Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 304 Filial Piety and Fatherly Love (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Ren Shaoyang quickly stepped forward, grabbed a plate of steamed buns, and shoveled them into his mouth.

Lang Fanyun sipped his imperial wine and watched with a grin.

Seeing that he was still standing, she made a polite remark: "Shaoyang, sit down and eat."

Ren Shaoyang paused as he stuffed the buns into his hands, feeling a strange sense of familiarity with the scene.

He flew into a rage, threw the steamed bun aside, and sat down on the ground.

Commander Ren said irritably, "People outside are practically splattering their brains, while you're having a good time inside."

Lang Fanyun remained calm and composed, but his eyes were even more profound and unfathomable.

Ren Shaoyang's gaze fell on him, as if a fish had entered the sea or a bird had entered the mountains, and he was completely assimilated by him, powerless and helpless.

Lang Fanyun took a sip of wine and laughed, "What, do you think you've seen through me?"

Ren Shaoyang's gaze dimmed, like a torch that had burned out. He shook his head and sighed, "You are here, yet you cannot fathom my intentions. It seems Brother Lang has already seen through the final move."

Lang Fanyun laughed: "Do you know that I have already taken my revenge?"

“I know, that old hag Shan Yuru escaped from Hongxiu’s clutches.” Ren Shaoyang chuckled. “I didn’t expect to run into you. It was her fate to suffer this calamity.”

"Yes, she deserved to die." Lang Fanyun laughed. "I even forced out the person who poisoned her, and I never expected it to be the gang's divine physician, Chang Zhaibai. I personally ended his life."

“No wonder you broke through the last move.” Ren Shaoyang clapped his hands and laughed: “So it was because you merged your body and mind with heaven and earth, and took the heart of heaven as your own heart.”

"well said!"

Lang Fanyun raised his bowl and drank wildly, then wiped his mouth with a half-smile: "Brother Ren, I'm going to leave you with a mess."

"On the Mid-Autumn Festival, it'll just be me and Old Man Pang playing the game."

"Yes, I can't wait for you."

Ren Shaoyang paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "What about Lian Xiuxiu? She's pregnant."

"Xiuxiu." Lang Fanyun's eyes became unfocused. "I can't take her with me, and I can't make any promises to her. The only thing I can do is bring her to the Nujiao Gang."

"To be honest, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."

"Please speak," Lang Fanyun said with a smile. "I will tell you everything I know, Brother Ren."

Ren Shaoyang nodded: "Brother Lang, haven't you always been thinking about Ji Xixi? Why did you accept Lian Xiuxiu?"

"Just for this?" Lang Fanyun was greatly surprised. "You don't understand?"

Ren Shaoyang nodded and said, "I really don't understand! I'm a Buddhist monk, and I'm a bachelor!"

Lang Fanyun laughed and said calmly, "I cultivate the Way of Nature. I should be happy when I'm happy, eat when I'm eating, and sleep when I'm sleeping. I follow the seasons and my own heart."

Ren Shaoyang also took a sip of wine: "So, this is what you truly desire?"

Lang Fanyun glanced at him and nodded, saying, "Yes, I truly love Xixi, and she has always held a place in my heart. At the same time, I also accept Xiuxiu, and my love for her is genuine as well."

"Shaoyang, look."

Lang Fanyun pointed to the brightly lit, chaotic scene outside the door and said calmly, "All people in the world are nothing but ants that live only a day and die at dusk! What about emperors and generals? What about peerless masters? In the end, they all return to dust. This magnificent palace will eventually become a pile of rubble."

"We live in this mundane world, how do we make a living? Some rely on wealth and honor, some on writing books and biographies, some on military achievements, and some on unparalleled martial arts. These paths are diverse and complex, but they all allow these chosen ones to create infinite possibilities in their limited lives, leaving an extraordinary mark on the world despite their insignificance."

"And me," Lang Fanyun said, pointing to himself, "a wanderer from Dongting Lake, orphaned at a young age and without a master in my later years. Relying on my own learning from the heavens and earth, I gleaned some meager insights and was fortunate enough to see a larger world. So, when Xiuxiu used wine as a metaphor for martial arts, releasing my feelings for my deceased wife, in that instant, I was triggered and stimulated by something, and my spirit suddenly soared. Shattering that dreamlike feeling, I clearly felt my own existence, and everything before me became 'real' again, allowing me to grasp the final move."

Ren Shaoyang laughed and said, "Therefore, one must be extremely passionate in order to be extremely skilled in swordsmanship!"

“That’s right!” Lang Fanyun slapped the gold brick on the ground, making a loud clanging sound, and said with great joy, “Brother Ren, after I’m gone, I’ll rely on your number one divine sword in the world to deal with Pang Ban.”

"Ah!" Ren Shaoyang sighed. "You're leaving, and Lao Li will also travel around, waiting for the right time." He paused for a moment. "Old friends vanish, like leaves falling in the wind."

Lang Fanyun smiled slightly and suddenly sang: "How many events of rise and fall have occurred throughout history? Endless, the Yangtze River rolls on: In my youth, I commanded ten thousand troops, holding the southeast in endless battles. Who among the heroes of the world could rival me? Who among the heroes of the world could rival me..."

With a slight wave of his hand, the increasingly elegant and carefree swordsman extinguished all the lights in the hall.

But the moonlight filtering in from outside the door gradually thickened, revealing the dark shadows of the two people inside the hall.

A serene and tranquil scene unfolded, evoking a profound sense of peace and quiet as the two gazed silently at the moonlight.

In an instant, memories flooded his mind, and Lang Fanyun was filled with endless emotions. Then, he was seen holding a wine bowl in his right hand and chugging wine like crazy, while his left hand reached out and casually pointed with his fingers.

Ren Shaoyang remained motionless, calmly accepting his call.

A gust of cold wind blew, and the moonlight outside the door suddenly condensed like silver gauze, then shot away like an angry arrow, stirring up a blizzard. The blue and white light illuminated Ren Shaoyang's face, making it appear as white as snow.

In the blink of an eye, Lang Fanyun actually created a small ice sword from nothing in front of Ren Shaoyang.

The sword was crystal clear and lifelike, frozen in mid-air without moving.

Ren Shaoyang stared intently, without blinking.

Suddenly, the entire ice sword transformed into wisps of melting white vapor. Within the vapor, the Cold Moon Lake faintly appeared, with the sound of waves faintly echoing. As the vapor dissipated, it vanished without a trace.

Ren Shaoyang stared blankly, his face full of admiration.

The faint sound of waves crashing in the clouds echoed in his ears: "Brother Ren, please pass on a message to Brother Pang for me, tell him that I've gone!" After a long while, the man in white turned his head and looked around. The candlelight was bright, but there was no one in sight. He couldn't help but smile.

"That ugly man."
-
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, aloof and taciturn.

He simply instructed the handsome Zhu Yunwen to lay out paper and grind ink to record the emperor's will.

First, he ordered Prince Ning, Prince Zhou, Mei Yin, and others to leave the city and summon the four major battalions to the capital to take over the defense duties of the imperial guards. He then ordered all civil and military officials to come to court and wait for orders outside the Meridian Gate. Next, he ordered Prince Liao, Prince Gu, and others to patrol the city and appease the people of the capital. After the four major battalions entered the capital, all the imperial guards returned to their camps, and the commanders handed over their military tallies and waited at the Meridian Gate.
With each imperial edict issued in an orderly and comprehensive manner, the massive machine of the Ming Dynasty was once again set in motion thanks to the old emperor.

Just then, a eunuch came to report that the Prince of Yan had entered the palace to pay his respects.

Zhu Yuanzhang slightly raised his eyes, waved his hand, and then turned to look at Hongxiu, who was sitting idly to the side, and smiled with unusual kindness: "Miss Hongxiu."

The little beggar shuddered, feeling that the old emperor's gentle voice was like a blood-sucking zombie, sending chills down his spine.

She frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Grandpa Emperor, what's the matter?"

Upon hearing the ball-haired girl address the old emperor as "Grandpa Emperor," Zhu Yunwen frowned and secretly glanced at her.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and asked, "Where has Ren Jianshen gone?"

"The cripple?" Hongxiu said casually. "Someone is leaving, and he's going to see them one last time."

"Right in the palace?"

“That’s right!” Hongxiu laughed. “That person even stole some wine and food from the imperial kitchen.”

It was already past midnight. Zhu Yuanzhang was so exhausted that his lips were pale and his eyes were bloodshot. Suddenly, he heard that the palace had been riddled with holes. His face darkened and his eyes turned as cold as ice.

Zhu Yunwen was young, and he felt a chill run through his body, and he couldn't help but tremble with fear.

"The only people who could make Ren Jianshen send me off are probably one of Ying Yuan, Li Ruohai, or Lang Fanyun, right?" Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly. "The only one willing to take advantage of me is that scoundrel Lang Fanyun!"

"Ha! That's exactly what Lang Fanyun is all about!" Hongxiu clapped her hands and laughed. "Grandpa Emperor is so amazing!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, but halfway through his laughter he couldn't help coughing.

"Grandpa Emperor!" Zhu Yunwen quickly stepped forward to help him.

Zhu Yuanzhang gently pushed her away and shook his head: "I'm fine." Then he looked at Hongxiu with a smile: "Hongxiu, since you call me 'Grandpa Emperor,' what do you think?"

As he was speaking, a clanging sound rang out, and the King of Yan, his armor still stained with blood, strode over, helmet in his arms.

The Prince of Yan looked at his father on the throne, quickly took a few steps, knelt down, and burst into tears.

Zhu Yuanzhang could no longer speak. In a moment of stunned silence, he felt that even heroes are no longer free.

However, after glancing at Zhu Di's armor, which was still dripping blood, he finally sighed, patted him on the shoulder, and said softly, "Fourth brother, we are fortunate to have you here today."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di secretly exclaimed, "It was worth it!" He glanced furtively at Zhu Yunwen and saw him staring at him with a gloomy expression, which made him even more smug and satisfied.

But as he turned his head, his face still showing genuine concern, he stepped forward, hugged Zhu Yuanzhang's leg, and wiped away his tears, saying, "When I heard about the rebellion, I was very anxious, fearing that something might happen to Father. Today, seeing Father safe and sound, I cannot contain my joy. Please forgive my rudeness."

"It's alright," Zhu Yuanzhang said indifferently, as if his gentleness had been fleeting, before his gaze turned icy. "Where is Lengyan? Where is his head?"

"Lengyan?" Zhu Di was taken aback, then realized what he meant and hurriedly said, "That scoundrel is extremely cunning; he escaped in the chaos long ago."

"They escaped?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and coughed incessantly.

Zhu Yunwen quickly stepped forward to pat his chest and help him catch his breath. Zhu Yuanzhang coughed for a while before finally calming down. He then shouted sternly, "Chase him! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, bring him back to me! Dead or alive, for every hand or foot you capture, you will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!"

"Yes!"

The King of Yan immediately knelt down and agreed.

Upon learning of Lengyan's escape, Zhu Yuanzhang was sullen and said sullenly, "Alright, get up."

The Prince of Yan quickly stood up, and then heard Zhu Yuanzhang say calmly, "I'm a little tired. I'll leave the task of investigating the Prince of Jin's traitorous faction to you."

"Ah?!" The Prince of Yan was overjoyed and bowed, "Your subject obeys!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled gently and said, "Fourth brother, I trust you the most now, so you must not let me down."

Seeing the old emperor's bloodshot eyes, the Prince of Yan swallowed hard and immediately knelt down, shouting, "I will certainly not betray Father's trust!"

On the other side, Zhu Yunwen, who was serving Zhu Yuanzhang, was grinding his teeth so hard they were almost broken, but he couldn't show the slightest expression and could only secretly bury his head.

Hongxiu secretly slipped out of the palace gate.

He glanced sideways at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, watching the scene of fathers and sons being kind and filial, but in reality harboring evil intentions and ulterior motives, and shook his head in disgust.

"Pooh!"

The little beggar spat on the ground, put his hands on his hips, and cursed, "What a toad trying to eat swan meat!"

With confident strides, I walked away proudly.

(End of this chapter)