Chapter 206 Heroes of the Martial World, Madam, Please Enter

[Eating Essence]

[Proficiency: 81/100]

[Description: You drink the essence of heaven and eat the sap of earth. Your body's essence flows with the power of heaven and earth, containing boundless potential. You have undergone nine transformations through consuming essence, a long and arduous journey, but you have already traversed more than half. Reaching the second realm of martial arts is just around the corner.]

Li Xian practiced martial arts, comprehended their essence, and absorbed their core principles. His strength steadily improved, his foundation gradually grew, and he naturally reached the "Eighth Transformation of Essence Consumption".

Her body radiated a mysterious glow, her ethereal beauty impossible to conceal.

Her long hair moves freely without wind, its charm unique.

Madam Wen asked curiously, "As martial artists in the Essence Consumption Realm consume and digest precious essences, their physiques gradually transform. Those with the Transformation Aspect will gradually show its characteristics, and may even undergo a certain degree of transformation, giving rise to other features."

"A perfect appearance is like fine porcelain, and martial arts skills are extraordinary, surpassing others. However, even fine porcelain has differences. This fine porcelain of mine seems to be the work of a master craftsman, meticulously sculpted. Its appearance is quite remarkable."

...

...

It was the first day of the first lunar month.

As the weather warmed, frost and snow decreased. Taking advantage of the good weather, the laborers cleared the snow from the roads.

Side gate of Yihezhuang.

Lady Wen rode a white cloud, her skirt veiled beneath a pale green cloak. Her hair was styled in an updo, adorned with a silver hairpin. Her skin was fair, and her red lips alluring.

This trip is a proper venturing into the world.

Li Xian was fully equipped.

Wearing silk armor, a precious treasure of the prefectural city. But it comes from Yihe Manor and can withstand swords, spears, clubs, palm strikes and slashes... woven from fine and tough silk, it contains a complex and intricate set of techniques.

Li Xian led his horse out of the manor and groomed its mane. He checked his belongings: a change of clothes, ingenious tools, poisons and hidden weapons, and valuables for his journey... all were complete. He mentally reviewed them again, finding nothing amiss.

Beside the saddle hung a yellow scabbard. The Chenjiang Sword originally had no scabbard; its blade was too sharp and conspicuous, easily attracting covetous eyes. Li Xian spent money to have a scabbard made for it, concealing its sharpness and allowing him to travel discreetly.

"I do not know about Madam's past, but judging from her temperament, I am afraid she has many enemies, far more than expected."

Li Xian guessed that the road ahead was fraught with danger, and immediately assessed his own strength.

Basic martial arts: Four Directions Fist, Gentle Breeze Leg, Iron Copper Body, Great Luo Saber Technique, Cloud Soaring Hand;

Inferior martial arts techniques: Azure Palm, Thunder Finger, Vast Leg;

Superior martial art: Sunset Bloodstained Sword.

Of the nineteen martial arts techniques, sixteen have reached their pinnacle, and three have been perfected, accumulating a Qi lake of forty-nine zhang.

Li Xian's breath hitched, and the dark light trembled. His iron-copper body moved without hindrance, his body as hard as iron, and his aura as powerful as a dragon.

"Although I am weak in the face of the Dragon Appreciation Clan, I have done everything I could and have no regrets."

...

...

The journey was long and required departure a month in advance. Even Wen Caishang was provided with several sets of clothes to change into.

A few miles outside the village. A gentle breeze blows, and the sleeves of clothes flutter.

This journey took us westward, bypassing the prefectural city and taking only remote side roads. We left the Qiongtianfu region in four or five days without encountering any major troubles along the way.

The Great Wu Dynasty has a vast territory. It is divided into four major domains: East, South, West, and North. Below the domains are the Dao, and below the Dao are the prefectures and states. Some prefectures and states are of the same level, while others are one level higher.

On the fifth day of their journey, they arrived at "Qunshazhou". Here, yellow sand filled the sky, and the sun blazed high. Eight hundred miles of barren desert stretched out, and not a single trace of human presence could be found.

Traveling here is truly an ordeal. A furnace hangs overhead, and at night it feels like falling into an ice cave. All night long, one must circulate one's Qi to ward off the bitter cold. Demons lurk outside, while the scorching sun wreaks havoc above.

Fortunately, it only takes two days to bypass Qunshazhou.

Continuing westward...

Li Xian took care of everything along the way, from lighting fires for meals and changing clothes to interacting with people; the lady only needed to ride her horse.

For those who roam the martial world, sleeping in the wilderness is a common occurrence. The lady is elegant and refined, with businesses scattered throughout the city. She has extensive experience in the martial world, yet she is not spoiled.

When truly venturing into the world, enduring wind and rain, sleeping outdoors, drenched in sweat, and going days without changing clothes is perfectly normal. Demanding simplicity and cleanliness, or indulging in romantic notions, is utterly unrealistic.

Li Xian traveled twice. Once south to Zhou City to purchase medicinal herbs for martial artists. The other time north to the prefectural city, where he feasted at a grand banquet and won the Golden Carp Award. Lady Wen rode in a carriage, resting and sleeping along the way, eating and drinking jade dew... nothing could have been more enjoyable. Yet, all that could be considered was sightseeing and enjoyment.

The roads of the martial world are difficult to travel. Riding a horse-drawn carriage requires traveling on wide official roads, which is quite inconvenient.

The dangers of the martial world lie in the people. The hardships of the martial world lie in the journey.

True adventure in the martial world involves traversing vast mountain trails, sometimes with no sign of human habitation for miles around. Wild beasts, demons, harsh winters, and scorching heat... these are constant threats.

On this day.

They traveled to the desolate wilderness, where wind and snow raged.

Li Xian chopped down trees, piled them up, and started a fire by brandishing his sword. He then took a leather blanket from beside the saddle and spread it flat on the snow. He sprinkled medicinal powder around it to repel insects and beasts.

Li Xian said, "Madam, we'll have to camp out in the open again tonight."

Lady Wen nodded, dismounted, and sat cross-legged on the carpet. She straightened her clothes and closed her eyes to meditate. Her white robes were as pure as snow, spotless. Despite the weariness and toil of her journey, her elegance and poise remained undiminished.

Li Xian was hungry and had been eating dry rations for several days.

He then went out hunting and shot two rabbits and a wild boar.

Suddenly, an inn came into view in the distance, nestled among the mountains.

Li Xian was overjoyed and couldn't help but think, "When I saw inns and hostels before, I always wondered... how could there be guests in such remote places? Now that I've personally ventured into the world, I know how difficult it is. Having a bed to sleep in is already extremely comfortable. To see these inns in the wilderness is truly the best thing ever."

Carrying a wild rabbit in his hand and a wild boar on his shoulder, he informed the lady. Lady Wen looked up and said, "Alright, let's go to the inn for the night." He mounted a white cloud and headed to the inn.

Li Xian booked two guest rooms and then said to the waiter, "Please boil a basin of hot water and bring it to the upper room for my wife to bathe in."

The waiter did as instructed, boiling water and bringing it to the upper room. Madam Wen was drenched in sweat; how could a person of the martial world truly remain untouched by worldly affairs? She immediately went upstairs to bathe.

Li Xian handed over the wild rabbit and wild boar to the innkeeper, instructing them to stir-fry them with salt, scallions, garlic, and oil to make a side dish. The remaining wild boar meat was left for the innkeeper.

That evening, I had a hearty and enjoyable meal. All the fatigue of the past few days was completely swept away.

Li Xian pushed open the window. Snowflakes blew into the room, and he looked up, feeling both calm and excited.

Rest for a night.

They set off again the next day. Along the way, they passed through Huazhi Prefecture, bypassed Jianlong Prefecture, and crossed Kunlai Prefecture.

Li Xian witnessed the vastness of the Yuzhou region. Upon arriving at each place, he purchased geographical maps, carefully studied them, and pondered the local terrain.

My first encounter with the vastness of the world.

...

...

In mid-January.

Dozens of miles away from Laolongtan, there is a town called "Dragon Claw Town".

There is a river beside the town. The water is clear, and children swim and play on both banks, catching fish and crabs... having a great time.

When they get tired of playing, they lean back and float on the water to rest.

The children, who had grown up in the town, were excellent swimmers. Recently, many outsiders, all dressed in the attire of martial arts practitioners, had arrived in Dragon Claw Town. The children, frolicking in the water, curiously observed these travelers.

Some wore coarse linen clothes and carried giant swords on their backs. Others wore brocade robes and had graying temples. And then there were others... whose shapes and appearances resembled monsters, bizarre and terrifying beyond belief. Some had large tumors growing on their heads.

To the north of Longzhao Town lies a long mountain range. It shelters the town from the cold climate, making it spring-like all year round. The townspeople live a peaceful and contented life, undisturbed by worldly affairs.

It's like a paradise on earth.

The sudden influx of so many outsiders caught everyone off guard. Some women came to the shore and called out loudly, leading their children back into their homes.

The town is not large, with about 40,000 households. There are not many streets and alleys, and the bustling places such as inns and restaurants are all concentrated on "Milong Street".

The street is four li long, with ten inns and seven restaurants…

All are already overcrowded.

It's safe to say that rooms are hard to find and seats are extremely scarce.

The inns and restaurants were all full, and the tea shops along the street had set up small wooden chairs in the middle of the street, making it very difficult to walk. Even so, visitors came in droves upon hearing the news.

The streets were crowded with martial artists, who jostled and shouted insults. Some of them wore similar clothing, clearly indicating they were from the same school.

Yu Nan Dao is a gathering place for heroes, with elders from various sects, martial arts school masters, and aristocratic family elders being a common sight.

The most luxurious restaurant in town is called "Wangzhenlou".

The building is seven zhang and eight chi tall, with carved beams and painted rafters, and exquisite decorations. It stands out from the crowd, truly exceptional.

There are 120 seats in the building, 34 private rooms, and 21 guest rooms.

Naturally full.

The guests inside brought their own tea. They sat calmly in one seat, cautiously observing their surroundings, yet feigning indifference as they slowly sipped their tea.

The dragon viewing banquet is just around the corner.

Those who can secure a seat in the upper room are no ordinary people. Guests outside and heroes arriving late naturally also want to claim a seat.

Thus, the unspoken rules were established. Though the restaurant was small, it housed the most intense rivalries and conflicts of the martial world. Those who could sit in the lower seats could look down upon those outside. Those who could sit in the middle seats could look down upon those in the lower seats. Those who could sit in the upper seats could look down upon those in the middle seats…

Those who can enter a private room or enjoy a private room are considered first-rate, even among a gathering of heroes! Amidst the throngs of people, one can still secure a quiet spot.

With a creak.

The half-open door was pushed open, and an old man and a young man entered the room.

The crowd looked up. The old man, dressed in a cassock, with a bald head and a withered face, clasped his hands and laughed, "I am just passing through this place, and my legs are aching. I would like to ask for a cup of tea and a seat. I wonder who would be willing to accommodate me?"

The hero in the building said, "Before asking for a seat, you must first register your name."

"At your age, you don't even know these rules; you've truly wasted your life."

"Old monk, playing the victim here is useless. Quickly show your skills. If you are capable, not only will a seat be yours, but the private room will be yours too!"

...

The sounds of open and veiled mockery mingled with laughter. The martial arts figures outside, though failing to secure a seat, were no weaklings. They all turned their gazes in, eagerly awaiting the spectacle.

The old man smiled and said, "My Buddhist name is 'Compassion.' Please, hero, give me a seat." He gestured to the middle-aged man in white by the window.

The crowd erupted in uproar: "What kind of compassionate monk is he? He's just an old bald donkey, yet he's so blind. How dare he ask the Lord of Lanyue Manor to abdicate?"

"It should be noted that although it is a lower seat, it is by the window, and the position is excellent. Even the middle seats cannot compare to it."

The owner of Lanyue Manor was taken aback and looked over. The compassionate monk approached with the young monk and said, "Please offer your seat, benefactor."

The owner of Lanyue Manor laughed and said, "I'll give you my seat, but you must drink this cup of wine first." His gaze sharpened, and he poured the wine out of his cup.

This attack concealed extremely powerful martial arts techniques; the wine scattered everywhere, creating a misty vapor in the air. Within the mist, a mirage was hidden.

It turned out that this splash was actually a mid-level palm technique called the "Moon-Embracing Palm." This palm technique was the signature skill of Bi Chunfu, the master of Moon-Embracing Manor, and this particular move was called "Embracing the Moon in the Water."

The compassionate monk pointed to a spot of golden light, like a wisp of morning mist. He reached for a wine cup with his right hand, and with his fingers, he guided the mist into the cup, where it gathered back into water.

The owner of Lanyue Manor laughed and said, "A petty trick like that won't get you a drink." As he finished speaking, the wine cup trembled violently and cracks appeared.

It turns out that the "Embracing the Moon in the Water" move, although a palm technique, actually injures people with its "sound." Hidden within the mist of wine is a powerful internal energy, producing subtle sounds that are difficult for others to hear. Only by making close contact and suffering severe injuries can one discover its secrets.

In the path of martial arts, life-or-death combat is certainly important.

With comprehensive methods and profound resources, I can meet any challenge head-on and resolve any situation, no matter what tactics you employ, and I can win over everyone.

Suddenly, with a "crack," the wine glass shattered into powder. The wine then turned into mist.

The compassionate monk raised an eyebrow and inhaled deeply. The alcohol vapor entered his lungs, its killing power undiminished; it seemed about to pierce his chest and body, a gruesome sight. The compassionate monk struck his chest with a palm, a ring of golden light emanating from his body.

The owner of Lanyue Manor looked grim: "Good monk, you actually know how to resolve this, you're quite something!" He snorted and gave up his seat.

The assembled heroes were bewildered.

On the second floor, in the middle seat, someone explained: "This compassionate monk is a high-ranking Buddhist monk. He has mastered the Buddhist Chanting Palm. The wine mist that drifts in the air is easy to avoid, but it contains melodies and is extremely difficult to drink. Therefore, the old monk first drinks and then strikes his body with the Chanting Palm, using sound to neutralize the hidden sonic content of the Moon-Embracing Palm."

"Who are you! How dare you spout such nonsense!" The Lord of Lan Yue Manor roared in fury. The Lan Yue Palm technique, which concealed sound effects, was one of his deadly moves. Now that it had been exposed, how could this not be extremely bad?

The owner of Lanyue Manor said angrily, "Since you are so powerful, then I shall go upstairs and ask for a seat."

"It's not necessary. You're not strong enough; it would be pointless for you to come up." The voice came down.

Seeing that all the heroes in the arena were about to die, the Lord of Lanyue Manor would lose all face. He said coldly, "Ignorant brat, talking nonsense about my Lanyue Palm. Hmph, let me show you what I'm capable of." Then he went upstairs.

The speaker on the second floor was a middle-aged man dressed in white. He was short but very neat. "Your mere Moon-Gazing Palm is nothing more than a clumsy imitation of the martial arts of my Azure Water Cave." He also took a cup of wine and splashed it at the Moon-Gazing Manor Master.

But it was completely different; the wine vanished into thin air. When it reappeared, it had already splattered all over the Moon-Gazing Manor Owner.

The Lord of Lanyue Manor was furious and about to retaliate. Suddenly, his expression turned terrified, and his skin seemed to evaporate, dissipating like mist. In utter despair, he sat down cross-legged on the spot, seeking a way to break the spell.

The expert from the Azure Water Cave laughed and said, "Little ball, get out of here." He then kicked the Lord of Lanyue Manor.

The Lord of Lanyue Manor sat cross-legged, condensing his Qi to prevent his flesh and blood from evaporating. He could only let it do as it pleased, and it actually rolled down like a ball.

It rolled all the way to the gate.

The crowd burst into laughter. Suddenly, the door was pushed open again.

But a handsome young man came in first.

"Madam, please come in."

(End of this chapter)