Forever

Preview of the next chapter: There were Soushan pursuers heading towards Orion Village. Xie Linfeng and his guards were forced to change their route and risked climbing a nearly vertical rock wall in an attempt to get around to the back of Orion Village. During the climb, the guard tried to save her, but she lost her footing and fell off the cliff. Her life or death was unknown. Xie Linfeng was alone in the heavy rain and darkness, relying on his amazing will and some rock climbing skills that Xie Linxuan had taught before, and finally reached the top of the rock wall with difficulty, only to find that he was also injured and exhausted. From the direction of Orion Village, barking dogs and vague noises could be heard, the firelight flickered, and the pursuers seemed to have entered the village! Is Lao Langzhong safe? How should she go to the village to seek medical treatment? At this moment, behind the rock where she was hiding, a slight, familiar whisper with a strong Wu accent suddenly came: "Is it Miss Shen? Mr. Du asked the old man to wait here." Is it the old fisherman again? ! Why is he here? ! Could it be that... Du Wenyuan had already expected such a disaster and had even arranged an escape route for her to seek medical treatment? Survive again from desperate situation, but within the hope, there is a deeper strangeness and uneasiness. The old fisherman took her along a secret path known only to hunters, bypassing the pursuers at the entrance of the village, and arrived at a lonely hut at the end of the village. The old man who opened the door didn't seem surprised to see the old fisherman and the embarrassed Xie Linfeng. He just sighed and quickly let them into the house. However, when the old doctor was checking the description of Xie Linxuan's injuries and blood samples brought by Xie Linfeng, his face suddenly became extremely solemn, and he said with a trembling voice: "This injury... Is not just a knife wound and a bruise... It is also poisonous! It is a very sinister mixed poison from the Miao border, called 'tarsal bone'! If the poison is not cured within three days, the whole body will fester and die in pain! The person who poisoned it is so ruthless!" Poison? ! Xie Linxuan was still poisoned? ! Is that "Gray Owl"'s knife poisonous? Or did it come into contact with something when it rolled over? Did the person who poisoned her want to completely cut off Xie Linxuan's way of life, or did she want to use his life to blackmail and torture her? Xie Linfeng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and the glimmer of hope he had just raised was once again shattered by the cruel reality. She must get the antidote immediately! But where is the antidote? In the hands of "Gray Owl"? Or is it a stronghold of "Zhulong"? There is only less than three days left. And she couldn't even grasp the exact traces of her opponent. A race against death begins. Before Xie Linxuan fell into coma, she seemed to have used her last strength to draw a vague symbol on the palm of her hand...

Preview of the next chapter: Xie Linfeng rested in the valley for two days and recovered quickly from his injuries. She met Qingluan, a girl with cold eyebrows, taciturn but steely eyes. The two quickly got to know each other and finalized the details of the disguise and the contingency plan. Xie Linxuan took them through a secret passage and quietly went to Qixia Mountain Hongye Villa for on-site investigation, setting up traps and planning an evacuation route. Three days later, news came from Zhou Yongnian's house - the fish bit the hook! "Zhulong" Jiangnan Deacon, a mysterious figure codenamed "Gray Owl", has personally paid attention to the matter and ordered that "the person and the stolen goods must be recovered" to find out the whereabouts of the "relic" and how to open it, and then "properly deal with" Shen Nu. The trading time is set for five days later, at midnight, when Hongye Villa is abandoned. The other party will send a contact person code-named "Kite" to come with some "sincerity" (perhaps some token of Du Wenyuan, or a vague clue about Lin Ruhai's whereabouts). At the same time, the "Gray Owl" will lead people to control the perimeter. The real confrontation is about to begin. On the eve of the transaction, Xie Linxuan received intermittent urgent secret reports from the capital through special channels: the emperor's condition suddenly deteriorated and he fell into a coma! The East Palace has ordered the palace to be sealed off and the capital to be under martial law! Princess Anping lost contact! The location where Lin Ruhai was secretly transferred was suspected to have been exposed, and she was attacked by unknown persons. Her life and death are unknown! The storm suddenly escalated! Did the transaction go as planned? What impact will the dramatic changes in Beijing have? And behind "Gray Owl" and "Kite", is there a deeper conspiracy of "Zhulong" and even the East Palace? Xie Linfeng, Xie Linxuan, and Qingluan stood in the desolate courtyard of the abandoned villa, looking at the gloomy sky, knowing that the real test was right in front of them. This time, there is no retreat.

Preview of the next chapter: Brother and sister (cousins) reunite in a hidden valley. Xie Linxuan's situation was worse than Xie Linfeng imagined. His leg injury recurred due to the bumpy journey south and the humid climate in the south of the Yangtze River. He had a high fever for several days and only slightly improved. But regardless of his illness, he has been operating here for a long time. This valley is one of his secret strongholds. Those dead men in black are the few and absolutely loyal descendants of the old Shen family left by his mother (the Shen family). Xie Linfeng told all about his experiences along the way, his father's belongings, and his speculations about "Mr. Shadow" and the East Palace. After Xie Linxuan listened, he was silent for a long time, and then slowly revealed the even more shocking inside story he had found - "Mr. Shadow" was probably not a person, but a code name belonging to "Zhulong", an extremely secretive organization under Dong Palace. The "Lamp in the Palace" refers not only to the ever-burning lantern in the East Palace, but also to a plan code-named "Light" to eliminate all insiders and potential threats. At present, the "Lights" plan has been fully launched, and Jiangnan is a key cleaning area. The sudden reconciliation between Zhou Yongnian and Hu Wanshan was due to the strict order of "Zhulong". Their next target, in addition to Xie Linfeng, is likely to be Du Wenyuan, and... All Qingliu officials and witnesses who are still alive and related to the Shen Qingzhou case. In Xie Linxuan's hands, there is an incomplete list of people who may be eliminated by the "Lighting" project. What shocked Xie Linfeng even more was that Xie Linxuan told her that Princess Anping's situation in the palace might be more dangerous than what was stated in the letter. The emperor's condition was strange, and the East Palace seemed to be preparing for "just in case." Lin Ruhai, on the other hand, has been secretly transferred and detained, and his whereabouts are unknown. The storm has arrived, and they must act immediately to break the deadlock before the "Light" plan is completely closed. Xie Linxuan proposed an extremely bold and dangerous counter plan - using the map of the imperial mausoleum left by his father Shen Qingzhou and "Zhulong"'s fear of this map, to set up a trap to draw out the core figures of "Mr. Shadow" or "Zhulong"! And the bait is herself.

Preview of the next chapter: After five days of resting in the bamboo house, Xie Linfeng's trauma has been mostly healed under Master Huiming's careful treatment. However, it will take some time because of the loss of vitality. In the past five days, Master Huiming had contacted Princess Anping through secret channels. The princess replied with urgent words, acknowledging Xie Linfeng's guess about the "East Palace", and revealed that the emperor's illness seemed to be relapsing, and the authority of the East Palace to supervise the country was getting stronger. Lin Ruhai's situation became more difficult. She herself also felt invisible pressure in the palace, and many old connections seemed to have been deliberately cut off. The princess agreed with Xie Linfeng's idea of ​​"checking and balancing with drawings", but urged caution and not to lose the original drawings. She had secretly arranged to pass the news to several senior clan officials and military generals who were still loyal to the emperor and had doubts about the East Palace, as a means of aid. At the same time, the princess also agreed to Xie Linfeng's plan to go to Jiangning to contact Xie Linxuan, and provided a new disguised identity and route. After the injury healed slightly, Xie Linfeng decided to leave immediately. Master Huiming prepared new clothes, disguise medicine, clothing, and several self-defense items for her. On the eve of his departure, Master Huiming handed a seemingly ordinary bamboo whistle to Xie Linfeng, saying that if he encountered a great danger in Jiangning, he could blow the whistle from the highest point in the city at midnight, and there might be a chance of survival. Xie Linfeng solemnly accepted it. At dawn the next day, she put on a half-worn blue sarong, made some modifications to her face, carried a simple luggage on her back, said goodbye to Master Huiming, and set foot on the winding mountain road to Jiangning alone. The mountain road is rugged and the road ahead is unpredictable. But her steps were steady and her eyes were firm. Jiangning, Jiming Temple, Back Mountain Pagoda Forest. Second brother, here I come. The chess game in Jiangnan should be played by our Shen family in person.

Preview of the next chapter: In the bamboo house, it is warm and dry, and the fragrance of medicine is permeated. Master Huiming has already prepared clean clothes, hot water, meals and medicine for wounds. Xie Linfeng was finally able to clean and bandage the wound thoroughly, change out of his soaked tattered clothes, and drink a bowl of hot rice porridge. It wasn't until this moment that she felt like she had really crawled back to earth from hell. Master Huiming told her that this was a secret property that Du Wenyuan secretly purchased in his early years and that even his family did not know about. It was located deep in the mountains and was inaccessible. Only he and the old fisherman (who was also an old friend of Du Wenyuan, who was proficient in water properties and familiar with the waterways in this area) knew about it. Du Wenyuan had a premonition that the situation was urgent, so he brought Master Huiming here in advance and arranged for an old fisherman to meet him at Bailongtan, just in case. Xie Linfeng told Master Huiming everything about how he floated out of the dark river, Gu Dachuan's death, Hei San's last words, and the shocking speculation about the "East Palace" in his father's handwriting. After hearing this, Master Huiming remained silent for a long time, with a look of sadness on his face. Finally, he sighed: "Sure enough, this is involved... There are also hints in the princess's letter, but I can't confirm it. Girl, do you know that the news you brought may set off a huge wave." He took out a secret letter sent by Princess Anping through special channels. In the letter, the princess stated that the situation in the capital was becoming more and more strange. The emperor's illness was recurring, and the East Palace supervised the country, and there were frequent changes. Lin Ruhai was put under house arrest in disguise. And she herself felt invisible pressure in the palace. The shadow of "Mr. Shadow" seems to have enveloped both inside and outside the court. The princess told Xie Linfeng to hide it, wait for the opportunity, and try to make a copy of the evidence left by Shen Qingzhou (especially the part about the imperial mausoleum and the East Palace) and send it to her through absolutely safe channels. At the same time, the princess provided a new and secret way that might be able to get in touch with Xie Linxuan. The eye of the storm is moving towards the center of power. Xie Linfeng knew that the temporary peace was just the prelude to the storm. She must use this precious time to recover from her injuries, sort out the clues, and make the next decision. Master Huiming, after being silent for a long time, suddenly asked a seemingly irrelevant question: "Miss Shen, do you want to know the real cause of death of the 'Mrs.

Preview of the next chapter: The stone steps going down seem to be endless, slippery, steep, and freezing. Xie Linfeng supported Gu Dachuan, who had lost too much blood and was getting weaker and weaker, and trudged on in the absolute darkness with only a fire stick that was about to burn out. After walking for an unknown amount of time, the stone steps finally reached the end, and there was a narrow and low artificially dug corridor in front of them, allowing only one person to bend down and pass through. At the end of the corridor, there was a faint sound of rushing water, and a strong, salty smell of water vapor - it was an underground river! Maybe, this is the way out! However, just as they approached the exit of the corridor, the handwritten booklet written by her father in the oilcloth package on Xie Linfeng's back seemed to be slightly tilted due to the bumps and moisture, revealing a line of even smaller writing that had been covered up before. Under the last glimmer of the fire fold, Xie Linfeng's eyes came into view, making her instantly feel like she had fallen into an ice cave! That line read: "I suspect that Mr. Ying may have an affair with the owner of the 'Eternal Light' in the palace, or even... Dong Palace. Remember, don't trust Dong Palace!" Dong Palace! Prince? ! Behind "Mr. Shadow", might there be the current prince? ! And "the lamp in the palace", does it refer to the ever-burning lamp in the East Palace? ! This guess is too appalling! If it is true, what a terrifying enemy they will face! And Lin Ruhai, Princess Anping, and even the emperor... Do they know? Just when Xie Linfeng was shocked by this earth-shattering information, the sound of water at the exit of the corridor in front suddenly became louder, vaguely mixed with... Human voices? And the sound of a paddle? ! Is there anyone in this underground river? ! Friend or enemy? In a desperate situation, another change occurs!

Preview of the next chapter: The hour is approaching. Suddenly there was a heavy object falling to the ground and a deliberately suppressed exclamation from Achang and Aqing! Immediately afterwards, there was a sharp shout from the eyeliner in the distance and the sound of rapid footsteps! The light of the torch moves quickly towards the west! The plan to divert the tiger away from the mountain is started! The remaining surveillance forces in the park were greatly attracted. Xie Linfeng and Gu Dachuan seized the moment of lightning and pounced on the old locust tree! However, the moment they tried to move the bluestone, a sudden change occurred! The iron box that seemed to be stuck actually made a soft "click" sound when Gu Dachuan touched a certain tree root node. The lid of the box automatically opened a gap, and a weak, blue light came out from the gap! At the same time, the soil under the bluestone began to sink silently, revealing a dark, downward-sloping hole! The secret room opened automatically at this time? ! Is it because of triggering the agency, or is it because of the celestial phenomenon of "three-star crescent moon"? There was no time to think about it. Just as Xie Linfeng was about to step in, Aunt Su's hurried whistle came from behind to warn - another group of people had quietly entered the old garden from a completely unexpected direction and was rapidly approaching the old locust tree! Who is coming? Is it the back-up man of "Mr. Shadow"? Or are they from Zhou Yongnian and Hu Wanshan? Or... Other forces? Xie Linfeng and Gu Dachuan stood in front of the automatically opened entrance to the secret room, with unknown pursuers behind them and unfathomable darkness in front of them. Going in may be a way out, or it may be another trap. If you don't go in, you will be rounded up immediately. Life and death are only decided in an instant.

Preview of the next chapter: Xie Linfeng and the others narrowly escaped the pursuit of officers and soldiers and met Aunt Su at the agreed place. Back in the old garden, the shock had just subsided, and Xie Linfeng told Aunt Su all the shocking information revealed by Hei San before his death (especially "Mr. Shadow's" intention to send her to the Duke's Mansion and the "Lamp in the Palace" warning). Aunt Su looked very solemn and admitted that the implications of this matter may be far greater than expected, and she needed to immediately try to report the matter to Princess Anping. At the same time, she told Xie Linfeng another bad news: Du Wenyuan secretly delivered an urgent letter, and the internal fighting between Zhou Yongnian and Hu Wanshan suddenly and mysteriously subsided. The two sides seemed to have reached some kind of temporary compromise, and the price of the compromise was probably to work together to eliminate "unstable factors" - including Hei San (who is dead) who may know the inside story, and... The "hidden danger" of the Shen family's old garden. Around the old garden, unidentified informants appeared again, and they were more covert and professional than before. The storm is coming, and the old garden is no longer a safe place. Xie Linfeng knew that he must immediately open the secret room under the old locust tree, obtain the things left by his father, and then leave Songling as soon as possible. The "timing" to open the secret room becomes more and more urgent with Hei San's death and the approaching crisis. Based on the swordsman characteristics of "a scar on the left eyebrow" provided by Hei San, as well as Du Wenyuan's previous information about Shen Qingzhou's proficiency in astronomy and calendar, combined with the celestial metaphor of the old locust tree, she had a more specific guess about the timing of "three stars in the sky and a crescent moon in the sky". Maybe, just tomorrow night? However, will the enemy give them this time? At night in the old garden, the murderous intention became real and heavy.

Preview of the next chapter: Midnight, Yizhuang. The wind is miserable and the phosphorus fire is erratic. Xie Linfeng disguised himself as a young man with a sallow complexion and ordinary eyebrows. Under the protection of Gu Dachuan and Achang, he sneaked into the backyard of Yizhuang, which was full of coffins and filled with the smell of corpses. Hei San was lying on the broken door of the morgue at the end, his breath was dying, his face was like gold paper, the wounds on his body were ulcerated, and there was a foul smell. His only remaining confidant stood guard at the door, exhausted, and was quietly dealt with by Achang. Xie Linfeng walked to Heisan's bed. Hei San, who was in a coma, seemed to sense something and opened his cloudy eyes with difficulty. When Xie Linfeng slowly announced the name "Shen Rongyu" in his original voice, Hei San's pupils shrank suddenly, showing an expression of extreme horror and disbelief. He struggled to sit up, but vomited a mouthful of black blood. He stared at Xie Linfeng after the disguise, as if trying to find familiar outlines on this unfamiliar face, and made a strange "ho ho" sound in his throat. Xie Linfeng didn't give him a chance to breathe, and went straight in, asking about the Shen family fire, the person behind it, and "Mr. Shadow". Hei San initially gritted his teeth and refused to answer, his eyes filled with resentment. Xie Linfeng took his time, unpacking the cruel reality one by one that Zhou Yongnian was fighting with Hu Wanshan, that he had become an abandoned son, and that there was no one to even collect his body. The hatred in Hei San's eyes was gradually replaced by despair and madness. Just when Xie Linfeng thought that he would not speak until he died, Hei San suddenly grinned, revealing a smile mixed with blood foam and a weird smile, and hissed: "Shen... Shen Qingzhou's daughter... You are indeed not dead... Okay, okay... It doesn't hurt to tell you... Anyway... Everyone has to die..." He continued intermittently, revealing several chilling fragments. And just when he was about to get to the most critical point, the sound of chaotic footsteps and the light of torches suddenly came from outside Yizhuang! Someone is coming! And, there are quite a few! Gu Dachuan's expression changed: "Are they officers and soldiers? Or... Heisan's other enemies?" Xie Linfeng made a prompt decision and signaled Achang to take her away immediately. However, the dying Hei San used his last strength to grab her wrist, his nails almost embedded in the flesh, his bloodshot eyes widened, and he squeezed out the last few vague words from his throat: "Be careful... The... Palace... The lamp... In the palace..." Before he could finish his words, he let go of his hand and died. And the footsteps outside have arrived at the gate of Yizhuang! The firelight illuminated the dilapidated window paper! Xie Linfeng and others were trapped in the morgue!

Preview of the next chapter: Under the careful arrangement of Aunt Su, Xie Linfeng secretly met Du Wenyuan, who had resigned from office and lived in seclusion, with the vague identity of "an old friend who came south to avoid trouble." Du Wenyuan burst into tears when he saw Xie Linfeng, who had a similar appearance to his old friend Shen Qingzhou. He confirmed the loyalty of Gu Dachuan and others, and also revealed more shocking shady stories of Jiangnan officialdom - the old cases of the Shen family had a profound impact in Jiangnan, and many Qingliu officials with old ties to the Shen family were suppressed. In Du Wenyuan's hands, he actually also kept a copy of the secret letter that Shen Qingzhou left for him in his early years about the shortcomings of salt affairs in Jiangnan! At the same time, the two survivors who were released brought back the news that "the mission failed and the goal was lost." Third Master Hei was confused and confused. On the one hand, he sent extra manpower to secretly monitor the Shen family's old garden. On the other hand, he urgently sought instructions from "the superiors". The reply from "the boss" was very quick, with only eight words: "Better kill by mistake than let go. Investigate thoroughly." Not only did the murderous intention not subside due to Xie Linfeng's plan, but it became more fierce and urgent because of the ruthless decision of the person behind the scenes! After Xie Linfeng met with Du Wenyuan, a bolder plan took shape in her mind - instead of waiting for the other party to come to investigate, it would be better to use Mr. Hei's line and the interest network behind him to create a chaos, one to protect herself, and the other... Maybe she could take the opportunity to find new evidence to bring them down. A silent game on the chessboard in the Jiangnan water town begins. What Xie Linfeng didn't know was that a portrait of her appearance was being sent from somewhere in Suzhou Prefecture to a secret mansion in the capital at an accelerated speed of 800 miles.