She added, "What's even stranger is that this dignified Prince Jing dared to come out alone in the middle of the night without any bodyguards to protect him? It's simply unbelievable!"

Qin Xiaolin also found it strange. Although Prince Jing was only seventeen years old and seemed harmless, his behavior was quite eccentric.

"Perhaps it's a personality flaw."

Li Xi was naturally aware of this as well; children who lack parental love from a young age are often more sensitive than their peers.

Prince Jing may have grown up in this environment, which shaped his unique way of doing things.

"He's already left, let's go back too." She was so tired that she kept yawning, and her eyes were almost closed.

The night was deep and quiet, with only the occasional sound of the wind and the chirping of insects.

Qin Xiaolin silently followed Li Xi back to her temporary residence.

This mansion was purchased by her in the past and could be used as a temporary residence when she was hiding her identity.

The next morning, Qin Xiaolin left without anyone knowing when.

After breakfast, Meng Zhelan arrived with Tiantian.

"Xiaoxi, I've looked at the medicine you asked me to bring over yesterday."

As soon as Meng Zhelan sat down, she got straight to the point, her eyes filled with seriousness.

"Is there something wrong with the medicine?" Li Xi asked, her brows furrowed.

Meng Zhelan sighed softly and said, "On the surface, that medicinal herb has miraculous effects on people with weak bodies. However, it has a fatal side effect."

"Aftereffects?" Li Xi's heart sank.

"Yes, this medicine can stimulate the body's potential, but long-term use will lead to a gradual decline in bodily functions, and eventually... it will cause sudden death."

Meng Zhelan's words made Luo Xiaoxi's face turn somewhat ugly; she wondered how many people had bought these pills.

She needs to go to the palace...

It was already dark when we came out of the palace.

"General Li." A man of about thirty years old, with a slightly honest face and a somewhat round figure, dressed in military uniform, quickly came forward.

"Deputy General Dong, what are you doing here?" Li Xi stopped and turned around, overjoyed to see his colleague whom he had only known for half a month.

"I knew you had come out of the palace, so I waited for you here." Deputy General Dong said, panting a few times, clearly having run quite fast.

"News has come from the palace that the Geri tribe has united all the tribes on the grasslands and launched an attack on the border. The emperor is summoning his generals to discuss countermeasures."

Li Xi frowned, a serious expression on her face. "Is this news true?"

“Absolutely true.” Deputy General Dong nodded, a look of worry on his face.

"I've heard that this enemy force is stronger than ever before, and their commander is a brilliant strategist."

Upon returning from Xuan Yue Kingdom at the beginning of the year, I encountered an attack on the Tiele tribe by the Geri tribe.

Later, the chieftain of the Tiele tribe and the retired emperor spent a long time in the council hall discussing the matter of uniting to resist the enemy.

But she didn't know the specifics of what was said. After all, it involved internal affairs of the imperial court, and it wouldn't be wise to inquire too much.

I never imagined that the Gerri tribe would develop so rapidly.

"Where is Deputy General Dong planning to go?" Li Xi asked curiously, looking at Deputy General Dong.

Deputy General Dong sighed and replied with a solemn expression, "His Majesty has ordered us to go to the border as the vanguard to scout out the enemy's situation and strengthen the defenses there in case the enemy launches a sudden attack. I saw you here, General Li, when I left the palace, so I thought I'd come over and say hello."

Li Xi nodded in understanding: "Is there anything I can do to help? Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

Although they had only worked together for a little over half a month, they had already established a certain level of understanding and trust with each other.

At this moment, he scratched his head sheepishly and said, "This humble general would like to buy some medicine from Doctor Meng."

Ever since witnessing the power of the poisons and sleeping pills in Li Xi's bag, he has been full of admiration for Meng Zhelan's pharmaceutical abilities.

Having these things by your side will surely make things twice as easy.

“Okay, when are you going? I’ll have them get ready in a bit.” Li Xi readily agreed, as she was willing to pay for it.

She then went to Tingfeng Courtyard, stayed there briefly, and then returned to the Li residence.

As I entered, I ran into Chen Quan, who had also returned.

"Young Master, there's news from Uncle Zhang," he said in a low voice.

The two went to the study.

Most of the people living in this mansion are their brothers from the Hidden Sect and their families. Basically, the Li residence can be considered a stronghold of the Hidden Sect.

"Who exactly is that person?" The familiar person that Li Xi had seen at the Liang Prince's Mansion was someone she had encountered in a transaction in the martial arts world not long ago.

He was actually selling weapons!

I intended to follow that person, but I ended up losing track of them.

Unexpectedly, I saw him again at the Liang King's wedding banquet, now transformed into a servant of the Liang King's mansion.

This matter is very strange; it's just unknown whether the sale of arms is related to the King of Liang.

Li Xi frowned, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk—a habit she had when she was thinking.

The study window was half-open, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, but it could not calm the turmoil in her heart.

“This person’s identity is complicated, and I haven’t been able to fully ascertain it yet,” Chen Quan said in a low and calm voice.

He stood opposite Li Xi, his hands behind his back, his eyes equally deep.

"He seems to have some reputation in the underworld, known as the 'Iron-Faced Merchant,' and he acts mysteriously, rarely showing his true face," he continued.

Upon hearing this, Li Xi frowned even more deeply.

She knew about the rumors surrounding this "Iron-Faced Businessman".

His reputation in the martial arts world was not good, but because he was cautious and skillful, he was never caught by the government or righteous people in the martial arts world.

“If he really has connections with the Prince of Liang, then things will be very troublesome,” Li Xi said in a deep voice.

She knew all too well the power the Prince of Liang wielded in the court; if he were to actually get involved in arms trafficking, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“We must proceed with caution in this matter and avoid alerting the enemy.” Chen Quan nodded. “I will continue to investigate this person’s identity and whereabouts. Our people have also been secretly observing the movements of the Liang Prince’s Mansion to see if there is anything unusual.”

Li Xi nodded. She knew Chen Quan's abilities and believed he could handle the matter well.

She stood up and walked to the window.

Gazing at the bright moon hanging high outside the window, my heart was filled with a vast and turbulent feeling, like the surging sea.

"This martial world, this imperial court, is truly ever-changing and unpredictable." Li Xi sighed softly, her voice filled with helplessness and exhaustion.

She missed her master. If he were here, perhaps he could have handled things better.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head: "Arrange for someone to investigate Prince Jing's early experiences at Xiangguo Temple. Also, go to that Yueji Music Hall and find out about a musician..."