These types of Martial World martial artists may not necessarily be good at fighting, but they definitely have some unique skills, such as the Gongsun Family’s Mechanical Techniques, the medical skills of the Sun Family and the Bian Family, and even arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Li Guanyi was slightly interested, and his mind began to whir with ideas.
He wasn’t interested in becoming the Martial World Alliance Hierarch here.
However, if he could lend a hand and then, cough, afterward, recruit... invite some talented individuals to join the Jiangnan Qilin Army, that would indeed be a wonderful thing.
Li Guanyi tossed the warning he got in Yan Daiqing’s letter to the back of his mind, as well as the sincerity he had expressed in his reply. Only two days later, when the local aristocratic families were set to compete for the position of Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, a Gongsun Family spy came to report.
They said that a thousand troops from Chen Country were approaching, and Gongsun Wuyue asked Li Guanyi if they should bring the clan’s youths armed with crossbows to meet them. Li Guanyi declined, saying, "There’s no need for that; Chen Country has sent troops over but hasn’t made an outright hostile move."
"If the Gongsun Family directly uses crossbows against them, I’m afraid it will lead to endless troubles. Of course, Chen is being unreasonable, but Chen Country is a great power, while the Gongsun Family is just a local aristocratic family. Sometimes one has to bow to a situation stronger than oneself—there’s no helping it."
Gongsun Feixue couldn’t help but exclaim, "But that’s a thousand troops, armored soldiers, at that! You are but one person, how could you possibly...?"
Gongsun Wuyue, however, was composed and asked, "What do you need?"
Li Guanyi bowed with a smile and said,
"A fast horse and a few yards of cloth will suffice. Ah, and if possible, please prepare some sweets."
Gongsun Wuyue stared at him intently but willingly agreed.
The female head of this Martial World family suddenly laughed and said, "If you can handle this matter, then I will immediately dispatch craftsmen to Jiangnan..."
"Thirty craftsmen," she added.
Li Guanyi was taken aback.
Gongsun Wuyue smiled and said,
"Although I am a woman of the Martial World, I, too, have my ambitions."
"If you make three moves, then it’s only fair that the Gongsun Family show sincerity in return. That’s the kind of tumultuous alliance you need, isn’t it?"
Li Guanyi laughed heartily and said, "Thank you, Master Mother!"
Gongsun Wuyue sighed and accepted this title.
Li Guanyi spoke with ease and humor, "Then please, Master Mother, gather these thirty craftsmen. By the time they are assembled, I should be just about ready. Your disciple will be back shortly!"
Gongsun Feixue brought over the warhorse, and like Li Guanyi had requested, some freshly made pastries. She was curious why the young man would need them at this time. The pastries, just finished, were steaming hot. Li Guanyi didn’t take any, but simply said, "Thank you for placing them here."
He leaped into the air, landed on the back of the warhorse, and with a pull of the reins, the horse galloped wildly outside. The youth clamped his legs around the horse, leaning out as the silver-haired girl reached out her hand. Li Guanyi reached out and pulled Shaking Light up with him.
The girl sat in front of him, and Li Guanyi laughed and said, "Miss Feixue, hold off on the pastries for now. They’re not for me. My good friend here is finally spirited, and after this, he’ll need to eat."
Gongsun Feixue said, "They won’t taste good once they cool down."
Li Guanyi replied, "It’s hot in the summer; they won’t cool down."
The youth rode his fiery steed, spear in hand, off to face the thousand-strong army alone.
He emanated a fierce and bold spirit. Shaking Light glanced around with a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but she noticed nothing, and neither she nor Li Guanyi realized, that in an unnoticed spot, a Silver-haired Man stood with his hands behind his back, watching the departing youth and girl.
He snorted and, after thinking for a moment, slightly shifted his stance.
Then, he followed them from a distance:
"What big talk!" he muttered.
"I shall see just how capable you are!"