?54: Chapter 49: Gathering of Scholars and Warriors, Dragon and Tiger Knock on the Gate!

    54: Chapter 49: Gathering of Scholars and Warriors, Dragon and Tiger Knock on the Gate!

    The literati who had come to witness a spectacle saw their smiles fade away.

    Meanwhile, the smile on Old Mr.

    Xue’s face became increasingly self-indulgent.

    Xue Daoyong’s smile was practically bursting, almost uncontrollably, as if the corners of his mouth were even harder to pull down than the trigger of a Divine Arm Crossbow.

    But the other scholars and noble families understood the laughter on the old man’s face all too well, if it were them, they would be even more carefree, more wild, and more delighted—

    “To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to set a life for the living people, to continue the Absolute Skills of the sages, to forge everlasting peace for all generations.”

    Just these four lines.

    Civil and martial achievements fulfilled.

    That’s enough.

    What most shocked them was the intense emotion contained in that last line.

    Having seen the world and its myriad ambiences, they could hear the spirit in those words; this was what was truly precious.

    It was like brushing off the dust to discover jade beneath—the rhetoric and composition were merely an exterior adornment.

    A mental state that resonated with these words was the true uncarved jade!

    This fourth disciple of Mr.

    Wang Tong, and the fourth senior brother of many a noble family’s son.

    Was about to make his mark on the world today.

    They then saw Mr.

    Wang Tong gazing intently at the young man across from him without disturbing him, turning around to walk back towards where he originally stood, his back seemingly straighter, his steps even more serene and firm.

    The wind blew over the leaves.

    In the ballads of a thousand years later, this fairly young man, who was the first to advocate the unification of the three teachings, would be placed just below the two sages of Confucianism and celebrated across the world.

    [The five disciples, Xun, Yang, Wen Zhongzi, and old Zhuang.]

    But under the sunlight of a thousand years prior.

    Nobody knew what he was thinking.

    Wei Xuancheng looked at the young man quietly, sighed, and said, “What, are you worried about the trials still to come, hence the headache?”

    Wei Xuancheng said, “No, I’m just thinking that I need to train my wrists.”

    The young man spoke calmly:

    “There might still be plenty of tea pouring in the future.”

    “Precautions must be taken before the rain; one cannot be too careful.”

    ......

    Xue Shuangtao also vaguely understood the weight of these final words.

    Her palm cradled a gold-inlaid jade bracelet.

    The young man covered her hand with his, yet he did not take it away; instead, he lifted his hand, and a never-withering winter plum blossom fell into the palm of the young girl, left behind by Siming during a demonstration of the Tao of Yin Yang transformation.

    Li Guanyi smiled and said, “It’s for you.”

    Xue Shuangtao said, “Don’t you want this jade bracelet?”

    Li Guanyi replied, “Am I that greedy for wealth?”

    The girl looked him up and down, a slight smile spreading across her face:

    “No, just a tiny bit.”

    Li Guanyi heaved a sigh and said, “I know you believe that I’m not uneducated, but I really haven’t read much of the Classics, History, Philosophy, and Literature.

    Also, thank you for speaking up for me just now in front of those noble sons.”

    Xue Shuangtao looked up at him.

    Suddenly, she mimicked the salutation of the Martial World folks with clasped fists, her smile radiant and her brows as beautiful as a painting, with a young girl’s charm:

    “The Guest Elder is too kind.”

    By the time Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao returned, everything was as it had been.

    Only the laughter of Old Mr.

    Xue grew increasingly hearty and unrestrained.

    Fresh fruit platters were served again, cold meat appetizers, accompanied by warm tea to complement the meat.

    Slender-waisted women danced and sang with grace.

    Li Guanyi looked down, his mind inexplicably drifting to Qian Zheng’s sister.

    Changsun Wuchou sat next to Li Guanyi, his face wearing a warmer, more genial smile than when he introduced Li Guanyi to the noble sons earlier, as he added a piece of meat with his chopsticks to accompany the Longjing Tea, and exclaimed, “The taste is indeed good.”

    “The quality of ingredients is high, and the utensils and tableware even better.”

    Xue Shuangtao asked, “They don’t have tableware like this in the Western Regions?”

    Changsun Wuchou laughed and said, “Of course, the food and drink depend on the local environment.”

    “In the Western Regions and the grasslands, there are no tables or stands.

    Sometimes a sheep is killed and buried in the ashes of plants to stew until succulent, with a robust flavor and juicy meat.

    Everyone uses small curved knives and daggers to slice the meat for eating.

    Women with strong arms entwine and sing and dance, expressing their emotions in direct and fervent ways.”

    “It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a banquet in Jiangnan.

    Haha, I really have to thank you, Mr.

    Li Guanyi.

    Sitting here, compared to the fierce winds of the Western Regions, Jiangnan is indeed a nice place.”

    Li Guanyi asked, “What is the Western Regions like?”

    Is it the same as in my previous life?

    Changsun Wuchou looked at Li Guanyi and said with a smile, “The Western Regions abound with fine horses and beauties, captivating dances, fruits aplenty, yet also sprawling deserts, boundless and vast with magnificent sights.

    Jiangnan has its own gentle charm, but amidst the desert’s expanse, under a sky full of stars, the view is endless, galloping on a horse unleashes true manly spirit!”

    “If young Mr.

    Li fancies a trip to the Western Regions, I would be pleased to be your host.”

    Changsun Wuchou poured tea for Li Guanyi and continued naturally, “I can gift you a fine steed, so swift that not even the wind can catch up to it, a curved sword adorned with gemstones.

    Wherever you wish to explore, I will take you there.

    The vast desert is a world apart from Jiangnan’s landscapes.”

    Changsun Wuchou’s invitation was made with ease, and such a proposition wasn’t the least bit off-putting.

    In his heart, he elevated the young man’s position.

    He sighed internally.

    “It seems that after today, I must write a detailed report about this Li Guanyi.”

    “And send it to the second lady.”

    As he roamed the world, he was documenting the heroes and the talents of the age.

    The Phoenix of Duke Longxi Mansion had personally charged him with this task.

    Her elder and younger brothers paid it no mind, and even the current Duke found his daughter’s endeavors meaningless, merely smiling and saying: