The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

In a single piece of music, there is both the carefree spirit of galloping across the rivers and lakes and the desolation of a lone boat in the wind and rain.

The sound spread, passing through the forest and across the water, and even the hurried pedestrians outside the courtyard unconsciously slowed their pace and listened attentively.

Si Lili knelt before the tea table, preparing tea with her delicate hands.

The control of heat, water temperature, and the pouring of water are all handled with ease and composure, creating a natural and elegant flow.

Her gaze occasionally swept over the two musicians playing together, a hint of dazedness in her eyes.

As the last note of the zither dissipated into the wind and the last melody of the flute disappeared into the clouds, all was silent except for the rustling of bamboo leaves.

Si Lili gracefully rose and presented Lin Mu with a cup of clear, blue tea. Her voice was gentle as she sincerely praised, "Young Master and Master Sang's harmonious zither and flute playing is truly unparalleled, evoking a profound and lofty artistic conception. I, Lili, am fortunate to hear it today; it is a great privilege to hear it."

Lin Mu took the teacup, took a sip, but his gaze seemed to have already passed over the high walls of the courtyard and was directed towards the distant, unreachable horizon.

"It was just something I played on a whim, just for my own amusement."

He put down his teacup and said calmly, "Now, the Southern Qing is preparing for war, with supplies and provisions flowing endlessly along the roads. A major battle with the Northern Qi is imminent."

"Emperor Qing has endured for many years and laid out this grand plan. His national strength and military power are far superior to those of Northern Qi."

"The Northern Qi is now in grave danger."

When the words "Northern Qi" were mentioned, Si Lili's hand, which was serving tea, trembled almost imperceptibly. Although she steadied herself immediately, a very fine ripple appeared in the tea in the cup.

Her eyelashes drooped, and a hint of worry, hard to conceal, quietly rose to her brows, like a thin cloud obscuring the moon.

After a moment of silence, Si Lili asked softly, "Young Master, when...when shall we depart for Northern Qi?"

Lin Mu's gaze fell on her face, which showed hidden anxiety, and he said knowingly, "Are you worried about your younger brother who is still being held hostage in the capital?"

Si Lili nodded slightly, her lips pursed: "Although I know he is in the Northern Qi palace, he should be safe for the time being."

“But if the two countries go to war, he, as a hostage, will inevitably be in a difficult situation, and Lili really can’t feel at ease.”

"If that's the case, there's no need to wait any longer."

Lin Mu said casually, "Go and make preparations. This afternoon, we will set off for Northern Qi to take a look."

Upon hearing this, Si Lili's eyes instantly lit up with an incredulous and delighted light.

She immediately bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you for your kindness, young master!"

Since following Lin Mu, Si Lili has long since left behind her former life as a secret agent, living a life of constant danger and uncertainty.

Her life now is peaceful and leisurely. She can spend her time practicing Buddhism, enjoying tea, reading, and quietly watching the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard. This is almost the kind of life she had dreamed of but could never have during her turbulent life.

If it weren't for her only younger brother still being held hostage in Northern Qi, his fate uncertain, she wouldn't actually have much attachment to that land.

……

In the afternoon, as the sun began to set, Lin Mu did not order the preparation of carriages and horses, but simply had Sang Wen and Si Lili stand on either side of him.

"Today I'll show you what it's like to fly."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Mu flicked his sleeve, and an invisible yet vast and boundless power instantly spread out, like a gentle stream of water or a resilient cocoon of air, firmly enveloping the three of them.

A powerful surge of mental energy erupted, and with a slight thought from Lin Mu, the three of them quietly left the ground.

Si Lili and Sang Wen felt their bodies lighten, as if an invisible force was enveloping them. The wind suddenly howled sharply in their ears, and the scenery before their eyes blurred abruptly. A strong sense of weightlessness overwhelmed them. If their cultivation had not reached the ninth rank, they would probably have felt unwell immediately.

Even so, the two were deeply shaken and kept their minds focused.

They flew with Lin Mu into the sky, and in the blink of an eye, they were out of the capital of Nanqing. The mountains and rivers receded beneath their feet at an alarming speed, and the clouds were within reach, only to be left behind in an instant.

Lin Mu's protective true qi completely isolated them from the strong winds and the impact of extreme speed, making them feel as if they were riding in the most stable boat or carriage. Only the towns, fields, and mountains rushing past below showed what an incredible way of traveling this was.

The capital of Southern Qing and the capital of Northern Qi were separated by a thousand miles.

Even traveling at full speed on horseback, under the stars and moon, it would still take several days.

However, with Lin Mu flying through the air, this distance was only a short distance away.

Even with two people on board, its speed far exceeds the speed of sound.

In less than half an hour, a magnificent, solemn, and dark palace complex appeared on the horizon.

The towering palace walls appeared particularly cold and hard under the vast northern sky, and the huge square was paved with dark blue stones. The air seemed to be filled with the coldness and majesty of the northern dynasty.

We've arrived at the Northern Qi imperial palace!

Compared to the exquisite and subtly sharp palace of the Southern Qing Dynasty, the palace of the Northern Qi Dynasty was more magnificent and vast, yet it exuded a heavy and oppressive atmosphere of decline.

The three flew up to the sky above the palace, their speed suddenly decreased, and their figures slowly descended, like immortals descending to earth.

This horrifying scene immediately caught the attention of the palace guards.

"what is that?!"

"There are people in the sky! There are people in the sky!!"

"Could it be a deity?"

"Be on alert! Be on alert immediately!"

Exclamations, shouts, and the clanging of weapons being drawn instantly shattered the silence of the palace.

A large number of guards swarmed out from all directions, forming a well-trained battle formation, surrounding the three slowly descending figures as if facing a formidable enemy.

Countless powerful bows and crossbows were drawn to their full strength, their arrowheads gleaming coldly, all aimed at the composed man in the blue robe at the center.

The captain of the guards gripped his sword hilt tightly, his palms sweating profusely. Forcing himself to remain calm, he shouted sternly, "Who are you, esteemed sir? Why are you trespassing on the forbidden grounds of the imperial palace?"

His voice trembled slightly with fear.

To fly through the air is almost a legendary divine ability!

Si Lili stepped forward, took out an ebony token inlaid with silver from her bosom, and said loudly, "Si Lili, a secret agent of Northern Qi, requests an audience with His Majesty. Please grant me an audience."

The guard captain examined the token, his expression changed several times, and his attitude became much more respectful, but he still dared not be careless.

He signaled to his subordinates not to let their guard down, then gripped the token tightly and turned to hurry into the palace.

The wait was not long.

Not long after, a series of hurried but orderly footsteps came from deep within the palace.

Surrounded by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, a "young emperor" dressed in a black dragon robe, with a slender build and handsome features, strode out.

Her brows and eyes held a composure and worry beyond her years; she was none other than Zhan Doudou, the current ruler of Northern Qi.

Beside her followed a woman dressed in simple cloth, without makeup, but with bright and lively eyes, a deep and natural aura, and light and graceful steps. She was none other than Haitang Duoduo, the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi.

Compared to the characters in the TV series, the two women in front of them are younger and more beautiful. Zhan Doudou, even though she is dressed as a man, cannot hide her beauty, but it is covered by the majesty of the dragon robe and the solemnity between her brows. Haitang Duoduo, on the other hand, is like a wild orchid growing vigorously, with a fresh and unrestrained air.

Zhan Doudou's gaze immediately bypassed everyone else and landed on Lin Mu and Si Lili.

She had already received a secret report from Nanqing, knowing that this suddenly appearing Lin Mu was the "Supreme Grandmaster" and his relationship with Si Lili.

Seeing the other party descend upon the palace in such an almost supernatural way, he was utterly shocked, but he still tried his best to maintain the composure and dignity of an emperor.

She waved her hand, her voice clear yet carrying an undeniable force: "Step back! Do not be rude to our distinguished guest!"

The guards, looking on with alarm, hesitated before putting away their weapons and retreating a short distance like a tide, but still dared not disperse completely.

Zhan Doudou stepped forward, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Mu, and spoke first: "You are Mr. Lin Mu? I have long heard Lili mention your brilliance, and seeing you today, I can confirm that you are indeed extraordinary."

[Ding! You have encountered the character Zhan Doudou, triggering the side quest: The War to Protect the Nation.]

[Mission Requirements: In the upcoming war between Southern Qing and Northern Qi, ensure that Northern Qi's territory is not lost, assist Dou Dou in consolidating her power, and repel the Southern Qing invasion.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

The system notification sounded in Lin Mu's mind. He remained expressionless, only nodding slightly to Zhan Doudou in return: "Your Majesty is too kind. I have come here on two occasions. First, at Li Li's request, I am here to visit her brother. Second, I have heard that Nan Qing has deployed troops on the border, intending to harm Bei Qi, so I have come to see for myself."

Zhan Doudou and Haitang Duoduo exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise and doubt in each other's eyes, as well as a hint of barely suppressed worry and anticipation.

At this delicate moment, a grandmaster arrives and speaks frankly about the war between the two countries. His attitude is enough to determine the fate of hundreds of millions of lives and the continuation of the nation's destiny.

If the other side leans towards Nanqing, Beiqi will be in imminent danger of collapse.

Zhan Doudou took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and her tone became extremely solemn, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible earnestness (Qian Li's): "Sir, please understand that the Southern Qing are wolves in sheep's clothing. On trumped-up charges, they have launched an invasion of our borders without cause, intending to swallow our territory and destroy our ancestral temples."

"Sir, you are a reclusive master. If you are willing to lend a helping hand to my Northern Qi in this time of crisis... whatever it is within my power, whatever your request, the entire nation of Northern Qi will do its utmost to satisfy it without hesitation!"

In recent years, the Northern Qi has been fighting against the Southern Qing, suffering more defeats than victories, and its national strength has been declining day by day.

If it weren't for the presence of Grandmaster Ku He and the distant restraint from Si Gu Jian in Dongyi City, which gave Nanqing something to be wary of, the country would probably have already been shattered.

If Lin Mu stands with Nanqing, Nanqing will gather the power of three Grandmasters and sweep across the world, with no one to oppose them.

Conversely, if they could get Lin Mu's help, Northern Qi could turn the tide instantly and even turn defeat into victory!

The fate of Lin Mu is directly tied to the survival of two nations.

Looking at the young king before him, who was still trying to maintain his composure and demeanor despite the pressure from powerful enemies and the turmoil of the country, and recalling the mission prompt from the system earlier, Lin Mu made a decision in an instant.

He was not originally from this world, nor did he belong to the Southern Qing.

The rise and fall of the two countries had no personal stake for him.

However, since the system had issued a task that could be profitable, Lin Mu didn't mind helping Zhan Doudou out.

"Since Your Majesty is so sincere..."

Lin Mu said calmly, "Perhaps we can talk about how to thwart Emperor Qing's ambitions beneath the Great Wall of the Northern Frontier."

Chapter 95: One Man Can Be Worthy of a Million Soldiers

The atmosphere inside the Northern Qi palace changed abruptly because of Lin Mu's words, like a scorching undercurrent surging beneath the frozen surface of a river.

The fear in Zhan Doudou's eyes was instantly replaced by joy. Her slender fingers trembled slightly as she suppressed her excitement. Disregarding her imperial dignity, she solemnly bowed to Lin Mu: "If we can obtain your assistance, sir, it will truly be a blessing for Northern Qi and a boon for the people! On behalf of all the people of Northern Qi, I thank you, sir!"

Lin Mu accepted the greeting calmly, remaining unmoved, and said indifferently, "Your Majesty need not be so polite. Since I have agreed to this matter, I will not stand idly by. The ambitions of Nanqing should end here."

……

Meeting the next day.

Zhan Doudou defied public opinion and issued an edict with swift and decisive action, appointing Lin Mu as "Grand General Protector of the Nation," in charge of all military affairs in the resistance against Qing, granting him the authority to mobilize troops nationwide with his tiger tally, and bestowing upon him special privileges such as "not having to kneel before the emperor."

This decree caused an uproar throughout the court. Even the Empress Dowager, deep within the palace, was shocked and enraged upon hearing it, and smashed her most beloved glass cup.

Inside the golden hall, a great deal of discussion immediately arose.

Lin Mu comes from Nanqing and has not achieved any merit. Although he is a legendary grandmaster, some people think that is an exaggeration.

After all, I've never seen it with my own eyes.

Some even whispered among themselves, speculating that this was a conspiracy by Nanqing.

Many military officers who had risen through the ranks were even more strongly dissatisfied.

Among them, the most vehement reaction came from Uesugi Tiger, a pillar of the Northern Qi army, known as the "fierce tiger."

He was a veteran general, brave and skilled in battle, with a fiery temper. He valued seniority and military achievements above all else. How could he tolerate an unknown person suddenly rising above all the generals who had fought bloody battles?

Even though they had heard before that Lin Mu had killed Cheng Jushu with lightning, they thought it was an exaggeration and a rumor.

"Your Majesty! This humble general is not convinced!"

Uesugi Torata suddenly stepped out of the ranks of military officers, his voice booming like a bell, making the palace tiles seem to rattle.

His eyes were wide open, his beard bristling, like an enraged tiger. He stared directly at Lin Mu, who stood calmly and almost indifferently below the steps, and said loudly:

"Promotion in the military has always relied on solid military achievements and unwavering loyalty that leads to sacrifice!"

"Lin Mu comes from Nanqing. He even killed Cheng Jushu, a master from my Northern Qi. He has not made any contribution to my Northern Qi, but instead has a grudge against me. On what basis does he rank above me and command the entire army?"

"This is not just my doubt, but the confusion of the entire army."

"If Your Majesty insists on doing so, please allow me to compete with Lin Mu in the training ground."

"If he can defeat me with this Wind-Splitting Spear, I will be completely convinced and willing to serve him for the rest of my life without any complaints!"

[Ding! You have encountered the lucky figure Uesugi Tora, triggering the side quest: Save your adoptive father.]

[Mission Requirements: Bring Sean back to Northern Qi safely within one year.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

Seeing that Uesugi Tora was questioning her decision, Zhan Doudou frowned slightly, her jade-like face turning cold, and she was about to reprimand him for his insolence in front of his lord.

　850 Lin Mu turned to look at Uesugi Tiger: "Don't you know I'm a Grandmaster? Or do you think my title of Grandmaster is fake?"

He didn't even make any obvious movements, he just raised his hand and pressed down lightly.