Yue Qianfeng's vision had already caught sight of the city.
As one of the two fortress cities flanking the capital of the Chen Kingdom, Jiangzhou, it was built in a unique location, merely about a hundred miles away. With Yue Qianfeng's speed, even with this scholar of numerology who was unskilled in martial arts accompanying him, they could reach their destination in half a day, even if faced with formidable enemies along the way.
However, the old man merely sat on a rock, holding a branch in his hand, sketching complex patterns in the thin layer of dust. Even when an assassin had just approached, he did not lift his head. The dust bore a massive circle, adorned with myriad stars and intricate designs.
The branch in the old man's hand resembled a carving knife, slicing through the celestial-like circle, continuously dropping characters and symbols, gradually becoming so complex that Yue Qianfeng could no longer comprehend it.
This was the method of Huantian Cutting Circles.
Master Zhu was an elder of the Daoist sect, a twenty-fourth generation priest, well-versed in astronomy, and a master of numerology. He excelled in divination, claiming that all matters of the mortal realm were already imprinted in the light of the stars above. By cutting away the unreasonable, one could approach the truth infinitely.
Yue Qianfeng called out several times before Master Zhu finally raised his head. Yue Qianfeng asked, "Master Zhu, shall we set off immediately?"
The old man sat on the mountain rock and replied softly, "Let us wait for a response from my friend."
"I must trouble General Yue to accompany this old man for a few more days."
Yue Qianfeng understood.
Before setting off, the old man had already sent letters to his friends, among whom were the great Confucian Wang Tong, the seventh giant of the Mo family who traveled across nations, and the oldest living Yin-Yang master, the "Simi."
Except for the Legalist, all had responded.
Scholars also had their integrity. After learning of Marshal Yue's unjust plight, these elderly men with white hair rose again, hoping to save the hope of their country.
Master Zhu had agreed with these friends to travel together to Jiangzhou in the Chen Kingdom, but he had previously instructed Yue Qianfeng to send a message using unique means, changing the location to Guan Yi City. The old man said, "Let me have a little selfishness... Originally, it was to save Marshal Yue, but given the current situation, I also hope to introduce the inheritor I am about to find to them."
Yue Qianfeng thought of the legendary organization and said, "The Tian Shu Society of the Eastern Continent?"
The old man shook his head, "That is too harsh."
"I merely wish to leave him a path to survival."
"What we are doing will inevitably anger both court and commoners. As for this old man, it matters little, but if I find a disciple, the consequences will surely affect him. After much thought, I have only one method to protect his life."
"One must have great renown while being cautious."
Yue Qianfeng muttered to himself, "Great renown, cautious."
"Thus, killing him would be of no benefit and would bring great harm; indeed, it can protect his life."
The old man lowered his head to calculate, speaking calmly, "I want to bring great renown to Guan Yi City."
"Like a torrential rain falling from the sky, nourishing all equally, how much can it catch? Let us see his fortune."
Yue Qianfeng understood that the great renown the old man spoke of was also to create momentum for saving Marshal Yue.
The Chen Kingdom valued literature and emphasized martial prowess, employing different strategies in different nations.
Such a method would only be of great use in the Chen Kingdom.
He looked at Guan Yi City, determined to ensure the old man entered it. The city was now guarded by the renowned general Lu Youxian, while the strongest in the city was likely the old white tiger of the Xue family. Although they were separated by a hundred miles, and he was but one person, it was akin to two armies facing off.
"When can my old friend arrive?"
"In as short as four or five days, or as long as half a month."
"Good, then at that time, I will capture some wanted criminals to charge towards Guan Yi City, distracting the Tiyi and city guards, while I will directly challenge Lu Youxian and the old man of the Xue family, creating a diversion. By then, Master Zhu can naturally enter the city with ease. Under such grand circumstances, they would not dare to act against you."
The old man asked, "Will it harm the common people?"
Yue Qianfeng replied, "I naturally have ways to control those fugitives."
"Fugitives are all people who cherish their lives."
"Nine deaths in a lifetime, or immediate death."
"They can always distinguish clearly."
"As for Xue Daoyong, he has insight and a gambling nature, yet ultimately he is a merchant. Merchants value profit and would not fight me to the death."
The old man nodded, finishing the last stroke, completing the intricate design that resembled a beautiful work of art. Then he calculated, but gradually, his white brows furrowed. Yue Qianfeng asked, "What is it?"
Master Zhu stroked his beard and said, "I do not know; perhaps I miscalculated."
"Mm?"
"Today, I used the Cutting Circle technique to deduce whether there is a disciple, but this image is somewhat strange. The circle is like the heavens, densely covered with stars. Now it is the spring month of March, yet when I calculated to the end, the sky was silent, and the Dragon Horn of the Long Xiu appeared in the southern sky, with the sun and moon passing through the dragon's horn, while the Tiger Xiu still appeared in the western sky, both shining together."
"The south belongs to fire, and the dragon moving within is a great omen."
"If I did not miscalculate, then my destined person bears the law forms of the dragon and tiger, walking the path of war."
"Moreover, it is the Fire Dragon and the White Tiger."
"Fire Dragon, White Tiger?"
The old man couldn't help but laugh, pointing at the Huantian Cutting Circle technique and the myriad symbols inscribed within, clapping his hands and singing, "The myriad symbols form the dougong, tiles cover the blue sky, unimpeded for many years, creating karmic ties."
"Achieving success in cultivation, fulfilling three thousand."
"Subduing the Fire Dragon and taming the Tiger, transcending to immortality on land!"
……
In the Listening Wind Pavilion of the Xue family, Li Guanyi perused the three rankings. These three lists were not many, with the Divine General Ranking having the most entries, featuring over a hundred renowned generals from various factions. The Divine Weapons and Law Forms were much fewer. While the old man brewed tea, Li Guanyi took the opportunity to inquire about what he wanted to know.
Xue Daoyong was candid and laughed, "Law Forms?"
"What are Law Forms?"
"They are divided into two categories: innate and acquired."
"Innate ones are extremely rare; in a century-long era, there may not be more than ten individuals, known as those with natural anomalies, such as the ancient重瞳, 隆准, and 龙颜; while acquired ones are those who have endured hardships, battles, and relentless cultivation."
"Ultimately, they combine their martial will with the primordial qi of heaven and earth, transforming into Law Forms. Although having an innate Law Form is indeed enviable, the world is such; there are always those with extraordinary talent who seem to come into the world with a mission. Talent cannot be spoken of lightly."
"However, those with innate forms are merely hearsay. In my one hundred thirty years of life, I have never seen anyone with a low martial realm possessing a Law Form."
Li Guanyi nodded in agreement.
The old man continued, "Aside from having remarkable effects in combat, Law Forms also possess some unique traits."
"For instance, I have heard that some Law Forms allow the holder to master weapons; some make the holder immune to poisons, and there is a type of Law Form that can preserve one's youthful appearance. These traits do not require a specific realm; possessing a Law Form activates them at all times."
Li Guanyi became curious.
He wondered what special traits the Fire Dragon and White Tiger Law Forms possessed.
A knock sounded at the door.
The old ancestor of the Xue family said, "Come in."
The white-haired steward hurried in, carrying a tray, and placed it on the table. Xue Daoyong said, "Young Master, you have family, and the Xue family's inner residence is somewhat chaotic. There are many men, and even if they are guest officials, unless they marry into the Xue family's branch, they cannot bring their families in."
He picked up a piece of paper from the tray, pressed it on the table, and pushed it towards Li Guanyi.
The old man smiled slightly.
"This is the deed to the courtyard you reside in."
"That courtyard, along with the land, is now yours."
"What you wanted in the household registry has also been taken care of."
Li Guanyi held the deed to the courtyard. The rent for that courtyard was not cheap; buying it would cost five hundred guan. If the deed was included, it might be even more...
Did he just hand it over like this?
A thought flashed through the young man's mind.
Can it be liquidated?!
Half price would be fine.
He noticed that the steward had entered suddenly, not at the old man's behest, which meant that it was very likely that Xue Daoyong had instructed the steward to change the deed while he was at the martial arts arena. The old man smiled and said, "This is something I will give you regardless of whether you wish to become a guest official; it is a gesture of goodwill from my Xue family."
"Only the most unscrupulous merchants focus on gold and silver; great merchants seek friendship."
"For the sake of friendship, even a thousand gold is insignificant."
"You are a person who values affection and righteousness; I will not let this old man return empty-handed."
"As for the guest official's remuneration."
"Monthly salary will increase from thirty guan to fifty guan, along with corresponding medicinal supplies and cultivation resources, no different from the core disciples of the Xue family."
"This book is the Xue family's archery technique, 'Feathered Pearls,' which encompasses both footwork and archery. I see that you only understand internal strength and sword techniques; while this technique may not be unparalleled in the world, it is still quite exceptional in Jiangnan."
"For hand-to-hand combat, there is 'Seven Strikes' from the Beggar's Sect."
"It is merely an auxiliary technique for when one loses their weapon."
"These martial arts are all..."
Xue Daoyong originally intended for the Xue family to teach them, but his voice paused as he suddenly noticed the girl beside him, who was propping her chin and listening to the conversation. Unable to interject, Xue Shuangtao's eyes were fixed on a lotus leaf, watching a butterfly flutter above it. The butterfly slowly flapped its wings and flew to her hair, bringing a smile to her eyes.
The old man seemed to ponder and smiled slightly, "Let Shuangtao teach you, young master."
The lazy girl, who had been resting her arms, suddenly lifted her head like a startled kitten.
Her eyes widened, "Huh???"
Li Guanyi, who was calculating the value of the courtyard deed, also exclaimed, "Huh???"
The two exchanged glances.
The old man laughed heartily, hoping that his granddaughter could forge this good relationship. In that case, whether Xue Shuangtao married into a prominent family or chose to independently manage the Xue family, having such a talented individual outside would certainly make things much easier.
Li Guanyi nodded, "If Miss Xue is willing."
The old man was satisfied, "I am her grandfather; she will naturally listen to me."
He felt joy in his heart, seeing Li Guanyi remain calm, which only increased his delight.
He had long noticed that Li Guanyi's gaze frequently fell upon the legendary Divine Weapon, the Poyun Zhen Tian Gong, knowing that the young man was curious and eager for such a fabled weapon. At this moment, he was in high spirits, recalling his own youthful days.
Thus, the conditions for wielding the Poyun Zhen Tian Gong were extremely strict, so he generously said, "Young master, are you curious about the Poyun Zhen Tian Gong?"
Li Guanyi nodded, "Yes."
The soft voice of the White Tiger Law Form from the bronze cauldron was almost giving him a headache.
Xue Daoyong laughed, "Then, why not give it a try?"
Li Guanyi was taken aback, and Xue Daoyong had already made way, allowing Li Guanyi to see the bow.
The young man hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand.
Amidst the roar of the White Tiger Law Form from the bronze cauldron, his five fingers landed on the ancient bow's body.
Slowly, he grasped it.
(End of Chapter)