White Moonlight and Black Lotus

The Jiang family remained unaware of the events concerning Jin Yue'er and her son at Tianling Tun or Li Changsen's struggles and triumphs at Dieling Pass. Time flew by, and three months had passed since Li Sanlang arrived at Dieling Pass.

During these three months, he experienced numerous battles that transformed him from a naive youth into a composed and resolute soldier.

On the Double Ninth Festival, the newly appointed Governor-General personally visited Dieling Pass to reward the soldiers for their recent victories.

Early in the morning, Li Er-ya brought along Li Wu-ya and Li Qi-lang to wait for Li Sanlang's return.

"Big Brother said that Dad will probably be promoted to a hundred-foot officer this time," Li Wu-ya said excitedly.

"That's great! We should celebrate Dad properly later," Li Qi-lang chimed in.

The three siblings chatted happily while waiting for Li Sanlang. By midday, they saw Li Sanlang rushing out of the city.

"Big Brother!"

Not seeing their father with him, Li Wu-ya asked in surprise, "Big Brother, where's Dad?"

Li Sanlang's expression was not too good. "Dad had something to attend to and was summoned by the thousand-foot officer."

Li Wu-ya furrowed her brows. "Why? Didn't you say that Dad is the bravest warrior on the battlefield? He even captured a major general from Beiyan. With so many accomplishments, shouldn't he have been promoted?"

Looking at his puzzled younger siblings, Li Sanlang sighed, "Military promotions are very complicated. It's not just based on military merits."

Positions above a hundred-foot officer were limited, and it was not as simple as having military achievements to be promoted.

Li Wu-ya snorted, "Then what else matters? Is it about connections?"

Li Sanlang remained silent for a moment before replying, "The thousand-foot officer said that Dad's qualifications are not enough, and he lacks the necessary military command abilities that a hundred-foot officer should possess."

Li Wu-ya continued, "These are just excuses. The most crucial factor is probably that our family lacks connections within the military."

Li Sanlang didn't refute her words; it was indeed the case.

The officer who was promoted to a hundred-foot officer instead of his father might not have had as many merits or combat skills, but he had the support of the defending general's family, which worked in his favour.

Li Sanlang was beginning to understand why his father didn't want him to join the battlefield. Achieving success in the military was not just about bravery and skills but also heavily influenced by one's connections.

Li Wu-ya pondered for a moment. "Big Brother, if military achievements don't matter, then you and Dad should leave as soon as possible."

Li Sanlang sighed, "It's not that easy. We are a military family, and unless the war between Chu and Beiyan is settled, both Dad and I will have to stay at Dieling Pass."

Li Wu-ya thought for a while and decided to write a letter to her master, the cheap apprentice, asking him to help change the military status of the Li family. She believed he would agree to help them.

However, before she received a reply, Li Sanlang encountered trouble. He was targeted by a Beiyan eighth-grade master and was marked for death!

A mere junior soldier being targeted by an eighth-grade master was already astonishing enough, but what was even more surprising was that Li Sanlang managed to escape from the grasp of the eighth-grade master.

Although he was covered in blood after the battle, the news of his escape shook the entire Dieling Pass!

"What? You're saying that Li Sanlang had killed a Beiyan eighth-grade master before?"

"Is it true? How old is he?"

"It must be true. Many people know about this. Otherwise, why would the Huyan family target him?"

As the Huyan family from Beiyan set their sights on Li Sanlang, the incident of the attack on the Tianling Tun relay station five years ago resurfaced, becoming a topic of great interest among the soldiers at Dieling Pass. Even General Zhuang Yutang was surprised to hear about it.

"That boy came to Dieling Pass back then?" Zhuang Yutang was taken aback.

Deputy General Xu Chengkun nodded and provided a detailed account of the situation involving Li Sanlang and Li Changsen.

Listening to how both father and son displayed impressive martial arts skills, Zhuang Yutang raised an eyebrow, "I remember when I met that boy five years ago, he hadn't even begun his martial arts training. And now, after five years, he can face an eighth-grade master head-on? Such remarkable progress!"

Xu Chengkun was also puzzled and uncertain, "Perhaps that boy is a natural martial arts prodigy?"

"I've investigated it. His father learned some basic martial arts from a veteran who knew a little bit, but now Li Changsen's martial skills are absolutely above eighth grade," Xu Chengkun said.

Zhuang Yutang observed the sparring on the training grounds, where many people were challenging Li Changsen and Li Sanlang due to their recent fame. After watching a couple of matches, he decided to send his guards to spar with the Li father and son to gauge their martial prowess accurately.

"These two father and son are impressive. The younger one's martial arts are at the seventh to eighth-grade level, while the elder's skills are undoubtedly above eighth-grade," reported the guards after their matches.

Zhuang Yutang squinted his eyes as he watched Li Changsen, who was currently sparring with an eighth-grade guard and seemed evenly matched. "It seems we don't need to intervene."

"While the Huyan family has considerable influence within the Beiyan army, Li's father and son can handle an eighth-grade master by themselves."

Zhuang Yutang had considered giving Li Sanlang a position in logistics as gratitude for his assistance five years ago. However, after learning about the Li family's martial skills, he realized that he should not impede their prospects.

Meanwhile, Li Er-ya and her two siblings, who were delivering medicine and food to Li Changsen and Li Sanlang, were alarmed upon learning about the situation.

Li Wu-ya was particularly anxious. With dangers lurking on the battlefield, they could face risks at any time. Even she, as a soldier, couldn't afford to be careless on the battlefield. If her brother, who had only trained for a few years, was being targeted, he might get distracted on the battlefield and sustain serious injuries.

"This is becoming endless!" Li Wu-ya's face darkened, and she felt the need to take action.

Thinking about the Northern Yan spies in Xining City, Li Wu-ya's eyes flickered with a cold smile.

"Huyan family, huh? Just wait!"

Since arriving in this world, she had been minding her own business and never actively sought trouble. But now, someone was disturbing her peace, and she had to show those people some consequences.

The next day, Li Wu-ya took Li Qi-lang to Xining City.

With the help of her spiritual power, they quickly found a secret contact point for Northern Yan spies – an ironworking shop.

"Qi-lang, you've always wanted to test your skills, right? Go ahead and practice with those people," Li Wu-ya said indifferently, looking at the Northern Yan spies inside the ironworking shop.

Li Qi-lang's eyes brightened, showing an eager expression on his face. However, he didn't move his feet. "Sister, should I do it alone?"

Li Wu-ya glanced at him and replied, "If I take action, do you think you'll have a chance to do anything?"

Li Qi-lang hesitated, realizing that she was right.

Li Wu-ya added, "They are spies. Be careful; they might try to take their own lives if they are exposed."

Li Qi-lang nodded, no longer hesitating. With a nervous and excited heart, he walked into the ironworking shop and quickly closed the door behind him.

Li Wu-ya didn't do anything. She stood with her arms crossed in front of the door, listening to the muffled groans coming from inside the shop.

Since their identities as Northern Yan spies couldn't be revealed, even if they were ambushed, those spies wouldn't dare to make too much noise. This greatly facilitated Li Wu-ya and Li Qi-lang's actions.

Once the ironworking shop fell silent, Li Wu-ya entered.

Inside, three Northern Yan spies were beaten badly by Li Qi-lang. They were tied up and hung from the rafters. Li Wu-ya glanced at them and said to Li Qi-lang, "Ask them about the Huyan family's situation."

Li Qi-lang was a bit puzzled, "How should I ask?"

Li Wu-ya looked at the forge in the shop and casually said, "Ask in any way you want. Just get them to talk."

Scratching the back of his head, Li Qi-lang fell into silence for a moment and then went to the backyard. Soon, he returned with a plate of earthworms.

Seeing the squirming earthworms, Li Wu-ya quickly looked away; she couldn't stand such soft-bodied creatures. Instead, she picked up a box of iron beads the size of green beans from near the forge and left the shop as if fleeing.

After about half an hour, Li Wu-ya finished a bowl of braised noodles at a noodle shop by the street. Only then did Li Qi-lang excitedly leave the ironworking shop, proudly carrying a bag of silver and gold coins.

"Sister, I got the information."

"Huyan family is a prominent military family in Northern Yan. They have produced many skilled warriors, even some ninth-grade masters. Many of them hold positions within the Northern Yan army."

"The two we killed at the relay station were from the Huyan family's direct lineage. Once they found out that it was me who killed them, they have been seeking an opportunity to retaliate."

"Huyan family's spies are active in the city, and they have several bases."

Li Wu-ya listened quietly and said nothing. She treated Li Qi-lang to a bowl of noodles and had him eat first.

After finishing the meal, Li Qi-lang asked, "By the way, what should we do with those three men?"

Li Wu-ya didn't say anything and took out an iron bead. She aimed it at the door of the ironworking shop and flicked it with her finger.

"Bang!"

The ironworking shop's door opened, revealing the three tied-up spies hanging from the rafters. The people around quickly gathered, and soon, patrolling soldiers arrived.

Watching the soldiers taking the spies away, Li Wu-ya waited for Li Qi-lang to finish his noodles before taking him to the next Northern Yan contact point.

In this manner, Li Wu-ya combed through the streets one by one, spending almost half a month to locate all the Northern Yan contact points in Xining City. She also gathered information about the Huyan family and collected a fair amount of gold and silver along the way.

During this time, the city guards became numb to the arrests.

When the news spread that all those captured were Northern Yan spies, Xining City was shaken.

"Oh my, we have so many Northern Yan people hiding in Xining City; it's terrifying!"

"Don't you think the person who found out about these Northern Yan spies is even scarier? So many of them, and all of them are skilled warriors. Whoever it is, they must be incredibly powerful!"

Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of an inn, Li Qi-lang was happily counting the silver and gold on the table, his eyes narrowed with joy.

Li Wu-ya stood by the window, silently listening to the discussions of passersby on the street. After a while, she suddenly asked, "Qi-lang, don't you think we should let everyone know about the great deeds we've done, so they will remember us fondly?"

Li Qi-lang paused for a moment, "But sister, didn't you say we should avoid attracting too much attention, or else we won't have peaceful days ahead?"

Li Wu-ya smiled, "As long as we don't reveal our real names, who will know it's us?"

With a confident nod, Li Qi-lang agreed, "Yes, we have removed so many Northern Yan bases. It's an accomplishment for Xining City and Da Chu. They should know about us."

"Do good deeds and leave a mark!"

Li Wu-ya tapped her chin and thought, "I heard that people who roam the jianghu often like to have an alias. I should pick a resounding one for myself."

Li Qi-lang asked, "What will you choose?"

Li Wu-ya's eyes lit up, "I know what to call myself!"

"What is it?"

"White Moonlight!"

Li Qi-lang raised an eyebrow, "White Moonlight? Why do I feel like it's not imposing at all?"

Li Wu-ya gave him a look, "Do you know the meaning of White Moonlight?"

Li Qi-lang shook his head honestly, "I don't know."

Li Wu-ya explained, "White Moonlight refers to a person who is unattainable, even if someone admires them deeply, they can't possess them and can only bury their feelings in their heart."

Li Qi-lang said, "Still not imposing."

Li Wu-ya raised her eyebrows, "I'm a girl, why do I need to be imposing? When people hear my alias, they'll feel admiration, but I'll be as unattainable as the moon in the sky. Isn't that better than being imposing?"

Li Qi-lang mumbled, "You were the one who said you wanted to be imposing." Then he looked at Li Wu-ya, "Then what should I be called?"

Li Wu-ya replied, "Think of one yourself."

After a moment of consideration, Li Qi-lang said, "If you're White Moonlight, then I'll be Black Moonlight."

Li Wu-ya couldn't help but find it somewhat distasteful, "Black Moonlight? That sounds terrible." She sized up Li Qi-lang and smiled, "You might as well be called Black Lotus."

Surprisingly, her brother did have some potential to be called Black Lotus.

Li Qi-lang protested, "I'm a man; how can I have such a girly alias?"

Li Wu-ya retorted, "Choosing an alias is meant to confuse others. If you call yourself Black Lotus, who would imagine you are a man?"

Li Qi-lang thought it made sense since he couldn't come up with a better name. "Alright, then I'll be Black Lotus."

Thus, the siblings quickly settled on their aliases!

As news of the Northern Yan spies was reported to the Western Domain Protectorate, officials were immediately dispatched to handle the captured spies.

At the front of the Xining City yamen, as officials were receiving the Northern Yan spies, a flying knife suddenly shot through the air and firmly lodged itself in the yamen's main gate. Attached to the knife was a note that read: "White Moonlight and Black Lotus have come for a visit to Xining City. As we despise the Huyan family from Northern Yan, we offer these captured spies as our passing fee!"

Li Wu-ya didn't forget their ultimate goal was the Huyan family. Since they dared to target her brother on the battlefield, she would root out the Northern Yan spy dens!

With the removal of the Northern Yan spy network, the Huyan family was left vulnerable, waiting for the Northern Yan officials' retaliation.