Chapter 345: First Meeting with Yuwen Tuo

After returning to the inn, Duan Fengyun packed his luggage and then lay silently on the bed, deep in thought.

He had only one purpose for going to the Situ Gong Mansion: to obtain the Secret Manual for the Divine Fire Clone.

As Yang Su's secret technique that was never passed on to others, no one in the world had learned it except for Yuwen Tuo, and it would be extremely difficult for him to obtain the Divine Fire Clone from either of them.

There is no need to even mention Yang Su; he is an old fox. Duan Fengyun reckoned that before he could even make a move against Yang Su, he would have been killed by him.

And although Yuwen Tuo was young, he was more calculating than anyone else; otherwise, he would not have survived under Yang Su.

Over the past two days, Duan Fengyun had come up with a plan to obtain the Divine Fire Clone.

It seemed that the Soul Bewitching Great Method he had used on Long Po would have to be cast on Yuwen Tuo as well.

Now that Yuwen Tuo was still young and had no cultivation base yet, casting the Soul Bewitching Great Method on him would not be discovered.

But once Yuwen Tuo grew up, for Duan Fengyun to hope to obtain the Divine Fire Clone would undoubtedly be a pipe dream.

Therefore, if Duan Fengyun wanted to obtain the Divine Fire Clone, the present moment was the best opportunity.

Duan Fengyun looked at the Xuanyuan Sword beside him, which had already changed its appearance; it should now be called the Taiyi Sword.

Duan Fengyun muttered:

"Good friend, why is your fate so bitter?

In the Fengyun World, you were thrown into Lingyun Cave.

In the Shuiyue Dongtian World, you were sealed inside an iron box of the Long Family by the Martial Dao Gate.

Now that we have arrived in the world of the Scar of the Sky, you have been changed by the Martial Dao Gate into a broken iron sword; your fate is truly bitter."

Upon hearing Duan Fengyun's words, the Taiyi Sword emitted a series of sword hums, as if responding to Duan Fengyun.

Duan Fengyun laughed:

"But don't worry, I will definitely obtain the right to use the other Xuanyuan Sword as soon as possible and let you break the seal.

I want to let the people of this world see my Xuanyuan Sword."

As for the Xuanyuan Sword, Duan Fengyun was definitely going to take it with him.

For one, in this world, a scholar carrying a sword was not a strange sight.

For another, the current Xuanyuan Sword looked like an ordinary iron sword, and no one would pay any attention to it.

Although he had successfully infiltrated the Situ Gong Mansion, Duan Fengyun still did not let his guard down. After spreading his Spirit Sense around the inn, he closed his eyes again and began to study the "Xuanyuan Imperial Sword Technique" and the "Sword-Drawing Heaven-Slaying Technique."

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Duan Fengyun was now incredibly grateful to have a cheat like Spirit Sense; even Yang Su could not detect his Spirit Sense, which gave Duan Fengyun an extra layer of thick defense for his actions.

That night, Duan Fengyun did not practice until midnight; after he had practiced enough, he went to sleep.

Tomorrow he would enter the Situ Gong Mansion, and he had to be in a full state of mental readiness to deal with Yang Su and Yuwen Tuo; once any clues were discovered by the two of them, he would be doomed beyond salvation.

Early the next morning, Duan Fengyun got up and groomed himself. After putting on his Jade Pendant and folding fan again, that elegant young gentleman was back.

He carried the Xuanyuan Sword on his back, slowly walked down from the inn, and after settling his lodging bill, he strode toward the Situ Gong Mansion.

The innkeeper also learned that Duan Fengyun had been selected as a tutor for the Situ Gong Mansion and offered Duan Fengyun a round of congratulations.

In these chaotic times, being able to serve under someone like Yang Su, who held such power over the imperial court, was something many people envied, so the innkeeper's attitude was quite normal.

Duan Fengyun just gave a polite smile and continued walking toward the Situ Gong Mansion.

Arriving at the entrance of the Situ Gong Mansion, the guard recognized Duan Fengyun at a glance.

The guard smiled:

"Mr. Qin, you've arrived.

Situ Gong and Young Master Yuwen have been waiting for you inside for a long time. Please, come in."

Actually, rather than saying Yang Su and Yuwen Tuo had been waiting for a long time, it was more accurate to say that Yuwen Tuo had been summoned by Yang Su to wait in the main hall.

When Yuwen Tuo learned yesterday that he had a new tutor, he was also very puzzled; he was surprised at what kind of person could pass the assessment of that old fox, Yang Su.

However, there was one thing he could guess: this tutor was definitely not a simple character.

Duan Fengyun walked into the main hall and saw Yang Su holding a teacup with a smile on his face, and Yuwen Tuo playing with the Xuanyuan Sword on the side. He joked to himself:

"This pair of master and apprentice, they can't stand each other, yet they can't make a move; this feeling is truly painful."

Duan Fengyun walked up to Yang Su without changing his expression and bowed:

"Greetings, Situ Gong!"

Yang Su waved his finger and pointed at Yuwen Tuo, saying:

"Mr. Qin, there is no need for such formalities.

Tuo'er, come here quickly; this is Mr. Qin Shuang, the teacher I have found for you."

"Hello, Mr. Qin!"

After Yuwen Tuo gave a stiff, formal greeting, he walked away.

Yang Su looked at Duan Fengyun and said:

"I hope you will excuse him, sir.

From now on, Tuo'er's studies will be left to you, sir. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."

Duan Fengyun nodded and replied:

"Very well, Situ Gong!"

"Good, then Tuo'er's affairs are left to you. I am going to the Imperial Palace to see His Majesty."

After giving his instructions, Yang Su hurried off toward the imperial court.

After seeing Yang Su leave, Yuwen Tuo came to Duan Fengyun's side and said:

"Follow me, my tutor!"

Yuwen Tuo did not want to communicate with Duan Fengyun in Yang Su's main hall; he felt completely uncomfortable there, always having the feeling of being watched by Yang Su.

Yuwen Tuo brought Duan Fengyun to his own courtyard. After Yuwen Tuo plopped down on the ground, he gestured for Duan Fengyun to sit down.

Before Duan Fengyun could speak, Yuwen Tuo spoke directly:

"You are called Qin Shuang, right? You don't look very old; why did you think of coming to be my tutor?

Looking at you, you must have some other motive, right?

You can go ahead and say it; I won't tell Yang Su."

Duan Fengyun did not expect that the young Yuwen Tuo would be so precocious; it seemed that this great upheaval had indeed changed this former Earth Emperor.

Duan Fengyun did not stand on ceremony with Yuwen Tuo either; he plopped down next to Yuwen Tuo and said:

"Yes, my name is Qin Shuang, and I am twenty years old this year.

If you don't mind my humble status, you can call me Brother Qin.

I once had a happy and complete family; my father was a well-known merchant back then, so our family circumstances were quite well-off, at least we didn't have to struggle for a living every day.

My father loved literature and writing, and under his influence since I was young, I also grew to love literature and writing.

But then war broke out, my father died tragically in the chaos, and everyone in my family was killed by the war. I was the only one who escaped, and in order to survive, I had to choose to come and be your tutor.

Looking at you, it seems you are at odds with Commandant Situ Yang; aren't you his disciple?

How could it be like this?

I wonder if you could tell me your story, because although you are not old, your face is full of stories."

Yuwen Tuo turned his head to look at Duan Fengyun; although he did not know if what Duan Fengyun said was true or false, the experience Duan Fengyun described was too similar to his own, and he felt as if he had found a kindred spirit.

Finally finding someone to whom he could confide his worries, Yuwen Tuo slowly poured out the hatred and resentment he had been suppressing in his heart.

"My name is Yuwen Tuo, and I am of the Northern Zhou Yuwen Imperial Clan.

I was originally just like you, possessing a happy and complete family.

My imperial father and mother both loved me very much, but one day, that old thief Yang Su brought the Sui Army to my Northern Zhou.

My father died tragically at the hands of the Sui Army, and my mother also fell into the hands of Yang Su in order to cover my escape."

After hearing this, Duan Fengyun pretended to be completely ignorant and asked in confusion:

"Ah, so you are a prince of Northern Zhou; please forgive my rudeness.

It is just that there is one thing I don't understand: since you are a prince of Northern Zhou, why would Commandant Situ Yang spare your life and take you as his disciple?

From the information I have gathered, Commandant Situ Yang should be a person who acts decisively; why would such a situation occur?

I think Commandant Situ Yang should understand the principle that if one does not pull up the weeds by the roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze."

Yuwen Tuo sneered, took out the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand, and gestured with it:

"The reason for all this is because of this Xuanyuan Sword in my hand.

My Northern Zhou Yuwen Imperial Clan are the descendants of the Yellow Emperor and the guardians of the Xuanyuan Sword.

My mother was captured by the old thief Yang Su precisely because she was covering my escape to the Northern Zhou Sword Mausoleum to retrieve the Xuanyuan Sword.

The old thief Yang Su wanted to kill me to seize the Xuanyuan Sword, but he did not expect that the Xuanyuan Sword had already recognized me as its master; even if he killed me, he could not obtain the Xuanyuan Sword.

So he used my mother to force me to take him as my master, making me an executioner under his command.

All of this is because of the Xuanyuan Sword; without the Xuanyuan Sword, perhaps my Northern Zhou would not have been destroyed.

Without the Xuanyuan Sword, perhaps I, Yuwen Tuo, would have long since become a ghost under Yang Su's blade.

This is the story between me and Yang Su; now you know why I am at odds with him.

I don't care what motive you have for coming to be my tutor, I can only tell you that there is too much trouble here, and I advise you to leave early."

Thinking of Duan Fengyun's similar experience to his own, Yuwen Tuo warned Duan Fengyun to stay away from the feud between him and Yang Su.

Duan Fengyun said with an indifferent expression:

"I didn't expect that the two of us would have such similar Destiny.

However, since I chose to come to the Situ Gong Mansion, I am prepared.

Young Master Yuwen, don't worry, I will not tell Commandant Situ Yang about what you said today."

Yuwen Tuo looked at Duan Fengyun carefully; he did not expect that this Qin Shuang would not be scared away after learning of the feud between him and Yang Su.

It seems that if this Qin Shuang is not truly unafraid of death, then he truly has some other motive.

Yuwen Tuo decided to play along with Duan Fengyun to see what kind of scheme Duan Fengyun was trying to pull off.

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