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    Edict of Peace 25

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    Chapter 25: Dragon’s Roar, Tiger’s Howl, Weapon in Hand

    Yu Qianfeng’s eyesight could already make out the city. As one of the two gate cities flanking Jiangzhou, the capital of Chen Kingdom, it was built in a strategically advantageous location. It was only about a hundred li away; even carrying a scholar unskilled in martial arts, and even if strong enemies blocked their path, Yu Qianfeng could reach it within half a day.

    But the old man simply sat on a rock, a twig in his hand, sketching intricate patterns on the thin layer of loose soil. Even when assassins had just attacked, he didn’t look up. On the loose soil was a giant circle, depicting countless stars and celestial phenomena, incredibly complex.

    The old man’s twig was like a carving knife, slicing this celestial circle, constantly adding characters and symbols, gradually becoming too complex for Yu Qianfeng to understand.

    The Celestial Circle Cutting Method. Old Master Zu, a senior member of the Daoist sect and one of the Twenty-Four Jijiu (high-ranking officials in the Daoist sect), was knowledgeable in astronomy and a master of mathematics, most skilled in deduction. He believed that everything in the world was already imprinted in the light of the celestial stars; by removing the inconsistencies, one could infinitely approach the truth.

    Yu Qianfeng called out several times before Old Master Zu looked up. Yu Qianfeng asked:

    “Master Zu, should we depart immediately?”

    The old man, sitting on the rock, softly said: “Waiting for a reply from a friend.”

    “Thank you, General Yu, for accompanying this old man for a few more days.”

    Yu Qianfeng understood. Before departing, the old man had sent letters to his friends: Wang Tong, a great Confucian scholar; the seventh most powerful member of the Mohist school; and the oldest Si Ming (official in charge of fate) of the Yin-Yang school.

    Except for the Legalist, all had responded. Even scholars have their principles. After learning of Marshal Yue’s wrongful accusation, these aging scholars had once again risen, hoping to save the country.

    Old Master Zu had arranged to go to Jiangzhou, Chen Kingdom, with his friends. However, he had Yu Qianfeng secretly change the meeting place to Guan Yi City. The old man said: “Let me have a little selfishness… While saving Marshal Yue is the main goal, I also hope to introduce the heir I’m about to find to them.”

    Yu Qianfeng thought of the legendary organization and asked: “The Tian Shu Society of East Continent?”

    The old man shook his head: “That’s too harsh.”

    “I just want to leave him a way to survive.”

    “Our actions will inevitably enrage the court. It’s fine for me, an old man, but if I find a disciple, the consequences will inevitably affect him. After much thought, I’ve only found one way to protect his life.”

    “Great renown, great caution.”

    Yu Qianfeng muttered: “Great renown, great caution.”

    “This way, killing him would be far more harmful than beneficial; it’s indeed a way to protect his life.”

    The old man lowered his head to continue his calculations, calmly saying: “I will bestow great fame upon Guan Yi City.”

    “Like a torrential downpour, falling from the sky, benefiting all equally. How much he can withstand is his fate.”

    Yu Qianfeng knew that the old man’s “great fame” was also to create momentum to save Marshal Yue.

    Chen Kingdom valued literature, while Ying Country valued martial arts. Different strategies were needed in different countries. This method would only work in Chen Kingdom.

    He looked at Guan Yi City, thinking of getting the old man there. The city’s defense was now under the famous Chen general, Lu Youxian. The strongest person in the city should be the old White Tiger from the Xue family. Though separated by a hundred li, and with only himself, it was like two armies facing off.

    “When will your friend arrive?”

    “Four or five days at the shortest, half a month at the longest.”

    “Good. Then, I will capture some wanted criminals and send them towards Guan Yi City to distract the city guards and constables. I will directly challenge Lu Youxian and the old man from the Xue family – a feint attack. Then Old Master Zu can enter the city calmly. Once he is under the protection of great renown, they won’t dare to touch him.”

    The old man said: “Won’t that harm the civilians?”

    Yu Qianfeng said: “I have a way to control those criminals.”

    “Criminals value their lives.”

    “Between a 90% chance of death and immediate death…”

    “They can tell the difference.”

    “As for Xue Daoyong of the Xue family, he’s perceptive and likes to gamble, but he’s ultimately a merchant. Merchants value profit, and he won’t fight me to the death.”

    The old man nodded, finishing his last stroke, completing the intricate, exquisitely beautiful pattern. Then, he began to calculate. Gradually, his white eyebrows furrowed. Yu Qianfeng asked: “What’s wrong?”

    Old Master Zu stroked his beard and said: “I don’t know, perhaps I miscalculated.”

    “Hmm?”

    “I used the Circle Cutting technique to calculate if I have a disciple, but this pattern is strange. The circle is like the celestial sphere, with stars densely packed. It’s March, springtime, but my calculation shows an empty sky, the Dragon constellation’s horn appearing in the south, the sun and moon passing through it, while the Tiger constellation remains in the west, both shining brightly.”

    “The south belongs to fire, and the dragon passing through it is a great omen of disaster.”

    “If I didn’t miscalculate, then my destined disciple possesses the Law Physique of both dragon and tiger, walking the path of warfare.”

    “Furthermore, it’s a fire dragon and a white tiger.”

    “Fire dragon, white tiger?”

    The old man laughed, pointing at the Celestial Circle Cutting technique and its complex depiction of the universe, clapping and chanting: “The myriad phenomena form the brackets and tiles, covering the sky, unaffected for many years, the cause and effect are intertwined.”

    “Cultivation success, achieving three thousand accomplishments.”

    “Subdue the fire dragon and tame the tiger, achieving transcendence on land!”

    ……

    In the Xue family’s Listening Wind Pavilion, Li Guanyi reviewed the top three rankings. These three lists weren’t long, only the Divine General list being numerous, with hundreds of generals from various factions listed. Divine weapons and Law Physiques were far fewer. While the old man brewed tea, Li Guanyi casually inquired about what he wanted to know.

    Xue Daoyong answered without hesitation, laughing freely: “Law Physique?”

    “What is a Law Physique?”

    “It’s divided into two types: innate and acquired.”

    “Innate Law Physiques are extremely rare. In a century, there might not be more than ten people, those with natural auspicious signs; the ancient heavy pupils, prominent noses, dragon faces were all like this; acquired Law Physiques are formed through hardship, killing, and relentless cultivation.”

    “Ultimately, combining one’s cultivated martial will with the world’s Yuan Qi (primordial energy), forming a Law Physique. While an innate Law Physique is indeed enviable, that’s just how the world is. Some are born with extraordinary talent, as if they came to this world with a mission. Talent is unpredictable.”

    “However, innate Law Physiques are only hearsay. I’ve lived for one hundred and thirty years and haven’t seen anyone with a low martial arts realm possessing a Law Physique.”

    Li Guanyi nodded in agreement.

    The old man continued:

    “Besides their effectiveness in attack and killing, Law Physiques all have unique properties.”

    “For example, I’ve heard that some Law Physiques allow their possessors to master weapons, some make their possessors immune to poisons, and some grant eternal youth. These characteristics don’t require realm; simply possessing the Law Physique is enough, and they are constantly in effect.”

    Li Guanyi became curious. He wondered what unique properties the Red Dragon and White Tiger Law Physiques possessed.

    A knock came from the door.

    The Xue family patriarch said: “Come in.”

    A white-haired steward carrying a tray quickly approached, placing it on the table. Xue Daoyong said: “Young Master, you have family, and the Xue family’s inner residence is somewhat chaotic, with many men. Even guest retainers, unless they marry a Xue family woman, cannot bring their families in.”

    He picked up a piece of paper from the tray, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Li Guanyi.

    The old man smiled slightly.

    “This is the deed to the courtyard where you’ll be staying.”

    “That courtyard, along with the land, is now yours.”

    “The necessary registration has been completed.”

    Li Guanyi held the land deed. The rent for that courtyard wasn’t cheap; buying it would cost five hundred guan (ancient Chinese currency). Including the land, it might be even more…

    He just gave it away like that?

    A thought flashed through the young man’s mind.

    Can it be exchanged for cash?!

    Half the price would be fine.

    He noticed that the steward had suddenly entered, not at the old man’s command, meaning that Xue Daoyong had likely already instructed the steward to change the deed while he was at the martial arts arena. The old man smiled gently: “This is for you whether you become a guest retainer or not, a gesture of goodwill from the Xue family.”

    “Only low-class merchants would focus on gold and silver; great merchants seek relationships.”

    “For the sake of friendship, even a thousand guan is insignificant.”

    “Young Master is a man of loyalty and righteousness. I offer friendship, hoping it won’t be in vain.”

    “As for the guest retainer position…”

    “Your monthly salary will increase from thirty guan to fifty guan, with corresponding medicinal supplies and cultivation materials, the same as the Xue family’s core disciples.”

    “This is the Xue family’s archery technique, ‘Flying Feather Chain’, combining footwork and archery. I see that Young Master only masters internal energy and swordsmanship. While this technique isn’t unparalleled, it’s considered outstanding in Jiangnan.”

    “For hand-to-hand combat, there’s the ‘Seven Striking Scattered Hands’ obtained from the Beggar Clan.”

    “Only used as a supplementary skill when weapons are lost.”

    “These martial arts will be taught by…”

    Xue Daoyong was about to assign a Xue family instructor, his voice pausing when he saw his granddaughter idly listening to their conversation. Unable to join in, Xue Shuangtao stared at a lotus leaf, watching a butterfly flutter on it. The butterfly slowly landed on her hair. The girl’s eyes lit up with joy.

    The old man thought for a moment, smiling slightly:

    “Let Shuangtao teach you, Young Master.”

    The girl lounging on her arm, like a startled kitten, suddenly lifted her head.

    Eyes wide: “Huh???”

    Li Guanyi, calculating the value of the courtyard deed: “Huh???”

    The two looked at each other.

    The old man burst into laughter. He hoped his granddaughter could also form this connection. This way, whether Xue Shuangtao marries into a great family or chooses to lead the Xue family herself, having such a talented individual as an external connection would be beneficial.

    Li Guanyi nodded: “If Miss Xue is willing.”

    The old man said contentedly: “I’m her grandfather, so she’ll listen to me.”

    His heart rejoiced, seeing Li Guanyi’s composure, further increasing his joy.

    He had noticed Li Guanyi repeatedly glancing at the Broken Cloud Heaven-Shaking Bow, knowing that the young man would be curious and eager about such a legendary divine weapon. His mood was excellent, reminiscent of his youth.

    The conditions for obtaining the Broken Cloud Heaven-Shaking Bow were extremely strict, so he generously offered:

    “Young Master is curious about this Broken Cloud Heaven-Shaking Bow?”

    Li Guanyi nodded: “Yes.”

    The childish roar of the White Tiger Law Physique on the Bronze Tripod was almost giving him a headache.

    Xue Daoyong laughed: “Then, feel free to hold it.”

    Li Guanyi paused, Xue Daoyong stepping aside, allowing Li Guanyi to see the bow.

    The young man hesitated, then extended his hand.

    Amidst the roar of the White Tiger Law Physique on the Bronze Tripod, his five fingers landed on the ancient bow.

    Slowly, he closed his hand around it.

    (End of Chapter)

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