Chapter 242: To Save All Living Beings of This World

Qin Yulong came here today as a private friend; Li Guanyi invited him inside, but the great general of Daying Nation halted there, smiling: "Wait a moment—one more person is coming."

Li Guanyi waited a while before seeing the person mentioned: it was Crown Prince Jiang Gao of the Ying Nation, his expression gentle; seeing Li Guanyi and Qin Yulong still standing before the commander's tent without entering, he was slightly startled, saying:

"Aren't you two chatting? I thought you'd need time to meet, so I deliberately delayed coming."

Qin Yulong laughed heartily:

"Your Highness hasn't arrived, so Yulong dares not chat privately with Qin Wu Hou."

"It's also to avoid suspicion between us."

Jiang Gao shook his head, his voice gentle: "Do not employ those you doubt; employ those you trust. General Qin has rendered great service to Daying—I would never doubt your loyalty. But since you two waited for me, I won't be polite."

He smiled carefree and stepped inside; Qin Yulong's expression remained calm.

Li Guanyi marveled at the general's bearing; someone brought tea, and Qin Yulong explained: "Peijun heard your news early and wanted to meet you, but since you once fought against our nation, she never came."

"Yesterday I heard you met Your Majesty, who praised you highly."

"That's why I came."

"I hope Qin Wu Hou doesn't mind."

"It's simply that family and country cannot both be served."

Qin Yulong frankly explained why he had only now come to see Li Guanyi, partly intending for Jiang Gao to hear; Jiang Gao understood and smiled calmly, shaking his head:

"Qin Wu Hou will depart soon, Yulong—there's no need to say such things. Aren't you tired?"

Qin Yulong's expression turned solemn: "One must observe the proper boundaries between ruler and subject."

He looked at Li Guanyi; though this was their first meeting, their connection ran deep. As they chatted, Jiang Gao naturally guided the mood—he was witty and not rigid when not discussing matters of state.

He just excelled at telling dry jokes, which Li Guanyi couldn't laugh at.

So Jiang Gao, feeling his "witty grace" went unappreciated,

sat there dejectedly sipping tea.

Yet this反而 made the atmosphere between Li Guanyi and Qin Yulong much better.

Qin Yulong had once been a wandering knight; once he let go of his reservations, his heroic nature emerged—he spoke freely, discussing matters Peijun worried about: how Xue Daoyong's health was, how his younger sister had been lately. Li Guanyi shared what he knew, then replied:

"I left Jiangzhou City over a year ago—I don't know what's happened since."

"Xue Lao became chancellor, but Chen Dingye lacks the spirit of a hero. I worry Xue Lao will be slandered as he balances Chen Dingye and the noble clans."

Qin Yulong said: "My father-in-law's Wu Gong is peerless; his internal Qi is pure and profound, and he excels in archery—among masters, he's among the most battle-hardened. But sadly, after my mother-in-law's death, he sat alone in the snow at night."

"Since then, his cultivation focused solely on internal Qi, gradually abandoning combat."

"He's lived over a hundred years, yet his fighting prowess hasn't advanced further—he's top-tier, just one step short of absolute peak. Chen Dingye's direct methods don't frighten him, but those two elders in Chen's Library of Scrolls have immense internal power—they must be guarded against."

After speaking these, Qin Yulong realized he'd said too much; his face showed regret: "But I'm not here to speak of my father-in-law's merits—I merely understand that the death of someone irreplaceable leaves an irreversible mark on a Person's Heart Realm."

Even the greatest general of the realm now wore a trace of regret: "I should have brought Peijun and the child to pay respects to him, but he refused to meet us…"

"So I've always felt I've failed Peijun. Back then, I concealed my identity, wandered the Jianghu, befriended heroes of all sects, and met her during a martial arts bride-selection event—she was free-spirited, a woman with a bold, heroic spirit."

"We endured life and death together, traveling side by side."

"But alas—family and country cannot both be served…"

Qin Yulong sighed, then set aside his melancholy and smiled: "I heard Old Man Kou Yulie serves under Qin Wu Hou. Qin Wu Hou, you may not know—I once roamed the Jianghu, clashing often with Old Man Kou Yulie along the banks of Dajiang."

"I took many a beating from him!"

"Back then, his chain hammer shattered my twin hammers."

"His Wu Gong manifested a Jiaolong's form—he was nearly unmatched in the Seventh Heaven. Had I not had some rare fortune, with my body's Gang Qi and dual cultivation of Qi and body making me more resilient than ordinary warriors, I might have been killed by him."

"But he was honorable—he stopped chasing me after I endured three strikes, even gave us a small boat so Peijun and I could depart safely. It was during that time we lived quietly in a village and slowly fell in love."

Back then, Qin Yulong had stood firm against Kou Yulie's killing blows, rowed dozens of miles downstream, then turned pale, coughed blood, and collapsed into Xue Peijun's arms. Before that, the once-rebellious girl had been cursing the river bandits loudly.

Though born into nobility, her tongue was no match for theirs.

She cursed so fiercely that dozens of bandits were dizzy, their faces white with rage.

Yet this woman, who wielded twin hammers with heroic spirit, lost her composure when her Qin-brother coughed blood—after landing, she carried Qin Yulong everywhere seeking healers, and it was during this time their feelings changed.

"Recalling those days is nostalgic—it's already been over a decade. I've now reached the Master realm I once thought impossible. Back then, had we clashed with swords, and faced Old Man Kou Yulie again…"

Li Guanyi grimaced.

Absolutely not!

Kou Yulie: I fight the Eighteenth Divine General of the Realm?

Is that real?!

If Old Man Kou really faced Qin Yulong, he'd cry himself to death.

Amid idle chatter, the Fire Qilin, burning with flame, watched Li Guanyi; waves of fire spread, flowing into the bronze tripod. Unlike before, when the tripod could only slowly absorb stray Qi from warriors like General Yue Qianfeng or Xue Daoyong,

slowly, as if collecting what others had leaked out,

and crucially, requiring one such warrior to attack Li Guanyi once to complete true absorption—

now, the bronze tripod acted like a pump drawing water.

I draw, draw!

Draw hard!

In the span of just one cup of tea, the bronze tripod filled completely.

Qin Yulong yawned, then, sensing impropriety, apologized: "I don't know why, perhaps because I was coming to meet Qin Wu Hou, my spirit was lively—I slept well yesterday, yet suddenly feel tired."

Jiang Gao said carefree: "Among heroes of this world, none younger than Qin Wu Hou."

"It's natural for Yulong to feel this way."

Jiang Gao smiled: "The Fire Qilin Army will depart soon for Zhongzhou. I imagine military duties have been heavy these days. Since Yulong is tired, let us two take our leave."

Li Guanyi did not urge them to stay, only escorted them out. Before parting, Qin Yulong took out an object and handed it to Li Guanyi, smiling: "I know you're close to Shuangtao—this is a gift from her auntie. If you ever meet that girl, give it to her."

Li Guanyi saw it was a hairpin.

Simple and unadorned in posture, yet naturally exuding a gentle warmth.

One glance reveals it to be ancient, of considerable age.

Qin Yulong's expression was gentle. "This is a family heirloom of the Xue clan, traditionally given only to women, not men. When the eldest daughter of the Xue family finds her beloved, she has him personally tie her hair and insert the hairpin—symbolizing a lifetime together."

"It was meant for Peijun, but over the years we've lived in Ying, thinking of our affairs with my father-in-law, Peijun felt guilt holding it and never found a chance to return it."

"We also didn't wish to send it into Chen's imperial court, so we kept it hidden. Then, when we learned of your situation, we urged me to give you this hairpin."

"You are to deliver it to Shuangtao."

This distinguished general, noble and striking in bearing, clapped Li Guanyi on the shoulder—just as in his youth, when he rode a single horse, wielding two iron clubs, toppling martial artists on both banks of Dajiang and befriending heroes.

"As for you, how do you plan to give it to her? Hand it to her directly, or tie her hair and insert it yourself?"

"Hahaha, it's up to you!"

Qin Yulong laughed heartily and departed calmly. Returning home, he met his wife and child—the child reading military texts. Xue Peijun, seeing him return, asked: "Did you see that boy?"

Qin Yulong emphasized: "It's Qin Wu Hou."

Xue Peijun widened her eyes. "He should call me Big Auntie."

"You say Qin Wu Hou—then shouldn't he also call you Grand Marshal and Great General, the Wing Marquis of Ying? We're family; don't speak so formally."

Qin Yulong smiled. "Yes, yes, my lady is right—I was too distant. But Qin Wu Hou is renowned across the land; I am the nation's Great General. Too close a connection with him invites gossip."

Xue Peijun was no unreasonable woman. As she massaged Qin Yulong's shoulders, she said: "You're right… but why go there yourself?"

Qin Yulong placed his hand over hers on his shoulder, his voice calm and smiling: "Of course, because of the Crown Prince. He is benevolent and discerning in talent. When I went, he deliberately set aside time for me to speak freely with Qin Wu Hou."

"While we chatted, the Crown Prince sat beside us, sipping tea and occasionally interjecting. Only because it was him did I dare do this. Had it been the Second Imperial Prince, I would never have dared."

"Preserving one's safety, staying far from court is already hard enough."

Xue Peijun frowned.

"If it were that Second Imperial Prince, you wouldn't even mention seeing Guanyi."

"You'd lose your position as Great General and Grand Marshal."

Qin Yulong nodded, candidly: "That's true."

"But with the Crown Prince's benevolence and popularity, the throne will never pass to the Second Prince. We can rest easy."

"After all, too many officials in court have accused me. Given my background, those who doubt me will always doubt me—and those who trust me will always trust me… My own issues are far greater than meeting Qin Wu Hou."

Xue Peijun smiled and counted off with her fingers:

"First entered the martial world, then traveled far and wide, led bandits in a mountain stronghold, fought against the imperial army, married the eldest daughter of the enemy state's chancellor—the Empress's elder sister, the Crown Prince of Chen's aunt—and severed ties with Ying's aristocratic clans."

"Oh my, General Qin—you've earned your death sentence."

Qin Yulong said: "And more."

"His command includes the elite Right Supreme Army of Great Ying."

"Only the Emperor and the Crown Prince can tolerate me holding military power."

"If the Second Prince ascends, he'll strip me of my command. When that day comes, the whole world will have no place for me—I'll be back on a thin horse, two iron clubs, re-entering the martial world."

He smiled: "Xue the Female Hero, will you still accompany me then?"

Xue Peijun rolled her eyes, tapped his forehead with a finger, and pouted:

"Who carried you all that way back then?!"

Qin Yulong laughed: "Yes, yes—it was you, my lady."

"But today, watching Li Guanyi, I saw the Qilin Army's disciplined formation, faintly radiating elite vigor. To face such a force in battle someday will be no easy task."

Qin Yulong's expression was calm, yet he felt a faint weariness.

Without cause.

His foundational qi and aura, normally capable of sustaining peak combat for long periods without sleep, food, or drink, had suddenly grown weary—strangely so. Xue Peijun ordered the household cook to prepare the Eight-Tonic Soup to replenish him, ended their conversation, and urged Qin Yulong to rest.

In the Qilin Army's encampment, Li Guanyi stared at the bronze tripod. Within it, the jade nectar lay still. Li Guanyi sensed a vast, pure primordial qi—not the faint residual waves of a Grand Master, but…

A force drawn inward by reverse method.

Pure. Immense.

Li Guanyi extended his hand; blazing primordial qi gathered in his palm.

Faintly, the roar of a mythical beast echoed.

Li Guanyi felt a sensation akin to wielding the Fire Qilin's flame.

Yet purer than controlling the Fire Qilin's fire.

This jade nectar could be directly channeled into his body to aid his cultivation—or held as a trump card, unleashed in a single blast. With the martial arts taught by Yidao Sect, it could instantly manifest a 【Grand Master-level】 technique.

And with the power of one of the Eighteen Heavenly Generals.

Channeling the aura of the Eighteenth Heavenly General through Yidao Sect's martial arts, this single strike would likely surpass the strongest single combatant in the Qilin Army—Kou Yulie.

The regular Fifth-Tier commander of the Qilin Army.

He could reverse his hand and unleash a Grand Master-level killing technique.

Li Guanyi felt this could barely continue the tradition of the Qilin Army Second-Tier Commander.

Li Guanyi himself was barely Fifth-Tier, his realm still unstable.

He didn't rush to consume the jade nectar. Instead, he preserved it as a hidden trump card. Carefully, he realized the bronze tripod's capacity seemed tied to his own realm.

The amount of qi now contained within the tripod differed drastically from its initial state.

Li Guanyi thought, then pulled out the jade hairpin, gently brushing his fingers over it, thinking of Xue Shuangtao—his expression softened.

Shouldn't the Young Lady be arriving soon?

With Chen Qingyan accompanying her and Xue Lao's arrangements, she should be safe.

Thinking of Xue Shuangtao, whom he hadn't seen in over a year, his expression grew tender.

At that moment, commotion arose outside. Li Guanyi tucked the hairpin away, placing it beside the jade pendant given by the Young Lady, then stepped out to see several young scholars pushing a cart toward him.

After seeing Li Guanyi, Xu Tiange laid out his entire philosophy.

To his surprise, Li Guanyi praised him enthusiastically.

The two reached an agreement in a short time.

"Plant crops! Plant crops! Plant crops!"

Xu Tiange then recounted all the strategies Wen He had given him, and said: "These strategies are all my friend Wen He's. I cannot take credit for my friend's achievements."

Li Guanyi froze.

Xu Tiange said: "My friend, Wen He, is a kind and virtuous gentleman of the Imperial Academy!"

"His nature is gentle as jade, firm yet without sharp edges, soft yet with restraint!"

"What a fine gentleman!"

Generals Ling Pingyang stared, dumbfounded, beginning to doubt whether the Wen He described by this farmer-teacher was the same Wen He mentioned by Mr. Ma Fei San—【If the Lord cannot bring himself to act, Ling Pingyang, even if you must break that man's leg, bring him back to me.】

【Don't worry—he won't hold a grudge against you.】

Li Guanyi looked at these strategies and burst out laughing: "So that's how it is."

"You may tell Mr. Wen He that Li Guanyi will not resort to force against him!"

Xu Tiange did not understand why Li Guanyi said that.

But he still nodded.

Only Generals Ling Pingyang, watching his Lord's smiling expression, recalled the thirty-two varieties of Ma Fei San generously provided by Shi Dalin and the other pharmacists, as well as the legendary treasure-rope woven from the bristles of a mythical beast, capable of binding tigers and dragon-beasts, and he smirked.

Indeed, not crude.

No Wu Gong.

Using Ma Fei San—how elegant!

Xu Tiange rubbed his palms together, hesitated, then said: "You said… there's land, right?"

Li Guanyi replied with ease: "Yes, there is. What does the Master require?"

Xu Tiange brought over his and his fellow students' handcart and said: "We have here many varieties we've developed, and some special plants—these look unappetizing, but they can actually feed people."

"This one tastes good…"

"This one, and this one, can yield three harvests a year; this one grows fruit directly from the soil and enhances fertility."

"I wish to try planting these, and research even better crops."

"So, please grant me this much land!"

Xu Tiange held up one finger.

In his heart, he declared boldly:

I want ten mu of land!!!

Not for grain—only for testing my own crops!

Damn, is that too extravagant?

He was no Confucian, Legalist, or Military strategist—the dominant schools of this chaotic age—with no outstanding talent to prove his worth. He gritted his teeth and made a bold demand.

Li Guanyi looked at his finger and nodded: "Not much."

Xu Tiange froze, then thought perhaps he'd asked too little. He held up another finger—but the young man only nodded again and said: "Fine. But is it only you?"

He glanced at the other Nongjia students, feeling a pang of regret.

Too few people.

How can such a grand endeavor as crop improvement have so few participants?

Xu Tiange was stunned. He licked his lips, excited yet disbelieving, yet hesitated: "Er… General, you mean… more? Each student gets land to experiment with?"

Li Guanyi replied calmly: "Naturally!"

The Nongjia student Xu Tiange realized he might have encountered a rare figure recorded in history—everyone given twenty mu of land, not for grain, but to test their crops.

This was the legendary case of a fool with too much land?!

Xu Tiange asked: "How many people do you want?"

The young man, whose eyes nearly glowed gold, reached out and clasped his hand: "The more, the better!!"

"As many as you can bring—I'll take them all!"

Xu Tiange was an honest man, a solid, hardworking farmer.

So he went back.

He believed good fortune should be shared among all students!

But his reputation within the Nongjia school was insufficient to persuade so many disciples.

So he consulted Wen He!

Xu Tiange received Wen He's strategy!

After learning Li Guanyi would not use force,

Wen He cheerfully declared he would fully support Xu Tiange.

And he generously provided a hemp rope and half a flask of wine.

With Wen He's assistance, they successfully bound the patriarch of the Nongjia school—the lowest of the Nine Streams—and placed him on a handcart, clattering him out of the Imperial Academy.

They raced across the land, ignoring the old man's condition. When he awoke, he understood why his favorite student had dragged him out—and fell silent for a long while.

The old man turned around and bound his favorite student, tossing him onto the cart.

Then he unleashed his exceptionally solid Wu Gong, covering the vast distance in a single day, arriving at the riverbank where the Fire Qilin Army was stationed.

Li Guanyi was shocked. He quickly freed the bound Xu Tiange. The elderly teacher, having heard his student's explanation on the journey, frowned and said:

"I never imagined someone else would understand the importance of land. But General, when I was young, I too was arrogant. I traveled far and wide, asking the rulers of Ying and Chen for support."

"They refused me. That's when I understood their thinking."

"The world is not yet settled; at this moment, troops are more valuable than plowing fields and sericulture. Conquering the four corners yields far greater gains than farming. If the Jiangnan region reaps a bountiful harvest, then the States of Ying and Chen need only invade Jiangnan to secure grain and fodder—and train their soldiers."

"What do you think of this idea, General?"

This is the thought of the Military School: to consume one zhong of the enemy's grain is worth twenty zhong of your own; to burn one shi of their straw is worth twenty shi of your own. Thus, the warring states do not fail to understand the importance of farming—they simply believe there are more profitable alternatives.

Li Guanyi answered directly: "Because the feudal lords and noble families will never starve."

The old man fell silent.

Li Guanyi asked: "Old Master, how much land would the Agricultural School need to experiment with seeds, to rapidly promote them throughout Jiangnan?"

He did not know the identity of the old man before him, who looked like a potato that had gained sentience.

He asked simply and plainly.

The old man thought for a moment, stroked his beard, and replied: "For my part, at least a hundred mu would be needed to begin. Even this hundred mu is barely a start—the financial and human resources required go far beyond merely owning a hundred mu of land."

Li Guanyi said: "Good!"

"I give you one hundred qing!"

One hundred qing equals five thousand mu.

The head of the impoverished, long-neglected Agricultural School stared, his expression slowly freezing.

Li Guanyi asked: "Is it enough?"

He muttered to himself: "It is indeed not enough. I give you two hundred qing—ten thousand mu of fertile land!"

"Is it enough?"

The head of the Agricultural School saw the fierce flame in the young man's eyes. Li Guanyi stepped forward and said: "Ten thousand mu of fertile land, plus all the laborers, logistics, and funds you require—can you accomplish it?"

"To cultivate superior seeds and promote them throughout Jiangnan."

The aged Agricultural Master looked at the young feudal lord. He ignored the disciples beside him, who nearly crawled forward but were bound in place. The old man sat upright, adjusted his robes, and performed a deep, solemn bow before asking:

"I have one final question."

"Even if we succeed, how will we prevent our seeds from spreading across the land? The other two states will adopt them too. It will be difficult to use this alone to create a decisive gap in national strength—this offers no real help to your Wang Bazhi ambition."

"This is one reason the Agricultural School has declined."

"Achievements are hard to attain—and once achieved, hard to preserve."

Li Guanyi answered plainly: "Wouldn't that be even better?"

The head of the Agricultural School instinctively said: "What?"

The young man smiled: "If the entire world could be fed by the grain and seeds your school develops—if all people could eat their fill—isn't that better? If the States of Ying and Chen are forced to adopt our superior seeds just to keep pace with us..."

"If the people no longer starve to death, then it is worth it."

"They will fear us—and so they will distribute our seeds to the poorest, grant them favorable policies, and improve their lives."

"I want the people to eat their fill, no longer forced to sell their children for a few shi of grain. No one in the world should starve to death..."

The aged Master stared, lost in thought.

He looked at the young man as if seeing his own youthful dreams—and then watched as the boy reached out to him, calmly saying: "If it can be done..."

"Then let them take our achievements."

"To save all the suffering people of the world!"

The head of the Agricultural School was speechless. He remained dazed for a long while—as if his long-lost youth had returned. Suddenly, he felt a pang of sorrow. He plucked a strand of white hair, then laughed bitterly: "Why did I meet you only now, at this age?"

"Then let us enter Jiangnan."

The old man wrote a letter himself.

That day, the Imperial Academy's Three Teachings and Nine Streams—the Agricultural School—

All the Master's disciples left the Academy.

All entered Jiangnan.

All entered Jiangnan!

?? The plot has arrived. The word count is higher than usual, so I wrote a bit slower—and am late... (at peace)