A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 50 Entering the Palace
Tie Ruyun was shocked. If Murong Wudi was not lying, and these four people had defected to Liu Xi, wouldn't everything she was doing be exposed to him? How ridiculous that she was still kept in the dark.

"Master Murong, is this matter absolutely true?" Tie Ruyun asked in a hoarse voice, though he already had his doubts.

No wonder I secretly contacted various parties. According to the methods of the Eastern Depot, they would have made some moves, but my journey has been unusually smooth. It seems that someone was helping me from behind. Now it seems that Liu Xi was indeed the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Iron Alliance Leader, these four have a long history of misdeeds. Only you are so honest as not to investigate further. Meng Zhongliu embezzled disaster relief funds and later, in order to evade the court's pursuit, he gave Liu Xi a huge sum of money, which saved his life. Zhao Qianhe, his nickname is quite good, 'Divine Traveler,' but to put it bluntly, he is a thief who once robbed sixteen wealthy households in succession, committing serious crimes. It is also because of Liu Xi's protection that he has been able to get away with it until now."

"Master Yuanyang is a hypocrite, but to become the sect leader, he relied on the power of the Eastern Depot to become Liu Xi's henchman; as for Ji Feng, hmph, this man is the most despicable and shameless, secretly committing all sorts of heinous acts, his misdeeds are numerous and countless."

Seeing Tie Ruyun's pale face, Murong Wudi continued, "Besides these four people, even if the rest are not related to Liu Xi, they have also planted people in the sect. Once they are out of control, the sect will have to change its leader. Alliance Leader Tie, tell me, is such an alliance worth my participation?"

Tie Ruyun was stunned for a long time. He had received such explosive news today, which made him feel deeply exhausted.

I have failed miserably as the leader of the martial arts alliance; I don't even have a single reliable person to trust as an ally.

"Master Murong, I apologize for disturbing you. Thank you for your kind words today. Farewell," Tie Ruyun said, too ashamed to stay any longer.

"Amitabha, Alliance Leader Tie, how have you been?" The South Sea Divine Nun appeared in the living room at that moment. Tie Ruyun saw the South Sea Divine Nun and his eyes lit up. "So the Divine Nun has been living in Murong Manor all along."

Tie Ruyun clasped his hands in a salute, indicating that he had not returned empty-handed this time. If he could get help from the South Sea Divine Nun, he would still have a chance to fight against Liu Xi.

Seeing that Tie Ruyun still hadn't given up, Murong Wudi had no choice but to explain the situation to the South Sea Divine Nun. After pondering for a while, the latter said to Tie Ruyun, "Alliance Leader Tie has a chivalrous heart and a tender spirit, which I deeply admire. Consider me part of the fight against Liu Xi."

Tie Ruyun was overjoyed and was about to express her gratitude when she suddenly heard Murong Wudi say, "Divine Nun, you have only just recovered, it's really..."

"What, is the Divine Nun injured?" Only then did Tie Ruyun notice that the South Sea Divine Nun's breathing was slightly unstable, clearly indicating that she had suffered internal injuries.

“The nun suffered considerable internal injuries from fighting Liu Xi before. Frequent fighting will only worsen her condition,” Murong Wudi worried, but seeing her resolute expression, he couldn’t bring himself to dissuade her.

"I see. If that's the case, then there's no need for you to rush. Let me select the other people first, and then I'll contact you. You should focus on healing your injuries first." Tie Ruyun didn't dare trouble the South Sea Nun to make the trip, and decided to ask her for help when she was ready to take action.

"Amitabha, then let's do as the Iron Alliance Leader wishes."

"Master Murong, Nun, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now," Tie Ruyun said, eager to return and deal with the traitor. After saying a few more words, she left the manor.

“Divine Nun, this is a Qi-Nourishing Pill that my brother asked me to give you. It will be good for your injuries,” Murong Wudi said, handing the porcelain bottle to the Divine Nun of the South Sea. The latter thanked him and accepted it.

"Does Young Master Xu still frequently go into seclusion?" Since moving back into Murong Manor, the South Sea Divine Nun had almost never seen him.

“My brother is not interested in these mundane matters, and I don’t want these things to distract him. Apart from teaching Zhong’er and the others, he spends most of his time in the secret chamber of the stone cave.”

Upon hearing this, the South Sea Divine Nun exclaimed in admiration, "Young Master Xu's martial arts are already unparalleled, yet he still diligently continues to practice. This is truly remarkable."

Murong Wudi stroked his beard, smiled without speaking, feeling full of confidence with his virtuous brother here.

江府
Jiang Qin, who has changed her name to Jiang Biehe, is having a pregnant woman sent to the countryside.

"Husband, are you really so heartless?" Jiang Liu cried, clutching Jiang Biehe's sleeve. She was so blind to have fallen for such a treacherous and heartless man.

"Let go!" Jiang Biehe forcefully pulled the woman's hands away and said sternly, "If you obediently follow my instructions, you might be able to save your life. Otherwise, you will only face death." Jiang Biehe was utterly ruthless in his desire to climb up to Liu Xi.

"Don't you even care about the child in my womb?" Jiang Liu felt a pang of sorrow.

"Hmph, it's getting late. You should take her to the countryside to settle down. The money I gave you is enough for you to spend." After saying that, he walked into the mansion without looking back.

Seeing Jiang Biehe's heartlessness, completely disregarding their marital bond, Jiang Liushi didn't cry out. Instead, with a sorrowful expression, she straightened up, boarded the carriage, and headed east, following the sound of the wheels rolling.

The carriage had just reached the outskirts of the city when a group of people with weapons blocked its way. Without saying a word, the newcomers killed all the escorts.

Jiang Liu looked at the villain, her face pale with fright, her body pressed against the carriage wall, her hands tightly covering her lower abdomen.

The thugs glanced at her, nodded to the people around them, then tied up Jiang Liushi and drove towards a mass grave.

In the dim light of night, a lone carriage sat in a graveyard, phosphorescent lights flickering intermittently, a cold wind whistling, and the howling of wolves echoing around, sending chills down one's spine.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Liu felt that she had no way to survive. She thought to herself that it was nothing if she died, but the child in her womb was about to be devoured by wolves before it even came into the world. She felt that God was being unfair and why he was torturing her like this.

The wolf howls grew closer and closer. Was she about to die? Just then, several miserable howls suddenly rang out outside. The wolf howls gradually faded into the distance. Jiang Liu heard footsteps getting closer and closer. A hand lifted the curtain, and in the moonlight, Jiang Liu saw that the person who came was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

Reaching out to untie the restraints, the middle-aged man said, "Madam Jiang, I have been ordered to come and rescue you. Do not be afraid."

Then she drove the carriage away from the cemetery. Jiang Liushi saw that the other party was no longer speaking. She thought to herself that she had been saved by this person, which was not a bad thing. Besides, she had suffered a series of blows in one day. No matter how bitter it was, how much more bitter could it be? With a sense of relief, she fell into a deep sleep due to exhaustion.

When Jiang Liushi woke up, she found herself in a small room, with no one around and her belongings on the table.

"What happened to that bitch?" Wang Hui asked fiercely, looking at the people kneeling below.

“Miss, Jiang Biehe secretly planned to send her away. In the end, we followed your instructions and sent her to the mass grave. After one night, she will probably have been eaten by wolves and there won’t even be any bones left. Miss, you can rest assured.”

"Okay, haha, Jiang Biehe, don't try to fool me. If it weren't for my godfather thinking you're still somewhat useful, I wouldn't even look at you," Wang Hui said with a look of disgust when she spoke of Jiang Biehe.

Ever since her godfather told her that he was going to marry her off to Jiang Biehe, she had been very unhappy. She had been living a very comfortable life because of Liu Xi's influence, and now she was going to marry an ungrateful man. It was really unpleasant. If her godfather hadn't made up his mind, she would never have agreed to it.

Jiang Biehe was planning a sneaky scheme to protect that vile woman, so Wang Hui decided to eliminate him completely, considering it a generous gift. He must be looking quite displeased now. Just thinking about this made Wang Hui feel a sense of satisfaction.

Just as she was feeling happy, someone came in from outside and said that the supervisor wanted her to come over.

Upon hearing that her godfather had come to invite her, Wang Hui hurriedly agreed and followed the young eunuch to the Eastern Depot.

"Daughter greets godfather," Wang Hui said respectfully, and Liu Xi nodded and asked her to sit down.

“Goddaughter, your wedding with Jiang Biehe is just around the corner. You need to rein in your temper after you get married, or you'll definitely suffer,” Liu Xi said calmly. This goddaughter was even more fiery than the others, with a capricious temperament. He wouldn't have said these words if it weren't to control Jiang Biehe. “With Godfather here, I'm not afraid of Jiang Biehe. If he betrays me, Godfather must stand up for me,” Wang Hui wasn't stupid and understood her godfather's meaning, so she immediately agreed.

“Even if my daughter gets married, she is still my daughter and will never forget my teachings.”

"Yes, your godfather's love for you hasn't been wasted. You're the one I love the most. On your wedding day, I'll make sure you have a grand and glorious occasion."

"Thank you, godfather."

After giving a few more instructions, Liu Xi dismissed her. Zhou Yan, who was standing nearby, whispered, "Master, yesterday Miss sent men to intercept and kill Jiang Biehe's wife, and sent her to a mass grave."

"Ha, my goddaughter is really ruthless. Well, it's not a big deal anyway, so let her be. The more she acts like this, the more at ease I feel."

Jiang Mansion Study
Jiang Biehe's face was gloomy. The people who escorted him yesterday had not returned yet. He had sent people to search for them, but there was no trace of them. It was as if they had vanished into thin air. Only the Eastern Depot had the ability to make him unable to find out who did it. Was this Liu Xi's way of giving him a warning?

I am still too weak now, and my life and death are completely in the hands of others. If my martial arts skills were as good as Liu Xi's, I wouldn't have to hide and live in constant fear.

Thinking of this, Jiang Biehe had a flash of inspiration, "Martial arts, I almost forgot about it, the Six Ren Divine Dice lost by the Yihua Palace."

He had once heard Jiang Feng mention that the Six Ren Divine Dice contained a peerless divine skill, the highest level of the Wedding Dress Divine Skill. Once mastered, even Yao Yue Lian Xing would be no match for him.

"Six Ren Divine Dice, I must have you," Jiang Biehe's eyes flashed with ruthlessness; this was his only chance.

The seventh day of the ninth lunar month is a sunny day, auspicious for marriage.
On the auspicious day of Jiang Biehe's marriage to the adopted daughter of the head of the Eastern Depot, everyone who received an invitation sent generous gifts, including some merchants and martial arts practitioners.

These were people Jiang Biehe rarely saw. They only attended because of Liu Xi, but it already made Jiang Biehe feel very honored. He frequently toasted and exchanged drinks with them.

As the moon rose high in the sky and the crowd dispersed, Jiang Biehe arrived at the bridal chamber, lifted the red veil, and saw his wife looking at him with a frosty expression. Jiang Biehe smiled and said, "Today is a joyous day, why are you unhappy, my wife? Have I neglected you in any way?" Jiang Biehe then grasped Wang Hui's hand.

"Jiang Biehe, let me tell you, from now on I'm in charge of this house. Don't try any tricks on me, or your godfather won't let you off the hook."

Wang Hui pulled her hand away from his, determined to seize control of the household on their wedding night. If Jiang Biehe dared to say a word against it, she would make him pay.

“Of course, it is most appropriate for you to manage the household, Madam. Here are all the deeds to my properties and land, as well as the fields in various places. Please keep them safe, Madam.” Jiang Biehe chuckled upon hearing this, then took out a gilded lacquer box and placed it in Wang Hui’s hand. The latter was taken aback, then looked at Jiang Biehe with gentle eyes.

Murong Manor Stone Cave Secret Chamber
"Have you remembered everything your master just told you?" Gu Xu said, looking at Murong Zhong and the other two.

"We've got it," they both said in unison.

"That's good, you can go now," Gu Xu waved his hand, signaling the two to leave.

"I wonder how things are going with Yihua Palace and Yan Nantian. My disciple is coming soon, and I hope you won't disappoint me."

Fourteen years later
"Shu'er, after you enter the palace, you must take good care of yourself," Murong Wudi instructed Murong Shu.

"Father, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. You should take care of your health." Murong Shu's entry into the palace this time can be said to have two reasons. One is that the emperor wanted the Murong family's wealth, and the other is that Murong Shu was considering the future of the Murong family. So she went with the flow and voluntarily entered the palace, and provided a generous dowry. The emperor saw that the Murong family was sensible, so he reciprocated by specially conferring on Murong Shu the title of Consort Shu, whose status was only below that of the Empress and the Noble Consort.

"You don't need to worry about your father here. The palace is not like home. You have to be careful in everything you do. Be especially careful of Liu Xi. If it's not necessary, don't get into a conflict with him."

"I understand, Father. Master has traveled far away and has not returned. I don't know when I will see him again. After I leave, please don't let your younger brother and sister relax." Murong Shu looked at a bright young girl.

Murong Xian held Murong Shu's hand, reluctantly saying, "Sister, please don't go."

"Xian'er, you've grown up now. You must listen to your father and Master Shenni, okay? Your sister will come to see you when she has time," Murong Shu said, rubbing Murong Xian's head.

"Okay, sister, I will practice martial arts hard and wait for you to come back."

"It's getting late, Father, Xian'er, I'm leaving." Murong Shu walked step by step onto the carriage. Murong Wudi and Murong Xian watched the carriage gradually disappear before turning back to the manor.

"Father, from now on I will practice martial arts with my master at the Compassionate Temple."

"Alright, I'll send someone to deliver all your things then," Murong Wudi said, having a daughter late in life, and he took whatever he wanted from Murong Xian.

"No need, the Compassionate Nunnery has everything we need. When my sister was training with our master, she wasn't so particular. Besides, martial arts training is hard enough; what if I can't resist the temptation?"
Besides, my brothers have been studying for several years longer than me. If I don't work even harder, there's really no hope left. When they come back, they'll laugh at me.

Upon hearing this, Murong Wudi chuckled and said, "Your brother dotes on you so much, how could he laugh at you? Alright, alright, whatever you say."

Murong Xian shook Murong Wudi's arm and said coquettishly, "Thank you, Father."

Ping'an Town

Gu Xu led Murong Zhong and the other person on a journey, and on their way back they made a special trip to this place.

"Master, what are we doing here?" Murong Zhong asked in confusion. The town looked dilapidated and lifeless.

"I'm going to take your junior sister away," Gu Xu said slowly.

"Junior sister? We actually have a junior sister," Murong Zhong and the other two exclaimed in surprise.

"Your junior sister's name is Jiang Yuyan..."

As Gu Xu walked, he spoke to them. When they reached a simple house, Gu Xu stopped and said, "Zhong'er, go knock on the door."

Murong Zhong stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. "Is anyone home?" After a while, he heard footsteps inside. With a creak, the door opened, revealing a beautiful woman with bright eyes and white teeth. Looking at Murong Zhong, Jiang Yuyan asked in confusion, "Who are you looking for?"

Just as Murong Zhong was about to speak, Gu Xu walked up. Jiang Yuyan's eyes widened, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Master!"

(End of this chapter)