[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Peace Decree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2328276,4553,"Chapter 101: The Heavy Gift of Lady Xue, the Imperial Consort!","the-peace-decree-chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>As the patterns on the bronze tripod became clear, the qilin’s mark was imprinted upon it, yet no manifestation appeared—only a pure protective force emerged; Li Guanyi did not know whether this force was inherently incapable of forming a manifestation, or whether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qilin’s state had weakened to the point it could no longer do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bronze tripod hummed, then slowly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qilin’s voice rose within Li Guanyi’s heart, weary:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This city is not a safe place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My power can shield you once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi hurriedly spoke within his mind: “Wait! You now—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qilin’s aura severed its connection with Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly refused to speak another word with Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It cared only for the boy’s safety, not its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the mark carved from the qilin’s power on the bronze tripod remained vividly clear; the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array shifted and transformed, its core nodes rearranged again—the very core point Li Guanyi had spent hours locating had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place had become a place of dire malevolence; if one continued attempting to enter the array through its qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array would detect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And summon lethal intent and attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an array left behind by one of the top three Yin-Yang masters of the realm—even if it 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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 its qi nodes completed their transformation, he casually stepped half a pace forward, lifting his gaze to the myriad stars above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ripples of the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array brushed past him; the boy’s hands, clasped behind his back, gripped tightly until his knuckles turned white, yet his face remained calm as he murmured: “Watching the stars here is a sight all its own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qibili looked up at the sky and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, the wind, grass, water, and trees of Jiangnan are astonishingly beautiful. Where we live, there are no such lovely trees, no such lovely water. We have willows too—a kind called red willow. Ugly, but its leaves can feed cattle and sheep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its branches can be woven into baskets to hold things; its dead roots make the best firewood. Our desert willows are lifesavers—unlike those of Jiangnan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi, watching this youth who spoke fondly of his homeland, asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why have you come to Jiangnan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth thought, then answered seriously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We no longer wish to live that way. We seek the support of the Holy Emperor. If possible, even joining the Central Plains is acceptable. Our people can till the land—hardworking, ready to pay taxes. Our sons are heroes on horseback, skilled riders and hunters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as our children no longer become slaves to others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will give up my blade and my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi immediately understood why the Emperor of Chen had sent Qibili to the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tielei were few, but every remaining one was elite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few thousand households, each with two able-bodied men, meant over ten thousand warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now lost to the annals of history, one of the realm’s greatest light cavalry forces was precisely the Tielei’s Golden Curved Blade Cavalry—they wore leather armor or none at all, riding swift western steeds; when charging in formation, they pressed low, slashing their curved blades with the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the enemy could react, their throats were slit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A force even Xue Shen praised—now given to Li Guanyi as his first enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of Tielei men fought for their parents and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as supply lines held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They instantly became a ten-thousand-strong light cavalry force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Guanyi thought of the Emperor of Chen’s balancing tactics; he had a suspicion, and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it only you who came to stroll the palace tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qibili replied: “There’s also the Western Buddhist, and the Xiang prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still balancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor of Chen chose the Xiang, yet feared them growing too powerful—he intended to use this young Tielei khan to counterbalance the Xiang, to tell them: Chen has other options, so behave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This also meant that unless the Xiang turned against Chen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Emperor would never side with the Tielei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This youth, who rode a donkey across ten thousand li for the sake of his tribe’s old and young, was doomed to return empty-handed. It had nothing to do with how hard his people suffered or his personal valor—in the emperor’s eyes, he was but a pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qibili took off his waist flask, filled with fermented mare’s milk; he tilted his head and drank. In that moment, his eyes, though slightly drunk, reflected the stars above; in his accented Central Plains Mandarin, he spoke to Li Guanyi of his homeland, of its kind people, of how they stole sheep to lure wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told of how, as a child, his dog went missing, so he climbed the mountain to find it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, in the dark, he reached into a cave, pulled out a skull—he was too young to fear it, tossed it aside, reached in again, pulled out another bone; only on the third try did he find his dog—a nursing mother, who had given birth to wolf pups there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned home cradling three puppy pups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, his face flushed with drunkenness, he gestured with his hands, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Holy Emperor 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 would get a bit, a feast day indeed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that in the palace, during autumn and winter, silk brocade is hung on every tree, making them look like spring. After days of wind and sun, when the silk fades, they tear it down and throw it away, replacing it with new—so generous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have only a few thousand households, yet every one of us is a skilled horseman and archer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think it should be no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are willing to die for him—only asking for a patch of land, a peaceful life. Are not thousands of fearless, valiant cavalrymen worth this? Are our lives worth less than the meat they throw away? The Holy Emperor of the Central Plains must know how to count!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tielei language was not hard to learn; Li Guanyi had picked up some during beatings. He understood only six or seven percent of Qibili’s words—but now he finally understood: Qibili had not come merely seeking aid. He knew the truth of this world, knew it was an age of chaos—and still he came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the chaos, understood the power of force in such times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he staked his life upon this chaos as a bargaining chip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only to give his tribe’s children a better future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “It should be possible. I wish you success.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came from his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then spoke in Tielei: “If the worst happens and you need help, come to the Xue family and find me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say you came to spar with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy clapped Qibili on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the strength of the Tielei Third Prince’s Golden Curved Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qibili’s half-drunk gaze sharpened instantly—clear, fixed on the Central Plains youth. This heroic boy he’d met upon entering the city—how did he know the subtle refinements of Tielei martial arts?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch said: “Gentlemen, if you’ve rested enough here, you should continue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The other two guests have already arrived in the Imperial Garden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “The meeting between the Western Buddhist and the Xiang prince concerns the Western regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I won’t go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy smiled faintly: “We’ve talked long enough on this walk. More would worry Xue Lao and my aunt. Qibili, if you have time later, come drink with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The upcoming talks were indeed not for outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile grew warmer: “Very well. I’ll have someone escort Li Captain back to Lady Xue’s palace; Khan, please follow me to the Imperial Garden—the guests are already waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi and Qibili parted, agreeing to meet and drink again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi left the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not look back; his expression was calm, as if nothing had happened—like the quiet stars above. Yet within him surged fierce emotion: he wanted to see the qilin, to know its condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi lifted his gaze slightly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinwu Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Guanyi had not expected to meet the Chief Eunuch again on his way back; the Chief Eunuch, equally surprised, smiled: “I came to urge my useless adopted son—he walks too slowly. Never thought I’d run into Captain Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you know that Tielei khan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since he’s already taken the khan to the garden, I won’t bother chasing him—doing so would make our great Chen appear petty. You go on. I’ll escort Captain Li back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a quiet order to the young eunuch, smiled, and led Li Guanyi toward the palace with his lantern. Li Guanyi’s mind quieted, continuing to deduce the array of the Qilin Palace—but the *Imperial Supreme Classic of the Ages* and the *Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array* he had learned could only handle fixed patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shift left him struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that impulsive deduction might trigger adverse effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he grew quiet. The Chief Eunuch, lantern in hand, slowed his pace, and softly said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Li, I have a word—perhaps unpalatable—but after much thought, I must speak. I planned to say it when sending you out of the palace, but now, with just the two of us, I’ll speak out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “My lord, please speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch fell silent a moment, then said: “General Yuwen Lie may still hold ill will toward you. If his crown prince or imperial prince invites you to a banquet, be cautious. Though they are among the realm’s greatest nobles, if you can avoid it, do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I say this boldly, even treasonously—but the realm is not yet pacified.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To us, you are a youth hero. To the Ying state, you are a thorn to be removed as soon as possible. Over the years, countless young talents have fallen to foreign assassinations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Ying state has done this to us; we Chen have surely not been gentle with them either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch hesitated, glanced around, then, fearing the youth’s youthful pride and stubbornness, offered an example, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t Duke Tai Ping killed during a grand sacrifice over a decade ago? Some say his death involved the Ying state. Think carefully—it’s not without merit. Who benefited most from Duke Tai Ping’s death? The Tujue and the Ying state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the time, Yuwen Lie was just a junior officer, same age as Marshal Yue Pengwu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was nearly spitting blood after being struck by Duke Tai Ping’s spear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Taiping Duke’s illustrious reputation was forged by campaigning in the southwest, pacifying foreign lands, and resisting the Ying state—three years, three great generals of the Yuwen clan slain. Such a top-tier general, suddenly dying in his prime— I simply cannot believe no foreign hand was involved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch of the Court of Ceremonies fell silent, sighed, and said: “As for why I feel this way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fifth-greatest general of the realm back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely—the Taiping Duke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi’s heart stirred; he said: “...I shall remember this. Thank you, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my aunt and my uncle won’t let him lay a hand on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s face broke into a smile—just the right blend of nobility and humility: “Though I am far inferior to the Taiping Duke, my Xue family is one of the great clans of the realm. I’ve trained in martial arts for ten years, skilled with bow and horse. Even if Yuwen Lie is strong, he dares not treat me this way within Great Chen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Xue family won’t stand idly by!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, thank you, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch smiled warmly: “Me? What was it I just said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy reached into his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First he grasped silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he set it down, took up the gold given by the Seven Kings of the Tielei, and handed it to the eunuch with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They told me the palace is strictly forbidden, that I must be careful not to trespass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch’s smile grew warmer. “Then I shall take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Captain, if you have any need, just give the order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi bowed slightly and walked toward the Xue Imperial Consort’s palace under the starlight. The eunuch watched quietly; in his hand was a secret note from one of the Xue Imperial Consort’s maids, revealing how casually and skillfully the Consort had just spoken of Li Guanyi’s youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought again of the boy’s reaction, and murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is not the Taiping Duke’s son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching this conclusion, he did not know whether to relax or feel regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace had ordered him to investigate the boy’s past—to test him, probe his records, spy on him, test him again—only after repeated efforts could this be confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch recalled the general who once made the princess come barefoot to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he was just a lowly eunuch; only that general ever thanked him. After being half-carried onto his horse, drunk, he’d raise his wine cup and invite him to drink together, saying, “Brothers, let’s drink!” The eunuch, trembling, replied he was a ruined man, unfit to be called brother—but the young man only laughed aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man has courage. Why care what others say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered: “Not your son, Taiping Duke. Good. Not your son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not under their watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why isn’t he your son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me know your blood still lives in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if he were your son, would I report it to His Majesty? I don’t even know.” The eunuch, who once rushed into the flames to see the general’s final moments, bent his back and turned away, his figure slowly vanishing within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed even smaller than when he’d been beaten and humiliated in those days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi returned to the palace and steadied his spirit, slowly adjusting his state. Tomorrow was the selection for the Gold Guard. Thanks to Yuwen Lie, every martial noble youth in the capital was sharpening their claws, ready to challenge Li Guanyi in the selection!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials of the Ministry of Personnel said they’d never seen such a scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a challenge format—Li Guanyi knew those martial nobles would fixate on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared it might last three days straight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xue Imperial Consort smiled as Li Guanyi returned: “My little qilin has come back. I didn’t expect you’d have ties to the Tielei Khan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, see the gift your aunt brought you. Do you like it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi thanked her and opened the gift box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s expression slowly froze. Inside lay a token: on the back, a tiger devouring the plaque; on the front, three large characters—Gold Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold Guard status!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Consort smiled faintly: “How do you like the gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached out to smooth the boy’s collar, her voice cool and noble:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My qilin—why lower yourself to play with that crowd of martial nobles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pack of idle, corrupt playboys.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do they even deserve to stand before you?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2600,"2026-06-20T19:20:33.127Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","28eb9e4d74c42c75f666c95be45dafa7c4411beec163fc9ab4ee2b89b93ac3f3","the-peace-decree-chapter-102","the-peace-decree-chapter-100",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]