Hundred Trees Forest Ambush

In the alley, Li Yi pointed at the second floor of the inn and spoke softly to Han Jia.

"There are five martial artists inside: three at Body Tempering Level Two, one at Body Tempering Level Three, and one at Body Tempering Level Four!"

"They're all martial artists sent by the Cao Family!"

"Body Tempering Level Four?"

Han Jia froze for a moment, then his brows furrowed into a tight knot.

After switching to the [Wind-Breaking Breathing Technique], Han Jia had already cultivated to the very peak of Body Tempering Level One. Relying on his innate divine strength, he could even take down some martial artists at Body Tempering Level Two.

But now, aside from a Body Tempering Level Three martial artist, there was even one at Body Tempering Level Four. That made things troublesome!

"Looks like the Cao Family really wants you dead, Brother Yi!"

Han Jia glared viciously at the inn before suddenly saying, "Why not set fire to the place and burn them to death?"

Li Yi was startled by this, then quickly said:

"There are many innocent people in the city. Setting a fire would implicate them, and besides, there's no guarantee it would burn them to death."

"Then what do we do? We can't just sit here and wait for death, can we?"

Han Jia was truly worried that something would happen to Li Yi. If not for Li Yi, Han Jia would still be an ordinary soldier, practicing the hopeless [Gale Breathing Method].

"I already have a plan."

Li Yi pondered for a moment, then raised his head to gaze at the moonlit night.

"Go to Hundred Trees Forest immediately. Follow the map I gave you and set the traps. At midnight, I'll lure them into Hundred Trees Forest."

"Then we'll use the traps to hit them hard!"

Li Yi pulled a map from his robes and gave Han Jia his instructions in a low voice.

During the Hundred Trees Forest trial, Li Yi had already gained some understanding of its terrain. After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the three assassins and returning to the military camp, he had even obtained a detailed map of Hundred Trees Forest from Song Jie.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Li Yi stuffed the map into Han Jia's arms.

"Brother Yi, don't worry. I'll get it done!"

Han Jia put away the map and patted his chest as he promised Li Yi. Then he turned and hurried toward Hundred Trees Forest.

There were still five hours until midnight, more than enough time for Han Jia to set the traps.

Watching Han Jia depart, Li Yi concealed himself in a corner and closed his eyes to adjust his condition.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"It's the third watch of the night!"

"The air is dry—beware of fire!"

The night watchman's cries roused Li Yi from his meditation.

After resting for more than four hours, Li Yi's essence, energy, and spirit were all in excellent condition.

Meanwhile, the inn had already fallen silent. Every room was shrouded in darkness.

"The time is about right. Time to move."

After observing for a while, Li Yi activated the [Scouting and Concealment] skill and quietly slipped into the inn.

According to what he had learned during his first visit, the Cao Family's merchant caravan had booked the entire inn. Ordinary caravan members stayed on the first floor, while four martial artists stayed on the second.

As for the strongest martial artist at Body Tempering Level Four, he occupied a room on the third floor alone.

That was precisely what made things convenient for Li Yi.

Though the plan was to lure these people into Hundred Trees Forest, it would be even better if he could weaken them beforehand.

Li Yi gently slid his small knife into the door and pried upward. The door opened at once.

Inside the room, a Body Tempering Level Two martial artist was sleeping soundly.

With the support of the [Gale Breathing Method], [Hunting], and [Scouting and Concealment] skills, Li Yi silently reached the martial artist's side.

Looking down at him, Li Yi's expression remained calm.

"Don't blame me. Blame yourself for following the wrong person!"

Li Yi suddenly covered the martial artist's mouth with one hand, while his other hand delivered several rapid stabs into the man's chest.

The intense pain made the martial artist struggle instinctively, but with Li Yi restraining his limbs, mouth, and nose, he could not make the slightest sound.

A moment later, the ambushed martial artist stopped moving and lay stiffly on the bed.

"Four left."

After wiping the blood from his dagger on the bedding, Li Yi slipped toward the next room.

With practiced movements, Li Yi smoothly entered the room and stood in the shadows.

The one staying in this room was the caravan's second-strongest fighter—a Body Tempering Level Three martial artist of the Hard Flesh Realm!

Because of the gap in their realms, Li Yi had no intention of trying to restrain him this time.

After silently slipping up beside the bed, Li Yi did not dare delay. After using his night vision to make out his target, he slashed straight at the man's neck.

"Who's there?!"

Worthy of being a Body-Refining Third Layer martial artist, the instant Li Yi struck, the powerful killing intent jolted him awake.

Watching the blade edge draw ever closer, the martial artist's potential erupted in that instant between life and death.

With an extreme twist, he narrowly avoided Li Yi's short blade at his neck.

But in the next instant, Li Yi followed through with a slash.

"Ah!"

The short blade sliced open the martial artist's chest, and streams of blood gushed out.

"Who is it?!"

After the martial artist's scream, all kinds of noises abruptly rang out from the surrounding rooms. Everyone in the caravan had been awakened.

With his five senses sharpened to a supernatural degree, Li Yi could even sense a powerful surge of blood and qi rapidly closing in on him.

A Body-Refining Fourth Layer martial artist of the Bone-Tempering Realm!

Seeing this, Li Yi did not dare linger. He hurriedly rushed out of the room, and after several flashes, reached the first floor.

One Cao Family member was dead and another injured. Their fighting strength had been cut by nearly half, and Li Yi's objective had been successfully achieved.

By then, the awakened Cao Family members had already lit their torches.

The Body-Refining Fourth Layer martial artist who had just reached the second floor also flashed down to the first floor.

By the surrounding firelight, the martial artist took a closer look and was instantly overjoyed.

"Li Yi, you actually dared to come knocking on our door yourself. What nerve!"

"But since you've come seeking death on your own, I, Cao Cheng, will show mercy and send you on your way early!"

After recognizing that the person who had infiltrated the inn was Li Yi, the target of this journey, Cao Cheng was delighted rather than angry.

After all, those who had died were merely recruited martial artists, not Cao Family blood. The Cao Family could find as many such people as they wanted.

But this Li Yi had caused the deaths of two Cao Family members. Cao Cheng, who had spent his entire life taking pride in the Cao Family, simply could not tolerate it.

How dared these lowly commoners lay hands on the noble Cao Family!

And coming to Qinghe County to capture Li Yi had been a mission Cao Cheng had volunteered for.

In a few great strides, Cao Cheng rushed out of the inn. By then, Li Yi's figure had already vanished into a dark alley.

Seeing Cao Cheng follow, Li Yi's heart settled. The other man had taken the bait.

"Anyone can talk big. If you've got the guts, follow me outside the city for a one-on-one fight!"

Seeing that Li Yi was not only unafraid but even dared provoke him, Cao Cheng grew even more furious. Taking a long spear from one of his subordinates, he charged after Li Yi.

For a time, Li Yi fled and Cao Cheng pursued. The commotion they caused even woke many people.

Watching Cao Cheng's receding figure, the martial artist Li Yi had wounded earlier hastily bandaged himself. After giving the caravan a few instructions, he led the two remaining Body-Refining Second Layer martial artists and closely followed in Cao Cheng's footsteps.

Cao Cheng was a direct descendant of the Cao Family. Nothing must happen to him!

Under the moonlight, Li Yi carried a spear and a bow on his back. Relying on the Gale Breathing Method's formidable mobility, he left Cao Cheng and the others far behind.

Whenever the Cao Family members began to slow, Li Yi would open his mouth to taunt them, keeping the group chasing after him toward Hundred Trees Forest.