Following the death of Yan Liu, Yue Hongxiu and Zuo Wuji had their positions stripped, completing the transition of military power in the Great Liang Kingdom. The Yue family descendants, fearing retribution from the Yan family, fled to seek refuge with Liang Xiao.
The Yan family, still harboring resentment, secretly hired assassins to kill Zuo Wuji and Yue Hongxiu.
Zuo Wuji, having lost his military authority, was now completely valueless as a collaborator.
Meanwhile, Zuo Wuji had already been "escorted" to Honglu Temple by the Xuan Wei.
"If we're talking about shamelessness, it still has to be you. Decades on, unchanged…" Zuo Wushang, with a rare smile, gave Zuo Wuji a thumbs-up.
This matter could have been thoroughly investigated, but it happened within the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, leaving no witnesses.
Yan Liu bore no obvious signs of struggle; drowning was the only plausible explanation.
Those few Yun Tian Guards fled to Honglu Temple overnight, changed their attire, and disguised themselves as Liang Xiao's shadow guards.
Zuo Wuji glanced at Zuo Jing and Yue Wenxin, who were also struggling to suppress their amusement, and huffed, "I sacrificed my reputation to make amends for my daughter. Anyway, there won't be any Greater Liang surpassing Great Liang anymore…"
As he finished, Zuo Wuji couldn't help but sigh.
"As a remnant of the Great Heng Kingdom and a former Deputy Marshal, capable of training elites like the Yun Tian Guards, why worry about not achieving great things in the Great Qian Kingdom?" Zhuo Zifang comforted him.
Only then did Zuo Wuji smile and nod, "In truth, my expectations aren't high. I just hope the Zuo and Yue families continue their lineage and aren't bullied…"
As he spoke, Zuo Wuji looked at Yue Wenxin.
Yue Wenxin quickly hid behind Zuo Jing.
"Wenxin, I won't hit you anymore. Just tell me who you want to marry, and as long as your aunt and your sister approve, I won't arbitrarily object…"
Yue Wenxin finally breathed a sigh of relief, her face flushing as she asked, "Really?"
Seeing Zuo Wuji nod, Yue Wenxin's face broke into a smile.
Unexpectedly, Zuo Wuji added, "However, you must make plans early. Any children born in the future must first take the father's surname, and the second must take the mother's surname, so as not to let your maternal grandfather's lineage die out…"
"How soon?" Yue Wenxin mumbled.
Zuo Wuji said with a serious expression, "Five years. If you don't have any offspring within five years, you'll have to figure it out yourself."
Yue Wenxin's face turned red, and she cast a resentful glance at Zuo Wuji, "Got it! Hmph!" 138 Reading Network
Beside them, Jian Qinwan's delicate face also flushed, and she cast a resentful glance at Liang Xiao, daring not to speak.
Five years to have a child… Wasn't her mother required the same thing back then?
Yue Hongxiu's gaze swept over Liang Xiao, then over his two children, and finally landed on Yue Wenxin.
"Wenxin, you should find a good man who can stably produce offspring, to avoid potential tragedies for two families in the future."
"Oh, oh…" Yue Wenxin, not understanding the implication, nodded blankly, just wanting to quickly brush the matter aside.
Only Liang Xiao was earnestly conversing with Zhuo Zifang, oblivious to the fact that everyone's attention had long been focused on him.
"The Yue family members have indeed all gone to seek refuge with Liang Xiao!"
Upon receiving the news, the Yan family was furious.
However, they dared not act within the capital at this moment. After all, Liang Xiao had the Tianshan Swordsmen and shadow guards by his side, with the Xuan Wei providing support at any time.
In the end, only Yan Liu died inexplicably and indignantly. Mu Cheng and Liang Xiao got what they needed, and Zuo Wuji satisfied his long-held desire for revenge.
Southwest of the capital, in a desolate mountain wilderness.
Yue Qingtian, Ling Jianxing, Ren Changfeng, Du Pingling, fifty Tianshan Swordsmen, and one hundred shadow guards were lying in ambush in the mountains, having found nothing.
A few Tianshan Swordsmen looked sorrowful and sighed helplessly, "It's been more than seven days past the agreed time. It seems our undercover gentleman is either unavoidably detained or has already met his demise."
Ling Jianxing shook his head, "Let's wait a bit longer. Since he encountered trouble in the capital, missing the appointment is understandable! Since he said he was to meet his master at this location…"
"I'm idle anyway, so I'll wait here with you all. No need to rush!" Yue Qingtian said with a solemn expression.
The crowd looked at the burly man and the hundred shadow guards behind him, feeling reassured.
Ling Jianxing, still uneasy, whispered, "Let's split up and patrol, see if we can find any clues!"
Ten miles to the northeast, Qin Xun and another core disciple of the Huichun Sect were chatting leisurely in a carriage, appearing calm and composed.
But at this moment, Qin Xun had already resolved to face death with courage.
He had already missed his appointment with "Grandmaster Ling" for too long, and now he was specifically escorted here by sect members, his fate uncertain!
After an unknown period, the carriage suddenly stopped. Qin Xun gasped, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and cursed himself inwardly, "Coward! Hold on!"
"We've arrived!"
Forcing himself to remain calm, Qin Xun alighted from the carriage with a smile. In the moonlight, he saw ten people waiting in the distance.
The leader was broad-backed and stout, holding a Zen staff upright in his right hand, his expression solemn.
"Greetings, Master!"
Qin Xun walked over, his face filled with emotion, and bowed.
Master Longyue placed his Zen staff on the ground, helped Qin Xun up, and sighed, "You were nurtured by me since childhood. You joined the sect at twelve and later received secret orders to follow Qin Feng, unfortunately…"
"Your disciple has never forgotten your teachings, Master. But that Qin Feng is extremely cautious and never gave me an opportunity to act! I thought about poisoning Qin Feng's subordinates, but you did not agree, Master…"
Master Longyue nodded slightly and said, "This is not your fault. After all, Qin Feng is an extraordinary person. Even if I and the Sect Master went ourselves, we might not gain an advantage over him."
"Thank you for your understanding, Master! From now on, your disciple will surely give his all for our sect's cause!" Qin Xun said excitedly.
Master Longyue laughed heartily, "Excellent! Right now, there is an opportunity for you to give your all, and it is also my long-cherished wish."
"Please speak freely, Master!" Qin Xun suppressed his nervousness and requested.
Master Longyue spoke earnestly, "I have been without relatives since childhood, and I am physically incapable of procreation, so I never married or had children. The core members of the Huichun Sect are supposed to consume the vital essence of their kin to pledge loyalty to the heavenly gods for eternity. The previous Sect Master understood my situation and allowed me to delay this matter, but I must also make a decision."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xun's heart trembled violently!
Master Longyue placed his hand on Qin Xun's shoulder and sighed, "I have always treated you as my own son. You have drunk your mother's blood, and you should understand my predicament. Now that you have fulfilled your destiny, it is time to ascend to heaven to reunite with your mother and enjoy the eternal glory bestowed by the heavenly gods. Today, on this full moon night, I will perform our sect's 'Xian Li,' and from now on, your flesh and blood will merge with mine."
Qin Xun looked at Master Longyue, trembling for a moment.
In that instant, his life flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
An orphaned mother and son, burning incense and praying to Buddha, meeting the Zen Master, entering the sect, only to have their family happiness cruelly shattered years later.
Having undergone brutal training, he smilingly drank his mother's blood, vowing inwardly to strike a fatal blow to the Huichun Sect by any means necessary, even at the cost of eternal damnation!
Afterward, he killed countless people under his master's command, eventually being assigned to the rising star of the Great Liang Kingdom, the Prince Consort's mansion, as a book boy.
The Marquis, who should have been his sworn enemy, always spoke to him gently, and even when he made mistakes, he merely offered earnest guidance without scolding.
"The Marquis speaks well! A person can be as humble as an ant, but not as twisted as a maggot!" Qin Xun roared inwardly. "I should end this sinful life, but I absolutely cannot turn against them, lest they suspect the Marquis and another…"
The fear in his heart turned into a surge of rage. At this moment, Qin Xun was extraordinarily calm, trying hard to feign an expression of fervor, and responded excitedly, "Your disciple is willing! I only hope Master can fulfill the aspirations of your disciple and the Sect Master, to spread the teachings throughout the world, so that the flag of the Sun and King flies over every land!"
"Very good, your Master will now have the Sect Leader draw your blood." Master Longyue was overjoyed and patted Qin Xun on the shoulder.