Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

In the winter of December 19, 1092, Emperor Gengshi, it snowed heavily.

The notorious thief Ouyang ascended the throne as king amidst the kneeling cheers of the people.

On the same day, he died tragically on the execution platform, his painful screams lasting for an entire day.

However, he never begged for mercy with tears streaming down his face, nor did he admit his mistakes or repent.

Even in death, he stood tall and held his head high, maintaining an attitude of disdain for the world.

As a notorious thief, he naturally knew that he could not be remembered in history or be remembered for generations. However, he could die a glorious death, leaving behind a legacy of infamy, and use his life to stir up a monstrous wave and disrupt the world!

Whether you call him stubborn or a born demon, he's already dead, and he died a horrible death, being skinned alive piece by piece like a Peking duck.

During his lifetime, he was arrogant and domineering, doing whatever he pleased without regard for the consequences, committing evil everywhere, repeatedly challenging order and the law, committing countless crimes, and accumulating a terrifying billion dollars in bounties.

Outsiders have no idea how much money he robbed or how much astonishing wealth he accumulated in his lifetime.

However, everyone knows that Ouyang is a notorious thief on the most wanted list.

Such a notorious thief, who spent his life plundering, left behind endless treasures before his death, enough to drive all the lowly cultivators mad.

Countless low-level cultivators, attempting to defy fate, will frantically flock to the Myriad Realms Void Sea, killing, burning, and looting along the way, searching for the Thief King's endless treasures.

In reality, Ouyang did not possess endless treasures, but he revealed the true endless treasures to the world. As long as the people followed his will and killed, burned, and looted everything along the way, they would obtain endless treasures.

He not only harbors malice towards the world himself, but also maliciously spreads malice, making everyone in the world ruin this shitty world for him, so that the world can feel pain and despair with him and be eternally damned.

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it was the last day of the year 1092 of Emperor Gengshi's reign.

During this period, Zhou Qingfeng and Su Lao and Shui Yao's family enjoyed a rare moment of peace.

Every day was filled with eating and drinking, chatting about interesting things, and when the mood struck, they would dabble in literature and calligraphy. Occasionally, they would discuss music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, and archery. If things got a little more exciting, they would go out of the city to hunt weaker demons in the vicinity. Life was peaceful and interesting.

There were no conspiracies, no bloodshed, no backstabbing, and no power struggles.

Zhou Qingfeng felt incredibly relaxed, and the dark emotions that had been building up in his heart were effectively released. The time spent with his family also made him feel that this turbid world wasn't so bad after all, at least it had a beautiful side.

Until the city lord's mansion issued an imperial edict summoning Zhou Qingfeng to an audience.

All the way there, Zhou Qingfeng kept wondering what important matter his mother had summoned him for, and he reflected on whether he had done something wrong, or whether a major event had recently occurred within the Sword Tower territory. He was quite uneasy.

When they reached the inner courtyard, Jianwu led the way, and Zhou Qingfeng followed slowly, trying to probe for information.

"Miss Sword Dance, may I ask why my mother has summoned me to the manor so urgently?"

Upon hearing this, Jianwu stopped in her tracks, turned to look at Zhou Qingfeng, and said with a smile in her eyes, "Guess?"

Zhou Qingfeng was speechless, thinking to himself that if he could guess it, would he need to ask?

Jianwu seemed to see through his thoughts, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly: "Alright, I'll tell you. The Third Miss was secretly released by Madam a few days ago. Madam summoned you here today so that the family can have a reunion dinner together."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng felt reassured and said with a smile, "So, both my eldest and second eldest brothers are here."

"Yes, I am." Sword Dance smiled and nodded, then stepped forward to continue leading the way.

Zhou Qingfeng followed Jian Wu through the halls and courtyards to the warm pavilion. Jian Wu stood at the door, smiling and gesturing for Zhou Qingfeng to go in directly. Then she turned and left. Zhou Qingfeng paused for a moment, composed himself, and then strode into the warm pavilion with a smile.

"Your son greets Mother." After entering the warm pavilion, Zhou Qingfeng saw Ma Dalang and Mao Erlang already sitting at the dining table, with First Red Leaf also among them. In the small kitchen next to them, the First Lady, wearing an apron, came out carrying two plates of home-cooked dishes. Zhou Qingfeng looked surprised, but still immediately clasped his hands in a salute to the First Lady.

The First Lady smiled and said, "No need for formalities. Let's have a simple family meal today. Please have a seat."

As they were talking, the First Lady brought the dishes to the table and beckoned Zhou Qingfeng to sit down. Zhou Qingfeng obediently went over and sat down. The First Lady took off her apron, sat in the main seat, and smiled slightly: "It's rare for our family to sit down and have a meal together, so I made a few home-style dishes. Try them and see if my cooking skills have deteriorated."

Before First Lady Red Leaf was imprisoned, the First Lady would often cook for her children herself. After First Lady Red Leaf was imprisoned, the First Lady never went into the kitchen to cook again. Many years later, when First Lady Red Leaf was released, the First Lady went into the kitchen to cook for her children again.

Ma Dalang picked up the bowl and started eating, enjoying it immensely. He almost cried tears of joy as he ate: "Delicious, so delicious! It hasn't changed at all; it still tastes like Mom's cooking."

Mao Erlang's lips twitched as he watched his elder brother's incredibly realistic acting. He cursed his brother inwardly for being shameless, but he quickly let go of his inhibitions and picked up his bowl to eat his favorite dishes: "Mother, I still like your cooking the most. I don't know why, but no one else's cooking is as delicious as yours."

"Big brother, second brother, eat slowly. Don't act like you've been locked up for over ten years before being released. Damn it, Mao Lao Er, this is what my mom made for me!" First Red Leaf grabbed her chopsticks and started grabbing food from her two older brothers. Soon, the dishes on the table were scattered and messy by the three pairs of chopsticks.

The First Lady watched with a smile as her children scrambled for food, wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes. Her beautiful face was filled with love and doting affection. Although the children's father had passed away, she still took excellent care of them.

All these years, she had hoped that her children could reunite for a meal. Now that her wish had come true, the First Lady was in high spirits. At this moment, she was not the Lord of Sword Tower, but simply the mother of the children before her.

As for the three children, no matter how old they are or whether they have children or grandchildren, they are all still babies in their mother's eyes. To put it bluntly, in their mother's eyes, no matter how old or capable her children are, they will always just be her children.

Zhou Qingfeng silently ate his meal, feeling out of place and out of place with the three siblings.

The First Lady glanced at the Fourth Prince with a smile, picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of meat on Zhou Qingfeng's plate: "Fourth Prince, try your mother's braised pork, see if it suits your taste."

Zhou Qingfeng quickly took the bowl of braised pork, lowered his head to eat rice, and repeatedly praised, "Delicious, delicious."

The First Lady smiled and said, "Fourth Prince, eat more."

“Yes, Mother.” Zhou Qingfeng nodded repeatedly.

The First Lady smiled as she watched her four children eating in front of her: "You brothers and sisters, eat and chat slowly. I'll go to the kitchen and get you two more dishes."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately put down his chopsticks and bowl. Ma Dalang, Mao Erlang, and First Red Leaf also put down their chopsticks and bowls one after another. The four of them stood up together and watched the First Lady walk towards the small kitchen next door.

Immediately afterwards, the four young masters of the Sword Tower took their seats.

Ma Dalang spoke first: "Third sister, how did you convince Mother to let you out?"