Chapter 19: Save, Save, Save

Chapter 19 Rescue, rescue, rescue…

Pei Milu thought it was simple.

People who cultivated martial arts to such heights must have their unique insights.

Even though the method she practiced differed from the tribal inheritance technique, there should be commonalities within the nine-tier realm, especially regarding consolidating qi circuits through flesh and blood, forming a qi sea, and unblocking the four meridians.

If she could grasp these secrets, perhaps she might leap directly into the eight-tier realm.

"Brother-in-law, if you promise me, I swear I’ll keep this secret safe."

Seeing her pat her chest with unwavering sincerity, Chen Yi could only half-believe her.

The stark contrast between this woman’s past and present made it hard for him to trust her.

He hadn’t anticipated that Pei Milu would come to him, stirred up by her quarrel with Xiao Jinghong.

Thus, the current situation truly gave him a headache.

He couldn’t just silence this girl over such a trivial matter, could he?

After a moment of contemplation,

Chen Yi spoke: "First, let’s agree—I’ve only recently dabbled in martial arts, and my methods might not help you."

Pei Milu nodded eagerly. In the clinking of bells and chimes, she said, "Rest assured, brother-in-law. My tongue is the sharpest in the world."

"I won’t tell Jinghong Sister, nor will I tell Uncle or Auntie."

"Good then."

Thus, the two reached an accord.

Yet Chen Yi shook his head silently, wondering how he might guide Pei Milu?

Nonsense—he himself was only half-full in martial arts, barely reaching the lower tiers.

He needed to wait until his martial arts—his body—reached the great completion stage before he could offer any guidance, much like his current studies in sutras.

Fortunately, he only wanted to delay things for now, hoping to stall until his cultivation improved, breaking through to the seven or eight-tier realm.

Only then would Xiao Jinghong and others learn of his nine-tier strength without any repercussions.

Pei Milu, unaware of his calculations, beamed: "Brother-in-law, quickly tell me—how did you reach the upper ninth-tier in such a short time?"

"The upper ninth-tier? I’m only at the middle."

"Really?"

Pei Milu eyed Chen Yi skeptically.

Seeing his unfeigned expression, Pei Milu felt a pang of sorrow.

She knew her own talents were modest. Beyond her agility, poison, and bug techniques, her pillar practice and skill methods were merely average.

Yet this nine-tier upper practitioner couldn’t even defeat a nine-tier middle practitioner in direct combat.

And that middle practitioner had only cultivated for half a month…

Oh, Mountain Mother, open your eyes—bestow some blessings on little Milu, won’t you?

She summoned her strength, "Brother-in-law, please help me!"

Chen Yi glanced at her sideways: "How did someone this weak avoid the Duke’s guards and find this place?"

Lacking experience, he’d been startled by Pei Milu’s sudden, ghostly movements. Otherwise, he could’ve hidden his cultivation better.

"This—this—ah, crap!"

Pei Milu suddenly recalled something, bolting for the door in a panic, still saying, "Brother-in-law, the deal’s settled. I’ll come back tonight."

Chen Yi watched her vanish into the night, puzzled.

Not long after, outside the Lotus Garden, shouts erupted:

"Someone’s poisoned soldiers in the outer and middle courtyards! Investigate every dwelling in the rear courtyard—find that person!"

"Don’t miss a single corner!"

"First check the Lotus Garden—Young Master is still inside!"

"…"

Hearing this, Chen Yi suddenly understood.

Pei Milu had slipped the guards’ medicine into their wine, then stormed in.

To be honest, this method was unexpectedly clever.

Before Chen Yi could step outside to investigate, Pei Milu returned, looking pitifully at him.

"Brother-in-law, I don’t want to barge into the Duke’s bedroom! Rescue, rescue, rescue…"

Thirty seconds and a half of "rescue," Chen Yi chuckled.

"Warrior woman, you’ve got guts. Didn’t get beaten much as a child, did you?"

"Brother-in-law, help me…"

Shaking his head helplessly, Chen Yi tossed a line: "Be honest—hide it well." Then he left the chamber, locking the door, and headed toward the Lotus Garden.

At that moment, Xiao Duo heard the commotion and rushed out, relaxing upon seeing Chen Yi outside:

"Brother-in-law, Young Master slept soundly."

"Go guard him. I’ll handle this."

Xiao Duo agreed, then hurried back to the wooden building.

Soon, a group of soldiers arrived, led by Wang Lihang. Seeing Chen Yi at the door, he bowed and said, "Second Uncle, I’m sorry to disturb you so late."

"No trouble—" Chen Yi waved him off. "I’ve already heard the commotion outside. Young Master is unharmed."

Wang Lihang visibly relaxed: "Then we’re all at ease. But just in case, mind you—"

"Understandable. You all take care."

Not long after, several soldiers circled the Lotus Garden, carefully investigating, then whispered to Wang Lihang.

Wang Lihang paused, glancing at Chen Yi hesitantly: "Second Uncle, the bamboo forest…"

"It was me practicing pillar work earlier," Chen Yi feigned helplessness. "If I don’t try harder, I might really be transferred to the Xuanjia Army, just like Uncle said."

He also muttered complaints: "Liang, you know me—I’m a weak scholar. How could I endure that? Uncle, you’re being too harsh!"

"What do you think?"

Hearing this, Wang Lihang couldn’t help but smile sheepishly.

These words weren’t meant for the Duke’s guards to hear or speak. They departed immediately.

Before leaving, he reminded them to stay vigilant.

Chen Yi glanced at their departure, his eyes drifting to another wooden building. He knew his guess was correct.

These soldiers, though Xiao Jinghong wasn’t present, still feared her deeply. They wouldn’t dare enter that building to investigate.

As he turned, Chen Yi spotted Pei Wanli opening the door and bowing from the crack.

He blinked, gave a subtle hand signal, and stepped into the wooden structure.

That girl was so careless—did Xiao Jinghong keep her away from the old marquis's banquet for this reason?

After soothing Xiao Bian a few times, Chen Yi finally returned to the chamber to rest.

Lying on the bed, he found himself recalling his recent clash with Pei Wanli.

Though they'd only exchanged a handful of moves, he realized in hindsight that something had been amiss during their encounter with Pei Wanli's palm technique.

It seemed that the nascent breakthroughs in boxing and body methods granted him an edge over ordinary nine-grade cultivators.

With focused intent, he could discern an opponent's techniques, uncovering their vulnerabilities.

Thereupon, a faint smile touched his lips as he rested his hands behind his head, gazing at the moon breaking through the clouds, his spirit at peace.

With martial arts by his side, he felt empowered to face any challenge, even if he had to leave Xiao's mansion and roam the vast world.

Just then, as the hour ofzi passed, the daily intelligence report materialized as usual:

Daily Intel—Xuan Level Lower Grade: Half past the hour ofzi, a hidden message concealed by the guard near the pool's rockery in the Garden of Prosperity. A few strands of destiny could be obtained.

—The End of This Chapter