Li Xian patted Li Xiaofan on the shoulder, feeling the sharpness through the thin, tattered clothes. Seeing his younger brother’s emaciated figure and malnutrition, a wave of compassion filled his heart.
Li Xian asked, "I’ve been at Yihetang Manor for almost a month. Little brother, have you eaten any at?"
"Brother, I’m not that dumb. Aside from buying books, I’ve spent all the money on at. I’ve even had fatty at a few tis," Li Xiaofan replied with an awkward smile.
"Really?" Li Xian raised an eyebrow, "How much is left?"
Li Xiaofan shrank back, sheepishly saying, "I’ve already used up most of it."
Li Xian reached out and snatched the money pouch from Li Xiaofan’s embrace.
"Brother..."
Before Li Xiaofan could respond, Li Xian had already untied the rope, revealing only three hundred and eighty Wen Coins left inside.
Within a month, only a hundred and twenty Wen were used.
Li Xian calculated:
"In the west of the city, pork costs fifty Wen a pound. If you buy cheaper cuts or scrap at, thirty Wen would suffice."
"If you ate at every two or three days, there’s no way you would have only used a hundred and twenty Wen. Besides, you still buy books. Little brother, your health is your greatest asset, you must not skimp on food."
"Since you have money, you should eat at. Why save?"
Li Xiaofan lowered his head without arguing. He couldn’t bear to spend his brother’s hard-earned money on at.
How was it different from eating up his brother?
So, each day, he ate wild vegetables he foraged from the outskirts to fill his stomach.
Every penny had to be wisely spent, only then could he live up to the elder brother.
Seeing this, Li Xian sighed deeply and then smiled, "Well, let’s go eat so at together, and get you a new set of clothes."
...
During half a day.
Li Xian accompanied Li Xiaofan to have a al of fatty pork.
Considering it was already winter, and their room had no quilt and wasn’t windproof, a padded jacket was purchased too.
The world was harsh.
Wearing new clothes would draw envy, so Li Xian advised his brother to wear the new clothes inside, with their father’s hemp garnt outside.
Avoid unknown places if possible.
After everything was done, Li Xian visited Aunt Liu next door, giving her thirty Wen, asking her to look after his brother over the next few days.
Kind Aunt Liu accepted the money and agreed wholeheartedly, praising Li Xian for being successful and a good elder brother.
"Brother, are you leaving again?"
Li Xiaofan’s eyes were wet, knowing his brother wouldn’t stay long.
Li Xian gave his entire monthly salary to Li Xiaofan, solemnly instructing, "Here’s eighty Wen, rember to eat at, eat at, eat at."
"Got it." Li Xiaofan clenched his fists tightly.
"I know you’re smart, but you can’t fool your brother." Li Xian smiled, "Repeat it three tis."
"Eat at, eat at, eat at." Li Xiaofan replied obediently, "Brother, I’ll rember."
"Alright. It’s getting late, go back quickly." Li Xian waved his hand, turned, and quickly left.
His figure disappeared around the alley corner. Li Xiaofan took a few steps to follow, but with a glance, he turned back into the small, broken straw hut.
The bare four walls contained only a shaky wooden bed. He lay on the bed, took out a wrinkled book, and imrsed himself in reading.
Only through reading could there be a way out.
......
......
On a mountain path three to five miles outside Yihetang Manor.
The cold wind blew, adding a touch of desolation.
Four people walked together, occasionally voices of conversation erged:
"Old Four, too bad you missed it. You don’t know, the won there are truly alluring."
"They say the brothel is a money pit, and it’s true."
"Yeah, just a whiff from those won, and I was srized."
"Sigh, now thinking about it, I sowhat regret it. Couldn’t control myself, spent almost half a month’s salary."
On the way back, Zhao Han and the others talked about the hedonistic pleasures of the brothel, with beautiful won in their arms, fragrant breath in the air, still savoring the mory.
Unfortunately, as D-class servants, their rank was too low, and their rights limited, even if on leave, they couldn’t stay outside overnight.
Seeing it getting late, they decided to head back together.
"Ah!"
"Commander Pang!"
Approaching the manor gates, Zhao Han slightly tipsy, suddenly saw Pang Long, sobering up instantly, and hurriedly went to salute.
Pang Long gave a slight glance at the four, "Using the salary, taking a day off, just to indulge at the brothel?"
"Yes...yes." Zhao Han scratched his head.
"As long as you don’t break manorial rules, where you go is not my concern." Pang Long said faintly.
Then his gaze fell on Li Xian, furrowing his brow, he sighed and shook his head slightly, showing a look of disappointnt, "Li Xian, you’re still in the assessnt period. They indulge because they’ve already cented their position."
"And you’ve just beco a Nursing Ho, if you don’t seize the ti to master the Four Directions Fist, instead waste your body like this, I’m greatly disappointed."
"Commander Pang, you misunderstand..." Li Xian smiled, just about to explain.
"No need to explain, martial arts won’t lie."
Pang Long waved his hand, "When the assessnt day cos, I’ll be there in person. If you don’t et my standards, and haven’t reached a beginner level in this martial art, then you’ll return to being a servant."
Turning, he walked away swiftly.
Li Xian watched Pang Long’s retreating figure, and despite the disappointed tone he heard, his heart remained calm.
Having soone appreciate you is undoubtedly nice. But rather than going out of your way to earn admiration, it’s better to tread your own path solidly.
He knew what he wanted, and he knew what he was doing.
"Old Four... should we three go explain for you?" Zhao Han said embarrassedly.
"No need, what’s there to explain?" Li Xian shook his head with a smile, "Besides, as n, visiting a brothel, is that so wrong?"
Old Two Wang Chun’s eyes wide open, "Talking about visiting a brothel so righteously. Old Four, Old Four, I’m no match for you."
...
Ti flew by, and it was the day of the assessnt.
That morning, the Nursing Hos proceeded with their usual training. Li Xian stood in a quiet corner, legs parted, orderly throwing punches.
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 658/1000 Mastery]
Li Xian felt he was gradually reaching a state of excellence, as if his punches no longer required recalling the boxing manual; a re thought would promptly send forth his fist.
He was practicing faster and faster.
According to Martial Artist’s sayings, he had reached the stage of "breaking away from the manual," where he could detach from the boxing manual and start gaining his own insights, cultivating his own style in the technique.
"This Four Directions Fist has been of great help to ."
"Though basic, the technique is systematic. It teaches how to confront and defend against an opponent, all backed by experience."
Li Xian sensed a warm current in his lower abdon.
The Inner Strength had accumulated to the size of a fist, a re thought could direct it onto his fist, and upon striking, create a gust of wind, producing a "pop-pop-pop" sound.
The finesse of this technique lay in dealing with enemy attacks from the front and back, how to use their force against them, and how to maneuver cleverly.
For a Nursing Ho, it was more than sufficient.
[Skill: Running]
[Skill Level: 164/1500 Minor Achievent]
[Description: Swift like the wind, the breath continuous like a river, flowing endlessly, in climbing mountains and crossing waters, you’ve discovered the secret of running. Qi-Blood slightly enhanced.]
"Morning training runs are virtually effortless for ."
"But they’re just right for warming up."
Li Xian imrsed himself in the sense of gain.
"Commander Pang is here!"
Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the crowd, turning his head, he saw Pang Long striding towards the courtyard.
Li Xian ended his stance and walked towards Pang Long.
"Li Xian, today is your assessnt day. I won’t repeat what has to be done." Pang Long opened directly.
All Nursing Hos gathered around, forming a large circle to contain Pang Long and Li Xian within.
Every Nursing Ho has to undergo the newcor assessnt. To put it bluntly, the martial arts talent of a Nursing Ho can be fully revealed through the newcor assessnt.
But everyone is different, with varying conditions and differing martial arts disciplines.
So have long legs, suitable for learning the Four Directions Leg, others are short, so they learn Earth Chambering Skill. So have resilient skulls, thus they learn Iron Head Skill.
"Commander Pang, I’m aware of that." Li Xian nodded heavily.
"Sigh!" Luo Tongyun tily sighed, showing regret.
"Luo Tongyun, since Li Xian is your student, naturally you’ll be the one to assess him." Pang Long added indifferently, "Don’t be lenient, otherwise you’ll be punished too. Whatever it is, let it be."
"Brother Li, you heard it." Luo Tongyun shrugged helplessly, stepping out.
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