Chapter 478: When the deed is done, he brushes off his robes and departs, hiding his form and name deep within

The little Fire Qilin and the Iron-Eating Beast endured the longest night.

Even the little Fire Qilin, already at the Eighth Heaven Realm, was utterly outmatched before the ancient Fire Qilin who had walked the entire journey alongside the First Master, whose lifespan equaled that of the ancient sages.

Strength, speed, physique.

The little Fire Qilin was no worse than the old Fire Qilin.

In endurance, the little Fire Qilin's qualities were even superior, but experience and technique decided the outcome.

The little Fire Qilin fell to the ground countless times, until finally it seemed to give up completely.

It simply lay there, refusing to rise no matter what.

"No more! No more!!"

The little Fire Qilin shamefully sat on the ground, tears welling in both eyes, playing dead.

The Iron-Eating Beast dumpling lay sprawled nearby, muttering: "No more eating. Good fruit. No more!"

"I really can't eat another good fruit."

Gongyang Su Wang felt considerable regret.

The old Fire Qilin laughed heartily, feeling as if its bones had finally been stretched, then brought out many good fruits for them to eat. The Iron-Eating Beast devoured them gladly; the little Fire Qilin, meanwhile, gulped down the fruits with tears streaming down its face, glaring fiercely, occasionally sniffling. The old Fire Qilin reached out a paw to stroke its head. The little Fire Qilin snorted and turned its head away.

Thud!

The old Fire Qilin delivered a Qilin Correction Punch.

The little Fire Qilin still obediently submitted to the petting.

The old Fire Qilin laughed and said: "You two have decent strength, but your raw power cannot be perfectly harnessed—like a three-year-old swinging a heavy hammer. It looks imposing, but you're likely to hurt yourselves. Did you learn the 【little trick】 I taught you today?!"

The little Fire Qilin and the Iron-Eating Beast exchanged a glance.

They merely nodded.

The old Fire Qilin nodded approvingly: "Remember, this technique must not be used lightly—but once used, it will surely turn the tide."

"But it will also make you a target. Afterward, you won't be able to achieve the same effect again."

"That's what's called a trump card."

"Once everyone knows about it, its power is halved at least."

The old Fire Qilin imparted earnest advice, watching them nod—but whether these two little ones truly understood, or even cared deeply, even the old Fire Qilin himself had little confidence. He then recalled his own youth, when he, too, had felt the world vast and nothing worth holding to heart.

The old Fire Qilin gazed at the little Fire Qilin, who had not yet truly come of age but already stood at the Eighth Heaven Realm.

After a moment, he suddenly asked: "Have you had enough good fruit?"

The little Fire Qilin and the Iron-Eating Beast dumpling both nodded in unison.

"Enough! Enough!"

"We've had enough good fruit for this lifetime!"

The old Fire Qilin gazed at them thoughtfully: "Hmm?"

The little Fire Qilin, the Iron-Eating Beast: "………"

Their voices trailed off, hesitating: "Should we… have had enough… or not yet?"

The old Fire Qilin burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! I didn't mean these good fruits. I mean the real good fruit. Wait here a moment—I'll go get them."

The little Fire Qilin and the Iron-Eating Beast nodded obediently. Once the old Fire Qilin had stepped inside, the two little ones exchanged a glance, then bared their teeth and began punching each other.

"Damn it! Is this what you call good fruit?!"

"Isn't it good?!"

"Good? I've been beaten black and blue!"

"Your eyes were already black. You can't tell."

"You—you—you!! I, this auspicious one, will fight you to the death!"

The little Fire Qilin and the Iron-Eating Beast were both in a state of internal stillness, their forms shrunk. They sat there, trading blows with fierce delight. Gongyang Su Wang noticed the old Fire Qilin's movements, sensed something, and followed him inside. He saw the old Fire Qilin preparing many good fruits—but among them was one particularly special one.

Pure Qi gathered and flowed from the old Fire Qilin's body.

It formed a bead the size of a thumb.

It radiated a clear, gentle warmth, with faint golden threads swirling upon it—soft hues worn smooth by time, their original sharpness long faded.

Gongyang Su Wang's expression shifted slightly: "Old friend?!"

The old Fire Qilin looked at him and shook his head slightly.

The old Fire Qilin silenced Gongyang Su Wang's words, then carried the two baskets of good fruit outside.

One basket was given to the Iron-Eating Beast.

The Iron-Eating Beast dumpling, who had moments ago been wailing and crying out to the sky: "Jiuli, take me away! Take me away!", instantly changed its expression, cheerfully thanked the old Fire Qilin, picked up the basket, and moved aside, shoving fruit into its mouth one by one.

The little Fire Qilin also began devouring the fruit.

There was always competition among auspicious beings.

If it were only the little Fire Qilin, it would not have eaten so quickly—but seeing the Iron-Eating Beast's pile of fruit rapidly shrinking, the little Fire Qilin grew anxious.

Once it finishes its own, it'll come over and steal mine!

Because that's exactly what I planned to do!

The little Fire Qilin stared fixedly at the Iron-Eating Beast, gulping down the good fruits fast—until the golden bead hidden among them was swallowed whole, without the little Fire Qilin noticing anything unusual, while the old Fire Qilin's expression remained gentle and serene.

In the end, the little Fire Qilin barely caught up to the Iron-Eating Beast's pace, nearly choking itself in the process.

It watched the other sitting there, licking its paws, looking thoroughly unsatisfied.

The little Fire Qilin was stunned.

It quickly swallowed the remaining five or six good fruits in three or four gulps.

The Iron-Eating Beast dumpling wore a look of regret but said: "Why eat so fast?"

"I'm not going to steal your good fruit."

"You won't?"

"Not right now, at least."

"Pfft!"

The two little ones began bickering again; the old Fire Qilin lay sprawled there, finding even this night—once thought unnaturally silent—now strangely peaceful. He lifted his gaze toward the young man standing there, clad in tight-fitting attire beneath a dark outer robe, frost clinging to his sleeves, having stood there for quite some time.

After gorging himself, the little Fire Qilin finally noticed Li Guanyi's presence.

The two big tears he'd just suppressed reappeared instantly; he sprinted a few steps and launched himself forward, clinging to Li Guanyi's leg, saying:

"Waaah! Why are you only showing up now?!"

"Good fruit—I ate too much."

"Let's go! Let's go!!"

Li Guanyi was torn between laughter and tears; the Iron-Eating Beast, stunned, then rolled over like a war chariot surging toward him:

"Bamboo shoots! Big bowl of milk!"

"Bamboo shoots!"

"Big bowl of milk!"

Li Guanyi had one brat clinging to each leg, helplessly, he kept that posture and bowed to the two elders: "These two little ones have been a burden on you both."

Gongyang Su Wang waved his hand, smiling: "What burden? Don't mention it."

"We two old fools have been cooped up here so long—finally, we have two sources of amusement..."

"Cough, cough—I mean, finally, two young disciples have come to visit."

"As the saying goes: 'Is it not delightful when friends come from afar?'"

"You coming to see us has made us very happy. Come again, come again."

Gongyang Su Wang was in high spirits. Li Guanyi plucked the two clinging brats off each leg, stepped inside, like a child eager to leave but forced to linger while the parent stays behind—then he led the two little ones into the ancient Confucian path, chatting with Gongyang Su Wang and Zhao Laoqi.

Gongyang Su Wang brought up Li Guanyi's plan to popularize written characters and numeracy.

He sighed deeply: "You're already doing well. Though the Imperial Academy has existed eight hundred years, its influence has steadily waned over the past few centuries due to the decline of the Red Emperor lineage."

"Moreover, the Central Plains Imperial Academy was originally founded to cultivate scholars from all regions—never before has anyone taught these things directly to the common folk, as you are doing."

"Yet the common people of this world—Li Min—are so numerous."

"To accomplish your plan is truly an almost impossible task."

Li Guanyi replied calmly: "It never existed before—so let it begin today."

"As for difficulty, we can only move forward step by step."

"Do what we can, as much as we can—just hope to eradicate illiteracy across the land within ten or twenty years."

"Let everyone learn to read, do basic arithmetic, and practice a few martial forms."

Gongyang Su Wang sighed profoundly: "To make every person in the world literate and martial—such a thing has never occurred in all of history."

"What if you can't do it in twenty years?"

Li Guanyi replied calmly: "If one twenty-year span fails, then two. If two fail, then three."

"One day, we will reach our goal."

"And I have a bit of personal ambition."

Gongyang Su Wang was surprised: "Personal ambition?"

Li Guanyi smiled: "I plan to establish rewards within these academies for students who excel in their studies. Currently, there are two: one named after our ancestor Zu Wenyuan, and the other after Master Wang Tong."

Qin Wang, now famed across the land, commanding armies and riding the battlefield, sat quietly, head bowed, holding a teacup.

At this moment, he seemed again like the boy of five years past.

The wanderer who had lost his parents, his teacher, his home, and roamed the world alone.

Gongyang Su Wang's expression carried a trace of pity.

Qin Wang smiled gently: "Both of you, my teachers, taught me and aided me greatly—and you departed calmly, for your own Dao and purpose."

"I hope future generations of students will remember their names."

"Know their deeds."

"Perhaps this is Li Guanyi's own personal ambition."

"But even if it is, I have no intention of changing it."

Qin Wang drank his tea, rose, and smiled: "I'm no sage—let future generations say what they will."

"Elders, if peace ever comes to the world, and you have leisure, come visit the new academies."

Gongyang Su Wang laughed heartily: "Of course."

They chatted about great affairs of the world, daily life of the people, the lively bustle of cooking and noodles, over a pot of tea—until the night grew late. Li Guanyi rose to take his leave; the little Fire Qilin was sleepy, nodding off where he sat.

The Iron-Eating Beast pup was also dozing off; Li Guanyi could only clasp one under each arm, bid farewell to Gongyang Su Wang and Zhao Laoqi, then turned and walked away beneath the moonlight.

Gongyang Su Wang and Zhao Laoqi watched them depart.

Zhao Laoqi called out with a laugh: "Come back again for more good fruit!"

The little Fire Qilin turned his head, pouting: "I won't come!"

"I'll never come again!"

Zhao Laoqi chuckled at the childishness, bursting into loud laughter.

The tall scholar, wearing a divine weapon at his waist, said: "Old friend, you promised good fruit—but are you truly willing to give it away?"

He turned his head, looking at Zhao Laoqi beside him:

"After three thousand years, you've finally glimpsed the possibility of breaking the Fire Qilin's limit as an auspicious beast—will you really give it away?"

Zhao Laoqi said: "You yourself said—it's only a possibility."

He gazed at the distant sky and said: "The Fire Qilin is merely an omen, ultimately capable of reaching only the ninth tier of heaven when its lifespan nears its end. But domains governing slaughter and battle—like those of the Crimson Dragon and Bai Hu—are beyond the reach of any other omen. In these three thousand years, I have constantly tried, constantly pushed forward, and found that sliver of possibility."

"But I am already old."

"The path lies ahead—but does it truly matter who takes the final step?"

"It is merely the passing of the torch."

Gongyang Su Wang smiled and said: "Yet if you wish to guide Him, why not leave this place with Him?"

"The eight-hundred-year lineage of the Red Emperor must finally come to an end."

The tide of the world surged wildly; heroes rose from all four corners, yet the Red Emperor of Zhongzhou once again displayed the same fierce valor as his ancestors.

Individually, these events might be explained away—but together, they flow like great rivers and vast streams, surging ceaselessly downward, inevitably leading to their final end. The old Fire Qilin and Gongyang Su Wang could both see the direction of the outcome.

The old Fire Qilin replied: "We have been here eight hundred years—must we not see this ending through?"

"The first generation of the Master had a disciple who knew rebellion was coming, yet still went to protect that monarch—the nobleman died with his crown intact."

"The point is not loyalty, or anything else—it is whether one can hold fast to one's own path."

"We old ones must witness this ending."

Gongyang Su Wang smiled and nodded.

……………

Li Guanyi brought the two little ones back to their residence, tossed them both onto the bed, then rested himself. The next day, he went to see Emperor Ji Zichang to discuss how to transport the weapons and armor hidden by the warlords to Jiangnan. After much thought, he naturally relied on the power of Changfeng Lady, using waterways to travel downstream into the great port city of Dacheng.

Marshal Yue, Niu Wei, and others were already prepared.

They all waited on horseback beside the great ship.

Li Guanyi held the princess's birthday gift. As Emperor Ji Zichang and Consort Wen saw her off, they still held the child. Li Guanyi smiled and said: "I've taken the gift—but I didn't take it for free."

The princess waved her arms, making babbling sounds.

Li Guanyi pulled something from his sleeve and placed it on the little one's arm.

Consort Wen and Emperor Ji Zichang looked—and saw it was a wooden sword, small and exquisitely crafted, with what appeared to be a needle-carved image of Bai Hu upon it.

The princess seemed to adore the object immensely.

Emperor Ji Zichang said: "What is this?!"

Li Guanyi said: "The tide of the world surges. After I leave, whether I rest and recover or wage war across the land, I may not return to see her for years—not to mention the zhuazhou ceremony. So I thought, better to give it to her outright."

Emperor Ji Zichang laughed and groaned: "The zhuazhou ceremony requires the child to choose for herself—what does giving her one mean?"

Li Guanyi said: "She's still a child!"

Emperor Ji Zichang: "………"

Li Guanyi joked, then casually picked up a straight branch beside him and flicked his wrist.

The branch suddenly trembled—and emitted a clear, ringing sword cry.

"Since I took your New Year's money and birthday gift, today I'll give you something in return."

"Your godfather has just created a new sword art."

"Watch closely, little one!"

Emperor Ji Zichang and Consort Wen froze, instantly realizing the weight of this "gift."

Li Guanyi gripped the 【wooden sword】, raised his hand and stepped forward—and began to perform a sword form.

He was the supreme master of his age.

His Wu Gong, forged in a hundred battles, had once received the legendary transmission of Sword Madman Elder Murong. This newly created sword art was simple and unadorned in form, yet concealed lethal intent—and it was etched into the child's eyes.

Suddenly, the sky thickened with clouds, pressing down. Though it was daytime, the northwest sky faintly glowed with layers of starlight.

The Seven Stars of Bai Hu!

Emperor Ji Zichang and Consort Wen froze.

Above, dark clouds drifted, stars shifted, pure and clear starlight slanted down, landing upon Li Guanyi's wooden staff. With a casual point, the starlight flowed, settling upon the little one—bathing her in the starlight of Bai Hu Da Zong.

The little one waved the wooden sword, making babbling sounds.

Li Guanyi had imprinted the essence of this sword art using the 【Smoke and Rain Jiangnan Multi-Tiered Art】.

And—

【Tiger Roar Bone Strengthening Decree】.

"Good daughter, you didn't give your New Year's money and gift in vain."

Li Guanyi laughed and tossed the wooden staff aside. Emperor Ji Zichang, who had reached the sixth tier of Wu Gong, clearly felt his daughter's bones and vitality subtly strengthen. He was filled with joy, eager to thank him again—but saw Li Guanyi leaping into the air, landing atop his mount.

The fierce steed reared up, neighing like a dragon.

Li Guanyi did not turn back, only waved his hand over his shoulder, laughing:

"The road of the martial world is long; the world surges wildly."

"Brother Changwen, Sister Wen—farewell here."

"The green mountains remain unchanged; the clear waters flow forever. We shall meet again!"

Emperor Ji Zichang watched the Qin Wang depart, instinctively stepping forward—then realized he could not follow.

Could not follow.

Neither in body nor spirit.

They were no longer the boy and young monarch drinking beneath the great tree five years ago. One was now a young man; the other was nearly forty. The tide of the world had carved a chasm beneath their feet.

He clenched his fist and shouted loudly:

"Master Shi!!!"

"Make this world truly peaceful!"

Li Guanyi merely waved his hand, spurred his steed, and galloped away—heading for the waterway to meet Marshal Yue and the others. From this moment, he carried the legendary path of martial cultivation, the arsenal of Bai Hu Da Zong, and the top ten generals of the realm—enough force to turn the tide of the world, bound for Jiangnan.

But as Li Guanyi had already ridden beyond the city walls, he suddenly halted.

In the end, it was just an unbalanced breath in the heart.

All things under heaven, when unbalanced, make a sound!

Since I am already a powerful minister, why not fulfill your wishes?

Li Guanyi halted at the city gate, let out a loud laugh, clamped his legs against the warhorse's flanks, and galloped toward the city.

Central State Imperial City · Mengyun Bo's Mansion.

The news came that Qin Wang had already left.

The nobles of Central State naturally sighed in relief, but Mengyun Bo had not yet awakened; the entire mansion remained locked in a deathly silence. The face of the elderly Lady, whose status was exalted and whose power reached the heavens, turned nearly iron-gray. After waves of wailing, she spat in fury: "Die with him!!"

"If my son does not wake, all of you shall die with him!!!"

The maids and servants were terrified, their faces pale, kneeling and banging their heads on the ground: "Elder Lady, Elder Lady."

"We have been utterly loyal to my lord, utterly loyal!"

"Hmph, if you are loyal, then shouldn't you be grateful for this chance to serve your master in death?"

"Why are you crying?!"

"Don't tell me you refuse?"

All faces turned deathly pale, filled with despair—when suddenly, shouts erupted:

"He's awake! He's awake!"

"Mengyun Bo is awake!"

Chaos broke out—chickens flew, dogs barked—the elderly Lady clasped her hands together, weeping: "Heaven have mercy, Buddha be compassionate, protect my son…"

But her maternal prayer was shattered by thunderous hoofbeats. Dust rolled in from outside; a piercing cry rang out—a fiery steed burst forth, its rider clad in tight-fitting attire, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and face veil, a sword at his waist like a wandering swordsman, surging forward with unstoppable momentum. No one in the mansion could stop him.

Mengyun Bo had just awakened and was drinking a thousand-year ginseng broth when he saw this man gallop through the main gate on his fiery steed.

One sword fell.

He took the head and left!

The old Lady wailed: "Ah, my son! You all must die with him, die with him!!!"

Her wailing suddenly stopped.

"Almost forgot—you too."

The mounted hero galloped forward; the sword flashed from its sheath, his sleeves billowed, and the Fire Qilin pattern trod upon clouds.

One blade, cold with light.

On this day, Mengyun Bo, the minister who dominated the court, and the ruthless old Lady were both slain by a masked swordsman. Yet all the court officials and nobles remained silent, refusing to name the killer. They knew who it was. They also knew the killer did not care for their thoughts. Thus, this deed entered the annals of history with only this record—

【A streak of starlight and white rainbow arced across the heavens; a swordsman on a fiery steed came to kill and vanished.】

When the deed was done, he brushed off his robes and left, hiding his body and name deep.

By the waterway, Dou De, Shan Xiong, Niu Wei, and others waited in silence. Yue Shuai's expression was calm; Niu Wei looked worried, tense.

He understood Yue Shuai's weight—so he was even more tense, wondering what changes this supreme divine general's return to Jiangnan would bring to the world. He fidgeted, clenched his fists, and finally blurted:

"Why hasn't Qin Wang arrived yet?"

Suddenly, hoofbeats thundered—someone galloped toward them, sword in hand, his demeanor free and unrestrained, radiating the elegance of Changfeng Lady, bold and exuberant, laughing:

"Friends, I'm here!"

Return to Jiangnan!

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? Time to sleep, time to rest