Chapter 245: Li Guanyi and Yao Guang

The Whale Fisher paced calmly, his movements ethereal; as he passed by, he slightly furrowed his brow and muttered to himself:

"That child walked through here."

"Sword qi… Elder Murong?"

"But why is there still such a foul stench here…? The vitality is too dense—even exceeding that of a hundred-zhang beast beneath the sea. Too much vitality, almost nauseating…"

"The Master Jiankuang took up his blade to slay the Immortal…"

The Whale Fisher's gaze swept across, but he had no interest.

He was a wild, self-willed man who had no desire to trouble the Master Jiankuang or the Green Robe; his nature was such that as long as others didn't provoke him, he wouldn't trouble them either. Yet after taking a few steps, he suddenly realized the surroundings had become unpredictable.

It felt as if he were pacing in place.

The Whale Fisher grew irritable, his steps pausing slightly as he said coolly: "Come out!"

Before him stood an old man, sturdy and composed, clad in a cloth robe, his white hair loosely draped behind him, his sinews thick, his brows raised, his eyes holding a third of wild arrogance, holding a wooden staff, his aura profound, blocking the silver-haired man's path.

Head of the Academy's Array Art, Second Seat of the Yin-Yang School.

Si Wei!

This array-obsessed fanatic smiled coldly, gazing at the martial legend who had once defeated him: "Old man has waited for you a long time, Whale Fisher."

The silver-haired man said: "I have no time for idle chatter."

"Defeated underling, get lost!"

Si Wei had always been the most audacious among the Academy's Masters; hearing this, he flew into rage—and laughed instead. "Good! Good! Good!"

"Then first break through my array, before you dare speak so boldly!"

The silver-haired man was desperate to find his daughter, but having grown up as a beggar, he was proud and never explained himself; had he spoken politely to Si Wei, the latter would likely have first located the Whale Fisher's daughter before challenging him.

Yet the silver-haired man merely sneered, his urgency to see his daughter surging, and spat out a taunt: "Come on! I beat you once before—I'll beat you again today!"

"This time, I want you to crawl out!"

Si Wei flew into a rage.

The array shifted, and in an instant, two great arrays appeared around them.

Then they engulfed dozens of li in every direction; falling leaves drifted downward ever more slowly, as if sinking into amber.

…………

Meanwhile, Li Guanyi hurried forward, carrying Yao Guang; his breath was deep and steady, his strength abundant—even after using the Book of Imperial Supreme Chronology to heal Yao Guang, his qi had suffered no depletion.

He pressed forward swiftly, soon exiting the forest, where he met fishermen; the boy politely inquired about the location and realized he had marched dozens of li without noticing, now close to the Gong Sun Clan's domain.

Li Guanyi had some silver on him; this was no time to economize—he hired a small boat and boarded with Yao Guang and the Fire Qilin, heading toward the city where the Gong Sun Clan resided, healing her en route.

Li Guanyi pressed his palm against Yao Guang's wrist, his internal qi flowing through the girl's body.

"Tsk—"

"The Immortal's bloodline is downright sneaky."

While purging the poison from Yao Guang, Li Guanyi noticed her body was weak, yet her meridians were tough and wide—clearly exceptional martial talent. Yet the girl seemed to have an instinctive aversion to martial cultivation.

Li Guanyi did not ask why; he simply said: "Rest well. The few chapters of the Book of Imperial Supreme Chronology passed down by the Daoist elder are truly profound. In a few more days, your injuries will be fully healed."

Yao Guang was rarely this weak.

Normally, before Li Guanyi, she always appeared calm and composed; as one of the most顶尖 young prodigies in arcane arts, whenever she wished to avoid danger, no threat could touch her.

Even over a year ago, during the great turmoil in Jiangzhou City.

Forces from all sides vied within it.

Yet this girl had somehow sensed the danger beforehand, taken her aunt, and slipped away unnoticed. Only now did Li Guanyi realize she was only fifteen or sixteen—fourteen last year. Perhaps it was precisely because of her arcane arts, allowing her to evade all calamities, that she had always remained so calm and detached.

She had always had confidence.

Now, after being countered by the Green Robe Immortal, though her life was spared, she was weakened.

She had lost that calm detachment, as if everything had been within her prediction.

She now had the feel of a real person.

At the other end of the boat, the boatman lit a small stove and made a soup from the fish he'd caught, mixed with lotus seeds. Li Guanyi politely asked for some, filled his own bowl, and the silver-haired girl glanced at the lotus-seed soup.

The silver-haired girl blinked.

Pata.

Sitting there, her delicate face expressionless, her voice flat: "I am very weak."

Li Guanyi said: "Yes, so you need to eat a little, to replenish yourself."

The silver-haired girl looked at him, her voice serene:

"Feed me."

Li Guanyi: "…………"

The boy, now clad in a blue Daoist robe—once too large, now fitting snugly, with an ancient pine-patterned sword at his side—smiled and said: "Alright, alright, I'll feed you."

He picked up the spoon, ladled the soup, blew on it gently, and offered it to Yao Guang.

The spoon had been carved by Yao Guang herself from a small piece of wood, and she had carried it along.

Her large traveling bag had sunk into the water, but Li Guanyi still carried some of her belongings. The spoon touched her lips; even holding the utensil, he felt a soft texture—her pale red lips sank gently inward before she slowly sipped the fish soup.

Li Guanyi suddenly felt a strange joy in feeding her.

The Fire Qilin's tail slapped the boat deck—papapa—its eyes fixed on them.

Wait, what about mine?

What about mine?

Meanwhile, the silver-haired legend, locked in array combat, inexplicably felt a heavy, oppressive irritation welling inside him—a stifling discomfort, deeply unpleasant!

Suddenly, Si Wei felt pressure surge.

The wild-tempered martial legend seemed enraged, his strikes growing heavier.

………………

The boat drifted downstream for a day; Li Guanyi chatted with Yao Guang and treated her injuries, when suddenly he saw a large vessel徐行 ahead, the boatman emitting repeated exclamations of awe—it was an iron-plated ship, riding low in the water, not very large but exquisitely crafted.

Characters were written on its sails.

【Gongsun】.

"It's the Gongsun Clan—this is the place Master Siming told us to wait." Before leaving, Master Siming had instructed them to wait here. Li Guanyi settled the remaining payment with the boatman, then chased after the ship with Yao Guang, shouting:

"Is this the Gongsun Clan ahead?"

Though only sixteen, Li Guanyi's internal qi was profoundly refined; having previously received a thread of qi from the 【Green Robe Immortal】, his vitality now flowed thick and enduring, his breath long and steady—his shout echoed like a dragon's roar and a tiger's bellow, carrying far across the water.

A commotion stirred aboard the ship; a stunningly beautiful woman seemed startled, then laughed aloud: "Are you the disciple of Master Zu Wenyuan of the Daoist Academy, the Daoist School? Are you Master Li, the Herbal Master?"

Li Guanyi looked closely—the woman stood on the mechanical vessel.

She was extremely tall, her eyes bright as a rainbow streaking across the sky, clad in a fitted martial attire, holding a long sword, her bearing heroic and spirited—she was none other than Gongsun Feixue, the most outstanding young member of the Gongsun Clan, the Seventh Beauty of the Wu Lin, whom Li Guanyi had once glimpsed in Beicheng.

Li Guanyi said: "It is I!"

"So you are Miss Gongsun Feixue."

Gongsun Feixue seemed delighted: "When I met Master Li the Herbal Master back then, my grandmother wished to meet you, but Beicheng was in chaos at the time. By the time things settled, we couldn't find Master Li the Herbal Master—never expected to meet you here."

"Come aboard and meet us!"

Several young martial heroes, men and women alike, were aboard the ship, all centered around Gongsun Feixue. Seeing her praise this stranger, they had been somewhat displeased—but now they saw the young boy laugh brightly: "Then, I apologize for the disturbance."

Li Guanyi whispered: "Hold tight, Yao Guang."

The silver-haired girl's voice was calm, yet soft: "Hold steady, Grand Master."

Li Guanyi laughed, sprinting along the shore; those on the ship saw the young Daoist, carrying someone on his back, leap upward—the water lay ahead. One youth cried: "No good! He'll fall in!"

Gongsun Feixue said: "Wait…"

The youth urgently said: "Why not lower the small boat at once?!"

Before he could finish, the young Daoist had already landed in the water.

Internal qi exploded suddenly!

Boom!!!

Water erupted in ripples; the boy's foot stood upon a lotus leaf, the leaf sinking downward, his Daoist robe flaring as the water beneath churned like white snow.

A carp leapt from the water.

The young Daoist stepped upon the carp, his internal qi flowing from his feet into the fish, then returning—his breath unbroken.

The golden carp flipped through the water, and the boy's descending aura surged upward.

Then he leapt again.

His feet touched lotus petals, and in mere steps he caught up to the great ship; he leapt once more, the tip of his foot lightly tapping the side of the mechanical vessel, soaring upward, his black temple hairs flying, his ancient sword with pine-patterned hilt swaying, his Daoist robe billowing—elegant, free, and graceful.

Such skill and bearing.

Left the young martial heroes and heroines momentarily speechless.

Li Guanyi landed on the deck, clasped his hands, and smiled:

"Li the Herbal Master, greetings to you all."

The others returned the greeting; Gongsun Feixue said with ease: "Master Li's teacher is a close friend of my grandmother's—I ought to call him Uncle, but since we're all martial folk, no need for such formalities."

"And this lady is…"

She looked toward the weakened Yao Guang.

Yao Guang lowered her head, her hood falling, hidden behind Li Guanyi.

She hunched her body.

In full strength, Yao Guang—the prodigy of her generation in arcane arts—was naturally detached and composed; but now, in weakness, the temperament of her age prevailed.

Her fingers curled.

Like a kitten's paw, she scratched lightly against the young Daoist's shoulder.

'I don't want to speak.'

Li Guanyi turned aside to block the others' view, his smile calm and free: "She is my sworn companion. She was injured and cannot greet you properly—I apologize on her behalf."

A bold youth laughed: "Huh? What's there to hide? Come now, Miss—this is Wan Mingyi. May I know your name? Any reason you won't speak?"

He intended to press directly.

But a bamboo flute pressed him down.

Li Guanyi's voice was gentle: "I said, my friend dislikes outsiders."

Wan Mingyi was among the top young swordsmen of this region—his Wu Gong was strong, his looks handsome, born into a prominent family. Though he meant no harm, he was used to doing as he pleased and always had to argue.

Huh? I just think you're wrong.

His catchphrase was: "No, no."

The Daoist looked at him seriously; Wan Mingyi smiled to retort—but for some reason, his heart stalled, his pupils sharply contracted.

An indescribable pressure settled in his chest, silencing him.

He simply fell silent.

Even Gongsun Feixue, who had been about to rebuke him, was puzzled—Wan Clan was a martial family on par with the Gongsun Clan; this young master was usually arrogant, yet now he was unusually obedient.

Only Wan Mingyi's forehead glistened with a thin sheen of sweat.

In that instant when he locked eyes with the young Daoist, his heart had pounded violently, the air around him pressing down—he recalled, as a child of five or six, visiting a venerable elder whose authority loomed over all: the former Wu Lin Alliance leader.

That domineering, overbearing aura had once made him utterly obedient; now, over a decade later, the same dread returned like a nightmare—even more terrifying than when he faced the former Wu Lin Alliance leader, the very heartbeat in his chest more terrifying than then.

It was as if he were not facing a young Daoist in a faded, washed-out robe, smiling warmly and politely.

But a mighty overlord.

Gongsun Feixue introduced everyone one by one; she truly did not know Li Guanyi's identity—the old man Chen Chengbi, who had known Li Guanyi's identity, had stubbornly clamped his mouth shut and never boasted to Gongsun Wuyue.

Gong Sun Feixue reserved a premium room for Yao Guang, asking Li Guanyi to take her there to rest, but the girl didn't want to stay inside—it felt stifling—so she stayed outside, never straying more than a step from Li Guanyi.

Li Guanyi chatted casually with Gong Sun Feixue and asked offhandedly:

"Miss Gong Sun, are you here merely to enjoy the scenery?"

Gong Sun Feixue replied: "Not exactly. First, I'm visiting a few friends and handling some Piaomiao Pavilion business; second, there's a major event stirring in the Jianghu—does Master Yao know about it?"

Li Guanyi said: "The Master Jiankuang challenging the world?"

The younger generation of Jianghu figures fell silent.

The young man who had earlier lowered the small boat to fetch Li Guanyi and Yao Guang, Gong Ye Bixu, said: "Well, that's actually true—how vast is the world? What could be bigger than this? But still…."

He sputtered for a while, then said: "This matter is simply too huge."

The young man smiled bitterly: "Those who take part are all Grandmasters, even Ancestors. I once saw a swordsman—just by the way he held his blade, I knew I'd never reach his level in this lifetime."

"He is the strongest swordsman within a thousand li—held a sword at eight, defeated his father at thirteen, completed his training at sixteen, became the strongest in his province by twenty-one, gained fame along both banks of the Dahe by thirty, and now at fifty-seven, his cultivation is profound."

"With all his strength, he left only a hair-thin sword mark on the Qingyu Stele of the Tower of the First Under Heaven."

Gong Ye Bixu sighed: "To me, he is already a prodigy among Jianghu swordsmen—never lost a duel, yet only earned the right to challenge the Master Jiankuang."

"Yet even he said his descendants would envy him."

Gong Ye Bixu spoke plainly: "It's an alliance of three thousand li of Jianghu sects and thirty-three prominent families, choosing the next five-year Wu Lin Alliance leader. Word has it several Wudao Sect Grandmasters are coming."

"But this time, Motian Sect seems set to interfere as well."

Li Guanyi said: "Oh, I see."

The young man apologized: "Such a major event—I truly am ignorant."

"No matter. Brother Li is a disciple of the Daoist Ancestor and Chief Sacrificer. You've suddenly returned to the Jianghu—I see you're heading toward the Imperial Academy, aren't you? As an Imperial Academy disciple, it's natural you'd care about the great events about to unfold there."

Li Guanyi agreed, then asked curiously: "Miss Gong Sun Feixue is the head of the Piaomiao Pavilion—what kind of business does the Piaomiao Pavilion run?"

Gong Sun Feixue smiled carefree: "Call me Feixue, Brother Shi."

"As for my Piaomiao Pavilion's trade—look here."

She reached out, took something from her waist, a metal mechanism shaped like a crossbow, but where the bolt chamber should be was a wide box. Gong Sun Feixue aimed it at the water beside them and pulled the trigger.

Bing!

A sharp, crisp sound.

Nine bolts shot out, spreading through the air to cover a radius of dozens of meters.

"This is my family's Feiyu Crossbow—it fires nine bolts at once. Each bolt has only seventy percent of the force of a single-shot crossbow, but the coverage is immense."

A flicker of fire lit in Li Guanyi's eyes as he praised:

"Excellent!"

Gong Sun Feixue smiled and placed the crossbow in Li Guanyi's hands: "Just five hundred taels of silver for one—essential for any traveler in the Jianghu, a fine weapon. Even ordinary people can kill a Cultivation Realm cultivator by surprise."

"Highly favored by unarmed merchants."

The young Daoist's eyebrow twitched: "How much?!!"

Gong Sun Feixue smiled beautifully, holding out her palm: "Five hundred."

Li Guanyi sucked in a sharp breath.

No way—in this chaotic age, making such Qiang Qixie is this profitable?!

Gong Sun Feixue pulled out another item: "This Feiyu Crossbow appeals to those without Wu Gong. Cultivators, with faster reflexes and stronger bodies, prefer another kind."

She drew another crossbow, aimed at the water beside them, and pulled the trigger.

One bolt flew out—then another, without pause.

Nine bolts shot out in one continuous burst.

It was a repeating crossbow.

Li Guanyi's eyes nearly glowed: "If only this could be scaled up for large-scale construction." At these words, the young cultivators around them froze. Gong Sun Feixue's smile didn't fade—she merely laughed:

"What did Master Yao say?"

"This kind of repeating crossbow is perfect for personal defense when small. What use is making it huge? It's impractical for traveling the Jianghu—it's not a battlefield between armies. What's the point of building such massive crossbows?"

The woman casually retrieved the repeating crossbow.

Then she naturally introduced other types of bolts.

Some had double-layered bolt heads: upon striking an enemy, an internal mechanism triggered—a needle sharpened from flint, hidden with fire oil and ignition powder—igniting a burst of flame.

"Even a Third-Tier cultivator with Qi-formed armor would be startled."

"A Second-Tier cultivator might get hurt if careless."

"And there's the Armor-Piercing Bolt."

The first layer only penetrates armor, unable to reach flesh—then, upon impact, hidden cow-hair needles inside the bolt pierce through skin and muscle, coated in poison—two types of bolts specifically designed for armored soldiers.

The effects made Li Guanyi's eyes gleam.

He nearly felt his heart flutter like a startled deer.

But the price instantly extinguished the light in his eyes.

The little deer inside his heart died outright.

The young mistress of the Piaomiao Pavilion smiled—a breathtaking, cunning smile—and said: "Master Yao, why not buy some? Your Wu Gong is strong, but fighting armored soldiers with a sword is tiring."

"Buy a few—I'll give you a discount…"

Li Guanyi grimaced, then reached out his hand.

And replied with unwavering confidence despite his lack of justification:

"Poor!"

Gong Sun Feixue stared, dumbfounded.

Then she burst into laughter, shaking with mirth, wiping away tears with her Bai Xi fingers, and shoved the repeating crossbow into Li Guanyi's hands: "Then I'll give you this one for free."

"No good—you're a disciple of Ancestor Lao! Ancestor Lao never lacked money in his life—you, you..."

She laughed uncontrollably, pulling out a mechanical bird, not sure how she'd made it.

The mechanical bird flapped its wings—and flew away right then and there.

Gong Sun Feixue gazed at Li Guanyi, her eyes curved, tender and full of affection, her voice soft and melodious: "Just fifteen hundred taels..."

"Master Daoist."

Li Guanyi stared at his nose, his nose at his heart.

At this moment, the face of the seventh most beautiful woman in the Jianghu stirred not the slightest ripple in his eyes.

Damn it, why is it so expensive?!

Gong Sun Feixue laughed until she shook, barely holding herself back before saying: "I'll tell Grandma you've come. Don't worry—my mechanical devices are few compared to hers; she'll surely give you a whole new set."

This mechanical boat abandoned all other destinations, heading straight for the Gong Sun Clan. Li Guanyi and Yao Guang sat at the stern watching the scenery, while many young martial artists sat elsewhere with nothing else to do.

They drank wine, ate lotus seeds, and discussed major events in the Jianghu.

They spoke of the Son of Heaven's inspection tour, the Master Jiankuang roaming the Jianghu.

They spoke of the upcoming Wu Lin Alliance leader, and the Motian Sect, a mighty dragon crossing the river.

Gong Ye Baixu said: "I heard the old sect master angered the Fire Qilin of Jiangnan, which is why he seeks to expand his power—to protect himself. That's why a major northern power like the Motian Sect, based in Chen's Jianghu, has reached out."

Li Guanyi: "???"

The young Daoist turned his head and whispered to Yao Guang: "No—he tried to kill me, so why does he act like I'm the one bullying him?"

The silver-haired girl's eyes were calm, but her body swayed slightly.

The others continued: "The Fire Qilin... no wonder he's so panicked. The Fire Qilin Li Guanyi, so young, became the first to win the Chen State Grand Sacrifice. At fifteen, he defeated General Bu Dong Ming Wang Zun, crossed ten thousand li, and fought across all provinces and prefectures."

"He swept the realm like rolling up a mat—by sixteen, his name shook the four corners, and he was called Qin Wu Hou."

"I heard the Fire Qilin's army is marching toward Zhongzhou. Qin Wu Hou is among them, right?"

Gong Sun Feixue sighed: "Pity—if not for family matters, I too would have followed the current upstream to the Imperial Academy to see the风采 of Qin Wu Hou Li Guanyi."

The silver-haired girl blinked, yet seemed unhappy.

She reached out and poked Li Guanyi's cheek.

Li Guanyi couldn't help but laugh.

Wan Mingyi said grumpily: "What are you laughing at? Do you think we're wrong to speak of Qin Wu Hou?"

Li Guanyi replied: "Nothing..."

He reached out and took Yao Guang's hand, saying: "Qin Wu Hou isn't that impressive—he's poor and miserable, just lucky. If Jiangnan had figures like Tuyuhun, the Hegemon, or the Red Emperor, he'd never have risen."

Wan Mingyi snorted.

Yao Guang seemed tired. One hand gripped Li Guanyi's sleeve, her body curled up, leaning gently against the young Daoist's shoulder. The Fire Qilin rested beside her. The silver-haired girl tugged Li Guanyi's sleeve, her voice flat and calm:

"Want to hear music..."

This was the rarest form of coquetry from the girl who rarely showed emotion.

The young Daoist picked up his bamboo flute, brought it to his lips, gazing at the rippling water. The lotus flowers in the pond had withered—he blew softly. The divine weapon's sound was clear and serene, carrying far. Suddenly, Gong Sun Feixue and the others fell silent.

Their gazes shifted unconsciously toward the young man. The withered lotus flowers around the pond bloomed anew, their fragrance subtle, the water rippled, golden carp leapt into the air. The silver-haired girl sat still. The blue-robed Daoist lowered his eyes, his temple hairs gently lifted by the breeze.

His bearing was sublime, like a celestial immortal.

Wan Mingyi froze, staring at Li Guanyi. A thought surged wildly in his mind.

He must know who this Li Yaoshi is!

Who?!

But his mind seemed to instinctively resist recalling it now.

It felt familiar—but he couldn't remember.

It was as if instinct and intuition had slammed a door shut on his memory.

Li Guanyi sensed Yao Guang's injuries were healing rapidly.

Just as the bamboo flute's melody stirred, they had arrived at the Gong Sun Clan.