Minglong

Chapter 416 Don't cry, don't cry...

Lake Beiming.

The endless blue waves are shrouded in moonlight, and the vegetation on the shore is lush. Occasionally, wild deer and foxes can be seen running up to drink water, but they disappear into the night as soon as the wind stirs the grass.

Shang Mingzhen, dressed in a brocade robe, stood on the shore with his hands behind his back, twirling two iron beads in his right hand as he frowned in deep thought. Suddenly, he began to understand his master a little.

His master's talent, cultivation, and influence were all among the best in the world. If he had focused on the righteous path, he should have been revered as the "Sage of Commerce" by both the North and South, becoming the patriarch of a polymath who practiced all five religions.

However, if one is determined to take the evil path, then the Dragon Bone Beach has accumulated a century of wealth, and if they go all out, it will be enough to make the entire righteous path tremble with fear.

But his master was neither entirely righteous nor entirely evil, thus pleasing neither side.

Over the past century, Yanbo City has done countless good deeds, and the environment is so good that no one would pick up lost items on the road. However, this was not his master's intention, but rather to ensure that the righteous path had no reason to punish.

But if you say his master had ulterior motives, he didn't do anything immoral in private. His personal life could even be described as dull. Apart from cultivation, he studied various schools of thought. He didn't drink, go out, or play around with women. The reason he taught him such a disciple was because his family business was too big and he needed to manage it personally, rather than because he wanted to leave behind his mantle. He was like a machine that only knew how to cultivate.

Shang Mingzhen didn't understand this behavior at first, but after seeing the good and evil sides scheming against each other today, she understood her master's intention - to seek immortality is to seek immortality, and not to be swayed by worldly affairs.

If one establishes oneself in the world with an image of righteousness, one will inevitably be bound by the shackles of morality towards the common people. One must always step up when something happens, and even put one's own life and fortune second, which is not conducive to longevity.

However, if one chooses to follow the evil path, one will inevitably be schemed against by the heroes of the righteous path. The evil path only has a few people, while the righteous path is ever-growing. How can one win against such a group?
Therefore, his master chose not to get involved. He told them to fight as they pleased, since his strength was undeniable. Even if they went mad, they couldn't possibly unite the forces of good and evil to enforce the law. He decided to deal with Dragon Bone Beach first.

Even if Dragonbone Beach is eventually forced to get involved, the overall situation will be clear by then. They can choose a powerful winner to help them out, and then they can still sit at the head of the table at the victory celebration. Isn't that safer than having the reckless female warrior face the Kongkong Daoist?
With this style of doing things, his master could never lose in his life; he could only make big or small profits.

However, in this world today, the path to immortality has been severed, so one can only eke out a living until death, and cannot eke out ascension.

So his master still has things he needs to take risks for, which is probably the only area where his master might miscalculate...

……

Wow~
Lake Beiming is too large, and there are still waves on its surface.

As Shang Mingzhen was pondering this, he suddenly heard a commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw an old swordsman with a wine gourd at his waist, carrying a man covered in wounds, flying over and landing by the lake.

The old swordsman's face was ashen, and one could still sense his deep sorrow. Clearly, he hadn't recovered from the grief of losing his life-sustaining flying sword.

Chao Chitai was almost killed by Xie Jinhuan's attack. Although he was saved by the protection of the Immortal Transformation Ancestor, he was now incapacitated and left on the lakeside. He even uttered a few words:

"You still have some conscience, you actually came to save me..."

Kongkong Daoren felt that compared to the cost, it was better not to save this pawn.

However, the chaos just now was not because of saving two pawns, but because Yang Huaxian was trying to test the righteous path. As a result, the bait was about to be eaten by the fish on the other side, and no one from the righteous path had shown up yet, so he had to take action to test the waters first.

As expected, Huang Lin Zhenren and Qixia Laomo arrived in an instant. Seeing that Yang Huaxian had drawn the fire, he originally wanted to take the opportunity to steal Xie Jinhuan to avenge his disciple, but then the Valkyrie jumped out again.

Although they suffered a great loss, they also roughly figured out the number of people in the righteous faction and their current strength.

Kongkong Daoren secretly calculated that the battle for Beiming Lake would be difficult to win, but with his lifespan nearing its end, he had no choice but to fight for a sliver of opportunity. At this moment, he could only look to Shang Mingzhen:
"The Valkyrie did not undergo corpse disintegration back then, and she is now in Wolf City. Your master was killed by the Valkyrie back then, don't you want to avenge this old grudge?"

Shang Mingzhen knew that with the righteous and evil forces gathered together, it would be difficult for Yang Huaxian and Kongkong Daoren to succeed. He wanted his master to intervene and help under the pretext of settling old scores.

But his master wasn't stupid.

"My master would never leave the old grudges unresolved, but he is also reasonable. Now all the seniors are fighting for a chance to survive in the Northern Sea. My master is long-lived and not in urgent need of life. It would be against morality to disrupt the situation. This matter can only be brought up after the conflict is over."

After stating his position, Shang Mingzhen continued:

"Furthermore, it was I, the junior, who contacted Daoist Kongkong and Sect Leader Yang. My master was unaware of this. I came here to ask if you and Sect Leader Yang have any other plans? If it's just the current situation, then the battle for Beiming Lake has no chance of being won, and I can't help you. I can only return early..."

The opportunity at Beiming Lake is not only related to the lifespans of Yang Huaxian and Kongkong Daoren, but also to the schemes of the Underworld God Sect.

If things don't go well, at best two key combatants will be killed, and at worst decades of planning will be in vain. After that, the righteous path will restore order, and there will be no more turmoil.

In this situation, Shang Lianbi will not only not betray the righteous path, but will also step forward to eliminate Yang Huaxian and Kongkong Daoren, solidifying his image as the number one figure in the righteous path.

Knowing Shang Lianbi's style, the Taoist Kongkong couldn't afford to appear weak. Just as he was pondering how to reply, an aged voice echoed from the depths of the vast and boundless North Sea:
“My actions are not necessary for the City Lord’s assistance. He only needs to watch from the sidelines and wait for the right price. I will give him a satisfactory answer in the future.”

Seeing Yang Huaxian's firm tone, Shang Mingzhen was half-convinced, but still bowed to the North Sea Lake:
"I am relieved to hear that you two seniors have achieved a great victory. I will certainly persuade my master to lend you a helping hand."

……
-
Wolf City.

The hunting grounds underwent a dramatic change, plunging the entire capital into chaos, with fleeing civilians and leaderless soldiers and officials everywhere.

Huo Yi was on duty at the front line and didn't have time to hold a celebration banquet. Upon returning to the capital, he summoned the leaders of various departments, announced the collapse of the Chaochitai, and, with the help of the Empress Dowager of Northern Zhou, exempted this year's taxes, and returned the taxes already collected from the royal treasury, etc.

Because the matter of collecting taxes at the beginning of spring had indeed caused widespread anger and resentment, it attracted almost no opposition. The leadership team was reorganized almost immediately, and the restoration of order in the capital began.

Xie Jinhuan and his entourage, though seemingly just a few people, were actually a million-strong army that Huo Yi had invited to support him. Naturally, they were treated with the utmost respect and were arranged to rest in the royal palace, which was also considered a temporary palace prepared for Empress Dowager Guo's arrival.

Master Huang Lin suffered no losses today, but perhaps fearing extortion from some old demon, he disappeared after the fight.

As the leader of the Northern Zhou, Lü Yan naturally took on the role of acting on behalf of the Valkyrie in the handover with the royal court and helped to investigate the remaining members of the Chao Chitai faction.

Xie Jinhuan was a cultivator from the Southern Dynasty. No matter how great his reputation was on the grasslands, it was of little use. Therefore, he did not participate and went to the palace after the matter was over.

It was already past midnight, and the rear palace of the royal palace was brightly lit. The Great Immortal Zisu was examining Sister Guo's health there. Xie Jinhuan, naturally too embarrassed to peek inside, instead took Tuotuo and toured the central area of ​​the palace.

Asakadai's private life can be described as extravagant. He had a house but didn't live there. Instead, he had a giant golden tent built in the palace, with a golden carpet inside. He even had all sorts of daily necessities, such as a frame to hold his hands and feet up, a beaded gag, and so on...

?

Nangong Ye's mind was preoccupied with how to get the Valkyrie to do his bidding, and he was somewhat confused. Looking at the furnishings inside the golden tent, he was momentarily bewildered.

"Is this Chaochitai still interrogating prisoners in the palace?"

Xie Jinhuan glanced around, feeling this place was unclean, then took Tuotuo and went out again.

"That's just how tyrannical rulers are; they play games even more elaborately than I do... hiss~"

Nangong Ye put his hands on his lower back, his eyes darkening:
"How dare you, a righteous young hero, compare yourself to such a tyrannical ruler who exploits his people? Do you also intend to interrogate evil spirits and heretics at home?"

Xie Jinhuan actually really wanted to interrogate the fairy and the demoness at home, hahaha...

However, this matter would definitely have to be discussed later. Xie Jinhuan simply shook her head and smiled, then gave the cold and beautiful woman a kiss on the cheek:

Wasn't I awesome today?

Nangong Ye had been watching La Si all day and wished he could take the brat back to his room to enjoy him alone, but if he revealed his feelings, she was afraid that his 'sweetness' would be heard outside the palace. Therefore, she responded with a cold expression:

"Your swordsmanship is good, but you still need to work hard to improve. If it weren't for the Valkyrie's help today, you would definitely have been injured again."

"Hehe, shouldn't Fairy Nangong reward me?"

"?"

Nangong Ye took a deep breath, causing her clothes to bulge, but since she still needed this boy's help, she looked around, stood on tiptoe, and cradled Xie Jinhuan's head in her arms, giving him a warm, motherly embrace.
"Are you satisfied?"

"Woo..."

Xie Jinhuan felt a little suffocated, but was extremely satisfied.

Nangong Ye didn't let go, holding her and saying with his head down:
"Hmm... Do you remember what I told you last time?"

?

Xie Jinhuan reluctantly raised his head, feigning reluctance:

"Miss Mingji is a Valkyrie, while I am but a nobody. Our seniority and cultivation are not quite right..."

Nangong Ye's eyes narrowed with alarm, and he raised his hand and punched his chest:
"You agreed last time! You...you didn't know about the Valkyrie's identity before?"

"Uh... I know, but three years ago my father and I were killed, and we were saved by the Valkyrie. Now my father is still an official under her. If I were to repay her kindness by marrying her, I'm afraid it would be..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ye felt utterly devastated. However, without dealing with the Valkyrie, her master wouldn't help resolve her identity issue, and she and Xie Jinhuan wouldn't be able to stay together any longer...

Thinking of this, Nangong Ye slowly felt a little aggrieved. He pursed his lips, and his eyes were about to well up with tears, but he turned his head away so that Xie Jinhuan wouldn't see them.

"Eh?!"

Xie Jinhuan was just joking, but he didn't expect it to make Tuotuo cry, so he quickly hugged her.

"Just kidding, why did you take it seriously? Don't be angry..."

Nangong Ye twisted his shoulders, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
"You're heartless! I made you do all this because...because..."

"I know it's for my own good. What more could a husband ask for than a wife like this? Don't cry, don't cry..."

"What's the use of me crying? The Valkyrie is your savior, you should never have any ill intentions towards her..."

"Sigh, that's not the same thing."

Xie Jinhuan held the tear-streaked female swordswoman, rocking her gently and coaxing her softly:
"Sister Guo and I aren't related by blood. It was fate that she saved me from danger. If we can fall in love, then it would be a match made in heaven. But this shouldn't be done for personal gain; it should happen naturally from the heart. Hmm... how about I go visit Sister Guo now?"

Seeing that Xie Jinhuan seemed to have no way to repay him but to offer himself in return, Nangong Ye slightly toned down his aggrieved expression.

"You can't let down your savior, but you should still cherish this opportunity. Hmm... Now that the Valkyrie is injured, you should be there to take care of her. Go quickly, and remember to be gentle and considerate; women like thoughtful men..."

"Don't worry, don't you understand? I'll come find you later. Don't cry by yourself, okay? If I find out, I'll let you cry your heart out..."

"Sigh~"

Nangong Ye blushed with embarrassment at what this brat had said, and drew his sword as if to strike.

After Xie Jinhuan fled in disarray, Nangong Ye wiped his eyes, his heart filled with unease again, wondering if Xie Jinhuan could succeed and why his master had assigned such an absurd task...

(End of this chapter)