Chapter 164: The Guardian of Ming Dynasty, a New Breakthrough
Duan Tianya did not describe the characteristics of Cai Xishi and Lei Bin in detail, only saying that they were two powerful masters.

They didn't even explain their relationship with Li Ming. They only said that a group of mysterious forces suddenly appeared, defeated him and captured him alive, but then released him. From beginning to end, he didn't know the other party's identity.

As for what Li Ming said to him in the grove, Duan Tianya did not mention a single word about it.

"Um……"

The Iron-Hearted Divine Marquis Zhu Wusi stretched out his voice and narrowed his eyes. Although his expression remained calm, one of his hands was clenched into a fist, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

This time, Zhu Wusi sent Duan Tianya and a group of his elite men. He thought it was a sure win, but who would have thought that he would fail before he even started.

Where did this group of people come from?

Zhu Wusi thought for a long time but still had no clue and couldn't help feeling a little anxious.

He hated the feeling of things being out of control.

Although the matter was bizarre and it was unclear why the other party captured Duan Tianya and then released him, Zhu Wusi did not doubt the truthfulness of Duan Tianya's words.

He believed that his adopted son was loyal to him and would never betray him, so he did not suspect anything.

But when he thought of the loss of manpower, Zhu Wusi still felt a little painful.

The Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals were carefully cultivated by himself, and each of them was proficient in the Phantom Magic Skill. They could cooperate with each other and exert miraculous effects far beyond their own realm.

However, most of the resources have been lost in these two missions.

But on second thought, although they had failed, the losses of the East Factory, West Factory and the Northern Pacification Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were much greater than his own. Even the supervisors of the two factories had died in the battle. He felt inexplicably happy.

The only thing that is annoying and frustrating is Li Ming’s strength. How could he have grown to this level without anyone noticing?
"Forget it, Tianya, you've worked hard this time, go back and have a good rest. I'll call you if there's anything."

"Yes, foster father."

Duan Tianya listened to Zhu Wusi's instructions and retreated with his head down.

But the look in his eyes was different from before. He now had a bit more suspicion and alienation towards his adoptive father. He thought to himself that he had to find an opportunity to verify whether what Li Ming said was true or false.

But Zhu Wusi was worried and didn't notice this detail.

In the East Factory Governor's Office——

Liu Xi, whose chest and abdomen had been bandaged and whose complexion had almost recovered, sat in the main seat.

Next to him stood a fawning figure, it was Zhao Jingzhong, the big boss he had just promoted.

Zhao Jingzhong was very capable, but his relationship with Wei Zhongxian, the previous head of the East Factory who had been executed, was unclear.

After Wei Zhongxian got into trouble, he was marginalized and abandoned.

Now that the Zedong Factory was short of talented people, Liu Xicai recruited him without any restrictions and re-employed him.

At this time, Zhao Jingzhong's face was full of flattery, and he tried his best to please Liu Xi.

After Zhao Jingzhong flattered Liu Xi, he turned around and looked at a figure kneeling not far away.

"Lu Jianxing, did you remember what I just told you?"

The person kneeling in front of him was Lu Jianxing, who had saved his life from Juxian Manor.

Earlier, Lu Jianxing was beaten severely by Lin Pingzhi in the melee and passed out, but he happened to faint in an inconspicuous corner, and thus saved his life. No one noticed him in the chaos, and no one came to finish him off.

When he woke up, he found that Juxian Manor had been reduced to ruins. Warriors from all sides had broken out, and the imperial troops had also retreated one after another.

Lu Jianxing endured the injuries and finally ran back.

"I understand."

Lu Jianxing bowed hurriedly.

The defeat of Juxianzhuang this time was so tragic that, as an eyewitness, he could not casually tell others many of the details.

Liu Xi had just given him some specific instructions, so of course Lu Jianxing agreed without hesitation.

They, the Jinyiwei, are just dogs in front of the Dongchang. The new Dongchang supervisor can easily decide their life and death. Lu Jianxing certainly dare not disobey in the slightest.

It was good that the governor did not accuse him of deserting the enemy this time. After all, his superior Lu Wenzhao, who worked with Lu Jianxing, and his sworn brother Shen Lian both died in Juxian Manor. It was a bit conspicuous that he was able to come back alive.

"Ah."

Seeing that Lu Jianxing was quite tactful, Liu Xi nodded with satisfaction, put down the teacup in his hand, and glanced at the side.

Immediately, a young eunuch came out respectfully, holding a neatly folded silver-white flying fish suit in his hand.

"Lu Jianxing, you performed well this time. From now on, you will be a centurion of the Northern Division."

"what!"

The surprise came so quickly that Lu Jianxing didn't react for a while.

Being promoted to the rank of centurion has always been his dream. He had tried many things and spent a lot of money to make it happen but it never came true. Unexpectedly, it came true in the hands of Liu Xi this time!
Lu Jianxing kowtowed excitedly: "Thank you, Lord Governor!"

"Don't thank me. I have something else for you to do."

Liu Xi continued, "Beside Li Ming, there is a female disciple named Jiang Yuyan. Did you notice her?"

Lu Jianxing's joy was slightly suppressed. He recalled carefully and it seemed that there was indeed such a person in the chaos at that time.

I don’t know how that girl practiced, she is so young but her strength has reached the innate level!
"You will be responsible for investigating Jiang Yuyan from now on. I want all the information. Do you understand?"

Lu Jianxing frowned, feeling extremely unwilling.

He had already witnessed the horror of Li Ming and his disciples in Juxian Manor. He had barely managed to save his life, and he didn't want to face them again no matter what.

However, Governor Liu Xi had already said so much and even gave me the position of centurion that I had been dreaming of. If I did not agree, it would be a bit too ungrateful.

A new official has three things to do when he takes office, and Lu Jianxing doesn't want this fire to burn his head first.

There was no choice but for Lu Jianxing to grit his teeth and agree.

"Don't worry, my lord. I will do my best to get things done."

"Ah."

Liu Xi nodded and didn't say much.

It is impossible for other people to understand why he took the trouble to investigate Jiang Yuyan.

Only Liu Xi himself knew that Jiang Yuyan was the illegitimate daughter of Jiang Biehe, a force secretly developed by his men.

Liu Xi already felt that Jiang Biehe was not a honest guy and was not someone that was easy to deal with.

When he was developing his power, he relied on himself and flattered others in every way. But now that Jiang Biehe has become a world-famous hero with a reputation far and wide, he has started to act a little dishonestly recently.

It seems that he not only wants to escape from his control, but also intends to do something bad to him.

Liu Xi was so smart that after he noticed something, he would never let Jiang Biehe succeed.

I must investigate Jiang Yuyan, who suddenly appeared and was inexplicably connected to Qianming Martial Arts School. It might be useful at a critical moment.

But apart from this, Liu Xi had other intentions.

That was when Liu Xi had devoted some energy to observe Jiang Yuyan during the chaotic battle in Juxianzhuang. He was shocked when he saw her.

It turned out that Jiang Yuyan could perform a martial art that could absorb people's internal energy, and she almost drained the internal energy of the two heroes of the You family.

When Liu Xi first noticed it, he thought he had seen it wrong and was a little bit unbelieving.

But then, Liu Xi wondered if she was practicing the power-absorbing technique.

Could it be that, besides Zhu Wusi, there are other people who possess the complete skills of the energy-absorbing technique?

Liu Xi immediately paid more attention to Jiang Yuyan.

He himself also practiced the Qi-absorbing technique, but it was an incomplete version with many omissions and incompatibilities.

Over time, this will have an impact on Liu Xi's strength and future ceiling.

As your realm becomes higher and higher, this influence will only become greater and greater.

Therefore, Liu Xi dreamed of obtaining the complete version of the energy-absorbing technique.

However, there was no way Zhu Wusi would pass on his energy-absorbing technique to himself, and this became a source of worry for Liu Xi.

Seeing that Jiang Yuyan could actually absorb other people's internal energy, Liu Xi suddenly became very excited and thought that he had finally found a way to obtain the energy-absorbing technique he had been coveting for a long time.

However, after observing for a while, Liu Xi discovered that what Jiang Yuyan was performing was not the method of absorbing internal energy. It was completely different from what he and Zhu Wushi were practicing, but it actually had the effect of absorbing other people's internal energy.

This made Liu Xi a little curious.

Because martial arts that absorb other people's skills are regarded as evil in the world, the conditions for practicing are generally very harsh and not something that ordinary people can practice.

However, Jiang Yuyan has already achieved considerable accomplishments at a young age, and can even absorb the two heroes of the You family.

At least Liu Xi asked himself that at Jiang Yuyan's age, he was far from being able to achieve such strength.

Liu Xi also believed that Jiang Yuyan's innate strength should be inseparable from the help of this martial art that can absorb other people's internal strength.

Looking at the martial arts performed by Jiang Yuyan, it didn't seem like the Star-Absorbing Technique of the Demon Cult, nor did it seem like the style of the Star Constellation Monster. Instead, it seemed like a technique that he had never heard of before.

Liu Xi immediately became interested.

Although it is not the energy-absorbing technique that I practiced, the martial arts have the same effect. There is a high probability that they have something in common, and maybe we can learn from each other.

If he could have another complete martial art to study that could absorb other people's internal energy, perhaps he could gradually improve the incompleteness of his own energy-absorbing technique, and then he wouldn't have to worry about Zhu Wusi anymore.

The temptation of this technique is so great that Liu Xi made such an arrangement for Lu Jianxing.

In his opinion, Lu Jianxing, a guy who had been frustrated in the Jinyiwei for many years, could be used to do things for him.

And since he was able to save his life from Juxianzhuang, it showed that his strength was not weak and his luck was pretty good, which could bring some help to himself to a certain extent.

The most important thing is that Lu Jianxing’s presence in the Jinyiwei has never been high, and not many people paid attention to him. Letting him carry out this task will not make it known to everyone.

That's why Liu Xi handed this matter over to him.

After Lu Jianxing stood up, Liu Xi also noticed the reluctance on his face, as if he felt that this task was very difficult.

Liu Xi chuckled and explained to him.

"You don't need to feel too stressed about this matter. Just do your best. If you need help, you can apply for transfer of the Jinyiwei. As for the matter, report it to Zheng Yuan."

"Zheng Yuan?"

There was a flash of confusion in Lu Jianxing's eyes, as if he had never heard of this person before when he was working for the Jinyiwei.

Zhao Jingzhong noticed his expression and immediately explained.

"Eunuch Zheng used to be the head of the palace, but was recently transferred out by the governor. I will introduce you to him later."

Lu Jianxing immediately nodded to show that he understood.

In another room in the capital.

At this time, several people in different attire were sitting together, discussing something.

Some of them were dressed as Taoist priests, and some were dressed as bald monks. They all looked quite old.

But if someone with discerning eyes saw the people in this room, they would definitely be so scared that they would not dare to speak loudly.

Because they all have great backgrounds!
The youngest was a middle-aged man dressed as a Taoist priest, and he was none other than Song Yuanqiao, the current leader of the Wudang Sect.

Sitting next to him were Shaolin abbot Xuanci, a few unfamiliar old monks, and his fellow Wudang master Mu Daoren.

And... sitting among them all, there was an old Taoist who looked tall and strong, with white hair and beard, and a kind face.

Wudang Master Zhang!
In front of him, even Shaolin Abbot Xuanci is considered a junior.

For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Master Zhang.

"Master, are you sure the matter has been settled? Will the court take any further action next?"

"Yes, it seems that my face is still worth something. The court has agreed, but it has also put forward some conditions that require us to compromise."

After Master Zhang spoke, everyone present had different expressions.

Especially the old monks from Shaolin, they all looked a bit ugly.

"Monasteries and temples do not pay taxes and are not subject to the control of the imperial court. This has been the rule for many years. Can't we discuss it again?"

Xuan Ci spoke.

"The court is being too overbearing. Even the late emperor did not ask us Shaolin to give up our territory or pay taxes to the court. If they really do this, can we Shaolin still be considered a transcendent place?"

An old monk next to him spoke.

He looked ill-tempered and pot-bellied, but the aura he exuded showed that he was also a great master!

It's just that his foundation is obviously not that strong, and he is only at the first level of the second heaven. Compared with Master Zhang, he is far inferior.

"If we really push it, what can we do even if we don't obey the court?"

But his words were not echoed by others and the atmosphere was a bit awkward for a while.

On the contrary, the Taoist Mu next to him sneered: "Then Master, you can give it a try, but don't blame me for not reminding you. The reason why the imperial court is so strong this time is not a sudden whim, but must have something to rely on."

When the fat monk heard this, the muscles on his face twitched a few times.

"Could it be... that someone in the palace has made a new breakthrough?"

He softened his tone and asked tentatively.

After Taoist Jingmu reminded him, he also remembered it.

It is rumored that there are several royal guardians in the Daming Palace who have unfathomable strength. They became grand masters many years ago and have protected several generations of emperors.

No one today knows how terrifying they were.

The imperial court is suddenly trying to break the balance with the martial arts world. Could it be that this guardian has made a new breakthrough?
Grandmaster's third transformation? Or the Heavenly Man Realm?
(End of this chapter)