After hearing Lu Li's strategy, all three men felt the plan was feasible.
This way, they could avoid a direct confrontation with the White Sun Stronghold and prevent the other strongholds from taking advantage. At the same time, it would cost their enemy a key commander, ensuring the White Sun Stronghold would no longer have a say in the western territory.
However, this was also extremely risky. If they could not arrive in time to rescue him, Lu Li would likely fall into the enemy's clutches.
Lu Li straightforwardly told the two not to worry. He had his own methods; they just needed to lie in ambush.
After further discussion, Lu Li took his leave.
Li Chenghu had thoughtfully arranged a residence for Lu Li, which he did not refuse. An attendant was waiting outside to lead him there. After exchanging a few polite words with Lei Ming, Lu Li followed the man.
The residence was located east of the plaza, at the very end of a jade-green stone path.
Bihu Garden.
Looking at the towering walls and the pitch-black courtyard gate that was over a zhang wide, Lu Li could not help but feel surprised.
This Bihu Garden appeared even larger than Lei Ming's courtyard.
Led by the steward, he stepped through the gate and was greatly astonished by the sight inside.
Inside, connecting corridors wound back and forth. Within the courtyard, ornamental rockeries and flowering plants bordered the gravel paths, and waves of floral fragrance washed over him. After they crossed a front courtyard more than a hundred zhang deep and passed through a covered walkway, a small azure lake came into view.
Two incredibly long white jade bridges intersected in a cross over the water, connecting the four directions of the inner courtyard: east, south, west, and north.
Pavilions stood densely around the lake, framed by swaying emerald willows that refreshed the mind and spirit. Numerous rooms surrounded the water on the east, west, and north sides. The building directly to the north was slightly more luxurious, appearing to be the main hall.
After walking around, Lu Li's eyes were nearly dazzled. He finally stopped at the intersection of the stone bridges over the azure lake and spoke to the respectful steward behind him. "I will rest for a while. You may leave."
"Yes, Young Master." The steward bowed, stepped back, and then turned to leave.
Only after the steward departed did Lu Li sit down on a bench beside the stone bridge.
Staring up at the azure sky and feeling the warm breeze, Lu Li could not help but feel a little dazed. Looking back on his journey, he realized he had been constantly on guard against the schemes of others. His pure, youthful heart seemed to have changed.
"Others treat me with sincerity, yet I do not even dare to use my real name."
"Is all of this... really what I want?"
Lu Li murmured to himself while gazing at the sky.
He sat there for the entire afternoon.
Only when the sky began to darken did Lu Li let out another long sigh. He finally descended from the stone bridge and walked toward a small building east of the lake.
The small building had two floors. The first floor was a spacious reception hall, and the second floor was a bedroom. Outside the bedroom was a long corridor that overlooked the emerald willows and the azure lake below.
Lu Li was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery. Closing the door behind him, he sat on the bed.
His mind sank into the Medicine Garden space. By now, the Medicine Garden had expanded to ten li across. Counting the four hundred-plus Lightning Fire Orchids he had gathered later within the Youlong Stronghold's territory, the number of Lightning Fire Orchids in the Medicine Garden had now reached eight hundred and fifty.
At a glance, the entire Medicine Garden was a sea of deep blue.
What slightly disappointed him was that the Emerald Bamboo Grass cuttings he had planted earlier had failed to survive. It seemed he had oversimplified things; without a root system, they simply could not live.
Because of this, he would need to keep a closer eye out for news regarding Emerald Bamboo Grass in the future.
On a happier note, the Scarlet Flame Fruit tree had produced fifty-plus new buds. They were red tinged with purple and exceptionally beautiful.
After withdrawing from the Medicine Garden, Lu Li went directly into the Time Hall. He was not planning on a long period of Secluded Cultivation this time, so he did not cultivate the Great Profound Scripture. Instead, he practiced Gale Steps and Mountain Shaking Fist.
His Gale Steps had now reached the Minor Accomplishment stage, allowing him to cover twenty zhang per breath. However, Lu Li still felt somewhat unsatisfied. With his current cultivation, he could leap over ten zhang even without using Gale Steps.
Of course, his speed would be much slower than when actively using Gale Steps.
Lu Li combined Gale Steps with Mountain Shaking Fist, darting back and forth through the Time Hall in a blur. Booms echoed through the hall from time to time.
The next day was the first day of the seventh month.
According to what the Jubao Hall attendant had told him, an exchange gathering would be held later today. Lu Li withdrew from the Time Hall early.
Just as he was about to open the door and step out, a crisp knock sounded from outside. Lu Li frowned. He thought he was the only one in this courtyard.
Opening the door, he found a young maid in a green dress. The maid was holding a wooden tray that contained a washbasin and toiletries.
Lu Li asked suspiciously, "Who are you?"
The maid offered a curtsy and replied in a crisp voice, "Young Master, I am a maid Steward Huang found to serve you. You may call me Xiao He. Breakfast is already prepared. May I ask... would the Young Master like to eat now, or a little later?"
"A maid?" Lu Li wondered when Huang Tong had found a maid to send over. This was fine, though, as it saved him the trouble of looking around for something to eat. After a moment of thought, he said, "I will eat now."
He planned to go out for a walk after eating.
"Understood, Young Master. Shall I help you wash up first?" Although Xiao He was young, she was clearly well-trained.
"I will do it myself." Lu Li felt somewhat awkward. He took the tray and walked back into the room.
A moment later, he followed Xiao He to the dining room.
Lu Li began to eat. Suddenly, he noticed Xiao He standing quietly behind him. Feeling awkward, he offered, "Why don't you... eat with me?"
"N-no, there is no need!" Xiao He shook her head repeatedly. "We have rules. We cannot share a meal with our masters."
"What a ridiculous rule." Lu Li curled his lip, not liking the feeling of being watched while he ate. He instructed, "Later, go tell Huang Tong that the next time he prepares food, he is to prepare a portion for you as well. Tell him I ordered it. Do you remember?"
"Ah?"
"Hmm?"
"Yes, Young Master."
After finishing his meal in a hurry, Lu Li wandered around the inner courtyard for a while longer. It was not until midday that he left Bihu Garden and strolled onto the streets of the town.
Today, Dihu Town was much livelier than when he had first arrived. Most of the people walking the streets possessed cultivation bases. Lu Li guessed that these people might also be here for the exchange gathering.
This was a good thing. The more people there were, the greater his chances of finding an alchemy furnace.
"Hey, Big Brother Qin!"
A young woman in a pale blue dress suddenly ran up from behind and lightly patted his shoulder.
Two men dressed as guards hurriedly followed behind the young woman. They bowed to Lu Li. "Greetings, Young Master Qin."
"Hehe, there is no need to be so polite."
Lu Li smiled and waved a hand at the two guards, then looked at Lei Xiaoman beside him. "Why are you out and about? Is your father no longer keeping an eye on you?"
Lei Xiaoman beamed. "Father seems to have changed his attitude. Plus... I told him, 'I saw Big Brother Qin come out, and he will protect me,' so he let me leave."
"Me?" Lu Li shook his head in exasperation. "I only saved you last time because your father paid me. Do you really take me for a bodyguard?"
Lei Xiaoman pouted. "I will give you money too! Protect me, alright?"
"You?"
"Mhm, I have money! How much do you want?"
Lu Li gave Lei Xiaoman a long look. "Little girl, you still do not understand. The money I am talking about is not mundane gold and silver. If you can pay ten thousand True Essence Pills, I will protect you. How about that?"
"Tr... True Essence Pills!" Lei Xiaoman covered her mouth in shock.
"Hehe, you do not have that much, do you?" Lu Li waved a hand and walked quickly ahead. As he walked, he called back, "Hurry home. There are many people out today. If you get abducted again, your father will probably go bankrupt trying to save you."
"Who says I do not have them? You... you just wait!" Lei Xiaoman pouted, stomped her foot, and turned to run away.