Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 715 Reunion of old friends

The night was as dark as ink, and the waning moon hung like a hook.

When the group was still a mile away from Duange Town.

The carriage window was pushed open by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Qi Zijun had been closely watching the carriage's movements. Upon seeing this, he immediately raised his right arm and shouted in a low but clear and forceful voice:
"stop!"

The order spread swiftly throughout the entire ranks like ripples, and hundreds of soldiers obeyed without question, halting in unison.

Bao Rui and Su Yumo both looked at the carriage at the same time, their eyes filled with doubt.

The heavy car door slowly opened, and Liang Jin stepped out.

He was not wearing the marquis's crown and robes that symbolized his status, but only a dark-colored casual suit that allowed him to move around easily. However, the imposing aura of someone who had long held a high position made the soldiers around him hold their breath involuntarily.

His deep gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the dimly lit town, as if it could pierce through the night and see the undercurrents hidden beneath.

"I am going to town to see an old friend, so it is not advisable to be too aggressive with troops."

Liang Jin's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"All soldiers shall remain stationed and hidden outside the town. Without my orders, they shall not enter the town even a step."

"Qi Zijun, you are in charge of the command."

"Baorui, Miss Su, you will accompany me."

Qi Zijun clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and immediately began to arrange the soldiers' next actions.

Bao Rui nodded hurriedly, his face showing a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Su Yumo nodded slightly, her eyes flashing in the night, but she didn't say anything more.

Liang Jin mounted a fine horse led by a personal guard, flicked the reins, and led Bao Rui and Su Yumo away from the main group, the three of them galloping towards the small town adorned with bonfires.

The horses' hooves clattered on the gravel, quickly disappearing into the interplay of darkness and light ahead.

The black market in Duango Town only begins its morbid prosperity after nightfall, hence its nickname "ghost market" among locals.

Darkness is the best camouflage, concealing countless dirty deals, bloody struggles, and unspeakable secrets.

In the flickering firelight, it is difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake goods. Many unscrupulous merchants are keen to take advantage of this dim environment to tout crudely made counterfeit goods as rare treasures, thus deceiving those gold prospectors who are hoping to get rich quick.

As Liang Jin and his two companions rode into Duange Town, a stench of roasted meat grease, cheap liquor, sweat, and horse manure assaulted their senses.

The town is much more crowded and noisy inside than it appears from the outside.

Piles of bonfires, like huge sores, were scattered in the town's open spaces, street corners, and even dilapidated courtyards.

Around each campfire, a diverse group of people gathered.

The buildings in the western desert are mostly low and rugged, made of rammed earth, and their colors blend seamlessly with the Gobi Desert, as if they were born from this land.

At this moment, these once silent buildings were given a distorted vitality by countless bonfires and surging crowds, and the whole town was like a pot of boiling, dangerous stew.

Even on the open ground outside the town, a large number of people gathered around a bonfire.

As Liang Jin and his two companions approached on horseback, several burly men with fierce eyes slowly rose from beside several bonfires.

Holding gleaming weapons, they openly scrutinized the three uninvited guests with wary and scrutinizing eyes, like wolves lurking at the entrance to their den.

These people were clearly scouts on the outskirts of the black market, responsible for keeping watch and preventing surprise attacks from the government.

These low-level scouts did not recognize Liang Jin.

After Liang Jin took charge of the Western Desert, he lived a secluded life, leaving most of the political affairs to Leng You, and rarely appeared in public.

In the Western Desert, far fewer people knew his true appearance than had heard of his fearsome reputation.

People usually judge his arrival by the imposing and dignified regalia of a marquis.

He was traveling light tonight, and no one knew his true identity.

Liang Jin ignored the malicious stares around him; his goal was clear.

He nimbly dismounted, tossed the reins to Bao Rui, and walked straight toward a campfire on the edge of town.

The campfire wasn't burning very brightly, but the demeanor of the people sitting around it seemed somewhat out of place with the noisy surroundings.

They simply drank quietly and talked in hushed tones, unlike the others around the campfire who were more unrestrained.

Liang Jin stopped by the campfire, his gaze fixed on a figure with his back to him, wearing an old but clean sheepskin coat.

Seemingly sensing the gaze from behind, the figure slowly turned around.

In the firelight, a face was revealed that was completely different from its surroundings.

With fair skin, delicate and refined features, and a strong scholarly air, he stood out conspicuously among the people of the Western Desert, whose skin was dark and rough from years of wind and sand erosion.

However, beneath this refined and clean-cut appearance, there was an understated composure and dignity hidden between his brows, indicating that this person was no ordinary individual.

When the man saw Liang Jin, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.

Immediately, a gentle yet complex smile appeared on his face. He raised his hand in a fist salute, his tone carrying the emotion of reuniting with an old friend:

"Brother Meng, it's been a long time."

Upon hearing the address "Brother Meng," Bao Rui and Su Yumo exchanged a surprised glance.

In the land of the Western Desert, who is unaware of the infamous and supreme power of "Marquis Zhenxi" Meng Xinghun?

How dare someone, knowing his identity, not address him as "Lord Marquis" but instead as "brother," a peer?
This person is either extremely arrogant and ignorant, or... his identity and relationship with Liang Jin are definitely not simple.

The scouts who had been watching Liang Jin and his companions from afar relaxed their guard slightly when they saw that they indeed had "acquaintances" to meet them, and they sat back down by the campfire.

The companions of the fair-skinned man seemed to sense that the newcomer was no ordinary person, and they tactfully stood up and quietly gave up their seats.

Looking at the familiar yet slightly mature face before him, Liang Jin returned the greeting with a clasped-fist salute, a rare smile tinged with reminiscence appearing on his face:
"Brother Gao, how have you been?"

After speaking, he sat down in the empty seat next to the other person as if it were just a routine meeting with an old friend.

The man in front of me is Gao Hongzhe.

He was once the third-ranked scholar in the Great Qian Dynasty, and the prefect of Hanzhou appointed by the emperor himself. He was also the first person Liang Jin met when he first entered the Western Desert.

Back then, the two, one a scholar and the other a warrior, fought side by side.

They joined forces to punish evildoers, establish a new order, and restore peace and stability to the region.

Those years of fighting side by side and entrusting our lives to each other still stir my heart when I think back on them.

Looking at Gao Hongzhe's familiar face illuminated by the campfire, Liang Jin couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

After parting ways in Dingfeng City, the two embarked on completely different paths.

Liang Jin advanced triumphantly, massacring the city of Liusha and battling fiercely in Cangfeng Valley. Ultimately, he subdued the three major factions of the Western Desert with an iron fist, becoming the de facto ruler of this vast land.

Those who followed him from humble beginnings have now risen to high positions and wielded power.

However, Gao Hongzhe, the man who had worked with him to create the situation, was selectively "forgotten" by Liang Jin.

It wasn't because Gao Hongzhe was incompetent; quite the opposite, it was because Liang Jintai understood him.

Gao Hongzhe is a pure idealist at heart.

They are martyrs who would sacrifice their lives for the sake of their principles and beliefs.

His greatest wish was to become a true governor of Hanzhou, to bring the "uncivilized land" of Ximo back into the territory of Daqian, to educate the people with benevolent governance, and to realize the ideal of Confucian scholars to "govern the country and bring peace to the world".

This is exactly the opposite of Liang Jin's ultimate goal.

Liang Jin's mortal enemy is the Great Qian imperial family.

He had finally managed to bring the Western Desert under his control, making it his independent foundation and source of power. How could he possibly hand over power to others and let the Western Desert return to the rule of the Great Qian Dynasty?

This destined the two to have a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict.

Several trusted subordinates had repeatedly advised Liang Jin to eliminate Gao Hongzhe as soon as possible to prevent future troubles.

Otherwise, as long as Gao Hongzhe, the prefect of Hanzhou personally appointed by the emperor, exists, it will inevitably be exploited by some people with ulterior motives.

Although Liang Jin has been appointed as the Marquis of Zhenxi and Protector-General of the Western Desert, the position of Prefect of Hanzhou still takes away a small portion of Liang Jin's power.

If Liang Jin and Da Qian completely turn against each other in the future, Gao Hongzhe's identity will be able to gather many people in the Western Desert who are loyal to Da Qian.

In particular, if Gao Hongzhe were to stubbornly go to Hanzhou City to request to take up his post, even if it were destined to be a farce, it would still be enough to damage Liang Jin's prestige.

However, Liang Jin never adopted these "rational" suggestions.

Because in his heart, Gao Hongzhe was a good person.

In this cruel world filled with conspiracies, betrayals, and killings, Liang Jin has seen far too many ordinary people and bad people.

But good people like Gao Hongzhe, who always maintain a pure heart, adhere to principles, and even seem somewhat pedantic, are extremely rare.

Liang Jin himself may not be a good person, his hands are stained with blood, but deep down he still hopes that this cold world can retain more light like Gao Hongzhe.

Therefore, he tacitly approved and even secretly maintained the special status of Dingfeng City, making it the only "pure land" in the Western Desert that was not directly under the jurisdiction of Qingyi Tower, allowing Gao Hongzhe to practice his ideals there.

According to his subordinates, Gao Hongzhe had indeed governed Dingfeng City very well, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. He was also deeply loved by the local people.

I thought that our life trajectories would be like parallel lines, never to intersect again.

Unexpectedly, tonight I will run into this old friend in this chaotic place outside Hanzhou City.

Gao Hongzhe handed over a bulging sheepskin wine pouch, a gentle smile on his face:
"Brother Meng, the nights in the Gobi Desert are cold. Why not try this baijiu brewed in Dingfeng City? Although it can't compare to famous wines, it's strong enough to ward off the cold and warm your body."

He himself was not a heavy drinker, but on these winter nights in the western desert, strong liquor was the most common companion for travelers.

Liang Jin took the wine bag, uncorked it, and took a big gulp.

The spicy, scalding liquid slid down my throat into my stomach, bringing a warm, burning sensation.

He casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve, then spoke to Bao Rui and Su Yumo beside him:

"Baorui, go and do your own thing, and find out the truth."

"Miss Su, you may wander around on your own. There's no need for you to follow me."

He paused, his tone carrying a rare, almost relaxed quality:

"I... want to stay here and have a good chat with old friends."

Upon hearing this, Bao Rui and Su Yumo couldn't help but take another deep look at the fair-skinned man named Gao Hongzhe.

Who is this person?
It was astonishing that the ruthless and powerful Marquis of Zhenxi could set aside his status and sit down with him as an equal, even with a hint of reminiscence, to drink wine.
The two were filled with curiosity and speculation, but neither dared to ask any more questions.

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away!" Bao Rui bowed and replied.

"Yes." Su Yumo nodded slightly, her cool gaze sweeping over Gao Hongzhe one last time before she turned around and her graceful figure quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.

After the two left, Gao Hongzhe stretched out his hands and warmed them over the campfire, the flickering flames casting interplay of light and shadow on his fair skin.

His gaze, however, did not linger on the flames. Instead, it slowly swept across the bizarre and chaotic scene of the town, filled with desire and disorder, his tone carrying a complex sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or reflection):

"Brother Meng, look at this place... doesn't it bear some resemblance to the haystack where we first met?"

Liang Jin followed his gaze.

Around the campfire, boisterous travelers loudly played drinking games and drank cheap liquor; shrewd merchants boasted with spittle flying about their dubious goods; in the distance, in an open space, scantily clad dancers swayed their hips to simple music, eliciting whistles and strange cries; in a darker corner, gamblers huddled in a circle, their eyes fixed on the spinning dice, emitting suppressed gasps and cries of ecstasy or despair…

This scene, in a daze, bears a resemblance to the haystack, the first stop on his adventure in the Western Desert with Gao Hongzhe.

Upon hearing this, a wistful smile crept onto his lips as he chuckled:

"It's really similar."

“I still remember when I was penniless at the hay barn, I had to borrow a camel from you in exchange for a good iron spear.”

His tone carried a hint of regret:
"It's a pity... that iron spear has long been completely destroyed."

As he spoke, he took another sip of liquor and then handed the liquor bag back to Gao Hongzhe.

Gao Hongzhe took the wine bag, tilted his head back and took a sip. He coughed slightly from the strong liquor, then a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face:
“I also remember that when I first arrived in the Western Desert, I was unfamiliar with the local customs and was proud of my talent in the capital. I thought that I could make a living in the hay shop by selling calligraphy and paintings.”

He shook his head, as if laughing at his naive and pedantic self from back then:
"As a result... not only did no one care, but he was also ridiculed as a pedantic scholar and almost got beaten up."

"Whenever I think back to that time, I feel embarrassed, but I also find it... quite interesting."

His gaze became somewhat distant:

"And it was there that we first met Miss Liu Yuan..."

At this point, Gao Hongzhe's gaze returned to Liang Jin's face, his tone becoming serious and concerned:
"By the way, Brother Meng, I wonder how Miss Liu Yuan is doing these days?"

Liang Jin understood what he meant.

Although she deliberately severed official contact with Gao Hongzhe, Liu Yuan maintained correspondence with him and would occasionally visit him in Dingfeng City.

Gao Hongzhe must know that Liu Yuan holds a high position in the Qingyi Tower and is materially secure.

What he cared about was Liu Yuan's heart, which was filled with deep-seated hatred and complex obsessions.

Upon hearing this, the wistful smile on Liang Jin's face gradually faded, turning into a long sigh:

"Just before I was about to return to the Western Desert from the capital of Daqian, she... said goodbye to me."

His voice lowered slightly:
"She said... she owed me nothing. So, she decided to leave and go on a path that was entirely her own."

"I don't know exactly what she's going to do or where she's going."

"If she ever needs my help, I will definitely do my best to assist her!"

After listening, Gao Hongzhe fell into a long silence.

The flickering campfire reflected two swaying spots of light in his clear eyes, and that light was filled with complex emotions—concern, worry, regret, and a deep sense of powerlessness.

He knew about Liu Yuan's past, the deep-seated hatred she carried, and understood the stubbornness and decisiveness in her character.

This parting is across mountains and rivers, with an uncertain future, and perhaps... it will be a final farewell.

After a long while, he suddenly grabbed the wine bag beside him, uncorked it, tilted his head back and gulped down several large mouthfuls, as if he wanted to use the strong liquor to quench the pent-up emotions in his heart.

The spicy liquor flowed down his fair neck, soaking his clothes.

He slammed the wine bag down, letting out a long, heavy sigh, his voice hoarse with the strong smell of alcohol:

"Miss Liu Yuan... is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, and she clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment. She is a person of deep feelings and true character."

"May Heaven have eyes and protect her on this journey... turning misfortune into good fortune, and ultimately... granting her wish and ensuring her safety and well-being."

Liang Jin silently picked up the wine bag and took a few big gulps.

The strong liquor, when swallowed, brings not only warmth but also a touch of bitterness.

Although he had already secretly ordered all branches of the Green Robe Pavilion within the Great Qian territory to keep a close watch on Liu Yuan's whereabouts.

However, the Great Qian Dynasty's territory spans thousands of miles, and the Green Robe Tower's reach can only cover one or two prefectures. To date, no definite news about Liu Yuan has been sent back.

She vanished without a trace, like a pebble thrown into the ocean.

Liu Yuan is a woman with a meticulous mind and deep scheming, but all of this is due to the pressure she has been forced to do by her painful past.

As Gao Hongzhe said, beneath her cold exterior lies a heart full of affection and loyalty.

And isn't Gao Hongzhe, who is standing right in front of us, the same?
Perhaps that's why they've maintained such a rare friendship no matter what changes they've gone through.

The campfire crackled, and the atmosphere between the two became somewhat subdued. Only the surrounding noise surged in like a tide, further highlighting the silence of this small corner.

Suddenly, Gao Hongzhe turned around and faced Liang Jin directly.

His gaze no longer wandered, but met Liang Jin's gaze directly and frankly, as if he had made up his mind.

"Brother Meng."

He spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying a clarity that pierced through the noise:

"You met me here tonight... Is it because I appeared near Hanzhou City that you worried I might be out of touch with reality and take up the post of 'Prefect of Hanzhou'? Therefore... you came to take my life to prevent future trouble?"

As he spoke, he took the wine pouch from Liang Jin's hand, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp. He then wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and a smile that was almost carefree, yet tinged with melancholy, appeared on his face.
"If this remaining life can truly end at Brother Meng's hands, then I, Gao Hongzhe... will die a worthy death and have no regrets."

The firelight danced on his face, casting an uneven glow on his otherwise refined features.

Compared to his youthful naiveté and scholarly air in Hayshop and Dingfeng City a few years ago, Gao Hongzhe now has a more weathered and resilient look on his face.

But Liang Jin could see clearly that deep in his eyes, the almost stubborn adherence and dedication to his ideals had never changed in the slightest due to the passage of time and setbacks. On the contrary, like a piece of jade that had been polished, it had become more and more warm and firm.

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

He hadn't expected Gao Hongzhe to be so direct, or even so "pessimistic," in his assumptions about his intentions.

But upon further reflection, he understood.

The fact that Gao Hongzhe appeared within the sphere of influence of Hanzhou City was itself a sensitive signal.

If he were to go to Hanzhou City to "take office" with the same determination to die that he had back in Dingfeng City, even if he were powerless, he would still be enough to stir up a storm in the Western Desert.

Gao Hongzhe was nothing more than a man who couldn't even kill a chicken.

But his energy is very strong!
Liang Jin witnessed firsthand how Gao Hongzhe risked his life in Dingfeng City, confronting Qin Shuanglu and his group of true demons with the spirit of a mere scholar, yet managed to attract kind-hearted people to risk their lives to help him.

Afterwards, he implemented benevolent policies and acted justly and strictly in Dingfeng City, which attracted many martial artists to travel thousands of miles to loyally join him, regardless of the cost.

His kindness, his courage, and his perseverance can ignite the yearning for "light" and "justice" deep within many people's hearts.

Liu Yuan had always mocked and ridiculed Gao Hongzhe as a fool, and was full of contempt and disdain for his behavior, but she eventually came to accept Gao Hongzhe as a friend from the bottom of her heart.

From a purely interest-driven and dominance-based perspective, killing Gao Hongzhe is indeed the "best" option to eliminate future troubles once and for all.

Friendships often seem unreliable.

Self-interest seems to be the only constant.

but……

A complex, bitter smile slowly appeared on Liang Jin's face, a smile that contained helplessness and self-mockery.

"Brother Gao, oh Brother Gao."

He shook his head, his tone tinged with a hint of regret:

Why... do you always look at me like that?

"Do you really think I, Meng Xinghun, am so despicable and cold-blooded?"

Gao Hongzhe did not answer immediately; he simply picked up a dry piece of firewood, seemingly wanting to add it to the campfire.

But halfway through reaching out, he felt that perhaps he no longer needed to add more, so he slowly pulled the piece of firewood back and unconsciously rubbed it in his hand.

"Brother Meng holds a high position and wields the power of life and death."

He lowered his eyes, his voice calm and even:

"Many times, we are inevitably not in control of our own destiny."

“Hongzhe understands this.”

He raised his head, looking at Liang Jin with clear eyes:

"So even if Brother Meng really has this intention tonight, I... won't blame you."

Liang Jin suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha-!"

The laughter was unrestrained, cheerful, and even a bit wild and unruly. It suddenly rang out in the noisy environment, sounding particularly abrupt and loud.

The laughter drew the attention of many people around, who turned to look.

Even Gao Hongzhe, who had maintained a calm demeanor, could no longer maintain the composed expression on his face that suggested he had seen through the world and was ready to face death with equanimity. He revealed a deep sense of astonishment and confusion.

Liang Jin laughed for a while before gradually stopping.

He pointed at Gao Hongzhe with his finger, his tone filled with a complex emotion that was difficult to describe:

"Oh, my dear third-place scholar, you still don't understand me."

"From the very beginning at the haystack, you couldn't understand me. And now, you still can't understand me."

His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible melancholy:

"So sometimes, I really hate you. You don't understand anything, but you always act like you know everything."

As he spoke, he suddenly reached out and almost rudely snatched the wine bag back from Gao Hongzhe's hand:

"But despite disliking you, most of the time... I quite like you as a person."

He shook the wine bag in his hand; there wasn't much wine left inside.
"Power and strength have indeed changed me a lot. They have made me ruthless, stained my hands with blood, and made me accustomed to calculation and weighing."

"But some things cannot be changed."

"The title of Marquis of Zhenxi and the power of Protector-General of the Western Desert may not be as important to me as outsiders imagine."

"And those companions who embarked on the adventure together, who had faced life and death together, and who entrusted their lives to each other..."

"But it's very important to me."

"Life is short, and we may not be able to avoid regrets or have everything go our way. But I hope that at least when I look back on the past, I will not have any regrets."

After speaking, Liang Jin raised the wine bag high, gestured to Gao Hongzhe, and said loudly:
"I won't stand on ceremony with you regarding the wine in this bag; I won't leave any for you!"

Before he finished speaking, he tilted his head back, poured the remaining strong liquor from the sheepskin wine bag into his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing as he drank it all in one gulp!

He then casually tossed the empty wine bag at his feet.

Gao Hongzhe stared blankly at Liang Jin, at the wild, unrestrained and sincere expression on his face, and at his earth-shattering words. It was as if something had struck him hard in the heart, and a violent sense of disorientation and bewilderment swept over him.

yes……

He always thought he could understand Liang Jin, believing him to be a ruthless tyrant who placed profit and power above all else.

But he forgot that at the hay barn, facing that fierce swordsman whom even Liang Jin was not confident in, he had advised him to temporarily avoid the ferocity, but he insisted on leaving behind the ferocity to fight to the death.

He forgot that in Dingfeng City, when he was tortured to the point of near death by Qin Shuanglu and was almost in despair, it was Liang Jin who descended like a divine soldier and came to his rescue without regard for his own safety!

He also forgot that he had once addressed Liang Jin as a "knight-errant" out of respect.

Birds of a feather flock together.

If Liang Jin were truly just a profit-driven, cold-blooded, and ruthless tyrant, then how could I, a "pedantic" scholar, and Liu Yuan, a girl filled with hatred, have come together with him and embarked on an adventure together back in the hay shop?
Thinking of this, Gao Hongzhe's eyes welled up with tears, and his vision blurred quickly.

He hurriedly turned his head, pretending to straighten his clothes, and quickly wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes with his sleeve.

When he turned back, he had forced a genuine smile onto his face.

“Brother Meng…you are right, it was me…it was my narrow-mindedness.”

He took a deep breath, as if to expel all the pent-up emotions in his chest.

Then he took out a sheepskin wine bag from his baggage, shook it, making a sloshing sound as liquid sloshed around, and wore a childlike smugness on his face:

"Luckily, I brought enough wine!"

He uncorked the bottle and handed it to Liang Jin:

"Tonight, let's drink to our hearts' content with Brother Meng!"

Seeing his appearance, Liang Jin couldn't help but laugh again, took the wine bag, and drank it down without any hesitation.

At this moment, by the campfire, two men with opposing ambitions seemed to have temporarily forgotten each other's identities and positions, forgotten the ever-changing winds and clouds of the Western Desert, and were left with only the purest friendship.

They drank heartily, reminiscing about the past, talking about the poverty of Haystack, the dangers of Dingfeng City, and their experiences and feelings since they parted ways.

Laughter and conversation echoed above the campfire, blending in with the surrounding noise, yet seemingly existing independently.

……

And not far away.

Under the shadow of a half-collapsed earthen wall, two pairs of eyes, hidden in the darkness, were fixed on the two figures drinking by the campfire.

Su Yumo leaned against the cold earthen wall, her posture seemingly languid, but in reality, all the muscles in her body were in a subtle state of tension, like a mother leopard poised to pounce.

Her gaze wasn't directly focused on Liang Jin, but rather she carefully observed his every move using the corner of her eye and the reflections of the surrounding environment.

At her level, she knew that experts had keen senses and that staring at someone for a long time could easily alert them.

In the deeper shadows cast by the eaves, there seemed to be a figure huddled up, almost blending into the darkness, so much so that it was impossible to notice unless one looked closely.

From the shadows, a deliberately lowered male voice, tinged with hoarseness and doubt, quietly rang out:

"It is generally acknowledged that there are two unparalleled masters in the Green Robe Pavilion."

"One is the Desert Blade Madman, known as the 'Number One Wanderer of the Desert,' whose swordsmanship is domineering and whose appearances are unpredictable. The other is an armored man whose identity is shrouded in mystery and who almost never shows his true face. It is said that his defense is astonishing and he can kill people with flying blades."

The voice from the shadows paused, then revealed undisguised contempt:
"But this Meng Xinghun in front of us... judging from his aura and sluggish gait, he's at most a ninth-grade martial artist. He's probably using some secret technique to hide his true cultivation level."

"But even if he is hiding his strength, according to the intelligence we have gathered before, his true level is at most only the third rank."

"Is he... really as terrifying as you say? Is he worth your utmost fear?"

Su Yumo's gaze remained that seemingly casual sideways glance.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice sharp and precise, reaching the ears of the person in the shadows with an undeniable gravity:
"I'm warning you, never underestimate him!"

"You have lived in the Western Desert for a long time, and your vision is limited by this yellow sand. You have no idea about the changing world outside, let alone how terrifying this person is."

She paused slightly, as if organizing her thoughts to emphasize the seriousness of the matter:
"The Black Dragon Dynasty's Demon Slayer King died at his hands! Although this matter was deliberately suppressed, it was not a secret among the higher-ups."

"When I was in the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty, I personally witnessed the earth-shattering battle between him and Master Beihuan, the abbot of Wanfo Temple, on the top of the imperial city!"

Her tone even carried a hint of lingering fear:
"Although that mysterious armored man did try to restrain me at the time, based on my observation and intuition, the sense of oppression he gave me was not as strong as that of Meng Xinghun himself!"

"Meng Xinghun's skill at the time may have been weaker than Bei Huan's, but what was terrifying was that his physical strength was simply superhuman, even far surpassing Bei Huan's!"

Su Yumo finally concluded with absolute certainty:

"Meng Xinghun's true strength has definitely reached the second rank! And it's far more than just a simple entry into the second rank!"

Upon hearing this, a deathly silence fell over the shadows.

Clearly, the information revealed by Su Yumo, especially the details about Meng Xinghun possessing second-grade strength and killing Tu Xie Wang and confronting Bei Huan head-on, far exceeded the expectations of the person in the shadows, bringing him tremendous shock and pressure.

After a silence that lasted for a good dozen breaths, the voice from the shadows spoke again, tinged with uncertainty:

"So... the previous operation in the capital that ultimately failed and resulted in heavy losses was all because of this person?"

Su Yumo shook her head slightly, denying this guess:

"The failure in the capital was not due to Meng Xinghun. Rather, it was because an unexpected variable suddenly emerged within the Imperial Guard!"

Her voice involuntarily carried a deep-seated hatred:

"A mere squad leader named Liang Jin, who was usually inconspicuous, was actually a top-tier expert with unparalleled hidden strength and formidable power!"

"It was that damned Liang Jin who suddenly launched an attack at the crucial moment, single-handedly disrupting the entire situation and ruining our perfect plan!"

"It even caused my identity to be exposed, and I suffered the cruel torture of having my collarbone pierced. I was imprisoned for so long in that dark and sunless cell in the Heavenly Prison!"

But then, her tone shifted to one of triumphant satisfaction and sarcasm, as if she had finally gotten her revenge:

"However, Liang Jin's smugness didn't last long! He was too arrogant, daring to run wild near the imperial mausoleum, which alerted the old monster sleeping inside!"

"That old monster just slapped Liang Jin from a distance, killing him like a fly! He didn't even leave a complete corpse! I heard that his head was made into a wine vessel by order of Emperor Zhao Yu. Hmph, he deserved what he got!"

Towards the end, Su Yumo's tone even carried a hint of schadenfreude:
"Speaking of which, that short-lived Liang Jin actually did us a great favor indirectly."

"He forced that old monster Zhao Wuji to awaken prematurely and even made a move. That one move alone can delay his rebirth process by at least a year and a half! This has bought us precious time!"

Upon hearing this unexpected "good news," the solemnity that the person in the shadows had felt due to Liang Jin's strength seemed to dissipate somewhat.

He pondered for a moment and asked:

"That Liang Jin who suddenly appeared... has it been found out which force is supporting him?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yumo shook her head again, a hint of confusion appearing on her face.

Although Liang Jin is dead, he left behind countless mysteries.

No one knows how he cultivated to such a terrifying level at such a young age; no one knows what kind of enormous power is hidden behind him, capable of setting up such a scheme in the capital; and no one can fathom what his true purpose is...

He was like the most dazzling shooting star in the night sky, suddenly appearing, illuminating the entire sky, attracting everyone's attention, but then, at his most brilliant moment, he suddenly fell and disappeared without a trace, so brief as to be breathtaking.

Even now, so long after his death, various forces have not given up investigating him, trying to unravel the many mysteries surrounding him.

The person in the shadows remained silent for a moment, seemingly also finding the topic too abstract, so they changed to a more practical question:
"Since Meng Xinghun is so troublesome, do we still have any confidence in our operation against the Western Desert?"

Su Yumo's lips slowly curled into a cold smile full of confidence and calculation, a smile that appeared particularly eerie and alluring in the dim light.

"Don't worry, I'm confident!"

"This time, neither the Desert Blade Madman nor the Ironclad Man are by Meng Xinghun's side. He actually dared to leave his stronghold in Hanzhou City alone with only a few hundred useless ceremonial guards."

A hint of contempt and ruthlessness flashed in her eyes:

"He's practically asking for trouble; he's gone way too far with his arrogance!"

"No matter how strong he is on his own, he can't turn the tide in the face of a carefully orchestrated situation!"

"This is the perfect opportunity to use him to achieve our great cause in the Western Desert!"

(End of this chapter)