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    Edict of Peace 78

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    The young man’s fingers stopped playing the qin, but the music seemed to linger in everyone’s ears, echoing in the teahouse. Even the sound of the rain outside seemed distant. The boy’s music was elegant. When people came to their senses, they saw him sitting there, sipping tea.

    He picked up a cup of tea and offered it to the young lady. The tea was light, and he offered her some dried figs to eat with it. These fruits were grown abundantly in the Western Regions, dried under the sun and harsh winds, yet they remained sweet. The rough tea from Jiangnan perfectly complemented the sweetness.

    “How is it? Is it delicious now?”

    “Savory and sweet, it’s always a winning combination.”

    The boy proudly raised an eyebrow. He was wearing a simple black robe with white cuffs, an outfit that was a bit too plain. However, the flowers adorning his temples added a lively and passionate touch to his demeanor as he explained the eating method to the young lady.

    A young woman at a nearby table shyly lowered her head.

    The young lady savored the poem, impressed by its extraordinary talent. She thought he would likely claim to have encountered some great talent reciting the poem during his ten years of fleeing hardship. But as much as she enjoyed the poem, her face suddenly flushed crimson.

    Her eyes widened, as if finally realizing something, and she repeated one line of the poem several times.

    Her fair face flushed visibly.

    She couldn’t help but gently kick Li Guanyi.

    Her face bright red, she stammered:

    “You…you…you!”

    “Ah? What’s wrong with me?”

    Her face burning red, she whispered: “Why did you write such a poem and sing it?”

    Li Guanyi smiled slightly: “I didn’t write it. I met a great talent named Liu Sanbian while fleeing, and he recited it by a well. I have a good memory, so I remembered it.”

    Xue Shuangtao angrily said: “Then why did you put my name in it?”

    “What do you mean?”

    “Nu Tao Juan Shuang Xue (Angry waves roll frost snow)!”

    Li Guanyi froze. He had been lost in the music, not realizing the line could be interpreted as “Frost and snow like Jiangnan snow”. Seeing the young lady’s crimson face, the blush spreading to her eyes, her shame and annoyance were clear.

    Snow rarely falls in Jiangnan; Jiangnan snow is a rare sight indeed.

    Li Guanyi, who prided himself on his sharp wit, was momentarily speechless:

    “I…I…”

    Everyone around them laughed. The girl stamped her foot and ran out.

    Suddenly, something flew over. Li Guanyi caught it—a silver ingot, like the applause given to storytellers and singers in a teahouse. The young man, lacking the arrogance of many scholars, took the silver, smiled slightly, and bowed his head.

    Then, grabbing an umbrella, he dashed into the rain.

    The person who had thrown the silver ingot was seated on the second floor of the teahouse, where some rainwater still splashed in. Most people avoided sitting there, as the second floor cost extra. Those seeking shelter from the rain were mostly children and street vendors, preferring to endure the rain rather than spend the extra ten cash for a better view upstairs.

    The person who tossed the silver ingot, wearing a bamboo hat, softly recited:

    “Nu Tao Juan Shuang Xue, Tian Qian Wu Ya (Angry waves roll frost and snow, chasm boundless), it’s a beautiful song.”

    “Chen Kingdom’s style is different from Ying Country. And Jiangnan has such a young talent.”

    A woman’s voice responded, her tone clear and elegant. She wore a mask. Across from her sat a man, who said: “I didn’t expect the Luzhou Sword Immortal to care so much about such a song.”

    The woman calmly replied: “Poetry has no benefit to me.”

    “It’s just that his playing reminded me of a friend from my youth.”

    “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard her play.”

    The man understood that the prominent martial artist was unwilling to elaborate.

    He smiled slightly and said: “I’m grateful for the Sword Immortal’s assistance earlier, in teaming up with our Chen Kingdom’s Protector-General Xiao Wuliang to defeat Yue Qianfeng. That man was quite the general; only the Sword Immortal’s piercing sword energy could break through his aura and reveal his tracks.”

    “Luzhou Sword Immortal, truly deserving of the name.”

    “This is a token of my gratitude.”

    The man took a box from his sleeve and placed it on the table, gently pushing it forward. It was made of golden nanmu wood, which takes thousands of years to mature, making the box itself incredibly expensive, not to mention its contents.

    The woman, called the Luzhou Sword Immortal, didn’t even glance at it, simply saying:

    “No need.”

    “I merely kept my promise to Dantái. A pact from years ago, to act on his behalf three times.”

    “After three times, our past grievances are settled.”

    “That last time was the second.”

    The man smiled lightly and said: “Even a Sword Immortal is still a person of the Jianghu (martial arts world), a person of their word. This third request to invite you to Jiangzhou City is still related to that previous matter. The world is changing now; Tu Gu Hun is the fish, and the kingdoms are the knives. The Chen Kingdom’s Grand Ceremony is the beginning of this great drama.”

    “On the surface, it’s splendid and thriving, but in reality, it’s like a fire about to consume everything.”

    “Domestically, there’s the matter of Yue Pengwu, the high-ranking officials, the two newly appointed Yinqing Guanglu Daifu, and the affairs involving Xiao Wuliang and Yue Qianfeng. Globally, the Turks, the Tangxiang, and Ying Country are all coming. Such a significant event. If that rough brute, Yue Qianfeng, acts recklessly, Chen Kingdom will lose face before the entire world.”

    “Please, Sword Immortal, help to contain him.”

    The Luzhou Sword Immortal said: “…Yue Qianfeng is very strong.”

    The man nodded, praising: “Ranked 34th on the Divine General List, he is naturally strong. But the Sword Immortal also has a reputation throughout the Jianghu, with unparalleled sword energy. Stopping him shouldn’t be difficult.”

    The Luzhou Sword Immortal replied: “I only have a fifty percent chance of success.”

    “You should look for someone stronger.”

    The man laughed, filled with regret:

    “Those Jianghu masters stronger than you will not easily return to the mortal world.”

    “Leaving aside the four legendary martial arts figures, do you want me to find one of the ten Grand Masters?”

    “Jianghu wanderers kill for fame. Most gain a name to be recruited as generals and commanders. Many famous generals of the various countries were once wandering heroes.”

    “But those ten Grand Masters, each strong enough to be on the Divine General List, refuse to be controlled by anyone.”

    A sharp glint appeared in the man’s eyes:

    “Only because the world is not yet unified that they still exist.”

    “Once the world is unified, the martial arts world will be trampled underfoot.”

    The Luzhou Sword Immortal did not answer, gazing outside. Along with the Divine General List of the world’s martial artists, there is also the Grand Master List in the Jianghu, the cultivators who do not serve the court or any sect. They fight in the Jianghu, their love, hatred, and renown forming various factions.

    The Jianghu’s feuds are no less intense than those of the court.

    The man continued: “Since the Sword Immortal seems reluctant to act, you mentioned those ten Grand Masters; let’s hear it. Which Grand Master do you think is the strongest, the one who could easily quell this situation at Chen Kingdom’s Grand Ceremony? I will inform my master and do my best to invite him.”

    He was trying to appease the Sword Immortal.

    The Sword Immortal, wearing a silver mask, said:

    “You know which one.”

    “But that one, you won’t be able to invite.”

    The man’s smile disappeared.

    He knew who the Sword Immortal was referring to.

    The one and only Grand Master who could undeniably defeat Yue Qianfeng in a direct confrontation.

    The rain gradually stopped, dripping from the eaves onto the earthenware pots, the sound crisp. The Luzhou Sword Immortal raised her sword, looking at the scenery outside, and said: “Twelve years ago, when the Taiping Gong was besieged in the capital, Ying Country’s ferocious cavalry invaded the eighteenth prefecture of Jiangnan. That person wielded ninety-seven mystical weapons, personally stopping them outside the pass.”

    The man said: “The Taiping Gong was drinking wine in the capital, not besieged.”

    The Luzhou Sword Immortal calmly said:

    “I want to ask about the Taiping Gong’s actions in the capital during the two years before his death.”

    “Chen Kingdom’s border troops retreated, as if deliberately allowing Ying Country to invade the border. The Murong family defended the city, losing three hundred and seventy-two direct descendants. The Murong’s blood flowed into the city’s rivers. Ultimately, the city’s citizens themselves defended the city, repelling the thirty thousand-strong army.”

    “He personally killed one thousand seven hundred heavily armored cavalry, charging seven times, crippling the world’s second strongest heavy cavalry, which took ten years to recover.”

    “He killed two Divine Generals on the list.”

    “Among the Grand Masters of the Central Plains Jianghu, he is the strongest.”

    “Among the swordsmen of the world, none are more domineering than him. But can you invite him back?”

    Fear flashed in the man’s eyes, as he lowered his head to drink tea.

    The Luzhou Sword Immortal, holding her sword and umbrella, left the teahouse, calmly reciting:

    “One flute, one sword, a lifetime’s work, bearing the name of madness for two hundred years.”

    “Jiangnan’s Divine Weapons, the Murong Mansion.”

    “Sword Madman, Murong Longtu.”

    Drawing swords, riding horses, wielding bloody rain; mountains of bones, birds in flight.

    Dragon’s Map dominance, autumn water without trace.

    Jiangnan’s misty rain, the Divine Weapons of the Murong.

    A lineage that simultaneously wielded both weapons and musical instruments in the Jianghu, a family of both literary and martial prowess.

    The man in the teahouse seemed to recall the bloody events from that file and the hidden struggles within the text. Finally, he closed his eyes, as if listening to the Jiangnan wind and rain, the roar of weapons in the wind, and softly said:

    “Not ninety-seven, but ninety-six.”

    “Among the weapons of the Murong family of Jiangnan Divine Weapons, one is missing.”

    He realized that the other had left and stopped talking. Finally, he looked into the distance:

    “The Grand Ceremony, whatever happens, must not go wrong.”

    “For the sake of this world.”
    ………………

    Li Guanyi found the young lady under a tree. The Jiangnan spring rain was gentle, so she wasn’t soaked. Li Guanyi held his umbrella to shield her, saying: “The rain is stopping. If we stay out any longer, Grandfather will scold us.”

    “Did you have fun, young lady? Shall we go back?”

    Xue Shuangtao had calmed down. After some thought, she said: “One last thing.”

    She pointed to the tree, a little embarrassed: “I want to climb up to see the view.”

    Li Guanyi was dumbfounded.

    Xue Shuangtao explained: “Growing up, only my brother could climb trees. Grandfather always said it wasn’t suitable for girls of our family. I really want to see what Jiangnan looks like from the highest point.”

    Li Guanyi smiled: “Alright, need my help?”

    Xue Shuangtao, eager to try, said: “Don’t underestimate me. Although I haven’t reached the peak, my family’s Jade Arm Divine Bow technique has some achievements.”

    She stretched, leaped, her right foot landing on the trunk, her inner energy bursting forth, her body shooting up five or six feet. After catching her breath, in just a few steps, she reached the branches.

    The girl stared at the Jiangnan city, the rain about to end. The Jiangnan rain was different from that of the desert or the Central Plains, a gentle drizzle like a misty cloud covering the stone slabs and buildings, beautiful like a painting. But Xue Shuangtao felt exhilarated, breathing freely from her elevated position!

    Li Guanyi asked: “Should I shout something?”

    Xue Shuangtao replied: “No way, it would be improper.”

    The boy laughed. He shouted loudly: “What propriety is there to speak of right now? Xue Shuangtao, are you an idiot!?” His inner energy surged, his voice booming, startling the birds. The young lady widened her eyes, then laughed, cupping her hands around her mouth, shouting: “Li Guanyi, you’re the bigger idiot!”

    After shouting several times, she felt incredibly refreshed.

    Then she started laughing.

    After admiring the view for a while, Li Guanyi called her down: “Be careful coming down; it’s harder than going up. I’ll catch you.”

    Xue Shuangtao said: “I’m a martial artist; I’m not afraid!”

    She agilely jumped down, using the tree trunk for leverage. But at that moment, a spinning top came hurtling towards her.

    A five or six-year-old child chased after it recklessly.

    Just like the children Li Guanyi saw running wildly in his past life, children sometimes lack awareness of danger. Xue Shuangtao’s Jade Arm Divine Bow technique was unparalleled; if she were to collide with the child, the child might be severely injured by the sudden burst of inner energy.

    Li Guanyi stepped forward, but Xue Shuangtao had already redirected her inner energy.

    With a twist of her foot, she landed elsewhere, avoiding the child.

    The child holding the spinning top froze in fear. Li Guanyi pulled the child back, sternly lecturing him to prevent future incidents. Seeing that nothing had happened, Xue Shuangtao said: “You don’t have to be so strict.”

    Li Guanyi raised an eyebrow: “Or this kid will do it again.”

    He pinched the child’s nose, menacingly saying: “If you do it again, I’ll come at midnight and take your nose. You’ll be left with two holes!” The frightened child ran away, pale-faced. Xue Shuangtao giggled: “Why do you do such childish things?”

    Li Guanyi shrugged. As he and the young lady walked back, Xue Shuangtao was walking normally at first, but Li Guanyi noticed her frowning, her gait shifting to the left. He sighed, stopping her: “You twisted your ankle, didn’t you?”

    “You haven’t completed your body-refinement; with these high-impact martial arts techniques, you’re easily injured. And that quick change of direction… No, I need to teach that kid another lesson.”

    Xue Shuangtao laughed and cried: “Alright, stop making a fuss.”

    Li Guanyi replied: “This is not a fuss.”

    “Can you still walk?”

    Xue Shuangtao hopped: “I can.”

    “Bullshit you can.”

    Li Guanyi rolled his eyes. He knelt down, seeing that the young lady’s ankle was already swollen. He turned and said: “Get on my back.”

    “Ah?”

    Li Guanyi said: “If you don’t, you might have to stay in bed for five days.” The girl hesitated, then thinking that he’d already touched her ankle, being carried by him wasn’t a big deal. She gently climbed onto Li Guanyi’s back.

    Li Guanyi smiled: “So light!”

    He carried the young lady, walking quickly along the misty Jiangnan streets. Along the way, he bought a string of candied haws. The young lady held his shoulders. The boy complained about the lack of public transportation; he wished there were public carriages.

    He joked along the way, making the young lady giggle.

    “What’s wrong?”

    “Nothing.”

    Xue Shuangtao said: “It’s just… before, I only played the qin and practiced. My days were all the same. Today was strange. I think, even after a very long time, I won’t forget today.”

    She thought quietly: “Even when I’m very old.”

    “I will certainly remember today with a smile.”

    Li Guanyi carried her through the small alleys of Jiangnan, through the misty rain, hearing her laughter.

    But when they returned, the Xue family was stunned.

    Grandfather, having heard that Li Guanyi took Xue Shuangtao out to play, had laughed. But seeing them return, his laughter vanished.

    His eye twitched, and he sent the maid to tend to the suddenly blushing young lady. Then he glared fiercely at Li Guanyi: “You brat, come here!”

    “Unless you give me an explanation, I’ll hang you upside down and beat you!”

    Li Guanyi explained: “Because I was happy today, I let loose a bit. Seeing that the young lady was in a bad mood, I took her out for a walk.”

    “Happy? Good. Tell me, how happy?”

    The old man grinned, his expression dangerous:

    “If you can’t tell me, I’ll make you happy.”

    Li Guanyi smiled slightly, clenched his fists, and struck them together.

    The sound was like the clashing of jade and gold.

    The old man’s expression froze slowly.

    Li Guanyi said:

    “I’ve completed my body-refinement.”

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