Chapter 99: The First Alliance of the Chaotic Age!

Boom—!!!

After a few breaths of reaction, Xue Daoyong abruptly swept his sleeve, and an incomparably vast surge of inner Qi rose, transforming into a roaring fierce tiger. The tiger circled around him, separating the inside from the outside, so that the sounds here could no longer be overheard by the outside world. The old man rose and gazed at the youth sitting calmly before him.

A few months ago, when Li Guanyi killed the fugitive.

That bow, the Cloud-Piercing Sky-Shaking Bow, had sung and howled without cease.

When the youth was in the midst of slaughter, the White Tiger Seven Stars had risen to the very center of the sky. At that moment, Xue Daoyong had already suspected that the youth before him possessed the same destiny as his ancestor—the destiny of the Bai Hu Da Zong. But this conjecture, he had never once taken the initiative to tell Li Guanyi.

He still said that Yuwen Lie might be the Bai Hu Da Zong.

So when Li Guanyi said that he himself was the Bai Hu Da Zong, Xue Daoyong's heart was stirred by such enormous waves, because this meant that the matters recorded in those scrolls had come true: the world was in great turmoil, and among the Shiwaisan Sect, the Eastern Lands Star-Gazing Sect had come down from the mountains.

Their disciples had already found the youth before them, just as the White Tiger had found its own claws and fangs, sharpening their edge, looking down upon the chaotic age.

It meant that the true chaos was about to begin.

Xue Daoyong looked at the youth before him and murmured softly: "The Bai Hu Da Zong, ah…"

"The hero who wields the weapons of war and the chaos of the age."

"Was it Pojun, or Yaoguang, who found you?"

After asking such a question, Xue Daoyong closed his eyes, then suddenly raised his palm to halt Li Guanyi's movement, and said softly: "Don't say it, this old man does not wish to know these things…"

"I am a gambler."

"An incorrigible gambler who ought to have hanged himself long ago."

"But even a gambler like me has managed to live all the way to such an age, and has multiplied the Xue family's estate several times over. The key lies in knowing when to stop; I understand myself."

"A gambler's gambling nature is endless."

"No gambler can hold back his hand. Upon seeing the radiant glory of a world in chaos, every great wager will throw itself into the flames like a moth into a fire. Even knowing that the flames will burn him to ash, he does not hesitate, only hoping that the fire of his own burning can truly make that great blaze shine brighter."

"Since ancient times, both heroes and failed rebels have been like this."

"There has never been an exception."

The tiger of the chaotic age looked at the youth sitting quietly before him, and a broad, open-hearted smile appeared on his face:

"The more I know, the more I will be unable to resist piling more chips onto the gambling table of this chaotic age. If I do that, I will surely gamble the entire Xue family away. I should stop right here. No matter how the chaotic age's waves surge, I only need to know one thing."

"You are my Xue family's Fire Qilin."

The old man closed his eyes and said softly: "You grew up with Shuangtao since childhood. When you were little, my daughter even held you in her arms. The Emperor himself once saw you as a youth."

"From today onward, the Xue family will spare no effort to make your record a true one."

"Even Yuwen Lie must not think he can make a move against you in this Ducheng of Chen. The famous general of Ying, clad in armor, wielding a divine weapon—if he had ten thousand troops at his back, then to him this old man would be nothing more than a grey-haired nobody. But this is Jiangzhou City."

"It is the place that my Xue family has cultivated, generation after generation."

"My Xue family still has five hundred years of goodwill, still has gold and silver enough to buy ten cities. This old man is one hundred and thirty years old, and can still draw one of the top ten mystic bows in the world, can still hunt exotic beasts from fifty li away, and pierce through a mountain ridge with a single arrow."

"The school of war advocates the calculation in the temple—trading the small for the great. If he wishes to kill you, he will have to pay the greatest price."

Li Guanyi said in surprise: "Xue Lao, can you defeat Yuwen Lie?"

The old man replied: "Of course I am no match for him."

Then, looking at Li Guanyi, he smiled and said: "But before he kills me, I can shoot dead Ying's Crown Prince Jiang Gao, and Ying's second Imperial Prince Jiang Yuan, right within his General Yuwen's mansion."

"A generation's famous general always harbors the great ambition of leveling the kingdoms and unifying the world."

"If he dares to touch you."

"Then I will make him utterly disgraced, and make the world once again fall into strife."

"I will raise fire and burn this false peace, so that his great ambition shall accompany you to the yellow springs together, and he shall be nailed for a lifetime to the pillar of shame written in black ink upon the annals of history."

"How about it?"

A smile appeared on the old man's face. He stretched out his hand, his expression unhurried yet brimming with the bold spirit of a hero of the chaotic age: "Every hero under heaven is nothing but a scoundrel gambler, ah. Fire Qilin, will you accompany this old man—accompany this world's fifth-ranked divine general—accompany this world itself—in staking one great wager?!"

"If we lose, the world's fifth-ranked divine general is utterly disgraced, and the world once again falls into strife."

"If we win."

"Then go forth to the world in your eyes!"

The old man before him was usually nothing more than a grandfather doting on his grandchildren, yet every time Li Guanyi needed someone to lean on, a backing to rely upon, he would bare his sharp fangs and reveal the bearing of a hero of the chaotic age. Each time, it made Li Guanyi's heart instantly settle.

Li Guanyi smiled and stretched out his hand.

He made a fist and lightly bumped it against the old man's knuckles.

His own life suddenly felt a sense of steadying. He did not know why, but although the old man before him was not as strong as that world's fifth-ranked divine general, the moment he said he could protect Li Guanyi's life, Li Guanyi had a powerful feeling that the old man before him could certainly do it.

He said solemnly: "Such a great kindness, Xue Lao—one day in the future, I shall surely repay it."

Xue Daoyong shook his head and said freely and heartily: "Pay no heed to such empty fame, and I have no need of any repayment from you."

"The Xue family has wealth, has fame, and has martial might."

"You little money-grubber—everything you eat, drink, and wear comes from my Xue family. Does this old man still expect to squeeze a bit of profit out of you?"

"Besides, with the Xue family's fortune, even if the descendants were Mu Zi Yi and reckless, they could not spend it all in three hundred years."

"So much wealth is no good thing. While this old man is still alive, I can still keep it in check. If I were to die, I'm afraid the Xue family would immediately decline to a third of what it once was."

"This old man has only one hope—I only hope that you will forever remember your days at the Xue family. In the future, no matter how high the sky or how distant the earth, no matter how the Shanhe change, in the days of chaos, I hope you will remember—the Xue family…."

The old man stretched out his palm and said softly:

"Is your first ally."

He stretched out his palm on behalf of the Xue family's five-hundred-year great clan, on behalf of the Xue family's wealth and connections. Li Guanyi wiped his own palm, solemnly struck the old man's palm as an oath, and then the still-young hero raised his hand and said softly:

"Li Guanyi swears here—no matter how the seas turn to mulberry fields in the future, no matter how the affairs of the world change."

"The Xue family is my first, and will be my last, ally."

"This oath shall last until the day my bloodline and descendants come to an end."

He paused, and uttered those words:

"When the mountains lose their ridges, and heaven and earth merge."

"Winter thunder rumbles; summer snow falls."

"Only then would I sever ties with you."

These lines, originally meant to express emotion, felt heavier here.

The two men slapped palms.

This was an oath worthy of being recorded in history, like the Crimson Emperor once drawing his sword to win a noblewoman's hand—a wandering youth, by nothing more than a single palm-slap, gained the full support of the top three merchant clans of the realm.

Some said the aging tiger, seeing his potential, had thrown all his weight behind him.

Others said Xue Daoyong was merely a gambler through and through, betting not on the boy, but on his own eyes, certain he could not lose; and in the dozen days before the Great Sacrifice of Chen, Li Guanyi finally found relief, no longer crushed by Yuwen Lie's overwhelming pressure.

Li Guanyi picked up his brush and wrote a letter to his aunt in Yicheng.

He described his recent experiences and told her, "I am well, no one holds ill will toward me; I met Elder Zu Wenyuan, and Xue Lao treats me kindly—I shall return to see you in a little over a month."

"Auntie, take care of yourself. Jingcheng has fine sweets and tea treats."

"I'll send you some to try."

He wrote and wrote, nothing but trivial matters.

Yet strangely, just this, Li Guanyi filled several pages; at last he wrote that when spring met summer, goose meat would be tender, and he would return to eat roasted goose with her—this time, no need to buy half a goose.

Li Guanyi folded and sealed the letter, sending it back via pigeon.

The next day was meant for the Jinwu Guard selection; he had planned to train further, but Xue Lao dragged him out, tossing him a set of robes and groaning, "Change into these, Guanyi."

Li Guanyi saw the brocade robe—it was finer than what he currently wore.

A dark-patterned green robe, with exquisite texture, obviously valuable; he nearly blurted out, "Can I trade it for silver?" The old man seemed to know what he was thinking, glared at him, and scolded with a laugh, "Shut up! Don't even think it!"

"Hurry and put it on—my second daughter wants to meet you."

Li Guanyi froze: "Huh?"

Xue Daoyong said:

"Shuangtao wrote you a letter asking for a poem. She loves that poem—she's been reciting it. For days, the Emperor hosted banquets for all factions, but now he's free, so she's holding a family banquet in her imperial pavilion—just you, me, Changqing, and a few Xue women."

"Enough talk."

"Hurry up, change, and come to the palace for the family banquet—how many ordinary people get such an opportunity?"

Imperial pavilion?!

Wouldn't that bring him closer to the Fire Qilin?

A spark flashed in Li Guanyi's eyes. He donned the elaborate robes, tied his hair with a jade pin, and removed his sword, bow, and halberd.

He looked like a gentle Young Master—but clenching his fist, that punch could still shatter a stone stele.

Li Guanyi saw Xue Changqing dressed the same way, and they exchanged mocking glances.

They rode in a carriage to the palace's side gate, then dismounted. Someone had already been waiting to guide them—but Li Guanyi never expected it would be the same eunuch from before.

"Little Captain, have you rested well these past days?"

Li Guanyi was surprised. He had liked this eunuch before, who once blocked his path; he replied:

"Thank you, my lord, I eat well and sleep soundly."

The Senior Eunuch smiled. "Good. I worried you'd be shaken by Yuwen Lie." He held a delicate lantern ahead, guiding them. Li Guanyi said casually, "I never thought I'd enter the palace."

"Is this allowed by protocol?"

The Senior Eunuch replied with a smile: "Normally, it's strictly forbidden. Even ordinary palace maids may meet family only once a month, on the fifteenth, for one incense-burn's time at the Datong Palace—as a favor. As for imperial consorts' brothers or fathers, they may enter only by the Emperor's express order."

"But you, Little Captain, are family to the Xue clan. Consort Xue is deeply favored by the Emperor. And days ago, when you faced Yuwen Lie without a trace of fear, you upheld the glory of Great Chen. The Emperor was delighted—and so he specially decreed this family banquet within the palace."

"But the young Captain is family to the Xue clan, and Noble Consort Xue enjoys Your Majesty's deep favor. On top of that, a few days ago, when the young Captain faced Yuwen Lie, he showed not the slightest timidity, upholding the mighty name of our Great Chen — His Majesty was delighted by this display of imperial intent, and so specially decreed that a family banquet be held within the palace."

"The palace is guarded everywhere by Jinwu Guard and Imperial Troops. Any suspicious movement is grounds for immediate execution—no need to report to His Majesty. Little Captain, stay close to me."

Li Guanyi nodded. The Senior Eunuch showed him palace sights and rules.

Li Guanyi nodded politely outwardly, silently rehearsing the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array in his mind.

Trying to sense the Fire Qilin's location.

The palace was vast.

Following the path from the side gate, they walked for half an hour before reaching Consort Xue's imperial pavilion.

Li Guanyi silently memorized the route, matching it to the Fire Qilin's array diagram in his mind, trying to pinpoint his current position within the array—to determine where the Fire Qilin lay.

Xue Lao had already hurried ahead to see his daughter. Xue Changqing and other Xue family heirs entered as well. Li Guanyi saw a beautiful woman, months pregnant yet untouched in beauty; she smiled warmly at him:

Xue Laoyezi Daoyong had already hurried inside to see his daughter. Xue Changqing and the other direct-line members of the Xue clan went in as well. Li Guanyi saw that she was a beautiful woman — though several months pregnant, it did not affect her appearance in the slightest. Upon seeing Li Guanyi, a warm smile crossed her face:

"Come, let Auntie look at you."

She waved him over with a teasing smile.

Her bearing was dignified and refined—no trace of the reckless girl who once galloped through the streets on horseback, driving her grandfather half-mad.

Her bearing, however, was dignified and refined — one could not tell that in her younger days she had been Mu Zi Yi, the sort who galloped her horse through the streets with the dandies, half-killing the old master with fury.

He grinned, stepped forward humbly, and bowed: "Auntie."

"Good, good child."

"So well-mannered. Look at Changqing—he never comes to greet me like this."

Consort Xue seemed pleased. After brief pleasantries, the family banquet began. There were few present: besides Li Guanyi, Xue Changqing, and Xue Daoyong, only two female heirs. They were stiff and reserved; Li Guanyi and Xue Changqing were far more at ease.

Xue Changqing glanced around, murmuring curiously: "Strange—where's the tigress?"

Li Guanyi was also puzzled. He hadn't seen the Young Lady—until his gaze swept past the dancers and landed on one in red, face veiled, holding a red feather fan, radiating an exceptional aura. This was the palace—he kept his manners, and looked away.

The banquet began. Suddenly, someone played the qin—the melody clear and piercing. Xue Changqing suddenly realized:

The family banquet began, and suddenly someone began to play the qin. The notes were clear and bright. Xue Changqing came to his senses and exclaimed in sudden realization:

"Sister is playing the qin."

"Sister is playing the qin."

Indeed, it was an imperial banquet; the dishes were exquisitely prepared, accompanied by music and dance.

Yet it was also a family gathering, where Young Lady Xue Shuangtao herself came to play the qin and perform.

Under ordinary circumstances, this would never happen.

Li Guanyi picked up his food, mentally mapping out the Fire Qilin formation diagram, most of his attention fixed upon it; this imperial entry was a rare opportunity he could not miss. The qin music was elegant, and a woman in palace attire danced to its melody—clear, lingering, and resonant—her movements graceful and poised. Suddenly, the qin melody shifted.

The dancing women scattered, their sleeves swirling like clouds and rosy mists.

The young girl in red, previously veiled, stepped forward to the clear, delicate beat of a drum.

As if surrounded by a constellation of stars.

Yet this only heightened her beauty.

Her steps were light and dignified, expansive and poised; petals fell around her, drifting in all directions. Li Guanyi held his wine cup, his gaze arrested by the sight. The qin melody reached its climax as the red-clad girl spun, her ribbons and sleeves swirling like flowing clouds.

In that instant, her beauty surpassed ordinary features.

Even the women around her gazed at her, half-dazed.

Then, with light steps—as if the spin had carried her too fast—she spun several more paces, her skirt lifting slightly, and stood before Li Guanyi.

The qin music, the petals, the candlelight, and the swirling red sleeves surrounded her.

As if all the phenomena of the world had propelled her here, flooding into Li Guanyi's eyes—the boy froze.

The candlelight flickered, the red sleeves fell, and the veiled girl in red rose.

As she rose, she raised her hand and removed the sheer veil covering her face.

Her features were beautiful, with almond eyes, lively and mischievous, glancing at him playfully.

It was the Young Lady.

She stood there, delicate and smiling, gazing at the slightly dazed boy before her, radiating the pride and charm of a young girl:

"Well?"