About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 50: The Music Continues, the Martial Arts Continue

Zhu Jun's sword grazed past Liu Fang's ear, the force of the wind whipping his hair wildly.

Liu Fang slipped and fell awkwardly onto the blue bricks, the jade pendant at his waist making a clear sound as it hit the stone steps.

Qiaolan trembled involuntarily, the seven strings suddenly stopped, and the lingering sound, like a lone goose with broken wings, dissipated into the twilight.

"Lord Yuanyi!"

Zhu Jun sheathed his sword and was about to help him up, but Liu Fang pressed his wrist, used the stone steps to support himself as he stood up, dusted off the dust from his robes, and laughed loudly:

"Keep the music playing, keep the fighting going!"

Qiao Lan smiled, and as she lowered her head, a stirring melody burst forth from the strings.

Shi A flicked his sleeves, brandished his sword, and grinned, revealing a toothless smile.

With a swift movement, it slithered towards Xu Feng's crotch like a boneless snake, shouting:

"Master Xu, watch closely, this move is called 'White Snake Enters the Cave'!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Feng sneered and slashed at the back of Shi A's neck with his sword. However, Shi A rolled on the ground and swung his sword back to slash at Xu Feng's calf.

Xu Feng lost his balance and staggered half a step, but just as the sword was about to reach his throat, he suddenly twisted his wrist and slammed the hilt of the sword into Shi A's elbow.

"You dare to show off your pathetic tricks in front of me?"

Shi A rubbed his elbow and stepped back, his face full of smiles.

The crooked tricks he devised while mingling in the streets were ones that Xu Feng had personally dismantled.

He has not yet become Wang Yue's disciple. Back then, Xu Feng saved his life on the street and taught him swordsmanship by hand.

Later, Xu Feng sent him to the Tiger Warrior Physician's Clinic for further training. Xu Feng was deeply grateful to him, so he always treated Xu Feng with the respect due to a disciple.

Over time, Xu Feng tacitly accepted this master-disciple relationship.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Feng glanced at Jian Shuo, who was drenched in sweat, and rolled his boot over the other's foot:
"Zilie...you still need to practice."

Jian Shuo grunted silently, while Gao Lan, who had already sheathed his sword, stood still, remaining silent.

At the same time, Huangfu Yan was attacked from both sides by Liu Dai and Liu Yao, and the tip of his spear suddenly hummed and vibrated.

The pear blossom spear shadow suddenly transformed into three overlapping shadows, instantly forcing the two back, and the spear shaft paused:
"Concession."

When Xun Yu and Qiao Zhu joined forces with their swords, they suddenly kicked over a teacup on the table.

The spilled tea water formed a mirror, reflecting the empty gate behind Wen Chou.

He hissed, "Brother Zhu, stab the left!"

Qiao Zhu drew his sword as instructed, but because he was small and short, the sword tip landed entirely on Wen Chou's lower body, startling Wen Chou into jumping away in a panic.

Seeing this, Yan Liang's broadsword arrived first, and only when the blade was pressed against Xun Yu's throat did his voice fall:

"Young Master Xun, you're distracted."

Wen Chou seized the opportunity to turn around, the wild grass at his temples flying with the force of his spear, the shaft of the spear sweeping across the bamboo-covered bridge.

Just before it touched the ground, the tip of the wild grass brushed against the tail of the bamboo eyebrow:
"Hey, I almost lost..."

At this moment, everyone stopped fighting.

Liu Fang, however, exuded a lingering fighting spirit, and with a flick of his robes:
"If you underestimate Gong Wei, you'll suffer the consequences!"

Zhu Jun smiled slightly at Liu Fang, his sword flashing like a dragon as he lunged forward.

Liu Fang retreated several steps, and just as Zhu Jun's sword was about to reach his throat, he suddenly staggered and fell backward, just like when he had fallen to his seat earlier.

Zhu Jun's pupils contracted slightly, but in that instant when he was distracted in making his judgment...

Liu Fang's backward-falling body twisted like a swimming fish, his left toe hooking onto a loose half of the blue brick on the edge of the step, and he used the momentum to throw it off!
It turned out to be a trap to lure the enemy. Liu Fang abandoned defense and launched an attack, pointing his sword tip directly at Zhu Jun's wrist.

Zhu Jun knew he was in trouble and turned his head to parry with his sword, but then he heard a hissing sound.

Liu Fang's sword technique suddenly changed, sliding down Zhu Jun's sword spine, and at the critical moment, the tip of the sword lightly touched Zhu Jun's clothes.

Both of them froze for a moment, and Liu Fang fell to the ground again, but laughed heartily:

"Gongwei! This half-move... I was lucky!"

Zhu Jun sheathed his sword, reached out to help him up, his face showing helplessness mixed with approval:

"Lord Yuanyi, I am completely outmatched by your resourcefulness."

As dusk fell, the group looked at each other and burst into laughter.

...As the saying goes, no fight makes friends. Even Xun Yu, a scion of a noble family who had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, was now sitting casually on the ground with everyone else.

The night dew condensed into frost, and the strings of the zither on the stone table still vibrated. Qiao Lan lightly plucked the strings, and the elegant melody drifted to Liu Fang's ears.

At this moment, Liu Fang's gaze followed the moonlight and lingered on Xun Yu's face.

Xun Yu's knees were still covered in mud from the fight. He sat knee to knee with Qiao Zhu, his eyes still holding a smile.

It is truly gratifying that the Lord Xun of the past, who was "loyal and virtuous, and modest and yielding," can now be so carefree on this straw mat.

Wenruo, I don't want you to be as tired as you were in your past life. In this life, I only wish that you can smile more every day...

Just as a sour feeling rose in my throat, I heard Qiao Lan's fair hand lightly raise, and the sound of the zither suddenly softened, like a spring breeze melting snow.

Liu Fang changed his mind, withdrew his gaze, took out the letter sent by Huangfu Yan from his sleeve, and was about to open it to read it when...

Suddenly, Xun Yu and Qiao Zhu exchanged a glance and stepped forward:

“Yuanyi Gong, Yu also brought a letter from my father.”

"Father! Father also let Zhu take the belt!"

Liu Fang paused slightly, then thoughtfully took the letter from Xun Yu's hand.

Qiao Xuan's handwritten letter was wrapped in blue silk, which felt cool to the touch and, for some reason, carried a slightly heavy weight.

Upon seeing this, everyone stood up and stepped back.

Liu Fang looked up at Qiao Lan, who was also about to get up and move aside, and shook his head with a light laugh:
"Please stay, nun. It's alright."

Feng Xu's eyes flashed, and he lightly kicked Zuo Feng's ankle with the tip of his boot.

Zuo Feng rubbed his calves and moved closer. He saw Feng Xu's gaze fall on the lantern in his hand and then glance at Qiao Lan. He immediately understood.

Shrinking his neck, he quietly slipped over to Qiaolan's side.

When Qiaolan took the lantern, its warm light bathed Liu Fang's face.

She stood still like a jade tree, the lamplight dancing on the silk.

Liu Fang looked at Qingfen and couldn't help but chuckle:

"Thank you for your trouble, nun."

Having said that, he lowered his head and unfolded the first letter.

The brushstrokes were powerful and vigorous, as if carved by a knife, and did not resemble the work of an elderly person.

……

This was sent by Sun Yan and presented to Lord Yuanyi:

How fortunate I am to have met you, and how fortunate I am to have you as my fellow student!

This is not an exaggeration. I know that you are a pillar of the Han Dynasty. Under the precarious situation, only you can support it.

I am now old and frail, bedridden, knowing my time is drawing near.

However, one thing remained on my mind, like a fishbone stuck in my throat, something I had to say.

Our Huangfu clan has served the Han dynasty for generations, holding official positions and guarding the borders. But look at our descendants now…

Originally, they placed their hopes on Song'er, but unexpectedly, his personality was too rigid and he could not withstand the tempering of the chaotic world.

Fortunately, there is Yan'er, who, though not yet twenty, can continue the Huangfu family line.

However, Yan'er is new to the world and I am uneasy, so I have an unreasonable request.

I hope that you will use the authority of a strict teacher and the kindness of an elder to teach them about military strategy and distinguish right from wrong.

Now, at such a young age, I entrust myself to you, hoping that you will serve by my side and learn the wisdom to bring peace and stability to the country.

If Yan'er fails to live up to your expectations, I, your old man, will personally take up the military rod and clean house for you.

Words cannot express my feelings. I only wish that Yan'er would follow you, so that the Han Dynasty may be bright and clear!
The clan has already discussed and decided that they will soon submit a memorial to the emperor requesting permission to move the entire clan out of the pass.

The journey is long, Yuan Yi Gong, please don't worry.

Although I am dying, Huangfu's sword and spear remain unbroken, and his loyal bones remain unyielding!

A true man should die on the battlefield, even if his sick bones are used as a stone to guard the pass!
When the desert winds howl in the future, I will lean on my cane and gaze upon the palace, praying that you will soon achieve your great cause.

Your dying minister, Huangfu Gui, bows deeply and prostrates himself twice…

(End of this chapter)