Peace Order
Chapter 504 - 22: Li Guanyi and Sword Madman

Chapter 504: Chapter 22: Li Guanyi and Sword Madman

Pang Shuiyun.

One of the twenty-four generals of the Taiping Army, a strategist.

One of the previous generation’s Zongheng School Five Sons.

Known as Fei Feng.

Li Guanyi knew very well about this famed strategist general, Pang Shuiyun, who smiled and said, "The night is long today, Young Master, why not walk with me for a while? If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to chat with this old man."

Li Guanyi nodded, and when he lowered his eyes, he noticed that the silver-haired girl had disappeared, hiding herself. Knowing that as a disciple of the Stargazing School, Shaking Light seemed to deliberately avoid some people, Li Guanyi simply responded calmly, "Please lead the way, sir."

Pang Shuiyun smiled and nodded.

He and Li Guanyi walked together on this peaceful night road.

Li Guanyi outlined his plan briefly, and Pang Shuiyun responded in a gentle tone, "Your strategy is simple, yet direct and effective. All I could do was to give it a push along its course. As for Zhenbei City, because of Chen Dingye, the power structure here is inherently a product of balance among various forces."

"After tonight, Zhenbei City will undergo an earth-shattering change."

"The Great General longs for the power of this Heroic City."

"Military Merit, aristocratic family, and Military School powers interweave, creating possibilities for alliance, suppression, and division. Zhenbei City is like a precious treasure, conflicts will arise around this city, and where there are conflicts, there is room for people like us to play."

"However, this contingency plan is not for immediate use."

"If we were to come riding a major trend, the leverage we hold over those two generals would make them lean towards us. But at this moment, you are but a ranger, and I am merely a teacher. They would likely act decisively and dispose of us both in the river."

Pang Shuiyun laughed, "Therefore, the contingency plan of Zhenbei City looks tempting and delectable but is toxic. Let’s leave it be for today."

Li Guanyi asked, "Sir, what do you think we should do?"

Pang Shuiyun stroked his beard, speaking gently, "It’s humbling to say, I do not hail from the Military School, and I am utterly ignorant in military formations and tactics, unlike many of my colleagues. When it comes to strategies of kings and relying on crucial supporters, I seem to have an edge."

"Given the current situation, there is only one word—’move’."

"The factions here are about to face huge changes. Young Master, staying here would only constrain your steps. The seeds have been sown, and it will take years before there’s a chance for them to sprout and grow. In the meantime, you should travel around the world."

"However, it’s also not feasible to leave today."

"Currently, the entire Zhenbei City is in a state of high tension."

"Although it seems relaxed, it is extremely dangerous to move from inside out. Let it stay tense for a few more days; suddenly, it will loosen significantly, and that will be the opportunity for the Young Master to leave this place..." Pang Shuiyun and Li Guanyi walked on, analyzing the situation of Zhenbei City thoroughly until they reached the Xue Family’s money exchange.

In the Xue Family’s money exchange, Xue Zhaoji and others were anxious. Li Guanyi had risked his life, and now that the strategy had been fully implemented, the Yue Family Army’s cavalry had rushed away, and Zhenbei City’s troops were mobilized inward, everything seemed as expected, but Li Guanyi’s status was unknown.

Just as Xue Zhaoji could hardly resist the urge to gather the Xue Family’s people to check on the situation, a laugh rang out: "Gentlemen, worry not, Li Guanyi is unharmed."

Xue Zhaoji was overjoyed and turned to look, indeed seeing the young Taoist striding towards him.

Although slightly pale, his spirit was buoyant, showing no signs of injury, which finally relieved everyone. Then Xue Zhaoji saw an elegant elderly man by Li Guanyi’s side, his eyes puzzled. The elderly man smiled slightly and said,

"I am surnamed Pang, just a lowly scribe under the Young Master."

Xue Zhaoji, without giving it much thought, simply called out to the others. Li Guanyi changed his clothes, took a bath, and although he had wounds, they were neither deep nor bleeding anymore. After changing into clean clothes and still wearing his wooden hairpin, he emerged, and Xue Zhaoji had already prepared medicated wine, tea, and snacks.

Pang Shuiyun looked at Li Guanyi, speaking gently,

"I heard that the Young Master owns a property known as Changfeng Building. I wonder if I might have a look."

Li Guanyi nodded, and Xue Zhaoji naturally took out the affairs of Changfeng Building to briefly inform Pang Shuiyun. Initially thinking that this scholarly old man wouldn’t understand such an intelligence organization, he conveyed some bragging in his speech, but unexpectedly, with just a few light inquiries from Pang Shuiyun, Xue Zhaoji found it somewhat difficult to respond.

After pondering some more, he asked a few more questions.

Xue Zhaoji, although a determined and seasoned elder, was already sweating and visibly confused. Pang Shuiyun looked at Li Guanyi and smiled, saying, "Young Master, if you don’t mind my presumption, may I reorganize Changfeng Building?"

Li Guanyi, who believes in entrusting professional matters to professionals, gladly said,

"Elder Pang, just go ahead and do it!"

Pang Shuiyun smiled and nodded.

Exhausted from today’s exertions, Li Guanyi finally relaxed, and his body, forged from dragon veins and tiger marrow, needed a substantial amount of energy. He alone consumed the equivalent of twenty people’s worth of high-energy food. These substances were quickly consumed by his powerful organs.

Marks of bruising appeared on his skin and then slowly dispersed.

The intense exhaustion quickly put Li Guanyi to sleep.

In his sleep, he faintly felt someone prying open his window from outside.

Then, the silver-haired girl who had disappeared along the way climbed in.

Li Guanyi’s guard was raised only to dissipate again, and he fell back asleep with his eyes closed. When he woke up, the outside sunlight was already spilling through the hazy gaps, shining on Li Guanyi’s face, warm and comforting.