The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

The Floating Continent, the northern Changhe River basin of the Wu Kingdom.

Qi Yuan sat in his wheelchair, basking in the sun in the yard.

At midday in the countryside, there is neither the crowing of roosters nor the barking of dogs, nor the bustling activity of people.

Qi Yuan sat there, looking very lazy, as if it were a leisurely afternoon.

Suddenly, the sound of a carriage came from outside. A man in armor stepped down from the carriage; this man was none other than Liu Changqing, the Wu general in charge of defense.

Liu Changqing walked up to Qi Yuan and sat down on the stone bench next to him without saying a word.

"How is Master Zhao? Is he alright?" Qi Yuan asked.

"It's nothing, just a superficial injury, everything's taken care of," Liu Changqing replied, and then fell silent.

The two basked in the sun together without saying another word.

Liu Changqing's guards had already parked the carriage and were waiting outside the courtyard gate. This man was Tian Qiang, a descendant of the soldiers who had gone with him to the reed marshes to search for Luo Yifei. They happened to run into Ye Xuehan, Nan Tian, ​​and the others who were returning from their fruitless search.

“You’re not reconciled, are you? The Cao family holds absolute power in the Southern Han, while the Zhao family has to leave their homeland,” Qi Yuan said.

"Are you willing to accept this? You've ruined a leg," Liu Changqing said.

"When you're out in the world, you're bound to have this day eventually. Just surviving is a blessing," Qi Yuan replied.

"Mr. Ding's men sent a message a couple of days ago. The troops from Free City have withdrawn. You can go back now," Liu Changqing changed the subject.

"Perhaps Mr. Ding's decision not to withdraw his troops is the best outcome for Freedom City. Now Freedom City has been taken back from Wu's plate and put back on the table," Qi Yuan said with a wry smile.

"I don't understand Mr. Ding's plan. He wants to support the Tang Kingdom as the ruler of the world. Just because the Tang Kingdom and the Southern Han Kingdom do not invade each other, I can't go to the Southern Han Kingdom to kill that scoundrel Cao family." Liu Changqing's eyes were filled with anger.

"Peace, just for this brief peace. I hope it's all worth it," Qi Yuan sighed.

"Peace, huh, it's nothing more than a ceasefire. The Tang Dynasty's dream of unifying the nine provinces is just wishful thinking. Even if the other countries agree, it's just for show. In ten or twenty years, when the armies of the other countries are stronger, war will probably break out again," Liu Changqing said.

“In times of chaos, ordinary people just want to live a peaceful life, no matter who is the ruler,” Qi Yuan said.

"It's the same. Even if the Tang Kingdom becomes the supreme ruler, the people still can't live in peace and prosperity. Even if the Wu Kingdom becomes the supreme ruler, what difference will it make? The treacherous officials of the Southern Han Kingdom will still continue to prey on the people," Liu Changqing said.

“Yes, the world is bustling with activity, all for profit. How can the world be so peaceful?” Qi Yuan replied.

“Yes, the Cao family is only after profit, and I can’t let this go unpunished,” Liu Changqing said.

"Don't worry, Master Zhao is alright, and his family arrived in Wu ahead of schedule. It's already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. The Cao family is after me. Don't get involved anymore," Qi Yuan said.

“I’m already involved, and I must avenge this. Now I understand how you offended the Cao family back then. You robbed the rich to help the poor and ended up robbing the Cao family?” Liu Changqing asked.

Qi Yuan sighed, "The casino... because of one of the Cao family's casinos, a friend of mine died. So I asked another friend from the gambling world for help. We brought down the casino."

"What about your friend from the Thousand Gates sect? Is he alright?" Liu Changqing asked.

"He's dead. He died at the hands of the Cao family. Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. He was assassinated by the Cao family the day after the casino collapsed," Qi Yuan said dejectedly, his eyes filled with sadness.

"So all these years, the Cao family has been sending people to hunt you down," Liu Changqing said.

“That’s right, it was me who implicated you, causing your father-in-law to leave his hometown. Fortunately, Master Zhao was lucky and didn’t die at their hands,” Qi Yuan said.

"The Cao family really wants to control everything. Master Zhao only helped you hide your identity, and almost all the servants in your household were killed. They are truly despicable scoundrels," Liu Changqing said through gritted teeth.

"Master Zhao is alright now, so don't worry about him. Just focus on being a good general. There's no way you can manage everything in this world," Qi Yuan advised.

“But I promised Master Zhao that I would kill that scoundrel Cao,” Liu Changqing said.

“You’re still young, with a bright future ahead of you. It’s someone like me who deserves revenge. You’re still young, don’t act impulsively,” Qi Yuan said.

“Brother Qi, once you’ve recovered, let’s storm the Cao family together and take that traitor’s life,” Liu Changqing said.

"I can't stand up anymore," Qi Yuan said.

Liu Changqing glanced at Qi Yuan's wheelchair and fell silent.

“Brother Qi, you…” Liu Changqing didn’t know what to say.

"I'm already a cripple. Even if my injuries heal, I won't be able to stand up again." Qi Yuan smiled and said, "However, I still have to avenge this grudge. I won't rest in peace until the traitor Cao is eliminated."

Liu Changqing was silent for a while, then said, "Brother Qi, don't worry, I'll help you get revenge."

Qi Yuan smiled and said, "You should just focus on being a good general and avoid causing trouble. The Cao family is powerful and not so easy to deal with."

"I promised Master Zhao that I would kill that traitor Cao. I'm determined to avenge him," Liu Changqing said firmly.

Qi Yuan looked at Liu Changqing, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He knew Liu Changqing was a man of honor and loyalty, but he also knew that revenge was not a simple matter. He didn't want Liu Changqing to seek revenge for him, but he couldn't stop Liu Changqing from avenging Master Zhao, or rather, from avenging Master Zhao's servants.

"It's been over a month, and there's still no news from Luo Yifei?" Qi Yuan changed the subject.

"No, by the way, Luo Yifei's friend is about to go back. Do you want to go see him?" Liu Changqing asked.

"You mean the woman named Ye Xuehan and the man named Nantian that you encountered during your search that day? Weren't they with Mr. Ding's men?" Qi Yuan asked.