Chapter 141 A Little Power, Signs of Fall?

With the addition of a military officer in Qingning County, the local government office became more lively.

Li Xian was tall and imposing, and although young, he was already showing promise. The five constables were all reserved, but couldn't help but steal glances at him, unable to hide their curiosity.

"Do any of you practice martial arts?" Li Xian asked.

"My lord, I have learned three sword techniques. I wonder if that counts as practicing martial arts?" Zhang Hou asked cautiously.

Wang Wu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said:

"Martial arts are strictly controlled within the county. If we newly arrived constables wish to truly learn martial arts, we must endure at least three years of hardship, serving the older constables tea and water and attending to their every need. Only after three years can we master even a single move."

"Of the five of us, Zhang Hou joined the service the earliest, but only a few months ago. He has only learned three sword techniques to deal with ordinary small merchants and vendors."

As Wang Wu was speaking, Li Xian stepped forward and grabbed his arm. She gently pressed and kneaded it, feeling for bones and tendons.

Wang Wu was shocked and instinctively withdrew his hand. However, he felt that Li Xian was incredibly strong, and with just a slight exertion of his strength, he was no match for him.

Li Xian touched them one by one.

"Although your physical strength is average, if you start learning martial arts now and are willing to work hard, you may still achieve something."

"I will teach you the [Four Directions Fist] technique. Practice it diligently. Whoever develops the first wisp of internal energy first will be rewarded with one hundred coins."

"This boxing technique must not be revealed to outsiders, and those who learn my martial arts must obey my orders. If I find out that you are two-faced, commit crimes, and harm the people, you will be punished."

Li Xian looked around and saw a wooden stick about half a zhang away. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said solemnly, "There is such a stick!"

He raised his palm and struck from a distance.

With a "crack," the wooden stick snapped into several pieces. The five constables, both surprised, delighted, and terrified, knelt down, declaring, "From this day forward, we five are Lord Wuwei's men in life and in death, with absolutely no disloyalty!"

"Alright, get up. I have some free time today, so I'll instruct you in martial arts." Li Xian nodded.

The lady's methods were first-rate, and Li Xian learned a thing or two from her and benefited greatly from them. Winning people over and using both kindness and severity was second nature to him.

The five men were completely convinced and from then on, they were as attentive as his own arms.

The Four Directions Fist is characterized by its square exterior and round interior. Li Xian divides the fist technique into two essential principles: "square" and "round".

First learn "square fist", then master "round fist".

A good teacher's words are priceless, and Master Li's words are concise and to the point. In just a few words, he enlightens people, revealing the true essence of the martial art.

The five were beginners in the martial arts, and although they didn't understand much, they deeply respected Li Xian and memorized all his words.

In this way, one can slowly savor, reflect upon, and ponder. One's mastery of Sifangquan will surely be considerable. Even if one is not naturally gifted, with persistence for more than ten years, one will definitely achieve great success.

If one possesses exceptional talent and keen comprehension, they may make rapid progress, advancing by leaps and bounds.

Arrange everything.

Li Xian also did not slack off and practiced the martial art "Soaring Cloud Hand".

[Zongyun Hand]

[Proficiency: 3415/5000 (Mastery)]

Heaven rewards diligence; hard work will surely lead to progress. However, using the right methods can make all the difference.

Li Xian moved the large pot from the kitchen to the courtyard.

Then Zhang Hou was ordered to bring a type of "grass". This grass was used as fodder for horses and other animals, and it was soft in texture. It also had a remarkable effect: when burned, it produced an unusually large amount of white smoke.

Moreover, the white smoke condenses and does not dissipate, which is extremely peculiar. It is precisely the wonderful method for practicing "Cloud Soaring Hand".

Five constables stood by and watched.

Li Xian placed the straw into the pot, lit it, and covered it with a lid, causing the pot to fill with thick white smoke.

Then he took two pieces of paper, lit them, and threw them into the pot.

The paper burned out, leaving only black smoke.

In this way, white smoke swirls around the pot, mixed with wisps of black smoke. The two types of smoke are mixed, yet clearly distinct and never confused.

Li Xian's hands were nimble. She reached into the pot and, without disturbing the white smoke, drew out the black smoke.

To explore the clouds and retrieve objects, to explore the clouds and retrieve fog!

It's incredible.

The smoke spread out, tangible yet intangible. Reaching into the smoke, one could not stir it in the slightest, which was already incredible.

It's even more absurd to try and extract the black smoke from it.

Li Xian circled the pot, each move precise and swift. He pinched the mist between two fingers and pulled it away.

[Your exploration of the clouds and mist has increased your proficiency by 6.]

[Your exploration of the clouds and mist has increased your proficiency by 8.]

...

Wisps of black smoke, like unraveling a cocoon.

When the pot was filled with pure white steam, not a trace of black smoke could be seen, all the constables were amazed and applauded.

[Proficiency: 3754/5000 (Mastery)]

It was evening.

Li Xian exhaled a light breath, flicked his long, slender fingers, and relaxed his muscles and bones. His practice of burning incense today had yielded significant progress.

He gave a few words of advice and left the hall.

After turning through several streets, we arrived at a clothing shop.

The signboard reads "Luo Zhiyi Shop," and the shop's interior is simply and conventionally decorated.

When Li Xianxing entered the clothing shop, the shopkeeper, seeing Li Xianxing's extraordinary bearing, hurriedly came to inquire, being very respectful. In his heart, he thought, "This gentleman is tall and handsome, with an extraordinary temperament. Why would he patronize my small shop? Could he have come to the wrong place?"

After a brief conversation, Li Xian readily explained his purpose and revealed his identity. The shopkeeper then realized who he was and respectfully said, "So you are Lord Wuwei. I was so blind to your greatness."

Li Xian requested the accounts to investigate the clothing shop's business operations.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, a bolt of coarse cloth cost approximately 250 coins. Shops buying and selling cloth operated on a small scale, making it a low-profit business.

Li Xian glanced at the account book while surveying the clothing shop's surroundings. He pondered to himself:

"This weaving shop was a gift from the Zhao family. The shop is about a hundred square meters, but the source of goods is average, mostly coarse cloth. It is purchased from women in the county. The profit margin for this kind of coarse cloth is small, and the money earned is just hard-earned money."

"It's something that's neither good to eat nor worth throwing away."

“I have reviewed the accounts. When the market is good, I can make a total of two taels of silver a month after deducting my wages.”

This is "West Wind Street".

The business is just average; if it were on "Red Candle Street," it would be a completely different story.

Furthermore, shops in Qingning County were required to pay protection money to the gangs. The amount ranged from a few hundred coins to one or two taels of silver. All things considered, although ordinary people's small shops were more prosperous than tenant farmers, they still lived in constant fear.

The "tailor shop" next to the "Luozhi Clothing Shop" was also Li Xian's property, a gift from the Lin family.

The two clothing shops were in similar situations. After reviewing the account books, Li Xian had a sudden inspiration: "Madam owns a large mulberry orchard, which provides precious silk fabrics every month. If I could extract some of the silk for my clothing shop, my monthly income would surely increase significantly."

I closed the ledger and felt great.

Suddenly, a woman appeared, holding a roll of cloth, and walked into the clothing shop with her head down.

Li Xian called out, "Aunt Liu."

Aunt Liu was startled. She looked around and saw that it was Li Xian calling her. She said tremblingly, "Sir, you...you're calling me?" Her legs went weak with fear.

Li Xian smiled warmly and said, "Aunt Liu, it's me, Xiao Xian. Don't you recognize me?"

"Ah! Little...Little Fairy? You're Little Fairy?" Aunt Liu exclaimed in surprise. Upon closer inspection, she was indeed Li Xian. She said, "How strange, how strange, why do you have a red mole on your head? I must say, it's rather pretty."

"ah…"

Aunt Liu suddenly realized something: "Little Fairy, you...you...you wouldn't happen to be that young hero, would you?"

"I wouldn't dare say that, but that's what everyone's been talking about lately," Li Xian said cheerfully. "Aunt Liu, are you here to sell fabric?"

“Yes,” Aunt Liu said, “A while ago, those fierce Yellow Dragon Army attacked. Your Uncle Wang and I…” At this point, Aunt Liu suddenly realized that Li Xian’s status was different now, and that she might offend him by saying this.

Li Xian smiled and said, "Aunt Liu, let outsiders talk as they please. Don't let it affect our relationship. I still have to thank you for Xiao Fan's matter."

Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Xiao Xian, you are such a good child. Now that you've become successful, you are still so humble. Only people like you can go far."

Li Xian pulled Aunt Liu to a seat, brought her a cup of tea, and asked, "By the way, what happened to Uncle Wang?"

Aunt Liu accepted the drink with both hands, feeling thirsty herself. She took a sip and said, "It's nothing. We were planning to run away, but your Uncle Wang broke his leg and couldn't run anymore. Later, the Huanglong Army suffered a great defeat, and we needed to make a living. Since your Uncle Wang couldn't move around easily, I thought I'd weave cloth to sell."

Li Xian understood, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "How about this? Aunt Liu... you and Uncle Wang can help me manage this clothing shop."

Aunt Liu quickly waved her hands: "How can that be? I'm just a woman. Your Uncle Wang won't do either; besides his foul mouth, he has no real skills. If he ruins your shop, we'll take over. No, no."

"Don't worry," Li Xian said with a smile. "I'll have someone teach you. If it really doesn't work, you can be a part-time shopkeeper and sweep the house every day; that will be useful too."

"this…"

Aunt Liu's eyes welled up with tears, and she said, moved, "Little Fairy, thank you so much..."

Seeing that Aunt Liu was dressed in coarse cloth with patches of various sizes, Li Xian knew that the Liu couple were struggling financially, and now that he had the means, he should help them out.

Seeing Aunt Liu happy, Li Xian couldn't help but think, "Aunt Liu has helped me a lot. If it weren't for her help and attention regarding my brother's matter, neither my brother nor I would have achieved what we have today. My little favor is really nothing."

I'm in a good mood.

...

...

To govern the entire compound.

Li Xian had just taken one gram of "Jingbao" when the essence of heaven and earth overflowed throughout his body.

His chest throbbed like thunder.

When heaven and earth are enraged, thunder roars. Martial artists who consume precious treasures can bring their bodies closer to the power of heaven and earth, and thus also emit similar sounds, which can be used to deter villains.

He left behind five or six strands of the essence of heaven and earth. Li Xian felt refreshed, took a cool bath, and sat in a grand chair in the courtyard, calculating his gains.

Now that shops have sprung up in the city, money is flowing in every day. Although Qingning County is small, it also has powerful forces like the "Dan Pavilion".

Once I have some money, I can buy elixirs and improve my martial arts skills.

The lady will not protect him.

However, he could use his wife's influence to try and make a name for himself in Qingning County.

"The silkworm matter is indeed feasible. If you agree, the meager profit that slips through my fingers will be enough to make me live a life of luxury."

"But... I still need to think about how to bring this up with Madam."

Li Xian was deep in thought.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the house.

"Li Xian, the Madam has emerged from seclusion and requests your presence," Qiu Yue's voice rang out.

Li Xian pushed open the courtyard gate and said, "Alright, I'll be right there."

Qiu Yue turned and left, muttering to herself, "The moment Madam emerged from seclusion, she couldn't wait to summon Li Xian. Although Madam is like a celestial being descended to earth, she is still a woman after all. If this continues..."

(End of this chapter)