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Inside the private room, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the Luo River flowed gently outside the window, yet this could not conceal the heavy weight in You Chuhong's question.

Yi Huawei did not answer immediately. He picked up the celadon teacup in front of him, took a small sip, and put the teacup down. Only then did he look up to meet You Chuhong's sharp, hawk-like gaze and smiled calmly.
"The old lady is straightforward, and I also dislike pretense. Since that's the case, let's speak frankly."

"The Dugu Clan is the most prominent military aristocratic group in Guanzhong. Originating in Wuchuan Town during the Northern Wei Dynasty, it has been established through the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, and Sui Dynasties. Its influence is extensive and deeply rooted, with its disciples and former associates spread throughout the court and the military. In Luoyang and even the Guanzhong region, its influence is deeply intertwined and its foundation is profound. This is the advantage of the clan, but also... its constraint."

You Chuhong's eyes narrowed slightly, and the dragon head on the iron staff in her hand seemed to unconsciously rub against the ground, making a soft "tap" sound. She did not interrupt, waiting for what was to come.

Yi Huawei continued, "However, in today's world, heroes are rising up everywhere. It is no longer an era where powerful families can control the world simply by virtue of their background. Li Yuan, who controls Guanzhong and uses the emperor to command the princes (although he has now established himself), has a gradually solid foundation. Moreover, he has a son like Li Shimin, who is talented and skilled in military strategy, and his power is already established. Wang Shichong, who has seized Luoyang, seems strong, but he is suspicious, mean and ungrateful, and has lost the hearts of the people. He is trapped in an isolated city, and even with troops and supplies, he will not be able to last long. Dou Jiande, who dominates Hebei, seems to have great power and claims to be benevolent and righteous. However, he comes from humble origins, his internal factions are complicated, and he lacks the talent to truly coordinate the overall situation and manage the world. Once he encounters setbacks, he is very likely to fall apart."

He spoke at a measured pace, recounting the general situation of the world in a leisurely manner, as if narrating an ordinary event, yet every sentence hit the nail on the head.

"On the other hand, the Dugu Clan,"

Yi Huawei abruptly changed the subject, his gaze seemingly piercing through people as he stared directly at You Chuhong: "While there are many talented individuals within the clan, such as Clan Head Dugu Feng, who is quite composed, and General Dugu Sheng, who commands the Imperial Guards and wields considerable power, and Miss Feng, whose talent is exceptional and whose future is limitless, if I may be so bold, the clan lacks a true leader who can see the world clearly and possess the ambition and skill to contend for supremacy in the Central Plains. Moreover..."

He paused slightly, his voice growing deeper: "Furthermore, given the fact that the Dugu clan has been caught in a power struggle for years, wavering between the Guanzhong clique and the Luoyang court, seemingly playing both sides but actually wavering. Now, the Li Tang dynasty is powerful, Wang Shichong is declining, and Dou Jiande is far away in Hebei. Although the Dugu clan outwardly submits to Wang Shichong and holds Luoyang, how can they not feel uncertain? Should they continue to be loyal to the declining Zheng state? Or should they secretly curry favor with the Li Tang and wait for a better future? Or... seek another path?"

"However, no matter what choice is made, it is not the best course of action. If we join the Li Tang dynasty, the Li family controls Guanzhong and Longxi, and has a wealth of talented people under their command. The Tian Ce Mansion is full of strategists and fierce generals. At most, the Dugu clan will gain a Duke of Anle, but it will be difficult to regain its former power to control the court. If we keep Wang Shichong, we will only perish together with him. As for Dou Jiande, Hebei is far away and is not a good choice."

Yi Huawei's words stripped away the seemingly glamorous facade of the Dugu Clan, revealing its core embarrassment, hesitation, and predicament.

You Chuhong's face gradually darkened, her wrinkles appeared deeper, and she tightened her grip on the iron staff, her knuckles turning white.

Yi Huawei's words struck a chord deep within her. These were the very problems she had pondered and worried about in the quiet of the night, problems she had no one to confide in. The future of the Dugu Clan had indeed reached a crossroads; one wrong step would mean utter ruin.

Standing behind You Chuhong, Dugu Feng listened with a heavy heart. Although she was obsessed with swordsmanship, she was not completely unaware of her family's situation. Now that Yi Huawei had analyzed it so clearly and thoroughly, she felt the situation was even more dire. She couldn't help but cast her expectant gaze at Yi Huawei, hoping that he could point out a way out.

A brief silence fell over the private room, broken only by the sound of running water outside the window and the faint noise of the marketplace downstairs.

After a long silence, You Chuhong exhaled a long breath, her sharp eyes fixed on Yi Huawei, and said in a hoarse voice, "Sir, your gaze is piercing, and your words are incisive. But I wonder, in your opinion, how should we, the Dugu Clan, break this deadlock? And where is the 'alternative path'?"

Her tone already carried a hint of seeking advice.

Yi Huawei did not answer directly. His gaze returned to You Chuhong, and he carefully examined her from head to toe. Suddenly, he said, "Madam, in recent years, have you felt a tightness in your chest around midnight, as if a huge rock is pressing down on you? Have you been coughing incessantly and unable to sleep? When you practice your internal energy, do you often experience a needle-like pain at the intersection of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin and the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin? And in recent years, has your progress in internal energy become sluggish, and even occasionally regressed?"

Upon hearing this, You Chuhong shuddered violently, her eyes flashing with disbelief, and her hand gripping the iron staff trembled slightly! This old ailment of hers was extremely secretive, stemming from her early years of hasty practice of the Cloak Staff Technique, and from injuries sustained in a fight. For years, she had sought out renowned doctors, even resorting to using her internal energy to forcibly suppress it, but to no avail. Instead, it had worsened with age, becoming her greatest hidden danger and secret! Even her closest confidants in the clan, such as Dugu Feng and Dugu Feng, only knew that she coughed occasionally, unaware of such detailed symptoms and their impact on her cultivation!
This person... this person was able to see right through me?!

"How...how did you know?!"

You Chuhong's voice was hoarse with a hint of shock.

Dugu Feng also turned pale and hurriedly looked at her grandmother. She only knew that her grandmother had a cough, but she did not know that it was so serious and related to her cultivation level!

Yi Huawei remained calm: "Observe her complexion, examine her breathing, and discern her spirit. The old lady's lung meridians are damaged, and her kidney water is insufficient, making it difficult to nourish her lung metal. In addition, old injuries have caused stagnation, and cold and dampness have lingered in her lungs and internal organs, damaging her foundation. If she is not cured, not only will her skills decline year by year, but her lifespan will also be greatly affected."

You Chuhong's face turned extremely pale. Yi Huawei's words confirmed her deepest fear. She remained silent for a moment, and the scrutinizing and authoritative aura she had just exuded dissipated considerably, replaced by a desolate air of a hero in his twilight years and a faint glimmer of hope: "Since you can see through my chronic illness at a glance, sir, could it be... that you have a cure?"

"The body's Qi and blood circulate through the twelve regular meridians, repeating endlessly to maintain normal flow. If Qi and blood surge and overflow the meridians, they flow into these eight meridians, taking a different route to become the extraordinary meridians. To put it simply, the regular meridians are like rivers, and the extraordinary meridians are like lakes and ponds. When the rivers overflow, they flow into the lakes and ponds; when the rivers dry up, the lakes and ponds drain their contents, playing a regulatory role in each other. The old lady's asthma was caused by a mismatch between the twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians, which affected the lung meridian and, over the years, led to this disease."

Yi Huawei changed the subject and said calmly, "Although the illness is deep-rooted, it is not incurable. I have some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and have cultivated internal energy with a strong regenerative quality. Perhaps I can help the old lady to relieve her stagnation, nourish her lungs and kidneys, and eradicate the root of the disease."

Upon hearing this, You Chuhong's eyes instantly blazed with intense light! The old wound that had plagued her for decades, almost driving her to despair, actually had hope of healing? But having weathered many storms, she suppressed her excitement and said in a deep voice, "If you, sir, are willing to lend a helping hand, the entire Dugu Clan will never forget this kindness! Whatever your request, as long as it doesn't jeopardize the survival of the clan, I will do my utmost!"

At her age and status, her own health and cultivation are, in some ways, more fundamental than family affairs. If she can truly recover her health, and even further improve her skills, she can protect the Dugu Clan for another decade or so, which is of great significance!

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "Madam, you flatter me. It is fate that we have met. Today, I will do my best to help you."

He stood up and walked to You Chuhong: "Please relax, Madam, and do not use your internal energy to resist."

You Chuhong took a deep breath, nodded, and slowly closed her eyes, lowering her guard. This would have been extremely dangerous for a master like her, but Yi Huawei's unfathomable abilities and her desire to heal her injuries led her to choose to trust him.

Yi Huawei extended his right index and middle fingers, forming a sword-like shape. A warm, purple aura swirled around the fingertips, yet remained dormant. He moved with lightning speed, striking over a dozen major acupoints on You Chu's chest, including "Huagai," "Zigong," and "Yutang," as well as "Zhongwan" on his abdomen and "Feishu" and "Shenshu" on his back.

The fingertips did not actually touch the clothes, stopping half an inch away, but with each fingertip, an incomparably pure and vibrant Northern Darkness True Qi, mixed with a trace of the Longevity Technique's spiritual essence, penetrated the body!

You Chuhong's body trembled violently as she felt several gentle, pure, yet irresistible warm currents enter her body. Wherever they passed, the stagnant, painful, and cold places melted away as quickly as ice and snow! An indescribable feeling of comfort spread throughout her body, as if parched earth had been nourished by sweet rain.

He couldn't help but let out a long-suppressed groan. His face first turned red, then pale, and finally slowly regained its rosy hue. There was even a faint white mist rising from the top of his head.

Yi Huawei's techniques were varied, sometimes tapping, sometimes brushing, sometimes pressing lightly, sometimes gently guiding, his movements as fluid as flowing water, carrying a strange rhythm. He was not only using his true energy to heal the injury, but also using his powerful divine sense to guide You Chuhong's internal energy along a mysterious path, helping her to cleanse her meridians and repair her hidden injuries.

Standing to the side, Dugu Feng watched with bated breath, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder. Although she couldn't understand all the mysteries, she could feel her grandmother's breath becoming steady, deep, and full of vitality at a visible speed, and the subtle pain and obscurity that had lingered between her brows for years was gradually dissipating!

About an incense stick's time later, Yi Huawei withdrew his fingers and stepped back. A faint gray-black aura flashed and disappeared from his palm—it was a trace of stagnant pathogenic energy he had expelled from You Chuhong's body. "Alright. The old lady's stagnant cold and dampness injuries have been largely healed, and her damaged lung and kidney meridians have been initially nourished and repaired. She only needs to follow the cultivation path I just guided her through, rest quietly for half a month, and supplement with lung-nourishing and energy-tonifying medicine. She should be fully restored to her former state, and perhaps... her cultivation level might even rise to a higher level."

You Chuhong slowly opened her eyes, taking a long, incredibly smooth breath. This was a feeling of ease she hadn't experienced in decades; the heavy weight on her chest seemed to have completely vanished, and her whole body felt warm and full of power. She circulated her internal energy slightly, feeling it flow smoothly and without any stagnation or pain!
She suddenly stood up, so excited that she could hardly contain herself, and bowed deeply to Yi Huawei!
"I will never forget your kindness in saving me!"

Yu Chuhong's deep bow revealed her true feelings, completely devoid of the previous reserve and majesty of a powerful aristocratic family. It was purely the heartfelt gratitude of a martial artist who had been suffering from a chronic illness and had suddenly been freed from it.

Yi Huawei accepted the bow without hesitation. After she straightened up, he said calmly, "Madam, there's no need for such formality. It's just a doctor's duty."

He paused, then said, "Although the old wounds have healed, the damage from years of injury still requires recuperation. I will prescribe a formula for you to gently nourish yourself for half a month, which can strengthen your foundation and completely eliminate any future problems."

Having said that, he walked to the desk in the private room. He picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, pondered for a moment, and then his brush moved swiftly, producing lines of elegant yet strong characters that leaped onto the paper.

"Asparagus root 3 qian, Ophiopogon japonicus 5 qian, Fritillaria cirrhosa 2 qian (powdered and taken with water), Adenophora stricta 4 qian, Poria cocos 5 qian, Dioscorea opposita 1 liang, Lycium barbarum 4 qian, Rehmannia glutinosa 4 qian, Angelica sinensis (tail) 2 qian, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (prepared) 1.5 qian... Boil with 3 bowls of clean water until 1 bowl remains. Take one dose at noon every day for 15 consecutive days. During the medication period, avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods, and do not agitate the liver. Practice the exercises gently and gradually."

This prescription mainly focuses on nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen, and tonifying the liver and kidneys. It is exactly what You Chuhong's symptoms are looking for. The medicine is appropriate and the dosage is carefully considered, which shows that the prescription is based on a deep understanding of medical principles.

You Chuhong solemnly accepted the prescription. After just one glance, she knew that this prescription was not something an ordinary doctor could write. The combination of several herbs was quite ingenious and perfectly suited to her current condition. She carefully folded the prescription, put it in her bosom, and thanked him again: "I will remember your kindness, sir."

After this treatment, the atmosphere in the private room has greatly eased, and the oppressive feeling brought about by the heavy topic of the world situation and the predicament of the Dugu clan has also been greatly reduced.

The way You Chuhong looked at Yi Huawei showed not only inquiry, but also a greater sense of trust and closeness.

After sitting down again, You Chuhong pondered for a moment before finally steering the conversation back to its original direction, but her tone was no longer probing: "Sir, your analysis of the current situation for my Dugu clan was insightful and profound, and I deeply admire it. But I wonder what you mean by 'seeking another path'?"

Yi Huawei smiled slightly, knowing that the time was ripe. He did not directly answer You Chuhong's second question, but said calmly, "Does the old lady know that, apart from the Li Tang, Wang Zheng, and Xia Kingdom, there is another force in the south that has quietly gained power?"

You Chuhong's gaze sharpened: "Sir, you mean...?"

“The Heavenly Alliance,” Yi Huawei calmly uttered three words.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

"The Heavenly Alliance is no ordinary separatist force. Our ambition is not to live in peace in one corner, nor is it simply to dominate the world. The purpose of the alliance is to end this chaotic world, eliminate the accumulated evils of the previous dynasty, and create a bright and clear world, so that farmers have land, scholars have teachers, merchants can trade freely, all people can live in peace and prosperity, and all talents in the world can be put to good use."

Yi Huawei paused for a moment, then explained in detail: "Now, our Heavenly Dao Alliance has the full support of the Lingnan Song Clan, and the Pegasus Ranch has also submitted to us, providing us with high-quality warhorses. Most of the south is under the alliance or under its influence, with smooth government orders and all industries gradually prospering."

"Perhaps in the eyes of the northern warlords, the south is still a remote and pestilential land, not worth worrying about. But they are wrong."

Yi Huawei's lips curled into a faint sneer: "I have already implemented new policies in the South, reducing taxes and levies, encouraging agriculture and sericulture, building water conservancy projects, promoting improved varieties, establishing new schools, selecting talents from poor families, and reorganizing the military. The South is blessed with a mild climate and abundant resources, and it is free from the frequent wars in the North, making it a perfect place for recuperation and the accumulation of strength."

"Within five years, the South will surely be filled with granaries, its population will grow, and the hearts of the people will be with us. At that time, with the foundation of the Song Clan, the help of the Flying Horse Ranch, and the elite troops trained by our Heavenly Alliance, coupled with the geographical advantage of moving from south to north and down the river... it is no exaggeration to say that we will have an invincible iron cavalry. When we launch a northern expedition to the Central Plains, we will wipe out the enemy's territory and no one, whether it be the Li Tang, Wang Zheng, or Dou Xia, can stop us."

Yu Chuhong was deeply moved. If what he said was true, the Heavenly Alliance had the entire south as a stable rear base, plus the powerful support of the Song Clan and the Pegasus Ranch, as well as the very attractive governance strategy he mentioned... its potential was indeed terrifying, far exceeding that of Wang Shichong, who was trapped in Luoyang, and Dou Jiande, who seemed powerful but was internally unstable. It even posed a real threat to the Li Tang Dynasty!

Yi Huawei, observing You Chuhong's shifting expression, smiled calmly, his tone suddenly becoming somewhat lighter: "I feel a connection with the Old Madam and Miss Feng, hence my frankness. As for the Dugu Clan's decision—whether to remain on this sinking ship in Luoyang or seek another way out—it is entirely up to the Old Madam and the clan themselves. Our Heavenly Dao Alliance embraces all rivers and streams, and naturally welcomes a family with such profound foundations as the Dugu Clan to join us in this grand undertaking. But…,"

He then changed the subject, displaying an air of detached confidence: "Even if the Dugu Clan chooses to wait and see how things develop, or ultimately sides with the Li Tang, it will have no fundamental impact on the overall situation of our Heavenly Dao Alliance. Five years from now, when the iron cavalry marches north, the world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall political landscape or social order) will be rewritten. The old lady may carefully consider my words today."

These words not only expressed a desire to recruit, but also demonstrated strong confidence and self-assurance. They did not sound anxious or pleading at all. Instead, they gave people a sense of superiority and choice—the opportunity is yours to seize or not.

You Chuhong fell into a long silence, her fingers unconsciously tapping the dragon-headed iron staff. A fierce internal struggle raged within her. Yi Huawei's displayed strength, methods, and the blueprint he painted were incredibly tempting. However, the Dugu Clan's century-old foundation was in the north; a sudden move south would have far too many implications, requiring a great deal of weighing. And Yi Huawei's statement, "It doesn't matter if you don't join," while sounding somewhat arrogant, ironically added to the credibility of his words.

After a long silence, she slowly exhaled and looked at Yi Huawei with a complicated expression: "What you said today, sir, is too much information. I need some time to discuss it with everyone in the clan. But the Dugu clan will never forget your kindness in saving us and your frankness today. No matter what decision we make in the end, the Dugu clan is willing to form a good relationship with you."

Yi Huawei smiled slightly, not surprised by the answer: "That's only right. Madam can take her time to consider it. I will be staying in Luoyang for the time being. If Madam makes a decision, she can have Miss Dugu come and inform her."

Having said that, he stood up and said, "I have troubled you for a long time today, so I will take my leave now."

You Chuhong and Dugu Feng quickly got up to see them off.

Watching Yi Huawei gracefully descend the stairs and leave with his silent apprentice, You Chuhong stood by the window, gazing at the Luo River below, remaining silent for a long time with profound and unfathomable eyes.

"grandmother……"

Dugu Feng called softly, her tone tinged with excitement and a hint of uncertainty: "Do you think... what he said is true? We..."

You Chuhong didn't turn around, but slowly said, "The truth cannot be hidden, and falsehood cannot be made true. But this person... is unfathomable. His account of the situation in the south can be easily verified with a little investigation. As for the five-year period..."

She paused, her voice low but decisive: "Feng'er, immediately utilize all our covert contacts in the south, at all costs. I need the most detailed and accurate information about the Heavenly Dao Alliance! Especially everything about that Alliance Leader!" (End of Chapter)