The Twin Rivers Crisis: Unite All Who Can Be United

The elderly man surnamed Yin, who had barged into the courtyard, was like a fox that had caught the scent of its prey. His cloudy eyes slowly moved, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard walls, rooftops, and shadows of the trees inch by inch.

The Yu Tunzhou without moving.

The perception methods of powerful beings in the External Scenery are varied and strange. Some are good at deducing the secrets of heaven, while others have strong Primordial Spirit perception and can judge whether there are living people around by the flow of air.

He wasn't sure if the old man was bluffing him or if he had genuinely discovered something.

At least for now, he has locked his own energy with Innate One Qi innate Qi and has not yet felt that he has been locked down by the other party.

"Has Elder Yin made any discoveries?"

In the courtyard, Ji Zhaole spoke in a deep voice.

The guards behind him were martial artists trained by the royal family, with the strength of Half-Step External Scenery. They cultivated the royal family's [Luo Rebellion-Quelling Art Physique]. Although there was no possibility of advancing further, their skills were infinitely close to the External Scenery level.

Even he didn't notice; the other party was most likely External Scenery.

However, based on Zhao Huchen's report, Ji Zhaole suspected that the infiltrator was Yu Tunzhou!

Did they deliberately injure Zhao Huchen and then follow him here?

Ji Zhaole's face was gloomy. He didn't have a good impression of Yu Tunzhou, even though the two had never met.

After all, the fact that Lu Huaiqing chose them proves that they must be complete strangers.

My father should have ascended the throne thirty years ago, but due to a prophecy by Lu Huaiqing, who foretold that if my father had ascended the throne, the Great Yan's fate would have been short-lived...

This single absurd statement caused the emperor, who had the best chance of seizing the throne after the crown prince was deposed, to be directly removed from the center of power.

Even if, thirty years later, the Emperor regained the throne, Lu Huaiqing would already be dead and gone, leaving one with a deep sense of injustice!

Elder Yin withdrew his gaze and chuckled, "Not long ago, someone used their Primordial Spirit into the Prince's residence, which I detected. I initially thought someone had sneaked in, but now it seems I was being overly sensitive."

Ji Zhaole's expression softened slightly. Since even this person hadn't noticed, it must be a mistake.

No matter how powerful the Yu Tunzhou was, it couldn't escape this person's perception.

Meanwhile, Yu Tunzhou, who was hiding in the shadows, thought to himself, "This guy is definitely bluffing me!"

However, he did not expect that the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art combined with the concealment of the Unity of Heaven and Celestial Person would make it impossible for even the External Scenery to detect his whereabouts immediately.

Suddenly, he heard a discussion about Feng Yanleng and others coming from the courtyard.

"Don't you, Elder Yin, think I deserve an explanation for this matter?"

"Hehe, Your Highness, please calm down. That Yu Tunzhou was deliberately let in by us. We have secretly sealed off all the necessary routes in and out of Twin Rivers Commandery. Now we are just waiting for Feng Yanleng to appear."

"You've already made your move?! Has the Wang Household noticed?"

Upon hearing that the other side had already sealed off the area around the county town, Ji Zhaole's expression changed.

"Your Highness, rest assured, Twin Rivers Commandery is now trapped like a turtle in a jar. Even if the Wang Household notices, it will be too late; they can't even send reinforcements out."

Elder Yin smiled and said, "As for Yu Tunzhou, we discovered him when he passed through the town gate of Xihe County. Now that he's entered the county seat, he's practically walking into a trap."

Ji Zhaole's expression did not improve at all. What he cared about was not this point at all, but that the other party had acted in secret without informing him!

Elder Yin seemed oblivious to Ji Zhaole's expression and continued, "Now, Your Highness, as long as you continue to cooperate with us to complete the ceremony arrangements, we can proceed."

Ji Zhaole coldly said, "Helian Tu already gotten rid of the Marquis Who Guards the West?"

"Senior Helian is still dealing with Qin Zang. Once we take action, he will temporarily break free from Qin Zang and head to Twin Rivers Commandery. As long as the ceremony proceeds smoothly, even if Qin Zang arrives, it will be too late."

Ji Zhaole sneered, "Do you intend to drag me into the Blood God Ritual as well?"

Elder Yin shook his head and said, "Your Highness is overthinking it. We will have many more opportunities to cooperate with Your Highness and the royal family in the future, and we certainly won't be so short-sighted."

"At the end of this ceremony, the Prince will, as originally planned, become the savior of Twin Rivers Commandery," and only the Wang Household and those forces that do not submit to the Prince will be destroyed.

"At that time, Twin Rivers Commandery will naturally fall into the hands of the Prince."

Ji Zhaole was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked about another matter, "What about the other thing you promised me before? Does it still stand?"

"Does Your Highness mean to plunder Feng Yanleng Dao Foundation and talent?" Elder Yin pondered. "This matter may require some adjustments."

"What's the meaning?!"

Elder Yin said apologetically, "Someone above has given orders that we are not allowed to touch Feng Yanleng, so we may have to change the person we choose."

"Above----"

Ji Zhaole frowned. Was it Helian Tu, or... that Heavenly Demon?

Elder Yin comforted him, "Your Highness, there is actually a more suitable candidate now."

Ji Zhaole suddenly realized something, her eyes gleaming as she said, "You mean— Yu Tunzhou?!"

Elder Yin smiled and said, "It is indeed this young man."

Ji Zhaole's eyes flickered, but finally he smiled and said, "It seems Elder Yin was prepared all along. I misunderstood you. Come, let's go inside and talk in detail."

Elder Yin smiled and said, "Please, Your Highness."

Ji Zhaole's gloomy expression vanished, and she walked into the house side by side with Elder Yin. Hua Nongying and the guard stood watch behind the door.

The door closed, and the light shone through the paper window, casting indistinct shadows on the windowpane.

The Yu Tunzhou, lying motionless in the shadow of the eaves.

He didn't rush to leave.

Not only because the conversation had been quite informative, but more importantly, he had a vague feeling that he was being watched.

It wasn't that they were staring at him; rather, someone was secretly observing the entire scene, and this gaze was similar to the sinister aura he had sensed earlier.

So Yu Tunzhou didn't rush to get up. Instead, he made himself even more silent. His heartbeat slowed down from steady to slow, and his Qi and Blood and qi were almost stagnant, like a frozen river.

At that moment, it was as if he had completely "disappeared" from this world.

Even if someone walks past him, unless their Primordial Spirit senses are extremely sharp, they will simply ignore him.

After further concealing himself, Yu Tunzhou mentally reviewed the conversation that had just taken place.

The alliance between Commandery Prince Qingyang and the Six Paths of Evil and Demons seems to be targeting not only Yuyang and his group, or perhaps Yuyang and his group are merely incidental; their true target is the Twin Rivers Wang Household.

The Blood God Ritual sounds like something from the Six Paths of Evil and Demons.

And Helian Tu, the leader of the Seven Bandits of the Western Desert, was able to arrive in Twin Rivers Commandery at any time—

The situation is not good.

Furthermore, can things like Dao Foundation and Talent be plundered?

Yu Tunzhou was puzzled and asked the Great Sage Huntian.

Huntian clicked his tongue and said, "Some low-level methods, even if forcibly plundered, cannot be fully integrated with one's own abilities and will not go far. They are the worst of the Lower Vehicle methods."

Yu Tunzhou began to wonder about another point from their conversation: the Commandery Prince Qingyang's initial target was actually Feng Yanleng.

Wasn't he afraid of being discovered and punished by the Anguo Ji Clan?

Although this guy has a noble status, the Anguo Ji Clan, the most powerful Aristocratic Clan in the world, would not take a newly appointed prince seriously.

The night breeze swept through the courtyard.

The distant sound of the night watchman's clapper could be faintly heard; an hour had passed without us realizing it.

The Yu Tunzhou remained motionless, like a piece of dead wood.

I don't know how much time passed.

In the courtyard, a figure emerged from the Void.

The figure was initially a blurry outline, then gradually solidified, and finally transformed into an old man with white hair and beard and a clear face.

It was Elder Yin.

Yu Tunzhou's eyes narrowed slightly.

Wasn't that old man talking to Ji Zhaole inside? When did he come out?

His gaze fell on the ground beneath Elder Yin's feet, where there was no shadow.

Not the real person?

He wondered if it was a clone, or some kind of Secret Method for manifesting Primordial Spirit.

Elder Yin stood in the courtyard, motionless for a long time.

The Yu Tunzhou, but remained motionless.

The two were several dozen feet apart, yet it was as if they were engaged in a silent struggle.

a long time.

Elder Yin's brows relaxed, and he muttered to himself, "It seems I was indeed overthinking things."

He shook his head, and the figure, just as it had come, merged back into the Void and disappeared.

The courtyard returned to normal. The night breeze blew again, and the chirping of insects resumed, as if nothing had ever happened.

Yu Tunzhou thought to himself, "This old man is so cunning and patient; he might just launch a surprise attack!"

Therefore, he did not move immediately. It was not until dawn was approaching and servants began to move about in the courtyard that he quietly set off and silently left the palace.

Yu Tunzhou adjusted his straw hat and sat down at a breakfast stall with a coarse cloth shed by the roadside.

The shed was small, with three or five low tables and a few long benches, where several early-rising merchants and porters were already seated.

"What would you like, sir?" The old man greeted us with a simple smile, holding a rag in his hand and quickly wiping the table.

Yu Tunzhou glanced at the steaming pots and pans on the stall and asked, "What do you have?"

"Hey, this sesame porridge, we simmered it all night, it's really thick. And there are steamed buns, just out of the steamer." The old man counted on his fingers, "And there are wontons too, the broth is made with old hen soup, it's incredibly delicious."

Yu Tunzhou casually said, "Then I'll have a bowl of sesame porridge and two steamed buns."

"Alright!" the old man shouted, turning around to get to work.

Before long, a steaming bowl of sesame porridge was served. The porridge was thick and the rice grains were cooked until they dissolved. A thin layer of rice oil floated on the surface, and a few sesame seeds were sprinkled on top, giving it a fragrant aroma.

The steamed cakes were soft, white, and still steaming when broken open.

Yu Tunzhou took a couple of bites and found the taste to be surprisingly good.

As he ate, he pondered how to break the deadlock in Twin Rivers Commandery.

Although I didn't overhear the whole thing, the general situation was still quite clear: the collusion between Commandery Prince Qingyang and the Six Paths of Evil and Demons was no longer a simple exchange of interests, but involved something called the "Blood God Ritual".

Judging from the Elder Yin's tone, this ritual seemed to require a large number of lives as sacrifices— the Wang Household, and those forces that did not submit to the Wang family, were the sacrifices for this time.

The beneficiaries were none other than Helian Tu, one of the Seven Bandits of the Western Desert, and the Commandery Prince Qingyang, who was about to become the "savior" of Twin Rivers Commandery.

They initially thought it was Hua Nongying and her group targeting Hero Yu, but now it concerns the safety of countless people in Twin Rivers Commandery.

--

Furthermore, these guys even considered him their prey as well.

To break this deadlock, we need to seek help from the Twin Rivers Wang Household.

However, the Wang Household is probably struggling to protect itself now.

As Aristocratic Clan based in Twin Rivers Commandery, the Wang Household has two External Scenery stationed in the field this generation, making them quite powerful.

But if Helian Tu them all, and the Qingyang Prince's Residence retaliates, the Wang Household's future is bleak.

Aside from the Wang Household, the strongest force in Twin Rivers Commandery is the Gold-Wielding Guard.

Yu Tunzhou pondered in his heart, frowning inwardly. The Gold-Wielding Guard were loyal to the royal family, and he wondered which side they would take in this matter.

He put down the bowl of porridge and pondered the path ahead.

Now that we've already received advance notice, the safest option is to leave immediately.

With his Eight-Nine Mysterious Art and the Unity of Unity of Heaven and Celestial Person, it wouldn't be difficult for him to sneak out of the county town.

At that time, he can go to other prefectures to seek help, but it's uncertain who will be faster or slower.

Yu Tunzhou looked up at the increasingly lively and bustling street, savoring the atmosphere of human life.

He wondered to himself, what would Master Lu and Martial Uncle Jin do?

They broke into the Prince's mansion in the middle of the night and kidnapped the Commandery Prince Qingyang?

Thinking of this, Yu Tunzhou couldn't help but smile knowingly, then slowly frowned.

We still need to face reality. If I stay, what can I do? What can I accomplish? And how should I do it?

His strength is enough to defeat someone at the Half-Step External Scenery, but External Scenery First Layer like Elder Yin is someone he can't contend with right now.

Not to mention that a Earth Ranking expert like Helian Tu is about to arrive.

A head-on collision would be like an egg hitting a rock.

Furthermore, Helian Tu could arrive at any moment, and Twin Rivers Commandery's strength would be absolutely insufficient to resist him; it is imperative to send someone to request reinforcements.

Yu Tun suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

It was a young man, dressed differently from ordinary people. He was walking hurriedly past the street corner, looking somewhat flustered, and glancing back from time to time, as if he were avoiding someone who was tracking him.

Yu Tunzhou's gaze sharpened.

Luo Zichuan?

That time in Gao Old Village, Donghe County, this guy sat next to me, enthusiastically discussing matters of the martial world, and then I and Feng Yanleng were sandwiched between him.

I never expected to meet you here again.

Yu Tunzhou suddenly had an idea.

He paid the bill, got up, and leisurely followed behind, observing the man's movements.

Luo Zichuan walked briskly ahead, weaving through streets and alleys, deliberately choosing the narrowest lanes with fewer people.

His face was pale, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. He kept glancing back, as if he were hiding from something terrifying.

After turning several corners, Luo Zichuan entered a dead end.

He stood at the end of the alley, looking at the towering blue brick wall in front of him. Just as he was about to turn around and find another way out, a figure blocked the alley entrance.

Luo Zichuan's pupils contracted sharply. He turned around abruptly, his hands clenched tightly, his voice filled with pleading. "Second Sister! Please let me go!"

Yu Tunzhou raised his hand and took off his straw hat.

Looking at the young and calm face of the man, Luo Zichuan suddenly froze.

This face looks familiar, yet also strange.

Like a bald Young Hero Yu?

He stared at the bald head for several breaths, and suddenly a memory flashed through his mind: at the banquet in Gao Old Village not long ago, the man next to him calmly snatched a chicken leg from everyone's chopsticks, and then casually announced a name that he found unbelievable.

"---- Young Hero Yu?!"

Luo Zichuan's eyes widened slowly, as if he had seen a ghost. His voice held not only disbelief and surprise, but also a hint of confusion, "You—where's your hair?"

The Yu Tunzhou pot twitched.

"Lan asked, 'I'll beat you up.'"

"Ah?"

"Enough of the small talk. I have something to ask of you, Brother Luo, that concerns the safety of countless people in Twin Rivers Commandery!"

Yu Tunzhou's expression suddenly turned serious, his voice deliberately low, creating a tense yet uneasy atmosphere. Luo Zichuan, suddenly emboldened, thought of all the scenes from those popular novels, and felt a surge of courage. "Young Hero Yu, please speak freely!"

"Judging from Brother Luo's clothes and speech, he should be of ordinary background?" Yu Tunzhou said in a deep voice.

Luo Zichuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Hello, Young Hero Yu, I am a member of the Jinyang Luo Household. I escaped from my family this time."

Yu Tunzhou was unsure. The Jinyang Luo Household was still stronger than the Tan family of Shuanghe. Although Jinyang was far away, this person's status was enough.

Sending people to other prefectures to seek help and request reinforcements from powerful External Scenery is something Ke'er can accomplish without even opening her mouth.

Even with enough status, you can't even get a meeting!

"I would like to ask Brother Luo to leave the city immediately and, in my name and the name of the Shuanghe Tan family, go to the neighboring county town to seek help!"

"Twin Rivers Commandery is about to face a great calamity, and this matter concerns Helian Tu, the leader of the Seven Bandits of the Ugly Desert!"

Luo Zichuan's expression changed; he naturally knew what kind of powerful figure Helian Tu was.

This man has roamed the ugly desert for nearly a century; his infamy is enough to stop a child from crying!

"Young Hero Yu, is that really true?!" Luo Zichuan asked solemnly.

Yu Tunzhou said seriously, "I, Yu, was joking. It is suspected that an evil god ritual has been set up in Twin Rivers Commandery. The reason I entrusted Brother Luo with this is because the current situation is treacherous, and I need to stay in Shuanghe Twin Rivers Commandery to deal with the enemy and buy time."

This was a matter of great importance, involving not only the common people of the county but Earth Ranking experts— Luo Zichuan suddenly felt his blood boil and said in a deep voice, "Young Hero Yu, rest assured, I will go back and inform the elders of my clan to come and provide support!"

Yu Tunzhou said solemnly, "Brother Luo, please set off immediately! This matter cannot be delayed!"

Luo Zichuan nodded solemnly, cupped his hands in a fist salute, then stepped onto the main street and shouted, "Second Brother, Zichuan is here!"

After watching Luo Zichuan, who had originally fled home but now claimed to have "surrendered," Yu Tunzhou did not linger and turned to leave.

Now that Brother Luo has gone out of the city to seek help in his place, although he doesn't know to what extent he can do it, it is already the best alternative.

Last night, after listening to the conversation between Qingyang County's official and that Elder Yin, he learned that the ceremony in the county town had not yet been completed, and he had a chance to stop it.

As for how to stop them----

He might as well try to implement his uncle's will first.

Furthermore, there's a fundamental principle – unity is not something that can be achieved through mere unity!