The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader, you flatter me."

Feng Buping said, "My senior brother, the sect leader, and my two junior brothers, Jiang Ning and Linghu Chong, are highly skilled in martial arts and have devoted a lot of effort to the Huashan Sect. My brother and I are of humble martial arts and have not made any contributions to the Huashan Sect. Now that we can contribute to the rise of the Huashan Sect, it is our duty."

Yue Buqun nodded. Since Feng Buping and the other man had agreed, he would now prepare to reply to Jiang Ning.

……

A few days later.

After receiving Yue Buqun's reply, Jiang Ning, who was far away in the capital, told Zhu Houzhao about Feng Buping and the other man's decision. Zhu Houzhao was overjoyed to hear this, but his joy soon turned sour.

"I'm leaving."

Jiang Ning said.

Zhu Houzhao was taken aback.

"Are you leaving?"

"Ah."

Jiang Ning nodded: "My master is preparing for a decisive battle with the Demonic Sect, and I cannot be absent."

Jiang Ning is extremely skilled in martial arts and is indispensable. Although Yue Buqun did not ask him to return in his letter, it was impossible for Jiang Ning not to come.

"Ok."

Although somewhat disappointed, Zhu Houzhao nodded and asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

We will set off tomorrow.

Upon hearing this reply, Zhu Houzhao said, "Brother Jiang, before you leave tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere first."

"Ok?"

Jiang Ning asked in surprise, "Where?"

Zhu Houzhao chuckled.

You'll find out tomorrow.

The next day arrived quickly, and Zhu Houzhao led Jiang Ning to Andingmen.

Why did you bring me here?

Jiang Ning was puzzled.

Zhu Houzhao smiled mysteriously: "You'll find out soon enough."

Seeing Zhu Houzhao acting mysteriously, Jiang Ning stopped asking and followed him to a temple.

Jiang Ning was taken aback.

"Zhenwu Temple?"

Chapter 672: I See Zhenwu, I See My True Self

Why did you bring me here?

Jiang Ning looked at the other person.

Zhu Houzhao did not answer and went into the temple.

Jiang Ning followed him inside.

Upon entering the Zhenwu Temple, one is immediately struck by its magnificent aura. The temple is extremely luxurious, and its construction date is unknown.

As if hearing Jiang Ning's thoughts, Zhu Houzhao explained, "This Zhenwu Temple was built by Emperor Taizong."

Zhu Houzhao walked ahead with his hands behind his back and entered the main hall, where a statue of the Zhenwu Emperor was enshrined.

"In the past, Emperor Taizong raised an army to quell the rebellion. After ascending the throne, he proclaimed to the world that he was able to obtain the throne because of the protection of Zhenwu the Great. Therefore, temples of Zhenwu the Great were built in Wudang Mountain and the capital. This temple was built by Emperor Taizong."

Zhu Houzhao looked at the majestic statue of Zhenwu the Great and spoke slowly.

Zhu Houzhao had already told him about this before. Jiang Ning didn't know why the other party was bringing it up again, so he didn't reply. He looked up at the Zhenwu statue and soon became engrossed in it.

Zhu Houzhao turned his head to speak, but seeing Jiang Ning lost in thought, he remained silent.

After a long while.

Seeing that Jiang Ning remained motionless, staring intently at the statue of the True Martial Emperor, Zhu Houzhao could no longer stand still and asked.

"Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about? What did you see?"

Jiang Ning didn't turn around, his eyes were blank and lost in thought. After hearing Zhu Houzhao's words, he subconsciously said something for some reason.

"Own."

"Own?"

Zhu Houzhao was taken aback. He looked at the solemn and majestic statue of the Zhenwu Emperor, and then at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning only uttered two words, but Zhu Houzhao's mind had already begun to frantically interpret them.

After a while.

It's unclear what Zhu Houzhao was thinking, but a smile played on his lips.

"Brother Jiang is right, you do indeed resemble the True Martial Emperor in some ways."

Jiang Ning had just come to his senses and overheard Zhu Houzhao's words. He turned to look at Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao laughed and said, "The True Martial Emperor spent his life slaying demons and monsters, bringing peace and tranquility to the world. Brother Jiang, you hate evil as if it were your enemy, and countless evil spirits and heretics have died at your hands. You have made all the evil spirits in the world fear you to the bone. In this respect, you are similar to the True Martial Emperor."

Jiang Ning didn't answer, he just smiled.

Brother Jiang.

Zhu Houzhao composed himself and said seriously, "You have saved me many times, and I have not yet repaid you in any way. I know you have no desire for fame or fortune, so I will not repay you with these things, otherwise it would seem that I am not sincere. But don't worry, I will give you a great gift, but now is not the time. You will know in the future."

Jiang Ning frowned, about to refuse, as he didn't need any grand gift, but Zhu Houzhao seemed to know what he was going to say and spoke up in advance.

"Brother Jiang, please do not refuse. What I am giving you has nothing to do with fame or fortune; it is a gift from your dear friend."

Hearing Zhu Houzhao say this, Jiang Ning was unsure what the other party was planning to do, but seeing that the other party was acting mysteriously, he knew that even if he asked, the other party would not tell him, so he gave up.

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

Today is the day Jiang Ning departs, and Jiang Ning takes his leave directly.

Zhu Houzhao performed a traditional martial arts salute, with fists clasped in greeting.

"Brother Jiang, we part today, and I don't know when we will meet again. The mountains are high and the rivers are far, and the road is long and difficult. I hope that when we meet again, we will both have realized our ideals."

Jiang Ning returned the greeting, then turned and strode away.

Zhu Houzhao watched Jiang Ning's departing figure, took a few steps forward to chase after him, but could not keep up with Jiang Ning's figure, which disappeared in just a few breaths.

But Zhu Houzhao did not leave; he continued to look in the direction Jiang Ning had gone.

After a long while.

"Your Majesty, please go back quickly, be careful not to catch a cold."

Liu Jin stepped forward and whispered.

Liu Jin's voice brought Zhu Houzhao back to his senses.

"Ah."

Zhu Houzhao gave a soft "hmm," turned and left, giving instructions before departing.

"Liu Daban, go and investigate. The Huashan Sect is preparing to gather righteous forces to wipe out the evil sect. Keep a close eye on it and report any news immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Jin replied in a low voice.

At this moment, a cold glint appeared in Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

He wouldn't let this matter of the evil cult using poison on him go so easily.

……

In February, Luoyang was blanketed in heavy snow, turning the world into a vast expanse of white.

"Candied hawthorns for sale! Candied hawthorns for sale! Hawthorns coated in sugar, one bite and they're sweet and sour!"

"Pastries, freshly baked pastries, sweet but not greasy, soft and fragrant, come and have a taste!"

"Brush and ink, masterpieces by renowned artists, esteemed officials, please grace us with your presence and take a look!"

Jiang Ning led his horse along the street, the cries of vendors and shops adding a touch of human warmth to the vast white landscape.

Luoyang was covered in heavy snow, with snow piling up on the ground. However, the Luoyang government sent people to clear the snow from the streets early in the morning, so while the snow piled up outside the city, the city itself remained clean.

Jiang Ning led his horse along the main street of Luoyang, and after a while, they stopped in front of a large mansion.

Two people were sweeping the snow in front of the door when they suddenly saw Jiang Ning standing at the door. One of them put down his broom and went up to ask him a question.

"Young master, do you have goods that need to be escorted by Fuwei Escort Agency?"

Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "I'm here to find someone."

"Looking for someone?"

That person was quite strange.

"Do you know anyone in my escort agency?"

Jiang Ning replied, "I'm looking for Junior Brother Lin Pingzhi."

The man asked in surprise, "You're looking for our Chief Escort Lin?...Wait, what did you call our Chief Escort? Junior Brother?"

Before the man could react, another man quickly stepped forward and asked, "Are you a young hero from the Huashan Sect?"

Jiang Ning nodded.

Jiang Ning's confirmation flustered the two men, who hurriedly said, "Young hero, please wait a moment. Our chief镖头 (chief镖头, head镖头) went out early this morning and hasn't returned yet. I'll go and call Chief镖头 Lin back right away."

One of the two men took the horse that Jiang Ning was leading, and the other invited Jiang Ning into the escort agency, where he was treated as an honored guest in the main hall.

"Young hero, please wait a moment. I will go find Chief Escort Lin right away."