Martial Captain Hall.
The Docunt Storage was pitch-black, standing six stories high, made entirely of black wood, solid and sturdy. There was a thick lock on the door, but even after Li Xian hacked at it several tis, he couldn’t break it open.
Helpless, he sent soone to find the key.
After so twists and turns, they finally opened the door. A thick plu of smoke billowed out, and Li Xian covered his nose and mouth, delivering several palm strikes in mid-air, the gusts of wind sweeping away the accumulated dust.
Only then did he enter the storage.
Inside, it was filled with case files of the Jianghu, docunting the various deeds of vicious criminals.
The position of Martial Officer was special. During the resurgence of the Great Wu Dynasty, they once managed to have Martial Officers in every county, bringing the Jianghu under the control of the court.
But it was difficult to maintain.
Looking at the current situation, considering the county governance surrounding Qingning, only Li Xian holds the position of Military Officer. Therefore, information is not communicated, and wanted criminals in the Jianghu are erging one after another, yet no one is delivering the wanted list.
Most of what was piled up in the Docunt Storage were old files from more than a decade ago.
Li Xian held an oil lamp, and because of the long passage of ti, the files were scattered all over the floor, in a chaotic ss.
"These criminals have long since disappeared. Even if they’re hiding at the ends of the earth, they vanished long ago, how could we still catch them?"
"But by studying these, it’s perfect for understanding the dangers of the Jianghu."
He casually chose a spot, sat cross-legged, and picked up a file to read: "La Butcher, bloodthirsty and violent, once slaughtered a village, 500 taels of silver reward."
"Black-faced Yama, self-proclaid righteous, established Yama Hall to privately te out justice, 400 taels of silver reward."
"Four Eccentrics of Laoshan, four people in total, each with peculiar temperants, killing is second nature. 700 taels of silver reward."
"Flower Thief, committing heinous acts against won, no cri undone, once infiltrated Divine Sword Manor for a scent. Had a leg chopped off, but exhibits exceptional Lightweight Skill and moves swiftly. 19,000 taels of silver reward."
...
Various strange figures and skills unfolded before his eyes. Li Xian seed to be walking in the Jianghu, interacting with the criminals on the wanted list.
Through the lines of words, he caught a glimpse of the Jianghu. It slowly dawned on him that there seed to be sects like the "Divine Sword Manor", "Myriad Laws Demon Cave", "Daoxuan Mountain"...
And many others.
But ultimately, it was limited.
"As long as I keep moving forward step by step, the wonders of the world, the entanglents of the Jianghu, treasures, beauties, I may just have a chance to touch upon them."
Li Xian’s mind wandered, his eyes flashed, his heart ablaze. But gradually he returned to calm, transforming it into an endless driving force, laying a firr foundation for every step.
Late night.
Li Xian practiced swordplay, thumped his chest, and soaked in a dicated bath, accumulating proficiency in "Setting Sun Bloodsword" and "Iron Copper Body". Finally, he opened the Heaven-Hiding Box, consud a gram of Essence Treasure, and slowly digested it.
[You consud Essence Treasure, initially retaining six strands of Essence of Heaven and Earth, Skill Level 1]
[Transcendence through Food Essence]
[Skill Level: 5/100]
The next day.
Li Xian rested for a day, not from laziness, but because balancing work and rest ensures a continuous flow. Today he was determined to forge ahead, practicing martial arts at dawn, thumping his chest cavity, and then honing himself further with a dicated bath.
[Skill Level 2]
[Skill Level 3]
[Iron and Copper Skill]
[Skill Level: 2982/3000 Great Success]
Subrged entirely in the dicated bath, his accumulated Skill Level was sufficient, allowing him to step into [Perfection] effortlessly.
"I now have an eighteen-story Qi Lake. The accumulation is getting more substantial, and every small advancent is visible. Heaven rewards diligence... truly miraculous."
[Iron and Copper Skill]
[Skill Level: 15/5000 Perfection]
[Description: You thumped your chest and invigorated your body, tempered your physique, and soaked in a dicated bath. You have practiced Iron and Copper Skill to Perfection. After repeated hamring, your lungs surpass ordinary people’s. You have developed the ’Iron Lung’ trait.]
Every martial art practiced is at least at the [Perfection] level. Although Li Xian is still young, his martial arts knowledge is considered astounding. The most profound and wondrous is the "Setting Sun Bloodsword", enabling Li Xian to master various techniques like [Blazing Wave], [Yang Yuan Sword Qi], and [Life-saving Yang Qi].
Offense from the Setting Sun Bloodsword, defense from the Iron and Copper Body Technique, Jade Palm for striking, Vertical Cloud Hand for tossing. Even Basic Martial Arts like Four Directions Fist, Clear Wind Leg, and Daluo Saber are not completely useless, adding martial arts variations with endless wonders.
...
...
Qiong Heavenly Mansion.
The buildings stood in rows, the city gate towering, the populace bustling with life.
The Cao family, wealthier than many, thrived in the Prefecture City through their jade business. The family expanded over hundreds of years, amassing a vast fortune, with mbers spread far and wide.
Cao Yun perished in office. Naturally, the position of Qingning County Magistrate beca vacant. Despite Qingning County’s remote location and poor populace, in these turbulent tis, controlling an additional county provided an extra escape route.
In the mansion, every notable clan mber coveted the role of County Magistrate. The Cao family, unwilling to delay, convened a family eting to appease the public, reviewing the family register.
Cao Kai was chosen to assu the position of County Magistrate of Qingning.
This Cao Kai, who cultivated both literary and martial arts, couldn’t excel in either fully but positioned himself moderately between the two, neither rising nor falling.
However, he was far more capable than Cao Yun ever was.
"Elder Nineteenth, Cao Yun died at such a place. If I take office, should this happen again, how can I fend it off?" Cao Kai asked.
Elder Nineteenth replied, "You are a mber of the Cao family, surely you’re not afraid of a re country bumpkin?"
"Of course not." Cao Kai replied confidently, then added with a smile, "But having more protection is always a good thing."
"Rest assured on this point." Elder Nineteenth comforted, saying, "That Martial Captain is just a rural figure, not truly formidable. If our Cao family wishes to deal with him, it’s effortless."
"No matter how much an ant-like character jumps around, they cannot escape death."
"Go with confidence; the family is your backing."
...
...
Several miles down the mountain path outside Yihetang Manor.
It was mid-August at the ti.
The sumr heat was waning, and the autumn breeze began to bring coolness. Li Xian was riding, noticing that the fruit trees along the road had already borne fruit. The aroma was gradually wafting out.
In just a month or so, they would be ripe.
Passing by several tenant farming villages, the fields were a golden hue, the crops bountiful.
Li Xian recalled so rumors: "A dynasty’s fortune can affect the harvests of its people. If the fortune is flourishing, the weather is favorable, resulting in bountiful harvests. If the fortune wanes, disasters beco frequent."
"This year’s harvest is better than the last."
The wind blew, creating waves in the wheat fields. The villagers held sickles, harvesting the crops. Upon seeing Li Xian, the farrs in the field greeted him with "Commander Li" and Li Xian responded with a smile, riding past on his horse.
Returning to the manor.
Ding Hu seed to have been waiting for a while, quickly approaching and saying, "Commander Li, you’ve returned!" He casually took the reins, letting the groom lead the horse to the stable to be fed with the finest hay.
Li Xian nodded, "Anything unusual happening in the manor lately?"
"Occasionally, there’s a flying thief sneaking in, but it’s nothing serious. I caught them, broke a leg, and threw them out of the manor. It’s just... it’s just..." Ding Hu stamred.
"Just what?" Li Xian asked.
"Commander Li, accompany on patrol tonight and you’ll understand. I don’t know how to explain it." Ding Hu said.
"Alright."
Li Xian returned to the Commander’s Courtyard. He hurried between the Martial Captain Hall and Yihetang Manor, both of which were simple and clean.
The courtyard was tranquil.
Li Xian had attained remarkable achievents in many martial arts. In his spare ti, he would casually pick one and practice freely, passing the ti.
[Skill Level 4]
[Skill Level 3]
Li Xian swung and slashed several tis, practicing the "Daluo Saber Technique."
His moves were unrestrained and spontaneous, sotis swinging horizontally, sotis vertically slicing. Even the back and handle of the saber were used. At first glance, it seed chaotic, without any pattern, whimsical. Only those familiar with the "Daluo Saber Technique" could notice so subtleties and understand his profound mastery.
He was not far from reaching the peak.
When martial arts reach Perfection, intention matters more than form.
He completed the set.
"Going on patrol myself tonight is a good thing. Otherwise, Madam would suspect I’m getting complacent and might dismiss without a second thought."
"However... this Martial Captain position doesn’t seem very important to . Now that we’ve provoked the Cao family, if I lose my position and hide in the manor, it might be safer."
Night fell in a blink.
Ding Hu, holding a steel knife and wearing armor, stood behind Li Xian. Tonight’s patrol route started at the Vegetarian Restaurant, passed through the Bamboo Forest, over the Fake Stone Array, around Yu Jing Lake, and finally reached the Yunxiang Tower.
After preparing everything, Li Xian led the way, taking the lead. They patrolled every corner of the Vegetarian Restaurant, checking for any intrusion or loitering chefs.
Next was the Bamboo Forest.
Li Xian raised his hand and severed a snake’s head. This Bamboo Forest was filled with Yin Qi, cool and damp, with snakes appearing at night, most of which were venomous.
The task of the Nursing Ho was to kill any snake on sight, leaving no survivors. Slaying a venomous snake earned one penny.
Ding Hu carried a basket specifically for collecting snake corpses.
"Be careful everyone; a snake bite can be fatal," Ding Hu shouted to those behind.
The forest was dark, but nothing alarming happened. Upon reaching this point, Li Xian noticed nothing unusual and glanced toward Ding Hu.
"Sir, please continue walking," Ding Hu said with a strange expression.
Li Xian, committed to his patrol, walked the remainder. The Fake Stone Array was a peculiar stone area, with oddly placed stones hinting at so hidden array.
A few years ago, Madam occasionally visited this spot to arrange the stones, but she hadn’t returned recently, perhaps having forgotten about it.
"Ribbit!"
Once they erged from the Fake Stone Array, a peculiar croaking sound was heard.
Ding Hu, visibly startled by the sound of the frogs, imdiately dispersed the Nursing Ho staff and sternly warned, "Plug your ears with cotton and wax tightly. If Madam learns of this, it won’t be as simple as cutting off ears or hands; your lives might not be spared!"
The Nursing Ho was well-prepared, imdiately plugging their ears and retreating. Ding Hu braced himself and approached Yu Jing Lake with Li Xian.
The moonlight drenched the lake, making Yu Jing Lake as smooth as jade.
Ding Hu, with a look of discomfort, said, "Commander Li, the anomaly lies here."
"A couple of nights ago, while patrolling here, I suddenly heard a frog speaking human language, saying nothing but ill words. I ordered all the frogs to be killed."
"Yesterday, patrolling here again, such words were still being said. Without you here, I dared not inform Madam, fearing... fearing..."
Li Xian frowned. The lake was filled with croaks, and one frog suddenly spoke human words, saying loudly, "Dear audience, don’t leave."
"Yesterday, I just ntioned how Wen Caishang appears cold but is actually fiery inside, with insatiable desires. Her eyebrows conceal lust, and her eyes harbor longing."
"Today, I’ll tell the story of Madam Wen seducing the Nursing Ho, and although her origin is significant, but..."
Li Xian understood in his heart, "No wonder Ding Hu and the others are so taboo about this place. Given Madam’s nature, anyone who hears these words might not have a good end."
He frowned, observing where the voice ca from, then swiftly captured one frog.
"Ouch, who, who caught ?" The frog spoke human words.
"Black Tai Sui!" Li Xian recognized the foul stench, knowing the frog’s origin. He crushed it in his hand, the black flesh squirming in his palm.
"Kid, it’s you again!" The Black Tai Sui spoke human words.
"How did you get out?" Li Xian asked, puzzled.
Black Tai Sui replied, "Hehe, if I want out, who can stop ?"
"Kid, how do you like my story? Maybe next ti I’ll weave you into it."
"Make you the host overtaking the guest, winning a round, turning tables. Make you the pear blossom pressing on the begonia, spring sounds dulcet, sweet dreams aplenty."
Li Xian’s lips twitched, "You want dead, just say so."
"Heh." Black Tai Sui said, "Look at what you said. I find that woman unpleasant, but you, kid, I quite like."
"Listen to my command from now on, and I assure you prosperity and long life, with a hundred or a thousand beautiful ladies."
"Looking at you, kid, you’re a bit ugly, a bit slly. But you have quite the romantic fate, hehe, tonight has an imminent romantic encounter."
"Hehe, quite the romantic fate, tonight, but it might be hard to enjoy."
"Alright, say no more!" Li Xian said, "I’ll send you back."
On the way, Black Tai Sui chattered incessantly, annoying all around.
Locked it into a wooden box, fastened it securely, silencing it completely.
Li Xian exhaled a sigh of relief, "If one day I encounter the female Tai Sui, I’ll lock you two together, so you’ll know what true romantic plight ans."
Paying no mind to Black Tai Sui’s nonsense.
But just after stepping out of Yunxiang Tower, before taking many steps, Qiuyue’s voice ca:
"Li Xian, you’re indeed here; I’ve been searching for you."
"Madam is summoning you, hurry and co with ."
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