Chapter 197: Drinking Golden Scale, Li Xianqi
A long, 700-mile journey.
On this day, as we passed through the Taihang Mountains, we saw black smoke rising in the distance, indicating that some powerful forces were cooking fine food.
The lady had been traveling for several days, weary from the journey. She saw the towering Taihang Mountains, and at sunset, a mountain city nestled against the mountains was bathed in sunlight, its buildings appearing as if coated with gold.
He wished to rest for the night, to bathe and change his clothes, so he ordered Li Xian to enter the city.
Li Xian responded and turned to go up the mountain. As he went up the mountain, he saw a woodcutter lying unconscious by the roadside, with firewood scattered all over the ground.
Li Xian felt compassion and called out, "Old man, old man!"
The woodcutter was unconscious, the snow piled up like a thick blanket, covering him completely. Li Xian, on high alert, channeled his palm power and struck out from a distance. The force of his palm transformed into a gust of wind, scattering the snow.
"I'm really dizzy." Li Xian turned around and asked, "Madam, what should we do?"
“He’s just an old farmer, let’s go around him,” Madam Wen said.
Li Xian said, "Madam, aren't we heading to a nearby big city to find an inn for the night? How about we give him a ride along the way?"
Madam Wen was silent for a moment, finding it troublesome. But then she said, "Whatever you say, I'll rest for a while, you can take care of everything."
Li Xian carried the old farmer on his back, examined his physique, and found he had never practiced martial arts. Relieved, he then checked his pulse; his breath was weak.
"During the heavy snow, an old farmer collapsed in the middle of the road, with firewood scattered all over the ground. He must have walked more than ten miles to chop firewood. He was too exhausted and collapsed in the middle of the road."
"It's a small matter, I'll do it as I go. It won't cause any trouble."
Li Xian placed the firewood on the cart frame and channeled his inner energy into the old farmer's body. The white cloud, with its four hooves lightly trotting, hurried towards the surrounding towns.
The old farmer gradually awoke, his eyes still heavy with sleep, the scenery rushing past him. He muttered, "I'm dead!" He let out a long sigh, somewhat relieved. After a while, he realized he wasn't truly dead. He touched around with his hands, finding them smooth to the touch. Surprised, he looked around further.
He then realized he was being carried in a fragrant jade carriage. In a panic, he jumped off, only to be pulled back by someone. The old farmer looked closely and asked, "Immortal...Immortal? Where are you taking me?"
Li Xian chuckled and said, "What immortal? You look unconscious. I'll give you a ride."
The old farmer scratched his head, finally understanding what had happened, and was immediately filled with gratitude. Li Xian didn't care at all, and simply took him back to the village before spurring his horse away.
“If you help him today, he might die tomorrow because he doesn’t have enough to eat or wear. Wouldn’t that be a waste of your effort?” Madam Wen’s voice drifted from the carriage.
It turned out she hadn't slept; she was observing Li Xian. Her tone was full of confusion.
She never offered any help.
Li Xian smiled and said, "It's not for any other reason than to please myself."
"Just doing what you want?" Madam Wen murmured. "You are so open-minded, but this makes me seem cold."
...
The carriage drove into Taihang Mountain City, passing by the gate of a sect along the way. The plaque above the gate read "Taihang Mountain Sect," and it was magnificent.
Li Xian found a prestigious inn in the city and rented a room. He also ordered several exquisite dishes and asked the cook to prepare them, as he was extremely hungry. Afterwards, he led his wife into the inn.
The waiter said, "Sir, it's cold today. Would you like some water boiled? If so, I'll go right away. But... it'll cost a bit more; the cost of firewood and labor combined will be..."
"Take it." Li Xianhao threw out a silver coin with a flourish.
The shopkeeper laughed and said, "Great! You're so generous, sir!" He led Baiyun into the stable and fed him the best vegetables.
Several hot dishes were served, including fried peanuts, braised beef, stir-fried pork liver, and Taihang oil chicken... Local customs and local cuisine. This kind of urban stir-fry, full of the aroma of cooking, is quite appetizing.
The lady sat dignifiedly, picked up the wine pot to pour wine, and with a graceful gesture, poured a bowl for Li Xian as well.
Li Xian was taken aback, his eyes filled with a strange expression. Madam Wen said slowly, "In matters of the martial world, you're just a greenhorn; you're not as experienced as I am. I can also drink."
"I've found myself in the mood for a drink today, so let's have a good time. Don't be shy."
Li Xian was flattered and quickly raised his bowl to clink in return. Although the lady's food and drink could satisfy her hunger, she could not help but have cravings.
Li Xian raised his bowl to offer a toast, and Madam Wen, with one hand on her sleeve and the other holding her cup, chuckled and clinked glasses with hers, saying, "Drink." She then drank the wine in her cup.
She picked up a fried peanut and put it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, savoring it. Li Xian was both surprised and puzzled.
Madam Wen asked, "Why aren't you eating?"
“I was thinking, Madam is so close to me,” Li Xian said truthfully.
"Was I far away from you before?" Madam Wen asked with a smile.
"She's far away from me... and a bit fierce."
Li Xian had never dined at the same table with his wife. Although he lived in the backyard and was very close to her, they always maintained a distance, each harboring their own thoughts and calculations. Today, however, he suddenly felt his wife's closeness, which made him feel uneasy, and he let his calculations go. These words came entirely from his heart.
"Hmm?" Madam Wen frowned and said, "Raise your hand."
Li Xian secretly realized his mistake and raised his hand truthfully. Madam Wen smacked him with her chopsticks, but it didn't hurt. Madam Wen smiled and said, "I won't hold it against you today."
"Madam, I toast you." Li Xian, emboldened, filled his cup again. Madam Wen rolled her eyes and said, "Are you trying to get me drunk?" But she also clinked glasses with him and took a sip.
The town is nestled in the Taihang Mountains. As night falls, the wind and snow howl, and the inn struggles to stay afloat. The two are alone, undisturbed.
Only now, as travelers sleeping in the open, are some genuine feelings being revealed.
...
...
The next day.
The warm sun rises in the east, and purple clouds float in the air.
The mountain city was bustling with activity. Li Xian opened the window and saw that the houses and pavilions in the city were scattered and disorderly.
Suddenly a thought came to mind: "This city is built in the mountains. If I were to flee from danger and be pursued by powerful enemies, I might be able to come here and take advantage of this unique terrain."
"It was the first time I drank with Madam last night." Li Xian stretched and went downstairs to get ready to return to the manor.
As they approached the stables, they suddenly heard a commotion.
Six men, all burly and fierce, surrounded the stable. They teased Baiyun, stroking its mane and touching its saddle, while conversing:
"Tsk tsk tsk, such a fine horse is a rare find. I glimpsed it last night and thought about it all night. Today I went door to door and finally found it."
"I didn't inherit my father's talent, but I did inherit his love for horses. I just can't bear to part with such a fine horse!"
Li Xian demanded, "What are you doing?"
The six men turned around. The leader, Liu Shanxing, asked, "Is this your horse?"
“Not bad,” Li Xian said.
Liu Shanxing waved his hand impatiently and said, "I want it. You can go now."
"You're not qualified to take it by force," Li Xian said calmly.
Liu Shanxing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you know what this place is?"
“Taihang Mountain City,” Li Xian said.
Liu Shanxing asked again, "You know the name of your grandfather's territory, but let me ask you, do you know who your grandfather is?"
"Your grandpa is Liu Shanxing of the Taihang Mountain Sect! With just one word from me, I can surround the entire Taihang Mountain. Hehe, as the saying goes, it's easy to enter the mountain but hard to leave."
"This horse is mine now, and you'd better get lost!"
turn out to be…
Last night, I rode into the city on horseback, my white hooves treading on the flying snow, my elegance beyond words. Passing by the Taihang Mountain Sect, I was spotted by Liu Shanxing. This fellow has a passion for horses; the sight of a fine steed makes him unable to move.
He immediately had the thought and desire to take it by force.
Early that morning, fearing that the strange horse might be missing, he took his henchmen and searched every inn, door to door.
That's why this scene happened.
Seeing that Li Xian refused to back down, Liu Shanxing grew annoyed and said, "You, you, you get him for me! My father's birthday banquet is coming up soon. If I get this horse, I'll present it to him. If he's happy, I'll reward you with martial arts training!"
The disciples waiting nearby exchanged a glance, their greedy thoughts gleaming in their eyes, and sneered. They all stepped forward in unison, vaguely forming a battle formation.
Li Xian's martial arts progressed extremely quickly, but he never underestimated any opponent he encountered. Knowing the power of formations, he immediately struck first.
The sharp blade was drawn and slashed at the chest of a large man.
The burly man was startled; his formation was incomplete, and his steps faltered. Unable to dodge, he took a solid blow. Blood splattered, he screamed, and then fainted.
Li Xian moved nimbly, turning and unleashing two more strikes. His swordsmanship was exquisite, his movements swift and decisive. These henchmen, though not weak, were no match for him.
In no time at all, they were utterly defeated.
Liu Shanxing had dominated the market for years, but he never expected to run into such a formidable opponent. He possessed the highest cultivation level and the most abundant resources, yet he was a cowardly and incompetent person.
In a fit of shock, anger, and fear, he cried out and fell to the ground.
He was physically strong and had consumed [essence treasures] since childhood, achieving the level of "Eating Essence." However, he was lazy in his martial arts training and turned out to be such a useless coward.
Madam Wen slept soundly last night and was in a good mood, as if she had drunk sweet dew. Coming downstairs, she asked, "What's all this commotion?"
“Madam, this man wants to seize Baiyun,” Li Xian said truthfully.
"I...I am Liu Xuelong's son from the Taihang Mountain Sect," Liu Shanxing said. "What...what do you want?"
Li Xian asked, "What if we beat this kind of servant up and leave him on the street?"
"This is not a servant."
Madam Wen said, "I have indeed heard of his father, Liu Xuelong. He was a powerful figure in the Taihang Mountains, and was at least a second-level martial artist. He imitated the terrain of the Taihang Mountains and created his own martial arts: Taihang Stone Tablet Opening Hand, Taihang Mountain Moving Technique... They are all very good and worthy of praise."
Yes, yes, yes.
Liu Shan straightened his chest, suddenly feeling confident. He glared at Li Xian and said, "I didn't expect you, beautiful woman, to have some knowledge. That's right, my father is Liu Xuelong. There's a saying, 'A dragon in the Taihang Mountains.' That refers to my father. Now that you know his name, are you willing to sell this extraordinary horse?"
Li Xian thought to himself, "Silly boy, I only beat you once before, so I wouldn't have killed you. But when Madam Wen comes downstairs, her tone is gentle yet sharp, warm yet menacing... it's hard to say whether you can save your life."
Madam Wen said, "I heard that your father is having a birthday banquet recently?"
"Not bad." Liu Shanxing puffed out his chest again.
"What a pity, what a pity," Madam Wen said, shaking her head.
"You also want to attend the birthday banquet? To celebrate my father's birthday?" Liu Shanxing said, "You are very beautiful. If you go to celebrate his birthday, I think my father will be happy. If you are willing to sell this horse to me, I will give you an invitation."
Madam Wen said, "I mean... I pity your father, he has to go through a mourning period before his birthday banquet. Just kill him."
Liu Shanxing said, "Wh...what did you kill? You...you..." He couldn't believe it.
With a single slash, Li Xian beheaded Liu Shanxing, killing him instantly.
Madam Wen said, "Return the head."
"Madam, wouldn't this be...?" Li Xian asked.
Madam Wen said, "It's alright."
Li Xian summoned the shopkeeper and gave him a tip to keep quiet. He then brought a red silk cloth and wrapped Liu Shanxing's head in it, tying it to an arrow.
Passing by the Taihang Mountains, he shot an arrow. He rode off into the distance, leaving everyone else in the dust.
...
...
Before returning to Qingning County, Li Xian honed his skills day and night, finally perfecting the [Gang Lei Finger].
[Gang Lei Finger]
[Proficiency: 245/20000 Perfect]
[Description: You have mastered the four killing finger techniques of the Gang Lei Finger, using them with ease. Your "Chest Drum Thunder Sound" has significantly improved, and the thunder sound is gradually undergoing changes.]
The Qi Lake expanded, and thunderous sounds reverberated within the body, tempering the physique. Strength became even more formidable.
Li Xian's chest resonated with thunderous sound, powerful and deep like a giant bell. With a thought, he used his finger strength to counter the thunderous sound, which became sharp and piercing like a needle.
A wild rabbit, upon hearing the sound of thunder, immediately bled from both ears, kicked its legs, and died on the road.
"The greatest benefit of the Thunder Finger technique is that it taught me how to effectively utilize the Thunderous Sound of the Chest Drum. If I encounter a powerful enemy, this unexpected move might just turn the tide of battle!"
The carriage sped by.
Along the way, they encountered demons and fought off petty thieves. Li Xian handled all the trivial matters.
Madam Wen observed this and thought to herself, "Although his cultivation is shallow, I am becoming more and more reluctant to part with him."
Before we knew it, the day of returning home would arrive.
Take care of some miscellaneous tasks.
In the inner courtyard.
The Heaven and Earth Treasure Box was placed in front of her. Lady Wen was decisive in her rewards and punishments, saying, "I will give you a scale and a tail."
"Today I will teach you how to take [Human Yellow]."
"You need to remember everything that happened today. Because these are your own unique recipes."
"Remember the first Taoist, Huang Jingbao!"
(End of this chapter)
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