Chapter 184: Ballad of the Wind (Thanks to Fenghuoxi Zhuhou for their alliance~!)

In less than half an incense stick of time, Xiang Siren and Yang Qing walked out of the Duke's Mansion.

The two men walked in with their heads held high. Not only could they not stretch their bodies, but there was also fear in their eyes.

He mounted the horse in a daze, reined in and walked slowly.

"What exactly is the Duke's intention?"

Yang Qing spread his hands: "Is this something we can do?"

Xiang Siren frowned, touched his chin and thought, but did not answer at first.

Both of them had participated in the siege missions at the Duke's Mansion, so how could they not know each other's methods? Back then, they relied on the Duke's Mansion's many experts, and they were not the main force. Even so, they had to be extremely cautious.

Yang Qing said bitterly, "If we take action directly, I'm afraid we'll almost die."

He actually wanted to ask Chao Siren, because he and he were both the most trusted generals under the Duke, and were also a relative of Wang Shichong.

Just now the Duke said "there are other arrangements".

Yang Qing had no idea what the so-called "arrangement" was and wanted to find out what it was specifically.

Looking at Siren's expression, he probably didn't know the details.

"Although I don't understand the Duke's intentions, the fact that he singled out you and me, avoiding Yang Gongqing and Zhang Zhenzhou, clearly indicates a deliberate act. When it comes to leading troops, these two are probably more capable than you and I, but they're just not as trustworthy as we are."

Xiang Siren's words were sincere, and Yang Qing couldn't help but nod.

"In other words, this matter is extremely important and must be handled by the most trusted person."

Yang Qing thought to himself, isn't this nonsense?

"I'm going to fight the Heavenly Master?"

When Yang Qing thought of the ridiculous task given by the Duke, he had the urge to ride his horse and flee from Dongdu immediately. But he asked himself, he really couldn't do it.

But you have to obey orders.

If it were someone else, they might have to pack up their belongings and run away overnight.

Yang Qing didn't beat around the bush: "What other plans do you think the Duke has?"

Xiang Siren shook his head. "I don't know. I think this is just a starting point. Otherwise, it would be impossible for just the two of us to accomplish this. The Duke should know this very well."

After hearing this, Yang Qing glanced back at the Duke's Mansion and asked quietly, "Is the person I met today the Duke himself?"

Xiang Siren was silent for a while, then said firmly, "Yes."

"Okay, let's do it."

Although the mission is outrageous, it was arranged by the Duke.

On second thought, if Wang Shichong wanted to control the Eastern Capital, he would never harm his own confidants.

…

The setting sun shines on the top of Yanshi City, and the river breeze blowing from the Yi River, with the bleakness of autumn, ruffles the beard and robe of a middle-aged man.

He looked west towards the Eastern Capital, his eyes filled with scheming and oppression, as well as a profound sense of being deeply in debt.

It was Li Mi, the most famous debtor of the Sui Dynasty.

On the debtor list, there was a powerful figure whom even Emperor Xiao Xin of Liang would retreat away from.

"Secret Master, can we trust Wang Shichong's words?"

Wang Bodang, who was standing by, was carrying a bow and arrow, and also followed Li Mi's gaze towards Dongdu.

"Of course not."

Chen Luoyan continued without hesitation: "This person is always fickle when it comes to his own interests. He can't be trusted in the slightest. He's using us this time, but aren't we also using him?"

Li Mi stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "Not bad."

"As long as that guy is alive, I will be uneasy one day."

His eyes swept over Shen Luoyan and Wang Bodang: "I have a strong feeling that this may be the last great opportunity. Once missed, it will be too late to regret."

Li Mi smiled coldly:

"Wang Shichong underestimated me, and this time he too will pay the price. The majestic city of Dongdu will open its gates to us for the first time."

Wang Bodang looked around and whispered, "Mi Gong, those foreigners have ulterior motives. Now that we have finished with this, we still need to find a way to get rid of them."

"Don't worry. These people are playing tricks on me, so it's not that easy to take advantage. Right now, I'm just giving them a little sweet treat. I have to thank my mortal enemy for his cooperation. If he hadn't incited the fear of all the tribes, my worst plan wouldn't have become the best one."

"These alien forces are nothing."

Li Mi thought of something and his face darkened.

"I still can't understand why Mao Gong betrayed me."

Speaking of Xu Shiji, Wang Bodang and Shen Luoyan had different expressions. At the beginning, he and Mi Gong's son went to plan Pegasus Ranch. Although it was a pity that he failed, his sudden surrender to the enemy became a source of worry for several people.

Chen Luoyan knew Xu Shiji's attitude towards her.

She never thought that this guy would help Mi Gong's biggest enemy to turn against her.

If Xu Shiji had been so tough when he was a bootlicker, she would have looked up to him.

Nowadays, Xu Shiji has gained huge fame in Jiangnan, and the rumors about him far surpass those when he was in Wagangzhai.

Several people heard that Xu Shiji was always at the forefront of every battle and would capture every city he came across, and his ability to mobilize troops was brought to the extreme in the Jiangnan area.

So positive just because you changed your boss?

This was hard for Li Mishi to accept.

He really wanted to know what means his mortal enemy used to force Xu Shiji to work so hard.

Wang Bodang took a deep breath and wondered, "Did Xu Shiji deliberately gain the trust of Master Zhou Tianshi so that when Lord Mi attacked the south, he would support Lord Mi and secure victory in one fell swoop?"

This is pure daydreaming.

If that mortal enemy was so stupid, he would have been killed long ago.

Li Mi did not point it out, but just smiled at Wang Bodang.

Chen Luoyan followed Wang Bodang's words and said, "I hope the achievements can bring us surprises."

"Has Sigui set off yet?"

"He has gone down the Yi River towards the Eastern Capital."

Chen Luoyan said: "He will be the first among us to meet Master Zhou Tianshi."

Yue Sigui was already an old man in Pushan Gong's camp. Li Mi trusted him the most as the leader of the team.

Yue Sigui made great contributions to the fire at the Taiping Taoist Temple in Confucius Mountain.

Li Mi said with a hint of anticipation: "Compared to Xu Shiji, I hope to hear good news from Sigui. As long as the Zhou family dies, the entire southern power will fall apart, the world will become more chaotic, and our opportunities will increase."

Before sunset, the team from Yanshi arrived in Dongdu.

The people in charge of guarding the city gate were Duan Da's men.

The Duke of Chen followed the arrangements of the Nine-Headed Insect and gave the order early.

Therefore, the people guarding the city turned a blind eye and let Li Mi's men enter the city. This was not the first time such an operation had happened.

Yue Sigui is in charge of leading the team, but his martial arts skills are very ordinary in the team.

The group of people right behind him can be described as a 'gathering of heroes'.

For example, the Khitan Huyan Jin and the Goryeo Han Chaoan, who were separated on the left and right, were known as the three major horse thieves together with the Shiwei Shen Mohuan who was killed by Zhou Yi.

They come and go like the wind, and are feared by everyone.

Such a big horse thief is not uncommon in Yue Sigui's team.

After entering the city, they had a clear purpose and headed towards the gathering place of forces such as Tuyuhun, Tiele, Liang State and Western Qin.

At the same time, the more lively night banquet at Dugu Mansion ended.

Li Jiancheng heaved a sigh of relief when he learned the exact details of the old lady's old illness.

Although the Dugu family owes a favor to the Taoist master this time, it is not so big that they have to gamble the fate of the family, and the Li family still has a great chance.

Even Juexin could see this.

Therefore, after the banquet, the old nun Cihang said goodbye.

"Master, is the Heshi Bi in the Jingnian Zen Temple?"

Zhou Yi asked directly according to his memory.

Elder Nun Juexin stopped immediately and said, "It was arranged by the host. I don't know the details. If the Heavenly Master has any doubts, he can investigate on his own. However, recently, Zen Master Liaokong has not been seeing any outside visitors."

"If the Heavenly Master has patience, he only needs to wait for some time."

Zhou Yi said nothing more.

Judging from the appearance of the old nun Juexin, the Heshi Bi is most likely in the Jingnian Zen Temple, but she is fearless and doesn't seem to be worried at all about my sudden visit.

Li Jiancheng accompanied Dugu Lang to see off the nun Juexin.

Li Jia Dalang was very attentive, and Zhou Yi couldn't help but want to remind him.

Dalang, you made a mistake.

The person destined to be with me is not you.

But the old nun Juexin could not have imagined that as soon as she left, Erfeng took out a Taoist book, which was the "Huainan Honglie" that he had received from Zhou Yi with an eagle feather when he left Pegasus Ranch.

There were rumors of the five great books in the early years. Since the rise of the Heavenly Master, Taiping Hongbao has become a well-known secret book among people in the world.

It is said that Hongbao is closely related to Huainan Honglie.

Therefore, there are many people in the world who study this sutra, and some crazy people even go to the point of neglecting sleep and food.

After Li Shimin obtained this classic, he also consulted some learned people.

But when he saw Zhou Yi, the source of the legend, he naturally couldn't help but ask for advice.

Zhou Yi's method of interpretation is very different from those of great scholars and doctors. His main approach is "I interpret it the way I want to interpret it."

Zhangsun Wugou, who was standing by, initially suspected that he was making it up.

But after listening carefully, I suddenly felt that his interpretation of the scriptures could be connected with martial arts.

The subtle and clever ideas that appear one after another, which touch the heart but cannot be grasped, really make people think a lot.

"Is it really a treasure in the pillow?"

Er Feng sighed as he held the scroll. He gazed at the contents of the ancient book and gained some insights: "Thank you, Brother Zhou, for your guidance."

Zhou Yi waved his hand and left an intriguing sentence: "If I have the chance in the future, I will tell you about Hongbao in Ziwei Palace."

I saw a girl waving vaguely in the distance.

Zhou Yi left Erfeng and his wife behind, leaving them to figure things out on their own.

Zhangsun Wugou took the Huainan Honglie from Erfeng's hand:

"It seems I'm being petty. This is truly a Taoist manual that explains the mysteries of martial arts. Ordinary people can explain the meaning, but they can't express the feeling of his words being finite yet the meaning being infinite. Shimin, you're right."

She smiled and said, "I forgive you for your reckless behavior in catching cicadas."

Li Shimin didn't argue with her and silently thought about what Zhou Yi had just said.

Changsun Wugou continued, "Then what do you think he said just now is true or false?"

"Of course it's true."

Li Shimin said sincerely: "Brother Zhou has great ambitions and is more like the number one in Taoism. I finally understand why those Taoists support him."

"Shh~"

Changsun Wugou said, "Ren Ning has been very kind to you. Don't let anyone hear about it."

"but."

"He said he wanted to tell about Hong Bao in Ziwei Palace, perhaps to people from the Taoist sect. You have a good relationship with him. If there is a chance, I will also..."

She hesitated to speak, feeling that she was a little greedy.

Li Shimin jokingly said, "You want to enter Ziwei Palace to attend classes and become a disciple of the Heavenly Master, right?"

Changsun Wugou came closer and said to Li Shimin, "If I can accompany you to listen to the cicada music for a few more lifetimes, I will be anyone's disciple."

After hearing her words, Li Shimin looked up at the distant starry sky that was about to dim.

Then, he glanced at the direction Zhou Yi left.

Deep in the inner courtyard, across a small bridge and flowing water, there is an elegant and majestic wooden building and waterside pavilion.

The fifth daughter of the Sha family heard the footsteps first, then stood up and leaned on the railing to look at the beauty.

Two figures were approaching from afar.

Xiaofeng, that’s fine!

Sha Zhijing was a little excited and praised in her heart.

The moon is above the treetops, and people are meeting after dusk. Glass lanterns are lit in the corridor of Dugu Mansion. The evening breeze makes the lights softer, and the dim halo adds to the charming atmosphere.

It would be more appropriate to get to know Master Qiao Tianshi at this time than in the afternoon.

"This is Sha Zhijing, the fifth daughter of the Sha family. She is my best friend in Luoyang."

Dugu Feng pursed her lips and smiled.

Sha Zhijing bowed generously and politely, and greeted, "Master Zhou."

"Good evening, Miss Sha."

Zhou Yi seemed to be more familiar. He walked ahead of Dugu Feng onto the waterside pavilion, and without needing anyone to entertain him, he poured tea by himself.

Sha Zhijing was quite surprised to see his familiar movements, and quickly gave Dugu Feng a wink.

I thought to myself, this is so rude. How can you let Master Qiao pour the tea herself?

Not only is he a guest, but he also has such a high status.

Sha Zhijing suddenly realized that her best friend seemed not to notice her reminder and simply ignored it.

However, this person is not so majestic in private and seems to be easy to get along with.

The fifth young lady was a little surprised and felt that her chances of success were much greater.

She usually talks a lot, but this time she was tongue-tied and didn't know where to start.

Then she winked at her best friend again.

Xiaofeng was really friendly. As soon as he saw her gesture, he immediately walked towards the stone table.

The fifth lady thought that she was looking for topics to increase mutual understanding.

But the next scene made her open her beautiful and bright eyes even wider.

There was a look of fear in the eyes of the fifth young lady, and it was becoming more and more fearful, as if she had seen a devil.

Xiao Feng sat down next to Master Qiao Tianshi and took one of his arms in his arms.

this.! !

Then, the two of them looked at each other as if no one was around, their eyes so sweet.

Sha Zhijing felt like she had a mouth full of Jiangnan malt candy.

This scene is really hard to understand. They have only met a few times, and it was only during the time when he was treating the old lady's injuries. How could he suddenly get better?

This is not right!

Her frozen brain started working again.

Could it be that the old lady saw that Master Qiao was so powerful that she directly betrothed Xiaofeng to him?

Xiaofeng accepted her fate immediately?

Your determination is too weak!

Sha Zhijing thought about it and realized that this was indeed possible. She looked at that handsome face again and realized that if it were her, she would also "reluctantly" accept her fate.

"Sha Tiannan, you don't do anything, look at the old lady."

If the richest man in Luoyang heard his daughter's complaint, he would probably be so angry that he wouldn't be able to eat at night.

At this time, Sha Zhijing had thrown away any feelings such as "the majesty of the Heavenly Master".

She sat on the stone bench and looked at Dugu Feng with a hint of resentment.

I finally caught my eye with a handsome guy, but in the blink of an eye, he was taken away by my best friend.

Just about to ask the reason.

Suddenly, Dugu Feng smiled. "Jingjing, he's the 'jerk' you were talking about."

When Sha Zhijing heard the word "bastard", she was stunned at first.

Then he reacted, looked surprised, covered his mouth and almost screamed out loud.

The man Xiaofeng had always been thinking about turned out to be him!

Zhou Yi couldn't help but look at the Fifth Miss. Sha Zhijing waved her hands repeatedly, but before she could explain, Dugu Feng briefly explained where the evaluation of "asshole" came from.

For example, I haven’t been to Dongdu for a long time.

For example, whether you have forgotten someone.

For example, is he having an affair outside?

The more Sha Zhijing listened, the more she felt something was wrong. When did I ever say such a thing?

She has already discovered that her best friend is using her mouth to express her true feelings. So, forget it, just bear it silently.

Sha Zhijing listened and poured herself tea.

Gradually, the tea no longer tasted right to her.

Because Zhou Yi also discovered Dugu Feng's intention, he stretched out his hand and held her horizontally on his lap.

"Where else is there a place for assholes?"

Dugu Feng immediately stopped talking, and while pushing him away, she said softly with a hint of shyness: "Jingjing is still here, put me down, I won't say anything more."

Sha Zhijing glanced at Zhou Yi and felt that he had also used her.

No wonder you two are so good together.

She held her chin with one hand and tapped the porcelain lid of the teacup with the other, saying casually, "You guys go ahead and just treat me like air."

Dugu Feng got down from Zhou Yi's lap, sat next to Sha Zhijing, and poured her a cup of tea.

"Jingjing, his identity is so special that even my grandmother doesn't know about it."

"Okay, I don't blame you."

The Fifth Miss sniffed in dissatisfaction: "But you have to satisfy my curiosity."

"Okay, I'll tell you sometime."

Dugu Feng guessed what she wanted to ask, but she was too embarrassed to say it in front of Zhou Yi.

I wanted to keep Sha Zhijing to chat for a while longer.

But Miss Five doesn't want to be a light bulb, and even more so doesn't want to eat dog food.

Although they had been in love for a long time, it was still heartbreaking to see the handsome man she liked suddenly gone.

Dugu Feng couldn't persuade her and had to send her out the door.

Sha Zhijing joked with her a few words and returned to the Sha family, which was just across the street, accompanied by a team of guards.

As soon as she returned home, she was called to her father.

The Sha family started out with mining and is a big businessman who controls the lifeline of military industry.

In the room where Sha Tiannan handles important matters, swords, spears, axes and other precious blades are hung on both walls, and the gems inlaid on them are shining. These are the best weapons collected from hundreds of weapons factories in Jiuzhou, and they are his source of pride.

Sha Tiannan is in his fifties, has good martial arts skills and is in good shape.

Look younger.

When Sha Zhijing came in, Sha Tiannan, who was admiring a "Cold Iron Blade" produced by the rival Dongming Sect under the lamp, immediately smiled kindly.

"Dad, what do you want me to do?"

"Oh, you have been in Dugu Mansion. Tell me about the situation there."

"No one reported to you?"

"Yes," Sha Tiannan stroked his short beard, his face serious, "but you came back later, so you might have seen more. The Dugu family's attitude is very important to us."

"This is a critical moment, and Dad can't be careless. If you make the wrong choice, even if you can keep the family business in the future, it will fall into ruin."

Sha Tiannan then went on to talk about his subordinates' reports and judgments:

"Chief Steward Dugu should be more optimistic about the Li Clan. We have a very close relationship with the Li Clan, and several major mines have cooperated with the Guanzhong Sword Sect. I just don't know to what extent the Heavenly Master can cure the old lady's illness."

Sha Zhijing frowned: "Dad, you are so wrong."

"Why do you say that?"

Sha Zhijing didn't explain the reason, but took a few steps closer and said, "The Dugu family must support the Heavenly Master."

Sha Tiannan knew that his daughter liked to joke, so he looked at her carefully and found that she was very serious.

"This matter concerns the prosperity and decline of our family. Don't lie to your father."

"Why would I lie to you?"

Sha Zhijing said firmly: "You are right to trust me. The Dugu family will definitely support the Heavenly Master to the end. And..."

She looked at Sha Tiannan and said, "What kind of vision do you have, Dad? I have seen the Heavenly Master once today and I know I should support him. Are you blinded by the reputation of a traditional family?"

The richest man in Sha was even more surprised: "Tell me, how did you know that?"

Sha Zhijing wanted to say it, but then she remembered that their relationship should not be revealed to anyone.

Although the daughter hesitated and didn't say anything, the richest man in Sha was not stupid.

The only way she could know the secret information was from Dugu Feng's daughter.

After a brief thought, Sha Tiannan realized something and stood up suddenly.

Before his daughter could come up with a good excuse, he pressed her again, "Jingjing, are you telling the truth?"

“Really, really.”

After receiving the answer, Mr. Sha smiled and sent his precious daughter away.

Some things will have completely different results if done earlier or later. Sha Tiannan, who wanted to wait and see, keenly smelled something very unusual.

Dugu Feng might be confused, but if he made any decision, Sha Tiannan would never follow him blindly.

But any major matter concerning Miss Dugu must be decided by the old lady.

If someone said that this old lady was stupid, Mr. Sha would never believe it. If that were the case, the Dugu family would have declined long ago.

The old lady is having a big gamble, and I, Sha Tiannan, want to help out.

"Butler, butler~!"

Sha Tiannan roared and called all three capable stewards over.

This night, the Sha Mansion is not peaceful.

"Your Majesty, please stay at your house tonight."

In these turbulent times, the emperor's treatment was far worse than in peaceful times. He was not as pampered and it was common for him to live in fear.

Faced with Dugu Feng's proposal, Yang Tong refused.

He had just chatted with the old lady for a while and was now ready to return to the palace.

Standing at the gate of Dugu Mansion, Yang Tong heard footsteps without waiting. He turned around and saw a young man in white walking towards him.

"Tianshi."

The young emperor bowed like a man of the world, clasping his fists and looking noble and polite.

Dugu Feng, who had not touched the center of the secret, was very hesitant at the moment, wondering whether it was appropriate for Emperor Huangtai to have such contact with the Taoist Heavenly Master.

On second thought.

Yang Guang also drank with him, so Yang Tong was no different.

"Dad, grandma is calling you."

Dugu Ce shouted from inside and sent Dugu Feng away.

Dugu Feng originally wanted to listen to their conversation, but when my mother called him, he had no choice but to say goodbye.

As soon as Dugu Feng left, several loyal guards from the palace came up. Yang Tong waved his hand and asked them all to retreat, even the eunuchs waiting on the side were driven away.

Zhou Yi had no ill feelings towards this kind-hearted young emperor.

"Emperor Tai."

He also clasped his fists slightly and walked over to Yang Tong: "I wonder what Master Huangtai wants to tell me by calling me here?"

Yang Tong breathed a sigh of relief: "Master, can I take up some of your time?"

"Can."

After hearing his agreement, Yang Tong slowly told the story:

"When my grandfather traveled to Jiangdu, he ordered me to stay in the Eastern Capital, with ministers like Duan Da assisting me. Since then, life has been uneventful. Using the Eastern Capital as our base, we engaged in a series of fierce battles with the armies of Zhai Rang and Li Mi."

"As the fighting continued, the imperial court in the Eastern Capital lost its prestige, and eventually, most of the military power fell into the hands of Wang Shichong."

"After the news of my grandfather's murder reached Luoyang, they made me the emperor. In fact, I was just a puppet, and a very tiring puppet at that."

Yang Tong's face showed a maturity beyond his years. "Many times, I miss the time when my grandfather was still alive. Back then, I had a leisurely life. I didn't have to worry about anything, and I didn't have to worry about being suddenly killed by someone."

He showed a look of fear:

"I'm very afraid of meeting Wang Shichong, especially when he kills people under my orders. Even if my cousin from the Dugu family helps me, I won't dare to offend him."

Yang Tong confirmed that Zhou Yi was listening and continued:

"Tianshi, if Wang Shichong completely controls Dongdu, what will become of me?"

Zhou Yi said succinctly: "A cup of poisoned wine."

Yang Tong wasn't surprised. "I thought so too. From the way he treated others, I knew I wouldn't have a good ending."

Zhou Yi asked, "Does the Emperor Huangtai want to obtain the Heshi Bi?"

"In no mood."

Yang Tong said: "Firstly, I can't protect it, and secondly, I can't get it at all. It's just that Wang Shichong wants it, so I cooperate with him."

"Grandfather told me a long time ago that the martial arts holy places in the Jianghu have no good feelings towards my Yang family. I think he is right, because the people from Cihang Jingzhai who came to the Dugu family have nothing to do with me, and they have never come to the Imperial City to look for me."

Zhou Yi was a little surprised by the boy's level of sobriety.

"Why do you trust me and tell me this? You should know that I also won over your men, which is not much different from Wang Shichong's seizure of military power."

Yang Tong said calmly:

"That's because Lu Chu, Huangfu Wuyi, and the others felt that if the Heavenly Master took control of the Eastern Capital, I could survive. They received the late emperor's favor, but they had no power to change the situation. I don't blame them. The Heavenly Master is also different from Wang Shichong."

"Otherwise, Grandfather wouldn't drink with the Heavenly Master. I've never heard that he looked down upon any Jianghu person."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "If you were born in a peaceful time, you might be a good emperor. Unfortunately, I have my own concerns and cannot become the Heavenly Master of the Sui Dynasty."

Yang Tong shook his head: "Tianshi misunderstood, in fact, Renjin regards you as an elder."

Renjin is Yang Tong's pen name.

He smiled and said, "Perhaps, I should call you my cousin."

Um?

Zhou Yi calculated the generations and found that Xiao Fenghuang was indeed the little emperor's aunt.

"Who told you that?"

"I discovered it myself."

Yang Tong said:

"I was mostly listening to the conversation in the banquet hall today because I've heard of your name for a long time, so I paid the most attention to you. Lu Chu said that you were invited to treat the old lady's old illness, and I have been wondering who this person is."

"Then I suddenly realized that my cousin seemed to be looking at you. I heard others say that she looked down on the young men in Dongdu. Later, when I was talking to the old lady, I mentioned you a few times and found that her attitude towards you was also very different."

"It's very different from what happened in the banquet hall. That's after you healed her."

"There were only three of you in the room at the time, and thinking about the situation in Dongdu, I just made a blind guess."

Zhou Yi smiled after hearing this: "I still underestimated you."

Yang Tong said modestly:

"I don't usually think so much, I just pay more attention to the Heavenly Master."

Zhou Yi asked tentatively: "How do you want me to help you?"

Yang Tong looked at him intently and said, "I hope to survive. If there is a chance, I don't ask to be worshipped as a disciple by the Heavenly Master, but I just hope to get some guidance on Taoism."

"Oh? Are you interested in Taoism?"

"My grandfather later pursued the art of immortality and collected numerous Taoist scriptures. I had nothing to do in the palace, so I often read them. It's just a pity that some of the books were taken away by a Western monk under Wang Shichong."

He added, "I don't really understand those Taoist texts, nor do I understand the essence of the martial arts contained therein."

"Then why do you want to read deeply?"

"When Duke Lu was still alive, he mentioned to me that the Taoist martial arts classics are free and unfettered. Dongdu is like a big cage to me, and I don't want to be a puppet in it anymore."

Zhou Yi felt his urgent desire for freedom and survival.

Yang Tong said sincerely, "Uncle-in-law, I can give you everything in the Eastern Capital Imperial City in the most proper manners."

The boy was a little embarrassed: "Of course, I can't come up with anything else."

These rules and etiquette were not important to Zhou Yi, but he did not tell Yang Tong about them. Moreover, the young man did not make any excessive demands.

"You should return to the palace first. If Wang Shichong comes looking for you, just agree to everything he asks. The Eastern Capital has not yet been decided, so he won't take action against you for the time being."

Yang Tong clasped his fists again and left Dugu Mansion.

Guangshen, your grandson is better than you.

Zhou Yi smiled and returned to the mansion in a low profile.

As the night deepens, wisps of pure light like frost spread across the eastern capital of Luoyang. The streets lie across the sky like a white silk ribbon, and the towering buildings are hazy in light and shadow.

Two figures leaped out from Dugu Mansion under the cover of night.

"This way."

Dugu Feng pointed towards the south and said, "Jingnian Zen Temple is in the southern suburbs, quite a distance away."

There was worry in her beautiful eyes:

"They were already on high alert, and you were so confused as to tell Nun Juexin that you alerted them. They must have a large number of people lying in ambush right now. I don't want to take you with me at all."

Zhou Yi sat on the roof of an attic, stroking his chin and thinking:

"Yes, if they catch me, I might be able to save my life thanks to my friendship with Master Daoxin over a gourd of wine, but I will definitely have to become a monk. Xiaofeng, do you want to remarry?"

"don't want."

Dugu Feng knew he was joking, but she glared at him unhappily. "If you get caught by them, I will definitely practice Tianshi Suixiang diligently. There will always be a chance to rescue you. Don't underestimate me."

She was very dissatisfied with Zhou Yi's assumption, but her somewhat puffed-up look was quite adorable:

"Besides, she didn't marry you."

Before Xiao Fenghuang could say anything else, Zhou Yi suddenly came up and kissed her on the snow-white face.

He moved too fast and the girl couldn't react in time.

"Xiao Feng, you are so attractive. Let's not go to the Buddhist temple. Let's go back to sleep."

The girl's cheeks flushed and she spat softly.

Then, he took out the package he brought out from the mansion, and inside was a black robe.

She put the black robe on Zhou Yi, and Zhou Yi immediately understood her intention.

"Walk."

As he spoke, he opened his arms to the little phoenix, and then a warm fragrance entered his arms.

"Master Zhou, hurry up."

The girl hugged him, her face full of anticipation.

Zhou Yi thought of Fule City a few years ago and the last failed takeoff in Jiangdu.

In an instant, he mobilized all his strength and rushed out from the roof.

Under the moonlight, a dark shadow headed south at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people.

The Luo River flowed silently around the city, rippled by the shadows of the wind sweeping across Tianjin Bridge. At that extreme speed, the distant Milky Way shone like a brilliant star, shattering into a thousand points of starlight in the autumn night.

The black robe fluttered, cutting through the wind at an unparalleled speed!

That night, many Luoyang residents heard a strange sound and turned on the lights and opened their windows.

But the sound could not be found, as if it had disappeared far away.

Some people wondered, could the sound they suddenly heard be the cry of geese from beyond the clouds, startling them from the autumn melancholy?

Whose jade flute is playing in the dark?

Or is it "The thousand gates of the Western Garden are as bright as day at night, and the sound of bells and pipes still rings as they leave the painted boats?"

Zhou Yi used his Qing Gong to the fullest: "Ancient Mobei ballad, have you heard it?"

"Um!"

The retreating lights of Dongdu flashed before Dugu Feng's eyes, and her voice was filled with joy:

“The wind was cut, but I felt that they were not sobbing. This wonderful and moving sound was the wind rejoicing, and it was the most free and joyful melody.”

When Zhou Yi stopped, Jingnian Zen Temple was not far away.

Dugu Feng walked out of his arms and looked at him with gentle eyes: "Master Zhou, has anyone else heard the ballad of the wind?"

"No, only you."

After Zhou Yi said this, his expression changed slightly, and then he and Dugu Feng looked at the bamboo forest not far away, one after the other.

First there were two laughs, followed by a teasing voice.

"What a coincidence! We heard it too."

Before he finished speaking.

Two figures flashed silently along with a few falling bamboo leaves.

Under the moonlight, one can see an elegant middle-aged man and a young woman with a half-covered veil. Their eyes swept between Dugu Feng and Zhou Yi.

…

(End of this chapter)