The Young Swordsman of Dalu

The number one swordsman of the Northern Desert had been staying in Huangling until news came from the Western Regions. He went into Zhou Moyao's room, and the two discussed things inside for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Only then did the number one swordsman of the Northern Desert come out of Zhou Moyao's room, stand at the door, stretch, and walk out with satisfaction.

The number one swordsman of the northern desert headed towards Yulu City, constantly challenging martial arts masters along the way. He even boasted that in the near future, he, the number one swordsman of the northern desert, would dominate the entire martial arts world, and the entire Great Lu Kingdom would submit to him, the number one swordsman of the northern desert.

The number one swordsman of the northern desert has not yet arrived in the capital, but his words have already grown wings and flown to Yulu City, reaching the ears of the new emperor Zhou Shiyao.

"Does my great Lu Kingdom not have a single true swordsman to deal with this arrogant and domineering fellow?" Zhou Shiyao roared in the main hall.

"Your Majesty! The martial arts practitioners of our Great Lu Kingdom have seen through his true nature and completely disregard him," Yunze said.

"Prime Minister Yun! Have you heard? Is it true or false that the Khan of the Western Regions sent an envoy to the northwest border to persuade Li Linlie?" Zhou Shiyao paced anxiously back and forth in the hall.

"Your Majesty should not be swayed by these rumors," Yunze said.

“But I felt very uncomfortable hearing that!” Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty! Please calm down!" Yunze said.

“Not one of them gives me any peace of mind!” Zhou Shiyao plopped down on the dragon throne.

After the court session, Zhou Shiyao returned to Fuyuan Palace, and Imperial Censor Cao Yong followed him into the palace.

“Imperial Censor Cao! What brings you to Fuyuan Palace with me? Can’t you speak openly in the court?” Zhou Shiyao asked.

"Your Majesty! What I have to say cannot be said in court," Cao Yong said mysteriously.

"Do you expect me to beg you to say it?" Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty, I dare not! Have you heard the rumors circulating among the people?" Cao Yong asked.

"Since it's just the common people, how would I know!" Zhou Shiyao said impatiently.

"I heard that Yuchi Liang from the Western Regions came to our northwestern border this time with a mission from Bulu Khan. If he fails to complete the mission, Yuchi Liang won't be able to return to the Western Regions alive," Cao Yong said.

"What mission?" Zhou Shiyao asked.

"Your Majesty, make sure Yuchi Liang persuades Li Linlie to defect no matter what, or we will lose our northwestern border!" Cao Yong said.

“Since it’s just a rumor, it’s not true. I won’t believe it, Imperial Censor Cao! From now on, don’t mention this matter again,” Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty is only worried. Although Wenxian Pavilion is like a god in the hearts of the people of Dalu Kingdom, Your Majesty does not need to lower your guard on the northwest border for fear of offending Li Chaoyang," Cao Yong said.

"Cao, Imperial Censor! With a formidable enemy at hand, how dare you spread rumors and injustices before me! What is your punishment?" Zhou Shiyao roared in fury.

"Your Majesty! I am willing to sacrifice myself for the Great Lu Kingdom. My loyalty is all for Your Majesty's country!" Cao Yong knelt on the ground.

"Alright! Considering your loyalty, I won't blame you! You may leave!" Zhou Shiyao said impatiently.

Cao Yong walked out of Fuyuan Palace, stood at the door and looked back. A strange smile appeared on his face. He patted himself off and strode away from the palace with a smug look on his face.

"Imperial Censor Cao! Do you think that brat Zhou Shiyao believed it?" Zhou Moyao asked.

"Your Highness, rest assured! Knowing him as I do, he has already become suspicious," Cao Yong said.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! That's great! The Li family father and son won't have many good days left! This time, I, Zhou Moyao, will definitely uproot them completely!" Zhou Moyao said fiercely.

"Your Highness! News has come from the Western Regions that Bulu Khan's 300,000-strong army is about to set off! The Northern Dynasty's army has also assembled. We are just waiting for Your Highness to raise your arms and shout!" Cao Yong said.

"My men are intensifying their training and will be assembled soon. You and your accomplices in the court can expect my good news then!" Zhou Moyao said confidently.

"Very well! Congratulations on your triumphant return, Your Highness!" Cao Yong bowed and said.

Inside the Wenxian Pavilion, Li Chaoyang frowned. Recent rumors among the people made him uneasy. After all, the northwest border was very important to the Great Lu Kingdom. He quickly realized that the Bulu Khan's intention was that their main attack direction was not the northeast border, but the northwest border. As long as the northwest border fell, the entire Great Lu Kingdom would be exposed to the enemy.

"Bang!" Li Chaoyang slammed his hand on the table, cursing inwardly, "Damn it! They tried to use a trick on me!"

Li Chaoyang immediately thought of the Northern Dynasty. He hated fickleness more than anything else in his life. From Murong Xuan to Murong Bo, the emperors of the Northern Dynasty were all untrustworthy. Although they had lofty ambitions, their actions were not those of an emperor. Li Chaoyang decided that in this battle, he would definitely crush the Northern Dynasty to the point of exhaustion, so that they would never have a chance to recover.

"A message from the Pavilion Master in the Northern Frontier."

Li Chaoyang took it, opened it, and saw that it was a message from Wenjie and the others.

"Invite all the other elders in the pavilion to the main hall. I need to discuss matters with them!" Li Chaoyang instructed.

In the main hall, all the other elders had arrived. Li Chaoyang stood in the middle, looking at everyone with an imposing air, and said, "You all should know why I called you all here today, right?"

“Master Li, our Great Lu Kingdom is now surrounded by enemies. Just give me any tasks you need! Although I, Zhu Dahe, am old and have not been involved in the martial world for many years, I am still a hero when I am out there!” said Zhu Dahe, the number one archer of the Great Lu Kingdom.

"Old Zhu, you're still going strong at your age, this is the perfect time for you!" Li Chaoyang gave him a thumbs up.

"And me! At worst, I can draw my peerless sword, put on my battle robes, mount my warhorse, and gallop across the battlefield again!" said the elderly, retired general Miao Fangmu.

"General Miao, you can stay in the rear and oversee things. You don't need to go to the battlefield personally!" Li Chaoyang said, bowing to the old general.

“Why do you think I’m too old! I’ll still go into battle and fight even if I’m old!” Miao Fangmu said.

"Alright! Let's go to the battlefield!" Li Chaoyang said.

"That's more like it!" Miao Fangmu finally stopped.

"Listen to me first, everyone!" Li Chaoyang reassured everyone.

Everyone quieted down, waiting for Li Chaoyang to speak. Li Chaoyang looked at these old brothers who had followed him through thick and thin, and his heart was filled with emotion.

"Old brothers! Our Great Lu Kingdom is facing difficulties again! I know you all still have lofty ambitions, but we are all getting old. Let the younger generation take the lead in fighting the enemy. We'll stay behind and advise them! I called you all here to tell you that I'm leading the young people in the pavilion to the battlefield once again. Our fate is uncertain. I, Li Chaoyang, have wronged you all in the past, and I apologize to you all." Li Chaoyang said with a heavy heart.

“Li Chaoyang! You’re so unfair! How can you go fight the enemy without taking us with you? I’m going! Although I, Old Huang, am not good at martial arts, I know medicine! I can treat the soldiers’ wounds and illnesses!” said Huang Wuxie, a master of medicine.

"You are all treasures of our Great Lu Kingdom. The inheritance of various crafts in Great Lu Kingdom needs you. You should stay here in Wenxian Pavilion and pass on all your knowledge to the young men of Great Lu Kingdom so that they can pass it down from generation to generation. Then Great Lu Kingdom will have hope," Li Chaoyang said.

"Li Chaoyang, you must come back alive! Wenxian Pavilion needs you!" everyone said.

Li Chaoyang walked out of the main hall, where a group of young people were already waiting in the courtyard, swords in hand and horses in hand.