Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The Bayu Railway line began construction a year ago.

It's March now, the perfect time for spring to arrive and flowers to bloom.

Busy figures can be seen everywhere along the railway line.

"Hey!"

"Yo ho~"

"Hey!"

"Yo ho~"

Three workers, shouting loud slogans, carried a heavy sleeper onto the railway.

The foreman, holding a bowl of water, stood motionless like a statue, quietly watching the three people.

The three workers were all normal at both ends, except for a short man hanging in the middle of the sleepers, whose legs were dangling in the air.

Only after they reached their destination and put down the sleeper did they exchange a smile, wipe their sweat, and go back to carry the next one.

"Cough cough."

The foreman, speechless and bewildered, immediately turned his gaze to the other side.

On the railway, two skilled workers were seen using hammers and spirit levels to check the fit of the rails.

After the interface was calibrated, two painters applied a layer of tar to the interface track.

Then, two high-temperature resistant iron hoops were used to firmly secure the joint, and a worker behind him, pushing a molten iron cart, began to scoop up a spoonful of boiling molten iron and pour it into the iron hoop.

Once the iron hoop was completely filled and solidified, the workers immediately removed the outer mold of the iron hoop, revealing the high-temperature resistant clay blank.

After the molten iron began to cool, the skilled workers immediately used hammers to crack and repair the clay blank, and a brand new rail was thus welded.

The foreman nodded, and was just about to step forward to praise his "good skills" when that familiar "Yo-ho" came again.

Looking back, it was that same trio of idiots again, carrying one person and one piece of wood to the scene.

"Damn it, where did you find this idiot?"

The foreman couldn't stand it any longer, so he simply turned away and ignored them.

This foreman is fairly well-mannered, but not all foremen and supervisors are so easy to talk to.

On the other side, the supervisor severely berated the foreman in charge of a section of railway that was uneven, along with the workers, and demanded that it be reworked within half an hour.

But the workers had no complaints at all, because they received a fixed monthly wage for their work, and their meals and accommodation were also provided.

Let them scold us, it won't hurt us anyway.

But if you dare to deduct wages, the situation will be different. These workers will definitely surround the supervisor and make a scene, crying, shouting, and threatening suicide.

When pushed to the limit, he transforms into a C programming expert, making outrageous statements such as "I'll kill your whole family within three days" and "My dad is a West Coast cop."

In short, a construction site can always reveal all aspects of life, but the project is still progressing steadily according to plan.

The railway was bustling with activity, but Chu Yunshan, who was standing on high ground witnessing all of this, had a grim expression.

He was well aware of what it would mean once these railways were completed.

With the roads open, there will be no more obstacles between Shu County and the central government. Once news of the rise of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect reaches Jinling, the Empress will be able to dispatch a large army to Shu County within a few days.

At that time, the Shushan Sword Sect's ten-thousand-year foundation will surely be destroyed.

For the sake of the Shushan Sword Sect's foundation, such a thing must be prevented from happening.

"Master, I have invited Wu Jie."

Fang Lin's voice came from behind, causing Chu Yunshan to immediately adopt a compassionate and sympathetic demeanor.

He didn't turn around, but said directly, "Please have Mr. Wu come over."

"Yes."

Before long, Wu Jie arrived behind Chu Yunshan, after Fang Lin's repeated instructions.

Looking at the old Taoist priest in front of him, who seemed otherworldly and detached from worldly affairs, Wu Jie felt a complex mix of emotions.

Chu Yunshan slowly turned around, flicked his whisk, and bowed to Wu Jie: "General Wu, I am Chu Yunshan from Shushan. Greetings."

Wu Jie calmly returned the greeting: "Greetings, Daoist Master. I am truly flattered to have the honor of meeting the legendary Sword Immortal."

Chu Yunshan: "The title of Sword Immortal is undeserved. It is merely an empty name given by the world. In fact, we are just like General Wu, nothing more than mortals."

Wu Jie said, "Master Chu is too modest. May I ask what important matter you wish to discuss with me?"

Chu Yunshan glanced at Fang Lin beside him, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

Fang Lin hurriedly said, "Master, I have already told Wu Zongbei everything I need to say. He came to see you to see your attitude."

Wu Jie replied, "Brother Fang, you are mistaken. I have not yet agreed. After all, raising an army in rebellion is a serious matter, how can it be treated so lightly?"

Chu Yunshan nodded and said, "General Wu is quite right. Raising an army is indeed a matter of great importance and must be approached with utmost caution, but..."

He left his words unsaid, turning his gaze back to the railway line.

"President Wu, please look at this. These workers live in endless labor every day. They are also ordinary people. Can you really bear to see them continue to suffer?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jie's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, which he quickly concealed before looking toward the railway yard.

"General Wu, you now command the most elite troops in the land and have the desire to save the people. You should do what you can for the people."

"Your tyranny has incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. We wish to set things right, but we are ultimately unable to contend with the imperial court."

"Upon closer reflection, it's all because our martial arts sects don't have an army that can rival them."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jie replied directly, "So, this is why the Daoist Master sought me out? But I have no reason to raise an army."

After all, His Majesty and the Duke of Zhenguo have shown me great favor, granting me the authority to oversee all military affairs in Shu Commandery. If I were to raise an army, wouldn't that be...?

Chu Yunshan: "General Wu, you hold a high position; you should understand the principle of 'serving a ruler while walking on thin ice.'"

How could an empress, who aspired to seize absolute power, possibly allow an army to be solely governed by a local authority?

Sooner or later you will end up like a bird that has been hunted down and its prey discarded, or a hunting dog that has been cooked after the rabbit is caught.

Your uprising is not only to save the people, but also for your own sake. Think about it carefully.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jie hesitated.

Fang Lin immediately seized the opportunity and said, "Old Wu, what are you still hesitating about? Master has already seen through the secrets of heaven and calculated that if the Empress continues to rule, the people of the world will surely suffer. If you don't agree now, when will you?"

"Ok."

Wu Jie finally made up his mind.

"The Empress is tyrannical, and the world should rise up against her. I, Wu Jie, am determined to make a small contribution for the sake of the country and the people."

Chu Yunshan and Fang Lin were overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Old Wu, you've finally made up your mind. That's great! I told you you wouldn't forget your vow for the sake of power. Now we can work together."

Fang Lin was overjoyed, while Chu Yunshan, though relieved, still showed a hint of suspicion.

So he suggested, "General Wu, I feel an instant connection with you, and our conversation today has shown me that you are a man of genuine character."

I wish to swear a blood oath with you, to become sworn brothers, and from now on we shall address each other as brothers, shall we?

Fang Lin was stunned when he heard this.

To be able to become sworn brothers with such a great figure as Chu Yunshan is an immense honor.

Wu Jie hurriedly replied, "No, no, no, I am but a mere mortal, how could I possibly become sworn brothers with you, Daoist Master?"

Chu Yunshan's expression turned cold: "Could it be that General Wu looks down on this old Taoist?"

"of course not……"

"Haha, if it's not true, why refuse?"

After saying that, he flicked his whisk and knelt down on the ground.

"Heaven above, earth below, I, Chu Yunshan, swear to become sworn brothers with Wu Jie, to share life and death, never to betray each other, with blood as our witness, and may heaven and earth bear witness!"

After saying that, he flicked his whisk, leaving a bloody mark on his palm, and then smeared it directly on his face.

Seeing this, Wu Jie followed suit.

After the simple sworn brotherhood ceremony was completed, Chu Yunshan grasped Wu Jie's hand and said, "I am older, so I will take the title of elder brother. My dear brother, from now on we will share life and death!"

Wu Jie's eyes were also filled with eagerness: "Yes! Please rest assured, brother, I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"

"Good brother!"

"Good brother!"

The two were so passionate that they were practically in tears, which made Fang Lin, who was watching from the side, feel a surge of envy, jealousy, and resentment.