The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 320 You're Really Everywhere

The old man's real name is Zhuge Yi. He is a descendant of the side branch of Zhuge Wuhou, the prime minister of Shu Han. Before the death of Zhuge Wuhou, this branch of the clan took a large number of inheritances and hid in remote wilderness and mountains, established an inheritance pavilion, guarded these inheritances from generation to generation, and prepared to redistribute them after the revival of the Han Dynasty.

They were loyal to the Han Dynasty and naturally did not recognize other dynasties, whether it was the Sui and Tang dynasties or the Song Dynasty.

The Five Barbarians' invasion and the resulting devastation caused to the Chinese people made them extremely hate the barbarians. The Sui and Tang royal families all had barbarian ancestry, which made them quite repulsive. Naturally, it was impossible for them to hand over the inheritance of Wu Hou. After that, they hesitated a lot during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, but decided to wait until the chaotic times were over before coming out.

After all, there are many records of the wars in their clan during the Three Kingdoms period, and Wu Hou even issued a strict order that they must wait until a peaceful era before coming out, otherwise the inheritance might be cut off again. However, during the Song Dynasty, he was not recognized by all the high-ranking officials of the surviving clan because he had obtained the throne in an illegitimate way.

As time went by, the number of the surviving people fluctuated, and because of the rise of Dali and the invasion of Tubo, they also encountered some crises, and even many of their members were sacrificed. Fortunately, hundreds of years of development have also given them a considerable foundation, especially in remote areas, they can be regarded as the secret overlords.

It's just that Wu Hou's inheritance focuses more on literature than martial arts. Although he has inherited the martial arts of the Five Tiger Generals, they are mostly used on the battlefield. When people in the martial arts world use them, it always lacks a bit of flavor. But it must be said that Wu Hou is an absolute genius in military tactics, battle formations, inventions and creations, astronomy and geography, economic governance, and the art of Qimen Dunjia.

"Although we, the descendants of Wu Hou, only got some basic knowledge, we copied the Bagua Formation and set up many unnecessary mechanisms and traps, hoping to lure you into the trap. However, we were rejected by you and escaped a disaster." When the old man said this, the look he cast towards Murong Fu changed slightly.

You have to know that few officials in the Song Dynasty were honest, especially the lower-level officials, who were more greedy than the other. If they encountered a native camp, how could they be innocent if they were in a powerful position? But Murong Fu did it, strictly disciplining himself and not committing any crime. This attracted the attention of the old guard, who even went so far as to personally intervene to delay time and make many calculations to eliminate him.

There was no other reason. He saw Murong Fu's strength, caution and wisdom. If this person was not eliminated, he would most likely become aware of the existence of the survivors and even dig out the entire survivors. By then, there would be no way to retreat.

He misled Murong Fu with his words, causing him to stay overnight. He then launched the attack ahead of time, using the native tribes to eliminate the Li and Yan families, secretly killing the Tubo envoys and disrupting the situation. In fact, there were only less than ten people from the Qianhua tribe who actually took action, while the others were scattered inside and outside the county.

Murong Fu and Cao Yi found omissions in the defense map of Rongjing County. Two of them were important strongholds of the survivors. Two hundred warriors of the Qianhua tribe hid in them and were surrounded by Murong Fu and his men after nightfall.

"I have two suggestions for you. If you had taken advantage of the situation and delayed entering the county for another day, I might have gathered a thousand soldiers outside the city to kill you. But you entered the city, forcing me to change my strategy. As you said, I have someone in the county government office. This person is not a cook, but a doorman, but he is proficient in poisoning. Unfortunately, you controlled him immediately and threw him into prison the next morning."

The old man sighed slightly. This boy is indeed cautious. Murong Fu's mouth twitched slightly when he heard this. You really are everywhere. If it were an ordinary person, I'd probably have been killed by you long ago, but I am different. He might retreat from the Bagua formation set up by Zhuge Wuhou himself, but if it was just a superficial attack, with his attainments in Qimen Dunjia, he would probably be able to cope with it.

As for poisoning?

Haha, I am also considered a medical genius, and I also have the "Nine Yang Magic Art" which is very effective in removing poisons. I have already practiced this magic art to perfection, and ordinary poisons are probably ineffective on me.

The old man continued, "The day after you entered the city, you opened the gates, allowing exits but not entrances. While this delayed our actions, it did reveal a lot of information. Knowing you hadn't made any special moves, and even refused to communicate closely with the Li and Yan families and other clans, we agreed to storm the city at four o'clock in the morning, collaborating internally and externally to kill you. Afterwards, I planned to deal with the Tibetan soldiers as well. The two native tribes would still be blamed, as they were the ones who robbed the border troops' food supplies."

Murong Fu's mouth twitched slightly. "I released those people, and while checking them for dangerous goods, I had my men secretly apply special tracking powder." After nightfall, I first arrested and imprisoned the heads and managers of the major families. Then, I forcibly conscripted their servants and thugs, and used absolute force to capture the troops from several indigenous tribal gathering places.

After the city was properly arranged, Murong Fu flew alone on his flying wings to patrol the area of ​​dozens of miles outside the city. When he saw places with dense fire, he investigated a few of them. Among them, he focused on tracking the scent of incense powder and found several camps of the native tribe, Tubo and Qianhua tribes.

Based on where these people were stationed, Murong Fu made some guesses and captured a few of them for careful questioning. Under the influence of the Nine Yin Scriptures' Soul Transferring Technique, they naturally told him everything they knew. Murong Fu then took swift and decisive action to capture them one by one.

Murong Fu possessed flying wings, naturally possessing exceptional speed. He ordered his men, Cao Yi's soldiers, and the city defense troops to divide into five groups. He would lead the way, accompanied by the melodies of the blue sea and tide, while the other soldiers, armed with swords and ropes, followed closely behind. As Murong Fu had previously stated, those who didn't resist would be tied up and enslaved, while those who did would be hacked to death with swords and arrows. However, the Qianhua tribe's troops were divided into three groups. Two of them were within the city, powerless to resist. The remaining group was currently here, led by the old man himself.

"Pa! Pa! Pa!" Murong Fu clapped his hands calmly, praising the old man's methods, which were indeed quite shady!

"All the male members of the Li and Yan families were killed, and the natives entered the city. The other families must have been in trouble. After that, you used the natives to kill the Tubo soldiers. I believe that when two tigers fight, no one will be in trouble. The final result is that the Tubo soldiers were almost all killed or wounded, and the native tribes suffered heavy losses. I just don't know how you plan to deal with the aftermath?" Murong Fu couldn't help but sigh. If this old guy really succeeded, he could indeed hide himself very well, but he pursued perfection too much, and instead gave himself an opportunity to take down in advance.

The old man cast his gaze towards his granddaughter Xiu'er, then looked at Cao Yi, and suddenly shook his head and said, "What's the point of saying this now?"

Murong Fu was very curious and smiled, "Whether it makes sense or not, it's not up to you to decide. Only I have the final say."

The old man sighed deeply and said, "Then it was Captain Cao who turned the tide. With the help of my granddaughter, he drove the invaders out of Rongjing County and restored order. By then, all the important figures in Rongjing County had suffered heavy casualties, and he was the only one who could stand up. Coupled with the Qianhua tribe's overt and covert support, he would most likely stay in Rongjing County for a while to take charge of the situation."

"If I express my full support now, build good relations with the border troops, and betroth Xiu'er to him as a condition, and take charge of the transportation of food, fodder and weapons for the border troops, I'm sure they won't refuse." When he said this, the young girl Xiu'er was so embarrassed that she threw herself into her grandfather's arms and refused to see anyone.

Cao Yi, who was watching the show while eating melons, couldn't help but open his mouth wide and pointed at himself, "Me?"

The old man chuckled and said, "It's you, kid. It's said that a few months ago, Xiu'er encountered a few playboys on the road and was rescued by you who happened to be passing by. Although she could handle it even if you didn't help, she still had a good impression of you. After that, you came to Rongjing County several times and encountered her again. Unknowingly, you caught Xiu'er's eye."

"I've carefully investigated your background and discovered that, although you've been a bit of a slut, you're actually a good person at heart. Your qualifications aren't bad either, and you're qualified to marry into my clan." Cao Yi was furious at the old man's words. "How dare I, a direct descendant of the Cao family, a military family of the Great Song Dynasty, marry into a family like yours, a native of a remote county? Telling anyone would make me laugh to death."

"Times have changed. You are no longer relatives of the Prime Minister of Shu Han. Don't think too highly of yourselves. Cao Yi is my younger brother, a direct descendant of the Cao family, a powerful military family of the Song Dynasty. She is not something a mere girl from a small county can dream of. If you fully support the border army as a condition, you can let her enter the Cao family as a concubine." Murong Fu's words made the old man's eyes light up. He rubbed his granddaughter's hair in his arms and sighed softly.

"The old man must have other forces behind him that he hasn't yet unleashed. He's a major force in Rongjing County. To stabilize the rear and better support the border troops, I wonder if you'd be willing to serve as my advisor?" Murong Fu smiled at the old man. The latter suddenly looked up, unable to believe his ears. Finally, confirming that Murong Fu was not joking, he laughed and said, "While I wish, I dare not ask."

Murong Fu helped him up. The Nine Yang Divine Art's internal energy flowed into his body and circulated once, making the old man feel comfortable all over. He almost groaned. Murong Fu said with a smile, "I am proficient in both civil and military affairs. I have also studied various subjects and am also proficient in medicine. I am confident that I can take care of the old man's health."

"There is a chance for the situation between your granddaughter and my younger brother Cao Yi to turn around. After all, the Cao family is a military family, and military families value strength over everything else. This girl's military skills and tactics can help her suppress the entire Cao family, and it won't be difficult for her to become the principal wife." Murong Fu turned around and sold out his younger brother.

"This method is feasible, but it is difficult to actually implement. This girl has good talent, and with the foundation I have laid for her, it is not difficult for her to surpass ordinary people. However, without a famous teacher, she will ultimately be neither good nor bad."

"I come from the aristocratic Murong family of Gusu. My family has a collection of over ten thousand books, including countless classics. I am also the mastermind behind the renowned Gusu Academy in Jiangnan. I believe I am quite capable of teaching and educating people. If you are at ease, I will adopt Xiu'er as my younger sister. I will take full responsibility for her future education and will ensure that she does not fall behind others." Murong Fu said this, but added, "Even if she becomes a top-notch expert in the martial arts world, it will not be difficult. However, to become a top-tier general, she will need more battlefield inheritance."

As expected, the old man sighed secretly in his heart, but showed a look of joy and patted his chest repeatedly to express that he had all these things at home and he could pick any of the inheritances of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han.

"Do you have the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix spear technique, the same one Zhao Zilong used for his White Horse and Silver Spear?" Cao Yi, standing beside him, showed a delighted expression. The old man glanced at him and said, "My clan's heritage is passed down to within the clan, not outsiders. If you're willing to marry into our family, not only will you have the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix spear technique, but you'll also have the Coiling Snake's Seven Probing spear technique."

Cao Yi was furious when he heard this: "I didn't object to marrying your granddaughter, but you insist on me marrying into your family before you teach me. What's the logic? And what do you mean by that? Does it mean that I, the eldest son, can learn unconditionally?"

The old man said: "The apparent reason is that he has recognized my granddaughter as his sister, so she is one of us. The teachings can be passed down to one of us, so it cannot be considered as an outsider's teaching. The real reason is that if I don't bow my head, this guy will probably make the Qianhua tribe suffer a lot, and then find the lair of the survivors through other means. Then he may still be able to take away the inheritance. So why not go with the flow and use this as a way out?"

Murong Fu: "Aging is a skill, and the ancients were not wrong. Also, my dear brother Cao Yi, exchanging your marriage for a powerful wife and the many inheritances of Zhuge Wuhou is a win no matter how you look at it. Even without mentioning the inheritance, just this cunning old man and a promising young wife, what else can you not be satisfied with?"