Chapter 553: Return to the Village

Three years later.

Li Er followed Yao Xian for a full three years.

In those three years, he visited every vassal state.

From the back of the giant bird in the sky, he saw countless cities, countless rulers, and countless wars.

Year one.

He saw the small state of Zeng being conquered by its southern neighbor, the great state of Ju.

That tiny city could not hold even a day before Ju's army trampled it flat.

When the city fell, thick smoke billowed and cries thundered.

The once‑peaceful citizens either died by the sword, became captives, or fled into the woods, never to be seen again.

He also saw Qiguo dispatch troops to annihilate Lai State.

Lai State, an ancient Eastern Yi kingdom, had existed for several hundred years, older than Qiguo.

Yet before Qiguo's iron cavalry, centuries‑old foundations were nothing but burning ruins.

"Why?" he asked Yao Xian.

Yao Xian gave no answer.

Year two.

Zi Nang, after retreating, was unwilling to accept defeat and again led his army to besiege Chen State's capital.

The Chu army surged again, fierce and certain of victory.

Jin, Song, Lu, Wei and other states convened at Wei Land to discuss rescuing Chen State.

The vassals gathered once more, their momentum immense.

But this time—

Chen State did not send Duke Ai of Chen to attend.

Because they were afraid.

Afraid of Chu's retaliation, afraid Jin was unreliable, afraid of becoming a battlefield again… in short.

They chose silence, chose to wait, chose to let their allies fight on their own.

Li Er stood on the bird's back, watching the besieged capital, watching the Chu army camped outside, watching Chen State soldiers patrolling the walls, and fell silent.

Later, internal conflicts in Zheng State intensified.

Zheng State's ruler, Duke Xi of Zheng, was killed on his way to the meeting by his subordinate Gongzi Fei, who was arrogant and rude.

Gongzi Fei subsequently ascended the throne, becoming Duke Jian of Zheng.

Minister kills lord.

Brother kills brother.

Those rites that should be revered, those rules that should be strictly observed, before power are merely thin paper.

Year three.

The newly enthroned Duke Jian of Zheng, to curry favor with Jin, proactively attacked Chu's ally Cai State and captured Gongzi Xie of Cai.

In retaliation, Minister of Justice Zi Nang of Chu led his army against Zheng.

Zheng State, under military pressure, yielded.

They allied with Chu Guo, temporarily leaving Jin's camp.

Yesterday allies, today enemies.

Yesterday they were drinking, today they must fight.

Li Er watched the ever‑shifting vassals, the capricious rulers, the people forced toward battle and death, and fell silent.

Although Jin Guo saw no great war, the power struggles among its ministers grew increasingly fierce.

The Six Ministers vied for power, openly and covertly, life and death.

Outside fights, inside fights.

In a word—

Chaos.

Especially chaotic!

Nine‑year‑old Li Er stood on the giant bird's back, looking down on the land ablaze with war, unsure how to describe it.

LiYue system.

The rules set by the elders were standards to maintain world order.

Now those rules have been trampled beyond recognition.

Rulers who should protect the people only expand territory, ignoring the people's suffering.

Vassals who should be harmonious instead attack each other, blood flowing like rivers.

The rites that should be observed were broken again and again until no one remembered them.

He was puzzled.

Why is it so?

He did not think this was the world's true nature.

He felt there must be a reason.

There must be.

"Mr. Yao."

He stood on the bird's back, withdrew his gaze from the war‑scarred capital below, turned his head toward Yao Xian.

Those eyes, steadier than three years ago, remained clear.

"Where can I learn more, see more books?"

"The world originally had order; how did it collapse to this? Lords abandon propriety and contend, scholars and officials pursue profit and become false, the common people are reduced to weeds—this is not what the world ought to be."

Yao Xian lowered his head and looked at him.

This child is already nine years old.

Three years ago, that Xiao Nihou who chased dogs and climbed trees can now stand here calmly and ask him such a question.

He thought for a moment, then spoke:

"If you want to learn more, see more books—"

He paused.

"Then go to the Shou Cang Shi."

"Shou Cang Shi?"

"Yes, the Son of Heaven's Shou Cang Shi." Yao Xian said, "There you will find the most numerous and complete books in the world, from ancient classics to the histories of the states, from the origins of the LiYue system to the teachings of all schools—everything you could wish for."

Li Er's eyes brightened slightly.

"Can I go?"

Yao Xian looked at him and gave a faint smile.

"In a few years, I will recommend you to the Son of Heaven."

He paused, then raised his hand and patted Li Er's shoulder.

"Now, stand firm. We are returning to Qu Ren Li."

Li Er nodded, gripped the giant bird's feathers tightly, and turned his expectant face toward the distance.

He silently memorized that name.

Shou Cang Shi.

…………

The giant bird pierced the cloud layer and slowly descended at the village entrance of Qu Ren Li.

Three years have passed, yet the village remains the same.

The old Li tree still stands, the dirt road remains, and those familiar houses are still there.

But some things are no longer the same.

At the village entrance, a figure had been waiting there early.

Li Shi.

She wore a coarse cloth garment, her hair simply tied behind her head, exactly as when she left.

Three years have left no trace on her face.

She is still as before—fair, gentle, with a faint, soothing aura.

Li Er leapt down from the giant bird's back and quickly walked to her front.

He stopped.

He adjusted his robe, then bowed deeply and properly before her.

"Mother, I have returned."

Li Shi looked at him.

She looked at this child who, when he left, was still a little Xiao Nihou, but now has learned to bow properly.

He has grown taller.

His brows and eyes have opened a little more, no longer the childish bunch they once were.

His skin is a bit darker than before, probably from often flying in the heavens and getting too much sun.

Those eyes are still as bright, but now they hold something more.

"You have grown taller."