[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-58":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Peace Decree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2328233,4553,"Chapter 58: Upon the Four Symbols of Heaven","the-peace-decree-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>Vast, boundless, the starry sky in all its myriad forms, yet I alone exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his eyes, a blinding white expanse seemed ready to bury Li Guanyi entirely, scattering his consciousness back into his true form—like the primordial age when ancient men gazed upward at the stars in daze; Li Guanyi’s awareness nearly slipped from this state, tumbling into pure dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, the same qin melody he had listened to for years echoed once more within his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not an external thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the trace and imprint left deep in his soul after years of daily, ceaseless practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had become the most fundamental existence; even if Li Guanyi’s consciousness fell into chaos, this melody would never vanish—this was what was called the [Qin Heart], a thing in the Hundred Schools that was useless in turbulent times yet precious beyond measure, no less than the [Dao Heart].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had nothing to do with martial arts, could not kill or fight; on the surface, it was useless—yet it kept the heart from falling, allowing all things of the red dust, the inverted chaos, to leave the original heart intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not let this chaotic age turn you into a mad beast, Little Cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi seemed to hear Murong Qiushui’s low hum, smiling, when he was three:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The overtones resemble heaven, the pressed tones resemble man, the open tones are like the earth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Cat, remember that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qin melody drifted gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Guanyi played the qin, his spirit would coalesce; ten years of bitter practice had embedded this melody in his heart, keeping his spirit from scattering, clearing away all clutter. After two breaths of bewilderment, Li Guanyi regained his composure in this vast, overwhelming scene—where maintaining focus had been utterly impossible—and his spirit solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The melody gradually faded into his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi raised his hand to his forehead: “Why did I suddenly remember Auntie’s qin melody?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and saw wisps of white cloud-qi sweeping across his palm; he looked up and saw a great sun hanging in the sky, golden and immense, its golden light falling upon the white clouds, forming layer upon layer of ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where exactly was this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi walked forward slowly, hearing tiger roars and dragon cries; he headed toward the tiger’s roar, and the white cloud-qi parted to reveal a colossal white tiger standing still—majestic, towering, its fur longer than that of any normal tiger, its tail tipped with golden threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gazed at Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it stepped forward, gradually shrinking as it drew nearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it stood at the same height as Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, it was taller than any normal beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its forehead gently touched Li Guanyi’s; golden qi flowed into his spirit altar, and in an instant, an indescribable resonance struck him—the knowledge inherent in heaven and earth coalesced into something he could comprehend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power of the stars above descended into the mortal realm, each carrying its own nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most gifted martial cultivators, understanding this natural might, created their own divine arts and supreme techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was what was called sudden enlightenment of nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi, too, entered this state during his breakthrough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the power of the [White Tiger Seven Mansions]; generations of White Tiger Grand Masters received this power and from it cultivated distinct techniques and divine arts. The starlight gathered within Li Guanyi’s body; when this insight faded, he instinctively sensed the stellar force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tiger constellation governs slaughter and battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this place, whether real or illusory, golden light gathered at his fingertips, taking on a violent posture—just as Xue Shen had done after becoming White Tiger Grand Master, forging his own supreme archery art; Li Guanyi now perceived his own White Tiger technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power coiled around his fingers, spinning faster and faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it became a golden light of extreme armor-piercing and penetration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi flicked his wrist, and the beam shot far away, like a tiger’s fang, emitting a piercing whistle through the air; the White Tiger’s manifestation slowly retreated, solemn and majestic. Li Guanyi looked up at the surrounding white cloud-qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the White Tiger manifestation returned to its original position, the surrounding cloud-qi suddenly dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous rumble, the cloud-qi surged rapidly from the boy as a center, then all flowed outward, revealing beneath his feet a floor of white jade-like stone, adorned with endless intricate patterns radiating outward from his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Guanyi saw, around the White Tiger manifestation, a circling crimson dragon and a serene black tortoise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson dragon had already ignited; the black tortoise was real and tangible, yet its eyes held no luster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there stood one empty dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four manifestations stood at the four directions, and Li Guanyi stood at the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by these towering, godlike manifestations, his heart naturally grew solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Symbols watched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clouds parted, and his vision ahead cleared; Li Guanyi saw a path leading to a distant peak—seemingly the summit of mountains and rivers—surrounded by thick white clouds and flickering shadows, and at the very top of the steps stood a jade throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon the throne, it overlooked the Four Symbols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi unconsciously took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, immense pressure crushed down; his shoulders sank under the crushing weight of spiritual pressure, the white jade steps beneath his feet cracking and crumbling inch by inch, and Li Guanyi fell downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi snapped his eyes open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him were rock faces; beside his ears, the soft sound of a stream flowing over stones. The boy gasped for breath, then a calm voice soothed the sudden agitation in his heart: “You’ve awakened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi turned his head and saw Xiang Yaoguang seated before him, reading a book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had removed her hood; her silver hair hung quietly at her temples, and her robes were stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi looked down and saw his wounds had all been treated, neatly bandaged with clean cloth; with his body’s enhancement after entering the realm, the wounds no longer pained him—only a faint tingling and itching signaled the rapid flow of qi and blood healing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yaoguang looked at him: “You’ve entered the realm. Try sensing the changes in your body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was outside the stream, on the rocks; Li Guanyi looked up and sensed the difference—like suddenly gaining a new sense, or opening his eyes for the first time, instinctively perceiving a special force within heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fist; his physical strength had risen a distinct level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Guanyi sensed a force brimming with destruction within his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he unleashed it, it would explode with far greater power than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had entered the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not yet know how effective it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed his power; the bronze tripod hummed faintly. In his right eye, a white tiger, five feet tall and seven feet long, paced slowly as if real; on his left, a crimson dragon ten feet long lay coiled in silence, its scales shimmering with flickering firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the boy, his robes stained with blood, sat between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one else could see this scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi clearly felt his power—as if holding a sword or dagger, he knew precisely how the strike would land; now, he could channel internal qi to draw in the qi of heaven and earth, strike with a punch that shattered the body’s defenses, and wield many techniques without needing to manifest the forms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tiger manifestation could cover his weapons and fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enhancing sharpness and defense; the Crimson Dragon’s body allowed every punch and kick to carry searing fire energy—but this could not be applied to ordinary weapons; even refined hundred-fold steel could not endure prolonged infusion of fire energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the true effectiveness would only be known through actual combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet perhaps he had not truly received the Yin-Yang School’s inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tortoise imprint left by Siming Laoyezi and the ageless black tortoise manifested as a lazy, sluggish form that refused even to raise its head, let alone be summoned; Li Guanyi recalled the tortoise’s words that he would seek him after entering the realm, and resolved to find him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled the scene he had just seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black tortoise, the empty dais, the jade steps, the distant faintly visible jade throne—Li Guanyi instinctively pressed his hand to the bronze tripod on his chest; he felt the vision was connected to the tripod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the bronze tripod, the jade nectar was nearly full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the brief moment he had passed over the battlefield, it had filled to nine-tenths and eight-hundredths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the final portion requiring special means—contact with divine weapons, or direct demonstration of supreme arts like Yue Qianfeng’s—Li Guanyi believed the tripod would have filled completely and still had room to spare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the realm, jade nectar, manifestations, visions in the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these matters surged together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi steadied himself and said: “Was I breaking through right here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yaoguang replied: “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was calm: “You entered a secret realm, but that place’s starlight was too dense; after activation, it was detrimental to your recovery, so I brought you out. Xue Shen’s message instructed you to fully master the realm of entry, cultivate the corresponding practice, and achieve some success before…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Entering the secret realm with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Xiang Yaoguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled the records within the Cloud-Piercing Thunderbow—the notes of Xue Shen and the five-hundred-year-old Eastern Continent star-observing school’s Xiang Yaoguang—and began to understand; now that he had entered the realm, he should be able to gain further inheritance from the Cloud-Piercing Thunderbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shen’s arrow, its light cold as frost, had always been Li Guanyi’s ultimate weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this would have to wait until he returned to the Xue family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, something more urgent awaited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi turned to the captive, who wore a black sack over his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed utterly calm, never uttering a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder he’s an assassin…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he removed the sack from the assassin’s head and saw his face—frightened, bruised and swollen, mouth wide open as if screaming, yet transparent golden light sealed his lips shut; he opened his mouth, screaming silently, producing no sound at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fear intensified, eyes wide with terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi froze, then turned to Xiang Yaoguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yaoguang had already donned her hood, revealing only two strands of silver hair and a smooth chin; her expression was serene, her tone unrippled: “What happened just now could not be seen by him. While you were breaking through, he could not make a sound to disturb your rest. You may rest assured—it was perfectly safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without sound or motion, the starlight sealing the assassin’s mouth vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin could now speak, and shouted at once: “I’ll tell you everything! Anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just let me go—sever my tendons, cut out my tongue, cripple my hands! I swear I’ll never reveal a single word about you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gasped for breath, staring at the thirteen-year-old boy who had entered the realm, and the white-haired woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “Shouldn’t you keep it secret?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin retorted: “I only take money to kill. I have no reason to die for it. Assassins aren’t suicide warriors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi did not know whether this assassin qualified as professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin steadied himself and said, “That crossbow bolt in your shoulder was fired by me. I’m alive only because you want to know something—I’ll tell you everything I know. You can cut out my tongue or sever my hand tendons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the final part must be written by me after I’m allowed to leave, then buried beneath a stone. Otherwise, death awaits either way—you must at least let me see a chance to live before I cooperate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise, I’d rather you kill me now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi confirmed: this was a highly professional man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yaoguang said, “Please wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her pale palm, fingers tracing through the air, leaving behind golden streaks that coalesced into an ancient pattern. With a light touch, it sank into the assassin’s forehead. His voice froze. Yaoguang turned her head toward Li Guanyi, a strand of hair falling beside her temple, and nodded softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, you may ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He will not utter a single lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear flickered in the assassin’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi looked at the assassin and asked, “Who are you? Where are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin answered promptly: “Wen Xi, disciple of the Xiamo, from Chen Guo’s division.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiamo had many disciples; when scattered, some embraced a narrower path of chivalry, and the most extreme among them became assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi asked, “Who sent you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin’s face showed a flicker of struggle: “It—it was the Chancellor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dantai Xianming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He claimed the Xue family’s power is too great, meddling in state affairs, harboring disloyalty toward Chen Guo. Imperial Consort Xue is pregnant; if she bears a prince, the Xue family’s influence will overturn the court, causing the Empress to lose favor, and her son to become Crown Prince—this would be a grave violation of primogeniture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They ordered us to kill Xue Dao Yong, and also to drive back Yue Qianfeng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi recorded this, then paused and said, “Do you have any proof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you write a confession?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give it to the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Return kindness with kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin turned deathly pale and refused: “You’ve severed my hand and foot tendons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi fell silent, regretting how brutally he’d acted moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively glanced at Yaoguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yaoguang met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes returned to the assassin’s face, calm and unruffled, responding to Li Guanyi’s need: “I can use Yin-Yang School techniques to imprint his memories onto his Qi, then bind that Qi into jade. When the jade shatters, this moment will replay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi was delighted. He rolled over and found the pills Xue Dao Yong had given him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were healing pills to restore Qi. Li Guanyi swallowed them whole, handed the jade vial to Yaoguang, then waited as the assassin, pale and broken, recounted everything. Then Li Guanyi asked his most important question: “Just now someone mentioned… ten years ago…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you, ten years ago, ever pursue a woman carrying a three-year-old child?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin’s face turned instantly ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>",2410,"2026-06-20T19:20:33.127Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d84672b181b64a4d7cc59438b70d911f695c6242b1bf90408630dd981b23deec","the-peace-decree-chapter-59","the-peace-decree-chapter-57",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]