"Young Master Xu is indeed a straightforward person," Li Mugui said with a slight smile. Even without any special effects, his handsome face still exuded a certain ease and freedom. "Since this matter is settled, why don't we continue our conversation inside the mansion?"
"In recent years, I have been so focused on martial arts that I have neglected news from the outside world," Li Mugui continued. He had been stuck in a remote place like Feiying City in Liang'an Prefecture, and his status had been low, so he was somewhat out of touch. He hadn't even realized that he had become such a hot topic.
He wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about the outside world through Xu Wenxuan. Besides, it would be beneficial to cultivate a relationship with someone from a prestigious family like Xu Wenxuan.
On the other hand, Xu Wenxuan was somewhat taken aback by Li Mugui's quick change of attitude. Although he was arrogant, he was also a sensible person. He realized that he had offended Li Mugui without provocation and then abruptly conceded, making him look like a fool. Now that Li Mugui was willing to invite him despite their past, how could he refuse?
He also wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about Li Mugui and probe his background. So he nodded and agreed, "Then I shall humbly accept your invitation."
Just as the two were about to step into the City Lord's Mansion, Pei Liangji, who had been observing the situation, spoke up: "City Lord Li, please wait!"
"Hmm?" Li Mugui turned around with a puzzled expression.
Pei Liangji had a scholarly demeanor, a tall and slender figure, clear eyes and brows, and elegant manners that gave off a warm and gentle aura.
"Who are you, sir?" Li Mugui asked.
"My name is Pei Liangji. My father is Pei Tang, the governor of Dongshan Prefecture," Pei Liangji replied promptly. "I have observed that City Lord Li possesses a heroic spirit and an upright heart, and I would like to make your acquaintance."
"That is why I have taken the liberty of visiting you," he concluded, bowing slightly and showing sincere respect.
Xu Wenxuan was slightly taken aback by this scene. He knew that the other members of the "Four Heroes of Dongshan" had also come to Feiying City, but he hadn't expected Pei Liangji to take the initiative to meet Li Mugui.
Li Mugui narrowed his eyes slightly, and a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes. He wasn't familiar with the name Pei Liangji, including Xu Wenxuan. The reputation of the "Four Heroes of Dongshan" wasn't well-known in places like Feiying City.
However, he did recognize the name Pei Tang. That was his superior's superior. With Tang Wei breathing down his neck and trying to push him into a corner, it would be beneficial to form a connection with Pei Tang.
With this in mind, Li Mugui maintained his easygoing demeanor and laughed, "If Master Pei is willing to make my acquaintance, how could I refuse?"
Saying this, he led the two men into the City Lord's Mansion.
Outside the mansion, as the three men departed, Zhang Ji came forward to clean up the mess. The injured guards were sent for medical treatment, fortunately, Xu Wenxuan hadn't intended to kill them, so their injuries weren't serious. As for Yingyan Xin, she had only expended some of her qi, as Xu Wenxuan had held back his final strike due to Li Mugui's arrival.
The other geniuses who had come from various places to challenge Li Mugui and show him a thing or two didn't dare to approach now. With Xu Wenxuan admitting his defeat and Pei Liangji taking the initiative to make Li Mugui's acquaintance, who would dare to challenge him?
"Hmph, it seems that Li Mugui is also a fame-seeker," sneered Pang Sheng. "He's just putting on a big show to make a name for himself today!"
However, there was a hint of jealousy in his tone.
Dong Hong ignored him. Li Mugui's strength was obvious to everyone who had just witnessed it. If you weren't satisfied, why didn't you go up and fight him yourself?
...
"We are in a remote place, so we don't have much to offer. Please make do with what we have," Li Mugui said as he waved his hand, and several servants came forward to serve tea.
"City Lord Li is too polite," Pei Liangji said as he took a sip of tea. "This Bichun tea of yours is quite high-quality."
Li Mugui blinked in surprise. He didn't actually recognize these teas. They were either from Yingyan Xin's storage or confiscated from the homes of wealthy families. He hadn't expected Pei Liangji to recognize them so quickly.
He wasn't sure if Pei Liangji was just being polite or if he really knew his teas. So he just smiled and nodded in response.
"Speaking of which, I notice that City Lord Li's martial arts are quite extraordinary, especially your swordsmanship, which is almost divine. May I ask where you received your training?" Pei Liangji inquired.
Li Mugui had prepared for this question and replied, "My master is a hermit who travels the world and has not established his own sect."
"Oh? Your master leads a very carefree life," Pei Liangji said meaningfully as he nodded.
"Yes, my master is indeed a very carefree person. He often goes on trips around the world and I only get to see him a few times a year," Li Mugui said with a forced smile.
By revealing bits and pieces of information like this, he could let others speculate wildly and keep his true background a mystery. This would create a sense of uncertainty and fear in his opponents, making them hesitate to take action against him. It was also a way for him to protect himself.
At this moment, Xu Wenxuan couldn't help but ask, "May I inquire about City Lord Li's current martial arts realm?"
Li Mugui's eyes flickered at the direct question. In this world, it was considered somewhat impolite to inquire directly about someone's martial arts realm.
Li Mugui pondered for a moment before responding. He had already revealed his cultivation level of the middle stage of the Wanxiang Realm to Zhang Ji, Zhu Yan, and Shen Bing. There was no point in hiding it now.
"It's no secret really. I have reached the middle stage of the Wanxiang Realm," he said calmly.
Despite expecting this answer, both Pei Liangji and Xu Wenxuan were still shocked by his admission. There were many talented individuals in Dongshan Prefecture, and they were considered among the best. However, they had never encountered a genius like Li Mugui before.
Pei Liangji was even more surprised than Xu Wenxuan because he had done his research on Li Mugui before coming here. He knew that just a few months ago, Li Mugui was only at the second realm of martial arts. His sudden jump to the third realm was unheard of.
Many thoughts began to swirl in Pei Liangji's mind. He wondered if Li Mugui had been hiding his true strength all this time. But if that were the case, why hadn't he revealed his strength when his father, Li Tai, had engaged in a life-or-death battle with the Demon King of Jiushan Mountain? It would have made more sense for him to show his true powers then.
Li Mugui could sense Pei Liangji's skepticism and was prepared with an explanation. After all, it was suspicious for a martial artist to suddenly jump from the second realm to the third realm, skipping an entire major realm. He had a ready-made excuse for this sudden leap in his cultivation.