The Young Swordsman of Dalu

On their way back from the northern frontier, Wenfei and his group received an imperial edict from the capital summoning them to the palace, where the emperor wanted to reward them.

Li Wei was the happiest of them all, while the others didn't seem particularly excited.

“No wonder,” Li Wei said. “You all grew up in the capital, unlike me who grew up in the deep mountains and forests and has never seen much of the world.”

“But sister, you’ve misunderstood. We’re just afraid that once we go back, our families won’t let us out anymore,” Liang Feiyan said.

“Tomboy, when we get to the capital, I’ll definitely show you around,” Wenfei said.

"Who told you to take me? I'll have Sister Feiyan take me." Li Wei was deliberately trying to provoke Wen Fei.

"Look at you, you've tried to flatter him but ended up hurting him," Wenjie mocked Wenfei.

"It's good that you don't let me bring it! I can finally have some peace and quiet." Wenfei rode his horse ahead.

"You brat, you're just trying to annoy me!" Li Wei chased after him angrily.

"There's just no way to deal with them!" Liang Feiyan smiled at Wenjie.

Li Chaoyang had been away from Yulu City for over a decade. Since his return, he had been staying at the post station. Every day, people came to visit him, including old friends and colleagues, as well as many admirers. Although he had been away from the court for over a decade, people still remembered him, which made him very gratified. However, he did not meet with any of them. He stayed quietly at the post station, not wanting to have any interaction with officials in the capital, because he knew that his every move was under the emperor's surveillance, lest the emperor become suspicious of him.

Upon returning to the capital, Li Chaoyang's first act was to hand over the matter of the Feng family to the Ministry of Justice. He then went to the palace to meet His Majesty the Emperor, who praised him highly. When Li Chaoyang finally left, he solemnly returned the tiger tally, which held military power, to the Emperor. The Emperor praised him again and wanted to reward him, but Li Chaoyang simply smiled knowingly and declined the Emperor's reward. The Emperor wanted him to stay in the palace, but he declined and went directly to the post station.

Li Chaoyang knew that as long as his influence remained, the emperor would still be wary of him. He didn't need to make a fuss. He just needed to wait until Li Weishi and the others had received the emperor's reward, then bring Li Weishi back to Wenxian Pavilion, and from then on, he would have nothing to do with the martial arts world anymore, and live out the rest of his life in peace.

Wenfei and his group rode at full speed and soon arrived outside Yulu City.

At the city gate, Changsheng, Afu, and Caihong were waiting.

"Young Master!" Changsheng saw Wenfei riding his horse towards the city gate from afar and rushed forward impatiently.

"Chang Sheng!" Wen Fei jumped off his horse and picked up Chang Sheng.

Ah Fu and Rainbow also ran over, and Wenjie and the others dismounted.

"Young master! I've missed you so much!" Afu's tears fell.

"I'm back now, aren't I?" Wenjie helped Afu wipe away her tears.

"Rainbow, when did you get back?" Liang Feiyan asked when she saw Rainbow.

“Miss, ever since you and Miss Wei left Wenxian Pavilion, the old master had someone bring me back. Miss, I miss you so much!” Rainbow cried as she hugged Liang Feiyan.

“I’m back, and I’ll never be separated from you again,” Liang Feiyan comforted her.

"Let's hurry into the city, we still need to wait for His Majesty to summon us to the palace," Wenjie said.

Everyone entered Yulu City happily. Li Wei looked around curiously, finding everything new and exciting.

"Wow! This Yulu City is really big. I've only ever heard about it from my grandfather before. Now that I'm here, it feels like a dream," Li Wei exclaimed.

“Miss Wei, after His Majesty finishes bestowing the rewards, you and I will accompany you on a proper tour!” Rainbow said.

"Thank you, Rainbow!" Li Wei said.

“Of course!” Rainbow said.

When the group arrived at Central Street, the eunuch from the palace arrived just then, and the emperor ordered them to enter the palace.

Inside the Hall of Heroes and Martial Arts, civil and military officials stood on both sides, while the emperor sat on his throne, appearing majestic and solemn.

Wenjie and the others saw Shangguan Xingyun waiting for them outside the hall.

"Sister Shangguan, you're here too! I thought you weren't coming back!" Li Wei said happily as she stepped forward and grabbed Shangguan Xingyun's hand.

“I arrived the day before yesterday and have been waiting at the post station for you to enter the palace together,” Shangguan Xingyun said.

"Sister Shangguan!" Liang Feiyan called out as she walked up.

Shangguan Xingyun smiled and extended his hand to Liang Feiyan. Liang Feiyan reached out and took Shangguan Xingyun's hand, and they walked forward.

Wenfei made a face at Wenjie, and Wenjie reached out and gently slapped him.

Wen Fei and the others knelt before the emperor in the Hall of Heroes and Martial Arts. The emperor looked at the young people below and felt very gratified.

"Heroes have emerged from among the youth since ancient times! This is exactly what you are all about. Seeing you fills me with joy. With you all here, what worries do I have about the longevity of my Great Lu Kingdom! What reward do you desire? I will grant it to you!" the emperor said excitedly.

After hearing what the emperor said, Wenjie and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. How could they possibly ask His Majesty for a reward?

Wenfei glanced at Wenjie, who nodded to him. Wenfei said, "Your Majesty, I do not wish for any reward, but I have a request. Please grant me your permission."

"You must be Wenfei! At such a young age, you dare to go to the Western Regions to mediate peace. You have the same flair your father had back then. Your father was over twenty when he went on his mission to the Western Regions, and you are only seventeen. You are more capable than your father. You are truly a young hero. Tell me! As long as I can do it," the emperor said.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you pardon the Feng family!" Wen Fei said loudly.

Wenfei's voice echoed throughout the hall, and everyone inside heard it clearly.

"You scoundrel! How dare you make such an unreasonable request to His Majesty!" Wen Tao shouted from the side.

"My dear minister! Let him explain his reasons," the emperor said.

"Your Majesty should know my background by now. The Feng family father and son are my blood relatives. They are the closest people my mother left in the world. Why did my mother die without hesitation? Because she wanted her loved ones to live well in the world. I want to fulfill this wish for my mother. Please grant me permission, Your Majesty." Wen Fei said with tears in his eyes.

"You bastard! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll skin you alive!" Wen Tao shouted angrily.

"Minister Wen! Is this how you usually treat Wen Fei? Although this child doesn't have a good reputation in the capital, you can see that he is quite sensible in his actions. What Wen Fei said also makes sense. Don't make such a fuss. What kind of behavior is this?" the emperor rebuked.

"Your Majesty is right! I will teach this brat a lesson when I get home!" Wen Tao said, kneeling down.

"Rise, my dear minister! I was just saying that Wenfei is a good boy. Who told you to go home and discipline him?" the emperor said.

"Your Majesty! I have noted it down." Wen Tao got up from the ground.

"The Feng family has indeed brought harm to our dynasty, and cannot be easily forgiven, Your Majesty!"

"I second the proposal!"

Other ministers also voiced their objections.

"Your Majesty! The Feng family father and son are just puppets of Feng Yumian. It was she who forced my mother and uncle to do many things that were against the country for her own selfish desires. But they have already paid a heavy price. Your Majesty! I don't want anything else, this is my only wish, please spare them this time." Wen Fei knelt on the ground.

"I grant your permission! However, the father and son must stay far away from the Great Lu Kingdom!" His Majesty the Emperor said coldly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wenfei shouted loudly.

Wenfei happily stepped aside, paying no attention to what awards others received; he was simply immersed in his own joy.