Remould the Glory of Sword Art

From his original honest and innocent nature,

he had become cold and stern.

"What a coincidence, Qihu brother."

Outside the library door, stood another damp figure, clad in the special light armor of the Deputy Director of Imperial City, without an umbrella, he had come alone just to push the door, coincidentally matching Jiang Qihu's motion.

"Coincidence? I think not."

Jiang Qihu stood his ground, not stepping aside, and with an expressionless face said, "I came to the library to visit my teacher. Mr. Yuan, what brings you here?"

"Naturally, to visit as well...

Yuan Jimo brushed off the rainwater on his shoulders and smiled, saying, "The library of the Little National Master is located within the Imperial City. Anyone under the heavens can knock, anyone can visit. Isn't that a coincidence?"

"Indeed, it is."

Jiang Qihu coldly said, "Today, my teacher does not wish to see any guests."

Having said that, he was about to close the door.

Yuan Jimo held the library door open, both exerted force, and their primordial energy collided, creating a burst of invisible force.

The whole library gently trembled once.

Yuan Jimo smiled and said, "Jiang Qihu, I called you 'Brother Qihu' as a gesture of respect to Elder Jiang. Dare you try to stop me? My visit this time... I bring with me the command from the palace."

Jiang Qihu's expression darkened.

Now, he was the Deputy Director of the Imperial City, second in position only to the director within the office.

But when it came to the entire Imperial City, the one he despised the most

was none other than Yuan Jimo, the director, undisputedly.

"Mr. Yuan, the library's door is not cheap."

Just then,

a rich and mild voice sounded.

At the same time, Chen Jingxuan, who was sitting behind the jade desk, gently flicked his sleeve.

The two clashing, equally strong forces immediately separated, clearly distinguishing the victor.

Jiang Qihu didn't budge an inch.

Yuan Jimo grunted, his body involuntarily stepped back, not far, but the rainwater on his black armor was shaken off, flying backward several feet.

"Ha..."

Watching this scene, Jiang Qihu sneered, his eyebrows raised high.

Though he had displeased his teacher,

in front of others, his teacher still protected him.

"Qihu, go ahead and let Mr. Yuan in,"

After Chen Jingxuan issued this command, Jiang Qihu obediently complied, raising his paper umbrella, not forgetting to cast a disdainful glance at Yuan Jimo before leaving.

Yuan Jimo took a deep breath and silently entered the library.

He did not receive the same treatment as Jiang Qihu.

Chen Jingxuan did not invite him to sit down.

However... Yuan Jimo had no intention of sitting either.

He had come in his Imperial City black armor, not planning to stay long in the library.

"Mr. Jingxuan, congratulations,"

Yuan Jimo bowed slightly and slowly said, "The position of State Preceptor is about to be conferred. Her Majesty is selecting an auspicious day, perhaps soon, you will be officially titled."

"Without this title, it's also not a big deal,"

Chen Jingxuan calmly said, "My teacher is severely ill, and as his disciple, it's natural to shoulder heavy duties. Being able to contribute to Da Chu, and continue the lineage of the heavenly monitors is fortunate enough. These superficial honors, I do not care about."

"As the owner of the library, it's natural to have a title."

Yuan Jimo smiled and said, "The recent chaos in Qing State, your strategies were truly brilliant. Her Majesty has praised you more than once, saying Da Chu is fortunate to have Chen Jingxuan for generations. However,"

Yuan Jimo sighed deeply, "these years, the fortunes of Da Chu have declined, a complete mess. Having just you emerge is still not enough."

"The great tide of North Sea bears pent-up national fortunes,"

Chen Jingxuan lightly said, "Soon, the fortunes of Da Chu will return to its peak. Da Sui Sword Palace has already been established, the Taoist sect is no longer reclusive, it won't be long... perhaps on the day of the Northern Hunt, Da Chu will flourish even more than the last golden era."

"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst."

Yuan Jimo raised his head and said word by word, "Within five years, Da Chu shall pacify the South Border."

"..."

Chen Jingxuan put down the scroll and quietly watched Yuan Jimo.

Five years, to pacify the South Border?

The silence between them did not last long.

"This matter, I fear, will require the master to exhaust his heart's blood."

Yuan Jimo took out a decree, presented it with both hands, and respectfully said, "Pacifying the South Border is a significant matter... Her Majesty wishes to borrow the 'Complete Circle Instrument'."

Outside the library.

Jiang Qihu, who had left but returned with reservations, trembled violently against the library wall upon hearing this.

Jiang Qihu's face was complex.

Borrowing the Complete Circle Instrument, these four words seem light.

The Complete Circle Instrument is connected to the lifeline of the heavens' watcher.

Borrowing the Complete Circle Instrument, is borrowing the master's lifespan.

"Pacifying the South Border, indeed, is a significant matter."

Chen Jingxuan lowered his eyelids, remaining calm and composed, "But this news, it's rather abrupt."

"This matter sounds somewhat absurd..."

Yuan Jimo raised his head, spoke slowly, "But the White Ghost of Yin Mountain, as well as the Mo Taoist of the Heavenly Puppet Sect, are both willing to sign the soul contract, to serve Da Chu for life, willingly bowing as subjects."

This news, was even more abrupt.

Chen Jingxuan narrowed his eyes.

Whether it was the White Ghost or the Mo Taoist, they were both epitomes of "old foxes"... such high-level cunning figures, would they really be willing to sign the soul contract?

The recent situation in the South Border.

He indeed had been paying attention to it.

The Three Great Sects being driven into a corner by the Paperman Sect... was this about borrowing Da Chu's forces to wage war against the Paperman Sect?

Yuan Jimo paused, expressionless, and said, "If we can pacify the South Border, riding the tide of national fortune, it won't be long before we can marshal our troops to march southwards and annex Da Li."

He raised his hand again, lifting the decree above his head.

"Little National Master, please consider the matter of the Complete Circle Instrument thoroughly."

Having said that.

Yuan Jimo loosened his grip.

The decree hovered in the air.

Chen Jingxuan's face was complex as he watched Yuan Jimo leave.

The rain poured heavily.

The fully armored Deputy Director of Imperial City, pushing the door open, mounted his horse, and with a cold gaze, looked at the paper umbrella not far away.

"Master Jiang."

Yuan Jimo said indifferently, "Please forgive my frankness, but I'm curious what illness has befallen the elderly gentleman. If it is severe, requiring you to stay in Qing State for a period of rest, why not resign as Deputy Director of Imperial City and directly inherit the position of Family Head?"

"No need to worry."

Jiang Qihu lifted the paper umbrella, coldly watching Yuan Jimo, "My family's patriarch is in very good health, and even if you were to die, he would definitely still be alive."

Yuan Jimo looked towards the library, smiling and said, "The patriarch's long life is indeed a good matter. It's just that in this world, some people are short-lived."

Having said that, he rode away.

Jiang Qihu's whole body trembled, his fists clenched tightly, watching as Yuan Jimo disappeared from sight.

A strand of golden thread, crossing the library door and window, pressed on his shoulder, pinning him firmly in place, unable to move. If not for this, he would have rushed out long ago, and landed his clenched fist directly on Yuan Jimo's face.

Sitting inside the library, reading the decree, Chen Jingxuan, calm and composed, uttered four words.

"A gentleman does not display anger."

...

...

(PS: I really wanted to write more, but to preserve the reading experience, I'll stop this chapter here. I hope everyone can understand. I'll continue writing tonight, but it won't be finished, so don't wait.)