Chapter 115 Humans Can Defy Heaven, Clay Figures Want to Shed

The next day.

At Yihezhuang, a piece of dark black "lean meat" was placed into the large cauldron for cooking.

I heard that this meat is the neck meat of a thousand-year-old tortoise, about the size of a palm, and it feels cold to the touch.

Pour in enough cold water.

The lid of the cauldron was closed, and the charcoal was neatly arranged in a triangular pyramid shape. The charcoal was lit, and soon the water in the cauldron began to boil.

The steam carried the fishy, ​​pungent smell of "lean meat".

Li Xian covered his mouth and nose and retreated dozens of feet. After a while, the stench gradually faded.

"Start transporting water!" Li Xian shouted, channeling his Qi.

Ding Hu ran out of the village and shouted, "The commander has ordered us to begin transporting water!"

"Make your movements more efficient."

The previously arranged "black line" suddenly came to life, moving back and forth carrying water buckets.

The scorching sun made people look like ants.

After several trials and tribulations, Li Xian's status rose from a menial servant to a guard, and then from a guard to a commander. Those menial servants who sold themselves into servitude with him remain menial servants to this day, some even reduced to ashes.

The laborers formed a line, using their own bodies as firewood and as irrigation canals.

Seeing that everything was on track, Li Xian instructed Ding Hu to keep a close eye on things and then left.

Inner courtyard.

Yet, it was a scene of peace and tranquility.

Lady Wen was dressed simply, wearing a long silk dress, her long hair tied up and secured with a jade hairpin. Her slender figure and charming appearance required no elaborate adornment.

Inside the fishpond, fish gathered and fiercely competed for food.

Madam Wen picked up a few fish food pellets and tossed them into the pond. A colorful, exotic fish leaped high and swallowed the fish food.

The bag containing the fish feed was made of silk and inlaid with gold and jade threads.

Li Xian asked for guidance:

“Madam, isn’t it very troublesome to carry water like this every time we open the cauldron to cook fine food?”

Madam Wen was still feeding the fish, and she seemed to really enjoy this pastime. She could have easily scattered the fish food and let the fish in the pond eat to their hearts' content. But she always picked up a few grains, making the fish fight over them for her.

But she also heard Li Xian's words, and after a long while, she replied, "You mean, about having the servants carry water?"

Li Xian suggested, "Isn't this too inefficient? Why not dig a canal to bring the water source to the side of the village?"

Mrs. Wen raised an eyebrow. "You have a lot of ideas, but it won't work."

"You are new to martial arts and do not know the intricacies of it. But I am in a relaxed and good mood today, so it is not unreasonable for me to answer your questions."

Li Xian's face lit up with joy.

Madam Wen kicked a fish that had leaped out of the pond while fighting for food back into the water. Her white boots, embroidered with longevity flowers and birds, got a little wet. But the water visibly washed away; the fabric of her clothes was of exceptional quality and remained unstained.

She asked, "What do you think is the most important factor in cooking a pot of fine food?" Her voice was melodious and pleasant.

Li Xian pondered for a moment, "I think there are three: 'cauldron,' 'charcoal,' and 'water.'"

“When I was cooking crab meat in Heihe Village, it took a lot of firewood to cook one pot of crab meat, and it could burn several pots. Moreover, a pot of fine food required a lot of water, which had to be repeatedly poured on.”

Madam Wen said, "That's right. Back in Heihe Village, although the conditions were simple, you still managed to cook a decent meal and gained some insights."

"In this world, there are clay bodies, and there are jade bodies and porcelain bodies. There is charcoal, and there is dragon-sounding charcoal and finely fragrant charcoal. Everything in the world has differences in quality."

"Water is the same."

“If we dig a canal and bring the river water to the village, the water will naturally be usable. But this water is already ‘water separated from the source’ or ‘water separated from the river’s vein.”

"In the eyes of martial artists, it is slightly inferior to the source water of the river."

Li Xian asked in bewilderment, "Does that mean that water carried by hand by a servant is not considered water that has left the vein?" He admitted that his cultivation was insufficient and he could not see the difference.

"Not only does it not count, but its quality is even higher." Madam Wen tapped her fingers lightly and said calmly, "Using people as a channel is naturally better than using wood. Of all things in the world, only human power can defy the heavens."

Although Li Xian didn't understand, he silently made a note of it. After thinking about it again, he realized it made a lot of sense.

...

...

Li Xian came out of the inner courtyard at noon.

The weather in June is like a furnace.

The amount of coal consumed has decreased, but the demand for water has increased. Thousands of laborers are extremely busy, and several are already panting from exhaustion.

Li Xian, in his role as commander, was ultimately benevolent.

Seeing that some of the servants were struggling, he sent them off to rest. He then had the guards take their place, euphemistically calling it "training."

The guards possessed internal energy, making water transport a piece of cake for them.

In this way, casualties were greatly reduced. The laborers who got a rest were also relieved. When filling the "water line" again, they wouldn't be worked to death.

“Manager Luo, the lady is preparing a fine meal. As the steward of the servants, you should be at the forefront of such an important task.”

Li Xian's attention was drawn to Luo Fang's swaggering and noisy demeanor.

I almost forgot about this person.

"Oh dear, Commander... Commander, I... I've already taken the lead, haven't I? If I don't keep an eye on these bastards for a moment, they'll start slacking off." Luo Fang was both afraid and terrified.

"When I said 'leading the way,' I meant you should also go and fetch water," Li Xian said calmly.

"This...this isn't a good idea," Luo Fang retorted, forcing a smile. "If I go to fetch water, they'll be left unsupervised, won't they fall into chaos?"

"Is it so hard to find someone to discipline him?" Li Xian glanced at him. "Bi Hao, you'd better step forward."

Luo Fang's nephew, Bi Hao, scrambled over, bowing and scraping, saying, "Commander Li, Commander Li, you called me!" He kowtowed and worshipped as if he were a god, showing even greater loyalty than he had to his cousin.

“I was thinking of having your cousin transport water, but now that he’s gone, there’s no one to manage it. I’m thinking of you, since you’ve inherited your cousin’s skills. Why don’t you take over the management?” Li Xian said.

"Okay, okay!" Bi Hao was moved to tears. At this moment, he wished he could stab Luo Fang twice to show his loyalty to Li Xian and make him take a second look at him.

"I will not show favoritism! Commander Li, you can rest assured that you have entrusted this task to me!"

“I know you are kind-hearted and know your limits.”

Bi Hao was so badly injured that his head was bleeding.

Luo Fang, looking grim, replied tremblingly, "Commander Li... this seems to be against the rules. I... I'm from the servants' quarters, I... I shouldn't be under the guards' jurisdiction."

"Bullshit!" Bi Hao jumped up suddenly. "Commander Li has spoken, and you dare to argue with him?! You have some nerve." He then launched a flying kick.

He snatched the whip and swung it at Nara.

"You're leading the way, why aren't you hurrying to fetch water!" Bi Hao roared.

"You ungrateful wretch!" Luo Fang was furious.

"I've tolerated you for too long, you dog Luo Fang! How dare you disrespect the commander! Today, I sever all ties with you!" Bi Hao said loudly, brandishing his whip and aiming it at Luo Fang.

...

Li Xian had no time to watch the uncle and nephew fight. Having vented his anger, he found a quiet place to practice martial arts.

Although the Sunset Blood Sword has its flaws, it is undoubtedly the highest level of martial arts that Li Xian has ever encountered.

This sword technique was separated from the combined sword moves, so it seems to be half missing, and some moves have gaps.

"The essence of this sword technique lies in its fierceness and power."

"Although the name contains the word 'setting sun,' it does not refer to the setting sun at dusk. Rather, it is more like the scorching sun that hangs high in the sky at noon, baking the earth."

"The sun is broken and incomplete, hence it is called the setting sun."

Li Xian, through his own understanding, comprehended the essence of swordsmanship. Each strike was slow and steady.

[You comprehend the essence of swordsmanship, practice your swordsmanship, and your proficiency increases by 2.]

[You practice your swordplay under the sun, honing your skills. Proficiency +2]

Li Xian reversed the sword's edge and used a move called "Standing with the Sun Hanging High," pointing the sword straight upwards and thrusting it towards the sun in the sky.

Suddenly, he felt a flash of red light at the tip of the sword, followed by a surge of heat that traveled down the sword tip, along the blade, and into Li Xian's body.

He was sweating profusely in an instant.

There was a burning sensation, as if my meridians were being scorched.

[Standing under the blazing sun, the sword draws forth brilliant light, yet there is no Yin sword to assist, violating a taboo in swordplay, proficiency +12]

Li Xian drank several mouthfuls of cold water.

The burning sensation inside his body was hard to dispel. Looking around, he saw a pool of shimmering green water. Without hesitation, he jumped into the pool.

I stayed in the cool river water for a good quarter of an hour before I felt a little better and climbed ashore.

But I still felt a burning sensation in my chest.

"Good heavens, this is a superior swordsmanship; it really can't be learned casually!"

"The move 'Suspended Sun' just now used to draw in the sun's energy. If the Yin sword were to combine with it now, she could use the corresponding sword move to neutralize the sun's energy, which would actually be very beneficial to both of them."

"But without the Yin Sword combined, I naturally cannot resolve this, so I can only jump into the lake. Even so, I feel a burning pain in my heart and a searing pain in my abdomen."

Li Xian suffered a great loss.

He is destined to be rewarded by heaven; as long as the method is correct, even if he repeats the simplest moves forever, his swordsmanship will definitely improve.

There's no need to risk using dangerous moves just to get things done quickly.

Just now, [standing in the sun], although his proficiency increased by [12] points in an instant, it also made him soak in the lake for a long time.

"The wound has reopened."

Li Xian's back was just starting to scab over.

He held a long sword and twirled it.

After this incident, he clearly realized that he had underestimated "martial arts".

Previously, Li Xian had mostly practiced basic martial arts. These types of martial arts focused on techniques and methods of circulating internal energy. Practicing them could increase internal energy and enhance strength.

But learning too many subjects can become monotonous.

Having encountered the [Sunset Blood Sword] today, I realize that the path of martial arts is far more complex than this.

While practicing superior martial arts, one's body will also be affected by the martial arts, becoming stronger.

Like the "Sword of Setting Sun and Decaying Blood," it is practiced under the scorching sun. By drawing in the essence of the sun, it can strengthen one's yang energy.

When yang energy is abundant, the body becomes strong, making it difficult for yin energy to approach, and evil spirits will avoid it.

But Li Xian felt that it wasn't all good.

When the yang energy is too strong, he cannot control it, and his mind becomes filled with distracting thoughts. Moreover, if it goes too far, the internal fire becomes too intense, which in turn evaporates his qi and blood.

This sword technique was intentionally intercepted by Madam Wen.

They taught most of it, but deliberately omitted how to expel the yang energy from the body.

In this way, excessive practice of swordsmanship can lead to an overabundance of yang energy, which can deplete one's vital energy. However, neglecting swordsmanship altogether can also weaken one's vital energy due to the inherent characteristics of the art.

The same applies to advancing and retreating.

He was firmly controlled by his wife...

"But... if I rely on the principle of 'heaven rewards diligence' and cultivate the first level to its peak, then go back to check for omissions and fill in the gaps, I might be able to break free from the invisible constraints."

"The lady is spreading the Dharma... her things are really hard to take."

Li Xian sighed softly.

[The Sword of Setting Sun and Fading Blood]

[Proficiency: 788/1000 (Beginner)]

...

...

It takes one night and two days to simmer, because it is summer and the process of simmering a pot of broth needs to be faster.

That evening, the fine food was about to be taken out of the cauldron.

Li Xian was in high spirits, her destiny revealed...

[Prenatal Washing Diagram]

[Proficiency: 1/81]

(End of this chapter)