Actually, I initially only intended to write short stories. After making revisions multiple times, I felt very dissatisfied with several of them. Through constant tweaking, I suddenly realized I wanted to express too much—a short story wasn't enough. Then things completely spiraled out of control~~~ hahaha.
Adding the Shushan Sect into this fantasy world was actually a good friend's idea. On top of ordinary wuxia, we had to add some xianxia (immortal hero) elements. This way, the game would have more diverse elements. Naturally, it was somewhat influenced by the game "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", but the characters and the Shushan Sect in my setting are more akin to "The Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu". Of course, flying swords controlled by qi are essential. Back when I was writing the LPMUD code, I spent an entire night coding this sword-flying technique... However, in the story, only those with profound inner strength from Shushan know it. The vast majority of Shushan disciples don't know how to fly on swords.
Here, I wanted to incorporate more political maneuvering and scheming, giving these two cousins more character depth and background. I'm actually a big fan of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", so I wanted to borrow the relationship between Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu as inspiration. As for some of the later endings, I'm currently leaning a bit towards the late-stage development of the Yuan family in the Three Kingdoms. I wonder if readers can slightly sense that.
The Pirate King Alliance is an organization I created based on concepts from "Pirates of the Caribbean", and I also wanted to include curses of the sea. The "Blood Empress" Isabel has already appeared during the attack on Qingzhou. Later on, I will introduce several more characters to flesh out the Pirate King Alliance.
I actually thought for a long time about how to introduce the Mystery of Wind and Thunder in this chapter. I must admit, I was influenced by certain scenes in "Joy of Life". After all, to barely justify a grand, academically profound underground palace, it would require knowledge and capabilities at a national level to build.
For the Commercial Republic and the Wealth God Sect, I drew inspiration from learning about the history of Venice—where certain local families were so wealthy they could almost buy the Papacy—and reading about Hong Kong's importance in Asia. Considering how many merchants, spies, and people from all over the world did so many things for money during the peaks of these two places, I thought it would be incredibly fun to have a region like that. Soon after, my good friend created the "Wealth God Sect", a sect that perfectly fits this location.
In the deep winter of the 3rd year of Hongde, Shuntian Dynasty, heavy snow buried Qingzhou.
The snow fell heavily, and a thick white fog blanketed the entire city, as if threatening to swallow everything in the world. A freezing wind howled past, sweeping the snow from the eaves into the air, scattering it like broken jade.
Chen Hui stood before the granary, wearing a dark blue official robe. Its seams had long been soaked by the snow, and its hem was covered in mud. Yet, he stood as straight as a pine, his gaze steady and sharp, exuding a commanding presence rare among scholars. Against the backdrop of the snowstorm, he looked handsome, maintaining complete calm and rationality.
At his cuff, a string of celadon abacus beads clicked softly with his movements—this was the "Luoshu Bead" of the Holy Scholar Academy, worn only by those who had mastered the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art*.
"The old and weak line up for porridge! Strong men, clear three baskets of snow in exchange for a flatbread!" Chen Hui's voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable authority through the snowstorm.
"My lord, rioters are attacking the west granary!"
A sudden shout pierced the blizzard. From afar, the faint sounds of killing and yelling could be heard, like an angry tide buried beneath the snow gradually approaching.
Chen Hui's eyes narrowed, his deep gaze as sharp as a falcon's. He leaped onto a grain cart, the abacus beads in his sleeve rattling with the movement. With a wave of his judge's brush, the tip cut through the snowy curtain, pointing west: "Captains of Shen and Yi squads, lead your men and follow me to suppress the rioters!"
Not far away—
In front of the granary, a group of ragged rioters was destroying the gates. Mixed among them, however, were several ronin carrying Moonrise Empire katanas at their waists. Their expressions were cold, lurking in the crowd, some setting fires, others drawing their blades to attack women and children.
A fierce-looking ronin raised his blade, slashing heartlessly towards a woman holding a child.
"Clang—!"
Before the blade could fall, a sudden flash of cold light erupted. The blade shattered instantly, exploding into countless flying fragments of calculation chips!
The ronin was thrown back by an astonishing recoil, slamming hard into the granary door, vomiting blood with terror filling his eyes.
Rushing over from afar, Chen Hui's pupils shrank. He followed the trajectory of the shattered blade—
On the eaves, a flash of cyan swept past, disappearing in the blink of an eye. The person had a copper calculation chip dangling from their sword tassel. With a light leap, they melted into the night. Most astonishingly, despite the thick snow on the roof, they left no trace behind!
"Treading snow without a trace?" Chen Hui murmured, his brows furrowing. "This is... Shushan's Moon-Treading Steps... But why would a Shushan disciple use calculation chips?"
At the other end, hidden in the darkness—
Lin Wanying silently pressed the "Exquisite Calculation Box" hidden in her sleeve. The calculation chip she just fired had come from this purple sandalwood mechanism box. The box was engraved with the Lin family's mathematical symbols—the only relic she managed to save the night her family was massacred.
A month ago, her master ordered her to assassinate the "wokou-colluding" Chen Hui.
"Master, if he is truly an evil man colluding with foreign enemies, why would he fight so desperately to protect the people and the grain?" she whispered. Her phoenix eyes were deep and complex as she gazed into the distance towards Shushan.
As the spring floods approached, several cracks appeared in the dikes of the great Qingzhou River.
The river churned, the soil loosened, and the crisis of a breached dam was imminent.
Chen Hui stepped barefoot into the dam, the muddy water rising past his calves, but he paid it no mind, focusing entirely on his calculations: "According to the *Book of City Building*, three thousand catties of sticky rice paste are needed to fill these cracks..."
Suddenly, a cold, clear female voice came from behind the willow trees: "You failed to calculate the Earth Dragon's (earthquake) turnover cycle. You should use the algorithm from the *Nine Chapters* to adjust it."
Chen Hui looked up abruptly, seeing a figure standing not far away—
Lin Wanying.
She wore a moon-white robe, her dark hair tied back. Standing by the misty riverbank, she looked aloof and untainted, like a solitary plum blossom in winter. Her sword tassel bore a copper calculation chip that swayed gently in the wind, as if whispering an ancient science. Her skin was slightly pale, like white jade untouched by the sun for years, yet she had a pair of deep, pool-like phoenix eyes that radiated unmistakable wisdom and sharpness.
Her gaze swept over the dam as sharply as a sword. She said coldly, "The gravel content of these stones exceeds thirty percent; they easily crack during tremors. If the Lin family's *Earth Measurement Classic* hadn't been slandered as a demonic book back then, your Qingzhou officials would have known this long ago."
Chen Hui was shocked: "You know of the Qingzhou Lin family?"
Lin Wanying's fingertips tightened slightly, faint white marks appearing on her palm. Of course she knew—that family of mathematicians annihilated by the court was her very bloodline!
She reined in her emotions, her tone unrippled: "I know there is a river-suppressing iron ox from the previous dynasty nearby. It can raise the old dam by two feet. I figure this will save an official who loves his people like you a lot of manual labor."
Ignoring Chen Hui's question, she turned and walked to the other side of the dam. Her fingers lightly tapped inside her sleeve; the "Exquisite Calculation Box" made a faint mechanical click, and a sliver of cold light popped out.
"Turn Nine Qian, separate soul Kun, see middle Kan... Yes, it's right here."
She leaped half a zhang, swinging her sword to cut away the vines. The vines flew apart, revealing a river-suppressing iron ox that had slept for a century.
"Here, this is the river-suppressing mechanical ox."
The iron ox was made of dark bronze, its body engraved with complex Luoshu patterns. Time had left faint green patina on its surface.
As the two approached the iron ox, the Luoshu patterns on its back suddenly glowed faintly, resonating with the Luoshu Bead in Chen Hui's sleeve, emitting a subtle hum.
"The Luoshu Bead should be able to activate this iron ox and trigger the dam mechanism. You can try it," Lin Wanying said softly.
With that, she stepped back a few paces and stood quietly aside, her arms crossed, as if testing Chen Hui's mathematical prowess.
Chen Hui took a deep breath and placed the Luoshu Bead into the mechanism's slot.
"Clack, clack—"
A muffled sound of turning gears came from inside the mechanism. The Luoshu patterns on the iron ox's back changed rapidly, and several complex symbols from the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* appeared on the control panel. Each button was engraved with a different mathematical formula.
Chen Hui glanced at it and said deeply, "It seems that aside from the Luoshu Bead, one must understand the *Nine Chapters* to calculate the corresponding operational data for this mechanism."
"Try substituting the second formula of the Earth Measurement from the *Nine Chapters*," Lin Wanying reminded him casually from the side.
Chen Hui calculated as he listened, muttering, "I think we also need to add the Heavenly Dipper method."
"And then find the common denominator," they said in unison, pausing at exactly the same moment to look up at each other.
Their eyes met in mid-air, instantly grasping each other's thought processes, astonished that their mathematical attainments were equally matched.
After a moment of silence, the corners of Lin Wanying's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.
Chen Hui's heart trembled slightly, but he immediately suppressed the flutter, his fingertips carefully calculating on the mechanism's dial.
"Vertical twenty-seven, horizontal sixty-nine, product thirteen..."
"Sum forty," the two spoke the answer in unison.
Chen Hui turned his finger, adjusting the dial to "forty."
"Rumble—!"
The earth shook slightly. The mechanism that had slept for a century awakened. The stone structures on both sides of the riverbank slowly rose, increasing the dam's height by a full two feet. The surging river water was firmly blocked, kicking up a sky full of mist.
Once the mechanism finished operating, Chen Hui took a deep breath, turning to Lin Wanying with cupped hands, ready to express his gratitude—
"Since Magistrate Chen has solved this problem, I will take my leave."
Lin Wanying spoke softly, turned, and leaped onto the riverbank. Her figure quickly vanished into the misty riverside.
Chen Hui stood stunned, looking in the direction she disappeared, and couldn't help but chuckle.
This woman was unwilling to stay for even a bit of unnecessary small talk.
Yet, he felt an indescribable thrill in his heart, as if he had finally met someone in this world who could match him—not just as an opponent in martial arts, but as a soulmate in mathematics.
A month later—
"Fire! The Wenmo Pavilion is on fire—!"
Flames lit up the night sky, thick smoke rolling like a black dragon. The smell of burning books and the crackling of breaking roof beams intertwined, forming a terrifying scene of chaos. The Wenmo Pavilion, Qingzhou's most prestigious academy, held tens of thousands of books, containing the life's blood of generations of scholars, but was now being swallowed by the inferno.
"Hurry! Line up the water buckets! Get the people out first!" Chen Hui's robes were blackened by smoke, the sweat on his forehead mixed with ash. He directed the firefighting teams to coordinate the water supply while working with the bailiffs to carry out the books that could still be saved. However, the fire in the east library had already consumed half the collection. Raging tongues of fire licked the wooden pillars, spreading to the load-bearing beams with terrifying "creak" sounds.
"Oh no! The load-bearing beam has burned through, the whole library is going to collapse!"
"Retreat! Everyone inside, get out quickly!" The firefighters fled in panic. Yet, just as everyone retreated, a tall figure pushed against the crowd and rushed into the fire. "Lord Chen!" A bailiff cried out in shock, trying to stop him, but it was too late.
Chen Hui's eyes were calm, and he charged into the building without hesitation. Thick smoke rushed at him, the scorching air almost suffocating. He flipped his judge's brush, the tip striking rapidly, precisely hitting several key points on a partially burned pillar.
"Crack!"
The pillar collapsed towards the fiercest flames! For a moment, the falling beam suppressed part of the fire, causing it to divert and buying a sliver of time for escape. Several firefighters took the chance to rush out. But—as the flames reversed, a burning crossbeam came crashing down with a loud boom, sealing the exit!
Chen Hui's retreat was cut off! He looked at the surging flames before him, giving a bitter smile, his tone light: "Miscalculated..."
But he didn't panic, instead showing a hint of self-mockery:
"Well, at least I got a few people out. Not a pointless death."
Right at that moment! "Boom!" A deafening sound of shattering came from the side wall. Through the flames, an icy sword aura tore through the thick smoke, slashing against a stone wall.
"The stone wall bears forty-seven percent of the load. I used the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the support point is right here—Break!"
Amidst the rolling flames, dust and rubble flew everywhere. The stone wall shattered, revealing an exit.
As the smoke cleared, a slender, beautiful silhouette emerged from the fire—Lin Wanying. Her white clothes fluttered, her long sword humming softly, like an orchid blooming in a sea of fire.
Her hair flickered in the firelight, reflecting an amber sheen. The copper calculation chip on her sword tassel vibrated slightly, as if still calculating something.
"Let's go!" she said coldly, her gaze meeting Chen Hui's through the smoke and sparks.
Chen Hui was stunned.
Lin Wanying didn't wait for him to react. She swung her sword—"Swish!" A burning wooden beam was sliced in half and fell to the ground, blocking the approaching flames.
She said as she walked, "I calculated the internal density of the wall using the Pythagorean theorem and the *Earth Measurement Classic*. The weakest structural point of this stone wall, its stress point, is exactly six feet to the right. Just enough to break open an exit."
Her voice remained calm, yet against the backdrop of the blazing fire, it felt extraordinarily resolute and composed.
"Is this... a fusion of the Lin family's mathematics and Shushan sword aura?" Chen Hui finally spoke, a flash of surprise and admiration in his eyes.
Lin Wanying turned her blade, pointing straight at the final crossbeam. "Shatter!"
"Crack!" The crossbeam broke, and the final obstacle collapsed.
Amidst the surging flames, Lin Wanying turned her head slightly. Her long hair blew in the heat wave, her voice low and firm—
"Master said that mathematics disturbs the sword heart. But I insist on proving—the lives the Lin family's methods can save are no fewer than those saved by the Shushan sword!"
"Let's go!" Chen Hui took a deep breath, stepping out of the broken wall exit first, with Lin Wanying close behind. Behind them, the roof of the Wenmo Pavilion finally collapsed, swallowing countless unrescued books and memories.
But within this consuming inferno, something was sprouting—that indescribable flutter between the two of them.
A month later: Shushan, the Hall of Sin-Inquiry
Mist wreathed the green stone steps that wound their way up to Shushan's penal hall—the Hall of Sin-Inquiry.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive. The elders seated on the high platform cast cold gazes down at the single figure kneeling in the center—a woman in white.
"Lin Wanying!"
The penal hall elder, Feng Daoshan, spoke with a voice like thunder, carrying an unquestionable pressure.
"Before you left Shushan, the sect ordered you to enforce heaven's law and execute the wokou-colluding Qingzhou magistrate, Chen Hui!"
"Now a month has passed. Not only have you failed to assassinate him, you even helped him escape! Do you confess your sins?"
Lin Wanying knelt on one knee, her white clothes fluttering slightly, her back straight.
Her expression showed no fear, and her eyes were as clear as cold stars, devoid of any guilt.
"This disciple failed to execute the master's order and is willing to accept punishment," she said evenly, showing no remorse.
Feng Daoshan sneered: "Since you know you should be punished, do you know why this man had to be executed?"
Lin Wanying slowly raised her head, her gaze like a torch: "This disciple does not know why he had to be executed, but I saw with my own eyes that the intelligence provided by State Preceptor Chang Jin was false!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
The elders exchanged glances. One sneered, "You dare doubt the words of the State Preceptor?"
The coldness in Feng Daoshan's eyes deepened: "The State Preceptor controls the military secrets of the realm. How could he speak without basis?"
"For thousands of years, Shushan has vanquished demons, defended the Dao, and assisted the imperial court in suppressing rebellions. How can we waver in our judgment just because of your singular opinion?"
Lin Wanying did not retreat, her tone firm:
"If the State Preceptor's words are without error, why do all the people of Qingzhou say Chen Hui is honest and loves the people?"
"He worked tirelessly on disaster relief to save the villagers, and during the fire, he personally entered the inferno to save the people from disaster. How could this be the behavior of a man who would betray his country?"
"If Shushan is unwilling to even verify the facts and simply executes a loyal official, this disciple cannot agree!"
"Insolence!"
"Bang—!"
Penal hall elder Yue Lingtian slammed his palm onto the desk. The candles in the entire hall flickered.
"Recreant! You dare question the State Preceptor's words and recklessly criticize the sect's decisions?"
"Shushan defends the Dao with heaven's law. How can we tolerate your arrogant words?"
"Men, slap her fifty times and strip her of her inner disciple status!"
Two penal hall disciples immediately stepped forward, preparing to execute the punishment—
"Stop!"
A deep and majestic shout rang out.
Everyone froze and looked up—
An old man in a gray robe slowly stepped into the hall.
His temples were slightly white, and a scholarly air lingered between his brows, yet his gaze was as deep as the sea, exuding a powerful aura.
The Thirteenth Elder of Shushan—the "Soaring Sword" Zhou Tianhuan.
Lin Wanying's master!
Feng Daoshan's gaze darkened as he said slowly, "Junior Brother Zhou, what are you doing here?"
Zhou Tianhuan swept his gaze across the crowd, his tone unhurried: "Lin Wanying is my disciple. Her words are not without basis."
"As far as I know, the imperial court's order to execute Chen Hui lacks any official legal documents. It was entirely orchestrated by State Preceptor Chang Jin."
"Unless it is an established fact, Shushan should act with caution. How can we kill so easily?"
Yue Lingtian sneered: "Junior Brother Zhou, are you saying State Preceptor Chang Jin framed a loyal official with the intention of misleading Shushan?"
Zhou Tianhuan said lightly, "I am merely saying, if the imperial court's words are beyond doubt, why fear an investigation?"
Feng Daoshan snorted: "Although Junior Brother's words make sense, Shushan has always enforced heaven's law. How can we waver in our decision because of the words of a single disciple?"
"Lin Wanying's defiance of orders is disloyal and unrighteous. She must be severely punished!"
Zhou Tianhuan's gaze darkened as he slowly tightened his grip on the sword in his sleeve: "Senior Brother Feng, are you being too harsh?"
"She merely wished not to wrongfully kill a loyal man. How is that great treason?"
"Or could it be—you have other plans?"
At these words, a flash of darkness crossed Feng Daoshan's eyes, but it was quickly concealed.
He took a deep breath, his tone returning to normal: "Since Junior Brother Zhou is so protective, we shall give Lin Wanying one chance."
"But this matter has already alerted the State Preceptor. If we do not punish her, I fear Shushan will lose its face in the martial world."
"Three days from now, Lin Wanying will face the penal hall disciples' sword array. If she wins, she may investigate on her own. If she loses, she will be expelled from the sect!"
Hearing this, the corners of Lin Wanying's mouth curled up slightly.
"Fine!"
"I accept this battle!"
Shushan, Penal Hall Arena
White mist swirled. On the cliffside arena, the Shushan penal hall disciples formed a neat array, their expressions solemn.
This battle would decide whether Lin Wanying stayed or left.
"Lin Wanying, you defied the master's orders. Today, you will witness the true Shushan sword path!"
The head disciple of the penal hall, Han Jing, spoke coldly. Pointing his long sword, he and several disciples activated the sword array simultaneously!
"Tiangang Sword Array—Rise!"
The Shushan penal hall's swordsmanship was centered around the Tiangang Sword Array. The intersecting sword auras struck like a fierce storm.
Lin Wanying's gaze was steady. Turning her blade, she engaged them!
"Clang!"
Her figure was agile. Sword aura tore through the air, clashing with the penal hall disciples, forcefully enduring several rounds of attacks!
However, the penal hall sword array overlapped layer upon layer, sealing all her retreat paths like an inescapable net!
"She won't last long!"
"For years, no one has ever broken the penal hall's Tiangang Sword Array alone!"
The crowd whispered, certain that Lin Wanying would eventually be defeated.
However—
"Swish—!"
An anomalous sword aura suddenly surged!
A slight misalignment appeared in the sword light of the penal hall's array. The previously airtight sword momentum suddenly revealed a flaw!
"What?!"
The penal hall disciples froze slightly, their offensive instantly pausing.
"Clang!"
Lin Wanying's sword seemed to know the next attack point. She concentrated her energy and thrust out at the optimal angle, disrupting the nearly perfect coordination of the penal hall disciples. Her figure suddenly moved out of the sword array from a direction that head disciple Han Jing hadn't anticipated.
The corners of Lin Wanying's mouth curled up slightly.
"Calculated..."
The Exquisite Calculation Box in her sleeve operated secretly. The calculation chips slid softly, and her footwork shifted accordingly—
She didn't clash forcefully, but instead calculated the changes in the airflow within the sword array, dodging precisely and weakening the force of their attacks!
"In one-third of a second, the third sword aura on the left will weaken slightly..."
"Two more moves, and the Tiangang Sword Array's internal energy will loop back, slightly tilting the aura field..."
Calculations of sword aura and wind momentum raced through her mind!
"She... is calculating the flow of the sword aura?!"
The Shushan elders watching the battle were astonished.
Is this... still Shushan swordsmanship?
"This is not the pure path of the sword... This is clearly stepping into the demonic path!"
"Swordsmanship should align with heaven and earth; one cannot recklessly alter the rules. She is using mathematics to calculate sword momentum. Is this not a heretical path?"
"With such methods, can she still be considered a Shushan disciple?"
The disciples below the stage discussed fervently, some even showing expressions of disdain.
Lin Wanying sneered inwardly: "Is Shushan swordsmanship the only way? Must mathematical deduction be the demonic path?"
Her sword aura shook as she clashed with the penal hall sword array once more!
"Stop!"
A vigorous voice broke through the uproar.
"Everyone, wait!"
Zhou Tianhuan, the Thirteenth Elder of Shushan and Lin Wanying's master, slowly stepped onto the arena!
"The technique Lin Wanying uses is not a demonic path, but the result of my research over the past ten years!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in uproar!
"Junior Brother Zhou... is this true?"
Zhou Tianhuan's expression was open: "The martial path seeks change, and mathematics reflects the heavens. If mathematics can be used to strengthen sword aura, how is this not another path of the sword?"
Feng Daoshan's gaze darkened: "Junior Brother Zhou, are you defending your disciple?"
Zhou Tianhuan replied neither haughtily nor humbly: "I am merely saying that Lin Wanying has not violated the path of the sword. The path she walks simply hasn't been accepted by Shushan yet."
"How is this any different from the demonic path?"
The elders were temporarily speechless, many showing hesitation.
However—
Feng Daoshan smiled slightly, his tone cold: "It's a pity, she lost."
The penal hall sword array activated once more. Outnumbered, Lin Wanying's sword aura was completely suppressed!
"Bang!"
Her figure was blasted back by head disciple Han Jing's sword aura. Half-kneeling on the ground, the broken blade of her sword stabbed into the green stone nearby!
Feng Daoshan stood up, his tone like ice: "Starting today, Lin Wanying's martial arts are abolished. She is expelled from Shushan and shall never return!"
The penal hall disciples answered in unison: "Yes!"
Lin Wanying gritted her teeth, looking down at the sword hilt she gripped tightly, her knuckles white.
"Hold on! Expulsion from Shushan is fine, but I taught her martial arts, and I have the right to decide whether they are abolished."
Zhou Tianhuan slowly stepped forward, his gaze filled with pity. He said softly, "Wanying, I am powerless to change the outcome... but I will save your martial arts."
"The world is vast. Outside of Shushan, there is still a path for you."
Lin Wanying raised her head, looking at her master's slightly whitening temples. Taking a deep breath, she slowly stood up.
"...This disciple takes her leave."
She put away the broken sword, turned, and walked away.
"Junior Brother Zhou, this is..." Feng Daoshan was about to object.
But looking at Lin Wanying's retreating back, a sinister smile flashed in his eyes.
"This, is also fine..."
Shushan, Luoxia Peak
Luoxia Peak, a cliff in the back mountains of Shushan, was not a main thoroughfare but a tranquil place overlooking the mountain ranges.
The setting sun on the horizon was like blood. The evening glow reflected on the churning sea of clouds, unfurling into a brilliant fiery sky.
Lin Wanying stood quietly by the cliff edge. Her white clothes fluttered slightly in the wind. Behind her, the towering Shushan stood majestic, but it was no longer her home.
She no longer belonged here.
Behind her, light footsteps sounded.
"Master..."
She turned and saw that familiar figure.
Zhou Tianhuan stood in the remaining sunlight, his gray robe swaying gently in the wind, his temples touched with the frost of time. His eyes were steady as ever, yet hiding an indescribable helplessness and reluctance to part.
"Wanying." His voice remained deep and gentle, but carried a hint of exhaustion.
The two looked at each other for a moment before Lin Wanying finally looked away.
"Master, ultimately... I still lost," she said in a low, unwilling tone.
Zhou Tianhuan sighed softly, slowly walking up to her, his tone calm: "Victory or defeat has never been the sole measure of right and wrong."
"I know you are unwilling, but have you ever thought about what the outcome would be if you stayed in Shushan?"
Lin Wanying fell silent for a moment, ultimately saying nothing.
Of course she knew. The Shushan elders no longer tolerated her, and Feng Daoshan suppressed her at every turn. Even if she had won the duel, would Shushan really have given her the chance to investigate the State Preceptor's intelligence?
She knew they wouldn't.
But... she still couldn't bear to leave.
This was the place where she had practiced the sword since childhood, where she had spent years of her youth, the place she once viewed as her faith.
Now, none of it concerned her anymore.
"Wanying, what... are your plans next?"
Zhou Tianhuan's words interrupted her thoughts.
Lin Wanying looked up, her gaze firm: "I'm going back to Qingzhou."
"All of this is too suspicious. The intelligence from State Preceptor Chang Jin completely contradicts what I saw with my own eyes. I must go back and uncover the truth."
She tightened her grip on the Exquisite Calculation Box. It was the last relic of the Lin family, and the vessel of wisdom she relied on to this day.
Zhou Tianhuan was silent for a moment before giving a slight nod.
"I knew you would do this."
He turned and took out a letter from his robe, handing it to her: "There is an old acquaintance in Qingzhou named Liu Wenzhou. He is extremely learned, once taught at the Holy Scholar Academy, and is also skilled in mystical formations and mathematics. He might be able to help you."
Lin Wanying took the letter, carefully tucking it into her sleeve, and nodded slightly: "This disciple will remember."
Zhou Tianhuan looked at her, pondering for a moment before finally speaking: "Wanying, in this world, the line between good and evil is often very thin. As you travel the martial world, you must be careful."
"If one day you find yourself walking down the wrong path, do not be stubbornly blind."
Lin Wanying paused, then smiled, a hint of bitterness at the corners of her mouth: "Is Master worried I will become the 'demonic path' they speak of?"
Zhou Tianhuan's eyes shifted slightly, but he didn't answer directly. Instead, he gently reached out and brushed aside a stray lock of hair on her forehead, as gently as in the past.
"I'm just worried that... you will become too lonely."
Lin Wanying froze, her heart instantly filled with warmth, which she quickly suppressed.
She had never been a weak person.
Taking a deep breath, she revealed a firm smile: "Rest assured, Master. This disciple is not so easily lost."
"Since I chose this path, I will walk it to the end."
Zhou Tianhuan looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, before he finally nodded gently.
"Go, Wanying."
"From now on, our title as master and disciple ends here."
Lin Wanying's body trembled.
Her hands unconsciously clenched, but quickly relaxed.
"...This disciple will remember Master's grace."
She bowed deeply, then turned and strode forward, walking toward the stone steps of the cliff, heading down the mountain.
Zhou Tianhuan watched her retreating back quietly until her white clothes vanished into the mist. Then, with a soft sigh, he turned and left.
Qingzhou, After the Night Rain
The light rain had just ceased, and the night was misty. The streets of Qingzhou still carried a faint, damp scent.
Lin Wanying, draped in a light cyan cloak, walked quietly down the street.
She had returned.
This was Qingzhou. She had once come here under sect orders to assassinate Chen Hui, but now she was here to uncover the truth.
This time, she was no longer a Shushan disciple, but a lone warrior seeking the truth.
Her first stop was a pavilion hidden inside a bookstore in the north of the city.
"Miss Lin?"
Inside the pavilion, an elegant scholar assessed her. Wearing a scholar's robe, he exuded a bookish air between his brows, yet did not lack worldly sophistication.
This man was exactly Liu Wenzhou, the old acquaintance recommended by Zhou Tianhuan. He used to teach at the Holy Scholar Academy, understood mystical formations and mathematics, and held many secrets of the imperial court and the martial world.
Lin Wanying nodded lightly: "Elder Zhou said you might be able to help me."
Liu Wenzhou smiled faintly, taking several letters from the bookshelf and spreading them gently on the desk.
"You are looking to investigate not just Magistrate Chen's grievances, but a deeper conspiracy, right?"
Lin Wanying's eyes shifted. Reaching out, she picked up the letters and quickly flipped through them.
Ministry of War, Wokou, State Preceptor Chang Jin...
These terms appeared frequently in the documents.
Her expression grew serious: "Where did this intelligence come from?"
Liu Wenzhou tapped the bamboo scroll on the desk: "Over the past few years, there have been frequent unusual movements in the imperial court. Especially around Qingzhou, the entanglements between the government and the wokou have become increasingly bizarre."
"Among them, one name appears frequently—Chang Yanjiao."
The Capital, State Preceptor's Manor
A light rain had just fallen, and the capital's night was shrouded in heavy moisture. Inside the palace walls, all was quiet, save for the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards echoing beneath the high walls.
Outside the imperial city, inside a vast and ornately decorated manor, lights shone brightly. The curtains hung low, faintly revealing the sound of discussions.
This was no ordinary official's residence; it was the manor of State Preceptor Chang Jin.
Tonight, he welcomed a distinguished guest—the Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao.
In the main hall, the two sat facing each other, with several maps and military orders spread out on the desk.
Chang Jin wore a purple-gold ritual robe. His long eyebrows extended to his temples, his hair and beard silvery white. Though over fifty, his eyes were like a falcon's, carrying an imposing majesty.
Unlike ordinary scholars, his speech and demeanor held a faint imperial aura, as if the power of the world rested in his hands.
Chang Yanjiao wore a deep purple official robe, a jade belt cinched at his waist. His posture was steady, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, his expression cold.
The two locked eyes, both wearing unfathomably deep smiles.
"The battle of Qingzhou has begun, just as the State Preceptor said."
Chang Yanjiao spoke indifferently, his tone unhurried, as if discussing a game of chess.
"Now, the wokou and the Pirate King Alliance are both ready to act according to the plan. The Qingzhou garrison has also been legitimately transferred away. In three days, the war will inevitably begin."
Chang Jin slowly raised his eyes, a glint in his gaze: "Thus, Qingzhou will have no defense and can only wait for the Ministry of War's rescue."
"And when the imperial court sees Qingzhou fall, they will have no choice but to hand military power over to you, allowing you to command the great army."
"This chess piece has been played excellently."
The corners of Chang Yanjiao's mouth curled up slightly. He picked up his teacup, lowered his head to blow away the foam, and said indifferently, "If one wishes to control the world, one must ensure no one can question his power."
"With Qingzhou fallen, Chen Hui dead in battle, and the border defense leaderless, the court will have to hand military power to the Ministry of War."
"And when the Ministry of War controls the military power, Lord State Preceptor, your power will also advance further."
"After all... I manage the world with military power, and the State Preceptor manages the emperor with divine power. This is the grand scheme."
The two exchanged a smile; the atmosphere was eerie and icy.
State Preceptor Chang Jin gently stroked the map on the desk, his eyes flickering slightly, his tone unhurried: "But there is still a variable."
"Lin Wanying... she didn't die."
"And Chen Hui... I fear he isn't someone so easily dealt with."
Chang Yanjiao's mouth curled up in a cold smile: "A hero? A loyal official? Such people are the most foolish."
"If he truly acts for the people, he should understand the circumstances and go with the flow. Unfortunately... he is too stubborn."
"Stubborn people always die quickly."
State Preceptor Chang Jin gave a faint smile, gently setting down his teacup. His expression suddenly turned bizarre as he said, "But, Minister Chang... Cousin, are you truly satisfied with this?"
Chang Yanjiao's eyes shifted, his mouth curling into a smile: "State Preceptor... Cousin, what do you mean by this?"
"After the battle of Qingzhou, military power will be in your hands. What... is your next goal?"
"You wouldn't be satisfied just being the Minister of War, would you? Do you still remember the task given to you by the main family?"
Chang Jin's voice was low and drawn out, carrying a hint of probing and suggestion.
Chang Yanjiao was silent for a moment before slowly smiling.
His smile was faint, yet revealed endless ambition.
"Oh? Lord State Preceptor indeed possesses great foresight. Besides caring for the country, you are truly a representative of the main family, reminding me of my duty as part of the branch family."
He said in a low voice: "Now, chaos reigns within and outside the imperial court. The emperor is cowardly, the officials harbor their own sinister plots. Although Lord State Preceptor controls the divine power of the realm and the righteous voice of the martial world, you have never held military power."
"And I, though Minister of War, do not control all the military power in the world, and I am still constrained by the imperial court."
"In this world, if faith, military power, political power, and financial power cannot be uniformly controlled, they will ultimately hinder one another."
His fingers tapped lightly on the desk as he enunciated each word clearly: "The position of Prime Minister is my ultimate goal."
He then whispered in a voice only he could hear: "The throne... ultimately, will also be held by our Chang family."
State Preceptor Chang Jin smiled faintly, as if having anticipated this answer.
"If that is the case, then our cooperation proceeds as usual."
Chang Yanjiao stood up, donned his official robe, and slowly walked outside. As he neared the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at State Preceptor Chang Jin, who was still seated.
"If the battle of Qingzhou succeeds, the next step is to use the Ministry of War to weaken the emperor's power."
"My Ministry of War shall command the military of the world."
"The State Preceptor's Manor shall become the teacher of the emperor and of faith."
"We will support each other, and step by step, seize control of the imperial court. Cousin!"
State Preceptor Chang Jin paused his expression, nodded slightly, and watched Chang Yanjiao's back disappear into the night.
He gently stroked his long beard, the corners of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile.
"The chess game of the world has just begun. Don't fall out too early. Don't think I don't know what schemes your branch family is plotting, cousin..."
The Capital, Minister of War's Manor, Underground Secret Chamber
After the light rain, the night was heavy. The streets and alleys of the capital were silent; only the Minister of War's Manor still had lights burning.
Deep within the manor, a stone door hidden beneath a rockery was slowly pushed open, revealing a secret passage leading underground. This was the true core of Chang Yanjiao's scheming—the place of conspiracy.
Faint candlelight illuminated the murals on the stone walls, depicting ancient battlefields, countless soldiers killing each other, and kings overthrown, as if recounting the fate of how many dynasties had changed throughout history.
But this time, he, Chang Yanjiao, would be the controller of that historical torrent.
Inside the secret chamber, a massive military map was spread out on the desk. The coast of Qingzhou on the map was marked with red lines, and two foreign flags were drawn on the sea—
One was the black ship of the Moonrise Empire's wokou, and the other was the skull battle flag of the Commercial Republic's Pirate King Alliance.
Standing by the table were several of Chang Yanjiao's confidants. Among them, a man looking like a military advisor said in a low voice, "My lord, the Moonrise Empire's navy disguised as wokou and the Pirate King Alliance are ready. They just await your command to launch the attack."
Chang Yanjiao nodded slightly, his gaze as calm as water, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk.
"Everything is going according to the State Preceptor's and my plans. Qingzhou's defense lines have been hollowed out by us, and those old officials in the court haven't noticed anything unusual yet."
"Now, we just need to let the wokou and pirates apply further pressure, throwing Qingzhou into panic, and then capture Linhai City. After that... we'll let our men retake the wetlands. Let the imperial court see our value and capability, forcing them to give me more military power."
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile.
"If the Ministry of War has no war to fight, it has no use; only in worldwide chaos can I legitimately seize supreme power."
The black-robed man asked in a low voice, "Although the wokou and the Pirate King Alliance are willing to cooperate, they are two different factions that don't trust each other. How can they act simultaneously?"
Chang Yanjiao smiled faintly and took out a letter: "This is precisely the State Preceptor's arrangement."
He unfolded the letter. The handwriting was extremely concise, but the signature was not the Ministry of War, but the seal of the State Preceptor's Manor.
"Lord State Preceptor has already sent a message to the Moonrise Empire, telling them that this attack is the result of factional struggles within the Ministry of War, and promising that if they can swiftly capture Qingzhou, we will officially establish secret trade relations with them, reducing interference from maritime patrols. We will then send a secret letter in the name of the Ministry of War's internal faction to signal the attack."
"As for Drake of the Pirate King Alliance, he is even easier to deal with. As long as he sees profit, he won't refuse. I personally paid a certain price and wealth, and they are willing to serve me."
"They all think they can profit from the chaos, little knowing... the true beneficiary is only us."
Chang Yanjiao's fingers gently caressed the Qingzhou map, his eyes deep: "When the war becomes urgent and the Ministry of War is the only hope, a victory will force the emperor to hand over more military power to the Ministry. By then, whether we win or lose the war, I will remain invincible."
A confidant reminded him in a low voice: "But Qingzhou still has Chen Hui. If he senses something is wrong, it might affect the plan."
Chang Yanjiao chuckled softly, picking up his teacup, blowing away the foam, and saying indifferently, "Then let him disappear."
"A hero? A loyal official? Such people are the most foolish."
"If he truly acts for the people, he should understand the circumstances and go with the flow. Unfortunately... he is too stubborn."
He set down the teacup gently, saying coldly: "Stubborn people always die quickly."
"This planned attack is exactly the best time for us to eliminate him."
"Let the wokou harass the towns first, creating panic. Then, when Chen Hui leads his troops into battle, have the Pirate King Alliance attack his supply lines from the sea, plunging his isolated army into dire straits!"
"Finally, when he dies in battle, the Ministry of War can legitimately recover and take over Qingzhou."
The people in the secret chamber looked at each other, all showing agreement.
"In this way, Qingzhou's defense will be entirely in the hands of the Ministry of War's loyalists. No matter how the imperial court responds, it will be irreversible."
The candlelight in the secret chamber flickered, the shadows reflecting on Chang Yanjiao's face, making his features look even more sinister.
He stood up slowly, looking at the map covering the entire realm, his voice low and firm: "Qingzhou is only the first step. Next comes the upheaval in the imperial court."
"Everyone! The position of Prime Minister will ultimately be mine."
"Imperial power... will ultimately also be held by me."
Everyone in the secret chamber held their breath, not daring to speak. Only the candles trembled slightly, seemingly shuddering at this conspiracy.
Chang Yanjiao smiled lightly, his tone calm, yet revealing an unshakable determination—
"The chaos in Qingzhou will be the opportunity for the Ministry of War to ascend to the peak."
"When the imperial court can no longer control the situation, the world will be controlled by me."
Everyone dropped to one knee and said, "We pledge our lives to serve you, My Lord!"
Qingzhou, Wen Pavilion, Night
The night was heavy. The lights in eastern Qingzhou flickered in the thick fog, swaying in the wind like scattered stars.
Deep within a quiet alley, a book pavilion stood silently, isolated from the clamor of the marketplace, exuding a unique tranquility.
This place, named the Wen Pavilion, was a hidden venue for scholars and martial artists to interact in Qingzhou.
At this moment, in a side hall inside the pavilion, candles flickered. A man in a scholar's robe sat upright at his desk, holding a recently delivered secret letter, his expression changing unpredictably.
Liu Wenzhou—who once taught at the Holy Scholar Academy and later left to operate out of the Wen Pavilion in Qingzhou. He was versed in mystical formations and mathematics, and held many secrets of the imperial court and martial world.
Tonight, he had to make a decision that would affect his future.
--
A few days ago, Liu Wenzhou received a secret letter from an aide in the Qingzhou garrison.
This aide used to be his student, serving as a clerk in the army, responsible for organizing military reports and orders.
However, during a routine organization of military orders, the aide discovered an extremely abnormal one—
This military order was not sent to the Qingzhou magistrate or the garrison commanders, but was sent via secret channels, expedited by fast horse, to a certain coastal merchant guild. Even stranger, it used a confidential format that the aide had never seen on regular military orders. Instead, it was a mathematical cipher composed of numbers, symbols, and geometric figures!
This made him very uneasy, so he took the risk of copying a duplicate of this letter and sending it to the Wen Pavilion, hoping Liu Wenzhou could help decipher it.
"...Is this mathematical encryption?"
At first, Liu Wenzhou merely thought it might be a new encrypted document and didn't pay much mind. It wasn't until he tried to decipher it that he realized he couldn't crack the whole thing. The parts he did decipher pointed to something like a deployment for an attack, and the target was incredibly... Linhai City in Qingzhou!
He specifically sent men to track the letter's destination and discovered it was ultimately split into two copies, each delivered to merchant guilds closely associated with the Moonrise Empire and the Pirate King Alliance!
This meant this military order wasn't for the Qingzhou military at all, but was being sent to hostile factions!
His heart suddenly tightened, realizing this might involve an enormous conspiracy or upheaval. It could even be an operation that would plunge Qingzhou into the flames of war!
The more Liu Wenzhou thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. His hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
This was no longer a simple military order, but a shocking conspiracy involving internal and external collusion!
Liu Wenzhou put down the secret letter, took a deep breath, and thought for a long time.
If his guess was right, the commoners, soldiers, scholars here, and even this Wen Pavilion itself, would not be spared.
He was not a disciple of the Holy Scholar Academy and was no longer bound by its rules, but he still upheld a scholar's morality—
"If I know a disaster is coming and do nothing, am I still considered a scholar?"
He closed his eyes slightly, then slowly opened them, his gaze firm.
I cannot completely decipher it, but it just so happens there is someone whose mathematical level is extremely high! I must notify Lin Wanying immediately.
"What is this?"
When Lin Wanying rushed to the Wen Pavilion, Liu Wenzhou pushed the secret letter in front of her, his tone low: "This is a military order from the Ministry of War, but it wasn't issued to the Qingzhou garrison. It was sent to two coastal merchant guilds. And the factions backing these two guilds are the Moonrise Empire and the Pirate King Alliance!"
"The contents here are entirely a special cipher encrypted through advanced mathematics."
Lin Wanying took the secret letter, scanned it quickly, and frowned tightly: "Such mathematical coding... ordinary military departments probably couldn't decipher it..."
She looked up, her gaze sharp: "This letter... what exactly is it?"
Liu Wenzhou was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Based on what I've deciphered so far, I suspect it is highly likely a strategic plan to attack Qingzhou. I invited you here hoping you can help decipher the contents."
"I will try it right now!"
Without hesitation, Lin Wanying found a chair, sat at the table, opened the secret letter, and began studying it.
She sat before the candle flame, head slightly lowered. The calculation chips drawn from the "Exquisite Calculation Box" in her sleeve danced continuously on the table.
Liu Wenzhou looked at her back, his voice low: "Miss Lin, in addition to numbers, this content incorporates mathematical puzzles composed of symbols and geometric figures. I believe without a specific formula, there is no way to decipher even half of the contents."
A few incense sticks of time later, Lin Wanying said, "You are right. Without the deciphering formula to plug in, this is not something we can crack in a short time."
"I don't know who else can help. Unfortunately, most people in the Wen Pavilion are not proficient in mathematics! However, I do know someone who very likely can crack it. He is a mathematical genius I knew back at the Holy Scholar Academy. He is currently the magistrate of Qingzhou and is right here in Linhai City. His name is Chen Hui."
"It's him? I know him! The other person I was looking for on this trip was exactly him!" Lin Wanying suddenly said excitedly.
"Exactly! Together, he and I might be able to decipher it! I will go find him right now!"
At the Qingzhou Magistrate's Office, Chen Hui was sitting at his desk handling official business.
A bailiff reported: "My lord! A female warrior who claims to know you demands an audience!"
Shortly after, Lin Wanying, panting slightly, rushed in. She had hurried all the way, a thin layer of sweat hanging on her forehead. Without waiting for the report to finish, she barged right into Chen Hui's study the moment she was announced.
"Insolence! How dare you trespass into an important area of the yamen?" The bailiffs stepped forward to block Lin Wanying.
Chen Hui looked up and saw the anxious but undeniably calm woman before him, freezing for a moment: "You are...?"
"I am Lin Wanying of the Shushan Sect! No, I am not Lin Wanying of the Shushan Sect, I am just Lin Wanying. You should remember me; didn't I help you crack the riverbank iron ox?" she replied rapidly, her gaze locked on Chen Hui. "Liu Wenzhou told me to find you. He said you and I together might succeed in cracking the mathematical cipher of this secret letter."
Chen Hui said to the bailiffs, "Stand down. She is an old acquaintance. It's fine."
He then asked Lin Wanying, "Brother Liu Wenzhou? What kind of secret letter is it? Why the extreme urgency?"
"This is very likely a strategic plan to attack Qingzhou. We must decipher the contents!"
Chen Hui's expression changed: "Bring it here quickly!"
The contents of the secret letter were spread out on the table. The handwriting on the paper was irregular and scattered, presenting several sets of meaningless numbers, symbols, and geometric figures. But in the eyes of Lin Wanying and Chen Hui, this was a mathematical puzzle waiting to be solved.
Without wasting words, Lin Wanying pulled up a chair next to the table, took out the "Exquisite Calculation Box" from her sleeve, and skillfully drew out the calculation chips, spreading them on the table: "We don't have much time. Let's begin immediately."
Chen Hui nodded slightly. Picking up a brush, he drew several geometric patterns on a piece of paper beside the secret letter: "I see that this secret letter uses multi-layered encryption. First is mathematics combining the method of circle division (Gougu theorem/Pi) and the 'Yin-Yang Five Elements', plus the directional correspondence of these geometric symbols."
Lin Wanying's eyes flashed. Following his line of thought, she began rapidly flicking the calculation chips: "Exactly. This looks like the directional cipher combining the 'circle division mathematics' of the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* with Yin-Yang Five Elements... You handle the geometric directions, I will calculate the numerical values."
Under the candlelight, the two cooperated with focused synergy. Lin Wanying rapidly calculated the numbers, the chips flying like flowing clouds and moving water; Chen Hui carefully observed the relationships between the geometric figures, the tip of his brush drawing precise marks on the paper.
"Yes... this triangle here should correspond to the southeast..." Chen Hui murmured.
"Then the value is sixty-four!" Lin Wanying responded immediately.
With their cooperation, the contents of the secret letter gradually emerged. The two had perfect chemistry, and their deciphering speed grew faster and faster.
Chen Hui nodded slightly. Taking the brush, he quickly wrote out a derivation on the paper: "Mathematical calculation and geometry are only part of the content. There must be another layer of information hidden here, likely the corresponding rules for coordinates or dates."
He leaned closer to Lin Wanying, supporting himself on the desk with one hand while flipping through the mathematical formulas on the paper with the other, his tone certain: "The recipient of this letter not only has the decoding formula but must also be intimately familiar with mathematics; otherwise, they couldn't decode it. It's unlikely to be ordinary wokou or pirates. This makes me think of the mathematicians of the Moonrise Empire or the Pirate King Alliance."
"Then we must decipher all the contents even more!" Lin Wanying replied immediately.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a burning will to fight in each other's eyes.
This decoding was a collaboration concerning the life and death of the people of Qingzhou!
As the final set of mathematical calculations was completed, the contents of the secret letter finally appeared in full!
"Three days from now, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the main force will split into two paths to attack Qingzhou."
"Wokou first wave: Land from the southeast coast, create chaos, attack civilian houses and granaries."
"Wokou second wave: Arrive at the city gates at noon, launch a general assault."
"Pirate King Alliance: Night attack on waterway strongholds, blockade all supply lines and escape routes."
"The defending troops in Qingzhou City are less than thirty percent. Plan to capture the city within two days; the Ministry of War will not interfere."
"Ensure Chen Hui dies in battle."
"After the plan is executed, await official takeover by the Ministry of War."
"...This is the answer."
Chen Hui's hand rested lightly on the table. He stared deeply at the text on the paper, waves of emotion churning in his heart.
"From the very beginning, this war wasn't a foreign invasion, but a conspiracy of internal and external collusion!"
Lin Wanying gently wiped the calculation chips clean and returned them to her "Exquisite Calculation Box." She said, "As expected of the holder of the Holy Scholar Academy's 'Luoshu Bead'! Your skill is comparable to my Lin family's mathematics."
Chen Hui let out a chuckle and shook his head: "It seems that deciphering this secret letter yielded an unexpected harvest—I'm starting to admire your mathematics."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: "Admire my mathematics? What about your military strategy? Can you still handle this war?"
Chen Hui's gaze shifted, his expression turning serious as he said slowly, "If we combine our efforts, perhaps we can turn the tide."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the secret chamber became delicate.
The two stood side by side, the candlelight casting their intertwined shadows.
Amidst this tense deciphering and strategic forecasting, their states of mind had quietly drawn closer—
This wasn't just a simple academic contest, but a mutual appreciation between two meticulous and equally brilliant minds.
A certain intangible emotion quietly sprouted during this collaborative puzzle-solving process.
But at this moment, they had no time to dwell on this subtle flutter.
Because the war was already imminent!
A personal guard rushed hastily into the secret chamber, his expression panicked: "My lord, news from the military camp! The Qingzhou garrison was transferred away three days ago under orders from the Ministry of War!"
"Now the city has only thirty percent of its defenders left, and most are veterans and raw recruits. We cannot defend it for long!"
"What?!"
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying's expressions changed simultaneously. In that moment, the two finally understood completely—
This meticulously planned massacre had already begun!
"...Chang Yanjiao, you old fox."
Chen Hui cursed in a low voice, cold fury flashing in his eyes.
Lin Wanying took a deep breath, rapidly analyzing: "In this battle, we have no reinforcements, and the imperial court will not immediately order support. This means... we can only rely on ourselves!"
Chen Hui stood up abruptly, unrolling the Qingzhou map, pointing to three key locations: "We must establish temporary defense lines within the city and use the remaining troops and commoners for an all-out city defense!"
The first location: The Linhai City Gate of Qingzhou—the most likely target of the wokou's first wave of attacks, must be defended to the death!
The second key point: The granaries and the city's water sources—if destroyed, Qingzhou will be unable to hold out long-term!
The final battlefield: The docks and waterways—the Pirate King Alliance's surprise attack will come from the water; we must set up defenses in advance!
"We have no reinforcements. This battle depends entirely on us!"
The corners of Chen Hui's mouth curled up, his gaze firm: "Then let them come. Let these villainous thieves see that Qingzhou is not fish on a chopping block! And we will not surrender without a fight!"
The two looked at each other, their eyes full of fighting spirit—
The Great Battle of Qingzhou was about to begin!
The night was as dark as ink. The streets of Qingzhou seemed exceptionally quiet in the thick night fog. Only sporadic sounds of clashing weapons came from the distant encampments, as if reminding the city that it was about to undergo a baptism of fire.
Inside the main hall of the yamen, several generals and militia leaders surrounded a spread-out map. The candlelight flickered in the breeze, illuminating the solemn expressions on everyone's faces.
Chen Hui stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze steady. Sweeping his eyes across the crowd, he slowly spoke: "The Qingzhou garrison has been transferred away. The capable fighters left in the city now number no more than two thousand, half of which are raw recruits and militia. What we must do is not fight the enemy to the death, but hold out for three days so that the news of the attack spreads. The imperial court and the Ministry of War will be forced to return to rescue the situation."
He looked at the map and pointed to several key points: "First, the East Gate of Linhai City. The wokou main force will inevitably attack from here; this will be our first line of defense. Archers and crossbowmen will ambush them on the city walls, preparing rolling logs and blazing fire in advance. We will wait at our leisure for the exhausted enemy, delaying their entry into the city."
"Second, the granaries and water sources. These are our lifelines. If the enemy captures them, Qingzhou will collapse without a fight. Therefore, we will set up ambushes around the warehouses and wells. The moment the enemy infiltrates, we counterattack immediately."
"Third, the docks and waterways. The Pirate King Alliance's forces will attack from here. If they successfully blockade the waterways, we will have no further supplies. Therefore, we will bury oil at the docks. When they land, we will set the ships on fire, trapping them in a dilemma!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a lieutenant immediately clasped his hands and said: "My lord, the enemy forces outnumber us several times over. Can such a deployment hold for three days?"
Chen Hui gave a confident smile, intending to infect everyone with his confidence. His eyes were sharp as knives as he said, "It is not a matter of 'can we', but 'we must'."
Lin Wanying stood beside him, smiling with a hint of teasing: "As expected of the magistrate governing Qingzhou. Your thinking is clear; many staff officers in the Ministry of War probably couldn't match you."
She turned towards the map, her gaze locking onto the warehouse area, and slowly spoke: "I will lead people to set up traps. Using the terrain and mathematical calculations, we will make the enemy misjudge the landscape and walk right into our ambush circles."
She paused, her phoenix eyes shifting slightly, and said softly, "You defend orthodoxly, I will strike surprisingly. Perhaps we really can stall this battle."
Chen Hui looked at her, his heart stirring. This woman's composure and wisdom far exceeded his imagination. The light flashing in her eyes at this moment produced an indescribable flutter in his chest.
However, with the battle imminent, this flutter had to be buried deep in his heart. He nodded and said deeply: "If so, Qingzhou might still have a glimmer of hope."
Just as the strategic deployment was nearing its end, a dark figure walked into the main hall. Everyone turned around to see Liu Wenzhou slowly approaching. Still dressed in an elegant scholar's robe, he now carried a resoluteness and courage different from his usual demeanor.
He looked at Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, his tone low: "I am here to help."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow, lowering her voice slightly: "You shouldn't have gotten involved."
Liu Wenzhou chuckled softly, his tone calm but firm: "If I don't get involved, this city will be massacred. Although I am no longer at the Holy Scholar Academy, these commoners are living people. If I still have a shred of conscience, I will not stand idly by."
He walked up to the map, pointing to a hidden path: "I am familiar with Qingzhou's underground secret passages. If the granaries and water sources are breached, I can lead people to secretly transfer the grain and forage, ensuring our supplies are not completely cut off."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying stared at him, and after a moment, nodded gently: "Are you sure you want to do this? By doing this, you are breaking the rules of the Holy Scholar Academy. You don't have to."
Liu Wenzhou smiled helplessly: "Chen Hui, ever since I handed the secret letter to Lin Wanying and mentioned you to her, I already had no choice."
On the southeast coast of Qingzhou, the dark tide surged. Dozens of warships quietly approached the shore. The elite warriors of the wokou forces moved silently under the cover of night, like a pack of hunters in the dark.
The man standing at the forefront of the warship wore silver-white armor. His black cape billowed in the wind. His eyes were deep and icy, with an old scar running through his right eye, making him look even more fierce and dangerous.
The main general of the Moonrise Empire's wokou forces—Ichiro Yamanaka.
He was the most cold-blooded tactician among the wokou. He killed without blinking, yet was highly proficient in military strategy and tactics. He was an elite commander personally appointed by the Moonrise Empire's royal family.
Standing on the deck, looking down at the distant Qingzhou City, his tone was icy: "Chen Hui... is the biggest variable in this city and my target this time."
The lieutenant behind him asked in a low voice: "General, shall we launch a full-scale attack?"
Ichiro Yamanaka shook his head faintly, saying softly, "No, I want him to walk right under my blade himself."
"First wave: the main force will launch a probing attack from the East Gate, making them misjudge our true troop strength and dispersing their defenders."
"Second wave: I will personally lead troops into the city and behead Chen Hui."
The lieutenant paused briefly, then dropped to one knee: "The General is truly far-sighted!"
The corners of Ichiro Yamanaka's mouth curled up slightly, bearing a bloodthirsty sneer, as he murmured: "Killing someone worthy always makes a war more interesting."
He slowly raised his katana, cold light flashing, then swung it down fiercely.
"Attack!"
In the distance, war drums sounded, warships docked, and the dark shadows of the wokou surged toward Qingzhou City like a tide—
The bloody battle officially commenced!
Qingzhou, Dawn Breaks, Beacons Rise
The morning light was faint, and smoke already filled the walls of Qingzhou.
Warships broke through the waves, flying crude black cloth banners without obvious insignia, making them look more like a scattered band of bandits. However, Chen Hui on the city wall knew in his heart that these invaders were no ordinary brigands.
These people were well-trained, marched in formation, and were fully equipped with siege ladders, fire arrows, swords, and shields—this was fundamentally a regular army disguised as wokou!
"These thieves are disguised indeed!"
He turned his head sharply, roaring to the lieutenant beside him: "All forces, prepare for battle! Do not underestimate these enemies!"
The wokou forces first launched long-range attacks. A rain of arrows blotted out the sky, falling like a torrential downpour.
"Raise shields!"
The Qingzhou troops quickly raised their shields. The dense arrows struck the shields like a rainstorm, emitting dull thuds.
"Archers, return fire! Ignite the fire arrows!"
The archers on the wall rapidly loosed their arrows. The ignited fire arrows shot like meteors toward the wokou's siege ladders and chariots, instantly engulfing some of the enemy troops in flames.
"Ignite the trenches! Set the fires!"
Upon the command, the oil in the trenches ignited instantly. Flames soared into the sky, burning the wokou who had just stepped into the trenches into a living hell.
However, all of this was merely a probing attack.
On the distant warships, the silver-white armor reflected the morning light. The black cape billowed in the wind as Ichiro Yamanaka coldly observed the battlefield.
"Retreat, prepare the second wave of attacks."
The wokou rapidly retreated without actually losing too many troops.
Yet, the soldiers inside the city were already exhausted.
This wave of attack was entirely designed to deplete the Qingzhou army's arrows and oil, weakening their defensive capabilities!
The wokou horns sounded, and the second wave of attacks fully commenced!
This time, the enemy was no longer probing, but launching a fierce assault!
Siege ladders were quickly hooked onto the city walls. Hundreds of wokou elites climbed the ladders, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat with the Qingzhou troops.
"They are forcing an assault!"
The lieutenant roared. Chen Hui suddenly stepped forward, lightly twirling the pair of judge's brushes in his hands, which glinted with a cold edge.
As the wokou stepped onto the city wall, Chen Hui met them head-on. Wielding his twin judge's brushes like silver snakes skimming shadows, the tips precisely struck the enemies' throats and wrists, neutralizing their attacks.
"Is this the magistrate of Qingzhou?"
A cold voice rang out through the smoke. A man wearing silver-white armor slowly approached, his eyes like knives, locking onto Chen Hui.
Ichiro Yamanaka, the wokou leader, had taken the field personally!
"Can your brushes match my blade?"
He slowly drew the Moonrise Empire katana. The blade glinted coldly, a smear of blood remaining on the edge, as if it were already addicted to slaughter.
"Let's try it and see!"
Unintimidated, Chen Hui crossed his judge's brushes. Sharp glints erupted as the brush momentum tore through the air, striking straight at Ichiro Yamanaka's chest!
Ichiro Yamanaka's figure shifted slightly, his blade flashing like an illusion. Dodging the brush attack with a sideways step, he countered rapidly, his blade strikes like a torrential storm!
Brush and blade clashed fiercely on the narrow city wall. The flashes of blade and shadows of brushes were like an exquisite game of chess!
Chen Hui's brushwork was agile, his strikes swift. Every stroke sealed Ichiro Yamanaka's killing intent, even striking the edges of his armor several times.
However, Ichiro Yamanaka's swordsmanship was even more bizarre. He wasn't in a hurry to take the enemy's life, but was looking for flaws.
"You are harder to deal with than I imagined."
Ichiro Yamanaka chuckled lightly. Suddenly, his footwork shifted, and the momentum of his blade altered slightly. In a split second, Ichiro Yamanaka's right hand gripped the hilt tightly and sheathed the blade.
Chen Hui's movements slowed, preparing to defend against the next strike.
"...But you have already revealed a flaw."
Just as Ichiro Yamanaka finished speaking, the long katana sped out—
Iaijutsu (Sword-drawing art)!
"Snikt—!"
The blade tore through the air, fast as lightning!
"Ah...!"
Before Chen Hui could react, he felt an intense pain in his chest as blood gushed from the wound. He stumbled backward, falling to one knee. His chest had already been dyed red by a deep gash from the blade!
Ichiro Yamanaka twirled his blade, his gaze cold: "Is this your limit?"
He raised his sword again, preparing to take Chen Hui's life with the next strike!
"Quick, save the General!"
At that exact moment, several of Qingzhou's personal guards threw themselves forward regardless of their own lives, desperately shielding Chen Hui!
"My lord, go quickly!"
Using their bodies to block Ichiro Yamanaka's attacks, several soldiers were killed on the spot, their blood dyeing the city wall red!
However, their desperate defense finally bought Chen Hui a chance to retreat!
"Retreat! Quickly, take the General back inside the city!"
Several soldiers dragged the heavily wounded Chen Hui, blood dripping all the way. They desperately broke through the siege, ultimately escorting him back inside the city to Lin Wanying!
On the waterways to the south, the Pirate King Alliance's warships were anchored quietly. Standing on the deck was a woman dressed in a red military uniform.
"Blood Empress" Isabel—the leader of the Pirate King Alliance's attack on Qingzhou this time, and also a pirate crew within the Alliance. She controlled many of the sea's black market trade routes and was a cold, stunning, and deadly female pirate.
She gazed deeply at the flames engulfing Qingzhou City, lightly twirling a lock of red hair around her finger. A golden die hung at her waist, and a meaningful smile curled on her lips.
"Blockade the waterways? Why be so thorough."
She waved her hand gently to her first mate: "Tell the boys not to try too hard; don't accidentally get yourselves killed. We took money to do a job and get rich, not to throw our lives away. If anyone wants to fight desperately, we'll do our best to block them. But if someone is fighting for their lives, there's no need to trade our lives for theirs. We are pirates, not an army. Furthermore, if Qingzhou really falls into the hands of the Ministry of War, rumor has it they plan to trade with the Moonrise Empire, which does us no good."
The first mate frowned: "Empress, doesn't this violate the plan Chang Yanjiao gave us?"
Isabel chuckled lightly, turning and walking elegantly toward the cabin: "The marketplace is like a battlefield; one must always leave a way out for oneself."
She whispered: "The black market routes are our foundation. What business is there to do if Qingzhou is peaceful? The more chaotic the world is, the more money I can make. Isn't that better? Let me know if anything happens."
Her voice drifted away in the night wind, as rich and dangerous as red wine.
The flames of war in Linhai City consumed all of Qingzhou. Soaring flames lit up the night sky red, reflecting the tragic scene of corpses littering the city walls.
The allied forces of the wokou and the Pirate King Alliance pressed closer step by step, and the Qingzhou army retreated in defeat. Cries and the sounds of slaughter echoed through the streets and alleys. The once-prosperous Linhai City had been reduced to a purgatory of Asuras.
Amidst this scorched earth and chaos, two figures staggered through the ruins, searching for a glimmer of survival.
Lin Wanying tightly supported the heavily wounded Chen Hui, exhausting all her strength to traverse the burning city. His chest was mottled with blood, the wound deep enough to show bone, and his face was as pale as paper. Yet he gritted his teeth without making a sound, only using heavy breaths to vent the agony within.
"Miss Lin... why must you do this?" Chen Hui managed a bitter smile, his voice weak but carrying a hint of tenderness. "If you were alone, you probably would have escaped long ago."
Lin Wanying did not stop. Staring firmly ahead, she said faintly, "If I left you behind and escaped alone, what then? I cannot watch you die."
Hearing her words, Chen Hui's heart trembled. His gaze slowly turned to her face. The afterglow of the flames of war illuminated her steady and resolute features, making him feel an unparalleled tenderness.
"We still have a chance." As if sensing his gaze, Lin Wanying's tone softened slightly, "Hold on, okay?"
Chen Hui nodded gently, his tone carrying a bit of teasing: "If we can escape, I must properly study your mathematics."
Lin Wanying paused slightly, a faint smile involuntarily appearing on her lips: "You, an outer disciple of the Holy Scholar Academy, are willing to learn my mathematics?"
"Yes." Chen Hui's voice grew much gentler, even carrying a hint of unconcealed affection. "I not only want to learn your mathematics, I also want to understand you more."
Lin Wanying's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her inner flutter, saying softly, "You'd better remember the words you said today."
"I will definitely remember." Chen Hui's tone became firmer, and the pain in his chest seemed to ease slightly with those words.
A momentary silence fell between them, but this silence carried a sweet warmth, alleviating the pain and despair brought by the war.
Lin Wanying gently draped his arm over her shoulder, whispering: "We have to hurry. A wokou patrol will pass by here soon. We must cross this alley within a hundred breaths."
Chen Hui responded softly: "With you here, I believe we will definitely escape."
Lin Wanying turned her head to look at him, her gaze gentle yet firm: "I believe so too."
In this instant, their gazes met in the light and shadow of the war. The romantic feelings within each other's hearts gradually became clear. It was as if the desperate plight of their escape had instead made their feelings purer and more ardent.
"Then, let us survive together." Chen Hui's tone was resolute.
Lin Wanying smiled and squeezed his hand: "Okay."
At the harbor, on the deck of a Pirate King Alliance warship.
The sea breeze blew. The red-clad figure of the "Blood Empress" Isabel stood beneath the mast. Gently rolling a golden twelve-sided die in her hand, she gazed coldly at the burning Qingzhou.
One of her lieutenants quickly stepped forward, whispering: "Empress, the blockade of the harbor is complete. However, as per your instructions, one small boat was left behind."
Isabel smiled slightly, tossing the die in her hand, letting it roll across her palm.
Isabel's eyes shifted, her tone gentle yet dangerous: "Very good. We are pirates. Since when did we start taking orders from someone surnamed Chang?"
She turned, her gaze landing on the distant dock. A small fishing boat bobbed quietly on the water, unguarded, its mooring rope hanging loosely at the edge of the deck.
The golden die in Isabel's palm spun continuously before stopping. She looked at the number: "Oh? A one-in-twelve chance works too? This is interesting..."
The corners of her mouth curled up, and she waved her hand lazily: "Move the harbor patrol a little further away. Give those two little mice a way to live."
The lieutenant's expression was complex, but he ultimately whispered: "Yes, Empress."
Lin Wanying and Chen Hui finally reached the dock. The fishing boat before them was swaying with the waves.
Her gaze quickly scanned the surroundings, noticing that the nearby patrolling soldiers had decreased. She frowned slightly.
"This isn't right..."
Chen Hui was already incredibly weak, only able to ask in confusion, "Is there a problem?"
Lin Wanying's tone was heavy: "This boat seems to have been left deliberately. But we can't worry about that now."
She quickly helped Chen Hui onto the boat, drew her sword to cut the rope, and unfurled the sail. The small boat immediately caught the wind and rode the current out, heading away toward the pitch-black sea.
The sea breeze brushed their cheeks. The salty air carried the scent of moving away from the war.
Chen Hui leaned against the side of the boat, panting as he said: "It seems... your algorithms won again."
Lin Wanying was silent for a moment. The look she gave him contained an unprecedented gentleness she had never shown before: "This is not a competition. As long as you are alive, I haven't lost."
Chen Hui froze, then smiled tenderly: "I find myself liking this kind of algorithm more and more."
Under the moonlight, their gazes crossed among the sea waves, exchanging a knowing smile, as if certain feelings had quietly sprouted during this dangerous escape.
The night was deep. The waves gently slapped against the hull. The sea breeze brought coolness, but also an unknown fear.
Lin Wanying and Chen Hui had successfully fled Qingzhou. The boat had sailed into the vast ocean. All around them lay only endless water and the distant starry sky.
As Lin Wanying tried to adjust their course, she noticed something was wrong.
She frowned, steadied herself, and walked toward the ship's wheel at the stern, preparing to control the direction.
However, when she grabbed the helm with one hand and turned it gently, the entire wheel shook violently, followed by a crisp "crack"—
The ship's rudder couldn't turn at all!
Her heart sank. She quickly inspected it, only to find that the bottom of the rudder had snapped off. Broken pieces of wood hung from the edge of the stern, bearing scorch marks and cracks.
"This is... where it was hit by a catapult rock when we were escaping earlier..."
Lin Wanying's face instantly turned ugly. This meant—they couldn't control their direction; this boat could only drift with the sea breeze!
She turned her head slowly to look at Chen Hui. He was leaning against the side of the boat. His wounds had been simply bandaged, but his eyes were still sharp. He had clearly sensed that something was amiss.
"Miss Lin, what's wrong?" His voice carried a slight weakness, but he remained calm.
"The rudder is broken." Lin Wanying said deeply. "We... cannot choose our direction."
Chen Hui paused slightly, then gave a low chuckle: "It seems we can only leave ourselves to the mercy of fate."
Lin Wanying shook her head, her tone indifferent yet firm: "We can choose how we face it."
She looked up at the sky. Starlight twinkled, and the sea breeze was blowing from the east. They were being uncontrollably pushed toward an unknown distance.
"Chen Hui, we might have to drift for a while." Her tone was gentler than ever, a hint of unconcealed worry in her eyes.
Hearing her call him directly by his name for the first time, Chen Hui's heart inexplicably warmed. He replied softly, "Wanying, with you here, even if we drift for a lifetime, I won't feel afraid."
Hearing him respond with her name, Lin Wanying froze slightly, then a faint smile appeared on the corners of her mouth: "Are you really not afraid?"
"What is there to fear?" Chen Hui chuckled lightly, reaching out to gently hold her hand. "As long as you are by my side, we'll always find a way."
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Lin Wanying's heart softened. At this moment, she suddenly felt that fate might not always be cold and heartless.
Night fell. The two sat side by side on the deck, looking at the boundless starry sky. The sea surface was like a mirror, reflecting the brilliance of the night sky, as if only the two of them were left in the world.
"What if we really can't go back?" Chen Hui asked softly, a hint of emotion in his tone.
Lin Wanying was silent for a moment, then whispered: "As long as you are still here, I don't feel hopeless."
Chen Hui gazed at her, endless tenderness in his eyes. After a long while, he said warmly: "Wanying, do you remember when we first met?"
Lin Wanying smiled slightly and nodded: "Of course I remember. At the time, I thought you, someone wearing the Holy Scholar Academy's 'Luoshu Bead', didn't seem all that impressive. So, seeing you distressed by the riverbank, realizing you were doing it for the lives of the commoners, I couldn't help but step forward to remind you and help you find the iron ox."
Chen Hui chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a bit of guilt: "Back then, my eyes were only on the imperial court and the people's livelihoods; I hadn't paid any special attention to you at all. Furthermore, I doubted how a woman like you could possibly inherit the Lin family's mathematics. It wasn't until the knowledge and speed you displayed when we solved the iron ox mechanism together that I felt I had truly met an opponent and a kindred spirit in mathematics."
"Fate always loves to play jokes," Lin Wanying whispered, though her eyes revealed tenderness. "But it also gave us the chance to meet."
"I never thought there would be a day like this..." Chen Hui sighed softly. "Walking this path for so many years, I have met many people and lost many people. But only you, Wanying, are someone I am unwilling to lose."
Lin Wanying tilted her head slightly, looking deeply at him: "I feel the same."
Chen Hui squeezed her hand tightly again, his tone firm and gentle: "Wanying, we will definitely survive, no matter what fate brings."
Lin Wanying smiled faintly, her fingers tightening: "Okay, I believe in you."
The night wind blew gently, carrying away the smoke of war, but leaving behind two hearts gradually drawing closer on this boundless ocean.
On the vast, boundless sea, the tides surged. The waves slapped against the hull, emitting dull and rhythmic sounds.
An unknown number of days and nights had passed. Lin Wanying and Chen Hui relied on their remaining dry rations and rainwater to hold on. Their mutual care and willpower had become the pillars they depended on.
"Can we... really survive?"
Chen Hui leaned against the side of the boat, looking at the horizon, his tone weak but still carrying a hint of a bitter smile.
"I haven't calculated our survival probability yet," Lin Wanying said softly. Although her voice was calm, it hid unspoken anxiety.
For several days, her mathematical deductions had been unable to predict the variables of the ocean currents. The calculations she excelled at seemed insignificant in this boundless ocean.
However, just as she looked toward the distant horizon, she suddenly noticed a strange dark shadow.
For a moment, she doubted her own eyes, but as the waves rose and fell, the dark shadow gradually grew larger, and her heartbeat accelerated accordingly.
"Chen Hui!" She abruptly shook him awake, a hint of trembling in her voice. "Over there... there's an island!"
Chen Hui forced himself to sit up, following her gaze. The blurry silhouette of an island loomed faintly in the morning light.
He froze for a moment, then let out a long breath, chuckling in a low voice: "This time, the wind sent us to the right place."
Propelled by the tide, their boat finally ran aground on a soft sandy beach.
When his feet stepped onto solid ground, Chen Hui could barely stand. Lin Wanying immediately reached out to support him, saying gently: "Be careful, don't hurt yourself again."
Chen Hui looked at her concerned gaze, a sudden warmth welling up in his heart, and whispered: "I'm fine, you be careful too."
Lin Wanying smiled slightly, making no response, but her eyes already revealed unconcealed tenderness.
Propelled by the tide, their boat finally ran aground on a soft sandy beach. Dragging their exhausted bodies, the two began searching the island for a suitable place to live. The side of the island they landed on was mostly covered by dense forests. A clear stream wound its way down from the mountains, providing ample fresh water, and there were several natural caves along the coast that could be used for shelter from the wind and rain.
Night fell. A bonfire flickered gently in the sea breeze, illuminating the figures of the two sitting side by side.
"Chen Hui, does the wound still hurt?" Lin Wanying asked softly, reaching out to adjust the clothes on his shoulder.
Chen Hui shook his head slightly, looking at her face, and whispered: "With you taking care of me, I am already much better."
Lin Wanying looked up at the starry sky and sighed softly: "I never thought we would drift here together."
Chen Hui slowly held her hand, his tone earnest and gentle: "Although fate has treated us rather cruelly, if it weren't for this, how could I have truly seen the desires of my own heart?"
Lin Wanying's heart trembled. Looking down at their joined hands, she asked softly: "Your desires?"
Chen Hui smiled, his eyes gentle and firm: "It is you."
A slight blush spread across Lin Wanying's cheeks. She did not speak again, but her fingers gently returned the squeeze, her silent response speaking louder than a thousand words.
"Wanying," Chen Hui fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly again. "No matter what the future holds, I only want you to know that the time I've spent with you is already the most precious memory of my life."
Lin Wanying's eyes softened as she responded softly: "I feel the same."
The night wind blew gently. They leaned against each other, listening to the sound of the waves and looking at the dotted stars in the night sky. Even stranded on a deserted island, their hearts were filled with warmth and hope because of each other's presence.
No matter how the future might change, at least at this moment, they had each other, and that was the greatest fortune and comfort.
The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the forest, bringing a sliver of warmth.
Life on the island gradually got onto the right track. Lin Wanying and Chen Hui began exploring their surroundings, looking for various resources to sustain their lives. After a few days of rest and Lin Wanying's careful tending, Chen Hui's injuries had significantly healed.
Lin Wanying found the source of the fresh water, a clear, babbling stream. After carefully inspecting the water quality and ensuring it was drinkable, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Chen Hui, there is water here. We won't have to worry about drinking water anymore." She turned and smiled at him, a hint of joy in her eyes.
Chen Hui also revealed a relieved smile: "With you around, I can always find hope."
In the following days, they began building a simple shelter. Although Chen Hui's wounds had not fully healed, he insisted on helping. Watching Lin Wanying's busy figure, his heart felt incomparably tender.
By evening, the shelter was preliminarily completed. The two sat by the fire. Lin Wanying gently wiped the sweat from Chen Hui's forehead with a damp cloth, her tone carrying concern: "Your wounds haven't healed yet. Don't push yourself too hard."
Chen Hui smiled and shook his head, gently holding her hand: "I want to share some of the burden with you."
Lin Wanying chuckled softly but didn't refuse: "Then you must promise me to take good care of yourself too."
Day after day, the two lived a simple and warm life on this deserted island. They built their dwelling together, foraged for food, and lit fires on the beach to try and attract the attention of passing ships. But during this time, they completely failed to spot any ships passing by on the sea, nor did they find any traces of docked boats on the shore. This made them start to feel disappointed about their chances of returning. They decided to shift their focus to improving their survival skills and exploring the island.
A sudden rainstorm forced the two to huddle tightly inside their crude hut. Listening to the fierce wind raging outside, their hearts were nonetheless filled with warmth.
"Wanying, if we truly can never go back, will you regret looking for me to decipher the secret letter and helping me defend the city?" Chen Hui looked at her and asked softly.
Lin Wanying gazed into his eyes, a firm light shining within: "I will not regret it, because in my heart, they were things I felt I had to do. And... don't I still have you here?"
Chen Hui felt a stir in his heart. Gazing deeply at Lin Wanying, he said affectionately, "Wanying, if we truly can't go back, are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me?"
Lin Wanying froze for a moment, her heart suddenly accelerating. Looking into Chen Hui's earnest gaze, her heart was filled with warmth and emotion.
"I am willing," she responded softly, her eyes gentle and firm.
Chen Hui slowly revealed a gratified smile, gently pulling her into his embrace, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat. After the storm passed, the sky outside became even bluer, and their hearts drew even closer.
No matter how many unknowns the future held, they had both decided that from now on, they would walk hand-in-hand, never abandoning each other.
Life on the island gradually transformed from initial wretchedness and panic into a steady, peaceful rhythm. Springs passed into autumns, cold into heat; Lin Wanying and Chen Hui spent countless days and nights here. They had long adapted to the climate and rhythm of the island, built a sturdy shelter, familiarized themselves with which plants were edible, where fresh water could be found, and gradually mastered the laws of survival on the island.
Besides survival, their daily lives mostly consisted of exploring and researching this mysterious island. Starting from the edge, they ventured deeper into the interior day by day, accumulating clues bit by bit.
One early spring day, when the sunlight finally pierced the dense canopy of the forest, illuminating the moss on the ground, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying discovered an ancient stone door half-hidden among vines and moss deep in the forest.
After clearing the debris, they found that this stone door had no obvious handle or mechanism, but rather a combination of numbers and symbols carved on its side.
Chen Hui looked quietly at this door covered in dust and time, saying softly: "The symbols on this stone door bear a striking resemblance to the mathematical derivation formulas in the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art*!"
Lin Wanying squatted down, carefully examining the stone carvings on the door, her tone full of concentration: "These carvings on the side... are actually problems for the three-variable equation solving method from the *Origins of Equations*."
The two exchanged a smile, seemingly communicating some tacit understanding and determination. The bond forged through shared hardships during this time had already made their cooperation require no verbal reminders.
Chen Hui reached out to touch the stone carving, finding its surface smooth, clearly a result of precise sculpting: "This is not an ordinary calculation method, this is a mathematical puzzle... This door will only open if the correct numerical value is derived."
Lin Wanying took out the calculation chips she always carried with her, rapidly laying out calculations on the ground, murmuring softly: "The 'Tian Yuan' method, surplus and deficit calculation, restoring the original value..."
After some deduction, she exchanged a glance with Chen Hui, and the two simultaneously reached out to press the carved marks on the stone door.
"Let's try this value."
Boom—!
The sound of mechanisms operating within the stone door rang out. As dust settled, the ancient stone door slowly opened, releasing a heavy and profound aura from within.
Inside was a staircase leading into the unknown.
"What exactly is hidden down there?"
Chen Hui looked into the pitch-black depths, his eyes complex.
Lin Wanying took a deep breath and stepped inside—
"Whatever it is, we must go in and investigate."
After exploring for a while, they discovered a massive underground palace. The interior was not an ordinary cave, but featured meticulously designed passageways. The walls were covered with ancient symbols and mathematical formulas; every mechanism seemed to have been rigorously calculated and designed.
"These mathematical problems... are extremely similar to the methods in the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art*."
Lin Wanying reached out to touch the symbols on the wall, her gaze gradually becoming focused.
"These do not seem like defensive mechanisms, but rather a trial."
They arrived at the core of the first floor. Carved on the giant stone door before them was a mathematical puzzle—
"'Tian Yuan' enters the square, surplus and deficit cancel out; if four times less eight equals half the value, what is the original number?"
"This is a variant of the 'Tian Yuan' method."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying quickly began calculating. The calculation chips flew across the floor, written calculations and mental deductions intertwining, ultimately arriving at the answer.
When they matched the numbers to the mechanism on the stone door, a rumbling sound echoed, and the stone door opened. The trial of the first floor was over.
"The trials and designs here... are actually a combination of mathematics and mechanistics?"
Chen Hui marveled slightly. This was completely different from any known mechanistics in the world.
"Why do I feel like this underground palace is not a treasure vault or a base, but more like a test of wisdom left for future generations?"
As they entered the second floor, they were greeted by even more complex mechanisms and mathematical puzzles.
The calculations here involved advanced mathematical derivations such as "dividing circles to find the area" and "surplus and deficit method." The mechanisms on the walls were also more precise; some even required physical mechanics and lever principles to unlock.
In this underground palace filled with wisdom and ancient mathematics, they began an unprecedented journey of exploration.
"Who exactly has been to this island?"
"Who are the masters... that designed these trials?"
They could not predict the answers, but they knew this underground palace would become the direction of their future exploration.
Time passed. Several months had gone by since they unlocked the stone door. Every time a mechanism was solved, new mechanisms and mathematical puzzles awaited them at the next corner. As the days went by, their pace of exploration became steadier, transitioning from their initial tension and caution to confidence and anticipation for the next challenge.
During this time, Lin Wanying and Chen Hui not only deeply studied the mechanisms and mathematical puzzles of the underground palace, but also gradually adapted to island life.
The trials on the second floor of the underground palace were far more complex than the first. In addition to employing profound mathematical deductions such as "surplus and deficit method" and "circle and square integration method," they also involved precise mechanical technology like lever mechanics and gear operations.
After falling into difficult situations several times, they ultimately found the key to cracking them, successfully pushing open the door leading to the third floor.
However, it was at this moment that Lin Wanying's body began to show anomalies.
One day, when they returned to the cave to rest, Lin Wanying suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. She pressed her forehead, frowning slightly.
"Are you alright?" Noticing something wrong with her expression, Chen Hui quickly supported her arm, his tone laced with worry.
"...Just a little dizzy." Lin Wanying shook her head gently, murmuring: "I've felt a bit off these past few days; occasional nausea, and my appetite has changed..."
As soon as she finished speaking, the two exchanged a glance, realizing something almost simultaneously—
"Are you..." Chen Hui's voice trembled slightly, his eyes reflecting uncertainty and surprise, "Are you... pregnant?"
Lin Wanying froze for a moment, a myriad of thoughts flashing through her mind.
She closed her eyes, carefully recalling her physical condition over the recent period, and combined it with calculation chip deductions for the months. Her fingertips trembled slightly. Finally, she nodded gently: "It... should be."
Her voice was very soft, yet it struck like thunder, setting off turbulent waves deep in Chen Hui's heart.
He remained stunned for a long while, as if unable to fully digest this fact. Then, he suddenly chuckled softly, his eyes filled with tenderness: "We... are going to have a child."
Lin Wanying gently brushed her lower abdomen, feeling the life within. A soft smile graced her lips: "Yes, our child."
At this moment, the weight on both their hearts seemed to lighten. The past flames of war and the desperate straits of their escape seemed to be filled by this impending new life.
Having a child meant that every step they took in the future had to be more cautious.
"The trials of the underground palace continue, but now, we are not just exploring for ourselves; we must also consider our child."
Chen Hui looked at Lin Wanying, his tone firm, "We need two paths—one is to continue exploring the underground palace, as there might be more secrets about this island inside, or even clues to leaving."
"The other... is to let the outside world discover our existence."
Lin Wanying nodded. Naturally, she understood his meaning, "We need to leave markers so people at sea can discover this place."
The two began to think about how to make this isolated island "visible."
After many discussions, they designed several methods from various angles, hoping to one day attract the attention of passing ships—
In an open area of the island, Lin Wanying used massive white stones to form a giant "calculation chip pattern." This pattern was based on the sequence arrangement from the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* and was extremely conspicuous from the sky. If a ship were to look from a high vantage point from afar, they would highly likely notice the anomaly.
Chen Hui, using dead wood and dry grass, prepared several large bonfires. Once a ship approached, they could quickly ignite them, creating smoke signals to alert distant sailors to the island's presence.
They also searched for metal or shells along the cliffs that could reflect sunlight, placing them at the peaks of the mountains. Once the sun shone, they would emit sparkling light, perhaps catching the eyes of sailors.
When everything was prepared, night fell again. The bonfire burned inside the cave, illuminating their calm yet hopeful faces.
"With a child... we must survive." Lin Wanying said softly, her fingers gently stroking her slightly bulging abdomen, her tone firmer than ever before.
"We definitely will." Chen Hui gently held her hand, his gaze resolute, "We won't just survive; we will ensure this child is born into a future worth looking forward to."
"We will leave here and return to the Central Plains."
"We will protect each other, and we will protect this child."
The night wind blew gently, sweeping away all unease, bringing a brand new future.
When time was no longer measured in days but by Lin Wanying's gradually growing abdomen, the two seemed to feel the passage of time much more realistically. Chen Hui began learning to craft more tools and furniture, building a safe and warm resting place for Lin Wanying. Lin Wanying carefully calculated celestial phenomena and seasonal changes to ensure she welcomed the child's birth at the safest possible time. Over this half-year, they not only further explored the island's environment but finally unlocked the third floor's trial in the underground palace.
The puzzles and mechanisms on this floor were even more complex, involving advanced mathematical derivations like the "Tian Yuan method," "double difference proportions," and "surplus and deficit method," combined with lever mechanics and gravity devices. The two fell into difficult situations several times, but ultimately, relying on wisdom and patience, they successfully cracked the final mechanism of the third floor.
When the stone door slowly opened, they didn't rush to continue downward. Instead, they exchanged a glance, tacitly making the same decision—
Pause exploration and prepare to welcome the new life.
Although life on the island was tough, this time, they were no longer living just for themselves, but preparing for the unborn child.
Lin Wanying's abdomen was now slightly protruding, her movements becoming somewhat sluggish. This led Chen Hui to shoulder more responsibilities, striving to create an even safer and more comfortable environment for her.
They chose a wind-sheltered cave as a temporary residence, reinforcing the entrance with timber and stones to ensure storms wouldn't affect the interior.
Chen Hui built a simple bamboo bed so Lin Wanying could rest more comfortably, while Lin Wanying began calculating celestial phenomena and climate changes to deduce the best time and location for childbirth.
"Based on the calculations of wind direction and tidal changes over the past few months, the next few months should be the most stable period." As she calculated, she whispered, "If the child is born during this time, it will be safer."
Beside her, Chen Hui was polishing a wooden stick, a simple harpoon he made to catch fish and supplement their food. Hearing her words, he looked up and smiled: "Your child hasn't even been born yet, and is already being arranged by mathematics?"
Lin Wanying chuckled softly, stroking her slightly protruding abdomen: "He is my child; of course, he cannot be without calculation."
Chen Hui put down the tools in his hands, walked over to her side, and gently held her hand, his tone tender: "He is not just your child, but also mine."
She looked at him with an unusually soft gaze: "I know."
At this moment, the loneliness of the island seemed to vanish. Their hearts were tightly linked together. There were no past flames of war or conspiracies, only an impending hope.
While preparing for the child, Chen Hui began to consider an issue—they could not be trapped on this island forever.
One day, as the two sat by the sea gazing at the endless horizon, Chen Hui spoke slowly: "Although this island is stable, it is ultimately not our home."
Lin Wanying fell silent for a moment, then nodded gently: "I also don't wish for our child to be trapped here for a lifetime."
He turned to look at her, his gaze firm: "We must find a way back to the Central Plains, no matter how many years it takes."
Lin Wanying frowned slightly: "But we don't have enough tools right now, not even a complete boat..."
"That's why we must prepare."
Chen Hui's tone was certain: "We can continue to leave markers on the island, trying to attract passing ships. If that path doesn't work, we will build a boat ourselves, find the nearest ocean current direction, and attempt to sail away from here."
Time flew. As night fell again, the waves gently slapped the sandy shore, and the world seemed to fall silent for a moment.
Lin Wanying's contractions arrived on schedule.
Inside the cave, Chen Hui guarded her nervously, fine sweat beads forming on his forehead, but his hand never left hers.
"Take deep breaths... take it slow..."
Lin Wanying gritted her teeth, her forehead covered in sweat, but her eyes remained resolute.
Time passed bit by bit. Finally, with a weak but clear cry of a baby, the island's night was illuminated by new life.
Chen Hui picked up the tiny infant. Looking at his wrinkled little face, an indescribable surge of emotion and excitement swelled in his heart.
"It's a boy."
Lin Wanying smiled weakly, leaning gently in his embrace, her eyes gazing tenderly at the little life.
"We should give him a name."
Chen Hui pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Let's call him Chen Wenbin."
"Wen, for inheriting wisdom; Bin, for combining civil and martial virtues."
"I hope he can be accomplished in both the pen and the sword, not only inheriting our knowledge but also possessing his own strength."
Lin Wanying softly murmured it once: "Chen Wenbin..."
The corners of her mouth curled up as she gently reached out to stroke the child's forehead. This tiny life would be their hope for the future.
"Very well, that will be his name."
Holding the newborn infant and looking at Lin Wanying's exhausted yet gratified smile, Chen Hui said softly: "From now on, we are no longer two isolated individuals, but a family."
Lin Wanying nodded gently, her gaze tender and firm: "That's right. No matter what the future holds, we will face it together."
The night was silent. The bonfire in the cave flickered, casting the shadows of the three leaning on each other.
The fluster of first-time parents.
The birth of Chen Wenbin brought unprecedented vitality to the isolated island, but it also drastically changed the lives of Lin Wanying and Chen Hui.
During their first year as parents, the two had almost no time to study the underground palace, nor did they have the energy to think about leaving.
The infant cried day and night. Preparing food, ensuring warmth, preventing illness—these tasks made Chen Hui, who once devised brilliant strategies on the battlefield and in the imperial court, completely at a loss.
"Why is he crying again?"
"Is he hungry, or cold?"
"How should I know?"
"Then... hold him and coax him a bit?"
For the first time, the two showed complete helplessness in caring for a baby. The two people who could calculate complex tactics and mechanical mathematics couldn't calculate the needs of an infant.
Sometimes, when Chen Hui carried the endlessly crying Chen Wenbin at night, pacing back and forth in the cave with a helpless expression, Lin Wanying couldn't help but chuckle: "The way you hold the child is stiffer than how you hold calculation chips."
Chen Hui sighed: "This child is much harder to understand than mathematics."
"That's because you can't use calculation to explain his behavior."
"But can you?"
"...No."
The two exchanged a smile. Although this parenting journey was filled with chaos and challenges, whenever they saw the sleeping child, all exhaustion became insignificant.
Time flowed like water. In the blink of an eye, a year passed. As Chen Wenbin gradually grew, Lin Wanying and Chen Hui's parenting skills also became more proficient, finally managing to recover a bit of sanity from the flustered days.
When the child started learning to crawl, babble, and even grab food on his own, Lin Wanying and Chen Hui finally breathed a sigh of relief, shifting their minds back to the exploration of the underground palace.
"The trials of the underground palace aren't over yet. We haven't found the true secret of this island."
Carrying a bamboo basket filled with food and water pouches, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying stepped into the entrance of the underground palace once again.
"We have been stalled for a year; it is time to move forward."
However, this time, unlike in the past, a wobbly little figure trailed behind them.
Taking short steps and wide-eyed, Chen Wenbin stared curiously at the calculation chips in their hands and the strange mechanisms inside the underground palace.
"Look, he seems very interested in these numbers and mechanisms."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow, looking at Chen Hui with a light laugh: "Your son came into contact with the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* much faster than you did."
Chen Hui helplessly rubbed his temples: "Does this count as talent?"
"Of course this is talent." Lin Wanying bent down, watching Chen Wenbin's tender fingers grope the symbols on the stone tablet, a touch of tenderness flashing in her eyes, "Since he is interested in these, then... let us teach him."
When Chen Wenbin turned three, Lin Wanying and Chen Hui officially began his education.
On this isolated island, there were no academies and no teachers. The only sources of knowledge were the two of them.
"Mathematics is the foundation for understanding the world."
On the beach, Lin Wanying used a wooden stick to write simple mathematical formulas in the sand, patiently explaining to Chen Wenbin: "This is the Tian Yuan method. When you understand how these numbers change, you can calculate time, direction, and even predict the wind."
"The wind?" Chen Wenbin tilted his head, poking his tiny finger into the sand, "How do you calculate that?"
Lin Wanying smiled gently: "This is what you will learn in the future."
Meanwhile, Chen Hui was responsible for teaching him martial arts and history.
"Besides knowledge, you must also learn how to protect yourself."
Using a sharpened wooden stick as a judge's brush, he taught his son how to employ movement techniques and skills.
"Defeating the strong with the weak relies not on brute force, but on wisdom and timing."
Although Chen Wenbin was young, he already displayed an astonishing thirst for knowledge. Not only did he learn quickly, but he also often asked questions that surprised them.
Sometimes, when Lin Wanying was calculating tidal changes, he would tilt his head and ask: "Mother, why do these numbers change?"
When Chen Hui was chopping wooden stakes, he would clench his little fists and earnestly mimic him: "Father, can I hit like that too?"
Watching their son's growth, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying would often exchange glances at night, sighing at the passage of time, yet full of expectations for the future.
The transmission of knowledge, the guidance of parents.
Time flew. Although the days on the island were tough, they were also filled with warmth.
While exploring the underground palace, Lin Wanying and Chen Hui imparted their wisdom and martial arts to Chen Wenbin.
Chen Wenbin was five years old. His childhood was entirely different from other children's. He had no playmates, no bustling cities, only the vast world, mathematical formulas, and the constantly changing mechanical puzzles every day.
However, for this child who had grown up amidst trials and scholarship, this was his world.
"This is the surplus and deficit method. When you know the difference and proportional relationship between the two, you can calculate the unknown."
Lin Wanying wrote a sequence in the sand with a wooden stick. Chen Wenbin frowned, holding a tiny calculation chip, earnestly laying out the calculation in the sand.
"If the difference of five times minus six equals half the number, then..."
He whispered softly, his eyes flashing with the light of a thirst for knowledge. Under his mother's guidance, he finally deduced the answer, an innocent smile appearing on his face.
"That's right, well answered."
Standing nearby, Chen Hui looked at his son and chuckled lightly: "Just knowing how to calculate isn't enough. Here, take this wooden stick, I will teach you how to wield the brush."
He handed the sharpened stick to Chen Wenbin, teaching him the techniques of the judge's brush hand-in-hand.
"Although the judge's brush is a weapon, much like your mathematical deductions, it emphasizes precision. The point of impact must be calculated beforehand to subdue the enemy."
"If you can combine calculation with martial skills, in the future, your sword art will surpass any swordsmanship in this world."
Chen Wenbin blinked, nodding in half-understanding, then earnestly imitated his father's movements, gripping the wooden stick tightly and swinging simple attack trajectories stroke by stroke.
The fourth floor of the underground palace was even harder than the previous three. Besides tedious mathematical deductions, it also contained dynamic mechanisms and time-limited challenges.
Lin Wanying was responsible for decoding the mathematical puzzles, while Chen Hui used his strategic thinking to find the optimal path to crack the mechanisms.
This time, they didn't challenge it alone, but brought Chen Wenbin inside, letting him witness this trial of wisdom and power firsthand.
"We are not just doing this to explore this underground palace, but to let these wisdoms become the cornerstone of your future."
Chen Hui said earnestly, "The knowledge here shouldn't be buried in the torrent of time; it should be passed down by us."
After six months of relentless effort, they finally successfully unlocked the final mechanism of the fourth floor. The stone door slowly opened, revealing a profound passage leading to the fifth floor.
However, the moment they stepped onto the fifth floor, the sight before them left them thoroughly astounded.
The underground palace of the fifth floor was completely different from the previous four.
The walls were as smooth as jade, glowing with a faint blue luster. The floor lacked excessive dust, as if time had left no marks here.
On both sides of the passage were several peculiar devices. Circular blades rotated continuously, blowing an unnatural cool breeze, making one mistakenly believe this underground palace was still "alive."
"What... mechanism is this?"
Chen Hui stepped forward, reaching out to touch one of the devices. He found its material different from the stone carvings he had seen before, and it didn't even look like something traditional mechanistics could produce.
"This... looks like some kind of running device, but I completely cannot understand how it operates."
Lin Wanying carefully observed her surroundings, trying to figure out the principles behind these devices' operations. But no matter how she calculated, the design logic of these mechanisms seemed to transcend their understanding.
"Their operation is like the flow of wind and lightning."
She frowned, murmuring softly: "Could this be... the mystery of wind and thunder?"
This underground palace was completely different from the world they understood, as if it came from a much older, more advanced era.
At the core of the fifth floor, they found an ancient stone tablet. Engraved on it was a final message from an ancient era.
"If future generations find this place, please know—this is the legacy of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty."
"In the past, heavenly disasters descended, the world collapsed, floods and earth fire consumed the land. Our race exhausted the nation's power to set up several places of inheritance, preserving the wisdom of humanity, awaiting revival in later generations."
"This place stores the science of our nation, the principles of mathematics of our nation."
"The *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* left by our race was originally established by scholars of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty. Future generations should know that the mathematical principles of the world all originate from here. If one can grasp its essence, they can activate the devices of Wind and Thunder."
"The final trial is hidden on the sixth floor, housing the Wind and Thunder Axe, as well as the last scientific legacy of our race. Those who obtain it can unravel the mystery of Wind and Thunder, and master the final secret of our race."
After Lin Wanying finished reading this inscription, she was speechless for a long time.
She had always thought the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* was the crystallization of wisdom deduced by ancient mathematicians, never imagining it was actually a legacy from the ancient Wind and Thunder Dynasty!
Chen Hui breathed out softly, looking towards the door leading to the sixth floor, his heart churning immensely.
"If this record is true, then... what we have found is not just the secret of the underground palace, but a forgotten history."
Lin Wanying's hands gripped tightly, her eyes flashing with excitement and deep thought: "But this also means... if we want to continue unraveling this mystery, we might spend more time... perhaps even preventing us from returning to the Central Plains."
In that moment, both fell silent.
The excitement of exploration and the longing to return home intertwined in their hearts, forming an unsolvable dilemma.
A few years ago, Qingzhou Linhai City, after its fall—
The night was heavy. The embers had not yet extinguished, and the scent of war still lingered in the streets and alleys of Linhai City in Qingzhou.
On the day the city fell, cries of grief echoed everywhere, corpses littered the ground, and the devastated ruins bore witness to a manipulated war—the wokou and the Pirate King Alliance joined forces to attack the city, while the Ministry of War's reinforcements were heavily delayed, plunging Linhai City into a desperate situation of isolation and helplessness.
However, not everyone was trapped to death in the city.
Before the city fell, Liu Wenzhou led a portion of the commoners and surviving soldiers, relying on the defensive layouts and retreat routes left by Chen Hui, successfully breaking through the enemy's encirclement and quietly withdrawing.
Looking back at the burning city, he clenched his fists, whispering: "Chen Hui... if you are still alive, you definitely wouldn't want to see this situation."
But no one knew whether Chen Hui was alive or dead. His figure vanished into the chaos of the battlefield, his body gone without a trace.
For the Ministry of War, however, this was the most perfect outcome.
Days later, when the outcome of the war was already a foregone conclusion and the defenders of Linhai City were almost completely wiped out, the Ministry of War's garrison finally arrived, "late but eventually."
They raised their military banners high, arriving outside the city in a massive, imposing array, putting on a posture of preparing to retake Qingzhou.
However, this war had long been scripted.
"Attack!" With the command, the Ministry of War's army began attacking the wokou and the Pirate King Alliance. But this battle was no true life-and-death struggle; rather, it was a meticulously orchestrated performance.
Swords clashed, and battle cries shook the heavens, but they never attacked with full force. The wokou and pirates also played along, retreating at the right moments. Finally, after a symbolic fierce battle, under the "fierce assault" of the Ministry of War's army, the enemies were "defeated" and retreated, leaving Linhai City to be reclaimed by the military.
From the very beginning, this war was a political transaction.
The Capital, Minister of War's Manor.
Chang Yanjiao sat in his study, flipping through the military reports sent by the Ministry of War, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
"Chen Hui, is dead?" he whispered, his fingers gently tapping the desk, his eyes harboring an unfathomably deep smile.
No, he wasn't certain if Chen Hui was truly dead, and he didn't even care.
But Chen Hui being "dead" was the most advantageous option for him.
He closed the military report, looked up at the several confidants in the room, his tone flat yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Since the outcome of the battle for Qingzhou Linhai City is already set, it is time to let Chen Hui's death serve its purpose."
"What do you mean by this?" A staff officer frowned slightly, asking in confusion.
Chang Yanjiao smiled faintly, picked up his teacup, and slowly blew away the foam, his tone as calm as a tranquil yet deadly trap.
"Chen Hui is dead. This war requires a hero."
"And this hero's battle was personally orchestrated by me."
The next day, a memorial drafted by the Ministry of War was expedited to the imperial city by fast horse.
Its contents elaborately described the "great victory" of the battle for Linhai City in Qingzhou, detailing how the Ministry of War made the wokou and Pirate King Alliance pay a heavy price with minimal casualties, and heavily dramatizing—
"Chen Hui, by order of the Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao, fought heroically against the enemy despite being vastly outnumbered. Defending the isolated city for three days, he ultimately sacrificed himself valiantly, laying down his life for the country!"
"He is a loyal and righteous man. We beg Your Majesty to posthumously ennoble him to highlight the soul of a loyal official!"
When the memorial was presented, the court was shocked. The civil and military officials all praised Chen Hui as "unparalleled in loyalty and heroism," and the emperor sighed with emotion: "Such a loyal official must be ennobled!"
Shortly after, an imperial edict was issued—
"Chen Hui is posthumously ennobled as 'Duke of Loyal Heroism', and the Ministry of War is ordered to immediately rebuild Qingzhou and restore the people's livelihoods!"
Thus, after his death, Chen Hui not only became the "Loyal Hero" of the Shuntian Dynasty but also became the ultimate tool for the Ministry of War to expand its power.
Sitting in his study, listening to a confidant read the contents of the imperial edict in a low voice, the corners of Chang Yanjiao's mouth curled up slightly.
"Posthumously ennobling Chen Hui, rebuilding Qingzhou, restoring livelihoods... what a grand display of righteousness."
He set down his teacup, his tone filled with coldness: "Chen Hui, while alive, you were utterly loyal, serving the country and the people, yet ultimately ended up as an unknown corpse... But in death, your name can seize even more power for me."
"If you know this in the netherworld, you should be gratified."
His eyes held not a shred of sentiment, only cold calculation.
Chen Hui's death allowed the Ministry of War to legitimately take control of Qingzhou. The power to rebuild would be solely managed by the Ministry, and Chang Yanjiao could further consolidate his position in the imperial court.
But the chess game of power did not stop there.
"The State Preceptor's Manor currently holds too much power. It's time to whittle down that old fox, Chang Jin."
Chang Yanjiao slowly stood up, walked to the bookshelf on the side of the study, and took down a secret document.
"Let him taste what true politics is."
A sharp light flashed in his eyes. A faint smile on his lips, he murmured softly to himself—
"This game of chess has only just begun."
Night in the capital. The palace lanterns of the State Preceptor's Manor hung high. The flickering red candlelight cast an elusive, eerie atmosphere over the quiet grand hall.
The master of this manor was Chang Jin, the State Preceptor of the Shuntian Dynasty. He controlled the nation's destiny, feng shui, and military secrets, holding a position second only to the emperor. Backed by his ties to the Shushan Sect and the Shuntian court, his power was overwhelming.
And tonight, he welcomed a special guest.
The Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao.
Both originated from the Chang family. One was an outstanding talent of the main branch, controlling the court's divine secrets and Shushan's influence; the other came from a branch family, relying on political maneuvering and military power to climb to the core of power in the Shuntian Dynasty's Ministry of War.
This meeting was ostensibly to catch up and offer congratulations between kinsmen. However, the true flashing of blades lay sharp within their words.
Chang Jin smiled faintly, personally pouring a cup of hot tea and offering it to Chang Yanjiao: "Lord Minister, the matter in Qingzhou was handled beautifully. Now, everyone in the court praises you for turning the Qingzhou crisis into a victory for the Ministry of War with minimal cost. That move was indeed brilliant."
Chang Yanjiao took the teacup, blew gently on the surface, and chuckled softly: "Lord State Preceptor praises me too much. The Ministry of War's victory is nothing but a part of the changing dynamics in the court. On the other hand, Lord State Preceptor, you have been like the mid-day sun in the palace lately. The Emperor's reliance on you grows deeper by the day. That is the true peak of power."
"Likewise." Chang Jin smiled lightly, picked up his teacup, his tone calm. "You now control Qingzhou, and the court is full of praise for you, saying you command troops like a god, quelled the chaos, and even suffered the loss of a general for the country, elevating Chen Hui's name to the pinnacle of loyal heroism."
Chang Yanjiao swirled the tea gently, a slight smile on his lips: "Come to think of it, when you and I parted ways, cousin, I'm afraid you didn't expect me to reach this point today, did you?"
Hearing this, Chang Jin's smile deepened: "Cousin is too modest. When you resolved to enter the peak of power via officialdom, I knew your character was extraordinary."
"I just didn't expect that my cousin could crown himself by leveraging the name of a dead man."
Chang Yanjiao smiled lightly, his tone remaining indifferent: "The dead cannot speak, so we speak for them. As long as he is the Duke of Loyal Heroism, everything he did becomes the Ministry of War's victory, the Ministry's strategy, the Ministry's achievement."
He looked up at Chang Jin, his gaze piercing: "This is the value of power."
Chang Jin set down his teacup gently, his fingertips rubbing its rim, speaking leisurely: "Power is indeed a good thing, but how to distribute it is the true knowledge."
"You hold the power of Qingzhou very steadily. However, cousin, have you ever thought that when military power becomes too heavy, it will incur the Emperor's suspicion?"
Chang Yanjiao smiled faintly: "There is no need for cousin to worry about that."
"But regarding you, cousin... these past few days, I heard the Shushan Sect has voiced quite a few complaints about the Qingzhou incident. Does this have anything to do with you?"
At the mention of Shushan, Chang Jin's eyes shifted slightly.
He was originally a disciple cultivated by Shushan. He had thought he could distinguish himself within the sect; however, his lightning arts and swordsmanship were both inferior to the current sect leader, the White-Browed Perfected One, Li Zhenglei. Furthermore, struggling to win the masses' submission, he failed to grasp the sect's core power.
Ultimately, utilizing the relationship between the Shuntian Dynasty and Shushan, along with the Chang family's support, he established himself in the imperial court as the State Preceptor, grasping Shuntian's national destiny and imperial power.
Although he was already at the pinnacle of power, Shushan—the faction that influenced his past—always followed him like a shadow.
"Whatever complaints Shushan has regarding the Qingzhou matter, cousin need not overthink." Chang Jin smiled lightly, a hint of perfunctoriness in his words. "But cousin should also know that Shushan's influence in the Shuntian Dynasty is not something the Ministry of War can ignore."
"If cousin wishes to continue securing Qingzhou, I'm afraid dealing with Shushan will be inevitable."
Chang Yanjiao smiled coldly, his tone carrying contempt: "Although Shushan has influence, what can they do without true power?"
"Wasn't that also the case for you back in Shushan, cousin?"
As soon as these words fell, the air instantly grew heavy.
Chang Jin narrowed his eyes, picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and didn't answer immediately.
Although both originated from the Chang family, the main and branch families had always been battlegrounds for power competition.
Back then, the main family selected its most outstanding youths to enter Shushan, hoping to cultivate a future sect leader to sway Shushan's influence for the family.
However, Chang Jin ultimately lost to Li Zhenglei, failing to ascend to the position of sect leader.
This led Chang Yanjiao and the branch family to always believe that the main family's cultivation plan was a failure. Although Chang Jin became the State Preceptor, he failed to truly let the Chang family control Shushan.
Chang Jin looked at his cousin across from him, smiling lightly: "Cousin's tone sounds more and more like those old patriarchs of the Chang family back then."
"But don't forget, were it not for the main family, you would still be a bastard child of the branch family today, with no right to speak with me here."
Chang Yanjiao's expression remained unchanged, instead chuckling lowly: "Cousin's words are correct. Were it not for the main family, I indeed could not have reached this place."
"But precisely because of this, I am even more aware that power must be fought for by oneself, not by waiting for the main family's bestowals."
He smiled faintly, his tone indifferent: "Today, I have mastered the Ministry of War. Although cousin is honored as State Preceptor, you hold no direct military power. If we were to clash, who the Emperor would choose is truly uncertain."
Chang Jin's smile deepened, his tone unchanged: "So, you want to challenge me?"
"No." Chang Yanjiao shook his head, "I only wish to remind cousin that power only belongs to the one most capable of controlling it."
"In Shushan back then, cousin lost to Li Zhenglei; in the imperial court today... cousin, can you still win this game of chess?"
The two exchanged smiles, yet beneath those smiles hid murderous intent.
Chang Jin set down his teacup, stood up, and spoke slowly: "Cousin, the chess game of Qingzhou is settled, but this chess game of the imperial court... has only just begun."
Chang Yanjiao also slowly stood up, adjusted his sleeves, and smiled faintly: "Cousin is right. We shall see who gets the last laugh."
Their tones remained peaceful, like close brothers chatting about domestic affairs, but this meeting was destined to be a clash of power.
This battle had no flashing swords, yet was more brutal than any battlefield.
The night was heavy. Even though many days had passed, in many places of Qingzhou Linhai City, embers still burned. Charred rubble and broken walls bore witness to the end of this war. Grieving people searched everywhere for the familiar people, events, and objects in their memories.
Standing outside the city gates, Liu Wenzhou quietly looked at this once-prosperous city, now reduced to a semi-ruined wasteland.
He clenched his fists tightly, irrepressible remorse and anger flashing in his eyes.
Is this war truly over?
He thought of that man who was always steady and composed, who defended Qingzhou with wisdom and responsibility—Chen Hui.
And that woman who was once a Shushan disciple, but chose her own path—Lin Wanying.
He had once promised Lin Wanying's master to look after her when necessary, but today, her whereabouts alongside Chen Hui were unknown, their lives or deaths a mystery.
When the Ministry of War's garrison returned to Linhai City and "put on an act" with the wokou and Pirate King Alliance, Liu Wenzhou brought the fleeing commoners and soldiers back into the city to search for traces of Chen Hui.
But he scoured the city's main battlefields without finding a single clue.
"No remains on the city walls... none at the warehouse either..."
Standing atop the broken ruins of the city gate, his heart sank.
But right now, there were no remains, no belongings, not even a similar corpse to be found in the city—this indicated that Chen Hui might not be dead!
"If he's still alive, where is he?"
Hope surged in Liu Wenzhou's heart, but immediately after, it plummeted into another abyss.
"What if he was captured, or secretly executed?"
"It shouldn't end just like this, what else can I do..." Liu Wenzhou murmured.
While Liu Wenzhou had yet to find any trace of Chen Hui, an imperial edict from the palace completely altered the situation—
"Chen Hui fought heroically against the enemy, sacrificed his life for the country, possessing unparalleled loyalty and righteousness. We specifically ennoble him as 'Duke of Loyal Heroism,' and order the Ministry of War to take charge of rebuilding Qingzhou and restoring the people's livelihoods."
When Liu Wenzhou heard this news, a chill rose from the bottom of his heart.
"Is this... the Ministry of War's doing?"
Sure enough, upon further inquiry, he discovered that all of this was exactly Chang Yanjiao's arrangement.
Chen Hui's death, true or false, was used by the Ministry of War as a tool to manipulate public opinion.
Standing amidst the crowds, watching the commoners pay homage to and sing praises of the "Duke of Loyal Heroism," Liu Wenzhou's heart grew even heavier.
"Hehehe~~~~ woo woo~~~" Liu Wenzhou laughed and cried simultaneously.
What an absurd reality this was—a man whose life or death was uncertain was worshipped as a hero! While the real him might be struggling with death somewhere.
Shortly after, Liu Wenzhou received an "unexpected reward."
Because he had helped Chen Hui defend the city, when the Ministry of War orchestrated this "Duke of Loyal Heroism Myth," they unexpectedly pulled him in as well—
"Chen Hui's advisor, Liu Wenzhou, who formerly taught at the Holy Scholar Academy, is proficient in mathematics and assisted the Duke of Loyal Heroism in defending the city; he should be rewarded for his merits!"
Just like that, he was crowned with the title "Advisor to the Duke of Loyal Heroism" and received a reward from the imperial court.
The moment Liu Wenzhou accepted the reward, he couldn't tell if what filled his heart was irony or helplessness.
He understood that this was political manipulation, and he was nothing but one of the exploited pawns.
"Since that's the case... I will use this identity to find Chen Hui."
Bearing the title "Advisor to the Duke of Loyal Heroism," Liu Wenzhou personally went to the Ministry of War, requesting the newly stationed Qingzhou general to dispatch troops to search for traces of Chen Hui.
But his request was rejected without any suspense.
"Mr. Liu, the Duke of Loyal Heroism has already died for his country. This is a fact recognized by the imperial court; why must you pursue it further?"
"If the Duke of Loyal Heroism is truly still alive, do you think the Ministry of War wouldn't know?"
"Please rest assured, the reconstruction and stabilization of Qingzhou are the most important matters now."
The officials' words were full of evasion and warning. Liu Wenzhou could hear it clearly—this "Duke of Loyal Heroism" plan had already been finalized; the Ministry of War fundamentally did not want Chen Hui to still be alive.
If he were still alive, it would ruin the perfect ending of this play.
Liu Wenzhou decided to use the reward to travel to the Commercial Republic and seek out the "Money Bridges to Gods Faction's" intelligence organization.
"Since the court is unwilling to search, then I will pay for answers."
The intelligence network of the Commercial Republic was far more flexible than the court's. If anyone could find clues amidst a chaotic battlefield, it would be them.
After several months of inquiries, he finally obtained a crucial clue—
Ichiro Yamanaka had personally and severely wounded Chen Hui, but at that time, Isabel's subordinates had witnessed Chen Hui and Lin Wanying boarding a small boat and fleeing overseas!
When Liu Wenzhou learned of this news, his heart was deeply shaken.
"They... are still alive?"
He couldn't be certain of the accuracy of this intelligence, but it was his only hope!
Ultimately, he decided to spend a hefty sum to hire the professional intelligence organization of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction to lead him on a journey to find Chen Hui and Lin Wanying.
If Chen Hui and Lin Wanying are still alive, I must find them!
He tightly gripped the reward in his hand. What was once a transaction under political scheming would now become his bargaining chip to find the truth.
The Commercial Republic, Headquarters of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction
As the curtain of night fell, within the brightly lit Commercial Republic, a resplendent pavilion stood tall above the bustling docks.
This was the headquarters of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction—"Golden Cauldron Pavilion," the territory of the wealthiest force in the Commercial Republic, the hub where the world's wealth flowed.
At this moment, in the reception room on the top floor of the pavilion, a middle-aged man in a silk robe sat in the master seat. He had a rat-like face and an incredibly sleazy appearance, but his aura was so imposing that it made people ignore his looks, feeling instead that they might be crushed by his presence if they weren't careful. He was twirling a finely carved gold coin in his hand, his deep and shrewd eyes seemingly lost in thought.
He was the "King of Flying Money" Kong Fang, the commercial magnate who had just become the leader of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction. For hundreds of years, several major chambers of commerce in the Commercial Republic began by funding martial arts experts to protect their freight, but there was never a unified organization. Through the development and integration of two generations of the Kong family, it eventually evolved into a sect centered on financial power. Their influence spanned all four nations; not only did they dominate the martial world, but they could also manipulate political situations and market trends.
Although he had ascended to this position, he knew that the seat of sect leader did not mean he was unshakable.
Internally, there were constraints from old merchants, other chamber members, and subordinates; externally, there was the competition and threat from the Pirate King Alliance. All of this required his strategic planning to remain undefeated in this game of wealth and power.
"Sect Leader."
A man in a black long shirt cupped his hands slightly, speaking with a deep and respectful tone.
This man was the Vice Sect Leader of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction, Zhao Yijin, an expert in intelligence and financial logistics, and one of Kong Fang's most relied-upon advisors.
"The war in Qingzhou has ended, but the real chess game has only just begun."
Zhao Yijin stepped forward slowly, placing the intelligence scroll in his hand onto the table, reporting evenly: "The Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao, successfully manipulated the Qingzhou war situation, ennobled Chen Hui as 'Duke of Loyal Heroism,' and used this to consolidate the Ministry's power. Now, the entire court is praising the Ministry's victory, while State Preceptor Chang Jin has not yet made a move."
Kong Fang nodded slightly, twirling the gold coin with a half-smile: "Chang Yanjiao's move was indeed beautiful, squeezing dry even the value of a dead man. As expected of an old fox of the court."
Zhao Yijin continued: "But the intelligence we received indicates that Chen Hui did not definitively die in battle. Although Ichiro Yamanaka heavily wounded him, subordinates of the Pirate King Alliance eventually witnessed Chen Hui and Lin Wanying leaving Qingzhou on a small boat, though their destination is unconfirmed."
Kong Fang stopped his movements, his eyes flashing slightly.
"...Now this is interesting."
He said in a low voice, his tone carrying a thoughtful nuance.
"So, the Blood Empress Isabel intentionally let them go?"
Zhao Yijin nodded: "From the intelligence we've gathered, Isabel left an escape route during the war. Her true goal was not to assist the Ministry of War in seizing Qingzhou, but to incite further chaos in the world, allowing her black markets and maritime trade to flourish even more."
"If Chen Hui is still alive, then this becomes interesting... Does the Pirate King, 'Fang of the Black Tide' Drake, know about this?"
Zhao Yijin's eyes turned fierce, and he said through gritted teeth: "That I am not clear about. Our spies have never been able to ascertain Drake's coordinates or movements. We only learn his whereabouts after he raids our merchant ships!"
Kong Fang suddenly gripped the spinning gold coin in his hand: "Dig for intelligence on the Heavenly Craft Pavilion and Drake as if your lives depended on it! Intelligence is money! Without investment, there is no return! Throw money at it! I refuse to believe we cannot buy the intelligence I want."
"Understood! Additionally, Liu Wenzhou has arrived in the Commercial Republic and is willing to spend a large amount of silver to request our help in finding the whereabouts of Chen Hui and Lin Wanying."
Zhao Yijin added, "Liu Wenzhou was once ennobled as 'Advisor to the Duke of Loyal Heroism.' He is now using the imperial court's rewards to seek our help. This transaction should be very interesting."
Hearing this, Kong Fang couldn't help but laugh. He gently tossed the gold coin, caught it securely, and tapped the desk with his fingertips: "Heh... indeed an interesting man."
"However, the person he is looking for is the 'Duke of Loyal Heroism' who brought massive fame to Chang Yanjiao. If Chen Hui is truly alive, what will Chang Yanjiao do?"
Zhao Yijin smiled slightly, a hint of mockery in his tone: "Naturally, he will kill him off cleanly."
"So, this business is not just about helping Liu Wenzhou find someone; it is an opportunity for us."
Kong Fang stood up slowly, putting his hands behind his back and gazing out the window at the brightly lit docks, his eyes full of endless calculation.
"In recent years, the Pirate King Alliance's movements have grown increasingly brazen, encroaching on our trade routes and threatening our maritime interests, while Chang Yanjiao is using the Ministry of War to attempt to expand his power..."
"If we help Liu Wenzhou and find Chen Hui, then..."
He narrowed his eyes, a shrewd smile curling on his lips: "We can not only earn a handsome reward from this transaction, but we might also use it to drive a wedge between the Pirate King Alliance and the Ministry of War, making them suspect and weaken each other."
Zhao Yijin whispered: "So, the Sect Leader's meaning is... we accept this job?"
Kong Fang chuckled, saying breezily: "Of course we accept it; this is a win-win business."
But immediately after, he blinked, his tone turning profound: "However... when our Money Bridges to Gods Faction does business, we emphasize 'affection and righteousness'."
"Since Liu Wenzhou comes with sincerity, we cannot let him think we are doing this solely for money."
"Are you saying...?"
Kong Fang smiled faintly, his tone leisurely: "I want to make him feel that this is a special favor I am doing for him, not just a transaction. That way, he will owe me a favor, and this favor might be exchanged for even greater benefits in the future."
He turned around slowly, his eyes shrewd and far-sighted: "Liu Wenzhou will think he scored a bargain, while we are the true winners."
"Prepare the arrangements. I will meet him personally."
Zhao Yijin nodded slightly, revealing a smile of admiration: "The Sect Leader is truly a master of calculation."
"A businessman must always leave an out." Kong Fang smiled indifferently, "Don't forget, the path of commerce is like a battlefield. The winner is not the strongest, but the one who calculates best."
Standing in front of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, Liu Wenzhou looked up at the resplendent building, a myriad of emotions in his heart.
This place was the most iconic landmark of the Commercial Republic, the headquarters of the Money Bridges to Gods Faction, and the hub where the world's wealth flowed.
On this trip, he wasn't just here to "buy news"; he was negotiating with a merchant who controlled the financial lifelines of the world. And this negotiation would determine whether he could find the whereabouts of Chen Hui and Lin Wanying.
"Once here, everything must be spoken with silver."
He took a deep breath and, following in the footsteps of Vice Sect Leader Zhao Yijin, stepped into this glittering building.
Inside the magnificent grand hall, polished marble reflected the candlelight. Hanging on the walls were massive oil paintings depicting maritime trade and the flow of merchant routes. The scent of gold and silver treasures permeated the entire space.
Following Zhao Yijin, Liu Wenzhou passed through layers of attendants, finally arriving at the reception room deep within the pavilion.
He entered the room, illuminated by hundreds of candles, and saw a man in a silk robe sitting leisurely in the master seat. He was playing with a gold coin that spun nimbly on his fingertips, glinting with a subtle light.
Liu Wenzhou braced his spirit, saying: "I presume you are the one known as the 'King of Flying Money', Sect Leader Kong?"
Kong Fang looked up, revealing a profound smile. His tone was gentle yet laced with smooth calculation: "Mr. Liu has traveled a long way and worked hard. Since you have come to the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, I imagine you have business to discuss?"
Liu Wenzhou cupped his hands slightly, his tone neither haughty nor humble: "Indeed. I hope the Money Bridges to Gods Faction can help me find two people."
Kong Fang tapped the table lightly, the gold coin stopping its spin and returning to his palm: "Does Mr. Liu know that finding people has never been a simple transaction?"
"I have brought sufficient wealth," Liu Wenzhou pulled a heavy brocade pouch from his robe and placed it gently on the table, his gaze firm, "as well as some intelligence on the Pirate King Alliance, as additional terms."
A glint flashed in Kong Fang's eyes. He reached out to take the pouch, weighed it slightly, then opened it to inspect, his smile deepening: "Mr. Liu truly shows great sincerity."
"However..." he intentionally dragged out his words, his tone playful, "To make me squeeze out personnel from our busy fleets to help Mr. Liu... this is not a problem an ordinary transaction can solve."
Liu Wenzhou watched him steadily, not rushing to reply. He knew this was a negotiation tactic. Kong Fang wouldn't easily say "no," but he would certainly try to raise the price, even turning this transaction into a chess game more favorable to himself.
Just as this commercial negotiation reached a stalemate, the door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open, and a childish, milky voice rang out—
"Daddy, Mommy says you are counting money again. When will you come back and play with me?"
Liu Wenzhou froze and turned to look. He saw a little girl, about three or four years old, wearing a small silk dress, her hair combed into two round buns, holding a small coin purse, toddling in.
Her big, round eyes shone with intelligence. Although young, her gestures already carried a somewhat shrewd and capable aura.
This was Kong Fang's only beloved daughter—Kong Ning.
Kong Fang frowned slightly, his tone helpless: "Ning'er, we are discussing business here. You cannot barge in."
"But, Mommy said no matter how much money you make, you shouldn't let your daughter wait alone for too long." Kong Ning said in her milky voice. Then, her eyes darted around, turning to look at Liu Wenzhou.
"Is this uncle here to give Daddy money?"
Liu Wenzhou was momentarily speechless, while Kong Fang paused, then smiled bitterly: "Ning'er, how can you speak like that?"
However, Kong Ning wasn't affected by her father's words. Instead, she stepped forward, inspecting the brocade pouch on the table. She blinked and asked innocently, "What are these coins going to buy?"
Liu Wenzhou was amused by this three-year-old girl and couldn't help but chuckle: "I am here to ask your Daddy to help me find someone."
"Find someone?" Kong Ning tilted her head, her fingers lightly fiddling with her little coin purse. After thinking for a moment, she looked up and asked with naive charm: "Then Daddy, if that's the case, did you charge a 'finding fee'?"
Kong Fang: "..."
Liu Wenzhou: "..."
Kong Fang helplessly massaged his temples and sighed: "Ning'er, why have even you started negotiating business with me?"
Kong Ning nodded earnestly: "Mommy said you can't take a loss in business. Daddy, you can't help people for free."
Liu Wenzhou looking at this little girl, didn't know what to say for a moment, yet was amazed by her talent and astuteness.
This child was bound to be a commercial prodigy in the future.
Kong Fang looked helplessly at his daughter, gave a light chuckle, then turned to Liu Wenzhou, his tone carrying a touch of leisure: "Mr. Liu, you see, even this little girl of mine knows that one cannot take a loss in business."
"But, who asked me to be a man who values 'affection and righteousness'?"
He feigned hesitation, thinking for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Since Mr. Liu is so sincere, I will specially squeeze out a few ships from my busy fleet to help find these people. This is a merchant's 'morality'; you must remember this."
Liu Wenzhou laughed inwardly. He knew Kong Fang's words sounded nice, but in reality, he was calculating his own interests. But this transaction was already the best outcome for him, so he cupped his hands slightly: "Thank you for Sect Leader Kong's 'morality'. I, Liu, will certainly engrave it in my heart."
Kong Fang waved his hand, smiling faintly: "Since that is the case, please give me some time to prepare the ships and crew. Such matters require meticulous arrangement."
But Liu Wenzhou knew that this was merely another layer of Kong Fang's calculation—he intended to assign the fleet that was originally exploring the sea routes to Liu Wenzhou. It equated to Liu Wenzhou paying to find someone while the Money Bridges to Gods Faction conveniently mapped new sea charts, achieving a win-win situation.
This was the shrewdness of a merchant—making others feel they had snagged a bargain, while they themselves were the true winners.