Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 140 Tears in the Eyes: Master Zhou Skillfully Resolves the Heartache

Zhou Yi smiled slightly after hearing his words.

As if receiving a military order, Xu Shiji saluted with both hands, turned his horse around, and whipped it to head east.

He was alone on horseback, seemingly lonely, but in reality, he was carrying someone he couldn't bear to part with in his heart.

As the horse picked up speed, Old Xu glanced back.

In the distance, a figure in blue robes had already entered the East Gorge with the ranch people.

Thinking of how vengeful a certain Taoist master was, he secretly made up his mind.

"Luo Yan, I, Xu, will surely come to rescue you with unparalleled merit."

Xu Shiji's expression darkened as he thought of Liang King Xiao Xian.

This person's name is on the books, making him one of the most original debtors, just like Mi Gong. Once the debt is settled, it will be a great achievement.

Fueled by malice towards the Prince of Liang, Xu Shiji spurred his horse onward.
Zhou Yi followed the East Gorge upwards to the entrance of the cave, and once again looked down at the Caohai Lake, feeling a different kind of emotion.

With the situation in Jingling and Nanjun largely settled, they could relax even more.

Before he knew it, he had already taken control of a large area of ​​fertile land south of the Huai River and north of the Yangtze River.

"Boom~!"

Before Zhou Yiren even reached the Zaokou city gate, the ranch guards lowered the huge drawbridge and followed him out with dozens of men, clearly knowing that he was returning today.

The head steward, Shang Zhen, tucked his pipe behind his waist and quickened his pace to welcome him into the mountain city.

The people on the ranch found it novel.

This was the first time they had ever seen the university's housekeeper act like this, without any airs.

Zhou Yi politely replied, "How could I trouble the head steward to personally welcome me?"

Shang Zhen waved his hands repeatedly and explained, "Last time I was in such a hurry that I didn't know you were coming, young master. This time, I dare not be negligent."

He tried to go forward and take the horse, but Zhou Yi dismounted.

He handed the reins to the person accompanying him before they went inside together.

Although the internal strife at the ranch had been quelled and the four bandit chiefs, a major threat, Shang Zhen still felt somewhat guilty when he met the ranch owner these past few days because she always had a cold expression on her face.

Firstly, Chen Tianyue impersonated the city, leading to the invasion of sand bandits and the destruction of many houses, which are still under repair.

Although innocent, there is still a suspicion of oversight.

Secondly, he is inaccurate in judging people.

Some time ago, I was bewitched by a pretty lady and took her as a concubine. But it turns out that Yuan'er was having an affair with Li Tianfan and was already someone else's woman.

Li Tianfan is a ruthless person.

In order to succeed, he gave away his own woman.

Therefore, Yuan'er kept Shang Zhen at the steward's mansion, and Chen Tianyue acted recklessly without worrying about the fake running into the real one.

After learning the whole story, Shang Zhen was filled with shame.

This matter even became a topic of conversation among the ranch residents. Butler Shang had to master Bao Rang's Horizontal Qi Shield technique, otherwise he wouldn't have enough face to save.

When he received Zhou Yi, he was extremely attentive.

He almost became the eternal sinner of Pegasus Ranch.

Zhou Yi and Shang Zhen headed towards the inner fortress. On the East Gorge city tower, several men were baring their teeth and staring at Chen Ruiyang.

"Old Chen, I heard that on his first night in Shancheng, Young Master Zhou was accommodated at Cuihuang Pavilion by the owner. Is that true?"

Chen Ruiyang dismissed it: "There's no need to make a fuss about this."

“That would be great,” someone said bluntly.

Some people worried, "However, it goes against the ancestral teachings of the ranch."

Liu Zhize, the leader of the Fuyuan caravan, said, "Don't think too much about it."

With a look of awe, Chief Liu said, "That night, Young Master Zhou rode his horse across the grasslands and fought a group of bandits in the midst of the herd. His opponents were sand bandits who had been riding horses in the northern desert for so many years and had even killed two grandmasters this time. I, Old Liu, admire such a heroic figure very much."

"If you ask me, times change and things change, but ancestral precepts are not necessarily unchangeable."

Some people nodded in agreement, while others talked about the ranch's traditions.

After all, this has been the survival rule of the ranch for nearly two hundred years.

None of those who hold important positions on the ranch are outsiders.

This man is too powerful; it's impossible for him to marry into the family.

Chen Ruiyang heard a buzzing sound in his ears and waved his hand around:
"What's the point of your ancestral precepts? Just raise a child and put him on the ranch; there's no need to worry about who will inherit this family business."

Chen Ruiyang got into the swing of things, offering advice on love and relationships, but his words became increasingly absurd.

Liu Zhize sensed something was wrong. Hearing them discussing what the child's surname would be, he dared not gossip any further and quickly escaped the circle of rumors.

The man surnamed Chen was bold, but Chief Liu didn't want to sweep horse manure.

The men around him were having a great time discussing it, because Chen Ruiyang knew a lot and could tell them real things.

If we're talking about "wild geese carrying letters," then Chen Ruiyang is a talking wild goose.

"Chief Lou, aren't you going to try to persuade him?"

Liu Zhize saw Lou Ruodan on the outside. Lou Ruodan gave a forced smile: "Let him have his fun. Even if he doesn't say much, he can't hide it from the venue owner."

Zhou Yi climbed to a high point in the mountain city, where the city had largely recovered compared to a few days ago.

The ranch has no shortage of people or money.

A large number of craftsmen came from Dangyang and Fuyuan to quickly repair the damaged building carvings, and new bluestone slabs were laid on the collapsed roads.

There were plenty of laborers skilled in martial arts, so transporting large stones from the foot of the mountain was a piece of cake for them.

Looking around, I estimate that the city will return to its previous prosperity within a month.

Shang Zhen led him into the inner fortress, but did not go in himself.

Zhou Yi didn't see the beautiful owner of the venue, assuming she was busy, so he went to the back mountain to see Lu Miaozi and check on his injuries.

Seeing that he was always lost in thought, I didn't disturb him.

Back in the inner fortress, we went straight to the fourth floor of the Cuihuang Pavilion to rest.

With everything done and my mind at peace, I took a good night's sleep.

As dusk settled, they heard someone climbing the tower.

Zhou Yi straightened his clothes and opened the door in advance. A graceful and slender young woman glanced at him but remained silent.

She carried the food box into the room and saw the unmade bed. She knew she had come abruptly, and a strange look flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly covered up by her many thoughts.

Sitting at the table, Shang Xiuxun opened the food box.

One by one, the dishes were taken out: glossy lion's head meatballs, neatly arranged Dongting silver fish, and a plate of brightly colored mushrooms and greens.

Zhou Yi sat opposite her, with only one set of bowls and chopsticks and one wine glass.

Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, Zhou Yi did not ask any further questions.

The hardest thing to ask is what's on your mind; eating is more important.

Seeing him like this, Shang Xiuxun rested her head on her arm and watched him. She had no appetite before, but seeing him eating with relish, she suddenly felt hungry.

She pursed her lips slightly, regretting that she had only brought enough food for one person.

"You didn't eat?"

Zhou Yi glanced at her and immediately understood.

"You eat, I'll ask the kitchen to make more later."

After saying that, Shang Xiuxun seemed to have opened up a conversation with him about the aftermath of the chaos at the ranch and the events in Jingling City.

They didn't change the subject until Zhou Yi finished eating.

Zhou Yi drank the last cup of wine from the small jade pot and gently tapped the jade cup on the table.

Are you worried about Mr. Lu?

Zhou Yi knew she wouldn't answer, so he quickly changed his question: "Have you gone to see him these past few days?"

Shang Xiuxun hesitated for a moment, then finally shook her head.

Has Mr. Naru come looking for you?

She shook her head again.

Zhou Yi was somewhat convinced; you two truly are father and daughter.

“You once said that he is the kind of person who only appreciates what he has lost, and he should understand this principle. If there is anything you want to say to him, even if it is something unpleasant, don’t keep it to yourself, otherwise you will have many unresolved issues in your heart when you look back on it later.”

Shang Xiuxun sighed softly, still in the same tone:

"I couldn't say a word to this old man."

Zhou Yi stopped trying to persuade him.

She raised her head, suppressing her worries for the time being: "Both prefectures are now at peace. Why don't you stay in the mountain city for a few more days? I'll have the kitchen prepare some delicious food to entertain you."

Zhou Yi nodded. Old Lu's matter hadn't been resolved, so he really couldn't leave right now.

"I'll wait a few more days."

"If Mr. Lu really passes away, I will help him out."

Zhou Yi formed a hand seal and held it up in front of him: "You've seen me before, I'm a proper Yin-Yang master."

The beautiful owner smiled genuinely as she thought of that painting.

This was the first time she had laughed in recent days.

With all sorts of things piling up, her face always looked frosty.

Therefore, when arranging the ranch repairs, the ranch owner's imposing presence made the ranch elders a little nervous.

That captivating smile vanished in an instant, leaving her phoenix eyes even more profound.

"How many more days does the old man have left to live?"

Zhou Yi made no attempt to hide it:

“These old wounds are always related to the mind and spirit. Mr. Lu has been able to live until now because he has devoted himself to gardens and landscapes, which has diverted his mind and spirit. Now, he is first angered, then he is reminiscing about old grudges, and he is even more worried about you. He is getting worse day by day.”

"In my opinion, he may only have seven days left to live."

Shang Xiuxun's expression was complicated. She wanted to say something more, but she also hoped that he would offer a few more words of comfort.

Seeing Zhou Yi standing by the window gazing into the distance, he put the dishes and bowls into the food box.

With a worried expression, he said goodbye and went downstairs.

That night, Zhou Yi went up to the top floor of Cuihuang Pavilion, invited the moon to keep him company, and, with the evening breeze, held a book and read it between two palace lanterns, enjoying himself leisurely.

In the Flying Bird Garden, the beautiful owner gazed at the lights on the Emerald Pavilion. Her girlish heart stirred within her an impulse to go up to the Emerald Pavilion and have a nighttime conversation with him.

But once I started worrying about the things on the back mountain, I lost all interest.

In the secluded building on the back hill, an old man, holding a brush in one hand and a cup in the other, paced back and forth in front of the bamboo grove.
Qu Wuju hung his head from the roof for the eleventh day.

At the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM), Zhou Yi went straight to the Bird Park from the back mountain.

Seeing his haste, Shang Xiuxun's heart tightened.

"That old man."

Zhou Yi reached out and interrupted her: "This may be the last time we see each other. Come with me quickly."

This time, she did not refuse.

The two went together to the back mountain and arrived at the Anlewo area.

Shang Xiuxun stepped into the wooden house, but instead of looking at the various elegant items inside, her gaze was entirely on the old man.

She was having trouble moving her feet.

Zhou Yi didn't dare to delay and took the initiative to pull the beautiful venue owner's arm. She sat down and her eyes were level with the old man's.

Old Lu showed gratitude to Zhou Yi and looked at his daughter.

He sat upright, but his face was completely bloodless, and his breath was faint.

Shang Xiuxun glanced at Zhou Yi, who shook his head helplessly.

Her mind was in turmoil, but she frowned and said, "You've been angry with Mother for so long, why don't you be angry with me for a few more years?"

A smile appeared on Lu Miaozi's refined face: "The old man wishes, but it's already beyond his power."

“When Qingya left, I should have gone with her. But... I couldn’t rest easy about you.”

Shang Xiuxun revealed a hint of resentment: "When have I ever needed your concern?!"

Lu Miaozi said apologetically, "Xiuxun, I'm sorry to Qingya, and I'm sorry to you too. Unfortunately, heaven won't give me a second chance."

Shang Xiuxun sighed inwardly. Thinking of her mother and looking at the old woman whose life was gradually fading away, she stopped saying hurtful words and only let out a soft hum.

Deep in her eyes lies a sadness unseen by others.

Lu Miaozi glanced at Zhou Yi and habitually called out:
“Young friend Zhou, cough, cough, young Zhou, the world is in turmoil these days. Xiu Xun controls the ranch, which looks glamorous, but there are all sorts of dangers behind it. I left two letters on the table, one for Xiu Xun and the other for you.”

“I was about to return to the underworld, and I wanted to give her more explanations, but since Xiuxun confided in you, I have nothing left to worry about.”

Shang Xiuxun hadn't expected him to say these things. A strange feeling flashed through her mind for a moment, and then she felt a pang of anxiety.

"Mr. Lu, I really wish to have another cup of Liuguo wine with you."

Lu Miaozi looked at him and smiled, "Let Xiuxun drink with you."

Shang Xiuxun took a breath and suddenly said, "Old man, you...you just hang in there a little longer, come with me to see my mother's gravestone."

"Let Zhou Yi go with you."

Lu Miaozi seemed to sense the change in her daughter's attitude towards her, smiled with relief, and, fearing that her daughter might be saddened, comforted her:
"Life is fleeting, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall. Just when you think life will never end, in the blink of an eye, you're breathing your last few breaths. Just cherish the time you have now and don't worry about me."

"Young Master Zhou, daughter, this old man is off now."

Just as he was about to close his eyes, Zhou Yi appeared behind Lu Miaozi in a flash.

"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry to offend you!"

Lu Miaozi shook his head slightly and closed his eyes tightly.

Shang Xiuxun could no longer sense his presence; all she could feel was the strong wind emanating from Zhou Yi's raised hand.

She could no longer suppress her emotions, and her eyes sparkled with tears.

He stood up, his left hand clenched, and his right hand gripped his left sleeve.

Knowing that Zhou Yi would try it before the old man died, they dared not disturb him.

I stood there for a very long time, half an hour passed.

The setting sun was like blood, and beads of sweat rolled down Zhou Yi's face. Finally, he withdrew his palm strike and reached out to support Lu Miaozi's body.

Shang Xiuxun bent down and wiped away his sweat.

Zhou Yi shook his head slightly: "I've done my best."

After saying this, he placed Lu Miaozi on the bed he had prepared long ago and covered her with a brand new bright red cotton quilt.

Shang Xiuxun stood by the bed for a long time.

Zhou Yi retrieved the two letters, found the one for himself, and handed the other thick letter to Shang Xiuxun.

She stood by the bedside, gazing at the peaceful old man, and opened the letter.

This letter took a great deal of effort from Lu Miaozi, as he poured out all the things he had wanted to say before.

She even started talking about her childhood.

Upon reading the letter, Shang Xiuxun immediately understood that the old man was not so heartless, but had been silently watching over and protecting her all along.

He just neglected his emotions and didn't know how to express them well.

Otherwise, Shang Qingya wouldn't be so heartbroken.

As I read, tears welled up in my eyes, and the resentment of the past gradually faded away.

"father"

Shang Xiuxun felt regret for not being able to reconcile with the old man in his last moments. Thinking of her parents now that they were gone, and the vastness of the world around her, she felt endless sorrow.

The tears became even more uncontrollable.

She travels the world as a merchant, befriends various powerful forces, and possesses immense wealth and power. People say she is noble, aloof, and self-admiring. But at this moment, she is more vulnerable than she has ever been.

At that moment, a green figure stood beside him.

She felt utterly empty inside, and following only her heart, she momentarily forgot the shame between men and women, threw herself into his arms, and sobbed softly.

Given her temperament, unless she is mentally and emotionally distressed, she would certainly behave with restraint.

But at this moment, who in this world can stand before me?

Zhou Yi had intended to offer comfort, but he was caught off guard.

So he reached out and gently patted her, but this only made her sob even louder, as if she were pouring out all the grievances she had held for years, her delicate body trembling slightly. Soon, her tears had soaked through his clothes.

Old Lu is still nearby. It would be bad if we woke him up, and he might develop health problems again.

Zhou Yi gently picked her up and took two steps to the outside.

There was a bamboo chair under the eaves of Anlewo. Perhaps she would be sad for a long time, so Zhou Yi held her and sat down. The beautiful owner of the venue was still sobbing.

As time went on, her movements became smaller and smaller.

Gradually, the crying stopped.

"Miss Shang~"

Zhou Yi called out once, but she didn't respond. He called out again, "Xiuxun."

The girl, her face streaked with tears, finally raised her head, somewhat embarrassed, but even more heartbroken.

What did Mr. Lu write to you?

She was silent for a moment before whispering:

“He remembers things from my childhood and things from when I grew up much more clearly than I do.”

Shang Xiuxun recounted several events with a heavy heart, then asked, "What else did he write to you?"

"I haven't seen it yet."

Zhou Yi, holding a letter in his right hand, asked, "Will you look at this with me?"

The beautiful woman didn't want to look, but she felt a little reluctant to leave the moment, so she turned her back to him and still leaned against him.

They read the letter together, which began with:

"Young friend Zhou, read this letter yourself, and make sure Xiuxun doesn't see it."

Zhou Yi sensed something was wrong. Shang Xiuxun straightened up and 'snatched' the letter from Zhou Yi's hand.

"The care of parents is often unspoken, and it is truly difficult to express it verbally. Writing that letter took as much effort as building a hundred gardens. There are also some things that I did not tell her."

"She is a calm and shrewd person. Influenced by me, she is also quite talented. In addition, she was taught by her mother and managed the ranch business, so she has a very high vision. But I can see how affectionate she is towards you."

"She occasionally smiles at the paintings; it seems she's thinking of you."

Upon seeing this, Shang Xiuxun's pretty face flushed red. What was this old man saying?

Just as she was about to receive the letter, Zhou Yi snatched it back.

Because he saw the sentence that followed.
"Oh, so you painted all those pictures. That's really interesting."

"But then you said a painting sold for five hundred gold coins. I thought about it carefully and it's hard to see that it's worth five hundred gold coins. Considering that you are very perceptive, the person who bought the painting probably had no choice. If I'm not mistaken, please have a drink with me, and I'll consider this a win for me."

Old Lu has no vision; he's no match for the wealthy young master.

Zhou Yi muttered to himself, then continued reading.

Lu Miaozi digressed a few times, then wrote in the letter:

"I've only spent a few days with you, but I'm already impressed by your free spirit, just like your brother. If you also have feelings for Xiuxun, I hope you won't let her down."

If you don't have that intention, then consider yourself a junior helping out the old man. I've left my underground treasures and all my other riches in this letter, all for you.”

The latter part of the letter instructed him to study "mechanical science," saying that if he wanted to unlock the treasure trove of Yang Gong, he must study this book.

Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to open the door.

The letter not only revealed the location of Yang Gong's treasure vault, but also warned against touching a certain dangerous item.

After all, that thing will be detected as soon as it appears.

Near the end of the letter, he explained how to handle his 'remains'.

As a master of mechanical engineering, there is another comfortable nest beneath this comfortable nest.

But it even saved the trouble of playing black.

The letter ended with the words: "Goodbye, my young friend Zhou."

Feeling someone looking at her, Shang Xiuxun's sorrow was almost completely dispelled by this letter.

A charming blush spread across her face, and she quickly changed the subject: "Who is this Brother Xiang?"

“That was Mr. Lu’s friend. He lived for over two hundred years and has already broken through the void and departed.”

Shang Xiuxun looked surprised, suddenly remembering the contents of the letter.

That wretched old man said that the person in front of him was also someone like Brother Xiang.

Considering his young age and high level of martial arts skills, one knows that what he said is true.

Is it
Will you also shatter the void and depart?

Zhou Yi stared at the setting sun in the distance and said slowly, "It may be very close, or it may be very far away."

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiuxun immediately felt a surge of immense disappointment.

The old man saddened his mother, yet he could still see people. If separated by a void, only paintings would remain.

Thinking of those old letters, of Nanchaohu Village, and of my recent experiences at the ranch.
After reading the letter, Shang Xiuxun did not get up. Instead, she turned around to face him, just as before, and concentrated all her tenderness in this moment.

She didn't leave that spot until the sun went down, brushing a few strands of hair, damp with tears, behind her ear.

They didn't take into account the complex emotions of the beautiful hostess.

Zhou Yi calculated the time and felt it was about time.

"Let's go and make sure your father's body is settled properly."

"Ah."

Light the lamps and, as instructed in the letter, go to the bookcase in the room and open the mechanism. With a "creaking" sound, a three-foot square stone slab in the center of the room sank down, revealing a staircase leading to the ground.

The two men carried lamps down and entered a spacious basement, about three zhang square.

Strange weapons hung all around, along with many exquisite little boxes.

Lifting the lid of two large camphor wood chests revealed various ingenious tools.

Zhou Yi picked up a pair of steel claws, presumably the treasure Old Lu used to escape the Yin Empress's pursuit, the Flying Divine Escape.

However, this flying escape technique was no longer effective against his lightness skill.

The military treatises, geography books, mechanical arts manuals, and martial arts classics in each box are even more interesting.

When Zhou Yi turned to the section on mechanical devices, he used his internal energy to open one of the mechanisms.

at once
Accompanied by a series of loud "click-click-click" noises, Shang Xiuxun saw that the bed where Lu Miaozi was lying in the room was being lowered, and there was a stone trough resembling a coffin in the basement that was connected to the bed.

This is the tomb the old man arranged for himself.

Once they've moved all these useful books and records out, they'll turn on the next switch.

The entire basement will be sealed off and then sunk ten feet deep, which will be the final resting place after death.

The ingenuity of the mechanism did not surprise her.

Surprisingly
The loud noise was so intense it seemed to be trying to wake someone up.

The old man, covered by a bright red quilt, slowly woke up, sat up halfway, and threw off the quilt that had made him sweat.

Shang Xiuxun turned to look at Zhou Yi and saw that he looked surprised.

She realized that the old man had regained his breath and was not a zombie.

It should have been a moment to make up for regrets and bring tears of joy, but the thought of that letter...
Hearing the crackling sound, Lu Miaozi thought he was falling into hell. After removing the large furnace from his body, he opened his eyes and looked around.

Suddenly, he saw a young couple and realized where he was.

For a moment, he caught his breath.

At this moment, the daughter snatched the letter from Zhou Yi's hand, and Lu Miaozi lay down again upon seeing this.

Just then, a letter was thrown at me:

"Old man, what nonsense are you talking about!"

After saying that, Shang Xiuxun turned and left.

Zhou Yi smiled. Of course, he wouldn't keep her; it would only make things awkward for the father and daughter.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Zhou Yi smiled at Lao Lu and asked, "Mr. Lu, how are you feeling now?"

"Very good"

Lu Miaozi held the letter in his hand: "However, it's not as straightforward as just dying."

"Don't worry, Xiuxun isn't that angry. She has let go of her old grudges. She just doesn't know how to face you right now, so she found an excuse to avoid you."

Zhou Yi's words of comfort made Lu Miaozi feel much better.

Old Lu realized what had happened and sighed deeply: "I pride myself on being clever, but I've fallen for your trick again."

"Sir, please don't make things up."

Zhou Yi said calmly, "Actually, I wasn't confident that I could cure Mr.'s old ailment. It was just a coincidence."

Lu Miaozi didn't believe it, but she knew he had good intentions, and asked out of curiosity, "How did you do that?"

Zhou Yi explained:
"Actually, I've been trying to find a way. I tried it the first time, and even the Demon Seed in the Dao Heart couldn't dispel your Heavenly Demon True Qi."

Therefore.

The one who tied the knot must untie it.

A glint of wisdom flashed in Zhou Yi's eyes:
"I opened a Heavenly Demon Hidden Aperture in each of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot Jueyin Gallbladder Meridian, and used the Heavenly Demon Great Art to steal the tangible methods. Combined with my Star Shift technique, I absorbed all the Heavenly Demon True Qi in your body into the two hidden apertures. This not only cured the illness, but also greatly benefited me, giving me a deeper understanding of the secrets of the Heavenly Demon."

It begins with Taiyin and ends with Jueyin; so this is how the twelve primary meridians are practiced.

Lu Miaozi looked incredulous, when suddenly Zhou Yi waved his hand, revealing a layer of spatial rhythm in his palm.

This is the essence of the Heavenly Demon Great Art's direct access to the spatial realm.

Zhou Yi put away the Heavenly Mansion and Heavenly Pool Hidden Apertures, and the spatial rhythm stopped.

"Have you been exposed to the Heavenly Demon Technique before?"

"Indeed, especially the battle at Longxing Temple, where the Empress Yin wanted to perish together with Shi Zhixuan and used the Jade and Stone Burn Together technique, which allowed me to glimpse the secrets of the Heavenly Demon."

"Have you ever read any records of this skill?"

"No."

The little demon girl wasn't even in the official records, and he didn't tell a single lie.

Lu Miaozi, realizing he couldn't understand the world of martial arts prodigies, simply stopped asking.

He stretched his limbs and felt his breathing become easier: "Thanks to you, I can live a few more years."

Zhou Yi quickly reminded him:

"Sir, you must not reveal yourself in the martial world. The Yin Empress's bottleneck has loosened, and she may be about to make a breakthrough. I cannot deal with her now. If she attacks the ranch, it will be a great disaster."

Lu Miaozi nodded naturally, having no intention of seeking the spirit.

Seeing that he lay down again, Zhou Yi said goodbye.

Not long after he returned to Cuihuang Pavilion, someone from the kitchen came to deliver his meal. After eating, he picked up Lu Miaozi's books on garden art, military strategy, and mechanical engineering and began to read them.

This thing is really not as interesting as martial arts.

Not long after, Zhou Yi fell asleep.

The fourth day after Lu Miaozi was brought back to life.

Zhou Yi met the beautiful owner of the farm he hadn't seen for several days, and under her guidance, the two of them arrived at the back mountain together.

A feast has already been set up at Lu Miaozi's place.

It seems that the father and daughter have met in private. Although the owner still calls him "old man," their relationship has improved considerably.

At least, we can now eat together.

This time, there are not only six kinds of fruit wine, but also Yunnan sweet wine.

And of course, sweet wine chicken was also a must. Zhou Yi felt that the chicken was stewed well, but it wasn't particularly delicious.

However, seeing the expectation in Miss Shang's eyes, Zhou Yi reluctantly gave her a high evaluation.

I also guessed why she hadn't been seen these past few days.

Therefore, in his opinion, the taste of this Yunnan sweet wine naturally surpasses that of Liuguo wine.

Lu Miaozi saw through everything, and smiled without saying a word.

Listening to them talk, especially some of the things Zhou Yi said, made Lao Lu quite emotional.

If only I had his thick skin, his ability to understand people's hearts, and his skill in flattery.

Will Xiaoyan slap me? Will Qingya die of depression?
As Lu Miaozi pondered, he drank wine repeatedly, and just as he was getting into a good mood, Shang Xiuxun took the wine away, saying that his injuries had just healed and he should not drink too much.

Being suddenly controlled by my daughter is both a joy and a pain.

After finishing her meal, Shang Xiuxun left first.

Recently, many caravans have returned, and many of their businesses, spanning all over the country, require her approval.

Zhou Yi stayed quietly in the back mountain, chatting with Lu Miaozi about martial arts.

"Your talent and comprehension are rare in the world, but you have only studied for a short time and your skills are not deep enough. When facing an older generation of people, even if you are at the same level, you will suffer some losses."

Lu Miaozi's advice was mainly to exchange ideas with him on how to use clever tricks.

In particular, how to apply the "one that has vanished" in martial arts.

However.
He witnessed a bizarre and terrifying event.

Over nearly two months, Zhou Yi's skills improved day by day in the back mountain of the Bird Park.

In nearly two months, he improved the skills that an ordinary person would have acquired in more than twenty years.

Only then did he completely refine the demonic energy in the Heavenly Peak Acupoint, and at the same time open up the three major acupoints: the Chest Acupoint, the Zhou Rong Acupoint, and the Da Bao Acupoint.

The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian is fully cultivated.

Of the twelve primary meridians, only the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang remains.

Lu Miaozi had just recovered from his old injuries and his skill was not yet at its peak, but in terms of knowledge and breadth of expertise, there was probably no one in the world who could surpass him.

Furthermore, his friendship with Xiang Yutian and frequent exchanges with him led to his martial arts level being completely disproportionate to his actual skill.

The saying goes, "From three comes all things." In just over two months, Lu Miaozi spoke of "all things" without repeating a single word.

If the previous use of "Little Friend Zhou" was just a polite way of saying it.

Now, the two talk about the world and have truly become friends.

The owner of the beauty salon often struggled with this issue, but Zhou Yi simply brushed it off with a "each to their own" remark.
After two months of peaceful stay, one day Zhou Yi suddenly received a secret letter from the Giant Kun gang.

The letter recounted three major events.

The Jianghuai Army captured Liyang, gaining control of another important town north of the Yangtze River.

Although the Li clan of Guanzhong has not officially established its own banner, it is plotting to establish a strong presence in Chang'an. Several major factions in Guanzhong support the Li clan, giving it considerable influence.

Chang'an was difficult to defend, simply because the Li clan timed it perfectly.

Wagangzhai is engaged in a fierce battle with Zhang Xutuo!

In the Mid-Autumn Festival of the twelfth year of the Daye era, Zhang Xutuo once again defeated Zhai Rang and marched all the way to Dahai Temple, only to find that an ambush had suddenly sprung up.

Li Mi, along with Shen Luoyan, Wang Bodang, and Zu Junyan, surrounded the Sui army.

Zhang Xutuo, relying on his personal bravery, fought his way out of the encirclement. However, seeing that his men were still surrounded, he rushed back into the encirclement to rescue them. He did this four times, and his men were defeated and scattered each time.

Seeing this, Zhang Xutuo looked up to the sky and sighed, "Our army has been defeated to this extent, how can we still have the face to see the emperor?"

He then dismounted and engaged in battle with Li Mi and Zhai Rang.

Zhang Xutuo was about to be defeated and killed in battle.

Suddenly, amidst the chaos of battle, three squads of newly recruited soldiers attacked!
General You Hongda, the general who quelled bandits of the Sui Dynasty, roared and charged in. Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao formed a trident and thrust it towards Dahai Temple.

Amidst the chaos, You Hongda shouted, "The Emperor is in Jiangdu, General Zhang must not die!"

Zhang Xutuo's fighting spirit was awakened, and he fought fiercely against Li Mi.

Under the cover of You Hongda, Cheng Yaojin, and Qin Shubao, they rescued several more squads of men, broke through Li Mi's defenses, and escaped the encirclement.
After reading the letter in his hand, Zhou Yi was also somewhat absorbed.

The gaunt man who delivered the letter then handed over another letter: "Master, this is a secret message brought by Chief Bu from Jiangdu."

Zhou Yixin let out a soft "Eh".

What news could be so mysterious? Even the messenger seemed uneasy.

After reading it, he shook his head with a smile.

"You go ahead, I'll be going to Jiangdu soon."

"Yes!"

……

(End of this chapter)