Peace Order

"Throughout the chronicles of history, they have their own weight."

Li Guanyi replied: "The annals are passed down through generations, but among them, you and I, are we truly ourselves? At least in the annals, the faults of the esteemed are concealed; they wouldn’t record Emperor Qin’s greed and poverty, would they?"

Old Siming was left speechless, and simply said:

"Afterwards, will you proclaim peace to all the people under heaven?"

Li Guan nodded slightly, and said: "There are still many things to be done. The coming of an era of peace will be governed by rules and order drastically different from the past three hundred years. It will take years, perhaps even a decade, for these to unfold."

Old Siming said: "Then your grand wedding will also have to wait until after these matters."

Li Guan responded: "Indeed."

Emperor Qin stood up, turned, his robe sleeves swirling, and said: "We have already paid such a high price, made so many sacrifices; this matter cannot pause, cannot slow down. Nothing is more important than this."

"I must walk to the very end."

"Only then can it be said I haven’t wasted these ten years or let down old friends."

Old Siming watched his back, suddenly laughed, and said: "Though it’s a bit out of character for you, boy, at your wedding, the old man won’t drink at your feast."

Li Guanyi was taken aback.

His white hair swayed slightly in the wind, yet he only murmured softly: "As for me, all those old comrades back in the day are gone. Now even Kuang has undergone Soldier Disintegration, leaving a legend of soaring on a dragon under heaven, and Xue Qingcang, the old rascal’s Divine Soul is in slumber."

"I don’t plan to stay in Jiangnan, but I won’t go far."

"I will walk in the country and world you established, observe your realm and future, and then, one day, find a place with beautiful scenery, choose a small house, and just settle down."

"In that little house, living comfortably, with a stone table and a wooden chair, one day after getting drunk, I won’t get up again."

Emperor Qin’s eyes were deep with emotion, yet profound, no longer urging him to stay.

He simply nodded.

Old Siming laughed loudly, patted Li Guanyi’s shoulder, and said: "You better be careful, boy. Perhaps when you’re old, the old man’s still alive. Then, I’ll come find you for a drink!"

"Martial Arts Legend, indeed longevity is considerable."

"Only we don’t know, in the end, who will outlast the other. Boy, I’m off!"

Old Siming turned and strode away, yet suddenly paused.

Li Guan called out: "Senior, wait a moment."

Old Siming turned back.

Li Guanyi suddenly raised a hand and tossed a Crystal Stone that spun and landed in Old Siming’s hand. Old Siming fumbled to catch it, inspected it closely, and was slightly stunned: "This is...!"

Li Guanyi withdrew his hand, and said:

"This is the Divine Charm Crystal Stone of General Xue, requiring a Great Formation to restore."

"Among all, none is more adept at the flow of Primordial Qi than senior."

"General Xue is entrusted to senior. Please find a wondrous place where perhaps General Xue can awaken early."

"Then perhaps you can drink and chat with senior."

Li Guanyi laughed and said:

"But old man, don’t get provoked by General Xue’s mouth."

Old Siming gazed at the Crystal Stone in his hand. He knew Li Guanyi was somewhat forcibly giving him a reason and goal to continue living in the mortal world. The elder chuckled, laughed, laughed heartily, holding the Crystal Stone, and exclaimed happily:

"Good, good, good!"

Old Siming turned, striding away, paused once more, suddenly facing away from Li Guanyi, said:

"Emperor Qin!"

Li Guanyi looked at him.

Old Siming loudly said: "Farewell!"

Li Guanyi softly said: "Farewell."

The elder waved his hand from behind: "Someday when there’s leisure, the old man will come to drink with you again!" Then, under Li Guanyi’s gaze, Old Siming strode away, humming ancient songs.

After leaving here, the elder boarded a ship and departed.

But for some reason, halfway across, the ship suddenly began leaking water, Old Siming was shocked, cursing: "Damn, why is it leaking now?!"

"Such misfortune!"

"If I had known, I wouldn’t have imitated Old Xue like that!"

"Good grief, not everyone can pretend like that old rascal!"

Old Siming reached out, grabbed his Mystic Turtle Dharma Form, and hurled it forward, the Mystic Turtle Dharma Form spun in the air and landed on the water’s surface, heart sinking, sensing something was amiss.

That old guy pulling me out, surely nothing good.

Still didn’t react.

Old Siming had already landed with a thud.

He stuffed the secret realm Crystal Stone of General Xue into his coat and sat on the Mystic Turtle’s back. The Mystic Turtle paddled its four paws in the water, and Old Siming picked up a bamboo pole to push forward. Even though Old Siming presently lacked martial arts, the Mystic Turtle Dharma Form cleaved through the water with ease.

After witnessing the worldly dust and being accustomed to the smoke of the realm, at this moment he lifted his head, seeing the water and sky blend into one. Truly the scenery was uninhibited and delightful; the wind blew, expanding the breath of his chest. The elder tossed the bamboo pole aside, clapped his hands, tapping a rhythm, laughing aloud:

"Golden Age’s tranquil and idle years, leisure everywhere under heaven."

"Green hills and blue waters are my companions, gazing calmly at clouds with endless thoughts."

"Farewell now, don’t hurt your heart!"

"Where in the horizon we aren’t connected!"

"Farewell now, don’t hurt your heart!"

"Hahahaha, such great demeanor, such wonderful scenery." Old Siming laughed, yet with a hint of sorrow, he patted the old Mystic Turtle Dharma Form, saying: "Alas, the world’s winds rise from Cangming, but when the world is at peace, only you, old friend, accompany me."