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

"Inspector Li! Something terrible has happened!"

Urgent shouts came from outside.

A moment later, a familiar figure appeared at the door, panting and leaning against it.

Upon seeing who it was, Li Nian frowned.

This person was Ma Shoutian, who was in charge of working for Yi Huan.

Ma Shoutian must have come here for something important, otherwise he wouldn't have come to find him when he wasn't on duty.

Li Nian put down the grilled fish in her hand and asked:

"What's the rush?"

Ma Shoutian replied solemnly:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the master has sent word that Zhang Shun, who was originally ordered to protect the young lady in Zening Prefecture, has been reassigned to the prefectural city due to matters concerning the government caravan."

"With the young ladies about to be released from their studies, Lord Zhendao has ordered Inspector Li to select a capable brother to depart for Zening Prefecture tomorrow."

"Make sure the young lady who is studying martial arts at Zhaowu Academy is safely returned to the Yi family!"

Zhang Shun...

It turns out that Zhang Shun, who was previously the patrol officer of Team C, was sent to escort the young lady home.

In the past few days, while spending time with Cao An and the others, I learned that Zhang Shun had worked under the Yi family for many years, so it was understandable that he was assigned the difficult task of escorting the young lady.

And he.

He's only been on temporary assignment with the Yi family for a few days, and the Yi family already trusts him so much?

"Ma Shoutian, the other three patrol teams are all on the island. Why did the island lord send me there?"

Li Nian asked curiously.

Ma Shoutian bowed and replied:

"Inspector Li, you may not know this, but among all the inspectors on the island, you are the only one who is a guest of the Yi family and has not been employed by the government."

"Escorting the young lady of the main family is not an important matter for the government, and it is against the rules to entrust it to someone from the yamen."

"That Inspector Zhang, like you, is a guest retainer of the master."

That's it!

Li Nian nodded knowingly.

The Yi family did not abuse their power for personal gain; they were quite upright.

You take someone's money and do their bidding.

Since it was the master's request, he couldn't refuse, so he nodded and said:

"That's all settled then, but about the patrol?"

"Don't worry, Inspector Li, the lord has already made arrangements for this matter. During your absence, another person and I will take over."

"That's excellent!"

Li Nian nodded and said, "Then I will set off first thing tomorrow morning. Tell me the specifics."

Ma Shoutian nodded and informed her of the arrangements for escorting Miss Yi, as well as the passes, post stations, and docks along the way that needed to be noted.

Finally, Ma Shoutian whispered a reminder that Zheng Changgong had accompanied Zhang Shun to Zening Prefecture to pick up the young lady from her studies and was familiar with the route, so he could be taken along.

After a brief chat, they left in a hurry.

After finishing her grilled fish, Li Nian gave Zheng Changgong some instructions and then went back to her room alone.

"Open the daily news!"

Li Nian's heart stirred.

This mission came suddenly, and we had to travel over a hundred miles. The dangers along the way were unpredictable, so we naturally had to use the intelligence system to investigate.

[Today's information has been updated]

[Intelligence 1: The Yi family is offering a large sum of money to purchase a Three-Pattern Clear Spirit Pill, which is being transported by a caravan from the government office. However, the news has been leaked, and the pill has caught the eye of Jiang Yi, a first-class guard from the Jing'an Marquis's mansion and a peak-level Dark Force expert. To cover their tracks, the Yi family is outwardly mobilizing manpower to protect the caravan, but in reality, they have hidden the pill in the hands of the two young ladies of the Yi family. You are tasked with secretly escorting it back to Qianhu County.]

To ensure absolute safety, the Yi family dispatched Yi Jifeng, the head of the Martial Hall, to provide covert protection; he is currently hidden in the misty forest.

The reason the Yi family appointed Yi Jifeng, but still sent you, is to test both your character and ability, and to determine whether or not to train you.

Looking at the intelligence report before him, Li Nian's eyelids drooped slightly, and a look of seriousness flashed in his eyes.

There's more to this story than meets the eye!

He had heard his fellow students at the martial arts school mention the Three-Pattern Cleansing Pill.

This elixir is a precious pill for breaking through from hidden strength to transformation strength, a supreme treasure among pills. It is understandable that it was coveted by the people of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion.

After all, a master of the Transformation Realm can dominate Qianhu County, and even in the prefecture, a master of the Transformation Realm has a place!

The Yi family was also clever; they knew that possessing a treasure was a crime, so they pretended to repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass.

"test..."

Li Nian frowned.

This seemingly clever tactic of the Yi family, feigning one move while secretly advancing another, was also a way to test him.

He was becoming increasingly curious about this head of the Yi family, who was also the county magistrate.

I gathered my thoughts and looked at the next piece of information.

[Intelligence 2: Yi Jifeng is strict and cautious; he will never take action unless the elixir is lost]

[Note: The head of the Yi family knows Yi Jifeng's character well and specifically instructed him to spare your life.]

Yi Jifeng!

Li Nian's gaze darkened.

He had heard of Yi Jifeng before.

This person has achieved minor mastery of internal strength. He is one of only two internal strength martial artists in the Yi family and the county government, second only to the county magistrate. He manages all martial affairs in the family and the county government and holds an extremely high position!

The Yi family's decision to have Yi Jifeng secretly protect them was a plan to prevent the Jing'an Marquis's mansion from discovering their scheme.

but...

The intelligence clearly stated that if danger were to be encountered, relying on Yi Jifeng would be completely impossible.

Although the head of the Yi family had instructed Yi Jifeng to save his life, in case of an emergency, it was not impossible for the other party to abandon the person and save the pill.

even...

Abandoning their own young lady!

After all, a master of martial arts is far more important than a young lady!

His status is nowhere near that of that young lady.

You have to rely on yourself to save your life!

"Let's see if Jiang Yi has discovered the Yi family's plan!"

Li Nian's heart sank as she looked at the next piece of intelligence.

Jiang Yi is at the peak of Dark Force; if this person were to seize his core, he would have no chance to fight back.

This trip is certain death!

[Intelligence 3: Jiang Yi has fallen into the trap and is now lying in wait at the pass where the government caravan passes]

"fine!"

Li Nian relaxed her brows and breathed a sigh of relief.

But when he looked down, he frowned again.

[Intelligence 4: Two days later, at Fengling Ferry, Liu Tanqi, the tenth leader of Shenyuan Village, and his subordinates attempted to abduct Miss Yi, including three Blood Refining Martial Artists.]

Shenyuan Village!

Liu Tanqi!

During his time stationed on Crescent Moon Island, he learned a little about the leaders of Shenyuan Village from the islanders.

Liu Tanqi, the tenth leader of Shenyuan Village, has only been in the position for the past two years.

There is an unspoken rule in Shenyuan Village:

Only those with hidden strength can manage a household.

However, since the Shenyuan Village launched a large-scale invasion of Canyue Island more than two years ago and killed Yi Linchuan, the masters of internal strength seem to have collectively disappeared.

Following this, Shenyuan Village promoted five skilled fighters, including Liu Tanqi, who had participated in the killing of Yi Linchuan, to become the new leader.

Over the years, it was these five leaders who led the elite water ghosts of Shenyuan Village to wreak havoc throughout the Thousand Lakes area.

When Liu Tanqi followed the bandits to the island, his cultivation level was already at the early stage of Bone Refinement. More than two years later, it was said that his cultivation level had reached the middle stage of Bone Refinement.

Their strength should not be underestimated!

Even with the addition of three Blood Cultivation Warriors, this journey is still quite risky!

Li Nian's eyes narrowed to pinpoints as she made up her mind:

"It's better to rely on yourself than to entrust your life to others!"

"I've been honing my stance training these past few days, and the remaining four Blood Essence Pills are more than enough for me to break through to the Bone Refinement stage!"

"At that time, I might just be able to put Liu Tanqi to a fight!"

With that thought in mind, Li Nian left the house under cover of darkness...