Hearing Liu Chengyong's offer to gift him a weapon, a thought stirred in Li Yan's heart, but he immediately dismissed the idea.
He placed the sword back into its scabbard on the weapon rack and smiled. "Captain Liu is too kind. I have not yet learned any martial techniques and am solely focused on cultivating my internal energy technique. I have no use for it yet. If I learn a certain martial technique in the future, and you happen to have a suitable weapon for me, I will definitely come and ask for it."
Liu Chengyong laughed heartily and naturally nodded in agreement. However, he also believed that Li Yan simply did not fancy his weapon. What martial arts sect only teaches internal energy without practicing combat techniques? With Strategist Ji's exceptional martial prowess, how could he be lacking in divine weapons?
After laughing, Liu Chengyong glanced outside the room and said to Li Yan, "Brother Li, a few days ago after a discussion in the army, the Marshal mentioned something to me. He said that when you have time, you should go and see him. It might be that the registration information when you were conscripted was not recorded in detail. He is the military supervisor and needs to have all these records complete before reporting them to the imperial court for archiving. Therefore, you still need to go over there."
Li Yan's expression went blank upon hearing this. He was just thinking about how to reveal some information to Liu Chengyong and then use him to pass it on to Marshal Hong. Unexpectedly, before he could say some of the lines he had prepared, Liu Chengyong had given him the result he wanted. Was this what they meant by "someone offers you a pillow when you're feeling sleepy"?
How could he not understand that this was the signal that Marshal Hong was about to take action? Incomplete registration information? With the military's capabilities, even if he had only filled in his name and hometown that day, they could have investigated his ancestors for eighteen generations in a short amount of time. And if the registration information was incomplete, were the family subsidy and his own monthly salary all paid out of Marshal Hong's own pocket, off the books? But in this way, he didn't need to worry. He could just go with the flow.
He immediately put on a surprised expression and looked at Liu Chengyong, then after a moment's thought, "Oh? That's right. After I was accepted as a disciple by my teacher at the drill grounds that day, I really didn't do some of the subsequent things. It should be so."
Liu Chengyong had been staring at Li Yan all this time. He had been a little hesitant to say this at first, and he was a little unsure in his heart. But hearing Li Yan say this, he knew that he had not been at the drill grounds that day and indeed did not know some things. However, he still suspected the Marshal's purpose in summoning Li Yan. He didn't believe that things were as they appeared on the surface. But he didn't dare to delve deeper. As long as Li Yan thought it was so, it was fine. Anyway, the Marshal had no ill will towards Li Yan. This was also the reason why he had temporarily avoided Chen An and Li Yin.
"Since that's the case, and since I have nothing to do today, why don't we..."
"Of course, of course, military affairs cannot be delayed. Mm, I haven't seen the military camp yet. Captain Liu, why don't you show me around the military camp first, and then we'll go over," Li Yan said. In fact, he was not in the mood to wander around here. It was just that if he came here and only talked to Liu Chengyong for a while before leaving immediately, Chen An and Li Yin would not be easy to fool. They would definitely guess that he had come with a purpose.
"That's naturally possible. Oh, then shall we just go over like this? If Chen An and Li Yin find out, will they report to Strategist Ji that we are incompetent, that we bothered you with such a small matter, and even alarmed the Marshal? What do you think..." Liu Chengyong said hesitantly. He was not sure what the consequences would be if Chen An and Li Yin found out later.
"It's nothing, just tell them directly. It's not a big deal," Li Yan said to Liu Chengyong. He thought to himself, 'I'd like to see how Marshal Hong handles this little aftermath. From this small matter, I can see the bigger picture, whether he is a brute warrior or a cunning man.'
Although Liu Chengyong felt it was a bit inappropriate, he didn't know where it was inappropriate for a moment, so he agreed. After a few more words, he took Li Yan on a tour of the military camp. Of course, they only walked in the public areas. During this time, he also inevitably showed his face in front of the other few squads.
Afterwards, the four of them left the camp gate, and the four riders headed for the Marshal's Residence. When Chen An and Li Yin learned that Li Yan was going to the Marshal's Residence, their faces showed hesitation. But Li Yan said he was going and left, not even looking at the two of them. But Li Yan thought to himself, 'It seems my teacher must have given them instructions in person, not to let me have too much contact with outsiders.'
In a short while, the few of them arrived in front of the Marshal's Residence. Liu Chengyong naturally went forward to explain to the guards at the gate. In a short while, a report came from inside, letting Li Yan in. This way, even Liu Chengyong could not enter, and Chen An and Li Yin dared not follow without authorization.
After passing through a few winding corridors, Li Yan followed a soldier to the outside of the main hall of the back residence. The soldier stopped, turned to Li Yan, and said, "Lord Li, the Marshal is inside. You can go in yourself." With that, without waiting for Li Yan's reply, he turned and walked back.
Li Yan looked at the main hall. There were no soldiers guarding it, and the door was wide open. He took a deep breath secretly and strode towards the main gate.
When he entered the main hall, he felt the light dim slightly. He focused his eyes and looked again. It was very spacious and empty inside. In the center of the main hall, a person was sitting on a chair, looking at him. Who else could it be but the bald man he had met once? Li Yan took a few steps forward and bowed.
"This subordinate Li Yan pays his respects to Marshal Hong."
Hong Linying had been staring at him since he entered the door. He felt that the aura on Li Yan's body was much more profound than two months ago. This was not the aura a person who had just entered the martial path should have. This made him take a sharp breath. He couldn't help but speculate, 'Is this the internal energy of Ji Wenhe's sect? How could it make an ordinary person's internal breath so calm and heavy in just a short two months?'
But the more it was like this, the greater his expectations became.
"No need for such courtesy. Sit down first," Hong Linying said, pointing to a row of chairs below.
After thanking him, Li Yan found a chair on the side and sat down.
"Deputy Defender Li, it has been more than two months since we last saw each other at the drill grounds. Seeing you today, you have indeed become someone to be reckoned with under Lord Ji's guidance."
"The Marshal overpraises me," Li Yan said with a wry smile.
Seeing Li Yan's expression, Hong Linying's face hardened. "Oh? Could it be that I have seen wrongly with my eyes?"
Li Yan heard this and shook his head, as if he were thinking about how to answer, and did not speak.
Seeing him like this, Hong Linying was moved. He straightened his body and then leaned back in his chair. "When Fang Yu entered the Strategist's Manor back then, when I saw him again, he was... that was when I saw wrongly."
Li Yan, of course, knew who the "Fang Yu" he was talking about was. It was the name of his unlucky senior brother. His expression froze for a moment, and then he said with some hesitation, "What does the Marshal mean by this?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Seeing you today, I just feel that although Deputy Defender Li's aura has grown much more profound, looking at your complexion, your internal breath seems to be a little unstable, as if it is about to stir." With that, he stared at Li Yan's face carefully. He knew from the reports from his spies in the Strategist's Manor that Li Yan had been erratic and irritable recently, so he had said this.
A look of astonishment appeared on Li Yan's face. "The Marshal can see that something is wrong with this subordinate?"
Hong Linying was overjoyed in his heart, but his expression remained as usual. "I can see a little, but I can't see the reason. Hehe, but it's impossible for there to be a mistake in your cultivation. After all, you have a peerless master like Strategist Ji teaching you. I think it might be for some other reason."
After hearing this, Li Yan's face was a mixture of sunny and cloudy. All these expressions were seen by Hong Linying, who also remained calm.
After a while, Li Yan said hesitantly, "Marshal, do you know how to cure a person in the martial world who has been poisoned with a potent poison?"
Hong Linying was stunned, and then a look of confusion appeared on his face. "Why do you ask this? Oh, are you worried about the poison that Strategist Ji was afflicted with? You don't have to be. Even I can't help much, let alone you with your currently shallow cultivation. You can't help him at all. Heh, I didn't expect you to be a person who respects his teacher and follows the dao. Alas!" With that, his face darkened, and he sighed.
"Mm, however, I do know some solutions. The first is, of course, to use the corresponding antidote. But you must know what poison you have been afflicted with. The second is that people of our generation can use profound internal energy to expel the poison from the body. But this is not a panacea. Some strange poisons, once they enter the body, will go deep into the internal organs and bones. It is very difficult to force out such potent poisons. The third is a method that only the demonic path of the martial world has. Find a person with not weak internal energy and use him as a vessel for the poison. Circulate this secret method to transfer the poison to the other person's body and then force the other person's pure internal breath into your own internal organs. However, this method requires a demonic path secret method. There are very few sects that know this method."
He stared at Li Yan and said slowly, and then saw sweat faintly appearing on Li Yan's forehead.
After a short while, Li Yan said in a hoarse voice, "Then what is the result for the person who is used as the poison vessel in this third method?"
Hong Linying said, "Basically, it is certain death. Unless he also knows that demonic path secret method and uses it in the same way. But that is obviously impossible. Oh, let's not talk about these things. I asked you to come here today. I think Liu Chengyong has already told you. But this morning, the military advisor has already obtained your detailed information from the yamen of the Great Green Mountains. I was just about to tell Liu Chengyong not to inform you to come over anymore."
Li Yan seemed to have not yet recovered from his words. It was a long time before his face began to return to normal, but he still had an absent-minded look. He stood up and saluted. "Since that's the case, then this subordinate will take his leave."
"Alright, you may go down first," Hong Linying said with a slight smile.
Li Yan turned and walked towards the entrance of the main hall. When he was about to step out of the main hall, Hong Linying's voice came from behind again. "Deputy Defender Li, you don't have to worry too much about Strategist Ji's matter. After all, it has been a long time since he was afflicted with this poison. He himself is an expert of the apricot forest. I think there is still a solution."
Li Yan's footsteps paused at his words, and then he disappeared from the main hall.
After a while, the gruff voice echoed in the main hall. "Senior Brother, this boy seems to have already become suspicious of Ji Wenhe."
"Hehe, today we can confirm three things. First, the internal energy of their sect is truly remarkable. In just over two months, he has cultivated to such a level. If he continues to cultivate like this, it will be incredible. Second, he is the one who is to have the poison transferred into his body. I didn't expect Ji Wenhe to actually know this evil sect's method. The third is that this boy has already become aware of his own situation and already feels that he might be being used by Ji Wenhe."
"Then since that's the case, Senior Brother, our next step is to wait for him to come and ask for help."
"Hehe, I think he will have his next move soon. Life, who doesn't cherish their own life?"
After Li Yan walked out of the main hall, he thought as he walked, 'This Marshal Hong is also very eager to get his hands on this so-called 'martial arts.' And he has already begun to plant the seeds of suspicion in my heart. Since this side has been confirmed, then the next plan can be carried out. It's just that I didn't find the other expert that Dong Fuyi mentioned today. It seems that my own cultivation is still too low. I can't even sense a master in this secular martial world yet.'
As he was thinking, he had already walked out of the Marshal's Residence and saw the three people standing and talking under a tree a few dozen steps away from the residence, but from time to time, they would look in this direction.
This Hong Linying had calculated it well. Li Yan had only been in and out for the time it takes for a cup of tea, which was exactly the amount of time it would take for him to report his background and family information. It was difficult for people to suspect that there was anything else.