Chapter 980: Chapter 12: The Breaking Army’s Plot, Gold Royal Seal, and the Nine-colored Divine Deer’s Shock
And Qibi Li also came over under the leadership of Fan Qing.
Outside the door, Qibi Li tidied his attire. He was over thirty now, sporting a beard, looking much more mature than when he went to Jiangzhou City two years ago. As he entered, he took off his sharp curved blade, thinking about meeting Li Guanyi, his heart slightly stirred.
In these two years, many legends have emerged from the Western Regions, saying that the Imperial Guard Li Guanyi defected to Chen Country, with the world pursuing to kill him. It was said he passed through Zhenbei City, with his life and death unknown. Later, news came that he pacified Jiangnan and gained a place on the Famous General List.
Then later, Marquis Qin Wu became renowned in one region, turning into the power minister cursed by all in the Central Plains.
Heavenly Strategy General, Jiangnan Marquis Qin Wu, Master of the Qilin Army.
Traitor, famous general, lord, power minister.
One wonders how long and eventful these two years have been.
One also wonders what became of that young Imperial Guard from those days.
Qibi Li walked forward slowly, stepping into the place, then bowed, only to be supported by a pair of strong arms. Even with his strength at the peak of the Fifth Layer Heaven, he couldn’t shake them off. Looking up, he saw the familiar yet more elongated form of Li Guanyi.
"Qibi Li pays respects to the lord..."
"Quickly, rise."
Li Guanyi helped this more robust Khan of the Tiele Tribe up. Having experienced leading troops, real battle, and slaughter, Qibi Li was a different person from the young Khan who crossed thousands of miles to Jiangzhou City to plead for Chen Dingye’s help two years ago.
His frame was robust, eyebrows calm, palms coarse, possessing deep inner strength, with the Gray Wolf Dharma Form gazing downward beside him.
Li Guanyi happily said, "Qibi Li, it’s been hard for you these two years."
Qibi Li responded:
"Following the lord’s orders and Mr. Po Jun’s strategies, I have successfully united the Nine Tribes of Tiele. Now, the clan has tens of thousands of people, with ten thousand young robust men all capable of wielding swords on horseback and skilled in left and right mounted archery. There are three thousand golden curved blade cavalry, all seasoned fighters."
"Knowing the lord’s orders, hence I came to assist."
Qibi Li, loyal, brave, calm, and resolute.
Li Guanyi and Qibi Li reminisced. Qibi Li lowered his voice and said, "Lord, there is one more matter, may we discuss it in private?"
Li Guanyi nodded, dismissing the others, taking Qibi Li to a courtyard in this place, which fortunately had no shortage of secret spots, typical of a Demon Sect location. Qibi Li followed Li Guanyi inside, closed the door, and reached into his bosom to take out something.
It was a small cloth package wrapped layer upon layer. After Qibi Li opened it, inside was a familiar golden king seal, with a fierce tiger as its knob, miniature yet exuding an aura of solemn majesty.
Qibi Li said, "Two years ago, the lord gave me this seal. During these two years, I relied on this seal to gain the trust of the elders of the Nine Tribes of Tiele, eradicated traitors and villains, lured out turncoats, and through various experiences, restored the former prestige of our Nine Tribes of Tiele."
"Now that I see the lord again, it is time to return this golden king seal to its rightful owner."
He held up the seal, kneeling half on the ground.
Li Guanyi said, "Being able to unite the Nine Tribes of Tiele is your own skill. This king seal is merely the cherry on top." He intended to give the golden king seal directly back to Qibi Li, but at that moment, he suddenly had a feeling.
The Nine Provinces Tripod inside him let out a series of roars.
In Li Guanyi’s eyes, the golden king seal seemed to change; wisps of aura rose from the seal, representing the existence of humane qi fortune. Three hundred years ago, the Western Regions Dominator Tuyuhun, with thunderous means, unified the Western Regions.
He smelted the seals of the Thirty-six Tribes into this king seal, using the blood of the Thirty-six Tribe leaders to ignite the furnace fire. Siming personally crafted it, an event equivalent to Li Guanyi casting one of the Nine Provinces Tripods, a kingly sacrificial vessel.
Before this, the Nine Provinces Tripod hadn’t restored its true form.
Li Guanyi had no particular feeling towards the Tuyuhun King Seal.
At this moment, he had already become the sole dominator of a region. With his territory spanning over two thousand li, he had cast a tripod, a far cry from before, naturally sensing the characteristics on this Tuyuhun King Seal, sparking a thought in Li Guanyi’s mind.
He raised his hand, and the Tuyuhun King Seal fell into his palm.
This ancient king seal seemed to revive, layer by layer lighting up. It was at this moment that a respectful voice came from outside: "Your Highness Marquis Qin Wu, Khan, we heard that the Khan was brought by Your Highness Marquis Qin Wu to discuss, and we wish to pay our respects to Your Highness."
It was the elders and Khans of the other tribes of the Nine Tribes of Tiele.
Upon hearing that Qibi Li and Li Guanyi had come here, they were worried about what Marquis Qin Wu, reputed to be the greatest power minister of the Central Plains, might do to the Khan, so they came. Qibi Li was stunned, Li Guanyi said, "Your subordinates are very loyal to you, let them come in."
"There’s nothing that cannot be shown."
Only then did Qibi Li agree, turning around to open the door. Li Guanyi’s gaze fell, focusing on the fierce tiger golden king seal in his palm. Inside, the Nine Provinces Tripod continuously roared, with golden lines representing the Western Regions’ territory flowing with brilliance, rising and falling.
This shifting brilliance was indistinguishable from the aura of the golden king seal.
As Qibi Li opened the door, eight warriors, all at least at the third layer of heaven, with three even at the fourth layer, entered. Seeing Qibi Li unharmed, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Though they hailed from the Western Regions, they had the heritage of the golden curved blade cavalry, unmatched by common small tribes, knowing that fierce generals could easily be suspected by overlords, and concerned, they came. Now, they knew it was somewhat rude.