"Alright, let’s all take a break."
Everyone followed the order and retreated. Li Guanyi sat on a rock on one side, with Shaking Light quietly reading a book beside him. Li Guanyi looked at the sky, pondering deeply within. The situation in the Western Regions was far worse than he had anticipated.
The Wolf King Regent had already expanded his power in all directions, making it difficult for the Dangxiang Kingdom to resist.
Yet the noble leaders of the Thirty-six Tribes only focused on maintaining their rule, oppressing the common tribal herdsmen. Li Guanyi pressed his fingers against his brow, watching this tranquil tribe under the night sky, sleeping while leaning on each other, with scimitars tucked in their arms. The moonlit tranquility gave a feeling of walking on the edge of a cliff, as if they could face total demise at any moment. Chapters first released on novelFɪre.net
Such is the chaos of the world; the people of the Central Plains toil like beasts of burden and have to sell their daughters and sons; the nomadic tribes of the Western Regions wander around and must abandon the elderly to ensure the survival of their tribes.
"A person’s life is worth only a straw rope."
"Alas... a chaotic world."
Li Guanyi observed the myriad stars in the sky.
He suddenly understood why Qibi Li, two years ago, rode a donkey alone across the vast lands to the State City in Jiangnan to seek help from Chen Dingye.
He understood why Qibi Li had such a tremendous reaction when Li Guanyi promised him land and protection.
A human life was worth only a straw rope.
At that time, how desperate and determined Qibi Li must have been to set out on the path to the Central Plains alone? And how did the people of his tribe come to the realization to let someone who was no small expert by then, like Qibi Li, embark on that journey instead of seeking protection for himself?
It was all for survival.
Li Guanyi mused endlessly.
A gentle touch came onto his shoulder, as silver locks of hair fell on him. The silver-haired girl leaned on his shoulder, making Li Guanyi pause slightly. He sensed a soft yet steady breathing sound and muttered to himself, "After all, so much has happened today."
"Shaking Light must also be extremely tired..."
The silver-haired girl’s voice was calm, saying:
The Western Regions were vast and expansive under the clear moonlight, and this tribe that might disappear at any moment was sleeping peacefully. Li Guanyi sat here, with the silver-haired girl awake, rational, and restrained, leaning against the young Lord’s shoulder.
Then her little finger gently hooked Li Guanyi’s sleeve robe.
In the moonlit night, breathing could be heard.
The silver-haired girl’s voice was serene: "Whatever you want to do, I am here."
"Whatever future you wish to pursue, I am here."
"The Nine-colored Divine Deer doesn’t believe in you; I do."
Li Guanyi lowered his eyes and replied, "Alright..."
He looked at these people of the Western Regions, drinking milk wine alone, gazing at the vast sky, the Western Regions indeed...
The sleeping Saatanati murmured softly:
Li Guanyi made a decision in his heart.
Li Guanyi thought: "The village we are going to is actually not small in area, with water sources and an oasis nearby. If Saatanati and the others don’t mind, why don’t we settle down there?"
"Buy their goods at a reasonable price."
"If they are willing, spread the word that there is a Central Plains person here, called Golden Pearl by them, called Tian Ge’er by the Central Plains, who is willing to gather these wandering tribes in the Western Regions."
"Willing to protect them."
Li Guanyi still didn’t know what future these words he spoke to Shaking Light might lead to, born out of a soft heart. He just knew he wanted to do something and made up his mind. His past, his mentor, could not enable him to be like the heroic figures of this era.
To massacre cities, to use human heads to build a Corpse Pile and proclaim his fame.
At this moment, as Li Guanyi’s thoughts concluded, inside him, the Nine Provinces Tripod slightly echoed—
Li Guanyi paused, drawing in his Primordial Spirit to look.
The Nine Provinces Tripod let out a resounding roar!
The Nine-Colored Divine Charm obtained from the Nine-colored Divine Deer within began to gradually disperse.
The charm, initially only one-ninth awakened, unexpectedly began to subtly change!