Anyone who's watched the Pili Puppet Show will probably get a sense of déjà vu when a certain character shows up in Chapter 8. Hehehe~~~~ The background of Thunderbolt Hall and the "First Hero of the Western Sea" Zhuge Yanwen are interwoven with a lot of memories from my childhood and youth. To give this great hero a "scholarly, refined" manner of speech, I spent a long time thinking up the right phrasing for him.
Actually, when I first told this story to a good friend of mine, he said, "Is this The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber?" I was stunned for a moment—and the more I thought about it, the more it really did seem similar. Hehehe~~~ Jin Yong's stories really do cast a long shadow. And the more I thought about it, the more I felt I couldn't escape the kinds of plot devices floating around in my head. It reminded me of high school English class, when we were reading Shakespeare and my English teacher mentioned a saying: "After Shakespeare, there are no new stories." That is, every plot device had already been used by him, and writers who come after find it really hard to break out and create something Shakespeare didn't already cover—even sci-fi can't escape it!
The character Kong Fang was actually designed by a good friend of mine. Just like the Commercial Republic and the Wealth Sect, he's someone whose motto is making money. He loves making money but doesn't worship it superstitiously—he understands even better how to use money to reach his ends. He's a character who is both a tycoon and a schemer, yet doesn't lose his humanity. His strength lies not in martial force, but in his control over information, human hearts, and the flow of wealth—a truly contemporary jianghu figure who can make "money reach the heavens." The name "Kong Fang" (孔方) also refers to ancient coins: "Kong" (孔): refers to the square hole in the center of a copper coin. "Fang" (方): used by the ancients to refer to certain shapes or objects, and also means "square." Thus, "Kong Fang" (孔方) describes those round ancient coins with a square hole in the middle, and by extension is a symbol for money itself. As one old saying goes: "People today treat money as their very lives—call it worshipping Brother Kong Fang." Actually, I originally wanted to find an opportunity to have him introduce himself with the line, "I'm literally called Kong Fang—I was born to chase money." That would have been both bold and brilliant! Haha~~ But there hasn't been a chance yet. Maybe later, when the right scene comes along, I'll have to use it!
A big sister taking her little brother out to play has always been fun to write. I wanted to use this segment to bring out a bit more of Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin's personalities, so readers can get to know them better—though I'm not sure if it's overkill? And then there's the idea of three parties placing their pieces to shape the future political direction. That's my way of saying that sometimes, certain merchants and politicians in the world really do have the power to change markets and reshape the world.
Writing up to this point, I'm finally preparing to hand the center of the story over to the protagonist, Chen Wenbin. Sure enough, just as my friend said: this really does have a Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber feel to it! Well, Zhang Wuji's story only really began after both of his parents died. I might be walking the same path. But here, I want to lean more into the tragic-hero arc where good people and honest officials don't get good endings—and to show even more clearly how filthy the politics of ambitious schemers really are.
The Pirate Alliance, which appeared earlier, is an organization I created using concepts from Pirates of the Caribbean, and I also wanted to weave in curses of the sea. The "Blood Empress" Isabel already appeared during the attack on Qingzhou. This time, to provide Chen Hui with a fitting opponent, I brought out the "Undead Hunter" Viego. As for Lin Wanying's side, I prepared the Shuntian Dynasty's great heretical cult and the Moonrise Empire's Kaga Clan to come after her. I hope this can live up to both of their stations, and bring in some new sects along the way.
The golden sunlight spilled across the deck, the sea breeze carrying a salty tang, gently lapping against the hull. Months ago, the fleet of the Wealth Sect had finally set sail, carrying Liu Wenzhou toward the vast waters west of Qingzhou, with the goal—finding Chen Hui and Lin Wanying.
But Liu Wenzhou quickly realized that this "journey to find people" was not as simple as he imagined.
He stood by the side of the ship, gripping his sleeves tightly, his heart filled with anticipation and apprehension. He looked toward the captain beside him—a tall, sturdy man with dark skin and a face carved by sea winds, holding the helm with one hand, his hawk-like eyes sweeping across the boundless ocean.
This man was the commander of this fleet, Huo Yuanchao, nicknamed the "Wave Chaser."
"Captain, which direction should we head this time?" Liu Wenzhou couldn't help asking.
Huo Yuanchao glanced at him, a somewhat playful smile hanging on his lips: "Mr. Liu, do you really think this journey is purely for finding people?"
"Is it not?" Liu Wenzhou frowned.
"Hehe..." Huo Yuanchao laughed out loud, clapping his hands. "For this voyage, the order given by the Wealth Sect is to find someone in passing. The true goal is to open up new commercial trade routes and chart entirely new sea maps. As for the Chen Hui you're looking for... frankly speaking, it's just an incidental matter."
Liu Wenzhou fell silent. From the very beginning, this transaction was Kong Fang's calculation.
Although the money he paid bought the help of this fleet, at the same time, he had been reduced to a mere accessory on this maritime expedition.
In the initial days, Liu Wenzhou was alone on the ship, not even understanding the basic rules of the sea.
He often fell because he couldn't stand steadily amidst the ship's rocking, and even suffered seasickness several times, drawing the sailors' mockery: "This scholar, it seems he's not suited for the sea."
But he did not lose heart; instead, he began to observe and learn.
"We have strayed too far from our route these past few days. Shouldn't we first search the islands to the south?"
"The wind direction decides where we go, not you." Huo Yuanchao looked up at the horizon and shook his head. "If your friends are truly still alive, they probably aren't on the routes we've planned anymore."
Anxiety inevitably surged in Liu Wenzhou's heart: "So we just waste time like this, going in circles?"
"This isn't wasting time." Huo Yuanchao grinned, patting the steering wheel. "We aren't just looking for your people on this trip; we're opening new sea routes and drawing new maps."
Liu Wenzhou suddenly realized that this journey was completely out of his control.
As time passed, they visited several islands one after another. However, every time they landed, it was always a fruitless effort.
The first island was uninhabited, with only palm trees and sandy beaches, lacking any traces left by Chen Hui and Lin Wanying.
The second island had scattered fishermen, but none had seen anyone matching their descriptions.
The third island showed some signs of human activity, but it was merely a resting point for other merchants, offering no clues.
"Sir, this is already the fifth island we've found. Are you sure we aren't heading in the wrong direction?" a sailor asked in confusion.
Liu Wenzhou furrowed his brow, flipping through the nautical charts and notes in his hands: "The small boat they took should have drifted with the currents of the West Sea. Judging from the current situation, we haven't completely searched this area yet."
Huo Yuanchao stood on the deck, arms crossed: "But you should also understand that this sea is so large that even we can't completely control it. If your friends are truly on this sea, without supplies, I'm afraid..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his tone already carried some regret and the cruelty of reality.
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath and did not argue, because he also knew that the longer the time, the lower the possibility of finding them.
But he would not give up.
After years of sailing, Liu Wenzhou was no longer the scholar completely ignorant of the sea.
He had learned how to determine wind direction, calculate ocean currents, and could even understand the sailors' secret signals, knowing when they were taking a detour and when they were truly moving forward.
One day, as the fleet prepared once again to deviate from the route to explore an area with high trade potential, Liu Wenzhou said coldly: "The transaction Sect Leader Kong agreed to was to help me find someone, not to help you open up trade routes."
Huo Yuanchao raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Oh? Are you trying to order me now?"
Liu Wenzhou pulled a contract from his sleeve and said lightly: "This is the transaction condition written personally by Sect Leader Kong. If you feel you can violate it, then let's go back and have the Sect Leader judge."
Huo Yuanchao narrowed his eyes, staring at him for a long time, and finally shrugged: "Never mind, it seems you've learned how to negotiate on a ship these past few years."
He turned and shouted to the crew: "Turn the helm, return to the original search route."
Although the sailors complained verbally, they still complied.
At this moment, Liu Wenzhou knew that he could finally control his own journey.
As time went on, they gradually sailed deeper into the West Sea, approaching the waters of the Changfeng Republic.
Right at this moment, they saw from afar that a merchant ship was surrounded by several warships flying skull flags, the sound of cannon fire and battle cries echoing across the sea.
"Pirates?" Liu Wenzhou frowned, gripping the railing tightly.
Huo Yuanchao stood at the bow, his gaze cold and deep: "We are getting closer to the Changfeng Republic. The pirates here are much more troublesome than those petty figures along the Qingzhou coast."
"Are we bypassing them?" a sailor asked.
Huo Yuanchao pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Liu Wenzhou, a playful smile on his lips: "This is the journey you decided on. What do you say?"
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, looking at the fiercely contested waters in the distance, his eyes gradually becoming firm—
This journey to find people might have reached a crucial moment!
Thick smoke permeated the sea. In the distance, a merchant ship was surrounded by several pirate warships flying skull flags. Cannons roared, arrows flew, and the shouts of sailors mingled with terrified screams in the wind, as if the entire ocean had fallen into a storm of slaughter and plunder.
On the deck, Liu Wenzhou stared intently at the distant battle, his fists clenching slightly.
"Captain Huo, we must go save that ship."
Huo Yuanchao frowned slightly, one hand resting on the helm, and hummed carelessly: "Mr. Liu, this isn't your world of books. On this sea, whoever has the strength makes the rules."
"You want to save them? How many warships do you have? How many hundreds of bladesmen?"
"This isn't your war, nor is it mine."
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, knowing that this calculating seafarer before him wouldn't easily act. Thus, a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes as he said flatly: "I thought the 'Wave Chaser' Captain Huo was a chivalrous hero who acted for justice. It turns out you're nothing but a businessman who only counts silver."
Huo Yuanchao narrowed his eyes, a corner of his mouth curving: "Are you trying to provoke me?"
Liu Wenzhou's tone was calm: "If you're afraid, just pretend I said nothing."
Huo Yuanchao let out a light laugh, his sharp gaze turning to the distance. "Afraid? The one thing I, Huo, have never known in this life is fear."
"Alright! Since you've spoken, let's go join the fun!"
He turned and waved his hand: "All hands prepare for battle, turn the helm! Let's go see this play!"
The fleet quickly changed direction, cutting through the waves and heading straight toward the smoke-filled battlefield.
However, just as they were about to approach the battlefield, a sailor suddenly cried out in shock: "To the west—there's a small boat charging over!"
Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao turned around simultaneously, only to see a solitary small boat on the western sea, breaking through the waves at an extraordinary speed, like a white shuttle, skimming incredibly swiftly through the billowing waves!
"What is that?"
Liu Wenzhou narrowed his eyes, surprised in his heart, because this small boat had no sails whatsoever, yet was rushing toward the pirate warships at an astonishing speed!
Suddenly, a white-clad figure on the small boat leaped up, like a seagull spreading its wings, soaring into the air—
Treading the waves!
"Ten Thousand Mile Steps!"
Huo Yuanchao's eyes widened, almost unable to believe what he saw. "There are only a handful of people in this world capable of such qinggong (lightness skill)..."
Liu Wenzhou gasped, for that white-clad figure was lightly treading the waves in mid-air, seemingly flying with the wind. With a light tap of his toes on the waves, he crossed dozens of feet, leaping straight onto the enemy ship!
"It's the master of Thunderbolt Hall—the 'Number One Hero of the West Sea', Zhuge Yanwen!"
The sailors exclaimed one after another, and by this time, the white figure had already landed on the deck of the pirate ship.
His long dark hair was tied high, fastened with a silver-white crown and a long hairpin. He wore a snow-white silk robe, handsome and extraordinary, free and unrestrained, looking like an immortal banished to the mortal realm.
"Who dares to intrude here alone!"
Seeing this, the pirate leader roared, drawing his blade and pointing it directly at the newcomer.
However, Zhuge Yanwen merely smiled faintly, his gaze as clear as the bright moon. He spoke softly, his voice as leisurely as a poem—
"The blue sea's wild waves send the lone boat far, the sword's shadow and long song break through the waves."
"I am Zhuge Yanwen of Thunderbolt Hall. Passing by this place and seeing injustice, I have come to intervene."
Before his words even fell, he tapped his toes, his white robes fluttering. Like a startled swan, he darted among the enemy forces!
A pirate roared, swinging his blade at Zhuge Yanwen, but his blade hit nothing but empty air!
"Gale Without Shadow!"
Zhuge Yanwen's figure vanished amidst the flashing blades. The next moment, he appeared on the other side. With a light wave of his sleeve, palm wind gathered. It was impressively a move of the "Heavenly Buddha Palm"!
"Righteousness Shakes the Evil!"
The palm strike exploded forth, its energy surging, directly shattering the enemy's blade and sending the blade-wielding pirate flying dozens of feet. He crashed heavily to the deck, coughing up blood, entirely incapacitated!
"Thunder Sound Shaking the World!"
In the next instant, palm force struck like roaring thunder, hitting another pirate's chest. The man screamed, flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the deck, rolling several times, unable to move!
"Kill... kill him!"
The pirates were terrified beyond belief and swarmed to attack him. However, Zhuge Yanwen merely raised his hand lightly. His sleeves danced, his body light as the wind, weaving through the enemy ranks. With every palm strike, a man fell!
In less than half an incense stick's time, the pirates had lost all courage, dropping their weapons and kneeling to beg for mercy.
"We were wrong! Master, please spare our lives!"
Zhuge Yanwen smiled lightly, his gaze clear, incredibly dashing: "In life, one must enjoy success to the fullest; why obsess over life and death."
He stood with his hands behind his back, saying plainly: "You may leave."
The pirates, as if granted amnesty, scrambled to flee with their remaining ships.
Watching this scene, Huo Yuanchao couldn't help but mutter in admiration: "This is a true hero..."
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath. Watching this battle made his blood boil, increasing his admiration for the demeanor of the "Number One Hero of the West Sea."
Zhuge Yanwen slowly turned around. With a wave of his sleeve and a step, he leaped like an immortal descending, landing on the ship of Huo Yuanchao and Liu Wenzhou.
"The willingness of you two to assist the merchant ship is truly a righteous act."
He smiled faintly and said loudly: "Since we have met, it is fate. Why not form a good bond? There may be times we can help each other in the future."
Liu Wenzhou paused for a moment, then cupped his hands: "To meet Hall Master Zhuge is a great fortune."
Huo Yuanchao laughed heartily: "Since it is a good bond, there should be good wine!"
"Yong'er!"
Zhuge Yanwen turned and called out softly toward the distance. A brisk voice replied: "Hall Master, wait a moment, the wine is coming!"
Shortly after, a thin, small young man carrying a wine jug leaped nimbly onto the deck, full of smiles: "Hall Master, this is your favorite aged wine of the West Sea."
Zhuge Yanwen laughed loudly: "Come! Let us drink our fill tonight, with chivalry as our witness, and this good bond as our wine!"
Under the moon, the three raised their cups together. The sea breeze blew gently, reflecting a rare encounter in this chaotic era.
The night breeze blew gently, and the waves lapped softly against the side of the ship. The moonlight illuminated the three men on the deck. A jug of aged West Sea wine closed the initially unfamiliar distance.
Liu Wenzhou raised his wine cup, smiling faintly: "To drink with Hall Master Zhuge is truly a rare stroke of fate."
"Mr. Liu is too polite." Zhuge Yanwen smiled lightly, his eyes as deep as the stars. "Walking the jianghu, the most important word is 'Righteousness'. Since we are drinking together tonight, we are friends."
He raised his cup, taking a light sip, then said leisurely: "But I see that when Mr. Liu raises his cup, his brows still carry worry. I'm afraid this maritime journey has not yet found the people you are looking for?"
Hearing this, Liu Wenzhou paused slightly, then smiled bitterly: "To be honest with the Hall Master, for the past few years, I have been searching for a pair of old friends—Chen Hui and Lin Wanying."
"Since the Battle of Qingzhou, they have vanished without a trace. Although I have tracked them for many years, I have found no solid clues."
"Given the Hall Master's extensive knowledge and experience, do you have any suggestions on which direction might be more likely to find them?"
Zhuge Yanwen did not answer immediately. Instead, he gently set down his wine cup, slightly closed his eyes in deep thought for a moment, before speaking slowly: "The affairs of this world often cannot be seen just by their surface. Mr. Liu has searched for years; have you ever considered why you have never been able to find a trace of them?"
Liu Wenzhou thought for a while, then shook his head: "Perhaps the clues are too few, or perhaps they have deliberately secluded themselves from the world..."
Zhuge Yanwen smiled faintly, shaking his head gently: "Mr. Liu is too fixated on existing routes."
"Since you haven't been able to find them along known trade routes and sea lanes for many years, then the most likely answer is that they have gone beyond the boundaries known to everyone."
"Yong'er."
Zhuge Yanwen called out softly. The young man beside him immediately obeyed, quickly retrieving a scroll of nautical charts from the cabin and spreading it out on the deck.
This nautical chart was not an ordinary merchant route map, but contained precious data documenting major ocean currents, tidal changes, and unexplored sea routes.
Liu Wenzhou looked at the map, his eyes lighting up slightly: "This..."
Zhuge Yanwen traced a finger across the chart, saying deeply: "During the Battle of Qingzhou back then, the ocean currents interacted with the monsoons. Based on the time, the small boat they took should have drifted with the West Sea current."
He tapped lightly on a blank area on the map: "Here is the direction where the tide was strongest at that time, and it is also one of the sea areas that has remained unexplored for many years."
Liu Wenzhou looked closely and found that this area was barely recorded on existing navigation charts. There were no island markers, nor exact records of ocean currents; it was an unknown sea.
"For years, you have been searching in places accessible to people. But if Chen Hui and Lin Wanying are truly alive, they might have fallen into this unmapped world."
Huo Yuanchao listened, nodding slightly: "Indeed, because the ocean currents in this area are strong, merchant fleets rarely set foot here. If they really drifted here, then our previous search directions were completely wrong."
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, an indescribable shock surging in his heart.
"Has anyone ever been to this sea area?"
"Yes, but very few have been able to retreat unscathed."
Zhuge Yanwen smiled lightly: "But Mr. Liu, you have already searched for so many years. Are you afraid of going a little deeper?"
Liu Wenzhou looked at that blank area, his gaze gradually becoming firm: "No, I no longer have any reason to turn back."
Seeing this, Zhuge Yanwen smiled faintly, raised his wine cup, and said loudly: "Since Mr. Liu has made up his mind, then this cup of wine is a toast to your persistence and courage!"
He drank it in one gulp, set down the cup, his sleeves fluttering. Looking toward the vast, misty sea in the distance, he softly chanted—
"A lone boat chases the waves seeking old shadows, a ten-thousand-mile journey home asks the vast expanse."
"The sea is wide, the sky is high, the heart is not yet old; when the floating clouds scatter, the starlight is seen."
Liu Wenzhou was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands: "Hall Master's poem, I will keep in my heart."
Zhuge Yanwen smiled faintly, waved his sleeve, and turned around dashingly: "Mr. Liu, Captain Huo, if fate allows, we will meet again in the jianghu."
Then, with a light leap, he tread upon the wind and vanished into the night in the blink of an eye, leaving only the moonlight reflecting on the calmed sea.
Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao exchanged a glance. Huo Yuanchao chuckled: "It seems Mr. Liu is definitely taking our journey into the unknown."
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, looking at the blank spot on the map, his gaze resolute: "Let us set off. No matter what the future holds, I must find them."
The sea breeze rose again, the sails filled. This time, they sailed toward the world off the map, facing a new adventure and an unknown destiny.
Following Zhuge Yanwen's speculation, Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao changed course, heading toward the unrecorded waters on the map.
Their fleet left the known trade routes and entered a vast expanse of water that had never been explored. The ocean currents here were stronger than expected, the climate erratic—sometimes calm and peaceful, other times struck by sudden squalls.
This search had already lasted for several months.
From the initial eager anticipation to the gradual wearing away of patience, Liu Wenzhou never gave up—he knew they must still be alive.
Finally, on this day, their efforts met a turning point.
That day, as the fleet sailed through unfamiliar waters, a sailor on the mast suddenly exclaimed: "There's a reflection of light ahead!"
Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao immediately looked up, only to see a strange reflection flashing on a distant island, shaking under the sun like some kind of signal.
"This is...?"
Liu Wenzhou's heart suddenly jolted, a strong premonition faintly rising.
"Turn the helm, make for the shore!" Huo Yuanchao ordered without hesitation. The fleet quickly adjusted its direction, heading toward that island.
As they approached the island, the sailors on board revealed expressions of astonishment.
"What is that?"
On the beach stood a massive diagram made of calculation chips, arranged extremely neatly, even forming a highly standard mathematical structure diagram!
Liu Wenzhou's heart raced, almost rushing to the bow: "This must be left by them! Hurry! Hurry and dock!"
He screamed in his heart, "This island is very likely Chen Hui and Lin Wanying's hiding place!"
After the ships docked, Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao led several sailors onto the island, carefully searching for signs nearby.
Along the beach, they found traces of human activity, along with a simply constructed shelter, and even saw stone carvings recorded with mathematical symbols—these were entirely Lin Wanying's style!
"Mr. Liu!"
Suddenly, a sailor pointed into the distance, his tone filled with unbelievable surprise: "There's a child over there!"
Liu Wenzhou followed his gaze, only to see a child around five or six years old, sitting cross-legged on a rock, fiddling with calculation chips in his hands, intently calculating the numerical arrangements on the ground.
He wore simple hemp clothing, his long hair fluttering slightly in the wind. His tender face bore an expression of concentration; he hadn't even noticed their approach.
Liu Wenzhou was shaken to the core, a bold guess rising in his heart—
This child... is the son of Chen Hui and Lin Wanying?!
Liu Wenzhou couldn't help stepping forward, calling softly: "Child, who are you?"
Hearing the voice, the child looked up. A pair of dark eyes stared straight at him, without a hint of fear, but rather carrying a bit of vigilance and puzzlement.
"Who are you?" the child's tone was indifferent, even carrying a precise, calculating cadence. "Why have you come here?"
Huo Yuanchao raised an eyebrow, unable to help but laugh lowly: "Interesting, this child has never seen us, yet isn't panicked at all."
Liu Wenzhou's heart pounded violently. He carefully examined the child's features, and the more he looked, the more familiar they seemed—
The space between his brows bore a resemblance to Chen Hui, while the sharpness and calmness in his eyes were distinctly the shadow of Lin Wanying!
"We are here to find someone." Liu Wenzhou tried his best to keep his tone gentle. "Are you here alone?"
The child shook his head, his tone as steady as ever: "I am waiting for my mother here. She said she is testing a new mechanism today, so I cannot disturb her."
Liu Wenzhou's heart trembled—
"Mother"?! This child truly was Lin Wanying's son!
He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and asked cautiously: "Where is your father?"
The child tilted his head in thought for a moment, then said lightly: "Father is organizing the data of the underground palace. These past two days he has been researching how to unlock the sixth floor."
At this moment, Liu Wenzhou could no longer suppress his wild joy, almost crying out loud.
"Chen Hui... is still alive!"
After more than five years, his search finally had an answer. In this moment, he refused to wait any longer. He immediately squatted down, gripping the child's shoulders with both hands, his tone urgent: "Child, take me to see your parents!"
The child frowned, seeming puzzled by such impatience, but looking at the excited stranger before him, he still nodded.
"Alright, follow me."
He stood up, turned around, and walked toward the interior of the island, his steps steady, not showing the slightest bit of innocence and panic that a five-year-old child should have.
Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao exchanged a glance, then followed him.
Chen Wenbin walked with steady steps, navigating through the dense forest. Occasionally, birds startled and took flight in the woods, the swaying branches and leaves casting mottled light and shadows.
Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao exchanged a glance and followed behind.
This five-year-old child had leisurely steps and a clear path, seemingly knowing every turn of this forest like the back of his hand.
"This child..." Huo Yuanchao said softly, "is a bit too mature."
Liu Wenzhou nodded gently. He had thought that a five-year-old child should still be an ignorant toddler. But along the way, Chen Wenbin's performance was nothing like an ordinary child; he was more like an intensely trained mechanist and mathematician.
What kind of environment could cultivate such talent in a child?
As the light in the forest gradually dimmed, they finally arrived at a stone door hidden behind vines and a cliff face.
"We are here," Chen Wenbin turned back, looking at Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao, saying flatly, "This is the entrance to the underground palace."
This stone door was unlike ordinary doors. It was covered in complex mathematical symbols and geometric patterns. Every line seemed to represent a certain calculation rule. On the mechanism dial beside the door, several metal disks were arranged, requiring the correct sequence and order to open.
Before Liu Wenzhou and Huo Yuanchao could look closely, Chen Wenbin stepped forward, patted the carvings on the side of the door, and muttered to himself: "...Surplus and deficit method, five times minus three equals the square of two..."
He then raised his hand, rapidly turning the mechanism dial. His technique was smooth and precise, as if this calculation pattern was already etched in his mind, requiring no effort.
"Click—"
At the final moment of turning the dial, a heavy sound of gears echoed from within the stone door, and the entire door slowly opened.
Liu Wenzhou widened his eyes, looking at this scene in astonishment.
This child actually used mental arithmetic to instantly unlock this mathematical mechanism?!
"...This child's mathematical attainments are too astonishing, aren't they?" Huo Yuanchao whispered, his eyes filled with shock.
However, this was just the beginning.
After entering the underground palace, they walked down the stairs. The surrounding walls were covered with precise mathematical deductions and mechanism designs, and there were even many ancient formulas that had not yet been cracked.
Liu Wenzhou noticed that whenever they passed a new door, Chen Wenbin would step forward without hesitation, skillfully turn the mechanism, and mutter in a low voice—
"Circles and squares intertwining, solved based on three variables..."
"Half of forty-six plus or minus six steps, the corresponding coordinate should be..."
Every time he unlocked a door, he would whisper, his hands skillfully deducing calculations, as if this underground palace was the place where he grew up, and these complex mechanisms were just daily exercises to him.
"Mr. Liu," Huo Yuanchao lowered his voice, carrying some disbelief, "how did this child grow up?"
Liu Wenzhou looked at Chen Wenbin's eyes, which held no doubts about the mathematical world, his heart greatly shaken.
"If this child were born in the Central Plains, he would probably be number one in mathematics among the children of this era, and perhaps even those youth prodigies would struggle to match him."
"No," Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, whispering, "Based on my experience at the Holy Scholar Academy, I feel that in terms of mental arithmetic and calculation power alone, many students of the academy cannot compare."
After a long exploration and layers of mechanisms, they finally arrived deep within the underground palace, entering a spacious stone hall.
In the center of the stone hall, a man dressed in scholar's robes was flipping through mathematical deductions on a stone desk, a look of thought and rigor between his brows.
Not far away, a woman in a pale green dress sat by a well-lit stone platform, writing down some calculation notes.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying!
For a moment, Liu Wenzhou could not speak.
Five years of searching had finally found an answer at this moment.
Hearing footsteps, the two looked up simultaneously. The moment he saw Liu Wenzhou, Chen Hui froze slightly, then revealed a smile woven with shock and joy: "Mr. Liu?"
Lin Wanying was stunned for a moment, then sighed softly, the corners of her mouth curving up: "Mr. Liu, you truly are surprising."
"That should be my line." Liu Wenzhou stepped forward, unable to help but smile as he looked at the two of them. "You are actually alive... Five years!"
Chen Hui nodded gently, his tone low but carrying unconcealed emotion: "We survived, but we have also been trapped on this island for five years..."
"I have been looking for you all along!" Liu Wenzhou said excitedly, then pointed to Huo Yuanchao behind him. "This is Captain Huo. He embarked on the journey to find you with me."
Huo Yuanchao crossed his arms and smiled: "Mr. Liu hasn't given up looking for you for five years. He really is a man of true affection and righteousness."
Chen Hui smiled emotionally: "I never thought anyone would spend so long looking for us... Mr. Liu, you truly are a friend worthy of respect."
Lin Wanying nodded gently, her tone calm but warm: "Five years unseen, and you are still so persistent."
Liu Wenzhou took a deep breath, saying deeply: "Because you should not be forgotten."
"Five years ago, Qingzhou fell. Brother Chen was titled 'Duke of Loyal Heroism,' but your life or death was a mystery. The Ministry of War and the court molded you into a hero, but no one truly went looking for you."
"I knew that you must still be alive."
Hearing this, Chen Hui closed his eyes gently, as if lost in thought. A moment later, he whispered: "I don't care how the court views me... but, I still thank you for coming to find us."
Liu Wenzhou smiled: "This time, I'm not just here to catch up. I'm here to bring you home."
Inside the underground palace, candlelight flickered, illuminating the reunion after five years. This search finally received an answer at this moment.
However, returning to the Central Plains—was it really still "home"?
The secret of this sea, the legacy of this underground palace... could they truly leave so easily?
The night was calm, the sea breeze gently brushing through the treetops. The leaves in the forest quivered slightly, as if whispering of the impending change.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying led Liu Wenzhou, Huo Yuanchao, and their group along the familiar path back to their residence on the island. This place had been the home they relied on for survival over the past five years.
However, this homeland was ultimately just a temporary stop.
"The environment here is quite nice, much more pleasant than the deserted island I imagined." Huo Yuanchao looked around, observing the orderly wooden cabins and campfire area, his tone highly appreciative. "It's truly not easy that you managed to live here for five years, and live so well."
"To live, one must always find a place to settle." Chen Hui smiled faintly, his tone calm.
However, he exchanged a glance with Lin Wanying; the secrets of this island were not something anyone could casually touch.
After the group rested briefly, Chen Hui said to Huo Yuanchao and the other sailors: "You have worked hard on this journey. Everyone, rest for the night, and we will discuss the return trip tomorrow."
He then looked at Liu Wenzhou, smiling with a relaxed tone: "Mr. Liu, you have traveled thousands of miles to find us. Your experiences over these years should be discussed in detail. How about we catch up privately for a while?"
Liu Wenzhou was slightly stunned, then understood and nodded: "I had the same intention."
Huo Yuanchao shrugged, knowing this was an "old friends' conversation." He didn't say much, leading the crew away to let the three talk in private.
When everyone had left, only Chen Hui, Lin Wanying, and Liu Wenzhou remained by the campfire. Under the night sky, the firelight illuminated their silent faces, and the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
"What exactly happened to you these past few years?" Liu Wenzhou spoke first, his tone filled with unconcealed concern and questioning.
"To make a long story short," Chen Hui smiled slightly, his tone calm, "After I was severely wounded in the Battle of Qingzhou, Wanying and I fled on a small boat. The sea breeze and ocean currents carried us adrift for several days, and we finally arrived at this island."
"Originally, we thought this island was just an ordinary deserted island. We never expected to find the entrance to an underground palace, nor the mathematical and mechanical legacy left on this island."
"From that time on, while surviving here, we cracked the trials of the underground palace..."
Liu Wenzhou stared at them, whispering: "This underground palace... what exactly is going on?"
Lin Wanying pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "This place is the ruins of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty, carrying the knowledge of ancient physics and mathematics."
"Over the years, we cracked five layers of trials, each filled with difficult problems and challenges, however..."
She paused slightly, exhaling softly, "We reached a bottleneck on the fifth floor. To this day, we have been unable to break through the blockade of the final floor."
Liu Wenzhou was slightly taken aback: "Then... will you continue exploring?"
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying looked at each other and fell silent for a moment. Finally, Chen Hui slowly shook his head: "No, at least... not now."
"Why?" Liu Wenzhou asked in confusion.
Lin Wanying whispered: "It has been five years. We have persevered here for five years. The trials' challenges are becoming increasingly difficult, and the time required for each layer is growing longer... We don't know how many more years it will take to unlock the final floor."
"More importantly—Wenbin cannot be trapped on this island forever."
Liu Wenzhou was shaken, only then realizing that this was not just their decision, but one made for their child's future.
"He needs to see the real world, needs to grow among people, not be trapped on an isolated island for his entire life."
Chen Hui sighed softly: "Perhaps one day, we will return to continue unlocking the secret of the final floor. But for now, we are leaving here and returning to the Central Plains."
Liu Wenzhou looked at the two of them, a sense of emotion and admiration rising in his heart.
Over these five years, they not only survived, but also made such a decision—giving up the knowledge and treasure right before their eyes, just to give their child a real future.
He nodded, his tone firm: "Then, I will take you home."
Chen Hui smiled, and Lin Wanying also smiled slightly. This time, their choice was not for exploration, but for the journey home.
While Chen Hui, Lin Wanying, and Liu Wenzhou sat around the campfire discussing their decision to return to the Central Plains, Huo Yuanchao, on the other side, was not idle.
As the leader of the fleet, his primary task was to ensure the safety of this voyage and the achievement of its goals. However, after witnessing the mystery of this island and the miracle of the underground palace with his own eyes, another layer of calculation stirred in his heart—
This island was not just a refuge for Chen Hui's family, but a treasure trove hiding immense value!
Huo Yuanchao stood at the entrance of the underground palace, looking at the path they had just traversed through layers of mechanisms, silently evaluating the value of this underground palace in his heart.
"These mechanisms... this mathematics..."
"This is not something ordinary people could design. This is a crystallization of wisdom that surpasses modern craftsmanship."
He was a man of the sea, having traveled all over the world and seen many ancient ruins and lost civilizations, but he had never seen a ruin that integrated mathematics and mechanistics like this.
He muttered to himself: "If this could be brought back to the Commercial Republic... the Sect Leader would definitely be interested."
Huo Yuanchao returned to the fleet's camp and called over a few trusted confidants, instructing them to record all intelligence about this island.
"Record this: This island possesses an underground palace from the Wind and Thunder Dynasty, containing vast amounts of mathematical and mechanical knowledge."
"The mechanisms of the underground palace are extremely complex, difficult for outsiders to crack. The only people who know how it operates are the family of three on this island."
"Chen Hui, former Prefect of Qingzhou, missing for five years, is now known to be alive, possessing rich mathematical knowledge and mechanistics."
"Lin Wanying, a Shushan disciple, proficient in mechanical calculation, has studied the underground palace with Chen Hui for five years."
"Chen Wenbin, five years old, exceptionally gifted, able to unlock the underground palace mechanisms at a young age, highly likely the most important key in the future."
He spoke as he pondered.
This island might be a massive step forward for the Commercial Republic!
However, to get a piece of this profit, one not only had to grasp the island's intelligence, but also control Chen Hui's family.
"Now, they plan to return to the Central Plains..."
Huo Yuanchao smiled lightly: "That won't do. How could our Wealth Sect let such a valuable resource slip away?"
"Go to the ship and release the highest-level secret report carrier pigeon."
"Send the intelligence of this island to the Sect Leader!"
Huo Yuanchao commanded in a low voice. His confidant immediately nodded, quickly heading to the cabin, taking out a black-feathered, white-striped pigeon, carefully tying the secret report into the message tube, and then gently releasing it—
The pigeon flapped its wings and flew high, crossing the night sky, heading straight for the Commercial Republic.
When Kong Fang received this secret report, he would definitely act immediately!
"But we cannot let them sense our intentions..."
Huo Yuanchao thought for a moment, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "To make them willingly go to the Commercial Republic, we need a reasonable excuse."
He turned to his deputy beside him: "When they are ready to depart, we will suggest they go to the Commercial Republic to rest and resupply first, before arranging their return to the Central Plains."
"The reason?"
Huo Yuanchao chuckled: "Very simple. After leaving this island, their first problem is resupply. The Commercial Republic, as the trading capital of the world, is the best resupply point."
"Moreover..." his gaze deepened, "If they want to inquire about the situation in the Central Plains and changes regarding Chen Hui's title, the Commercial Republic is also the most suitable place for intelligence."
"This way, they will naturally fall into our grasp."
The deputy was slightly surprised, then showed a look of admiration: "Captain, what an excellent calculation!"
"Heh..." Huo Yuanchao smiled lightly, "This is not just calculation; this is the way of commerce."
The night was deep. The campfire flickered slightly in the breeze, illuminating the calm and emotional faces of the three people.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying had long grown accustomed to the island's tranquility over these years. Yet now, Liu Wenzhou's arrival seemed to bring a bridge connecting the past and the future, forcing them to re-face the changes and vicissitudes of the world over the past five years.
"How exactly have you spent these years?"
Chen Hui looked at Liu Wenzhou, his tone steady, yet deep in his eyes hid a trace of longing and hesitation.
Lin Wanying also nodded slightly: "We explored the underground palace and cracked mechanisms here, but we have been away from the Central Plains for too long... Do you know what the world has become now?"
Liu Wenzhou then returned to his senses, unable to help but laugh: "I almost forgot the most important thing—I should congratulate you two on tying the knot, and having such a brilliant son!"
He looked at Chen Wenbin standing nearby. This five-year-old child had quietly listened to their conversation from beginning to end, his eyes sharp and calm, completely lacking the innocent carefree nature of ordinary children.
"Wenbin is exceptionally gifted, able to calculate mechanical mathematics at such a young age. He will surely be extraordinary in the future."
"For five years, I have sailed the seas just to find traces of you. Now I can finally see with my own eyes that you are safe and sound..."
Liu Wenzhou spoke with emotion: "This journey was not in vain after all."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying exchanged a glance, both showing a gentle smile.
"Brother Liu, thank you," Chen Hui said slowly, his tone carrying sincere gratitude. "We originally thought that there was no one left in this world who remembered us."
"You searched thousands of miles, sailing through danger. This friendship, Wanying and I will engrave in our hearts."
Liu Wenzhou smiled: "There's no need for pleasantries. Since I've found you, the most important question next is, what do you plan to do after you return?"
"After you left, the war in Qingzhou quickly came to an end. However, the true winner was Chang Yanjiao in the imperial court."
Liu Wenzhou's tone grew heavy as he briefly summarized the situation after the fall of Qingzhou five years ago.
"The Ministry of War's garrison arrived late, joining forces with the wokou and Pirate Alliance in a 'mock battle,' making the fall of Qingzhou a true established fact."
"And you at that time, Brother Chen, were molded into the 'Duke of Loyal Heroism', becoming the hero of the Ministry of War, allowing Chang Yanjiao to use this to win over the court and consolidate his power."
"Now, the whole world believes you died in battle. If you return to the Shuntian Dynasty, how the court will treat you... no one can say for sure."
Liu Wenzhou's tone gradually slowed, watching the changes in Chen Hui and Lin Wanying's expressions.
He had originally thought this news would shock them. However, Chen Hui just listened quietly, showing no surprise, as if all of this was within his expectations.
Lin Wanying furrowed her brow slightly, whispering: "So, after we return, the biggest variable is the court's attitude?"
"Not just that," Liu Wenzhou said deeply. "Since the Ministry of War has already used your death to consolidate power, your sudden 'resurrection' would undoubtedly be a massive threat to Chang Yanjiao."
"He could not possibly let you live to affect his layout."
"And the State Preceptor Chang Jin, as Chang Yanjiao's cousin, also has an invisible power struggle with him... Your return might become a crucial variable in their struggle for the court."
"In other words, you are no longer just lost loyal officials, but pieces that can influence the power dynamics of the world!"
Hearing this, Lin Wanying thought deeply for a moment, then asked softly: "What if we don't return?"
Liu Wenzhou was slightly taken aback, then said deeply: "Then, truly no one in this world will know you are still alive."
"But if that's the case, Chen Wenbin will be forever trapped on this island, unable to truly come into contact with the outside world."
"You once said that to let him grow up among people, you decided to leave here... but if you choose to hide, all these efforts will be meaningless."
"Furthermore, the secrets on this island, the mechanisms of the underground palace, the legacy of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty... are you really willing to just let them be buried like this?"
Chen Hui closed his eyes, falling silent for a long time. Finally, he slowly exhaled: "We will go back, but we must plan and prepare well."
He opened his eyes, looking at Liu Wenzhou, his gaze firm: "Brother Liu, this time, are you willing to help us once more?"
Liu Wenzhou smiled slightly: "Five years ago, I chose to search for you. Five years later, since I have found you, how could I not take you home?"
Lin Wanying nodded gently, her tone steady: "Then, let us prepare to depart."
The three looked at each other. Under the night sky, the campfire flickered...
The morning light sprinkled slightly through the island's forest. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint scent of moisture. This day was different from any other—today, they would leave this isolated island, leave the place that had sheltered them for five years.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying stood in front of the wooden cabin, their gazes steady as they looked at Liu Wenzhou. Standing between them was five-year-old Chen Wenbin.
"Brother Liu, we owe this journey to you." Chen Hui said sincerely. "Now that we are about to leave, Wenbin is young and has no knowledge of the outside world. We ask for your guidance."
Liu Wenzhou paused slightly, then chuckled: "Don't worry. Although this kid is smart, I can teach him how to interact with people."
"Thank you." Lin Wanying nodded gently, speaking softly to Chen Wenbin: "Leaving this time will be your first time truly stepping into the outside world. Don't be afraid. Although the world outside is complex, it is also full of opportunities."
Chen Wenbin nodded steadily, but there was a hint of excitement in his eyes that even he hadn't noticed.
Before leaving the island, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying decided to bring out all the notes and data from the underground palace. The mechanisms they spent years cracking, the records of their mathematical deductions, and the knowledge left by the Wind and Thunder Dynasty would all become a crystallization of wisdom that might be useful in the future.
They walked into the underground palace, passing through familiar stairs and stone doors. Looking at these mechanisms they had challenged, calculated, and cracked countless times, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions.
"This records all our efforts over these past few years..." Chen Hui gently touched the dense mathematical formulas on the stone wall, his eyes deep.
"I don't know what year or month we will return next time." Lin Wanying sighed softly. "We've reached a bottleneck; perhaps leaving temporarily is also a good choice."
"Not just for us, but for Wenbin."
The two stood silently deep within the underground palace, taking one last look at the place that held their wisdom and sweat. Finally, they personally closed the entrance to the underground palace.
At this moment, this ancient ruin once again sank into the slumber of history, while they would embark on a brand new journey.
When Chen Hui and Lin Wanying returned to the shore, Liu Wenzhou was assisting Huo Yuanchao's fleet with departure preparations. Chen Wenbin stood by the deck, his eyes shining brightly as he gazed at the vast sea, full of novelty and excitement.
"Mr. Liu, where is the end of the sea?"
Liu Wenzhou was slightly stunned, then smiled: "The world is big, the ocean is boundless. The end... might be another piece of land, or it might be more unknown worlds."
"Then where does the sea wind come from? How do merchant ships on the sea know where to go?"
"The wind comes from the changes of heaven and earth, while merchant ships rely on astrology, nautical charts, and tides to judge direction." Liu Wenzhou looked at him. "Are you interested in these?"
Chen Wenbin nodded earnestly, his eyes flashing with desire: "These are things Father and Mother cannot calculate. I want to know the answers."
Liu Wenzhou was stunned for a moment, then chuckled lightly: "You child, you were born to go see the outside world."
At this time, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying walked over. Seeing this conversation, they exchanged a glance, both revealing a gratified smile.
When the sun hung high in the noon sky, the sea breeze filled the canvas, and the fleet was finally ready to set sail.
Chen Hui, Lin Wanying, and Chen Wenbin stood on the deck, looking back at the island that had accompanied them for five years, their hearts filled with mixed feelings.
This place had been their sanctuary, their training ground, their place of rebirth.
Now, they were finally leaving.
As the fleet slowly sailed away, the outline of the island gradually blurred, eventually turning into a faint shadow on the horizon.
"Finally... we're going back." Chen Hui said softly, his tone a complex mix of reluctance and anticipation.
Lin Wanying didn't speak, just gently reached out and held Chen Hui's hand.
This time, they were not just two survivors, but a family of three, embarking together on the journey back to the human world.
However, they did not know—
This ship was not heading towards the Shuntian Dynasty, but towards the Commercial Republic!
And far away in the Commercial Republic, Kong Fang was already prepared to welcome this "big business"!
The sun reflected on the sea, the waves sparkling as the fleet sailed smoothly. However, standing on the deck, Liu Wenzhou gradually noticed something amiss.
He looked toward the horizon, vaguely sensing the change in the sun's position—the ship's course was not heading east, but north!
North? The Commercial Republic?!
Liu Wenzhou's heart jolted. He quickly walked over to Huo Yuanchao at the helm, his tone steady but carrying hidden questioning: "Captain Huo, I remember we agreed to head east back to the Shuntian Dynasty. Why has the direction changed now?"
Huo Yuanchao held the helm steadily with both hands. Hearing this, he wasn't in a hurry to answer. He first glanced at the wind direction on the sea, then smiled slightly: "Mr. Liu truly is a scholar; you can even notice such subtle changes."
"But this couldn't be helped," Huo Yuanchao said lightly. "Our fleet's supplies are almost depleted after coming this far. If we don't go to the Commercial Republic first to replenish supplies, we might starve to death on the sea before reaching the Shuntian Dynasty."
Liu Wenzhou frowned: "Couldn't the supply issue be resolved at other seaports? Why must we return to the Commercial Republic?"
Huo Yuanchao smiled, spreading his hands: "Mr. Liu, the Commercial Republic is the greatest trading place in the world. If you want to replenish with the best supplies and find the most reliable intelligence, is there any better choice than there?"
Liu Wenzhou stared at Huo Yuanchao, trying to discern something from his expression. However, the other party's smile was as calm and flawless as ever.
He sneered internally—Huo Yuanchao's reasoning sounded high-sounding, but he knew this wasn't about supplies at all; it was Kong Fang's arrangement!
The Wealth Sect would never let Chen Hui's family go so easily!
But right now, he couldn't afford to tear up his relationship with Huo Yuanchao on the spot. So he suppressed his doubts, nodding slightly: "In that case, let's head to the Commercial Republic first."
Huo Yuanchao smiled and nodded, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly: "Mr. Liu truly is reasonable."
Returning to the cabin, Liu Wenzhou's face sank slightly. He immediately informed Chen Hui and Lin Wanying of the situation.
"We are not returning to the Shuntian Dynasty," Liu Wenzhou said in a low tone. "Our destination is the Commercial Republic."
Hearing this, Chen Hui's brow furrowed slightly. His expression remained unchanged, but he had already realized the severity of the problem.
"Is this Kong Fang's arrangement?" Lin Wanying's tone was calm, but a cold light flashed in her eyes.
"Highly likely." Liu Wenzhou nodded. "Although Huo Yuanchao didn't say it explicitly, based on my speculation, the Wealth Sect probably knew of your existence long ago."
"Furthermore, it's very likely they have already grasped some intelligence regarding the underground palace."
Chen Hui's fingers lightly tapped the table, his gaze deep: "What kind of person is Kong Fang?"
Liu Wenzhou pondered for a moment, then spoke: "Kong Fang is no ordinary merchant. He is an extremely shrewd sect leader. Not only does he control the vast financial power of the Wealth Sect, but he is also a highly skilled strategist."
"He won't easily make a losing deal. If we are brought back to the Commercial Republic, he will definitely extract benefits from us."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow slightly: "Benefits? What can he get from us?"
Liu Wenzhou's tone was steady: "First, naturally, is the secret of the underground palace. Over these five years, how many mechanisms you've cracked, how much knowledge you've gained—to the Wealth Sect, this is absolutely invaluable."
"Second, Brother Chen, your identity."
"Now the entire Shuntian Dynasty believes you died in battle and were titled 'Duke of Loyal Heroism.' If you return to the mortal realm, this identity of 'Duke of Loyal Heroism' will be a massive variable to the court, the Ministry of War, and even to Chang Yanjiao and State Preceptor Chang Jin."
"And Kong Fang, as a shrewd merchant, will absolutely not miss this variable. He might even try to seek more advantages from your official position and reputation."
Chen Hui thought for a long time, then whispered: "So, our trip to the Commercial Republic is probably not just as simple as resupplying, but a transaction?"
Liu Wenzhou nodded: "It is a transaction, and also a probe. Kong Fang will observe our attitude, and we should also be prepared for him."
"How should we respond?" Lin Wanying asked lightly, her tone calm but carrying a hint of vigilance.
Liu Wenzhou slowly said: "We cannot let Kong Fang see our bottom line, especially the true value of the underground palace."
"We can let him know some things, but we must absolutely not let him grasp everything."
"As for Brother Chen's identity..."
He paused, his tone turning slightly cold: "If Kong Fang wants to use this title, then we might as well use him in return."
Chen Hui smiled slightly, a glint of sharpness in his eyes: "Brother Liu, your experiences at sea these past years have taught you how to spar with merchants."
Liu Wenzhou smiled lightly: "Merchants and the officialdom are actually not that different; both are about transactions and calculation."
Lin Wanying nodded, her tone indifferent: "In that case, let us see just how brilliant this 'King of Flying Money' truly is."
After a month of sailing, the fleet finally entered the port of the Commercial Republic.
On the docks, people came and went, merchant ships stood like a forest, and goods from all over the world flowed here. Gold, silk, pearls, and spices piled up like mountains on the docks. This was the place where the merchants of the world dreamed of making their fortunes, and also a chessboard woven with power and wealth.
However, as the ships gradually docked, Chen Hui and the others noticed something unusual—
Someone was waiting for them!
On the dock, a group of people had been waiting for a long time, their eyes all cast toward the approaching fleet.
Standing at the forefront was a man wearing a silver embroidered long robe. The fabric shimmered slightly, the cuffs embroidered with exquisite coin patterns. His hands rested behind his back, his ten fingers long and slender, adorned with several lustrous jade rings. As he gently turned them, he appeared graceful and composed.
He was the Vice Sect Leader of the Wealth Sect—the "Silver Hand Wealth God" Zhao Yijin.
"They're here."
Zhao Yijin smiled slightly, his deep gaze looking toward the docking fleet, a meaningful smile on his lips.
Beside him stood three men and women with entirely different styles and auras, yet each exuded a strong presence.
When the fleet docked, Huo Yuanchao was the first to step down, laughing loudly: "Vice Sect Leader Zhao, it's been a while."
Zhao Yijin cupped his hands slightly, his smile unchanged: "Captain Huo, you have worked hard. The wind and waves on this journey were not small, were they?"
Huo Yuanchao smiled faintly: "It went fairly smoothly, but the significance of this voyage might be more important to some people than ordinary maritime trade."
He then turned, introducing Chen Hui, Lin Wanying, Liu Wenzhou, and Chen Wenbin to Zhao Yijin: "This is Lord Chen Hui, Miss Lin, Mr. Liu, and this young master Chen Wenbin."
Zhao Yijin nodded slightly, first looking at Liu Wenzhou, smiling: "Mr. Liu, I trust you have been well. You've kept our Commercial Republic's intelligence network quite busy these past few years."
Liu Wenzhou smiled lightly, his tone teasing: "If that allowed the Wealth Sect to make a profit, it wasn't a waste."
Zhao Yijin smiled gently, then turned his gaze to Chen Hui, cupping his hands slightly: "I have heard much about you, Lord 'Duke of Loyal Heroism.' To think you could personally come to our Commercial Republic, this is truly unexpected."
Chen Hui merely smiled faintly without responding, instead turning his gaze to the three people beside Zhao Yijin—
These three were clearly not ordinary attendants; their auras were distinct, and each carried a strong presence.
Seeing this, Zhao Yijin smiled slightly: "Lord Chen, these three are the new leaders of the three major branches personally supported by our Sect Leader Kong Fang—the true core figures of the Wealth Sect's future."
He pointed to the woman standing on the far left. She wore a bright red gold-threaded dress, her skin fair, her posture graceful. Every movement exuded nobility and allure.
"Red Gold Consort" Su Jinling—Master of the Jade Pavilion, proficient in strategy and the arts of charm, controlling the intelligence and entertainment industries within the Commercial Republic.
"Lord Chen," Su Jinling smiled gently, her voice soft and charming, yet carrying an indescribable sense of pressure. "We are all quite interested in your deeds."
Her words held a double meaning, her eyes flashing with scrutiny and inquiry.
Next, Zhao Yijin looked at the man standing in the middle. This man had a slender figure and a cold aura. His hands were folded in his sleeves, and a sharp murderous intent showed between his brows. Yet he wore no weapons, his aura restrained, making one shudder with fear.
"Wealth Shadow Assassin" Shen Cuodao—Master of the Silver Pavilion. Hailing from the Moonrise Empire, he was formerly a samurai of the Kagemoon Sect, proficient in assassination and sword-drawing techniques. Having fled to the Commercial Republic for certain reasons, he was now Kong Fang's hidden blade.
Shen Cuodao didn't say much, merely nodding slightly, his gaze cold, as if evaluating Chen Hui.
Finally, Zhao Yijin pointed to the man on the far right. This person wore a scholar's long robe, the lapels embroidered with exquisite gold thread patterns. He held a folding fan in his hand, his posture leisurely, but his eyes carried shrewdness and calculation.
"Gold Hall Strategist" Fu Yunxing—Master of the Gold Hall, proficient in financial operations and capital allocation, controlling the internal flow of funds within the Wealth Sect, and even maintaining close ties with the dignitaries of the imperial court.
Fu Yunxing smiled slightly, his tone warm: "Lord Chen, you must be exhausted from this dusty journey."
Chen Hui looked at the three of them, thinking to himself.
Kong Fang had just established the three major branches, and these three were the leaders of those branches. For them to personally welcome his group now, the intention was self-evident.
Their presence represented the Wealth Sect's current power expansion and future layout. This welcome was not just simple pleasantries, but a clash of power.
After a round of greetings, Zhao Yijin smiled slightly, his tone polite but carrying an undeniable meaning: "The Sect Leader has already arranged the best accommodations for our esteemed guests. Please rest well first. When the time comes, the Sect Leader will host a banquet to wash away the dust of your journey."
Liu Wenzhou smiled slightly: "In that case, we will respectfully comply."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying exchanged a glance, both nodding slightly.
This banquet was probably not just for "washing away dust," but for a real transaction.
However, what exactly were the chips of this transaction, and who would be the true beneficiary?
All of this would probably only be truly known when they met Kong Fang.
When the attendants of the Wealth Sect led Chen Hui, Lin Wanying, and Chen Wenbin to the VIP room prepared for them, the three could not help but freeze slightly.
This guest room, compared to the simple wooden cabin they lived in on the deserted island, was like heaven and earth.
The entire room was separated into inner and outer spaces by carved rosewood screens with gold thread. The floor was covered with soft, heavy Persian wool carpets, the window curtains were silk from the West. Every table and chair was carved with intricate auspicious patterns, the corners inlaid with sparkling jade and gold accents.
The lighting in the room didn't come from oil lamps, but from peculiar colored glaze lamp shades that refracted light, filling the entire room with a warm golden glow, as luxurious as a royal palace.
Chen Hui frowned slightly: "This Wealth Sect is a bit too extravagant."
Lin Wanying scanned the surroundings, nodding gently: "This fits their style. After all, this is the place where the world's wealth converges."
However, what was most shocked by all this was none other than Chen Wenbin.
This child, who had grown up on a deserted island since childhood, had never seen such gorgeous decoration. His eyes widened, his gaze falling on a dressing table inlaid with gold carvings, then looking at the sparkling colored glaze lamp stand in the corner, and finally his sight rested on the pillow woven with emerald and gold thread at the head of the bed.
"These things... are for people to use?" His tone was full of doubt. He reached out to gently touch the colored glaze lamp stand, as if confirming whether it was real.
"Yes." A maid nearby smiled gently. "All the furnishings here are prepared for esteemed guests."
Before she finished speaking, several more maids in gorgeous clothing walked in from outside, holding various types of clothes, bowing respectfully: "Please change your clothes, the three of you. Later, the Sect Leader will host a banquet in the Golden Palace hall to wash away the dust of your journey."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying looked at each other, both somewhat unaccustomed.
"We shouldn't trouble you with these..." Lin Wanying said softly.
"Ah, Miss Lin, this is no trouble. This is the hospitality a merchant should show!" an attendant nearby said with a smile. "Sect Leader Kong is a man who values 'affection and righteousness' the most. He said that since we found Lord Chen and his wife, this banquet must be grand!"
Chen Hui narrowed his eyes slightly, not responding immediately, but he began to think in his heart. Kong Fang hosting this banquet was absolutely not just for washing away dust...
As night fell, the "Golden Palace" hall of the Wealth Sect welcomed an extremely grand banquet.
This hall was magnificent in momentum and extremely luxurious in decoration.
The massive golden circular dome was inlaid with colored glaze and gold leaf from foreign lands. Every line shimmered with gorgeous luster. In the center hung a chandelier made of thousands of connected Eastern crystal beads. Under the refraction of candlelight, it shone like a galaxy.
Around the hall were gold leaf murals depicting the trade routes of the world, vividly displaying the commercial hegemony of the Commercial Republic.
The banquet was filled with delicacies from all four seas—spiced roast sheep from the Southern Seas, honey-glazed pomegranates from the Western Regions, lobsters and seafood from the East, and precious Tianshan snow lotus wine. The value of the ingredients alone was enough that ordinary people could never hope to afford it in their lifetimes.
When Chen Hui and Lin Wanying walked into the hall side by side, with Liu Wenzhou leading Chen Wenbin behind them, everyone couldn't help but pause slightly, their eyes revealing expressions of surprise or inquiry.
"This banquet... is a bit too grand." Chen Hui whispered, a trace of scrutiny in his eyes.
Lin Wanying nodded gently: "We are just guests, yet we are treated as the center of the banquet. This is unusual."
They had just sat down and hadn't had time to exchange more opinions when a loud, smiling voice rang out—
"Hahaha, tonight the Golden Palace is graced by your presence. Our esteemed guests have finally arrived!"
As the voice fell, a man wearing a gold-thread embroidered robe walked slowly from the back of the hall. His lapels swayed slightly, he held a folding fan in his hand, and his face bore a warm and composed smile.
He was the Sect Leader of the Wealth Sect—the "King of Flying Money" Kong Fang.
However, beside him followed a woman and a young girl.
The woman wore a light purple flowing cloud gauze dress, gentle and dignified, her features like a painting, exuding a noble aura in every gesture. She was Kong Fang's wife, Shang Chulian.
And the girl following behind them, wearing an exquisite little dress, was in a pink and white robe, her hair combed into a nimble bun. Her bright eyes darted around, observing the surroundings. Interestingly, a money pouch was tied to her waist.
She was Kong Fang's most precious only daughter—Kong Ning.
At nine years old, though young, she already displayed the shrewd aura of a merchant. Her gaze swept over the guests at the banquet, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly, seemingly already pondering how to bargain.
"Lord Chen, Madam Lin, Mr. Liu, Young Master Wenbin," Kong Fang laughed loudly, walking steadily toward them. "To be able to meet you here is truly a rare fate."
He paused slightly, his tone sincere: "Five years ago, when we learned that you might still be alive, we spared no effort to support Mr. Liu in finding you."
"Now, you have finally returned. This is not only your reunion, but a great fortune for everyone in the world!"
His tone was sincere, as if he genuinely rejoiced for Chen Hui's family. However, these words falling into Chen Hui's ears made his heart sink slightly.
"A great fortune for everyone in the world"? What exactly was the intention behind Kong Fang's words?
He held his wine cup, not responding immediately, but he already knew that this banquet was not just for "washing away dust," but a transaction deeply hiding calculations.
As the evening lights were lit, the Golden Palace was filled with flowing colors, the aroma of wine, and melodious lute music. The atmosphere of the banquet seemed peaceful, but the real chessboard had just begun.
Chen Hui held his wine cup, Kong Fang's words still echoing in his mind—"Your return is a great fortune for everyone in the world."
These words sounded like praise, but carried an unfathomably deep meaning.
"Everyone in the world... Does this refer to the imperial court? The Ministry of War? Or... the Commercial Republic?" Lin Wanying said softly, her eyes full of deep thought.
"Since Kong Fang said these words, it means in his plan, our existence has value." Chen Hui's tone was steady, his gaze sweeping toward Kong Fang. "The question is, is our 'value' his chip, or his variable?"
"It depends on how he plays this transaction."
Lin Wanying smiled lightly, looking sideways at Kong Fang. At this time, Kong Fang was conversing softly with Fu Yunxing and Zhao Yijin. His fingertips gently turned the gold coin dart in his palm. The gold coin shimmered with a lustrous glow under the light, as if he was already weighing the true value of this banquet.
This banquet was no longer a simple welcoming, but a probe of power and interest.
While the adults clashed with words, another silent "transaction" was quietly unfolding.
"Are you Chen Wenbin?"
A crisp but shrewd voice rang out. The tone was steady and confident, lacking any of the shyness and hesitation a child should have.
Chen Wenbin turned to look and found a girl wearing a pink and white cross-collared robe, her hair in an exquisite flying-apsaras bun, standing by the table. She held a small money pouch in both hands, her eyes nimble and sharp, carrying an aura of precise calculation unsuited to her age.
She was exactly Kong Ning, Kong Fang's only beloved daughter. Though only nine years old, she had already displayed extraordinary shrewdness and commercial talent.
Chen Wenbin nodded, his tone neither haughty nor humble: "I am Chen Wenbin. And you are?"
Kong Ning smiled lightly, a flash of slyness in her eyes: "I am Kong Ning. You can call me Sister Ning."
"...You aren't much older than me." Chen Wenbin frowned slightly, his tone serious. "I won't call you sister."
"Businessmen don't look at age, they only look at who can earn more." Kong Ning said matter-of-factly. "Since you refuse to call me sister, let's compete and see who is smarter."
Chen Wenbin raised an eyebrow: "How do we compete?"
Kong Ning didn't answer, but pointed directly at a crystal-clear precious pearl at his waist. Her gaze was so precise it was as if she had already calculated its value: "That pearl is so pretty. I want it."
"No." Chen Wenbin immediately shook his head. "Father gave this to me."
"Then I'll trade something for it." Kong Ning's tone was indifferent. She then shook the small money pouch in her hand, emitting the crisp sound of clinking copper coins. "There are fifty taels of silver notes here. You can use it to buy a lot of candy, and even a whole exquisite set of stationery."
Chen Wenbin thought for a moment, then shook his head: "This pearl is worth more than fifty taels of silver."
"Smart, but not smart enough." Kong Ning smiled lightly, her eyes flashing with calculation. "Then, what if I add this?"
She took out a finely carved mechanical bird from her sleeve. Once the mechanism was activated, the bird flapped its wings and chirped softly, as nimble as a real bird.
"This is from the West, you can't buy it outside." Kong Ning smiled. "I'll use this, plus fifty taels of silver, to trade for your pearl. How about it?"
Chen Wenbin looked at the mechanical bird, an obvious hint of interest showing in his eyes.
"Do you want to trade?" Kong Ning tilted her head slightly, her tone coaxing.
Chen Wenbin hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright."
"Deal!" Kong Ning immediately took the pearl, quickly put it into her money pouch, a smug smile on her lips. "You really don't know how to do business. This pearl has long exceeded the value of the things you traded for it."
Chen Wenbin froze for a moment, then frowned: "You tricked me?"
"I didn't trick you." Kong Ning spread her hands. "You were willing to trade yourself. This is a transaction. You should learn from me how to do business without taking a loss."
Chen Wenbin looked at her. Although somewhat unconvinced, he vaguely seemed to understand that this method of "transaction" was completely different from mathematical calculation—this was a psychological and verbal game.
"...Alright, I'll learn from you."
"That's more like it!" Kong Ning happily clapped her hands, her eyes flashing with the light of victory.
Lin Wanying was dealing with Kong Fang when she suddenly noticed the interaction between the two children, a smile curving her lips.
"Sect Leader Kong, your daughter is quite shrewd."
Hearing this, Kong Fang turned to look, finding that Kong Ning had "successfully traded" and taken Chen Wenbin's precious pearl. He couldn't help but laugh: "This girl has been shrewd since she was little. Her talent for business might even be stronger than mine."
A spark of inspiration flashed in Lin Wanying's eyes. She suddenly smiled: "How about this? Since the children get along, let them play together first. We adults can also talk better."
Kong Fang listened, giving Lin Wanying a meaningful look. A moment later, he laughed loudly: "Miss Lin is indeed smart. This is a good idea."
"Ning'er, take Wenbin around, show him the Commercial Republic."
"Sure!" Kong Ning happily agreed, grabbing Chen Wenbin's hand. "Let's go! I'll take you to see how real buying and selling is done!"
As the figures of the two children gradually faded away, Lin Wanying smiled slightly, her gaze returning to Kong Fang, her tone gentle but carrying deep meaning: "This way, we can also properly discuss business."
Kong Fang gently turned the gold coin dart in his palm, his smile unchanged: "You two are indeed also brilliant merchants."
"Then please have a proper business discussion with me."
Inside the Golden Palace, the sound of music did not cease, the brilliant lights shone, and the guests still raised their cups to chat, enjoying this incredibly luxurious banquet.
However, behind this gorgeous masquerade ball, the real transaction was just beginning.
Kong Fang slightly turned the gold coin in his palm, his gaze slowly sweeping over the hall, then whispered orders to Zhao Yijin beside him: "Mr. Liu has traveled a long way. Since he worked so hard to find them, later you personally accompany him in drinking, make him feel that our Wealth Sect treats guests with honor."
"Understood." Zhao Yijin nodded gently, turning to walk toward Liu Wenzhou with a composed smile.
Following that, Kong Fang's gaze shifted slightly, looking at Shen Cuodao standing in the crowd, his tone casual: "Hall Master Shen, have your men be alert. Although Ning'er and Chen Wenbin are just children, they are our treasures. Don't let anything happen to them."
Shen Cuodao said in a low voice: "Rest assured, my men are watching in the shadows. If necessary, they will assist."
Kong Fang smiled slightly, full of meaning: "That is good."
He turned to Shang Chulian and said softly: "Chulian, I leave this place to you. Lord Chen, Madam Lin, and I have important matters to discuss."
Shang Chulian smiled gently, nodding slightly: "Rest assured, husband, I will naturally entertain the guests for you."
Only then did Kong Fang wave his hand, signaling Chen Hui and Lin Wanying to follow him.
The two exchanged a glance, both understanding—the real negotiation had finally arrived.
Deep within the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, mechanisms turned, and Kong Fang led Chen Hui and Lin Wanying into a meticulously arranged secret room for discussion.
The room possessed no resplendent decorations, but was instead arranged very simply, with only a desk and a few chairs. However, the surrounding walls were hung with detailed maps and nautical charts, and there were even several diagrams related to the mechanisms of the underground palace, among which records of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty's ruins could be clearly seen.
"This is where I truly conduct my affairs." After Kong Fang sat down, he smiled slightly, pointing to the teacups on the desk: "Lord Chen, Madam Lin, how about a sip of tea before we discuss business?"
Looking at this secret room, Chen Hui knew in his heart that this conversation was no longer the pleasantries of a banquet, but a precise commercial negotiation.
He smiled slightly: "Sect Leader Kong, since you invited us here, you must have important matters to discuss. Why not speak frankly?"
Kong Fang clapped his hands lightly, a trace of admiration in his eyes: "Good! Lord Chen is indeed straightforward, then I will speak directly."
"I want the secret of the Wind and Thunder legacy."
He gently turned the gold coin in his hand, his tone, although gentle, carrying an undeniable momentum: "Lord Chen, you have studied on that island for five years and cracked the mechanisms of the underground palace. You must have grasped quite a bit of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty's legacy."
"You should have seen the diagrams concerning the Wind and Thunder Kingdom on my wall. Our family has researched the ruins of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty in this world for many years. The legacy you have obtained, to me, is considered quite weighty in value."
"Tonight's banquet is my 'sincerity'." Kong Fang's tone was steady, his gaze deep. "This banquet is not just to wash away dust, but my deposit for you."
"Over the next few weeks, the news of the banquet will spread back to the Shuntian Dynasty. Everyone will know that you, Chen Hui, are still alive."
"However, at the same time, my Wealth Sect's chamber of commerce will blockade all information related to the Wind and Thunder Dynasty, keeping this secret temporarily only between us."
"As for public opinion..." Kong Fang's mouth curved up slightly. "I intend to make the Pirate Alliance the target of public criticism once more."
"Recently, the Pirate Alliance has snatched away quite a bit of our maritime and land trade, secretly trading with the Shuntian Dynasty. But if I spread rumors making everyone in the world believe the Battle of Qingzhou was a conspiracy by the Pirate Alliance, the Shuntian Dynasty will definitely launch a crusade."
"And this struggle will weaken the Pirate Alliance, allowing my Wealth Sect to gain a more secure commercial advantage."
Kong Fang smiled slightly, his tone confident: "This is a win-win situation. I get the secret of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty, and you—will gain a much safer journey home. But regarding the details..."
Lin Wanying and Chen Hui exchanged a glance, then smiled slightly, her tone calm: "Sect Leader Kong is indeed a smart man."
"But a smart man should know that a transaction cannot only benefit one side."
Chen Hui waved his hand, his celadon abacus beads clinking softly, his tone indifferent: "We have indeed grasped a portion of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty's knowledge, but the underground palace is not a place of martial arts legacy, but a continuation of mathematics and physics."
"If the Sect Leader truly wants to obtain the wisdom within, we can provide some of our manuscripts and notes for the chamber of commerce to copy its contents and research. But... we ourselves haven't completely cracked it, so we cannot give you all the secrets as you mentioned..."
Inside the secret room of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, the aroma of tea lingered. The surroundings were silent, yet the atmosphere in the room surged like an invisible chessboard.
Kong Fang gently turned the gold coin in his palm, a barely perceptible smile hanging on his lips, but his gaze gradually deepened.
"Lord Chen, Madam Lin," his tone was steady, yet carried an unquestionable meaning, "I am not satisfied with this transaction."
He shook his head, suddenly gripping the gold coin in his hand as if taking aim to throw it at them. His tone sank slightly: "For this deal, you need to add more chips."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying suddenly felt a surge of killing intent. They looked at each other, knowing this transaction could never be easily concluded.
"If the Sect Leader is dissatisfied, why not state your expectations plainly." Lin Wanying's tone was calm, but her gaze was sharp.
"Very well. I will speak purely on business terms!" Kong Fang smiled slightly, simply cutting to the chase. "I want the complete Wind and Thunder legacy you currently know, plus the method to crack the underground palace's mechanisms."
"Furthermore..." His fingers lightly tapped the table. "Your return to the Shuntian Dynasty will trigger political changes. Lord Chen's identity as 'Duke of Loyal Heroism' is a rare political resource."
"If you are willing to advocate for official trade with the Wealth Sect in the imperial court, establishing a closer trade relationship between the Commercial Republic and the Shuntian Dynasty, then this transaction can be considered sincere."
Hearing this, Chen Hui's heart moved slightly, finally truly understanding Kong Fang's ambition—
He not only wanted the Wind and Thunder Dynasty's legacy but also wanted to use Chen Hui to let the Wealth Sect reach an official trade treaty with the Shuntian Dynasty!
This would allow the Wealth Sect to not just dominate the Commercial Republic, but also influence the Shuntian Dynasty's economy, even dictating the wealth of the world and surpassing its current status as a regional hegemon!
"The Sect Leader is indeed shrewd." Chen Hui slowly spoke. "But in this transaction, we cannot entirely follow your arrangements."
"Since you wish for me to return to the Shuntian Dynasty to open new trade doors for the Commercial Republic, then... why don't we slightly alter the detailed conditions and demands of our transaction."
Chen Hui's tone was unhurried, his gaze calmly looking at Kong Fang: "I can add teaching my judge's brush technique to Kong Ning, and Lin Wanying will also teach her our mathematical knowledge. After all, the mechanisms of the underground palace cannot be cracked by rote memorization; one must calculate on the spot to open them. By your daughter learning this, doesn't it mean the Wealth Sect obtains the legacy of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty?"
"But in exchange, I want Kong Ning to help teach Chen Wenbin, letting him learn the business philosophies and human relations of the Commercial Republic."
Upon hearing this, Kong Fang froze slightly, then gently rubbed the gold coin dart, a flash of interest in his eyes: "Oh? What does Lord Chen mean by this?"
"Wenbin has extremely high talent, but he grew up on an isolated island and lacks true understanding of the world."
"Kong Ning is skilled in commerce and has a smooth personality. If she is willing to take Wenbin to see the world, this will be a rare learning opportunity."
"This transaction, to us, is an investment; to Kong Ning, perhaps it is also a challenge."
Hearing this, the smile on Kong Fang's lips deepened. His fingertips lightly tapped the table, seemingly pondering this extra "deal."
"This is indeed an interesting condition." Kong Fang smiled. "But Lord Chen, do you know that transactions here with me are never this simple?"
"Since you are willing to let Kong Ning teach Chen Wenbin, then why not... leave Chen Wenbin at the Wealth Sect."
As these words fell, the entire secret room fell into brief silence.
"This matter, we cannot decide immediately." Lin Wanying's tone sank slightly.
"Wenbin's future is of great importance. We need time to consider."
"Alright." Kong Fang smiled slightly, not forcing them. "I will give you one week. During this time, you can consider it clearly, and you can also observe the situation in the Commercial Republic."
"But, the opportunity only comes once."
"If this transaction succeeds, the future trade between the Commercial Republic and the Shuntian Dynasty will be changed by us."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying looked at each other, both seeing the deep thought in the other's eyes.
"Alright."
"In one week, we will give you our answer."
The morning light shone faintly through the clouds onto the streets of the Commercial Republic. The market was bustling with voices—the shouts of peddlers, the clatter of goods, and the haggling of customers intertwined to form a busy and active scene.
Here was the wealthiest place in the world, where gold and silver flowed, and commerce prevailed. There were no high walls of power, only the measure of profit.
"Keep up, don't get lost." Kong Ning held her small money pouch in both hands, her steps brisk as she shuttled through the crowd, her nimble eyes constantly scanning the goods on the stalls.
Behind her, Chen Wenbin followed carefully, his gaze darting back and forth, full of curiosity.
"The things here... seem to be so much more than on the island," he whispered, his tone showing surprise and maladaptation.
"Of course, this is the Commercial Republic!" Kong Ning said matter-of-factly. "Everything is here. The best, the most expensive, the rarest, and the hardest to buy are all here."
"Today, I will show you what real buying and selling is!"
The two came to a stall full of jewelry and jade. The peddler greeted them enthusiastically, smiling: "Young master, little miss, look at these precious jades. Every piece is crystal clear, all top-quality goods!"
"Is that so?" Kong Ning smiled, reached out to pick up a white jade pendant as warm as fat, casually flipped it over, and then put it down.
Then, she picked up another seemingly exquisite jade stone, tapped it gently with her fingertips, and handed it to Chen Wenbin: "Tell me, what's the difference between these two jades?"
Chen Wenbin examined them carefully, then shook his head: "They look about the same, both white."
Kong Ning's mouth curved up slightly: "Then try touching them."
Chen Wenbin reached out as instructed and touched the first jade—warm, fine, and smooth. But when he touched the second jade, he clearly felt a trace of peculiarity. Although smooth, it lacked warmth, as if covered by a thin layer of coldness.
"This one... is a bit cold?" Chen Wenbin said doubtfully.
"Exactly!" Kong Ning clapped her hands, smiling. "This is dyed suet jade. Real top-quality jade will warm up slightly with body heat, but this inferior good is soaked in special chemicals. Although smooth, it is not warm."
Hearing this, the peddler's face changed slightly, and he smiled awkwardly: "Little miss has a good eye..."
"Hmph, I've seen so many real goods in my father's accounting room, you can't fool me." Kong Ning snorted lightly, put the jade back in its place, and turned to leave without mercy.
"Remember, little brother Wenbin, when buying things, you can't just look at the exterior. You have to test with your hands and calculate with your brain." She spoke as she walked, her tone matter-of-fact. "Whether it's jade, cloth, or gold and silver transactions, there are never cheap good things in the world, only smart people who know how to sell!"
Chen Wenbin nodded thoughtfully. Although he didn't fully understand yet, he vaguely realized that this was different from mechanistics. The calculation here was the calculation of human hearts.
"Since that's the case, let's play a game."
Kong Ning blinked, her tone carrying a bit of slyness. "I want to see how much you have actually learned."
"What game?"
Kong Ning didn't answer, but pulled Chen Wenbin to a candy stall, casually picked up a piece of candy, and then turned to look at Chen Wenbin, her eyes flashing with shrewd light.
"Let's make a deal."
"I bought this candy for five copper coins. Now, I can sell it to you for three copper coins."
Chen Wenbin frowned: "But didn't you just say that buying things can't be cheap?"
"Haha, that depends on whether you are willing to buy." Kong Ning spread her hands. "If you don't buy, I'll eat it myself. But if you buy it now, you can spend two less copper coins than I did, and still eat candy."
"Are you willing?"
Chen Wenbin looked down at the candy, frowned tightly, thought for a while, and then shook his head firmly: "No, I won't buy it."
"Oh? Why?" Kong Ning raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying some probing. "You don't like candy?"
"No," Chen Wenbin said flatly. "It's because you must already know that the true value of this candy is less than five copper coins, which is why you dare to sell it to me for three."
"If this candy was truly valuable, you wouldn't give it up so easily."
Kong Ning froze for a moment, then smiled lightly, her eyes showing approval: "It seems you are beginning to understand the essence of transactions."
"A transaction is not about looking at the price, but looking at a person's intention."
"But you still lost."
As soon as she finished speaking, she popped the candy into her mouth, revealing a satisfied smile: "Because I still got to eat candy, and you got nothing."
Chen Wenbin was stunned for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching. For the first time, he felt that this person, Kong Ning, was really a bit difficult to deal with.
That day, Kong Ning took Chen Wenbin all over the markets of the Commercial Republic, teaching him how to recognize goods, negotiate, and probe human hearts. Every small transaction was a practical exercise in wisdom and human nature.
By dusk, the two stood on a high tower, looking at the brightly lit and bustling streets of the Commercial Republic.
"Little brother Wenbin, what do you think of this place?"
Chen Wenbin looked at the prosperity, fell silent for a while, and then whispered: "It's very different from the underground palace."
"Of course it's different." Kong Ning smiled slightly, her tone carrying deep meaning. "The rules of mechanisms are fixed, but the rules of human hearts can change."
"If you want to survive in this world, you have to learn how to understand it."
"...I will learn... Sister Ning."
Chen Wenbin's tone remained calm. Upon hearing his "Sister," Kong Ning grabbed the money pouch she loved, the corners of her eyes curving into an arc.
Inside the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, the morning sun shone through the carved window lattices onto the desk. Unfolded mathematical deduction papers and mechanism blueprints were scattered across it, like a silent clash of wisdom.
At the desk, Kong Ning was focused on a mathematical problem on the page, holding small calculation chips in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed in deep thought.
Sitting to the side, Chen Wenbin sat upright, pondering while occasionally looking up at Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, waiting for their guidance.
"This question, how do you think it should be solved?"
Chen Hui gently tapped the table, his tone steady, his gaze falling on Kong Ning's calculation chips.
Kong Ning frowned in thought. After a moment, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she moved the calculation chips: "This should be calculated using the method of surplus and deficit. If we split this quantity into the ratio of merchant caravan trades..."
As she spoke, she picked up a copper coin nearby, beginning to simulate how a caravan would distribute goods. Her method of understanding was entirely different from traditional mathematical deduction, instead using the method of trade transactions to calculate values, eventually arriving at the answer quickly.
"This should be the most effective calculation method, right?" She looked up at Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, her tone carrying a bit of confidence.
Chen Hui paused slightly, unable to help but smile: "This is indeed an interesting solution."
Lin Wanying nodded slightly, her gaze showing approval: "Using commercial calculation to understand the method of surplus and deficit, this is indeed a new perspective."
"But do you know?" Chen Wenbin suddenly interjected, "Although this calculation is fast, if you encounter plural variables, it might produce errors, because you haven't considered the time factor."
Kong Ning raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Chen Wenbin: "So what you mean is?"
"If the circulation time of the goods is different, this calculation method might lead to profit deviation." Chen Wenbin pointed at the numbers on the paper, his tone serious. "If this is a dynamic variable, you still have to use more rigorous algorithms to deduce it."
Kong Ning blinked, suddenly laughing loudly: "Alright, little junior brother, you actually have some brains."
"I am not your junior brother." Chen Wenbin frowned, his tone somewhat unconvinced. "You haven't officially become an apprentice yet either."
Kong Ning shrugged, smiling smugly: "Then let's ask the master?"
She turned to Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, asking expectantly: "Uncle Chen, Auntie Lin, are you going to officially take me as a disciple?"
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying looked at each other, both seeing the same decision in each other's eyes.
The teaching over these past few days had convinced them—Kong Ning's talent was absolutely worth cultivating personally!
She was extremely intelligent. Her understanding of mathematics and mechanistics far exceeded that of an ordinary nine-year-old, and she even began to put forward her own insights on many issues.
However, she also carried the shrewdness and slyness unique to merchants. While this way of thinking gave her an innate advantage in the marketplace, if she couldn't balance wisdom and character, she might not go far in the future.
Chen Hui slowly nodded, his tone calm but unquestionable: "Since you are willing to learn, your Auntie Lin and I will sincerely teach you."
"However, scholarship is not just a skill, but also a matter of character."
"If you want to learn, we will teach, but you also have to learn how to truly face knowledge, and not just treat it as a bargaining chip."
Kong Ning's eyes lit up, nodding without hesitation: "Of course!"
"Then—" Lin Wanying smiled lightly, her gaze falling on the two children. "Since we have taken you as a disciple, then you and Wenbin are fellow disciples."
Hearing this, Kong Ning's eyes suddenly lit up. She turned to Chen Wenbin, a smug smile on her lips: "Little junior brother, from now on, you have to listen to your senior sister."
"I don't want to." Chen Wenbin frowned, his tone somewhat unconvinced. "You just became an apprentice earlier."
"Even a step earlier makes me the senior sister." Kong Ning crossed her arms, her tone serious. "Doing business also pays attention to first come, first served."
"But this isn't doing business."
"Whether it is or not, the rule is set." Kong Ning smiled happily. "From now on, just call me senior sister!"
Chen Wenbin muttered something, but did not refute further, seemingly acquiescing to this title.
After the master-disciple relationship was established, Kong Ning's enthusiasm for learning soared. However, her personality also made the learning process full of slyness and probing.
"Uncle Chen, are you sure this math problem only has one solution?"
"Auntie Lin, the operating method of this mechanism, if I trigger it in another way, would it still work?"
"If you say mechanisms require rigor, then isn't the biggest difference between commerce and mathematics 'flexibility'?"
Kong Ning constantly raised tricky questions, sometimes even challenging their authority rather than purely seeking knowledge.
However, Chen Hui and Lin Wanying did not get angry because of this, but used the opportunity to teach her: "Mechanistics and mathematics are different from commerce. Calculations must be rigorous; you cannot win just by smooth talking."
"Sometimes, true wisdom is not making people think you are smart, but making people feel you are trustworthy."
Kong Ning looked thoughtful, nodded after a moment, and revealed a sly smile: "So, I can still use cleverness to gain trust?"
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying looked at each other, both laughing—this girl indeed needed time to guide, but at least, she was willing to learn.
This transaction, initially a chip in negotiations, had now become a true passing of the torch.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying imparted the mathematics and mechanistics of the Wind and Thunder Dynasty to Kong Ning, and at the same time, they hoped Chen Wenbin would learn human relations, allowing both children to grow through their interaction.
As for the true value of this transaction, it remained to be verified in the future.
The morning bell tolled. The Forbidden Palace of the Shuntian Dynasty was solemn and majestic under the golden morning glow, but within the Golden Throne Room, a treacherous political storm was quietly brewing.
A secret report sent from the Commercial Republic quietly reached the hands of State Preceptor Chang Jin.
He stood before the desk, unfolded the secret report, his gaze narrowing slightly. His fingers gently tapped the table. Though his face bore no expression, a cold sneer rippled in his heart.
"Chen Hui, is actually still alive..."
In an instant, past memories flooded his mind like a tide—
During the Battle of Qingzhou years ago, he and his cousin Chang Yanjiao joined forces, forcing Chen Hui into a desperate situation, plotting to let Qingzhou fall, so the Ministry of War could reclaim the battlefield under the banner of righteousness, smoothly eradicating Chen Hui, an eyesore chess piece.
However, who could have thought that this person, already titled "Duke of Loyal Heroism" and believed by everyone to be dead, would now reappear in the Commercial Republic as a living person?
This news, to him, was not a bad thing.
The corner of his mouth curved up slightly, a cold, sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Cousin, oh cousin, in taking power these years, you've belittled me in the family, causing the main branch to lose face, just because you want to seize the position of the main branch. This time, I will use the blade you forged back then."
Chang Jin quickly adjusted his mindset. To him, Chen Hui's "resurrection" was a precious blade that could be used, and if this blade could be held in his hand, it would be the best opportunity to counter Chang Yanjiao.
He quickly entered the palace, offering advice to the Emperor, his words composed but full of calculation—
"Your Majesty, back then, Duke of Loyal Heroism Chen Hui died to protect the country. Now he has miraculously returned. This is heaven's blessing upon Shuntian. He should be treated generously to show the vastness of imperial grace."
The Emperor frowned slightly. Although quite surprised by the matter, Chang Jin's following words plunged him into deep thought—
"I believe that since the Duke of Loyal Heroism is still alive, the merit of defending Qingzhou back then cannot be erased. He should be immediately recalled and appointed as Prefect of Qingzhou, allowing him to personally govern his former land, to answer the expectations of the people."
"Qingzhou is an important border town, with constant conflicts with the wokou army and the Pirate Alliance. I believe that restoring the Duke of Loyal Heroism to his position can soothe the hearts of the people and ensure local stability."
These words hit the nail on the head—Chang Jin wanted to make Chen Hui the "legitimate" ruler of Qingzhou!
Behind the dragon desk, the Emperor's eyes flickered. After thinking for a long time, he slowly nodded: "What the State Preceptor says makes sense. This matter is feasible."
Immediately, he took up his brush and issued an imperial decree—recalling Chen Hui to the capital, and appointing him Prefect of Qingzhou!
When the imperial decree was issued, the court was shaken. And upon learning of this, Minister of War Chang Yanjiao was so furious he laughed on the spot, the teacup in his hand shattering with a bang.
"What a good State Preceptor, what a good cousin..."
His face was gloomy, his gaze cold, a bloodthirsty arc hanging on his lips, "This chess move was played beautifully."
He certainly knew Chang Jin's intention—if Chen Hui truly returned to Qingzhou, even if he had no ambition, the military power and popular support of Qingzhou would ultimately gradually slip from the Ministry of War's control!
This was the State Preceptor's counterattack against him, an attempt to weaken his grasp over the world's military forces!
"State Preceptor... do you think this can stump me? For the power of the family head, would you rather suppress me than let the family grow strong?"
Chang Yanjiao sneered. He quickly adjusted his strategy, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes: "Since that's the case... I will start with Lin Wanying."
Chang Yanjiao knew very well that Chang Jin's power was deeply rooted in the palace and Shushan. However, the interior of Shushan was not a monolithic block either.
"Lin Wanying, was a Shushan disciple back then, but because she failed to complete the sect's mission, she defied her master's orders and eloped with Chen Hui..."
"Now if she returns to the capital, I will let Shushan clean house themselves."
He quickly sent people to contact several elders in the court and within Shushan, secretly applying pressure. He prepared to force the Shushan Sect to make a public stance after Lin Wanying returned to the capital, making them use "sect discipline" to weaken Chang Jin's control over Shushan, and thereby check Chen Hui.
"State Preceptor, you want to use Chen Hui against me. Then I will use Shushan against you."
The corners of Chang Yanjiao's mouth curled up slightly. This chess game had just begun...
The morning light passed through the high towers of the Commercial Republic, sprinkling on the bustling streets and endless caravans. Deep within the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, a secret report from the Shuntian Dynasty lay quietly on the desk.
Chen Hui unfolded the edict, his gaze slowly sweeping over the text on it. His heart was calm, but he knew deeply that this was the true beginning of the chess game.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—Duke of Loyal Heroism Chen Hui, for his merit in defending the land in the past, is now recalled to the court, appointed Prefect of Qingzhou, to control the military and government of Qingzhou, restore local order, and soothe the people."
This decree was not merely a simple reward, but an open and honorable conferring of power, as well as a probe and an attempt to rope him in.
"Ultimately, we still have to go back and face it." Chen Hui sighed softly, closing the edict, turning to look at Lin Wanying. "This is Chang Jin's arrangement, and also the court's move against Chang Yanjiao..."
"But the ones truly placed on the chessboard are ourselves."
Lin Wanying nodded gently, her tone calm but firm: "Returning is necessary, but Wenbin cannot go back with us."
Chen Hui's gaze was deep; this was exactly what he thought—the situation in the Shuntian Dynasty was unclear. If Chen Wenbin returned, it was highly likely he would be drawn into political disputes and become a bargaining chip for various factions.
"The Commercial Republic might be the safest place for him."
The two looked at each other, already having made their decision.
When Chen Hui and Lin Wanying explained this matter to Kong Fang, Kong Fang was leisurely playing with the gold coin dart in his hand. After hearing them out, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he smiled: "Lord Chen trusts me so much? Actually willing to leave your son here?"
Chen Hui said flatly: "This is not about trust, but the best choice right now."
Lin Wanying smiled slightly, adding: "Furthermore, we also want to inform the Sect Leader that this transaction is no longer just a simple transaction."
Kong Fang raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"
"We have officially taken Kong Ning as our disciple. This is not just because of the transaction, but because we genuinely recognize her talent."
"Her intelligence is indeed worthy of our teaching."
Hearing this, Kong Fang froze slightly, then burst into loud laughter: "Hahahaha! Then this is an unexpected harvest!"
"Ning'er has been naturally intelligent since she was a child, but she is always shrewd in calculation. To be personally taught by Lord Chen and Madam Lin, I'm afraid her future achievements will far surpass mine!"
Chen Hui continued to say: "We will leave behind detailed scrolls of mathematics and mechanistics, allowing Kong Ning and Wenbin to continue their studies."
"This knowledge might become the key to changing the situation in the future."
Lin Wanying's tone was calm, yet carried immense resolve.
"But this also means we hope the Sect Leader can take good care of both of them."
Hearing this, the corners of Kong Fang's mouth turned up slightly: "With you leaving, you are handing two future geniuses to me. I will naturally accept this favor."
"Wenbin, I will definitely treat as my own, personally arranging the best education, ensuring he can learn the most and see the widest in this Commercial Republic."
Chen Hui nodded slightly: "Then I will trouble the Sect Leader."
Kong Fang laughed loudly: "It's no trouble at all. I have taken a huge advantage in this transaction!"
However, right after his voice fell, Kong Fang suddenly smiled meaningfully, whispering: "By the way, Lord Chen, after you return to the Shuntian Dynasty, do not forget our trade transaction."
"I have high hopes for this deal."
"Naturally." Chen Hui smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Sect Leader, if official trade can be facilitated, in the future, the transactions between the Shuntian Dynasty and the Commercial Republic will not just remain in the shadows."
Kong Fang nodded slightly, then his tone suddenly slowed, smiling: "Also, I have prepared a special gift here. Once Lord Chen returns to the Shuntian Dynasty, you will naturally understand."
"I hope this gift will not disappoint you."
Chen Hui's brows moved slightly, his eyes deep: "Sect Leader Kong's gifts are never simple. I will quietly await the surprise."
The two looked at each other. Beneath their smiles, each harbored their own thoughts.
At the port of the Commercial Republic, the sea breeze blew gently. Merchant ships from afar sailed in, bringing goods from all four seas, and also sending off countless people leaving their hometowns.
By the dock, Chen Hui and Liu Wenzhou stood side by side, their gazes looking toward the distant horizon, their hearts filled with countless thoughts.
This reunion was not merely a journey to find old friends, but an intersection of fates.
"Do you still remember the first time we met?" Liu Wenzhou laughed softly, his gaze flashing with nostalgia. "In the Library Pavilion of the Holy Scholar Academy, to read more mathematical texts, you figured out a way to sneak in, only to be caught red-handed by me."
Chen Hui smiled slightly, his tone calm: "But in the end, wasn't it you who secretly kept a few books for me, allowing me to read through all the annotations of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art?"
Liu Wenzhou shook his head and laughed: "You were even crazier than me. A scholar who could actually deduce the classification method of the academy's collection through mathematical reasoning, and use the gaps between bookshelves to find hidden solitary copies..."
"At that time, I already knew that your mathematical talent was not just ordinary knowledge, but an ability that could change the situation of the world."
"The Luoshu Bead, it was also because of your recommendation that I could obtain it," Chen Hui said softly, lifting his cuff to reveal the string of celadon abacus beads hanging on his wrist.
This Luoshu Bead symbolized the highest mathematical recognition; only those who truly mastered the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art and higher arithmetic were qualified to possess it.
Liu Wenzhou sighed softly: "At the time, I only felt you were worthy, but I never expected that this abacus bead would eventually become your weapon in the Battle of Qingzhou, and also the conviction you held onto."
"If it weren't for you back then, perhaps my mathematical attainments would not have reached the level they have today."
"You also changed my life."
The two looked at each other and smiled. Over the years, through separation, war, and searching, their fates had long been intertwined.
Liu Wenzhou's smile faded slightly, his tone low: "Speaking of which, I am ashamed. During the Battle of Qingzhou five years ago, I failed to stay and live or die with you, instead leading the civilians to retreat."
"But in that battle, you saved many people. This favor, I have never forgotten," Chen Hui said slowly, his tone carrying gratitude. "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid the civilians of Qingzhou would have died in the fires of war."
"For five years, you never gave up searching for us. This friendship, I shall engrave in my heart."
Liu Wenzhou shook his head, his tone carrying a light sigh: "Friendship is mutual. Since I have found you, then moving forward, I will no longer stay out of the matter."
"I have decided to officially take the title—your master advisor (Shiye)."
Chen Hui was slightly stunned. Liu Wenzhou's lips carried a hint of a smile: "Initially, the Ministry of War and the court casually bestowed the title 'Master Advisor of the Duke of Loyal Heroism' upon me. Now that I have truly become your master advisor, this identity can be conveniently utilized."
"Now that you are returning to the Shuntian Dynasty, the court will inevitably experience turbulent changes. My identity might provide some cover for you in crises, and when necessary, deal with the officialdom on your behalf."
"Furthermore..."
Liu Wenzhou turned his head to look at the Wealth Sect's fleet on the distant dock, his tone sinking slightly: "In the future, there will inevitably be entanglements between the Wealth Sect and you. As your master advisor, I can perfectly serve as the liaison between you and Kong Fang, traveling between the two places, helping to handle the trade relationship between the Commercial Republic and the Shuntian Dynasty."
"This way, regardless of whether you are in the court or Kong Fang is in the marketplace, this line can be maintained."
Just then, a light chuckle came from not far away.
"Mr. Liu is indeed a smart man, knowing how to go with the flow."
Everyone turned their heads to look, only to see Kong Fang standing with his hands behind his back, walking over with a smile. The gold coin in his palm turned gently, his gaze full of meaningful appreciation.
"Since Mr. Liu is going to be the master advisor of the Duke of Loyal Heroism, then as a merchant, I naturally must show some courtesy."
He bowed lightly, his tone brisk: "Master Advisor Liu, please take care of us in the days to come."
Liu Wenzhou smiled slightly, cupping his hands in return: "Rest assured, Sect Leader Kong. As the 'Master Advisor of the Duke of Loyal Heroism', I naturally won't let myself hold this title for nothing."
Kong Fang laughed loudly: "Excellent!"
Immediately, his gaze turned to Chen Hui, his tone leisurely: "By the way, Lord Chen, I must remind you, after returning to the Shuntian Dynasty, do not forget our trade transaction."
"If this business succeeds, future trade routes between Shuntian and the Commercial Republic will likely far surpass any period in the past."
"Naturally." Chen Hui smiled slightly, his tone impassive. "I am also looking forward to the official trade between the Shuntian Dynasty and the Commercial Republic."
Kong Fang nodded slightly, then the corners of his mouth suddenly turned up, his words carrying hidden mysteries: "By the way, Lord Chen, regarding this return to the court, the special gift I prepared will satisfy you."
"What gift?"
"After you return to the Shuntian Dynasty, you will naturally understand." Kong Fang smiled lightly, his tone intriguing.
When everything was settled, the moment of parting finally arrived.
By the dock, Chen Wenbin stood before his parents, clenching his fists tightly. Although his eyes were firm, they still carried a trace of reluctance.
"Wenbin, remember what we said. Study hard, and wait for us to come back and pick you up."
Lin Wanying squatted down, gently adjusting his lapels, her tone gentle but firm.
"I will learn mathematics, and also commerce." Chen Wenbin said in a low voice, his eyes firm. "I will become stronger. When you return, I won't lose to Kong Ning!"
Kong Ning stood nearby, arms crossed, her tone smug: "You have to become stronger. Otherwise, you'll still have to listen to your senior sister in the future!"
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh. This personal friendship outside the transaction might also become an important bond in the future chessboard.
The sea breeze blew gently, the sailboats were ready. Chen Hui and Lin Wanying stepped onto the voyage leaving the Commercial Republic.
However, they clearly knew in their hearts that this return journey was not a return to tranquility, but stepping into another storm of power and machinations.
Kong Fang stood in his study in the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, his gaze sweeping over the precious notes and manuscripts on the desk, pondering his future layout.
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying had already left. The judge's brush technique and mathematical manuscripts they left behind were not only a wealth of wisdom for the Commercial Republic, but an incredibly rare legacy.
However, the problem followed—who would teach Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin?
Kong Fang was meticulous, knowing well that he could not bear this responsibility alone. Thus, he made two arrangements.
On the one hand, he handed the martial arts portion to Shen Cuodao, ordering him to study the judge's brush technique left by Chen Hui and teach it to Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin. Shen Cuodao had a mysterious background, and it was inconvenient to expose his past martial arts routines. The judge's brush technique was unique and rare, which perfectly helped him disguise his foundation and shape a new martial arts identity.
On the other hand, Kong Fang handed the teaching of mathematics and mechanistics to Fu Yunxing, having him study Chen Hui's mathematical manuscripts and notes, and then teach the two children alongside Liu Wenzhou. Liu Wenzhou had studied at the Holy Scholar Academy and had a solid foundation in mathematics and logic; this task was perfect for him. If necessary, he himself could also join in.
——
Shen Cuodao sat quietly on the wooden platform of the martial arts training ground, his fingertips gently stroking a pair of judge's brushes on the table.
This was the first time he truly examined this weapon. The judge's brush was different from long swords, sabers, or spears. It had no sharp edge, nor heavy destructive power. Yet, it contained a peculiar fluidity, emphasizing transformation and precision, which shared similarities with the samurai sword he had studied in the past.
"This is a good opportunity..."
He pondered.
Since coming to the Commercial Republic, he had been deliberately hiding his past, unwilling to expose any traces of his former use of the samurai sword. If he could thoroughly master the judge's brush technique, it would become part of his brand-new identity, making it impossible for people to easily trace his origins.
Over the years, he had learned countless killing techniques, but had never attempted a martial art where the brush strokes flowed, hiding calculations within.
He reached out to grasp the brush body, turning it slightly. The tip flicked lightly, making a crisp sound.
"It seems this martial art is indeed worth learning."
Behind him, light footsteps sounded.
"Mr. Shen, Father said that starting today, you will teach me and my junior brother martial arts." Kong Ning's voice was crisp and loud, carrying a bit of curiosity. "But do you really know the judge's brush technique?"
Shen Cuodao smiled slightly, standing up. His gaze fell on Chen Wenbin standing nearby.
This boy's eyes were focused and calm, entirely different from Kong Ning's nimbleness, but equally carrying a firm thirst for knowledge.
"Starting today, I will also begin learning." Shen Cuodao said slowly. "You want to learn, and I want to learn too."
Kong Ning blinked, asking curiously: "Then how are we going to learn?"
Shen Cuodao didn't answer, but raised his trembling hand—in his mind, the firelight from that night in the Moonrise Empire and the roars of pursuers suddenly surfaced. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The judge's brush in his hand quickly slashed out a stroke, cutting through the air, the wind from the brush vibrating slightly, as if to cut off thoughts of the past.
"The brush shadow is traceless, power lies in the wrist." He said in a low voice. "Since we are going to learn, let's start with this."
——
In another study, Fu Yunxing and Liu Wenzhou sat at the desk, flipping through the mathematical manuscripts left by Chen Hui.
Liu Wenzhou picked up a scroll recording the "Method of Surplus and Deficit," examined it closely, and then smiled slightly: "These mathematical deductions are indeed no small matter. Chen Hui truly is a brilliant disciple of the Holy Scholar Academy."
Fu Yunxing frowned while flipping through another scroll of records: "These teaching notes are written in extreme detail, even leaving behind parts of classroom dialogues. Judging from these contents, he isn't just teaching mathematics, but teaching how to think."
Liu Wenzhou put down the notes in his hand, turning to look at Fu Yunxing: "It seems this will be an interesting teaching experience. We two should also gain something from it."
Fu Yunxing smiled slightly, nodding: "Then let us begin."
——
From this day on, Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin began a brand new learning journey.
Shen Cuodao taught the judge's brush technique, letting the two master this martial art step by step, from brush strokes and wrist strength to practical combat skills.
Fu Yunxing and Liu Wenzhou taught mathematics and mechanistics, letting the two learn how to analyze and solve problems through mathematical deduction. Kong Fang would also sometimes appear to personally give guidance.
Every day, they were learning. Every day, they were growing.
And in this storm of learning, Shen Cuodao gradually mastered the judge's brush technique. Fu Yunxing and Liu Wenzhou found new insights in mathematics and teaching. And Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin gradually molded brand-new versions of themselves amidst the dual learning.
A year flew by. The flames of war in Qingzhou from the past had subsided, yet in the chessboard of power, the real game had just begun.
When Chen Hui and Lin Wanying returned to the Shuntian Dynasty, the Emperor formally granted an audience and officially appointed Chen Hui as the Regional Inspector of Qingzhou, commanding the military and civil affairs of Qingzhou, responsible for rectifying local order and restoring the livelihood of the people. However, the waves in the imperial court had not settled, especially since the Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao, did not entirely welcome Chen Hui's return.
After Chen Hui took office, he quickly set about rectifying Qingzhou's granaries and supplies. However, not long after, he discovered that the Ministry of War deliberately delayed allocating military supplies and grain, and even shortchanged some links, making it difficult for the Qingzhou military and civilians to receive sufficient provisions.
This was no accident, but Chang Yanjiao's handiwork.
"Making you Regional Inspector doesn't mean letting you truly control Qingzhou."
Chang Yanjiao secretly orchestrated things, attempting to plunge Qingzhou into a predicament, preventing Chen Hui from consolidating his foundation, and continuously attacking Chen Hui's governance capabilities.
One day, at the imperial court, a Ministry of War battle report was presented to the Emperor: "In one month, merchant ships in the outer seas of Qingzhou were attacked three times. The pirate ships flew banners bearing the character 'Chen'!"
Chang Yanjiao lowered his head, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
Then, he discovered something surprising—
The Minister of Revenue, Wang, stepped forward at this moment: "Your Majesty, surely this must be a conspiracy to frame Lord Chen. This is a tactic by the Pirate Alliance to sow discord in order to seize Qingzhou again. For the safety of the court and the future of our finances, my Ministry of Revenue will definitely cooperate with Lord Chen to restore stability and tax revenue in Qingzhou!"
And whenever Chang Yanjiao secretly had the Ministry of War withhold military supplies from the Qingzhou garrison, the Ministry of Revenue would quickly issue extra allocations and rations. When Qingzhou's grain and forage were delayed, the Ministry of Revenue would quickly supplement the grain merchants' allocations, even providing numerous extra trade privileges, making Qingzhou's trade routes more prosperous than in the past.
"This cannot be a coincidence."
When Chen Hui received a secret letter from Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue, he finally realized—this must be the "special gift" Kong Fang had mentioned.
——
A year ago, during that transaction in the Commercial Republic, Kong Fang not only facilitated the cooperation between Chen Hui and the Wealth Sect, but also secretly arranged an invisible path for him. Relying on financial power and influence, the Wealth Sect placed pieces within the Ministry of Revenue, pulling in Minister Wang to ensure Chen Hui would not be isolated and helpless under the Ministry of War's suppression in the court.
"The trade routes of Qingzhou are closely tied to the profits of my Commercial Republic. I can't just let you die at the hands of the Ministry of War. That wouldn't be good business."
Kong Fang rolled a gold coin in his hand, saying to the emissary before the screen: "Tell Minister Wang, the salt routes of Qingzhou belong to his Ministry of Revenue, but we already agreed on the wholesale paper trade at sea, didn't we?"
The emissary said: "Sect Leader Kong calculates well. The sound of this calculation is louder in my ears than the tide of the West Sea."
——
To repay Kong Fang's assistance, and to fulfill the promise made in the Commercial Republic, upon returning to Qingzhou, Chen Hui immediately submitted an important memorial to the court.
Policy for Opening the Seas and Trade
He suggested the court lift the maritime ban, allowing formal commercial exchanges between Qingzhou and the Commercial Republic, supervised by the Ministry of Revenue, as a supplementary source of national tax revenue. At the same time, he further proposed that the court should initiate formal cooperation with the Wealth Sect, making them the dynasty's recognized official trading partner, further developing maritime transport and enhancing the economic prosperity of the coastal areas.
However, the true key to this memorial was not just trade, but his other proposal—
Strike against the Pirate Alliance!
"The trade of the Commercial Republic should be guaranteed by stable trade routes. However, the existence of the Pirate Alliance seriously affects the order of our dynasty's seas. The court should unite with the Wealth Sect to jointly eradicate the pirate forces and restore coastal stability!"
As soon as this memorial came out, the entire court was shaken!
The Ministry of Revenue strongly supported this, because it meant a stable source of tax revenue in the future. Many naval generals also expressed agreement, after all, suppressing pirates was in the navy's interest. However, Chang Yanjiao's Ministry of War fell into silence, because this meant Chen Hui's influence would further expand, and it also proved that he did not collude with the pirates and could control coastal military forces!
With this move, Chen Hui not only opened up maritime transport for Qingzhou but also solidified his own power.
Behind the scenes of the court, Chang Yanjiao sat in his chair, his gaze gloomy. He slowly closed the intelligence report in his hands, sneering in a low voice: "Chen Hui, Kong Fang... you two played this move beautifully."
——
And far away in the Commercial Republic, when Kong Fang received the news of Chen Hui submitting a memorial to open the seas and cooperate in trade, he merely gently swirled the wine glass in his hand, a meaningful smile rising on his lips.
"Worthy of Chen Hui. He indeed did not disappoint me."
Five years slipped away quietly like flowing water. This period not only changed the situation of the world but also allowed Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin to each reveal their brilliance in scholarship and martial arts.
The First Year: Initially Testing the Blade
After Chen Hui and Lin Wanying returned to the Shuntian Dynasty, Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin entered formal instruction under Shen Cuodao, Fu Yunxing, and Liu Wenzhou.
In the study of mathematics and mechanistics, Chen Wenbin's talent had long been apparent. He had an almost instinctive intuition for numbers. Complex calculations could yield results in his mind in an instant. He could even point out the key elements beforehand while Shen Cuodao and Fu Yunxing had not yet fully understood.
However, such talent caused the older Kong Ning to feel an unprecedented sense of frustration.
She considered herself sharp-minded and quick to adapt, able to easily comprehend many fields. Yet, in pure mathematical calculation, she was always surpassed by her younger junior brother. By the time she was still deducing, Chen Wenbin had already arrived at the answer. Even Liu Wenzhou marveled at his progress.
"Why? I'm older, I should be the smarter one, right?" Kong Ning was secretly unconvinced, but could never find a way to break through.
But soon, she discovered her own advantage—her application of mathematics was far more flexible than Chen Wenbin's!
The Commercial Republic was inherently a nation that emphasized trade and calculation. Influenced by what she saw and heard, Kong Ning had been accustomed to finding ways to profit within numbers since childhood. She might not surpass Chen Wenbin in pure theory, but when these numbers were transformed into negotiations, profit calculations, and market changes in commerce, she could quickly seize opportunities and make decisions with the most practical value.
The Second Year: The Brush Shadow First Appears
Just as she gradually adapted to this competition and difference, another field made her shine brilliantly—the judge's brush technique!
No one expected that Kong Ning's talent in martial arts would manifest entirely in this delicate and unique martial skill.
Her wrists were nimble, the brush tip fast and accurate. Every attack carried clever calculation, as if she could predict the opponent's movements, making her elusive. This trait even made Shen Cuodao often feel surprised when teaching her: "This girl's comprehension is a bit too fast."
Far away in the Shuntian Dynasty, Chen Hui also learned of this through correspondence, feeling surprised. He knew deeply that the judge's brush technique emphasized balancing hardness and softness, with myriad changes. Although exquisite, it was extremely difficult to master; even many senior martial artists found it hard to control.
Yet Kong Ning could use it like a fish in water, even developing a style of her own.
Thus, Chen Hui specially designed a set of brush technique training methods tailored specifically for Kong Ning, and asked Shen Cuodao to apply them flexibly in teaching.
Although Shen Cuodao had been a samurai sword expert, his understanding of the judge's brush had deepened over the past few years. He simply integrated this martial skill completely into himself, making it his new weapon, rather than just a teaching tool.
Under such teaching and self-training, Shen Cuodao gradually developed the judge's brush technique into a more aggressive school, while Kong Ning explored her own path within it.
The Third Year: Parting Ways
Unlike Kong Ning, although Chen Wenbin was also interested in martial arts, he could never develop a true passion for the judge's brush.
This weapon was too delicate, requiring calculation and precision, while his thinking was of another style—straightforward, fierce, and unmatched.
Over these few years, his body became increasingly robust. As his arm strength and physique slowly grew, he preferred contests of strength, feeling that as long as calculations were accurate and precise, finding the right angle of attack, he didn't need excessive variations; he could just strike down the enemy directly with speed and power. This made him always feel awkward when learning the judge's brush technique.
But by a certain twist of fate, he discovered another secret of Shen Cuodao's—he also knew saber techniques!
"Teach me saber techniques." One day after training, Chen Wenbin suddenly spoke.
Shen Cuodao frowned slightly: "Aren't you practicing the judge's brush?"
"I don't like it," Chen Wenbin said frankly. "It's too delicate. It doesn't suit me."
He clenched his fists, his tone firm: "But saber techniques are different. They are direct enough, strong enough, able to cleave the opponent in one strike."
Shen Cuodao fell silent for a moment. After a flutter in his heart, he sighed and smiled slightly: "Alright, I'll teach you."
The Fourth Year: Each with Their Own Strengths
From this year on, Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin completely parted ways on the path of martial arts.
Kong Ning's judge's brush became increasingly nimble, combining offense and defense, emphasizing calculation and precision. She had gradually begun to display the aura of a top-tier martial artist.
Meanwhile, under Shen Cuodao's guidance, Chen Wenbin began to come into contact with various weapons, gradually confirming that his combat style suited heavy weapons.
Although he still practiced the judge's brush, he preferred using a saber over a brush, and even began to show interest in even heavier weapons—staffs, axes, weapons capable of exerting immense power.
"Although the judge's brush is good, it doesn't suit you. The saber is more comfortable for you, but it might not be the most suitable weapon for you either." After a certain training session, Shen Cuodao guided Chen Wenbin in wiping the edge of his blade, saying faintly, "Your strength is great enough, your strikes fast enough. If you use heavier weapons in the future, you should be able to unleash even greater power."
The Fifth Year: The Twin Gems Take Shape
Five years later, Kong Ning and Chen Wenbin were no longer the tender children of the past, but had grown into two entirely different geniuses.
Kong Ning was shrewd in calculation, excelling in the judge's brush and commercial logistics.
Chen Wenbin was fierce and decisive, possessing extremely high attainments in mathematics and mechanistics, but in martial arts, he had walked a path different from the judge's brush.
Their competition and complementarity made the future of the Commercial Republic even more unpredictable.
When they stood on the martial arts training ground again and looked at each other, their eyes no longer held childhood banter, but the recognition and rivalry of true powerhouses.
This tempering over five years eventually brought the twin gems into shape—one hard, one soft; one calculating, one forceful.
The dark chessboard had been laid. Chang Yanjiao coldly observed the situation in the court and the martial world, waiting for his prey to step into the trap step by step.
He had been planning this layout for many years, beginning the operation from the day Chen Hui returned to Qingzhou. He understood that to destroy Chen Hui, he could not strike directly, but had to gradually weaken his credibility, isolate him, and plunge him into a predicament of mass desertion, ultimately rendering him powerless to recover.
However, Chen Hui stood firm in Qingzhou, even leveraging the opening of maritime trade and cooperation with the Wealth Sect to bring the Ministry of Revenue to his side, rendering the Ministry of War's suppression ineffective. This made Chang Yanjiao realize that to completely pull Chen Hui down, he had to shift his attack to the person closest to him—Lin Wanying.
And the best means were Shushan and the Blood God Sect.
He began to spread rumors. The rumor that "Lin Wanying colluded with the Blood God Sect, and even had close ties with Blood God Sect masters" quietly appeared in the martial world.
At first, these were just martial world rumors that no one took seriously. But Chang Yanjiao knew that this stigmatizing tactic was not meant to take effect immediately, but to ferment over a long period, like a latent poison slowly eroding Lin Wanying's reputation.
As time passed, the rumors spread wider and wider. Even if many martial artists knew in their hearts that this was merely a tactic of political struggle, the Shushan interior had to face these rumors head-on.
"A Shushan disciple, actually suspected of colluding with the Blood God Sect?"
This not only affected Lin Wanying's reputation but directly shook Shushan's image. Although the Shushan Sect had close ties with the court, it was still the number one righteous sect in the martial world; reputation was paramount to it.
Therefore, when the Sect Leader of Shushan received a letter of inquiry from the Martial Alliance, he had to take action.
"If these rumors are not clarified, it will affect Shushan's prestige in the martial world." The Shushan Sect Leader's face was gloomy. "If Lin Wanying remains uninvolved, I'm afraid the outside world will think our Shushan is shielding evil-doers."
Thus, a decision was made—let Lin Wanying participate in the operation to eradicate a Blood God Sect branch, to prove she had nothing to do with the Blood God Sect.
——
This order reached Lin Wanying's ears. Her first reaction was to refuse.
She had long ceased to be a Shushan disciple; why should she still risk her life for Shushan's reputation?
However, Shushan gave her no choice.
A few days later, her master, Zhou Tianhuan, personally came to Qingzhou, bringing an order from Shushan—
"You must prove your innocence."
In that moment, a trace of coldness flashed in Lin Wanying's eyes: "I don't need to prove anything to anyone."
Zhou Tianhuan sighed: "Wanying, this matter has already affected Shushan's stance. If you don't act, Shushan will be questioned by the outside world. This not only affects your reputation, but also your master's sect."
Lin Wanying was silent for a long time, eventually whispering: "So, you are here to force me to act?"
Zhou Tianhuan did not answer. He just looked at her quietly, waiting for her decision.
She knew this trap could no longer be avoided.
Finally, she whispered: "Alright, I agree."
At this moment, Chang Yanjiao's conspiracy finally began to take effect—
Lin Wanying was dragged into the operation to eradicate the Blood God Sect branch, and this operation was exactly the moment Chang Yanjiao prepared to hunt her!
——
Chang Yanjiao designed two layered killing traps for the two of them:
Lin Wanying's Killing Trap
Lin Wanying was forced to participate in the operation to eradicate the Blood God Sect branch, forcing her to leave Qingzhou and go to the battlefield herself.
Chang Yanjiao had already sent people to infiltrate this operation. When the Blood God Sect branch was attacked, the assassins and martial artists he secretly arranged would strike amidst the chaos, setting up several ambushes, absolutely ensuring Lin Wanying would die in this battle!
These assassins came from different factions. Some were death squads he had secretly cultivated for years, some were martial artists bought off for profit. They would cooperate and act separately from the Blood God Sect. There were even some heretical disciples from within the Shushan Sect. Their mission was only one—
To make Lin Wanying die in the battle to eradicate the Blood God Sect, making everything look like she was sacrificed in the eradication operation!
And the planned Killing Trap for Chen Hui would take place after Lin Wanying left Qingzhou. Lin Wanying's absence meant that Chen Hui's closest protection was reduced, and he would be more easily plotted against due to worry. This would be a great opportunity for assassination!
Chang Yanjiao secretly hired several groups of martial world underworld figures, using the excuse of commercial disputes and conflicts among coastal factions to create a disturbance aimed at Qingzhou. The true target of this disturbance—was to make Chen Hui fall into the ambush set by Chang Yanjiao! In order to create a deadly situation for him, not only did he deploy several groups of assassins, but at the cost of yielding Qingzhou's underground forces, he hired masters from the Fist Gang to serve as ambushers. For safety's sake, he even conceded half a tenth of the next smuggling profits to ask the Pirate Alliance to send masters to assassinate Chen Hui. Chang Yanjiao wanted to meticulously lay an inescapable net, ensuring Chen Hui would definitely die this time!
——
Once this conspiracy succeeded, pushing the situation to a climax under his control, the entire chessboard of the world could return to his hands.
Chang Yanjiao stood quietly in his study, looking down at the map of Qingzhou. His gaze was like an eagle's, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
"I've played this hidden board for several years. A part of the chess game in the West has reached its conclusion. Next, I will place my pieces in the center."
He put down his teacup, turning and stepping into the darkness.
The night wind blew. The killing trap was set. Ultimately, someone would become a casualty of this war of machinations—
And this time, whether it was Chen Hui or Lin Wanying, they would have nowhere to run!
Night fell. The candlelight flickered slightly within the imperial city of the Shuntian Dynasty. In the study of the State Preceptor's Manor, Chang Jin stared at a secret report on his desk, his brows furrowed slightly.
He had received intelligence regarding unusual movements from the Minister of War, Chang Yanjiao, for several consecutive days.
Initially, he thought this was merely a new round of suppression by the Ministry of War aimed at Qingzhou. After all, Chen Hui's "Policy for Opening the Seas and Trade" had already escalated the power struggle between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to a fever pitch. But when he analyzed these actions carefully, he discovered an abnormal thread—
This didn't look like a simple court game, but more like a meticulously planned killing trap.
Several key points raised his alarm:
The spread of martial world rumors was too rapid, and all pointed towards Lin Wanying and the Blood God Sect.
Shushan was suddenly dragged into this matter, and forced Lin Wanying to join the operation to eradicate the Blood God Sect branch.
The turmoil within Qingzhou began to intensify. The unusual movements of local powerful figures and coastal merchant gangs faintly revealed signs of organization.
Piecing together this information, Chang Jin was almost certain—Chang Yanjiao was about to make a move!
At this moment, a thought surfaced in his mind: If not stopped in time, this killing trap might not only target Lin Wanying, but simultaneously take Chen Hui's life!
——
Chang Jin did not hesitate, immediately writing two urgent letters with a wave of his brush.
The first, sent to Shushan, directly into the hands of the Discipline Hall Elder Feng Daoshan.
"Lin Wanying has been plotted against. The journey to eradicate the Blood God Sect may hold murderous intent. Those sent by Shushan must be careful and must not easily trust any external intelligence. The Discipline Hall should immediately send people to supervise this matter, strictly guard against unusual movements in the martial world, and do not allow anyone to seize the opportunity to act."
The second, sent via a secret spy to Qingzhou, attempting to warn Chen Hui.
"The situation in Qingzhou is unstable, and Chang Yanjiao's movements are unusual. I fear there is a killing trap. You must strictly guard against assassination and beware of uninvited guests nearby. Be cautious, be cautious!"
He knew deeply that whether these two letters could be delivered in time would determine the life-and-death direction of this chessboard.
But even so, he still felt a trace of unease.
"I'm afraid... it's too late."
——
Far away in the Commercial Republic, Chen Wenbin of the Wealth Sect sat in the study of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion. He held a mechanical part engraved with special calculation patterns, pondering a problem of mechanical design.
However, tonight, he could not concentrate.
An indescribable chill quietly rose from the bottom of his heart, forcing him to stop what he was doing and frown slightly.
"This feeling... is it an illusion?"
He remembered this was not the first time he had this premonition.
When he was little, on the isolated island, he once had an inexplicable sense of crisis. As a result, not long after, the secluded home of him and his parents was struck by a storm and almost destroyed.
And now, this feeling had surfaced again.
He subconsciously took out his abacus, turning the beads, trying to rely on the I Ching he had learned to calculate the variables in Qingzhou and the Shuntian Dynasty in the near future. But no matter how he deduced, he could not find a clear result, as if a thick layer of fog shrouded the future.
"No... something must have happened."
His heartbeat accelerated. He suddenly stood up, walking quickly out of the study.
"Send people to gather news about Qingzhou, especially the movements of Father and Mother!"
The night wind was cold and thin. The lights outside the Golden Cauldron Pavilion reflected in his eyes, while that nameless chill made him clench his fists.
——
Inside the State Preceptor's Manor, Chang Jin looked at the night sky where the carrier pigeon had flown away, his gaze deep.
Inside the Commercial Republic, Chen Wenbin stared directly into the distance, the unease in his heart growing stronger.
And at this time, the dark tides of Qingzhou and Shushan had already surged forth.
The killing trap was gradually closing.
Night fell. In the city of Qingzhou, the wind and clouds were treacherous, and killing intent quietly brewed in the shadows.
Chang Yanjiao had already laid down an inescapable net. This meticulously planned assassination operation was not meant to be a one-strike kill, but a layered weakening, plunging Chen Hui step by step into the abyss of death.
This was not only an assassination, but a cruel calculation. He wanted to make Chen Hui have no one to rely on, isolated and helpless, ultimately dying in a situation where no one could save him!
——
Within three days, there were three consecutive assassinations. Chen Hui's life was like walking on a blade's edge; every time, someone tried to take his life.
The first wave of assassins disguised themselves as remnants of the local rebel army, ambushing on the official road of Qingzhou, launching a surprise attack while Chen Hui was inspecting coastal defenses. Swords were drawn, and killing intent rose from all sides!
"Kill him!" A black-clad assassin shouted in a low voice. Dozens of cold lights pierced the sky, sword qi fierce, killing intent dense.
However, Chen Hui waved the judge's brush in his hand. Silver light flashed, and abacus beads shot out, accurately striking the opponents' sword-wielding wrists!
"Hiss—!"
The assassins' longswords fell to the ground on the spot. Chen Hui took the opportunity to flick the abacus beads. The tip of the brush in his hand was like a sword, thrusting directly at an opponent's jugular vein. Before the opponent could react, he was heavily struck and fell to the ground.
But this battle was not a complete victory. Although he survived this assassination, several personal guards were injured, and one was even lost.
This was exactly the result Chang Yanjiao wanted—weakening the protection around Chen Hui!
Just as the first wave of assassination had subsided, the second wave of killing intent had already surfaced.
——
At night, a commercial dispute suddenly broke out in Qingzhou City. Several merchant firms fought over maritime transport routes. The dispute quickly escalated, even turning into a street brawl.
On the surface, this chaos seemed like a fight between local gangs, but in reality, it was a trap secretly orchestrated by Chang Yanjiao.
When Chen Hui personally went to handle it in order to quell the chaos, the true killing move quietly descended—
"Prefect Chen, Qingzhou is the gateway of our Fist Gang. Here will become our springboard to step into the Shuntian Dynasty."
Fist Gang master "Rakshasa Fist" Yue Hai, leading more than a dozen Fist Gang martial artists, lurked in the chaos, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Yue Hai had a burly figure, wearing heavy brass knuckles on his hands. His "Hell Combat Technique" had reached the pinnacle of perfection. The moment he stepped onto the battlefield, a suffocating killing qi filled the air.
"Power is not spoken, it is fought for! This land of Qingzhou, our Fist Gang wants it!"
Yue Hai sneered, kicking off the ground. His figure charged forward like a fierce tiger, his fists carrying violent force, striking directly at Chen Hui's chest!
"Bang—!"
A strike like an iron hammer. Chen Hui had no time to dodge. A sharp pain came from his chest, and he was forced back several steps, almost losing his footing.
"Hehe, you can't even block the first punch?" Yue Hai raised his fist, a trace of shocking blood qi still remaining on it. "Prefect of Qingzhou? Nothing more than this!"
"The Hell Combat Technique is the fist of slaughter. It specializes in breaking protective inner strength, and specializes in hitting scholars like you!"
Yue Hai approached step by step, his fists flying, attacking frantically like a violent storm!
This boxing technique had no routine to follow. Relying entirely on instantaneous muscle explosion and ultimate destructive power, it was almost unpredictable!
Enduring his injuries, Chen Hui quickly calmed down, calculating the pattern of his opponent's movements, trying to find a flaw!
"...No, his attacks have a rhythm."
Yue Hai's "Hell Combat Technique" was not without a trace. After every set of attacks, there was an extremely brief charging motion!
"As long as I seize that instant..."
"Come on! Take another punch!"
Yue Hai laughed loudly, sweeping his fists, like twin dragons going out to sea, fiercely striking towards Chen Hui's head!
But right at this moment, Chen Hui sneered. He fiercely swung his judge's brush, and the abacus beads shot out rapidly!
"Smack!"
An abacus bead struck a joint on Yue Hai's shoulder!
"What—?" Yue Hai's figure stalled slightly, a minute sluggishness appearing in his movements.
"Now!"
Chen Hui pivoted on his foot, stepping close sideways, an incredibly precise brush tip striking directly at Yue Hai's temple!
"Buzz—!"
Yue Hai's vision instantly swayed, his body losing balance, staggering backwards!
"Time to end this!"
Chen Hui seized the moment, his twin brushes crisscrossing. One brush swept towards Yue Hai's neck, the other struck his heart!
"Pfft—!"
Yue Hai staggered several steps, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. Finally unable to hold on, he fell heavily to the ground!
——
Although Chen Hui successfully defeated the Fist Gang master, this battle caused him to suffer serious internal injuries, and this was only part of the killing trap!
When he came to his senses, panting, the firelight in the streets gradually went out, while in the distance, lurking in the darkness, there was still countless hidden killing intent...
The night was deep and dark. The city of Qingzhou was silent, yet within the Chen Manor, dark currents surged, and killing intent had arrived.
After the continuous assassinations, Chen Hui finally realized that the mastermind behind this killing trap must be Chang Yanjiao! Besides him, who else could hire so many assassins and masters in such a short time, and mobilize troops to pin down his personnel and operations?
He lay in the study, his wounds still unhealed, yet he continued to write tirelessly. He knew that this slaughter was not yet over; he was still trapped in a deadly situation.
"Liu Wenzhou... I hope you can make it back..."
Although he had already sent someone to deliver a letter notifying Liu Wenzhou to bring people for support, he already had a premonition that his chances of surviving were slim.
——
At midnight, killing intent struck suddenly!
A team of black-clad assassins infiltrated the Chen Manor like phantoms. Blades flashed, and the guards engaged them without hesitation.
"Protect the Lord!"
However, these assassins were all extraordinarily skilled. Sword light and arrows crisscrossed, the sounds of slaughter shaking the night sky.
"Lord Chen, it's no longer safe here, quickly go!"
"Qingzhou cannot be without you!"
Blood dyed the courtyard red. The loyal personal guards fell one by one. Knowing they were outmatched, they still fought desperately to protect the Prefect they revered!
Just as the last guard mistakenly thought all enemies had been eradicated—
"Bang—!"
A gunshot rang out. A dark figure flashed from the shadows. A headshot! The last personal guard crashed to the ground!
Black mist permeated, the smell of blood filling the night air. A cold voice sounded—
"Prefect Chen, this game... should end now."
Stepping on the blood of the dead, the Pirate Alliance's "Undead Hunter" Viego walked out slowly.
He held a gun in each hand, his figure elusive, uncatchable like a ghost. Killing intent surged like a tide!
"You are... 'Undead Hunter' Viego? Chang Yanjiao could actually hire you?"
"That's right," Viego smiled slightly, his twin guns spinning nimbly between his fingers, flashing with cold metallic light. "I am the undead, and you, tonight, will die under the gun of the undead."
Before his voice faded, his figure vanished instantly!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Gunshots rang out continuously. Viego's marksmanship was extremely fast. Twin guns crisscrossing, he shuttled through the night like an undead, bullets attacking from all sorts of bizarre angles, blocking all avenues of retreat!
Enduring the severe pain, Chen Hui dodged, the abacus beads spinning rapidly, calculating Viego's movement trajectory amidst the gunfire!
"...His footwork is not unsolvable."
Chen Hui observed calmly, finally discovering the key—
Although Viego's movements were bizarre like a ghost, his gunplay still required finding the best angle in an instant, and that brief pause was his only flaw!
"Not bad, to actually hold on until now."
Viego murmured, raising his twin guns. His figure instantly turned into afterimages, black mist permeating, countless phantoms crisscrossing in the night!
At this moment, he unleashed his self-created gunplay—
"Undead Phantom Gun Dance!"
Gunfire erupted from all sides, phantoms crisscrossed, gunshots thundered, killing intent running rampant!
This strike made it impossible for Chen Hui to completely dodge. Several gunshot wounds grazed his body, blood instantly dyeing his robes red!
"Bang—!"
The last shot struck Chen Hui directly in the abdomen. He ultimately couldn't completely avoid it, heavily wounded and falling to the ground!
Viego stopped his movements, slowly approaching, aiming the muzzle at his forehead.
"A pity, Prefect Chen. No matter how smart you are, you cannot escape the hunt of the undead."
However, in the next instant, a smile appeared at the corners of Chen Hui's mouth.
"You miscalculated."
As his words fell, Chen Hui fiercely swung his judge's brush, abacus beads shooting out!
"What—?"
Viego's muzzle trembled, his figure stalling slightly!
It was in this instant that Chen Hui, enduring the severe pain, fiercely leaped up, his judge's brush thrusting directly at Viego's throat!
"Pfft—!"
Blood splattered, Viego's figure suddenly stiffening!
However, just as Chen Hui thought this battle had ended, black mist suddenly permeated—
Viego's figure slowly dissipated, actually turning into nothingness like a ghost!
"I am the undead... I am immortal..."
A bone-chilling voice echoed in the night, like an endless curse.
——
Under the night sky, Chen Hui knelt alone in a pool of blood, his wounds gushing blood. Holding on with his last ounce of strength, he finally awaited Liu Wenzhou.
"You're here..."
Seeing him so heavily injured, Liu Wenzhou was deeply shocked, hastily stepping forward to support him: "Chen Hui! How could..."
"Listen to me..."
Chen Hui's voice was weak but still firm. He placed the notes he had spent years deciphering the final layer of the Wind and Thunder Underground Palace into Liu Wenzhou's hands.
"These... take them to Chen Wenbin... tell him... the future is for him to choose..."
Liu Wenzhou gripped the notes tightly, his eyes reddening: "You hand them to him personally! We can definitely save you!"
However, Chen Hui gently shook his head. He knew he had reached the end of his life.
"Lastly... tell Lin Wanying... we were designed into a trap... tell her to be careful..."
His last bit of strength finally gave out. A bitter smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, whispering softly—
"This chess game... ultimately... has reached the endgame......... Wanying...... Wenbin..."
As his words faded, Chen Hui slowly closed his eyes. Between heaven and earth, there was only the night wind and the unextinguished starlight in the distance.
Liu Wenzhou knelt on the ground, clenching his fists tightly, anger and sorrow intertwining in his chest.
At this moment, the story of the Prefect of Qingzhou reached its most tragic final chapter—
Mount Wu, a steep mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, was now immersed in the night rain.
Thunder rolled. Mount Wu Town was enveloped by darkness and heavy rain. Rainwater pooled into streams on the streets. Lightning flashed from time to time, illuminating the entire small town like a ghost realm.
When the Shushan crusade team led by Zhou Tianhuan arrived here, the night was already deep. The Mount Wu branch of the Blood God Sect was hidden within this mountain range. They originally planned to climb the mountain the next day for the crusade. However, they didn't know that this bloody battle would arrive early.
"The weather isn't right..."
Standing by the window of the inn, Zhou Tianhuan looked towards Mount Wu, his brows tightly furrowed. Thunderclouds rolled, the aura between heaven and earth carrying a bizarre killing qi, causing a premonition of unease to rise in his heart.
And his premonition quickly came true—
——
At midnight, wind and rain intertwined. The torrential rain beat against the roof tiles, as if to swallow the entire small town.
Right at this moment, a low Sanskrit chant sounded. Blood God Sect talismans emerged in the dark night. A cloud of dark red mist permeated around the inn, quietly seeping into the rooms of the Shushan disciples.
"Enemy attack!"
The Shushan disciples flipped up alertly. Yet in the next instant, countless blood shadows broke through the windows. Blades flashed, killing intent running rampant!
"Blood God Sect!"
In the dark night, the disciples and assassins of the Blood God Sect poured in like a tide, wielding bizarre blood fiend palms and cursing talismans, launching a fierce attack on the Shushan crusade team!
"Sword Array—Rise!"
The Shushan disciples reacted extremely quickly, rapidly forming the "Seven Stars Imperial Thunder Sword Array" in the chaos. Sword qi crisscrossed, building an iron-like defense line!
"Kill!"
The Blood God Sect assassins attacked for several consecutive waves but could not break the sword array, and could only continuously take turns probing, waiting for a flaw.
——
Outside the inn, Zhou Tianhuan was already fighting the Blood God Sect Branch Master, "Blood Drip Hand" Wuxi!
Wuxi was entirely wrapped in blood fiend qi, his hands scarlet like ghost claws. He executed the Blood God Sect's supreme killing move—the "Thousand Fiends Blood Rending Palm." Every palm strike brought up stormy blood-colored palm force, causing the surrounding ground to shatter continuously!
"Zhou Tianhuan! Your Shushan's Thunder Magic cannot break my Blood God Sect's Blood Fiend!"
"Is that so?"
Zhou Tianhuan snorted coldly, "Purple Firmament Sword Thunder!"
Thunder light exploded, sword qi crisscrossing. Thunder magic intertwined within the sword momentum, instantly slashing open Wuxi's blood qi, the power of thunder striking directly at his opponent's chest!
Wuxi abruptly retreated, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
The two fought to a standstill. Thunder light and blood shadows crisscrossed. Between heaven and earth, it seemed only this earth-shattering duel remained!
——
On the other side, Lin Wanying was besieged by the Blood God Sect Deputy Branch Master and a masked master.
The opponents' saber shadows were like lightning, their palm strikes bizarre, their moves swift and fierce. Every attack blocked her escape route!
However, Lin Wanying was not flustered at all. Her eyes were calm, her mind continuously calculating the rhythm and flaws of the enemies' attacks—
"Three moves, one change, gap on the left diagonal side..."
"Offensive transition requires a 0.5-second interval..."
"Whoosh!"
Her figure flashed, instantly dodging the combined attack of the two. The longsword in her hand reversed, a sword light thrusting back, striking directly at the masked master's throat!
"Damn it—!"
The masked master retreated in horror, a look of disbelief appearing on his face.
"How is it possible? How can she predict my movements?"
Lin Wanying didn't speak. Her sword edge flowed, suppressing the two, gradually gaining the upper hand!
——
Just as the Shushan Sect and Lin Wanying were about to stabilize the situation, a much stronger killing intent suddenly descended!
"Boom—!"
Four dark figures descended from the sky, charging into the battlefield with devastating momentum!
"Who's there!"
The Shushan disciples were horrified, but were crushed by these four masters in an instant. Several were heavily injured on the spot, the sword array shattering with a bang!
"These people... are not from the Blood God Sect!"
Lin Wanying looked in shock at these four suddenly appearing masters. Their cultivation methods were messy, but obviously not the Blood God Sect's style. Yet they were able to fight alongside the Blood God Sect. This was clearly someone deliberately sending support to the Blood God Sect!
And just as she grew vigilant, a woman in night-walking clothes quietly sneaked near, her speed bizarre, silent like a ghost!
Lin Wanying's heart jolted, but it was too late to dodge. The opponent landed a sneak attack palm strike directly on her back!
"Pfft—!"
"The Kaga Clan's Shadowless Invisibility...?"
Lin Wanying staggered backwards, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, her face changing abruptly.
"Why would the Kaga Clan join forces with the Blood God Sect?!"
She questioned loudly. However, the black-clad woman merely sneered without answering. Her figure plunged back into the darkness, disappearing like a ghost.
——
Lin Wanying, injured, retreated back to the battle circle where the Shushan disciples were. The situation had gradually tilted in an unfavorable direction.
However, the true desperate situation had just begun.
As she prepared to fight again, a heavily burdened Shushan disciple slowly approached her, his eyes full of pain and struggle.
"Senior Sister... I'm sorry..."
"Huh?"
Before Lin Wanying could react, the opponent suddenly drew his sword and fiercely stabbed her abdomen!
"Pfft—!"
The sword blade pierced her body, blood sliding down the blade. Lin Wanying's pupils shook violently, her body trembling slightly. She turned back in disbelief to look at that disciple.
"Why...?"
That disciple looked pained, his eyes reflecting an unerasable gloom and fear. He whispered: "Someone once said... I must take your life to exchange for the lives of my entire family..." His tone was full of helplessness and sorrow, as if every word was piercing his soul.
"I... had no choice... I'm sorry..." After saying this, he raised his hand with difficulty, suddenly striking the top of his own head backhanded. His body immediately lost support, slowly falling, quietly closing his eyes.
Blood spilled from the corner of Lin Wanying's mouth. Her eyes revealed shock, pain, and a trace of desolation.
At this moment, she finally understood—this was not just an attack by the Blood God Sect, but a larger conspiracy, a conspiracy that dragged both her and Shushan into the abyss!
"Why go to such lengths........."
She whispered softly, her gaze cold and desperate.
The wind and rain did not cease. The night of Mount Wu, dyed red with blood, became a true night of blood...
At the peak of Mount Wu, heavy rain poured, lightning flashed and thunder rolled, illuminating the residual shadows of the fallen Shushan disciples.
Lin Wanying was heavily injured, blood dripping along her sword blade onto the muddy ground. The Shushan disciples suffered heavy casualties. Blood mixed with rainwater, converging into red streams on the mountain path.
"Hahahaha!"
Blood God Sect Branch Master "Blood Drip Hand" Wuxi stood outside the encirclement of the Shushan disciples, a mocking smile on his lips. His entire body was shrouded in blood fiend qi, his hands refined into scarlet, demonic palm shadows.
"Surrender, Shushan has no chance of winning! Today, Mount Wu will be your burial ground!"
He looked around, his tone gloomy and cold: "Aren't you who call yourselves righteous tired of carrying false benevolence and righteousness? Why risk your own lives to protect those who are definitely going to die? Kneel quickly, offer sacrifices and surrender your souls, and you can join and become the glory of the Blood God Sect!"
Zhou Tianhuan gripped his sword hilt tightly, his gaze sharp like a blade, entirely unmoved.
Although the Shushan disciples were heavily injured, no one responded. They stood behind Zhou Tianhuan. Even though their bodies were stained with blood, their swords had not yet broken, their knees had not yet knelt.
"Idiots dreaming!"
Zhou Tianhuan shouted angrily, "Shushan disciples, would rather die than surrender!"
Wuxi's smile stalled, his eyes cold and sharp. The Blood God Sect disciples beside him surged forward again, pressing closer to the Shushan crowd step by step.
And on the other side, several black-clad, expressionless masters stood quietly in the darkness. They had not yet made a move, but gave off an incredibly oppressive sense of threat.
These people had nothing to do with the Blood God Sect. Their target was someone else—
Lin Wanying.
——
"Elder, you don't need to care about us. We can't escape, but you can leave, and avenge us later!"
"We already have no way of retreat. Shushan cannot be without you!"
The disciples shouted, blood dyeing their sword edges red. They knew that in this battle, no matter what, they would hardly survive. Zhou Tianhuan's departure could at least notify their fellow Shushan disciples and help them seek revenge in the future!
However, Zhou Tianhuan merely shook his head. His eyes were firm as a mountain, yet revealed a trace of unavoidable determination.
"How could the sword of Shushan's 'Soaring Cloud Sword' abandon Shushan disciples to live alone?"
At this moment, he closed his eyes. Over sixty years of accumulated noble righteousness tumbled and surged within his body. In the face of life and death, he decided—
Burn his life, to forge a glimmer of survival!
"Five Thunders Orthodox Magic—Ascension Technique!"
Boom—!
Thunder burst in the sky. Thunder light condensed into form on his sword blade. Violent sword qi merged with the thunder, making his entire being seem to transform into a descending Sword Immortal of Thunder!
His aura doubled at this moment. He was like the core of a storm, his white robes fluttering in the thunder light, his sword qi like roaring thunder!
"Kill!"
Zhou Tianhuan swung his sword. A massive phantom of a thunderous sword descended from the sky, crashing down and cleaving open the Blood God Sect's encirclement!
Wuxi's pupils shrank violently, his footsteps retreating: "How is it possible—this is a forbidden technique that burns one's lifespan!"
However, Zhou Tianhuan had disregarded everything. His sword swept across all directions, leading the remaining Shushan members, striking down enemies while retreating with the force of a thunderbolt!
——
The violent thunder slashed through the Blood God Sect's front lines. The Shushan disciples gritted their teeth and followed closely, finally carving out a bloody path amidst blood and mangled corpses!
But, when they recovered their senses, they discovered—
They had nowhere to retreat. They were standing on the cliff of Mount Wu!
Below was a thousand-zhang abyss, filled with dense fog, the bottom unseen. There was simply no way to retreat further!
The Blood God Sect assassins and the Kaga Clan assassins pressed closer step by step. They had no choice but to fight to the death!
——
Lin Wanying was heavily injured, unable to fight anymore, but she still gritted her teeth and held on, holding her longsword, standing guard among her fellow disciples.
However, the Kaga Clan assassins had never given up pursuing her!
"Die, Lin Wanying!"
Several shurikens broke through the air, mixed with the explosions of fire thunder talismans. She was powerless to dodge, her entire body flying backwards under the impact of the flames and shurikens, blood gushing wildly from multiple wounds all over her body!
"Hahahaha, you're still not dead like this?"
The black-clad woman of the Kaga Clan chuckled lightly, her hands forming a seal. Blazing flames emerged in her palms. This was the Kaga Clan's strongest "Blazing Explosion"!
"Killing you is finally worth the reward of this transaction."
She struck out with a palm, the flames instantly wrapping around Lin Wanying's abdomen—
"Boom—!!"
The flames exploded, blood splattering!
Lin Wanying's figure was blasted away by the flames, her entire body thrown straight into the canyon abyss!
"Wanying!!!"
Zhou Tianhuan abruptly turned his head, but it was too late to act. He could only watch helplessly as her figure, engulfed in flames, plummeted to the bottom of the thousand-zhang cliff!
——
"Kill!"
Just as the remaining Shushan disciples were on the verge of destruction, a sharp shout resounded through the clouds—
"The Shushan Discipline Hall is here!"
Discipline Hall Elder Feng Daoshan leading the Shushan reinforcement troops finally arrived!
"Shushan disciples, kill!"
With his command, the Shushan disciples instantly rallied. Seeing this, the Kaga Clan assassins immediately retreated from the battlefield. The Blood God Sect, seeing the Shushan reinforcements arriving, also knew they couldn't wipe out the opponents today. Wuxi sneered, flicked his sleeves, and said:
"You got lucky today! We will fight another day!"
He glanced down the cliff, his eyes gloomy and cold: "She is dead. We fulfilled that person's request, so now he owes us. Hehehe, the Cult Master should be free of another restriction, the Holy War is near!"
Immediately, he led the remaining Blood God Sect members and quickly retreated.
——
After the Blood God Sect retreated, the Shushan disciples finally had time to recover their senses. However, Zhou Tianhuan remained motionless.
He stood by the edge of the cliff, looking at the night sky pressed down by black clouds. The violent wind roared, as if the entire Mount Wu was wailing.
His body trembled slightly. His hands clenched into fists, fingernails piercing his palms, yet he remained oblivious.
"Wanying..."
His gaze pierced through the wind and rain, looking into the bottomless darkness, his heart a dead silence.
——
Once his proudest and most beloved disciple, had now fallen into the abyss, her life or death unknown.
At this moment, Zhou Tianhuan knew he had lost her.
"Wanying...... Was I wrong........."
The heavy rain continued to fall, the thunder deafening. The entire Mount Wu seemed to sink into endless sorrowful wailing.
And he could only stand silently by the edge of the cliff, watching the darkness swallow everything...
Liu Wenzhou rode his horse at a gallop on the official road leading to Mount Wu. The night wind was like blades, slicing across his cheeks, yet it was far less than the anxiety and unease in his heart.
He was late.
When he met the Shushan disciples on the way, those heavily injured swordsmen all looked sorrowful, their eyes full of guilt and helplessness.
"Wanying..."
When he heard the news that Lin Wanying had fallen into the abyss of Mount Wu, her fate unknown, he only felt a shock in his heart, a chill penetrating his bone marrow.
"Why didn't you protect her!?"
Liu Wenzhou angrily questioned Zhou Tianhuan, his voice carrying uncontrollable sorrow and blame.
"I... did my best."
Zhou Tianhuan said in a low voice, his tone carrying an indescribable agedness. His eyes were exhausted, his face pale, his entire being seeming to have aged ten years.
"Ascension Technique?" Liu Wenzhou stared at him, his heart jolting violently, finally understanding Zhou Tianhuan's condition.
Burning over sixty years of cultivation and lifespan, his martial arts were completely ruined.
Liu Wenzhou clenched his fists tightly, anger and sorrow intertwining in his chest. Ultimately, it could only turn into a long sigh.
"I arrived too late..."
——
"Wanying... left this notebook, asking me to give it to Chen Wenbin if anything unexpected happened."
Zhou Tianhuan took out a blood-stained notebook from his robes, slowly handing it to Liu Wenzhou.
"She said these records might help him go further."
Liu Wenzhou took the notebook. The moment he opened it, his fingers trembled slightly.
Recorded inside were exactly Lin Wanying's deductions, mechanistics notes, and martial arts insights over the past few years. She once said that mathematics and martial arts were no different. And this notebook was perhaps her final gift to Chen Wenbin.
"Is she really dead?" Liu Wenzhou asked in a low voice, his voice sounding like he was forcibly holding onto a hope that refused to be shattered.
Zhou Tianhuan was silent for a moment. Ultimately, he merely looked towards the bottomless cliff of Mount Wu, clenching his fists tightly amidst the heavy rain, and whispered:
"Her life or death is no longer up to us."
He looked at Mount Wu in the thunderstorm, as if wanting to imprint this mountain peak that had swallowed his proudest disciple. Then he turned around, walking slowly towards the direction of Shushan.
"I am powerless to fight anymore. From now on, I will retreat into Shushan, studying the Daoist scriptures, never to emerge until death."
This Shushan Thirteenth Elder had decided to stay away from the martial world from then on.
——
When the news reached the capital, Minister of War Chang Yanjiao sat in his flickering candlelit study, holding a newly delivered secret letter in his hand, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.
"Chen Hui is dead, Lin Wanying died without a burial place."
He laughed, laughing heartily, laughing wantonly.
This chess game had finally concluded.
The Qingzhou strategy was set, this time it finally went according to his plan. The general trend of the world was already in his grasp!
"Loyal official, a man who loved the people, ultimately still threw his life away for nothing."
His voice carried a faint sigh, yet without the slightest bit of pity.
"In this world, ultimately, it is the smart people who live the longest."
He slowly stood up, walked to the bookshelf, reached out and took down a dust-covered booklet, looking at the map of the Shuntian Dynasty and surrounding areas hanging nearby.
Next, his goal was bigger. It was not just Qingzhou, but to take another step up in the court, hijacking imperial power, and even the authority of State Preceptor Chang Jin!
"This time, the Mandate of Heaven should be on my side. This is a giant step for me in taking power over the world."
——
State Preceptor's Manor
When State Preceptor Chang Jin received the news of Chen Hui's death, he merely quietly closed the report in his hands, his eyes slightly closed, speechless for a long time.
"Ultimately, still too late?"
He knew deeply that Chen Hui's death represented not just the fall of a loyal official and a man who loved the people, but represented another imbalance of power between the Ministry of War and the court.
Qingzhou would fall into the hands of the Ministry of War, and Chang Yanjiao's ambition could probably no longer be suppressed!
"If Qingzhou is lost, the factions in the court will lose balance again. This is unfavorable to His Majesty's control."
He slowly got up, soon entering the inner hall of the imperial palace, speaking slowly to the Emperor who was deep in thought sitting in the study:
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has controlled Qingzhou. I'm afraid the overall situation of the court will experience variables. How to counterbalance this requires deep thought."
The Emperor frowned tightly, his gaze flickering under the candlelight.
"State Preceptor, what you mean is..."
"Chang Yanjiao's next step will be to seize even more authority from your hands."
At this moment, the Emperor revealed a look of apprehension, raising the corners of his eyes to look at Chang Jin: "Then according to the State Preceptor, how should we respond?"
Chang Jin said slowly: "Retreat to advance, lure the snake out of its hole."
"If he wants to control Qingzhou, let him take a step further, and then... at the most critical moment, completely crush him."
The Emperor's eyes gradually turned cold and sharp, his fingers gripping the dragon desk tightly. A purple aura emanated from his body, producing an obscure force field within five feet. After a long time, he finally nodded slowly.
"What the State Preceptor says is reasonable, I understand. It is time to notify them to take action........."
——
Under the night sky, Liu Wenzhou spurred his horse wildly, clutching a few notebooks of Chen Hui and Lin Wanying tightly in his arms. The sound of the wind whistled past his ears, his fists involuntarily clenching.
These two plots of machinations and slaughter ultimately took away his old friends. But he knew there was still one person who did not know all this, and was waiting for him—Chen Wenbin. He had to know everything that had happened, had to know the truth behind this slaughter and calculation.
In the distance, the night was heavy. The thunderstorm on Mount Wu had ceased, but the entire martial world, in the not-too-distant future, would become even more confusing and unpredictable because of the events of these past few days.......