pertwk Chapter 2329 Finally Delivered
Chapter 2329 Finally Delivered
Chapter 2329 Finally Delivered
Du Shan stopped pursuing the matter and turned to look at the scenery of Jucheng below the mountain: "Is this Fifth Sister's first time in Jucheng?"
“Yes. I’ve served Jiuyou for eleven years, always on assignments, and this is the first time I’ve returned to the capital,” Mei Wuniang exclaimed. “I didn’t realize Cang Yan was doing so well.”
Her hometown has become so beautiful.
“It is because of countless people like Wu Niang who have devoted themselves to it, even sacrificing their lives, that Shan Jin has achieved its current prosperity.” Du Shan’s gaze fell on her hands.
After more than ten days of recuperation, Mei Wu Niang's hands have not yet recovered.
He then added, "I have already summoned the imperial physicians, who will surely restore your hands to their original state without any problems."
Mei Wu Niang nodded, then looked down at her hands: "Where is the Emperor?"
"I went into seclusion a month ago, and it will be quite some time before I can come out."
"The wax pill that the Emperor gave me was given to the Demon Emperor of Bekaa by Nie Xiaolou, which is why I was able to come back."
"Please sit down." Du Shan sat down first on the stone chair. "I would like to hear the details."
Mei Wu Niang then began by recounting the death of the Heavenly Palace's Chief Envoy, the series of unexpected events that followed, and how she finally managed to leave Bei Jia alive.
They talked for more than 45 minutes in total.
Du Shan's expression grew increasingly grave as he listened.
Finally, he sighed, "Nie Xiaolou is no ordinary person, having taken over Qingyang's team. In recent years, the outside world's evaluation of him has been rather low."
Now, we've come to that crucial question again:
"So, did you manage to uncover the fourth secret?"
Mei Wu Niang blinked: "Then I'll trouble Prime Minister Du to prove that you are you, that this is not a dream, and that this is not yet another trap set by Nie Xiaolou!"
How can she possibly distinguish between truth and falsehood?
If she falls for Nie Xiaolou's tricks this time, all her previous hard work will be for nothing.
The enemy is strong and we are weak. She can beat Nie Xiaolou two, three, or even ten times, but Nie Xiaolou only needs to beat her once.
Du Shan looked at her, a slight pity rising in his heart.
This is not only because Mei Wuniang is gentle and beautiful. Du Shan has never been a kind person, but seeing her racking her brains and planning every step of the way, yet living in constant doubt about reality and illusion, he still felt a little sorry for her.
The burden on her shoulders was far too heavy.
"Alright, what kind of proof does Fifth Sister need?"
Mei Wu Niang had already thought about this question: "Tell me something I don't know, and let me hear it."
Since Nie Xiaolou used the soul-searching technique on her, he must have also peeked at her past memories, so the coded message is no longer reliable.
If she doesn't even know, how can she verify his words? That's the contradiction and the difficulty.
However, this did not stump Du Shan.
"It just so happens that His Majesty has something to tell you." Du Shan paused only slightly before smoothly continuing, "Ju City is building the Hall of Merit and Glory, modeled after the Pantheon in the Heavenly Palace. However, the Pantheon enshrines false gods, while the Hall of Merit and Glory records the heroes of the nation. The various prefectures and counties of Cangyan are also compiling their local genealogies, bestowing upon the righteous and heroic the glory they deserve. His Majesty said that thirteen years have passed since the founding of the nation, and the deeds of the Dragon God War and the previous heroes of the Shining Gold should be recorded in history and remembered by future generations. For example, the Local Loyal and Brave Records submitted by Xike three months ago included the deeds of Tu Shanfang and Huang Chengqi. Have you heard of Tu Shanfang?"
“I’ve heard so much about him.” Mei Wu Niang replied without hesitation, “He’s a hero of the defense of Miancheng. I heard about him back in Julu Port.”
“That’s right.” Du Shan continued, “The Martyrs’ Shrine in Bo County is almost finished, and the list of martyrs to be displayed there will be sent to me. There’s one of them you’re sure to recognize. Want to guess who it is?”
Mei Wu Niang suddenly felt a lump in her throat. How could someone as intelligent as her not have guessed it?
“Mai…Mai Liansheng?” Her right hand instinctively clenched into a fist. “My father?”
Her father, Mai Liansheng, was a founding hero of the Bo Kingdom, a capable ruler who brought great benefits to the people. However, the King of Bo, fearing his popularity, used a pretext to kill his entire family, with only Mai Miao, also known as Mei Wuniang, surviving. The people of Bo Kingdom missed Mai Liansheng and often risked imprisonment to secretly burn paper money for him.
"That's good. The carving of the statues at the ancestral hall will begin next month. Would you like to go and offer your guidance?"
"Alright." Mei Wu Niang loosened her fist and said in a daze, "I can't really remember what Father looks like anymore."
Mai Liansheng was murdered when she was a child, and more than 20 years have passed since then.
“It’s alright. The image in your heart is the image that Mai Gong should have.” Du Shan finished speaking quickly, then circled back to the topic, “So, can this message prove that I am me?”
Mei Wuniang looked Du Shan up and down a few times, slowly calming herself down.
Yes, she should make a judgment.
She took a deep breath before saying, "You should be true."
Du Shan asked curiously, "How do you know?"
“If this is the Du Xiang transformed from Nie Xiaolou’s nightmare, he will definitely try his best to empathize with me. Because when people are emotional, they are more willing to trust others.” She smiled brightly. “Only the real Du Xiang is businesslike and never goes back to his profession.”
She talked so much today, even recounting her torture in detail. Did Du Shan comfort her?
No.
Instead, he praised Nie Xiaolou.
Du Shan is ruthless and highly goal-oriented, but he lacks empathy, which is exactly how he should behave.
Du Shan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and gave a wry smile.
Now, there's one more person who dares to mock him to his face.
"It was just a joke." Mei Wuniang then stopped smiling and said seriously, "Even if Nie Xiaolou can steal my past memories, he can't connect them together, and he doesn't know what I really care about. I believe the matter of building a shrine in Bo County is true, because eleven years ago, officials from Bo County went to the people to collect stories of the Mai family and compile them into history. If Father knew that he would be remembered for eternity in the new history of Shanjin, he could rest in peace."
She wanted Du Shan to tell her something she didn't know, the subtext being that this matter had to be something she could accept and understand, both factually and emotionally.
This requirement was simply impossible for the Bega people to fulfill.
She looked at Du Shan, bit her lip, and finally made up her mind to whisper the secret she had guarded with her life.
The hiding place of the Hidden God!
After she finished speaking, she stared intently at Du Shan, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Whether Du Shan is real or fake will soon be revealed.
If it were a fake, he would have already obtained the information he wanted, and there would be no need for him to continue pretending.
Du Shan's face changed color, and he suddenly stood up, bowing deeply to Mei Wu Niang until his hands touched the ground.
Mei Wu Niang was surprised, but remained seated and unmoved: "What is Prime Minister Du doing?"
"Fifth Sister has performed an unparalleled feat!" Du Shan exclaimed without even looking up. "I am deeply grateful!"
Mei Wu Niang had no choice but to reach out and gently lift his arm: "Prime Minister Du, you're being too kind. Is the intelligence I brought back truly so important?"
"Truly significant!" Du Shan said solemnly, "Does Fifth Sister know how much effort the Emperor has expended over the years to find the Hidden God? Not only Cang Yan, but also the Mu Kingdom and Ling Mountain have been searching diligently, yet they have never been able to find a single clue. Therefore, the Emperor judges that this intelligence transmission system may be independent of the Heavenly Palace and Bega."
"That's true."
"Although the change of leadership in Du Yun might expose this secret, the Heavenly Palace will certainly take all precautions and set traps. The chances of other forces obtaining these secrets are extremely slim," Du Shan sighed. "Unexpectedly, even with all the heroes vying for it, Fifth Sister still managed to bring it safely back to Cang Yan!"
As the person at the very center of the hurricane, she not only escaped alive but also brought back crucial, uncontaminated firsthand intelligence.
“If we can successfully destroy the body of the Hidden God Lord based on your intelligence, it will be a milestone victory in the fight against the Heavenly Demon,” Du Shan said. “I am not qualified to represent the Emperor and Cang Yan, otherwise I would have to bow to you a few more times.”
"This matter is of great importance; I must report these messages to the Emperor first." He could no longer sit still.
Mei Wu Niang naturally understood: "Please go ahead, Prime Minister Du."
Du Shan took three steps, then suddenly turned back.
He rarely loses his composure like this.
“Normally I wouldn’t ask too many questions, but for someone like Fifth Sister who accomplishes such a confidential task, the recruitment period will end early.” Du Shan asked her, “Your contributions to Cang Yan have been enough, have you thought about the future?”
"In the future?" Mei Wu Niang turned her head, looking at the magnificent scenery below the mountain, feeling the vibrant life of this city, and was truly moved.
For seven years, she was an undercover agent in the Heavenly Palace, walking on thin ice, always trembling with fear, lest she reveal even the slightest clue.
Now, her mission is finally over.
From the moment she left the country, the character "Tong Yiyi" ceased to exist. She had safely escaped that hellhole.
"After escaping the Mu people's ambush, I had the idea of retiring and wanted to live a peaceful life for a few years."
"Understood." Du Shan turned to leave after hearing this.
This is what she deserves. A hero who has made such outstanding contributions has the right to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable retirement.
“However, when I shattered the illusion of the nightmare and saw Grand Master Nie’s expression, I changed my mind.” Mei Wu Niang gently brushed aside the stray hairs by her temples. “Perhaps, a life with a thousand faces is what I want.”
A brand new life, a brand new identity, and brand new challenges.
If her life had no ups and downs, what fun would it have?
Mei Wu Niang said slowly, "Besides, I am also a warrior fighting against the Heavenly Demons. Since the war is far from over, how can I stand aside?"
Even across mountains and rivers, she could feel the man's unwavering belief.
The Dragon God War that swept through the gold was fierce and spectacular, but she didn't participate, a regret she still holds to this day.
The next epic, sweeping war is fast approaching, and she doesn't want to miss it again.
Du Shan finally sighed, "The people of Shanjin always manage to impress me."
After saying that, he bowed to Mei Wu Niang again.
"What's the reason this time?"
"For no other reason than that you defeated Nie Xiaolou," Du Shan laughed. "This time, he should accept his defeat wholeheartedly. That was satisfying, truly satisfying!"
After saying that, he turned and left in a hurry.
Mei Wu Niang also stood up and stretched.
The mission was completed, and she returned to Jucheng. What should she do during her recovery period?
After thinking it over, she muttered to herself, "Why don't I get a cat?"
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End of Chapter One of "The Age of Great Contention".
(End of this chapter)