The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Outside the city of Beijiang, the army of the Great Lu Kingdom was cleaning up the battlefield, carrying together the bodies of the dead soldiers, burning them to ashes, and putting their ashes into jars. Li Chaoyang wanted every dead soldier to return to their hometown.

Inside the city of Beijiang, the people were singing and dancing, slaughtering sheep and cattle at home to reward the army of the Great Lu Kingdom, and the unity between the army and the people was unprecedented.

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal! The Western Regions army has completely withdrawn from the border of our Great Lu Kingdom and is moving towards the border of the Northern Dynasty. It seems they are about to launch an attack on the Northern Dynasty," the scout reported.

"Understood!" Li Chaoyang said.

"General, we don't want to go back from the Western Regions empty-handed. Shall we go and refuel?" Shangguan Chenxing said.

"No need! Let our troops rest and regroup as soon as possible, and then let them return to their respective posts," Li Chaoyang said.

“Yes, Commander!” Shangguan Chenxing said.

Li Chaoyang received a letter from Wen Fei, who gave him a brief account of his situation in the Western Regions. He mentioned that he would be returning in a few days and also wrote about finding Ayiguli in the letter. After reading the letter, Li Chaoyang called Wen Jie over. After reading the letter, Wen Jie excitedly shouted, "Sang Ziqi! Ayiguli has been found!"

Wenjie told Sang Ziqi the news, and Sang Ziqi could hardly believe it: "Wenjie, is what Wenfei said true? He found Ayiguli, that's great! I can't wait, I have to go to the Western Regions as soon as possible and bring Ayiguli back in person."

"Look how happy you are. Wenfei said they'll be returning soon, so you can just wait patiently," Wenjie said.

“No, I can’t wait a moment longer,” Sang Ziqi said.

“I’ll go with you. I’ll go and report to Uncle-Master Li, and also inform General Shangguan,” Wenjie said.

"Wenjie, you two brothers are simply my lucky stars, thank you so much!" Sang Ziqi said gratefully.

“No need to be so polite, brother!” Wenjie said.

Wenjie told Liang Feiyan that he had found Ayiguli. Liang Feiyan was also happy for Sang Ziqi and said that she would go with them to the Western Regions to bring Ayiguli back.

Wenjie found Li Chaoyang: "Uncle-Master, Wenfei actually went to the Western Regions. You did a really good job keeping it a secret. The retreat of the troops in the Western Regions should be Wenfei's achievement, right?"

“Yes, this kid certainly didn’t disappoint me,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Wenfei has grown up," Wenjie said with satisfaction.

"Is there anything else you wanted to see me about?" Li Chaoyang asked.

“Uncle-Master, my friend Sang Ziqi is going to the Western Regions to bring Ayiguli back, and as a friend, I would like to go with him,” Wenjie said.

“Go ahead, but be careful. After all, we’re not on good terms with the Western Regions yet,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master, I've got it." Wenjie said.

"Old Master, I want to go too!" Liang Feiyan came in from outside the tent.

"Girls shouldn't go along and join in the fun," Li Chaoyang said.

“But my younger sister is also a girl, yet the old master sent her without telling us,” Liang Feiyan said.

“She went because of something important. It’s all done now, and she’ll be back soon. You wait for her here,” Li Chaoyang said.

Liang Feiyan was about to try again when Wenjie pulled her forward, saying, "Miss Liang, let's go out first. My uncle still has a lot of military affairs to attend to."

"Why did you drag me into this? You didn't even say a word for me," Liang Feiyan complained.

“Uncle-Master is right. Wenfei and the others will be back soon. You can wait here. The journey to the Western Regions is not safe. The old sect leader is worried about you,” Wenjie said.

Liang Feiyan stormed off, muttering, "I never want to talk to you again."

Wenjie watched her retreating figure and sighed, "If she doesn't want to talk to me, then so be it."

Afterwards, Wenjie went to Shangguan Chenxing's military tent, where he saw Shangguan Xingyun, whom he had missed day and night.

"When did Miss Shangguan arrive in the Northern Frontier?" Wenjie asked excitedly.

"Greetings, Young Master Wen," Shangguan Xingyun said, bowing.

"Did Wenjie need something from me?" Shangguan Chenxing asked.

Wenjie told Shangguan Chenxing about the trip to the Western Regions. Shangguan Chenxing said, "Since the Grand Marshal has agreed, you can go. Besides, Wenfei helped find Ayiguli, and I'm really happy for Sang Ziqi. Go ahead! But be sure to be careful!"

"Thank you, General Shangguan!" Wenjie could tell that the father and daughter had something to say, so he tactfully walked out of the tent. He looked back at the tent for a long time, wondering what Shangguan Xingyun was doing in the Northern Frontier at this time.

Wenjie returned to his tent, tidied up, and then led his horse to find Sang Ziqi. Sang Ziqi was already impatient and said to Wenjie, "You've finally arrived! Let's go!"

"Second Young Master, if you don't come soon, Brother Sang will be leaving," Changsheng said.

"Chang Sheng, do you miss your fourth young master?" Wen Jie asked.

"Yes, I wonder how the Second Young Master is doing?" Changsheng said worriedly.

"We'll see him soon; we might even run into him on the way," Wenjie said.

"That's great!" Changsheng said happily.

Inside the military tent, Li Chaoyang and the Shangguan father and daughter remained silent for a moment. Shangguan Xingyun broke the silence and said, "Uncle-Master, Father, why don't I go and investigate? If it's true, we can be prepared."

"We can't send a little girl like you on such an adventure!" Li Chaoyang said sternly.

“Wenjie and the others have just left the border for the Western Regions. It’s still not too late to catch up,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"Shangguan, you're being foolish! The Wen brothers can't know about this," Li Chaoyang said.

"Why?" Shangguan Chenxing asked.

“Do you know who the Western Region people who colluded with Zhou Moyao are? He is Wenfei’s maternal uncle. What if Wenfei finds out about his background and that his mother’s death is related to our Great Lu Kingdom? Have you thought about the consequences?” Li Chaoyang said.

"Is it really that complicated? I really don't know anything about it. All I know is that the woman committed suicide in the South China Sea back then, and Wenfei was her son? I really didn't expect that," Shangguan Chenxing exclaimed.

“Back then, after Green Robe gave birth, she went to the South China Sea. I personally watched her commit suicide in the South China Sea before leaving. Later, I had someone bury her body. The person who went there came back and reported that Green Robe’s body was gone. At the time, I thought it might have been washed away by the rising tide,” Li Chaoyang said.

"The old pavilion master was pregnant but the green-clad woman didn't die?" Shangguan Chenxing asked.

“Things are getting more and more complicated now, I need to sort them out properly,” Li Chaoyang said.

"I'm going to the Western Regions. Please rest assured, Uncle and Father, I know how to protect myself," Shangguan Xingyun said.

"This is the only way. If you encounter any danger, take this out." Li Chaoyang handed the green thumb ring to Shangguan Xingyun.

"What is this?" asked the Shangguan father and daughter.

“This is a keepsake that Green Robe left for Wenfei back then. It might save his life in a critical moment,” Li Chaoyang said.

"Without further ado, I'll be on my way immediately!" Shangguan Xingyun bid farewell to Li Chaoyang and Shangguan Chenxing and sped off.