Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 106 Jianghuai Zhou Lang (Thanks to the pseudo-book fan for being a big patron!)

Wang Xiongdan rushed into the Jianghuai army formation, leading two large, shiny horses.

Zhou Yi and Du Fuwei each rode a horse.

Thanks to the guidance of Master Zhang, the head coach of Taiping Equestrian, his equestrian skills are already considered extraordinary by ordinary people.

The two rode slowly, taking the route northwest.

The Jianghuai Army was clearing the battlefield when the two men passed through the ranks of tens of thousands of soldiers.

Spears and halberds were lined up, swords and bows were worn, and hundreds of people followed behind them, each dressed in martial attire, their steps agile.

They were the elite of the Jianghuai Army, known as the "Shangmu Camp," a team composed of martial arts masters.

Even if a martial arts master of the world were in Zhou Yi's position, he would never dare to relax his guard.

The powerful horse, with its crisp hoofbeats, had already entered the heart of the army.

Thousands of eyes converged from all directions.

Many people were still mostly curious.

after all
The person walking alongside the general at this moment was not lagging behind.

To be able to command such respect from the overlord of the Jianghuai region indicates an extraordinary background.

The Jianghuai Army has recently won a series of victories and captured an important town north of the Yangtze River, and its momentum is at its peak.

Du Fuwei was also satisfied with the imposing military formation.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yi's face didn't show any shock.

Upon closer reflection, it's not surprising.
The combined forces of Nanyang alone outnumbered the entire Jianghuai army, and there was no war at the moment. In addition, it was connected to the Central Plains and located on a major transportation route, making it a prosperous and peaceful place.

In addition to his busy military campaigns, he also had to guard against the Jiangdu camp and a host of rebel forces.

This overlord of Nanyang could be said to be living a life of ease and composure.

Du Fuwei is in a position that even he can't envy.

Along the way, Du Fuwei talked about how the Jianghuai Army captured Liuhe City.

Zhou Yi then told him about the affairs of the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) in Yangzhou.

They seem unrelated, yet they are intricately intertwined.

"It seems that I will need Brother Zhou's help to take over Liuhe City."

Du Fuwei pointed to the approaching towering city: "If Yuchi Sheng hadn't mobilized the entire army of the Six Directions to besiege the Demon Sect, how could I have captured this city so easily?"

That's incorrect.

Zhou Yi said sternly, "There are so many opportunities in the world, but how many people can seize them? Brother Du is one of those rare individuals, which is why he became the overlord of Jianghuai."

Du Fuwei laughed heartily and entered the city with Zhou Yi.

Liuhe City, due to its advantageous location at the confluence of the Chu River and the Yangtze River, served as a distribution center for goods from both the north and south. After the opening of the Grand Canal, during its prosperous period, merchant ships flocked to the city day and night.

The sun had only officially risen when we entered the city.

Du Fuwei didn't rush to take Zhou Yi to the Jianghuai camp, but instead drove around the city's prosperous areas.

There were many armed soldiers patrolling the streets, perhaps because the siege was progressing too quickly.

The newly acquired city of Liuhe did not fall into desolation and chaos.

The fact that Du Fuwei disciplined his subordinates showed that he wanted to establish himself here.

The city has dedicated markets where bulk commodities such as grain, silk, and tea are still operating normally.

Zhou Yi noticed that many shopkeepers and vendors looked uneasy, yet they were still trying to keep their businesses afloat.

That's normal. The Jianghuai Army isn't perfect, and some of its names are even quite unpleasant.

It is understandable that city residents and businesspeople are worried and afraid.

Old Du's management skills are no match for his martial arts prowess.

What are your plans, Brother Du?

"Find an opportunity to take Danyang and Liyang."

Du Fuwei added, "Only when we take Jiangdu will our position be truly secure. Otherwise, once the Sui army assembles, with my current manpower, we will most likely be unable to withstand them."

"If I cannot hold Liuhe and am pursued by the Sui army, I will have no choice but to retreat into the Huai River and travel to the Shouchun and Zhongli areas to manage the middle reaches of the Huai River."

Zhou Yi said, "The rebel forces around us are not all under Brother Du's command. The Sui army is hesitant to launch a large-scale attack due to their concerns."

"I'm afraid General Yuchi of Yangzhou doesn't have that kind of courage."

Du Fuwei then asked, "Brother Zhou, what do you think I should rely on to establish myself here?"

"The Sui dynasty has lost the hearts of the people, and righteous armies are rising up everywhere. Brother Du, you must be sincere to the people. Then the people of Jiangnan and most of the martial arts practitioners in Jiangnan will support you. Only by persisting for a long time can you gain a foothold."

Du Fuwei nodded; he understood the principle of favorable timing, location, and human factors.

but
"Brother Zhou, do you know how to manage a city?"

"I don't quite understand."

Zhou Yi frankly admitted, "Actually, I really dislike these tedious tasks."

"That's in Nanyang."

“There are some caring people in Nanyang who are working hard. Brother Du thinks that Nanyang is prosperous, but it has little to do with me.”

“How could it be unrelated?” Du Fuwei shook his head. “Nanyang also has Champion City. If you and Zhu Can were switched, Nanyang County would immediately fall into chaos, and Champion City would prosper.”

Zhou Yi smiled and, of course, did not refute.

Zhou Laomo is busy capturing people to win the championship, while Zhu Canren is sitting at home, yet a whole bunch of accusations have already been leveled against him.

Zhu Can and he were on completely different wavelengths.
The Jianghuai Army occupied Liuhe City and naturally took control of the government offices.

The two entered the government office. In the quiet back hall, Du Fuwei chatted with him for a while before proposing again:
"Brother Zhou, how about taking a position in my Jianghuai Army?"

Zhou Yi hesitated slightly: "Although I want to work with Brother Du, I have to go back to Nanyang and can't stay in Liuhe for long."

"It doesn't affect it."

Du Fuwei invited him for tea:
"I know my brother's status in Nanyang, so I will not submit to anyone. The world is in chaos, and no one knows who can settle things. I must consider the people who follow me and not harm them."

"My friendship with Brother Zhou is based not only on admiration, but also on some calculation."

"Oh?"

“If Du becomes powerful, Brother Zhou will naturally help me succeed. If Brother Zhou becomes powerful, I will also be willing to help you.”

After Du Fuwei finished speaking, the domineering aura on his face faded again.

"Despite the uncertainty of the future, Du was able to recognize his own limitations and dared not gamble everything on himself."

Zhou Yi understood his meaning and asked:

"What are your plans, Brother Du?"

Du Fuwei brought up the old matter again: "I am Du, the Grand General of the Jianghuai Army. Brother Zhou can lead the navy and serve as the Grand Admiral of the Navy."

"However, since you are returning to Nanyang, an army cannot be without a commander. The newly established navy will be temporarily nominal and will not be staffed with too many people."

"If Brother Zhou returns to the Jianghuai Army, he can expand the naval camp at any time."

Seeing his hesitation, Du Fuwei didn't want him to refuse.

If he were to refuse again, how could he, as a regional overlord, possibly lose face?
Once is never enough; this matter will never be brought up again.

If you can agree, that would be the best.

Firstly, I appreciate their temperament; secondly, I want to leave myself an alternative path.

If the person in front of me is truly loyal and willing to work with me, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Zhou Yi suddenly remembered: "Brother Du, where is General Fu Gongshi?"

Old Du, this good brother, is not only capable of backstabbing.

He was also a member of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, one of the six sects of the Demonic Path.

"He is in the Yongfu area in the north, guarding against Meng Rang who occupies Xuyi. This man was defeated by Zhang Xutuo but was able to make a comeback, so I dare not underestimate him."

Perhaps understanding what Zhou Yi was thinking, he continued:

"In this Jianghuai Army, Du's arrangements are always absolute."

“Brother Zhou, you don’t need to rush back to Nanyang. You can stay in Liuhe for a few days.”

"Give me an answer after you've thought it through."

……

Around noon, Zhou Yi attended the Jianghuai Army's victory celebration banquet.

Besides Du Fuwei, the other people at the table were Wang Xiongdan, Kan Leng, Ximen Junyi, Wang Lanfang, and several other core members.

Most of the young generals on the Jianghuai Army ship called Du Fuwei "father".

Zhou Yi was momentarily stunned, almost thinking he had entered the Age of Exploration.

You can tell from their drinking and eating habits.

Despite his imposing presence, Du Fuwei had a good relationship with his sons.

It's no wonder he wanted to avenge his sons by killing the Third Guard of the Tiele Throne.

Putting aside Du Fuwei's relationship, just because Zhou Yi was the one who personally killed the Third Arrow Guard, the cadres on the Jianghuai ship also held him in high esteem.

When Zhou Yi raises his glass, everyone gives him face and drinks with him from their large bowls.

After the banquet, Wang Xiongdan led him to a courtyard next to the government office to stay in.

Zhou Yi lay on the wooden bed, considering all aspects of the Jianghuai Army.

Old Du had his own calculations, but he spoke frankly and sincerely.

Thinking about it
He decided to go out and take a look, and without asking anyone to accompany him, he walked alone on the streets of Liuhe City.

For four consecutive days, he walked through the entire city.

The high hills to the north of the city are home to many houses with blue bricks and gray tiles, and there are dismounting stones in front of the gates. These houses are inhabited by people of higher status in the city.

Some mansions were emptied and suffered misfortune.

Further south, ordinary people lived in the alleys and lanes, with most houses being wooden structures. Shops lined the streets, including blacksmith shops, taverns, and cloth shops.

Liuhe, controlling the Jianghuai region, is a bustling hub of boats and carriages, truly a prosperous land.

It can be seen that after Lao Du occupied the city, he also tried to maintain its prosperity.

but,

When Zhou Yi avoided the superficial prosperity, he saw a different scene in the suburbs.
"stop!"

Along a lane lined with willow trees in the west of the city, a man with a rough face and a broad forehead roared angrily.

If it is in a bustling area of ​​the city.

If he shouts like that, he'll definitely attract everyone's attention.

But in this suburb, only the surface of the small river beside the willow trees rippled slightly.

"What?"

The man who had been stopped in front of them frowned. He was very tall, and judging from the insignia on his shoulder, he was a member of the Jianghuai Army.

There were five other people around him, who seemed to be his subordinates.

In the leader's arms, there was a woman struggling, but she couldn't break free from his embrace.

The man behind him said coldly, "Qi San, release the man immediately. General Du has ordered that no one is allowed to commit adultery with women. You can still stop now."

"What kind of stinky fart are you spouting?"

Qi San said, "We finally managed to capture this city. Can't I even pick a beauty from the city to marry? The general doesn't care about marriages."

"Marriage should be voluntary. How is your abduction of people any different from that of bandits?"

Qi San glared at him: "Li Jing, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."

"If you're envious, just go and pick one yourself."

The man named Li Jing didn't argue with him: "Since that's the case, I'll go report to General Du and see if you'll have a good ending."

Qi San was somewhat frightened upon hearing this, and also realized that he was no match for Li Jing.

He then touched the woman in his arms and pushed her away.

"Little beauty, wait for me at home. That bastard surnamed Li will eventually have a day when he can't keep an eye on us. Then we'll have some fun."

After saying that, Qi San snorted and turned to leave.

Li Jing ignored him and went to comfort the woman, pointing her in the right direction.

Suddenly, a thud was heard in the distance!
Qi San was walking along when he suddenly stumbled and fell, hitting his head on a rock by the river and tumbling into the water.

"Boss Qi!"

The henchmen around him were startled to see his head split open and blood gushing out, his face submerged in the water, his back facing upwards, and he hadn't turned over.

If they aren't rescued soon, they'll drown.

They jumped in and carried Qi San to the shore.

At that moment, a young man in white walked over.

The group didn't recognize him, but they saw him frowning as he crouched down to check Qi San's breathing.

Then I touched his belly.

He said with certainty, "It's hopeless."

"what?!"

The people around were startled. Was Boss Qi really dead?

They were originally local thugs from Tushan, but later joined the Jianghuai Army and formed a small group.

As the Jianghuai Army gained momentum, the men prospered.

Now we have regained Liuhe City.

Arriving in the prosperous Jiangnan region, they were naturally not satisfied with the brothel girls and went out to seek pleasure.

Who would have thought?
With Qi Laoda's abilities, could he really have tripped and fallen to his death?

"He's not dead, Boss Qi is still breathing."

The young man in white stood up and said, "His head is injured; he can't hold on any longer."

"I just heard he's getting married, what a pity."

"The wedding can't go on now. Go find Hei and turn his funeral into a celebration."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Several people chased him away, but when they couldn't find a door panel, one of them carried Qi San on his back.

But the more he carried it, the heavier it felt.

After walking less than half a mile, they checked Qi Laoda's breathing and found he was no longer breathing; even his chest felt cold!
really
The young man was right; they couldn't hold on any longer.

The group threw Boss Qi to the ground and left the eerie place.

Upon seeing this, the girl beside Li Jing immediately showed a look of joy.

She bowed to Li Jing to express her gratitude and asked him to return.

Li Jing shook his head, and after she left, he turned and walked towards Zhou Yi.

Seeing that Qi San's men had walked away, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to him and said:
"My friend's methods are truly remarkable. He must have a renowned reputation in the martial arts world. Unfortunately, I am blind and do not know who you are."

Zhou Yi noticed that he had a straight nose and bright eyes, giving him a sense of composure and wisdom.

"Is your friend Li Jing?"

Zhou Yi's question and the look in his eyes startled Li Jing slightly.

The clasped hands involuntarily loosened.

"I am indeed Li Jing, but we have never met before, and I am not famous at all. How could my friend think he knows me?"

With a hint of reminiscence, Zhou Yi said, "I have a friend who looks just like you."

"Moreover, his name is also Li Jing, and he is known in the martial arts world as the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."

Li Jing tried to recall it, but had no recollection whatsoever.

However, judging from the man's expression and demeanor, he didn't seem to be lying.

Since we had no connection, telling him this lie was completely pointless.

They simply assumed that there really was such a person as "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King".

Li Jing carefully examined the man before him. There was an indescribable air about him, as if he could see through everything, yet also seemed to care little about anything.

Suddenly, he smiled slightly.

His eyebrows were slightly raised, like two dragons emerging from the abyss.

He didn't realize he knew martial arts, but just that one move was something only a top-tier martial artist could do.

Before Zhou Yi could speak, Li Jing interrupted and asked again:

"Who is your friend?"

Zhou Yi asked with a smile, "Do you want to hear my real identity, or do you want to hear me just say one offhand?"

Li Jing found it very interesting: "My friend's real name must be extraordinary."

"Has a slight reputation."

Li Jing added, "If you trust me, please tell me your real name."

"it is good."

He couldn't help but glance at Zhou Yi, surprised by his decisiveness.

Then Youyou spoke again:
"I am Zhou Yi, the Master of the Way of Peace."

A look of surprise suddenly appeared on Li Jing's calm face.

He muttered it to himself; this title was truly extraordinary.

Thinking of the news from the Central Plains, he couldn't help but glance at the young man with a keen eye.

Suppressing his complicated emotions, Li Jing clasped his hands in a second salute:
"So it was the Celestial Master in person. No wonder he had such skills."

Li Jing reacted quickly, "I was wondering what kind of person General Du valued so much, and now I finally understand."

Zhou Yi shook his head:

"General Du is the overlord of Jianghuai. He only treats me as the overlord of Nanyang and does not know that I am the Taiping Heavenly Master."

This short sentence conveys a lot of information.

Although Li Jing's brain was sophisticated, it still needed to process this information.

The overlord of Nanyang?

Were the Taiping Celestial Masters the overlords of Nanyang?
According to recent reports, Nanyang is not only home to numerous powerful and entrenched forces, but also a den of iniquity.

And this one.
Li Jing was somewhat surprised, realizing for the first time how much weight a person's reputation carried.

And then there's this sudden trust.

He let out a sigh of relief: "Why does the Celestial Master value me so much?"

“I like to see the big picture from small things. For example, you helped that girl, and from the things you said to Qi San, we can roughly know what kind of person you are.”

Zhou Yi stared at Qi San's corpse: "Are there many similar incidents in the Jianghuai Army?"

"There are few places we can see, but many places we can't see."

Li Jing did not mention his identity again: "Although General Du has issued a prohibition, the army is a mixed bag, and some orders cannot be fully implemented."

What you just saw was only the tip of the iceberg.

"In order to meet the conscription quota, the military leaders and squad leaders below often resort to conscription. General Du sometimes travels around the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the martial arts world), and the people in charge below are not necessarily reliable."

“Apart from the elite troops, most of the peripheral personnel are just filling in. These people are the most difficult to manage. If this continues, they will inevitably incur the wrath of both heaven and man.”

“If General Du does not change his mind, even if the Jianghuai Army gains power temporarily, it will have little future prospects.”

Zhou Yi looked at him: "Brother Li, do you have a solution?"

"I am a nobody, and I haven't been a member of the Jianghuai Army for very long, so I can't offer any solutions."

"Oh? What are your plans for the future?"

Li Jing said, "For now, we have nowhere to go, so we'll stay here and observe how things change. The Jianghuai Army has been fighting many battles and is not stable. Now we're settling down in Liuhe, hoping that General Du can make some changes."

The north is dominated by powerful rebel kings. If General Du can quickly establish a foothold in the south and then seize the opportunity to march north, he may have a chance to shake up the world.

"Brother Li has great strategies in his heart, but he has no opportunity to use them. It's a real pity."

Li Jing smiled and said, "If the Celestial Master invites me to Nanyang, I would be willing to go and take a look."

"I don't know much about the Celestial Master. I've only heard some rumors. For example, this is the first time I've heard of the Celestial Master in Nanyang."

"Do not."

Zhou Yi decisively rejected the idea: "I would like to ask Brother Li to take charge of the Jiangnan region."

Li Jing hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Zhou Yi a few more times.

"Of course, if you want to know more about me, you can go to Nanyang to take a look. I used to be in Yongqiu. You can also ask around near Fuzi Mountain."

"I wouldn't call myself a great person, but I haven't done anything bad either."

Li Jing did not agree immediately, because once a promise was made, it would not be so easy to change it.

The name of the Way of Peace is not to be used lightly.

He asked cautiously, "What are the Celestial Master's plans?"

"I'll help you get an identity here, still belonging to General Du's Jianghuai Army. Would you like to give it a try?"

The two men looked at each other. Li Jing thought about his own situation, then about Qi San and the girl earlier, and then looked at Zhou Yi.

After a moment of contemplation, he finally nodded.

After all, they were still on the same ship as the Jianghuai Army.
That evening, bursts of laughter echoed from Du Fuwei's temporary general's residence.

"Greetings, Grand Commander!"

Wang Xiongdan, Kan Leng, Ximen Junyi, Wang Lanfang, and others clasped their hands in greeting.

Zhou Yi was given the title, but Du Fuwei was the happiest.

That is
A closer connection was formed between the Jianghuai Army and Nanyang.

Old Du always felt a sense of security.

And
Previously, the Jianghuai Army had only advertised him as their Grand General, but now, they have another highly skilled naval commander.

That's quite a show of force!
"Grand Admiral of the Jianghuai Navy!"

When Li Jing arrived at the side courtyard of the Liuhe government office and heard the news, he couldn't help but show a strange expression.

Unexpectedly, Du Fuwei has such courage.

"I cannot stay in the Jianghuai Army for long. Although the navy is small in number, it needs capable officers to manage it."

"General Du told me to select people from within the army myself."

"Pharmacist, you will take on the position of naval captain for now. When I am not around, you will be in charge of training and commanding this force."

Li Jing involuntarily took a half step back: "This..."

Including this time, they have only met twice.

He hadn't expected the person coming to be so important.

On the very first occasion, he revealed his true identity.

The second time, he was entrusted with an important task.

Could it really be because of that friend called "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King"? Even so, this was a trust that Li Jing had never experienced before, one that deeply moved him.

A surge of heat rose within him, and Li Jing, who had taken a half-step back, stepped forward, kneeling and clasping his hands in a fist salute:

"Li Jing, Captain of the Jianghuai Navy, pays his respects to the Grand Commander!"

"Hahaha!"

Zhou Yi laughed and quickly helped him up: "Today, with Brother Li's help, you are truly a gift from heaven."

"Grand Commander, please inform me of the details of the naval operations."

As expected of a war god, he immediately got into work mode.

Zhou Yi secretly praised him and then relayed Du Fuwei's arrangements to him.

Later, under Wang Xiongdan's guidance, they met the two thousand people.

Compared to the entire Jianghuai Army, these two thousand men are not a large number.

But after learning about Zhou Yi's arrangements, Li Jing felt that there were too many people.

It took eight days.

More than half of the two thousand people were eliminated, leaving only six hundred.

Zhou Yi asked, "While it's true that quality is more important than quantity in warfare, wouldn't we be overdoing it?"

Li Jing patiently explained, "I have no prestige in the Jianghuai army. I have been able to train the troops these past few days entirely thanks to the Grand Commander and General Du's reputation. The remaining six hundred men are not the best, but they are the most obedient."

"Since the Grand Commander is not here, it is not appropriate to recruit soldiers on a large scale. However, General Du has given two thousand men. I will use these six hundred men as a base and gradually fill in the gaps to make two thousand men. This will not be considered a violation of General Du's arrangements."

"Only the strongest soldiers will be allowed to enter the camp. In time, we will be able to build an elite navy that obeys orders without question."

Li Jing, beaming with excitement, began to talk about the military training plan, and Zhou Yi listened attentively without interrupting.

Leave professional matters to professionals.

Zhou Yi stayed in Liuhe City for a few more days.

During this period, Yuchi Sheng led troops from Yangzi County, seemingly intending to retake Liuhe, but for some unknown reason, he turned back halfway.

The battle never took place.

In the past few days, when Zhou Yi dined with several formidable generals, including Wang Xiongdan and Kan Leng, he would always invite Li Jing along.

After a few drinks, everyone became familiar with each other.

Although he trusted Li Jing's abilities, he was, after all, working under Du Yu.

With Wang Xiongdan and others taking care of things, things will be much easier.

Before leaving, I had another chat with Lao Du.

I learned about the current situation around Liuhe.

The surrounding area was filled with various forces, so Lao Du dared not be careless.

Especially when Meng Rang's tens of thousands of troops were active in Xuyi, Fu Gongshi sent an urgent letter with feathers from Yongfu in the north, and the atmosphere in the Jianghuai army suddenly became tense.

Lai Zheng, the sixth son of Lai Huer, the Left Guard General, arrived with great momentum.

Unafraid of the millions of government troops, only fearing the arrival of the Sixth Brother, this man was also a fierce general who fought alongside Zhang Xutuo across the sacred land of Changbai Mountain.

Meng Rang was defeated in the holy land.

Now that he has been reborn in the filthy land of Xuyi, his mortal enemy has returned. How can he not move?

As soon as Meng Rang moved south, the Jianghuai army was squeezed out.

As one can imagine, this is yet another massive vortex of chaotic warfare.
"If there is any urgent news, you can ask the Giant Kun Gang to send a letter to Nanyang."

Having already bid farewell to Du Fuwei, Zhou Yi arrived in the north of Liuhe City.

He pulled on the reins and tugged at the horse: "There's one more very important thing."

Li Jing's expression hardened: "Please speak, Grand Commander."

Zhou Yi thought of a way to deal with this variable: "If Li Zitong comes to the Jianghuai Army, keep an eye on him secretly."

“I told General Du that this person was not suitable.”

“But right now, Brother Du is riding high, and given Miao Haichao’s successful precedent, I’m worried he might be fooled. Li Zitong is not the same person as Miao Haichao.”

Li Jing nodded repeatedly, still trusting Zhou Yi's judgment.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been given such an important position.

"I will keep a close eye on things for the Grand Commander."

"Yes, a great battle is imminent, please take good care of yourself, Pharmacist."

"Take care, Grand Commander!"

The two exchanged a smile, and Zhou Yi, holding his riding whip, gave a slight fist salute before urging his horse onward.

He could have gone to Huaming nearby and returned by waterway, but Meng Rang was about to have a major battle with Lai Zheng near Xuyi, and he didn't want to get involved.

Go far away and head directly northwest to Zhongli County.

at the same time
Northeast of Liuhe City, on the shore of Gaoyou Lake.

An old man and two children emerged from the water, soaking wet, while a large ship bearing the flag of the Hai Sha Gang sailed in full sail behind them.

"Here they come again!" Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling shouted.

"Go quickly, go quickly!"

Shi Long grabbed them and ran wildly again.

The three dragons of Yangzhou recuperated for a few days near the north side of Yongfu. As the Hai Sha Gang came to gather manpower, they practiced their skills while fleeing.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Anyi, they became embroiled in a conflict between the Dajiang Society and the Yangtze River Alliance.

The three hid in a brothel, where two experts suddenly engaged in a fierce battle. A battle also broke out between experts from the Yuwen Clan and the men sent by Zhou Laotan to search for Chief Qiu.

Amidst the chaos, the three dragons of Yangzhou hid under the bed of a courtesan.

I overheard the Baling Gang secretly discussing the matter of Prince Xiao Xian of Liang, and they also mentioned that the Northern Horse Caravan from the north had suddenly moved south, which involved news of the Great Ming Zunjiao.

The commotion caused by the battle outside caught the attention of the Baling Gang.

First came a great battle, followed by a chase.

The three dragons of Yangzhou approached Xuyi, where the main army was engaged in a fierce battle with Meng Rang. After being drawn into the battle, the three dragons of Yangzhou, despite their injuries, jumped into Hongze Lake.

Dragon swam in the lake, which saved his life.

That night, Shi Long gazed at the moon in the sky, and the words of a certain celestial master echoed in his ears.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, you need to be careful."

The Celestial Master was right.

but
During their battles and escapes, Shi Long also made significant gains.

Not only did he rediscover the feeling of wandering the martial arts world, but he also gained insights into the Longevity Manual.

This understanding wouldn't have been possible without the help of the two little dragons.

At first, they tried to practice the Longevity Formula but failed. Later, they learned about the Pushing Mountain Force and the Qi Meridians and Acupoints taught by Master Zhou.
After that, he inexplicably mastered the two longevity manual diagrams.

Because Shi Long, a professional, has been keeping an eye on things.

The three summarized their methods of circulating qi, with the two young dragons having ingenious ideas and the old dragon having many years of research experience.

After working together, each of the three gained something.

On the fourth day after they recovered from their injuries at Hongze Lake and came out to practice their skills, they encountered a short, stout Taoist priest being chased by a large group of people.

The people who were chasing the short, fat Taoist priest also discovered them.

The four were killed and taken back to Hongze Lake.
……

Zhou Tianshi boarded the ship at Zhongli and traveled leisurely without encountering anything.

He sat at the bow of the boat, admiring the late autumn scenery on both banks.

On the way to Tongbai, the autumn sun shines brightly, the water ripples with golden waves, and boats come and go on the Huai River like a woven tapestry, with masts standing tall.

The maple forests in the mountains are gradually turning red, like fire.

Seeing the reeds swaying on the shore, Zhou Yi couldn't help but think of the poem, "The reeds are green and the dew is white as frost."

There were two girls in this flat-topped boat.

He seemed to come from a wealthy and noble family, and was accompanied by attendants and guards.

Occasionally, when they felt like it, they would pick up a pipa and play it lightly. Their singing was so delicate that it seemed to be swallowed up by the Huai River, as if they were singing only to the River God.

But Zhou Yi has good hearing and can hear clearly.

"Stepping out of the west gate, I gaze towards the west of the city, where the maple leaves are crimson, bathed in the evening mist."

This is Xie Lingyun's "Late Departure from the Western Archery Hall".

They seem to be enjoying the autumn scenery.

Sometimes, as Zhou Yi was listening, he suddenly felt that the singing and playing were not in sync.

Looking back, I saw two girls in their early twenties staring at me.

He turned his head, and they stopped singing, lowered their heads, and the pipa music stopped too.

Zhou Yi silently apologized twice, thinking that this might be what was meant by "If the tune is wrong, Zhou Lang will notice".
The journey was smooth sailing but not smooth sailing; after passing Yingshang, we found ourselves in Yingshang.

The boat turned a corner and arrived at Yiyang County.

The boat owner stopped the boat at a ferry crossing at a crossroads to buy cargo, and some people disembarked at the ferry.

Boats kept coming down the Ru River into the Huai River; they were coming from the direction of Xincai in Runan.

What Zhou Yi didn't expect was
On a boat coming down from the Ru River, there was someone I knew.

The man had sharp eyes and noticed the gaze Zhou Yi was casting.

"stop!"

He immediately waved, and about a dozen boats around him stopped at the ferry dock one after another.

"Master, let's board the boat and talk."

Song Shidao still dressed like a scholar, elegant and proper.

Zhou Yi leaped across the river and lightly stepped onto the boat, causing several swordsmen from the Song family to show slight surprise.

"Why did Young Master Song come down from Runan?"

As Song Shidao invited Zhou Yi into the cabin, he said, "To be honest, since the war in Huai'an, our Song family's business here has been severely damaged."

"Now that Runan is in chaos, we are repeating the same mistakes."

"It seems some friends in the underworld are making trouble for us."

Zhou Yi wanted to remind him that this matter was related to the Yuwen Clan, but judging from Song Shidao's expression, he probably already knew.

So they changed their approach and told him that Yuwen Wudi had been put into a coffin by the old monster of the Demonic Sect.

Song Shidao and the Song family swordsmen standing to one side were all filled with astonishment.

Yuwen Wudi, as one of the four masters of the Yuwen family, was a famous figure in the martial arts world.

In addition, there's the fact that they are one of the four major powers.

This old monster from the Demonic Sect is far too arrogant.

"Master, you must be careful." Song Shidao looked towards the Great Demon Cave of Nanyang, his tone quite earnest.

The business in Nanyang is very stable; Master Yi must not be allowed to have any problems.

Song Shidao invited him for tea and then curiously inquired about the happenings in Jiangdu.

As Zhou Yi was talking to him, a thin, wiry man appeared outside.

This person possesses a long and deep breath, indicating he is a master of internal martial arts.

"Master, let me introduce you. This is the leader of the Water Dragon Gang, Red Dragon Xian Hongtao."

The man greeted them with a smile and clasped his hands in greeting.

"I have long admired Master Yi's name, and I am honored to meet him today."

As one of the eight gangs and ten societies, the leader of the Water Dragon Society, Xian, was very humble.

By this time, he was well aware of the situation in Nanyang.

I dare not put on airs in front of this person.

Zhou Yi also said, "I've heard so much about you," and invited Chief Xian to sit down with him.

During this chance encounter, we exchanged some words that helped to improve our relationship.

Talking
Zhou Yi suddenly thought of a question: "How is your gang's White Dragon Commander doing?"

"I must thank the Abbot for this!"

“Ao Zi is a capable member of our gang. I heard that she was seriously injured and on the verge of death. I didn’t sleep well for several nights. This time, when the Second Young Master passed through Runan, I made a special trip to see her.”

The gang leader chuckled awkwardly: "But she's been busy with other things and doesn't want to see me."

"It seems there's nothing to worry about."

Hearing that he had been turned away, Zhou Yi smiled and asked, "Is Commander Ao usually like this?"

"more or less."

The leader of the Xian gang added a sentence:
"She usually either practices her skills or handles matters within the gang. She speaks little and acts quickly. Compared to her, I am indecisive and slow in my work."

"However, Xian's temper is better than hers."

"Oh?"

Leader Xian said:

"She was always cold and indifferent to everything. I think this is related to her trip to Lingnan, where the clan leader was practicing his swordsmanship. She was fortunate enough to witness his amazing swordsmanship and became obsessed with martial arts from then on."

"Her eyes always seemed to carry a murderous aura, and the brothers in the gang were all quite afraid of her."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi's breathing became slightly heavier.

Without making a sound, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He glanced at the leader of the Xian gang to make sure he wasn't joking.

“Ao Zi has always been this way. Now that she is working in Nanyang, please do not blame her if she does anything disrespectful.”

Zhou Yi laughed and said, "I get along well with Commander Bailong, Chief Xian is overthinking it."

Hearing him say that, the Water Dragon Gang Leader felt relieved.

Because we needed to catch the boat, we dared not linger for too long.

Zhou Yi bid farewell to Song Shidao and Chief Xian, carrying his own thoughts.

The brief conversation enhanced their relationship.

At the same time, it also made Zhou Yi more cautious.

Something's strange.

Those eyes looked completely different from those of the Water Dragon Gang Leader.

While guessing her identity, Zhou Yi walked towards the ship they had been on before.

"Guanzhu!"

Two men in black approached the boat; they were from the Kun Gang.

"What brings you two brothers here?"

"Master, Chief Bu is currently in Yiyang."

The two spoke quickly and briefly explained the situation.

Chief Bu is in trouble, but it's just a misunderstanding.

This involves Lu Zushang, the eldest brother of Yiyang County.

Zhou Yi suddenly realized that he might still have some connection with Lu Zushang, so he could easily find an opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Let’s go to Yiyang County together. You guys help me find someone.”

"Abbot, who are you looking for?"

"His name is Lu Wenrui."

"..."

This place is very close to Guangshan, less than a hundred miles by land and water. The boat headed towards the south bank, and Zhou Yi and two members of the Kun Gang disembarked midway.

The boatmen only travel along the Huai River, and unless there is an emergency, they will not go to any side roads.

The three men chartered a small boat on the south bank of the Huai River and sailed down the Yellow River into Yiyang County.

Passing through Dingcheng, and continuing south, you will reach Guangshan.

Guangshan is the place where Sima Guang smashed the water jar.

Along the way, Kun helped the two of them explain the situation clearly.

Upon entering the city, Zhou Yi first sought out Bu Tianzhi.

But since Lao Bu wasn't there, he waited at the helm.

The rest of the men went out to find Lu Wenrui, and following Zhou Yi's method, they found him in less than an hour.

In front of a thriving tea shop, Lu Wenrui saw Zhou Yi again and seemed momentarily dazed.

The next moment, I realized
"Benefactor!"

How could he forget the person who saved his family's lives in Huai'an that day?

Zhou Yi smiled and saw the two children playing in the shop.

It seems
Lu Wenrui's choice to leave Huai'an to seek refuge with distant relatives was not wrong.

He pulled Zhou Yi aside, offering her some vegetables and rice.

Zhou Yi hurriedly said, "No rush, please take me to see someone."

Without saying a word, Lu Wenrui put down the teapot, called out to his wife, and led the way.

"Do you know who I'm looking for?"

“I only know Lu Zushang here.”

Lu Wenrui walked quickly: "My benefactor is in a hurry to find him, there must be something important that needs to be done, we can't delay."

“He has been frequently going out to seek medical treatment lately, and he happens to be home right now, so we need to hurry over there.”

"Thank you!"

“How can you say such a thing, my benefactor? Without you, my whole family would have died long ago.”

As he spoke, Lu Wenrui moved even faster.

After running for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Wenrui was a little out of breath.

Finally, a huge mansion came into view, with a plaque hanging high that read "Lu Mansion".

But
The gate, however, was tightly shut.

"Open the door, open the door!"

To Zhou Yi's surprise, Lu Wenrui slammed his fist on the door, quite decisively.

"No visitors, no visitors!"

"Master Shang said he won't see anyone!"

"Let's go!"

There was someone inside the door, shouting loudly, trying to drive them away.

"Open the door quickly!"

"Get Da Shang here right now, I'm his uncle!"

Upon hearing this, the tightly closed door creaked open.

The dark-faced gatekeeper took a closer look and realized that he really was Shang Ye's cousin.

Although this uncle had only been in Guangshan for a short time, everyone still remembered him.

Zhou Yi followed Lu Wenrui inside.

The dark-faced man ran even faster and went inside to report.

A short while later, a man in his thirties came out.

He wasn't very tall, and his appearance was fairly refined, but what was most striking about him was his dark circles under his eyes.

He looked like he hadn't slept for over ten days.

"Uncle, why are you suddenly looking for me? And who is this?"

He spoke listlessly and weakly.

Her eyes, filled with unspoken thoughts, swept over Zhou Yi.

"Da Shang, this is the savior I told you about!"

After hearing this, Lu Zushang opened his sleepy eyelids.

At this moment, he clasped his hands in a fist and stepped forward, forcing a smile of enthusiasm from his tired face:
"So it's my benefactor!"

Zhou Yi waved his hand: "The matter of Huai'an is just a small matter, nothing to mention."

Lu Zushang was known as a chivalrous hero in Yiyang, and these words resonated with him. If the timing weren't so bad, he would definitely sit down and have a good drink.

"Does my benefactor have come on important business?"

Zhou Yi nodded slightly: "I heard that Master Lu has some conflicts with the Giant Kun Gang, so I came here to clear up the misunderstanding."

"Ok?"

Lu Zushang frowned deeply, his voice turning cold: "My benefactor saved my uncle, and I am eternally grateful."

"But I will never tolerate the Giant Kun Gang's attempt to harm my master!"

"This matter is a huge misunderstanding. Why don't you meet with Chief Bu, Master Lu, and let's clear things up face to face?"

Lu Zushang frowned even more deeply: "My master has been incredibly kind to me. How can I face a bunch of executioners?"

"If I weren't looking for medicine for my master right now, I would have already stormed their door."

"In the entire Yiyang Prefecture, no one dares to act as such an advocate. May I ask who you are, my benefactor?"

As he spoke, he exuded an unparalleled aura!
His sleepy eyes suddenly sharpened like knives, staring intently at Zhou Yi.

Lu Wenrui, who was standing nearby, was about to dissuade him.

Zhou Yi has already revealed his background: "I am the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple in Nanyang."

Lu Zushang was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and his unparalleled aura vanished in an instant.

"You...you are the Master Yi of Wuzhuang Temple?!"

He stared wide-eyed at Zhou Yi, somewhat incredulous.

"What's wrong?"

Lu Zushang's previously devastated face suddenly lit up with joy, and he shouted excitedly:
"I, Lu, only returned from Nanyang yesterday. I searched for Master Yi without success. I thought it was my master's fate, but I never expected this."

"I never expected to find the real person here!"

Zhou Yi was a little confused by his sudden outburst.

Lu Zushang had already knelt on the ground, and cried out in a sobbing voice:

"Please, Master, communicate with the Yin and Yang realms, unleash your profound power, and save my master's life!"

……

(End of this chapter)