Li Guanyi left the Daoist temple, and there was no one to obstruct him ahead.
These monks had been specially selected; they were large and stout, and before reaching the second floor, their physique was quite advantageous. They were easily knocked down by him with a resilient green bamboo, allowing the young man to leave without hindrance.
Li Guanyi mounted his horse and casually tossed the green bamboo behind him.
He possessed great strength and martial skills, and the bamboo flew over thirty to forty zhang, landing back in its original position. He then pulled the reins, and the chestnut steed let out a long neigh, galloping away with grace and abandon. The monks, having lost their earlier vigor for troublemaking, could only groan and moan.
As dusk approached, Li Guanyi rode his horse, carrying the Qilin Formation Diagram, to a concealed location. The energy from the bronze cauldron flowed into his eyes, and he activated the Yin-Yang School's Qi Observation Technique. Ensuring his safety, he frantically copied the formation diagram onto white paper at the speed he had used in the past.
After comparing, he rolled up the scroll once more.
Mounting his horse again, he headed towards the Chen Kingdom's imperial palace's Vermilion Bird Gate. The Vermilion Bird represented the south, thus it was the southern gate. The emperor of the palace sat north and faced south, making this the main entrance of the palace, solemn and majestic. The wide road was where the officials of the court would pass during important occasions.
Within a certain range, riding mounts and using lightness skills were prohibited.
The crossbows of various kingdoms had records of shooting certain Jianghu experts into hedgehogs.
Upon nearing the palace, Li Guanyi dismounted and tied his steed to a willow tree by the roadside.
Then, carrying the scroll, he walked briskly forward. Five palace guards, clad in armor and wielding halberds, approached him with stern expressions. Upon seeing Li Guanyi enter, they leveled their halberds and shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?!"
Li Guanyi slightly cupped his hands and replied, "Li Guanyi from Jiangzhou."
"I am here to deliver an item to the Vermilion Bird Gate on behalf of Master Zhu Wenyuan."
The palace guard said, "Master Zhu Wenyuan?"
"Do you have proof?"
There had indeed been prior instructions. His gaze swept under the iron helmet, and he noticed that although Li Guanyi's attire was decent, this was the capital, where high officials and nobles were as numerous as ants, and many could afford fine silks and satins.
However, upon seeing the rhinoceros horn belt at the young man's waist, the guard's expression softened.
Seeing the superior Kunlun white jade pendant, his expression froze even more.
Then he quickly reacted.
He stepped aside respectfully and said, "So it is Lord Li who has arrived."
"Please, please!"
Li Guanyi felt a sense of emotion in his heart.
The palace guards' discernment was indeed impressive.
He returned the gesture with a slight bow and strode into the palace's outer perimeter. The towering walls were painted red, and only the sound of footsteps could be heard; there was no conversation. The palace women and eunuchs all placed their hands on their abdomens, bowed their heads, and hurried past.
When they encountered Li Guanyi, they did not speak but merely bowed slightly in respect.
They then quickly walked past him.
No words were needed; the oppressive atmosphere of the palace surged forth like a monstrous wave. Li Guanyi felt relaxed as he arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate. After announcing himself, it wasn't long before a eunuch emerged, wearing a round-collared purple robe, a jade belt, with a pale face and a constant hint of a smile.
Upon seeing Li Guanyi, he was slightly surprised and then smiled while cupping his hands, saying, "I wondered who it was; today the courtyard is filled with the sound of magpies, and it turns out it is Lord Li."
This person was none other than the ceremonial eunuch who had previously delivered the imperial edict to the Xue family. Li Guanyi's heart stirred, realizing that the matters of the Qilin Palace were indeed significant, even the handover of the formation diagram required the ceremonial eunuch in purple robes to handle personally.
The ceremonial eunuch scrutinized the young commander before him.
However, when he first saw Li Guanyi, he was taken aback.
He felt that the young man before him was different from the last time they met.
Previously, he had been heroic and spirited.
But today, he seemed to carry a gentler demeanor, akin to the carefree wanderers of Jiangnan, making him appear like two different people. This change was as subtle as the misty rain of Jiangnan, difficult to detect. The ceremonial eunuch's thoughts flickered.
He merely felt that the young commander might have changed in temperament due to finally achieving success.
Li Guanyi returned the bow, unfastened the formation diagram from his back, and handed it over with both hands, saying, "Today I visited Master Zhu."
"Master Zhu asked me to deliver this formation diagram; I didn't expect to see you again."
The ceremonial eunuch was surprised and then smiled, saying, "So that is the case."
"I have long heard that Master Zhu and Grand Scholar Wang Tong both hold Lord Li in high regard. Seeing you today, it is indeed true; they treat you like their own kin." He took the scroll, turned, and handed it to his trusted aide, who held it carefully, while he turned back to chat with the young man.
The matter of the Qilin Palace's formation was both important and unimportant.
It was important because of the fire Qilin within the Qilin Palace.
It was unimportant because today, when the Qilin had gone berserk, they thought the formation had lost its effect and hurriedly sent for the Daoist temple, asking Master Zhu Wenyuan to calculate; but in reality, the Qilin had quickly been sealed by the formation, and the operation of the formation itself had not encountered any issues.
The practitioners had examined it for two hours and finally reached a conclusion.
Rather than saying the formation had malfunctioned, it was more accurate to say that the sealed Qilin had suddenly become agitated and recklessly charged at the formation, leading to today's events.
Those within the palace who knew of this matter were curious.
They wondered what had caused the Qilin to go mad.
The practitioners reinforced the formation, increasing the chains from eight to eighteen, enhancing the suppression. The Qilin was now firmly trapped. The ceremonial eunuch understood the gravity of the situation and felt it would be good to converse with this young martial official, who was favored by the imperial concubine.
Moreover, there were other significant matters today that he needed to wait for.
After some pleasantries, Li Guanyi said, "I previously did not know that my Chen Kingdom also had a divine beast like the Qilin to protect us."
The ceremonial eunuch bowed towards the palace and smiled, saying, "Indeed, our Great Chen has a sage emperor and renowned ministers in abundance, with scholars as numerous as rain. The orthodox literary lineage of the world is here; this is an invincible land, and thus auspicious signs naturally arise, wishing to remain by the emperor's side."
"Since ancient times, Qilins do not follow anyone but gentlemen and sages, and they wish to stay in the palace."
"Doesn't this prove that the Great Chen's emperor is a sage?"
"The emperor, feeling grateful and fearful, built the Qilin Palace to house the auspicious beast and summoned the renowned scholars of the world to forge this Four Symbols Guarding Great Formation to protect the Qilin's peace and prevent disturbances from outsiders, which is the formation diagram delivered by Lord Li."
The ceremonial eunuch wore a restrained smile, filled with respect, and his words seemed heartfelt.
Li Guanyi looked at him, and even though a killing intent surged within him, his face showed no signs of it.
He had fled for ten years, which had already honed his composure. He smiled and said, "Indeed."
"Congratulations to the sage emperor."
The ceremonial eunuch said, "Congratulations to the sage emperor!"
Li Guanyi replied, "There is no auspicious sign greater than the Qilin; I just wonder how one might have the fortune to witness the Qilin's grandeur?"
The ceremonial eunuch laughed heartily, saying, "Everyone wishes to see the Qilin. Lord Li, you are not the first to say this to me. Other noble families and descendants of martial families all wish to see the Qilin's splendor, but the Qilin's auspiciousness is a blessing for the nation; how could it easily reveal itself?"
"Even princes may not have the chance to see it."
Li Guanyi's face revealed a hint of regret, and then the ceremonial eunuch smiled, saying, "However, Lord Li, you are fortunate today. If you are not in a hurry to leave, why not stand here for a while? You may be able to meet some noble figures."
Li Guanyi was surprised.
The ceremonial eunuch intended to befriend him and said softly, "The Ying Kingdom is currently on good terms with our Great Chen. The Ying Kingdom's prince has sent envoys, including the second prince, to our Great Chen. Today, the emperor is hosting a banquet in the palace to entertain the envoys from Ying and the Seven Kings of Turkic. They should arrive shortly."
The Ying Kingdom's prince?!
If the Ying Kingdom's prince is coming, doesn't that mean—
A name flashed through Li Guanyi's mind in an instant.
Boom!!!
Just as he thought of this name, the sound of hooves striking the bluestone slabs echoed from afar, like the beating of war drums. Li Guanyi turned to see someone riding a warhorse approaching from the opposite side of the narrow imperial path. The Ying Kingdom's carriage had not been stopped.
The emperor's decree specifically allowed them to proceed directly to the Vermilion Bird Gate.
The carriage was luxurious and solemn, exuding the aura of the Ying royal family, yet it did not overshadow the host. The Chen Kingdom's palace guards surrounded it, their armor and banners creating a spectacle that was enough to evoke admiration. However, all of this lost its color in Li Guanyi's eyes.
The young man's body tensed.
The bronze cauldron vibrated violently, and the White Tiger's法相 rose beside him.
But unlike its usual imposing roar, the White Tiger's法相 was now tense, lowering its body and exhaling, its eyes fixed intently ahead.
Li Guanyi's gaze fell upon the foremost figure, a man riding a jet-black warhorse, the horse's head nearly a zhang above the ground. As he advanced, his muscles rippled like a dragon, and his mane swayed. His gaze was fierce like a wild beast. The man wore a battle robe instead of armor, yet he exuded the majesty of a general in full armor.
Behind the man, an enormous White Tiger walked slowly.
That White Tiger was almost as massive as a mountain!
It formed a stark contrast with the man.
A terrifying and overwhelming aura surged, enough to instill fear in a hundred thousand troops.
Fifth on the Divine Generals Ranking.
Yuwen Lie!
As if guided by fate, just as Li Guanyi's gaze landed on Yuwen Lie, this currently most renowned divine general's previously indifferent gaze suddenly shifted downwards, landing on the young man over there.
In that instant, a ripple surged in the heart of this top divine general.
Almost instinctively, he felt a surge of intense killing intent and hostility directed at the young man—this kind of intuitive perception had saved Yuwen Lie's life more than once, and the sudden emergence of this feeling was far stronger than any previous occasion!
When a divine general's thoughts stirred, it was no trivial matter. In an instant, it felt as if a tremendous killing intent crashed down, filling the world with a chilling atmosphere. The ceremonial eunuch, who possessed some martial prowess, found himself completely defenseless in that moment. Before his eyes, it felt as if he had arrived on a battlefield filled with slaughter.
He saw countless blades and spears pointing at him, and he could smell the scent of blood.
The many guards in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate stood rigid, their pupils constricted, their breaths frozen. The stars in the sky dimmed in the face of such murderous intent. Li Guanyi was at the forefront, feeling his body stiffen, blood turn cold, and a wave of tingling run through his scalp.
That feeling was as if the divine general before him would draw his sword and charge at him in the next moment. This was a high-level martial artist, one of the top ten divine generals in the world, revealing killing intent towards a mere commander.
Under normal circumstances, they would be like the guards on either side, pale from the residual killing intent, standing unsteadily, or like the ceremonial eunuch, bowing their heads and not daring to meet Yuwen Lie's gaze. However, at this moment, Li Guanyi felt a surge of anger and killing intent rise within him.
He had once drawn his sword against the world's number one divine general.
Now, the past experience became his support. The young man stood tall, one hand resting on his sword.
Slowly, he raised his head, looking at Yuwen Lie over there.
The two locked eyes.
In the heavens above, the White Tiger's Seven Stars shone brightly.
At the same time, the Turkic carriage had also arrived. The Seven Kings of Turkic, dressed in the elaborate and solemn attire of the grasslands, accompanied the Ying Kingdom's carriage. The handsome military strategist followed, and the Seven Kings were pulling the strategist's arm, warning him sternly in Turkic.
"Absolutely, absolutely do not act recklessly."
"This is not the grasslands."
"Do not make a move against the emperor's concubines."
Pojun couldn't be bothered to listen to him.
He was contemplating where to find the White Tiger Grand Clan. This time, he had accompanied the Ying Kingdom's carriage, willing to assist the Seven Kings in discussing marriage alliances with the Ying Kingdom's prince. His goal was the renowned general Yuwen Lie, who was said to bear the White Tiger法相, capable of single-handedly toppling nations.
Isn't he the true White Tiger Grand Clan?
Having seen him before, he was indeed imposing and dignified, far from ordinary, exuding a domineering aura reminiscent of ancient overlords. Today, he planned to discuss matters again. Just as the Seven Kings were sternly warning him, the sound of neighing suddenly erupted, continuous and unending, causing all carriages to come to a halt.
A chilling sense of dread rose from the depths of everyone's hearts.
It made them shiver involuntarily, as if a weapon had already extended out, pressing against their brows, ready to pierce through vital points and take their lives in the next moment. Pojun shivered, raised his head, and froze.
He saw the White Tiger's Seven Stars shining brightly in the sky.
Pojun's eyes widened.
"White Tiger Grand Clan?!"
And that killing intent, could it be Yuwen Lie?!
He felt a surge of excitement in his heart and jumped down from the carriage. The Seven Kings exclaimed, "What are you doing?!"
"The Chen Kingdom's imperial palace, do not run around! Be careful not to lose your head!"
Then he saw his military strategist stop in his tracks.
Turning back, the Seven Kings felt relieved, thinking that this guy could finally listen to reason.
Pojun jumped onto the carriage and grabbed his own arm, then jumped down again.
"I might lose my head."
"But if you are with me, at most, I will be scolded a couple of times."
Pojun turned to explain to his protective talisman, leaving the Seven Kings speechless, both amused and exasperated, but they had no choice but to follow him. Pojun pulled the Seven Kings forward, and the palace guards, intimidated by the killing intent, could not stop them as they quickly rushed ahead.
Pojun slowed his pace.
He saw the dragon-like steed and the divine general on its back.
Pojun's eyes lit up, excitement bubbling within him. He muttered to himself, releasing the Seven Kings' arm, his gaze fixed on Yuwen Lie, unblinking, as he whispered, "The world's divine general, the Overlord's demeanor! The unparalleled skills and realm in the world."
"This kind of divine general can break cities and destroy nations in their thirties, leading thousands of iron cavalry across thousands of miles to battle; when the killing intent stirs, even the White Tiger's Seven Stars change."
"It can't be wrong, it can't be wrong."
"This is the White Tiger Grand Clan! Such demeanor, such splendor, only this can be the White Tiger Grand Clan!"
The Seven Kings sighed in frustration, "Are you looking for Yuwen Lie?"
Pojun did not answer; he confirmed the identity of the White Tiger Grand Clan, feeling joy in his heart.
Suddenly curious, he wondered who had provoked Yuwen Lie's anger so much. His gaze shifted, following Yuwen Lie's line of sight, landing on the young man over there. He saw that the young man's strength was insufficient, yet he stood tall, his brow calm, one hand resting on his sword, his black hair slightly swaying.
Just like...
Just like the person holding the war spear amidst the wind and sand that day.
Pojun's body suddenly froze.
The Seven Kings noticed that Pojun, who had been excited to see Yuwen Lie's might, suddenly calmed down. Just as he was curious, Pojun turned around and grabbed the Seven Kings' arm.
No longer showing the excitement he had when he first saw Yuwen Lie, but gripping tightly!
So tightly that it almost felt like he would break the Seven Kings' arm.
Even Pojun's own hand turned pale from the pressure.
He stared intently at the young man over there, showing no intention of shifting his gaze.
Grinding his teeth, he tensed up.
He spoke each word slowly, "Who is he?"
(End of Chapter)