Daily News: You promised yourself to be a fisherman, but you've become a martial arts god?

"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"

Seven or eight strong boatmen shouted in unison, their muscles bulging, as they rowed the heavy oars with all their might.

The large ship left the inner city and entered the Thousand Lakes Waterway. It raised its giant sails and sailed towards Crescent Moon Island with the help of the wind. The boatmen only needed to follow orders and occasionally row to control the direction.

A thousand lakes and vast marshes stretch for miles, their waters boundless.

As winter begins and the ice and snow melt on the lake, people can be seen everywhere on the lake making a living.

Seeing this scene, Li Nian was filled with mixed emotions.

If it weren't for the system he possessed, with his poor aptitude and lack of background, his talent would be of little use in this chaotic world, and he would most likely end up like these fishermen, making a living on the lake.

About two hours later.

A crescent-shaped island appeared before us. The island didn't look very big, with the longest point at either end being no more than three miles. The island was covered with lush vegetation.

Only after the boat docked could we see the wooden houses along the shore, as well as buildings that were faintly visible in the woods on the island.

There weren't many people at the dock; only a few were assisting the boatmen in carrying the supplies.

Before long, a man dressed as an island soldier came over.

"Which one of you is Inspector Li Nian?"

"I am."

Li Nian stepped forward and took out her waist tag.

The man looked him over with surprise, his eyes filled with displeasure.

He wondered why the Yi family would send such a young inspector to this dangerous place. He suspected that the young master was just a playboy who got on the island through connections.

Forget it, it's not like I'll be the one who dies if something happens, so why worry!

"Inspector Li, you come with me to report to Lord Zhendao. The other guards are waiting at the dock."

The man said something and then took Li Nian to the island.

After arriving on the island, we followed the wooden boardwalk and eventually arrived at a tall pavilion halfway up the mountain.

"Inspector Li, the island lord is on the third floor. You may go in and report for duty."

"Thank you for showing me the way."

Li Nian clasped his hands in a fist salute and walked into the high pavilion.

There are two rooms on the third floor, one of which has a sign that reads "Meeting".

Li Nian walked over and knocked on the door.

dong dong~

"Come in."

A clear, melodious voice came from inside.

As Li Nian opened the door, a gust of wind swept in.

Sunlight slanted through the window, scattering shimmering silver across the floor.

The window faces a thousand lakes, offering a clear view of the island's shoreline.

Beside him, a young man, barely twenty years old, leaned against a bronze sword, holding a book in his hand.

The boy wore a black, round-necked long robe with dense pleats below the waist, covered by a red armor, a wide red silk belt, and black boots.

He had delicate features, even a touch of childishness, yet he exuded an air of maturity.

Is this the island lord of Crescent Moon Island?

Li Nian was surprised, but without showing any emotion, she cupped her hands in greeting and said:

"My name is Li Nian. I have been ordered to come to the island on temporary assignment. I greet the island garrison commander."

The boy closed the book and calmly looked him over.

Then, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Li Nian of Qinyun Martial Arts School is indeed young."

"He opened the Blood Gate a day earlier than Qin Geyue, who was recognized as a genius in the county."

"With such talent, it's no wonder my brother asked me to take care of you."

elder brother?

Li Nian looked puzzled.

Seeing his confusion, the boy explained:

"My name is Yi Huan, and my elder brother is Yi Xiao, who is the head constable in the yamen."

Li Nian suddenly realized.

It turns out Yi Xiao has a younger brother.

Yi Huan knew he was a Blood Cultivation Martial Artist, yet he remained so calm and composed, indicating he was definitely a Ming Jin Martial Artist as well.

Such a young Ming Jin martial artist is extremely rare, even within the Yi family.

Yi Linchuan, the top genius of the Yi family, was besieged and killed by the water bandits of Shenyuan Village on Canyue Island. Are you not afraid of losing such a genius when you send him to the island?

Lost in thought, Yi Huan's voice came again:

Now that you're on the island, let me tell you about what's happening there.

"Now, on Crescent Moon Island, there are thirty people stationed, including the yamen guards who came with you."

"I will personally lead the guards on the island. Of the remaining twenty people, there are four inspectors and sixteen guards who will take turns on duty in the designated waters."

"There are no special rules on the island. As long as you have finished patrolling the designated waters and nothing major has happened, you can use your rest time as you please."

"As long as you don't do anything reckless, whether it's fishing in the water or practicing martial arts behind closed doors, no one will interfere."

Just listening to the name, this job doesn't sound difficult.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Town Guardian!"

Li Nian clasped her hands in a fist salute.

"The island is short-handed right now, so you'll start your shift tonight."

Yi Huan said.

After saying that, he took the window rope and pulled it, and a jingling sound immediately came from downstairs.

A moment later, a middle-aged constable entered and greeted him with clasped hands.

"Lord Jindao!"

Yi Huan waved her hand.

"Ma Shoutian, take Inspector Li to Team C and take over the waters that Shi Qiang was originally in charge of."

"In addition, prepare a uniform for Inspector Li, as well as a covered boat."

Upon hearing this, Ma Shoutian opened his mouth wide and stared at Li Nian with disbelief.

Then, in a corrective tone, he said to Yi Huan:

"Sir, you're mistaken. It's a patrol guard..."

"How could I possibly let slip such an important matter as the Inspector's affair!"

Yi Huan snorted coldly.

"Inspector Li is a blood-training martial artist from the Qinyun Martial Arts Academy. You must be mistaking him for an ordinary patrolman just because he looks young!"

"Your subordinate knows his mistake!"

Ma Shoutian quickly bowed and apologized.

"Go down!"

Yi Huan shook her hand.

Ma Shoutian and Li Nian left the room.

Ma Shoutian bowed and said cautiously:

"Inspector Li, please follow me."

Thank you for your trouble.

Li Nian nodded.

As I walked downstairs, three soldiers happened to come by.

"Old Ma, did the master ring the bell just now because he had any business to attend to?"

"Hey, this kid looks unfamiliar. Is he a new patrolman?"

"The kid is not bad looking. With a face like that, why doesn't he pick up a girl in the county instead of suffering on this island?"

"Shi the Bearded is reckless. A few days ago, he left the designated waters and clashed head-on with the eighth leader of Shenyuan Village, losing several men. Most of the patrolmen who came today are assigned to Shi the Bearded's men, and they might get killed any day now."

"Young man, please accept my condolences."

As the three soldiers were talking, one of them patted Li Nian on the shoulder with a sigh.

"Ahem!"

Ma Shoutian's face turned green, and he coughed loudly twice.

"Your Excellency, they are just joking, please don't take it seriously."

"The Inspector?"

"Inspector!"

"I...have met with Your Excellency the Inspector!"

"I was blind and ignorant; please forgive me, Your Excellency!"

Only then did the three soldiers notice that the badge hanging from Li Nian's waist was of a higher rank than theirs. They kept bowing and apologizing, and finally even knelt down.

"Ignorance is no excuse, all of you, rise."

Li Nian made a gesture of getting up, without any anger on her face.

In government offices, hierarchy is strictly enforced, and insubordination is a major taboo.

Especially on this isolated island, far from the county government, a superior could kill a person with a simple decision if they wanted to make things difficult for their subordinate.

As someone with a naval background, Li Nian was well aware of this.

In chaotic times, such things will only happen more often!