Chapter Thirty-Four: The Prime Minister's Southern Tour

  Just now, the intense and thrilling duel has passed, and the whole dinner party has fallen into a situation of mutual flattery. Su Feng and Bi Han exchanged a glance, full of helplessness. Just now, in Su Feng's battle with Mu Rong Qing Feng, if it wasn't Mu Rong Yu or Liang Ze Er who was most surprised, then it must be Bi Han. She had personally witnessed that at the time of Luo Yun Shan, he only knew some shallow martial arts, but in just a few days, he could already defeat the direct disciple of the Mu Rong family. How could she not be surprised?

  Unfortunately, the two seats were too far apart, and until the banquet ended, they could only exchange eye contact. A little joy also dissipated in her heart with the wind.

  Perhaps just now, his all-out effort was not only for the dignity of his father, the pride of his family, but also for that little bit of youthful ignorance. Like a young man like water, after many years, if you are allowed to come back once, facing such an uncertain touch, how will you choose again?

  Many years later, you may have forgotten the answer, and perhaps the answer is no longer that important. What's important is whether you still remember her face from back then, what she said, and what she did? Have you ever told her your most sincere words? The wind blows, the sword hums, but there is no echo.

  Before long, the banquet dispersed, and Liang Tou'er brought Su Feng to say a few words of thanks for the hospitality, and hastily left Shui Long Tang. As they were leaving, Su Feng turned his head back to take a look, coincidentally seeing Bi Han, who was walking behind Murong Yu, also turning her head back to take a glance. In that one glance, there was only bitterness. Bitterness... it seemed that in the face of these two words, all of Su Feng's efforts just now had lost their meaning.

  After that battle, it seemed as if the entire Murong family knew in an instant that Su Feng, who was a guest at the manor, had defeated Murong Qingfeng, the second genius of the Murong family. For a time, everyone's gaze towards him was different. Some were filled with reverence, some with doubt, and others with disdain. Su Feng looked into their eyes but didn't let it affect his heart, for he knew his own strength better than anyone else. Although he had won that time, his internal energy had been depleted by half, and the gap in internal energy was perhaps not enough to decide victory or defeat, but it was also the hardest to make up for.

  Su Feng also knew this, so he continued as before, every day except for the normal three meals, whenever there was spare time, he would quietly practice in the house. Thus, fifteen days passed quickly, and during this time, nothing else happened, Mu Rongyu seemed to have come around and no longer made things difficult for them.

  In this half month, Sui Feng finally touched the door again, leading to the true energy breaking through from Lingtai to Shentang, and finally opening up the entire Du Mai. Thus, the Small Zhou Tian was considered to be open for half.

  The Ren and Du channels belong to the eight extraordinary meridians, only because the Ren and Du channels have fixed routes, similar to the twelve regular meridians, so doctors also call them the fourteen regular meridians. For those who practice martial arts, opening up the Ren and Du channels is equivalent to opening up the entire body, although it won't be like in legend where one has supernatural powers that can penetrate heaven and earth. However, opening up the Ren and Du channels is a completely different story from not doing so. Once the Du channel is open, the entire lower abdomen (dan tian) and meridians become wider than before, and his internal power also becomes more solid and takes another step forward.

  On the fifteenth day, they should have continued on their journey with the wind. However, on that very day, news arrived that the current Prime Minister, Li Linfu, was making a southern tour on behalf of the Emperor and had already reached the River Zhe, where he was currently staying at the Dragon Pavilion. As soon as this news broke out, the whole world was shocked and frightened. People were speculating about Li Linfu's intentions, but few knew about the auspicious event. Even if they guessed for a hundred years, they would never be able to guess Li Linfu's true thoughts.

  "How did Li Linfu suddenly arrive at Zhi River? And yet he's so close to us, what's going on?" As soon as the news was heard, Su Feng immediately found Liang Tou'er and they discussed their next move together.

  Due to the prime minister's inspection tour, it was second only to the Son of Heaven. What's more, it was still under the banner of "on behalf of the Son of Heaven". Suddenly, all the prefectures and counties along Li Linfu's southern inspection route were on high alert, and anyone entering or leaving the city at any time would be subject to strict checks. The official roads and waterways were also guarded by soldiers, and even with the power of the Murong family, it was unlikely that they could pass through these layers of security lines undetected.

  Liang Ze also furrowed his brow, exclaiming in surprise: "I didn't expect Li Linfu's speed to be so fast, could it be because of the auspicious sign? Since he is making this southern tour, it means that the so-called auspicious sign has not been obtained, at least not yet..."

  "So he's come this time for good fortune?"

  Liang Tou'er nodded and said: "In this case, it should be eight or nine out of ten."

  Still somewhat uneasy, he asked: "Will his plot to swallow Xiang Rui succeed?"

  Liang Ze said with a sigh: "As long as our previous guess was correct, he will definitely not be able to get it. In fact, what I'm worried about is not whether he can get the auspicious sign or not."

  Following the wind, he continued to think along his train of thought and suddenly came to a conclusion, which startled himself. He said: "You're worried that he's coming here because he lacks something and can't get good luck, then he can't find Bi Huan, so he takes it out on us? However, if we can really rely on the Mu Rong family to reach Donghai Port, we can avoid the blockade and search everywhere, and we don't have to be afraid of Li Linfu."

  Liang Ze's expression turned serious as he listened to him, and he sighed, "I'm afraid things aren't that simple. Whether we can leave smoothly depends on Mu Rongyu's attitude. If he deliberately wants to delay us here, using Li Linfu as an excuse, we can only suffer in silence. The worst-case scenario isn't even this - if he pretends to agree to send us off, but intentionally sends us into Li Linfu's clutches halfway, leaving us to fall into his hands, that would be the most terrible outcome."

  As he listened to his analysis, she felt a chill run down her spine and was shocked for a long time before calming down a bit, asking: "Then what should we do?"

  Liang Ze's son could only shake his head and say: "For now, it's still too early for us to draw conclusions. Let's wait until we've met with Murong Yu before making a final judgment."

  In a certain secret room, a middle-aged man wearing brocade clothes sat in the center of the Taishi chair. His triangular eyes and pointed chin seemed to have a somewhat sinister taste. This person was none other than Li Linfu, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, who was second only to the emperor and above all others.

  At this moment, a black-clad man was kneeling on one knee below Li Linfu, his face hidden behind a veil, making it impossible to discern his features. "How is it? Have you found the location marked by the Five-Colored Divine Stone?" Li Linfu asked calmly, exuding an air of superiority, his tone though calm, still carried a hint of unspoken intimidation.

  The black-clad man below said, "Reporting to the master, the hall master has verified it multiple times and there will be no mistake. The ancient auspicious sign should indeed be in Longyou. We have confirmed the location and sent brothers to go in, and we did find the legendary Denglong Platform. However..."

  Li Linfu listened, his face unchanged, it was unclear whether he was angry or pleased, and said coldly: "What is it?"

  The man in black seemed to be somewhat afraid, and with difficulty swallowed his saliva, saying in a hoarse voice: "Next to the Dragon Platform, there is a stele of Qin Wang's achievements. The inscription on the stele is consistent with ancient legends. It says that the First Emperor did not have the heavenly mandate to ascend to the throne, and should have stopped at being the King of Qin. However, he was able to conquer the six directions and destroy the six states because he relied on Xu Fu, a Taoist priest he had met while still a prince, who accompanied him on a secret journey from Xianyang to the present-day Longyou. By chance, they discovered the Dragon Platform, borrowed the dragon energy of Jiangdong, and thus established his dominant position. However, after exploring the stone cave, it seems that the Dragon Platform was sealed off by the First Emperor's order."

  Li Linfu did not expect there to be so many stories in this, and exclaimed: "Then how can it be opened?"

  "The man in black said: 'A specific key is needed to open it, according to the mark left behind, the master of the hall analyzed that the key was the yin-yang jade pendant.'"

  Li Linfu's expression of surprise was even more intense, and he said: "Are you saying that the jade pendant born on the same day as the Heirloom Jade Seal? Legend has it that this jade pendant is carved from the most spiritual corner of the He Shi Bi, just like the Jade Seal, it is a priceless treasure. What's strange is that later, before Qin was destroyed, this jade pendant had already disappeared without a trace, and from ancient times to the present, there have been people searching for it, but it has not been found yet. If it's really true, then isn't this trip to the south just a waste of time?"

  He said with his last question, and then paused for a moment, his majesty was even more majestic.

  The man in black listened with a solemn and fearful expression, lowering his head and saying: "According to the master's words, this jade pendant is very likely on someone's body?"

  Li Linfu's eyes were slightly closed, and he asked in a low voice: "Who is it?"

  "It was Zhao Fengzhang, the former governor of Xianning who had been killed by the adults."

  Now that the fifteenth day has passed, Li Hua's time in Penglai Palace is limited to only five more days. Even if the Murong family sends him off sincerely, it will take three days, and if there are any further delays, he may not make it on time.

  Both of them knew that time was pressing, so they hastily went to the Ling Water Pavilion to pay their respects to Murong Yu. Murong Yu sat upright in the central taishi chair, looking at Liang Tou'er and Sui Feng in front of him, and said calmly: "You two want to leave? I suppose you both know about the Chancellor's southern tour as well? At this moment, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the Yangtze River are under emergency martial law, and all passing merchant ships must be inspected. Even for my Murong family, this matter is not so easily settled."

  Murong Yu's words were a polite refusal, but they still carried a hint of hesitation. Su Feng's heart was anxious, and he asked, "Must we necessarily go upstream along the Grand Canal? If we head east to the sea and take a boat, would that be feasible?"

  Murong Yu furrowed his brow and said, "I know you're anxious in your heart, but this matter requires careful consideration. If it's not handled properly, we'll not only offend Li Linfu, but also delay the journey of the two of them. Taking the sea route is a shortcut, after all, today the Tang Dynasty reigns supreme, and the Eastern Ocean country of Fusang has sent a large number of envoys to come to the Eastern Land for cultural exchange, so previously the sea route was relatively relaxed. The only thing is, I don't know if Li Linfu will ban the sea."

  For some reason, Murong Yu's attitude towards them seemed to have changed a lot, and he was no longer as hypocritical as before. Instead, he had a somewhat sincere desire to help.

  Liáng Tuō ér gazed at him and said, "Master of the house, I have an idea. Master of the house can use the Water Dragon's Humming to send us two to Penglai. If we encounter official ships inspecting along the way, just say that we are people from Fusang who came to Tang Dynasty for sightseeing and learning, and previously we were guests at Murong's house. This time it is to send us back to our country. I think with the prestige of the Murong family, ordinary officials will not scrutinize this matter thoroughly. Su Feng is still a child, and I am also under twenty years old, even if they really want to inspect, the soldiers won't take us seriously."

  Murong Yu's eyebrows jumped, and he finally made up his mind, saying: "Alright, as Liang Shaoyou said. You two go down and prepare first, after sunset today I will let Xuanfeng and Qingfeng send you directly to Penglai Palace."

  At this time, even Lian Feng also sensed something was off about Murong Yu. He had been thinking of all sorts of underhanded tricks to deal with them, so why was he now going all out to help? What other hidden motives were at play here? As he thought about it, he became somewhat entranced, and it wasn't until Lian Feng gave him a push from behind that he snapped back to reality. He thanked Lian Feng and left the Ling Shui Pavilion together with him.

  "Why did Murong Yu suddenly change his mind and help us?" he asked curiously as they walked along the road.

  Liang Ze picked a string of flowers by the roadside with a calm expression and said, "It's nothing but for good luck after all."