Little He stepped forward, plucked the throwing knives, and handed them back to him, "Li Wuji, have you practiced throwing knives?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "I'm starting to get a feel for it. My throwing knives should be quite good."

As he spoke, he flicked his wrist with a sharp whoosh, a flash of white light streaked out at incredible speed, and with a thud, the three throwing knives embedded themselves in the opposite wall again.

Li Muzhan smiled, rather proudly.

"Oh?" Little He's eyes widened, and she quickly tugged at the white-clad maiden, "Miss, Miss, look, look!"

The white-clad maiden looked over, uncomprehending, but Xu Bo’s gaze sharpened. He walked forward, pulled out a throwing knife to examine it for a moment, then looked back at Li Muzhan hesitantly.

Li Muzhan laughed, "My throwing knives aren't bad, are they?"

Xu Bo frowned as he watched him. Judging by Li Muzhan's technique, it was clearly a unique hidden weapon style. The speed of the knives was fast, but without Neili (internal energy), their power was limited.

Yet, what was astonishing was that these three throws by Li Muzhan were identical to the previous three; after two volleys, only three blade marks remained on the wooden wall.

Li Muzhan smiled slightly, "One more time!"

Xu Bo handed the knives to him. Li Muzhan flicked his wrist again. With a whoosh, a white light flashed, and the three throwing knives once more struck the wall.

Little He ran over, pulled out the knives, and exclaimed with wide, bright eyes, "It’s divine!"

These three knives landed precisely in the previous blade marks, unerringly accurate. She had never witnessed such divinely accurate hidden weapon skill. Even though the distance was only a zhang (about 10 feet), achieving such precision was nearly impossible, even with the aid of Neili.

Xu Bo saw it too and nodded in admiration, "Excellent technique!"

"Li Wuji, how did you learn that?" Little He pulled the knives out and handed them to Li Muzhan, her bright eyes fixed intently on him.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I don't know either. The moment I held the throwing knives, I naturally got this feeling, as if I could do anything, shoot wherever I wished."

"Truly divine accuracy!" Little He marveled, "If I had this kind of hidden weapon skill, who would I ever fear!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Miss Little He, if you don't mind, I can teach you."

"Oh, yes, yes!" Little He nodded happily.

"Little He!" the white-clad maiden chided gently.

Little He stuck out her tongue, "Miss, since Li Wuji is willing to teach me, I want to learn too!"

The white-clad maiden said, "Young Master Li, this is your unique, secret art..."

Li Muzhan waved his hand and laughed, "My life was saved by the Miss; what is one set of throwing knife techniques? There's no need for such formality."

The white-clad maiden looked at Little He and sighed softly, "Then we must trouble Young Master."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Miss need not be so polite; just call me Wuji."

"Is Young Master Wuji truly unable to remember anything?" the white-clad maiden asked, "How did you fall into the water, and where were you going?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, "I truly cannot recall... If it’s inconvenient, just let me off ahead."

The white-clad maiden said, "To be frank with Young Master, we've run into a bit of trouble right now, I fear..."

Li Muzhan’s brow arched, "What trouble?"

"Hm—?" Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he flicked a knife from his hand. With a whoosh, three streaks of white light shot past the window.

A muffled thud came from outside as something fell into the water.

Little He fluttered out like a butterfly and returned in an instant, carrying a small, thin man dressed in black. The man wore tight black leather, and a throwing knife was lodged in each eye and throat, killing him instantly.

Xu Bo exchanged a glance with the white-clad maiden. Seeing the astonishment in Xu Bo's eyes, she immediately looked away from the black-clad man, "Little He, what happened?"

Little He tossed the small black-clad man onto the floor with a bang, clapped her hands, "This fellow is from the Ink Lake Gang; good riddance! Li Wuji, you are amazing! How did you know he was sneaking around?"

She looked up, staring intensely at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "I didn't hear anything, nor did I see anything. I just had a feeling, so I tried throwing them out, and I didn't expect anyone would actually be there."

"Amazing, amazing, truly amazing!" Little He exclaimed.

Xu Bo squatted down, flipped the black-clad man over, examined him, pushed aside the black leather, looked at the clothing underneath, and stated solemnly, "A member of the Three-Flower level; he’s a capable figure."

Li Muzhan cast an inquiring look toward Little He. Little He turned to the white-clad maiden, "Miss, shall I tell him?"

"Yes, it's best to explain clearly to Young Master Wuji," the white-clad maiden nodded.

Little He explained, "Our Master retired home. When Master was in office, he offended quite a few people, and the Ink Lake Gang is one of them. They are trying to take advantage of his vulnerability now and assassinate Master!"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

Little He continued, "The Ink Lake Gang members range from One-Flower to Five-Flower; the Five-Flower level only has the Gang Leader. The Four-Flower level consists of the Vice-Leader and Protectors. The remaining members, from Three-Flower down to One-Flower, are ranked by strength. This fellow was a Three-Flower; he wasn't just anyone!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Pure luck, pure luck."

"Your throwing knives are truly impressive!" Little He praised, "Hurry up and teach me then!"

Li Muzhan nodded, "Alright."

Xu Bo asked, "Young Master Li, you sensed him?"

Li Muzhan turned to look at him, "Yes. I don't know why, but I just felt someone there with ill intentions, wanting to kill us, so..."

"It seems Young Master Li is a martial artist," Xu Bo observed.

"Am I really a martial artist?" Li Wuji's name couldn't possibly be wrong. Unknown // The fastest text update from Shumi Lou.

Xu Bo pondered for a moment and looked at Little He, who shook her head, "I haven't heard of anyone good with throwing knives... nor have I heard the name Li Wuji."

The white-clad maiden mused, "If that's the case, let it be. Young Master Wuji, we must rely on you."

Li Muzhan waved his hand, "Miss, why are you still so formal! My throwing knife technique is very simple; just a few words will suffice for understanding. Everyone, please listen."

"Is it really that easy?" Little He tilted her head.

Li Muzhan extended his hand. Xu Bo pulled out the throwing knife, casually handing it to Li Muzhan; the blade was smeared with blood.

Li Muzhan shook the knife gently, flinging the blood away, and the blade returned to its pristine state.

Xu Bo narrowed his eyes slightly. This Li Wuji remained utterly composed facing a dead man; he was definitely not a scholar. Even the most courageous scholar would not react this way upon seeing a corpse.

Li Muzhan intentionally revealed a fraction of his capabilities; otherwise, things would become too troublesome later on.

He picked up one throwing knife and handed it to Little He, then another to the white-clad maiden. The maiden hesitated for a moment, but seeing Li Muzhan insist, she finally accepted it.

Li Muzhan held a knife and demonstrated, explaining the key points of the technique as he went. It was indeed only a few concise sentences. Then, following the method, he threw the knives—again landing exactly on the previous marks, with supernatural accuracy.

The technique was simple, but applying it to achieve accuracy was difficult. The two maidens tried several times but failed to hit the mark. Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Just practice more. Let the knife become one with you."

Little He considered this, "Let the knife merge with oneself?"

Li Muzhan explained, "I originally remembered nothing, but the moment I touched the throwing knives, a familiar sensation arose, and I naturally recalled the knife technique—it was like instinct."

"It seems you have worked diligently," Little He nodded, "It's a pity you have no Neili."

Li Muzhan laughed, "What does having no Neili matter? Having the throwing knives is enough."

Little He shook her head, "You're fine against ordinary people, but against masters, it won't be enough. Those masters are much faster, and their reactions are quicker; you won't be able to hit them."

Li Muzhan smiled, weighing the knife in his hand, "With a blade in hand, I feel I can hit anything."

"Alright," Little He smiled and nodded, "Your throwing knives are indeed powerful... Miss, why don't we let Li Wuji stay with us? He doesn't remember anything; what will he do when we disembark?"

The white-clad maiden looked at Xu Bo, who frowned and pondered.

Little He quickly asked, "Li Wuji, what else can you do?"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "I don't know... Why don't you bring a few books over, and I can see if I've read them?"

He looked at his own hands and sighed, "It seems I am weak in all aspects, completely ignorant of common affairs; perhaps I am a scholar."

"Okay, Miss, I'll bring some books over," Little He said quickly.

The white-clad maiden waved her hand, and Little He fluttered away like a butterfly. She returned shortly with five or six books and handed them to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan sat on the couch, took the books, picked up one, and slowly turned the pages one by one. Then he moved to the second, the third, flipping through all six books consecutively.

"How was it?" Little He had been watching eagerly. Seeing him put the books down, she immediately asked, "Do you remember?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "I've read them all."

"Really?" Little He tilted her head to look at him.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Shall I recite a section to try?"

Little He picked up a book, turned to a page, and said, "Alright, then recite this passage for me."

Li Muzhan glanced at it and began reciting. Little He’s eyes widened. She then turned another page for him to recite, and then picked up the remaining four books.

After going through five books, Little He nodded, "You truly are amazing! I get dizzy just looking at these books, and you have them all memorized!"

Xu Bo and the white-clad maiden exchanged glances; they were even more uncertain about Li Muzhan's identity.

Anyone who could recite these five books was definitely no ordinary scholar; he must have put in a great deal of effort. These five were all classics of the Confucian canon, not light reading; they were dry and profound, difficult even to read.

"Miss, we should keep Li Wuji with us!" Little He urged.

The white-clad maiden said slowly, "Young Master Wuji, we are going to encounter danger. If you are not afraid, perhaps you would stay and help."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Thank you, Miss. I will certainly stay; I don't know where else to go right now."

"Thank you, Young Master," the white-clad maiden replied.

Li Muzhan said, "I still don't know the Miss's esteemed name."

The white-clad maiden replied, "This humble girl is Cao Miao."

"Miss Cao," Li Muzhan nodded, "I currently remember nothing, but I expect I will recall things slowly. For now, I can only stay here temporarily. I apologize for the imposition."

"No need for courtesy," Cao Miao shook her head, "Young Master just woke up; rest well first. There's no need to rush out of bed."

"Yes," Li Muzhan nodded.

This Cao Miao was dignified and serene, kind yet maintaining a distance—truly a young lady from a distinguished family.

Little He smiled, "Miss, you and Xu Bo go ahead; I'll stay to look after Li Wuji."

Cao Miao shot her a look, "Little He, don't cause trouble. Let the Young Master rest properly."

"Understood, Miss," Little He chirped.

Cao Miao and Xu Bo slowly left the small cabin and came out onto the deck.

The large boat moved swiftly, cleaving the river surface like an iron plow turning earth. The wind on the river billowed their clothes. The white-clad maiden asked, "Xu Bo, is this Young Master Wuji truly reliable?"

Xu Bo pondered, "In my opinion, he is likely not a bad person. He probably truly lost his memory, perhaps due to the drowning."

Cao Miao mused, "He clearly has no martial arts, yet his throwing knives are precise, and he possesses a wealth of knowledge. He is truly an enigma."

Xu Bo deliberated, "Unless he is a disciple from a renowned great sect, or a member of a noble family. Otherwise, he could be an ordinary scholar who practiced throwing knives from childhood; that is not strange."

Cao Miao shook her head, "Does he really have no Neili?"

"No," Xu Bo said slowly, "I have tested three times; he truly has no Neili. However, his throwing knife skills are superb, and even without Neili, their force is not insignificant."

Cao Miao asked, "Could Xu Bo block them?"

Xu Bo thought for a moment and shook his head, "If I see him draw the knife, I might be able to evade it. If I don't see it... if there are other sounds interfering, I fear..."

"That formidable?" Cao Miao slightly widened her bright eyes.

Xu Bo nodded, "His throwing knife technique is indeed exquisitely masterful. He must have worked hard on it; I estimate he has practiced since childhood."

"It's a pity we can't truly trust him," Cao Miao sighed.

Xu Bo said, "Miss, rest assured, I will be careful."

Cao Miao nodded, "Don't mention this to Little He. We must be extra cautious given the current situation."

"Yes, Miss, I won't say a word," Xu Bo affirmed.

Little He asked Li Muzhan if he was sleepy or tired. Seeing Li Muzhan shake his head, she excitedly pressed him about the intricacies of the throwing knives.

Li Muzhan explained everything one by one, holding nothing back. However, the key to throwing knives was diligent practice and feeling; the method could be understood by anyone, but the crucial part depended on talent and hard training.

It was like modern-day basketball: most people knew the secret to shooting, but very few could achieve true accuracy—one reason being arduous practice, the other being innate talent; this couldn't be forced.

Almost everyone understood this point, so after practicing for a while with minor improvement, Little He didn't force herself to achieve Li Muzhan's divine accuracy.

The large boat sailed slowly southward. By the evening of the second day, they stopped at a dock; they had reached Baihuai City and would rest there for the night.

Li Muzhan recovered quickly and was able to leave the bed. He followed the group off the boat and entered Baihuai City.

Baihuai City was bustling and prosperous. Located on the great river, it was a vital transportation hub for travelers who often stopped there for a night. Baihuai City's prosperity was famous throughout the realm.

They arrived at a place called Guanfeng Tower, went up to the third floor, and requested a private room. Cao Ya (Master Cao), Cao Miao, Xu Bo, Little He, and Li Muzhan—the five of them were in one room, while the fifty guards were stationed in the adjacent rooms, securing the surroundings with great caution.

Li Muzhan and Cao Ya sat at the table, accompanied by Cao Miao. The three of them sat together, while Xu Bo and Little He stood to one side. After all, their statuses were different; Cao Ya placed great importance on propriety.

Even Xu Bo, who had served him loyally and diligently since childhood, and Little He, who had grown up with Cao Miao like family, could not sit at the same table due to the difference in status; the rules must not be broken. Although Li Muzhan was an outsider, he was a guest, and thus could share the table.

Cao Ya was deeply learned. When speaking with Li Muzhan, he originally expected Li Muzhan, having lost his memory, to be simple-minded, like a fool. But as they conversed, Li Muzhan spoke eloquently, revealing profound scholarship.

Cao Ya remained outwardly calm, showing great enthusiasm for the discussion. They avoided politics and martial arts matters, only discussing classics and philosophical texts, speaking torrentially.

Cao Miao, sitting beside them, couldn't interject. She was also highly educated and preferred reading to needlework, considering herself a talented woman, but compared to Li Muzhan, she fell far short.

Through their conversation, Li Muzhan discerned Cao Ya's character: proud and upright, open and honorable—a rare figure, but perhaps a bit old-fashioned and conservative.

After talking for a while, Li Muzhan suddenly frowned and flicked his hand. Immediately, with a thud, a muffled sound came from outside the window. Xu Bo leaped to the window to look down; a middle-aged man in tight black attire was lying on the ground, clutching his throat, utterly motionless.

As he peered out, he saw two other black-clad figures clinging to the wall like geckos. When he showed himself, the two men shouted, leaped, and rushed towards the window with incredible speed.

Xu Bo grunted, feeling a loss of face; despite his profound Neili, he was less perceptive than someone without internal energy.

With two bangs, Xu Bo met the palms of the two black-clad figures, intending to knock them off the wall, but surprisingly, the two figures used wondrous footwork. After the impact, instead of falling down, they swept diagonally towards the window.

Li Muzhan raised his right hand. With a whoosh and a light whistle, the black-clad man lunging towards the window instantly dropped like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

The other black-clad man saw the danger and turned to flee, but a flash of white light cut through the air, and with a thud, this last attacker also plummeted to the ground, motionless.

Xu Bo dropped down from the window, landing gracefully near the three figures. After checking them, he found that all three had died instantly from a knife wound to the throat—dead beyond measure.

He sighed inwardly. Those throwing knives were truly formidable. Earlier, he had claimed he could evade them, but now he realized he had been overconfident; he probably couldn't dodge such knives.

He retrieved the three throwing knives, wiped them lightly, and tucked them away. Then he floated up to the second floor, returned to the room, and handed the knives back to Li Muzhan with a smile.

Li Muzhan took them with a smile, "Everything resolved?"

Xu Bo nodded, "Three knives, three men. I am deeply impressed, deeply impressed!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Disturbing our peace, they truly deserved to die. Are they also from the Ink Lake Gang?"

"Yes," Xu Bo nodded, "They haven't given up. It's fortunate Young Master discovered them early, or they might have succeeded. They were all Three-Flower members."

Li Muzhan said, "Not worth mentioning... Come, Master Cao, allow me to toast you."

Cao Ya paid no attention to these matters, which Li Muzhan inwardly admired. It seemed Cao Ya had already placed life and death aside to be so relaxed and natural.

Cao Ya shook his head, "The Ink Lake Gang, they are truly unkillable. When I was in office, I dispatched troops to wipe them out, but I never expected them to resurface. It is truly regrettable!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "What does Master regret?"

"That more common folk will suffer," Cao Ya sighed. "The ones who truly suffer are the people. A parent official must exert every effort; otherwise, it’s better to go home and farm!"

Xu Bo interjected, "Master, they are only focused on killing us; they won't have time to harm the populace."

"I hope so..." Cao Ya shook his head and sighed, "I am powerless to help now." (To be continued)