"What is this…"
Li Guanyi could be certain that the bronze cauldron previously had no such crimson dragon etched upon it.
He reached out and lightly pressed his hand against the bronze cauldron at his chest, and could feel the faint outline of the crimson dragon's mark beneath his fingers. It radiated a searing heat, faintly resonating with a distant, almost imperceptible dragon's roar. Yet, the sound seemed separated by a thin veil—ethereal and extremely weak.
The crimson dragon's mark was still vague.
It was as if it had just been freshly engraved onto the bronze cauldron—not yet solid, not yet clear.
Thoughtfully, Li Guanyi muttered to himself, "It seems that the bronze cauldron's ability isn't limited to just absorbing yuan energy… this crimson dragon's image is still blurred. By this reasoning, I'll likely need to accumulate more jade liquid multiple times before this dragon can fully take form."
"And when that happens, I imagine… something else will change."
"But for now, that's just a guess—I'll need to test it further to be sure."
Sorting through his scattered thoughts, Li Guanyi sat down again to meditate.
This time, as he guided his breath, it was still slow and steady, but the amount of internal energy within him was already vastly greater than before, which in turn subtly increased the speed of his breath circulation. As the inner energy of the Breaking Array Tune's twelfth layer coursed past his chest, he could distinctly feel that icy-cold sensation lurking around his heart.
That was the very poison that had tormented him for ten years, the one that would erupt in agonizing pain whenever it flared up.
But now… with the Breaking Array Tune cultivated to the twelfth layer, it was as if his internal energy was finally brushing against the root of that poison. Just like Yue Qianfeng had said—if he grew stronger, the threat of the poison to him would gradually lessen.
With that, his heart settled, and he drifted into a dreamless sleep for the night.
—
The next day, on his way to Huichun Hall, Li Guanyi glanced from a distance toward the Mountain God Temple. It was crowded with people, with armored constables standing guard. Amid the noisy chatter of the crowd, Li Guanyi activated his breath technique to sharpen his vision—but he no longer saw the domineering, crimson dragon form from yesterday.
Yue Qianfeng had already left.
That wasn't surprising.
Li Guanyi didn't linger, blending in with the curious onlookers as if just another idle passerby. After a glance, he made his way to Huichun Hall. Today, there was even a carriage parked at the front, and the few martial escorts who had been injured by the constables last time were gathered by the entrance, laughing and chatting with a well-dressed youth in his twenties.
Those martial artists, who normally carried themselves with haughty airs and paid no mind to others, now wore fawning smiles on their faces.
Li Guanyi recognized him immediately—Huichun Hall's young master.
Changing into his green robe, Li Guanyi made his way behind the medicine counter. Chen, the old physician, glanced toward the young master and the three martial escorts as they headed for the rear courtyard, shaking his head slightly. "The young master arrived early this morning to comfort those martial escorts."
"Said they'd been injured protecting Huichun Hall, so naturally Huichun Hall couldn't ignore them."
"Gave them medicine, silver, and even promised to increase their monthly wages for a few months."
"He didn't summon you over?"
Li Guanyi shook his head.
Chen looked puzzled, but by then the boy was already focused on his work behind the counter. His stance was firm, his breathing steady, while internally savoring the steady, genuine circulation of the Breaking Array Tune. At the same time, he was carefully planning his next steps.
He and his aunt were fugitives in Chen County. It was only because of his aunt's quick thinking—leading him in circles through countless routes—that they'd finally made it to Guan Yi City. It wasn't far now from Jiangnan's Eighteenth Province, their ultimate destination.
But there was one major obstacle before him:
The travel permit.
To cross the border legally, one needed a travel permit issued by the court. But to obtain such a permit, one had to have a household registration in that region. Li Guanyi was a refugee—a scattered household—and that was only because this was Chen Country. If they'd fled to the northern Ying Country, they'd already have been branded as baseborn.
But if he could work at Huichun Hall for three years, he'd be able to acquire Guan Yi City's household registration.
Then, with household registration in hand, he could formally apply for a travel permit to cross the border. Staying in Chen County wasn't safe. When that time came, he could finally use the gold and silver beads hidden in his possession as traveling funds. Chen's currency wouldn't necessarily be recognized in other places, but in chaotic times, gold was always the true currency.
Meanwhile, he'd keep practicing martial arts—hopefully breaking through to the "Entry Stage" realm that Yue Qianfeng had mentioned.
He'd said that most wandering martial artists were at that level.
Li Guanyi thought seriously about his path forward.
The world outside was unstable, and crossing the border would require not just permits, but also martial strength for protection—and likely a hefty amount of silver for bribes and arrangements.
Now, his martial strength was progressing, his finances were somewhat prepared… item by item, he checked them off mentally, feeling himself steadily edging closer to a better life. There was even a small sense of satisfaction in his heart. Someday, he and his aunt could have a courtyard of their own—no longer needing to worry about raids or arrests.
They could raise chickens and pigs, train in martial arts, open a small shop…
A stable, peaceful life—that was all he wanted.
He looked up at the sky outside.
Warm sunlight beamed down.
All he wanted… was to live well. Nothing more.
—
"You've been with Huichun Hall for a few years now. This trouble came because you were protecting us. Don't worry—stay here, rest, and recover. Your wages and medicinal expenses won't be missing a single copper."
In the rear hall of Huichun Hall, the young master set down his teacup, smiling warmly as he finished speaking.
The martial escorts were practically overflowing with gratitude. Their smiles could barely be contained. After they bowed and left, the young master turned to the steward beside him, who stood quietly with his head bowed.
"I heard there was a young assistant who got injured as well?"
"A pharmacist?"
The steward lowered his head further and spoke softly, "Still just an apprentice. Talented with numbers, work diligently."
"Just him and a sickly aunt at home. The boy's supporting the whole household."
"A good kid."
The young master furrowed his brows slightly, lifted his teacup again, and gently swept away the floating tea leaves with the lid. "Is that so…"
After a moment of thought, he said blandly:
"Let him go, then."
The steward froze, but the young master lazily plucked a tea stem from the cup and flicked it aside. "Manager Zhao, you know how it is—we've taken quite a loss with this incident. We need to tighten expenses. That assistant's been injured, can't do heavy work for three to five months, and we'd have to waste medicine on him. It's a loss."
"I know you're soft-hearted, but the hall has its difficulties too."
"We're a big household, with big expenses."
"Good steel needs to be used on the blade. He's not some martial artist with real skill—just a small-time assistant."
The steward hesitated for a moment, then bowed lower, whispering, "You're right, Young Master. But… with all the work in the hall, we're already shorthanded…"
The young master smiled faintly. "Manager Zhao, you're being foolish."
"The rest of the work—just have the other assistants do more each day."
"What's so hard about that?"
He set his teacup down with a light clink, got up, and strolled out the door. He was due to meet friends at the bustling Fanhua Tavern for drinks.
—
By midday, Li Guanyi had rolled up his sleeves, sitting by the entrance of the hall, pulling out a flatbread and a boiled egg. Normally, that was enough to fill him, but lately, his appetite had become terrifying. He devoured them in a few big bites, then figured he should buy something extra.
As long as one didn't care about living well, twenty or so copper coins a day was enough to survive in Guan Yi City.
But that covered food, clothing, shelter, and travel altogether.
He was just thinking about buying some sesame flatbread to tide himself over when a shadow loomed over him.
It was the steward blocking his way.
"Li Guanyi—how's your injury?"
Some of the other assistants stopped what they were doing to watch. They weren't fools. When the young master hadn't even glanced at Li Guanyi earlier, they'd already guessed what was happening.
Li Guanyi met the steward's eyes and nodded calmly. "It's fine."
The steward nodded. "I've got business today—won't be going home. Come have a seat with me."
Li Guanyi had a vague feeling of what was coming but nodded silently. The two of them, one after the other, made their way to a humble tavern on the street. Inside, long benches lined the walls, with a few cheap jars of spirits. Laborers often came here for a strong drink—a single copper for a full cup. Some would bring their bits of braised meat to go with it, savoring their simple meal.
Today, though, a proper table had been set, and the steward, familiar with the place, quickly ordered a few dishes—meat and vegetables mixed—and two bowls of rice. Along with two cups of the harsh local spirits.
"This meal's on me," the steward said softly. "You got dragged into Huichun Hall's troubles and took a hit for it. Eat up."
He watched the boy lower his head and eat in silence.
"The world's not stable these days. Huichun Hall got robbed of medicine, and who knows if worse things are coming. You're too young for this kind of life."
Li Guanyi had already anticipated this, but now it was certain.
They were cutting him loose.
The steward pulled out a string of coins—an entire guàn—and a letter. He pushed both across the table toward Li Guanyi.
"This is your wages for the month. The letter is a recommendation. You're sharp with numbers—I know the manager of the Liu Family Private Academy here in Guan Yi City. I wrote you a personal letter. Take it and see if you can find work there."
"Better to have a place to go."
Liu Family Private Academy?
That was far more prestigious than Huichun Hall—a step up.
The steward finished his wine, set the cup down, and rose to leave. "Eat up. I've got work to do."
"Old Zhou," he called to the tavern owner, "put this meal on my tab."
"If the boy's still hungry, let him order more."
The steward left, his long gray robe slightly worn, head lowered, with a slight stoop to his back.
Li Guanyi set the letter aside and dug into the food with relish, quickly finishing everything. The tavern keeper smiled, "Want more? Take something with you."
"That old Zhao said—don't be shy, take whatever you want."
The boy smiled. "No need. I'm full."
He moved over to the counter, glanced at the drink prices, and quietly placed ten copper coins on the table.
The tavern keeper blinked. "Kid—that meal's already paid for."
"I know," Li Guanyi said softly. "Next time he's here… give Manager Zhao a cup of something better. On me."
The tavern keeper stared for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Alright then."
"You've got manners, I'll give you that."
"Old Zhao didn't pick wrong."
—
Back at Huichun Hall, the steward returned and marked a line through Li Guanyi's name in the ledger.
Chen, the old physician, saw the mark and muttered, "So he's been dismissed?"
The steward nodded.
Seeing the entry in the ledger, Chen frowned. "You even gave him a full guàn of money? The young master wouldn't be that generous."
The steward said quietly:
"We work for the master—his words are rules, and we follow them."
"But a man can't act cruel or unjust. That's also a rule. The rules in here." He tapped his chest.
"Some rules are bigger than the heavens."
Rolling up the ledger, he stepped through the door curtains. Embroidered on either side of the doorway was a matching couplet:
No illness is worse than denial.
The art of healing must be practiced with kindness.
The steward held his head high. His back was straight.
—
The sun was rising higher, and the air growing warmer.
Li Guanyi now stood before the grand gates of the Liu Family Private Academy.
Sure enough, it was imposing—half of the wealthy households in the city sent their sons here to study. Outside, carriages were lined up neatly.
Just as he was about to go in, another carriage pulled up in front of him, coming to a smooth stop right between him and the entrance.
A fragrant breeze lifted through the air.
A crisp, youthful voice called out:
"Miss, we've arrived at the Liu Family Private Academy."
(End of Chapter)