Chapter 583: Side Story · Fated Appointment Chapter (Two)

Side Story · Fated Appointment Chapter (Two)

The mountains were high and the waters long, the starlight bright.

When night fell, the daytime's sweltering heat was gone, and it felt much more pleasant. Li Guanyi had brought down some game, and after dressing it, planned to roast some meat to eat.

After several days of plain steamed buns, his mouth had grown tasteless. The Fire Qilin cooperated with great enthusiasm, eagerly breathing out a breath of fire, then lying there with wide, glistening eyes, staring at the roasting meat without blinking.

The young man, dressed in simple clothes like a wandering knight-errant of the jianghu, turned the wooden stick.

A layer of honey had been brushed onto the surface of the roasting meat, seared by the Qilin's fire. The martial arts legend hailed as the foremost under heaven today, the Human Emperor of Qin himself controlled the intensity. The skin gradually turned golden, releasing wave after wave of irresistibly fragrant aroma.

The Fire Qilin had long been unable to wait.

"Is it ready yet? Is it ready yet?"

Its two eyes shone with light; if it hadn't still needed to control the fire, drool would have been spilling out.

"I want to eat the good fruit!"

Li Guanyi ruffled the Fire Qilin's head and said with a leisurely smile:

"Don't be impatient, there's plenty for you."

"As the saying goes, haste makes a hot tofu hard to swallow."

The Fire Qilin said disdainfully: "I'm a Fire Qilin, you know, I'm not afraid of getting burned!"

Li Guanyi laughed in spite of himself: "That's true, I forgot about that. Wait a little longer, in a moment it'll be at the perfect tenderness for eating. Half-cooked doesn't taste good, you'll get a stomachache."

He paused, then said with a hint of teasing:

"But then again, you're a Fire Qilin, so that probably doesn't matter."

The little Qilin said solemnly: "No, this is very important!"

Li Guanyi opened his mouth.

Looking at the earnest little creature, so particular about the perfect tenderness for eating, he felt, for a moment, a certain two-part helplessness.

He really didn't understand these Qilins.

He raised his head, his gaze drifting to the side, to a large rock where a silver-haired girl sat hugging her knees, quietly watching the sky. The silver-haired girl suddenly said softly.

"The light of the White Tiger Seven Mansions has suddenly brightened by one star's magnitude."

Her long silver hair stirred slightly in the night wind, seeming to carry a thin layer of starlight. Yaoguang's eyes held fine, scattered points of light, and between her brows was a faint golden trace. Bathed in starlight, she seemed ethereal, not like a mortal.

She was recording the changes in the celestial phenomena above.

She planned to compile the scattered, unsystematic astronomical texts from the chaotic centuries of the troubled era—from the Western Regions to the Turks, from the Central Plains to the Southwest. People of different lands and different ethnicities all shared the act of looking up at the stars in the sky.

This was a great undertaking that past astronomers and astromancers had not dared even to imagine. To accomplish it required not only the scholarship of a single astromancer, but also an era of peace and tranquility, a unified empire, and an emperor who could win the submission and recognition of all the peoples under heaven, persuading them to bring out their own secretly transmitted manuscripts.

The silver-haired girl observed the celestial phenomena, lifted her brush, and wrote something on the scroll beside her.

Until Li Guanyi said: "The roast meat is about ready."

The ethereal, faint girl, as if detached from this world, her eyes shifted slightly. She then stood up, patted the dust from her clothes, gathered the manuscript that later generations would call the foundational masterwork of astronomical and celestial studies, and lightly leapt down from the rock.

Tap.

Her shoes made a soft sound as they touched the ground.

The silver-haired girl's hair lifted in the moonlight.

Then, in one smooth motion, she pitched forward.

Li Guanyi raised his hand and caught the girl.

The silver-haired girl's expression remained calm. She steadied herself, her voice still without a ripple, and said:

"My legs went numb."

Li Guanyi laughed, gently released his hold, and said with a smile: "After all, Yaoguang, you were sitting there for quite a long time. Are you hungry? Come on, it's about ready to eat."

The Fire Qilin felt it was a bit full.

The Fire Qilin thought it over, then gave up trying to understand these things.

Whatever!

This auspicious beast really didn't understand you humans.

The good fruit was already cooked!

The Fire Qilin lowered its head and happily began to feast with great gusto.

Li Guanyi casually flicked out a sword qi, slicing the roast meat into thin pieces, gave some to Yaoguang to eat, and asked in passing: "The starlight of the White Tiger Seven Mansions has brightened—does that mean the next Bai Hu Da Zong is about to appear?"

The silver-haired girl chewed the roast meat in small bites, swallowed, then shook her head slightly. Her voice was quiet, without a ripple, as she said:

"The Bai Hu Da Zong is born from the clashing fortunes of a troubled era. In today's age of peace under heaven, even if someone bearing the White Tiger's Mandate were to appear, they would become a general of the peaceful era, not a person who stirs up chaos, and could not be called Bai Hu Da Zong."

The girl's expression was blank, her cheeks puffed slightly, moving in small motions.

Chew, chew.

Swallow.

Li Guanyi laughed, reached out, and wiped away the traces left at the corner of the silver-haired girl's mouth.

Yaoguang was already accustomed to this kind of interaction.

She raised her head, watching the flow of starlight across the sky.

"The White Tiger Seven Mansions stretch across the western expanse of the dark night. We are now approaching the territory of the Star-Gazing School. The Star-Gazing lineage has always had ties with the Bai Hu Da Zong through the generations, but until now it has always been the disciples of our two lineages who went to seek out the Bai Hu Da Zong. This is the first time the Bai Hu Da Zong has come to us."

"Perhaps because of this matter, some change has occurred within the school, leading to this difference."

Li Guanyi looked at the sky.

During this period, he and Yaoguang had set out from Jiangnan and traveled westward, seeing many sights along the way. The silver-haired girl had recorded them all in that handbook, and now they were finally about to enter the land where the Star-Gazers dwelled.

And finally about to meet Yaoguang's teacher and teacher's wife.

After finishing eating, they put out the fire. The Fire Qilin transformed into a cat and curled up in Li Guanyi's arms. Li Guanyi raised his head, looked at the distant sky and stars, and chatted casually with Yaoguang about how they had first met over a decade ago.

As they chatted, he suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulder.

He tilted his eyes slightly to look, and saw that the silver-haired girl was already drowsy, covered with a thin windbreak cloak, leaning against Li Guanyi's shoulder, her breathing grown deep, slow, and delicate, as if she had already fallen asleep.

Her silver hair hung down, her body rising and falling slightly with each breath.

Like a brocade cat curled up into a ball of white snow.

Li Guanyi thought that, more than ten years ago, in the days before the girl had met him, was she also like this—gazing at the sky beneath every clear, starry night, then curling up together to sleep in peace.

Li Guanyi murmured with a smile: "It seems these past few days have been too tiring after all—she's already asleep."

"………I'm, awake."

Li Guanyi saw the silver-haired girl speak with her eyes closed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Quietly leaning against his shoulder.

Li Guanyi chuckled softly. He leaned against the mountain rock, the Fire Qilin on one side, the silver-haired girl beside him, his heart at peace. All things under heaven remained unchanged; only the Bai Hu Seven Mansions, spanning the western sky, wheeled their cold, clear starlight through the long night.

A scene of perfect harmony and tranquility.

……………………

A flower blooms in two branches; let each be told in turn.

Li Guanyi and Yaoguang here were, of course, touring mountains and waters, traveling the world together; as for the Angler, things had turned rather unlucky for him.

Or rather, it was not the Angler who was unlucky, but Tu Shengyuan.

"Where's my daughter?! Where's Yaoguang?!!"

"Where is she!?"

"Where, where is she?"

"I don't know."

"I'm just a storyteller."

"How about I do a couple of passages for you!?"

The Angler snarled: "Like hell you will!!!"

He stepped forward slowly, his eyes nearly blazing with fire, and said through gritted teeth: "Today, you are in my hands. If you can tell me where Yaoguang is, this old man will let slide the disrespectful words from your mouth today. Otherwise…"

He laughed coldly twice and said: "I'll take you eight hundred li beyond the South Sea, to the deep-sea whirlpool, and use you as chum to fish for tiger whales."

Tu Shengyuan's face went white.

He wished he could go back and give himself, who had spoken drunkenly and carelessly, a good beating.

If you're going to tell stories, then tell stories.

Why say so much?!

Yet he had provoked this murderous star into coming—what was the point of that.

Tu Shengyuan felt his scalp go numb, and stammered: "Th-this, Mr. Zhenkui, that's not appropriate. Besides, Qin Huang and Miss Yaoguang are deeply in love, more than ten years of affection. Th-the two of them going out, a young man and a young woman, traveling the Shanhe together."

The Angler said: "You mean, a lone man and a lone woman, traveling out alone."

Tu Shengyuan drew a sharp, cold breath.

Once the Angler's overprotective-father perspective was translated into words, even this fearless First Chief Guest of the Tianxia Diyi Lou Under Heaven felt his heart tremble several times.

"I-I mean, when they have their grand wedding, you, as an elder, don't need to rush over."

The Angler's face went dark: "You mean this old man going over would be in the way?"

"In the way? In the way of what!?"

The corner of Tu Shengyuan's mouth twitched.

This conversation cannot continue.

"It's a matter for the young people; you old thing shouldn't be meddling."

Over there, old Master Siming had already burst into hearty laughter, gleefully watching the show, and laughed out loud: "Those two are a talented young man and a beautiful young woman, a match made by heaven. Going out to travel together is naturally a fine thing. What business is it for an old fogey like you to meddle? Wouldn't that just be getting in the way?!"

"Just wait for the day to hold your grandchild, hahahahaha."

"Old Tu, well said!"

"I'm on your side this time!"

Saying so, old Master Siming winked and made faces, adding fuel to the fire, casting an approving gaze of the same kind.

Tu Shengyuan felt his whole body go numb, and said: "Shut your mouth, will you."

Both old Master Siming and the old Dark Tortoise wore pleased smiles on their faces.

He had not expected the Angler's gaze to sweep over, and the Angler said: "Old Siming, isn't your Dark Tortoise able to contact that boy?!"

"Find them!"

"Find them, or I'll use you as chum too!"

Master Siming: "???"

"That thing requires two-way contact—how can this old man initiate a search on his own?"

The Angler said: "Isn't your old turtle supposed to be incredibly capable?"

The old Dark Tortoise: "???"

Huh? One-sidedly contacting the Human Emperor who founded the grand unified dynasty?

Who?! Me?!

Just as he was about to open his mouth to retort, Tu Shengyuan over there had already shouted: "Long have I heard that the arts and methods of the Yin-Yang School are wondrous and unrivaled under heaven. With the assistance of Senior Siming, finding even the faintest trace of Qin Huang's whereabouts should be but a matter of lifting a hand."

The First Chief Guest of the Tianxia Diyi Lou Under Heaven revealed a 'ferocious grin.'

Let's all die together, old fellow!

Old Master Siming's expression went blank.

"Tell me, where is Yaoguang!!!"

The white-haired angler, one hand gripping Master Siming by the collar, the other gripping Tu Shengyuan by the collar, shook them violently. The two old men's heads buzzed; Master Siming's eyes rolled wildly, and Tu Shengyuan felt his stomach acid pummeling his brain.

Add to that the several nights of heavy drinking, and his mind ceased to think.

Almost instinctively, he blurted out: "She probably went back to her natal home!"

The Whale Fisher roared: "Bullshit! My place is her natal home!"

The Old Siming said: "A natal home you haven't seen in over a decade?!"

The Whale Fisher was struck through.

He froze for a moment.

Then, as if realizing something, the Whale Fisher, the Old Siming, and Tu Shengyuan's eyes flickered, nearly in unison:

"The Star Gazing School!!!"

The next instant, Tu Shengyuan shrieked: "No good!"

But it was too late—the vast, boundless aura shaped the four directions of heaven and earth into array patterns, and the next moment, the Whale Fisher had seized both of them and shot skyward, shattering the void, heading straight for the Star Gazing School.

Nan Hanwen had just arrived with fine wine and delicacies when he happened to see this scene and heard their final exchange; he sighed regretfully: "So they've left already… the Star Gazing School."

Nan Hanwen stroked his beard, slightly puzzled, then muttered to himself:

"Come to think of it."

"Why did Master Pojun Jun apparently have no intention of attending Your Majesty and Miss Yao Guang's wedding? He calculated the timing in advance and returned to his sect?"

"Wasn't that also the Star Gazing School?"

……………………

The next day, Yao Guang and Li Guanyi arrived at a hidden place and located the Star Gazing School's grounds; the silver-haired girl used a secret technique to unveil the starlight that had concealed the sect's sacred site.

The Star Gazing Art split like two cascading waterfalls, beneath which stood ancient, simple buildings.

Built in harmony with the mountain and water formations.

There was an air of detachment from the mortal world.

Li Guanyi also met Yao Guang's master and mistress; her teacher was a middle-aged man of modest stature who looked solemn, while her mistress was a gentle woman who showed only slight surprise upon seeing Yao Guang return.

Mistress Chu Wenxuan stepped forward, grasped Yao Guang's arm, her expression warm and delighted, saying she had grown thin, and that after so long a time, with only a few brief letters to report her safety, she had never come home.

Her teacher's eyes held faint excitement, but his face remained solemn, revealing little emotion; he simply said: "Good that you've returned. Good that you've returned."

Li Guanyi was about to speak when he heard Yao Guang's teacher say:

"If you can't stay with the Qin Huang, then come back."

"Our Star Gazing School has endured for a thousand years. You are the current heir—this world is vast; where can't you go?"

Li Guanyi: "Huh???"

The Fire Qilin, transformed into a cat on his shoulder, widened its eyes.

Huh??? She couldn't stay with the Qin Huang?!

When did this happen?

It eyed Li Guanyi suspiciously, then glanced at the silver-haired girl, then back at Li Guanyi, its eyes filled with confusion.

Li Guanyi returned a look, signaling: Don't look at me—I don't know either.

Just as the two silently exchanged glances:

The middle-aged man also turned to Li Guanyi: "Thank you, young master, for escorting my disciple home. I am Yu Yanming, currently serving as instructor for Yao Guang's lineage of the Star Gazing School. May I ask your name?"

Li Guanyi bowed and replied: "I am from Jiangzhou, a disciple of the Scholar Palace's Daoist sect—Li Yaoshi." He then produced the Daoist credential given to him by the Ancestor; Yu Yanming's expression softened: "So you are a high disciple of the Daoist sect—no wonder you carry yourself so well."

"Please come in. Though our Star Gazing lineage dwells far from the world, we still know proper hospitality. We have fine wine and plenty of poultry and pork—Master Daoist, please."

"Mr. Yu, please."

Li Guanyi caught sight of Yao Guang whispering softly with her mistress, and felt at ease. The stern middle-aged man ordered the other disciples to gather wine and meat for a family feast. After three rounds of wine, Li Guanyi remained unaffected, but Yu Yanming, being a sorcerer without the robust physique of a martial cultivator, was already slightly drunk.

Taking advantage of his drunkenness, Li Guanyi asked casually: "You said Yao Guang couldn't stay with the Qin Huang—what do you mean by that?"

"From what I understand, Miss Yao Guang and the Qin Huang have known each other since they were thirteen or fourteen—over a decade now, through countless trials of life and death. Why say such a thing?!"

Yu Yanming let out a long sigh, grunted for a while, and the rigid sorcerer who once told Yao Guang that the greatest heroes were those who killed the most merely said:

"The Qin Huang… hmm… he's not bad…"

The mistress, who had just come to refill the wine, rolled her eyes and said: "Still saying such things? Don't you always mutter to yourself that in all history, none have matched the current Bai Hu Da Zong in uniting both branches of our Star Gazing lineage and forging a great cause?"

"So why are you saying this now?"

"And in front of young people, speaking like some stubborn old fool—don't you have any shame?"

Yu Yanming, flustered by the rebuke, stammered: "This… this is a different matter."

Seeing Li Guanyi's gaze, Yu Yanming pretended nothing had happened and said: "I'll be honest with you—it was fine at first, but the heir of the Po Jun lineage, unlike Yao Guang, has been writing letters back frequently, and lately has grown increasingly arrogant."

Mentioning this clearly stirred Yu Yanming's resentment.

He set his cup down on the table, defiantly saying: "In his latest letter, he claimed his Po Jun lineage has utterly surpassed our Yao Guang lineage, saying—"

"'From now on, the Po Jun lineage has triumphed completely; Yao Guang is no longer the Lord's strategist, no longer…' and so on."

"That old man of the Po Jun lineage gloated, bringing his disciples here multiple times."

"He even left the letters here—just to infuriate me!"

Li Guanyi froze.

"Letters?"

Yu Yanming glanced at him, drunk and slurring: "Yes, countless of them—all written by that young Po Jun over the past decade. Dozens upon dozens, thick as a bundle. His teacher and master carried the whole sack here themselves."

"Want to see them?"

Li Guanyi's expression turned strange: "I wouldn't mind…"

Meanwhile.

A strategist with purple eyes arrived again, accompanied by his master and teacher.

From today onward, the Po Jun lineage has utterly surpassed you, Yao Guang's lineage!

Returning once more to the top of the Star Gazing School's Strategist Rankings!

The genius strategist curled up the corner of his mouth, swept his wide sleeves aside, and walked in unhurried and composed. His gaze carried arrogance, the corner of his lips curved upward. He saw the great hall of the Star Gazing School, saw the gentle woman over there, saw Bai Mao crouching beside her and petting a cat, and also…

Hmm?? Wait?!!

Bai Mao?!!

?? Everyone, let me wish you a happy Lantern Festival in advance~~