```
"This is..."
Li Guanyi could confirm that there had not been a tail of the Red Dragon on the bronze tripod before.
He extended his hand and gently pressed it on the bronze tripod over his chest, where he could distinctly feel the existence of the Red Dragon's imprint, seemingly containing a powerful and scorching force. When he placed his finger on it, he could faintly hear a dragon's roar, yet the roar seemed to be muffled, extremely weak.
The mark of the Red Dragon was still very blurry.
It was as if it had just been carved onto the bronze tripod, not real enough, not clear enough.
Li Guanyi pondered thoughtfully, muttering to himself, "It seems that the wondrous uses of this bronze tripod are not limited to absorbing Primordial Qi... The shadow of this Red Dragon is not clear enough. If I deduce from this, it requires accumulating Jade Liquid multiple times before the Red Dragon can be clarified."
"There should probably be some changes then."
"However, this is just speculation, not certain enough. I'll need to try again and see."
Li Guanyi sorted through his thoughts and attempted to meditate once more.
This time, he circulated his breath still slowly, but because his Inner Qi was much stronger than before, it did indeed speed up the circulation. The twelfth layer of Inner Qi from "Breaking Formation Song" made him feel the chill hovering over his heart as it passed by.
This was the severe poison that had plagued him for ten years, causing him excruciating pain every time it flared up.
The twelfth layer of "Breaking Formation Song" seemed to be able to faintly touch the place where the poison was entrenched, just like Yue Qianfeng had said, the stronger he became, the less threatening the poison would be to him.
With this peace of mind, he had a dreamless night.
The next day when he went to Huichun Hall, Li Guanyi glanced at the Mountain God Temple from afar. It was crowded with people, and armored Ti Qi soldiers were present among the noisy crowd. When Li Guanyi circulated his breath into his eyes, he could not see the domineering posture of that red giant dragon.
Yue Qianfeng had already left.
This was not unexpected.
Li Guanyi did not linger, simply looking on like any other spectator, watching for a few moments before hurrying off to Huichun Hall. Today, a carriage was parked in front of Huichun Hall, and the martial artists who were injured by the Ti Qi were at the entrance. A young man in his twenties was chatting and laughing with these Martial Artists.
The martial masters, originally very arrogant and dismissive toward these fellows, now had their faces full of smiles.
Li Guanyi recognized him; he was the Young Master of Huichun Hall.
When Li Guanyi, who had changed into a green robe, approached the medicine cabinet, Dr. Chen watched the young man and three martial artists walk into the back courtyard and shook his head, saying, "The Young Master came early in the morning to comfort these guards of the hall..."
"Saying that since these Martial Artists were injured for Huichun Hall's sake, the hall cannot fail to show its gratitude."
"They received medicines and Silver, and were promised a higher salary for the next few months."
"Didn't the Young Master call you over?"
Li Guanyi shook his head, leaving Dr. Chen bewildered. The young man was already busy at the medicine cabinet, standing firmly like he was rooted to the ground, his breathing steady. He felt the reality of the "Breaking Formation Song" slowly circulating within him and planned his next steps.
He and his aunt were fugitives in Chen Country, but thanks to his aunt's cleverness, who led him through various escapes, they had eventually made it to Guan Yi City, which was not far from the Eighteen States of Jiangnan they aimed for. However, one issue lay before Li Guanyi.
The border crossing.
That is, the official document required by the court for passage. To cross the national border, you need an official document issued by the court; and for the document, you need to have household registration where your department is based. Guanyi, having fled to safety, was considered an outsider; in Chen Country, if it were Ying Country to the north, he would already be labeled as lowly status.
By working at Huichun Hall for three years, he could get the household registration of Guan Yi City.
Then he could apply for the official document needed for the border crossing. Otherwise, staying in Chen Country was always unsafe. When the time came, he could take out the gold and silver beads as travel expenses. Chen Country's money might not be very useful elsewhere. In times of chaos, Gold is the real currency.
Practice Martial Arts, and it would be best to gradually break through to the Entering Realm that Yue Qianfeng talked about.
He said that all Rangers outside were of this realm.
Li Guanyi thought seriously.
Nowadays, the world was not stable; leaving the country required the official document, and it was best to have some Combat Power for protection, as well as spending a large sum of Silver to make arrangements.
Now that Martial power was hopeful, and a portion of gold and silver was already in hand, Li Guanyi mentally checked off these tasks, feeling that he was gradually approaching a better life. A slight sense of satisfaction washed over him when he thought about having his own courtyard with his aunt, free from the worry of being captured by the Night Rider Cavalry.
Raising chickens, raising pigs, practicing martial arts, learning skills, doing some small business.
Wishing for a peaceful life.
He looked up at the sky outside.
It was warm and sunny.
He only had such goals.
To live well, and live a good life.
..........
"You have stayed in my Huichun Hall these past few years, and this incident occurred while protecting the hall. Rest assured that you can recuperate here with peace of mind. Your monthly salary and medicines will not be lacking," said the Young Master in the back hall of Huichun Hall, placing down the tea cup with a smile, concluding his last sentence.
The Martial Artists were profoundly grateful, their faces nearly bursting with joy. When the Martial Artists had left, the Young Master turned to the Shopkeeper standing with his head bowed beside him and said, "I heard that this time a young colleague was also injured."
"Is he a Pharmacist?"
Old Zhou, with his head still lowered, spoke softly, "He's still an apprentice, but he's quite good with his craft and also diligent at work."
"His home has only his sickly aunt whom he solely supports."
"He's a good kid."
The young man frowned slightly, picked up his tea cup, and swept the tea leaves with the lid, saying indifferently,
"Is that so."
After a moment of thought, he said,
"Then let him go."
Old Zhou paused, and as the Young Master idly flicked away a tea stem with his fingertip, he said nonchalantly, "Manager Zhao, you know, Huichun Hall has sustained no small losses this time. We need to economize on expenses. That guy was injured and won't be able to do heavy labor for three or five months, and we still need to pay for his medicine and care, which is too costly."
"I know you're kind-hearted, but the hall has its difficulties."
"Our family, with its large business, also has large expenses."
"Good steel must be used on the blade's edge. It's not like he's a martial master with skills; he's just a minor worker."
```
The old shopkeeper pondered for a moment, his head drooping slightly as he spoke softly:
"The boss is right, but there's a lot of work in the hall, and we're short-handed without one more person…"
The young man smiled and said, "Manager Zhao is being confused."
"The remaining work can just be divided among the other clerks, each doing a bit more every day."
"What's so difficult about that?"
He set his teacup down forcefully on the table, stood up, and walked out—the hour had come for his drinking appointment at Fanhua Building.
As noon approached, Li Guanyi rolled up his sleeves, sat at the entrance, pulled out a pancake, and took a boiled egg. Normally, this would have been enough for him, but now his appetite was enormous. After wolfing it down, he calculated and decided to go buy something more to eat.
In Chen Country's Guan Yi City, a person could scrape by on more than twenty Wen a day if not particular about comfort.
But that included everything: food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
As he contemplated buying some baked goods to fill his stomach, a shadow fell over him.
The old shopkeeper stopped him and asked, "Li Guanyi, how's your injury?"
The other clerks paused to gawk.
All astute, they had intuited something when the Young Master had earlier ignored Li Guanyi. Li Guanyi glanced at the old shopkeeper and nodded, "It's alright."
The old shopkeeper nodded, then said, "I have some matters to attend to and won't return today. I will dine out."
"Keep this old man company for a while."
Li Guanyi, already having had a premonition, nodded in agreement, and the two of them walked to a nearby eatery, where laborers would come to drink cheap, strong alcohol at one Wen per cup, complementing it with a delicious piece of marinated meat.
Today, however, tables were set, and the old shopkeeper effortlessly ordered several dishes.
Meat and vegetables, along with two bowls of rice and cups of the one-Wen wine. The old shopkeeper spoke softly, "You were injured in an incident involving Huichun Hall. Now, this meal is on me; eat plenty."
He watched Li Guanyi hungrily devour his food.
"With medicines stolen from Huichun Hall, the state of the world is uncertain. There might be more trouble in a few days. You're young, but it's not good for you to be in such situations all the time."
Li Guanyi had sensed what was coming, but now he understood even more clearly.
He had been 'streamlined' out of his job.
The old shopkeeper took out a letter from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Li Guanyi, saying, "You are good with numbers. I know someone at Guan Yi City's Liu Family's Private School. I've written a recommendation letter for you. Take it and see if you can earn a living there."
"Consider it finding you another opportunity."
Liu Family's Private School?
This place was much more renowned than Huichun Hall, practically an upgrade.
The old shopkeeper finished his drink, set his cup on the table, and said, "You eat up, I'm going back to work."
"Old Zhou, put this young man's meal on my tab today."
"If it's not enough, order more."
As the old shopkeeper walked out, his grey, dusty coat and slightly stooped back were visible. Li Guanyi set the letter aside and voraciously finished all the food, after which the eatery's owner said with a smile, "Want some more? Take something to go."
"Just as Old Zhao said: If you want more, take it, it's fine. He left so you wouldn't feel embarrassed."
The youth replied with a smile, "No, I've eaten my fill."
Then he stood next to the eatery owner, glanced at the price list for the alcohol on the table, and pulled out ten Wen, laying them on the table.
The owner, with an amused smile, said, "Young man, your meal has already been charged to the account."
"Hmm, next time he comes, I'll treat Manager Zhao to some good wine," the young man answered quietly.
The owner was taken aback momentarily, then smiled and said, "Alright."
"Good, you have class."
"Old Zhao wasn't wrong about you."
Manager Zhao headed back to Huichun Hall, took out the ledger, and drew a line under Li Guanyi's name. Dr. Chen asked, "Was Guanyi dismissed?"
The old shopkeeper nodded.
Dr. Chen saw the notation the old shopkeeper had made in the ledger and remarked, "You also covered a string of coins for him? Huh, the Young Master is not usually so kind-hearted, is he?"
The old shopkeeper said:
"We work for the Young Master and must obey his rules diligently and faithfully."
"However, we must also not be unprincipled or cruel; this, too, is a rule, one that resides in the heart."
"Rules matter above all else."
Manager Zhao rolled up the ledger and walked in, lifting the door curtains which had couplets on either side.
Nought's faster than a taboo.
Mercy is paramount in medicine.
The shopkeeper held his head high, his spine straight and upright.
...
As the sun passed its zenith and began to heat the day, Li Guanyi stood before Liu Family's Private School, indeed a splendid sight. Many of the city's major families sent their sons here to study, and numerous carriages were parked outside. Just as he was about to enter, another carriage pulled up to a halt, and Li Guanyi stopped in his tracks, the carriage coming to a steady stop between him and the school.
A fragrant breeze arose.
A crisp, young girl's voice could be heard:
"Miss, we've arrived at Liu Family's Private School."