Exterminating Vermin, Longevity

Guangzhou has abundant water resources and also features low mountains and hills.

This area enjoys abundant sunshine and fertile land. There are large tracts of good farmland on the plains, and even the hills have been transformed into fields.

Where the mountains meet the plains, the terrain is relatively flat, with well-organized towns and villages.

People coming and going in the mountains, from the north and south, often stop here to rest. Large quantities of goods are gathered and distributed here, making it a very prosperous place.

In the eastern part of the town, the houses appear exceptionally well-organized, varying in size and height, and the streets seem to be measured in inches.

Outside the city, there was an earthen wall and a moat, several feet wide and about one foot deep. On the wall were many flags in plain and simple colors, but made of sturdy cloth.

The grasslands outside the trenches were set up as numerous training grounds, with spears, bows and arrows, straw targets, and groups of young men practicing spear thrusts and horseback archery.

The sun was scorching hot, and under the blue sky and white clouds, many skilled riders took off their shirts, tied them around their waists, and rode off on horseback to compete in shooting willows, geese, and stones.

From a hundred paces away, a willow branch as thick as a thumb can be severed by an arrow.

Real wild geese are hard to find, but there are all kinds of wild birds in the mountains. We catch them, feed them for a few days, and release them when we need them.

The most eye-catching skill was the art of shooting stones.

The pebbles on the riverbank are naturally hard and smooth. There is a special martial arts style that uses flying pebbles as hidden weapons, which makes people use these Shitou to an extraordinary level, with extremely fast speed.

Even a third-rate martial artist could send these flying stones flying over a hundred paces away in the blink of an eye if they used their internal energy to strike them.

The so-called "shooting stones" means using a feathered arrow to hit these flying stones.

There are probably not many people in the four provinces of China who can shoot like this, but there are nearly a hundred in Guangzhou.

Call out!!

A pebble was thrown horizontally by the man and hit the target.

The archer stood to the side, intending to intercept the enemy midway, when a feathered arrow suddenly shot out and successfully struck a pebble.

However, the arrow's force was a bit too low; it didn't hit the pebble's center of gravity.

As the arrow grazed the pebble, it soared into the sky.

Some people, however, showed off their archery skills, drawing their bows to the sky, aiming at the pebbles, pulling the powerful bow to its fullest extent, and shooting out with a thud.

The arrow shafts used in this type of powerful bow are slightly thinner at both ends and slightly thicker in the belly.

A spark seemed to flash in the air.

The iron arrow struck the pebble, but instead of shattering it, it pierced right through it, impaling the Shitou on the arrow shaft.

The iron arrow, carrying stones, flew high into the sky, leaving a trail of afterimages.

Just then, a dark shadow in the sky crashed through a white cloud and swooped down.

The dark shadow initially resembled a large bat, but in the blink of an eye, it grew larger and larger, reaching a length of over ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) from head to tail.

The iron arrow was tiny compared to the monster, yet it struck the monster squarely in the right eye.

At that moment, a thin arrow flew out from the monster's back.

The two arrows collided, their force greatly diminished, and their positions shifted, striking the monster's forehead instead.

Because the monster was diving so fast, the two arrow shafts rolled over on its forehead and then onto its back, like somersaults.

The Arrow God among the Thirteen Wings sits on the back of a dragon, his left hand outstretched, holding two arrows in his grasp.

"Longevity Slave, we've arrived. Slow down."

With a command from Yan Temür.

The black dragon spread its wings wide, changed its posture, and pressed the air under its belly, as if pressing out a thick layer of wind membrane, causing its speed to decrease sharply.

But at this point, it was only a few dozen feet above the ground.

That thick layer of wind membrane transformed into a powerful airflow, which was released toward the ground.

Those burly archers who had their shirts wrapped around their waists had their garments torn apart by the airflow and blown away.

The young men practicing with spears paled in shock, exclaiming in alarm as they stared in horror at the monster in the air.

In other parts of the town, people also saw the giant monster, and a series of gongs rang out.

A young man with a round forehead and a large face, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, leaped from inside the city, jumped onto the wall, and shouted, "Don't panic, look at my banner!"

He pulled up two large flags from the top of the wall and waved them repeatedly in the strong wind.

From watchtowers both inside and outside the city, people were seen waving command flags one after another.

The able-bodied men suddenly felt reassured and, like a swarm of ants, scattered into different groups, seeking refuge in various places where they could find shelter.

In this way, even if the aerial monsters charge down, they will not be able to wipe out a large number of them at once.

At most, we'll lose two or three small groups; the rest will have more time to react.

The Arrow God was greatly surprised to see this.

Even the most elite troops on the grasslands would probably be no better than this.

But nowadays, there is no tribe on the grasslands that can raise so many elite troops all at once.

"I am Yan Temür, here to inspect the area!"

A deep, resonant sound emanated from the dragon's back, spreading outwards and drowning out all the noise of the commotion.

The young man carrying the flag on the wall was both surprised and delighted, and shouted loudly.

"Is that the Grand Tutor?!"

The black dragon glided slowly, approaching the city wall and lowering its altitude to be exactly the same height as the wall.

Upon seeing the person on the dragon's back, the young man was overjoyed. He planted the flag with both hands, knelt on one knee, and bowed, saying, "Chaghan Temür greets the Grand Tutor!"

The people here seem to have great respect for the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty.

Upon hearing that the Grand Tutor had arrived, the sound of the gong immediately ceased.

Because they are superstitious, they are more receptive to certain things.

Since he is the Grand Tutor, it's not particularly surprising that he could arrive riding a dragon.

Someone murmured, "The dragon is a symbol of emperors. The Grand Tutor has arrived riding a dragon... could it be—"

Before he could finish speaking, the archer who could pierce stone with iron arrows slapped him on the back of the head.

"Pah! If you can't speak properly, then shut up."

The archer rode his horse outside the city, leaped onto the city wall, and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

"Sain Chidahu respects to the Grand Tutor."

Chaghan Temür said, "Grand Tutor, this is my brother-in-law. He has helped me a great deal."

Yan Tiemu'er had torn a piece of cloth from the Canglang's body and used it to wipe the blood from his head and face, so the extent of his injuries was not immediately apparent.

He surveyed the surroundings, nodded, and smiled, saying, "Chaghan, you've really done a great job here; it's getting bigger and bigger every year."

Let's find a place to rest for a while.

Chaghan noticed that Grand Tutor Cha Shan was only wearing trousers, and that several people behind him seemed to be injured. He found this strange, so he waved to the guards and gave them a few instructions before inviting them into the city.

Before the group had taken more than a few steps, the guards had already brought them several robes, fur coats, and cloaks.

Yan Temür was increasingly satisfied, and soon went to Chaghan's residence, where they sat down for a chat in the hall.

When Chaghan entered the hall, he looked up and glanced at the room.

The black dragon continued to circle above the town.

"Since birth, Longevity Slave has only occasionally gone out for nighttime strolls. Now that the sky is high and the sea is wide, he naturally wants to have some fun. There's no need to worry."

Yan Tiemu'er said, "When it's had its fill, it will rest between the moat and the irrigation ditch. You should prepare some cattle and sheep there; if there are prisoners, it's good to feed it a few."

He didn't say everything he wanted to say.

Actually, when the black dragon pounced on Chu Tianshu, it was countered by Chu Tianshu's Grand Void Radiation.

Along the way, Yan Temür's injuries worsened, and he could only barely help to remove some of the effects.

The rest can only be resolved by the Black Dragon himself.

While flying, the black dragon can continue to unleash its natural instincts, attract more vital energy, and eliminate the abnormalities within its body.

Chaghan immediately ordered someone to take care of it.

The hall seemed to fall silent for a moment.

The Poison King was preparing medicine and bandaging the wounds for Canglang and the others.

Both Chaghan and Sain were somewhat uneasy.

Yan Tiemu'er opened his mouth slightly. "Chaghan, although we are not master and disciple in name, we are in reality master and disciple. Back then, when you entered my Grand Tutor's mansion, you passed my three tests, but you were unwilling to take up an official post in the court. You only wanted to learn skills from me. What were you thinking at the time?"

Chaghan clasped his hands and said, "A true man should achieve fame and glory on horseback."

Yan Tiemu'er: "The truth."

Chaghan hesitated for a moment, then spoke the truth, "I think the court is deeply entrenched in corruption, with complex and intertwined relationships. If one grows up there, it will be difficult to make a significant impact. It would be better to establish a solid foundation among the people and wait for the right opportunity to sweep away the decadence."

Yan Tiemu'er up, and he slapped the armrest of the chair.

"Very well, now that I've abandoned Dadu, let's start from here and rebuild the Great Yuan!"

Chaghan and Sain exchanged a glance, their expressions unchanged.

Even the Arrow God couldn't help but admire him.

These two individuals possessed truly remarkable composure; upon hearing such earth-shattering news, they did not lose their composure in the slightest.

No, in Sain's eyes there was even a hint of excitement.

"His Majesty is excessively lenient and favors monks, which has long been a source of resentment for us old officials and commoners."

"I am willing to follow the Grand Tutor in rebuilding the Great Yuan, taking up arms in Dadu (Dadu), and restoring order to chaos!"

Yan Tiemu'er calmly added, "In Dadu, I was not only plotted against by treacherous officials, but also fought a battle with rebels, resulting in heavy losses on both sides. Now that I have left, Dadu should have fallen into the hands of the rebels by now."

Chaghan and his companion were stunned, their eyes somewhat blank as they looked around.

The news left them feeling dizzy, unsure of where to look.

"Great, Dadu ----"

Chaghan, ever the astute one, composed himself and said with a dry voice, "The Grand Tutor's prestige in the Dadu is unparalleled. Even high-ranking officials of several dynasties, including Chancellor Bayan, treat him like a father and brother. Are there not many righteous men among them?"

Upon hearing Bayan's name, Yan Tiemu'er couldn't help but sneer.

"To me, people's hearts these Dadu are too hard to discern. There may be too many old grudges, and too many genuine friendships, it's like a huge cesspool."

"Staying there and continuing to deal with the rebels, who knows what kind of unforeseen events might ensue?"

Not long ago, Yan Tiemu'er had suffered a setback and was still heartbroken, so he let out a long sigh.

"Those bastards, so self-righteous and too capable of causing trouble, might just turn our balance of power with the rebels into an even worse situation."

"On the contrary, coming here allows us to act with confidence and regroup."

Sain hearing this, Sain was still in disbelief and said, "Have the nobles of Dadu fallen to such a level?"

The Arrow God remained silent.

It wasn't just the nobles; the one who spearheaded the plot against Yan Temür was the emperor himself.

Chaghan was also very reluctant to believe it.

Although he was disappointed with the nobles of Dadu, back then, he was more driven by youthful ambition.

Deep down, he didn't believe that Dadu were truly beyond saving.

However, seeing the Grand Tutor's current attitude, Chaghan recalled what he had seen and heard in Dadu back then, and the more he thought about it, the colder he felt in his heart.

Many things cannot be thought about in detail. If you really think about them carefully and compare them with the current situation, you will find out just how corrupt and empty the Dadu has become under its seemingly prosperous and huge shell.

But if Dadu have already fallen, is my future just...?

Chaghan's gaze suddenly met Yan Temür's eyes.

The underlying tone of his eyes remained calm, a testament to unwavering ambition.

Chaghan's initial weakness gradually faded, his fists clenched tighter, and a smile slowly appeared on his face.

Yan Tiemu'er's smile seemed to be in sync with his.

They understood each other implicitly, and their smiles grew even wider.

Yan Temür asked, "Do you understand?"

"Yes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me."

Chaghan said, "Grand Tutor's decision to temporarily abandon Dadu is actually a good thing."

"Those who truly have their hearts set on the Great Yuan and the Grand Tutor, upon seeing the Grand Tutor ride away on his dragon throne, will naturally seek an opportunity to escape from Dadu, or remain hidden and await an opportunity to act as an inside agent."

"The great waves of time have sifted through the sands of time, truly revealing for our Great Yuan some truly talented individuals with both fortune and integrity."

"As for the Grand Tutor, he can rest and recuperate here in Guangzhou as soon as possible, and fully utilize his abilities. Changes have occurred in both the north and the south, which will benefit our Great Yuan. We can achieve both goals without delay."

There were some things he didn't say too clearly.

But Canglang and the others had gradually regained their composure and figured things out.

The Great Yuan's benevolence was unprecedented in history.

Those subjects who enjoyed the benefits of leniency were mostly well-equipped and powerful.

Many of the current rebel armies are composed of ordinary people who have not enjoyed the benefits of leniency.

If the rebel army were allowed to rebuild the dynasty, even if they had the intention to govern with leniency, they would never be as benevolent as the Great Yuan is today.

Therefore, the vast majority of those strong subjects actually still had their hearts set on the Great Yuan.

But why didn't they stand up and help the Great Yuan fight against the rebel army?

Because the situation wasn't that critical, and more importantly, they didn't see a way for themselves to improve.

The very top positions, there are only so many of them, and they are all occupied by that group of people who symbolize the Dadu, fattening up a whole bunch of parasites.

Now, the parasites are absent.

Countless positions of power were vacant, and Yan Temür, the true symbol of the Great Yuan's strength, was still alive.

The strong subjects, still possessing confidence, have gained even greater motivation.

"This land south of the Yellow River is a vital passage between north and south, and the central hub of the Nine Provinces."

Chaghan, having sorted out his thoughts, clasped his hands and said, "Our actions must be large-scale and swift. The Henan provincial government is riddled with errors, especially recently. I've also discovered that they frequently have large quantities of military equipment that have gone missing, which I suspect might be related to deals with some rebels."

"But strangely, they haven't been able to find out where it came from, nor have they apprehended the other party in the transaction, so they haven't reported it yet."

Although Yan Tiemu'er was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but frown upon hearing this.

"They're actually dealing in arms?!"

"This is no longer just ordinary corruption and bribery; we must take strong measures!"

Yan Tiemuer looked at Canglang, "If you want revenge, you need to calm down, but anger won't disappear on its own. I'll give you a way to vent."

The Canglang, with its eyes closed, asked, "Pest control?"

"Good."

Yan Tiemu'er said coldly, "Chaghan knows perfectly well which subjects in the four provinces are usable."

"Once you rid them of the corrupt officials and the people, all the wealth and treasures of the government and the people can rightfully be divided among them. Your demonstration of strength will give them more confidence when they mention me again."

Seeing that Canglang had no objections.

The Poison King couldn't help but say, "But among those so-called subjects, many are Han Chinese, and the high-ranking officials in the provincial government are mostly our kinsmen, or Semu people—"

Chaghan frowned. "As the saying goes, he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. At least let's talk about regaining the world first."

Yan Tiemu'er looked up and seemed to be able to see his dragon through the roof.

"Same race?"

"After I rebuild the Great Yuan, the nobility of the Great Yuan will also be rebuilt. From then on, the distinction between noble and common will no longer be based on those narrow titles of the past."

"Between the noble and the lowly, there will be a very clear dividing line. At that time, you will understand what it truly means to be of the same race."

Regardless of their original ethnicity, as long as they follow the cause of rebuilding the Great Yuan, they will all have a unified name in the future.

An immortal noble family that rules the land.

At that time, all those who belong to the lowest class, even if they gain a lifespan beyond their due through cultivation, will be leveled, and the gap between nobles and the lowest class will become insurmountable.

That is the real difference between species.

That kind of Great Yuan Empire will never end!