Chapter 74: Annihilation Operation

Soon, Zhang Song and the other two left the courtyard where Li Muxian was.

“Gentlemen, you’ve all seen it—this isn’t the general refusing to teach, but the Eighth Prince refusing to learn. Farewell!”

General Wu’an snorted coldly and turned away without another word.

“Amitabha.”

Master Xuan Yi chanted a Buddhist mantra, then turned to Zhang Song and said:

“Master Zhang, this is merely a misunderstanding of martial cultivation realms. The Prince still has a long road ahead in martial arts; this incident won’t affect him much—surely he wouldn’t fly into a rage and drive us out?”

Hearing this, Zhang Song, clad in official robes, stroked his beard and shook his head hesitantly:

“Though I also think this isn’t a serious matter, it seems… the Eighth Prince is truly furious.”

…

At this moment, Li Muxian wasn’t just angry—he was utterly shattered.

After the three left, he returned silently to the pavilion, sat down, and stared at the teacup before him, silent for a long while.

“Is there truly no transcendence in martial arts? Is my current strength already the ceiling of this world?”

“Hmm… could it be that the ‘Martial Arts Chronicle’ looks like a novel, but in truth… it is a novel, yet one that perfectly reveals the true essence of martial arts—and by sheer chance, I’ve seen through it?”

Li Muxian fell into thought, trying to comfort himself.

If there truly was no martial transcendence, he felt he’d suddenly lost his life’s purpose, his drive vanished, and he just wanted to become a lazy fish.

No!

Just because they say there’s no martial transcendence, does that mean it truly doesn’t exist?

Have they ever reached my level? I haven’t even spoken yet!

Li Muxian suddenly narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself:

“Whether martial transcendence exists—I am the one with the final say. What others say means nothing.”

“The day I conclude martial transcendence doesn’t exist—that’s when it truly ceases to exist in this world!”

And he was still young, younger than any genius who had ever reached the peak of martial arts before.

So he still had plenty of time to personally verify this.

Thinking this, Li Muxian exhaled softly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip:

“Book knowledge is shallow; true understanding comes only from practice. Why should I listen to them blabbering nonsense?”

At this moment, Cang Yin Yue had finished applying the ointment and returned to the courtyard, her eyes bright with joy.

She had already looked in the mirror—the branded characters on her face were not fully healed, but had faded greatly.

After applying the ointment, she estimated her appearance would be restored by tomorrow, and she would never again need to wear a veil.

“Your grace, I have no way to repay your kindness. From now on, whatever you command, I will give my all.”

Cang Yin Yue bowed deeply to Li Muxian with solemn sincerity.

Li Muxian glanced at her and could clearly sense that her gratitude toward him now was even greater than when he saved her last night.

Indeed, the saying that girls value their faces more than their lives was no empty words.

Even a fiercely independent girl like Cang Yin Yue couldn’t escape this!

Li Muxian raised an eyebrow and said:

“Cang Miss, from now on, work for me.”

Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue nodded lightly, without refusal.

Her primary reason for joining the Six Gates and the Hidden Spy Bureau had always been revenge.

Now that her vengeance was complete, she had no real need to remain.

At this moment, Li Muxian continued:

“Of course, Cang Miss, you’re—”

Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue paused, her gaze toward Li Muxian suddenly strange.

Seeing her reaction, Li Muxian sat up straight, his expression suddenly dawning with realization.

Was this what it meant to be a capitalist who didn’t treat people as people?

He’d just asked Cang Yin Yue to do three jobs at once—wasn’t that outright treating her like a beast of burden?

Realizing this, Li Muxian felt a pang of shame and quickly cleared his throat twice:

“I won’t often assign you work. Your most important task from now on is to help me find the key to opening the Tianqi Secret Vault. Beyond that, I have no other special demands on you.”

Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue exhaled slightly in relief.

Though she could handle three jobs, who wouldn’t prefer things to be easier?

At this moment, Li Muxian waved his hand and said:

“Cang Miss, you may return to the Six Gates now. Keep watch on Qing Shan Tower. If you get any concrete leads on more keys, notify me immediately.”

Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue asked no further questions. After a moment’s thought, she said:

“I didn’t reveal the truth about last night’s events at Cang Yuan Hou Fu to the Six Gates. I’m certain they’ll suppress it—so please rest assured, your identity won’t be exposed.”

But Li Muxian shook his head and said:

“I’ve already left a message informing them.”

Cang Yin Yue’s expression turned sharply surprised. At that moment, Li Muxian looked at her calmly:

“Cang Miss, you are mine now. So remember one thing: from now on, no matter how great the problem, if it can be solved by force, it isn’t a problem.”

Cang Yin Yue’s eyes shimmered. She looked deeply at Li Muxian, then nodded gently, bowed, and took her leave.

After leaving Li Muxian’s courtyard, Cang Yin Yue stopped and unconsciously turned back, a flicker of bewilderment appearing in her clear, watery eyes:

“Is this what it feels like to have a powerful backer? Somehow, I feel safe—suddenly, I feel at peace.”

She had always been alone before, fighting with all her strength just to survive in the Hidden Spy Bureau to avenge her mother and brother.

But from today on, things seemed to be changing…

…

After Cang Yin Yue left, Commander Fu Qiwén arrived at Li Muxian’s courtyard shortly after.

“I heard the Prince drove away General Wu’an and the others—what is it you wish of me now?”

Fu Qiwén stood before Li Muxian and bowed lightly.

Li Muxian glanced at him and raised an eyebrow:

“Commander Fu, since you’ve decided to eradicate Luo Shen Peak, when do you plan to act?”

Hearing this, Fu Qiwén looked up at Li Muxian, eyes half-lidded, and answered without concealment:

“Since His Majesty approved this, I’ve already begun preparations.”

He continued:

“Last night, I sent an urgent imperial courier from the capital, ordering elite troops from the Heavenly Brocade Guards across all provinces to secretly assemble in Lan Prefecture, where Luo Shen Peak lies.”

“Those nearby will arrive within half a day; those farther away will arrive within ten days. I myself will depart Shangyang City within three days, after finishing affairs in the capital, and head for Luo Shen Peak.”

Hearing this, Li Muxian nodded slightly and said:

“Commander Fu, you act swiftly—efficient indeed.”

Then, with calm composure, he glanced at the man and asked:

“But how confident are you, Commander Fu?”

(End of Chapter)