The improved female villains regained their memories.

Faced with the invitation from Guijianchou, Su Murong accepted without hesitation:

"Of course!"

And so, she followed Guijianchou and joined the barbarians.

The barbarians marched south and launched a massive invasion of the northern border. Relying on their research into talismans based on popularity, the master and apprentice managed to gain a foothold among the barbarians.

That day, Su Murong and Gui Jianchou encountered a barbarian on the road. He seemed to be the leader of a squad. He had been drinking and blocked their way in front of everyone.

"You two always say you're researching some kind of popularity talisman. Ha, in my opinion, you Yan people are full of lies. That so-called popularity talisman is just an excuse between you two."

He slurred drunkenly, pointing at Guijianchou with a defiant tone: "If you're so capable, then use your energy to draw a talisman and kill me. Otherwise, you can crawl between my legs."

Crawling between someone's legs is the greatest insult a nomadic tribe can inflict. Barbarians worship warriors and strongmen, and no warrior or strongman would crawl between someone else's legs.

But the Ghost-Fearing Sorrow drilled in.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he crawled through the barbarian's crotch, stood up, dusted himself off, and calmly pulled Su Murong away.

The man burst into laughter, which was followed by waves of laughter from the surrounding barbarians. Barbarian taunts such as "Yan Kingdom Chicken" and "Soft Man" filled the air, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter.

At night, the master and disciple stood on the city wall, looking at the night in the northern border. Su Murong remained silent, but Gui Jianchou spoke first: "Do you think your master is a coward?"

Su Murong nodded, but then shook his head.

“It is indeed pathetic,” Su Murong said, “but I don’t think Master is pathetic.”

Gui Jianchou, a traitor, a collaborator with the enemy, and an abettor, is now willing to suffer the humiliation of being forced to crawl between the legs of barbarians. It can be said that as a man of Yan, he has utterly disgraced the state of Yan.

In his life, the woman he loved most got married, his relatives died, and he was all alone and helpless. In his old age, he couldn't even protect his reputation.

Putting aside whether it was humiliating or not, Su Murong wanted to ask, "Master, was it worth it?"

does it worth?

They gave everything—their family, their loved ones, and even themselves.

A person cannot live without dignity, but Guijianchou sacrificed his dignity.

Having been under the protection of the barbarians for so many days, Su Murong had already heard that Bargu's maternal grandfather was the woman Gui Jianchou deeply loved and was to be married off. She had been on the grassland for less than a month when she could not bear the abuse from Bargu's maternal grandfather, vowed to die rather than submit, and committed suicide.

The barbarians of the grasslands were unaware of this, but Su Murong, who had been cultivating under Guijianchou, knew. She watched as her teacher paid homage to her enemy and his son, willingly submitting to their enslavement, her face expressionless.

So, is it worth it?

Is it worth it for Su Murong?

"Of course it's worth it."

Gui Jianchou laughed, covering Su Murong's head with his large hand, and said, "One region's environment shapes its people. The Northern Territory is a good place to help you stabilize your popularity. Now that we have just created a new route for popularity-based talismans, your popularity cannot be unstable at this critical juncture."

"But Master, I couldn't stand by and watch that barbarian treat you like that today. I refuse to believe that there isn't a place for us to go in this vast northern region!"

"Xiao Rong..."

Gui Jianchou sighed helplessly.

“We need territory, we need money, we need a stable environment, we need all kinds of resources, and right now, only the Barga can provide us with them. Right now, the barbarians are at war with the Yan Kingdom, and there is war everywhere. We are hiding here and there, so how can we have time to study?”

“But…” Su Murong wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Gui Jianchou.

"Be patient."

The cold wind blew through the yellow sand, and Guijianchou's face, buried in the wind, became even more hardened.

Those who achieve great things in ancient times not only possessed extraordinary talent, but also unwavering perseverance.

Xiao Rong, I don't have any great talents. My ambition is to study the art of drawing talismans based on popularity. To achieve my ambition, I have to put in more effort than others.

Even if these things are worthless in other people's eyes.

He spread his arms wide and suddenly roared, like a thunderclap from a clear sky: "How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan!"

Su Murong looked on with shining eyes.

His mentor stood on the city wall. Outside, yellow sand filled the sky, like a massive army attacking. The mentor remained unmoved, like a high mountain, standing firmly there, even though he was covered in scars.

The still bewildered girl stood beside him, the wind blowing her gray hair. In that instant, she seemed to become just like Gui Jianchou, equally resolute and unyielding.

Yes, there's no question of whether it's worth it or not. You might think it's not worth it, but that's because you don't understand my aspirations.

To create a popular talisman and completely shatter the immortals' blockade—what immense power and courage it would take to accomplish this! I lack talent and intelligence, but even so, my unwavering will will help me overcome all suffering.

I can tolerate this!

I endure the separation from my lover, the departure of my loved ones, and the loss of my dignity. You laugh at me, scold me, and mock me, it doesn't matter, I don't care.

I endure all of this so that I may do something greater!

I have no regrets!

"Master!" Su Murong suddenly shouted, "You are not a coward, you are not a coward at all. In my heart, you are better than everyone else, you are more powerful than everyone else. I, Su Murong, will definitely not let your hard work go to waste. From now on, drawing talismans for popularity will also be something I, Su Murong, will do!"

"I will make your popularity-based talisman drawing unprecedented and unparalleled, and with your popularity-based talisman drawing, I will break through the immortals' blockade!"

"Good good."

Gui Jianchou nodded vigorously, and two hot tears suddenly slid down his aged face.

Exactly—

The wind is cold and the moon is bright over the mountains, clearly illuminating the mirror of inaction.

Have you not seen how the Buddha endured the pain of having his body cut off, how Confucius endured the hunger of starving, how Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs, how Min Zi endured the cold in his single garment, how Shi De endured the shame of being spat on, how Liu Kuan endured the anger of having his clothes soiled! Endure good and bad, ponder them all in your heart, swallow the bitter pill whole, and only then will you recognize the true essence!

Chapter 157 Rotten Person

The wind outside had died down. Yang Pingsheng looked around and changed into the velvet shirt that Wang Tiande had specially gifted him. The cuffs and collar were embroidered with gold thread, and a jade trim was tied around his waist. He transformed from a doctor into a refined gentleman.

The noise outside suddenly increased. After marching all night, the group was slowly building their camp.

Where are we now?

"Shili Bridge is very close to the capital."

A month ago, Wang Tiande suddenly ordered his troops to march to the capital at full speed. He didn't know what news he had received, and his previous lazy and reluctant attitude disappeared. Instead, he carried out a forced march for several days and nights.

After the initial forced march ended, Wang Tiande did not slow down the troops, but maintained a steady pace. They marched during the day and at night, with only short rest periods.

It was under these circumstances that they arrived at Shili Bridge after a month's journey.

At this moment, Wang Tiande suddenly stopped them from leaving and ordered the soldiers to set up camp on the spot. He himself hid in his tent, doing something unknown.

The system light sphere appeared, circled once, and then rushed into Yang Pingsheng's arms.

"The plan is done, so it should be over now, right?"

“That’s right. We’ve dealt with Su Murong’s popular talisman-drawing technique and her team. Now, all we need to do is instill fear of humanity in her and suppress her understanding of it.”

A month ago, the system and Yang Pingsheng went through Su Murong's original storyline in its entirety and dissected Su Murong's character anew.

For once, Yang Pingsheng offered his opinion, which the system summarized and transmitted to its superiors, quickly receiving new feedback.

The plan has changed.

"Once this plan is completed, we won't have to stay in this world anymore. In other words, whether we can leave this world sooner depends entirely on your control over this plan."

"Hmm." Yang Pingsheng nodded, then took a deep breath.

The seeds were eager to break through the soil, and Yang Pingsheng, who had been immersed in this for a month, also planned to complete the plan in one go and completely change Su Murong.

To be honest, this plan is not easy to implement. No wonder there is no limit to the time he can stay in this world. Yang Pingsheng estimates that in the end, the implementation of this plan will definitely not be enough for him to rely on his own efforts. It will also require the right timing, location, and people.

Now we have the right timing and location, but we lack the right people. If the opportunity is good, we might be able to get it done today; if not, it could take ten or eight years.

I hope this world can end peacefully, just like the last one.

Stepping outside the tent, he took a deep breath, letting his thoughts gradually clear. Everyone was busy, but Yang Pingsheng, the doctor, was surprisingly idle. He walked along the road, greeting people, but no one had time to acknowledge him.

If no one pays attention to him, he plans to go find Su Murong first.

Su Murong was hiding in a secluded corner, secretly eating, when she noticed someone behind her. She turned around abruptly, her greasy hands holding the chicken leg unable to hide in time, so she could only put them behind her back.

"What? It's you, Doctor!"

Su Murong was initially a little flustered, but when she saw it was Yang Pingsheng, she breathed a sigh of relief and laughed heartily without a care. She extended her hidden right hand, while her left hand reached into her pocket, pulled out some oranges, and stuffed them into Yang Pingsheng's hand.

"Everyone who sees this gets a share, Doctor. Don't you dare report me to my godfather."

Since they met at the military camp, Su Murong rarely called Yang Pingsheng "Pingsheng." Most of the time, she called him "Doctor," just like everyone else.

Seeing that Yang Pingsheng didn't intend to take the orange, the hand holding it moved closer and forcefully placed it in his hand.

"Eat up, eat up."

As Su Murong spoke, a smile appeared on her face. This woman, who was slightly shorter than Yang Pingsheng, was difficult to understand.

Yang Pingsheng had no intention of arguing with her. His expression remained calm as he stared at her and asked, "Xiao Rong, did you take the powder?"

The smile began to fade.

But Su Murong immediately propped it up again and asked with a grin, "Yes, what's wrong?"

"Xiao Rong, do you know what taking the powder is...?"

"Ah, I know. Okay, doctor, I'll stop here now, I need to go back."

Showing no intention of listening, Su Murong waved her hand and turned to leave, but Yang Pingsheng grabbed her arm: "Xiao Rong, I'm not joking with you."

"Yes, yes, I know, doctor, please let go first."

"Xiao Rong, taking the powder is not good."

"I know, I know. Come on, let go first."

"I've been studying the Five-Colored Powder for years, and it contains..."

I told you to let go!

*Thud*, the chicken leg fell to the ground.

Yang Pingsheng stared blankly at the girl in front of him, who was clutching her arm, her eyes bloodshot, glaring at him almost angrily.

Her smile vanished completely, and her eyes were filled with resentment and hatred, looking more like an enemy than a friend she hadn't seen for ten years.

"Yes, that's right, I'm Xingsan, so what?" Su Murong sneered, "What's it to you?"