The warm current in the dantian is referred to by martial artists as "inner strength," "inner qi," or "inner qi aura."
It is something that a martial artist cultivates through martial arts, originating from the depths of the flesh and blood.
When applied to martial arts techniques, it can cause qualitative changes.
With a protective qi aura, it can also offset severe cold, resist external evils, and invigorate energy, among many other wonderful uses. Li Xian is still in the Initial Realm of Martial Arts and is still exploring.
Li Xian circulated his inner qi and combined it with the "Four Directions Fist" in which he had reached Great Success, throwing a punch with a rich martial arts meaning.
It even had the intention of returning to simplicity.
"Li... Lord Li?"
Suddenly, someone approached, nodding and bowing, with a fawning and ingratiating look on his face.
This person’s name was Shi Xiaodong, a regular D-class nursing home worker. Age-wise, this person was twenty-five, while Li Xian was only fifteen.
At this moment, however, he was hunched over, with a wry smile, a humble and respectful attitude, voluntarily addressing him as "Lord."
"What is it?"
Li Xian withdrew his fist posture, today’s hard practice had yielded results, the Four Directions Fist had smoothly reached Great Success, and the skill level of the Clear Wind Leg had increased by more than 40 points. He was planning to rest.
"I heard you... became a C-class nursing home worker?" Shi Xiaodong asked with a smile.
Li Xian nodded. Shi Xiaodong immediately smiled and cupped his hands: "Congratulations, Lord Li, congratulations. This is truly amazing, everyone has been discussing you these past two days, saying you’re handsome and valiant, elegant and extraordinary..."
After a series of compliments, he finally got to the point.
"It’s like this, I have a small favor to ask of you."
"Let’s hear it," Li Xian bent down to pick up a saber from the ground, tightened his wrist guards. Despite his young age, he already possessed an impressive demeanor.
His appearance was handsome.
He didn’t seem like a mere housekeeper but more like a dashing and spirited young hero with an extraordinary aura.
Shi Xiaodong was momentarily dazzled. He had seen such young heroes before. Outsiders with prestigious backgrounds often visited the estate, including younger guests.
To them, they were like celestial beings. These figures carried an air of heroic spirit.
But to see it in a nursing home worker, this was indeed the first time.
Speaking of which, while being a C-class nursing home worker was no low rank, there were still many ranks higher. But auras are mysterious things, generated from the heart; if you have it, you have it; if not, you can’t learn it.
"Have you not bought any elixirs this month?" Shi Xiaodong rubbed his hands together, "I would like to ask you to help me buy a ’C-class elixir.’
Li Xian understood, massaging his sore shoulder and stretching his body. These are minor details of nourishing the meridians.
They help blood and qi flow, and smooth and soften blood vessels.
"Go on, tell me more."
Li Xian exhaled, speaking as he walked. He had a patrol shift to attend later.
"Hehe, I, this young man, have set my eyes on a ’Jade Pill,’ and saved up money for half a year."
"If you agree, Lord Li, you would help me buy it from the Leisure Pill Pavilion. Rest assured, I understand how it works, aside from the elixir coins, all else belongs to you."
Shi Xiaodong laughed and handed over a pouch with both hands.
Li Xian did not accept it but asked, "Jade Pill?"
"The Jade Pill at the Leisure Pill Pavilion is priced at one tael and seven hundred coins. Its efficacy is to enhance inner qi. My martial arts have not progressed for a long time, so I want to use the elixir to improve."
Shi Xiaodong chuckled awkwardly, unable to hide anything.
"This elixir is one I haven’t heard of before." Li Xian was in need of money, helping with this small favor was no big deal.
He took the money pouch, weighed it in his hand. It was filled with broken silver and copper coins, making a rattling sound. He opened it and estimated that the broken silver and copper coins together.
The value should be about two taels; this Shi Xiaodong really knows how to make connections.
"Alright, let’s go now." Li Xian said.
"Now... now?" Shi Xiaodong was stunned, then showed a look of surprise. But immediately, a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.
Following along, he watched Li Xian enter the Leisure Pill Pavilion, pacing back and forth outside, muttering to himself:
"This Lord Li is rather straightforward, says he’ll help immediately."
"But if he harbors ill intentions and wants to embezzle my money, what should I do?"
He couldn’t help but overthink.
Generally speaking, when a D-class nursing home worker seeks a C-class one to purchase an elixir, there are a lot of unwritten rules.
Normally, you pre-order in the first few days of the month.
But the C-class nursing home worker won’t buy it immediately because they’re not sure if they’ll need the elixir that month.
They’ll wait until the end of the month, confirming they don’t need it, then purchase it for the D-class worker.
And that’s the best-case scenario.
Once people gain power, they find ways to hassle those without power to feel that power.
Especially when buying elixirs.
"Won’t he just swallow up my half-year savings?"
"Oh no, what should I do? What should I do?"
Shi Xiaodong was so anxious that he was almost in tears.
This kind of thing wasn’t uncommon; after all, when you’re asking someone for a favor, you can only swallow your suffering.
If a C-class nursing home worker truly wants to take it, the money... you can only consider it a tribute, gone is gone.
After all, if a conflict arises, you’d suffer greater losses.
"I should have gone to Yan Yang; after all, he’s an established C-class nursing home worker. Although he charges high and often delays for months before delivering the elixir."
"But at least... he’s never withheld it."
"Shi Xiaodong, oh Shi Xiaodong, your smart move backfired on you, didn’t it?"
With red eyes, Shi Xiaodong almost cried, feeling terribly stifled inside.
"Hmm."
After an indeterminate amount of time, Li Xian came out of the building, tossing a brocade box over.
Shi Xiaodong froze.
He hurriedly caught the brocade box, looking at Li Xian in surprise.
"What, didn’t you ask me to help you buy an elixir? What’s with that look?" Li Xian furrowed his brow.
"Ah... oh oh." Shi Xiaodong quickly opened the brocade box.
A rush of elixir fragrance wafted out, inside lay a light green elixir, precisely the Jade Pill. Its color, shape, and fragrance were all remarkably good.
"Transaction complete, the remaining three hundred and ninety coins are all mine." Li Xian touched his nose.
He felt a bit embarrassed.
This back and forth earned him two months’ salary. Even though D-class nursing home workers have plenty of side hustles to earn extra income.
Three hundred and ninety coins is indeed no small amount, in this world, it’s enough to buy a life!
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."
He waved his hand and swaggered away.
"This..."
Shi Xiaodong gawked, staring at Li Xian’s retreating figure.
Same-day payment, same-day elixir delivery.
No extra words, no bullying, no deception, no arrogance... in the five or six years he had spent in the estate, he had neither heard nor seen such a thing. This was a first.
He faintly understood how this aura of youthful heroism came to be.
"Lord Li... you are truly a grand lord." Shi Xiaodong gave a sincere thumbs up, completely convinced.
In the previous gossip about Li Xian, his voice was not absent. Thinking back now, he was ashamed to the point of wanting to disappear.
...
The harsh wind howled.
As if to flay one’s flesh and blood, leaving no chance of survival.
Li Xiaofan was about to face the winter examinations, about to follow the study team to the adjacent "Huangtian County," officially commencing the winter exam.
The Great Wu Dynasty... valued both martial and literary pursuits. Martial artists sought rebirth, while scholars seized opportunities with literary energy.
Those bearing fortune were highly esteemed.
The so-called academic examination was an exam to seize opportunities.
Li Xiaofan, adhering to his brother’s words, spent money to eat some innards, improving his nutrition slightly.
As he was about to leave Qingning County, he longed to see his brother once more.
Braving the cold wind, dressed in dirty and smelly burlap, his little face was full of determination.
His snot was frozen stiff, stuck to his face, and taking it off would hurt.
In the distance, he saw an estate.
"Is this the place my brother lives?" Li Xiaofan muttered in his heart, "I hope I can see my brother."