Chapter 350: The People

A chilling, brutal aura instantly spread out, and the generals of Xiyicheng felt as if their hearts had been suffocated—they saw the Central Plains merchant holding his spear against the ground, his brow sharp as a blade, his gaze blazing like a gale.

For a moment, silence reigned.

That phrase—"not in accord with my heart"—conceals this meaning.

I am the entire army!

His aura was mighty and tyrannical; beneath his brows, where his gaze fell, the generals felt their spirits seized, unable to speak, yet their hearts boiled with fury—they instinctively gripped their weapons, and the sound of swords and blades being drawn rang out continuously.

The atmosphere turned instantly deadly.

Outside, Yu Chi Xiong was so stirred that his body hair stood on end; he gripped his weapon, yet saw these fierce generals—even if not yet at the Master level—had instinctively activated their Divine Charm-level martial arts.

For a moment, tiger roars echoed endlessly, lions shook their heads, elephants swung their tails; the atmosphere became instantly confrontational. Outside, ten thousand allied troops waited, and within the city, these generals were about to turn on each other.

Yu Chi Xiong licked his lips, gripping the Weight in Hand, and hesitated.

Who should I help when the time comes?

But the generals did not immediately lose their reason and charge forward.

This man is ferocious.

Whether they could escape depended entirely on his prestige—they dared not act rashly. At the same time, though they were all aligned with Xiyicheng, what rose in their hearts was anger—

Not anger toward the merchant, but toward Li Xuanye, once a close ally—so much so that they gritted their teeth, wishing they could stab his body repeatedly.

How utterly foolish!

At such a critical moment, you still crave gold, silver, and jade ornaments, provoking this merchant—if he turns on us, we'll all die because of you.

At this crucial moment, everyone feared for their own life; they hated Li Xuanye for provoking Li Guanyi, and had not a single thought of defending him in this moment of city collapse. Yet Li Guanyi had stormed in and killed a noble of the Duke's line—this was still a crime.

Then all eyes turned to Duke Li.

Duke Li, gazing at this horrifying scene, suddenly flew into a rage, strode forward several steps, and kicked Li Xuanye's corpse. "You brat! In the past, I tolerated you out of brotherly affection."

"Now, when we must stand united, you still use my name to commit such acts!"

"You've sown discord in the army and coveted the wealth of Yemenguan! Punish him by military law!"

Enraged beyond measure, he drew his sword from his waist.

He personally thrust the blade twice—once through Li Xuanye's thigh, once through his chest.

With Duke Li himself acting, the matter was settled.

The atmosphere here dispersed in moments. Duke Li seized Li Guanyi's arm and said, "Young Master, this man was always corrupt. In the past, I overlooked it out of sentiment—but now, with great matters at hand, he still acts this way."

"He deserved to die."

"The great battle looms—I only hope you won't let this man affect your mood."

Duke Li's face showed sorrow and regret.

Li Guanyi looked at Duke Li and said:

"Of course… I won't."

News of this incident was sealed. Li Guanyi took his leave, gripped his spear, and strode out. The generals ahead instinctively parted a path for him; Li Guanyi stared straight ahead, marching forward without glancing aside.

As Duke Li watched Li Guanyi depart, the generals' arrogance was crushed.

In the eyes of Xiyicheng's generals, Li Guanyi had transformed—from a greedy, ferocious merchant—into a figure of greater tyranny, greater disdain.

This was no longer the mere merchant they had assumed him to be.

Yu Chi Xiong, seeing the others stunned by Li Guanyi, quietly followed him out of the courtyard. Though he was tall and muscular, naturally endowed with immense strength, his mind was cunning.

He knew staying there would bring disaster—he fled swiftly.

He slipped out quietly and praised: "General, you're truly incredible!"

"You're fucking awesome."

"In the army, I've seen many tough men—but none with this kind of aura. Damn, scholars say a vicious man is one who starts fighting after three words—but you? You say nothing, and just stab him dead—that's true ferocity!"

"General, weren't you once a bandit chief on some mountain?!"

Li Guanyi's mood had calmed. He laughed and scolded:

"I really was a mountain chief."

"Had hundreds of thousands under me."

Yu Chi Xiong widened his bear-like eyes and said bluntly: "General, you're talking nonsense again."

"Where are you going now?"

Li Guanyi said: "Back."

The two rode off. Behind them, Duke Li dismissed the generals and stared at Li Xuanye's corpse. "Fool! In the past, stealing a bit of gold was forgivable—but now, at this moment, you still can't control your hands? Good riddance."

"If he lived, our family's foundation would be ruined by men like him."

"Xia Hou, what do you think?"

Xia Hou Duan thought, then replied: "That so-called Tian Ge'er is no ordinary man. Such arrogance—killing a noble like Li Xuanye—without a trace of fear."

Li Shude said: "We still need his strength."

Though Li Shude had lost the passion of his youth, he remained sharp—he knew he must make Li Guanyi drop his guard, so he personally drew his sword and inflicted wounds on Li Xuanye's body.

He was telling everyone and Li Guanyi: he shared blame for Li Xuanye's death.

He was telling Li Guanyi: he wouldn't speak kindly now only to betray him later—he wanted Li Guanyi to feel safe.

Li Shude sighed deeply: "He possesses courage and strategy, along with the ruthlessness of a formidable warlord."

"The world is vast—heroes abound."

"Yet this sword has severed any chance of bringing him into my fold. Brilliant move. Excellent tactic."

Li Guanyi and Yu Chi Xiong rode back. Along the way, the city's scenery was no longer as it once was; neither spoke much. Yu Chi Xiong opened his mouth several times, then bit his lip and, with some embarrassment, said to this towering giant:

"Uh, General… could you do me a favor?"

Li Guanyi said: "What?"

Wei Chi Xiong said: "I originally planned to ride into battle with you this time, earn some military merit, and return to swap for a sixth- or seventh-rank generalship—but now I've followed you to take on Li Xuanye."

"I thought you'd just give him a good beating, but you stabbed him dead outright."

Wei Chi Xiong felt a stunned awe, mixed with quiet satisfaction, and said: "Today, walking with you, I was seen by others. They may say nothing to my face, but they've surely written my name down in their books."

"From now on, I fear I won't have an easy time in the army."

"So could you please speak to the Second Young Master and get me transferred under your command? I don't care about rank anymore—I just want to avoid being sidelined and bullied."

Li Guanyi was surprised—he hadn't expected such subtlety beneath Wei Chi Xiong's rough exterior. He said: "I have no authority to transfer men, but if you truly want to come, I'll speak to the Second Young Master for you."

Wei Chi Xiong beamed, bowed deeply, and gave a loud, exaggerated salute.

"You and the Second Young Master are as close as brothers—out together, sleep side by side."

"If you speak up, it will surely be settled!"

"Even if I'm just assigned as one of your bodyguards, charging into battle, or if I use my strength to carry your banner—that would suit me perfectly."

"Even if I'm useless after the world is settled, I'd still be happy to stand guard at your door while you sleep!"

By then, the two had returned to the city warehouse of Yemeng Pass.

The old man was still there, and so were the townsfolk.

The remaining Xuanjia soldiers kept order. Li Guanyi dismounted. The old man, a veteran who had earned only minor merit before being discarded for various reasons, immediately sensed another layer of bloodstain on Li Guanyi's aura and said:

"General, have you killed someone?"

Li Guanyi replied: "Just killed chickens and dogs."

The garrison soldiers turned pale. Li Guanyi had just seen them secretly hoarding many items. His memory was sharp—he personally retrieved each one, then noticed the warehouse brimming with gold, silver, and copper coins. He spoke loudly:

"Old man, go find the townsfolk. I will compensate each of you here."

"I will pay fifty percent above market price—everyone gets a share. But if anyone lies or cheats, I won't spare them!"

Everyone swore they wouldn't dare.

Li Guanyi had the old man summon the most virtuous townsfolk to tally losses—compensating for damaged homes and requisitioned grain at fifty percent above market price, without any harshness.

Thus, all the gold, silver, and valuables in the warehouse were distributed.

The townsfolk saw it with their own eyes.

Li Guanyi kept not a single piece.

Thus, the townsfolk were all convinced.

Xia Hou Duan witnessed it all, fell silent for a long while, then went to inform Li Shude: "Lord, this man is no mere brute. If he were a merchant, the thing he'd seek to buy would be the entire world."

"Though countless such warlords vie for the world, with this man's spirit and methods, as long as he doesn't die prematurely, he will achieve something."

"He possesses such martial skill, such character, and such vision."

"One day, he will at least become a warlord ruling a region."

"Lord, if you give him forty-two cities, even if he can't hold them all, seizing seven or eight, riding freely across them—he'll become a regional strongman known throughout the land."

"Then when Your Majesty asks how to respond—what will you say?!"

Li Shude fell silent for a long while, then spoke lightly:

"Right now, we must rely on his prestige—there's no help for it."

"Better to die then than die now."

"Besides, even if we give him the cities, our alliance still stands. If Your Majesty scolds us, we can still explain."

"Moreover, he's merely a wandering merchant from the Central Plains, at best a noble scion. Your Majesty is a heavenly hero, vast in spirit and magnanimous—capable of embracing all heroes. Our alliance with such a man won't trouble Your Majesty."

"Only if Your Majesty sees him as an enemy like Yu Langwang."

"Only then would he rage at this man's rise."

"But that would be absurd."

"How could it be? He's so young."

Xia Hou Duan, loyal and brave, also found it impossible. He said: "It's impossible."

Thus, he relaxed.

Li Zhaowen arrived in haste as Li Guanyi opened the warehouse and relieved the masses. She had been organizing troops, heard of the events, remained calm and composed, stabilized the army, then rushed over.

Seeing townsfolk depart with gold and silver coins, Li Guanyi sitting alone, she slowed her steps. Li Zhaowen stood beside him for a long time, sighed, and said: "It's embarrassing to let my brother see this."

Li Guanyi replied:

"It's not about embarrassment—I just find it complicated."

Li Zhaowen asked: "What do you mean?"

Li Guanyi extended his hand, staring at his palm, and whispered: "Even when the enemy's army stands at the city gates, our troops are in disarray, arrows and crossbow bolts are spent, and we fight for the last chance—"

"At that moment!"

"Still, some are looting gold and silver."

"Common folk starve; soldiers go to die; the high-ranking are arrogant and calculating; the middle ranks chase fame and profit—none realize death is near. I thought these problems belonged to the enemy."

"I never imagined they'd exist even within our own alliance."

"Now I know: my enemies aren't just simple foes…"

Li Guanyi thought.

The whole world is like this.

Li Zhaowen said: "The great clans and noble houses are indeed like this."

"But I never expected you'd give the warehouse's gold and silver to every townsman."

Li Guanyi said: "Their homes were torn down; their grain was seized."

"I'm just offering compensation."

Li Guanyi joked: "As they say: a gentleman loves wealth, but takes it by the right way."

The wealth I seek is not plundered from the people's flesh and blood; rather, if it can compensate the common folk, these few coins and ingots may as well be scattered!

When used for the people, it means my gold and silver have truly served their purpose.

Li Zhao Wen looked at Li Guanyi as if seeing him for the first time, scanning him up and down.

Li Guanyi felt his hairs stand on end under the gaze: "What's wrong?"

"Hmm, nothing…"

Li Zhao Wen instinctively reached for his folding fan to shield himself, then remembered he didn't have one—so he smiled, leaned forward suddenly, his phoenix eyes fixed on Li Guanyi, and said: "It's just… are you truly the good brother I know?"

"Such a heart and spirit—nothing like the greedy, penniless, penny-pinching herbalist brother I knew."

Li Guanyi replied calmly: "If the people are poor and I am rich, then I am nothing but a thief."

"If the people are rich and I am poor."

"Heh…"

"Who in this world knows what I seek?"

"Besides, I've already gained something a hundred times more precious than gold and silver."

Li Zhao Wen studied him for a long while, then said: "The ancients said that a man of virtue in turbulent times is like a needle in a sack—it will inevitably pierce through. Seeing your conduct now, I truly believe it."

Li Guanyi accepted the praise with calm grace, then frowned: "But your tone—why has it suddenly lost its former heroic vigor and bold spirit?"

"It's become slightly… feminine."

"Not that feminine traits are bad—just that they don't suit your usual self."

Li Zhao Wen paused, realizing that in her moment of admiration, she had unconsciously revealed a hint of her true feminine nature—but she offered no explanation, only smiled faintly: "Brother, you don't know: every major festival, we offer sacrifices to the Earth Goddess."

"When I was young, I was strikingly handsome—like a dragon's bearing, phoenix's eyes."

"Sometimes I was made to play the Jade Maiden as attendant; later, I took to playing the Heavenly Maiden and even the Earth Goddess herself. My parents and sisters all said I looked beautiful."

Li Guanyi stared at Li Zhao Wen strangely and said:

"Then from now on, I dare not look at Heavenly Maidens."

Li Zhao Wen blinked in surprise, teasing: "Brother, you can blush?"

Li Guanyi declared firmly: "The moment I picture you in women's attire, I get flustered."

He burst into loud laughter.

Li Zhao Wen opened her mouth, her emotions rippling like water—because of this man.

For once, she felt a faint spark of annoyance, yet only laughed: "Good, good—no wonder you're a disciple of that master. Such a sharp tongue! Excellent, excellent!"

"When we return home, I hope you won't change your words."

Li Guanyi pointed at his mouth, smugly:

"Even if the sky falls, I'll be gone—but my mouth will still be here."

"Hard as steel!"

Li Zhao Wen couldn't help laughing: "Talking with you is always so refreshing. My family's affairs are so complicated—even with my elder brother or father, I rarely feel this at ease."

Li Guanyi dismissed the common folk, sitting alone, when suddenly he heard noise from the other side—he turned to see the very people who had just left returning, carrying things. The old man bowed deeply and invited: "General, your benevolence—we have nothing to offer in return."

"We pooled what little we had left at home and cooked some dishes to bring you."

Li Guanyi and Li Zhao Wen gladly went over. On the ground, Wei Chi Xiong set aside his spear and picked up a water-polished bamboo-jointed steel whip, following them.

From afar came the scent of food, rising from a large iron pot—not rare ingredients, just cabbage from your side, a slab of cured pork from mine, and some dried flour tossed in to stew together into one pot.

The common folk were nervous: "All the grain was seized—we kept only enough to fill our bellies. We pooled what we could. General, don't disdain it."

Li Guanyi sat cross-legged and devoured a large bowl, saying: "Delicious!"

The people before him—men, women, old, young—all bore exhaustion on their faces.

Li Zhao Wen recalled two years past, when they were both young, in Jiangzhou City—how Li Guanyi had saved people from the Ghost Market, and those rescued came to thank him.

Li Zhao Wen said: "After so long, you're still the same."

Li Guanyi: "What?"

Li Zhao Wen smiled: "Nothing."

She, too, ate a full bowl with gusto. Wei Chi Xiong, uncouth as ever, with his thick skin and tough flesh, simply lifted the pot and ate straight from it. Li Guanyi, full and satisfied, looked at the crowd and said: "Don't worry. Though the enemy is strong, I am the lord of this city—I will protect you all."

The old man led the others in a respectful bow: "We pledge our loyalty to the City Lord."

They had seen the enemy's formation and guessed the Duke planned to break out and flee—they knew this young city lord might not save them. But he spoke to them like this. He shared his food with them. He saw them as people.

Their hearts were deeply grateful.

The old man lowered his voice: "But, General—if it's hopeless…"

"Please, prioritize your own escape first."

He paused: "The garrison here is a ragtag mix, chased here from afar. The Westerners are using the same tactic as herding sheep—breaking out won't be hard, but driving them off? Impossible, unless a world-class general commands."

Li Guanyi asked: "What if I can defeat them?"

The old man froze: "How could that be possible?"

The young general laughed: "I came here believing nothing is impossible. This stew? Excellent."

The old man's face flushed with shame:

"The whole city could only muster this much."

Li Guanyi replied: "I hope, when I return victorious, I can eat some more." The old man paused—this feeling of being valued stirred an overwhelming mix of emotion. He grinned crookedly: "If the General doesn't mind…"

Li Guanyi pointed at Wei Chi Xiong, who was eating straight from the pot: "Only this guy can eat!"

Li Guanyi rose, gripping his spear: "Tell the people."

"Don't panic."

He drew his spear, the blade slicing through the air: "I will not abandon you."

"Rest easy."

"Here, I await your arrival!"

He mounted his horse; armor rang with a howl. The men, women, and elders watched the young general's retreating back, then suddenly cried out: "Honorably see off the General!"

"May the General triumph forever!!!"

"Triumph forever!"

The people's wish felt as tangible as substance.

Wei Chi Xiong finished his stew, wiped his beard, and said:

"How exhilarating!"

No one knew what exactly he meant by exhilarating.

He reached out, picked up the water-polished bamboo-joint steel whip, seized his spear, and spurred his horse to chase after them. Li Zhaowen sighed: "I was wrong..."

"For over two years, your original resolve has not changed."

"But your courage and insight are no longer comparable to that young Gold Guard who once charged alone into the Ghost Market."

She smiled carefree, simply feeling exhilarated—among all the heroes of the world, only this one man had caught her eye. She immediately spurred her horse forward, riding shoulder to shoulder with Li Guanyi, and said: "Master Yao, how do we break this army?"

"If we carve out an opening and depart—"

Li Guanyi said: "I have a method."

From the disposition of the great formation, the Dayuan faction had split from the others, most likely because when Li Guanyi's forces charged, the other factions' armies did not lend aid.

This caused heavy losses to the Dayuan faction.

When Li Guanyi's forces charged.

Li Guanyi casually scattered Hou Zhongyu's powder.

The Dayuan faction produced famed horses; legend held that their steeds were born when heavenly dragons took horse form to mate with mares in the herd—Li Guanyi's so-called thousand-li horses from his past life could not compare to these dragon steeds.

They were among the most prized mounts of the world's elite cavalry units.

Li Guanyi's choice to charge the Dayuan faction aimed to cripple their highly mobile cavalry. Li Guanyi estimated the time: the Duke's forces had already assembled, all on alert within the city—infantry and warhorses alike arranged in order.

Xia Hou Duan said: "Are we charging now?"

Li Guanyi said: "Wait a little longer..."

Xia Hou Duan said: "Wait for what?"

Li Guanyi did not answer. He lifted his gaze—on the city wall, standing with spear in hand, he watched afar. Amidst the martial aura of weapons, a gray wolf and a silent lion were drawing near.

Li Guanyi felt joy and exhilaration in his heart.

His reinforcements, his subordinates, his comrades—had arrived!

In Li Guanyi's eyes, the battlefield seemed to have solidified. Holding his spear, he saw the chaotic martial aura of the Western Alliance. He seemed to see within the Shatuo faction—that general, Helian Jieshan, was also watching this place.

Helian Jieshan looked toward Li Guanyi's direction and said:

"Is the man standing proudly on the wall that Tian Ge'er?"

The deputy general beside him said: "Yes."

Helian Jieshan's eyes were weary.

He had swallowed forty cities, split his forces to control them, led ten thousand elite troops, driving the Duke like a pack of wolves toward this pass, then surrounded them, draining their supplies, waiting to strike—yet he never expected reinforcements from the other side.

Perhaps the battlefield is always like this—unfavorable.

This failed siege may become the battle that places Tian Ge'er on the list of famed generals.

Helian Jieshan said: "... Retreat."

In Li Guanyi's eyes, the enemy's battle formation shifted its aura—front ranks became rear, rear became front, uniform and orderly—but a military formation covering so many men could not be reorganized in such a short time.

Li Guanyi raised his head and saw Khan Qibili and Fan Qing in the distance.

The Anxi Protectorate had arrived at its battle position.

Li Guanyi said to Li Zhaowen beside him: "Second Young Master, can you help me?"

Li Zhaowen said: "Why not?"

Li Guanyi glanced at the Duke and said: "Lean closer."

Li Zhaowen furrowed her brow slightly but still bent forward. Li Guanyi whispered a few words into her ear; his breath made her slightly uncomfortable, her focus less sharp than usual.

Suddenly hearing his words, her eyes widened. She spun her head sharply to look at Li Guanyi, as vibrant as ever: "Truly?"

Li Guanyi smiled and said:

"The military's factions are too complex—this cannot be spoken aloud."

Li Guanyi stepped back, putting distance between himself and Li Zhaowen.

Then he smiled: "When crossing a river, strike midstream."

"Ordinary military doctrine speaks only of crossing the river—but now their formation is not yet complete. Is this not still midstream?"

Everyone saw Li Guanyi blow a whistle. A thunderous crack echoed—and a dark purple warhorse galloped toward them: Sualu Zi, one of Li Zhaowen's six favorite divine steeds.

Carrying Lei Ting, it leapt straight from the city wall, neighing like a dragon.

Li Guanyi raised his long spear, leapt into the air, mounted the steed mid-flight. The dragon horse trod thunder in the sky, as if walking through air, then landed on the ground, neighing fiercely. Li Guanyi gripped his spear, gazing ahead—amidst ten thousand soldiers, his bearing was supreme.

"Follow me—charge the formation!"

4 a. m., barely pulled forward a bit, at peace

? Try to control my sleep schedule (struggling)

? Please give a monthly ticket (surely no one's still awake, at peace with dark circles)