Save Me, Save Me, Save Me

Pei Guanli's thoughts were simple.

Anyone who could cultivate the Martial Path to such a formidable degree surely had something unique about them.

Even if it differed from the cultivation technique passed down through her tribe, there had to be common ground within the Ninth Rank Realm—especially in condensing Qi through the power of flesh and blood, opening the Qi Sea, and clearing the Four Main Meridians.

If she could learn the mysteries within, perhaps she could directly break through to the Eighth Rank Realm.

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

Seeing her pat her chest and swear so earnestly, Chen Yi naturally remained half-convinced and half-dubious.

The difference in her behavior before and after was too great. It was hard for him to place his trust in her.

Still, when he had acted earlier, he truly had not expected Pei Guanli to come looking for trouble with him merely because she had fallen out with Xiao Jinghong.

Thus, the situation before him truly gave him a headache.

He could not possibly silence this girl over something so trivial, could he?

After pondering for a moment.

Chen Yi said, "Let's make this clear first. I haven't been in contact with the Martial Path for long, and my methods might not necessarily help you."

Pei Guanli nodded repeatedly. Amid a string of jingling sounds, she said, "Don't worry, brother-in-law. My mouth is tighter than anyone's."

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

"It had better be so."

Thus, the two of them reached an agreement.

Yet Chen Yi secretly shook his head. Guide Pei Guanli?

What a joke. On the Martial Path, he himself was like a half-full bottle that sloshed around.

At the very least, he would have to wait until "Martial Dao" reached the Great Accomplishment Realm before he could draw inferences from one instance to another and gain the qualifications to guide others, just as he could with the Way of Calligraphy now.

Fortunately, he only wanted to fool her for the time being. Better yet, he could drag things out until his Cultivation Base improved and he broke through to the Eighth Rank Realm or Seventh Rank.

Then, even if Xiao Jinghong and the others learned that he possessed Ninth Rank Realm strength, it would not matter in the slightest.

Pei Guanli did not know the calculations in his heart. Delighted, she asked, "Brother-in-law, hurry and tell me—how did you cultivate to the Ninth Rank, Upper Stage in such a short time?"

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

"Really?"

Pei Guanli looked at Chen Yi suspiciously.

Seeing that his expression did not seem false, Pei Guanli's heart gave another mournful whimper.

She knew her talent was not outstanding. Aside from her Body Movement Technique, Poisons, and Gu worms, she was mediocre in both Stake Training and combat techniques.

Yet she, a Ninth Rank, Upper Stage cultivator, could not defeat a Ninth Rank, Middle Stage cultivator in a head-on fight.

And he was a Ninth Rank, Middle Stage cultivator who had cultivated for only half a month...

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

With that thought, Pei Guanli gathered her courage. "Brother-in-law, please!"

Chen Yi shot her a sidelong glance. "You're this weak, so how exactly did you avoid the Marquis's Mansion Guards and find this place?"

In the end, he lacked experience. The moment they met, he had been bluffed by Pei Guanli's elusive Body Movement Technique. Otherwise, he certainly could have concealed his Cultivation Base much better.

"This... Ah, damn it!"

Pei Guanli suddenly remembered something. In a panic, she rushed outside, not forgetting to say:

"Brother-in-law, our deal is settled, okay? I'll come find you again tomorrow night."

Chen Yi watched in confusion as her figure vanished into the night.

Who would have thought that not long after Pei Guanli left, waves of shouting came from outside Chunhe Garden.

"Someone has poisoned and knocked out the Armored Soldiers in the outer courtyard and central courtyard! Search every residence in the rear courtyard at once—find that person no matter what!"

"Do not miss a single corner!"

"Check Chunhe Garden first! The Young Marquis is still inside!"

"..."

The moment Chen Yi heard the voices, he understood.

Pei Guanli had actually drugged every armored soldier guarding the Marquis's mansion and barged in.

It had to be said, the method was indeed unexpected.

But before Chen Yi could head out to inspect the situation, he saw Pei Guanli retreat back inside from who knew where, looking at him pitifully.

"Brother-in-law, I-I don't want to consummate my marriage with the guards. Save me, save me, save me..."

Thirty pleas for help in one second made Chen Yi laugh.

"Heroine, your nerve is this big. You must have taken plenty of beatings as a child, right?"

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

Chen Yi helplessly shook his head. Tossing out a "Hide properly," he left the side room, shut the door behind him, and headed toward the entrance of Chunhe Garden.

At this time, Xiao Die had also heard the commotion and ran out anxiously. When she saw him outside, she could not help but relax.

"Son-in-law, the Young Marquis is sleeping soundly."

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

Xiao Die answered and hurried back into the Wooden Tower.

Not long after, a squad of Armored Soldiers rushed over. Wang Lixing, who led them, saw Chen Yi at the entrance and bowed.

"Second son-in-law, please forgive us for disturbing you so late at night."

"It's nothing." Chen Yi waved his hand. "I already heard the commotion outside. The Young Marquis is unharmed."

Wang Lixing visibly let out a breath. "Then we can rest assured. But to guard against any eventuality, we ask that Son-in-law make things convenient for us."

"I understand, I understand. Help yourselves."

Not long after, several Armored Soldiers circled Chunhe Garden a few times. After carefully investigating, they returned and whispered something into Wang Lixing's ear.

Wang Lixing's expression paused. Looking at Chen Yi, he hesitated. "Son-in-law, over by the Bamboo Grove..."

"I was practicing Stake Training there earlier." Chen Yi deliberately put on a helpless expression. "With Second Uncle making such demands, if I don't work harder, I'm afraid I'll truly have to report to the Black Armored Army."

He even grumbled a few more words. "Brother Xing, you know me. I'm just a frail scholar. How could I endure that kind of hardship? Isn't Second Uncle making things difficult for people?"

"Don't you think so?"

Hearing this, Wang Lixing wore an awkward smile and did not dare respond.

Such words were not for Marquis's Mansion Guards like them to hear or discuss. He immediately took his men and bid farewell.

Before leaving, however, he did not forget to remind them to remain vigilant.

Chen Yi watched them leave Chunhe Garden, his gaze sweeping over another Wooden Tower. I guessed right.

These Armored Soldiers could be said to hold Xiao Jinghong in profound awe. Even with Xiao Jinghong absent, they did not dare enter that Wooden Tower to inspect it.

Just as he turned around, Chen Yi saw Pei Guanli pull open the door from afar, bowing to him through the crack.

He glared at her, then inconspicuously waved his hand, signaling for her to stay put. He then walked straight into the Wooden Tower.

That girl was foolishly reckless. He wondered if Xiao Jinghong had refused to let her attend the Old Marquis's Birthday Banquet for this very reason.

Only after comforting Xiao Die for a few moments did Chen Yi return to the side room to rest.

As he lay down on the bed, the battle with Pei Guanli earlier surfaced in his mind.

Although the two had exchanged only half a move, as he replayed it in his mind, he discovered that his state when facing Pei Guanli's palm strike had been somewhat strange.

It seemed that the Fist Dao and Minor Accomplishment in Body Dao allowed him to be stronger in battle than ordinary Ninth Rank Realm cultivators.

More precisely, under the enhancement of Artistic Conception, he could clearly see an opponent's moves and find the flaws within them.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Chen Yi's lips. With his hands behind his head, he turned his head to look at the bright moon revealed after the dark clouds outside the window dispersed, his heart tranquil.

With the Martial Path at his side, he had the confidence to face anything. Even if he could no longer remain in Xiao Manor in the future, the world was vast, and he could go anywhere.

Just then, shortly after midnight, the Daily Intelligence appeared as usual:

[Daily Intelligence Grade Low Rank: Past midnight, beside the pond rockery in Jiaxing Garden, a Hidden Guard has hidden a Secret Letter. A small amount of Fortune can be obtained.]