Edict of Peace 142
Chapter 142: Kingly Bearing, Chen Yu Yun Must Die
Fengqiwu is a rare and precious treasure in the world, comparable to Qilin (Chinese Unicorn) blood and Dragon Blood Grass. Even in the Ghost Market, such a thing is hard to find. Yet, in Li Zhaowen’s hands, it seemed worthless, casually given to Li Guanyi.
Li Guanyi caught the Fengqiwu, the thing that could cure his aunt’s poison.
This item is extremely precious, and its significance is particularly important to Li Guanyi. He couldn’t muster a clever response as usual, only stroking the ancient and elegant spiritual object before saying, “Thank you.”
Li Zhaowen closed her folding fan with a snap, jokingly saying,
“Brother, why be so formal about these things?”
“You can repay me with a pot of wine someday.”
Li Guanyi replied, “Even all the finest wines in the world wouldn’t repay this kindness.”
“Hey, hey, hey, shut up, shut up.”
Li Zhaowen snapped her folding fan shut, using it to playfully cover Li Guanyi’s lips. She seemed slightly angry, her eyebrows raised, saying:
“To speak of kindness is excessive.”
“If you mention anything about gratitude, I’ll turn around and leave, as if I never had a brother like you!”
“You dare say that!”
Seeing Li Guanyi nod, Li Zhaowen smiled, withdrawing her fan:
“However, if you insist on repaying me, I won’t refuse, right?”
“I was going to say that if we ever meet on the battlefield, you should retreat thirty li.”
“But I thought, it’s impossible for us to be enemies.”
“Such a repayment is too petty.”
“So let’s change it to this.”
Li Zhaowen thought for a moment, smiling slightly: “In my life, I’ve always admired heroes.”
“Li Guanyi, if you feel you need to repay me, become the greatest hero in the world. Even if we never meet again after that, I’ll feel incredibly happy.”
“I made your acquaintance during your humble beginnings, while you conquer the world.”
“Many heroes exist in this world, but who else could have eyes like mine?”
“Thinking about it makes me happy.”
Li Zhaowen smiled.
Li Guanyi nodded, carefully putting away the Fengqiwu. His mind was preoccupied with where Master Siming had gone. He longed to find the master immediately, leave everything behind, and ride back to Guanyi City to cure his aunt’s injury.
He controlled his urge, inviting Li Zhaowen to sit down, then fetched wine and prepared some simple and quick appetizers. They drank together in the courtyard. Li Zhaowen sipped the wine, smiling, “It tastes good.”
It had more flavor than the wine they had at Changfeng Tower.
After three rounds of drinks, Li Zhaowen fell into her old habit. She unconsciously started chatting about the world’s affairs, from romantic poetry to grand strategy, her enthusiasm unrestrained.
“The Chen Kingdom’s grand ceremony is only a few days away. Let’s see, the martial arts competition begins tomorrow. There are so many participants that they’ll have to hold preliminary rounds to select sixteen to compete. Actually, with Yu Wenhua, Ge Shu Yin, and Xu Huiyang participating, most martial artists know they have no chance of winning the title.”
“There’s talk among the people that the title is prepared for these three.”
“Others say Xu Huiyang is the grandson of the Sword Saint, a famous young swordsman from the martial world, yet he’s come to the court and become a close friend of the crown prince. It’s said he desires something, and this title is prepared for him. Sounds plausible.”
“But the number of martial artists participating is still very high.”
“Brother, do you know why?”
Li Guanyi thought for a moment and answered, “The various kingdoms.”
Li Zhaowen clapped her hands and laughed, “Yes, the princes and nobles of the various kingdoms are here. This is an opportunity.”
“Even if one cannot reach the final round, they can showcase their martial arts skills. It’s like presenting a calling card to the princes and generals.”
“Such an opportunity rarely presents itself in a lifetime.”
“Even if these young martial artists don’t want to participate, their parents will point out this opportunity. So, Li Xiong, what are your thoughts?” Li Zhaowen meant to suggest Li Guanyi also showcase his talent before the princes and nobles, thus stepping onto the world stage.
She said, “A good wind helps the ship to sail. Relying on external forces in the beginning is not a problem.”
Li Guanyi thought of the hidden library in the Xuanwu Pavilion, which was incredibly appealing to the Xuanwu.
And of Princess Chen Qingyan.
He understood Li Zhaowen’s subtle hint, but only said, “I will do my best.”
Li Zhaowen smiled slightly: “Then, I’ll be watching.”
“I hope your talent and martial arts will be displayed to the world, so that everyone can see that my judgment is impeccable. When you win a great victory, I will hold a banquet for you, and there will be a gift for you then.”
Li Guanyi asked, “What is it?”
Li Zhaowen opened her folding fan, covering her lips, revealing only a pair of phoenix eyes, and smiled:
“You’ll find out then.”
“Based on your personality, you’ll like it, haha.”
She habitually used her folding fan to tap her forehead.
She tapped it once, then remembered tapping the young man’s lips earlier.
Li Zhaowen paused slightly.
Then she calmly put down her fan. Her right hand clenched slightly, resting on her knee.
She touched her brow.
She then no longer mentioned it, but casually chatted about various matters of the world. After an hour, she took her leave. Li Guanyi saw her off and returned to the room, looking at the Fengqiwu. Despite the ten years of hardship that had shaped his character, he still felt a sense of bewilderment.
He laughed silently, his hand gently caressing the object.
Li Guanyi felt a profound sense of relief. He closed his eyes and softly said:
“That’s great…”
His aunt’s safety was finally secured for now.
The next day, many martial artists participated in the preliminary rounds. Li Guanyi saw many young faces wearing different armors. In the distance, beyond the enormous martial arts platform, was the emperor’s carriage. Li Guanyi looked from afar, his expression solemn.
Even though the emperor only watched for a short time during the preliminary rounds, the spectacle was extremely extravagant. His robe was embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, and constellations. His leather hat was made of lacquered gauze. There were thirty-six thousand guards, along with his palanquin, the empress’s procession, and officials in their formal attire; all designed for magnificence.
The luxury and beauty were like those of a celestial being.
Li Guanyi heard the thunderous cheers.
Even the common people proudly told the Westerners that the power and majesty of the Chen Emperor was beyond the imagination of those foreign barbarians. Li Guanyi looked over and saw that the commoner’s clothes were not luxurious, and patches were visible in the seams.
Yet he was still proud of the Emperor Chen’s majestic carriage.
Li Guanyi, clad in armor and carrying his weapon – a battle halberd, appeared.
Li Guanyi felt that during the preliminary rounds, though many high-ranking officials and nobles were present, most of their attention, as well as that of their female relatives, wasn’t on the martial artists competing, even though these martial artists considered this competition their opportunity.
In fact, the officials and nobles treated the martial arts competition as a casual event, similar to sword dancing. The important thing was to network with other nobles. However, Li Guanyi also noticed that military strategists and officials from various factions were carefully watching the competition.
A thousand soldiers are easy to find, but a general is hard to come by.
The martial arts skills of young officers are an important measure.
In this world, martial artists wearing heavy armor could truly influence small-scale battles and greatly affect morale. Li Guanyi watched the other battles. Ye Buyihui and Zhou Liying both nodded at him, their expressions relaxed.
The nobles above talked among themselves.
The martial artists below fought their own battles.
Li Guanyi observed the battles, and as the rumors said, the strongest were indeed Yu Wenhua, Ge Shu Yin, and Xu Huiyang. The three of them finished their fights in a matter of moves. Xu Huiyang didn’t even draw his sword; with a gentle smile, he defeated his opponents.
Chen Yu Yun was the same.
Li Guanyi saw that Chen Yu Yun’s battles were equally swift and decisive.
Often, one punch or kick was enough to win.
Moreover, he chose his weapon based on his opponent’s weapon. If the opponent used a sword, he used a sword; if the opponent used a spear, he used a spear. He used his opponent’s strongest weapon to defeat them head-on, his manner extremely domineering.
Those he defeated were pale-faced and distraught.
Soon, it was Li Guanyi’s turn. The young man thought back to Li Zhaowen’s words from the previous day. Yu Wenhua, Ge Shu Yin, Xu Huiyang, and Chen Yu Yun all, like Li Zhaowen, displayed their talents and martial arts to the world.
Then he considered Chen Yu Yun’s domineering style of defeating you in your own area of expertise.
The Emperor Chen’s magnificent carriage was there to watch the preliminary rounds personally.
Li Guanyi understood that Emperor Chen was building momentum for his son.
Li Guanyi picked up an unsharpened sword and wore the armor for the competition. Ye Buyihui and the others bumped fists with him in encouragement, while Yu Wenhua, Xu Huiyang, and Ge Shu Yin also looked in this direction.
Suddenly, a shout came.
“Li Guanyi!”
The young man on the stage paused. He looked up.
From where the officials and nobles were seated, a young woman with her hair tied up, a flower adornment on her forehead, and jewelry in her hair, waved to him. Her apricot-shaped eyes were bright, her smile radiant. Among the ladies brimming with cosmetics and wealth, her eyes were like amber. She shouted,
“Win!”
This was the only voice of encouragement.
Here, the martial artists fought for their future; the armies were searching for new young officers; the officials and nobles were networking; the emperor was building up his son, and only one person was shouting “Win,” Li Guanyi.
The area where the officials and nobles’ wives and daughters were seated suddenly fell silent.
The ladies looked at the smiling girl and seemed to remember something, sighing, then smiling kindly. Li Guanyi looked at the young lady, sighed, and raised his hand, clenching his fist toward the young lady.
Then he put down his sword.
He sheathed his long sword.
He reached out and grasped the battle halberd next to him, the weapon of the competition, still unsharpened. With a casual shake, the halberd tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistle. Then, holding the halberd with one hand, slanted, he stepped onto the martial arts platform.
His opponent’s face grew increasingly pale.
???
The young lady cheered for Li Guanyi. She looked at the young man holding the halberd.
High above, Chen Qingyan, with snow-white temples, quietly watched the two of them. For some reason, she suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment, as if seeing her past self and that man. Time always passes so quickly, and sometimes, one catches glimpses of their past selves in the next generation.
Li Guanyi’s opponent was the second son of a fourth-rank military official, Xiang Guangtao, a skilled martial artist.
But when he saw that his opponent was Li Guanyi, his face turned pale.
When he saw Li Guanyi put down his sword and pick up the halberd.
And when he saw the girl, who appeared to be Li Guanyi’s childhood sweetheart, cheering him on, the young martial artist’s face was drained of color, but he gritted his teeth and stood there, holding his long spear. “Military officer, please!”
Li Guanyi replied, “I’m just a ninth-rank guard.”
Xiang Guangtao said, “But in our eyes, you’re still that military officer…”
He thrust his spear with all his might. Li Guanyi shook his halberd, directly pushing down the long spear. At this moment, if Li Guanyi stepped forward, the halberd would slide up along the spear shaft, directly disarming his opponent.
Xiang Guangtao’s face turned white, but the next moment, Li Guanyi only retracted his halberd.
Li Guanyi rested his halberd on the ground, then raised his left hand, extending it forward. “Come.”
Xiang Guangtao was slightly stunned, then understood Li Guanyi’s intention; the young man was giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his skills. Gratitude flickered in his eyes. “Thank you, Military Officer…”
Then he stepped forward, displaying his martial arts.
Li Guanyi didn’t seek a quick victory. He simply held his halberd, exchanging blows with Xiang Guangtao, guiding the young man’s spear like General Xue had guided him, allowing Xiang Guangtao to showcase his skills. For a time, the halberd and spear clashed, endlessly.
Xiang Guangtao felt like he was about to surpass himself, suddenly letting out a long cry.
Thousands of spear shadows merged, and a spear thrust came.
Li Guanyi brought his halberd down, interrupting the thrust. Xiang Guangtao’s hand felt numb.
He staggered back.
Then he looked up and saw a hand extended. Li Guanyi, clad in dark green armor, holding his halberd with one hand, smiled faintly, “I concede.”
Xiang Guangtao was sincerely convinced. “Thank you, Military Officer, for your guidance.”
He saw his father breathe a sigh of relief, saw a military strategist nod at him, and felt a sense of relief. Then, he saw Li Guanyi walk away. He bowed deeply to the young man’s back.
Zhou Liying said, “Strange, the boss didn’t win decisively today.”
Ye Buyihui said, “…It seems like he had his reasons.”
Li Zhaowen was stunned, then clapped her hands and sighed, “I advised you to show off your talent to the princes and nobles, but you did the opposite. Impressive, impressive. Others show off their talents to the nobles, but you show your magnanimity to these young officers.”
“Fair and just.”
“Hahaha, amazing.”
Only a few noticed Li Guanyi’s actions.
Po Jun’s lips curled up, then pressed down, then curled up again.
He couldn’t control it.
This was the demeanor of a king – majestic and grand, winning hearts!
The emperor watched these battles. He watched his son win decisively, a testament to his training. He turned to the Divine General Yu Wen Lie sitting beside him. “General Yu Wen, did you see any promising talents in this competition?”
Yu Wen Lie replied, “The Sword Saint’s grandson truly possesses his grandfather’s style, but he is still ultimately a martial arts master, not general material; Ge Shu Yin has extraordinary spirit, but he is rather old and lacks the heroic spirit. He can be a general who preserves what he has, but he can’t become a top-tier general.”
The emperor casually said, “How about my cousin’s son?”
Yu Wen Lie glanced at Chen Yu Yun, who had just defeated his opponent. “A disciple of the Imperial Military Academy.”
“His methods are excellent; he is brave and skilled.”
“He has the bearing of a prince.”
The emperor laughed, “It seems the boy is quite capable, but he’s still not as good as General Yu Wen’s nephew.”
Yu Wen Lie said, “Hua has martial arts skills and spirit, but he’s merely a brave general.”
“He cannot be a general who can command a large army.”
The emperor curiously asked, “Then, General Yu Wen, do you know of such a talent?”
Yu Wen Lie shook his head. “A capable leader is hard to find.” But after the emperor left, the crown prince of Ying Country asked Yu Wen Lie the same question. Yu Wen Lie was silent. He pointed to Li Guanyi, who was fighting his opponent. “That man.”
The crown prince of Ying Country was surprised.
Yu Wen Lie slowly said, “He’s giving all the young officers a chance to show their talent. Victors won’t be arrogant, and the losers are sincerely convinced and even grateful to him. The best strategy is to conquer by strategy, and the best strategy is to conquer hearts.”
“Ten years from now, these young officers will all remember today’s events.”
“Chen Yu Yun’s martial arts are high, but his resentment is too strong; Hua, Ge Shu Yin, are merely brave generals.”
The crown prince of Ying Country said, “And he?”
Yu Wen Lie firmly declared, “A leader of men!”
“My nephew commands soldiers, but he commands generals.”
“Your Highness, if you are interested, you can invite him. If he is willing to come to Ying Country, I am willing to apologize for the past, before all the civil and military officials and heroes of the world. Yu Wen Lie will apologize to him, even if it means kneeling, this is a great talent, worthy of such treatment.”
The fifth most powerful general in the world readily gave this answer. Then, seeing the prince’s surprise, he added, “But if he refuses, Your Highness, you must kill him.”
“He will be your future great enemy.”
The crown prince of Ying Country was surprised, slowly nodding.
“Then I must meet him.”
Li Guanyi won another match. His movements suddenly paused. He sensed a great malice, slowly raising his weapon, his gaze sweeping around. His Qi sensing technique activated, and he saw Yu Wenhua raise his weapon, his smile arrogant and unrestrained, but filled with fighting spirit.
Ge Shu Yin nodded amicably because Li Guanyi had treated the Tiefutu junior officer similarly.
Xu Huiyang nodded with a curious smile.
Chen Yu Yun smiled and greeted him.
Li Guanyi saw behind Yu Wenhua an intense fighting spirit and open hostility.
Ge Shu Yin was just performing his duty, Xu Huiyang was curious, but behind Chen Yu Yun, a blood-red color mixed with black; that malice, hostility, even surpassing killing intent, a desire to torture and humiliate Li Guanyi to death, was almost palpable.
Chen Yu Yun, however, wore a gentle and sincere smile. “Impressive.”
Li Guanyi lowered his eyes and made his decision.
After today’s battle, Po Jun found Li Guanyi, warmly praising the young man’s victory. Li Guanyi said, “I have something I’d like to trouble you with, sir.”
Po Jun praised, “You used the Chen Kingdom’s grand ceremony martial arts competition to win the favor of young officers – a kingly move. What is it? Tell me, and I will certainly help you solve it!”
Li Guanyi said, “I want to kill someone.”
“Please devise a plan for me, so I can kill him without implicating myself.”
Po Jun was stunned. “Who?”
Li Guanyi said, “Chen Yu Yun.”
Then he uttered a sentence that made Po Jun’s pupils constrict.
“Emperor Chen’s illegitimate son.”
(End of Chapter)
Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
0 Comments