All things are divided into Yin and Yang, and Yang gives birth to all things.

"Tracing Yin and Yang points to the origin. Although this trait doesn't strengthen my physique, it allows me to see things more clearly. Combined with the power of the Heavy Pupil Eye, I can perceive the essence and spot an opponent's flaws in a glance during combat."

Li Xian had a sudden understanding, raising his palm to the sky, feeling a surge of warmth in his palm. His physique transformed, and his Inner Qi refined.

[Skill: Consumption]

[Skill Level: 1659/2000 Minor Achievement]

Once the last wisp of the Essence of Heaven and Earth was absorbed into his body, Li Xian gradually got on track.

"Now with each Essence Treasure I consume, I can retain six or even seven wisps of heavenly essence. The progress is evident, and the speed of absorption is faster as well."

"Maintain the momentum, and practice slowly."

For several days in a row, he practiced quietly with a calm mind. Li Xian consumed Essence Treasures and practiced his martial arts, improving daily, and his Iron Copper Body was approaching its peak.

The days were peaceful yet not dull. Previously, managing the Martial Captain Hall required him to divide his attention, leading to some neglect in overseeing the affairs of Yihetang Manor. With the Cao family's matters settled, Li Xian spent his spare time diligently instructing the Nursing Home in martial arts.

Having grasped the Essentials of Basic Martial Arts, he might not have mastered every single basic martial art, but guiding the manor's Nursing Home was no problem for him.

Those with a good aptitude showed significant progress after his guidance, feeling enlightened and advancing rapidly. Even those with dull aptitude became suddenly enlightened and held deep respect for Li Xian.

Only then did they realize the gap among them.

The flowers in the manor bloomed, their fragrance wafting everywhere, attracting bees and butterflies. In the September season, the breeze was warm, yet the air was cool, which had its own charm.

In his spare time, he admired the flowers and strolled through the garden.

The Steward of the Servant Room, Luo Fang, was mixing poorly. He lived every day in fear of Li Xian's retaliation, cursing Bi Hao as a traitor. The two, uncle and nephew, often clashed, culminating in an incident where Bi Hao bit off Luo Fang's ear.

In his leisure time, Li Xian focused on rectifying the manor's atmosphere. The main focus was the Servant Room. Luo Fang, accustomed to a life of ease, was removed from his position after being dragged to the punishment room and paddled several times, becoming a servant himself.

He made him reap what he had sown.

Bi Hao assumed he'd please Li Xian and wished to take over the Steward position. However, Li Xian paid him no heed, knowing that Bi Hao and Luo Fang were essentially two of a kind. After careful consideration, he selected someone from the Nursing Home to become the Servant Room Steward.

That someone was Zhao Han. He had some rapport with Li Xian; when Li Xian first joined the Nursing Home, Zhao Han had often helped him, and he was not a bad person. However, Li Xian did not arrange the position to favor him, but because he genuinely believed Zhao Han was competent enough for it.

In this way, the atmosphere of Yihetang Manor greatly improved, efficiency increased, and the Lady, being knowledgeable and perceptive, noticed everything with a smile on her lips.

On the sixth of September, Li Xian returned to Qingning and first went to the Martial Captain Hall. The thirty servants from earlier had all recovered from their injuries and were already out of bed practicing martial arts.

Luo Xia presided over the Martial Captain Hall with great presence. The constables called her "Boss Lady," and they got along well.

"How goes it? Have you been taking good care of your Lady?" Luo Xia teased.

Li Xian's face turned slightly dark. "I stand tall and upright; stop speaking nonsense."

Luo Xia chuckled without saying a word. They chatted for a while, discussing the city's situation; the three institutes and two sects were all staying in line.

Everyone's here. Even as Li Xian strived forward, there was a need for relaxation. Though everyone suffered harsh punishment, they remained loyal, touching him deeply. Thus, he organized a "Military Officer Banquet."

Tables and chairs were arranged in the hall.

Luo Xia brought several dozen taels of silver to purchase meat and vegetables and hired a cook. Prices in Qingning were low, and only a few taels were needed. Li Xian allocated ten times more, ensuring the brothers would eat genuine delicacies.

Regular food wasn't enough to lift the mood. Li Xian personally went to the mountain and hunted a unique tiger, carrying it back to the Martial Captain Hall.

Other dishes were left to the cook, but the task of killing and stewing the tiger fell to Li Xian. In ancient times there was the butcher who dissected oxen; today there's Li Xian, who dissects tigers.

His muscles and bones developed from consuming tiger meat. He skinned and gutted it; the tiger bones were tough and heavy, and an ordinary butcher's knife couldn't cut through them, requiring blunt force tools.

The tiger marrow was poured out to make soup.

Li Xian had a sudden idea to brew a pot of Dragon and Tiger Soup. He already had tiger meat but lacked dragon meat. Dragons were creatures of heaven's fortune and extremely rare; Li Xian didn't even know if they existed.

Settling for less, he used poisonous snakes as a substitute. He ordered the constable Liu Fang to capture several wild venomous snakes and pick a few big lotus leaves.

Liu Fang had been a snake catcher, adept at catching snakes, and immediately ran into the mountains, capturing "Five-Step Snakes," "Red Omen Snakes," and "Heartrot Snakes."

Li Xian removed the venomous fangs and cut off their heads. After preparing them, he marinated them in wine before tossing them into the tiger soup. He chopped the lotus leaves, adding them along with garlic, scallions, and other seasonings.

He cooked them over high heat.

Tiger meat was tough, requiring three hours of high heat before it was barely edible. Impatient with the slow wait, Li Xian rode back to Yihetang Manor to grab some fragments of "Dragon Roar Charcoal."

He threw them into the fire, causing it to flare up dramatically, and in just half an hour, a pot of "Dragon and Tiger Essence Soup" was ready. Everyone got a portion of soup and a piece of palm-sized tiger meat.

They devoured it with various dishes, drank strong wine, savored delicious food, and felt an extreme sense of pleasure.

Luo Xia said, "You're really something. The Cao family suffered such a great loss, yet you didn't relentlessly pursue them." Li Xian replied, "Better to take one strike and open than to face a hundred blows."

[You drank Dragon and Tiger Soup, skill Consumption, skill level +7]

Li Xian drank a large mouthful of soup. Oil droplets floated on its surface, balanced by the lotus leaves' decoration, clearing the greasy taste. The flavor was rather good, and his Culinary Skill improved again. He said:

"The Cao Family holds significant power, and this matter is only temporarily resolved. Only by enhancing one's own strength can one handle various crises."

After a satisfying meal, Li Xian entered the inner courtyard to practice martial arts. [Iron Copper Body] was nearing its peak, and the Setting Sun Bloodsword was increasingly refined.

"The Setting Sun Bloodsword is formidable, but it consumes too much Inner Qi. In a fight, unless it's a life-and-death struggle, I wouldn't use this sword. Given my current situation, it's best..."

"To find a way to obtain a lower martial art or a middle martial art... That way, I would have a foundation as well as trump cards and ultimate skills. Faced with any situation, I could respond appropriately."

"But I still owe the Lady three thousand taels of silver, where will the money come from? Although the three halls and two sects have financial resources, if I openly seize it, they will certainly resist. It is unreasonable in this world for someone not to strike back when hit."

"In one month's time... urge the Prefecture City to swiftly disburse the bounty. The other silver needs to be sourced elsewhere!"

Li Xian took a deep breath and pounded his chest with his palm; his body shook. The skill level of Iron Copper Body accumulated 'three' points. Repeatedly...

Skill Level +3

Skill Level +2

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. Zhang Hou returned to report, "Martial Captain, there are visitors outside."

Li Xian immediately stepped out and saw a strikingly charming young woman with a light sweat on her forehead.

Li Xian clasped his hands in greeting, "Sister Lin, long time no see!"

This woman was indeed Lin Aoshan of the impoverished Lin family, now the Heavenly Patrol Bureau's Heavenly Marquis. She had been silent and disappeared for days. Now everything was settled, yet she appeared again.

Lin Aoshan sniffed lightly and said, "Smells delicious, what is this soup?" Li Xian replied, "It's Dragon and Tiger Soup that I cooked myself. Sister Lin, would you like to try some?"

"Dragon and Tiger Soup?" Lin Aoshan asked, "Did you simmer it with Dragon Roar Charcoal? I seem to smell the scent of Dragon Roar Charcoal."

Li Xian laughed and admitted, secretly noting Lin Aoshan's broad knowledge and impressive skill. Lin Aoshan said, "I'm weary from travel; it exhausts me. Could I have a bowl to taste?"

Without waiting for a response, she scooped up the soup and drank several gulps. It was evident she was truly thirsty, gulping rapidly, finishing a bowl. Li Xian introduced her to everyone; Luo Xia and Lin Aoshan exchanged greetings.

Lin Aoshan quenched her thirst and said, "Li Xian, you're quite bold; I heard on my way here that you even dared to kill a County Magistrate."

"Is Sister Lin here as the Heavenly Patrol Bureau to convict me?" Li Xian asked.

"Hmm..." Lin Aoshan replied, "Your actions could be deemed rebellious, but given the remote and isolated location, sometimes it's just a matter of speaking up."

"The situation in the Prefecture City is complex, and the Cao Family is not the only dominant power."

"If the Cao Family can't swallow it, naturally someone else will. Rest assured, I guess, that the next County Magistrate won't be from the Cao Family. They might even be extremely respectful and eager to please, just to establish themselves."

Li Xian said, "I haven't opposed the Cao Family; they used their power to oppress me. I have no choice but to resist. If they won't stop, then I have no qualms about facing them."

"Such spirit!" Lin Aoshan's eyes flashed, "In fact, the situation evolved to this because the Cao Family thought you were part of the Lin Family. Thus, they aimed to cleanse you."

Li Xian asked, "The matter has passed, and I'm not interested in the intricacies. However, I do have a favor to ask: Sister Lin, I have several Red List vicious corpses that haven't been reported to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau."

"Could you report them directly through your hands, reduce the layers of exploitation, and allow me to claim more bounty?"

"Oh?" Lin Aoshan paused and then smiled, seeming delighted by the thought, "Of course. Very much so, and not only that, I can even pay you the bounty in advance."

"Really?" Li Xian felt pleased.

"Aren't you with Lady Zhe Jian? How come you seem very short on money?" Lin Aoshan turned to ask, "From what I know, the Lady is quite wealthy, with many industries in the Prefecture City, and her silk garments are highly favored."

"That's the Lady's money," Li Xian admitted openly, "To be honest, I currently owe the Lady three thousand taels."

"Ah!" Lin Aoshan pretended to be shocked, pressing her chin, tapping the ground with her foot, pondering, "Three thousand taels... that amount isn't small. Even for a Martial Artist, it would last quite a while. What is your plan?"

Li Xian replied, "I intend to repay it earnestly without thinking too much."

Lin Aoshan's eyes flickered as she spoke, "I can assist you. Speaking of which... Aren't you curious about where I've been recently?"

"Not curious," Li Xian said with a smile.

"Even if you're not curious, I'll still tell you," Lin Aoshan glared playfully and sat across the table, asking Zhang Hou for another bowl of Tiger Soup. She was travel-worn, her clothes soaked in sweat and faintly fragrant, yet not unpleasant.

She said, "Recently, the Flower Cage Sect gathered in Huaiyin Prefecture for unknown purposes. This sect is considered evil, having offended numerous Jianghu forces, and fearing unrest. Rarely gathering, the Heavenly Patrol Bureau received word and decided to encircle and eliminate them."

"But upon receiving the news, the Flower Cage Sect immediately scattered and fled."

"As the Heavenly Marquis, Qingning County is far from Huaiyin Prefecture, yet located northwest of it. If I head to intercept, I can block one path, certainly ambushing many Flower Cage Sect disciples."

"Thus, I been lying in wait around Glazed Mountain, ambushing the disciples of the Flower Cage Sect."

"However, the Flower Cage Sect had reached the news and circumvented, leaving me empty-handed after days of ambushing, quite embarrassed."

Li Xian thought internally, "So it is, the Heavenly Patrol Bureau runs everywhere, it's indeed arduous."

Lin Aoshan rubbed her leg and said, "But heaven rewards the diligent, on my way back, I discovered a group of Flower Cage Sect members trying to hide nearby."

"Matters being urgent, the Flower Cage Sect is most cunning. Although I am strong, I dare not face them alone. Requesting reinforcements elsewhere might alert them, leaving me empty-handed again. If you help me, regarding the three thousand taels of silver... I'll handle it."

"What do you think?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.