Chapter 111: Inside the Carriage, Two Men Sit and Discuss the World

Lord?

General Yue Qianfeng's mind momentarily stalled.

He recognized the Turkic King's carriage, yet also discerned that the man before him held no hostility; Li Guanyi looked at Bujun, the young man smiling at him, said:

"Good!"

This single word was a response; in that exchange, a trust had already been conferred.

Thus Bujun laughed loudly, lifted the carriage curtain himself, General Yue Qianfeng seized Li Guanyi and crashed inside, while Bujun whipped his horse—the steed was a strange beast of the Turkic Seven Kings, its hooves trampling flames, swiftly departing, and within a few turns, they arrived at a royal pavilion.

Precisely avoiding every pursuit route.

And because the carriage was luxurious, slow and unhurried, it drew little attention.

Bujun said casually: "I observed the celestial signs and understood the great tide. Today I brought the Turkic Seven Kings here to dine with the Imperial Prince of the Yan Dynasty; he was already thoroughly drunk. I told him I wished to go out for a stroll, and thus encountered this general who was seizing the Gold Guard."

"The general saw the Turkic Seven Kings' carriage and assumed my divine general was also here. To prevent trouble, he immediately avoided me, and in his panic, hurled the Gold Guard as a weapon, then fled himself. But I realized—this Gold Guard was the very youth I once met while traveling outside, a scion of the Xue family."

"So I brought him back to heal."

The young man set down the whip, turned around, and smiled:

"How do you two like this story?"

General Yue Qianfeng looked at the carefree, unrestrained young man and said: "... If this is your reason, many things still need confirmation; if any details go awry, suspicion will surely arise."

Bujun had already rummaged through his belongings, casually tossed over a set of clothes and some medicines.

Clearly prepared beforehand, he said:

"No problem. I'll handle all these matters myself."

"I guarantee perfect cover."

"I've prepared a document and identity here; in Jiangzhou City, I own a villa. The warrior can go there to lie low."

General Yue Qianfeng raised an eyebrow and said: "You knew I was coming?"

Bujun said: "No, merely prepared for contingencies. My lineage's strategists always have at least three backup plans."

General Yue Qianfeng said: "Upper, middle, and lower strategies?"

Bujun smiled: "No."

His eyes were calm, his expression haughty, he replied: "All are upper strategies."

General Yue Qianfeng laughed: "Arrogant." But he did not refuse; he tore open his clothes, burned them to ash with flame, then put on the new attire, gritted his teeth, shaved off his beard, and donned a scholar's long headband, appearing like a northern literatus.

General Yue Qianfeng hugged Li Guanyi tightly and said: "Thank you, brother, this time."

"To be honest, I came here for two reasons: one, to find Marshal Yue; two, merely to draw the attention of that tyrant, so the rest of my brothers can slip in and figure out the routes. You're serving in the court—you must be careful."

Li Guanyi's expression subtly changed.

General Yue Qianfeng said: "We already know—the tyrant has no intention of releasing Marshal Yue."

"Old An's arrival in the capital, the Grand Sacrifice agreement—all are just distractions. He's already decided to strike hard. We've all fought on the battlefield; we'd never entrust Marshal Yue's life to that tyrant's mercy."

"We must also prepare a second plan."

Bujun's eyes lit up: "You plan to storm the prison during the Grand Sacrifice?!"

General Yue Qianfeng's voice paused slightly.

He nodded, thought for a moment, pulled something from his chest—a tiger tally, inscribed with General Yue Qianfeng's name—and handed it to Li Guanyi: "This is the tiger tally for my Great Halberd Soldiers' command. Half was with Marshal Yue; before he entered the capital, he gave it to me."

"Now I give you half."

"If you encounter those bandits attempting the prison break, or my old comrades from the Yue family army, remember to show this tally—they'll know you're my sworn brother, and will never harm you."

The tiger tally for the Great Halberd Soldiers.

This object held immense value and represented General Yue Qianfeng's absolute trust.

Had Li Guanyi not rescued him, he might have been gravely wounded in the palace; thus he earned General Yue Qianfeng's recognition. The giant slapped Li Guanyi's shoulder, his voice softening: "You've reached the Second Layer Realm—I'll give you a gift."

His right hand suddenly surged, pressing instantly against Li Guanyi's chest.

The Crimson Dragon manifestation appeared behind him.

The Crimson Dragon let out a low moan; the martial aura of slaughter faded, leaving only pure internal qi transformation, surging into General Yue Qianfeng's palm. He flicked his wrist, releasing a burst of force.

He shaped that force into an exquisitely pure energy, driving it into the youth's body—fiery and warm, coursing through his meridians. General Yue Qianfeng said: "The first layer of a martial artist lies in the body; the second layer lies in the transformation of internal qi."

"This is my Crimson Dragon Qi. Don't laugh at me, but—"

"I was born poor. As a child, I scavenged with wild dogs, stumbled upon a murder, and was taken in by an old man who taught me Wu Gong. Later I became a bandit, did some foolish things. But the world is vast; people like us always find fortune."

"This is the part I gained from a rare encounter—a fragment of the legendary Crimson Dragon Subdues the Nine Provinces Divine Art from the Central Plains Emperor's lineage. Back then, the Crimson Emperor relied on this Divine Art and the Great Wind Song to dominate the land."

"Today I pass this lineage's ultimate technique to you."

"To fulfill our oath of life and death together. When the Emperor sends imperial physicians to examine your injuries, they'll see my Crimson Dragon Qi coursing through you and assume you were gravely wounded by me—you'll be near death. Combined with the Xue family and the Turkic Seven Kings' names—"

"You'll be completely safe."

General Yue Qianfeng withdrew his hand; the Crimson Dragon manifestation dimmed. With this gesture, Li Guanyi's bronze cauldron rapidly filled, instantly overflowing with jade nectar.

General Yue Qianfeng said: "The Second Layer Realm particularly values qi transformation. Train it well."

"We've known each other a short time, yet we've shared life and death."

"It's a pity we never had a proper drink. When the Grand Sacrifice ends and we rescue Marshal Yue—if I'm still alive—I'll drink with you until we're both drunk."

"Finally, I'll give you one more gift!"

General Yue Qianfeng vanished.

Moments later, Li Guanyi heard the Crimson Dragon's long roar, a furious, unrestrained cry: "Hou Zhongyu, you bastard! You betrayed me! Wait—I, Yue Qianfeng, will live, and one day I'll tear you apart alive!"

Li Guanyi's pupils contracted.

He knew this act would irrevocably confirm the lie that 【Yue Qianfeng conspired with Hou Zhongyu】. Bujun said: "You've got a good friend, young Li Xiao."

He now lounged lazily, no longer calling him Lord, and sat beside Li Guanyi.

"It seems you've got a grudge against Hou Zhongyu, doesn't it?"

"Hou Zhongyu—if my memory serves me right—he was a sorcerer who appeared on the martial world decades ago, recorded in the county annals of a certain county; I still remember; it seems he was in the imperial palace, in the Fire Qilin Palace, seeking the elixir of immortality."

"Hou Zhongyu being here is no surprise, but you, Brother Li Xiao, have a grudge against him."

"Add the Fire Qilin."

"Such age, such experiences—fugitive, disguise."

Bu Jun looked at Li Guanyi and sighed: "What should I call you?"

"Li Guanyi of the Xue family."

"Or the son of Tai Ping Gong, the former Fifth Divine General of the realm."

"The wielder of the Murong Qiushui Sword."

"Li Guanyi."

Li Guanyi stared at the handsome young man before him; the latter smiled and said: "Don't look at me like that, Brother Li Xiao." He extended a finger to his own forehead, speaking calmly and composedly: "This is merely basic strategy and court calculation."

"Know yourself and know your enemy—it's fundamental."

"Yet the world is vast, and strategists abound; this humble one aspires to be the foremost strategist of this age."

Li Guanyi stared at this young strategist who had deduced the truth from such basic information; after being startled, he immediately recognized the man's decisiveness and talent. The youth reached out, drew the Murong Qiushui Sword from his waist, placed it before him, and looked at Bu Jun and said:

"You have already given your oath of allegiance, so I am not worried."

"We are already co-conspirators, aren't we?"

Ever since Bu Jun drove away with Li Guanyi and General Yue Qianfeng, they had been bound together.

Such open candor earned Bu Jun's silent admiration.

The youth straightened his robes, bowed slightly, and said:

"I, Li Guanyi, am a warrior, unskilled in strategy and grand trends; I beg your assistance, Master."

He was decisive.

Just as he had wished to become a disciple of Master Wen Yuan.

The great tides of the world were turbulent, the situation complex.

He could not handle everything himself; and this young man was unquestionably a trained strategist, specializing in his craft; Li Guanyi, in this regard, held no aristocratic pride—he was perfectly willing to lower his stance and face.

Bu Jun froze.

He had never imagined that this generation's Bai Hu Da Zong would be like this.

So he composed himself.

He turned sideways to the north and received the bow, returning it: "How could I refuse?"

The young man sat cross-legged inside the carriage and said: "This place lies within the imperial palace's sacred precincts, the pursuers are gone, and the Seventh Prince, Imperial Prince of Ying, is feasting inside—there remains two incense sticks of time; allow me to reveal to you the great trends of the world."

He tore away the luxurious silk mats spread here.

Using the blood dripping inside the carriage as ink, he pressed two fingers against the silk and drew a map of the world: "The Western Regions are in chaos; the Tanguts have risen; the Tuyuhun flee northward; within ten years, the Western Regions will be powerless to invade the Central Plains."

"In the Northern Regions, the eighteen tribes of the Turks are united under Tie Futu; the Ying nation's iron cavalry roars with mighty wind."

"Only the Southern Chen is morally decayed, yet Dan Tai Xianming, the realm's famed chancellor, struggles to hold it together; until now, the two northern and southern courts have not fought to the death, solely because the Tuyuhun in the west watch hungrily, and the Turkic iron cavalry remains sharp."

Bu Jun said: "And the greatest upheaval in today's world is Yue Pengwu."

"With Yue Pengwu's death, the Southern Chen has no general left capable of standing against the realm."

"The Western Regions are fragmented; at that time, the Ying nation will surely march south with iron hooves, plundering the Jiangnan region. If so, wouldn't it undermine Yue Qianfeng's plan? And if we kill Yue Pengwu, how would that be?"

Li Guanyi flatly refused: "No."

"He serves his country and people; he is General Yue's commander. How could I possibly sabotage General Yue's plan?"

Bu Jun smiled: "How deeply humanistic."

He spoke these words without expressing any judgment on this character; yet the young man's expression seemed to soften, and he smiled: "Then, in my strategies, only two remain for you: Tai Ping Gong's deployments are scattered across the realm."

"Your strength is insufficient, your power lacking; in this vast world, there are three places where you may rise."

Bu Jun pointed with his finger at the blood-drawn map, at Jiangnan: "Twelve years ago, the Ying and Chen nations fought; they abandoned the eighteen prefectures of Jiangnan. The Murong family guards this land. With your bloodline, return to the Murong, ally with the martial world, and dominate beyond the imperial court."

"Then, using the eighteen prefectures of Jiangnan as your base, expand outward, follow the rivers downstream, seize territory above and below, build cities to hold them. Though you cannot contend with the two great nations, beyond the waves of water and above the legends of the martial world, your cliffside citadels will be easy to defend and hard to conquer—allowing you to stand above the mundane world."

"The Emperor holds power, yet despises you to the bone—he cannot harm you."

"Imperial authority reigns across the realm, but where imperial authority does not reach, only your command rules—the martial world runs wild."

Li Guanyi shook his head, instantly recognizing this as a path of self-imposed isolation; Bu Jun smiled and said: "It seems you truly refuse such an ordinary path. Second: beyond the pass, the battleground between the Turks and Ying. There, many foreign tribes and heroes abound."

"Warlords in chaotic conflict, countless factions, hard to govern, yet none lacking in fierce warriors."

"The martial world there is led by the Snow Mountain Sword Sect; the heroes beyond the pass are bold and valiant, embodying the heroic spirit of Yan and Zhao, singing wildly through snow, skilled with battle blades. If you go north, you need only three hundred armored elite soldiers; with my strategy, you can seize a warlord's territory."

"Then consolidate your power, lie low, wait; inwardly submit to Ying, outwardly eliminate warlords, and wait for the great war between Ying and Chen—then strike into Ying."

"Form a pincer with Chen; if Yue Pengwu of Chen remains alive, he can balance Ying."

"Form distant alliances, attack nearby; wage war against the Turks and march south against Chen; expand territory, restore order, your fame will shake all nations; raise your sword and the world trembles; rage and the states grow uneasy. When Ying stirs, enter Zhongzhou, seize the monarch, and claim three hundred years of imperial legacy."

"This is the path of the feudal lords—eternal glory in history. The kings of Chen and Ying would devour your flesh and skin, yet cannot touch you. What do you say?"

Li Guanyi fell silent, his hand pressing against his knee; he thought of the deserters, the human trafficking, and his destined enemy Yuwen Lie, then answered:

"This too is a path through a chaotic world."

Bu Jun's smile faded; his eyes had unknowingly ignited with flame—a fire that seemed ready to consume all—yet his tone grew even gentler: "Then, what path do you desire?"

He asked of his ambition—perhaps Li Guanyi had not yet fully understood it, nor made it clear; speaking with Bu Jun was merely to find a safe haven. Yet at this question, Li Guanyi answered instinctively.

"The unification of the world."

It was a conviction etched into his soul; in his past life, anyone would have given the same answer.

But for a world long fractured for over three hundred years, for any strategist living in this chaotic age, these four characters represented a spirit—absolute, transcending all other monarchs.

Bu Jun murmured: "The unification of the world…"

The fire burned in his eyes.

This truly was the sovereign king that their lineage had longed for most!

Such temperament, such bearing — it fit too perfectly.

Pojun sighed. He sat up straight, his spine erect, his finger traced across and stopped at another place, saying: "Then, it can only be here." Li Guanyi saw where it was — the border between the Kingdom of Ying and the Western Regions.

Pojun said: "The border between the Western Regions and the Kingdom of Ying — the place where the Longxi winds rise."

"The Western Regions are in turmoil, the situation is complicated at present, and the Duke of Ying already harbors disloyal intentions."

"Above lies the Turks, below lies the Kingdom of Chen, outward lies the great desert of the Western Regions, where the fleeing soldiers of Tuyuhun are; inward lies the court of the Kingdom of Ying. The snowmelt from the northern snow mountains gathers here, flowing mightily into the water veins of Jiangnan."

"Under heaven, so vast, the most chaotic place is precisely here."

"If that Yue Qianfeng could assist you—"

"With my strategies, with the Halberdiers, with the Western Regions as a great rear, and with your magnanimity, it would be enough to establish a feat like that of Tuyuhun. Near the place where the wild winds of Longxi rise on all sides, there is a land — the upper reaches of the Dajiang, the southern foothills of the mountain ranges, with high terrain to the north and south and a low center. It is the place where the Red Emperor rose to power eight hundred years ago."

"If this place can be occupied, then inward to take the Western Regions, upward to break the Turks and annex the grasslands, glaring at the lands of Jiangnan and the Central Plains, the iron cavalry raising their spears — one step further downward could break Chen and destroy the kingdom, facing Ying across the river in standoff. If you raise your sword, then all under heaven shall tremble, and Ying shall not remove its armor."

"Might shakes the four seas; wherever the gaze reaches, the heroes of the world shall be struck with awe — this is the enterprise of a hegemon!"

Pojun expounded on the situation of all four directions.

Li Guanyi hesitated for a moment. He looked at the young man before him and raised his hand.

On his wrist was a cord, and from the cord hung something that fell into his palm. He lifted it up, placed his palm on the silk map drawn in blood as ink, then opened his hand and said: "What if I add another stake?"

He lifted his hand away.

The youth's black hair lifted slightly.

A golden royal seal with a fierce tiger as its knob lay quietly there.

Pojun's breath suddenly caught.