"Boss, training is certainly possible. Please follow me!" Qilin said with confidence.
Li Se followed Qilin to the training room. Nearly fifty people had already gathered there, each undergoing rigorous training. These fifty individuals already possessed excellent foundations. Individually, any one of them could take on over a dozen people outside with ease.
"Boss, these are all hand-picked by me, and they are absolutely loyal. After this grueling training, they should have no problem cultivating ancient martial arts," Qilin stated.
Li Se nodded with satisfaction. Entrusting many matters to Qilin and Xu Qiang generally resulted in flawless execution. He had only mentioned it a short while ago, and already the scale of operations had been established.
He indeed needed some combat power now. Relying solely on himself was insufficient, unless he could become so powerful that he could disregard all ancient martial artists.
As for having these people cultivate ancient martial arts, Li Se's ancestral lineage contained a relatively simple method for doing so. However, he himself had not practiced this particular method. He practiced a Qi cultivation technique passed down by his ancestors, which was quite potent. This Qi cultivation technique was significantly more powerful than the ancient martial arts cultivation method.
"I will return in some time to impart a new method for cultivating ancient martial arts. Qilin, you and the others will also train alongside me!" Li Se said.
"Yes!" Qilin immediately agreed, a hint of excitement in his voice. This was an opportunity to become an ancient martial artist. Although their demon-hunting squad was formidable, they were unable to reach the level of ancient martial artists. Consequently, their strength had essentially plateaued. It was almost impossible for them to grow stronger, and once they reached a peak, their strength would naturally decline with age.
Becoming an ancient martial artist would completely change their situation. Generally, the older ancient martial artists become, the stronger they are. That was the fundamental difference.
The sky grew darker.
Li Se emerged from the training base at eleven o'clock at night. Today, he had truly encountered the Li family members, and he assumed the Li and Mu families were extremely displeased with him.
However, he remained indifferent. He didn't believe he couldn't uncover the culprit. Furthermore, as soon as the opposing party made another move, their true intentions would be revealed.
Upon returning to the villa, Li Se discovered Su Mei waiting for him.
"Do you need my help with the investigation?" Su Mei's voice sounded softly.
"No need," Li Se replied, nodding. He generally disliked involving his women in such matters, as it was too dangerous.
"Are you worried about me?" Su Mei's beautiful face displayed an exceptionally charming smile. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I am, after all, a Huajin stage martial artist. If we investigate together, our chances of catching the person will be even higher."
Li Se didn't say anything further. Su Mei seemed to have a mysterious force behind her, perhaps even more formidable than he imagined.
"Sister Mei, how did you manage to organize such a force?" Li Se asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Su Mei shook her head. "I can't tell you yet. Your strength isn't sufficient, and knowing many things won't benefit you. Once you become stronger, I'll tell you."
Li Se couldn't help but roll his eyes at her words. He was, after all, equivalent to a peak Huajin stage martial artist, and yet his strength was still considered insufficient? It seemed the force behind Su Mei was indeed extraordinary.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to know. Since Su Mei was his woman, she would eventually tell him.
"Oh, right, have you started suspecting the Mu family?" Su Mei suddenly inquired.
Li Se blinked, looking at Su Mei with a hint of surprise. He then chuckled, "It seems you already know?"
"Isn't that obvious? It's easy and pleasant to find out what happened at the Li family banquet."
Su Mei smiled faintly and nestled into Li Se's embrace. She said, "The Mu family is somewhat different from other families. This family doesn't control any political power or wealth."
Li Se was somewhat surprised to hear this. "I heard that the Mu family is also a first-class aristocratic family. If they don't control political power, how did they become a first-class aristocratic family?"
In the capital, family hierarchies were quite distinct. Third-class aristocratic families were those that solely controlled wealth. Once wealth reached a certain level, one could enter the ranks of third-class aristocratic families.
However, this was not enough to become a second-class aristocratic family. Second-class aristocratic families not only possessed wealth but also a certain degree of martial prowess, like the Feng family's boxing skills, or at least some connections.
Those who could become first-class aristocratic families were true power-wielding families, meaning they had to be in positions of authority. Li Zhongfu of the Li family was an imperial physician with extensive connections. Li Shengguo was a government official, and Li Shengjun was the God of War of China. These three individuals were the main reasons for the Li family becoming a first-class aristocratic family.
Of course, compared to Li Zhongfu and Li Shengjun, Li Shengguo was somewhat inferior. After all, he had only recently entered the officialdom. Although his position was not small, it was not exceptionally high, and he was still significantly inferior to the Ye family. Moreover, Li Shengguo owed his current achievements primarily to Li Zhongfu and Li Shengjun; otherwise, he would not have achieved what he had.
As for the Mu family, if they didn't wield political power, how could they become a first-class aristocratic family? Li Se was perplexed because he had a relatively deep understanding of the structure of first-class aristocratic families in the capital.
Su Mei smiled and explained, "Besides wielding power, there is another way to become a first-class aristocratic family, and that is to possess the power of ancient martial arts!"
"You mean the Mu family is an ancient martial arts family?" Li Se asked, a little astonished.
"Mhm!" Su Mei nodded. "You should know that ancient martial arts are primarily divided into Neijin, Huajin, Houtian, Xiantian, and Zongshi. It is said that the Mu family has martial artists at the Zongshi level!"
Li Se couldn't help but gasp. The Mu family actually possessed ancient martial artists at the Zongshi realm. If that were true, it wouldn't be surprising that they became a first-class aristocratic family.
"If the Mu family possesses Zongshi-level ancient martial artists, then why are they at the lower end of aristocratic families?" Li Se was quite confused.
Su Mei said, "The capital is like this. Even if you possess the power of ancient martial artists, this place places more importance on circles. In the capital, possessing the power of ancient martial arts is not enough, because wielding power is more convenient and powerful than possessing ancient martial arts. Even the Mu family has to curry favor with the Li family, don't they?"
Only then did Li Se realize. That was true. Otherwise, the Li family wouldn't have arranged a marriage with the Mu family. It seemed that wielding power was indeed inferior to possessing ancient martial arts. However, this might only apply to the circles within the capital. In Li Se's view, ancient martial arts were still superior to political power.