The general term "Martial Arts" did not involve Dao Intent.

Or, to be more precise, a Mental Realm.

Only Martial Arts Techniques could enter the Dao—Fist, Blade, Sword, Spear, and even the physical body itself.

This could manifest a Mental Realm, similar to the splendor of the Calligraphy Dao, to enhance the power of a Martial Cultivator’s techniques.

But getting a technique to enter the Dao was no easy feat.

This was especially true for Martial Artists in the Lower Three Grades Realm. Their bodies, True Essence, and techniques were all still in the foundational stages, making it utterly impossible to touch upon a realm where ’technique approaches the Dao.’

Even prodigies of the highest caliber often only had a chance for their techniques to enter the Dao after their cultivation reached the Middle Three Grades, when they could leverage their connection to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Yet at this moment, as Ning Yu surveyed the scene before him, his mind was reeling from a tremendous shock.

His gaze fell on Liu Si’er. It wasn’t hard to see that his injuries had been caused by being grazed by Spear Intent.

’It’s very faint, but it’s definitely ’Spear Intent.’ That means the man’s Spear Technique has already entered the Dao. But his cultivation...’

An experienced Martial Artist could use their True Essence to probe the fluctuations of the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and from that, deduce the cultivation of the person who had fought here.

It wasn’t precise, providing only a rough range, but it was enough for Ning Yu to reach a conclusion.

’His cultivation is only in the Lower Three Grades!’

Having reached this conclusion, Ning Yu leaped onto a nearby roof. He paid no mind to the terrified commoners inside the house, instead gazing into the distance.

’To the north...’

After a moment’s thought, he decided against giving chase. He turned, took the Long Spear Chen Yi had used, and headed back the way he came.

A Martial Artist in the Lower Three Grades Realm with such peerless talent in both Martial Arts and the Spear Dao was not someone he could handle.

Besides, he needed to inform the Young Master of this matter as soon as possible.

Before long, several more people arrived.

Upon seeing Liu Si’er and the others lying unconscious on the ground, a shout echoed through the alley:

"They’re here!"

"Someone, quickly! Take them to a Medicine Hall for treatment!"

...

「About half an hour later.」

Chen Yi returned safely to the Spring Lotus Garden.

Only after seating himself at the eight-immortals table in his room did he finally let out a long breath.

’That was truly dangerous. I almost didn’t get away.’

If Chen Yunfan had been just a little more cautious, even the Immortal Drunk wouldn’t have helped.

In that case, his identity, Martial Arts Cultivation realm, and everything else would have surely been exposed.

Furthermore, if the Imprisonment Department, City Guard Army, and Xiao Mansion Armored Warriors outside Hundred Herbs Hall had been any stronger, the result would have been the same.

His safe return was owed, in no small part, to luck.

Chen Yi recalled the night’s events, a doubt creeping into his heart.

’When did Chen Yunfan start practicing Martial Arts? How did he get so strong?’

He searched his mind for a moment but found no relevant memories.

That being the case, either Chen Yunfan had started practicing Martial Arts in the last five years, while the original owner of this body was imprisoned, or Chen Yunfan had been cultivating in secret since childhood to have possibly reached his current realm.

However, regardless of which was true, he could easily deduce one thing—the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family was far more mysterious than he had previously understood.

Whether it was seeing the whole from a small part or just glimpsing a piece of the puzzle, the heir to a Noble Family with a legacy spanning several hundred years practicing Martial Arts could only be at the behest of the family itself.

’The Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family, the Qinghe Cui Family...’

Mumbling this a few times, Chen Yi suddenly recalled the conversation he had overheard at the restaurant.

It wasn’t just Chen Yunfan who was secretive; the maid, Chun Ying, who followed him also seemed to be more than she appeared.

’White Clothes Manor... people from the Jianghu?’

Chen Yi looked out at the wind and rain, shaking his head to himself.

He knew too little right now. For the time being, he could only suppress these questions and hope to find more clues in the future.

With this thought, Chen Yi’s mind calmed. He stood up, shed the black robe soaked by the rain, cleaned off his disguise, and went to fetch water to wash up.

Fortunately, his gains tonight were decent.

The Four Symbols Skill had been upgraded to the Earth Tier, enough to support his cultivation all the way to the Upper Three Grades Realm.

He had another hundred Opportunity Points, which meant he could raise another Dao to Great Success.

And there was also the information on the whereabouts of the Liu Family of Jing and Shu States, and Evil Demons like the Illusory Sound Sect. That was also a gain.

As long as the Xiao Family seized this opportunity, they could use the clues he’d uncovered tonight to resolve the crisis with their medicine halls.

As for whether the Old Master would make a move...

...he had no way of knowing.

After washing up, Chen Yi changed into a set of clean clothes and went to the window to look outside.

With a simple contraction and release of the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique, the situation within the Spring Lotus Garden became clear in his mind.

There were no anomalies.

Chen Yi relaxed and sat on his bed to begin cultivating the Four Symbols Skill.

After the fight with Liu Si’er and his men, he had a clear understanding of his own strength.

He should be comparable to a Seventh Grade Realm Martial Artist whose techniques had not yet entered the Dao.

To have made such progress in his cultivation in just over two months was undeniably fast.

But compared to the likes of Xie Tingyun and Elder Demon Jia whom he had witnessed tonight, his Martial Arts were still far too weak.

’Cultivate, cultivate... I must cultivate!’

Right now, he was only one step away from the Seventh Grade Realm: opening his Ren and Du Meridians.

He estimated that a few more days would be enough.

By then, if he also raised his Spear and Fist to the Great Success Realm, he should be able to hold his own against a Sixth Grade Realm Martial Artist using techniques like the Dragon-Falling Spear Technique and the Mountain Shattering Fist.

It had to be said, he had a lot to look forward to.

...

「Just past midnight, a fine, dense rain was still falling.」

The Xiao Mansion, however, was once again brightly lit.

The incident outside Hundred Herbs Hall had not only alerted the Shu State Prefecture, the Imprisonment Department, and the City Guard Army, but had also alarmed the Xiao Family.

Xiao Xuanshuo hurried back, heading straight for the Qingjing Residence.

Second Master Xiao Wang and Third Master Xiao Shen arrived one after the other, seemingly intending to discuss the matter overnight.

During this time, representatives from the Xiao Mansion Armored Warriors, the Shu State City Guard Army, and the Imprisonment Department all came to the Xiao Family to pay their respects to the Old Master.

Even Xiao Wan’er, who had just fallen asleep, was startled awake by Shen Huatang’s rushed return.

Without a second thought, Xiao Wan’er dressed properly and asked, "Did you catch the people from the Illusory Sound Sect?"

Shen Huatang nodded, then shook her head. "Five people from the Illusory Sound Sect came tonight. Senior Sister killed four of them, and one other..."

She paused, then corrected herself. "No, actually, six people escaped."

Among the six who fled, one was Elder Demon Jia of the Illusory Sound Sect.

However, Xie Tingyun hadn’t returned yet, so she was likely still tracking him.

The second was the man in black who had injured Liu Si’er and the others.

The remaining four were a few Wandering Martial Artists with stronger Martial Arts.

Shen Huatang felt a pang of regret for not having followed; otherwise, she might have been able to catch one or two of them.

After finishing her report, Shen Huatang continued, "The Second Master captured several Wandering Martial Artists. They’re currently being interrogated in the Punishment Hall’s dungeons."

Xiao Wan’er knew she was talking about Xiao Xuanshuo and asked, "Have they found out who’s behind them?"

Shen Huatang shook her head. "We’ll have to wait for the results of the interrogation."

Xiao Wan’er thought for a moment, then nodded lightly. "As long as Hundred Herbs Hall is safe, that’s what matters."

The Xiao Family’s few medicine halls had just started to show improvement, which meant she no longer had to worry about the mansion’s monthly allowance.

The last thing she wanted was for something to happen to Hundred Herbs Hall.

As long as they could maintain the current situation, and with the silver coins sent by Wang Ji, not only could the Xiao Family make it to the end of the year, but she might even have extra money to send to her younger sister to fund the "Mutual Market."

Xiao Wan’er pulled her cloak tighter around herself. "You’ve had a long day. Go get some rest."

"Anything else can wait until tomorrow."

Shen Huatang acknowledged with a "Yes," then bowed and exited the room.

Xiao Wan’er watched her go to the next room, then turned her gaze thoughtfully to the rain falling outside the window.

Although the Old Master had been vague, she knew that some of Shu State’s Noble Families were involved in the robbery of the medicinal herbs.

Now that the Illusory Sound Sect had shown itself, the people from the Punishment Hall should be able to find clues leading to whoever was behind this.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Xiao Wan’er’s face. "This matter is finally coming to a resolution."

Tomorrow, she would write a letter and share the good news with her younger sister.

She wondered if her younger sister had received the letter she and her brother-in-law had sent earlier.

Calculating the days, a reply should have arrived by now.

Xiao Wan’er’s gaze shifted slightly from the window toward the Spring Lotus Garden, and the smile on her face slowly faded.

’Tomorrow, I’ll have my brother-in-law write a letter to send along as well...’