Risk

"Yeah, it's like that," Li Ming nodded in agreement. Li Xuan listened attentively to his words, jotting down notes. It seemed that she was more interested in his insights than the oil matter.

Li Ming considered that it might be beneficial to occasionally provide them with valuable information like this. Not only would it reward them in a different way, but it could also elevate his status within the family, giving him more influence in the oil matter. He made sure, however, not to give them something too valuable that would make them turn against him instead of learning from him.

Li Ming had shared details about the two martial arts with Li Xuan. Although there were inconsistencies in the other books as well, it appeared that she was primarily interested in the martial arts section. Before leaving the room to discuss the matter with her father, Li Xuan had gathered all the information.

"Eyses, have I done a good job? I feel like I haven't provided all the information..." Li Ming inquired.

"Yes, you've done a good job. Not divulging everything is key to ensuring they value you. They will believe they need you alive to complete the missing information, granting you more time. As long as you continue to improve in every aspect during that time, you will become indispensable to the Li Clan," Eyses assured him.

"I'm currently like a treasure they have just discovered. If I don't show them something new, they will surely exploit me entirely. So, I need to present them with novel information that piques their curiosity and compels them to further explore my knowledge before extracting everything from me," Li Ming sighed, realizing the magnitude of the challenge he faced.

He also understood the need to become stronger in this world. While guns still held a certain level of supremacy, Li Xuan had informed him that a Martial Arts Master could split a metal plate in half. Although his bullets could penetrate such a plate, a master's extraordinary movements might eliminate him before he could react. Hence, Li Ming desired to learn martial arts to enhance his speed, perception of his surroundings, and fundamental understanding of martial artists.

Meanwhile, Li Xuan had returned to her father, bringing the fruits of her labor.

"Father, please take a look at this," Li Xuan presented the papers.

"What is this?" Li Changming asked, perplexed. "Martial arts? This one appears to be a breathing technique... Wait, isn't this the martial arts we provided to Li Ming?"

"Yes, Father. During my visit, I discovered that Li Ming has conducted a thorough analysis of the two martial arts. The sword art pales in comparison, but the crucial aspect lies in the breathing technique," Li Xuan explained.

"From what I can see, he has managed to improve it to the point where we need to take this matter seriously," Li Xuan continued.

"Hmm? How much has he improved the breathing technique?" Li Changming inquired.

"I haven't completed the testing, but based on my rough calculations... it should be around thirty percent," Li Xuan replied.

"What?" Li Changming exclaimed, his jaw dropping in astonishment. He looked down, deep in thought. "The Luminous Breathing Technique's output may be slightly inferior to our clan's breathing technique, but it's not far off. If it increases by thirty percent, won't it be equivalent to what our clan possesses?"

"Yes, Father. That's why it's extremely significant," Li Xuan emphasized.

"But isn't he a scholar? How does he possess such knowledge of martial arts?" Li Changming wondered aloud.

"I'm afraid his knowledge extends across various fields. He may not know everything, but in our conversations, I've noticed that he can provide detailed explanations on various topics," Li Xuan shared.

Li Changming covered his face with his hand. "He doesn't seem that old..."

"Yes, Father. I've confirmed that he and I are only four years apart."

"To think he is so knowledgeable... Don't tell me he has a wife waiting for him at home. A person as brilliant as him should be surrounded by beautiful women, right? And you, one of the most beautiful individuals in the kingdom, yet he hasn't shown any inappropriate behavior. Could he be a eunuch then?" Li Changming speculated.

"I can confirm that he is not a eunuch. While he doesn't behave inappropriately toward me, I've noticed his keen interest. So, he is not a eunuch. As for whether he has other women back in his hometown, I'm not entirely sure. But whenever we talk, I sense a certain 'loneliness' in him. It's possible that he has devoted his entire life to the pursuit of knowledge," Li Xuan revealed.

"Now that I think about it, hasn't his demeanor become more refined lately? Is it simply his ability to adapt and learn? If he can learn so quickly, I fear I have underestimated him. He is not just a scholar; he might be a sage in the making," Li Changming contemplated.

"What?!" Li Xuan gasped. "A sage? Are you certain, Father? A scholar dedicates their life to the pursuit of intellectual knowledge and academic studies, while a sage possesses a high level of wisdom, knowledge, and even spiritual insight. They exist on a completely different level."

"That's correct," Li Changming affirmed with a serious expression. "Our kingdom once had a sage who served as a prime minister. He assisted the king in unifying this great land and ultimately stabilizing the Wulun Kingdom."

Li Xuan looked down, her voice heavy with concern. "What should I do now?"

"I'm afraid time is not on our side. A sage would be a blessing for our Li Clan and the Wulun Kingdom. We cannot afford for him to die, or our clan will face punishment from the king and become a laughingstock. Yet, we cannot simply offer him to the kingdom without gaining something in return. After all, we were the ones who discovered him first. Therefore, it seems I will rely on you heavily," Li Changming revealed.

Li Xuan's body trembled. She understood the implications of her father's words. Previously, Li Changming had been patient, allowing their relationship to develop gradually. However, it appeared that due to Li Ming's newfound importance, Li Changming had become more impatient.

"So, you want me to seduce him?" Li Xuan asked, her voice laden with gravity.

"Yes," Li Changming nodded without hesitation. "I will also increase the number of people secretly guarding him while we investigate the one planning to harm him."

Li Xuan closed her eyes for a moment, grappling with her inner turmoil. It seemed she was hesitant, but for the sake of the Li Clan, she chose to comply with her father's request. "I understand. However, I cannot act immediately within the next few days, as any sudden change in my behavior would be noticeable once I discover his insight into martial arts."

"I understand, but time is of the essence," Li Changming waved his hand dismissively.

As much as they misunderstood Li Ming, they were not entirely off the mark. With Eyses' assistance, he could indeed become a sage with his knowledge from the modern world. Medicine, technology, and other information were stored within Eyses' database.

While they could potentially acquire Eyses from Li Ming, there was a significant hurdle. Eyses was activated using Li Ming's biometrics, meaning only he could utilize it.

Li Xuan departed to devise her plan. Unbeknownst to them, Eyses seemed to have anticipated their moves.

"Now that you have demonstrated your exceptional talent in various fields, they will take serious note of you. There are three possible scenarios that may unfold. The first is that they will attempt to eliminate you. In that case, Eyses will be deactivated, and the self-destruct mode will be initiated, destroying the truck and the weapon we brought to this world," Eyses informed Li Ming.

Li Ming understood the necessity of such precautions. "The mission carries a high level of risk, so I comprehend the first possibility. But Li Xuan wouldn't really go that far, right?"

"Li Xuan prioritizes the clan above all else. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of that occurring," Eyses confirmed.

"And what about divorcing me, dividing my assets, and forcing me to pay child support or something of that nature?" Li Ming sarcastically remarked.

"That is the law on Earth, not in this world. However, the Li Clan may attempt to use your relationship against you," Eyses explained.

Li Ming sighed. "I simply want to complete my mission. Understood, I will act accordingly. If the situation becomes too dangerous, I trust you to warn me. You can analyze conversations and other factors without my prompting, right? Use that ability to calculate the risks and alert me."

"Yes, I have been trained to provide unsolicited suggestions when deemed necessary. However, due to the differences in societal norms here, I still need to gather experimental data to ensure accuracy. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience along the way," Eyses apologized.

"Got it," Li Ming resolved, realizing the gravity of the Li Clan's expectations. With caution and vigilance, he believed he could manage. However, he couldn't deny the possibility of Li Xuan attempting to seduce him.

Li Ming glanced at the papers and sighed, "I suppose this is the price to make them genuinely interested and invested in me. Should I resign myself to fate? I could acquire a wife and an investment simultaneously. Well, Earth is still more enjoyable, I guess... Can I even bring my wife back with me?"

"That is a possibility, but there will be strict procedures involved. There is a risk of contamination or the introduction of unknown viruses from another world. Even you will need to undergo a series of examinations to ensure you can safely reintegrate into society," Eyses explained.

Li Ming rubbed his temples. It was no wonder they promised such a substantial reward. Even returning to Earth would be a significant undertaking. "Whatever the case, I will continue my search for oil. Let fate decide what happens next."