After a short time, there was a rush of footsteps, and several officials in official uniforms rushed into the wine shop. They were armed with sticks and grim-faced, apparently to arrest the troublemakers. The leader was a burly official, who glanced at the scene, frowned, and ordered: "Arrest them all!" ”

When several officials heard this, they immediately stepped forward to surround Tai Hao and Koji Yi. The clubs in their hands were raised high, and the threat was palpable. Tai Hao's eyes were firm, he looked directly at the official without fear, and said in a deep voice: "They provoked us first, and it has nothing to do with us." ”

The official was unmoved, he glanced at Tai Hao coldly, and said, "Don't talk nonsense, go to the yamen with us to make it clear!" ”

Taihao and Koji Yi glanced at each other, and a trace of helplessness flashed in each other's eyes. They know that in this strange city, whether they are justified or not, once they are caught by the government, it will be difficult to get out. However, they did not choose to resist, but obediently followed the group of officials out of the liquor store.

Tai Hao and Lu Yi were taken to the public hall by the officials, and they saw the city lord of Wurong City sitting on a high platform, with a majestic face. His eyes were like torches, and he looked at the two people in the hall. Undeterred, Taihao stepped forward and recounted in detail what happened in the teahouse.

After hearing this, the city lord frowned slightly, and after pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke: "Since you were forced to fight back, and you did not take the initiative to provoke, then it is not considered guilty. ”

As soon as these words came out, a whisper suddenly sounded in the hall. The officials looked at each other, obviously not expecting the city lord to let the two of them go so easily. And Taihao and Koji Yi looked at each other and smiled, secretly relieved in their hearts.

The city lord waved his hand to signal the officials to be quiet, then turned to Tai Hao and Lu Yi, and said in a deep voice: "However, after all, this incident happened in Wurong City, and you still need to cooperate with the city lord to investigate this matter thoroughly." ”

Tai Hao nodded in agreement, and the city lord ordered them to be released, and ordered the officials to go to the teahouse to arrest all the troublemakers.

Taihao and Koji Yi left the yamen and walked on the streets of Wurong City. Taihao always felt that things were going too smoothly, and there was a faint uneasiness in his heart. And the face of the city lord, lingering in his mind, seemed to overlap with the image in the depths of some memory, but it was blurred.

Just as they were about to find an inn to rest, a servant hurriedly chased after them, panting and said, "Please stay, the city lord, please." ”

When Koji Yi heard this, he immediately became vigilant and asked, "The case has been clarified, what else do we have to do?" ”

Tai Hao's expression was calm, and he patted Koji Yi on the shoulder, signaling that he didn't need to be nervous. Then he turned to the official and said, "Brother Lao leads the way, let's go to see the city lord." ”

Under the leadership of the yamen, Taihao and Koji Yi came to the yamen again. This time he did not go to the public court, but was taken to the front hall by the officials.

Taihao and Koji Yi returned to the yamen again, this time not to the public court, but were taken to the front hall by the yamen. When I came to the front hall, I saw a middle-aged man who had been waiting there for a long time. He was dressed in a luxurious brocade robe, and his bearing was extraordinary, and he was the city lord of Wurong City.

Seeing Taihao coming, the city lord showed a kind smile on his face and arched his hand: "Lord Taihao, don't come unharmed!" ”

Taihao returned the salute, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He looked at the city lord carefully, and suddenly realized: "I just felt that the face of the city lord was so familiar, and just now I thought that you are the city lord of Lotte!" ”

When the city lord heard this, he laughed and said, "It's really rare that Lord Taihao can still remember me. ”

An inexplicable excitement surged in Taihao's heart. This city lord of Wurong City is none other than his old friend many years ago, Lotte. Back then, Lotte was the city lord of Jintang City, and he was on the side of the shock, and was later demoted to Zhenchuan City as the deputy general of Zhenchuan City for violating the national law. During that time, Taehao and Lotte fought side by side to resist the invasion of foreign enemies and formed a deep friendship.

Now that they meet again, they are full of emotion. Lotte patted Taihao's shoulder and said with a smile: "Lord Taihao, many years have passed in a blink of an eye, but I didn't expect us to meet again here." ”

Taihao nodded and smiled: "Yes, time flies, time flies." When was the Lord of Lotte transferred to Takeei Castle? ”

"A year ago, I was just transferred here. It has been in Zhenchuan Castle before. ”

Tai Hao sighed softly, his voice full of emotion for the past years: "Zhenchuan City, that is a remote place, the mountains and rivers are far away, and the living conditions are difficult. Lord Lotte Castle, you have spent so many years there, and you have really suffered. ”

When Lotte heard this, he waved his hand disappreciatively, with a warm smile on his face: "Where, where is it, Lord Taihao is too famous." Although Zhenchuan City is remote, the people there are simple and kind, and their enthusiasm and sincerity make me feel the warmth of the world. Moreover, during that time, I also learned a lot of valuable things, whether it was the philosophy of life or the improvement of martial arts, which laid a solid foundation for my future growth. ”

Taihao listened to Lotte's words, and couldn't help but feel a sense of respect in his heart. He knew very well that being relegated to a remote place was undoubtedly a huge blow to a court official like Lotte. However, Lotte's resilience and wisdom in facing adversity with optimism and drawing strength from it are truly admirable.

He responded: "The Lord of Lotte City is really an open-minded person, and he can maintain such an optimistic attitude after being relegated to such a distant place, this calmness and wisdom really make me admire." ”

Lotte laughed and said, "Lord Taihao has won the prize." In fact, our life is like a journey, sometimes we will encounter some unsatisfactory things, but as long as we maintain an optimistic heart, we can always find the motivation to move forward. Come, please take a seat, let's stop standing and talking. ”

As he spoke, he warmly invited Taihao and Koji Yi to take a seat. Taihao nodded gratefully and sat down with Koji. He introduced: "This young man is my apprentice, named Kojiyi. ”

A look of appreciation flashed in Lotte's eyes. He turned to Koji Yi and smiled kindly: "Koji Yi, this name is very good, just look at his appearance, you know that he will definitely become a great hero in the future!" ”

Hearing this, Koji Yi scratched his head a little shyly, and replied respectfully: "The city lord has passed the award, and the junior has only learned some martial arts from the master, and there are still many deficiencies that need to be improved." ”

Lotte laughed and said, "It's good to be humble at a young age, but you also have to believe in your potential." Lord Taihao can take you as an apprentice, which means that you must have something extraordinary. If you work hard, you will definitely be able to achieve something in the future. ”

With a sincere smile on his face, Lotte continued, "I have also heard about the deeds of Lord Taihao. You can resolutely resign from all official positions and pursue your dreams, this courage and determination, I really admire the five-body throw. And I, although I am still an official in the DPRK and China, my yearning for the rivers and lakes has never diminished. ”

Tai Hao shook his head and sighed lightly: "The red tape of the imperial court is no longer what I am used to. The freedom and open-mindedness of the rivers and lakes is my true destination. As he spoke, he looked up at Lotte with a hint of apology on his face, "Lord Lotte, don't call me 'Lord' in the future." Now that I am no longer an official of the imperial court, where do I still have the identity of an 'adult'? ”

Lotte laughed and said, "Okay, then it's up to you, and I'll call you Brother Taihao in the future." As he spoke, he changed the topic and asked curiously: "Brother Taihao came to Wurong City, I don't know what you have to do?" ”

Tai Hao Zhengse said: "I came here to find a hero named Xu Tang. ”

"Xu Tang?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lotte's eyes, "This Xu Tang hero is famous in Wurong City, I didn't expect Brother Taihao to have a relationship with him." ”

Tai Hao shook his head and explained: "Actually, I don't know Xu Tang Daxia, it was my master who asked me to come here to find him. ”

Lotte nodded in understanding. He pondered for a moment, and then said: "In that case, then I will send two capable servants to accompany Brother Taihao to find Xu Tang Daxia, so that you don't bother to inquire about his residence and delay your precious time." ”

When Taihao heard this, he was grateful. He bowed his hand and said, "Thank you Lotte City Lord for your help, Taihao is grateful." ”

Lotte waved his hand and smiled boldly: "Brother Taihao is polite, since you have come to Wurong City, you are my guest." On my territory, I naturally want to do my best to make you feel at home. ”

Taihao's brows furrowed slightly, and his heart was full of confusion. He couldn't help but ask: "Lord Lotte City, there is one thing that I have always been thinking about, what happened when you were demoted to Zhenchuan City?" I heard some rumors on the rivers and lakes, and it seems to be related to Vice General Liqing......"

Before his words fell, Lotte raised his hand to interrupt his inquiry, with a trace of helplessness and vicissitudes on his face: "Brother Taihao, let the past pass, and it won't help to mention it again." ”

However, Taihao felt that things were far from that simple. He firmly believes in his heart that Lotte has been wronged, and there must be a secret in it. So, he asked: "Lord Lotte, I always feel that you have been wronged, and there must be a truth in it that we don't know. ”

Lotte took a deep breath, a hint of mixed emotions flashing in his eyes. He laughed softly twice, with a hint of helplessness and self-deprecation in his voice: "Brother Taihao, some things are not what you imagined. I am indeed guilty and deserve it. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he was shocked in his heart. He couldn't help but want to continue to ask, to lift the fog and find out the truth. However, just as he was about to speak, he suddenly realized that doing so might make Lotte even more miserable. So, he stubbornly stopped his thoughts and chose to remain silent.

Lotte looked at Taehao's reaction and couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart. He knew that Taihao was a man who was obsessed with the truth, but he also knew that some things could never be explained. So, he gently patted Taihao's shoulder and said, "Brother Taihao, since you want to know so much, it doesn't hurt for me to tell you, after so many years, the truth is no longer important." ”

Lotte spoke slowly, his voice low and magnetic, as if he wanted to pull time back into the distant past. He stared at Taihao, with a determined light in his eyes, as if through the fog of time, he saw the young and helpless Liqing.

"Brother Taihao, Liqing, in fact, it is not rumored that I am my own brother, he is my half-brother. Although the blood relationship between us is not as deep as that of ordinary brothers, in my heart, he has always been my most important relative. There was an imperceptible tremor in Lotte's voice.

Taihao listened, and couldn't help but feel an inexplicable emotion in his heart. He could feel Lotte's deep concern and helplessness for Liqing.

"Liqing has suffered too much since he was a child. Our grandfather was a stern and indifferent elder who never gave him the care he deserved. And I, as the eldest son in the family, tried my best to protect him, but after all, I couldn't fully make up for the lack in his heart. A trace of pain and remorse flashed in Lotte's eyes.

"He struggled to survive in the face of hunger and cold, and struggled to stand tall in the face of ridicule and bullying from others. Those difficult days made him sensitive and suspicious, and also made him learn to hide his emotions. Lotte continued, as if reminiscing about the dusty past.

"So, when I knew that he had made a mistake and was being tracked down by the imperial court, I couldn't sit idly by. I know that he took that path because of unspeakable hardships in his heart. As his brother, I had to stand up for him, even if it meant infamy, even breaking the law. Lotte's voice revealed a kind of firmness and determination.

As he listened, Taihao couldn't help but be moved by Lotte's righteousness and emotion. He looked at Lotte deeply and said, "Lord Lotte, your brotherly love is admirable. ”

Lotte took a deep breath and slowly spoke, revealing a deep nostalgia in his voice: "Five years ago, Liqing passed away due to illness in Zhenchuan City. At that moment, I suddenly realized many things. Perhaps, I shouldn't have blindly protected him like that back then, allowing him to evade his due responsibility. He did something wrong and should have taken the consequences himself. ”

Tai Hao listened quietly, his eyes shining with understanding. He knew that Lotte was reflecting on the past and trying to find a balance in his heart.

Lotte continued, "However, when I thought about it deeply, I felt that I had made the right choice. Protecting Liqing is not only because of our brotherhood, but also because I believe that all this is arranged by God. Every citizen has their destiny, and I, just follow the trajectory of fate. ”

When Taihao heard this, a wave of respect for Lotte surged in his heart. He understands that Lotte is accepting the baptism of fate with a tolerant and understanding attitude.

"If it weren't for that," Tai Hao said softly, "Lord Lotte City, you might have been transferred to the imperial court a long time ago, and your official position would be much higher than now. ”

Lotte smiled indifferently, as if he had seen through the troubles of the world: "The level of official position and the importance of power are just passing clouds, only inner tranquility and satisfaction are eternal pursuits." ”

Taihao was silent, but his heart was fluctuating.