22: Chapter 22 Tie Ruyun Goes to Chang'an

After "learning" the Raging Lion Iron Palm, Meng Li finally understood why Tie Ruyun and Murong Wudi never appeared in the same frame in the original drama, yet gave off a feeling of being at loggerheads.

Aside from both having a bit of a "wild" personality and being the best of their generation, it was also because their family Martial Arts styles and names were similar.

One was called "Raging Lion Iron Palm," and the other was called "Raging Dragon Palm"; both followed an extremely masculine and fierce path.

Given the tendency of Jianghu people to vie for supremacy, a comparison was inevitable. Not to mention, Murong Wudi, due to his name and background, had always considered himself invincible, while Tie Ruyun had suppressed all rivals to become the Wulin Alliance Leader.

Thinking of Murong Wudi, Meng Li couldn't help but think of the original drama where the man was driven by Liu Xi to lead a ten-against-five siege on Tie Ruyun.

Tie Ruyun had already been the Wulin Alliance Leader for some time.

According to the development of the original drama, it probably wouldn't be long before he was besieged.

After Tie Ruyun taught Meng Li the Raging Lion Iron Palm, seeing his rapid progress and greatly increased Martial Arts prowess, which meant he could protect his daughter, he felt more at ease leaving to handle various Martial Forest matters, spending even less time at home.

Meng Li couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. To enhance his internal power, he also frequently went out, using "fishing law enforcement" to absorb the Martial Arts of villains and thugs.

Just like that, more than two years passed in a flash.

One morning, Meng Li was in the courtyard listening to Jiang Yuyan sing.

Suddenly, a servant came to report that people from the East Depot had delivered a plaque to Tie Ruyun's manor.

Meng Li's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that it had finally begun.

He wasn't clear on the exact time Tie Ruyun would meet with trouble, but he remembered that people from the East Depot had visited beforehand, and now it matched up perfectly.

So, after giving Jiang Yuyan a heads-up, he went out to investigate the situation.

By the time he reached the Tie Manor, the East Depot people had already left, and Tie Ruyun was saying goodbye to his daughter.

Seeing Meng Li's arrival, Tie Ruyun stroked his beard and smiled, "Li'er, you've come at the right time. I need to take a long trip. Take good care of Xinlan."

Hearing this, Meng Li asked tentatively, "Father-in-law, why don't I go with you? It would be a good chance to broaden my horizons."

Tie Ruyun shook his head and refused, "This is a matter of the Martial Forest. Although you have Martial Arts, you haven't truly stepped into the Jianghu yet. There's no need to wade into these muddy waters. Just stay home and take good care of Xinlan. You two have reached the age to marry. Once I return from this trip, we'll pick a date and officially hold the wedding."

Meng Li's eyelids twitched as he listened.

Father-in-law, you really shouldn't be setting up flags like that!

"May I ask where you are going this time and when you will return?" Meng Li asked, then explained, "I don't mean to pry, but since you mentioned the wedding with Xinlan, we need a definite word so we can prepare in advance."

Tie Ruyun thought it made sense and replied, "On this trip, if nothing unexpected happens, I will stay in Chang'an."

"I can't guarantee a specific return date, but it shouldn't exceed three months."

Meng Li nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

Seeing this, Tie Ruyun gave a few more instructions to his daughter, then flipped onto his horse and galloped away.

Tie Xinlan watched her father's receding back, not thinking much of it, as he had traveled many times before and it was quite normal. However, regarding the wedding mentioned just now...

She instinctively looked at Meng Li, only to see her sweetheart's expression was off.

"What's wrong?" Tie Xinlan asked, holding his hand.

Meng Li took her hand in his and said with lowered eyes, "I heard that people from the East Depot were here just now."

Tie Xinlan nodded, "That's right, they came to deliver a plaque to Father."

As she spoke, she pointed to the newly replaced plaque above the manor gate.

Meng Li glanced at it and saw it read "Lion's Might Shakes the Eight Directions," so he feigned suspicion, "This is a bit strange. I recall Father-in-law having no dealings with the East Depot, and the Martial Forest has always kept to itself away from the imperial court. Why would the East Depot suddenly deliver this plaque?"

"And as soon as the plaque was delivered, Father-in-law rushed off on a long trip."

"There's likely something fishy going on."

Hearing this, Tie Xinlan also caught on and felt it was suspicious, "Now that you mention it, things indeed seem a bit off."

Then, she said worriedly, "Then will Father be in danger on this trip?"

Meng Li furrowed his brows and said, "It's hard to say. I'll follow and take a look."

"I'm going too."

Meng Li shook his head. Looking at her pretty face, which had begun to show a hint of charm as her features matured, he said with a smile, "If you go, what will happen to Tie Family Village? And my place? Besides, someone needs to prepare for the wedding."

Tie Xinlan thought it made sense but was still uneasy, "With both you and Father away, I'll be even more worried."

Meng Li kissed her lips and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Tie Xinlan gave him a reproachful look but didn't try to stop him further.

"Then I'll prepare your luggage."

"No need, I'll go back and give some instructions, then pack a few things. If I delay too long, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with Father-in-law."

...

Meng Manor.

When Jiang Yuyan heard that Meng Li was suddenly leaving on a long trip, she felt reluctant to see him go, but she didn't say anything.

Because Meng Li had frequently gone out over the past two years, she was somewhat used to it.

Meng Li only coaxed her a little. He didn't mention that upon his return, he would marry Tie Xinlan, and after that, her own status could be fully settled.

Setting flags is a bit unlucky; it's better not to do it if possible.

After packing his usual travel luggage, Meng Li mounted a horse prepared in advance and chased after Tie Ruyun's direction.

Since not much time had passed, Meng Li "caught up" with Tie Ruyun before long. He didn't reveal himself, but followed secretly from a distance based on his movements.

Because on this trip, besides saving Tie Ruyun, he also had his own plans.

Tie Ruyun's title as the Wulin Alliance Leader was not just for show. Although he didn't reach the combat power ceiling of the original drama, he was still an existence that the vast majority of Jianghu people looked up to. With him clearing the way ahead, Meng Li followed behind without any trouble.

There was nothing to report along the way. Half a month later, the two of them arrived near Chang'an, one after the other.

Just like in the original drama, Tie Ruyun successively found the four great experts summoned to Chang'an by Liu Xi using the Imperial Emergency Summoning Order.

Mad Bull Li Gao, True Person Yuanyang, Divine Walker Zhao Qianhe, and Iron Abacus Meng Zhongliu.

...

Meanwhile, at the East Depot Director's Manor.

Liu Xi, the one who had set the trap behind the scenes, was scanning the portraits of the five men, including Tie Ruyun, while waiting for news.

Soon, the East Depot's First Chief Tan Tian and Second Chief Say Earth came in to report the situation.

Tan Tian cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Director, all five, including Tie Ruyun, have arrived in Chang'an."

Say Earth also said, "Murong Wudi and the others are also in position."

Liu Xi was overjoyed at the news, "Good! The prey has arrived, and the hounds are here! Once we capture those five, we only need to find the Two Yins. When the Seven Stars Align, my Absorbing Qi Technique can reach a higher level and attain the realm of 'Remote Energy Absorption Skill'."

"At that time, let alone one Yao Yue, even she and Lian Xing combined will be no match for me."

"Once I defeat these two hags, I will truly become invincible under heaven!"

Seeing this, Tan Tian, Say Earth, and the nearby Witch Hand and Witch Foot all began to flatter him, saying the Director was brilliant and possessed peerless Martial Arts, and would surely be invincible under heaven.

This made Liu Xi even more pleased and proud.

After a while, he waved his hand, "Hurry and prepare; everything will proceed according to plan."

"Yes." Tan Tian and Say Earth took their orders and left.

Liu Xi turned to look at Witch Hand and Witch Foot, "How is the search for the Two Yins going?"

...