The 18th year of the Da Yong reign: The beginning of the story involves rescuing revolutionaries.

Wang Lingguan's performance surprised Wang Zhi, who raised an eyebrow in astonishment. Although he had always known what kind of person the current Wang Lingguan, later known as the ruthless Wang Xiaomai, was.

But when the other person actually stood in front of him with their own body, he was still deeply moved.

The third son of the Earl's family, the Duke's third brother, certainly wouldn't dare to lay a hand on the Duke's own daughter, but his expression also turned cold: "Miss, you are still too young to get involved in family matters. Please step aside."

Just as the situation was at a stalemate, a woman's voice suddenly came from behind Wang Zhi: "Third Brother, please don't make things difficult for this junior."

Following the sound, everyone looked and saw a beautiful woman walking gracefully from behind. She wore a deep purple satin robe with exquisite embroidery on the collar and cuffs. Her hair was simply tied up, and her expression was extremely serious.

In this world where everyone can embark on martial arts training, women can also stand on their own.

Unlike ordinary households where the wife's activities are confined to the inner courtyard, she may have little to say to her husband or elder brother.

Wang Lingguan's mother, Pei Huaiyin, had fought alongside the Earl of Wuyi in battle and killed enemies in her early years.

His martial arts skills are even superior to those of the third brother.

"Madam." The Third Master stopped his attack and took a step back.

"It involves future generations and family affairs. Let's wait until the investigation is complete and the Duke returns before making a decision, what do you think?" Madam Pei said calmly to the third son.

"It would be good to wait for the Duke to give a fair judgment, but..." The Third Master changed the subject and said, "No matter what unpleasant things Guangyou and the eldest young lady have done, it is still an internal matter of our family. Now that an outsider has appeared and slapped Guangyou in the face, it is not only Guangyou's face that is lost, but also the face of our entire family."

"Chief Wang is a distinguished guest of our Earl's Mansion, not an outsider. Guangyou's injuries are quite serious, Third Brother, you should take your nephew downstairs to get treatment as soon as possible."

These words left the Third Master speechless, so he turned and left with his son and men.

As soon as he turned around, his expression became serious and his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Once everyone had left, the girl finally couldn't hold back any longer and threw herself into her mother's arms. Madam Pei's face softened into a gentle smile, as if a spring breeze had thawed: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." She affectionately patted her daughter's head before patting her back, signaling her to stand beside her.

Looking up at Wang Zhi, he said earnestly, "You've had a hard journey, Chief Wang. You've done a great favor for me, for this girl, and for the entire Earl's Mansion. We are not ungrateful people. When the Duke returns, he will reward you."

"Please rest at my residence for the next two days, Chief Wang. Don't worry, no one will bother you during this time."

Wang Zhi had no objection. Once he sent the girl to the manor, his mission would be complete. As for how to clean up the mess at the Earl's manor afterward, that was none of his concern. He nodded slightly and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Madam."

"Manager Liu, take Chief Wang to the Second Hospital to rest. Take good care of him and don't neglect our distinguished guest," Madam Pei instructed him directly.

"Yes, Madam," the same steward replied, looking at Wang Zhi. "Chief Wang, please come with me."

Wang Lingguan watched Wang Zhi's departing figure for a long time; a child's heart is always reluctant to part.

Moreover, she had just been betrayed by her own family.

The two went through several life-or-death crises together, and this forty-year-old man was more like family to her.

Seemingly sensing her daughter's emotional fluctuations, Madam Pei patted her thin shoulder: "You are the legitimate daughter of my Earl's Mansion. Being able to take things on and let them go will be a compulsory lesson for you throughout your life."

"I understand, Mother." Wang Lingguan turned and left with his mother.

This matter is far from over; there are still many things to be dealt with.

In particular, her mother whispered in a voice only she could hear, "When the Duke was fighting against Yin Du Wang, one of the seven Dharma Kings of the Cang Sheng Sect, on the battlefield, he was ambushed by foreigners with foreign guns from hundreds of meters away, and thus almost lost his life."

"Foreigners? Foreigners again." Wang Lingguan's heart tightened immediately.

......

The sky grew increasingly dark, and the cool autumn breeze rustled the leaves of the trees in the mansion.

The occasional chirping of insects and birds adds a touch of life to this tranquil mansion.

Wang Zhi followed behind Steward Liu, winding his way from the covered walkways on both sides of the main hall to the west side of the Second Courtyard.

This is a separate courtyard.

In the southeast corner stands a small artificial hill, made of local bluestone, which is not particularly ingeniously stacked.

A few weeping willows are sparsely planted beside the artificial hill, their leaves already turning a few shades of yellow in the autumn sun, with fallen leaves lying quietly on the ground. There is also a stone-railed well in the courtyard, its deep opening reflecting a small patch of moonlight, which can be used for daily drinking and washing.

"Chief Wang, this is it. There are servants waiting outside the courtyard 24 hours a day. If you need anything, just tell them," Steward Liu said very politely.

"There's tea and snacks in the room, and the servants have prepared dinner, which will be sent over shortly. Since Miss has just returned home, she and Madam have some private conversation, so she can't invite you to dinner tonight." Steward Liu spoke and acted with impeccable discretion.

"Manager Liu, your consideration is very thoughtful. I thank you and your wife." Wang Zhi clasped his hands in a fist salute.

He bluntly said, "Prepare more blood-nourishing and medicinal dishes for dinner. Hehe, I'm a martial artist, and I've expended quite a bit of energy on the journey."

He wasn't lying. Along the way, he had killed fathead fish and fought Wang Guangyou. His internal energy was fine; he could replenish it by circulating his cultivation techniques. However, his blood and qi recovered slowly, so he needed to eat blood-nourishing foods and medicinal meals.

Why is it said that a martial artist's energy and blood will be insufficient after the age of thirty-five? It's because before the age of thirty-five, one's energy and blood are on the rise, but after thirty-five, the upper limit of one's energy and blood begins to decline.

The only way to stop the decline and even raise the ceiling is through a breakthrough in martial arts, or some aged blood-nourishing medicines.

He escorted Wang Lingguan safely home, and it wasn't unreasonable for him to want to eat something nourishing that evening. After all, a noble mansion like his was certainly provided with some food.

Sure enough, Manager Liu smiled kindly: "Don't worry, Chief Wang, everything will be arranged. We won't let you go hungry."

"Okay, okay." Wang Zhi nodded happily.

When the courtyard was quiet and he was the only one left, Wang Zhi summoned the control panel to check.

Character: Wang Zhi.

Identity: Leader of the Daxing Gang in Liuzhou County, and head of the Wang family, a prominent local clan.

Cultivation level: Commoner Realm, internal energy flows freely, body covered in copper skin, impervious to swords and blades, muscles and bones resonate, energy flows smoothly.

Cultivation Technique: Golden Essence Technique (Slightly Accomplished), a white-quality cultivation technique. Internal energy is solidified, and circulating Qi can slightly enhance defense. Experience value: 48/22/100.

Martial Arts: Inch Heart Fist (Great Success), a white-quality martial art. It is a common fist technique, but it has more rules than street fighting. After mastering it, you will learn the Inch Power, which makes your fist more explosive. Experience value: 132/500.

Mourning Blade (Slightly Accomplished), a white-quality martial art, a common sword technique, consisting of five moves, focusing on a fierce offensive approach, with 98/100 experience points.

Swift as a Feather (Beginner Level), a white-quality martial art, a lightness skill that increases running speed, with 9/10 experience points.

Sure enough! The experience points of several white weapons all increased to varying degrees.

Normally, when he sparred with Afu, Bai Wu would gain experience points. There's no reason why he wouldn't gain any after several life-or-death battles.

Moreover, the price increase was much faster than during the sparring sessions.

Among them, the Deathly Blade and the Swift Legs immediately broke through.

Looking back now, it's clear that Wang Guangyou deliberately let the kidnapper abduct Wang Lingguan, rather than the kidnapper Tao Yi relying on Dacheng's swift legs as he initially suspected.

But running fast is also very important.

While waiting for the food to be delivered, Wang Zhi took the opportunity to dart around the courtyard and run quickly.

The fallen leaves that filled the yard swirled around him, gathering and drifting with the wind.

He only stopped after running for the time it takes to burn an incense stick or two, when he heard footsteps outside the courtyard.

Three servants from the Earl's mansion entered, each carrying a wooden tray.

The tray was as big as a washbasin.

It was covered with plates and dishes of all sizes.

Wang Zhi's eyes sparkled as he watched. He had been living in Liuzhou County for so long, and the number of times he had eaten blood-based medicinal cuisine could be counted on one hand.

To maintain sufficient energy and blood, martial artists generally avoid engaging in fierce battles, as natural recovery is too slow.

In the most unavoidable fights, the time spent using internal energy is greater than the time spent expending qi and blood.

But if one truly exhausts their energy and blood, it means they are truly enraged. Therefore, the saying "A common man's anger can cause blood to spill five steps away" is the best explanation of the common man's state.

Even if you let them indulge in some blood food, we wouldn't be willing to let them, since they can recover eventually.

The aroma was so enticing that Wang Zhi couldn't wait any longer and had the three of them place the delicacies on the stone table in the courtyard.

There were twelve dishes in total, with the main dish being the soft and tender bear paw. Wang Zhi could tell at a glance that the bear paw must have come from an old bear in the deep mountains and forests, which had lived for a hundred or eighty years. Even ordinary martial artists could not hunt this thing. It was marinated with the best medicinal herbs and then became the dish in front of him.

This is blood-based medicinal cuisine.

"Chief Wang, please give us your orders if you need anything," the servant said.

"Alright, go ahead." Wang Zhi waved his hand.

Before the others had even left, he started eating.

Like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds, they devoured all the delicacies on the table, and after finishing, they let out a satisfied burp.

I felt extremely hot all over, and my blood was surging. It took a full incense stick's time for me to gradually calm down.

At this moment, Wang Zhi felt that he was in an excellent state. He had not only made up for the consumption of qi and blood when he opened all forty-eight meridians, but it also seemed to have increased slightly.

This is quite remarkable.

"The Earl's Mansion is really on the right track," Wang Zhi thought to himself.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Wang Zhi ran wildly through the courtyard again.

More than half an hour later, he had a sudden inspiration.

Swift as a Horse (Slightly Accomplished), a white-quality martial art, a lightness skill that further enhances running speed, making one as fast as a galloping horse, with 10/100 experience points.