[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-73":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},2328248,4553,"Chapter 73: The World Is in Change","the-peace-decree-chapter-73",73,"\u003Cp>The figure climbing over the corner of the wall was none other than the eldest living Si Ming of the Yin-Yang School, his hair snow-white, grinning as he waved at Li Guanyi—then cried out “Ah!” and tumbled forward, accompanied by a shimmering light invisible to ordinary eyes, as the Black Tortoise appeared and caught the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see, young friend, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was delighted to see Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi had no desire to ask how the old man had entered the Xue household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Continent’s Star Observing School was one of the Three Outer Sects; the Yin-Yang School was a prominent doctrine, and their approaches were somewhat similar—both cultivated spirit and Qi. Yao Guang could slip in silently; it was no surprise that Si Ming, far older than Yao Guang, possessed such abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi told his aunt, took a few taels of silver, and led the old man to an outside tavern. The old man ordered slightly better wine today—three wen a cup, vastly superior to the one-wen wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply meant less water had been mixed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man tilted his head back and swallowed it in one gulp; the strong liquor burned down his throat, flushing his face red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smacked his lips and praised: “Good. Very good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Much better than the imperial wine. The palace wine is too soft, no afterburn—only enough to make you slightly tipsy. This wine stirs the spirit. If it can’t make a man utterly drunk, it’s no different from sweet dew or milk curds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi did not agree with the old man’s view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely asked curiously: “It’s been nearly half a month—why have you come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ming greatly enjoyed the nickname and laughed heartily: “Of course, the matter is settled. Should I stay and humbly beg favors from those high officials? Zu Xiao has entered court, appointed Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Wang Tong has become Grand Secretary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That boy Yue Qianfeng has achieved his goal—though I wonder when he’ll return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The courtiers in red and purple have lost, yet still pretend harmony, exchanging banquets, their hearts seething to peel each other alive—but they force smiles. I couldn’t bear it—I’d have laughed myself to death. So I came back to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled as he spoke of court affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise also poured itself a cup. As he spoke, he made no effort to conceal it—but those around them ignored the old man and the boy entirely. Clearly, this was the Yin-Yang School’s art: the Hundred Schools, the Three Outer Sects—close combat was no match for martial warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But cultivation was not solely for combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They possessed mysterious arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man drank a few cups, then used his chopsticks to pick up a few peanuts, tossed them into his mouth, and chewed slowly: “Now things have settled into a lull. Both sides wait for a turning point. It sounds mystical, but it’s simply the upcoming Chen state’s grand sacrifice in forty or fifty days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. A grand sacrifice is typically held between the tenth and twentieth year of an emperor’s reign.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To honor ancestors and the land spirits, to declare his diligent rule and the nation’s peace and prosperity—it’s a matter of claiming credit, yet costs untold tens of thousands of taels. This time is unusual: it seems all nations will send envoys.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The crown prince of the Jiang clan of Ying state, the king of the Turkic steppes, the royal family of the Tuyuhun in the Western Regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And countless lesser tribes besides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With so many nobles coming and going, Chen’s royal court must host them all. Given their imperial pomp, the expenses cannot be small. Such a grand sacrifice is on par with war—and often brings a general amnesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is to report one’s achievements to the ancestors. Under such circumstances, bloodshed is inappropriate. This is the best opportunity for Yue Pengwu’s pardon. Yet, the other nations surely did not come merely to celebrate Chen’s prosperity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “They came to eliminate Marshal Yue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man nodded: “Marshal Yue is Chen’s pillar. To Ying state, he is a mortal enemy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They come to Chen seeking advantage for their own nations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sighed deeply: “A pot of rotten porridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi asked: “If Marshal Yue is so powerful, why was he imprisoned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man replied: “He is strong, but martial strength is not invincible. A great nation’s accumulated resources, methods, and extraordinary talents—when acting with intent against the unprepared—can bring down even a warrior. Moreover, Chen’s chancellor is a high-level Confucian master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said nothing, only felt the coming Chen state grand sacrifice would be troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled: “You’re not going—why sigh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “I am going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ming’s drinking motion halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “The emperor issued an edict. I must go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told the old man the details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes widened, then suddenly erupted in anger, slamming his cup onto the table and roaring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How has the offspring of Chen Xingguo lost his ancestors’ spirit? To balance civil and military power at court, he strips the general of his command; to appease the aristocrats, he drags a boy like you onto the stage?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His ancestors still had three parts of boldness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He won his achievements through martial prowess—how did his descendants become such spineless cowards?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fool! Fool!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man raged, then suddenly doubted himself: “Could it be that my piss on his ancestor’s grave extinguished the family’s ancestral smoke? No, that tree grew lush and thick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that my piss on his grave back then drowned out the ancestral smoke of his family tomb? Unlikely—the tree there was still lush and thriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man finished his tirade: “The emperor recites your poetry. The sons of court scholars and military nobles have long resented you. But you’re in Guanyi City, where the Xue family holds great power—they dare not leave the capital easily. Once you reach Jingcheng, they’ll come looking for trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you needn’t fear. In martial skill, you’re far stronger than they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for reputation—hmph. Wang Tong and Zu Wenyuan will return soon. If you wish, study under them for a while. Their great scholarly fame will shield you. In this age, martial skill protects you, but a name that shakes the world makes every faction respect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They do this to attract the world’s great talents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only in chaotic times does scholarly fame carry such weight. Wang Tong and Zu Wenyuan are now blazingly popular. Even the nobles in red and purple must bow slightly. If you gain such a name, even if the aristocrats hate you to the bone, they won’t dare act vilely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least they won’t resort to base tactics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only in times of chaos does literary fame wield such power; Wang Tong and Zu Wenyuan are now immensely popular, and even the noble clans and courtiers clad in crimson and purple must bow slightly. If you possessed such literary renown, even if the scions of those great clans hated you to the bone, they would dare not overstep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[93] At their first meeting, he had shown talent and wit, but his immediate reaction had been to draw his weapon to protect his child—like a lion baring its fangs for the first time, roaring at its destined enemy. He had changed; perhaps he had met someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In chaotic times, self-preservation required not just martial skill but reputation. He already had some martial ability, but his name was unknown. He thought of the situation in Jiangzhou City—having a scholarly reputation was better than none. Wang Tong had many disciples, mostly from Ying state’s noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join his school. Gain a title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he went to Ying state, at the very least he could rely on the name of fellow disciples to get by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if true upheaval came, it would be a force and support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To have both advance and retreat—perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t this what that saying meant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I grow strong, strength will bring change?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait… why did he think of that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi paused, pushing the sudden thought from his mind. He had only wanted to live peacefully with his aunt. But now, something had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he’d been influenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi rubbed his forehead. People influence each other. He suppressed the distractions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He poured the old man another cup of wine and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll sweep the mat and await your two elders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man laughed heartily: “Sweep the mat?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve both been eager to meet you. There’s even a Mohist who might come. If they weren’t rushing to enter Jingcheng and still had to play pretend with the court officials, they’d have come to you long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would they wait for an old man like me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you’re certainly no problem, hahaha. After all, you’re the White Tiger Grand Master found by the Eastern Continent’s Star Observing School.” The old man teased, raising his cup—when Li Guanyi said: “I’m probably not the true White Tiger Grand Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spat out his wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He coughed violently, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and stammered: “You—you know? No, I mean—what are you saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s reaction confirmed Li Guanyi’s suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “I saw the true White Tiger Grand Master through the light of the Seven Stars of White Tiger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will there be conflict between him and me, old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man hesitated, then, on this matter, gave no evasion: “There will be. No matter what, you bear the White Tiger’s starlight. The Seven Stars of White Tiger bring power. For heroes vying for the world, power is never enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave an example: “Even brothers and fathers kill each other for the throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even common families fight over inheritance until they never speak again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The position of White Tiger Grand Master represents too much: power, title, status. In chaos, it’s even more vital than a throne. A thousand gold can turn brothers to enemies. Do you think this position and destiny won’t drive you to kill each other?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi smiled: “Of course it will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man wanted to comfort the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, Li Guanyi sometimes seemed like a tumbleweed or dandelion—rootless, wary, uneasy. But now, seeing Li Guanyi lift his cup, the boy thought and said: “Then let us fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi had thought carefully: “I need the power of the Seven Stars of White Tiger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only with this power can I survive better in chaos. Besides—even if I wanted to give the power to him, he’d never rest easy unless he killed me. So there’s no choice. No need to choose anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until one of us dies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man saw Li Guanyi unconsciously reveal his desire and hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This child, who at their first meeting had shown talent and brilliance but immediately drawn his weapon to protect himself—like a lion baring its fangs at its destined enemy—had changed. Perhaps he’d met someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man suddenly roared with laughter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! Good! This is how it should be!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their first meeting, he had talent and flair, but his immediate reaction was to draw his weapon to protect his child, like a lion baring its fangs for the first time and roaring at its destined enemy—he had changed, perhaps because he had met someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ming did not say this aloud. He drank cup after cup, then suddenly remembered something and smiled: “By the way, I returned for another reason. You’ve entered the realm—I must now transmit to you the Yin-Yang School’s true teachings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All foundations lie in Yin and Yang Qi. Only when you enter the realm can you truly succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may now study the true transmission: this is the Art of Observing Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Arbiter did not speak these words aloud; he simply drank cup after cup, then suddenly remembered something and smiled: “Come to think of it, I have another reason for returning—you’ve entered my domain, so it’s time I teach you the Yin-Yang School’s methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stroked his beard. The Art of Observing Qi was the orthodox transmission of the Yin-Yang School. As one of its prominent doctrines, countless self-proclaimed Yin-Yang disciples roamed the world—some practiced feng shui, some predicted fortunes, some calculated destinies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can cultivate the true transmission—this true transmission is the Art of Observing Qi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi asked in confusion, \"The Art of Observing Qi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stroked his beard; the Art of Observing Qi is the direct transmission of the Yin-Yang School, one of the prominent schools—on this earth, those who claim to be disciples of the Yin-Yang School are as numerous as cattle and horses, some feng shui readers, some fortune-tellers of destiny, others diviners of fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most of them lack real ability; true Qi-observation art can discern feng shui, fortune, and warfare—it is essential for military yin-yang strategists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these mysterious, obscure arts—this boy absolutely dislikes them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man noticed the wariness and refusal on Li Guanyi’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy dislikes mystical nonsense and doesn’t like reading; just now, that surge of heroic spirit was clearly the old man’s drunken delusion—he had misread him. How could he possibly get this boy to willingly learn such a tedious art as Qi-observation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siming rubbed his chin and smiled. “Yes. Qi-observation art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended one finger and spoke slowly, word by word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can pick up coins with one hundred percent certainty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise stared blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth said, “Old man, do you really think I’m that greedy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siming froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes, and said frankly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money is for living well, not for living entirely. You’ve missed the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siming wondered if he had misjudged him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi clenched his fist against his lips, coughed once, sat up straight, and said, “But I think—more skills never weigh you down. Learning another craft is always good. Don’t you agree, Elder?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the old man pointed at Li Guanyi and burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an interesting boy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where in the world is there such a young prodigy?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mortal world is full of romance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroes differ, yet each generation has its own—this is why he refuses to die beneath green hills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man laughed and drank deeply, drunk in the mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, Siming seemed unusually cheerful, and ended up utterly drunk. Li Guanyi helped him back to his quarters; the old man leaned against the wall and vomited for a long time before his head throbbed painfully, swearing he’d never drink that three-cash wine again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too little water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too strong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He taught Li Guanyi the basics of Qi-observation art. Li Guanyi actually found two copper coins—picking up money on the road brought him more joy than earning it. The following days passed quietly, until the seventh day, when a reply arrived from beyond the border of Yingguo’s Longxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changsun Wucho rushed to deliver the letter into Li Guanyi’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi finally exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what the Second Young Master had done, and he’d been worried the young man might charge out recklessly and get hurt. Before he could even open the letter to check on the Second Young Master’s condition, he was found by Xue Daoyong’s personal guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said the old man wanted him at Tingfeng Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard, unusually, simply stood beside him and waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi thought for a moment, tucked the letter into his robe, and followed the personal guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tingfeng Pavilion was silent, doors and windows shut. When Li Guanyi entered, the old man sat there, the night pearl illuminating the world’s topographic map. The old man stared fixedly at the map of the realm, unaware Li Guanyi had entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi sat down. Only then did the old man turn to him and say, “Guanyi, you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is your Wu Gong coming along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi did not mention that the Jade Arm Divine Bow Art was nearly perfected—he planned to delay telling him for a few more days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply said, “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Daoyong nodded. “Today we received news—the world is about to change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What news could change the whole world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked at him and pushed a letter across the table, brief and direct:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tuyuhun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guanyi, do you have any idea why?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2763,"2026-06-20T19:20:33.127Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2bfead8ca7eae8637b8a736678254db04b99f05d699352ef4f89da6e7626012b","the-peace-decree-chapter-74","the-peace-decree-chapter-72",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]