Chapter 48: The Spiritual Roots of Heaven and Earth

  Since Wang Guanlan came to Yicheng, the Wanjing Building has become the most famous wine building in Yicheng. The people inside are always crowded, and there are always some people sitting near the Linjiang Pavilion for a whole day. Outside the wine building, it has also become a gathering place for small merchants and vendors, bustling with activity. The closer you get to the window of Linjiang Pavilion, the more luxurious it becomes. Over time, this area around Linjiang Pavilion has become a market similar to Wang Guanlan's pedestrian street in later generations, extremely lively.

  Wang Guanlan didn't mind these things. He sat by the window, admiring the scenery of Nu River, but his mind was filled with thoughts.

  Half a year of cultivation allowed him to thoroughly consolidate his Qi Refining Three Layers attainment and Third Grade mage standard.

  Of course, in these three years, what he gained the most was still military strategy. It was precisely military strategy that allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of this world.

  The martial arts in the Art of War are not limited to one way, but rather a variety of ways, with all sorts of martial arts existing. Of course, there is only one superior martial art, which is the Huā Lí Wèi's (Flower Fox Guard) cultivation of Guān Lí Qī Fǎ (Observation Fox Seven Methods).

  The seven laws of the Huā Líng Wèi are not only practiced by the Huā Líng Wèi, but also by the Jīn Líng Wèi, Yín Líng Wèi and Hēi Líng Wèi. They just have different focuses in their practice. The main duty of the Huā Líng Wèi is to protect important figures within the manor, so they focus more on strength and defense, making their offense seem a bit monotonous. Apart from the seven laws, there are many other martial arts that are considered middle or lower level in the military tactics. These martial arts can be practiced by the Huā Líng Wèi according to their own interests, as long as they meet the requirements and have no special restrictions. For example, Chen Qing Shan is currently practicing a mid-level martial art called "Càn Yún Dāo" (Residual Cloud Knife) in addition to the seven laws, which complements his original skills and allows him to progress quickly.

  In the Art of War, apart from martial arts, what is discussed most is the communication of qi and the application of military formations. It's not just about the communication of qi between the Five Animals Guards, but also the communication of qi with the surrounding heavenly and earthly yuanqi. Through the Art of War, Wang Guanlan finally confirmed his previous speculations that in this world, it is indeed possible for many ants to kill an elephant, and if there are many more ants, they may not just kill one elephant.

  The military formation, what it emphasizes is coordination, and does not require many people. In fact, as long as there are two people, a military formation can be formed. Of course, the power of a two-person military formation can almost be ignored. The more people there are, the greater the power of the military formation. A military formation of over ten people, even if each of the Taoist soldiers' cultivation is only one or two layers of Qi Refining, can hold their own against a martial artist who has refined four layers of Qi, and may even have the upper hand. An army of over fifty people is basically equivalent to a high-ranking master who has refined six layers of Qi. A military formation of over a hundred people can easily kill a martial artist who has refined seven layers of Qi. Even a peak master who has refined nine layers of Qi would not dare to face a military formation of over a thousand people, because in that situation, there wouldn't even be an opportunity to escape. The one from the Hundred Poisons Sect is the best example.

  What surprised Wang Guanlan the most was that the existence of the military formation also created conditions for the martial general's solo challenge. When Taoist soldiers clashed with each other, it often didn't seem like an ordinary war, with both sides fighting in one place. The most likely outcome would be a solo challenge between the martial generals, as the leader of the Taoist soldiers had already connected their own aura with that of the soldiers behind them. It could be said that one person's fate was tied to the entire army; if one person lost, the entire army would lose, and if one person won, the entire army would win. There were almost no exceptions to this rule.

  "Fourteen Shao, look——!"

  Just as Wang Guanlan was hesitating, Chen Qingshan seemed to have discovered something and pointed outside the window at Wang Guanlan, "Look at that boat!"

  "Boat!" Wang Guanlan was slightly stunned and looked in the direction Chen Qingshan pointed, also becoming stunned.

  What a magnificent ship!!!

  The Nu River is the largest river in the southwest, with turbulent waves on its surface. Even outside Yicheng, where the water surface is generally open, it's difficult for small fishing boats to move forward. Therefore, the ships that travel on the Nu River are generally very large. Although this ship is big, it's not a big deal on the Nu River. The problem is just that this ship is too flashy.

  Of course, in Wang Guanlan's eyes it was flashy, but in others' eyes, it was magnificent.

  This boat, whether in its shape, the cabins on it, or the lanterns hanging from it, all show a sense of grandeur, dignity and luxury, always revealing an inviolable honor.

  So as soon as he entered Chen Qing's line of sight, he caught his attention, and naturally also caught Wang Guanlan's attention.

  "Whose boat is this?!" Wang Guanlan looked at the big ship with flowers and flags, and instinctively felt a sense of "coming evil, good not coming".

  "It's unclear, but it seems like the young master of some shop has arrived!"

  "The young master of the shop!?" Wang Guanlan shook his head, although the big shops in Yicheng all had a backstage, and the backstage was not ordinary, but these backstages were far inferior compared to the Ningwang Fu, which dominated three states. It was impossible for them to be so blatant when they knew that the young master of the Ningwang Fu was stationed in Yicheng.

  "Could it be an outsider?!" Chen Qing Shan said out his own speculation.

  So-called outsiders refer to people from outside the three southwestern states.

  "Outsiders, at this time, what are you doing running to Yicheng? Aren't the three southwestern states chaotic enough for you?! Wang Guanlan's eyes flashed with a cold light. In Yicheng, apart from Fengweicao, there was nothing else worth outsiders coveting. If it were said that Fengweicao, now they were all in his hands. These people, if they really had designs on Fengweicao, would inevitably intersect with him."

  "Alas, it seems that's really true! The newcomer is indeed not a good omen!!" Wang Guanlan sighed inwardly.

  "Bang bang bang!!" A sudden rush of footsteps upstairs startled the two people in Linjiang Pavilion, "It's Wang Qing, it seems that something is indeed going to happen!"

  "Wang Qing has seen the Fourteenth Young Master!" Wang Qing rushed up the stairs, apologized at the door, and came to the front of the two men. He bowed deeply to Wang Guanlan and said in a slightly excited tone, "Fourteenth Young Master, the Wang Mansion just received a flying letter, and the famous courtesan Xiu Yan from Mingyue Pavilion will arrive in Yicheng to attend the opening ceremony of Yicheng!" As he spoke, he handed over a letter to Wang Guanlan.

  "Mingyue Pavilion, what's going on?!" Wang Guanlan slightly raised an eyebrow and glanced at the letter in his hand, "What's this about?"

  "Uh, cough, cough——!" Chen Qingshan, who was drinking water behind him, heard Wang Guanlan's words and suddenly choked on the water in his throat. He coughed for half a day before stopping.

  "What's wrong with you?!"

  "The Fourteenth Master has never heard of Mingyue Pavilion? Has never heard of Xiuyan's family?!"

  Wang Guanlan blinked her eyes, and a hint of puzzlement flashed through her gaze, "No, is it very famous!?"

  Wang Qing and Chen Qingshan looked at him with a gaze that seemed to be looking at a monster, after a while, Chen Qingshan sighed and said, "The Fourteenth Young Master is indeed a person who only reads the books of sages!!"

  At this moment, another carrier pigeon flew in from the window and landed on Wang Qing's hand. Wang Qing opened the letter tied to the pigeon's leg, and his expression suddenly changed strangely. "Fourteenth Young Master, Fourth Son, and Xiuyan are all together at Yicheng. Do you want to go to the dock to welcome them?"

  "Fourth brother?!"

  "What, Fourth Brother is coming?!" Wang Guanlan finally felt unexpected this time. The fourth son of the Ning King's Mansion, Wang Guanlei, was the eldest son and had a special status in the mansion. He was the oldest among the Ning King's sons and was not young anymore. Therefore, Wang Guanlan had seen him many times. The second son, Wang Guanting, was the most mysterious and had the highest martial arts cultivation among the four sons. It was said that he had already broken through the sixth layer of Qi Refining and reached the seventh layer, or even higher. He was currently in command of the entire Black Fox Guard and rarely appeared in the mansion. The third son, Wang Guanmiao, had a good reputation and many guests, and his name was the most famous among the four sons. As for the fourth son, Wang Guanlei, he was the youngest and most idle, but his martial arts cultivation was not weak either. It was said that he had already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining and was known as the one with the best martial arts talent among the four sons. However, compared to his three older brothers, his influence was much weaker. His personality was also the most carefree among the four sons, and he rarely managed the affairs of the mansion. He preferred to travel and have fun, often staying outside for long periods. Therefore, Wang Guanlan had never seen this fourth brother before, and he had never thought that he would suddenly arrive in Yicheng.

  "Welcome, of course I must welcome him. Fourth Brother coming to my humble abode, as his younger brother, I naturally have to treat him well!" In Wang Guanlan's heart, the title of Fourth Young Master was far more impressive than that vague Mingyue Pavilion or Xiu Yan's family name.

  On the Nu River, that magnificent large ship was slowly approaching the White Stone Wharf, which is the largest and most important wharf in Yicheng, also made of large white stones from the mountains, hence its name. It is now also one of Wang Guanlan's properties.

  The boat had not yet docked, and Wang Guanlan was already leading a group of people from Ningtaihang to wait on the dock. There were not many people who came, mainly just a few people in charge of Ningwangfu in Yicheng, including Luo Han, Wang Qing, and the new managers of various large commercial firms.

  There aren't many people, but due to their special identities, there are quite a few in Yicheng who recognize them. Seeing that all the major figures of Ning Wangfu have come out, it's immediately clear that an important person has arrived. Suddenly, the area around the White Stone Wharf is packed with onlookers, all eager for excitement and gossip, their enthusiasm no less than that of the common people in King Guanglan's later years, or even surpassing it.

  "Green Mountain, go to the county government office and ask County Magistrate Yao to send some men over to maintain order. Look at this mess! Those who know what's going on think we're receiving guests, while those who don't think we're putting on a monkey show!"

  "Yes, Young Master!" Chen Qing Shan responded and left. Not long after, the county yamen's captain led a large group of people and horses to disperse the crowd near the dock, which made Wang Guanlan feel slightly more at ease. The big ship also docked at this time.

  When they were about a hundred feet away from the shore, the cabin door opened and several people walked out of the cabin towards the bow, looking in the direction of the White Stone Wharf, directly facing Wang Guanlan.