Even in his twilight years, he swept through the chaotic army of ten thousand warriors!

What a surprise... a joyous occasion that will astound the world!

The three of them originally shared the same goal: to report this breathing technique to the higher authorities and then gain immense credit in return.

But now...

His greed grew wildly like a wildfire!

Suppressing his elation with tea, Wang Long looked up and his eyes were filled with worry.

"Yeah, what should we do...?"

There are indeed concerns, but what I'm thinking is, since Ji Yan has already said that...

How can he trick them into giving him the breathing technique?

Ji Yan was filled with concern for the country and its people, but in the end, he could only sigh and lower his eyes in silence.

[Hunting (Beginner)]

[Progress: 12/3000]

[Purpose: To track and locate clues, and to distinguish truth from falsehood]

To outsiders, the Wang family mansion, with its elegant pavilions and well-organized courtyards, appeared to be the typical residence of a wealthy family.

However, as Ji Yan walked along, the mansion was stripped of all its illusions and revealed in its entirety through the hunting process.

The bluestone slabs underfoot are flat and smooth, but the rammed earth beneath them has been artificially reinforced and covered with soundproof cork, a deliberate disguise.

From a depth of more than ten feet underground came the rhythmic and heavy tremors of arrayed footsteps. It was not the scattered steps of servants, but the orderly movements of battle-hardened soldiers in training.

The entire underground of the Wang Mansion was hollowed out and a martial arts training cave was built, where a fully armed private army was raised and trained day and night!

Among them were several condensed streams of blood energy, hidden underground like lurking ferocious beasts...

Zhongshan is not as good as it.

Although it was covered by layers of bricks and rammed earth, it still could not escape Ji Yan's eyes.

The fact that the mansion was built in this bustling city center was probably also intended to conceal underground activities and confuse the public.

When Ji Yan first discovered it, he checked it repeatedly, after all, how could a border banner officer have such extraordinary abilities...

But he quickly realized that it was precisely because the area was on the frontier and the laws were lax that this private army existed.

These private soldiers did not belong to Wang Long; he was merely hiding them on his behalf.

The soldier might not be his...

But those words were indeed spoken to him.

If he wasn't greedy, how could Ji Yan have been greedy for his?

"Originally, I should have kept these words to myself..."

Ji Yan, his back hunched, let out a long sigh that carried endless helplessness and desolation, which drifted slowly through the pavilion.

"But I am just an ordinary citizen, and I only want to survive in this chaotic world."

"I came to forge swords only hoping that one day I would have some ability to protect myself..."

He looked up at Wang Long, his old eyes filled with a stubbornness and determination unique to the elderly.

"Besides, Wang Qi, you have a kind face and don't seem like the kind of wicked and evil person you are."

"Say it..."

"It's good to say it!"

He seemed to have been relieved of a heavy burden, his tone carrying a sense of relief.

"These past few days, these words have been stuck in my throat, making me feel suffocated."

"I'm ignorant and inexperienced, just like when I thought it was only worth five taels of silver. If I tell you, Wang Qi might be able to help me think of a solution..."

Wang Long's face was full of sorrow, and he could only give a helpless bitter smile, his brows furrowed with melancholy.

"Elder Ji, you are quite insightful. In this chaotic world where treacherous heroes hold sway, if this breathing technique falls into the hands of evil people, it will be a catastrophe for the common people..."

"You say you're just an ordinary citizen, but I, Wang Long, am merely a minor official in a remote border region!"

"Back then, I was sold into the Chen family as a servant. It was only through countless battles and bloody campaigns against the southern barbarians that I achieved what I have today..."

"Wang, you only wanted to gain some credit for your breathing techniques and live a peaceful life in Qingshui County."

He shook his head with a wry smile and let out a long breath.

"But you, on the other hand..."

"They just dumped this hot potato on me..."

"This is really putting me in a difficult position. Using this breathing technique is problematic, but not using it..."

"Or perhaps it is the key to the restoration of this empire."

As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down, lifted the copper kettle, and poured the warm tea into the teacup.

A misty haze rises, and soft sighs mingle with the aroma of tea.

"I'd rather this breathing technique were just ordinary now..."

Ji Yan sighed helplessly and tapped his fingers on the stone table.

"Isn't that the difficulty?"

"The old man is already eighty-six years old, and I'd be happy to take him to the grave, but..."

Ji Yan's hand gripping the teacup tightened unconsciously, "But the thought of the key to revival going to the grave..."

"I can't rest in peace!"

After saying that, he remained silent for a long time.

A gentle breeze rustled the eaves, carrying the fragrant aroma of tea. The two sat facing each other, now resembling two old friends worried about the state of the nation.

After a long while, Wang Long took a sip of tea and said with a hint of self-deprecation.

"Fortunately, Elder Ji, you spoke to me. If it had been the likes of Zhou Cheng and Li Juyao..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Ji Yanchao, who had been brought to his lips, shake his head repeatedly and speak stubbornly.

"them?"

"They only think about taking credit and seeking rewards; they have no conscience whatsoever."

"If it were the two of them who came today, do you think I would utter a single word?"

As he said this, Wang Long's heart was already trembling with suppressed emotion.

Hearing Ji Yan say that he couldn't rest in peace...

That means he intentionally wanted to take it out!

Hearing Ji Yan mention Zhou Cheng and Li Juyao...

That means that this secret will only be known to him for a short period of time!

Calm down, calm down...

He repeatedly reminded himself that Ji Yan now had a foundation of trust in him, and all Wang Long needed now was a worthy opportunity to entrust himself to.

Never let short-sightedness ruin everything!

His eyes were fixed on the tea, lost in thought. After a long while, he took a small sip and looked up.

"Yes, the old man is here to have his knife repaired..."

"If you trust me, sir, you might as well come to my Second Banner. I, Wang, do not want your breathing techniques, but only offer my life savings for your practice."

"With this precious technique at your disposal, and being an exceptionally talented individual, you only lack a bit of financial resources."

"Given time..."

He spoke sincerely, as if he truly longed for that day.

"It's also to protect this precious technique, waiting for someone truly worthy to entrust it to!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yan waved his hand, a gentle smile spreading across his aged face, his tone calm.

"To be honest, I'm just an old farmer who has never thought of joining the army. I only came to the garrison to find a way to make a living because I had no other choice."

"But the officials kept closing in..."

"In a fit of rage, I returned to the village and shot and killed six government officials. I thought I was doomed to die, but then I met Officer Liu who helped me settle the matter."

"However, I made a pact with him that very day, becoming a soldier under his command..."

His tone was calm, yet carried a stubborn determination.

"I don't have many days left, but I have kept my conscience all my life and cannot be a treacherous person."

"As for help..."

As he spoke, he looked somewhat embarrassed, cupped his hands in a smile, and said.

"Didn't I gamble and even swindle a magical weapon from one of Wang Qiguan's men?"

"Ma Wu told me that spirit weapons can be quite valuable..."

"The fact that the banner officer doesn't blame me is already the best help I can receive!"

"As for the Six Banners, Banner Officer Wang, you are magnanimous and should not make things difficult for the brothers any further..."

"No, absolutely not!"

Wang Long stood up straight immediately and spoke with unwavering determination.