Gao Yin had been suffering from a hangover for most of the night, and only now was he beginning to feel somewhat clearheaded. Upon receiving word that Li Mu had come with Luoshen to visit him, he hurried out personally to welcome them. After they were seated, he paid attention to his younger sister. As she listened to him and Li Mu converse, her face maintained a constant smile throughout. It seemed that last night’s wedding night had gone smoothly, which finally allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. During their conversation, he mentioned that he would depart tomorrow to return to Jiankang.

The distance from Jingkou to Jiankang was neither close nor very far—just a few days by waterway.

But in Luoshen’s feelings, once Gao Yin left, she would truly be completely abandoned here.

Though she didn’t want her elder brother to worry, the reluctance and sadness in her heart inevitably showed through her eyes.

Both Gao Yin and Li Mu seemed to notice this, and the two men simultaneously turned to look at her.

Luoshen suppressed the melancholy in her heart, directing her gaze toward Gao Yin and smiled: “Thank you for your trouble, elder brother. May you have smooth sailing on your journey. After you return, please convey a message from A’Mi to A’Ye and A’Niang on my behalf—the family here treats me with great kindness and extreme goodness, so tell them to set their minds at ease.”

Gao Yin nodded and looked toward Li Mu: “Jingchen, what are your plans going forward?”

Li Mu withdrew his gaze that had been resting on Luoshen’s face and turned toward Gao Yin: “Because of my recent marriage, Minister Xu has specially granted me leave to return home for some time. When that ends, I expect to return to the military as before.”

Gao Yin pondered for a moment.

“Before I brought my younger sister to Jingkou, my father had words. After your marriage, he intends to request you from Minister Xu and transfer you to Shitou City to serve as city magistrate. This position may be somewhat leisurely, but rest assured, he won’t keep you there permanently. In the future, when the opportunity arises, you can go to Guangling again to fully display your talents. Don’t worry—when my father speaks, Minister Xu will surely release you. What do you think of this?”

Guangling in Yangzhou north of the river was where the Gao clan’s power lay, and it was also Dayu’s most secure buffer territory in the north of the river, guarding Jiankang with extremely important geographic significance. Luoshen’s uncle Gao Yun was currently the Governor of Yangzhou, a regional lord.

Learning that her father had such plans, Luoshen couldn’t help but feel expectant.

If Li Mu were transferred to Shitou City, clearly she would have more reason to travel between Jiankang and Jingkou, and even staying in Jiankang for some time would be perfectly natural.

She couldn’t help but look toward Li Mu.

But his expression remained unchanged, and he only said: “I’m grateful for my father-in-law’s kind intentions to cultivate me. However, Li Mu has been in the upper reaches for many years, familiar with the military situation there, and has bonds of brotherhood with many comrades. If I were to go to Guangling, I fear it would be inconvenient.”

Luoshen was stunned.

Gao Yin was also somewhat surprised, looking at Li Mu: “Could it be that you fear people will say you’ve climbed up through petticoat influence? A true man establishing himself and his career should not be constrained by trivial matters—why fear what people say? You needn’t rush to refuse. Think it over well, then give me your answer. That won’t be too late.”

Li Mu replied: “My father-in-law’s intentions are entirely kind, but going to Guangling is not Li Mu’s wish. I humbly request that elder brother convey Li Mu’s apologies to my father-in-law.”

Gao Yin was clearly somewhat displeased, slightly furrowing his brows. After thinking for a moment, he said: “Very well. Since you have other aspirations, I won’t force you. Just pretend I never spoke of it.”

Li Mu expressed his thanks and performed a gesture of apology toward Gao Yin.

Gao Yin waved his hand dismissively and glanced at Luoshen.

The smile on Luoshen’s face was about to become impossible to maintain.

After taking leave of Gao Yin and coming out, the smile immediately fell from Luoshen’s face. She lifted her skirts and walked quickly to the carriage, her hem flowing like water waves with her steps.

Li Mu behind her extended a hand, as if wanting to assist her, but she avoided it. Without even glancing at him, she climbed into the carriage herself.

The ox cart returned to the Li residence without a word being spoken along the way. When they reached the gate, Luoshen got down and was welcomed inside by the servants and women who had come out upon hearing the sound.

Li Mu didn’t follow her in, standing at the bottom of the steps by the gate, watching her figure disappear behind the screen wall before mounting his horse and leaving.

He went to a Gaosheng Wine House in the north of the city. Which of the shop assistants at the entrance didn’t recognize him? Seeing him arrive, they hurried to greet him with smiles: “Li Langjun has come? Jiang Er is already waiting for Li Langjun in the private room!”

Li Mu nodded, handed his horse’s reins and whip to the assistant, entered, and quickly climbed to the second floor. He entered a private room and pushed open the door.

Jiangtao was sitting cross-legged on a mat. Seeing him arrive, he rose to greet him.

Li Mu took his seat, the two men facing each other. An assistant brought wine and food, bowed, and withdrew.

The two men drank a cup together, then got down to business.

Jiangtao said: “In recent months, I’ve been secretly watching the movements of the Celestial Master sect. Those people regularly gather at an earth god temple in Tianshui Village outside the city, distributing some rice and flour to the people while preaching their doctrine to attract believers to join them. Currently, there seems to be nothing particularly special about it.”

Nowadays, Daoist practices were flourishing. From the imperial family and noble clans above to the common people below, believers were numerous. Some famous celestial masters had even become honored guests at noble banquets, extremely sought after.

Li Mu pondered.

“Oh, that’s right.” Jiangtao continued, “Recently I heard that an altar master has come here—a woman who is said to have profound Daoist powers and often covers her face with gauze so no one can see her true appearance. When this woman goes out, she’s surrounded by attendants front and back, with quite a following of believers who are willing to donate their family wealth, countless in number. This woman’s position within the sect also seems quite high.”

Li Mu said: “Since I’m often away from Jingkou, I must trouble you, second brother, with many matters here. The Celestial Master sect buys people’s hearts and expands its influence rapidly. In the Three Wu regions, almost every household believes in them—sooner or later this will become a hidden danger. We are of humble position and limited power, unable to do anything about other places, but we cannot let the Celestial Master sect occupy the Jingkou area as well. Otherwise, if changes occur in the future, the disaster will be endless.”

Jiangtao said: “Don’t worry, I’ll keep watch.”

He looked at Li Mu across from him and finally asked: “Jingchen, now that you’ve married a daughter of the Gao clan, are you planning to align yourself with the Gao family in the future?”

Li Mu raised his eyes: “What does second brother think?”

Jiangtao hesitated for a moment, then said: “Since Jingchen asks, I’ll speak plainly. In this recent great battle north of the river, the Gao clan achieved the primary merit, yet the court has shown no sign of rewarding the Gao family. This shows that great achievements threaten the sovereign, causing ruler and minister to drift apart. The head of the Gao family has always been moderate, often taking a middle path of balance in court struggles. Moreover, this time your request to marry the Gao daughter has stirred various parties, causing the Gao and Lu families to become estranged, and the conflict between Gao and Xu has openly surfaced, unlike before when it was concealed…”

“If my speculation is correct, Lord Gao probably already has intentions to retire. At such a time, for you to seek their patronage…”

He stopped.

Li Mu smiled: “I won’t hide it from second brother—I just returned from my wife’s elder brother Gao Yin, where I refused the Gao family’s offer of advancement.”

Jiangtao exclaimed in surprise. After contemplating for a moment, he suddenly said: “Jingchen, you and I have known each other for many years. Though I’m a few years older and hold the empty title of elder brother, I know that you have extraordinary abilities and great ambitions. I’ll speak directly—this time your pursuit of marriage to the Gao daughter has made you a target for all arrows, with an uncertain future, which is unlike your usual style of conduct. What exactly are you seeking? Given the current situation in the realm with its turbulent changes, what are your future plans?”

Li Mu played with a wine cup in his hand, only saying: “Northern Xia has just suffered a great defeat. Internally, they’re now split into four divisions and five factions, and they’ll surely fall into chaos soon. When that happens, there will likely be more warfare north of the river. If I want to accomplish great deeds, where could serve as a lasting foothold?”

Jiangtao frowned: “The Xu clan has managed Jingzhou for many years, the Lu family controls the Three Wu regions, and the Gao clan guards Guangling and Jingkou. The upper and lower reaches of the great river, the inland heartland—each has its own master…”

He shook his head: “It’s difficult indeed!”

Li Mu set down his wine cup, dipped his finger in wine, and drew a winding line on the table surface, representing the great river. He dotted several points and finally stopped at one place north of the river.

“Yi Cheng?”

He exclaimed, extremely surprised.

Li Mu nodded: “Precisely. To accomplish great things, one must have one’s own base of operations. Now the three families—Gao, Xu, and Lu—are mutually suspicious and have no time to attend to other matters. Next, if warfare breaks out north of the river, I will surely be ordered to cross the river for battle. Yi Cheng Prefecture is located in Bingzhou—to the north it can take Jinyang and Chang’an, while moving south it can control Xiangyang and defend Jiangling. It’s an excellent strategic location.”

Jiangtao kept shaking his head: “Your thinking certainly has merit. But Yi Cheng is caught in the middle of the north-south battle zone. After many years of warfare, I’ve heard that the people there have fled, leaving the population sparse, fields barren, corpses everywhere, and wolves roaming freely with thorns growing wild. It’s virtually become an empty city that even the northerners have abandoned. Even if you seized it, how could you establish a lasting foothold?”

Li Mu smiled slightly: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. What people seek is nothing more than safety. As long as we stabilize the surrounding situation, people will naturally come upon hearing the news, gathering to settle and cultivate the wasteland. With people, everything else becomes manageable.”

Jiangtao looked at Li Mu.

A young face, yet when discussing these matters, his bright eyes revealed a depth, determination, and steadiness that commanded respect.

As if the world were a chessboard, and he was the one picking up the pieces, contending with heaven itself.

For the first time in his life, Jiangtao felt his heart surge with excitement, his blood boiling.

He understood what his sworn brother was plotting.

Times create heroes.

In chaotic times especially, a truly strong and capable person is needed to subdue all quarters and bring complete order.

He had an intuition that Li Mu was this person destined to rise by heaven’s will.

The heroic ambition inherited from his ancestors that had lain dormant and silent in his body for thirty years seemed to suddenly awaken at this moment.

He sincerely felt a strong impulse to willingly serve under Li Mu’s command. He actually rose from his seat, stepped back several paces, and bowed respectfully to him: “If Jingchen doesn’t disdain me, Jiangtao is willing to listen to your commands and contribute my humble strength!”

…

After seeing her elder brother, Luoshen returned to the Li residence and spent the day accompanying Li Mu’s mother, watching her sit before the spinning wheel, skillfully twisting yarn and spinning thread.

The old spinning wheel creaked rhythmically as she worked, interspersed with A’Ting’s chatter about everyday matters. The day passed quickly. After dinner, when it grew dark, Luoshen returned to her room.

That Li Mu was still nowhere to be seen.

Luoshen bathed, and after her hair dried, it was quite late. She lay down on the bed, but her heart was filled with suppressed anger that she forcibly held down—how could she possibly sleep? With her eyes closed, she didn’t know how much time had passed when she heard footsteps outside the door. A moment later, the door was gently pushed open.

Li Mu had returned, entering quietly with light steps.

Luoshen opened her eyes and turned her face. Through the bed curtain, she saw him undressing and going to the bathing room, apparently washing himself with the cold water that remained there. After a moment, he emerged bare-chested.

Though separated by the curtain, she could still vaguely see his shirtless form.

Broad shoulders, straight back, with powerful muscles flowing in smooth lines beneath which seemed to lurk shocking strength that could explode at any moment.

Luoshen’s heart pounded rapidly. Not daring to look anymore, she quickly shut her eyes.

A series of soft rustling sounds reached her ears—he seemed to be putting on clothes.

After a moment, Luoshen quietly opened her eyes again and saw he had already lain down on the couch, just like last night. Soon, steady breathing sounds drifted into the curtained area.

He seemed to fall asleep very quickly after lying down.

Luoshen stared through the curtain at that dim, motionless figure. The events of the day rolled through her mind one by one, her anger growing stronger and stronger—how could she possibly sleep?

She tossed and turned on the bed, rolling back and forth several times. Suddenly unable to bear it any longer, she abruptly sat up, swept aside the curtain with one motion, and stuck her head out.

“Li Mu, get up this instant!”