The Young Swordsman of Dalu

On the vast grassland, as far as the eye can see, there is a boundless expanse of white. A group of young people gathered on the grassland, adding a touch of warmth to the cold grassland.

"Brother Sang, I helped you find Sister Ayiguli, how will you thank me?" Wenfei said playfully.

"From now on, you'll be my younger brother. I'll do anything for you," Sang Ziqi said generously.

“Sang Ziqi, don’t spoil him too much,” Wenjie said.

“That’s right, Brother Sang, you mustn’t spoil him, lest he develop a lot of bad habits,” Li Wei echoed.

"Thank you too, Wei Shi!" Sang Ziqi said.

“Brother Sang, you’re too kind. We are all people of the Great Lu Kingdom. How can we sit idly by when our own people are being wronged abroad?” Li Wei said.

"Tomboy, but he's got a whole set of stories to tell," Wenfei said.

"I don't want to talk to you! I want to be with Sister Ayiguli." Li Wei walked to Ayiguli's side and took her arm.

“You two have been arguing the whole way, just like two young lovers in the throes of passion,” Aygul said with a smile.

"Sister Ayiguli, even you are bullying me! I'm not talking to you anymore," Li Wei said, feeling wronged.

"Stop joking around. We shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's head back quickly," Wenjie said.

"What should we do with this fat man, Second Young Master?" Changsheng asked.

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, let's send him back!" Wenjie said.

"Thank you! Thank you!" The fat butler knelt on the ground and kept kowtowing.

"Fatty! Go back and tell your master that if he continues to be so arrogant and rude, I, Wenfei, will not let him off easily!" Wenfei said.

"I will certainly deliver it!" the fat butler said.

"Go on your way! I'll give you a horse so you don't freeze to death on this vast grassland," Wenfei said.

"I am extremely grateful! Thank you!" The fat steward trembled as he mounted his horse and rode north.

"Second brother, our father is on the border of the Western Regions. Did you encounter him when you came?" Wenfei asked.

"Which direction are they stationed in? We haven't encountered them. You can ask Sang Ziqi and Changsheng if you don't believe me," Wenjie said.

“Impossible! When we came to the Western Regions, Elder Li told me that our father was leading the elite troops of the Great Lu Kingdom to the Western Regions. You didn’t encounter him. Could it be that he really withdrew after receiving my message by carrier pigeon?” Wenfei said, puzzled.

"Didn't he go to the capital to fight Prince Zhou?" Wenjie said.

"Master Li said that Father has already taken care of Prince Zhou's matter," Wenfei said.

“Wenjie, Wenfei’s route to the Western Regions isn’t just the one we’re taking. There’s another one, but it’s rarely used,” Sang Ziqi said.

"Which road, Brother Sang?" Wenfei asked.

“In the northwest, that road goes through a canyon, and the terrain is complex and the weather is harsh, so few people usually travel there unless they are in a hurry. That road to the Western Regions is indeed much faster than the one we are taking. Actually, I wanted to take that road,” Sang Ziqi said.

"Why aren't you leaving?" Wenfei asked.

"Later, Wenjie and Changsheng wanted to come together, but I didn't dare to take them and risk it. Luckily, we didn't take that road, or I wouldn't have met you all," Sang Ziqi said thankfully.

"Sang Ziqi, take Ayiguli and Miss Li back to Beijiang City first. We'll head northwest," Wenjie said.

“I’ll go with you!” Sang Ziqi said.

“Sang Ziqi, take Ayiguli back to Beijiang City and settle her in before you come and meet us,” Wenjie said.

"Brother Sang, listen to my second brother," Wenfei said.

“Okay! Farewell then,” Sang Ziqi said.

“I’m not going back. I’m going with you,” Li Wei said.

“Tomboy, didn’t you hear what Brother Sang said? It’s dangerous over there. Besides, it’s inconvenient for a girl to come with us. You should go back to Beijiang City with Brother Sang and the others,” Wen Fei said.

"I don't care where you go, I'll go too," Li Wei said.

"Second brother, please try to persuade her!" Wenfei said helplessly.

"Miss Li, wait for Wenfei in Beijiang City. We'll be there and back quickly," Wenjie said.

"You two brothers are so annoying! Sister Ayiguli, let's go!" Li Wei said, raising her horse and leaving.

"You guys are something else! Ayiguli, let's go!" Sangziqi spurred his horse and galloped away.

“Let’s go too!” Wenjie said.

The three horses galloped off in the northwest direction.

Shangguan Xingyun rode across the grassland for several days. The grassland climate was too unpredictable, with snow falling one moment and strong winds blowing the next. Shangguan Xingyun's horse had been frostbitten and lay paralyzed on the grassland, so Shangguan Xingyun had no choice but to walk.

Finding shelter from the wind and rain on the desolate grasslands is difficult; sometimes you might have to travel dozens or even hundreds of miles to find a shepherd's yurt. With her water and provisions running low, Shangguan Xingyun took out her compass to determine her location. She was heading deeper into the grasslands; the person she was looking for was there.

The Wen brothers walked northwest for a whole day, but they still didn't see the canyon that Sang Ziqi had mentioned.

Snowflakes were falling heavily on the grassland, and the strong winds whipped snowflakes against their faces, stinging like nails being driven into their skin. Braving the wind and snow, the horses could barely move, so Wenjie and his companions dismounted and walked.

"What kind of weather is this? It's so cold, Second Brother!" Wenfei said.

"Hang in there a little longer. If we really can't find it, we'll head back," Wenjie said.

"Chang Sheng, how are you?" Wen Fei asked.

"Young master, I'm fine," Changsheng said.

Three people walked with difficulty across the grassland, and ahead of them was a hunched figure.

"Second Brother, there are people ahead," Wenfei said, pointing ahead.

"Hurry up!" Wenjie said.

Wenfei handed the horse's reins to Changsheng and ran forward quickly. When he reached the man behind him, the man suddenly swung his fist at Wenfei. Wenfei swiftly dodged and unleashed his series of punches. The man tried to retaliate, but he was too weak and collapsed to the ground. Wenfei immediately caught him, pulled him into his arms, and examined him closely.

"Second Brother! Hurry up, it's a girl," Wenfei said.

Wenjie walked over to them, squatted down, and looked at them: "This is Miss Shangguan."

"Second brother, do you know her?" Wenfei asked.

“She is General Shangguan’s daughter,” Wenjie said.

"How did she end up here?" Wenfei asked.

"She must be hungry, Changsheng! Quickly get her some food and some water." Wenjie took Shangguan Xingyun from Wenfei's arms.

Changsheng took out the water and dry rations and gave them to Wenjie. Wenjie put the water bottle to Shangguan Xingyun's mouth and gently poured a little water in. Shangguan Xingyun coughed and opened his eyes.

Shangguan Xingyun looked at Wenjie in surprise and said, "Second Young Master Wen, how could it be you?"

"I should be asking you that too. What are you doing here on the grassland all by yourself? It's so dangerous," Wenjie said with concern.

"I was ordered by my master to find a kind of herb that can keep people looking young forever. It is said that it can only be found on the grasslands," Shangguan Xingyun said.

"Is your master even human? The climate on the grasslands is so harsh right now, and he's sending a girl like you into danger like this," Wenfei said irritably.

“Wenfei, stop talking nonsense. Her master is Abbess Wuyi, who is my uncle-master and your senior uncle-master,” Wenjie said.

"I don't want such an inhuman senior master," Wen Fei said.

"Who is he? How dare he be so disrespectful to my master!" Shangguan Xingyun said.

“Miss Shangguan, I’m sorry, this is my fourth brother, Wenfei. He meant well, please don’t take offense,” Wenjie said.

"I want to get up," Shangguan Xingyun said, breaking free from Wenjie's embrace.

“You’re too weak. Let’s find a place to rest first,” Wenjie said.

"Second Brother, Changsheng and I will go ahead and scout ahead. You two wait here," Wenfei said.

"Go quickly and come back quickly!" Wenjie said.