Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 182 Whose Handsome Young Man?
Wang Shichong's secret?!
Guo Wenyi perked up. He had many informants in the city and had long heard the strange rumors about the Duke of Zheng's mansion.

He took two steps closer to the offerings on the altar, and the six heads, with their twelve eyes, seemed to be staring at him simultaneously.

A strange legend in the Eastern Capital: How many heads did the Duke of Zheng, known as the Nine-Headed Insect, actually have?
there is only one truth!
Guo Wenyi heard the sound of a door opening in his mind. He immediately clasped his hands in greeting and shifted his gaze from Lu Chu to the white-clad youth whose face was mostly illuminated by candlelight.

The young man had a pleased expression on his face, as if he had a plan in mind.

"Young Master Zhou, what secrets does Wang Shichong hold?"

Zhou Yi gestured to a chair to the side, and Guo Wenyi sat down accordingly.

Lu Chu grabbed a head and handed it to Guo Wenyi.

"Minister Guo, please examine his head."

After hearing Zhou Yi's words, Guo Wenyi held her breath and began to examine the object carefully.

He is also a martial arts practitioner and has a certain understanding of human bones and acupoints.

After tapping and touching it several times, and with Lu Chu's reminder, he finally discovered a clue: "This head is very brittle, and the bones seem to be thinner than those of an ordinary person, but near the face, they are extremely thick."

"It's like someone who trains externally, putting all their hard skills into their facial features."

He clicked his tongue and said, "No wonder the Duke of Zheng can always turn his back on you so easily; he has such a thick skin."

Lu Chu handed him a second Wang Shichong. Comparing the two, Guo Shilang noticed the differences in their bones and asserted, "They are not the same person."

"good."

Zhou Yi lightly tapped the table:

"This is an extremely sophisticated technique of altering appearance. Their bones are fused to their facial bones, so there is no difference in their features. This is a means of deceiving people with their appearance. In terms of mind, they are influenced and believe that they are the real Wang Shichong. So even you acquaintances will be deceived by him."

"When I killed the last Wang Shichong here, his screams seemed to carry a hint of pleasure, and his head was quite damaged."

“They asked me to treat a chronic brain ailment before, and they weren’t joking.”

“They must have been in great pain to have their faces forcibly altered.”

Although Guo Wenyi was curious about this strange and mysterious method, he did not delve into it: "Is the purpose of doing this to protect Wang Shichong?"

Zhou Yi nodded slightly:

"The people behind him wanted to use the power Wang Shichong controlled, so they needed to protect his life. These doubles were about the same size as Wang Shichong, so they were definitely arranged in advance. But this kind of thing comes at a high price. In the end, the Wang Shichong was very weak in martial arts, a bit thin, and had a small head."

“His secret method must require even more effort to use.”

"If this continues, the Duke of Zheng's men will be able to see through the imposter's disguise and may even begin to doubt whether the real Wang Shichong is dead. In order to prevent the army's morale from collapsing, Wang Shichong himself will have to step forward, which would put him in an extremely dangerous situation."

Lu Chu said solemnly, "The Duke of Zheng's mansion has already yielded; this time, Young Master Zhou has won."

Guo Wenyi said, "Since they are all stand-ins, there is no need for Young Master Zhou to take any more risks."

Lu Chu seconded, "Chen Changlin, Lang Feng, Yang Qing and others also led troops back from Yingchuan. Wang Shichong must have deployed even more men."

Zhou Yi glanced at them and slowly said, "I killed him seven times in total. Although these seven times were risky, they were absolutely necessary. You should know that there are many experts in his mansion now, posing a deadly threat to you. The Duke of Lu is a good example."

“I killed him until he was afraid, and then he hesitated to attack you. Otherwise, if I had kept going to his residence, they wouldn’t have been able to get anything done in the Eastern Capital.”

"Only if Wang Shichong compromises can you be safe."

Needless to say, even Lu Chu showed a hint of surprise, realizing there was another reason behind it.

After careful consideration, Zhou Yi's words made a lot of sense.

Although they had the will to fight to the death like rats biting a fox, it would be best if they could survive.

Lu Chu got up to pour tea for Zhou Yi, but Zhou Yi stopped him. Facing a bunch of Wang Shichongs, he didn't even have the desire to drink tea.

Guo Wenyi, standing to the side, was clear-headed and knew why she had come here.

He immediately clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "I, Guo, have unknowingly received a great favor from Young Master Zhou, and I have no way to repay it. I secretly mobilized more than two thousand men to protect myself. Now, whatever Young Master Zhou needs, I, Guo, will do without hesitation."

Lu Chu was surprised at first, but after thinking about it again, he felt that Guo Wenyi's attitude was actually normal.

Zhou Yi stood up and helped him up with a smile.

"I don't have any specific duties to make, but if we want the Eastern Capital to be stable, we'll need Vice Minister Guo's help."

"It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it."

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhou Yi asked again, "Among the seven nobles, besides Wang Shichong, Duan Da has the largest number of troops?"

"It is Huangfu Wuyi."

Lu Chu said, "Previously, General Liu Changgong was defeated by Li Mi. His remaining troops all went to Luoyang to guard the capital. Brother Huangfu has dismissed many soldiers, but if we want to gather manpower, it is estimated that there are 10,000 people."

"After Brother Wendu's death, Duan Da was consolidating the power of the Duke of Lu's mansion."

Guo Wenyi was no fool; with a hint of disbelief, he asked, "Could it be that the Duke of Chen, he, is in league with Wang Shichong?"

"Exactly."

Lu Chu said cautiously, "Wang Shichong has already mobilized a large army under the guise of the Imperial City Council. We must be wary of him launching a sudden attack. He not only wants the He Shi Bi jade, but also the city of Luoyang."

Turning to Zhou Yi, he said:

“Young Master Zhou, we will go to the Dugu residence in three days. We need to find a way to change Dugu Feng’s attitude. If this old man continues to wait and see, our forces will be no match for Wang Shichong. He will harm others and himself.”

Guo Wenyi said firmly, "I will go and find Brother Huangfu and Brother Zhao."

They were in a rather awkward position; they wanted to fight Wang Shichong, but the difference in strength was too great.

You can't get on the unlicensed taxis at Dugu Peak.

But now, a large ship is anchored in the Eastern Capital.

Lu Laoda had already boarded the ship, and after weighing his options several times, Guo Lao Er also decided to seize the opportunity.

Even if Dongdu suffers a crushing defeat, he still has a way out: he can take his family and his forces to Jianghuai.

Although they have left their hometowns, they have the opportunity to return.

Lu Chu's face darkened again: "The Li family has sent a lot of people this time, so I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to persuade Dugu Feng, but he has a lot of influence in the Dugu family."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi felt an even stronger longing for Dugu Sheng of Jiangdu.

The old man listened to advice.

What is the relationship between the head of the Dugu clan and his first wife?

Lu Chu, not understanding the deeper meaning, replied, "I heard their relationship is so-so. His wife, Wang, spends most of her time with the old lady. Dugu Feng is, after all, the head of the family. Apart from his own mother, he doesn't care what others say, and nobody can control him."

"Yes."

Guo Wenyi chimed in, "The trouble lies in the fact that Old Madam Dugu has a very close relationship with the Li clan."

"The Prince of Dai's ascension to the throne in Chang'an was facilitated by the Li clan. However, the Emperor Tai did not show any ill will. Instead, he avoided the solemn imperial city and went to the Dugu family instead. We cannot judge his attitude of considering kinship and old friendship. If we were to say who the Emperor Tai interacted with most closely, it would be Dugu Feng."

"If they reach an agreement in private, we will be in a very passive position when we go to the Dugu family this time."

After Lu and Guo finished speaking, they looked at Zhou Yi, wanting to hear his opinion.

However, Zhou Yi appeared quite confident.

The two were puzzled, wondering where his confidence came from.

They knew Dugu Feng all too well; this old fellow shared similar views with Li Yuan in some ways, and was highly likely to side with the Li clan.

"It's not appropriate for you to speak up in this situation, so just listen to what I say."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "I'll figure out a way to deal with Old Madam Dugu."

Lu Chu realized, "I almost forgot that Young Master Zhou is also skilled in traditional Chinese medicine."

Guo Wenyi didn't respond. The Dugu family had searched for famous doctors all over the country, but no one could cure the old lady's old ailment. Even if they knew a little about medicine, it wouldn't help.

He looked at Wang Shichong and said, "The Wang Shichong who went to the Dugu family this time is most likely a fake."

Then he asked, "If the real person were to appear, would Young Master Zhou be able to tell the difference?"

Zhou Yi's smile vanished: "I'm not going to the Duke's mansion right now so that he'll lower his guard."

"As long as this real Wang Shichong dares to show himself in front of me, I will definitely help him cure his brain disease and eradicate the root of the disease completely."

Lu Chu and Guo Wenyi had no doubt that the young master Zhou was gritting his teeth as he said those words.

The Duke of Zheng is truly blessed.

Guo Lao Er had suffered a lot of humiliation at the hands of Wang Shichong. At this moment, staring at Wang Shichong's head, he thought to himself, "Good and evil will eventually be rewarded."

"Brother Guo, if you want, take one of Wang Shichong back with you."

Lu Chu's words left Zhou Yi speechless. What kind of twisted sense of humor is this? Does he think this is a figurine?

"Never mind, there's no use for me taking it back."

Guo Wenyi waved his hand, and Lu Chu, thinking of those who had been killed at Yuan Wendu's residence, felt hatred in his bloodshot eyes.

"It's useful; this wicked man can be made into a chamber pot."

……

Guo Wenyi and Lu Chu went together to contact Huangfu Wuyi and Zhao Congwen.

Zhou Yi stayed at the mansion for two days.

News of a martial arts battle in Dongdu spread from Lixiang Garden. Not only were Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling involved, but Ba Feng Han also made an appearance. Tuoba Yu and Chunyu Wei left the mansion at the same time after receiving the news.

The renowned Wang Bo and Yuchi Jingde engaged in a whip-fighting contest at Lixiang Garden.

Zhi Shilang, known as the "World-Stabilizing Whip," ranks among the top overlords of the world, yet he was unable to deal with this junior.

Upon hearing that Yuchi Jingde was there, Zhou Yi knew that Erfeng had arrived.

The steward of the Lu family came to report that the Three Dragons of Yangzhou were also engaged in a fierce battle at the brothel.

The opponents included not only Liang Shidu and Liu Wuzhou's men, but also the Tuyuhun prince Murong Fuqian.

This is a very complicated matter, involving Princess Shan Wanjing of the Dongming Sect, and Liu Heita's men are also involved.

However, for the Eastern Capital at this time, the clash of so many forces was merely a minor spectacle.

However, people in the martial arts world are increasingly critical of the younger generation of masters.

Kou and Xu had already made a name for themselves. Ba Feng Han and Ke Da Zhi from the northern desert, Fu Jun Qiang, the youngest disciple of Master Yi Jian, also appeared in the Eastern Capital. The successors of Cihang Jingzhai and Yin Gui Sect, as well as the precious daughter of the Dugu family who had recently failed to keep hidden, were also present.
Many masters have emerged from the younger generation and have appeared in Dongdu.

While everyone was scrambling for the priceless He Shi Bi jade, they were also discussing who would be the number one among the younger generation.

As for the Taoist Celestial Master, no one discusses him among the younger generation anymore.

Many martial arts practitioners, upon meeting Master Yi Jian's disciple, would boldly inquire when Fu Cailin would arrive in the Central Plains.

Is the swordsmanship of the Taoist Celestial Masters more exquisite and wondrous, or is the old-fashioned Yi swordsmanship superior?
As the topic of the competition for the greatest swordsman in the world arose, news from Sichuan and Chongqing once again reached the Eastern Capital.

Since the Taoist sect occupies two of the four grandmasters, even people who originally didn't care about Taoism can't help but ask, "Who is the number one Taoist?"
This question was brought to the Duzun Fortress, where the discussion of the four grandmasters was initiated.

The absolutely fair and impartial martial arts judge, Xie Hui, bluntly stated: "Ning Sanren has fallen far behind the Celestial Master in the pursuit of the ultimate martial arts."

Those who support the Celestial Master are very happy.

However, some old-fashioned people disagreed with these impetuous young people, claiming that the martial arts judge's description of body position was merely "based on lightness skill".

If that's the case, the Heavenly Blade, which no one dares to confront head-on, won't even be able to see the Heavenly Master's back.

Therefore, this assessment is too biased.

Those who support the Celestial Master believe that this is a strategy by the corrupt old fogies to "surround the Heavenly Blade and save the wandering people".

The martial arts world in Dongdu is incredibly vibrant, as major powers from all over the country have gathered here.

Messages from different places are being exchanged.

The visit of the Li clan, the Seven Nobles, and the Emperor Tai to the Dugu clan should have been a topic of intense discussion in the Eastern Capital.

But compared to the Rong family's birthday banquet, it instantly paled in comparison.

According to reliable rumors, the sacred land of martial arts may present the He Shi Bi jade when heroes from all over the world gather.

The news had been circulating for many days, and the martial arts holy land not only offered no explanation but also announced that it would send experts, which further increased its credibility.

This was of great use to those who practiced martial arts, and it represented a precious treasure that held a sliver of destiny, causing the Rong family to be heavily surrounded by martial arts practitioners.

They've been coming to visit so many people that they've worn down the doorstep.

For all the major powers, the prestige brought by this He Shi Bi jade will spread throughout the land, letting everyone know who has been chosen by destiny.

The Luoyang gang has dispatched over a thousand men to protect them.

Rong Fengxiang, the big boss of the Rong family, used his connections to invite top masters from Lao Jun Temple and Bai Ma Temple to oversee the operation.

Preparations for the banquet are underway in full swing.
……

"After crossing that bridge ahead and going through a long street, you will see the Dugu Mansion."

At dawn, a carriage traveled smoothly along the bustling main road of the Eastern Capital, where the roadside was already teeming with people.

Seeing that Zhou Yi had withdrawn his gaze, Lu Chu lowered the carriage curtain again.

He asked curiously, "Young Master Zhou, what do you think of this birthday banquet at the Rong family? Will the He Shi Bi jade appear?"

Zhou Yi didn't need to think at all: "No, Cihang Jingzhai is just taking this opportunity to create momentum."

"As for Rong Fengxiang's purpose, I don't know, but this time the risk is not small. It might turn a happy occasion into a funeral banquet."

Lu Chu's expression changed, but he didn't say anything more.

After walking for a while, the carriage stopped.

Several footsteps approached to greet him. Lu Chu alighted from the carriage, and Dugu Lang, the eldest son of Dugu Feng, bowed politely and said, "Lord Lu."

Lu Chu smiled and introduced to the person beside him, "This is Young Master Zhou."

"Master Zhou."

"General Dugu."

Zhou Yi responded politely, but Dugu Lang glanced at him a few more times, not recognizing him: "Please."

Beside the stone lions at the entrance of that grand mansion, another young man was also greeting guests: "Duke Chen, please."

Duan Da also arrived, and not far away were Huangfu Wuyi, Zhao Congwen, and Guo Wenyi.

Everyone understood each other without saying a word, exchanging glances.

After Dugu Ce instructed the steward to welcome these distinguished guests inside, he and Yun Yuzhen came to Dugu Lang's side.

They returned from Jiangdu with news of Dugu Sheng, and it had only been a little over a month.

At this critical moment, as instructed by Dugu Feng, he offered a small favor.

Although the guests were all distinguished, Dugu Ce didn't pay much attention to them.

The Seven Nobles of Luoyang are renowned, but they are rising stars with a foundation far inferior to that of the Dugu family, not to mention that their father is the de facto commander of the Imperial Guards.

Lu Chu Dugu Ce, the highest-ranking official in the Inner History Department, certainly recognized him.

However, when he looked at the handsome young man beside Lu Chu, his step abruptly stopped in mid-air, and then he landed with a hint of hesitation.

This person looks so familiar.

Dugu Ce looked at Yun Yuzhen beside him and found that Yun Yuzhen had a similar feeling to him.

This seemed to confirm Dugu Ce's suspicions, and he kept thinking about where he had seen this person before.

As she pondered this, Zhou Yi parted ways with them with a slight smile.

"Yuzhen, do you remember who he is?"

Dugu Ce frowned.

Yun Yuzhen couldn't remember at first, but when she looked at that figure from behind, a person suddenly popped into her mind.

"Young master, doesn't he look like that man from Jiangdu?"

Jiangdu.

"That's it—!"

Dugu Ce slammed his fist against his palm, making a "smack" sound, and widened his eyes, saying, "Just now, my elder brother called him Young Master Zhou. He also has the surname Zhou, just like that Mr. Zhou from Jiangdu."

"He's in disguise?!"

"Young master, perhaps this is his true nature."

Yun Yuzhen's words struck a chord with Dugu Ce. He took a breath and said, "Then how come he's with the Grand Secretary? I asked my grandmother if there was such a person, but she ignored me."

Dugu Ce was both surprised and suspicious, feeling that this matter was far from simple.

He glanced around and muttered to himself, "If that's really the case, then he's having an affair with my little sister."

Thinking of the situation inside the Dugu residence, Yun Yuzhen reminded him, "Young Master, please don't make a fuss."

"I see."

"Let's go, follow him and see what tricks he's up to. He's acting all mysterious."

Dugu Ce stepped up the stairs and quickened his pace to catch up with the wide, open doorway.

They chased after them through two courtyards.

He then witnessed a surprising scene: it turned out that this young master Zhou had an acquaintance in the mansion, and this person's identity was not simple.

"Brother Zhou."

"Brother Li."

Zhou Yi saw Li Shimin. After not seeing him for many days, Erfeng had changed a lot, especially in his aura. His martial arts had improved a lot, and he exuded more vitality than before.

Beside him stood a beautiful young woman with a sword at her waist, exuding elegance and grace.

Following his gaze, Erfeng smiled and introduced, "This is my wife, Empress Zhangsun."

The eldest granddaughter's smile and that of the second princess showed a strong resemblance: "Shimin always mentions Brother Zhou, he can be said to never forget him, and this time he has finally met him in person."

Zhou Yi was about to exchange pleasantries with the couple.

Unexpectedly, after Lu Chu and the others went inside, another man of similar stature to Li Shimin stepped forward. His face was rather long and narrow. Although he lacked the imposing and righteous air of the two phoenixes, his eyes were piercing.

This person interrupted the conversation as soon as he arrived, behaving more like a member of the main family than Dugu Ce, who was trailing behind:

“Young Master Zhou, you are an honored guest, how can you stop here?”

"Please come in quickly."

This man appeared polite, but in reality, he harbored deep hostility. Unfortunately, no matter how well he concealed it, he couldn't escape Zhou Yi's eyes. Therefore, he ignored him and turned to Erfeng and her husband, saying:

"Brother Li, Miss Changsun, please."

The two walked forward with Zhou Yi and came to the man's side. Erfeng took the initiative to ease the awkwardness: "Brother Zhou, this is my elder brother Li Jiancheng."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Lang strode over.

"Ladies and gentlemen, His Majesty the Emperor has taken his seat. Please come in."

Dugu Ce watched from behind, his expression growing increasingly strange.

He had clearly observed the attitudes of the two young masters of the Li family; he recognized all of them, yet he was completely baffled.

"What exactly is going on?"

He wanted to go further in, but Yun Yuzhen said, "Young master, don't forget that the old lady asked you to greet the guests."

"No need, all the important people are already here."

"Come with me."

……

"Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng"

Inside the Dugu family's inner quarters, Sha Zhijing, the fifth young lady of the Sha family, the richest family in Luoyang, was somewhat excited, running and shouting as she went.

As her best friend and relative, she had free access to the inner quarters without any hindrance.

The fifth young lady passed through several courtyards, crossed small bridges and flowing water, and went up to a quiet courtyard with two apricot trees and exotic flowers. She then climbed up to the wooden pavilion with its four corners unfolding like wings.

She jogged all the way and finally saw the stunningly beautiful girl sitting on the third floor, her black skirt billowing behind her.

No matter how beautiful or extraordinary the girl in front of him was.

Sha Zhijing didn't care at all.

She reached out and snatched the book from the girl's hand.

"It's Huainan Honglie again. This book is so difficult to read, what's so interesting about it?"

"It's so lively outside, Xiaofeng, why don't you go and take a look?"

Dugu Feng took the book back and, seeing the light in her eyes, couldn't help but ask with a smile, "What did you see?"

Sha Zhijing squeezed her slender body next to Dugu Feng and said mysteriously, "Xiao Feng, I just saw an exceptionally handsome young man outside. He was with two young masters from the Li family. He might be someone from the Li family."

A smile immediately appeared on Dugu Feng's beautiful face.

She rolled up Huainan Honglie, poked Sha Zhijing's waist, and teased, "Who is so lucky to have caught the eye of the Fifth Miss?"

Sha Zhijing said with some anticipation, "I don't know his name. I'm not very familiar with the Li family. Could you ask him for me later?"

"Please help me, let me get to know him."

Dugu Feng laughed: "You're not joking, are you? You're actually interested. But I haven't exchanged many words with the young master of the Li family. You can ask my elder brother for you."

Sha Zhijing held her hand and shook it up and down:

"Come on, I'll take you to see him. I'm not kidding, no young master I've ever met, whether in Chang'an or Luoyang, is as good as this one."

Dugu Feng seemed uninterested in her words and didn't get up with her arm.

Knowing the truth, Sha Zhijing shook her head helplessly, looking at the girl leaning against the railing, and said sincerely:
"Xiao Feng, you've really ruined me."

"I don't know which bastard has made you so preoccupied that you've even lost your appreciation for handsome men. I really don't know how you're going to get through the rest of your life."

Little Phoenix laughed and spat, "What a scoundrel! Don't talk about him like that."

The fifth young lady scoffed unhappily, and became more and more animated as she spoke:
"You're still defending him? It's been so long since he last came to see you, he's probably forgotten about you. Besides, your family is high-class and wealthy, he probably wouldn't dare to come."

After Sha Zhijing finished speaking, she noticed that Little Phoenix had a sweet smile on her cherry-red lips, and her beautiful eyes were blinking thoughtfully.

What does it mean to be completely unyielding and impervious to reason?
That's it.

Sha Zhijing rolled her eyes: "Forget it, you've gone mad. I'll comfort you when you're heartbroken."

"However, don't forget to ask your older brother to introduce me to that handsome young man later."

"Hey, Xiaofeng, are you listening?"

"I heard it."

The Fifth Miss stood on the waterside pavilion, gazing at the distant mansion, and murmured, "That young man has such a unique temperament, so different from the common people in the martial arts world. He was dressed in white and carried a sword. I only saw him for the first time, and he immediately noticed me."

"I shouldn't have run away; I should have taken a few more glances."

Upon hearing her words, Dugu Feng suddenly awoke from her reverie.

I was about to ask further questions.

Footsteps sounded outside, and a maid hurried over: "Miss, the old lady is calling for you."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Dugu Feng straightened her expression and said to Sha Zhijing, "There are many distinguished guests today, and Grandmother must make an appearance. Please come with me to see Grandmother."

Sha Zhijing nodded.

As they entered the inner courtyard, before they even reached the old lady's residence, they saw a woman helping an elderly man out.

The old woman was dressed in a black robe with a white silk blouse. Her hair was streaked with white, and her eyes were half-covered by her eyelids, as if she were blind. Her face was covered with deep wrinkles, but her hunched figure gave her a powerful presence.

Despite her seemingly frail figure, she leans on a jade bamboo cane.

But when facing this old woman, one must think carefully before underestimating her, considering whether one has the ability to withstand the sudden burst of nearly a century's worth of internal energy.

"Xiao Feng, help your grandmother out."

"Yes, mother."

Dugu Feng took over from her mother, Wang Shi, and suddenly asked, "Grandmother, why are you in such a hurry?"

The old woman coughed lightly, her cloudy gaze sweeping over Dugu Feng and Sha Zhijing. Her cheeks were sunken as she spoke.

"Ahem. I did not expect to have such an honored guest at my residence today. Even I cannot be presumptuous."

Having heard the servant's secret report, Madam Wang, who was standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief, echoing the old lady's words.

If there is only one Emperor Tai, it doesn't matter whether I see him or not.

But this guest's identity is anything but simple.

His sudden visit to the Dugu family, without knowing his purpose, and his entrustment of Dugu Feng to receive him, could lead to a major disaster if anything goes wrong.

Wang glanced at her mother, considering the future stability of the family, and realized that this person had reached a point where even her mother had to treat him with caution.

Dugu Feng and Sha Zhijing, who had not received the secret report, were surprised at this moment.

I wondered who this distinguished guest was.
The old lady coughed a few times, but Dugu Feng didn't bother to ask what was wrong. With a worried look on her face, she patted her grandmother's back.

When they arrived at the banquet hall of the Dugu residence, Dugu Feng, Dugu Lang, and Dugu Ce all came to greet them.

One person calls her "Mother," and two people call her "Grandmother."

Dugu Ce followed his grandmother's gaze to the white-robed youth in the hall, his heart pounding.

Upon entering the room, he noticed something unusual again.

On the other side of the second young master of the Li family, Yuchi Jingde, who had just fought a fierce battle with Zhishilang in the Eastern Capital in recent days to a draw, bowed and greeted this person upon seeing him.

The attitudes of the Seven Nobles of Luoyang, including Wang Shichong, were rather subtle.

Even the usually composed and unflappable Cihang Jingzhai master who was present showed a change of expression for the first time.

Some people know the truth, while others are kept in the dark.

Dugu Ce looked at his elder brother, Dugu Lang, who was about the same age as him.

However, Dugu Ce had an advantage that others did not have.

His gaze swept over his younger sister, and upon seeing her expression, his heart pounded as he understood most of what was going on.

Goodness!

"Please have a seat, everyone."

Dugu Feng first invited the boy, who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old and whose hair was tied up with a golden crown, to sit to the right of the two head seats in the high hall.

He was the nominal master of the Eastern Capital.

Emperor Tai, Yang Tong.

The old lady, You Chuhong, should have sat down directly next to him, but instead she took a step forward.

Everyone looked at the frail old lady, but they couldn't ignore the graceful and beautiful young woman beside her, who was said to be the most talented girl in the history of the Dugu family.

The old lady nodded slightly to the Emperor and the Cihang Master, then bypassed the Seven Nobles and the Li Clan and other guests.

His gaze was fixed on the young man in white.

Upon seeing this commotion, not only was Dugu Ce's heart in his throat, but Dugu Feng, standing to the side, was also completely taken aback.

The old lady's aged and slightly hoarse voice rang out: "The presence of the Celestial Master truly brings honor to my humble abode."

Upon hearing the words "Celestial Master," Dugu Ce's head jolted, and his pupils dilated.

It was him!

The leader of all heroes under heaven, and the youngest martial arts grandmaster of our time.

Whether in the martial arts world or the imperial court, they possess identities that are difficult for ordinary people to attain.

Dugu Ce was originally the most muddle-headed person in the mansion, but at this moment, he glanced at his younger sister again without leaving a trace, and instantly became the most clear-headed person.

Little Phoenix's ability to keep secrets is probably no less than Lu Miaozi's.

Zhou Yi had a sudden thought. He stepped forward, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Madam, you flatter me. I am an outsider today, and my presence here seems inappropriate."

Wang Shichong's expression didn't change.

Both Li Jiancheng and the old nun Cihang had a slightly stern expression.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Feng immediately looked at Dugu Feng, but her father was still in a daze and couldn't grasp the current situation.

"Master, please don't stand on ceremony. We're just having a casual chat today, there's no need to distinguish between inside and outside."

A warm smile appeared on the old lady's wrinkled face.

Judging from his attitude, he had no ill intentions in visiting today.

In her early years, she worked her way up in the underworld and knew which people she should not offend.

"Ahem. Celestial Master, please take a seat."

Zhou Yi sat in the first seat on the right, below him were Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and others.

The person sitting opposite was the Venerable Juexin of Cihang Jingzhai, who was also one of the people who came from Zhongnan Mountain.

Like Yixin, she did not wield a sword, but instead held a whisk.

It is estimated that her broom skills are no less than those of the old nun Yixin.

Wang Shichong, Duan Da, Lu Chu, and others also took their seats on the left.

They spoke as if it were just casual conversation, but it sounded genuine.

After the old lady sat down, Li Jiancheng, who had been holding back his words for a long time, was the first to speak.

He started by talking about his relatives from the previous generation, repeating Li Yuan's words to them.

Don't let his rambling fool you; bringing up old stories can actually be quite useful.

It wasn't just about the Dugu clan; it also involved the Emperor Tai.

Whether it's the Prince of Dai or the Prince of Yue, they are all grandsons of Yang Guang and relatives. There's no need for them to fight to the death and let others benefit.

During this time, Dugu Feng frequently spoke up.

When the situation of the Prince of Dai in Chang'an was mentioned, the Emperor Tai of Luoyang would also ask a few questions.

Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, and the seven nobles would occasionally speak up.

The only ones who remained silent were Zhou Yi and the old nun Cihang.

After listening for a while, Zhou Yi finally understood the Li family's intentions; they really had come to persuade King Yang Tong of Yue.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Zhou Yi clearly heard the sound of abacus being used.

No wonder they came to the Dugu Clan.

In the Eastern Capital, there was a Dugu Peak, and in the Southern Capital, there was a Dugu Sheng. Amidst the chaos of the world, Yang Tan, Yang You, and Yang Tong were all grandsons of Yang Guang and sons of Crown Prince Yuande.

Brothers should unite.

Therefore, the three largest capital cities with magnificent walls—Luodu, Jiangdu, and Chang'an—will create new hope for the Sui Dynasty.

The Li family wanted to get something for nothing, and the Dugu family was the perfect glue to hold them together.

Because Zhang Xutuo of Jiangdu is loyal to the Sui Dynasty, he might be persuaded.

From the perspective of the Li family, this is indeed a feasible method.

Zhou Yi listened silently, not in a hurry at all. Occasionally, he would exchange glances with the little phoenix standing beside the old lady. She suppressed a laugh and would wink at Zhou Yi playfully from time to time.

In public, their little actions went unnoticed by anyone.

When the waiter served the third round of tea, the fifth young lady of the Sha family glanced at Xiao Feng standing to the side.

Suddenly, she noticed that she was looking at the handsome young man.

She secretly poked Dugu Feng with her finger, giving her a look that said, "You're just saying one thing and meaning another."

Dugu Feng glanced at her sideways.

Sha Zhijing pointed in Zhou Yi's direction, then quickly withdrew her hand.

She leaned closer to Dugu Feng, half-covering her mouth with her hand, and whispered, "Little Feng, the person I was talking about before is him."

"How about it? Isn't he so handsome that you've forgotten your sweetheart?"

"Look at this, even though I was the first to discover it, this guy has too much influence, so it'll probably be difficult to get my hands on him."

Dugu Feng lowered her gaze, suppressing her laughter.

At this moment, Wang Shichong, who hadn't said much, smiled sinisterly:

"We all agree that the Eastern Capital and Chang'an should indeed join forces, but in terms of legal authority, the Emperor Tai must be the most important."

"Can the Li clan leader and the Prince of Dai admit this?"

Wang Shichong's words were very straightforward, and Li Jiancheng responded, "This matter is negotiable."

"How can we negotiate? If we can't negotiate now, we'll still have to fight in the future."

Wang Shichong, feigning loyalty, bowed to Yang Tong.

"If we wholeheartedly assist Emperor Tai, and join forces with Jiangdu, we can immediately attract many forces from all over the world to submit, restore order to the world, and the restoration of the glory of the Sui Dynasty will be just around the corner."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhou Yi.

I thought he would speak up, but Zhou Yi seemed not to hear me at all.

For a moment, Wang Shichong did not understand the specific purpose of his visit.

Li Jiancheng glanced at Li Shimin, who remained silent. He then looked at the old nun Cihang, before meeting Yang Tong's gaze and saying:

"Does the Emperor Tai share the same thoughts as the Duke of Zheng?"

Yang Tong did not nod, but said in a gentle tone with the voice of a young man, "I would like to hear your explanation."

Li Jiancheng said, "We can't discuss this now, but the He Shi Bi jade has a special connection to us."

"The three families can cooperate first, and then hold a grand ceremony after the world is at peace, allowing the He Shi Bi jade to choose the ruler of the world. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Tai immediately looked at Dugu Feng.

Dugu Feng looked at his mother, who coughed because she was unwell. Wang Shichong then said, "That's easy to handle."

He turned to the old nun Cihang and said:
“Master Juexin, only the Holy Land knows where the He Shi Bi is. Why not just take it out and let Emperor Tai try it? If the Mandate of Heaven is on Emperor Tai, wouldn’t everyone be happy?”

Wang Shichong also began to calculate.

But the old nun wouldn't be fooled: "This matter is not my responsibility, I can't make the decision."

"Oh?"

Wang Shichong asked, "Then what brings the nun here today?"

“This humble nun had some connection with this young lady and was invited by her to come and treat the old lady’s illness.”

She flicked her whisk and pointed it at Empress Zhangsun.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun clasped their hands in greeting: "Thank you for your help, Master."

Dugu Feng's eyes lit up. The esteemed Cihang had been in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain, and they couldn't invite her even if they asked. Perhaps she had methods that worldly doctors didn't possess.

Wang Shichong then asked, "Does the Celestial Master and the Abbess share the same goal?"

Lu Chu continued, "What Duke Zheng said is absolutely right. Young Master Zhou was entrusted by a friend to come here to treat the old lady. Otherwise, why would he suddenly visit today?"

Dugu Feng was surprised, but also delighted.

Taoist masters are said to be able to revive the dead and bridge the gap between the living and the dead, yet he's willing to cure my mother's illness?!
Li Jiancheng said, "The Celestial Master's Yin-Yang Magic is designed for people whose situations are very different from those of the old lady."

Zhou Yi shook his head slightly: "You are too narrow-minded. You should know that all methods lead to the same goal, no matter how different they are."

"The Duke of Zheng suffered from a headache, and it was I who cured him."

Li Jiancheng and Dugu Feng both looked at Wang Shichong, knowing that he could not possibly be on the same side as Zhou Yi.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Wang Shichong touched his head and neck and said, "That's true, the Celestial Master is indeed a divine physician."

Others were confused, but the seven nobles knew what was going on.

Lu Chu and Guo Wenyi stared at Wang Shichong's movements, their eyes twitching slightly.

If he dares to say another word, he'll lose his head. The Nine-Headed Insect was indeed scared.
……

(End of this chapter)