Chapter 236: 224. May I ask the immortals in heaven, can my life as Lu Chen be considered brilliant? (Ending Part 2)

Mount Zhongnan.

It is deep autumn!

The persimmons on the mountain are ripe, hanging sparsely on the branches like red lanterns, looking particularly pleasing.

All over the mountains and plains, there are golden leaves falling on the steps of the mountain, and the fragrance of fruit trees drifts.

The Sanzhen Sect does not forbid pilgrims from picking fruit on the mountain, so children play among them, often returning with a full load, laughter echoing between the mountains and forests.

Now the world is pacified, and the five countries belong to Yan.

The incense of Mount Zhongnan is even more prosperous, and even in the middle of the night, the main hall is filled with smoke.

After Dalu Pass, there are no forces in the world that can resist the Yan Kingdom.

The Yanbei Army, this iron cavalry that once made the countries tremble, now realizes a smooth transition in the name of benevolence, not letting the flames of war spread, not letting the people suffer.

The prestige of the Prince of Yan is at its peak, and his grace extends to the four seas.

The people of the world all praise his high virtue and respect his great prestige.

Having experienced long-term wars, the people of the world have long looked forward to unification.

May these peaceful years last forever, for ten thousand generations without decline.

Noon!

Today, Mount Zhongnan has welcomed many distinguished guests.

Princess Yuwen Liqian of Korea, supported by the Yan Kingdom and the people, ascended the throne as the monarch of Korea, creating a historical precedent and becoming the first female emperor in Korean history.

At the beginning of her reign, she widely implemented benevolent policies and granted amnesty to the world.

Korea has already bowed to Great Yan, and the domestic military and political power is controlled by the Prince of Yan's mansion, with a Protectorate established in Korea to govern it.

Retaining the country name, but uniformly using the Jianwu year system.

Today, it happens to be the joy of her seventh day on the throne, and she specially came to Mount Zhongnan for a pilgrimage.

However, it is a pity that they failed to see the honorable face of the Prince of Yan, which is truly a regret.

At this moment!

Yuwen Liqian and her party are about to bid farewell and leave, walking slowly down the mountain path of Mount Zhongnan, reaching the middle of the mountain, their steps leisurely, not in a hurry.

Appreciating the magnificent scenery of Mount Zhongnan.

Autumn is the season of harvest, the busiest time for farming, and the merchants and people coming and going to offer incense are also endless.

This once inconspicuous small mountain has now become a world-famous resort.

A mountain need not be high; it is famous if there is an immortal. A river need not be deep; it is spiritual if there is a dragon.

Not to mention that this place has both "immortal" traces and "dragon" might, living up to its name.

Among the group is her mentor, Du Hui.

Du Hui was originally from Great Chu; after Great Chu surrendered, Yuwen Liqian brought him back to Korea, treated him with grand courtesy, and entrusted him with important tasks, appointing him as Chancellor.

In addition, there is Yang Wenxian in the team, the teacher who once taught at the Bailu Academy.

He once made a solemn vow that after leaving Chu, he would "never offer plans, never offer strategies".

When the country was in danger, he stood up resolutely, placing personal vows behind the righteousness of the country.

He is well-versed in the way of the gentleman and the weight of promises, but in the autumn of the country's survival, he has already distinguished the light from the heavy in his heart.

There are also several members of the Korean great clans in the team, who also hold the position of high officials in the imperial court.

At this moment, they show disappointment, their emotions low.

Not seeing the Prince of Yan is the greatest regret of this trip.

Du Hui's admiration for Lu Chen is particularly deep.

When he was teaching at the academy, he highly praised the Prince of Yan's work on governance, "Essentials of Northern Governance".

【"The knowledge between heaven and earth is all stewed in one pot."】

【"Future scholars seeking official positions will just kowtow when reading this book!"】

Yang Wenxian is obsessed with the Prince of Yan's military strategy.

Lu Chen is self-taught and has never been defeated in his life of fighting.

Yang Wenxian himself once wrote a book on military strategy, and his greatest wish in his heart is that if he could get one or two comments from the Prince of Yan, he could "be drunk for a lifetime".

However, it is a pity!

This time they failed to see the Prince of Yan in person.

Yuwen Liqian's face also shows rare regret.

When she visited the Yan Kingdom years ago, she only caught a glimpse of the Prince of Yan's figure from afar at the sacrificial ceremony.

Yuwen Liqian and her party walk slowly.

Beside the winding path down the mountain, they unexpectedly encounter acquaintances.

A quiet and elegant pavilion stands quietly.

Zhou Jinyu of Great Qing is leading the young emperor Zhou Ji, as well as three accompanying guards, resting here.

Among this group, there is a familiar figure, Xie Mu, the son of Xie Chunan.

Ever since Xie Chunan's beloved daughter Xie Lingxuan mysteriously "ascended" before everyone's eyes, Xie Chunan seems to have been eroded by time overnight, aging a lot.

Since then, he has lived in seclusion, staying deep in his mansion.

And this time, when the Wang family of Great Qing visited Mount Zhongnan, Xie Mu requested to accompany the emperor, guarding the left and right.

With the reputation of Xie Chunan as a veteran of three dynasties, there is naturally no objection.

Xie Mu stands under the pavilion, his gaze crossing the mountain colors of layers of peaks, ripples rising in his heart.

After more than twenty years, he stepped on the land of Mount Zhongnan again, and this time, he did not come back sneakily, but openly went up the mountain.

The embarrassment of him and the Demon Master "slaying the dragon" on Mount Zhongnan years ago seems like yesterday.

Now he is alone.

The "Young Master" of Mount Zhongnan, the role model Xie Mu established in his heart since he was young, is now revered as the supreme hero in his heart with the pacification of the world.

Ending the troubled times and sweeping the world, how magnificent!

He was originally full of expectations, planning to bid farewell to his father after seeing this hero "Young Master" in his heart, and then travel the world.

This visit failed to see the Prince of Yan as he wished, which made him feel a pity in his heart.

At this moment, the two groups of people meet unexpectedly.

One side is the Empress Dowager Zhou Jinyu of Great Qing; although she has handed over the power to the emperor, the true ruler of Great Qing is still the Empress Dowager behind the curtain.

Great Qing and the Yan Kingdom have had diplomatic relations for many years, and the Yan Kingdom's control over it is the most relaxed among the five countries.

Especially the aristocratic families in Jiangnan, who were wavering during the war between Qianyuan and Great Yan.

In the end, they were purged by the Yan Kingdom, and Xie Chunan's retirement made the political situation completely lean toward this mother and son.

The other side is the newly ascended female emperor Yuwen Liqian of Korea.

Two women, the most powerful women in the world.

If it were before, Zhou Jinyu might have had some sarcasm for this Korean princess who "luckily" took over power at a young age.

However!

Ever since witnessing the scene of Xie Lingxuan's ascension on the watchtower of Dalu Pass, a sense of loss has inexplicably surged in her heart.

A woman's heart is often like this; for those things they cannot get, they take them even more to heart.

For this trip to Mount Zhongnan, Yuwen Liqian dressed up carefully, came early, and even ate vegetarian food on Mount Zhongnan for more than half a month, just to see Lu Chen once.

Even so, she failed to achieve her wish in the end, and her heart was even more lost.

In the deep courtyard of the Great Qing harem, Zhou Jinyu secretly set up a "King's Hall", where only her closest palace maids could enter.

Inside the hall stands a puppet, carved quite similarly to the Prince of Yan.

Zhou Jinyu would often enter alone, dressing and undressing the "Lu Chen", staying for several hours.

When the two women met under the pavilion, they only had a brief exchange through their eyes, and the ministers behind them exchanged a few polite greetings.

The emperor Zhou Ji of Great Qing looked curiously at the Korean party, especially this female emperor of Korea.

His mother did not speak, and he had no intention of talking.

Watching them leave.

They prepared to brush past each other and continue their respective journeys.

At this moment!

Another path down the mountain.

Tuoba Hongyan walked over with three people from the small path down the mountain.

The three people beside him were all auxiliary ministers left to him by Tuoba Shu before he passed away.

These three represent the forces of the army, meritorious nobles, and clan relatives, checking and balancing each other to ensure the stability of the North Wind.

However, it is a pity that since the Yan Kingdom accepted the North Wind, these people have basically been excluded from the court and the wild; although they nominally retain their positions and power, they are actually famous in name only.

Tuoba Hongyan saw the pavilion, and his heart was stunned; the Zhou Jinyu before him was his own aunt, now the Empress Dowager of Great Qing.

Met here this time!

Time flows, Tuoba Hongyan, a former hostage of an enemy country, unexpectedly became the master of the North Wind.

Fate plays with people, is it time? Is it fate?

He straightened his clothes and respectfully performed the salute of a junior, calling out:

【"Greetings, Aunt!"】

Zhou Jinyu nodded with a smile, a sense of relief flowing in her eyes.

Regarding Tuoba Shu's suicide, she had also written to persuade him to surrender, but the North Wind held a grudge against the Lu Family Army, how could they surrender easily!】

Now that the energy is scattered and the person is dead, drinking a cup of poisonous wine and dying can be considered as preserving the dignity of the Son of Heaven.】

Fortune and misfortune have no gate, only people call them upon themselves.】

Zhou Jinyu, this Eldest Princess of the North Wind, still has a trace of warmth for the North Wind in her heart.】

Zhou Ji beside her also stepped forward to salute, saying: 【"Zhou Ji, greetings, Cousin Hongyan."】

The bond of blood is hard to cut off after all.】

Tuoba Hongyan laughed, looking at this cousin who was tall and different from the South, his face full of joy.】

He greeted the three people behind him to come closer.】

Tuoba Hongyan's eyes noticed Yuwen Liqian and her party.】

Both sides greeted each other, but did not talk too much.】

Although the five countries still exist, the power of governance has actually largely returned to the councilors and ministers sent by the Yan Kingdom.】

The general trend of the world is no longer what it used to be, and everyone hides their own considerations in their hearts.】

Qianyuan, which was once an enemy of the Yan Kingdom, and Great Chu, which surrendered earliest, now have Yan troops stationed in their capitals.】

And the military expenses of these troops are all borne by these two countries.】

The Prince of Yan did not kill the royal families of the two countries, but chose to move them out, along with hundreds of thousands of people within their great clans, and re-enfeoffed them in new lands.】

Although the Prince of Yan is known for his benevolence, he is by no means a fool.】

The characters and currency of the Yan Kingdom were promoted everywhere, and the textbooks for private schools were also uniformly written by the Yan Kingdom.】

Same tracks for carriages, same characters for writing, same ethics for behavior!】

All these changes were pushed forward quietly and silently on the surface, but behind the scenes, they were as swift and violent as thunder and rain.】

It seems that the Yan Kingdom had been sharpening its sword for this for many years, just waiting for the right time to realize its great cause of unification.】

Zhou Jinyu and Tuoba Hongyan, although nominally still monarchs of their countries, had actually lost their real power.】

Therefore, there was no need for them to be on good terms.】

On the contrary, if they were too close, they might arouse the suspicion of the Prince of Yan and bring disaster upon themselves.】

At this moment, the people of the North Wind and Great Qing gathered in the pavilion.】

A group of people walked down the mountain in an orderly manner.】

People walking down the mountain at the same time, some stopped, some walked down slowly.】

Xie Mu watched the Korean team go away, then stared at the colorful autumn colors of Mount Zhongnan, complex thoughts surging in his heart.】

The fate of these big figures from various countries, or the stay or leave of the group in this pavilion.】

Even the future direction of the whole world.】

Seems to be related to one person.】

……

……

Mount Zhongnan, Tomb of the Living Dead!】

Yang Su carried a basket full of persimmons and a basket of pomegranates, carefully placing them at the entrance.】

Using his Daoist robe sleeve, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.】

He knocked on the gate of the ancient tomb, calling out with respect and intimacy:】

【"Uncle Master, the persimmons and pomegranates are ripe!"】

【"My senior and junior brothers and I picked some and put them at the door."】

Yang Su looked at the bright red persimmons and pomegranates in the basket, joy in his eyes.】

Every year at this time, he would send them to his Uncle Master.】

His Uncle Master would surely be happy.】

Yang Su took a pomegranate from the basket.】

After waiting for a long time, there was no movement in the tomb.】

Yang Su was a little puzzled and called out a few more times; usually, his Uncle Master would respond in time.】

Why is it so silent today?】

A bad premonition rose in Yang Su's heart, and his heart tightened.】

He hurriedly pushed open the gate of the ancient tomb and rushed into the ancient tomb.】

In the left chamber of the ancient tomb, on the meditation bed, sat an old man with a pale face, sitting cross-legged.】

His head was hanging low!】

Yang Su tremblingly reached out to check the old man's breath, only to feel the old man's body was ice cold.】

【"Clatter!"】

The pomegranate rolled to the ground!】

【"Uncle Master!"】

Looking at the scene before him, the grief surging in his heart made him unable to support himself anymore, kneeling on the ground, calling out with a choked voice:】

【"Uncle Master!"】

His eyes were full of tears.】

Hearing this bad news, Liu Jinchan felt the world spinning, his figure staggering and about to fall.】

Seeing this, the three disciples hurriedly stepped forward to support him, walking tremblingly into the tomb chamber of the Living Dead.】

Inside the room, the Seven Sons of Zhongnan were already kneeling on the ground, their faces sorrowful, the sound of crying one after another, endless.】

Liu Jinchan's gaze fell on the aging disciple on the bed, his vision blurred, hot tears streaming down.】

【"Shenzhou!"】

Liu Jinchan finally could not suppress the grief in his heart, crying bitterly, heartbroken.】

He never married in his life, treating Lu Yu and Lu Chen as his own.】

Yet now, both of them have left him, leaving him alone to walk in this world.】

After the Seven Sons of Zhongnan and Liu Jinchan calmed down a bit, Yang Su was still immersed in self-blame, regretting that he had not discovered the abnormality earlier.】

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning.】

When Liu Jinchan was cleaning up the relics, there were three letters already prepared by Lu Chen's side.】

One was a family letter to his parents, one was a posthumous edict for the Prince of Yan's mansion.】

And the last one was left for Liu Jinchan.】

Liu Jinchan hurriedly opened the posthumous letter for himself, only to see it written briefly.】

【"To Master!"】

【"Master need not be sad, and the fifth one need not blame himself."】

【"Unlocking the old shackles of the past, only then do I know today is the true self."】

【"From now on, the sky is high and the earth is wide, let me be free and unrestrained."】

【"Lu Chen is happy!"】

Liu Jinchan stared at the letter in his hand, tears dripping down, wetting the paper.】

At this time!】

Yang Su noticed that on the bed where his Uncle Master was sitting in meditation, a sentence was also carved, the handwriting vigorous and powerful:】

【"May I ask the immortals in heaven, can my life as Lu Chen be considered brilliant?"】

Liu Jinchan stared blankly at these words!】

……

……

【Jianwu Year Three, deep autumn.】

【The Emperor of Yan passed away, buried in Zhongnan, the world wept.】

【Simulation ended!】

【Rewards are being obtained……】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 237 =====