Wu Ge enters the capital

The three-day period arrived in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the autumn sky was clear and the air crisp. Outside Chunming Gate in the east of Chang'an, a large crowd had already gathered, banners fluttering in the breeze. The imperial court had arranged a grand ceremony to welcome the delegation from Wu. Civil and military officials lined up according to rank, while the Imperial Guards, in their gleaming armor, stood solemnly on both sides of the road, maintaining order. Countless curious citizens crowded outside the cordon, craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the "Little Conqueror" who had shaken Jiangdong and the renowned "Handsome Zhou Yu."

The Yao Tian group was not among the official welcoming party. Yi Xing sat in a disguised carriage bearing the Yao Tian insignia, parked on a high ground with a clear view not far from the city gate. The curtain of the carriage window was slightly lifted, enough for him to see the scene at the city gate. Pei Qinhu, disguised as the coachman, sat in the front, his eyes warily scanning the surroundings. Gongsun Li and Yang Yuhuan remained at the encampment, just in case.

Ming Shiyin did not come in person; he entrusted the task of observation to Yi Xing.

The sound of hooves thundered, approaching from afar.

The first thing that catches the eye is a troop of cavalrymen, their armor gleaming and exuding a murderous aura. They are few in number, about a hundred riders, but each one has a fierce expression, sharp eyes, and rides exceptionally swift horses, clearly seasoned veterans. The leading general stands tall and straight, clad in crimson armor under a black cloak. His face is handsome and resolute, his brows carrying an air of domineering arrogance. He doesn't deliberately project an aura, but the murderous intent honed through countless battles and countless deaths naturally permeates the air, making it impossible to look directly at him.

It was none other than Sun Ce, the Marquis of Wu, also known as Sun Bofu.

He reined in his warhorse, his gaze sweeping over the welcoming officials and the bustling city of Chang'an. A smug and confident smile played on his lips, as if this magnificent city was nothing more than another piece of territory he was about to conquer.

Following closely behind was an elegantly decorated yet luxurious carriage. The curtain was lifted, and a person leaned out and slowly stepped down.

He wore a moon-white robe embroidered with delicate water ripples, its wide sleeves fluttering gently in the wind. His face was handsome, his bearing exceptionally elegant, like a jade tree standing tall in the breeze. His eyes were gentle, holding a faint smile that seemed capable of melting all the world's ice. But upon closer inspection, one could discover that beneath that smile lay unfathomable wisdom and strategy, as deep as the ocean. It was none other than Zhou Yu, Zhou Gongjin.

His arrival seemed to silence the bustling scene for a moment. Unlike Sun Ce's domineering and flamboyant nature, Zhou Yu's temperament was like the misty rain of Jiangnan—gentle and refined, yet possessing an undeniable presence. After alighting from his carriage, he didn't rush to exchange pleasantries with the welcoming officials. Instead, his gaze seemingly casually swept across the crowd, finally lingering for a fleeting moment in the direction of Yi Xing's carriage, before nonchalantly looking away, his face still bearing that perfect, warm smile.

Inside the carriage, Yi Xing clearly captured that fleeting exchange of glances. He understood immediately: Zhou Yu indeed knew he was there. The Jiangdong governor's keen perception was beyond imagination.

The welcoming ceremony proceeded smoothly. Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial stepped forward to read the imperial edict, expressing their welcome. Sun Ce laughed heartily, responding appropriately, his words maintaining the dignity of the ruler of Jiangdong while also giving the court ample face. Zhou Yu, meanwhile, stood quietly half a step to Sun Ce's side, occasionally adding a word or two during Sun Ce's conversations with officials. His words were succinct and watertight, defusing any potential awkwardness while subtly safeguarding the interests of Jiangdong.

Everything seemed so harmonious and normal.

But Yi Xing frowned slightly. He noticed that among the entourage brought by Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, besides the elite guards, there were also some people who looked like craftsmen and scholars. They were dressed plainly, silent, and followed behind the group with their heads down, inconspicuous. But Yi Xing sensed something unusual from their gait and the direction of their gazes. These people were probably not ordinary followers.

"Beneath the calm surface of a lake often lies a whirlpool that determines the direction of the flow; amidst the grand clamor, there often lies a silent thunder that will change the course of events."

Yi Xing lowered the carriage curtain and spoke softly to Pei Qinhu in front. These words revealed the dialectical relationship between appearance and essence, reminding us that beneath the hustle and bustle, we must pay attention to the unknown details and undercurrents.

"Xing'er, are you saying... these people from Jiangdong also have problems?" Pei Qinhu asked in a low voice.

“It may not be a problem, but it’s definitely not as simple as just a visit.” Yi Xing pondered. “Zhou Yu had some understanding of the undercurrents in Chang’an before. Now that he has come in person, bringing these… seemingly non-core personnel, his purpose is probably much more complicated than it appears on the surface.”

Guided by officials, the delegation slowly entered Chang'an and headed to the inn arranged by the Court of State Ceremonial. The crowd gradually dispersed, discussing the Wu Marquis's martial prowess and Zhou Yu's elegance, and anticipating the potential trade opportunities or romantic tales that might follow.

However, in the eyes of a few with ulterior motives, the arrival of this delegation was like throwing a heavy stone into Chang'an, which was already turbulent.

Yi Xing's carriage quietly departed from the highlands. He needed to inform Ming Shiyin and Di Renjie of the details he had observed as soon as possible. The intervention of the Wu delegation undoubtedly made the already complex situation even more unpredictable.

The "Ink of the Night" is stirring underground.

The Dali Temple and Yaotian formed a fragile alliance.

Today, even the fierce tigers and dragons of Jiangdong have entered these waters.

The three forces, each with their own agendas, are constantly checking and balancing each other. On the vast chessboard of Chang'an, the moves are becoming increasingly complex, and the deadly intent is growing ever more palpable.

Yi Xing leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and the unsolved chess game resurfaced in his mind. This time, however, there seemed to be a few more pieces on the board, and the situation was even more chaotic and unclear.

He could sense an invisible net slowly tightening. The key to breaking the deadlock might lie hidden in the mysterious "Tian Yuan Strategy" and the colossal mechanical contraption that kept rumbling deep underground.

Time is really running out.