Secret Letter

"Have you not shown this letter to anyone else?"

Li Yi looked at Han Jia, his face grave.

This was a matter of immense importance. One careless move, and they might lose their lives.

Hearing the gravity in Li Yi's tone, Han Jia waved his hands repeatedly.

"No, no. You were the only person I met in Hundred Trees Forest."

Then Han Jia told Li Yi, in full detail, roughly how he had come across the letter.

Revenue Officer, Revenue Officer—never saw this coming, did you?

I never found a chance to kill you in Hundred Trees Forest, yet by a twist of fate, I obtained proof of your collusion with an enemy state.

Staring at the secret letter in his hand, Li Yi considered it again and again before reaching a decision.

He would hand this letter over to Hundred Commander Song Jie!

Song Jie's upright and impartial conduct during the purge of the rebel faction had left an extremely deep impression on Li Yi.

"Han Jia, could I trouble you to take me to see Hundred Commander Song?"

With Han Jia's help, the injured Li Yi brought the secret letter to the eastern side of the military camp.

"Hundred Commander, this secret letter was obtained by the two of us in Hundred Trees Forest!"

Li Yi told Hundred Commander Song where the secret letter had come from, as well as about the five men he had killed.

At the same time, Li Yi handed over the clothes taken from the two men he had ambushed and killed—clothes bearing the banyan-tree emblem of the Qing Kingdom.

"Outrageous!"

At the sight of these pieces of evidence, Song Jie flew into a rage and slammed his palm down. Under the tremendous force, the desk before him cracked open with a sharp crack.

"What I, Song Jie, hate most in this life are people who collude with enemy states!"

After glancing at Li Yi's injuries, Song Jie thought for a moment, then took a bottle of medicine from his robes and handed it to him.

"This is a healing medicine I've kept in reserve. Heal your injuries first. As for the credit for exposing the Revenue Officer, once I've arrested him, I'll reward you two according to your merits!"

"Thank you, Hundred Commander!"

Afterward, Li Yi and Han Jia left the tent.

Now that matters had come to this, all he needed to do was wait. He could leave these contests of power to those above.

After seeing Li Yi off, Song Jie looked at the two pieces of evidence and hurriedly summoned his trusted subordinates, ordering several messages sent out.

Since the Revenue Officer had already colluded with the Qing Kingdom, they needed to guard against leaks of certain secrets from this military camp.

Song Jie's actions quickly stirred up commotion throughout the camp.

Seeing that the number of patrolmen had doubled, Cao Li's heart skipped a beat. After summoning Song Qi and questioning him, he brought some men to Song Jie's tent.

"Commander Cao, what brings you here?"

The post of Commander required one to oversee all manner of miscellaneous affairs, while a Hundred Commander was purely a military position.

For instance, Commander Cao was responsible for the assessment of new recruits.

"Hundred Commander Song, I heard you caught a spy?"

At Cao Li's question, Song Jie nodded.

Though he and Cao Li did not get along, this was official business. Given his character, he naturally would not put private grievances above public duty.

"That's right. Soldiers under my command found something in Hundred Trees Forest. This Revenue Officer has secretly colluded with the Qing Kingdom!"

Song Jie did not expose Li Yi and Han Jia, instead taking the matter upon himself.

"And what do you intend to do?" Cao Li frowned.

"Now that the evidence is conclusive, of course I'll report it to the County Magistrate and have this Revenue Officer, who colluded with an enemy state, arrested!"

Song Jie spoke with righteous conviction.

It was because of the Qing Kingdom's invasion years ago that Song Jie's family had been destroyed. Thus, he hated the Qing Kingdom to the core.

Song Jie's words gave Cao Li a secret jolt.

"Hundred Commander Song, you and I are both military officers. The Revenue Officer is a local official, a civil official. If you make such a fuss, where does that leave our army?"

"We're stationed here, and we still need the Revenue Officer to coordinate supplies in order to support over a thousand men and horses!"

"Never mind whether this Revenue Officer truly colluded with the enemy. If you bring him down and problems arise with provisions and supplies, delaying the general's grand plans—can you bear that responsibility?"

Cao Li spoke one point after another, laying out the stakes for Song Jie.

The more Song Jie listened, the angrier he became. He shouted:

"So we just let him sell out military intelligence? What do we soldiers fight for, if not to resist the Qing Kingdom?"

Song Jie glared furiously at Cao Li. If his subordinates had not stopped him, he might have stepped forward to argue with Cao Li face-to-face.

"The court will decide whether the Revenue Officer is right or wrong. But Hundred Commander Song, let me remind you: the army is forbidden from meddling in government affairs. That is an ironclad rule, decreed by His Majesty himself. Are you going to oppose His Majesty?"

Seeing Cao Li use His Majesty to pressure him, Song Jie's tone eased. "But we're guarding the Chen Kingdom's mountains and rivers for His Majesty!"

Song Jie repeatedly slapped the table, displeased with Cao Li's defense of the Ministry of Revenue.

Seeing this, Cao Li pulled a command token from his robes and looked at Song Jie.

"Before the general departed, he ordered me to command all the troops. Are you going to defy military orders?"

The general had shown Song Jie the kindness of recognizing his talent. Seeing Cao Li produce the token, Song Jie had no rebuttal for the moment.

With Song Jie suppressed, Cao Li issued several orders in quick succession, restoring everything to its original state.

A day later, the newcomer assessment ended, and all the newcomers in Hundred Trees Forest returned to the military camp.

The so-called newcomer assessment was a screening process for these newly enlisted soldiers.

Those who passed became regular soldiers. They could enjoy many military benefits and receive abundant martial resources. As for many martial arts manuals, they could easily obtain them once they met the requirements.

Moreover, through the military merit system, they could raise their rank and待遇.

If their achievements in battle were outstanding enough, they could even be granted noble titles!

Those who failed the assessment, however, became auxiliary soldiers, serving the regular soldiers. All the miscellaneous work in the army fell to these auxiliary soldiers. As for martial resources and manuals, they would have to pay several times the price just for a chance to obtain them.

As for military merit, auxiliary soldiers had no right to fight independently and had to be led by regular soldiers. Thus, even if an auxiliary soldier happened to earn military merit by chance, the lion's share would still belong to the regular soldier commanding them.

The待遇 of regular soldiers and auxiliary soldiers were as far apart as heaven and earth.

One assessment, and from then on, two entirely different lives.

Today was the day the assessment results would be announced.

The many newcomers gathered in the main camp, listening as a company commander read out the results.

For a time, some rejoiced while others grieved among the newcomers.

Those who passed were overjoyed and were led away by the squad leaders assigned to them.

Those who failed hung their heads in dejection and were taken away by the logistics affairs camp.

Suddenly, Li Yi, standing among the crowd, heard his own name.

"Li Yi, first place in archery in the first assessment!"

"Second assessment, results invalid!"

"Therefore, you are disqualified from competing for first place in the newcomer assessment!"

Results invalid?

In an instant, the entire crowd erupted.

During the first assessment, Li Yi's astonishing performance had already won over many newcomers. Even many veterans acknowledged his title of [Cloud-Piercing Arrow].

"Company Commander, why is that?"

One newcomer voiced Li Yi's thoughts.

Li Yi looked at the many officers before him, his expression darkening.

So, because I didn't pledge allegiance to Cao Li, they've already started targeting me!

The company commander was about to rebuke the curious newcomer when Cao Li reached out and stopped him. Stepping forward, his gaze swept across the crowd before settling on Li Yi.

"Li Yi, although you completed the task for the second newcomer assessment, you did not leave Hundred-Meter Forest from the designated location."

"Having left the assessment area without authorization, how can we determine whether you hunted these prey in Hundred Trees Forest?"

"For the sake of fairness in the assessment, we can only invalidate your results for the second assessment!"

Cao Li spoke with righteous indignation, his every word filled with assessment rules and fairness.

But Li Yi knew this was nothing more than retaliation against him.

After all, the unspoken rule and mutual understanding of this newcomer assessment was to look only at the results, not the process.

Seeing more and more newcomers begin to agree with him and support fairness, Cao Li secretly rejoiced and continued.

"Of course, everyone has witnessed your strength in the first assessment."

"Therefore, as a special act of leniency, I will allow you to retain your status as a regular soldier!"

"You—!"

Han Jia flew into a rage and raised his hand to object, but Li Yi stopped him.

Cao Li was now using the tide of public opinion to suppress them, and he held the right to speak. While invalidating Li Yi's results, he was also allowing him to retain his status as a regular soldier.

This series of moves placed Cao Li on the side of righteousness.

To openly confront Cao Li now would be walking straight into his scheme. They might even be punished for it.

Seeing that Li Yi did not argue with him, Cao Li was rather disappointed. He then led his men back to the main tent.

Before long, the destinations of all the newcomers were decided.

Watching the crowd disperse, Han Jia was deeply dissatisfied.

"Brother Yi, are we really just letting this go? Cao Li is clearly targeting you!"

Li Yi shook his head. "Cao Li is a Sima, the highest-ranking man in the camp right now. The two of us are merely newcomers who just passed the assessment—our arms can't twist a thigh."

"But we can't just let this slide. Let's go find Hundred Commander Song!"

Han Jia had now officially joined Song Jie's personal guard, while Li Yi himself had presented the secret letter and earned some merit. Perhaps Song Jie would be willing to step in and seek justice for him.

Before long, Li Yi arrived at Song Jie's tent.

"My lord, that is what happened. Please uphold justice for me!"

Li Yi also told Song Jie about Cao Li's repeated attempts to recruit him.

Given the current circumstances, Cao Li had clearly revoked his results because Li Yi had refused his recruitment. Humiliated into rage, he had struck out and found an excuse to cancel his score.

Listening to Li Yi, Song Jie sighed.

"Let's put that matter aside for now. First, I need to tell you something."

"After receiving the two pieces of physical evidence you brought, I intended to contact the county magistrate and have the Household Clerk taken down."

"But Cao Li came to me and used the military's prohibition against interfering in civil affairs as grounds to suppress the matter."

"What? How could he dare?"

Hearing Song Jie's words, Li Yi was instantly both shocked and enraged.

The Household Clerk had been pressing him at every turn. If he could not deal with that man, his family would be in danger!

Rage surged into Li Yi's heart.

Seeing this, Song Jie hurriedly soothed him.

"I have already sent a trusted subordinate out of the camp in secret to inform the general, who is currently inspecting the area, about the Household Clerk and Cao Li."

"The secret letter and other evidence have also been secretly delivered to the general."

"For the time being, endure it. Once the general returns to camp, he will naturally deal with the Household Clerk and give you justice!"

Though Song Jie had risen from humble roots, years in the army had taught him a thing or two about such filthy dealings.

With Song Jie putting it that way, Li Yi could only suppress the dissatisfaction in his heart.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the military camp was rather relaxed.

With the pressure of the newcomer assessment gone, many recruits carried wine and meat as they celebrated without restraint.

Though Li Yi's results had been revoked, the name [Cloud-Piercing Arrow] still carried some renown.

All along the way, people greeted Li Yi.

"Brother Yi, look who that is!" Han Jia suddenly halted.

Li Yi looked up at his words and saw a burly man standing beside his tent.

Song Qi!

One of Cao Li's personal guards!

At the sight of Song Qi, the fire in Li Yi's heart flared up again.

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing Li Yi's icy tone, Song Qi acted as though he had not heard it and merely smiled.

"My lord sent me to ask whether you would be interested in joining the personal guard."

"If you join the personal guard, my lord will restore your results tomorrow and name you first in this newcomer assessment!"

"That four-stone iron-backed bow will also become your prize."

"Furthermore, my lord will reward you with an even better Breathing Method!"

Listening to the many terms Song Qi laid out, Li Yi thought of what Song Jie had said.

Since you, Cao Li, insist on protecting the Household Clerk, then I have no need to save you any face.

"Please tell Cao Li that I belong to the archer unit. I have no interest in any personal guard."

"As for bows, arrows, and Breathing Methods, I have no need for yours either!"

"Don't bother me again in the future, or don't blame my arrows for having no eyes!"

After firmly rejecting Song Qi, Li Yi walked straight into his tent, paying no attention at all to Song Qi's face turning red with fury.

After rejecting Song Qi, Li Yi began to consider the road ahead.

Before the general returned to camp, he could not afford to slack off either.

But even with the potent healing medicine Song Jie had given him, his injuries would still require a long period of recuperation.

During this time, skills such as [Archery], [Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking Spear], and [Eight Extremes Fist] would certainly be impossible to train and improve.

In that case, he would devote all his time to the [Gale Breathing Method]!

Having set his cultivation goal for the coming period, Li Yi kept a low profile and rarely left his quarters.

Wu Chuansheng, citing Li Yi's injuries, allowed him to skip the archer unit's daily training. He even blocked a number of open and hidden attacks for him.

The sun rose and set, and wind and rain took turns.

On cliff tops, among pine groves, beside rushing streams...

Li Yi left his footprints in many places, taking in different landscapes wherever he went.

He also hunted many wild beasts in the mountains and forests, consuming their essence to support his cultivation of the Breathing Method.

With abundant resources fueling him, Li Yi's cultivation steadily advanced.

Finally, one afternoon, as Li Yi returned to camp after finishing his spear practice, he saw an injured bird swept up by a fierce gale, struggling ceaselessly in midair as it let out mournful, agonized cries. In that instant, enlightenment struck him.

[Gale Breathing Method (Mastery): 30/1600]

[Effect: Five Senses Commune with the Divine, Body Like Sturdy Grass]

Following that flash of insight, the [Gale Breathing Method] broke through from the Proficient realm into the Mastery realm.

At the same time, the Breathing Method unlocked a new trait.

Not only had Li Yi's five senses been greatly enhanced, becoming even sharper, but his physique had also undergone earth-shaking changes.

Most noticeably, his recovery had improved tremendously. Wounds healed rapidly, while the rate at which he recovered his stamina had increased by at least thirty percent!

"After the Breathing Method improved, my cultivation speed has increased as well."

"At my current cultivation speed, I'll break through to the second level of Body Tempering—the Tough Skin Realm—within three days!"