The establishment of the Celestial Dynasty began with the bestowal of the title upon the River God.

Feng Jun was on high alert, but Li Yi reacted calmly.

He found a stool and sat down, then pointed to another stool and said:

"Let's speak frankly. Commander Gongsun told me that you were led astray by the Wood Mother, which caused you to become possessed, but I have a different opinion."

Feng Jun put down the plow, his heart pounding, and stood rooted to the spot.

Li Yi was not offended and continued:

"By challenging me to a duel in public, you've laid bare our grudges. If anything happens to you in the future, I, Li Yi, will be held responsible, won't I?"

Feng Jun's expression changed slightly, but he remained silent.

Li Yi, however, had a keen eye and analyzed him clearly, word by word:

"I see that you are not influenced by the Wood Mother. On the contrary, you are terrified of me. Your kidney water is out of balance, and you are so frightened that you have come up with this clever plan."

"When you refused to give me a military household quota, you were unwilling to let bygones be bygones and came up with a dirty trick. You concealed my talent and connections from my biological father and instigated Feng Dachuan to sabotage me."

Your underhanded tactics have failed. I, Li Yi, am on friendly terms with the local deity, frequently interact with the centurion, and now I've even caught the eye of the garrison commander and am about to join the sentry corps.

"You see me, Li Yi, rising through the ranks little by little, yet I'm helpless, completely absorbed in fantasies of future retribution. That's why you want to settle things with me, isn't it?"

pat!

Feng Jun was stunned and speechless, and the harrow quietly slipped from his hands.

Only now did he truly become terrified of Li Yi!

"puff!"

The seven-foot-tall man knelt decisively on the stone slab, bowed his head, and said:

"I give up, I really give up. Please, don't hold a grudge, let me off the hook!"

Li Yi calmly accepted the bow, feeling no fear whatsoever, as if it were perfectly natural.

Feng Jun, you are the first person to kneel before the Heavenly Official.

Li Yi stood up, walked over to Feng Jun, bent down, put his arm around Feng Jun's armpit, helped him up, and said calmly:

"Sit down and talk."

This time, Feng Jun obediently sat down next to Li Yi, his legs turned inward, his hands on his lap, and his lips moving as he waited for the latter's instruction.

"Commander Gongsun once pleaded with me on your behalf, hoping I would forgive you for your offense once, and let it be this time."

Li Yi sighed softly, then continued:

"But have you considered that even if we're even, what about your father? I've brought this up with him too, but he doesn't seem like he'll let it go so easily..."

Feng Jun was startled. His eagerness to understand Li Yi was also a way of giving Feng Dachuan an explanation.

He concealed the truth and instigated his father to take action. If he is found out later and has not cleaned up the mess, he will be completely finished.

Thinking of this, Feng Jun was filled with anxiety and said solemnly, "I will certainly persuade my father well so as not to cause him any worry."

Li Yi said no more, suddenly stood up, patted his right shoulder lightly as if to comfort him, and then strode out of the official residence.

"Remember, whether there will be any further entanglement between us is entirely up to you."

Feng Jun watched Li Yi leave, his eyes showing no trace of resentment.

He sat there blankly in the darkness, his face gradually becoming unrecognizable. After an unknown amount of time, a loud slap suddenly echoed through the quiet official residence.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Big-eyed boy rode back to the government office, restless and afraid that Feng Jun would cause more trouble. He feared he couldn't control him, so he made a snap decision to take matters into his own hands and report the mess to the young lady himself. Otherwise, if something really happened, the punishment would be even more severe.

He forcibly dragged the tall man along to the inner courtyard and knocked on Gongsun Ling's door.

The carved pear wood door creaked open as Gongsun Ling pulled it open. Dressed in plain clothes, she stepped aside to make way for her two attendants.

"It's getting dark, what can't we talk about tomorrow morning?"

The guy with the uneven eyes pinched the tall guy, who rolled his eyes and still carefully explained the grudges in the office for his brother.

Of course, there's also his own speculation.

"...So my lord need not worry. In my opinion, Feng Jun and Brother Li should be able to coexist peacefully."

Gongsun Ling listened attentively and nodded, saying, "That makes sense."

Seeing the shocked look on the man's face, she burst out laughing.

"Look at you, you fool. You've been staying in the manor for too long. You still need more experience. Don't go to the government office too often, and definitely don't go back to my father's manor. Just stay here in the office."

The girl with the uneven eyes lowered her chin, knowing that the young lady meant well, and stammered in agreement.

"So... Feng Jun, are you alright?"

Gongsun Ling snorted, "Since we martial artists have put our grudges into a fight, we must keep our word. Forget about things like the Liver Wood Mother or the Kidney Water Mysterious Pearl, once it's settled, it's settled."

However, if Feng Jun commits another offense, there's no need for military law; Brother Li will handle it himself, and you are not allowed to plead for him.

The man with uneven eyes immediately agreed.

I just hope that Feng Jun can really behave himself. The young lady's implication is that if he offends her again, then Li Yi can do as he pleases, without being bound by military regulations.

Gongsun Ling remembered something and asked, "By the way, is Feng Dachuan among those accompanying the army?"

Knowing this, the boy with the uneven eyes replied without hesitation, "He's not here."

"Include him—not just him, but all five of his subordinate flags."

"only."

……

Li Yi slept well.

After confessing last night, not only did Feng Jun feel relieved, but Li Yi also no longer had to feel embarrassed by Xiao Yan'er's request, and he felt much better.

After breakfast, Li Erhu, Guan Tian, ​​and Liu Zhi arrived one after another, and helped deliver fifty shi of grain to Ersanzhuang and settle the payment with Liu Zhongliang.

Guan Tian and Liu Zhi ran outside the village, hoping to borrow a donkey cart to go into town; Li Erhu followed Li Yi, saying excitedly:

"Yi-ge'er, today we're going to the Commander's Mansion to assemble. May we choose our own horses?"

"I hope so. I've heard that every sentry has at least two horses, but I don't know if that's true."

Li Erhu's eyes lit up. "Wow! No wonder Feng Jun is so envious of us. We can't skimp on the treatment!"

Li Yi smiled without saying a word and waited in the official residence until he heard the sound of horses' hooves.

The two went out to see what was happening, and found that it was Guan Yu and Liu Bei returning on horseback.

"My lord! The captain of the Second Fifth Village heard that we wanted to borrow a donkey cart, so he borrowed this big horse!" Liu Zhi said, jumping off his horse.

Li Yi immediately frowned. "Why would we need his? We're still short one horse!"

They just saw that I, Li Yi, have some ability and wanted to win me over.

Lending a horse once is considered a favor, which is a loss.

Liu Zhi was immediately stopped by the shout and quickly grabbed the reins. "I'll go return it right away!"

"Wait a minute."

A woman's voice suddenly came from outside the official residence, gentle and elegant.

Li Yi had heard and thought about this voice countless times.

His heart skipped a beat, as if he had been stung by a bee, a sweet and startling sensation that sent a rush of heat through his body.

He pushed Li Erhu aside and ran out of the official residence, where he indeed saw a person.

Zhang Junyi wore a snow-white felt hat, a cross-collar cotton-padded jacket, and a light blue wolf fur cloak. Her slender fingers were tucked into her sleeves, and only her fair and rosy oval face was visible. She looked at Li Yi with a smile.