Chapter 344

Li Zhao Wen looked at the letter, where Sun Wuchou had written at length, expressing concern that Li Zhao Wen might be affected, and thus hoped Li Guanyi would come to assist.

Li Zhao Wen merely laughed lightly: "Merely trivial matters of Central Plains nobility—such as marriage alliances—how could they possibly bind me?"

"Such wine sacks and rice bags are not worthy of my notice."

"Sun Wuchou underestimates me."

"Still, it's not bad that Brother Li arrived here ahead of schedule."

"Wugou."

Sun Wugou heard and came over, looking at Li Zhao Wen with faint confusion: "Second Young Master? What is it?"

Li Zhao Wen set down the letter in his hand and smiled: "Thanks to your elder brother's favor, good fortune has come—but I'm not skilled in such matters. Wugou, you are beautiful and quick-witted."

"Choose out some women's garments for me."

"I'll try them on."

Sun Wugou was startled, yet nodded in agreement.

…………

When Li Guanyi and the others arrived in Xiyicheng, they encountered no one to greet them. This city was vast and imposing, nearly only slightly inferior to Zhenxi Xiongcheng—the greatest pass Li Guanyi had ever seen.

When Li Guanyi inquired about Sun Wuchou, the latter explained: "Lord, your eye for detail is sharp."

"This city was built in imitation of Zhenxi Xiongcheng."

"We obtained the legendary 【Blueprint of Zhenxi Xiongcheng】 from the Grand Master of Yin-Yang, and with countless master craftsmen, mobilized over a hundred thousand laborers to construct it—but in the end, it still fell short of Zhenxi Xiongcheng."

"It appears nearly equal, but in reality, its effectiveness is over thirty percent inferior, for though we acquired the blueprint for Zhenxi Xiongcheng, the core Mo Jia member who originally directed its construction—the sole female Mo Juzi—"

"Died two hundred and thirty-two years ago."

"Some mechanisms and techniques could only be accomplished by her."

"Some say the blueprint of Zhenxi Xiongcheng—the so-called impregnable cavalry cliff, said to be breachable only from within—is in fact the most astonishingly brilliant love letter ever written by an ancient Yin-Yang Grand Master to that Mo Jia female Mo Juzi."

"To bear witness through countless ages."

"It was named 【Zhenxi Xiongcheng】 after the Daoist legend of the True Lord of the North, who commands Hu Xuanwu and orders the northern frontier."

Sun Wuchou led Li Guanyi and the others into the city, saying:

"But this is merely legend, now centuries past."

"Those two elders must both be long gone."

Li Guanyi walked into Xiyicheng, listening as Sun Wuchou recounted the old legends—unaware that the legendary figure he spoke of was none other than the Master Siming, who spent his days drinking and never behaved properly.

Great achievements cannot withstand time.

Legends once famed across the land gradually fade with the years.

Only the cities remain as witnesses.

And in this distant western frontier, a new city was erected, modeled after that mighty pass.

Li Guanyi walked into Xiyicheng, observing the bustling, noisy city, feeling the tangible passage of time; then his gaze lowered slightly, sweeping over the surroundings with a hint of solemnity: "Wu Chou, the city's defenses seem different."

After Li Guanyi's warning, Sun Wuchou also sensed the difference.

Compared to when he had last left, the security here was clearly much tighter.

Between the round-trip journey, time lost to weariness, and Li Guanyi's trip to Daqi Stockade to reorganize his army, over a month had passed—something must have happened during that time.

The entire city's defenses, the patrols, clearly exceeded previous levels.

Li Guanyi stared at the main road and said: "An important figure has left the city."

"The city defenses have been visibly strengthened, yet the soldiers' training is generally poor—mostly raw recruits. I've seen no one who has truly seen blood. This is a frontier stronghold of the Ying State, facing the current western lands—its border troops having never seen blood is impossible."

"A core figure has led troops out of the city, primarily for a show of force and patrol."

"It seems we won't meet the Duke this time."

Sun Wuchou's expression changed slightly; only after Li Guanyi whispered did he realize the significance of the changed defenses. Li Guanyi's gaze turned to the Tangxi Crown Prince beside him, thoughtful.

Hao Yuan Xia had been forced to leave the Tangxi Kingdom; Xiao Yuxue's sudden intensification of measures.

The many changes within the Xiyicheng Duke's mansion—all clues pointed to what Po Jun had previously suspected: major upheaval was coming to the western lands.

In times of peace, chaos would arise.

Now that chaos has already begun, a great war is likely imminent.

Li Guanyi said: "Let's go, Wu Chou—pay our respects at the Duke's mansion." Sun Wuchou's expression hardened; he dared not delay, leading Li Guanyi and the others through the bustling city to the Duke's mansion, where servants had already been waiting.

Sun Wuchou led Li Guanyi and the others safely inside. Li Zhao Wen had already prepared a private villa to accommodate Hao Yuan Xia and the others; Yao Guang and the Fire Qilin rested there briefly, while Li Guanyi was guided to the guest quarters.

Tea and snacks were already prepared. Li Guanyi made slight alterations to his appearance.

Xiyicheng differed from other western regions—it was a vital stronghold of the Ying State, home to many scholars and noble families. Li Guanyi was famed across the Central Plains; countless scholars had seen him, many of whom had come to Xiyicheng.

If recognized, wouldn't he be exposed at once?

Li Guanyi concealed his aura with the 【Jiangnan Misty Tower Art】, and used minor techniques to alter his face—changing his bones and muscles to appear as a simple, sturdy Central Plains merchant.

His gaze swept the surroundings, thinking of Li Zhao Wen. Though they had not spent much time together, they truly understood each other. Li Guanyi's Tiger Golden King Seal and the former Long Feng Tower had both been gifts from Li Zhao Wen.

And at the gates of Zhenxi Xiongcheng, when Li Guanyi was in his gravest peril, it was Li Zhao Wen who sent Sun Wuchou with a detachment of light cavalry scouts to aid him—though that force meant little to Li Guanyi now.

But back then, it was like coal in snow.

These debts were profound, truly a bond of life and death.

Not to mention the Western Alliance—mutually interdependent, bound by friendship, interest, and grand strategy. Li Guanyi came here partly to assist, partly to maintain the alliance.

And thirdly—to meet this good brother.

"Hahaha, Brother Li! Brother Li! Long time no see—I've waited long enough!"

A clear, bright laugh.

Li Guanyi rose and turned to see a man emerge from the inner chamber, clad in brocade robes, girded with a rhinoceros-horn jade belt, his golden-threaded hair cap tying back his hair, his brows soaring, a golden vertical mark on his forehead—it was Li Zhao Wen. Li Guanyi also smiled:

"Second Young Master! Long time no see!"

The two men strode forward, gripping each other's arms and shaking hard.

Arm in arm, they moved as one.

Enthusiasm overflowed from their eyes.

But the attendant Changsun Wuchou merely felt a stomachache from watching.

After Li Zhao Wen and Li Guanyi exchanged warm greetings, they sat down. Li Zhao Wen noticed Li Guanyi's disguise and exclaimed, "Brother Li, what is this on your face…?" Li Guanyi explained everything; Li Zhao Wen nodded in understanding and said, "It must be done this way."

Li Guanyi said: "Changsun told me—you have a sister, forced into a political marriage?"

Li Zhao Wen snapped shut his folding fan and smiled lightly: "Wrong, wrong."

"It's not my sister—it's me they're marrying off."

Changsun Wuchou's expression froze.

He never expected the Second Young Lady to speak of this so directly.

But upon reflection, given the young lady's stern bearing and free-spirited nature, such a matter was no great secret, and no need to hide.

Li Guanyi was slightly surprised.

Li Zhao Wen smiled carefree: "Yet to me, such matters are trivial. The world is vast, and the Western Regions' situation has shifted—how could I still waste time dealing with them?"

"Changsun, worried, concocted a scheme to lure Brother Li here."

"When I saw this, I thought: I want to meet Brother Li sooner—so I went along with him."

"Brother Li, don't blame Changsun."

Li Guanyi laughed: "Ha, it's a good thing—why would I blame him?"

"Besides, how could such a person as you be held back by them?!"

Li Zhao Wen's lips curved, calm and composed: "Indeed."

"You understand me, Brother Li."

The two admired each other deeply.

Brotherly affection overflowed beyond words.

Changsun Wuchou felt his eyes were being blinded.

Li Zhao Wen pulled a scroll directly from his sleeve and said with a smile: "I originally planned to change clothes to welcome my brother, but alas, I'm still used to wearing this outfit—others are too elaborate and troublesome. Someday I'll show you."

"Come, come—this is the nearby Western Regions topographical map. Let's look together."

Li Zhao Wen pushed several nearby tables together, laid the topographical map upon them, and sat beside Li Guanyi to examine it. Li Guanyi rose to join him, then sensed a faint fragrance wafting toward him.

Li Guanyi paused, turning to look at his handsome brother—brows raised, a golden vertical mark on his forehead.

Huh? What's going on?

Li Zhao Wen frowned, then waved again, smiling:

"Why won't Brother Li come closer?"

"If you stay so far, you won't see the terrain map."

Li Guanyi pondered—he recalled one of his own strategists, Tiance Prefecture's Chief Secretary Wen Lingjun, who likewise wore robes scented with fragrance, a refined gentleman.

Li Guanyi smiled and approached.

The two sat side by side before the Western Regions topographical map. Li Zhao Wen, eager, pointed to the central region: "Brother Li, look—these recent changes across the four directions are all recorded here. This blue area is where the Wolf King is."

"That old wolf has nearly swallowed the capital of the Tangxi Kingdom."

"The Tangxi Kingdom has struggled with strategic advances, elite cavalry counterattacks, and warrior penetrations—all blocked by the Wolf King. The world knows the Wolf King attacks like fire, but few know he's equally skilled in defense."

"The Wolf King has sealed off the Tangxi capital entirely."

"All checkpoints leading in or out are held. There's a mighty pass, linking mountain ranges, using terrain to make detours impossible. The Wolf King has stationed elite troops and generals—and the world's fifteenth-ranked general, Xiao Wu Liang—to guard it."

"On the surface, he means to devour the Tangxi Kingdom whole."

"The Wolf King's ruthless move has left the Thirty-Six Western Tribes utterly restless. They had planned to watch, waiting to profit as the vulture. But now, seeing the Wolf King intend to claim Tangxi alone, they all risk becoming fools and clowns."

"So they all raised armies."

"Among the Western Tribes, powerful clans like the Qiang have begun mobilizing troops to encircle the area—initially there were clashes, but gradually they've begun coalescing into one great force, marching toward the Tangxi capital, Zhenxi Xiongcheng."

"Yet along the way, they must pass through the Wolf King's blockaded zone."

"The Western Alliance Army faces the fifteenth-ranked general, Xiao Wu Liang."

"Brother Li, what do you think will happen?"

Li Zhao Wen's gaze burned brightly.

Li Guanyi answered plainly: "It's only the beginning—there will be a great war."

"But I don't understand. The Wolf King is fierce, yet also cunning—he wouldn't seal off a region and then fight the entire Western Alliance. I suspect something else lies hidden from our view…"

"I noticed changes in Xiyicheng's defenses—has your father left the city?"

Li Zhao Wen's expression paused slightly: "Brother Li, your perception is uncanny—yes."

"Father and my elder brother weren't content merely to maintain ties with Anxi. After your success, they immediately began gathering other cities—creating quite a large alliance, with twenty to thirty cities allied with Xiyicheng."

"Now, with the Wolf King sealing the mighty pass, the other cities are restless."

"Father, bold and heroic, saw an opportunity—and led troops out to join this great tide. I pleaded with him repeatedly, but he always countered: 'This great tide cannot be missed,' and insisted on going."

Li Guanyi looked at Li Zhao Wen.

Li Zhao Wen hesitated, then sighed bitterly: "Fine—if I say this, Brother Li won't believe me. My father is no fool—he wouldn't risk leaving the city so lightly. The real reason is a message from the capital."

"The Divine General Jiang Su declared that the Western Regions are now one of the critical crossroads of the entire world."

"He rebuked my father and brother for merely hiding behind walls, worse than Lu You of Chen, who advances steadily. He issued a military order: my father and brother must send troops to join the Western struggle."

"The war to destroy Chen is at a critical juncture."

"The Grand General ordered my father to spare no cost in conquering the Western Regions—absolutely cannot let the Wolf King consolidate power. My father studied the order for a long time, then ordered me and my brother to hold this city, while he personally led the army into battle."

Li Guanyi voiced his greatest doubt: "With the Divine General Jiang Su's command and Wu Gong, who could possibly restrain him? Chen should have no general left capable of opposing him."

"Theoretically, Chen should now be retreating step by step."

"Could it be that..."

Li Zhao Wen fell silent for a moment, then said softly:

"The Great Tian Kehan of the Steppe Turks has personally led the campaign."

"Due to the Crown Prince's negligence, the Seven Kings of the Turks fled with our Princess to their own territories; the original plan—to use the marriage escort as cover, with the Yuwen family's generals escorting the Seven Kings and the Princess back to the steppe to contain the Great Tian Kehan—has failed."

"The Great Tian Kehan of the Turks is furious."

"The Second Divine General of the Realm, along with Tie Futu, is now locked in battle with General Jiang Su's Northern Garrison Army on the northern border; originally, Your Majesty and Tai Ping Gong, the Third Divine General of the Realm and the First Divine Archer, General Gao Xiang, had made an agreement."

"Although General Gao Xiang's Long Xiang Army was willing to assist, the situation in Saibei shifted violently—the three armies of Qu Tu Tong, Xue Tianxing, and Yue Pengwu, once facing each other in stalemate, have now regrouped."

"In the stalemate, Yue Pengwu, wearing heavy armor and wielding the divine spear Li Quan, re-entered battle, boosting morale; though the three of them cannot defeat General Gao Xiang, they can tie down the Long Xiang Army, preventing it from advancing southward to reinforce."

"The entire realm's situation churns violently, locked in direct confrontation."

Just these words from Li Zhao Wen already clarified the entire realm's turbulent changes—this storm of the world never occurs in just one place; while Li Guanyi rode through the Western Regions, heroes elsewhere were also vying and fighting."

The world is not still.

Li Zhao Wen said:

"Your Majesty is furious; the Crown Prince's position has become unstable."

"Meanwhile, the second prince, Jiang Yuan, who was previously idle and uneducated, has personally gone to the frontlines to join the campaign against Chen; thus, our Great Ying state is now simultaneously fighting the steppe to the north and Chen to the south."

Li Zhao Wen assessed: "Chen Dingye is merely a venomous serpent who manipulates power."

"In past years, Chen had General Zhou Lao's hook-sickle and heavy shield troops to counter Tie Futu; night-racing cavalry, unmatched in speed across the land; the Breakthrough Hundred-Protector Camp; the Great Halberd Soldiers; Yue Pengwu's armored heavy cavalry; Yu Langwang's Canglang Cavalry; Xiao Wuliang's Moke Flying Army; and Tai Ping Gong's Tai Ping Army."

"A million armored soldiers."

"A formidable force capable of holding its own against Great Ying, which boasts the Divine General."

"In just over a decade, it has withered to this state—even allied with the northern steppe, it now shows signs of decline; the rising storms of the realm are evident today."

Li Zhao Wen sighed deeply: "Yet the original strategy was extremely stable—why did it suddenly fail? Xiyicheng is a border town, unaware of the wider world, but rumors have subtly reached us: it was the handiwork of a strange strategist among the Seven Kings."

"He alone stirred the realm, causing this current situation."

"Most rumors are false."

"Yet one cannot help imagining—if such a strategist truly exists, standing amid the rising storms of the realm, altering the entire era's course through his extraordinary stratagems, what a genius of the age he would be!"

Li Zhao Wen clenched his fist in regret: "I truly wish to recruit such a talent!"

Li Guanyi sipped his tea, thinking silently.

Sorry, Second Young Master.

This man is already under my command.

Li Guanyi's lips curled slightly, then he suppressed it, coughed once.

The bitterness of the tea suppressed it.

Li Zhao Wen and Li Guanyi chatted idly over tea, studying the map on the table, assessing the rising storms of the realm; Li Guanyi's vision seemed to see the entire world—renowned generals charging across battlefields: Yue Shuai of Saibei and others holding Gao Xiang in check; the First and Second Divine Generals clashing on the steppe.

The Night-Racing Cavalry moved south, clashing with the Tiger Man Cavalry.

Yuwen Lie wielded his spear in the Central Plains; Chen Fubi charged across the battlefield.

Looking at it this way...

Li Guanyi's gaze froze slightly, settling on the Western Regions.

Li Zhao Wen looked at Li Guanyi and said: "Brother Li should also see it."

Li Guanyi said: "The realm's balance remains unchanged, the storms rise everywhere—yet the only possible catalyst for change now is the Western Regions. If the Regent gains power and this former Fourth Divine General seizes the Western Regions, whether he attacks Ying or swallows Chen..."

"... it will trigger a massive shift in the realm."

"If he swallows Chen, Chen will almost certainly fall under Yu Langwang's command."

"Ying can withstand both Chen under Chen Dingye and the northern Turks—but it absolutely cannot withstand a united force of Yu Langwang's Chen and the Turks."

Li Zhao Wen said: "Is that so? I think it's the Jiangnan region."

"Once both the Western Regions and Chen fall under Yu Langwang, Great Ying will be dragged into the whirlpool of the realm—Brother Li, your Jiangnan will no longer be able to stand aside; at that point, you will either ally with Great Ying to fight Chen and the Turks..."

"... or join Yu Langwang and fight against Great Ying."

"The place where the realm's fate shifts."

Li Guanyi and Li Zhao Wen locked eyes; Li Guanyi's expression was calm, Li Zhao Wen smiled faintly; their tones were gentle and composed, yet beside them, Changsun Wuchou felt his heart suddenly clutched as if by a fist.

A crushing pressure, as if the tide of destiny was rushing at him, making it hard to breathe.

Li Guanyi and Li Zhao Wen's gazes fell together on a city circled in cinnabar ink on the Western Regions map—both their fingers landed simultaneously on that spot—

"The Western stronghold: Hongxia City."

"The battle that will decide the realm's fate."

Their fingers touched; Li Zhao Wen smiled slightly: "It seems..."

"Brother Li..."

"... we are of one mind."

Li Guanyi smiled: "Great minds think alike."

The two men laughed heartily.

Changsun Wuchou clutched his stomach, his handsome, cunning face now twisted with complexity.

The more he watched, the more his stomach ached.

Li Guanyi had to pay another visit to the eldest son, Li Jianwen, who was now in this city; before he went, Li Zhao Wen told Li Guanyi that when they last parted, he had promised that upon their next meeting, they would reveal their true faces—he would show him.

"When you leave, I will host a banquet; perhaps a beauty will play the qin."

"Do not forget."

Li Guanyi gripped Li Zhao Wen's arm and said: "Such a vast realm—only a man of your stature, vision, and talent, both literary and martial, can be called a peerless beauty."

He addresses all generals and strategists this way.

It is an ancient term from fu poetry.

Li Zhaowen blinked slightly, then unfurled his folding fan to cover his lips and cheeks, revealing only his eyes—smiling calmly—as he said:

"Then, thank you, Brother Li, for your discerning eye."

After Li Guanyi departed, Changsun Wugou stepped out, saw Li Zhaowen, and asked curiously: "Second Young Master, is there something wrong with these garments?"

Li Zhaowen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the pile of clothing and ornaments. Changsun Wugou called out several times before he snapped back to attention, merely saying:

"Hmm, somehow it still isn't enough. Not good. Not good."

Changsun Wugou said: "These are all your female garments."

Li Zhaowen frowned, then smiled carefree: "I never knew why—before, when I wore these to attend unavoidable gatherings, to meet the elders of our clan, I thought nothing of them. They seemed splendid and proper."

"Today, I must wear these to meet Brother Li."

"To be honest, it's not enough."

Changsun Wugou said: "Not enough?"

Li Zhaowen smiled: "Since childhood, I've been first in literature, first in martial arts, first in horsemanship and archery, first in swordplay, first in spear technique. Now, for the first time I appear in female attire, I must be like a phoenix soaring across the sky—only the finest will suit me."

"These garments are decent, but they're still not the finest. Not exquisite enough."

Changsun Wugou said: "Where in the world could there be so many fine garments?"

Li Zhaowen said carefreely: "Then you must help me find them."

"I must make Brother Li gasp the moment he sees me."

"When he lays eyes on me, I must be first."

Li Zhaowen unfurled his folding fan to conceal his face and smiled:

"Scare him!"

Meanwhile, Li Guanyi paid his respects to Li Jianwen. Li Jianwen had intended to win this man over, but after days of banquets, each time he returned to his residence, he was so enraged his hands trembled, and finally he cursed: "Ruffian! Ruffian!"

No matter what he said, Li Guanyi only claimed poverty.

He said he hoped Anxi City would be absorbed under Xiyicheng's rule, that he was poor, poor, had no money, no money.

He said he hoped Anxi City would cooperate with Xiyicheng's future actions.

Li Guanyi said yes, but demanded thirty million in military funds and fifty thousand wolf-tooth barbed arrows.

He nearly burst Li Jianwen's purse open with a single sentence.

Li Jianwen's composure cracked.

Fifty thousand wolf-tooth barbed arrows?!

Are you going to burn them for firewood?!

Asked about land: no money, no land.

He offered to assign Li Guanyi capable generals and strategists.

Li Guanyi replied: no money, absolutely cannot afford to feed so many.

No matter how Li Jianwen tried to plant his own men, divide Li Guanyi's authority, or turn him into a pawn—every trick, every scheme—ended with the same reply: "No money," leaving Li Jianwen seething.

In these days, Li Guanyi's reputation had spread far and wide.

All officials and generals of Xiyicheng knew that Li Zhaowen Young Master had taken on a guest advisor and ally—a money-grubbing, greedy beggar—and all said Li Zhaowen Young Master had made a terrible mistake in recruiting him.

But Li Guanyi didn't care.

He was deeply disappointed he hadn't gotten any money.

While discussing the grand trends of the world with Li Zhaowen, she said she would handle these matters—when suddenly a rider galloped in at full speed, bursting into Xiyicheng, and word reached the Duke's mansion—

The smile vanished from Li Zhaowen's face.

The Feathered Forest Guard was drenched in blood, having broken through enemy lines; he landed on the ground and cried out:

"The Duke is ambushed! Surrounded atop the mountain!"

"Send aid! Send aid!"

?? Please vote for monthly tickets, friends (calmly)