Chapter 468: Beginnings and Endings

All Mohist schools fell under the command of Qin Wang.

The tide of the mortal world changes more violently than ordinary people can anticipate; the Mohist mechanical arts, once scattered like stars across the heavens, each fighting alone, now converged like flames uniting into one, becoming a single blazing fire under the summons of the Mo Juzi and Qin Wang.

Yet, the Mohist engineers who controlled mechanical siege weapons and other such tools were detained by the states of Chen and Ying in various ways.

The arriving Mohist disciples entered the newly constructed grounds, under the guidance of the Mo Juzi, preparing to impart the Mohist school's ideals and knowledge to young people willing to learn.

Li Guanyi allocated massive funds; the Mohist disciples merely ventured a few modest requests.

All granted!

Extraordinary generosity!

The usually impoverished Mohist disciples stared in shock.

Support and silver came too swiftly; the Mohist disciples felt unaccustomed, even doubting themselves.

They were skilled not in war machines designed for siege, conquest, and slaughter; no monarch or noble had ever poured such vast sums into such endeavors.

Moreover, Qin Wang stated this was only the first batch.

More will follow!

First batch!!!

Prince Qin Wang—extraordinary generosity!

Two words.

Rich!

Where did the money come from? Such trivial details need not be asked.

Now, this level of wealth shattered the Mohist disciples, long known throughout the Hundred Schools for their poverty; those who answered the Mo Juzi's summons, drawing their swords and running barefoot to arrive, had expected immense hardship.

Instead, they found their horizons expanded, their souls shaken.

Qin Wang is impossibly wealthy!

The Mohist disciples discovered these silver reserves were real, usable for study and research; moreover, young people had been selected from across the ten-thousand-li realm—those willing to learn Mohist mechanical arts, already literate and proficient in arithmetic.

The impoverished Mohist school faced a monarch-level shock.

Sufficient silver. Selected heirs across the ten-thousand-li realm.

Everything was ready.

No longer did they need to walk barefoot across the land, slowly seeking children with destiny and talent; no longer did they need to coax them onto the Mohist path—efforts that often yielded little.

It was rarely possible to find children truly gifted and willing to embrace the Mohist school.

Even when found, they faced the gaze of their parents and kin—

"Joining the Mohists, learning such mechanical arts—will it protect you?"

"Will it bring a better life?"

Barefoot, black-robed Mohist disciples often met their greatest shock and defeat at this final hurdle.

Now, everything was ready.

Holy shit—we've never fought such a wealthy war!

These Mohist disciples had never known such abundance; even their leaders and elders felt uneasy, wondering if Qin Wang had mistaken them for someone else, holding wildly unrealistic expectations.

Expecting them to design and create war machines for slaughter and conquest—if they failed to produce them, disaster and hostility would surely follow.

Thus, elders from various Mohist branches went to negotiate with Qin Wang.

Qin Wang arrived cheerfully; they spoke for days.

From the pioneering nature of mechanical arts to their potential integration into daily civilian life, improving the people's welfare—they talked endlessly.

Qin Wang's enthusiasm was boundless; over days, the Mohist elders shifted from refusal, to daze, then to fervent zeal at the glimpse of future possibilities.

What exactly they discussed, the Mohist disciples did not know.

But when the elders returned, they no longer mentioned leaving.

The knightly branch of Mohists still wandered the land, for injustice still existed; but the mechanical branch had settled here, embarking on their journey toward future possibilities.

Within Tiance Prefecture.

Yan Daiqing flipped through the logistical Juan Sect records, rubbed her temples, and sighed: "You truly have talent, my lord. Though your fortune is poor and your ability to earn money ordinary, you are exceptionally skilled at spending."

"Two million eight hundred thousand taels of silver—almost all allocated and accounted for in a short time."

Li Guanyi remained expressionless: "It doesn't matter."

"I've already asked Master Nan Hanwen to apply for the second batch of funds from Chen Dingye."

Yan Daiqing: "…………"

Use Chen Dingye's silver to train the people and Tiance Prefecture's talent.

Then, Tiance Prefecture's talent and Fire Qilin commanders continue to fight the Chen Emperor.

This relationship is so delicate that even Yan Daiqing didn't know what to say; she sighed, gently asking:

"But if you repeatedly request silver disbursements from Chen, won't Chen Dingye grow suspicious?"

Li Guanyi said: "Chen Dingye may grow suspicious."

"Master Nan Hanwen's actions, if thoroughly investigated, would leave traces—but every official, civil and military, will aid Master Nan Hanwen."

Yan Daiqing froze, then faintly understood.

The expression on the gentle gentleman's face grew profoundly complex; finally, she sighed.

Li Guanyi said: "All civil and military officials in Chen know of our operation—and yet, at this moment, they still intend to embezzle, plundering their own interests while Chen still stands."

"Even if they sense something amiss, they'll merely think:"

"Master Nan Hanwen, like them, has begun to embezzle."

"If this were only the first batch of silver, and it ended here, wouldn't they lose a path to wealth? At this point, it's no longer about anything else—it's all about profit."

"For profit, every civil and military official in Chen will vigorously push this matter forward, ensuring the second, third, even fourth batches of silver flow endlessly…"

Li Guanyi extended his hand, five fingers as if gripping an invisible weapon, murmuring:

"Without this, how can they profit?"

"Without this, how can they amass wealth?"

"Without this, how can these noble lords remain noble lords?"

Yan Daiqing fell silent for a long while, then said: "Ten million taels of silver have been reduced to two million eight hundred seventy thousand—truly stripped layer by layer. Though they are now our adversaries, even as an onlooker, it is shocking."

"If one day we can break through Chen State, how will you handle it, my lord?"

"These noble lords are all renowned scholars."

Li Guanyi sat sideways; upon hearing that ten million taels had become two million eight hundred seventy thousand, his cheek twitched slightly, and he smiled: "It's fine, it's fine—I'm not angry."

"Not angry."

"Why would I be angry? It's not my money, not mine at all."

"But since it's such a simple matter, I've already had Master Nan Hanwen write out a list of these people in a personal letter."

Yan Daiqing said: "Oh?"

Li Guanyi's expression did not change:

"Master Wen He and Xiao Zhi should already have received the list."

Yan Daiqing said: "I understand."

Li Guanyi let out a soft laugh, gazing at the people passing along the road outside, swept his sleeve and rose, his wooden hairpin holding his hair—already cultivating a demeanor distinct from both youthful heroes and battle-hardened generals, he whispered:

"These noble lords."

"These greedy rats."

Yan Daiqing sighed, saying nothing for a moment; after finishing his current tasks, as if remembering something, he took out two items and placed them on the table, softly saying:

"My lord, two letters arrived in sequence. I was meant to deliver them to you personally—since you're here, please read them."

Li Guanyi, curious, took the letters and examined them: one came from Zhongzhou, bearing crimson dragon patterns—clearly an imperial artifact, and indeed, the personal handwriting of Emperor Ji Zichang.

The other letter used ordinary paper.

Coarse grass paper, and even after so much time had passed, a faint hint of wine still clung to the white sheet—it came from Saibei, from beyond the northern frontier, from General Yuan Shitong, former subordinate of Tai Ping Gong.

Li Guanyi said: "General Yuan Shitong has replied. It seems Marshal Yue has already set out for this place."

Yan Daiqing also exhaled in relief: "If Marshal Yue arrives, with his prestige and ability, he can hold the rear. Then, my lord, you may proceed with both Xiyicheng and the Mystical Realm of the Chen State Lord."

"Master Pojun has already begun preparing for this."

At this moment, within Tiance Prefecture, talent abounded—it could truly be said that mighty generals crowded like clouds and strategists rained down; different matters and distinct strategic plans were already being handled in parallel by entirely different individuals.

Li Guanyi nodded, took both letters himself, paced out of the room, and on the way back to the Murong household, unsealed them. He opened Ji Zichang's letter first, unfolded it, raised his eyes—and saw Ji Zichang merely congratulated him on his strategic gains.

However generous he might be, Ji Zichang was still the reigning Red Emperor.

Li Guanyi's actions had unquestionably granted him due respect; Ji Zichang was no fool—he did not believe such deeds were merely the duty of a subject.

In the letter, Ji Zichang expressed thanks for this matter.

And after that, came good news.

"I have a daughter."

Li Guanyi lifted his gaze, astonished—he recalled several years ago, when they were still at the Zhongzhou Academy, how Ji Zichang, drunk, had spoken of his child who had died long ago, even remembering precisely how many days had passed since the death.

Now that Ji Zichang's child had been born, Li Guanyi genuinely rejoiced for him, planning to write a reply and prepare a gift, purely as a friend's congratulation.

Li Guanyi put away the first letter.

Then he opened the second: Yuan Shitong's letter. He unsealed it and read how Yuan Shitong mentioned that Marshal Yue had received a letter from Jiangnan. Though the vigilance of Ying State prevented Yue Pengwu from returning with his army, Yue Pengwu himself had come alone.

Li Guanyi saw, further in Yuan Shitong's letter:

【Young Lady's spirit has been drained too much—she often coughs uncontrollably, her body is unwell.】

【Conquering the world is exhilarating, but if one turns back and finds no one left, would that not be too tragic?】

Li Guanyi froze, then finally understood, saying:

"Young Lady's health is failing…"

The world was vast, with storms rising on all sides; Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao communicated only through letters, rarely meeting. But he himself was beyond the Master realm, practicing the Military Dao, his blood and qi blazing like a rainbow—he was unharmed.

But Young Lady…

Li Guanyi paused, turned sharply, and went to where the Qilin Army's apothecaries were stationed. Shi Dalin was astonished: "My lord, what medicine do you need?! Whatever you ask for, we'll make it for you!"

Li Guanyi had been about to speak, but remembering the methods of the Seven Old Ghosts under the Qilin Army, his expression hardened; facing their eager gazes, he said calmly: "It's fine, nothing's wrong—I'm just taking a stroll here."

Shi Dalin's face showed clear disappointment: "Huh?"

Li Guanyi, expression unchanged, stepped quickly inside and saw the old alchemist still there. The old man was surprised and asked his purpose. Li Guanyi looked at the alchemist's furnace and asked calmly:

"Master, your alchemical skill is unmatched in this age—do you have any pills that can gently nourish a woman's body?"

The old alchemist frowned: "Hmm?"

After hearing Li Guanyi's description, the old man understood: "This is clearly excessive mental strain, depleting essence, spirit, and vitality, compounded by constant forced endurance. If only for a day or two, the body can recover."

"But if one persists in forcing oneself, illness will accumulate."

"Your Majesty, how old is this lady?"

Li Guanyi said: "No."

The old alchemist puzzled: "If she's young, her spirit should not be so fragile. And she has Wu Gong—could her origins be poor?"

Li Guanyi replied: "She is the richest in the world."

The old alchemist's hand stilled as he brewed. He sighed deeply: "So young, with Wu Gong of the Third Heaven, yet the richest in the world—she should have been born to luxury, free of care, innocent and romantic. What could have caused…"

"To bring such a young woman to this state?"

Qin Wang remained silent.

The old alchemist took a pill and placed it beside Qin Wang. The alchemist, once mad, once feigned death, once sought death to live, said: "I have a superior pill here, called Nine-Turn Calming Heart. It can soothe the spirit and stabilize the mind—perhaps it will help, slightly alleviate her condition."

"But the medicine only uses the power of herbs and food to slightly replenish what has leaked from the body; in the end, it merely treats the symptoms, not the root cause—effective in the short term, it may restore vital energy and slightly bolster the essence, qi, and spirit."

"But if the root cause of your friend's condition is not resolved, the problem will recur—then, be careful."

The old alchemist's gaze was calm as he said, "Your Majesty, to untie a knot, one must find the one who tied it."

"This heart illness requires a heart medicine to heal."

Qin Wang fell silent for a long while, then picked up the vial of pills and said, "Thank you, old master." The old alchemist stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Why thank me, an outsider? I've only given you common folk's pills—the true elixir may still lie with Your Majesty."

"Or perhaps, there exists a supreme wonder-art, a divine might."

"Dig up my unworthy granddisciple from the ground again, and refine another elixir of immortality—perhaps then, we need no heart medicine, only such a miraculous pill to forcibly save him."

Li Guanyi took leave of the old alchemist, clutching the pills, and sent them back to the Xue family via Changfeng Tower—yet at that very moment, he received intelligence from the front-line pass of Jiangnan and from Changfeng Tower—

They had discovered Marshal Yue's trail!

Marshal Yue was racing swiftly toward Jiangnan's territory.

But his trail had been exposed; alone, without troops, deep within enemy territory, he now faced encirclement and pursuit by the enemy generals' armies—in such a situation, even Yu Langwang could only perish in regret.

Yue Pengwu is in peril.

Master Yan Daiqing exclaimed in shock, "With Marshal Yue's skills and Wu Gong, even without troops, he shouldn't have been so easily discovered by the Ying state—could there be a traitor?!"

Master Wen Qingyu and Xiao Zhi's eyes flickered with a strange glint.

They exchanged glances.

Each saw the same answer in the other's eyes.

'The fake son of Tai Ping Gong'

'Those two restless shadows'

Master Wen Qingyu nodded gently, his expression serene.

The smile at the corner of his mouth grew even softer, more harmless.

Xiao Zhi merely recorded something in his notebook.

The atmosphere was peaceful, warm—the messenger bowed slightly and said, "It is not so."

He hesitated, then added, "When Marshal Yue arrived, he encountered rogue heroes of the Ying state."

Marshal Yue's majestic spirit and upright righteousness won over these fallen outlaws, and all of them were willing to join under Marshal Yue's command to pursue great endeavors.

"Marshal Yue's grandeur and upright spirit won over these fallen outlaws—they all pledged allegiance to him, ready to join his great cause."

"But on the way back, they encountered civilians being plundered by bandits; Marshal Yue could not bear to see them die, so he stepped forward to protect them—just then, Elder Guan Shier of the Mo family happened to be nearby; the two old friends joined forces to shield the people."

"Though they won a great victory, word leaked out."

"Thus, Marshal Yue was exposed—he sent word to us, informing us that with his Wu Gong, after securing the people, he could strike where the enemy was weak and come to Tiance Prefecture to meet Your Majesty."

"Since this was his own doing, let him bear the consequences alone."

Master Yan Daiqing said: "The civilians Marshal Yue saved are of great importance to the Ying State; given Jiang Wanxiang's nature, he will surely strengthen their protection, and with Marshal Yue's Wu Gong and strategic acumen, there is no need to overly worry about this journey."

Master Yan Daiqing said, "The civilians Marshal Yue saved are of great importance to the Ying state; given Jiang Wanxiang's nature, he will tighten their protection—and with Marshal Yue's Wu Gong and strategy, his journey here need not be overly concerning."

Li Guanyi stared at the battle report, then exhaled softly, without hesitation, murmuring, "Where is Marshal Yue likely to be?"

The scout blinked, eyes widening, momentarily stunned.

Master Yan Daiqing, Master Wen Qingyu, and others turned to Qin Wang in his dark ink robe—they seemed to understand, as if they had expected it, and also felt a faint, quiet pride, mingled together.

Wen Lingjun said, "Lord, are you going to...?"

Li Guanyi looked around at them all and said, "Marshal Yue came for us—he is now in danger. Must we sit here quietly, waiting for him to come to us?"

"Those who come to fight are Tiance Prefecture's own—if danger strikes, we leave them to solve it alone?"

He set down the scroll bearing the battle report, clenched his hand, and the Tiger Roar Spear appeared in his grip; the spear trembled, emitting a sound like a tiger's roar. The Qin Wang spoke slowly, word by word: "You take one step, I take a hundred."

He set down the battle scroll, clenched his hand, and the Tiger Roar Heaven Halberd appeared in his grip—the halberd trembled, emitting a roar like a tiger's, and Qin Wang spoke slowly, each word deliberate: "You take one step—I take a hundred."

"Five years ago, I watched Marshal Yue walk to safety."

"Five years later, it is my turn."

He raised the Tiger Roar Heaven Halberd, its tip pressing against the ground, and said slowly:

"Go meet Marshal Yue myself!"

Yue Pengwu was accustomed to fighting alone, but he had never imagined that this time, the monarch he chose would no longer order him to abandon the civilians with twelve imperial edicts — today, the Qin Wang personally rode the Fire Qilin out of Jiangnan to meet Yue Pengwu and the civilians.

Yue Pengwu had always fought alone—but he never expected that this time, his lord would no longer order him to abandon the people with twelve imperial edicts. Today, Qin Wang himself rode the Fire Qilin out of Jiangnan to meet Yue Pengwu and the civilians.

Golden-winged Great Peng, chaos-born Qilin.

A vast, chaotic age.

Soon,

I encountered some unexpected events and stayed up all night, so this update is late, but I did not take a leave — I still had to update.

?? Encountered some unexpected events, stayed up all night, so this update is late—but I didn't take a break, still updating.

?? Just hope to stabilize my schedule.

【172】?? Need to keep reserves, for unforeseen needs.