The chaotic beacon fires danced like scattered stars, as the night deepened.

In the courtyard at the northwest end of the city, the post-battle supper was a hot pot feast.

Various foods were thrown into pots of relatively clear water, complemented by unique sauces brought from three thousand miles away. Every ten or so people sat around a table, enjoying the victory as a reward. Each person received a small amount of fermented rice wine, coupled with roasted horse meat, fragrant and charred with various spices in the center of the venue. These were all eccentric delights from the Southwest, intoxicating to the senses.

The city's clamor in the night was like bizarre background music. The outer sentries had been rotated, and in the bustling courtyard, soldiers from the Chinese Army and the Beiwei Army walked and mingled, becoming one.

As the night deepened, the socializing among the crowd gradually came to an end, and the bustle dispersed. Chen Fan finally returned to the round table under the eaves to eat a proper meal. By this time, Qian Luoning, Xiao Qi, and others had finished their rounds, and Hei Niu, Xiao Hei, Yuwen Feidu, and others, having completed their sparring, came to the table to keep him company, and more private and confidential topics could be discussed.

"Long... this, what exactly is going on with that Young Hero Long?"

As the actual head of the 29th Army of the Chinese Army, Chen Fan's status in the world was now quite high. Many minor affairs of the martial world would no longer be brought to trouble him easily. A few days ago, his decision to take action against Lin Zongwu under the identity of the Tyrant Saber was, in the eyes of Zuo Xiuquan and others, already a condescending and unnecessary move. He had heard something about Ning Ji's running away from home, and after communicating with Qian Luoning and others, he also learned about the other party's alias of Long Aotian. But he wouldn't say much about these things to the people around him, and those around him would never casually introduce him to the rumors of a martial arts rising star like "Five-Foot Lust Demon" Long Aotian.

Therefore, he was quite surprised to learn the sequel today.

Hearing this question, Qian Luoning, Xiao Qi, and others couldn't help but smile, while Hei Niu and the others had different expressions, looking at each other.

"This matter is very complicated..." Qian Luoning said.

"Complicated is interesting." Chen Fan shoveled rice into his mouth. "A good young man runs away from home for less than half a year, and his name is on the Black List. He even got the nickname Five-Foot Lust Demon. I can't imagine it. With Ning Ji's character, how could he... The thing about him running away from home was already ridiculous. I heard he was even fighting with Qin Weiwen over a girl..."

"That Yu Xiao'er is a bitch, it's a pity we didn't find her." Speaking of this, Hei Niu on the opposite side opened her mouth with a cold expression.

Xiao Qi chimed in, "It's some leftover problems from the past. Xiao... Long has a simple personality and is a victim of circumstances. The problem between him and Weiwen has already been resolved. But the matter with the Yan family has caused such a big stir, which is indeed a bit unexpected. A few days ago, Xiao Hei and his team went out to investigate. Later, we rescued the Yan family's daughter, and we roughly understood the whole story... Hei Niu participated a lot in this matter, so you can tell Commander Chen about it."

As she spoke, she entrusted Hei Niu to speak, narrating the major events that Ning Ji had experienced since coming from Tongshan County one by one. Hei Niu talked about the later outcome, and everyone was a little dumbfounded. Of course, the others had already heard about the ins and outs of the matter before. Only Chen Fan listened while eating, his expression complex in the end, unsure whether to laugh or be serious.

"Actually, the specific things are just like this..." Hei Niu concluded, "Long... our Young Hero Long, faced the entire Li family's pursuers in Tongshan County with his own strength, exchanging hostages. He had the intention of confronting the enemy. He might have felt that making people flustered and complacent with one sentence... Well, I think... it's understandable."

Chen Fan picked up some leftovers, ate two mouthfuls of rice, and tapped the edge of the bowl with his chopsticks, silent for a moment.

"Understandable... it can also be said that way, but that's only in the eyes of reasonable people. Xiao Long, he... has a special status. In Zhang Village, he ran away from home because of a woman. When he arrived in the martial world, the first title he made a name for himself with was Lust Demon, and it even came with a measurement. This will cause problems in the future."

After he finished speaking, Hei Niu on the other side looked serious and said, "We have discussed this matter. Fortunately, he is using an alias, saying to the outside world that he is some 'Martial Arts Alliance Leader' Long Aotian. Although there are suspicions that he is from the Southwest because of the wild rumors spread by Li Yanfeng and others, as long as his true identity is not exposed, it shouldn't attract too much attention. On our side, Eighth Master has already said that we will not make an official record."

This was a serious matter, so Chen Fan nodded. After a moment of pause, he smiled and said, "...Martial Arts Alliance Leader?"

"Yes, he boasted that his sect is called 'Martial Arts Alliance', so he is the Martial Arts Alliance Leader." Xiao Qi suppressed a laugh. "After arriving in Jiangning, he fought against Xu Zhaonan, Zhou Shang, and Shi Baofeng. He might have wanted to make a name for himself and make a reputation. He took action several times, teaching some bad guys a lesson, and left behind his nickname... Unfortunately, no one paid attention to him."

"...The boss of the Martial Arts Alliance is called the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. Lao Ning told this joke before."

Chen Fan couldn't help laughing, and the others also laughed in unison. For a moment, the eaves were filled with a joyful atmosphere.

After laughing for a while, Chen Fan restrained his expression. He looked at the people in front of him and pointed to Hei Niu, "Xiuxiu... you grew up with Xiao Long, right? Last time I went to Zhang Village, when Ning Xi and Chu Yi got married, who was chasing Ning Ji? Lao Ning said that you have a good relationship. I thought the little girl was just good at martial arts last time, but this time it seems that she is very organized in her speech and actions..."

Hei Niu's real name was Jin Wenxiu. Her previous meetings with Chen Fan were mostly in the capacity of Hong Ti's disciple. After experiencing fighting side by side on the battlefield this time, her perception was obviously more concrete. Hearing him say this, Hei Niu's face showed a rare look of embarrassment. Xiao Hei and Yuwen laughed heartily, slapping the table.

In fact, Chen Fan's words were euphemistic. Hei Niu was slightly younger than Chu Yi and was in a relationship of sisters. Before and after Ning Xi and Chu Yi's marriage, she was occasionally regarded as Ning Ji's childhood sweetheart, and there were complex reasons in between.

Xiao Qi smiled and said, "That's right, Xiuxiu initially followed my Sister-in-law Hong Ti to learn martial arts. Later, Second Sister saw that she was smart, so she kept her by her side in Zhang Village to learn bookkeeping for two years. She is proficient in both literary and martial arts and is now a popular figure. In the future, she will either enter the General Staff or stay in the Zhang Village Secretariat. Even Sister-in-law Xigua has been coveting her for a long time, saying she wants to poach her to be a military advisor. In addition, my brother-in-law's mouth is a bit of a joke on these matters. Commander Chen, don't follow suit, lest we have another Che Jian like Miss Yan."

"Yes, yes, you're right." Chen Fan nodded with a smile.

While the others were talking about these things, Hei Niu curled her lips and slapped the table, "I'm not as delicate as that Miss Yan. However, I am of the same generation as Chu Yi and the others. When I was in Zhang Village, I only taught Xiao Long a lesson because Madam Chan'er and Mr. Ning asked me to do it. There's not so much to it."

"The matter is actually like this." Xiao Hei waved his hand, "In the early years, that kid Ning Ji was keen on practicing martial arts. Commander Chen, you know, he has a high talent and grew up by the side of Madam Hong Ti, Xigua, and us all year round. Soon, he didn't have a sense of urgency when fighting. Especially before and after the Southwest War, his martial arts progressed rapidly. After being in the army, ordinary competitions became child's play..."

"This kind of rapid progress is actually not a good thing. Madam Hong Ti has high martial arts skills, but her personality is too gentle, and she can't give him any sense of tension in front of children. We can't really beat him to death these years, but to be honest, if we don't go all out, he is so slippery at this time that we really can't keep him. Including some soldiers in the army, although it is said that we should try to fight him realistically, we all have some scruples when we really fight. At this time... among the younger generation, the one who can really get his hands on him is Wenxiu, who often calls a group of children to rush up and beat Ning Ji to a pulp."

"So let me say a fair word." He said, pointing to the table with his finger, "Really... it's a bit like a childhood sweetheart."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hei Niu glared, grabbed a chopstick with her left hand and stabbed over. Xiao Hei blocked it with a bamboo chopstick. Yuwen Feidu was about to avoid backwards, out of the battle circle, when a broad bean in Hei Niu's right hand was thrown out and hit his head. He was stunned for a moment and sighed, "...What does this bastard's bad words have to do with me."

Hei Niu put her hands on her hips, "I just did it casually!"

"Alas..." Yuwen Feidu sighed, moved the stool closer to the table, "Commander Chen, let me tell you, don't think Hei Niu is normal now, she is actually a psychopath. Last year, after the Southwest War ended, Xiao Ji came back from the battlefield, and Hei Niu's beating him was not so easy to catch him. Once... I remember it was in late October, she secretly touched the side of the outhouse and threw a firecracker into it. The dose was very large, like half a grenade, and then I saw..."

Speaking of this, Hei Niu punched him on the shoulder. He endured the laughter and didn't care, and then he took the second punch, the third punch: "...Then I saw, Xiao Ji pulling up his pants and rushing out of the outhouse... He came back from the battlefield with high vigilance, and he broke the door, his movements were so flexible... The whole outhouse, inside and out, was full of shit, and the people around were frightened. At that time... haha, Du Sha also went to see it, and after clarifying the ins and outs, he looked sad and said... this... how can this be cleaned up, and then he said, it can't be used, let's rebuild it... hahahaha..."

Yuwen Feidu laughed so hard that he slapped his thighs, Xiao Hei also laughed, Xiao Qi covered her mouth, and took a broad bean to hit him. Chen Fan on the other side sighed, put down the bowl in his hand, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Hei Niu's face turned red: "I said that Madam Chan'er and the others asked me to do it, that... that was to train him to react when he was attacked by grenades! You see, Boss Du didn't say I couldn't blow it up—"

Hei Niu laughed herself after speaking. She hit Yuwen Feidu hard again, sat there with her arms folded, and after a while, she smiled: "Okay, I admit that at that time... I was also a little confused. The outhouse... the outhouse was everywhere... it was all that stuff, and the beams were still dripping down... almost falling on Boss Du's head. At that time, I thought, if I was punished to restore the outhouse, I would really... not be able to live...噗噗…呼呼…”

Everyone at the table was laughing, and Chen Fan couldn't hold back his laughter either. After a long time, he packed up his expression and looked at the bowl in front of him: "Okay, I understand, you are purely here to toss me, I haven't finished eating yet."

Yuwen Feidu raised his hand, indicating that he would not say anything more, Hei Niu said: "The cripple is full of bad water, Commander Chen, you can kill him." Xiao Hei said: "I have no opinion either." Chen Fan smiled.

"Then, I understand how dangerous training our Young Hero Long usually accepts. He came down from the battlefield and has been chased by Wenxiu for more than half a year. No wonder... After he killed Wang Nanda, he was chased all the way by Lin Zongwu, and his response was very good. You taught him martial arts and fighting, but didn't teach him how to deal with people, but this is Lao Ning's fault, he only has himself to blame."

He paused slightly: "Then there are actually two things to think about here. The first thing is that the Yan family is not a bad person. The Yan Family Fortress led by Yan Taiwei is not a big force, but the position of resisting the Jin has always been very clear. Yan Tiehe brought this Miss Yan to Jiangning, and all the children in the family were lost. Of course, this can be said to be the problem of Li Yanfeng and Shi Baofeng, but in the final analysis, Xiao Long's words have played a great role..."

"...Moreover, a more troublesome thing here is that you also saw today that Miss Yan doesn't seem to have just hatred for Xiao Long. She is actually most concerned about Xiao Long's safety. If Lao Ning were here, how would he calculate this? I'm afraid it's not something that can be easily pushed away."

When he said this, the people around him were silent for a moment, and Qian Luoning said: "This matter is not difficult to appease Yan Tiehe. When the Yan family initially bet on Shi Baofeng, it was to find a way out for Yan Family Fortress. Since they have a good character, it would be a pleasant surprise for our Southwest to form a good relationship with them. But the trouble is with Miss Yan and Xiao Long. I saw that Miss Yan is a good match for ordinary families, but we can't find anyone here to see how Xiao Long feels about it, so we can't express our opinion..."

Speaking of the whereabouts of "Xiao Long", everyone looked at each other and was speechless again. Xiao Hei ate a broad bean: "Why did he run away? Commander Chen has arrived... Did you say something you shouldn't have said?"

Yuwen lowered his head and sighed: "Nonsense, chasing Lin Zongwu, who has time to say anything to him, according to his awkwardness at the age of fourteen or five, it would be strange if he didn't run away. If he didn't run away, wouldn't you bad guys take turns to ridicule him tonight, asking him about his experience in making a name for himself in the martial world."

Hei Niu punched Yuwen Feidu to show her approval.

Xiao Qi smiled on the other side.

"I think so, I didn't expect the Yan girl's matter at the beginning, so it's okay if he ran away, but since there are still things to explain, Xiao Hei, Yuwen... you three go out to find him again later. While everyone hasn't left Jiangning yet, this matter should have an answer. Our scheduled departure time is the morning after tomorrow, one day, if we can find him back, try to find him back. What do you think, Commander Chen?"

Chen Fan nodded: "I guess he will resist desperately. Since Xiuxiu has experience here, it's okay for the three of you to go."

The three stood up and accepted the order with a wry smile.

Chen Fan added: "Pay attention to the sense of propriety, he took a move from Lin Zongwu and was seriously injured, just beat him half to death."

"Yes."

"Then what about the second thing Commander Chen said just now?" Xiao Qi asked.

"The second thing." Chen Fan smiled, "I'm wondering how you are going to explain this matter to Lao Ning when you go back. Actually, you should all know after being in the Southwest for so long that Lao Ning... your brother-in-law, still has a yearning for the life of the martial world. In the previous martial arts competition in Chengdu, he set up a trap for the masters from outside, and I waited with him in Mohe Pond all night. The people outside were not promising and failed to kill over, and he kept sighing, saying that he hadn't used his move 'Heaven-Turning Seal' for a long time, and if this continues, people in the martial world will soon not know his prestige... That time, after learning that the Second Young Master killed more than a dozen enemies in the courtyard alone, he scolded people on the surface, but was secretly envious."

"This time, the Second Young Master caused trouble, ran away from home, Lao Ning definitely didn't say good things on the surface, but in his heart, he was probably still thinking that this child inherited his yearning for the martial world... You see, the Second Young Master has had ambitions for the martial world since he was eleven or twelve years old, making a mess in Heden County. Later, he joined the army and went to the battlefield. As a father, Lao Ning certainly didn't want anything to happen to his child, but since he couldn't stop it, he has actually been cultivating this child's ability to resist wind and waves in the martial world."

"At the age of fifteen, he traveled three thousand miles east, and in Tongshan County, he tricked hundreds of people from the Li family and Yan family with his own strength. When he arrived in Jiangning, he assassinated Wei Xuwen and fought with Li Yanfeng. He killed Wang Nanda in front of Lin Zongwu and was chased all the way by Lin Zongwu, but he actually ran away. If Lao Ning were here and heard these things, he would definitely be pleased. But, ah..."

Chen Fan knocked on the table: "But... the nickname of this young hero after he became famous in the world is called 'Five-Foot Lust Demon'... Lao Qian, I am just very curious, after you tell Lao Ning these things, what kind of reaction will he have... Lao Qian, I can't go to the Southwest for a while, or I might as well report this matter for you, so you must remember at that time, hehe, pay attention to his face, I will go over next time and have a good discussion with him haha..."

Chen Fan finally couldn't help laughing here, he was serious about the first thing, and the second thing seemed narrow. Qian Luoning said with a wry smile: "Aren't you afraid that Mr. Ning will challenge you one-on-one when you go down?"

"I'm not afraid, he and Xigua can go together, haha..."

"He will slap your face with a Heaven-Turning Seal..."

Chen Fan, Qian Luoning, and Ning Yi have known each other for a long time and were of the same generation in the past. Now, when they talk about it, it's just an anecdote between the big bosses, and the two mumbled a few words, and it was not easy for others to interrupt. After a moment, Chen Fan knocked on the table and said, "Oh, there is actually a third thing..."

Everyone looked at him.

"According to everyone, our Young Hero Long was framed by that... what Xiao'er in Zhang Village. In Tongshan County, it was because he was not careful in fighting the enemy. When he arrived in Jiangning, the reputation of 'Five-Foot Lust Demon' was also because bad people splashed dirty water. Let's assume that this is the case, but... who is the person he met on the river today and dragged away? Does anyone know?"

"Dragged away?" Hei Niu thought for a while and looked at Yuwen Feidu, "Is there such a thing?"

Yuwen Feidu also thought for a while: "The one who steered the boat?"

Among the people present, only Chen Fan and Yuwen Feidu witnessed the scene by the river. At this time, Chen Fan mentioned this suddenly appearing role, and Yuwen thought carefully before finding it a bit strange. Qian Luoning frowned on the side: "What are you talking about? That Four-Foot Lust Demon?"

Chen Fan shook his head: "If I'm not mistaken, the Four-Foot is that little bald head. He initially chased Li Yanfeng with our people, and then turned back, and happened to see the scene where Xiao Long killed Wang Nanda. The two had a conversation, saying that Lin Zongwu was his master. Later, Lin Zongwu chased Xiao Long all the way. I think Xiao Long's response on that road was remarkable, so he was not seriously injured. However, after he arrived by the river, he jumped on the boat, but his response was not good. Lin Zongwu took advantage of him being in the air and injured him badly with that bamboo pole."

Yuwen Feidu thought for a while: "At that time... we had already begun to encircle Lin Zongwu, and Xiao Zhuo was the first to arrive, setting up a gun on the front yard, and I arrived afterwards. Xiao Long's escape actually led Lin Zongwu into a pocket. At that time... it would have been more reasonable for him to turn back and rush into the nearby courtyard."

Chen Fan said: "He saw the person who steered the boat coming over and changed direction. Later, he anchored the boat to the other side, and took advantage of our inability to catch up, and ran away holding the person's hand."

Hei Niu leaned over: "Could it be like that 'Four-Foot Lust Demon', a new friend that Young Hero Long made in Jiangning?"

Chen Fan smiled: "It's a girl."

"..." Hei Niu's eyes widened.

"..." The eyes of everyone else widened.

Yuwen Feidu thought for a while: "I remember at the time... the person's clothes were ragged, and should... look like a young beggar..."

"Regardless of her dress, we didn't see clearly at the time with that fleeting glance, but later, Xiao Long dragged her onto the road, turned around and ran into the alley, and I'm very sure that it was the pace of a girl who had never practiced martial arts... So think about it, who would this be?"

"Another... another one?"

"Could it be Yu Xiao'er?"

"Is it that coincidental?"

"Xiao Long... isn't that kind of person, right..."

"When he left, he threatened Qin Weiwen that he would cut off Yu Xiao'er's head and kick it as a ball..."

"Young people... it's not impossible that they would get a taste of something and like it..."

"I don't think it's that coincidental..."

"Could it be... there are other things we don't know about that led to his reputation as the Five-Foot Lust Demon..."

"Has he gone bad?"

"Think about it, he was played by bad women like Yu Xiao'er..."

"Don't use such a vulgar word as 'played'..."

"Don't jump to conclusions... calm down."

The fire in the yard was still burning, and a huge shock enveloped the area under the eaves. The people at the table whispered to each other. After a while, Hei Niu stood up abruptly from the table: "We have to find him and ask him carefully! Commander Chen, Commander Qian, then we..."

Qian Luoning looked at her: "Go now?"

"It's a matter of the Chinese Army's face, we can't delay any longer."

While speaking, Xiao Hei and Yuwen also stood up one after another, full of curiosity to get to the bottom of the matter. Then Xiao Qi also stood up: "The situation in the city is changing rapidly, I will also ask around, are there any people who can help find some information."

Chen Fan nodded, and after the few people left one after another, he picked up the bowl on the table, and then smiled and said to Qian Luoning: "Still saying that there is nothing between him and Xiao Ji, look, how nervous."

Qian Luoning also laughed: "There is an age difference, and Madam Chan'er and Mr. Ning asked Wenxiu to take care of Xiao Ji more at the beginning. After playing around for these years, the feelings of brother and sister are always inevitable. But I arrived a step late on the river and there really was such a girl?"

"The one who steered the boat was indeed, but there is no need to worry too much. In that battle during the day, after Wang Nanda died, Lin Zongwu lost control. His cultivation is indeed above mine. If it weren't for his dedication to martial arts, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old child would not have escaped this round of pursuit."

"That's also my opinion." Qian Luoning nodded.

The two were already martial artists of a higher level and had been through wind and waves for a long time, so they also had a simpler and more direct view of Ning Ji's matter. At this time, several young people had already left, and Chen Fan finished a few mouthfuls of rice before talking to Qian Luoning about more complicated topics.

"Starting from this matter, Jiangnan is in chaos, and it will attract the attention of the whole world. When you came out, how was it in the Southwest?"

"When I left, the second congress was already being prepared. According to the past rounds of deduction, the first round of meetings is to set slogans and general directions, and the second round of meetings will be serious. Everyone in the world is staring at Jiangnan now, and Mr. Ning should have passed the land reform resolution and started to promote the implementation of the land reform plan."

"Really going to start doing it?"

"He hesitated a bit, but it's the same as the hesitation before many major events over the years. He worries too much and is afraid that preparations are not enough. Even if he has looked ten steps ahead, he can always find things to worry about." Qian Luoning said, "But the more so, the more it shows that he has thought about this matter deeply... If he has thought about it so deeply, how could he not push forward?"

"Lao Ning is indeed somewhat born knowing..."

"On the other hand, due to the blind actions of the Jiangnan Fairness Party in this round, after the massacre-style equalization of wealth, it can be regarded as endorsing the Southwest's land reform plan, and the acceptance of all parties may be a little better. Outsiders say that He Wen is scheming, and this time he took advantage of the Chinese Army's momentum to open the Jiangning Congress and stole our thunder. In fact, isn't Mr. Ning using them as a stepping stone? If there were no excitement here, if the Southwest suddenly proposed land reform, I am afraid it would immediately face opposition from the whole world. People like Dai Mengwei and Wu Qimei do not know how many articles they would write to imply that the Southwest will die because of tyranny."

Talking about this topic, Chen Fan finished his meal, and the two got up and walked slowly along the eaves.

"Lao Ning has talked to me several times about the land reform, wanting to take back all the land to the state, and those who have land in the world may become our enemies." Chen Fan said, "I know his deduction with you, with Xigua, and with those young students. In your deductions, can all the problems be solved?"

Qian Luoning shook his head: "Deduction can discover some problems, but it cannot discover all the problems. It can consider some solutions to the problems, but whether it can be solved depends on the specific execution."

"What is the biggest problem? Is it how many people to kill?"

Qian Luoning shook his head again. He was silent for a moment, and then sighed.

"...It is the restraint of officials."

He said.