Chapter 8, The Dog of a Dispossessed Family

I see that they are afraid you won't leave, so they are trying to scare you.

At that moment, a few wandering performers who sang songs entered through the door. Just as the crowd was growing weary of the discussions about the northern and southern fronts, they urged these performers to sing something fresh. Zhou Fei poured the clarified tea into the kettle, dropped a few coins, and made her way through the noisy crowd. Just then, she suddenly heard the musician bowing to the crowd and saying: "Esteemed gentlemen, thank you for your kindness. We happen to have heard some new tunes and would like to present them to you today. We are not very familiar with them, so please bear with us."

Individuals with narrow perspectives and those who resort to underhanded methods, such as Lian Zhen and Lu Cun, have long relied on their past glories, while those like Ju Men only know how to engage in opportunistic schemes. Additionally, the infamous addition in the Big Dipper, "Po Jun"... Shen Tian Shu has always looked down upon these individuals, often scoffing at them in the past. Whenever he had nothing to do, he would mock them based on their heights, taking pleasure in ridiculing them. At this moment, upon hearing the news of Ju Men and Po Jun's demise, he was momentarily taken aback, but then he let out a cold laugh.

Xie Yun immediately turned around, first dismissing the group of idle people around him, and then spoke: "Which friend has intruded into the palace?"

The Cao family is staging a coup, it is the anniversary of the late emperor's death. Xie Yun replied without raising his head, "Have you been chatting with me for most of the day, uncle, that you almost forgot the important matters?"

You stand here, feeling that within the vast dome of the universe and the open wilderness in all directions, there is nowhere you cannot go. Yet, once you take a step forward, you always feel that the path becomes narrower. Zhao Yuan said in a deep voice, "You are placed on a high platform, pushed and compelled to move forward, the journey is muddy and devoid of daylight, yet you know you cannot turn back. Every time you awaken from a midnight dream, you wish you could open your eyes and return to the moment you first entered this world, pure and untainted, free to go wherever you wish."

The Jianyuan Emperor spent decades in such a place, living in luxury and comfort, yet he remained wholeheartedly focused on stirring up trouble and was constantly preoccupied with the desire to reclaim the rivers and mountains. This clearly demonstrates that he was indeed a figure of great ambition and influence in the world.

Zhao Yuan arrived with a grand entourage. Without waiting for Xie Yun to bow, he quickly reached out to help him up, smiling as he said, "In front of your uncle, this is home. Since it's home, why all the fuss?"

Cao Ning lifted his hat, revealing a face that was round and fair, originally resembling a clean and flawless steamed bun. However, at this moment, it was marred with dirt and scars, resembling a dirty bun that had been slashed a few times and thrown into the mud to roll around. Yet, despite his disheveled appearance, his shoulders remained straight, and he walked slowly with a wounded leg, exuding an air of composure.

Shen Tianshu suddenly turned around—he had always felt that among the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, only Tong Kaiyang and Chu Tianquan were worthy of speaking with him. Tong Kaiyang was one, while Chu Tianquan was a eunuch, thus could only be considered half a person. The other few, in terms of character and ability, were all completely worthless.

Shen Tianshu slowly withdrew his posture of five hearts facing the sky, stood up without saying a word, and where he had just been sitting, there was a noticeable indentation in the stone slab, yet not a single crack could be seen

Li Sheng was taken aback

Once again, with a thunderous "boom," the shout of the messenger was drowned out.

Shen Tianshu had a solitary temperament; although he possessed formidable martial skills, he was unlikely to involve himself in the disputes between the Cao brothers, rendering him of little use. Cao Zhongkun left this hidden piece for Cao Ning, likely thinking that no matter how much he disliked him, he was still his own flesh and blood, and in a dire situation, it would be to preserve Cao Ning's life.

The one-armed man is none other than the greedy wolf, Shen Tianshu.

Looking again at the spacious reception study of Shen Tianshu, apart from being relatively bright and clean, it can almost be described as bare and empty. There are no decorative items or collectibles, and the bookshelf sparsely holds a few martial arts classics—perhaps even ones he authored himself. A dilapidated wooden table stands prominently in front, its surface accumulated with dust that has settled for nearly a century, appearing completely black and giving off a sense of "chewiness".

"A stray dog of a fallen family, coming uninvited." Cao Ning briefly cupped his hands in salute, "I apologize for the embarrassment caused to both of you."

At the northern end, Wang Caoning felt somewhat restless. As evening approached and he was strolling in the camp, he suddenly noticed a leaf falling. A sense of unease inexplicably gripped his heart, and with effort, Caoning bent down to pick up the dried leaf. He stared at the desiccated veins on it, turning it over and over for quite a while.

Shen Tianshu leaned back slightly, waiting for Cao Ning to continue. Cao Ning lowered his voice and spoke slowly, "Mr. Shen, do you still remember the incident when the Li family attempted to assassinate my father, the Emperor?"

scared oneself into a cold sweat

Zhou Fei frowned, feeling that this kind of boundless fabrication was indeed reminiscent of the previous work "The Sound of Cold Crows", rather than being a forgery by someone else.

Shen Tianshu raised one of his long eyebrows, entered the room, and poured a bowl of water for Tong Kaiyang with the only hand he had left. Tong Kaiyang absentmindedly picked it up and took a sip, nearly spitting it out on the spot—Shen Tianshu had actually poured him a bowl of ice-cold water, without even a hint of broken tea leaves, the clear and bright water honestly revealing a crack at the bottom of the bowl

Her heart skipped a beat as she skillfully found a concealed spot. From her elevated position, she observed a group of weary guards driving their carriages through the entrance. Just as they arrived, a stream of rewards followed suit. The palace lanterns flickered, and the entire street was stirred, with many sending their servants to stretch their necks and gaze towards the haunted mansion of the Duke, which had been vacant for over ten years.

The oblivious old emperor chuckled from the side, saying: "When you first returned to the capital, you did not have your own residence and stayed here. This place was renovated three years ago, but nothing was changed. Does it feel a bit familiar?"

She had long heard of the great reputation of the Southern Capital, yet had never visited in person. The outskirts were already filled with many autumn travelers, with winding streams gently flowing, embodying a sense of enduring prosperity. However, the roads were winding and not easy to navigate. After wandering around for a day, Zhou Fei finally managed to roughly distinguish the directions of east, south, west, and north

In the study, there were neither clever servants nor beautiful maids. Tong Kaiyang raised his nose high, unable to detect even a hint of human presence. He couldn't help but feel a wave of despair, realizing that he could not extract any ideas from Shen Tianshu. A person of relatively high rank and power could live in such a shabby manner; he might be self-disciplined and frugal, or he could have a heart as solid as a rock, impervious to any influence. Although it is said that 'there are no perfect eggs under a fallen nest,' how could someone like Shen Tianshu be regarded as merely an 'egg'? Even if the Cao family faced national ruin and Zhao Yuan pursued him across the royal territory, it posed no threat to him.

The sweet and cloying scent of rouge wafted in through the window with the night breeze, stirring the bell at the eaves of the corner wall, blending with the sound of water flowing beneath the stone bridge in the backyard, resembling a dream. Zhou Fei sat in a daze for a long time, suddenly coming to her senses, feeling an indescribable heart-wrenching discomfort, as if a stone were lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe. Unable to lie down any longer, she quietly gathered her hair hastily, leaped out of the window, and lightly ascended to the rooftop, heading towards the direction of the Duke's residence.

Every subtle glance from her was breathtaking to Xie Yun

"But there is no turning back, this imperial dragon carriage is a curse." Zhao Yuan gently squeezed Xie Yun's shoulder, feeling the penetrating chill break through the thick fabric, like a small knife piercing his palm. "At that time, I had strong enemies outside, no helpers inside, and was besieged on all sides in the court. Only you were by my uncle's side, able to listen to my complaints, the idle talk that could not be said to outsiders. Over the years... whether you believe it or not, my uncle truly hopes you can be well. There are rare treasures in the world, but if there is a need, regardless of what it is, just have them seek it out; your royal uncle owes you."

The personal guards accompanying him were perplexed and did not dare to urge him, glancing at the fallen leaves and then at Prince Duan.

After laughing, Shen Tianshu walked a few steps with a blank expression. Just as he was about to enter the house, he paused slightly, as if recalling something, and said: "... So, that means, the Giant Gate and the Broken Army are also gone. In that case, the seven people hastily assembled by the Emperor back then, are we not left with just you and me now?"

As soon as Xie Yuncai arrived in Beijing, before he even had the chance to touch the door of the Duke's residence, Zhao Yuan hurriedly ordered someone to bring him to the palace for a short stay. It is unclear whether this was to express importance and favor or to see if he was truly on the verge of death. Unfortunately, just before his departure, the master with the same name gave Xie Yun the third medicine, and with the genuine heir of the Tuiyun Palm possessing profound internal strength, he now appeared to be in an extraordinary state of spirit. It remains to be seen whether Zhao Yuan would feel greatly disappointed upon seeing him.

Shen Tianshu had an indifferent expression and said, "Oh, does that mean the country is about to perish?"

Tong Kaiyang forced a smile and said, "Who could possibly command you, esteemed elder? On my way here, I heard that the Ministry of War urgently summoned troops from various garrisons to provide support, but the morale of the army is already in turmoil. How can we withstand Zhou Cun? Furthermore, I have also heard that there are rampant rumors within the army, suggesting that the Emperor cannot tolerate his own younger brother and has repeatedly delayed the supply of provisions, which has led to the defeat at the front. Otherwise, with the talent of Prince Duan, how could he have suffered such a disastrous defeat?"

Zhou Fei had been a gentleman of the梁上 for several days, wandering around the Wang residence during the day and returning to the暗桩 at night, yet she had not waited for Xie Yun. This made her somewhat irritable, and she could not help but think of the situation in a negative light. At times, she doubted whether Xie Yun could withstand the long journey, and at other times, she questioned whether her scheming uncle would treat him poorly. One night, waking up in the middle of the night, Zhou Fei, in a daze, suddenly had a thought arise from nowhere—could it be that Xie Yun was already dead?

When Cao Ning secretly infiltrated the old capital, Zhou Fei arrived in Jinling

Xie Yun clasped his hands in front of his chest and smiled, saying: "Your Excellency is elusive; if you did not wish to be discovered by me, you surely would not have deliberately revealed any flaws. Why then do you seem so coy now? Could it be that you are a lady?"

Cao Ning shook his head: "Not to mention whether this action can succeed, even if it can kill, the Zhao family of the Southern Dynasty has already grown strong. There is not only Zhou Cun, but also Wen Yu, and others. Once the tide turns, it will not be enough to stop the decline by killing one or two people."

In the twenty-fifth year of the Jianyuan era, during the late autumn of September, at the time of bestowing garments, frost flowers began to fall

Tong Kaiyang suddenly stood up and exclaimed: "Prince Duan!"

Xie Yun slightly raised his eyes

Royal Guard Qi Dao: "My Lord, what did you say?"

Upon seeing the seal, Shen Tianshu's expression suddenly changed

Xie Yun remained silent.

From the moment this troublesome cousin picked flowers at Xiushan Hall, starting with just two blooms, Li Sheng has been quite intolerant of her "outrageously wild" bad behavior, and to this day, he still feels a twinge of irritation whenever he sees her. Unfortunately, no matter how much it bothers him, he cannot retaliate, so he can only roll his eyes on the spot and walk past Zhou Fei in silence. He then turned to Ying Hecong and asked, "Brother Ying, what are your plans? My wooden box has yet to be opened. Will you accompany us? Perhaps you can help us analyze it further."

Zhou Yitang has a residence in the Southern Capital, but Zhou Fei, who was secretly stationed in Luzhou, suddenly received a letter from a master of the same name. This prompted her to change her route to Jinling at the last minute. She did not have time to greet Zhou Yitang and did not wish to trouble him, so she directly settled at the secret station in Jinling, known as the Forty-Eighth Stronghold. The Jinling stronghold is a cosmetics shop, filled with fragrant aromas wafting in and out every day. The several senior brothers who have stayed here for a long time speak in soft tones, completely devoid of any roughness typical of the martial world. They themselves say that the gentle environment of the Southern Capital is too much of a drain on their ambitions.

"Mingchen," Zhao Yuan withdrew his gaze, blowing away the foam on the tea surface. "He is quite unaccomplished, and he is not young anymore. He is always restless and irritable, doing nothing serious, and all day long he just wants to run outside. I am currently having him study. I will call him in later; if you have time, it would be best if you could help me discipline him."

Cao Ning is not very old, yet he possesses a profound depth of character. Those around him have never dared to rashly speculate on what he is thinking. When the bodyguard suddenly heard this question, he was momentarily at a loss, unsure whether to shake his head or nod, and was nearly sweating, stammering, "This... Prince..."

Xie Yun's smile was sincere, revealing not a hint of flaw: "I must go take a look at him later"

"I do not practice martial arts, what should I do?" Shen Tianshu replied indifferently, "Why are you so anxious? What should I have heard?"

Tong Kaiyang said: "The Duke of Duan's army has been defeated, the front line has collapsed for a thousand miles, Zhou Cun has advanced straight in, and within three days has captured several cities in succession. The reinforcements are simply unable to keep up, and today's morning court was in an uproar."

The old man's voice was quite peculiar, resembling the sound of rusty iron scraping against sandpaper, which was uncomfortable to hear. Zhou Fei paused with her raised cup, looking in the direction of the sound. There she saw an ugly face, half of which was marred by a dangerous scar that extended from the face to the neck, likely a result of a blade. His temples were slightly swollen, and his eyes held a restrained brilliance, indicating a considerable mastery of internal martial arts. Zhou Fei cast a glance over, and the old man immediately noticed her. After exchanging a brief look, he nodded slightly at her and continued speaking: "Aside from scouts, Lord Zhou sometimes dispatches people like us to investigate the movements of the common folk. I, being old yet not dead, have little to do, so I occasionally help out by running errands, and I still recognize the flags of several troops. That day, Lord Zhou must have been secretly laying an ambush. I happened to be nearby but was completely unaware. In the middle of the night, I heard fighting nearby and hurriedly braved the rain to go up the mountain to take a look, only to find the Wang flag of the Cao family from the Northern Army surrounded in the valley, which fell shortly after. He continued: "Aside from scouts, Lord Zhou sometimes dispatches people like us to investigate the movements of the common folk. I, being old yet not dead, have little to do, so I occasionally help out by running errands, and I still recognize the flags of several troops. That day, Lord Zhou must have been secretly laying an ambush. I happened to be nearby but was completely unaware. In the middle of the night, I heard fighting nearby and hurriedly braved the rain to go up the mountain to take a look, only to find the Wang flag of the Cao family from the Northern Army surrounded in the valley, which fell shortly after. That battle... tsk, it lasted the whole night, and the valley was filled with mud-stained corpses, with some having fled under the cover of night. After it was over, according to General Wen's rules, the prisoners of war were gathered, and several heads of the captured Northern Army generals were hung high. I looked around three times but did not see Cao Ning.

This object was engraved by my late father before he ascended to the throne. Later, when the Northern Dipper was established, it was used as a token to command the Northern Dipper. Cao Ning said to Shen Tianshu, "Indeed, my father left everything to my elder brother, only giving me this seal"

This was still something she gleaned from Wu Chuchu's chaotic notes. It is said that the sword style held by the Hengshan Sword Sect in those years was peculiar, featuring a curved handle that could perfectly fit into the space between the thumb and index finger, which over time became worn and blackened.

Xie Yun stared at the newcomer, his throat moving slightly: "... ... A Fei?"

Zhao Yuan suddenly paused

On the 3rd of September, the letters that the two great generals of the Big Dipper, Ju Men and Po Jun, were supposed to deliver have been delayed for three days. Cao Ning has consecutively dispatched two groups of scouts to urge them, but unfortunately, three days are insufficient for a round trip, and there has been no response to date

The secret path of Mount Heng has saved her life. Zhou Fei quickly got up, but the old man did not wait for her to speak. He put on his hat and laughed loudly, saying: "Good, as long as someone remembers, my Nanyue lineage will not be considered broken"

The letter from Gu Tianxuan is likely to be received only by the dead. Cao Ning is decisive and does not procrastinate; he stated that they would depart at the third watch of the night, without waiting even a moment longer. That evening, they broke camp and set out. As for what would happen if Gu Tianxuan and the others launched a surprise attack on the Southern Dynasty army from behind as originally planned, only to find halfway through that their own reinforcements had not arrived, what fate would await them

Yang Jin thought for a moment and replied: "It might be my master's uncle, the previous sect leader, who loved to raise snakes just like you. However, he was very old and passed away two years ago."

Xie Yun did not return to the Duan Wangfu with his attendants; he was kept overnight in the palace by Emperor Jian Yuan, Zhao Yuan. In the evening, upon hearing the report that the Emperor was about to arrive, he set aside the idle book in his hands and, adhering to the seemingly innate formalities, went out to greet him.

However, it seemed that Cao Ning was merely talking to himself and did not wish to hear his answer. Before he could respond, Cao Ning suddenly said: "Go check if Gu Tianxuan's letter has arrived. Immediately have someone start a fire and prepare a meal. If Gu Tianxuan's letter has not arrived by 3:15 PM today, we will set aside the original plan and leave the camp."

You ... ...

Zhao Yuan's eyes twitched slightly, seemingly rendered speechless by the situation. However, for some unknown reason, the Emperor today showed no temper in front of Xie Yun. After pondering for a long while, he said: "What you just mentioned about the matter of the insect controlling people is indeed alarming, but upon further reflection, it does seem to have some basis in reason."

In his two consecutive remarks, there was a hint of provocation, which could be considered intentional. Although Zhao Yuan maintained his expression, the previously lively conversation could no longer continue. The two remained silent for a moment, and it was only then that Zhao Yuan realized that Xie Yun was expressing his annoyance with the conversation, deliberately speaking without restraint, subtly indicating it was time to take his leave. It was not that he was incapable of reading the room; rather, over the decades of his reign, Zhao Yuan had become accustomed to being an emperor, used to the fact that even when those beneath him harbored their own agendas, they would still speak to him with trepidation and fear, hoping to extract something from his words. Rarely did anyone express disdain for his verbosity.

The bones that vanished from their own graves, the metaphor of the dove occupying the magpie's nest, the seamless blend of sea and sky

Someone beside respectfully said: "Elder, do you still remember Cao Ning?"

After dropping the letter, Zhou Fei hurriedly continued on her way, just as a messenger from the dark stake returned from outside and nearly collided with her. The messenger hurriedly said: "Junior sister, be careful—senior brother, three letters have arrived. Two are the results of the 'pulse diagnosis', the secret letter is for the chief, and there is another private letter with a token, coming from the east, which will be sent back to the stronghold for Zhou..."

And the lightning resembles the glint of a blade

In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts flashed through Zhou Fei's mind. She suddenly turned over and mounted her horse, urging it to gallop away at full speed. An hour later, Zhou Fei arrived at a nearby hidden post of the Forty-Eighth Stronghold, displayed her token, and swiftly wrote a letter: "Deliver this to the Southern Kingdom's Child Supervisor, and find Lin Zhen to speak with him"

The troublemaker on the beam, whose origins are unknown, disregarded the numerous skilled individuals within the palace, and began to "throw stones" at them. Xie Yun found this quite amusing and was eager to see him, growing increasingly impatient with Zhao Yuan's idle chatter.

Zhou Fei inquired about the location of the "Duan Wangfu" and, relying on her exceptional lightness of foot, she entered and inspected the premises inside and out several times. She observed that Zhao Yuan was putting on a full performance, having already sent people to renovate both the residence and the garden of the Wangfu. Every day, new servants arrived, including those to guard the house and maintain the courtyard. There was also a large group of beautiful maidens, plump and slender, who looked quite the part. However, the master of this place had yet to make an appearance.

Tong Kaiyang: "... ... is dead"

The small courtyard is furnished in a very simple manner, with a few pine and cypress trees planted, maintaining a hint of aged greenery amidst the desolate autumn winds. A gray-haired man sits cross-legged in the courtyard, his hair disheveled, emaciated, and one-armed. Deep lines of age etch his face, and a faint aura of purple surrounds him. The entire courtyard is filled with an indescribable sense of sharpness and solemnity. A small bird occasionally lands on the edge of the courtyard wall, but soon cannot bear it, startled, and flutters away.

The bodyguard understood the words, and upon hearing them felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, responding with a "Yes" and then running away at full speed

On the outskirts of Luzhou, in a dilapidated tavern with drafts coming from all directions, several itinerant men from various regions were taking a break. They gathered together, gnawing on coarse flatbreads while discussing the current situation, often making remarks that were both amusing and absurd.

Xie Yun cooperatively extended his wrist; however, Wang Jinguo from the southern end had only one wrist, which was indeed insufficient. The group of imperial physicians had no choice but to line up one by one. Some were observing the expressions, while others were paying attention to the words, busily engaged in their tasks. After a sufficient amount of time spent in this manner, they all apologized together, gathering to the side to hold a consultation with a serious demeanor. At this moment, they naturally had to avoid the nobleman. However, Xie Yun had exceptionally good hearing and could clearly hear every word of the physicians' verbal sparring outside, making it hard for him to suppress his laughter—as if they could truly cure him.

Li Sheng inquired with great charm, "Brother Yang, the last time you came to Shu was three or four years ago. You have always been a good friend of my Forty-Eighth Camp. Why not come and stay for a while again?"

Zhao Yuan pressed the back of his hand against his forehead and sighed with great concern, while a group of imperial physicians rushed forward from behind him, surrounding Xie Yun in a tight circle

However, Xie Yun had reached a point where he no longer cared much about the opinions of others. When it was time for him to shine again, he was too lazy to pretend to be a delicate willow swaying in the wind. With nothing else to do, he listened to the physicians chattering away while casually responding to Zhao Yuan's small talk, which was laden with political undertones.

As he spoke, the cold and venomous doctor unexpectedly bowed deeply to him. Yang Jin exclaimed, "Ah!" He was not very good at being polite, so he quickly waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, no need to thank me. He has always loved to meddle in others' affairs, and he holds your esteemed sect in high regard. After returning, he sighed for many years, constantly mentioning 'The Great Medicine Valley' until his death...

Shen Tianshu was momentarily stunned, as if he had just remembered that Cao Zhongkun had already passed away and the new emperor had ascended to the throne. A sense of disinterest surged within him, and he let out a soft "oh," falling silent thereafter

My imperial brother has long wanted to seize my military power, but he has never found a pretext. Now that he has finally caught such an opportunity, he will not let it go easily. This time, I have fallen into his trap, and there is nothing more to say. Cao Ning sat down, the old wooden chair creaking under him. The king from the northern end gave a self-deprecating smile and continued, "Over the years, I have gathered a few followers. When I was forced to retreat in a panic, I did not have the chance to explain things to them properly. The emperor will certainly find it difficult to mobilize them. At this critical moment, he must be even more irritated with me. Once I make an appearance, the only outcomes for me will be punishment, dismissal, and house arrest in the capital. This is not a big deal, but those so-called 'usable generals' in the emperor's hands are no better than Zhao Kuo. If he continues to act recklessly, I fear..."

Cao Ning maintained his expression and smiled, saying: "Mr. Shen, if a person were to grow up looking like me, having one leg more or one leg less is not a big deal."

Liu Youliang was entrusted by the three old predecessors of the Penglai Immortals to take care of Xie Yun along the way. He was busy until late at night before finally settling down at the Duke of Duan's residence, allowing him to rest for a brief moment before dawn. However, as soon as he entered the room, an inexplicable shiver ran through him—having escaped from the old capital to Jinan right under Tong Kaiyang's nose, he relied entirely on this instinct for survival. A layer of chill surged in Liu Youliang's somewhat dazed mind as he grasped the sword at his waist.

Shen Tianshu said indifferently: "What does that have to do with me? I can kill, but I cannot fight. What, does the Emperor want me to go to war?"

So it was written by Xie Yun himself? Is Xie Yun awake? He has been freezing all day like a quail, how could he have the leisure to write this? If he wrote it, then since he is not going out, he naturally does not need travel expenses. Why would he choose to circulate it at this critical moment? And that ending—"The long river flows into the sea, vast and returning to the sky's color"—is truly subtle no matter how you listen to it, perfectly echoing the phrase "the sea and sky are one color"

Xie Yun smiled and said: "Rituals must not be neglected"

The Northern Army temporarily broke camp and marched through the night, but unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Shortly after they set out, it began to rain lightly.

Yang Jin hesitated for a moment, glancing at the many homeless people eagerly awaiting a place to belong, and then surprisingly shook his head. He thought to himself: those herbal farmers only know a bit of martial arts, and in this chaotic world of the Central Plains, they are probably not much better off than these vulnerable homeless people who can be easily exploited

Wait, brothers, please do not quarrel yet. I have a question—did Cao Ning actually die when he encountered the ambush or not

Zhou Fei had already reached the door, and with a long whistle, she called back her horse that had run off to graze. Just as she was about to lead it away, she heard the musician inside say: "... This piece, it is said, was composed by the Feathered Garment Troupe, and the lyrics were written by 'Qian Sui You', titled 'The Tale of the White Bones', which is a story of strange and supernatural occurrences..."

Shen Tianshu's complexion improved slightly. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Are you saying that you intend to take Zhou Cun's head from among thousands of troops and horses?"

Shen Tianshu, proud and unruly, is the leader of the Big Dipper. He has devoted his entire life solely to Cao Zhongkun. Since a few years ago, when the false emperor fell seriously ill and could no longer govern, he has grown weary of dealing with the scheming civil and military officials in the court. He simply closed his doors to visitors, gradually retreating from public life and rarely making appearances.

The heavens above and the earth below, the situation is unfavorable. Cao Ning rolled the dry leaves in his palm, slowly crushing them, "It is not beneficial for a gentleman to remain steadfast, the great departs while the small arrives."

Zhao Yuan was dressed in casual attire, his figure slender and tall, with a face that seemed chiseled. Although he was middle-aged, his face did not show much sign of age. His eyelashes were exceptionally thick, often casting a heavy shadow over his eyes, which made his gaze appear somewhat somber, causing a tightening in the hearts of those he looked at. However, when he smiled, he appeared remarkably refined and approachable, completely devoid of the airs of someone of high status. Zhao Yuan reached out to grasp Xie Yun, unbothered by the increasingly intense chill emanating from him. Instead, it was Xie Yun who noticed that the emperor's well-cared-for fingertips had turned slightly pale from the cold, and he quickly used a bit of skill to free himself. However, when he smiled, he appeared remarkably refined and approachable, completely devoid of the airs of someone of high status. Zhao Yuan reached out to grasp Xie Yun, unbothered by the increasingly intense chill emanating from him. Instead, it was Xie Yun who noticed that the emperor's well-cared-for fingertips had turned slightly pale from the cold, and he quickly used a bit of skill to free himself.

"Nonsense, what a ghostly wail, did you hear it?"

Tong Kaiyang was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Elder brother, the seven of us were gathered by the 'former emperor', not by the current emperor."

When Cao Zhongkun passed away, three of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper had already departed. Only Ju Men, Po Jun, and Wu Qu remained, all holding official positions, and were no longer bound by this private seal that could not be presented in public. The only one affected by this was Shen Tianshu, who was not fond of meddling in others' affairs.

The sudden downfall of the Great Medicine Valley has left them feeling both sorrowful and uneasy in the face of such tragedy

The visitor is truly a young lady

Zhou Fei originally intended to sit for a while on the roof of the most magnificent room in the Wang residence, but to her surprise, she saw the Duke of Duan's residence brightly lit from a distance

Suddenly, Zhou Fei saw a familiar figure getting out of the car—none other than General Liu, whom she had rescued from Tong Kaiyang.

In recent years, the flames of war have raged, and even the area beneath the Forty-Eight Villages Mountain has seen much land left fallow. Witnessing these refugees left homeless, Li Sheng took it upon himself to bring them all back. Zhou Fei, intending to head to the East Sea, naturally would not travel with them, so she bid farewell to Li Sheng, saying: "Please tell my mother not to worry... Never mind, she surely doesn't worry. Just say that I have just slain Ju Men and Po Jun, and the next time I encounter Wu Qu, I will definitely chop him up to avenge Wang Laofuren. The date of my return is uncertain; if anything arises, have An Zhuang send me a message."

Shen Tianshu squinted his eyes and said, "I never expected an uninvited guest to arrive at my residence, this is quite novel"

In the "Night Rain on the Ba Mountains," the autumn pool rises; although this place is already some distance from Shu, the momentum of the autumn rain is no less. Cao Ning's marching speed has inevitably slowed down considerably, and it seems as if the heavens have sprung a leak. After more than half the night has passed, the rain not only shows no signs of stopping but is becoming increasingly heavy.

Zhao Yuan waved his hand, walked to the door, and seemed to suddenly remember something. He said to the distracted Xie Yun beside him: "Our imperial court's royal army is pressing forward step by step, already approaching the old capital. The Cao clan's traitors are merely grasshoppers after autumn, not worth worrying about. What day is the 3rd of next month? Do you remember?"

Shen Tianshu sat still, gently flicking his sleeve, and the wooden door of the study opened with a creak. It was only at this moment that a figure finally appeared at the entrance of the courtyard

Shen Tianshu cast a glance at him and said rather impolitely: "Your limbs are already burdened more heavily than those of ordinary people, and your skills are quite mediocre. This time, with your legs injured and your bones affected, along with the continuous exertion, your vital energy and blood are stagnating and blocked. I fear that you may not fully recover in the future, and you might end up walking with a limp."

Xie Yun then said: "Indeed, that incident he was involved in during that year in Yongzhou was truly outrageous. Children are nothing but a burden, Your Highness."

Unbeknownst to him, he bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the medicinal valley entrusted by his elders and peers, yet he was surprisingly engrossed in his own swordsmanship and fled the scene in annoyance

Regardless of their character, they are certainly not those who seek to gain fame and reputation by pretending to be of noble lineage. There is no need to speak of empty and grandiose moralities. Whether they pride themselves on their aloofness or resort to unscrupulous means, it is merely a matter of personal style in handling affairs, each to their own taste, with no distinction of superiority or inferiority. However, if one cannot even master the fundamental skills necessary for survival, then there is nothing more to say. If they perish, they deserve it; if they are looked down upon, they deserve that too. If one cannot even master the fundamental skills necessary for survival, then there is nothing more to say. If they perish, they deserve it; if they are looked down upon, they deserve that too

As soon as he finished speaking, something on the beam to one side collided with another, producing a soft sound of "whoosh," yet there was no sound of footsteps when the person landed. For such a master, deliberately making a little noise is already as courteous as knocking on the door. Xie Yun paid it no mind and turned back in the direction of the sound, only to be taken aback in an instant.

Upon considering this, Yang Jin felt a twinge of regret. He then heard the sect leader, who had left home in search of someone, say: "No, I have been away long enough; I need to go check on those herbal farmers"

Tong Kaiyang exclaimed urgently: "Elder brother!"

Still, there is a girl who is so familiar that she often appears in dreams, yet at this moment of sudden encounter, she feels somewhat unfamiliar. It is as if she has fallen from nowhere into the grand palace's warm chamber, her feigned calm gaze piercing through three years of time and the separation of life and death, aimlessly wandering around before finally settling back on Xie Yun.

Tong Kaiyang's pupils constricted, and he said in a low voice: "Congratulations, elder brother, on your further progress; your divine skill is about to be perfected"

Shen Tianshu said expressionlessly: "What about Gu Tianxuan and Lu Yaoguang, those two useless ones? Are they dead?"

Tong Kaiyang took a few steps forward and lowered his voice, saying: "Elder brother, this time we have truly suffered heavy losses among our elite forces, and the fate of Duke Wang is uncertain. Today in the court, I noticed that the Emperor seems somewhat at a loss, which is likely a bad omen"

Indeed, Shen Tianshu said: "A fallen nation is a fallen nation. I am the dog of the late emperor. The late emperor has passed away, and since he did not leave any instructions for me to continue serving the court, then other matters are none of my concern. Do you have anything else? If not, go about your business and do not disturb my peace."

The Emperor Jianyuan found himself in a somewhat awkward situation. After a moment of silence, he stood up and said: "Having spoken to you for such a long time, it is getting late. I shall not disturb your rest, little uncle."

Tong Kaiyang was just about to search his mind for a few words to say, but before he could speak, Shen Tianshu suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing like steel nails through the wooden door and the small courtyard, shooting straight out. Tong Kaiyang was taken aback, not understanding the reason, and followed his gaze. After a while, he finally discerned a faint sound of footsteps. He couldn't help but feel a sense of shame, vaguely sensing that since Shen Tianshu had stopped concerning himself with worldly matters, he seemed to have stepped onto a level in martial arts that they could not grasp.

As the crowd fell silent, those few who had been discussing passionately just moments ago closed their mouths

Tong Kaiyang sensed that the tone of his words was off, reminiscent of a situation where brothers quarrel even in the face of great danger. He did not dare to respond immediately, instead casting a sidelong glance at Shen Tianshu, only to find that the leader of the Big Dipper remained seated, holding a bowl of cold water, indifferent to the situation. The study fell into a moment of silence, and Cao Ning did not show any anger. He reached into his bosom and took out a private seal with a corner worn down, placing it on the table. The small seal was engraved with the four characters "Si Hai Bin Fu," and it had some years to it. The dragon pattern on the seal had been polished through countless touches, now shining with a glossy luster. The study fell into a moment of silence, and Cao Ning did not show any anger. He reached into his bosom and took out a private seal with a corner worn down, placing it on the table. The small seal was engraved with the four characters "Si Hai Bin Fu," and it had some years to it. The dragon pattern on the seal had been polished through countless touches, now shining with a glossy luster.

My distant cousin's house is located over there, and he personally heard it!

The old man said softly after a moment, "It is surprising that there are still little children who remember Mount Heng in Nanyue."

Zhao Yuan deeply glanced at him, noticing that he had his head lowered, his entire demeanor exuding the words "hurry up and get lost". Finally at a loss for what to do, he sighed, turned around, and walked away, his back appearing somewhat desolate

The Northern Army arrived at a narrow valley, and just as the vanguard entered the mountains, a great thunder split the sky in half. The sound of the thunder echoed chaotically in the valley, rumbling like drums. A messenger, seemingly frantic, rushed through the crowd, sprinting from the commander's location, shouting: "Stop! Stop! The prince has issued an order, the rear troops are to become the front troops, take a detour! Detour..."

The itinerant helpers do not care whether it is the "worries of a hundred years" or the "worries of a thousand years"; they only urge relentlessly. Then, a hoarse and somewhat off-key melody begins to echo softly. Zhou Fei lingers at the door, listening to the ghost story of a skeleton that comes back to life and searches for its grave from beginning to end. She hears of the skeleton's harrowing adventures, which are described in such a terrifying manner that they stir fear and unrest in all directions. Finally, it manages to find its burial place, only to discover that its grave has been usurped by another skeleton adorned in gold and jewels. In despair, it leaps into the surging river that flows into the sea, rushing away with the great waves, becoming a spirit that governs the waters.

Cao Ning may not be a natural genius, but he is like a swallow over the sea, always able to sense the approach of a storm first

Yang Jin stood in a daze for a long time, suddenly slapped his forehead, and turned around to leave without a word: "I will take my leave now"

There is someone on the beam—able to enter and exit the imperial palace without being detected by either gods or ghosts; this person must be a master. The martial arts world of the Central Plains is filled with hidden talents, among which are some masters who come and go without a trace. If one harbors no ill intentions and possesses a clear conscience, they may sometimes deliberately create a bit of noise to indicate their presence; this is called "throwing a stone," which also serves to test the opponent's skills and hearing.

The Duke's forces were defeated, and the front line collapsed over a thousand miles. Zhou Cun advanced straight in, having captured several cities within three days

The person outside the courtyard, upon hearing the sound, stepped forward, and their figure fell into the sight of the two Beidou. The newcomer was dressed in travel-worn cloth, wearing a large straw hat that could even cover the chin, completely concealing their appearance. Yet, it was still possible to recognize their identity at a glance—after all, there are not many people who can become this plump.

As Yang Jin spoke to this point, he suddenly paused, for he recalled that Qingyun Valley is located in the southern frontier, living in harmony with the world, neither emphasizing literature nor martial arts. Throughout the generations, the leaders have been deeply engrossed in medicine and poison, undoubtedly the most accomplished in medical skills among their peers. However, it seemed that ever since his master uncle returned from his travels, the sect rules were abruptly changed to determine the leader through martial contests. In his youth, he was afraid of snakes and could not memorize the pharmacopoeia, spending each day merely practicing with swords and spears, which naturally affected his social relations. Yet, it seemed that it was only after his master uncle returned from his travels that the sect rules were suddenly altered to establish the leader through martial contests. When did everyone begin to make an effort to accept him as an outlier?

Ying He nodded noncommittally.

Having spoken, he took two steps away from the dilapidated tavern and floated away

At this moment, an old man sitting in a corner spoke softly, saying: "That Cao Ning is probably gone."

Tong Kaiyang, fearing that Shen Tianshu might speak disrespectfully again, hurriedly interjected, "Why does Your Highness travel alone? Since you have already escaped danger, why not return to the court?"

Cao Ning's background has long been criticized, and with such a physique, he is destined to be far from high office. During Cao Zhongkun's lifetime, he had little regard for this second son. For many years, the foundation of Cao Ning's livelihood has been earned through his military achievements on the battlefield at a young age.

Then it cannot be helped

Xie Yun nodded and said: "That's fine, it hasn't been many days anyway. My nephew can still join in the fun, so I won't die too early and miss out."

Zhao Yuan is quite eloquent; at times, when asked about interesting tales from the martial world, he casually shares simple stories with Xie Yun. When the conversation becomes lengthy, he feigns disinterest, claiming to be reclusive in Penglai and not very aware of what is happening outside. The two seem like two foxes dressed in human skin, one passing the conversation while the other responds perfunctorily, yet they appear to be in perfect harmony.

Suddenly, the previously listless Xie Yun felt a slight movement in his ears. The teacup that had been brought to his lips was abruptly halted, and the chill enveloping him quickly encroached, stealing away the steam rising from the teacup. A young eunuch, witnessing this, hurriedly approached with a sense of trepidation to replace the tea. Xie Yun slightly squinted his eyes and raised his head to glance around at the beams above.

Zhou Fei's footsteps suddenly came to a halt

The multitude divided into three routes and set off in their respective directions. After two days, the well-rested army surged like lightning from the valley towards the rear of Cao's forces, as if divine troops had descended from the heavens

Cao Ning smiled and said: "Even if I were to be foolish, I would know that Mr. Shen would never do anything so contrary to the wishes of the Emperor, especially with external enemies at hand. I am not so deranged as to act in such a manner."

However, before he could even open his mouth to inquire, he heard someone behind him politely knock a few times on the door. Liu Youliang was drenched in cold sweat; the person was right behind him, yet he hadn't heard a single sound! He immediately drew his sword out by two inches and turned around abruptly, only to be taken aback: "Zhou... Zhou Miss?"

Shen Tianshu's gaze lingered on the small seal for a moment, and he asked, "Do you want me to kill your elder brother for you?"

Xie Yun took the newly replaced tea cup from the young eunuch, staring at the fleeting crimson on his fingertips. Suddenly, he deliberately brought up an unrelated topic, saying: "Royal Uncle, I haven't left Penglai in these years and have been cut off from news. I still don't know—has Ming Chen left the palace to establish a residence? Where is it located?"

Zhou Fei: "Ah—"

Upon hearing this, Ying He immediately straightened his expression and said: "When the incident occurred at the Medicine Valley, although I managed to escape by a stroke of luck, I was still in a life-and-death situation. Fortunately, that senior passed by and offered assistance, providing me with a poisonous snake for protection. I must visit to pay my respects in the future"

At this moment, in a small courtyard in the southern city of the old capital, an unexpected guest arrived

Xie Yun lazily stood up to bid farewell, without even a single extra word of thanks

Shen Tianshu held a bowl of cold water, feeling as if he were sitting on a thousand pounds, and remained motionless. Tong Kaiyang did not dare to be as bold as him, quickly stepped forward to welcome Cao Ning into the inner room. Cao Ning, dragging a wounded leg, waved his hand to decline assistance, and with a polite remark of "I apologize for the disturbance," he made his way into Shen Tianshu's study, moving slowly step by step.

At this moment, Ying Hong suddenly spoke up and asked: "Is there an elder from Qingyun Valley who has long braided hair and used to travel around various places in the Central Plains in their early years?"

Xie Yun lowered his head and said, "I dare not, Your Majesty speaks too highly."

Zhao Yuan turned a deaf ear to this sarcastic remark and simply said: "It is also your father's death anniversary—I plan to hold a memorial on the proper day. If the ancestors are watching from above, may they bless our army to restore the rivers and mountains, bring the traitors to justice, bring peace to the common people, and usher in a prosperous era for a hundred years"

Cao Ning's eyes were squeezed into a state of disarray by the excess flesh on his face. At first glance, they resembled two lines cut by a knife, and with a moment's inattention, they could gradually grow together in affection. The brilliance in his eyes was compressed into an extremely fine thread, becoming even more piercing. He raised his head and gazed at the dim light of the sky, murmuring: "The divination says I should withdraw early... Do you believe in fate?"

In the midst of his haste, he could only nod slightly at Zhou Fei, completely forgetting to ask her about the matter of comparing knives

On the night of the third day of September, the elite troops of the Northern Army were ambushed near the border, resulting in a rout that extended for a thousand miles, with heavy casualties and an unknown number of deaths. The blood of the fallen was washed away by the rain, forming a red river that flowed eastward. Even a hundred miles away, the water in the river appeared crimson, and as it flowed far away, one could hear the wails of the dead.

Suddenly, the one-armed man abruptly opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning, directed towards the door. At the entrance of the courtyard, a man in black from the North Dipper was about to speak, but upon catching the man's murderous glance, he immediately felt his legs weaken and fell to his knees with a thud, revealing the figure behind him clad in a scarlet official robe—Wu Qu Tong Kaiyang. Tong Kaiyang disdainfully pushed the obstructive man in black aside and strode into the courtyard, saying: "Elder brother, have you heard?"

Zhou Fei sat quietly to one side, waiting for the slightly murky water in her cup to settle, treating the surrounding noise as mere background chatter—there was no helping it; it was not that she did not care about the situation of the battle, but rather that she had heard too much along the way. There were all sorts of absurd claims, one moment saying that Lord Zhou had great powers and had caused a flood that swept away the Cao army, and the next claiming that the valleys traversed by the Cao army were haunted, leaving the Northern army as scapegoats... Such numerous tales were mostly nonsensical, and she could only choose to remain deaf to them.

No response, it seems that experts are not so easily deceived

The crowd began to chatter about Cao Ning's imposing figure. Zhou Fei noticed that the old man had left the money for the drinks, and the area around his thumb, where he held the cup, was covered in calluses, making the skin there noticeably darker than elsewhere. Unable to contain herself, she blurted out: "Senior, have you practiced the Hengshan Sword Technique?"

Many people gathered around to speak with him. Liu Youliang, having served as the commander of the imperial guards in the Northern Dynasty for many years, naturally handled such small situations with ease. Although he did not speak much, his mere presence quickly brought order to the chaotic scene, and soon the royal residence was organized and orderly.

Another person replied: "What is there to not recognize? Cao Ning's head is said to be as large as two ordinary heads. If I were there, I would recognize him too"