The Young Swordsman of Dalu

While inside Fuyuan Palace, Zhou Shiyao received a message from the imperial mausoleum. All indications suggested that Zhou Moyao had gathered his hidden and scattered troops, waiting for the Northern Dynasty and the Western Regions armies to launch an attack on the Great Lu Kingdom, so that he could take the opportunity to launch an attack on Yulu City from within the country.

Zhou Shiyao gripped the letter tightly in his hand, his heart churning with turmoil. He slammed his hand on the table with a loud "bang," startling the little eunuch standing nearby.

At the Feng family manor, Feng Weiran and Nangong Xun were admiring the flowers in the courtyard when Feng Xunnan walked in from outside.

"Father! Mother! There's movement at the imperial tomb!" Feng Xunnan said.

“Zhou Moyao has begun his operation!” Nangong Xun said.

“Our spies have been monitoring Zhou Moyao’s every move these past few days. That old bastard actually left the imperial mausoleum on his own, went to Fish City for a trip, and came back,” Feng Xunan said.

"What is he going to Fish City for?" Feng Weiran asked.

"According to our scouts, Zhou Moyao went to Yucheng to meet an old man! The two whispered to each other for nearly an hour, as if they were plotting something shady," Feng Xunnan said.

“If I’m not mistaken, the old man Zhou Moyao went to see should be his royal uncle, Zhou Xing,” Nangong Xun said.

“Zhou Yixing! He’s Zhou Yiyuan’s younger brother!” Feng Weiran said.

"Indeed! Back when the late Emperor was still the Prince of Lu, Zhou Yixing followed his brother in numerous battles, achieving great military exploits. However, he remained obedient and loyal to Zhou Yiyuan. When Zhou Yixing led his army to capture Yu City, Zhou Moyao was a junior officer under his uncle. During the Battle of Yu City, Zhou Moyao distinguished himself, and Zhou Yixing reported this to the Prince of Lu. However, because Zhou Moyao was his son, the Prince of Lu attributed the credit to his own soldiers. This greatly displeased Zhou Moyao, who constantly urged his uncle to establish his own independent force." Zhou Xing refused, but Zhou Moyao often complained to him that in the battle to capture Ancheng, they could have won, but Zhou Xing inexplicably lost. He himself was baffled. After a secret investigation, he discovered that it was all the work of his nephew, Zhou Moyao. At the start of the battle for Ancheng, Zhou Moyao had given his troop deployment and defense map to the enemy, causing their crushing defeat. Zhou Xing didn't blame Zhou Moyao; he took all the blame upon himself. In a fit of anger, the Prince of Lu imprisoned his younger brother in Yucheng. "Nangong Xun said.

"I never expected this to happen. It seems that Zhou Moyao is a black sheep, constantly causing trouble for the court!" Feng Weiran said.

"What do we do next?" Feng Xunnan asked.

“Zhou Moyao sought out Zhou Xing, probably wanting his imperial uncle to help him attack Yulu City,” Nangong Xun said.

"Will Zhou Yixing agree to his request?" Feng Xunnan asked.

“It’s inevitable that someone who has been imprisoned for forty years would harbor resentment; I can’t say for sure,” Nangong Xun said.

"Never mind him! As long as we see Zhou Moyao leave the imperial tomb again, we'll capture him!" Feng Xunnan said.

"You must hold off Zhou Moyao. I'm afraid he'll slip away unnoticed," Nangong Xun said.

"Don't worry! Our people are keeping a close eye on things!" Feng Xunnan said.

“Judging from this, Zhou Moyao is about to make his move! Nan’er! Immediately gather all the troops of our Feng family manor. As soon as Zhou Moyao makes a move, we will strike immediately!” Feng Weiran said.

"Yes, Mother!" Feng Xunnan accepted the order and withdrew.

"Thank you!" Nangong Xun said.

“I am also a citizen of the Great Lu Kingdom, and I should also protect her,” Feng Weiran said.

Nangong Xun looked at Feng Weiran with satisfaction, as if he were seeing that passionate and unrestrained girl from back then.

"I'm old! I'm not pretty anymore!" Feng Weiran said.

“In my heart, you are the most beautiful!” Nangong Xun said.

"I was fooled by your sweet words back then," Feng Weiran said.

"I think the worst decision I ever made was leaving you. Sigh! I really regret it!" Nangong Xun said dejectedly.

“Everyone has their own destiny! Aren’t we doing well now?” Feng Weiran said.

"After I quell Zhou Moyao's rebellion, I'll stay here with you! I'll never leave again!" Nangong Xun said, grabbing Feng Weiran's hand.

Feng Weiran looked at Nangong Xun with deep affection and said, "We will never be apart again!"

"We'll never be apart again!" Nangong Xun said. "That old bastard Li Chaoyang will definitely give us his blessings then."

"Are you sure he won't laugh at you?" Feng Weiran asked.

"He wouldn't dare! We've been best friends for years, after all. He'll still say his blessings," Nangong Xun said with a smile.

After returning from Fish City, Zhou Moyao remained quiet for a few days. On this day, the number one swordsman of the Northern Desert returned to the Imperial Mausoleum, and Zhou Moyao began to make new moves. He summoned his generals, both high and low, from all directions to reconfirm their missions before finally drinking with them with satisfaction.

The top swordsman of the Northern Desert received news from the Western Regions that Naburu Khan was preparing to attack the northwestern border. At the same time, the top swordsman of the Northern Desert received a mission: to challenge the Feng family manor.

The number one swordsman of the Northern Desert arrived at the gate of the Feng Family Manor early in the morning and shouted loudly, "I am the number one swordsman of the Northern Desert! I challenge your Feng Family Manor!"

"Master! A man claiming to be the number one swordsman in the Northern Desert has arrived at the gate and wants to challenge our Feng Family Manor!"

"The number one swordsman in the northern desert!" Nangong Xun exclaimed.

"You know him?" Feng Weiran asked.

Nangong Xun told Feng Weiran and the others about the top swordsman in the northern desert.

“He’s deliberately challenging us,” Feng Weiran said.

“I’m afraid they’ve already figured out our intentions,” Feng Xunan said.

"No! They are testing us! We must remain calm and not reveal any weaknesses," Nangong Xun said.

"Should we accept the challenge?" Feng Xunnan asked.

"Go and find a few young men in the manor with average martial arts skills to fight him. Tell them to come down immediately if they can't win, and not to act rashly," Nangong Xun instructed.

“Let’s go see what kind of person this number one swordsman of the northern desert is!” Feng Weiran said, standing up.

“That kid! Just seeing him makes me feel nauseous!” Nangong Xun said.

"Why don't you stay here and I'll go take a look!" Feng Weiran said.

“I’ll stay with you! Let me see what tricks he’s up to this time!” Nangong Xun said.

Feng Xunnan found a few young men inside the manor and opened the manor gate.

The number one swordsman of the northern desert looked at them and asked, "Do you want to test your martial arts against me?"

"You few are probably no match for me. Bring more people!" the number one swordsman of the Northern Desert said arrogantly.

Feng Xun Nan looked at Nan Gong Xun, who nodded to her. Feng Xun Nan then sent out some more people.

The number one swordsman of the northern desert said, "Come at me all at once!"

"I can do it all by myself!"

"Ah! It's Huai'er!" Feng Xunnan exclaimed in surprise.