The Young Swordsman of Dalu

The next morning, Wenfei quietly walked to Wenjie's room and knocked a few times. There was no response from inside, so Wenfei pushed the door open and went in.

"Second brother, second brother!"

No one answered the door. Wenfei slapped his forehead and said, "You've left me here alone again. You're such a good second brother."

Wenfei walked out of the inn, bought two steamed buns on the street, and ate them while looking around to see if he could spot Wenjie. He walked all the way to the city gate but couldn't find a trace of Wenjie.

"You always act alone. What's wrong with taking me with you? Am I that useless?" Wenfei complained as he walked.

"What's wrong with Young Master Jin? He seems quite absent-minded."

"Good morning, sir. I just wanted to check out the morning market in Yancheng. I've heard that the food there is plentiful and delicious, so I got up early to try some of the local cuisine." Wen Fei ran into the sergeant he had been patrolling with yesterday.

"Young Master Jin, please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, please feel free to contact me. My surname is He," the officer said.

"So it's Lord He. I'm sure I'll have to trouble you with something. Please bear with me then," Wen Fei said politely.

“Young Master Jin, you’re too kind,” Officer He said.

Wen Fei watched the retreating figures of Sergeant He and his group, then took a deep breath: "Yancheng is too small, why do we always run into him?"

Just as dawn was breaking, Wenjie quietly got up. Before the inn opened, Wenjie flew out of his room window into the alley below, avoiding the patrolling soldiers, and went to the place where he had arranged to meet Ji Wuchang.

Ji Wuchang appeared suddenly in front of Wenjie. Although they were not very familiar with each other, Wenjie seemed to be used to Ji Wuchang's sudden appearances.

"Not bad, lad, you're quite punctual," Ji Wuchang praised Wenjie.

“Uncle-Master Ji, this is what I should do,” Wenjie said.

"It should be Chenshi (7-9 AM) by now. The old ladies in the palace should have finished washing up and had breakfast by now," Ji Wuchang said, looking at the rising sun.

"That's about right," Wenjie said.

"I'm going, you just follow behind, and whatever you do, don't go in with me," Ji Wuchang instructed.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ji, I'll wait for you outside the palace," Wenjie said.

“Remember what I told you yesterday,” Ji Wuchang said.

“I’ve got it,” Wenjie said.

"I'm going," Ji Wuchang said, leaping away.

Wenjie quickly used his lightness skill to follow.

Ji Wuchang flew into the Northern Dynasty's imperial palace with ease. He was very familiar with the Northern Dynasty's imperial palace. Although he had not been there for more than 20 years, it was still a place he could not forget.

Ji Wuchang skillfully avoided all the palace guards and arrived at the Yuxuan Palace of the old Empress Dowager Jin Yuanying.

At this moment, Jin Yuanying had just finished breakfast, and Chang came to bring her a cup of milk tea, a specialty of the Northern Dynasty.

Has Ji Wuchang made any moves lately?

"Reporting to Master, since Ji Wuchang appeared at the border, there has been no trace of him. Could it be that he has returned to the territory of Da Lu?"

"Impossible. He wouldn't be Ji Wuchang if he didn't make a scene."

"After all these years, you still know me, the Flying Hero of the Western Continent, very well!" Ji Wuchang walked in from outside.

Jin Yuanying was taken aback and said, "I knew you old fellow couldn't possibly not come to my Northern Dynasty palace. See, I guessed right."

"It's been many years, how have you been?" Ji Wuchang said.

“Look! My old arms and legs are still intact, and you’re not bad either! You can still travel eight hundred li a day!” Jin Yuanying stood up and said.

"You don't look too well. You must have been really upset by your precious grandson, right?" Ji Wuchang said.

"Old man! All these years, you've come to laugh at me?" Jin Yuanying said.

"I've come to help you out of our past relationship," Ji Wuchang said.

"Are you really that kind? You should be grateful you're not taking advantage of our misfortune," Kim Won-young said.

“You know I’m not that kind of person,” Ji Wuchang said.

"You've been here for so long, and you're only now showing yourself to me. You really know how to hold back! I was just wondering how long this old man could hold out to see me, and here you are," Jin Yuanying said.

“We’re still so in sync,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Stop talking nonsense and tell me your purpose for coming to the Northern Dynasty," Kim Won-young said.

“You used to be a princess, and now you are the high and mighty Empress Dowager of the Northern Dynasty. I am just a commoner, but I have always had a heart for the country and the people,” Ji Wuchang said.

“Am I, the Empress Dowager of the nation, not as good as you, a mere commoner?” Kim Won-young said.

“Now, your grandson is rashly trying to ignite war on the border between the two countries for the sake of so-called power struggles. When that happens, the people of both countries will be plunged into a life of war and suffering. How can you bear to do that?” Ji Wuchang said with grief and indignation.

"Your Prince Zhou of Lu is no pushover either, is he? If he hadn't used our court officials to sow discord between my grandfather and grandson, things wouldn't have escalated to this point. You should go back and have your emperor properly discipline his younger brother," Jin Yuanying retorted defiantly.

"I've come to ask the Empress Dowager in person whether you truly want to fight this war," Ji Wuchang said.

"What if we fight? What if we don't?" Kim Won-young asked.

“If we fight, you know that our Great Lu Kingdom is not to be trifled with. Although there has been no war for twenty years, we have never let our guard down. The soldiers and civilians of our Great Lu Kingdom are always ready to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy at any time,” Ji Wuchang said.

“You and Li Chaoyang are both old. It’s impossible for the Great Lu Kingdom to produce another young Li Chaoyang and Ji Wuchang. Besides, Wen Jun has been dead for many years. The younger generation of your Great Lu Kingdom are all born to enjoy life. We in the Northern Dynasty are different. We are always ready to take a bite out of you. We have never been a nation that is willing to settle for whatever comes our way,” Jin Yuanying said proudly.

"You still don't understand the people of our Great Lu Kingdom. In times of peace, we cultivate the land and trade with the world. In times of war, we will all be soldiers for the country and be loyal to the country. We have a spirit of unity and fearlessness, and we are invincible!" Ji Wuchang said excitedly.

"Alright, old man, don't get too excited. Neither of us has the final say," Jin Yuanying said.

“You are different. Everyone knows that the real power of your Northern Dynasty is in your hands. If you have the slightest thought, your grandson will be on edge for days. Besides, your Northern Dynasty has only just made peace with the Western Regions a few days ago and has suffered heavy losses. Wouldn’t it be suicide to start a war now? You should weigh the pros and cons yourself,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Old man! It's been over twenty years, are you here to annoy me?" Jin Yuanying said.

“I’m stating the facts. You decide what to do,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Tell Li Chaoyang to calm down and also tell your emperor to keep a close eye on his younger brother and not to overstep his bounds. Leave the affairs of the Northern Dynasty to me. If you still trust me, hurry back to your Wangtianya and hide away," Jin Yuanying said.

"Go hide somewhere else, that's a bit hurtful of you," Ji Wuchang said.

"It's kind of you to have kept this hidden for so many years, only to come to me for such a trivial matter. I must say, I've missed you quite a bit all these years. Maybe it's just that I'm getting more nostalgic as I get older," Kim Won-young said.

Ji Wuchang didn't speak, he just looked at Jin Yuanying.

"Old man, why are you still so reserved? You're about to be buried, and you still find it so hard to speak?" Jin Yuanying said with a smile.

“It’s all in the past. Just remember the times we shared. Some things don’t need to be said. Keeping them in your heart is also a form of protection. Jin Yuanying, you are an extraordinary woman. I, Ji Wuchang, am not worthy of you. Advise your grandson well. I’m leaving,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Let's go, this will be in the next life," Kim Won-young said sadly.

"I hope we will never meet again in our next life," Ji Wuchang thought to himself.