Chapter 421: When the World Bestows His Title

Prince Ji Yanzhong was personally escorted by the gentle and affable Wen He to the front lines of Zhenxi Xiongcheng; after reporting his arrival, he was led inside, where the sight struck him with awe—everywhere he looked, elite soldiers and fierce generals marched in full armor, eyes straight ahead.

The martial officers were bold and fierce, each bearing a trace of lethal aura in their brows.

Their sleeves stirred with the spirit forged on the battlefield.

Prince Ji Yanzhong was stunned; he had not seen Li Guanyi in two years, the last time being during the patrol in Zhongzhou City, when Qin Wu Hou had radiated noble bearing and fierce momentum, a true hero of his time.

But back then, how could he have possessed the commanding presence of this mighty warlord now?

Prince Ji Yanzhong passed through the assembled generals and approached the main hall, only to find Li Guanyi rising to greet him.

Tall and upright, he wore only a brocade robe, his hair bound with a jade pin; his gaze no longer held the youthful vigor of two years prior, but a solemn composure earned through trials—he strode forward, sleeves swirling, while both civil and military ministers rose and followed in his wake.

The strategists were refined yet sharp, their tactics ever-shifting; the generals were grim and deadly—Central Plains warriors, Western frontier magnates—the wind swept past, and the qilin-pattern war banners on either side flared wildly in the storm.

Prince Ji Yanzhong inwardly marveled.

Truly, the bearing of a hegemon.

He nearly bowed spontaneously, but Li Guanyi stepped forward half a pace, lifting his hand to support the elder's arm; Prince Ji Yanzhong attempted to bow, yet could not break free from the strength of that grip—his heart stirred in shock.

Had Li Guanyi's Wu Gong already surpassed his own?!

When they first met, he was merely a man of low martial skill; how many years had passed, and now he possessed such awe-inspiring presence? In this age of chaos, heroes indeed rose everywhere—Prince Ji Yanzhong sighed inwardly, and his emotions settled into one phrase:

"My Lord, your Wu Gong has grown even more refined."

Li Guanyi laughed heartily: "Elder, long time no see! The Taigu Chilong Qi you once imparted was a gift of transmission—I owe you, but no need for such formalities. Please, come in!"

Li Guanyi held Prince Ji Yanzhong's arm with one hand and gestured with the other, fulfilling all courtesies; Prince Ji Yanzhong smiled faintly and followed him into the great hall, where tea had already been served. Prince Ji Yanzhong clasped both hands around a scroll with a blue jade rod, saying:

"My Lord's divine might shakes the four corners of the world—even in Zhongzhou, all know your renown. The ministers and officials all petitioned for your merit; His Majesty, the Red Emperor, personally penned this imperial decree and sent me here to convey his edict."

"And a sealed letter, to be delivered to you as well."

Yuan Zhi, Fan Qing, and others solemnly bowed.

Their eyes met, hearts secretly thrilled, quietly anticipating—their lord had conquered the four directions, his fame now echoing across the realm; yet none knew what title the Red Emperor of Zhongzhou would bestow upon him.

He was already a founding military marquis.

One of the highest noble ranks in the land.

To go further, at least to a duke!

Wang Shunchen, General Yue Qianfeng, Yan Xuanji, and other former ministers of Tai Ping Gong felt a quiet surge within them—even Tai Ping Gong, at this age, had never achieved such merit or title.

Moreover, Tai Ping Gong's title and rank had been granted by the Emperor of Chen.

In legitimacy and status, it naturally fell short of a title bestowed directly by the Red Emperor.

But Po Jun remained haughty.

A duke?!

Our lord has conquered the four directions, directly clashed with Yu Langwang and Jiang Su, seized the entire Western Frontier, and defeated Lu Youxian, the world's greatest siege general—such achievements, and you grant him only a duke?

Are you treating him like a beggar?!

Po Jun remained haughty; outwardly respectful, inwardly he thought:

In this age, who among the kings, marquises, generals, and ministers has the qualifications to bestow a title upon my lord?

Who dares?!

The fierce generals and strategists held differing thoughts, but Li Guanyi made no excuse—he simply took the heavy imperial decree, bowed slightly, and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, the Red Emperor."

"Thank you, Elder Uncle, for coming."

After seating himself again, Li Guanyi unrolled the decree; all generals and ministers held their breath to watch, as he read the words left by Ji Zichang—the eight bold, majestic characters:

【The world is vast—take what you will!】

The imperial seal of the Red Emperor had already been stamped upon the decree, yet no specific title or rank was written—Ji Zichang's intent was unmistakable.

Li Guanyi could fill in any title he desired!

Even if he wished to claim the title of king—or even greater, if he dared to write on this decree that Ji Zichang should abdicate the throne—the Red Emperor would not object; let your ambition, your grand vision, be fully revealed!

Li Guanyi felt his friend's open, bold spirit, closed the decree, and placed it beside him on the table.

Po Jun fell into thought.

Prince Ji Yanzhong asked: "When will My Lord be formally enfeoffed?"

Li Guanyi said: "Enfeoffment…"

He placed one hand on the table beside him and smiled: "The matter is not yet fully resolved—why speak of enfeoffment or not? Elder Ji, please sit. I still have one task unfinished; after that, we shall speak of titles."

Li Guanyi paused.

"Let the people of the world bestow my title upon me!"

To Prince Ji Yanzhong, who understood the decree's implication, these words carried even greater weight—he knew Ji Zichang's eight characters were the closest any descendant of the Red Emperor had come to the Emperor's own spirit in centuries.

And Li Guanyi's reply matched that spirit, without the slightest inferiority.

【The world is vast—take what you will!】

【Then let the people of the world bestow my title upon me!】

One question, one answer—spanning ten thousand li—yet their spirit was magnificent.

Prince Ji Yanzhong had once pitied Ji Zichang—such a magnificent spirit, yet forced into obscurity, unable to contend with the world; now he finally bowed in awe and said: "I have only now truly seen My Lord's might."

Li Guanyi then arranged a banquet to honor the elder.

General Yue Qianfeng, Ye Buyi, Zhou Liu, and Chen Wenmian hosted the kind old man; General Yue Qianfeng laughed loudly: "Elder, do you still remember Yue Qianfeng? Hahaha! Had you not taught me those few moves of Taigu Chilong Qi back then, how could I have become who I am today?!"

"Come, come—let us drink together!"

Yue Qianfeng, now famed across the land, still remembered the debt of transmission.

Such a man who repaid kindness—Prince Ji Yanzhong greatly admired him.

With such old friends, his stay here felt more comfortable; yet when he raised his eyes, he saw Ye Buyi and Zhou Liu—the two young officers he had once taught Wu Gong—and a sudden melancholy washed over him.

Suddenly, he recalled the rumors from the days of the Chen state's grand sacrifice—that those who received his transmission were all rebels.

He had been so furious that day he passed on Wu Gong to Ye Buyi and Zhou Liu Camp, intending to wash away this shameful label on himself—but over the years since, it now seemed his reputation as a teacher who bred rebellion had become firmly established.

Especially when he saw that Chen Wenmian, who had also been given a few moves and half-forms, was present.

The kind, elder man grew even more melancholy.

Even the Crown Prince, to whom he had passed Wu Gong, had turned against him.

Could it truly be this cursed?!

After everyone left, Li Guanyi personally attended to Prince Ji Yanzhong, leaving the imperial decree casually placed upon the desk—obviously permitting Bojun and others to read it.

Bojun coughed once, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then muttered to himself: "Lord, you trust me so utterly—I cannot possibly avoid reading it, even though this is the imperial decree written personally by the current Red Emperor, which no one may casually peruse."

"But then again…"

"If I do not read it, when the Lord trusts me so completely, would I not betray that trust?!"

"I might as well read it…"

Bojun turned cheerfully to look—and saw that Master Wen He had somehow already arrived, both hands holding the decree open, reading it with great interest and intense focus.

Bojun: "…………"

"What are you doing?"

Master Wen He looked up, startled: "Didn't the Lord tell us to read it?"

Bojun: "…………"

Master Wen He smiled gently: "Won't you read it, Mr. Bojun?"

"This imperial decree is truly astonishing, astonishing indeed—how regrettable not to read it. But you, Mr. Bojun, are a man of discipline, loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the state, unlike me. So I shall take the liberty of reading it on your behalf…"

"Give it here!"

Bojun's temple twitched; he snatched the decree back, glanced over it, frowned slightly, then slowly relaxed. Eight characters alone stirred deep emotion in him: "Such boldness—this current Red Emperor, Ji Zichang, is truly no one to underestimate."

Mr. Master Wen He rubbed his chin: "Since we've come this far…"

"Why not have him abdicate?"

Bojun's brow twitched: "The realm is still unsettled—do you think it's easy to seize this title and risk making both Chen and Ying our enemies? Or do you intend to make the whole world your enemy?"

"Never mind other matters—if the Lord were to do this…"

"Wen Lingjun, Feng Xiao, and Xiao Zhi, who now command the Fifteen-Thousand-Steadfast Fire Qilin Army guarding the south, would surely grow distant from him."

Master Wen He pointed at Bojun and laughed heartily: "You didn't oppose it at all—you immediately began considering the feasibility of abdication! Hahaha! Mr. Bojun, you're a traitor among the realm's traitors!"

"If so…"

"Then let him abdicate right now!"

"Save ourselves countless battles."

Bojun: "…………"

He sighed.

Sometimes he truly got the impression—

This man, the foremost schemer for himself, really only thinks of himself.

Master Wen He, refreshed and invigorated, stepped back a pace before Bojun could swing his ever-displayed Fish-and-Water Sword like an iron slab into his face: "If not abdication, then what title should the Lord adopt?"

Bojun held the decree, studying the elite troops and fierce generals outside, then said after a long pause:

"Duke…"

Master Wen He lowered his eyes slightly, a faint smile on his lips. Bojun weighed his words. The two core strategists of the Fire Qilin Army exchanged glances, each knowing what the other thought—and both whispered in unison:

"Too low."

Those two words carried an inexplicable power—they could not voice the honorific they wished Li Guanyi to receive, yet each understood the other's intent perfectly.

Bojun said: "But we still don't know the Lord's intention."

Master Wen He said: "Ask him, and you'll know."

When Li Guanyi returned, they asked him—and found themselves unsure how to begin. Li Guanyi feigned surprise: "You read my decree?!"

"I just left it there."

Bojun: "…………"

Master Wen He, expression unchanged, stepped half a pace back and pointed at Bojun: "Mr. Bojun read it."

Bojun: "？？？"

Bojun exploded: "You bastard!"

Li Guanyi burst into laughter: "Hahaha! I left it there for you to read—it was just a joke! But you two took it so seriously… you must have thoughts?"

Bojun and Master Wen He exchanged glances. Bojun said: "Lord, should you accept this title now, or wait until the southwest is secured, or…"

Li Guanyi said: "We shall accept this title only when the realm is divided into three."

After the realm is divided into three…

Then it will mean standing equal to Chen and Ying.

The honorific, needless to say, will be clear!

Merely thinking of that character stirred a faint tremor in Bojun's heart. Li Guanyi stroked the scroll and gazed outward: "Then, regarding matters in the south, coordinate with Feng Xiao and Mr. Wen Lingjun to prepare the Fire Qilin Navy."

"I leave it to you, Mr. Bojun."

Bojun asked: "How will the Lord win over the southwest?"

Li Guanyi extended his hand, pointing toward the southwest: "The King of the Southwest has already written to us. We cannot be impolite—I shall go alone first. Once affairs in Zhenxi Xiongcheng are settled, Chen Wenmian will lead the army to follow."

Bojun and Master Wen He both bowed in assent.

Li Guanyi first wrote a letter to the King of the Southwest, informing him he would soon pay a visit, then sent it via a strange beast.

After settling the people of Zhenxi Xiongcheng, Li Guanyi made his arrangements, mounted a swift horse, crossed Anxi Xiongcheng, and departed with only a few others: Yao Guang, Nangong Wu Meng, and Mr. Master Wen He—who had come specially from Anxi City to prepare for certain special circumstances—and Lei Laomeng.

Forming a procession that honored propriety without appearing threatening.

At least, it didn't look like a dangerous composition.

Straight toward the southwest.

The Fire Qilin perched on Li Guanyi's shoulder, eagerly: "Listen, the southwest has truly, truly, truly many, many, many delicious things—I wasn't there when Li Wanli first went, but I was there afterward."

"The fruits there? Truly the best fruits!"

Li Guanyi smiled: "How do they compare to those in the Western Regions?"

The little Fire Qilin grew conflicted: "Well, the fruits of the Western Regions are sweet and large, but the fruits of the southwest have their own flavor—I…"

Li Guanyi teased Him: "And how do they compare to the fruits of the Central Plain?!"

The Fire Qilin froze, then burst out angrily: "You—you—you! The fruits of the Central Plain? Who in their right mind as a good Fire Qilin would eat those?! Anywhere's fruits are better than those!"

In his cat form, He turned and sat on Li Guanyi's shoulder, puffed up, every hair standing on end.

Li Guanyi laughed heartily, brows lifting.

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer had also shrunk to normal deer size; Yao Guang sat atop its back, gently combing its mane with her palm. One step, and it had already raced far ahead.

Li Guanyi gazed at the scenery ahead and said: "Senior Nine-Colored Deer."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer lifted its gaze to him.

Li Guanyi said: "Are there beings like you in the southwest?" He looked at the Nine-Colored Divine Deer—this question genuinely intrigued him, for he had once been in contact with the auspicious beings of the southwest, but they had abruptly severed ties unilaterally.

Thus, his curiosity grew stronger.

They had breached Chen's border fortresses; now the tiger's grip on the southwest was firm, while the Jiangnan forces had gathered their navy, preparing to strike upstream in short order, tearing apart the realm—like an arrow drawn taut on the bowstring, the momentum was already formed.

Li Guanyi followed this path; his own qi surged ever more fiercely, and with the great battles in the Western Regions, he had begun to radiate the aura of a mighty sovereign—steadily, his Eighth Layer foundation stirred.

The third tripod was cast.

It could fully link the nine tripods of the southwest, the Western Regions, and Jiangnan.

If the entire realm could cast nine great tripods,

then at that time, Li Guanyi would hold one-third of them.

And due to the existence of the Western Regions, in terms of territorial expanse, he would surpass Chen outright—already embodying the aura of a mighty sovereign, a founding emperor. This transformation reflected upon his own path, and Li Guanyi's Eighth Layer internal qi surged even more fiercely.

Knowing that entering the southwest would inevitably involve casting a tripod, he asked the Nine-Colored Divine Deer: "The southwest—its territory is vast, full of mountains and rivers. In the ancient age, when the Central Plain first established its kingdoms, there existed a civilization marked by bronze and divine trees."

"But the corresponding divine birds and beasts perished over time."

"That era was dominated by the blazing sun-bird, auspicious and symbolic, bearing royal dignity and sacredness—but as far as I know, it ultimately perished."

"It seems to have had some inexplicable connection with the Crimson Dragon."

Li Guanyi said: "The ancient Crimson Dragon?"

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer said: "Mm."

"The ancient Crimson Dragon was strong."

Her voice paused, as if sensing those words lacked weight, so she emphasized: "The ancient Crimson Dragon? Really strong."

Watching the Nine-Colored Divine Deer's serious expression, Li Guanyi's lips twitched—he had glimpsed the conflicts and battles among divine beasts and auspicious beings in the ancient age. As he'd suspected, the ancient Crimson Dragon's defining trait was strength.

The realm was vast, qi surging, giving rise to countless auspicious beings and divine beasts—the beginning of human myth, the origin of divine forms. Many auspicious beings could summon wind and rain, or calm sandstorms, each possessing wondrous abilities.

And then there was one more:

one who praised these wondrous abilities

yet claimed the title of auspicious being by force.

If other auspicious beings refused to acknowledge his title, he would fight with his dragon claws and scales until every divine beast recognized him as the greatest auspicious being.

If any ill omen appeared, he would strike it down with force, tear it apart with his dragon claws, erase the ill omen—then the path ahead would be clear. Thus, he dispelled evil with the most direct, unquestionable method.

How could this not be called auspicious?

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer described the ancient Crimson Dragon's original philosophy.

Li Guanyi had no reply, and said:

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer added, "There is also the divine beast Shan Jun, shaped like a tiger, and the auspicious spirit Bai Ze—but Bai Ze seems to have vanished long ago; none of us can reach Him."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer added: "There is the divine beast Shan Jun, shaped like a tiger, and the auspicious being Bai Ze—but Bai Ze vanished long ago; none of us can reach Him."

"The rest of these divine beasts and auspicious beings have perished over the long ages for various reasons, yet even in death, they can reincarnate—counting the years,

they should be just a bit older than the Fire Qilin."

Li Guanyi pondered, then asked:

"Is there one skilled in battle, serving as a symbol of armies?"

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer thought long, then solemnly said: "Yes."

Possessing physical strength second only to the Ancient Crimson Dragon and Bai Hu, and defensive capability second only to Xuan Gui and the Crimson Dragon, it possesses tremendous resilience; when enraged, it can forcibly tear through an army's charge—it was already depicted on war banners thousands of years ago to inspire warriors.

It possesses the second-strongest physical power among all auspicious beings, surpassed only by the ancient Crimson Dragon and Bai Hu; its defensive capability ranks second only to Xuan Gui and the Crimson Dragon; it possesses immense resilience. When enraged, it can forcibly tear apart an army's charge. Thousands of years ago, it was already painted on war banners to inspire warriors."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer pondered, its nine-colored light swirling, and a certain aura rose upward; it said, "Then take this—it may be used, perhaps to establish a connection with that child."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer thought, then nine-colored light swirled, and a breath of energy rose: "Then, take this. Use it—perhaps it can establish a connection with that child."

Li Guanyi thanked her, grasped the energy, and the bronze tripod rang again.

One of the auspicious spirits suddenly shuddered, every hair from its heels to the back of its head bristling; it pulled its neck in, glanced warily left and right, its mouth trembling, and said:

A certain auspicious being suddenly shivered, every hair from its heels to the back of its head bristling; it hunched its neck, scanning left and right with extreme wariness, its mouth trembling:

"Something is terribly wrong—there's no one around, yet I feel someone watching me."

"Extremely, extremely wrong. No one's around, yet I feel someone watching me."

"This feeling—"

The auspicious spirit was utterly horrified, its body trembling; the more it thought, the more uneasy it grew, the more it felt something was off—so it concealed its form and slipped away stealthily, arriving at the Southwest King's location; before it could speak, it heard the Southwest King's solemn voice coming from within.

The auspicious being panicked, its body trembling. The more it thought, the more uneasy it grew, the more wrong it felt—so it concealed its form and crept quietly to the Southwest King's location. Before it could speak, it heard the Southwest King's Solemn voice:

"Gentlemen, have you heard of Qin Wu Hou?"

【181】 The auspicious being paused, then broke open a nearby fruit and shoved it into its mouth: "???"

Chew, chew.

"The memories from before the previous cycle tell me this problem most likely stems from this fellow…"

The King of the Southwest had only just received the intelligence and letter; the various city lords of the Southwest had previously planned to give this son of Tai Ping Gong some "serious treatment," though not to humiliate him—rather, to follow the old protocol established with Tai Ping Gong.

To gain the consent of the Southwest people to the alliance, they must pass the trials of old.

The King of the Southwest thought such things would prevent others from looking down on them, and were merely drinking contests, like clan customs—harmless, trivial matters he'd simply laugh off and let pass. But now the intelligence made his head buzz.

Tai Bo Yong chuckled: "Well? Has he found a way to come?"

"Lu Youxian is still there…"

He laughed as he drank.

The King of the Southwest looked at them, took a deep breath, and said:

"Qin Wu Hou, with thirty thousand troops, shattered Zhenxi Xiongcheng."

"Lu Youxian is dead."

The proud generals and elite soldiers of the Southwest, who had been driven to the brink by Lu Youxian's defense and attacks, froze solid. In an instant, silence fell—no sound of swallowing wine remained. Tai Bo Yong's gaze locked in place.

"... Lu Youxian??"

"Qin Wu Hou?!"

The King of the Southwest said: "... Qin Wu Hou sent a letter. He has already set out here. Before launching his attack, he wrote us a reply, then went to fight Lu Youxian; after defeating him, he wrote to us saying he was coming."

Everyone fell silent. Though their rational minds told them such a development was impossible, simply seeing these events combined gave them an illusion.

It was as if Qin Wu Hou, merely to come to the Southwest for a meeting, had directly eradicated this world-renowned general and the supreme fortress.

Battle reports could be faked, but the front lines held not a shred of falsehood.

The borders of Chen State had fallen; Qin Wu Hou's army did not retreat but seized Zhenxi Xiongcheng, then began fortifying its defenses. The aura of golden spears and iron horses, swallowing ten thousand li, rose into the heavens.

A fierce, dominant wind swept toward them.

The city lords of the Southwest had never seen such a man of such grandeur.

Qin Wu Hou is coming.

A nameless pressure, carrying the overwhelming momentum of defeating Yu Langwang, forcing Jiang Su to retreat, and shattering Zhenxi Xiongcheng, descended squarely upon them. Everyone—even Tai Bo Yong—felt the weight.

Regardless of good or evil, such a hegemon's every move could stir the tides of the world.

If Li Guanyi were to lead thirty thousand here…

The King of the Southwest's breath nearly stopped.

All of this was heard by some hidden auspicious spirit, whose eyes widened into round orbs, mouth agape, stunned.

No mistake—this military edge, this dominance.

Damn it, the Jiuli Clan is still chasing me!

No, no, I must hide, yes, hide!

Hide away, hide the little bird and the little tiger too—must not be found…

The auspicious spirit was about to flee, when suddenly, beside his ear, deep in his mind, came that demonic whisper again: "Hello."

"Do you remember me?"

Li Guanyi paused his voice, following the guidance of the Nine-Colored Divine Deer.

In the language of six thousand years ago, he spoke the auspicious spirit's true name.

The auspicious spirit's body stiffened abruptly.

Huh???!

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? Goodnight, goodnight, don't stay up like me (peaceful)