Now Zhu Sui was at the imperial presence.

There were not many people in the world who could have an audience with the Emperor at any time, and Zhu Sui was certainly one of them.

That tattered leather hat and old leather jacket were gone.

They were the last traces of the Wu Dynasty on his body, just as he, Zhu Sui, was the last reflection of the Wu Dynasty era.

He was dressed neatly, but still hunched over.

Patrolling at night was a difficult and very responsible job, something ordinary people struggled with.

For a very long time, he had been unable to straighten his spine.

The eloquent Qing Ci Da Fu had departed, and the Emperor’s gaze quietly fell upon the old man.

Originally already hunched, Zhu Sui hunched even more, his voice low and slow: “Your Minister comes to request retirement from the Emperor.”

The Emperor’s voice was gentle, as if afraid of startling this tired old man: “I was still in the hidden mansion when I first became familiar with you. So many years have passed, through wind and rain. You should know, I have no intention of having you change your position.”

“This old minister has patrolled the night for a thousand years, and is accustomed to the long nights of Linzi. How could I not wish to end my old age here? However, the position of night watchman is of utmost importance. It is to guard the long night for Great Qi, to patrol the mountains and rivers on behalf of the Emperor. How can a mere Shen Lin bear such a responsibility?”

Zhu Sui said slowly: “Your Minister comes to request retirement, not because of the Emperor’s intention, nor the old minister’s wish, but for the sake of the state and the altars of soil and grain of Great Qi. I cannot do otherwise.”

Qi Emperor sat cross-legged on the stone platform, and suddenly chuckled lightly: “Wuliang Prisoner, no fear of death. The new depart, the old retire. This is what is called isolated and widowed.”

The chuckle was very faint, so faint it seemed it had never occurred.

Scattered within the vast hall, it made the vastness even vaster.

Zhu Sui only said: “A monarch is like the sun and moon; the emotion of parting lies with men, not in the heavens.”

Qi Emperor’s voice again became high and distant, truly like the sun and moon traveling in the clouds: “Long night is hard to brighten, thus one holds a lamp. In the deep night, the water clock stops, but the sound of the clapper does not cease. Who do you think can succeed it?”

Zhu Sui said slowly: “The night watchman is no ordinary duty, it should be decided by the Emperor himself.”

“I just want to hear your thoughts.” Qi Emperor said: “After all, you are clear-minded, and have held the lamp for a thousand years.”

Zhu Sui thought carefully for a moment, then said: “If the Emperor must hear this old minister’s thoughts… Your Minister thinks that Superintendent Han can be competent.”

Han Ling had already targeted Zhu Sui at the imperial presence, early on openly and secretly hinting that he should change positions. How could Zhu Sui not know?

But he still made such a recommendation.

The Emperor asked again: “This Han Ling’s position, who will succeed it?”

If Han Ling were to become the night watchman, his position as chief inner official would naturally have to be found within the eight Bingbi and eight Suitang, these sixteen eunuchs.

The Emperor was also quite curious as to whom Zhu Sui would favor more.

But Zhu Sui only said: “In the inner palace, this old minister has never patrolled.”

“Old man.”

The Emperor said: “Where do you wish to retire and rest this time?”

Zhu Sui said slowly: “This old decay still has three bodies.”

“One body wishes to go to General Tomb, to guard the tombs for the heroic spirits of Great Qi.”

“One body wishes to have ten mu of thin fields, to cultivate the countryside and steal leisure in the evening.”

“One body will still be in the withered glory courtyard; I have been accustomed to it for so many years. It is difficult to sleep without hearing the monks chant sutras.”

“All as the old one wishes.”

Qi Emperor pondered slightly, then said: “Someone just vacated a fief. At Qingyang Town, I will allocate ten mu of land to you. A Zhengsheng Hall has also been built there, quite suitable for nurturing the heart. Afterward, it will also belong to you. Go live there idly.”

A thousand years of heavy burden, unloaded in one morning. From this point on, one’s body is relaxed!

Zhu Sui opened his blind eyes, and even the wrinkles on his face seemed to have smoothed out slightly: “Should this old decay thank the Emperor, or thank the person who left?”

“You need not thank anyone.”

Qi Emperor stepped down from the stone platform and bowed deeply to Zhu Sui: “On the contrary, I wish for the common people under this heaven to thank Old Mister!”

Zhu Sui received this bow with dignity.

And then again, with five parts touching the ground, he bowed down and rose again.

“Since ancient times, wise monarchs, none exceed Wu Zu and you. Your Minister rose from Wu Zu and ends with Your Majesty; this life has no regrets!”

Having said that, he carried his white paper lantern

and turned away.

After this long night, there was no Zhu Sui.

But people should remember. He once lit up the long nights of Linzi’s streets…

“What do you mean!”

“What do you mean?”

The two people speaking were one who looked like an ordinary middle-aged gentleman, and one who wore casual clothes and sat in a casual posture, an old monk.

One had fair skin and was slightly plump, the other had a sallow face and was thin and withered.

If one ignored their identities, their dialogue was truly ordinary.

One could encounter such exchanges several times a day in the streets and alleys.

Of course, perhaps one should also ignore the location.

That piece of wilderness itself was not unusual, nor did it contain any valuable resources.

But its north faced Yin Ge City of Zhuang Country, and its south faced Bi City of Mo Country.

It was the front line between Zhuang Country and Mo Country.

It was well known that Yin Ge City was a militarily important town ceded by Mo Country to Zhuang Country several years ago, and now it had become the southern gateway of Zhuang Country.

Of course, Zhuang Country and Mo Country, who once held old grudges, were now fundamentally not on the same level and could not be considered opponents.

Mo Country, with the military family as the mainstream, had always been good at war and bloodthirsty, yet they were not foolish enough to repeatedly bash against an iron wall with their flesh and blood.

So this old monk was unrelated to Mo Country.

The people of Mo Country didn’t even dare to give him a mouthful of water, and of course, they also had no guts to expel him.

As for their real feelings, that was not for outsiders to say.

At this moment, Zhuang Country Emperor Zhuang Gao Xian, dressed in casual clothes, his eyes already very impatient, suppressed his emotions and said: “Ku Jue, have you thought clearly? Does Buddha Gate want to be an enemy of Dao Gate?”

He wasn’t afraid of a rogue, just afraid of a rogue with strength.

It wasn’t that he wanted to come in person, but throughout Zhuang Country, there was no second person who could have a dialogue with this lazy monk.

Ku Jue sat down on the ground with a loud thud, using a grass stem to dig his ear, and showed a shocked expression upon hearing the words: “What did I do again! Is it not okay for me to sit and sit?”

Zhuang Gao Xian said coldly: “You are very clear about what you are doing.”

“Right, I am very clear about what I am doing. I’m sitting in Mo Country’s border sunbathing, and I’m actually being threatened by the Emperor of Zhuang Country.”

Ku Jue slanted his eyes at him: “Is Zhuang Country’s arm that long? You might as well go to Xuankong Temple and threaten me properly!”

Zhuang Gao Xian did not joke with him: “My Great Zhuang established the country here, representing Yujing Mountain! Your insistence on staying here has already posed a threat to my Zhuang Country’s border defense. Do not force this isolated one to take measures. When soldiers meet, and ten thousand troops trample, don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

“Warn your little brat who sells his son, you turtle! Buddha hasn’t spoken, do you think I’m a clay Buddha?”

Ku Jue threw away the grass stem he used to dig his ear, rolled up his sleeves and cursed loudly at the same time, his momentum fierce—then lay down.

“Come and trample, come here and trample! Buddha truly won’t leave today. If you have the ability, just chop this Buddha to death! We still don’t believe that I, the dignified true person of Xuankong Temple with official registration, sitting in Mo Country’s land sunbathing, can still be chopped down by you Zhuang Country people? Even the West Heaven Master isn’t that crazy!”

Even if Zhuang Gao Xian had eloquent talent, his opponent was only willing to curse loudly.

Even if Zhuang Gao Xian had unmatched killing power, his opponent did not fight back.

Even if Zhuang Gao Xian’s heart held the dangers of mountains and rivers, his opponent blocked his path.

One would be discovered as soon as they crossed the border, and no plan could be put into effect.

Truly infuriating!

Zhuang Gao Xian had the thought of killing this old fellow with one palm, and the thought of immediately gathering an army to grind this old monk to death on the spot. But these were just thoughts.

The Buddha Gate’s Eastern Holy Land was absolutely not a soft persimmon to pinch.

Even Yujing Mountain had to weigh its options, let alone his Zhuang Country?

Just as they were confronting each other, suddenly there was the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind.

Zhuang Gao Xian turned his head to look, and Ku Jue also slanted his eyes…

Another bald head!

Compared to the casual appearance of the sallow-faced old monk, this monk’s attire was brocade and colorful. The nine-ring tin staff in his hand gleamed with gold, and the emerald prayer beads around his neck were extraordinarily colored.

Even his face was covered in a layer of golden light, like a plate, truly a precious appearance.

Upon seeing the eyes of the two true persons, he quickly raised his hand to stop: “This poor monk is just passing by. You can fight as you should, curse as you should, continue… continue.”

Zhuang Gao Xian just looked at him quietly, waiting for him to pass by.

But he stood still.

The yellow-faced old monk lying on the ground suddenly flipped over and jumped up, patting the dust off his body, quite concerned about his image, and said sourly: “The water and soil of Dan Country really nourish people, ah, look at that oily face of yours!”

The comer was exactly Master Zhao Huai of Xumi Mountain, one of the creators of the Yuan Shi Dan Alliance on the old site of Dan Country. When the human-dan event broke out, he was one of the first true persons to arrive in Dan Country.

Attending the division of the cauldrons, eating deer and fat.

He looked at Ku Jue with some regret: “You are still that poor and sour.”

Ku Jue suddenly felt his teeth itch. If it weren’t for the even more hateful little one, Zhuang, beside him, he would have to strip this fellow’s brocade, break this fellow’s tin staff, and properly sort out the Buddha Gate’s style!

What a thing! All the Buddha ancestor’s gold, worn on himself!

“There are still many people in this world who need help, and there are still many high monks and great virtues who are not well off. Yet you, Zhao Huai, are so extravagant!”

“You say this high monk and great virtue, isn’t it you, ah?”

“Your grandma!” Ku Jue slapped his butt and walked away immediately.

If he were allowed to curse and fight openly, his, Ku Jue’s, Buddha would certainly not be at a disadvantage.

But to maintain restraint beside the little one, Zhuang Gao Xian, and to adopt the mischievous ways of Wai Yang Qiu, was truly difficult for this old man.

After all, he indeed was not as well off as others, and what was even more hateful was that his seniority was not as high as others.

The Ku character generation of Xuankong Temple corresponded to the Yong character generation of Xumi Mountain.

Zhao Huai gained the advantage of entering the door early.

Speaking of age, he was equivalent to him, but when it came to seniority, the contemporary master of Xumi Mountain would all have to call him Teacher Uncle.

“Ei! Where is the high monk?” Master Zhao Huai still asked.

Ku Jue did not turn his head: “A monk of great virtue is ashamed to be in the company of A Du!”

But after walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and said to Zhuang Gao Xian: “Little one with the surname Zhuang, Buddha is going into Mo Country’s border to sit for a bit now. Do you want to come and manage it too?”

Without waiting for Zhuang Xian’s response, he again burst into laughter and left.

Blocking the door of Zhuang Country.

Zhuang Xian’s face showed no joy or anger, he only looked at Master Zhao Huai and said: “Does Xumi Mountain want to wade into this muddy water?”

“Ah, Zhuang Zi misunderstands.”

Master Zhao Huai appeared cultivated, unlike Ku Jue who was polite: “This poor monk is truly just passing by.”

Zhuang Xian said: “Then you should go in the opposite direction.”

Master Zhao Huai smiled: “I’ll stop and rest for a bit.”

Zhuang Xian brushed his sleeves and returned to his peaceful state.

On the West Star Moon Plain, Xu Country was a must-pass.

Jiang Wang knew about the two great Shen Lin of Xu Country, the West Ferry Lady as well as the commander of soldiers and horses, Fang You.

Of course, today, he and Yu Xia walked through the streets and alleys, yet they caused not the slightest attention, passing through in the most ordinary way.

Nian and Yin Guan, who were initially hiding in a fierce beast’s nest outside Song Bo City, could only steal a few sentences of the West Ferry Lady’s commands and dared not expose half a trace.

Later, by the time of the Star Moon Plain war, he was already attending talks.

After the end of the Qi-Xia war, every time he passed through Xu Country, he would be actively shown hospitality.

And now, they had a tacit understanding to avoid each other.

World affairs change, even more so than floating clouds.

Jiang Wang did not sigh, but simply crossed ridges and mountains.

“Little Yu, let me test you.”

Jiang Wang said: “Suppose we want to live on the Star Moon Plain for a period of time. Where do you think would be more suitable to settle?”

At this moment, they were gathered around a fire pit eating roasted lamb, one slicing with a knife, the other with a knife, picking the bones very clean.

Beside each of them was a pot of wine. One mouthful of wine and one mouthful of meat, it tasted delicious.

Yu Xia ate without lifting his head and said: “Feng Valley, it’s not far from the largest markets. Rong Country’s officials have set up official shops there, selling wine, meat, and spiritual vegetables, everything.”

Given his character, before arriving at the Star Moon Plain, he must have done his homework.

He had already initially screened out thirteen potential settlement points, of which three were first-class, five were first-class, and five were second-class.

He had never considered choosing anything different.

And for each settlement point, the advantages and disadvantages were listed out in more than ten points. If he were to elaborate, it would not be finished in a while. So he casually picked one.

Jiang Wang took a gulp of wine: “Will there be any trouble? You know, I am a quiet person and only want to cultivate peacefully.”

Yu Xia said confidently: “With our strength, there will be no trouble on the Star Moon Plain. If we don’t find trouble with them, they should be burning incense.”

“Oh, okay.” Jiang Wang said: “You arrange it. Thank you for your hard work.”

You are still quite considerate, you still say ‘hard work!’

Yu Xia glanced at him, finally speechless, threw the sheep bone into the fire pit, washed his hands, and then carried his sword into the night outside.

They were in a lamb shop on the border of Xu Country.

The shop was small. Besides the open brick and tile slaughtering shop, there were only three tents outside, each surrounding a fire pit, specifically for roasting lamb.

If one ate several jin of lamb pieces, one would sit in the room inside the slaughtering shop. If one ate roasted lamb, one would come into the tent.

Jiang Wang and Yu Xia occupied one of the tents and found a feeling quite similar to that of Mu Country.

The shopkeepers claimed that their lamb was authentic North Mu lamb.

Whether it was authentic or not, the price was quite North Mu. It was like true bloodline, precious when it flowed into the domain.

Yu Xia lifted the curtain to go out, but the wind rolled in from outside, yet it was late and not resting, blowing the campfire to fluctuate uncertainly.

Time slowly passed, Jiang Wang was neither panicked nor rushed.

He had his own virtue of frugality, slowly stripping off the last piece of lamb, accompanying it with the last mouthful of wine, and picking up the cold, damp cloth towel beside him, slowly wiping his mouth. Then he said quite satisfied: “Guests have arrived. Do you want me to order another lamb for you?”

“No need, we have already eaten.” A voice responded from outside the tent.

The person almost squeezed into the tent, as if their temper was quite urgent. They wore a monkey mask, waiting for their body size. As soon as they entered, they immediately reported their name: “Feng Shen.”

The second person stepped in with a cold wind, or rather, this person’s arrival made the wind even colder. He did not wear a mask, but his face was very ordinary, with no notable features. His voice was cold: “Wu Si.”

The third person who walked into the tent wore a dog skin hat, and under his face was a black face armor. He walked directly to the opposite of Jiang Wang and sat down, reaching out to the fire: “Why is it so cold just in autumn?”

He twisted his head back to look at Wu Si: “Aren’t you a bit far away?”

And then he only looked at Jiang Wang and introduced himself with a smile: “I am Chu Xu.”

“Chu Xu?”

Jiang Wang, who had always been expressionless, seemed to finally show a bit of interest at this moment, slightly raising his eyebrows: “I remember I killed you.”

“Right!”

Chu Xu looked proud: “That’s me!”