Chapter 264

This thread of sword hum was long and slow; if not carefully noticed, it seemed as if it could be overlooked, yet it also seemed capable of reaching the highest heavens, beyond the nine skies.

The wooden sword, struck and dented two hundred years ago by the young Murong Longtu, slightly lifted, then settled again; the courtyard gate opened, and Murong Qiushui stepped in gently, her gaze puzzled: "Strange…"

"Why did I just clearly sense the sound of a sword?"

She seemed to sense something, fixing her eyes on the wooden sword.

"Is this… Grandfather?"

Murong Qiushui felt the sword's spiritual essence stirring, as if awakening; she slowly extended her hand, grasped the wooden sword, then pressed hard—her palm trembled violently, and she was thrown back.

Her soul-force could not lift this sword.

Murong Qiushui recalled Murong Longtu's duel with the Master Jiankuang, lost in stunned silence.

She reached out, slowly tracing the blade's surface, and said:

"Do you wish to accompany him through his final battle?"

The wooden sword gave no answer.

Murong Qiushui rose and left; when she returned, she carried the Murong family's qin, her palm gently pressing upon the strings, the qin's melody clear and serene, slowly rising: "I'll help you…"

The Murong family's Jiangnan Mist and Rain Divine Art unfolded slowly.

With qin melody, aiding sword intent.

Li Guanyi, Murong Longtu, and Yao Guang moved slowly through the martial world, days passing; finally, the Gongsun clan arrived in Jiangnan, and Master Yan Daiqing, amid his busyness, walked over, his face worn with exhaustion.

Yuan Zhi looked at him with concern and said: "This, although the Lord has once again led…"

"I mean, he brought some people."

"But this batch of clans is different—they have assets!"

"If the Piaomiao Pavilion is established in Jiangnan, it can still generate some revenue."

Master Yan Daiqing said: "They're relocating to Jiangnan."

"We're not that Mr. Master Wen He—we can at most collect taxes."

"How, can we confiscate their estates?"

Master Yan Daiqing sneered: "Li Guanyi, you brute!"

"Don't let me see you!"

He grumbled, washed his face.

Though exhausted, he still maintained the proper etiquette and bearing of a Chen-state scholar when receiving the Gongsun clan; when discussing Li Guanyi's promise, Gongsun Wuyue smiled and made his request:

"We need a plot of land."

Master Yan Daiqing smiled: "Naturally."

Gongsun Wuyue said: "Also, Guanyi said the civil administration can support the rebuilding of the Piaomiao Pavilion and the Gongsun clan's establishment, deploy manpower to research and develop new mechanical arts, and provide ample space for experimentation."

"He also promised to establish an organization similar to a scholarly academy."

"Select those with talent and aptitude, subsidize them, and have them study Gongshu Ban's mechanical arts."

Yuan Zhi panicked, staring at Master Yan Daiqing.

Xiao Zhi rose without hesitation.

Turned around.

Stepped back rapidly, retreating from the gentleman seated there, whose smile grew ever gentler.

Master Yan Daiqing took a deep breath, pressed his fingertips to his brow, exhaled slowly, and said in a calm, steady voice: "... Fine."

Assets are most important.

Cultivating future talent is also most important.

As long as the Piaomiao Pavilion stands, it has a high chance of becoming Jiangnan's core industry; Master Yan Daiqing, familiar with civil administration and logistics, knew that establishing such a core industry targeting martial artists would bring endless subsequent revenue.

Martial artists come—they must eat, reside, drink, consume.

A single Piaomiao Pavilion can drive the entire Jiangnan martial arts industry.

These martial artists are rich!

High-level martial artists are generally very wealthy.

Correction.

High-level martial artists excluding Li Guanyi.

We must also train a group of mechanical engineers for the Fire Qilin Army—this is extremely important for enhancing the Fire Qilin Army's combat capability, and a highly advantageous move in every respect.

If the Piaomiao Pavilion fails to stand, Jiangnan collects no taxes; better to help it stand first, then offer favorable civil laws and policies; Master Yan Daiqing, guided by this principle, negotiated with Gongsun Wuyue regarding the Gongsun clan's entry into Jiangnan.

They discussed for a full hour.

Gongsun Wuyue thought a moment, then added: "I've heard there are Mohist masters here—I hope to exchange mechanical arts with them, dividing the mechanical arts academy into two schools: one Mohist defensive mechanics, one my Gongshu family's mechanics."

"Naturally."

"But earlier you said Jiangnan can offer you something—what promises can the Gongsun clan make in return for entering Jiangnan? Of course, we naturally wish to obey the Lord's orders and assist the Gongsun clan in establishing themselves and preserving Gongshu Ban's mechanical arts."

"But surely it cannot be one-sided investment?"

Master Yan Daiqing smiled in return, with Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zhi standing on either side.

Master Yan Daiqing took full responsibility, saying directly:

"The Lord is a hero; we ministers must be calculating."

"Please don't take offense, Lord Gongsun."

His tone was so pleasant, his smile so warm.

But only Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zhi knew how deep Master Yan Daiqing's resentment ran.

Li Guanyi keeps dragging people, schools, and clans into Jiangnan—Jiangnan has just been pacified, yet must now promote agriculture and sericulture, research mechanical arts, reduce taxes and corvée, and care for widows, orphans, and the poor—its meager income cannot possibly cover these expenses.

Master Yan Daiqing's resentment soared to the heavens.

Gongsun Wuyue said calmly, "It is only natural."

"The Gongsun family knows what you all need..."

She looked at these young strategists.

Some were spirited and radiant, others calm and composed, still others grim and piercing. Their temperaments differed, yet all were outstanding young talents—perhaps they would never have crossed paths otherwise, yet for the same reason, they gathered around one man.

Gongsun Wuyue thought of Li Guanyi; she knew Li Guanyi and the Fire Qilin Army needed mechanical devices, but all that remained of the Gongsun clan had been destroyed, leaving nothing to offer. Her face bore an apologetic expression as she ordered a chest brought forth.

A chest about three feet long, one foot wide, and quite thick.

Gongsun Wuyue placed it on the table and said:

"I know that a secure place for the Gongsun family to settle, along with land and policy support, was our mutual pact in this chaotic age. But now, after such heavy losses, we find it difficult to provide you with what you most need."

Yan Daiqing's aura grew heavier, his weariness deepened.

His urge to grab Li Guanyi by the collar and punch him intensified.

The memory of beating him with benches, as in their first meeting, surged violently.

Gongsun Wuyue said calmly, "All we can offer as a gift is this."

Her palm pressed lightly against the chest, then lifted upward. With a crisp sound, the wooden box opened. The candlelight reflected off its surface, casting a gleam—golden light shimmered in Yan Daiqing's eyes.

Inside the large chest lay a solid mass of gold and silver bricks.

Yan Daiqing's expression froze.

Gongsun Wuyue explained apologetically:

"We should have offered mechanical crossbow carts and other devices as a gift for joining Jiangnan, but our previous great battle destroyed our stockpiles. Fortunately, the Piaomiao Pavilion has operated for several hundred years and accumulated some gold and silver."

"For us, having a safe place to stand and begin anew is most important. We hope you will not disdain these. As for mechanical devices, we will complete them in the shortest possible time."

Yan Daiqing fell silent; the corner of Jiangnan's gentleman's mouth slowly curled upward.

His smile was warm and rich: "Lady Gongsun, you are far too kind."

His hand rested on the chest:

"Of course it is acceptable."

Gongsun Wuyue exhaled in relief and smiled: "That is best." After their discussion, she departed. For the Gongsun family, with centuries of heritage, gold was the least important thing at this moment of crisis—

"We used only a portion of the gold to accomplish this first step. What a profit."

Yan Daiqing stared at the gold.

His mouth curled up, then fell, curled up again, then crushed down hard.

His left hand dropped beneath his wide sleeve, fingers digging fiercely into his thigh.

Jiangnan's gentleman maintained his composure, saw Gongsun Wuyue off, then collapsed the moment he returned.

He had assumed Li Guanyi, this so-called heroic lord, had merely brought another band of tax-eating aristocrats. He never expected that this family, representing the 【Gongshu Ban Mechanical Legacy】, had arrived with a massive hoard of gold and silver.

Profit!

Yan Daiqing counted every single gold and silver brick.

Yan Daiqing, refreshed and invigorated!

Yan Daiqing did not know how much gold the Gongsun family had earned over three centuries of war by selling mechanical crossbows, nor how vast their reserves had become; Gongsun Wuyue did not know how desperately short of funds the young Fire Qilin Army, famed across the land for its boldness and martial prowess, truly was.

Both sides felt they had struck it rich.

They even forgot the banquet entirely, by mutual unspoken agreement.

Yuan Zhi returned and saw Yan Daiqing, radiant and refreshed, and exhaled in relief, smiling gently: "You won't blame the lord, will you?"

Yuan Zhi held great affection for Li Guanyi. He thought for a moment, then suddenly said:

"I understand."

Refreshed and invigorated Yan Daiqing frowned: "Understand what?"

Yuan Zhi said gently: "Everything was within the lord's foresight."

Yan Daiqing grew even more puzzled.

Yuan Zhi smiled: "Look—the lord's actions are methodical. First came the Agriculturalists, then the Mohists, then the Gongsun family."

"Without the Agriculturalists, we could not pacify the displaced peasants; without the Mohists, we could not defend ourselves; and the Gongsun family brought the siege-breaking weapons—the Gongshu Ban mechanical devices—and a vast fortune, instantly filling the gap in our previous plans!"

"With this gold now in hand, our earlier plans can proceed Xu Xu. You repeatedly questioned him, and he always evaded answers—he waited until today to make you understand."

"Thus, I say everything lies within the lord's control and planning."

"The lord—divinely ingenious!"

Yan Daiqing doubted: "Aren't you overthinking this?"

Smart people always think too much.

Yuan Zhi pointed at the gold, calmly and steadily:

"Is there any other explanation?"

Yan Daiqing began to waver, his stance crumbling. After long silence, he murmured to himself: "Could it truly be... that everything lies within his control and planning?"

"I only told him about Jiangnan's lack of funds not long ago."

"And now, without delay, he has casually resolved our fiscal crisis."

Yan Daiqing fell into deep thought.

Yan Daiqing's conviction shattered; before his eyes, he seemed to see the young general's back.

"Could he truly be... unfathomably profound?"

Yuan Zhi slapped his shoulder hard, pointing at the gold:

"Naturally!"

Far away, Li Guanyi yawned. The youth sat cross-legged beneath a tree. They had joined this caravan several days ago, and now another day of rest had come.

Rain had fallen earlier today, only just ceased.

The ground was damp, and the child was earnestly teaching Li Guanyi this kind of "sword art," swinging a wooden stick, thrusting and slashing, saying: "You must learn well—then, when you go to Zhongzhou, you can call yourself a swordsman and go meet the Master Jiankuang."

"You can go meet the Fire Qilin."

Li Guanyi smiled and nodded, swinging his own branch in a slash; over there, Elder Murong called him over, smiling and pointing at him: "You really don't know swords at all."

Li Guanyi answered honestly:

"Compared to the old man, I certainly don't understand anything."

Elder Murong laughed and shook his head.

He told Li Guanyi to come closer, thought for a moment, then reached out, gripped the branch, and calmly thrust one sword, withdrew it, turned his wrist—and this time, a vertical slash; rain still fell, and Li Guanyi saw the branch descend, slicing a single raindrop cleanly in half.

The rain split evenly, falling to the ground.

No internal force. No sword intent. Not even so-called extreme speed.

Calm. Unhurried.

In this quiet sword stroke lay a serene, peaceful essence.

Li Guanyi was immersed in it; when he looked up, Elder Murong laid the branch beside him and smiled, urging: "Go teach that child."

Li Guanyi reached out and took the branch.

Elder Murong let go, smiling: "If you don't understand, come ask me."

Li Guanyi nodded. The young Daoist Priest walked to the tree and began teaching Shi Wu's son swordplay; the child said seriously: "You use the sword like this? Really? It's different from the sword manual."

Li Guanyi replied: "Who drew the sword manual?"

The child said: "Obviously, a swordsman."

Li Guanyi smiled and asked: "Then who drew the sword manual that the swordsman himself studied?"

The child answered without hesitation: "An earlier swordsman, of course?"

Li Guanyi said: "Then who drew the very first sword manual?"

Li Guanyi successfully made the child's mind spin; the boy opened his mouth, unsure how to answer. Li Guanyi gripped the branch and said: "So don't worship the sword manual. Come, see if this might be better?"

He thrust one sword. Shi Yisong widened his eyes, watching this move.

He felt it was stronger than anything in the manual.

Shi Yisong began seriously learning the sword from Li Guanyi, while Li Guanyi kept coming to ask Elder Murong; the old man smiled and told him how to do it. The caravan passed by a river, and Elder Murong had leisure to leisurely fish.

For these days, they traveled slowly with the caravan—the world outside was leisurely, yet looking back, it seemed like a dull stretch of time, no fighting, no flashing blades.

Sometimes Li Guanyi accompanied the old man fishing; Elder Murong was very skilled at fishing.

He caught a full basket, then released all the tiny ones back into the water.

The rest he used to give the caravan folk a better meal. Along the way, they passed a monk's temple, where there were even Daoist Priests drawing lots and fortune-telling. Ordinary people of the Jianghu didn't care much about Buddhist or Daoist differences, or their conflicts.

In many places, which deity's shrine was more efficacious was the most basic, cherished gossip of the old women under the village willow trees.

He went with Elder Murong to visit the temple fair of the town they passed through.

The tall, green-robed elder walked through the fair; Li Guanyi walked beside him. Beside Li Guanyi was Yao Guang. Yao Guang thought for a moment, then did not stand beside Li Guanyi, but walked to the other side of Elder Murong.

Then, obediently, she reached out and grasped the old swordsman's hand.

Yao Guang stopped before a stall selling snacks.

So the old swordsman, like a peaceful, contented elder, pulled out coins and bought sweets for the younger generation: candied haws and some scraped malt sugar.

Then he led the two children slowly forward, walking with the crowd.

It was a quiet warmth that made one smile.

It made the silver-haired man behind them grind his teeth.

That night, a kind soul set off fireworks; the firework artisan was a craft with a very high threshold, expensive and rare to see. Villagers from over ten to twenty li around came rushing over, gathering outside, waiting until nightfall, when the fireworks shot into the sky and exploded.

The crowd cheered and leapt. The old swordsman looked up at the sky.

Li Guanyi heard performances of molten iron flowers and operas, lively and bustling. People wore masks to celebrate a local festival. Li Guanyi wandered over alone and saw, at the center of the fair, a statue placed on a high platform.

There were Buddhas, immortals, and ancient generals.

Here, customs included adopting a godfather and touching the iron statue.

Many people were making wishes; incense smoke curled upward. Even the children looked devout. Li Guanyi watched the folk customs with interest, hearing someone say: "I hope there's no more war."

"Yes, there won't be any more."

"Wasn't it Jiangnan that kept sending troops over? For over ten years. Only just now did they pull back. I heard Chen State pulled back too—there definitely won't be any more war!"

Li Guanyi turned to look: a man with one arm missing ordered a bowl of noodles and spoke to the man beside him. The woman beside him was likely his wife, with a child. Her face held hopeful expression:

"Yes, if there's no war, we can just farm properly."

"You rest well at home—you lost an arm, after all."

"Mm, there won't be any more war!"

The one-armed man said: "I heard that this time, the Emperor, the Chen State's Emperor, and Jiangnan's Wu Hou will all join the Son of Heaven's hunting expedition. If they can sit down and talk, I think peaceful days are coming."

"Mm, they will."

Simple-dressed villagers chatted. The lingering traces of fireworks in the sky seemed not to fade for a long time. A large firework exploded, and small red lanterns drifted downward, like stars.

Beautiful.

The scent of incense, fireworks, and various foods mingled—somehow grounding, comforting. People smiled. The one-armed man seemed to notice Li Guanyi's gaze and said apologetically:

"Was I speaking too loudly?"

Li Guanyi shook his head and smiled: "Don't be silly—it's a temple fair."

The man relaxed, smiling: "Yes."

He held his child with his remaining arm, looked up at the sky, his eyes reflecting light—the glow of stars, the moon, the falling trails of fireworks—and then looked at Li Guanyi and said: "It's so good."

"Peaceful days are coming."

"I served as a soldier for years. When Chen State started the war, the Yue Family Army cut off my arm. But I didn't give up—I killed one of their foot soldiers too. So I think I got my due."

"My family originally had a few mu of farmland, but it went fallow after I left."

"Now that war is over, I can finally cultivate the land in peace, plant grain, and grow vegetables in my own yard—cabbage, and eggplant too; when the vines climb the fence, they'll even bear gourds."

"Once dried, the gourds can be hollowed out and turned into fine wine flasks; in a bountiful year, surplus grain can be brewed into rice wine."

He smiled and placed a stack of copper coins on the table.

That night, the child ate the egg and the first few mouthfuls of noodles; the woman ate the remaining half-bowl; then the man finished off the rest of the broth, tasted it, looked deeply satisfied, left the money behind, and said:

"Live well in the coming days of peace."

"Young Daoist."

He couldn't help clicking his tongue; his wife chuckled and scolded lightly, and the man laughed: "This noodle soup is truly delicious."

"I haven't had such a satisfying meal in a long time."

Li Guanyi watched their figures fade into the distance; the boy ordered a simple yangchun noodle bowl. He ate it all, then said:

"It really is a grounding feeling."

He looked up at the thriving temple fair; everyone was happy.

Li Guanyi slowly drank every last drop of the broth, sitting alone in the bustling fair, utterly out of place—as if the throngs of people belonged to another world.

Yao Guang and Elder Murong had gone to wander the fair; he was the only one left sitting here.

"I should go find Great-Grandfather and Yao Guang."

Li Guanyi thought.

At that moment, he suddenly heard a clear, resonant chime of a bronze ding beside his ear; he froze slightly, then turned his inner gaze to the bronze ding—the swirling light within it had now calmed.

Inside, the emerald-green jade liquid had settled completely.

No longer churning and roiling as it had before, refusing to rest.

After such a long time, the qi scattered by Zhang Ziyong, one of the martial legends, had finally coalesced; Li Guanyi stared at the final result, slightly astonished.

It was not jade liquid.

The vast, mighty jade liquid had condensed into a single round pearl.

Warm and radiant, emitting a golden-red luminescence.

Hm?

Why does it seem familiar?

Li Guanyi wondered.

Meanwhile, far away in the Mystical Realm.

Where the waves of Canglang met the sea of clouds, the ancient red dragon, long asleep, suddenly opened its eyes:

"Hm?!!!"

"This aura is..."