In the boundless wilderness of the Desert North, disciples of the Confucian School pressed on, continuing their journey northward.
"Law and Confucianism, did you ask the Great Sovereign of Helian for any compensation last night? Old Bai was injured while saving his daughter, after all."
While on the road, Li Ziye, bored, struck up a conversation.
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten to settle the score with you."
Law and Confucianism turned his head, eyeing the troublemaker behind him, and asked, "Yesterday, you killed a member of the Helian tribe right in front of the Great Sovereign of Helian. Weren't you afraid he'd chop off your head in a fit of rage?"
"Heh, isn't that what I have you for, Law and Confucianism?"
Li Ziye grinned ingratiatingly, "Even if the Great Sovereign of Helian wanted to kill me, he'd have to consider whether he could get past you first."
"You little rascal, stop trying to butter me up."
Law and Confucianism replied irritably, "This is the Desert North. Even if I were powerful, I couldn't take on a whole tribe by myself. Try to cause less trouble in the future, so I can live a few more years without the stress."
"You'll surely live a long life,a hundred….no, a thousand years."
Li Ziye flattered, then seized the opportunity to tattle, "Actually, it wasn't my fault yesterday. It was all Old Bai's doing; he insisted on dragging me and Wen Xiuru out hunting. Otherwise, how could there have been so much trouble, right? You should give him a good talking-to, so he stops messing with princesses and duchesses."
Hearing this, Bai Wangyu's lips twitched. If his arm hadn't been injured, he would've drawn his sword and stabbed this nuisance to death.
"Wangyu, the lad does have a point. The Confucian Scholar said your fate lies not in the Desert North but in the Capital City. So, try to keep a low profile from now on," Law and Confucianism seriously advised.
"Yes!"
Bai Wangyu responded helplessly.
"Ha ha."
Behind them, Wen Xiuru couldn't hold back his laughter any longer.
The eldest disciple was wise in all things, yet repeatedly bested by Brother Li, without a single countermeasure.
"Xiuru."
Hearing the laughter of his second disciple, Law and Confucianism spoke indifferently, "Your eldest brother has already reached the mid-stage of the third realm. When will you open your third Divine Hidden Technique?"
"Uh."
Wen Xiuru's smile froze, and he replied helplessly, "Reporting to Law and Confucianism, it should be soon, within half a year."
Law and Confucianism's favoritism was blatant. What was wrong with just laughing?
The eldest disciple was his student, and so was he!
Of course, Wen Xiuru dared not voice these thoughts, fearing death.
"Law and Confucianism, I heard that the Dantai tribe is now ruled by a woman who's tough to deal with. Is that true?" Li Ziye suddenly asked with curiosity.
"Yes, it's true."
Law and Confucianism nodded, his expression grave, "Dantai Jingyue, the daughter of the Great Sovereign of Dantai, known as the Celestial Maiden within her clan. She's intelligent and ruthless. Since she took power, the Dantai tribe's strength has not only remained intact but has grown even stronger. They've become one of the most powerful tribes in the entire Desert North, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them the strongest."
"Damn it, she's that formidable?"
Li Ziye was taken aback and said, "Then we should avoid provoking her. Let's rest for a day upon reaching the Dantai tribe and then leave."
"Why would you want to provoke her?"
Law and Confucianism frowned, "I warn you, this Dantai Jingyue is much harder to deal with than the Great Sovereign of Helian. Don't stir up trouble, or I might not be able to protect you."
"Brother Li, listen to Law and Confucianism, just endure it."
Bai Wangyu joined in the persuasion. Having been around Brother Li for so long, he knew all too well his knack for troublemaking. No matter where they went, he always managed to stir up some incident.
"I got it."
Li Ziye replied discontentedly, "A moment of patience may ward off great disaster, and taking a step back may open up new horizons. You might not believe it, but I'm actually a very reasonable person."
"Hmph."
Law and Confucianism, Bai Wangyu, and Wen Xiuru each turned their heads away, pretending not to hear his words.
Seeing their reaction, Li Ziye felt annoyed. Couldn't these guys trust him just once? Was there no basic trust left between people?
On the grasslands, the people of the Confucian School traveled day and night, drawing ever closer to the Dantai tribe.
Three days later, at the border of the Dantai tribe, a young general awaited with the warriors of the Dantai, seemingly anticipating the arrival of the Confucian School that day.
Sure enough, when the sun was high, the sound of galloping hooves approached from the south, and the tireless disciples of the Confucian School finally appeared.
In front of the Dantai warriors, the young general's gaze sharpened. They had arrived!
"May I ask if you are the esteemed Law and Confucianism of the Confucian School?"
After the Confucian School's party drew near, the young general greeted them politely.
"That's me."
Law and Confucianism nodded, "And you are?"
"Dantai tribe, Dantai Zhen."
The young general replied calmly, "The Celestial Maiden has sent me to welcome the friends from the Confucian School. Please, follow me."
"Thank you, General." Law and Confucianism replied courteously.
Dantai Zhen nodded, then turned his horse to lead the way.
The Confucian School's party followed on horseback, continuing forward.
"This Dantai Zhen is no ordinary man."
Behind them, Wen Xiuru remarked, watching the young general ahead.
"Yes, very strong."
Bai Wangyu also nodded, "At least at the peak of the second realm, or even the strength of the third."
Hearing their conversation, Li Ziye expressed surprise, "Isn't that about the same level as you guys?"
"Judging by his age, he's not much older than Brother Li. To have such cultivation at his age, the Dantai tribe truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers," Bai Wangyu said solemnly.
"Another genius!"
Li Ziye pursed his lips, "When did geniuses become so cheap? Weren't they supposed to be rare? Now it seems geniuses are as common as stray dogs, and masters are everywhere."
"Perhaps this is the last splendor before the extreme night and cold winter that the Confucian Scholar spoke of," Bai Wangyu murmured softly.
"It's hard to imagine, if a Dantai Zhen is already so extraordinary, how much more remarkable must the Celestial Maiden of the Dantai tribe be?"
Wen Xiuru remarked with emotion, "Eldest brother, I suddenly feel some pressure. It seems I must step into the third realm as soon as possible, or I really won't be able to keep up with the era Brother Li describes, where geniuses are as common as stray dogs."
"If you're under pressure, then I must be on death's door,"
Li Ziye said irritably, "It's so annoying being around you geniuses!"
As the three conversed, the main camp of the Dantai tribe loomed ever closer.
Under the glow of the setting sun, a figure of serene beauty stood still, draped in a blue fur robe, with long black hair cascading down her back, unadorned with gold or silver, yet possessing an unmatched noble aura.
Dantai Jingyue, the Celestial Maiden of the Dantai clan, was also the most outstanding ruler of the Dantai in a century.
One woman, commanding the respect of all eight tribes of the Desert North.
"Celestial Maiden!"
Upon their arrival, Dantai Zhen dismounted, facing the woman before him with respectful salutation, "The people have been brought."
"Thank you for your efforts, you may rest now," Dantai Jingyue said calmly.
"Yes!"
Dantai Zhen obeyed and promptly left.
As the sun set, Li Ziye saw the figure bathed in the afterglow of the sunset, like a goddess, and for some reason, an unprecedented sense of crisis arose within him.
It was as if a warrior's intuition, or perhaps a man's innate sense of danger, made him instinctively wary of the woman before him.
In front of everyone, Dantai Jingyue seemed to sense something too, her gaze passing over Law and Confucianism and Li Qingshan to focus on the seemingly unremarkable youth among the Confucian School's ranks.
In that moment, their eyes met.
Simultaneously, on the grasslands, a sudden gust of wind whipped up, filling the air with dust and sand.
In the sky, the setting sun lingered as the cold moon rose.
The strange phenomenon left everyone on the grasslands in awe.
Kings do not meet kings.
Yet, by the caprice of fate, the two finally faced each other.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas