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    Edict of Peace 11

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    Chapter 11: Rules

    “This is…”

    Li Guanyi could confirm that there was no red dragon on the Bronze Tripod before.

    He reached out and gently pressed it against the Bronze Tripod on his chest. He could clearly feel the existence of the red dragon’s mark, which seemed to contain a powerful, fiery force. When his fingers touched it, he could faintly hear a dragon’s roar, but it seemed muffled, extremely faint.

    The red dragon mark was still very blurry.

    It was as if it had just been engraved on the Bronze Tripod, not realistic, not clear enough.

    Li Guanyi pondered, muttering to himself: “It seems that the wonders of this Bronze Tripod are not just absorbing vital energy… the shadow of this red dragon is not clear enough. If I infer this way, it needs to accumulate Jade Liquid many times before the red dragon can become clear.”

    “There should also be some changes then.”

    “But this is just speculation, it’s not certain yet, I still need to try again.”

    Li Guanyi organized his thoughts in his mind and tried meditating again.

    This time, his breathing was still slow, but because his internal energy was much larger than before, his cultivation speed increased slightly. When the twelve layers of the *Po Zhen Qu* (literally “Breaking Formation Melody,” referring to a martial arts technique) internal energy swept across his chest, he could feel the icy coldness that resided in his heart.

    This was the lingering poison that had plagued him for ten years, causing excruciating pain every time it flared up.

    The twelve layers of the *Po Zhen Qu* seemed to be able to faintly touch the place where this poison was entrenched. As Yu Qianfeng had said, as he became stronger, the poison’s threat would decrease.

    With this peace of mind, he slept soundly through the night.

    The next day, on his way to Hui Chun Tang (literally “Returning Spring Hall,” referring to a medical clinic), Li Guanyi glanced at the Shan Shen Dian (Mountain God Temple) from afar. It was crowded with people, with soldiers in armor and carrying swords. Amidst the clamor, Li Guanyi channeled his breath into his eyes, but he couldn’t see the domineering posture of the red giant dragon.

    Yu Qianfeng had left.

    This wasn’t unexpected.

    Li Guanyi didn’t stay long. Like a commoner watching the excitement, he glanced a few times and hurried to Hui Chun Tang. A carriage was parked in front of Hui Chun Tang today. Several martial artists who had been injured by the soldiers were at the entrance, and a young man in his twenties was chatting and laughing with them.

    The martial masters, who were usually aloof and indifferent to these employees, had smiles plastered on their faces.

    Li Guanyi recognized him as the young master of Hui Chun Tang.

    When Li Guanyi changed into a green robe and walked to the medicine counter, Old Doctor Chen looked at the young man and three martial artists walking into the backyard, shook his head, and said: “The young master came early this morning to comfort these injured guards…”

    “He said that these martial artists were injured protecting Hui Chun Tang, and Hui Chun Tang couldn’t help but show its gratitude.”

    “He gave them medicine and money, and promised to increase their salaries for the next few months.”

    “Didn’t the young master call you over?”

    Li Guanyi shook his head. Old Doctor Chen was puzzled. The young man had already started working at the medicine counter, his feet planted firmly on the ground, his breathing calm. He was feeling the reality brought about by the *Po Zhen Qu* slowly flowing through his body, while planning his next steps in his mind.

    He and his aunt were considered fugitives from Chen Kingdom. It was thanks to his aunt’s cleverness that they managed to escape and eventually arrive in Guan Yi City, not far from Jiangnan’s eighteenth prefecture, their destination. But one problem stood before Li Guanyi.

    A travel permit. Also known as a pass.

    To cross the border, one needed a travel permit issued by the court; and to obtain a travel permit, one needed a household registration from their place of origin. Li Guanyi was a refugee, with only a temporary registration. Even in Chen Kingdom, this was problematic. If he were in Ying Country to the north, he would be treated as a lowly person.

    Working at Hui Chun Tang for three years would allow him to obtain a Guan Yi City household registration.

    Then he could apply for a travel permit, otherwise, staying in Chen Kingdom was unsafe. He could use the gold and silver as travel expenses. Chen Kingdom’s currency might not be useful elsewhere; in times of turmoil, gold was king.

    He should also practice martial arts, and ideally, slowly break through to the realm Yu Qianfeng had mentioned.

    He had said that traveling martial artists were all at that level.

    Li Guanyi thought carefully.

    The world was currently unstable. Crossing the border required a travel permit, and he should also have martial strength for protection, which would require a large sum of money to arrange.

    Now, he had hope for his martial arts, and he already had some gold and silver. Li Guanyi crossed these items off his mental list, feeling a small sense of satisfaction as he edged closer to a better life, a life where he and his aunt would have a yard and wouldn’t have to worry about being caught by the night patrol.

    Raising chickens and pigs, practicing martial arts, doing some small business.

    He wanted a peaceful life.

    He looked up at the sky.

    It was warm and sunny.

    He merely had this goal.

    To live well, to live a good life.

    ………………

    “You have all been with Hui Chun Tang for these few years. This incident happened while you were protecting Hui Chun Tang. Please rest assured and recover here. Your monthly salary and medicine will not be lacking.”

    In the back hall of Hui Chun Tang, the young master put down his teacup and said his final words with a smile.

    The martial artists were extremely grateful, their smiles beaming. After the martial artists left, the young master said to the manager standing silently beside him: “I heard that a young employee was also injured this time.”

    “Is he an apothecary?”

    The old manager lowered his head and said softly: “He’s still an apprentice, quite skilled in calculations and diligent in his work.”

    “He only has a sick aunt at home, and this child supports the family alone.”

    “He’s a good kid.”

    The young man frowned slightly, picked up his teacup, swept the tea leaves with the lid, and said faintly:

    “Is that so.”

    He thought for a moment and said:

    “Then dismiss him.”

    The old manager paused. The young master used his little finger to pick up a tea stem and casually flicked it away: “Manager Zhao, as you know, Hui Chun Tang suffered significant losses this time, and we need to cut expenses. This employee was injured and won’t be able to do strenuous work for three or five months, and we still have to pay for his medicine; it’s a loss.”

    “I know you are kind, but the hall also has its difficulties.”

    “Our family is large and prosperous, but our expenses are also huge.”

    “We must use our resources wisely. It’s not like he’s a skilled martial artist; he’s just a small employee.”

    The old manager deliberated, lowered his head slightly, and said softly:

    “The young master is right, but there’s a lot of work in the hall, and we can’t manage without one less person…”

    The young man smiled and said: “Manager Zhao, you are being muddle-headed.”

    “Just have the other employees do a little extra work each day.”

    “What’s so difficult about that?”

    He placed the teacup on the table and walked out, having an appointment to drink at Fan Hua Lou (literally “Flourishing Flower Tower,” a common name for a high-class establishment).

    Around noon, Li Guanyi rolled up his sleeves, sat at the entrance, took out a flatbread, and an egg. This was usually enough for him, but now his appetite was unusually large. He ate voraciously and, after calculating, decided to buy some more food.

    In Chen Kingdom’s Guan Yi City, without being frugal, over twenty cash per person per day was enough to live on.

    However, this included food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

    Just as he was thinking of buying some sesame cakes to fill his stomach, a shadow fell in front of him.

    The old manager stopped him and said: “Li Guanyi, how is your injury?”

    The other employees stopped to watch.

    They were all shrewd. When the young master didn’t bother with Li Guanyi, they guessed something. Li Guanyi looked at the old manager and nodded: “It’s alright.”

    The old manager nodded and said: “I have something to do today and won’t be going back. I’ll eat out.”

    “Keep me company, old man.”

    Li Guanyi also had a premonition and nodded. The two of them went to a restaurant on the street, where there was a long bench and a wine jar. Laborers often came here to drink, one cash per cup, only strong liquor. They had brought a piece of braised meat, and were enjoying it.

    Today, however, a table was set, and the old manager skillfully ordered several dishes.

    There were meat and vegetables, along with two bowls of rice, and a cup of one-cash liquor. The old manager said softly: “You were injured because of Hui Chun Tang, so I’m treating you to this meal today. Eat more.”

    He looked at Li Guanyi, who was eating heartily.

    “Hui Chun Tang was robbed of its medicine. This world is uncertain, and there may be more incidents in the coming days. You are young, and this is not a good way to live.”

    Li Guanyi had a premonition, and now he understood even more clearly.

    He had been ‘optimized’ out.

    The old manager took out a letter from his bosom, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Li Guanyi: “You are good at calculations. I know the manager of the Liu Family Academy in Guan Yi City. I wrote a letter of recommendation for you. Try to find a job there.”

    “It’s also finding a new employer.”

    Liu Family Academy?

    That was much more famous than Hui Chun Tang, considered a better place than Hui Chun Tang.

    The old manager finished his wine, placed the cup on the table and said: “Eat, I’ll go to work.”

    “Lao Zhou (Old Zhou, a nickname), put this child’s meal on my account.”

    “If you don’t eat enough, order more.”

    The old manager walked out, wearing a dusty long gown, his head slightly bowed and his back slightly hunched. Li Guanyi put the letter aside and ate quickly, devouring everything. The restaurant owner smiled: “Want more? Take some with you.”

    “Old Zhao (referring to Old Manager Zhao) just wanted to tell you, take whatever you want, don’t worry about it.”

    The young man smiled and replied: “No, I’m full.”

    Then he stood by the shopkeeper, looked at the prices of the wine on the table, took out ten cash and placed it on the table.

    The shopkeeper laughed and said: “Young man, the money is already settled.”

    “Okay, next time, when he comes, I will treat Manager Zhao to a better wine.”

    The young man softly replied.

    The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment, then laughed, saying: “Alright.”

    “You’re a thoughtful one.”

    “Old Zhao didn’t misjudge you.”

    Manager Zhao went back to Hui Chun Tang, took out the ledger, and crossed out Li Guanyi’s name. Old Doctor Chen said: “Guanyi was dismissed?”

    The old manager nodded.

    Old Chen saw the mark the old manager made below and said: “You also paid a string of cash? Hey, the young master isn’t that kind-hearted!”

    The old manager said:

    “We work for the young master, and the young master’s words are the rules. We must work diligently.”

    “But we cannot do unjust and cruel things; this is also a rule, a rule of the heart.”

    “Rules are paramount.”

    Manager Zhao rolled up the ledger, lifted the door curtain, and walked in. There were couplets on both sides of the door curtain.

    “Swiftness is second to none but concealment.”
    “Doctors must practice benevolence.”

    The manager’s head was held high, his spine straight.

    …………

    The sun was past noon, and it was getting hotter.

    Li Guanyi stood in front of the Liu Family Academy. It was truly imposing. Half of the city’s wealthy families’ children studied here. Most of the carriages were parked outside. He was about to enter when another carriage approached. Li Guanyi stopped, and the carriage stopped steadily between him and the academy.

    A fragrant breeze arose.

    A clear girlish voice sounded:

    “Miss, we’ve arrived at the Liu Family Academy.”

    (End of Chapter)

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