Chapter 101: Xue Imperial Consort

As the patterns on the bronze tripod became distinct, the Fire Qilin's imprint burned upon it, yet no divine manifestation appeared—only a pure protective force emerged; Li Guanyi did not know whether this force was inherently incapable of taking form, or whether.

The Fire Qilin's state had weakened to the point it could no longer do so.

The bronze tripod hummed, then slowly fell silent.

The Fire Qilin's voice rose within Li Guanyi's heart, weary:

"This city is not a safe place."

"My power can shield you once."

"You… leave."

"Do not return."

Li Guanyi hurriedly spoke in his heart: "Wait! You now—"

The Fire Qilin's aura severed its connection with Li Guanyi.

Utterly decisive.

Truly unwilling to speak another word with Li Guanyi.

It cared only for the boy's safety, not its own.

Yet the imprint carved by the Fire Qilin's power upon the bronze tripod remained sharply clear; the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array shifted and transformed, its core nodes changing once more—the very core point Li Guanyi had spent hours locating had vanished somewhere.

This place had become a place of dire malevolence; if one continued attempting to enter the array through its qi currents,

the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array would detect it.

And summon lethal intent and attack.

This was an array left behind by one of the top three Yin-Yang masters of the realm; even if this was merely the work of his thirties, even if Si Wei was not now controlling it, even if Li Guanyi knew the array's diagram, once the array shifted, Li Guanyi could no longer keep pace.

Though Li Guanyi's heart burned with urgency, he now halted the *Imperial Supreme Classic of the Ages*, ceasing all contact with the array; before the array's qi nodes completed their transformation, he casually stepped half a pace forward, lifting his head to gaze at the myriad stars above.

The ripples of the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array swept past him; the boy's hands, clasped behind his back, clenched tightly until his knuckles turned white, yet his face remained calm as he murmured: "Looking up at the stars here is also a unique sight."

Khan Qibili gazed at the sky and said:

"Yes, the wind, grass, water, and trees of Jiangnan are astonishingly beautiful. Where we live, there are no such lovely trees, no such beautiful water. We have willows too—a kind called Red Willow. Ugly, but its leaves can feed cattle and sheep."

"Its branches can be woven into baskets to hold things; its dead roots make the best firewood. Our desert willows are life-saving—unlike those in Jiangnan."

Li Guanyi looked at this young man who spoke fondly of his homeland and asked curiously:

"Then why did you come to Jiangnan?"

"Me?"

The young man thought, then answered seriously:

"We no longer wish to live that way. We seek the support of the Holy Emperor. If possible, even joining the Central Plains would be acceptable. Our people can till the land—hardworking, ready to pay taxes. Our sons are heroes on horseback, skilled in riding and hunting."

"As long as our children no longer have to be slaves to others."

"I will give up my blade and my life."

Li Guanyi immediately understood why the Emperor of Chen had sent Khan Qibili to the palace.

The Tiele were few, but every remaining one was elite.

A few thousand households, each with two able-bodied men, meant over ten thousand warriors.

Now lost in the vast annals of history, one of the realm's greatest light cavalry forces was precisely the Tiele's Golden Curved Sword Cavalry—they wore leather armor or none at all, riding agile western horses; when charging in formation, they pressed low, slashing their curved blades with the wind.

Before the enemy could react, their throats were slit.

A force even Xue Shen praised—now given to Li Guanyi as his first enemy.

Tens of thousands of Tiele men fought for their parents and wives and children.

As long as supply lines held,

they instantly became a ten-thousand-strong light cavalry force.

But Li Guanyi thought of the Emperor of Chen's balancing tactics; he had a suspicion and asked:

"Is it only you who came to stroll the imperial palace tonight?"

Khan Qibili replied: "There is also the Western Living Buddha, and the young prince of the Tangut."

Li Guanyi understood.

Still balancing.

The Emperor of Chen chose the Tangut, yet feared them growing too strong—he intended to use this young Tiele Khan to counterbalance the Tangut, to tell them: Chen has other options. Make the Tangut behave.

This also meant that unless the Tangut turned against Chen,

the Emperor would never side with the Tiele.

This young man who rode a donkey across ten thousand li for the sake of his people's old and young was doomed to return empty-handed. Whether his clan suffered or how brave he was meant nothing—within the monarch's eyes, he was but a pawn.

Khan Qibili unfastened his water flask—filled with fermented mare's milk—and drank deeply; in that moment, his eyes, simple as those of an ordinary khan, reflected the stars above. He spoke to Li Guanyi in accented Central Plains Mandarin of his homeland: of its people's kindness, of how they stole sheep to find wolves.

He spoke of how, as a child, his dog went missing and he climbed the mountain to find it.

At last, in the night, he found a cave, reached in, pulled out a human skull—he was young, unafraid, tossed it aside, felt again, pulled out another bone, and on the third try, found his dog: an old female, pregnant with a wolf's pup, giving birth there.

He returned home cradling three puppy pups.

Finally, his face flushed with drunkenness, he gestured with his hands and whispered:

"The Holy Son of Heaven of Chen uses a hundred and fifty duck tongues in a single bowl of soup—the rest of the meat is thrown away. If such meat were given to us, each person's bowl would hold a bit of meat—only on festival days!"

"I heard that in the palace, during autumn and winter, the trees are hung with beautiful silk, like spring scenery. After days of wind and sun, when the silk fades, they tear it down and throw it away, replacing it with new—so lavish."

"We have only a few thousand households, yet every one of us is a horse-riding archer."

"I think it must be possible."

"We are willing to die for him, only hoping he grants us land, a peaceful life. Are not several thousand brave, fearless cavalrymen worth this? Are our lives worth less than the meat they throw away? The Holy Son of Heaven of the Central Plains must know how to count this account!"

The Tiele language was not hard to learn; Li Guanyi had picked up some during beatings. He understood only six or seven tenths of Khan Qibili's words—but now, finally, he understood: Khan Qibili had not come merely seeking aid. He knew the truth of this world—he knew it was a time of chaos—and still, he came.

He saw the chaos, and understood the importance of strength in such times.

So he staked his life on this chaotic age as a wager.

Just to leave a better future for the children of his tribe.

Li Guanyi said: "It should be possible. I wish you success."

This came from the heart.

He paused, then spoke in the Tiele language: "If the worst happens and you need help, come to the Xue family to find me."

"Say you came to spar with me."

The youth clapped Qibili on the shoulder.

He used the force of the Tiele Third Prince's golden curved blade.

Qibili's eyes, half-drunk, sharpened instantly—clear and fixed on the Central Plains youth, this martial youth he'd seen upon entering the city—who understood the subtle transformations of Tiele Wu Gong?!

The eunuch said: "Gentlemen, if you've rested enough here, it's time to continue."

"The other two guests have already arrived in the Imperial Garden."

Li Guanyi said: "It's the meeting between the Western Regions Living Buddha and the Tangut Crown Prince—matters concerning the Western Regions."

"Then I won't go."

The youth smiled faintly and said: "We've talked long enough on this journey. More would only worry Xue Lao and my aunt. Brother Qibili, if you have time later, come find me for a drink."

The eunuch exhaled in relief.

The upcoming talks truly shouldn't be held with outsiders present.

His smile grew warmer and gentler as he said: "Very well. I'll have someone escort Li Xiao back to Lady Xue's imperial palace; Your Majesty, please follow me to the Imperial Garden—the guests are already waiting."

Li Guanyi parted from Qibili, agreeing to meet and drink again later.

Li Guanyi left from there.

He did not look back; his expression was calm, as if nothing had happened—like the quiet night sky above. Yet fierce emotions surged within him—he wanted to see the Fire Qilin, to know its current state.

Li Guanyi lifted his gaze slightly—

The Jinwu Guard.

But Li Guanyi hadn't expected to meet the Director of Ceremonies again on his way back; the Director was equally surprised, smiling: "I came to urge my unruly adopted son—he walks too slowly guiding guests! I didn't expect to run into Li Xiao."

"So you know that Tiele Khan."

"Since he's already taken the Khan to the Imperial Garden, I won't bother chasing him—chasing him would make our Great Chen seem petty. Go on. I'll escort Li Xiao back myself."

He gave a quiet order to the young eunuch, smiled, and led Li Guanyi toward the palace with his lantern. Li Guanyi's mind settled, continuing to deduce the array of the Fire Qilin Palace—but the *Imperial Cosmic Classic* and *Four Symbols Spirit-Sealing Array* he had learned could only handle 【Fixed Patterns】.

This change left him struggling.

He feared that impulsive deduction might draw unwanted consequences.

So he grew quiet. The Director of Ceremonies, lantern in hand, slowed his pace and whispered:

"Li Xiao, I have a word—perhaps unpalatable—but after much thought, I must say it. I'd planned to speak when escorting you out of the palace, but now that we're alone, I'll speak out."

Li Guanyi said: "My lord, please speak."

The Director of Ceremonies fell silent a moment, then said: "General Yuwen Lie may still harbor resentment toward you, even hostility. If his Crown Prince or Imperial Prince invites you to a banquet, be cautious. Though they are among the greatest nobles in the land, if you can avoid it, do so."

"I say this boldly, even treasonously—but the realm is not yet at peace."

"To us Chen, you are a young hero. But to the Ying state, you are a thorn that must be removed as soon as possible. Over the years, countless young talents have fallen to foreign assassinations."

"The Ying state has done this to us; we Chen have surely not been gentle with them either."

The Director of Ceremonies hesitated, glanced left and right, then, fearing the youth's youthful arrogance and unwillingness to yield, offered an example in a low voice:

"Forget others."

"Wasn't Tai Ping Gong killed during a grand sacrifice over a decade ago? Some say his death involved the Ying state. Think carefully—it's not without merit. The greatest beneficiaries of Tai Ping Gong's death were the Turks and the Ying state."

"At the time, Yuwen Lie was just a junior general, the same age as Marshal Gongsun Wuyue."

"He was nearly spitting blood after Tai Ping Gong swept him away with a single spear."

"Tai Ping Gong's legendary fame was forged by campaigns in the southwest, pacifying foreign lands, resisting the Ying state—and in three years, he slew three great generals of the Yuwen clan. Such a top-tier general, dying suddenly in his prime—I simply cannot believe foreign hands had no part."

The Director of Ceremonies fell silent, sighed, and said: "As for why I think this way—"

"The fifth greatest divine general of the realm—"

"Was Tai Ping Gong."

Li Guanyi's heart rippled. He said: "... I will remember. Thank you, my lord."

"But my aunt and my uncle Xue won't let him lay a hand on me."

The youth's face bore a faint, perfectly balanced smile—noble yet humble: "I may be far beneath Tai Ping Gong, but my Xue family is among the greatest clans of the land. I've trained in martial arts for ten years—I ride and shoot with skill. Even if Yuwen Lie is strong, he dares not act thus against me in Great Chen!"

"My Xue family won't stand by!"

"Still, thank you, my lord."

The Director of Ceremonies smiled broadly: "Me? What did I just say?"

The youth reached into his robe.

First he grasped silver.

Then he set it down, took the gold given by the Tiele Seven Kings, and handed it to the Director of Ceremonies, smiling:

"You warned me the palace forbids trespassing—I must be careful not to break the rules."

The Director of Ceremonies' smile grew warmer. He said: "Then I'll take my leave."

"Young Captain, if you need anything, just say the word."

Li Guanyi bowed, then walked toward Lady Xue's imperial palace beneath the starlight. The Director of Ceremonies watched quietly. In his hand was a secret note from a maid of Lady Xue's palace, detailing how Lady Xue had spoken with great familiarity of Li Guanyi's youth.

He thought again of the youth's reaction, and whispered:

"He's not Tai Ping Gong's offspring."

Upon reaching this conclusion, he did not know whether to relax or feel regret.

The palace staff had him investigate the boy's background—testing him, verifying his records, sending spies, probing him repeatedly—before they could finally confirm this point.

The eunuch in charge of court rituals remembered that divine general who once made the princess greet him barefoot.

Back then, he was merely a lowly eunuch; only that divine general would thank him, and after being helped onto his horse while drunk, would raise his wine cup to invite him to drink together, saying, "Brothers, let's drink!" He, trembling with fear, replied he was a mutilated man, unfit to be called brother—but the young man only burst into loud laughter.

He said, "A true man has courage; why care what others think?"

He whispered, "You are not his parent, Tai Ping Gong; how wonderful—you are not his parent."

"No need to be watched."

"But why then are you not his parent?"

"Let me know your bloodline still lives in this world."

"But if he were your child, would I report it to Your Majesty? I don't even know if I would." The eunuch who had once rushed into the burning building and seen the divine general for the last time bowed low, turned away, and his figure slowly vanished within the palace.

He seemed even smaller than when he had been beaten and humiliated back then.

Li Guanyi returned to the imperial lodging; his spirit settled, and he was slowly adjusting his state. Tomorrow was the Golden Guard selection—and thanks to Yuwen Lie, every martial noble youth in Jingcheng was sharpening their claws, ready to test themselves against Li Guanyi in the selection!

Officials from the Ministry of Personnel said they had never seen such a scale.

It was a challenge format; Li Guanyi feared those martial noble youths would fixate on him.

He might have to fight for three days straight!

Consort Xue, seeing Li Guanyi return, smiled and said, "My Fire Qilin has come back! I never thought you'd have ties to the Tian Kehan of the Tiele."

"Come, see what your aunt has given you—do you like it?"

Li Guanyi thanked her, then opened the gift box.

The boy's expression slowly froze: inside the box was a token, its back engraved with a tiger devouring the plaque, its front bearing three large characters—Golden Guard.

Golden Guard identity!

Consort Xue, smiling faintly, said, "How do you like this gift?"

The consort reached out to adjust the boy's collar, her tone calm and noble, saying softly:

"My Fire Qilin, why lower yourself to play with those martial noble youths?"

"A pack of idle, corrupt playboys."

"Do they even deserve to?"