[Your dual swords unite, join as one with shadow, skill level +256]

...

Inner courtyard.

The moon spills like ink, sword shadows overlap. Li Xian and Wen Caishang's dual swords unite, Yin and Yang harmonize, benefiting from the divine swordsmanship, each clash sends a stream of clarity into the body.

Inexhaustible benefits are gained from sword techniques.

Yang Sword is fierce, Yin Sword is soft. Together they are displayed with balance, conforming to the natural world, leaving one immersed within, unable to find the way back.

Madam Wen is cool in nature, yet not devoid of emotions or desires. Every time the dual swords unite, it is as if they are in deep conversation. Seeing Li Xian's handsome appearance in between, her thoughts inevitably change.

Previously, during closed training boredom, she would even think of the union. Once training ended, she wanted to stretch her muscles. So she called upon Li Xian to evaluate the progress of the sword techniques.

This evaluation, unexpectedly remarkable. Li Xian had already attained great success.

Madam Wen thought: "The Setting Sun Bloodsword is inherently flawed, difficult to practice. The further one practices, the more challenging it becomes. From beginner to great success, a year is already fast. Unexpectedly, it exceeded my expectations. Could it be that he is quite compatible with this sword technique?"

"For Li Xian to have such progress, coming from a poor background, is truly rare."

Her eyes were even more appreciative.

The sword in hand was like a swimming dragon.

Practicing for half an hour, only then did they finish with a light sweat.

Madam Wen sheathed her sword, her voice clear and beautiful, "I didn't expect you have such talent in this sword technique, to already have reached great success."

Li Xian pointed the sword tip downward, clasped his hands and said, "Thanks to Madam's guidance. Each time I encounter a bottleneck, Madam's guidance helps me greatly, and my swordsmanship improves by leaps and bounds."

"Keep up the hard work, do not slack off, extend your hand." Madam Wen said.

Li Xian puzzledly sheathed his sword and extended his right hand. He saw a flash of sword light, and a sword mark appeared on his palm, not deep, not shallow, but painful.

Madam Wen hid the sword in her sleeve, her willow brows slightly raised, and said lightly, "I taught you the sword technique; because of the nature of the swordsmanship, it lacks the intent to kill. I carved your palm to make you feel pain. Remember that swordsmanship is a skill to kill, and understand the difference. Each time you seek my guidance in the future, I'll mark your palm once."

Li Xian had long known Madam's eccentricity, this was definitely nonsense, "Then in the future, I…"

Madam Wen's gaze came over. Li Xian helplessly said, "Even so, if I don't understand something, I'll still come to seek Madam's guidance."

Madam Wen nodded, now satisfied, thinking, "I need to make you covered in marks to engrave it deeply in your mind, for my use."

She didn't know Li Xian already knew the secret of the "Setting Sun Bloodsword," always calling union "guidance."

The sword will was fully expressed.

Madam Wen said, "Wait here." She turned and walked into the house.

Qiuyue had already heated the water, scattered with petals, emitting a fragrance. Madam Wen removed her clothing, revealing some unusual marks on her body, lightly touched the water with her toes, found the water temperature just right, and fully immersed herself in the bath.

"Madam, this bath includes hundreds of medicinal ingredients, the effects are just right for release." Qiuyue said beside her while holding the changed clothes.

As a personal maid, she always made good use of the leftover bathwater from the lady's medicated baths.

"Not bad." Madam Wen nodded, her eyes half-closed, relaxing her mind.

"Madam, Li Xian is still waiting in the courtyard, do you want...?" Qiuyue asked.

Madam Wen replied, "No problem, let him wait." Her hand lightly stirred the water, the medicinal essence permeating her skin. The steam enveloped her, resembling a celestial maiden in water.

...

...

Li Xian waited bitterly in the courtyard for over an hour. As the night deepened, he looked around, admiring the flowers, the fish, and the trees.

The lady had exquisite taste.

Every flower, every grass, every tree, every stone in the courtyard, all bore thoughtful consideration.

The cut on his palm was just deep enough to hurt but not damage tendons or bones. Gradually, Li Xian understood the lady's intention. Clear-minded, he realized that if possible in the future, establishing his own establishment would be the best plan.

"The lady should be bathing, yet she's made me wait here. What's the purpose?" Li Xian pondered. Suddenly, he saw the moon bright like a disc in the sky. Today being the fifteenth of July, it was a perfect night for moon-viewing.

Then he saw a maid approaching, carrying a redwood tea table to the lakeside, glossy as jade. Also, there were emerald fruit plates and exquisite wine pots...

Soon, the spot for moon-viewing was fully set up.

The lady just exited the bath, wearing silk garments, casual yet charming. The tips of her hair carried droplets of water as she sat beside the table.

This scenery here truly stood out as a masterpiece.

Goldfish frolicked in the lake, birds nested in trees. Drinking and feasting added another layer of charm.

"Madam, do you have any other instructions?" Li Xian, having waited a long time, saw the night getting late and asked proactively.

Madam Wen pointed to the seat beside her, "Sit."

Once Li Xian was seated, she added, "Today, fresh 'water lychees' arrived from the prefecture city. You probably haven't tried them. Taste a couple."

Li Xian had already noticed the fruit plate on the table, resembling lychees but more crimson, with a faint pink hue upon closer inspection.

He peeled the fruit.

The flesh was round, the aroma rich, the juice overflowed. In his mouth, it was like holding a piece of sweet jade, the deliciousness beyond words.

"A waste of heaven's bounty," Madam Wen said, picking one up with her fingers. "Do you know the cost of just this one?"

Li Xian, naturally unaware, guessed, "Five hundred wen?" Madam Wen lightly laughed and shook her head, "You really need to broaden your horizons."

"Fifteen taels of silver, even more expensive than Dragon Roar Charcoal."

"Perhaps it has some special effect?" Li Xian was silently astonished.

Madam Wen shook her head, "Rarity makes things precious. These water lychees are certainly delicious, but their value doesn't justify fifteen taels of silver."

"They spoil three days after being picked. No method has been successful in preserving them. Freezing, sealing them in a Heaven-Hiding Box, none work to preserve them."

"That's why they are so extraordinarily expensive. Being expensive, people flock to them, finding pride in tasting water lychees."

Li Xian said, "I see. Thank you for the kindness, Madam. If not for you, I might never have tasted such a delicacy in this life."

In his heart, he thought, "People use wealth to display status, but I'm not interested. Though these water lychees are delicious, they're not worth it."

Madam Wen smiled, "This plate of water lychees cost me nothing. All given by others. Tonight, as you accompany me in moon-viewing, feel free to enjoy this plate of fruit."

Her sheer gauze attire revealed her elegance, her charm rich under the moonlight.

[Skill level +1]

[Skill: Cloud Rubbing Eight Techniques]

［Skill Level: 258/500 Beginner］

The lady signaled with her eyes. Li Xian understood and sat behind the lady, massaging her shoulders to ease her fatigue. Madam Wen was already getting used to it, and casually asked, "How are things in the county?"

Li Xian replied, "Nothing much as of now, just that as I assumed the role of Martial Captain, many in the county's martial arts schools are disrespectful."

Madam Wen said indifferently, "This is something you need to handle yourself."

Li Xian naturally knew that Lady Zhe Jian would never lower her status to assist him.

"Of course," Li Xian said, "but Madam, in the city, I have two clothing shops, but I'm lacking materials. I was thinking…"

"You want to purchase some silk materials from me?" Madam Wen was extraordinarily sharp-witted.

"Yes," Li Xian said.

Madam Wen pondered for a moment, "My silk garden indeed produces some second-grade goods each month. Selling them to you at a lower price is not an issue."

The lady conducts business in the Prefecture City.

The leftover profits are sufficient to sustain the clothing shops in the county.

Qiuyue, observing from the side, felt a great sense of urgency. Now that the lady had physical contact with Li Xian, she no longer resisted. If things continued this way, should the lady enlist Li Xian to aid her in practicing martial arts, where would she stand?

...

...

The next day.

Li Xian emerged from the inner courtyard. He did not know from when, but once he entered the inner courtyard, he always stayed overnight.

"Commander Li, in our estate, it's about time for the Nursing Home competition."

Ding Hu got up early, as the competition had been delayed for some time. The details required Li Xian's instruction, so he went to the Commander's Courtyard to find Li Xian. Not seeing him, he guessed he went to the inner courtyard and waited under a willow tree outside the yard.

Sure enough, he saw Li Xian. He couldn't help but think, "The commander and the lady, could it be…" Despite his suspicions, he dared not speak them.

Li Xian said, "The Nursing Home competition... alright! No time like the present, let's do it today."

The specifics of the event were entrusted to Ding Hu.

It didn't take long. All the nursing home staff gathered in the Guardian Mansion, each demonstrating their skills, striving to improve.

Li Xian personally attended, maintaining order on site. After a grand competition, some rose and some fell; there wasn't much more to say.

Li Xian especially evaluated Ding Hu.

This person had been in the nursing home for eight years and was originally an apprentice from an external martial arts school, recruited into the estate by Commander Pang.

It's hard to judge his character.

But he knew the estate's rules like the back of his hand and had prestige among the nursing staff. He could maintain order.

Li Xian decided to promote him to the rank of "Armor Chief". In Li Xian's absence from the estate, Ding Hu would act as the commander, managing the nursing staff.

He would have certain authority over matters like the Nursing Home competition and patrol shift arrangements.

Ding Hu was immensely pleased, getting emotional enough to kneel.

After a busy half-day, by noon, Li Xian, after having his fill, secretly took seven dry biscuits from the Vegetarian Restaurant.

Stealing the lady's rations to feed his own men.

He rode back to Qingning County.

Martial Captain Hall.

Zhang Hou, Wang Wu, and others were diligently practicing the Four Directions Fist. Wang Wu had good talent, managing to cultivate Inner Qi within three days.

"Brothers, time to eat."

Li Xian said with a smile, tossing a cloth bag filled with dry biscuits onto the stone table.

Everyone opened the bag, using cold water to eat the biscuits, devouring them quickly.

"Any unusual happenings while I was away?" Li Xian asked.

"Reporting to the Martial Captain, nothing unusual." Zhang Hou replied, eating in a hurry, accidentally choking on the dry biscuit, then using cold water and pounding his chest to finally swallow it down.

"That's good." Li Xian smiled, "Eat slower."

Suddenly, there was a "dong" sound; the drum outside the hall was beaten.

Li Xian frowned and walked out, seeing a person in gang attire striking the drum.

"They've come indeed, these three schools and two factions in the county have been waiting for me." Li Xian thought clearly and asked, "Who are you, and why are you beating the drum?"

The person laughed, "Reporting to the officer, I am a disciple of the Snake Walking Sect. You finally came; we've been waiting for you for a long time."

Li Xian asked, "What's the matter?"

The person laughed, standing without any formality, "It's a big matter, a very big matter. The situation is urgent, please, officer, come with me."

"This Jianghu dispute requires you, the officer, to resolve. No one else can handle it. After all, in our county, you're the only Grand Martial Captain."

These words carried a hint of schadenfreude and sarcasm.

The person continued, "Of course, if you're too afraid, you don't have to come. We all understand."

Li Xian stepped forward, pressing on the person's shoulder, "Less talk, lead me there quickly." Applying a little force, there was a "crack" sound on the person's shoulder, the bone slightly fractured, and the arm went numb.

The smile vanished from his face, turning to fear. Tears flowed from the pain.

"Officer… officer, please… please let go, I… I will take you there right away." The person said in fright.

Li Xian released his grip. The person, as if liberated, stumbled away, pulling aside his clothing to reveal a black-red handprint glaringly apparent on his shoulder.

"Move faster." Li Xian said lightly.

"Yes, yes, officer, please." The person nodded and bowed. Earlier he had heard rumors within the sect that this Military Officer was not up to much. Seeing him today, he wasn't sure if those rumors were true.

But regardless, this Military Officer was not someone he could offend. After learning a real lesson, he straightened out his posture.

"What's going on here?"

Turning a corner from Martial Captain Hall, he arrived at "West Wind Street". Although this street wasn't bustling, there were usually quite a few pedestrians and merchants. But today, there was not a soul, the shops were closed, and it was a mess.

There were traces of fighting and smashing on the ground.

"Officer, this… this is related to the Jianghu dispute, a gang fight spread over. I… I am here to ask you to help with this matter."

The Snake Walking Sect disciple wiped a cold sweat, not daring to meet Li Xian's eyes.

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