Chapter 230: The Letter of Shuangtao, the Academy

These letters formed a thick stack, stored within a wooden box; the Long Feng Tower's representative in Jiangnan knew their weight and dared not linger to watch, so he merely bowed and stepped back.

Li Guanyi sat beneath the pavilion in the courtyard where he now stood, placing the wooden box beside him; this was the back courtyard of the Long Feng Tower, beside the pavilion lay a lotus pond, its waters murmuring softly.

By the pond, a cold plum tree stood, though now in high summer, not a single blossom could be seen; Li Guanyi sat in the shade, picked up a letter from the stack, and began to read—it was not the first reply he had sent to the girl after his initial letter to Xue Shuangtao.

It was a letter from last winter.

Upon opening it, the paper seemed dyed a pale pink, its script delicate and refined.

The ancients often said, seeing the handwriting is like seeing the person; Li Guanyi could almost see the girl who had written these words, and his expression grew calm as he turned the pages.

"Guanyi, I hope this letter finds you well. It is deep winter now; the weather around Yicheng is mild, with only a light snowfall, yet Changqing is delighted—he ran outside alone, opened his mouth to the sky, saying he wanted to taste the flavor of snow."

"My uncle's child has been born—a Crown Prince—and my aunt has become Empress."

"But Grandfather told me that with the Xue family's growing power, continued expansion risks collapse—I know this too, yet I do not know what his plans are."

"The Long Feng Tower is slowly growing."

"Following your plan, we have been gathering intelligence, dismantling human trafficking black markets, rescuing those abducted; those willing to leave are given funds to return home, while those unwilling—or unable—to leave remain at the Long Feng Tower, doing what they can to earn their living."

"Grandfather has gradually entrusted me with the Long Feng Tower's commercial operations."

"He says he is betting on the empire, betting that Chen Dingye cannot triumph among the warlords."

"He says even if he loses, he will leave us a path to escape."

"He says you may reach the Eighteen States of Jiangnan, so I have also built a Long Feng Tower there—it might help you."

"I still visit the Huichun Hall and saw the old Shopkeeper—he is in good spirits, and when he speaks of you, he smiles."

"He still loves to drink at that place where a single copper coin buys a pot of cheap wine."

"I heard you left him money for a pot of wine there."

"The old man refuses to drink it, only going there occasionally when he hears news of you, pouring himself a cup—yet the wine stored there slowly diminishes, so I've added more for you, hoping he may always have this small joy."

"Winter came, and I planted a plum tree in the courtyard, but I wondered—since you've gone so far away, are the plums there different from those in Yicheng? Walking through the mountains along the border between Ying and Chen, the snow must be heavy, the plum fragrance fiercer."

"The plums of Jiangnan are small, grown in this warm land."

"They have never known the world, never felt such biting plum fragrance."

"Yet these flowers here are unique—nowhere else can you find such blossoms. I wanted to give you these plums, so I picked the petals and made this letter from them, sending it to you—the color is lovely, smell it…"

The young general lowered his gaze, as if seeing last winter's girl, holding the letter in both hands, eyes closed, gently inhaling its fragrance, stubbornly insisting Yicheng was good, that its plums, its things, were enough.

Li Guanyi held the letter to his nose, eyes half-lowered—the faint scent of plum blossoms.

Li Guanyi set down this letter and picked up another; each letter had a different hue, each recounted mundane matters—Yicheng's daily life, the balance between Xue Lao and the Chen Emperor, the balance with the great clans.

He spoke of the Regent's swift military advances, seizing Xiang territory; the Xiang King married a Chen royal daughter and begged Jiangnan for troops against the Regent, but Chen Dingye blocked it, causing the Xiang King to rage that Chen had broken the alliance.

He spoke of Yicheng and Jiangzhou, of Chen's changes.

She rarely spoke of herself, instead mentioning Changqing, even more often than Li Guanyi's few friends; the young general sat beneath the Long Feng Tower, raised his eyes to the sky—the Long Feng Tower was the tallest building in Jiangzhou, and Li Zhaowen had originally established it as an intelligence network.

But Li Zhaowen was after all the son of a Ying state duke; after the Grand Sacrifice, she took her entire intelligence cadre away, and the Long Feng Tower became merely an ordinary tea house where people listened to music, until, under the Xue family's influence, it once again became a hub of intelligence.

Later, during the second phase, Li Guanyi caused chaos in Zhenbei City.

The 【Flowing Wind and Returning Snow Tower】 became the second Long Feng Tower.

Though the Eighteen States of Jiangnan were the Murong clan's domain, naturally there was no Long Feng Tower there—yet before Li Guanyi's scheme required this trap, a Long Feng Tower had already been built, becoming the premier tea house in the provincial capital.

The one managing the Long Feng Tower across the Eighteen States of Jiangnan was a Xue family member, a somewhat famous scholar; Li Guanyi read in the letter that Xue Shuangtao had become one of the Long Feng Tower's managers, and recognized the girl's familiar handwriting.

So I have also built a Long Feng Tower there—it might help you.

Xue Shuangtao.

Li Guanyi quietly gazed at these letters; his hands were accustomed to killing, yet now, gently tracing the paper, they remained tender—after more than a year apart, he still found traces of the girl whenever he lowered his head.

Sometimes, separation is not about distance.

When the wind blew, the pond's surface rippled like the rivers of Yicheng.

The plum tree, which would not bloom in this season, swayed gently; the Long Feng Tower's representative in the provincial capital waited silently outside the courtyard, head bowed—three months after the Fire Qilin Army entered the mountains and fell silent, the girl had found him in Yicheng.

At that time, he said he would never go so far or into such danger to manage an intelligence network, let alone mention Li Guanyi—though the name had been chosen, who knew if he'd live to see it?

How many heroes, famed in youth yet dying young, were like meteors across the sky?

But in the end, he was persuaded.

That girl, though seemingly soft, at this critical moment revealed a striking martial spirit; she said, "Mr. Shang Master Yuan Zhi is a scholar—do you wish to see another event like the past, or one like the rise of the Red Emperor?!"

Shang Master Yuan Zhi thought: "She truly trusts you, Qin Hou."

At the moment when the famed Qin Wu Hou most needed it, someone still quietly stood beside him—just as at the beginning, in the private school, the starving boy, belly hollow, raised his head, unaware the young lady inside the tall building watched him smile.

Like when he was imprisoned by the Jinwu Guard, someone quietly tapped the iron bars, smiling at him in the sunlight.

He quietly read the idle, plain words on the letters.

"Summer draws to its end; the lotuses have withered, dragonflies skim the water and fly away—the autumn breeze is refreshing, people fly kites beyond Yicheng."

"Autumn has come; the mountain leaves are crimson, falling beautifully."

"Spring has arrived; flowers bloom, graceful and delicate."

"The tree where I twisted my ankle—I can climb it myself now."

In the secluded courtyard no one could enter, Qin Wu's sword rested quietly.

Anyone who wished to enter was stopped by Shang Master Yuan Zhi.

The summer wind still carried a fierce warmth.

The teenage hero, famed at sixteen, leaned on his sword, sitting alone for a long while.

………………

Li Guanyi's forces are preparing an envoy delegation, to enter the majestic Red Emperor's capital with the honor befitting a military marquis—his soldiers, for this purpose, nearly pushed directly into the second round of martial trials.

The political situation in Zhongzhou is equally complex, like a ten-thousand-zhang abyss—step wrong, and you are swallowed; the most suitable leader for this envoy should be the aged but unyielding Pang Shuiyun, who has endured much, witnessed rise and fall, and remained silent for over a decade.

But Jiangnan's situation is now intricate; though the great clans hold incriminating evidence in Li Guanyi's hands, the youth, following Yuan Zhi's advice, chose not to strike yet—keeping them perpetually aware that a sword hangs above their heads.

This sword slash won't kill us, but it will severely damage our primordial energy.

But more deadly is not knowing when this sword will strike.

This has been used to balance the power of many noble families.

Yet such a strategy is only temporary; the noble families' hearts are cunning, and they have already begun other plans, requiring seasoned veterans like Pang Shuiyun and the literary-military duo of Old Master Kou Yulie to hold the ground.

As for what Li Guanyi should do after arriving in Zhongzhou, Old Pang's advice was simple:

"Go to the Academy."

"Your teacher Wang Tong is there—he holds a respectable position within the Academy and is favored and appreciated by Gongyang Su Wang. Since you are his disciple, once you find him, he will naturally handle those tomb-dwelling relics of Zhongzhou."

Thus Li Guanyi settled his mind and began wrapping up preparations before departure.

Among the Fire Qilin soldiers who had joined during this ten-thousand-li journey, some had briefly taken leave to bring their families along; Li Guanyi's unit now entered the state capital ruled by the Murong family, one of only two forces in the world capable of producing Xuan weapons, the other being the Sword Casting Valley in the Central Plains, under the control of the Jiang family of Ying State.

But the Eighteen Southern States lack mineral deposits; forging fine weapons is manageable.

But forging armor is difficult.

So Li Guanyi sent Nangong Wumeng with several young men and women from the Murong family to scout the two mines they had found along the way—one copper mine, one iron mine—since the Murong family, possessing sufficient forging expertise, still had ample undeveloped mineral resources.

Enough to equip them with armor-forging capability.

But before Nangong Wumeng returned, a falcon arrived first.

"While Nangong Wumeng was fishing, the fish were swept away by the current; angered, he followed downstream and discovered the mines. The Murong family's senior forge master was overjoyed and hopes Nangong Wumeng will travel the world to locate more ore veins."

"Nangong Wumeng refused."

Li Guanyi: "…………"

He rubbed his forehead, feeling his friends—who had joined from the very beginning—were each more absurd than the last; recently, he had handed over Hou Zhongyu's leftover prescriptions and formulas to the alchemist group known as the Seven Old Ghosts beneath the Qilin.

Shi Dalin seized them like a treasure.

He kept exclaiming: "Holy shit, Hou Zhongyu, what a genius!"

"This stuff can be purified like this?! Damn, how the hell did this man's mind work?"

"Holy shit, this Corpse-Dissolving Powder! Holy shit, this poison!"

"Damn, this stuff even corrodes armor!"

Hou Zhongyu's leftover powders were quickly reverse-engineered; his remaining prescriptions became mandatory curriculum for the Fire Qilin Alchemist Corps, now swollen to five hundred members, all treating them like treasures, studying day and night without rest.

Especially those first few Physicians.

Shi Dalin's eyes were nearly red.

He almost wished to dig Hou Zhongyu out of the ground and drag out his legacy by the neck.

Including the rapid-wound-healing 【Healing Powder】, the essential 【Corpse-Dissolving Powder】 for murder, arson, and erasing traces, and the ultra-fast steel-corroding 【Armor-Breaker】, the instant-fire-amplifying 【Ignition Aid】, and the toxin-neutralizing 【Antidote】 capable of countering over ninety percent of common poisons.

All became standard-issue alchemical kits carried by Fire Qilin soldiers.

After encountering enemies, they could first throw a vial of 【Armor-Breaker】 before fighting, while 【Corpse-Dissolving Powder】 rapidly dissolved corpses, eliminating plague risks; Shi Dalin and others even used this 【Corpse-Dissolving Powder】 to successfully eradicate a nascent plague of rats, turning the diseased rodents into blood.

Later investigation revealed these plague rats had been deliberately released by noble families among the common folk, aiming to create the impression that "the Fire Qilin Army brought great plague to the Southern lands"; the mid-level officials of those families committed suicide, leaving behind confessions admitting their deeds.

Their wives and children also killed themselves!

Severing ties with their clans.

When Li Guanyi learned of this, he flew into a rage, nearly snatching up the Tiger Roar Battle Spear, gathering troops to crush the family to dust—but he was held back tightly.

Only a dozen or so mid-level officials of that family were executed; it was not utterly destroyed.

After a long silence, Yuan Zhi told Li Guanyi:

"Lord, bring back Wen He, and you can repay them tenfold."

"For dealing with people like this, only he is most suited…"

Li Guanyi temporarily suppressed the matter and recorded it in his notebook.

The 【Ignition Aid】 and 【Armor-Breaker】 were also taken by the Murong family.

Upon learning of these two powder formulas, the Murong family's ordinary disciples saw a significant improvement in the efficiency and quality of their ore smelting and weapon forging.

Li Guanyi had never imagined that these inventions, useful on the road, would show utterly insane effects when equipped by organized armies.

Li Guanyi couldn't help sighing: "Hou Zhongyu! A good man!"

"An absolute good man!"

Yuan Zhi, handling state affairs nearby, said: "Hou Zhongyu? You've been muttering about this man lately—what's so good about him?"

"Well, what's good is…"

Li Guanyi paused slightly, then replied:

"He's good because he's dead."

Yuan Zhi was stunned.

Then Li Guanyi recounted Hou Zhongyu's story: "A talent like this, thrown into an army, would make it as fierce as a tiger with wings—but Chen Dingye locked him in the palace for decades, forcing him to endlessly brew elixirs of immortality for himself."

"What a waste."

"I can't even imagine—if we had met Hou Zhongyu out in the world and handed him over to Old Stone, how ecstatic those seven old comrades of his would have been."

Yuan Zhi shook his head and smiled: "Still, his death is enough."

"With the abilities of Doctor Shi and the others, they may find even better uses for them."

Li Guanyi nodded, sipping tea: "But Yuan Zhi, won't you come with me to the Zhongzhou Academy? You know them all—this trip could help bring some of them over."

Yuan Zhi gently shook his head: "Lord, those with talent in the world always have pride."

"Talents like Brother Yan cannot be dragged in."

Yan Daiqing slightly lifted his chin but said nothing.

Yuan Zhi casually elevated the relationship further: "Besides, based on the few I know, if you can win them over, even a single copper coin would make them come—what use would my going be?"

"But if their path doesn't align, even if you put a knife to their throats and offered ten thousand gold, it would be useless—then what use would my going be?"

"Of course, that exception applies to Wen He."

"No matter the method, bring the man here first."

"I think you could get some of the top-five Ma Fei San from Shi the Physician."

Li Guanyi stared, dumbfounded: "No, Wen He does not deserve this."

"Yuan Zhi, you probably don't understand how brutal the things Shi the Qi Laogui cooks up can be, do you?"

Yuan Zhi said seriously:

"No, it's you, Lord, who don't understand Wen He."

Li Guanyi: "…………"

The young strategist's face, rare with a hint of easy amusement, paused, then added: "Still, though I cannot go myself, I have an impertinent request—I hope you, Lord, will grant it."

Li Guanyi replied grandly: "Of course there's no problem!"

Yuan Zhi hesitated, turned, and bowed deeply, saying:

"My mother lives along the road to Zhongzhou. I was never a filial son. When I was young, I killed a tyrant to avenge a friend. My mother blocked the door with her back so I could escape. Later, when I returned, I saw my uncle there—and only then could I leave in peace."

"For ten years since, I never went back. This time, I hope you, Lord, will pass by and see her. Tell her I haven't turned out worthless—that I'm not a mindless killer."

This young strategist, who had shaken the four corners of the world since his emergence, now held in his eyes a trace of longing and sorrow. Li Guanyi heard him and laughed heartily: "What's hard about that? Don't worry, don't worry—I understand!"

The young general clenched his fist and smiled:

"Perfect. Since we're taking the envoy delegation, let's stop by your mother's before heading to Zhongzhou. Tell her what an outstanding son she has!"

Yuan Zhi exhaled softly: "Thank you, Lord."

"You're too courteous!"

Li Guanyi thought a moment, looked at the humble-born youth, smiled lightly—but seriously—then said: "Though this may sound like riding on someone else's coattails, rest assured, Master." The boy lightly punched Yuan Zhi's shoulder:

"I will give your mother the full honors befitting the Chief Strategist of Qin Wu Hou's Fire Qilin Army."

"Let her have her moment of pride there—and then send her here!"

Yuan Zhi nodded gently.

Yan Daiqing, however, unusually fell silent, lost in thought.

The Fire Qilin Army adjusted personnel, selecting elite warriors to join the envoy delegation. Jian Kuang was in high spirits. That day, after finishing his duties, Li Guanyi went to the Changfeng Tower. The tower's appointed scholar, Shang Master Yuan Zhi, was surprised.

"I didn't expect the Marquis to come here."

"Please—"

Publicly, Li Guanyi remained merely a guest. Inside the private chamber, he said: "I'm leaving for Zhongzhou City. This time, it's at the Son of Heaven's command for his imperial tour. Before I go, I must reply to Shuangtao."

Shang Master Yuan Zhi handed him paper and brush.

Li Guanyi picked up the brush, its tip soaked in ink. But as it touched the paper, a thousand words surged in his chest—yet not one could be written. After a long while, he steadied himself, and under Shang Master Yuan Zhi's puzzled gaze, regained his usual composure.

He wrote of his trip to the Academy:

"This time, I'm going to Zhongzhou because the descendant of the Red Emperor, the Emperor, has summoned me."

"To reenact the old custom of the Son of Heaven's tour, with feudal lords in attendance. I've heard the Emperor Ying is coming too. But if we all go, I know Chen Dingye will come as well. We're enemies—I know his nature. If we all go and he doesn't, he'll lie awake in hatred. So he'll come."

"This time, at least the four of us will be there: me, Chen, Ying, and the Lord of Zhongzhou."

"So Zhongzhou will surely be a storm of upheaval. But the more turbulent the event, the safer and calmer it becomes. Previously, I'd planned to wander the martial world, to see its swirling winds and clouds."

"Also, I must visit the Academy. Though the Eighteen Southern Provinces have been pacified, we lack many civil administrators. The Academy teaches without distinction—many students from humble origins. I hope they'll come to the South, where they'll find their place. Ha—though my nature may not suit scholars well, I wonder if I can succeed…"

"Only Wen He prepared thirty-two full variants of Ma Fei San."

"The Murong Clan donated a treasure-grade rope."

Li Guanyi wrote, striving to remain as carefree as ever. He lowered his eyes, as if across the table sat that girl, chin propped on her hands, smiling at him.

The brush of Qin Wu Hou lifted, paused. Ink dripped, one drop at a time, spreading.

The boy crumpled the paper and threw it away.

He took another sheet, picked up the brush, and wrote:

"I'm going to the Academy, Young Lady."

"Want to meet?"

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? Earth youth Meng Xian dies in a car accident and is reborn in a cultivation world, bringing with him a "Treasure Mirror." Its front reads "Illuminates the Self, Heaven Rewards Diligence"; its back, "Subdues Spirit Beasts, Destiny Brings Prosperity." At its center lies a pivot, allowing Meng Xian to travel between the "orderly cultivation" realm and the "fighting and killing" underworld realm, exchanging advantages between both worlds, Heaven rewarding diligence, becoming an immortal patriarch.