Chapter 7, Qian Niu Knife

The muscles on his face twitched, reminiscent of the legendary century-old fiery liquor worth a hundred taels of silver. That is not merely drinking; it is akin to consuming melted gold! Li Linfu glared at Li Tianba, his teeth clenched, remaining silent for a long time. Eventually, he ground his teeth and muttered, "Little Fish, his ribs have been broken in seven or eight places, three to five of his meridians are severed, and two or three of his internal organs are injured. He is currently lying in bed fighting for his life. This is what the imperial physician has said. Um... Tianba, could it be that you do not believe your brother's words?"

Li Linfu's expression changed dramatically as he shot a fierce glare at Li Tianba, muttering under his breath, "Just wait for the general of the Qian Niu Guard to come after you."

Taking a long breath, Li Linfu gritted his teeth and said: "What about the honorific title for Xiao Yu? He is also considered a relative of our Tang Dynasty, and this title cannot be low. You all in the flower camp are just a bunch of people holding nominal positions. I originally intended to cultivate him, and after three to five years of training, he would be able to hold a substantive position. He must not be harmed by you all."

Jiang Yu seized the handle of the knife, drawing it out with one hand. A dragon's roar echoed, and a flurry of light like snowflakes scattered forth. The short knife, measuring only about one and a half feet in blade length, cast a blade of light over three feet long. This blade radiated brilliance, with a sharp aura penetrating several yards away. What is even more remarkable is that, despite the overwhelming aura of the blade, the knife's body was layered and intricate, with swirling snowflake-like shadows rotating and vanishing upon its surface, making it a truly formidable weapon that excelled in both restraint and ferocity.

When Jiang Yu softly uttered these words, Li Tianba, Feng Xiaoxiao, and others were all taken aback. Li Tianba said sternly, "Is that true?" He was extremely anxious; the people from the Flower Camp were all skilled and adept at handling cases. However, they were ultimately from a military intelligence organization, and the habits ingrained from military life could not be easily washed away. Where could they find any profound and subtle techniques? If they could acquire Jiang Yu's already proven and unfathomable method of concealing one's presence, wouldn't the strength of the Flower Camp increase significantly?

Jiang Yu nodded vigorously, secretly pondering: If it weren't for the fact that I am now wearing this tiger skin, who would be willing to take the risk to help you keep watch? Relying on the secret methods of my sect, I managed to gather this crucial intelligence, how could it not be true? He then raised his head with enthusiasm and said proudly: "How could it not be true? It is absolutely genuine! Right behind the Great Compassion Temple, there are six courtyards; surely they must all be their strongholds? Among them, there is a large ginkgo tree that must be nearly a thousand years old, that is the place."

As the river fish leaped down from above, Li Tianba, Feng Xiaoxiao, and the other officers of the Flower Camp were momentarily stunned. Suddenly, Li Tianba lunged towards the river fish, shouting loudly: "Hahaha, today I have stumbled upon a treasure! I have already entered the innate realm, and those so-called grandmasters cannot deceive my sixth sense. Who would have thought, at such a young age, you possess such astonishing skills in concealing your presence! Oh dear, why are you following that scoundrel Li Linfu? Why not acknowledge me as your elder brother? If I have no sons in the future, the title of Duke of Wu will belong to you."

Do I still have to follow them and fight desperately? Just thinking about those thirty-six men in black, whose skills are simply beyond the realm of martial arts, and their gleaming weapons makes Jiang Yu's head ache. Having just donned the tiger skin for the first day, and not having received a single copper coin of salary, why should I exert myself for the Li family? He opened his mouth and effortlessly spat out a mouthful of red blood. Jiang Yu fell back, exclaiming, "Ah, my internal injuries have flared up again. Ji Wen, quickly take me back to the residence and ask my elder brother to find a physician to save me!" This lazy fellow, in order to gain Feng Xiaoxiao's trust, felt a surge of true energy crashing in his belly, and he forcefully spat out at least a large bowl of blood, frightening Feng Xiaoxiao into a state of panic, as she could only watch Ji Wen and the other stern officials hurriedly carry Jiang Yu away.

Li Tianba waved his hand decisively and said, "The intelligence from the Flower Camp was originally shared with your Censorate. Don't pretend to be confused with me. You know very well what the Flower Camp is actually for. You have just been appointed as the Deputy Censor, and I haven't had the chance to hand over the personnel responsible for this intelligence to you. If you hand over Jiang Yu, the Flower Camp will support you more in the future. Isn't that a win-win situation?" After a few strange laughs, Li Tianba resembled a brothel madam coercing someone into prostitution. He gritted his teeth and looked at Li Linfu, saying, "This is a tremendous favor I am granting you. In the past, which Deputy Censor did not obediently bring silk, fine wine, prime beef, and tender lamb to my Flower Camp to seek our cooperation? I have come to you today of my own accord. If you do not give me this favor, heh!"

Li Tianba exaggeratedly threw the teacup in his hand away, spread his hands, and exclaimed: "How can this be? How can this be? Oh dear!" Then he suddenly jumped up, grabbing Li Linfu by the neck and shaking him repeatedly: "My cousin, Little Fish, he is a divine being! With this injury, tsk tsk, one could say he is dead, yet he can still track for over an hour and find the hiding place of those thieves! Are you trying to tell me that Little Fish is no longer human? Has he become a god?"

Ah? ! '' Li Linfu suddenly opened his mouth, remaining silent for a long time -- it was over, he had gone too far. His slanted eyes blinked rapidly as he picked up the teacup, ready to bring it to his lips, while his mind frantically turned over various schemes, trying to figure out how to make up for this momentary blunder

This tranquility lasted for three days. After three days, an unexpected guest arrived directly at Li Linfu's residence

Hehehe! Jiang Yu leaped onto the long couch opposite Li Tianba, exchanging a cunning glance filled with extortion with Li Linfu, and said with a strange smile: "Second General, why are you in such a hurry? My elder brother has merely agreed to let me be transferred from the Censorate to the Flower Camp, but did I ever say that I must go to your Flower Camp? Your maritime capture warrant? Is there anyone in the world who can catch me? A joke!" My elder brother has merely agreed to let me be transferred from the Censorate to the Flower Camp, but did I ever say that I must go to your Flower Camp? Your maritime capture warrant? Is there anyone in the world who can catch me? A joke!

The kind of anger that is infuriating, the kind that makes one want to spit blood at the sky, Li Linfu thought: You have lost all face to meet others, you might as well kill yourself, why would you kill me? Oh heavens, why not strike down a lightning bolt to eliminate this second general who brings disaster to the officials, just as you did to his ancestors! Huffing and puffing, Li Linfu exhaled a few heavy breaths and said angrily: "Even if the little fish follows your flower camp, you cannot treat him poorly, nor can you let him face any danger. Otherwise, I, Li Linfu, will use all the power of the Censorate to make you, Li Tianba, suffer!" Oh heavens, why not strike down a lightning bolt to eliminate this second general who brings disaster to the officials, just as you did to his ancestors! Huffing and puffing, Li Linfu exhaled a few heavy breaths and said angrily: "Even if the little fish follows your flower camp, you cannot treat him poorly, nor can you let him face any danger. Otherwise, I, Li Linfu, will use all the power of the Censorate to make you, Li Tianba, suffer!"

Li Linfu nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He fixed his gaze on the lean and wiry Li Tianba before him and, with a troubled expression, said: "Second General, well, let us deliberate on this matter for a while, ah, hahahaha. How about this: I will take the initiative to introduce you to a good marriage proposal?"

In an instant, Feng Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Yu and smiled, taking Jiang Yu's hand and saying: "Brother Jiang, I feel as if we have known each other for a long time. I did not expect you to possess such excellent tracking skills, which truly amazes me. Today, I won't say too many polite words. Although you are a subordinate of the Censorate, I would like to ask you for a favor, what do you think?"

Standing at the door with a smile, Feng Xiaoxiao looked at Li Tianba and Li Linfu entangled together and cheerfully called out: "Hey, Second General, this Li Linfu has been in office for ten years, his record must be questionable. Let us not be polite to him; let’s fabricate a few charges against him and send him to the secret prison."

With a loud crash, Li Tianba awkwardly released Jiang Yu, but at that moment, Li Linfu, feeling enraged, kicked over the low table in front of him. He pointed at Li Tianba and angrily exclaimed: "Invincible, I have had enough of you. You, you, you may dig at the walls of the Censorate, but how dare you come and dig at my Li Linfu's walls? The brother I raised single-handedly since childhood, with a bond as deep as that of father and brother, you dare to touch him?"

Where is Jiang Yu? Jiang Yu was closely following behind that man in black. No matter how many times they changed their clothes, how many back doors they entered from various courtyards, or how they hid the three generations of the Zhou family while playing their own mysterious games, Jiang Yu remained extremely carefree, trailing behind them. The natural heart method of the Wangyue Sect was activated, allowing him to merge seamlessly with the surrounding environment, making not a single breath or sound, and he did not even reveal a ghostly shadow. He successfully located the hideout of this group of men in black—a common courtyard outside the back wall of the Daci'en Temple. The natural heart method of the Wangyue Sect was activated, allowing him to merge seamlessly with the surrounding environment, making not a single breath or sound, and he did not even reveal a ghostly shadow. He successfully located the hideout of this group of men in black—a common courtyard outside the back wall of the Daci'en Temple.

Furrowing his brow slightly, Li Tianba said in a deep voice: "As for this honor, it certainly cannot be considered insufficient for him. A silver fish pouch is already an extra reward. The position of a cavalry lieutenant is well-deserved given his current achievements. At most, I will make a note of him and Tu Shu in the merit book, so that he can be promoted in the future. Li Ge Nu, do not be too greedy; I myself am a loyal and martial general, and am I not also a minor official?"

Li Tianba casually threw out two heavy hammers, spread his hands, and smiled at Li Linfu: "There, isn't that settled? I'll give him a silver fish bag to play with first, and put a red peony on his head. How about having two hundred skilled men lead him?" With two loud bangs, two large holes suddenly broke open in the walls on either side of the Li family's main hall, causing Li Linfu's phoenix eyes to tremble in anger, and it seemed he was about to turn into a squint.

Just when Feng Xiaoxiao and Ji Wen were anxiously pulling their hair, fearing that Jiang Yu had either been killed or abducted by that group of men in black, Jiang Yu returned calmly. He took Feng Xiaoxiao aside to a nearby secluded spot and shared with her what he had discovered.

In the main hall of the Li family, the cunning and treacherous Li Linfu sat on the main couch with a face full of sorrow. He had been holding a bowl of hot tea for an unknown length of time, and the tea had cooled to merely lukewarm, yet he had not taken a single sip. His cheeks sagged, the corners of his triangular eyes drooped, and his entire frame seemed to collapse, leaving him to be described by two phrases—bereaved and despondent. Sitting in a daze for a full hour, Li Linfu finally lifted his gaze and noticed that the malicious guest was still sitting there with a smile. Suddenly, Li Linfu cried out in anguish: "My brother, how could you be so gravely injured? Which scoundrel has dealt you such a heavy blow? Woe is me, how can I face our parents in the back courtyard?"

With a few sinister laughs, Li Tianba suddenly jumped up, performing a somersault to grab the two octagonal purple-gold hammers on the ground. With a loud clash, he declared, "Li Ge, even though you are my elder cousin, if you do not give me face today, I, Li Tianba, will have no face to meet our relatives in the clan. Today, I will kill you right here!"

Feng Xiaoxiao's expression suddenly turned extremely unpleasant: "Is it again the Da Ci'en Temple? Could it be that the monks of Da Ci'en Temple are all part of the Taiping faction?"

Vaguely, Jiang Yu also heard Li Tianba muttering softly: "This is troublesome, that bastard has come knocking. How should I deal with this? Sigh, if those two little girls he keeps outside tell that tigress of a legitimate wife, will it set his backyard on fire, leaving him unable to come back to me for the treasure?"

With a sound of "zheng," Jiang Yu jumped down from the beam of the grand hall, grinning as he greeted Li Tianba: "Invincible General, how are you?" Jiang Yu, sitting on that beam, had witnessed the clash between Li Linfu and Li Tianba, and he could only feel one thing: Li Tianba was incredibly arrogant, wasn't he? How dare he call himself invincible? Was he not afraid of being beaten to a pulp? Although the true energy within him was indeed terrifying, almost rivaling Jiang Yu's in quantity, its purity was even more exceptional. In the realm of mundane martial arts, he was indeed invincible.

With a leisurely smile, Li Linfu spread his hands and said: "Well, I have no objections either. As for the rest, you and Xiao Yu can discuss it among yourselves. Hey, Xiao Yu, come and meet the current Duke of Wu, General Zhongwu, and the Great General of the Flower Camp, Lord Li Tianba, the Invincible Li."

Li Linfu stood up and, with a serious expression, looked at Jiang Yu and said: "That Li Tianba gave you a precious sword; you must not be foolish enough to become a tool in his hands, going so far as to kill for him. In this day and age, the saying that a scholar dies for a friend is no longer worth anything."

It was midnight, with thunder and rain raging, and the world enveloped in chaos. Bolts of lightning pierced the sky, accompanied by tremendous thunderclaps. As the lightning flashed, the tiles on the roof rattled with a cacophony of sounds, and those of weak constitution were struck dead by the terror of the thunder.

Very wisely, Li Tianba changed his expression and took out a silver fish pouch, a silver seal, and a silver medal from his bosom, handing them to Jiang Yu. He smiled and said: "So it's settled, huh? You are now the deputy head of my Flower Camp. We currently have only nine deputy heads in the Flower Camp, and this power is quite significant. With this token, you can freely enter and exit the palace, as long as you do not intrude into the emperor's and his consorts' chambers; you can move about as you please. Hehe, tomorrow come to the Flower Camp for roll call, to clean up those bandits, we will still rely on your remarkable skills in tracking."

Suddenly, a chilling scream echoed from the courtyard behind the Great Compassion and Grace Temple's rear wall

Upon seeing Jiang Yu accept the treasured sword, Li Tianba immediately broke into a broad smile, revealing his teeth. He picked up his two large hammers and, swaying slightly, led a few flower-adorned attendants out. As he walked, he turned back to remind them: "Tomorrow morning, be sure to come to the flower camp at the appointed time. Over the past three days, I have gathered all the flower camp subordinates from Chang'an and Luoyang, as well as other skilled individuals, to ensure we capture all thirty-six celestial demon stars under the broken sky. Whether we can track down their lair depends entirely on your abilities, brother."

On that day, Chang'an was utterly silent. Ten thousand troops were dispatched by the capital's military command to guard every street and alley; the city walls were also filled with elite soldiers, each armed with strong bows and crossbows, strictly preventing anyone from breaking out of the city. Despite the stringent external surveillance, there was no internal turmoil, nor did the soldiers and officials go door to door to break in and search, and there were no signs of the secret agents known as the "flower-picking gentlemen" stealthily prying into people's privacy. In the wake of such a significant incident involving the storming of the heavenly prison and the secret prison, the entire city of Chang'an had instead fallen into a state of tranquility.

Thirty-six black-clad individuals who had raided the prison and the secret stronghold of the Flower Camp moved about the streets of Chang'an like a group of ghostly shadows. The patrolling guards searched everywhere but could not find a trace of them. Even the elite warriors led by the three young men in white were unable to uncover any clues. Ultimately, Feng Xiaoxiao and her companions could only stand on the city walls of Chang'an, gazing at the chaotic city below, and let out a deep sigh. After the sigh, Feng Xiaoxiao urgently tugged at a flower-adorned young man beside her and asked, "Have you seen where that river fish has gone in the river?"

A moment of silence enveloped the great hall, as the old monk bowed his head, extinguished the oil lamp, and slowly walked out.

He laughed in a comical manner, much like a monkey that has snatched a peach: "Well, we are all members of the Li family, and as cousins, we shouldn't be too distant. I, Li Tianba, have decided today that this month, I will come to your residence to share a meal! Oh dear, the affairs of the Huaying are so busy, and I am already over thirty, yet I still haven't found a wife. Tsk tsk, when I return home, it's just a cold bed, cold bowls, and a cold stove. It's much better to come to my brothers' home for a meal; it's more comfortable and pleasant."

Little did he know that Li Tianba was someone who showed no regard for others. With a casual swipe of his hand, he knocked the teacup from Li Linfu's grasp to the ground, angrily shouting: "Well, you Li Linfu, you dare to play tricks on me? Do you think your record in our Huaying archives is too clean, and that I won't casually add a note about you? Feng Xiaoxiao, write this down in the confidential files right now—Li Linfu, that bastard, is guilty of corruption, having accepted a bribe of fifteen thousand taels of silver from the officials impeached by the Censorate, and it even bears the mark of the Yangzhou Bailong Trading Company!"

The old monk bowed down in worship and murmured: "Bao Xuan's greed and lust were caught in broad daylight, leading to the arrival of the flower camp's spies. He and Yin Jiu were taken to the secret prison. The Tian Gang Demon Star broke into the secret prison and rescued them, but they were unable to leave the city due to the martial law in Chang'an. The incident at the Craftsman Supervisory Office has occurred, and the young supervisor and the chief clerk have been arrested, yet the location of their detention remains unknown. Master, how should this matter be handled?"

Hmph! Li Tianba smiled mysteriously, transforming from a furious figure into one of calm and magnanimity, resembling a peaceful and gentle river, making it impossible to discern his true intentions. This self-proclaimed invincible general, who preferred to be addressed as the Second General by other officials, gently applauded and said: "Good, it is no surprise that I, Li Invincible, made two preparations today. That silver fish pouch is an honor, but let us not mention it. Jiang Yu, you are a true hero, and a hero deserves a divine weapon. This knife is now yours!"

Li Linfu did not go to see off Li Tianba; he sat upright on the long couch, watching Jiang Yu enthusiastically dance with the exceptionally ancient-looking short knife. Suddenly, he coughed heavily and said: "Xiao Yu, be careful. The name of the Great Tang Qian Niu Guard originates from this very knife. This knife is the legendary ancient famous knife 'Qian Niu Dao', which the general of the Qian Niu Guard has requested from His Majesty many times, but His Majesty has been reluctant to part with it. Now that this knife is in your hands, hmm, hmm.

Li Linfu ground his teeth in anger. He, Li Linfu, was already a treacherous minister; how could there be anyone in the Tang Dynasty more treacherous than him? He, Li Linfu, at most only set traps for others using their minor offenses. The evidence was all verifiable, yet this person, damn it, fabricated charges out of thin air! Li Linfu was furious, pushing away Li Tianba's large hand from his neck, and shouted angrily: "I am the esteemed Deputy Minister of the Censorate! It is my duty to supervise all officials, you all..." He, Li Linfu, at most only set traps for others using their minor offenses. The evidence was all verifiable, yet this person, damn it, fabricated charges out of thin air! Li Linfu was furious, pushing away Li Tianba's large hand from his neck, and shouted angrily: "I am the esteemed Deputy Minister of the Censorate! It is my duty to supervise all officials, you all..."

Then the hazy voice sounded: "I borrowed the strength of millions of believers from the Great Compassion Temple to recover from my internal injuries, and I was on the verge of achieving complete success. However, Bao Xuan's greed and lust attracted those sycophants, leading to his castration and his forced revision of the 'Yin Yang Great Song'. The Heavenly Gang Demon Star has become increasingly arrogant and does not respect my authority. Since this is the case, what does it matter if I abandon it? Just pretend to be unaware of this matter. Your current status at the Great Compassion Temple is vastly different; do not jeopardize your life for them, as it would be a significant loss." Since this is the case, what does it matter if I abandon it? Just pretend to be unaware of this matter. Your current status at the Great Compassion Temple is vastly different; do not jeopardize your life for them, as it would be a significant loss.

"Wuwuwuwuwu," Li Linfu howled for a while like a hen that had been hanged. The malicious guest sitting to his right, however, remained completely still, his eyes looking at Li Linfu with a half-smile for quite some time. After a long while, this malicious guest slowly opened his mouth and asked, "Lord Li, hehehehehe, we are all relatives, aren't we? How badly is Brother Jiang hurt?"

Li Tianba casually squatted in front of Li Linfu, smiling as he said, "Do you think the emperor's nephew trusts my words more, or yours?"

Alas! Such a talent, while hundreds of us could not catch up with those thieves, how could this happen? Feng Xiaoxiao fiercely struck his right fist into his left palm and murmured: "How can we allow such a talent to slip through our fingers? If we gather a large army to besiege that courtyard, with him leading a group of elite troops to cover any gaps, those thieves will surely find it impossible to escape."

Now this unwelcome guest is sitting on the long couch, holding a cup of tea, having already switched to the third cup, and has not uttered a single word for a full hour. At this moment, seeing Li Linfu wailing to the heavens, the guest finally smiled and asked with utmost concern, followed by a remark: "I say, cousin, you are being rather stingy. My little brother Xiao Yu has been extorting from the White Dragon Gang in Yangzhou, and over ten thousand taels of silver have entered the treasury, yet you are treating me to this shabby stuff that costs only two copper coins a pound? Why not serve a few jars of aged Lianhua Bai to entertain your guests?"

Li Tianba's eyes, resembling those of a skull, glared fiercely. Amidst the flickering grayish-blue light, he slammed his palm heavily on the table before him and shouted angrily: "Calling me cousin, is it because my great-grandfather was the illegitimate son of the ancestral figure Yuanba that you refuse to acknowledge my identity? Just call me cousin, that title of Second General is too distant, far too distant!" This descendant of Li Yuanba, now a general in the Flower Camp, sighed as he looked at Li Linfu, repeatedly shaking his bony little fist devoid of any flesh, and said fiercely: "When you call me Second General, it hurts our brotherly bond. Do you understand? You have hurt our brotherly bond! Li Linfu, if you don't bring out ten jars of a hundred-year-old fiery liquor, I will not let this matter rest with you!"

This malevolent figure stands no taller than 5 feet, resembling a crab, with a shell fully exposed and a body composed entirely of sinew, emaciated and with an indescribable oddity. His face and skin are a bluish-gray, his features scrunched together, resembling a newborn monkey from Mount Emei that has yet to grow. Despite his peculiar appearance, he is clad in a specially made bright armor, adorned with dozens of swirling patterns of qilin, exuding an imposing presence akin to a general just returned from the battlefield. To his right, resting on the ground, lie two eight-sided purple-gold hammers, each the size of a winter melon, with handles approximately 5 feet long, yet significantly longer than those of others.

The aura surrounding the Buddha statue in the center grew increasingly powerful. Suddenly, a shadow shot out from behind the statue, and an exceptionally robust figure burst through the temple door, rushing into the rainy night in an instant

Sen Sen glanced at the river fish being taken away by a large vehicle summoned by Jiwen and the others, and with a smile that was both charming and triumphant, said: "Indeed, Brother Jiang, take your time to bleed! Damn it, even your bleeding looks so fake; how can it compare to our Huaying? Bleeding is an art in itself!"

Blinking his eyes, Li Linfu sat down again, smiling as he waved to Jiang Yu, saying: "Do you know what? This Li Tianba cannot find a wife, but there are other reasons. Today, since there is nothing to do, let me explain it to you in detail, for the reasoning behind it is quite profound." Jiang Yu, with a strange smile on his face, sheathed the Qian Niu knife and plopped down beside Li Linfu. The two brothers began to chatter about the vague and seemingly true rumors circulating in Chang'an.

In the main hall of the Daci'en Temple in Chang'an, a dim oil lamp flickers, swayed by the cold wind seeping through the gaps in the window frames, as if it could extinguish at any moment. A tall old monk, with white beard flowing down to his abdomen, possessing a kind and square face, exudes the appearance of an enlightened master. He sits cross-legged in front of the golden Buddha statue at the center, holding a fist-sized string of prayer beads, softly reciting scriptures. The strange and mysterious sounds of the scriptures create subtle waves, causing the rainwater outside the hall to surge upwards, with not a single drop falling onto the roof tiles of the hall.

With a wave of Li Tianba's hand, the two-foot short knife hanging at his waist was already released, flying straight towards Jiang Yu.

With a face full of smiles, Li Tianba suddenly froze, plopping back down into his seat. He tugged at the ends of his hair and frowned, saying, "Well, what benefits do you want? Money? Power? Beauties? Let me tell you, Huaying is quite impoverished, with little profit to be had. As for power, you already have that. And beauties, which young lady from Chang'an have you set your sights on? As long as it's not one of those few princesses, I can help you elope with her."

The scripture had been recited for nearly half an hour when suddenly, a low, muffled groan emanated from somewhere within the main hall: "Awaken me, what is the great matter?" The voice seemed to struggle, and the words were extremely vague. With the emergence of this voice, the central Buddha statue appeared to be in a daze, as if a mysterious aura had materialized around it, drawing in the surrounding light and air. The light in the hall grew dimmer. With the emergence of this voice, the central Buddha statue appeared to be in a daze, as if a mysterious aura had materialized around it, drawing in the surrounding light and air. The light in the hall grew dimmer.

Jiang Yu was in high spirits, casually swinging the short knife a few times, scattering a brilliant flash of blade light, and laughing heartily: "Enough, those ordinary soldiers are not worthy of me. This knife barely matches my skills. Second General, what if I go to the flower camp? However, I still need to take on the duties of the Censorate; I, Jiang Yu, am not afraid of having too many official positions." Jiang Yu was overjoyed; this knife looked so impressive, clearly a treasured blade with spirit, reaching the level of a magical artifact, yet it was given to him by Li Tianba as an ordinary treasure. Wasn't that a bargain for him? Finally, he had a suitable weapon and no longer needed to constantly think about that wooden bow.

Jiang Yu leisurely crossed his legs, and with a knowing smile at Li Tianba, he had long since formulated a plan in his mind. After a long while, as Li Tianba was on the verge of losing his temper, Jiang Yu asked with a smile: "If I were to impart seventy to eighty percent of my methods for concealing my own aura, as well as my skills in tracking and investigation, to the spies of the Flower Camp... Ah, but that would violate the prohibitions of my sect." He felt quite amused inside. Jiang Yu continued, "If I were to impart seventy to eighty percent of my methods for concealing my own aura, as well as my skills in tracking and investigation, to the spies of the Flower Camp... Ah, but that would violate the prohibitions of my sect." He was thoroughly entertained, thinking, what prohibitions could there be in the Wangyue Sect? Wu Fan would actually prefer that Jiang Yu share the sect's abilities—after all, as long as those from other sects who were aware of the Wangyue Sect knew that these individuals had cultivated the sect's techniques, even if they were not disciples of Wangyue, they would still be beaten into becoming Wangyue's disciples, leaving them no choice but to become inheritors of Wangyue.

Li Tianba patted Jiang Yu's shoulder several times with satisfaction, saying: "Good lad, you truly are a remarkable talent. With this height and build, damn it, just a pat on your shoulder makes me want to jump. Tsk tsk, your name is already on the list of Huaying. Come to the appointment yourself tomorrow, or don't blame me for going to sea to hunt you down with official documents."

The originally serious Feng Xiaoxiao suddenly broke into a smile, grasping the river fish with one hand and urgently asking, "Is this true?"

As the sound of the warning gong echoed, countless torches surrounded the several courtyards from all directions

Li Linfu was momentarily speechless. After a long silence, his face twitched, and he suddenly regained his extraordinary appearance with phoenix-like eyes. With a smile, he clasped his hands towards Li Tianba and said: "If my cousin wishes to promote Xiao Yu, that would be Xiao Yu's fortune. However, not to mention Xiao Yu's own wishes, I have finally acquired a capable person in my Censorate who can assist my cousin in investigating some officials' private matters here. If my cousin takes him away, wouldn't that mean... Ah? Haha! Is my Censorate merely a decoration?" However, not to mention Xiao Yu's own wishes, I have finally acquired a capable person in my Censorate who can assist my cousin in investigating some officials' private matters here. If my cousin takes him away, wouldn't that mean... Ah? Haha! Is my Censorate merely a decoration?

Jiang Yu made a face as if he were about to vomit and exclaimed angrily: "He is my confidant? Big brother, I would rather find a few beautiful women to be my confidants. This Li Tianba, haha, no wonder he can't find a wife. With his looks, which woman could possibly tolerate him?"