Chapter 147 Happened to Meet JiefeiA huge cloud of dust rose from the ground. Yan Shen stood on the city wall and looked into the distance. He could rest his heart finally, as Xu Linghe came back safely. Yan Shen was filled with a lot of emotions. Based on the real strength, Jin army defeated Di army, and then the people of the Jin City could lead a stable life. The city gate was tightly packed, because people welcomed their heroes. Xu Linghe brought back the soldiers’ bones, hoping these heroes would be laid to rest. Jin army suffered great casualties. Fifty thousand soldiers out, and only twenty thousand soldiers back. The old-aged father looked for his kid. Piles of bones were placed in the square. When the father held up his son’s bones, the father choked with tears. The war could bring nothing but pains. As the owner of the Jin City, it was Xu Linghe’s duty to pacify his people. On the side of the square were set tables and chairs. Zhan Ming took the order to distribute taels to the dependents of martyrs. Xu Linghe discussed with Yan Shen to give more pension. So Yan Shen took out his personal wealth to support Xu Linghe’s work. It was time for the young man of Xu family to warm the people’s heart. The Jin City had changed with a new governor. The official notice had been stuck to the city gate early. There was a steelyard in each person’s heart. And they would support the good one. As for the pension for twenty thousand people, Old Yan covered half, and the other half came from the tax revenue. There were many external finances flowing into the Jin City. Water routes extended in all directions. And the commercial ships were fully loaded with silks and chinawares. In the past, the Jin City was a main source of tax revenue. Di Qing launched several attacks to the Jin City merely because of its developed economy. Yan Shen asked people to carry the Jin City’s official documents and letters to Xu Linghe, hoping Xu Linghe could take it over as soon as possible. As the city governor, Xu Linghe was bitterly busy with the work. Governing a country was different from managing Kunlun. Everyday, he had to deal with various influences. Directed by Yan Shen, Xu Linghe got familiar with the internal affairs within two days. The first task of taking office was to console the people of the Jin City.
Di Qing would not spare the Jin City. And Xu Linghe never neglected the soldiers’ training. Jin army’s barrack was located in the South of the city. As the governor, Xu Linghe should understand the people’s feeling as the Commander in Chief, and Xu Linghe should govern the army strictly. Only with strictness could they become a troop like a furious tiger. Xu Linghe took over the military power and governance of the Jin City and displayed his outstanding talent. Madam Yu had rendered great service as she guarded the Shili Town, so she was promoted to the Cavalry General, and Zhan Ming got promoted as well from the guardian commander to the commander in general. Besides, Xu Linghe appointed some new persons. Madam Yu was a woman in charge of the cavalry, which did make men have a completely new appraisal of her. As for the battle to guard the city, awarding people according to their contributions was the city governor’s responsibility. Madam Yu showed valor and skill on the battlefield and defeated the enemy to leave time for the Jin army to take a breath. She was excited when receiving the warrant of appointment. The new city governor brought a new atmosphere to the Jin City. People’s hearts were united. Xu Linghe was more concerned about military affairs, because they were the foundation for pursuing a prosperous country and peaceful life. He heard that there was a martial club in the Xitou Village, then he had an idea. Prolonged battles required alternate talents. He could expand the selection from governmental to non-governmental ranges. When the upper and lower shared the same heart, and the army and the people worked together, there were abundant reserves when confronted with the strong enemy.
Zhan Ming knew well around the Jin City. The martial club had a strict mentor, so it became more famous. After breakfast, the two came there together. Xitou village was situated in the town of the South of the Jin City. Xu Linghe wanted to see the owner more. When they arrived at the door of the martial club, a child attendant stopped them. Zhan Ming spoke out their names. But the child attendant showed scorn to them upon hearing the names from the officers’ family. The two lingered at the gate. The child attendant got impatient and had to report to the Mentor. Today, Mentor’s friends visited him, so the mentor was busy. Although he still asked the child attendant to lead them in, the child attendant followed the order with great reluctance.
“Mentor asks you in.”
The child attendant led the two to enter the courtyard. It was really the biggest martial club. The entire courtyard covered an area of over 1.5 acre was full of people. They were teenagers in high spirits. The martial field was filled with vigor. Little disciples practiced the basic skills, and none of them was sluggish. Xu Linghe would like to see the club owner more, because the Jin army needed such talent.
“How long has the martial club run…” Xu Lingh wanted to know more.
“One year and two months.”
Zhan Ming had a thorough understanding of the surroundings of the Jin City, including the Xitou Village.
“With such a scale. It is hard to find another in the Jin City.”
The child Attendant became more complacent when hearing stranger talking about his Mentor. In the child’s mind, his Mentor was the most powerful one under the Heaven. The two entered the backyard. The courtyard was arranged elegantly with rockery, fountain, pavilions and many other kinds. It seemed that the Master here loved life.
“Mentor, a guest wants to visit you…”
The child attendant stood outside the door, and Xu Linghe waited quietly. When Jiefei pushed the door open and saw the man in the courtyard clearly, Jiefei couldn’t help but laugh. He was a rare guest. Xu Linghe was stunned because he did not expect the Master was his wife’s uncle. Jiefei came up and patted the man’s arms, but was disappointed when looking behind the man, because Jiefei could not see Xiaoyou. Zhan Ming was confused. It seems that the owner knew the city owner.
“How is everything with Xiaoyou…” Jiefei could not help but ask Xu Linghe, because Xiaoyou was like Jiefei’s daughter, and he was hard to put her down in this lifetime. The child attendant was curious, because his Mentor disliked the official people, but was enthusiastic to the man. The child attendant stretched out his neck, but was stopped by Jiefei. The two followed Jiefei to enter the room, and the child attendant closed the door cleverly.
The person in the house was a little surprised at the sight of Xu Linghe. Yan Bo had been a frequent visitor here. In order to please the owner’s favor, he often brought some drinks, and Jiefei like drinking wine most. Along with the village leader’s company, they became drinkers who could talk about everything. Yan Bo was shocked to wonder how the person could find here. Did he hear any news? The village leader did not know Xu Linghe and thought he was just a common person from the city. But considering Xu Linghe’s extraordinary manner, the village leader took a closer look and got stunned, because he realized that it was the most powerful person in the Jin City. The village leader did not believe at first, but seeing Yan Bo’s expression, could not sit well. However, Yan Bo kept calm, even if there were surging waves in his heart, he would appear cool and composed. The man took everything away. The Jin City should have been Yan Bo’s, but now Yan Shen abandoned Yan Bo, so Yan Bo decided to take the revenge certainly. Xu Linghe had a little impression about him, because Xu Linghe came to the Jin City just to help the old man and totally disdained the so-called commander in chief and city governor. But he did not expect that Yan Bo was Jiefei’s friend. As for Yan Bo’s intention, Xu Linghe did not want to look into more, as long as Yan Bo would not destroy the safety of the Jin City. Xu Linghe did not want to meddle in other’s business. Jiefei asked people to serve the tea. Zhan Ming stared at Yan Bo and thought the reason why the guy ran to the martial club was that the guy had something to ask the club owner for help. Don’t look down upon the martial club. It was a place full of talented people. Those disciples who had finished their apprenticeship were scattered throughout the Jin City. If they were used by those people with special intentions, they could form a great force. If Yan Bo dared to have such a plan, it would do harm to the city governor, let alone the safety of the Jin City. Zhan Ming hoped the city governor would guard against this man. Now, Zhan Ming had taken Xu Linghe as his Master, so he would assist him with all his heart.
The village head was rather faithful and intended to support Yan Bo to become somebody. So the village head devoted himself to making more connections for Yan Bo, even gave the Hun Kun’s spinel to him. The village head had used it to flatter Yan Bo, but Yan Bo presented it to Hongjun. So the village head was unhappy, because it was a precious thing that was regarded as the gift for saving the person’s life. However, Yan Bo could not get any benefit from Hongjun, so the village head’s heart ached a lot for it.
They enjoyed the tea till the dark. Yan Bo and the village head excused themselves when it was too late. Zhan Ming was also sensible to return to the Jin City alone. Jiefei came to the town to buy some wine and fresh meat. He came home with brisk steps. A mortal’s happiness was revealed in the busy trivial. Jiefei enjoyed the process. Xu Linghe came to Jiefei to the corner of the courtyard. Plum flowers had blossomed under the fence. Its cold fragrance refreshed the mind. Xu Linghe stood under the plum tree and flipped the snow. Thinking about the flower field that he planted for the woman, he was flooded by missing thoughts. He had not seen her for months.
“Come into the house hurriedly…”
Thoughts were pulled back. After entering the room, Jiefei handed over the hot tea. Then, the snow on the fingers turned into drops of water, and to warm steam in the air. The woman in the kitchen was busy, Jiefei added some pieces of wood carbon, and the stove burned the wine to send out an aroma.
“Why didn’t Xiaoyou come with you…” The woman took the dishes to the table, and Xu Linghe could see the woman clearly. She was not the ghost king who was the most attractive woman in the three realms any longer. Instead, she was just a wife of a mortal. Xu Linghe stood up and took the bowl and chopsticks.
“We are families. So make yourself at home. Help yourself now…”
Jiefei pulled the woman to join the meal. It seemed that they lived happily. Xu Linghe filled up the wine for Jiefei.
“Uncle, on behalf of Xiaoyou, here is to thank for your help.”
“What are you talking about? Xiaoyou is my daughter… Why do you say ‘thank’ to me…”
Jiefei was a little unhappy, because his kindness to Xiaoyou wanted nothing in return. But the guy’s words made Jiefei uncomfortable. The dishes became cold and got warm again. Phantom stayed with Jiefei. The wine pot became empty and filled up. Phantom filled the cup for Jiefei. Jiefei was rather happy and drank three cups successively. His face turned red and eyes dizzy. At last, he vomited everywhere to the ground. Phantom stood up quietly. After a while, the tea to sober up was cooked well. The woman lifted the tray and put it down carefully. Jiefei took a cup and gulped down. It looked warm and peaceful. The woman was not as vulgar as those in the mortal world. Jiefei enjoyed the process very much. Drunk or sobered? Did it matter? No! Their happiness mattered! A mortal’s life was short. Jiefei and Phantom led a life as it should be. The sobering tea worked. Jiefei became clear and asked why Xu Linghe came there. Xu Linghe thought he should not break Uncle Jiefei’s peace and just let him lead a peaceful life. To protect the Jin City was Xu Linghe’s own duty, which had nothing to do with Jiefei. Xu Linghe thought he should not be so selfish.
“I got lost today and wanted to find a place to rest. And I did not expect that I would come across Uncle.”
Xu Linghe could not tell his purpose in coming for sure. But Jiefei did not believe his words. Because Xu Linghe wore a fine clothes, followed by an attendant. Obviously, the man had something behind it.
“Take your uncle as an outsider.” Jiefei pulled a long face deliberately.
“Uncle, don’t bother to come any further…” Out of the house, Xu Linghe headed to Kunlun. Jiefei followed up and could not find Xu Linghe.
December was the coldest in Kunlun. Xu Linghe landed from the clouds. And the disciples who were keeping watch at night stopped Xu Linghe. Xu Linghe took out the token, and the disciples retreated hurriedly. Xu Linghe flew to the backyard, and thought that the little woman must have slept at midnight. When he pushed the door open, he felt a chill on the back and a force of Spirit Power charged at him. Xu Linghe dodged the attack and gave a kick. The masked person pulled Xu Linghe’s clothes and tore some holes on it. Cold wind blew his back. The masked person jumped into Xu Linghe and fell to his arms directly. Xu Linghe gave a palm, and the masked person ducked it and then drilled into Xu Linghe’s arms. Familiar fragrance! The woman was so naughty. Didn’t she fear that she would get injured? The man’s face broadened into a brighter smile. He crooked his fingers and pinched the masked person’s neck. However, the masked person did not think it funny, pulled down her mask and pouted her mouth.
“Do you want to murder your wife?”
The woman pounced up to bite the man’s neck. The man dared to kill her! The smell of blood filled the teeth. The man hugged the woman more tightly. Well, when could she become mature? He could not hide the affection in the eyes.