Shooting Star Pass, the dungeon.

This place is located below the city of Shexing Pass.

The space was cramped, the vision was dark, and a lingering stench permeated the air. Originally used to imprison prisoners and disgraced soldiers, rows of shelves held various instruments of torture. Many of the instruments were visibly stained, like blackened traces of congealed flesh, and a putrid stench could be smelled upon closer inspection. Each cell was so small that prisoners had to eat, drink, and relieve themselves there.

With a creak, followed by the rustling of chains.

As the door opened, candlelight streamed in, barely dispelling the darkness, but as the door closed, that sliver of light was cut off again. Two soldiers dressed in Northern Desert attire walked to the end of the cell and stopped to verify identities.

This cell holds a seriously wounded prisoner.

When he was imprisoned, he was barely alive.

After being detained for several days, he recovered from a half-breath to a full breath.

A soldier from the northern desert spat at the man in the cell and kicked his arm, shouting, "Hey, wake up!"

The bloodied figure lying on the ground finally reacted.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Even though he was disheveled, his eyes still shone brightly.

The Northern Desert soldiers showed him no mercy, grabbing him from either side and dragging him away. A conspicuous trail of blood was left on the ground where he was dragged, and his already unhealed wounds reopened, warm, fresh blood gushing out and covering the original dark marks. Two Northern Desert soldiers took him to another location and strapped him to a torture rack. This space was more spacious, and the circulating air carried away the heavy stench of blood from his body.

In the candlelight, the prisoners' miserable state became even more shocking. Their right arms were twisted and hanging down unnaturally, their ten fingers were black, and several fingernails were missing.

Clearly, he had been subjected to severe torture, more than once.

The prisoner, used to being interrogated, glanced at his surroundings, closed his eyes, and his disheveled yet still handsome face was filled with impatience. A moment later, a cold touch came over his cheek. Someone pressed a dagger against his face: "General Yun has a tough bone to burn."

Yun Ce opened his eyes, looked at the person who had come, and smiled.

Even in their disheveled state, they possessed a unique charm.

The other party: "General Yun, what are your thoughts on yesterday's matter?"

Yun Ce asked, "You really want me to surrender?"

The other party corrected Yun Ce's mistake in wording, his smile smug: "It's not surrender, it's acknowledging our ancestors and returning to the light, abandoning darkness for light."

By leveraging Yunce, Yunda can be completely bound together.

This is only one of the purposes.

Another purpose was for Yun Ce himself.

Yun Ce and Xianyu Jian were in charge of the Kaiyang Guard. These two brothers, both disciples, had no real power base in the court and naturally no factional affiliation. Such people were exactly the kind of people those in power liked to promote and appoint—natural "rulers." Therefore, Yun Ce and Xianyu Jian knew many of Kang State's secrets.

If the two are willing to surrender and cooperate, the Northern Desert will be like a tiger with wings.

Unfortunately, both brothers were incredibly stubborn.

The northern desert region is also in a difficult position.

Release them?

It's such a pity that the tiger was let go back to the mountain.

Kill them?

Although Yun Da hasn't made a statement, both of them are disciples he personally raised. Yun Ce's identity is even more special; just looking at his surname and cultivation path, it's clear he has a close relationship with Yun Da. If he were to kill them, who knows if Yun Da wouldn't turn on him and refuse to acknowledge his wrongdoing?

They cannot be killed, nor can they be released.

Bei Mo could only try his best to win them over.

Promises of high-ranking positions and generous salaries were made, but the recipients remained unmoved.

Not only did they not buy into it, they also killed their people.

If they won't listen to soft tactics, then we'll have to resort to hard ones.

The two brothers were separated and imprisoned, and then tortured.

Let's see how far they can tolerate this!

“Recognizing one’s ancestors and returning to one’s roots…” Yun Ce pondered these words repeatedly, his voice tinged with self-mockery and bitterness. “I have lived a wasted thirty-two years of my life, and this is the first time I have learned that my ancestors were actually in the Northern Desert… Even so, what does it prove? If one’s ancestors were from a certain place, then descendants must serve whomever they are loyal to, regardless of right or wrong, and aid and abet evil. May I ask what you are doing now, young lady? Isn’t that a contradiction?”

Judging from her appearance and accent, the woman in front of me is not from the northern desert.

Yun Ce's rhetorical question made the other party's face darken.

Liu Guan: "The Northern Desert has done me a great favor."

Yun Ce said, "My lord has also shown me great kindness."

Liu Guan seemed to have heard something amusing: "General Yun, do you know what news is going around in the Kang Kingdom camp right now? Your so-called benefactor, in order to appease the army, is pinning the blame for the fall of Shexing Pass on you and your fellow disciples? They even found letters between you two and the Northern Desert in your tents. You and your fellow disciples, under the instruction of your master, have voluntarily infiltrated Kang Kingdom as inside agents."

Yun Ce said decisively, "Impossible."

Liu Guan smiled and said, "Why is it impossible? General Yun, aren't you being a bit too naive? Shen Youli is the ruler of the country. When the ruler personally leads an expedition and his command fails, leading to the loss of a crucial pass, do you know how much of a blow that is to the morale of the army? If she doesn't try to salvage the situation and instead shifts the blame to others, she will be questioned and her position will be shaken. The Northern Desert merely sent out the news of your fellow disciples' surrender, and your ruler believed it and couldn't wait to use your Kaiyang Guards as a scapegoat. General Yun, are you still blindly loyal?"

Yun Ce repeated, "Impossible!"

Liu Guan clapped his hands, and a person was carried in from outside.

Yun Ce recognized the other party's identity at a glance.

This person belonged to the Kaiyang Guard.

Liu Guan sat down gracefully and took a sip of his drink: "Why not listen to what he has to say? This man is one of your trusted confidants in Kaiyang Guard, someone you personally promoted. You should know what kind of person he is."

His confidants also wailed uncontrollably upon seeing Yun Ce's miserable state.

He rushed forward, shouting, "General—"

Yun Ce swallowed a mouthful of blood, his face pale.

But what his confidant said next made him even paler.

Amidst the unrest within the Kangguo camp, rumors circulated that Yun Ce and his companion were traitors. To prevent any mishaps in the Kaiyang Guard, the guard was split up and its commanders were assigned to the other six guards. All those promoted by Yun Ce and his companion were placed under surveillance.

Someone who spoke out for Yun Ce was also punished by military law.

"...My lord is so heartless—"

His confidant sobbed uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Liu Guan, watching the spectacle from the sidelines, chuckled and made sarcastic remarks: "I've heard that General Yun is a man of integrity, devoted to martial arts, and uninterested in family affairs. In my opinion, this is a good thing. Otherwise, with his wife and daughters in the hands of King Shen, he might have to make an example of her. If the example isn't set strictly, everyone will betray him in the future, and how can he possibly hold onto his throne? General Yun, what do you think?"

Yun Ce closed his eyes: "You think you can fool me with just a few words?"

Even trusted confidants can be turned against you.

He believed nothing but the facts.

Upon hearing this, the confidant burst into tears, furious at his lack of loyalty: "General, you have been so loyal to our lord, yet our lord has failed you!"

Yun Ce was so badly injured that he vomited blood before feeling a little better: "You don't need to play along, get out!"

Liu Guan looked at Yun Ce with a mocking gaze, leaned closer, pinched Yun Ce's chin to force him to face him, and said while sizing him up, "General, your unwavering loyalty is admirable. But General, loyalty earns respect, while blind loyalty is nothing but a joke. The Northern Desert has never been merciful to those who cannot be used. Why should you bear the infamy of betraying your master and ancestors and harming the people for someone who is not worth it, ruining your promising future and life? Your appearance is truly pathetic and laughable."

Liu Guan had a very strong grip.

Yun Ce is currently unable to break free.

He said, "Seeing is believing."

Liu Guan sneered: "You won't shed tears until you see the coffin. You won't admit that you've been abandoned by your lord until you see him draw his bow and shoot you dead on the battlefield. Tsk tsk tsk, I'll grant your wish."

Before leaving, Liu Guan remembered something else.

He reminded Yun Ce: "General Yun, you still have one day to think things through. Our lord cherishes talent and cannot bear to waste a gem, which is why he has sent people to persuade you several times. If you still refuse to repent, I'm afraid even our lord cannot protect you. It would be a real pity to have your whole life's work wasted."

It cannot be used for one's own benefit, nor can it benefit others.

Turning Yun Ce into a cripple is the only option.

Liu Guan's gaze swept over Yun Ce carefully: "General Yun, with such extraordinary talent, if you were to fall into the mire... tsk tsk tsk, speaking of which, I am reminded of something else."

Yun Ce looked at her silently.

Liu Guan continued, "Marquis Yun Che once said that as long as General Yun can leave behind an heir, there is no need to report anything else to him."

It doesn't matter if Yun Ce is ruined, as long as the bloodline continues.

Liu Guan's smile was meaningful.

But when she turned around, she saw a figure standing at the door with a stiff smile. He blinked and then returned to normal, bowing respectfully.

"Greetings, Marquis Che."

Yun Da stepped forward and passed by Liu Guan's side.

He said calmly, "You seem to understand my thoughts quite well."

Surprisingly, nothing was done to Liu Guan.

After Liu Guan and Yun Ce's trusted confidants withdrew, only the master and disciple remained.

This was also the first time the two had met since the fall of Shexing Pass.

Yunda casually pulled over a chair and sat down.

He asked, "Why won't you surrender?"

Yun Ce countered, "Isn't the answer to this question with Master? Master's teachings over the past decade have been etched in my heart, and I dare not forget them for a moment. It is only natural that I would not surrender to the Northern Desert. I might surrender to any other power, but the Northern Desert is the one I would never surrender to!"

“A strong army is all it takes to become a king and dominate. The Northern Desert has been lying dormant in barren wastelands for hundreds of years, and it has finally achieved its current situation. How can the Northern Desert not be able to do the same? You think the Northern Desert is cruel and ruthless, but how can you conquer the world without losing people? The people who are dying now are all necessary sacrifices for the future stability of the situation. Once the Northern Desert is stable, what Shen Youli can do, the Northern Desert can also do, and it can even do better.”

Yun Ce: "That's not what Master said back then."

“A-Ce, I’ve raised you to be too naive and innocent. If you dislike Bei Mo’s reputation and style, then why don’t you take matters into your own hands and let Bei Mo do as you please? You don’t trust others, you don’t trust Bei Mo, but don’t you trust yourself? A real man, born between heaven and earth, should strive to reach the top!” Yun Da’s words were very informative and tempting. “I can guarantee it!”

Yun Ce shook his head in disappointment: "This disciple has no intention."

He did not believe Yunda's words.

He even felt that his master had been possessed by someone.

How could such a magnanimous and wise elder be the person in front of me?

How could a kind elder who had helped his fellow disciples and disciples establish a safe haven utter such arrogant and conceited words that treated human life as worthless? What had the Northern Desert done over the past few centuries? His master should know better than he did. How could he be a chosen one?

Our former master had compassion for the helpless and vulnerable during the war, unable to bear seeing living people treated like livestock. He taught his fellow disciples to uphold justice, help the weak and punish the strong, and do their utmost for the greater good of the people. But what is he doing now? Does being born in the Northern Desert give him the right to disregard right and wrong and aid the wicked? Has our master changed, or has he always been this way, only pretending to be better before?

Yunda: "You still consider me your master?"

“Master, I will never forget your kindness in raising and teaching me. But Master is stubborn and unrepentant, and I fear I can never repay you in this lifetime; only my life can pay for it.” Yun Ce had shown little emotion despite being tortured these past few days, but he couldn't hide his disappointment in Yun Da, and his heart was filled with pain. “Please, Master, grant my request—”

Yunda stared at his apprentice for a long time.

Although Yun Ce was not related to him by blood, he was inexplicably similar to him in many ways, whether it was his innate talent or his appearance and temperament. After a long while, he sighed: "If Amuqing's child had been born back then, perhaps he would have been just like you."

Amuqing?

Yun Ce was very familiar with this name.

The sect has ancestral tablets, one of which bears this name.

“Amuqing was my first wife, and also your ancestor. By seniority, you should call her Heavenly Grandmother.” Yunda was lost in thought, while Yunce keenly noticed the strangeness in the other's choice of words—

Why only mention the Heavenly Mother and never mention the Heavenly Ancestor?

"Because your ancestor is not your teacher."

Yunda did not hide anything.

"However, I killed that person with my own hands."

Yun Da never mentioned these things to Yun Ce.

Yun Ce had always been curious why, among so many fellow disciples, all orphans taken in by their master, he alone bore his master's surname. As he grew older, strange rumors began to circulate within the sect, the most widespread being that Yun Ce was a descendant of their master. However, their master never directly addressed this rumor. As his fellow disciples gradually left the mountain, no one mentioned it anymore.

Listening to it again now—

Yun Ce always felt there was some story behind it.

She was a descendant of her master's first wife, but not a descendant of her master.

Was the true Heavenly Ancestor killed by his master's own hand?

so--

Was it the Heavenly Ancestor who stole her away, or the Master who forcibly took her?

The young Yun Da was reluctant to talk about this past event, but now he has no such reservations and tells Yun Ce about it in detail.

He had protected five generations of Amuqing's descendants, raising each one with care and watching them grow up, but each one met a tragic end, leaving Yun Ce as the only orphan in the family. He believed he had atoneed enough and had no intention of bringing Yun Ce back with him back then.

He softened at first sight of Yun Ce.

It's so similar, it's uncanny.

If the child he conceived after his marriage to Amuqing hadn't miscarried and had been born, it might have looked just like this. Out of this compassion, he took Yun Ce back to the mountains to raise him.

He saw Yun Ce as another version of himself.

I hope that my original aspirations and regrets from back then can be made up for.

In retrospect, it was an overcorrection.

Yun Da looked into Yun Ce's eyes.

"Ah Ce, aren't you afraid of dying?"

Yun Ce calmly met his gaze.

Having raised him for so many years, how could Yun Da not know Yun Ce's intentions? He did not demand Yun Ce's life, but only destroyed his dantian and all his meridians: "You are Amuqing's only descendant. I will not kill you, but I will take back your cultivation. Ace, your choice has disappointed me greatly."

Yun Ce was in so much pain that he was sweating profusely.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you, Master, for showing mercy."

To avoid making a sound, he bit his lip until his mouth bled.

─=≡Σ(((つω)つ

It's the 17th, and there's only one week left until the annual meeting, and I still haven't seen any drafts...

This morning, on a whim, I took out the horse-face skirt I bought years ago and tried it on. Good heavens, some parts are no longer wearable (luckily, the floral and bird fabrics from Jiyuan are still usable; I'll find a tailor to make them later. The earliest one was from April 2021... oh my god).