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    Edict of Peace 125

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    Chapter 125 Li Guanyi, Draws His Sword!

    Li Wanli, the Duke of Taiping. Twenty years ago to ten years ago, he was one of the most valiant young Divine Generals in the land.

    Si Wei heard the name; his face first showed emotion, then a sigh. The old man looked at the young man before him, his eyes filled with a hint of pity and compassion. Si Wei reached out, stroking Li Guanyi’s hair, and simply said:

    “My child… you’ve had a hard time these years, haven’t you?”

    The old man sighed, “But why did you come back? Why not fly away like a bird, far from this whirlpool?”

    Si Wei didn’t continue to ask. The smile and anger that had been on his face were gone, replaced by the calm stillness of a man who had lived a long life. He said, “Your aunt?”

    “My parents, the Duke of Taiping’s parents, passed away early. I have no siblings.”

    “The aunt you speak of… I suspect she has the surname Murong.”

    Li Guanyi remembered what his aunt had said about the jade pendant his uncle had given him. That pendant was probably a gift from his mother. After all, who would give a Guanyin statue (a statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion) as a love token? The young man sighed, saying:

    “My aunt said beautiful women are all liars, and to be careful.”

    Si Wei then burst into laughter. He laughed until his stomach ached, saying:

    “So it seems she’s not your aunt. Her grandfather was your mother’s maternal grandfather. They grew up together and were very close. Your maternal grandparents… passed away in a famous江湖奇案 (wuxia case) years ago.”

    “So your mother was raised by her maternal grandfather from a young age. The Murong family excels in both literature and martial arts. Your mother wasn’t skilled in martial arts, but her calligraphy and painting were unparalleled. She and your father knew each other since childhood.”

    Li Guanyi said, “Old man, how do you know all this?”

    The old man paused, “It’s not that I know everything. Everything about Li Wanli, the Duke of Taiping, will be unearthed by those who are interested. They hope to find a way to bring down this Divine General.”

    “Such a general, invincible on the battlefield. The experience of three hundred years of war taught the monarchs of all countries that the only way to bring down such a general is with a hidden arrow.”

    Si Wei said, “It’s a pity, such a pity. Your mother’s maternal grandfather was a supremely talented person, renowned for a hundred years. He single-handedly pushed the entire Murong family to the pinnacle of power, the foremost among the top ten masters of the martial arts world. Sadly, he couldn’t come here, he couldn’t take you and your aunt away.”

    Li Guanyi asked, “Why?”

    Si Wei replied, “Because he did something that shocked the entire world.”

    “Twelve years ago, during the Jiangnan Eighteen Prefecture battle, Murong Longtu of the Murong family stopped the charge of the heavily armored cavalry, becoming a legend, and the top master. From then until ten years ago, there was a fire in the capital. Your ‘aunt’ took you away and went into hiding.”

    “She hid very well, which was both good and bad. Because three days later…”

    “Murong Longtu entered the imperial palace with his sword. He single-handedly fought against countless experts from the Chen royal family.”

    “He didn’t believe the emperor’s excuses, or the official reports. He stubbornly believed that his granddaughter and great-granddaughter had died at the hands of the Chen royal family, that the Chen Emperor must be guilty.”

    “He said his granddaughter, great-granddaughter, and great-granddaughter’s husband were all dead.”

    “He was an old man, with only a few years left to live. He didn’t care about the bigger picture, about reason.”

    “He wanted the emperor to share the grave, he wanted the world to mourn in white.”

    “He used a willow branch broken from his granddaughter’s tomb as a sword.”

    “He charged straight in.”

    “Broken sword fragments littered the imperial path.”

    “The battle lasted a day and a night, but in the end, he couldn’t single-handedly break through the defenses of an entire nation. The willow branch shattered into dust. Murong Longtu just laughed and cried, then uttered ‘Heaven’s will,’ and roared away.”

    “After he left that day, the Jiangnan Eighteen Prefectures…”

    The old man paused, then softly said, “Seceded from Chen Kingdom.”

    Li Guanyi looked up at Si Wei.

    The white-haired old man laughed, “Don’t underestimate the old folks from previous generations. They were once young and full of vigor just like you. Your heroic bravery is just the roar of a young tiger.”

    “Murong Longtu once told me he still felt young, that all these years he had simply been pretending to be a mature patriarch. He still possessed the fierce spirit and righteous indignation to draw his sword, and still remembered the instinct to fight.”

    “Now, the Jiangnan Eighteen Prefectures are the territory of the Murong family, belonging neither to Chen nor Ying. The armies of both countries would be annihilated by Murong Longtu upon entering the territory, with one martial artist, standing among the nations, wielding ninety-seven Xuan weapons (magical weapons).”

    “Some in the martial arts world thought him foolish. To take on two countries alone was a guaranteed defeat. Murong Longtu had many injuries from years of fighting. After his death, the Murong family would become ants in front of a giant rock, crushed to pieces. Yet others thought that such boldness and arrogance befitted a top master of the world.”

    “Passionate and righteous, lawless, Murong Longtu, whose exploits reached the heavens.”

    “Chen and Ying both have blood debts to the Murong family, but the Murong family is defiant. He said he couldn’t kill the Chen Emperor because he was old and didn’t have ninety-seven Xuan weapons.”

    “It wasn’t that the Chen Emperor abandoned the Eighteen Prefectures, but that they abandoned Chen.”

    “A single martial artist, managed to do what armies and warlords could do – to seize the most critical place between two great countries.”

    “Murong Longtu was still the sword-madman who traveled the world and swept away the major sword sects!”

    The old man sighed, then said, “Because of this, Murong Longtu is essentially trapped there. He has to protect the Murong family and the remaining people. If he leaves, the Jiangnan Eighteen Prefectures will be in chaos.”

    “And your aunt, the reason she didn’t send a message was probably because she was worried that the message would be intercepted, thus exposing herself. I know about her injury. Her Law Physique is trapped. There’s a powerful expert opposite her…”

    Li Guanyi stared intently at Si Wei, asking, “Old man, can you solve it?”

    Si Wei burst into laughter, “I am Si Wei! A Law Physique? This old man can see it clearly, how could I not be able to break this seal?”

    He paused, then said, “But, as I said, it requires external aid. I can gather many of the materials, and the Xue family can get some, but there’s one thing, a heavenly treasure no less than Mountain Marrow, which is incredibly difficult to find.”

    “Your aunt’s Law Physique seems to be a phoenix who controls music and art, not good at fighting. To unseal it, you need a phoenix-栖息之梧桐 (perching willow).”

    “This thing, like Mountain Marrow, the fruit formed from the blood of a Qilin (Chinese Unicorn), or plants watered with dragon’s blood, is one of the hardest things to find.”

    Li Guanyi breathed a sigh of relief, “As long as it can be solved.”

    “Old man, where can I find this Phoenix-Perching Willow?”

    Si Wei stroked his beard, not answering directly, instead asking with a smile:

    “Where did your Mountain Marrow come from?”

    Li Guanyi said, “The Empress…”

    A gleam flashed in his eyes, as he gained understanding. The old man said:

    “Even the most precious treasures should be found in the imperial treasuries of Chen and Ying. Moreover, the existence of dragons and phoenixes is auspicious and related to royal power. It is natural that they would be kept in the treasuries of the two countries.”

    The imperial treasuries of Chen and Ying.

    Li Guanyi suddenly thought of the upcoming grand festival.

    Princess Chen Qingyan had said that if he won the martial arts competition at the festival, he could access the inner chamber of the library.

    Could he use that opportunity to obtain a treasure?

    The grand festival martial arts competition…

    Si Wei thought for a moment, “However, getting these things out is difficult. Besides these two places, there’s only one other place in the world that dares to trade things related to royal power. It’s only there.”

    Li Guanyi said, “Old man, stop beating around the bush.”

    The old man smiled, “You know that the Xue family is one of the three largest merchants in the world, but do you know the other two?” Li Guanyi didn’t understand, so the old man said, “The Xue family is the most prominent merchant family, operating throughout the land, but they are still under the protection of the royal families, operating in plain sight.”

    “There are things that cannot be done.”

    “There are things that can be done, but cannot be admitted.”

    “Things like Phoenix-Perching Willows or dragon blood pearls, Old Xue wouldn’t touch. That’s too hot for the Xue family.”

    “But there is a place that acts at will, without any scruples. As long as you have money, they can get anything for you. I’ll take you there today, but remember.”

    Si Wei looked at the young man’s eager face, finally sighing, “Forget it. Come with me. Today, we’ll meet the Chen Country’s Night Marquis, under the command of the Netherworld Ghost Market’s Yin Emperor.”

    ………………

    The Netherworld Ghost Market, like the Xue family, is one of the top merchant organizations in the world, but it does everything.

    Jiangzhou City is the capital of Chen. Even a place like this has a Ghost Market. Its master is called the Night Emperor, whose scale is immense, indicating their financial power and skill. The master of the Ghost Market in the capitals of other nations is called the Night Marquis.

    The old man said, “The Netherworld Ghost Market means two things: one, that the market has ghosts—fake goods, goods of dubious origin. If you’re not careful, you’ll be tricked; and two, that the Ghost Market only opens at night and disperses at dawn.”

    “However, the place I’m taking you to is not the Ghost Market ordinary people talk about. The Ghost Market people talk about now in Jiangzhou City is just an expansion from the real Netherworld Ghost Market. It’s a latecomer.”

    “No matter what you see, don’t speak.”

    Li Guanyi and the old man entered the Ghost Market. The old man showed a token, and they were let in. Li Guanyi saw many living creatures tied to trees nearby, and even military markings on some warhorses.

    Warhorses?!

    The old man pulled Li Guanyi along quickly, whispering, “Don’t ask. In this Ghost Market, never ask where the goods come from…” Li Guanyi nodded. He was wearing a hood and hurried along, but his footsteps faltered, and his gaze shifted.

    More ropes, but not horses, were people.

    Boys, girls, old people, children.

    They sat there, together with wild animals, their eyes dull. Only one child was still crying, with an iron chain around his neck.

    The young man’s footsteps were as if nailed to the ground. He looked ahead, seeing the grief on Si Wei’s face; even his beard trembled. The old man’s gaze held something that Li Guanyi couldn’t understand.

    Someone was asking prices.

    A man with a goatee said with a confident tone:

    “Ha, she’s a good girl! Pure, I guarantee it’s pure!”

    “Safe? Definitely safe!”

    “Parents are gone, hey, don’t worry, don’t ask.”

    “Look at this, a virgin, so young, just over thirteen…”

    “She’s perfect for 美人盂盆 (beauty’s basin).” (A euphemism for sexual services)

    The buyer, who seemed to be a foreigner, said, “What’s a beauty’s basin?”

    The goatee rubbed his hands and bowed, smiling, “What’s a beauty’s basin, sir? When you feel unwell, and have phlegm in your throat…”

    “Then she vomits, the beauty catches it with her lips, hehe…”

    Li Guanyi’s hand pressed on his sword hilt; the veins in his palm bulged. People flowed back and forth, all wearing black hoods and robes. He felt as if trapped in a chaotic river. The old man pulled him along, saying, “Let’s go.”

    The old man’s voice echoed in Li Guanyi’s heart:

    “What you do is useless. You kill one today, and there will be another tomorrow. The world’s turmoil is like weeds, and there will be more to come. They will continue to…”

    Li Guanyi wanted to retort, but seeing the old man’s weather-beaten eyes, full of sorrow, he couldn’t find the words. He knew the old man had intervened many times, but it had led to bad outcomes.

    Si Wei said softly, “Don’t forget what you have to do.”

    Li Guanyi felt someone among the children looking at him, their eyes full of hope, but they didn’t dare to speak, to ask for help.

    Li Guanyi had his back turned to them.

    The old man pulled Li Guanyi forward. The young man took a step, arriving at the real Ghost Market.

    One of the three largest merchants in the world, the uncrowned kings of all countries.

    Si Wei took out a jade token. The attendant’s casual expression immediately froze. Such a jade token. He quickly escorted Li Guanyi and Si Wei upstairs.

    Li Guanyi paid attention to what was going on downstairs. He said:

    “Old man, why are they so respectful to you?”

    Si Wei said, “This Netherworld Ghost Market is different from the self-formed markets outside. Ordinary people can’t enter. You need a guest’s token, divided into wood, stone, silver, gold, and jade levels, corresponding to the five levels of officials and nobles.”

    “Mine is the highest level.”

    Li Guanyi said, “Your face is really big.”

    Si Wei said proudly, “It can’t be helped, I was the first customer when this Ghost Market opened. The original Night Emperor was about your age when he met me, and he died before me.”

    Li Guanyi was stunned. From these words, he heard a hint of melancholy and sadness.

    The Jiangzhou Night Marquis soon rushed out, bowing and laughing, “It’s a distinguished guest! I didn’t know you were coming, my apologies.”

    The old man didn’t waste any words, he asked directly for the Phoenix-Perching Willow.

    The Night Marquis froze, “There is one, but it’s not here. A year ago, the Phoenix-Perching Willow of Jiangzhou was bought by a wealthy merchant from Ying Country. He said it was for a friend’s child with a phoenix Law Physique, as a congratulatory gift. It’s probably been used.”

    Li Guanyi immediately thought of Li Zhaowen, his eyes dropping.

    He said, “There isn’t one, is there?”

    The Night Marquis said, “There is not.”

    Li Guanyi pointed to the floor below, “These shops, are they unrelated to you?”

    The Night Marquis nodded readily. The old man suddenly understood something. He saw Li Guanyi take out a gold coin, placing it on the table. The Night Marquis was surprised. His gold-threaded fan closed, pointing to the gold coin, he smiled, “Young sir hasn’t bought anything yet, why are you giving me money?”

    “It’s compensation.”

    “Oh?”

    The Night Marquis was surprised. Seeing the young man turn, he turned as well, smashing through the closed carved window. Splinters of wood flew, the young man’s hair flew up as he jumped from the third floor. Si Wei heard Li Guanyi say:

    “Please trouble the senior, go find my colleagues, Ye Buyiji and Zhou Liuyang.”

    The young man’s eyes were looking towards that direction. The wealthy merchant said he wanted to try the goods, and the surrounding area was covered with cloth. He selected the children as if choosing goods, and the others ignored it. The darkness of the world had rotted to this level; even Si Wei was suffering and sad.

    Li Guanyi felt terrible. He should have drawn his sword long ago, but he was afraid.

    He was afraid that if he caused a commotion, he would lose the chance to get what his aunt needed from the Ghost Market, that he would disrupt his plans, so he hadn’t drawn his sword. He walked away from the longing gazes of those children, and only now, when he was certain that the Ghost Market didn’t have the Phoenix-Perching Willow, did he jump down.

    He was no different from those people. He thought of Qian Zheng, the deserter he had killed, and his experiences. He thought about Zhao Dabing and the black market that trafficked people.

    And when Li Guanyi realized this.

    He felt a deep self-loathing and resentment.

    But he also knew this was himself.

    ‘Yao Guang, I’m sorry, I’m not the hero you hoped for.’

    Thinking this, the young man landed. He held his sword, and charged forward, the sword leaving its sheath. It slashed through the cloth, and also the goatee’s neck. The young man’s eyes were wide, his strength bursting forth in his rage. The head was severed.

    The screams were short, the smell of blood was overwhelming.

    He kicked the disrobing merchant away, turned around, held his sword, used his war robe to cover the girl whose clothes were torn, and then faced the people in the Ghost Market who suddenly stopped and stared at him.

    I’m just an ordinary person with some conscience.

    That’s all.

    I’m not the great hero you speak of.

    The young man raised his sword, looking ahead. He stood in front of these people, facing the people before him, sword drawn, his brows fierce like fire, saying:

    “Jinwu Guard, Li Guanyi!”
    (End of Chapter)

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