"I haven’t been back in ten years; this time, I hope, my lord, you could take a detour to visit my mother and tell her that I haven’t failed, that I’m not a ruthless murderer."
Yuan Zhi, a young and immensely talented strategist who had shaken the lands upon his arrival, now had a hint of longing and sighing in his eyes. Hearing this, Li Guanyi laughed heartily, "What’s so difficult about that? Don’t worry, don’t worry, I understand!"
The young general clenched his fist and smiled,
"Perfect, since we’re taking the diplomatic corps, let’s first visit your mother before heading to Central State; tell her just how great her son is!"
Relief washed over Yuan Zhi’s face as he said, "Thank you, my lord."
"You’re too courteous, sir!"
Li Guanyi thought about it, gazing at the young man from a humble background. He smiled lightly but earnestly, "Although this is somewhat taking advantage of your mother’s name, rest assured, sir." The youth clenched his fist and gently tapped on Yuan Zhi’s shoulder, saying:
"I will treat your mother with the respect befitting a strategist of the Qilin Army under Marquis Qin Wu."
"Let your mother feel proud, and then send her here!"
Yuan Zhi nodded slightly.
Yan Daiqing, however, grew unusually silent, pondering something.
The Qilin Army adjusted its ranks, selecting skilled martial artists to join the diplomatic delegation. Sword Madman was in high spirits; after Li Guanyi had handled many affairs that day, he went to the Changfeng Building, where the noted scholar Shang Yuanzhi was surprised.
"I wasn’t aware that the Marquis was coming here."
On the surface, Li Guanyi was still just a guest. Once in the private room, Li Guanyi said, "I’m leaving for State City; this time it’s for the Emperor’s royal inspection. Before I go, I need to reply to Shuangtao."
Shang Yuanzhi provided him with paper and pen.
Li Guanyi picked up the pen, his pen tip filled with ink. However, as it touched the paper, despite having much to say, he found himself unable to write a word. After a while, Li Guanyi calmed down, and under Shang Yuanzhi’s puzzled gaze, he regained his usual composure.
He wrote about the Academy visit:
"This time I am going to Central State, summoned by the descendants of the Red Emperor, the Great Emperor himself."
"To enact the ancient rite of royal inspection attended by vassals, I hear Emperor Ying is also going. But since we are all attending, I reckon Chen Dingye will surely join; having us go and not him would keep him awake at night, so he will definitely come."
"This time, at least the Emperor Chen, Emperor Ying, the Lord of Central State, and I will be present."
"Thus, Central State will surely be a place of stirring events. However, the more tumultuous it becomes, the safer and calmer it will likely be. Meanwhile, I plan to travel more around the Martial World, to see the heroes of this world."
"Additionally, I need to visit the Academy. Although the Jiangnan Eighteen States are now pacified, we lack many who are skilled in internal politics. The Academy teaches all comers, and many students from humble backgrounds exist. I hope they can come to Jiangnan, as there is a place for them to wield their skills. Ha, though with my temperament, I might not mesh well with these scholars; I’m not sure if it will be successful..."
"Only Wen He has prepared thirty-two types in all models of anesthesia powder."
"The Murong Family has sponsored a Treasure Weapon-grade rope."
As Li Guanyi wrote, trying to be as carefree as usual, he lowered his eyes as if the young lady was across the table, propping her chin with her hands, smiling at him.
The pen of Marquis Qin Wu paused, ink dripping and blurring on the paper.
The young man crumpled the paper and discarded it.
Starting on a new one, he wrote again.
"I am going to the Academy, Miss."