pertwk Page 403
Page 403
"Whichever side loses, it will be a loss for the human race."
Sikong Zhaixing said with a strange expression, "Seventh Young Master of the Hua Family, you are really naive. Even the emperor doesn't care about these things, how can you expect us roughnecks of the martial world to care about the world?"
"Humanity is already rotten to the core, what future can we talk about?"
Hua Manlou remained silent, clenching his fists tightly.
Li Xunhuan subconsciously glanced at Chu Yang beside him, whose expression was calm and composed, as if the collapse of the sky was nothing more than a trivial matter.
Chu Yang smiled slightly, "In that case, we should be able to catch this grand show by boat on the Mid-Autumn Festival night."
Lu Xiaofeng was startled upon hearing this, "You're going back to the capital?"
Chu Yang looked at him, puzzled. "Am I not allowed to go back? I'm not some traitorous rebel."
Upon hearing the word "traitor," Lu Xiaofeng's lips twitched.
Both Hua Manlou and Li Xunhuan wore smiles.
Li Xunhuan's smile faded, and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes. "Your Highness, would you mind moving here to speak with me a little longer?"
Chu Yang nodded and followed Li Xunhuan to a corner.
Sikong Zhaixing pointed at Chu Yang's back and shouted, "Did you hear that? He said..."
Lu Xiaofeng used his Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger to strike Sikong Zhaixing's speech acupoint, causing the latter to fall silent.
"Stop making a racket! There are people around. Why aren't you being clever when you should be?" Lu Xiaofeng scolded him in his ear, exasperated.
On the other side, Chu Yang followed Li Xunhuan to a corner, and only when no one was around did the other get straight to the point.
"Everyone knows that my Li family has produced seven Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and three Tanhua (third-place winners) from father and son. It can be said that my Li family has been serving as officials in the imperial court since the beginning of the upheaval in the world."
"Therefore, some unknown secrets have also been circulating in the family. As for whether they are true or false, it is up to Your Highness to judge for yourself."
Chu Yang nodded and said, "It's alright, please speak freely."
Li Xunhuan then continued, "Your Highness, it would be best to proceed with caution upon your return to the capital. Do not assume that the throne is within your grasp just because of your martial arts skills. There have been masters like Your Highness who have coveted the throne in the past, but none of them have ever left the capital alive."
"Otherwise, given Zhuge Liang's character, how could he tolerate the Ming Dynasty's current state of utter decay? He would have already purged the court of corrupt officials!"
"Your Majesty!"
"The waters in the capital run deep..."
Chapter 191. The Emperor's Memories!
191.
As a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan, the Hua family also had its own fleet in Jinling City. On this trip back to the capital, Chu Yang and his companions traveled on one of the Hua family's luxury ships.
Hua Manlou did not go to the capital with them; he still needed to go home to tell his father about the Datong Money Shop.
Of course, I should spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with my family, so I couldn't go with Lu Xiaofeng to join in the fun.
The two parted ways, much to Lu Xiaofeng's regret.
After seeing off Hua Manlou, Li Xunhuan also prepared to take his leave. He had originally planned to travel around the beautiful country, but he was forced to come to Jinling City by the Dragon Guard Manor.
It's impossible for Li Xunhuan to become an official; he will never confine himself to the imperial court in his lifetime.
Taking advantage of Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyi's absence, he wanted to escape the surveillance of the Dragon Guard Manor.
Before leaving, Li Xunhuan reminded Chu Yang again not to act impulsively, and then watched Chu Yang leave by boat.
"Master, where are we going next?"
"Since we're already here, let's go see some old friends."
Tie Chuanjia looked at Li Xunhuan with great surprise.
"The prince said I am a bird that is not free, and after thinking about it, it is indeed true. It is time to put an end to some things."
Li Xunhuan, who was usually indecisive, was unusually decisive. The demon siege had greatly affected him. If it weren't for Chu Yang's efforts to turn the tide, the people of the city would have been in grave danger, and he himself would have been doomed.
The experience of facing life and death can enlighten people on many things, and Li Xunhuan also truly felt the regret he had carried for so long.
So this time, he needs to give himself an explanation.
What happens after you see your old friend?
"Perhaps I'll make a trip to the capital? To see if the taste of Daughter's Red wine has changed."
Li Xunhuan suddenly felt a sense of anticipation, but he wondered if Chu Yang would have time to have a drink with him again at that time.
What happens next can only be discussed later.
Chu Yang, who was traveling back to the capital by boat, was unaware of Li Xunhuan's thoughts. The ship was moving very fast, and in the blink of an eye, only a blurry outline of Jinling City remained.
Chu Yang stood at the highest point, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance. His fingers tapped lightly on the railing, and his eyes were deep and thoughtful.
Lu Xiaofeng stood behind him.
"Your Highness, who do you think will win between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng?"
"Of course it's Ximen Chuixue."
"Oh? Ye Gucheng's 'Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens' is famous throughout the world. Does Your Highness not think highly of him?"
"How skilled can a swordsman be if he doesn't believe in the sword in his hand?"
"Does Ye Gucheng not believe the sword in his hand? What does that mean?"
"He felt that power and intrigue were more deadly than celestial beings descending from the heavens. The Lord of White Cloud City, who had fallen into the mortal world, no longer had a pure heart."
Lu Xiaofeng was completely confused, his brows furrowed, unable to understand what Chu Yang was saying. The implied meaning made him scratch his head in bewilderment.
Seeing his expression, Chu Yang laughed. It was quite interesting to be a riddle teller, especially to fool a clever person like Lu Xiaofeng.
The Forbidden City Summit is a huge conspiracy, and this duel was a joke from the very beginning. Chu Yang returned to the capital just to see this joke.
just in case……
If Ye Gucheng really succeeds, wouldn't that be even more interesting?
"You enjoy manipulating power and having everyone in your grasp. If you end up dying because of conspiracy, I wonder what you'll think when you close your eyes?"
Chu Yang whispered.
Completely bewildered, Lu Xiaofeng wanted to ask more questions, but Chu Yang remained silent, making him anxious as if ants were crawling all over his body.
In the courtesy of Baidi Caiyun, Qianling Jiangling returned one day.
Five days later, the ship docked. To reach the capital, they still had to travel overland. For convenience, Chu Yang and his companions borrowed several horses from the Hua family and chose to ride into the capital.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival just two days away, the three had plenty of time and weren't in a hurry. They traveled at their own pace, stopping frequently along the way and seeing many martial arts practitioners.
Various schools and sects, bustling with activity.
No one wants to miss a duel between two top swordsmen.
Whether they are newcomers or renowned masters, anyone who becomes a spectator in this duel will have something to brag about in the future.
Do you know about the Forbidden City?
"I personally witnessed the duel between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng!"
A hundred years from now, the things that happened here will be passed down by word of mouth by the people who live here today.
This is the world of martial arts.
"With such a commotion, almost half of the martial arts world has come. Whoever loses this duel will never be able to hold their head high again," Sikong Zhaixing remarked.
Lu Xiaofeng stroked his beard, his face showing worry. He and Ximen Chuixue were good friends, so he naturally did not want the other to lose. However, Ye Gucheng, the "Lord of Baiyun City," was not just a name; he was a rare master in the world.
Both of them are only one step away from the legendary Grandmaster level. Whoever wins this duel will almost certainly become a Grandmaster of swordsmanship.
"I hope it will be as Your Highness says..."
Lu Xiaofeng could only comfort himself and trust Chu Yang's judgment.
After riding for two or three hours, the three of them got closer and closer to the capital. More and more teahouses appeared along the roadside, catering to travelers from the martial arts world.
With his mouth dry, Sikong Zhaixing hurriedly found an empty seat and, as soon as he sat down, hastily poured tea into his mouth.
"Aren't you afraid of being poisoned by just pouring it into your mouth like that?"
Lu Xiaofeng said with ill intent.
"So many people are drinking. If anyone's going to die, it's not just me. What's there to be afraid of?"
Sikong Zhaixing replied nonchalantly.
"You're quite clever."
Lu Xiaofeng snatched the teapot from Sikong Zhaixing's hand, poured a cup for Chu Yang first, and then poured one for himself.
Chu Yang picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips, but suddenly stopped and silently put the teacup down.
"Your Highness, is there a problem?"
Lu Xiaofeng quickly picked up the teacup, held it under his nose, and sniffed the aroma.
"It's not a tea problem, someone's here."