The night sky, dotted with stars.
The grassland at night is so beautiful.
After the banquet ended, the members of the Helian tribe and the disciples of the Confucian School each went back to rest, ignoring each other.
The Desert North and the Central Plains have never been on friendly terms, and it's the same today.
Thus, the disciples of the Confucian School felt quite relieved about the way their eldest senior brother had thrashed the Helian tribe's bravest warrior.
There are many ways to beat someone, but physical pain is nothing to speak of.
Sometimes, a slap in the face hurts even more.
In front of the tent, three sleepless fellows sat in a row, looking up at the stars, preparing to count from one to one million.
"Eldest senior brother, that palm strike today was impressive."
After a while, Wen Xiuru spoke softly, "It was effortless yet powerful, delicate without being ostentatious. To muster such a force without harming a hair on the opponent, in the Confucian School, probably only Instructor Chen Qiao'er, who is most skilled in palm techniques, could achieve this."
"I've only recently had some insights that allowed me to do this," Bai Wangyu replied, looking at the night sky.
Without the millennia of martial insights and knowledge passed down by the Confucian Scholar, he wouldn't have been able to integrate the Vast Righteousness Chapter so quickly.
"Brother Li."
Thinking of this, Bai Wangyu curiously looked at the young man beside him and asked, "How are you doing with the things that Sword Enthusiast senior taught you?"
"I don't understand any of it."
Li Ziye answered confidently, his gaze fixed on the night sky, saying, "I'm waiting for Old Zhang to return from the Western Regions to teach me properly."
"You…"
Bai Wangyu sighed softly but said no more.
He understood Brother Li's thoughts, but Sword Enthusiast, having left, might find it difficult to return.
"Sword Enthusiast senior was known as the world's number one swordsman twenty years ago."
Beside him, Wen Xiuru looked at the starry sky and said calmly, "Back then, many believed Sword Enthusiast could become the second Li Taibai, until he was defeated by that scholar. However, Sword Enthusiast's defeat was not so much due to a lack of strength as it was fate."
"Fate?"
Li Ziye asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"It is said that those who can inscribe their names in the Book of Heaven have their own destiny. Twenty years ago, that scholar had just stepped into the Five Realms not long before. In terms of strength, he shouldn't have been a match for Sword Enthusiast, but he still won because destiny decreed that he wouldn't lose to Sword Enthusiast."
With that, Wen Xiuru looked at the young man beside him and continued to explain, "Just like you, Brother Li, you also have your own destiny. That's why, no matter what dangers you encounter, you always have noble people to help you and turn calamities into blessings."
"From what you're saying, it does seem to be the case."
Li Ziye thought for a moment, his expression becoming more worried, "Then Old Zhang's trip to the Western Regions this time is more likely to be fraught with danger than not."
"I'm afraid it's even more unfavorable than you think."
Wen Xiuru said softly, "The current Temple Master of the Heavenly Edict Temple has long surpassed ordinary cultivators of the Five Realms, and is second only to the Confucian Scholar. Even without the influence of destiny, Sword Enthusiast senior's chances of victory are slim."
"That old man promised me he would come back alive. He's a renowned Sword Immortal known throughout the world; he wouldn't lie to a junior like me," Li Ziye said firmly.
Beside him, Bai Wangyu and Wen Xiuru heard this and fell silent.
For Sword Enthusiast to come back alive was too difficult.
Under the heavens, aside from the Confucian Scholar and the original Sword God Li Taibai, who else could dare to say they could leave the Heavenly Edict Temple alive?
"Brother Li, make sure to comprehend what Sword Enthusiast senior has taught you. It's his life's work; it can't be buried," Bai Wangyu said tactfully.
"I'm not listening."
Li Ziye covered his ears, his gaze still on the sky, saying, "What number did I just count to? Right! Nine hundred ninety-three, nine hundred ninety-four, nine hundred ninety-five…"
Beside him, Bai Wangyu and Wen Xiuru exchanged a glance, both sighing inwardly.
Deep into the night, the three returned to their tent to rest, while the eternal stars twinkled above.
The next day, not long after dawn, Helian Lanruo ran to the outside of the three men's tent, calling out, "Young Master Bai, may I come in?"
"Old Bai, she's looking for you."
Inside the tent, Li Ziye said with a mischievous grin.
Bai Wangyu ignored the unserious fellow, tied his hairband, and stepped out.
"Princess Lanruo."
Outside the tent, Bai Wangyu greeted the princess of the Helian tribe with a polite bow.
"Young Master Bai, my father and the warriors of our tribe are going hunting today. Come with us!" Helian Lanruo said with anticipation.
Bai Wangyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, princess, please wait a moment. I'll call Brother Li; he likes lively events."
After speaking, Bai Wangyu turned and walked back into the tent. Just as he was about to speak to the two inside, he was interrupted.
"She invited you, not me. I'm not going."
Li Ziye sat on the bed with his legs crossed, confidently declining before Little Red Riding Hood could even speak.
He heard everything said outside clearly. He wasn't foolish enough to go and be a third wheel.
"Xiuru."
Seeing this, Bai Wangyu had no choice but to turn to his junior brother and ask, "How about you come?"
"Eldest senior brother, I have a lot of homework to do; I can't accompany you," Wen Xiuru declined with a smile.
Bai Wangyu looked at the two unyielding people in front of him, itching with frustration, and said, "Whoever comes with me, I can teach him the martial insights on the Vast Righteousness Chapter from the Confucian Scholar."
"Ah, I suddenly feel that going out to hunt and stretch my limbs isn't a bad idea." Hearing Little Red Riding Hood's promise, Li Ziye's eyes lit up, and he got up.
"I also remembered that those homework tasks aren't urgent; I can do them anytime. Accompanying the eldest senior brother to hunt is more important," Wen Xiuru immediately changed his mind, speaking righteously.
Bai Wangyu glanced at the two very sincere people in front of him, then turned and walked out of the tent.
Li Ziye and Wen Xiuru exchanged a glance and immediately followed.
Outside, Helian Lanruo saw the two men following Young Master Bai and pouted, but said nothing.
Li Ziye gave Wen Xiuru a look, indicating that they seemed to be unwelcome.
Wen Xiuru returned the look, meaning to endure it for the sake of the Confucian Scholar's martial insights.
In front of the Helian tribe, warriors gathered, horses neighed, and the men of the grassland loved hunting, even in winter.
Among them was Ao Qiong, who had been defeated by Bai Wangyu the night before.
As the Helian tribe's bravest warrior, Ao Qiong had high prestige in the tribe, but after yesterday's defeat, that prestige had vanished.
Therefore, Ao Qiong was so eager to participate in today's hunt, hoping to stand out among the many warriors of the Helian tribe and regain everyone's respect.
"Law and Confucianism."
When Bai Wangyu, Li Ziye, and Wen Xiuru arrived, they saw the Law and Confucianism beside the Great Sovereign of Helian and greeted him.
"Father."
Helian Lanruo stepped forward, holding her father's arm, and smiled, "I've invited Young Master Bai and the others to join us in the hunt, is that okay?"
The Great Sovereign of Helian laughed and said, "Of course, guests from afar should witness the valor of our grassland men."
Beside him, Law and Confucianism did not object, looking at the three men and seriously reminding them, "Be careful."
"Don't worry, Law and Confucianism."
The three nodded in response.
"Law and Confucianism need not worry; our men are skilled riders and archers. Even if we encounter fierce beasts, we can handle them," the Great Sovereign of Helian said with a laugh.
Law and Confucianism nodded, not saying much more. His caution was not about the beasts.
Bai Wangyu, Li Ziye, and Wen Xiuru smiled; they all understood the meaning of Law and Confucianism. On this grassland, humans can be much more vicious than wild beasts.
"Warriors, let's go! Show your bravery and strength."
With everyone's attention, the Great Sovereign of Helian mounted his warhorse and shouted.
"Great Sovereign!"
"Great Sovereign!"
Ahead, the warriors of the Helian tribe immediately mounted their horses and shouted in unison.
The next moment, hooves thundered as they headed northwest.
Li Ziye and the other two rode after them, taking up the rear of the group.
Helian Lanruo, whether intentionally or not, was quickly overtaken by the large group, falling behind.
"Princess, are there wolves on the grassland this season?" Li Ziye asked as Lanruo caught up to them.
"Yes!"
Helian Lanruo replied, "So, during the hunt later, you must not stray too far alone. The wolves on the grassland are fierce and cunning. If you get separated, you're likely to be targeted by a wolf pack."
Hearing this, Li Ziye immediately looked at Little Red Riding Hood beside him and shouted, "Old Bai, I'm afraid of wolves; you have to protect me."
"…"
Helian Lanruo looked at the odd young man in front of her, speechless. How could he have the nerve to say that? The men of the grassland are not so cowardly.
"Alright!"
Bai Wangyu, however, was accustomed to it and cooperated.
Now, Helian Lanruo felt even more confused. What exactly was their relationship?
Beside them, Wen Xiuru smiled lightly, saying nothing.
Having spent these days together, he understood Brother Li more and more. This guy always had the guts to say the most cowardly things.
But anyone who thought this made him easy to bully was naive.
The reason Law and Confucianism asked him and the eldest senior brother to keep an eye on this guy was that one person truly might not be able to handle him.
When this guy got bold, he dared to poke a hole in the sky.
In the Capital City, the things this kid had done had left a deep impression on many.
Ahead, before long, the Great Sovereign of Helian led the warriors of the Helian tribe to the hunting area, and the large group stopped.
"Warriors, go forth and demonstrate your valor and strength."
The Great Sovereign of Helian reined in his horse, turned to look at the people behind him, and shouted.
"Yes!"
The warriors of the Helian tribe accepted the command and immediately dispersed in all directions with their bows and curved swords.
At the same time, in the territory of the Dantai tribe to the north of the Helian tribe, a beautiful woman dressed in a light blue fur robe, with eyes brighter than the stars, stood in front of a tent, looking southward, and said, "The people from the Confucian School should have arrived at the Helian tribe by now, right?"
"Reporting to the Celestial Maiden, they just arrived yesterday."
A general of the Dantai tribe stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Dantai Jingyue nodded slightly, a hint of regret on her face, "So far, no other news has come. It seems that the people from the Confucian School and the Helian tribe's ambushers haven't had any serious conflicts. It's a pity. If a few people had died, it wouldn't be as calm as it is now."
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas