From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 172 Past Events
It was already evening, and this late July rain had been brewing for a long time.

Jingyuan is quiet to begin with, and in the wind and rain, the croaking of frogs and the chirping of birds make it even more peaceful.

In the hazy mist and rain, I saw Ying Rushi slowly approaching.

But she was wearing a plain skirt, her jet-black hair was tied with only a red string, her snow-white hands were holding a thin umbrella, and her face was without any makeup. Her already beautiful face, after taking a bath and walking in the rain, looked even more lazy and leisurely.

Meng Yuan saw clearly that the Third Miss finally did not consider herself an outsider. She was actually wearing a pair of green wooden clogs.

The snow-white instep is exposed, the ankle is round, and the toes are dotted with red, and when walking in the misty rain, it looks like a little drop of beauty on the river.

Meng Yuan was a dignified gentleman. He looked straight ahead as he embraced Xiangling and saluted her. Then he supported Xiangling's butt with one hand and took the umbrella that the third lady had folded away with the other.

You should throw away your clogs and sit barefoot in front of a low table.

Seeing that she sat down on his feet regardless of whether they were wet or not, Meng Yuan wanted to help wipe them, but in the end he didn't have the courage to ask.

Ying Rushi and Mingyue sat on one side, and Meng Yuan held Xiangling on the other side.

There were bursts of thunder in the distance. Ying Ru saw that Xiangling was still sleeping soundly with her belly exposed, unlike in the past when she would bury her head in the nest during thunderstorms. It can be seen that Xiangling trusts Meng Yuan very much.

"You two both look relaxed, it seems that this trip went smoothly." Ying Ru smiled slightly, then looked at Meng Yuan opposite him and said, "What did Meng Shuangjue gain from this trip?"

"I'm just doing what I'm told." Meng Yuan sat cross-legged, scratching Xiangling's belly with one hand, and replied very humbly.

Seeing Meng Yuan lower his head slightly and looking well-behaved, Ying Rushi stopped talking.

Mingyue raised her chin slightly towards Meng Yuan.

"I lean on the building to listen to the wind and rain, and look at the rivers and lakes indifferently. Although there are no buildings here, there are wind and rain." Meng Yuan smiled and looked at Ying Rushi, saying, "This journey has also had ups and downs, but in the end, we have found a way out. I just encountered some things and want to report to the third lady."

"Meng Shuangjue did join the poetry society after all." Ying Rushi praised.

"I don't deserve the praise from Miss Third." Meng Yuan was humble and well-behaved.

The storm was raging, and Meng Yuan talked about his experience of this trip.

Starting from Songhe Prefecture, to when Feiyuan Zhenjun became famous, to the discussion of Taoism at Hulu Mountain, the fierce battle at the bottom of the mountain, and then to the return.

Meng Yuan often listened to Xiangling's chatter, so he had some ability to tell stories, and he really told them truthfully.

The night gradually deepened and the rain gradually stopped. After Meng Yuan finished speaking, he lit the candles.

The ever-bright lamp, the black-skinned rat, and the visitors from the Western Buddhist Kingdom were nothing, and the Demon Suppression Department would take care of them. But the four generals of Prince Xin got involved, and no one knew what they were planning.

"Dugu Sheng is the brother of the late emperor. He has been introverted and taciturn since he was a child." Ying Ru glanced at Mingyue and said, "The Dugu family rose to prominence through martial arts, and most of their descendants also practiced martial arts, and many of them were extremely talented."

At this point, Ying Rushi smiled and continued, "Dugu Sheng is quite talented in martial arts. It is said that he has reached the seventh level before he was twenty years old."

Meng Yuan thought secretly and felt that if this was true, then Dugu Sheng was indeed talented.

"Later, Dugu Sheng was named Prince Xin and became a vassal in Ping'an Prefecture, in charge of the military and political affairs of the area." Ying Rushi was very familiar with these past events, "But Dugu Sheng was obsessed with martial arts and never paid attention to trivial matters. Later, he married someone from Qingyang Palace and gave birth to Dugu Kang. Later, the princess died, Qingyang Palace was unhappy, and Dugu Sheng was driven to Songhe Prefecture."

Meng Yuan heard that Dugu Kang's mother's death was probably related to Dugu Sheng.

Dugu Kang's deceased mother was born in Qingyang Palace, one of the three major Taoist sects, and had a high status, so people would definitely not be happy about it.

Although Songhe Prefecture is a wealthy place, Dugu Sheng has become a completely idle prince and no longer has any real power.

Meng Yuan had worked in the Demon Suppression Bureau before, and he knew that the Songhe Prefecture Guards were not only responsible for catching demons and monsters, but also had the responsibility to monitor local officials, and of course, they also had to monitor Prince Xin.

"The so-called four great generals are nothing more than Dugu Sheng's martial arts training companions and instructors." Ying Ru glanced at the snoring Xiang Ling and continued, "Qie Yisheng is about sixty years old and is at the sixth level of martial arts; Yang Yuping is needless to say, and Xiong Wuweinan is only at the seventh level, and He Jiulang is also at the sixth level."

"These four people have different personalities, but they have all received great kindness from Dugu Sheng."

"But when Dugu Sheng was driven back to Songhe Prefecture, he had already dismissed his family generals. The four generals also disappeared. I heard that they showed up in the Western Kingdom."

Ying Rushi finished speaking calmly, smiled at Meng Yuan, and said: "Nowadays, Dugu Sheng will not recognize these four great generals."

"Miss Third, there are some things that require no evidence." Meng Yuan said.

"Meng Feiyuan is right." Mingyue agreed. Ying Rushi and Meng Yuan looked at Mingyue together.

Mingyue realized at this moment that the master and servant were trying to tease her, but she didn't care and said immediately, "Xiao Taotao from the Demon Suppression Division already knows about this and will definitely come to inquire about it. I will also ask the Imperial Master to send someone to investigate."

Seeing that the other person was so well-informed and admitted the matter, Meng Yuan asked curiously, "What is the rank of the martial arts master, Prince Xin?"

"I heard that Dugu Sheng never got past the last step of the three stages of ascension to heaven." Ying said.

The so-called three steps of ascension are from the eighth grade to the seventh grade, from the sixth grade to the fifth grade, and from the fifth grade to the fourth grade.

The third stage is the fifth rank to the fourth rank. Warriors are born from the heavens, which is called Li Xin in Confucianism and Nirvana in Buddhism.

"He's just a fifth-rank warrior, why would he get involved in the affairs of a fourth-rank Buddhist demon?" Meng Yuan was a little confused.

"You'll know in the future." Ying Rushi smiled at Meng Yuan, which was rare, without any sarcasm.

This means that one's own realm is low and it is difficult to see the whole picture! Meng Yuan heard the encouragement in the words and wanted to show his loyalty, but he saw the third lady looking at Mingyue.

"When do you plan to return to Beijing?" Ying asked.

"I will return to Beijing when Taoist Ke comes back." Mingyue said.

"Miss Mingyue is leaving?" Meng Yuan was a little reluctant.

"This matter is not over yet." Mingyue's tone was somewhat bleak, "But I am definitely not Qing Guangzi's opponent, I can only wait for the future."

She looked at Meng Yuan and said, "Meng Feiyuan, you should practice well. I will need your help to slay demons and monsters in the future."

"I would rather die than decline!" Meng Yuan said immediately.

Ying Rushi glanced at Mingyue, then at Meng Yuan, and said, "Don't wander around these few days. I'm going to Chongxu Temple, and you can come with me then."

"Yes." Meng Yuan agreed immediately.

"Third Grandma, I want to go too!" Xiangling woke up and stuck her head forward.

Ying Rushi nodded slightly, which was considered as agreement.

Meng Yuan originally wanted to stay a little longer, but the other party had already intended to expel him, so he couldn't stay any longer. He immediately picked up Xiangling and planned to leave.

"Xiangling stays." Mingyue said.

"What are you doing, lady?" Xiangling climbed onto Meng Yuan's shoulder and asked curiously.

"I have something for you to do and I'll pay you enough." Mingyue smiled.

Xiangling immediately shook her head when she heard this and said, "My godmother said that we can never save up all our money, and we can't just live to save up some money! I'm going to sleep with the gelder today and I won't work anymore!"

Mingyue looked at Meng Yuan, and Meng Yuan lowered his head and looked away.

The night rain had stopped long ago.

Meng Yuan held Xiangling in one hand and left Jingyuan.

"You want me to work at night!" Xiangling looked smart and capable, "I won't work!"

She leaned down, leaned close to Meng Yuan's ear, and said, "But my aunt gave me a gift, so I will give her an extra day of work the day after tomorrow."

Xiangling was very serious, and acted like a teacher again, "Little gelder, this is the way of the world, you have to learn it too!"

"..." Meng Yuan smiled and asked, "Why the day after tomorrow? Not tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we will have a gathering of the Laobiekeng Poetry Club!" Xiangling said more seriously, "Everyone should compete in poetry!"

She leaned over to Meng Yuan's ear and said seriously, "I've thought of a topic for tomorrow's poetry contest. I'll tell you first, so don't tell anyone else!"

Xiangling actually missed a question.

(End of this chapter)