Chapter 2, Mutual Love and Affection

"Confess! What expectations do you have for the schools outside? Speak up, and I will resolve them for you at once"

Since the decline of the Great Wu Dynasty's power, civil unrest has become a common occurrence, frequently reported. However, the Great Wu Dynasty has never relaxed its standards in maintaining the quality of its military. All soldiers are assigned to specific posts, dedicating half a day to practicing advanced martial arts and the other half to team drills. In terms of individual combat capability and equipment, they far exceed the hastily assembled rebel forces, making any comparison between the two utterly inconceivable

The illustrious deeds of our predecessors evoke profound admiration in later generations. As time swiftly passes, it has been over 200 years since the founding of the Great Wu Dynasty, which has seen more than ten emperors. From its initial prosperity, the dynasty has gradually succumbed to the corruption brought about by the wealth and power it once wielded. The once vibrant spirit has now faded, and the foundations of its rule are beginning to waver. Reports of sporadic rebellions, both large and small, have become increasingly common. Even in the isolated Liangshan Marsh, news of new uprisings and the Great Wu Army's efforts to quell them occasionally reaches the ears of new immigrants.

What do you really consider the school to be? A place filled with explosives everywhere

I am now aware of this matter; if you escape, I will also bear the responsibility

Meanwhile, the Da Wu Dynasty, which had been in a state of defeat, finally made a breakthrough in the development of magical artifacts. Although the weapons were not as refined and powerful as those of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, they were finally able to mass-produce magical military equipment, which changed the situation on the battlefield.

Among them, the segment that Sun Wu favored the most was the part on modern history, particularly from the establishment of the Great Wu Dynasty to the Taiping Rebellion that occurred more than a decade ago. These events were the most recent in relation to him, especially the Taiping Rebellion, as there were still quite a few rebels in the village who had participated in that conflict, often recounting stories from those years to him

That is truly a monumental change of epoch-making significance

A strange smile appeared on the girl's innocent face; while it was not enough to send chills down one's spine, it still conveyed a sense of ill intent.

In the fifth year of the Taiping Army's national establishment, the Great Wu Dynasty secretly issued military orders, gathering the ten strongest masters from their clan and the martial artists of the Central Plains. Led by the leaders of the "Cihang Jingdian" and "Heluo Sword Sect," they ambushed the Celestial Demons. After several hours of fierce combat, the Celestial Demons achieved a resounding victory, nearly annihilating all the skilled fighters. The leaders of the two sects perished on the battlefield, their heads becoming trophies for the Celestial Demons at their victory banquet, marking an unprecedented peak in the Celestial Demons' power.

That was the most illustrious moment of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, yet it was also the moment when the mastermind behind the scenes came to the forefront

Hello, teacher

What does it mean

"Wuw... your penetrating gauntlets have become even more formidable. ... Is this time aimed at the abdomen..."

I am referring to the mutual affection among classmates! Not indifference! Why do you always like to distort my meaning and find such strange things? Moreover, what is that gesture you are making? What are you doing rubbing your thumb and index finger together? Please, act like a twelve-year-old girl should!

This moment was truly painful to the point of being speechless, yet the playful little Shao, seemingly unwilling to stop there, instead squatted beside Sun Wu and continued to inquire.

No, it is Mrs. Chen and classmate Su from the class

However, both individuals grew up in Liangshan Marsh from a young age, yet Xiao Shang showed little interest in the outside world. Every time Sun Wu brought it up, she displayed a very indifferent attitude

The time for the Cloud Ladder to connect with the Cloud Vortex can be calculated. Although it carries risks and may seem fanciful, in Sun Wu's view, it is nonetheless a viable strategy

"Aren't you interested in seeing politeness? The teacher saluting the students like this is quite polite and proper, isn't it"

The astonishing action did not attract much attention; in fact, the other students either cautiously pretended not to see anything or lowered their heads as if in fear of malevolent forces. Only the boy, as if awakening from a dream, understood what had transpired

However, the Great Wu Dynasty was originally established by the invasion of northeastern barbarian tribes. For over two hundred years, there has been a persistent call among the populace to expel foreign tribes and a rallying cry for rebellion. The outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion, from the perspective of the local populace, was a peasant uprising against foreign invaders. As a result, most of the martial men in the central plains merely stood by and did not respond to the Great Wu Dynasty's call to resist the enemy

As the two individuals conversed, they had already traversed the corridor and entered the classroom. The professor, who taught history, was already waiting inside. Sun Wu, who always adhered to etiquette, promptly took a few quick steps and, along with the other students, performed the customary greeting to the teacher at their seats

In this way, the original situation of friend and foe was instantly reversed, and the Da Wu army began to counterattack, gradually capturing the territory of the Taiping army, which no longer enjoyed the earlier glorious scenes. However, the truly decisive battle occurred in the twentieth year of the Taiping army's establishment, when the formidable and unparalleled celestial demon fell in battle against Lu Yunqiao just one day after their fierce confrontation, marking the end of its invincible legend

I also know that, which is why I took the opportunity to start working while she was out drinking

These desires, Sun Wu found no one to confide in, the only person he could share these thoughts with was Xiao Shang. Of course, the reason for sharing with her was not out of willingness, but rather due to the omnipresence of the listening insect treasure.

However, what endures in people's memories is never the fate of the defeated, but rather the prominence of the successful. Among the treasures that have been unearthed, there are several that can be deemed "divine-level" artifacts, which once wielded terrifying power, thereby altering the course of history and even establishing dynasties. For instance, the founding emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty was able to defeat all heroes and become invincible in the world because he obtained a divine spear with astonishing destructive power.

Hello, fellow students

"Hehe, we are in love! ..." The girl raised her thumb and index finger, making a gesture, and then seemed to shyly turn her head away, softly saying, "It's just the kind of thing that Xiao Wu likes to watch..."

I have forgotten how many times I have shouted this morning, the youth argued in exasperation

Sun Wu, who grew up in Liangshan Marsh, certainly understands that entering and exiting the village is not an easy task. According to the villagers, there is a very brief period each year when the cloud vortex surrounding Liangshan Marsh undergoes a natural transformation, forming the "Cloud Road to Heaven." This will be the only opportunity for outsiders to ascend to Liangshan Marsh. If one misjudges the timing or lacks sufficient speed, the staircase may vanish during the ascent, resulting in a disastrous fall.

In contrast to the technological breakthroughs of the Great Wu Dynasty, the Taiping Army faced incredible setbacks. The manufacturing of magical artifacts is a highly advanced technology. The Western foreign tribes, in order to firmly maintain their rule, have never imparted this technology to the artisans of the Central Plains since the beginning of their military campaigns. Whether for manufacturing or maintenance, all processes are conducted outside the borders, with the finished products being transported over long distances to the Central Plains.

After the flag-raising morning assembly concluded, all the students returned to their classrooms. Uncharacteristically, the usually truant Xiao Shang stayed behind, mocking Sun Wu's plan to skip school.

Led by a young master named Lu Yunqiao, this group of young individuals formed a volunteer army to participate in the battle. They endured numerous hardships and made many sacrifices, yet gradually grew stronger through the bloodshed. When people were astonished enough to cease their mockery and ridicule, they realized that this group had achieved over ten consecutive victories, transforming into a formidable force that could not be overlooked

It is said that the outside world is currently still under the rule of the Great Wu Dynasty, a regime established by barbarian invasions. The founding emperor possessed extraordinary martial skills, unparalleled throughout history, and countless renowned masters fell beneath his banner during his campaigns, earning him the title of invincible in his time. Alongside him were several equally formidable brothers who commanded the cavalry of their clan, sweeping across the land. Ultimately, amidst the chaos of the era, they unified the realm, establishing an unprecedented legacy and founding the Great Wu Dynasty

It seems that I do not mean that. Politeness and decorum are not about you showing me your dog. Forget it, all of this is no longer important; just be kind and let everyone off the hook, and do not let the school be engulfed in turmoil any longer

I am not that reckless! I have planned this matter thoroughly. As long as the tunnel can connect to the Cloud Road Sky Ladder, I will be able to slip out unnoticed.

"You are truly a boring bookworm! If you want to read, you might as well do it in the village!"

It is truly astonishing that you would yearn for such things as m.hetushu.com. However, there is no need to go out of your way to seek out something like politeness.

"Little, Little Shang, you have hit the nail on the head. None of those sons of mine are actually my biological children... Wuwuwu..."

For a long time, magical artifacts were associated with relics buried underground, and people could only attempt to find various treasures left from ancient times through archaeological excavations of these relics. This approach was entirely a matter of luck; sometimes, after spending decades and vast amounts of human and material resources, the result would be an object resembling an ashtray, often leaving scholars in despair and frustration.

Transitioning from darkness to light, this approach would originally facilitate matters, eliminating many twists and barriers. However, the striking appearance of the Western foreigners, with their blonde hair and blue eyes, is vastly different from that of the common people of the Central Plains. Furthermore, the new religion and customs they aggressively promote are difficult for the conservative populace of the Central Plains to accept. Consequently, a sense of resentment born from deception begins to emerge, introducing new variables into the situation

The Western foreign powers, which have consistently provided technological treasures, military equipment, and funding, as well as guidance on tactics, transitioned from the shadows to the forefront after the establishment of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. They were granted noble titles and officially took command of their subordinate troops to engage in battles with the Da Wu Army, vowing to unify the world and achieve an unprecedented hegemony

To witness affection and harmony, our school also has exemplary models of such relationships

It seems that being late is not particularly surprising, as apart from Sun Wu, no one else exhibits such diligence. Moreover, Xiao Shang's attendance rate is absurdly low; rather than asking her why she is late, it would be more logical to ask why she is even here.

"Last time you built a glider by yourself and tried to sneak out, but later you were beaten to a pulp by Feng Jie. That seemed to be last year. Has this year's new trick turned into staying up all night and secretly digging a tunnel to leave home?"

Uh... it is my fault, this question should be directed to the people around you, because you have always built your happiness on their suffering

However, the more than 200 years of rule have deeply entrenched the Great Wu Dynasty, and shaking it is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The military power in various regions remains firmly in hand, while the sporadic rebellious forces lack cohesion, often at odds with one another, making it easy for the Great Wu Army to defeat them one by one. The severed heads of the rebels have become trophies displayed on the tips of the soldiers' spears

"Apart from mutual affection, I have read in books that schools outside are not as relaxed as in our village; both students and teachers are very polite and adhere to rules... Yes, it is indeed politeness and rules. As long as there is politeness and adherence to rules, the teacher's wife would not have such an incredible incident with the students."

The term "magic treasure" is certainly familiar to anyone living on this land. It is said that the origin of these miraculous devices comes from an ancient civilization that has long since perished. People of that time used these devices to make life more convenient, and they could even soar through the skies and traverse the earth, accomplishing many feats that are unimaginable to people today

Do you really know how to write the two characters for 'responsibility'?

As the Western foreign tribes emerged, the Great Wu Dynasty redefined this war as the "War of Invasion by Western Foreign Tribes." The original narrative of a civilian rebellion was swiftly altered. The silent martial artists of the Central Plains assessed the situation and subsequently assisted the Great Wu Dynasty in quelling the unrest. Various martial forces from the populace responded, with the two most prestigious sects leading the way, organizing an alliance to collectively resist foreign aggression

Well, being asked this by you, I suddenly realize that I haven't thought about what I want to do after going out! If I had to say something, it would probably be to continue my studies after going out. The schools outside must be different from those in the village, and I have long wanted to go out and see for myself

"Nonsense! You are the one who wants to see love and affection!"

In the war between the two major military factions, the armed forces of the civilian sector should not be underestimated. Several prominent sects not only possess hundreds of thousands of disciples but can also influence the troops they command through their disciples. Gaining the support of these major sects would indeed have a decisive impact

In the span of several months, the soldiers of the Taiping Army suffered heavy casualties, but not all of them fell on the battlefield or in the records. Many had not yet engaged in battle when they were drained of their vital energy by uncontrollable magical artifacts, or they perished instantly from the self-detonation of frequently used artifacts, dying before they could even embark on their mission.

"Nonsense! Liangshan Marsh is only that big; how vast do you want your front and back yard to be? Would you like the entire Liangshan Marsh? Be careful, if you enjoy yourself too much and fall off the edge of the clouds, then you will truly have succeeded in running away from home"

"Little, little sorrow, by the mountain stream there is someone... ... there. ... ..."

The results of this change were fully manifested on the battlefield. Farmers, who should have been wielding hoes and sickles, began to brandish all sorts of strange and peculiar weapons. Some had tremendous explosive power, some could attack from extremely long distances, and some rendered people impervious to blades and bullets. The various bizarre military equipment was something the Great Military had not only never seen but even never heard of. Upon first engagement, they suffered several major defeats, resulting in heavy casualties.

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Not at all, I am very happy every day in the village, surrounded by many people who work hard to make me smile every day

Beneath the angelic facade lies a demonic personality. In a moment of disagreement, Xiao Shang's delicate little hand moved as swiftly as lightning, striking heavily against Sun Wu's abdomen while he was still speaking, his face flushed. The Golden Bell Shield, capable of withstanding hundreds of pounds of force, seemed to vanish, and his stomach instantly caved in.

Sun Wu desperately wanted to say, "Why would the murderer be me?" but he understood that Xiao Shang was not making empty threats. If he did not respond, the classroom would surely turn into a massive fireball shortly thereafter, with charred corpses everywhere. Thus, he had no choice but to rack his brains and strive to come up with an answer

The greatest obstacle to running away from home is actually my sister Fengjie. Since childhood, she has imposed strict discipline on herself. Whenever the topic of things outside the village arises, she either deliberately changes the subject or sternly warns me to abandon my fantasies about the outside world and to live a quiet life in Liangshanbo.

This situation did not change until the outbreak of the "Taiping Rebellion" more than forty years ago. This war lasted for over thirty years and was not truly extinguished until a decade ago, affecting half of the territory of the Great Wu Dynasty, which was entirely the economic core area. After more than thirty years of turmoil, the vitality of the dynasty was severely damaged and has yet to fully recover.

Once one enters Liangshan Marsh, one naturally severs ties with the outside world. Within the mountains, there is no sun or moon, and the history of the outside world becomes irrelevant. Even if one reads several books, it does little to aid in the life of seclusion in the mountains; only Sun Wu would be interested in such matters.

The standardized question-and-answer exchange is a routine that takes place before the start of each class. However, it is far inferior to the diligence of Sun Wu, as Xiao Shang arrived late to the classroom only after everyone else had taken their seats

However, upon clearly seeing the object before him, the teacher reacted like a frog that has spotted a venomous snake. First, his graying hair began to sweat profusely, followed by his entire body becoming rigid as if enduring a heavy pressure that others could not perceive.

Oh, it is Teacher Chen and his wife. They have been married for many years and still share a deep affection for each other, which is quite rare

The academies described in the books appear to be very grand, with vast front and back courtyards. When classes are in session, there are hundreds of students attending together, creating a magnificent scene, which is quite different from our own experience

The unexpected commotion made the atmosphere in the classroom quite peculiar; however, since the main content of this lesson was to teach history, it did not make much of a difference. For several years, the same material had been taught repeatedly, lacking any novelty, and a normal person would have long since grown tired of hearing it.

"This is not the kind of mutual affection! That is not what I meant!"

This situation changed during the Taiping Rebellion: a group of rebellious peasant armies suddenly had mysterious supporters behind them. It was later revealed that these supporters came from distant Western lands, providing not only funding and tactical guidance but, more importantly, a large quantity of magical artifacts that could be used as military equipment. It was at this moment that people were astonished to discover that the Western foreign tribes, long rumored to produce ingenious craftsmen, had, after accumulating a thousand years of research, mastered some of the production techniques for these magical artifacts and could even engage in small-scale mass production.

The unspoken words on hetushu.com are that, in fact, I can also be considered one of the unfortunate victims, and perhaps even the foremost among them. This is due to my close relationship with Xiao Shang; whenever she undertakes any astonishing actions, I am always the first to bear the brunt. This way of life has persisted for many years.

The leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has passed away, and the military resources have been severed. Under the comprehensive counteroffensive of the Da Wu Army, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom rapidly approached its demise. With the fall of the capital, Tianjing, the regime was declared over. The remaining forces and bandits in various regions merged, roaming and plundering the localities, but were gradually eliminated in the following years. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion, which lasted for over thirty years, has come to an end, leaving behind a land of devastation in Central China and a new wave of immigrants flooding into Liangshanbo. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion, which lasted for over thirty years, has come to an end, leaving behind a land of devastation in Central China and a new wave of immigrants flooding into Liangshanbo

The academy is the most important channel through which Sun Wu acquires external knowledge, and it is also his dreamland. However, compared to the records in books, this academy in Liangshan Marsh has many discrepancies that leave Sun Wu feeling somewhat dissatisfied. This thought may sound childish, but Sun Wu himself takes it very seriously

At that time, the celestial demons swept across the world with malevolence, yet they were completely unaware that at the very moment when the Taiping Army was most triumphant, the course of destiny began to quietly shift.

"Huang, classmate Huangquan!"

"Loquacious, how is the character written? You should ask the teacher, why ask me? If you can articulate the reasons why you must leave the village, I will consider them for you. If you do not speak, I will detonate the explosives buried underground at the school, blowing the school to the sky and turning you into the executioner who has killed all the teachers and students."

Thus, in the subsequent Middle-earth, battles raged on incessantly

The elder sister's words were vague, leaving things unclear, yet Sun Wu's suppressed desires did not simply vanish. Instead, as he grew older, they became increasingly intense. Each time he perused the contents of books or listened to the villagers discuss matters of the outside world, the young man's heart would race uncontrollably, and countless aspirations would emerge in his mind, eventually transforming into concrete actions

However, starting from a certain day, this transportation line was suddenly cut off, and no more magical weapons and military supplies were delivered from beyond the borders. The magical weapons sent for repair and modification also received no response. The greatest pillar supporting the military advantage of the Taiping Army collapsed overnight. Although the Taiping Army attempted to keep this matter tightly sealed, it was still impossible to hide the truth, and soon after, this news spread across the land of China, with the bitter consequences beginning to emerge.

In the following years, Lu Yunqiao's martial arts skills grew stronger, and his influence expanded daily. He successfully unified the martial arts forces of Central Plains, reorganized the anti-enemy alliance, and became the new generation leader of the Jianghu. This also allowed several major sects, which had been left in disarray by the Heavenly Demon, to regain their footing, rekindle their hope of resistance, and return to the battlefield

However, these rare examples are ultimately just exceptions; on average, a powerful artifact may not be unearthed even once every five hundred years. Most of the time, what people find are merely items that possess some extraordinary abilities but lack practical utility, serving only as collectibles for the wealthy and nobility, without impacting the entire era

"This is not the kind of method; that is not what I meant!"

"Teacher Chen, we talked last night, it seems that Mrs. Shi has been a bit ... ... recently"

The principle of using magical artifacts is fundamentally based on absorbing the user's vital energy as a source of power. For an untrained ordinary person, using a magical artifact is a perilous gamble with their life. The magical military equipment employed by the Taiping Army relies on highly precise adjustments to minimize the burden on the human body, enabling a large army to utilize magical artifacts in combat. However, if the supply source is suddenly interrupted, the existing magical artifacts cannot be returned for readjustment. With repeated use, the inherent high risks can lead to immense destructive power. The magical military equipment employed by the Taiping Army relies on highly precise adjustments to minimize the burden on the human body, enabling a large army to utilize magical artifacts in combat. However, if the supply source is suddenly interrupted, the existing magical artifacts cannot be returned for readjustment. With repeated use, the inherent high risks can lead to immense destructive power.

All rebellions and uprisings have inevitably perished under the iron hooves of the rulers, extinguished before the flames could even blaze forth. The reason why that particular civil uprising was able to create such a tremendous uproar, eventually evolving into the Taiping Rebellion, which lasted over thirty years and spread across half of the empire, was primarily due to the introduction of foreign technology.

After Xiao Shang finished speaking, he reached out to push open the window beside him. Sun Wu followed and leaned out to look at the mountain stream outside. Almost as soon as he poked his head out, he heard a series of voices coming from beside the stream: "Ah, He, the book—keep going, don’t stop—" He was so startled that he quickly pulled the window shut with force, his face flushed and he couldn't recover for a long time.

"Liangshan Lake is approximately 10,000 feet above the ground. Where do you intend to dig the tunnel? If you break through to the underground, do you wish to go straight to hell?"

The desire to leave Liangshan Marsh did not arise overnight. Although a new reason has recently emerged, it is something that would make one blush if spoken aloud, and I cannot let Xiaoshan know, even if it costs me my life. I can only find a more reasonable explanation.

Our ancestors, back in the day... well, caused a lot of trouble and made many enemies. If they were to find out about our existence, it would... well, it wouldn't be good at all. Just forget about the outside world!

Oh, you enjoy being affectionate and loving towards each other

In the tenth year of the establishment of the Taiping Army's nation, a group of young individuals from martial arts families rallied their companions to join the battlefield. Filled with passion and ideals, they vowed to fight against the celestial demons and to reform the outdated customs of the major sects in the martial world at that time. They pledged never to repeat the shameful behavior of their elders, who formed alliances to resist the enemy but ended up undermining each other, leading to a disastrous defeat

Walking in the corridor of the school, Sun Wu attempted to express his views, but Xiao Shang looked at him with a very strange gaze

"... there is nothing left. ... ... ... In this situation, how can I express myself..."

The Great Wu Dynasty urgently researched countermeasures. In addition to convening civil and military officials to discuss possible strategies, they also gathered several major martial arts sects that usually served as martial arts instructors for the court, preparing to deliberate on methods of resistance

"Enough of this nonsense! Boys should behave like boys. Speak up quickly, don't hesitate, or I will detonate the explosives buried under the classroom and blow everyone inside to the sky"

In this way, the progress of the war can only be described as a complete rout, with the rebel forces advancing like a hot knife through butter, achieving victory after victory. Various bandit groups and outlaws in the provinces and counties responded in kind, killing officials and rebelling, claiming territories as their own. Within a decade of armed conflict, half of the territory of the Great Wu Dynasty fell into enemy hands, and several key economic lifelines were completely lost, leading to a significant risk of national collapse. Ultimately, the rebel army, which was gaining momentum, established a national title and designated a capital, naming it the "Taiping Army Nation". Within a decade of armed conflict, half of the territory of the Great Wu Dynasty fell into enemy hands, and several key economic lifelines were completely lost, leading to a significant risk of national collapse. Ultimately, the rebel army, which was gaining momentum, established a national title and designated a capital, naming it the "Taiping Army Nation"

Apart from the Treasure Troops of the Taiping Army, the primary adversary that the Great Wu Dynasty had to face was the leader of the foreign tribes, known as "Tian Yao." Due to the cultivation of the unparalleled divine skill "A Bi Xue Jie," the Tian Yao of that time was invincible in the world, leading his people into battle, claiming the heads of enemy generals amidst a million troops, as if plucking them from a bag. He was publicly known as "the unmatched hand in heaven and earth," and countless renowned generals and ministers of the Great Wu Dynasty lost their lives at his hands.

Classmate, you are late

According to the records in the book, the "Taiping Rebellion" originated from the farmers in the southeastern region, where the land was barren. If there were two or three consecutive years of poor harvests, it was easy for civil unrest to erupt, making it a perennial headache for successive dynasties. The year the turmoil broke out was right after a locust plague, leaving the people in dire straits, ultimately leading to a situation where the government forced the people to revolt, resulting in a massive civil upheaval

Actually ...? ... Xiaoshang, you are quite strange. Don't you ever want to go outside? I mean, although the village is nice, don't you want to see the outside world?

This twelve-year-old terrorist has accumulated crimes to such an extent that they are beyond description, but what Sun Wu can do at the moment is to rack his brains for an answer

The words were vague and unclear, almost no one understood their meaning, but for the young girl, it was enough to just start speaking, because after this half-sentence, the old teacher with a white beard suddenly burst into tears, and then collapsed, weeping bitterly while holding the girl's shoes.

You ...? ... Your listening devices are not only placed around me, but are also scattered throughout the entire village, allowing you to casually disrupt people's families

The village chief has not yet returned, but Feng Jie is doing just fine. If she finds out that you want to run away again, not even the Golden Bell Shield will be able to protect you

It is different; studying outside may present somewhat different experiences. The students in those textbooks seem to be very harmonious and appear to care for one another. However, the students in our school have quite a significant age difference, which creates a gap in our interactions, leaving little opportunity for us to develop the kind of campus stories found outside.