Chapter 197: Chi Xiao Claims Its Master, Night Raid on the Hunting Qilin

On the Chi Xiao Sword, flowing light shifted and gradually condensed, while behind the young man, a crimson dragon shape slowly lowered its gaze, qi swirling—the divine manifestation, even without a manifestation-level martial art, was plainly revealed.

Prince Ji Yanzhong's thoughts hardened, nearly losing the ability to think.

Past experiences surfaced in his mind; he finally understood that General Yue Qianfeng was not the true sword master, but merely the one who had drawn away the vast majority of attention, and the old man's breathing grew heavier.

Li Guanyi sheathed the Chi Xiao Sword.

"Elder, what do you think?"

Prince Ji Yanzhong took several deep breaths before suppressing his emotions.

"You…"

He paused, then spoke directly:

"What do you need me to do?"

"Do you want me to take you into the 【Hunting Qilin Gathering】?"

Prince Ji Yanzhong was one of the last surviving faces of the Central State imperial clan, his cultivation exceptionally pure; among all contemporary practitioners of 【Taigu Chilong Qi】, he stood supreme, having brought all nine Wu Gong of the divine art 【Taigu Chilong Calms the Nine Provinces】 to their ultimate limits.

He was also an elder of the Central State imperial clan; with his status, he could indeed bring Li Guanyi into the 【Hunting Qilin Gathering】.

Li Guanyi replied calmly: "No."

"If you go, the situation will truly spiral out of control."

"I have no intention of making such a grand move. I will go to the 【Hunting Qilin Gathering】 myself, find a way to retrieve the 【Seal】, and you wait for me at the garrison. I will pass the Seal to you—your part of the plan is already known."

Prince Ji Yanzhong urged urgently: "Going there is far too dangerous!"

Li Guanyi answered: "Without risk, how can one achieve greatness?" He held the Chi Xiao Sword, then merely raised his hand—the divine sword flew through the air and landed steadily back inside its sheath.

The young Daoist said cheerfully:

"This sword—I take it, it brings only death. I leave it here."

"Then, thank you."

Li Guanyi bowed.

Picking up the sword, putting it down—both actions were utterly composed.

He bowed slightly to Prince Ji Yanzhong again, turned, and strode away into the night, vanishing quickly; Prince Ji Yanzhong remained stunned for a long while, his aged gaze returning to the Chi Xiao Sword left behind.

The sword seemed deeply satisfied, silent and still.

After a long while, Prince Ji Yanzhong murmured: "... Chi Xiao Sword Master."

"No…"

"It was not the Chi Xiao Sword that chose him—it is that today's heroes are simply capable of drawing this sword."

Prince Ji Yanzhong sighed. He saw a wisp of flowing light on the Chi Xiao Sword begin to shift, then vanish swiftly—it was the array left by Si Wei; when someone tried to seize the sword, the Chi Xiao Sword would be taken away, and at that moment, the sword would tremble slightly.

Prince Ji Yanzhong's expression was solemn.

Si Wei had already learned of the Chi Xiao Sword's awakening.

The old man recalled the things Si Wei had said before he came; his face grew grave. When the Chi Xiao Sword awakened, the Academy would change again—the forces restraining the chaotic age would stir, and the Academy's most outstanding youths would once more walk the world.

The Hundred Schools would emerge.

Prince Ji Yanzhong's emotions were complex: exhilarated at seeing a hero who could draw the Chi Xiao Sword, yet anxious at the signs of a world descending into chaos; after a long while, the old man sighed—he knew.

It meant he was truly old.

Prince Ji Yanzhong gently pressed his palm against the Chi Xiao Sword: "Let us see what the new generation of heroes will accomplish." He left the Chi Xiao Sword there, then, as Li Guanyi had instructed, went personally to the garrison.

This crucial hidden piece had been placed.

Li Guanyi used his body technique to swiftly advance, returning to his lodging.

Yao Guang was already waiting for him. Li Guanyi explained the situation to Yao Guang—they needed to go to the Governor's Mansion, find a way to extract Xue Zhaoji and the Seal, and only then could they revive the entire situation.

Li Guanyi set down the snacks, picked up the Fire Qilin, and went with Yao Guang to the Governor's Mansion.

Li Guanyi's body technique was decent; as for Yao Guang, though her Wu Gong was nearly nonexistent, her ability to conceal her aura far surpassed Li Guanyi's—there would be no problem.

Yao Guang personally chose a corner of the wall.

The girl's gaze was cautious and precise, like that of a Grand Master.

She extended a finger toward the edge of the corner; the young Daoist grinned: "You mean this corner? Best spot—blind spot, easy to slip in, won't be noticed?"

The silver-haired girl nodded.

Li Guanyi said: "Then, Yao Guang, you handle concealing the aura."

Yao Guang's expression was calm. She nodded.

Li Guanyi felt a warm, soft hand grasp his.

Yao Guang's voice was serene: "There are Grand Master-level martial artists—Grand Master-level martial artists' will is like a god's, their intuition sharp. Only this way can I calm your aura too."

Li Guanyi nodded. At this moment, he did not cling to propriety.

He gripped the silver-haired girl's hand in return.

Pulled her close.

Then, with one hand pressed against the high wall, he leapt upward, carrying Yao Guang to the rooftop, then leapt down—the Xuan Gui divine manifestation floated out again, Li Guanyi lightly stepping on its shell to dissipate the falling force, landing silently without a sound.

"The Governor's Mansion is large, but with the map, it's manageable."

"Let's go."

Li Guanyi and Yao Guang slowed their pace, walking slowly through the Governor's Mansion.

Though normally a place brimming with danger, with Yao Guang present, it felt like strolling through their own courtyard—the girl's expression was cool and tranquil, her steps slow, and from a small pouch in her sleeve, she took out the snacks Li Guanyi had prepared, chewing slowly.

Chew… chew…

Suddenly, Li Guanyi reached out and seized Yao Guang's wrist.

His body swayed, feet tapping a tree trunk, launching them straight up into the branches.

Several retainers, all with martial skill, passed by with lanterns—two wore swords at their waists, two carried staves, one held a crossbow—a standard military formation; if the lanterns in the hands of the sword-wielders were replaced with shields, it would be the basic configuration of a Central Plains military unit.

As they walked, chatting: "I heard Young Master Yuwen brought back a beauty?"

"That's right—I took one look. Truly incomparably beautiful. Since I was born from my mother's womb, I've never seen such a woman. No wonder she's called the number one beauty under heaven; even Young Master Yuwen wants her. The City Lord himself yields to Young Master Yuwen in all things, yet on this matter, he flatly refuses to budge."

"In the past, he often visited Miss Huarui."

"But since this girl was kept in our City Lord's mansion, he's never gone to see Lady Huarui again. Some say Lady Huarui suddenly died because the City Lord wanted to win the beauty's heart and killed her to erase evidence of his affair with Lady Huarui."

"Hahaha, the City Lord is quite the rake."

"Keeping such a beauty here—even just looking at her can extend one's life. If one could kiss her, ah, what a way to die!"

These people spoke softly of the City Lord's mansion as they walked away.

Li Guanyi pondered.

It seemed the City Lord's mansion held far more prisoners than one might think.

"The City Lord's mansion…"

The mansion was too vast; finding someone would take time.

Li Guanyi glanced over, lowered his voice, and said: "Let's slow down, be careful, and go over the rooftops."

Yao Guang nodded.

Li Guanyi carried Yao Guang in a leap, landing on the eaves, walking slowly. Not long after, they heard a loud, boisterous laugh: "Hahahaha, City Lord, where did you find such fine wine? We've rarely tasted anything like it."

Li Guanyi's spirit stirred slightly. He looked over and saw in the main garden of the City Lord's mansion, a banquet scene: several martial heroes sat at separate tables, drinking, surrounded by dancing beauties. Li Guanyi had no wish to approach, but Yao Guang tugged his sleeve with her finger.

Li Guanyi understood. He and Yao Guang slowly drew closer.

The voice was easily audible: "Today, so many heroes gather—yet all for some mere brat, only fifteen or sixteen, daring to call himself 'Madman'?"

"What nonsense. I know Lu Youxian's methods. Without real skill, how could he escape from him?"

"Hahahaha, the Furious Scale Long Wang speaks true."

Li Guanyi looked up.

Among the seated, one man stood out—majestic, wild, and bold. Though his temples were slightly gray, his brow radiated the vigor of a man in his thirties. He held two beauties in his arms, drinking, while behind him surged waves that took the form of a dragon.

Li Guanyi recognized him.

【Lord of the Seventy-Two Linked Forts, supreme in water combat】

He glanced elsewhere: the Grand Elder of the Yin-Yang Wheel Turn Sect was an extremely beautiful person, gender indiscernible, with the densest inner Qi; the Furious Sword Immortal of Kunlun Sword Sect held a sword, eyes closed, resting; the Motian Sect Sect Master, around sixty, carried an extraordinary aura of heroic grandeur.

Li Guanyi also saw a face he recognized—Nan Qingping, whom he'd met before and suspected of connection to the Green Robe Guest, drinking tea alone. Over there, other martial figures gathered; their leader wore a black robe edged in gold, a black jade belt, a green jade hairpin, a beautiful beard, and an air of authority.

Li Guanyi recalled the intelligence:

"City Lord of Beicheng."

"His Wu Gong isn't strong, but he's at the Fifth Heavenly Level, balanced against the generals of Beicheng—clearly Chen Dingye's doing."

The City Lord of Beicheng raised his cup to toast the martial heroes, then laughed: "With so many skilled hands here, if Li Guanyi is in Beicheng, he cannot escape. But you all know—the Hunting Qilin Assembly is merely a ruse. Our true target is something else."

The Furious Scale Long Wang laughed: "Naturally—for this chaotic age!"

"Chen State has decayed this far. The Regent, that old devil, has nearly shattered Chen's spine. Xue Daoyong, that fierce tiger, has become Prime Minister. What remains of Chen State is rotting meat—only breathing in, not out. At such a time of great change, we must prepare for ourselves."

"Rest assured, in my Seventy-Two Linked Forts, I have ten thousand warriors skilled in water, wielding knives aboard ships, capable of rowing small boats along the Jianghe, wielding swords and bows. When the world shifts, we advance to die for the Grand Tutor, or retreat to raise banners and carve out our own warlord domain."

"But who would've thought—Lord Tong, you're of noble birth, repeatedly favored by the Emperor, yet you've allied with the Yuwen Clan, betraying your own country, eating from the pot while gnawing on the hand… ahahaha…"

The Furious Scale Long Wang grinned wildly, unconcerned with the City Lord's dignity.

The City Lord merely replied calmly: "Long Wang, look at me—compared to Tai Ping Gong Li Wanli, General Yue Pengwu—who is stronger?"

At these words, all others present laughed.

The Motian Sect Sect Master smiled and said: "Lord Tong, you are a regional hero, with battlefield merit. Future histories will record you—but you cannot compare to divine generals like Tai Ping Gong Li Wanli or Yue Pengwu."

Lord Tong continued:

"Then tell me, among you all—who is more loyal to the state: I, Li Wanli, or Yue Pengwu?"

The martial heroes burst into loud laughter.

Lord Tong remained calm: "Look—even men as loyal as Tai Ping Gong and Yue Pengwu were suspected and killed by the Emperor. Even their fame and strategy were erased by him."

"As for me, my loyalty falls far short of theirs."

"Yet will His Majesty not suspect me?"

"If such pillars of the state can be killed at will, and my talent is far inferior to theirs, why would His Majesty hesitate to kill me?"

The City Lord of Beicheng's face was serene: "My name is likely already written in the Emperor's scrolls. Only Xue Daoyong, that fierce tiger, has kept the Emperor occupied with his struggle against the Imperial Chancellor."

"Once he's free, I will surely perish."

"A true man cannot be ruled by another. The Master said: 'Let the ruler be ruler, the minister minister, the father father, the son son.'"

"If the ruler is not ruler, then the minister is not minister!"

"He is not my lord—he is but a common man!"

The martial heroes all laughed and applauded: "Excellent!"

Lord Tong raised his cup and drank calmly, chatting with the martial heroes about many affairs, when another middle-aged man smiled: "My Divine Beast Manor has acquired many strange beasts, already placed in this mansion. When Young Master Yuwen departs, he may take them as a gift to General Yuwen."

"But where is Young Master Yuwen? Why isn't he here?"

The Furious Sword Immortal opened his eyes and said coolly: "He's probably visiting that girl."

All present grew pale.

The Grand Elder of the Yin-Yang Wheel Turn Sect smiled faintly: "The number one beauty under heaven."

Li Guanyi confirmed these martial heroes' targets and learned Yuwen Hua was not here. He pondered: "Yuwen Hua is almost certainly going to kill Xue Zhaoji. We must hurry."

Yao Guang nodded.

Before them stood four martial Dao masters. Yao Guang's concealment could not fully hide Li Guanyi; they could not approach too closely. They circled wide, following Yuwen Hua's aura, and soon Li Guanyi located his position.

On the rooftop, Li Guanyi found a perfect vantage point.

He drew Murong Qiushui's sword, pried open a small hole in the roof, and peered inside—there he saw Yuwen Hua. This twenty-one-year-old prodigy of the Yuwen Clan had grown even more composed than a month ago.

Dressed in a brilliant blue martial suit, his bearing extraordinary, Li Guanyi could faintly sense the beastly aura around Yuwen Hua—no longer the level of the arena match, when he needed to unleash the Yuwen family's ultimate technique to stir its divine resonance.

Li Guanyi lifted his gaze slightly: "You've broken through. Now you're at the Fourth Heavenly Layer."

"No wonder Yuwen Lie entrusted this task to him."

Yuwen Hua was Li Guanyi's first true rival.

Back then, their strength and physique were evenly matched; now that he's broken through, he must have received further inheritance from the Yuwen family—absolutely not to be underestimated. Li Guanyi noticed a middle-aged man behind Yuwen Hua, calm and composed, with an air of solemn dignity.

He radiated intense martial martial energy.

Li Guanyi abandoned the idea of using the 【Shatter-Cloud Thunder Bow】 to snipe Yuwen Hua.

This one beside him is clearly a famed general of the Yuwen family.

Today, Yuwen Hua was not dressed in armor as he had been during the Chen state's grand sacrifice; he was strikingly handsome, with the rugged charm of a martial artist, carrying a food box as he strolled over, smiling: "Miss Nangong, you haven't eaten or drunk for three days—even if you plan to leave, you must eat something."

"Without strength, you can't escape."

A soft, cool voice replied: "General Yuwen locks me here, yet speaks such kind words—truly, you sons of the martial school have all the good and bad arguments covered. But I dare not eat your delicacies."

Yuwen Hua laughed loudly: "Miss, you fear I've poisoned your food?"

"Hahahaha! The woman I, Yuwen Hua, desire—why would I resort to such uncouth methods? Your martial skill is weak; if I wished to force you, could you resist me? I refuse such crude acts precisely because I regard you as the one I've longed for in this lifetime."

"Not an ordinary woman."

The Miss Nangong seemed utterly calm: "So you've forced many ordinary women before?"

Yuwen Hua merely smiled faintly: "It was mutual."

"Miss, I have only one thing to say: your beauty is peerless in the world, yet you lack the strength to protect yourself. Had I not taken you under my care, given the nature of the several martial masters in this courtyard, you would already be their bedplay."

"Decide now—come with me, or face another fate. Think carefully."

The girl remained serene.

Yuwen Hua sneered, set down the food, rose, swept his sleeve, and walked away.

Outside the door, Yuwen Hua bowed respectfully: "Uncle Seven, let's go see those martial masters."

Yuwen Tianxian said: "Good. In Liege's plan, you must also cultivate goodwill with them."

Yuwen Hua replied: "Yes. Hmph. But they're merely martial rogues. In Uncle's plan, the Fire Qilin, Li Guanyi, the city lord—these martial folk aren't the focus. The core is to carve a fissure inside Zhenxi Xiongcheng, using this 【Hunting Qilin Gathering】 as the foundation."

"Without Li Guanyi, Uncle would find Zhao Guanyi, Liu Guanyi—any other excuse. Right now, leaving a fissure here means when we return, the great cities of this world will open wide, like a woman baring her chest, defenseless."

"Once Zhenxi Xiongcheng is gone, nothing else merits Uncle's attention."

Yuwen Tianxian said: "Watch your tongue."

Yuwen Hua smiled casually: "Uncle, only you and I are here. Besides, this part—the martial masters don't see it. Tong is a shrewd one—he's already seen through it. You promised him the title of County Marquis; he's already tempted. What harm in letting him hear?"

"It's a pity we couldn't lure Prince Ji Yanzhong here—if we had, we could drag the imperial house of Zhongzhou into this. The Chen Emperor's authority has already been shattered by Tai Ping Gong's forces. Uncle must surely wish to crush the inviolable dignity of the Zhongzhou Emperor as well?"

He sighed: "I only regret never having met Li Guanyi."

"Otherwise, now that I've broken through and mastered these Wu Gong, I'd have killed him."

Yuwen Tianxian said: "Li Guanyi isn't ordinary. Liege says he's very likely Tai Ping Gong's orphan, has a strategist at his side, and possesses his own stratagems. Those who flee like this usually avoid danger. This 【Hunting Qilin Gathering】 is too direct—he won't come."

Yuwen Hua burst into laughter: "Indeed!"

"To come alone to a banquet—either a fool, or a hero."

"If he dares show up, I'll respect him threefold!"

Behind them, Li Guanyi and Yao Guang had heard every word of the Yuwen family's scheme. The young Daoist grinned, pointing a finger at the man. Yuwen Tianxian seemed to sense something—he paused slightly, turning his head to look.

But he saw only dark, heavy skies—nothing unusual.

Yuwen Hua asked: "Uncle Seven, what's wrong?"

Yuwen Tianxian's frown eased:

"Nothing… perhaps it was my imagination."

"Let's go."

They left. On the eaves of the room, the young Daoist and Yao Guang hid in the shadows. Yao Guang shoved a pastry straight into the boy's mouth, her right hand clamped over Li Guanyi's lips, her eyes wide, her face expressionless, her voice calm:

"Sixth-layer martial artist. His internal energy is profound—he can sense killing intent."

"If you don't want to be tied up and thrown in a dungeon with me, you must suppress your killing aura."

Li Guanyi nodded.

The silver-haired girl removed her hand.

Li Guanyi slowed his steps, then suddenly grinned, as if possessed:

"If that's the case, it wouldn't be so bad."

The silver-haired girl pulled out another pastry and shoved it back into Li Guanyi's mouth.

Shove! Shove!

………………

Meanwhile, in the city lord's wine cellar, Chen Chengbi grew bored, having nothing to do for a long while, so he began feasting and drinking heartily. As he drank, he suddenly heard footsteps outside:

"Young Master Yuwen has arrived and is in high spirits—he wants to serve wine to the heroes."

"He's sent us to fetch the liquor."

Chen Chengbi froze in alarm. The old man had been sneaking drinks and snacks for a while—he looked around.

He spotted a giant wine jar, as tall as a man. Delighted, he grabbed a large roasted chicken, pried open the jar's lid, and leapt inside, slamming the lid shut behind him. The jar was half-empty of wine—but inside, he found another person.

Dressed in a blue robe, half-gray-haired, gnawing on a giant chicken leg.

At his waist hung carving knives and bamboo slips.

Chen Chengbi's eyes widened: "Huh?! Tu Shengyuan?!"

"How the hell are you here?!"

Tu Shengyuan, guest advisor of the First Tower under Heaven, stared, dumbfounded:

"The Mad King?!"

"What are you doing here?!"

Then they answered in unison:

"Here for the fun! Looking for a fight!"

"Here for the fun! Looking for something to write about!"

The two stared at each other, but before either could react, the Retainer had already pushed open the door and entered, pointing directly at the large wine vat: "This one—fine wine, thirty years aged."

"Move it, move it—place it right in the middle of the courtyard."

"Later, General Yuwen will open it himself."

Chen Chengbi and Tu Shengyuan exchanged a glance.

Both curled their lips.

"Fuck!"