Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 431 Snow is Good, People are Bad

It was the dead of winter, and as we moved further north, the temperature grew increasingly frigid. Not a single patch of green could be seen on the snow-covered plains; all that could be seen was a vast expanse of white.

A pack of hungry wolves roamed the desolate snowfield, their noses, covered in icy shards, probing the snow and sniffing left and right, hoping to find traces of their prey.

Crunch, crunch—

The wolves' ears suddenly perked up, they shook off some snow, raised their heads high, and looked warily towards the edge of the vast snowfield beyond the pass, where a black dot slowly approached from the snow curtain.

The wolves squinted, and as they drew closer, they realized that these were several wooden... human-made objects being pulled by several tall, powerful horses.

The wolf pack retreated a few steps, but scattered in all directions after the alpha wolf let out a low howl.

Every winter, wolf packs not only have to worry about food, but also about being hunted by humans... The snowfields are barren, and in the dead of winter, people can eat each other when they are starving, let alone wolves.

Horse-drawn carriages carrying goods such as tea and silk left compacted tracks in the snow. Every now and then, someone would lift the curtain, look out at the snow-covered plain, their delicate brows furrowed, and whisper among themselves.

"What if we get caught disguising ourselves as a smuggling caravan?" Su Qingqi asked, sounding a little guilty.

Shen Xiangge wasn't wearing shoes, just a pair of white socks, and comfortably stretched her beautiful body on the warm carriage blanket, casually saying:

“If we get caught, we’ll wipe out Mingdu. Don’t you see how many martial arts champions we have? One, two, three… five! Plus my husband and Xiao Yuanmu are here. Back when Luo Shuzhi besieged Wudamu, he couldn’t even muster this many people.”

Mu Li'er, dressed in white, sat opposite, holding a scroll of map in her hand. Upon hearing this, her tone couldn't help but carry a hint of disbelief.

"It takes Wumian's skill to unite the martial arts leaders from different factions."

The map was marked with different smuggling routes, which were naturally what the Prince of Yan had discovered over the years.

As the saying goes, "Man dies for wealth, birds die for food." Being stationed at the border, killing one batch of these smuggling caravans will only result in another batch... Forcibly suppressing them will only waste manpower and yield minimal results.

Therefore, the Prince of Yan did not conduct a thorough investigation, but merely investigated the methods of these smuggling caravans, so as to facilitate the planting of spies in the capital.

Using caravans as mobs isn't very efficient, and the Rong people will certainly be wary, but at least they're a spies, and you can never have too many.

Now, Zhao Wumian and his group disguised themselves as the secret merchant caravan and headed to Mingdu.

Zhao Wumian originally planned to travel light, taking Su Qingqi and Ziyi with him, the three of them and two horses, to bravely venture into the grasslands... But looking at the girls' expectant eyes, he really couldn't leave them at the border to wait for their husbands like statues.

Then let's go together. As Shen Xiangge said, if their whole family goes to the Ming capital, the Rong people should pray that they don't discover their secrets.

Otherwise, if this hole is exposed, the five martial arts champions will go on a killing spree in Mingdu, cutting down the grass and causing rivers of blood and piles of heads.

If one's identity is well concealed, there's no need to make such a big fuss... After all, killing tens of thousands of Rong people is pointless and would only exhaust one's own life.

Their mission wasn't to eradicate the Rong people; killing more people would just be futile... Only killing Uudam could truly determine the fate of the world.

"Gathering beauties from all over the world...that's the skill of the third-ranked scholar." Shen Xiangge poked her head out from under the bed, rested her hands behind her head, and smiled at Zhao Wumian, who was sitting in front of the carriage.
"Isn't that right, Zhao Tanhua?"

Zhao Wumian did not reply. He leaned back in front of the carriage, raised his hand to catch a few snowflakes, and watched the snow gradually melt into water droplets in his hand, lost in thought.

This snow is like the distant twilight of last night, white.

However, Zhao Wumian overlooked Yuan Mu's martial arts skills, so even with Zhao Wumian's physique, he couldn't help but feel some pain. But the sensation was so intense that he couldn't help but indulge in it day and night.

He just didn't know why Yuanmu didn't want to go on a proper journey to the End of the Day... He had a feeling that Yuanmu wanted to give him a surprise, something more elaborate.

It's rare to have participated in two raids, one with the help of my aunt and the other with the help of Yuanmu. It seems there are even wilder ones to come... Our Xiao family really has its own way of doing things.

"Zhao Tanhua? Zhao Wumian!"

Shen Xiangge's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction, which suddenly brought Zhao Wumian back to his senses.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

He turned to the side and looked back at Shen Xiangge's charming little face peeking out of the window.

Shen Xiangge pursed her lips, raised her hand to catch a few snowflakes from the sky, glanced at Zhao Wumian with her almond-shaped eyes, exuding charm, then looked away, lowered her eyes to examine the snowflakes in her palm, and said in a sweet voice like a nightingale in a green forest:
"What are you spacing out for? Are you still thinking about Xiaoxue from last night?"

"Not bad... The snow is heavy outside the pass, but it's very beautiful. Seeing the scenery reminds me of someone."

Zhao Wumian looked away with a hint of helplessness. His Xiao family consisted of four people, but compared to Miss Shen and the Empress Dowager, they were clearly a step below in status.

"Then come in."

"What?"

"Let's watch the snow together. The snowfield inside the pass is not like the one outside the pass. It is rare to see such a vast snowfield."

Zhao Wumian loosened the reins and let the horse run on its own. He bent over, lifted the curtain, and climbed into the warm carriage.

The disguised caravan was, of course, more than one carriage. Inside this carriage sat Mu Li'er, Zi Yi, Su Qingqi, and Shen Xiangge.

The seats were covered with fluffy blankets, a heater was placed in the corner, and a small table was set up in the middle, with some fruits and snacks on it to satisfy cravings.

Although they were heading to the heart of the grasslands beyond the Great Wall, their living conditions were by no means difficult... Of course, if someone had cultivated their martial arts to such a level that they couldn't even find a way to make themselves comfortable and prosperous while roaming the martial world, what would be the point of practicing martial arts?
It's not like I'm some kind of ascetic practicing to strengthen my will.

Su Qingqi smiled happily as she saw Zhao Wumian approaching, and patted the blanket beside her, saying, "Sit here."

Zhao Wumian sat with his Miss Su. He was tall and big, so it was a bit cramped, but Su Qingqi enjoyed the feeling of being close to her lover.

Her small face rested on Zhao Wumian's shoulder, her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, as she whispered her innermost thoughts to him, "If we go to the grasslands, we can kill Uudam..."

Before Su Qingqi could finish speaking, Shen Xiangge, who was sitting opposite her, clapped her little feet, clad in white socks, on the small table in the middle.

The skin on his calves, visible through white socks, was even whiter than the snow that occasionally drifted in through the window.

The group looked over in confusion, only to see Shen Xiangge smile slightly at Zhao Wumian:
"Husband, stop being so affectionate with Miss Su...come and watch the snow with me."

Shen Xiangge raised her hand and gently lifted her red skirt, "Look~"

From Zhao Wumian's perspective, there was no need to specifically look at it; he could see everything clearly.

Her skin was smooth and fair, as white as snow, like a snowfield in the palm of her hand, pure and flawless.

The snowfield is so white!

Zhao Wumian's expression stiffened slightly, but then he saw Shen Xiangge twirling her underpants between her fingers before throwing them directly at Zhao Wumian's face. She then raised her head in a queen-like voice and said:
"I have never known what my husband likes, and even if I asked you, you probably wouldn't tell me... Since that's the case, I might as well take the initiative and try it myself."

Just as Zhao Wumian raised his hand to remove the warm cloth from his face, he saw Shen Xiangge wink at him mischievously.

"Tonight, I'll give it a try and see if my husband will be more enthusiastic than usual... If he is, then he naturally likes the Su family's daughter; if not, then he still likes me... Oh, right."

Shen Xiangge remembered something, raised her hand to close the carriage window, changed her posture, and then climbed onto the small table in the middle like a cat, getting closer to Zhao Wumian and breathing hot air at him.

"Why wait? With both of us here, this is a perfect night... It's a good opportunity to test whether you prefer me or Miss Su..."

"Shen Xiangge!" Seeing Shen Xiangge acting so oblivious to everyone else, Su Qingqi immediately hissed at her like a cat with its fur standing on end.

"It's broad daylight in the middle of nowhere, are you some kind of female ghost who sucks people's life force?!"

"I only take my husband's attention. I feel disgusted if any other man is within a foot of me..."

Mu Li'er glanced at the two girls arguing, then looked away, propped her cheek up, and sighed helplessly.

I should have gone to Xiangzhu's carriage... Oh no, the nun and Xiangzhu sit together. If I had gone there, I would have inevitably been arguing with the nun...

Zi Yi and Mu Li'er had almost the same reaction, feeling that these little girls were different from their older sisters...they were really full of energy.

She knew Zhao Wumian was playing with the girls last night, but she didn't dare to get close. She couldn't sleep all night and was still a little sleepy.

Unlike the noise of the carriage, the back carriage was peaceful and serene.

Luo Xiangzhu lifted the curtain and curiously glanced at the carriage in front, thinking to herself that Qingqi and Miss Shen had a really good relationship. No matter what happened, they could always bicker happily.

She withdrew her gaze and drank tea with the nuns, Xiao Lengyue, and Xiao Yuanmu in the carriage, listening to their casual conversation.

Xiao Lengyue held Xiao Yuanmu's small hand, then carefully examined her delicate face, asking incessantly:

"Wumian managed to salvage quite a few of these Blood Clotting Pills, but we only have about a dozen left in stock... How long can one last?"

"If it only works for a few days, you two will suffer again in about a month. Don't let your sleeplessness turn into that of a child..."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yunshu raised an eyebrow slightly, imagining Zhao Wumian's appearance as a child, and couldn't help but chuckle softly, but quickly suppressed her smile.
"If he turned into a child, wouldn't it be nice to see how arrogant he would still be..."

"It's quite nice. Auntie actually misses him a little..." Before Xiao Lengyue could finish speaking, she suddenly remembered that with Zhao Wumian's personality, even if he really became a child, he would definitely want to be close to her whether there was a reason or not.

More than a decade ago, the two had an ordinary relationship, and the aunt and nephew got along well.

If Zhao Wumian were to revert to his previous state now, wouldn't that be like a small horse pulling a big one...?

Xiao Lengyue shook her head repeatedly, then changed her mind, "Let's forget it, Auntie doesn't want him to shrink at all."

Xiao Yuanmu had no idea what she was thinking. He simply closed his eyes and focused his inner vision. After a moment, her delicate body, which appeared to be around twenty years old, began to shrink slowly again. Then, to the astonishment of the others, it slowly grew larger again.

It can grow big or small, and can turn back time to be young anytime, anywhere. Luo Xiangzhu couldn't help but show an envious look, thinking that this trick was too amazing.

But Xiao Yuanmu was only using this to assess her internal injuries. A moment later, she reverted to her twenty-year-old appearance and smiled slightly. "It's alright. This blood-coagulating crystal is of excellent quality and has a strong medicinal effect. It can keep us safe for at least two months... enough for him and me to use for a year."

"One year...that's good." Xiao Lengyue breathed a sigh of relief, then said coldly:

"Once we return from Mingdu, we'll rest in the capital and then immediately head to the Western Regions. Five or six martial arts champions will be sent to suppress them, and they'll beat Shentu Buzui to a pulp!"

Shen Tu Bu Zui... Leader of the Western Regions Holy Sect.

Although Zhao Wumian didn't often mention him, Xiao Lengyue always remembered that it was this guy who got the news about Wen Wuzheng and teamed up with Ding Jingcheng to launch a sneak attack on Zhao Wumian back then.

This is what caused him to lose his memory for more than half a year, and it is also the source of this series of events.

If it weren't for him, Zhao Wumian would never have had any involvement with Su Qingqi and Luo Chaoyan, and would never have formed a romantic relationship with them.

Although it seems that the two groups are currently at peace and harmonious thanks to Zhao Wumian's mediation, if you really think about it, Shen Tu Buzui could still earn half a month's salary.

But one thing at a time, this grudge must be avenged.

Guan Yunshu heard the noise from the carriage ahead gradually subside, and a faint, unusual sound seemed to emerge from the wind and snow.

It seems that Zhao Wumian plunged headfirst into the snowfield and rolled around in it.

Guan Yunshu remained expressionless, silently rose, bent down, and stepped out of the carriage. Using her light-footed skill, she brushed past the snow and wind, arriving at the front of the carriage.

"Stop arguing and keep practicing Rong language, otherwise you'll give yourselves away the moment you open your mouths when you get to Mingdu..."

With Wu Kui's photographic memory, learning a language would obviously be very easy for him.

Before going, everyone had to serve as the young nun's attendant... This was something they had agreed upon beforehand.

But as soon as Guan Yunshu lifted the carriage curtain, she saw Zi Yi rush out with a flushed face and a light bite on her lower lip. She covered her chest with both hands and hurriedly hid in the back of the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Shen Xiangge was straddling Zhao Wumian's lap, her arms around her lover's neck, her pretty face slightly flushed.

Su Qingqi and Mu Li'er, their dresses half-length, revealing their fair and delicate shoulders, were also huddled together.

Obviously, the argument escalated and went off on a different topic.

Guan Yunshu's eyes widened, her pretty face flushing uncontrollably. She had thought they were just hugging and cuddling, but she never expected them to actually...

However, with Shen Xiangge involved, this doesn't seem entirely unexpected...

Guan Yunshu quickly closed the carriage curtain again, turned around and was about to run away, but before she could even curse, a hand reached out from inside the curtain and pulled her into the carriage as well.

Clang—

A few soft struggling sounds came from inside the carriage, then quickly fell silent again. The snow-covered plain jolted the carriage, which seemed to sway and tremble slightly, sometimes rising and sometimes falling.

Xiao Yuanmu peeked out of the window, her pretty face slightly narrowed, then suddenly remembered last night, and her willow eyebrows furrowed unconsciously.

Zhao Wumian didn't lie to her...

Even with her martial arts skills and willpower, she found it unbearable.

According to my master, the main reason lies with Zhao Wumian.

It wasn't that he didn't want to cherish her, but it was her innate constitution, and it was difficult to change.

We can't really turn Zhao Wumian into a child, can we?

Meanwhile, in Mingdu, the snow had stopped, and the rare good weather allowed rays of sunlight to fall through the thick clouds.

The magnificent capital city, draped in silver, reflected a hazy, pale golden glow under the sunlight.

On the South-Looking Tower, the next Grand Preceptor, Canglang Khan, dressed in black, stood before the railing. Beyond the city walls of Mingdu lay an endless expanse of snow-covered plains.

There were military troops training on horseback, and smuggling caravans from the Central Plains, cautiously making their way into the Ming capital.

The fact that Canglang Khan was chosen by Uudam to be the next national advisor speaks volumes about his exceptional martial arts skills, and his intuition is naturally far more accurate than that of ordinary martial arts champions.

For some reason, he has been restless and unable to sleep at night these days.

It was as if he were five or six years old, among a pack of wolves, and when he caught prey, he was the first to rush up and tear at the raw meat, and was being fiercely stared at by the alpha wolf.

In a wolf pack, only the alpha wolf is entitled to enjoy the prey first.

Although he quickly became the alpha wolf, he would never forget the feeling of being constantly threatened and terrified.

Canglanghan didn't know where this feeling of palpitation came from.

Tap tap tap————

Someone walked up behind me, dressed in plain clothes, with an unremarkable appearance... He was a man from the Central Plains.

The man bowed respectfully, handed over the text message, and said:

"News from Yagu Pass."

"Yagu Pass? Our army has suffered a crushing defeat; what noteworthy intelligence could possibly be found there?"

For decades, the imperial court and the grasslands have been locked in a struggle, with each side infiltrating the other's territory, planting spies, and the other refusing to back down... Therefore, it is not surprising that there are Rong people's spies at Yagu Pass.

Did the Ming capital not have any spies for the imperial court? Of course it did.

Canglanghan opened the text message and immediately frowned.

The Prince of Yan had eliminated many of his spies at Yagu Pass, and this one was only of average rank, unable to gather any useful information. He had only noticed signs of people living in the Prince of Yan's residence and felt something was amiss, which is why he sent a letter here.

Besides the maids, who else lives in the Prince of Yan's mansion?
Even the King of Yan himself didn't live there.

No one knows who this spy is, but anyone who can live there must be either rich or noble. After a little inquiry, the people inside the pass guessed that it was Marquis Weiming, the Prince of Yan, or even the Empress in disguise.

"Could it be Zhao Wumian?" Canglanghan muttered to himself.

The man from the Central Plains behind him hesitated for a moment, a hint of fear creeping into his eyes.

"That Marquis Weiming, he kills wherever he goes, he has single-handedly shattered the martial arts world of the Central Plains, he is proficient in all kinds of weapons, swords, spears and halberds... If he lives in the Prince of Yan's mansion, he can't be here to see the snow at the border, can he?"

"I don't know, but Zhao Wumian will come to Mingdu sooner or later to search for the Imperial Seal of the State, it's just a matter of sooner or later..." Canglang Khan hesitated for a moment, and just to be on the safe side, he said:
"Recently, strict checks have been conducted on those entering the capital..."

But for some reason, as soon as he said this, Canglanghan felt a sudden unease, as if he had done something terribly wrong.

He was suddenly baffled. Could it be that he had also developed the 'fear of sleep' that the Rong people of Mingdu had been talking about lately?
Are you kidding me? He's never even met Zhao Wumian.

But the person behind him with true insomnia suddenly felt his legs go weak. "If it really is Zhao Wumian who has come to Mingdu, then if we find out his identity, won't we be dead in the street the next moment?"

Canglanghan frowned and glanced at him.

The man immediately dared not say anything more and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"As ordered..."

----------

The Empress's group exploded.

Now the Tai Xuan Palace Dynasty has been established.

Alas, the distant twilight, alas, the morning smoke.

Those who want to join the group, please add Tai Xuan Palace directly.

Logically speaking, the Empress's group hadn't been discussing anything sensitive, so the sudden uproar was most likely due to a report from an insider.

When the Empress's fan group was first created, the fan value was set very low, and it was later raised, so it's not surprising that it's a mixed bag.

The timing is a bit tricky. Yesterday, someone posted a comment on the book review section, admitting to reading pirated copies and saying, "So what if I read pirated copies? It's disgusting." After that, they quickly deleted their comment, and I couldn't even scold them.

I guessed he came from Tieba, so I created a Tieba account and went to check it out. Sure enough, he was boasting about his achievements.

I gave him a piece of my mind.

Then today the group chat was bombarded with messages.

Hahahaha.

There's no evidence, but the timing is rather delicate.

But I had a good time venting (laughs).

I just apologize to everyone who was lurking in the group.

Sorry, I was so focused on venting my anger that I neglected the feelings of the other kids.

Once I finish writing, if the Tai Xuan Palace group is full, I'll create a full subscription group!

(End of this chapter)