Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 457 Loyal and Courageous Prince Dingyuan

The next day at dawn, they went to worship the fire city.

Springtime passes in the blink of an eye, barely visible in the vast desert of the Western Regions, yet it still leaves a trace of springtime in this largest city in the Western Regions.

Baihuo City is located in the first oasis in the desert, with clear blue waters and sky. Date palm trees tower into the clouds, resembling fluffy feather fans. From above, it is a vast expanse of green, except for a patch of yellow sand in the center of the oasis, which is round in shape.

A circular city... the City of Fire Worship.

Two towering city walls encircled the city from the outside. On the outer wall, soldiers, wearing sun-protective cloths on their armor and carrying curved swords at their waists, patrolled back and forth, gazing at the scattered buildings of the outer city.

The laborers, wrapped in tattered cloth for sun protection, used ladders to pick the green leaves from the date palm trees, which were excellent materials for weaving baskets, making roofs, sunshades, and so on.

Some beggars lay on the sand, holding broken bowls in their hands, hoping to get a bowl of water to drink.

The guards withdrew their gaze, occasionally glancing back at the inner palace with envious eyes.

The city of Zoroastrianism is divided into three areas by two walls: the outer city, the inner city, and the Zoroastrian temple at the very center.

The people living in the three areas were clearly divided, with obvious class differences: the temple was noble, the inner city was rich, and the outer city was poor and lowly.

Countless camel caravans, stretching from the distant edge of the desert, arrive in a single line, carrying wind and sand.

At the outer city gate, people thronged and the market was bustling. Those who couldn't afford to rent shops in the inner city would set up a piece of cloth, sit cross-legged, and hawk their wares along the street.

"Steel ore!"

"Camel saddle!"

The three of them lined up to enter the city amidst the commotion at the outer city gate.

The leader was dressed in a blue robe, wrapped in a pure white cloak, and wearing a hood. He carried a sword in one hand and held the reins in the other. A strand of white hair hung down in front of his eyes under the hood.

His upright posture and magnificent horse attracted the attention of many pedestrians along the street. However, Baihuo City was the largest city in the Western Regions, a gathering place for heroes and guests from all over the world. Such Jianghu people were not uncommon, and no one paid them much attention.

Zhao Wumian ignored him, only slightly raising his eyes to gaze through the outer city wall at the Fire Worship Temple overlooking the entire city.

This palace was built tall and majestic, like a dragon coiled in the western region, dominating the vast yellow sands.

Luo Chaoyan tugged at his sleeve, and Zhao Wumian finally looked away.

Someone was begging on the street, and he casually tossed them a reward, then glanced at them.

This outer city was clearly the slum of the city of Baihuo. Along the way, there were many beggars, most of whom couldn't even get a drink of water.

Corpses are buried in the yellow sand from time to time.

The west wind is cool.

After queuing all the way to the city gate, Meng Po paid the deposit for entry. Only then did the guard raise his hand to block his way, sizing him up and down, and speaking in the Central Plains Mandarin:

"A martial arts practitioner from the Central Plains?"

Zhao Wumian nodded slightly.

The garrison commander added, "Worshiping Fire City is not like the barbarian lands beyond our borders. Be more discreet. If you kill someone in the street, you'll be in a lot of trouble."

It is unclear whether this person's mention of "barbarian lands beyond the borders" refers to the surrounding Western Regions or the Central Plains.

Zhao Wumian didn't bother to reply and led his horse into the city.

The inner city was much cleaner than the outer city. The roads were paved with white stone bricks, the material of which was unknown, and they had turned a white-brown color over time. The windows of the houses on both sides were mostly adorned with flowers and various plants.

At first glance, Zhao Wumian thought he had come to the wrong place... Was this the Western Regions?

"In the Western Regions, water, trees, flowers, and grass are all rare. Those who can live in the inner city are at least moderately wealthy, and if they have the leisure, they will all grow some things..."

Meng Po, leading the camel, casually introduced the place before turning to a shop on the street. She took out several unopened water bottles from the camel's saddlebag and handed them to the shopkeeper.

She bought several camel legs, distributed them to a few people, and then ate them in front of her own camel.

Zhao Wumian took a bite; the outer layer was crispy, but the juice burst out as soon as he bit into it. It was also topped with many spices he had never seen before, giving it a unique flavor compared to the cuisine of the Central Plains.

"Are all these spices from foreign trade?" Luo Chaoyan asked curiously, examining the camel's legs.

As the emperor of Dali, she must have wanted to bring it to the Central Plains.

These spices must also exist in the Central Plains... but they are all smuggled in, and ordinary people can't afford them.

"A specialty of the Western Regions".

Meng Po gave a brief reply. As a martial arts champion, she had a large appetite and quickly finished her meal. She then held the bones between her fingers and waved them in front of Zhao Wumian's white horse mouth.

The posture was casual, yet this act of feeding had a strangely provocative quality to it.

The fact that she specifically fed Zhao Wumian's horse was clearly an implication that she was seducing Zhao Wumian and having an affair.

Luo Chaoyan didn't care about such details. After considering for a moment, she smiled at Zhao Wumian and said:
"The Western Regions have mines and spices. It's a bit chaotic, but if managed properly, there are many benefits..."

As she spoke, Luo Chaoyan began to ponder to herself again, but who should be allowed to treat this? There were few people in the court with this experience, and the person's martial arts skills also had to be high, otherwise they would not be able to suppress this Valley of Villains.

Zhao Wumian then looked at Meng Po and asked, "Did you just use water to buy camel meat?"

"Hmm." Meng Po took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and slowly wiped her lips. Her soft, pink lips were faintly visible under the handkerchief, making one's mouth water.

"This is the case in most years. The Western Regions are short of water, so the Fire Worship Ceremony is held four times a year. This year it is said to be to ensure the safety of the Eastern Expedition, but in reality, it also has the intention of praying for rain."

"Water is the real hard currency in the Western Regions, even in Baihuo City... It's just that the value of water is somewhat devalued. If it were outside, five catties of water could buy a human life."

"Oh? How much is my head worth?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Po immediately burst into laughter, her fingertips subtly scratching the back of Zhao Wumian's hand.

"As long as it's my water, won't I just sell the Marquis's life?"

Zhao Wumian had never drunk Meng Po soup, so he truly didn't know what it tasted like...

Anyway, the Empress of Dali was very happy.

The imperial tutor's fragrance gradually intensified, likely due to his childhood exposure to poisonous plants and flowers.

It was even beneficial to his physique... It was too poisonous, and instead became nourishment for Zhao Wumian's constitution.

Snapped.

Luo Chaoyan slapped Meng Po's hand away and glared at her.

This vixen is increasingly disregarding them. How can you be so brazen as to seduce men?
Ji Zihuai didn't care about that; she was just focused on eating meat. Feeling a bit greasy, she tugged at Zhao Wumian's sleeve, asking her husband to buy her a naan bread to eat with it.

Meng Po gave a soft snort, losing interest, and then asked in a low voice, "You still have two women in the City of Fire Worship... Do you know where they are?"

“Little White Snake is with them. As soon as we enter the city, Little White Snake will be able to smell my scent.” Zhao Wumian approached, holding a naan bread.

"Why didn't you bring your white bird?"

"It's too hot in the Western Regions; it's a snow owl and can't stand it."

After a few words, people on the streets and alleys began to wave to them.

Wrapped in a pure white cloak, with a sword at her waist, her clothes were full and shapely, yet she was petite and charming, with delicate branches bearing abundant fruit... It was Su Qingqi.

Xiao Yuanmu was taller and more slender.

The group walked into the alley.

……

The magnificent Zoroastrian temple was somewhat deserted. The gardens were numerous and colorful, but with the Zoroastrian festival approaching, the defenses were tight, and guards patrolled in all directions.

But the sentries only serve a deterrent purpose. To truly defend the temple, one still needs to observe the hidden sentries from all sides. Nevertheless, the passing guards still added a sense of solemnity to the temple.

From time to time, members of the church dressed in fine clothes would stroll through the garden... all of them were wealthy and powerful people in the city, and they would talk in hushed tones.

"Counting the days, it has been April in the Western Regions without rain. This is the first time King Dingyuan has held a sacrificial ceremony this year. I hope it will be a good start."

"This so-called sacrifice is just to fool ordinary believers. They're not immortals. Whether it rains or not depends on the will of the fire god..."

"It's good that it's not raining. Water prices have been rising recently, and my water transport business in Sichuan is now making much more profit than in previous years."

"Hehe, congratulations..."

A figure flashed by in the garden.

Wrapped in a cloak, Xiao Yuanmu nimbly hid in the shadows of the eaves, watching the followers with a slight frown.

She knew that the Prince of Dingyuan they were talking about was actually Shentu Buzui.

The Western Regions were originally part of the imperial territory, and were governed by a founding military hero... This military hero was Shen Tu Bu Zui's grandfather, the first King of Dingyuan, and the only king of a different surname in the Great Li Dynasty.

After recovering the Western Regions, Emperor Hong Tiangou was preoccupied with fighting with Uudam and had no time to attend to the Western Regions, which is why he gradually lost control of the Western Regions.

After the Hongtian Dynasty came to an end, the three-year Jingnan Campaign followed, throwing the court into chaos. The Western Regions then took the opportunity to completely break away from the control of the court, establish their own warlords, and sharpen their swords to attack the Central Plains.

When Zhao Wumian was first enfeoffed, he also wanted the title of Marquis of Dingyuan, but Luo Chaoyan refused to grant it... This was partly the reason. What kind of scoundrel is Shen Tu Buzui that he dares to place the title 'Dingyuan' on Zhao Wumian?
Luo Shuzhi's eagerness to purge the Prince of Jin was inevitably influenced by the Western Regions... After all, the Western Regions and the Western Liang and Jin territories are adjacent, and the Prince of Jin's strategic position is too important. If Shen Tu Buzui were to ally with the Prince of Jin, the court would have to hand over a large part of its territory.

Although Shen Tu Bu Zui is now the leader of the Holy Sect, the title of Prince Dingyuan still holds deep significance in people's hearts... After all, with this title, sending troops now can be justified under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials".

In fact, Shen Tu Bu Zui's eastern expedition was indeed ostensibly to "purge the court of corrupt officials."

Who should be cleansed?
Zhao Wumian, I suppose.

The rebels of Tai Xuan Palace used some unknown seductive arts to seduce the Empress of Da Li into bed and even marry her, thus disrupting the court.

Does this empire belong to the Luo family, or to the Xiao family of the Tai Xuan Palace?

In fact, Shen Tu Bu Zui's excuse was very clever. After all, who in the Central Plains didn't know the intricate relationship between Zhao Wumian and Tai Xuan Palace?
It's just that Zhao Wumian's achievements were too great, his martial arts skills were too high, and his army was strong and well-equipped, so no one dared to mention it openly.

Moreover, the Empress of Dali is now truly infatuated with her husband. If Zhao Wumian were to ask for the throne, the Empress would definitely help him plot it.

Thinking about it this way, Shentu Buzui really does seem to be a 'loyal and righteous King Dingyuan'.

Xiao Yuanmu couldn't help but laugh when he thought of this.

For some reason, Shen Tu Bu Zui did not reveal the Imperial Seal of the State, and it is unknown whether he realized that it was a fake.

As Xiao Yuanmu pondered, he made his way towards the center of the temple, where he overheard spies monitoring the Western Regions reporting to a high-ranking official.

"The area around the Western Regions is just as chaotic as it is now. However, Moyan Post Station, which should have its own rules of the martial arts world, is inexplicably deserted this morning when someone went there and found that nearly a hundred people in the post station had died violently, with no survivors."

"Oh? Which outcast is he, who doesn't even abide by the rules of the martial world... If he can kill every last one of the people at Moyan Post Station today, he can storm the Holy Temple tomorrow."

"I don't know, but the Pavilion Master of Chihuang Pavilion was also near Moyan Post Station at the time, so she must have known."

Where is she now?

"Not yet converted to Christianity."

"Send someone to urge them on. The Fire Worship Ceremony is imminent, and we cannot allow anyone to disturb us. Although the sect leader's strength is unparalleled, he is still unable to be in two places at once... Go down."

"Yes."

Xiao Yuanmu, hiding in the shadows, listened for a while and thought to himself that this must be Zhao Wumian's doing... He has probably already met Meng Po.

She frowned inwardly, wondering who had given him this strange habit. Of all the women in the martial arts world, he was particularly drawn to the femme fatale.

The most beautiful woman in the martial arts world, and also the most enchanting woman in the Central Plains, Xiao Yuanmu watched as the person in high position got up and left, and silently followed.

In recent days, Xiao Yuanmu has been gathering intelligence in Baihuo City and has learned that this place is the 'Lihuo Palace', which is the Holy Sect's intelligence agency responsible for supervising the Western Regions.

This person is the Palace Master of Li Huo Palace, whose status in the Holy Sect is only second to Meng Po, Shen Tu Bu Zui, and Ding Jing Cheng.

It's simply because he wasn't a martial arts champion and his martial arts skills were too weak.

Incidentally, Meng Po is in charge of the 'Blazing Phoenix Pavilion,' hence the title 'Blazing Phoenix Pavilion Master.' She is specifically responsible for intelligence gathering, which is why Meng Po frequently travels to the Central Plains.

The entire Blazing Phoenix Pavilion is populated by women... There is no one whose identity is easier to uncover than a woman's.

As a result, Meng Po, while probing, ended up being seduced by the Marquis of Weiming from the Central Plains... Alas, it's probably not long before this Lord of the Blazing Phoenix Pavilion will also be tested...

Xiao Yuanmu shook his head slightly, clearing his mind of distractions, and quietly followed.

Seeing that the Palace Master of Li Huo Palace was in an ordinary study, surrounded by sentries and heavily guarded, it was probably the residence of Shen Tu Bu Zui.

Xiao Yuanmu listened intently, but even with her five senses, she couldn't hear anything, concluding that the place was specially soundproofed.

Although she was skilled in martial arts, without the jade pendant, she was still inferior to Zhao Wumian in terms of concealment.

Shen Tu Bu Zui was, after all, a martial arts master of the same level, a top expert in the martial arts world. Even if her martial arts were slightly weaker than hers, the weakness would be limited.

Therefore, she did not overestimate herself. She quietly slipped out of the blind spot of the sentry and made her way to the outside of the study. Holding her breath, she gracefully swayed like a willow in the air and floated in front of the window, hiding in the shadows and closing her eyes to sense her surroundings.

Faint conversations could be heard coming from inside the house.

"Master, someone at Huangsha Post Station brazenly claims to want to take your life. He is young, but has a full head of white hair... Could it be Zhao Wumian?"

"It would be best if Zhao Wumian could come; it would be like catching a turtle in a jar..."

Shen Tu Bu Zui's voice didn't quite match his name; it was young yet exuded a noble air. To an ordinary person, it would sound like the voice of an arrogant prince.

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into complete silence for some unknown reason.

Xiao Yuanmu frowned inwardly. Suddenly, a sense of foreboding arose in her heart, and a chill ran down her spine.

Clang—

Xiao Yuanmu, with the Wuhen Blade at his waist, suddenly drew it from its sheath. The most orthodox Wanyue String technique was unhesitatingly aimed behind him, a cold glint in his eyes, neither dazzling nor sharp, only a cold and aloof light.

The swordsmanship was solitary, the blade flashed in solitude, yet the hidden killing intent within was something no martial artist in the world dared to underestimate.

"what?"

The newcomer seemed slightly surprised and let out a soft exclamation, but did not make any big movements. He simply raised his hand casually, and the energy in his palm struck the weakest point of the knife.

clang!
A piercingly harsh metallic clang suddenly rang out, and cracks instantly appeared on the walls of the study. A cold glint followed, shattering the walls without a sound, yet the sword had already reached Xiao Yuanmu's heart.

However, Xiao Yuanmu had extensive combat experience. As soon as she drew her sword, she used her embroidered shoes to step on the wall for leverage. Her top-notch explosive power allowed her to shoot dozens of feet away and leave the temple in the blink of an eye.

Her dress fluttered in the wind, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air. Only after she had gone far away did the sonic boom arrive, making a soft 'bang' sound in the air.

Crash---

At this moment, the study collapsed with a loud crash, startling the sentries and patrolling guards around it who rushed over immediately.

A handsome young man, dressed in a python robe and looking no more than twenty years old, stood on the rubble of the study, holding the demon-slaying sword specially bestowed upon him by the Hongtian Emperor, gazing in the direction where Xiao Yuanmu had left.

"Your Highness, what is this...?" the sentry asked in surprise.

This young man in the python robe, a handsome and noble swordsman, was the culprit who nearly killed Zhao Wumian and caused him to lose his memory.

The loyal and righteous King Dingyuan was not guilty of the crime of Shentu.

Shen Tu Bu Zui pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Wan Yuexian… Xiao Yuanmu… if she comes to the Western Regions, then Xiao Yuankong will naturally be there too…”

"Your Majesty?"

"It's nothing more than a friend coming from afar... nothing to worry about." Shen Tu Bu Zui sheathed his sword, smiled slightly, and turned to leave.

"Thieves have infiltrated the temple, aren't you going out to search for them?"

"Even if we find them, they are no match for us. Since they have come to Fire Worship City, they will meet me sooner or later. When that happens, it will only be a matter of whose sword is faster. The Fire Worship Festival is imminent, so there is no need to waste manpower and resources. Go down."

"Yes……"

After a few brief words, Shen Tu Bu Zui drew his sword and left.

Outside the temple, Xiao Yuanmu naturally wouldn't fight Shen Tu Buzui in a dangerous place, especially since... there seemed to be a master whose martial arts were at least on par with hers hidden inside the temple.

Who could have bypassed her senses and gotten within three zhang of her before she could even vaguely detect them?

Xiao Yuanmu frowned slightly. There must be many old monsters in the martial arts world today, but the only one stronger than her is Ji Yingshi, who may have ascended to immortality.

Does that mean there's only one candidate left... Uudam?

Could it be him?

As Xiao Yuanmu pondered, he had already swept over the inner city wall and gracefully descended, lost in thought.

But just as she was about to touch the ground, she fell into a man's arms.

Warm, familiar, and generous.

The most enchanting woman in the martial arts world, Xiao Yuanmu, looked like a young girl, being carried in the arms of a man in a blue robe... The two stood in the alley, with no one around.

Xiao Yuanmu remained expressionless and glanced sideways.

Zhao Wumian lowered his head to look at her and said softly:
"Why didn't you wait for me before going off to make your way in the world?"

"Since you're just idling around anyway... instead of finding something to do, are you perhaps thinking you're having a good time lying on Meng Po's belly?"

Xiao Yuanmu hooked her arm around her lover's neck, a smile playing on her lips.

Zhao Wumian lowered his head and kissed his childhood sweetheart's moist pink lips.

boo~
Xiao Yuanmu did not resist, but closed his eyes and yielded.

The two embraced tightly, but then, feeling it wasn't enough, Zhao Wumian put Xiao Yuanmu down, pinned her against the wall, and held her close, kissing her passionately.

The force was so great that even a slight touch would cause cracks to appear on the wall.

But the two hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they weren't afraid of breaking anything; they were only worried that they hadn't been forceful enough...

(End of this chapter)