The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Sang Ziqi and Wen Jie left the compound before dawn. They went their separate ways: Sang Ziqi went to the border area with the Northern Dynasty, and Wen Jie went to the Northern Frontier Defense Camp.

Shangguan Chenxing was overjoyed to see Wenjie again. Wenjie explained his purpose to him, and Shangguan Chenxing was also worried after listening.

“Although the border of the Northern Dynasty is quiet, news coming back from their country shows that Murong Bo has not been idle. It is said that he keeps meeting with envoys from the Western Regions. There must be a huge conspiracy between them,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"The general means that the Northern Dynasty may be colluding with the Western Regions," Wenjie said.

"I'm afraid they've already colluded," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"General Shangguan, have you heard that the northern tribes are planning to attack our Great Lu Kingdom?" Wenjie asked.

“I haven’t heard of it!” Shangguan Chenxing said.

“That’s strange. Why is this news spreading all over our Great Lu?” Wenjie said.

“There must be something fishy about this!” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"General Shangguan, we must still be wary of a sudden surprise attack on our border by the Northern Dynasty army," Wenjie said.

"I have reinforced the border, and the people in Beijiang City are enthusiastically signing up to join the army, so our border defense force has grown much stronger," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"That's wonderful! The people of Beijiang City are truly remarkable!" Wenjie exclaimed.

“Yes! The people will always be our strongest support! Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, he hopes that we, the people, can live a good life,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"At a time of national crisis? Let's hope so!" Wenjie said.

In the afternoon, Wenjie returned to Sang Ziqi's courtyard, where Sang Ziqi had already returned.

"Sang Ziqi! Have you found out anything?" Wenjie asked.

“My friend in the Northern Dynasty said that the Northern Dynasty has recently intensified its military training. It is said that they have even invited people from the northern deserts to train their soldiers in horsemanship. Those people from the northern deserts all use swords, but their horsemanship is also remarkable. I don’t know how the Northern Dynasty made contact with the northern deserts,” Sang Ziqi said.

“People from the northern desert, who use swords, could they be from the Flying Sword Sect of the northern desert?” Wenjie said.

"The Flying Sword Sect of the Northern Desert! You're the one who said their reputation is already deafening in the country," Sang Ziqi said.

“Yes! I didn’t expect that all their people had gone to the Northern Dynasty, only to send the number one swordsman of the Northern Desert to stir up trouble in the Great Lu Kingdom. It seems that the Flying Sky Sword Sect is tired of staying in the desolate Northern Desert and wants to return to the Great Lu Kingdom,” Wenjie said.

"How could a sect collude with the army of a country? What are they planning to do?" Sang Ziqi asked.

"Perhaps they're just dreaming!" Wenjie sneered. "Let's see if you have the ability!"

"What should we do next?" Liang Feiyan asked.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!" Wenjie said.

"Wenjie, do you want to go to the Northern Dynasty?" Sang Ziqi asked.

“Only by getting close to them can we obtain reliable intelligence, which will be to our advantage,” Wenjie said.

"But it's too dangerous!" Liang Feiyan said with a worried expression.

"I'll go alone. I'll be flexible and adaptable, so don't worry about me," Wenjie said with a smile.

"The most important thing now is to get the message to Wenxian Pavilion so that the old pavilion master can make plans as soon as possible," Liang Feiyan said.

“That’s right!” Wenjie agreed.

When Li Chaoyang received the message from Wenjie in the northern frontier, his heart sank, and he said, "Things are indeed not simple."

Li Chaoyang sent the message to Nangong Xun, who, after reading it, asked, "Where did that number one swordsman of the Northern Desert go?"

“We went to Huangling,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Ah! Could it be that he's going to find Zhou Moyao?" Nangong Xun suddenly realized.

"So, all that martial arts competition was just a pretext. Her real purpose was to go to Huangling to find Zhou Moyao," Li Chaoyang said.

“With the support of the Western Regions and the Northern Dynasty, the Flying Sword Sect has become bolder. Their goal is probably not just to return to the Great Lu Kingdom, but to dominate the martial arts world!” Nangong Xun said.

“That’s exactly what they think!” Li Chaoyang said.

“Shou Shangxing is not young anymore, and he has big ambitions. He has been thinking about this matter in the northern desert all these years,” Nangong Xun said.

“I don’t think this was Shou Shangxing’s decision. Although he was a bit cunning in martial arts, he was still a man who abided by the agreement. It must have been his disciples who abandoned him,” Li Chaoyang said.

“That would be too tragic for him!” Nangong Xun said.

"Brother Nangong! How many years have you been in Wenxian Pavilion?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"Twelve years! Old man, why are you asking this? Are you trying to kick me out? You can't break your promise; you promised to let me retire here," Nangong Xun said.

"Look how scared you are. I think you'll get restless staying in Wenxian Pavilion for too long. Why don't you go down the mountain and stretch your muscles?" Li Chaoyang said.

"I'm not going anywhere! Don't even think about messing with me! I'll stay here and see what you can do to me!" Nangong Xun said.

"Brother Nangong, to be honest with you, I, Li Chaoyang, really have a favor to ask of you. No one else can do it; only you can," Li Chaoyang said.

"What's wrong? Don't lie to me and say you won't let me come back after I go down the mountain," Nangong Xun said, half believing him.

"Do you still remember the reclusive master we met when we followed the late emperor to attack Liang City?" Li Chaoyang asked Nangong Xun.

"Li Chaoyang! I knew you weren't up to any good! I, Nangong Xun, am a man of my word. When we parted ways, we swore to each other never to see each other again, and I will never see her again." Nangong Xun shook his head like a rattle-drum.

“You’ll regret it if you refuse before I’ve even finished speaking,” Li Chaoyang said mysteriously.

"Old man, don't try to be mysterious! Even if you tell me the whole story, I, Nangong Xun, will not go to see her," Nangong Xun said.

“Recently, Wenxian Pavilion received news from Liangcheng that Feng Weiran has a daughter whose age matches the time you parted ways. Feng Weiran has never been married!” Li Chaoyang said.

"Can't she adopt a child?" Nangong Xun said.

“That girl also had a red birthmark on the back of her neck,” Li Chaoyang said.

“It could be a coincidence!” Nangong Xun said.

“The girl has a pair of bright, big eyes, but they look exactly like yours,” Li Chaoyang said.

“How could this be? Why didn’t she tell me back then?” Nangong Xun said.

“Therefore, you should ask about this in person!” Li Chaoyang said.

"Since she's intentionally keeping it from me and doesn't want me to know, why should I bother her?" Nangong Xun said sadly.

“Nangong Xun, this isn’t like you! You always get to the bottom of things. Besides, I really do need your help,” Li Chaoyang said.

"What is it?" Nangong Xun asked.

"I need to borrow Feng's army! In order for the Great Lu Kingdom to be free from the suffering of war, we must nip Zhou Moyao's dream of becoming emperor in the bud at Huangling," Li Chaoyang said.

“If that’s what you’re going to say, I would have gone long ago. You’re always so long-winded! It’s so annoying!” Nangong Xun said.

"You must be thrilled right now!" Li Chaoyang teased.

"Beautiful! So beautiful! After twelve years of seclusion, I, Nangong Xun, have finally returned to the martial world!" Nangong Xun exclaimed loudly.