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"Haha..." A man walked in laughing. It was Qin Xiaolou: "You little rascal, do you really hate Junyu that much? You even call his name in this tone in your dreams. Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think you're longing for the woman you admire."

"Are you kidding me?" Zhu Yu snapped. "How did I get here?"

Qin Xiaolou's face darkened: "Late last night, the guards on patrol found you at the gate of the mansion. I was just about to ask you if something had happened to you?"

Zhu Yu had no intention of answering his question and asked urgently, "Do they know who brought me here?"

"I don't know. When they saw you, you were the only one lying at the door."

Qin Xiaolou wanted to ask something more, but Zhu Yu's expression grew increasingly grim: "Thank you, I'll take my leave now."

Qin Xiaolou knew that he had brought the "Thousand Machines Sect" here on an important mission. They were all here as assistant officials to the resident minister. Although they were nominally his subordinates, he had no real power to interfere. Once you got involved with the members of the "Thousand Machines Sect," the slightest mishap could lead to your disgrace or even the destruction of your family. Qin Xiaolou noticed that they didn't bring up the reason for their visit. Although he had already guessed it to some extent, he was happy to avoid the question and simply treated them to good food and drink.

Qin Xiaolou already knew that Zhu Yu was the leader of this group, but Zhu Yu had been acting alone since arriving on this land more than a month ago, and this was the first time he had met Zhu Yu in person. Although the two were not exactly friendly, in Qin Xiaolou's eyes, Zhu Yu, his childhood classmate, was naturally very different from the members of the "Thousand Machines Sect". Qin Xiaolou said warmly, "If you need any assistance, just let me know."

Zhu Yu said coldly, "I'll tell you when I need it."

Qin Xiaolou had always been friendly with Meng Yuanjing, Junyu, and others, and knew Zhu Yu's spoiled temperament well, so he didn't take it to heart. He thought to himself, "This kid is always like this. Now he's been tricked by someone again, no wonder he's making such a face."

Zhu Yu went out for an hour and when he returned, he already had a good idea of what was going on. Tuosang's failure to attend the changing of clothes ceremony and his hasty seclusion due to illness must have been suspicious.

At this moment, Junyu's fate was unknown. Although he was almost certain that it was related to Tuosang, Tuosang was currently in seclusion. Even if he came by imperial decree, he would never dare to disturb "Bokdo's" cultivation.

It seems like just yesterday that Zhu Yu was with Jun Yu, but now he has vanished into thin air. Zhu Yu is completely confused and becoming increasingly anxious.

He had never hated Tuosang more than he did now. If he had died back then, it wouldn't have been a bad thing. But why did that damned Tuosang have to come back?

If he takes Junyu away, does that mean I'll never see her again for the rest of my life?

He suddenly thought: What if it wasn't Tuosang who took Junyu away? Wouldn't her fate be uncertain?

This thought made him even more restless. Junyu, where is she?

"Lord Zhu."

A burly man dressed entirely in local attire hurried in; he was none other than Zhang Yaoxing, the deputy leader of the "Thousand Machines Sect".

"Any news?"

According to one of Bokdo's attendants, Bokdo went away for eight days before the Robe-Changing Festival. On the day of the festival, he claimed to be ill and in seclusion, but in reality, he was unable to return in time. The Holy Palace could not explain this, so the Chiba lied and said that he was seriously ill...

Has he come back yet?

"According to reliable sources, he has returned and officially gone into seclusion..."

"Any other news?"

"No further information. Our inside man is a traveling attendant, and given his position, that's all he knows. Only two personal attendants would be truly familiar with 'Bokdor's' situation in the palace."

"You must find a way to summon a personal attendant..."

“We’ve already tried, but it’s no use. The servants are absolutely loyal to Bokto. They are not ordinary people and are difficult to bribe or threaten, let alone these two.”

Zhu Yu snorted coldly.

Zhang Yaoxing asked, "Lord Zhu has been gone for so long, have you found any clues?"

Zhu Yu shook her head.

Zhang Yaoxing continued, "It's really strange. Although we found out that 'Bokdo' went out a few times, we couldn't track him down. Moreover, our secret agents haven't found out that he's been in contact with any woman. Could it be that 'Bokdo' isn't with any woman, but is in contact with some mysterious forces?"

Zhu Yu sneered inwardly, "How could you idiots possibly track Tuosang, given his abilities?" But outwardly, he said, "Continue the investigation; we cannot let our guard down for even a moment."

Zhang Yaoxing agreed and left.

After Zhang Yaoxing left, Zhu Yu paced back and forth in the room. Although he didn't know whether Tuosang had actually gone into seclusion in the secret chamber, there was no doubt that Tuosang was with Junyu. Given Junyu's situation at the time, how could Tuosang have abandoned her and gone into seclusion alone?

A strange thought suddenly occurred to him: Could those two be hiding in a secret room?

Bokdor's secret chamber is off-limits even to Bokdor's mother.

He shook his head in horror, trying to shake off this terrible thought, but the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. How could he stay any longer? He immediately headed for the residence of the minister stationed there.

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Chapter 130: On the Eve of the Great Calamity (3)

Upon hearing his suggestion, Qin Xiaolou's eyes widened in astonishment. "Are you out of your mind? You actually want to break into 'Bokdo's' secluded chamber? Don't even mention you, even the Emperor himself wouldn't dare to trespass. 'Bokdo's' status is so exalted; if you really do this, his million followers will fight to the last man..."

Zhu Yu choked. He didn't care about fighting to the death with those followers, but suddenly thought, what if Jun Yuzhen was inside if he broke in?

If her true identity as a woman is not revealed, the fact that the Grand Marshal of the Army appeared in Bokdo's secret chamber during his leave is enough to confirm her crime of "forming cliques for personal gain"; and once her true identity as a woman is revealed, she will be completely disgraced.

Why did you suddenly decide to trespass into Bokdor's secret chamber? What exactly do you intend to do here?

"Investigate" Bokdo's "evidence of breaking the rules".

Qin Xiaolou angrily said, "Could there be some woman hiding in that secret room? Your 'Thousand Machines Sect's' imagination and ability to frame others are really too outrageous, aren't they?"

Zhu Yu did not answer.

Despite having a vague suspicion in his heart, Qin Xiaolou still turned pale with anger. The previous resident minister was falsely accused of failing to assist in the investigation of the "Thousand Machine Gate" incident and was eventually demoted and transferred.

He said, "Didn't the Thousand Machines Sect already launch an operation once? What did they find out? Now, where did you hear this baseless rumor and come here to stir up trouble?"

The first deployment of the "Thousand Machines Sect" had already greatly displeased the entire Holy Palace. After Qin Xiaolou took office, he made great efforts to improve relations with them. Now, facing another huge storm, he was naturally unhappy.

"What have you found this time?"

"We found nothing."

Zhu Yu said, "The emperor told us to seek your assistance when necessary. It seems you have a lot of faith in that 'Bokdo'."

Qin Xiaolou angrily said, "This is a critical moment. The Crimson Gold Clan, by infiltrating the Lahan Sect, is increasingly attacking the Holy Palace. Besides large-scale assassinations and conflicts, they have even secretly reported to the court, attempting to fabricate charges. Do you know why they are doing this? Because the Holy Palace is providing much assistance to the Northwest Army, and they are precisely trying to support a puppet they trust, so that the Holy Palace will eventually ally with the Crimson Gold Clan. Your trip is precisely to sabotage this and give them that opportunity..."

"Junyu has a good relationship with the Holy Palace?"

Qin Xiaolou sneered: "Of course, Junyu saved Xia Ao's life, averted the disaster at Tiema Temple, and rescued Bokedo from crisis. They treat him like a god. That's why, even though they never participate in battles, they went to great lengths for the Northwest Army last year when plague and food shortages broke out... These things weren't done for Junyu personally, but for the entire Northwest Army. The imperial court's military pay was delayed, and it was precisely because of their assistance that Zhenmutier was defeated. Is that also evidence of a crime? What, your father, the prime minister, won't accuse Junyu of 'forming cliques for personal gain' again?"

He stared at Zhu Yu: "I really don't understand, how could someone like Jun Yu make you hate him so much since you were a child?"

"Hehe, I just can't stand that kid. I've hated her since I was a kid. Lord Qin, what are you going to do? Are you going to stand up for her again?"

"I have no intention of interfering in your personal feud, but I advise you not to have any foolish thoughts about trespassing into the 'Bokdor's' secret chamber. The current 'Bokdor' is very popular with his followers, and I have never found anything wrong with his behavior..."

"Then why did he miss the robe-changing ceremony?" Zhu Yu interrupted him abruptly.

Qin Xiaolou was taken aback. He had also been worried about this issue. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Chiba said that Bokdo was seriously ill and had to go into seclusion early. What's so suspicious about that?"

Zhu Yu burst into laughter: "Qin Xiaolou, don't you think this excuse is far-fetched? Of course, you must think it's perfectly reasonable for you to admire that 'Bokdo' so much?"

“Bokdo will confess on his own after he leaves the pass…”

"Hey, I'd like to see how he explains himself."

Then, without waiting for Qin Xiaolou's reply, Zhu Yu laughed and walked away.

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Chapter 131: The Madness on the Eve of the Great Calamity (1)

Tuosang had just finished the final training of the most complex mind-calming technique and slowly opened his eyes. Although the secret room was silent, he knew clearly that it was almost dawn outside and another day of wind and snow was about to begin.

He looked at Junyu, who was still asleep. Junyu's expression was very calm, with a slight smile on her face, and she seemed to be sleeping very soundly.

He gazed at that peaceful smiling face. Although she was lying on a large, comfortable sheepskin rug, her sleeping posture was that of an absolutely standard soldier, and she dared not relax even in her sleep.

He gained a deeper understanding of how arduous her life had been since childhood. Because of her long service in the military, she had to be extremely careful every moment to prevent her identity from being revealed. Over the years, she developed a lifestyle that was almost like that of an ascetic monk, which could be described as an extremely rigorous one.

Beneath this rock-solid character lies a serene and warm smile.

His feelings of pity grew stronger, almost bursting from his chest. He couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke her warm face.

Feeling the warmth of those hands, Junyu gently opened her eyes, then sat up and smiled, "Good morning, Tuosang."

Tuosang could clearly tell whether it was dawn or dusk every time he opened his eyes because he had been used to it since childhood; while Junyu could also clearly tell whether it was morning every time he woke up, and Tuosang did not find it strange at all.

So he said, "Good morning, Junyu."

Junyu noticed that he had maintained the same extremely strange posture for almost ten days, without moving at all. Every time she opened her eyes, she saw the same thing. Now that he had finally opened his eyes, she immediately asked, "What kind of kung fu have you been practicing lately? Why is it so strange?"

"This is a long-lost mental calming technique from Tantric Buddhism. I only know some fragments of it, and I don't know if it's even possible to successfully cultivate it."

"When you healed me in Hanjing Garden, your power was greatly damaged. How much has it recovered now?"

Tuosang smiled: "Since I started practicing this mind-stabilizing technique, I feel that my strength has greatly recovered, even stronger than before. Junyu, do you want to learn it?"

Junyu blinked: "Okay, you teach me, and we'll hide in this secret room for the rest of our lives."

Tuosang said, "If I could really hide for the rest of my life, that would truly be my greatest dream."

The two looked at each other and laughed together.

Tuosang reached out and hugged her: "It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."

Junyu smiled and nodded, leaned against Tuosang's chest, and really closed her eyes and fell asleep again.

At this moment, she was no longer in the stiff and rigid sleeping posture of a professional soldier, but curled up in Tuosang's arms like a child, her smile growing deeper and deeper, her mind free of all thoughts, carefree like never before.

Tuosang noticed that her eyelashes sometimes trembled slightly, and knew that she was not asleep. He pressed his face against her warm cheek and felt a carefree feeling he had never experienced before. He felt that time had completely stopped at this moment.

After a long, long time, Tuosang heard an extremely gentle voice: "Tuosang, this is the twenty-fifth day of your seclusion, isn't it?"

It was like a thunderclap overhead.

Tuosang remained silent.

"I should leave now, Tosang."

"Junyu".

"My body has fully recovered and there are no problems at all."

"I know. You can go now."

Tosang twisted one foot three times in a very strange posture on the second stone slab of the second training chamber. Soon, the stone slab cracked, revealing a secret passage.

This is the only secret passage connecting the Bokdal's meditation chamber to the outside world. It was originally prepared in case of unforeseen circumstances and was known only to the successive Bokdals and one of their personal lamas.

Junyu glanced at the secret passage and knew that Tuosang must have used it to lead him into this secret room.