The day after Taihao's theft of the cheats, the sky above the grassland was like a wash, and the sun was shining all over the earth. At this moment, an urgent summons came, and Taihao received the order to go to Huluduo to meet Jieli Khan.

Dressed in a black suit, Tai Hao walked steadily, stepping through the winding paths of the grassland to reach the magnificent golden palace of Huludo. The palace is resplendent in gold, and the dragon and phoenix patterns are lifelike, symbolizing the dignity and majesty of the Turkic Khanate. He walked in slowly, and saw Jieli Khan sitting on the golden throne, his eyes burning, examining this knight from the east.

Seeing Taihao coming, Jieli Khan showed a warm smile on his face, and asked in a gentle tone: "Taihao hero, how are you doing on our grassland these days?" Have you adapted to the customs outside the city? ”

Tai Hao stared at the khan in front of him, there was no fear in his eyes, he bowed slightly, and replied politely: "The grassland scenery is magnificent, the folk customs are simple, and it is indeed a beautiful place in the world." During the next stay, it was very pleasant. ”

When Jieli Khan heard this, he nodded with satisfaction, his eyes flashed with anticipation, and he changed his words and went straight to the point: "Taihao hero, I still want to tell you that I have always admired your martial arts and resourcefulness. Now, I have once again made an invitation to you, would you like to serve my Turkic Khanate and lead the army to show your ambitions? As long as you nod your head and agree, I will definitely grant you the supreme honor, gold and silver treasures, fiefdom beauties, all of them. ”

Tai Hao's face was calm, his tone was sincere, and he responded: "Khan praised, Tai Hao is just a prodigal son of the rivers and lakes, although he was young and frivolous, he was fortunate to lead the army to try his edge, but now he has already washed away the lead and returned to plainness. The sword career, the grievances of the rivers and lakes, have become a cloud of the past. In the next ambition, I only wish to be idle clouds and wild cranes, wander the world, cultivate myself with martial arts, help the world with chivalry, and no longer have the heart to set foot in the court, let alone get involved in the affairs of soldiers. ”

When Jieli Khan heard this, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but he did not give up, he pondered for a moment, and continued to persuade: "Taihao Hero, do you know that although you and I are in different camps, we are both people who protect our homeland and seek peace. If you can join our Turkic Khanate, you will be able to become a fierce general, help me to calm the four seas as soon as possible, put an end to the troubled times, and let the people of the world share peace. And the border between you and me, wars are frequent, and the people suffer deeply, if you can focus on the overall situation and go out of the mountains to lead the army, you can not only save the people of the frontier from fire and water, but also achieve a great deed, why not? ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his face changed slightly, he stared at the Khan, and said sonorously: "What the Khan said, Tai Hao deeply felt his sincerity, but the family and the country are righteous, and each has its own position. Although I am in the rivers and lakes, I am attached to the Eastern Empire, and my master's legacy is still in my ears, vowing to protect our martial arts and promote the way of chivalry. If you throw yourself into a foreign land, even if you can calm the frontier for a while, it will not be a long-term solution. Moreover, the sword has no eyes, the war is ruthless, and once the war starts, innocent people will inevitably suffer, which is not what Taihao wants. Therefore, please also forgive Khan that Taihao cannot agree to your proposal. ”

Jieli Khan's face was slightly gloomy after hearing this, but he still did not give up the last glimmer of hope, and there was a hint of pleading in his tone: "Taihao Hero, you and I are both born in troubled times and bear heavy responsibilities, why should you stick to the boundaries of a country?" The sons and daughters of the rivers and lakes should regard the world as their home and the four seas as friends. As long as you are willing to help me, I wish you peace for a lifetime, and protect your family from the invasion of war, wouldn't it be a good thing for you and me to join hands to create a new era of peace and peace for the people? ”

However, Taihao's face was resolute, and his eyes revealed a determined light, and he said word by word: "Khan, Taihao knows your ambition very well, and respects your great talent. However, the feelings of family and country, like bone with marrow, cannot be parted. Once the decision has been made, it will be unswerving. In this matter, it is difficult for Shu Taihao to obey his fate. ”

Tai Hao resolutely withdrew from the splendid hall, leaving Jieli Khan, who sighed slightly, behind him, sitting alone on the throne, his eyes flashing with complicated emotions. He was well aware of Taihao's fortitude and perseverance, but he also regretted that he failed to become a minister of the humerus who helped the Turks. After a moment of silence, he whispered an order to his cronies: "Taihao is stubborn, it is really not my Turkic blessing. In this case, it is not advisable to let it return to the Eastern Empire, so as not to cause further trouble. Chuan Zhen ordered that his whereabouts be closely monitored to ensure that he stayed in the grassland and was not allowed to leave the country without permission. ”

At the same time, Tai Hao, who didn't know anything about it, was strolling back to the General's Mansion, immersed in all kinds of thoughts about yesterday's fight with the "Four Little Ghosts". He didn't notice that the sparse guards had become tighter, and soldiers were quietly stationed in every corridor and every corner, watching his every move vigilantly like eagles.

When he stepped into the mansion, he felt that the atmosphere was strange. In the general's courtyard, the servants who had been at leisure all looked nervous and hurried, as if they were performing a major task. Outside his residence, there were additional sentry posts, and several fierce retinues dressed in Turkic costumes followed him to his left and right, following him closely wherever he went, as if he were facing a great enemy.

Tai Hao's heart was full of doubts, and he quietly observed the changes around him, keenly aware of a subtle tension in the air. He tried to talk to the entourage around him, trying to find out why, but those entourages were silent, only responding with wary eyes, which made Taihao's heart more and more uneasy.

When he stepped into the room, the doors and windows were reinforced, and the latticework that had been open was sealed by an iron fence, like a cage. Inside, the books and utensils that were originally placed randomly were all carefully arranged at the moment, and the hidden mechanism was obviously carefully designed by someone to prevent him from any attempt to escape. Tai Hao sighed in his heart, it seems that Jieli Khan has become suspicious of him, and even does not hesitate to use such means to put him under house arrest here.

Taihao felt like he was in prison in the closely monitored room, but he did not lose his enthusiasm for life. Every day, a teenager will quietly appear and bring him a well-prepared meal. The young man has a young face, but his demeanor is steady, and his eyes reveal a perseverance beyond his age. Over time, Taihao and the boy established a subtle tacit understanding, and in their spare time, they would talk together one after another, adding some warmth to this oppressive life of captivity.

One day, when Taihao was enjoying the meal sent by the young man, he suddenly became curious, so he put down the dishes and chopsticks and asked gently, "Little brother, what is your name?" Every day I bother you to bring me food, but I don't even ask your name. ”

When the young man heard this, he was slightly stunned, and then an innocent smile appeared on his face, and he replied respectfully: "Hero, my name is Arus. ”

"Arus?" Tai Hao chewed on the name and asked with interest, "Does this name have any special meaning?" ”

Arus straightened his back, his eyes flashing with pride, and replied, "Arus means 'warrior' in our Turkic language. My parents wanted me to be a brave warrior to defend our steppe and our people. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes, he gently patted Arus's shoulder, and said earnestly: "Arus, warriors do not only refer to people who are strong and have excellent martial arts, but more importantly, they must be responsible, benevolent, and know how to fight for their clansmen and the common people in the world. I am sure that you will grow into a true warrior. ”

Arus listened carefully, his eyes flashed with determination, he nodded vigorously, and said gratefully: "Thank you for the hero's teachings, Arus remembers it." ”

Since then, the daily food delivery time has become a moment for Taihao and Arus to exchange experiences.

Half a moon passed quietly like flowing water, and Taihao practiced martial arts in his living room every day to resist the pain of house arrest. On this day, he was sweating like rain in the fighting room, practicing a set of fierce boxing techniques, when he suddenly heard the noise of people outside the house, and the noise was abnormal, and he couldn't help but be suspicious in his heart. Just as Arus came to deliver the meal on time, Taihao stopped his fists and asked with concern, "Arus, what's going on outside, so noisy?" ”

When Arus heard this, his face was overjoyed, and he replied: "Taihao hero, it is General Li Jing who has returned from a victory, and the whole house is celebrating the victory!" ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his heart moved, and he asked again: "General Li Jing has returned, do you know the news that I am under house arrest here?" ”

Arus shook his head slightly, and said apologetically: "Hero, this is unknown. The general is busy with business, and may not know your situation yet. ”

Tai Hao bowed his head slightly, said no more, took the meal, and enjoyed it quietly. After Arus packed up and left, the house returned to its former quietness, only the occasional cheers outside the window reminded Taihao of the lively scene on the grassland at the moment.

Not long after, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and Taihao knew that it must be Li Jing, so he got up to greet him. I saw Li Jing wearing battle armor, heroic posture, and her eyebrows were filled with the pride and joy of the victor. She walked into the room, her eyes fell on Taihao, and she said in a complicated tone: "Taihao hero, I have been gone for nearly a month, and I only learned what happened to you when I came back. When I brought you to live in the house, I never thought that the Khan would put you under house arrest here, which was really not what I wanted. Taihao hero, although your martial arts are high, but when you walk the rivers and lakes, you still need to judge the situation and act recklessly, and you must not act willfully. Why did you take the risk of stealing the cheats, and why did you have such a grudge against the Khan of Jieli? ”

Taihao faced Li Jing's questioning, his expression was indifferent, but his eyes flashed with perseverance. He knew that the explanation at the moment might not be helpful, and he could only prove his original intention and determination with his actions. He smiled slightly and responded calmly: "General Li Jing, I am too hao, but I want to be worthy of my heart, worthy of my master, and worthy of the people in the world." Stealing the secret book is the responsibility of the master's martial arts inheritance, and offending the khan is really necessary to defend the righteousness of the family and country. The merits of the matter, there is its own public opinion, although my Taihao is under house arrest here, but the chivalrous heart will never be extinguished, even if the front is full of thorns, it will also move forward. ”

Li Jing looked at Taihao, her eyes showed deep regret and incomprehension, she sighed lightly: "Taihao hero, life is short, but a hundred years later, who can remember your and my names?" Why not abandon those meaningless insistences, enjoy the glory and wealth of this world, and let life bloom in joy instead of struggling in hardship? ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his expression was as calm as water, but his eyes flashed with a determined light. He smiled slightly and responded indifferently: "General Li Jing, everyone in the world is sinister in the world, but I don't know that the rivers and lakes also have rules and regulations, and there are people in the rivers and lakes who adhere to them." Although I Taihao is in prison, my heart is bright, and I am willing to bear this hardship, just because I have realized a truth: the responsibility of a warrior is not to bully the weak, but to punish the evil and promote the good. Those soldiers whose skills are below me, they are just forced by life, and they can't help themselves, if I kill them for my own selfishness, wouldn't it be against the way of chivalry, and it is no different from bandits? Martial arts originally existed to protect the weak and eradicate evil, not to become a tool for wanton killing. ”

When Li Jing heard this, her heart was shocked, and she stared at Taihao, as if she saw his indomitable and faithful soul. She was silent for a long time, and finally spoke: "Taihao Hero, your perseverance and perseverance make me deeply admired. Perhaps, the meaning of life that you and I pursue is different, but your adherence to chivalry has given me a new understanding of the rivers and lakes. Although I do not fully understand your choice, I am willing to respect your decision. I hope you can find your own way out of this predicament and realize the chivalry in your heart. ”

Tai Hao's eyes were deep, and he said to Li Jing: "General Li Jing led the army to fight this time, and he was invincible, I don't know which country's enemy he was fighting against, and he was so laborious?" ”

Li Jing's face was slightly gloomy, and there was a hint of coldness in her tone: "This time I was ordered to quell the rebellion, and I was aimed at a group of rebels in the western frontier, who colluded with foreign enemies in an attempt to subvert the stability of our Turkic Khanate, which is really a problem for my henchmen. Fortunately, the soldiers used their lives to exterminate them and keep the peace of our territory. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he couldn't help but express his heartfelt admiration for Li Jing's bravery and resourcefulness: "General Li Jing took the lead and made meritorious contributions to quell the rebellion, which is really hard work and high merit, which is admirable. ”

Before the words fell, a family member hurriedly walked in, his face nervous, and reported: "General, the Khan has urgently summoned him, saying that the envoys of the Eastern Empire have arrived and urgently need to be received. ”

When Li Jing heard this, she nodded slightly, waved her hand to signal the family to retreat, and then turned her eyes to Tai Hao, with a solemn expression: "Tai Hao hero, there is something I have to tell you." Now, our Turks have quietly infiltrated all parts of the Eastern Empire, and even within its imperial court, and it will not be long before the Eastern Empire will be completely reduced to a puppet in our hands, and at that time, your meaning here will be gone. Therefore, Taihao Hero, you should plan for yourself as soon as possible, so that you can do it yourself. ”

As soon as these words came out, Taihao's heart shook violently, he knew that the situation was far more severe than he expected, and his own situation was even more precarious. In the face of this sudden change, how should he respond? What is the future of the Eastern Empire? All of this has become a cloud of doubt hanging in Taihao's heart.