Chapter Seven, the gentle wind and rain chill the heart

King Liang fixed his gaze on Linghu Tuan Yuan and asked, "How much of your internal energy can you exert?"

After a simple breakfast, Linghu Tuan Yuan stretched her arms as she stepped out of the door, feeling her strength return. She ran to the main hall of the state government, only to find her father looking even more troubled than the night before. Wu Que pulled her aside to speak, and it was then that she learned that early in the morning, Tongshan City had received an urgent report from the neighboring county: another three hundred soldiers had been dispatched from the last five hundred, and there was no one available to serve the King of Liang; the leader of the three hundred soldiers was Pan Chi.

Ena understood this cold joke

Linghu Tuan Yuan bit down hard, and the experienced Xi Ri Xuan Hao stepped back. He leaned against the carriage wall, wiped the fragrant dew from the corner of his lips, and calmed down. Linghu Tuan Yuan swung his fist, and he coldly said, "Come back when you're healed!" After speaking, he turned to look out the window, the wind lifting his long hair, and a bloodstain on his expressionless handsome face seemed to convey, if you want to be ruthless, then I will be ruthless.

Pan Yue clutched his chest and gasped, "He wants us to live in constant fear!"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao let out a cold snort, withdrawing his hands and feet, but he heard Ling Hu Tuan Yuan ask: "Can father and the others hold on in the prefectural government?"

Hong Fureng spat and said, "I have already been unjustly accused of attempting to assassinate the prince, so I might as well go all out! Bring it on, I, Grandfather Hong, am ready!"

How is Master Hua treating you?

Pressing down on the Wang family, Prince Liang re-examined Hua Chen. Under torture, the latter, however, did not utter a single word regarding Hua Shuang's conspiracy. Upon seeing Hua Chen in such a cowardly and pitiful state once again, Prince Liang felt a wave of disgust. Meanwhile, Wu Que had already foreseen this; as soon as the punishment began, he took his sister and left.

Linghu Tuan Yuan gritted his teeth, yet still chose to ignore it

I had no intention of casting aspersions on the deceased, but given the current dire situation, to remain silent any longer would be a sin

Wu Que stepped forward to protect the retreating King Liang. A blood mark appeared on the right cheek of King Liang, which not only did not mar his handsome appearance but also added a touch of fierceness.

The members of the Linghu clan, drawn by the call of Wuque, quickly surrounded the two young masters

Hong Furenshu's loud voice shouted: "Miss Linghu, hand over the items to me, and we shall let this matter pass. Otherwise, heh heh, none of you from the Linghu family will survive tonight"

After LIng Hu Yue and Pan Yue discussed, they increasingly realized that the other party was deliberately keeping the Liang King trapped, forcing him to defend the state capital, which would allow them to catch him easily. They were certain that they had thoroughly understood the Liang King's temperament, which was quite obstinate. After their deliberation, they conferred with Guard Gu and devised a plan to subtly replace the Liang King with a decoy while keeping him in the residence. In order to facilitate the Liang King's exit from the residence, after several attempts at probing, a number of casualties occurred within the state capital, which finally drew the attention of the men in black and Hong Fu Ren, thus allowing Ling Hu Li Qiu to proceed with his actions.

Linghu Tuan Yuan was startled awake, "What?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan nodded and said, "I will take a look." After a while, she winked at E Nuo and added, "I have a pair of big eyes, and yours are not small either."

Guard Gu was furious, but his partner took the lead and leaped onto the roof, engaging in battle with Hong Furun. The guards, who had suffered the bitter experience of Iron Sand Palm the previous night, knew they were not on the same level as Hong Furun and could not be of any assistance by going up to the roof, so they shouted encouragement from under the eaves

With formidable enemies ahead, all the guards in the provincial government gathered before King Liang. Having learned from past experiences, Linghu Yue dared not to trust easily again. He ordered the members of the Linghu clan to encircle King Liang, while the attendants of King Liang and the guards of the provincial government were responsible for the outer perimeter

Let go

Hey..." Xiri Xuanhao mocked her, smoothing out the crumpled envelope

The flawless sky remains silent.

How are you?

Xi Ri Xuan Hao could not have imagined that Guard Gu would suddenly knock him unconscious, just as Ling Hu Tuan Yuan could not understand why her father had ordered someone to knock her out from behind the book. After they finished their inquiries, they both instinctively looked towards the front of the carriage, where Ling Hu Li Qiu was driving. Dressed in simple cloth garments, with a raincoat and a bamboo hat, he turned his back to the two and said: "The master has ordered me to escort you south, taking a roundabout way back to the capital"

The torrential downpour and the fine drizzle alternated from time to time, while the muddy mountain roads and rugged bends consistently limited the speed of the carriage. Linghu Tuan Yuan gradually became drowsy in the bumpy carriage, when Xi Ri Xuan Hao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his phoenix eyes and exclaimed: "We shall turn west, to the southern bank of the Man Shen River."

"Well, didn't I close the case? He died from poisoning." Linghu Tuan Yuan knew he was being dismissive, and Xi Ri Xuan Hao rarely took the time to explain to her, saying, "This is clearly two separate murder cases."

Catch the living!

At the beginning of autumn, it was helplessly said: "Miss, do not be angry with His Highness. Your Highness, after all, she is a woman."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao let out a cold snort, and the crowd felt a sense of disdain. Are you reporting on the moral conduct case of Hua Canjun?

The two individuals looked left and right at the window once more, as the night rain fell continuously

On her way back to the main hall, Linghu Tuan Yuan was called to the side hall by Linghu Yue. As soon as she entered the side hall, she felt a sharp pain in her neck and fainted. When she woke up, she found herself inside a carriage, and there was another person beside her who was also gradually regaining consciousness

You wicked person

What is inside?

Linghu Tuan Yuan just understood that Wu Que had brought her here out of pity for the Wang family, to show her the true face of this woman

Linghu Tuan Yuan ultimately let go of his fists, sitting under the window on the other side, breathing steadily, yet his mouth was filled with his taste, and his heart was ablaze with an unquenchable rage.

Wu Que pulled Linghu Tuan Yuan back to a secluded place and asked meaningfully, "Do you still sympathize with her?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan shook his head and turned his face to look out the window

The total number of soldiers in Kainan City is no more than one thousand, while Huaye has a thousand at his disposal. Since we are betting, I shall bet big. The traitorous scoundrels would not dare to recklessly confront the court with their troops until the very last moment; their gradual depletion of the defenses at Tongshan City is proof of this. Rest assured, your father and your kin are not their targets. If they truly intended to trouble the Nanyue family, they would have already eliminated everyone in the inn. I even believe that the black-clad martial sage refrained from forcibly seizing the provincial capital precisely out of consideration for the Nanyue family. The scoundrels need the support of the Nanyue family and would never kill Pan Yue and your father. To kill them would mean that the Nanyue family would be irreconcilable with them.

Linghu Tuan Yuan was taken aback and replied, "It was given to me by someone from the Hong family."

What do you want, Iron Sand Palm?

Indeed, who would have thought that Linghu Yue would dare to lay hands on this king!" The King of Liang said darkly. Old Pan was incredibly bold, and Linghu Yue was even more audacious. Linghu Tuan Yuan sat cross-legged nearby, and Xi Ri Xuan Hao sneered, "What intention does your father have in sending you here as well?"

Wu Que stared at her head, and Ling Hu Tuan Yuan was puzzled. She never adorned her head with flowers, yet she heard her brother shout: "You are trying to court death again!"

Ah... the exclamation was swallowed by the sudden kiss, her hands and feet restrained by another pair. Linghu Tuan Yuan widened her eyes, yet no matter how much she strained, she could not see the face before her. The man's breath filled her mouth and nostrils, and in that instant, she understood that the most malicious act a man could commit in this world was to possess a woman without love.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao was displeased

60 percent

Li Qiu said solemnly: "As long as there is one person from the Linghu family, the state government will remain!"

As Pan Yue stated, the people in the provincial government became anxious. Since the appearance of the man in black, the provincial government of Tongshan City has been cut off from the outside world. The guards sent by King Liang have not returned, and the correspondence from Zhou County has ceased. An invisible death has enveloped the provincial government, and everyone is on edge, fearing that the black-clad martial sage might suddenly appear before them

"Why take me along?" asked Linghu Tuan Yuan

In the afternoon, a light rain began to fall. Corpses were thrown in one by one from outside the residence, and the officials of Pingzhen identified them; most were guards sent by the Prince of Liang, while a few were messengers from neighboring counties. The letters had not been taken away, and when they reached the Prince of Liang, they were all soaked. The Prince of Liang said fiercely: "This thief should be executed along with his entire family, for disregarding the calamity caused by the barbarian Shen."

The beginning of autumn does not respond

Linghu Tuan Yuan followed him with suspicion, and the two of them peered through the window of a small room to see the imprisoned Wang. She no longer bore the pitiful appearance she had in the hall; instead, she sat alone at the table, laughing.

Entered the palace at the age of five

Xi Ri Xuan Hao forcefully grabbed her long hair and said, "Speak!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan pondered for a moment, then slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and said: "My eyes are still not big enough!" Wu Que felt a sense of comfort and replied, "I also do not want eyes that are too big; if they are too clear, they would be like yours, unable to tolerate even a speck of dust."

Linghu Tuan Yuan, who was standing nearby, also noticed the issue. Hong Fu Ren's black sand aura was only two feet, which was even less than the range during her battle with him at the community temple

Xi Ri Xuan Hao's heart calmed down. He no longer wished to delve into the matters concerning Ye Feng Yao, and his disdain for Ye Feng Yao's daughter had reached its limit. Moreover, he had already fought and vented his anger; it was beneath the dignity of a prince to contend with a mere young girl.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao suddenly opened his garment, and Ling Hu Tuan Yuan immediately drew out a dagger, only to see him pull out a letter from his clothing

What can I do

Xi Ri Xuan Hao grasped the dagger in one hand and took out an envelope with the other, saying, "Do not say that I am stingy; even if I show it to you, you would not understand it."

Linghu Tuan Yuan gazed in the direction the two had departed, pondering to himself, is that the Martial Saint? Their internal energy was completely concealed, moving with an elusive grace. However, compared to my master, it seems they are still lacking something.

Suddenly, there was no sound. As Li Qiu turned his head to look, he saw four hands and four feet twisted together like a twisted doughnut. He turned back and heard two people cursing at each other.

The other party has a Martial Saint, how should they respond?

Linghu Tuan Yuan did not pay him any attention, as she was aware that the villain was currently in a fit of rage and should not be provoked. Moreover, the villain was not wrong; their journey was indeed fraught with danger

Wang's sobs were difficult to articulate

Linghu Yue's brows furrowed, and the circumstances surrounding Hua Shuang's death became increasingly enigmatic

Did you enter the state government since you were young

I have been married into the Hua family for many years, taking pride in my husband's loyalty and service to the court. However, I recently discovered that my husband harbors ulterior motives, secretly amassing over a thousand troops and stockpiling grain to feed horses, which is in violation of the court's regulations

Why do you say that? What makes him so good?

Come with me

Flower Field

The two glared at each other, and Li Qiu let out a sigh in front of the car. Before long, sounds of a fight erupted from inside the carriage. Filled with rage, Xi Ri Xuan Hao wanted to hit someone, so he did; and Ling Hu Tuan Yuan, overwhelmed with grievances, could no longer endure and was ready to join the fray.

The audience was astonished; according to Wang, Hua Shuang has indeed committed the crime of treason

You use that letter to exchange. Linghu Tuan Yuan turned his head around

After Linghu Liqiu grabbed one person and climbed over the wall, he led the horse away from the inn. The Linghu family's carriage bore no special markings and appeared like an ordinary carriage, thus providing a degree of concealment

Not bad

Linghu Tuan Yuan responded and opened the deer hide, but found nothing unusual. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the hide contained a needle, finer than a hair, completely black and devoid of luster

Just as the words were spoken, a figure suddenly sprang out beside King Liang. A chilling flash of sword light appeared, causing Linghu Tuan Yuan, who had enmity with King Liang, to break out in a cold sweat. She was too far away from Wu Que to reach him, and Guard Gu was also at a distance from Linghu Yue.

The heavy rain lasted for a day and a night; the following day, the intensity of the rain slightly diminished, yet the curtain of rain remained dense and indistinct

Pingzhen solemnly stated: "The one who can command Hong Fureng must be the Martial Saint. He, with the dignity of the Martial Saint, looks down upon engaging with the guards, or perhaps he sees that we are well-prepared here and lacks the assurance of retreating unscathed"

You scoundrel

The duel was quite refined, as both individuals were aware of the perilous situation they were in; the carriage must not be damaged, and the use of internal energy was prohibited. However, the duel was also quite uncouth, as both parties had a strong aversion to each other, employing vicious punches and kicks without regard for appearances, attacking each other mercilessly. Li Qiu shouted several times, but was unable to gain the upper hand.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao drew out the dagger and said in a low voice: "Do not touch the things inside with your hands"

Linghu Tuan Yuan carefully put away the envelope, waiting for him to explain, but he said nothing. He solemnly sheathed the dagger and said to her, "I will keep it for now"

After a while, Xi Ri Xuan Hao said softly: "Who says the dead cannot kill? It was just a near miss."

Pingzhen pondered and asked: "Why didn't you speak yesterday?"

This prince indeed feels that your father has abandoned you; a son must be kept by his side, while a daughter is cast into peril. Do you not realize that being with this prince is even more dangerous

Xi Ri Xuan Hao kicked the corpse aside with one foot, knowing that the assassin's skills were beneath his own, and that he had merely taken advantage of his momentary unpreparedness to strike unexpectedly. He was well aware that this person was nothing more than a pawn, testing the waters as one would when crossing a river in the rain

Let go of me

Let go of me first

The beginning of autumn has come, yet there is still no response

The guard Gu and Prince Liang also arrived, "Defeated generals, do not be so arrogant!"

Is this the poison that kills the flower's freshness

She turned and left, Wu Que gazed at her silhouette, but his eyes seemed to be veiled by a layer of gauze

As the setting sun cast its glow, Xi Ri Xuan Hao exchanged glances with the man in black through the curtain of rain. Beneath the brim of his hat, a faint light flickered. Ping Zhen once again spoke on behalf of King Liang, asking, "Who are you? Why did you attempt to assassinate His Highness?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan did not require E Nuo to assist her with her hair. The latter stood in silence for a while before quietly asking, "Did the young lady hear everything last night?" It was now Linghu Tuan Yuan's turn to remain silent. E Nuo suddenly raised her voice and said, "General Hua has worked tirelessly for Tongshan City year after year, worrying for the people around the Man Shen River, but what has he gained in return? Lord Hua refuses to promote him under the pretext of avoiding family ties, and the Second Madam only entertains him out of loneliness. For so many years, he has endured suffering and exhaustion; what is the point of it all? Although E Nuo is a servant, she is also a person with flesh and blood. She sees and understands everything. Lord Hua refuses to promote him under the pretext of avoiding family ties, and the Second Madam only entertains him out of loneliness. For so many years, he has endured suffering and exhaustion; what is the point of it all? Although E Nuo is a servant, she is also a person with flesh and blood. She sees and understands everything. Miss Linghu, if you have a heart, please speak a word of justice for General Hua!

Xi Ri Xuan Hao kicked the car door, but was caught by Ling Hu Tuan Yuan, "You are already in the car, do you want to make those people die in vain for you?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan tossed the face towel into the basin after wiping her face, causing water to splash out. She truly wanted to emulate Liang Wang's sharp tongue, but she couldn't bear to hurt E Nuo. Knowing that Hua Ye was indiscreet, E Nuo still referred to her as a good person; could it be that the relationship between E Nuo and Hua Ye was also ambiguous?

In a critical moment, Xi Ri Xuan Hao bent down and turned sideways, the sword light grazing his cheek. In the next instant, Guard Gu had already returned to defense, engaging with the true assassin.

Linghu Tuan Yuan took the envelope and said irritably: "Don't say that I am stingy; even if I give you the things, you wouldn't understand how to use them."

A thousand people first went there; yesterday, King Liang sent officials to various places in succession. Now, only two hundred guards remain in Tongshan City

On the eaves, the guard who was engaged in a fierce battle with Hong Furong fell down. "Brother Mao!" The guards below exclaimed in shock.

Continuing without omission, Wu Que spoke of family matters. Ling Hu Li Qiu arranged for both families to stay at the largest inn in Tongshan City, and selected two guards with cultivation from each family to accompany them to the prefectural government. Pan Wei Zhi was determined to remain at the inn to take over the situation from Li Qiu.

Two people ask questions simultaneously

"Hong Furun, you are truly useless!" the man in black sighed

The Iron Sand Palm unexpectedly lowered its head in submission, "What the esteemed one says is true"

She said softly, "He is a very good person"

The area where Hua Canjun went is located on the southern bank of the Manshen River, which has always been the most critical river mouth. Wuqie sighed, "There, the disaster victims will undoubtedly appear first, and after the flood, it will also be the place where people's livelihoods are the most difficult."

"Pan Yue has made a grave mistake," said King Liang with a solemn expression. "The dawn is about to break, and we have rushed through the night, yet we have not met with the soldiers of Kainan. This is unreasonable. Kainan could reach Tongshan in a day at the fastest, or a day and a half at the slowest. They have not appeared at this time, which leaves us with two possibilities: first, the people sent by Pan Yue were intercepted and killed. Second, Kainan is in collusion with the conspirators of Tongshan City."

In the evening, Wang Shi of the confined courtyard stepped into the main hall, and under the gaze of all, she knelt before the Liang throne, saying, "I, Wang Shi of the Hua family, have a secret to disclose to Your Highness"

After gazing at the scenery outside for a long time, the young girl unconsciously clenched her fists again. When she came to her senses, she realized once more that she still had her fists. The reason the black-clad martial sage had sealed off Tongshan City and the provincial government was precisely because his fists were powerful

Even if Linghu Tuan Yuan despises King Liang, at this moment they share a common enemy. To seek the life of King Liang while implicating the common people of a whole province is undoubtedly the act of a despicable villain. Such a person would only take advantage of the disaster and the death of Hua Shuang to strike ruthlessly at King Liang. How could someone like this be considered a Martial Sage? How could he attain the martial path of a Martial Sage?

Xi Ri Xuan Hao nodded, "The coroner almost dismembered his body into mincemeat before it was found."

Outside the hall, Linghu Tuan Yuan shook off Wu Que's hand and said: "Why don't you let me continue watching? Or do you have something to say to me?"

The guard Gu glared with clenched teeth, witnessing the tragic death of his companion, yet he could only grip his fists tightly. At that moment, a shadow appeared behind Hong Furun, cloaked in black, with a hat obscuring his face. It was this person who had subdued Guard Mao, causing the Iron Sand Palm to take his life.

Linghu Tuan Yuan took the steaming towel and, after covering his face, asked in a muffled voice, "What about Hua Canjun?"

The guard fell to the ground, lifeless, his body riddled with wounds and spewing blood; this was the tragic outcome of being struck by the Iron Sand Palm.

Liang Wang coldly said: "If you do not wish to accompany me in burial, then immediately adjust your breathing." Linghu Tuan Yuan did not waste any words and immediately sat cross-legged to adjust his breathing. He then heard him say, "Whether it is you or me, or the Pan and Linghu families, even the flood-affected people around Tongshan, our situations are all precarious. And distant water cannot quench a nearby fire; currently, the only one who can turn the tide and change the situation is one person."

I should have died two months ago to end this wretched life, but considering the many inexplicable actions of my husband, which no one knows, I endured the humiliation and clung to life, surviving until now. Wang's eyes were filled with tears, and in comparison to her graceful and delicate demeanor, she was even more captivating.

Graceful and silent

Linghu Tuan Yuan endured and asked, "Your Highness, do you know the cause of Hua Shuang's death?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan turned around, and Hong Fu Ren on the opposite eaves was gazing down at her

Linghu Tuan Yuan glared, asking how a woman could not hit a man? What about the prince? How can he maintain the dignity and demeanor of a prince while shouting about fighting and killing all day long?

How many people are there in Huanye?

The beginning of autumn has slowed down the pace of the horse-drawn carriage

The man in black smiled, turned around, and left with Hong Furun. The eaves were empty, the rain poured down like a curtain, and amidst the sound of the rain, a few faint screams could be heard, the dying cries of the unfortunate attendants from the prefecture who had encountered the two.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao, however, listened in; he suddenly let go, causing Ling Hu Tuan Yuan to also release her grip. She had fought with him and was already exhausted; apart from the first time, every encounter left her at a disadvantage due to internal injuries. Just as she caught her breath, she was met with an exceptionally handsome yet profoundly gloomy face.

Linghu Tuan Yuan exerted great effort to control her inner breath, casting aside the chaotic thoughts. Uninterested in power struggles, she was only clear about one thing: no matter how many schemes he devised or how many tricks he employed, she remained a sword from beginning to end

Linghu Tuan Yuan stared at him, took out a dagger and threw it to him, "You have no weapon, so use this one."

The atmosphere in the carriage became tense once again. Xi Ri Xuanhao made a great effort to control his temper and began to examine the dagger closely

Linghu Tuan Yuan took out an item from the envelope—a piece of deer hide

The beginning of autumn has turned the horse's head

Linghu Tuan Yuan wrinkled her nose. She was about to ask why he did not inform others and how the poisoned needle had entered Hua Shuang's body, when she saw Xi Ri Xuan Hao exclaim in surprise at the sheath of the dagger, saying: "Where did you get this thing?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan saw that the envelope was empty, which should be the third letter.

The autumn begins: "There is more than one spy beside Your Highness, and the people in the provincial government are treacherous and unpredictable. Every move we make is fully known to the enemy. If we do not take bold actions, we will face total annihilation. Once Your Highness leaves Tongshan, it is unlikely to remain concealed for long; this is what the master is betting on. Previously, Your Highness firmly rejected the idea of taking a detour south while in the provincial government, so they will not immediately suspect that Your Highness is already on the way south."

Guard Gu was stopped by Ling Hu Yue, who said in a deep voice: "The Iron Sand Palm comes and goes, and there must be a reason for it. Look closely, he is both fighting and retreating, seemingly trying to lure the enemy out. Hurry and call your brothers down; it is essential to stay close to His Highness!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan suddenly realized that the distance between her and him had decreased. Before she could step back, Xi Ri Xuan Hao had already retreated. The same thought sprouted in both of their minds: encountering this person was indeed unfortunate

Li Qiu urgently said: "Your Highness, do not take risks. A true man can bend and stretch; by enduring for a moment, one can achieve greatness for a lifetime!" The expression on Xi Ri Xuan Hao's face fluctuated between dark and bright. Li Qiu continued, "Our current direction is just right to meet with the soldiers of Kai Nan. At that time, Your Highness can strike back, wouldn't that be delightful?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan immediately understood. The target of the poison must be the Wang family, who are not good people. It is likely that Hua Shuang has seen through them long ago, which is why she has not favored them for many years. However, she did not turn back and continued to look out the window. Whether it is the Liang Wang or her father and brothers, they all have exceedingly large eyes.

"This is not right, this should not belong to the Hong family," said Xi Ri Xuan Hao in a trance, "the four-petal plum blossom... I never expected it to have been passed down."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao coldly laughed and said: "Does not concealing it mean there is no sin?"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao received the letter well, his emotions difficult to gauge, stating: "Sometimes you are not foolish either"

one thousand people

After a restless night, Linghu Tuan Yuan, who bore internal injuries, rose later than usual. Attending to her awakening was the graceful E Nuo from next door. After being frightened by Guard Gu, E Nuo's demeanor appeared even more pitiful. Linghu Tuan Yuan looked at her, and her gaze held a touch more compassion.

The assassin was a retainer of King Liang. Unable to contend with Guard Gu, he plunged a sword into his own abdomen. Before dying, he cast a resentful glance at Linghu Yue. It was precisely because Linghu Yue was on high alert that Hong Fureng was unable to successfully divert the two chief guards of King Liang, which ultimately led to his failure and his tragic end.

Linghu Yue said: "When he returns in full force, it will be the time for a decisive battle to the death"

After a long time, Liang Wang said coldly: "Staying behind is certainly a dead end, but isn't venturing out also akin to throwing oneself into a net?"