The Turkic Seventh King smirked and directly elbowed back, striking the waist of Po Jun, responding in Turkic, "You ask me, how would I know?"
"I am also here for the first time in your Central Plains."
"Compared to me, don't you understand the distribution of power here better?"
Po Jun stared intently at the young man confronting the renowned general Yu Wenlie, and at this moment, amidst the dead silence, Yu Wenlie urged his warhorse to Li Guanyi's front. The horse's head was taller than Li Guanyi himself, a man and beast united, towering like a mountain, looking down upon the young man.
The remaining palace guards beside Li Guanyi were unsteady, already half-kneeling on the ground.
At this moment, the young man felt only a surge of hostility within him.
This was the most primal anger of a living being, the courage to draw his sword and strike against a strong opponent after stripping away everything else. It was the first lesson taught to him by General Xue. His right hand lightly rested on the hilt, waiting for Yu Wenlie to come closer, at which point he might strike down with a single blow.
However, Yu Wenlie's warhorse stopped just outside the reach of Li Guanyi's blade.
Behind Yu Wenlie, a massive white tiger, like a mountain, looked down, while the white tiger Dharma Aspect beside Li Guanyi roared defiantly. Everything around seemed to lose its original color and trajectory, leaving only the confrontation and roars of the two white tigers.
Two tigers contending, their might cannot coexist.
Yu Wenlie's killing intent was decisive; he loosened the reins. The beast, which had once trampled cavalry to death, pawed the ground, exhaling like a dragon.
In just a moment of thought, Yu Wenlie decided to follow the instincts of the battlefield.
He was a valiant and domineering general.
He had once struck the great pillar outside the palace gates, declaring he would personally bind the kings of all nations outside the hall of the Ying Kingdom, rendering the majesty of the Chen Kingdom's emperor insignificant before him.
Even in front of the Chen Kingdom's imperial palace, he intended to trample this young man, who posed a threat to him, underfoot.
The young man's palm pressed against the hilt.
He harbored hostility in his chest, his eyes bright.
Though young, he still possessed the courage to draw his sword.
The roars of the two white tiger Dharma Aspects were deep, almost causing ripples in the void. Those with powerful souls could hear the distant tiger roars resonating through the air.
Li Guanyi's fingers pressed against the hilt.
A voice broke the standoff between the two tigers; the carriage came to a halt. A man who appeared to be around thirty, with a scholarly demeanor, stepped out of the carriage, dressed in fine robes, his eyes slightly drooping, exuding a gentle scholarly aura. He looked down and said:
"General Yu Wen, why have you stopped?"
This was an attempt to intervene.
Yu Wenlie fell silent for a moment. He did not care for the majesty of the Chen Kingdom's emperor, but he had to respect the prince's decree. He pulled on the reins, causing the warhorse, which was about to rear up and stomp down on the young man, to take a half-step back.
His murderous aura receded.
Looking down, he said, "Your Highness, I merely encountered an outstanding young man."
Yu Wenlie sighed:
"How many years has it been since the Taiping Duke? In Jiangnan, there is such a valiant young lieutenant."
He held the reins, gazing at the straight-backed young man, his heart filled with immense killing intent, yet this killing intent did not diminish his admiration. He patted the horse's head and asked, "Young man, what is your name?"
Li Guanyi exhaled and said, "From the Xue family, Li Guanyi."
"The Xue family? No wonder you have such aura."
Yu Wenlie seemed to understand, sighing:
"However, Li Guanyi."
"Same surname as the Taiping Duke Li Wanli."
"Yet lacking his grandeur."
He dismounted, his tall figure standing at nearly eight feet, looking down at the young man. He tossed the reins to a nearby guard. At this moment, the ceremonial eunuch finally regained his senses from this minor conflict, realizing he was already drenched in cold sweat.
He had a cultivation level of the Third Floor of Martial Dao, similar to a young general capable of leading a thousand troops, but his cultivation was honed within the imperial palace. How could he have encountered such terrifying killing intent? His face turned pale, yet he managed to maintain a smile.
The eunuch extended his hand, pulling the young lieutenant behind him.
He stood in front, blocking Yu Wenlie, and softly said:
"Our Chen Kingdom's young lieutenant has indeed caught the attention of General Yu Wen."
"Lieutenant Li is a young talent of both literary and martial prowess in our Chen Kingdom. General Yu Wen's 'greeting' today, I shall certainly report to His Majesty."
The eunuch emphasized 'young' and 'greeting.'
Then he slightly stepped aside, opening the Vermilion Bird Gate, saying, "Esteemed guests, please." The Vermilion Bird Gate swung open with a loud bang, and the prince and royal sons of the Ying Kingdom continued in their luxurious carriage. Li Guanyi took a slight breath, the enormous white tiger slowly departing, and his hand gradually relaxed.
When the Turkic carriage arrived, the Turkic Seventh King said:
"Is it Li Guanyi of the Xue family?"
"A hero of such youth, I hope to meet him. I will find an opportunity to visit your Xue family later, hoping for a meeting." After a moment's thought, he followed Turkic etiquette, taking out a piece of gold and tossing it to Li Guanyi.
As the carriage entered, the Seventh King turned back, looking at Po Jun, who was reclining in his seat, leisurely eating grapes, and asked in confusion, "Did you not want to meet this Li Guanyi? Why are you suddenly not in a hurry?"
Po Jun looked at the seemingly affable Turkic Seventh King and replied, "I never said I wanted to find him."
Po Jun knew that the Turkic Seventh King might do something remarkable to keep him around. He slightly pushed aside the carriage curtain, gazing at the calm-faced young man. Li Guanyi sensed the gaze, looked up, and saw a handsome young man smiling gently at him.
Po Jun smiled slightly and lowered the curtain:
"However, the Xue family is among the top three wealthy merchants in the world, worth a visit."
"As for now, the emperor of the Chen Kingdom's banquet should have many beauties; I cannot miss that."
Since ancient times, gentlemen have compared beautiful women to wise rulers; he had found the true beauty.
Knowing where this young man was, he felt at ease.
The Xue family could not escape.
Today, it was unavoidable; he could not escape the emperor of the Chen Kingdom's banquet.
He had planned to find an opportunity in the coming days to seek out that young man.
To see his talent and spirit.
He must do so before the Yao Guang faction.
Teacher, oh teacher, most of the renowned figures of the White Tiger Sect were from the Yao Guang faction.
You all cannot compare; this time, it is still my turn to shine.
You are too foolish, your hands too slow.
Your actions are not swift enough!
Your aim is not precise enough!
This day, the emperor of the Chen Kingdom personally attended.
The banquet guests came from the Western Regions, the Ying Kingdom, and the grasslands. The duke of the Ying Kingdom was also present. Li Zhaowen originally intended to visit the Xue family but was forcibly brought back by the furious duke. Still in male attire, he entered through the White Tiger Gate, now sitting here, casually sipping tea.
He felt that the high-ranking powers from all sides were putting on a show of peace.
Their interactions were harmonious, no different from a girl's playhouse.
She sighed.
Thinking that if she were not in this tedious court now.
But at the Xue family, holding Li Guanyi's hand, discussing the trends of the world, how happy she would be.
The young prince of the Dangxiang trembled, lacking the courage to face so many heroes; only the young khan of the Tiele tribe could still play the ancient instrument, carefree and unrestrained.
After three rounds of wine, the emperor of the Chen Kingdom asked the guests present if they had seen anything.
The young prince of the Dangxiang spoke of the excellent feng shui in Jiangnan, where the flora was lush.
The Living Buddha said that in the eastern lands of the Central Plains, all beings possessed a Buddha's heart and nature, akin to the Buddha's country of old.
He wished to bring the teachings of the Buddha to the people here.
When it came to Yu Wenlie, he answered in front of the civil and military officials, "As I entered the Vermilion Bird Gate just now, the guards of the Chen Kingdom were all timid before me, except for one young man, who still had the courage to hold a sword. That person is Li Guanyi."
"All flora, Buddha light, treasures, are not as remarkable as this person."
Li Zhaowen, who originally found no interest, suddenly paused, her ears seeming to perk up.
She suddenly became interested and looked over.
She felt that Yu Wenlie was indeed a renowned general of the world, possessing great insight.
Unfortunately, he was too old, already having great achievements and reputation, far surpassing her father.
He could not be taken under her wing.
What a pity.
The ceremonial eunuch had already informed the emperor of the earlier events.
The emperor, angered by Yu Wenlie's arrogance, nonetheless regained some face due to Li Guanyi's performance, showing a bit more goodwill, smiling as he said, "This person is a child of my beloved consort's family, talented in both literature and martial arts. He previously thanked a swordsman with a poem, General Yu Wen, you must have heard of it."
Yu Wenlie's expression softened, saying, "If it is that poem, I have indeed heard of it."
"It has the spirit of our Ying Kingdom's generous and sorrowful songs."
"May I ask, Your Majesty, how old is Li Guanyi?"
The emperor glanced at the ceremonial eunuch, who answered according to Xue Daoyong's records:
"Fifteen years old."
Fifteen years old... not quite right.
Yu Wenlie finally set aside the matter of the "Son of the Taiping Duke."
He also halted the killing intent he had harbored that night to slay the young man in the street.
If this person were indeed the offspring of Li Wanli, he would have disregarded the prince and the second prince, trampling that young man to death in the street. In the eyes of a renowned general, everything has its value and weight; a mere youth qualified to be a rival was not worth defying the prince's orders.
Yet even the command of the Emperor of the Ying Kingdom could not compare to the five words "Son of the Taiping Duke."
For the Son of the Taiping Duke, he had only one attitude.
To kill.
For those qualified to be threats, the greatest respect was to disregard everything and slay them.
To allow them to grow.
Was to betray oneself and one's country.
Yu Wenlie raised his cup, saying, "A young hero, in no more than ten years, when the world is in chaos again, I should meet him on the battlefield."
Such words inadvertently suggested that the Chen Kingdom, Ying Kingdom, and Turkic tribes would clash in the future. In this banquet celebrating peace, it was somewhat inappropriate, and the expressions of the civil officials turned grim, while the military generals looked stern. The newly risen general of the Chen Kingdom, Liu Zhong, stared intently at Yu Wenlie.
However, Yu Wenlie, as a fierce general, did not care at all.
The emperor of the Chen Kingdom's expression was not pleasant, but he did not become angry. The banquet was extravagant, with beauties serving tea, four types of dried fruits, four types of candied fruits, four types of pastries, four types of cold dishes, one type of assorted box, four types of appetizers, one type of soup, four types of imperial dishes, followed by four types of light snacks.
After several rounds of this, there was finally one type of fruits and one type of fragrant tea, each dish exquisitely crafted, more akin to artworks than food. The young khan of the Tiele tribe raised a bowl of soup and drank heartily, praising, "Truly tender."
"It is a soup made from duck tongues; if you like it, that is good."
The Tiele Khan asked, "Duck tongues can also be made into dishes?"
The maid replied, "Yes, it takes one hundred sixty-three duck tongues to make this bowl."
The Tiele Khan asked, "What about the remaining meat?"
"Quickly serve it up."
The maid looked at the bronze-skinned, somewhat handsome and carefree young khan, momentarily stunned, her face showing a humble yet beautiful smile, saying, "The remaining meat, you must not joke; how could we serve such meat to esteemed guests?"
The young khan was taken aback, suddenly recalling when he arrived, seeing those relay stations and the elderly collapsed on the ground.
In a daze, he could not help but think of the Tiele tribe, which had only a little over a thousand people left, sighing for a long time:
"Truly a sage and son of heaven."
"I have never heard of such extravagance."
When the banquet dispersed, the two princes of the Ying Kingdom went to see Yu Wenlie, with the crown prince comforting him, saying, "You previously harbored killing intent towards that Li Guanyi, did you not?"
"At this time, we should not rashly make enemies. The world has been in chaos for three hundred years; the people seek peace, not war. If there are truly talented individuals, we should draw them in rather than make enemies. I shall visit this young hero another day."
"If possible, let us release our grievances as rulers."
The second prince, Jiang Yuan, smiled and agreed.
"Let us kill him as rulers!"
After the two princes left, the renowned general Yu Wenlie wrote a letter to the capital of the Ying Kingdom.
He recorded the behaviors of the two princes:
"The crown prince is benevolent and has the capacity to accommodate others, yet he is not a ruler of chaotic times."
"The second prince is ruthless and ambitious, yet he is not the legitimate eldest son."
"I, the Ying Kingdom..."
Yu Wenlie sighed, ultimately crossing out those two lines, simply recording his observations. Finally, he looked at the sky, the divine general fell silent, perceiving the hidden contradictions within the Ying Kingdom. For the present, the only course of action was to flatten the world before everything erupted!
The white tiger lay beside him; he reached out to stroke the white tiger Dharma Aspect but was slightly taken aback, lowering his gaze to sense the Dharma Aspect, only to find that for some reason, his Dharma Aspect seemed somewhat weakened.
Hmm?!!!
"Who is it?!!"
An ambush against me!
...
Li Guanyi was unaware of the happenings within the palace, the many rivalries and banter.
As he watched Yu Wenlie leave, Li Guanyi exhaled, feeling utterly exhausted. The ceremonial eunuch softly said, "Lieutenant, please return and rest well."
Yu Wenlie.
Li Guanyi exhaled a breath of turbid air, mounted his horse, and rode swiftly back to the Xue family. The Xue family steward was waiting for him, saying, "Young master..."
Li Guanyi asked, "Did the second son of the Ying Kingdom's duke come?"
The steward replied, "That gentleman, Chang Sun Wuchou, has arrived. He said His Majesty has a banquet, and the second son was taken away by the duke, so he sent him here to apologize." Li Guanyi nodded, simply saying, "I am a bit tired today; I wish to rest."
"No need to prepare dinner for me."
The steward complied.
Li Guanyi returned to his courtyard, pushed the door open, and let out a long breath.
Suddenly, the aura around him changed.
Killing intent, sharp and cold, faintly resonating with the roar of a tiger.
The white tiger Dharma Aspect appeared beside him, beginning to roar defiantly, its fur bristling, exhaling like starlight. Meanwhile, within Li Guanyi's heart, the bronze cauldron had already reached a full charge. According to Li Guanyi's previous experience, the same Dharma Aspect had limitations on the accumulation of the bronze cauldron.
With the same Dharma Aspect and the same realm, the bronze cauldron could only accumulate one instance of jade liquid.
Yet Yu Wenlie's Dharma Aspect was also a white tiger, yet it still caused changes in the bronze cauldron.
His realm and strength were even greater than Yue Qianfeng and Xue Daoyong!
He was the strongest individual Li Guanyi had encountered thus far!
And this strongest individual indeed harbored immense killing intent towards Li Guanyi. The impact of the Dharma Aspect caused the jade liquid in the bronze cauldron to accumulate, reaching fullness, even to the point of overflowing.
Li Guanyi let out a long breath, the scenes he had witnessed today flashing before his eyes.
The opulence of the Chen Kingdom, the youth of the Tiele tribe, that boy with the Phoenix Dharma Aspect.
Zhu Wenyuan, Qilin, monks, and Taoists.
And that unparalleled Yu Wenlie.
The world unfolded before him, the white tiger's Dharma Aspect roared, and Li Guanyi softly murmured.
Power...
The young man exhaled, his thoughts stirring, and the bronze cauldron crashed down, the surging jade liquid pouring forth. This fifth divine general of the world, who had led the battle to annihilate nations, brought forth a feedback that enveloped Li Guanyi like a warm current.
Yet this time, it enveloped both him and the white tiger Dharma Aspect.
As Li Guanyi's own aura rapidly changed.
The white tiger Dharma Aspect suddenly roared, emanating boundless brilliance!
Change, abruptly arising!
(End of this chapter)