Chapter 2826

The butler continued with a tone of earnest concern, "My Lord, you are now a master of Golden Book Qi. You can live for at least three hundred years. You are only thirty-two. How will you spend the rest of your days without someone to warm your heart?"

"Let’s talk about that later, Butler. If I meet the right person, I won’t let go," Lie Xuan said, a faint light flashing in his eyes. He seemed lost in thought.

But did such a person really exist? A moment of hesitation crossed Lie Xuan’s face. An image of someone appeared in his mind. Could he truly hold onto that gentleness?

"My Lord, I have had hot water prepared in the bathhouse. You may go soak first," the butler said.

"Alright," Lie Xuan nodded slightly. "The usual routine."

"Yes." The butler went to make preparations.

Lie Xuan walked into the bathhouse. It was empty, as per his strict rule. Lie Xuan never bathed with anyone else.

She took off her clothes and then unclasped a necklace from her neck. Instantly, her hair grew down to her waist, and her body transformed, becoming curvaceous and feminine. Who would have guessed that she was actually a she?

That was right. Lie Xuan’s true name was Lie Xuan (female character: 璇). She had a twin brother named Lie Xuan (male character: 煊). Years ago, during a border incident, the entire Lie family perished. Only she survived because she had fallen into a hollow in the old locust tree at home. When she woke up, she found her parents and brother dead. To ensure the Lie family had an heir, she put on the family heirloom, the Chain of Illusion, and transformed into Lie Xuan (male). To the outside world, it was announced that Lie Xuan (female) had died.

Nearly twenty years had passed since then.

Lie Xuan (female) had grown accustomed to living as Lie Xuan (male). However, ordinary wars between nations had ceased. Because of Yun Xi’s cultivation method, she had broken through her limits and achieved the Golden Book Qi realm. Technically, even if her true gender were revealed now, it might not be a big problem. But she dared not do it.

She did not know how to face Yun Xi.

Naturally, Yun Xi had heard that Lie Xuan had returned and came to visit. Knowing Lie Xuan was bathing, he said nothing and went to the study to wait.

When Lie Xuan emerged, he saw Yun Xi reading a book. Adjusting his mindset, he put on a slight smile. "In such a hurry to find me? Is there something on your mind?"

"Inviting you for a drink," Yun Xi laughed heartily. "You just returned. If I don’t ask you for a drink, what else would I ask you for?"

"Just the two of us?" Lie Xuan asked.

"Just us today. Tomorrow, we will join the Duke of Ding and the Regent." In fact, there were now quite a few Great Scholars who had reached the Golden Book Qi realm.

However, since Yun Xi was the first to break through, his status among the Great Scholars was unique. Moreover, most others had only achieved this breakthrough because of the cultivation methods Yun Xi provided. Therefore, even at gatherings of Golden Book Qi masters, everyone respected Yun Xi greatly. This made Yun Xi rarely attend such large gatherings, though he would meet with a few close friends.

"I originally planned to gather today, but the Duke of Ding had to handle a case submitted by the Ministry of Justice, so he left. He agreed to meet tomorrow. As for me, I have nothing to do, and we brothers haven’t seen each other in years, so I came to see you." Yun Xi was no longer the young boy of the past.

She remained gentle, but the childishness of her youth had faded, replaced by a scholarly calmness. Her star-like eyes were deep and unreadable.

"Fine. Since that’s the case, let’s drink here today. My War Prince Mansion has plenty of wine," Lie Xuan said.

Yun Xi smiled. "Mostly because no one dares to come to your War Prince Mansion. Drinking here is absolutely safe."

"The mighty Duke of Protection worries about having nowhere to drink? Have you forgotten you are the number one expert?" Here, almost everyone assumed Yun Xi was the strongest, so no one knew how deep his cultivation truly was.

"It’s not that I have nowhere to go. It’s just quieter here," Yun Xi sighed. "Although no one disturbs me at home, you know how lively it has become."

Yun Xu was married and had two children. Yun Ni and Yun Xia were also married, each with a child of their own. They often returned with their families. With Yun Xin still at home, the Yun household was bustling.

Of course, Yun Xi enjoyed this atmosphere. However, seeing so many children sometimes gave him a headache.

Yun Xi helplessly said, "There are many children at home. Sometimes they are mischievous, but I can’t say much, so I just smile it off. Recently, there is hardly any quiet place in the house."

Hearing this, Lie Xuan chuckled lightly. "If you find the Duke of Protection’s mansion too noisy, you are always welcome at my War Prince Mansion. Rest assured, it is absolutely quiet here. There is no one at home."

No one at home. Who didn’t want family? Lie Xuan smiled bitterly.

Yun Xi raised an eyebrow slightly. "That’s why I came to invite you for a drink."

"Let’s go, then. Let’s drink," Lie Xuan laughed.

Yun Xi did not refuse. The two simply drank in the courtyard.

Fortunately, no one else came to the War Prince Mansion, so they drank freely.

Lie Xuan’s return signaled that the border war was nearing its end. After returning, Lie Xuan handed the military tally back to the Emperor.

First, to avoid the Emperor’s suspicion. Second, because Lie Xuan was now a Golden Book Qi master, even without the tally, his prestige allowed him to command troops if necessary.

The Emperor did not refuse. Understanding Lie Xuan’s intent, he accepted it naturally.

Afterward, life seemed to become peaceful.

However, unnoticed changes were occurring beneath the surface. Yun Xi gave cultivation methods suitable for Wang Lanxuan and Lie Xuan to them. He also provided a set of methods specifically for the royal descendants to the Regent and the Emperor.

Naturally, Yun Xi also compiled some ordinary cultivation methods, which Wang Lanxuan sold to other nations.

The entire Vermilion Bird Realm was very peaceful.

Until twenty more years passed, and people suddenly arrived from the Qilin Plane.

The Vermilion Bird, Qilin, and Azure Dragon planes were independent. However, both the Qilin and Azure Dragon planes looked down on the Vermilion Bird, considering its people inferior. Therefore, they never cared about Vermilion Bird affairs. But this time, they came to Vermilion Bird because they needed human resources.

These "human resources" were, in plain terms, people sent to work as laborers in various sects of the Qilin Plane.

If this had happened at another time, the people of the Vermilion Bird Plane would have been happy. It would mean establishing a connection with the Qilin Plane.

But the Vermilion Bird Plane was different now. The economy had developed, wars had ceased, people were self-reliant, they had cultivation methods, and their health was good. With all needs met, why would ordinary people leave their comfortable homes to serve as servants in a strange land?