The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Night had fallen. On the border, Ji Wuchang looked at the sleeping Wen Fei, pulled the blanket up for Wen Fei, and got up to leave the military tent.

Ji Wuchang looked up at the starry sky. Although he didn't understand whether Wen Fei meant "cool" or something else, he felt that the starry sky at the border was beautiful.

At this moment, Ji Wuchang thought of Jin Yuanying. How was she doing in the Northern Dynasty palace? Murong Xuan wouldn't make things difficult for her, after all, they were still related by blood. Thinking of this, Ji Wuchang felt a little better.

Ji Wuchang knew his heart wouldn't lie to him. Even after all these years, Jin Yuanying remained etched in his heart. He was still grateful for those rebellious years that led him to the only woman he had ever loved. If he hadn't been pursuing the strongest martial arts in the world, if he had loved her a little more back then, perhaps their lives would have had a different ending.

Back then, Princess Jin Yuanying saved the severely injured Ji Wuchang. Ji Wuchang secretly recuperated in the Prince Shou's mansion in the Northern Dynasty for more than half a year, and Prince Shou Jin Wuba did not find out at all.

At that time, the Northern Dynasty royal family had finally stabilized after years of war. The royal family was wary of Jin Wuba, who held a large army. In order to appease the court, Jin Wuba married his beloved daughter Jin Yuanying to the emperor at that time.

Ji Wuchang and Jin Yuanying, a single man and woman, had been spending half a year together and had long since developed feelings for each other. When Jin Yuanying learned that her father wanted to marry her off to the emperor, she disagreed. It was at this time that Jin Wuba learned that Ji Wuchang had been staying in his mansion for more than half a year and had even fallen in love with his beloved daughter without his knowledge. He was furious and wanted to drag Ji Wuchang out and behead him. In order to save Ji Wuchang, Jin Yuanying agreed to marry the emperor of the Northern Dynasty. Thus, the two destined lovers were separated.

Filled with remorse after leaving the Northern Dynasty, Ji Wuchang returned once more to find Jin Yuanying, determined to elope with her. When he returned to the Northern Dynasty, it was the day of Jin Yuanying's wedding to the emperor. He followed Jin Yuanying's wedding carriage, hoping to seize an opportunity to take her away. However, Jin Wuba did not give him the chance; he had already laid a trap for Ji Wuchang. Jin Wuba used force to stop Ji Wuchang, threatening him that he could never set foot on Northern Dynasty soil again. Dejected, Ji Wuchang left the Northern Dynasty, devoting himself entirely to martial arts training, which led to his later role as the Flying Hero of the Western Continent.

Later, in the early days of the Great Lu Kingdom, due to territorial disputes with the Northern Dynasty, Ji Wuchang accompanied Li Chaoyang to the Northern Dynasty to negotiate, where he met Jin Yuanying again. At this time, Jin Yuanying had become the Empress of the Northern Dynasty, and her son had become the Crown Prince. When they met, their eyes met. Jin Yuanying appeared calm and composed, while Ji Wuchang felt somewhat uneasy, harboring a deep sense of guilt towards her. Jin Yuanying seemed to sense Ji Wuchang's guilt; when they looked at each other, she smiled at him, warming his heart.

Since the border negotiations, Ji Wuchang and Jin Yuanying had never met again. After decades of wandering and hardship, Ji Wuchang, now in his seventies, increasingly enjoyed reminiscing about his youth.

Ji Wuchang decided to make another trip to the Northern Dynasty's palace. Whether he lived or died, he wanted Jin Yuanying to know that after all these years, she was the only woman he had ever loved in his life.

Ji Wuchang leaped away, unaware that a figure was closely following him.

As soon as Ji Wuchang landed, he arrived at the gate of Yuxuan Palace. The palace lights were dim. Ji Wuchang gently opened the door and entered the palace, coming to Jin Yuanying's bedside. Jin Yuanying, who was a light sleeper, suddenly woke up. She dreamed that Ji Wuchang was shot to death by her father, Jin Wuba, with a hail of arrows.

Ji Wuchang looked at Jin Yuanying, who had suddenly woken up, and said, "I still surprised you."

“I knew you would come back,” Kim Won-young said, sitting up.

Ji Wuchang took the coat hanging to the side and draped it over Jin Yuanying. Jin Yuanying got out of bed, and Ji Wuchang helped her sit down together.

"Old man, you're still up to no good, you just have to come and disturb the peace I've finally managed to calm down," Jin Yuanying said.

“Even if this trip to the Northern Dynasty wasn’t for matters of state between our two countries, I still wanted to come before I was buried. I, Ji Wuchang, must give you an explanation,” Ji Wuchang said.

“Yes! We’re all about to be buried, so let’s not be so sentimental. Just say what you have to say, or we’ll miss our chance,” Kim Won-young said with a smile.

“I, Ji Wuchang, feel deeply ashamed in your presence. You, a woman, saved me back then, yet you spent your entire life in this cold and ruthless palace. If I had been stronger back then, I would never have abandoned you and left you alone,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Didn't you come back back then? You were still chased away by my father." Jin Yuanying said with a smile.

“You know everything,” Ji Wuchang said.

"My mother told me this secretly when I returned to the Prince's Mansion, and I felt much better then," Jin Yuanying said.

“Your magnanimity is beyond the reach of even a seven-foot-tall man like me, Ji Wuchang,” Ji Wuchang said.

"The most urgent task is to prevent this war from breaking out. My grandson has really grown up. He actually wants to join forces with the Western Regions to attack your Great Lu Kingdom. Although I cannot tell you this news as the opposing side, I also hope that the people of my Northern Dynasty can live in peace and prosperity, free from the troubles of war," Jin Yuanying said.

"Jin Yuanying, let the young people take care of everything. We're getting old. I want to spend a few days with you," Ji Wuchang said affectionately.

“My grandson has planted many spies around my Yuxuan Palace, waiting for you, Ji Wuchang. I’m afraid we can’t stay here in peace. The imperial guards might swarm in soon,” Jin Yuanying said.

"The Heavenly Net is useless against the Flying Heroes of the Western Continent," Ji Wuchang said domineeringly.

"Even at his age, he still refuses to admit defeat," Kim Won-young said.

"Master, something terrible has happened! The imperial guards are closing in on us!" Wen Fei rushed up to Ji Wuchang and Jin Yuanying.

"Wenfei, why did you come along?" Ji Wuchang asked in surprise.

"I secretly followed you here," Wenfei said shyly.

"Did you hear what we just said?" Ji Wuchang asked.

"I'm sorry, Master," Wenfei said with a smile.

“You little rascal, you’ve improved quite a bit; I didn’t even notice you,” Ji Wuchang said.

“Your apprentice has surpassed his master, Ji Wuchang,” Jin Yuanying said.

"Master, let's run!" Wenfei said.

"Go on your way. Go back and tell Shangguan Chenxing to prepare for battle. The important task of defending the Great Lu Kingdom will be entrusted to the generals and soldiers on the frontier," Ji Wuchang said.

“Master, are you really going to stay here? They won’t treat you well,” Wenfei said.

"Wenfei, you're still young. Go back and practice the martial arts I passed on to you. The martial arts of the Flying Hero of Xizhou will depend on you to carry them forward. Hurry up!" Ji Wuchang said, grabbing Wenfei and flying up through the roof.

"Master!" Wenfei called out.

"Hurry up!" Ji Wuchang shouted.

Wen Fei leaped away, flying out of the Northern Dynasty's palace in one breath. Looking back, he heard the sounds of fighting inside the palace. With tears in his eyes, he ran wildly away.