Since the military coup, Wu Zhi had not only seized the position of the head of the Wu family in addition to her official duties.
In this era, the head of a family held immense patriarchal power. For those clan members who repeatedly refused to mend their ways, one could really open the ancestral hall and beat them to death with family punishment!
This was purely an internal matter of the Wu family, and no one else had the right to interfere.
Zeng Yu shuddered with realization, immediately understanding that Wu Zhi was quite displeased with certain members of the Wu clan.
“Although… it’s already against etiquette for a family head of such status to marry into another clan and retain her authority… but if we are to investigate this, we should deal with the ten thousand troops of the Jiedushi first…”
Zeng Yu sweated profusely, grumbling inwardly, wishing he had never heard these words at all.
After all, common sense dictates that outsiders shouldn’t interfere in family matters. Getting involved in such affairs recklessly could lead to unpredictable fortune or misfortune in the future.
Creak!
At this moment, the door creaked open, and a personal guard from the Fenghuo Camp stepped forward to salute: “Reporting, my lady! The young master has returned from his retreat and summoned General Wu Wei back!”
These Fenghuo Camp soldiers were primarily composed of maids raised and personally trained by Wu Zhi from childhood, forming an elite and fiercely loyal force. They generally addressed her as “Lady Commander,” “Military Commander,” or even “Miss” by the older ones, showing the closest and most faithful relationship.
After becoming the personal guard of the Jiedushi, their authority became especially significant.
“Oh? Has my husband finally come out of retreat?”
Wu Zhi smiled slightly. Naturally, she knew her husband had some secrets. He had disappeared for a while previously, but as a Daoist immortal practitioner, such behavior could be understood.
However, thinking about their recent marriage, she couldn’t help but feel a slight resentment, which was soon dissuaded by Wu Qing.
Maintaining her composure, she said to Zeng Yu: “The New Year approaches, and as a new bride, I have yet to fulfill my duties properly, which is indeed impolite. I should return to prepare. Zeng Changshi, I entrust all matters here to you!”
“Understood!”
Zeng Yu bowed and watched Wu Zhi leave. He only stood up after she was out of sight, letting out another long sigh.
…
“Yah!”
Moments later, a cavalry unit of over a hundred Fenghuo Camp soldiers surrounded Wu Zhi, galloping swiftly toward the Wu family fortress. The woman’s graceful and valiant figure astride her horse, riding with vigor, presented a rare and unique sight.
“Wow… I’ve long heard that the women of the Wu family are as capable as men, but today seeing it firsthand, the Jiedushi truly walks like a dragon and strides like a tiger, shaming us men…”
On the main street of the county town, a young man dressed in a green scholar’s robe opened the window of a street-side tavern, watching the dust trail past.
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was quiet. A banquet table was set with roasted lamb, drunken fish, and marinated meat, their aromas filling the air, complemented by two jugs of aged wine, exuding a rich fragrance. This feast would be impressive anywhere.
Yet, only two people were there to enjoy this lavish spread, with one of them continuously drinking in silence, appearing quite dejected.
“This time, the Wu family has captured two prefectures, causing astonishment in Dingzhou. In the future, they will surely sweep across a thousand miles, achieving great success and bringing honor to their ancestors. Brother Wu, why do you look so down?”
Seeing this, the young scholar’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he deliberately asked.
“You know why!”
Wu Lie seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a faint down on his lips. Although he had lived a life of luxury, his eyes were already drooping with dark circles, giving him a look of someone addicted to alcohol and women: “My cousin is good at everything! But her ambitions are too high! She actually imprisoned our father and elder brother, which is unfilial!”
“Brother Wu, speak carefully!”
The scholar feigned shock, though there was a hint of hesitation in his expression: “Even if the Wu women are arrogant, it can’t be that bad, right?”
“Are you doubting me?”
Wu Lie, already drunk, immediately let his words fly unchecked: “On the day of the coup, didn’t everyone in our Wu family, hundreds of mouths, witness it? Only a few elders must have drunk some enchanted broth, fawning and flattering, making our Wu family the laughingstock of the entire world!”
This grievance was indeed true. Wu Zhi’s reputation for a woman usurping authority had spread throughout the land, leading to widespread condemnation. As a result, the men of the Wu family inevitably bore labels such as “incompetent in managing the household” and “allowing women to dominate them.” Although no one dared to speak openly within the two prefectures, the strange looks still made Wu Lie feel quite humiliated.
Now, fueled by alcohol, he immediately vented all his frustrations: “Hehe… capturing two prefectures, so what? Rushing to marry into the Wu family so eagerly, it’s clear that she’s infatuated, wanting to hand over the family business to outsiders… Alas! Pitiful are our Wu ancestors who braved thorns and hardships, accumulating this foundation over generations, only to be destroyed by that wench…”
“Brother Wu, hold your tongue! Hold your tongue!”
Hearing Wu Lie’s voice rise and his reckless words, the scholar immediately stepped forward to cover his mouth.
“Come on! Let’s drink! Let’s drink!”
Only after calming him down did the scholar wipe his sweat and continue urging him to drink. When they were both tipsy, he casually remarked: “However… the Jiedushi humbling herself to marry a mere country bumpkin, that Wu boy must have some charm to captivate her so. If things change in the future, for the sake of the family business, we should indeed consider…”
“How could he possibly charm her? Nothing more than…”
Wu Lie’s mouth curled into a lecherous smile that every man understood, soon turning to anger as he slammed the table and stood up: “What virtue or ability does that Wu boy possess to covet our Wu family’s great enterprise?”
“Mr. Zou, take a look at this. The year-end sacrificial rites are such a grand occasion. That woman, as the head of the clan, actually skipped presiding over the Wu family’s ceremony and rushed all the way to Wujia Fort to play the bride… Heh heh… Truly outrageous…”
“You make it sound so simple. Wu Zhi married into the Wu family. If she doesn’t go to the Wu household to help during New Year’s Eve but returns to the Wu family instead, wouldn’t that be what shocks the entire county?”
Mr. Zou secretly grumbled to himself, but on the surface, he put on a righteous and indignant demeanor, fanning the flames.
“Not bad!”
Wu Lie immediately fell into the trap and rose excitedly: “That Wu family boy, ostensibly marrying a daughter, is in truth a live-in son-in-law. What virtue or ability does he possess to dare covet the foundation of my Wu family? I shall go and berate him—this befits the propriety of my Wu family, and I reckon that lowly wretch won’t have a word to say in retort!”
“After that lowly woman is thoroughly humiliated, force her back to the Wu family, rally the clan to open the ancestral hall, enumerate her crimes, and strip her of her high position…”
As he spoke, his face grew increasingly flushed, clearly indicating his own covetous desire for the position of military governor.
In the end, they even grew increasingly excited, almost feeling a sense of eagerness to go back and start connecting with others.
……
“Hey! More of a hindrance than a help!”
After Wu Lie left, Mr. Zou remained motionless. After waiting for a moment, the original screen opened, and a man in black walked out: “Is this the connection you found? It’s utterly foolish!”
“Rest assured, sir, within the Wu family, those dissatisfied with Wu Zhi are far from just this one person. I have already won over three individuals. When the time comes, we can easily coordinate and stir up some trouble for Wu Zhi!”
Mr. Zou spoke with confidence: “This woman gained her position improperly and shows favoritism to outsiders. Even if this matter were brought before the Wu family ancestral hall, what could she possibly do?”
“Hey! This woman first killed the beloved son of our lord, and then went around stirring up trouble. She truly deserves to be eliminated!”
The man in black said, “You go down and continue with the plan. Also, bribe someone from the Wu family to leak information… Once my master’s army arrives and crushes this Wu Zhi in one fell swoop, our contributions will be immeasurable!”
“Here you go!”
Mr. Zou, with a hint of excitement, bowed and withdrew.
The man in black waited a moment longer, then let out a silent sigh.
How could the reality be as rosy as his words suggested? In truth, Wu Zhi had employed countless tactics, pushing the lord to the brink of exhaustion. The strength of the two commanderies was no illusion—once their people’s hearts were settled and their forces consolidated, their own side would face imminent collapse!
That’s why they spared no expense in activating their sleeper agents, ordering them to create chaos, all in an effort to desperately delay Wu Zhi’s progress.
“Alas… A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in. Since our lord lost his beloved son, he has become increasingly erratic and unpredictable—hardly the mark of a wise ruler. Shouldn’t we start looking for a new master?”
The man in black’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light, which then quickly turned into a bitter smile.
In the chaos of troubled times, scholars and talents may roam freely with great autonomy. However, while civil and military officials can openly pledge allegiance to a new wise ruler, spies like them can never gain trust wherever they go. Their fate is either to be discarded like hunting dogs once the cunning hare is caught, or to live out their remaining years in obscurity under an assumed name.
……
Wu Zhi returned, and naturally, she and Wu Ming shared another intimate moment, which we need not elaborate on.
Wu Tiehu acted swiftly, and within just a few days, he had already provided a response.
“My lord, my men rode swiftly to the location you mentioned, only to find ruins of broken walls and collapsed buildings—what appears to be the remains of a Taoist temple, dating back at least a hundred years… As instructed, we unearthed this object!”
Wu Tiehu reported respectfully, then removed the package from his hand and presented the two items inside to Wu Ming.
A foul stench immediately wafted out, carrying the earthy smell of soil, causing Wu Ming to frown slightly.
Immediately, he saw that within the package lay a scroll of books, already decayed, and an iron token with faintly visible inscriptions.
“Well done, you may leave now!”
Wu Ming waved his hand.
Though he was eager to learn why the family head was being so solemn, Wu Tiehu knew his place and forcibly suppressed his curiosity, slowly stepping back.
“Unbelievable… It’s really this world…”
Wu Ming flicked his sleeve, removing all the dirt from the iron tablet, revealing the almost illegible characters “Zhāi Xīng” (literally “Pluck the Stars”).
These two items were naturally not the Seven Kill Gourd and the Skull Spirit.
Times had changed, and Wu Ming dared not guarantee that no one was specifically watching these two items, nor would he recklessly act.
In fact, the Taoist temple where the Maoshan scriptures and the iron token were buried was not the wilderness area of the Maoshan Tao or the Black Heart Taoist, but a temple he had previously visited during the end of the Shang Dynasty and secretly left a marker.
From the weight, material, and even the handwriting, Wu Ming had no doubt at all that these were indeed items he had buried himself!
This was even enough to prove that the previous missions he had experienced were not illusions but actual history!
“No! There are still two more things. If the two magical artifacts I refined are also here, then it can be completely confirmed!”
Putting down the iron tablet bearing traces of history, Wu Ming actually already had a guess: “Are each of the tasks in the Master Temple real?”
“But this replica of the chaos in the Great Shang seems too mysterious, actually distorting space and time forcefully? Considering the damage to the Master Temple, it doesn’t seem worth doing so, so there’s only one possible reason!”
“This was deliberately done by someone else!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage