Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 412: Leaving the Border and Heading North
Whoosh————

The wind and snow gradually grew stronger, and the sound of wind surrounded my ears. Most of the children playing in the streets were pulled home by their mothers by their ears.

Zhao Wumian walked on the street, leaving a line of footprints in the snow. He was not in a hurry. Amid the sound of wind and snow, a faint sound of footsteps could be heard.

He glanced sideways and saw Dongwen himself walking out from the side alley. He was wearing a thin monk's robe and white blood was faintly visible on his chest.

Dong Wen had obviously just woken up, his face was pale, but he was not weak. He looked calm. He raised one palm in front of his face and saluted Zhao Wumian.

"Little donor Yuankong, how are you?"

Zhao Wumian heard this name, looked sideways, and said without saying much:
"Have a drink, I know you like to drink, as if you will be hanged tomorrow if you don't drink."

"I am not worthy of drinking the donor's wine."

The fact that Dong Wen would say something like this clearly indicated that he had some history with Zhao Wumian in the past.

"What happened back then has nothing to do with you... Let's go, I know you have something to tell me, and drinking a bottle of wine to warm yourself up is better than freezing in the snow."

Dong Wen was silent for a while before he said, "Okay, but I have no money..."

"I like your daughter. This is the future wedding wine. We have to drink it."

"?"

If Dong Wen hadn't already had a heart as cold and hard as stone, he would have had to talk to Zhao Wumian at this moment.

There were quite a few restaurants in the town, so the two of them found a place to sit down. There were several jars of wine on the table and the stove in the house was burning brightly.

But no matter how hot the fire is, it can’t warm the body as well as a bowl of wine.

Dong Wen was still drinking. Zhao Wumian propped his head up and asked, "When did you wake up?"

"Half a quarter of an hour ago."

After drinking, Dong Wen's face turned red and he started coughing intermittently.

It would be strange if he felt better after coming here to drink despite such serious injuries.

Zhao Wumian turned a blind eye and just asked:
"Why run?"

"Yun Shu is beside me, I am ashamed to see her. I am also unwilling to trouble others to treat my injury."

Zhao Wumian asked doubtfully, "If you want to keep it a secret that you are her father for the rest of your life, I'll let you do it, but can you still hide from your own daughter?"

Dong Wen asked in return: "After His Highness Jiu'er disappeared, why didn't you want to stay in Jiangnan for a long time? Instead, you spent most of your time in Jianghu?"

Zhao Wumian burst out laughing, picked up the jar of wine and drank a bowl as a punishment.

He seldom returned to Lin'an, and a big part of the reason was, of course, that he felt ashamed to face Xiao Lengyue and Xiao Yuanmu.

Dong Wen drank another half bowl of wine, and then said:

"She was taken to Little Western Paradise by this poor monk when she was still an infant. She always thought she had no parents and was picked up from outside."

"She's not...she has a father."

"Yes, but I don't want her to know that her father doesn't love her. If that's the case, it's better for her to have no father."

After saying this, Dongwen started coughing loudly again, and the drinkers around him looked at him in surprise, thinking they had met a monk with tuberculosis.

Zhao Wumian continued drinking without refutation.

After he finished coughing, Dong Wen smiled.

"You are exactly like His Highness Jiu'er."

"What do you mean?"

"If you were an ordinary person, you would probably give me more advice, saying things like father and daughter can definitely sit down and have a good talk, but you won't do that."

"Not only will I not persuade you, I will also invite you to drink...even though I feel like you're almost dying of alcohol." Zhao Wumian laughed a few times.

He would not interfere with Dong Wen's decision. They were all top martial artists and had their own ambitions. There was no need to lecture them.

Dongwen also laughed a few times.

"You won't die. There is no martial artist in the world who has ever died from drinking alcohol. At most, you will feel a little uncomfortable. But if you are like me, you will definitely feel that pain is a good thing."

"I'm not without a tendency to self-abuse." Zhao Wumian put down his wine bowl and asked:

"I originally wanted to send you to the Sword Sect to recuperate, but now you seem unwilling to do so... What are your plans next?"

"Recover from your injuries calmly before looking for trouble with Shamantian."

"Then you may not be able to get what you want." Zhao Wumian shook his head slightly.

Dongwen frowned slightly and put down the wine bowl.

"Donor, do you think that I am seriously injured now and can be manipulated by others, and need others to protect me all the time?"

"No."

"That means I feel that my hidden injury is difficult to heal and I am no match for Shamantian."

"Not really." Zhao Wumian said, "Before you recover from your injury, Shamantian will be defeated by my sword first."

"I don't care about your hidden injury, but Yuan Mu's life is in Shamantian's hands. I am more anxious than you."

Even though Dong Wen didn't feel any emotion in his heart, he couldn't help but look at Zhao Wumian a few more times, a little surprised, and then he picked up the wine bowl and smiled slightly.

"Wait for good news, here's a toast to you."

The two drank two jars of wine, and after hearing Dong Wen cough for a while, he finally told them his purpose:
"My hometown, I wonder if you still remember it?"

"Of course. A very beautiful place with willow trees and a long river. Not too far from here."

"It's rare for Yunshu to come to Yanyun. After this matter is settled, you may as well take her back to sweep her mother's grave."

"She doesn't even know that's her mother, why is she sweeping the grave?" Zhao Wumian said unhappily.

Dong Wen was silent for a while, and then he heard Zhao Wumian say: "I will take her there."

"Thank you, cough cough cough..."

Dong Wen looked slightly happy, and picked up the wine bowl again. Just as he was about to toast, his action was interrupted by a cough. He couldn't breathe and even coughed up blood.

Zhao Wumian looked at Dongwen, his eyes gradually filled with a hint of sigh. A dignified martial arts champion was actually tortured like this by Jiuzhong.

After Dong Wen finished coughing, he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve and said:
"Does the donor know Mo Jingxue's background?"

"You seem to know a lot about him."

"Of course I know. You should know this too. General Yi had two lieutenants on his left and right. One was named Wen, and the other was named Mo."

Zhao Wumian raised his eyebrows slightly, "And then?"

Dong Wen pondered for a moment before continuing:
"Mo Jingxue and I are about the same age, and our fathers were good friends, so we came to Yanyun to live in seclusion together. But later I became a monk and he joined the Taoist sect. Now that so many years have passed, we have parted ways and are now strangers."

Zhao Wumian frowned, thinking of Liu Wanqiu from Tinglan Manor, and asked:

"Does Mo Jingxue have any brothers?"

"No, but there is an uncle who split up the family to preserve the bloodline long ago after the Zhubei Alliance fell apart."

Zhao Wumian suddenly realized that the Liu family of Tinglanzhuang was the descendant of one of General Yi's left and right deputy generals. They just changed their names and lived in seclusion in the city. After many twists and turns, they came to Tinglanzhuang.

It seems that Liu Wanqiu's real name should be Mo Wanqiu, and her grandfather is Mo Jingxue's uncle.

"So many years have passed, and there is no longer any emotional connection between us... I will not show mercy to Mo Jingxue." Zhao Wumian said.

Dong Wen nodded slightly. He just informed Zhao Wumian of what he had found out over the years.

Having said this, Zhao Wumian paid for the wine and said with a smile:

"Drink this glass of wine from me, and I will kidnap your daughter in the future. Don't bother me, abbot."

"..." Dong Wen was speechless and just said, "Her mother died young, so she can decide on her own about the marriage."

The two walked out of the wine shop. In the small town, there were the sounds of horse hooves. It could be seen that the disciples of the Sword Sect were riding their horses on the street, looking around, obviously looking for someone.

Zhao Wumian stood in the snow and waved at them.

"If you want to find me, you can do it here. But if you want to find the abbot, forget it. He has already made up his mind to leave."

A disciple of the Sword Sect heard the sound and quickly ran over. He took a curious look at the cave text and then said:
"Young Sword Master, the Sect Master sent a message at Yagu Pass, saying that traces of Shamantian were found outside the pass."

Zhao Wumian frowned, "Shamantian? He was fighting with Mo Jingxue yesterday, and he went outside the pass today?"

The Sword Sect disciples nodded one after another.

"Why did Shamantian go outside the Great Wall instead of continuing to steal his world-avoiding sheath? When did he become interested in worldly affairs?" Zhao Wumian muttered a few words, and suddenly thought of King Yan, and asked again:
"Any news about the safety of King Yan?"

"No, but the Sect Master is watching and I think everything is fine."

"Sword Master is no match for Shamantian..." Zhao Wumian's heart was tense.

Shamantian has no interest in worldly affairs, but if he can get nine bells in return by attacking King Yan, he certainly won't mind playing some tricks.

Just capturing the King of Yan was enough to make Zhao Wumian cautious.

Since it concerns Jiu Zhong, who would talk to you about the underworld rules that don't let your family suffer? Besides, capturing the King of Yan alive will also be beneficial to the Rong people's breakthrough, so it is obviously a hundred benefits with no harm.

Zhao Wumian had no clues about Mo Jingxue yet, so he planned to go to the border first, so he asked the Sword Sect disciple:
"You guys keep looking for Mo Jingxue. That prodigal is a drunkard. Go to more taverns to look for him. You will definitely find something. I'm going to the border. You guys inform Master and Princess Xiangzhu. With me here, nothing will happen to the King of Yan."

After saying this, Zhao Wumian bowed slightly to Dong Wen and was about to leave.

"See you in the rivers and lakes. Next time I invite the abbot to drink, it will be a real wedding wine."

"Wait a minute." Dong Wen called Zhao Wumian, pondered for a few seconds, and then said softly:
"If this news is true, Mo Jingxue will also go north if nothing unexpected happens."

"Why is he going to the border?"

"Mo Jingxue's actions are unpredictable, but he also knows how to be grateful. His family received favors from King Yan in the past. If King Yan is really in trouble, he will not stand idly by."

Zhao Wumian paused slightly, thought for a few seconds, and then nodded.

"Got it. Abbot, is there anything else you want me to convey to the nun?"

Dong Wen shook his head.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Zhao Wumian withdrew his gaze and his figure quickly disappeared in the snow.

Dong Wen looked at his back, shook his head after a moment, picked up the wine that Zhao Wumian had given him, turned around and left, leaving behind a line of lonely footprints.

In the lobby of the inn, the disciples of the Sword Sect had already scattered to look for people, and the hall seemed a little deserted.

Xiao Lengyue was sitting in the lobby, thinking about Shamantian's affairs. She also felt that Shamantian's sudden appearance outside the pass might be a way for him to attack King Yan and force Zhao Wumian to show up.

Tap tap tap————

Footsteps were heard from outside the door. Zhao Wumian stepped into the inn, snow falling on his shoulders, and Xiao Lengyue came to meet him.

"Do you know about Shamantian's affairs?"

"Well, let's prepare to head north. This place is not far from the border."

After saying these brief words, Guan Yunshu had already walked out of the stable, leading three horses, and arrived at the door of the inn.

Zhao Wumian looked back and asked, "Are you ready so soon?"

"I know you want to get there as soon as possible." Guan Yunshu looked at Zhao Wumian for a few times and said, "I guess the abbot is determined to leave?"

The nun obviously knew a lot about the abbot of her sect and did not look surprised at all.

Zhao Wumian nodded slightly and walked out of the inn. The cold wind blew in his face, which made him feel refreshed.

He pulled out the Qingxu sword hanging on the side of the saddle bag. The sword was three inches long, and the clear sword blade looked even colder in the snow.

Through the reflection of the sword, Xiao Lengyue could be seen approaching from behind him, wrapped in a snow-white cloak, and mounted the horse. After a moment of hesitation, he did not think about sex, but just said softly:
"Shamantian is not easy to deal with. If the Imperial Master is also in Yanyun right now, he can refine the Dragon Transformation Gu for you."

Zhao Wumian took out a neatly folded fox fur coat from the saddle bag and tied it behind his back. His white coat was whiter than snow, and he exuded an elegant temperament.

"If I think that I can only cause trouble for Shamantian after taking the Dragon Transformation Gu, it only proves that I am insecure and think I am not as good as Shamantian... But I never think that my martial arts are inferior to his."

Hearing this, Xiao Lengyue's eyes showed a bit of speechlessness, followed by a bit of admiration.

"Walk."

All three were people of the underworld, and they acted decisively and swiftly. When they heard the news, they did not delay and rode their horses north immediately.

Yagu Pass was built on the natural barrier of Changbai Mountain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. As you get closer to Yagu Pass, the terrain changes from the flat snowfield to undulating snowy mountain walls.

In the blink of an eye, it was night. The snow had stopped, and the silver moon was hanging high in the sky. The sad white moonlight fell on the snow. Three galloping horses crossed the official road, as if chasing the moonlight. The snow fox on the side of the road was startled so much that it jumped into the air, buried its head in the snow, and shivered.

Zhao Wumian was holding the reins, wrapped in a fox fur coat. The cold wind blowing on his face while he was galloping was not very comfortable, so his aunt used her handkerchief as a face towel to cover the lower half of his face, dressing him up like a white-clad assassin chasing a criminal.

Guan Yunshu and Xiao Lengyue were dressed almost the same, and their eyes were looking towards the majestic black city at the end of their sight.

Above the black city is a bright moon.

Finally we are almost there.

"stop!"

Suddenly, there was a loud shout in his ears, followed by a "whoosh" sound. A black shadow suddenly came out from the woods on both sides and landed in the snow in front of Zhao Wumian's horse. The crossbow arrow was halfway into the snow, and the tail end was shaking slightly.

Zhao Wumian's expression remained unchanged. He raised his hand to rein in his horse, and rustling footsteps were heard in the woods on both sides.

Several young generals in white robes, wearing armor and carrying long swords on their waists, walked on the snow with cold eyes.

Zhao Wumian and the other two knew there were people in the forest. They looked sideways and saw that the armor was that of the Yanyun Iron Cavalry. Therefore, they were not panicked. They heard the leader say loudly:

"The King of Yan has ordered that crows and falcons be on high alert. No one is allowed in or out except for those transporting food and fodder. Don't you know the rules?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a rustling sound in the forest. Bows and crossbows were raised. At least a dozen crossbows were pointed at the three people.

Zhao Wumian raised his hand and threw out his token, then pulled down his scarf, "You should have all heard about Marquis Weiming's trip north."

"Weiming Hou?"

As soon as these words came out, the crossbowmen in the forest seemed to get a little agitated. The young general in white robe took the token, frowned and looked at it, and said:
"The war is urgent. We have captured many spies from Rong people and Goguryeo in recent days... The badge of Marquis Weiming may not be genuine..."

Before he finished speaking, the people around the young general whispered something to him, but Zhao Wumian and the other two could not hide it from their ears.

The deputy general whispered:

"Although the Marquis has a close relationship with His Majesty, he is also a romantic figure. Wherever he goes, he is always accompanied by beauties. Look at the two people beside him. As the saying goes, beauty lies in the bones, not in the skin. Although they are wrapped in scarves, their temperament is not like that of ordinary people. It is not something that can be achieved by simple disguise..."

"That makes sense. The Marquis is a playboy, and everyone knows it..."

"The one wearing the monk's robe should be Guan Yunshu from Xiao Xitian. I heard that she is very close to the Marquis..."

The three of them were silent. Guan Yunshu's gaze fell on Zhao Wumian, making him feel uneasy.

This is not the first time that she has been relied upon to identify Zhao Wumian's identity.

Guan Yunshu was naturally unhappy... She didn't mind that everyone in the world thought she and Zhao Wumian were a couple, she just thought that there were too many women around Zhao Wumian.

Zhao Wumian was a little speechless. He sat high on the horse and slowly grasped the hilt of the sword behind his waist.

choke--

There seemed to be a subtle sound of a sword being drawn, and like a ray of beautiful moonlight shining through the mountains and forests on both sides of the official road, everyone around was dazzled.

But the next moment, the tree slowly slid to the side and fell down, leaving a mirror-like cut. There was a crisp "cracking" sound, and the startled birds scattered, revealing a crossbowman wearing a white cloak hiding in the forest.

The archers were so frightened that they immediately aimed their crossbows at Zhao Wumian. However, when they looked closely, they found that even the exquisite crossbows in their hands were broken into two and smashed into the snow.

For a moment, he was terrified and the whole place was instantly silent.

Zhao Wumian slowly moved his hand away from the hilt of the sword, still sitting on the horse, and asked impartially:

"The spies may be able to use my identity, but can they borrow my sword?"

Upon hearing this, the young general in white robe came back to his senses from his shock, and hurriedly presented the token with both hands and bowed to apologize.

"Don't blame me, my Lord. The situation has been tense these days. Let alone my Lord, even if the Emperor himself came, we would have to investigate."

Zhao Wumian took the token and shook his head slightly.

"It's okay. It's a good thing to treat everyone equally... Lead the way through the customs. With you all here, we won't be intercepted again."

The young general in white robe immediately summoned a military horse and mounted it.

"My Lord, follow me."

……

"Hey, send these food to the Knight Camp."

"Freshly hunted fine venison!"

"Tiger skin! Tiger bones! Tiger whip!"

Although it was night and the weather was freezing, the inside of Yagu Pass seemed exceptionally lively. Once you entered the city, you could hear all kinds of sounds, even a heat wave, followed by the crisp "clang clang" sound of iron hammering.

Zhao Wumian sat on his horse and looked sideways. There were blacksmith shops everywhere in the streets and alleys, with furnaces burning with blazing fire. The heat wave came from there.

Most of the men in Yanyun are rough and sturdy. Although it is icy and snowy, most of them are working with bare arms. There are quartermasters running back and forth, accompanied by urging voices.

"Have the twenty best military rifles been made? Drive quickly and send them to the camp."

"Are you still short of materials for crossbow arrows? We need so many weapons to defend the city. They are useless for the time being. We should make more crossbow arrows and shoot them."

Xiao Lengyue's eyes were complicated. Although Taixuan Palace was powerful, it was only the king of the world. If it wanted to rebel, military equipment, logistics, and soldiers were indispensable. However, Taixuan Palace was obviously not as good as the imperial court.

In a head-on confrontation, Taixuan Palace is no match for the imperial court. If they attempt to assassinate the regnal, it will cause chaos in the world, but without military forces and support from the powerful families, they will not be able to seize the throne.

Only a fool would think that all he needs to do is kill the emperor and he can sit safely on the throne.

She withdrew her gaze. Now that the relationship between Zhao Wumian and Luo Chaoyan was clear, she didn't need to think about rebellion anymore.

At this moment, Zhao Wumian asked, "Where is the King of Yan? I heard that Shamantian appeared outside the pass, and I was worried that the King of Yan was in danger, so I rushed here."

The young general in white robe was slightly stunned, and said after careful consideration:

"Your Majesty, are you here to protect the Prince? We know that the Prince is your father-in-law, but we don't protect him! We know the importance of things! With your martial arts skills, isn't it a bit... a waste of talent to be the Prince's bodyguard?"

"will not."

Zhao Wumian shifted his gaze and looked towards the northern city wall.

Once you cross that wall, you will be out of the border and into the grassland.

He said softly:

"I want to go north. Once I kill Shamantian, I won't have to worry about King Yan's safety."

(End of this chapter)