Chapter 425: The Fire Qilin Devours the World

Li Guanyi looked at the two gold coins in his hand, his expression softening unconsciously; he clenched his five fingers, and the middle-aged woman had already taken out a southwestern topographic map and placed it on the table—though not highly detailed, the general directions were all marked.

She bowed respectfully: "When the Young Lady came, she met that auspicious sign and made an agreement; because the Young Lady had learned that in the southwestern region there were legends of an auspicious sign, and this sign holds extraordinary significance here."

"We thought that if the Marquis obtained the auspicious sign, many troubles would resolve themselves effortlessly."

Li Guanyi put away the topographic map.

The woman's name was Kong Yuchang: "Then, Marquis, do you have any orders?"

Li Guanyi put away the two gold coins; thinking that since the auspicious sign was with him, his original plan might need adjustment, he said: "Bring paper and ink."

Kong Yuchang brought paper and ink, her heart filled with concern for this Marquis—just now, his expression had been gentle and calm, without any arrogance; yet the storms in this southwestern region were no less fierce than those in the Central Plains.

Ordinary commoners, grateful for Tai Ping Gong's benevolence, were easily swayed.

But nobles, clans, and city lords had their own agendas.

The higher leaders had all once been subdued by Tai Ping Gong; those unwilling to ally with Qin Wu Hou acted for their own interests, likely intending to sabotage this alliance.

Qin Wu Hou had little foundation in this southwestern region; even with Changfeng Tower behind him, reversing this situation and resolving the region's plight would be extremely difficult, requiring cunning, stratagems, and multiple contingency plans—only through wit and struggle could it be achieved.

Changfeng Tower had analyzed this countless times.

There were many possible methods: concealing one's identity, infiltrating the ranks, using clever schemes to accomplish great deeds; or guiding public sentiment, setting tiger against wolf—but the complexity of the southwestern folk forces made all of them exceedingly difficult.

She thought to herself as she brought over the paper and ink.

She wondered how Li Guanyi intended to break this deadlock.

Li Guanyi picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote just two characters before setting the brush down.

Kong Yuchang was curious; she saw this Marquis, dressed like a Central Plains merchant, his brow calm and serene, while outside the window armored soldiers galloped back and forth, posting wanted notices—adding a third layer of tension to this once tranquil and peaceful southwestern land.

Li Guanyi pushed the letter across: "Deliver this to Zhenxi City."

Kong Yuchang saw two plain characters written upon it.

【Outforce】.

Kong Yuchang's thoughts froze.

The characters were elegant, taught personally by Murong Qiushui with Shoubashou Sect's method, carrying the grace of Jiangnan—but for some reason, these two characters now radiated an indescribable martial aura.

Their rise, development, turn, and conclusion were like long swords and battle halberds.

The horizontal stroke was a thousand cavalry charging; the dot, arrows exploding outward.

The hook, a ten-thousand-jin crossbow firing; the na, a crashing wave of thunder.

Outforce… Outforce…

Kong Yuchang felt a creeping chill rise along her spine.

She looked at the young Marquis; just moments ago, holding the two gold coins, he had smiled warmly—a boy's bright, unguarded smile, recalling spring winds of Jiangnan, utterly without pretense, speaking gently.

But when he put away that smile and wrote these two characters…

As his sleeves fluttered, a thread of solemn killing intent came with them.

The embroidered patterns on his falling wide sleeves resembled battlefield waves; that pale hand, once holding a heavy battle halberd in combat, carried a glorious, undeniable might—the heroic champion of the present age.

The one who had laughed because of the Young Lady, whose laughter still echoed that of a boy long ago, had now ridden across the land, commanding legions of fierce generals and floods of strategists, capable of dominating a region and gazing down upon the world.

Just two characters—enough to shatter the swirling vortex of this turbulent southwest.

Conspiracies, tricks, scheming, rivalries.

Before three hundred thousand iron cavalry, none of these mattered.

The swordsman had his code; the overlord had his principle.

Kong Yuchang drew a quiet breath and bowed respectfully:

"…Would launching troops rashly be inappropriate?"

Li Guanyi said: "Rashly?"

He rose, his sleeves falling; his voice slow and calm: "The King of the Southwest supports our alliance; the pact is already sealed, and with the auspicious sign present, this is no rash move. They gave me the pact—I come to fulfill it. That is all."

"Only auspicious signs, righteousness, and reason cannot make an enemy bow."

"Only swords and blades descend into tyranny."

"By the way, there is another matter: someone named Wen He or Master Wen Qingyu will come to Changfeng Tower seeking a way. I have a secret letter—give it to him then. He will know what to do."

A consensus within the Fire Qilin Army.

In times of normal peace, if you lack a super-complex Ma Fei San and a treasure-grade rope, stay far away from Mr. Wen Qingyu—he is the most dangerous man.

But when danger strikes, Mr. Wen Qingyu becomes the safest.

With Mr. Wen Qingyu present, the others—Yao Guang, Nangong Wu Meng, Lei Laomeng—will be guaranteed safety.

Li Guanyi rose; the Fire Qilin, transformed into a cat, curled upon his shoulder.

His hand rested within his sleeve, gazing across this southwestern land, his eyes calm.

The Nine Tripods of Jiuzhou were full of qi-yun.

It was time to seek the auspicious sign.

For some reason, whenever he thought of the auspicious sign, the strange martial aura in his right fist surged more fiercely.

As if wildly excited, as if eagerly anticipating.

Li Guanyi had to expend great mental effort to suppress it.

Kong Yuchang secured the secret letter and military order; when she looked up again, the Marquis was gone. She exhaled slowly, gazing at the southwestern sky, thinking: this southwestern land, too, was about to change.

Changfeng Tower transmitted the intelligence at its fastest speed.

As Li Guanyi went to seek the auspicious sign, King Duan Qingyu of the Southwest discovered that the entire southwestern situation seemed to be shifting: the news of the twenty-four lost pearls spread with astonishing speed—undoubtedly orchestrated.

Meanwhile, the southwestern region's most precious national treasure, the legendary Jiu Li divine weapon Jin Tie, suddenly awakened; its martial aura surged into the heavens, triggering countless weapons to rise and swirl around it.

Such an extraordinary spectacle was far too massive to conceal.

Thus, this southwestern land, long tranquil, was shaken by two colossal revelations, gradually descending into chaos; vast and sprawling, every corner held agents of Mu Taihong, swiftly spreading both pieces of news.

Mu Taihong did it for his own future ascension to power.

He deliberately added highly personal phrasing to this rumor.

He said, "The world is in chaos, winds rise and clouds surge—this is the moment for heroes to rise and kings to reveal themselves. The Western Regions have Tian Kehan and Qin Wu Hou; the Central Plains have Yu Langwang, Jiang Wanxiang, and Tujue Kehan; the southwestern lands must also have their own leader!"

"Why speak of a 'Southwestern King'?"

"Precisely because this Southwestern King is unworthy of his position, unfit to rule the southwestern lands, that so many strange omens have appeared."

"Precisely because of the Twenty-Four Pearls lost and then regained!"

"Precisely because the divine weapon Jin Tie, left by the ancient Jiuli ancestors, suddenly blazed with brilliant light!"

It was meant to end here.

But at this moment, a scholar suddenly came to join Mu Taihong's ranks.

Though his appearance was ordinary, his speech was extraordinary, revealing great wisdom and strategy; he offered many suggestions, all effective, and within a short time earned Mu Taihong's trust.

Thus, when the moment arrived, this Mr. said:

"Today, the world is in chaos. I observe your Excellency's heroic spirit—you must seize the southwest, swallow the Western Regions above, annex the southern Chen waterways below, and with your spearhead pointed straight at Jiangnan, you may strive for dominion over all under heaven."

"Yet though the tide is now perfectly favorable, there is one danger I fear for you, General."

Mu Taihong asked, "What should I fear?"

The Mr. replied, "Fear the popular reputation of Tai Ping Gong."

Mu Taihong paused, stunned—the Mr., with his plain and gentle face, utterly harmless, described the southwestern situation: Tai Ping Gong's popular reputation among the people was too overwhelming; even if they overthrew Duan Qingcang, they could not stop the people's overwhelming desire to ally with Tai Ping Gong's son.

Upon hearing this, Mu Taihong grew anxious.

The Mr. smiled again and said, "But heaven has bestowed a golden opportunity upon you."

"Truly, heaven's mandate is with you."

Mu Taihong, bewildered, asked, "What opportunity?"

The Mr. smiled and said, "Originally, with Tai Ping Gong's popular reputation, victory was impossible. But now, the Twenty-Four Pearls have been lost, and the divine weapon Jin Tie has awakened."

"These two omens, combined with the Jiuli people's ancestral legends passed down for generations, are enough to ignite immense popular acclaim among the people—effectively channeling millennia of popular sentiment all at once!"

"Tai Ping Gong is merely a legendary figure—this is mythology!"

"If your grand plan succeeds, all the people's loyalty and favor will turn to you. Then, what use is Tai Ping Gong's son? What use is Qin Wu Hou? What use is the Southwestern King? Who could possibly stand against you?"

"Even Chen Dingye might be made to dance for you."

The gentle Mr.'s eyes sparkled with amusement; he lowered his voice, painting a vision so compelling that even Mu Taihong was stirred. The Mr. added, "All you need is to reclaim the Twenty-Four Pearls."

"Then you may pluck this fruit of popular favor."

"At that time, your prestige will surpass even Tai Ping Gong and Yu Langwang!"

Mu Taihong, deeply moved, said, "Sir, you are truly a genius!"

Thus, another passage was added to the rumors spreading across the land.

【Whoever retrieves the Twenty-Four Pearls, or causes the divine weapon Jin Tie to transform and ascend, shall be the legendary King of the Southwest, leading our land to contend for dominion over all under heaven!】

Mu Taihong had prepared long in advance, and with the help of this newly allied scholar, the agitation erupted with tremendous force, spreading faster than wildfire, catching Duan Qingcang and Tai Bo Yong utterly off guard.

As he had foreseen, this stirred the southwestern myths and legends, moving the people's hearts—truly a brilliant strategy. Within mere days, it had generated a massive wave of sentiment across the entire southwestern region.

The saying went: 【He who retrieves the Twenty-Four Pearls shall be King.】

Another rumor spread: 【He who possesses the divine weapon Jin Tie shall be the universal sovereign.】

A few more days passed, and yet another rumor arose—

A fox from Shenshan spoke human words, declaring the Twenty-Four Pearls had appeared, bringing great fortune to the world; another rumor claimed a Mysterious Tiger, a divine bird, and other auspicious signs had been seen in the mountains. The situation grew restless and volatile.

It was no longer Mu Taihong's men spreading the rumors—it was the entire southwestern populace passing the news. The people's hearts had moved.

The tide had formed.

Yet Mu Taihong remained enthusiastic, unaware that the momentum had surged beyond his control. The Mr. spoke daily of the great currents of the world, leaving all in awe; Mu Taihong's subordinates held him in the highest respect.

One day, Mu Taihong clasped the Mr.'s arm and said earnestly, "Your talent is unmatched under heaven—you are a hero of this age. When I seize the world, you shall be my Chancellor."

The gentle Mr. smiled and politely declined.

But Mu Taihong noticed the Mr. was greedy. He knew well: it was not greed he feared, but men without flaws. So he treated the Mr. with extreme generosity—even as the Mr.'s demands grew ever larger, until they pained Mu Taihong's purse, he forced himself to appear generous and gave.

Yet today, as he saw the Mr. off, his eyes darkened.

"This man knows the full truth of my rise. If I do not remove him, he will become a great threat."

"When I take the southwest, I shall cut off his head."

"Then won't all the silver be mine?"

Others knew none of Mu Taihong's thoughts; they saw only a genius of the age, Mu Taihong's most trusted confidant, and treated him with utmost reverence, gifting him courtyards, gold, silver, and all manner of fine things.

They respectfully inquired: "What is your honored name, Sir?"

The Mr. smiled, as if lost in memory.

Then, with a face full of gentle sincerity, he replied:

"I am Yan Daiqing of the Southwest."

………………

Yan Daiqing of the Southwest opened the courtyard gate and saw, on one side, the beautiful God of Wealth sitting with her chin propped on her hands, lost in thought; beside her, a silver-haired girl silently practiced divination, and the Nine-Colored Divine Deer; on the other side stood the omnipotent Lei Laomeng.

Lei Laomeng crept quietly to the side of Mr. Wenhao and whispered anxiously:

"Mr. Wenhao, what are you doing?!"

"With such a massive stir and spectacle, what if that fellow Mu actually gets the Twenty-Four Pearls?"

When Li Guanyi was captured, Nangong Wumeng nearly stormed in to rescue him; the silver-haired girl's face was expressionless, fists clenched, eager to act; the omnipotent Lei Laomeng began preparing Ma Fei San.

Mr. Wenhao had already located all these Fire Qilin soldiers in advance.

Then he set his plan in motion, and now replied, "No need to worry."

It was merely taking advantage of the situation; since Mu Taihong had this intention, it would be best to let him contribute fully—after all, Chen Wenmian is still in our Fire Qilin Army, and those who took Chen Dingye's silver willingly did these things.

In the end, the popular support across the entire southwest will naturally belong to my lord.

Lei Laomeng suddenly understood:

"Hahaha, so that's it! When the momentum is fully built, our lord suddenly appears with the twenty-four pearls, and it will surely shake the land, securing this prestige—so it seems the twenty-four pearls are already in our lord's hands, right?"

Mr. Chen Wenmian smiled at him.

The ever-reliable Lei Laomeng froze, laughing nervously:

"Uh, the twenty-four pearls are already in our lord's hands…"

"Right?"

Mr. Chen Wenmian reached out and patted Lei Laomeng on the shoulder:

"The counterfeits of the twenty-four night pearls."

"I'll leave it to you."

The ever-reliable Lei Laomeng was struck as if by lightning: "…………"

Mr. Chen Wenmian counted the silver while gazing at the sky, lowering his eyes slightly—the air had grown extremely damp; judging by the time, it should be about right. He slowly tossed and caught the silver, murmuring to himself:

"The southwest is a vital region, but this area remains isolated from the rest of the world—it's still just a 【small place】 in the grand scheme."

"A 【idle move】."

"I wonder how far along everyone else's plans have progressed?"

"If possible, linking the southwest with the Jiangnan region would truly be a tide swallowing ten thousand li."

……………………

The State of Ying · Imperial Palace.

Jiang Wanxiang stared at the Ten Thousand Li Shanhe Map, his white hair hanging down; though he had long been streaked with white, he had once been like a lion—majestic, powerful, still possessing the boldness to swallow ten thousand li of land—but now, his white hair resembled winter's withered grass, carrying a sense of death.

Jiang Su had hoped to find someone who could heal Jiang Wanxiang and restore his primordial energy.

But during this time, despite searching the entire world, no such person was found.

Later, he even consulted the head of the Yin-Yang School in the Imperial Academy.

The blind fortune-teller feigned concentration, pinching his fingers for a long while before saying:

"Pity, pity—Your Majesty's heavenly lifespan was struck by the Wolf King, losing at least ten years. Even with the best care now, you likely have only two years left."

Jiang Su replied calmly: "The Yin-Yang School peers into heavenly fate—surely you have methods to obscure fate and reverse it?"

The head of the Yin-Yang School said: "There are three."

Jiang Su bowed lower and said: "Please tell me."

The head of the Yin-Yang School extended one finger: "First, the Seven Stars Continuation of Life Array."

"If completed, it can extend life by twelve years—one celestial cycle."

"But, heh, the entire world is vast—only a silver-haired Array Master can set this array, and he treasures his daughter above all else; unless she begs him in tears, he will never do it."

Jiang Su's expression remained calm: "Then tell me the next."

The head of the Yin-Yang School said: "The second is also an old acquaintance of the Grand Master—a martial legend, the Immortal Guest Zhang Ziyong. He has traveled far along the path of immortality; obtaining his cultivation body could extend your life for a considerable time."

Jiang Su fell silent for a long while, then asked: "And the last?"

The head of the Yin-Yang School grinned and extended a finger:

"Centuries ago, a descendant of the Witch-Curse Plague bore the name Hou Zhongyu."

"A genius among ancient sorcerers, ranked among the top three—he forged the Elixir of Immortality. With this elixir, extending your life isn't just possible—even adding sixty more years is no great feat, ahahaha."

Jiang Su said: "Where is Hou Zhongyu?!"

The head of the Yin-Yang School spread his hands: "Dead."

Jiang Su said: "Where is the Elixir of Immortality?"

The head of the Yin-Yang School laughed loudly: "Li Guanyi ate it."

Jiang Su's face rippled with emotion—he nearly overturned the head of the Yin-Yang School, but restrained himself, bowed respectfully, and left. When reporting back to Jiang Wanxiang, he merely said the head of the Yin-Yang School had no solution.

Jiang Wanxiang said nothing, but often stared at the Ten Thousand Li Jiangshan Map, lost in thought.

Now, under the lamp's glow, he pointed at the southwest, then far to the Jiangnan region, and traced the waterways downward, covering a vast stretch of Chen territory—all the cities along the water routes fell beneath his gaze.

"Here, here, and here."

"……Li Guanyi has already seized the western lands; next, he'll likely follow the waterways downward—taking advantage of autumn floods, when river currents swell, to capture cities and seize territory."

"Hah, truly—in this chessboard, this is the great dragon taking flight."

"Brilliant, brilliant!"

"My own sons cannot compare to him…"

Jiang Wanxiang couldn't help but sigh, then paused, adding: "Even I, at his age, could not match him. Among today's heroes, who at his age could surpass him?"

"Did the Grand Master possess such Wu Gong at his age?"

Jiang Su touched his eyes and replied:

"At the same age, he could kill me in no more than ten strikes."

"But back then, many could defeat me in a few moves—now they are all bones and yellow sand, while I still live, still capable of conquering the world."

Jiang Wanxiang smiled: "You are peerless in the world—naturally so."

"But I heard rumors that Li Guanyi is heading to the southwest?"

Jiang Su said: "Yes. A certain idle piece, Mu Taihong, claims the King of the Southwest has reached an agreement with Qin Wu Hou, planning to renew their alliance. If the southwest falls under his control, Li Guanyi's momentum will rise uncontrollably."

Jiang Wanxiang smiled and sighed: "Among today's heroes, who can truly claim the title?"

"Even I am no match for him."

"If he seizes the southwest, splits the Chen state, and swallows its territory from the western lands to Jiangnan—what should we call him then?"

"It's Qin Wu Hou."

"It's Fire Qilin."

"Or… Wu Wang?!"

Jiang Su could not answer. Jiang Wanxiang sighed and said: "But neither the southwest nor the cities along this waterway—no one knows which Li Guanyi will strike first. Both places require troops."

"Though if he can seize all these places at once, his prestige will reach its peak."

"But the outcome of fighting on multiple fronts—we've already shown him what it looks like."

Jiang Su said: "Chen has dispatched troops to reinforce defenses in all cities, to guard against Li Guanyi's surprise attacks."

Jiang Wanxiang said: "So? Chen Dingye has finally woken up."

"I thought he'd remain foolish until his death."

Jiang Su looked at Jiang Wanxiang, her expression complex. Chen Dingye had also discerned the strategy of Anxi Protectorate—or rather, the strategy was now an open card: every method deployed, preparing to strengthen city defenses over the coming month.

And Anxi Protectorate received Li Guanyi's letter.

【Deploy troops】.

Po Jun's lips curled slightly. That day, Chen Wenmian personally led thirty thousand iron cavalry to the southwest, their might overwhelming—every scout around Zhenxi City assumed Li Guanyi himself had moved.

While everyone believed Anxi Protectorate would head for the southwest—

Sudden change erupted.

Nu Lin Long Wang led the prepared naval forces.

Downstream three hundred li, they shattered two cities!

The seventh-layer Nu Lin Jiaolong roared through the void, shattering the world's balance. The city garrisons stared, dumbfounded, as Nu Lin Long Wang laughed wildly: "Open the gates—I won't kill!"

The news spread.

Chen Dingye, Jiang Su, and Jiang Wanxiang all paled.

All warlords across the land were shaken.

This Shanhe converged like a chessboard, crisscrossed into a map. The young, handsome strategist cupped Shanhe's myriad forms in his hands, lifted a chess piece, and murmured coldly: "I've already 'told' you—we'll strike during the tide."

"How could you truly believe I'd do that?!"

"If you let the whole world know my strategy, didn't you ever consider that this is the real strategy?"

"The highest form of military deception? Merely a disguise for my true plan."

"All the talent under heaven—"

His sleeves swirled. The young strategist's lips curled.

He gazed down with indifference, fingers pressing the chess piece, letting it fall casually.

"Are all fools."

That day, Fire Qilin Army began its conquest of the world. The young strategist deceived heaven and earth—and did so with far greater elegance: using his earlier strategy as a decoy, he manipulated the entire world in the palm of his hand.

He caused all warlords to misjudge Fire Qilin's strategy, leading to inadequate defenses.

Nu Lin Long Wang, who had suffered repeated defeats in the west, avenged himself!

The young strategist, reading the battle report, watched black strands of hair fall beside his temples, pinched a chess piece, his sleeves swirling, and said:

"Lord, I hope you can seize the southwest at the same time."

"The southwest—one-third of Chen's territory. Jiangnan—all unified under one. The world is vast, yet nothing compares to tearing apart a nation while millions cheer—for your acclamation and blessing…"

"Thus—be crowned king!"

Po Jun, imagining that magnificent scene, felt his heart surge endlessly.

All the four corners submit—how magnificent!

And within the southwest region—

On the very day Li Guanyi wrote the letter, he arrived at his destination using his lightness skill, studied Changfeng Lady's intelligence, glanced at the location marked "Beast Gone, Mountain Empty," then looked again at the intelligence, and fell silent: "Wait—where is it?!"

"The auspicious sign?!"

"Where did it go? Ran away?!"

Fire Qilin sniffed, then suddenly his eyes widened:

"I smell good fruit!"

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