Chapter 136: Hold the Divine Weapon Again!

Li Guanyi still wanted to ask the old man before him.

That imperial clansman was perfectly suited to the one who stole his destiny.

Perfectly suited to the emperor of Chen's illegitimate son.

Chen Chengbi was overjoyed and said: "I wanted to say this just now—your strength seems endless. A normal person's muscles and bones simply cannot sustain peak exertion for long, not even warriors can defy this rule."

"But old man, I observe you—you treat the explosive limit of your body as your normal state, your strength flows without end, your blood and qi are mighty, your sinews and bones are extraordinarily strong. Is it that so-called Military General's Body, Golden Skin and Jade Bones, Dragon Tendons and Tiger Marrow?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment and said: "You must tell me first—who are the participants in the Grand Sacrifice combat? What abilities do they have? Then I'll tell you."

Chen Chengbi widened his eyes, staring at this suddenly shrewd and cunning kid, as if seeing a fox: "You—Gongsun Wuyue never had this kind of…!" He sighed. "Fine, fine, fine—that sword saint's grandson, Heavy Heaven Realm."

"His sword qi is unmatched, as if he mastered the Daoist art of sword control and the Confucian heart-sword."

"He walked through the Sword Graveyard with bare hands, never picking up a single blade, called the greatest potential heir to the Sword Saint's title—he once severed a river with one shortest horizontal slash for three full breaths."

"Yuwen Hua, nephew of Yuwen Lie, son of the Yuwen clan's patriarch."

"Third Heavy Heaven Realm, master of military arts, skilled in archery and horsemanship; during the annihilation of Tuyuhun, he displayed fierce bravery, leading the charge and being first to scale the walls—already a future famed general."

"As for the other, he's from the Geshu tribe under the Seven Kings of the Turkic, his father Geshu Yu Yu is a general of Iron Tie Futu; this Geshu Yin followed his father and brothers into battle, charging back and forth until his blade was bent from cutting—he's also Third Heavy Heaven Realm."

Li Guanyi fell silent: "... Their talents are this good?"

All Third Heavy Heaven?

The old man shook his head repeatedly: "No no no, they're not as good as you."

"You don't know?"

Chen Chengbi eyed Li Guanyi suspiciously: "Since the young generation can enter, naturally they're all under thirty—the Sword Saint's grandson is nineteen, Yuwen Hua is twenty-three, Geshu Yin has refined his body and is already twenty-six."

"They're all world-class prodigies, with mentors and no lack of resources—reaching the Third Realm is only natural. You're only fifteen—do you mean to say that in ten years you'll still be Second Heavy Heaven? That's a joke."

The elder sneered: "So you're at a disadvantage."

"Oh, only one person is younger than you—that's my own Chen family boy."

"I remember, he just turned fourteen two months ago, one year younger than you, at the peak of Second Heavy Heaven Realm. Strange—is he truly a world-class prodigy? I heard he trained outside and had strange encounters; the Sixth-ranked Jianghu Sect master wants to take him into seclusion for a while."

"He seems to be aiming to break into the Third Heavy Heaven Realm before the Grand Sacrifice combat."

"His name is Chen Yuyun; his father died in the Puyang unrest, so he's been bullied."

Chen Yuyun.

"Yu" needs no explanation; "Yun" means bright, upright, sunlight.

Li Guanyi lowered his gaze.

To ordinary people, the character "Yun" means bright and upright, but it can also represent the imperial aura of 【the sun high above, radiating light】—like the written word, it can imply hoping a child studies literature, or that he will govern heaven and earth.

The meaning and aspiration behind this name are no less than Li Zhao Wen's three characters.

A killing intent rose in the boy's heart.

Ordinary people don't know the emperor has an illegitimate son; to the old man before him, this is merely a strange Chen clan member. But once one knows the emperor is hiding an illegitimate son, many questions emerge—the emperor believes his concealment is flawless.

Aside from himself and the child's mother, no one else knows; the sorcerer who performed this act is imprisoned in the palace, never stepping outside—he never anticipated Hou Zhongyu's thoughts, never imagined Li Guanyi's fate.

The boy exhaled.

Chen Chengbi said: "He had a hard upbringing, but he's always had strange encounters. Later I heard that when he was born, he gripped a jade in his hand—a symbol of great fortune. I went to see it; the jade had a strange shape."

The elder gestured, frowning: "Its surface was smooth, with three sunken indentations, covered entirely in Kui dragon patterns. The texture wasn't like jade."

"It looked like an accessory meant to accompany a ding."

Li Guanyi's pupils shrank violently.

"You know this, right? When a ding's three legs rest upon a jade tray, it's a rare form—the 'Pan-Ding'—using jade as qi and water patterns as movement, almost as if shaped by destiny itself. Huh? Boy, are you listening?"

Li Guanyi slowly raised his gaze, instinctively reaching to press his chest where the bronze ding rested.

But he held it back.

The boy wore a warm, innocent smile:

"Ritual vessel?"

"Ding and tray?"

Chen Chengbi nodded approvingly:

"Yes, that boy desperately wanted to understand the jade tray's function, but couldn't figure it out. I've studied Qi-Watching—I can see Chen Yuyun's destiny: strong, full of martial slaughter qi, yet also a strange noble aura, clearly distinct yet merging together."

"The jade just lies dead in his hand, motionless."

"Likely some artifact he acquired from somewhere, and he's just attaching it to his son for false glory."

"Once, the chief Yin-Yang scholar from the Imperial Academy came to Chen to divine the destinies of the imperial clan."

"He was blind—he said seeing too much, speaking too much, would bring a bad death, so he gouged out his own eyes."

"He said the Crown Prince was refined yet contradictory, destined to never let go."

"A life of hardship, little fortune."

"But that boy—unbelievable, unbelievable."

"He said this destiny wields a three-foot sword, scourging the world, radiating the aura of commanding all military forces; with Qisha seated in the Life Palace, Ziwei and Tianfu together forming the Zi-Fu Above pattern, aided by the Zuofu, Youbi, Wenchang, and Wenqu stars."

"Qisha seated in the Life Palace, Zi-Fu above."

"He was meant to be the peerless general and commander."

"Yet I wonder—why is my eldest nephew dissatisfied? That day, he seemed troubled and displeased."

"He said sorcerer's words are untrustworthy—many emperors lost their thrones believing them; that 'peerless commander' was just empty talk—no one can predict the future."

"So he gave gold and dismissed him, placing the boy among the Imperial Guard as a common soldier."

"Ah, I wanted to spar with that boy—but he's not like you, straightforward and upright. There's something strange in his eyes—I can't explain it, but I always feel he's preparing for something."

"I don't like him. We don't get along. That boy is unpleasant."

Li Guanyi's face wore a warm, gentle smile: "Heaven shows strange signs—the bearing of a military commander."

It seems I must seriously challenge this Chen Yuyun.

Chen Chengbi laughed loudly and slapped his shoulder. "You're a fine lad—but still a bit short. All these others are already at the third level. Normally, you'd stand no chance. But—are you 【Golden Muscle, Jade Bone, Dragon Tendons, Tiger Marrow】?"

Li Guanyi said: "Just lucky…"

The old man beamed. "Good! Good! Good!"

"Wait here. I know a bald monk came here—he practices a martial art called 'Inner Name, Outer Clarity, Jin Gang Body.' I'll find him and have him teach it to you. Then your defense will be unmatched, and you'll be able to unleash your body's absolute limits as routine attacks."

"Hahaha, that'll make for a hell of a fight!"

"Boy, don't forget it! Hahaha, the old man's off to find him now!"

Chen Chengbi rejoiced and leapt out from here. The Jin Yu Guard's windows were sealed with special material as thick as a wrist, leaving only a palm-width gap for air—but as the old man leapt out, he moved like a shadow, encountering not the slightest obstruction.

Li Guanyi's lips curled slightly as he raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.

The bronze ding roared. His vision blurred. His fortune was stripped away—proving the bronze ding had never been complete. But precisely because of this, his fortune was taken and transformed into Bai Yu, which did not recognize any master and thus granted Chen Yuyun little benefit.

Li Guanyi drew a deep breath. He felt a restless killing intent.

The boy stretched out both hands and pressed them hard against his face.

A sharp crack—slight pain.

Li Guanyi's eyes grew calm again.

He exhaled slowly, closed his eyes, and cultivated the 【Six Emptiness, Four Union Divine Art】 the old man had just taught him.

Just now, Chen Chengbi had discovered 【Golden Muscle, Jade Bone, Dragon Tendons, Tiger Marrow】—something far more interesting—so he'd forgotten the current sparring. In truth, the old man's internal Qi had never entered Li Guanyi's body; the second level of the 【Six Emptiness, Four Union Divine Art】 had been a free gift.

Chen Chengbi instinctively sensed the power of combining 'Golden Muscles, Jade Bones, Dragon Tendons, Tiger Marrow' with 'Inner Name, Outer Clarity, Jin Gang Body,' like a glutton spotting fine food or a rake spotting a beauty.

These two body cultivation arts were exceedingly rare in the world—and now both were in Jiangzhou City.

One was old, one was young. Though combining the two Wu Gong body arts would be extremely difficult, it was not impossible.

How could he possibly restrain himself?

His heart itched—he had already gone to find the Living Buddha.

Even if he had to cling to the old monk's legs and throw a tantrum, he'd make him transmit the art.

Meanwhile, Li Guanyi, as he stretched his limbs, gradually calmed his mind. He thought: If I take first place and crush the Imperial Prince, I'll surely anger Emperor Chen—and he might interfere with my future actions, or grow even more displeased with me.

But he's never liked me—not just this time.

Lice multiply, and the itch fades; debts pile up, and worry vanishes.

Li Guanyi wrote down all the drawbacks of Emperor Chen's dislike for him. There were many reasons not to act—but the reason to act was simple: his parents' vengeance, and his own fortune—highly likely, the other part of the bronze ding lay in the Imperial Prince's hands.

And the fire and killing intent in his heart.

He looked at these words, then suddenly threw his pen aside and cursed:

"To hell with it!"

Do you think if I behave myself, the Emperor will see me as 'well-behaved' and spare me, overlook what came before?

If you're unhappy, I'm satisfied.

The boy flicked his wrist, splashing ink all over the paper.

Then he dipped his brush in ink and wrote two lines on the table beside him:

The strong deserve respect—let me take precedence. Heroes here dare to lead the way.

Li Guanyi exhaled a long, turbid breath.

I need a way to boost my strength—to face the third-level talents of the realm…

Li Guanyi felt he harbored some malignancy—just a little. He was never a gentle man. He could laugh and clap shoulders with common folk, eating their snacks—but to those who had bullied him, he could swing his arm hard and land a solid punch.

He thought himself honest. His choices came down to two.

One: endure, and peace returns.

The other: things that can no longer be endured.

A public martial contest…

He clenched his fist, pondering how he would act.

Chen Yuyun was now in seclusion; he would appear only at the Grand Sacrifice contest. Days after the Grand Sacrifice contest came the chance to flee with the Fire Qilin. Li Guanyi must seize the fortune represented by the jade pendant during the contest, to restore the bronze ding to completeness.

And restore his own fortune.

………………

Li Guanyi gathered his thoughts and reread the Juan Sect records, searching for traces of the Twenty-Four Generals. The information was fragmented, hidden within scattered event descriptions—he had to extract each piece one by one.

Not like the biographies in the Shi Guan's histories.

Li Guanyi read for a long time. When it was time to leave, he returned the Juan Sect records to their place, changed into his robes and armor, and stepped out—only to hear a gentle call: "Li my lord."

Li Guanyi paused slightly, turning to see a man in deep blue official robes.

Si Qing.

He smiled at Li Guanyi, already bowing from afar. "We meet again, Li my lord. How is your health? I've brought the Imperial Physician."

Li Guanyi looked at this man—the world's tenth-ranked assassin.

He extended his hand. The physician was startled, then sighed in relief. "Congratulations, my lord. Your internal Qi is strong; your organs and pulse are vigorous. The Taigu Chilong Qi is gone."

Si Qing stepped forward, placing his palm on Li Guanyi.

A vast surge of internal Qi flowed into Li Guanyi's body.

The boy's eyes narrowed slightly. Si Qing had lost patience. The third infusion of Qi was immense and overwhelming. Li Guanyi's second-level 【Six Emptiness, Four Union Divine Art】 stirred naturally. The two stood still in silence—when, from nearby, Ye Bu Yi's voice called out:

"Brother Li?"

Si Qing withdrew his hand, bowed deeply, his face still warm with a smile.

"Congratulations, my lord. Your internal Qi has indeed fully recovered."

"The Taigu Chilong Qi vanished completely—in such a short time, truly astonishing. Though Yue Qianfeng is merely a common bandit by origin, he had fortune: he met the Emperor's uncle from Zhongzhou and received instruction. That Taigu Chilong Qi came from the 【Taigu Chilong Subdue the Nine Provinces】. Yet you removed it so swiftly."

"Why is that?"

"I don't understand, sir. I've thought long and hard, but I still don't understand."

He wanted to say that Li Guanyi and General Yue Qianfeng were in cahoots.

Li Guanyi looked at him and answered directly: "Because I'm a genius."

"Huh?"

Si Qing, who had already prepared numerous counterarguments, froze in shock.

The boy before him slightly lifted his chin.

Li Guanyi imitated Master Yan Daiqing's bearing, his face taking on a haughty expression as he said softly:

"A peerless genius."

"You can't understand—it's only natural."

Si Qing opened his mouth, as if hearing the laughter of the officials around him; his heart clenched.

He nearly laughed in anger—the tenth-ranked assassin in the realm, of course, was also a peerless genius.

His face wore a warm smile as he said: "I see. Then I hope my lord takes care of his health—Jingcheng's power structures are too tangled now. Caution is best."

"Thank you for your advice, Master Si Qing. You as well."

They exchanged glances and parted. Li Guanyi exhaled slowly, deciding he must speak with Xue Lao. After leaving the palace with Ye Buyi and Zhou Liu's faction, returning to the Xue family, Li Guanyi discovered someone waiting for him—Bo Jun had arrived at his courtyard with the carriage.

The young man lifted the carriage curtain and smiled:

"Lord, you previously told me to deliver the battle halberd personally."

"I have witnessed your strategy and your grandeur. A wager is a wager—I accept defeat. The battle halberd is here."

Li Guanyi exhaled slowly, then reached out and grasped the battle halberd.

Since the Second Tower, he had not touched this divine weapon; after the Bronze Cauldron sampled the aura of Xue Shen's former manifestation hidden within it, Xue Lao's Bai Hu manifestation could no longer provoke a Jade Liquid response from the Bronze Cauldron.

After Juan Tao, what ultimate technique would come next?

Li Guanyi thought of this, filled with anticipation.

At this moment, the divine weapon indeed began to hum.

The aura of Xue Shen's legacy appeared.

At this stage, all was normal—until suddenly, the Crimson Emperor's Crimson Dragon Qi within Li Guanyi erupted violently, surging through his body at blinding speed, nearly bursting forth with boundless divine resonance, a dragon's roar rising.

Another aura of equal rank, stirred by the Crimson Dragon Qi, surged up from the Tiger Roaring Heaven Battle Halberd.

It instantly overwhelmed Xue Shen's legacy consciousness.

A domineering, boundlessly arrogant divine resonance emerged.

The Tiger Roaring Heaven Battle Halberd vibrated wildly, its hum echoing like a tiger's roar.

This aura was—

Eight hundred years ago!

The realm's overlord!