Chapter 116: Lao Jun Bears Sword to Save the World, Reuniting with Wang Yang

Qin Xiaowu saw off the Young Protector, watching the two figures depart.

Yet he did not turn back for a long time.

Soon after, Yu Xu arrived with the four from the Observing Tide Terrace.

The Daoist, seeing Qin Xiaowu still staring into the distance, teased: "Xiaowu, the Young Protector's back is nearly vanished beyond the horizon—what are you standing there gaping at?"

"The Young Protector can't see your loyal devotion. You've spent years wandering the Jianghu—your flattery skills have improved."

Hearing this, Qin Xiaowu turned and spat, cursing:

"You bald-headed Daoist, you know nothing."

"The Young Protector devotes himself to the Dao—unlike you, who parades around in a Daoist's robe, swindling fools."

Master Mi Su wasn't angered; he merely smiled faintly, raised one hand, and softly chanted: "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun."

Then he shook his head and recited:

"I stroll through the bustling market with sword in hand—who can tell if I'm a true immortal?"

Mi Su was also a legendary Daoist, the eighteenth abbot of the Daoist observatory on Pingfeng Mountain in the north, a branch of the Doumi Sect.

Back then, when the northern wind swept south!

He resolutely led three hundred disciples down the mountain to resist the northern wind's invasion.

That abbot, it was said, had a cold face and rarely spoke; within the mountain, he was known as "Iron-Faced and Impartial."

When Mi Su descended the mountain, he said:

"In times of peace, we seal the mountain and cultivate in solitude; in times of chaos, we descend to serve the people. Buddhist Bodhi ignores the world—Lao Jun bears sword to save the people."

Alas!

Though all three hundred Daoists were formidable warriors, they were powerless against the heavily armored, unstoppable Tie Futu.

On the battlefield, blades clashed, iron cavalry surged like tides.

In the end, only Mi Su survived from the three hundred disciples.

Since then!

Mi Su's personality changed completely—he smiled constantly, never angry.

Later, he joined the Lu Army, for no other reason.

The only one in the world who could avenge this bloodshed was Lu Chen, the Young Protector.

Yu Xu, clad in a python robe, observed keenly and whispered:

"Xiaowu, do you sense any difference in the Young Protector this time?"

Qin Xiaowu nodded, responding gravely:

"The Young Protector once had no ambition for the realm—even when the Lu Army stormed the Yellow Dragon Palace, commanding thirty thousand northern troops and riding the tide of heaven's will, a single thought could have toppled the world. Yet he chose to resign and retire to cultivate on Mount Zhongnan."

"How many brothers in the Lu Army were disappointed?"

"How many lost heart and vanished into seclusion?"

Qin Xiaowu's face now lit with joy as he continued: "But this time, I sense the Young Protector has made his decision."

Mi Su sighed softly:

"The Young Protector wishes to sleep on Mount Zhongnan—but spring thunder rolls ever louder!"

Mi Su looked at Yu Xu, a flicker of worry in his eyes: "Will the Young Protector's journey to the capital go awry?"

Yu Xu smiled faintly, already certain: "Several brothers have secretly prepared everything—worried only that the Young Protector himself would refuse. Now it seems he understands—he cannot escape!"

"The appearance of the stone tablet, the note, and the great momentum stirred by the Young Protector crossing the river—who in court dares not fear? By tonight, memorials to the Imperial Censorate must already be on His Majesty's desk."

The appearance of the stone tablet and the note, along with the great momentum triggered by Shao Bao's crossing the river—who in the imperial court could fail to fear it? Probably by tonight, memorials to the Censorate have already flown onto the Son of Heaven's desk.

The one most feared by the Young Protector's emergence is surely the Emperor, secluded deep within the palace.

The vigorous old man sighed:

"They all think the Young Protector has cultivated for fifteen years—that the world has forgotten him."

"They don't know!"

"The Young Protector needs only raise his arm—and heroes across the land will flock to him."

Yu Xu smiled slightly:

"A true man walks between heaven and earth—he must hold the power of the realm awake, and sleep drunk upon a beauty's lap."

A true man roaming between heaven and earth should wield the power of the realm while sober, and sleep upon the knees of beauties when drunk.

"How beautiful!"

Upon hearing the last line, Daoist Mi Su sneakily glanced at Yu Xu's crotch and muttered:

"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun!"

Qin Xiaowu and the peasant stared after him.

Yu Xu's face darkened.

The three quickly coughed, feigning indifference, and looked up at the sky.

The old man also smiled, glancing at the sky.

It was already dusk!

"At this pace, the Young Protector should enter the capital tonight!"

At this rate, Shao Bao should arrive in the capital tonight!

…………

【You and Lu Yu rode together, not stopping all night. Night faded, and the capital's silhouette emerged in the dawn light—the horizon glowed faintly with the pale hue of dawn.】

You and Lu Yu rode together, not stopping all night; as the night faded, the outline of the capital emerged in the dawn light, the horizon already showing a faint pale glow.

【You arrived at this capital.】

You arrived at this capital.

【Crimson gates loomed, majestic and towering!】

【This was the heart of the Son of Heaven's realm, the flourishing capital of Daqing, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.】

【Here gathered the most powerful and wealthiest in Daqing.】

【Any rumor within these walls spread swiftly across the land, drawing the gaze of all quarters.】

【Countless who sought fame and glory thrived here.】

【You had come here fifteen years ago, when you resigned your post.】

【Memories surged like a tide!】

【That year, you and your father entered the capital to receive your titles.】

【It was just such a midnight, hooves thundering.】

【As you three entered, the capital burned with lights all night—countless citizens, royal heirs, and palace concubines waited for this moment.】

【They strained their necks, all to see you three enter the capital to be enfeoffed.】

【The grandeur of that day is still remembered by some in the capital.】

【That year, you were twenty-six.】

【On that golden throne, you resigned your post—the ministers were stunned, the Son of Heaven laughed, and the world trembled.】

【Today, you come to save a life.】

【The city gate was strangely quiet.】

【At the gate stood a dozen figures.】

【Your gaze swept among them, finally settling on the elder at the front.】

【An old acquaintance.】

【The elder's hair and beard were white, his silver locks fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, standing rigidly at the city gate.】

【Beside him stood a youth in crimson official robes, a jade belt at his waist, carefully supporting him.】

【This elder was none other than Wang Yang, the famed defender of Hulao Pass, now in his dotage.】

【Three-dynasty minister, honored beyond measure, holding the title of Grand Tutor, Marquis of Jiangnan, and General Who Calms the Waves.】

【The Son of Heaven, mindful of his age, granted him the privilege of remaining seated in court and spared him the duty of kneeling.】

【This elder was none other than Wang Yang, defender of Hulao Pass.】

【You and Lu Yu dismounted and walked slowly toward the gate.】

【Wang Yang, seeing you two, felt tears well in his eyes.】

【"It's Shen Zhou and You'an, come at last."】

【Wang Yang gripped your hand—his age had robbed him of teeth; only muffled sounds emerged.】

【Back then, Hulao Pass had emerged like a thunderclap, altering the fate of the realm.】

【Wang Yang had watched you personally build the Lu Army, whose fame shook the world.】

【He knew even better!】

【The Young Protector of the Lu Army was far more formidable than legend claimed.】

【Wang Yang turned to the youth beside him: "Pay your respects to your two uncles."】

【The youth in crimson robes studied you closely, thinking inwardly: no divine aura at all.】

【Though reluctant, the youth, seeing his grandfather's stern face, bowed respectfully and addressed you.】

【Wang Yang did not press the matter; the group entered the gate.】

【You glanced at the youth's crimson robes and jade belt—Fifth Rank, Vice Director of the Dalisi.】

You looked at the boy's crimson official robe and the jade belt at his waist—a fifth-rank Assistant Director of the Dalisi.

At this age, he is already a high official.

(End of chapter)