Chapter 173 The Lady's Miscalculation Leads to Seeking Help from Li Xian
Lin Aoshan kept her word and immediately reported the Flower Cage thugs and the Red List villains to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. The imperial court's allocation of funds involved complicated procedures, and embezzlement and exploitation were commonplace.
Lin Aoshan kept the credit for herself; the reward was secondary, the recognition of merit was paramount. She was in high spirits, finally free of a lingering worry. Since succeeding as "Xuanhou," she had achieved nothing, running around aimlessly, which had been utterly pointless. Having merit under her command made her stand tall.
She took another 3,400 taels from the Lin family and readily handed it over to Li Xian. The matter was thus settled.
Li Xian took out one hundred taels of silver as a reward to his brothers. Three thousand taels were packed into a box and transported back to Yihe Manor in a few days.
After dealing with all the complicated matters.
In the inner courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall, Li Xian dismissed everyone and began to sort through his spoils: an identity token and a low-level martial arts manual.
"The identity token may come in handy in the future. I'll keep it hidden under my body. As for the martial art, Thunder Finger... it seems to be of extremely high quality, far superior to the Azure Palm."
"Even among inferior martial arts, there are differences. This martial art... is just right for me. Among superior martial arts, I have the Azure Palm and the Sunset Blood Sword. The Azure Palm was created on the spot, and the Sunset Blood Sword is incomplete and is a combined sword technique."
"This Thunder Finger Technique is currently the most complete martial art I possess!"
Li Xian consulted the martial arts manual. The Gang Lei Finger technique was of extremely high quality, and could only be learned by those who had consumed essence. This martial art was not a combat technique, but a killing move. It consisted of four killing moves: Zhen Lei Finger, Xiang Lei Finger, Jing Lei Finger, and Gang Lei Finger.
Martial arts records state that if one reaches the pinnacle of skill, during thunderstorms, coupled with the thunderous sound of chest drumming, and with martial arts techniques pushed to their limits, one can summon lightning from the heavens. This is extremely miraculous.
Learning this martial art involves more than just its techniques and killing moves. It also strengthens the body and spirit, as it requires medicinal baths and a special mineral called "Thunderstone".
This mine, "Jade City," is quite rare. However, it is not difficult to acquire if one has the money. The Thunderstone is struck by lightning and imbued with its power. By harnessing the power of this exotic ore, it tempers the body with electricity, thus strengthening the body and spirit.
Besides that… the first killing move, “Thunderous Finger,” is quite profound. Martial artists who consume essence can generate thunderous sounds from their chests to amplify their aura. The key to this Thunderous Finger is closely related to “thunderous chest sounds.”
This is a method of using the thunderous sound of the chest drum. The thunderous sound of the chest drum is stored but not made to resonate. The vibration is then transmitted to the fingers, and this is called "Thunderous Finger".
Li Xianquan glanced at it once and nodded secretly. He began to try to study it diligently, once, twice... without stopping.
He thrust out a finger, his chest thumping and thunderous. The passersby outside the hall were so frightened their legs went weak. Li Xian realized this martial art was not suitable for practice in a bustling city. So he went to the deep mountains to hone his finger techniques.
When Li Xian made his finger strike, the sound was thunderous and powerful. It seemed domineering, but in reality, it failed to grasp the essence. The key to the "Thunder Finger" technique lies in stillness.
That rumbling thunder was a manifestation of the overflowing energy of the chest drum's thunderous sound. Failing to utilize this energy naturally resulted in the rumbling thunder. In combat, if you make that finger strike with astonishing thunderous noise, a knowledgeable person would know you haven't mastered the technique.
"Practicing this martial art is quite tiring."
Li Xian practiced for two hours straight, making some progress, but with little effect. Night had fallen, and the area was eerily quiet, with hardly any birds or beasts, not even mosquitoes.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that snakes, frogs, mosquitoes, and other insects had all been frightened to death by the thunderous sound of the chest drum.
"Alright, I'll come again tomorrow."
The next day.
Li Xian entered the forest again, this time making thorough preparations, bringing enough dry food and water, intending to study diligently all day. His perseverance paid off.
Around noon.
Li Xian pointed again, simultaneously vibrating his chest drum as he struck a nearby tree trunk. The chest drum sound diminished, but the finger force suddenly increased. His fingers vibrated, and the moment they touched the tree trunk, there was a loud "bang," causing the trunk to shake violently and scattering fruit all over the ground.
[You have already mastered the basics of the Thunder Finger Technique.]
[Gang Lei Finger]
[Proficiency: 14/600 Beginner]
[Description: Four fingers of fierce thunder, resonating with heaven and earth. Relying on the thunderous sound of the chest drum, it can only be learned by those who have mastered the finest martial arts.]
Proficiency +1
Proficiency +1
Li Xian practiced diligently, each time his chest drum resounded, the sound grew ever fainter. The powerful, thunderous sound was concentrated entirely at his fingertips.
...
...
That evening.
Li Xian was delighted to see progress in his martial arts. On his way back to the city, he bought several crispy ducks. Wrapped in oil paper, their aroma filled the air.
He and Luo Xia dined together in the hall.
Luo Xia drank the wine in large gulps and asked, "Why don't you hurry up and send these three thousand taels back to the manor to please your wife?"
Lin Aoshan has returned to the prefectural city, taking with her the heads of the Flower Cage Sect and the Red List villains. Luo Xia and Li Xian sat facing each other, becoming like brothers. They drank and ate meat together.
Luo Xia was unaware of the secrets of Yihe Manor, so she asked casually.
What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Li Xian thought to himself, "Madam is extremely shrewd and has many tricks up her sleeve. On the surface, I am second only to Madam and the strongest person in the manor. But behind this, I'm afraid it's not so. When I killed Xu Liefeng, I felt a gaze. If it were Madam watching, I would never have felt it. It must have been someone else under Madam watching."
"Who is this person? If what Qiuyue said is true, the lady is now trapped in her own web and cannot move. She will definitely want to find someone to free her."
"She either needs to send that person in the shadows to help her out of this predicament, or... she needs that person in the shadows to find me and call me back to the manor to help her out of this predicament."
"In that case, I will find a reason to stay in Qingning County for a few days. Whoever comes looking for me in the manor is a powerful and trusted subordinate of the madam."
A thought flashed through his mind, and Li Xian said, "Three thousand taels is only the minimum amount. I will try to collect more rent from the shops in the next two days, and then gather as much as possible before handing it all over to Madam."
"Let's drink." Luo Xia was still resentful after her crushing defeat in the last drinking contest. She had no interest in anything else at the manor and, after only a few words, she clamored for a drinking contest.
Li Xian smiled, raised his wine cup and drank heartily, once again defeating Luo Xia decisively.
It was late at night. Luo Xia was dead drunk and asleep in the courtyard. Li Xian knew she was fierce and valiant, so he ignored her and began practicing the Bronze Body Technique and the Sunset Bloodfall Sword.
Proficiency increases gradually.
Seize every opportunity to enhance our strength.
The Qi Lake has already entered twenty-one zhang.
[Your martial arts have improved, your digestion speed has increased, and your mastery of the Essence Consumption Realm has increased by 1.]
"Once my Iron Copper Body reaches its peak, I achieve minor mastery of the second level of the Sunset Blood Sword, and I master the Gang Thunder Finger... my Qi Lake will increase significantly, and I won't be far from reaching the thirty-five-zhang Qi Lake Body!"
"I've heard that the prodigies of the prefecture city enjoy rare and precious materials from a young age, and receive guidance from their elders to cultivate advanced martial arts. At my age, my Qi Lake is only about twenty feet wide."
"Yes, I heard from Ao Shan that the prefectural city is holding some kind of Heavenly Pride Banquet recently, and it seems to be quite lively. It's a pity that I can hardly witness such a grand event. For me, the prefectural city is like a mountain of knives and a sea of fire."
...
...
The next day.
"Li Xian".
At the entrance of the Martial Guard Hall, Uncle Xiang, dressed in plain clothes, waved and called out when he saw Li Xian come out.
"Uncle Xiang?" Li Xian was taken aback, then walked over with a smile.
Uncle Xiang patted Li Xian on the shoulder and said, "Good lad, not bad. Dressed so smartly, you really do look like an official."
"Uncle Xiang, you flatter me. It was all thanks to Madam." Li Xian pulled Uncle Xiang inside and asked, "Uncle Xiang, what brings you here? Did you come to see me?"
"Why would I need to see you?" Uncle Xiang laughed. "I'm the village accountant. Every month, I need to go to town to check on the prices of daily necessities and buy some things along the way. Otherwise, wouldn't I be easily fooled?"
"It's strange."
“Whenever I came to the city before, that girl Qiuyue always insisted on coming along. I was afraid she would squander Madam’s money, so I never took her with me. This time when I came to the city, however, I haven’t seen her bothering me. Have you seen her recently?”
Without making a sound, he glanced at Li Xian. Li Xian smiled and said, "Uncle Xiang, to be honest, I don't get along with Qiu Yue. What does it matter to me where she goes?"
"I see..." Uncle Xiang nodded and said, "But Xiao Xian, although you are doing well outside, you must not neglect other things. You should know that you are still the Grand Commander of Yihe Manor."
"Yes, yes, Uncle Xiang is right," Li Xian said with a smile.
"Sigh." Uncle Xiang shook his head and said, "Why would I scold you? I'm just giving you a reminder. Besides, I'm a shrew who's always settling scores, how could I dare to scold a mere military officer like you? Don't you think so?"
“Actually, I’ve wanted to go back to the manor for a long time,” Li Xian said. “Well, the madam fined me three thousand taels, and I’m out here trying to find ways to get it. I plan to raise enough before I go back.”
"Oh?" Uncle Xiang said, "You're quite capable. Three thousand taels is no small amount. Impressive, impressive."
Uncle Xiang waved his hand and said, "Alright, you go about your business." He walked out of the Martial Guard Hall, turned the corner, and disappeared.
Li Xian watched him leave into the distance, thinking, "Just as I suspected, Uncle Xiang is Madam's hidden hand. And his strength must be extremely high. If Madam really gets herself into trouble, she will find it difficult to escape. She thinks Uncle Xiang is too old, so she ordered him to call me back to the manor to help her get out of this predicament."
“If we push Madam too far, Uncle Xiang can help her escape. At that point, I’ll be in real trouble.”
"To be honest... the dignified Lady Zhejian was cunning, powerful, and ruthless. Many martial arts experts trembled at her name and feared her like a tiger. They all suffered at her hands. But in the end, she was outmaneuvered by Qiuyue."
"I never imagined that the lady would have such a weakness. I'm afraid she's in a rather difficult situation right now."
Li Xian suddenly found it amusing. But Uncle Xiang came to remind him that Li Xian couldn't not return.
"Uncle Xiang must be secretly watching me. I deliberately raised the money to stall for time and went back later. I made Madam wait a little longer."
Intentionally delaying, he went to various shops to collect rent. He dawdled, and it was well past midnight.
When it got dark.
Li Xian said, "We've finally raised enough money. We've prepared horses and carts to transport it back to Yihe Village!"
The carriage headed towards Yihe Village, carrying two boxes of silver.
The gaze from the shadows gradually faded away.
The night breeze was cool.
Li Xian was in a good mood, realizing that even his wife wasn't omnipotent.
Back to Yihezhuang.
Ding Hu said, "Commander Li, you're back!" He stepped forward to greet him and ordered his men to unload the silver.
Li Xian said, "I am exhausted. This silver is the fine imposed on Madam, totaling more than three thousand taels. I have finally managed to raise it today. Please help me deposit it into the accounts."
"Three thousand taels?" Ding Hu said admiringly, "Commander Li managed to raise the money in less than a month. He is truly remarkable."
"It's just luck, nothing to mention," Li Xian said.
Back to the Presidential Palace.
Li Xian pretended not to know that Qiu Yue had defected, and naturally, he was unaware of the lady's secrets and many other things. As usual, he silently practiced his martial arts.
[Proficiency +4]
...
[The Fallen Sun and Bloodstained Sword - Level 1]
[Proficiency: 9856/80000 Perfect]
[The Fallen Sun and Bloodstained Sword - Level Two]
[Proficiency: 1455/1600 Mastery]
As night deepened, the full moon hung high overhead.
[Eating Essence]
[Proficiency: 27/100]
The precious treasures have been exhausted, and it's time to start the cauldron again.
Li Xian sheathed his sword, about to rest. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind: "Li Xian..."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Come to the Tower of Tranquility and find me."
It was the lady's voice.
(End of this chapter)
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