Chapter 309: So You

Li Rui's posture was as straight as a mountain.

Confronting Jiang Linxian from afar.

Jiang Linxian was still as usual, expressionlessly raising his sword fingers on his chest, and then chanting lightly: "Greedy Wolf, swift!"

As soon as the voice fell.

The small sword "Greedy Wolf" turned into a stream of light and shot toward Li Rui's brow.

Li Rui had seen this scene thousands of times; he was already familiar with it, and the immortal saber Jiao-Slaying left its scabbard.

A vertical slash accurately slashed down toward the small sword "Greedy Wolf".

Clang!

A crisp metallic sound.

This time, the invincible small sword "Greedy Wolf" spun and flew backward.

Li Rui no longer defended blindly as before and began to choose to attack; his figure swept toward Jiang Linxian like a ghost, and the distance between the two was rapidly closed.

Jiang Linxian's expression changed for the first time, his sword fingers changing:

"Giant Gate, Broken Army, Martial Tune, Literary Tune."

"Go!"

Jiang Linxian used five flying swords in one breath.

The five small flying swords wove a sword net in the air, wanting to shroud Li Rui.

Li Rui was not afraid at all.

His figure had no intention of slowing down, even accelerating a bit, the immortal saber Jiao-Slaying turning into a barrier, beating the five flying swords back.

Also at the same time.

He appeared in front of Jiang Linxian.

"Open!"

Jiao-Slaying, wrapped in True Dragon power, smashed toward Jiang Linxian with great force, a dragon roar suddenly rising.

Jiang Linxian tilted his body and took half a step back.

The Jiangdong Sword Immortal retreated!

Li Rui's spirit was lifted; this was the first time he had forced Jiang Linxian to retreat.

Looking at Yunzhou.

There weren't many people who could make Jiang Linxian retreat.

The Jiang Linxian simulated in the Dream Cloud Terrace was in a state of revealing Fifth-Rank cultivation; Li Rui was now Rising Bright Moon, at the peak of the Fifth-Rank, so naturally, he could compete with Jiang Linxian.

Jiang Linxian excelled at flying swords.

Li Rui was somewhat inferior, but if it came to close-quarters combat, Jiang Linxian was no longer Li Rui's match.

At the Fifth-Rank, his combat power was also among the very top.

The violent saber momentum instantly engulfed Jiang Linxian.

Jiang Linxian's expression changed again and again.

Seven small swords came out at once; in just an instant, they collided with Jiao-Slaying thousands of times.

When experts fight.

It was always like this, fast enough to dazzle the eyes.

The fighting intent in Li Rui's eyes grew higher and higher, his eyes gradually turning crimson, his whole person in extreme excitement, a different person from his usual calm self.

Evil Spirit Power!

It was often said that evil weapons had great killing power precisely because the master could gain the evil spirit's fighting intent, thereby entering the Hundred-Battle Realm.

At this time.

Not just the saber, every part of Li Rui's body became a lethal weapon.

Knees, elbows, and even his head became weapons.

Like a humanoid tyrannosaurus.

The domineering momentum of the Dragon-Elephant True Origin Force was fully displayed, actually pressing the generation's Sword Immortal Jiang Linxian into retreating repeatedly.

Finally.

With Li Rui's shout of "Suppress".

The majestic Immortal Palace fell from the nine heavens, smashing Jiang Linxian to pieces.

Li Rui quickly woke up from his state of excitement.

After these days of familiarity, he had long since mastered the way to use the evil weapon, borrowing power without being completely eroded by the evil spirit.

"I defeated Jiang Linxian?"

Li Rui's mouth lifted slightly.

Practicing martial arts for over a dozen years, he had always watched Jiang Linxian kill with a sword, elegant and extraordinary; now he could finally behead Jiang Linxian.

Even though the Great Dream Immortal Tour couldn't fully simulate Jiang Linxian's ten-tenths killing power.

Seven-tenths was always there.

Being able to defeat Jiang Linxian at seven-tenths strength—looking at the entire Yunzhou, Li Rui was the only Sea-Observing Realm martial artist who could do it.

Jiang Linxian was nothing more than this!

Heroic spirit suddenly arose.

Even at Li Rui's age, he couldn't help but feel carried away.

Martial arts practice had finally achieved something.

Only now could he be considered to have the foundation to stand in the Jianghu of the Yu Kingdom; even if he left Yunzhou, he wouldn't be casually stepped on like a grasshopper.

"Li Lao can also be considered to have achieved something."

Market Trade Office, main hall.

Yan Zhongxing was full of distress:

"Officer Li, you understand spirit beasts better; you must think of a way for your younger brother. Spirit beasts are escaping from the beast pen every day, and I truly can't hold on anymore."

Li Rui looked at Yan Zhongxing sideways.

A good first-move admission of fault.

Things run by the government all had one problem, which was that the quality wasn't good.

Especially a technical job like the beast pen.

The Market Trade Office had monopolized the beast pen business, but the level of management was truly not very good.

Not only did people often go missing, but spirit beasts also went missing for no reason.

It wasn't that the person in charge of the beast pen had committed embezzlement.

It was just really not good.

Spirit beasts didn't have the self-righteous wisdom of humans, but that didn't mean they were stupid; in fact, they were even more keen on such major matters.

Controlling hundreds or thousands of spirit beasts in the beast pen wasn't an easy task.

Several spirit beasts of the Tiandi Alliance had gone missing.

All the major forces running spirit beast businesses had paid money to the beast pen; if the spirit beasts were lost, the Market Trade Office, as the operator of the beast pen, should compensate—this was a matter of course.

But before Li Rui could find trouble, Yan Zhongxing had already cried out first.

Wasn't it just thinking about compensating less.

And not only thinking about compensating less, but also wanting Li Rui to take action to help find the spirit beasts back; this abacus was truly calculated shrewdly.

"No wonder they say people coming out of the Ministry of Revenue are good at calculating."

Li Rui laughed: "Officer Yan, the one who lost spirit beasts is me; if anyone should cry out, it should be me."

Yan Zhongxing was exposed by Li Rui, but didn't feel embarrassed, and took the opportunity to plead:

"Li Laoge, this time a Sixth-Rank Scarlet-Eyed Black Tiger ran away from the beast pen. You also know that my Market Trade Office is mostly civil officials and is no match for it; I have to trouble Li Laoge to run a trip himself."

Li Rui squinted his eyes slightly.

He had just received news this morning that a Sixth-Rank Scarlet-Eyed Black Tiger of the Tiandi Alliance had escaped from the beast pen and should have already left the city.

The money was collected by the beast pen, but the spirit beasts were lost and he had to find them back himself.

There was no such good business in this world.

They were all officials in the same court, and Qinghe wasn't big; they saw each other every day, so it wasn't to the point of tearing their faces apart over a few spirit beasts.

Li Rui sighed lightly: "Younger Brother Yan, you don't know, your old brother has been targeted; heard about the Wind Sand Wolves incident before?" Yan Zhongxing was stunned.

He of course knew about the Wind Sand Wolves; the corpses of the three had been hung on the city wall of Qinghe for a full month before, almost drying into bones, causing a huge stir.

But wasn't it said they were beheaded by Nie Siming? How was it related to Li Rui?

He asked with concern: "Li Laoge met with trouble?"

Li Rui sighed again with a headache: "Yes, those Wind Sand Wolves were hired to kill, and their target was precisely your old brother."

Hearing this.

Yan Zhongxing opened his mouth slightly.

As far as he knew, the Wind Sand Wolves were one Primordial Realm and two Sea-Observing; with such a lineup, even Li Rui couldn't deal with it.

There was even a risk of death.

Li Rui said on his own: "Think about it, your old brother has been conscientious all his life, kind to others, and has never formed a deadly grudge with anyone; how did I encounter such a disaster."

"To tell you the truth, Younger Brother Yan, your old brother really doesn't dare to leave Qinghe now."

(Checking for errors...)

"I'm afraid that once I go out, my head will be taken by someone to claim a reward."

Yan Zhongxing was speechless for a time.

Whether true or false, he couldn't invite Li Rui to take action anymore.

It was a life-and-death crisis, and he wasn't Li Rui's superior; Li Rui of course didn't need to take action.

He sighed lightly in his heart.

Understanding that it was impossible to get Li Rui to take action today.

Li Rui then gave a kind suggestion: "Officer Yan, there are several other families in the city doing spirit beast business; you might as well go ask them; those elders should be willing to help."

Yan Zhongxing smiled bitterly:

"That's the only way."

He had of course thought about asking the major sects in the city to take action.

But he was only a Fifth-Rank official, and many of the major sects in the city had Fourth-Rank martial artists sitting in them.

Of course, they wouldn't give him face.

If they wanted to take action, they had to pay.

By then, the Market Trade Office would definitely have to bleed heavily, so he wouldn't do that until the very end.

All things in the world are for profit.

If one could get things done without spending money, no one would be willing to spend money.

Yan Zhongxing was still somewhat unwilling: "Li Laoge, is it really impossible to leave the city?"

Li Rui nodded sincerely:

"Younger Brother Yan, why would I lie to you? If it weren't to meet you today, I wouldn't have left the Anning Guard for a month."

"..."

Yan Zhongxing didn't say anything more.

Facts speak louder than words.

Because he knew that Li Rui had indeed not left the Anning Guard for a month.

It seemed the Wind Sand Wolves incident was likely true.

He couldn't help but shudder.

"Official career is not easy; fortunately, I am not a military official; the feeling of being hunted down is not something one can endure."

Yan Zhongxing guessed that it was Li Rui who had provoked someone through his fighting and killing.

But who dared to be so bold as to hire someone to assassinate an official of the Imperial Court.

Looking at it this way, civil officials were still more comfortable.

There were simply too many desperate people in the Jianghu.

Yan Zhongxing also understood that it was impossible for Li Rui to take action, so he cupped his hands: "Li Laoge, take care, take care of your health."

Regarding Li Rui's encounter.

He expressed deep sympathy, sorrow, and powerlessness.

Li Rui smiled and stood up: "Officer Yan, then I'll head back first; I hope you'll put more effort into the beast pen matter; you also know that the Tiandi Alliance is a small business and can't withstand the tossing."

Yan Zhongxing of course understood Li Rui's implication.

That is, if the missing spirit beasts aren't found, I will hold you accountable.

Li Rui didn't give Yan Zhongxing a chance to speak and walked toward the outside of the hall with large strides.

Leaving only Yan Zhongxing feeling depressed.

Late at night.

Anning Guard, Li Canjun's Mansion.

Li Rui ate dinner and walked out of the mansion with his hands behind his back.

Seeing Li Rui come out, Tan Hu asked quickly:

"Li Laoge, going out?"

He was now Li Rui's number one lackey, or could be called a personal guard.

As a personal guard, apart from guarding the gate.

When Li Rui went out, he generally had to accompany him.

"No need, just going out to clear my mind."

Li Rui waved his hand.

Seeing this, Tan Hu didn't say anything more, grinned, and continued playing cards with Tang Hai and the others.

He was just a Seventh-Rank Willow Sinew.

Going out with Li Rui was for the sake of show, not necessarily because he had to fight; what's more, if there was someone Li Rui couldn't beat, him going would definitely be useless.

Li Rui didn't need him to follow; just listening to orders was enough.

He wasn't a weak civil official, so there was no such thing as the lord going first and him covering the rear; if someone really needed to cover the rear, it seemed Li Rui himself was more suitable.

Li Rui just walked out of the Li Canjun's Mansion.

Seeing him, the patrolling soldiers saluted one after another.

"Officer Li." *n

Li Rui nodded casually.

A main official, and a military advisor, didn't need to personally lead troops in training; he only needed to be strict with those one level lower than himself, as for those lower... it wasn't worth it.

The main style was being approachable and like a spring breeze.

So his reputation as a military advisor in the Anning Guard was quite good.

Especially with Nie Siming and Cao Wei both governing the army extremely strictly, it highlighted his generosity even more.

Seeing Li Rui nod at him.

Each of the Anning Guard soldiers was flattered.

The Li Canjun actually greeted me?!

Li Rui walked out of the Anning Guard with a smile on his face.

There were almost no pedestrians on the street in the evening; stepping into the cold alley, the muddy road didn't make Li Rui's footsteps stop at all.

Soon.

He came to the deepest part of the alley.

Standing quietly, seemingly waiting for someone.

After a while.

A seven-colored bird flew from the sky and landed straight on the branch in front of Li Rui.

Seeing the seven-colored bird appear, a smile appeared on Li Rui's face.

Yes.

What he was waiting for wasn't a person, but this little bird, or rather, it should be called a spirit beast.

Li Rui spoke indifferently:

"Speak, where is he?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 310 =====