Chapter 195: Infinite Internal Strength

Chi Nan Yi, you go first; your maternal grandfather will protect you.

The white‑haired, grizzled old man before me blocked himself in front of me without hesitation; saying I wasn't shocked would be false.

She had once trusted comrades who shared life and death without reservation, and had once used her body to shield others from bullets, but that was solely out of duty; from the day she became an operative, she was destined to have no emotions, no family ties, no love—her life devoted to the nation and the mission soon to be completed.

Each time they stood in front of others, it was only to fulfill a mission, not in the name of love.

And this old man before me, because he loves his own granddaughter, even though he knows no martial arts and cannot discern his opponent's abilities, still chooses to use his meager strength to protect her completely.

In my previous life, I was the squad leader, always shielding others; in this life, so many people are willing to protect me.

Chi Nan Yi felt a warmth in her heart, and at that moment sensed a mysterious power within her body gradually awakening.

It flowed from the space into her limbs and bones, and even the man in black's lightning‑fast movements appeared sluggish to her.

"Congratulations, host: space upgrade, infinite internal strength unlocked."

The system's notification echoed clearly in her mind.

Infinite internal strength?

Is that the meaning I think it is?

Feeling the surge of power within her body, a raging force battered her meridians as if desperate for a breakthrough; if she didn't vent the power, it would choke her to death, and without exaggeration, had her meridians not been forged by Spirit Spring Water, they would already have snapped.

A hint of crimson flashed in Chi Nan Yi's eyes as she slowly raised her arm, and a force that even startled herself gathered in her palm, blasting toward the man in black who was grappling with Ji Bai not far away.

"Bang!"

The black figure, who had just been striking ruthlessly, was instantly hurled backward, slamming hard against the courtyard wall nearby.

"Boom!"

With a massive roar, the wall collapsed, crushing the man inside and ending his life.

One palm.

Just one palm!

And that killed him?

Chi Nan Yi glanced at her palm, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Not only she, but everyone in the courtyard fell silent.

Ji Bai was the first to react, dashing to the outer courtyard to help.

Chi Nan Yi also intended to go to the outer courtyard, but Chi Lao seized her wrist and said, "Girl, you can't go."

"Maternal grandfather…"

"We still don't know who those people are; your attire would reveal your identity, and besides, that person just died…"

"Maternal grandfather," Chi Nan Yi said with a smile, "Maternal grandfather, I've hidden long enough; since you've decided to return to Jingcheng, let's fight them with real weapons."

Previously she always concealed herself behind the identity of Southern First Young Master, because of too many concerns.

She feared her identity would bring disaster to her adoptive parents' family, and felt her current abilities were still insufficient for a direct confrontation with the Meng Family.

Although the Meng Family's resources aren't vast, other clans tied to them could unite against her, and Chi Nan Yi would be overwhelmed.

Another hidden danger is those who framed the Bai Family and slaughtered the entire Situ Family.

Earlier she hid her identity to investigate covertly, but with little result; now, if she reveals herself, the behind‑the‑scenes may, upon learning that a Situ descendant still lives, be unable to resist striking again.

Then we could follow the trail and capture them all in one net.

"You're trying to be bait," Chi Lao instantly understood her purpose, "You want to risk yourself; I disagree!"

"Maternal grandfather, you can't catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den!"

"No!" Chi Lao said without hesitation, "If you enter the tiger's den, this old man will die first!"

"Maternal grandfather, my mother died unjustly; I don't even know who killed her. My adoptive parents, to save me, swapped their newborn child with me, watching the child be dismembered. Over the years, every night they awaken in remorse for that child. My father and tens of thousands of soldiers died under mysterious circumstances; the Bai Family suffered hundreds of wrongful grievances; generals died after countless battles, their bodies wrapped in horsehide, refusing to become restless spirits. I must avenge the Bai Family, the Situ Family, my mother, and all those wrongfully slain."

Hearing Chi Nan Yi's words, Chi Lao's tightly knit brows slowly relaxed, a mix of shock and relief.

"Do you really want revenge?"

"Yes."

"Good!" Chi Lao nodded, "Since you wish it, maternal grandfather will aid you!"

At that moment, the clamor of weapons in the outer courtyard faded, and Ji Bai hurried in, saying gravely, "Miss, we've captured all the assassins in the outer courtyard, but... before interrogation, they poisoned themselves and died."

"These men are death‑fighters; even interrogation won't reveal anything. Search them for any information that could prove identity."

"Understood."

Soon after, Ji Bai returned, his tone low, "Miss, they carried nothing that could prove identity, but they did have a note."

Chi Nan Yi glanced at the note, let out a cold snort, and promptly handed the note to her grandfather and Xie Yuwei.

"What is this..." Xie Yuwei looked at the signature beneath the note: "Li Qintian?"

"Ha, the person who did this has a strange mind; I've never seen anyone boldly write their own name on a secret letter."

"Someone wants to pin the assassination on Li Qintian; if the kill succeeds, investigators will see the note and think Li Qintian did it—a double win. If it fails, we still have the note on them, and later we can go after Li Qintian for revenge. Meanwhile, the real mastermind will reap the benefits while we fight to the death. How clever!" Chi Nan Yi told Ji Bai, "Send the note to Lord Li's residence; if he's not a fool, he'll know what to do."

Chi Lao, seeing her method so careful and thorough, silently nodded.

As she expected, Li Qintian arrived at the Chi Family that very night after receiving the note.

"Chi Lao, Lord Xie," facing Xie Yuwei, whose rank surpasses his own, he showed no awe, yet upon seeing Chi Lao his haughty aloofness vanished, his face full of smiles, his demeanor extremely humble: "I apologize for disturbing you so late, Chi Lao, please forgive me."

Chi Lao waved his hand, "Lord Li, please sit."

Li Qintian respectfully sat on only half a chair, back straight, appearing ready for questioning at any moment.

Seeing him like that, even Chi Nan Yi found it somewhat surprising.

"Lord Li need not be so restrained," Chi Lao said with a smile, "The reason we invited you today, I suppose you already know; what are your thoughts on this note?"