Chapter 453: The King (Volume Ends)

That intense fervor nearly made Prince Ji Yanzhong's heart tremble and sigh—such popular support, such bearing, such influence, had reached the level where a single raised arm could crown him king.

Not to mention the current Red Emperor Ji Zichang.

Even the wise and holy emperors of history, at this age, certainly did not possess such popular acclaim, nor the grandeur to raise a cry that would stir winds and clouds across the land.

Over these past years, Qin Wu Hou has waged war across the realm: starting as a fourteen-year-old fugitive, then becoming a wandering hero in Beicheng, rising to lead a band of rogue soldiers in Jiangnan, and finally becoming the master of the Fire Qilin Army that liberated the entire Jiangnan region, before fighting in the Western Regions and the Southwest.

Though young in years, he has marched across the land, saved countless lives, and twice led civilians across ten thousand li; Li Guanyi's popular support and prestige are now renowned throughout the realm.

Among the people under his rule and the soldiers of the Fire Qilin Army, there is a simple belief: compared to the tyrannical ruler of Chen and the Emperor of Ying, their Lord Qin Wu Hou feels more intimate, more real.

Life under Qin Wu Hou is better than in either of the other two states.

In the people's simple values, this means Qin Wu Hou is unquestionably a great good man—better than the Chen Huang or the Ying Emperor—even the youngest child knows how to rank them, eager to choose the better.

People always wish those they admire to fare better.

The soldiers of the Fire Qilin Army think even more simply.

Damn it, we've won!

Lu Youxian of Chen, Yuwen Lie of Ying, the legendary invincible war god Jiang Su—all have fallen before our blades. Our lord's heroic spirit rivals theirs—why is he still only a Marquis?

Even Dingye, who betrayed Tai Ping Gong and oppressed Marshal Yue, is emperor; Jiang Wanxiang of Ying is emperor—why is our lord still only a Marquis? There is no logic to this!

This convergence of popular will and military loyalty.

Is the people's heart, the people's acclaim—surging like a tide.

And the world's unspoken assumption—that Li Guanyi now controls ten thousand li of territory, possesses the strength and depth to balance the Chen Huang and Ying Emperor—so his title and rank must be raised.

Prince Ji Yanzhong held this special edict, walking through this surging tide of public sentiment; even he, a man who had seen countless things, could not help but feel his body tense, his back soaked in sweat.

The edict bore no specific title.

Only the bold declaration: 【The world is vast—take what you will.】

Qin Wu Hou once said: it should be the people who bestow his title…

Yet now, seeing the Fire Qilin Army and Tiance Prefecture's momentum surge, he had already sensed it隐隐—personally, he deeply admired and marveled at all the young Marquis had achieved.

But given his lineage, his bloodline—

He could not help but feel a pang of pain.

The old heroes have not yet fully faded; new heroes are already baring their fangs. A Marquis is no longer enough—he must ascend to the throne of emperor. If so, what place remains for the Red Emperor's line? Will their dignity be trampled by the warlords of this chaotic age?

Is this the tragic end of the Red Emperor's line?

Thinking of this, Prince Ji Yanzhong could not suppress a profound, irrational grief and helplessness.

When he met Li Guanyi, Li Guanyi was handling state affairs and military reports, dressed only in a dark green round-collar robe, leather and metal belt with sword hooks, hair bound by a jade hairpin.

He smiled: "Prince Ji, please sit. Rest a moment, have some tea."

"I'll finish these matters."

Prince Ji Yanzhong held the edict, yet his heart jolted—Li Guanyi had not changed, his expression was gentle, yet every movement carried an indescribable aura and spirit, stirring a faint unease in him.

This Li Guanyi was different from before!

Only the great tide of heaven and earth can temper a man.

On Li Guanyi's back now rested a quiet heroism neither Ji Zichang nor Chen Dingye possessed. One cup of tea, and Prince Ji Yanzhong drank it in a daze for a long while; after resolving the troop deployment orders, Li Guanyi said: "Uncle Emperor, you've come at last."

"It's been a long time since you came to Jiangnan."

Prince Ji Yanzhong fell silent for a long while, sighed, and no longer concealed it—he gently placed the edict beside him and looked at Li Guanyi: "Several months ago, I, following the command of His Majesty the Red Emperor of Zhongzhou, came here with this edict."

"At that time, you said you would wait until your affairs were settled before accepting the bestowal."

"Now, all wars across the realm have ended; the vast land has entered a phase of rest and recovery. This must be the time you spoke of—when your affairs are done. When will you change your title and announce it to the world?"

Li Guanyi said: "Now that matters have reached this point, we shall begin shortly."

Prince Ji Yanzhong's heart tightened: "What title will you take?"

He paused, then added: "The people and soldiers all wish you to become emperor or king—they believe without it, you cannot stand equal to the Chen Huang or Ying Emperor."

"What do you intend, Lord—"

He stared at Li Guanyi.

Li Guanyi pressed his palm against the edict, then smiled: "If, in the end, no matter what achievements I make, I refuse to take the title of emperor or king—what do you think, Uncle Emperor?"

Prince Ji Yanzhong was stunned, instinctively saying: "Are you planning to abdicate?"

Li Guanyi had no interest in elaborating—he suddenly realized the era's trajectory and foundation set a certain limit.

No one truly understood his inner ideal; without the underlying foundation, without the era's trajectory, one cannot leap to distant stages—only step by step.

Prince Ji Yanzhong earnestly advised: "Regardless of your path, I still advise you not to abdicate. Your achievements are rare in history—the thirty-six khans of the Western Regions, the Golden Curved Blade cavalry of Qi Bi Li."

"The divine generals of the Central Plains, the traitorous generals of Chen."

"The scholars of Zhongzhou."

"The Azure Wolves under Yu Langwang, the Fire Qilin Army, the divine generals of Tai Ping Gong."

"Each of them is a hero of the age—any one of them, placed anywhere, could rise in glory, raise an army with their Wu Gong and valor, and carve out their own legacy. The world's great talents are all unruly."

"They are now subdued because they obey you."

Without someone powerful enough to subdue them from above, major conflicts may not erupt at first, but over time, their struggles will inevitably grow increasingly fierce, and in the end, it will return to chaos once more.

"Without a figure strong enough to command them, initial calm may hold—but over time, their rivalries will intensify, and in the end, chaos will return."

Li Guanyi held the edict, then after a long while, said: "Uncle Emperor, you truly are a kind and noble elder—to speak such words to me."

Prince Ji Yanzhong fell silent for a long while, voice dry: "You will take the title of emperor."

Li Guanyi flicked his wrist, and the imperial edict with its green jade scroll axis unfurled with a rustle across the desk, spilling out like ten thousand li of river and mountains, whereupon Li Guanyi lifted his brush, dipped it in ink, and suspended his wrist to write a single character upon the edict.

Li Guanyi's wrist moved—the jade-axled edict unfurled with a rustle across the desk, like a vast river of land spilling forth. He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and suspended his wrist above the edict, writing one character.

Prince Ji Yanzhong hurried over to look, and saw that upon the blank space of the edict, a single character had been written — its aura majestic, faintly resembling a seal or imperial玺, radiating an extraordinary, heroic spirit beyond the mundane.

Prince Ji Yanzhong hurried forward—on the blank space of the edict was written one character, majestic, as if stamped or sealed, radiating an extraordinary, heroic spirit.

【61】 【王】

Ji Yanzhong froze in shock.

Li Guanyi had not proclaimed himself emperor or king—something that should have delighted him, yet perhaps even Ji Yanzhong's own heart felt this Lord was worthy to call himself emperor, equal to the Chen Huangyingdi.

So upon seeing these words, he felt momentarily dazed.

He asked: "Why?"

Li Guanyi replied: "The Central Plains are now divided into three, while the grasslands above watch like wolves. The four directions remain ununified; the Central Plains have not yet become one. Writing has not been standardized, nor have carts shared the same gauge—how can one proclaim oneself emperor or king?"

If one cannot achieve this, how can one speak of a more distant future? How can one speak of stepping into a more distant age?

All under heaven say: emperors, kings, generals, ministers—these are the pinnacle of humanity.

Our ambition.

Must be greater than this!

When Li Guanyi spoke these words, he meant them sincerely; even Ji Yanzhong was shaken. Li Guanyi folded the imperial decree and placed it in the old prince's hands, saying: "Also, Brother Ji, His Majesty the Red Emperor has treated me with sincerity."

"I will treat him with sincerity in return."

"The past is decayed, cannot be remade; what is rotten and dead must burn in fire—but before all that, let me protect his dignity."

"That single cup of wine, today."

"I repay it with one character: 【Wang】."

Ji Yanzhong stood still, stunned, lost in thought. The imperial decree bearing only the character "Wang" suddenly felt impossibly heavy. As an elder who had grown up under the Red Emperor's radiance, he felt an urge to weep.

While all warlords under heaven regarded the Red Emperor of the Central Plains as a puppet.

Qin Wu Hou—a general, the most peerless warrior of this age—still outwardly upheld his old promise to the Red Emperor. Among the heroes of this era, wielding swords, they guarded the dignity of the last Red Emperor.

The decree held here was the final shred of dignity of the Red Emperor's reign.

Qin Wu keeps his word and values loyalty.

He understood; all under heaven understood: Li Guanyi could make his mighty warlords submit and bring the people better lives. His grandeur and methods long qualified him to proclaim himself emperor—yet he still called himself king. To be able to do it, yet choose not to—that is true integrity.

Ji Yanzhong laughed, but his sigh carried bitterness and complex gratitude:

"Such a thing truly does not seem like something a lord or overlord ought to do."

Li Guanyi replied: "The one who wrote this character is Ji Zichang's friend."

Ji Yanzhong carefully stored the decree, then asked: "I wonder, what title of 'Wang' does the Lord seek?"

"Peaceful Wang? Fire Qilin Wang?"

"Or shall we retain the current noble title?"

"Qin Wu Wang."

Li Guanyi named his choice. Ji Yanzhong recorded it carefully, then rose to take his leave. Li Guanyi paced, gazing at the Juan Sect, his expression subtly softening, lips pressed tight.

The newest Juan Sect recorded the gift sent by Chen Huangyingdi Dingye.

Two gifts.

The first—

The severed head of Divine Martial Wang, Chen Fubì.

……………………

Chen Wenmian nearly ran all the way to where the gift lay. Even though it had already been placed, even though the Yu Langwang's thousand knots had been undone, when this sight appeared before him, Chen Wenmian's spirit shattered violently.

The Yu Langwang's head had not been returned in a wooden casket—such an insult.

When Li Guanyi and Chen Wenmian arrived, they saw the Yu Langwang's head placed atop a wooden body, dressed in the robes of a Regent Prince. Beneath it lay a suit of armor; the wooden hands were folded over the chest.

Yu Langwang Chen Fubì's eyes remained wide open, as if even in death, he still fought.

Chen Wenmian's spirit nearly pierced through. This general, whose name had echoed across the land since age twenty, who had charged through countless armies, staggered and knelt before the coffin, pressing his hands against its wood, teeth clenched.

His eyes reddened; large, silent tears fell from his corners. His hands trembled. Under such shock, his lips quivered—but not a single sob escaped.

Li Guanyi gazed at the Yu Langwang's head, holding Chen Dingye's second gift.

It was the alliance treaty from the Turkic Great Khan.

Even at his final, ruthless, all-destroyed state, Chen Dingye had not allied with the Turkic grasslands, nor joined forces to let Turkic iron cavalry infiltrate Chen as merchants to attack the Central Plains.

Instead, he had directly handed the Turkic alliance to Li Guanyi and Jiang Gao.

In this moment of crisis, it revealed an inexplicable grandeur.

Li Guanyi read the words beneath the letter—Chen Dingye's own hand, stripped of the powdered elegance of five years past, now sharp and chilling, like a venomous dragon baring its fangs.

"Your parents I killed. Your future I shattered. Your destiny I stole."

Chen Dingye's vision had seen the end of Chen and his own end. He admitted his deeds, then said—

"Come, kill me!"

"Your head, Li Guanyi."

"I await you, Emperor!"

Li Guanyi lowered his gaze; his eyes held unhidden killing intent toward Chen Dingye. The letter in his hand shattered into fragments. He whispered: "Gratitude repaid with gratitude, vengeance repaid with vengeance—this is the Way."

"No need to rush, Chen Dingye. Your head."

"I will take it myself, to soothe my parents' spirits."

Meanwhile, the Ying State had already sent envoys to Jiangnan with secret letters: Ying wished to ally with Li Guanyi during its recovery to jointly destroy Chen.

In the eyes of all under heaven, Ying—having suffered repeated defeats—should have feared and guarded against the young Fire Qilin, and instead formed alliances with Chen to resist Jiangnan.

Yet Jiang Gao chose otherwise: he chose to first ally with Jiangnan's Fire Qilin, aiming to strike down the prosperous Chen, which held the southern Central Plains.

After dividing the world, the dragon and tiger would fight openly for dominion.

The aged monarch, struck by Jiang Gao's blunt rebuke, reclaimed his former boldness and grandeur. In old age, he regained the fire and defiance of youth, determined to join Jiangnan's forces to annihilate Chen—

【Destroy Chen first, then you and I divide the world】!

【Then, we draw our swords again—and fight for all under heaven】!

"Heroic spirit surges to the heavens…"

Even Bujun, Wen Lingjun, and the others could not help but sigh softly; the tide of the world surged like rowing against the current—the further forward one went, the fiercer the waves and obstacles became.

Today's world, the Turkic steppe watches with hungry eyes; that Great Khan's covetousness for the Central Plains is no longer concealed in the slightest.

Perhaps because the three forces of the Central Plains, after more than two years of bloody fighting and warfare, now find their nations exhausted and their people worn down, the aging Second Divine General, the Great Khan, felt his final chance before death had arrived.

The Iron Futu, the world's heaviest cavalry, sharpened its claws and fangs under the command of the Second Divine General, on the vast steppe, gnashing teeth and lapping blood, coldly watching the people and living things of the Central Plains.

The Central Plains, after prolonged struggle and slaughter, must now enter a period of rest and recovery.

Their mutual grievances and hatreds were tangled like a thousand knots, impossible to unravel; the Wolf King's corpse, preserved by special means, remained incorrupt and unblemished—the body of a martial legend—after Chen Dingye returned the Wolf King's head.

Chen Wenmian reunited the Wolf King's body and buried it in Jiangnan.

This was where, in the beginning, Chen Fubi and Li Wanli had lived their most joyous days; Chen Wenmian paid tribute to his father, holding that double-edged blade, swearing to personally slay Jiang Su, his blood enemy.

After Chen Wenmian departed, Li Guanyi came alone here, carrying a flask of wine, offering it to the Wolf King; no matter how mighty a hero in life, after death, he is but buried in the earth—his former glory and boldness vanish into nothingness.

Li Guanyi sat cross-legged, poured the fiery Jiangnan liquor onto the Wolf King's grave, and said: "Uncle, we have successfully driven back Jiang Su, and gained new territory. We had planned to rest properly—but alas, alas."

"The Turkic Great Khan on the steppe has no intention of granting the Central Plains this time or this chance. His hostility toward us is deep—he is a true enemy. The three Central Plains factions have all chosen temporary truce, but this steppe has no intention of letting us catch our breath."

"Jiang Wanxiang probably intends to hand the destiny of Ying State over to Jiang Su."

"Chen Dingye—I don't know what he plans to do."

"This man's character is vile, but who knows how many ruthless thoughts churn in his belly? Underestimate him even slightly, and he might deliver a final, vicious bite—you won't die, but you'll be left half-dead."

"Master Yan Daiqing says that throughout history, many monarchs, when they reach our current stage, often begin to change—their initial bravery and boldness slowly fades, replaced by a hunger for comfort."

"Yet it was precisely during the period of expanding territory that they were strongest."

"We certainly won't be like that."

"In this world, our enemies are still too many—Jiang Su, Jiang Wanxiang, Chen Dingye, the Turkic steppe, the Third Divine General Gao Xiang, Yuwen Lie, He Ruo Qinhu… we are far from being able to rest."

"I must avenge my parents' blood; Wenmian must avenge your death."

"Enemies and rivals grow ever more numerous. I once thought that once I finished what lay before me, carved out my place, and secured my footing, things would improve greatly—but the world rarely works so simply. Solve one problem, and more arise."

"We will likely strike first against Chen State—or the steppe."

"We must conserve our strength to confront our final enemy. Moreover, I have a promise… I once made a promise to a Miss—back then, I was in utter disgrace, like a beggar chased until he was frantic."

"She helped me escape then, and I swore to her."

"One day, I will become a hero of the world, return to Chen State with ten thousand troops, find her, and make her wait for me."

"I now have ten thousand troops—I am a minor hero."

"It is time to fulfill that vow."

"Whether it is her, or taking Chen Dingye's head to avenge my parents."

"Gratitude on one side, hatred on the other—people like me are pulled by these two ends…"

Li Guanyi whispered softly, pouring the last of his wine onto the ground, then rose and said: "My parents' bodies should still remain in Chen State's imperial palace. My father's Wu Gong reached the Ninth Heaven—he will not be reduced to ashes by fire."

"When I seek vengeance, I will bring them back—bring them home."

"You two, who wished to retire from the martial world and live as neighbors, never succeeded. Now, if you can stand side by side, at least you may drink fine wine together."

He paused, then added: "By the way—I have become a king."

"The coronation ceremony will be grand. Perhaps envoys from Chen State, Ying State, and Zhongzhou will come. Master Yan Daiqing's eyes are already dark with exhaustion—I truly hope he can rest properly." Li Guanyi smiled faintly and lit three incense sticks.

The incense smoke curled upward.

On the vast steppe, a noble falcon spread its wings, soaring over the boundless earth, passing over the Iron Futu, whose armor gleamed with chilling coldness; the aged, mighty Khan gripped his divine bow and drew it to shoot an eagle.

The raptor was struck by the arrow, spinning as it fell.

It stirred up swirling fallen leaves.

The leaves drifted and landed in the lake of Chen State's imperial palace, rippling the water.

The white-haired, fanatical, yet newly reawakened emperor played the Bone Pipa, his aura dark and coldly fierce; Chen State's destiny no longer soared with grandeur, but now carried the venomous might of a poison dragon.

The pipa's sound rose from the earth; the stars above flickered into view.

Finally, they were seized in the hands of the aged, dying Azure Dragon atop the Star-Picking Tower.

The vast steppe, the endless northern lands, the prosperous Chen, the bold Ying—this world's mountains and rivers, crisscrossing like drawn lines, were finally enclosed within the young lord's clasped palms, beneath the fine lines of his skin.

Li Guanyi watched the smoke rising from the three incense sticks, his eyes clear and bright.

In a haze, beyond the white smoke, he saw familiar figures: the bold Wolf King, the warm Master, the quiet-smiling Ancestor, the woman softly humming a lullaby, and his father, who knew only the invincibility of Jin Jia.

Li Guanyi's sleeves fell, rustling slightly; he rose, picked up his greatcloak, and as he turned, the greatcloak flowed like a wave over them. Li Guanyi turned his back to his departed ones and said:

"All of you, thank you—but the road ahead is not yet finished. I must keep walking. I cannot stay here. I cannot remain beside you. This world is vast—I will…"

Li Guanyi's voice halted, then he smiled gently and extended his hand.

"Let me be presumptuous this once."

The hand that had tilled the soil, gathered herbs, gripped the sword, and lifted spear and halberd clenched tight.

He strode away, his steps firm, sleeves and greatcloak rolling like waves, saying:

"I will not stagnate."

"I will surpass you."

"Ascend to the world!"

【Upper】 A man unlike any other—openhearted as the Red Emperor, martial as a conqueror. Though young, he is a destiny-born talent. The world lies in chaos; warlords vie for supremacy. With a three-foot sword, within years, he unifies the Four Seas.

He dons armor, walks the frontlines of battle; his military robes are stained with horse sweat, his helmet teems with lice. He pacifies the realm, rescues the people. Within years, the four directions grow calm and tranquil.

The world calls him—

Qin Wang!!!

————《Historical Records · Annals I》

………………

In the northern frontier beyond the border where Saibei and Ying Country interlocked, Yue Pengwu received a letter. His tiger-like eyes swept across it, already catching two characters.

{UNITE FORCES}!

(This volume ends)

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