Volume 3: Beijing Whirlwind Chapter 32: Complicated Relationships (Combined with Chapter 2)

  Midnight, Zhongzhou Tang's mansion

  The stars shone brightly in the sky and fell on the earth, a peaceful scene. The Tang Mansion was lit up like daytime, with lanterns shining everywhere.

  Tang An sat in the main position in the middle of the hall, Mu Hongyu and Miao Miao sat on his left, while Xiao Xie sat on his right, shaking her little feet. Xiao Xie sat on a large yellow wooden bamboo chair, swaying back and forth, but her little butt was twisting around on the chair, unable to sit still.

  Outside the hall, below the steps, in the courtyard, more than thirty tiger and leopard riders wore black armor, cold light shining on their iron clothes, with a fierce and formidable aura.

  Tang An is going to Yangzhou to pick up his parents, everyone in the village knows about it.

  Tang An went to Yangzhou, and he didn't need to sneak around at all. He just wanted to lead his eight hundred tiger and leopard riders, openly and honorably, passing through the state and prefecture, with iron cavalry all the way, entering Yangzhou Lin'an Prefecture, making people all over the world envy him. Envy their own parents for having such a good son.

  Ten years of hard practice, one morning to fame. It turns out that it was just because his father said at the time "My son will surely be a legend in Jianghu"

  At that time, Tang's father said this, he did not promise, because the promise was too heavy, he was afraid that he could not do it, and let his father down. But in his heart, he remembered it firmly and for ten years, day and night, he worked hard to cultivate himself. Now, he really made it to Yangzhou, and he wanted to let everyone see how Tang An would show off his skills with pride.

  Ten years ago, Jun Tian taught him how to be a good person. Ten years later, he vowed to take revenge for the destruction of his family.

  At that time, for the sake of his family's wealth, the Tianqi Sect forced his parents to move to Yangzhou under surveillance. However, the Tianqi Sect did not completely destroy them, but left a thread of face. This thread of face may be maintained by his uncle Le Yi, or perhaps it was because the Tianqi Sect remembered his father's past military achievements and did not continue to force him.

  Tang's father and mother were in Yangzhou, Lin'an County. Tang An had already learned about it through the court's intelligence system. He knew that his parents lived just outside the city of Lin'an County, a gathering place for the family members of the Quanzhen Sect. Although their life was not wealthy, they were not in danger of losing their lives.

  Jun Tian Jiao may not have gone to extremes, but Tang An would never be grateful to Jun Tian Jiao. Because if it weren't for them, he wouldn't have been separated from his parents for ten years. However, there was one thing that Tang An couldn't understand no matter what. Why did Le Yi want to send him to Mount Shu to learn martial arts back then? If he had successfully learned the skills and returned, would he still be thinking of his kindness? Paper can't wrap fire. Even a six-year-old child may be young and ignorant. But as they grow older, they will gradually understand the hidden circumstances.

  Tang An couldn't understand. But he would never compromise, even if Yue Yi had indeed been good to him in the past and wanted him to stand out by sending him to Shu Mountain, but persecuting his parents was a fact.

  Yue Yi has his own difficulties, Tang Anke doesn't care

  People have always been selfish and unreasonable. Why should your grievances be exchanged for my suffering? Can't you bear the pain yourself?

  Hatred is hatred, no need to say more. Tang An only knew that Yue Yi had separated him from his parents for ten years, and this alone was enough.

  However, if Tang An's parents were to die now, he would undoubtedly massacre the entire city of Yangzhou. But for now, his parents are still alive. This thread of face-saving for the Quan Tian Sect is extremely important to Tang An. He must consider this thread of face-saving, lest the Quan Tian Sect go mad and kill his parents in a fit of rage.

  As for killing those disciples of the Sun, Moon and Stars during the day, anyway, there's no evidence to prove it, even if the Tianxian Sect knows that Tang An did it, what can they do? For people standing at their height, the lives and deaths of dozens of people are nothing. However, Tang An is still worried that the Tianxian Sect will use his parents as hostages, so he wants to send out thirty of the bravest men from the Tiger and Leopard Army ahead of time to rush to Lin'an Prefecture overnight to take his parents away first, lest the Tianxian Sect makes a move.

  "Zheng Biao, you and the thirty or so people with you will take this golden plaque bestowed by His Majesty and set out for Yangzhou's Lin'an County tonight. Along the way, no checkpoint will dare to block your path. Once you arrive at Lin'an County, find my parents and then head to Chen Family Village in Xili Slope, west of Lin'an City, where you'll meet with the village owner, Chen Yi. Show him this plaque and he'll arrange for you to hide out. Tomorrow, I'll lead the rest of my brothers and follow after you. Remember, we must bring my parents back." As Tang An spoke, a dragon-headed plaque was handed over. This golden plaque was bestowed upon Tang An by the Emperor himself, representing an extremely noble status. Even the regional governor would have to kneel down and pay respects when seeing this plaque. With this plaque, one could even mobilize nearby troops - its power was immense. The Emperor, Zhao Yuanhao, had indeed invested enough effort in winning over Tang An. These gestures did make Tang An feel his good intentions. However, Tang An wasn't a fool; he naturally knew that Zhao Yuanhao valued his boundless future prospects and wanted to use him as a sword to sweep away those who refused to submit."

  Zheng Biao nodded, took the token with both hands and solemnly said: "Don't worry, Your Excellency. I will definitely find Master and Madam and protect them well. If not, I'll come to see you with my head in hand."

  Tang An nodded and said, "If you encounter disciples of the Jun Tian Sect blocking your way, tell them. I must bring my parents back, and if anyone dares to block our family reunion, I will exhaust all my life's strength. Even though Yangzhou has ten large counties, I will make blood flow three times." As Tang An spoke, a fierce and unspoken aura burst forth from his body.

  Upon hearing this, even if Tang An was facing the most elite soldiers of the Tiger and Leopard Army, he still felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at Tang An, with his head hung even lower, such a person is indeed the leader of the Tiger and Leopard Army, worthy of the name Wu An.

  Wu'an, this was the title conferred by Emperor Zhao Yuanhao of Western Xia on Tang An, the former "Killing God" Bai Qi. The meaning is self-evident.

  He just wants this sword of slaughter to kill all his enemies under heaven for him.

  Zheng Biao heard Tang An's words, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat. He clenched his fist and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Whoever dares to touch the old master and mistress won't need you to lift a hand; Zheng Biao will make sure they never return."

  Tang An nodded in satisfaction, waved his hand and said, "Go"

  More than thirty people shouted "Hurray" and quickly turned around to leave. The hall was empty again.

  Muhong Yu stood up and walked to Tang An's side, saying: "I know that this time you're going to Yangzhou, it's not as simple as that. The Tianquan Sect is full of experts, and you're going alone, which is too dangerous. Moreover, you are now the deputy commander of the Hu Bao Army, and with your move, all the wise people in the world will understand that the imperial court is about to take action against the Tianquan Sect. The emperor is using you as a knife to test whether the Ming brothers have the courage to rebel."

  Your temper, I know, will never compromise. You go to Yangzhou, it's definitely a life-and-death battle. I absolutely disagree with you, and you just leave us like this.

  If it were in the past, my martial arts skills would not be enough, and I would have been a burden to you. I wouldn't dare say another word. But now, I too have entered the realm of heaven, and although this world is vast, I ask myself if I have the strength to accompany you to every corner of the earth. Even if Yangzhou's Tianxian Sect is a lair of dragons and tigers, I, Muhong Yu, also have the courage to accompany you in taking on the challenge.

  "If you don't agree, I'll leave tomorrow and return to Mount Tian alone, as if we had never met."

  Mu Hongyu spoke bluntly, but at this moment, she was serious and would not allow Tang An to refuse.

  Tang An turned his head and gazed deeply at Mu Hongyu. Her appearance was extremely beautiful, still young and unchanged, just like the first time Tang An saw her ten years ago. Especially those eyes, as if they were going to concentrate all the spirit and beauty of the world into that one point of blackness.

  Ten years later, the girl who was a bit silly at that time has also become a Tianjing strongman.

  Muhong Yu saw Tang An not speaking, but added another sentence: "You promised me that after I entered the Tianjing, you would go to Yangzhou with me. We are two great masters of the Tianjing, roaming Yangzhou, and will meet the left and right messengers of the Tianjing Sect, the four kings of wind, thunder, rain, and electricity... What you said has always been counted, why do you want to go back on your word now that I'm here?"

  Tang An looked at Mu Hongyu's stubborn expression, but suddenly a smile appeared on his face. Mu Hongyu saw him smile and also blushed with a shy face: "What I said earlier was just anger, don't take it seriously. I wouldn't be stupid enough to run back to Tianshan alone. Even if we go back, you have to go with me."

  "If I really met the four heavenly kings and the left and right messengers of death, then with so many people, actually, I would run away."

  Muhongyu listened to him seriously, her face suddenly changed to shock, and then she burst out laughing, "Silly egg, really met one, who wouldn't run?"

  Xiao Xie found what they said interesting, so she jumped down from the chair and grabbed Tang An's sleeve, saying: "Are you guys going to Yangzhou? Xiao Xie has never been to Yangzhou before. Little Tang An, take me with you too! You go fight, I can help you keep watch and even hit people with a club. I have the Small Spirit Bead, whoever looks at me sideways, I'll use it to smash their head. One smash, one hit, never missed!"

  Xiao Xie said, and took out his own small spirit bead to show off. But suddenly, Xiao Xie exclaimed in surprise: "Why has the color of the small spirit bead changed? Wasn't it emerald green before? How did it turn into dark blue? Ah, could it be broken?"

  Xiao Xie saw that the Lingzhu's original pale green water-like luster had changed to a dark blue, somewhat viscous and intermittent glow, and immediately became anxious.

  She took the small spirit bead and ran around, wherever she went, she would tap it with the small spirit bead. After tapping for half a day, the color of the small spirit bead didn't change at all. It seems that it's really broken.

  Xiao Xie suddenly burst into loud wailing: "Waaah... Little Lingzhu is really broken... Master said that Little Lingzhu was left to Xiao Xie by his father and mother. But now, it's been ruined by Xiao Xie himself. In the future, when he meets his father and mother again, they won't like him anymore. Poor Xiao Xie..."

  Xiao Xie cried, then hugged Mu Hongyu's leg again, wiping her tears and snot all over it. She lifted her head, her big eyes shining brightly, extremely pitiful.

  She pulled Mu Hongyu's sleeve with a pitiful expression and said, "Little Mu, I want to go to sleep. Don't go to Yangzhou, if you go to Yangzhou, no one will hold me to sleep. Little Xie can't sleep, it's so pitiful."

  "The little spirit bead is broken and can't sleep... it's really pitiful."

  Xiao Xie said, still glancing at Tang An with big eyes, pouting her mouth, looking really pitiful.

  Tang An's face had already shown a smile. He had seen a hint of cunning in Xiao Xie's big eyes and knew that Xiao Xie was absolutely pretending.

  "Xiao Xie, wouldn't you be pitied if we took you to Yangzhou?"

  Xiao Xie nodded immediately, her big eyes full of expectation: "Master said that Mingjia's younger brother from Jun Tian Jiao has many treasures. He said that when we meet in the future, they will give Xiao Xie some treasures. Xiao Xie went to Yangzhou and must have gotten a lot of good things."

  Tang An heard this and turned his head to look at Mu Hongyu, asking: "What's going on? Does the Jade True Person have a relationship with the Jun Tian Sect?"

  Muhong Yu furrowed her brow, but shook her head and said: "I don't know. I've only been on Mount Tian for a year, during which Master only pointed out the way of cultivation to me, and most of the time, I rarely saw Master. Master is always in seclusion. Except for Xiao Xie, anyone who reaches the door will be bounced back by an invisible energy. However, Xiao Xie was raised by Master, so he must know more than me."

  Tang An looked at Xiao Xie carefully, squatted down, and then took out a handkerchief from his bosom to gently wipe away Xiao Xie's tears and nasal mucus. He said, "I promised to take you to Yangzhou. However, you can't run around randomly and must listen obediently."

  Xiao Xie smiled mischievously, then suddenly stretched out her small hand and gently poked Tang An's shoulder, saying: "Little Tang An, if you listen to me, will you call me sister?"

  Mo Hongyu couldn't help but laugh again when she heard that. It turned out that Xiao Xie actually cared about this matter so much.

  Miao Miao looked at Tang An and agreed to take Mu Hongyu and Xiao Xie to Yangzhou, but did not bring herself. She understood that her martial arts skills were too weak. However, she couldn't help it, as her innate talent had predetermined that her achievements would never be like those of the three of them. Originally, she thought that her lightness skill was still somewhat useful to Tang An. Unfortunately, now that Tang An had entered the Heavenly Realm, he had many skilled subordinates at his disposal, and ordinary matters no longer required him to take action personally. And when he did take action, it was absolutely not something Miao Miao could assist with. Miao Miao suddenly felt that she was really quite useless, unable to help Tang An with anything. Watching the three of them discuss their trip to Yangzhou, she felt somewhat superfluous, and her face darkened slightly.

  Although Mu Hongyu had always been acting carefree, her heart was actually very delicate. She had already noticed that Miao Miao was not feeling well and turned around to pull her aside, whispering a few words in her ear. Whatever Mu Hongyu said, Miao Miao's face suddenly lit up, nodding vigorously as she replied: "Alright, sister, don't worry, I'll definitely take care of it. You and big brother can go to Yangzhou with peace of mind, leave the family matters to me."

  The little fox looked at Miao Miao with a puzzled expression, wondering why her face changed so quickly. However, she soon remembered the treasure of the Ming brothers in Yangzhou and suddenly her mind was filled with longing.

  …………

  Yangzhou Tianducheng, Jun Tian Jiao

  Ming Ruogu sat in the first position on the left hand side of the high platform, while the positions to the right and the central position of the master were all empty.

  The four kings below, the nine great hall masters, not one missing, all bowed their heads and listened to orders with trepidation.

  Ming Ruo Guo sat on the high platform, but kept frowning, stroking his forehead with his left hand, shaking his head and not speaking, looking like he was racking his brains.

  The people below saw this scene and didn't even dare to breathe. The four kings of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning looked at each other, shook their heads secretly, and then cast their eyes on the nine hall masters below.

  "Look at this situation, Left Envoy is very angry. Don't know which bastard has provoked Left Envoy again, causing everyone to be unlucky."

  They each harbored their own misgivings, then with just one glance at the face of the Ninth Master, they immediately discerned the white paper fan of the Law Enforcement Hall and the iron hawk of the Music Bureau. The expressions on both men's faces remained unchanged. At that moment, it was crystal clear in their minds - those two must have stirred up trouble again.

  As expected, at this moment, Ming Ruo Gu suddenly stood up and snapped his fingers. The others only heard two crisp sounds of "bang bang". Both Le Yi and Bai Zhi Shan's faces turned pale, their knees softened, and they knelt to the ground.

  "You two scoundrels, how many times have I told you to keep your public and private lives separate? Do you know or not? Just because of the trivial matter between you two idiots, our sect has lost more than 40 elite disciples." Ming Ruo Guo pulled up his sleeves, pointing at Le Yi and Bai Zhi Fan's heads without any dignity, spitting wildly, with a look that seemed to want to dig up their ancestors' graves to scold them for eighteen generations.

  But seeing Ming Ruo Gu's appearance, the two of them knelt on the ground and let out a sigh of relief.

  Ming Ru Gu's personality is vastly different from ordinary people. If he smiles at you with great pleasure, then the next second, you will definitely die a terrible death. But if he unleashes his thunderous anger at you, then in fact, he is not angry in his heart, but rather very pleased.

  "It's strange, why is Zuoshi so happy today? Within the sect, because of Le Yi and Bai Zhi Shan, more than 40 elite disciples died. Even if they were abandoned, it would be considered normal. Did Zuoshi receive some good news?"

  Ming Ruo cursed for a few sentences, feeling a bit thirsty, and then ran back to pour the teapot on the tea table into his mouth. After pouring it in, he slammed the teapot to the ground, pointing at Le Yi: "Le Yi, you damn turtle egg, what are you still kneeling here for? Hurry up to Lin'an and take good care of Tang's couple! By the way, I have a mansion in Lin'an, I don't know which one of you turtles gave it to me?"

  Ming Ruogu said this, but below him was a fat man who timidly raised his hand and fawned: "It's under your jurisdiction, Left Envoy, you've forgotten? That mansion under my jurisdiction was bought at a high price from a salt merchant. Behind the mansion is a spring called Tiger Run, which is the most famous in all of Yangzhou. You've even drunk tea brewed with water from there, saying it's sweet and refreshing..." This fat man looked sordid, but he was actually a master of the highest level, and one of the Four Kings of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning - known as the "Rain Master". His nickname was well-deserved, for his skill with the Emerald Water Palm was so divine that it could shake the earth. In Yangzhou, or even the entire Jianghu, he was a force to be reckoned with. Yet at this moment, in front of Ming Ruogu, he was timid and fearful, like a mouse.

  Before he could finish introducing himself, Ming Ruo Yu clapped her hands and pointed at the fatty, saying: "You, Lan Ruoen"

  Pangzi immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Left Envoy, what are your orders?"

  Seeing Lanyan, Ming Ruo immediately slapped his thigh and said: "Right, it's you who will go to Lin'an now. Immediately vacate that mansion for me, let the Tang couple move in, and have them worshiped as ancestors"

  Several others didn't move, but looked at Ming Ruo Valley with a confused expression, not knowing what he meant. Although the Tang couple had an excellent son, even if Tang An was formidable, he was only a Tianjing high-ranking expert, not worthy of Left Envoy, the second-in-command of the Quan Tian Sect and the peak of the Great Tianjing, being so enthusiastic about him. Besides, wasn't Tang An still a member of the imperial court? Wasn't that the enemy of our Quan Tian Sect? Had things been mistaken?

  "Ke Ming Ruo Gu looked at Lan Rui En and Le Yi, who were motionless, but suddenly let out a loud roar: 'What are you waiting for? You two bastards, hurry up and go!'"

  After Le Yi and Lan Ruoen left, there was a fearless person who looked at Ming Ruo Gu and stroked his chin, seemingly thinking about something, but his face seemed to be good. He asked in a low voice: "Zuoshi, may I ask, what is the matter that makes you so eager? Although Tang An has unlimited prospects, we don't need to fawn on him like this, do we?"

  Ming Ruogu gave him a glance. Just that one glance, the person asking the question trembled slightly. Afraid that what awaited him next was a palm of yin-yang energy. Ming Ruogu and his brother Ming Xuhuai both cultivated yin-yang, comprehending the way of light and darkness. Unfortunately, when Ming Ruogu entered the Heavenly Realm in the past, he suffered from demonic possession, causing his personality to become inverted, sometimes crazy, sometimes normal, making it difficult for people to grasp. This illness, even until now that he had entered the Great Heavenly Realm, still hadn't improved. And today, just one look and you could tell, was one of those times when he wasn't normal. When Ming Ruogu wasn't normal, you absolutely mustn't provoke him into anger, otherwise, the consequences would be severe.

  "You guys don't understand anything. Tang An was just that in my eyes originally, but now it's different, those two girls by his side... Do you know who they are?"

  "Haha... forget it, you bunch of fools wouldn't be able to guess anyway. Let me tell you, those two girls are both my nieces and also high disciples of my sister Yu. In the past, I and my big brother ventured into the Western Regions, getting lost in the Mystic Realm, undergoing life-and-death training. Unfortunately, we encountered the Smoke Miasma, and I was ambushed by a demonic creature within it, leaving me on the brink of death. Luckily, Sister Yu saved me. It's been almost fifty years since then. The Tian Shan Mountains are too far from Yangzhou; although we haven't moved around much in these fifty years, this feeling has never left my heart. As for the Tang family's matter, it was I who acted unreasonably back then - I was wrong, and I admit it. I, Ming Ruo Gu, acknowledge my mistake... but things are different now."

  That person listened, but still didn't understand: "But Left Envoy, Tang An came with an army. The Emperor seems to have made up his mind to destroy our Quan Tian Sect this time. You can't think of recognizing him as a relative and pulling him over to our side, right? Your idea is absolutely brilliant, but Tang An doesn't seem like an easy person to win over."

  Ming Ruo Gu heard this, but sneered: "Emperor? He's nothing. If he forces us to a desperate situation, my brother and I will go directly to the capital city of Yanjing to talk to him, see if he still dares to say anything about destroying our Quan Tian Sect. You people haven't reached our level, you don't understand the affairs of this world. What's the difference between a thousand-year imperial dynasty or a ten-thousand year imperial dynasty? In my eyes, it's all just the same. Whether it's Shu Shan or our Quan Tian Sect, we're just trying to live our lives without being controlled by others."

  "This Tian Jiao, in your eyes is enormous. But look, my elder brother has been the sect leader for so many years, does he take this position seriously? He locks himself up in that secret chamber 365 days a year, more than 360 days above are spent inside. I've long told him, can locking oneself up break through the Great Heavenly Boundary and enter the Yuan Realm? Bullshit! But he doesn't believe it, saying something about being naturally talented, others aren't, but he isn't either? Look, nearly thirty years have passed, when he goes in what's the result, coming out still not following the Heavenly Way, ordinary people, forever don't think about entering the Yuan Realm."

  Upon hearing this, the faces of several people below the stairs suddenly changed.

  These words are like a death sentence. At this moment, Zuo Shi doesn't seem to care, but who knows when he'll remember and realize that even his own death is uncertain. However, they don't dare to leave. For now, they can only cover their ears, pretending they didn't hear anything. But their faces have clearly turned pale.

  "As for Tang An, if he causes trouble for us, you should still teach him a lesson. However, whether or not you do so doesn't affect my attitude towards his parents. This arrangement is entirely for the sake of my two nieces' reputation. If Tang An dares to mess with our Jun Tian Sect's disciples, you must beat him severely. If you can't beat him and lose face instead, I'll throw you into the Jun Tian Pool and let Ah Li extract your Heart Fire to cultivate the Li Huo Xuan Gong."

  Ming Ruogu spoke for a while and saw that the people below looked terrified, almost shrinking their heads into their crotches, it was also meaningless.

  "Never mind, I won't bother telling you, you wouldn't be interested anyway. In this world, how many people can truly understand my heart... Life is indeed lonely..."

  Ming Ruogu said, his figure flashed, and he directly disappeared into the great hall.

  He disappeared, and the others suddenly collapsed to the ground. Unconsciously, they all wiped their foreheads with their sleeves, which were covered in cold sweat. Someone even exclaimed: "What day is today? It's not the first or the fifteenth... why did he get sick again? ...When the right envoy returns, how can we still live?"