Chapter 81 Xu Anmin

Jiang Li was sitting cross - legged in the inn room, his eyes focused and his mind immersed in the vast laws of heaven and earth.

Everything around him seemed to have nothing to do with him. Time passed extremely slowly. It was as if in this silence, he was communicating with the whole world, seeking his own breakthroughs and insights.

However, at this moment, a gentle knock on the door broke the silence in the room.

The sound was like a sudden gust of wind. Although not urgent, it was particularly harsh in the tranquility.

Jiang Li's heart stirred slightly, but he didn't interrupt his cultivation because of this. He calmly said,"Come in."

The door opened gently, and Shangguan Hao walked in.

Seeing that Jiang Li was immersed in cultivation, Shangguan Hao slightly lowered his head and said respectfully,"Young Master, there are people from the government looking for you outside."

Jiang Li frowned slightly, and a trace of alertness suddenly rose in his heart.

People from the government? Looking for me at this time? It seems they have something up their sleeves. He pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said,"Let them in."

Shangguan Hao hesitated slightly. But seeing that Jiang Li didn't show much of an expression, he nodded and turned to walk towards the door.

Not long after, the soft sound of footsteps came from the door, and two men entered along with him.

Jiang Li's gaze quickly swept over the two men, and he immediately made a judgment in his mind.

The first man was dressed in a magnificent official robe. He was imposing, with steady steps. There was a hint of wisdom between his brows. His eyes, though gentle, were full of profundity, as if they could see through people's hearts at a glance. Jiang Li vaguely felt that this man in front of him was no ordinary person.

The other man in black had a completely different aura. He was tall, with a cold gaze. Just standing there, he commanded respect. His aura was calm and powerful. This man should be the bodyguard of the man in front.

"Master Jiang, hello. This is Xu Anmin, the Lord of Heluo City." The man in black's voice was deep and powerful. Then he looked down at Jiang Li and said,"Lord Xu has come here in person especially to meet you, Master Jiang."

When Jiang Li heard the words "Lord Xu", his heart jolted.

He had heard of this name before. Xu Anmin was the top advisor of the Yongning Prince before the prince went into seclusion. He never expected that now he was the lord of such a small place.

Jiang Li didn't show his surprise immediately. Instead, he stood up steadily and saluted,"Greetings to Lord Xu."

Xu Anmin smiled slightly and waved his hand, indicating that Jiang Li didn't need to be overly polite."No need for such formalities. I came here incognito. You don't have to be so courteous, Master Jiang."

His tone was gentle, yet there was a tinge of reminiscence in his eyes."In fact, Master Jiang, you don't need to be too surprised. We're both people of the Yongning Prince." He paused for a moment, as if pondering something. His eyes looked through the window, fixated on the bright moon in the sky."Back then, I accompanied the Yongning Prince in his adventures in the martial world. I was involved in many affairs. Later, when the Yongning Prince withdrew from politics, he entrusted me with the management of this city and led a leisurely life himself. Now, I'm the lord of this city."

Jiang Li nodded slightly, a glint of thought flashing in his eyes. He knew that Xu Anmin's visit wasn't just for official business. Jiang Li remained calm and composed,"I see. Since Lord Xu has come in person, I, Jiang Li, surely wouldn't dare to be negligent. Please enlighten me."

Xu Anmin's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze grew sharper.

He stared at Jiang Li, as if appraising him."Master Jiang is truly extraordinary, calm - headed and intelligent." He paused briefly, his eyes profound."This visit isn't an ordinary meeting. There are indeed some matters I'd like to discuss with you."

Jiang Li's brows slightly arched. Although he seemed calm on the surface, he became even more alert in his heart.

"It's a long story," Xu Anmin sighed softly.

"Well, you don't have to say it. After all, it's getting late and it's time to go to sleep." Jiang Li suddenly blurted out such a statement.

"Ahem." Xu Anmin's face showed a hint of embarrassment."Young Master, your words are quite interesting indeed."

"Haha, just joking. Lord Mayor, please continue."

Xu Anmin smiled slightly, his eyes still deep and profound."Alright, then let's have a good chat."

"Young Master, did you encounter any ambushes on the way?"

Jiang Li nodded slightly, his expression calm."Yes, I did." He paused briefly, remaining silent for a moment as if recollecting."There were two groups. One was from Qingshan Stockade, and the other was from the Xiaoyao Sect. The people from Qingshan Stockade are all dead. I spared two of their lieutenants, and now they're working for me. As for the people from the Xiaoyao Sect, that Cheng Yankun and I fought to a standstill, and then he managed to flee."

Jiang Li's tone remained composed, as if these events were of little consequence to him. However, a flash of shock crossed Xu Anmin's eyes. Evidently, he hadn't expected Jiang Li to mention such astonishing incidents in such a nonchalant way.

Xu Anmin suddenly slapped the table, his eyes filled with undisguisable surprise and admiration."Cheng Yankun? It was actually him? He's the young master of the Xiaoyao Sect. Despite being so young, he's already a powerful Soul Lord, only around twenty years old." He lowered his head and pondered briefly, looking at Jiang Li with a hint of respect in his eyes."Young Master, to be able to force Cheng Yankun to run away is truly astonishing. Just hearing you talk about it, I can tell you're even more remarkable than the rumors suggest."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li simply smiled faintly and said in a calm tone,"Although that person was powerful, I also paid a price. We both ended up in a mutually - damaging situation." He responded with modesty, as if he didn't take this battle to heart.

Xu Anmin was slightly startled, then chuckled."Young Master is truly modest. You make defeating Cheng Yankun sound so understated. I really admire you."

The admiration in his tone was obvious. However, he quickly changed the subject and got straight to the point."However, speaking of which, the power of the Xiaoyao Sect has been expanding too rapidly. Almost no one can rein them in anymore. Although the emperor is nominally the sovereign, the connection with these sects has long been merely in name. The official ties with them have been severed. Now, the arrogance of the Xiaoyao Sect has spurred the rise of many small forces, and the situation has become increasingly complex."

Jiang Li slightly furrowed his brows, looking directly at Xu Anmin, trying to figure out the deeper meaning behind the latter's words.

Xu Anmin continued,"Near Heluo City, I've discovered a place called 'Dongfeng Ridge'. It was originally an unremarkable small village, but now it has become a gathering place for freelance cultivators. A place like this is no longer an ordinary village but a hotbed of unruly forces."

He paused, with a tinge of dissatisfaction in his tone."These small forces collude with each other, gradually slipping out of official control and starting to openly oppress the common people and disrupt local order. You know, in places like this, there is no justice or order to speak of, only interests and power - plays."

Jiang Li nodded silently. He murmured to himself,"This is not just a problem of the Xiaoyao Sect. More importantly, these small forces have already started to challenge the authority of the government."

Jiang Li was secretly calculating. Xu Anmin's words seemed to reveal a bigger problem, that is, the rise of local forces was challenging the authority of the central government, and the situation was probably more complicated than it appeared on the surface.

"How do you plan to deal with the situation in Dongfengling?" Jiang Li's tone was low, yet carried an undeniable deterrence.

Xu Anmin's brows slightly furrowed, and a hint of difficulty flashed in his eyes."This has been the most vexing problem for me in the past few months. Although the official has issued an investigation order, these villainous forces are hidden too deeply, and we've never been able to conduct a thorough investigation. Even though we've sent people to probe, there has been no substantial progress." He paused, a complex glint flickering in his eyes."However, if you, Young Master, can step in to solve this, I can offer some assistance."

Jiang Li fell silent for a moment, a flash of thought crossing his deep eyes. He knew that there might be more implications behind Xu Anmin's proposal. These words seemed to be more than just a hope for him to solve the problem; there might be some kind of exchange or agreement of interests hidden within.

Jiang Li slightly raised his head and replied indifferently,"In that case, I will naturally consider it." His tone remained calm.

Xu Anmin chuckled."Young Master, I'm not asking you to do this for nothing. For this attack on Dongfengling, you can take sixty percent of all the spoils. This place has been amassing wealth for years, and there's a considerable amount of fortune there."

Jiang Li asked in confusion,"Then why didn't you take action earlier? Now that they've grown stronger, it seems difficult to deal with them."

Hearing this, Xu Anmin wore a bitter expression and said,"I wish I could. But they've infiltrated deep into Heluo City. Their influence has taken root. Even many of my officials have connections with them. If I gather people to launch an attack, those people might stab me in the back. That's why I haven't been able to wipe them out. Now that you, Young Master, and your group of powerful people have arrived, this is the only chance I can seize to give it a try. I don't seek to just keep the peace for myself, but to ensure the well - being of the local people."

Jiang Li looked at Xu Anmin, his gaze steady, and slowly said,"Don't seek to just keep the peace for yourself, but to ensure the well - being of the local people."

These words truly lived up to the reputation of a top - notch advisor who had once been written about in textbooks. They were concise yet profound.

Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Xu Anmin's face. Evidently, he was quite pleased with Jiang Li's recognition.