The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 88 Like Thunder
Pei family?

A ripple flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes.

These two words were like a knife, making Zhou Yan feel a sense of invisible pressure.

He and Shen Cangming are currently hiding in the human world, and the demon race dares not act too recklessly.

But the great families are different; the human dynasty is their home turf.

They even gathered nearly a hundred Xuan officials at the level of Kokang Commandant. With so many Xuan officials, they could hold off a legion of several thousand men. If their elite troops came in full armor, even a dragon might not be able to withstand them.

The only way is to find a way to drag the Pei family down with us.

It seems that Li Zhiwei's side has made all the necessary preparations.

Zhou Yan, holding his sword, closed his eyes and fell asleep, and the power of the mountain god unfolded.

at the same time.

Li Zhiwei is being 'taught a lesson' by Consort Cui.

Because Li Zhiwei had previously gone to dot the eyes of Zhou Yan's portrait, she scared away the raccoon in Consort Cui's arms, which has not been found yet, so Consort Cui came to "seek revenge." Li Zhiwei stood there, eyes downcast, seemingly obedient, just like Princess Taiping.

His mind began to wander, and he started reciting scriptures.

so boring.

One moment I felt like I had turned into a butterfly and was flying away, and the next I was very proud, thinking that if my teacher could see the mountain god painting she had finished, she would be very satisfied and would feel that I had graduated.

However, her teacher, Wu Daozi, also wandered around the Eastern Capital.

Like that banished immortal, she was like Gongsun Da Niang and Sun Simiao, the Medicine King.

He was a person even a sage couldn't save in the end.

Being reprimanded like this is a very unpleasant experience.

Li Zhiwei suddenly had an idea and called out to Zhou Yan in her mind, intending to talk to him about something important. Cui Fei finally realized she was daydreaming, and angrily poked Li Zhiwei's forehead with her finger, saying:
"If you look like this, what will we do when the Sage returns from Shu?"

"You're so impulsive. When two suns are in the sky at that time, there's bound to be chaos. If you do something wrong, even your father can't protect you."

Li Zhiwei held Consort Cui's hands in her own, her eyes sparkling, and said:

Are you concerned about me?

Consort Cui couldn't exhale a breath.

She couldn't understand why a simple, well-bred young lady like Madam Shen would give birth to such a clever, stubborn, and daring little girl as Li Zhiwei.

Her maternal grandfather was the Dali Zheng (a high-ranking official in Dali), and her great-great-grandfather was the Chang'an Ling (a high-ranking official in Chang'an).

Just as she was about to say something, Li Zhiwei's innocent and cute expression froze. She felt a blur before her eyes, her vision went black, and she fell into Consort Cui's arms. Her last impression was of Consort Cui's somewhat panicked expression.

That's great!
The little girl, Li, exclaimed in admiration.

Then, using the perfect method of feigning unconsciousness, she softly fell into Consort Cui's arms, avoiding the discipline of the Princess Consort of Guangping, and fell into a dream. Zhou Yan looked at Li Zhiwei, realized what this little girl had done, and his lips twitched.

When being scolded by elders, one immediately falls into a deep sleep and becomes unconscious.

He realized that Li Zhiwei was not only a thoughtful companion in Qingming Market, but also a princess who knew how to use everything around her to achieve her goals and was a little cunning; moreover, she was a decisive and adventurous person.

"Indeed, this way I can avoid Consort Cui's discipline when I enter a dream."

Li Zhiwei was satisfied with her judgment, but when she saw Zhou Yan, she said seriously, "In that case, the dream visitation was witnessed by someone. It's not just me talking nonsense. Consort Cui is from the Cui clan among the five surnames, and she is very important."

Zhou Yan asked, "How is the Pei family?"

Li Zhiwei composed herself and told Zhou Yan what she knew.

Including Shen Cangming's situation, as well as the movements of the Pei family and the Shuofang Army, he said, "What I've learned is that the Pei family is secretly using its influence, and the Xuan officers of the Shuofang Army have been transferred from the 5,000-strong corps."

"The assembly is complete, and we've even found a seventh-rank Xuan official, [Tracer], to pursue them."

"This is a seventh-rank Xuan official of the [Tracing] lineage, capable of detecting traces of a target from the earth's veins."

In her dream, Li Zhiwei gathered clouds and transformed them into a picture.

Inside is an ancient book that lists the abilities of three types of Xuan Officials: [Tracing Tracks], [Chasing Shadows], and [Searching for Footprints]. One of these abilities is [The Method of Manifesting Form with Round Light], another is [The Method of Recovering Spirit by Chasing Shadows], and the third is [Earth Vein Restoration].

Zhou Yan memorized the abilities of these Xuan officials.

Li Zhiwei, with a hint of smugness, asked, "Did you write it down?"

"It took me a lot of effort to find the records of these few Xuanguan."

"The military strategist said that knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle. Even if our plan fails, knowing the unique abilities of these Xuan officials will help you understand how to conceal your whereabouts under their magic."

Zhou Yan asked, "Did you specifically find this person?"

Li Zhiwei replied, "Of course."

"Now the Pei family is launching a massive attack on the Shuofang Army, saying that there are a group of fierce generals in the Shuofang Army who have military merits and want to rise in rank, and that they are even associated with demons. It seems that they intend to use this matter as a breakthrough to expand their own power."

Li Zhiwei guessed that Guo Linggong went to see his father for this very reason.

Zhou Yan pondered for a moment and said, "The time is almost right."

Li Zhiwei said, "The portrait has already been distributed. Tens of thousands of people now know that I dreamed of the mountain god and even drew his likeness. Next, I will use the [Circular Light Manifestation Method] to tell my father about this in a dream."

Zhou Yan was still somewhat worried and said, "This is such a big deal."

"Is it enough to just say it once in a dream?"

Li Zhiwei said, "Of course."

“Guo Linggong came to see my father before.”

"In addition, with the intense situation in the Pei family, the news has even spread to the common people that there are traitors in the Shuofang Army. I suspect that there must be a power struggle within the Shuofang Army, the army that is retaking Chang'an."

"My father and his men are definitely planning to take action."

"What's missing is just a dagger, a reason, and the right to have a legitimate cause. My dream will be the best dagger to hand to my father and Lord Guo. Even if my dream is just a fabrication, my father will still approve of it."

"Moreover, there are things inside Misty Peak."

Zhou Yan seemed to understand something, and said, "I can find a way to put the fortune brought by your portrait into the alchemy furnace left by Wang Chun as a mark."

Li Zhiwei clapped her hands and said, "That's brilliant! This makes it even more believable."

"Should we write a line like, 'The Pei family is colluding with the Qingmingfang Master'?"

"Let's forget about this, it's too direct."

"Too."

The two ideas were compared to recent events.

Finally, the swordsman and the girl exchanged blows.

There was no emotion in their eyes, only a desire for victory, a desire to ruthlessly kick the now complacent Pei family into the ditch. Li Zhiwei sensed that Consort Cui seemed to be going to summon the imperial physician, so she said, "I have to go back now, otherwise it won't be good if Xuan Guan really comes."

Satisfied and about to leave, Zhou Yan subconsciously said, "Wait."

Li Zhiwei turned around, puzzled, and asked, "What's wrong?"

The girl's face showed a knowing look. She habitually used the expression she had learned from the women in the palace, her eyes sparkling with a deliberately teasing look, and said, "Is that why you can't bear to part with me?"

Zhou Yan remained silent for a long time.

Um? ?

Li Zhiwei was stunned.

Seeing Zhou Yan's increasingly serious expression, as if he was about to go all out.

Li Zhiwei was a little scared, wondering if she was playing with fire.

The boy took a deep breath and took half a step forward.

!!!

Li Zhiwei took a half step back, stammering, "You, you, I just..."

Zhou Yan asked, "How's that flying money thing you mentioned last time?"

Eh? !!
Li Zhiwei's expression froze for a moment. After carefully inquiring about the situation from Zhou Yan's serious and embarrassed expression, she finally couldn't help but laugh, clutching her stomach and laughing until tears were about to come out.

"Ha, hahaha, you, you've been wanting to ask me for money all this time?"

"And then you feel embarrassed?"

"Puhahaha, wait for me, let me catch my breath."

Zhou Yan sat cross-legged there, watching Li Zhiwei wipe away the tears of laughter. At this moment, Li Zhiwei no longer displayed any scheming; she only had a smile that said, "It can still be like this."

Zhou Yan said, "Being a chivalrous knight-errant is very expensive!"

"Food, drink, weapons, mounts, and lodging—everything costs money."

Li Zhi smiled broadly and said:
"Don't worry, I already had Jiang Huaiyin do it."

"There's a merchant guild at the riverbank in Wugong Town. You can go there to get it."

Zhou Yan estimated his and Uncle Shen's appetites and cautiously asked, "How much?"

Li Zhiwei said, "Two hundred strings of cash."

Zhou Yan didn't know much about this.

Li Zhiwei thought for a moment and said, "I can probably buy a small house in Chang'an City."

"If we change it to rice."

"Twenty thousand bushels!"

Zhou Yan was filled with awe.

Li Zhiwei held out her palm: "As for the code for the flying money, it means 'I keep my promise,' so spend it sparingly. Right now, I don't have any money at all."

Zhou Yan said, "I'll write you an IOU."

Li Zhiwei's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled:
Do we still need an IOU between us?

Zhou Yan looked at the smile on the girl's face.

It's like seeing a fox.

This guy is more like a fox spirit than Qingzhu.

.....................

The next day, the Shuofang army.

Pei Xuanbao accompanied his elder brother, watching the assembled Xuan officials outside.

The menacing aura was palpable. Fifty brave captains of the Shuofang Army, thirty heavy crossbowmen of the Longwu Army, and even twenty Mo Dao soldiers—this menacing aura made Pei Xuanbao feel oppressed.

He said, "Li Siye and the Longwu Army are actually willing to send people."

"Have their lieutenants all arrived?"

Pei Angju said, "That was Shen Cangming after all. Commander Wang Nanbu was shot in the middle of the eye by him in the chaos of battle. If he hadn't been skilled enough, he probably would have died on the spot. He also survived a heavy blow from Li Siye's Mo Dao."

Pei Xuanbao said, "But Li Siye and Wang Nan want to capture Shen Cangming alive."

Pei Angju said calmly, "After all, Shen Cangming is also a master of the Mo Dao."

"And Wang Nan was a general who fought against the Tubo back then, so it's not surprising that he knows Shen Cangming."

Pei Angju said, "However, don't worry, since it is someone my Pei family wants to kill, Li Siye and Wang Nande will not be able to protect them either."

"So, Zhou Yan, what do you plan to do?"

Pei Xuanbao said calmly, "I don't like his eyes."

Pei Angju said, "Alright, then I'll gouge out his eyes."

"This is a gift for Xuanbao."

They spoke casually, treating the lives of Zhou Yan and Shen Cangming as something to be dealt with lightly, while ignoring the demands of the two renowned generals, Li Siye and Wang Nande, to bring Shen Cangming back alive.

The Pei family of Hedong, of course, can turn the world upside down at will.

What can a mere commoner like me do?

Even if a hundred Xuan officials can't take them down, then two hundred, five hundred.

As the pressure continued, Shen Cangming and Zhou Yan were like grasshoppers in the palm of one's hand, unable to escape.

As for the price.

Those who died were all commoners.

These hundred Xuan officials, exuding a chilling aura, were about to set off, but at that moment, a rider suddenly galloped up and said:
"Marshal Guangping's order!"

"Shuofang Army, halt!"

[...They suddenly stormed our camp, throwing our troops into chaos. Li Siye said to Guo Ziyi, 'If we do not personally confront the enemy and fight to the death on the battlefield today... then our army will be wiped out.'] — *Old Book of Tang, Biography of Li Siye*

[Everyone knows that the military commander Wang is hard to find..., [the bandit] shot him in the eyebrow, the skin drooping and obscuring his eyes]—Zizhi Tongjian, Tang Dynasty Annals, Volume 36

The thief is Xingxiuchuan, who sank into the vast ocean.

(End of this chapter)