The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Liang Feiyan saw a familiar figure in the distance. Just as she was about to go forward to identify him, the person rode away on horseback.

Liang Feiyan was certain she wasn't mistaken; that person was indeed Shangguan Xingyun. They hadn't seen each other since their last parting. Liang Feiyan gazed in the direction Shangguan Xingyun had gone, the direction leading to the Western Regions.

"Could it be that she went to chase after Young Master Wen and the others?" Liang Feiyan felt a pang of jealousy.

Li Chaoyang stood in front of the main tent and saw Liang Feiyan gazing into the distance. He didn't speak, but Shangguan Chenxing said, "Feiyan saw Yun'er?"

"Don't worry, this child is quite steady," Li Chaoyang said.

“He’s a good kid,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"How is the situation in the Northern Dynasty?" Li Chaoyang asked.

"According to reports, the Western Regions army was caught off guard by the Northern Dynasty's elite troops while harassing them, and the Western Regions army has already retreated," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"The Jin family army, Jin Wuba's last trump card left for Jin Yuanying," Li Chaoyang said.

"I see," Shangguan Chenxing said.

Li Chaoyang looked towards the direction of the Northern Dynasty, lost in thought.

"Grand Marshal, Elder Ji is still in the Northern Dynasty's imperial palace," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"Decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Let him be. I hope he has no regrets," Li Chaoyang said.

In the Northern Dynasty, Murong Xuan was confined to Qingyuan Palace by Jin Yuanying. Murong Xuan had gone completely mad. He spent his days drinking heavily, and when drunk, he would swing his sword wildly. At first, he killed several palace maids and eunuchs, but now, when he drank, the palace maids and eunuchs would run far away. Even if he called for help, the palace maids and eunuchs would pretend not to hear him, leaving him alone in Qingyuan Palace howling like a wolf.

Tuoba Hongrui was demoted by Jin Yuanying, and the dignified general became a minor officer in the army. Han Jue was only demoted from marshal of the Northern Dynasty to general, but he was much luckier than Tuoba Hongrui.

Jin Yuanying then invited back all the old ministers who had been dismissed by Murong Xuan. The families of those old ministers who had been killed by Murong Xuan were compensated, and Jin Yuanying comforted them with words, which finally made the old ministers feel at peace.

The most urgent need for the Northern Dynasty is to immediately elect a new emperor, and Kim Won-yeong already has someone he likes in mind.

On this day, Jin Yuanying summoned the veteran officials of the Northern Dynasty to the palace to discuss the selection of an emperor. Many of the veteran officials mentioned the Third Prince Murong Bo, who was also Jin Yuanying's preferred candidate.

Murong Bo is Murong Xuan's half-brother. Despite his young age, Murong Bo used his knowledge to help the people live in peace and prosperity in his fiefdom.

Murong Bo was a carefree child. At the age of six, he went to his fiefdom in the far north with his mother. At that time, Jin Yuanying sent the best teacher of the Northern Dynasty to accompany Murong Bo to the far north. Murong Bo did not neglect his studies in Lecheng for a single day. At a young age, he went deep into the countryside to see the people's conditions and understand their suffering. Of the dozens of cities, large and small in the Northern Dynasty, the far north was the place that Jin Yuanying trusted the most.

After discussing the matter with his senior ministers, Jin Yuanying immediately issued an imperial edict ordering Murong Bo to return to Yancheng.

Upon receiving Jin Yuanying's imperial decree, Murong Bo quickly returned to Yancheng.

Upon arriving in Yancheng, Murong Bo entered the Yuxuan Palace and met with Jin Yuanying.

"May Your Majesty be well," Murong Bo said, kneeling down.

"Bo'er, get up quickly! Let your grandmother take a good look at you. You've grown so much taller in ten years," Jin Yuanying said.

“Grandmother, your grandson is guilty,” Murong Bo said.

"Why do you say that, Bo'er?" Jin Yuanying asked.

"My grandmother suffered in Yancheng some time ago, and I was far away in the far north and couldn't help her at all. My mother told me to relax and said that my grandmother was broad-minded and wouldn't blame me, but I still feel sad." Murong Bo said, tears falling down his face.

“My dear grandson, everything is under your grandmother’s control. Look, isn’t your grandmother perfectly fine right in front of you?” Jin Yuanying said.

"Thank you for your kindness in not blaming me, Grandmother!" Murong Bo said.

“Child, get up quickly and come to your grandmother’s side,” Jin Yuanying said.

Murong Bo got up and sat down next to Jin Yuanying. Jin Yuanying looked at Murong Bo carefully and said, "How is your mother? She has always been frail, and she went to such a cold place in the far north. It must have been very difficult for her."

"My mother always remembers the kindness my grandmother has shown us, and she often tells me about it, so that I will always remember her grace," Murong Bo said.

"What a sensible child! You are truly the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye! I love you so much!" Kim Won-young said happily.

"Thank you, Grandmother." Murong Bo said.

"Your Majesty summoned you back this time for the sake of the throne. Now your elder brother, Murong Xuan, has gone mad and is no longer fit to be on the throne. Your Majesty is getting old, and our Northern Dynasty needs a vigorous emperor who can lead the people of the Northern Dynasty out of their predicament. After discussing with the old ministers, I believe you are the most suitable candidate," Jin Yuanying said.

"Grandmother, no! My brother is just confused for a moment. He will get better as long as you guide him." Murong Bo knelt down in front of Jin Yuanying again.

“Bo’er, for the sake of the future of the Northern Dynasty, you must shoulder this responsibility!” Jin Yuanying said.

“Grandmother, I am afraid I cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility,” Murong Bo said.

"Does that mean I can't make my grandmother kneel down and beg you?" Kim Won-young stood up to kneel down.

"Grandmother, you're making your grandson suffer! I'll take it." Murong Bo quickly comforted Jin Yuanying and helped him to his seat.

"This is my beloved grandson. Convey my imperial decree that the new emperor shall ascend the throne on a chosen date," Kim Won-young said with a smile.

Murong Bo went to rest, and Ji Wuchang came in from the back of the hall and said, "This kid is more reliable than Murong Xuan."

"You think so too?" Kim Won-young said.

“He’s much more composed than Murong Xuan, but he’s a smart kid. When is he going to have his coronation ceremony?” Ji Wuchang said.

"The sooner the better! I can't wait any longer," Kim Won-young said.

"Even in your old age, you can't maintain any restraint," Ji Wuchang said.

"Isn't it all because of you, you old codger, constantly hovering in front of me, making me uneasy?" Jin Yuanying said with a smile.

“It’s like I’m seeing you when you were young again,” Ji Wuchang laughed heartily.

"What an indecent old man!"

"You've been the one flirting with me."

"You're such a rascal."

"Then we'll go to the back mountain, and also to the polar regions, to find a place where no one can find us, and we'll live out our days there," Ji Wuchang said.

“Old man, just you wait! Your wish is about to come true,” Jin Yuanying said.

"I can't wait any longer, Ah Ying!" Ji Wuchang said excitedly.

"What a wonderful day! It's like we've returned to our youth. I really miss those days," Jin Yuanying said, looking at Ji Wuchang's adorable appearance.