Edict of Peace 134
Chapter 134: Grasping the Divine Weapon Again!
Li Guanyi was about to question the old gentleman before him. This imperial descendant was incredibly compatible with the person who stole his destiny—incredibly compatible with the Emperor of Chen Kingdom’s illegitimate son.
Chen Chengbi was overjoyed. “I was about to say this,” he said, “Your strength seems inexhaustible. A normal person’s muscles and bones simply can’t sustain peak performance for long. Even martial artists must abide by this rule. But observing you, you seem to treat your body’s limit as your normal output. Your strength is inexhaustible, your blood energy is robust, and your bones are extremely strong. Is it some kind of elite warrior physique—golden muscles, jade bones, dragon tendons, and tiger marrow?”
Li Guanyi pondered for a moment, then said, “You must first tell me who participated in the Grand Sacrifice martial competition, and what their skills are, before I tell you.”
Chen Chengbi’s eyes widened as he looked at this suddenly shrewd and cunning young man, like he was looking at a fox. “You… even Gongsun Wuyue didn’t have this kind of…” He sighed, “Alright, alright. The grandson of the Sword Saint, Triple Heaven Realm. His sword energy is unparalleled, seeming to have mastered Daoist sword control and Confucian heart sword techniques. He once walked through the Sword Tomb empty-handed, without picking up a single sword, and is considered the most likely successor to the Sword Saint title among his generation. He once cut a river in half with a single, swift horizontal slash, the cut remaining for three breaths.”
“Yu Wenhua, the nephew of Yu Wen Lie and son of the Yu Wen family head. Third-level Martial Artist. He’s proficient in military arts and horsemanship. He was extremely brave in the war that destroyed Tu Gu Hun, earning merit for leading the charge and being the first to ascend the walls, making him a future renowned general.”
“As for the other one, he’s from the Ge Shu tribe under the seven Khans of the Turkic people. His father, Ge Shu Yu, is a general of the Iron Floating Cavalry. This Ge Shu Yin also charged into battle alongside his father and brothers, fighting back and forth until his blade was dulled. He’s also at the Third Heaven Realm.”
Li Guanyi fell silent. “…Their talents are that good?”
All at the Third Level?
The old man shook his head repeatedly. “No, no, no, they’re not as good as you.”
“You don’t know?”
Chen Chengbi looked at Li Guanyi suspiciously. “Since anyone under thirty can participate, the Sword Saint’s grandson is nineteen years old, Yu Wenhua is twenty-three, and Ge Shu Yin, having honed his physique, is twenty-six. They are all extraordinary talents, have excellent instructors, and lack no resources. Reaching the Triple Heaven Realm is only natural. You’re only fifteen. Are you saying that ten years from now, you’ll still be at the Second Heaven Realm? That’s ridiculous!”
The old man pursed his lips. “So you, kid, are at a disadvantage.”
“Oh, there’s only one person younger than you, my own Chen family member.”
“I remember, he just turned fourteen two months ago, one year younger than you, at the peak of the Second Heaven Realm. Strange. It seems he’s truly a prodigy. I hear he’s been training outside, had some kind of amazing adventure. The sixth-ranked martial arts master wants to take him into seclusion for a while before the Grand Sacrifice martial competition, hoping he can break through to the Third Heaven Realm.”
“His name is Chen Yu Yun. His father died in the Puyang Uprising, so he’s been quite oppressed.”
Chen Yu Yun.
Yu, needless to say, means jade. Yun means bright and just, sunlight.
Li Guanyi lowered his eyes.
For ordinary people, Yun represents brightness and righteousness, but it can also represent the imperial aura of “the sun high in the sky, shining brightly.” The name expresses hope for the child’s literary studies, but it also implies the grandeur of governing the land. The intention and expectation behind this name are no less than Li Zhaowen’s.
A young man’s murderous intent rose in his heart.
Ordinary people don’t know the emperor has an illegitimate son. To the old man, this is just a strange member of the Chen royal family. But once you acknowledge the existence of a hidden imperial son, many problems become apparent. The emperor thought he’d hidden it well. Aside from himself and the child’s mother, nobody knew. The sorcerer who performed the deed was confined to the palace and never left. He didn’t anticipate Hou Zhongyu’s intentions, nor Li Guanyi’s ordeal.
The young man exhaled.
Chen Chengbi said, “He had a rough start, but he seems to have had constant good fortune. I heard that when he was born, he was clutching a jade pendant, a symbol of great luck. I saw it once; the jade was oddly shaped.”
The old man gestured, frowning. “It was flat, with three recessed marks and covered in kui dragon patterns. The texture didn’t feel like jade. It seemed like a ritual accessory that went with a tripod.”
Li Guanyi’s pupils contracted sharply.
“You know, right? The three legs of the tripod are lowered, and placed in a jade dish, which is a very rare You Pan Ding. Using jade for qi and water patterns for fortune, it seems like it’s blessed by destiny. Hey, kid, are you listening?”
Li Guanyi slowly raised his eyes. He instinctively raised his hand to touch the bronze tripod on his chest, but then lowered it.
The young man wore a sincere and harmless, warm smile.
“A ritual vessel?”
“A tripod and dish?”
Chen Chengbi nodded approvingly.
“Yes, that kid seems desperate to understand the jade dish’s function, but he can’t figure it out. I’ve studied the art of observing qi. I can see Chen Yu Yun’s fortune; it’s strong. There’s a martial and murderous aura, and a strange noble aura, clearly distinct yet merging together. That jade remains motionless in his hand, like a dead pig. I guess it’s a good thing he got somewhere, trying to falsely embellish his son. A chief Yin Yang scholar from the Imperial Academy once visited Chen Country to observe the fortunes of the royal descendants. That man was blind, claiming that seeing too much and revealing too much would bring him an ill fate, so he blinded himself. He said the crown prince was noble yet conflicted, unable to let go of certain things in his life; he’s a man of hardship and poor fortune. But that kid… unbelievable. He said that kid’s destiny is to wield a three-foot sword and whip the world, with the ambition to control the nation’s army; with the Seven Killing stars dominating his destiny palace, the Purple Micro and Celestial Treasury stars together forming a superior Purple Treasury structure, also assisted by the Left Auxiliary, Right Assistant, Wen Chang, and Wen Qu stars. Seven Killing stars in the destiny palace, Purple Treasury above. He should be an unparalleled general. But I don’t know what my grand-nephew is dissatisfied with. He seemed unhappy that day. He said the fortune teller’s words were unreliable, that many emperors had lost their kingdoms because they believed fortune tellers, that the words about being an unparalleled commander were mere illusions; nobody can predict the future. So he dismissed the fortune teller and placed the boy in the Imperial Guard as a regular guard. Oh, I wanted to spar with that kid, but it was impossible; he’s not straightforward like you are. That kid’s eyes contain an indescribable feeling; it’s as if he’s preparing to do something. I don’t like him, he’s not likeable.”
Li Guanyi’s smile was warm and gentle. “Celestial anomalies, the demeanor of a military marshal. It seems I need to challenge this Chen Yu Yun properly.”
Chen Chengbi laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re not bad, kid, but still a bit lacking. These guys are all at the Third Level. Normally, you wouldn’t be their opponent. But do you have golden muscles, jade bones, dragon tendons, and tiger marrow?”
Li Guanyi replied, “Good luck…”
The old man was overjoyed. “Excellent! I know a bald man who arrived here. He has a martial art that can cultivate a clear inner and outer, glass-like Vajra physique. I’ll find him and have him teach you. Then you’ll have unparalleled defense and be able to use your body’s peak output as regular attacks. Hahahaha, that’ll be exciting!”
“Kid, don’t forget! Hahaha, I’ll go find him now!”
Chen Chengbi was so excited that he leaped out of the window. The Jinwu Guard’s windows were sealed with wrist-thick, special material, leaving only a palm-wide gap for ventilation. Yet the old man moved out like a shadow, without any obstruction.
Li Guanyi smirked. He raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.
The bronze tripod rumbled, his vision blurred. His destiny was being stripped away, indicating that the bronze tripod was incomplete. However, it was because his destiny was taken away and transformed into the jade pendant that Chen Yu Yun didn’t gain much benefit.
Li Guanyi took a deep breath, feeling the rising killing intent.
The young man raised his hands and pressed them heavily against his face.
A crisp sound, a slight sting.
Li Guanyi’s eyes regained their composure.
He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes to cultivate the Six Virtual Four Harmony Divine Skill that the old man had just taught him. Chen Chengbi had discovered the “golden muscles, jade bones, dragon tendons, and tiger marrow,” finding this more interesting than their fight, and thus forgot about their sparring. In reality, the old man’s inner energy hadn’t entered Li Guanyi’s body; the Second Level Six Virtual Four Harmony Divine Skill was a free gift.
Chen Chengbi almost instinctively sensed the power of combining “golden muscles, jade bones, dragon tendons, and tiger marrow” with “clear inner and outer, glass-like Vajra” physiques. It was like a gourmand seeing a delicacy or a romantic seeing a beautiful woman. These two physiques are rare, yet both are in Jiangzhou City. One old, one young. Combining these two martial arts physiques is extremely difficult, but not impossible. He couldn’t resist. Itching to act, he went to find the Living Buddha, ready to beg him to teach him, even if he had to cling to the old monk’s legs.
As Li Guanyi stretched his limbs, his mind gradually calmed down. He thought that winning first place and beating that prince would certainly displease the Emperor Chen and might interfere with his future actions, and make Chen displeased. But he was already displeased with him. One more thing wouldn’t make a difference.
Li Guanyi wrote down all the disadvantages of the Emperor Chen disliking him. There were many reasons not to fight, but the reasons to fight were simple: revenge for his parents, and his own destiny, which was likely connected to another part of the bronze tripod in that prince’s possession. Plus, the fire and killing intent in his heart.
He looked at the words, suddenly tossed his pen aside, and cursed, “Screw it!”
Would the emperor show mercy if he behaved obediently? If he wasn’t happy, Li Guanyi would be happy.
The young man splashed ink across the paper. Then he dipped his brush in ink and wrote two lines on the nearby table:
*The strong should rule, let me have my say. A hero dares to fight to the end.*
Li Guanyi let out a sigh of relief.
He had to find a way to improve his strength to deal with the top talents at the Third Level…
Li Guanyi felt he did have a little bit of aggression; he was never a goody-two-shoes. He could laugh and put his arm around ordinary people, accepting their tea, but he could also give a beating to those who bullied him.
He considered himself honest. He had two choices: endure and weather the storm, or face something that could no longer be tolerated. The martial competition under the eyes of everyone…
He clenched his fists, considering how to proceed.
Chen Yu Yun was currently in seclusion, and the Grand Sacrifice competition was imminent. A few days after the competition, it was his chance to escape with the Qilin. Li Guanyi had to seize the destiny represented by the jade pendant in the competition, to restore the bronze tripod and his own destiny.
………………
Li Guanyi collected his thoughts and re-examined the files, searching for traces of the Twenty-Four Generals. This information was scattered and hidden within different event descriptions. He needed to piece it all together. It wasn’t like an official biography.
After reviewing the documents for a long time, it was time for him to leave. He put the documents back, changed his clothes and armor, and when he went out, he heard a gentle call: “Mr. Li.”
Li Guanyi paused, turning to see a man in a dark blue official robe.
Si Qing.
He smiled at Li Guanyi, bowing from a distance. “We meet again, Mr. Li. Are you feeling well? I brought a court physician.”
Li Guanyi looked at this tenth-ranked assassin in the world.
He extended his hand. The court physician was surprised, then relieved. “Congratulations, sir. Your inner energy is strong. Your lungs, internal organs, and pulse are all powerful. The Red Dragon energy is gone.”
Si Qing smiled and stepped forward, placing his hand on Li Guanyi. “Let me diagnose you.”
A tremendous surge of inner energy flowed into Li Guanyi’s body.
The young man’s eyes narrowed slightly. Si Qing had no patience. The third surge of inner energy was extremely powerful. Li Guanyi’s Second Level Six Virtual Four Harmony Divine Skill activated naturally. The two suddenly stood silently. At that moment, Ye Buyi’s voice came from the side:
“Brother Li?”
Si Qing withdrew his hand, bowed deeply, and smiled warmly.
“Congratulations, sir. Your inner energy is indeed restored. The Red Dragon energy has disappeared. It’s remarkable that it happened so quickly. Although Yue Qianfeng was a common bandit, he had an opportunity to meet a royal uncle from the Zhongzhou royal family and receive instruction. This Red Dragon energy comes from the Red Dragon鎮九州. It’s amazing that you removed it so quickly. Why? I don’t understand. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and can’t figure it out.”
He wanted to say that Li Guanyi and Yue Qianfeng were accomplices.
Li Guanyi looked at him and answered directly, “Because I’m a genius.”
“Huh?”
Si Qing, who had planned various strategies for confrontation and deconstruction, was stunned.
The young man slightly raised his chin.
Imitating Yan Daiqing’s demeanor, Li Guanyi revealed an arrogant expression, saying calmly, “A peerless genius. It’s normal that you don’t understand.”
Si Qing opened his mouth, seeming to hear the laughter of the surrounding officials. His heart skipped a beat. He was almost amused. The tenth-ranked assassin in the world is, of course, a peerless genius as well.
He smiled warmly. “I see. Then please take care of yourself, sir. The situation in the capital is very complicated; be careful.”
“Thank you for your advice, Sir Si Qing. You as well.”
The two parted ways. Li Guanyi exhaled, deciding to tell Elder Xue about this matter. He left the palace with Ye Buyi, Zhou Liying, and others, returning to the Xue family residence, only to find someone waiting for him. Po Jun arrived with the carriage at Li Guanyi’s courtyard.
The young man lifted the carriage curtain, smiling faintly.
“Master, you said you wanted me to personally deliver the halberd. I have seen your strategy and determination. I concede. The halberd is here.”
Li Guanyi breathed a sigh of relief. He reached out and grasped the halberd. Since reaching the Second Heaven Realm, he hadn’t touched this divine weapon. After the bronze tripod had tasted the Law Physique aura of General Xue, Elder Xue’s White Tiger Law Physique could no longer cause a jade liquid reaction in the bronze tripod.
After the surging waves, what kind of ultimate skill would come?
Li Guanyi wondered, feeling anticipation.
The divine weapon hummed.
General Xue’s inherited aura appeared.
Up to this point, everything was normal. But at this moment, the Red Emperor’s Red Dragon energy in Li Guanyi’s body suddenly surged, flowing rapidly through his body, about to erupt with boundless divine aura, dragon roars rising.
Another aura of the same level seemed to be stimulated by the Red Dragon energy and surged up from the Meng Hu Xiao Tian halberd, instantly suppressing General Xue’s inherited spiritual thought. An overbearing, wildly arrogant divine aura appeared.
The Meng Hu Xiao Tian halberd buzzed wildly, roaring like a ferocious tiger.
This aura was from—
Eight hundred years ago!
The ruler of the land!
(End of Chapter)
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