The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Wenfei and Changsheng braved the wind and snow to scout ahead. Their eyes were squinting from the wind. After walking for a while, they seemed to hear voices.

"Chang Sheng, can you hear someone talking?" Wen Fei asked.

“Young master, all I can hear is the whooshing of the wind,” Changsheng said.

“Let’s walk a little further,” Wenfei said.

“Young Master, I think the Second Young Master is interested in that Miss Shangguan,” Changsheng said.

"Don't talk nonsense. Second Brother and Sister Feiyan have been engaged for many years. How could that be?" Wenfei said.

"Didn't you see how much the Second Young Master cares about Miss Shangguan?" Changsheng said.

"Don't say anything carelessly to Second Brother," Wenfei said.

“I know you, young master,” Changsheng said.

"Chang Sheng, watch your step!" Wen Fei hurriedly shouted.

"Canyon! Young Master, we've finally found this place!" Changsheng exclaimed excitedly, looking down at his feet.

“Let’s find a place to go down; the sound should be coming from the canyon,” Wenfei said.

Wenfei and Changsheng arrived at the canyon and walked along it. When they reached a corner, they saw many tents with a military flag standing in the middle, embroidered with a large "Wen" character.

“Chang Sheng! That’s my father’s flag!” Wen Fei said excitedly, pointing at the flag.

"It really is the Prince!" Changsheng jumped up excitedly.

"Who goes there?" a sentry called out as he approached.

“It’s us,” Wenfei said.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" the sentry asked cautiously.

“Prince Wen is my father, and I am Wen Fei,” Wen Fei said.

The sentry looked Wenfei and his group over, somewhat disbelieving.

"Follow me!" the sentry commanded.

Wenfei and Changsheng followed the sentry to a large tent.

“You wait here!” the sentry said.

The sentry entered the main tent, and soon a general came out of the tent one after the sentry.

“General Wang, these are the two men,” the sentry said, pointing to Wenfei and Changsheng.

"You two come into the tent and talk," General Wang said.

Wenfei and Changsheng followed General Wang into the main tent. General Wang looked at the two boys in front of him and asked, "Which one is Wenfei?"

“I am!” Wenfei shouted.

"What brings you here? Did Prince Wen send you?"

"No, I was just passing through," Wenfei said.

"Where are you from?"

"I want to see my father!" Wenfei said.

"This is a strategic location. How did you find this place? Tell me now!"

“General Wang, you’re really strange. I came here to see my father, but you’re asking me irrelevant questions,” Wen Fei said.

“In this desolate place, you’re either spies or liars. Tell the truth!” General Wang pressed on relentlessly.

Wenfei couldn't stand him any longer. He suddenly turned around and ran out of the tent, shouting loudly outside, "Father, it's me, Wenfei! Where are you? Father!"

"Arrest them!" General Wang ordered.

"Who is shouting outside the tent?" Wen Tao asked.

"Your Highness, the patrolling sentries just caught two spies, and General Wang is interrogating them," the guard at the door said.

“Spies? Bring them to my tent,” Wen Tao said.

The guards quickly led Wen Fei and the others into Wen Tao's tent. Wen Tao looked closely and exclaimed, "Wen Fei! What are you doing here, you little rascal?"

"Father, you made me search so hard." Wenfei knelt before Wentao.

"Your Highness, Changsheng kowtows to you." Changsheng also knelt down on the ground.

"Wenfei, did you just come back from the Western Regions? How did you find this place?" Wentao asked.

"Let's not talk about that for now. My second brother is still up there. Father, please send someone to bring them over immediately," Wenfei said.

"Who else is your second brother?" Wen Tao asked.

“And Miss Shangguan,” Wenfei said.

Wen Tao sent a junior officer up the canyon, and under Chang Sheng's guidance, they quickly found Wen Jie and his men and brought them into the main tent.

"Father!" Wenjie knelt before Wentao.

Wen Tao felt comforted to see Wen Jie. In fact, Wen Fei's experience in the Western Regions had given him a huge surprise. He couldn't believe that his son, who had been idle since childhood, had accomplished something so great, somewhat like himself in his youth. However, when he thought about what was happening now, he was filled with complicated feelings for Wen Fei.

“Father, this is General Shangguan Chenxing’s daughter, Shangguan Xingyun. We met her on the way. She has some frostbite. Let the army doctor treat her,” Wenjie said.

"I've always heard that Shangguan has a daughter who has been learning martial arts from Master Wuyi since she was a child. Today I finally met her," Wentao said.

"This humble girl greets Your Highness," Shangguan Xingyun said softly.

"Make the fire even hotter, give Miss Shangguan another sheepskin rug, and invite the army doctor to the main tent to examine her," Wen Tao said.

Wen Tao asked Wen Jie about the situation in the Northern Territory, and Wen Jie told him everything. Wen Fei sat quietly to the side, because he had become accustomed to his father's neglect.

“Father, Wenfei deserves the most credit for this withdrawal from the Western Regions. He has grown up and made great progress.” Wenjie didn’t want Wentao to neglect Wenfei.

"If you don't improve, what future will you have?" Wen Tao said.

“Father, Wenfei has made progress. What’s wrong with praising him?” Wenjie said, dissatisfied.

"Keep up the good work! Remember what I told you at Wangtianya," Wentao said to Wenfei.

“I’ll remember this! I’m not welcome here, Second Brother. I’m leaving.” Wenfei said, turning to leave.

"Wenfei, wait until the snow stops before you leave!" Wenjie said, stopping Wenfei.

"To avoid upsetting others, I don't want to make a fool of myself. I'll wait for your second brother in Beijiang City! Changsheng, let's go!" Wenfei said as he and Changsheng walked out of the tent.

"Father, why are you doing this?" Wenjie said angrily.

"Let him be!" Wen Tao said resolutely.

"Wenfei, wait! Take these, you need them!" Wenjie chased after them from inside the tent, carrying a pile of things.

"Thank you, Second Brother! We're leaving!" Wenfei's tears welled up in his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall in front of Wenjie.

"Young Master Wen, wait a moment!" General Wang came over from behind leading two horses. "This is what His Highness asked me to bring to you."

"Thank you, General Wang!" Wenfei said.

"Young master, don't be discouraged. The prince will see your strengths one day," Changsheng comforted him.

“I’m used to it, no need to comfort me,” Wenfei said.

"Shall we return to Northern Frontier City, young master?" Changsheng asked.

“I’m not going back. I want to see what he’s going to do here,” Wenfei said.

“Young master, are you talking about the prince? Yes! Logically speaking, the troops in the Western Regions have been withdrawn, and the prince should have returned as well. Why is he still stationed here?” Changsheng said.

"Why hasn't Father withdrawn the troops yet?" Wenjie asked.

"Military secrets must not be revealed! Once Miss Shangguan's injuries have healed a bit, I will have someone escort you back to Beijiang City," Wen Tao said.

Shangguan Xingyun lay in the tent, thinking about how to sneak away as soon as possible and complete her mission.