Zhong Lin and his companion searched the man dressed in black who was pinned to the tree in front of them, finding a pile of things.
A few taels of gold, a Black Jade Long Sword, and two bottles of elixir.
On the first black-clad man who was shot dead, they found a secret book titled ’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill.’
"Lu Country is another nation to the west of our Great Chen, an age-old enemy of ours. The Shadow Platform is a department their court established specifically for assassinations, covert operations, and intelligence gathering. Presumably, they came this time to seize the secret manuals for taming and breeding eagles at Heavenly Eagle Castle."
"’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill’ is a Lower Third Grades body refining skill used by the Shadow Platform to cultivate martial artists. Don’t underestimate it; though it’s just a body refining skill, it’s hailed as the foremost body refining method," Mei Weixuan said.
Zhong Lin raised an eyebrow, "So audacious?"
"Indeed so audacious. It is said that this cultivation technique, when perfected, can refine Golden Muscle and Jade Bone. Although no one has ever achieved that, martial artists who practice this technique indeed have a more solid foundation than others and have a higher chance of condensing qi-blood when advancing to the Middle Third Grades. Just for that, calling it the foremost body refining method is justified."
Zhong Lin’s eyes lit up at this; others might not reach that level, but he’s different—after all, he has a cheat.
"I’ll study it closely."
While speaking, Zhong Lin tucked the secret manual into his chest.
The two then turned their gaze to the two bottles of elixir.
Mei Weixuan, being very cautious, didn’t open them with his hands but instead took out a pair of deerskin gloves and held his breath.
"Traveling outside, safety first. Especially with elixirs or something brought by others, never consume them or open them haphazardly. Who knows if there’s poison inside."
With a slight sound, the cork popped open, pouring out a white pearl-sized elixir pill with seven golden spots arranged on its surface, looking quite exquisite.
"Haha, we’ve struck it rich! I didn’t expect it to be the Seven Treasures Heart Protecting Pill, worth a staggering eight hundred silver taels apiece, and there are ten inside, making it eight thousand taels."
Mei Weixuan shouted excitedly.
"Are you short of silver?" Zhong Lin asked.
"Look at what you’re saying; who doesn’t think having more silver is a good thing? These are eight thousand taels. We can split it in half, enough for me to enjoy a few months at the Xiangxi Riverside Pavilion."
While speaking, Mei Weixuan opened the second porcelain bottle, and a crystal-clear elixir was poured out, accompanied by a refreshing fragrance.
Merely sniffing it made Zhong Lin feel a sense of clarity and calm.
"Heart Enlightenment Pill, it turns out to be a Third Grade Elixir, Heart Enlightenment Pill."
Mei Weixuan couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw the elixir, his eyes sparkling.
"Are elixirs graded? What is a Heart Enlightenment Pill?"
Zhong Lin realized he had stumbled upon another point of knowledge, not knowing that elixirs also had grades.
"Haven’t I explained before?"
"Alright then! First Grade Elixirs correspond to the Lower Third Grades body refining. Blood Replenishing Pill and Bone Strengthening Pill belong to First Grade Elixirs."
"Second Grade Elixirs correspond to the Middle Third Grades blood coagulation. The Qi Blood Pill you’re currently using for cultivation and the Seven Treasures Heart Protecting Pill both belong to Second Grade Elixirs."
"Third Grade Elixirs correspond to the Upper Third Grades qi cultivation. There is supposedly a Fourth Grade Elixir, but I have never seen one. The Heart Enlightenment Pill belongs to Third Grade Elixirs; consuming it can temporarily enhance intelligence and comprehension; it’s a treasure medicine money can’t buy."
Mei Weixuan turned to Zhong Lin and said, "Brother Zhong, I have great use for this Heart Enlightenment Pill. Would you mind letting me have it? I won’t ask for anything else. Once we return to Tianyang County, I’ll compensate you for the difference in silver. What do you think?"
After finishing, he looked at Zhong Lin with anticipation, also with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.
This Heart Enlightenment Pill is a priceless treasure, sometimes even unobtainable with money.
Zhong Lin’s face showed a teasing smile. Though the Heart Enlightenment Pill was precious, it was dispensable for Zhong Lin. Any skill method, for him, could reach the full level upon learning, a function far superior to the so-called Heart Enlightenment Pill.
Moreover, the night’s gains were already substantial. It’s unwise to be overly greedy.
"Who just said they wanted me to buy them a drink?" Zhong Lin teased.
Upon hearing there was room for negotiation, Mei Weixuan quickly said, "On me."
"It must be the Xiangxi Riverside Pavilion."
"I’ll satisfy all your requests."
"Considering you are so sincere, alright then!"
"Thank you, I recognize you as my true brother."
Mei Weixuan patted Zhong Lin heavily on the shoulder, his tone unusually sincere.
The two didn’t linger any longer; there had been enough happening tonight, so returning promptly was the right thing to do.
By now, the moon was at its zenith, and the two cautiously returned to their campsite.
Gu Yourong was still sitting in meditation, practicing cultivation, seemingly oblivious to their return, although the sudden change in aura already betrayed him.
Zhong Lin and his companion exchanged a knowing look without further comment and each found a spot to rest.
Much had happened tonight. Mei Weixuan’s situation was unknown, but Zhong Lin was already exhausted and soon fell asleep.
The night passed without words.
On the second day, as the morning sun rose, everyone set out again.
Zhong Lin sat in the carriage, unashamedly taking out the secret manuals he gathered the night before to examine them.
’Great River Blood Building Skill,’ ’Iron Blood Pole Technique,’ ’Mixed Essence Posture,’ ’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill.’
Three blood coagulation techniques and one body refining skill.
Each one was a priceless treasure in the outside world, especially the three blood coagulation techniques; any one could incite a storm of bloodshed or even establish a century-old clan.
The rest were martial arts techniques, weaponssmanship, footwork, and secret techniques.
Mastering these would ensure a variety of attack methods in the short term.
Next to him, Mei Weixuan glanced over and said, "I recommend you choose ’Mixed Essence Posture,’ although it’s not the top-tier blood coagulation technique, it is quite superior, much better than the ’Red Sun Stance’ you practiced before. As for martial arts techniques, specializing in two would suffice; after all, time and energy are limited. Greed without thorough utilization is counterproductive."
Mei Weixuan’s advice was quite reasonable, at least for ordinary people.
Zhong Lin didn’t refute or explain that he wasn’t afraid of being unable to digest too much.
Setting the cultivation techniques aside, it wasn’t suitable to restrain himself and cultivate in the carriage, so Zhong Lin picked up a martial art called ’Wind and Thunder Sword Skill.’
This swordsmanship focuses on the speed of wind and thunder, with sword moves swift as the wind and powerful as thunder, wielding the Wind and Thunder Sword, its speed fierce as a gale with thunder making it hard for enemies to evade.
Plucking a branch from the roadside, Zhong Lin practiced the moves described in the secret manual in the cramped space.
’Wind and Thunder Sword Skill’ not only includes sword moves but also the use of qi-blood, integrating it into the weapon to grasp the changes of wind and thunder.
After a while, Zhong Lin stopped his movements, frowning slightly.
"Brother Mei, do you have any basic sword skill martial techniques?"