The appearance of Li Guanyi froze the entire literary gathering.
The scholars had just been extolling this young man to the heavens, claiming he was unparalleled. However, such honors were only worth anything if they fell upon the dead; if this person was still alive, then their earlier boasts were merely a way of dressing him in their own reputation.
The laughter of the elderly was jarring.
Li Guanyi held a knife in his right hand and the identity tokens of the assassins and fugitives in his left, striding forward. The many scholars saw his blood-stained clothes, with tattered areas on his shoulders, legs, and chest, clearly having been struck by crossbow bolts, exuding a chilling aura of slaughter.
The complex emotions in the hearts of the gathering were palpable. The scholars who had secretly rejoiced at the thought of Li Guanyi's death now felt a mix of superficial regret and sorrow, creating a hypocritical and peculiar atmosphere.
The weakness of the literati, their indulgent tendencies, shattered in an instant.
Li Guanyi tossed the wooden plaque in his hand, which clattered as it hit the ground.
The seventh master of the Mo family’s expression turned somewhat unsightly.
He recognized the origins of these assassins.
As Li Guanyi entered, a scholar spoke up, his throat slightly constricted, saying, "You, you’re back, Brother Li. Truly, it’s wonderful." His lips curled into a warm smile, but his hand gripping the fan tightened unconsciously.
Li Guanyi nodded in thanks. He raised an eyebrow as an old man sat on the ground in the corner, dressed simply, lifting a ceramic bowl in his hand, laughing as he asked, "Hey! Li Guanyi, how many did you kill?!"
Li Guanyi replied, "Seven."
The old man asked, "What realm are you at?"
Li Guanyi stepped forward and said, "Above the Entry Realm."
The old man laughed heartily, "Thirsty? Come, I have something to quench your thirst."
Li Guanyi did not see any familiar faces as he strode forward, and the other scholars stepped aside. He noticed the calligraphy scrolls around him, filled with beautiful poetry, expressing sentiments of heroism, righteousness, and lamenting early deaths, all meant to convey their aspirations.
They expressed a desire to be like those young heroes who had passed, valiant and ready to draw their blades.
Even in death, they wished to shine as brilliantly as the clouds at dusk.
These scrolls hung on either side, swaying gently with the wind.
But alas, the literary style of the Chen Kingdom was overly ornate.
Such themes were equally soft and weak. When he was young, he had fled outside, encountering many people; even the rough men of the market were not as they were now, clearly showing in their eyes that he had returned alive, with a hint of regret, yet their faces bore smiles that were detestable.
Li Guanyi raised a cup of wine and drank deeply. The liquor that went down his throat was not the rice wine of this world but strong spirits. His body, unaccustomed to alcohol, felt like a fire igniting in his throat. He glanced at the hanging verses, at the scholars around him, and then at Wei Xuancheng, saying:
"I still have a poem unwritten."
Wei Xuancheng handed him a brush, saying, "Please."
With one hand resting on his knife, Li Guanyi picked up the brush and swept across the characters. As he wrote, it felt as if he was wielding a blade. Wei Xuancheng stood beside him, watching Li Guanyi write with the same vigor as if he were wielding a sword, softly saying:
"Ten years sharpening a sword."
The surroundings fell silent. Such simple words, unlike the ornate and complex style of Jiangnan, seemed to carry a unique spirit within them, or perhaps it was the sharpness and vigor emanating from Li Guanyi after having slain seven martial artists.
"The frost blade has yet to be tested."
"Today, I shall show it to you."
Wei Xuancheng straightened his posture and softly said:
"Who has grievances?"
The Mo family master raised his head, looking at the upright young man, his eyes filled with intrigue.
After Li Guanyi finished the last line, he tossed the brush onto the table, exhaling a breath of relief mixed with the scent of wine, feeling a sense of satisfaction and exhilaration. He thought the scholars around him were truly uninteresting; it was better to be a martial artist.
"I’m done."
He cupped his hands in a bow and strode out, intending to find the old master of the Xue family.
The verses and his actions were filled with vigor, causing the older scholars to sigh.
But then, hurried footsteps approached. Before he could say anything, a figure stood there. Xue Shuangtao stared wide-eyed at Li Guanyi. The young man’s earlier bravado of killing and writing poetry vanished in an instant. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask who had touched her bow and whether the fifteen hundred coins could be...
Xue Shuangtao gritted her teeth and suddenly rushed over.
Without avoiding or yielding.
Then she slammed into Li Guanyi’s chest.
Li Guanyi suddenly recalled how the young lady often kicked his shins in annoyance.
He remembered what Xue Changqing had said about her being a tigress.
Before he could react, he was knocked down by Xue Shuangtao, fatigue washing over him. His vision blurred, and everything changed as he fell heavily to the ground. Xue Shuangtao landed on top of him, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, her voice crisp, mingling with the sound of the knife clattering to the ground.
Xue Shuangtao gritted her teeth, speaking quickly and lightly:
"Big idiot."
Li Guanyi grinned and said softly, "Miss, someone touched my bow. Can I get a reimbursement? I mean, can you arrange for me a more ordinary one..."
Xue Shuangtao didn’t know why she found it amusing.
Tears still lingered on her fair face.
She was still crying but began to laugh.
Her eyes were red, more radiant than the finest rouge in the world.
...
Today’s literary gathering came to a close, with many scholars and young nobles looking pale, unsure if it was from being frightened by Li Guanyi’s killings or something else. Li Guanyi did not know whom Wang Tong, the scholar, ultimately chose.
Only the old master of the Xue family hurried back from outside the city, personally using his immense inner strength to cleanse Li Guanyi’s wounds, then administering the best medicinal pills.
Li Guanyi wanted to ask if those pills could be discounted for him.
But the old man waved his hand, saying that while he could give him the pills, money was out of the question.
"You need to earn your own money."
"Only by earning your own money will you learn to be frugal."
After bathing and changing clothes at night, Li Guanyi sat in the Listening Wind Pavilion, recounting the day’s battles to the old man. As for other matters, especially those involving Yaoguang, he chose to conceal them for now. Xue Daoyong listened, and after a long sigh, he said:
"If it weren’t for your arrow warning, this old man might have been in trouble."
"But how did you discover him? That’s one of the top ten assassins in the world."
"Someone who has successfully assassinated a prince and escaped unscathed."
Li Guanyi had long been prepared. He pointed to his eyes and sincerely said:
"It’s a matter of perspective."
"Perspective?"
"Yes, Xue Lao, you were up high, still in combat, with all your attention on your opponent, making it hard to notice him. When I was below, I could see a glint of a weapon reflecting behind you, so I shot the arrow to warn you."
Xue Daoyong pondered, saying, "I see…"
"I didn’t expect his movement technique to have such a flaw."
Li Guanyi replied, "It might also be because your presence disturbed him, causing his technique to reveal a flaw."
The old man laughed heartily, "Don’t flatter me; we’re beyond that."
"You’ve already scolded me, yet you still say this?"
Li Guanyi observed his nose, his nose observed his heart, obediently not answering. The old man poured a cup of tea for Li Guanyi, saying:
"Today, that group of literati wrote poems in your memory. I felt so stifled that I went outside and didn’t see you slapping their faces. Wang Tong said your poem was naturally flowing, with simple language and clear thoughts, a renowned piece in the world."
"They thought you were dead and were trying to glorify you."
The old man scolded, "Sour and rotten literati!"
He took another sip of tea, saying, "But I know."
"This title of the most talented scholar in Guan Yi City, I’ll hold it for you. They can’t expect to take it back! Hmph, I’ll print your verses in hundreds of thousands of copies and distribute them throughout the Western Regions, Turkic lands, Jiangnan, the northern frontier, and the Central Plains."
"Let you gain fame first."
"Also, although Lu Youxian is somewhat dull, he is straightforward. Today, he secured you a seventh-rank military officer position as a Zhenwei Cavalry Officer, which is not a loss, fitting for your injuries. It could have been higher, but anything beyond that is beyond his control."
Xue Daoyong relished the misfortune of others.
Lu Youxian had mentioned a promotion. Li Guanyi’s return didn’t count for much, but with so many scholars present, and Xue Daoyong there, this seventh-rank military officer position was firmly secured. Li Guanyi asked, "What’s the difference with a seventh-rank military officer?"
Xue Daoyong replied, "You’ll be exempt from taxes and land taxes."
"If you’re outside, there might already be people willing to be your tenant farmers, placing their fields under your name to avoid land taxes; they would give you a portion of the harvest each year. The court also provides a salary and rewards, and as an official of the left and right gates of Jiangzhou, you’ll need to attend court during major state affairs."
"The most important thing is, you can wear a complete set of armor, not just leather armor."
"You can go and claim the corresponding equipment."
"In a few days, I’ll personally accompany you to the armory to choose a good set of armor."
"Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, your pass with your aunt will likely be issued soon. This seventh-rank military officer position occupies Lu Youxian’s own spot. He has his own family and relatives, and among them, there are capable younger generations in martial arts. This position, heh..."
"He may be upright, but he still has a wife and a family with unworthy children."
Li Guanyi nodded, pausing for a moment before saying:
"Xue Lao, I have something to tell you."
The old man raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Speak."
Li Guanyi looked at him.
The old man understood, waved his hand, and it was as if Long Sun Wuchou was discussing the state of the world.
The spies in the Listening Wind Pavilion also left.
The doors and windows were all closed, and the luminous pearl illuminated the surroundings. At this moment, Li Guanyi took out a jade vial. When Xue Daoyong looked puzzled, Li Guanyi smashed the jade vial on the ground, causing the recorded words and images of the assassin to appear. The relaxed expression on Xue Daoyong’s face gradually faded.
The white tiger behind the old man lay quietly in wait.
Its claws retracted, but its eyes held a hint of crimson.
The lurking claws endured.
Xue Daoyong’s expression was calm as he looked at Li Guanyi, asking:
"Who else knows about this matter?"
Li Guanyi shook his head. The old man thought of the person who had a good relationship with Li Guanyi, Si Ming, and recalled Li Guanyi’s so-called techniques learned on the road, as well as Yue Qianfeng, sighing, "So you’ve also learned the methods of the Yin-Yang family. Speaking of which, your sword techniques were truly learned during your escape from that fellow Yue Qianfeng?"
Li Guanyi remained unfazed, saying, "I have not lied."
The old man chuckled, "I thought you were fabricating stories about meeting that person during your escape, trying to fool me and Shuangtao. It seems you are still an honest gentleman."
Li Guanyi thought for a moment, not answering directly, only saying:
"I am a martial artist."
The old man then pointed at Li Guanyi, laughing helplessly.
Finally, the old man’s hand rested on the shattered jade vial, his expression complex, saying:
"Good, good, Dan Tai Xianming."
Li Guanyi asked, "Xue Lao, do you know him?"
Xue Daoyong replied:
"I know him, how could I not? He is a renowned civil and military minister, with a formidable aura."
"Coming from a humble background to reach this point is quite a talent. Before he became famous in the Chen Kingdom, I met him once. We took shelter from the rain in a dilapidated temple and broke out under the siege of mountain bandits. He drove the cart, his face pale with fear, while I wielded a pole to smash people."
"When we broke out, we were both exhausted but felt exhilarated, laughing heartily."
"When we got hungry, we had to steal some taro, only to find the cart had been stolen, leaving just two wheels. We were dumbfounded, ahahaha."
The old man laughed, stroking the jade vial, saying, "He once held the family heirloom jade pendant and told me he would share life and death, never betraying me. Now it seems that the scholar who would rather starve than eat that bun has indeed become a high-ranking official."
"And he has finally learned how to govern."
"He will be ruthless towards his brother Xue, even planning to harm his unborn nephew."
"Becoming a true official, I’m genuinely happy for him."
Xue Daoyong put away the jade vial and did not speak further about Dan Tai Xianming.
Li Guanyi originally wanted to inquire about the regent, but this involved the greatest secret between him and his aunt, so he chose to remain cautious, deciding to first peruse the relevant historical texts to glean some clues before seeking out his aunt.
As he planned to finish his tea and leave, the old man called out to him, turning to point at the Po Yun Zhen Tian Bow, saying:
"Go and give it a try."
"Just as you said, today when you entered the realm, this bow suddenly let out a shriek."
"The guards I subdued tried to suppress the bow but were instead injured in their heart veins, losing at least ten years of hard cultivation. Divine weapons have spirit; there must be some special change that caused this anomaly, and it should be related to you."
Li Guanyi looked at the bow, feeling a desire to grasp it.
The techniques of the Entry Realm naturally had the best inheritance; and the stories of General Xue held many secrets and mysteries. After the arrow’s light faded, new techniques emerged. Li Guanyi approached the divine bow, extending his left hand to grasp the weapon, which began to hum and tremble.
The white tiger’s dharma form illuminated beside Li Guanyi.
Li Guanyi felt the essence of inheritance once more; in the bronze cauldron, jade liquid slowly nurtured, representing the portion of jade liquid corresponding to the white tiger’s dharma form that was about to fill.
Just at that moment, the bow suddenly changed, its shriek growing intense.
Li Guanyi felt a surge of energy rising before him, coalescing into an illusory image. It was an endless desert, stars stretching for miles, vast and desolate, and a battle spear appeared before Li Guanyi. The spear had a dark-colored shaft with dark golden patterns.
The spear had a fierce tiger’s maw, and when the wind blew, it seemed to roar like a tiger.
It pointed directly at the heavens!
Li Guanyi held the Po Yun Zhen Tian Bow in his left hand, hesitating for a moment before raising his right hand to extend it.
As if reaching out to touch the spear in that image.
It truly felt tangible.
His five fingers spread, and his right hand clasped.
Li Guanyi simultaneously grasped two divine weapons.
(End of this chapter)