Chapter 14: Rules

“This is...”

Li Guanyi was certain that the bronze ding had not had this crimson dragon before.

He reached out and lightly pressed his hand against the bronze ding on his chest, clearly sensing the presence of the crimson dragon’s trace—a powerful, scorching energy seemed contained within it; when his finger touched it, he could faintly hear a dragon’s roar, yet it felt muffled, as if Gezheyiceng ，extremely weak.

The crimson dragon’s trace was still blurry.

Like it had just been carved onto the bronze ding—not real, not clear.

Li Guanyi pondered silently to himself: “It seems the bronze ding’s mystery isn’t just about absorbing Qi... this crimson dragon’s shadow isn’t clear enough. If that’s the case, then multiple accumulations of Jade Liquid are needed before the crimson dragon becomes distinct.”

“There should be some change then.”

“But this is only speculation—not yet certain. I need to test it again.”

Li Guanyi organized his thoughts and sat in meditation once more.

This time, he still moved his Qi slowly, but because his internal Qi had grown vastly larger, the pace of circulation had slightly increased; as the twelve-layer Break Formation Melody’s Qi passed his chest, he could distinctly feel the icy chill coiled around his heart.

This was the poison that had tormented him for ten years, each outbreak killing him with agony.

The twelve-layer Break Formation Melody seemed to have just begun to touch the place where the poison lay entrenched—just as Yue Qianfeng said: the stronger he became, the less threat the poison posed.

With this peace in his heart, he slept without dreams.

The next day, on his way to Huichun Hall, Li Guanyi glanced from afar at the Mountain God Temple—it was packed with people, and armored Tiqi held swords; amid the noisy crowd, Li Guanyi channeled Qi into his pupils but saw no trace of the crimson dragon’s dominant form.

Yue Qianfeng had left.

That wasn’t surprising.

Li Guanyi didn’t linger; like a passing civilian drawn by curiosity, he glanced a few times and hurried off to Huichun Hall. Today, a carriage stood before the hall—the same martial artists previously injured by Tiqi were gathered at the entrance, and a young man in his twenties was chatting merrily with them.

The martial artists, who had always been arrogant and dismissive toward these servants, now wore broad smiles.

Li Guanyi recognized him: the young master of Huichun Hall.

When Li Guanyi, dressed in a blue robe, walked up to the medicine cabinet, Old Master Chen watched the young man and the three martial artists enter the back courtyard and shook his head: “The young master arrived early, comforting these guard martial artists...”

“Saying they were injured protecting Huichun Hall, so Huichun Hall must show its appreciation.”

“He gave them herbs, silver, and promised higher monthly wages.”

“Didn’t the young master call you over?”

Li Guanyi shook his head. Old Master Chen was puzzled. The young man had already begun working at the medicine cabinet, feet rooted to the ground, breathing calm, feeling the tangible flow of the Break Formation Melody within him while planning his next steps.

He and his aunt were fugitives in Chen Guo—his aunt, clever, had led him through countless detours until they finally reached Guan Yicheng, not far from their destination: the Eighteenth State of Jiangnan. But one problem lay before Li Guanyi.

Guosuo.

The official pass for crossing borders.

To pass through national borders, one needed a Guosuo issued by the court; to obtain one, one needed household registration from one’s original district. Li Guanyi was a refugee with no registered status; in Chen Guo this was tolerable, but in the northern Ying Guo, he’d be branded as lowborn.

If he worked at Huichun Hall for three years, he could obtain household registration in Guan Yicheng.

Then he could apply for the Guosuo; otherwise, staying in Chen Guo was always unsafe. He could use the gold and silver pearls as travel funds—Chen Guo currency wasn’t reliable elsewhere; in chaotic times, gold was the true currency.

He’d also train in martial arts, aiming to slowly break through to Yue Qianfeng’s “Entry” realm.

He said all wandering martial artists were at this level.

Li Guanyi thought seriously.

The world was unstable; crossing borders required a Guosuo, and he needed martial strength for protection, plus a large sum of silver for bribes.

His martial potential was promising, and he already had some gold and silver. He mentally checked off each item, feeling a small satisfaction—he was slowly drawing closer to a better life, where he and his aunt could have a courtyard, free from fear of night riders.

Raise chickens, raise pigs, train martial arts, run a small business.

He wanted a peaceful life.

He looked up at the sky outside.

Warm and sunny.

He only had this goal.

Live well. Live properly.

………………

“You’ve all worked here for years. This incident happened because you protected Huichun Hall—rest easy and recover here. Your monthly wages and herbs won’t be withheld.”

In the back hall of Huichun Hall, the young master set down his teacup and spoke his final words with a smile.

The martial artists expressed heartfelt gratitude, their smiles overflowing. After they left, the young master turned to the head shopkeeper standing respectfully beside him: “I heard a young assistant was injured in this incident too.”

“The herbalist?”

The head shopkeeper bowed his head and whispered: “Still an apprentice. He’s skilled in calculations and works diligently.”

“He has only a gravely ill aunt, and he alone supports the household.”

“He’s a good boy.”

The young man frowned slightly, lifted his teacup, and brushed the tea leaves with the lid: “I see.”

He thought a moment, then said:

“Then dismiss him.”

The head shopkeeper paused.

The young master used his pinky to pluck a tea stem and flicked it away indifferently: “Head Shopkeeper Zhao, you know Huichun Hall suffered heavy losses—we must cut expenses. This assistant was injured; for the next few months he can’t do heavy work, and we still have to pay for his medicine—it’s a loss.”

“I know you’re kind, but the hall has its reasons.”

“Our family is wealthy, but so are our expenses.”

“Good steel must be used on the blade. He’s just a boy—nothing like a martial artist.”

The head shopkeeper weighed his words, lowered his head further, and whispered: “Master is right, but with one less assistant, the workload won’t balance...”

The young man laughed: “Head Shopkeeper Zhao, you’re being foolish.”

“The rest of the work? Have the other assistants do a bit more each day.”

“What’s hard about that?”

He set his teacup down, stood, and walked out—he had an appointment at Fan Hua Lou for drinks.

At noon, Li Guanyi rolled up his sleeves, sat at the entrance, pulled out a flatbread and a boiled egg. These were enough for him normally, but now his appetite was absurdly large—he devoured them in big bites, then calculated and decided to buy more food.

In Guan Yicheng, Chen Guo, twenty-some wen per day was enough to survive.

But that included food, clothing, shelter, and transport.

He was considering buying some baked buns to fill his stomach when a shadow fell over him.

The head shopkeeper blocked his path: “Li Guanyi, how’s your injury?”

The other assistants stopped to watch.

They were all sharp-eyed; when the young master ignored Li Guanyi, they’d already guessed something. Li Guanyi looked at the head shopkeeper and nodded: “Fine.”

The head shopkeeper nodded: “Today I won’t be going home—I’ll eat out.”

“Come sit with me, old man.”

Li Guanyi had sensed it. He nodded. The two walked one after the other to a restaurant on the street—a long bench inside, a wine jar; laborers came here to drink, one wen per cup—only strong liquor, with a hunk of braised meat, and they ate happily.

Today, however, a table had been set. The head shopkeeper ordered several dishes with practiced ease.

Meat and vegetables, two bowls of rice, two cups of one-wen liquor. The head shopkeeper whispered: “Your injury was caused by Huichun Hall’s troubles. Today’s meal is on me—eat well.”

He watched Li Guanyi bury his face in his food.

“Huichun Hall’s herbs were stolen. This world’s stability is uncertain—there may be more trouble in a few days. You’re young; this can’t go on.”

Li Guanyi had suspected it before, but now he understood clearly.

He’d been “optimized” out.

The head shopkeeper pulled a letter from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Li Guanyi: “You’re skilled in calculations. I know the manager of the Liu family’s private school. I wrote you a recommendation—take it, try to find work somewhere.”

“It’s a way to find your next place.”

Liu family’s private school?

That was far more prestigious than Huichun Hall—better by far.

The head shopkeeper finished his wine, set the cup down, and said: “Eat. I’m going back to work.”

“Old Zhou, today’s meal for this boy is on me.”

“If you’re still hungry, order more.”

The head shopkeeper walked out, his gray robe dusty, his head slightly bent with age. Li Guanyi placed the letter aside and devoured everything like a storm—when he finished, the restaurant owner chuckled: “More? Take some to go?”

“Old Zhao said you can take whatever you want—don’t be shy, just leave.”

The youth smiled: “No, I’m full.”

Then he stood beside the owner, glanced at the wine prices, and placed ten wen on the table.

The owner laughed: “Kid, that’s on account.”

“Yeah, next time he comes, I’ll treat Old Zhao to better wine.”

The youth replied softly.

The owner paused, then smiled: “Good.”

“You’re a proper one.”

“Old Zhao didn’t misjudge you.”

Head Shopkeeper Zhao returned to Huichun Hall, opened the ledger, and marked Li Guanyi’s name. Old Master Chen asked: “Did you dismiss Guanyi?”

The head shopkeeper nodded.

Old Master Chen saw the mark beneath it: “You paid a full string of cash? Hey, the young master isn’t that kind.”

The head shopkeeper spoke:

“We work for the master. The master’s word is the rule—we must give our heart and strength.”

"But one must not do unjust or cruel things—that is also a rule, an inner rule."

"Rules outweigh heaven."

Master Zhao rolled up the ledger, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside; couplets hung on both sides of the curtain.

Nothing is faster than concealment.

Medicine must be practiced with benevolence.

The shopkeeper held his head high, his spine perfectly straight.

…………

The sun passed noon, and the heat grew stronger.

Li Guanyi stood before the Liu family’s private academy; indeed, it was imposing, home to nearly half the sons of wealthy families in town, most of whose carriages lined the outside. He was about to enter when another carriage arrived, stopping steadily between Li Guanyi and the academy.

A fragrant breeze stirred.

A clear young girl’s voice rang out:

"Miss, the Liu family’s private academy has arrived."

(End of Chapter)