Chapter 68: The Change of Celestial Signs, the White Tiger Presses Its Paw

Standing there was Yaoguang.

Li Guan said, “Miss Yaoguang, what brings you here?”

Yaoguang replied calmly, “I have business.”

Li Guan sighed.

This was the Xue family compound—its defenses, while not matching those of a border fortress, were still hard to breach; the courtyard walls stood over ten feet high, the very definition of high walls and deep courtyards, yet here Yaoguang’s head had appeared above them, and Li Guan had no idea how she’d climbed up.

Li Guan said, “Come down first.”

Yaoguang nodded.

She pressed her palms against the wall and lifted her body slightly.

Then she swung her body with effort.

First her left leg rose, her left foot lightly resting against the wall.

Using her left foot and both hands as supports.

She strained to flip herself over, lying prone on the wall, exhaled, then stood upright.

She bent forward and brushed the dust off her cloak.

Yaoguang stood atop the ten-foot wall, hands resting before her, the vast night sky and star patterns behind her, her silver hair faintly stirred by the night wind, her expression solemn yet serene as she whispered, “I thought you had already left.”

Li Guan felt slightly embarrassed. “I haven’t yet perfected the cultivation method after entering.”

“So I didn’t seek you out.”

Yaoguang shook her head, extended a finger toward the sky, and spoke in a tranquil voice:

“It’s not because of that.”

The star Mao Tou within the White Tiger’s Seven Mansions suddenly brightened by three grades tonight, nearly rivaling the brightness of Shen Xi. Mao Tou is the fourth mansion of the Western White Tiger Mansions, symbolizing the banners of a great army.

Tonight, the brightness of the White Tiger’s Mao Tou has flared like an army raising its banners—this has shifted the balance of the world. I thought you had sent Guan Yicheng to wage war in the west, and I grew uneasy, so I came here uninvited. Since you’re still here, I won’t disturb you further.

Li Guan said, “I’ve been right here these past few days.”

He suddenly remembered the letter he’d sent to the second son of the Duke Prefecture of Longxi in Ying Guo.

A flicker of surprise crossed his mind.

Wasn’t that boy only thirteen or fourteen? Could he really be acting on what was written in the letter?

Could he truly possess such boldness?

He quickly dismissed the thought—the letter had only just been sent and would still be en route; it would take over half a day to arrive. There was no way the response could be this swift. He must be mistaken. The changes in the western frontier reflected in the star patterns had nothing to do with him.

Unless there was another person tied to him, stirring chaos in the western lands.

Li Guan said, “It’s already late tonight. Stay here for now.”

Yaoguang shook her head.

Li Guan said, “I still have questions for you.”

At this, Yaoguang nodded. Beneath the night sky, the silver-haired girl with her delicate, almost inhuman features was bathed in starlight and moonlight, radiating a sacred aura.

Then she crouched down.

Carefully turned, pressing her palms against the wall.

First she extended her right foot downward.

Her right foot tapped lightly, searching for a secure foothold.

Li Guan suddenly realized the sacred, ethereal disciple of the Eastern Land Star Observation School had become human—climbing down a wall was no different from how he’d done it himself, yet the Xue family’s walls were both tall and slippery, impossible to grip. He stepped to the wall, extended his hand, and said,

“Don’t worry—I’ll hold you. Let go.”

Yaoguang trusted him.

Her right foot descended, landing in Li Guan’s palm.

With the support beneath her foot, she relaxed.

Her left foot followed.

Both of Yaoguang’s feet rested in Li Guan’s palms; the boy bent slightly, and she gave a small hop.

She landed on the ground.

Yaoguang brushed the dust from her palms.

Turning to face him, her voice calm, she said, “Thank you for your help.”

Li Guan pointed to the side courtyard and led Yaoguang into a side room, wiping the dirt from his palms as he asked, “The Xue family’s defenses are tight—how did you get in?”

Yaoguang answered, “The Star Observation School has special methods for concealing its presence.”

Li Guan nodded.

“You mentioned the star patterns?”

“Will the changes in the White Tiger Mansions affect me?”

Yaoguang nodded, her voice as still as water: “Events in the mortal realm reflect in the star patterns. The White Tiger Mansions represent chaos and conflict, governed by the Divine Lord of Surveillance. The bloodshed and transformations of the world stir responses in the White Tiger Mansions—and your fate is bound to them.”

“The radiance of the seven mansions will influence your Dharma Form.”

“The light has not yet stabilized. If it does, perhaps…”

Yaoguang said, “Perhaps you will receive a second purification by starlight.”

Starlight purification.

Li Guan recalled his experience upon entering—now that he understood cultivation after entry, he wondered if this meant he could swiftly complete the first stage of body forging and the [Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art].

But he was here now, and the turmoil of the western frontier, the struggle of heroes—it had nothing to do with him. He said, “I’ve already learned the cultivation method and acquired a weapon. After that, I can enter the secret realm.”

Yaoguang nodded.

Li Guan felt slightly awkward. “Have you eaten?”

Yaoguang answered quietly:

“I have.”

Li Guan smiled. “It’s still early—have a little more. I can guess what you’ve eaten.” He rummaged through the kitchen. Though Li Guan often ate with the Xue family’s martial instructors or borrowed meals from Tingfeng Pavilion, the side courtyard’s kitchen was well-stocked.

There was cow’s milk, eggs, fine flour, polished rice, and refined salt.

Many fresh fruits and vegetables, changed daily.

Even butter sent by Changsun Wu’chou.

This western and steppe butter resembled the cream of his past life.

Li Guan smiled faintly. “Got it. Wait a moment. If you’re leaving, I’ll give you a gift. Eat first—consider it my apology for not visiting you these past days.”

He mixed milk and egg yolks with flour and honey to make the cake base.

Whipping egg whites by hand was difficult, but for a martial cultivator’s arm strength and recovery capacity—

Especially one who practiced the [Jade Arm Divine Bow Art]—it was effortless.

He placed the base in the oven to bake. As he and Yaoguang spoke of the secret realm and the [Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art], he removed the cake, spread the expensive butter atop it, and arranged sliced fruit as decoration.

Though simple, this was the most perfect version he’d ever recreated.

More complex pastries, like those from Jiangnan—he couldn’t master them.

He placed the humble cake before Yaoguang.

He set down his chopsticks. “Try it.”

Yaoguang’s voice was calm: “The Star Observation School of the Eastern Land requires only simple food and clothing.”

Li Guan smiled. “I’ve already made it. Try it.”

Yaoguang reached out with her chopsticks, picked up a bite, and placed it in her mouth. Li Guan watched for wonder or delight in her eyes—but she remained as quiet as ever. He felt a pang of disappointment.

Yaoguang set down her chopsticks, her tone unrippled:

“Thank you. I’ll rest here for now.”

“When the gates open at dawn, I’ll return to the secret realm and await your arrival.”

Li Guan left the guest room and closed the door. Yaoguang closed her eyes quietly, waiting until Li Guan was gone.

She opened them.

She gazed at the delicate pastry before her.

She picked up a small piece with her chopsticks, placed it in her mouth. Softer than baked buns, the sweetness of honey, the richness of western butter—combined into a delightful sensation. A faint gleam lit her eyes, yet her expression remained serene.

She set down her chopsticks.

She picked up a spoon.

Scooped up a large portion, opened her mouth wide, and bit down.

A layer of butter clung to her lips, like a beard.

Her cheeks puffed slightly, moving as she chewed.

“Delicious.”

She quietly evaluated.

Then she scooped an even larger spoonful.

………………

When Li Guan woke the next morning, Yaoguang was gone. Despite his vigilance, he hadn’t sensed her departure, nor had the Xue family’s retainers noticed—only when he stepped outside did he see a large water jar overturned beside the wall where the girl had climbed.

He thought for a moment—it must be that Yaoguang had pushed the jar over.

Climbed atop it.

Then stood on tiptoe to press herself against the wall.

Li Guan stretched, gazed at the sky, and felt it was a peaceful, tranquil day. He had matters to attend to—he borrowed a horse from the stable, donned a brocade robe, and rode to the government office. As a seventh-rank martial official, no one stopped him.

Even the official handling travel permits hurried to greet him inside.

Seat the honored guests, serve the finest tea!

In the time it took to burn one stick of incense, Li Guanyi walked out of the government office.

Everyone was momentarily dazed.

It was so simple—those officials were eager to fulfill every one of his demands. Though he was a seventh-rank martial official planning to leave the country, they saw only the opportunity: once he departed, his position would be vacant.

Li Guanyi did not know whether other nations across the land were the same.

If even Chen Guo was like this...

Then the entire world was truly doomed.

But in such a vast world, there must be some place where he and his aunt could live in peace. His martial cultivation had already entered the realm, and silver was no issue. A word to Xue Lao, and he could arrange for the merchant guild on the other side to prepare—then he and his aunt could leave this place and cross the border.

Li Guanyi felt lighter on his shoulders, but when he returned to the Xue residence, he found the road outside cleared—commoners forbidden to pass. Though he held the rank of seventh-rank martial official, he dismounted and walked to the Xue residence, only to find it surrounded by many people.

All members of the Xue household had been banished to the outer courtyard; not even the inner guest masters were allowed inside.

Li Guanyi asked: “What’s going on? Sister Qu?”

Qu Guanshi of the tailor’s shop looked at him with a hint of awe.

“It’s an official from the palace.”

“The Emperor has sent someone.”

The Emperor?

Li Guanyi’s expression hardened slightly. Though his origins remained unclear, he was certainly not suited to meet palace officials. The best move was to flee—thirty-six strategies, escape as the best. He prepared to leave, but someone spotted him: Zhao Da. He pushed through the crowd, grabbed him by the arm, and said:

“Young brother, I’ve finally found you! Hurry over—they’re waiting for you!”

Li Guanyi said: “What does the Emperor’s envoy have to do with me?”

Zhao Da shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“But the envoy’s message mentioned you. Palace rules: the imperial edict can only be read once everyone is assembled!”

He told Li Guanyi:

“It seems the Sacred Edict named you by name.”

“You’re to go over!”