Chapter 99

BOOM!!!

After several breaths of hesitation, Xue Daoyong suddenly swept his sleeve, and a vast surge of internal Qi erupted, transforming into a roaring tiger that encircled him, severing the inside from the outside and shielding their surroundings from outside detection. The elder rose and gazed at the boy seated calmly before him.

Back when Li Guanyi killed the fugitive several months ago.

That broken-cloud-shattering-bow had been howling incessantly.

As the boy slaughtered, the Seven Stars of Bai Hu rose to the zenith; at that moment, Xue Daoyong suspected the boy possessed the Bai Hu Da Zong destiny, just like his ancestor—but he had never voiced this suspicion to Li Guanyi.

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

So when Li Guanyi declared himself the Bai Hu Da Zong, Xue Daoyong’s heart surged with immense waves, for it meant the events in that scroll had come to pass: the world plunged into chaos, and the Eastern Land’s Star-Gazing Sect, one of the Three Outer Sects, emerged.

Their disciple had found the boy—just as Bai Hu found its claws, sharpening its edge, overlooking the chaos.

It meant the true chaos was about to begin.

Xue Daoyong looked at the boy before him and whispered softly: “Bai Hu Da Zong…”

“The hero who wields arms and governs chaos.”

“Who found you—Bujun or Yao Guang?”

After asking this, Xue Daoyong closed his eyes, then suddenly raised his palm to halt Li Guanyi’s movement. He murmured: “Don’t say it. I don’t want to know these things…”

“I am a gambler.”

“A hopeless, long-overdue-for-hanging gambler.”

“Yet even a gambler like me has lived to this age, and doubled the Xue family’s fortune many times over—because I know when to stop. I understand myself.”

“A gambler’s nature is endless.”

“No gambler can stop himself when he sees the radiant glow of a chaotic world—all great bets become moths flying into flames, even knowing the fire will burn them to ash, they dare not hesitate, hoping their own burning flame will make the fire blaze brighter.”

“Heroes and failed rebels throughout history have all been this way.”

“There has never been an exception.”

The chaotic world’s tiger looked at the quiet boy before him and smiled with open-hearted resolve:

“The more I know, the more I’ll be tempted to pile more chips on the chaos table—and then I’d gamble away the entire Xue family. I must stop here. No matter how turbulent the chaos becomes, I only need to know one thing.”

“You are my Xue family’s Qilin child.”

The elder closed his eyes and whispered: “You grew up with Shuangtao since childhood. My daughter once held you as a baby. The Emperor himself once saw you as a boy.”

“From today on, the Xue family will spare no effort to make your record real.”

“Even Yuwen Lie won’t dare strike at you in the capital of Chen Guo. The famed general of Ying Guo, clad in armor, wielding divine weapons, backed by a million troops—he’s but a withered old man to him. But this is Jiangzhou City.”

“It is the place my Xue family has cultivated for generations.”

“My Xue family still holds five hundred years of goodwill, still possesses silver and gold enough to buy ten cities. I, an old man of one hundred and thirty, still wield one of the top ten mystical battle bows, still hunt strange beasts fifty li away, piercing mountains with a single arrow.”

“The military school advocates strategic calculation—exchanging small for great. If he wants to kill you, he must pay the greatest price.”

Li Guanyi exclaimed: “Xue Lao, can you defeat Yuwen Lie?”

The elder replied: “I am no match for him.”

Then he looked at Li Guanyi and smiled: “But before he kills me, I will shoot down Ying Guo’s Crown Prince Jiang Gao and his second prince Jiang Yuan inside Yuwen Lie’s general’s mansion.”

“A famed general always dreams of unifying the world under one banner.”

“He dares to touch you.”

“I will make him disgraced, and plunge the world back into chaos.”

I will ignite fire to burn this false peace, and let his grand dream perish with you in the netherworld, forever branding him with the black ink of history’s shame.

“What do you say?”

The elder’s face broke into a smile. He extended his hand, calm yet radiating heroic might: “All heroes of the world are gamblers and scoundrels, Qilin child—will you gamble with me, with the world’s fifth divine general, with the world itself?!”

“Lose, and the world’s fifth divine general is disgraced, chaos reigns anew.”

“Win…”

“And you march toward the world you see!”

The old man before him was usually just a grandfather doting on his grandchildren—but every time Li Guanyi needed support, he revealed his sharp fangs, showing the fierce bearing of a chaotic hero, each time instantly calming Li Guanyi’s heart.

Li Guanyi smiled and extended his hand.

He clenched his fist and struck it against the elder’s fist.

Suddenly, his life felt anchored. He didn’t know why—though the elder was weaker than the world’s fifth divine general—when the elder said he could protect Li Guanyi’s life, Li Guanyi felt a strong certainty: this old man could do it.

He solemnly said: “Such a great favor, Xue Lao—I will repay you one day.”

Xue Daoyong shook his head, cheerfully: “Don’t bother with empty formalities. Don’t owe me anything.”

“The Xue family has wealth, reputation, and martial strength.”

“You little money-grubber—you eat, drink, and wear everything from my Xue family. Do you think I’m trying to squeeze oil out of you?”

“Besides, with the Xue family’s fortune, even if the descendants squandered wildly, they couldn’t spend it all in three hundred years.”

“Such wealth isn’t a blessing. As long as I live, I can hold it together. When I die, the Xue family will likely collapse to a third of its current size.”

“I have only one hope: that you never forget your days here in the Xue family. No matter how far you roam, no matter how mountains and rivers change, when chaos comes, I hope you remember—the Xue family…”

The elder extended his palm and whispered:

“Your first ally.”

He extended his palm, representing the Xue family’s five-hundred-year lineage, its wealth and connections. Li Guanyi wiped his palm clean, solemnly clasped the elder’s hand in oath, then, still young, raised his voice softly:

“Li Guanyi hereby swears: no matter how the seas turn to mulberry fields, no matter how the world changes…”

“The Xue family is my first—and my last—ally.”

“This oath will endure until my bloodline and descendants vanish.”

He paused, then spoke the words:

“When mountains lose their peaks, when heaven and earth unite…”

“When winter thunder rumbles, when summer snow falls…”

“Only then will I sever ties with you.”

These verses, once used to express love, now carried heavier weight.

The two men clasped hands.

This oath was as momentous as the ancient Chi Emperor raising his sword to win a noblewoman’s hand—recorded in history. A lone, rootless boy, by a single handshake, gained the full backing of one of the world’s top three merchant clans.

Some say the aged tiger saw his potential and acted accordingly.

Others say Xue Daoyong was merely a gambler through and through—he believed not in the boy, but in his own eyes, certain he could never lose. And in the days before Chen Huang’s grand sacrifice, Li Guanyi finally found peace, free from Yuwen Lie’s crushing pressure.

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

He described his recent experiences and told her: “I am well. No one holds ill will toward me. I met Zu Wenyuan and Xue Lao treats me kindly. I’ll return to you in a little over a month.”

“Take care of yourself, Auntie. The capital has fine sweets and tea.”

“I’ll send you some to try.”

He wrote and wrote—only trivial matters.

Yet strangely, he filled several pages. In the end, he wrote: When spring turns to summer, the goose meat will be tender—I’ll come back and eat roasted goose with you. This time, no need to buy half a goose.

Li Guanyi folded and sealed the letter, sending it off by pigeon.

The next day was supposed to be the Jinyu Guard selection. He’d planned to train, but Xue Laoyezi dragged him out, tossing him a set of clothes and groaning: “Change, Guanyi.”

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

A dark blue robe, embroidered with subtle patterns, exquisite to the touch, obviously priceless. He nearly blurted out, “Can I trade it for silver?” The elder, as if reading his mind, glared and scolded: “Shut up. Don’t even think it!”

“Put it on quickly. My second daughter wants to see you.”

Li Guanyi froze: “Huh?”

Xue Daoyong said:

“Shuangtao wrote you a letter asking you to write her a poem. She loves it. For days, the Emperor hosted banquets for various factions, but now he’s free. She’s holding a family banquet in her palace, just you, me, Changqing, and a few Xue women.”

“Enough talk.”

“Hurry up. Change. Attending a palace family banquet isn’t an opportunity ordinary people get.”

Palace?!

Won’t that bring me closer to the 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—now he looked like a gentle young lord. But when he clenched his fist, that punch could still shatter a stone stele.

Li Guanyi saw Zhang Changqing dressed the same way, and they exchanged amused glances.

They rode in a carriage to the palace’s side gate, then dismounted. Someone was already waiting to guide them. But Li Guanyi hadn’t expected it to be the same eunuch who had escorted him before.

“Little Captain, have you rested well these past days?”

Li Guanyi was surprised. He’d previously liked this eunuch, who had blocked his path. He replied:

“Thank you, my lord, for your concern. I eat well and sleep soundly.”

The eunuch smiled: “Good. I worried you’d be unsettled after that encounter with Yuwen Lie.” He held a delicate lantern ahead, leading the way. Li Guanyi said casually: “I never thought I’d enter the palace.”

The Senior Eunuch smiled and said, “That’s good—I’ve been worried you’d be unsettled after being frightened by Yuwen Lie.” He held a delicate lantern in hand and led the way; Li Guanyi replied casually, “I never thought I’d actually enter the palace.”

The 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 Datong Palace, as imperial grace. As for imperial consorts’ brothers or fathers, only the Emperor’s permission grants entry.”

“But you, Little Captain, are family to the Xue family. Consort Xue is deeply favored by the Emperor. And days ago, when you faced Yuwen Lie without flinching, you upheld the glory of Great Chen. His Majesty was delighted and specially decreed a palace family banquet.”

“Yet even with this special favor, you must not wander.”

“The palace is guarded everywhere by Jinyu Guard and Imperial Troops. Anyone acting suspiciously is executed on the spot, without reporting to His Majesty. Stay close to me, Little Captain.”

Li Guanyi nodded. The eunuch began describing palace sights and rules.

Within the palace, every corner is guarded by the Golden Guard and the Imperial Army; anyone acting suspiciously may be slain on the spot without needing to report to His Majesty. Young Captain, do not stray far—follow me.

Li Guanyi nodded, and the Senior Eunuch introduced Li Guanyi to the palace’s sights and regulations.

Li Guanyi outwardly agreed, silently working through the Four Symbols Spirit-Sealing Array in his mind.

He tried to sense the direction of the Qilin.

This imperial palace was indeed vast in area.

Following the path, they entered from a side gate and walked for nearly half an hour before reaching Xue Imperial Consort’s imperial residence.

Li Guanyi silently memorized this path, then matched it against the Qilin array diagram in his mind, trying to determine exactly which section of the diagram he was in—only by knowing his position could he confirm where the Qilin lay.

Xue Daoyong had already rushed in to see his daughter; Xue Changqing and other direct-line Xue family youths followed. Li Guanyi saw a beautiful woman, though several months pregnant, whose grace remained untouched; upon seeing Li Guanyi, her smile warmed:

“Is this the young hero who wrote me that poem?”

“Come, let Auntie have a look.”

She smiled teasingly and beckoned to Li Guanyi.

Yet her bearing was dignified and refined, revealing none of the wild, reckless spirit she once had as a girl—when she rode horses through the streets and nearly drove Grandpa to madness.

Li Guanyi knew his current status.

He grinned, stepped forward obediently to offer his gift, and called her “Auntie.”

“Good, good child.”

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

Xue Imperial Consort seemed deeply pleased; after a brief exchange, the family banquet began. There were few guests: besides Li Guanyi, Xue Changqing, and Xue Daoyong, only two direct-line women were present. These two women were noticeably reserved, while Li Guanyi and Xue Changqing remained relaxed.

Xue Changqing glanced around and muttered curiously: “Strange, where’s the Tigress?”

Li Guanyi was also curious—he hadn’t spotted the eldest miss—but as his gaze swept the room, he noticed several dancers, one among them dressed in red with a veil, holding a red feather fan, her aura especially striking. This was still the imperial palace, so Li Guanyi observed propriety and quickly looked away.

The banquet began, and suddenly someone began playing the qin; its melody was clear and resonant. Xue Changqing suddenly realized:

“Tigress… no, I mean—”

“Sister is playing the qin.”

Indeed, this was a royal banquet: the dishes were exquisite, accompanied by song and dance.

Yet it was also a family gathering—Xue Shuangtao, the eldest miss, had come to play and perform.

Under ordinary circumstances, this would be unthinkable.

Li Guanyi picked up his chopsticks, mentally working through the Qilin array diagram, his mind mostly absorbed in it. This imperial visit was a rare opportunity—he couldn’t waste it. The qin melody was elegant; a woman in court attire began to dance to its tune, her steps graceful and poised. The melody soared, clear and lingering, and suddenly it shifted.

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

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

As if surrounded by a halo of stars.

And yet it only heightened her beauty.

Her steps were light and dignified, expansive and fluid; petals fell around her, drifting in the air. Li Guanyi, cup in hand, watched, his spirit pausing, his gaze captured. The qin reached its climax; the red-clad girl spun, her sash and sleeves swirling like flowing clouds.

In that instant, her beauty surpassed ordinary appearance.

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

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

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

As if all the world had pushed her here, flooding into Li Guanyi’s sight—the young man froze.

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

As she rose, she raised her hand and lifted the sheer veil from her face.

Her features were beautiful, her almond eyes bright and lively, teasing him.

It was the eldest miss.

She stood there, smiling, watching the young man before her, slightly dazed, her expression full of youthful triumph and charm:

“Well?”