"This... this..." Li Xian exclaimed in shock.

Madam Wen's lips curved upward as she pondered in her heart, "This child's Rebirth Appearance is actually similar to mine. It's truly like ordinary clay hiding true gold. He is of the same caliber as me."

She originally had no intention of nurturing Li Xian. However, Li Xian's progress step by step made her initially satisfied and later surprisingly astonished, which gradually ignited her thoughts of cultivation. No matter how much she cultivated before, Madam Wen would never pay more attention.

Today, realizing that Li Xian's Rebirth Appearance was the same as her own, she couldn't help but believe it was fate. A [Perfect Appearance] was already rare, which Madam Wen took pride in. One was rare enough, yet now there was another right under her tutelage.

She couldn't help but think more, like a treasured sword with a fitting scabbard.

"Your Rebirth Appearance is remarkable, but in the path of martial arts, you still need diligent study. I have been engaged in alchemy for over a month and feel a bit weary," Madam Wen said.

Li Xian rose and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave." He turned to leave.

"When did I tell you to leave?" Madam Wen stated indifferently, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

"Then Madam..." Li Xian felt a shiver down his spine and asked perplexingly.

"You're not understanding the rules." Madam Wen lightly reprimanded, "If I am weary, what should you do?"

Li Xian thought, "This Madam Wen has a peculiar temperament, truly unpredictable. Since she says she's weary, naturally she should rest well. My departure should be correct. Since she doesn't allow me to leave, could it be... she wants me to help relieve her fatigue?"

With a change of thought, he asked, "Should I help relieve Madam's fatigue?"

Madam Wen nodded and said, "The child can be taught. Do not make such a mistake in the future. If I say I'm weary and you just leave, it shows disrespect."

"But I don't know how to relieve Madam of fatigue." Li Xian asked.

Madam Wen patted the jade couch and said, "Come to the couch and massage my shoulders. The techniques for pulse massage and bone relaxation you might not have learned, so I won't demand much today. Tomorrow, go to seek guidance from Qiuyue."

"When I fall asleep, you may then leave. Remember, do not wake me up, or you'll be punished with a beating."

Left with no choice, Li Xian climbed onto the jade couch and massaged her fragrant shoulders. Through a thin layer of icy gauze, he caught the scent of Madam's hair.

Though he hadn't learned the art of pulse massage and bone relaxation, someone who practices martial arts inevitably gains some understanding of massage techniques.

Madam Wen slightly closed her eyes. Her shoulders bore the pressure, already knowing Li Xian's techniques were rough, but she said nothing more. However, receiving this kind of kneading brought her a different sensation.

Usually, such tasks were Qiuyue's responsibility.

Qiuyue was close to her, serving her in daily life. Qiuyue's techniques were skilled but somewhat lacked flavor. Li Xian's rough and quite unskilled techniques, however, hit the right "flavor."

Madam Wen had gained fame from a young age, never having a man close to her. Surrounded by heavy Yin Qi, she was now nurturing a young lad. The unperceivable Yang Qi gently enveloped her back, subtly tugging at her consciousness.

She felt immense comfort, her mind wandering, wholly relaxed.

This shoulder massage lasted into the late night.

Madam lay on her side, left arm supporting her head, her long hair casually draped, as she lightly drifted into sleep with her eyes closed.

Li Xian remained tense, just about to withdraw his hands and leave, but he sensed Madam Wen's eyelashes trembling lightly.

Li Xian furrowed his brow and suddenly thought:

"Madam's thoughts run deep, meticulous attention must be paid to her every move. Her calling me to massage her shoulders inevitably includes another test."

"I am now also a [Perfect Appearance]. If I cannot be loyal to Madam, I would be a latent threat to her. Though she seems asleep now, it is actually a test of me. Leaving halfway would not show two-faced intentions, but it would lack strong loyalty in serving her."

"For now, I should continue massaging her shoulders until she wakes, then it would be proper to leave."

Li Xian sorted out the importance within it.

He no longer urged to leave, continuing slowly to massage Madam Wen's shoulders.

Morning.

In the morning light.

Sunlight slanted in. Madam Wen's eyelashes fluttered lightly and she naturally awoke, feeling her shoulders comfortable, a pair of large hands still massaging, "You haven't left?"

Li Xian replied, "It's rare for me to be able to serve Madam; I am reluctant to leave, hence serving the whole night."

"You are thoughtful. Having served the whole night, you must be weary too. Go back and rest," Madam Wen said softly, satisfaction evident in her tone.

Li Xian left the inner courtyard, stretching his waist, channeling Qi-Blood throughout his body. The previous day he confronted the army, and at night massaged Madam's shoulders. Both body and mind were exhausted.

"It turns out my Rebirth Appearance is called [Perfect Appearance]. It is the same as Madam's, so this [Perfect Appearance] shouldn't be bad. But when Madam reveals her appearance, there's no change in her body, whereas I have a red mole on my brow."

Li Xian patted his shoulder, for no one was there to massage him.

Overwhelming fatigue, he returned to his residence, lay on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

Until noon, the door was knocked.

Ding Hu, leaning on a cane, came to find him to handle manor affairs. Li Xian ate some dry rations, knowing the matter couldn't be delayed, he personally oversaw, organizing and managing various manor affairs.

Submitting the list of the dead and wounded to Madam. Madam casually waved her hand and said, "Those who died safeguarding the manor shall each be rewarded ten taels." With a stroke of the Vermilion Pen, the deaths and injuries were thus glossed over.

Following this were patrol shifts, recruitment of the nursing home, recruitment of servants... all sorts of tasks.

These trivial matters, Li Xian did not handle personally, providing simple guidance and leaving the detailed execution to Ding Hu.

...

...

Elsewhere,

Last night. Lin Guolong received the message that the 20,000 soldiers of the Yellow Dragon Army were all captured, and he was asked to send troops to receive them.

Lin Guolong didn't believe it at first, until Yihetang Manor's Nursing Home presented him with the head of "Qi Biao." He was then greatly shocked, as a tremendously favorable opportunity landed before him.

He immediately dispatched troops to oversee them, drafting letters throughout the night, reporting separately to the court and the family faction.

This busyness lasted for two days.

This morning, having just concluded a brief pause, I seized some leisure time for enjoyment.

Within the Lin Family estate.

In the man-made spring pool.

Surrounding garden scenery is exquisite, with artificial hills and green willows, fresh and elegant.

Lin Guolong relaxed, lying in the water, surrounded by five charming concubines, serving him well. Kneading shoulders, rubbing the back, feeding fruits, pressing legs…

"I, Lin Guolong, have quelled the chaos, heh heh, let's see who dares to underestimate me in the future. Hmph, what if I don't have fortune on my side?" Lin Guolong boasted.

"Master, I always knew you were the most formidable." The concubine kneading his shoulders sweetly chimed.

"Naturally." Lin Guolong said, "I've sent a message via carrier pigeon, the family should now be aware of this magnificent feat. Such a military achievement is truly immeasurable. Capturing twenty-one thousand eight hundred soldiers alive, I indeed possess the demeanor of a great general!"

"Master, tell us how you captured them?"

The concubine pressing his legs, her figure like a water snake, took advantage of the moment and reclined into Lin Guolong's embrace.

Lin Guolong was immensely pleased, holding jade in his arms, laughing heartily, he spoke cheerfully, "Since you wish to hear, I will reluctantly recount it once more."

"That was truly magnificently imposing. That day, the army approached the city, and soon, the city gate was on the verge of being breached. The enemy forces were irresistible. Should they enter the city, burning, looting, and killing would be inevitable, then neither of us would escape the calamity."

"At that moment of crisis, I turned the tide, carrying a longbow, climbed onto the city wall, drew the bow to full like a round moon, rebuked: 'Old Qi Biao, do you dare receive my arrow!', and before the enemy leader could speak, the arrow was released."

"In an instant, heaven and earth darkened, the sun and moon seemed to fall, the peerless heroism revered by all was destined to be worshipped. When the arrow went forth, that old villain had no life left to live, naturally he was killed! But... simply with this, to truly have tens of thousands of soldiers surrender was far from enough. Do you know what I did next?"

The concubines' eyes were full of admiration, "What did you do, Master~, stop keeping us in suspense, tell us quickly~"

Sweet pleas, like honey wrapped around the heart, made one completely lose oneself.

Lin Guolong, comfortably excited, his scalp tingling, enthusiastically continued: "Such a fierce army, such a ferocious battalion, how could they surrender easily. At this moment, leaderless dragons caused the army morale to crumble. Although Qi Biao is dead, there was still a Left Wing Guard alive."

"If the Left Wing Guard issued military orders, and the army continued the assault, we would still be unable to withstand them."

"Then, I was filled with loyalty to the nation, without second thoughts. Alone, I charged into the enemy forces, and with one saber, cut off Qi Biao's head. Holding the head aloft, with the might of one man, overwhelmed tens of thousands of soldiers to bow. Then added another flame, only then did that army realize there was no hope, each surrendered, accepting defeat!"

The concubines listened, hearts surging. To dream of such a heroic figure was already a blessing of three lifetimes.

"Master~, you are the dignified County Magistrate, prominent in the county. We beseech you, please invite Li Daren to visit the residence, okay?"

"Yes, Master, just invite Li Daren, please."

The concubines pushed Lin Guolong.

Lin Guolong said, "Wait, you are listening to my grand achievements, why invite unrelated persons?"

The concubines said, "Oh, it's nothing much, we just want to meet Li Daren." They couldn't help but be filled with longing. The actual one who took the enemy general's head and crushed the army was Li Xian from Yihetang Manor.

The eldest of the Li Family in Qingning County.

This matter was known across the county, Lin Guolong merely boasted.

"You shameless women, I'm not dead yet, and you've already become infatuated with another!" Lin Guolong shouted angrily.

No longer in the mood to soak peacefully. At this time, a colorful bird beast flew to perch on the willow tree branch.

Lin Guolong was stunned, this was the Colorful Feathered Bird, a special exotic bird cultivated by the family for sending messages, remarkably fast, capable of recognizing important family members, and understanding the size of counties in Qiong Heavenly Mansion.

Grabbing the colorful bird beast.

"Did the reply arrive so quickly? When I usually communicate with the family, the fastest is three to five days, sometimes simply not returning."

"And this Colorful Feathered Bird… this bird beast is extremely rare."

Opened the letter, read the contents.

"Oh heavens!"

"That lady elder, will be setting off soon, coming to my Qingning County?" Lin Guolong said incredulously.

...

Some households rejoice, others lament.

Leopard Saber Sect.

In a spacious yard, disciples of the sect were arduously practicing martial arts.

Xu Liefeng was lost in thought, upon knowing Qi Biao was dead, felt restless and uneasy, pondering repeatedly, recalling whether there were any errors in the plan.

"I've concealed appearance, concealed whereabouts, moved under the cover of night. No one should know what I've done. Qi Biao did talk to me, but he's already dead, dead without evidence, this matter... should pass as it is."

Thinking this through, slightly reassured.

...

...

"Li Xian, have you completed what I asked you to do?"

Yihetang Manor.

Madam Wen asked.

Li Xian replied, "It's done, the coffin has been purchased, but I don't know for whom it's prepared."

Madam Wen waved her hand gracefully, casually said:

"Of course, it's for Xu Liefeng."

"Prepare the carriage, bring the coffin into the city!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.