The city of Jianhu is located between Qinghe and Langya, roughly similar to the position of Dongping Lake in the present world. The capital is in a position similar to the present-day capital, and Yanmen Pass is in Shanxi.

It is said that both Yanmen and the capital are in the north, but in fact, they form a triangle with Jianhu City. Going to Yanmen Pass does not pass through the capital at all, so Zhuque must persuade Zhao Changhe to take a detour together.

This road is very far, and Zhao Changhe is used to setting up a maze of twists and turns. It has been many days since he started heading north, and he gradually feels the autumn, seeing the ears of wheat and the golden trees on the roadside.

Similar to the devastation seen when heading south, the northern plains are not much better.

Except for the base occupied by the aristocratic families of Qinghe, Suzhou, and Langya, the situation in most parts of Shenzhou is not good. Clearly, it is the season of autumn harvest, but it looks like a poor harvest. At this time, both the north and the south are at war, and the government is urgently collecting taxes and conscripting soldiers. Zhao Changhe has already seen several cases of "The Changeling" and "The New Wedding" along the way.

There are countless bandits who plunder and occupy the mountains, and in fact, many places have already been attacked by the county government and looted the granaries. Compared to the so-called bandits when Zhao Changhe first arrived in this place, they have evolved a lot, from Wang Lun to Song Jiang.

It's been less than a year... the bandit version has been updated, and Zhao Lao has fallen behind.

Clearly, the closer to the feet of the emperor, the worse it looks. Although it is not to the extent of no rooster crowing for a thousand miles, it is enough to feel the chaos of the times.

With the measures taken by the Wang family, it has actually officially entered a chaotic world, no longer the "prologue."

If the current situation in the south is that the landlord class organizes armed forces to deal with the Maitreya Sect, then the invasion of the northern Huren should still be resisted by the elite border army of the empire. From previous observations, many generals of the border army or the main officials of the border counties have close ties with the Wang family and the Cui family. It is also unknown who the main general is, who can control these people and unite to resist the enemy.

And what will happen if this general wants to be like Wu Sangui? What will happen if the Wang family withdraws their army?

Another thing that puzzled Zhao Changhe was why the Huren avoided this place and went to Yanmen instead of the capital, which is the guardian of the country's gate. Is it because of the deterrent power of Xia Longyuan?

"Of course it is because of the deterrent power of Xia Longyuan. He was really capable of breaking through the army at his peak. Being the first on the Heavenly List is not a joke. He is much stronger than Wang Daoning, who is just hanging on by a thread."

"Who is the commander of Yanmen?"

"Marquis Jingyuan."

Zhao Changhe was stunned for a moment, then tapped his head, "Oh, I remember, the ninth on the Earth List, Huangfu Yongxian? The strength of the court is not weak, actually."

Zhuque said leisurely, "Of course it's not weak, otherwise how could it last so long? Do you really think that Tang Wanzhuang is the only one supporting it? If she's really that useless, we would have rebelled long ago, what's the point of hiding it?"

"What is the political stance of this General Huangfu?"

"How would I know? You've already entered the capital, go find out from Tang Wanzhuang yourself."

"I feel like you are not very polite to Tang Wanzhuang, but you seem to have some respect for Huangfu Yongxian? You even call him Marquis Jingyuan instead of his name."

Zhuque said indifferently, "Those who are defending the country outside the gate deserve some respect. If the Four Elephant Sect rules the world in the future, such a good general should be won over, right?"

"If you rule the world, what about Tang Wanzhuang?"

"If you join the sect, I'll reward her to you as a slave."

"..." Zhao Changhe was speechless.

Zhuque also found it interesting, the perspective and considerations Zhao Changhe observed along the way...

Zhuque can be sure that Zhao Changhe really has no intention of being a prince, but his perspective naturally leans in that direction.

Or should it be said that his perspective is not quite the same as that of a prince, but rather a bit like a detached perspective, observing and overlooking the world, analyzing the causes and possible deductions.

Instead of a prince's perspective, it's more like the eyes of a god or Buddha that are slightly revealed above the high-altitude clouds.

As Zhuque thought about it, the sense of amusement slowly disappeared, and she felt a little uneasy.

She asked cautiously, "You said you only have the intention of being a chivalrous wanderer in the martial world."

"Yes, haven't I been chivalrous along the way?"

More than that, for many injustices, Zhao Changhe has wasted a lot of time on the road, otherwise he would have entered the capital by now. Zhuque couldn't blame him for wasting time, she was very clear that if she stopped Zhao Changhe from doing such things, he would be angry with her.

Chivalry and justice, wherever there is injustice, that is the main purpose of Zhao Changhe's martial arts practice.

Do you fucking dare to say that you are a bandit by birth?As a result, the mighty and ruthless demon sect leader, who was known for killing without blinking an eye, ended up helping a lot of people on the road, including saving an old man and an orphan girl. In the end, it wasn't without benefits, as they were all sent to the nearby branch of the Four Elephant Sect, which could be considered as a form of recruitment.

In fact, the rise of the demon sect in the chaotic world mainly relied on new blood like this, and the Maitreya Sect was a more typical example. The Four Elephant Sect was also in the process of forming a private army for the demon sect, but they were not as indiscriminate as the Maitreya Sect.

In fact, the Four Elephant Sect was more elite in this regard, because the true identities of Basalt and Rosefinch... were much more knowledgeable than those of the Maitreya Sect.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Rosefinch was still asking, "You say you only have the intention of being a chivalrous hero in the martial arts world, but your perspective doesn't seem like it."

"How so? A broader perspective?"

"Yeah..."

"A chivalrous hero doesn't necessarily have to only right wrongs and help the weak, there's another kind."

"What kind?"

"The greatest chivalrous hero, for the country and the people."

Rosefinch: "...Where did this concept come from? This thing is called chivalry? Just say you're from the Demon Suppression Division."

"Who says I'm not? The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every man!" Zhao Changhe laughed heartily, spurred his horse and galloped away. "A white horse adorns a golden bridle, galloping swiftly to the northwest. I ask, whose son is he, the wandering chivalrous hero of Youbei... Sacrificing oneself for the country in times of crisis, facing death as if returning home! What else is a chivalrous hero?"

"Go!" The dark bay horse galloped away.

Rosefinch sighed. What she wanted was not this answer.

In fact, Zhao Changhe knew what this young lady wanted to hear. In the martial arts world, they were always talking about gods and Buddhas for no reason... but it wasn't what she wanted.

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Miss Yihuo Snake was sent by the esteemed Rosefinch to follow along, and although she verbally said "I'm not here to be a companion," there was still a strong hint of that implication, so Zhao Changhe always wanted to tease and even had the urge to hug and kiss her. Perhaps this young lady also subconsciously had that intention? Even if she didn't, she had to act like she did, leading to an ambiguous relationship between the two from the very beginning.

But Zhao Changhe didn't want to deceive anyone with the ambiguous "divine star signs" like Xia Longyuan did. That kind of scummy behavior was done by Xia Longyuan, not him, Zhao Changhe.

Talking about feelings, getting close... because unknowingly, this young lady was the woman who had been with him the longest, aside from Chichi.

Traveling and staying together, accompanying each other, chivalrously helping others with their swords, it had been nearly a month.

Familiarity and habit were a terrifying force, just like when they were in Beimang, and Luo Qi woke up in the morning, finding herself sleeping soundly in Zhao Changhe's arms. Rosefinch was the same, she didn't even realize that when the horse was bumping, she would protect her chest against his back with both hands, but now she was too lazy to do so, occasionally bumping into his back with the ball, she didn't feel it, and he didn't feel it either.

Sometimes, her hands subconsciously still wrapped around his waist, she didn't feel it, and he didn't feel it either.

As the steed galloped, with the young lady's hands wrapped around him, the majestic city appeared in the distance, under the oppressive dark clouds.

After nearly a month of traveling, the autumn was getting stronger, and the capital was in sight.

Zhao Changhe's usually carefree mood suddenly became a bit nervous, almost feeling the urge to turn back, but he forcibly suppressed his thoughts and continued forward.

The capital had always been a place to avoid, and he had never thought of touching it so early, but now that fate had brought him here, why not take a look?

"You can't wear a pig's face in here." Rosefinch got off her horse from a distance. "I'll find a way in myself, you just go straight into the city."

Zhao Changhe asked, "How do I contact you after I get in?"

Rosefinch chuckled, "Don't try to find out my true identity... anyway, wherever you go, you'll be the center of attention. Once I've taken care of things, I'll find you."

After speaking, she quickly disappeared.

Zhao Changhe didn't put on any pig's face again, he returned to his original appearance, reined in his horse, and entered the city.

"Stop, no riding in the city, dismount and lead your horse!" The spirit of the city gate guards was better than any city they had seen before.

In the past, they were all lazy and indifferent, who cared if you rode a horse or not, as long as they could extort an entry tax.

Zhao Changhe didn't mind the guard's obstruction, but instead felt it was only right. He dismounted and was about to pay the entry tax.

The guard waved his hand, "First time here? There's no need for an entry tax in the capital. Just hand over your travel permit and enter honestly. Look at the sword on your back, don't cause trouble, the Tang Chancellor is in the capital now, you unruly martial artists should behave."

Zhao Changhe couldn't help but laugh, "You guys really respect the Tang Chancellor."

"Naturally." The guard didn't bother to say more, and reached out his hand. "The travel permit?"

Zhao Changhe had never bothered to get a travel permit in the places he had been before, and he had never thought of getting one, but it was necessary in the capital, especially during wartime. He was having some difficulty when he heard laughter behind him, "The travel permit is just to confirm your identity, everyone in the world knows this person's identity, so why bother looking again."A group of people turned their heads to look, only to see a young master shaking his folding fan, chuckling, "Hidden Dragon Number Thirteen, Zhao Changhe, you've once posted a wanted notice for him, and now you don't recognize him?"

Hidden Dragon Number Thirteen wasn't a big deal for the capital, and the onlooking crowd didn't pay much attention, continuing their inspections to enter the city.

But Zhao Changhe clearly saw a slight change in the expressions of many guards.

He could almost feel another storm brewing; he was certain that the words "Zhao Changhe enters the city" would sweep through the capital in just a moment.

Zhao Changhe sighed, "Young Master Dai, aren't you from the Dai family in the northwest? What are you doing here?"

It was indeed the young master from the Dai family of the northwest who had been at the Langya Sword Debate, and Zhao Changhe had even forgotten what kind of performance he had put on at that time.

Young Master Dai smiled and said, "Who doesn't have a bit of property in the capital..."

"Is this what you call a Beijing office?"

"What's that?" Young Master Dai drawled, "Do you have a place to stay upon entering the capital? Would you like to stay at my place?"