Unbeknownst to Li Guanyi, Xue Daoyong had received a secret letter from the capital, nor did he know that Changsun Wuchou had sent a letter to the noble clan beyond the Guan. From Li Guanyi's perspective, he could increasingly feel the oppressive atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.
The Eastern Land Star Observation School, the top three seats of the Yin-Yang School.
The vassals under the noble clan of Ying Kingdom beyond the Guan.
The Xue family stationed outside the Guan.
The world was changing, and the heroes were lying low, like rain clouds drifting over a vast marsh, with thunder rumbling in the distance.
Though he said nothing, Li Guanyi felt more and more the importance of power. He yearned to enter the realm, to reach that level which seemed extraordinarily special among all the families and sects. Ever since Changsun Wuchou arrived, Xue Daoyong appeared to be preoccupied, often lost in thought and sitting quietly.
Li Guanyi had been increasingly diligent in his cultivation within the secret realm. Each time he returned, he could easily be found by the [Simi].
Clang!
Chopsticks struck the table, producing a crisp sound.
[Simi] sat on a stool beside Li Guanyi, the enormous Xuan Turtle quietly resting nearby.
This was the tavern where the Old Shopkeeper from the Huichun Hall had previously brought Li Guanyi for a meal. [Simi] also enjoyed such places, holding a cup of cheap wine and savoring it slowly, his gaze directed outside. He said, “Clouds are gathering in the sky. It seems that Master Zhu is about to arrive…”
“A great upheaval is coming.”
Li Guanyi remembered that a few days ago, when Changsun Wuchou came, this old man [Simi] had hurriedly come to inform him that a Mr. Zhu was coming. When Li Guanyi asked what he was coming for, the old man smiled and pointed towards Jiangzhou City, saying, “To stir this stagnant pond.”
It was the Xuan Turtle's explanation that allowed Li Guanyi to grasp the situation.
That Mr. Zhu was a master of numerology, heading to Jiangzhou City to rescue Marshal Yue.
[Simi] held a cup of strong liquor, made from the roots of a certain plant, with a sharp, throat-burning quality but lacking any intoxicating aroma. It was the kind of drink favored by laborers, seeking the thrill of a drink that felt like a knife scraping their throats.
The old man swallowed a mouthful of liquor, smacked his lips, and remarked that it was even more flavorful than the sacrificial wine in the imperial palace. He shook his head, looking at the young man beside him, and laughed, “You are thinking about entering the realm, and you desire the highest level of entry. The military school speaks of the Sacred Body of Hundred Battles, the Daoists speak of the Innate Dao Embryo, and the Buddhists speak of reincarnation.”
“The Confucians seek the person of destiny, while the Mohists emphasize benevolence and righteousness.”
“In my lineage’s view, the key is not just in combat, but also in aligning with the timing, geographical advantages, and harmony among people.”
Li Guanyi asked, “What are timing and geographical advantages?”
[Simi] chuckled, extending his finger towards the thick clouds in the sky. “Haven’t you already begun to feel it? If you look through the history books, every time there is chaos, great talents emerge, just like the waves of a river, only then can the dragon soar with the current.”
“Right now, the small Guan Yi City is a convergence point of the world’s great trends.”
“It may not be the largest, but it is certainly not small.”
“The Chen Kingdom is to hold a grand sacrificial ceremony for their ancestors in two months.”
“And such a ceremony requires a Yin-Yang Grand Master like me, as well as masters of numerology. Among them, Master Zhu is the strongest of this generation… When such a person steps into Jiangzhou, he can influence the Chen Kingdom’s emperor to change certain decisions.”
“And Master Zhu’s divination skills are sufficient to break the formation that imprisons Marshal Yue…”
“They will do everything possible to prevent him from entering the capital.”
“And they may have already attempted assassination.”
Assassination.
Li Guanyi asked, “Is that elder safe upon arriving in Guan Yi City?”
[Simi] replied drunkenly, “Thus, we must gather great momentum here, hold a renowned gathering of scholars that attracts the attention of the world, and then let Master Zhu step into the public eye, taking center stage. That way, he will be safe; with great momentum, no one would dare to touch him.”
“Those who previously sought to kill him would have to protect him instead.”
The old man said, “Isn’t it strange? I find it strange too.”
“The people of the capital are quite awkward.”
“They want to do various things but do not wish for others to know.”
“Some matters, in the shadows, are worth nothing; even the world’s scholars can kill without hesitation. But if certain matters are in the open, they become significant enough that not even a thousand taels of gold can contain them. Even if they are scolded to their faces, they must endure.”
[Simi] stroked his beard and commented, “It’s like urinating. I can find any old tree to relieve myself, feeling comfortable and at ease, and no one can catch me. But if I were to do it on the emperor’s grave tree?”
“What if someone were watching?”
“What if that person happened to be the emperor?”
“Doesn’t it all change?”
“Even if that person doesn’t care, for various reasons, he would still be furious and would act in accordance with his status and position. This is the power; the world is a vast stagnant pond, and those within it cannot escape its influence.”
[Simi] gazed at the sky outside, becoming unusually serious, and said:
“However, all of this is just the ramblings of an old man. Just listen. All the families and sects are gathering here for a grand literary meeting, with literary energy soaring to the heavens; this is the great trend. And Master Zhu, outside, how can he walk in here with dignity, just like a trapped dragon emerging from the water in Go?”
Li Guanyi asked, “Why not go outside to meet him?”
The old man remained quiet for a while, his eyes still clear and sober, and softly said:
“If we could catch him outside, that would be good. But we also don’t know how many among the world’s scholars can be trusted, and how many might be traitors. The bones of warriors may not be solid, and the hearts of scholars may not be pure.”
“Beneath the armor, are there wolves or brave men? Beneath the long robes, are there swine or noble spirits?”
“I don’t know; even this old man cannot discern…”
“So he cannot reveal his true position and can only seek us out. It’s just like I said before, when a group of scholars gathers, even the spineless can exhibit a bit of noble spirit.”
“And among the warriors, some will help Master Zhu, while others will obstruct him.”
“This time, the Mohists, Daoists, Confucians, the Jianghu, the court, warriors, and scholars are all converging in Guan Yi City. Tell me, isn’t this a rising tide in the great trend? If one can leap over it, they can establish a superior foundation.”
[Simi] patted Li Guanyi on the shoulder.
He burped from the liquor.
The smell of alcohol wafted over to the young man.
His eyes were glazed, and his previous words sounded like drunken ramblings.
Li Guanyi paid for the old man’s drinks and meals. As the rain began to fall, the spring rain was gentle as cream. Li Guanyi left an umbrella behind, holding his own as he walked into the rain. The old [Simi] leisurely watched the scenery outside, observing the rain falling like a curtain of pearls, splashing on the ground.
Counting one, two, three, four, five, he suddenly burst into laughter.
The plump shopkeeper chuckled, “Old sir just spoke of the world’s principles.”
Men often enjoyed discussing grand matters.
The old man laughed heartily, drunkenly and proudly declaring:
“It’s a bit crude, but it’s not far off.”
“In the end, the great and small matters of the world are not much different from an old man’s urination!”
The plump shopkeeper laughed amiably, saying yes, yes, yes.
Old [Simi] swayed as he took a wine bowl, pouring a bowl of strong liquor and placing it on the stool.
The Xuan Turtle lowered its head to drink the strong liquor, while the old man gazed at the sky.
His eyes could see the fortunes of heaven and earth converging, like waves. The Mohists, Daoists, Confucians, Yin-Yang School, court, Jianghu, scholars, and warriors; he tapped his chopsticks on the table, the cups clinking together, harmonizing with the sound of the rain, transforming into a song.
The Xuan Turtle lowered its head to drink, and [Simi] burst into laughter, singing in a voice like an old farmer:
“Favorable winds and rains bring peace to the people, unlike the purple robes of the imperial city. The world is a field, harvested at will, while the common folk are driven like cattle. Scholars and talents speak of great abilities, while warriors wield their swords in fierce courage.”
“Recite, recite, recite!”
“Reciting poetry and lyrics, composing verses and songs, without error.”
“Lips to heaven, mouth to earth, no high or low, clever words and flowery speech remembered by many!”
“Speak of peace!”
“Speak of the great peace!”
“Purple robes, red robes, pink peace, the common folk live like pigs and dogs.”
“Let them move forward, yet dare not retreat; lift the left foot but not the right; turn around and strike one, stirring their hearts into a frenzy, raising their heads and drawing swords, splitting this broken stick of the world in two!”
“Only to be met with a stream of urine, leaving me helpless.”
“Just endure and watch for three hundred years, only to be laughed to death by the heroes of this prosperous age!”
“Hahaha, laughed to death by the heroes of this prosperous age!”
The old man knocked over the wine cup and bowl, drunkenly leaning forward, toppling the vessels, and quietly lay down, falling into a deep sleep, his white hair disheveled. The absurdity of the song ultimately turned into a bold declaration, and then, like the rain, it fell silent.
Drunkenly sleeping in front of the thatched cottage.
Such great carefreeness.
Li Guanyi turned to look at the old man, who was either muddled or carefree, not knowing if he was chaotic or bold, before turning to leave.
The rain gradually intensified. The young man, wearing a black knife, walked on the bluestone pavement, the rain flowing over the umbrella and dripping down. He saw a line of people ahead, those wearing bamboo hats, their feet in straw sandals, their hair tied with black ropes.
They wore heavy black swords at their waists.
The young man brushed past this group of black-clad heavy sword men.
The leading man’s gaze was calm as it swept over the young man, while Li Guanyi did not glance sideways.
Beside the big man, an invisible beast strolled.
Another one…
Li Guanyi’s desire to enter the realm grew stronger.
Three days later, within the secret realm.
The heavy sword was deflected, and the man opposite thrust his weapon towards Li Guanyi. The young man swung his knife with both hands, the blade leaping like a butterfly, and his body followed suit. Finally, as he spun, he released the heavy sword, which whirled and slashed down.
The blade of the heavy sword sliced through the air, producing a sharp, piercing sound.
However, within the secret realm, the opponent, formed from star power, only moved their hands slightly.
The long spear in their hand flicked Li Guanyi’s sword away. The young man kicked the spear’s body, curling his body like a ball, seizing the opponent’s spear, and shoulder-barged the opponent, who then tumbled onto the stone platform, quickly rolling over to grab another spear.
Gathering his spirit and strength, like a fierce tiger pouncing.
Li Guanyi suddenly thrust the spear in his hand.
The two spears clashed.
On the side, General Xue watched leisurely.
After countless battles and defeats, Li Guanyi finally learned how to wield long weapons. At this moment, he held the tail of the spear in his right hand, tucked tightly against his waist, each thrust executed with a wrist rotation, twisting his body, the spear tip carrying a spiraling force.
The spear was taut, focusing on thrusting, a battlefield technique for long spears.
A spear of one zhang four (approximately 4.6 meters).
Li Guanyi converted it to the units of his previous life; it was a spear of four meters and six.
Not something an ordinary person could wield.
But once one could maneuver such a spear, it held a significant advantage in the cold weapon era. As long as one had not reached the realm where qi could break through the body or encountered a supreme technique, they held a great chance of victory. This time, Li Guanyi used his spear technique to deflect the opponent’s weapon, then with a flash of cold light, finally defeated his opponent.
The opponent’s body shattered into star power, and Li Guanyi had grown accustomed to such slaughter.
He did not expend unnecessary energy like when he first challenged the Iron Le Three Princes, and he could sit cross-legged, meditating and breathing in star power.
After General Xue explained the tactics of foot combat, he did not offer further commentary, merely watching Li Guanyi, stroking his chin, and said, “You have been here for quite some time, over twenty days, defeating numerous opponents. I see your star power has been refined quite well, it seems.”
General Xue’s eyes carried a smile:
“You are likely at the threshold of entering the realm.”
(End of chapter)