The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Li Wei followed the path Ji Wuchang pointed out and went up the mountain. Before leaving, she asked Wenfei, "Are you really not coming back up the mountain with me?"

"I'd rather die than go back," Wenfei said firmly.

Li Wei glanced at Ji Wuchang, but Ji Wuchang just squinted and didn't say anything.

After Li Wei went up the mountain, he went to the top floor of Wenxian Pavilion, where Li Chaoyang was inside.

"Grandpa, I found Wenfei," Li Wei said proudly.

“It’s good that you found it,” Li Chaoyang said calmly.

“Grandpa! Aren’t you going to ask me where I found him?” Li Wei said.

"As long as he's alive, that's good," Li Chaoyang said.

"Grandpa! How could you do this?" Li Wei said angrily.

"We found him at the foot of the mountain, but he still doesn't want to come back, right?" Li Chaoyang said, looking at Li Wei.

"Grandpa, you knew all this? Then why didn't you tell me?" Li Wei asked, puzzled.

“Let’s not talk about that now. Prince Wen and his men are about to arrive at Wangtianya,” Li Chaoyang said.

“Grandpa, you’re getting off-topic again. Isn’t Prince Wen here for Wen Fei?” Li Wei said.

“Not entirely,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Grandpa,..." Li Wei looked at her grandfather, hesitant to speak.

"Don't worry about any of these things. Go back to your place and practice your skills properly," Li Chaoyang said.

Li Wei had no choice but to leave silently and return to his pavilion, feeling very upset.

"It's all Wenfei's fault. If it weren't for him, Wenxian Pavilion wouldn't have so many problems. It's so annoying," Li Wei muttered angrily.

Wenfei lived in constant anxiety at the foot of the mountain. He was afraid that his prince father would rush down the mountain, drag him back, and force him to learn martial arts from Li Chaoyang. The worst part was that he would be beaten up by Li Chaoyang without any explanation. In fact, Li Chaoyang simply did not want to take him as a disciple. Why couldn't his prince father understand this?

Two days later, Wen Tao and his entourage arrived at the foot of Wangtianya Mountain in a grand procession. His attendants rode to the mountain gate and said to the boy at the gate, "Go and inform your master that Prince Wen's carriage has arrived at the foot of the mountain. Please ask him to greet us quickly."

The doorman hurried up the mountain to report. Li Chaoyang listened to the doorman's words and sneered twice: "Wen Tao, you brat, have become so arrogant and domineering. Has no one taught him a lesson all these years?"

"Tell Wentao that if he wants to see me, he'd better come up the mountain obediently. I won't wait for him if he's late," Li Chaoyang said to the doorman.

The doorman ran down the mountain again and repeated Li Chaoyang's words to Wen Tao. Wen Tao glanced at his attendant and said, "How did you relay my message to make that old man on the mountain so angry?"

"I'll have him go down the mountain to welcome the Prince up," the servant whispered.

"You bastard! Aren't you just setting me up? Of all the people to offend, you had to offend that old man!" Wen Tao cursed angrily.

Wen Tao had no choice but to dismount and go up the mountain alone. He knew Li Chaoyang too well. Back then, he abandoned his parents for that woman from the martial arts world. If it weren't for Li Chaoyang's pursuit over a thousand miles, his entire Wen family of dozens of people would have perished long ago.

Upon arriving at the main hall of Wenxian Pavilion, Wentao politely said to the doorman, "Please inform the old pavilion master that Wentao has come to pay his respects."

"No need for formalities. I will personally come to welcome Prince Wen to Wenxian Pavilion." Li Chaoyang said as he came out from the back courtyard.

“Elder Li, Uncle, I should have come to see you long ago. You know that being in the court means you have no choice in what you do.” Wen Tao said, quickly stepping forward to support Li Chaoyang with both hands.

“I have a feeling you’re going to wipe out Wenxian Pavilion!” Li Chaoyang said.

“Nephew, I wouldn’t dare. Besides, our relationship is what it is. If my father were alive, he would skin me alive,” Wen Tao said.

"If it wasn't to wipe out Wenxian Pavilion, why bring so many men?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"Elder, you misunderstand. I am here by imperial decree; the dignity of the imperial family must be respected," Wen Tao said. (If His Majesty were here, he would surely slap him a few times.)

"What did His Majesty send you here for?" Li Chaoyang asked.

“I received a letter from my servant a few days ago saying that my son Wenfei fell off a cliff at Wenxian Pavilion and his fate is unknown. I came to check on him,” Wentao said with a smile.

"Looking for your son, you need such a big fuss? You're so impressive." Li Chaoyang said with a hint of mockery.

"Not entirely. It's just a side note. I came here because I received His Majesty's imperial decree for the old Pavilion Master, didn't I?" Wen Tao said, taking the imperial decree out of his pocket. "Pavilion Master Li Chaoyang of Wenxian Pavilion, receive the decree."

Li Chaoyang quickly knelt down: "Li Chaoyang accepts the imperial decree."

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: For many years, the Pavilion Master Li Chaoyang has devoted himself to the Great Lu Kingdom, serving as a model for all civil and military officials. Although the Pavilion Master Li is far removed from the court, he still cares deeply about it and shares my burdens. I am very pleased. I hereby send Wen Tao to deliver my kowtow and commend him, to ease your mind. Pavilion Master Li, please accept this decree." Wen Tao finished reading the imperial edict and put it away.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty." Li Chaoyang stood up and accepted the imperial edict.

“Elder Li, you have been away from the court for many years, but His Majesty still often mentions you,” Wen Tao said.

"Does His Majesty speak highly of me, or not?"

Li Chaoyang asked.

"Uncle, what are you saying? In the hearts of our generation, you are practically a god. There are no bad things to say about you, only good things," Wen Tao said with a smile.

"You're such a suck-up, buddy. Be careful you don't slap yourself on the horse's hoof," Li Chaoyang said.

“Uncle, over the years, the talented scholars who have emerged from Wenxian Pavilion have all been highly valued by His Majesty, and His Majesty has always been grateful to them,” Wen Tao said.

“Go back and tell His Majesty that although I, Li Chaoyang, have been away from the court for many years, the court is still in my heart,” Li Chaoyang said firmly.

“How come this is almost the same as what His Majesty said?” Wen Tao said.

"What else did His Majesty say?" Li Chaoyang asked.

“He didn’t say anything,” Wen Tao said.

“Wentao, your son isn’t here with me. Go look for him elsewhere,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Uncle, just tell my nephew a direction, and I'll find it myself. I won't bother you at all," Wen Tao said shamelessly.

"I don't know either. He fell off the cliff after leaving here. As for where he is, you'll have to find him yourself." Li Chaoyang said, turning to leave.

"Wait! Elder Li." At this moment, Duan Lixing also came up to Wenxian Pavilion from the foot of the mountain.

Li Chaoyang turned around and asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Duan Lixing, a fourth-rank palace guard with a sword," Duan Lixing said, bowing respectfully.

"What brings you here?" Li Chaoyang asked.

“A few days ago, my niece Liang Feiyan came to Wenxian Pavilion to study medicine, but she got lost. I would like to ask Elder Li if he knows where my niece is,” Duan Lixing asked.

"When did my Wenxian Pavilion become a place for people to find their children? This is infuriating!" Li Chaoyang said angrily.

"Elder Li, please don't misunderstand. Wenxian Pavilion knows everything under heaven. My sister only has one daughter. Please, Elder Li, show us the way." Duan Lixing bowed again.

"Let's look in the north," Li Chaoyang said, turning and leaving.

Duan Lixing wanted to step forward to ask more questions, but the boy blocked his way: "A few days ago, news came from the northern frontier that Liang Feiyan is in the northern frontier."

“This girl! She went to such a far place, what are we going to do?” Duan Lixing said to Wen Tao.

"What should we do? Go find them! None of these kids are easy to deal with," Wentao said.