Chapter 115: At Last, an Old Friend

The one come to deliver the imperial edict was an old acquaintance.

Dressed in a round-collared robe, smiling, wrinkles creasing at the corners of his eyes, gentle and amiable.

It was the chief eunuch of the Office of Ceremonial.

Li Guanyi, in ordinary attire at the Xue household, stepped forward to greet him with a smile:

"I never expected it would be my lord coming."

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch smiled and said: "Captain Li has served the state with loyalty; the court sings his praises. I volunteered to deliver this edict—His Majesty specifically ordered that Captain Li, wounded in service to the state and deserving of merit, may receive it seated."

Behind him stood several eunuchs, holding trays covered with bright yellow silk.

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch unfurled the scroll in his hands and began reading the edict—flowery phrases praising Li Guanyi's bravery and loyalty, condemning traitors and rebels—until finally reaching the core: "Elevate Li Guanyi, Spearman of the Gold Guard, to the rank of Auxiliary Guard."

Auxiliary Guard is a special position, signifying imperial trust.

In Chen State, only the second-rank grandson, third-rank son, or fourth-rank heir may hold this post.

To some, this position matters more than any gold or silver reward.

But Li Guanyi felt the Emperor was handing him an empty promise.

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch continued: "Promote the Ninth-Rank Lower Gold Guard Spearman to Eighth-Rank Upper, appointing him as Record-Keeping Assistant of the Feathered Forest Dragon Martial Army."

"Bestow a single white jade belt with pendants."

"Grant one crimson battle robe, one superior-grade sharp sword, and one hundred taels of gold."

With each pronouncement, an eunuch stepped forward, lifting the silk from his tray: one exquisitely crafted battle robe embroidered with auspicious clouds; a white jade belt—something only Third Rank or higher may wear; since Li Guanyi already possessed a rhinoceros-horn belt, this was an additional honor.

On another tray lay a heavy sword, horizontally placed, its surface etched with angular dark patterns, its edge as frosty as snow.

Yet none of this pleased Li Guanyi as much as the hundred taels of gold.

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch finished reading the edict, rolled the bright yellow scroll shut, and handed it to Li Guanyi: "Captain Li, from Ninth-Rank Lower Gold Guard Spearman to Eighth-Rank Upper Record-Keeping Assistant—you've leapt three ranks at once. Congratulations, congratulations."

In the Gold Guard hierarchy, the next rank above is Left and Right Middle Marquis.

Then one more step up: Prince's Honor Auxiliary Guard Company Commander.

That is a noble general commanding the sons of the aristocracy.

He commands a portion of the imperial guard, holds real military authority, and his subordinates are all Eighth-Rank Auxiliary Guards, each backed by powerful connections—born to wealth and power, wielding immense influence; regional governors must give him due respect.

For Li Guanyi to leap three ranks at once within the Gold Guard, where nobility abounds, even the Office of Ceremonial eunuch was surprised. He handed the edict over, smiling: "His Majesty has heard of the Record-Keeping Assistant's injuries and permits him to visit the imperial library tomorrow."

"There lie many sages' collections—rare, unique copies of supreme arts. Perhaps they may heal your injury."

This time, Li Guanyi was genuinely astonished.

The Chen royal family's imperial library?

He pulled out a gold ingot and gave it to the Office of Ceremonial eunuch, who nodded with a smile and took his leave. Li Guanyi escorted the eunuch to the gate; the man tapped Li Guanyi's wrist, a thread of qi flowing—detecting the latent Crimson Dragon Qi within Li Guanyi's body.

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch boarded his carriage, which headed toward the palace.

Seated inside, he recalled the Crimson Dragon Qi he had sensed, thinking: indeed, he was wounded. This time, when Yue Qianfeng breached the Forbidden Palace, the Fire Qilin Palace suffered damage—if the Fire Qilin had not remained powerful enough to burn Hou Zhongyu to ash with a single blast of Qilin fire, the loss would have made Chen State a laughingstock of the world.

Imperial guards entered the Fire Qilin Palace and discovered Hou Zhongyu's secret chamber.

They saw the shattered medicine cauldron and deduced that Hou Zhongyu had endured the Qilin fire for a long time before dying—such vitality likely meant he had swallowed the Elixir of Immortality.

When the Emperor learned this, he flew into a rage.

He nearly executed all the imperial guards.

The Office of Ceremonial eunuch sighed. He suddenly recalled the day the boy had personally delivered the Qilin Array Diagram—and how, when the Fire Qilin Palace was attacked, Li Guanyi had been on duty. A chill stirred in his chest; he sensed some hidden connection.

No evidence was needed—only instinct. He wondered whether he should tell the Emperor. The eunuch lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the young captain, and remembered the test he had made that day outside Consort Xue's palace.

That day, he had confirmed the boy was not Tai Ping Gong's son.

Even if not Tai Ping Gong's son, he now felt a flicker of pity.

The fire from years past still burned within him.

I could not save your offspring—let me at least protect Chen State's youth. Even if he is Consort Xue's nephew, even if innocent, if I report this, the Emperor will surely rage and investigate.

So the Office of Ceremonial eunuch lowered his gaze and released the curtain.

"Let me pretend I've grown old."

He whispered with a smile, clutching the gold ingot—the boy had eagerly shoved it into his hand, yet his fingers had gripped it tightly, only releasing after several breaths. Such greed reminded him of that godlike general of humble origins.

He closed his eyes, deciding not to tell anyone else.

…………

Li Guanyi donned the new battle robe, fastened the white jade belt, and slung the superior-grade sharp sword with gem-encrusted scabbard. In the martial world, this heavy sword was priceless—a pinnacle of forging art; if reforged with celestial treasures, it could become a treasure-grade weapon.

Crimson round-collared battle robe with cloud patterns, white jade belt at the waist, one heavy sword at his side.

The boy tied his hair neatly, brimming with vigor—far more noble than the rough-and-tumble youth he had once been.

In the court, only Fifth Rank and above may wear crimson robes; only Third Rank and above may wear jade belts.

His position as Record-Keeping Assistant is one rank higher than the Record-Keeping Assistant who once explained the rules to them.

That man was the Regular Eighth-Rank Lower Record-Keeping Assistant of the Feathered Forest Dragon Martial Army.

With money, with promotion, Li Guanyi felt this risk had ended far better than he'd expected—he'd anticipated prolonged struggle, holding his tongue tight, relying on Xue Lao to finally resolve it.

It seems Xue Lao did something.

Xue Daoyong's laughter rang out: "Majestic and bold, noble and grand—no wonder you're my family's Fire Qilin!" The old man strode forward, scanning Li Guanyi from head to toe, then slapped his shoulder: "Good, good."

In the court, Fifth Rank Upper wear crimson robes; Third Rank and above wear jade belts.

Li Guanyi's battle robe and jade belt, though granted as special honors, carry no real authority.

But they are enough to impress.

Xue Lao said: "The imperial library holds many scrolls of mysterious sect arts. Those of the Gold Guard who achieve great merit may choose one. You have this fortune today—thank the Emperor's grace. If luck favors you, you may find a divine art capable of breaking Yue Qianfeng's Crimson Dragon Qi."

Li Guanyi realized the old man was still performing: "Yes."

Xue Lao saw the young man's resolute expression, yet still detected a trace of sorrow in his gaze.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Today's youth.

They're truly good at pretending.

The old man patted Li Guanyi on the shoulder, took him into the inner chamber for tea, then sealed off the qi within and without before sighing: "Guanyi, your information this time saved my Xue family—and your aunt."

He raised his teacup and drank with the boy:

"Consider it an old man's thanks to you."

Li Guanyi asked: "Xue Lao, how did you resolve it?"

The elder said: "I told Dan Tai Xianming."

Li Guanyi grimaced.

Dan Tai Xianming could be said to have parted ways with the man before him—somewhat a traitor, who once hired assassins to kill Xue Daoyong; yet this old man, upon learning the news, had immediately told Dan Tai Xianming without hesitation.

It was indeed the best solution.

The old man looked at Li Guanyi and scolded with a smile: "Otherwise, even if you were flawless, truly innocent and deserving of merit, you'd have been kicked straight into prison for a month or more—how would you have jumped three ranks, donned crimson robes, and tied a white jade belt?"

Li Guanyi asked: "Even without fault, only merit, must one suffer this?"

Xue Daoyong replied coolly: "Yes. And why? Because you are of the Xue family."

"This is the court's factional struggle."

"I covered for you this time. Next time, you must think carefully how to handle such situations. Once you stand here, what you face is rarely just right or wrong, merit or fault."

Li Guanyi fell silent for a long while, then bowed his hands in reply:

"Xue Lao is right."

Xue Daoyong said: "But the illegitimate son you mentioned—the Emperor protects him well. I cannot uncover him without using real methods. Yet if I do, the Emperor is no fool—he will notice. At that point, the Xue family, already weak, will be exposed."

"But there is one moment when that Imperial Prince will surely appear."

Li Guanyi asked: "What?"

Xue Daoyong extended one finger, speaking slowly: "Before the Great Sacrifice."

"You've seen the Turkic Seven Kings' Iron Fotu guards. Yuwen Lie came here with his world-famous Tiger Man cavalry. Now, the warlords of all nations vie for dominion through Wu Gong—what a fierce, roaring tide! Before the Great Sacrifice, there will be a grand martial contest."

"That is the chance for the young generation of the Tangut guards, the Turkic Iron Fotu, the Ying state's Tiger Man cavalry, and our Chen state's Night Gallop cavalry to test their Wu Gong. What else could bring greater fame than defeating all these elite troops, these future generals, before the eyes of the warlords of all nations?"

"If the Emperor truly intends to let his son reap the benefits of others' strife…"

"He will not miss this once-in-a-decade opportunity."

"And if we did not know about the 【illegitimate son】, and saw this rising royal relative, we would not fear him—we would try to win him over, hoping to gain a loyal royal warrior."

"Until finally, after all have bled and broken, the Emperor throws out a 【abdication】."

"Ha—everyone is left stunned."

Xue Daoyong fell silent, then let out a long sigh: "How absurd. Dan Tai Xianming and I prided ourselves as heroes of the realm, yet we nearly let that Emperor—who seemed only to wander mountains, paint, and write books—play us like pawns."

"His vision is not that of a sovereign who would conquer the world, but of one who holds fast to what he has."

"He is no foolish, incompetent ruler."

"Yet such cleverness, used not to expand borders or pacify the people, but only to cut down the thorns threatening his lineage's rule, to balance the officials—he would be better off with a weak monarch."

Xue Daoyong's expression was complex; finally, he only sighed, drinking his tea as if it were wine.

At this moment, Li Guanyi glimpsed a faint weariness in this old tiger of the chaotic age—he had witnessed the death of the once-mighty sovereign, the era of four hundred and eighty temples in the south, the betrayal of Tai Ping Gong the Regent, and now this scheming monarch.

Even such a hero sometimes grows weary.

Xue Daoyong said: "And now, at last, I understand why we targeted Marshal Yue. No wonder—he must die."

Li Guanyi said: "……The Yue Army."

The elder tapped his finger on the table: "Now, the Ying state's cavalry and Marshal Yue's old troops face each other across the river. An Imperial Prince is there as overseer. When a hothead like General Yue Qianfeng breaks out, the rest are those who can suppress their rage."

"Think: the duty to kill Marshal Yue will fall on Dan Tai Xianming's shoulders."

"Then, in the end, the Emperor issues a self-blame edict, admitting he erred years ago, abdicates, and the new Emperor expels Dan Tai Empress's son, kills Dan Tai Xianming, purges him, rehabilitates Marshal Yue, and grants him a princely title. What do you think the Yue Army will do…"

Li Guanyi lowered his eyes. In an instant, he felt the Chen state's realm had become a chessboard—wind and clouds roiling—and the true player was only one man. He seemed to see the Emperor seated high, watching the world with indifference.

Li Guanyi closed his eyes, and heard himself answer:

"They will be grateful to the new Emperor."

Xue Daoyong said: "Yes. Then the Yue Army—"

"No—"

The elder declared:

"The former followers of Tai Ping Gong will reunite under the Chen imperial banner!"

"The weapon that brings peace will still swing for Chen. This time, even loyal to the Emperor. What a grand game—from a mere prince to now, to the future. This Emperor is the greatest player of the past twenty years."

"Truly—a formidable villain!"

Li Guanyi placed his hand over his chest and suddenly felt a piercing pain.

He understood why his parents died.

Because he remembered Hou Zhongyu's words—

【The Destiny of Tai Ping Gong's Son】

His own destiny likely rests upon that true illegitimate son.

Bearing the destiny of Tai Ping Gong's son, then gathering Tai Ping Gong's old followers.

Smoothing out every thorn resisting imperial rule, then holding them in the Emperor's hand.

From the very beginning, the Emperor had planned all the way to this. The world is chaotic, heroes and formidable villains like fish crossing a river—even the most underestimated Chen Emperor is no ordinary man.

Li Guanyi did not tell the elder this.

The elder continued: "So, when we watch the Great Sacrifice, and see which Imperial Prince suddenly rises, fights his way to the final arena—we will know who the Emperor's illegitimate son is. Then we will have certainty."

Li Guanyi slowly exhaled, a surge of violence rising in his heart.

He clenched his fists.

Dragon roars and tiger howls echoed at his ears.

A violent urge rose in him—to draw his battle spear and cripple that Imperial Prince before all eyes.

Even if he angered the Emperor, he truly wanted to do it.

Xue Lao patted Li Guanyi on the shoulder and smiled: "The imperial library holds many Divine Arts. With this opportunity, don't waste it—find something excellent."

Li Guanyi nodded in agreement.

After more idle chatter, a carriage arrived in the afternoon. Li Guanyi boarded it, the curtains drawn shut, and was carried deep into the palace, to an unknown location—this was one of the palace's greatest hidden taboos; all who entered here must keep silence.

Li Guanyi followed the directional layout of the Four Symbols Spirit-Sealing Array transmitted by the Fire Qilin Palace.

He perfectly confirmed where he had ultimately been brought.

He etched the location firmly into his mind.

Upon arrival, several eunuchs withdrew. Li Guanyi looked around and heard a loud laugh: "Hahahaha, boy, you've finally arrived!" Li Guanyi raised his head and saw an old man with white hair striding forward—it was Chen Chengbi of the Chen imperial house.

The old man laughed: "Didn't I say I'd find a way for you? Would an old man like me break his word?"

"I pestered that nephew of the Emperor for a long time before he agreed to let you come here. Come, old man will take you to meet a master—she can surely solve your problem."

Only then did Li Guanyi realize it was this old man's doing that brought him here.

The old man gripped his shoulder and roared with laughter: "Such martial talent, such bearing—wasting your Wu Gong would be a tragedy! Old man hopes for more young heroes in Chen, so when our generation dies, you can still protect this country."

He led Li Guanyi forward, his grip strong, into a wooden hut beside the library, threw open the door, and shouted: "Big niece! Big niece!"

"Your third uncle's here!"

"Big niece!"

Big niece?

Li Guanyi froze slightly.

Chen Chengbi was the Emperor's third uncle; the only "big niece" he could mean was one person.

The one trustworthy Chen royal spoken of by his aunt.

The Princess.

Chen Qingyan!