"It seems that after that generation, Breaking Army believed that the Overlord’s ultimate fate was chosen because of that generation’s Shaking Light. That’s why they made the angry decision to absolutely not assist the Shaking Light lineage any longer. It’s already an old story of the East Continent Star Observation School."
"Before that, only the Overlord brought together both Breaking Army and Shaking Light."
"In any case, a person good at strategy would certainly have a choice of Think Tank."
"He should come to see your demeanor."
Li Guanyi said, "Right."
The voice of Shaking Light was quiet; she thought for a moment, then said, "It’s just like what the books say."
Li Guanyi had already relaxed in front of Shaking Light. He propped up his chin with one hand, watching the girl quietly organizing books across from him in the candlelight, while his other hand trimmed the wick of the candle with small scissors. He joked, "Aren’t you curious about my choice?"
Like always, the silver-haired girl extended her hands to cover Li Guanyi’s palms.
Her voice was calm as she whispered:
"Whether you choose me or not isn’t the point."
"But, I have chosen you."
When Li Guanyi was stunned, the girl let go of his palms, covered her head with her hood, and knelt before him, showing only her perfectly curved chin and the silver hair that hung at her temples. Her voice was tranquil and peaceful:
"Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Li Guanyi fell silent for a moment, then raised his palm and gently tapped his chest in response:
"I also will abide by this alliance."
After he finished speaking, he scratched his head and said, "It’s daytime already; I’m going to get some breakfast. After that, I’ll be heading over to the Imperial Guard." Standing up, he quickly walked out, and the wind blew in as Li Guanyi exhaled a breath.
Inside the room, the girl sat quietly, kneeling. After a long while,
She nodded her head slightly forward.
Then she jolted awake and straightened up again.
Her breathing calm, then she leaned forward once more, her head gently nodding off."
When Li Guanyi returned, he saw this scene. He put the buns he brought back, the duck blood vermicelli soup, and some vegetarian dishes on the table, sat quietly, and waited until Shaking Light woke up on her own. Shaking Light paused, then said, "You’ve been back for a while?"
Li Guanyi smiled and replied, "No, I have just returned and put the food down."
"The breakfast food in the Capital City is quite good."
Shaking Light held a bun in both hands and took a tentative bite. She knelt there eating, holding the food with both hands, her appearance made even more delicate by the loosely hooded robes she wore, like those of a recluse.
Li Guanyi ate with big bites, then suddenly remembered to ask, "Can you add a secret technique to the Imperial Palace’s defenses to make it less detectable?"
Shaking Light shook her head, her voice serene as she reminded him, "Have you forgotten?"
"The assassin before had traces of Witchcraft on him."
"Astrology, Divination, and Witchcraft each have their specialties."
"From ancient times, emperors have both feared and yearned for Astrology, worrying about being seen through their Heavenly Mandate. Thus, places like the Imperial Palace will always have Witchcraft and Magicians around, as well as organizations like the Imperial Observatory, one of the most secretive places in the world. My magic cannot help you."
"Emperors are the people in the world who fear death the most; they detest us."
"If I could reach my teacher’s level, perhaps I could help you in some ways."
Li Guanyi nodded, thinking of the previous assassin from the Mo School.
"I was just asking. Since the Imperial Palace is heavily guarded, the Imperial Guard still has access. If you’re in the Capital City, just stay here." Li Guanyi quickly finished his breakfast, grabbed his waist card, and headed to the Imperial Palace.
Having his identity verified, he changed into heavy armor.
The Imperial Guard donned War Robes and draping Huaguang Armor, with a heavy sword at their waist, a crossbow on one side, and also wore a War Spear. Li Guanyi, although he held the rank of a Seventh Grade Captain Zhenwei, when he came to the Imperial Guard, he was only a stick-wielding left or right guard of the Ninth Grade.
Yet, when ordinary Seventh Grade military officials saw them, they couldn’t help but show respect.
Afterward, Li Guanyi and nine other newly selected members of the Imperial Guard received their assignments; they were to join the Imperial Army Dragon Martial Army Record Officer, who informed them about some new regulations.
It was only then Li Guanyi learned that there were different roles within the Imperial Guard; although all were patrollers, the kind that made no mistakes and could get benefits from the eunuchs, as well as gifts from officials coming to the palace, were considered the best roles.
To patrol places like the Imperial Garden, with beautiful scenery but without much benefit, was still considered a leisurely post.
These were mid-level.
But the worst were two kinds.
One was the Cold Palace, deserted and with no gifts from its few inhabitants.
If something happened, the Imperial Guard couldn’t avoid being implicated.
The second kind was the assignment they had just been given: the Forbidden Palace’s Qilin Palace.
This was regarded as the lowest position.
Not only was there little coming in, no benefits or gifts, but also because many special messages come out of the Forbidden Palace. Once something happened, heh, while the most you might get charged with in the Cold Palace might be a minor offense like ’improper conduct in front of the palace,’ in the Forbidden Palace it would be about keeping the mouth shut to maintain secrecy.
Listening to the Military Advisor’s words, all the members of the Imperial Guard felt a chill in their hearts.
Then they looked towards Li Guanyi, their gazes filled with malice. They were sons of noble Military Merit families, and some had given up the selection for the Night Rider Cavalry specifically to challenge this youth praised by Yuwen Lie as "the strongest of the Chen Country" — intending to defeat him on the training ground.