Chapter 50

Chapter 50 050[VIP]

Amidst the rumbling of the carriage wheels and the jingling of the bells on the corners, Shi Qingruo couldn't help but rub her forehead.

Ever since returning to Bianjing, she'd been overwhelmed by the constant stream of complaints.

The Qinglong Society, which she had just taken over, involved numerous factions and was even more mixed-up than the previous Misty Heaven Alliance. Unfortunately, Gongzi Yu was already a dead man in public, making him unable to step forward and offer assistance. She had to meet with everyone herself.

Fortunately, she had previously had Wenrou and Wenwen bring Tang Lan back, so she could serve as a laborer.

Looking at Guan Chun and Tang Lan's faces, which seemed to be mirroring each other, Shi Qingruo's resentment from days of toil instantly vanished.

Besides, Gongzi Yu—no, it should be said that Chen Guyan—hadn't truly become a hands-off boss.

He had previously peered through the mask into the world, and this "world" included the members of the Azure Dragon Society. He knew their fears and their pasts, and he shared all of this with Shi Qingruo.

She also understood that these people were now viewing the Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance as their lifeline, and perhaps they also had other motives.

As for Baiyun City... due to its distance from the Central Plains, she could only send Zhu Xiaoyao with Baiyun City's sword servants to the South China Sea to clarify the region's industries and relationships with the surrounding areas.

However, no matter how troublesome it was, as outsiders could see, the Misty Heaven Alliance, through this encounter, had swallowed up Baiyun City and the Azure Dragon Society, greatly increasing its power. It no longer had to rely on the support of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower to resist the Six and a Half Sect.

Therefore, compared to the difficulties of taking over power, Shi Qingruo was more troubled by the two patients.

"These two guys..."

Although Gongzi Yu possessed the ability to shift positions and had promised Shi Qingruo to shed his mask and enter the world, the sword strike still pierced him completely, not just a trick of borrowing positions like in a Bianjing street performance.

Ye Gucheng, without a single word, immediately tested their tacit understanding and collided with her sword, compounding the injuries he'd sustained in the previous duel with these new ones. Had it not been for his profound internal strength, he would have been dead, not just given an explanation for his previous rebellion.

Fortunately, after Yuan Shisanxian's death, his Divine Art of Forbearance and the Mountain Scripture fell into the hands of the Misty Heaven Alliance.

The Mountain Scripture was already riddled with errors when Yuan Xian obtained it, but this martial arts genius had actually mastered it to create a method of flesh and blood regeneration, providing a welcome boost to the two men's injuries.

But if Shi Qingruo had her say, they would have been better off lying low.

Unlike Gongzi Yu, Shen Guyan wasn't masked, and he was much more talkative than before.

Today, he'd say Ye Gucheng was old, and it was unclear if he had any residual effects from the sword attack. Tomorrow, he'd say he'd already given a dowry, and whether he should be given a proper title. The day after tomorrow, he'd say Ye Gucheng's name was similar to his, and that he was having a hard time recovering from his injuries.

Ye Gucheng remained quiet, but the next day, Shen Guyan ran into a young man in white who introduced himself as Ye Guhong, a swordsman who went berserk at the sight of Master Shengzhu.

This Ye Guhong, however, was not only unrelated to Ye Gucheng, but his greatest admirer was Ximen Chuxue.

Shen Guyan was choked to death, but ultimately chose not to change his name. Then, Ye Gucheng feigned misery, claiming his injuries were worse.

Everyone knew the former Lord of Baiyun City had been straightforward since meeting Shi Qingruo, so how could he exaggerate his injuries?

In comparison, since Shen Guyan had initiated the hijacking, any retribution was well-deserved. Furthermore, he possessed martial arts skills that mitigated his injuries, making him seem less pitiful...

So, he could just bear it himself.

Shi Qingruo briefly suspected that the two men's injuries weren't from swords, but rather from brain damage. Otherwise, why would they be in such a state, with a combined age of no more than ten?

"Madam, we've arrived at Tianquan Mountain."

Shi Qingruo temporarily put these matters aside, dismounted from the carriage, and headed for the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower atop Tianquan Mountain.

The autumn wind had arrived, and the leaves halfway up the mountain were turning yellow, making the four towers—green, red, yellow, and white—and the jade pagoda in the distance stand out.

Thinking back to their earlier encounter at the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower, where she'd jokingly suggested building a rainbow-colored tower on the mountain, surely a landmark for Bianjing's cultural tourism, Shi Qingruo felt a chuckle.

While Fengyu Tower was destined to never become such a place, her Mitian League, thanks to the Shattered Void Legacy left by Guan Qi, was a must-see for swordsmen.

After all, Ye Gucheng defeated Ximen Chuxue and secured ownership of this place, yet he had become a forgotten figure in everyone's eyes.

This not only gave the Misty Heaven Alliance a reason to reopen the area, but also added another layer of legend to its storied past.

"How's Tower Master Su doing?" Shi Qingruo breathed a sigh of relief and asked Yang Wuxie, who was standing nearby.

With the arrival of the Misty Heaven Alliance's Holy Leader, Yang Wuxie, as the chief steward of Fengyu Tower, naturally had to personally go out to greet him.

Ever since Su Mengzhen's condition worsened, the burden of managing the thousands of brothers in the tower had fallen on Yang Wuxie.

If Shi Qingruo was not mistaken, he had many more white hairs than before. Only his outward appearance of vigor and spirit was still good, a sign from this crucial city of Bianjing that she was looking forward to him.

Yang Wuxie replied, "Still the same. He's taking the medicine prescribed by Doctor Shu, but more importantly, he still relies on the Tower Master himself."

Shi Qingruo nodded. "I'll go check on him."

Su Mengzhen's bedroom was located in the Jade Pagoda on the fourth floor of Fengyu Tower. Although he always claimed that Jinfengxiyu Tower was his, the disciples within still needed a clear authority to issue orders.

Originally, the Qinglou Tower shouldered this responsibility, but now the Jade Tower.

If Yang Wuxie hadn't been acting so steadily recently, the rumors circulating in Bianjing City would have been far more than those heard in the teahouse. With the imaginations of those in the martial arts world, they might have spun rumors that Su Mengzhen was dead, but the news was suppressed to create the illusion of secrecy.

But they couldn't really be blamed. As Shi Qingruo ascended the tower, before even entering, he heard a series of violent coughs.

The sound was like a broken bellows, struggling to maintain its last bit of strength, yet still making a sound as if it were about to fall apart. It was a terrifying sound, a testament to the severity of the individual's illness.

But when Shi Qingruo knocked on the door and entered, she found Su Mengzhen leaning against the back of the bed. Aside from a hint of blood on his lips, he was perfectly composed and composed, unlike the man who had just spoken.

But the cold fire in his eyes, like a blaze from the depths of a swamp, permeated his surroundings with a chilling warmth, a subtle tinge of dark red and bluish green.

This was clearly a sign of worsening illness.

"Your place is truly... unpretentious." Shi Qingruo casually pulled over a nearby wooden chair and sat down beside the bed.

Su Mengzhen smiled at her lack of concern for his well-being, as if she were a normal person, and replied, "I need a clear head."

He had single-handedly built the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower into its present state, and within the Wind and Rain Tower, there was also a Huanglou, built for the gang's entertainment. Yet, the Jade Tower, nestled in the center, was uncharacteristically plain.

Shi Qingruo glanced around, realizing the most valuable items here were probably Su Mengzhen's fur coat, or perhaps the file in his hand.

She said, "You're truly much more sober than many people."

"Are you here just to compliment me?" Su Mengzhen asked, looking up.

"No," Shi Qingruo replied, "I want to discuss something else with you."

Su Mengzhen was gravely ill; even the hand holding the file showed signs of increasing bony weakness, as if simply holding it required all his strength, leaving veins snaking through his hand.

But his tone was unwavering, and there was no hint of weakness. "I can't entrust Jinfeng Xiyu Tower to you for the time being."

Shi Qingruo curled her lips. "You mean for the time being?"

"Yes," Su Mengzhen replied decisively.

He never hesitated to mince words, so when he uttered that "yes," Shi Qingruo could clearly see the light in Su Mengzhen's eyes soften for a moment.

Just as he'd said, "A real heartbroken little arrow."

"Actually, I know the answer even without you saying it," Shi Qingruo said. "Wind and Rain Tower has collaborated with the Misty Heaven Alliance many times, and the brothers in the tower know my abilities. If you were to pass away, no one would be more suited to take on this responsibility than me. But you're Su Mengzhen."

As Su Mengzhen, he would persevere as long as he lived. Just like the lingering fire in his eyes, he wouldn't place this immense responsibility on anyone else's shoulders until he could no longer open his eyes.

As Su Mengzhen, he saw another hidden danger amidst the current euphoria of Bianjing's promising future.

The emperor, freed from the burden of Fu Zongshu, was finally able to personally command everything. He would never want to see all the major gangs in Bianjing and beyond fall under the control of a single individual overnight.

Even if that person had done him a favor, he wouldn't allow that.

Therefore, for at least a few years, Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower and the Misty Heaven Alliance could be partners, but not one.

Shi Qingruo understood the subtext of Su Mengzhen's words, but that didn't stop her from asking, "Can you hold out until then?"

Su Mengzhen: "...That doesn't sound like something a visitor should say."

"I told you, I'm not here to see a patient. I'm here to discuss something important with you," Shi Qingruo replied with remarkable frankness.

Su Mengzhen choked, then suddenly laughed. "I've always felt that my very existence is a miracle, but perhaps, my meeting you is even more of a miracle."

He subconsciously loosened the file in his hand, seemingly relaxed during the conversation, and his gaze dropped slightly, gazing at the slightly frail hand.

He had studied with the Red Sleeves Divine Nun, not just swordsmanship but also the sixteen techniques of numerology and physiognomy. This allowed him to clearly see the layers of fate hidden within the tangled lines of his palms.

One calamity, originally caused by his confrontation with Lei Sun, was strangely resolved.

The other, supposed to occur five years from now...

"How much do you remember?"

Su Mengzhen replied instinctively, "Everything."

"Then I have to tell you something." Shi Qingruo grasped his half-curled hand, forcing him to look at her, and into her bright, blazing eyes. "Ever since I returned here, I've been seeking the power of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower."

Su Mengzhen felt a burning sensation in his palm, and for a moment he even considered that the saying "the fingers are connected to the heart" might be true. In this moment, Shi Qingruo grasped not only his hand, but also his struggling heart.

He let out a slow breath, tugging at the stinging pain in his lungs. "So, from the very beginning, you asked me for Fengyu Tower's undercover agent in the Misty Heaven Alliance."

That was their first deal.

"Yes," Shi Qingruo replied. "It's not just because I'm caught in a chaotic situation and need help, but also because I need people from Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower."

Su Mengzhen's eyes flickered. Even though he was distracted for a moment, his mind raced in a split second, piecing together all the information Shi Qingruo had shared with him.

"Are the requirements you mentioned not that strict?"

She hadn't previously joined Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower; she simply needed their undercover agents within the Misty Sky Alliance to follow her orders, proving that the criteria weren't that strict.

It was precisely for this reason that, even after hearing Su Mengzhen's clear answer that she had no immediate hope of taking over Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower, she didn't show any sign of anger.

She simply replied solemnly, "Yes," to Su Mengzhen's question.

Su Mengzhen's mind dawned on him. "Speak of your important matter."

The autumn wind blew in through the side windows of the Jade Pagoda, stirring a whimpering sound between the lattices, but it couldn't extinguish the two bright flames shrouded in fur. The girl sitting before him, once delicate and beautiful, had grown in just a few short months into a shield against the elements.

"I want command of Puppy Wind," Shi Qingruo gazed intently into Su Mengzhen's eyes and uttered a statement no one had dared to utter in his presence.

It was a statement that would have been dismissed as "arrogant" by anyone else.

Puppy Wind, though his name sounded rather vulgar, was the most important member of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower. Otherwise, they wouldn't be led by Dao Nanshen, one of the Five Great Devils.

This team wasn't just special in that they were elite, but also in that, rather than mere wuss, they were more like specially trained... soldiers.

The imperial court could allow these martial artists to clash and fight on the outskirts of Bianjing precisely because Fengyu Tower and Liufenbantang both possessed similar teams, ready to lend to border defense forces when necessary.

And now, Shi Qingruo wanted to borrow one of these teams.

She continued, "Not just the Rascal Fengs, I also want to borrow Fengyu Tower's ironworkers, bamboo craftsmen, rattan armor makers, and carpenters... To be frank—"

"I want to be the leader of this martial arts world,"

Su Mengzhen said, without replying. Atop the White Pagoda, since Yang Wuxie had already retreated and instructed the rest of the gang not to disturb him, only Su Mengzhen had heard these lofty words.

Being overly arrogant is never a good thing, especially when the speaker is young.

But Shi Qingruo's earlier question about how much he remembered lingered in his ears, constantly reminding him that the person who had spoken them, to whom he had entrusted the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower before his death, was the one most important and trusted to him.

The leader of the group, or rather, the leader of the martial arts world, was not an unattainable title, given her skill and intelligence.

She was well-equipped to shoulder such a responsibility, and with this move, she could naturally compel the Fengyu Tower gang to bow before her.

"To resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the country. Is now the time?" Su Mengzhen pondered for a long time before uttering this question.

Shi Qingruo replied, "At least it is much more appropriate than at any time before."

"The Jin people in the north were no match for the Han. It was the struggle between imperial power and prime ministerial power, coupled with the late emperor's indulgence, that allowed them to grow at a breakneck pace. Even so, they were still watching from the sidelines, even offering a precious gift like the Wu Ri Divine Spear to the Marquis of Shentong in the capital."

"Now that Fu Zongshu's conspiracy with the Southern King has been exposed and executed, and Lin Lingsu and Zhan Bieye have been killed, the people of Bianjing and beyond are celebrating, and the morale of the court has been revitalized. Some may think we're being sluggish and that it will take years to reorganize our forces, but we refuse to do so!"

Su Mengzhen read a clear signal in Shi Qingruo's eyes.

When the weapons forged by the ironworkers of Fengyu Tower and the protective armor crafted by bamboo and rattan workers are no longer needed in the confrontation with the Liufenbantang, when those chivalrous men who came to the capital to witness the excitement have yet to return, why not raise our voices and lend a helping hand to the Northern Expedition, fulfilling our responsibility to our country and the nation to eliminate the northern threat?

This is the best time.

She could give up Su Mengzhen's Jinfengxiyu Tower, but she needed Su Mengzhen's support to get the command.

"The current emperor is enterprising." Su Mengzhen said.

This short response of nine words, in a sense, has also expressed Su Mengzhen's attitude.

Shi Qingruo continued calmly: "I have also heard some recent news from the north from Aunt Xi and Young Marquis Helian."

Su Mengzhen sighed: "But you should know that not all people in the martial arts world are as suitable for going to the battlefield as the ruffian Feng."

Shi Qingruo said: "But I just want to be the leader of the martial arts world, not the commander-in-chief of the world's army. And-"

"I am more suitable for this position than you."

Su Mengzhen is a person who is born to be a leader. When he first took over the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower, he braved both praise and criticism in his quest to fight his way through the encirclement of the Misty Heaven Alliance and the Six and a Half Sect. But once he secured his position, everyone in the gang knew his magnanimous character and his sense of self-control, which helped the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower endure the storm.

Even Su Mengzhen had to admit that when it came to perceiving people's hearts and commanding the masses, Shi Qingruo was no less capable than he. In fact, her health made her far more persuasive at such a crucial moment. Unwittingly, the power she had amassed, while still presenting potential risks, was showing signs of eclipsing the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower.

"I'm more suited to this position than you." This wasn't a passionate argument, but a statement of fact.

She pulled her hair back from her temples and gently grasped his hand. Her movements were still gentle, yet captivating. But for Su Mengzhen, at that moment, he felt like he had fallen into an ever-burning flame, as if from this seething heat he could draw a thread of strength to keep burning.

"I've told you before," he coughed twice, turning his head before continuing, "My grandfather Su Xingyuan and my father Su Zhemu's lifelong wish was to reclaim the Five States of Yingyun. If this matter hadn't leaked, leading to the Jin army's pursuit, I wouldn't have been injured by the Sixth Hand in the World, and have been carrying the cold poison since infancy."

"I've also told you," he said, his voice growing more resolute, "I'm someone who, if I'm even 60% sure, will give it my all."

Shi Qingruo nodded, awaiting Su Mengzhen's final response.

From that cold fire emanated the warmth of a starry night guiding the way. "I'll have the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower obey your orders."

"Does that include you?" Shi Qingruo suddenly let out a teasing laugh, adding a touch of lightness to the already solemn atmosphere, almost like a sworn oath.

Su Mengzhen helplessly replied, "That includes me."

...

As Yang Wuxie escorted Shi Qingruo down Tianquan Mountain, he felt a growing uncertainty in the Master Saint's smile.

But perhaps he didn't need to delve into it.

Just now, when he received the signal and ascended the Jade Pagoda, he was surprised to see the Tower Master, who had been bedridden for days, had risen and, along with his wife, gazed out at the scenery of Bianjing. Though still haggard, he looked much better than before.

He had heard from Doctor Shu that with a complex illness like the Tower Master's, even the most skilled doctor wouldn't guarantee a cure. Instead, his own mental state significantly impacted his ability to stabilize the turmoil within.

Perhaps, his wife played a far greater role than he had imagined.

"Do you mind my asking?" Yang Wuxie suddenly asked.

He always knew exactly what to say to whom and when to speak, but this one was a bit of an exception.

"Boss Yang, please feel free to speak,"

Yang Wuxie asked. "I wonder what Madam Shi thinks of the building owner?"

Shi Qingruo lowered her eyes and smiled secretly. If she didn't know what kind of person Yang Wuxie was, she would have almost thought that he was acting as a matchmaker in addition to being the boss of Jinfengxiyu Building.

But after thinking it over, she replied, "Someone who shares the same ideals and stands together. But... I don't have that much dedication. I only do what I feel should be done."

Yang Wuxie seemed to be thinking.

Ignoring the second half of the sentence, just looking at the first half, it seemed like a very high evaluation.

"Boss Yang." Shi Qingruo stepped onto the carriage, then suddenly stopped and glanced sideways at him. "I may have to trouble you quite a bit soon, so please bear with me."

"...Of course." Yang Wuxie was momentarily bewildered, unsure of what Shi Qingruo's words held. But that didn't stop him from quickly calming down and agreeing. It wasn't

until he returned to the Jade Pagoda that he heard more from Tower Master Su and suddenly understood the meaning of Shi Qingruo's earlier look, which urged him to "work harder for those who are more capable."

But he had always taken Su Mengzhen's words seriously, and this was no exception.

The people of Bianjing quickly noticed three individuals who had been frequenting the Misty Heaven Alliance since Shi Qingruo's visit to the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower.

The tall figure with a black mole between his eyebrows was Yang Wuxie, the second-in-command of the Wind and Rain Tower.

The one, dressed in purple, with a charming appearance yet a menacing aura, was none other than Lei Mei, the "Goddess of Guodong."

As for the seemingly dull yet resilient figure, it was none other than Dao Nanshen, the leader of the Ruffian Wind.

Ever since the battle with the Liufenbantang and the defection of Mo Beishen, a key member of the Fengyu Tower, these three had held the highest positions under Su Mengzhen. Their frequent visits to the Mitian League led to suspicions that Su Mengzhen's health had indeed deteriorated, and they had also identified the Mitian League's Saint Master with the successor to the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower.

However, these curious individuals failed to notice that when Fu Zongshu was executed, Mei Chaofeng, who had aided Yang Kang in his escape, was sent to the Mitian League by the Six Gates. Following the instructions of the Saint Master, she, who had lived in the outer reaches of the Great Wall for many years, was required to assist in the construction of a map.

They also failed to notice that, half a month earlier, a young man named Guo Jing had traveled north, under the pretext of finding his father's sworn brother, and brought his mother, Li Ping, back to the Central Plains.

Despite some setbacks, with the help of Huang Rong and the accompanying Beggars' Sect disciples, they successfully achieved their goal and returned to the Mitian League.

It wasn't until half a month later, when a series of invitations to heroes were sent out from the Misty Heaven Alliance, that it struck Bianjing City like a thunderbolt.

...

Wuqing pushed his wheelchair into Shi Qingruo's study, just as she picked up her pen, wrote the last word on the invitation before handing it to him.

Perhaps the wedding banquet in Anyang had left some impression on him, but he paused for a moment before reaching out to take it.

Shi Qingruo looked up. "I was initially hesitant about whether to extend this invitation to the Divine Marquis. After all, he's more like a royal guard than a martial artist. But then I thought, even though he's no longer in the martial arts world, his legend lives on, and no one has forgotten that before he became Zhuge Divine Marquis, he was also a distinguished disciple of the Free Sect. Not inviting him would seem to indicate I'm guilty of killing Yuan Xian."

Wuqing replied, "My uncle has heard some rumors. Madam Shi, rest assured. If he doesn't want to come, he won't let me pick up this invitation."

"That would be perfect," Shi Qingruo replied. Wuqing

was speechless for a moment, unsure if he should say anything more to ease the mood after such a polite remark.

He actually wanted to ask, since Gongzi Yu had kidnapped the man without a word that day, and now he was so obedient, was there some hidden agenda? He should be wary.

He tried to act like an ordinary friend, chatting about how, despite her recent busy schedule, she looked much better than before.

He also talked about how, since the Azure Dragon Society merged with the Misty Heaven Alliance, and the Blood River Sect's subsequent surrender, the influence of the various factions would continue to expand. But all he did was gradually tighten the hand that wasn't holding the invitation in his lap. He felt the object in his other hand weigh a thousand pounds.

"Captain Wuqing," Shi Qingruo chuckled, "someone who didn't know would think this was some kind of treacherous place, where you, the chief constable, would be so cozy as to ride in a sedan chair."

Wuqing straightened his face and said reluctantly, "Madam Shi..."

He hadn't forgotten that when he and Shi Qingruo first met, he had taken her place and ridden in the Misty Heaven Alliance's sedan chair.

Thinking about it now, he felt a little hazy, as if it had happened so long ago.

Then Shi Qingruo said, "I thought, after all we've been through, that when we coaxed Ah Fei to Bianjing, you still worked so well together, we could already be considered friends. Friends, surely, wouldn't be unable to express even these words?"

Wuqing was stunned for a moment, a spring breeze thawing his icy, jade-like features. "I was just thinking of some old memories."

As a child, he'd heard Zhuge Shenhou, Dashi Gong, and Shu Wuxi discuss the current state of affairs. They'd said they were loyal to the court, yet could only do their best to protect the loyal and good, a betrayal of the passion they'd harbored when learning the art, and unable to fulfill the joyful revenge that martial artists deserve.

Times had changed, and some of his former aspirations seemed to resurface.

He always felt a guilty conscience avert his gaze, but he couldn't help but cast his gaze upon her, watching her suddenly ignite this blazing fire.

He glanced at the invitation in his hand. Not a single word clearly mentioned the "Northern Expedition," yet the resonant strokes of each word were filled with fighting spirit!

...

"Quick, quick, take a look at what's written on this heroic invitation!"

Not everyone in the teahouse could receive such an invitation, so they gathered in groups of three or five.

"...Hey, don't drag me down! If this invitation gets damaged, I'll make you look bad."

Just now, Su Mengzhen, the owner of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower, had ridden past, dispelling rumors of his terminal illness. However, since he was heading towards the Misty Heaven Alliance, this curious crowd became even more eager to learn what the invitation said.

"How concise..."

The moment they opened the invitation, everyone shared the same sentiment.

It was indeed an overly concise invitation, consisting solely of the words: "Sincerely invite heroes from all over the world to gather at the Misty Heaven Alliance to discuss important matters and join in this righteous cause."

Yet, no matter how brief and unclear its purpose, this invitation's astonishing appeal was undimmed.

Beneath this invitation to heroes, name after name was written, revealing how many hands this invitation passed through and how many parties supported it before it was sent out.

"Zhibei Villa, Zuo Qinghou."

"Xuejia Manor, Xue Yiren."

"Yongcui Villa, Li Guanyu."

"Wanfu Wanshou Garden..."—these were renowned figures from the Jiangnan region.

"Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion, Yan Tieshan. "

" Hui Nuo City, Xi Honglei."

"..." —these were key figures from Guanzhong and the interior of the country.

"Shenshui Palace, Shuimu Yinji."

"Shuzhong Tang Clan, Old Lady Tang."

"..." —these were leaders from the southwest.

"Beggars' Sect, Hong Qigong."

"Huashan, Gao Yanan."