Seeing her curiosity as she asked him, Fu Wenxiao smiled and said, “Extraordinary individuals, huh? Generally, they’re people with special skills. Someone as strong as you, Li Niang, would count as one.”
Yu Li blinked her eyes. “Really?” She sighed. “But my strength isn’t that great. I can’t even flatten a mountain with a single punch like Teacher Cai.”
Her strength in this life was still too weak. She needed to work harder on her martial arts training.
Fu Wenxiao’s eyelids twitched slightly.
It seemed that, in her world, people with such strength were common enough to make her feel that she was “weak” and needed daily, diligent practice in martial arts.
Fu Wenxiao’s mind was sharp. Although his weak body prevented him from practicing her martial arts, through observation and analysis, he had deduced that her martial art was an incredibly refined technique. It was highly compatible with the human body and could not only strengthen the physique but also improve physical abilities and strength.
Yu Li asked worriedly, “What if one day I have to face the National Preceptor, and I can’t beat him?”
Not knowing whether the National Preceptor was good or bad, she was already preparing herself for the possibility of a fight with him.
This was a survival instinct ingrained in her from the apocalypse era—a unique battle mindset of genetic warriors. Whenever they encountered a strong opponent, the first step was always to fight to establish their positions. If they won, they would become the leader; if they lost, they would obediently follow orders and never question the leader’s authority.
Fu Wenxiao was silent for a moment before smiling and saying, “Don’t worry. If you ever face the National Preceptor, he wouldn’t be your match.”
“Really?” Yu Li looked at him in surprise. “How do you know?”
Fu Wenxiao remained calm. “I was fortunate enough to meet the National Preceptor once.”
“Eh?” Yu Li was very surprised. “You’ve met the National Preceptor?”
Wasn’t her husband a frail, sickly man? How could he have met the National Preceptor?
Suddenly, she thought of something and asked, “Was it to ask the National Preceptor to heal you? I heard he can refine ‘immortal pills’ and has the skills of an immortal.” If there really were such pills, they should be able to save him, right?
Fu Wenxiao: “…That’s a lie.”
His expression grew very complicated, as if he didn’t know where to begin explaining.
Finally, he said, “What the National Preceptor refines might not truly be ‘immortal pills.’ While those pills can make someone appear younger, they don’t actually extend life or grant immortality.”
Yu Li stared at him, confirming one thing. “So, the National Preceptor is really impressive—he can refine immortal pills.”
After all, genetic warriors didn’t have the ability to refine immortal pills.
Fu Wenxiao: “…”
Yu Li had already determined that the National Preceptor was an extraordinary individual in this world. Alongside her curiosity, she was more resolute than ever to diligently practice martial arts.
She even said to Fu Wenxiao, “Brother Xiao, when your body gets better, you must practice martial arts with me.”
Fu Wenxiao smiled and agreed readily. Whatever she said, he would do.
Then, he heard her continue, “By then, if I’m not at home, you’ll be the only one who can protect Mother and the siblings. You must train seriously. Even if you can’t scale walls and walk on rooftops, at least get to the point where you can climb over the city walls.”
Fu Wenxiao: “….”
Scaling city walls? That’s far too difficult.
—
On the third day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the county yamen finally announced to the public that the bandits on Qingya Mountain had been eradicated.
The townsfolk, upon hearing the news, spread it joyfully among each other.
Particularly those whose families had suffered at the hands of the bandits wept bitterly. Some of them even came to the county yamen to kowtow in gratitude, thanking the county magistrate for eradicating the bandits.
Several elderly individuals, whose children had been tragically killed by the bandits, were supported by their relatives. Their hair was sparse and white, their faces covered in wrinkles, and they trembled as they knelt and kowtowed.
The sight moved many onlookers, who cursed the bandits for their inhumanity, grateful that the authorities had finally dealt with them.
Magistrate Zhang, upon hearing of the scene, quickly instructed someone to explain that the eradication of the bandits wasn’t the work of the county yamen, but rather a mission ordered by General Xuan, with the operation carried out by Young General Xuan.
The townsfolk were aware of this, but since General Xuan and the Young General weren’t present, and ordinary people couldn’t easily approach the military camp, they came to the yamen to express their gratitude.
They didn’t understand grand principles; they simply wanted to show their heartfelt thanks.
A group of yamen officers hurriedly stepped forward to help the kneeling townsfolk up, urging them not to kneel and to return home.
Among these officers were Officer Ge, Officer Zhu, and Officer Peng.
The three of them had previously been beaten by Yu Li and knew more about the bandit eradication than most.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Officer Ge had been taken from Wen Shi’s house by Yu Li. The next day, Wen Shi had gone to Officer Zhu to discuss it, so Officer Zhu learned that Officer Ge had been dragged off by a drunken Yu Li to deal with the bandits.
Officer Peng found out soon after.
At the time, they all felt sorry for Officer Ge, especially when he returned to the county town late the next afternoon, utterly exhausted. They thought it was sheer bad luck for him to have been forced by that terrifying female fiend to take on bandits and were thankful he’d made it back alive.
Of course, that perspective changed by evening.
Magistrate Zhang personally received Young General Xuan upon his arrival in the county town and sent people to bring back the wounded bandits from Qingya Mountain to be locked up in the county prison.
The officers even regretted bitterly that Yu Li hadn’t chosen them.
If only she had picked them, they would now be the ones being praised by the magistrate, promoted, and rewarded handsomely. The spring-in-his-step confidence Officer Ge was enjoying would have been theirs.
They were so regretful they beat their chests in frustration.
Now, in their eyes, Yu Li was no longer a female fiend or demoness but a benevolent goddess who could bring them merits.
The official announcement from the authorities mentioned only that an unnamed righteous individual had assisted Young General Xuan and his men in eradicating the Qingya Mountain bandits, without disclosing the identity of this righteous individual.
Thus, no one knew who the righteous individual was.
Even Magistrate Zhang didn’t know, as Xuan Huaiqing had subtly hinted for him not to ask too many questions and to simply give the reward money.
Magistrate Zhang assumed the individual was someone specially trained by the court for missions like eradicating bandits and tactfully refrained from inquiring further.
When he learned that Officer Ge had been taken to the mission by this righteous individual, he specifically sought Officer Ge out for questioning.
Officer Ge honestly replied, “The righteous individual told us to wait at the foot of the mountain. She went up the mountain alone, and by the time we got there, she had already wiped out the bandits on Qingya Mountain.”
He indicated that he didn’t know what had happened on the mountain or what that righteous individual had done.
When Magistrate Zhang asked for more information about the individual, Officer Ge’s face showed a hint of unease.
He didn’t dare refuse the magistrate’s questions, so he invoked Young General Xuan, stating that the young general had instructed him not to disclose anything.
After returning to the county town, Officer Ge had met Xuan Huaiqing and learned from the magistrate that “Young Master Xuan” was actually the grandson of General Xuan and a young general of the Zhennan Army.
He was stunned and became even more cautious about what he said.
At that time, despite being extremely busy, Xuan Huaiqing had made a point to meet with him and had specifically instructed him not to reveal Yu Li’s identity.
Officer Ge understood that Young General Xuan was trying to protect Yu Li. While Yu Li was undoubtedly formidable, her family members were ordinary people. The young general must have been trying to protect her family.
There was no way he would reveal anything, nor did he have the courage to do so.
When Magistrate Zhang learned that Xuan Huaiqing had given these instructions, he chose not to press further.
In any case, the eradication of the Qingya Mountain bandits was a significant achievement. For him, it meant that the people of the Shanping County area would no longer suffer at the hands of bandits. The townsfolk could live and work in peace, which undoubtedly counted as his merit.
So, there was no need to fuss over who the righteous individual was.
—
Skinny Wu and his companions had gone specifically to read the government announcement and witnessed the scene in front of the yamen.
Seeing the townsfolk sincerely kowtowing before the yamen moved them deeply.
They had already heard from Skinny Wu that Yu Li had gone to eradicate the bandits and that the Qingya Mountain bandits had actually been wiped out by Yu Li alone.
They were dumbfounded for a long time.
These idlers, ever since deciding to turn over a new leaf, had been striving to become decent people, refraining entirely from bad deeds. Their consciences, not yet entirely deadened, were greatly moved by the scene.
Their outlook on life changed profoundly as a result.
“Boss Li is truly incredible,” Gao Sheng said with admiration, then muttered in frustration, “Why didn’t Boss Li take me that day?”
He felt indignant. Clearly, he was no worse than Skinny Wu, so why hadn’t Boss Li chosen him?
Skinny Wu smugly said, “Of course, it’s because Boss Li thought I was clever and reliable, so she took me along.”
At these words, everyone couldn’t help but glance at his thin, narrow face—a face that clearly didn’t look like a good person’s.
Clever and reliable?
More like sneaky and shady, like a scoundrel.
Gao Sheng grumbled, “Wasn’t it just because you’re the skinniest? It was easier for Boss Li to carry you.”
They all knew now that Boss Li had carried both him and the yamen officer to Qingya Mountain. Her speed was astonishing.
This also gave them a clear sense of how strong Boss Li was—no wonder it hurt so much when she hit people.
Skinny Wu’s expression stiffened, and he immediately retorted, “Look at that Officer Ge over there. He’s so fat, twice my size. Boss Li took him too, so clearly, it’s not because I’m skinny!”
He absolutely refused to admit that Boss Li had taken him along just because he was skinny. It had to be because she thought he was clever and capable.
As he spoke, Officer Ge and his companions also noticed these idle fellows mingling in the crowd.
Knowing they were Yu Li’s lackeys, the bailiffs naturally didn’t chase them away and acted as if they hadn’t seen them.
After much effort in sending off the kowtowing townsfolk, Officer Ge and the others finally got a moment to rest.
While drinking tea at a tea shop, Officer Zhu suddenly said, “Now that Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, when should we tie up the Yu brothers and take them to Boss Li to apologize?”
Hearing this, Officer Ge and Officer Peng both looked at him.
Officer Peng asked, “Isn’t there also that Chen family boy? He’s your granduncle’s cousin’s son. Don’t tell me you’re planning to leave him out and only tie up the Yu brothers?”
“Of course not,” Officer Zhu quickly replied. “He’s definitely going too.”
At this point, he no longer harbored any thought of revenge against Yu Li. Instead, he was worried that one day, Young General Xuan would find out about what they’d done to her.
Compared to his own career and his family’s safety, what did his granduncle’s cousin’s son matter?
Besides, it was Chen Zhongxun who first targeted Boss Li. Wasn’t it only right for them to go and apologize to her?
Seeing that Officer Zhu had no hesitation, Officer Ge and Officer Peng were relieved.
They were now utterly loyal to Boss Li, willing to go through fire and water for her. Whoever dared to question Boss Li would face their wrath.
As for Chen Zhongxun and the Yu brothers, their wild ambitions were laughable. They actually thought they could make Boss Li kneel and apologize to them? What a joke.
After some discussion, the three decided that they would have Chen Zhongxun and the Yu brothers kneel and apologize to Boss Li tomorrow.
If they didn’t seize the chance to curry favor with Boss Li now, when would they?