Lin Aoshan kept her promise, reporting the Flower Cage Sect villains and Red List bandits to the Celestial Patrol Bureau that very day. The court allocated funds for this, but the process was complicated with customary deductions and corruption.

Lin Aoshan credited the achievement to herself, prioritizing merit over monetary reward. She was in high spirits, having resolved a longstanding issue. Since the "Mysterious Marquis" came, she hadn't achieved anything noteworthy, running around aimlessly. With merit under her belt, she stood tall and proud.

Furthermore, she withdrew three thousand four hundred taels from the Lin Family and handed it over to Li Xian straightforwardly, settling the matter.

Li Xian took out a hundred taels as a reward for his brothers. The remaining three thousand taels were packed into a box, soon to be transported back to Yihetang Manor.

Having dealt with these various matters.

In the inner courtyard of the Martial Captain Hall, Li Xian dismissed everyone to review his gains. An identity token and a lower martial arts book were among them.

"The identity token might be useful in the future. I'll keep it on me, and as for the Thunderbolt Finger martial arts... it seems of high quality, far surpassing Jade Palm."

"Though both are lower martial arts, there's a difference between them. This martial arts... suits me perfectly. As for entry-level martial arts, I have Jade Palm and Setting Sun Bloodsword. Jade Palm was a temporary creation, and Setting Sun Bloodsword is incomplete, being a joint swordsmanship."

"This Thunderbolt Finger, however, is the most complete martial arts I currently have!"

Li Xian examined the martial arts records. The Thunderbolt Finger is of extremely high quality, unable to be practiced by anyone below the Essence-Eating level. This martial arts isn't for fighting moves; each move is a killing strike. It contains four killer moves: Thunder Shock Finger, Thunderous Finger, Thunder Shock, and Thunderbolt Finger.

The records state that if mastered to perfection, in thunderstorm weather, combined with Chest Drum Thunder Sound, the martial arts can be driven to the extreme, even summoning lightning from the heavens. It is extraordinarily mystical.

Practicing this martial arts, the killer moves are just one aspect. It also strengthens the body and spirit, as it requires a medicated bath and a rare mineral called "Thunder Stone."

This mineral, produced in "Jade City," is quite rare. But with enough money, it isn't hard to acquire. The Thunder Stone is struck by natural lightning, infused with Thunder Power. By utilizing the power of the mineral, the body is tempered through electric refinement, thus strengthening and fortifying.

Besides... the first killer move, "Thunder Shock Finger," holds great mystery. An Essence-Eating Martial Artist can use Chest Drum Thunder Sound to amplify their aura. The key to this Thunder Shock Finger is greatly related to "Chest Drum Thunder Sound."

It is a technique that utilizes Chest Drum Thunder Sound. The Chest Drum Thunder Sound is stored and unsounded. The shock force is transmitted into the finger, thus named "Thunder Shock Finger."

Li Xian reviewed it all silently nodding. He began to practice diligently, once, twice... the sounds sizzled without rolling over.

As he pointed a finger, the chest's drum thunder echoed, with rolling thunderous sound. Even pedestrians outside the hall were frightened. Li Xian realized this martial arts was not suitable to practice in a busy city. So he headed to the mountains to refine his finger technique.

As Li Xian pointed out, the thunderous sound rolled and reverberated. It seemed domineering, but in truth, the essence was not grasped. The essence of "Thunder Shock Finger" lies in tranquility.

The rolling thunderous sound is the manifestation of the Chest Drum Thunder Sound's energy leaking out. Unable to utilize the energy, the thunder naturally rolls. In a battle, if you make a move with such thunderous noise, those in the know will immediately realize you haven't mastered it.

"Practicing this martial arts is quite exhausting."

Li Xian continued to practice for two hours. Though there was progress, the results were minimal. As night fell, the surrounding area became eerily quiet, devoid of even insects.

A closer look revealed that snakes, frogs, and insects... all were terrified to death by the Chest Drum Thunder Sound.

"Never mind, I'll come back tomorrow."

Next day.

Li Xian entered the forest again, fully prepared, with enough provisions and water, planning a day of diligent practice. Tirelessly, heaven rewards diligence.

Around noon.

Li Xian pointed out again, simultaneously resonating the chest's drum, hitting a nearby tree trunk. The drum sound was faint, yet the finger force suddenly increased, the finger vibrated, and with a "bang" as it touched the trunk, the tree shook violently, dropping a heap of fruits.

[Your Thunderbolt Finger has reached the beginner level.]

[Thunderbolt Finger]

[Skill Level: 14/600 Beginner]

[Description: Thunderbolt four fingers, harmonizing with heaven and earth. Relying on Chest Drum Thunder Sound, it cannot be practiced by those below Essence-Eating level.]

Skill Level +1

Skill Level +1

Li Xian practiced diligently, each time the chest drum echoed, the sound grew fainter. The shock force and thunder sound were all accumulated at the fingertips.

...

...

That evening.

As Li Xian improved in martial arts, he was delighted. On his way back to the city, he bought some crispy roast ducks. Wrapped in oil paper, their aroma overflowed.

Shared with Luo Xia in the hall.

Luo Xia drank in large gulps, asking, "Why don't you quickly send the three thousand taels back to the manor to please your lady?"

Lin Aoshan had returned to the Prefecture City, incidentally taking the Flower Cage Sect's leader and Red List villain's leader. Luo Xia sitting with Li Xian, the two had become brothers. Drinking and eating meat together.

Luo Xia was unaware of the secrets of Yihetang Manor, asking casually.

Unintentional words from her mouth held meaning for Li Xian. He thought to himself, "The lady is shrewd, with many hidden hands. On the surface, I'm already the strongest under her in the manor, but behind the scenes, it's likely not so. When I killed Xu Liefeng, I felt a gaze. If it were the lady, I wouldn't have sensed it. It must be from someone else beneath her observing."

"Who is this person? If what Qiuyue said is true, the lady is binding herself up, unable to move. She will certainly seek someone to break free."

"She might either appoint that hidden person to help her out, or... let that hidden person find me, calling me back to the manor, to help her out."

"Given this, I'll find an excuse to stay in Qingning County for a few days. Whoever comes to find me from the manor, they are the lady's reliable subordinate, and the hidden strong one."

The thought flashed through his mind, and Li Xian said, "The three thousand taels are just the minimum amount. In the next two days, I'll try to collect more shop rent, gather as much as possible, and then submit it all to the lady."

"Drink," Luo Xia, still holding a grudge over the last drinking contest defeat, showed no interest in the manor affairs, and quickly called for a drinking match.

Li Xian smilingly raised his drink, again defeating Luo Xia in a drinking contest.

As night deepened, Luo Xia was drunk like mud, sleeping right in the courtyard. Li Xian knew her strength and fearlessness, ignored it, and started practicing Copper Body Technique and Setting Sun Bloodsword.

The skill level accumulated.

Grasp every opportunity to enhance strength.

The Qi Lake had already reached twenty-one zhang.

[Your Martial Arts improve, digestion speed increases, Essence-Eating Realm skill level +1]

"Once I perfect the Iron Copper Body, achieve a minor achievement in the Setting Sun Blood Sword Second Level, and master the Thunderbolt Finger... the Qi Lake can grow significantly again, and the distance to the thirty-five zhang Qi Lake body is no longer far!"

"I heard that the Tianjiao of the Prefecture City have been enjoying heavenly treasures since childhood and receive guidance from their elders, cultivating Entry Martial Arts. At my age, their Qi Lake is about twenty zhang."

"Yes, I heard Ao Shan say that recently, the Prefecture City seems to be holding a Tianjiao banquet, and it appears to be quite lively. Unfortunately, such grand events are difficult for me to witness. To me, the Prefecture City is like a mountain of blades and a sea of fire."

...

...

The next day.

"Li Xian."

Uncle Xiang, dressed in plain clothes at the entrance of the Martial Captain Hall, saw Li Xian and waved to him.

"Uncle Xiang?" Li Xian was taken aback, then walked over with a smile.

Uncle Xiang patted Li Xian on the shoulder and said, "Good lad, looking quite sharp today, you do have a bit of an official look."

"Uncle Xiang, you're flattering me, it's all thanks to the lady," Li Xian said as he pulled Uncle Xiang inside. "Uncle Xiang, what brings you here? Are you looking for me?"

"Why would I look for you?" Uncle Xiang laughed. "I'm the accountant of the manor, and I need to go to the city every month to know the people's livelihood and prices and buy some things on the side. Otherwise, wouldn't I get fooled?"

"Speaking of which, it's strange."

"When I used to come to the city, that girl Qiuyue always clamored to come with me. I was afraid she'd waste the lady's money, so I never took her. But this time, she hasn't bothered me. Have you seen her lately?"

He glanced at Li Xian without a trace. Li Xian smiled, "Uncle Xiang, to be honest, Qiuyue and I don't get along. Wherever she goes, what does it have to do with me?"

"I see..." Uncle Xiang nodded. "But Little Immortal, even if you shine outside, you mustn't neglect your other duties. You must remember, you are still the Grand Commander of Yihetang Manor."

"Yes, yes, Uncle Xiang, you are right," Li Xian chuckled.

"Haih." Uncle Xiang shook his head. "I wouldn't dare scold you, just reminding you. Besides, I'm just an accountant, how could I dare scold you, a Military Officer?"

"Actually, I've been wanting to return to the manor," Li Xian said. "But, since the lady fined me three thousand taels, I've been out here trying to scrape that amount together before going back."

"Oh?" Uncle Xiang said. "You're quite capable, three thousand taels isn't a small sum. Impressive, impressive."

Uncle Xiang waved his hand, saying, "Alright, get on with your business." He walked out of the Martial Captain Hall, turned the corner of the street, and disappeared.

Li Xian watched as he left. "As I suspected, Uncle Xiang is the lady's covert agent. His strength must be enormous. If the lady truly traps herself, it would be hard for her to escape. She thinks Uncle Xiang is too old, so she asks him to call me back to the manor, to assist her in getting out."

"If the lady is pushed too far, Uncle Xiang can also help the lady get free. At that time, I'd be in a terrible situation."

"Speaking of... Lady Zhe Jian, so deep in her scheming, so formidable in her prowess and ruthless in her methods. Many strong men in the Jianghu, upon hearing her name, run scared. Yet, she got tricked by Qiuyue in the end."

"Who would've thought, the lady has such a weakness, her current situation must be quite embarrassing."

Li Xian suddenly found it amusing. But with Uncle Xiang's reminder, Li Xian couldn't just ignore it and not return.

"That Uncle Xiang must be secretly monitoring me. I'm deliberately trying to gather money, delaying my return, letting the lady wait a bit longer."

Deliberately stalling for a while, collecting rent money from various shops. It became late at night.

When the sky grew dark.

Li Xian said, "I've finally gathered the money, prepare the horse and cart, to transport it back to Yihetang Manor!"

The carriage set off towards Yihetang Manor, hauling two chests of silver.

Only then did the watching eyes in the shadows gradually fade away.

The night wind was cool.

Li Xian felt invigorated, the lady is not all-powerful after all.

Returning to Yihetang Manor.

Ding Hu said, "Commander Li, you're back?" He came forward to greet him, ordering people to unload the silver.

Li Xian said, "I'm exhausted. This silver is the lady's penalty, amounting to over three thousand taels, and today I've finally gathered it. Please help me deposit it into the accounts."

"Three thousand taels?" Ding Hu said, impressed. "In less than a month, Commander Li managed to gather the money. Truly remarkable."

"Just luck, it's not worth mentioning," Li Xian replied.

Returning to the Commander's Courtyard.

Li Xian pretended not to know of Qiuyue's betrayal, naturally unaware of the lady's secrets, or any number of things. As usual, he silently practiced Martial Arts.

[Skill Level +4]

...

[Setting Sun Blood Decay Sword·First Layer]

[Skill Level: 9856/80000 Perfection]

[Setting Sun Blood Sword·Second Layer]

[Skill Level: 1455/1600 Mastery]

The night grew deeper, the full moon hung high.

[Food Essence]

[Skill Level: 27/100]

The Essence Treasure is consumed, and soon, another cauldron is needed.

Li Xian sheathed his sword, about to rest. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind: "Li Xian..."

After a pause, it continued:

"Come to Jingxin Tower to find me."

It was the lady's voice.

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