All Heavens: Sharing Talents with Countless Mes

Three days later, in Chang'an, at Wei Zheng's residence.

Chu Yang returned to this ancient and elegant residence to report back to Wei Zheng.

Inside the study, Wei Zheng listened to Chu Yang's report and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, stood up, walked up to Chu Yang, and patted him on the shoulder heavily.

"Chu Yang, you did a great job! The people of Hedong County are all grateful to you!"

Chu Yang cupped his hands and said, "Lord Wei, you flatter me. This is merely what I should do."

Wei Zheng shook his head: "No, this is not something you should do. This is a merit you earned through your own abilities, risking your life."

"I keep my word. From this day forward, the Liu family will be under my protection. Anyone who dares to bully the Liu family will be my enemy!"

Chu Yang was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Lord Wei!"

Wei Zheng waved his hand: "No need for such formalities. You have rid the court of a scourge, and I should repay you."

He took a token from his desk and handed it to Chu Yang.

"This is my token. Take it; if you encounter any trouble, you can use it to seek help."

Chu Yang took the token and solemnly put it into his pocket.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Wei."

Wei Zheng nodded, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at Chu Yang.

"Chu Yang, you are so young, yet you possess such courage and ability; you are destined for greatness."

"I have a word of advice for you—the path of cultivation is long and arduous; do not rush for quick results. Steady progress and a solid foundation are the keys to long-term success."

Chu Yang listened respectfully and kept these words firmly in mind.

"This junior will keep Lord Wei's teachings in mind."

Wei Zheng smiled slightly and waved his hand: "Go, take good care of your family."

Chu Yang bowed again, then turned and left the study.

……

As Chu Yang stepped out of Wei Zheng's residence, he felt exceptionally relaxed.

With Wei Zheng's protection, the Liu family could rest easy from then on.

No matter how arrogant the Cui family was, they wouldn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Wei Zheng.

"Next, we'll go to Five Elements Mountain."

Chu Yang thought to himself.

He has lingered in Chang'an for too long; it's time to set off to find Sun Wukong.

According to his estimation, the day when Tang Sanzang sets off on his pilgrimage to obtain Buddhist scriptures is not far off.

If we don't get up soon, we might miss the chance to meet Sun Wukong.

He hurried back to the Liu family and told Master Liu and Liu Ruyan what had happened.

Upon hearing that Wei Zheng had agreed to protect the Liu family, Master Liu was so moved that tears streamed down his face.

"Good! Good! Good!" he exclaimed repeatedly. "My dear son-in-law, you are truly a great benefactor to the Liu family!"

Madam Liu was also wiping away tears, her face full of relief.

"Ruyan, you've truly found a wonderful husband."

A blush rose to Liu Ruyan's face, and she said softly, "Mother, I know."

She looked at Chu Yang, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Chu Yang smiled slightly, then his expression turned serious, and he said, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Ruyan, I have something to tell you."

The three of them looked at him at the same time, their faces showing confusion.

"What is it?" Master Liu asked.

Chu Yang took a deep breath and said, "I plan to leave Chang'an to take care of some things."

Liu Ruyan's expression changed: "Chu Lang, where are you going?"

Chu Yang pondered for a moment and said, "I want to go to the Five Elements Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou."

"Five Elements Mountain?" Master Liu was stunned. "What kind of place is that? Why do we need to go there?"

Chu Yang explained, "Five Elements Mountain is a sacred mountain, and it is said that an ancient divine monkey is suppressed beneath it."

"I am going there to see that divine monkey; perhaps I will find some opportunity."

Master Liu and his wife were completely confused, but they didn't ask any further questions.

They knew that Chu Yang was a cultivator, and what he did was naturally beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Only Liu Ruyan's eyes were filled with reluctance and worry.

"Chu Lang, how long are you going to be gone?" she asked softly.

Chu Yang held her hand and said gently, "It could take anywhere from a few months to a year."

"But don't worry, with Lord Wei's protection, the Cui family won't dare to cause trouble for the Liu family again. Wait for me in Chang'an; I'll come back for you after I've finished my business."

Liu Ruyan's eyes were slightly red, but she forced back her tears and nodded.

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Chu Yang gently pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Ruyan, wait for me to come back, and we'll get married."

Liu Ruyan was startled and looked up, her eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.

"Chu Lang, are you telling the truth?"

Chu Yang smiled slightly: "Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"

Liu Ruyan stopped crying and smiled, then hugged him tightly.

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

The wealthy Mr. Liu and his wife, who were standing nearby, smiled with satisfaction as they watched this scene.

"Alright, alright, you young people can talk all you want. We old folks won't bother you any longer," said Master Liu with a smile, pulling Madam Liu away from the main hall.

Only Chu Yang and Liu Ruyan remained in the room.

"Ruyan, you've had a tough time these past few days," Chu Yang said softly. "While I'm gone, please take good care of yourself, and also take good care of your parents."

Liu Ruyan nodded: "Don't worry, Chu Lang, I will."

She raised her head and looked intently at Chu Yang.

"Take good care of yourself too, and don't overwork yourself. No matter what happens, come back safe and sound."

Chu Yang smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I will."

The two embraced for a long time before reluctantly parting.

……

The next morning, it was just dawn.

Chu Yang then shouldered his bag and prepared to leave Chang'an.

The Liu family of three came to the door to see them off.

Master Liu patted Chu Yang on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "My dear son-in-law, take care on your journey."

Madam Liu wiped away her tears and instructed, "Take care of yourself while you're out there, and don't go hungry."

Liu Ruyan stood to the side, her eyes slightly red, but she held back her tears.

Looking at them, Chu Yang felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Ruyan, don't worry, I will definitely come back safely."

He bowed deeply to the three men, then turned and left.

As he walked out of Liujia Alley, he looked back once.

Liu Ruyan remained standing at the door, watching him leave, her face filled with anticipation and reluctance.

Chu Yang waved to her, then turned and disappeared at the end of the street.

……

Three days after Chu Yang left, at the Cui family's residence.

Cui Yuanlang was pacing in the study, his face full of gloom.

Ever since he was defeated by Chu Yang at the Liu family's place, he had been holding back his anger.

The dignified young master of the Cui family was utterly defeated by a poor scholar, causing him to lose all face.

He vowed to avenge this!

"Young Master, we've found out." A middle-aged man who looked like a steward entered the study and reported in a low voice, "Chu Yang left Chang'an early this morning, and we don't know where he went." Cui Yuanlang's eyes lit up: "Really?"

“Absolutely true.” The steward nodded. “Our men saw him leave the city with their own eyes.”

Cui Yuanlang laughed heartily: "Good! Good! Good! This poor scholar is finally gone!"

He paced around the study twice, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"With Chu Yang gone, the Liu family has lost its support."

"Pass on my order: go to the Liu family today and bring Liu Ruyan back to me!"

The steward's expression changed, and he quickly advised, "Young Master, this might not be appropriate. I've heard that Lord Wei Zheng has already ordered the protection of the Liu family..."

"Wei Zheng?" Cui Yuanlang scoffed. "He's just an old scoundrel. What can he do to me?"

"My Cui family has been operating in Chang'an for decades, and our power is deeply entrenched. How could he possibly shake our position alone?"

"Besides, I was just going to steal a woman, not committing a rebellion. Why should he interfere?"

The steward wanted to persuade him further, but was glared at by Cui Yuanlang and had no choice but to shut his mouth.

"Go, gather the men, we're going to the Liu family today!"

"Yes, Master."

The manager reluctantly left.

About an hour later, Cui Yuanlang led more than thirty guards and marched in a grand procession toward the Liu family.

This time he learned his lesson and didn't just bring a dozen or so people; instead, he brought all of the Cui family's most elite guards.

"Although Chu Yang, that poor scholar, has some skills, he is no longer in Chang'an."

"The Liu family is left with only a bunch of elderly, weak, women, and children. Aren't they just easy to manipulate?"

Cui Yuanlang sat on his horse, his face full of pride.

He could almost see the scene of Liu Ruyan being taken back to the Cui family by him.

That beautiful woman is about to become his possession!
However, his dream was interrupted by a shout before it could last long.

"stop!"

A group of soldiers in armor poured out from both sides of the street and surrounded Cui Yuanlang and his entourage.

Leading the group was a burly middle-aged general, Zhao Wu, the commander of the city guards of Chang'an.

"Young Master Cui, where are you going?" Zhao Wu asked coldly.

Cui Yuanlang's expression changed, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Commander Zhao, what do you mean by this? I was just taking some men out on some business, what did that do to you?"

Zhao Wu scoffed, "Going on business? With this entourage, Young Master Cui, you're probably not going to do business, but to cause trouble, aren't you?"

"I am acting on Lord Wei's orders to immediately and closely monitor the Cui family's every move. If any illegal or disorderly conduct is discovered, they will be apprehended and punished immediately!"

Cui Yuanlang's expression changed drastically: "What? That old scoundrel Wei Zheng actually dared to..."

"Insolence!" Zhao Wu shouted angrily. "Lord Wei is the current prime minister; how dare you be so disrespectful?"

"Guards! Seize Cui Yuanlang and throw him in jail!"

"Yes!"

The city guards rushed forward and subdued Cui Yuanlang and his bodyguards.

"How dare you!" Cui Yuanlang shouted hoarsely, "I am the young master of the Cui family! If you dare to arrest me, the Cui family will not let you get away with it!"

Zhao Wu looked at him coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"The Cui family? No matter how powerful the Cui family is, they can't be more powerful than the imperial court!"

"Young Master Cui, you should stay in the prison. We'll decide what to do with you after Lord Wei has finished his interrogation."

After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take Cui Yuanlang and the others away.

Cui Yuanlang was escorted through the street, and the surrounding people stopped to watch, pointing and whispering.

"Isn't that the young master of the Cui family? How did he get arrested?"

"I heard he offended Lord Wei and was arrested by the city guards."

"Serves him right! This young master Cui has always bullied others and committed numerous evils; he should have been arrested long ago!"

"Absolutely! This is going to be quite a show!"

As Cui Yuanlang listened to the surrounding discussions, his face turned pale and then flushed, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

He never imagined that he, the dignified young master of the Cui family, would have such a miserable day!
"Chu Yang... Wei Zheng..." he growled through gritted teeth, "You just wait! This isn't over!"

……

The main hall of the Liu family residence.

The Liu family of three was sitting together eating lunch, and the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

Ever since Chu Yang left, Liu Ruyan has been depressed and has lost her appetite.

"Ruyan, eat more." Madam Liu placed a piece of meat in her daughter's bowl and said with concern, "You've lost weight these past few days."

Liu Ruyan forced a smile: "Mother, I'm fine, I just miss Chu Lang a little."

Master Liu sighed, "This child, Chu Yang has only been gone for three days, and you're already like this. How will you endure the long days ahead?"

Liu Ruyan lowered her head and remained silent.

At this moment, there was a rapid knock on the door.

"Master! Master! Great news!"

The voice of the old servant, Uncle Zhang, came from outside the door, filled with excitement.

Master Liu frowned: "What's going on? Why are you shouting like that?"

Uncle Zhang pushed open the door and walked in, his face full of joy.

"Master, guess what? That young master Cui from the Cui family has been arrested!"

"What?!" Master Liu suddenly stood up. "Arrested? Who arrested him?"

Uncle Zhang said excitedly, "The city guards arrested him! I heard it was Lord Wei who gave the order!"

"Young Master Cui brought his men today intending to cause trouble for our family, but they were intercepted by the city guards on the way, and both he and his guards were thrown into prison!"

"The news has spread throughout Chang'an, and everyone is applauding it!"

Master Liu stood there, speechless for a long time.

Madam Liu and Liu Ruyan were both stunned.

"Lord Wei..." Master Liu murmured to himself, "He really made a move..."

He recalled the words Chu Yang had said before leaving, and a feeling of gratitude welled up in his heart.

"My dear son-in-law...you really did it..."

Liu Ruyan's eyes reddened again, but not from sadness, but from being moved.

“Chu Lang…” she murmured softly, “you really did it…”

She knew that all of this was thanks to Chu Yang.

If he hadn't risked his life to get rid of that demonic python, why would Wei Zheng have protected the Liu family?
If it weren't for Wei Zheng protecting the Liu family, how could Cui Yuanlang have been imprisoned?

"Chu Lang, thank you..."

She said this silently in her heart, and tears finally welled up in her eyes.

Master Liu came to his senses and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Good! Good! Good!" he exclaimed three times. "That's great! That bastard from the Cui family has been arrested; he won't dare cause us any more trouble!"

"Ruyan, your Chu Lang is truly a great benefactor to my Liu family!"

Liu Ruyan smiled through her tears and nodded.

“Yeah, I know.”

She looked up at the window, gazing at the azure sky, her heart filled with anticipation.

"Chu Lang, you must come back safely..."

"I'll be waiting for you here..."

……

Meanwhile, on the official road dozens of miles outside Chang'an City.

Chu Yang was riding a fast horse, galloping westward.

His destination was the Five Elements Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou, where Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, was imprisoned by the Buddha for five hundred years. (End of Chapter)