The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

We returned from the frigid mountaintop to the warm and cozy main house of the villa.

In the corner of the room, the bronze incense burner with animal patterns was burning brightly, emitting a soft crackling sound that dispelled the chill of late autumn, leaving only warmth throughout the room.

Yi Huawei walked straight to the washstand next to him, where warm water and salt were already prepared.

While Yi Huawei was rinsing his mouth and washing his face, Wanwan, like a slippery red fish, with a cunning look in her eyes, quietly slipped into the inner room, which was Yi Huawei's bedroom.

The bedroom was simply furnished with a bed, a table, a chair, and a cabinet; nothing else. The air was filled with the same faint, cool aura that permeated Yi Huawei. The large bed was covered with a plain-colored brocade quilt, which looked soft and comfortable.

Wanwan's heart was pounding, her cheeks burning. The heat from dancing on the mountaintop hadn't completely subsided, and this act of "sneaking in" had instead fueled an even more exciting emotion. Biting her lower lip, like a thief, she swiftly lifted a corner of the quilt and slipped inside, burying herself completely within it.

The unique, cool scent emanating from the bedding grew even stronger, almost enveloping her entirely. Wanwan curled up, feeling the softness of the bed beneath her and the delicate touch of the fabric, his scent filling her nostrils. An indescribable sense of security, a secret joy, and a shy longing intertwined, making her feel weak all over, and her mind involuntarily drifted into some romantic fantasies.

In the darkness, Wanwan opened her bright eyes, listening to the slight noises coming from outside, waiting for that moment to arrive.

However, just as the sound of water outside stopped and the footsteps turned towards the inside—

Wanwan, lying in bed, suddenly felt a tightness all over her body!
An invisible and intangible yet extremely gentle force arose out of nowhere, carrying an irresistible might, and instantly enveloped her entire body.

Before Wanwan could even gasp, she was lifted lightly from her warm bed by this force, across the bed, and through the partially closed hinged window with perfect precision, landing gracefully on the cool stone floor outside.

Wanwan remained curled up, standing motionless in the cold night outside the window, wearing only a thin scarlet gauze dress. The warmth she had felt in the quilt was instantly dispelled by the chill of the autumn night.

She blinked blankly, looking at the window that was so close yet seemed like an insurmountable chasm. Her face was first taken aback, then a large blush quickly spread across her face, all the way to her ears and neck, so embarrassed that it almost bled.

Inside the window, Yi Huawei appeared at the window. He didn't open the window, but his calm voice clearly reached Wanwan's ears through the paper window:

"The Heavenly Demon Great Art is extremely Yin and pure. At its eighteenth level, one must preserve one's primordial Yin body in order to glimpse its perfect mysteries. If you lose your primordial Yin now, you will never have any hope of achieving great success in your life."

Yi Huawei's tone was not accusatory, but it was more sobering for Wanwan than any harsh reprimand.

As if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head, Wanwan shuddered, and all the romantic fantasies in her mind vanished instantly. Embarrassment remained, but more than that, there was a belated sense of awe.

Wanwan knew all too well the importance of the Heavenly Demon Technique to the successors of the Yin Kui Sect, and the eighteenth level was the pinnacle of martial arts she had always dreamed of. The Alliance Leader's words were by no means empty threats.

She was naturally unaware that for Yi Huawei, this was merely a convenient excuse that wouldn't embarrass her. If he so desired, even if she had lost her primordial yin, he had the means to cleanse her marrow and rebuild her foundation.

"me……"

Wanwan opened her mouth, her voice trembling with shame. She abruptly lowered her head, unable to look at the window any longer, and nervously shuffled her bare feet on the cold floor. But quickly, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head again. Although her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes had regained their clarity, even carrying a hint of reckless, spoiled sweetness. She shouted loudly towards the window:

"The Alliance Leader is right! Wanwan was reckless! You wait, once Wanwan has mastered the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique, she will come... she will come to find you again!"

After saying that, Wanwan dared not linger any longer, as if afraid of hearing Yi Huawei's response. She twisted her body and turned into a wisp of red smoke, instantly disappearing into the deep night of the courtyard, leaving only a faint sweet fragrance in the air.

Inside the window, Yi Huawei, standing still, listened to the shy declaration outside. The corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly, revealing a gentle smile.

She walked to the bedside and looked at the bedding that Wanwan had lain on, still retaining some wrinkles and body warmth. Without tidying it up, she simply lay down on it fully clothed and pulled the brocade quilt over herself.

Besides the usual cool and refreshing scent, there seemed to be a faint, sweet fragrance belonging to a young girl lingering around the tip of her nose, like a night-blooming cereus quietly blooming in the dark night, which lingered for a long time.

Yi Huawei closed his eyes, his expression returning to its usual calm.

………………

The sky was clear, with a few wisps of thin clouds like casually splashed ink. The sunlight had lost its summer heat and become warm and bright, shining on the vast plain and gilding the colossal building standing on the south bank of Wansui Pond in the northern suburbs with a golden glow.

Duzun Fort was not built against a mountain, but rather stood majestically on a plain, facing north. Its magnificent layout and strict regulations truly resembled a scaled-down imperial city.

The entire fortress is constructed of massive, bluish-gray stone bricks, the gaps between them as fine as threads, clearly the result of meticulous craftsmanship. The walls are tall and thick, their surfaces weathered by time, bearing varying shades of mottled marks that add to their sense of age and solidity. At each of the four corners of the fortress stands a majestic watchtower, its dark arrow slits like the cold eyes of a behemoth, surveying its surroundings. Even from afar, an aura of impregnable strength and imposing presence is palpable, inspiring awe and reverence.

A wide moat, like a jade belt, encircles the castle. Its waters originate from the nearby Basilica Pool; though not swift, the current is deep and unfathomable, gleaming with a dark green light in the sunlight. The only passage is a massive wooden drawbridge spanning the moat, suspended by iron chains as thick as a child's arm. At this moment, the drawbridge is lowered, its sturdy planks firmly supporting the banks, like the outstretched tongue of a giant beast.

A small but highly capable caravan was quietly parked at the other end of the suspension bridge. Although the number of people and horses was small, the riders' upright posture and sharp eyes, as well as the horses' magnificent physique and exquisite saddles, all revealed the extraordinary origins of this group.

The lead rider was a young gentleman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, its tailored fit impeccably, made of exquisite material. The lapels and cuffs were embroidered with elegant lotus scroll patterns in silver thread, shimmering subtly in the sunlight. He wore few ornaments, only a matching jade belt around his waist, from which hung an antique-style longsword. The scabbard was deep purple, seemingly made of some rare wood, inlaid with several warm white jade stones, perfectly complementing his refined and elegant demeanor. The young gentleman had a handsome face, fair skin, and sharply angled eyebrows that swept into his temples. His eyes were clear and bright. He had a straight nose, pale lips, and a subtle, gentle smile that always seemed to play at the corners of his mouth. Seated upright on his horse, his posture was as straight as a pine tree, yet he lacked any of the roughness or domineering air of a warrior. Instead, he resembled a well-read, refined scholar from a noble family. Only the fingers resting on the sword hilt, long and strong with distinct knuckles, subtly revealed that its owner was not someone who could not even kill a chicken.

He was Song Shidao, the young master of the Song clan.

Song Shidao did not rush to urge his horse across the bridge. Instead, he gently reined in his horse and turned to look at a carriage behind him. The carriage was not luxuriously decorated, but it had a calm and composed air about it. The carriage was made of heavy rosewood, and the curtains were a calm dark blue.

She leaned slightly forward and said softly into the carriage, "Yu Zhi, we've arrived at Duzun Fortress."

"Reached?"

The carriage curtain was lifted by a slender hand, revealing a bright and beautiful face.

The girl in the carriage was about sixteen years old. She was dressed in a close-fitting outfit in the style of Hu clothing, which was easy to ride and shoot. The color was bright pomegranate red, which made her skin look even whiter, like the finest mutton fat jade.

Unlike typical young ladies who wear elaborate hairstyles, she simply braided her long, glossy black hair into a few playful braids, tying them back with matching ribbons, revealing a smooth, full forehead and a strikingly beautiful oval face. Her eyebrows were delicate yet carried a hint of heroism, and her large, clear eyes were bright and alert, darting around as she unabashedly observed the majestic castle before her.

The girl had a small, pert nose, and naturally red lips, slightly pursed with upturned corners, as if she were about to burst into a smile. She was like a thorny rose, growing freely in the morning sun, brimming with vitality and wild beauty.

This is Song Que's youngest daughter, Song Shidao's younger sister, Song Yuzhi.

"Wow! This is Duzun Fortress? It's really impressive! It looks much more orderly than our mountain towns in Lingnan, all square and boxy!"

Song Yuzhi's voice was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song, her tone carrying her unique frankness and undisguised amazement. Although she was the daughter of the Song family, she had disliked restraint since childhood and loved the magnificent mountains and rivers of Lingnan and its free and unrestrained spirit.

Upon hearing this, Song Shidao smiled helplessly, his eyes full of affection: "Be careful what you say. This is the foundation of Uncle Xie's family, so we must not be impolite. We are going to Sichuan to handle salt affairs and will visit my elder sister on the way. Let's not make things difficult for her."

"I know, I know!"

Song Yuzhi pursed her lips, lowered the carriage curtain, and her voice came from inside the carriage: "Let's go quickly, I haven't seen my eldest sister in so long, I miss her so much!"

Song Shidao straightened up, gently spurred his horse, and led the way onto the suspension bridge. The horse's hooves landed on the thick wooden planks, making a dull thud that echoed across the open river. The caravan followed slowly, the wheels rumbling as they rolled across the bridge.

Across the drawbridge lay the two massive gates of Duzun Fortress, studded with heavy copper nails. The gates were already wide open, and dozens of men in tight-fitting clothes stood solemnly on either side inside. Each of them had bulging temples and a sharp, restrained gaze, clearly indicating that they were all highly skilled fighters.

A man quickly approached from inside the door. He was about forty years old, of medium build, wearing a luxurious and well-tailored brocade robe. He had a ruddy complexion and a neatly trimmed short mustache. His smile was just right—respectful without being obsequious, yet fully expressing his sincerity in welcoming the distinguished guest.

Before Song Shidao could speak, the man in brocade robes bowed and said in a loud and clear voice, "Is it Young Master Song Shidao and Miss Song Yuzhi of the Song Clan of Lingnan? I am Fang Yimin, the steward of Duzun Fortress. I have been waiting here for a long time on the orders of the fortress master. Your presence is an honor to our humble fortress. Please follow me this way."

He spoke tactfully and was courteous, clearly a shrewd man who had seen it all.

Song Shidao dismounted gracefully and smoothly, handing the reins to the approaching guard. He returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, saying gently, "Thank you for waiting so long, Steward Fang. My sister and I have taken the liberty of visiting you."

Song Yuzhi also jumped down from the carriage with light and agile movements. He looked at Fang Yimin with curiosity, and then at the solemn scene inside the fortress. Unusually, he didn't say much and just quietly followed behind his brother.

Guided by Fang Yimin, the group stepped through the fortress gate. The first thing they saw upon entering was not a direct road, but a massive screen wall carved from a single piece of bluestone. Instead of the usual auspicious patterns or ferocious beasts, the screen wall depicted a magnificent panorama of Sichuan's landscape, with towering mountains and rushing rivers. The carving was powerful and vigorous, conveying a grand and expansive atmosphere, subtly revealing the owner's ambition to dominate Sichuan.

Passing the screen wall, the view suddenly opens up. A colossal stone archway, over three zhang tall, stands majestically. Made of the same bluish-gray stone as the fortress wall, it appears ancient and imposing. In the center of the archway, four large golden characters are engraved in vigorous regular script: Loyalty, Faith, Propriety, and Righteousness!

The four large characters gleamed in the autumn sunlight, seemingly proclaiming the principles and pursuits upon which Duzun Castle stands. Behind the archway was a straight, wide central path paved with massive bluestone slabs, polished to an extremely smooth, mirror-like finish. The path was extremely long, seemingly leading directly to the most magnificent main hall deep within the castle.

Neatly planted pines and cypresses line both sides of the path. These trees are clearly quite old, each with gnarled and strong trunks, towering into the sky, their dark green canopies like canopies, maintaining their vibrant life even in late autumn. The vigorous pines and cypresses complement the sturdy stone fortress, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Hidden among these pine and cypress trees, one can vaguely see independent houses and courtyards with upturned eaves and exquisite layouts, which not only ensure privacy but also blend into the overall solemn atmosphere.

The autumn wind blows, and the pine trees rustle, making the fortress seem even more secluded and tranquil.

Fang Yimin led the way, his pace neither hurried nor slow, accommodating the guests' pace while maintaining the demeanor befitting a steward of Duzun Fort. Occasionally, he would turn to the side to introduce the scenery or important buildings within the fort to Song Shidao and his sister, his words cautious and appropriate.

As Song Shidao walked slowly, he discreetly observed his surroundings. A subtle hint of seriousness flickered in his gentle eyes. This Duzun Fortress, from its layout to its details, perfectly reflected Jie Hui's great talent and meticulous style. His influence in Sichuan was indeed deeply rooted, no wonder he could be as famous as his father and become a rapidly rising hero outside the four powerful clans.

Song Yuzhi, unlike her brother, was more curious. Looking at the houses that were partially hidden among the pines and cypresses, she couldn't help but think of her eldest sister, Song Yuhua, whom she hadn't seen for several years.

In my memory, my eldest sister was gentle and quiet, always patient and reserved. I wonder if she's doing well here? Thinking of this, a faint trace of concern and worry flickered in her bright eyes. (End of Chapter)