Chapter 78

Fifteen chapters already?

Li Guanyi recalled what Xue Daoyong had said: among the Ten Greatest Secret Arts of the Central Plains, the most esoteric technique of Shen cultivation was the Murong family's "Twelve Layers of Jiangnan Mist and Rain." He looked at Murong Qiushui, who smiled faintly at him: "Just a trivial trick."

"Too many people in the world know this little trick."

Li Guanyi said: "If many know this little trick, how many can actually use it?"

Murong Qiushui reached out, pinched Li Guanyi's cheeks, then clapped her hands together, flattening the boy's face until his mouth bulged out, scolding: "This isn't important, little kitty."

"The final part was figured out by Auntie herself."

"So, besides me, only you can do it."

Li Guanyi did not press further.

He and Auntie had relied on each other for ten years; though many questions still lingered in his heart, if she didn't speak, he wouldn't ask—after all, she would never harm him, and since the technique worked, he simply practiced it. Yet this seemingly complex method made his head spin, yet when he practiced, he picked it up instantly.

His body moved on instinct.

This wasn't learning—it was more like remembering.

The shifts and turns of inner Qi and spirit matched the rise and fall of the zither's melody.

Sustaining the spirit was like lightly pressing a finger on a string, tightening it to produce a long, resonant overtone.

He was like someone utterly absorbed, abandoning all cultivation mindset, relying only on ordinary mind.

He had practiced this technique for ten years.

Over those ten years, he never treated it as a divine secret, but purely studied the art of playing the zither, simplifying complexity until, at its peak, he reclaimed all the techniques, allowing him to act freely and naturally, like deep roots producing lush blossoms.

This pluck, this tuning—

Were all manifestations of the technique's inner flow.

As Li Guanyi played, he heard Auntie's muffled cough. He stopped playing, looked at Murong Qiushui covering her lips, and said: "Auntie, your old ailment's flared up again?!" The boy dropped the zither and rushed over.

Murong Qiushui had suddenly fallen ill several years ago.

She couldn't stop coughing, her face pale; before that day, she had been caring for Li Guanyi.

After that day, the young boy cared for her.

Even at thirteen, Li Guanyi worked at Huichun Hall, but later brought Auntie back to the Xue family, tending to her meals and daily needs meticulously. For a long time, she stopped coughing, and Li Guanyi gradually relaxed—yet today, it had returned.

Li Guanyi supported Murong Qiushui, channeling his inner Qi from his palms.

Murong Qiushui's body had clearly not undergone Body Casting; she was no habitual warrior. Li Guanyi's Qi could only travel an inch before naturally dispersing and collapsing. Murong Qiushui seized his hand and whispered: "Just an old ailment."

"Don't worry about Auntie, little kitty."

Li Guanyi looked at Murong Qiushui; she smiled faintly, her eyes calm.

Li Guanyi withdrew his hand and said: "Then Auntie, don't tire yourself—I'll play the zither myself. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare some nourishing soup for you."

Murong Qiushui pulled the boy into her arms, laughing: "Oh my, how wonderful."

"Auntie just coughed once, and my little kitty immediately adds dishes—so filial."

Li Guanyi's lips twitched: "You!"

"You're deliberately scaring me again?"

Murong Qiushui burst out laughing, triumphant: "Didn't Auntie tell you?"

"Beware beautiful girls—they're the best liars."

"Aren't I beautiful?"

Li Guanyi grinned unreservedly: "Half-old…"

Then his forehead received a sharp tap.

Murong Qiushui glared at him, her brows and features far more refined than the still-growing Young Lady, and far more lively than Yao Guang. Li Guanyi rubbed his forehead and went to play the zither again; his gaze grew still, free of earlier playfulness.

His thoughts were tangled—what exactly was Auntie's old ailment?

If the method she taught him truly was the "Twelve Layers of Jiangnan Mist and Rain," the most hidden of the Ten Greatest Secret Arts of the Central Plains, as Xue Lao described…

Then Auntie must have very high cultivation.

Not the kind of warrior who kills with every step—she must have mastery over spirit.

Yet something she couldn't handle…

Li Guanyi unconsciously thought of the deadly poison in his chest.

When they escaped that year…

His own poison…

Could Auntie really have escaped unscathed?

Auntie said his father wore a mask—was he Tai Ping Gong, or did others wear faceplates too? After all, in Xue Shen's memories, the ancestral lord of Chen State wore the same dark-gold faceplate.

The more he traced back that year, the more mysteries he uncovered.

Li Guanyi suppressed his scattered thoughts.

He knew his mind was too cluttered—if it showed in his zither music, Murong Qiushui would hear it. He played quietly.

His Qi dispersed naturally when transmitted into Auntie's meridians.

Because after entering the realm, his Qi could leave his body—but he had only completed Body Casting, not yet condensed Qi; his energy was too unrefined and naturally dissipated after leaving the body. He realized he needed to speak with Grandpa Xue Daoyong.

He needed to say he had completed Body Casting.

He needed to begin the next stage of cultivation.

Most sects and clans transmitted their techniques stage by stage to prevent disciples from greedily rushing ahead and destabilizing their foundations.

Li Guanyi had not mentioned his completed Body Casting these past days.

Ordinary cultivators needed three years to complete it—he had done it in barely ten days, which was absurd. He planned to find the right moment to explain in detail to the elder.

But now he was going to Jiangzhou City.

Then he ought to advance his realm.

To understand your aunt's physical condition, you need at least Qi Condensation.

Also, Master Siming—Li Guanyi's *Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art* has reached the threshold of its final stage; according to the scripture's records, if one can harness the various qi currents of heaven and earth during cultivation, this *Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art* can be pushed to its ultimate limit.

Previously, Li Guanyi had thought of starlight.

Now, let the roaring voice of the fallen Tuyuhun kingdom serve as the final impetus—see what level the *Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art* can reach.

【Warrior's bone structure improves one tier, purifies hidden injuries, removes hidden poisons】…

A thought surfaced in the boy's mind.

If one uses the qi destiny of a fallen nation to propel it…

How much could it improve?

The book does not say.

Because throughout history, the Bai Hu Da Zong cultivators who practiced this art had never achieved the feat of destroying a nation—no, there was one, before him, the only one who, as a youth cultivating this art, bore the qi destiny of a nation's destruction.

Li Guanyi remembered.

That was precisely the opponent of the founding emperor of the current dynasty, the Red Emperor.

The warlord of the chaotic age, the forger of the Tiger Roar Heaven-Piercing Halberd.

The strongest Bai Hu Da Zong since ancient times.

Until now.

The only cultivator to complete this level of the *Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art*.

………………

The "little trick" Murong Qiushui mentioned, Li Guanyi mastered quickly.

But he discovered a new problem: mastering the technique and being able to use it perfectly still differed by a vast distance; over the following days, Li Guanyi practiced the qin with even greater diligence, his technique grew more refined, yet he could no longer sustain the *Spirit*'s disguise at all times.

On this day, after practicing the qin, he took up his halberd and trained in the Xue family's training ground.

He was already extremely proficient in the Xue family's halberd techniques.

Yet the *Rolling Wave* still eluded him.

His weapons were sufficient, his body forged—but without Qi Condensation, when releasing his qi, the energy always scattered at the moment this technique completed. Li Guanyi was not discouraged; he practiced move by move. Xue Changqing watched enviously, and after Li Guanyi finished, he rushed over to pick up the halberd and mimic the motions.

Li Guanyi looked around but found no familiar figure, and said:

"Why hasn't Young Lady come?"

Xue Changqing gripped the halberd and thrust forward, both hands clasped at the end, his hands trembling slightly:

"Huh? You're asking about my sister?"

"Why don't you ask me instead!"

Li Guanyi tapped the boy on the head.

Xue Changqing grumbled in reply:

"An imperial edict arrived from the palace—she's been ordered to enter the palace."

Li Guanyi paused slightly: "Enter the palace?"

Xue Changqing said: "They say your aunt is lonely in the palace. In the next month, the Emperor must fast, bathe, and sit in stillness to prepare for the Grand Sacrifice, so he cannot accompany her constantly. He wrote a letter asking your sister to enter the palace to keep her company, and return with Grandfather after the Grand Sacrifice next month."

"My sister isn't happy."

Li Guanyi said: "Not happy?"

Xue Changqing said: "There are too many rules in the palace! My sister only looks like a noble young lady, but she really hates all those palace regulations—every meal, every sip of water, every step must follow etiquette. It can drive a person mad."

"But your aunt seems to be six months pregnant."

Xue Changqing sighed: "Her moods fluctuate wildly, so the Emperor himself wrote the letter. Many Xue family women could accompany her, but such an opportunity must go to a direct-line daughter—so it's only my sister left."

"Grandfather didn't hesitate at all—he agreed immediately."

"The carriages and horses are already being prepared."

"Those noble young ladies are congratulating my sister, envying her, as if there's some spring outing poetry gathering."

"I suppose she won't have the heart to train today."

Li Guanyi said: "I see."

He thought for a moment, told Xue Changqing to practice alone, and went to see Young Lady—just as she was stepping out, Zhao Da Bing driving the carriage. When Xue Shuangtao saw Li Guanyi there, she asked curiously: "Aren't you training?"

Li Guanyi smiled and gestured for Zhao Da Bing to make room.

Then he sat down and said: "Nothing much—I'm tired of training every day. Let's take a ride. Brother Zhao, no trouble, right?"

Zhao Da Bing had long since prepared salt-baked peanuts and flower tea.

Undoubtedly, no trouble at all.

Xue Shuangtao said: "Did Changqing tell you?"

Li Guanyi betrayed the boy without hesitation, sincerely saying:

"Kids have big mouths—don't blame him."

Xue Shuangtao sighed, gazing out the window at the familiar scenery. After a long while, she said: "I really don't want to go to the palace—it's stifling and meaningless. Everyone speaks with hidden meanings, their hearts full of secrets. Living there is exhausting."

Li Guanyi said: "Can't you refuse?"

Xue Shuangtao said: "If I refuse, won't my aunt's efforts be wasted? I'm a daughter of a noble house—I've been raised by my family since childhood, never lacking food, clothing, shelter, or comfort. There's gain, and there's loss. When my family needs me, I cannot evade my duty."

"There is gain, and there is loss—it's always like this."

"Most noble daughters only want gain and refuse loss—that's why they suffer and rage."

She lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the scenery outside. It was already spring; the Jiangnan road's beauty was perfect. She rested her hands on the curtain, her chin propped upon it, and said: "But I won't see this scenery for a long time. In the past, I only saw it when going to private school—now I want to look as much as I can."

Li Guanyi asked puzzled: "If you want to see it, go see it—today isn't it a spring outing?"

Xue Shuangtao smiled: "How could I? Even our spring outings are with noble ladies—outside the city, by the stream, reciting poetry and composing couplets. They say they're seeing me off, but really they're just gathering to compare—this, that—competing with each other."

"They think that apart from their family status, they're no worse than me."

"If they won't say it outright but will say it in a roundabout way, then I can only respond with a smile. It's exhausting."

Li Guanyi said:

"What kind of outing is this? Isn't this clearly open rivalry and hidden schemes?"

"There's no meaning to it at all."

Xue Shuangtao laughed, looking very practiced: "Aristocratic families are just like this."

Li Guanyi looked at the Young Lady, saw her expression was calm, different from usual, glanced at the blade at his waist, thought of the bow and battle-halberd on his back, felt he could not sit idly by, rubbed his brow, and asked: "Then do you want to go on an outing?"

Xue Shuangtao said: "Mm?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Guanyi grinned: "I'm just asking you, do you want to see it or not."

The Young Lady nodded and said: "Of course I want to see, it's just…"

Li Guanyi said: "If you want to see it, then come out and see it. Saying all this — looking from here is much clearer than from that little square room inside." He reached out his hand. Xue Shuangtao hesitated a moment, grabbed his sleeve and came out, but who would have thought the youth reversed his grip and seized her wrist.

Then he pulled her outward.

The scenery and sky of Jiangnan suddenly crashed into Xue Shuangtao's eyes.

The Jiangnan wind, the azure sky, white clouds, willows on both sides, the wind rippling the youth's sleeves, Mu Zi Yi's smile.

Not the confines of that tiny little room.

Li Guanyi grabbed him, pulled him out in one motion.

His right hand seized a dagger, turned and slashed.

The cold gleam of the dagger flashed.

The reins of the carriage's two horses were snapped. With a clang, Zhao Da Bing's carriage lurched to a halt by the roadside. Zhao Da Bing got a fright, then saw the youth pull Xue Shuangtao and leap up. Li Guanyi sat astride one horse, Xue Shuangtao was pulled up by him, then landed on the other horse.

The youth turned his head back and shouted: "Brother Zhao, I'm borrowing your horses!"

"When we get back, I'll explain it to the old man!"

"I'm taking the Young Lady on an outing!"

The two horses had originally been about to gallop wildly, but Li Guanyi glanced at them, the tiger beside him went quiet, and the two horses became docile, then broke into a run with all four hooves. Xue Shuangtao, in her skirt, rode the horse, eyes wide, and said: "Y-you-you, where are you going?!"

"I've already accepted the invitation, I can't not go, let me go back."

Li Guanyi said: "Those poetry gatherings where the noble ladies are all polite to each other's faces while scheming behind the scenes — I get tired just hearing about them."

"If you don't like it, then don't go. Wearing a long face doesn't suit the Young Lady at all."

He said jokingly:

"If you're in a bad mood, wouldn't you have put my weapons on your tab?"

Xue Shuangtao's eyes went wide.

A kind of tension from breaking long-established rules, her heart pounding fast.

Instinctively she answered: "But, this isn't proper."

"I can't not go. If I don't go, what will they say about me?"

Li Guanyi said softly:

"Young Lady, you don't have to live under other people's gazes."

"Even if you enter the palace, it's the same — don't tire yourself out."

He spoke his concern: "These things won't affect the Xue family. Within reasonable bounds, letting yourself be happy isn't wrong. You're about to go into the palace anyway, so be Mu Zi Yi one last time, it's fine."

The two horses galloped swiftly down the street, leaving Zhao Da Bing and the Xue family's carriage behind. Old Zhao shouted from somewhere: "Hey, hey, hey, little brother, be careful, don't run into anyone!"

Over there, the maid Qing'er shouted: "Guest Li, young master — no, Li Guanyi!"

"What are you doing?!"

"How am I supposed to explain this to the young ladies over there?"

The youth raised his brow and said: "Just say it like this, Sister Qing'er…"

He turned around. Somehow, even though he hadn't gone to play the qin.

At this moment his spirit had changed, seeming to align with the style of the second chapter. A trace of Mu Zi Yi and carefree charm naturally appeared about him. He had not done this deliberately, hadn't even been aware of it, yet his art began to circulate on its own, beginning to climb the floors step by step. He merely smiled and said:

"There's a fellow who doesn't play by the rules — he's kidnapped your Young Lady!"