Inside the city, at the Marshal's Residence.
In the spacious living hall, Marshal Hong had a joyful expression on his face. He was holding a piece of paper, sitting in the large wooden chair at the head of the hall. "Junior Brother, there's news. That Li Yan has finally left the Strategist's Manor and entered the city today. I wonder what he's here for."
From the shadows of one of the four thick pillars in the hall, the blurry figure of the unusually stocky man in the coarse black robe flickered slightly into view. The pillar he was hiding behind was in a different location this time, as if he always randomly chose one to conceal himself. His gruff voice echoed low in the hall.
"Senior Brother, counting the time, this person has stayed in the valley for much longer than the last disciple. Based on our previous calculations, the former disciple ran into trouble on the forty-ninth day. This aligns with the Buddhist and Daoist sayings of thirty-six, forty-nine, and eighty-one days for a Small Heavenly Cycle to build the stove."
"Mm, I was thinking the same thing. In that case, two points can be confirmed. First, the cultivation technique Ji Wenhe is practicing must be a Small Heavenly Cycle technique that can be initiated in forty-nine days. This is undoubtedly a Daoist technique. Second, this person, Li Yan, should have already successfully completed the Small Heavenly Cycle."
"Senior Brother, these two points should be certain. But there are still two points that are uncertain. The first is, if Li Yan can successfully cultivate the Small Heavenly Cycle, then is Ji Wenhe truly using him as a successor, or is Li Yan still not sufficient to be used as his poison-transfer vessel? The second is, if Li Yan can cultivate successfully, does the death of the previous disciple mean that their internal energy technique is truly so profound that ordinary people find it difficult to comprehend?"
"Junior Brother is right. These two points will have a great impact on our next course of action. If Li Yan is still to be used as a poison-transfer vessel, then we have an opportunity to exploit. If his cultivation technique is unique, then we must make good use of this child, Li Yan, and proceed slowly, lest we obtain the technique from him but do not know the knack of it."
"Then what is your intention, Senior Brother, what should we do now?"
"Mm, since he was able to enter the city today, there will be a next time, and a time after that. We cannot make contact immediately this time, lest we be too rash and make him suspicious. It would also alert Ji Wenhe. Have our men below keep a close watch on him and see what he has come for this time. Then we will make our next plan."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
The hall fell silent. A moment later, Hong Linying's figure also flickered and disappeared.
"Captain Liu, you don't have to be like this. Last time I entered the city, I was fortunate to receive your guidance. I haven't had a chance to thank you yet."
Li Yan quickly took a few steps forward and held Liu Chengyong's arm.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. What guidance did this subordinate give? It was just a few casual words," Liu Chengyong said. Seeing Li Yan's sincere expression, he couldn't help but be overjoyed. He had also heard a while ago that Strategist Ji had taken another disciple, said to be from the Great Green Mountains. At that time, the travel permit that Li Guoxin had shown him had flashed through his mind, but he hadn't been sure. Today, seeing Li Yan arrive, and accompanied by Chen An and the others from the Strategist's Manor, he immediately understood that his guess was correct.
Although he was loyal to Marshal Hong, who in the army didn't know of Strategist Ji's prestige? To be on good terms with his disciple at the same time, what a great benefit that would be.
Seeing this, Chen An and Li Yin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. They exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with grievance. It had been rare for them to see a pleasant expression from this young master recently. Today, the young master's nerves seemed to be wired correctly again. Why were the two of them so unlucky?
Liu Chengyong withdrew his saluting hands and secretly looked up at Li Yan again. He couldn't help but marvel. The mountain village boy he had met by chance was now a high-ranking official of the Subordinate Eighth Rank, Lower. It would not be an exaggeration to say he had soared to success. This was truly a case of having connections in the court making it easy to be an official.
Li Yan had matters on his mind and wanted to see Li Shan and Li Yu as soon as possible. He didn't know what etiquette to use at this time, so he could only cup his fists. "Captain Liu, I still have some things to do in the city. How about we talk next time?"
"Oh, right, right, right. Of course, of course. Then this subordinate will see Lord Li off." Liu Chengyong stepped aside to clear the path, and the soldiers behind him also withdrew their spears and retreated.
Li Yin stepped forward and handed the horse's reins to Li Yan. "Young Master, please mount."
Li Yan gave an awkward smile and said, "Let's just tie the horses here for now. We'll walk into the city."
Li Yin was stunned for a moment and then understood. Li Yan was afraid that his riding skills were too poor, and if he lost control on the city streets, he would cause trouble.
Chen An laughed at the sight. "Old Liu, we'll just leave these few horses here. Please make arrangements. If we haven't appeared by the time your shift is over, please inform the brothers on the next shift."
Liu Chengyong was also a worldly-wise man and naturally smiled and agreed.
After they left, except for the few soldiers who were still checking people entering and leaving the city, the other soldiers all moved closer to Liu Chengyong. "Chief Liu, is that person really the one we met a while ago? It's only been two months, but he's changed a lot."
Liu Chengyong also sighed. "It really is him. It feels like it was just yesterday."
"Chief Liu, you showed him favor back then. That old connection is still there. In the future, he might be able to look after you a little," a soldier said. He was also one of the guards on duty that day.
"Chief Liu, a few of us brothers weren't on duty with you that day. Have you really met this Lord Li before?" another person said.
"Chief Liu, is this Lord Li the disciple of Lord Ji that has been widely rumored recently?" a few other soldiers asked.
After sighing, Liu Chengyong was immediately overwhelmed by the questions from his subordinates. This group of brothers of his was good at everything; when a battle came, they would follow orders and fight the enemy to the death. It was just that they were too lax in normal times, even lacking a sense of hierarchy. He waved his hand and said, "I have indeed met this Lord Li once. He is indeed Lord Ji's disciple. Alright, alright, you don't need to ask so many questions. We're on duty. You, you, and you, take these few horses to the gate tunnel and watch over them."
The three of them walked quickly along the street. Li Yan was anxious in his heart and had Chen An and Li Yin lead the way to the "Natural Inn." After half a cup of tea's time, they arrived in front of the inn. Li Yan found the street-facing facade he had come to last time and walked in, with Chen An and Li Yin following closely behind.
Just as they entered, a sharp-eyed waiter came up to them. "Well, three officers, are you here for a drink or a meal?"
These waiters had sharp eyes. Having seen all sorts of people from the south and north, their minds were extremely shrewd. Seeing that the three of them had no luggage, with one in a black robe in the lead, followed closely by two military officers, they naturally knew that they were not guests staying for the night, but had come for a drink or a meal.
Li Yan stopped and looked around inside. Wow, last time he had only looked from the outside. Today, coming in, he saw that they had only entered one of the inn's street-facing facades. Inside, seven or eight facades were lined up horizontally, all connected. It was now past noon, and many of the diners had almost finished eating, but the sounds of drinking games, orders, conversation, and laughter were still everywhere. It was still extremely lively.
"Oh, I'm here to find Li Yu, who is apprenticing here. Please find him for me," Li Yan said politely.
The waiter was stunned. He carefully sized up the three of them again. 'Could it be that Little Yu got into trouble outside? That's not right. Little Yu rarely goes out.'
Seeing the waiter in a daze, Li Yin stepped forward and slapped him on the shoulder. "Our Young Master is talking to you. Are you deaf or mute?"
The waiter was startled and snapped out of his daze. Seeing the unfriendly look on Li Yin's face, he quickly apologized. "Officer, please calm down, please calm down. I'll go and call him right away." He didn't see the apologetic look on Li Yan's face. He turned and walked towards the back hall.
Li Yan had never been so unreasonably rude before. In the valley, he had only been forced to act arrogantly a few times towards Chen An, Li Yin, and a few women whose temperaments he was already familiar with. But Chen An and Li Yin, who were used to fighting and killing all day, did not have such a good temper towards these common folk. Their words naturally carried a murderous aura.
Chen An saw the apologetic look on Li Yan's face and, thinking of his attitude towards Liu Chengyong at the city gate earlier, thought that this young master's nerves were wired correctly today. He said with a smile, "Young Master, these scoundrels are just dawdling. We mustn't let them delay your business."
Li Yan looked at Chen An, who was looking at him with some confusion. His heart jolted, and he understood that his performance today was a bit inappropriate. He was supposed to be a person of somewhat violent nature now. So, he glanced at the two of them from the corner of his eye.
"Do I need you to teach me how to handle my affairs? Alright, you two, stay away from me. I want to talk to my brother for a while. Don't disturb my peace."
Seeing this, Chen An and Li Yin's faces immediately turned bitter. 'Great, this young master's illness is acting up again. Why can't he take a hint?'
In a short while, the waiter came over with Li Yu. After he had gone to the back hall and found Li Yu, because Li Yu was the clan nephew of the Manager Li here, and also because Li Yu was usually very diligent and worked seriously as an apprentice, he had managed to get along well with everyone.
After finding Li Yu, the waiter had asked him if he had been out recently and if he had gotten into any trouble. He told him that a person who looked like a young noble, with two military officers, was looking for him outside.
This scared the timid Li Yu so much that his face turned pale. He swore to the heavens that he had not been out at all recently and had been in the back hall the whole time. He hadn't even had time to go to the front hall to help serve tea or anything. Only then did the waiter feel relieved.
At first, Li Yu didn't understand what he meant by "looked like a young noble." Either he was, or he wasn't. But after a moment's thought, he thought of a person and was immediately overjoyed. In the past few months, the people who had come from the village had told him a lot about Li Yan. He had joined the army and had even been accepted as a disciple by the famous Strategist Ji. With the temperament of Li Yan, himself, and Li Shan, who were from a mountain village in the countryside, let alone in these two months, even if it were another year, would wearing expensive clothes make him a young noble?
Seeing Li Yu's figure, Li Yan felt a surge of emotion. He hadn't left the valley for several months. Seeing his childhood playmate again, a feeling of homesickness immediately rose in his chest, making him miss the Great Green Mountains, the small village, his parents, and the people and things in the village. He quickened his pace and walked forward to meet him.
When Li Yu came to the front hall, he saw a person standing at the counter from a distance, dressed in a black robe, with ordinary features, but so familiar. Although the aura he exuded had changed a little, he still recognized him at a glance. Tears immediately streamed down his face, and he ran over, whimpering. The waiter beside him sighed. This child was good at everything, except that he loved to cry. Every time someone from his hometown came to see him, he would always be in tears, making it seem as if he had been greatly wronged in the shop.
"Brother Yan, Brother Yan, sob..." Li Yu wiped his tears as he ran, immediately attracting the attention of the surrounding diners, who stopped what they were doing and began to watch.
Li Yan was also emotional, his eyes a little red. He also hugged the pouncing Li Yu.
Seeing this, Chen An and Li Yin exchanged a glance. Chen An then quickly walked to the waiter.
"Waiter, are there any private rooms available? Let my young master and his old friend talk inside!" The two of them saw that there were too many people here, and it was not a place to talk. Moreover, a half-grown child was crying here. Who knew what others would think?
The waiter quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes. There are some on the first floor, and also on the second floor."
Chen An looked at the noisy diners on the first floor. "Then let's go to the second floor!"
He walked a few steps to Li Yan, who was comforting Li Yu. "Young Master, it's crowded and noisy here. Let's go to a private room on the second floor to talk."
Li Yan was also feeling that it was noisy here and couldn't talk to Li Yu properly. Hearing Chen An say this, he was naturally happy. He thought to himself, 'This Chen An is really good at handling things, his mind is so sharp.'
They followed the waiter to a private room on the second floor. After the waiter brought a pot of tea, he was asked to leave by Li Yan. Then Li Yan asked Chen An and Li Yin to wait for him outside the restaurant. Unexpectedly, they were refused by Chen An and Li Yin. They used the reason of protecting Li Yan's safety and could not leave Li Yan's side for a moment. In the end, they had to be shut outside the door, and Li Yan only left Li Yu in the room to talk.
After two cups of tea's time, Li Yan, under Li Yu's reluctant gaze, then rushed to the "Ironware Pavilion" with Chen An and Li Yin. Similarly, after a happy meeting with Li Shan, Li Yan left dozens of taels of silver for Li Yu to give to the next person from the village to take back to his parents. Then he wandered around the city for a while, bought a set of clothes, and then left the city with Chen An and Li Yin, took the horses, and returned to the Strategist's Manor.
Just as he entered the valley, Li Yan felt a wisp of divine sense coming from Strategist Ji's room. It quickly swept over his body and then carefully passed over the bundle of new clothes in his hand before disappearing without a trace.
Li Yan pretended not to know and deliberately glanced at the first stone room. Seeing that the stone room door was tightly closed, he muttered a few words and then walked towards his own stone room.
After entering the room, Li Yan poured himself a glass of water with a relaxed expression and drank it. He then sat in a chair and rested for a while before getting up and closing the door.
After closing the door, Li Yan felt again and found that there was no divine sense. His face turned grim.
His trip to the city today had confirmed a few things for him:
First, Chen An and Li Yin were indeed the people placed by his side by Strategist Ji to monitor him. Don't be fooled by their respectful and somewhat fearful appearance on the surface. When they were outside, these two would not let him out of their control. On the road, needless to say, they almost sandwiched him in the middle to "protect" him, to avoid assassination by "spies" from the State of Meng.
Even when he was meeting with Li Yu, the farthest they were was outside the door of the private room in the inn. And through the crack in the door and the window, Li Yan also found that one of them was outside the door, and the other was downstairs below the private room. Even if he secretly jumped out the window, he would be discovered in the first instance. And it was the same at Li Shan's "Ironware Pavilion." They stood a few dozen steps away from where he and Li Shan were talking, and his every move was within their sight.
Second, Strategist Ji was already on his guard against him. He had deliberately bought a set of clothes today, and upon returning, he found that his divine sense would probe any new items that suddenly appeared, keeping everything under his control.
Thinking of this, Li Yan couldn't help but frown tightly. He was under house arrest. How could he escape from this deadly valley?