Spring and autumn passed, flowers bloomed and withered, young men grew old in the Jianghu. Since the Jinghan era, in the complex and chaotic decade or so, not many people in the Central Plains lived well.

Yue Fei, in his early thirties, gradually rose to the position of commander-in-chief. To outsiders, he had the support of the Crown Prince above and the morale of the troops below, making him a model of an outstanding figure in troubled times. But in reality, the ups and downs along the way were countless, not to be told to outsiders.

The Jurchens' first sweeping southward invasion, his master Zhou Tong's assassination of Nianhan leading to his death, the defense of Bianliang... all these events overturned the land of the Wu Dynasty. Recalling them was like yesterday, but in fact, ten years had already passed. The young general who participated in the Xia Village battle was later involved in the major case of regicide, and then, protected by the Crown Prince, he was reinstated, cautiously training the army, engaging in power struggles with various officials, and cooperating with powerful families and clans in various places to ensure sufficient military expenses, acting as a local strongman and taking the lead for others. It was through such trials and tribulations that the Beiwei Army gradually built up its morale and sharpened its edge.

Sometimes, waking in the middle of the night, he feared that he was no longer the upright and unyielding junior officer he once was.

Of course, uprightness and unyieldingness were more like the marks his master left in this world...

Many people probably don't realize that the Jianghu is actually very small. His master was once the chief instructor of the Imperial Boxing Hall, famous throughout the martial arts world, but in the world, not many people truly knew his name. And to the court, the chief instructor of the Imperial Boxing Hall was just a martial artist. Zhou Tong's name was like thunder in the Jianghu, but in the world, it didn't cause much of a stir.

What truly made this name shake the world was the storyteller of Zhuji.

Over the years, many Jianghu martial artists have successively come to the Beiwei Army, requesting to join the army and kill enemies, driven by his master's reputation as the best in the world. Many people also felt that he, who inherited his master's last mantle, also inherited his master's character – which was indeed very similar – but others didn't know that his master, who taught him martial arts, didn't explain much about upholding righteousness and integrity. He was influenced by his mother, developing a relatively upright character. His master took him as a disciple because he saw his character, but perhaps because his master's ideas had changed, when teaching him martial arts, he talked more about more complex and flexible principles.

The world didn't understand his master, nor did they understand him.

To be consistently upright and unyielding, to do only pure good deeds, to not deal with any corrupt colleagues, to not painstakingly pursue the way of money, to not scheme against people, engage in power struggles, or form factions, and still be able to support a self-respecting general, to support a capable army... that was truly the dream talk of people who had lived too well...

Over the years, even though a decade had passed, if he were to talk about it, the battle at Xia Village and the experiences inside and outside Bianliang City were probably the most peculiar memories in his heart. Mr. Ning, this person, was the most incomprehensible and unfathomable to him. In Yue Fei's view, he was the most cunning, the most ruthless, and also the most upright and passionate. During that time, when he was planning and strategizing, things were very easy to do for the people below. He understood people's hearts the most, and he also understood all kinds of unspoken rules, but it was also this kind of person who overturned the table with the most violent posture.

In Yue Fei's later imagination, if he hadn't made such a peculiar decision back then, this Mr. Ning should have assisted Prime Minister Qin and engaged in a fierce battle of wits and courage with many people in the court.

If that were the case, the Wu Dynasty might not have fallen to today's state.

If that were the case, including His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, including himself and many other people, wouldn't have had to struggle so hard to maintain the situation.

Is he really dead now... or not...?

The night wind howled, he stood there, closed his eyes, and waited quietly. After a long time, a voice from many years ago remained in his memory, and it rang out.

"Yue... Fei. Became a general, very impressive. Xiangyang is under attack, and you ran here. What a big胆子!"

Yue Fei opened his eyes.

************

Coming from the other side of the night forest were several figures in total, some Yue Fei recognized, and some he didn't. The woman accompanying him walked with a steady and stern demeanor, presumably the rumored master of Badao Manor. When her gaze came over, Yue Fei also looked at her, but then turned his gaze to the man who spoke. Ning Yi, dressed in a blue robe, was rumored to have died long ago, but Yue Fei had other guesses in his heart. Now that it was confirmed, a stone was lifted from his heart, but he didn't know whether to be happy or to sigh.

"The situation in Xiangyang has Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and others in charge. The Dengzhou army's rules and regulations are already chaotic and not worth worrying about. Therefore, Fei came first to confirm more important matters."

"More important? You have blemishes on your record, and Junwu and Zhou Pei have a hard time protecting you. If you come to see me, it will be difficult for them if it falls into other people's ears." After not seeing each other for ten years, Ning Yi, dressed in a blue robe, had a cold gaze. Saying this, he smiled slightly, "Or are you saying that you've seen enough of the Wu Dynasty's corruption, and now your temperament has changed drastically, and you want to abandon the dark and join the light, and come to the Huaxia Army?"

"Mr. Ning is joking. Although the Wu Dynasty has many problems, it is still the legitimate government of the country. Although Fei is not talented, he would not dare to do such a rebellious thing."

Ning Yi smiled: "Then what do you want to say to a rebellious person?"

Yue Fei was silent for a moment, looking at the people around him, before raising his hand: "Mr. Ning, let's talk in private."

Ning Yi frowned, looking at Yue Fei. Yue Fei used a little force on one hand, inserting the spear in his hand into the mud, and then said solemnly: "I know this is a difficult request, but what I want to say today should not be heard by too many people. If Mr. Ning is suspicious, he can have someone tie up Fei's hands and feet, or if there are other ways, he can use them all. I only ask to speak a few words with Mr. Ning in private."

After Yue Fei finished speaking, there was some silence around him. Xigua stood up: "I want to follow, nothing else is necessary." Ning Yi glanced at her, then looked at Yue Fei: "Just like this."

Yue Fei thought for a while and nodded.

Regarding Yue Fei's intentions today, including Ning Yi, the people around him were also somewhat puzzled. At this time, they were naturally worried that the other party would imitate his master and try to assassinate Ning Yi regardless of the consequences. But Ning Yi himself was already skilled in martial arts, and now with Xigua accompanying him, it would be unreasonable to be afraid of a Yue Fei without a spear. After the two sides nodded, Ning Yi raised his hand to stop the people around him. Xigua walked to the side, and Ning Yi and Yue Fei followed. They walked a long distance in the forest, and when they reached the nearby stream, Ning Yi spoke.

"Whatever it is, it's about time to say it."

With Xigua between them, Yue Fei tilted his head and cupped his fist: "During the time I worked under Mr. Ning, Fei benefited greatly. Later, when Mr. Ning did such things, although Fei didn't agree, hearing about Mr. Ning's deeds in the Northwest, as a Han man, I still admire you in my heart. Mr. Ning, please accept my bow."

Yue Fei had always been of this solemn temperament. Now in his thirties, he already had a sense of majesty, but when he bowed, one could still clearly feel that sincerity. Ning Yi smiled: "According to the routine, after you bow to me, you want to fight me, right?"

Ning Yi's attitude was peaceful, and Yue Fei also smiled: "How dare Fei."

"It's good that you know your limits, you are not my opponent."

"Mr. Ning's act of弑君 is rebellious and unprincipled. Yue Fei absolutely does not agree with it." Yue Fei said solemnly, "But beyond that, I will never take Mr. Ning's life, or be irreconcilable with him. This kind of thing may be difficult to explain to others, but in my heart, Mr. Ning is indeed a respectable person. It's just that we have different paths. If one day we really have to fight, Fei will never show mercy."

"Understandable." Ning Yi nodded, "Then what important matter did you come to me for? Just to confirm that I'm not dead? It doesn't seem that important."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince misses Mr. Ning very much." Yue Fei said.

Ning Yi was stunned: "...So what?"

"Sometimes I think, if Mr. Ning hadn't been so impulsive, after the Jingping Rebellion, when the current emperor ascended the throne, his only heir was the current Crown Prince. Mr. Ning, with you assisting the Crown Prince, the Wu Dynasty would learn from its pain and innovate again, and a revival could be expected. This is the blessing of the people."

Yue Fei's words were straightforward, without the slightest hint of circumlocution. Ning Yi looked up at him: "And then?"

"Is there still a possibility that the Crown Prince will ascend the throne, and Mr. Ning will return, and the Black Flag will return?"

Ning Yi's gaze was like electricity, looking at Yue Fei. Yue Fei also looked back calmly. Both of them were already in high positions. Some things sounded like wishful thinking, but now that they had been spoken, they were not impulsive words, but the result of careful consideration.

Ning Yi then smiled: "After killing the emperor? You want me to die a horrible death in the future?"

Yue Fei shook his head: "When the Crown Prince ascends the throne as ruler, many things can be explained. Things are naturally difficult, but not impossible. The Jurchen forces are strong. In extraordinary times, there are extraordinary things. As long as the world can be at peace, it's a small matter for Mr. Ning to become a powerful minister or a state advisor in the future..."

"After the world is at peace, there will be a counterattack, and my family will be confiscated and exterminated... How will I survive?"

"The national name can be changed."

The stream flowed, the night wind howled, and the voices of the two people on the bank were not loud, but if they were heard by others, they would probably be frightened to death. Saying this last sentence was even more alarmist and heretical to the extreme. Ning Yi was a little scared. He wasn't surprised by the sentence itself, but by the fact that the person who said it was the general named Yue Fei next to him. But the other person's eyes were calm, without any confusion, obviously he was serious about these things.

"...Is your situation that bad?"

"A great man serves his country with unwavering loyalty, nothing more than being wrapped in horsehide after death." Yue Fei's expression was solemn, "However, what's the use of thinking about death all day long. The Jurchen forces are strong. Fei is not afraid of death, but he is afraid of accidents, afraid that if the war cannot be won, Jiangnan will suffer the same fate as the Central Plains. Although Mr. Ning... did those things, there is indeed a glimmer of hope now. How Mr. Ning decides, and how to deal with it after the decision, I can't figure it out, but I thought before, as long as Mr. Ning is still alive, I can bring these words to you today, then I have done my best."

Yue Fei cupped his fist and bowed: "As Mr. Ning said, this matter is extremely difficult, but who knows, in the future, whether this world will change because of these words."

The sky had been overcast for a long time, and it might rain soon. The conversation by the stream on the side of the forest was not known to anyone except the three of them. The reason for Yue Fei's raid to rush here was naturally clear at this time. At this critical juncture of the Battle of Xiangyang, he risked being impeached and implicated in the future, and rushed all the way here, not for small interests and relationships, even if his children were saved by Ning Yi, it was not in his consideration at this time.

At this moment, he was only leaving that one in ten thousand possibility for a vague hope.

The future is still long, and no one knows what kind of possibilities this conversation can bring to the future. The two then chatted for a while before Yue Fei mentioned the matter of Yinping and Yue Yun, and also mentioned the recent situation of Junwu, Zhou Pei, Li Pin, Wenren Bu'er and others. Because he was worried about the battle situation in Xiangyang, Yue Fei then bid farewell and rushed to the battlefield in Xiangyang overnight.

After Yue Fei left, Xigua accompanied Ning Yi back. She was a staunch rebel and would naturally not compromise with the Wu Dynasty in any way. She was just silent just now. At this time, she spoke a few words with Ning Yi and asked about it. Ning Yi shook his head.

"Past relationships may not be useful in the future. He has good intentions, able to see that one in ten thousand possibility, and throwing down Xiangyang to run over here, it's not simple. But he said something very interesting." Ning Yi shook his head.

Xigua frowned: "What?"

"He later mentioned Junwu, saying, 'His Royal Highness is a 天纵之才'... What 天纵之才, that child is considered smart in the royal family, knows how to think about things, and has seen many terrible things that ordinary people can't see, and people have grown. But compared to the real 天纵之才, it's too far off. 天纵之才, Yue Fei is, you and Chen Fan are, and we're surrounded by them. Junwu's qualifications are not comparable in many ways."

"But in the royal family, it's not bad." Xigua thought for a while.

"Yes, we think he was born to be the emperor, but most emperors are mediocre. Even if they study hard, they are only of middle-to-upper aptitude. So what will happen in the future?" Ning Yi shook his head, "Letting a real 天纵之才 be the emperor is the way out."

As he spoke, he walked through the woods. The wind was howling above the camp, and soon it started to rain. At this time, the Beiwei Army of Xiangyang and the army of Dengzhou might be confronting each other, or they might have started fighting.

At this time, Yue Fei was riding a horse, speeding across the rain-soaked plains.

Soon after, the little prince who caused this great chaos was dragged away by a bumpy broken carriage, while Ning Yi embarked on the road back to the southwest.

The second Battle of Xiangyang began, and the gates of hell opened. Half a month later, the Beiwei Army once again defeated the joint forces of the Great Qi and the Jin Dynasty under the city of Xiangyang, wiping out tens of thousands of enemies, laying the foundation for the Beiwei Army's reputation.

At the same time, the news of the reappearance of the Black Flag had spread throughout the north and south of the Yangtze River. On this turbulent land, heroes were about to start the next round of activity.

In the peaceful southwest, Ning Yi was getting closer to home.