My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1466 Trust
Having found his direction, Zhou Xing decided to head to the capital to uncover the truth. He knew the road ahead was fraught with hardship and danger, but he had no other choice. On the eve of his departure, Old Ling handed Zhou Xing his ancestral longsword: "Child, this sword has been with me for many years; now I give it to you for self-defense. I hope you have a safe journey." Zhou Xing solemnly accepted the sword and kowtowed three times to the old man.

The next morning, as the sun rose, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue set off for the capital. They traveled along winding mountain roads, encountering countless hardships and dangers along the way. Sometimes they were attacked by ferocious wild beasts, and sometimes they were robbed by bandits. But each time, they overcame danger thanks to their mutual trust and courage.

While staying at an inn, Zhou Xing overheard two江湖人士 (jianghu figures, figures from the martial arts world) discussing recent developments in the capital. They said there was fierce power struggle within the court, with various factions subtly maneuvering. The Zhou family's case had also been reopened; some believed the Zhou family were descendants of loyal officials who had been wronged, while others firmly believed they deserved their fate. These discussions strengthened Zhou Xing's resolve to uncover the truth.

After months of arduous travel, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue finally arrived in the capital. The bustling city stood in stark contrast to the tranquility of the mountains and forests. The streets were teeming with traffic and pedestrians. Towering buildings stood side by side, shops galore, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares filled the air. However, beneath this apparent prosperity lay countless power struggles and intrigues.

Following the clues provided by the old man, Zhou Xing found his former servant. Upon seeing Zhou Xing, the servant was overwhelmed with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy, and tearfully recounted the tragic events of years past. It turned out that his father had angered powerful figures with his outspoken remonstrances, and was falsely accused of treason, resulting in the execution of the entire family. Only a few loyal subordinates risked their lives to save Zhou Xing, allowing him to escape. Today, those who framed the Zhou family remained at large, wielding considerable power in the court.

Upon learning the truth, Zhou Xing was enraged and wanted to rush into the palace to demand justice. But the old servant dissuaded him, saying, "Young master, you mustn't act rashly! The court is now filled with treacherous officials who wield great power and have numerous followers. Acting rashly will only lead to your death." Zhou Xing calmed down; he knew the old servant was right. To exact revenge, he needed to plan carefully.

So Zhou Xing, using an alias, participated in the imperial examination. With his solid knowledge and outstanding talent, he achieved the highest rank, becoming the top scholar. The news caused a huge sensation throughout the court and the country. Those who had participated in framing the Zhou family became uneasy and sent people to investigate the true identity of this new top scholar.

On the day of the imperial examination, the emperor personally received Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing took the opportunity to express his views on governance and his concerns about his father's wrongful conviction. His words were earnest, sincere, and well-reasoned, moving the emperor deeply. The emperor decided to thoroughly investigate the case and clear the Zhou family's name.

With the emperor's support, Zhou Xing began gathering evidence to bring down the treacherous officials one by one. This process was exceptionally difficult and dangerous, every step fraught with challenges and risks. But Zhou Xing remained fearless and undaunted, deeply aware of the mission and responsibility he bore for his family. Throughout this journey, Ling Xue remained by his side, offering advice and resolving his difficulties. Her courage and wisdom became Zhou Xing's strongest support.

As one corrupt official after another was brought to justice, the Zhou family's wrongful conviction was finally overturned. The emperor ordered the restoration of the Zhou family's reputation and status, and bestowed upon Zhou Xing generous wealth and an official position. However, Zhou Xing was not blinded by victory. He refused the temptation of high office and wealth, and requested the emperor's permission to return to his hometown to rebuild his home.

The emperor, moved by his loyalty and filial piety, gladly agreed. Before parting, the emperor said to Zhou Xing, "My dear minister, you are a pillar of the nation. If needed in the future, I will certainly summon you back to court to serve as an official." Zhou Xing thanked the emperor for his grace and left the capital with Ling Xue.

After returning to his hometown, Zhou Xing used the money bestowed upon him by the emperor to renovate his ancestral home and acquire some land. He distributed the land to the local poor people to cultivate, helping them to live a stable life. He himself lived a simple life, spending his days reading, writing, composing poems, painting, and tending to flowers and trees.

Ling Xue gradually adapted to the rhythm of this rural life. She learned to cook various home-style dishes and raised poultry and livestock such as chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep. The two lived a simple and happy life, as if all the troubles of the world had nothing to do with them.

When spring arrived, the peach blossoms in the courtyard bloomed in vibrant colors. Zhou Xing stood beneath the peach tree, playing the zither and performing "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," the melodious music lingering in the air. Ling Xue, hearing the music, came and danced gracefully in harmony with him. Their laughter echoed throughout the courtyard, ethereal and beautiful.

In summer, the abundant rainfall makes the crops in the fields lush and vibrant. Zhou Xing, wearing a straw hat and raincoat, leads the villagers in their labor, their clothes soaked with sweat, yet they remain oblivious. Autumn is the harvest season; the golden rice ears, heavy with grain, bow their heads, awaiting the harvest. Winter is a wonderful time for hearth conversations. Families sit around the fire pit, roasting sweet potatoes, drinking hot tea, recounting the past year, and dreaming of a bright future.

Years later, at dusk, the white-haired Zhou Xing and the equally silver-haired Ling Xue strolled along a country lane. The setting sun cast long, long shadows of them. The sounds of children playing and dogs barking drifted from afar, creating a harmonious and beautiful rural scene. Zhou Xing, filled with emotion, said, "If I hadn't met you back then, I might have died long ago, and I wouldn't have this happy life today. Thank you, my love." Ling Xue smiled and leaned on his shoulder, whispering, "Silly boy, what are you saying? We're husband and wife, sharing joys and sorrows, it's only natural." Then they smiled at each other, walked hand in hand into the distance, and disappeared into the afterglow of the setting sun…

Nestled amidst mountains, Gulong Town is bisected by a crystal-clear stream. Willows sway gently along its banks, and charming wooden houses line the stone-paved paths. The townspeople live a simple and unpretentious life, working from sunrise to sunset. Ling Xue was born in this town. A kind-hearted girl, she helps her parents run their small grocery store and spends her free time washing clothes and cooking by the stream. Her neighbors all praise her for being diligent and sensible.

It was a sweltering afternoon, the sun high in the sky, baking the earth. Ling Xue went to the stream to fetch water as usual when she suddenly heard a faint groan coming from the bushes. She put down her bucket and followed the sound, finding a man lying on the ground, his clothes tattered and covered in mud and blood, his face as pale as paper, his brow furrowed, as if he were enduring immense pain. Ling Xue was startled and quickly went to check on him, reaching out to feel his breath. There was still a faint breath, though very weak.

Without hesitation, Ling Xue used all her strength to drag the man to the shade of a nearby tree. She ran home to get a clean cloth and water, and carefully wiped the dirt off his face. As she wiped, she noticed that the man had striking eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose, and although his face was haggard, his handsome features were undeniable. After treating his wounds, Ling Xue cooked a pot of porridge and fed the man spoonful by spoonful. Perhaps because he was so hungry, the man instinctively swallowed the food and gradually regained some vitality.

Over the next few days, Ling Xue visited the stranger every day. She changed his dressings, fed him, and told him stories to keep him entertained. Under her meticulous care, the man's health gradually improved. However, what puzzled Ling Xue was that the man remained silent, his eyes always revealing confusion and bewilderment, as if he had lost his memory. As time passed, the man fully recovered. But he still couldn't remember who he was, where he came from, or where he was going. Seeing his helpless state, Ling Xue felt pity and said to him, "Since you have nowhere to go, why don't you stay in our Gulong Town? My family needs an assistant; you can help me look after the shop." The man nodded slightly, agreeing.

From then on, the man became a member of Ling Xue's family. He worked very hard, doing everything from chopping wood and carrying water to moving goods. Although he was taciturn, his eyes were full of gratitude. Ling Xue named him "A Xing," hoping he could get back on track in life.

As the days went by, the feelings between A-Xing and Ling-Xue grew stronger. They strolled together along country paths, admiring the changing scenery of the seasons; they sat by the stream fishing together, sharing their joys and sorrows; they participated in the town's market activities together, experiencing the lively atmosphere of everyday life. Although A-Xing didn't know his past, he cherished his present life, especially the time he spent with Ling-Xue.

Once, a wandering Taoist priest came to the town. After seeing A-Xing, the priest looked him up and down, shook his head, and sighed, "This child has a unique destiny and is destined for extraordinary experiences. However, his memories are currently sealed. Only by breaking this shackle can the truth be known." Ling Xue's heart stirred upon hearing the priest's words, but looking at A-Xing's peaceful life, she hesitated whether she really wanted to disrupt this tranquility.

The peaceful life was finally shattered. One night, a group of men in black stormed into Gulong Town. Wielding sharp blades, they killed indiscriminately, plunging the entire town into chaos. Ling Xue watched in horror, completely bewildered. Just then, A Xing stepped forward, shielding Ling Xue. His eyes sharpened, and he nimbly engaged the men in black in combat.

Those men in black were clearly not ordinary soldiers; they were highly skilled in martial arts and well-trained. But Ah Xing was no less formidable, gradually gaining the upper hand with his instinctive reactions and agile movements. However, one can't fight against so many opponents. Just as Ah Xing's strength began to wane, a flash of cold light appeared, and a long sword thrust straight towards his chest. In the nick of time, Ling Xue lunged forward, shielding him with her own body.

"Ah!" Ling Xue screamed in agony, her clothes stained crimson with blood. Upon seeing this, A Xing's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, unleashing astonishing power that instantly repelled all the men in black. He hurriedly scooped up the injured Ling Xue and rushed home. Looking at Ling Xue lying on the bed, barely alive, A Xing was frantic with worry; for the first time, he felt utterly helpless and furious.

Fortunately, the town's old doctor arrived in time to treat Ling Xue's injuries. After a period of emergency treatment, Ling Xue was finally out of danger. However, she was very weak and needed to rest for a long time. A Xing stayed by her bedside day and night, his eyes filled with self-blame and guilt. He secretly vowed to find the mastermind behind it all and avenge Ling Xue.

To uncover the truth, Ah Xing began to painstakingly recall his past. Whenever the night was still and quiet, he would sit alone in the courtyard, gazing blankly at the starry sky. Fragmented memories would flood in like a tide, only to vanish in an instant. Sometimes he would dream of being on a battlefield, amidst the clashing of swords and the billowing smoke of war; other times he would dream of a magnificent palace, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding grandeur. But these dreams were too blurry to piece together a complete picture.

Meanwhile, Ling Xue was also secretly investigating the identities of the men in black. She discovered that these men seemed to belong to a mysterious organization that had been secretly manipulating the situation in the surrounding area. They had also repeatedly sent people to inquire about A-Xing, clearly showing a special interest in him.

One day, while tidying up his old belongings, Ah Xing stumbled upon a jade pendant. The pendant was uniquely shaped, with exquisite patterns and inscriptions carved upon it. The moment he picked it up, a vivid image flashed through his mind—a kind elder handing him the pendant and instructing him to protect something important… Before he could think any further, a splitting headache struck, nearly causing him to faint.

Upon learning of this, Ling Xue guessed that the jade pendant might be the key to unlocking A Xing's memories. So the two decided to take the pendant to a nearby major city to find the answer. There, they consulted many experts, scholars, and martial arts masters, and finally someone recognized the jade pendant—it was a token of the previous dynasty's royal family! The person who possessed it was of extremely high status…

It turns out that A-Xing is actually a descendant of the previous dynasty! During the palace coup years ago, loyal ministers risked their lives to send him out of the palace and erased his memories to ensure his safety. The men in black were assassins sent by the current emperor to eliminate him completely and prevent future troubles. Now that the emperor has learned that A-Xing is still alive, he has ordered him to be eliminated at all costs.

Faced with this sudden and enormous upheaval, A-Xing was caught in a deep dilemma. On one hand, he was a descendant of the former royal family, bearing the heavy responsibility of restoring the kingdom; on the other hand, he was reluctant to leave Gulong Town and Ling Xue, who had always been by his side. More importantly, he did not want to bring disaster to innocent people because of himself.

Just then, the enemy army approached Gulong Town with the intention of annihilating all the resistance forces, including A-Xing. Seeing this situation, A-Xing knew that he could no longer run away. He had to make a choice: either live in seclusion in the mountains and live a life of ignominy, or stand up and fight for justice!

With Ling Xue's support, A Xing finally decided to unite with righteous people from all sides to fight against tyranny, restore the land, and save the people! He led everyone in a brave fight against the enemy, defeating their attacks time and time again with his wisdom and courage, gradually becoming a hero in people's hearts!
After a hard-fought battle, the rebels were completely wiped out, and peace and prosperity were restored to the land. The emperor realized his mistake and issued an edict pardoning all those who participated in the uprising. He also gave A Xing a very high evaluation and invited him to serve as an official in the court, but A Xing politely declined.

A-Xing took Ling-Xue back to Gulong Town to continue their ordinary life.