Turning Heaven's Order on Its Head

Li Nuo had just been thinking that girls in ancient times ought to play the zither and embroider flowers, not wield blades and swords or spend their days fighting and killing.

Now he had changed his mind.

How wonderful it was to wield blades and swords. If his wife only knew how to play the zither and embroider, he would already be dead.

"Protect him."

The cold woman tossed out those words, then shot into the air and raced toward a tall building in the distance.

That feathered arrow had been fired from a window somewhere in that building.

After the harrowing danger just now, Steward Wu pulled Li Nuo back into the county office.

A moment later, the cold woman entered the county office again.

Steward Wu immediately asked, "Young Madam, did you catch that assassin?"

The young woman shook her head.

The assassin had fled far away after missing with a single strike, leaving behind no trace at all. The other party was most likely a professional assassin.

Steward Wu sighed. Master had offended far too many people; there was simply no way to guess who the culprit was. All he could say was, "Let's head back first."

Li Nuo climbed into the carriage and silently edged a little closer to his wife.

That arrow had left lingering fear in his heart. Being closer to her gave him more of a sense of security.

At the same time, he found it somewhat unbelievable.

Were officials' families really this dangerous in this world? This was the capital of a nation, right beneath the Son of Heaven's feet, yet he had suffered two assassination attempts in a single day. Great Xia's public security really was not much to speak of.

No wonder Steward Wu brought so many people whenever he went out...

Before long, the carriage passed a shop. Steward Wu tugged the reins, jumped down from the carriage, and said, "Young Master, Young Madam, please wait a moment. Master may return tonight, so this old servant will buy some pastries that Master likes..."

Out of habit, he patted his waist. His expression suddenly froze, and he said in astonishment, "Where is my money pouch?"

Hearing that, Li Nuo pulled a money pouch from his waist and casually tossed it over. "Use mine."

Steward Wu caught the pouch and said in surprise, "When did this old servant's money pouch end up with Young Master?"

Li Nuo did not know either. Maybe Steward Wu had left it by the bedside and it had gotten swept up with his clothes when he dressed. Steward Wu did not think much of it. He entered the pastry shop, bought a packet of pastries, climbed back into the carriage, and flicked the reins again...

Dali Temple Minister's Mansion.

Li Nuo's room.

Li Nuo sat at the table, looked at Steward Wu, stretched out his right hand, and made two grasping motions in the air. "When I jumped down from the roof this morning, that move you used was...?"

Everything he had experienced over the past half day had made Li Nuo keenly aware of how dangerous this world was.

His wife was powerful—powerful enough to catch arrows barehanded—but she could not possibly stay by his side and protect him at all times.

Better to rely on himself than others. It was best to keep his own safety in his own hands.

What was more, for Li Nuo, when danger came, having his wife nearby was the safest thing possible. When there was no danger, she herself was the greatest danger.

Li Nuo rubbed his chest. That spot still ached faintly.

Whether he was protecting himself from assassins or from his wife, he needed to become stronger.

Steward Wu thought for a moment and said, "Young Master means the time this old servant held you in place, correct? That was actually Control Objects with Qi. As long as one has Martial Dao Fourth Realm cultivation, it can be done easily."

Li Nuo raised his brows. "Martial Dao?"

Remembering that Young Master had damaged his brain and forgotten everything, Steward Wu patiently explained, "Martial Dao is a method of cultivation. Upon Initial Entry, an ordinary person can possess Thousand Jun Strength. Those with profound cultivation can Control Objects with Qi and travel through the air. Even flying flowers and plucked leaves can injure people. At the Final Realm, one can even move mountains and fill seas..."

Li Nuo's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened. Aside from being a little dangerous, this world seemed rather nice.

He asked eagerly, "If I cultivate Martial Dao, can I beat my wife?"

Steward Wu shook his head, promptly pouring a bucket of cold water over him. "Young Master has no Martial Dao foundation and cannot cultivate Martial Dao. Besides, Young Madam is a Martial Dao genius rarely seen in a lifetime. Even this old servant is no match for Young Madam. Even if Young Master had a Martial Dao foundation, your strength would never catch up to Young Madam's..."

The light in Li Nuo's eyes went out instantly. Could it be that he would never be able to turn things around and take charge for the rest of his life?

Seeing Li Nuo's disappointment, Steward Wu comforted him again. "Young Master need not lose heart. There are countless people in this world without Martial Dao foundations. Though they cannot cultivate Martial Dao, they may still cultivate the Ways of the Hundred Schools..."

Li Nuo was like a deflated ball as he said listlessly, "What Ways of the Hundred Schools?"

Steward Wu said, "The Confucian Way: cultivate oneself, put one's family in order, govern the state, bring peace to the world. It can nurture Righteous Qi, fearing no ten thousand methods—does Young Master wish to learn it?"

Li Nuo asked, "Can Righteous Qi beat Young Madam?"

Steward Wu shook his head. "No."

Li Nuo waved a hand. "Then I won't learn it."

Steward Wu continued, "The Military Way: wage war upon the battlefield and enter the Dao through slaughter. Offensive Qi sweeps through all before it without resistance—does Young Master wish to learn it?"

Li Nuo asked, "Can Offensive Qi beat Young Madam?"

Steward Wu considered it and said, "Offensive Qi is nurtured on the battlefield. If Young Master can campaign on the battlefield for several decades, nurturing Qi through battle, you may not necessarily be unable to catch up to Young Madam's footsteps..."

The battlefield was far too dangerous. Blades and swords had no eyes; one careless moment, and he would end up wrapped in horsehide. Besides, he would have to endure several decades of hardship. He might not even live that long. Without a second thought, Li Nuo waved his hand. "Not learning it, not learning it."

Steward Wu continued, "The Mohist school excels in craftsmanship. Its Mechanism Arts stand supreme among the Hundred Schools. Once Mohist True Qi reaches completion, with puppets adorning one's body, an ordinary mortal may stand shoulder to shoulder with gods."

Li Nuo shook his head. "Wouldn't I still be a mortal? Not learning it, not learning it..."

Steward Wu said helplessly, "Medical True Qi can, on a grand scale, save the world and its people; on a smaller scale, it can nourish the body and extend one's lifespan—would Young Master be willing to learn it?"

After a pause, he added, "Learning medicine cannot beat Young Madam."

Li Nuo lost interest. He was already counting his days one by one. Health preservation was useless to him, and learning medicine could not save him either.

Steward Wu sighed and continued, "The Legalist school is the framework of all under heaven, the model for all affairs. It clarifies rewards and punishments, distinguishes evil from righteousness. Upon entering the Legalist school's path, one can master Confinement Art. With profound cultivation, one can even draw a prison on the ground, let words become law, and make rules form upon landing..."

Hearing this, Li Nuo suddenly raised his head.

The Legalist school—wasn't this exactly his professional field?

"Drawing a Prison on the Ground," "Words Become Law"—they sounded incredibly powerful. Once he learned them, would he still need to fear that woman?

Besides, he needed to judge cases to extend his lifespan. The two complemented each other and brought out the best in each other.

This was undoubtedly the path best suited to him.

Li Nuo immediately looked at Steward Wu and said, "I want to cultivate the Legalist school!"

Steward Wu froze slightly. "Why?"

In his previous life, he had studied law mostly because of its job prospects.

In this life, he would study law, naturally, in order to live.

And... to avoid domestic violence.

Of course, Li Nuo would not say what was truly in his heart. Since his bargain-bin father in this world was the Minister of Justice, studying law could count as carrying on his father's legacy.

Thus, he cleared his throat and replied very seriously, "Of course it is to follow in Father's footsteps, uphold justice, speak up for the people, punish treacherous villains and eliminate corrupt ministers..."

Steward Wu's expression turned very awkward.

How was he supposed to tell the amnesiac Young Master that Master himself was the greatest treacherous villain in the Imperial Court?

Wouldn't a son arresting his own father be turning Heaven's order on its head?

But as servants, they were not in a position to speak openly of such matters. Once Young Master recovered some of his memories, he probably would not keep insisting on punishing treacherous villains and eliminating corrupt ministers.

Li Nuo noticed that when he said he wanted to follow the Legalist school's path, speak up for the people, punish treacherous villains, and eliminate corrupt ministers, Steward Wu's expression had become rather conflicted. He had even sighed.

His lips moved several times, as though he wanted to speak but held himself back.

A bad premonition welled up in Li Nuo's heart. "Don't tell me... I don't have a Legalist foundation either?"

Steward Wu immediately said, "No, no. Only Martial Dao requires a foundation. Anyone can cultivate the Ways of the Hundred Schools."

Li Nuo breathed a sigh of relief and said irritably, "Then why were you sighing? You scared me..."

He said impatiently, "Quickly tell me, how should the Legalist school be cultivated?"

Steward Wu coughed lightly. "Young Master, I know you are anxious, but do not be anxious yet. What matters most right now is healing your injuries. We can discuss these matters later..."

Li Nuo's face turned solemn. What a joke. After today, he would have only ten days of lifespan left. What later was there?

He looked at Steward Wu and said earnestly, "I know you are not in a hurry, but I am. Just tell me—now, immediately, at once..."

Thanks to "Author An Xing" for the Alliance Leader reward.