[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-97":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},2328272,4553,"Chapter 97: Manifestation, Breakthrough!","the-peace-decree-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>The seven Turkic kings grinned and swung an elbow back, striking the Army Supervisor’s waist, replying in Turkic: “You ask me? How would I know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my first time in your Central Plains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to me, aren’t you the one who understands the power dynamics here better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Army Supervisor stared fixedly at the teenager facing off against the famed general Yuwen Lie. In the sudden silence, Yuwen Lie spurred his steed forward until it stood before Li Guanyi—the horse’s head towered higher than the boy himself, rider and mount united like a mountain looming over the youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other palace guards flanking Li Guanyi staggered, already half-kneeling on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the boy’s heart, only wrath remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most primal fury of living beings—the courage to draw the blade and slash forward even after all else had been stripped away, the first lesson Xue Shen had taught him. His right hand lightly rested on the hilt of his sword, waiting for Yuwen Lie to draw near—then he would strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Yuwen Lie’s steed halted just beyond the reach of Li Guanyi’s blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Yuwen Lie, the colossal Bai Hu lowered its gaze; beside Li Guanyi, the Bai Hu manifestation raised its head and roared. Around them, all color and motion seemed to fade, leaving only the two Bai Hus locked in confrontation, roaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When two tigers fight, one cannot survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s killing intent was decisive—he loosened the reins. The beast, once known for trampling cavalry under its hooves, stepped forward, its breath like a dragon’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie needed only an instant to decide—he followed battlefield instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bold, dominant general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once struck his blade against the great pillar outside the palace gate, declaring he would bind every king of every nation outside the Yan court. The Emperor of Chen’s dignity meant nothing to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before the Chen imperial palace, he would trample this boy—who dared threaten him—beneath his steed’s hooves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s palm pressed against the sword hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wrath burned in his chest; his eyes gleamed bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though young, he still possessed the courage to draw his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low roars of the two Bai Hu manifestations rippled the air itself; those with strong spiritual cores could hear the thunderous tiger cries echoing through the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi’s fingers gripped the sword hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice shattered the standoff. The carriage halted; a slender, scholarly man, seemingly thirty, stepped out—dressed in fine robes, eyes slightly downturned, radiating gentle scholarly grace. He looked down and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Yuwen, why have you stopped?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie fell silent. He cared nothing for the Chen Emperor’s authority, but he respected the Crown Prince’s edict. He tugged the reins, forcing the steed, which had nearly reared to crush the boy with its hooves, to step back half a pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His murderous aura receded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his gaze and said: “Your Highness, I merely encountered an exceptional young man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many years have passed since Tai Ping Gong? Has Jiangnan produced another such heroic young captain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held the reins, gazing at the boy’s straight back. Deep killing intent filled his heart—but such killing intent did not diminish his admiration. He patted the horse’s head and asked: “Young man, what is your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi exhaled and said: “Xue family. Li Guanyi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue family? No wonder such an aura.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie seemed to understand, and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Guanyi, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shares the same surname as Tai Ping Gong Li Wanli.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But lacks his spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dismounted. Tall, eight feet high, he loomed over the boy, tossed the reins to a nearby guard. Only then did the eunuch in charge of court rituals snap out of his shock—his back was drenched in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself had reached the third level of martial cultivation, comparable to a minor general commanding a thousand men. But his cultivation had been honed within the imperial palace—he had never encountered such terrifying killing aura. His face had gone pale, yet he forced a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch extended his hand and pulled the young captain behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, blocking Yuwen Lie, and said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Chen’s young captain has caught the attention of General Yuwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Li is one of our Chen’s most talented youths—gifted in both literature and martial arts. I shall surely inform His Majesty of your ‘greeting’ today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch emphasized the words “young man” and “greeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he slightly stepped aside, opening the Vermilion Bird Gate. “Ladies and gentlemen, please enter.” The gate crashed open. The Crown Prince and imperial princes of Yan continued their procession, extravagance beyond measure. Li Guanyi breathed out slowly; the towering Bai Hu slowly withdrew. His fingers finally unclenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Turkic carriage arrived, the Turkic seventh king said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Guanyi of the Xue family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such a heroic youth—I wish to meet him. I shall find an opportunity to visit your Xue family, hoping to meet him.” After a moment’s thought, he followed Turkic custom and tossed a gold ingot at Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the carriage entered, the seventh king turned back, watching the Army Supervisor slumped in his seat, casually placing grapes into his mouth, no longer in a hurry. He frowned: “Aren’t you eager to meet Li Guanyi? Why the sudden change?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Army Supervisor looked at the seemingly mild Turkic seventh king and said: “I never said I wanted to find him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Army Supervisor knew the seventh king might do something extraordinary to keep him. He slightly pushed aside the carriage curtain and gazed at the calm-faced boy. Li Guanyi sensed the gaze, lifted his eyes—and saw a handsome young man smiling faintly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Army Supervisor smiled slightly, then let the curtain fall:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, the Xue family ranks among the top three merchant houses in the world—worth a visit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for now, the Chen Emperor’s banquet surely holds many beauties—how could I miss it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, gentlemen have compared virtuous rulers to beauties—he had found his true beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing where the boy was, his heart was at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xue family cannot escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was impossible—the Chen Emperor’s banquet left him no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already decided to find an opportunity in the coming days to seek out the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To see his wisdom, his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must beat Yao Guang’s faction to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master, master—until now, the Bai Hu Sect’s famed disciples were mostly from Yao Guang’s lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of you succeeded. This time, it’s up to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too clumsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late to strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too inaccurate in your search!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet originated from the Western Regions, the State of Ying, and the steppes; the Ying State’s Duke Prefecture was also present. Li Zhao had originally intended to visit the Xue family, but was forcibly dragged back by the Duke’s furious anger. He still wore male attire, entering through Bai Hu Gate, and now sat here sipping tea with casual indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guests came from the Western Regions, Yan, and the steppes; the Yan Duke Prefecture was also present. Li Zhao wen had planned to visit the Xue family but was dragged back by the Duke’s furious command—still dressed as a man, he entered through the Bai Hu Gate and now sat idly sipping tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the high-ranking powers of all factions here were putting on a farce of peace—polite, harmonious, no different from children playing house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought—if only she weren’t trapped in this tedious palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only she were at the Xue family, pulling Li Guanyi aside to discuss the great currents of the world—how joyful she would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young prince of the Tangut trembled, lacking the courage to face so many heroes; yet the young Khagan of the Tielei could still play ancient instruments with grace and freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine, the Chen Emperor asked the guests: “Have you seen anything remarkable since arriving in Great Chen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tangut prince spoke of Jiangnan’s fine fengshui, lush vegetation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Living Buddha declared the Eastern Central Plains were filled with Buddha-nature and Buddha-heart, just like the ancient Buddha kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wished to come and bring the Buddha’s teachings to the people here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to Yuwen Lie, he answered before the court officials: “As I entered the Vermilion Bird Gate, all Chen guards cowered before me—except one youth, who still held his blade with courage. His name is Li Guanyi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All the grasses, the Buddha-light, the treasures—none compare to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhao wen, who had found the banquet dull, suddenly paused—her ears twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned, suddenly interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought: Yuwen Lie truly is a world-class general—sharp-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad he’s too old, already achieved great fame and prestige—even higher than my father’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cannot recruit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch had already reported the incident to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor was furious at Yuwen Lie’s arrogance, yet relieved that Li Guanyi had restored some dignity—he smiled with greater warmth: “This youth is the child of my Imperial Consort’s family—gifted in both literature and martial arts. He once wrote a poem to a swordsman. General Yuwen, you must have heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s expression softened: “If it is that poem, I have indeed heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It carries the spirit of Yan’s bold, mournful ballads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask, Your Majesty, how old is Li Guanyi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor glanced at the eunuch, who replied according to the resume provided by Xue Daoyong:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifteen years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen… doesn’t match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie finally relaxed his suspicion about the “Son of Tai Ping Gong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quelled the killing intent to slit the boy’s throat that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this boy were Li Wanli’s son, he would have ridden his steed through the streets, trampling him to death—even if it angered the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. To a great general, all things have value and weight. A youth worthy of being a rival was not worth defying the Crown Prince’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even the command of the Yan Emperor could not outweigh the five characters: “Son of Tai Ping Gong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Son of Tai Ping Gong, he had only one attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest respect for a worthy opponent is to kill them without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let them grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a betrayal of oneself and one’s homeland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie lifted his wine and said, “A young hero. In no more than ten years, should chaos rise again across the land, I shall surely meet him on this battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such words, unintentionally, implied that Chen Guo, Ying Guo, and the Tielei would all soon clash—highly inappropriate at a banquet celebrating peace. The civil officials’ faces darkened, while the military officers all stared coldly; the newly risen Chen Guo general, Liu Zhong, fixed his gaze sharply on Yuwen Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yuwen Lie, such a fierce general, paid no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor of Chen Guo’s expression was not pleasant, yet he did not grow angry. The banquet was extraordinarily elaborate: tea offered by beauties in one course, four courses of dried fruits, four of candied fruits, four of pastries, four of cold appetizers, one of stacked delicacies, four of appetizers, one of soup, four of imperial dishes, followed by another four courses of intermediate pastries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came four more imperial dishes, repeated several times in cycle, before the final course: one of fruit, one of fragrant tea. Each dish was exquisitely ornate—not food so much as art. The young Tielei Khan raised a bowl of soup, drank it down in one gulp, and praised, “Truly tender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s duck-tongue soup. If you like it, then it’s well made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tielei Khan asked, “Duck tongue? Can that be made into a dish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid replied, “Yes. It takes the tongues of one hundred and sixty-three ducks to make just this one bowl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tielei Khan asked, “Then what of the rest of the meat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry and bring it out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid looked at the young Khan—his copper-toned skin, handsome and carefree—and paused, then smiled with humble deference, yet beautifully, saying, “My lord, please don’t joke. How could such meat possibly be offered to a distinguished guest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Khan froze, suddenly recalling the waystations he had seen upon arriving, and the old men collapsed on the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dazed, he could not shake the thought of the Tielei tribe, now reduced to barely a thousand souls. Long he sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly, a sage emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such refinement—I’ve never heard of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the banquet ended, the two princes of Ying Guo each sought out Yuwen Lie. The crown prince comforted him, saying, “You once harbored murderous intent toward Li Guanyi, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At a time like this, you must not rashly make enemies. The world has been in chaos for three hundred years; the people yearn for peace, not war. If someone truly talented appears, you should win them over, not alienate them. Perhaps one day, I shall pay a visit to this young hero myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If possible, I shall reconcile the grievance for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second prince, Jiang Yuan, merely smiled and promised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall kill him for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two princes departed, the famed general Yuwen Lie wrote a letter to the capital of Ying Guo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recorded the princes’ conduct:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The crown prince is benevolent, possesses tolerance, yet is not a ruler for chaotic times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second prince is grim and ruthless, harbors great ambition, but is not the legitimate heir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Ying Guo…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie lifted his brush, sighed, and ultimately erased both lines. He recorded only his observations plainly. Finally, he gazed at the sky, silent as a divine general—he had glimpsed the hidden fractures within Ying Guo. The only course now was to level this world before it erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flatten this world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tiger crouched beside him. He reached out to stroke its dharma form, then froze slightly, lowering his gaze to sense it—and found his own dharma form seemed, for some reason, slightly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone sabotaged me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi knew nothing of the palace intrigues, the sharp-tongued banter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing Yuwen Lie depart, Li Guanyi exhaled deeply, feeling utterly drained. The eunuch in charge of ceremonies whispered, “Captain, please return and rest well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi exhaled a thick breath, mounted his horse, and rode hard back to the Xue residence. The Xue steward waited for him: “Young Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi asked, “Has the second son of the Duke Prefecture arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward replied, “Master Changsun Wu’chou came. He said His Majesty held a banquet, and the second son was taken away by the Duke, so he could not come as agreed. He was sent here to apologize.” Li Guanyi nodded, saying only, “I’m tired today. I wish to rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t prepare dinner for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi returned to his courtyard, pushed open the door, and exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aura suddenly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stern, icy, faintly echoing with the roar of a celestial tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tiger dharma form appeared beside him, raising its head to bellow. Its fur bristled, its breath shimmered like starlight. At Li Guanyi’s chest, the bronze cauldron had reached full readiness. According to his prior experience, for the same dharma form, the bronze cauldron’s capacity was limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the same dharma form, at the same realm, the bronze cauldron could accumulate only one infusion of jade fluid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Yuwen Lie’s dharma form was also the White Tiger—and still triggered change in the cauldron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His realm and strength surpassed Yue Qianfeng and Xue Daoyong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the strongest Li Guanyi had ever encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this strongest man had, without doubt, harbored intense murderous intent toward Li Guanyi. The impact of his dharma form had filled the bronze cauldron with jade fluid—fully saturated, even verging on overflowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi exhaled slowly. The scenes of the day flashed before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guo’s extravagance, the young Tielei, the boy with the Phoenix dharma form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zu Wenyuan, the Qilin, the monk, the Daoist priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And above all, the invincible Yuwen Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world had revealed a corner of its truth. The White Tiger dharma form roared. Li Guanyi whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy exhaled, his mind stirred. The bronze cauldron crashed down. Vast jade fluid poured forth. The instant feedback from this fifth-ranked divine general—the terrifying general who had led the conquest of a kingdom—surged like a hot current, engulfing Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, it engulfed both him and the White Tiger dharma form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Guanyi’s own aura rapidly transformed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the White Tiger dharma form suddenly roared, its body radiating boundless radiant light!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Transformation—suddenly occurred!\u003C\u002Fp>",2763,"2026-06-20T19:20:33.127Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f72153b79b66158e75173480f8523a286c6c5fd0e567fa3c2e1d4d68601f8df6","the-peace-decree-chapter-98","the-peace-decree-chapter-96",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]