Chapter 190 The Next Morning

The next morning, A'ming arrived outside Zheng Fan's tent.

Si Niang was already up, making hand-pulled noodles.

Seeing A'ming arrive, Si Niang asked,

"Want some?"

"I'll have some if you add a little human blood curd."

"Sure, I can add some."

"Really adding it?"

"Of course."

"Wouldn't that be bad? The master will be eating it later, right?"

"Of course."

"Then let's not add it after all."

If it's added, and the master eats it, then not only will he be at the bottom, he might actually have to repeat a grade.

In critical moments, no being naughty.

Shortly after,

Zheng Fan came out,

The Marquis of Jing'nan trembled at the knees as he walked out of the tent, supporting his lower back.

Seeing this, A'ming looked away, sat down, and looked at Si Niang again.

Si Niang shook her head slightly.

A'ming sighed helplessly.

Everything,

Was understood without words.

The Marquis of Jing'nan sat down beside him as well. Even though he was already a sixth-rank martial artist, he really felt like the area around his waist wasn't his anymore.

"Hoo..."

Reaching out and taking a bowl of noodles from Si Niang, Zheng Fan started eating.

A'ming then spoke,

"Master, he went to see the children yesterday."

Zheng Fan nodded, not seeming too surprised.

"He also fought with Shatuo Queshi. He might be able to open the second rank like the Sword Saint."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan put the noodles in his hand in front of him with some helplessness, suddenly feeling that the noodles weren't fragrant anymore.

But what to say,

He was somewhat used to it, used to being struck down.

Of course, he actually had made progress in his life. Compared to the emotionless existence of "Daddy Ma" and "Hubby Sicong" in his previous life,

At least in this life, he had actually learned to be "jealous."

Because between them, he could still use "distance" to measure it, no matter how far, at least there was a concept.

"Is Shatuo Queshi okay?" Zheng Fan asked.

"There's no problem, he didn't use heavy hands."

"Sigh, it sounds a bit sad."

This was an emotion similar to the blind man's last night. No matter what, before the Sword Saint recovered, Shatuo Queshi was considered the highest individual combat power on their side.

"Okay, you guys pack up, I'll go say goodbye to Tian Wujing."

"Yes, Master."

After Zheng Fan left, A'ming took out his waterskin, took a sip of blood, and said,

"This time, it looks difficult."

Si Niang nodded and said, "The Magic Pill isn't making a move either."

"Yeah."

Generally speaking, the demon kings who advance most easily are actually Si Niang and the Magic Pill.

One is his bedroom partner;

The other is his own son.

When these two are somewhat helpless now, the other demon kings can only watch from the sidelines. Even if they're anxious, there's no way to help.

Si Niang cleaned up the pots and bowls, washed her hands with clear water, and said,

"After we return to Xuehai Pass this time, let's gather together and have a meeting."

The master has advanced,

But this time, the advancement of their demon kings isn't as simple as who licks first or who licks later.

"Coincidentally, the blind man said the same thing."

……

Zheng Fan arrived outside the commander's tent. After the guard announced him, he went inside.

Tian Wujing was sitting on the edge of the couch, seemingly having just gotten up and was putting on his clothes.

"Your Highness, this humble general is returning to Xuehai Pass. This time, thank you for your cultivation."

Zheng Fan knew why Tian Wujing had specifically called him over. The biggest purpose was actually to have himself see this round of "scenery";

As for the matter of advancement, it could only be regarded as incidental.

It was a bit like between a master and disciple, using the blood and corpses of forty thousand people to hold a graduation ceremony for himself;

At the same time, letting himself issue the order to kill the prisoners would certainly put himself on the Chu people's "blacklist" forever,

But it undoubtedly amounted to raising his hand to announce to the entire Jing'nan Army,

That he, Zheng Fan,

Could speak on behalf of the Prince of Jing'nan.

Having lived two lives,

Zheng Fan's family in his previous life wasn't very harmonious,

But in this life, he really felt a sense of being cared for by an "elder brother" from two people.

One was Shatuo Queshi, originating from his gluttony during the march, plus he preemptively kowtowed thinking it was nothing;

When Lao Sha was alive, he actually didn't spend much time with him. Who would have thought that after Lao Sha died, he would become a constant companion.

The second was Tian Wujing.

Tian Wujing was really very tolerant of him. Zheng Fan didn't hide some things, but Tian Wujing just acted as if he didn't see it.

Between the two sides, there was actually a tacit understanding that both sides were used to.

Actually, sometimes during "sage time,"

Thoughts are easily emptied.

Top third-rank experts like the Sword Saint and Tian Wujing can forcefully open the second rank in a short period of time to gain extremely terrifying strength.

Marquis Zheng could too,

For example, last night,

He entered the "sage realm" several times,

Lighting another cigarette that he had resupplied from the blind man,

His thoughts were ethereal,

Suddenly feeling,

That if Liang Cheng could be allowed to fiddle with Shatuo Queshi again in the future, so that he could become as normal as he was before he died, and then let Tian Wujing take his godson and everyone else to live in seclusion in a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, it would seem pretty good.

But after waking up in the morning,

Besides the intense soreness in his lower back,

The moment his hand touched his armor,

He suddenly realized,

That dreams are dreams, and reality is reality after all.

Tian Wujing naturally didn't know where Zheng Fan's thoughts had drifted to, but just instructed,

"Returning to Xuehai Pass this time can be considered a legitimate opportunity to open up a domain. You need to manage your subordinates more, don't delegate all authority, and don't be reluctant to delegate any."

This could be considered a warning.

Although Marquis Zheng actually needed this kind of warning the least, because since ancient times, it seemed that no overlord had a team as good as his.

Not only were they all strong in ability, but they also wouldn't rebel against him, because aside from the "troublemaking" kind of fun in life, it seemed that none of the seven demon kings really liked sitting in that chair.

But when elders say these things to you, it's out of love, and you can't dislike them for being long-winded.

"Your Highness's teachings, this humble general will definitely keep them in mind."

Tian Wujing nodded,

And then said,

"Although this prince doesn't plan to attack the Snow Plain again in recent years, you must not relax about the matters on the Snow Plain. Divide, win over, ally, and weaken, you handle it yourself;

At the same time, your Xuehai Pass must always have ten thousand cavalry ready to be dispatched south to Zhen'nan Pass at any time. This prince judges that the Chu people don't dare to fight, but if the Chu people really want to fight..."

Speaking to here,

A calm smile appeared on the corner of Tian Wujing's mouth,

"It can help you change this marquis title to an earl title."

"Your Highness, this humble general isn't very concerned about these empty titles. Just like you, the imperial court's edict of punishment may come down soon. Whether you're a prince or an earl, what difference does it make to the Jing'nan Army, to the Eastern Expeditionary Army, to the entire Great Yan?"

Last night, Lao Tian had fought with Shatuo Queshi, so he should be clear about some of his little secrets.

Therefore, he could actually speak a little more openly.

Facing Zheng Fan's "taking an inch, wanting a mile,"

Tian Wujing wasn't angry,

But instead asked,

"Zheng Fan."

"This humble general is here."

"Do your job well, do what you should do."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Actually, Zheng Fan felt that Tian Wujing definitely had something he originally wanted to say but didn't say in the end.

But since he didn't want to say it, then forget it. Marquis Zheng didn't have the confidence to dare to get to the bottom of the Prince of Jing'nan's thoughts.

Not far from the commander's tent, he saw Chen Yang waiting for him there.

Zheng Fan was moving. There was still a distance from Wangjiang to Xuehai Pass, and Chen Yang was arranged by Tian Wujing to help Zheng Fan escort the moving team.

"Brother Zheng, can we set off?"

"I've kept you waiting, Brother. Let's go."

The team set off again. With Chen Yang leading five thousand Jing'nan Army knights to help, the speed and order of the team's march greatly improved.

If these migrating people were compared to a flock of sheep, then these knights moving back and forth were like sheepdogs.

Of course, the so-called regional officials were themselves pasturing the people for the Son of Heaven. The single word "pasture" had long explained everything.

Zheng Fan naturally didn't need to worry about the details of these migrating teams. On the second day of the team's march, he was invited out by Chen Yang, and each of them took a hundred cavalry to hunt in a nearby forest.

Even if they delayed for half a day, it would be easy for them to catch up with the team with their light cavalry, so they could enjoy a little leisure time in their busy schedule.

Because of the barbarians' looting, the indigenous population in these places had been greatly reduced. In response, some animals in the mountains and forests had become more active. Sometimes, some wild animals could even be seen passing through the empty villages.

The devastation and damage of war to the people was truly immeasurable.

However, Marquis Zheng didn't "grieve" too much about anything, because in the end, he was one of the people who benefited from the war. It was too embarrassing to eat from the bowl and curse the cook.

Chen Yang shot a deer,

Marquis Zheng shot a white rabbit,

Afterwards,

The two of them released their guards to roam freely,

While the two leaders sat down in front of a bonfire,

And a few soldiers took their prey to the stream to clean and process it.

"Brother Zheng, our Prince is really good to you. I've followed the Prince for more than ten years, and I can be considered an old-timer in the Jing'nan Army. To tell you the truth, Brother, I'm really jealous of you."

The opening remarks must first be good words, to lay the groundwork, to let everyone adapt, before entering the main topic.

"The Prince's kindness to me is indeed as heavy as a mountain."

"Actually, the Prince is very bitter. Others don't know, but we know. I believe you, Brother Zheng, definitely know as well."

Zheng Fan nodded and habitually took out his "Chunghwa" brand little iron box from his pocket.

At the same time, he also took out a cigarette and handed it to Chen Yang.

When talking, if you want to take the initiative or interrupt someone else's initiative, you have to learn to use this method to temporarily divert the topic.

Actually, Zheng Fan knew what Chen Yang wanted to say to him.

Now,

The few generals of the Zhenbei Army are much more well-behaved,

Because the Marquis of Zhenbei, oh no, the current Prince of Zhenbei, has completely lowered his posture.

But the Jing'nan Army is different.

To put it bluntly, in the Great Yan in recent years, the Battle of Kaijin, the Jing'nan Army fought half of it, but after that, whether it was attacking the capital of Jin, entering the Snow Plain, or driving out the barbarians, it was actually carried out under Tian Wujing's command with the Jing'nan Army as the main force.

What are proud soldiers and fierce generals?

This is what proud soldiers and fierce generals are!

If it were in the atmosphere of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, or if Tian Wujing's prestige hadn't been able to intimidate the entire army,

These Jing'nan Army generals would have long done the thing of "putting a yellow robe on" their boss.

Chen Yang put the cigarette in front of his nose and smelled it, saying,

"This thing hurts the lungs."

People who practice martial arts and join the army naturally have their own understanding of these "herbs."

Things like tobacco came from the West, and the first place they arrived was the Yan Kingdom.

It's just that the Yan people are really "boring."

They don't take medicinal powders, they don't smoke tobacco, they don't like male favorites, and they don't like golden lotuses and slender waists.

Of course, if human nature isn't controlled and intervened in, it's an inevitable trend to enter enjoyment and depravity, but if the monarch doesn't do anything to "favor what's above," then it's naturally impossible for "what's below to follow suit."

Zheng Fan silently lit his cigarette with a fire starter and said,

"I just use it to relieve boredom."

Chen Yang didn't smoke, but also put this seemingly exquisite cigarette in his pocket, and then continued the previous topic:

"Actually, the day the madam had the accident, a few of us knelt in the Marquis's residence, and before you came, we were advising the Prince to raise troops.

The Prince is worthy of Great Yan, but Great Yan, from the imperial court to the people, has let down our Prince too much!"

After all, the status and position are different.

When he was just a garrison commander or city guard, whether it was the Zhenbei Army or the Jing'nan Army, when they came to win him over, they would pay attention to "stopping when you've made your point."

But now, he already had the qualifications to talk on equal footing.

Not to say that he could sit at the table to play cards, but standing beside to watch, no one would come to drive him away.

Therefore, these words became more straightforward.

"Brother, I understand what you mean, and what everyone means. Let's just get straight to the point.

If the Prince says he wants to be the emperor, he wants this country,

I will definitely be the first to stand up and support him.

Maybe my qualifications aren't as old as yours, and I haven't followed the Prince for as long as you have, but if the Prince becomes the emperor, my benefits will definitely be the greatest, don't you think?"

Chen Yang nodded, these words were indeed irrefutable.

Because even they knew some news about the Little Prince.

"But who told our Prince that he doesn't want to rebel? So, this is where our Prince is the most bitter." Zheng Fan said with emotion.

"Yes, the Prince doesn't want to rebel, and won't rebel."

"Then let's just keep waiting, why be so anxious?" Zheng Fan changed the subject and directly took control of the conversation. "I'm going to guard Xuehai Pass this time, and it won't take a few years, and I'll probably be able to achieve something.

Brother, you and Brother Ren Juan and the others all have your own garrisons. The land of the Three Jins has indeed been devastated in recent years because of the wars, but if it is really well-rested for a few years, it was once a place that produced Three Jins knights.

A few years later, our Jing'nan Army will be stronger and our horses will be stronger. When that time comes, we can do many things much more calmly."

Marquis Zheng still liked farming,

Emperor Taizu of Ming's nine-character mantra of "build high walls, store abundant food, and postpone becoming king" had always been followed by Marquis Zheng.

If you can lie low, then lie low first.

People who know how to lie low,

Will never have too bad of luck.

Chen Yang let out a sigh and said,

"I'm just afraid that the Prince's heart will still not change by then."

At this time,

He didn't know how it happened,

But Zheng Fan suddenly blurted out a sentence,

Which immediately made Chen Yang's eyes widen;

Actually, Zheng Fan didn't know why he would say this sentence. Maybe it was just a flash of inspiration, or even, he couldn't judge whether this sentence really represented his own heart, or whether it just slipped out of his mouth like that.

That sentence was:

"We still have the Little Prince, don't we?"

……

Spring had already reached its peak in other places, and was even about to step into the rhythm of summer, but Xuehai Pass was adjacent to the Snow Plains, so the spring was just barely showing its color.

The Sword Saint's bed had been moved to the courtyard, as he needed to bask in the sun.

Ke Shi, who had previously been taken in by Zheng Fan, had been instructed to temporarily help take care of the Sword Saint after Zheng Fan left.

At this time, in the courtyard, Xue San was sitting on the eaves, with three legs dangling below, swinging back and forth.

The Sword Saint was leaning against the bed,

After receiving that woman's letter, the Sword Saint had developed a great deal of subjective initiative regarding his recovery.

Even if he couldn't recover his former strength, and couldn't practice martial arts anymore, at least he had to stand up, right?

He couldn't let the future neighbors make fun of her for finding a cripple.

And so, after struggling to walk around the courtyard several times with Ke Shi's help, the Sword Saint, who was already covered in sweat, had to sit down and rest.

And opposite the Sword Saint, sitting there, was the Barbarian King.

His hands and feet had been shackled, and the shackles were personally designed by Xue San.

The Sword Saint reached out and took a persimmon cake, put it in his mouth, and slowly tasted it, while gesturing to the Barbarian King;

"Want some?"

"Sure thing."

The Barbarian King wasn't polite either, and took a persimmon cake with both hands. Because the shackles were a bit heavy, he simply stuck his butt out and knelt on the ground to eat.

"Good-for-nothing."

The Sword Saint joked.

"Ah, it's sweet and delicious."

The Barbarian King seemed to habitually show himself in this way.

Actually, the people here would no longer be deceived by his pose, but what to say, it would be difficult to change some personal habits in a short period of time, because they had almost become a kind of instinct.

The Jin Kingdom's Sword Saint and the Barbarian King were sitting so close to each other in the courtyard.

This seemed like a very unimaginable thing,

But it had actually happened.

It was the Sword Saint who had taken the initiative to say he wanted to see the Barbarian King,

And the Sword Saint's request naturally had to be unconditionally fulfilled by Xue San, even if he was now a cripple.

The Jin Kingdom was gone,

The Barbarian King's grand ambitions were also gone,

Because of the barbarian rebellion, many Jin people had died, and most of the barbarians who had entered the pass had been killed. The few survivors were now working as laborers outside Xuehai Pass, being exploited for their blood and sweat.

After eating the persimmon cake, the Barbarian King sat on the ground, licking the residue from the corners of his mouth with his tongue, and said,

"I didn't expect you would want to see me."

"What's wrong with seeing you?"

"Ah, I just think that you, as the dignified Sword Saint, shouldn't do this kind of thing."

"The Sword Saint is also a person, a title given by the martial world. Besides, where are the real saints in this world?"

"That's true."

Putting down hatred,

And smiling away grievances,

That was naturally impossible,

The more people who died, the more impossible it was for this grudge to be resolved.

Xue San looked at the sky from time to time, and then looked down at the situation below, and then yawned from time to time. He wasn't interested in the conversation between the two below.

The Barbarian King looked at the Sword Saint, as if he was appreciating a famous sword. Even though the Sword Saint was crippled, the Barbarian King knew that the reason he had been defeated was largely because of the person in front of him who had killed Geli Mu in front of Xuehai Pass with a single sword.

If Geli Mu was still alive, it would really be hard to say whether the Shengle Army could defend Xuehai Pass.

It's just that the most tormenting thing in the world is an "if," because if things were going well, where would there be a need for an "if"?

"You say something," the Barbarian King asked.

"You brought me up from the dungeon just to sit here like this?"

The Sword Saint seemed a bit tired and said,

"I can't kill you, so I don't know what to say that's appropriate."

"You can kill me."

The Barbarian King raised his head, looked at Xue San sitting on the eaves, and continued,

"They value you very much. If you take another step back and promise them more conditions, and exchange them for killing me, they shouldn't hesitate too much."

"Heh."

The Sword Saint laughed.

"You don't believe me?" the Barbarian King asked.

The Sword Saint closed his eyes, then slowly shook his head and said,

"I believe you."

That Yan person marquis named Zheng Fan seemed to have more confidence in him than he did himself.

He thought he could recover;

"We can't pee in the same pot. When we open our mouths to talk, it's the smell of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It's too heavy and suffocating."

"Indeed," the Sword Saint agreed.

"But look, the weather is really nice today. I also have to thank you for letting me come out to see the sun. So, you really don't plan to say anything?"

"I'm thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"Thinking about what I should say to you. It has to be satisfying, but not too obvious, so as not to fall into the lower ranks and be seen through by you."

I called you here to tease you and play with you, but I don't want it to be too simple, which would be boring.

"Tsk, I really didn't expect you to have this kind of idea. This really doesn't seem like what the legendary Sword Saint should be like."

"What should the Sword Saint be like?"

"A sword, when the blade comes out, heads fall to the ground. It always has to be a bit immortal and unstained by dust."

"That was the former me."

"So, you've changed?"

"Changed, people change."

"But a sword is unyielding."

"But the one using the sword is always a person. A sword without a person is nothing."

The Barbarian King nodded thoughtfully and said,

"I understand, just as I am nothing after losing my direct line of troops."

The Sword Saint suddenly reached out and supported the bed surface, straightened his body, and shouted,

"Miss Ke, bring the clothes that that Zheng fellow prepared for me."

Ke Shi followed his instructions and walked over with several sets of neatly folded clothes.

The Sword Saint pointed to these clothes and said,

"I had a lover in Shengle City before, who had a son with her, and an old mother above her. When she heard that I was crippled, she didn't dislike me and said she would take care of me for the rest of my life.

It looks like she'll be here in two or three days.

Anyway, you're not an outsider, so help me take a look and choose a set of clothes. I have to wear them to meet her that day, and I have to choose something more energetic."

The Barbarian King opened his mouth,

He smiled and then stopped, and after stopping, he smiled again. After laughing and stopping,

The Barbarian King let out a long sigh,

And poked his chest with his shackled hands,

And slowly said:

"As expected of the Sword Saint, this strike, really hurts."

————

That's all for tonight, good night everyone, sweet dreams.