Edict of Peace 8
Chapter 8: Beyond the Heavens, Above the Towers
Li Guanyi watched the night-chasing spy, whose eyes remained wide open in death, still unconsciously gasping for breath. It was an instinctive bodily reaction. Yue Qianfeng patted him on the back, advising, “Sit down and meditate. I’ve used my Crimson Dragon True Energy to open up your acupoints and meridians, leaving behind a trace of energy.”
“But this is still external assistance, not your own.”
“If you don’t concentrate, you’ll forget it all in a few days.”
“Naturally, collect your thoughts and maintain the circulation of this internal energy. That’s how you truly learn.”
Li Guanyi nodded, walked into the Mountain God Temple, sat cross-legged, with his five hearts facing the heavens, his eyes closed, collecting his thoughts and breathing. He slowly urged the internal heat to flow and gather. Although he had been drenched in the night rain, he looked energetic, with warm energy flowing through his meridians.
Yue Qianfeng then proceeded to examine the spy’s belongings, his expression subtly tightening upon seeing one item.
Li Guanyi closed his eyes, concentrating and urging his energy, continuously strengthening his body’s impression until the circulation of energy became instinctive.
In this state, his sensitivity to his body gradually increased.
Slowly, Li Guanyi could feel that when his internal energy flowed past his heart, it would suddenly slow down significantly. The warm energy seemed to carry a hint of coldness, returning to normal only after several breaths. He understood that this was probably the poison in his body.
Being able to detect the location of the poison inside his body was a qualitative breakthrough. Li Guanyi felt relieved, yet he also vaguely sensed that the Jade Liquid within the Bronze Tripod was not yet complete.
Even though Yue Qianfeng was right in front of him, the Jade Liquid in the tripod was stagnating at around ninety-five percent, not moving a bit.
Li Guanyi mused to himself.
Could it be that the requirement for the Jade Liquid to be full isn’t just about being close to Yue Qianfeng and the crimson dragon?
After Li Guanyi had breathed in and out several times, confirming that he had mastered the circulation of internal energy,
Yue Qianfeng took a drink from his wineskin, casually saying:
“Good comprehension. You were able to learn the ‘Breaking Formation Melody’ in just one incense stick’s worth of time. This is something new in our military arts; not many people know it. It was only created twenty years ago and circulated only within our ranks.”
“It was created by General Zhou, Marshal Yue’s teacher, twenty-two years ago, upon his return from a great victory over the Turkic Iron Cavalry.”
“The general spent his life in the military. When he was traveling to Jiangnan to visit the late Emperor, he heard an eight or nine-year-old girl playing the qin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) in Jiangnan. The sound of the qin was clear and resonant, like the shattering of gold and stone, and from this he gained enlightenment and created this technique, also called a ‘melody’.”
“You’ve seen those martial artists and bodyguards; they first beat and strengthen their bodies before they can guide their energy. The ‘Breaking Formation Melody,’ however, directly guides the energy into the body and then uses the internal energy to strengthen the body.”
“Its concept is a level higher.”
“Of course, the final outcome is the same.”
Li Guanyi eagerly asked, “Physique, energy?”
Yue Qianfeng replied, “Yes. A strong body can withstand beatings, and stable energy allows you to deliver them.”
“Whether from the outside in or from the inside out, the ultimate goal is to cultivate both physique and internal energy to a certain point, after which the energy and physique merge to give birth to true energy. This is the entry into the realm (of martial arts).”
“Martial artists who have entered the realm are far superior to ordinary people in terms of speed, strength, and physique.”
“Of course, different schools of martial artists have different strengths. A martial artist specializing in speed who has entered the realm might not be much stronger in physique than a lower-level martial artist who focuses on physical training.”
Li Guanyi temporarily put aside the matter of the Bronze Tripod and listened intently to Yue Qianfeng’s explanation.
Yue Qianfeng suddenly said, “However, do you think a martial artist who has entered the realm will always be able to defeat a martial artist who is still strengthening their physique or cultivating their energy?”
Li Guanyi thought for a moment, and said, “No.”
“If he’s empty-handed and wearing ordinary clothes, and I have a weapon capable of piercing his vital points, there’s a chance of killing him.”
This was a conclusion that many clever children could reach. Yue Qianfeng smiled and asked,
“Oh? Relying on your short sword?”
Li Guanyi thought for a moment, replying, “It’s two weapons.”
“Where’s the other one?”
The thirteen-year-old boy pointed to his worn-out clothes and answered,
“The underestimation of a child like me by a martial artist who has entered the realm.”
Yue Qianfeng’s smile subsided slightly, showing some surprise. He hadn’t expected such words to come from a boy from the border town, whose clothes were even worse than those of ordinary people. A hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes as he nodded.
“That’s right. A tiger’s strength is no less than that of a martial artist who has entered the realm, but a few hunters working together can kill it. Even with the strength, speed, and physique of someone who has entered the realm, one can still be caught off guard. If the opponent underestimates you and you can gain a surprise advantage, even a martial artist who has just entered the realm might die under your sword.”
“Divine weapons, armor, willpower, and mentality will all affect the outcome of life and death.”
Yue Qianfeng checked Li Guanyi’s energy circulation again. Seeing that he could already use it skillfully, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “You truly have exceptional comprehension.”
Unfortunately, he was poisoned from a young age, and his constitution was weakened by the toxins.
Regret showed in Yue Qianfeng’s eyes. From the details of the meridians, Li Guanyi had only circulated his energy three times in a single incense stick’s time. In just three tries, Li Guanyi could remember the circulation route of this technique—a very high level of comprehension. However, the speed of circulation was too slow.
Slow energy circulation meant slow cultivation progression and slow recovery during combat, resulting in low strength and weaker fighting ability. It all likely stemmed from the poisoning he suffered from a young age, which damaged his constitution.
What a pity, what a pity.
Such decisiveness, such comprehension, yet such misfortune.
A cruel twist of fate.
Yue Qianfeng suppressed his regret and instructed, “The ‘Breaking Army Swordsmanship’ I transmitted to you earlier is a common martial art in the Central Plains army. However, what I taught you is our improved version. Compared to the superior sword techniques of major schools of martial arts, it lacks refinement, but its methods are strict, concise and effective, and are still not bad.”
“The names of the moves and the internal energy are quite different. But from the surface, they’re just the common techniques that any soldier would know. You can use them with confidence.”
“As for the ‘Breaking Formation Melody,’ you can likely break through the first layer in one to three months. Each subsequent layer will take slightly longer; there are twelve layers in total. Those with extraordinary talent can complete it in three years, those with a decent constitution in eight years. Upon completion of cultivation, you can attempt to enter the realm.”
“The cultivation method after entering the realm requires divine intent, it cannot simply be conveyed through speech alone.”
“However, even a martial artist who has simply entered the realm can be selected for the elite corps of the army.”
“In ordinary ranks, they can serve as a corporal or higher; most wandering martial artists are also at this level. They can also serve as a casual retainer for some families, enough to protect themselves and live comfortably.”
Yue Qianfeng looked at Li Guanyi, estimating his aptitude and constitution. Even with a technique like the ‘Breaking Formation Melody,’ it would still take more than fifteen years to master. A martial artist who entered the realm at the age of twenty-seven or eight would be considered a prominent figure in a small place and could live quite well.
Li Guanyi, listening to these words, acutely sensed the underlying comfort in Yue Qianfeng’s words, guessing that his constitution was quite ordinary. However, he didn’t mind at the moment, but was instead sensing the Jade Liquid within the Bronze Tripod.
Not enough; more time in contact with Yue Qianfeng is needed, or perhaps greater intensity?
Without hesitation, Li Guanyi immediately bowed, saying,
“Disciple greets his teacher!”
Yue Qianfeng reached out to stop him, and burst into laughter, “You’re really clever, kid, but no.”
“We met by fate today, and I quite like you. Teaching you martial arts is fine, but as for accepting you as a disciple, no. My lineage emphasizes powerful strength and places extremely high demands on one’s constitution.”
He frankly explained why he couldn’t accept him as a disciple.
He found the boy both intelligent and formidable, quite interesting, though his constitution was lacking. He couldn’t take him as his primary disciple, but readily took out a small bronze seal, casually tossing it to Li Guanyi.
“However, your answer just now was excellent. Here, take this.”
“This is my token. Infuse it with the internal energy of the ‘Breaking Formation Melody,’ and I can vaguely sense your location.”
“If one day you master the ‘Breaking Formation Melody,’ or encounter any difficulties, you can use this token to find me. Consider it the conclusion of our fateful encounter. Hahaha, if you can’t find me, just keep it as a souvenir.”
Li Guanyi heard the implication of farewell in Yue Qianfeng’s words.
He knew that unless he used this bronze seal, he wouldn’t see Yue Qianfeng again, and the activation of his Bronze Tripod would likely remain far off.
Li Guanyi looked at Yue Qianfeng and the crimson dragon behind him.
Sensing that the Jade Liquid in the Bronze Tripod in his chest was at ninety-five percent, an idea struck him. He deliberately asked, “Then, may I ask one final question? What realms are there beyond the entry into the realm?”
Yue Qianfeng was speechless: “You kid, entering the realm is like climbing a tower, one level at a time.”
“Why are you so ambitious?”
He paused, looking at the innocent and curious gaze of the young man in front of him. He knew that the young man would likely only reach the first or second level of the realm. Yue Qianfeng was open and generous, especially to those he liked. He found the boy quite likeable and softened, smiling,
“Alright, if you’re asking about the realms beyond the heavens and above the towers,”
“I’ll let you witness it.”
Yue Qianfeng clenched his fist.
The night rain was falling heavily, but it suddenly froze. Countless raindrops solidified in the air, turning into individual water droplets, like a vast fog. Li Guanyi felt his heart freeze, experiencing a strong sense of weightlessness and suffocation.
The next moment, countless water droplets flew upwards towards the sky.
Yue Qianfeng moved.
He turned, twisted his waist, and clenched his fist.
BOOM!!!
Accompanied by countless raindrops instantly evaporating into a cloud-like mist, a fierce fire erupted from between Yue Qianfeng’s fingers. The flames roared, filling the entire mist, and then transformed before Li Guanyi’s eyes into a roaring crimson dragon. With a powerful punch,
The entire Mountain God Temple, the small mountainside where it was located, and the bodies of the pursuers,
were instantly reduced to dust!
They scattered like snowflakes. Li Guanyi slowly raised his hand, looking up to see a clear sky. The moon had appeared. This night rain had been dispersed by a single punch. Only the crimson dragon roared and circled around Yue Qianfeng, making him look both godlike and demonic.
Yue Qianfeng slowly extended his hand. The crimson dragon also circled above him, approaching Li Guanyi as if to devour him.
In the end, it only tapped the young man’s head, bringing him back to his senses.
This was the power possessed even by a heavily injured strong warrior?
Li Guanyi looked at the crimson dragon flames that had dispersed the night rain, the firelight reflected in his eyes. He instinctively clenched his fist, so hard that he felt his heart pounding.
As Yue Qianfeng’s hand rested on Li Guanyi’s head, the Jade Liquid in Li Guanyi’s Bronze Tripod began to increase again.
And as the crimson dragon, visible to the naked eye, disappeared,
the Jade Liquid in his Bronze Tripod was completely full.
(End of Chapter)
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