Timely Appearance

Fortunately, the person tailing him did not give chase; otherwise, Lu Li would have been forced to strike.

He truly did not want to lay a hand on these ordinary people struggling to survive.

Heading straight into the inner city, Lu Li arrived at the Huang Mansion to stand guard for a while, only to hear the elderly guards nearby speaking in loud voices.

"Did you see that? Even the Master had to bow and treat them with respect. What kind of status do those two who came today have?"

"No idea, but they looked ferocious. They gave me a sense of oppression like facing a mountain; I'd definitely be slapped to death in an instant."

"Exactly, especially that guy with the scar on his face. Just his gaze alone made me shudder."

"Hmm?" Lu Li caught the key information; it seemed that both the number of people and their appearances matched.

What are Gao Huaiyi and Zhang Tianlong doing at the Huang Mansion? Lu Li wondered, feeling puzzled.

After a moment of thought, something occurred to him, and his eyes suddenly widened.

Could it be that they are suspicious of the herb gatherers?

But there were so many herb gatherers; how would they even go about tracking them down?

Lu Li waited quietly for the time to come for his shift to be relieved.

During this time, Li Qing and the other two listened to the old men's words with expressions of longing.

"To be able to make the head of the family bow, the visitors must be extraordinary."

"If only I could also..."

"Shut your mouth! Do you want to lose your skin?" Misfortune comes from the tongue; Li Qing glared fiercely at the two, then looked at Lu Li with vigilance.

Lu Li rolled his eyes, pretending not to notice.

After a while, the people coming to take over the shift walked over slowly.

Lu Li and his group prepared to leave.

But just then, one of the incoming guards stepped out and blocked Lu Li's path.

He was tall, and Lu Li was a full head shorter than him.

Li Qing and the other two were also blocked by men of their own.

The expressions of the four changed instantly.

"Is there something you need?" Lu Li asked.

"Kid, you're new here and don't know the rules yet."

"Rules?"

"I don't want to stand guard today, so you'll take my place."

Lu Li raised an eyebrow.

He glanced at Li Qing and the others, who had already caved in, nodding and agreeing with sycophantic smiles.

Lu Li said nothing and sensibly returned to his original post.

Those who had been a step too late shook their heads in regret: "Too bad you four got here first."

The guards who were about to leave witnessed this scene with calm expressions, as if it were a common occurrence: "Kid, everyone goes through this. You'll get used to it."

Lu Li felt calm inside and didn't mind.

After all, staying until nightfall would only make it easier for him to act.

This couldn't help but make Lu Li sigh; no matter where one goes, there is oppression.

Good people are, after all, in the minority.

Lu Li had long been mentally prepared for such things and was not surprised.

Having lived two lifetimes, he had already seen through everything.

However, Li Qing and the others were indignant, but facing the gazes of the guards, they all wisely lowered their heads and played the coward.

After waiting for another two hours, he watched as the sky gradually grew dark.

Leaving the gates of the Huang Mansion, Lu Li headed straight for a tavern.

The tavern was bustling with noise, making it a good place to gather intelligence.

Lu Li casually handed a silver ingot to the waiter, ordered some wine and food, and sat at a table, listening intently to the surrounding chatter.

He sifted through the dense idle gossip to pick out useful information.

"Where on earth did those two come from? They're killing herb gatherers everywhere!"

"Who knows? Those herb gatherers died miserable deaths, killed in a single blow. The brutality of the strikes suggests they are likely martial artists!"

"What are they killing herb gatherers for?"

"That, I don't know. I heard they've already killed seven or eight people."

"Following their path and calculating the time, they should be reaching Anping Alley by now."

"Is there no one to uphold justice? Are we at the bottom of the social ladder destined to be bullied?"

Anping Alley!

Lu Li rose immediately and hurried out of the inn.

Anping Alley was where Uncle Zhao lived, and Uncle Zhao was also a medicinal herb gatherer!

"My lords, what offense have I committed?" Looking at the two men who had appeared abruptly before him, Uncle Zhao wore a look of bewilderment.

He gazed at the tall, imposing frames of Gao Huaiyi and Zhang Tianlong, who were stained with blood and ready to kill at the slightest provocation.

His heart trembled, and fear took hold.

Gao Huaiyi sneered and flourished his blade: "One of our men died on the mountain, and we suspect it was your doing. I want you to pay for this blood debt with your own."

"I am an honest man! I didn't kill anyone; I'm supposed to go up the mountain to gather herbs tomorrow morning."

"My lords, I beg you to show some leniency."

Uncle Zhao offered a fawning smile and produced a string of copper coins—his entire life savings.

"My lords, I have connections with the guards at the Huang Mansion."

Gao Huaiyi slapped the coins away, sending them scattering across the ground.

He followed up with a kick that sent Uncle Zhao flying.

Uncle Zhao let out a wail, collapsing to the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Enough of your nonsense. Stop your incessant yapping."

"The guards are worth nothing!"

Suddenly, Zhang Tianlong, standing beside him, seemed to recall something and slapped his forehead: "Brother Gao, the guard he mentioned seems to be a medicinal herb gatherer too."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huaiyi wore a mocking sneer: "Hmph, did you hear that?"

"To think he could become a guard; this brat must be the murderer!"

Uncle Zhao was helped up by Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yuanyuan, his face flushed with anxiety: "Lu Li has only just started learning martial arts, how could that be possible!"

"Hmph, it's not impossible for him to have struck from the shadows."

Uncle Zhao was incensed. Hearing the man's unreasonable, twisting logic, he realized they were targeting him from the start, and his face turned ashen.

The surrounding neighbors were the same as last time, though given the sheer force of Gao Huaiyi's presence, they retreated even further away.

"The Zhao family just escaped the gates of hell, only to fall into a den of wolves."

"Last time, Lu Li helped them out, but this time, Lu Li is going to suffer as well."

Some jealous onlookers gloated, wearing smiles on their faces.

"It might actually be Lu Li. I heard he brought back a great medicinal herb, which is how he's able to practice martial arts."

"Exactly."

"You people are going too far!" Uncle Zhao's chest heaved with rage as he pointed at Gao Huaiyi and cursed.

Veins bulged on Gao Huaiyi's forehead, his gaze turning increasingly cold. He drew his blade with a sharp clang, and a brilliant, icy light erupted.

Uncle Zhao was startled.

Just as Gao Huaiyi raised his blade to strike Uncle Zhao down, a sound of rushing wind came from behind him.

He turned to look, only to see a black shadow pouncing toward Zhang Tianlong like a phantom.

Before Zhang Tianlong could react, he was struck in the back by a fist, collapsing to the ground and dying instantly.

"Tianlong!" Gao Huaiyi was struck with terror.

The newcomer was, of course, Lu Li.

He was draped in a black robe and wore a blood-red ghost mask, hiding his expression.

Yet, from the volcanic aura about to erupt from him, and those sharp eyes that seemed capable of piercing through everything, it was clear he was exceptionally furious.

If he hadn't arrived in time, Uncle Zhao would have been decapitated!

"You seek death!"

Lu Li's voice was hoarse, roaring like a demon god. He shifted his feet, flickering before Gao Huaiyi in an instant like a bird in flight, and unleashed a fierce punch.

His muscles tightened, and as Lu Li closed the distance, his strike erupted with terrifying power.

With his full strength unleashed, he was a match for the Organ-Refining Realm; Gao Huaiyi was no match for Lu Li at all.

Furthermore, Lu Li practiced light-body techniques, and with the added speed, the power he unleashed was even greater!