Chu Yao wasn't the only one who misunderstood.

Shen Tang began to question the meaning of life.

When Yun Da, that old man, suddenly fled, she worried it was a feint, a diversionary tactic. He was using an avatar to lure Shen Tang and the others away, while his true self assisted Bei Mo in launching a surprise attack on the Kang Kingdom's camp. If things continued this way, the traps the Kang Kingdom's camp had set up might not work, and the result would inevitably be heavy casualties.

With the help of Qiu from Jimo, he rushed back in a hurry.

Yun Da was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield; only Gong Cheng remained.

Gong Cheng was indeed troublesome, but his threat level was far less than that of a 20th-rank Marquis. Shen Tang harbored doubts—where had Yun Da gone?

An outrageous guess uncontrollably surfaced in my mind.

Surely Old Deng wouldn't get lost at his age?

If I can't think of anything, I'll stop thinking about it.

Wherever Yunda goes, it's always a good thing that he's not on the battlefield. Our side can take advantage of Gong Cheng being alone to capture him first, and then deal with Yunda later. If we split up this duo, it's equivalent to cutting off the left and right arms of the Northern Desert.

If we spread some public opinion at that time, will we still have to worry about not being able to take over the Northern Desert?

"Let's all go together and take him down!"

Without a second thought, she shook Gong Cheng and slapped him across the face.

Anticipating the danger coming from above, Gong Cheng dodged the palm strike, only then recognizing who had attacked him. His pupils dilated slightly, a complex and inexplicable emotion flashing across them. His tone was ambiguous, a mix of regret and relief: "King Shen, you're still alive?"

"Of course I'm still alive." After saying that, she gave me a look that said, "You actually believe the rumors instead of my abilities."

Gong Cheng's lips moved slightly.

Before he could utter a word, a thick snake tail lashed out with a powerful gust of wind. Gong Xichou shouted, "Why waste words with him, Mama? We should strike while the iron is hot and kill him!"

Gong Cheng looked at the person blocking his way.

Instead of being worried, he laughed and said, "To bully the few with the many is unbecoming of one's manners."

Shen Tang wanted to say that she had no manners.

Shao Chong was furious because he couldn't even get a good spot to gang up on Gong Cheng. He berated Shen Tang while calling for help from his friends: "His kill is my military merit! How can you steal it from me? I got here first, Shao Bai, come help me!"

The ruler of Shenguo had a grudge against Gongxi, and he himself had a grudge against Shaobai.

In a two-on-two battle, Gong Cheng could also get half of the war merits.

Shao Chong, simple-minded as ever, was already thinking about where to cut Gong Cheng evenly in two, determined not to let an outsider get even a small piece of flesh! Cutting him in half at the waist wouldn't be good; the lower half wouldn't have as much weight as the upper half. Hmm, he'd better cut him in half from the middle.

This is the fairest way!

Just like in the past when I shared maltose with Shao Bai.

The magical light fell on Shen Tang.

Shao Chong stared at his buddy who had betrayed him with near-furious rage. They had clearly vowed to be brothers for life, not asking to be born on the same day, month, and year, but to die on the same day, month, and year! And now, only a month or two had passed since they last met! Shao Bai had actually changed!

Ji Moqiu remained unmoved, seemingly not having heard.

Shao Chong called out again: "Ji Mo Shao Bai!"

This time he was smarter, and he simply used his dantian martial energy as his voice, making it as loud as a bell, so that even if Ji Moqiu was deaf, he could hear it!

Jimo Qiu responded this time—

He avoided eye contact.

He! Actually! Avoided! His! Eyes!

Shao Chong's simple-mindedness didn't mean he was completely ignorant. He immediately flew into a rage, his mournful and indignant voice echoing throughout the battlefield: "Ji Mo Shao Bai, you heartless bastard!"

He took advantage of him having only brothers and no parents, deceived his feelings and his heart. How could I not have seen before that Ji Moqiu was such a heartless and ungrateful bastard! He turned his back on me and forgot about me! He even turned against me and helped outsiders!

I really misjudged you!

She was heartbroken and devastated, feeling like she had been dumped by a jerk.

This shout also made Gong Cheng's hand tremble, causing him to miss the target.

"What nonsense are you listening to?" Gong Xiqiu keenly noticed his distraction and, without a word, slashed three arc-shaped light blades at his face. The light blades formed a triangular shape, flying unpredictably to attack Gong Cheng from behind, catching him out of his blind spot.

Gong Xichou certainly didn't expect this move to work.

It was just a small warning to Gong Cheng.

Not everyone's drama is worth watching!

This is his brother!

Gong Xichou felt a pang of jealousy. What right did Shao Chong have to demand his elder brother's help? Even his own brother didn't receive such treatment. Who did Shao Chong think he was?

"Does Lord Gongxi still have time to care about these things?"

Gong Cheng reminded Gong Xiqiu to pay attention to the weather.

Gong Xichou sneered, his eyes arrogant and his aura imposing: "You think the arrival of reinforcements will save your life?"

He was observant and attentive, noticing the inexplicable weather changes on the battlefield immediately. The wisps of chilling martial energy drifting through the air matched Yun Da's; if it wasn't him, who else could it be? But so what? Would the fight stop just because Yun Da arrived?

"That old bastard surnamed Yun is here, and you're going to die too!" Gong Xichou unleashed his martial energy to its limit, attacking directly at vital points. His intention was clearly to severely injure, or even kill, Gong Cheng before Yun Da could make a move! Gong Cheng and Yun Da—one of them must be left alive today!

Shen Tang and he were of the same mind and had the same idea.

With the two of them working together, and Shao Chong capable of emotional outbursts, even Gong Cheng dared not underestimate them. This combination could truly make him young again. And he couldn't afford to be caught off guard!

"You've come at the perfect time! I'd like to learn from you!"

He searched the sky for an opportunity to break free from the three-way attack. Just halfway there, an overwhelming, dense killing intent descended from the heavens, its sharp edge aimed directly at the top of his head. He had no choice but to forcefully reverse his momentum, narrowly avoiding the crashing thunderbolt.

No, it wasn't a thunderclap!

Gong Cheng saw clearly what had attacked him.

That was clearly an ice dragon!

The ice dragon landed, freezing into ice hundreds of feet deep.

Frosty mist hangs in the air, and snow falls upon the earth.

It is beautiful, but it also leaves people scratching their heads.

Gong Cheng, Shen Tang, and the other two shared the same doubt—it was true that the newcomer's target was them (Gong Cheng); it was also true that the newcomer's aura was exactly the same as Yun Da's! What was Yun Da (Old Deng) up to? He couldn't possibly have suddenly surrendered to Kang Guo on a whim.

To convince Shen Tang that Yun Da had submitted, she was more inclined to believe that Yun Da had a conspiracy. She was petty and still harbored resentment towards Yun Da for shamelessly deceiving her with an avatar, so she launched into sarcastic remarks.

"Oh ho, so this is an internal battle? What a spectacular dog-eat-dog show. It's just a pity your aim wasn't good enough. Is Marquis Yun Che getting old, his eyesight failing him and unable to see his target? You, a dignified 20th-rank Marquis, condescending to ambush a besieged, weakened 18th-rank Grand Master, actually missed your target? Tsk—"

Did this guy get his level through some kind of proxy service?

Shen Tang's words were undeniably sharp and sarcastic.

Faced with the blatant mockery, a cough came from within the frost and mist, followed by a slightly ashamed voice: "Cough cough cough cough, Ce is not yet familiar with this strength, please forgive me, my lord."

Shen Tang: "???"

Wait a minute! That voice? That self-identification? Who else could it be but Yuan Mou? And what did Yuan Mou mean by what he just said?

Even with her vivid imagination, Shen Tang didn't immediately speculate that Yun Daga had taught Yun Ce everything he knew. In her view, Yun Daga was ambitious, powerful, and arrogant; he couldn't and had no motive to do such a thing. Shen Tang hadn't forgotten the old grudge of Yun Daga mercilessly injuring Yun Ce and his fellow disciples at Shexing Pass. A little more force would have killed them long ago.

On the contrary, Gong Cheng reacted quickly.

A seemingly absurd guess came to mind.

As if to confirm Gong Cheng's suspicions, a gust of cold wind dispersed the frost and mist, gradually revealing the figure hidden behind it. When the person stepped out, it was a familiar face. Shen Tang felt both pleased and wary. She was pleased that Yun Ce was physically intact, but wary that the Yun Ce before her might be a fake: "Are you Yuan Mou?"

Yun Ce was taught by Yun Da from a young age, and their cultivation paths and attributes were all inherited from the same lineage, which resulted in their auras being extremely similar. However, similar does not mean exactly the same! Shen Tang has known Yun Ce for many years, how could she not even be able to tell the difference?

The Yun Ce before me is different.

If Chen Tang closed her eyes right now and relied solely on her breath to recognize someone, she would be certain that this person was Yun Da, not Yun Ce.

"It's a long story."

Yun Ce knew what Shen Tang suspected. No one would easily believe such a thing, but now was not the time to explain. His gaze fell on Gong Cheng—this man had not taken the opportunity to escape, but instead looked at him with a very complicated and strange look, like an outsider watching a play. This surprised Yun Ce: "Let's work together to finish off this man first, and then I will explain to the lord slowly."

Gong Cheng: "..."

Do the people of Kangguo lack martial ethics?

How can someone justify a gang beating like that?

Shen Youli and the Gongxi clan are one thing, but Yun Ce received the greatest legacy of a 20th-rank Marquis—the [Enlightenment]—which gave him a qualitative leap in strength. And yet, he shamelessly wants to join the gang-up and relentless attack!

Such a lack of martial ethics, does Yun Da know this from beyond the grave?

Gong Cheng said, "Marquis Yun Che does not seem to be a person with a death wish."

He hadn't known Yun Da for very long, but he knew how eccentric the old monster was, how arrogant and aloof he was—all of which were based on his cultivation level. This old bastard was perfectly fine; the Gongxi and Xi Chou brothers hadn't even killed him yet, so how could he just suddenly die? Not only did he die, but before he did, he was generous, bequeathing his entire inheritance to his disciple.

How did Gong Cheng hear that Yun Da personally crippled Yun Ce?

The old man suddenly got tired of living, and suddenly felt guilty about the harm done to his disciple, so he tried his best to make amends? Rather than believing this, Gong Cheng believed that Yun Ce used special means to trick Yun Da, putting righteousness before family! It's not unprecedented for a 20th-rank Marquis to be tricked.

Right, Jimo Qiu?

Yun Ce did not want to say much about this matter.

He conjured a long spear of ice and snow in his hand, pointing it directly at Gong Cheng.

He said coldly, "This matter has nothing to do with you."

Gong Cheng's gaze swept across the battlefield where the shouts of battle were gradually subsiding, and he laughed, "How could the death of Marquis Yun Che be unrelated to me? If Marquis Che were still alive, there would still be room for this battle to turn around. Now that he is gone, how can I, alone, possibly withstand the five of you?"

He's not afraid of a one-on-one fight.

But even with five against one, and with his second uncle and all the elders present, all his efforts were in vain. There's a saying: nothing is impossible if you're willing to give up. He was never the type to fight back against a predetermined fate, trying to defy destiny.

Call him cowardly or useless, Gong Yunchi has always been this kind of person, and has never changed from beginning to end.

What should I call this?

Is it true that it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature?

Gong Cheng voluntarily put away his armor and disarmed himself.

They surrendered without further struggle.

Qian Yong, standing to the side, stared in disbelief. He patted the pink skull beside him, not with much force, but Gong Shuwu was in poor condition. A few slaps sent pink fragments fluttering off his body. "Half-step, are you sure this is really your nephew? This, this, does he take after your elder brother or your sister-in-law?"

If he remembered correctly, Gong Shuwu's family were all fierce and brave men, with the toughest bones in their bodies. He had heard that Gong Shuwu's great-grandfather had been captured by mistake and, because he refused to submit to the Northern Desert, had incurred bloody retribution, having his bones smashed and being torn apart by five horses.

He didn't even groan throughout the entire process.

How could such ancestors raise a descendant like Gong Cheng?

Helping Bei Mo with his work is one thing—after all, his once-great family had been wiped out, with only a few bloodlines remaining. Back then, the Gong family had long been exterminated by Zheng Qiao and the Zhiwang army that attacked Xiaocheng. Gong Cheng wanted to establish his own household, but there was nothing they could do about it—but at least he shouldn't bring shame upon his family.

If we're certain to lose, should we just stop playing?

Gong Shuwu was so angry that his bones creaked, and he gritted his teeth: "Oh, he's my elder brother and sister-in-law's adopted son."

He doesn't resemble his older brother or his sister-in-law.

Gong Cheng's unfilial nephew is really going to drive him crazy.

Gong Cheng, who was at the center of the discussion, automatically ignored these sarcastic voices, acting as an outsider with an indifferent demeanor.

Shen Tang looked at him, her hand tightening and loosening several times, but in the end she didn't do anything to Gong Cheng. If Gong Cheng surrendered and wouldn't be beaten, then he was a surrendered general, and Shen Tang really couldn't set a precedent of killing surrendered generals for Gong Cheng's sake.

Once she kills those who surrender, it will cut off the enemy's escape route to surrender in the future—surrendering to Shen Tang means death, not surrendering also means death, so it's better to fight to the death, to the last drop of blood.

Shen Tang handed Gong Cheng over to Gong Shuwu.

but--

"Just in case, should I do it myself or should you do it yourself?" Putting aside Gong Cheng's complicated personality, his cultivation as an eighteenth-rank Grand Master is genuine. If he is not restrained, he might surrender one minute and then escape the next when no one is paying attention. How can we stop him?

Shen Tang used to think that a martial artist with such strength and courage would have a sense of shame and wouldn't do such a shameless thing, but after Yun Da's lesson, she knew that she couldn't have any romantic feelings about this kind of person.

Warriors, when they become shameless, are even more so than scholars.

Gong Cheng was afraid that Shen Tang would be too fast.

He raised his hand and placed restrictions on several main veins of the Dan Mansion.

Shen Tang: "..."

Qian Yong murmured, "He can be both flexible and resilient; he's a talented person."

If you can't leave a name in history, then leave a name that will be infamous for eternity.

This young man knows how to do things the opposite way.

In a secluded corner where no one paid attention, Tudege nearly vomited blood.

He thought Yunda had come to kill him, and his hope was rekindled.

The person who appeared was Yun Ce.

He thought Gong Cheng was still reliable.

As a result, when this guy saw that it was five against one, he simply surrendered.

Tudego swallowed the sweet, metallic taste in his throat.

He began to doubt his life and also questioned Yun Da and Gong Cheng. Did these two truly intend to assist Bei Mo? Were they really not traitors sent by Kang Guo to deliberately turn Bei Mo upside down?

"Report—A great victory!"

Tu Rong was overjoyed and his face was glowing with happiness.

"This humble general has captured Tudege of the Northern Desert alive!"

＿|￣|●

Today's schedule is even worse than that of special forces soldiers.

I woke up at 6:30, left for the airport at 7:10, took off at 10:10, landed at 15:20, took a taxi for an hour to the high-speed rail station after waiting for my luggage to clear customs, and then waited for three hours on the high-speed rail. I arrived at the station at 9:30, but the person picking me up had gone to the wrong stop. So, I took a Didi (ride-hailing service) on the highway home, costing 300 yuan, and finally got home at 11:30…