Tao Yaoyao

In the capital, Li Ziye and Mu Yao strolled about for half a day. The "old friends" enjoyed a lively conversation upon their reunion.

As they wandered, Li Ziye paid particular attention to the ten residences standing in different parts of the capital.

Stern and imposing, they radiated a powerful pressure that could be felt even before one drew near.

Great Shang's ten Martial Kings!

Li Ziye secretly committed the locations of the ten Martial Kings' residences to memory. He knew that if the Li Family had no choice but to confront the imperial family in the future, these ten Martial Kings of Great Shang would be terrifying figures the Li Residence would have to face.

Half a day later, Li Ziye parted ways with the third prince and prepared to return home.

However, as he passed a Martial King's residence, a woman approached from the opposite direction.

The woman wore pinkish red, with rouged cheeks and vermilion lips. Her excessively glamorous features looked almost aggressive, making others afraid to look at her for long.

The moment Li Ziye saw her, he instinctively felt an intense sense of danger.

The Rakshasa Woman!

Li Ziye's heart sank. Before coming, he had deliberately reviewed information on every faction in Great Shang's capital.

The ten Martial Kings in particular had left a deep impression on him.

Among the ten Martial Kings, the Rakshasa Woman was the only woman. Though a woman, she was extraordinarily powerful, ranking among the foremost of the ten.

Legend had it that the Rakshasa Woman was ruthless and cruel, and anyone who offended her met a miserable end.

Just as Li Ziye's thoughts stirred, Tao Yaoyao also noticed the youth before her.

Then her red lips curved slightly.

Was this the Li Family's legitimate son whom the Head of the Confucians had mentioned?

Qin Enuo's disciple did not seem particularly special.

Apart from looking reasonably presentable.

Before the Rakshasa King's residence, Li Ziye suppressed the turmoil within him and silently walked on.

Seeing this, Tao Yaoyao revealed a teasing smile.

She was certain this youth had recognized her.

As they passed each other, Tao Yaoyao stopped and asked with a smile, "The Li Family's legitimate son?"

Li Ziye ignored her and quickened his pace, wanting to leave this place of trouble.

He had no desire to face a Martial King so soon.

"Li Ziye!"

Seeing the youth walk faster, Tao Yaoyao stepped lightly, streaking past like a meteor and instantly blocking his path.

Li Ziye looked startled, then forcibly suppressed his agitation and continued pretending not to recognize her. "Who might you be?"

Tao Yaoyao smiled charmingly and pointed at the residence beside them. "This royal residence belongs to yours truly."

At this, Li Ziye put on a shocked expression and hurriedly bowed. "So you are the Rakshasa King. Forgive my discourtesy."

"Stop pretending."

Tao Yaoyao sneered. "You are not convincing at all. Did Qin Enuo never teach you to greet your elders first?"

"I truly did not recognize you earlier, Rakshasa King. My apologies."

Li Ziye stubbornly refused to admit it. "Do you know my master, Rakshasa King?"

"More than that."

Tao Yaoyao said indifferently, "We are enemies."

Hearing this, Li Ziye inwardly sucked in a cold breath. Fuck, surely I couldn't be this unlucky.

Old Qin, you're going to get me killed!

"What, frightened?"

Tao Yaoyao teased, "Relax. I would not go so far as to make trouble for a junior."

"Your magnanimity commands my admiration, Rakshasa King!"

Li Ziye offered a compliment, his eyes darting about, then said respectfully, "I only arrived in the capital today, and there are still many matters to arrange at home, so I shall take my leave. Please excuse me."

With that, Li Ziye bowed again, then turned to leave.

A place of trouble was no place to linger!

"Stop."

Behind him, Tao Yaoyao said flatly, "Did I give you permission to leave?"

Li Ziye halted and turned back with difficulty.

Old Qin, save me!

"Where is your master now?" Tao Yaoyao asked.

"Right here in the capital."

Li Ziye sold Old Qin out without hesitation. After some thought, he added, "Most likely at the Imperial Academy."

"The Imperial Academy?"

Tao Yaoyao frowned. "What is she doing at the Imperial Academy?"

Then Tao Yaoyao looked at the youth before her. "I heard you could create your own sword techniques at ten. Is that true?"

"Rumors. Absolutely nothing but rumors."

Li Ziye immediately denied it. "How could a ten-year-old create sword techniques? You must not believe such rumors, Rakshasa King."

Tao Yaoyao studied him. "You must have some ability, or Qin Enuo would never have taken you as her disciple. Today, I shall test just what Qin Enuo has taught you all this time."

As her words fell, Tao Yaoyao raised her hand and struck with her palm.

A Martial King had made her move. Before the force of her palm arrived, its bone-chilling wind had already swept toward his face.

Startled, Li Ziye instinctively darted away. His movement was as graceful as a startled swan, carrying him nine paces away in an instant.

"The Flying Immortal Art?"

Tao Yaoyao's expression changed as she exclaimed in surprise.

Qin Enuo had actually taught this boy the Flying Immortal Art. Had that woman gone mad?

Everyone under heaven knew that the Flying Immortal Art was the hardest cultivation art in the world to master, whether its mental cultivation method or its moves.

Had Qin Enuo abandoned herself to despair and given up on her three-year agreement with the Vermilion Bird Sect's old sect master?

That truly did not seem like that woman's style.

Nine paces away, Li Ziye watched the Rakshasa King's changing expression. Suppressing his anger, he said, neither servile nor overbearing, "Rakshasa King, I know nothing of your grievances with my master, nor do I wish to interfere. My master is here in the capital now. If you have any business with her, you can seek her out. Why vent your anger on a junior like me? This truly ill befits your standing as a Martial King."

"You little fellow certainly have a sharp tongue. Never mind, go, lest someone really accuse me of bullying the young." Tao Yaoyao waved her hand.

"I shall take my leave."

Li Ziye cupped his fist in salute, then turned and hurried away.

"An anomaly outside heaven's mandate. Head of the Confucians, just what did you mean by those words?"

Tao Yaoyao watched the youth's retreating figure, glimmers of light flashing through her eyes.

Previously, when she visited the Imperial Academy, the Head of the Confucians had mentioned this legitimate son of the Li Family several times and said things she could not understand. That was why she was so interested in the boy.

Few people in this world could draw the Head of the Confucians' attention, and the last person he had mentioned repeatedly was that scholar.

Fu Jinglun!

A young man once filled with hot blood and a wealth of learning.

Now the temple master of the Divine Oracle Temple, the greatest faith in the Western Regions, and the second greatest person under heaven, renowned throughout the Nine Provinces!

The Head of the Confucians had mentioned this legitimate son of the Li Family even more often than he had Fu Jinglun back then. Did that not mean the Li Family's legitimate son would achieve even more than Fu Jinglun in the future?

At Li Garden, it was nearly sunset when Li Ziye returned.

A thin sheen of cold sweat still covered Li Ziye's face. Clearly, encountering the Rakshasa King on the road had been beyond his expectations.

"Little brother, did something happen?"

In the inner courtyard, Li Youwei noticed his unusual expression and asked with concern.

"I ran into the Rakshasa King on the way back."

Li Ziye did not conceal anything and answered truthfully, "We exchanged a move. If the Rakshasa King had not merely intended to test me, I would not have made it back today."

"The Rakshasa King?"

Li Youwei's expression changed. "Why did she attack you?"

"She seems to have a grudge against Qin Enuo."

After answering, Li Ziye asked, "Sister Youwei, I haven't had a chance to ask yet. How are the cooperation talks going?"

"We are still negotiating. Your second brother is also investigating the forces behind the Zhangsun Family, the Merchant Alliance, and the Yin Family Bank. But one thing is certain: all three have countless tangled ties to the imperial family."

Li Youwei said gravely, "You guessed correctly. The imperial family wants to meddle in our Li Family's business, then dismantle the entire family without bloodying a single blade."

"When bargaining with a tiger for its hide, every step is naturally fraught with peril."

Li Ziye nodded. "What about Second Brother? Has he made his move?"

"Not yet."

Li Youwei shook her head. "He is probably waiting for an opportunity. I have arranged to continue discussing cooperation with them the day after tomorrow. Since you, the Li Family's legitimate son, are here, come along, so they cannot use it to stir up trouble again, saying our Li Family does not respect them enough because we sent a woman to negotiate with them."

"Very well."

A cold glint flashed through Li Ziye's eyes. "I shall take this opportunity to meet these important figures of the capital."

"Boy, are you finished talking?"

Just then, Zhang Lata's voice rang out in the inner courtyard. "If you are, come over and get to work!"

Hearing him, Li Ziye said, "Sister Youwei, I'll go over first."

"All right."

Li Youwei nodded in reply.

Li Ziye walked toward the room ahead. Inside, steam billowed and the smell of medicine stung his nose.

"Just look at this Qin Enuo. We are already in the capital, yet she still has not returned."

Watching Li Ziye approach, Zhang Lata tossed medicinal ingredients into the wooden tub as he complained, "And now all the dirty, exhausting work falls to this old man alone."

"Aren't I looking for Old Qin too?"

Li Ziye said helplessly, "Over the next few days, I'll find a chance to visit the Imperial Academy and see if there are any clues about Old Qin. I'm sorry to trouble you for a few more days."

"That is all we can do. Strip."

Zhang Lata spoke irritably.

Li Ziye nodded and deftly removed his outer clothes, then...

Stepped into the medicinal tub.

"Aah!"

The next instant, a miserable scream rang out in the room, all the more hair-raising in the quiet night.

However, Li Garden's servants had all been brought over from the Li Residence in Yuzhou City, and they were long accustomed to the sight.

In fact, if they did not hear their young master scream a few times each day, they felt something was missing and could not sleep.

An hour later, Zhang Lata emerged from the room looking exhausted, his face covered in sweat, as though he had done something very tiring.

Another quarter of an hour later, Li Ziye staggered out, unable even to walk steadily.

The night passed without further words. The next day, dawn had just broken.

Four young men dressed as Confucian scholars appeared before Li Garden and specifically asked for Li Ziye.

In the inner courtyard, Li Ziye looked surprised upon hearing the servant's report.

Confucian scholars?

People from the Imperial Academy?

They certainly moved fast!

Li Ziye walked out of Li Garden. Upon seeing him, the four scholars bowed politely. "Young Master Li, please accompany us to the Imperial Academy."

"Lead the way."

Li Ziye agreed without even asking why.

Hearing this, the four scholars were instead taken aback. They had thought this legitimate son of the Li Family would refuse, or even resist by force.

The Imperial Academy had sent all four of them together precisely as a precaution.

Soon, the scholar in the lead recovered and said courteously, "Young Master Li, please!"

Li Ziye nodded, then stepped forward.

The Imperial Academy.

In the Law Enforcement Hall, four command officers sat quietly. The seat at their head remained empty, with no one occupying it.

Above the command officers was the presiding master, but the Law Enforcement Hall's presiding master did not appear for ordinary matters.

Before long, the four scholars arrived with Li Ziye, bowed respectfully, then turned and withdrew.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Li Ziye looked at the four command officers of the Confucian School and grinned. Then he bent halfway at the waist and cupped his hands in salute. "This junior, Li Ziye, greets the four command officers."