Sword drawn from the constellations, poison as its edge.

Chapter 170 Yanziwu Canhe Village
Murong Fu laughed and waved his hand, saying, "This matter is of utmost importance. This is not the place to talk. We can discuss it with the Grand Preceptor in detail when we arrive at my humble abode."

Kumārajīva was not in a hurry. He nodded and smiled, pointing into the lake: "Since that's the case, then the boatman and the officials were all coerced by this humble monk. Could you please rescue them and bring them onto the boat, young master?"

Jiang Mingzhe looked over and saw that the two men were each clinging to a piece of plank, pitifully floating in the water for half a day.

Murong Fu laughed and said, "That's only natural."

He immediately ordered the sailors on the ship to rescue the two men and instructed Abi: "When we get ashore, give each of them twenty taels of silver to calm their nerves. I broke that boatman's boat, so compensate him with another one. Let them go on their own."

Abi nodded in agreement and led the two to the stern of the boat to settle them in.

The ship continued its journey, and after an hour, a huge island came into view.

Murong Fu pointed and said, "This is West Dongting Island. Although it is an island, it covers an area of ​​more than 100,000 mu. Swallow's Nest is located within it."

Azi had never seen such a large island before, and exclaimed in surprise, "Murong Fu, your island is huge! There are even so many mountains!"

Murong Fu laughed and said, "This island is the western mountain of Dongting Mountain, and that is the eastern mountain. The highest one is Piaomiao Peak. Of the seventy-two peaks of Taihu Lake, this peak is the first. Hehe, Princess Azi, my family has a villa on the mountaintop, which offers a panoramic view of the eight hundred li Taihu Lake. I invite you to visit it sometime."

Azi nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, then I'll take Big Ginger with me. Sisters Azhu and Abi will go too. Wooden Man and Stinky Girl don't have to go if they don't want to."

Mu Wanqing said coldly, "Wherever Jiang Lang goes, I will go."

Zhong Ling shook her head and said, "You don't want me to go, but I'm going anyway! I'll go with the wooden man!"

Azi yelled angrily and started arguing with them.

Murong Fu laughed and said, "The princesses are so innocent and kind, like pure gold and unpolished jade. Your good fortune is the envy of everyone."

Jiang Mingzhe said, "I would believe it if others said it, but how could I agree with you, brother? Both Miss Azhu and Miss Abi are intelligent and beautiful. Even princes from various countries might not be able to find such beauties."

Upon hearing the name Abi, Duan Yu's ears immediately perked up.

Murong Fu waved his hand and said, "Brother, you don't know this. A'Zhu and A'Bi are called my maids, but I have always regarded them as my sisters... Never mind, we are brothers, so I don't need to hide it from you. These two little girls are not slaves who have been sold into my family."

He pointed at Azhu and said, "Azhu lost her parents when she was young and wandered around. She was bullied by beggars. My father took pity on her and took her home."

Azhu's eyes reddened as she recalled the past. Seeing her sadness, Azi felt a pang of sorrow and took her hand, saying, "Sister, don't cry. You still have me as your sister."

Jiang Mingzhe glanced at the two of them, thinking to himself that he didn't need to point it out. They each had a mark on them, and he would know it in no time after spending so much time together these past few days.

Murong Fu then pointed to Abi and said, “Abi’s father offended a powerful figure and sent Abi to my family for refuge. My late father once said that I should treat them as younger sisters. When they find a suitable husband, my Murong family will happily send them off to their wedding. My mother has already prepared their dowries. When the time comes, there will be music and festivities, and they will be sent off in red boats and sedan chairs. It will be no different from marrying a daughter of my Murong family.”

Duan Yu was overjoyed and said with a beaming smile, "Oh my, Master Murong and Madam Murong are such kind people! Brother Murong, when I go to your master's grave, I must kowtow a few times to thank them for taking in and taking care of Abi... and Azhu!"

With tears still in her eyes, A Zhu burst out laughing: "Young Master Duan, you're not kowtowing for me, so why do you have to bring my name into it?"

Abi panicked and hurriedly said, "Young master, I'll go to the manor first and have everyone prepare to receive our distinguished guest."

Then the boat entered the island from a stream and moored at a small dock. Abi put down the ramp, went ashore, and hurriedly left.

A'Zhu said, "I'll go with you!" and jumped ashore to catch up with A'Bi. Murong Fu knew that A'Bi had feelings for him, but he was determined to restore his kingdom and took a very detached view of romantic love.

Besides, Abi was young, and in his eyes she was just a little sister or a maid.

Originally, considering her loyalty, it wouldn't have mattered if she were given a concubine, but if it could win over the Dali Kingdom, then without a second thought, he was prepared to give her to Duan Yu.

Murong Fu led the group ashore. Jiang Mingzhe looked around curiously and saw fruit trees everywhere. The air was filled with a sweet fragrance, and the grassy paths twisted and turned like a maze.

Murong Fu, of course, wouldn't get lost. He led the group through twists and turns, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they found themselves in a secluded valley with weeping willows, a pond, red flowers, white walls, and pairs of swallows flying high and low. Duan Yu exclaimed with delight, "What a wonderful place! What a wonderful place! This is truly the Jiangnan of my dreams!"

Many men and women dressed as servants stood respectfully by the roadside. Upon seeing Murong Fu, they all knelt down and said in unison, "Welcome back, young master."

Murong Fu chuckled and said, "No need for formalities, everyone go about your business. Uncle Zhong, go tell my mother that some of Father's old friends are visiting, and several of my good friends also want to pay their respects to him."

An old man bowed and said, "Yes!" Then he quickly left, and the others also scattered.

Murong Fu addressed the crowd, saying, "These people are all loyal servants of the Murong clan, many of whom have served my family for generations."

Jiang Mingzhe exclaimed, "Today I have truly witnessed the grandeur of a great family!"

His gaze swept over the group of people. Most of the women were beautiful and kind, while the men were all vigorous and energetic. Many of them had prominent temples, indicating that they had considerable internal strength. If they were in the martial arts world, they would be renowned masters, but now they were working as ordinary servants here.

Before long, they arrived at the living room and saw a noblewoman sitting in the center. She was not yet fifty years old, with an ordinary appearance but a dignified demeanor.

Several pretty maids stood behind her, and Azhu and Abi were among them. Abi smiled and said, "Madam, our young master has arrived."

The noblewoman looked up, and Murong Fu rushed forward a few steps and knelt down: "Mother, your son has returned."

The noblewoman said, "My son, you must be tired from your long journey. Get up quickly! Have you explained the matter of Vice Chief Ma of the Beggars' Sect to them?"

Murong Fu stood up and pulled Jiang Mingzhe aside, saying, "This is Brother Jiang Mingzhe, a retainer of the Dali Duan family. He spoke up for justice in front of the Beggar Clan leader and elders, clearing my family's name. And these people are the heirs and noble ladies of the Dali Duan family's Zhennan Prince's Mansion. They also happened to be there and helped Brother Bao and Brother Feng."

Upon hearing that they were from the Duan family of Dali, the noblewoman showed surprise, stood up and smiled, "Good, good, good children, you are all outstanding young men. Thank you for helping my Fu'er. I thank you in advance."

Jiang Mingzhe smiled and said, "Madam, we hit it off with Brother Murong at first sight, so please don't stand on ceremony. It's us who have come without permission and disturbed your peace and quiet."

After saying this, he bowed deeply in greeting. The three women, including Azi, also bowed. Only Duan Yu knelt down and kowtowed three times, saying loudly, "I am Duan Yu, and I pay my respects to Madam Murong. Thank you for taking in Abi back then and for treating her so well."

Upon hearing this, Abi blushed instantly. Several pretty maids looked at Duan Yu in surprise, then at Abi, covering their mouths to suppress their laughter, their beautiful eyes blinking back and forth.

The noblewoman was taken aback at first, then overjoyed: "Oh dear, how can I possibly accept such a grand gesture from the Crown Prince of Dali? Fu'er, quickly help this child up for your mother."

Murong Fu smiled and helped Duan Yu up, saying, "Mother, my virtuous brother Duan Yu is going to pay his respects at my father's grave, as well as this Master Kumārajīva, who is the national teacher of Tibet. He said he was an old friend of my father and came here specifically to pay his respects."

Kumārajīva stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, “Madam Murong, I am Kumārajīva. More than ten years ago, I had the good fortune to befriend Mr. Murong in Zhongzhou. I received his guidance for several days and was also rewarded with superior martial arts skills. Since then, we have considered each other as close friends. It is a pity that the great hero did not live long. Last year, I learned that Mr. Murong had already passed away. The memories of our past friendship are still vivid in my mind and dreams. I have been in seclusion for forty days, but I still cannot stop thinking about him. Therefore, I have come east to pay my respects at Mr. Murong’s grave, so that his spirit in heaven may know that our old friendship still exists in the snowy mountains of Tibet. I hope that you will grant me this wish.”

After the Tibetan monk finished speaking, tears streamed down his face.

(End of this chapter)