Chapter 103: Specialized Training!

The next day, Li Yi returned to the Jiang Residence with the little devils after training. Without assigning any tasks for the day, he began to address them.

“Um... let me just say, today... hey! What kind of looks are those? Don’t worry! Today is not about extra training; don’t make it seem like I’m about to torture you again!”

However, the little devils seemed not to hear him. They continued to regard Li Yi with suspicious, wary eyes, as if facing a formidable enemy. In their minds, Li Yi’s credibility regarding training was null—extra drills for him were just lip service back and forth.

“Ahem! Sigh! You just don’t trust me, huh? Alright, here’s today’s mission! You will be undertaking a special task to test your recent learning progress, focusing on disguise reconnaissance, armed infiltration, solo combat, and special enemy elimination. As for the mission details, divide yourselves into two groups. Group One, led by Number One (Chang Dong), will be responsible for tailing me. Yes, tailing me—to observe what I do today without being discovered. No matter what happens, unless my life is in danger, you must only follow and never reveal yourselves without my signal. Group Two, led by Number Two (Jiang Lichen), will investigate the people I converse with today, excluding those from the Li Residence and the Imperial Palace. Remember, your primary task is reconnaissance; you must not show yourselves without my orders. Got it?”

The little devils exchanged glances, each seeing the excitement in the others’ eyes. Finally, real combat, even if just a test—and although the mission seemed simple, knowing Li Yi, it would never be so straightforward. They were brimming with fighting spirit.

“Understood!”

“Good! Then dismissed. Prepare your equipment; the mission starts in fifteen minutes!”

No sooner had Li Yi finished speaking than the little devils dispersed. As they left, Li Yi set off himself. Hmph, a fifteen-minute wait? That’s too naive. But before he could indulge in his own satisfaction, he felt a faint sensation of being followed—a feeling born from his martial arts training combined with his experience as a former special forces soldier. Yet, Li Yi found no abnormalities. After some thought, he chuckled softly.

“These little rascals are really growing clever—each one sharper than the last! Looks like it’s time for the next stage of training.”

With such skillful tracking, Li Yi believed no one but the little devils could manage it. He arranged this training because he sensed today’s matters wouldn’t be simple—a gut feeling. To be safe, he deployed the little devils, giving himself at least some leverage for emergency response.

Leaving the Jiang Residence, Li Yi headed straight back to the Li Mansion. He decided to wait for that person to come to him.

After returning, Li Yi wandered about. It had been a long time since he’d engaged in invention and creation, but the household was busy preparing for the opening of the business alliance. The group of wealthy dilettantes aspiring to become Confucian merchants were still in the process of learning. At least for now, some semblance of a Confucian merchant spirit was beginning to emerge. Li Yi strolled around, observing and commenting. It wasn’t until noon that he received an invitation he had been waiting for all morning.

“King Han Li Yuanchang? Haha, you actually showed up!” After a brief moment of thought and organizing the information, Li Yi prepared himself. Mounting his horse, he took several attendants and some gifts, heading straight for the Han King’s mansion. Though he felt somewhat sorry for the gifts, knowing they were essentially a wasted effort, he had no choice. After all, as a man of culture, one must observe proper etiquette.

The journey was uneventful. Fifteen minutes later, Li Yi arrived at the Han King’s gate and found Li Yuanchang already there with his retinue. Li Yi quickly dismounted.

“Oh dear, how could I trouble Your Highness to personally come out and welcome me? I am honored beyond words!”

Li Yuanchang smiled broadly, waving off the praise with magnanimity. “Hey! We’re about the same age, and I’ve long admired Wen Yong’s talent. So please, no need for formalities. Come inside!”

“Ha ha, well then, I won’t be polite—I’m naturally outgoing. Your Highness, after you!”

“Good, I appreciate straightforwardness. Let’s go!”

With that, Li Yuanchang grabbed Li Yi’s hand and led him inside. However, Li Yi was quite put off by this supposedly friendly gesture. What was with these ancient folks always grabbing hands? Two grown men—could they not be a bit more careful? No wonder there were so many eunuchs and ambiguous figures in ancient times! Still, despite his thoughts, he endured—after all, this was a king.

Finally, they arrived at the main hall of the mansion. The entire walk felt like an eternity to Li Yi. Dishes were served, wine poured, attendants sent away, and once they were seated and preparations completed, the real conversation began.

“Ha ha, today I wanted to discuss calligraphy with Wen Yong, so I had everyone leave to avoid interruptions. This way, we can speak more freely.”

“Ha ha, Your Highness, please feel free. I don’t mind at all. But are you really here just to talk about calligraphy?” Li Yi got straight to the point. He didn’t want to waste time staring at a table full of food he couldn’t eat—after all, who knew if it was poisoned?

Li Yuanchang’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his smile dimmed. “Wen Yong, what do you mean by that?”

Li Yi stretched out his legs, leaning back in his chair. Opening his folding fan, he put on a show before speaking leisurely. “I say, Your Highness, that’s your fault. You just said you wanted a heart-to-heart, so why are you pretending to be confused now?”

Li Yuanchang’s smile disappeared entirely. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Really? Then let me remind you: have you ever heard of a man named Li Zihao? Do you know the big boss of the Guild Hall? And what about the ‘Ugly Lady’ of Xiaoxiang Pavilion—do you know her?”

Li Yuanchang’s eyes flashed sharply. He took a bite of food, sipped his wine, and then spoke slowly. “I truly don’t understand what you mean. I invited you here in good faith to discuss calligraphy, yet you make these baseless accusations. Do you think I’m an easy mark?”

Li Yi chuckled. “Your Highness jokes. Who would dare bully you? May I ask, are you left-handed?”

Li Yuanchang glanced at his left hand holding chopsticks and nodded. “Yes, it’s natural. Is there a problem?”

Li Yi laughed heartily. “No problem at all! It just confirms certain things more clearly.”