The phrase "universal harmony" deeply resonated with Song Yunyang.

Throughout history, whether in the Central Plains or the Western Regions, whether in the South China Sea or the Northern Territory, countless emperors have desired to unify the world, yet none have succeeded.

After pondering for a long time, Song Yunyang found that these four words answered all her questions.

A person's level of attainment, whether innate or cultivated, is extremely rare, one in ten thousand.

The most crucial point is how to realize one's own level of attainment, and Chen Zhennan is someone who has achieved this.

Chen Zhennan couldn't see Song Yunyang's expression, but after being silent for so long, he already had the answer in his heart.

"Gu Siyao, open the tunnel, let's go to Cuiming Mountain."

Gu Siyao nodded slightly and led the group to a secluded room in the money exchange.

Upon entering, Gu Siyao walked confidently to a bookshelf and gently pushed up a seemingly ordinary book.

With a soft mechanical sound, the bookshelf slowly slid open, revealing a dark entrance.

"This is the tunnel leading out of the city. Please follow me."

With that, Gu Siyao lit a torch and entered the tunnel first.

Chen Zhennan followed closely behind, and Song Yunyang and the others also went in one after another.

The tunnel was spacious and clean, large enough for three people to walk side by side, and the air was fresh, clearly indicating that there were ventilation openings.

After walking for a few minutes, the group arrived at the other end of the tunnel. Gu Siyao deftly moved the cover of the exit, and fresh air and moonlight rushed in.

The group emerged from the tunnel one after another, and Song Yunyang discovered that they had reached the outskirts of the city, surrounded by desolate fields.

"We're not far from the city gate, so be careful. There might be patrolling soldiers outside the city," Gu Siyao whispered a reminder.

Song Yunyang nodded, glanced around to make sure there was no danger, and then relaxed her guard slightly.

Chen Zhennan and his group set off along the rugged mountain path toward Cuiming Mountain. In the darkness of night, their figures were faintly visible amidst the swaying shadows of the trees.

The mountain path was not smooth, and loose stones and tree roots constantly hindered their progress.

Halfway there, Chen Zhennan suddenly stopped. His ears twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but smile, a smile playing on his lips.

Song Yunyang and the others also stopped, realizing that something was wrong.

"Guess, were they government troops or bandits?"

Chen Zhennan asked with a smile, then led the group to continue walking up the mountain.

Song Yunyang's eyes darted around, and she said in a low voice, "They're probably bandits. This place is so close to the border, it must be much more chaotic than the interior."

Feng Zirou nodded in agreement, "I feel the same way. If it were government troops, they wouldn't have stayed for so long without making a move."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan suddenly became interested.

"Zirou, Siyao, you two go and find some openings, capture them alive."

Gu Siyao rolled her eyes, looking helpless.

"General, are they still using that seduction trick? I feel sorry for them."

Chen Zhennan shrugged and pointed to the woods beside him.

“You said they were pitiful, go ahead, it’s time to get back to your old ways.”

Gu Siyao and the other woman could only nod slightly, then turned and walked into the woods.

Song Yunyang walked to Chen Zhennan's side and asked in a low voice, "Old profession? What did they do before?"

"Them? I rescued them from brothels. They're both still virgins, though some... sigh."

Chen Zhennan sighed. When he started his rebellion, he wanted to directly transform the social structure into a modern one.

So he used all his strength to sweep away brothels and gambling dens, and rescued many girls who had been sold into brothels.

Gu Siyao and Feng Zirou were two of them, and they even worked at the same brothel.

They were just fifteen years old when they were rescued, but they had already been trained by the madam.

She learned everything she could, from walking posture and gestures to playing musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Luckily, she met Chen Zhennan; otherwise, she would have been doomed for life.

A moment later, screams echoed through the woods, but they soon ceased.

Chen Zhennan stopped and casually sat down on a rock.

In the woods, there were seven or eight tall, masked men, all limping, with Feng Zirou and Gu Siyao behind them.

Song Yunyang's lips twitched slightly. The two women looked so gentle and delicate, yet their fighting power was so strong.

"General, they look like bandits, but I've killed all the bandits around here. I don't know where they've come from."

Chen Zhennan was slightly taken aback. Feng Zirou really was straightforward. With that one "General," she had already sealed the fate of these people.

"Tell me, what are you all doing here? Why are you following us? Are you robbing us? Or are you trying to rape us?"

Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's question, the leader of the men in black immediately knelt down.

"Have mercy! We brothers just wanted to borrow some money to spend, we had no other intentions."

"Lend me some money?"

Chen Zhennan couldn't help but laugh: "I've never heard of bandits borrowing money before. Are you all from Qingzhou?"

The group nodded in agreement. "Yes, sir. We are all from Qingzhou. We came up the mountain because of years of war and the exhaustion of our money and food. This is our first time here, and we never expected to meet you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan suddenly raised his head and gave Gu Siyao and Feng Zirou a cold look.

"Nonsense! It's true that we've been at war for years, but the silver my Zhonghe Bank has provided is enough for the people here to live and work in peace. How dare you say that we've run out of money and supplies?"

"What? You are, you are Gu Siyao from Zhonghe Money Exchange?"

Gu Siyao snorted coldly, and was about to say something, but was interrupted by Chen Zhennan.

Standing up, Chen Zhennan walked to the group of men in black and reached out to remove the mask from the face of the leader.

"What's your name? What's your official position? Who's your superior?"

Upon hearing his question, not only were the men in black stunned, but Gu Siyao and Feng Zirou were also slightly taken aback.

Song Yunyang stepped forward and looked the men in black up and down.

"No, you are not bandits, you are government troops from Qingzhou!"

Song Yunyang had fought against Wu Guo for many years and had infiltrated the pass more than once, so he was very familiar with the clothing of the local officials and soldiers.

“Although you’ve changed your clothes, you’re still wearing the boots of local government troops. You’re all soldiers from Qingzhou, right?” Song Yunyang asked again.

The men in black were so frightened that they kowtowed repeatedly, admitting their identities.

“This grandma is right. We are all soldiers from Qingzhou. Please, grandpas and grandmas, have mercy on us.”

Chen Zhennan's eyes were like ice as he coldly said, "How many people have you killed and how much money have you robbed from ordinary people while disguised as bandits?"

Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's question, the soldiers hurriedly looked up to explain.

"Sir, we were forced into this situation. The prefect ordered us to do it. He told us to pretend to be bandits, wait outside the city every night, and then kill and rob people."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan was instantly enraged.

"Leave one alive and come with me to the prefectural government office!"