Chapter 68: Where on earth are your husband and daughter?

Su Qinglan blurted out, "Impossible, my Xiao Li has good character, is beautiful, and has a career—how could she not find a good man?"

Ning Jinli said, "There are many women in this world more outstanding than me, and quite a few of them haven't found partners either—news often reports that, right?"

Su Qinglan froze for a moment, "Well then..."

"So then," Ning Jinli asked with a grin, "What if I can't find anyone?"

Su Qinglan thought seriously for a while, then said solemnly, "If you can't find anyone, then don't look."

That these words could come from Su Qinglan's mouth shocked Ning Jinli again, "Aunt Su, you mean it's okay if I never marry for my whole life?"

Su Qinglan gently took her hand, "Xiao Li, although... I find it hard to accept you never marrying, but if we consider that 'what if' you mentioned, I think staying single forever is far better than randomly settling with someone—after all, your happiness and joy are what matter most."

"Aunt Su... *sob*..." Ning Jinli, moved to tears, said, "Then I won't marry! I'll stay with you forever and take care of you!"

Su Qinglan wiped her tears, putting on an angry expression, "Silly child, that won't do! Your life has just begun—if you make that decision now, I'll take back what I just said!"

"You can't take it back, Aunt Su—you promised me." Ning Jinli pouted, sniffled, her big eyes glistening with tears.

Su Qinglan gently rubbed her face, feeling sorry, "You really are... oh right, what about your boyfriend now? Have you figured him out clearly? You can't repeat Zhao Bin's mistake."

Ning Jinli hesitated a few seconds, realizing Aunt Su wasn't pressuring her to marry anymore, she decided to speak frankly, "Actually, I'm just acquaintances with him—I'm not even sure if we count as friends..."

"Ah?" Su Qinglan stared wide-eyed, "Then you..."

Ning Jinli coquettishly said, "Aunt Su, my dear Aunt Su, don't be mad—I just didn't want you to worry about finding me a partner, so I..."

Su Qinglan was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, she didn't blame Ning Jinli, only feeling that her own impatience had driven the girl to drag someone in to pretend to be a boyfriend just to appease her.

"Xiao Li, do you like him?" Su Qinglan asked.

Ning Jinli quickly shook her head, "I definitely don't like him."

Su Qinglan recalled that day in the car, seeing from the rearview mirror Xiao Li and Xiao Xiao together, whispering intimately— that feeling didn't seem like dislike at all.

"Is it that you don't like him, or you just haven't realized it yourself?" Su Qinglan asked again.

Ning Jinli's ears burned, "Aunt Su! Who I like—don't I know that myself?"

Aunt Su's eyes held a hint of suspicion, her face showing a meaningful smile.

Ning Jinli grew a bit impatient, "That guy may be tall and handsome, but his temper is too weird—no one would like him! I don't want to face every day that handsome yet moody ugly face of his—hmph!"

She had just said that.

At that moment, Xiao Qidi, who was patrolling Xi Tun Guan everywhere, suddenly sneezed.

Sneezing isn't strange; what struck him as odd was that Ning Jinli's image suddenly flashed in his mind.

He felt a bit restless, and since he wasn't idle with nothing to do, why would he suddenly think of her? It was utterly baffling!

Just then, Duan Wu came running over, delighted, "Report to Your Majesty, I've already fixed the latrines!"

Xiao Qidi, however, was in a daze.

Duan Wu wondered, stepped closer, and shouted, "Your Majesty? What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Qidi blurted out, "I'm thinking about Miss Ning."

After saying it, he came to his senses, but it was already too late.

Duan Wu's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "So it turns out Your Majesty pines for Jinli Fairy—hehe, I've long thought Your Majesty and the Fairy are a match made in heaven, why not..."

"Yearning for her? A match made in heaven?" Xiao Qidi's gaze suddenly darkened.

Duan Wu silently thought, "Oh no, I've spoken out of turn again," and hastily lowered his head, stammering, "I... I was just talking nonsense, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xiao Qidi's eyes were deep and calm, "What do you need?"

Duan Wu said, "Following Your Majesty's orders, I have repaired all the latrines in Xi Tun Guan; I'm here to report."

Xiao Qidi grunted in acknowledgment.

Seeing that Your Majesty's expression still wasn't good, Duan Wu thought it must be because his earlier remarks about Your Majesty and the Fairy were totally wrong.

It seems Your Majesty has no romantic feelings for the Fairy, and also dislikes hearing that they're a perfect match.

Since that's wrong, saying the opposite must be right.

"Your Majesty," Duan Wu said, clasping his fists, based on what he believed was a careful analysis, he spoke seriously, "Your Majesty and Jinli Fairy are not suited."

Xiao Qidi frowned, "You mean I'm not worthy of her?"

Duan Wu panicked, "No no no, you absolutely are worthy!"

"Hmm?" Xiao Qidi's eyes grew colder.

Duan Wu grew more flustered, and in his panic hastily changed his tune, "Not worthy?"

"Hmm??": Xiao Qidi's whole face seemed to freeze over.

Duan Wu's heart raced—he was doomed, feeling like the more he spoke, the more wrong and off-base he became.

He plunged to his knees, drenched in sweat.

"Go fix the latrines!" Xiao Qidi ordered in a low voice.

Duan Wu stammered, "The, the latrines... have already... been fixed."

"I mean the latrines the common folk use," Xiao Qidi said softly, "However many there are, go fix that many—to share some of the rebuilding burden for the people."

Duan Wu's vision went black instantly, "Yes... Your Majesty."

After Xiao Qidi turned and walked away, Duan Wu plopped onto the ground, slapping his own mouth twice, "Damn mouth, damn mouth! Next time I won't keep it shut—I'll sew it up!"

……

At Lin Xian Village in Xi Tun Guan, soldiers and civilians were rebuilding their homes with great vigor, the atmosphere bustling, while inside Yu Guo's Royal City, it was already deathly still.

Yu Guo's 200,000-strong elite army followed the Crown Prince into battle, but only over 20,000 stragglers returned.

They also brought back even graver news.

The Yu Guo king was so angry he vomited blood, and the ministers felt the heavens were about to collapse.

Who could have imagined that mobilizing nearly all of Yu Guo's elite forces and all of the barbarian troops from Sha Yue Guo would yield this outcome?

The Azure Wave Jade Disc wasn't retrieved, Xi Tun Guan wasn't leveled, avenging past shame came to nothing—these are also fine.

Sha Yue barbarian troops actually rebelled!

Yu Guo's 200,000 elite troops were actually completely wiped out!

Even the Crown Prince's whereabouts are now unknown!

Before the Yu Guo King vomited blood and fell unconscious, he clung to a breath and issued an order, sealing this news among the court officials; it must not be leaked, otherwise Yu Guo will fall into great chaos!

After all the imperial physicians of the Royal City desperately tried to save him, the Yu Guo King only then returned from Ghost Gate.

Upon waking, he asked: 'Are there any Xuan Guo troops pursuing into Da Yu territory from Xi Tun Guan?'

The official attending his bedside immediately reported: 'Your Majesty, no such situation has been detected.'

The Yu Guo King's face was bloodless, his eyes gloomy to the extreme.

The official knelt and spoke soothingly in earnest words:

Our Da Yu lies in the western part of Zhong Yuan, with natural barriers blocking foreign tribes on the north and west sides; the east borders only Xuan Guo, and the south borders only one foreign tribe, the Barbarian state of Sha Yue Guo—but the Sha Yue traitors have no usable barbarian troops left, so they are nothing to fear! We will surely crush them and avenge the betrayal!

Your Majesty, Da Yu has an excellent geographical advantage; even if the Xuan Guo troops at Xi Tun Guan are formidable, they would never dare to pursue a victory. You need not worry… please take utmost care of your health……

Upon hearing these words, the Yu Guo King's expression eased somewhat.

He closed his eyes, thinking weakly, and said: 'The Crown Prince… must have been captured by Xiao Qidi……'

Your Majesty, should we send someone to negotiate with Xuan Guo?" the official inquired.

Yu Guo King slowly shook his head: 'No, if we go to negotiate, this matter… will surely be known to other monarchs. If they all take advantage of the vacancy, Da Yu… will be in imminent peril……'

But… are we really just going to abandon the Crown Prince like that?

Of course we cannot abandon him! We must rescue our son!

Your Majesty, this……

The official kneeling at the bedside showed a troubled expression.

Yu Guo King opened his eyes a slit: 'The court cannot show itself; you… can only secretly act through jianghu forces. Have you thought of anyone suitable?'

Several officials began to discuss in whispers.

To handle such a matter, one must have sufficient ability.

This excludes the vast majority of jianghu forces in the Seven Kingdoms of Zhong Yuan.

And among the remaining jianghu forces, none are located within Da Yu's territory or have submitted to Da Yu.

Finally, only one sect remains as an option.

That is the Tian Shu Sect, which possesses strength yet does not belong to any state.

The officials reported the analysis results to the Yu Guo King.

Yu Guo King immediately ordered: 'No matter what, we must contact the Tian Shu Sect; if their people can rescue my Da Yu Crown Prince, they will be granted a third-rank official position, bestowed ten thousand qing of fertile land, and rewarded ten thousand taels of gold! If, by the way, we can also capture Xiao Qidi…… we will directly appoint him as the National Teacher of Da Yu!'

Yes, Your Majesty." The officials received the order and withdrew.

——

Next day, inside the mist-shrouded Yuqi Mountain.

Tian Shu Sect Leader had just returned when someone came seeking an audience, offering great wealth.

Ye Zhangmen then met with the person, but upon learning that they were sent by a secret order of the Yu State Court to request her assistance, with a generous reward promised upon success, she did not even ask for details and directly issued an order to expel them.

Not long after, a middle-aged man in white robes, rather handsome in appearance, arrived at Ye Zhangmen's residence.

Sect Leader Junior Sister, Senior Brother wants to have a chat with you.

Creak——

The wooden door opened.

'Senior Brother, please come in.' A clear, gentle voice sounded from within the room.

Lu Xingfeng quickly stepped into the room: 'Junior Sister, you've been out for over half a month before returning; you've worked hard, Senior Brother misses you.'

As he spoke, he moved to embrace Ye Zhangmen, but she avoided it without showing any reaction.

I also miss everyone from the sect," Ye Zhangmen said with a faint smile, "Senior Brother has been managing the Tian Shu Sect in my stead these days; I was planning to change clothes and come see you, but you arrived first. Please have a seat, Senior Brother.

Lu Xingfeng's gaze lingered on Ye Zhangmen's face for a moment, then he sat down in the chair with a complex expression.

Ye Zhangmen poured him a cup of tea, sat on the opposite side, and asked: 'Senior Brother, what do you want to talk about?'

Lu Xingfeng pondered briefly, then said: 'I won't beat around the bush; since a state court has come seeking our help, this is a great opportunity for the Tian Shu Sect to rise to a higher level—refusing would be a pity.'

Ye Zhangmen frowned: 'Senior Brother, have you forgotten that the Tian Shu Sect has always avoided involvement in any state's court affairs?'

Lu Xingfeng earnestly replied: 'Before, we refrained because the Tian Shu Sect lacked sufficient strength, but over the past ten years it has risen to become a first-rate sect in the jianghu; it is time——'

'Senior Brother, if you're only here to advise me on this matter, then forget it—please leave.' Ye Zhangmen spoke in a flat tone, yet her attitude was firm.

Lu Xingfeng's cheeks twitched slightly as he forced a smile: 'Okay, okay, let's not talk about that—let's talk about something else… Junior Sister, you… really don't intend to be together with me?'

'I have already made it clear to you that we could never be possible,' Ye Zhangmen said, her expression turning a bit colder, 'Why are you bringing this up again?'

Lu Xingfeng gritted his teeth: 'During these days you were away handling affairs, I have thought of you day and night, I can't control myself! Junior Sister… I have pursued you for years—don't you feel even the slightest affection? You give me no chance at all.'

Ye Zhangmen lightly placed her bare hand on her collar, touching the pendant through her clothing, and whispered: 'Senior Brother, I have already told you that I will always regard you as a respected senior brother, but my love will forever belong only to my husband.'

Lu Xingfeng clenched his fists: 'You keep saying your husband, your husband, but it's been ten years! He has never shown up! I even suspect you're deceiving me!'

Ye Zhangmen said: 'I have even told you that I gave birth to a daughter with him—what need is there to deceive you?'

But…… Lu Xingfeng still unwilling: 'Then where exactly are your husband and your daughter? Why have we never seen them appear?'

'This is a long story,' Ye Zhangmen, now out of patience, said: 'Senior Brother, I'm tired, I want to rest; walk slowly, I won't see you off.'

Lu Xingfeng could only rise: 'Junior Sister, please rest well; I'm leaving first.'

He appeared to leave the Sect Leader's residence calmly, but after walking away, resentment gradually welled up in his eyes; he then returned to his own dwelling and gulped down a jug of strong liquor.

The alcohol's potency quickly rose to his head.

He smashed the empty jar violently, eyes red, muttering to himself, "Ye Lan... Ye Lan!"

"Before you came to the Tian Shu Sect, I was the Heaven's Pride here, the future Sect Leader recognized by everyone…"

"In the end, the old Sect Leader passed the position to you!"

"I hate you! I hate!"

"Heh… hahaha!" Lu Xingfeng, hair in disarray, staggered, "I hate that you snatched my Sect Leader position, but… but I still happen to like you that much."

"I joined the Tian Shu Sect since childhood; before you appeared, in over thirty years I never had any feelings for any woman!"

"But you, no matter how I pursued you, adored you… you never gave me any chance!"

Lu Xingfeng's eyes grew increasingly blood‑shot, his gaze more and more frantic.

He suddenly slapped outward toward the window.

Boom!

In the courtyard, a tree as thick as an arm snapped at the waist!

After venting, Lu Xingfeng gradually calmed down.

Yet his calm gaze was even more unsettling than before.

"I gave you the Sect Leader position, yet you refuse to give me your love. I've endured this torment for so many years; I'm fed up. I will claim everything that should be mine, and I will make you pay for this…!"

He tied his hair neatly, straightened his clothes, and strode out the door.

Yuqi Mountain, halfway up the slope.

A few people secretly sent by the Yu State Court rode on horses, each with downcast, dejected faces.

"Alas…" the leader sighed, "We didn't expect the Tian Shu Sect Sect Leader to be so disrespectful; how shall we answer the court?"

"She won't give face, I will!" As the voice rang out, a white‑clothed figure flashed, and in the blink of an eye Lu Xingfeng appeared before them, "Whatever you wish to accomplish, leave it to me!"