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    Edict of Peace 51

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    Chapter 51: Youthful Spirit (Third Update)

    A martial artist’s aura soared into the heavens, stirring the crimson flames in the sky and staining the thick clouds with a scarlet hue. Yu Qianfeng stood atop the mountain, yet he did not, as the high-ranking officials in the court had speculated, directly charge into the city.

    With the strength to be considered the number one in close-quarters combat in Southern Chen, if he were to crash into Guan Yi City, engaging in close-quarters combat, few could stop him. He could be like a sharp spear, piercing deep into Chen Kingdom’s interior, directly striking Jiangzhou City, which was only two hundred li away. If he did so, it would be like a tiger entering the mortal world, terrifying even the high officials in the capital.

    But he couldn’t do that.

    Yu Qianfeng held a wine jar, standing there watching the city’s citizens. The vibrant city life became chaotic after Yu Qianfeng’s roar. He withdrew his gaze, tilted his head back, and drank. A cheap wine, one copper coin a cup, three strings of cash for a whole jar.

    These were their comrades, those who fought to the death, sparing no effort to protect. How could he turn his weapons against them?

    As a Grandmaster-level martial artist, even without divine weapons, a single sudden attack could easily cause tens of thousands of casualties. Who would die under his fist? Whose father, whose child, whose daughter, whose beloved?

    He lifted the wine jar and drank deeply, the strong liquor burning its way down.

    The captured criminals, trembling, scattered towards three of the city gates under his gaze, leaving one gate unguarded. These criminals possessed the Red Dragon energy; they knew what would happen if they attacked the citizens, and they didn’t want to experience it again. Those unwilling to cooperate were dealt with swiftly by a large man—one punch, one crushed skull. As he killed these criminals, a cold killing intent filled Yu Qianfeng’s eyes, making him seem even more terrifying than these vicious fugitives.

    While these criminals drew attention to the three gates, disrupting the view, Elder Zu calmly entered through the remaining gate from amidst the citizens.

    The leader of the Mohists and the Yin and Yang Master Si Wei waited there.

    But the most crucial element wasn’t the criminals, but Yu Qianfeng himself—his rebellion was enough to attract the attention of all the city’s strong men, nobles, and influential families, allowing Elder Zu to safely enter the city and complete the final step in rescuing Commander Yue. This was the plan.

    A renowned general couldn’t be a foolish man who didn’t know how to use strategy. From the moment he deserted the Yue Army, this was his aim.

    Even if the final outcome was death.

    Yu Qianfeng grinned, whispering to himself:

    Yue Army, does not harm civilians.
    Border warriors, do not disturb the common people.
    I am your warrior.
    Upholding ultimate loyalty.
    Brothers in arms who shared life and death, if I, Lao Yue, die here, I’ll bear the blame of a traitor.
    Then my comrades on the border will be safe.

    Then he finished the wine, placed his Yue Army identification badge beside the empty jar, and whispered, “Commander, allow me to charge into battle once more. You brought me from a mere mountain bandit to this great fame. Today, I return it all to you.”

    “This life, this martial prowess, and this reputation.”

    BOOM!!!!

    He gripped his two halberds, threw them, and forcefully unleashed his power. The halberds spun, stirring his inner energy, tearing at the vital energy and transforming it into flames. At this moment, his Law Physique seemed to manifest through the flames, two fire dragons spanning ten li.

    They crashed heavily into the city gate.

    The giant Mohist crossbows set up on the city walls were instantly shattered, and the five-inch-thick city gate crumbled into dust. The huge bronze gate bolts melted as if consumed by flames. The gate could not be closed. The burly man roared with laughter:

    “HAHAHAHAHA, Yu Qianfeng is here!”

    “Who dares to fight me to the death?!”

    ……

    Martial energy soared to the heavens.

    Li Guanyi grunted, feeling the shock of clashing dragon and tiger energies. His pen tip pressed heavily onto the white paper, leaving a black ink blot. Other renowned scholars managed to maintain their composure, but the younger scholars panicked.

    This was… a great change!

    An elderly man in black armor with determined brows stood on the city gate, his blade severing the remaining energy. His blade rested on the ground. His first priority was to defend Guan Yi City.

    He was Chen Kingdom’s renowned city defender. He feared Yu Qianfeng was luring him away from the city.

    He cut down a charging criminal, shouting, “Xue Daoyong!!!”

    In the royal villa, an elderly scholar in Confucian robes sighed. Xue Shuangtao froze, seeing her grandfather lift his hand to his robes, revealing a sturdy undergarment, and even inner armor. The old man picked up a heavy bow, saying, “Those who play chess often find it difficult to leave the game.”

    “Guanyi, remember that.”

    “I will protect you all.”

    A White Tiger Law Physique roared, and the old man strode out, the White Tiger commanding the gale. The old man, bow in hand, soared into the air. He drew his bow, five li from the city gate, and fifteen li from Yu Qianfeng. An arrow, carrying golden gale winds, tore through the clouds,

    Spinning towards Yu Qianfeng.

    Yu Qianfeng gripped his halberds and swept them.

    Like a muffled thunderclap, it rolled across the sky.

    Dragon and tiger roamed!

    Xue Daoyong didn’t hesitate. He quickly moved away from the city to prevent the clash from endangering the citizens. His arrow flew, and due to the gathering vital energy, the Law Physique briefly manifested and was visible to the naked eye. A giant red dragon roared in the sky, while the White Tiger howled.

    The golden wind tore everything apart, and flames burned against the sea of clouds.

    Like legends from ancient myths, once again appearing in the present world.

    The earth trembled, and Guan Yi City shook.

    The scholars’ faces were pale, terrified by the horrific battle. After a long silence, their words were stammered, “This… this… is the rebel… Senior Xue’s archery is unparalleled, unsurpassed in the world, he’ll surely be alright…”

    Li Guanyi felt the change in his Bronze Tripod.

    Dragon and tiger, civil and military energy flowed. This was precisely the great change that Master Si Wei had spoken of—when civil energy reached its peak, and martial energy also rose to its height. It was the opportunity that Commander Xue spoke of. Li Guanyi could already feel the fusion of his Law Physique and inner energy.

    It was a chance for entry!
    To prove the ultimate entry.

    But Li Guanyi’s mind wasn’t on that. He held his pen, gazing into the distance, recalling everything he had seen. He finally understood. Guan Yi City’s defenses were to await Yu Qianfeng, and Yu Qianfeng was the warrior escorting Elder Zu.

    It was a conflict between the imperial family, Chen Dynasty, and border generals.

    Xue Daoyong, as Guan Yi City’s strongest warrior, was also caught in the crossfire.

    They were about to kill each other.

    Li Guanyi had heard the elder’s praise for Commander Yue, filled with admiration and regret. He also understood Yu Qianfeng’s purpose in coming here. Li Guanyi immediately judged that Xue Daoyong and Yu Qianfeng’s relationship was not one of life-or-death struggle.

    But they didn’t know.

    Xue Daoyong, as an imperial relative, believed Yu Qianfeng intended to attack Jiangzhou’s imperial palace.

    While Yu Qianfeng believed Xue Daoyong was from the faction blocking Elder Zu’s entry.

    They would fight fiercely for their goals and positions. Such powerful individuals, involved in such a significant event, death was not impossible. Li Guanyi watched the dragon and tiger energies clash and tear at each other in the sky. He saw the red dragon’s bloodshot eyes and the white tiger’s bared fangs.

    He saw their killing intent and determination for a fight to the death.

    Meanwhile, within his Bronze Tripod, the vital energy was boiling. The long-awaited chance for entry was before him. If he meditated at this point of maximum civil energy, he would naturally break through. He could even use the clashing energy of Yu Qianfeng and Xue Daoyong’s fight to achieve a purer state for his Law Physique.

    But…

    The youth lowered his eyes.

    His hand on his chest relaxed.

    He suddenly laughed and cursed, “To hell with this.”

    The red dragon roared, flames burning against the sky. It seemed that Yu Qianfeng used some martial skill, striking down with a powerful blow. Xue Daoyong didn’t expect such a desperate attack and horrifying force from Yu Qianfeng and suffered a setback. The White Tiger, formed from the gathering clouds, roared in pain.

    The bow shattered. Xue Daoyong appeared to be at a disadvantage.

    Xue Shuangtao’s face was pale. She seemed to hear her grandfather’s groan, experiencing a heart-wrenching pain, tears welling in her eyes. All the scholars around, including the powerful ones, remained motionless. At this moment, a clear whistle was heard.

    Immediately, the neighing of horses exploded. Several people were knocked away.

    A horse with crimson mane violently shook its head, throwing off its attendant, and ran towards them. Changsun Wu’chou recognized the horse, his eyes widening. “This is…”

    “Li Guanyi?!”

    A figure rushed out, past Xue Shuangtao.

    Under everyone’s silent gaze, the youth in blue clothes leaped onto the horse, his right hand gripping the Su Ni bow, his left hand on the reins. The previously unruly horse neighed, reared up like a dragon. Changsun Wu’chou rushed forward, “Li Guanyi, what are you doing?!”

    Li Guanyi’s eyes gleamed with determination. “To repay kindness.”

    “This is my righteousness!”

    Only he, who possessed the ability to absorb the aura of the Law Physique, had the qualifications to enter there. Only he, who knew both sides and saw the overall situation, could explain the current situation. Even if he might be affected by the aftermath, even if he might fail, even if it affected his entry—

    I want to do it.

    He urged the horse forward. The horse neighed, he abandoned the pursuit of ultimate entry. Perhaps this body was still that of a youth, but youth had its own reckless spirit. To sit idly by while two people he owed great debts to fought each other to the death while he quietly broke through?

    He couldn’t do that!

    The youth’s brows rose, he laughed.

    His heart was like a scorching sun, radiating brilliance.

    The dragon and tiger Law Physique paused. Although Li Guanyi abandoned the cultivation technique Xue Daoyong had given him and chose to enter in the style of a seasoned warrior, these two Law Physique seemed even more passionate, without the previous agitation during the cultivation process, but instead with an indescribable divine intent.

    Full of youthful spirit!

    It seemed to completely merge with the youth!

    The horse neighed, carrying Li Guanyi forward, against the tide of scholars and literati, silently, without a sound. Even the most unruly of the young scions had complex expressions on their faces. Xue Shuangtao’s eyes widened, reflecting the youth’s youthful vigor.

    In this literary gathering, where civil energy reached its peak in thirty years, this was the only one who, amidst the cultivation of benevolence, righteousness, and courage, dared to say “righteousness” and move forward against the current.

    Therefore, his name became known.

    “Jiangzhou, Li Guanyi.”

    (End of Chapter)

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