Li Xian Blocks the Road, Vengeance Repaid at Once-County Lieutenant Kong Li, Please Dismount!

Kong Li watched them go with a keen eye. He saw that the "Gold-Seeking Guard" was dressed in a "Tiger-Python Uniform," which accentuated his figure. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and was still handsome and imposing. Gold-Seeking Guard Bodyless Faceless, he was more imposing and eye-catching than the county magistrate as he walked through the streets. He must be an outstanding person with a powerful Lineage background.

Kong Li dreamed of joining the "Gold-Seeking Guard" (a military unit), dressed in Tiger-Python Uniform with a sword at his waist. He would walk the streets, a dazzling sight, bringing glory to the Kong Family and a bright future.

He had tried to join the Lineage in his early years, and through their connections, he was given a chance to be selected. However, Kong Li's martial arts skills were mediocre in his early years, and he indulged in wine and women all day long, refusing to put in the hard work. As a result, he missed the opportunity, which he regretted for the rest of his life.

He suffered a great setback, but worked diligently to catch up. Gradually, he achieved some success and served as the county magistrate of Westgate County. However, he could not forget the regrets of his youth, and the fact that he had been unable to achieve his goal of becoming a "Mud Body" for a long time made his regrets a knot in his heart. Whenever he thought of it, he would beat his chest and stamp his feet in frustration.

Therefore, Kong Li was thrilled to be transferred Gold-Seeking Guard the Jianjin Guard and wanted to do his best to prove himself in order to enter the Gold-Seeking Guard. At this time, his position as "County Commandant" already gave him more ability and power than ordinary Gold-Seeking Guard. However, the Gold-Seeking Guard Mud Body a promising future, and he could even pursue a career in the military, so it was a good opportunity for advancement.

Kong Li withdrew his gaze and shouted, "Gold-Seeking Guard dispatch! Everyone, immediately don your official uniforms and follow me on this expedition!"

The constables exchanged bewildered glances; all had been severely injured the previous night. Although they had received medical treatment and were slightly better today, they still needed several days of rest before they could even get out of bed. Hearing this order now, they were utterly bewildered and helpless, each thinking, "In our current state, if we encounter a villain, wouldn't we just be needlessly throwing our lives away?"

Kong Li said coldly, "What are you all standing there for! Get up now! Don't think you can use your injuries as an excuse to slack off. We are public servants; we die for the public, and even in death, we are still public servants! Even if you only have one breath left, you must force yourself to get up. This concerns my future; if you ruin my future..."

He glanced at a stone pillar. It was used by the yamen runners for practicing martial arts. It was made of solid stone and was extremely heavy. Kong Li struck the stone pillar with his palm from a distance, and with a loud "bang," it shattered into dozens of pieces.

Kong Li declared, "The existence of such a stone is absolutely unforgivable!"

The constables felt a chill run through them, their hearts filled with despair. They knew Kong Li's words were true, and that any dissent now would mean certain death. They had no choice but to struggle to their feet and put on their armor. Kong Li said smugly, "See, I can stand up now. Humph, a bunch of parasites, always thinking about taking shortcuts and shirking their duties!" With a flick of his sleeve, he went back inside to put on his armor.

There were thirty-seven constables in total, fifteen of whom were seriously injured. The rest suffered minor injuries, but all had sprained bones and damaged internal organs. If they did not receive proper medical treatment and good medicine to help them recover, even if they recovered temporarily, they would surely suffer from chronic illnesses in the future.

This clearly shows that Kong Li was malicious and insatiable. He was venting his anger without restraint and treated the constables as less than human. At this moment, the constables, despite their injuries, put on their armor, took their weapons, and waited in the hall. After a short while, Kong Li strode out from the depths of the hall.

His armor was unique, with a tiger's head carved on his chest and snakes embroidered on his back. At first glance, it resembled the robes of the "Gold-Seeking Guard". He was truly Intent-Qi and awe-inspiring, and with a wave of his hand, he led the wounded officers out of the hall.

Li Xian suddenly said, "Wait!"

Kong Li paused, recognizing Li Xian. Recalling the events of the day, he thought that if he hadn't been preoccupied with important matters, he would have already dealt with this fellow. He had been careless during the day and had been temporarily subdued, but he was still unwilling to Qi Ingestion. He shouted, "You dare to obstruct me?!" He gripped the hilt of his knife, secretly gathering his strength. He was just waiting for Li Xian to say something displeasing before striking and killing him to vent his hatred.

Li Xian said, "Of course not. But since all the officers are injured, why don't we healers accompany them? Perhaps we can take care of them at any time?"

Kong Li shouted, "What a joke! Sending you healers along would only invite ridicule! People would say our constables are all wounded, and that Westwind County has no one else to rely on!" Suddenly, his eyes darted around, and he thought, "Yesterday, that thief escaped, and I thought there was no chance left, so I was furious and punished the constables. Unexpectedly, today the opportunity has presented itself. My constables are all injured, and no matter how much I force them, their injuries will hardly heal immediately. Leading such a wounded force will weaken our morale considerably. If the Gold-Seeking Guard see this, they might look down on me, Kong Li, and that would be extremely unwise."

His eyes darted around, and he thought, "If I had the doctors wear armor and act as my constables, accompanying me on my mission, at first glance, it would look like I had ten more perfectly healthy men. Their illness would dissipate, and their spirits would naturally improve. Besides, this matter was proposed by Li Xian; if any problems arise, I can pin the blame on Li Xian. Then I can use that as an opportunity to make things difficult for them—wouldn't that be killing several birds with one stone!"

Kong Li immediately laughed and said, "Upon careful consideration, what Doctor Li said makes sense. The physicians of the Miraculous Healers Pavilion are not only skilled in medicine, but must also be proficient in martial arts. Catching thieves and apprehending criminals is not much different from treating illnesses and saving lives. I urge all of you physicians to change your clothes and come with me to catch the thief! Afterwards, Kong Li will host a banquet to express his gratitude!"

One of the Hall Physician said, "County Commandant Kong, this... this... I'm afraid this is inappropriate. We are not government officials..."

All the Hall Physician had a background in martial arts. However, having practiced medicine for so long, they were secretly uneasy at the sight of this scene. Kong Li said, "Is there anything wrong with this? I'll temporarily hire you all as my servants. I'll give you one tael of silver out of my own pocket as a token of my gratitude, as payment for your service."

Kong Li looked at Li Xian and said, "This Divine Physician Li's suggestion is excellent. I will give him two taels of silver to hire him as a temporary head constable. You will all be under his jurisdiction for the time being."

Li Xian sneered inwardly, "Kong Li appointed me to this position to hold me accountable later. If I take responsibility, and any injuries or deaths among the medical staff, they will blame me. My status as a doctor will be in jeopardy, and it might even land me in jail. I'll play along."

He took the silver first, saying, "County Magistrate Kong has entrusted me with this important task, and Li Xian will not refuse!"

Kong Li beamed with delight, his expression full of joy, and he praised meaningfully, "This Doctor Li is truly a young hero!"

The doctors exchanged bewildered glances, but since things had already come to this, they could not disobey. They all went to change their clothes, donning the red robes and bronze armor of the yamen runners, and wielding their respective weapons. Li Xian removed his loose robes, revealing his physique in the red robes and bronze armor.

Though masked, his heroic bearing surpassed that of the others by several degrees. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his masculinity was undeniable. He even outshone Kong Li's imposing tiger armor, and even the well-equipped Gold-Seeking Guard paled in comparison. Kong Li consumed by jealousy, thinking, "Hmph, this kid certainly has a fine physique. Let him be smug for now; I'll deal with him later!"

He mounted his horse and led his men away. Li Xian and his men blended into the constables. The group numbered nearly fifty, and although most of them were injured, their combined strength gave them a formidable presence. There was no curfew in Jade City, and the people along the streets stopped to watch and discuss the matter.

Kong Li stood tall and proud, radiating Intent-Qi. Li Xian observed the surroundings, thinking, "This operation to surround and catch the thief is ultimately just my own wish. For my fellow doctors, it's all for nothing, and it carries a certain degree of danger."

He then Mind-Intent Transmission to the accompanying "Hall Physician," saying, "Although we are temporary servants, we are not under their jurisdiction. Once the situation stabilizes, we will immediately seize the opportunity to escape and return to the Miraculous Healers Pavilion! Our own safety is paramount."

The doctors exchanged bewildered glances, then looked at Li Xian. Li Xian nodded slightly. The doctors were still skeptical, unsure of what to do.

The ranks suddenly halted, and Kong Li met a Gold-Seeking Guard a type of guard) with a fawning attitude. The Gold-Seeking Guard were the main force in capturing the thieves, with meticulous plans and an inescapable net already in place. Kong Li and the others only needed to follow orders and were unaware of the specific plans.

They were assigned to guard the southwest side of "Maiden Lake" in "Zhoushan Ward". The terrain in this area is quite complex, with many slopes and complicated streets and alleys. Therefore, additional manpower was assigned. Kong Li is the "Westgate County", whose jurisdiction includes this area. Gold-Seeking Guard took this place into consideration and thus assigned personnel to assist him. Gold-Seeking Guard held Terrain Map and marked five key intersections. After Kong Li looked at it, he immediately raised his voice to give orders.

He dispatched the constables to various locations, his fierce expression instructing them. "If you encounter thieves, even if it costs you your life, you must stop them!"

The constables had no choice but to obey orders, dispersing to various locations and remaining on duty despite their illness. Kong Li was stationed in the same place with a "Gold-Seeking Guard). Along the way, there was no shortage of flattery and attempts to find topics to talk about.

Li Xian's eyes darted around as he observed his surroundings, his fingers tracing strands of hair as he probed for any sounds. He noticed the abundance of greenery in the Zhoushan Ward, the interconnected Lake Mountain and mountains, and the numerous pavilions in the water and pagodas and temples in the mountains—a sight rarely seen elsewhere.

The local topography shapes the local architecture. The style of Zhoushan Ward is different from that of Universal Aid Ward and Benevolent Transformation Ward. The people coming and going in the neighborhood are more affluent. Li Xian is stationed at "Lake-Wed Street; Lake-Tail Lane". This road is adjacent to "Maiden Lake", hence the name "Lake-Wed Street". Every year during the festival in Jade City, women from Jade City come here to play. The beautiful women are more beautiful than the scenery, making it a very lively place.

Li Xian was accompanied by three constables named Zhang Shi, Li Dao, Liu Ping. All were seriously injured, unsteady on their feet, and pale-faced. At their waists were a horizontal sword, a miniature iron Thief-Capturing Ball, and a Sky-Rising Fire Signal Bomb. If they encountered a wanted criminal, they would hold their swords, throw the Thief-Capturing Ball to capture him, and use the Sky-Rising Fire Signal Bomb to signal for reinforcements.

The encirclement was formidable. From his conversation with Kong Li and the Gold-Seeking Guard, Li Xian learned that the Gold-Seeking Guard's deployment was meticulous and their plan thorough; they would not allow the thief to escape again. Li Xian kept watch for a moment, hearing no unusual movements and seeing no trace of the thief. His mind raced, using the strands of his hair to observe key points; everything was calm and peaceful. He thought, "Jade City is so large; the thief could escape anywhere. If he's caught elsewhere, this matter will be none of my concern, and the idea of joining the Gold-Seeking Guard will be out of the question. Ultimately, this depends on luck; success or failure is beyond my Non-Self. I shouldn't be impatient or place too much hope in it. This leisure time, used to hone my martial arts, will not be wasted."

It was late afternoon, early evening, Lake-Wed Street was beautiful, situated near the lake. However, once night fell, the people stopped coming here. Li Xian wielded his broadsword, honing his martial arts skills. The sword's momentum was fierce, the wind howled, and the lake water surged and rippled. Zhang Shi, Li Dao, Liu Ping, and others rested and recuperated, sitting on a stone lion statue.

Li Xian silently honed his skills, reviewing what he had learned. Of all his martial arts, only "The Sole-Self Heart Technique," "The Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture," and "The Flicked-Finger Golden Light" had not yet Peak Mastery. "The Sole-Self Heart Technique" was a miraculous skill, requiring time to hone. He had practiced the Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture daily and had already reached Perfection, reaching its First Realm. He could proceed slowly, and soon he could even work on the "Bone-Strengthening Section. Both martial arts were "internal training," which could be practiced slowly at night, without haste or impatience, to make progress. Only " The Flicked-Finger Golden Light " required training that involved expanding his body's bones. Li Xian had no new martial arts at the moment, and could easily manage all three, with plenty of time. Suddenly, he thought, "If it's suitable, I should also learn another martial art to further enhance my martial arts!"

Feeling the surging of Zhenghu Lake, it has already reached over 150 zhang! Its extraordinary strength far surpasses that of others.

Li Xian casually displayed his swordsmanship, using the "Great Luo Saber Technique" learned from "One Accord Manor." The moves were simple, wide and sweeping, the blade's light weaving like a net. Soon it was past midnight, almost midnight. Although Lake-Wed Street was deserted, Jade City was bustling with activity. Suddenly, a loud "bang" was heard, and fireworks burst in the distance, their bright light illuminating the scene and igniting brilliant sparks.

Li Xian asked, "Is it a signal?" Zhang Shi replied, "No, it's the fireworks festival in Gold Ingot Ward." Another constable, Li Dao, complained, "We're truly miserable. While others celebrate, we're stuck here."

Zhang Shi then said, "We're already incredibly lucky to have just held on. If we had encountered that scoundrel, we would either have been beaten to death by him or killed by Kong Li."

Li Xian asked, "What exactly does the firework signal look like?" The constable Liu Ping described the firework signal to him. Li Xian stared intently and saw countless fireworks rising and falling in Gold Ingot Ward, burning for half an hour without stopping.

Suddenly, a firework burst open, its shape remarkably similar to a signal firework. However, the fireworks were dazzling and overwhelming, completely obscuring the signal firework and making it unnoticed. Li Xian thought to himself, "Just as I suspected. That person is extremely cunning. He anticipated a trap waiting for him tonight, so he waited until the fireworks festival to act suddenly. Even if he's exposed, the obscured signal firework buys him time. The operation has already begun. Gold Ingot Ward is quite far from here, and I'm unfamiliar with the roads, making it difficult to get there immediately."

He knew his plan had failed. He sighed softly, but wasn't discouraged. Seeing the tranquil surroundings, he realized it was an ideal place to practice martial arts. He honed his swordsmanship, Flicked-Finger Golden Light ... A quarter of an hour later, the Gold-Seeking Guard belatedly noticed a firework signal rising in the sky, seemingly southeast of Gold Ingot Ward. Li Xian knew the Gold-Seeking Guard would inevitably surround and capture him. He said, "The Gold-Seeking Guard are already several steps behind; I wonder if we can salvage the situation."

Half an hour later, the third signal fire was lit, located north of Tongji Ward. Li Xian couldn't help but praise, "This person is quite formidable. The signal fire has been lit three times already, and he has the Gold-Seeking Guard completely outmaneuvered." Curious, he sheathed his sword and took out Terrain Map to examine it.

Before long, the fourth signal fire was lit. The location shifted back to "Gold Ingot Ward". The thief moved east and west, sometimes to Tongji Ward, sometimes to Gold Ingot Ward, sometimes farther away, sometimes closer. Having gained the upper hand because of the fireworks festival, he led the Gold-Seeking Guard around by the nose.

Li Xian pondered, "The more elusive this person's movements, the more it indicates they already have a target. Gold-Seeking Guard is elite, they'll be helpless after being tricked like this! This person's cunning is truly exceptional!"

The situation changed drastically, Li Xian lost interest in martial arts. He observed the smoke signals and studied the terrain Terrain Map, trying to decipher the bandits' thoughts and plans. He thought, "These bandits always lurk in Gold Ingot Ward and Tongji Ward, quite far from Zhoushan Ward. However, warfare is about deception. They use feints and real attacks, and real attacks and feints again. Could it be that these bandits are doing this intentionally, drawing the siege to those two wards, and then using Zhoushan Ward as a breakthrough point?"

At this moment, the fireworks signal at Gold Ingot Ward was lit again. Almost simultaneously, the yamen runners stationed at Clear Mountain Street, who were staring blankly at the fireworks signal and were completely relaxed, were suddenly attacked from behind. Before they could even light the fireworks signal, they were easily injured and lay on the ground, unable to get up.

The thief was tall and slender, with incredibly agile movements. Known as "Spring Breeze Thief, Li Hengfeng," he specialized in theft and was infamous throughout the Guanlong Circuit Plain. He had previously broken into wealthy families to steal their treasures, always escaping unscathed – a testament to his skill. His plan succeeded, and he laughed triumphantly. It turned out... he had been plotting for a long time. All thieves consider it an honor to steal from Jade City and escape unscathed. Li Hengfeng had been stealing for decades, his experience shrewd and his schemes masterful. He had learned in advance that Gold Ingot Ward would be holding a fireworks festival that night, hence his planned theft. He intended to use the fireworks to escape. He waited patiently for his opportunity. When the festival began, he would attack the Gold-Seeking Guard of Gold Ingot Ward. Li Hengfeng was skilled at theft, but not particularly strong. The Gold-Seeking Guard Gold-Seeking Guard quite powerful, and after a struggle, he managed to defeat them and secretly steal a firework signal. Although the Gold-Seeking Guard released the signal, it was overshadowed by the fireworks festival. Li Hengfeng escaped unnoticed for a time, but the Gold-Seeking Guard' defenses were tight. Even though he escaped for a while, he was still caught in a tight net. He thought, "I need to find a way to tighten the net and, at the most crucial moment, launch a feint attack to strike their weak point." He planned to hide the stolen firework signal in a mountain forest and set up clever traps beforehand. Half an hour later, he would set off the signal.

He then began to actively reveal himself. Before each appearance, he would plan his retreat route, first eliciting the signal from the Gold-Seeking Guard, and then immediately fleeing. He maneuvered and moved around in this way several times, using his excellent lightness skill and seizing the initiative to avoid being surrounded and suffer several injuries, but he was never captured.

Gold-Seeking Guard was at a loss and could only let him play tricks on him. Li Hengfeng moved from east to west, shuttling between several neighborhoods, as if he were desperately seeking medical help. He was trapped in a net and ran around like a headless fly, but in reality, he was brewing a big plan. Gold-Seeking Guard kept gathering at Gold Ingot Ward.

When the time was right, Li Hengfeng calculated the timing. The pre-arranged fireworks were about to ignite, so he used a feint to escape elsewhere. Zhoushan Ward, with its mountains and rivers, beautiful scenery, and complex streets, was an ideal place to hide. He also planned to gather Gold-Seeking Guard's plan. The Zhoushan Ward area was guarded by the county magistrate of Westgate County. He had fought this man before; he was skilled but a coward.

Attacking the enemy's weakness was the best strategy. Just as the signal fireworks were about to be lit, Li Hengfeng suddenly appeared in the Zhoushan Ward area. Li Hengfeng wasn't careless; he knew that although the constables weren't as elite as the Gold-Seeking Guard, they were in small groups, armored and well-equipped, and with the "Heavenly Crafted Wonders" they carried, they could temporarily entangle and maneuver against him while the signal fireworks were lit. Unexpectedly, they stealthily approached without him noticing. They were extremely weak, and were easily defeated with a few blows, breaking free of the predicament effortlessly. Li Hengfeng was momentarily surprised and doubtful. "Non-Self was too clever, thinking I was fooling the Gold-Seeking Guard, but instead walked right into their trap?" Fearing a trap, he dared not flee. This moment of surprise and doubt was noticed by Kong Li.

Kong Li, brimming with excitement, cursed, "You scoundrel, prepare to die!" There were five key points in Zhoushan Ward, a route the thief almost inevitably took to escape. Kong Li rode his horse to patrol these five points, unexpectedly discovering Li Hengfeng's whereabouts. He immediately lit a signal fire, his heart overflowing with joy: "The previous signal fire appeared in Gold Ingot Ward. This scoundrel has appeared here; he couldn't possibly be in two places at once. He must have used a trick to keep the Gold-Seeking Guard busy, allowing him to escape." "And I, here, under these circumstances, have captured him. This performance is truly remarkable. How can I not enter the Gold-Seeking Guard!" Kong Li was extremely excited, lit the signal fire, and leaped from his horse. His sword was instantly drawn, slashing down at Li Hengfeng. Li Hengfeng raised an eyebrow and shouted, "A fine sword!" With a flick of his toe, he lifted the unconscious constable to the ground, grabbed him by the back of his collar with one hand, and used him as a shield, raising him upwards. At the same time, he reached down to his lower back with his left hand, took out three black shuttlecocks, and was ready to fire them at any moment.

Unexpectedly, Kong Li's blade continued its momentum, attempting to cleave the constable in two. Li Hengfeng cursed, "You scoundrel, you're even more vicious than me!" He fired a black shuttle ahead of time, delaying Kong Li's blade for a moment. He tossed the constable aside and then caught the blade with his bare hand.

Li Hengfeng knelt on one knee, and the moment his knee touched the ground, the blue bricks shattered into pieces, turning into scattered pebbles. Kong Li's muscles and bones were tough and his martial arts were mainly crude and brute. Li Hengfeng took advantage of the situation and lay down, his back hitting the ground heavily. However, it was not because Kong Li's sword strike was too fierce and pressed him down, but because it was intentional. The blue bricks and pebbles on the ground were shaken and sent flying towards Kong Li.

Kong Li's horizontal sword was being held between Li Hengfeng's palms. The force of the pebbles was considerable, and several were aimed at his pressure points. In an instant, Kong Li's advantage turned into a disadvantage. In desperation, Kong Li's body burst forth with white light to block the attack of the pebbles. However, Li Hengfeng was experienced and nimble. His limbs were long and agile, and he flicked out a blade from his toes, hooking it upwards and aiming it at Kong Li's navel.

Kong Li's mind was in disarray. He gathered a protective white light around his abdomen to block the blade. The flying bricks and pebbles struck several of Kong Li acupoints. The pebbles shattered into powder, leaving red marks on Kong Li's body, and his whole body instantly felt numb and sore. Although Kong Li was injured in this exchange, he was not seriously wounded.

Li Hengfeng's moves were fluid and continuous. He struck Kong Li's pressure points, causing him to feel weak and numb for a moment. He twisted his palms, trying to disarm Kong Li. How could Kong Li let him succeed? He stomped his foot forcefully, unleashing a powerful internal force that shook the ground three times. Li Hengfeng, who was lying on the ground, was thrown into the air by the force. Kong Li used the momentum to swing his horizontal sword, trying to throw Li Hengfeng into the air. When the first throw failed, he tried again with a backhand.

Li Hengfeng possessed remarkable lightness skill, his body swift and agile. He moved like a flag, Kong Li's sword serving as the flagpole. Li Hengfeng's hands never left his sword, but his long legs moved swiftly, kicking, striking, pointing, and sweeping from above. Kong Li was drenched in sweat, struggling to parry. Seeing that he couldn't defeat Li Hengfeng, Li Hengfeng laughed, "You coward, you think you can catch me?" Suddenly, he released Kong Li's sword, his body moving with agility, clinging to Kong Li's back. Kong Li frantically swung his sword, but couldn't reach behind him. Li Hengfeng's hands were like long snakes, his limbs both long and supple. They passed under his armpits, coiled to his elbows, then around his forearms and wrists, finally landing on the back of Li Hengfeng Kong Li. Their arms became one!

Following closely behind, he did the same with his right hand, right leg, and left leg. Li Hengfeng clung to Kong Li's back, locking hands and legs. Their figures almost overlapped. Kong Li felt a numbness throughout his body, unable to exert any strength. His limbs wouldn't obey his commands, and his body was out of control. Li Hengfeng's breathing rhythm changed; with each breath, his body became more withered, and his figure gradually faded. Eventually, Li Hengfeng form resembled a "human garment," clinging to Kong Li's back. At first glance, it seemed as if he had vanished into thin air, merging with Kong Li as one. Kong Li his mouth to speak, but could not. His voice came from behind his neck. "You coward, stop struggling. Obediently obey my commands and help me escape. I won't take your life."

Kong Li picked up a robe and used it to cover the two figures, then mounted his horse and fled into the distance. After traveling about several miles, Kong Li let out a long "whoa!" and stopped his horse, shouting, "Who goes ahead? I am Kong Li, the county magistrate of Westgate County! Get out of the way at once!"

Li Xian, who had been waiting for some time, laughed and said, "Excellent! Excellent! I've been waiting for Kong Li." He stood in the middle of the road and shouted loudly, "County Lieutenant Kong, please dismount!"

(P. S.: Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!)