What caught Li Ling's attention was that several well-known generals of Yue Fei's army were assigned to different posts along the Yellow River to be responsible for local defense.
The Yue Family Army was about to recapture Kaifeng. The main force of the Jin Dynasty south of the Yellow River had been almost wiped out. According to previous history, the Yue Family Army became a disorganized mess after Yue Fei's death, which allowed the Jin Dynasty to recover and reclaim the land south of the Yellow River and north of the Huai River.
Now, the Southern Song Dynasty can use Yue Fei's army to regain control of this part of the territory, which is quite a change.
Although Yue Fei did not die, what he gave to Zhang Junbao still aroused great interest among the people, and many people in the martial arts world speculated about it.
Soon, news spread throughout the martial arts world that Yue Fei had left Zhang Junbao something important... a treasure map, divine weapons and armor, martial arts manuals, and so on. Everyone was speculating about it.
At this time, Li Ling had already embarked on the road back to Mingjian Manor.
On his way back, Li Ling did not take the thirty-six Heavenly Generals with him. Instead, he had them return to their respective posts at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to guard the area, and he went back alone.
Li Ling didn't expect to run into Qin Sirong while passing through a small town. The two had just greeted each other when they saw Yi Tianxing chasing after them.
"Yanran!"
"Hurry up and go!" Seeing this, Qin Sirong pulled Li Ling away, and they didn't get away from Yi Tianxing until they reached a cliff in the suburbs.
"Hehe!" Li Ling couldn't help but laugh when he saw this. "It seems that Miss Qin is being harassed by Yi Tianxing quite badly! This Yi Tianxing is the most persistent. I'm afraid Miss Qin will have a hard time getting rid of him in this lifetime!"
"Hmph, how would I know what's wrong with him? He's been pestering me ever since we first met, and he's also very skilled in martial arts. It's so hard for me to shake him off!" Qin Sirong said irritably. She was genuinely annoyed by Yi Tianxing's entanglement.
Qin Sirong's eyes darted around as she looked at Li Ling and said, "I saw you trying to fight him the moment you met him, and you even said that he once tried to steal your parents' bride during their wedding. What exactly happened?"
"I didn't expect you to be such a gossip!" Li Ling said, and then told her what had happened: "You can find out about this by asking the older generation of martial arts practitioners. I have no reason to hide it from you."
According to seniority, Yi Tianxing should be my second uncle, but he fell in love with my mother and even went so far as to try to steal her away in front of many guests on my parents' wedding day. After failing, he directly betrayed Mingjian Manor.
This matter is also the biggest scandal in the history of Mingjian Manor. Although my grandfather kept silent, I still heard some rumors from back then and found out about this matter after investigation.
The reason I directly confronted Yi Tian was to capture him and bring him back to Mingjian Manor to apologize to my grandfather. However, I did not expect his skill level to be so profound that I am no match for him now!
As for why he keeps pestering you, it's because you look extremely similar to my mother. My mother died young, but I saw her portrait at the Famous Sword Manor, and it truly looks exactly like you. It's not surprising that Yi Tianxing is so persistent with you.”
Qin Sirong understood: "I didn't expect there to be such a thing. I didn't expect Yi Tianxing to have this kind of relationship with you. He really is a madman. I couldn't shake him off no matter what I did. Why don't you help me get rid of him?"
Li Ling waved his hand in refusal, saying, "I'm afraid this matter will disappoint Miss Qin. I am not his match right now, and it would be useless even if I fought him."
Now that the rescue of Marshal Yue is complete, I plan to return to Mingjian Manor for secluded cultivation. I wonder what Miss Qin's plans are?"
Qin Sirong looked somewhat disappointed, but then she seemed to remember something and said, "In that case, could I come with you to the Famous Sword Manor? I'm so tired of Yi Tianxing's pestering, I'm sure he won't come with me to the Famous Sword Manor!"
"Miss Qin wants to come to Mingjian Manor?" Li Ling was slightly taken aback, but then he realized that this was probably a task assigned to him by Zhang Qiqiao to find out about the situation of Mingjian Manor. Thinking of this, Li Ling became more wary.
"If it's inconvenient for you, then forget it!" Qin Sirong said deliberately when she saw Li Ling's hesitant expression.
“There’s no inconvenience at all!” Li Ling smiled and said, “It’s indeed a good idea for you to come to Mingjian Manor. My grandfather is also a hospitable person.”
Yi Tianxing once swore that he would never return to Mingjian Manor, even if it meant death, so you don't need to worry about him catching up with you. But you can't hide from him like this forever, can you?
"Let's avoid him for as long as we can. I'm terrified of him these past few days. I run into him no matter what I'm doing. I'm afraid he'll come after me. Let's leave now!"
“Okay!” Li Ling nodded, and the two of them went back to Mingjian Manor together.
Three days later, the two arrived at Mingjian Manor, where Li Ling saw that the manor was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
Qin Sirong, holding her sword in her left hand, pointed at the bright red decorations and asked in confusion, "Is there some happy occasion at your Famous Sword Manor? Why is it so lively?"
...
P.S.: One extra chapter for every 100 monthly votes! I currently have 99 monthly votes, and although I'm still one vote short, I'll add an extra chapter now. Thank you all for your support! (Wish Star of All Realms 百镀一下“Wishing Star of All Heavens and Worlds爪书屋”最新章节第一时间免费阅读。)
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Chapter 175 Rejecting the Request
"I don't know what's going on either, but since it's decorated with lanterns and streamers, there must be a happy occasion inside the manor. Let's go in!" Li Ling said, shaking his head.
Li Ling was also a little confused at this point. According to the original plot, since Yue Fei died at Fengbo Pavilion, Yi Yun would not only be grieving but also wear mourning clothes to pay tribute to Yue Fei.
Yue Fei is currently confined to his residence to reflect on his mistakes, so why is Yi Yun celebrating so grandly?
"Young Master, you're back!" The gatekeeper, Xiao Zhang, exclaimed happily upon seeing Li Ling. "The Old Master instructed us long ago that as soon as you returned, he would take you to see him!"
"I'll go see Grandpa right now," Li Ling replied, then asked, "Xiao Zhang, do you know why the manor is so lively today?"
Xiao Zhang said happily, "That's naturally because of you, young master!"
Li Ling raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked, "Because of me? What exactly happened?" He really didn't know what had involved him.
"Young Master, you shouldn't hide it anymore. Half a month ago, you saved the Crown Prince at the foot of the cliff and even drew away the assassins chasing him. After His Highness the Crown Prince returned to the capital, he reported the matter to the Emperor."
"Just yesterday, the Emperor issued an imperial decree, bestowing upon our Famous Sword Manor a calligraphy scroll inscribed with the words 'Loyalty and Righteousness Passed Down Through Generations,' which is now hanging in the main hall of our Famous Sword Manor!" Xiao Zhang said loudly, looking quite proud.
"I didn't expect this matter to spread so widely!" Li Ling said with a smile, but his heart sank slightly.
As the saying goes, "No merit is greater than saving the emperor." Li Ling saved the life of Crown Prince Chen Muyang. Mingjian Manor has always prided itself on loyalty and righteousness, and Grandpa Yi Yun is always worried about the fate of the Song Dynasty. Upon receiving this news, he naturally wanted to celebrate. It is likely that this matter will soon spread throughout the martial arts world.
In that case, Qin Hui would probably hate me and Mingjian Villa to the core.
Qin Hui was involved in the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, which forced Li Ling to join forces with Crown Prince Chen Muyang.
Even without this incident, Qin Hui would still consider Mingjian Villa a thorn in his side, but the feeling of being used made Li Ling very unhappy.
Li Ling frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "What an annoying little scheme!"