Chapter 161 Adds Further True Meaning: Heaven is Round and Earth is Square
"What a brilliant archer!" Luo Xia exclaimed, her eyes full of admiration. Li Xian, neither humble nor arrogant, casually responded and rode his horse to the old man's side.
Four arrows were fired in quick succession, piercing the abdomen, chest, and skull—precise, ruthless, and decisive. The old man was nailed to the tree, blood dripping from the arrow shafts, his eyes wide with resentment, his legs twitching and kicking at the ground; he was beyond saving.
To be on the safe side, Li Xian channeled his inner energy and delivered another palm strike, shattering the old man's internal organs and killing him instantly. Li Xian still didn't approach, waiting a few more moments until the old man was completely dead before he began to examine the corpse.
"The Hidden Heaven Box?"
There was an unexpected delight: the old man had a box hidden in the clasp of his breastplate. The lid was carved with a circle, and the body with a square. The circle represented the sky, and the square represented the earth.
This world believes in a flat earth and a round heaven, a vast and boundless universe. Li Xian has experienced two lifetimes, but he dares not say it is not true.
The lean meat inside had been eaten, but there was still a lingering smell.
This box can hold five grams of lean meat. It's about the size of two fingers, making it very easy to store. It can be hidden in a sleeve or a chest without leaving a trace.
This item was precious, so Li Xian kept it for himself and searched for it again...
This old man had a peculiar hobby: collecting children's toe bones. He would feel them until they were smooth and translucent, then craft them into necklaces to wear.
Besides that, there was nothing else. Li Xian pondered, "This old man is quite strong, and his family background should be quite substantial. I was hoping that he could reveal some martial arts techniques."
He quickly felt relieved. He also possessed considerable martial arts skills, but he kept all the martial arts manuals, essential principles, and training methods in his mind. He generally did not wear them close to his body.
Zhang Hou said, "My lord, a cave has been discovered in the west! It seems to be the old man's dwelling. However..." He paused, as if about to vomit, but forcefully suppressed it with his internal energy.
Li Xian said, "Take me to see it."
Passing through the dense forest, they indeed came upon a cave. Luo Xia was also there, and Li Xian asked, "What's going on?" He noticed that the nearby constables all wore expressions of distress.
"You'll see once you go inside," Luo Xia said calmly.
The cave was pitch black, piled high with white bones. Deep inside was a large cauldron, steaming with broth, and firewood burning underneath. The stench from the cauldron was a mixture of blood and spices.
Li Xian took a sniff, immediately held his breath, and took a small step back. The scene inside the pot was even more horrifying.
Several children's corpses floated to the surface.
Li Xian frowned, looked away, and noticed a bed in the corner. Underneath the bed was a book containing the old man's experiences of eating children.
It turns out this person had a wicked nature. He enjoyed devouring human children, and after a long period of this, his wickedness grew stronger and stronger, leading him to devise increasingly varied methods.
The account in the book is so cruel that it is unbearable to read.
The old man created several dishes, such as "Baby Head Meat" and "Hot Boiled Baby," shaving off all the hair from the "foods" and then pouring hot oil over them. Listening to their howls, they gradually cooked...
It was shocking and sent chills down my spine.
Li Xian thought angrily, "She really died too easily!" He threw the recipe into the fire and burned it quickly.
After searching again, I found letters and correspondence under the bed.
Further clues revealed that the old woman had committed numerous crimes, but thanks to the protection of the Cao family, she had been exonerated and had become a midwife in the impoverished city of Qiongtianfu. She held a minor official position, recording the births of infants each year.
"The Cao family is truly despicable," Li Xian cursed. The Cao family knew the old woman's peculiarities and deliberately placed her as a "birth recorder." They recruited the spirit-eating martial artist with just a few infants.
"My lord, what should we do here?"
Zhang Hou asked.
Li Xian said, "Burn it all down. Zhang Hou, search the surrounding villages and ask if any children have gone missing."
"We will inform the families of the missing children of the details. In addition... we will take some of the reward money and distribute it to them as a form of compensation. Do you have any objections?"
“Your Excellency has mercy, we have been asking for this but have not received it,” said Zhang Hou.
The remaining constables and some skilled members of the gangs all nodded and said, "We will follow your orders, sir."
"Very well!" Li Xian said loudly, "Then let it be decided!"
The raging fire consumed all sins. Luo Xia looked at Li Xian and said, "You truly have the bearing of a great general."
Li Xian was taken aback. "What makes you say that?"
“It is not surprising to govern an army with strict discipline. But to govern an army with benevolence is as difficult as ascending to heaven.” Luo Xia pointed to the constables and said, “The constables of your Wuwei Hall are usually loyal. But half of them here are skilled members of gangs in the county.”
"He has already prostrated himself before you, seemingly wanting to pledge allegiance to you."
"In military campaigns, strict military discipline is a common method for maintaining order among troops. Only when military orders are strictly enforced and no one disobeys can an army be effective. Mercy will only lead to a disorganized army. But to demonstrate mercy while also winning people's respect is extremely difficult."
Luo Xia said, "If you join the army, you're sure to achieve great things." Her eyes lit up, and she added, "Would you like to think about it?"
Li Xian shrugged and said, "My mind is not on this, so there's no need to consider it."
He gazed at the rising black smoke and slowly said, "My ambition lies in traveling the world and in playing among mortals. I would rather avoid the battlefield than fight."
Luo Xia laughed and said, "That's true. Since ancient times, military strategists have always been domineering and fierce. Although you have such talent, you would never like the battlefield."
"But then again, if you wish to travel the world, why don't you do it? Are you perhaps coveting the power of the Military Commandant?"
Li Xian said, "This military officer position is as insignificant to me as a feather."
"That's..." Luo Xia asked, "What other reason is there for not letting you leave? Do you already have a woman you like?"
Li Xian coughed twice, changing the subject. What other reason could there be? He'd received a bribe from the madam, and she kept a close watch on him. He had no choice in the matter.
Even the mighty and extraordinary military officer has his unspeakable troubles.
That's the end of the matter.
It was already dark, and they were still some distance from Qingning County. Li Xian changed direction and headed to Huangyucheng, where he booked more than ten inns for the night.
That night, Li Xian paid for a banquet at the "Jade Fairy Pavilion" to entertain his brothers.
Luo Xia was also present. She made a bold demand, ordering two jars of "Fierce Bear Wine," a wine of extraordinary strength that would intoxicate anyone who tasted it, causing them to become dizzy and unconscious.
Luo Xia, holding a wine jar, drank heartily, her boldness no less than that of a man. The constables exclaimed in unison, "Sister Luo is mighty!" "Sister Luo is mighty!"
"Useless!" Luo Xia cursed, "A bunch of useless trash, you can't even outdrink a woman like me."
Everyone looked embarrassed. Li Xian was also slightly annoyed. He had been controlled by his wife and had no freedom, which made him feel stifled. He was unwilling to be suppressed by a woman any longer and said, "Hmph, I've never drunk alcohol before, but I'd like to have a drinking contest with you!"
Order another jar of fierce bear liquor. Tear open the seal and drink it in large gulps. This liquor is spicy and pungent, burning the heart, liver, and lungs as it enters the stomach. Li Xian grimaced in pain after his first sip.
But thanks to her [food-consuming] skills, she quickly adapted. Luo Xia put one foot on the table and said boldly, "Good lad, you're the first one who dares to compete with me in drinking. Now that we've started, don't give up!"
Li Xianhao, already feeling exhilarated by eliminating the wicked, was further energized by the alcohol, his exhilaration and pride mingling together as he laughed, "Come on then! I, a true man, am not afraid of you!"
"I'll drink you to death!" Luo Xia said defiantly. Holding the wine jar in one hand, she took a big gulp and said, "Your turn."
Not to be outdone, Li Xian also drank heavily from the wine jar.
You take a sip, I take a sip. It was my first time drinking with someone, and it was quite an experience.
The servants, martial arts masters, and gang members all cheered and encouraged the two fighters. As the fight progressed, the other patrons in the restaurant turned to watch.
With the [medicine] in hand, Li Xian's victory was truly unfair. Seeing that Luo Xia was already dizzy but still persisting, Li Xian quickly said, "That's enough, you win, I can't drink anymore."
"I...I knew it..." Luo Xia murmured, "You can't outdrink...me..." She closed her eyes and fell asleep, snoring.
Li Xian smiled. By then, the banquet was coming to an end.
One of the snake-walking experts suddenly stood up and said, "Lieutenant Li, I'm truly impressed by your work this time! Come, let me toast you!"
He drank it all in one gulp. Li Xian returned the gesture by also drinking his wine bowl dry.
“Li Wuwei, look at my skills. Do you think I’m good enough to join your Martial Arts Hall? I’ll graduate from Xiongpi Martial Arts School this year. To be honest, I feel very secure working for you. I’ll die in peace with you.”
A burly man got straight to the point.
In times of chaos, those who act with benevolence and righteousness will always find followers. Most people in the world drift along with the tide because they have no better choice.
The Snake Walker Faction, the Copper Faction… they commit numerous acts of murder, robbery, and oppression of the people. Being among them, and doing these things themselves, one doesn't feel anything amiss.
I'm numb to both sides, indifferent to both. Why think too much and only add to my troubles? Even if I'm unwilling, I'll just go with the flow and drift with the wind.
But if one person appears, he will subdue them with strength, subdue them with spirit, and awe them with domineering presence. He is decisive in his actions, compassionate in his heart, yet never jeopardizes the cause.
It stands out vividly before everyone's eyes, giving them more options for the future.
Naturally, some people are willing to break free from the crowd and follow the trend to the death.
Li Xian smiled and said, "If you enter my Martial Guard Hall, you must abide by the rules."
"No problem, I've already inquired!" The burly man beamed.
The rest were all moved and their thoughts were racing. Some expressed their feelings on the spot, while others remained on the sidelines.
...
...
Qingning County.
Li Xian kept his promise and gave Luo Xia fifteen taels of silver. Luo Xia responded with a nod; she had lost a drinking contest the night before and was still resentful and tired.
After taking the money, he went back to his room and fell asleep.
The Martial Law Enforcement Bureau apprehends "criminals listed on the Red List," taking their heads, index fingers, and big toes as tokens. After handing them over to the "Sky Patrol Bureau," they can wait for several months for funding.
Of the ten people on the Red List, Li Xian hunted down six. The "tokens" were all wrapped in camphor leaves, a preservative that prevents decay and odor. This has not yet been reported to the Celestial Patrol Bureau.
Li Xian thought to himself, "I wonder where that Granny Lin has gone. If I could see her and give her these tokens, perhaps I could skip the middleman and get more reward money."
The heads of the six thugs were piled up in the warehouse. Li Xian knew the money wouldn't arrive for several months, so he took some money out of his own pocket to pay his brothers.
[Great Luo Sword Technique]
[Proficiency: 16/50000 Peak]
Things will fall into place naturally.
Li Xian added another "Peak of Perfection" martial art, his inner energy surging and growing to nineteen zhang. His strength was formidable, adding another layer of power.
[Your Four Directions Fist, Gentle Breeze Leg, Azure Palm, and Great Luo Saber Technique have all reached their pinnacle.]
[By drawing inferences from one instance to another and grasping the "essence of basic martial arts," one can learn basic martial arts much faster.]
[Having practiced martial arts for a million years, with pure martial intent, one can then condense a wisp of true martial arts essence.]
(End of this chapter)
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