Just in Time

Fortunately, the person who had set his sights on him didn't pursue him. Otherwise, Lu Li would have had no choice but to act.

He really didn't want to hurt these ordinary people who were struggling just to survive.

He went straight into the Inner City. After taking his post at Huang Mansion for a while, Lu Li heard an old guard nearby speaking loudly.

"Did you see that? Even the master had to bow and treat them with respect. What kind of people were those two who came today?"

"I don't know, but they looked fierce. They gave me the feeling of facing a mountain head-on. I'd be dead with one slap."

"Exactly. Especially the one with the scar on his face. Just one look from him was enough to make me jump."

"Hm?" Lu Li caught the key detail. The number of people and their appearances seemed to match what he'd heard.

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

He thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something. His eyes widened.

Could they have started suspecting the herb gatherers?

But there were so many herb gatherers. How could they possibly investigate them all?

Lu Li waited quietly for the next shift to arrive.

Meanwhile, Li Qing and the other two listened to the old men with looks of longing.

"If the family head has to bow his head, those visitors must be extraordinary."

"If only I could..."

"Shut your mouth! Do you want to lose that uniform?" Trouble came from careless words. Li Qing glared at the two men, then warily watched Lu Li.

Lu Li rolled his eyes and pretended not to see.

A little while later, the people coming to relieve them slowly arrived.

Lu Li and the others prepared to leave.

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

He was tall and broad, standing a full head taller than Lu Li.

Each of the other three had someone block their way, too.

The four of them immediately turned pale.

"Can I help you?" Lu Li asked.

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

"Rules?"

"I don't feel like standing guard today. You're taking my place."

Lu Li raised an eyebrow.

He glanced at Li Qing and the other two. They had already caved, smiling ingratiatingly as they nodded in agreement.

Lu Li said nothing and sensibly returned to his post.

Those who had arrived a step too late shook their heads regretfully. "You four beat us to it."

One of the guards who was about to leave witnessed this. His expression remained calm, as if he'd seen it all before. "Kid, we all went through the same thing. You'll get used to it."

Lu Li was unbothered. It didn't matter to him.

After all, once night fell, this would make it easier for him to act.

He couldn't help but marvel: wherever you went, there was always someone throwing their weight around.

Good people were always in the minority.

He'd been prepared for this sort of thing, so it didn't surprise him.

Having lived two lives, he'd long since seen through it all.

Li Qing and the other two were indignant, but when they noticed the guards watching them, they sensibly lowered their heads and acted like cowed servants.

After another two hours, the sky gradually darkened.

Once he was out of Huang Mansion, Lu Li headed straight for a tavern.

The tavern was bustling with people, making it a good place to gather information.

Lu Li casually handed the waiter a silver ingot, ordered some food and wine, then sat at a table and listened to the conversations around him.

He sifted through the dense chatter, picking out anything useful.

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

"Who knows? Those herb gatherers died horribly, each killed in a single blow. Their methods were so ruthless they must be martial artists!"

"Why are they killing herb gatherers?"

"No idea. I heard they've already killed seven or eight."

"Judging by their route and the time, they should've reached Anping Alley by now."

"Isn't anyone going to do anything? Are we common folk just supposed to put up with being bullied?"

Anping Alley!

Lu Li immediately stood up and hurried out of the tavern.

Uncle Zhao lived in Anping Alley, and he was a herb gatherer, too!

"My lord, what have I done wrong?" Uncle Zhao asked, confused as he looked at the two men who had suddenly appeared before him.

He looked at Gao Huaiyi and Zhang Tianlong, both tall and imposing, their bodies smeared with blood. They looked ready to kill at the slightest provocation.

His heart lurched, and fear crept over him.

Gao Huaiyi sneered and twirled his blade. "One of our people died in the mountains. We suspect you're responsible. I'll make you pay for it in blood."

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

"My lord, please show me some mercy."

Uncle Zhao smiled ingratiatingly and took out a string of copper coins—all the savings he had on him.

"My lord, I know a guard at Huang Mansion."

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

Then he kicked Uncle Zhao, sending him flying.

Uncle Zhao cried out and fell to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Why waste your breath babbling on here?"

"Who gives a damn about some guard?"

Suddenly, Zhang Tianlong seemed to remember something and slapped his forehead. "Brother Gao, the guard he mentioned might be a herb gatherer, too."

Gao Huaiyi heard this and sneered. "Hmph. Did you hear that?"

"He even managed to become a guard. That brat's definitely the culprit!"

Uncle Zhao was helped to his feet by Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yuanyuan. His face flushed with urgency. "Lu Li only just started practicing martial arts. How could he—"

"Hmph. It's not impossible he struck from the shadows."

Uncle Zhao flew into a rage. Hearing Gao Huaiyi's unreasonable tone, he realized they were targeting him from the start. His face turned ashen.

Just like last time, the neighbors gathered around them. But this time, Gao Huaiyi had brought an imposing show of force, so they kept their distance.

"The Zhao Family just got out of a haunted house, and now they're heading straight into a wolf's den."

"Lu Li helped them last time. Now even he's going to be dragged into this."

Some jealous onlookers, however, took pleasure in their misfortune, smiling as they watched.

"Maybe it really was Lu Li. I heard he brought back a rare medicinal herb, and that's how he learned martial arts."

"Exactly."

"You're going too far!" Uncle Zhao roared angrily, pointing at Gao Huaiyi and cursing him.

The veins on Gao Huaiyi's forehead bulged. His gaze turned colder and colder as he drew his sword with a clang, a flash of silver light bursting forth.

Uncle Zhao jumped in fright.

Just as Gao Huaiyi raised his sword to kill Uncle Zhao, a rush of wind sounded behind him.

He turned around and saw a black shadow pounce at Zhang Tianlong like a wraith.

Before Zhang Tianlong could react, a fist slammed into the middle of his back. He fell to the ground and died instantly.

"Tianlong!" Gao Huaiyi cried in shock.

The newcomer was naturally Lu Li.

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

But his aura was on the verge of erupting like a volcano, and his sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing through anything.

It was clear he was absolutely furious.

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

"Die!"

Lu Li rasped the words, roaring like a demon god. With a quick shift of his steps, he flashed in front of Gao Huaiyi like a bird taking flight and unleashed a powerful punch.

His muscles tensed. As Lu Li closed in, terrifying strength burst forth from his fist.

With his full strength unleashed, he could match someone in the Organ-Refining Realm. Gao Huaiyi was no match for him.

Besides, Lu Li had also practiced lightness skills. With his speed enhanced, the force he unleashed was even greater!