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Pei Guanli thought very simply.

Anyone who could cultivate the martial dao so powerfully must have something unique.

Even if it differed from the Tribe's inherited cultivation technique she practiced, there should be common ground within the Ninth Rank Realm—especially in using flesh-and-blood power to condense Qi, open the Qi Sea, and unblock the Four Main Meridians.

If she could learn the secret within, she might be able to break through directly to the Eighth Rank Realm.

"Brother-in-law, as long as you agree, I'll definitely keep this secret for you."

Seeing her pat her chest and swear so solemnly, Chen Yi naturally remained skeptical.

This person's before-and-after contrast was too great; it was hard for him to trust her.

But when he struck earlier, he truly hadn't expected Pei Guanli to come looking for trouble because of a quarrel with Xiao Jinghong.

Thus, the situation before him was genuinely giving him a headache.

He couldn't just silence this girl over something so trivial, could he?

After pondering for a moment.

Chen Yi spoke: "Let's get this straight first—I've only just started with the martial dao. My methods might not be able to help you."

Pei Guanli nodded repeatedly, and amid a series of jingling sounds, she said: "Don't worry, brother-in-law, my lips are the tightest."

"Not only won't I tell Sister Jinghong, I won't even tell my brother or Grandma."

"Best if it's so."

Thus, the two of them had struck a deal.

But Chen Yi shook his head inwardly. Guide Pei Guanli?

No way—he himself was barely half a bottle sloshing around on the martial dao.

At the very least, he'd need to raise Martial Dao Body to the Great Accomplishment Realm before he could gain the insight to guide others, just like his current Way of Calligraphy.

Fortunately, he only wanted to stall for now, ideally dragging things out until his cultivation improved and he broke through to the Eighth or Seventh Rank Realm.

That way, even if Xiao Jinghong and the others learned he had Ninth Rank strength, it wouldn't matter anymore.

Pei Guanli, unaware of his calculations, said happily: "Brother-in-law, tell me quick—how did you cultivate to Ninth Rank, Upper Stage in such a short time?"

"Ninth Rank, Upper Stage? I'm only Middle Stage."

"Really?"

Pei Guanli looked at Chen Yi suspiciously.

Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, Pei Guanli's heart let out another sob.

She knew her own talent wasn't high—aside from movement techniques, poisons, and Gu worms, she was mediocre in stake training and combat skills.

But she was a Ninth Rank, Upper Stage cultivator, yet she couldn't beat a Ninth Rank, Middle Stage opponent in direct combat.

And that opponent had only been cultivating for half a month...

Mountain Goddess, oh, open your eyes and grant little Guanli some blessings.

Thinking this, Pei Guanli mustered her courage: "Brother-in-law, I'm counting on you!"

Chen Yi glanced at her sideways: "You're so weak—how did you even avoid the Marquis's Mansion Guards to find this place?"

In the end, he was inexperienced; he'd been fooled from the start by Pei Guanli's elusive movement technique, or else he could have hidden his cultivation perfectly.

"This... ah, crap!"

Pei Guanli suddenly remembered something and rushed out frantically, not forgetting to say:

"Brother-in-law, the deal's set, okay? I'll come find you again tomorrow night."

Chen Yi watched her figure disappear into the night, puzzled.

But no sooner had Pei Guanli left than shouts erupted from outside Chunhe Garden.

"Someone's drugged the armored soldiers in the outer and middle courtyards! Quickly search every residence in the back courtyard—find that person!"

"Don't miss any corner!"

"Check Chunhe Garden first—the Young Marquis is still inside!"

"..."

Hearing the voices, Chen Yi immediately understood.

Pei Guanli had drugged her way through the armored soldiers stationed in the Marquis's Mansion and barged in.

Say what you will, the method was indeed unexpected.

But before Chen Yi could step out to see what was happening, he saw Pei Guanli retreating back somehow, looking at him pitifully.

"Brother-in-law, I, I don't want to go to the bridal chamber with the guards, save, save, save..."

Thirty 'saves' per second, and Chen Yi laughed.

"Heroine, with guts this big, you must've gotten beaten a lot as a kid, huh?"

"Brother-in-law, help me..."

Chen Yi shook his head helplessly, tossed out a curt "hide well," then walked out of the room and closed the door, heading out of Chunhe Garden.

Just then, Xiao Die heard the commotion too and rushed out anxiously. When she saw him outside, she relaxed and said:

"Young Master, the Young Marquis is sleeping soundly."

"Go back and watch over him. Leave this to me."

Xiao Die acknowledged with a sound and hurried back into the wooden tower.

Before long, a squad of armored soldiers arrived in haste. Wang Lixing, at their head, spotted Chen Yi at the entrance and bowed:

"Second Son-in-law, my apologies for disturbing you so late."

"No matter," Chen Yi waved a hand. "I heard the noise outside just now. The Young Marquis is fine."

Wang Lixing let out an obvious sigh of relief. "That sets our minds at ease. Still, to be safe, I ask for your indulgence, Son-in-law."

"I understand, I understand. Go ahead."

Soon, a few armored soldiers circled Chunhe Garden several times, conducted a thorough search, then returned to whisper something to Wang Lixing.

Wang Lixing's expression paused. He looked at Chen Yi hesitantly. "Son-in-law, about the bamboo grove..."

"I was just practicing my stake training," Chen Yi said with feigned helplessness. "With Second Uncle's demands, if I don't put in the effort, I'll really have to report to the Black Armored Army."

He even threw in a few complaints: "Brother Xing, you know me—just a frail scholar. How could I endure that kind of hardship? Isn't Second Uncle just making things difficult?"

"Don't you think so?"

Hearing this, Wang Lixing gave an awkward smile and dared not reply.

Such words were not for the Marquis's Mansion Guards to hear or repeat, so he promptly took his leave with the men.

But before departing, he didn't forget to remind Chen Yi to stay vigilant.

Chen Yi watched them leave Chunhe Garden, his gaze flicking to another wooden tower. He thought to himself that his guess was right.

Those soldiers held Xiao Jinghong in deep reverence. Even with her absent, they didn't dare enter that tower to inspect it.

Just as he turned, Chen Yi saw Pei Guanli pulling open her door from a crack, bowing to him from the gap.

He shot her a glare, waved his hand subtly to signal her to stay put, and walked straight into the wooden tower.

That girl was reckless. He wondered if that was exactly why Xiao Jinghong hadn't let her attend the Old Marquis's birthday banquet.

After soothing Xiao Die with a few words, Chen Yi returned to his room to rest.

Lying on the bed, the image of his earlier clash with Pei Guanli surfaced in his mind.

Though they had only exchanged half a move, he realized upon reflection that his state during that palm strike had been unusual.

It seemed that Minor Accomplishment in Fist Dao and Body Dao allowed him to surpass ordinary Ninth Rank Realm cultivators in combat.

More precisely, with the support of artistic conception, he could see through an opponent's techniques and find the flaws in their moves.

Thinking this, a faint smile crept onto Chen Yi's lips. He folded his hands behind his head, turned to look at the bright moon revealed as the clouds outside the window scattered, and felt a deep calm.

With the Martial Path at his side, he now had the confidence to face anything. Even if he could no longer stay in Xiao Manor, the vast world was his to roam.

Just then, Zi Shi passed, and the Daily Intelligence appeared as usual:

[Daily Intelligence Grade Low Rank: Half past Zi Shi, beside the pond and rockery in Jiaxing Garden, a Hidden Guard has concealed a secret letter. May obtain a minor fortune.]