Edict of Peace 138
Chapter 138: Purple Qi
Chen Yu Yun.
Chen Huang’s illegitimate son.
The one who stole his own destiny’s luck.
Li Guanyi’s expression was calm, suppressing the turmoil of his spirit and energy. He, Ye Buy, Zhou Liuyang, and others saw the palace guards escorting a young man towards them. The boy, around fourteen or fifteen years old, was handsome, with delicate, long eyebrows, large eyes, and sharp facial features.
He seemed to possess an imposing air of authority.
The boy instantly noticed Li Guanyi. After asking around and learning the identities of the Jinwu Guards, he strode over. The palace guards wore deep brown armor, simple in color, a stark contrast to the ornate and majestic attire of the Jinwu Guards.
He smiled, revealing a small patch of gray-white in his right pupil.
“So these are the heroic Jinwu Guards.”
“Young and impetuous, yet you’ve caused His Majesty quite a bit of trouble.”
His second sentence held a hint of sarcasm. He extended his hand, seemingly intending to clasp Li Guanyi’s, saying with a smile, “I hear you intend to participate in the martial arts competition. It seems you plan to bring glory to Chen Kingdom.”
Martial artists often clasp hands when sizing each other up. Li Guanyi raised his eyes and calmly extended his hand.
Indeed, a tremendous force erupted from Chen Yu Yun’s hand, intending to give the Jinwu Guard a taste of his power. However, he suddenly discovered that his strength flowed into the boy’s body like water into the sea, without any reaction.
The next moment, a powerful force exploded.
Chen Yu Yun’s face froze, his body propelled upward.
Li Guanyi lifted his foot, delivering a powerful kick to Chen Yu Yun’s side.
The armor clanged. Chen Yu Yun’s body twisted in mid-air, evading most of the force. His movements and changes weren’t typical military martial arts; they were clearly sophisticated martial arts techniques. Chen Yu Yun chuckled, “So the heroic Jinwu Guards only have such…”
*Slap!*
The crisp sound silenced the smiles on the guards’ faces.
Zhou Liuyang was about to yell, but then burst into laughter. Chen Yu Yun, with his agile movements, slightly raised his head. Li Guanyi raised his right hand, bringing it down in a powerful slap across Chen Yu Yun’s face.
The explosive force of his strength reached its limit.
Chen Yu Yun’s body visibly swayed in the air before crashing into a nearby artificial hill. In the ensuing silence, Chen Yu Yun, who had just displayed composure and self-restraint, climbed out from the rubble, his helmet fallen to the ground, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with fury.
The slap wasn’t particularly damaging physically.
But for a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy, the psychological impact was devastating.
Especially with Zhou Liuyang’s perfectly timed, hearty laughter.
Chen Yu Yun’s expression contorted slightly. Gripping his sword, he gritted his teeth, “I’ll kill you!” The guards stepped forward, while Zhou Liuyang and Ye Buyi simultaneously raised their weapons, both sides advancing, poised for a fight.
Li Guanyi lowered his eyes, sensing a change in the atmosphere.
The Bronze Tripod was resonating violently.
He felt a strange connection to Chen Yu Yun, and then a pure flow of destiny’s luck surged towards Li Guanyi like a river, effortlessly, without any secret techniques or methods. The luck flowed naturally, as if it were destined to do so.
It was meant to surge into Li Guanyi’s body.
The Bronze Tripod hummed, naturally absorbing the destiny’s luck from Chen Yu Yun. Li Guanyi lowered his gaze, seemingly understanding what was happening—
The destiny’s luck was flowing back?!
Li Guanyi activated his Qi Observation Technique.
The so-called imperial aura is favored by Heaven and Earth. At this moment, Chen Yu Yun’s destiny’s luck, a vast expanse of pure azure, shone brightly, like the clear air of the heavens. Within this azure, there was a hint of pure purple, like the sun in the sky.
Azure and purple qi, the most precious of human destiny.
It seemed that over the years, although Chen Huang hadn’t publicly acknowledged Chen Yu Yun, he had given him considerable support. If Li Guanyi hadn’t possessed the Qi Observation Technique personally taught by the Si Ming Elder and the aid of the Bronze Tripod’s qi, he might not have been able to perceive the hint of transformative purple qi within the pure azure luck.
Now, as Chen Yu Yun and Li Guanyi drew closer,
This vast and opulent destiny, suddenly swayed, and then, it was as if two tripods met, and the water from one naturally flowed into the other, ultimately returning to its source.
Such was the pattern.
The destiny’s luck surged towards Li Guanyi, and the Bronze Tripod’s qi flowed like a river, absorbing the azure auspiciousness. Chen Yu Yun stared fixedly at Li Guanyi. He didn’t understand why, before encountering this young Jinwu Guard, he’d wanted to befriend him.
He was destined to be an emperor!
A wise and virtuous monarch who would usher in a golden age.
But after seeing Li Guanyi, he felt a rising sense of fear and anger. The fear escalated to the point that it became a primal, instinctive desire for the other to vanish.
Under the influence of this almost instinctive emotion,
Years of training and instruction dissipated like smoke.
His bloodshot eyes fixed on the youth, when a calm voice reached them: “Stop.”
Chen Yu Yun’s body froze. He gasped for breath, his anger subsiding. He sheathed his sword and turned, bowing, “Master…” Li Guanyi removed his hand from his weapon, looking at the newcomer.
Dressed in simple linen clothes, yet his bearing was noble and refined.
He appeared to be in his forties, walking calmly, radiating an aura like a mountain, an immense pressure that Li Guanyi felt clearly – the overwhelming presence of a top-tier martial artist.
Ye Buyi said, “The sixth Grandmaster.”
“Qu Zai Shi.”
The sixth Grandmaster…
Li Guanyi recalled Elder Chen Chengbi’s words:
“What level is he?”
Ye Buyi responded, “The pinnacle of the world, capable of wielding any weapon. Only those at his level know their exact realm. It is said he has mastered all weapons to the ultimate degree. With a sword, he’s the world’s greatest swordsman; with a halberd, he’s an unparalleled general.”
Qu Zai Shi calmly looked at the palm print on his disciple’s face, then at Li Guanyi:
“Quite a temper.”
Zhou Liuyang said, “Senior, that’s not fair. This kid provoked us first.”
“So, the Grandmaster’s disciple can act without reason?”
Qu Zai Shi nodded, “Well said.”
“But the Grandmaster’s disciple *can* act without reason!”
He suddenly stepped forward, his imposing presence like an ocean, about to strike. Li Guanyi gripped his sword, just as the Grandmaster was about to attack, when a burst of laughter echoed out, initially from the direction of the Vermilion Bird Gate of the palace, but the next words came from a hundred meters away in an instant.
This person seemed to traverse the entire palace in a flash.
“Hahahaha, Qu Zai Shi, you old rascal, you finally came!”
“What’s the point of bullying a child?”
Qu Zai Shi’s hand was about to land on Li Guanyi and the others, but another hand stopped him. Chen Chengbi, in martial artist attire, stood behind Li Guanyi and Ye Buyi, excitedly shouting, “I’ve been waiting for you, hahaha, are you itching for a fight?”
He winked at Li Guanyi, then looked at Qu Zai Shi, saying brazenly:
“Leave these kids alone, I’ll keep you company!”
“Come, try this, Kunlun Palm, Snowfield White Python’s Raging Wave!”
Chen Chengbi instantly stepped forward, striking with a palm. The energy spun like a tidal wave, reflecting the energy manipulation techniques he’d discussed casually with Li Guanyi that day by the water, showcasing about a third of their power and essence.
Qu Zai Shi frowned, “Chen Chengbi.”
“I’m not interested in playing with you.”
Chen Chengbi laughed, “You’re not interested, but I am!”
He unleashed his attack. Qu Zai Shi was a Grandmaster, but this elder was a renowned genius of the Protectorate Mountain Villa in his youth, possessing nearly a century of internal power, still a pure yang virgin body. He couldn’t underestimate him. With a sway of his body, they vanished from sight.
In the distance, they heard sounds like muffled thunder.
Accompanied by Chen Chengbi’s laughter and Qu Zai Shi’s cold voice.
“If you want to fight, then I’ll play along!”
The intense tremors almost created a gale, sweeping away the clouds in the sky. The two fought and moved, their location unknown. Zhou Liuyang watched the spectacle in the sky, his jaw dropping, “I knew the Grandmasters were powerful, but this…”
“But Old Master Chen is always so carefree.”
“Is he really this strong?”
Zhou Liuyang felt envious, “Next time I’ll send him some good wine. Maybe he’ll teach me something good.”
“Just a couple of moves of that martial art would suffice for me.”
Ye Buyi also felt envious, but remained calm. First, he said:
“There are only a handful of unparalleled masters in the world. Old Master Chen was a frequent guest on the Famous Heroes List in his youth. He only returned to the palace later and didn’t roam the world, so how strong he is, who knows?”
“He’s certainly not as strong as the top five Grandmasters, but against this sixth one, even if he’s not as good, he won’t be easily defeated.”
“But Old Master Chen had unparalleled talent, and he practiced hard every day, maintaining his pure yang body unbroken.”
“How many people in the world can achieve their level of martial arts?”
“But even their martial arts are helpless against a large army led by renowned Divine Generals. Only large-scale army formations are the core of this era. Top martial artists can come and go as they please, but they can’t stop a hundred thousand-strong army!”
Zhou Liuyang’s envy gradually faded. He scratched his head, “Yeah, if I never marry and have children…”
“My father would beat me to death.”
“Forget it, martial arts are too difficult to cultivate. I’ll stick to military strategies.” Ye Buyi maintained the spirit of camaraderie, then looked at Li Guanyi and Chen Yu Yun. Chen Yu Yun had calmed down. He didn’t know why he lost his composure facing Li Guanyi.
He said coldly, “Fine, Li Guanyi, you’ll also participate in the grand ceremony’s martial arts competition.”
“Let’s settle this then!”
They left. Li Guanyi’s eyes were cold. At that moment, the Bronze Tripod resonated violently. Li Guanyi reached out, then retracted his hand. The Bronze Tripod was filled with destiny’s luck like a river.
Li Guanyi’s eyes fell upon Chen Yu Yun.
The latter’s destiny’s luck flowed into Li Guanyi, but standing in the imperial palace,
His own destiny’s luck began to recover.
It seemed to have been replenished from the Chen royal family. After all, it was the destiny of a vast nation; its luck was so immense it couldn’t easily be depleted. For a nation that had recently conquered three hundred miles of western territory, its destiny’s luck was flourishing; even a tiny portion was substantial. The current change in luck was a result of Chen Huang stealing Li Guanyi’s luck. The cause and effect were truly wondrous.
Li Guanyi lowered his gaze, seeing the destiny’s luck within the Bronze Tripod.
Completely full.
Li Guanyi pondered. Chen Yu Yun, by stealing his destiny’s luck, had inadvertently created a connection with him, like water in a vessel, eventually returning to the tripod. He exhaled, his expression still calm. After bidding farewell to the others, he returned to his office.
Chen Yu Yun removed his armor and returned to his residence.
Qu Zai Shi soon returned. The sixth Grandmaster remained composed and calm. The battle that had just shaken the heavens clearly hadn’t caused him any losses. Seeing Chen Yu Yun, he simply said, “Why did you lose control earlier?”
Chen Yu Yun gritted his teeth, “I don’t know, but when I see him, I feel uncomfortable and agitated.”
Qu Zai Shi said, “You are the son of the emperor, the future emperor.”
“Your father used invaluable treasures to invite me to guide you, but you can’t even control your own aura. If this continues, before the grand ceremony, you won’t be able to reach the third realm; the Sword Saint’s grandson will surely defeat you!”
Chen Yu Yun exhaled, “Fine…”
He calmed down, “Fine, I am the destined king, and I must win.”
He held a jade ornament to his chest, emphasizing, “I am inherently a Seven Killing star.”
“My father also found for me the best configuration in the Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology) – Zi Wei and Tian Fu (Heavenly Palace) together, merging into Zi Fu (Purple Palace), with Wen Qu, Wen Chang, Zuo Fu, and You Bi (Literary Stars and Assistant Stars) surrounding it.”
“Purple Palace together, enjoying ten thousand bushels of grain, Seven Killing star in command, holding military power!”
“I am destined for immense wealth and power!”
Qu Zai Shi said, “But there’s something else in your destiny.”
He said each word slowly, “Your destiny has a calamity. Unless you transform calamity into power, your destiny will be broken.”
Chen Yu Yun said, “I will not lose!”
He said, “I will become the new emperor!”
Chen Yu Yun held his sword, “The world is vast. My vision won’t be limited to Jiangzhou City or Chen Kingdom. Beyond Chen, there is a vast world – the Western Regions, the heroes beyond the passes, the Turkic grasslands, the Central Plains of Ying Country, and the nominal supreme ruler, the Central States!”
“Li Guanyi is merely a stepping stone.”
“Once I become the supreme ruler, who will remember him?”
“I will become the number one, surpassing everyone, making my father proud. I will ascend to the imperial throne, and my name will be engraved in history. I hear the Xue family has a granddaughter, a woman of immense fortune, who will marry a great hero. She’ll be invaluable.”
“She will be one of my wives!”
Chen Yu Yun’s eyes were filled with ambition.
Qu Zai Shi didn’t particularly like this nominal disciple.
All of Chen Yu Yun’s extraordinary encounters were arranged by the emperor. The sixth Grandmaster could see in his eyes a suppressed and frantic desire for possession, as if having lost everything, he craved everything. But he knew that even if Chen Yu Yun became emperor, he couldn’t marry into the Xue family.
The emperor wanted to be remembered in history as a wise and virtuous king. His wife and descendants must also be from the Xue family.
This would leave a stain, however small, that he would erase.
Qu Zai Shi looked at Chen Yu Yun with disdain.
This youth was like a man consumed by desire – greed, a strong desire for possession, and extreme insecurity. He was less like a prince and more like a twisted thief raised in a repressive environment.
Grandmasters were inherently proud; Qu Zai Shi didn’t approve of him.
He wasn’t worthy of being his disciple. Teaching him martial arts was merely a transaction.
Suddenly, Chen Yu Yun exclaimed joyfully, “Hmm?!”
“My destiny’s luck just moved!”
“Since ancient times, destiny’s luck is like flowing water. Movement signifies great opportunity. Master, I shall take the lead in this grand ceremony.”
Jinwu Guard, Records Room.
Li Guanyi focused his spirit on the Bronze Tripod. The tripod was overflowing with destiny’s luck.
Extremely pure azure.
And within the pure azure,
A thread of purple, representing the most precious destiny in the world, finally appeared.
Li Guanyi gently tapped the tripod. After some thought, he tilted the Bronze Tripod slightly. This surge of destiny’s luck descended, the purple qi vast, carrying a faint, indescribable essence and feeling, ethereal and flowing, supremely noble—
The moment the purple qi of destiny’s luck entered Li Guanyi’s body,
His normally regular practice of the Six Emptinesses Four Harmonies Divine Art suddenly trembled.
It underwent a massive change, as if, like the day Li Guanyi threw Hou Zhongyu’s scroll into the flames, revealing its true form, Li Guanyi’s Six Emptinesses Four Harmonies Divine Art began to follow a new path.
In that instant, Li Guanyi immediately realized what it was.
Imperial Purple Qi!
The Six Emptinesses Four Harmonies Divine Art reacted.
This was Chen Kingdom’s imperial true art?!
Damn it, Old Man, what exactly did you pass down to me?!
Aren’t you afraid your father will kick open his coffin and climb out?
Li Guanyi’s scalp tingled as he felt his inner cultivation begin to merge with the purple qi.
Knock, knock, knock.
The window was knocked upon. Chen Chengbi’s cheerful voice came through:
“Kid, what are you doing?”
“Huh?!?”
(End of Chapter)
Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
0 Comments