Chapter 16 Red Dragon's Return

The Red Dragon's head was tiny and immature, intangible and formless, yet to Li Guanyi's eyes, it was distinctly clear.

It seemed to have been angered by the White Tiger Dharma Form just moments ago.

The reaction of the Red Dragon was severe, like a suckling kitten with a big temper, opening its mouth and letting out child-like cries at Li Guanyi.

This is...

With a gentle touch from Li Guanyi's palm, only the head and a part of the neck of the Red Dragon were peeled away from the bronze tripod, with the rest still imprinted on the wall of the tripod, blindly raging, and its outstretched claw, still transparent in appearance, clutched onto Li Guanyi's forefinger.

Li Guanyi stroked with his finger, feeling as if the Red Dragon could penetrate his body.

The Inner Qi of the "Breaking Formation Song" inside him seemed to vaguely speed up.

The greatly suppressed and weakened Qi Movement pace due to the severe poison actually showed some improvement.

A bit of surprise and delight flashed through Li Guanyi's eyes.

Could it be that this Red Dragon, which clearly came from Yue Qianfeng, can solve the suppression of Inner Qi flow by the severe poison?

Seeing Li Guanyi stop his movement, the coachman stopped in his tracks and, turning his head, asked in confusion,

"What's the matter, Mr. Li?"

Li Guanyi knew that it wasn't the time to try immediately, kept a straight face, shifted his gaze and replied, "I just feel that getting into the realm seems to be an indefinite affair."

While sighing, he flicked the Red Dragon's tender claw with his finger.

I flick!

I flick!

Yi? This little claw is holding on quite firmly. But this kind of Red Dragon, just like the White Tiger, can actually be tangibly touched? Or is it that it can actually gather and scatter at will?

What realms have Yue Qianfeng and the old Family Head of the Xue Family reached?

The coachman then laughed and said, "Thinking about such distant matters?"

"Martial Arts cultivation should progress step by step. You are only thirteen, Mr. Li, so young and already possessing martial skills. Entering the realm is definitely not an obstacle for you. Come, let's familiarize you with the place; that big yard over there is the Martial Arts Arena where you can find stone locks and heavy sabers. Mr. Li, you can go there and play during your free time."

"This is the dining hall, where food is always prepared."

"This is the pharmacy, fully stocked with all sorts of medicinal materials. Members of the Xue Family can buy them at cost price but, of course, reselling them is prohibited and, if discovered, would result in a severe punishment."

"This is the steward's office."

"This is the Clothing Workshop."

The Xue Family's grounds were vast, and Li Guanyi was led around for quite a while, familiarizing himself with various places, and then they went to the Clothing Workshop where he changed into new clothes. The coachman waited outside, taking out a neatly folded handkerchief from his bosom to reveal a handful of salt-roasted peanuts inside.

Peanuts were not cheap, and salt-roasting was an extravagant way to prepare them.

But this method was indeed memorable.

The coachman picked up one peanut, tossing it into his mouth, and savored it for a long time.

He ate while waiting, enjoying the endless taste.

For some reason, after the young master entered, a woman's exclamation was heard from inside, followed by non-stop teasing. The big, hand-fisted coachman man did not understand why when they came to the Clothing Workshop in the past for clothes, those female tailors were not so joyful?

Although it wasn't to say their attitude was bad, it was only normal communication.

Another laugh echoed.

The coachman looked up at the sign of the Clothing Workshop, lowered his head, and muttered, "It's not like the chamber pot exploded inside, why are they making such a fuss?" Then, amid laughter, he looked up to see the door of the Clothing Workshop open, and several women walked out laughing. The coachman's eyes brightened.

The young man who had walked out was in different clothes.

He had worn a brown outfit for a very long time, the fabric whitened from washing, with frayed edges beginning to show, and his shoes were the kind of multi-layered cloth shoes. His hair was simply tied back, making his poor origins obvious, yet he had a pleasant demeanor and bright eyes that naturally made people feel favorable towards him.

But now, the young man stepping out.

Wore dark boots and a neat blue collar robe with a diagonal placket.

The collar and cuffs were edged with a strip of white.

Around his waist was a leather belt commonly used by martial artists, tightened around the waist for a formidable presence.

His black hair was well-groomed, his face handsome and striking. Although one could not say it sparkled with every glance, it did merit the term handsome.

Apart from the main family, the Xue Family rarely had someone with such a divine and elegant appearance.

The female workers of the Clothing Workshop were full of praises, clapping and laughing as they presented an ordinary jade pendant to the young man, prompting him to put it on. They then clapped their hands in amusement and said, "Indeed, this fake jade, worth less than one tael of silver, looks like a hundred taels worth of fine jade on Mr. Li."

"We'll give this jade to Mr. Li. After all, it's not really worth much."

The coachman, stupefied, watched as the girls from the Clothing Workshop sent the young man out with smiles, walking towards Li Guanyi, whose looks and demeanor had now changed. The coachman examined him as if he were a monster, and unable to hold back, he said,

"They have never given anything to anyone before, Mr. Li, do you possess some kind of spell?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment, then said, "I didn't do anything."

The coachman was puzzled.

Li Guanyi said, "I just called them 'sister' a few times."

Coachman: "........."

For some reason, the salt-baked peanuts in his mouth suddenly lost their appeal.

Li Guanyi went to the manager's office again and signed a contract.

"A monthly salary of thirty strings of coins, plus fifty catties of rice and flour, and twenty catties of meat."

"Two sets of clothing."

"Three meals a day, which you may have here if you wish."

"Additionally, each day, come here to teach the young master and miss arithmetic for one hour."

Working just one hour a day, he could earn a string of coins.

Li Guanyi reflected on how leisurely the work was, and thought about what the coachman Zhao Dabing had said about getting things at cost price from the Xue Family's Trade Guild. After some consideration, he bought many things there and found a better house to rent from a broker of the Xue Family.

The silver in his hands was quickly spent, but he couldn't describe the satisfaction he felt.

It was as if his life was slowly getting better.

Finally, Li Guanyi pointed in a direction and said,

"If you please, pack up this jar of wine for me as well."

............

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away from Guan Yi City, on a desolate plain.

The roaring sound of the Azure Dragon shook the wilderness, a dozen men in black armor flew out like rags, crashing to the ground. Their horses knelt with shattered knees, bleeding from their seven orifices, their skins intact but their insides reduced to mush.

Inside the carriage, an old man with white hair and beard played the zither, the sound melodious and lingering.

A boisterous voice rang out: "Facing assassination, yet you remain composed, undaunted."

"Elder Zu, truly a gentleman of repute across the land, I admire you!"

The old man's zither music gradually ceased and he extended his hand to lift the carriage curtain. A tall man in black armor was struggling fiercely under a large hand that held his head, his immense True Qi proving futile. The owner of the hand had wild hair and beard, stoic like a lurking tiger.

With a fierce motion, the big man raised his right hand.

This top-ranked assassin was thrown up into the sky.

With a flick of his wrist a punch was thrown.

A Red Dragon roared forth, pulverizing the assailant into dust. The big man clasped his hands in salute to the old man, his voice rough but his face showing respect: "Commander of Four Wings of Tianwu from General Yue's command, Left Army Commander, former Commander of the Chen Country, Yue Qianfeng."

"I've had the honor of meeting Elder Zu."

This old man was a renowned scholar of the world, the one who cracked the method of the circular movement, proficient in astronomy and geography, a revered elder of the Taoist sect, who had never cultivated martial arts. Yet now, he risked his life to save General Yue by making a trip to the Capital City, but was ambushed by top assassins. If not for Yue Qianfeng's sudden appearance, he might have perished at the bottom of this precipice.

After expressing his gratitude, the elder curiously asked, "General Yue, how did you know I was here?"

As Yue Qianfeng assisted the elder out of the carriage, he replied, "It was mere coincidence. I was waiting for you at Guan Yi City as agreed upon, but the Night Rider Cavalry discovered me. With my usual temperament, I'd have killed them all, but I spared a Secret Agent's life to train a lad. By touching a corpse, I learned you were surrounded and came to rescue you. Fortunately, I was in time."

After a pause, Yue Qianfeng continued slowly, "Elder Zu, the journey is fraught with danger; do you still intend to go to the Capital City?"

Elder Zu nodded: "The more they fear my going, the more I must go."

"But before entering the Capital, I need to visit Guan Yi City."

"This matter regarding General Yue has stirred the situation across the land: the Northern Dynasty, those outside the border, the Turkic—all have been drawn in. This is a matter of either great success or great defeat, with no other outcome. I must consider the legacy I leave behind."

"In my youth, I had good relations with Guan Yi City, and recently, I've put out an interesting little problem, which should be known by the private schools big and small there."

"If someone can solve it, they can come to me to work on the next few problems I have."

"And from those, I shall choose a talented individual to be my disciple."

"I can die then."

"But the title and teachings of one of the twenty-four Sacrificial Wine Masters of the Taoist path must find a successor."

"Guan Yi City..."

Yue Qianfeng suddenly thought of the lad he had parted with not long ago.

I wonder if he's made it to the first realm upon my return?

With a hearty laugh, he cupped his fist in salute: "Good."

"I shall escort Elder Zu back."

"And then see what that bratty kid is up to."

..........

Li Guanyi, unaware that Yue Qianfeng had mentioned him, walked briskly back home. Auntie was out for a walk and buying some fruits and vegetables back, so no one was home. Li Guanyi returned to his modest bed, sat cross-legged, and laid his hands on the bronze tripod.

The bronze tripod trembled, and the young man's eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Alright, let me see what exactly are you?"