Chapter 22

The young man looked frivolous, as if the Shen family troupe was not a theater but a brothel.

The troupe owner smiled, but his tone was firm: "Young Master, we only perform opera here. We don't entertain guests. People come here to listen to our music and have fun. During festivals, many families come together to listen to the music and have fun."

The dandy had seen many beautiful actresses, and their "pretending to be noble" pure joy aroused the dandy young master's interest even more:

"What are you still standing there for? You're not singing yet, are you not seeing the guests? Tell them to get lost. Just let Qinghuan take the stage. I'm saying this: if she sings well, I'll reward her!"

Behind the scenes of the troupe, Qing Huan raised her hand and patted the troupe leader's arm, saying soothingly:

"It's just a performance. Even if he doesn't come, the next show will be mine. If he really wants to listen, I can just keep singing until he's satisfied, and then he'll leave naturally."

"Rich young masters like this always have little patience, don't worry."

The troupe owner was worried about something else: "If you don't enjoy it, just hold back and sing."

"If you deliberately sing badly and anger him, it will be even more difficult to deal with. Trust me." Qing Huan smiled and comforted the troupe leader again: "I'm here, don't worry."

With the accompaniment, Qinghuan came on stage and sang her specialty, The Drunken Concubine.

The young master, who had been nonchalant at first, sat up straight, stopped waving his fan, and stared at the stage:

"As expected of the famous actress Qing Huan, great! She is truly a beauty, buried in this small place."

[Bah, that bastard must be coveting Qing Huan! ]

【Run happily! 】

[It's okay, don't panic, wait for our Qingyang to come and save the beauty! ]

The dandy young master came to the theater to watch Qinghuan perform for half a month in a row. He ordered Qinghuan every day and spent a fortune every time just to "get to know" Qinghuan. As he was rejected by the troupe owner more and more times, the dandy young master's patience decreased visibly.

I feel so sorry for Qing Huan. Didn't you see that Qing Huan's voice is almost hoarse? Take the money and get out of here, you bastard.

[Her voice is the most precious thing to Qing Huan. This bastard only likes the beauty that Qing Huan shows, but doesn't know how to respect her. This is not true love at all!]

Qinghuan was indeed a whim for the dandy young master, and the young master was used to being spoiled because of his family background. Sweet words and gold and silver could not move her, so he had to rob her. The dandy issued a final ultimatum to the troupe owner and Qinghuan.

"Either let Qing Huan go back with me and be my eighteenth concubine, or else, all of you in the entire Chenlou will be reduced to beggars on the streets."

On the second day, the dandy young master did not come to watch the show, but instead sent a group of thugs to smash all the furnishings in the building.

The dandy young master lay on his back on the couch, the maid behind him rubbing his shoulders and asking the servant, "What's wrong?"

The servant smiled flatteringly and said, "Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir! You'll soon have another beautiful woman. Qinghuan said it herself today, wishing to share wealth and glory with you."

"She's a pretty good little bitch. Is the suburban house ready? I want to have a romantic affair with my beloved. Humph, besides me, who else would be willing to redeem a prostitute?"

[Who cares about you, you bastard! ]

[Wait, Qinghuan, what are you doing? Don't do anything stupid! ]

The camera zooms in to Qinghuan's room. Without her makeup, Qinghuan, dressed in simple and elegant clothes, is sitting in front of the mirror.

There was a cup next to her hand. Then, Qinghuan rubbed her fingers under the table and took out a yellow paper bag from somewhere. She opened the paper bag, poured the white medicine powder into the cup, shook it gently, and set it aside.

Blinking her eyelashes, Qing Huan looked up at herself in the mirror again. Her fingers gently brushed across her cheeks. She raised her wrist and slowly took off the silver hairpin on her head. The hairpin shone with a cold light. Qing Huan's voice rang out in the room, and she whispered softly:

"Is it because of this voice or this body?"

If it's because of her voice, then once she destroys her voice, the other party won't force her, right?

If because of this appearance, she becomes an ugly woman with scars all over her face, the other party will no longer be interested in her.

After staring at herself in the mirror for a while, Qinghuan put down the silver hairpin, and her drooping brows hid her expression.

No, if I disfigure myself in the building, the arrogant rich young master will probably vent his anger on me. So I'd better destroy my voice first, and then destroy my face when I'm by his side. If he still refuses to give up, then I'll just give up my life.

Even though her body is as insignificant as duckweed and her life is worth less than grass, and she is regarded as a heartless actress by the world, she still does not want to be humiliated.

"I must keep my innocence clean. Even after I die, I can reunite with that child and not let the frivolous things of the world pollute his eyes."

Her slender fingers reached out for the cup, but the next moment, someone knocked gently on the window from outside, and the tea in the cup spilled out. Qinghuan was quick to grasp the silver hairpin that had just been put down, holding her breath and looking vigilantly at the window where the sound came from.

As if sensing the tension of the people in the room, Si Qingyang, dressed in a black nightgown, seemed to blend into the night on the eaves outside the window. He raised his hand and knocked lightly on the window frame again, then lowered his voice and spoke:

"Miss, there's no need to panic. It's impolite to visit without permission. I had no choice but to resort to this last resort in order to avoid attracting attention."

"I'm just a passerby. I happened to hear about some injustice happening here, so I wanted to do something chivalrous. I wonder if you can help me, young lady?"

During the day, Si Qingyang had already visited the place openly and secretly. He was 90% sure that it was a bully who wanted to abduct the girl. He rashly visited late at night because he was afraid that the innocent person would commit suicide before he could solve the problem.

It wasn't that Si Qingyang had any dirty thoughts that necessitated visiting so late at night, but he was more thoughtful.

After investigating thoroughly, if there really is bullying of men and women here, he will find other excuses to attack the villains, and others will not know about his connection with the Shen family and Miss Shen. In this way, even if he leaves Qingshi Town in the future, the Shen family and Miss Shen will not be retaliated against.

It just so happens...it's time for him to leave Qingshi Town.

Without finding Sister Pan's whereabouts, there was no point in staying in Qingshi Town any longer. Si Qingyang planned to travel around the world next. He did not give up on looking for her. The more he traveled, the greater the chance of finding her.

Si Qingyang waited for a moment. Although Qinghuan didn't respond, she didn't scream and attract others. Si Qingyang breathed a sigh of relief and slowed down his voice to avoid disturbing the people in the room.

"It's okay if you don't say anything. Just listen to what I say. I have only one thing to say to you. Your troubles will be solved soon. Don't do anything stupid. Live well. I have sent you my message. Goodbye."

Si Qingyang just didn't want Miss Chen to commit suicide before he took action. After reminding her, Si Qingyang was ready to leave. The more she knew, the more dangerous it would be. What happened afterwards would have nothing to do with Miss Chen.

"Wait a moment." Along with the sound of footsteps, a light voice sounded behind him.

Perhaps it was because the voice of the person outside the window didn't sound like a bad person, or perhaps it was because the other person's tone was too sincere, or perhaps it was because the other person also had a surname that Shen Qinghuan was worried about, so she bravely moved closer to the window:

"Qing Huan thanks you for your willingness to help me, but I'm afraid you might not know that this man is not only a young master from Dacheng, but also a wealthy family. It's rumored that his family also has close ties with the Jinsha Gang. Qing Huan thanks you again for your kindness, but I don't want you to get into trouble for this."

"I've heard of the Jinsha Gang. They have some talented people in the gang." Si Qingyang shook his head, realizing that Qinghuan couldn't see him, and then said, "But I'm not afraid of them. I'm not talented, so I'll be added as a guest official of the Sanwu League."

Si Qingyang did not reveal his identity as a disciple of Nanshan, but he did not lie either. After his eldest, second and third senior brothers came down the mountain, they jointly founded the Sanwu League. As their junior brother, the guest token had already been delivered to him.

Si Qingyang was telling Qinghuan not to worry about him. The fact that he could become a guest official proved that there was no need to worry about his martial arts ability. Secondly, even if Wanku had connections with the Jinsha Gang, he was not without an organization behind him, so there was no need to be afraid of a head-on confrontation.

After smiling, Si Qingyang said goodbye again: "Miss, have a good rest tonight. There may be some noise in the city later."

"I don't know what to call you, sir. Although Qing Huan is an actor, he also knows the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a spring of water."

"I am just an unknown person. Miss, you don't need to care about me. Do as you like. I don't need any reward from you."

Si Qingyang paused, thinking of something, and suddenly turned around: "I heard that the Shen family troupe traveled all over the country in the past. I really have something I want to ask you, young lady. This answer can be considered as a repayment."

"Please tell me, benefactor. Qing Huan will tell you everything I know."

"I wonder if Miss Shen has heard of a name that I have been searching for. Her name is Jiang Pandi, and she should be about the same age as Miss Shen."

"Miss Shen?" After a long while, there was still no reply. Si Qingyang pursed his lips. This result was also expected: "It doesn't matter if the young lady hasn't heard of it. If the young lady is willing, if you see someone similar in the future, please inform the Sanwu League. I will be grateful..."

Before Si Qingyang could finish his words, the window was flung open. He was caught off guard by Shen Qinghuan's red eyes. She choked and asked, "Is your last name Si? You said you were looking for Jiang Pandi. Who is Jiang Pandi to you?"

Si Qingyang said in a daze: "Sister Pan is my family..."

His voice was interrupted again. The young talent who dared to break into the bandit school alone was now stiff all over, and the silver spear in his hand almost fell out of his hand.

Si Qingyang was immediately embraced by Qinghuan who leaned out of the window. Big, hot tears soaked his nightgown. "Later, I brought people to look for you, and all I saw was blood. I thought you were gone, but you're still alive, still alive... That's great."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Qinghuan, who had not shed a single tear when being forced by the playboy, now couldn't stop crying.

"Sister Pan?"

【Ahhh, we recognized each other, we finally recognized each other! 】

[Qingyang, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and hug her back.]

However, Si Shaoxia, who grew up in the mountains, was not only a pure boy, but also a gentleman. He raised his trembling hand, but finally just put it in the air, not daring to let it fall.

[Hahaha, why is your face a little red? You must be shy.]

"Sister Pan, why don't you let me go first? It's not good if someone sees us."

Qing Huan raised her clear, water-washed eyes and glanced at Si Qing Yang: "Why, are you afraid of what people will say when your sister hugs her brother?"

"No, no."

Qinghuan loosened his arms, raised his sleeve to wipe the water stains on his face, and looked at the young man in the moonlight. The young man seemed completely different from the child in his memory. No, the outline of his youth could still be vaguely seen on this face.

Qing Huan suddenly raised her sleeves and pursed her lips, then said with a mischievous smile, "Little Qing Yang is already an adult. I can no longer hold you like I did when you were little, or I'm afraid my sister-in-law will be jealous."

"No!" Si Qingyang kept raising his voice: "I am not married, and I don't have a lover!"

Qing Huan opened her eyes slightly and looked at Si Qing Yang. She had just made a joke and didn't know Si Qing Yang would react so strongly. She said hesitantly, "Didn't you say not to shout loudly to attract attention?"

The expression on Si Qingyang's face gradually became embarrassed, and the movement here really attracted people's attention. Someone opened the window to check, and Si Qingyang quickly disappeared. Then, the audience saw Si Qingyang's lips move slightly, and vivid cat language came out.

"Hey, where did this wild cat come from?"

The open window closed again, and Si Qingyang appeared. Qinghuan saw Si Qingyang again, and was sure that it was not just a dream. Her eyes curved and she said, "I thought you were gone."

Si Qingyang immediately replied seriously: "I finally found Sister Pan, I won't leave."

"Come in." Qinghuan invited Si Qingyang into the house to talk.

Si Qingyang: "Isn't this bad?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. I can't just stand outside all the time."

"Oh, that's right." Si Qingyang no longer looked like the meticulous young man he was before.

Qing Huan thought so too, but her gaze towards Si Qing Yang was extremely gentle: "By the way, is learning to meow like a cat also a necessary martial art for heroes?"

Si Qingyang stumbled, and Qinghuan quickly raised his hand to support him. Seeing Si Qingyang's face flushed again, Qinghuan smiled again: "Why are you so stupid?"

Qing Huan has been laughing the whole time today, more than she has in the past few days combined.

Qingyang was also grinning foolishly, and I followed suit, grinning like a fool.

[Silly Qingyang, you were completely controlled by your sister the moment we met, hehe.]

"How have you been living these years, Qingyang?"

"How has Sister Pan been doing these years?"

The two voices rang out at the same time, and their eyes met. Qingyang looked away embarrassedly, looking up and down, but for some reason he didn't dare to look at Qinghuan. It was obviously the sister Pan he had been looking for.

However, at this moment, sitting face to face, Si Qingyang had a strange feeling, a bit like the state described in the books of practicing martial arts to the point of obsession, and his pulse was beating a little faster.

Qing Huan quietly poured out the cup of tea she had been drinking and spoke first, "I'm living a pretty good life. Studying and performing opera is just a dull life. Tell me about you, Qing Yang. You must have more knowledge than me and more interesting experiences."

…

The two recognized each other, and Si Qingyang had to change the method he had originally planned to resolve the wedding robbery incident.

Under Qinghuan's worried gaze, Si Qingyang left for three days and went to the Jinsha Gang in person.

It is said that on that day, the leader of the Jinsha Gang fought with a young gunman on the Bijiang River. The aftermath of the powerful energy stirred up the surging river water. No one knew where the young gunman came from, but he was able to fight the leader of the Jinsha Gang to a draw. Later, people looked for the gunman's whereabouts, but found that he had quietly left at some point.

Peace soon returned to Qingshi Town. For some unknown reason, the dandy young master was recalled by his family in disgrace. Before leaving, he personally went to apologize to Qinghuan. The Shen family opera troupe soon reopened, and the best private room in the theater had its only guest.

Si Qingyang settled down in Qingshi Town. He was present at every performance of Qinghuan. Occasionally, he would go out to take on some tasks, but would return quickly.

And every time he returned, he would bring some local specialties for Qinghuan.

It could be a clay figurine, a wooden hairpin, or a jade bracelet, it didn't matter how expensive it was, as long as he thought it was suitable for Qinghuan, he would bring it back for Qinghuan, whether it was worth a penny or a thousand gold.

The audience and the troupe could see that Qinghuan was not only Si Qingyang's childhood sister, but also his heart was in love with her.

And a woman as insightful as Qinghuan, even if she didn't see through their relationship immediately at the beginning, how could she be unaware of it after a long time.

Qinghuan sensed Qingyang's feelings for her, so she avoided Qingyang for a few days. When Qingyang was anxious and didn't know what he had done wrong, Qinghuan appeared again. After that, she did not refuse the gift Qingyang gave her as before.

While Qingyang was out, Qinghuan started practicing embroidery in her spare time. She embroidered a picture of a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water. Boss Chen also quietly prepared a dowry for Qinghuan.

They were all waiting for Qingyang to come to his senses and propose marriage, and the Shen family even set up a bet on this.

Qing Yang discovered this by chance and curiously asked Qing Huan, "What are they betting on, uncle? They're so mysterious."

Qing Huan glanced at Qing Yang with a half-smile: "Oh, nothing, they were betting on when that stupid dog Da Huang would finally come to his senses."

Qingyang didn't know what was going on, but when he met Qinghuan's gaze, his ears started to heat up again: "Sister, do you want to play too? I'll help you with the prize."

Qing Huan sighed and pushed the peeled melon seeds in front of Qing Yang: "Eat it, idiot."

Qingyang said without thinking, "Sister Pan's melon seeds are the best."

[Sister Qinghuan is very scheming.]

【Blink, the sister is not bad, the brother does not love her. 】

[The puppy brother is naturally resistant to evil, and his sister's helpless smile just now was very endearing.]

Next, there are more than ten minutes of sweet and ambiguous interactions between the young couple before they break the window paper, which is very satisfying for the audience who like this kind of Cang Tianxing.

Those who watched the full content of Xinghuo Entertainment in advance felt a strange mood as they watched the rows of comments on the barrage, and the audience's praise for Huan Xu and Xiao Tian's daily love life.

Wu Qianying looked at Ji Xiaowan: "Xiao Wan, what is this called?"

Ji Xiaowan thought for a moment: "Lure the audience in and kill them?"

Wu Qianying said quietly, "If I were a viewer, I would really want to send a razor blade to Director Huan as well."

Huan Xu was unaware of his actors' complaints. He looked at the progress bar and nodded with satisfaction. The most exciting part was about to begin!

The plot continues. Si Qingyang communicates with his senior brother, and the letter describes Si Qingyang's recent troubles: he suspects that he has practiced poorly and has developed his own illness.

As expected, after seeing Si Qingyang's letter, the eldest brother almost laughed himself to death. He picked up the pen and wrote a reply with only one line of handwriting:

"Xiao Liu is indeed ill, and quite ill. This illness is called lovesickness."

Si Qingyang's hand trembled, and he subconsciously clenched his palm hard, and the entire piece of letter paper broke into pieces.

At night, Si Qingyang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. All he could think about was the diagnosis given by his senior brother: lovesickness. He didn't even know a few girls, so who could he take care of?

He finally closed his eyes, half asleep and half awake, when a figure appeared in front of him, standing alone in the center of the stage, looking up and smiling. Si Qingyang suddenly woke up in the middle of the night.

This time it was Si Qingyang who deliberately avoided Shen Qinghuan. No one knew what Si Qingyang was thinking. He looked increasingly haggard and even suffered serious injuries during a mission.

In the end, Sister Qinghuan softened her heart again. She was afraid that Si Qingyang would continue to have wild thoughts on his own and encounter another accident. She could not bear to see him in pain.

So, Qinghuan gave the mandarin duck handkerchief embroidered by herself to Si Qingyang.

Qingyang was puzzled at first, but soon he thought of something and fell into ecstasy. However, he was afraid that he was overthinking, and he fell into depression again.

Si Qingyang couldn't figure it out, but didn't want to miss it. Finally, he gritted his teeth, endured the cold wind for half the night, and knocked on Shen Qinghuan's window again at night.

"Sister Pan, you don't have to open the window. I...well, the moonlight is so beautiful today. No, what I want to say is, actually, I...I brought you some food..."

Before she could finish her words, Shen Qinghuan pushed open the window, threw a note to Si Qingyang, and then with a "bang", she pulled the window shut: "Eight bearers in a sedan chair, a formal marriage, and a betrothal gift to the troupe owner, otherwise I won't marry."

[Hahaha, if I were Qinghuan, I would be anxious too.]

[Qing Huan: Stop dithering. I'm so annoyed. Just go ahead and pay the betrothal gift, you silly dog.]

After returning to the courtyard where they stayed, Si Qingyang came back to his senses from his trance and smiled like a fool. Even if Sister Pan didn't say that he wanted to marry her, he would definitely prepare the best, and bring Sister Pan home with a grand ceremony with a wedding dress that was ten miles long!

Also, Si Qingyang immediately started writing letters. How could he get married without the blessings of his master, senior brothers and sisters?

Si Qingyang spent three months busily preparing everything necessary for the wedding. His master, brothers, and sisters also wrote back to him, promising to be there on time.

However, plans did not change as quickly as they had planned.

Just as the chosen auspicious time was getting closer, a piece of bad news swept across Dayong.

The seven major tribes of barbarians in Mobei joined forces and launched a long-planned surprise attack. The barbarians' armored cavalry charged in the front, and the three great martial arts masters of the barbarians were in charge of the army. The Dayong soldiers, who had long been corrupt and weak, were no match at all and were defeated again and again.

In just ten days, the barbarian coalition had captured several fortresses. Wherever they passed, there was wailing everywhere and countless murders were committed. Countless innocent people in Dayong became victims of the iron cavalry's swords.

Now the barbarian cavalry is like a sharp knife, continuing to advance into Dayong with unstoppable force. Judging from their posture, they are clearly heading straight for the capital.

Unfortunately, the old emperor had been incompetent for several years, and the court was weak. The general of the cavalry who was guarding the fortress Longyun City in the front of the cavalry asked the court for help but to no avail. He urgently called on heroes from all sides of the martial arts world to join the war.

Si Qingyang stood in front of the Shen family theater, carrying a package on his back, holding a silver spear in one hand and a white horse and jade lion in the other:

"Master has already responded to the call, and my senior brothers and sisters, along with many people from the Jianghu, have also set out. This isn't for the current court or the tyrant emperor. We are repelling the barbarians only for the sake of the innocent people."

Shen Qinghuan handed the insoles he had knitted overnight to Si Qingyang and said solemnly, "A real man should make great achievements. Go and kill those beasts. Only by making them pay with blood can the souls of the innocent people in heaven be comforted."

Raising his hand to straighten Si Qingyang's collar, Shen Qinghuan took a step back and smiled. Peach blossom petals drifted down the ground, like lotus in clear water, naturally unadorned. "I'll wait for Ah Yang to come back and marry me."

Si Qingyang took off a pendant from his neck and put it on Shen Qinghuan, with a look of reluctance in his eyes: "This is a token of inheritance from my master. I hope you can keep it for me. When I come back, I will marry you with a grand wedding."

The jade lion roared and led Si Qingyang straight to Longyun Pass.

Go to a slaughter and eliminate evil spirits and monsters.

After half a year of fighting, the Northern Barbarians still had not broken through Longyun Pass. The Northern Barbarian Khan decided to supervise the battle personally and mobilized all the troops in his hands, ambitiously wanting to take over the entire Dayong in one fell swoop.

Dark clouds were pressing down on the city, and the entire Longyun Pass was filled with a gloomy atmosphere. Outside the city, the Northern Barbarian army was besieging the city. Inside Longyun Pass, everyone knew that they were about to face the final battle, and both sides would gamble everything they had.

However, the sun was setting in the west, and it was a starless and moonless night. Behind the Northern Barbarian army, the little prince of the Northern Barbarians led 30,000 elite soldiers and quietly left the team and disappeared into the mountains.

They traveled through mountains and rivers as they headed south. Whenever they encountered a village or small town, they would pick up their butcher knives, leaving no one alive and leaving behind piles of bones.

With the best war horses on the grassland galloping at full speed, 30,000 people quietly took a detour. They wanted to split their troops into two groups, first cutting off the court's rear support for Longyun Pass, and then attacking the Lou family army and the group of ruffians in the Central Plains martial arts world from both sides.

Their whereabouts were exposed only when they encountered a large city that they could not avoid and the Northern Barbarian Prince led his men to attack the city. At this time, they had already bypassed the blockade of the Lou family army. In the next few days, there was another round of killing. The Northern Barbarian Prince was brave and good at fighting, and had a brutal character. He led the Northern Barbarian cavalry to capture several cities.

Some refugees who escaped brought out the news that Qingshi Town was also in the north. Although it had not been attacked, it was only half a day's journey away from the Northern Barbarian Prince's route, and soon a large number of refugees poured in.

In the Shen family theater, Qinghuan, who was embroidering a brocade quilt, suddenly paused. A drop of blood flowed out from her fingertips, dyeing the mandarin duck's wings red.

The troupe owner, who was ready to spend his old age, sat in the lobby of the theater, smoking his pipe one puff after another. The white smoke blurred his eyes, making it difficult to see the expression in his old eyes.

Next to him was the owner of another theater, who was now trying to persuade the troupe owner: "Brother Shen, I heard that the prince of the northern barbarians sent troops to capture our troupe during the march, and then brought us to the military camp to sing for them to entertain them."

"If you sing well, you can live two more days. If you sing badly, you will be beheaded immediately. No one who was captured by them has ever come out alive."

"Our troupe has decided to flee south. Your Shen family troupe and Qing Huan'er are more famous, but also more dangerous. Why don't we both go south together? Although our family business is good, it's not as important as our lives. As long as people are alive, we can rebuild our business sooner or later after the war subsides."

"Where is safe?" After a long pause, the owner slowly exhaled a smoke ring, as if he had aged ten years. "As long as the barbarians don't retreat, everywhere will become a living hell."

"Only the General of Cavalry is left." Even a three-year-old child understands that we must not let those beasts successfully move north to form an encirclement.

Life is important, but sometimes there are things more important than life.

The troupe owner bit his pipe and pressed a banknote into troupe owner Zhang's hand. "I'm old, and some of the old guys in the building can't walk anymore. On the way south, troupe owner Zhang, please take care of Qing Huan'er and the young people."

In the evening, outside Qingshi Town, Boss Zhang still had not waited for the people from the Shen family troupe.

In the Shen Building, all the members of the Shen family gathered together.

The class leader looked at Qinghuan and the others, so angry that he was speechless.

Qing Huan smiled and spoke for the others, "The troupe leader is old and hasn't taken care of his voice. He hasn't been on stage in a long time. Even if he went to the Northern Barbarians' camp, he'd probably be dragged out and beheaded before the show even started."

"At that time, we will only be responsible for singing on the stage. As we age, we are more skilled. We are not good at killing or setting fires. This most important part will be left to you, the owner."

The deputy class leader also followed up, "Brother, we have been partners for more than 20 years. We have traveled all over the country. You often said that we are a family, and a family must be united. Even if it is a dangerous place, as long as the family is together, there is nothing to fear."

The Shen family troupe packed up their gear overnight. While others were fleeing southward, the troupe packed up their belongings and gear and headed northward.

On the way, the Shen family group happened to meet a scout from Dayong who was out to gather information. When they were brought into the tent, they learned that after the General of Cavalry discovered that the Northern Barbarians had made moves, he immediately sent cavalry to pursue them and at the same time sent news to the reinforcements in the rear.

When meeting the generals who were chasing the Northern Barbarian Army, the members of the Shen family did not leave and took the initiative to volunteer:

"I heard that the Northern Barbarian Prince loves beauties and music even more, so I asked you to clear the way for the soldiers and divert the Northern Barbarians' attention. We will work together from within and without. When they are indulging in wine, women, singing and dancing, you will set the barracks on fire and close the gates to beat the dogs."

The generals naturally knew that this would have a higher success rate than a rash attack or a frontal charge, but...

"You will be in great danger. Swords and spears will be ruthless, flames will soar into the sky, and I will not be able to help you retreat safely."

The members of the Shen family troupe exchanged glances. The troupe leader tapped his pipe, looked in the direction of Qingshi Town, smiled, and had a fearless look in his eyes:

"Since we've arrived here, we've already made our preparations. General, please don't worry about us. We only hope you can stop these barbarians here and prevent them from continuing their rampage, burning and killing people. Furthermore, please don't let them join the barbarians outside Longyun Pass in encircling the heroes of Dayong."

The general and his soldiers watched the Shen family's soldiers leave, their fists clenched at their sides. After a long while, the general said in a hoarse voice: "In this battle, we can only win, not lose!"

Finally, the original plan was implemented. The Shen family troupe performed in the camp. Attracted by the performance, the soldiers prepared to light a fire outside. When the barbarians were busy putting out the fire and lost their composure, the general led his men to attack and kill them.

…

In the Longyunguan military camp, Si Qingyang, with a tired face and blood-stained gauze wrapped around his body, hunched over the desk. Qinghuan's voice and appearance appeared before his eyes, and he wrote down his will one stroke at a time.

"Sister Pan, I may be gone by the time you see this letter. Qingyang has not let down his country, but he has let down his beloved. It is Qingyang's bad luck that he cannot marry you with a beautiful wedding. After I am gone, I hope you will find another good match."

"Finally, I wish for peace and tranquility, and a peaceful and peaceful world without any more chaos."

"I wish my sister constant joy, peace, and a worry-free life."

Inside the Northern Barbarian camp, Qing Huan, dressed in her theatrical robes, stood on a stage blazed with flames. Facing the beacon fires and the hurried Northern Barbarian troops, her sleeves fluttered, and accompanied by the Northern Barbarians' roars, her poignant song lingered far, far away...

Outside Longyun Pass, Si Qingyang's eyes, which were completely stained with blood while fighting on the battlefield, might be his own or the enemy's.

He could no longer tell how many people he had killed, and beside him were his comrades who were still fighting like him, covered in wounds but refusing to retreat.

With a loud bang, two meteors fell from the sky, and the long sword made of star iron broke into countless pieces, leaving only the handle spinning and slanting into the wall of Longyun Pass.

The master once said: "The knife is like half of the body; the man is where the knife is."

Now the knife is broken.

People died.

Si Qingyang blinked, tears of blood streaming down his grimy cheeks.

“Master!”

The Southern Hero and the Northern Barbarian Grandmaster died together!

Si Qingyang's gaze shifted, and in his blurry vision, he saw his eldest senior brother, Yu Di, missing and surrounded by the Northern Barbarian Army; he saw his second senior sister, who had died after being hung before the enemy's formation after the failed night attack;

I also saw my third brother, his arms chopped off, biting the back of his knife as he fought on the battlefield; my fourth brother, whose blood seemed to be draining out, but he kept punching; and my fifth sister, who was always clean, but now lay in a pool of blood, her life or death unknown...

In the front, the General of Cavalry also led his troops to charge into the front line with a long spear in hand.

In front of the army, the Northern Barbarians' troops seemed to have no end.

Dense arrows fell from the sky, round after round, taking the lives of their comrades again.

No one fled, no one feared the battle.

"Those who invade our territory will die!"

"I can still fight, kill—"

Si Qingyang also shouted, "Kill!"

Using their bodies as fuel and their lives as a guide, the final flames rise. Behind them is no land to be given up, and the people are powerless to resist. They cannot retreat, so they can only kill all the enemies in front of them.

Swear to live and die with Longyun Pass.

After an unknown amount of time, the shouting and killing sounds finally died down. Countless corpses were piled up at the foot of the dilapidated Longyun Pass. On the charred and collapsed city wall, a tattered military flag fluttered in the wind.

The world was filled with scarlet and silence. In the place where millions of people were buried, not even the sound of an insect could be heard.

Until the one-legged old soldier, who was dying against the city wall, took out the horn, and the desolate voice resounded over Longyun Pass.

The pass was held.

The General of Cavalry and his army of the Lou family were completely wiped out.

Only one out of ten chivalrous men who came to support survived.

Corresponding to the tragic casualties, the invading Northern Barbarian army, which was several times larger than their own, also suffered heavy casualties. The Northern Barbarian Khan's ambition and life were left behind at Longyun Pass, and the rest of the tribes fled in panic.

In front of the city gate, Si Qingyang knelt on one knee with a spear in his hand, his hair disheveled, his body full of arrows, and blood flowing from his lips, ears, and blood holes.

His cracked lips moved, but he didn't even have the strength to raise his head or make a sound, and the light in his eyes gradually faded.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and Si Qingyang's eyelashes trembled slightly. He seemed to hear a melodious opera sound. Not only Si Qingyang, but the audience also heard the singing.

BGM sounds.

"The opera fan opens and closes, the sleeves rise, the music of sorrow and joy has nothing to do with me."

The scene keeps switching between the battlefield and Qinghuan's farewell song in the fire, interspersed with the warm scenes of the two getting along, as well as the bittersweet struggles of the Shen family members, and Si Qingyang's interactions with his master and senior brothers and sisters in the sect.

"In troubled times, who is the guest? Where can I find a place to settle down and return home?"

"The old sayings are worn out, how many old friends are there?"

In the light of the fire, the most beautiful actress looked from afar, pinching her fingers and smiling like a flower.

Si Qingyang saw herself dressed in red, accompanied by her senior brothers and sisters, and heading to the Shen family theater amid the laughter and blessings of the people of Qingshi Town.

Sister, I'm here to marry you.

"In the old days, in the opera, the shadow of the actor sways lightly under the cold moon. In the dream, I return to the ancient alley with slow sounds. How many times have I returned to the dream of the red dust?"

…

"The play rises and falls, heartless and affectionate, the heart shines on the mountains and rivers, never forgetting the worries for the country."

On the vast battlefield, heavy rain was pouring down. In the rain, the spears stood straight, reaching the sky, and the head of the spear's owner hung down helplessly forever.

The solitary figure in red clothes and flames collapsed and shattered along with the stage, and the raging fire devoured everything.

"I will play this play to the end, transforming into sparks, and the remaining smoke from the desolate graves is all me..."

As the pure music gradually fades away, the water droplets hitting the camera gradually condense into an ancient poem.

Night Rain Sent to the North (Li Shangyin)

You ask about my return date, but there is no date. The night rain in Bashan swells the autumn pond.

When will we cut the candle in the west window together and talk about the night rain in Bashan?

「Grass! Aaaaaaaaaa——」

[I was still holding back, but the tear-jerking part at the end, like the music video, broke my family's defenses.]

[Night Rain Sent North, Mr. Shang Yin's unreceived letter home, didn't he forget to get to the point at the end? Help, I'm really crying.]

The author has something to say:

Thank you for your support, bow!

Note: Li Shangyin.

The inspiration comes from the tribute song Chi Ling. There is also a heroic story of resistance behind the original Chi Ling. If you are interested, you can search it.