In the Commander's Courtyard.

Li Xian held a bowl in his right hand, the bowl containing clear soup and white porridge, garnished with green onions. He slurped, the soup mixed with porridge sliding into his stomach, quenching his hunger, feeling very refreshed.

His left hand formed two fingers like a sword, pointing, poking, sweeping, flicking in the air… His mind echoed the lady's words:

"This is the Second Level of the Setting Sun Bloodsword, a rare superior martial arts skill."

"Go and practice it, if you feel uncomfortable, come find me. You are loyal to me, and I will support you in martial arts."

"Since you started practicing this swordsmanship, every mid-month, at midnight, you must come to see me. If you dare neglect, consider the consequences yourself."

Li Xian used his fingers as a sword. The poking, pointing, sweeping, and flicking came naturally to him; having the first layer as a foundation made it easy and successful to grasp the basics.

[You have mastered the practice method of the Second Level of the Setting Sun Bloodsword.]

[Skill Level +1]

[Setting Sun Bloodsword·Second Level]

[Skill Level: 1/800 Beginner]

[You can practice the first and second layers combined or separately.]

Li Xian possessed the Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence Destiny, not seeking shortcuts, but rather progressing steadily. Whether combined or separate showed no difference, he naturally continued his habit, first practicing separately, waiting to achieve perfection, then combining them as one.

The hot porridge was hard to satisfy hunger.

Li Xian broke the bread, mixed it into the hot porridge. In the courtyard, there were some pickled vegetables, salted vegetables, and wine, all methods the tenant farmers and various levels of the Nursing Home from the manor found to send them.

Mixing into porridge water. Drinking freely, various flavors burst in the mouth, creating a unique taste.

"On another day when I have free time, I should study culinary skills well."

"A martial artist lives long, merely practicing martial arts diligently, isn't it wasting time? One should indulge in worldly pleasures without being consumed."

Li Xian enjoyed the gentle breeze blowing, the heat receded from the world, the wind mingled with fragrance and coolness, this season was most comfortable.

A year ago this time, Li Xian was taking his younger brother to gather wild fruits in the forest, which were also sweet and delicious.

Suddenly hearing footsteps. Ding Hu hurriedly ran over, saying a villager sought Li Xian, seeming urgent. Li Xian put down his bowl and chopsticks, immediately went to see.

The villager was anxious: "Li… Commander Li, no… something bad happened!"

Li Xian said, "What's wrong, speak carefully, don't panic."

"You… you have been wanted!" The villager panted, regulated his breath with some water, and then spoke.

Li Xian was puzzled, asked for the details. The villager stuttered as he explained the truth.

He was originally a tenant farmer of Yihetang Manor, the village was near the county town, often entering the town. This year the grains ripened early, the harvest was good. Li Xian rectified the atmosphere, both Yihetang Manor Nursing Home and Qingning County officials had become disciplined.

After paying taxes, there was spare money at home, so he wanted to enter the town to buy clothes for the autumn and winter when it turned cold. But upon entering the town, he heard a commotion.

Following the sound, he found Martial Captain Hall had been sealed off. All constables inside were broken at their limbs, detained in prison carts.

Transported to the county government's large prison.

Also saw yamen runners pasting portraits of Li Xian in the market, inns, outside government offices, widely wanted.

A peasant didn't recognize many characters, but knew Li Xian had a red mole on his forehead, recognizing the wanted portrait, he felt something amiss, fearing it was disadvantageous to Li Xian.

He remembered Li Xian's favors, couldn't turn a blind eye. Gritting his teeth with determination, he took the plunge, ran dozens of miles.

Delivered the message.

The peasant said, "Commander Li, those soldiers are so fierce, you must flee quickly!"

"Pah, those corrupt officials, can't stand your goodness, truly damnable!"

Li Xian patted his shoulder, transferred Inner Qi into his body, calming his breath, said: "Alright, I'm clear. Thank you for delivering the message, now go back, and don't mention seeing me. Their methods are vicious, to avoid implicating you."

Grateful for the peasant's righteousness, he gave all his silver, then sent him out of the manor.

Li Xian's expression turned cold, it must be the Cao Family scheming, not intending to sit idly, he said: "Ding Hu, now disguise yourself, enter the city to gather information for me!"

Ding Hu, hearing the situation as well, didn't dare delay, stepped forward, said: "Yes!", immediately changed into plain clothes, rode into the city.

Li Xian took rouge, applied it to his face, hiding the red mole on his forehead. With some modifications, he turned into a coarse man.

But the flaws were too many, easily seen through.

"Never mind, my disguise skills are a joke to fool anyone."

Simply smeared his face black entirely, rushed alone to Qingning.

Seeing the city guard strictly enforcing, checking all passing vehicles and horses thoroughly. His wanted portrait was in the hands of the gate soldiers.

The gate soldiers were tall, unfamiliar faces, seemingly from the Prefecture City.

Li Xian pondered: "Quite the Cao Family's doing, this person's methods brutal, his decisive action is truly impressive. Sealing my Martial Captain Hall, wanting me, the next step… they probably want to sway the county's influential."

"Going in now, risks too much. Let Ding Hu scout first, then decide."

Calmed his heart, remaining composed. With nothing else, explored the surrounding mountains, found east of the city, four miles away, a wild mountain named 'Kanfeng Mountain', its terrain hidden, suitable for observing the city.

Climbed halfway up, found a stone pavilion, beside which a stream flowed.

Li Xian washed his face with clean water, sat in the stone pavilion, gazing at the distant city gate, quietly awaited Ding Hu's news.

Half a day later, the sky grew dark, reaching evening. Ding Hu galloped out of the city, rushed back to Yihetang Manor. Midway, Li Xian called him to a stop, discussing on Kanfeng Mountain.

Li Xian asked, "What is the situation now?"

"Commander, it's not good!" Ding Hu said anxiously: "The County Magistrate accused you of colluding with the old villain, committing many misdeeds. Announcing your crimes house to house."

"His methods brutal, when citizens defended you, he even took their children as hostages, forcing them to curse you!"

"He also publicly, entertained three chambers and two sects, aristocratic families, undermining your influence. All constables from the Martial Captain Hall have been arrested. I have a distant relative working in the prison."

"I heard him say those constables are being tortured. County Magistrate Cao Kai wants to force them to confess, accusing you of numerous wicked acts, oppressing the people."

"I don't know... don't know how long they can hold out."

"Commander, what shall we do now? With such false accusations upon us, how do we clear our name? If this spreads further, fiction becomes reality and reality becomes fiction, it will truly be troublesome."

Li Xian heard these words and was greatly angered. The Cao family continuously concocted devious schemes without any limits. However, he remained calm on the surface, calmly stating, "Indeed, it is problematic. If someone wishes to accuse you falsely, they will always find a reason, explanations are useless. There is only one way... through blood."

"Commander, you..." Ding Hu shuddered, thinking to himself, "Only through blood? Could it be through fighting? But we are outnumbered, how can we match them? Never mind, who exactly is the commander? He definitely has a strategy to resolve this."

With his blood boiling, he firmly asked, "Commander, what plan do you have, please instruct us!"

Li Xian said, "The Cao family is oppressing people with their power, turning fiction into reality, disregarding lives. Since that's the case, I just want to... see if they can stand upright!"

"Since they are unrighteous, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He said, "If we frequently leave the city, it may arouse suspicion. Tomorrow, enter the city and help me call someone out first."

Li Xian whispered the details in his ear. Ding Hu nodded repeatedly, ensuring completion.

That day... Li Xian contemplated the strategy until late at night, seeing the bright moon hanging high before he slowly fell asleep. A gentle breeze blew, lightly moving his hair, and a vague intent to kill was brewing.

A small kill is like thunder, a major kill is silent.

The following day.

Ding Hu disguised himself as a merchant and entered the city. He found Luo Xia, brought her out of the city, and met with Li Xian at Kanfeng Mountain.

Seeing Li Xian, Luo Xia walked over quickly, jokingly saying, "I didn't expect it, the dignified Military Officer, to become a wanted criminal overnight. So, what do you want from me?"

Li Xian smiled, "Sit." and poured her tea.

Luo Xia sat down but didn't drink the tea, curiously looking at Li Xian, "You're quite calm, but they are definitely not feeling well."

"They are all good brothers, enduring torture, yet no one testified against you."

Li Xian said, "The more it is this kind of time, the more calm I should be."

Ding Hu, seeing his composure, was inwardly impressed, remaining calm and collected in such crises. At this moment, he was as unmoved as ever despite the pressure.

Ding Hu thought, "Fighting against such a person is the most frightening. Li the Commander rose from being a servant to his current high position, it's no coincidence!"

Luo Xia, with a serious expression, said, "You called me out here, it's to have me help you, right? Let me make it clear, I'm willing to help with some minor tasks. But I won't recklessly risk my life for you."

"Couldn't be better!" Li Xian said, "But this time... I want to ask you to help me with a major task."

"I guess, you might be willing."

"Oh?" Luo Xia was curious.

Li Xian said, "You once asked me if I was interested in joining the army. I replied that I had no interest."

"You said that those fond of fighting in battles are bound to be fierce and domineering. I am not such a person, but I know you are."

"Tch." Luo Xia curled her lips, but there was a glimmer in her eyes.

Li Xian said, "Today's situation, I need you to help me, coordinate inside and outside, to turn Qingning County upside down. Set the County Government Office on fire, let the walls collapse and tiles fall!"

"Cut down the County Magistrate Cao Kai at the horse's feet!"

"You're quite daring." Luo Xia was surprised, "Your actions are practically a rebellion."

"Wrong." Li Xian said, "This is not rebellion. The Emperor is far away, if I succeed, I could say it was the work of horse bandits, why not?"

"But..."

Luo Xia's mind was already stirred, thinking of the great fire at the County Government Office, staining the blue sky. Hypocrites wailing, fence-sitters trembling, authorities in panic... crafting a magnificent painting.

If the officials are not just, why not burn them. Luo Xia thought, "A youth should have such ambition, if faced with injustice, draw the sword immediately!" With rising and falling tones, she said, "But I alone can't do it."

"Who said you're alone?" Li Xian laughed, "You should know, we are the rightful authority!"

Taking out the County Lord's waist order.

"Is this the County Lord's waist order?" Luo Xia held it in her hand, confirming it was genuine, her eyes shining brightly, "How did it end up in your hands?"

"You take this order, use the County Lord's command to mobilize the county soldiers." Li Xian said, "At that time, I will attack from outside with three hundred nursing home members, and you coordinate with the county soldiers."

"Let's bring Cao Kai's... head to the ground, and let the fire dye Qingning!"

"Good!" Luo Xia said, "This plan is feasible, hahaha, Li Xian, you truly opened my eyes, how could there be such a rebel like you in the world!"

Li Xian thought, "You seem more like someone who fears peace. I, a simple person, have been pushed to the brink, only to bite back a few times."

He said, "By the way, there's another item that should be returned to its owner." Taking out the Fish Scale Armor.

Luo Xia was stunned, immediately grabbed it, pleasantly surprised, "How did this reach your hands."

Li Xian said, "Honestly, there is quite a connection between us. Back when I bought your Treasure Armor, it was me."

"It was you!? You looked so disheveled back then, really pitiful!" Luo Xia exclaimed in surprise.

Ding Hu suddenly said, "Commander, look quickly." Pointing at the city wall.

They saw Cao Kai hanging a corpse on the city gate. The corpse's clothes were stripped, and there were characters on its body, carved out with a knife forming the words "Evil Captain Appears."

This corpse was a Martial Captain Hall constable named Fang Er. He couldn't withstand the torture and was killed as a warning. Even in death, he was humiliated.

Hung above the city gate, intended to force Li Xian to reveal himself.

Cao Kai laughed loudly, "Evil Captain Li Xian, I shall see how long you can hide!"

Li Xian coldly said, "I'll give you one night to plot. Tomorrow, when the plan starts, breach the east gate! Directly take Cao Kai's head!"

"Good!" Luo Xia raised her teacup, drinking tea as if it were wine. After drinking it all, she smashed it into pieces, saying fiercely, "Why wait for the night, we can do it anytime, I'll follow your lead, when do we act?"

"Since that's the case..." Li Xian slowly stood up, using tea as wine, pointing his sword at Qingning, loudly proclaiming:

"Tomorrow at dawn, broad daylight, heaven and earth will be overturned!"

Luo Xia, a veteran of countless battles, had heard many inspiring words, mostly used to tempt with benefits. Yet at this moment, those brief twelve words sent tingles down her spine.

In broad daylight, I have no shame.

The heavens and earth overturned, I am like a flood.

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