The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Wen Fei quickly walked over to Shou Shangxing's side and introduced him to everyone: "This is Senior Shou Shangxing! The former head of the Flying Sky Sword Sect!"

“Senior Shou Shangxing! I’ve heard of him from my master!” Wenjie said.

"Who is your master?" Shou Shangxing asked.

“My master is Daoist Wuyou!” Wenjie said.

"So it's Wuyou's disciple, that long-nosed old Taoist!" Shou Shangxing said.

"Greetings, Senior Shou!" the young men said in unison.

"Don't be so polite! This old man doesn't care about such formalities! Take me to find Li Chaoyang, I can't wait to see him!" Shou Shangxing said.

“We’ll take you there right away!” Wenjie said.

"Who's looking for me?" Li Chaoyang's voice came from outside the tent.

"My grandpa's back!" Li Wei ran happily out of the tent and headed towards Li Chaoyang. "Grandpa! I'm back!"

"Oh my! My precious granddaughter is back!" Li Chaoyang said to Shangguan Chenxing.

Li Wei threw herself into Li Chaoyang's arms and said, "Grandpa! I missed you!"

"Grandpa! I miss you too!" Li Chaoyang said, cupping Li Weishi's face in his hands.

“Grandpa! We’ve brought someone with us. He’s looking for you,” Li Wei said.

"Who?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"I, Shou Shangxing, am looking for you!" Shou Shangxing walked out of the tent, holding a wine gourd in his hand, and took a sip of wine.

"Shou Shangxing! You've returned to the Great Lu Kingdom!" Li Chaoyang said.

“I was granted permission by Commander Yuan, and besides, your son also allowed me to come back,” Shou Shangxing said with a smile.

"Then why did you come to see me?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"I've come to you to tear up the agreement I signed with you! So you won't come after me again!" Shou Shangxing said.

"Have I always been this kind of person in your eyes, Li Chaoyang?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't! Who can say for sure!" Shou Shangxing laughed loudly.

“You haven’t changed a bit over the years!” Li Chaoyang said.

“How boring it would be if it were changed!” Shou Shangxing said.

“Let me tell you, I tore up that treaty the moment you left the Great Lu Kingdom. It no longer exists!” Li Chaoyang said.

"Old man! You're playing me, aren't you!" Shou Shangxing said.

“I, Li Chaoyang, never expected you to be such a meticulous person, upholding the treaty for over thirty years. I admire you!” Li Chaoyang said.

“Li Chaoyang, do you know how badly you’ve ruined our Flying Sword Sect! You unreliable old man! I really want to give you a good beating!” Shou Shangxing said.

“Come on! Let me see if you’ve improved after all these years,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Don't judge a book by its cover. Even if I can't beat you, I can choose not to!" Shou Shangxing took another swig of wine.

"Senior Shou! Pavilion Master Li! I feel like you two are grinding your teeth, like children bickering. We're about to burst out laughing," Wen Fei said.

“Wenfei! I’m still your great-uncle, you should stand up for me,” Shou Shangxing said.

"What do you want me to do?" Wenfei asked.

“Let’s have a match with Li Chaoyang!” Shou Shangxing said.

“Senior Shou! I wouldn’t dare!” Wen Fei said.

"Why are you so timid in front of Li Chaoyang?" Shou Shangxing asked.

"To tell you the truth, I'm also afraid of Pavilion Master Li!" Wen Fei said.

"You coward! I look down on you!" Shou Shangxing took another sip of wine.

"Do you want to have a match with me? If so, then make your move!" Li Chaoyang said to Wen Fei.

“Master Li, how dare I compete with you!” Wen Fei said.

"Shou Shangxing! Is there anything else? If not, go back to your Fengyi Mountain!" Li Chaoyang said.

“I’m not leaving! I want to stay here with you!” Shou Shangxing said.

"Whatever!" Li Chaoyang entered the main tent.

"Li Chaoyang! Does this mean we've made peace?" Shou Shangxing followed Li Chaoyang into the main tent.

The others followed and entered the main tent.

Baili Heng returned to the palace with the signed treaty and met with Jin Yuanying.

"Now we can finally have some peace and quiet! Have they withdrawn their troops?" Kim Won-young asked.

"Your Majesty! They have all been withdrawn to their camps!" Baili Heng reported.

"Now that we've dealt with the external threat, let's talk about establishing a new emperor!" Jin Yuanying said.

"Your Majesty! I believe the Northern Dynasty is fine as long as you are here!"

“What are you saying? Do you want this old woman to sit in this hall forever? I’m old! I need to rest too!” Jin Yuanying said.

"Empress Dowager! It's because everyone is reluctant to part with you!" Baili Heng said.

“I’m also reluctant to part with you! But we must see things through to the end! Since His Majesty’s health can no longer hold up, we still need to choose a new emperor to lead you forward!” Kim Won-young said.

"Gentlemen, who do you think is most suitable to be emperor among the remaining princes and grandsons?" Jin Yuanying asked.

The ministers below were discussing among themselves. Some said that Prince Shun, Murong Hai, was suitable; some said that Prince Jiang, Murong Xiao, was suitable; and others said that Prince Xiang, Murong Li, was suitable. Opinions were divided, and no decision could be made for the time being.

"Why doesn't Your Majesty invite all the princes to the capital and put them through an assessment? Whoever is suitable can stay," Baili Heng suggested.

“Alright! Do as you say! Summon the three princes to the capital!” Jin Yuanying said.

When Jin Yuanying returned to Yuxuan Palace, Ji Wuchang was playing chess with Jin Shoukang. Upon seeing Jin Yuanying, the two put down their chess pieces.

"You guys have it so easy! I'm exhausted!" Jin Yuanying complained.

"Aunt! Please sit down and let your nephew give you a massage!" Jin Shoukang said as he stepped forward.

"You've shown me such filial piety! Your aunt hasn't spoiled you for nothing!" Jin Yuanying sat down.

Kim Soo-kang walked behind Kim Won-young and began to massage her shoulders.

"That feels so good!" Kim Won-young said.

"If Auntie likes it, I'll come and give you a massage every day!" Jin Shoukang said.

"I was just saying this because you're so busy, don't take it seriously!" Kim Won-young said.

"Don't let General Jin's filial piety go to waste," Ji Wuchang said.

“But you! Li Chaoyang has already come to the city walls, why don’t you go and see him?” Jin Yuanying said.

“I don’t miss him. What’s the point of me looking at an old man like him?” Ji Wuchang said.

"You old lecher!" Kim Won-young said, "I can only find some amusement with you."

"The treaty has been signed. Have the matters in the palace been settled?" Ji Wuchang asked.

“I have already issued an edict summoning the three princes to the capital, but the court officials are all expressing their own opinions and no one is willing to give in, which is giving me a headache,” Kim Won-young said.

"There's always a way out, don't be too anxious!" Ji Wuchang said.

“Mr. Ji is right! Aunt, you should choose one of them, and I will support him. Let’s see if those ministers still dare to argue.” Jin Shoukang said.

“Nonsense! This time we must choose a reliable emperor, otherwise even after I’m buried, they won’t let me rest in peace,” Jin Yuanying said.

“I will do whatever my aunt says!” Jin Shoukang said.