Peace Order
Chapter 676 - 65 Li Guanyi’s Alliance in Troubled Times!_2

Chapter 676: Chapter 65 Li Guanyi’s Alliance in Troubled Times!_2

"After being fired, it can penetrate triple iron armors and the explosive force can instantaneously topple a small hill. Once it breaks open, the crossbow arrow’s inner fragments will scatter across a radius of thirty yards with the strength of a hidden weapon thrown by an ’Entering Realm’ martial artist."

"It is also coated with poison, capable of instantly incapacitating a fierce tiger."

Li Guanyi tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Hmm???

This, how is Mr. Wen He so reputed within the Academy?

He suddenly understood why students like Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zhi would travel far and wide to study, while Mr. Wen He stubbornly holed up inside the Academy, claiming, "Within the ancient paths of Confucianism, Gongyang Su Wang is unmatched in the world," and never stepping outside.

He was very self-aware indeed.

As for what followed, Mr. Wen He was still perfectly fine, which made Li Guanyi marvel. How did this man manage to earn both fear and esteem from others, and still live a good life?

In the world, no one schemes for themselves or others more than Wen He.

Gongsun Wuyue remained silent for a long time. It seemed that right from the start, she didn’t hold much hope for alliance through marriage with Li Guanyi, only proposing it as a tentative attempt. With a smile, she said, "Courageous and strategic, commanding the Qilin Army, and having talents like Yuan Zhi and Wen He for planning, you are the finest among the younger generation."

"It’s a pity Feixue doesn’t share such fate."

"The Gongsun Family wanders the Martial World, with vast family business. I fear that after several decades, it will meet a difficult end."

"However, our ancestor Gongshu Ban and the founder of the Mo School clashed over their mechanical techniques, one scheming to supply, the other to protect. Maybe from the very beginning, the ancestors had already decided by choosing different paths."

Gongsun Wuyue reached out and picked up the [Lingyun Wood] sword that Li Guanyi had placed on the table. This mystical weapon, full of ancient charm and adorned with pine-like patterns, made Gongsun Wuyue, who was gazing at Li Guanyi, express a hint of regret, saying:

"Perhaps my family encountered you too late."

"Even the most domineering lords wish to form an alliance with my family through marriage. With your nature, you directly refused, although you did mention your reasons earlier, I’m afraid you’ve already met someone who is extremely kind to you in your earliest days, haven’t you?"

Gongsun Wuyue caressed the sword in her hands and suddenly thought of the spirited young Taoist, her eyes narrowing slightly as she said softly, "People do not recognize the Lingyun Wood until the clouds rise high to reveal its greatness."

"It just so happens to match the charm of this mystical weapon."

She returned the sword to Li Guanyi’s hands and smiled, "Let’s pretend I never said those words before. You can just regard me as an old acquaintance of Zu Wenyuan and Chen Chengbi."

Li Guanyi stretched out his hand to stop her, the young Taoist’s demeanor calm and gentle:

"Hold on."

Gongsun Wuyue looked at him, a puzzled look in her eyes. Li Guanyi smiled and said, "I merely stated that alliance through marriage is not the best choice, but I had no intention of giving up on forming an alliance with the Gongsun Family."

"When I was coming here, the Mo Family Master told me I must secure help from Elder Gongsun, and I also have teachings that speak of uniting all the forces that can be united."

Gongsun Wuyue raised her eyebrows slightly and said with poise, "Well, that’s quite like your teacher, deliberate and not rushed. In the past, it was always I who made suggestions. Now, you’re the one rejecting my proposal and coming up with a better one?"

"Good, let’s see what reasoning the Marquis Qin Wu, who is like a Qilin, has to offer."

Li Guanyi smiled and said, "What Elder is concerned about are the massive mechanical weapons preserved by the Gongsun Family. A ruler committed to the Unification of the World could not tolerate it, correct?"

Gongsun Wuyue looked at Li Guanyi and said, "That’s right."

"So, if Marquis Qin Wu took over the world, could he tolerate the family keeping these weapons?"

Li Guanyi answered, "It’s impossible."

"Power comes from the barrel of a gun, and mechanical weapons are even more crucial than spears. The mechanical techniques of the Gongshu Lineage cannot be controlled by just one family or household."

Gongsun Wuyue gently patted Gongsun Feixue’s hand and said with a laugh:

"You are an honest person."

"If you said you could tolerate it, I would have called the disciples of our clan to beat you out with sticks. So, what is your idea then?"

Li Guanyi held up his teacup, which was now filled with clear water, having already consumed the tea, and said with composure:

"The Gongsun Family possesses decisive weapons, like the water in this cup. The Gongsun Family is the vessel holding the cup. Elder intends to protect this water at all times, but with the world in such tumultuous change, this cup is bound to hit the ground eventually."

"The water will spill out, does Elder know how to protect it?"

Gongsun Wuyue said with a smile, "Little Taoist, you’ve been seeing that dark-skinned monk and learned to speak in riddles? I think I have some guesses, but why don’t you share your thoughts?"

The atmosphere had now shifted from the solemnity that usually accompanies alliance negotiations between major families and heroes to a more relaxed tone, akin to a conversation between an elder and a younger member. Li Guanyi pondered for a moment and smiled, "Elder, I heard from Master Chen Chengbi and the living Buddha."

"Both of them mentioned you are always astute and intelligent, the smartest among them."

"Even Elder Zu said, had it not been for your intervention,"

"The living Buddha would have been sold off and counting his own money; he would have perished 60 years ago, and where would the third-ranked Grandmaster of today, capable of Mountain Shattering and Indestructible Vajra, be?"

Gongsun Feixue initially felt embarrassed, then after being rejected, she had a natural sense of loss. It wasn’t that she harbored any feelings for Li Guanyi, but being a young woman who has always been proud of herself, the young man’s graceful rejection had left a bit of unease in her heart.