Chapter 142 Two people admire the moon, and the silkworm industry brings them wealth.

[Your dual swordswork is now perfectly matched, your skill level increased by 256]

...

Inner courtyard.

The moonlight was as dark as ink, and the shadows of swords were numerous. Li Xian and Wen Caishang combined their swords, harmonizing yin and yang, and their swordsmanship became divine. Every time the swords touched, a clear stream flowed into their bodies.

I have benefited immensely from sword techniques.

The Yang sword technique is fierce and powerful, while the Yin sword technique is gentle and yielding. When both are used together, the balance of strength and gentleness is harmonious with the natural order of heaven and earth, captivating the viewer and making them lose track of time.

Lady Wen may be cold-hearted, but she is by no means devoid of emotion or desire. Each time the two swords unite, it is as if they are having a deep conversation. During these times, seeing Li Xian's handsome appearance, her thoughts inevitably change.

During his previous seclusion, when he was bored, he would sometimes think of the matter of combining swords. As soon as he came out of seclusion, he wanted to stretch his muscles and bones. That's why he called Li Xian over to test his progress in sword techniques.

This examination was quite astonishing. Li Xian had actually reached a high level of mastery.

Madam Wen thought to herself, "The Sunset Blood Sword is inherently flawed and difficult to master. The further one progresses in its practice, the more difficult it becomes. A year is already considered fast from beginner to mastery. I never expected it to be so unexpected. Could it be that he is quite suited to this sword technique?"

"It is truly rare for Li Xian to have made such progress, given his humble origins."

I admire it even more.

The sword in his hand moved like a swimming dragon.

After practicing for half an hour, I finally felt satisfied and broke out in a light sweat.

Madam Wen sheathed her sword, her voice clear and melodious: "I never imagined you would have such a talent for this swordsmanship. You've already reached a high level of mastery."

Li Xian, sword tip pointing downwards, cupped his hands and said, "Thanks to your guidance, Madam. Whenever I encounter a bottleneck, your guidance has greatly helped me, and my swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds."

"Keep up the good work, don't slack off, extend your hand," Madam Wen said.

Li Xian was puzzled. He sheathed his sword and extended his right hand. A flash of sword light appeared, and a sword wound appeared on his palm. It wasn't deep or shallow, but it hurt a lot.

Madam Wen concealed her sword in her sleeve, raised her eyebrows slightly, and said calmly, "I will teach you sword techniques, but because of the nature of swordsmanship, it lacks the intent to kill. I will cut your palm to make you feel the pain. Remember that swordsmanship is a killing art, and understand the difference. Every time you seek my guidance in the future, I will make a mark on your palm."

Li Xian knew his wife was strange, and knew this was definitely a lie. "Then, after that day, I..."

Madam Wen looked over. Li Xian said helplessly, "Even so, if there is anything I don't understand, I will still come to Madam for guidance."

Madam Wen nodded, satisfied, thinking, "I need to leave you scarred so you'll understand the meaning of a deep wound and become my servant."

Unaware that Li Xian already knew the secret of the "Sunset Blood Sword," she always referred to the combination as "guidance."

The sword intent was fully expressed.

Madam Wen said, "You wait here." She then turned and walked into the courtyard.

Qiu Yue had already prepared hot water, sprinkled with flower petals, which gave off a delicate fragrance. Madam Wen took off her clothes, revealing some unusual marks on her body. She lightly touched the water's surface with her toes, and finding the water temperature suitable, she immersed herself in the bath.

“Madam, this bath contains over a hundred kinds of medicinal herbs, and their effects are just right,” Qiuyue said from the side, holding the clothes she had changed out of.

As the lady's personal maid, she always managed to use the leftover soup and liquid from each of her mother's medicinal baths.

"Not bad." Madam Wen nodded. She closed her eyes slightly, relaxing.

"Madam, Li Xian is still waiting in the courtyard. Is it...?" Qiu Yue asked.

Madam Wen said, "It's alright, let him wait." She gently brushed her hand, and the medicine seeped into her skin. The misty air made her look like a fairy from the water.

...

...

Li Xian waited anxiously in the courtyard for an hour. As night deepened, he looked around, admiring the flowers, the fish, and the trees.

The lady has extremely high taste.

Every flower, every blade of grass, every tree, and every stone in the courtyard is meticulously arranged.

The bloodstains on his palm were just the right depth—painful but not damaging. Li Xian gradually understood the lady's intentions. His mind cleared; if he had the ability in the future, starting his own business would be the best course of action.

"The lady should be bathing, but I wonder what her purpose is in making me wait," Li Xian thought to himself. Suddenly, he saw the bright moon in the sky, as round as a plate. Today is the fifteenth of July, a perfect time for moon gazing.

Then a maid came and brought a rosewood tea table, smooth and lustrous like jade, to the shore of a lake. There were also jade fruit dishes and an exquisite wine pot…

In no time, the spots for moon viewing were all set up.

The lady had just emerged from her bath, dressed in a silk robe, casual yet alluring. Water droplets clung to the ends of her hair as she sat at the table.

The scenery here is truly exceptional.

Goldfish frolic in the lake, and birds build nests in the trees. Drinking and making merry adds a unique charm to the scene.

"Madam, is there anything else you need?" Li Xian had been waiting for a long time, and seeing that the night was getting deeper, she took the initiative to ask.

Madam Wen pointed to the seat next to her and said, "Sit down."

After Li Xian took his seat, he said, "Today, the prefectural city sent over some fresh 'water lychees,' which you probably haven't tried before. Please have a couple."

Li Xian had noticed that there was a plate of fruit on the table, which resembled lychees but was redder and had a pinkish hue upon closer inspection.

Break open the fruit peel.

The flesh is plump and round, exuding a rich aroma, with juice overflowing from it. Eating it is like holding a piece of sweet jade in your mouth; the deliciousness is indescribable.

"What a waste!" Madam Wen picked up one with two fingers and said, "Do you know how much silver this one costs?"

Li Xian, of course, had no idea and guessed, "Five hundred coins?" Madam Wen chuckled and shook her head, saying, "You really have broadened your horizons."

"Fifteen taels of silver is more expensive than that Dragon Roar Charcoal."

"Could it have some special effects?" Li Xian clicked his tongue in amazement.

Madam Wen shook her head: "Things are valued for their rarity. These water lychees are certainly delicious, but in terms of value, they are by no means worth fifteen taels of silver."

"It's all this stuff; it will rot within three days of being removed from the branch. No matter what we try, it's hard to preserve. We've tried freezing it with ice and sealing it in a 'heavenly box,' but it still can't be preserved."

"Therefore, it is extremely expensive. It is precisely because of its high price that people flock to it and consider it an honor to enjoy the lychee."

Li Xian said, "I see. Thank you for your kindness, Madam. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would never have tasted such delicious food in my life."

But in his heart he thought, "People use wealth to show off their status, but I don't care for that. These lychees may be delicious, but they're not worth it."

Madam Wen smiled and said, "I didn't spend a penny on this plate of lychees. It was all a gift from someone else. Tonight you'll be with me to admire the moon, so please feel free to try this plate of fruit."

She was dressed in a sheer gauze dress, her graceful figure and charm were captivating under the moonlight.

[Proficiency +1]

[Skill: Eight Forms of Soaring Clouds]

[Proficiency: 258/500 (Beginner)]

The lady gave a knowing look. Li Xian understood, and sat behind her, massaging her shoulders to relieve her fatigue. Madam Wen, already used to it, casually asked, "How's the situation in the county?"

Li Xian said, "There's nothing much going on yet, except that when I took on the role of Martial Officer, many people in the county's martial arts schools were dissatisfied."

Madam Wen said calmly, "You need to resolve this matter yourself."

Li Xian naturally knew that the dignified Lady Zhejian would never lower herself to help him.

“Of course,” Li Xian said. “It’s just that, Madam, I own two clothing shops in the city, but I’m struggling to find enough fabric. I’m thinking…”

"You want to buy some silk fabrics from me?" Madam Wen was incredibly shrewd.

"Yes," Li Xian said.

After a moment's consideration, Madam Wen said, "My mulberry orchard does produce some inferior goods every month. I can sell them to you cheaply, that's fine."

The lady ran a business in the prefectural city.

The half-drop of oil that dripped down was enough to support the clothing shop in the county.

Watching from the sidelines, Qiu Yue felt a great sense of urgency. Madam was now having physical contact with Li Xian without any resistance. If this continued, and Madam asked Li Xian to help her learn that martial art, where would she find a place to stay?

...

...

The next day.

Li Xian emerged from the inner courtyard. He didn't know when it had started, but every time he entered the inner courtyard, it would be all night.

"Commander Li, it's almost time for the guard competition in our village."

Ding Hu got up early because the guard competition had been postponed for a long time. He needed Li Xian's instructions on the specifics, so he went to the Commander's Courtyard to find Li Xian. He didn't see him and guessed that he had come to the inner courtyard, so he waited under a willow tree outside the courtyard.

Sure enough, he saw Li Xian. He couldn't help but think, "The commander and his wife, could it be..." Despite his suspicions, he dared not speak them aloud.

Li Xian said, "The Guardian Competition... Alright! There's no time like the present, let's do it today."

The details of the matter were handed over to Ding Hu to handle.

Before long, all the guards gathered at the manor's main courtyard, each displaying their talents and striving for further advancement.

Li Xian personally arrived to oversee order at the scene. After the competition, some rose and some fell, so there wasn't much to say.

Li Xian focused his investigation on Ding Hu.

This man has been a guard for eight years. He was originally an apprentice at a martial arts school outside the manor, but was recruited into the manor by Commander Pang.

It's difficult to definitively judge whether someone is good or bad.

But he was well-versed in the rules of the manor and held considerable prestige among the guards. He was enough to keep the place in check.

Li Xian decided to promote him to the rank of "Chief of the Guards". When Li Xian was not in the manor, Ding Hu would take charge and manage the guards.

They have certain powers over matters such as the competition for protecting the manor and the arrangement of patrol duties.

Ding Hu was overjoyed and so excited that he knelt down.

After half a day of this commotion, at noon, Li Xian, having eaten and drunk his fill, stole seven dry biscuits from the vegetarian restaurant.

He stole his wife's provisions to support his own army.

He rode back to Qingning County.

Wuweitang.

Zhang Hou, Wang Wu, and others diligently practiced the Four Directions Fist. Wang Wu was particularly gifted and was able to develop internal energy within three days.

"Brothers, it's time to eat."

Li Xian greeted them with a smile, tossing the cloth bag containing dried biscuits onto the stone table.

The group tore open their cloth bags, ate the dry rations with cold water, and devoured them.

"Was anything unusual while I was away?" Li Xian asked.

"Reporting to Commandant Wu, there are no abnormalities for now." Zhang Hou ate too quickly, and a dry biscuit got stuck in his throat. He drank some cold water and then pounded his chest hard before he could barely swallow it.

"That's good." Li Xian smiled and said, "Eat slowly."

Suddenly, a loud "dong long" sound was heard, and the drum outside the hall was struck.

Li Xian frowned, strode out, and saw a man dressed in gang attire playing a drum.

"They really have arrived. The three halls and two factions of this county have been waiting for me." Li Xian understood and asked, "Who are you, and why are you beating the drum?"

The man chuckled and said, "Reporting to my lord, I am a disciple of the Snake Walk Sect. You've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you for a long time."

Li Xian asked, "What is it?"

The man chuckled, his posture unsteady, and said, "That's a very important matter, a very, very important matter. The situation is critical, please, sir, come with me."

“Only you, sir, can resolve these disputes in the martial world. No one else can help. After all, you are the only Grand Martial Commandant in our county.”

This statement contains gloating and a sarcastic tone.

The man then said, "Of course, if you don't dare to come, you don't have to. We all understand."

Li Xian stepped forward and pressed down on the man's shoulder: "Enough with the idle talk, hurry up and take me there." With a slight force, the man's shoulder cracked, and his arm went numb.

The smile vanished from his face, replaced by fear. Tears streamed down his face from the pain.

"M-Sir, please...please let go, I...I'll take you there right away," the man said in a panic.

Li Xiansong let go. The man was terrified and staggered away, tearing open his clothes to reveal a striking black and red handprint.

"Hurry up," Li Xian said calmly.

"Yes, yes, yes, sir, please." The man bowed and scraped. He had previously heard rumors within the gang that this military officer was quite unsavory. After seeing him today, he still couldn't be sure whether those rumors were true or false.

But in any case, this military officer was not someone he could afford to offend. Only after truly learning his lesson did he realize his place.

What's going on?

Turning a corner from Wuwei Hall, you'll find yourself on "West Wind Street." Though not bustling, the street usually has its share of pedestrians and merchants. Today, however, it's deserted, shops closed, and a scene of utter chaos.

There were still signs of vandalism on the ground.

"My lord, this...this is related to the conflict in the martial arts world. We were caught in the crossfire. I...I've come to ask for your help with this matter."

The snake-walking disciple wiped away a cold sweat, not daring to meet Li Xian's gaze.

(End of this chapter)