Chapter 198 Recipe Mastery, Seeking the Hall

The inner courtyard was like springtime, with lush vegetation.

Lady Wen wore a wide black robe with gilded accents, her long, thick, jet-black hair flowing down to her waist. In front of her was the Heaven and Earth Treasure Box, its lid already open.

Inside, mist swirled, and a golden-scaled fish swam freely across the land.

Madam Wen said, "The yellow of the things in the universe, which are black and yellow, is the yellow of man. It can also be called the mystery of man, the essence of man, and the treasure of man."

"A total of one hundred and eighty people."

"There are specific guidelines on how to consume it."

"I won't say much more, let's just talk about this golden scale."

With a casual wave of her hand, the golden scales leaped out of the box and fluttered in her palm.

"There are four recipes related to it. Of course, there are not only four, but I only know four."

"I'll say one thing, and you should listen carefully."

"Recipe: Golden Light Soup. There are three kinds of essences to consume: the first is [Golden Scales in the Pond] which gives 108 units of human yellow; the second is [Yellow Ginseng] which gives 99 units of human yellow; and the third is [Morning Yellow Dew] which gives 172 units of human yellow."

"Drink the golden carp's tail in the morning, but do not let your feet touch the ground. Eat ginseng root in the summer, but do not touch water for seven days. Drink the yellow dew at night, but do not see the moon. The order in which you drink it, and how you swallow it, must not be deviated from even slightly."

"If everything goes smoothly, you will be able to comprehend the Dao of Art - Golden Light."

"Today I bestow upon you a scale and a tail; though the quantity is small, it contains profound meaning. Drink it directly and savor its essence."

Remove a scale and cut off half of the tail.

Li Xian thanked him and drank the scale and tail. He immediately felt a refreshing coolness throughout his body, the essence of heaven and earth was extremely rich. He did not excrete a single drop, but accumulated it in his abdomen.

More than five hundred strands...

Through ingestion and enhancement, it transformed into seven hundred and fifty strands. Each strand contained the essence of heaven and earth, mixed with mystical techniques.

Li Xian understood: "So... I need to digest this essence of heaven and earth before I can follow the natural course and comprehend the profound techniques within it."

Madam Wen said, "Go and comprehend it yourself. Practice martial arts diligently and digest its essence. You are now a martial arts officer in the county, hmm... not bad. Find some fierce people on the Red List to spar with, which will also help you digest the essence. In your spare time, go out and gain more experience." With a light wave of her sleeve, a gentle breeze blew Li Xian out of the house.

In the courtyard.

Li Xian closed his eyes to contemplate. The essence was pure, the technique unique…

"With my current strength, trying to obtain a treasure technique is nothing short of a pipe dream. But the process of consuming such a Yellow-grade treasure is truly unique."

Even among the essence of heaven and earth, there are differences.

[Eating Essence]

[Proficiency: 62/100]

The essence of food undergoes six transformations.

Li Xian felt refreshed all over, experiencing numerous changes that he couldn't fully grasp. After practicing several sets of martial arts, he finally felt somewhat satisfied.

"After consuming the Golden Carp, the essence of heaven and earth is so rich and concentrated. It accumulates in the body and takes time to digest. During this period, I do not need to consume any more [essence treasures]."

...

...

In early November, Qingning was hit by heavy snow.

The second day after returning to the village was the time for "reviewing accounts".

In the coming days, managers of Mazhuang, mulberry gardeners, village heads from various villages, and others will come to the village to report on the year's market conditions and business performance.

Uncle Xiang was in charge of this matter, but Madam ordered Li Xian to observe and learn from him.

Uncle Xiang laughed and said, "Li Xian, you are now highly regarded by Madam, so don't let her down."

"Definitely," Li Xian replied with a smile.

Uncle Xiang was a shrewd man; he could spot discrepancies in the accounts with just a few listens. He could tell who was slacking off, who was hardworking and conscientious, and who was diligent and conscientious. He rewarded the proactive and punished the lazy.

Their way of doing things is quite worthy of learning.

Li Xian, after getting acquainted with the business operations within the estate, learned that many renowned establishments in the prefectural city, such as [Canyunlou], [Zhenxianglou], and [Chunmengyao], were actually owned by his wife.

Three days of such busy work, checking accounts, verifying receipts... it was extremely tedious. Some people can endure the hardships of martial arts, but find it hard to bear these trivial chores.

Li Xian was naturally eager to learn, and he thought this was a rare opportunity to learn a great deal about business. Therefore, he did not complain and silently took notes.

When Madam heard Uncle Xiang's feedback, she was not very pleased to see that Li Xian was eager to learn about management, which showed that Li Xian's mind was on the estate.

It is becoming increasingly rare.

Then he thought, "Now that I have obtained the Golden Scale, I need to take care of it properly. The Silkworm Jade Inlay Technique and the affairs of the manor will have to be put aside for the time being. During this period, let him have his way and play around."

“When necessary, call him back to the village.”

She didn't object to Li Xian's travels, so he retained his position as "Military Officer." She then summoned Li Xian and granted him a few days' leave. All the labor matters in the manor could be handled by Uncle Xiang.

Uncle Xiang sighed, "Madam, you're afraid these chores will bother your young master, so you always make this old servant do them for you."

He's a peak second-realm martial artist, after all. Spending all day calculating every penny, haggling over money for guards, servants, and maids, is a waste of his talents and a squandering of his life.

Li Xian, unable to bear the longing for his vacation, rode his fine horse and returned to his hometown after more than a month.

The three halls and two factions, the county's most respected officials, and all the families... all came out to greet him. Only after asking did Li Xian learn that it was the "List of Heroes" selecting new members.

The villainous Li Xian has entered the top three, and his fame has grown immensely, generating much discussion.

Li Xian didn't care: "What's the point of caring about such empty fame?" He put it aside and returned to the Martial Guard Hall.

The constables in the hall all wore fierce ghost masks and wielded long steel swords. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, exuding a menacing aura. Luo Xia shouted, "One!" In an instant, the constables drew their swords and slashed forward.

Li Xian was taken aback, remained silent, and observed for a moment.

Luo Xia caught a glimpse of Li Xian out of the corner of her eye and shouted, "Stop!" The constables halted their training. Luo Xia walked over to Li Xian and said, "You're back? I heard you've made quite a name for yourself."

Li Xian laughed and said, "You've certainly caused quite a bit of trouble. As for your reputation... well, you're still someone from the prefectural city who can say whatever they want."

“That’s true,” Luo Xia said. “When you were away, I completely transformed the Martial Guard Hall. These little guys are now quite elite and formidable.”

"If he gains power in the future, he will kill whatever he points at, crushing everything in his path with overwhelming force, he will be incredibly formidable."

Li Xian laughed and scolded, "You traitor!"

Luo Xia threw a grand banquet, and she and Li Xian ate and drank to their hearts' content. Their journey to the prefectural city had been fraught with danger. Their safe return was already a cause for celebration.

At the banquet, everyone clinked glasses and enjoyed themselves immensely, celebrating Li Xian's triumphant return. The servants in the hall, in high spirits and relaxed after drinking, inquired about the grandeur of the prefectural city and their extraordinary encounters along the way.

Li Xian recounted in detail how treacherous the powerful clans were, how rare the delicacies were, and how exciting the battles between the prodigies were. However, he did not mention the matter of the [Golden Scale], fearing that if the constables knew, it would bring trouble upon them.

He thought to himself, "I never imagined that I, Li Xian, would have so many brothers."

Let's have a big drinking session.

And so, everything remained the same.

One day it's spring, the next it's winter.

One day, Li Xian, having nothing to do, suddenly visited "Black River Village." The village chief, Uncle Fu, had died in July, passing away peacefully in his sleep. The position of village chief had been filled by an elderly man surnamed Zhou.

He recognized Li Xian and called out to the villagers to welcome him.

After a year of development, Heihe Village has seen a significant increase in population. Because of the existence of the "Old Farmer's Bandit-Slaying Formation," bandits from Shanfeng Village and other mountain strongholds dared not enter the village. As a result, villagers from surrounding areas migrated to Heihe Village, which gradually grew in size and unity among its inhabitants.

Li Xian strolled around and arrived at the Blackwater River. The Blackwater Gang had been destroyed, and now the Redwater Gang was in power, ruling the area once again.

The "human sails" woven by the Blackwater Gang still stand on the riverbank, but all those inside are dead, reduced to skeletons. The Red Water Gang uses this to highlight the crimes of the Blackwater Gang.

Li Xian gazed at the river and sighed.

"Things have changed, but people are no longer the same."

So much has changed in the past year.

“My younger brother has already set his mind on studying abroad. I used to only ask for enough to eat and not be bullied. Now I have more than enough to eat and wear, and I have quite a reputation in Qingning County. Those who can bully me... are only a few people like my wife.”

"My goal is to become stronger, to surpass my wife, to be free and unrestrained. How difficult that is! But why think too much? Heaven rewards diligence, and success depends on human effort! If I don't die, I will keep moving forward!"

Li Xianxiong was greatly encouraged. He returned home and began practicing diligently.

...

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +2]

Li Xian focused on practicing the Gang Lei Finger and the Can Yang Shuai Xue Sword.

The Sunset Blood Sword reached its perfect state, its body burning hot, flames bursting from its shoulders.

[The Fallen Sun and Bloodstained Sword - Level Two]

[Proficiency: 15/50000 Perfect]

[Description: Your body is tempered by Yang Fire, possessing a pure and fiery physique, impervious to the cold. Your abundant Yang energy easily gains you favor. Unfortunately, your Yin and Yang are imbalanced, resulting in a deficiency in your swordsmanship. You have comprehended the "Extreme Yang Sword Radiance" and the "Life-Protecting Yang Energy."]

Li Xian had already acquired the "Yang Yuan Sword Qi" as his trump card. When he unleashed the Remnant Sun and Decaying Blood Sword Technique, he accumulated his inner energy and fiercely unleashed a sword qi several feet long.

"Yang Polarity Sword Aura" is similar to, but not the same as, Yang Yuan Sword Qi. When Li Xian uses Yang Polarity Sword Aura, the sword blade is imbued with light during his swordplay, making it both offensive and defensive, with endless applications. It contains immense killing power.

Li Xian sensed the progress and was invigorated: "Superior swordsmanship is indeed remarkable. Now I have an extra wisp of life-protecting yang energy, giving me another trump card."

The Qi Lake is undergoing another qualitative change, requiring the accumulation of a lake body of "seventy-two zhang". Such a quantity of Qi is beyond the reach of even a martial artist of the second realm.

Li Xian's "Sunset Sword" reached its second level of perfection, suddenly increasing in size by several zhang. His Qi Lake, nearly forty zhang in size, surged and roared, unleashing its full power with considerable might.

"Though the journey is long, we will eventually arrive if we take one step at a time!"

...

After that time.

Li Xian made rapid progress, undisturbed by trivial matters, practicing during the day and resting at night. When he had free time, he would drink and have fun with his brothers and friends.

Life is carefree.

With the help of the Thunder Stone, Gang Lei Zhi made rapid progress and successfully reached the pinnacle.

The first level of the Sunset Blood Sword is approaching the "Peak of Perfection" realm.

"The Madam cannot discern the secrets of other martial arts techniques. But the Sunset Blood Sword is a combined sword technique. If this sword technique reaches its peak, the Madam will surely become suspicious."

He then temporarily set aside "The Fallen Sun and Decaying Blood Sword - Level 1" and switched to practicing Level 2. He proceeded slowly and deliberately, sensing the variations in sword techniques and exploring endless possibilities.

[Proficiency +2]

[Proficiency +3]

...

Strive silently and climb to the top.

Mid to late November.

Dark clouds gathered over Qingning County. After several days of simmering tension, a fierce wind and snowstorm swept through, blotting out the sun and howling across the sky. Every household in the county shut their doors and windows.

Endure the ravages of wind and snow.

Inside the Wuwei Hall.

In the outer courtyard hall, there are two boilers, one to the east and one to the west. The soup is boiling, containing tiger bones, pork bones, bear bones, deer bones, and sheep bones. Tiger penis, pig penis, bear penis, deer penis, and sheep penis are also present.

Five-bone and five-whip soup. On the table are slices of meat, fresh vegetables, strong liquor... and many other ingredients.

Dozens of servants, including Zhang Hou and Wang Wu, sat around the boiler, eating meat, vegetables, and drinking wine. The biting wind couldn't dampen their enthusiasm.

Wang Wu said, "Sir, this charcoal fire is incredibly strong. Even in this snowy weather, it can still keep the soup boiling hot."

Luo Xia cursed, "Of course! It's a treasure your father smuggled out of the village. You bunch of ignorant fools! Let me tell you, the stuff at the bottom of the pot is much more expensive than the stuff on top!"

"Haha, everyone enjoy your meal, don't worry too much," Li Xian said loudly. The howling wind and snow drowned out his voice, but could not conceal his youthful ambition.

"You... I'm truly impressed!" Luo Xia gave a thumbs up. Despite the wind and snow, and the weather, Li Xian insisted on organizing a gathering, inviting everyone to eat in the snow.

Ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, defying the cold and hardship. Beyond reason, driven by passion. Unconventional and fickle, yet brimming with fervor.

Luo Xia smiled gently, recalling the past. Though she was decisive and ruthless, no one had been as vivid and lively as her. She shook her head and laughed, "Come on, give me some to drink! If I get drunk, I'll put me in the pot to stew."

“Big sister…we’re not drinking with you. We’ll have to get the adults to deal with you.” Zhang Hou laughed, “Hahaha.”

"Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about? Are you looking for a beating?" Luo Xia was furious and embarrassed. She rolled up her sleeves and pretended to hit him.

Zhang Hou fled and begged for mercy, and everyone laughed heartily. They were happy there and asked for nothing more.

Li Xian was startled and stood up, calling out, "Madam?"

Luo Xia's smile vanished, and the constables immediately fell silent, all becoming extremely reserved. Outside the hall, the lady, her skirt fluttering, had actually found her way to the Martial Officer's Hall!

(End of this chapter)