Killing Intent Arose

Early the next morning, Liu Fang was still resting in bed after a night of fierce battle.

As for her younger brother, Li Xin, although he had recovered considerably after resting for the past two days, he was not fully well yet.

Li Yue, on the other hand, had risen early to do the household chores.

Li Yi was quite satisfied with this sensible younger sister.

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The day the authorities required people to register for corvée labor had arrived. Li Yi knew he had no choice but to go today.

So he picked up his bow and arrows and left the house.

After spending most of the day rushing to the county town, he found that a sparse line of people had already gathered at the registration site.

Most of them were farmers. By the rules, once they had finished their farm work, they had to perform corvée labor—backbreaking jobs such as repairing roads and river embankments for the county.

A few years ago, people would not have been so despairing. But in recent years, war had raged year after year, and famine had struck as well.

As a result, many people worked for an entire year, yet not only could they not eat their fill, they also had to go to the battlefield.

Life was growing more hopeless by the day.

If not for the absolute military force suppressing them from above, trouble would have broken out long ago.

At the very front of the line, a registrar in a blue robe sat behind a desk, brush in hand as he recorded names.

"Next."

A bailiff roared, and the man behind stepped forward, trembling from head to toe.

The registrar's brush darted swiftly across the record book.

"Zhang Ergou. Repair the river embankment north of the city. Depart tomorrow."

The people in line stepped forward one after another.

Some were assigned to mine, while others were assigned to run errands. They were all corvée labor, yet the difference between them could be the difference between life and death.

In this place, there had never been fairness.

Before long, it was Li Yi's turn. The registrar in charge glanced at him expressionlessly.

"Li Yi, seventeen years old, strong-bodied. Military service. Report to the front line."

The moment those words fell, a stir rippled through the crowd.

After all, corvée labor came in many forms, but being assigned to the front line meant nine deaths out of ten, with no chance of survival.

Quite a few people here knew Li Yi. Given his circumstances, it was highly unlikely that he should have been assigned to the front line.

This had most likely been done deliberately.

Li Yi's brows drew tightly together as he stared unblinkingly at the official before him.

"Why?"

The registrar patted his robes, a mocking sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. "The nation is in peril; every common man bears responsibility. You're young and strong, so you should serve the country. Besides, how assignments are made is up to me. I don't need to explain myself to you!"

Li Yi still wanted to speak, but the surrounding bailiffs had already closed in, their hands resting on their sword hilts.

From the looks of it, they would strike the moment they disagreed.

Li Yi could only force down his rage and let the matter rest for now.

Just as Li Yi was about to leave, a strange, mocking voice drifted from the crowd.

"Well, well, isn't this Brother Yi? You actually came obediently to register."

Wang Dagui swaggered up before Li Yi, followed by several street toughs, all of them wearing expressions of undisguised gloating.

The instant Li Yi saw him, he guessed that his assignment to the front line was most likely connected to Wang Dagui.

"You did this?"

Seeing that everyone around him was his own man, Wang Dagui grew much bolder. He leaned close to Li Yi and sneered in a lowered voice, "Li Yi, so what if you know?

Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Help me with something, and I'll lend you a hand. I'll plead with the registrar and get you assigned as a menial laborer."

Li Yi's expression did not change in the slightest. "What do you want?"

"I think Liu Ru has been a widow long enough. As long as you help me settle her, I'll arrange for you to become a menial laborer."

Li Yi closed his eyes and clenched both fists, restraining himself with all his might for fear that he would not be able to stop himself from beating this bastard to death.

"You're dreaming!"

"Heh. Then we'll wait and see!"

After giving Wang Dagui a deep look, Li Yi quickened his pace and left.

But he did not go far. His conversation with Wang Dagui had made him understand that unless he dealt with that beast, once he left, Wang Dagui would lay his hands on Liu Ru and Xiaoyue.

Therefore, before heading to the military camp, he had to eliminate this trouble completely.

At a street corner, Li Yi crouched silently and waited.

Before long, Wang Dagui emerged with his underlings.

Li Yi immediately followed behind them.

Wang Dagui was utterly unaware of what was behind him and continued strutting through the streets as usual.

The nearby vendors feared him, and whenever they saw him, they voluntarily handed over tribute.

The smile on Wang Dagui's face never faded.

Li Yi followed him quietly the entire way, searching for an opportunity to strike.

Who knew how much time passed before Li Yi's skill panel suddenly lit up.

[Scouting and Concealment (Not Yet Initiated): 1/100]

[Effect: None]

Li Yi's eyes lit up. Only then did he realize that as long as he focused on one thing, there was also a chance of activating a skill.

It seemed he would need to study this area more in the future.

After following Wang Dagui for nearly half a shichen, he finally stopped and sat down in a teahouse.

After listening for a while to his conversation with the shop attendant, Li Yi learned that this bastard came here every day for tea.

He silently noted the current time—Si hour.

Another quarter of an hour passed before Wang Dagui finally came out with his men, his face shining with grease.

Li Yi turned and left as well.

Before leaving the city, he opened the panel once more.

[Scouting and Concealment (Not Yet Initiated): 30/100]

[Effect: None]

In just that short while, his experience had increased considerably.

This gave Li Yi much more confidence in tomorrow's plan.

By the time he returned home, it was already noon.

Liu Fang had prepared the meal. Though the house was bare to its four walls, it was filled with the fragrance of food.

Amid these chaotic times, only at home could he enjoy such rare warmth.

After eating, Li Yi continued practicing archery in the courtyard.

But before long, Liu Ru came over.

Heavy dark circles hung beneath her eyes. Clearly, she had not slept well.

"Sister Ru, what's wrong with you? Did a thief break into your home last night?"

Liu Ru shot Li Yi an annoyed glare. "You're still asking? It's all your fault. You tormented me all through yesterday afternoon, then tormented me again all night. I didn't sleep at all. My head is spinning now."

Liu Ru looked uniquely alluring as she puffed up her cheeks in anger.

Li Yi did not respond. After all, he might have to keep Sister Ru awake again tonight.

Seeing him play dumb, Liu Ru could not help laughing. Her eyes shimmered as she teased, "I really couldn't tell. You're quite formidable, aren't you, brat?"

Li Yi smiled awkwardly. "Sister, don't make fun of me. I need to tell you something serious. That beast Wang Dagui has set his sights on you."

Li Yi then told Liu Ru everything that had happened today.

Liu Ru froze at first. Then her face turned deathly pale, and her brows knitted slightly.

"That beast Wang Dagui—of the people he sets his sights on, few can escape. But I'm not some helpless weakling either. At worst, I'll fight him to the death!"

Li Yi sighed. "Sister Ru, why don't you come live here with me? This place is simple, but if we tidy it up, there'll still be room. It's better than living at home with your heart in your throat every day. And with Xiaoyue and the others here, you'll have someone to look after you."

Liu Ru nodded, but the clouds of worry on her face had yet to disperse.

"This method can only protect us for a while. But what will happen after you leave?"

A cold gleam shone in Li Yi's eyes, and his lips curved upward.

"Don't worry. Before I leave, I'll make all the arrangements."