The inner courtyard feels like spring, lush with vegetation.

Madam Wen wears a black robe trimmed with gold, her long hair hangs loose, dark and thick, down to her waist. In front of her sits a Heaven and Earth Treasure Box, its lid already open.

Within, mist swirls, and a golden-scaled fish swims freely.

Madam Wen says, "The human in Heaven and Earth, the yellow of the mysterious yellow, is called Human Yellow, also known as Human Mysterious, Human Essence, Human Treasure."

"It totals one hundred and eighty."

"How to consume it, there are special considerations."

"I won't say much, just speak of this golden scale."

She casually beckons, and the golden-scaled fish leaps out of the box, fluttering in her hand.

"There are four related recipes. Of course, there are not only four, but I only know four."

"I'll tell you one, and you should listen carefully."

"Recipe: Golden Light Soup. There are three ingredients for consuming the Essence Treasure, the first is [Golden Scale in the Pool] Human Yellow one hundred and eight; the second is [Yellow Nine Ginseng] Human Yellow ninety-nine; the third is [Dew of Dawn] Human Yellow one hundred and seventy-two."

"In the morning, drink from the golden-scaled tail, your feet must not touch the ground. In summer, consume ginseng whiskers, do not touch water for seven days. At night, absorb the yellow dew, do not see the moon. The order, on how to swallow and drink, must not deviate even a fraction."

"If all goes smoothly, you will be able to comprehend the Magic Dao·Golden Light."

"Today I grant you one scale and half a tail, although the quantity is small, it contains Magic Essence. Drink it directly, and feel it carefully."

She plucks off one scale and cuts off half the tail.

Li Xian thanks her and consumes one scale and half a tail. He immediately feels a coolness throughout his body, the Essence of Heaven and Earth is exceptionally rich. Astonishingly, it doesn't leak a bit, accumulating in the abdomen.

Over five hundred strands...

After consumption enhancement, it becomes seven hundred and fifty strands. Each strand of Essence of Heaven and Earth also contains mysterious Magic Essence.

Li Xian realizes, "I see... I need to digest this portion of the Essence of Heaven and Earth to naturally comprehend the Magic Essence within."

Madam Wen says, "Go and comprehend it yourself, practice Martial Arts diligently, and digest the essence. You are now the county's Military Officer, hmm... quite good, seek out some Red List villains to spar with, it may also aid in digesting the essence. In addition to hard practice, experience more." She gives a gentle wave of her sleeve, and a soft breeze gently pushes Li Xian out of the room.

In the courtyard.

Li Xian closes his eyes, feeling and understanding. The essence is pure, the Magic Essence unique...

"With my current strength, hoping to attain Treasure Technique is nothing but wishful thinking. But such a Human Yellow-level Essence Treasure, its consumption process is truly extraordinary."

"Even within the Essence of Heaven and Earth, there are differences."

[Food Essence]

[Skill Level: 62/100]

Food Essence Six Transformations.

Li Xian feels entirely comfortable, with many changes unfathomable. He practices several sets of Martial Arts, only then feeling somewhat satisfied.

"Consuming the golden-scale fish, the Essence of Heaven and Earth is so rich. It accumulates within, requiring time to digest. During this period, I need not consume [Essence Treasure] again."

...

...

Early November, heavy snow in Qingning.

The second day back at the manor, it's the "Account Report" period.

In these few days, there will be stewards from Ma Village, silk garden girls from Sang Garden, village chiefs from various villages… coming to the manor to report accounts, discussing this year's market conditions, management status, and so on.

This matter is handled by Uncle Xiang, but Madam Wen orders Li Xian to observe and learn.

Uncle Xiang smiles, "Li Xian, Madam Wen values you greatly now, don't let her down."

"Certainly." Li Xian smiles.

Uncle Xiang is experienced, listening carefully can reveal account discrepancies. Who slacks off, who works diligently, who is industrious and conscientious. Those active are praised, those lazy are punished.

His style of work is quite worth learning.

Li Xian contacts the manor business, only to realize the [Silkworm Cloud Tower] [Zhen Xiang Lou] [Chun Meng Kiln]… many famous industries in the Prefecture City actually come from Madame.

Busy for three days like this, reviewing accounts, verifying account slips… extremely tedious. Some can endure the hardships of Martial Arts, but cannot bear this attention to detail and trivialities.

Li Xian is naturally eager to learn, thinking this is also a rare opportunity to learn a lot of business knowledge. So he does not complain, quietly noting it down.

Madam Wen hears feedback from Uncle Xiang, seeing that Li Xian is keen to learn management, she is very pleased, indicating that Li Xian's heart is very much on the manor.

This makes her even more fond.

She also thinks, "I have obtained the golden-scaled fish, right now I need to sort out the golden-scaled fish. The Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique, and the manor affairs, have to be put aside for now. During this period, let him stretch out and play around."

"Call him back to the manor when necessary."

She does not oppose Li Xian venturing out, hence the "Military Officer" position still remains. She then calls Li Xian and grants him several days off. All manor work is entrusted to Uncle Xiang.

Uncle Xiang sighs, "Madam, madam, you are worried this laborious work troubles your young gentleman. So you insist on having this old servant do it all."

After all, a Second Realm Peak Martial Artist. Playing with abacuses all day, calculating in and out. Careful about the nursing home, servants, and maids' allocations. A bit of a waste of talent, a waste of time.

Li Xian enjoys the holiday, feeling restless, riding a fine steed, after a month or so, he returns home.

Three halls, two factions, the dignity of the county, various families of all surnames… all come out to greet him. Li Xian inquires and learns it is the "Hero List" being updated.

The Evil Captain Li Xian has already entered the top three, his fame immense, many heated discussions.

Li Xian does not care, "What is there to care about this kind of empty reputation." He sets it aside and returns to the Martial Captain Hall.

In the hall, all the constables wear evil ghost masks, holding fine steel long sabers. Their movements neat and uniform, their intent to kill fierce. Luo Xia shouts, "One!" The constables immediately draw their sabers, slashing straight out.

Li Xian is stunned, remaining silent, watching for a moment.

Luo Xia, catching a glimpse of Li Xian from the corner of her eye, shouts, "Stop!" The constables halt their training. Luo Xia walks over to Li Xian, saying, "You're back? I heard your name is quite well known now."

Li Xian laughs, "It's true I caused quite a bit of trouble. As for fame... isn't it just those people in the Prefecture City saying whatever they want."

"Indeed." Luo Xia says, "While you were away, I've given the Martial Captain Hall a refreshing makeover. These young ones can now all be considered elite soldiers."

"In future times of war, to point and strike where needed, breaking the enemy, would be quite powerful indeed."

Li Xian laughs and scolds, "You rebel."

Luo Xia holds a large banquet, and she and Li Xian eat and drink heartily. The trip to the Prefecture City was extremely perilous. Being able to return safely is already cause for joy.

At the banquet, everyone raised their glasses, mingling joyfully. They celebrated Li Xian's triumphant return. The constables in the hall drank heartily, relaxed, and asked about the grand sights of the Prefecture City and the encounters along the way.

Li Xian recounted everything — the treacherous nature of the noble families, the rarity of exquisite dishes, and the thrilling disputes among the prodigies. However, he did not mention the matter of the [Golden Scale], fearing that if the constables knew, it might bring trouble instead.

He mused to himself, "I never thought I, Li Xian, could have so many brothers."

They indulged in a grand drink.

In this way, everything returned to how it was.

One moment spring, another moment winter.

One day, with nothing to do, Li Xian suddenly visited "Black River Village." The village chief, Uncle Fu, had passed away in July, passing away peacefully in his sleep. An elderly person with the surname Zhou took over as the village chief.

Recognizing Li Xian, he called for the villagers to welcome him.

After a year of development, Black River Village grew increasingly populous. Because of the "Old Farmer's Anti-bandit Array," bandits from Mountain Wind Stronghold and others did not dare to enter the village. As such, surrounding villagers migrated to Black River Village, gradually strengthening it, and the villagers united together.

Li Xian took a brief stroll and came to the Black River. The Black Water Gang had already been annihilated, and now the "Red Water Gang" reigned, dominating another region.

The "Human Sail" constructed by the Black Water Gang still stood by the river, but all the people within the sail had died, turning into skeletons. The Red Water Gang used this to showcase the crimes of the Black Water Gang.

Li Xian gazed at the river, sighing.

"The things remain, but people change."

"So much has changed in this year."

"My little brother is studying abroad, with ambitions of his own. I once only sought enough food and clothes, and to not be bullied. Now I have more than enough, and quite a reputation in Qingning County. Those who could bully me... are only a few ladies."

"My goal now is to grow stronger, to surpass those ladies, to be unfettered. Yet it's so difficult, but why worry too much about it, heaven rewards diligence, success depends on people! If I don't die, I'll keep moving forward!"

Li Xian's ambition surged. He returned home, practicing diligently.

...

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +2]

Li Xian focused on practicing the Thunderbolt Finger and the Setting Sun Blood Sword.

The Setting Sun Blood Sword reached completion, his body as hot as fire, flames shooting out from his shoulders.

[Setting Sun Blood Sword·Second Layer]

[Skill Level: 15/50000 Completion]

[Description: You tempered your body with Yang Fire, your physique is pure, your body like a furnace, not afraid of the cold. Abundant Yang Qi, easy to attract favor. Unfortunately, there's a Yin-Yang deficiency, the sword technique ultimately has flaws. Understood 'Yang Sword Aura' and 'Life-Protecting Yang Qi.']

Li Xian had already gained 'Yang Yuan Sword Qi' as his trump card. When performing the Setting Sun Blood Sword technique, he accumulated Inner Qi, fiercely releasing several meters of Sword Qi.

The 'Yang Sword Aura' is similar to, yet different from, Yang Yuan Sword Qi. When wielding the sword with the Yang Sword Aura, the blade emits rays of light, capable of both offense and defense, with endless wonderful uses. It holds tremendous killing power.

Li Xian, sensing progress, was thrilled, "The superior swordsmanship is truly remarkable, now I have gained another strand of Life-Protecting Yang Qi, another trump card at my disposal."

The Qi Lake transformed once again, needing to build a 'seventy-two meters' lake body. With such a Qi amount, even Second Realm Martial Artists might not reach it.

Li Xian completed the second layer of the Setting Sun Blood Sword, increasing it by several meters. With nearly forty meters of Qi Lake body, it surged and raged, exerting its full strength with considerable power.

"The journey may be long, but with steady steps, I will surely arrive!"

...

In the time that followed.

Li Xian progressed rapidly, unperturbed by trivial matters, practicing by day and resting by night. In idle moments, he sought pleasure in drinking with his brothers and friends.

The days were carefree.

With the help of the Thunder Stone, the Thunderbolt Finger progressed quickly, successfully reaching [Peak].

The first layer of the Setting Sun Blood Sword neared the realm of [Peak].

"Other martial arts, the lady can't detect any clues. But the Setting Sun Blood Sword is a combined sword technique. If this sword reaches the peak, the lady is bound to become suspicious."

So he temporarily set aside the first layer of the "Setting Sun Blood Sword," turning to practice the second layer. Neither rushed nor slow, he contemplated the changes in the sword technique, seeking endless possibilities.

[Skill Level +2]

[Skill Level +3]

...

Silently striving forward, climbing to the summit.

Mid-to-late November.

Dense clouds gathered over Qingning County. After a few days, fierce winds and snowstorms arose, blocking out the sun, howling through the skies. Every household in the county closed their doors, and pavilions shut their gates.

Enduring the ravages of wind and snow.

In the Martial Captain Hall.

In the outer courtyard's main hall, there were two boilers set up, one in the east, one in the west. The broth was boiling, simmering with tiger bones, pig bones, bear bones, deer bones, and goat bones. Tiger whip, pig whip, bear whip, deer whip, and goat whip.

Five Bone Five Whip Fresh Yang Soup. On the table were slices of meat, fresh vegetables, strong liquor... an array of ingredients.

Dozens of constables, Zhang Hou, Wang Wu... everyone, gathered around the boiler, scalding meat, eating vegetables, and drinking wine. The cold wind couldn't douse their fervor.

Wang Wu said, "Sir, this charcoal fire is really strong. In such snowy weather, it can still make the soup boiling hot."

Luo Xia cursed, "Of course, it's a treasure your lord had brought from the village. A bunch of fools not recognizing it, let me tell you, what's under the pot is worth much more than what's in it."

"Hahaha, everyone enjoy to your heart's content, don't think too much." Li Xian said aloud. The howling wind and snow drowned out his voice a bit. Yet it couldn't hide the youthful vigor.

"You... I really admire you!" Luo Xia gave a thumbs-up. Such wind and snow, such weather. Li Xian insisted on organizing a gathering, inviting everyone to eat amidst the snow.

Not knowing the boundlessness of the skies, not fearing the bitter cold. Beyond the norm, full of righteous ardor. Unpredictable, yet filled with boundless passion.

Luo Xia smiled softly, recalling past years. Though she was resolute in battle, none were as vividly lively as him. She shook her head, smiling, "Come, drink with me! Whoever gets drunk will be boiled in the pot."

"Big sister... we won't drink with you. We'll leave it to your lord to handle you." Zhang Hou laughed, "Hahaha."

"You really know how to touch on sore topics, looking to get hit!" Luo Xia, irritated and embarrassed, rolled up her sleeves, pretending to strike.

Zhang Hou dodged and begged for mercy, and everyone burst into laughter. Enjoying the moment, seeking nothing more.

Li Xian suddenly paused, stood up, and shouted, "Madam?"

Luo Xia's smile faded, and the constables immediately fell silent, all becoming cautious. Beyond the hall doors, Madam's skirt fluttered, she had come seeking the Martial Captain Hall!

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