Chapter 80: Dangers from Many Sides, Touching the Blood

They ate until midnight. Li Xian was so full that he covered the remaining tiger carcass with snow and left it in the yard.

Go to bed and hibernate.

My first night in Heihe Village passed peacefully.

The next day, a rooster crowed in the east.

Li Xian stretched, his bones cracking. At fifteen years old, despite coming from a poor family, he had managed to eat his way up to a strong and healthy build thanks to various resources.

It snowed last night.

But Li Xian didn't feel cold at all; in fact, he even broke out in a sweat, explaining that the pure yang beast was good for keeping warm.

He had long developed the habit of jogging in the morning to invigorate his blood and energy. He would apply ice and snow to his face, which would give him a feeling of exhilaration.

He then began to practice martial arts.

[You rise with the rooster's crow and practice your boxing diligently; your proficiency has increased by 1.]

[You throw a punch towards the sun, your energy and blood flow freely, proficiency +1]

The first rays of sunlight fell upon Li Xian.

The Four Directions Fist technique has been perfected, and when it is wielded now, it is quite powerful, possessing a unique charm that belongs only to Li Xian.

"When I am in Zhuangzi's company, I must conceal my skills and not reveal my perfect boxing techniques."

"Being in Heihe Village right now, I feel free and can practice my boxing to my heart's content."

Li Xian deeply felt that freedom was a rare privilege.

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 499/10000 Perfect]

He devoted himself to martial arts practice, completely undisturbed and free from patrolling and other miscellaneous tasks.

He studied in one go until noon.

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 568/10000 Perfect]

The steady progress delighted him. Wiping away his sweat, Li Xian ate some tiger meat and then went into the village to find Uncle Fu.

"Sir, are you finding your stay comfortable?"

When Uncle Fu saw that Li Xian had come looking for him, he dared not be negligent.

"It's alright," Li Xian said. "I'm new here and not very familiar with this place. I would appreciate it if Uncle Fu could send someone to explain it to me."

Uncle Fu said, “I can come. I grew up here. Who knows this place better than me?”

"I'm afraid Uncle Fu's health won't be able to handle it," Li Xian said with a smile. "I need to conduct on-site investigations, climbing mountains and wading through rivers."

"Ah!" Uncle Fu exclaimed in surprise, "You...you mean you're going to leave the village?"

He said seriously, "Sir, it's not that I'm trying to stop you, but there are many tigers and beasts in these mountains. The last guard died tragically in the jaws of a tiger."

"Furthermore, besides the tigers and beasts, there are also many man-made disasters. There's the Mountain Wind Stronghold near the mountains, good heavens, they're really fierce. And there's the Blackwater Gang near the river, good heavens, they kill without blinking an eye."

Li Xian said, "The main thing is to go and check out the farmland, as well as the surrounding areas where people collect water and cut firewood. There's no need to worry."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu was relieved. He was quite old and it was inconvenient for him to personally lead the way and explain things. So he asked his son, a middle-aged man in his forties, to guide them.

His name is Fukang.

“Sir, please follow me,” Fukang said, bowing.

The duties of the guards stationed outside the village were to watch over the firewood, protect the forests, guard the fields, and safeguard the village.

Villages are divided into rich and poor. Those stationed in rich villages live a very comfortable life. Those stationed in poor villages, however, face numerous dangers.

Heihe Village has a total of 3,000 mu of land, which belonged to the wife. There are more than 100 households, all of whom are the wife's tenant farmers.

The farmland at the east entrance of the village has been abandoned for winter. The water source is a stream on the neighboring mountain.

The stream here flows gently year-round and is very important to the villagers.

"Brother Fu, what do you think is the most dangerous?" Li Xian asked casually.

“Danger?” Fu Kang pondered for a moment and said, “There are too many dangers. People die in our village every year.”

"There are many dangers. Wild beasts and poisonous snakes are secondary. The key is the people from Shanfeng Village and Blackwater Gang. They are the ones who drive people to their deaths."

"The Blackwater Gang guards the water source, leaving people without water. The Mountain Wind Village comes down the mountain to rob grain, and since their harvest was already meager, they were further plundered."

"If you refuse to hand over the grain, he'll definitely beat you to death. But if you do hand it over... you might freeze or starve to death."

"Fortunately, there are some fruits in the mountains. If we are really hungry, we can find someone to go up the mountain with and pick some fruits to fill our stomachs."

"That might offer a chance of survival."

"But then again, when you go up the mountain to pick fruit, the wild animals don't hold back. Alas."

As they were talking, the two came to a ravine.

Fukang pointed down and said, "This place was originally a river, but the neighboring Chihe Village, relying on the fact that its village chief is related to a flag bearer of the Blackwater Gang, has some connections."

“The villagers secretly dug channels to divert the river’s course.”

"Hey, they actually managed to do it. Now we're out of water and have to beg them for help."

The river is seven or eight zhang wide and extends deep into the mountains.

Li Xian bent down to observe and found that the riverbed was dry, with lush vegetation inside, as if it were springtime. However, the riverbanks just a few feet away were covered with blankets of snow.

He reached out and placed his hand above the riverbed.

I felt a slight warmth.

"Sir, have you noticed anything unusual?" Fukang asked.

"It's nothing," Li Xian asked. "Aren't you curious about the lush vegetation here?"

Fukang said, "What's so curious about that?"

He hadn't thought about any of that.

"Too."

Li Xian stopped asking questions. These villagers struggled to even have enough to eat and drink; the word "curiosity" was far too extravagant.

...

...

Tiger soup is simmering in the stove.

In the yard.

Li Xian is diligently practicing boxing.

Today's initial exploration reveals that Black River Village harbors numerous dangers. Only by rapidly increasing our strength can we ensure our safety.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

Li Xian unleashed a flurry of punches.

After mastering the Four Directions Fist, one can throw punches with ease and freedom, always feeling a sense of comfort and naturalness.

By using both hands to perform punches, one can multiply their abilities and thus increase their power.

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 620/10000 Perfect]

Li Xian practiced until his hands trembled and his muscles ached. He then changed his leg techniques and practiced the Qingfeng Leg, using the leg wind to clear the snow in the yard.

[Qingfeng Leg]

[Proficiency: 345/5000 (Mastery)]

[Azure Palm]

[Proficiency: 219/2000 Mastery]

...

Ordinary martial artists should not practice too much martial arts in a single day, otherwise their qi and blood will become disordered, leading to the opposite of their intended effect. If they misremember the moves, they risk losing their martial arts skills altogether.

You can study one or two subjects.

Li Xian has the principle of "Heaven rewards diligence," and although he is not bound by such constraints, there are only twelve hours in a day, and including the "Great Luo Blade," there are four martial arts techniques.

If rain and dew are evenly distributed.

Although they can advance side by side, it will inevitably slow down the promotion process.

"Why not concentrate our time and specialize in two martial arts techniques each day?"

Li Xian made up her mind.

Let's focus on the "Four Directions Fist" and the "Gentle Breeze Leg." These two martial arts were the first ones Li Xian learned, and they accompanied him as his situation improved.

From Grade D to Grade B. Now stationed elsewhere, although still Grade B, it is actually considered "Grade A". Because only Grade A guards are qualified to be stationed elsewhere.

"Sifangquan is nearing its pinnacle, and I'd like to see what it looks like at its peak."

"The Qingfeng Leg technique can enhance leg strength, increasing the chances of escaping danger in the future."

"It's a pity about the Azure Palm, a top-level martial art... It makes me really itchy to learn it."

"But one must eat one bite at a time, and practice martial arts one step at a time. During my time stationed here, I... can certainly master all these martial arts techniques one by one!"

When the mind is clear and focused, the punches become more direct.

They practiced until nightfall.

Li Xian discovered that her efficiency had significantly improved.

Although the second-class guards only need to patrol for two hours, there is a rule in the village that once night falls, guards are not allowed to go out for a stroll if they are not on duty.

Therefore, the only time for actual martial arts practice is during the daytime.

Around dusk, one would need to fetch water, wash up, and eat... Including these spare moments, the time spent practicing martial arts was greatly reduced.

Nowadays, if one has the energy, no one will say anything if one practices until midnight.

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

Li Xian only stopped practicing when her stomach started growling.

They carried the large boiler to the courtyard and feasted on the Tiger Soup.

A mouthful of milky white soup went down.

[Drink Tiger Soup, skill proficiency increased by 6]

The qi and blood depleted from martial arts practice were quickly replenished. A slight warmth emanated from his bones and flesh, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort.

Even tigers can't withstand the slow, intense cooking over a high flame. They become mushy and fall off the bone, and...

Li Xian sprinkled a handful of salt into this tiger soup!

It tastes delicious!

"Now, as long as I'm full, I can also enjoy my food."

"Tomorrow's tiger soup will be made with some wild vegetables, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables for good nutrition."

Li Xian clutched her abdomen, feeling completely refreshed.

Even the best meals aren't as precious as tiger soup.

"Um!"

Suddenly, in a very instant.

Li Xian paused in his breath, feeling his internal energy flow throughout his body, and the speed of his blood flow was clearly perceptible, as if it had slowed down in an instant.

This is……

Consolidate blood!

(End of this chapter)