensed something was amiss.

"Who!"

He had only taken a few steps towards the palace when he stopped abruptly, shouting without turning back.

A faint, poorly concealed aura emanating from him caught his attention.

"Young master, it's me!"

Yuan Yueze felt the Turkic speaker sounded familiar. Turning around, he saw Qiqige, dressed in tattered clothes, her face deathly pale, her eyes sunken, and who had become much thinner.

His unease rose again. He

quickly approached and whispered in Turkic, "Why are you here, young lady?"

Qiqige burst into tears, unable to answer him.

Yuan Yueze's heart pounded faster and faster. He grabbed her and asked urgently, "Where do you live?"

At the same time, he flicked a stone with two fingers and threw it behind his head. A scream came from behind the wall.

Qiqige stared blankly at the wall pierced by the small stone, nodded, and ran forward along the alley.

Along the way, Yuan Yueze killed three more people who were following him.

Two miles west of the city, in a dilapidated temple built against a wall and long abandoned, the two stopped.

The scene before them shocked Yuan Yueze.

Ba Feng Han was breathing on Erdemutu, who was lying in the corner of the room with his eyes closed, using his palm print to breathe into his chest. Judging from Ba Feng Han's expression, he had been breathing for a long time, otherwise he wouldn't be struggling so much. Erdemutu was dressed in rags, and it was unclear whether he was dead or alive. What surprised Yuan Yueze even more was that Shi Feixuan was lying on a straw mat in another corner, her beautiful eyes closed, also with her life hanging in the balance.

Yuan Yueze, filled with questions, quickly went over and placed his hand on Ba Feng Han's shoulder, asking, "Brother Ba, when did you arrive here? What happened?"

Ba Feng Han smiled bitterly and said, "Let's first have my sisters-in-law save Brother Tu and Miss Shi! I'm not strong enough." He

then entered the bracelet again and instructed Yang Yan and Chunyu Wei, who had only recently cultivated their bodies, to release their extraordinary power. After reviving the two, the two women went to rest, and Yuan Yueze and the others began to talk.

Erdemutu opened his eyes and immediately embraced Qige, bursting into tears. Shi Feixuan looked at Yuan Yueze with a bewildered expression.

After the siblings gradually calmed down, Yuan Yueze asked what had happened. Erdemutu's eyes reddened again as he said, "More than ten days after Brother Yuan and his group left, a group of Turkic experts came to the village and killed everyone. To protect my younger sister and me, my father, elder brother, and second elder brother all died..."

At this point, the two broke down in tears again.

Yuan Yueze frowned and said, "Don't the Turks never attack your tribe? How could they..."

Qiqige said hatefully, "It was that Khitan dog Sude who led them here!"

Erdemutu suddenly stopped her loudly.

Yuan Yueze immediately understood.

Guilt gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

Judging from the siblings' behavior, he knew that he, Yuan Yueze, was the one who had harmed that peaceful little village.

Erdemutu had said before that Sude was not one of their people. Yuan Yueze's whereabouts were not hidden at the time. He only stayed one night, and someone went missing from Sude's house. Moreover, they were both Han Chinese. How could he not be suspicious? Besides, that person often traveled outside and his way of communicating with people was naturally sophisticated. He could even find out the general background of Yuan Yueze and his companions. It was not surprising that he went to the Turks to inform them in anger. Jieli's actions were nothing more than an attempt to strike and intimidate Yuan Yueze. Judging from Erdemutu's behavior, they must have guessed the truth of the matter, but they still couldn't bear to say it directly, which made Yuan Yueze feel even more distressed.

Erdemutu calmed down and said, "Brother Yuan, there's no need to feel guilty. It was my elder brother who invited you. The fault doesn't lie with you. Sude, that despicable and greedy man, betrayed Jieli and is the culprit."

Images of the Chaolu family flashed through his mind: the simple and honest Chaolu, the warm-hearted Burigude, the innocent Bayin, and now Erdemutu, who didn't blame him at all. Yuan Yueze's eyes blazed with anger, and he slammed his head down, smashing a large hole in the steel tea table with a loud "bang." He cried out in grief, "Uncle Chaolu, Brother De, I've ruined you!"

Ba Fenghan said sternly, "We must avenge this blood debt from Jieli."

He then added, "I only arrived two hours earlier than Brother Yuan. I only came to treat Brother Tu after Miss Ge discovered me."

The Qiqige siblings knew that Yuan Yueze and the others were going to Longquan and probably wouldn't be able to enter the city, so they were staying outside temporarily. Qiqige would sneak into the city every day to look for Yuan Yueze and the others. Now, they were the only ones the siblings could rely on.

These things were easy to guess with a little thought.

Yuan Yueze raised his head and calmly said to Qige and Erdemutu, "I harmed your family, so it is only right that I avenge them. After Jieli's death, my life is at your disposal."

The brother and sister simply shook their heads, which only added to Yuan Yueze's guilt. Ba Feng Han, who had seen many life-and-death situations, began to comfort the three of them. Yuan Yueze said in a deep voice, "I am a few years older than you. If you don't mind, you will be my own brothers and sisters from now on."

The brother and sister knelt down and kowtowed at the same time.

As the sadness subsided, Yuan Yueze asked again, "Do you know about Xiao Jun's matter?"

Shi Feixuan sat quietly to the side, like a beautiful jade Bodhisattva. From beginning to end, Yuan Yueze did not look at her once or ask her a single question. This made her, who was usually calm, feel a strange sense of being neglected for the first time.

Qiqige answered irrelevantly, "When we escaped, the Turks still wouldn't let us go and sent men to kill us. That man was highly skilled; my third brother was struck by his palm while saving me. If you had arrived a day later, he might have been dead."

He paused, then pointed at Shi Feixuan and said, "Fortunately, we met this girl on the road who saved us. As a result, that man said something in Chinese that I couldn't understand, and they started fighting. After this girl injured that man, we walked for another half a day, and then she fainted and hasn't been there since."

Yuan Yueze turned to thank Shi Feixuan and continued to inquire about Qiqige Renjun.

Shi Feixuan frowned. She wasn't someone who cared about trivial matters like etiquette, but she was increasingly annoyed by Yuan Yueze's attitude. This annoyance was inexplicable; she herself couldn't understand why she felt this way. After the extraordinary power that had just flowed through her body, she clearly knew that her cultivation had instantly risen to a higher level. She wouldn't even dare to dream of such a thing, yet it had truly happened. With her sword heart clear and having reached a new peak, how could she possibly lose control of her emotions? But what exactly was this strange feeling?

Shi Feixuan was completely baffled.

Qiqige looked worried and said, "We've only been here for a day and a half when Ren Jun arrived. He heard that people from Cheshi Kingdom had been invited into the palace, sensed something was wrong, and went out to investigate. He never came back. When I later sneaked into the city, I heard that he fought with that evil monk, the national teacher, and was defeated and captured."

Ba Feng Han pondered, "Unless Brother Peng and the others really did something, Xiao Jun would never be so reckless!"

Yuan Yueze had never been so passive before. He was furious but burst into laughter, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He said fiercely, "Good! Good! Good! You dare to mess with me? If I don't skin you alive, how can I repay your 'kindness'!"

Ba Feng Han's eyes flashed with lightning . Then, looking at Shi Feixuan, he asked, "With Miss Shi's cultivation level, who could possibly harm you? And what did he say to you?"

Shi Feixuan's beautiful eyes dimmed, and she said faintly, "That person told me, 'It's better to be lucky than lucky.' His martial arts are very strange, his true energy is much deeper than mine, and he has been practicing martial arts for at least sixty years. I was invaded by his evil energy, and after forcibly repelling him with my strongest 'Sword Soaring Across the Universe,' I entered the Turtle Breathing Realm using my sect's unique method, preparing to slowly expel that evil energy..."

As she spoke, her expression became strange, and her large, expressive eyes seemed to be asking Yuan Yueze why Chunyu Wei could so easily awaken the Turtle Breathing Secret Technique that only her master could unlock.

Yuan Yueze knew she must have remembered what he had said to her that day. When he heard the latter part, a thought struck him. Ignoring her gaze, he asked, "What does he look like? What weapon does he use?"

Shi Feixuan revealed an extremely human and charming expression. Her beautiful, expressive eyes were fixed on his handsome face, as if to say, "Don't you care about people?"

Yuan Yueze had always looked down on this beautiful but lifeless woman, but he blushed under her gaze. Shi Feixuan spoke softly, "The man's head and face were covered. Judging from the skin around his eyes, his complexion was much yellower than normal..."

In fact, Erdemutu and his sister did not notice these small details at all. They were just staring at him blankly.

Yuan Yueze immediately interjected, "Was he using a long spear?"

Shi Feixuan looked at him in astonishment, then sighed softly, "It was a black long spear, but I felt his weapon was unsuitable for him, preventing him from displaying his true abilities. Otherwise, I might have really died at his hands."

Yuan Yueze was almost certain that this person was Xi Feng. His previous guesses were becoming clearer. Now he understood why Tuli didn't believe that the Eastern and Western Turks could unite, or that a temporary cooperation would occur. It was because even if the Eastern and Western Turks cooperated, Tuli would still be a thorn in Jieli's side. Tuli would never submit to Jieli. Furthermore, if Jieli's invasion of Longquan wasn't just about dealing with Bai Ziting and Yuan Yueze, he might also be targeting Tuli. If the Golden Wolf Army were to mobilize in full force, annihilating Tuli in Longquan wouldn't be a pipe dream. If this plan to kill three birds with one stone was true, Jieli was truly cunning.

"Gurgle..."

Shi Feixuan and Qiqige's stomachs growled simultaneously, as if they had agreed beforehand.

Shi Feixuan had never been so embarrassed in her life, so ashamed she almost buried her head between her shapely breasts. Qiqige, on the other hand, who had grown up on the grasslands, showed no embarrassment whatsoever, patting her stomach and saying to Yuan Yueze, "Why aren't the sisters-in-law making anything to eat?"

Just as Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han were wondering whether to laugh or cry, Song Yuhua's footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by her carrying a wooden tray, smiling, "Just made it, don't burn yourself."

Song Yuhua served the three starving people their meal, and Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han arrived at the gates of Longquan City.

Having recounted their experiences along the way, the two arrived at the city walls, which were tightly closed, with soldiers constantly patrolling the ramparts.

Ba Feng Han said, "To prevent an attack from Jie Li, Longquan has probably already imposed a curfew."

They exchanged a smile, then used their lightness skills to slip past the guards like ghosts, landing inside the city. The once bustling and prosperous Zhuque Street was now deserted, without a single light in sight, the atmosphere eerily silent.

Crouching on the eaves of the building closest to the palace, the two intently observed the brightly lit palace. After a long while, Yuan Yueze sighed, "Tonight, we'll probably only be able to familiarize ourselves with the palace's layout."

Ba Feng Han nodded in agreement.

The palace's defenses were exaggerated, even more stringent than a three-step-per-guard post or a five-step-per-sentence post. Even with Yuan Yueze's skills, he wouldn't dare boast of being able to move freely without being detected. More importantly, they both realized this was a trick by Bai Ziting or Fu Nan Tuo to deal with Yuan Yueze, and Ba Feng Han's relationship with Yuan Yueze was equally well-known; both were renowned masters with illustrious, even freakish, battle records. Anyone wanting to kill them, even if they weren't in perfect condition, would need to exploit the environment and location to create a dire situation for any chance of success. Therefore, Ren Jun's death was unlikely; he was probably imprisoned, and certainly not in the easily accessible Longquan Prison.

After much deliberation, the two decided to abandon their plan and act the next day.

Finding a secluded corner in the city, they slipped into the bracelet.

Erdemutu and his sister, having suffered for many days, had fallen asleep. Yuan Yueze, for some reason, found himself in Shi Feixuan's room.

Still dressed as a man, Shi Feixuan sat upright before a small table, her beautiful eyes fixed on the luminous pearl on it. The bright light made her appear like a flawless statue, highlighting her beautiful, mountain-like features and her jade-white complexion, radiating youthful energy and vitality.

Yuan Yueze approached her, but Shi Feixuan seemed completely unaware of his arrival, continuing to stare at the shimmering pearl.

After a long silence, Shi Feixuan spoke first, "Why did you come here, young master?"

Her gaze remained fixed, but her tone carried a hint of coquettishness, and even more so, an element that Yuan Yueze couldn't decipher.

Chapter 131 Long-Awaited Reunion

Yuan Yueze didn't answer her, but instead gazed intently at her beautiful face.

In that instant, his mind entered a state of profound tranquility, like a clear lake, his perception sharper than ever before—all thanks to Shi Feixuan.

Shi Feixuan seemed to sense that although his eyes were fixed on her face, his "inner eye" was boldly scanning her entire body, giving her a strange feeling that she had been stripped naked. Her jade cheeks immediately flushed red, and she said with a slight reproach, "Young Master!"

Yuan Yueze came back to his senses and smiled, "Oh! You asked me why I came here? I just came to see you, after all, you are quite injured."

Shi Feixuan gave a nonchalant reply and continued to ask, "What did you see on this pearl, Young Master?"

From beginning to end, her gaze did not move an inch.

Yuan Yueze lowered his gaze slightly and said, "I only saw a single bead. What did Feixuan see?"

Shi Feixuan sighed, "With clear eyes, one observes the bright sky, which is utterly empty and devoid of anything. If a person, for no reason, does not move their eyes but stares until they are exhausted, then in the void they will see dazzling flowers, and all sorts of other things, chaotic and non-existent. The color of form should also be understood as such. These dazzling flowers do not come from the void, nor do they come from the eyes."

Yuan Yueze was astonished and said, "Is Feixuan trying to 'enlighten' me with the stories from the *Yuanjue Sutra*, such as 'seeing flowers in the void with clouded eyes,' 'shaking still water with moving eyes,' and 'turning fire with fixed eyes'?"

Shi Feixuan sat up straight, gently raising her head. Her deep black eyes, like bright stars in the night sky, met his burning gaze. She smiled faintly and said, "How could you, young master, be 'enlightened' by someone?"

Then, thoughtfully, she said softly, "Feixuan just suddenly remembered a short poem by Fu Dashi of the Southern Dynasties: 'Empty-handed, I carry a hoe; on foot, I ride a water buffalo. People walk on the bridge, but the bridge flows while the water does not.'"

Yuan Yueze frowned, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Feixuan is confused. Is it because of me?"

A bitter smile appeared on Shi Feixuan's fragrant lips as her gaze returned to Guanghua Baihuan. On the seemingly luminous pearl, imbued with infinite profound meaning, Hua Rong regained her serene composure and softly said, "From the time I can remember, Fei Xuan has been devoted to the Dao. To me, everything in this world is illusory. For example, life and death are merely different stops on the journey. Between life and death is just a brief journey. Everything will pass, and everything will eventually dissipate without a trace. Take, for instance, the tender entanglement between men and women, their unwavering devotion even in death. No matter how much one becomes infatuated, in the end, it is still just a fleeting dream, like life itself."

Yuan Yueze listened attentively.

He might not be a qualified advisor, but he dared to boast that he was the best listener in the world.

Shi Feixuan raised her head slightly, gazing at him with clear, unfathomable eyes, and continued, "From the books in my humble abode, I know that every generation of martial arts masters, no matter how far or how winding their life's journey, inevitably returns to this path of seeking eternity. To transcend life and death, one must not be influenced by worldly affairs. But with the living proof of Empress Zhu before me, I recall Mencius's saying, 'It is better to have no books than to believe everything in them,' and I have a question: Does the affection between men and women truly affect the transcendence of life and death?"

Yuan Yueze showed a look of sudden realization and smiled, "Feixuan, don't compare yourself to my family. I'm not belittling you, but we are somewhat special, heh! That's roughly the idea."

Shi Feixuan's beautiful, mysterious eyes, like those of a starry night, stared intently at him, pressing, "Is the key, young master?"

Yuan Yueze shrugged in acquiescence. He didn't want to lie; in fact, with Shi Feixuan's extraordinary wisdom, how could she not have noticed something!

Shi Feixuan, however, did not show the expected shock. Instead, she spoke calmly, as if confiding in Yuan Yueze, or perhaps talking to herself, saying, "I have never held any expectations for love between men and women in this world. But over time, you have always stirred some indescribable feelings within me. The longer it goes on, the deeper I feel I am falling."

Her voice lowered, and a shy, girlish blush appeared on her pretty face as she slowly lowered her head.

Faced with her words, which were almost a confession, Yuan Yueze remained as still as a rock. He lowered his eyes and pondered for a long time before suddenly opening them and looking at Shi Feixuan with an indescribable, strange glint in his eyes. He slowly extended his left palm.

Shi Feixuan's jade-like face remained calm, as if those words, which were extremely bold for a woman from the Central Plains, had not come from her own rosy lips. Her beautiful eyes shone with a holy and wise light, gazing deeply into Yuan Yueze's strange gaze. After a slight pause, she extended her slender, beautiful hand and offered it to him.

Her flawless forearm partially obscured the pearl's radiance, half her face shrouded in shadow. The contrast between light and shadow added an ineffable mystique to her already unparalleled beauty.

Shi Feixuan's jade-like fingers gently touched Yuan Yueze's palm, and both of them trembled simultaneously.

The pearl seemed to come alive, emitting a flickering light.

In that instant, they sensed nothing else in the world but each other; their joined palms formed their own independent universe.

Their hands touched and then separated.

The pearl, as if affected, returned to its previous soft radiance.

Shi Feixuan's tears flowed uncontrollably.

Through her tear-blurred vision, Yuan Yueze's imposing figure had already disappeared outside the door.

Both were beings of extraordinary spiritual cultivation; in that instant their hands touched, their hearts were tightly connected. She was him, and he was her; they could no longer be separated.

From the time Yuan Yueze could remember until just now, all his memories flooded into Shi Feixuan's mind like a tidal wave. Similarly, all of Shi Feixuan's memories and experiences were also transmitted into Yuan Yueze's mind without exception.

Their thoughts became boundless, completely transcending the limitations of time and space.

Though it was only for a moment, Shi Feixuan clearly felt his entire spirit, every detail of his life over the past ten years on Tianshan Mountain and the years he had spent in the world, and every subtle psychological activity. She even felt as if she were witnessing his growth firsthand, experiencing it all firsthand.

That instant was eternity.

No moment had allowed her to understand him better than this.

Through this spiritual communion, she learned everything about Yuan Yueze, and she also understood why he had just been deep in thought.

Firstly, when facing this "fairy," he would subconsciously maintain a calm demeanor. With his spiritual cultivation, his state of mind could indeed reach the same level as "Sword Heart Clarity," so he could naturally perceive the insincerity in Shi Feixuan's words. Secondly, Shi Feixuan's behavior was completely different from her usual inexplicable carefree and independent nature, unburdened by any human affairs. Thirdly, in this space, anyone could fall in love at first sight, except for four people: Fan Qinghui and her apprentice, and Zhu Yuyan and her apprentice. This had nothing to do with confidence or personal charm. The four of them possessed unwavering willpower and the ability to control their emotions, surpassing the level of ordinary people. If it weren't for Yuan Yueze's strenuous efforts, using his supernatural power beyond the lower realm to forcibly harass them in their dreams every night, and the subsequent series of events, would Zhu Yuyan or Wanwan have been unable to control their emotions? Let alone Shi Feixuan, who was originally on the opposing side! Ultimately, he chose to be honest because he had no patience or inclination to continue "playing" with them.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Was it moved by Yuan Yueze's noble sentiments, no less than hers, and his humble attitude in striving to create a peaceful world? Or was it the sadness of knowing her sect could never defeat him and fulfill her master's ideals? Or was it the excitement of clearly sensing that Yuan Yueze harbored no hostility towards her, but rather a budding affection? Or was it the bittersweet realization that after Yuan Yueze learned everything about her, the sudden understanding that "different goals, different methods, and naturally different rules" filled her with mixed emotions?

Her mind was blank.

She had indeed come to the grasslands to contact Yuan Yueze on her sect's orders. After a series of events, the Buddhist and Taoist sects seemed to realize that a direct confrontation with Yuan Yueze would be ineffective, so they changed their strategy. Ideally, they would use Shi Feixuan to bind Yuan Yueze.

Unfortunately, no matter how much they planned, human hearts are unpredictable. Driven by an unspoken, ambiguous feeling within Shi Feixuan, this naive fairy uttered a series of seemingly flawless words, yet her inability to conceal her inner turmoil revealed her only weakness, which Yuan Yueze noticed. The source of her inner conflict was precisely the affection she had developed for Yuan Yueze.

Previously ordered to support Li Shimin, her doubts and contradictions grew after numerous encounters with Yuan Yueze. She believed that becoming emperor wouldn't be a bad thing, as his actions were all under public scrutiny. However, her master, citing classical texts, described Yuan Yueze as having an illegitimate birth, a cunning mind, and a facade created to satisfy his personal desires, which solidified her support for Li Shimin.

But all her confidence crumbled after she fully understood Yuan Yueze.

She was horrified to discover that after their souls intertwined, the inexplicable affection within her was igniting like a wildfire.

Panic and helplessness gripped her, her delicate body trembling violently. She could only close her eyes tightly, silently reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra to force herself to maintain her Dao heart.

The shimmering pearl emitted ripples of light, reflecting on her serene and pure face and the Void Sword lying across the table, an indescribable tranquility and peace, as if she had never experienced the shock that had just occurred.

The next morning.

Yuan Yueze strolled alone along Zhuque Street, attracting countless stares along the way. Unperturbed, he asked for directions and headed towards Daoxiang Restaurant, renowned for its authentic Xiangshui rice.

Daoxiang Restaurant was packed; nearly fifty tables across two floors were occupied. The noise was deafening, filled with men and women of various ethnicities, exuding exotic charm. They sang loudly, played drinking games, and engaged in boisterous conversation—a style reminiscent of the Central Plains, yet distinctly different. The

moment he appeared at the entrance on the first floor, the entire hall fell silent. All eyes turned to him, with bold foreign women making no attempt to hide their admiration.

A waiter dressed in foreign attire rushed over, addressing him respectfully as "Master Yuan," and ushered him upstairs. He knew that Bai Ziting not only knew of his visit to Longquan yesterday but had also publicized it extensively; otherwise, ordinary people wouldn't have recognized him so quickly.

Sitting at a table on the upper floor facing the street, he casually ordered a few local specialties and drinks, gazing out the window at the bustling Zhuque Street. Ignoring the several deadly gazes and chilling murderous intent emanating from his right rear,

his plan was to cooperate with Ba Feng Han. He would distract Bai Ziting and the others, using this bustling place to gather the latest news from within the city, while Ba Feng Han would seize the opportunity to sneak into the palace to investigate.

The atmosphere gradually became lively, and people began drinking, eating, and talking loudly.

He couldn't understand many of the languages, but he still overheard several tables discussing in Turkic that Shang Xiufang had arrived outside the city and that Bai Ziting had personally come to greet her. Those people glanced over as they spoke, seemingly wanting to see his reaction.

Yuan Yueze remained motionless, like a perfectly sculpted marble statue.

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in Hanfu, who appeared to be the owner, approached, followed by a waiter carrying an extra-large wooden tray. After bowing, the owner introduced himself in fluent Chinese and then began to introduce the food and drinks to Yuan Yueze.

The rice was naturally Xiangshui rice, and the wine was Xiangshui rice wine. Xiangshui rice is a specialty of this region because the rice paddies are built on basalt slabs covered with fertile humus-rich soil. Spring water flows between the slabs, creating a warm, natural irrigation effect, resulting in exceptionally high-quality rice, hence the name "Xiangshui" (meaning "sounding water"). The main dish was a large crucian carp from Meituo Lake, much larger than those from the Songhua River, accompanied by several local vegetables and a large bowl of hot soup, making Yuan Yueze's mouth water.

The owner respectfully said, "Young Master Yuan, if there is anything lacking in our Daoxiang Restaurant, please forgive us. It would be my honor if you could offer any suggestions!"

Glancing at the Chinese-style cups, bowls, plates, and chopsticks in front of him, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that the Sui Dynasty was a rare golden age in China, inheriting the excellent cultural traditions of the Han and Wei dynasties and incorporating the achievements of the ethnic integration of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, making it a center of economic and cultural exchange between China and foreign countries. After more than three hundred years of division and fragmentation during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the country was reunified. This unified state was no longer like the Qin and Han dynasties, but a new nation that integrated and influenced various ethnic groups. Apart from a few like Song Que, the vast majority were affected. Bai Ziting had spent a considerable amount of time in Chang'an during his youth, and was thus deeply influenced by the grandeur of the Sui Dynasty at its peak. Learning from the Central Plains culture and establishing Longquan would not only create a sense of unity, first unifying the Mohe, then the grasslands, but also pave the way for future invasions and rule over the Central Plains. Unfortunately, this ambitious man was indeed farsighted, and his path was correct, but he chose the wrong time. The Turks were still at their zenith, and how could he allow others to sleep soundly beside him? His son, Da Zuorong, also established his state only after the decline of the Turks, demonstrating that reviving a people on the grasslands was no easy task.

He then thought: Since ancient times, the nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall have lacked the centripetal force and cohesion of the Central Plains culture. Even when a hegemon emerged and conquered vast territories by force, they quickly fragmented. This was an inevitable result of the vast, sparsely populated grasslands and the nomadic lifestyle of the steppes. The fact that nearly a thousand years of nomadic invasions of the Central Plains ultimately failed to achieve their ambitions is the best example. Even if they succeeded in invading the Central Plains, they lacked the ability to rule such a vast and geographically complex land, and were ultimately assimilated. However, ambitious individuals who dream of achieving great things have existed in every era; only when their ambitions are extinguished do they awaken to the truth.

His thoughts raced. He raised his cup, took a sip of the wine, and indeed, it was clear, fragrant, and sweet without being cloying. He exclaimed, "Excellent wine! I see your esteemed establishment's entrance is empty on both sides. Let me present you with a slightly modified couplet by Mr. Cao Bingjun: 'Guests arrive, and we are all delighted; though we have been separated since, the misty waves of Luoyang remain, and my thoughts of home are ever-present. Life is but a fleeting moment; when we talk of the wind and moon of Longquan, our reunion in a foreign land is a predestined

connection.'" The influence of a famous person exists in every era, and Yuan Yueze naturally guessed the owner's intention, so he presented him with the couplet.

Although he had never heard of Cao Bingjun, the owner was still delighted, carefully noted it down, bowed, and left with a smile.

Chewing on the fragrant rice, Yuan Yueze exclaimed how delicious it was, when a cold snort came from his right rear, spoken in Turkic: "I thought he was some great hero, but he's just a short-sighted, skinny dog!"

The upper level immediately fell silent, and everyone's attention focused on the two tables.

Yuan Yueze glanced over.

Around the table sat four or five burly men with fierce faces, bare arms and chests, dressed in leather clothes, and with sabers at their waists—clearly Khitans. Their faces wore disdain, their eyes flashing with murderous intent as they stared unblinkingly at Yuan Yueze.

Seeing Yuan Yueze glance over, one of the dark-skinned men immediately stood up, pointing at him and shouting angrily, "The grasslands don't welcome you! Get out!"

The owner and the other guests dared not interrupt, watching to see how Yuan Yueze would handle the situation, to see if he truly lived up to his reputation.

Yuan Yueze had originally planned to cause trouble after gathering information, but someone had taken the initiative; how could he let such an opportunity pass? So he stopped looking at him, turned around, and coldly snorted, "Just the first sentence is enough to kill you a hundred times over. Haven't you heard that trouble comes from the mouth?"

Just as he was halfway through his sentence, the burly man roared, his voice echoing throughout the restaurant, then, saber in hand, he lunged diagonally at Yuan Yueze like a tiger.

His companions at the table wore even more disdain, as if Yuan Yueze was doomed.

Yuan Yueze didn't turn around; he simply tapped the table with his index finger, and the rice wine in his cup transformed into a jet of liquid, shooting towards the burly man with lightning speed.

Before the man could finish his shout, the jet of wine pierced his brow with pinpoint accuracy. Before it even hit the ground, his body was sent hurtling against the wall like a kite with a broken string, smashing a large hole in it before tumbling several feet to the ground, where he died instantly.

Everyone was shocked and horrified.

Yuan Yueze's simple gesture spoke volumes.

What puzzled him was that the others neither showed any alarm nor rushed to avenge their companion. Instead, they didn't even glance back, and amidst the mocking laughter of the crowd, they scrambled downstairs to carry away their fallen comrade's body.

The innkeeper immediately ordered his servants to repair the wall. Inside the restaurant, the crowd seemed unfazed by such minor incidents, and the atmosphere quickly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Yuan Yueze leisurely drank his wine, while the crowd continued to steal glances at him, their eyes filled with fear—a clear indication of the grasslands' culture that only valued strength.

Longquan was, after all, a relatively orderly city. Soon, several soldiers carrying weapons approached Yuan Yueze's table on the upper level, their menacing aura palpable. The leader, his expression blank, said, "You have committed murder without cause, which is illegal. Please come with us." He

then made a gesture to seize the man.

His hand, after falling two inches from its highest point, suddenly jerked, then slumped backward.

Yuan Yueze hadn't even moved; the soldier's internal organs had been shredded by his powerful and vast energy, blood flowing from all seven orifices, and he died instantly.

The other soldiers, well-trained, attacked in unison, but the difference in strength was too great; they were all dead before the first move was over.

The upper level was deathly silent. The outsiders had finally witnessed the cold-blooded side of the rumored lawless "Evil Emperor."

Having offended the army, the people dared not stay any longer and hurriedly packed up and left.

Yuan Yueze, on the other hand, nonchalantly ate heartily.

The shopkeeper approached, looking worried, and said, "Young Master's abilities are extraordinary, I admire them, but it's unwise to provoke the Longquan Army..."

Yuan Yueze thought this was exactly the effect he wanted. It would be best if he could attract Bai Ziting and Fu Nanta personally, so he smiled and said, "Shopkeeper, please don't blame me for scaring away your customer."

The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly.

The shopkeeper seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "I heard that Young Master Ren, who killed the Khitan Huyan Jin and the Goryeo Han Chao'an, has a special relationship with Young Master Yuan... Oh! I've been too talkative."

Yuan Yueze invited him to sit down and said, "Shopkeeper, don't panic. Ren Jun is my brother. May I ask how much you know about his capture?"

The shopkeeper glanced around somewhat guiltily and lowered his voice, saying, "Very few people know the details. I only know a little. I heard that Han Chao'an was ordered to intercept a batch of arrows belonging to Ma Ji's men at Meituo Lake..." If Ren Gongzi discovered this, he would be executed on the spot, an event that caused a sensation in Longquan. Then, a few days ago, Ren Gongzi suddenly barged into the palace gates, demanding to see the King. What happened after he entered the palace is unknown. Later, rumors circulated that he lost a duel with the Grand Preceptor, while others said he accidentally killed General Gong Qi, a subordinate of the King, angering the King and leading to his imprisonment.

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Since you're a local, and Han Chao'an is supposed to be under your King's command, why don't you hate Xiao Jun?"

The shopkeeper's eyes flashed with murderous intent, then quickly concealed. He

looked troubled and remained silent. Yuan Yueze was confused but didn't press the shopkeeper. His intuition told him that the game was likely becoming increasingly complex and interesting.

Suddenly, his expression darkened, and he said, "Shopkeeper, please go to a safe place. There are at least a thousand soldiers surrounding this area."

The shopkeeper, not daring to doubt his abilities, calmly left.

A series of light footsteps sounded, and dozens of burly warriors clad in gleaming silver armor strode up to the upper level. They then quickly dispersed, their movements perfectly synchronized, not only protecting those who followed but also blocking Yuan Yueze's path. This demonstrated their high level of training and martial prowess.

Another series of almost imperceptible footsteps followed, and two figures gradually came into view.

The one on the left was unmistakably "Dragon King" Bai Ziting, judging solely from his attire. He was square-faced, with large earlobes, a lion's nose, and a medium build. His demeanor was elegant, like that of a scion of a prominent family from the Central Plains. His humility concealed an air of superiority, and he possessed a pair of shrewd, penetrating eyes that inspired awe and awe. His shoulders were dark, and his face wore a perpetual, unwavering smile. He appeared to be only in his thirties, yet his aura exuded a domineering presence. What is most unforgettable is his attire: a black crown with tassels adorning his head, and a dragon robe made of black satin embroidered with cloud and dragon patterns, as if Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of Qin, who unified the Warring States period, had risen from his tomb and returned to the world.

Walking beside him on the right is a tall, thin, dark-skinned Indian man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, none other than the "mad Indian monk" Fonanda. He wears a wide, orange-apricot robe, and his bearing and presence are no less imposing than that of the powerful Bai Ziting. His hair is tied in a bun and heavily wrapped in white gauze, making his nose appear even more prominent. At first glance, it's difficult to determine whether he is handsome or ugly, or how old he is. But he possesses a captivating charm that inspires admiration, making one feel that he is an extraordinary person. Most unforgettable are his eyes; at first glance, they seem ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one discovers their unfathomable depth, occasionally flashing with a lightning-like light, as if he has seen through all of life and death in the world, and nothing can deceive or fool him.

The moment Fu Nanta's eyes appeared on the staircase, Yuan Yueze happened to look over. Their gazes met, a lightning-fast exchange, their sharp eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills.

Ignoring Yuan Yueze's disregard, Bai Ziting's sharp eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he strode towards Yuan Yueze, who was seated at the table. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and chuckled, "I was unaware of Brother Yuan's arrival. I apologize for not greeting you properly."

Fu Nanta lowered his eyes, withdrawing his aura first, calmly resisting Yuan Yueze's continued onslaught of energy.

With the hostage still in their hands, and given that the other side had adopted a policy of politeness before resorting to force, Yuan Yueze couldn't act immediately. He smiled and rose, saying, "Please, have a seat."

His sharp eyes swept around, noticing Bai Ziting and Fu Nanta walking side-by-side. A few steps further away, a man and a woman stood guard on either side of them.

To Bai Ziting's right rear was a young female warrior with a long sword at her waist, about the same height as Yuan Yueze. What was most distinctive was her hairstyle: her hair was braided into two plaits, first hanging down from the left and right corners, then curving into semicircles, before wrapping around to the back of her neck and pulling it straight down to her spine. While her beauty was only above average, she possessed a lively, light, and vibrant energy that was quite alluring. Her face was disproportionately long, but her tall, well-proportioned figure and bright, dark eyes, full of life and charm, overshadowed this flaw.

Protecting Fu Nan Tuo's left rear was a burly young man, a head taller than Yuan Yue Ze. He wore silver armor and a blue fitted outfit; while not conventionally handsome, his features were strong and his eyes deep and unfathomable. A long sword hung at his waist, giving him the impression of a powerful and imposing figure. Bai

Zi Ting and Fu Nan Tuo took their seats, while the other man and woman remained standing, indicating Fu Nan Tuo's high status.

Ignoring the hostile gazes of the man and woman, Yuan Yueze stared into Bai Ziting's eyes and said calmly, "Where has Your Majesty imprisoned my brother Ren Jun?"

Bai Ziting and the others, not expecting his directness, slightly changed their expressions.

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Chapter 132 The True Colors of a Villainous Hero

Bai Ziting, as expected of a powerful figure, smoothly transformed his changed expression into a smile, giving an impression of complete naturalness. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Seeing is believing! Brother Yuan's straightforwardness earns my respect."

Yuan Yueze shrugged, looking at him indifferently.

Fu Nanta stood with one hand on his chest, his gaze slightly lowered, his lips moving slightly as if silently chanting some incantation, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding events.

Bai Ziting then said, "Pour the wine!"

The female warrior stepped forward and poured wine for the three of them, then returned to her seat expressionlessly.

Bai Ziting raised his wine cup, his smile vanished, and he said coldly, "A true man walks the world by the principle of 'reason.' Brother Yuan, do you think what Bai Ziting said is wrong?"

Yuan Yueze's face showed an extremely cold smile, and he nodded slightly.

Bai Ziting slapped the table in admiration, then leisurely rose and walked to the window a few steps away. Standing arrogantly with his hands behind his back, he said, “Since that’s the case, why would I ‘trapped’ Brother Ren? Brother Yuan, do you know that Brother Ren impulsively killed the person I sent to pick up the goods without asking any questions? Do you know that Brother Ren unreasonably stormed into the palace to see me? I can understand all of these, and even admire Brother Ren’s boldness. But he killed my subordinate, General Gong, without cause in the palace. Brother Yuan, can you tell me, if you were me, how would you deal with Brother Ren?”

His voice grew colder and colder, his demeanor arrogant and domineering, exuding an aura of supreme authority, as if his body could soar into the void, reaching the heavens.

Yuan Yueze was certainly surprised by the content of his words, and a strange, indescribable feeling arose in his heart.

After a long laugh, he said sternly, "I dare not boast, but I believe Xiao Jun is not as unreasonable as Your Majesty claims. Besides, this is only your side of the story; how can you expect me to believe it?"

Bai Ziting turned around, his eyes gleaming brightly as he stared intently at Yuan Yueze, saying, "Which grassland person would lie through their teeth? I am not so low as to fabricate lies!"

This man skillfully deflected the issue, shifting the conversation to character and subtly implying that Yuan Yueze's lawless behavior was merely a childish display of bullying.

Yuan Yueze was not easily provoked and lost his composure. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty speaks well; I admire you. I am not used to talking nonsense. So, what will it take to release Xiao Jun?"

After a slight pause, he looked at Fu Nanta, his eyes gleaming, and said, "How about we make a bet?"

After speaking, he glanced at Bai Ziting. A fleeting, almost imperceptible, strange look flashed in Bai Ziting's eyes, which Yuan Yueze caught with lightning speed.

Meeting Yuan Yueze's lightning-fast gaze, Bai Ziting said indifferently, "What are we betting on?"

Yuan Yueze leaned back lazily in his chair, put one leg on the chair, and said casually, "We'll bet Xiao Jun's life. I'll have a life-or-death duel with the Imperial Preceptor, how about it?"

"Clang!"

With a single sound, the weapons of the man and woman and the surrounding warriors were simultaneously drawn, pointing at Yuan Yueze. Everyone's eyes flashed with ferocity, constantly unleashing a sharp killing intent towards him.

How could Yuan Yueze take them seriously? His gaze swept over them like two bolts of lightning. The warriors were immediately intimidated by his gaze and aura, their bodies trembling violently, their chests feeling tight, and their hands gripping their weapons trembling slightly, but they still managed to maintain their posture, showing the firmness of their will.

His imposing aura vanished instantly, and Yuan Yueze quickly regained his composure, glancing back at Fu Nanta.

The group of warriors immediately relaxed considerably, though their postures remained unchanged.

Bai Ziting clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brother Yuan, what a skillful move!"

His gaze then fell upon Fu Nanta, as if seeking his opinion.

Yuan Yueze understood that the other party had seen through his intentions. If Fu Nanta were killed, the morale of the Longquan army would immediately crumble, and Bai Ziting would become isolated. Not only would resisting the Turkic army be impossible, but even protecting his own life and that of his people would be a major problem. Just now, when Yuan Yueze spoke rudely to Bai Ziting, the group of warriors who resembled imperial guards hadn't made a move. Yet, they reacted so fiercely to a mere challenge to Fu Nanta's authority. The status of Fu Nanta in the hearts of the Longquan soldiers and civilians was evident.

Thinking this, Yuan Yueze's unclear feelings became clear: Bai Ziting didn't mention the serious matter of him killing Longquan soldiers in public, probably just trying to provoke Yuan Yueze to deal with the defeat of Fu Nan Tuo, while ignoring the impending crisis in Longquan. It was clear that he was being suppressed badly by Fu Nan Tuo, and must have realized that even if he could really establish a country, Fu Nan Tuo would definitely take his place. The most urgent task was to get rid of this evil monk, but he couldn't lose face. Just then, Yuan Yueze appeared as a good pawn, so how could he not take advantage of it?

Fu Nan Tuo muttered a few words of Sanskrit that no one could understand, slowly raised his head, and revealed a mysterious and profound smile on his withered, dark, and thin face.

He said in a soft, deep, and very pleasant voice, "Young Master Yuan seems to be in very poor condition. Why don't you wait until your strength recovers before fighting again?" Although his words were simple, they revealed his insight and wisdom. Moreover, his tone was firm and pleasant, resounding and full of powerful appeal, creating a wonderful effect of captivating people with a single word. Judging from the slight change in Yuan Yueze's expression, it was clear that what he said was true.

A sharp glint flashed in Yuan Yueze's eyes, a murderous intent crossing them. After a loud laugh, he solemnly said, "I've heard that the Imperial Preceptor is most skilled at discussing the Dao of Life and Death, which is why he came to this grassland where there is not a single day of peace. Have you seen through the so-called Brahma to clearly see my physical condition and every subtle psychological activity? Not to boast, but if it were just based on the 'Brahma-Atman Unity' mental technique, I'm afraid the Imperial Preceptor would not be able to defeat me."

Bai Ziting's eyes flickered uncertainly, while the others had murderous expressions on their faces, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with Yuan Yueze's contempt.

Fu Nanda, however, remained composed and unperturbed, politely saying, "Young master, your senses are indeed keen. My martial arts techniques are of little use, but Brahma truly exists. He is the power that created the gods and the three realms of heaven, earth, and space. Gods are not human, but rather a power transcending matter yet capable of manipulating it—a power of creation, protection, and destruction. In the era when the universe was still in chaos, there was no light or darkness, no nothingness, and no substance, only the 'One That,' which is Brahma, the seed from which all things arise. If we do not recognize the existence of Brahma, we are like lost travelers who never know where their home is."

Yuan Yueze finally... Having witnessed this strange man's habit of preaching regardless of the occasion and his unparalleled eloquence, Yuan Yueze decided not to persist. He waved his hand and said, "Will it be a fight or not? Give me a straight answer, Grand Preceptor!"

Fu Nanta lowered his eyes, staring at the swirling rice wine in his cup, and said, "Please grant my decision, Your Majesty!"

Bai Ziting hesitated slightly, then nodded, "Alright! This battle will take place on the main street outside the imperial city gate. There's no need for a life-or-death struggle; as long as the winner is clear, we'll honor our deal."

Everyone could tell that Bai Ziting was merely putting on a show. Yuan Yueze knew even better that his hesitation was an act, because from the moment the wager was proposed, it was destined that only one of Yuan Yueze and Fu Nanta would survive. Their mutual destruction was the outcome that the cunning Bai Ziting most desired.

Bai Ziting then asked, "Brother Yuan, are you really alright?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled inwardly. "You care about me? You're just afraid I can't kill Fu Nanta!" So he laughed and said, "Your Majesty was born on the grasslands, you should know that on the grasslands, a wounded wolf is the most dangerous!"

Bai Ziting immediately gave a thumbs up, then said with a troubled expression, "However, could the decisive battle be postponed to tomorrow noon? Because I just welcomed Lady Xiufang into the city, she said she greatly admired Brother Yuan's musical talent, so I came to invite you to tonight's banquet, which can also be considered a welcome back feast for Brother Yuan and Lady Xiufang."

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "Besides playing the guitar a couple of times, what musical talent do I have!" The other party didn't even mention that he deliberately caused trouble, and looking at the situation before him, who could guess the tense relationship between the two sides? He glanced at the solemn-looking Fu Nanta, and at the same time thought that the army ambushing outside was probably just for show, or they were threatened by Fu Nanta and had no choice but to do so, and were not really there to surround and kill him. The situation in Longquan is tense. Even if they could surround and kill him, the losses would be significant. Conversely, if Fu Nanta could single-handedly defeat Yuan Yueze, his standing among the people and soldiers of Longquan would rise to an unimaginable level. This would also pave the way for him to replace Bai Ziting after defeating the Turkic army, which suits Fu Nanta perfectly. Why wouldn't he be happy to do so?

Although everyone's objectives differed, they were all willing to accept this battle.

After setting a date and exchanging a few polite words, Bai Ziting led his men away.

In the afternoon, Ba Feng Han returned. From his dejected expression, Yuan Yueze knew he hadn't found anything about Ren Jun. After offering some words of comfort, he recounted his own experience. Ba Feng Han's spirits lifted, applauding Yuan Yueze's deliberate feigned weakness and cheering for his public challenge.

The two then discussed the matter in detail. Ba Feng Han disliked banquets and volunteered to scout the area around Longquan, to which Yuan Yueze had no choice but to agree.

As dusk settled, Yuan Yueze, now dressed in his pale purple robe, arrived at the palace gate. Led by the waiting master of ceremonies, he walked through the gardens and courtyards towards Qifeng Pavilion, the banquet hall for the evening. A stone-carved, gilded couplet hung at the entrance archway, inscribed: "Jade steps, threefold, guard the Qin plains; Golden palace, four ponds, pacify the Zhou plains."

The couplet described the majestic presence of Chang'an, the capital of the Central Plains, dominating the Guanzhong Plain, and also revealed Bai Ziting's ambition to make Longquan a strategic military stronghold for controlling the northeastern plains.

Passing through the archway, the view opened up before him. Qifeng Pavilion, adorned with colorful lanterns, was serene and elegant, situated beside an artificial lake fed by hot spring water in the western garden of the inner palace. Connected to a long, encircling lakeside corridor, it was surrounded by shady paulownia and towering cypress trees. The rising steam from the hot spring pool reflected the crescent moon in the sky, adding immeasurable poetic charm to the winding corridors, waterside pavilions, and platforms. Having seen the palaces of the three great capitals of the Central Plains, Yuan Yueze found this place to have a unique flavor, full of charm and interest.

In a short while, he arrived at the gate where four palace maids were waiting. After passing the attendant who announced his arrival, Yuan Yueze stepped inside.

The spacious hall was built on a large lakeside platform with carved railings and jade steps. In the center was a large round table covered with brocade and embroidery, around which sat four people: Bai Ziting, the male and female warriors he had met once before, and a civil official in his forties accompanying Bai Ziting. Although he was dressed as a civil official, judging from his physique and bearing, and his prominent temples, he was definitely a first-rate martial arts expert. This man had regular features and was quite handsome.

Neither the "mad monk from India" Fu Nanda nor the talented woman Shang Xiufang appeared.

Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, Bai Ziting immediately stood up to greet him, smiling and saying, "It is said that Brother Yuan likes to wear this color of long robe the most. Seeing you today, it is indeed more suitable for you than other colors and styles of clothing."

Perhaps influenced by the original book, no matter how skillfully and appropriately he flattered, Yuan Yueze always felt a sense of dagger hidden behind a smile, secretly on guard, just as he had with Li Shimin and the former Shen Luoyan.

After some polite pleasantries, Yuan Yueze was invited to take his seat. He looked around and asked, "Why are Lady Shang and National Preceptor Fu not here?"

Bai Ziting's eyes flashed with a fierce light, his expression chillingly cold, making no attempt to conceal his murderous intent. He said in a low voice, "Fu Nanta is doing his daily prayers and cannot attend."

Judging from his expression and the fact that he addressed Fu Nanta by his name, it was clear that their relationship had become extremely strained.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Perhaps Lady Xiufang is weary from her journey and too exhausted to attend the banquet after bathing in the palace's hot springs. However, she asked me to convey to Brother Yuan that if you have time, please visit her after the banquet to catch up."

Shang Xiufang was a woman of exceptional beauty and talent, revered by all in the Central Plains. Even amidst the raging flames of war, she remained aloof from conflict, receiving royal treatment wherever she went. Even in the borderlands, where the ruthless and powerful Jieli was, he would serve her with utmost deference. Bai Ziting was no exception; she was a true guest of state. Unfortunately, faced with the crisis of national extinction, no ambitious person would take this talented woman seriously anymore. Even so, no one dared to defy the world and openly frame Shang Xiufang, lest they become a universally condemned enemy.

Yuan Yueze nodded in agreement, and just as he was about to speak again, he saw Bai Ziting wink at him and clap his hands lightly. The eunuchs and palace maids served wine and dishes in a continuous stream, then all withdrew, leaving only four people in the hall.

Bai Ziting then introduced the other three to Yuan Yueze: the scholar was Right Chancellor Ke Subie, the military general was Ge Yuan, his most capable general, and the female warrior was Zong Xianghua, his chief female swordsman and head of the Imperial Guard.

Yuan Yueze nodded to each of them. Surprisingly, Ge Yuan and Zong Xianghua showed him no longer any hostility; instead, they carefully observed him.

Bai Ziting, still speaking in a very low voice, said, "Brother Yuan, there's no need to worry about Brother Ren and your friends from Cheshi Kingdom. They are safe. But they are not in my hands. Tomorrow, during the decisive battle, I will send someone to rescue them while Fu Nanda is preoccupied."

Seeing his cautious and hesitant demeanor, and hearing that Ren Jun and Yue Kepeng were out of danger, Yuan Yueze felt relieved.

After a few drinks, although there were only four of them, the atmosphere became superficially lively thanks to Bai Ziting's polite and attentive hospitality.

After another drink, Bai Ziting calmly asked, "I wonder if Brother Yuan knows about Dou Jiande's great victory at Liyang and Li Shimin's great victory over Song Jingang at Baibi?"

Yuan Yueze answered irrelevantly, casually replying, "I heard that on the first and fifteenth of each month, His Majesty receives reports from the Central Plains regarding the latest situation, truly embodying the principle of 'military intelligence first.'" Bai Ziting's expression changed slightly, then he smiled wryly, "Bai Ziting is impressed!"

Yuan Yueze smiled and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, could you explain to me the questions about Xiao Jun and Brother Peng from Cheshi?" Bai

Ziting didn't answer him, but lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Yuan, what are your chances of defeating Fu Nanta?"

Yuan Yueze knew that he was no longer hiding his thoughts, so there was no need for him to continue pretending. He pondered and said, "A decisive battle depends on many factors such as strength, condition, confidence, and momentum. In my current state, I am at least 90% confident that I can kill this person."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ziting did not show the expected joy. Instead, he said solemnly, "Brother Yuan, do not underestimate him. The Fu Nanta you saw today is only a small part of his strength. I am not joking."

Yuan Yueze was taken aback and said, "Then please explain to me, Your Majesty. All I know is that he is skilled in the ways of life and death, and is proficient in the extraordinary skill of 'Brahman and Non-Duality' and the extraordinary techniques of Indian yoga." Although Bai Ziting and the others maintained their composure, they were secretly astonished that Yuan Yueze possessed such knowledge of important figures on the grasslands. After a slight smile, he said, "

Funanda's concept of 'Brahman and Non-Duality' originates from an ancient religion here, later evolving into a martial arts mental cultivation method. Internally, it manifests as the cultivation of the Five Qi, Three Channels, and Seven Chakras. His internal energy cultivation method is quite similar to the 'Turtle Breathing' of the Chinese Taoist school, allowing for an astonishingly prolonged use of true energy, with explosive power beyond imagination. Externally, it manifests as arduous and rigorous yoga training, penetrating both internal and external aspects to develop human potential, ultimately pushing that potential to its limit and then surpassing it. Through long-term arduous training, the flexibility of his bones and the elasticity of his muscles have become far superior to ordinary people, enabling him to perform any movement beyond the limitations of his limbs." Years ago, on the shores of Lake Meto, in front of me, my court officials, and thousands of people, he stuffed his body into a three-foot square iron box, locked it tightly, and sank it to the bottom of the lake. Three days later, he was pulled out of the box, showing no signs of weakness or fatigue. From that moment on, he surpassed me and became a god in the hearts of the people of Longquan.”

Yuan Yueze listened silently. Although Bai Ziting was cunning and shrewd, he would never lie at this moment, because he could see that Yuan Yueze's current strength was probably insufficient to kill Fu Nanta. Therefore, he used his words to help him “know his enemy.” He had heard of Fu Nanta's abilities, but he did not expect that the other party had become so terrifyingly strong. However, he still smiled and said, “If it were only based on these, he could at most fight me to a standstill.”

A bitter smile crept across Bai Ziting's lips as he said with some pain, "Of course, that's not all. He also possesses a terrifying spiritual technique, which he claims to have comprehended from the Great Dharma Wheel of Tibetan Buddhism, called 'Brahma Dhyana,' which far surpasses the scope of ordinary martial arts techniques for fighting and dominating." At

this point, his pupils contracted sharply, his breathing became rapid, as if he were lost in memories. The horrified expression on his face was genuine, as if he were struggling to wake from a nightmare. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and continued, "When I thought his words were just exaggerations and wanted to prove them with myself, he merely glanced at me with a flick of his inner energy. I immediately felt completely powerless, unable to muster any thought of resistance. Then he intensified his power, and my soul began to feel as if it were being forcibly pulled out of my body. In just an instant, it felt as if I had experienced countless lifetimes of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness from the beginning of time to the destruction of the universe."

He stopped, his expression shifting several times, as if he couldn't shake off the painful memories, or as if he hated Fonanda with gritted teeth. Then a trace of guilt appeared on his face, and finally he said, "Afterwards, he pushed 'Brahma Dhyana' to its peak, and my soul really left my body. I was in a terrifying Asura purgatory. If he didn't want to release me, my soul would never be able to leave that place for eternity. " Yuan

Yueze's expression turned solemn. Those who practice yoga, by challenging the limits of human potential, must possess extraordinary mental strength. He'd heard of strange sects that, to enhance their mental cultivation, would even mutilate their bodies; only through such long and arduous training could one possibly reach a state of complete mental mastery. But as Bai Ziting spoke, he unexpectedly recalled Xiao Ge's words about passing on a mental technique to Fu Nanta a few months prior. Then he realized the timing didn't match. Towards the end, his thoughts suddenly cleared—wasn't this exactly the same as when he fell victim to Liu Yu's unparalleled illusionary magic?

Liu Yu had said that there were no more than three people in the world who understood this illusionary technique he had combined with martial arts. Fu Nanta came from India, and Liu Yu had also traveled to Persia…

Thinking of this, a thought struck him, and he asked in a deep voice, "Has Fu Nanta colluded with Jieli?"

Everyone was stunned. He seemed completely unconcerned about Funantha's terrifying mental techniques, instead uttering this question. Bai Ziting quickly recovered and nodded, saying, "Brother Yuan, you actually know such confidential matters! I admire you! "

Yuan Yueze could not possibly know this. His question was brilliant. Through Bai Ziting's actions, he became even more certain of the following speculations: First, Funantha's extraordinary spiritual abilities were very likely truly inherited from Liu Yu; second, the unification of the Turks was not a rumor, but a fact, and Liu Yu, as previously predicted, was most likely the driving force behind it; third, to unify the steppes and prevent invasions of the Central Plains, Funantha, through Liu Yu's connections, became entangled with Jieli. However, this wicked monk's power and authority grew increasingly strong, and he began to break free from Liu Yu's control. He not only opposed his Great Ming Respect for the Way, promoting his own doctrines, but also refused to submit to Jieli any longer. Therefore, he started his own power base, and seizing the Bohai Kingdom was the most important step in establishing his own authority. While Bai Ziting's influence played a role in the Turkic coalition's siege of Longquan, the greater reason was likely Jieli's inability to tolerate the growing power of the deified Funantha. Perhaps Liu Yu was not truly dead, but had simply retreated to the background, manipulating events from behind the scenes.

In a flash, he deduced everything and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Your Majesty must have something on you that Fu Nanda has, right?"

Bai Ziting nodded with a bitter smile and said sadly, "My five-year-old beloved son, Da Zuorong, is in Fu Nanda's hands. However, the reason I've been threatened by him these past few years isn't just that. This wicked monk is eloquent and profound in his understanding of Buddhist doctrines, so he's deeply popular. The soldiers and civilians of Longquan almost blindly revere him. Alas! If it weren't for the three loyal men from my guest family feigning infiltration into Fu Nanda's camp, I wouldn't even have a clue about the whereabouts of Da Zuorong, or even Brother Ren and the others."

Yuan Yueze then remembered the initial question and asked, "Does Your Majesty know their whereabouts?"

Bai Ziting said, "Not yet, because it's extremely difficult to evade Fu Nanda's spies. But tomorrow, during the decisive battle, I will send my entire army to search, and I believe we will find something."

How could Yuan Yueze easily believe him? He sneered inwardly and said, "Then please explain to me, Your Majesty, how Xiao Jun was captured."

Bai Ziting nodded and said, "Actually, Brother Ren infringed upon the interests of Fu Nanda. We originally planned to trade a batch of arrows with Ma Ji, but for some reason, Ma Ji's men suddenly refused to trade and split up to transport the goods away. Fu Nanda certainly couldn't lose this batch of arrows, so he sent Han Chao'an to rob them, but Brother Ren killed him. Coincidentally, Fu Nanda had previously learned about Brother Yuan's relationship with Yue Kepeng and others, and under the pretext of welcoming foreign guests to stay at the palace, they secretly imprisoned them, thereby blackmailing Brother Yuan to further enhance his status among the soldiers and civilians of Longquan. Who knew that one of them escaped at that time, and was later hunted down and killed by Fu Nanda's men. As a result, when..." Brother Ren came knocking, presumably having met that person before. General Gong Qi was originally my subordinate, but later became a devout follower of Fu Nanta. He exchanged a few blows with the enraged Brother Ren, and somehow died on the spot from a knife wound. Fu Nanta, already harboring resentment because his plan was ruined, now had a reason to act and captured Brother Ren. Later, I discovered that Gong Qi was a member of the Great Ming Zunjiao sect, and his death was most likely the work of Fu Nanta, who particularly disliked the Great Ming Zunjiao sect.

Yuan Yueze roughly understood Ren Jun's impulsive reason. No one outside knew about Ma Ji's death; his subordinates probably received the news later and prepared to flee with the goods to secure their lives. As a result, Ren Jun accidentally killed Han Chao'an. He also realized that Fu Nanta's intentions were not far from his own guess. At the same time, he secretly laughed at Bai Ziting for blatantly lying. He had clearly been colluding with the Great Ming Sect to deal with the powerful Funantuo long ago. It was only because Yuan Yueze severely suppressed the Great Ming Sect that Bai Ziting had no way to leverage his power. How could he have only learned of Gong Qi's identity later? He was just trying to prove his innocence. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I will seek justice for Xiao Jun, but... even if I can kill Funantuo tomorrow, how does Your Majesty plan to face the Turks?"

His words struck at his opponent's weakness, because he had discovered that due to the invasion of the Turkic army, the entire Sumo tribe of Longquan was like a tightly strung bowstring, ready to mobilize at the slightest disturbance. The majority of the soldiers and civilians in Longquan City had long been followers of Funantha, believing that death was merely another form of advancement, not the end, and that everyone was a fearless warrior. Under such circumstances, if Funantha led his army in a joint attack with the Goryeo reinforcements—which Bai Ziting hadn't even mentioned—they might indeed have been able to defeat the Turkic wolf army sweeping across the grasslands. This was because he had witnessed the overwhelming momentum and high morale of the Mohe soldiers, and his fervent worship had the best effect at that moment. Once they lost their spiritual pillar, their morale would crumble, and they would have no ability to resist the fierce and powerful Turkic coalition

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April 20th,
Chapter 133: The Decisive Battle on the Long Street.

Bai Ziting and the others fell silent, the atmosphere somewhat uneasy. After a while, Bai Ziting asked, "If I were Brother Yuan, what would I do?"

Yuan Yueze, who knew nothing about war, smiled and replied, "Only cancel the establishment of the kingdom."

Bai Ziting was not surprised and asked with interest, "Oh? Brother Yuan, could you explain this to me?"

Yuan Yueze said, "Your Majesty has two advantages. First, the timing is good; April is the rainiest season in Longquan, which is advantageous for defense rather than offense. Second, Longquan has always been self-sufficient and is not afraid of siege. " The city. But relatively speaking, the disadvantages are greater. With Funantha's death, the morale of the Longquan army will be in chaos, which is only one point; secondly, in recent years, Jieli has certainly spent a lot of effort studying siege tactics in order to advance into the Central Plains. Your Majesty should know that your former national advisor, Zhao Deyan, was a famous siege strategist, so Jieli has naturally learned quite a few techniques. Just these two points alone are the biggest challenge Your Majesty faces. "

Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua's expressions changed drastically, and they all looked at the composed Bai Ziting. Bai Ziting's expression changed several times, and finally he let out a deep sigh, his eyes shooting out regret. With a sorrowful expression, he said, "It's all my fault for being bewitched by the evil monk, stubbornly going my own way, making one mistake after another. Now I've finally woken up, but it's too late to undo the damage. Even if we were willing to give up our kingdom and offer the Five Colored Stones, the Turks still wouldn't give up. Brother Yuan , you must have heard of Jieli's ruthless and exterminating methods."

Then he looked at Ke Subie and sighed, "The three of you earnestly advised me not to trust Maji and Funantha, but I rebuked you severely. I , Bai Ziting , deeply regret my actions!"

Ke Subie and the other two were simultaneously shocked, their eyes reddening with emotion at his repentance, and they all exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

Raising his hand to stop the three, a sorrowful expression of a hero's impending doom appeared on his face. He gave a bitter smile, as if he had suddenly aged many years, and slowly extended his left palm, saying, "For the survival of my people, Bai Ziting must do everything in his power. I hope Jieli will not lose this battle, otherwise the history of the Great Grassland will be rewritten. Thank you for your guidance, Brother Yuan, and for your good deed in eliminating the evil monk

for my people. Let the operation proceed as planned tomorrow!" Yuan Yueze shook his head inwardly: his keen intuition told him that Bai Ziting was not genuinely reflecting on his mistakes, and so far, he hadn't mentioned a single word about amassing wealth for the sake of establishing a kingdom. More importantly, with his wisdom, how could he not guess Yuan Yueze's purpose in coming to the grasslands? If he were sincere, he would have already discussed with Yuan Yueze how the two sides should get along in the future, instead of simply offering a word of thanks. Yuan Yueze understood that the most terrifying tyrant on the grasslands was not Jieli, but this man before him. In terms of ambition and cunning, he far surpassed Jieli. If he were allowed to dominate the grasslands, it would cause far greater harm to the Central Plains! Because on the vast grasslands, no one was more familiar with the politics and culture of the Central Plains than him.

As for whether this person would go back on his word like he did with the Twin Dragons in the original story, Yuan Yueze didn't care for the time being. Whatever his purpose, Fu Nanta had to die. Through the handshake just now, he discovered an astonishing secret.

After a few more words, Bai Ziting instructed Zong Xianghua to take Yuan Yueze to see Shang Xiufang, who lived in the West Garden of the Inner Palace.

Under the magnificent and enchanting night sky, the two walked one after the other.

Yuan Yueze suddenly asked, "What is your opinion on this war, young lady?"

Zong Xianghua replied without turning her head, "Zong Xianghua is on duty. Please call me 'Chief Guard.' I am only responsible for carrying out the king's orders. Everything else is none of my business."

Although her attitude was still polite, it had a cold and aloof feel to it, and it also contained hidden hostility.

Yuan Yueze only remembered from the books he had read that this woman was a person of strong character, with a firm stance on matters of principle, which was why he asked the question. Little did he know that he would be met with a rebuff. He didn't mind the wariness of the people from beyond the Great Wall, because in reality, he was not much different from people like Fu Nanda and Jieli.

"The mountains and rivers of the past and present are uncertain. Amidst the sound of bugles, herds of horses come and go. A desolate scene unfolds before my eyes; who can I speak to? The west wind withers the maple trees. Countless sorrows must have been sung in the past. Iron horses and golden spears, green tombs on the road at dusk. How deep is the affection that has lasted? Deep mountains, setting sun,

and deep autumn rain." The familiar, clear singing voice that emanated from the hall was as moving as ever. Shang Xiufang's pure, elegant, and slightly melancholic voice, coupled with the mournful melody and endlessly sorrowful lyrics, possessed a unique, cold beauty and a sense of desolate sorrow on such a night.

Zong Xianghua's fragrant shoulders trembled slightly, as if she could see the tragic scene caused by the impending battle and the terrible sight of women, children, the elderly, and the weak being trampled under the iron hooves of the Turkic wolf army.

Yuan Yueze quickly stepped forward, pushed open the door, and said casually, "The events of a thousand years have already sunk deep; it is too much to concern ourselves with the rise and fall of dynasties. I'm sorry to disturb you, Xiufang!" Shang

Xiufang was sitting alone on the floor in the luxuriously decorated center of the hall, engrossed in reading a book. Hearing the door open, she turned her delicate body to look over.

Yuan Yueze froze on the spot.

She wore light makeup, which further accentuated her exquisite and refined beauty. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with several shimmering hair ornaments. She wore a gorgeous pale yellow embroidered foreign women's dress, the long skirt trailing on the ground. Her casual sitting posture perfectly showcased the graceful curves of her figure.

Although this attire concealed much of her true nature, it didn't feel strange; instead, it made her appear elegant, graceful, and breathtakingly beautiful. It was clear that Shang Xiufang was extremely skilled at dressing up. Whether

lightly or heavily made up, she always looked good.

Shang Xiufang's gentle voice rang out again, addressing the door, "Won't Chief Guard Zong come in and sit down?"

Zong Xianghua's polite voice sounded from outside the door, but without the coldness, saying, "Thank you, Master Xiufang. I still have military duties to attend to. Please feel free to give any instructions."

Yuan Yueze turned and went to the door, staring blankly as her tall, slender, and healthy figure, easily six feet two inches long, disappeared into the darkness.

Shang Xiufang's coquettish voice from behind woke him up, saying, "My husband's eyes are about to pop out!"

Yuan Yueze awkwardly scratched his head, taking only one step to sit down beside Shang Xiufang, but without making a move.

Inhaling her natural fragrance, an intoxicating feeling welled up in his heart. Yuan Yueze closed his eyes, lost in the moment, inhaling deeply.

Shang Xiufang's face flushed slightly, and she revealed her smooth, radiant arms, dazzling to the eye. She gently brushed his clothes with her jade-like hands, wrinkling her delicate nose, and said, "You reek of alcohol!"

Yuan Yueze still didn't open his eyes, laughing, "Shang's fragrance is so magical, it naturally washes away the smell of alcohol."

Shang Xiufang's alluring, fiery body pressed against him, nestling in his arms, murmuring, "Xiufang can't be by my husband's side like my sisters for now, are you upset?

" Yue Ze opened his eyes, wrapped his arms around her slender back and waist, gently stroked her cloud-like hair, and said affectionately, "How could I blame you? A woman like you who cherishes freedom, if confined to a room all day, wouldn't be the Shang Xiufang we knew. Besides, I'm currently burdened with worldly affairs, even I find them bothersome. When my ideals are fulfilled, I'll accompany you to travel the world, how about that?"

As he spoke, he lifted her rounded chin, their dreamlike, affectionate gazes merging into one, boundless in tenderness.

At that moment, both of them felt a strange sensation: they simultaneously felt the blood flowing through each other's veins, as if they were in the deepest part of the sweetest dream, already possessing a state of perfect self-sufficiency.

A profound and sincere love surged between their two bodies pressed tightly together.

After an unknown amount of time, Shang Xiufang murmured as if in a dream, "Since leaving Chang'an, Xiufang has never felt sad. I even feel that whether I see my husband again is unimportant, because our hearts are already connected. Even if we are separated by thousands of miles, or even by life and death, nothing can separate us."

Yuan Yueze was moved and pressed his lips down to kiss hers. Shang Xiufang immediately withdrew her jade-like fingers, stopping him, and said reproachfully, "How about Xiufang helps my husband wash away the smell of alcohol first?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled. He swept her hot, soft body up in his arms and said, "I haven't experienced the hot springs of Longquan yet. How about a bath together tonight, Xiufang?"

Although Shang Xiufang had been intimate with him, she was still very delicate. Hearing this, a blush rose on her jade-like cheeks, quickly spreading to her ears. She glared at him with a captivating gaze, closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly, her arms naturally wrapping around his neck. Overwhelmed with shyness, she buried her head in his chest, appearing completely at his mercy.

Immersed in the steaming hot spring, the two, completely naked, entwined their tongues. Shang Xiufang responded passionately. Amidst the friction of their bodies and their rapid, panting moans, this couple, separated for months, poured out their love and longing through this kiss.

Shang Xiufang straddled Yuan Yueze's lap, her body trembling more and more violently. After parting her lips, she moaned, "Husband, your hands… your hands…"

How could the "Yin Emperor's" strange hands be obedient? His fingers slid down her round, fragrant buttocks to her most sensitive area.

Hearing this, Yuan Yueze stopped, admiring her alluring, incomparably beautiful appearance, and deliberately teased her, "It seems Xiufang said something similar during the Spring Festival in Chang'an, didn't she?"

Shang Xiufang was already lost in passion, her pretty face flushed even more. She knew he was teasing her, and also recalled how he had teased her with that "chaotic and varied" technique. She weakly slapped him a few times, spat, and then gently twisted her slender waist, letting out a soft, reluctant moan.

Yuan Yueze gently lifted her, and the two became one. With Yuan Yueze's powerful movements, Shang Xiufang's reason was consumed by desire. Her beautiful face revealed a seductive and alluring expression. Her initial reserved and shy moans turned into unrestrained shouts and cries, her demeanor wild and unrestrained. Her long, jade-like legs tightly wrapped around his waist, and she began to take the initiative.

After a series of intense spasms, Shang Xiufang's soft, alabaster-like body reached the climax of their passion.

She lay panting in Yuan Yueze's arms, savoring the moment for a long while, before begging him to carry her, now utterly exhausted, back to their bed.

Then, Shang Xiufang recounted her experiences and observations over the past few months.

When she left Chang'an, she first visited the Turkic Khanate, then politely declined Jieli's suggestion that Keda Zhi personally lead a group of skilled warriors to escort her. Instead, she visited the kingdoms of Turpan in the Western Regions, spending some time in Kucha, a place renowned for its unparalleled music and dance. Only after receiving Jieli's request did she set off for the Bohai Kingdom, a journey that took over a month.

Because she had absolutely no interest in military or political affairs, Yuan Yueze only gave her a brief summary of her experiences.

Shang Xiufang, intelligent and perceptive, had already considered many things in just a few words. She frowned and said, "Xiufang chatted with Bai Ziting this morning and discovered he has immense ambition. How can you, my husband, cooperate with him?"

Yuan Yueze kissed her still-spring-like, smooth cheek and laughed, "When did I cooperate with him? He was just afraid I'd lose to Fu Nan Tuo, so he reminded me not to underestimate that demonic monk! If I'm not mistaken, he most wants us to be mutually injured, then he can easily eliminate us both and reap the benefits. I don't believe he'll rescue Xiao Jun and the others; I'll only feel at ease leaving this to Brother Ba. Ha! I can almost guess his methods. If I kill Fu Nan Tuo, he might try some kind of divine intervention..." Come, stir up the spirits! Not only will Longquan's morale not drop, but it can also eliminate my exhausted strength. Then, announce to our tribe and other tribes that this is a do-or-die effort, a courage and determination to fight to the last man against the Turks, to ignite the soldiers' will to die, to fight to the death. If this spirit of sacrificing everything can inspire the entire tribe, coupled with the myth of the Five-Colored Stone and the surprise attack from Goryeo, perhaps a miracle can truly be created, allowing our tribe to overthrow the Turks and become the new rulers of the grasslands. However, Xiufang is overly worried. When Funantha passes away, it will also be the day Bai Ziting dies. Because I have sensed that Bai Ziting has been affected by Funantha's spiritual magic, but he doesn't know it yet!

Shang Xiufang still said with a worried expression, "But..."

Yuan Yueze's eyes gleamed with a strange light, and he said resolutely, "Do you want to know how I will face the Golden Wolf Army? Don't worry!"

Shang Xiufang sat up in bed, revealing her soft, fragrant shoulders and most of her snow-white chest. Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes as she reached out her jade-like hand to stroke his face, murmuring, "Although the 'Butcher of Men' Bai Qi and the 'God of Slaughter' Ran Min of ancient times killed countless people, those they personally killed were still a minority. My husband's sins of killing will probably be hard to wash away in his lifetime. I wonder how future generations will comment on you."

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly and said, "What do I care what others say? As long as I don't catch them deliberately insulting me, that's fine! Besides, in this life, if you can't set goals for yourself early on and go for them, what's the point of being happy?"

As he spoke, he pulled her into his arms and wiped away her tears.

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiufang's beautiful eyes shone brightly, captivating all who heard her. She readily agreed, saying, "There's never a fixed standard for right and wrong. A true man should adapt to the times and circumstances. As long as he acts according to his conscience, he has nothing to be ashamed of before heaven and earth."

Yuan Yueze nodded in approval, his hand unconsciously returning to her voluptuous breasts, igniting another passionate storm.

After the storm subsided and he had lulled Shang Xiufang to sleep, Yuan Yueze went to find Ba Feng Han alone.

They met at the agreed-upon courtyard with its own hot spring in the west of the city.

Ba Feng Han was enjoying a relaxing soak in the hot spring when he heard Yuan Yueze's footsteps. Without opening his eyes, he casually reached for grapes in a plate by the pool, tossed them high, caught them, and chewed them heartily. "Brother Yuan, you smell faintly of fragrance. Have you been having a tryst with Lady Shang?"

Yuan Yueze laughed and disappeared into the warm, steaming water. "Did you find anything?" he asked. Ba Feng

Han replied with great enthusiasm, "Of course! And quite a discovery! Not only did I find where Xiao Jun and the others are hiding, but I also made another discovery!"

Yuan Yueze was overjoyed and immediately pressed for details.

Ba Feng Han said, "The palace is less guarded tonight than last night. I saw the Longquan Eight Treasures Glazed Well, known as the 'Number One Well in the Northeast,' inside the palace."

Yuan Yueze interjected, briefly recounting his experience. Ba Feng Han suddenly realized, "No wonder Bai Ziting was so reckless; it's because he's decided to completely break with Fu Nan Tuo. The reduced number of palace guards is probably related to that. Oh! Where was I? I was also a bit thirsty, so I went to the well to drink when no one was around. Looking down, I noticed the well's uniqueness; the upper cross-section of the well wall is octagonal." In the middle section, the cross-section becomes circular, gradually widening before narrowing again at the bottom. I slipped down to inspect the well wall and found that although it was constructed of finely polished, regular basalt slabs, with tight joints and diagonal snaps, making it very sturdy, there were obvious signs of human intervention in the middle section. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the mechanism at the moment. Later, I captured a eunuch who came to fetch water and used a unique method of sealing acupoints to extract a confession. I learned that Fu Nanda often dismissed everyone and personally came to this well to chant incantations. I then suspected Xiao Jun and the others. "Their hiding place is likely related to this mechanism. It's too late tonight; I'll only act tomorrow when the people of Longquan are focused on your final battle."

Yuan Yueze nodded and pondered, "Any other discoveries?"

Ba Feng chuckled, "I gathered information in Xiaolongquan, a small town east of Longquan built around the Bohai Bay docks and shipyards. Someone there said that this morning, a group of Koreans left in several waves. I guess they were the Koreans you mentioned who came to support Bai Ziting or Fu Nanda; they all fled in terror upon seeing you." "

Ignoring his maniacal laughter, Yuan Yueze muttered to himself, 'They must have been sent by King Goryeo, Gao Jianwu, to support Bai Ziting. It shouldn't be Gaesomun, whom I deposed. Goryeo's support for Bai Ziting stems not only from their desire for a powerful Balhae Kingdom as a buffer between them and the Khitan and Turks, but also from their need to secure a seaport for ship repair and resupply between Silla and China.'

Both knew that Han Chao'an, whom Ren Jun had killed, was a 'pirate' sent by King Goryeo, Gao Jianwu, specifically to intercept and rob Silla merchants at sea, with the aim of disrupting Silla's economy. Although the Korean Peninsula was small, the situation was complex. It contained three kingdoms: Goryeo, Silla, and Baekje. Since Yang Guang's three disastrous campaigns against Goryeo, the kingdoms on the peninsula had been engaged in complex and ever-changing struggles. King Kim Jin-heung of Silla was an ambitious and shrewd monarch who sought to unify the peninsula, thus constantly expanding his territory." Silla, located in the southeastern part of the peninsula, held a strategic position at the mouth of the Han River. It vigorously developed maritime trade, primarily engaging in business with major cities along the Chinese coast, greatly increasing its national strength. This provoked a coalition between Baekje, located in the southwestern part of the peninsula, and Goryeo, the most powerful nation occupying the northern part, to oppose it.

Goryeo's retreat could have many reasons, such as no longer having faith in Fu Nanda or Bai Ziting; or being constrained by Kim Jin-heung, who was always pro-China, forcing them to return to defend their territory. These reasons are currently impossible to ascertain.

Yuan Yueze then asked, "Brother Ba, did you perhaps use your unique acupoint sealing technique? Otherwise, how could you obtain useful information so easily?"

Ba Feng Han proudly replied, "My acupoint sealing technique can restrict the flow of qi and blood to the brain. After asking questions, I knock them unconscious. When they wake up, their memories of what happened before they lost consciousness will be hazy, and they will completely forget everything."

Yuan Yueze was overjoyed and said, "Teach me quickly!"

The next day

, from early morning, the sky above Longquan was overcast, a gloomy and desolate scene.

As dawn broke, a light drizzle began, shrouding the entire Longquan Plain in a hazy, chaotic mist.

Around noon,

the long stretch of Zhuque Avenue in front of the palace was already blocked off by Longquan soldiers, but spectators streamed in. Devout followers of Fu Nanda and Su Mo soldiers crowded at both ends of the street and on higher buildings further away. Despite the sea of people, no one uttered a sound; the atmosphere was heavy and tense.

Bai Ziting, along with Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and other civil and military officials, occupied a pavilion near the main gate of the palace, providing shelter from the wind and rain while ensuring they didn't miss a single detail of the decisive battle.

Wearing the same wide, orange-apricot robe and a heavy veil, the "mad monk from India," Fu Nanda, stood calmly and naturally in the center of the long street, his hands clasped behind his back. His entire body radiated true energy; raindrops, reaching five feet above his head, scattered in all directions, not a single drop touching him. Both his aura and the flow of his true energy had reached an astonishingly high level, possessing a transcendent air of ruling the world and looking down upon all living beings.

Although Fu Nanda stood proudly like a mountain, his aura gave people a strange feeling of stillness within movement, movement within stillness, as if he were there, yet also as if he were merely an illusion. Those with considerable cultivation, such as Bai Ziting, could feel that he was as if he were one with some supernatural force, hence the illusion and reality.

His

followers were all filled with excitement and respect.

"Is the Grand Preceptor ready to preach?"

A deep, gentle voice, seemingly capable of carrying across the earth, rang out, and Yuan Yueze appeared on the other side of the street.

He walked slowly, his expression calm, one hand behind his back, the "evil sword" symbolizing his identity in his left. He exuded no aura whatsoever, and the raindrops pelted him.

Most of the soldiers and civilians of Longquan wore expressions of disdain; only those with a certain level of cultivation watched with trepidation.

Although Yuan Yueze approached slowly, he gave the strange impression that he wasn't moving at all. If their eyes hadn't told them he was coming, they would never have sensed his presence. He seemed to merge into the universe; though the raindrops pelted him, his clothes remained completely dry.

The two protagonists formed a stark contrast: one moved physically, yet remained mentally still; the other remained still, yet his spirit moved.

The entire street was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Fu Nanta intently observed Yuan Yueze's every movement—his faint smile, his ethereal eyes, his elegant strides, his casual arm swings, every movement of his waist, legs, elbows, and shoulders—he didn't miss a single detail. His movements were perfectly fluid and seamless, leaving no opening for anyone to exploit.

From the moment he appeared, the two men's eyes flashed with sharpness, their attacks clashing in the air like lightning, evenly matched.

With a smile on his face and eyes like lightning, Fu Nanda held one palm up in front of his chest and looked at Yuan Yueze, who stood calmly in front of him. Surprisingly, there was no "speech" or "talking" between them. He could clearly feel that Yuan Yueze's spirit had reached a transcendent state at this moment. No words or actions could shake his rock-solid will and determination to kill him.

Yuan Yueze said leisurely, "It is said that the National Preceptor advocates that the self take vital energy as its substance, life as its body, light as its essence, emptiness as its nature, and Brahman as its origin, pervading and connecting everything. Its minuteness is like a grain of rice, its vastness is like the sky, the emptiness of all minds is vast, and the mind of all things is vast. But in terms of its true nature, there is no difference, all because Brahman and I are one. Therefore, the thought before death is the most crucial. I, Yuan, have come today to help you return to Brahman and discover your true self."

Fu Nanda laughed loudly, his true energy surging and shooting forth, the chilling evil energy causing raindrops to fly wildly. His gaze emitted a powerful spiritual force, like two blades staring directly at Yuan Yueze, as if to drag him into a terrifying abyss, no longer concealing his strength.

Drawn by the energy, Yuan Yueze sensed it, naturally focusing his energy in his eyes, his eyes blazing brightly, like golden lightning shooting from the gray sky, meeting Fu Nanda's gaze without flinching.

Their sharp gazes clashed continuously, the danger within known only to those involved.

As Fu Nanta deeply appreciated Yuan Yueze's clever strategy of feigning weakness yesterday, Yuan Yueze secretly rejoiced that Bai Ziting had revealed to him the demonic monk's extraordinary spiritual skill, "Brahma Dhyana." Otherwise, a moment's carelessness in losing his meditative focus would have been fatal. Fu Nanta's

gaze was intense, and he spoke in a melodious and infectious voice, "Through Brahma, I can see your weakness, young master. Do you still intend to persist?"

Yuan Yueze's right hand slowly gripped the hilt of his sword, steady and relaxed. Then, his robes began to flutter against the wind, and his left foot lightly stepped forward, producing a thunderous sound that seemed to resound through the heavens, echoing for hundreds of feet, shaking the earth. Its power was extremely awe-inspiring.

The longsword was drawn silently, transforming into a long rainbow, slowly thrusting out, its speed suddenly increasing, like an arrow released from a bow, shooting towards Fu Nanta's throat.

Fu Nanta's withered face revealed no secrets, but a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected Yuan Yueze's swordsmanship to be so superb. Even with his cultivation level, he couldn't see how the opponent's sword was drawn, let alone others! His mind instantly recovered, and Fu Nanta unleashed a powerful aura, forming a massive, invisible storm. The surrounding rain was completely unaffected, and those watching from afar only felt a howling wind in their ears and a stinging sensation on their skin. This demonstrated the astonishing level of his mastery of true qi.

--Chapter

134 Bloodbath at the City

Gate At the very center of the aura, Yuan Yueze remained unmoved. He had already guessed that, in terms of pure internal strength, he was certainly inferior to his opponent without his full recovery. However, many other factors influenced the outcome, such as confidence and momentum. Therefore, he needed to constantly build momentum for himself and undermine his opponent's confidence, which could play a decisive role in the final battle.

He said, “Why has the Grand Preceptor stopped preaching? Has he grasped the profound truth that ‘the devil does not conquer people’s will with magic, but lures them with fabricated values, cunningly confusing good and evil, right and wrong, thus bewitching people’s will and making them believe in it’?”

Reciting the famous quote from the Russian philosopher Lossky, the longsword in Yuan Yueze’s hand underwent subtle and mysterious magical changes, slicing into the seemingly impenetrable gaps in Fu Nanda’s storm, flowing upstream, lightly and effortlessly piercing through.

Fu Nanda, with a terrifyingly deep mind, calmly said, “Brahma is the greatest being in the universe, the ruler of everything, surpassing everything. All things of sentient beings exist through his existence, and all things of Brahma exist through the existence of sentient beings. No one loves sentient beings more than him. How can he be a devil? How can he bewitch people’s will?”

Just as the sword was about to pierce the throat of this eloquent demonic monk, Fu Nanda suddenly leaned back, dodging this earth-shattering blow. With his back just a foot off the ground, he twisted his body sharply, bracing himself with one foot while the other shot towards Yuan Yueze's abdomen with lightning speed, a movement completely defying the limitations of human anatomy.

Yuan Yueze had never underestimated his opponent's yogic techniques. After his sword missed, his ready-to-go left fist immediately slammed down to block Fu Nanta's killing move.

"Bang!"

The fist and foot collided with a muffled thud, and Yuan Yueze sprang into the air like a purple lightning bolt across the sky, instantly becoming a small black dot and disappearing completely from everyone's sight.

The battle was over in the blink of an eye.

Bai Ziting and several of his confidants wore grim expressions, while Fu Nanta's followers and the Longquan soldiers erupted in deafening cheers.

Fu Nanta remained unmoved by the cheers around him. Though his face was expressionless, his pupils narrowed, and his gaze became even more intense and fierce, like surging waves. He then leaned forward slightly, his hands curling inward, and a powerful column of energy spun upward, striking directly in the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared into the air.

This pursuit was purely driven by experience gained from countless deadly battles.

Just after that strike, he felt a strange unease: through his spiritual connection with Brahma, he could clearly perceive the movement of any living being within a ten-zhang radius, yet he could no longer sense Yuan Yueze's presence. Of course, the opponent couldn't have died so easily. Fu Nanta immediately realized that Yuan Yueze had been continuously laying down layers upon layers of spiritual energy during his ascent, more powerful than weapons. This not only sealed off the entire space for a long time but also diverted everyone's attention to the layers of energy, creating the illusion that Yuan Yueze had disappeared. Even Fu Nanta, whose spiritual perception was one with Brahma, was affected, let alone others.

This momentary lapse in judgment was a fatal mistake for experts of their level. Just

as Fu Nanta was gathering his energy, a clear sound like a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl came from the sky. At first, it was barely audible, but in the blink of an eye, it resounded throughout the entire space, deafening everyone. For a moment, only this strange sound could be heard in the world.

Yuan Yueze's figure suddenly reappeared about two zhang away from Fu Nanta in mid-air. Then, a ball of pale white light burst forth in front of him, which then transformed into a crescent moon, carrying an indestructible sword aura, and slashed down fiercely with a momentum that could shake the heavens and the earth.

"Pfft!"

Yuan Yueze, wielding a sword like a saber, simply cleaved Fu Nanta's qi pillar with his sword, producing a dull yet piercing sound. Suddenly, the sword energy changed again, dispersing into countless tiny but incomparably powerful vortexes of qi, bypassing the qi pillar and surging towards Fu Nanta like a monstrous wave.

Fu Nanta's expression changed slightly.

He had clearly seen Yuan Yueze's move. Initially, his opponent's sword rain was withdrawing the qi energy spread in the air, gathering it to its peak before unleashing the simple and clumsy saber strike. However, he hadn't expected Yuan Yueze to use only a small portion of his qi energy against his qi pillar, which was composed of all his power, and then split off the remaining qi threads to attack him.

This was a mutually destructive fighting style.

Fu Nanta's entire body seemed to be supple and boneless, making bizarre and unpredictable swaying movements, leaning forward and backward, swaying left and right, drifting through Yuan Yueze's sharp, dense, and almost impenetrable qi net, dodging with lightning speed, a truly spectacular display.

Then, slightly bending his knees, when his upper body was only half a foot off the ground, he pushed off with all his might with his bent leg, his entire body rising diagonally upwards from the ground, his feet still firmly planted on the ground, instantly transforming into a thin, long "human meat pancake." His hands twirled, his ten fingers flying like plucking strings, his left hand precisely striking Yuan Yueze's palm, his right leg rising sharply, kicking out without warning, saying: "I am Brahma, you are him; you are Brahma, I am him. Brahma is me, I am him, he is Brahma. Like a spider spinning silk, like a spark leaping from a fire, like a shadow emerging from me, if you, sir, can understand this meaning, you will know the ultimate truth of Brahma and I being one."

"Bang!"

As Fu Nanta's right foot firmly struck Yuan Yueze's left shoulder, the scabbard in Yuan Yueze's left hand also struck his lower abdomen.

The figures merged and separated in an instant.

The two stood facing each other, three zhang apart. A bright red flashed across Yuan Yueze's fair face, then vanished. Fu Nanta's dark face turned deathly pale before returning to normal.

Both of them were injured in the fight just now.

A surge of intense joy flashed in Bai Ziting's eyes; this was exactly what he had hoped for. Ge Yuan and the others, however, were dumbfounded. The head guard, Zong Xianghua, even stole a glance at Bai Ziting. That morning, during a casual conversation with the talented Shang Xiufang, whom she had found congenial, the latter had subtly revealed Yuan Yueze's purpose for this trip and that he had no intention of eternally enslaving the grassland people. Although Zong Xianghua understood Bai Ziting's thoughts, she was still a woman of strong emotions and knew that even if Yuan Yueze won, he wouldn't have a good ending. At that moment, Shang Xiufang's words unexpectedly echoed in her ears: "The head guard should know your king's temperament better than anyone else; he will ultimately lead the nobility to destruction."

Zong Xianghua's expression grew increasingly complex.

"Crack!"

The evil sword that had been suspended in mid-air finally fell back to Yuan Yueze, embedding itself deeply in the ground.

This showed just how fast the contest had been.

The arena was silent; the spectators were all gripped by a breathless tension, intently watching the two standing facing each other.

Fu Nanta felt a chill run down his spine.

In a battle between masters, especially those of their level, the key lies in the interplay of their vital energies and the confrontation of their auras. They must lock onto their opponent with all their might, seizing the initiative and gaining the upper hand to determine the victor. Since his opponent's internal strength was inferior, he could naturally achieve this. Therefore, Fu Nanta decided to employ a war of attrition, intending to lead Yuan Yueze by the nose until he was exhausted. However, Yuan Yueze seized the initiative from the very beginning, initially applying pressure with a mental cultivation even superior to Fu Nanta's, causing Fu Nanta to feel a terrifying sense of being seen through. He then relentlessly attacked him both mentally and physically with various theories and a constant stream of strange moves. Finally, he even attempted a mutually destructive fight, but after being struck by Fu Nanta's strongest attack, he only suffered internal injuries. This caused Fu Nanta's mental state to finally crumble, and he felt he could no longer maintain the seamless connection with Brahma. From India to China, Fu Nanda had always been unstoppable with his unpredictable and elusive mental techniques. However, his opponent, a master of swordsmanship, used unorthodox methods to counter unorthodox ones, successfully throwing Fu Nanda out of his control and ultimately revealing a weakness in his seemingly unparalleled mental techniques, which allowed him to both deceive and anticipate his opponent's moves.

Yuan Yueze, while inwardly lamenting his misfortune, was also secretly delighted: his previous attack was the most powerful he could muster, yet it had been broken by his opponent's yogic techniques. Fortunately, he had used his extraordinary body to not only disrupt his opponent's mental state but also to make him feel unfathomable. Therefore, Fu Nanda, unusually, took a risk, risking injury from Yuan Yueze's internal energy, to even the score with Yuan Yueze's advantage. However, his opponent's extraordinary body further damaged his mental state.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said loudly, "Did the Grand Preceptor commit evil against all living beings out of great love? You want to save all living beings, provide them with spiritual help, bring great theories, and enlighten their souls. I firmly believe that when the Grand Preceptor said this, he was not lying, because you believe yourself to be like a god and have long planned to dedicate yourself to your noble cause. But your mistake lies in confusing the ethics of purpose with the ethics of practice."

The soldiers and civilians who regarded Funanda as the true god of Longquan were enraged upon hearing this. In another setting, they would probably have already cursed him and then attacked him en masse.

Yuan Yueze's words came from the Polish philosopher Kowski. It is not a problem for people to have various beliefs; the mistake lies in when belief becomes fanatical blind worship, which will lead to unpredictable consequences. The charm of Funanda's teachings lies in seeing the strong life desires and mystical yearnings deep in people's hearts. This mystical doctrine, mixed under other names, appears vibrant and infinitely moving. The nomadic lifestyle of the grasslands makes the grassland people bold and open, but ultimately, they are still a people living between governance and obedience. The people of Longquan were not unaware of the rumors spread by Bai Ziting that Fu Nanta was a wicked and treacherous villain, but they had lost their ability to rationally judge right and wrong due to blind worship. They simply believed that someone was framing Fu Nanta. Upon hearing Yuan Yueze's more rational explanation, a small group of people who were not completely lost began to ponder.

Yuan Yueze was certainly not foolish enough to think that he could change the worldview or values of others or a large group with just a few words, but he was quite gratified by the thoughtful expressions of that small group. Moreover, he only wanted to continue to put pressure on Fu Nanta. His argument was not without flaws. Fu Nanta could easily refute it with a simple Buddhist saying: "At all times, do not give rise to deluded thoughts; do not extinguish deluded thoughts; dwell in the realm of delusion without adding knowledge; in the absence of knowledge, do not distinguish between reality and illusion." The difficulty lay in the fact that Fu Nanta disdained Buddhism and, of course, would not use Buddhist principles to defend himself.

Bai Ziting's eyes flashed with a fierce light, clearly realizing that Yuan Yueze's words were, to some extent, no different from Fu Nanda's doctrines, both of which would attract the attention and worship of his own people.

Upon hearing this, Fu Nanda's eyes suddenly turned stern and profound, flashing with a sharp light, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He said indifferently, "What qualifications does the young master have to talk to me about the ethics of purpose and the ethics of practice?"

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and said leisurely, "Then let's talk about something else. For example, the Grand Preceptor is now facing death. I wonder what new insights he has gained about the way of life and death? Why not share them with us and let us share the Grand Preceptor's insights?"

Fu Nanda snorted coldly, "Life and death are impermanent, as are victory and defeat, and they can even transform into each other at extremes!"

After saying this, his pupils suddenly contracted, shooting out a concentrated and intense demonic light. He had obviously realized that he was truly angered by the other party's words, and his mind had been taken over, making it impossible for him to maintain his connection with Brahma.

Both of them had just been struggling to regulate their breathing and suppress their injuries. Yuan Yueze was almost out of the woods. He was usually not very talkative, but his unusual behavior today was because he was constantly looking for opportunities to attack and his opponent's weaknesses. Not only were Fu Nantuo hit where it hurt by his words, but he also started to think along with them. His mind was slightly distracted, and he immediately sensed it. With a loud shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, he returned the evil sword to his hand. He followed the sword and drew a beautiful and mysterious line in the air. It was seemingly ordinary but contained a thousand changes. It attacked Fu Nantuo's chest. At first, it made a unique hissing sound when the energy was spinning rapidly. In the blink of an eye, the sharp sword energy spread to every inch of the space within a radius of several dozen feet.

Fu Nanda, being a master of his craft, swiftly regained his composure at this critical moment. His body shifted through countless illusory positions in the confined space, his right middle finger extending seemingly without artifice, appearing to strike yet not quite. Its unpredictable nature meant that if Yuan Yueze were to be even slightly careless, his initial advantage would be completely lost, or he would be overwhelmed and killed by the subsequent attacks. While

Yuan Yueze's offensive was indeed ingenious, Fu Nanda's use of advance as retreat only further excited his fervent followers.

The soldiers and civilians of Longquan immediately cheered loudly in support.

Only Fu Nanda, caught in the middle of this situation, secretly groaned. Unable to maintain his connection with Brahma, he couldn't discern which vital point Yuan Yueze's seemingly simple sword would strike. He could only evade the attack first, preparing for a later move. His joints crackled and popped like firecrackers, and he twisted backward, becoming a human-flesh-like object, rapidly rolling away.

Yuan Yueze, however, was unwilling to retreat empty-handed. Knowing the wonders of the Yoga Technique, he had prepared a follow-up. His momentum didn't diminish, but suddenly a strange "whoosh" rang out before him. Then, the evil sword's momentum shifted abruptly, transforming into countless pale white specks that, against the backdrop of a fine drizzle, seemed to blanket Fu Nanda, or like motionless stars in a dark sky—a dynamic yet tranquil movement, its exquisite and wondrous nature beyond description.

Unable to dodge any longer, Fu Nanta simultaneously kicked out with both feet in different directions from within the human circle, meeting Yuan Yueze's sword net.

The clash of swords and blades against the force of the attack produced a series of muffled explosions that filled the entire arena.

Suddenly, the two figures appeared five zhang behind the original battle circle, the muffled sounds still lingering.

Fu Nanta, now back to his normal human form from the human circle, stood with his legs apart, his palms gripping the blade of the evil sword tightly, blocking the terrifying sword energy transmitted by Yuan Yueze through the sword—waves of power and terror that erupted like a torrent.

The entire arena fell silent again. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts could see from Fu Nanta's increasingly pale face that he was at a disadvantage.

After nine waves of energy subsided, Yuan Yueze, having exhausted his inner energy, abruptly withdrew his sword and dodged. He sheathed his sword because he was afraid of accidentally falling into his opponent's illusion. Then he thought that if Funantha wanted to trap his soul, he would definitely be doomed. In front of Bai Ziting, Funantha would definitely not do such a thing that would harm others and himself.

Fu Nanta, however, was affected by Yuan Yueze's endless stream of strange moves and worried that he had more tricks up his sleeve. So he turned the tables and, with another "crack," his whole body sprang towards Yuan Yueze's head as he followed Yuan Yueze's retreating momentum. Then, his flesh and bones collapsed, his knees bent and pressed against his chest, his hands hugging his knees, and his head was tucked between his knees, turning into a "human ball" that floated erratically as it crashed into Yuan Yueze's crown.

Bai Ziting knew that the battle was about to end. As an observer, he could see that Fu Nanta had not only had his Indian mental technique of Brahman and Non-Dualism broken, but his mind had also been taken away, and he had lost his composure.

Yuan Yueze, who was retreating, had a cold expression on his face. Suddenly, he stopped, raised his hand, and held his sword horizontally. The blade emitted a terrifying white light that was sure to stealthily and slash upwards.

Fu Nanta inwardly groaned. He had used every trick in the book, changing his moves dozens of times to confuse his opponent, but Yuan Yueze's seemingly simple, even clumsy, sword strike had completely shut down all his variations, as if he had been obediently offered himself up as a weapon.

"Bang!"

Fu Nanta's right fist slammed into the tip of the evil sword. Fu Nanta let out a muffled groan, and both men were violently shaken, one above the other, forced back.

Yuan Yueze stood tall, sword in hand, with three fingers and half a hand lying scattered nearby.

Their owner was Fu Nanta.

Excruciating pain, Fu Nanta was thrown several feet above Yuan Yueze's head. His limbs suddenly expanded, transforming from a ball of flesh into a pancake of flesh. He pushed his yoga techniques to their limit, his hands and feet seemingly disconnected from his skeletal system, conjuring countless palm and foot shadows, relentlessly and mercilessly attacking Yuan Yueze below, with extreme ferocity.

Unaware of the situation, the Longquan army believed that Fu Nanta had gained the upper hand and cheered him on, their shouts shaking the heavens.

Yuan Yueze raised his head, not to look at the frantically attacking Fu Nanta, but at the vast sky behind him. Before his sharp, sword-like gaze, even the gray clouds were powerless.

He was confident that if he were in top form, he could kill this demonic monk within five moves, but this was just wishful thinking. The Black King had not returned for many days. What happened to Zhu Yuyan? Why hadn't she arrived yet?

In that instant, his swordplay resumed, and he slashed twice into the air.

Everyone had the illusion that a beautiful woman in simple clothes had just appeared out of nowhere. After regaining their senses, they were immediately dumbfounded.

His first sword strike was filled with killing intent, powerful enough to split mountains and shatter peaks. It carried a fierce, relentless momentum, as if the swordsman had only struck this blow to commit suicide. Anyone could see the boundless desolation and sorrow contained within it. The second sword strike was devoid of any killing intent; its momentum was like a feather dancing in the wind, light and gentle, continuous and unbroken, like the boundless joy of someone in love, reaching even to the ends of the universe without ceasing. This contrasted sharply with the second sword strike, which was indistinguishable in timing.

With swordsmanship reaching this level, no one dared say that the "Evil Emperor" was inferior to the three grandmasters.

Fu Nanta's mid-air attack was a desperate gamble, aimed at regaining the initiative, but now he was horrified to find himself with no way out.

Explosive sounds of energy rang out one after another, sometimes muffled, sometimes piercing. The two figures separated, rushing in opposite directions, stopping only ten feet apart.

A strange expression appeared on Fu Nanta's face. His palms were clasped together, held upright in front of his chest. Apart from his left palm being cut in half, there were no other visible signs of injury.

Yuan Yueze stood with his back to him, leaning on his sword, eyes closed.

The spectators, unable to see the final move, were now completely unaware of the outcome. They could only watch with bated breath, the entire arena so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Suddenly, Fu Nanta's body trembled violently, then his sleeves and trousers were torn to shreds, and he slowly fell backward.

In the instant he hit the ground, people realized that his hands and feet had been shattered by the evil sword; his forearms and calves were reduced to a gruesome pulp of flesh and blood.

A fleeting look of joy crossed Bai Ziting's eyes. He rose and slowly walked towards Fu Nanta, sighing, "Rest in peace, Grand Preceptor. Bai Ziting will not fail your expectations."

The soldiers and civilians of Longquan were shocked. Only now did they realize that Fu Nanta was not only crippled but also critically injured, staring in disbelief at Fu Nanta lying supine in the middle of the street.

Suddenly, Fu Nanta burst into wild laughter, muttering to himself, "I've had everything except the throne. Fu Nanta's life has been worthwhile!"

Bai Ziting gradually approached Fu Nanta, weeping bitterly, "The Grand Preceptor, three years ago..."

Fu Nanta only laughed wildly, abruptly interrupting him, "Don't even think about harming me! You won't fare any better after I die!"

Then, with a sudden jolt, he used his remaining true energy to sever his meridians and die. Before

Bai Ziting could even feel hatred or joy, he found himself weak all over, unable to stand steadily, and struggling to breathe. He couldn't utter another word before collapsing with a thud beside Fu Nanta's body.

The street was deathly silent. From the Right Chancellor Ke Subie to the ordinary people of Longquan, everyone was stunned, staring in disbelief at Fu Nanta and Bai Ziting lying on Zhuque Street in Xiao Chang'an.

"He killed the Imperial Preceptor!"

"He killed the King too!"

"Kill him!"

The streets were packed with hundreds of generals, soldiers, and civilians from Longquan City. They stood silently for a long time before someone finally shouted a slogan. In an instant, the crowd reacted, their eyes blazing with hatred and fury. They surged forward with a desperate, rage, lunging at Yuan Yueze, who still hadn't opened his eyes.

Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua, shocked, rushed towards Bai Ziting. Although they didn't know if Bai Ziting was dead or unconscious, they were certain it wasn't Yuan Yueze's doing. It was merely a slogan used by the fanatical soldiers and civilians to comfort themselves, a real call to avenge Fu Nanta. They desperately wanted to calm the frenzied Longquan soldiers and civilians, but no one would listen to a word they said.

The shouts of battle echoed all around, reverberating throughout the entire Zhuque Avenue. Armed and unarmed soldiers and civilians alike, like madmen, swarmed in and attacked. The crowd was overwhelming, and no one could stop them. They could accept Bai Ziting's death, but no one could accept the cruel reality of Fu Nanta, whom they regarded as a celestial being, dying violently in the street.

Arrows rained down, and Yuan Yueze opened his eyes. He had just attacked relentlessly, using his body to withstand Fu Nanta's desperate attack, managing to cripple his limbs with all his might, but he lacked the strength to deliver a fatal blow. Fu Nanta's demonic and unpredictable energy, neither cold nor hot, seemed to penetrate and push, leaving no gaps untouched. His extremely insidious true energy began to rage within his meridians, causing him immense suffering. He could only stop to expel the chilling energy. Then, he secretly chuckled: Fu Nanta's limbs were crippled; what difference was there between him and a dead man? Bai Ziting would certainly not let this demonic monk go. Sure enough, after a series of crocodile tears, Bai Ziting prepared to spout some kind of divine mandate, such as Fu Nanta foresaw his impending death before the founding of the Bohai Kingdom—lies to embolden his subordinates, attributing everything to Heaven. If Heaven wanted him dead, then Fu Nanta was doomed; similarly, if Heaven wanted the Sumo tribe to rise again, even the Heavenly King himself couldn't stop it. Bai Ziting must have prepared this move long ago, both to vent the grief and resentment of the Longquan army and people, to divert hatred and regain authority, and to have more confidence in facing the upcoming attack from the Turkic coalition. Unfortunately, Bai Ziting ultimately couldn't escape the nightmare Fu Nanta had brought him. Knowing he couldn't escape death, Fu Nanta simply chose to commit suicide, taking Bai Ziting with him on his "journey." Dodging countless arrows and other flying spears, Yuan Yueze soared into the air, suppressing the clamor and shouts that could drown out everything, and laughed loudly: "The three guest prime ministers should know whether I have wanted to kill your king. I, Yuan, am leaving!"

By the time he said the last word, his figure had already disappeared, but his voice was as close as a whisper.

The surrounding shouts and curses gradually faded away. People blinded by hatred had no reason left, and subconsciously chased after the direction Yuan Yueze had fled.

The entire street instantly transformed into a ghost town. Ke Subie and the others exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to do.

Zong Xianghua, her expression complex, stared at the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared for a moment before speaking first: "Let's return to the palace and prepare for the King's funeral! What does the Prime Minister think?"

Ke Subie snapped out of his daze, coughed lightly, and nodded in agreement.

Back at the palace, the court officials summoned all the imperial physicians to re-examine Bai Ziting, and the result was as everyone had predicted: the "Dragon King" was beyond saving. Ke Subie and the others were all highly skilled; how could they not have noticed? It was merely a self-deceptive act born of despair after losing their spiritual pillar.

Shang Xiufang's faint zither music drifted from the desolate East Garden, like a performer filled with intense emotions, yet able to interpret the joys and sorrows, rises and falls of humanity with a cold and detached attitude.

A group of civil and military officials knelt before Bai Ziting's body laid upon the dragon bed, weeping uncontrollably.

-

Chapter 135 Who is the Hero?

"Dong!"

The five bell towers of Longquan City, located within the palace and at the four outer city gates, simultaneously rang out, their melodious tones carrying a sense of tragic desolation, for these were the funeral bells mourning the passing of Bai Ziting, continuing until the forty-ninth chime.

Amidst the solemn tolling of funeral bells, the hearse carrying Bai Ziting's remains, drawn by eight warhorses and guarded by a hundred loyal guards at the front and back, dragged its heavy steps out of the Vermilion Bird Gate, onto Vermilion Bird Avenue, circled the city once, and returned to the imperial mausoleum.

Soldiers and civilians lined the streets to see him off. Those who had lost their pillar of support and whose faith had crumbled looked blankly, mechanically weeping and wailing. No one knew whether they were mourning Fu Nanta, expressing their grief for the tragic end of their leader who had once filled them with hope for the future, or lamenting the impending annihilation of their clan.

Regardless, Bai Ziting was still the nominal ruler of Longquan, so after discussion, Ke Subie and others decided to risk not preparing a funeral for Fu Nanta; he was simply unworthy. Judging from the expressions of the Longquan soldiers and civilians, it was clear that he had lost the ability to think rationally after suffering such a severe blow; otherwise, someone would surely have jumped out to criticize why troops weren't sent to apprehend the murderer Yuan Yueze, or why a funeral wasn't held for the great national teacher.

The night sky after the rain showed no sign of clearing; the overcast haze grew thicker, and the stars and moon dimmed.

Negative emotions gradually reached their peak.

Only a few loyal civil and military officials remained steadfast in their loyalty to Bai Ziting, without shedding a tear. After a busy afternoon, although a small number of rebellious soldiers and civilians still disobeyed orders, their eyes flashing with malice as they searched for Yuan Yueze's whereabouts with weapons in hand, the overall security of Longquan had been barely stabilized. Preparations for Bai Ziting's funeral only began after dark. Those who hadn't lost their minds knew clearly that the Sumo tribe would soon face an even greater crisis. The tolling of the funeral bells transformed their humiliation and grief into strength; they would never show their weakest side at this moment.

The hearse returned to the palace and then headed towards the rear mausoleum.

Along the way, everyone bowed their heads, the silence weighing heavily on their hearts.

After properly burying the "Dragon King," Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua returned to the daily council hall, sitting around the round table in silence.

With the capital city unclaimed, the three most trusted by Bai Ziting—one in charge of civil affairs, the other of military affairs, and the other of city defense—were left to deal with the impending threat of extermination. Most of the other ministers had become followers of Fu Nanda, and with the threat of annihilation looming, they had neither the rationality nor the inclination to consider matters. It was best to simply hand over power to these three

. Suddenly, the sound of hooves shattered the eerie silence of the imperial city. A rider galloped in, one of the personal attendants of the chief guard, Zong Xianghua. He looked panicked and nearly tumbled off his horse.

Staggering into the wide-open council hall, the personal guard knelt and shouted, "It's terrible! Tie Fuyou has personally led nearly ten thousand elite cavalry and is already five li north of Xiaolongquan. They will probably arrive within an hour; Abaojia has led more than five thousand hawk soldiers to the Meituo Plain and is setting up camp. Tuli's Black Wolf Army is still stationed within the Hualin area, and the Turkic Golden Wolf Army, numbering over one hundred thousand, has crossed our cordon and is now more than twenty li west of the city. They will be at the city walls by tomorrow at the latest."

Ke Subie and his two companions initially... Slightly taken aback, but upon hearing the news of the Turkic Golden Wolf Army, they were simultaneously shaken, taking a long time to recover. He waved away his personal guard, glanced at his two compatriots whose faces were equally grave and eyes filled with horror, laughed loudly, and extended his hand, saying in a chillingly cold voice, "Good! Let's fight to the death, a desperate battle, and let Jieli witness the unity and indomitable spirit of the Mohe people!"

A resolute glint flashed in Kesubie's eyes, and he offered his hand without hesitation.

Retracting his hand, Kesubie revealed a weary expression, seemingly overwhelmed by the current situation, and sighed, "It's a pity we couldn't rescue the Crown Prince and preserve the King's bloodline; otherwise, there would still be a sliver of hope for revenge."

The three fell silent again.

Bai Ziting's son, Da Zuorong, was indeed in the hands of Funantha. Yesterday, he had ordered his loyal men to remain in the palace and search the Eight Treasures Glazed Well thoroughly after the Battle of the Long Street began. This well had long aroused his suspicion, but he dared not search it openly because Funantha had too many confidants. Little did he know that the Battle of the Long Street would become the last leg of Bai Ziting's life. After returning to the palace, his confidants reported that there was indeed a hidden chamber in the middle of the well, but unfortunately they were a step too late. In the secret room at the end of the tunnel, there were only some cut ropes, and not a single person in sight.

Zong Xianghua suddenly had a thought and blurted out, "I guess the Crown Prince will be alright. 'He' should be here soon."

Ke Subie and the other man stared at her beautiful face, which was filled with complex emotions. After a moment of stunned silence, they immediately realized who "he" was. Zong Xianghua didn't hide anything and told them what Shang Xiufang had told her. Ke Subie and the other man's expressions improved somewhat. Ge Yuan sighed, "Brother Yuan is a man of great ambition. If we can truly escape the annihilation of our clan with his help, what difficulty would there be in submitting to him?"

He was, after all, a general who had fought on the battlefield, and his cunning and political acumen were far inferior. Ke Subie frowned and said, "Of course, we can't completely believe his one-sided words. However, protecting our clan is the most important thing right now. If he goes back on his word in the future, we will secretly gather our strength and take everything back from him."

The three of them exchanged glances and nodded.

Ge Yuan stood up and said, "You two wait for him. I need to go guard Xiaolongquan first."

Suddenly, a guard came to report from outside, shouting, "Yuan Yueze, Ba Fenghan, and Ren Jun are requesting an audience outside the palace gates. They've also brought back the Crown Prince!"

Hearing Da Zuorong's news, the three were overjoyed and led their men out to greet them.

In the large square in front of the palace gates, thousands of Sumo warriors drew their weapons and surrounded Yuan Yueze and his companions with hostile expressions. On the official wall a little further away, even more Sumo warriors drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming thousands of arrows at them, ready to fire at any moment. From the expressions of these warriors, it was clear that if it weren't for Da Zuorong, they would have already swarmed them and torn the three to pieces. There were five thousand warriors surrounding them, yet no one uttered a sound; the pressure created by that silence alone was enough to make one tremble with fear.

Yuan Yueze and his companions appeared relaxed and at ease, chatting and laughing. Da Zuorong, whose hand was being held by Yuan Yueze, was extremely clever. His large, clear eyes, black and white, curiously scanned the surroundings, seemingly unaware of the precarious situation before him. If even one person were to accidentally release the arrow, his life as the crown prince might be in danger.

"Everyone, don't move!"

Ke Subie's calm voice rang out. The soldiers instinctively made way, and the three of them walked over, stopping about five zhang in front of Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze released his hand, and Da Zuorong, who recognized Zong Xianghua, ran over and threw himself into her arms, their embrace intimate.

Zong Xianghua hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"No one is allowed to move! Otherwise, you will be punished according to military law!"

Ge Yuan immediately shouted, suppressing the restless emotions of the soldiers. The square was silent, save for heavy breathing; the atmosphere was extremely tense, and the torches on the city walls flickered.

Seeing that Dae Jo-yeong was unharmed, the three were relieved. Ke Subie said in a deep voice, "May I ask if Young Master Yuan knows how the King died? And how he saved our Crown Prince? On behalf of the Sumo clan, I thank you for your great kindness."

His question, seemingly a provocation, actually gave Yuan Yueze an opportunity to clarify his position before the Longquan Army. With a slight smile, Yuan Yueze said, "Your Majesty's death has absolutely nothing to do with me. I'm not boasting, but if I wanted to kill him, I would have done it long ago. Why resort to underhanded tactics? You should remember what Fu Nanta said before his death; you must share my suspicions! If I'm not mistaken, Fu Nanta cast a strange mental spell on Your Majesty, binding their lives together, to live and die together. As for the Crown Prince, I didn't save him; my brother Ba Feng Han rescued him casually on the way to Xiao Jun. Prime Minister Ke, there's no need for such formality."

"Whoosh!"

Several arrows suddenly shot towards them, but the three nimbly dodged them.

Zong Xianghua's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent, and she and the astonished Ke Subie looked over.

It turned out that several soldiers on the city wall, upon hearing this, had their expressions change drastically and had accidentally fired arrows.

Yuan Yueze's words struck at the most vulnerable part of their nerves. Fu Nanta's dying words were indeed thought-provoking. If he were truly as great as he boasted, why would he only speak of his own life's gains and losses before his death? Considering his extraordinary spiritual cultivation and his final words to Bai Ziting, "You won't fare much better after I die," the crowd's thoughts gradually cleared. Yuan Yueze's refusal to take Da Zuorong hostage further demonstrated his magnanimity, and the crowd began to believe him.

Ge Yuan's eyes shone brightly as he stared intently at Yuan Yueze, saying, "Brother Yuan has shown great kindness to my clan. I am grateful. Please, the three of you, return!"

Ba Feng Han laughed loudly, saying, "If I'm not mistaken, the Turkic allied forces will arrive soon. If we leave, Longquan will be razed to the ground, and your clan will still face annihilation!"

The Su Mo warriors' emotions were so complex that even they themselves couldn't explain them; they had no mind to object to Ba Feng Han's words. Moreover, the ferocity of the Golden Wolf Army was renowned throughout the grasslands, and the fact that Longquan had been utterly crushed was almost undeniable.

Zong Xianghua coldly asked, "Why are the three of you helping my people?"

Yuan Yueze replied, "For personal reasons, I have an irreconcilable hatred for Jieli, which can only be washed away with blood; for public reasons, I am planning for the future. Once the Central Plains are unified, I will surely march into the grasslands, so I am trying to win over some hearts and minds in advance. Of course, your immediate priority is to protect the lives of your people. When I attack the grasslands in the future, you can choose to be my comrades or my enemies. If Longquan can be saved this time, please forget what we three have done."

His impassioned words had already earned him respect. The Sumo people had almost never seen such a straightforward and honest person. Although Ke Subie and the other two had just heard Zong Xianghua's explanation, they were not too surprised. However, remembering that he had managed to kill Fu Nanta even with his unrecovered strength, they couldn't help but feel more fearful of his strong confidence and began to think about their future plans.

In fact, Yuan Yueze had no choice but to act this way. Facing the fierce and brutal Golden Wolf Army of the Turks, how could anyone be complacent? No one was foolish enough to simply believe him to be so noble, great, kind, and chivalrous. His words, combined with self-interest, were reassuring and had an unexpected effect.

Yuan Yueze continued, "I have a backup plan that can at least inflict a major defeat on Jieli, or at worst, kill him in Longquan. I can tell you three privately later. In any case, please think of the people of Longquan."

Zong Xianghua and the other two looked grim. The soldiers were also affected by these words. Perhaps thinking of their parents, wives, and children, their hands holding weapons were no longer firm and strong; their bows and arrows drooped. However, some still held their bows and swords with unwavering resolve, showing that Fu Nanta still held a powerful authority in their hearts—something that couldn't be changed overnight, nor could it be erased with a few words.

Ge Yuanli's gaze swept over them, and those who were still holding on looked bewildered, their bows and swords drooping weakly.

All eyes were on Ke Subie and the other two, waiting for their decision.

Ke Su and the other two exchanged glances. The former pondered, "Most people from the Central Plains are cunning, but the young master is honest. The King was deceived by the Indian monk's trickery, becoming deeply entangled and dragging our people into an abyss of no return, even losing his own life in the process. We cannot continue to be so depressed. This is the time to wake up from our dream, the time to fight for our people."

Zong Xianghua, holding Da Zuorong in her arms, clenched her fists with unwavering determination and shouted loudly, "Who are our people's friends, and who are our people's enemies? Everyone should know this very well! Warriors of Su Mo

, listen up! Even if we die, we will die heroically, we will die fighting to protect our people and the city!" The dozen or so guards behind her echoed their leader's words in unison, "We will die like heroes!"

Their shouts reverberated in the spacious square, stirring the blood of the soldiers.

While some warriors remained silent, many more began to respond with passionate shouts.

Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan exchanged a pleased glance, a joyful smile simultaneously spreading across their lips.

A sudden, clattering sound of hooves arose from outside the palace gates, approaching from afar.

Warriors quickly made way, and a sweating knight fell from his horse, shouting, "Tiefuyou's vanguard of over two thousand cavalry has reached about a mile outside Xiaolongquan! Please, Prime Minister, General, and Chief of the Guard, give us your orders!"

Before anyone could react, Ge Yuan roared, "Excellent! Let me personally lead the army to meet him and teach Tiefuyou a lesson for being Jieli's lackey!" Tiefuyou

was a Houjin of the Heishui tribe, a sworn enemy of the Mohe and Baiziting. The Sumo tribe already harbored hatred for him, a hatred that flared fiercely after he willingly became Jieli's lackey. Ge Yuan's resolute and confident shout was the perfect catalyst. The warriors responded swiftly, their morale soaring, completely erasing their previous dejection.

A quarter of an hour later, Ge Yuan, Yuan Yueze, and two others led five hundred elite cavalry to a military camp with a force of a thousand men northwest of the harbor. Yuan Yueze also saw Xiaolongquan with his own eyes. Xiaolongquan was not a city, but a small town on the eastern Bohai Bay centered around a dock and shipyard. There were seven or eight watchtowers along the coast, and maritime traffic was not particularly prosperous. It was far inferior to important seaports like Yangzhou in the Central Plains.

Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua had other important business to attend to, so they stayed in Longquan. Along the way, Ge Yuan asked a few questions about the details of rescuing Da Zuorong. Yuan Yueze told him about how Ba Feng Han broke open the Eight Treasures Glazed Well when there were few people in the palace and rescued Ren Jun, Yue Kepeng, and other people from the Cheshi Kingdom, as well as Da Zuorong. Hearing that several members of Yuekepeng's delegation had been killed by Funanda, and that the remaining members were on the verge of starvation and thirst, Ge Yuan was even more relieved that Funanda had finally met his end due to his arrogance; otherwise, who knows how many more Longquan people would have been killed. The

group arrived at the military camp, where they found the soldiers mostly demoralized, their eyes blazing with fury as they stared at Yuan Yueze. After Ge Yuan's angry rebuke, they finally dared not look at Yuan Yueze again, but their morale did not improve.

Reaching a small hill north of the camp, the four of them gazed into the distance.

In the dim night, there was no movement ahead.

After recovering his strength with Shan Ruyin's help, Ren Jun said, "It seems we arrived too early."

Yuan Yueze asked Ge Yuan, "General Ge, what are your plans? The three of us are novices."

Ge Yuan's eyes gleamed as he looked at the distant, faintly visible stone fortress, a symbol of the safety and control of Xiaolongquan, and said, "In terms of troop strength, we only have a little over a thousand, and in terms of morale, we are no match for our opponents. Perhaps we can abandon this place and retreat into the stone fortress. The main defensive strength of the stone fortress is the eight arrow towers on the upper level. If the enemy wants to attack, they can only do so by fighting their way in through the towers." "We've secured the only gate to the stone fortress, and with three experts assisting us, we just need to hold it steady."

Yuan Yueze pondered for a while, then shook his head, saying, "In the long run, this might not be a good idea. The most important thing for the Longquan Army right now is to recover their lost morale. Why not try it out in this battle?"

Ge Yuan looked at him in surprise and said, "Brother Yuan, do you perhaps intend to launch a preemptive strike? Your bodies..."

Ba Feng Han raised his hand to interrupt him, laughing loudly, "We're all fine. Brother Yuan's tactics suit me perfectly! Haha, we were too barbaric!"

A look of gratitude flashed in Ge Yuan's eyes as he sighed, "Today I have finally witnessed the spirit of a true hero, and I admire him greatly. Brother Yuan is absolutely right. Let the four of us charge ahead and catch the enemy off guard, boosting our morale!"

Ren Jun asked in astonishment, "But Big Brother can't ride a horse. Are we supposed to have him walk behind us? How can we go to the battlefield like that?"

Yuan Yueze retorted irritably, "You brat, why do you always like to expose people's weaknesses! I am the self-proclaimed 'Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry.' Besides, what does being able to ride a horse have to do with strength?" Ren

Jun gave a wronged look, and the four of them could no longer contain themselves and burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the dejected Longquan soldiers not far away. They couldn't understand why the four of them could still laugh so happily at such a desperate moment.

In the dense forest halfway north of Xiaolongquan, Yuan Yueze's group split into four groups, like the four vertices of a rectangle, and ambushed in the woods on both sides of the road. Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun were positioned closest to the enemy, while Ba Fenghan and Ge Yuan were a hundred paces away. Each of the four led a hundred elite warriors, Ge Yuan's trusted confidants who had served him for many years and were directly loyal to Bai Ziting. After hearing Yuan Yueze's explanation, they all understood that Yuan Yueze was not the one who killed Bai Ziting, and naturally harbored no more hostility. Moreover, the prospect of fighting alongside this world-renowned figure filled them with immense excitement.

The noisy yet orderly sound of hooves grew closer, indicating the sheer size and discipline of the enemy force.

Although it was dark, it had no effect on a master like Yuan Yueze. His sharp eyes were fixed on the enemy ranks, and he saw the three leading riders approaching. The riders were dressed in Mohe warrior attire, young and fierce, with handsome appearances, yet exuding a sinister aura.

When the cavalry force of over a thousand men had passed most of the way, a sudden commotion arose from the front, clearly a signal that Ba Fenghan and Ge Yuan, who were waiting on the other side, had already launched their ambush.

The enemy troops at the rear swiftly changed formations, displaying the discipline and skill of their elite force.

Seeing the enemy ranks trapped, Yuan Yueze gave the order, and the hundred men opposite simultaneously unleashed a hail of arrows, raining down on the enemy's rear.

After the initial volley, Ren Jun, on the other side of the road, roared, "Brothers of the Sumo tribe, tonight, whoever kills more than me, I'll give them a hundred taels of gold!" He

leaped into the air, his "long sky" streaking across the dark night, leaving a beautiful green trail, striking a strong enemy soldier at the rear of the column. His powerful aura made him appear like a god descending to earth, majestic and arrogant. The

enemy soldiers at the rear didn't even have time to turn around before a scream rang out. The muscular soldier's left shoulder and arm had been cleanly severed; blood splattered as he was thrown two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Yuan Yueze shrugged helplessly. Ren Jun, perhaps frustrated by the pressure from Fu Nanta, was finally able to unleash his power today. He responded with a shout and was the first to charge forward. The crowd, brimming with fervor, surged out of the forest like a whirlwind, rapidly flanking the enemy troops whose formation had been disrupted once again, while the Ba and Ge armies at the head of the support team advanced.

Their fighting strength had instantly been reduced by nearly a quarter, and the enemy was thrown into disarray, their warhorses rearing and neighing, further fueling their anxiety. No matter how they tried to guess, they could never have imagined that the Sumo warriors, having lost their two pillars of strength, would be so courageous. They had only received news from spies within Longquan today, and thus launched their attack immediately, hoping to wipe out as many demoralized Longquan soldiers as possible and gain more spoils. Little did they know that their opponents had not only launched a preemptive attack but had also ambushed and trapped them. Now, their only option was to fight to the death.

Yuan Yueze's moves were elegant and natural, each movement fluid and effortless. Though the enemy soldiers were fierce and charged relentlessly, they couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes—a testament to the vast difference in strength. The Su Mo warriors behind him regarded him as a god, their killing intent intensifying.

Ba Feng Han, already a ruthless killer, showed no hesitation, wielding his longsword left and right, killing anyone in sight. His moves seemed casual, yet they chilled the hearts of his enemies. For instance, many of his attacks seemed to land in mid-air, yet the enemies seemed to willingly offer themselves up, always landing squarely on his "empty" attacks, utterly powerless to retaliate.

Ge Yuan, the least skilled of the four, was still a formidable fighter. His broadsword erupted with bursts of azure light, slicing down one charging enemy soldier after another.

The four points converged swiftly. Influenced by the four incredibly powerful leaders at the forefront, the Sumo warriors were filled with fighting spirit, throwing themselves into the battle with reckless abandon. For a time, they were unstoppable, the enemy overwhelmed and routed, screaming in agony.

Shouts of battle rose and fell, echoing across the battlefield, plunging the enemy into a nightmare of being attacked from both sides.

Ren Jun's hundred-man squad was the most formidable. His swordplay was incomparably sharp and powerful, wielded with effortless grace and enduring force. A single strike either killed the opponent instantly or sent them flying, weapon and all. No one could stop him for even a moment. Under his leadership, the hundred-man squad, like a raging dragon unleashed, swiftly tore a gap in the enemy formation and charged into its heart.

In the blink of an eye, nearly a thousand lay dead and wounded on the ground, only a very few of them Sumo warriors, demonstrating the ferocity of the battle.

Three dark figures suddenly shot out from different directions; they were the three leaders, clearly trying to escape after sensing danger.

Two flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, an arrow and a sword moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, piercing the backs of two of them. The force sent the two flying backward like kites with broken strings, crashing into the roadside woods with a "bang," ultimately pinning them to the trees, dying instantly without a sound. The thick trees swayed violently from the residual force, further demonstrating the speed and power of the attacks, and the two seemed to have a telepathic connection, instantly choosing their opponents—a tacit understanding that was equally impeccable.

The warriors of Su Mo immediately stopped their movements, cheering loudly.

The one who fired the sword was Yuan Yueze, and the one who shot the arrow was Ba Feng Han; the two exchanged a smile.

The third man had barely escaped ten paces when Ren Jun's ghostly figure caught up to him. With a shout, his cleaver transformed into a streak of green light, slashing repeatedly more than ten times. The wind from the blade howled as it struck him head-on. The fleeing man's mind had already been broken; he couldn't even resist, the mere wind of the blade terrified him to the point of utter panic. With a

"bang!"

, he was sent flying high into the air, then collapsed, lifeless.

Ge Yuan thrust his cleaver forward, pointing it at the Blackwater soldiers huddled together in the battle formation, and shouted in Turkic, "Tie Fuyou betrayed the Mohe. If you surrender, you may live; otherwise, you will suffer the same fate as the Blackwater Three Fiends!"

Yuan Yueze then realized that the three leaders were the infamous "Blackwater Three Fiends" he had heard of, known far and wide beyond the Great Wall. These three were handsome, but extremely cruel and ruthless, committing all sorts of evil deeds. Most despicable of all, they were raping women everywhere. Killing them today was considered a great act of charity.

At this moment, the enemy had less than 500 men left, but they were already surrounded. Only then did they realize that their opponents, numbering only around 400, had utterly routed their 2,000 elite soldiers. Their spirits sank, and they dared not resist any longer, abandoning their troops and kneeling to beg for mercy.

The Su Mo warriors erupted in thunderous cheers, looking at the four leaders, their hearts filled with no fear whatsoever. This victory had come at the perfect time for them.

-

Chapter 136 Bloodbath at the City Gate

The soldiers were exhausted. After returning to camp, Ge Yuan ordered the disbelieving soldiers to clean up the battlefield.

An hour later, the battlefield was cleared. In this battle, the Su Mo side lost 32 men, and most of the others were wounded to varying degrees. They annihilated 1,602 enemy soldiers, captured over 300, seized over 1,000 warhorses, and over 1,000 weapons—a resounding victory.

After cremating their comrades' bodies and holding a public memorial service, Yuan Yueze and his three companions sat around the central campfire amidst the admiring gazes of the surrounding soldiers. Soldiers immediately brought them roasted meat.

Ge Yuan said excitedly, "Thanks to the help of the three of you, otherwise our tribe's morale would never have recovered so quickly."

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "General Ge, please don't be so polite. Let's plan our next step as soon as possible!"

Ba Feng Han asked in a deep voice, "Brother Yuan, are you planning to carry out a 'decapitation operation' tonight?"

Ge Yuan and Ren Jun had fought too fiercely and beheaded more than a hundred enemy soldiers, but they had both suffered minor injuries. However, Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han seemed to have never experienced a fight. After their great victory, they spoke calmly and humbly, which made them even more admirable. Upon hearing this, Ge Yuan and the surrounding soldiers all showed curious expressions.

Ba Feng Han smiled and asked, "Do you know how lions and leopards hunt?"

While the warriors were still astonished, Ge Yuan showed a thoughtful expression. After a moment's thought, he connected the dots with Ba Feng Han's next words and said, "Lions and leopards are both expert hunters. They have fixed targets and thoroughly understand the habits and reactions of their prey before launching an attack to increase their chances of success."

Ba Feng Han nodded and said, "Lions move in packs, like invincible lions and armies of various tribes on the grasslands; leopards, on the other hand, are ghosts of the wilderness, solitary and lone like night thieves."

He then put a hand on Yuan Yueze's shoulder and said, "Brother Yuan is a born leopard, a ghost of the night."

The crowd was stunned, then burst into loud cheers. Even the warriors who were a little slower to react understood that the decapitation operation referred to a special tactic of assassinating the enemy leader.

Ge Yuan felt a surge of excitement and sighed, "This kind of thing is probably just a dream for others, but it's a piece of cake for Brother Yuan, ha!"

Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly, "This was forced upon me. In fact, if I were in perfect condition, I would even dare to try to assassinate Jieli among 100,000 Golden Wolf soldiers. But Jieli is likely protected by someone even more skilled than Fu Nanta. In my current state, I only dare to assassinate Tie Fuyou among a thousand men."

No one would laugh at his cowardice. They would say that such a crazy tactic was something that probably no one else in the world could come up with, let alone try to put into practice. This tactic was very special. It was special because once successful, the benefits would be unimaginable, but the difficulty was also unimaginable for ordinary people. However, even if Yuan Yueze only recovered 50% of his strength, what difficulty would it be for him to assassinate Tie Fuyou among a thousand men? Besides, there was Ge Yuan and others to cooperate with the attack from the inside and outside.

Ge Yuan's muscular body trembled slightly, and he clenched his fist, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, brothers."

Although he was a man of strong emotions, he was not foolish and was skilled in the ways of the battlefield. He immediately understood that Ba Feng Han's deliberate mention of the lion and leopard was a subtle way of reminding Ge Yuan to remain calm and remember the military principle of "know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

The four of them enjoyed their food and drink while formulating their next plan. Time was limited, and they could not afford to rest for long. Fortunately, their morale had been boosted, and there were still nearly a thousand soldiers stationed there, all of whom were full of energy and ready to carry out their mission at any time.

A minor leader suddenly came up to report that one of the Blackwater prisoners had confessed to the method of contacting Tie Fuyou. It turned out that Tie Fuyou had ordered the "Three Blackwater Fiends" to seize Xiaolongquan and immediately send a signal so that his more than 5,000 cavalry could quickly catch up. Occupying Xiaolongquan would not only pose a greater threat to Longquan, but also allow for both offense and defense, and enable them to rush into Longquan and seize its treasures at the first opportunity. It was truly an excellent plan.

Ba Feng Han laughed and said, "Tie Fuyou couldn't hold back and offered himself up. It seems that Brother Yuan's 'decapitation operation' will have to be temporarily shelved!"

Yuan Yueze shrugged and made a helpless expression. After the four of them laughed, they immediately decided to turn the tables and ordered their men to divide the work and begin setting up an ambush. After the Sumo warriors who had just acted with them spread the word, the other Sumo warriors also regarded them as gods and began to prepare.

Ge Yuan said casually, "Sun Tzu's Art of War says: 'If ten times their strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if twice, fight them; if equal, divide them; if few, escape; if weak, avoid them. Therefore, the strength of a small enemy leads to the capture of a large one.' Our plan doesn't conform to the principles of military strategy at all, yet we are confident of victory because we have three powerful individuals on our side who can change the course of events."

Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "General Ge, don't flatter us. Sun Tzu listed someone like me, 'deadly,' as the first of the five dangers for generals!"

Ge Yuan shook his head and said, "As the saying goes, 'Courage and cowardice are matters of momentum; strength and weakness are matters of form.' Although our current strength is weak, we have the initiative, and our momentum has reached an unprecedented level..."

Ba Feng Han waved his hand and said irritably, "Can you two speak properly? Don't show off in front of roughnecks like me and Xiao Jun!"

The four looked at each other and burst into laughter again.

An hour and a half later, Tie Fuyou personally led a large army to approach Xiaolongquan from the north without making a sound.

This intelligent and courageous Blackwater leader was short, stocky, and imposing, with a brightly colored crown on his head. His cavalry stretched as far as the eye could see, flanked by fifty elite men who had protected him for years; a single glance revealed them to be seasoned warriors.

"Your Majesty, that camp was destroyed by those three, Gurunalie and his companions. Why didn't they come out to greet us?"

A rider swiftly reached Tiefuyou's side, his speed barely creating a faint sound. The speaker, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, didn't resemble the refined and agile Sumo Mohe people; instead, he was rugged and somewhat cunning.

The "camp" he referred to was the one Yuan Yueze and his men had abandoned to lure the enemy deeper into their territory. No matter how shrewd Tiefuyou was, he couldn't have imagined the enemy's audacity, nor suspected any trickery. Gurunalie was the leader of the "Blackwater Three Fiends," the unfortunate elder brother who had been pierced by Yuan Yueze's sword.

Gazing at the stone fortress with its flickering flames ahead, Tie Fuyou's spirits lifted. He nodded and said, "We heard the deafening battle cries from this area a while ago. I didn't expect that even with Bai Ziting dead, the Sumo tribe still possesses such formidable fighting power. Gurunale's losses must have been considerable as well. Oh! Look, they've all set up camp and are resting under the stone fortress."

Several important Blackwater tribe figures looked in the direction he pointed. They saw over a hundred tents erected near the innermost stone wall in a natural valley northwest of the fortress. Blackwater banners fluttering in the wind indicated their allegiance. Each tent had a torch outside, and groups of Blackwater warriors, their heads wrapped in cloth, stood guard beside the camp.

Tie Fuyou's expression darkened. He raised his hand to signal a halt, and the main force immediately stopped, emitting only a faint sound.

Xiaolongquan's defenses were weak, with its main defensive force being the stone fortress built about half a mile from the shore. It could hold several hundred soldiers, more than enough to deal with pirates and bandits, but only good for a prelude to a large-scale invasion by the Turks or other foreign enemies. The Blackwater Three Fiends' vanguard force numbered two thousand; if they hadn't suffered heavy casualties, why would they be stationed here in a standoff instead of attacking immediately?

Tie Fuyou stared intently at the activity in the small valley camp, his expression cold. "What do you think of Yuan Yueze's actions in killing Fu Nanta and harming Si Bai Ziting in Longquan?"

This man was cunning; his clansmen showed no surprise. One of them pondered, "We can all guess his purpose in coming to the grasslands. His actions are likely to build momentum for Tuli. Everyone knows his relationship with Tuli, and our scouts reported that the two met near the Songhua River. As for what they discussed, outsiders have no idea." "Yes, but it's certain they've reached some kind of cooperative relationship. With this ruthless man's support, Tuli could very well ambush Jieli during the attack on Longquan. Coupled with the momentum Yuan Yueze has created for him, Tuli will definitely rise to power, perhaps even replacing Tuli."

Another person chimed in, "I don't think he'd choose the more complicated route to help the Longquan army, because that would be like throwing an egg against a rock."

Those who reacted a little slower realized that Tie Fuyou was worried about an ambush, and their admiration for him and his meticulous thinking reached a new level. The small valley before them possessed a geographical advantage, allowing for both offense and defense. Only someone with a sufficiently calm mind could still consider the possibility of an ambush under such circumstances.

Tie Fuyou nodded and gestured again.

The cavalry slowly advanced into the valley.

As Tie Fuyou walked and observed, he secretly admired the Blackwater Tribe's understanding of military tactics, noting that their camp was built against the mountainside, making them unafraid of enemy ambushes. Just as the Blackwater cavalry were about to reach the valley entrance, a strange, piercing howl suddenly rang out, echoing throughout the valley. Arrows rained down from the surrounding hills, a dense

, impenetrable barrage aimed at the Blackwater knights. Tie Fuyou knew something was wrong and shouted orders. The cavalry, without panic, quickly dispersed, galloping in all directions of the valley – the best way to deal with an ambush.

Wave after wave of arrows rained down. Even with the Blackwater soldiers' swift reaction, losses were still heavy. After another volley of arrows, deafening battle cries erupted from the hilltops on either side of the valley entrance. Thousands of spear-wielding Sumo warriors surged towards the enemy lines like a tidal wave, engaging in fierce combat. In an instant, hundreds of Blackwater cavalrymen were felled from their horses, their souls returning to the underworld.

Spear infantry are the natural nemesis of cavalry. Tie Fu gritted his teeth, yet remained calm, ordering, "Retreat to the depths of the valley!"

The forces, scattered for the emergency, began to regroup. The Blackwater cavalry ignored the cries of their comrades around them; they had to concentrate first before attempting a breakthrough, or face certain death.

Yuan Yueze, Ba Fenghan, and Ren Jun each led about three hundred Su Mo spear infantry, rapidly pursuing from three directions in a fan shape. Led by these three godlike figures, the Su Mo warriors were filled with fighting spirit, gripping their spears tightly and charging into the fleeing enemy ranks with lightning speed.

Like a virgin at first, the enemy opened their gates; then like a fleeing rabbit, the enemy had no chance to resist. This was the saying.

But the Blackwater cavalry's nightmare was far from over.

Having retreated deep into the valley near their camp, they had already lost over a thousand men. Before they could even catch their breath, a burst of fire arrows suddenly shot out from behind the camp, not targeting the Blackwater cavalry, but rather the military tents.

Teferi was immediately alarmed.

How could he not have suspected that the enemy might have laid traps deep in the valley? But the order he had just given was a last resort. The enemy had seized every opportunity, first using the terrain to break through their formation with a hail of arrows, then using spearmen against their cavalry to dismantle their advantage, and finally laying an ambush to rapidly weaken them—a truly masterful maneuver. Now, with several ambushes specifically designed to counter cavalry behind them and a sea of fire blocking their path ahead, the Blackwater Cavalry were instantly at their wits' end.

This was a meticulously planned scheme devised by Yuan Yueze and his three companions. Being close to Xiaolongquan, they could quickly replenish their weapons and supplies. Ge Yuan, being a commander, devised a plan to use spear infantry against the Blackwater cavalry. Yuan Yueze and the other two suggested this fire tactic: obtaining oil from Xiaolongquan and hiding it within a camp constructed of flammable leather. Ge Yuan would lead two hundred men to ambush in the deepest part, waiting to ignite the fire when the Blackwater cavalry were forced to retreat into the valley.

The success of this scheme ultimately stemmed from exploiting Tie Fuyou's underestimation of the enemy. This was understandable; no one expected the Longquan soldiers' morale to suddenly recover, daring to ambush six thousand cavalry with only a thousand infantry.

Fire arrows rained down on the camp like meteors, instantly setting over a hundred tents ablaze. In the blink of an eye, flames erupted everywhere. Some Blackwater cavalry who had retreated into the camp's perimeter were engulfed by countless tongues of fire before they could even escape, their cries of agony far more piercing than those from sword and spear attacks.

The Blackwater cavalry fled in panic, their faces blackened, uniforms tattered, a picture of utter defeat and utterly demoralized.

If there had been a strong wind in the valley, the fire attack might have been more effective; however, every loss has its gain. If that were the case, the Su Mo warriors would also have been harmed, and Yuan Yueze and his men would no longer dare to use this four-sided encirclement tactic.

Yuan Yueze and his two companions each led their troops to defend different routes, remaining still to recover their strength.

The real battle was about to erupt.

Tie Fuyou led about four thousand cavalrymen out of the fire, facing nine hundred spearmen from Yuan Yueze's three sides.

Yuan Yueze stood with his evil sword, sheathed, planted in the ground before him, hands behind his back; Ba Fenghan stood calmly, long sword on his shoulder; Ren Jun stood with legs slightly apart, hands on the ground, as upright as a mountain, eyes closed, regulating his breathing.

These three alone exerted an inexplicable pressure that made it difficult to breathe and impossible to muster the will to fight.

Seated on his horse, Tie Fuyou's face was grim, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. He coldly swept his gaze over the three men, led by Yuan Yueze, his expression turning ferocious as

he said hatefully, "Yuan Yueze, Ba Feng Han, Ren Jun! I never imagined you three would make such a sacrifice to win over the hearts of the Sumo people. Tie Fuyou admires you greatly!" His Chinese was excellent, which didn't surprise Yuan Yueze and the others, as they knew that leaders or royalty of the various tribes beyond the Great Wall were all fluent in the language.

Yuan Yueze's Evil Sword and Ren Jun's Long Sky Sword both had distinctive features, unforgettable at first glance, so Tie Fuyou naturally recognized them immediately. And Ba Feng Han, who roamed the grasslands and deserts, was also someone Tie Fuyou couldn't possibly not recognize. His words were more than just a pretext; on one hand, he was using the delay to give his men time to reorganize their ranks, and on the other hand, he was trying to sow discord between Yuan Yueze and his companions and the Sumo tribe, warning the Sumo people not to trust others too much. His words did have some effect. The Sumo warriors, who had just lost their spiritual pillar and were extremely vulnerable psychologically, although they revered Yuan Yueze and his companions like gods, began to ponder and whisper among themselves upon hearing his words, creating a slightly chaotic scene.

Ge Yuan led his men around the sea of fire to the other side of the Blackwater cavalry and shouted loudly, "Brothers Yuan and his companions are chivalrous and loyal, helping our tribe, while you, Tie Fuyou, are willing to be Jieli's lackey. Do you think you are more noble than Brothers Yuan and his companions? You are not worthy to be a member of our Mohe tribe!"

The Sumo warriors were already full of hostility towards the Blackwater tribe, and upon hearing this, they all shouted curses, successfully diverting their attention.

Ren Junhu glared, raised his halberd and pointed it at Tie Fuyou, shouting, "Stop with your words! Do you have the guts to fight me to the death?"

Tie Fuyou was a renowned expert on the grasslands, his strength beyond question. He had never been looked down upon like this before. He sneered disdainfully, "Killing two bandits makes you arrogant? You have no right to challenge me!"

After this delay, the Blackwater soldiers were no longer so chaotic. Upon hearing this, they cheered and their low morale began to rise.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han exchanged a glance and laughed, "What a joke! Let's see who's better, mule or horse, run them around a few times, and it'll be clear! Unless you're determined to send your men to their deaths while you find a chance to escape."

Ba Feng Han laughed loudly as well, "If you can defeat Xiao Jun, I, Ba Feng Han, swear by the gods of the grasslands that I will spare your lives tonight."

Ge Yuan, having witnessed the three men's prowess, knew that Ba Feng Han's words meant Ren Jun was certain of victory, and he also swore an oath.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han realized that Tie Fuyou was using this opportunity to reorganize the ranks and simultaneously rouse their demoralized will and confidence, hence his words pressuring him to duel immediately.

Ren Jun understood, drew his sword proudly, and stepped forward, saying, "Don't waste your energy. With your skills, my two brothers wouldn't even consider you a threat. The choice is yours—to fight or not to fight—it's a simple decision! The Sumo brothers behind us are not to be trifled with!"

His steps were steady and powerful, displaying immense confidence, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light, extremely intimidating. His words subtly boosted the morale of his own side, and the Sumo warriors immediately felt that he was a brother bound by life and death, not a subordinate. Looking at his retreating figure, they all showed respect.

In terms of numbers, the Blackwater Clan far surpassed the Sumo Clan, but the outcome of a war cannot be determined solely by numbers. Tie Fuyou was also a master of strategy, naturally understanding that boosting his own morale was crucial, and fighting Ren Jun was the simplest and quickest way to do so. He burst into laughter, dismounted, grabbed his spear, and slowly walked forward, saying, "Today, I, your king, will make you regret ever coming to the grasslands!" He

stopped about three zhang in front of Ren Jun, coldly scrutinizing Ren Jun, who still stood proudly with his sword pointed at him. The energy emanating from both sides clashed repeatedly, causing their clothes to flutter loudly.

The warriors on both sides began to shout encouragement, and a murderous aura instantly filled the air, the atmosphere of a decisive battle enveloping the valley.

A strange smile played on Ren Jun's lips as he calmly said, "Your Majesty, please!"

The straight cleaver in his hand trembled slightly, emitting a chilling hissing sound. A tangible force surged from the blade's tip, enveloping Tie Fuyou.

Tie Fuyou was surprised, realizing he had underestimated his opponent. He immediately gripped the spear shaft with both hands, his eyes flashing fiercely, and shouted, "Enough nonsense!"

Ren Jun roared "Good!"

and then, man and blade became one, transforming into a wisp of green light, lightly swirling towards Tie Fuyou's chest.

His sword technique was exceptionally profound, combining lightness with power; seemingly weak, it was actually ruthless, possessing an indescribable unpredictability. This immediately raised Tie Fuyou's opinion of his enemy.

This battle had to be quick; Ren Jun's attack was already his strongest strike.

A chilling aura suddenly surged, chilling to the bone.

The fierce blade energy pierced the air. Tie Fuyou dared not be careless, gathering his power at the tip of his spear, and slashing upwards.

"Clang!"

The spear struck Tie Fuyou's spear tip, producing a sharp, unpleasant, and piercing sound that lingered for a long time.

Both men were jolted back; Ren Jun only took one step, while Tie Fuyou staggered back two large steps.

The Blackwater cavalry were all astonished. Was their king really inferior to this newly risen up? The shouts were no longer as loud. The Su Mo warriors, however, roared wildly.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han nodded in approval; Ren Jun had indeed improved rapidly in recent days.

Gaining the upper hand, Ren Jun did not hesitate. He used strange footwork, pressing towards his opponent step by step, his movements possessing a strange rhythm, like the talisman of death.

Tie Fuyou didn't even have time to regret it. With a long howl, he rushed to attack. As he flashed forward, his spear thrust out from different angles, creating hundreds of unpredictable phantoms. The sound of air being torn apart rang out one after another, and a monstrous wave crashed towards Ren Jun, who moved seemingly slowly but actually very fast.

Ren Jun laughed loudly, his entire body instantly enveloped in a burst of emerald light, as he plunged into the overwhelming shadow of spears. The

clash of metal against metal rang out in rapid succession.

Tie Fuyou struggled to advance and retreat, his spirits waning after a series of exchanges with Ren Jun. His opponent's blade, seemingly casual, was actually perfectly executed, continuous and relentlessly precise, its angles incredibly tricky. He felt utterly lost, unsure of which aspect of his opponent's attack to counter. Even more deadly was the unpredictable force of his opponent's strikes, each blow drawing his spear and momentum in, preventing him from retreating and regrouping.

Suddenly, the countless spear shadows vanished, transforming into a single spear, flashing like lightning, piercing towards Ren Jun's abdomen. Simultaneously, Tie Fuyou screamed in agony, spitting blood as he was thrown towards the Blackwater cavalry's ranks, shouting hoarsely, "Attack!"

Ren Jun, not expecting his opponent to force him to retreat in a mutually destructive manner, sighed in regret as he hastily retreated.

Ge Yuan, who had been observing every move in the arena, immediately ordered an attack.

Shouts of battle echoed through the valley, and the direct confrontation finally began.

The Blackwater cavalry's morale, which had just begun to rise, plummeted again. But for survival, they had no choice but to fight with renewed vigor; killing one was enough, killing two was a bonus—a simple principle everyone understood.

Yuan Yueze and his three companions continued to charge at the forefront, cutting through the enemy ranks like vegetables.

Cavalry is best suited for fighting on wide plains, but in this valley, facing spearmen and with their own leaders defeated, the Blackwater army's advantage, except for numbers, had vanished.

In this life-or-death situation, the ferocity of the steppe people was ignited, and the Blackwater soldiers bravely resisted the encirclement of the Sumo infantry.

However, the situation was not optimistic; they could only fight and retreat. Tie Fuyou's fifty personal guards even tried to break out of the encirclement, protecting their exhausted master. But with Yuan Yueze and his few skilled warriors present, their repeated attempts only resulted in the deaths of more of their comrades.

After several exchanges, Yuan Yueze cut down the last of Tie Fuyou's personal guards, leaving only about a thousand Blackwater cavalrymen remaining.

Ba Feng Han killed the still-glaring Tie Fuyou with a single sword strike, shouting loudly. The blood-soaked Sumo warriors echoed his cry, intensifying their attack.

The valley floor was littered with blood and flesh, piles of bones, a scene of utter devastation, creating a bleak and terrifying spectacle against the backdrop of the gray haze.

The battle lasted for nearly half an hour before the shouts gradually subsided.

With the last Blackwater cavalryman killed, the valley returned to silence, save for the heavy, exhausted breathing of the Sumo warriors, still breathing, slumped about, some sitting, some lying down.

Ren Jun and Ge Yuan slumped to the ground, their faces deathly pale, but their eyes held a strange, unadulterated joy.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, also exhausted, sat down to recuperate.

After the two regained some of their strength, they opened their eyes to find the sky much clearer, the stars and moon faintly visible, and many Sumo soldiers carrying torches cleaning the battlefield.

Yuan Yueze looked around; Ren Jun and Ge Ai were nowhere to be seen, and most of the Sumo warriors who had fought alongside them were also absent. A beautiful, long-legged woman named Zong Xianghua, dressed in a sleek outfit, was issuing commands around a campfire in the valley not far away.

The two got up and went over to greet her.

Zong Xianghua turned around, a look of delight flashing across her pretty face, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she carefully examined the two.

The campfire cast a soft glow on her graceful silhouette, giving her an indescribable air of mystery and aloofness.

Feeling slightly embarrassed by the woman's bold gaze, Yuan Yueze quickly changed the subject, asking what had happened.

They had been recuperating for several hours, and it was now past midnight. After the battle, Ge Yuan sent out the remaining warriors to inform the people of Longquan to clean up the battlefield. Zong Xianghua and Ke Subie, in high spirits, came to the scene to fetch the exhausted warriors. Ge Yuan and Ke Subie, both exhausted, were carried back to Longquan to rest. Yuan Yueze and Ke Subie were recuperating, so no one dared to disturb them.

Zong Xianghua solemnly said, "In this battle, our side suffered over four hundred casualties, annihilated over six thousand enemy cavalry, and acquired abundant spoils. From tomorrow onwards, the Blackwater Tribe will have no influence. On behalf of my people, I thank the three of you for your righteousness."

---

Chapter 137 Supreme Duel

At this moment, soldiers of the Sumo tribe, constantly cleaning up the battlefield, looked at Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han with admiration and gratitude.

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han quickly exchanged polite words. Zong Xianghua glanced at Yuan Yueze again and sighed, "Jieli is going to be in deep trouble this time!"

Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han exchanged a glance, knowing that they had earned the respect of this aloof woman through their strength and performance. Then they smiled bitterly to themselves: Tonight they had displayed their might, annihilating nearly ten thousand elite Blackwater cavalry. But the Golden Wolf Army was not only more powerful than the Blackwater cavalry, but also outnumbered them by more than ten times. Facing such a large and ferocious force, no one dared to boast of victory. Zong Xianghua's behavior represented the thoughts of the Sumo people who were loyal to Bai Ziting; the followers of Fu Nanta would probably not easily accept Yuan Yueze and his companions.

Zong Xianghua's clear voice rang in their ears again, saying, "Our scouts ahead have reported that Jieli's Golden Wolf Army has been marching eastward, killing and burning along the way, destroying many market camps, and raping and murdering countless women and children. Their cruelty is intolerable."

Upon hearing this, a chilling glint flashed in the eyes of the two men, and they both looked northeast. In the deepest part of the valley, flames blazed into the sky, and the raging flames sent billowing thick smoke high into the air, obscuring the faint starlight and moonlight that had just begun to appear in that area.

After a long silence, Yuan Yueze coldly snorted, "Let Jieli see for himself how powerful I am as the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry!"

Zong Xianghua asked in astonishment, "When did you become the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry

, young master?" Yuan Yueze glanced at her adorable surprised expression and said smugly, "I am not talented. I just appointed

myself Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry tonight. Brother Ba is the Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry, and Xiao Jun is his deputy!" Ba Feng Han gave him a punch in annoyance, shrugged, and spread his hands, indicating that he had no interest in his "appointment".

Zong Xianghua instantly understood, letting out a melodious laugh that stunned Yuan Yueze and his companion, who had only ever seen her with a cold demeanor.

Realizing her lapse in composure, Zong Xianghua quickly regained her composure and said calmly, "Please rest in Longquan. At the latest, by dusk the day after tomorrow, Jieli's army will arrive at the walls of Longquan."

A fierce killing intent flashed in both Yuan Yueze and his companion's eyes. They nodded and followed the respectfully leading soldier out of the valley.

April 1st.

Chengdu, Qintai Road.

A graceful figure, dressed in simple white robes and barefoot, appeared on a rooftop in the middle of the road.

Her peerless face was serene, her beautiful eyes, like two bright stars in the deep night sky, tranquil and pleasing. She gazed affectionately down at the street where the great Western Han Dynasty poet Sima Xiangru and the beautiful and talented Zhuo Wenjun had once lived. Shops lined the street, buildings rose and fell, rooftops sloping, their simple colors conveying a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A gentle breeze stirred, her skirt fluttering, her long, black hair reaching her hips contrasting sharply with her white dress and snow-white skin.

As she gazed, a peaceful smile appeared on Wanwan's lips.

Today was a very special day for both Chengdu and the Demonic Sect.

The Demonic Sect Conference was being held today. After centuries of division, the Demonic Sect had finally reached a point of unification. The only obstacle standing before Wanwan was the "Evil King," Shi Zhixuan. After a

long while, Wanwan vanished from her spot, moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye towards the end of Qintai Road. One moment she stood proudly atop the eaves, the next she was strolling leisurely down the street, hands behind her back. In an instant, she turned off the main street, disappeared into the alley, and vanished without a trace. Ordinary people couldn't even detect her movement; it only seemed mysterious and inexplicable.

When Wanwan's figure became clear again, she had landed in a quaint and quiet mansion in the west of the city.

Pushing open the door to the main hall, Wanwan slowly entered.

The hall was empty, without a single person in sight.

Wanwan showed no surprise, gracefully walking to the tiger-skin-backed chair in the center of the room and sitting down, closing her eyes to rest.

Less than a quarter of an hour before the meeting was scheduled to begin, a series of footsteps, inaudible to ordinary people but thunderous to Wanwan, sounded outside the door. Then, several figures appeared in the room.

The newcomers were Bichen from Laojun Temple, Yin Zuwen and Xu Liuzong from the Extinction of Emotion Sect, An Long and Fu Gongshi from the Heavenly Lotus Sect, and Zuo Youxian, a true disciple of the Dao Ancestor. Without even exchanging greetings, they took their seats on either side of the platform. Though their outward appearances remained impassive, their eyes flashed with a fierce light, all focused on Wanwan in the center.

Wanwan remained motionless and silent, her expression solemn and dignified. Her seemingly casual posture, ethereal and dreamlike, possessed an elusive quality, as if she might vanish at any moment, evoking a poignant sense of loss and sorrow for the beauty of the past—a uniquely captivating and mysterious charm.

Wanwan slowly opened her beautiful eyes. Her pair of deep blue pupils, like an endless starry sea, shone brightly, adding a touch of bewitching and sinister allure.

A sharp, sword-like gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and a smile no one could decipher played on Wanwan's lips.

A unspoken thought crossed their minds: could she have also mastered the Demon Seed Technique? What followed was a chilling realization: each of them was a peerless expert, and they clearly saw that as Wanwan's gaze swept over each person, it lingered for a long time, yet their sense of time told them that Wanwan merely glanced at them briefly before withdrawing her gaze in the blink of an eye. These two diametrically opposed extremes of speed and slowness in time were the essence of the Demon Seed Technique. Even more terrifying was the feeling of utter helplessness that followed Wanwan's gaze. They exchanged understanding glances, barely suppressing their horror.

Wanwan parted her cherry lips slightly, her voice sweet and gentle, surpassing even the heavenly music, and said: "Since the ancestor of our Holy Sect, 'Heavenly Demon' Cangqu, searched the world for rare and exotic books, and compiled them into the ten volumes of 'Heavenly Demon Strategy,' he created two sects and six paths. After the development of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Five Pecks of Rice Sect at the end of the Han Dynasty, and then after the 'Holy Ruler' Mu Qingliu at the end of the Jin Dynasty failed to realize his wish of 'Holy Sect ruling the world,' it became fragmented. Today, Wanwan, in the name of the three sects of Yin Gui Sect, Holy Extreme Sect, and Demon Xiang Sect, announces: the two paths and six sects of the Holy Sect are reunited. Does anyone have any objections?"

The people sitting there were all people who could make decisions in the various branches of the Demon Sect. Upon hearing this, they all groaned in unison, seemingly not quite agreeing with Wanwan's words.

Yin Zuwen said expressionlessly, "Brother Shi, who represents the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Sect, did not attend today's conference. How could Wan'er be so careless?"

After the Spring Festival, Li Yuan began to sideline Yin Zuwen. If Li Yuan hadn't been so easily swayed, he would have killed him long ago. However, Yin Zuwen showed no remorse and instead suspected that Yuan Yueze and others had informed Li Yuan, leading to his current predicament. Today, in addition to witnessing the Demonic Sect Conference, he also came to vent his anger.

Zuo Youxian chuckled sinisterly, "It's said that Commander Yan disappeared long ago, passing his mantle to Wan'er. Has he gone off to live a quiet life in seclusion in the mountains?"

Fu Gongshi continued in a low, effeminate voice, "Since today is the day our Holy Sect is unified, why hasn't Wan'er produced the Holy Relic? Wasn't the Yang Gong Treasure Vault already in Brother Yuan's hands?"

This man, as Du Fuwei's sworn brother, An Long's junior brother, and the second-in-command of the Jianghuai Army, had no choice but to put aside his deep-seated hatred for his master's murder after being utterly defeated by Kou Zhong, and temporarily chose to ally with An Long, hoping to avenge himself later.

Wanwan lowered her gaze, listening to the accusations from these people who were not convinced of her authority. They kept calling her "Wan'er." While the strict hierarchy within the Demonic Sect was one reason, more importantly, these people didn't recognize Wanwan as the supreme leader of the Demonic Sect, so they found various reasons to make things difficult for her. However, they all suppressed their fear as they spoke, for they clearly noticed that Wanwan's eyes were fixed on them as each person spoke, yet she never actually raised her eyelids. This profound spiritual cultivation far surpassed that of the others.

Wanwan still did not raise her eyes, nor did she answer their questions. She said calmly, "In terms of seniority, all of you here are Wanwan's elders, but after the Holy Sect is unified, Wanwan will be the new 'Holy Empress.' Please remember this well; I will not repeat myself." Anlong

let out a deafening laugh, somewhat like a pig's wail, extremely unpleasant, as if his laughter pierced through to the bone marrow, stirring up waves. Then he sneered, "Brother Shi hasn't even nodded yet, so what right does Wan'er have to proclaim herself 'Holy Empress'?" Wanwan was

not annoyed by his provocation. She looked up at him and smiled, "Wanwan respects everyone, that's why I'm sitting here..." "We're trying to negotiate politely here. If we weren't all fellow disciples, and if you didn't control various forces and sources of income, Wanwan would have already resolved this by force."

Ignoring the angry stares of the crowd, she raised her slender, translucent hand, her beautiful eyes flashing with murderous intent, and coldly said, "The Stone Demon King is in Chengdu. If he dares to come, why hasn't he shown himself? If you, Anlong, can withstand one of my palm strikes, Wanwan will serve you as her master from now on!"

Anlong, one of the eight great masters of the evil path, had never been treated with such contempt. Hearing this, his fat, round face turned bright red, and he gritted his teeth for a long time without daring to speak again. It wasn't that he was cowardly; it was simply that, as a member of the demonic sect, his admiration and fear of the demonic sect's number one extraordinary skill, the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, far surpassed that of ordinary people. Moreover, he clearly sensed that he was tightly locked by an invisible yet tangible yin energy field, unable to move his entire body, let alone speak.

In terms of seniority, Pi Chen was two generations older than Wan Wan. He said expressionlessly, "The Soul-Locking Technique of the Demon Seed Art is indeed unpredictable and bizarre. However, if you wish to become the 'Holy Empress,' you still have one hurdle to overcome. We are here today to provide the Evil King with strategic guidance. July 14th, Phoenix Mountain, a battle to determine the supreme ruler!"

Wan Wan silently withdrew her aura, and An Long breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he hadn't acted impulsively, otherwise he would surely have died at Wan Wan's hands. Experts of their level relied on the life force emitted by their opponents—such as the flow of blood, pulse, and heartbeat—to track their location. But Wan Wan's Soul-Locking Technique was clearly far superior. An Long and the others had just seen Shi Zhixuan in the south of the city, and Shi Zhixuan had muttered to himself, "She's here!"

At the time, they were completely awestruck by Shi Zhixuan's profound cultivation, but little did they know that Wanwan was no less capable than him, and both of their primordial spirits had long been locked away. This kind of absurd and nonsensical technique, as outsiders would describe, was utterly terrifying.

Wanwan thought to herself, no wonder these guys were so fearless; it turned out they had Shi Zhixuan backing them up. So she nodded and said, "Please tell the Evil King that Wanwan will definitely be there!"

A battle between her and Shi Zhixuan was inevitable anyway, and since he had challenged her, why wouldn't she accept?

Having achieved her goal of the challenge, Anlong and the others didn't linger and immediately got up and left.

The Demonic Sect revered the law of the jungle, and from the eyes of Anlong and the others, Wanwan could see their fanatical worship and admiration for Shi Zhixuan; otherwise, they would never have dared to oppose her. Thinking of how Shi Zhixuan had tricked Liu Yu during the Spring Festival and absorbed a considerable amount of internal energy, she secretly warned herself not to underestimate him.

Dusk fell.

Yuan Yueze and Shi Feixuan sat facing each other at the round table with their eyes closed.

After wiping out the Blackwater cavalry the night before, the group launched another surprise attack yesterday, routing Abaojia's 5,000-strong Hawk Army stationed by Meituo Lake. Abaojia, like Tie Fuyou, never expected the Sumo Army to launch a preemptive strike, resulting in him being surrounded by 3,000 Sumo infantry. Except for a few who escaped, most were killed. After returning to the city, thanks to the deliberate hype and propaganda from Ke Subie and others, Yuan Yueze and his two companions gained considerable influence in Longquan. Although the followers of Funantha still looked at him with murderous eyes, they at least dared not openly act recklessly. As for Bai Ziting's loyal followers, they idolized the three of them.

Last night, at the end of the 5-7 PM, the vanguard of the Golden Wolf Army, approximately 40,000 men, had arrived one mile outside Longquan, and subsequently split into two groups, stationed in the west and south of the city. Then, wave after wave of cavalrymen arrived about half a mile outside the city, creating a deafening roar to intimidate the soldiers and civilians of Longquan, but they never launched a direct attack.

Ba Feng Han recognized this as Jie Li's renowned strategy on the grasslands: as they approached the battlefield, they divided their soldiers into groups, taking turns fighting. Maintaining a state of full-scale offensive, they gave the enemy no time to rest. This tactic was remarkably effective on the plains, and combined with his harassing squads, they devoured everything in their path like locusts.

Two days ago, with Longquan's morale low, if the enemy had launched a fierce attack from all sides, Longquan probably wouldn't have lasted even half a day. But now it was different. A large portion of the soldiers and civilians were filled with fighting spirit, and Ge Yuan even ordered his men to shout insults from the city walls, their morale no less than that of the Golden Wolf Army.

The two opened their eyes simultaneously, meeting Yuan Yueze's undisguised gaze.

Shi Feixuan, slightly embarrassed, blushed and changed the subject, saying, "Young Master, do you really intend to lead this weak Longquan army against the ferocious Golden Wolf army of 100,000?" Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback, saying, "'Leading' is an inaccurate word. Feixuan should know my abilities. I'm good at leading troops into battle, but I'm not suited for strategic command, because I only know how to talk about war on paper. The situation is already on the verge of exploding, and if I leave now, my conscience will be uneasy."

Shi Feixuan nodded silently, seemingly understanding, and

said, "Why can't people live in peace?" Her words, which many would consider naive and simple, were not unusual, but rather a return to her most genuine self. Yuan Yueze gave her a sense of kinship; the two had engaged in a spiritual exchange, a wonderful experience that defied description.

Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Feixuan already knows the answer in her heart, why ask again?"

Shi Feixuan sighed, "Since ancient times, after people learned to center their thoughts on themselves and had desires, their desires became uncontrollable. The grasslands are a region with weak ethical and legal awareness; relatively speaking, people's thoughts tend to be primitive, but also more barbaric and unrestrained."

Yuan Yueze agreed, "No matter how prosperous and developed a culture becomes, if humanity wants to survive, it cannot escape the most primitive law of nature, 'survival of the fittest.' We live in an era that glorifies violence; only the strong can obtain supreme authority and are worthy of dominating the earth." There are biological activities. "

Master Fei Xuan nodded slightly and said: "Young Master is here to purify the paradise on earth which is full of violence and hatred.

Yuan Yueze laughed out loud and said, "I'm not that great!" I just don’t want my conscience to be condemned and I just want to do my part. I have no interest in worldly life and fighting for fame and fortune. Oh! Feixuan thinks I'm lying. "

In this peaceful atmosphere, the two of them focused their energies on each other. Through the magical and mysterious mental induction, they could naturally grasp the other's psychological activities. Master Feixuan's face turned red when she heard this, and she shook her head slightly, but did not answer him.

Yuan Yueze said: "Feixuan must have thought of all the good wives in my family, so she had the idea that I didn't mean what I said. Or..."

At this point, he stopped and said with a strange smile: "Has Fei Xuan noticed my 'ambition'? "

Shi Feixuan still sat quietly at first, but when she heard what happened later, she immediately felt extremely embarrassed. She shouted angrily with a red face: "You are not allowed to say anything anymore! ”

What exactly this “ambition” is is self-evident.

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily, feeling a charming sense of playful banter with her. At this moment, Shi Feixuan, though not quite like a fairy, possessed a real, flesh-and-blood quality.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, causing Yuan Yueze, who was about to tease her further, to immediately stop. Shang Xiufang's gentle voice rang out from outside, saying, "Jieli has reached the city gates. General Ge requests that you come over for a talk, my husband."

Yuan Yueze's face darkened, then he made a helpless expression, tapping his bracelet. Shi Feixuan nodded with a complicated expression.

Yuan Yueze patted her shoulder, laughing, "Feixuan, don't worry. Even the worst outcome is that they capture me. You know very well how strong my body is."

Shi Feixuan gave him a flustered glare, which only made Yuan Yueze laugh even harder.

Outside the West and South Gates, rows upon rows of orderly torches illuminated the mountains and fields, dimming the stars and moon, turning the night sky fiery red.

The three Yuan brothers, along with Ke Subie and other Su Mo generals, gathered on the southwest corner of the city wall, their faces grim.

The closest vanguard, numbering about seven thousand, had advanced to within a few hundred feet of the city gate. Jieli's banner was atop a hill about a mile away, and the total force visible was at least eighty thousand, all cavalry. No siege equipment was visible, suggesting they were likely hidden in a distant dense forest. They were a formidable force, their morale soaring.

Yuan Yueze glanced back; the soldiers, including Ge Yuan, were ashen-faced. Facing the Golden Wolf Army, far more ferocious and numerous than the Blackwater Cavalry and the Hawk Army, their morale was further shattered. This was understandable, as the Golden Wolf Army possessed the strength to sweep across the grasslands and even dominate the Central Plains without resistance.

Yuan Yueze exchanged a glance with Ba Feng Han and said, "You are all from the grasslands, so you are naturally more familiar with Jieli. What are your thoughts?"

Ge Yuan forcibly suppressed his panic and said, "Now that Jieli has arrived, they should launch an attack soon. However, judging from their current formation, they are not yet fully arrayed, so the attack may be delayed, or even postponed until tomorrow morning."

Ren Jun interjected, "The walls of Longquan City are only five zhang high. Anyone with a strong foundation in light-footed martial arts can easily leap over them. We cannot allow them to reach the city walls!"

This was something everyone could see. More importantly, the morale of Longquan had been shattered by the enemy. Let alone defending the city, even escape would be difficult.

Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "Now Jie Li has no one left to use. As long as we hold out until Tu Li, as Brother Yuan mentioned, comes to our aid, we will have a chance to counterattack."

Yuan Yueze sensed his dissatisfaction with his old rival and did not defend Tu Li, saying, "We are full of energy now, why don't we take advantage of the enemy's lack of preparation and launch a surprise attack outside the city?"

Ke Subie and the others showed expressions of shock, but they all knew that he had no other choice. Otherwise, Longquan would have been crushed by the Golden Wolf Army due to low morale.

Ba Feng Han said, "This time, the three of us brothers will lead the way, and General Ge will stay on the city wall to observe the battle and familiarize himself with the enemy's combat habits."

A look of gratitude flashed in Ge Yuan's eyes, and he nodded with a wry smile. He got along well with Yuan Yueze and the other two, and though they were only casual acquaintances, they had deep conversations. If it weren't for his duty, he would have wanted to live and die with them. Ba Feng Han was aloof and arrogant, but his words warmed Ge Yuan's heart, and he understood that Ba Feng Han was worried about him being in danger.

Longquan's fighting strength was less than 50,000, so they selected 3,000 of their most elite cavalry. They rode their best warhorses with their hooves wrapped in cloth, so they could approach the enemy silently and launch a surprise attack. Every soldier was armed with a sharp weapon and carried a quiver of arrows, fully prepared.

These 3,000 elite soldiers knew that Yuan Yueze and the other two were leading the charge, and their fighting spirit surged. This showed the prestige of the three men in Longquan's army.

Standing before the slowly opening south gate, the usually taciturn Ba Feng Han rallied the troops, declaring, "My two brothers and I will be at the forefront, swearing to live and die with you, my brothers of Su Mo!"

Ren Jun, his face flushed with excitement, echoed, sword in hand, "To protect our families in Longquan, we swear to fight to the death!"

Yuan Yueze, riding on Ren Jun's back, was also filled with righteous indignation, brandishing his sword and shouting, "Having fought a hundred battles in the yellow sands, clad in golden armor, we will not return until the Golden Wolves are defeated!"

The three thousand elite troops were greatly affected, raising their swords, spears, and halberds above their heads, responding in unison, "We will not return! We will not return!"

At this moment, morale miraculously reached an unprecedented peak.

Ke Subie and the others watched with tears in their eyes. While Yuan Yueze and his two brothers might not be fit to be commanders, they were undoubtedly top-notch warriors on the battlefield. Without them, the fate of Longquan was unimaginable. Even if Fu Nanta hadn't died, there would have been no way to resist the Golden Wolf army, which outnumbered locusts, let alone the utterly absurd act of venturing out of the city to meet them head-on!

The ability to turn the impossible into the possible is a characteristic and strength of the most outstanding figures in any era.

The city gates finally swung open.

Yuan Yueze and his two companions charged forward,

covering half a mile in a swift, silent flight. A gentle

night breeze blew as Yuan Yueze stood on his horse, images of the Chao Lu family flashing through his mind, finally catching the glimpse of Bayin's clear eyes and childlike voice. A wave of sorrow washed over him, yet his heart remained calm and serene. His spiritual senses expanded to boundless limits. With a clear whistle, he transformed into a dazzling bolt of lightning, the first to charge towards the Golden Wolf Army camp hundreds of paces away. His evil sword, without any fancy flourishes, slashed, thrust, sliced, and cut, unleashing a series of attacks with ever-changing intent. The power and ferocity were like a thousand troops traversing a battlefield, yet the desolation was like the endless falling leaves of a cold, desolate autumn—a breathtaking spectacle. Before

the sensations even reached his brain, a dozen or so strong Golden Wolf soldiers had already fallen victim to his attack.

On the city wall, Ge Yuan and the others exchanged wry smiles: they could have launched a volley of arrows first, but who would have thought that Yuan Yueze, usually so indifferent, would act so impulsively? However, remembering that the main purpose of this battle was to boost morale and their own, not to annihilate the enemy's forces, they weren't too surprised. At Zong Xianghua's rallying cry, more and more Longquan soldiers surged onto the city wall, seeing their own forces gaining momentum, wishing they could be part of the raiding party.

Yuan Yueze charged into the enemy ranks without holding back, unleashing the most ruthless and cold-blooded slaughter, instantly tearing a terrible gap in the enemy formation.

Amidst the surging emotions, Ba Fenghan and Ren Jun led their troops to the scene.

The bugle sounded, and the enemy cavalry quickly and orderly regrouped, forming ranks and launching a counterattack.

Yuan Yueze's offensive was extremely domineering, with no superfluous movements in his attacks. Simple and direct, yet it gave people a sense of perfect elegance. When he went all out, no Golden Wolf soldier could block his sword. Ba Fenghan's sword, on the other hand, was light yet heavy, clumsy yet ever-changing. With a flash of cold light, one Golden Wolf soldier after another was cut down. After undergoing marrow cleansing and hair removal and comprehending the Concentration Technique and the Sun and Moon Brightening the Sky Technique, he summarized a set of mental techniques and swordsmanship that suited him, and his progress was rapid. Ren Jun, the former greenhorn, was no longer the same as before. At this moment, his killing intent was surging and his hatred was boundless. His feelings for Qige made him wish he could devour Jieli alive. He slashed wildly with one sword after another, like lightning and thunder, with great power and unparalleled sharpness. The Golden Wolf soldiers who opposed him all felt that they could not withstand his sharpness.

As Yuan Yueze and his two companions tore through the enemy lines like unstoppable killing machines, the Golden Wolf Army fought and retreated. Cheers and shouts erupted from the walls of Longquan City, as soldiers cheered for Yuan Yueze, his companions, and their comrades.

Although Ge Yuan was excited, he had to maintain a calm perspective. Suddenly, he frowned and shouted, "Not good! Sound the retreat!"

The surrounding generals and soldiers looked at him in astonishment.

Outside the city, the sound of horns echoed across the land, followed by the thunderous roar of hooves.

---

Chapter 138 Bloodbath at the City Gate

With the horns and the sound of hooves, a rain of arrows suddenly flew from both sides of the retreating Golden Wolf Army. Ten thousand arrows were unleashed, filling the sky like locusts, aimed directly at the advancing Yuan Yueze and his companions, and the elite Su Mo troops behind them. Each arrow was powerful and heavy, like meteors piercing the sun, momentarily obscuring the vast starlight and moonlight covering the Meituo Plain.

Then, over a thousand fierce cavalry charged out from both flanks of the enemy formation, advancing in a circular formation like a tidal wave as the central vanguard retreated. The cavalry charged like a whirlwind, creating a sense of carnage and overwhelming momentum. Every soldier on horseback drew their bows, ready to pounce. The enemy's central vanguard also halted its retreat and began a counterattack.

Although Yuan Yueze was consumed by bloodlust, his composure remained unwavering. He immediately sensed the danger and, without pause, roared, "Retreat back into the city! Those who disobey will die!"

Before leaving the city, Ge Yuan had instructed the three thousand elite troops to obey the orders of Yuan Yueze and his two companions. Influenced by the three men's leadership, these three thousand elite troops were unleashing their pent-up anger and frustration against the Golden Wolf Army. Suddenly confronted with a rain of arrows, they had no time to react; more than half had already been struck and fallen from their horses. Only about a thousand elite troops managed to retreat in time. Although they were concerned for Yuan Yueze and his companions, who hadn't retreated even half a step, military orders preceded their retreat.

The bugles of the Golden Wolf Army sounded rhythmically again, and hundreds of cavalrymen from each flank pursued the fleeing Su Mo army.

At that moment, the sound of retreat echoed from the walls of Longquan City.

Ge Yuan was frantic. He finally understood why the Golden Wolf Army had unusually retreated instead of fighting to the death; clearly, the enemy had planned this in advance, and the retreat was merely a lure. While the loss of most of their forces was regrettable, what worried him even more was that Yuan Yueze and his two companions had retreated instead of advancing, charging into the enemy ranks.

He exchanged a helpless glance with Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua, and the three smiled bitterly. This expedition was intended to boost morale, but the cunning Jieli had seen through their scheme, using it to lure the Su Mo people into a trap. Yuan Yueze and his companions remained at the front because they couldn't retreat; otherwise, they risked making things worse, and the morale of Longquan would never be able to rise again. The actions of Yuan Yueze and his two companions had thoroughly impressed the generals of Su Mo, but they were worried about how they would escape the enemy lines. The Golden Wolf army was well-organized and increasingly numerous. After a prolonged battle, the three were exhausted and their strength was severely depleted; they might eventually be worn down and die from exhaustion.

As the three charged in different directions, although they were surrounded, the Golden Wolf army's formidable iron bows and arrows became completely ineffective. Chaos immediately erupted within the Golden Wolf ranks, and they could only use heavy weapons such as spears, halberds, iron clubs, and broadswords to attack the three in close combat.

Then, another bugle call, with its varying rhythms, sounded. The chaotic Golden Wolf army received the order and quickly regrouped, transforming from individual fighting into a disciplined and organized force. They launched wave after wave of attacks on Yuan Yueze and his companions, unleashing a torrent of spears, swords, halberds, and arrows. The three groups of Golden Wolf soldiers constantly shifted their speed, coordinating their attacks with breathtaking tactical precision. The center forwards changed tactics, spreading out under the command of the bugle, their attack speed undiminished. Enemies on both flanks rushed in from the left and right, like two dark clouds engulfing them.

Together, the three had killed at least a thousand Golden Wolf soldiers, but the enemy was countless, and their energy was severely depleted, teetering on the brink of exhaustion. They could hardly withstand this high-intensity, relentless battle. Yuan Yueze, due to his special physical condition, fared somewhat better, while Ba Feng Han and the other two were both slightly injured. None were serious, but the lack of time to heal their wounds meant that blood loss could become a factor leading to defeat if the battle dragged on.

The three were of one mind. Just as Yuan Yueze was about to issue a firm order, Ba Feng Han and the other two understood that Yuan Yueze wouldn't back down, so they stayed behind to accompany him. Little did Yuan Yueze know, he was secretly lamenting that if this dragged on, Ba Feng Han and the other two wouldn't be of much help, but would instead be a burden. Even so, he felt a surge of emotion; these were true friends, these were true brothers!

With twin swords and a scalpel, he charged through the Golden Wolf Army's ranks, his movements chilling and menacing, unleashing powerful bursts of true energy that, like invisible weapons, felled enemies wherever their blades struck. In the distance, illuminated by torchlight and the starlight, a hundred-foot radius lay a horrifying scene of severed limbs and headless corpses, a veritable hellish abyss.

The Turks, inherently fierce, fought with increasing ferocity, their attacks escalating as they trampled over the bodies of their fallen comrades. The battle was intense, blood splattering across the night sky, creating patches of crimson—a truly gruesome sight.

The moment the enemy's horns sounded, Yuan Yueze immediately realized this was all a trap set by Jie Li; the scene before him was the true face of the Golden Wolf Army, their earlier retreat a mere pretense. These nomadic tribes, originating from the northern deserts, were fierce and warlike, their ferocity ignited by bloodshed. Having grown up in war, their combat experience was unparalleled. Their reckless attacks were truly terrifying; even with the strength of these three, they would ultimately only die from exhaustion. Just as

Yuan Yueze had stabbed a soldier resembling a Golden Wolf Army squad leader to death, a powerful killing intent surged forth with the turbulent air currents, accompanied by a fleeting, sharp chill that swept through the air. The attacker's features were not yet clear, but his eyes, gleaming with a sharp light, were unforgettable.

At the same time, another figure shot out from the Turkic army, performing a somersault and landing on Ba Feng Han's head. With a seemingly light yet powerful kick, he aimed for Ba Feng Han's crown. The skill was so extraordinary that only those who witnessed it could believe that a mere kick could reach such a level. A blade of light shot out from another direction of the Turkic army formation, striking directly at Ren Jun, who was exhausted and had not yet replenished his strength. The sharp blade energy it generated was like a sandstorm sweeping across a parched desert.

Yuan Yueze's true energy was abundant, and although it was greatly depleted, he still had the ability to retaliate. He raised his sword to parry the attacker's ever-changing staff stance, and both sides were simultaneously shaken and forced back half a step. In the lightning-fast moment when the iron staff was deflected, Yuan Yueze actually thrust out a second sword with unbelievable speed and an extremely tricky angle. Under the pull of his energy, the attacker's iron staff was pulled back and released again, bringing astonishing pressure as he clashed head-on with the evil sword.

"Clang clang clang!"

The three groups clashed simultaneously, and the sounds of crisp and dull metallic energy colliding rang out one after another, with cold energy swirling wildly.

The three attackers retreated after their attack, instantly disappearing into the Golden Wolf army formation, which, like tigers and wolves, pounced madly again.

Ren Jun, already at his limit, could not withstand such a heavy blow. Like a kite with a broken string, he was thrown from his horse, spitting blood as he crashed into Ba Feng Han, who had just regained his footing and was now deathly pale.

"Whoosh!"

A powerful arrow shot out from the numerous but orderly ranks of the Golden Wolf Army, aiming straight for Ba Feng Han's temple as he reached out to support Ren Jun. It was accurate and ruthless, a sight to behold.

Ba Feng Han remained calm in the face of danger, perfectly controlling the angle and trajectory of the arrow in a flash. He used his iron claws to grab the arrow, catching it squarely.

Only less than a thousand members of the Su Mo tribe escaped to the south gate. Ge Yuan immediately ordered an arrow barrage. Waves of arrows rained down like locusts. The pursuing Golden Wolf Army dared not act rashly, reining in their horses and shouting. Their warhorses reared up and turned to surround Yuan Yueze and his companions.

None of the fleeing soldiers escaped unscathed, some more or less wounded; the most seriously injured even collapsed from their horses at the city gate, their fate unknown. Generals immediately rushed to provide them with temporary medical aid. Seeing the growing number of Golden Wolf soldiers besieging Yuan Yueze and his companions, Ge Yuan could no longer restrain himself and prepared to summon a large army to lead a rescue.

Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua immediately stopped him. Ke Subie, breathing heavily, said, "Young Master Yuan and the other two have shown our clan great kindness, which we have no way to repay. But even if we give it our all, we cannot defeat the Golden Wolf Army, which has been planning this all along. We may even be wiped out. General Ge, you must not act rashly."

Zong Xianghua looked in the direction where the three were already overwhelmed by the sea of Golden Wolf soldiers. Her delicate body trembled. After taking a deep breath, she said with a firm gaze, "The three of them will definitely be alright!"

How could Ge Yuan listen to her? He could only nod dejectedly. The entire Longquan army had less than 50,000 troops, and the regular army had less than 20,000. Five thousand of them had already been sent to guard Xiaolongquan. At present, the Golden Wolf Army besieging Yuan Yueze numbered around 10,000 and was still increasing. Even if the entire Sumo Army were to be mobilized, the result would only be annihilation. After

a long "Report!"

, a soldier staggered over, knelt down breathlessly, and cried out, "It's terrible! Xiaolongquan has been attacked!"

Ge Yuan and the other two felt their hearts sink. Xiaolongquan was the guarantee of Longquan's existence. With it in hand, the military strength could be replenished at any time, and they could continue to contend with Jieli. Once they lost the support of this seaport's cargo route, Longquan would face an even greater crisis. Zong Xianghua, her face frosty, snapped, "What's the rush! Explain yourself!"

The soldier looked up, and everyone noticed his deathly pale face. One hand was wrapped in a tangled gray cloth, clearly a makeshift bandage, and his body was covered in blood—a gruesome sight after a bloody battle. He stammered, "Nearly ten thousand Golden Wolf and Black Wolf troops, a mixed force,

launched a surprise attack on our coastal camp under cover of darkness a quarter of an hour ago. We suffered heavy losses, and I barely escaped." Ge Yuan and the other two exchanged bewildered glances, wondering why Tu Li, who commanded the Black Wolf army, would cooperate with Jie Li again.

South of the city, horns and war drums sounded again, their deafening roar echoing through the heavens. The Golden Wolf army launched a new, even fiercer attack on Yuan Yueze and his companions. The three enemy groups suddenly split into two, moving in a crisscrossing pattern around the three, their superior horsemanship and momentum giving them an even greater impact.

Ge Yuan and the other two felt helpless, but they knew they had to stay calm. Zong Xianghua decisively said, "I'll lead men to rescue Xiao Longquan. You two stay here and find an opportunity to rescue Young Master Yuan and the others!"

She then turned and left.

Yuan Yueze, after cutting down another Golden Wolf soldier, used the momentum to leap to Ba Feng Han's side, who was clearly supporting Ren Jun by sheer willpower. He slapped Ren Jun on the back, sending both of them onto Taklamakan's back. Then, with a backhand slash, he swept away two attacking Golden Wolf soldiers, and slapped Taklamakan's rump again, shouting, "Go!"

Ba Feng Han mustered his last bit of true energy, squeezed his legs together, and channeled two streams of true energy into his body. Taklamakan reared up, neighed loudly, and then leaped off the ground. Standing over ten feet tall, like a celestial horse, he leaped over a dozen charging enemies, traversing a space of over five feet, escaping the entanglement of the Golden Wolf Army in this area. Relying on most of his true energy, Ba Feng Han wielded his sword with lightning speed, sweeping towards the enemy like a whirlwind. Amidst flashes of cold light, he broke through the encirclement, shouting, "Tunyu Valley, Shenmo Huan, Ba Feng Han will never forget your great kindness!"

Seeing the vicious Golden Wolf Army pursuing Ba Feng Han, Ge Yuan immediately ordered the archers guarding the city gate to fire arrows. These Sumo soldiers were deeply moved by Yuan Yueze and his companion. These three didn't have any profound theories or principles; they simply used the most direct and simple methods to achieve the best morale boost. Seeing Ba Feng Han and his companion escape the battle after killing countless Golden Wolf soldiers, and the pursuing Golden Wolf Army retreating without success, a cheer immediately rang out from the city wall, and the city gate was opened to welcome Ba Feng Han and his companion inside.

Ren Jun was merely exhausted and unconscious, not seriously injured, and was carried into the palace to rest. Ba Feng Han was so weak that he could not stand on his own, and with the help of Ge Yuan and Ke Subie, he sat down on the city wall and looked out at Yuan Yueze, who was still trapped in the encirclement of the Golden Wolf Army.

Ge Yuan and the other man continuously channeled their inner energy into Ba Feng Han. After a short while, his pale face regained some color. He let out a long sigh as the two men withdrew their energy, saying, "Today I finally understand what it means to be at my wit's end."

Ke Su Bie said with a look of shame, "General Ge wanted to leave the city to rescue us, but I stopped him. Young Master Ba, please forgive me."

Ba Feng Han smiled bitterly, "We stayed here voluntarily. Your refusal to rescue us was the best option; otherwise, how would we have the strength to resist Jie Li's next attack?"

Ge Yuan gazed outside the city and asked, "Brother Yuan... will he be alright?"

The surrounding warriors all listened intently. In truth, it was already unimaginable if Yuan Yueze could escape the encirclement. The low morale of the Su Mo warriors had been roused by the three men; they regarded them as gods and naturally didn't want them to be in danger.

Ba Feng Han smiled slightly, "He certainly won't die! Otherwise, why would I easily abandon him and escape alone?"

A deafening cheer erupted around them.

In reality, Yuan Yueze was still inside the encirclement!

"Stop!"

A loud shout suddenly came from the direction of the Turkic army camp at Meituo Lake. The Golden Wolf Army abruptly withdrew from their attack, their crisscrossing movements abruptly dispersing to the left and right, quickly retreating to a distance. They formed a large circle, about ten zhang in diameter, around Yuan Yueze, and then, as if performing a fancy stunt, simultaneously reined in their horses and shouted. The momentum was immense, their warhorses rearing up like waves sweeping across the grassland. Their superb horsemanship and perfect formation were breathtaking. Even Yuan Yueze had to admit that it was no wonder Jieli could dominate the vast grassland; the speed and wonder of his troop deployment were truly unprecedented in his life.

A burly, golden figure suddenly surged forward from the direction the Golden Wolf Army had parted, instantly reaching Yuan Yueze's head. His long saber transformed into a dazzling white light, then abruptly retracted, becoming a single blade that cleaved directly at Yuan Yueze's head. Though it was only a single strike, it descended like a thousand troops, a mountain crashing down, its killing intent frosty and chilling, making it difficult to breathe. Its overwhelming power and dominance were extreme.

Affected by its omnipresent and powerful blade aura, the world suddenly fell into a chilling atmosphere; though it was early summer, it felt as if a harsh winter had suddenly arrived.

The tens of thousands of Turkic warriors around them roared and cheered excitedly, their torches illuminating the blood-red ground, further highlighting the tense atmosphere before the eruption of two incredibly powerful forces.

The blade traced a strange, curved trajectory in the air. Though it happened in the blink of an eye, each change in direction caused the blade to suddenly accelerate, and the resulting airflow became even stronger, but to outsiders, it was merely a flash of light. Yuan Yueze, barely catching his breath, remained expressionless, but was inwardly shocked. The newcomer was undoubtedly Jieli himself. He hadn't expected Jieli's cultivation to be so high, perhaps even comparable to Bi Xuanjie. His instantaneous intuition told him that this was likely related to Liu Yu as well.

Though his thoughts raced, Yuan Yueze remained unmoved. He looked up, his eyes sharpening, their gazes locked like lightning striking each other. Jieli had initially thought Yuan Yueze was at his limit, but now he suddenly felt a strange sense of unfathomable depth and unpredictability from his opponent. Although he stood there casually, he exuded a powerful aura, intimidating all directions, showing no signs of exhaustion. In

a flash, the long saber was already a foot above his head. Yuan Yueze crouched low, his feet in a bow stance, his evil sword held horizontally in parry.

Swords clashed, producing a deep, resounding boom, like muffled thunder, audible even to those on the distant walls of Longquan City.

The two separated instantly.

Yuan Yueze's blood surged, and he staggered back three steps before barely regaining his footing.

Jieli, having tumbled several times in the air, landed back where the Turkic warriors had cleared a path. Surrounded by many powerful chieftains and experts, he rode into the circle on his tall horse, elegant and relaxed, his face beaming with joy, showing no remorse for taking advantage of Yuan

Yueze. The cheers of the Golden Wolf Army roared once more, echoing across the Jingbo Plain. The Turkic warriors' morale soared, each one spirited, their eyes flashing with fierce light as they glared and shouted at Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze glanced indifferently at Jieli and his entourage, then slightly raised his handsome face, looking up at the sky. His eyes shot out a deep, unfathomable light, fixed on the vast starry night across the plain, as if he were not the one surrounded.

Clad in a golden robe, Jieli was exceptionally eye-catching. Not only were his bald head, broad frame, and powerfully sculpted features striking, but his innate aura and confidence gave him the air of a decisive, resilient, and ambitious tyrant, willing to stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Among those protecting him were men of imposing stature, all clearly highly skilled. Aside from Tunyugu and Kedazhi, whom Yuan Yueze recognized, only two others caught his attention. One, of medium build, carried a rare snake-shaped spear in his right hand, his face sinister and ruthless. His eyes, however, were bright and piercing, particularly intimidating on his narrow face—the mark of someone who had long enjoyed success and triumph. The other was a short monk wielding a long black iron staff. His large nose immediately reminded Yuan Yueze of Chao Lu's words, confirming that this man was Xi Feng. The ones who just ambushed the three were Xi Feng, Tunyu Gu, and Keda Zhi, while the one who ambushed Ba Feng Han with a cold arrow was the man wielding the snake-shaped spear, Shiwei Shenmo Huan.

The next moment, however, a question arose in his mind. Without the information he had received earlier and later, no matter how he imagined it, he couldn't connect the monk before him with Xi Feng. At his level of cultivation, disguises and changes in aura were useless; a single probe with his profound spiritual sense would immediately reveal the other party, unless the other party possessed some strange, evil magic that could evade his detection.

In fact, every move around him was observed. The fierce Turkic warriors in the innermost circle all held sabers, and clusters of arrows peeked out from the narrow spaces between them. These archers were indeed top-notch, and the range of their arrows wasn't solely aimed at Yuan Yueze. Instead, they were aimed in a line based on his possible route and speed of advance. Most of the arrows seemed to be concentrated in the space in front of Yuan Yueze, but in reality, they sealed off every space within a three-zhang radius around him. If he dared to move, every arrow could block his path.

He adopted this nonchalant expression out of necessity. He himself didn't know how many Golden Wolf Army soldiers he had personally killed. Being surrounded was the best opportunity to replenish his energy. So, he put on an inscrutable appearance while secretly circulating his inner energy, absorbing and refining the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Although the Turkic warriors saw Yuan Yueze gazing at the moon, they all had a strange feeling that he was carefully observing each of them. Sure enough, perhaps recalling his past formidable achievements, Jieli gestured, and the surroundings immediately fell silent. Despite being surrounded by over ten thousand Golden Wolf soldiers, not a sound could be heard, only the crackling of the pine resin burning in the torches.

Jieli scrutinized Yuan Yueze for a long time before sighing, "Before, no matter who told me how extraordinary Brother Yuan was, I would only think it was an exaggeration. Now I know that there truly are people like Brother Yuan in the world."

His words could be interpreted as genuine praise, but considering the enmity between the two sides, Yuan Yueze would only interpret it as deliberate sarcasm and mockery, kicking someone when they're down.

Yuan Yueze turned his head, his eyes flashing, and asked the short monk, "How should I address you, Master?"

The short monk murmured a Buddhist chant and replied in a soft, melodious voice, "This old monk is Yuanrong, greetings to you, benefactor."

A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Jieli's face, and he chuckled, "Master Yuanrong is my personal bodyguard, protecting me for over twenty years."

Yuan Yueze's earlier doubts resurfaced, wondering if this man wasn't Xi Feng, but rather a remnant of Xi Feng's faction.

Seeing Yuan Yueze idly gazing at the stars again, Jieli said gently, "Brother Yuan, have you received any recent news from the Central Plains?"

Yuan Yueze waved his hand, "The Khan should know we are mortal enemies, why bother with this nonsense!"

He knew that in the current situation, he couldn't kill Jieli at all; his only option was to escape the encirclement and return later when he was fully recovered. Thinking of this, he felt helpless and dejected, seeing his sworn enemy before him, yet powerless to do anything about it.

Jieli reigned supreme on the grasslands; who dared speak to him like that? Those around him roared in unison, their anger surging.

Jieli gestured to halt the shouting, saying, "Brother Yuan, you are indeed a fearless and tough man. I, the Khan, most admire tough men. If you are willing to lay down your arms and surrender, kneeling before my horse and swearing eternal loyalty, I will not only spare your life but also elevate you to the position of ruler of the Central Plains, second only to me, above all others. Beautiful women and wealth are yours to enjoy. What do you say?"

Yuan Yueze began to understand why Jieli hadn't ordered his immediate execution. Given the current situation, he was already at Jieli's mercy. That was why Jieli was trying to persuade him to surrender. Yuan Yueze was a pillar of strength for many in the Central Plains; killing him was easy, but breaking his beliefs and will, and subduing such a stubborn man, was extremely difficult. If successful, Jieli would not only weaken the will of the people of the Central Plains, creating momentum for a future Turkic invasion and rule, but also gain immense personal satisfaction. What couldn't a man like him have? The only thing difficult to manipulate is the fickle human heart. To win over someone like Yuan Yueze would bring him a joy and happiness that others could never experience. In the end, it would also reverse Bi Xuan's loss of face in the Central Plains. It was a win-win-win situation, so why not?

Realizing this in an instant, Yuan Yueze curled his lip in disdain. His answer was already known.

Jieli's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he sneered, "Brother Yuan, are you still waiting for Tuli to come to our aid? I'm not afraid to tell you, Tuli won't be coming!"

Yuan Yueze's pupils contracted sharply as he pondered, saying, "Bi Xuan doesn't seem to be as bad as the rumors say! I don't think your country's morale has been affected much!"

He was just making conversation, his mind racing with thoughts of whether Tuli might be in danger. Jieli was a master, and it was possible that the person in question was Xi Feng or a guard from another faction. It was entirely possible that they would kill Tuli beforehand to prevent him from coming to the rescue. Yuan Yueze had previously speculated that Jieli would lure Tuli to Longquan to eliminate him. If that were the case, wouldn't Jieli be a fool for making things complicated? Jieli

let out a deafening laugh, and the Golden Wolf Army around him began to shout and echo in response. The entire Meituo Plain seemed to shake and tremble, the scene terrifying. After laughing, Jieli said, "The Saint was only injured, but you were injured too, and you haven't recovered yet. It's clear the Saint and you are truly evenly matched!"

Yuan Yueze was speechless. This was clearly Jieli's attempt to reassure them, but even if he explained, no one would believe him, because judging from the timeline, Bi Xuan was indeed the most likely cause of Yuan Yueze's injury.

The people on the Longquan city wall were anxious, worried about Yuan Yueze's fate. Only Ba Feng Han remained calm, closing his eyes to meditate.

The sound of hooves rose, and a blood-soaked Su Mo warrior arrived at the city wall, kneeling and crying, "Reporting to the Prime Minister and General, the Golden Wolf Army and the Black Wolf Army have been repelled, and Xiaolongquan has been saved!"

Ke Subie and the others were stunned. Zong Xianghua had only brought a little over a thousand men to rescue them; how could she possibly save Xiaolongquan?

-----

04-20
Chapter 139 Bloodbath at the City Gate

Ge Yuan coughed lightly and said, "Give me a rough account of what happened!"

Because the regular military force within Longquan was very limited, and if something happened to Yuan Yueze outside the city, Jieli would most likely immediately order an attack on the city, so Zong Xianghua only took a small number of people to aid Xiaolongquan, while the main force remained in Longquan to deal with any possible changes. Ke Subie and the others' decision was essentially no different from abandoning Xiaolongquan. How could they not be shocked to hear that tens of thousands of fierce enemies had been repelled!

The soldier, beaming with excitement, exclaimed, "Just when we were about to give up, two massive warships, the 'Dongming,' approached the Bohai Bay docks. They fired a volley of arrows, and hundreds of men charged down, plunging into the enemy ranks!"

Ke Subie and Ge Yuan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of understanding in each other's eyes. The former asked, "How could hundreds of men repel tens of thousands of enemies?"

The soldier honestly replied, "Those hundreds were no pushovers. Not only were they physically strong, but they were also well-equipped. The leader was a lady whose cultivation was probably no less than that of Lord Zhu Yuan. Inspired by her, our two sides joined forces and launched a pincer attack, annihilating them in one fell swoop." " With over three thousand enemies, the rest collapsed without a fight and fled in disarray..."

Ba Feng Han suddenly opened his eyes, shooting out lightning bolts, indicating that he had recovered some of his strength. A cold smile appeared on his lips as he continued, "Does that lady call herself Lady Shan Meixian of the Eastern Sea?"

The soldier immediately replied, "Just as you said, Master Ba, she was later invited to speak by the Chief of the Imperial Guard Zong, and she sent me to report to the Prime Minister and the General first."

Ba Feng Han thought to himself that his sister-in-law had successfully brought back the Eastern Sea Sect, and then, assessing the situation, sailed north along the coast to rescue Longquan. Such a woman, possessing beauty, talent, wisdom, strategy, and martial arts, was hard to find in the world.

Ke Su Bie sighed, "My people owe Young Master Yuan another great favor!" Ge

Yuan praised him a few times, and the soldier happily left.

Ba Feng Han stood up, looking confident, gazing at the Golden Wolf Army covering the hills and plains south of the city.

Perhaps influenced by him, the soldiers of Longquan, hearing that Xiaolongquan was unharmed, were greatly encouraged and all looked towards the thousands upon thousands of golden wolf torches that illuminated half the sky outside the city.

Jieli outwardly praised, but inwardly gloated, saying, "If Brother Yuan can return to Longquan safely tonight, I, the Khan, predict that you will become the new spiritual symbol of Longquan. Bai Ziting and Fu Nanta will be forgotten by those foolish people."

The surrounding Turkic warriors also showed disdain, staring at Yuan Yueze like hunters eyeing their prey, only thinking about how to torment him.

Yuan Yueze remained unresponsive.

Jieli said impatiently, "Brother Yuan, you should know that anyone who opposes me, the men are all killed, and the women are enslaved. This time, you are an exception among exceptions. Whether you agree or not is a matter of a single word!"

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "How many noble warriors have I killed? If the Great Khan wants to win me over, I'm afraid even the noble warriors will be dissatisfied!"

Jieli was taken aback upon hearing this, his gaze falling on the evil sword in his hand that had caused countless Turkic warriors to die. He didn't know what to feel. The Turkic warriors didn't have much scheming; their thoughts were directly expressed. The killing intent in everyone's eyes was intense. If it weren't for Jieli, they probably would have already fired their arrows.

Jieli thought to himself, "This kid's not simple either. His life is in my hands, yet he still dares to sow discord among my men." He then said calmly, "Brother Yuan is no fool. You should know my intention in praising you. My Turkic warriors exist to revitalize our people. When my iron cavalry tramples the Central Plains, their spirits will rest in peace. Besides, there's an old saying in the Central Plains: 'Those who achieve great things cannot be concerned with trivial matters.' Ruthlessness is perfectly normal."

A thunderous roar erupted from the surrounding Turkic warriors.

Yuan Yueze felt helpless, realizing Jieli was no ordinary man. Politics doesn't care about good or bad motives, only the consequences; in politics, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Jieli was precisely this kind of person. What was even more terrifying was his eloquence; with just a few words, he dismantled Yuan Yueze's offensive and further solidified the morale of the Golden Wolf Army.

He had been relying on luck, and now he estimated he could escape the enemy lines. He continued to gaze at the starry sky with an indifferent expression, muttering to himself as if talking to himself: "No wonder you, Jieli, can run rampant on the grasslands, your hands stained with blood. But you'd better remember: being ruthless to your enemies is important, but being ruthless to yourself is even more important. One day you will understand the meaning of my words, and you will pay a heavy price for your foolishness today!"

Jieli's smile widened, but before he could fully reveal his contemptuous grin, his expression froze. His expert intuition told him that something seemed to have slipped out of his control!

Yuan Yueze lightly stepped out, as if weightless, transforming into a wisp of smoke and appearing five zhang away in front of Jieli's horse. His right foot carried a powerful cone-shaped aura, the energy swirling wildly, condensing and not dissipating, like a poisonous dragon drilling towards Jieli's chest.

The men surrounding Jieli were all highly skilled, and they rushed forward to protect him. Yuan Rong wielded his iron rod, Tunyu Valley used his palms, Keda Zhi wielded his Mad Sand Blade, and Shen Mohuan used his snake-shaped spear. Jieli himself also unleashed a slash. Even if Yuan Yueze had plenty of stamina, he would likely die under the combined attack of these masters.

Before Jieli could even utter a sigh of regret, Yuan Yueze had already been propelled straight up into the sky by the five masters, tearing through the heavens. His face deathly pale, he roared with laughter, "Thank you for your farewell, Great Khan! Such a great favor will surely be repaid in the future!"

The events had unfolded too suddenly; no one had anticipated Yuan Yueze's recovery so quickly. The Turkic warriors couldn't even keep up with the sudden turn of events, let alone launch an attack.

The instant Yuan Yueze soared into the sky, Jieli let out a deafening roar. The archers, who had been waiting in ambush, echoed his cry, unleashing a hail of enemy arrows. Simultaneously, angry shouts erupted from the rear of the ranks. Hundreds of ferocious Turkic warriors moved and shouted in unison, as if from a single voice, hurling over a hundred dark spears. Each spear, imbued with the full strength of a burly man, shot towards Yuan Yueze, who had already begun his descent, like bolts of lightning.

While falling headfirst, Yuan Yueze suddenly spread his limbs, not even trying to dodge. To the astonishment of the Turkic warriors, he used the force of the rain of arrows and spears raining down from behind to smash the heads of dozens of Golden Wolf cavalrymen with his evil sword. Using the momentum, he instantly vanished, leaving Yuan Rong and Tun Yugu, who had just been pursuing him, completely out of reach. The two were stunned, and by the time they tried to give chase, it was too late.

The Golden Wolf army near the south gate of Longquan cursed and spontaneously gave chase.

Jieli's face turned ashen.

He knew that Yuan Yueze's body could withstand weapons and arrows, but he only considered his invulnerability to water and fire, and his imperviousness to blades and spears, to be a natural phenomenon of his innate qi cultivation reaching the extraordinary realm. Therefore, he had spared no effort in using sheer numbers to wear Yuan Yueze down. With his vital energy weakened, he naturally couldn't maintain the perfect state of his innate qi cultivation, so he was confident he could kill Yuan Yueze. Little did he know that his opponent could recover some vital energy in a mere quarter of an hour and even use the surrounding terrain to escape.

Jieli gritted his teeth, watching Yuan Yueze disappear into the distance like an iron hedgehog. A chill ran down his spine. The opponent's physique was so terrifying; even if he could capture him, he would probably have to resort to "mental attacks" to subdue him. With a long sigh, Jieli waved his hand and said, "Clean up the battlefield and speed up the manufacture of siege equipment. We will attack the city tomorrow!"

The Golden Wolf Army had lost face too much tonight, and their morale was somewhat affected. Hearing Jieli's order, their ferocity was rekindled, and

they responded with a roar. Seeing Yuan Yueze's figure flying swiftly towards Longquan, Ba Feng Han and the others were overjoyed and were the first to leap down from the city wall to greet him. The archers guarding outside the city also began firing at the Golden Wolf Army that entered their warning range. The Golden Wolf Army had no choice but to retreat.

Yuan Yueze looked exhausted, his steps were unsteady, his body was covered in the blood of Turkic warriors, and most of the arrows had fallen out during his run. His clothes were tattered beyond recognition.

Ba Feng Han stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder, laughing loudly, "Who in the world can defeat Brother Yuan!"

Yuan Yueze's lips twitched into a bitter smile, and he remained silent.

The surrounding Sumo archers cheered and applauded simultaneously. In their eyes, Yuan Yueze had not lost; on the contrary, he had won gloriously. Just the fact that he had single-handedly killed over a thousand Golden Wolf soldiers and escaped unscathed from an encirclement of tens of thousands of tiger and leopard enemies was enough to make him an immortal legend and myth to be passed down through generations!

The city gates opened wide, and Sumo generals such as Ke Subie and Ge Yuan came out to greet him, thanking him with excited expressions. After glancing at the Golden Wolf army, whose ranks had been restored to order and which had retreated towards Meituo Lake, Ge Yuan immediately ordered his men to return to the city and defend it strictly, while he and his generals escorted Yuan Yueze back to the palace.

The streets of Longquan were unusually deserted under curfew, with only squads of armed soldiers coming and going. Yuan Yueze listened to the words of gratitude around him, but when he heard that Shan Meixian had arrived that evening to save Xiao Longquan, his spirits lifted, and a strong sense of longing welled up in his heart.

Moments later, they arrived at the palace. Shan Meixian, accompanied by Zong Xianghua, stood guard outside the gate.

Shan Meixian was still dressed in her simple white gauze dress, her face bare of makeup. Her alluring yet serene and otherworldly气质 (qi zhi - a kind of refined elegance/aura) was captivating. Upon seeing Yuan Yueze and his group, her long, delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she rushed to his side first. The two exchanged a knowing glance, and Shan Meixian helped him to a side room to rest.

The Longquan generals, not daring to disturb them, offered a few more words of thanks and went off to attend to their tasks. Ba Fenghan also went to visit Ren Jun.

When only the couple remained in the room, Yuan Yueze wrapped his arms tightly around Shan Meixian's slender waist, and Shan Meixian's arms also entwined around Yuan Yueze's back, her jade-like fingers gently stroking him. They gazed at each other deeply, without uttering a single word.

The world seemed to stand still.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, yet also flashed by in an instant. Yuan Yueze trembled as he raised his right hand, attempting to wipe away the two lines of clear tears that had slid down Shan Meixian's pale face, which shone with a holy radiance. He barely managed to raise his arm halfway before it fell limply with a "plop." His focused gaze began to unfocus, a trickle of blood flowed from his nostrils, and then he collapsed limply to the ground.

Shan Meixian held him tightly, her jade-like hand lovingly stroking his long hair. Her face was serene, but a chilling glint flashed in her phoenix eyes, revealing a murderous aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

It was the first watch of the night.

Shang Xiufang, having heard that Yuan Yueze had easily escaped from a ten-thousand-strong encirclement, felt that the outcome might not be as optimistic as it appeared. Two hours had passed since she received the message. While secretly blaming Yuan Yueze for being too considerate, knowing she didn't want to hear anything about the war, she asked for directions and learned that Shan Meixian had also arrived in Longquan. Feeling relieved, she went to the door herself. Just

as she reached the door, Shan Meixian's soft, melodious, deep, and magnetic voice came from inside: "Xiufang, come in!"

Shang Xiufang pushed open the door and saw Yuan Yueze fast asleep on the large bed, his head resting on Shan Meixian's arm. The scene made Shang Xiufang blush slightly, and she immediately turned away, saying, "Since my husband is asleep, Xiufang will come again tomorrow morning."

Shan Meixian lifted the covers and said, "Xiufang, come talk to me. He's clinging to me tightly, I can't help it."

Shang Xiufang looked over and saw that although Yuan Yueze was fast asleep, his arms were tightly wrapped around Shan Meixian's slender waist. His body had already been cleaned and wiped; holding Shan Meixian like this showed how much effort Shan Meixian must have put in. So she nodded gently, her pretty face slightly flushed, and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed.

The two women briefly explained their situations. Shang Xiufang's beautiful eyes reddened, and she gently stroked Yuan Yueze's tired, peacefully sleeping face with her jade-like hand, whispering, "My husband strives for the harmony of the world, yet he doesn't take a single credit. Who knows how much suffering he has endured!" Shan Meixian

smiled slightly, patted Yuan Yueze's back a few times, and said softly, "What we do is not for others to know or praise. Xiufang, sleep here tonight." In her

hazy state, Shang Xiufang seemed to see her mother reborn, and a familiar sense of filial piety welled up in her heart. She simply took off her outer clothes, slipped into the quilt, and comfortably rested her head in Shan Meixian's arm, immersing herself in the warm atmosphere.

When Yuan Yueze woke up, it was already dawn outside the window. He felt his mind was clear, his whole body comfortable, all fatigue gone, and his energy abundant. Beside him, Shan Meixian slept soundly, her breathing soft and even. Shang Xiufang nestled in her arms, a faint smile playing on her lips, her expression utterly captivating.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Yuan Yueze frowned, only relaxing after a long while, a look of realization dawning on his face.

Shan Meixian opened her hazy eyes, a soft smile on her lips, and whispered, "My husband has finally seen the light."

Yuan Yueze leaned closer, rubbing his face against her smooth, delicate cheek, and nibbled on her ear, saying, "My dear wife, I've missed you terribly!"

This single sentence was enough to ignite the most primal urges suppressed within them.

In a tender embrace, Yuan Yueze silently kissed Shan Meixian's fragrant lips, and she responded passionately.

To avoid waking Shang Xiufang, their movements were almost entirely silent; that silent, yet powerful, lovemaking was all the more intoxicating and captivating. As their inspiration reached its peak, both of them trembled simultaneously, only stopping after a moment, their bodies still tightly connected, as only in this way could they express their longing for each other.

Dan Meixian, her breathing still ragged, blushed even more, then slapped Yuan Yueze, who had buried his head in her chest, and gave him a meaningful look.

Yuan Yueze gave a knowing look, slid off her, and pulled Shang Xiufang into a tight embrace, chuckling, "Good morning, Xiufang!"

Shang Xiufang's body trembled, and she buried her face in Yuan Yueze's bare shoulder, refusing to lift it.

She had actually been awake all along, feigning sleep out of shyness, but she hadn't escaped Shan Meixian's ears. Shan Meixian didn't react much, as she was used to Yuan Yueze's various outrageous acts over the years. Although Shang Xiufang was worldly-wise, this situation still left her utterly embarrassed, wishing she could disappear into a hole.

Yuan Yueze gently brushed his lips against her neck, employing tender teasing techniques. In no time, the talented Shang Xiufang melted into his arms as if all her strength had been drained.

Before even half a cup of tea's time had passed, Shang Xiufang, lost in passion and uttering incoherent cries, was sent to ecstasy.

Yuan Yueze embraced two beautiful and alluring bodies, speaking intimately with them.

That same day, Shan Meixian also set off for Yangzhou after Yuan Yueze. She then discovered a Dongming Sect ship transporting a large quantity of weapons at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Shan Meixian boarded the ship alone and met with Shang Gong, who was personally escorting the cargo. Shan Meixian accused Shang Gong of colluding with a cult, which would only plunge the Dongming Sect into utter ruin. Shang Gong's long-suppressed anger and hatred for his son's death were ignited, and he sent men to ambush Shan Meixian. After being easily defeated by Shan Meixian, Shang Gong, to save his life, offered to relinquish control of the Dongming Sect. Shan Meixian then let him go. Over the years, the Shan clan had suffered greatly under the Shang clan's oppression and strongly supported Shan Meixian's return to power. After questioning, Shan Meixian learned that the goods were to be smuggled along the Yangtze River to Chengdu for trade with Li Jiancheng, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. Shan Meixian acted decisively, transporting a large quantity of weapons back to the Luoyang army and the Young Marshal's army via Yangzhou. She herself led two ships of elite troops northward along the coast to support Yuan Yueze, which led to her rescue of Xiaolongquan last night.

Finally, Shan Meixian added, "I also brought eight of the latest siege crossbows, which I can give to the Sumo people."

Yuan Yueze lowered his head and kissed her forehead, exclaiming, "Having a beautiful wife at home, life is so wonderful!"

Shan Meixian simply smiled.

After what had just happened, the two women became much closer. Shang Xiufang, having calmed down, was also full of admiration for Shan Meixian's meticulous methods and decisions. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked疑惑地问道, "Aunt Meixian just said that my husband has figured things out. What has he figured out?"

Yuan Yueze chuckled mischievously, "So Xiufang was already awake back then!"

The two women blushed simultaneously and began to playfully "massage" him a few times before Yuan Yueze stopped and said, "What I've figured out is why I couldn't break through the Heavenly Human Limit even when surrounded by the Four Holy Monks."

Shan Meixian He explained, "Xiufang, do you know the difference between innate true qi and acquired true qi?"

Although Shang Xiufang had received a unique skill, she had no interest in martial arts, so she neglected it after learning only a little. However, Shan Meixian's question was common, and Shang Xiufang was naturally aware of it. Hearing this, she nodded and said, "Xiufang has also read Taoist books. They say that when a person is in the womb, the fetus is placed in amniotic fluid and cannot breathe through its mouth and nose. It relies entirely on the umbilical cord to receive nutrients from the mother. At that time, the Ren and Du meridians are connected, and the innate qi circulates through the Ren and Du meridians in a small cycle. After the baby is born, it is connected to the mother's body..." With the connection severed, acquired energy enters through the mouth and nose, gradually closing the Ren and Du meridians until they are completely blocked, making it difficult to absorb even a trace of innate energy. Although innate true energy still fills the space between heaven and earth, it is difficult to absorb. Therefore, what cultivators cultivate is nothing more than the path of returning to one's origin, first opening the Ren and Du meridians to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the so-called "seizing the essence of heaven and earth," becoming a fetus within the cosmic womb. However, the quality of absorbed energy varies, depending on the cultivator's aptitude and the method of cultivation. If there is a slight difference, innate energy will become acquired mortal energy, and the cultivation process is arduous. "It is extremely difficult, so those who cultivate innate Qi are extremely rare, only one in ten thousand, and all of them become invaluable masters."

Shan Meixian praised, "Simply put, acquired Qi is something that is created through effort and is limited by one's physique. One can make progress through diligent practice and effort; innate Qi can only be obtained unintentionally, through effortless action, seizing the essence of heaven and earth, and absorbing the power of nature inexhaustible. This is why the innate secret realm is so precious and rare."

Shang Xiufang looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression, her large, expressive eyes seeming to ask what this had to do with Yuan Yueze's ability to break through to the Celestial Realm.

Yuan Yueze explained, “Innate true qi circulates endlessly, inexhaustible, but its levels vary, and the cultivation process is a long and arduous one. Last night, I was exhausted by the Golden Wolf Army, and I wondered then: could it be that my innate true qi level is insufficient? But it didn't seem like it. This morning, when I woke up, I suddenly realized.”

Shan Meixian chimed in, “What my husband understands is that our true qi is currently between true and false innate. True innate refers to the pure and refined qi from before the beginning of time to the chaotic state, while false innate refers to the pure and refined qi after the formation of the universe. The difference in level is immediately apparent, and the reason for all this is precisely my husband's strange qi cultivation method.” "We've refined the primordial energy of the acquired universe, but we still use its methods for circulating energy, so naturally we can't achieve the best results. My husband's exhaustion at the hands of the Turkic army last night is the best proof of that,"

Yuan Yueze said. "Yu Yan, because she cultivates the Demon Seed Technique and the Heavenly Demon Technique, which originate from the acquired universe, was able to take a half-step towards returning to the original power from which all things in the world originate. From today onwards, we must study this carefully and strive to find a path that truly suits our true energy."

Shan Meixian nodded slightly, while Shang Xiufang nodded as if she understood.

She then called out the other women, who, upon hearing about Yuan Yueze's experience last night, insisted on staying by his side, much to his dismay. Fortunately, with the elder sister Shan Meixian there, the women agreed to temporarily stay with Shang Xiufang in the palace to relieve her boredom.

Yuan Yueze suddenly remembered Shan Meixian's words about the Black Wolf Army infiltrating the Golden Wolf Army to launch a sneak attack on Xiaolongquan. Feeling uneasy, he instructed Shan Wanjing to leave the city after dinner and scout in the direction of Tuli. Since the Golden Wolf Army was at the city gates, Longquan's connections with the west and south had been severed.

Suddenly, Zong Xianghua's voice called for breakfast. The three got up, dressed, and hurried outside.

Zong Xianghua curiously sized up Yuan Yueze, saying, "Young Master's physique is admirable; you've recovered so well in just one night! Please, all three!"

She wasn't surprised that Shang Xiufang was also there, as the high-ranking leaders of Su Mo already knew about their relationship.

The group first greeted Ba Fenghan and Ren Jun. Ba Fenghan had recovered 80% of his fighting strength overnight, while Ren Jun, perhaps due to overexertion, could only barely get out of bed. Seeing his silly grin as Qiqige supported him, Yuan Yueze and the others chuckled simultaneously.

After breakfast, Shan Wanjing sneaked out of the city alone. Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Ba Fenghan, accompanied by Ge Yuan and others, went to the city wall to watch.

Jieli's words, originally a sarcastic remark, had now become a reality. After last night's battle, Yuan Yueze's status in Longquan had risen to a new level. Many people gathered on Zhuque Street, watching them head south with admiration.

As they spoke, the group reached the city wall. Ge Yuan praised as they walked, "The giant crossbows that Madam brought are exquisitely crafted; they will relieve much of our pressure."

Yuan Yueze looked over and saw that the Su Mo warriors had already installed eight heavy crossbows last night—four each on the south and west sides of the city. These crossbows were the latest product of the Dongming Sect, capable of firing seven giant arrows in succession, with a range of at least a thousand paces. Although inconvenient to move, they were the best for defending the city.

Yuan Yueze wondered if Master Lu had developed an even more technologically advanced defensive crossbow.

Seeing that Shan Meixian looked around and then frowned slightly, Ge Yuan asked, "Madam, have you noticed anything amiss?"

Shan Meixian pondered and said, "Longquan's defenses are too weak. In terms of sheer strength, it's not even as good as Jingling in the Central Plains."

Ke Subie awkwardly chimed in, "The enemy is coming on strong, and we haven't had time to reinforce the walls. Otherwise, we could hold out for a year or two without any problem."

Shan Meixian nodded and said, "The key to defending a city is, first, unity of purpose and a willingness to die for it; second, proper organization and making the best use of everyone's strengths; third, sufficient defenses; fourth, uninterrupted food supplies; and finally, raiding enemy strongholds as a form of defense. Our only weakness right now is that although the city walls are not high or thick enough, we can alleviate the pressure by raiding enemy strongholds. Otherwise, if the enemy gets to the city walls, we will definitely lose."

Yuan Yueze looked into the distance. On the boundless Meituo Plain, the Golden Wolf Army was well-organized, much more dispersed than the night before. Their camps were densely packed across the land, and near each camp, people were busy cutting down trees and building various siege tools.

Last night was his most miserable night. For the first time, he realized how insignificant a person is in the face of war. Unless one's cultivation reaches the level of Xiang Yutian, no one can withstand an army of tigers and wolves as surging as a vast ocean. Having personally experienced the ferocity of the Golden Wolf Army, they knew that even in fifty years, the Central Plains would not be able to train such a formidable cavalry force. If not for the strong fortified cities, the Central Plains would have long been trampled underfoot by the iron hooves of the Turks.

Ge Yuan laughed, "Raiding strongholds is our forte, so Jieli is bound to lose."

The others understood his meaning and laughed.

---

Chapter 140 Defending the Lonely City

Yuan Yueze sighed, "It's a pity the surprise attack won't work."

The others understood his meaning. Just looking at Jieli's scheme last night, they could deduce that Jieli was not like Tie Fuyou or Abaojia, who underestimated their opponents; on the contrary, he had thoroughly understood Yuan Yueze's strategy. Ke Subie and the other felt helpless. Raiding strongholds relied on surprise attacks; if the surprise attack was useless, the raid wouldn't be very effective. Thinking of this, the two looked at Shan Meixian.

As if sensing their thoughts, Shan Meixian shook her head and said, "Based on my husband's description, with my current strength, I'm afraid it would be difficult to successfully carry out the 'decapitation plan'."

Then, glancing at the two who looked disappointed, she smiled and said, "Small-scale surprise attacks are indeed unlikely to be effective anymore, but we can switch to a large-scale attack, led by my husband and Feng Han. Which Golden Wolf Army warrior wouldn't be afraid? If we can hold out until Wan Jing brings back news of Tu Li, or until Mother arrives, taking Jie Li's head from among ten thousand troops will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."

After the battle of Chang'an, Zhu Yuyan became the leader of the three grandmasters by taking half a step on the "Immortal Path." Since Shan Meixian said so, Ke Subie and the other man nodded silently. Right now, they could only hold on and wait for the arrival of these two powerful reinforcements.

Ge Yuan smiled bitterly, "At this time of year in previous years, Longquan would always be experiencing torrential rain, but this year it's sunny and clear. Otherwise, the initiative wouldn't have slipped through our fingers like this."

Bai Ziting chose to establish his kingdom in April mainly because April is the rainiest season in the Northeast, which is advantageous for defense but not offense. If he were still alive today, I wonder what he would think if he saw this scene before him.

Shan Meixian looked around and said, "The trenches are the main defense of Longquan. If I'm not mistaken, the Golden Wolf Army won't launch an attack for the time being due to insufficient siege equipment. We can send people to dig the trenches deeper and wider, and even dig some hidden pits within our arrow range. The stones that General Ge brought can be temporarily used to build fortifications next to the catapults, at least to defend against the first few waves of enemy arrows, without affecting their other uses. I have some experience in training soldiers. I just saw that Chief Guard Zong seemed to be recruiting new soldiers along the way. General Ge, could you take me to take a look?"

Ge Ai immediately nodded. He had thought of these things, but he had very few people under his command who could offer advice. He couldn't possibly manage everything on his own. But this Lady Dongming was incredibly capable, and her ideas and strategies were much more comprehensive than Yuan Yueze's. Moreover, she was very observant. For example, Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han didn't even notice such subtle movements on the street.

Ke Su and his companion went down to direct their men, while Yuan Yueze and Ba Fenghan stood side by side on the city wall, continuing their long-distance observation. Focusing their gaze, they saw the Golden Wolf Banner fluttering in the breeze of the grasslands atop distant mountains, and the vast expanse of Turkic cavalry, like a surging ocean, engulfing their boundless plains. The Golden Wolf Army was divided into squads, and then further divided into larger units, covering every strategic point on the vast grasslands, forming a formidable net enveloping Helian Fortress. Their imposing military might was enough to strike fear into the heart.

Ba Feng Han asked, "Brother Yuan, having personally experienced the power of mounted archery warfare on the vast grasslands, what are your thoughts?"

Yuan Yueze pondered for a moment and replied, "Sun Bin once said, 'A cavalryman can separate and unite, disperse and assemble; he can travel a hundred li in a short time and a thousand li in a short time, moving in and out without obstruction, hence the name "the army of separation and combination."' He also said, 'First, meet the enemy upon their arrival; second, take advantage of their weakness to defeat them; third, pursue and scatter them; fourth, attack the enemy from the rear, causing them to flee; fifth, block their food supplies and cut off their military routes; sixth, destroy their passes and fortifications, and open their gates.'" "The bridge; seventh, to catch them off guard and strike their unprepared army; eighth, to attack their laxity and strike them unexpectedly; ninth, to burn their stockpiles and devastate their markets; tenth, to plunder their fields and capture their sons and brothers. These ten principles are the advantages of cavalry warfare." The steppe cavalry truly deserves the description of "swift as an arrow, fierce as thunder and lightning, and swift as wind and rain," while the cavalry of the Central Plains are far inferior in quality.

As he spoke, Ke Subie had already directed groups of people who had spontaneously come to help to begin their busy work on and around the city walls.

Ba Feng Han nodded and said, "This is due to the influence of natural conditions. The harsh natural environment and backward living standards of the grassland people have made those of us who survived natural selection generally brave and skilled in battle, and more resilient than people from other places. On the other hand, the conditions in the Central Plains are much better in all aspects. Hey! It's somewhat similar to the Qin and Chu states in the late Warring States period of the Central Plains."

He paused and then said, "The key to plain warfare is nothing more than 'swiftness and speed, striking first, and arriving first.' Sun Bin's ten advantages of cavalry warfare explain the role of cavalry surprise attacks and charges. They can take advantage of weaknesses to advance directly, pursue victories, and attack unexpectedly; they can also encircle the rear and disrupt the rear. And Jie Li's Golden Wolf Army's mounted archers are the strongest cavalry regiment on the Great Grassland. They come like fire and go like the wind, making them impossible to defend against. If our performance last night hadn't severely damaged their morale, they probably would have attacked long ago, and it wouldn't be like this now." "Prepare with the same caution as other siege equipment,"

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly. "Last night was the best opportunity to attack us, but Jieli was too cautious and missed this golden opportunity."

Ba Feng Han also laughed, "The more soldiers one has, the weaker one becomes; the more supplies one has, the poorer one becomes. This principle doesn't apply to Jieli, but their main source of strength comes from sweeping across the grasslands. Currently, their garrisoning is extremely costly, so they naturally won't fight a protracted war. Today, they're focusing all their efforts on building siege equipment instead of sending out repeated intimidation tactics, which reveals a glimpse into Jieli's mindset. On the battlefield, it's not just about strength, but also about strategy. In fact, the initiative is still in our hands."

Sun Tzu's Art of War states, "Warfare is based on deception." In other words, strategy is a sophisticated form of deception. After accurately grasping the objective situation, the strength of both sides, and their mindsets, one should "plan before acting," "feign weakness when capable," and "appear distant when near," deceiving, tricking, and bluffing the enemy before finally defeating them. Ba Feng Han's words deeply understand the essential principles of military strategy.

Yuan Yueze looked around. Soldiers were already building temporary bunkers on the city walls. These rudimentary fortifications only had holes for crossbows to fire arrows. Although not sturdy, they could withstand the first few waves of enemy arrows and could be easily toppled and used as projectiles, maximizing their effectiveness. The moat below the city walls was being deepened and widened. The excavated soil was piled in front of the moat, filled with stones, and turned into a low earthen wall about half a zhang high, coated with kerosene. Two rows of horse traps were being dug in front of it, which not only increased Longquan's own defensive capabilities but also allowed them to eliminate many of the enemy's vanguard troops. The best part was that these temporary defensive measures didn't take much time; with enough manpower, they could be completed in an hour or two.

Jieli noticed the unusual activity below Longquan City and dispatched a large portion of his army to demonstrate. However, Longquan's morale not only recovered but reached new heights. While those below the city continued their work regarding the Golden Wolf Army's actions, those on the city walls tested several giant crossbows brought by Shan Meixian. Occasionally, Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han would throw stones and shoot arrows, killing many Turkic warriors, eliciting shouts and cheers from the Longquan walls.

The two remained on the city walls, having lunch there and mingling with the surrounding Sumo warriors.

Ke Subie personally brought them wine and food, and after several drinks, Ba Feng Han looked into the distance and said, "By dusk at the latest, Jieli will launch his first large-scale attack."

Yuan Yueze and the nearby Sumo warriors looked down and saw that most of the trees on the Meituo Plain had been cut down. The Jinlang Army had mobilized the entire force, pruning branches and removing leaves, leaving only trunks about ten feet long, then sharpening the tips and binding them in rows of five or six with ropes or wooden pegs. Some warriors had even split open giant trees that had grown for many years to make large wooden shields. These makeshift tools were extremely useful in sieges, effectively reducing the damage caused by the defenders' arrows and stones.

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and asked a Sumo warrior to inspect the results of Shan Meixian and Ge Yuan's training. Because half of the regular army had been sent to guard Xiaolongquan and the north of the city, the newly recruited troops had become the main force of Longquan.

Drawing inspiration from the "Battle Formation Manual" written by He Liangchen, a guerrilla general during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, and further refining Lu Miaozi's self-created Plum Blossom Formation, Shan Meixian devised a formation suitable for these new troops. The new army numbered over ten thousand, which Shan Meixian divided into ten groups of one thousand men each, each led by a lieutenant general. The overall commander was Ge Yuan, and two honorary positions were assigned to Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan under him. Just as

Yuan Yueze, Ba Feng Han, and Ge Yuan were preparing to lead five groups out to harass the enemy, Ren Jun, looking radiant and showing no signs of weakness from breakfast, arrived and requested to join the battle.

Yuan Yueze laughed and scolded, "You bastard, are you treating your sister-in-law like a free jade disc?!"

Ren Jun blushed, then resolutely replied, "My sisters-in-law don't want their elder brother to be in danger, and besides, I want to do my part."

Ba Feng Han said, "I think you're looking for an opportunity to kill Jieli and win Qiqige's favor."

Ren Jun blushed even more, and everyone around burst into laughter.

The west gate swung open, and over five thousand men rushed out.

This operation was well-planned. Although Yuan Yueze and his men were still at the forefront, they were much more tactful, no longer acting rashly. Their primary objective was to destroy the enemy's siege equipment. By the time the scattered enemy forces closed in, Yuan Yueze and his men had already destroyed some of the equipment, swiftly retreated, and then launched three to five more surprise attacks. "

I retreat so the enemy doesn't know where I'm defending; I advance so the enemy doesn't know where I'm attacking." This is the essence of the strategy.

The four volumes and approximately fifty thousand words of *Zhen Ji* emphasize the importance of "opportunity in battle," advocating waiting for the right moment to act, adapting to the situation, and using flexible tactics. Its core strategic ideas had long been accepted by the generals of the Luoyang Army, the Young Marshal's Army, and the Song Clan Army. Yuan Yueze greatly admired this book; almost all the military strategies he adopted after arriving in Longquan were improvements upon its contents.

In just one afternoon, the new recruits of Sumo suffered only six hundred casualties. Under the leadership of Yuan Yueze and others, they not only annihilated over a thousand scattered Jinlang soldiers, but also destroyed most of the Turkic siege equipment west of the city. When the news reached the Khan's camp, Jieli was furious and cursed loudly.

The sun dipped below the western horizon, its rays sweeping across the boundless grasslands. The Meituo Plain, adorned with red and green hues, was bathed in a pale red glow. A gentle breeze blew, creating a scene like an embroidered scroll, yet within it lay hidden dangers.

Yuan Yueze and his men climbed the southwest corner of the city wall to assess the situation.

"Boom boom boom!"

Before anyone could speak, the deafening sound of Turkic war drums resounded from all directions. Ba Feng Han

gazed at the fiery red sunset and said calmly, "Morning glow brings wind, evening glow brings rain. There will definitely be a heavy rain within two days. Jieli has been forced into a corner and has no choice but to attack."

The generals of Longquan were solemn but not panicked. Yuan Yueze and the others had already proven their strength through their performance. Everyone firmly believed that as long as they were there, Longquan would not fall.

When belief rises to a level of blind fanaticism, the human spirit can control everything.

The last rays of the setting sun disappeared, and the great battle was about to begin.

The mountains and fields were filled with the lights of the Turkic army. The Golden Wolf Army was well-organized, and a large number of troops had gathered in a square formation on the western and southern half of the city. The thousands at the front held up huge wooden shields that were as tall as a person and had sharpened bases that could be inserted into the ground to block the attack of arrows and stones, protecting the battering rams that were crashing into the city walls and gates. The warriors on both flanks carried rows of wooden rafts, each about two zhang wide, with lanterns hanging from them, illuminating the surroundings. Behind them were large numbers of ranged attackers wielding powerful bows, followed by Turkic warriors carrying long weapons such as hooks, spears, and halberds—a formidable and chilling sight.

To the rear of this vast army, several hundred more Turkic infantrymen, armed with hoes and shovels, appeared to be there to clear obstacles beneath the city walls and fill in spiked pits.

This arrangement suggested that whether Longquan launched a proactive attack or defended the city to the death, they would be unable to withstand the enemy's trapping tactics.

Yuan Yueze noticed that the shores of Meituo Lake were completely dark and still, and said, "Jieli isn't stupid. He understands that cavalry is of little use in sieges, so he's converted most of his forces into infantry. Does anyone think he might have laid an ambush near Meituo Lake?"

Ge Yuan pondered, "Jieli knows we might not hold out to the death. If a large number of fresh troops suddenly emerge from there while we're out to meet them, they'll surely break through our strong defenses and might even storm the city in one fell swoop." Ba Feng Han said

, "Jieli's formation is too simple; there are probably other ambushes waiting for us."

The war drums outside the city grew increasingly urgent, indicating that the enemy was about to launch an attack.

Suddenly, the war drums stopped, and a deafening battle cry erupted from the Golden Wolf army. The first rank of the enemy began to charge forward, pausing every hundred paces, until they reached a point about a thousand paces beyond the range of the giant crossbows, at which point they stopped advancing.

At the same time, two blood-red flames suddenly exploded in the sky above the north and east of the city, illuminating the earth.

Ke Subie and the others' expressions changed slightly. These fireworks and rockets represented a signal that Xiaolongquan and the north of the city were under attack simultaneously, showing that Jieli not only had the ambition to wipe out Xiaolongquan in one fell swoop, but also the strength to do so.

Yuan Yueze remained calm and said coldly, "Those two sides are being taken care of by Meixian and Chief Guard Zong, so everyone doesn't need to worry."

Before he finished speaking, the horns sounded again from the front, and the Turkic warriors shouted and their warhorses neighed, launching a general attack. The drums thundered and the battle cries shook the heavens.

Yuan Yueze flicked his wrist, and the evil sword shot out like lightning. He pointed the sword at the sky and shouted, "If we don't attack now, when will we?"

He was the first to rush down the city wall and leap to the south gate.

Ba Feng Han let out a sharp whistle and, along with Ren Jun, gave chase. The moment they landed, the magnificent Taklamakan and another horse were already waiting beneath the wide-open city gate. Without a moment's pause, the two galloped forward, guarding the west gate.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The long-range crossbows on the city walls began firing from their elevated position, sending massive arrows piercing the enemy ranks. These arrows, after a hasty discussion by Ge Yuan and others, had their tips ignited before firing. Although outnumbered, they could use fire to break through the enemy's wooden shields. Sure enough, the enemy's wooden shields instantly burst into flames, slightly hindering their advance.

At this moment, nearly ten thousand troops had gathered outside the Longquan city gate. Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan guarded the south, while Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun guarded the west.

With a roar from Ge Yuan, arrows rained down from both the city walls and below. Having lost some of their wooden shields and forced to attack through the mud, the Turkic vanguard fell to the ground, many struck by arrows. Some cavalrymen even fell into pits filled with sharp blades.

The drums on the Longquan city wall also sounded. Ge Yuan gave the order again, and the Sumo warriors, their blood boiling, charged forward in formation under the protection of the shield bearers in the front, fearlessly entering the battle.

The two armies finally clashed.

For a moment, shouts of battle and the sound of arrows piercing the air were incessant, even drowning out the drumbeats.

Ba Feng Han, leading the charge, made no movement with his hands, yet the bowstring snapped, and a powerful arrow shot out. At a speed almost invisible to the naked eye, it flashed across a hundred paces, striking the leader of the Golden Wolf Army squarely. The Sumo warriors behind him immediately erupted in a deafening roar.

Ren Jun, not to be outdone, unleashed a powerful arrow from his iron bow, traversing hundreds of paces and striking a Turkic warrior at the forefront of the charge. The arrow pierced his chest, and the guard screamed, falling from his horse. The Sumo warriors erupted in cheers and shouts, then nocked their arrows and fired, each aiming at the charging enemy. Despite many of their comrades already fallen to the Sumo's barrage of arrows, the other Turkic warriors, their ferocity unleashed, continued their relentless charge.

In the close combat, tens of thousands were engaged in fierce fighting, leaving corpses strewn across the battlefield and rivers of blood.

Yuan Yueze, his left hand gripping the scabbard behind his back, strode forward, his right hand flashing with the swift movement of his longsword, seemingly both offensive and defensive, instantly felling over a dozen Turkic infantrymen. The Turkic warriors who saw him were mostly stunned, because his steps were half-once in mid-air, almost like riding the clouds, yet with each step he took, the grassland seemed to tremble, a strange and inexplicable scene.

Yuan Yueze's mind was clear and transparent, an endless silence filling his heart. Since understanding the characteristics of his true energy this morning, he had forgotten all mental techniques except for the sword technique he created out of emotion. At this moment, his swordplay was completely natural, inspired by the cold wind, sparks, or even the galloping warhorses.

Ba Fenghan, Ren Jun, and Ge Yuan all took the lead, attacking anyone they saw, causing the enemy's formation to crumble.

Suddenly, two figures appeared in mid-air, a flurry of staff shadows and spear formations attacking Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan respectively.

Yuan Yueze smiled slightly. He clearly sensed that the countless shadows of the staff were merely a feint, concealing his true killing intent. He thrust his longsword diagonally, saying, "Haven't you, the Great Ming Venerable Sect, suffered enough at my hands?" With

a muffled groan, the overwhelming shadows of the staff vanished, leaving only a dark, cloud-like shadow, which cleaved down.

"Clang!"

The evil sword struck Yuan Rong's staff tip heavily.

Yuan Rong sensed the powerful, continuous true energy, like a mighty river, that Yuan Yueze was unleashing. He immediately retreated sharply, daring not to linger. He said, "My benefactor is facing imminent calamity. This humble monk has come to perform a final ritual for you."

Suddenly, even louder battle cries erupted from the flanks of the Turkic army. Multiple cavalry units, each a hundred men, brandishing broadswords and drawing bows, charged forward with terrifying force.

Ba Feng Han's prediction was correct; the enemies on both flanks were one of Jie Li's backup plans.

Ge Yuan on the other side was already entangled by Shen Mohuan, and now only the soldiers could fight back. Anyone could guess the dire situation on Longquan's side.

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "I don't care what kind of monk you are, you are no match for me!"

After saying that, he leaped up and flew above Yuan Rong, his long sword attacking him mercilessly.

In fact, Yuan Rong was by no means weak, and could even fight Yuan Yueze to a standstill yesterday. However, Yuan Yueze had already demonstrated his abnormal physique and resilience yesterday, leaving an indelible and terrifying shadow in Yuan Rong's heart. Moreover, Yuan Yueze had suddenly gained some enlightenment today and improved upon it. Through the sword strike just now, Yuan Rong clearly felt that his opponent was even stronger than last night, and his mind was naturally difficult to maintain. At

their level of martial arts, no one could beat the other in terms of moves. What mattered was their emotions, will, cultivation, and strategy.

The clanging of swords and staffs clashing rang out incessantly. Yuan Yueze's sword net carried a chilling aura that permeated the area within a radius of several dozen feet, causing the surrounding Turkic and Sumerian warriors to tremble and their nerves to the brink of collapse.

Having no time to marvel at the astonishing level of his opponent's skill, Yuan Rong used all his strength to barely block.

After a final, crisp sound, Yan Fei leaped backward, landing and then shooting towards Shen Mo Huan, ignoring Yuan Rong.

Yuan Rong, who had instantly blocked eighteen of Yuan Yueze's swords, stood frozen, his clothes soaked, blood gushing from his mouth, nose, and ears, trembling violently, a stark contrast to the desperate battle around him.

His short, stout body suddenly began to sway, then he coughed up a mouthful of blood and swiftly fled the battlefield.

Shen Mo Huan, on the other side, let out a scream as Yuan Yueze cleaved him in two at the waist. He

exchanged a glance with Ge Yuan, and the two charged back into the fray. Yuan Yueze's expression was cold and somber, yet he was lamenting that Yuan Rong's life was spared. Had it not been for saving Ge Yuan, who was about to die under Shen Mohuan's spear, Yuan Yueze would never have reduced the thirty-sword attack to eighteen.

Having received prior instructions, the Sumo warriors specifically targeted the Turkic warriors' horses. Warhorses were constantly being cut down, and the once-mighty cavalrymen were reduced to rolling gourds, causing the later riders and horses to stumble and fall. Not only were they unable to maintain their charging formation and momentum, but most of the Turkic warriors died directly under the chaotic trampling.

Blood flowed like rivers on the Meituo Plain, and corpses piled up like mountains. The two sides, however, did not lose their momentum, their shouts rising higher and higher, like a torrent sweeping across the land, clashing and fighting fiercely, the situation was tragic.

After nearly five hours of fighting, the first wave of the Golden Wolf Army's attack was finally repelled.

Although the Sumo warriors displayed powerful offensive capabilities supported by strong confidence, and everyone fought recklessly, their losses were still extremely heavy, with nearly half killed or wounded, and everyone was exhausted. Although the Golden Wolf Army suffered losses many times greater, their numbers were nearly ten times that of the Su Mo Army, so these losses were insignificant. Even so, the invincible image of Yuan Yueze and his men, standing firm like gods of war, was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every Turkic warrior.

Before Longquan could even catch their breath, the Turkic war drums rose again.

After the first wave of enemies retreated, over ten thousand enemy troops surged from the direction of Meituo Lake. Under the cover of wooden shields, rafts, arrow-blocking carts, mast carts, and battering rams, they attacked from the left, right, and center, launching a second wave of attack.

The city gates were wide open at this moment, and the civilians spontaneously came out to transport the seriously wounded but not dead soldiers back into the city for treatment. Yuan Yueze smiled at Ge Yuan, who was still recovering, and said, "Jieli's first wave of troops failed to even reach the city gates and walls, suffering a great loss of face. The second wave of troops should have been lying in ambush by Meituo Lake. The fact that they've been brought out now shows that Jieli intends to capture Longquan before dawn."

Ge Yuan raised his arms and shouted, "Defend Longquan to the death! Jieli will surely be defeated!"

The warriors who still had fighting spirit were inspired and responded loudly.

Just as Yuan Rong and his companion were launching a sneak attack on Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan, Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun were also attacked by Tunyu Valley and Keda Zhi.

Looking at the rapidly approaching Golden Wolf Army, Ren Jun smiled bitterly, "I wonder how long we can hold out."

Ba Feng Han looked up at the sky and pointed to the floating clouds that had appeared in the starry sky, saying, "Cotton clouds, rain is coming soon. Heavy rain is coming. Jieli must have known this, which is why he ordered such a crazy attack."

They exchanged a glance, laughed, stood up, picked up their weapons, and charged forward.

"Boom!"

As the Longquan army's defeat became increasingly certain, lightning first ripped through the sky in the distance, blinding everyone. Then, a deafening clap of thunder followed, and suddenly the sky transformed into a churning, murky band of black clouds, spreading over Longquan. Amidst the raging wind and lightning, torrential rain poured down, instantly extinguishing all the torches.

The rain swept across the boundless expanse of water, simultaneously engulfing the entire Longquan Plain. Violent lightning roared and howled within the low-pressure, thick black rain clouds, possessing the power to shake mountains and shatter the earth, demonstrating that only nature itself is the master of the universe, and how insignificant and trivial humanity is under the wrath of such violent forces.

The deafening thunder, accompanied by the raging wind and rain, completely drowned out the shouts of men and the neighing of horses. In the midst of the torrential rain that blurred everything, creating a chaotic, nightmarish atmosphere, the orderly Turkic ranks were instantly routed, their flags toppled and their ranks broken. Chapter 141

Yuan Yueze and the others, feeling that Heaven was on their side, immediately organized their remaining forces to retreat back to Longquan City. Although the Golden Wolf Army was in complete disarray, they pursued them frantically after hearing a piercing horn sound in the distance.

Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan guarded the rear of the column. After pushing him away, a burst of light, comparable to lightning, erupted in front of Yuan Yueze, bringing with it a bone-chilling cold, as he met the staggering charge of over a hundred Turkic warriors.

This was the order for a full-scale attack given by the furious Jieli; disobedience was punishable by death. In reality, the Turkic warriors had already lost all their fighting spirit due to Yuan Yueze and his group, and were merely charging forward against their will.

The sounds of horns, battle cries, and the wind and rain blended together.

"Boom!"

After cutting down more than ten Turkic warriors, another bolt of lightning ripped through the dark, cloud-covered sky. Yuan Yueze let out a long roar like a dragon's cry, leaping into the air to a height of over five zhang. His evil sword slashed through the void, drawing in electricity. The high-voltage current made the entire sword sparkle, and Yuan Yueze was enveloped in the electric light, appearing like a thunder god descending to earth against the dark night sky.

The Turkic soldiers were stunned, speechless for a moment.

Lightning instantly flowed from Yuan Yueze's body and concentrated on his longsword. He roared, wielding the sword with both hands and slashing down with lightning speed, creating a deafening roar that shook the entire earth.

Yuan Yueze sheathed his sword and stood tall, calmly gazing at the dumbfounded Turkic warriors. In the dark night filled with thunder and lightning, he possessed a transcendent and independent air.

A deep crater, about five zhang long, split open in the ground before him, the aftershocks of lightning still crackling above it. Beside the crater lay the charred and smoking corpses of a dozen Turkic warriors.

"Wow!"

Led by one of the Turkic warriors, hundreds of Golden Wolf soldiers began to flee towards Meituo Lake.

After Yuan Yueze's earth-shattering attack, no one dared to charge forward to their deaths!

Amidst the swirling winds and rain, everything in the world became one, shrouded in a hazy mist. Yuan Yueze stood proudly, sword in hand, like an ancient war god guarding Longquan.

After nearly a day and night of fierce fighting, Yuan Yueze's energy was severely depleted. He began to enter a state of self-forgetfulness, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing and recover his strength.

When he opened his eyes again, the rain had only slightly subsided, and the surroundings were still shrouded in a gray haze; it was definitely daytime. Looking around, the corpses piled up like mountains, resembling a hellish inferno. Crimson blood seeped deep into the soil, indelible even to the rain. The chaotic plains were covered in red stains, a horrifying sight. The gruesome scene of the battle seemed to linger in the air, as if lamenting humanity, the ruler of all beings: Why have we fought each other endlessly for thousands of years!

This was Yuan Yueze's first time participating in a truly large-scale offensive and defensive battle. At the time, he was filled with excitement, but now he felt a deep sense of sorrow. The heavy rain had come at just the right time, as the enemy had advanced to within five zhang of the city walls, cleared all obstacles outside the hastily dug trenches, and filled in many pits. Without the sudden downpour, Longquan would likely have fallen by now, because even with Yuan Yueze's prowess, it was impossible to kill nearly 100,000 Golden Wolf warriors in such a short time.

Turning his head slowly, he heard someone on the city wall shout, "Master Yuan is awake!"

A cheer followed through the confusion.

Yuan Yueze smiled wryly and followed the soldiers who came to greet him into the city. Having personally experienced war, he understood that in ancient battles, morale could directly determine the outcome. He, Yuan Yueze, had truly become the spiritual pillar of the people of Longquan.

After asking a few questions, Yuan Yueze learned that it was almost noon. He had been resting for nearly six hours, and the Golden Wolf army had all retreated to their camps, seemingly waiting for the rain to stop before launching another attack.

Upon receiving the notification, Ke Subie and the others came out to greet him, treating him like a star and ushering him into the palace council hall.

Exchanging a glance with Shan Meixian, Yuan Yueze took his seat and raised his hand, saying, "Enough with the flattery. The defense of Longquan is not solely my achievement. Without any one of you, we probably wouldn't have been able to hold it so securely."

Zong Xianghua glanced at him, clearly admiring his humble attitude despite his credit.

Yuan Yueze inquired about the battles at Xiaolongquan and in the north of the city. The outcome was self-evident; Shan Meixian and Zong Xianghua sitting there

spoke volumes. Zong Xianghua's beautiful eyes immediately lit up, and she began to recount the events in detail.

With Shan Meixian's support, the two sides, each with ten thousand troops, withstood an attack from a combined force of nearly twenty thousand fierce Golden Wolf and Black Wolf soldiers, ultimately killing nearly ten thousand enemies while suffering only four thousand casualties. Although the result was not optimistic, it was considered a miracle by the Sumo people, because the Golden Wolf Army was the most ferocious and terrifying force on the grasslands, let alone holding the camp at a lower cost than the enemy!

The battles on the west and south sides of the city resulted in nearly 6,000 casualties for the Sumo warriors, while they annihilated more than 15,000 Golden Wolf soldiers in a single day and night, a result that was also unexpected.

After Ge Yuan finished speaking, he said, "We still have more than 30,000 troops, and everyone's fighting spirit is high. We firmly believe that even if Jieli launches another attack after the heavy rain, Longquan will definitely be able to be defended!"

Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "Of course, I just remembered that as long as Wan Jing brings back news from Tuli, and the brothers Belgunatai should also come to the rescue, then we will strike Jieli hard from both inside and outside."

Ke Subie suddenly said, "It was Young Master Yuan, your wife, Young Master Ba, and Young Master Ren who rescued Longquan. After discussing it, we decided that after Young Master Yuan unifies the Central Plains, we will send you..." "It's the main thing."

Ren Jun laughed loudly, "It should have been like this long ago! My elder brother will neither ask you to pay tribute nor make you inferior to the Han people. Only when national distinctions disappear will 'Great Harmony' arrive."

Ke Subie said dejectedly, "This kind of thing is even less real than a dream. How can anyone believe it? Xiufang was right yesterday. She knows how to play musical instruments, and we know how to play weapons, but we find it difficult to learn how to control our own hearts, simply because there is no way to rely on them."

Shan Meixian thought to herself that although there was an element of gratitude, more importantly, you all know that being our enemy will never end well! But she said, "It is normal for human desires to exist. We cannot expect everyone to be a saint, but we can gradually improve various systems to regulate the contradictions within the country and among the people, so that we can eventually reach the state of 'false Great Harmony,' and that is enough. 'True Great Harmony' can only be an empty dream. Even if humanity goes extinct, it will not be realized."

Everyone nodded silently, falling into deep thought.

Yuan Yueze suddenly trembled violently and looked at the door in disbelief.

Everyone looked in the direction he indicated, completely bewildered.

After a long pause, an excited, trembling voice rang out from outside the door, saying, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, 'Empress of the Underworld' Zhu Yuyan requests an audience."

The crowd's faces lit up with joy. Zhu Yuyan was Yuan Yueze's wife and a renowned grandmaster; her arrival undoubtedly increased Longquan's chances of victory.

Ke Subie and the others immediately rose to greet her.

Yuan Yueze raised his hand to stop them, giving a signal to the doorway. When everyone looked again, time seemed to stand still.

Zhu Yuyan, carrying a cloth bag, appeared in the room without anyone noticing how she entered; they only knew that she suddenly stood there, as if she had always been there.

A simple white outfit accentuated her curvaceous figure, her delicate and beautiful features defying description. Her face, as clear and radiant as white jade, seemed to glow, giving her an ethereal, almost unreal quality. Beneath her long, arched eyebrows, a pair of bright blue eyes sparkled with a captivating light, seemingly radiating both holy wisdom and an alluring, almost bewitching charm. Everyone was mesmerized by her gaze, momentarily forgetting to examine her exquisite features and the complex aura of elegance mixed with allure, tranquility with a touch of seductive allure. Even Zong Xianghua, who had witnessed the charm of Shan Meixian and the other women, was stunned. Apart from Shan Meixian, almost no one noticed that Shan Wanjing, whose expression was somewhat off, was following behind Zhu Yuyan.

Shan Wanjing, well aware of her grandmother's allure, coughed lightly, and everyone snapped out of their daze, rising to greet her.

Although Zhu Yuyan was excited, she still managed a well-hidden pleading look at the extremely excited Yuan Yueze, fearing he might pounce on her and kiss her in front of everyone. Losing face as a Grandmaster wasn't a big deal; she was afraid of being mortified.

Ke Subie and the others respectfully invited Zhu Yuyan and her granddaughter to sit down. Fearing Yuan Yueze might cause trouble, Zhu Yuyan quickly sat between her daughter and granddaughter. After a few polite words, Ke Subie and the others got to the point.

Ba Feng Han looked at the cloth bag Zhu Yuyan had placed aside and asked curiously, "What did Empress Zhu bring?"

Zhu Yuyan's luscious red lips curved into a captivating smile as she slowly opened the package.

Everyone was shocked; inside was a bloodied human head.

Ge Yuan exclaimed, "Jieli!"

Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua were utterly horrified. To successfully kill Jieli amidst a thousand troops—very few in the world could do that.

Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Ba Fenghan initially showed expressions of surprise, but quickly calmed down. After exchanging glances, the latter spoke up, "Empress Zhu, could you tell us about the assassination? Which experts protected him?"

Zhu Yuyan nodded and said, "I only managed to infiltrate their important Khan camp. At that time, only Tunyugu and Kedazhi were guarding Jieli. The combined power of these three was considerable; even I couldn't guarantee killing all three of them in one fell swoop. I could only take Jieli first. Tunyugu escaped, and Kedazhi is considered a hero among the younger generation, so I let him go."

Yuan Yueze and the others immediately frowned.

Ren Jun let out a long sigh and said, "Thanks to Sister-in-law...Empress Zhu spared him. I was ambushed by him the night before last, and afterwards I sensed something was amiss. He could have killed me then, but instead used the opportunity to send me to Brother Ba's side. If it weren't for our different stances, I would have truly made him my friend."

He didn't even dare to look Zhu Yuyan in the eye, let alone call her "Sister-in-law." As if remembering something, Zhu Yuyan reached into her pocket and took out a bunch of folded iron wires. She unfolded them with a crackling sound, transforming them into a magnificent bow. She said, "Jieli shot an arrow at me with this bow. I thought it was quite good, so I brought it back to see if any of you could use it."

Yuan Yueze took it and drew it a few times, saying, "This must have been a gift from Shen Mohuan to Jieli after he became a stray dog and sought refuge with him. This bow is called 'Flying Cloud,' a masterpiece created by a master archer from the Northern Frontier." The bow was made of specially twisted and woven steel wire, making it both elastic and incredibly strong. Most remarkably, it could be folded into three sections for easy storage. The string was made of even finer steel wire, making it a super-strong bow capable of withstanding the force of two hundred stones (a unit of weight in traditional Chinese measurement). Even

a weak person might struggle to draw it. He released the bow and tossed it to Ren Jun, who quickly said, "Such a fine bow is too much for me. Why not give it to Brother Ba? I still prefer his Tuomu bow, made by a Persian craftsman, which embodies the six principles of distance, speed, sharpness, harmony, solidity, and endurance."

Ba Feng Han, deep in thought, chuckled, "Little Jun must be an idiot. Anyone can see that this Flying Cloud Bow is far superior to my Tuomu bow."

At Ren Jun's insistence, Ba Feng Han reluctantly retrieved the Tuomu bow from under the table—a bow entirely lacquered, painted with exotic patterns and full of exotic charm—and exchanged it with him.

Shan Meixian frowned and said, "I always felt that Jieli wouldn't die like this, because my husband once said that his true cultivation was almost comparable to Bi Xuan's. What's strange is that he never appeared during the entire battle last night."

Ba Feng Han agreed, "Jieli must have heard about your arrival the night before last. No matter how arrogant he is, he still has to be wary of the two of you working together to ambush him. The dead person is very likely a puppet, and the real Jieli has long been hiding and directing the deployment."

Ke Subie also nodded and said, "If Jieli really died, the Golden Wolf Army should be in chaos. How could they still be surrounding Longquan?"

The speculations of the group were not without reason. Zhu Yuyan's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent, and she nodded silently.

Yuan Yueze then remembered Shan Wanjing. Looking over, he found the little princess sleeping peacefully in Shan Meixian's arms. He immediately bombarded her with questions like a machine gun: "How did Yuyan meet Wanjing? What news is there about Tuli? Did she use any special powers?"

Zhu Yuyan replied, "After I killed the fake Jieli, I happened to find Wanjing trying to sneak into Longquan in the chaos when I was leaving the encirclement. She told me that Tuli was ambushed by a masked master wielding a stick a few days ago and barely survived after a fierce battle." He then fell into a coma. Many chieftains took the opportunity to betray Tuli, leading their people to surrender to Jieli. Only less than 20,000 people did not abandon Tuli, so Wanjing immediately revived him. After agreeing with him on a plan to attack the Golden Wolf Army after the rain, she hurriedly returned.

Everyone showed a look of realization, understanding why the Black Wolf Army had joined the Golden Wolf Army. At the same time, they also marveled that when they had enough highly skilled experts, this "decapitation tactic" was undoubtedly the most insane and terrifying. Yuan Yueze knew that the expert wielding the staff was most likely the monk who called himself Yuanrong, and humbly said, "It was

my carelessness. If I had sent Susu to accompany Wanjing, she wouldn't have suffered so much." Shan Meixian comforted him for a few moments, and Ba Fenghan said, "Now that Empress Zhu has come, even if she only killed a substitute, Jieli will be terrified. I think he'll likely retreat when the rain subsides a bit, or after the sky clears."

Zong Xianghua interjected, "There's another possibility: he'll continue his relentless attack. Because Empress Zhu has only shown the strength to walk through ten thousand troops, not the ability to kill thousands." "These are two completely different things. Moreover, even Empress Zhu didn't realize she'd killed the wrong person, which shows that Jieli has a way of concealing his mind and spirit to avoid Empress Zhu's touch."

Zhu Yuyan gave her an approving look, then looked out the window and said, "If I'm not mistaken, this heavy rain will last at least three days."

Ge Yuan asked curiously, "How did Empress Zhu guess that?"

Zhu Yuyan smiled and said, "From the density of moisture in the clouds and air."

Those who had just met Zhu Yuyan were simultaneously stunned, all feeling that this elegant yet sinister woman's achievements had already transcended the realm of "martial arts," and that they themselves were so insignificant before her.

Afterwards, the group began to discuss what they needed to pay attention to next and how to join forces with Tuli to attack Jieli.

Sure enough, the heavy rain lasted for three days and three nights, only beginning to subside at dusk on the third day. To prevent the spread of plague, Longquan continuously sent people out in the rain to collect the bloated corpses outside the city for cremation.

Master Arrow, overjoyed to have avenged his great grudge, gifted the Flying Cloud Bow to Ba Feng Han and promised to unearth the two divine bows, the Sun-Slaying Bow and the Moon-Shooting Bow, which he had hidden long ago, upon returning to the Central Plains, and present them to Yuan Yueze.

The soldiers and civilians of Longquan were filled with fighting spirit, diligently training daily on the formations proposed by Shan Meixian. The Black King had returned, and Yuan Yueze conveniently dispatched it to deliver a message to Tu Li's side in the rain to discuss cooperation. Fortunately, it was a divine eagle like the Black King; any other bird would have been blown away by the gale long ago.

After dinner, Yuan Yueze accompanied Zhu Yuyan and her three generations of relatives to rest in the palace.

Zhu Yuyan vaguely sensed that Yuan Yueze intended to wipe out all three generations of them that night. After a few casual words, she immediately rose, intending to leave.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Yueze grabbed her shoulder and chuckled mischievously, "Haven't we seen each other in so long, Yu Yan, don't you miss me?"

Zhu Yu Yan could have used her inner strength to push him away, but deep down, she was indeed as Yuan Yueze described. She froze, then looked at the ever-sensible Shan Meixian.

Shan Meixian smiled slightly and said generously, "I also want to see how Mother and Husband get intimate!" Shan

Wanjing clapped her hands in agreement.

Zhu Yu Yan almost choked with anger; her daughter and granddaughter had changed so much. However, Shan Meixian's words did indeed stir a stimulating desire within her. In

a moment of distraction, Yuan Yueze had already sealed her vital points. Zhu Yu Yan groaned and fell into Yuan Yueze's arms, her breathing becoming rapid.

Yuan Yueze carried her to the bedside, while Shan Meixian and her daughter chuckled, looking at Zhu Yu Yan with a mocking expression.

Zhu Yuyan wanted to get angry, but found that she wasn't unhappy at all. She couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, and said angrily, "Come on then, are you afraid of me? Release your pressure points!"

Yuan Yueze grabbed her soft breasts, causing her delicate body, deprived of his touch for months, to go weak and involuntarily let out a soft moan. Then, remembering her daughter and granddaughter watching, her face flushed red, a surge of unprecedented excitement welling up within her.

Yuan Yueze wouldn't force her; the grab had already released her pressure points.

Looking at her husband, daughter, and granddaughter sitting before her, Zhu Yuyan elegantly tossed her hair, straightened her back, and sat down in front of them, saying calmly, "What do you want?"

Yuan Yueze, holding Shan Meixian and her daughter, kissed each of their smooth cheeks before smiling at Zhu Yuyan, "Yuyan, don't you want to try what it's like to be with us? If you really don't want to, I'll spend the night with Meixian and Wanjing!"

Zhu Yuyan hesitated slightly, and Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian laughed simultaneously.

Zhu Yuyan's pretty face flushed slightly, and she complained, "Even Meixian has become bad!"

The three of them laughed even harder.

Shan Wanjing broke free from Yuan Yueze's grasp and threw herself into Zhu Yuyan's arms, panting and saying, "Grandma, you'll definitely get addicted if you try it. Back then, when I and Mother were with our husbands, it was so exciting!"

Recalling her own wanton behavior as she sat on Yuan Yueze, yielding to his advances, under her daughter's astonished gaze, even Shan Meixian blushed. But she didn't object, because Shan Wanjing was right; that kind of thrill, breaking ethical taboos, was something most people never had the chance to experience. She had never regretted it.

Zhu Yuyan, having lived for nearly seventy years, understood this perfectly. The day she and her apprentice indulged in Yuan Yueze's debauchery had already captivated her; if it were three generations sharing the pleasure, the thrill would be a hundred times stronger.

Yuan Yueze knew Zhu Yuyan wouldn't leave, so he kneaded Shan Meixian's firm breasts through her clothes, smacked his lips, and chuckled, "So, who should I serve first?"

Shan Wanjing was the first to raise her hand, saying, "I'll volunteer!"

In front of outsiders, she still maintained the dignified demeanor of a princess. But at home, she would revert to her true self, becoming the lively, adorable, and playful little girl before him.

Yuan Yueze pinched Shan Meixian's erect and hardened nipple with his thumb and forefinger, shaking his head, "It should be according to age, Grandma first."

Zhu Yuyan and Shan Meixian blushed and spat simultaneously. He had always addressed the three women according to their seniority, and today, calling her "Grandma" for the first time made Zhu Yuyan and her daughters shy, but the thrill also surged rapidly.

Shan Wanjing struggled out of Zhu Yuyan's embrace, pouting her bright red lips, and exclaimed, "Alright, alright, I couldn't last much longer anyway, let's see Grandma's skills!"

By the end, she had adopted a sarcastic tone. This amused and exasperated Zhu Yuyan, but the thrill in her heart only intensified.

Yuan Yueze released the somewhat aroused Shan Meixian, pounced on Zhu Yuyan, and through her clothes, lifted her firm, full breasts, laughing, "Please, Grandma, have a go!"

Zhu Yuyan blushed deeply, giving him a fierce glare, her heart pounding wildly. Despite this, she remained motionless, her beautiful eyes defiantly fixed on Yuan Yueze, appearing completely submissive.

Yuan Yueze channeled his inner energy; under the influence of his immense aura, the clothes of all four simultaneously turned to ashes. Yuan Yueze

's physique was perfect, especially his enormous member, a weapon beyond the reach of ordinary men, bringing countless pleasures to the grandmother and granddaughter.

Each of the three women, Zhu Yuyan, Shan Meixian, and Shan Wanjing, possessed unique and captivating beauty and perfect figures. Overall, Zhu Yuyan was undoubtedly the best; her appearance and figure transcended the definition of "perfect," defying description. Language, after all, is a product of human experience since birth, and compared to the universe, humanity is minuscule; therefore, language cannot possibly describe everything within the cosmos.

Shan Meixian was only slightly inferior to Zhu Yuyan; and Shan Wanjing naturally inherited even less.

However, each woman possessed her own unique charm: Zhu Yuyan was alluring and aloof, Shan Meixian was intelligent and virtuous, and Shan Wanjing was lively and adorable. It was precisely their personalities that attracted Yuan Yueze the most.

Yuan Yueze embraced the three women, giving each of them a long kiss.

Zhu Yuyan and Shan Meixian were excited yet shy, their elegant faces flushed. The thrill of the moment was the biggest factor in their excitement. Shan Wanjing, on the other hand, was much simpler; she was just a playful little girl, and the excitement was minimal. She compared herself to her mother and grandmother in every way, finally pouting helplessly, clearly believing she couldn't compare to them in looks and figure.

Yuan Yueze, holding Zhu Yuyan and her mother, exclaimed, "How about the three of us serve Grandma together?"

Zhu Yuyan reached out her delicate hand and slapped his erect member hard.

Yuan Yueze grabbed her full breast, pinching the slightly engorged pink nipple, feigning anger, "These are your daughter and granddaughter's treasures. Can you afford to pay for them if you break them?"

Shan Meixian and her mother hugged each other, laughing.

Zhu Yuyan gave a soft snort, pouting disdainfully, then let out a soft gasp.

It turned out that Yuan Yueze had pushed her down, his grotesque hands expertly pressing down on her breasts, massaging and squeezing them in her favorite rhythm and manner.

Zhu Yuyan's breathing quickened considerably.

While kneading Zhu Yuyan's breasts, Yuan Yueze turned back and shouted to Shan Wanjing, who was still watching the scene with Shan Mei, "Wanjing, come help."

Shan Wanjing, spoiled by Yuan Yueze, was a veritable female rogue. She cheered and struggled out of Shan Meixian's embrace, rushing over.

Shan Meixian pulled over a pillow, elegantly leaning against it, her face flushed as she looked at the lewd scene before her.

Zhu Yuyan was very embarrassed. Being teased by her little husband, Yuan Yueze, was acceptable, but if she were to be teased by her own granddaughter and moan with excitement, wouldn't that be incredibly shameful? Suddenly, her delicate body trembled violently, her slender neck arched back against the pillow, her delicate waist arched, and she let out several soft hums through her small nose.

It turned out that Yuan Yueze had already parted her rounded jade legs, grabbed her hands, and kissed her newly moist little garden without saying a word.

Yuan Yueze's tongue skillfully teased the most sensitive part of her dark forest, his lips pressed against the pink petals, tearing and tugging, his teeth gently biting the swollen pink bud at the top. His strength and method were exactly what Zhu Yuyan liked best. If she hadn't been so skilled, she probably would have forgotten herself and moaned and cried out in front of her granddaughter.

She gave Shan Wanjing a look, and Shan Wanjing understood immediately. She rushed to her grandmother's chest, took Zhu Yuyan's erect pink nipple into her mouth, and savored it carefully. She reached out with her other hand, grasped the other breast, and gently kneaded it. Her techniques all came from Yuan Yueze, and now, recalling them, she used them all on Zhu Yuyan. Her little tongue circled the pink areola, her teeth nibbled at the rapidly hardening nipple, her jade hands squeezed and kneaded her round breasts, her slender fingers flicking back and forth at the swollen cherry at the tip… A unique milky fragrance, different from her own, belonging to her grandmother, wafted into her nostrils, and

Shan Wanjing was inexplicably excited, using all her methods even more vigorously. With her hands held by Yuan Yueze, her jade breasts being sucked and teased by her granddaughter's skillful hands, and her secret sanctuary being kissed by her young husband, Zhu Yuyan was overwhelmed by pleasure and felt extremely comfortable, but she was not used to moaning loudly in front of her granddaughter and daughter, so she tried her best to suppress it.

Yuan Yueze's saliva and the honey secreted by Zhu Yuyan mingled the long, fine black hairs on her tender, white, and plump petals, making it easier for Yuan Yueze's rough tongue to tease Zhu Yuyan's private parts. After sucking a big mouthful of delicious honey, Yuan Yueze raised his head and made two "woo-woo" sounds.

As the pleasure subsided, Zhu Yuyan immediately became much more sober. Then, she stared in disbelief as Yuan Yueze released her hands and personally transferred her vaginal fluids to Shan Wanjing, who happily swallowed them and even engaged in a tongue-twisting exchange with Yuan Yueze.

Zhu Yuyan's excitement intensified. Even Shan Meixian, who was watching from the sidelines, breathed heavily, her slender hands unable to resist climbing up to her chest and slowly kneading it.

After a passionate exchange, Shan Wanjing stuck out her tender red tongue, licking her sexy lips, and said with a slight frown, "Why is other people's water salty and astringent, but Grandma and Mother's is so delicious?"

Zhu Yuyan and her daughter blushed and spat in unison. Yuan Yueze embraced Shan Wanjing's alluring naked body and laughed, "It's all the same, it's just that people can have illusions because of their feelings. For example, I think everything about you is sweet."

The three of them nodded in unison. They had been with Yuan Yueze for quite some time, and Shan Meixian and her daughter had married him since he came to this space. No one knew Yuan Yueze's love for them better than they did. Zhu Yuyan loosened up and chided from the side, "Aren't you coming?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback, then burst into laughter. Just as he was about to continue his tongue-twisting skills, Shan Wanjing interjected, "Let someone serve Grandma!"

Zhu Yuyan's pretty face flushed even more, but she didn't object.

Yuan Yueze pulled Shan Meixian over and made her sit on his lap. He hugged her from behind and kissed her sweet little mouth. His hands slipped from under her armpits to her high, firm breasts. One hand grasped her pert, full breasts, his fingers deftly kneading the tender, protruding nipples. The other hand slid down her flat stomach, reaching into her thick pubic hair, gently caressing her full mons pubis. His index and middle fingers teased her half-wet labia, then teased and rubbed her gradually erect clitoris.

Shan Meixian was stimulated and moaned softly. Without the slightest hesitation, she wrapped one jade-like hand around Yuan Yueze's head from behind, while the other hand scooped up his penis and began to stroke it rapidly, her fiery body twisting back and forth.

Shan Wanjing pounced on Zhu Yuyan, spreading her grandmother's fair and delicate legs apart. As Zhu Yuyan's plump buttocks opened her legs, Shan Wanjing could clearly see her most alluring private parts: beneath the dark, smooth pubic hair, two pink petals lightly concealed the pink slit in the center, rising and falling with Zhu Yuyan's trembling breaths and the quivering of her body. The two tender petals covering it also writhed like clam meat.

Shan Wanjing secretly envied, then lowered her head to kiss the mound of Zhu Yuyan's private parts, breathing in the sweet scent emanating from her honeypot, a sweetness that brought a sense of peace. Shan Wanjing pressed her cheek against Zhu Yuyan's soft, smooth legs. The delicate, smooth sensation not only excited Shan Wanjing immensely, but also thrilled Zhu Yuyan, who was intently watching her granddaughter's every move. It was even more stimulating than being caressed by Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze's large hand caressed Shan Meixian's little garden. Her jade legs were spread wide apart, forming a straight line. The warm, moist breath emanating from her honeypot and the gushing lustful fluids were all transferred to Yuan Yueze's fingertips and palms.

Under Yuan Yueze's teasing, Shan Meixian's starry eyes were half-closed. She leaned back against him shyly and weakly, her delicate body trembling incessantly, as if responding to his teasing, moaning beautifully. While passionately kissing Yuan Yueze, she quickly stroked his thick, long spear.

Yuan Yueze released Shan Meixian's breathless mouth and kissed her slender, pink neck, his nostrils filled with her unique, faint fragrance. Under the familiar three-point attack, Shan Meixian unconsciously tilted her head back, her swaying body incredibly alluring. With Yuan Yueze's skillful finger techniques, Shan Meixian's soft body arched backward, her slender waist twisting as her warm, moist vulva dripped clear, lustful fluid, and she moaned loudly.

Shan Wanjing gently parted the two large petals of Zhu Yuyan's peach blossom cave with her fingers. Zhu Yuyan's body trembled slightly, emitting a barely perceptible moan, her lower body gently twisting, and nectar slowly flowing from the bright red flesh between the petals. Shan Wanjing carefully recalled the methods Yuan Yueze used on his sisters, pressing her slender fingers against the tender, wet petals and rubbing them left and right. Zhu Yuyan's moans gradually grew louder. Shan Wanjing was extremely aroused. While using two fingers of her right hand to part the petals and her thumb to push back Zhu Yuyan's clitoral foreskin, she reached her left hand between her thighs and began to tease herself. At the same time, she extended her little tongue and gently sucked on her grandmother's clitoris. This action caused Zhu Yuyan to unconsciously thrust her snowy buttocks and mons pubis upwards more forcefully, twisting her slender waist and suppressing moans.

Shan Wanjing's little tongue kept swirling around the folds of flesh at the entrance of Zhu Yuyan's honeypot, sometimes gently licking the clitoris, sometimes sucking on the petals. Then she probed her tongue into the fleshy hole. Zhu Yuyan finally couldn't bear it any longer and involuntarily let out a series of moans, her little hands gripping the sheets tightly and kneading them haphazardly. Shan Wanjing suddenly raised her head, her little face flushed, and said shyly, "Grandma, I...I..."

Zhu Yuyan looked at her shy appearance and immediately understood her thoughts. Glancing at Shan Meixian and Yuan Yueze, who were comforting each other with their arms around each other, Zhu Yuyan blushed and whispered, "Turn around!"

Shan Wanjing was shy but excited at the suggestion, immediately turning her pink and white bottom around, spreading her legs wide, facing Zhu Yuyan.

Zhu Yuyan placed her long, slender hand on her granddaughter's overflowing garden and, using the same method Yuan Yueze had used, began to "comfort" Shan Wanjing.

Shan Wanjing groaned loudly without restraint, while her mouth aimed at Zhu Yuyan's honey pot, her tongue stirring vigorously.

Zhu Yuyan's pleasure intensified as her granddaughter vigorously stirred her flower valley, and she groaned absently. Suddenly, she withdrew her wet hand and kissed Shan Wanjing's pink vulva. While

the grandmother and granddaughter were playing oral sex, Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian had already joined together.

Yuan Yueze sat cross-legged, his arms wrapped around Shan Meixian's slender waist. Shan Meixian sat facing him in her lap, her arms wrapped around his thick neck. The two kissed tightly.

Shan Meixian's face was filled with ecstasy, her two shapely, long legs firmly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, her body twisting violently, her proud breasts rubbing against Yuan Yueze's chest, bringing her great pleasure; her snowy buttocks rose and fell, her wet, gushing vulva rapidly manipulating Yuan Yueze's penis.

Her technique was skillful, each time she lifted her hips, the tip of his penis was less than half an inch from the entrance of her vagina, and when she quickly sat down, she swallowed the entire penis, violently thrusting into her tender flower core. Each time the spear withdrew from her body, her vaginal walls would writhe and gnaw at the shaft, her tightly contracting vaginal canal sending shivers of pleasure through Yuan Yueze's body. And when her clitoris touched the tip of the spear, she would let out a high-pitched cry. Although the contact was only momentary, her soft clitoris would constantly rub and suck at the glans, sending even stronger waves of pleasure, like electric currents, rapidly traveling from the spear to his brain. Yuan Yueze couldn't help but release her mouth, tilting his head back to inhale deeply.

The blissful sensation of their bodies merging spread continuously at their point of connection, powerfully impacting every nerve.

Meanwhile, the moans of Zhu Yuyan and her granddaughter grew louder and louder, a sign that they were approaching climax.

Yuan Yueze bit down on Shan Meixian's frantically throbbing, now completely devoid of her usual dignified and virtuous demeanor, and asked, "Meixian, have you also learned the 'Charming Maiden Technique' from Qing'er?"

Shan Meixian's movements didn't slow; her beautiful, half-open, misty eyes exhaled softly, and she said haltingly, "I also want... to... enjoy... it properly with my husband..."

The "slap slap" sound of their muscles colliding echoed throughout the bedroom, turning into a "splish, splish" sound with Shan Meixian's increasingly wild movements. Because the copious amounts of vaginal fluid secreted by Shan Meixian's vulva not only soaked their genitals and the sheets, but also caused many white bubbles to appear around her delicate opening, the sound of their colliding genitals was no longer so crisp.

Shan Wanjing and Zhu Yuyan also became more uninhibited. The two women began to tease each other's tight, fleshy openings with their tongues, exploring the folds and buds. As their own stimulation increased and influenced by the intense activity of Yuan Yueze and his companion nearby, their movements became more vigorous. Their mouths focused intently on the clitoris: biting, rubbing, pulling, and licking; one hand focused on the clitoris; and the other hand thrust in and out of each other's vaginas. At first, they used one finger, and later they used all five, but it still didn't feel enough, because their five fingers together weren't as strong as Yuan Yueze's massive member.

However, none of this mattered. What mattered was that their identities brought them unprecedented stimulation and excitement.

The grandmother and granddaughter playing with lilies was an unprecedented and unparalleled feat, much like Yuan Yueze's three generations marrying at the same time.

Zhu Yuyan's deep, drawn-out "Mmm!"

, Shan Meixian's high-pitched, melodious "Ah!"

, Shan Wanjing's hoarse "Ya!",

and Yuan Yueze's roar rang out almost simultaneously.

Zhu Yuyan and Shan Wanjing's delicate bodies and vaginas convulsed violently at the same time, their jade legs encircling each other's heads, their honeypots spraying large amounts of fragrant, transparent nectar, hitting each other's rosy faces and slender hands, some even shooting far away onto the white sheets.

Shan Meixian sat down forcefully, her head tilted back, her disheveled hair flying wildly, her waist arching back desperately, her alabaster-like body trembling violently, a large amount of thick vaginal fluid gushing from her flower core, reaching orgasm. At the same time, Yuan Yueze also erupted within her, his yang essence powerfully colliding with her yin essence, shooting onto her soft, opening and closing flower core, some of which was directly sprayed into Shan Meixian's delicate uterus.

Shan Meixian leaned weakly on Yuan Yueze's shoulder, panting and savoring the afterglow.

Yuan Yueze tightly embraced her snow-white body, whose spasms had not completely subsided, and moved to the side of Zhu Yuyan, who was carefully wiping Shan Wanjing's face, lying on her smooth, lotus-like arm.

The three women's faces and bodies were flushed, their panting still not fully calm.

For a moment, all four were speechless, only knowing to huddle together, digesting the afterglow of their climax.

Yuan Yueze, with one arm around Shan Meixian's slender waist, still tightly entwined with his and clinging to him, and the other kneading Zhu Yuyan's breasts, chuckled, "Will Wanjing fall in love with Yuyan?"

Thinking of the strange, wonderful feeling of being brought to orgasm by her granddaughter, Zhu Yuyan's already flushed cheeks flushed even more. Shan Wanjing, nestled against her other arm, playfully interjected, "Who told you to go keep your mother company? But it seems much less intense than making love with my husband; I can't quite put my finger on it."

As she finished speaking, she looked up at Zhu Yuyan, as if seeking confirmation.

Zhu Yuyan nodded silently: The feeling just now was also very comfortable, but it was far inferior to real sexual intercourse. A little play now and then was fine, but doing it all the time wouldn't be good for one's body and mind.

A radiant smile graced Shan Meixian's still-blushing face as she said, "This means Mother and Wanjing don't love women, so husband can rest assured!"

Yuan Yueze chuckled and patted her pert buttocks, then lowered his mouth to take Zhu Yuyan's still-firm nipple into his mouth, grinning mischievously, "Now I'm going to serve Yuyan properly!"

Shan Meixian twisted her slender waist and slid to Yuan Yueze's left side. His still-erect penis parted from her honeypot with a crisp "pop." A mixture of semen and vaginal fluid flowed from Shan Meixian's tender, red honeypot. Lying on Yuan Yueze's arm, she laughed, "Let's all serve Mother together!"

Zhu Yuyan felt a surge of shyness, wanting to intimidate her restless husband and eager granddaughter with her authority, but suddenly realized that the three of them were not only unafraid of her, but she actually quite longed to be "served" by all three of them.

It would surely be an intoxicating feeling she had never experienced before!

With a flushed face, Zhu Yuyan thought of this, but before she could answer, Yuan Yueze had already slid between her thighs, rubbing the tip of his black and red spear, slick with Shan Meixian's juices, against her still somewhat numb vulva. The hot spear touched the moist, warm vulva, and both Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan trembled violently, feeling a tingling, weak sensation throughout their bodies. Stimulated, her vulva began to flow again with a gush of fragrant, sticky juices, soaking the spearhead.

At the same time, Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing each took one of Zhu Yuyan's two tender, rosy breasts into their mouths, launching a concentrated attack on the semi-soft nipples.

This was indeed an unprecedented sensation.

Zhu Yuyan's beautiful eyes welled up with tears, her face flushed even more, her breathing grew heavier, and she gently bit her beautiful lips, letting out a soft, fragrant moan.

While rubbing his hot, thick penis against Zhu Yuyan's wet, fleshy vulva, Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Yuyan, don't be so conservative anymore!" Zhu Yuyan

suddenly let out a soft moan, pushing her daughter and granddaughter away simultaneously. She sat up, pushed Yuan Yueze down, and scolded, "You bullied me!"

The three of them exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Without a word, Zhu Yuyan spread her long, smooth legs, straddled Yuan Yueze's lap, and lifted his teasingly large member, aiming it at her dripping, wet opening.

"Sizzle!"

Zhu Yuyan slowly sat down.

The tender, moist, tight walls of her vagina gripped the throbbing member, a powerful suction emanating from the depths of her vulva, drawing the penis deeper. The writhing folds of flesh caused Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan to groan with pleasure, a wave of tingling sensation washing over them.

The penis was fully inserted, and Zhu Yuyan, panting softly, straddled Yuan Yueze's lap. Their pubic hair pressed tightly together, the tip of his penis and the tip of her vulva intertwining like two small mouths inside Zhu Yuyan's body.

Seeing that in this position, she and her daughter could no longer stimulate Zhu Yuyan together, Shan Meixian pulled over a pillow and leaned against it, continuing to savor the wonderful taste of her recent climax. Shan Wanjing leaned against her mother, her slender fingers unintentionally kneading and teasing Shan Meixian's fair, firm, and elastic breasts and nipples. Shan Meixian was already used to her wantonness, gently pulling her into her arms and affectionately stroking her cloud-like hair.

Although Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan remained motionless, their intercourse was actually in full swing. The tender, moist walls of her vulva tightly gripped his penis, the folds of flesh contracting and relaxing with each breath; the soft, delicate vulva sucked and nibbled at the tip like a small mouth, waves of fluid gushing out—a stimulation that no ordinary person could bear. The exquisite pleasure was even more intense than the dynamic act of intercourse.

Yuan Yueze's penis pressed tightly against her clitoris, guarding his ejaculation point.

Clear, lustful fluid continuously flowed from their tightly joined bodies, soaking their pubic hair and the sheets beneath them. They couldn't help but groan.

Zhu Yuyan's pretty face flushed deeper and deeper, her expression one of blissful ecstasy. Suddenly, she gently lifted her snow-white, plump buttocks slightly, took a few deep breaths, gave Yuan Yueze a charming, seductive look, closed her beautiful eyes, and pressed her jade-like hand against his lower abdomen, beginning to thrust up and

down, manipulating his penis, savoring the pleasure that only the union of man and woman could bring. Yuan Yueze held her two smooth, plump buttocks, thrusting upwards again and again, his erect breasts rising and falling with her movements. Her flower valley was in full bloom, and amidst the dense, fragrant grass, two small pink petals shimmered. With her rise and fall, the monstrous, veiny member swiftly thrust in and out of her narrow, tight passage, revealing glistening, translucent buds and tender walls glistening with nectar.

"Mmm... mmm..."

Waves of tingling, pleasurable pleasure flowed through her entire body with their frenzied, rhythmic movements. Zhu Yuyan, her hair disheveled, forgot that her daughter and granddaughter were watching. Her starry eyes were slightly open, her breathing rapid, her face flushed with allure, and her delicate mouth gaped open, emitting a series of soft moans.

The beautiful "slap slap" sounds emanated from their point of union, rising and falling, never ceasing.

The tip of the penis and the jade flower core collided no less than a thousand times, and Zhu Yuyan's moans grew louder and louder. Her entire body was covered in a beautiful blush, drenched in fragrant sweat, even the hair that fell across her face was wet in clumps.

Afraid she would tire herself out, Yuan Yueze maintained his rhythm while sitting up, causing her to lean back, her slender arms supporting his thighs.

This put the initiative entirely in Yuan Yueze's hands. Seeing the protruding clitoris amidst the wetness of her vulva and the slippery pink flesh faintly visible between her petals, Yuan Yueze increased the speed of his thrusts, his burning member relentlessly pounding within her tight passage.

Under such attacks, Zhu Yuyan gradually could no longer withstand it. Her moans grew louder and hoarse, and suddenly she tightly closed her beautiful eyes, biting her lips, her head shaking violently from side to side. Her hot, moist flower passage began to spasm, her nectar gushing forth like a spring, making her reborn flower passage even narrower and deeper. The pleasure stimulated Yuan Yueze to thrust harder, almost reaching the point of climax.

"Husband...husband...ah...I'm dying...ah!"

After more than a hundred thrusts, Zhu Yuyan, her face flushed, suddenly screamed, her upper body lunging forward, burying herself in Yuan Yueze's arms, her slender arms tightly wrapped around him, her whole body convulsing violently. At the same time, her tender flower core and passage began to contract incessantly, the hot flow surging and rolling, and fragrant, clear vaginal fluid gushed out, splashing onto the tip of Yuan Yueze's penis.

Yuan Yueze knew she had reached her climax, immediately stopping his thrusting, his penis pressed firmly against her flower core, and forcefully holding her beautiful body in his arms. Sprayed by her intensely contracting clitoris and vaginal fluids, Yuan Yueze trembled all over, a surge of heat rising from his massive member, shooting deep into Zhu Yuyan's honeypot.

Zhu Yuyan clung tightly to Yuan Yueze, her delicate body trembling before gradually going limp. Her vaginal walls and clitoris continued to tremble and twitch rhythmically, biting and massaging Yuan Yueze's long spear.

Zhu Yuyan lay helplessly against Yuan Yueze's broad chest, immersed in the supreme pleasure of their fusion of body and soul, breathing heavily.

Yuan Yueze glanced at Shan Meixian and her daughter; their large eyes were watery, kneading each other's breasts, clearly their lust had returned. He then pulled them over to rest.

After Zhu Yuyan calmed down a bit, Yuan Yueze pulled Shan Wanjing over and laughed, "What position does Wanjing like?"

Shan Wanjing's face flushed, her slender hands holding Yuan Yueze's trembling, erect member, and she offered her glistening, pink flower valley, moaning as she rubbed, "Anything is fine, I want it..."

Zhu Yuyan and Shan Meixian, looking tired, exchanged a glance and shook their heads with amusement. The mother and daughter embraced, ignoring the erotic scene around them, and began whispering amongst themselves.

Shan Wanjing's fair and full mature body, cultivated over the years, was even more sensitive, alluring, and rounded, exuding an irresistible allure. Yuan Yueze lowered his head and kissed her full, soft lips, his large hands beginning to wantonly caress and knead her full breasts, indulging in wanton fondling. Unexpectedly, Shan Wanjing, having been pent up for so long, was consumed by lust, her appearance becoming hazy

and alluring. She focused solely on rubbing her vulva with her penis, oblivious to everything else. Yuan Yueze chuckled, quickly flipping her into a half-kneeling position. His hands gripped her slender waist and rounded buttocks, his fiery member parting her delicate petals and sliding down her moist slit into her already lubricated opening, penetrating to its fullest extent into her intensely empty and long-awaited burning flower path.

The tip of his penis pressed against her tender clitoris, grinding against it repeatedly, bringing waves of tingling, pleasurable sensations. Shan Wanjing tilted her head back, her long hair flying, her body trembling violently several times, letting out a satisfied sigh. The folds of flesh within her flower path tightly writhed and gnawed at the shaft, a wonderful tingling sensation surging from her nerve endings, instantly spreading throughout her body, causing Yuan Yueze to groan. After a brief pause, Shan Wanjing began to move back and forth, emitting incoherent moans.

Her delicate legs were spread wide, repeatedly offering up her round, snow-white buttocks, her juices flowing freely and soaking the thick, fragrant pubic hair between her legs. With her frenzied movements, her proud breasts rippled with alluring waves, her labia tightly gripping and scraping against the massive member, the inner core possessing an extraordinary suction that made it throb wildly, her desire raging.

Yuan Yueze thrust deep inside, fiercely attacking her soft core. Shan Wanjing's body burned, her core being pounded repeatedly, she felt an unparalleled pleasure. Her breath quickened, her phoenix eyes glazed, she cried out loudly, her waist thrusting harder, completely lost in the sea of desire.

After hundreds of thrusts, Shan Wanjing was utterly defeated, moaning and groaning, her body trembling violently. No longer able to support her upper body, she rested her head against the pillow, only raising her smooth, white buttocks to meet Yuan Yueze's thrusts. Her soul felt light, as if soaring in the sky, an indescribable bliss.

Yuan Yueze's techniques were skillful; he thrust, twisted, rammed, and ground, driving Shan Wanjing wild with pleasure. She was thoroughly enjoying the ministrations of his massive member, feeling as if she were floating on clouds.

"Faster...almost there...faster...faster..."

Shan Wanjing moaned intermittently, her voice trembling with sobs, making it impossible to tell if she was experiencing pleasure or pain. With each powerful thrust of Yuan Yueze, her juices splattered everywhere.

After a hundred or so thrusts, Shan Wanjing was overwhelmed by the intense pleasure and almost fainted. She no longer had the strength to kneel, and collapsed onto the bed, only her cute little buttocks, glistening with clear, lustful fluid, raised high to meet Yuan Yueze's thrusts. Her heart was being attacked for a long time, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. The pleasure and enjoyment were indescribable, and only wanton moans were her only way to release it.

Finally, Shan Wanjing let out a loud moan, her head tilted back, her body tensed up suddenly, and then her vaginal canal contracted together, her heart gushing out waves of fluid.

Yuan Yueze held her wet, plump buttocks tightly, his spear thrusting all the way in, his semen hitting the deepest part of her beautiful body like a cannonball.

Although the four of them still had "sexual interest," Zhu Yuyan suggested lying together and chatting. So Yuan Yueze held Zhu Yuyan and her daughter on either side, while Shan Wanjing lay lazily on his chest. The four of them talked and laughed for a long time before falling asleep.

After this incident, Zhu Yuyan became more uninhibited. She spent the next two nights having wild fun with Yuan Yueze and the other women. With her help, Yuan Yueze recovered his energy very quickly, at least 70%.

Zhu Yuyan also explained why she arrived so late: although the duel between her and Song Shidao at the end of the first month was sealed off, she sensed that Kong Zheng was watching the battle with his spiritual senses. To ensure the complete demise of "Yueshan," Zhu Yuyan and Song Shidao put on a very convincing act, resulting in mutual injuries, though such injuries were child's play for them. Song Shidao subsequently openly joined the Luoyang army and was appointed General of the Northern Expedition by Shen Luoyan. Although the Luoyang army had a clear system, no one objected, simply stating that the support of the 100,000 troops of the Song clan entrenched in Lingnan was sufficient for Song Shidao, who had no military achievements, to obtain this position. This news did not cause much of a stir, because many people could predict that even if Yuan Yueze and the Song family had truly become bitter enemies, they would ultimately be driven by self-interest and end up on the same side. Zhu Yuyan then prepared to follow Yuan Yueze northward, but the "Imprisonment Technique" of the Demon Seed Great Art reminded her that Li Xiuning and Consort Lian had already "died." Zhu Yuyan made a decisive decision and went westward alone. After waiting for almost two months, she saw that Li Tang had secretly buried Li Xiuning. So she took her and Consort Lian to Luoyang to revive them before heading north.

The other women had already fallen asleep. Yuan Yueze, holding Zhu Yuyan and her daughter who still had some strength, asked, "How is Xiuning?"

Zhu Yuyan smiled and said, "Very bad. She didn't say anything after waking up and cried for many days before calming down. Feng'er originally wanted to come, but she was afraid that she would commit suicide, so she had to stay with her day and night."

Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly and said, "What is all this for! I really don't understand!"

Shan Meixian looked languid, her phoenix eyes half-closed, and said, "Wherever there are people, there is a jianghu (martial arts world), so everyone is in the jianghu and naturally has no choice in their own destiny."

Zhu Yuyan added, "Although Consort Lian had her fetus aborted, her mental state is much better. She said that her original surname was Ga, and Lian Chang was just a name that Liu Yu changed for her after saving her."

Yuan Yueze blurted out, "Could she be related to Brother Ga Duo? Oh! I remember Brother Ga Duo once said that he came to the Central Plains to find a cousin."

Zhu Yuyan yawned and said, "We'll have to ask her in detail when we get back to the Central Plains!"

She pulled the blanket over herself, and the three of them fell asleep.

As the long night passed, the storm that had raged for three days began to subside, but its lingering power remained, replaced by fine, powdery rain that veiled the earth in a misty veil, masking the brutal truth of the battlefield. Only when the first rays of dawn rose on the distant horizon, breaking through the clouds and revealing the beautiful blue sky behind them, did the carnage of the previous days finally seem to be washed away.

After breakfast, Yuan Yueze, along with Zhu Yuyan and her daughter, Ba Fenghan, Ren Jun, Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, Zong Xianghua, and Erdemutu, who had been diligently practicing martial arts for days, ascended the city wall to observe the Golden Wolf Army's movements. As

the rain subsided slightly, Longquan discovered that the enemy had begun to redeploy troops. Although maintaining an encirclement, more forces were concentrated in one place, clearly because the wet ground prevented the large army from utilizing its numerical advantage, and also to prevent a surprise attack from Longquan.

Zong Xianghua surveyed the surroundings intently for a long while, then said, "No wonder the enemy is still not giving up. Their total force is still close to 100,000. Judging from their attire, some of them are Khitan. After Abaojia's death, another powerful chieftain, Mohui, is likely to rise to power, and they also have nearly 20,000 troops."

Zhu Yuyan narrowed her bright, gleaming eyes and said, "Judging from their high morale and imposing appearance, Jieli should really not be dead. Hmm! About a mile to the southwest, a large number of Golden Wolf soldiers are using wooden carts to transport timber into their camp."

No one dared to doubt it. Ge Yuan's expression changed. "This heavy rain has soaked all the trees. Their timber must have been stolen. Could it be that they're planning to use poisonous smoke to cover their attack on the city?"

If a southwest wind blows one of the following days, and the enemy lights the timber in the southwest, the flames won't directly threaten Longquan, but the thick smoke will be carried by the wind. The enemy will then attack from all directions, riding the smoke. Although people like Yuan Yueze, with their cultivation levels, aren't afraid of the smoke, the Longquan army and the people in the city will suffer simultaneously. If the city gates fall, it's tantamount to defeat. Just as

Ge Yuan was about to speak again, the Black King's giant figure swooped down like a meteor, arriving with a whirlwind and stopping abruptly in mid-air in front of Yuan Yueze, gently stepping onto his shoulder.

Although everyone had seen the Black King many times, they still praised the psychic eagle highly. Yuan Yueze took the parchment scroll from its steel claws, read it, and laughed, "Tuli has joined forces with the Belgunatai brothers, who led two thousand elite troops to support us. They have divided their forces into many small groups and will be fully prepared within two days at the latest. As long as we send out the green firework signal, they can flank us from the west."

Shan Meixian smiled and said, "The *Wujing Zongyao* says: 'Their soldiers and horses are strong and powerful, which makes us appear weak; their formations are orderly, which makes us appear strong.'" "No fighting! If I were Jieli, and my troops were truly strong and morale high, I would simply feign weakness to lure us out of the city to attack. Their current show of force only serves to demonstrate their fear and cowardice, making them afraid of our attack. After a series of bloody battles, the Golden Wolf army is exhausted and unable to conquer Longquan. Their morale has plummeted, and they are a far cry from their initial overwhelming momentum. If we go out and cause a ruckus, we'll surely scare them half to death!"

Ba Feng Han and the others immediately nodded in agreement.

The opportunity was fleeting, and everyone acted immediately. Shan Meixian and Zong Xianghua returned to defend Xiaolongquan and the north of the city, agreeing to reinforce the west upon receiving the signal. Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan went out the south gate, Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun went out the west gate, while Ge Yuan remained on the city walls to observe and coordinate the battle, only leaving for the final assault.

Yuan Yueze and his men, numbering no more than a hundred cavalry, left the city. Their horses' hooves were wrapped in hemp cloth for slipperiness. The main fighting force consisted of Yuan Yueze, Zhu Yuyan, Ba Feng Han, and Ren Jun. These two elite units moved swiftly, their primary objective being to sabotage the enemy's camps. The Golden Wolf Army suffered greatly, the ground becoming a muddy mess. Just as they were gathering their troops to retaliate, the enemy retreated. Yuan Yueze and his men, swift and efficient, had thoroughly raided several of the Turkic army's assembly points in a single day before leisurely returning to the city. That evening, Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan slipped away to the Turkic army's timber storage location and, taking advantage of the northeast wind, burned all the dry wood. Unfortunately, Zhu Yuyan was still unable to locate Jieli.

After four days of continuous sabotage, the Turkic army hadn't suffered significant losses in numbers, but they were facing supply problems. They were running out of tents, and more importantly, the Turkic soldiers were becoming increasingly agitated from the harassment, with shouts and curses frequently erupting from the camp.

After maintaining contact with Tuli and others, by this day the ground had dried considerably. As night fell, Ge Yuan summoned all the soldiers and gave them a pep talk. Finally, he shouted, "Everyone has seen it! The Golden Wolf Army is already scared. They've started packing their supplies today. Let's send them on their way!"

The soldiers were filled with fervor and echoed his words loudly. Under the bright torchlight, the weapons and armor of the Longquan Army gleamed, their sharp points filling the large square, creating an atmosphere of imminent battle.

Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. They shared the same question: With the timber burned, the camp destroyed, and morale low, why would Jieli, a brilliant and unparalleled strategist, foolishly wait until today to consider retreat?

This question was probably only answerable by Jieli himself.

--Chapter

142 Returning to the Central Plains

A quarter of an hour later, the gates of Longquan City swung open. Several generals each led a mixed force of infantry, cavalry, and archers, totaling over six thousand men. Under the cover of ballistae carts hastily converted from the giant crossbows of the Dongming Sect, they crossed the plains and charged into the enemy lines.

The thunderous sound of hooves filled the air, obscuring the stars and moon. This was the moment Longquan had been waiting for. They waited until the enemy was demoralized, exhausted, and retreating completely before unleashing their full force, aiming to wipe out Jieli's remaining strength in one fell swoop.

This was precisely: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy retreats, we pursue; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy is exhausted, we attack.

At the forefront, Yuan Yueze took out a firework tube and launched it into the sky.

"Bang!"

A dazzling rain of light exploded in the night sky, illuminating several miles, visible far and wide.

The final battle had begun.

Faced with the overwhelming momentum of the Sumo army's surprise attack, despite the orders to fight back with drums and horns, the Jinlang army had shifted from an offensive to a defensive posture. Their morale was further shattered by the killing machines of Yuan Yueze and his men. Unable to quickly withdraw their main force from the battlefield, they could only fight and retreat. For a time, drums thundered, shouts rang out, arrows flew, and the battle cries shook the heavens. The Sumo army's formation was well-organized, and a thousand elite cavalrymen quickly detached from both flanks to launch an attack, routing the demoralized enemy cavalry and leaving them in a sorry state.

Even so, the naturally fierce Turkic warriors still posed a significant threat to the Longquan army; Ge Yuan and others were all wounded and bleeding, and their own casualties were also heavy. However, the Sumo warriors knew victory was in sight, so their morale was at its peak, and they were unstoppable.

Suddenly, horns sounded from the west, southwest, and northwest, and the thunderous sound of hooves approached from afar, shaking the battlefield. Judging from the hoofbeats alone, there were at least 15,000 cavalry coming from the three directions.

Tuli and Belgunatai, brothers, charged ahead, wielding their eagle-spears, double axes, and double swords with lightning speed, cutting through the Golden Wolf army like vegetables. Their attacks were relentless, unstoppable

. The chaotic Golden Wolf army didn't even have time to react before being overwhelmed by the lightning-fast and powerful attack from Tuli and Belgunatai's combined forces, finding themselves attacked from both sides. They couldn't withstand the onslaught. The chaos spread like waves, quickly engulfing the entire army. The Golden Wolf soldiers abandoned their weapons and armor and fled in utter disarray. This was unprecedented for the Golden Wolf army, which had always been known for its fearless fighting spirit that intimidated the steppes.

After Tuli felled a Black Wolf soldier who had betrayed him with his eagle-spear, he roared with heroic spirit, "Old man Jieli, you sent men to kill me in secret! Do you dare come out and fight me?"

His warriors, their morale high, echoed his shouts of rebuke.

After the Longquan Army, the Black Wolf Army, and the Shiwei Army quickly joined forces, they relentlessly pursued the fleeing enemy, splitting into three groups on the left, center, and right, giving the Golden Wolf Army no chance to catch their breath. The slaughter was horrific, leaving corpses strewn across the battlefield and rivers of blood.

After chasing them for nearly twenty miles through the night, the Golden Wolf Army scattered and fled, making a complete annihilation impossible. Yuan Yueze's forces, feeling helpless, had no choice but to temporarily set up camp to rest. The Longquan Army, led by Ge Yuan and others, returned to Longquan, with Zhu Yuyan and her daughter also returning with the troops.

Slightly injured, Tuli approached Yuan Yueze, dismounted, and laughed heartily, "The deeds of Brother Yuan and the others will be sung by the people of the grasslands for generations to come." He

then grabbed Ba Feng Han's shoulder and said sincerely, "Since Feng Han is Brother Yuan's brother, may I, Tuli, have the honor of being your brother?" Ba

Feng Han, who had been secretly held back by Yuan Yueze, smiled bitterly, "Have I been spending too much time with Brother Yuan, and now I speak without thinking? Do you know that this one sentence will make your men hate me to death?"

A burst of laughter erupted around them, everyone's face beaming with the joy of a great victory.

Tuli laughed, panting, "Your deeds far surpass mine, I am not exaggerating. Besides, who doesn't know that Feng Han is a hero of the grasslands? Who would hate you! Brothers, don't you agree?"

He forced these words out with his internal energy, making them audible far and wide. The roar of over ten thousand warriors echoed through the sky: "Yes!"

After Ren Jun and the Belgunatai brothers introduced themselves, the group rested on a flat area. The other warriors worked together, lighting campfires, bandaging wounded soldiers, and setting up tents, busy as bees. After exchanging

polite thanks, Belgunatai and Bugunatai, overjoyed to learn that Shen Mohuan had been killed by Yuan Yueze, exclaimed, "Jieli's main force has gone from having the upper hand to fleeing like stray dogs. Although they survived by sheer luck, they are no longer the invincible Khan who had never tasted defeat on the great steppe. The achievements of the three brothers, Yuan, are unprecedented, and their fame will shake the steppe; no one can rival them." Ren

Jun asked about the battle statistics, and Tuli replied, "I just spoke with General Ge. Our three sides suffered about four thousand casualties, with Jieli's side losing at least twenty-five thousand. Most of them were Khitans and those who betrayed me, because their resilience is greater than that of the Jin." "The Wolf Army is far inferior; the Golden Wolf Army suffered around ten thousand casualties. This was a brilliant victory."

Belgunatai sneered, "It's a pity we still couldn't eliminate Jieli himself or his forces."

Yuan Yueze gazed at the magnificent starry sky, seemingly able to see straight to the end of the firmament, and said calmly, "Now that Tiefuyou and Abaojia are gone, the northeast of Youdu will all be your territory. Combined, it's no smaller than Jieli's or Tongyehu's. What do you have to worry about, Brother Belgunatai! Besides, the feud between Jieli and me is not over yet."

Upon hearing this, Tuli's eyes flashed with a cold and fierce light, revealing the depth of his hatred for Jieli after being ambushed and nearly killed.

Belgunatai's simple and rugged face hardened like a rock, his eyes gleaming with an unusual light. He calmly said, "To be honest, my brother and I have always been arrogant, but we must admit that you are all extraordinary individuals. Brother Yuan's bravery has surpassed the level of ordinary people. I can assure you that the Central Plains will one day be unified by your hand. My brother and I swear on the spirits of our ancestors that we will fully support you."

Yuan Yueze smiled and thanked him, but Tuli laughed loudly, "The future leader of the grasslands is none other than your junior brother. If you two brothers don't mind, you may condescend to be subordinate to your junior brother." The group

burst into laughter again. After they stopped, Ba Feng Han frowned and said, "Jie..." "Li's retreat this time is very strange, it doesn't match his usual behavior at all."

Belgunatai pondered, "Judging from the situation of the Khan being ambushed, I guess Jieli must have had a backup plan to deal with Brother Yuan, but this 'backup plan' went wrong and failed to appear in time to turn the tide."

Yuan Yueze's mind raced. From Belgunatai's evaluation of him earlier, saying "The Central Plains will one day be unified through your hands" instead of "The Central Plains will one day be ruled by you," it was clear that this person's ability to judge people was extraordinary. With his reminder, the outline in Yuan Yueze's mind began to become clear. He wondered if Jieli had wanted to invite Liu Yu but was refused?

At this time, the command tent had been set up, and soldiers came to respectfully invite the group to enter the tent to enjoy wine and food. The group got up and first accompanied Tuli and the chieftains who had not abandoned him to inspect the various camps. At this moment, the entire army celebrated wildly. Fireworks lit up the sky, soldiers brandished their swords and spears, sang and danced, and the aroma of roasted meat filled the camp, creating an atmosphere of victory. After boosting morale, Tuli led his men back to the main tent.

Unlike last time, this time the chieftains under Tuli's command revered Yuan Yueze as a god. They admired not only his heroic feat of leading the weak forces of Su Mo against Jieli's army, along with Ba Feng Han and Ren Jun, but also the fact that one of his wives could casually revive the dying Tuli.

After a hearty drink, everyone went to sleep. Tuli pulled Ba Feng Han aside and spoke to him about something, while Yuan Yueze, accompanied by the Black King, left the tent alone and went to a small hill a hundred paces from the camp. There, he communicated with the Black King through spirits while gazing at the night sky.

After an unknown amount of time, Tuli's familiar footsteps sounded behind him. He asked, "Brother Yuan, what are you thinking about?"

Yuan Yueze smiled wryly, "Just some mundane things, like what life is, and where people go after death."

Tuli paused, then sat down beside him, saying, "It's best not to think about these things too often, because you'll only get a headache and still not figure it out. You might even become possessed."

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "This is the first time since I was old enough to think about these kinds of questions because I have nothing else to do. Brother Tuli, you flatter me."

Tuli said, "My intuition tells me that Brother Yuan still has something on your mind. What is it that you can't let go of?"

Yuan Yueze sighed and told him about Liu Yu. Tuli gasped, "This villain actually obtained the most elusive of the Four Great Classical Novels of the Central Plains, the 'War God's Record.' If given time, what will he become!" Yuan Yueze

didn't want to deal with the elusive Liu Yu for the time being, changing the subject, "Brother Tuli has already undergone a complete transformation. If you put your mind to it, you will surely achieve great things in the future. " "One day, one can shatter the void and depart."

Tuli exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder I felt reborn after being rescued by my sister-in-law!"

He paused, then continued, "My former life goal was to first unify the grasslands and then invade the Central Plains, but that's impossible now! However, as I've spent more time with Brother Yuan, a question has gradually arisen in my mind: if my ideal were to truly come true, should I be joyful or empty? A person is like a mountain climber; each step forward brings a fresh sense of satisfaction to life, but when you reach the highest peak, that's the end. Then you have to climb down, returning to the mundane and repetitive daily chores, dealing with all sorts of troubles in the world. What is this if not emptiness?"

Yuan Yueze shrugged and said, "If your pursuit is endless, then it's like climbing a mountain whose summit you can never reach, but you can forever enjoy the pleasure and trouble of climbing higher and higher, moving towards your goal."

In the sky, a shooting star appeared and disappeared in an instant, like the shattering of a dream, or like the beginning of another.

Tuli remained silent for a long while, then his tiger-like eyes flashed with a strange light. Excitedly,

he grabbed Yuan Yueze's broad shoulders and shook him vigorously, saying, "I finally understand!" After shaking him for a while, he stopped, his entire demeanor changing dramatically. He said with radiant pride, "I've prepared a group of men who will head south in a few days. Within two years, they can help Brother Yuan train knights whose quality is in no way inferior to the Golden Wolf Army."

Yuan Yueze was overjoyed.

The advantages of cavalry warfare were known to all, but throughout the Central Plains, only the three thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry under Li Shimin's Tiance Mansion could be considered invincible cavalry, even known as the 'Heavenly Soldiers.' Though few in number, they feared no enemy army of thousands. Mixed among the Tang army, they would seize opportunities to launch surprise attacks, repeatedly achieving great feats, sweeping all before them. Whenever the enemy's formation faltered, their own army would launch a fierce attack, coordinating from within and without, causing the enemy to suffer heavy losses on the battlefield. Xue Ju and Liu Wuzhou both suffered greatly because of this.

Having witnessed the grassland cavalry firsthand, Yuan Yueze became increasingly uncertain about the cavalry of the Central Plains. While warhorses and equipment were readily available from the Pegasus Ranch, the lack of skilled generals, horsemanship, and overall soldier quality was a significant weakness. Everyone desired a superior cavalry force, but this was easier said than done, and subject to numerous limitations. Tu Li's act of "borrowing" someone else immediately injected fresh vitality into the Luoyang cavalry regiment.

The two, initially acquainted through mutual benefit, became true confidants, chatting excitedly about various topics.

By the time Yuan Yueze returned to Longquan, it was already past midnight.

When his figure appeared within the sight of the sentries on the city wall, someone immediately opened the city gate and respectfully welcomed him in.

Longquan had become a city that never sleeps, with every household lighting up and occasional firecrackers being set off, showing how happy the people were to have escaped the crisis of annihilation. Yuan Yueze walked on Zhuque Street, which was even more bustling and prosperous than during the day, receiving the cheers and applause of the Longquan soldiers and civilians rising and falling like a tide, returning the applause repeatedly, the atmosphere extremely enthusiastic.

Just when he was feeling overwhelmed, Zong Xianghua appeared. Perhaps to celebrate, she had changed into a gorgeous black dress with bright silver patterns, full of Han Chinese style, which made Yuan Yueze's eyes light up and feel amazed.

The two walked side by side. Feeling Yuan Yueze's frequent, intense gaze, Zong Xianghua felt embarrassed and lowered her head slightly, saying, "We will never forget the kindness you have shown to the Sumo people, young master."

Yuan Yueze shook his head and sighed, "The head guard should remember what I said in the palace square that day. After I leave, please help everyone forget me!"

Zong Xianghua turned her head away, staring at him in astonishment, "You're leaving already?"

She was the same height as Yuan Yueze, the tallest woman he had ever seen. A faint fragrance, like orchids and musk, wafted towards them. Yuan Yueze was stunned, not even noticing her sudden change in address. After a long while, he sighed, "It feels like I've been in Longquan for a long time..."

Zong Xianghua stared at him for a long time, two faint blushes crossing her cool, jade-like face. She turned her head to look into the distance and calmly said, "Perhaps it's because of you... " "You fought alongside the people and soldiers of Longquan, didn't you?"

Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "I've already told Tuli that he will respect your customs and take care of your people. You don't need to submit to anyone anymore. Your location on the grasslands is uniquely advantageous, and the Bohai Bay has so many harbors and docks, giving you control over the lifeline of maritime trade. As long as you're willing to do a big job in maritime trade, you'll be able to quickly revive. Even if you have any grievances, you can vent them through force."

Zong Xianghua's beautiful eyes shone, and she turned to look at him again, saying, "Thank you for your guidance,

young master." She paused for a moment, then said, "Please follow me, young master."

Yuan Yueze followed her into what appeared to be Bai Ziting's former study in the palace. Zong Xianghua took something out from under the large desk, and instantly, it shone brightly, transforming the study into a dreamlike, unreal, and enchanting world. Zong Xianghua's pretty face shone brightly under the glowing light, giving Yuan Yueze a strange, indescribable feeling. His large hand involuntarily reached out and touched her cool, smooth cheek. Zong Xianghua shuddered, a blush immediately spreading to her ears, and she lowered her head shyly, but did not pull away. Feeling his

hand change from cool to burning hot, Yuan Yueze came to his senses and smiled, "I couldn't help myself for a moment; please forgive my impatience, Captain."

Zong Xianghua still didn't raise her head, nor did she speak.

Yuan Yueze looked down and saw a luminous, round gemstone, slightly larger than a luminous pearl, set in a brand-new, tasseled black crown. Seven colors swirled within it, displaying a dazzling array of brilliance in the dim light; anyone who wasn't blind would know it was a rare treasure.

Zong Xianghua extended her long, slender fingers, picked up the colorful stone with her fingertips, and handed it to him, bowing her head and saying, "Xiufang once said that one of the reasons you came to the grassland was for this five-colored stone. It is no longer of any use to our clan, so please accept it as a gift!"

Yuan Yueze reached out and took it, thanking her. Zong Xianghua said softly, "Why did you... just now, young master..."

Yuan Yueze fell silent for a long time before finally saying, "When the five-colored stone shone on the guard captain's face, I felt that your whole being became transcendent. That feeling is hard to describe; it was as if you might disappear at any moment, naturally giving rise to a sense of emotion and sadness at the loss of something beautiful."

Zong Xianghua looked at him in astonishment. Only then did Yuan Yueze notice that her face was flushed, making her usually aloof beauty even more alluring. After a moment of stunned silence, he chuckled and said, "If the guard captain continues to stare at me like that, I might do something outrageous. You should know my style!"

Zong Xianghua was extremely embarrassed. She glared at him with a look that was both angry and pleased, then staggered away, leaving only a refreshing fragrance and Yuan Yueze staring blankly at the five-colored stone in the study.

The next day, as the sun rose, countless rays of hope shone down.

On a high hill outside Longquan City, Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua saw off Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han. Yue Kepeng and the others had already returned home, and Ren Jun was completely captivated by Qiqige, unwilling to leave for even a moment longer.

Ge Yuan tightly grasped the hands of Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han, saying excitedly, "I, Ge Yuan, have no regrets even in death for having met three such loyal and righteous brothers in my life! You must take care, the Sumo people will never forget you!"

Ba Feng Han gave him a firm hug, then mounted his horse, saying, "Forget about us!"

before spurring his horse away.

He decided to continue his solitary cultivation for a while, returning to help when the war in Luoyang broke out.

Yuan Yueze hugged each of the three brothers separately.

After releasing the blushing, weak-kneed Zong Xianghua, Yuan Yueze supported her shoulders and turned to Ge and Yuan, saying, "Chief Guard Zong is right. After fighting side by side, I feel a connection to Longquan. This feeling is natural. If the three of you are interested in traveling to the Central Plains in the future, you must come to Luoyang."

Ke and Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded. Yuan Yueze glanced at Zong Xianghua, who seemed hesitant to speak, and said, "If the Chief Guard comes in person, I will certainly welcome you with open arms! Please stay, we'll meet again!"

With a long laugh, the man and the eagle flew away swiftly, disappearing into the sun-drenched grassland.

Ke and Ge looked on with deep sorrow, revealing boundless respect and reluctance.

Watching Yuan Yueze's handsome and majestic figure gradually disappear into the distance, Zong Xianghua's vision began to blur. She pressed her jade hand tightly to her lips, and hot tears welled up. She finally cried silently.

Shang Xiufang planned to travel across the grasslands and deserts during the two years before the unification of the Central Plains, so that she could accompany Yuan Yueze on his sea voyage after his retirement. After giving him some brief instructions, the two parted ways again. Along the way, Yuan Yueze enjoyed the scenery with his many wives and acquired two divine bows from the archery master that were no less powerful than Feiyun's. More than half a month later, Yuan Yueze finally arrived in Leshou at dusk. He, along with Susu and Ren Jun, went to the heavily guarded mansion built by Zhai Jiao in the north of the city.

After paying taxes and entering the city, the three of them immediately attracted the attention of all the passersby. Their appearance was certainly one reason, but more importantly, the news of the three Yuan Yueze brothers' defeat of Jieli in Longquan spread very quickly. Naturally, many exaggerated rumors followed, such as the Evil Emperor slaying a thousand soldiers with one sword, and Jieli kneeling and begging for mercy. Some of the more exaggerated rumors made Yuan Yueze laugh. Regardless of whether the rumors were exaggerated or true, Yuan Yueze's achievement of bringing glory to the Han people beyond the Great Wall was enough to earn the heartfelt praise of any Han, especially Le Shou. Although this area belonged to the Great Xia, its location in the north meant the people frequently interacted with the Turks and suffered oppression, naturally leading to much stronger resentment.

Ren Jun, seeing the admiring gazes around him, felt a surge of excitement: in just a few months, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, transforming him from an ordinary warrior under Zhai Jiao into an object of reverence for many—a change so rapid it felt like a dream. Thinking of this, his hand unconsciously went to the straight-edged sword on his back.

Zhai Jiao had many spies in the city, who led a group out to greet them beforehand. Judging from her beaming smile, she was clearly very pleased with the news that had already been circulating in the Central Plains: Yuan Yueze had killed Du Xing, and Ren Jun had killed Huyan Jin and Han Chao'an.

Accompanying him, besides Tu Shufang and several maids, was a burly, imposing man, about two or three years older than Yuan Yueze. This man was skilled in using a weapon called "Bird Pecking," which he had modified from a forked pole used in city defense. He was none other than Xuan Yong, a fierce general who had long followed Zhai Rang and was famous for his self-created "Thirty-Six Styles of Bird Pecking." Last autumn, Zhai Jiao sent him to Luoyang to assist Shen Luoyan. Because of his expertise in military strategy and skill in training troops, he was first taken in as a disciple by Lu Miaozi and later appointed as a General of Chariots and Cavalry.

The three were invited into the inner hall. Along the way, Yuan Yueze chatted with Xuan Yong and Tu Shufang, learning that Xuan Yong had come to visit Zhai Jiao on his way. Ren Jun answered Zhai Jiao's various questions respectfully. Su Su lagged a few steps behind, whispering with one of Zhai Jiao's maids, their conversation unreadable.

Once inside, they retrieved a small portion of the sheepskin that Ma Ji had concealed. Just as everyone sat down to chat, someone outside announced that Liu Heita, a general under King Xia, had come on behalf of King Dou Jiande to invite Yuan Yueze to the Xia Palace.

Zhai Jiao and the others' expressions changed slightly.

Yuan Yueze and Su Su exchanged a glance, then Yuan Yueze stood up and smiled, "I'll go see him. Brother Liu is an old friend of mine."

Xuan Yong hesitated, but Yuan Yueze raised his hand and said, "I can roughly guess the tense situation between us and the Xia army. You all don't need to worry." He

then glanced at the beautiful maid sitting next to Su Su, who was staring at him with wide, bright eyes. The maid was in her early twenties, exceptionally beautiful, with eyes that conveyed a sense of world-weariness, which, combined with her alluring figure and quiet demeanor, created a unique charm. A strange look flashed in Yuan Yueze's eyes. He knew this wasn't their first meeting, but he couldn't quite place where they had met before.

After a slight pause, he strode out.

Liu Heita, without any subordinates, stood guard alone outside Zhai Jiao's residence.

The two were naturally overjoyed to see each other. Liu Heita, this forthright and loyal man, was one of Yuan Yueze's favorite people to befriend. Although they had only met two or three times in the past few years, and their current positions differed, they had a deep and open conversation despite their brief acquaintance.

As they walked and talked, Liu Heita said in a low voice, "Brother Yuan trusts me so much, I am deeply grateful."

Yuan Yueze placed a large hand on his broad shoulder and smiled, "Brother Liu is one of the people I respect most. Besides, even if the King of Xia really wanted to harm me, I would have been able to escape. I only regret that we met a few years too late, otherwise Brother Liu wouldn't be in this awkward situation today due to our different positions."

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Heita's eyes, then he smiled bitterly, "Brother Yuan is always so direct, it's admirable."

He then sighed deeply, his face full of contradictions and helplessness.

The two did not say another word.

King Dou Jiande of Xia personally led a group of important officials out of the palace to greet them. This overlord who dominated the Hebei and Shandong regions was about forty years old, tall and slender, with a composed demeanor, thick black hair and beard, and a strange quality of calm composure and self-assurance. His hawk-like eyes contained a profound insight, and his aura was awe-inspiring.

As Yuan Yueze and his companion appeared at the palace gate, Dou Jiande strode forward, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and laughed heartily, saying, "I have long admired Brother Yuan's name, but I regret that I have never had the chance to meet you. Brother Yuan has spread the fame of our Han people beyond the Great Wall, making a name for himself throughout the land. The nomadic tribes of the grasslands have always looked down on us, and that foolish emperor Yang Guang's repeated defeats in his campaigns against Goguryeo have made him a laughingstock among foreign tribes. Brother Yuan's trip has greatly changed their perception of us, and they will no longer dare to say that there is no one capable in the Central Plains."

His tone was gentle and refined, yet his words were bold and unrestrained, without a trace of arrogance. Instead, he seemed more like a chivalrous knight-errant. Although Yuan Yueze knew he was just being polite, he felt no ill will towards him. Yuan Yueze

returned the greeting with a few more polite words, and led by Dou Jiande, they arrived at the main hall, where a table was laden with fine wine and delicacies.

After everyone took their seats, Dou Jiande smiled and said, "Just now, I observed that Brother Yuan's every move was natural and unpretentious, yet flawless. I now realize that Heita's previous praise was not exaggerated at all. Today, my wife has personally prepared a simple meal to welcome Brother Yuan back to the Central Plains, is that alright?"

Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Won't you introduce us first?"

Dou Jiande slapped his forehead and introduced them one by one

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