"Really!?"
Li Xian was overjoyed.
In the Great Wu Dynasty, both scholarship and martial arts are valued. A Martial Artist can undergo Rebirth, seize the Essence of Heaven and Earth, and possess considerable combat effectiveness.
Scholars utilize the stroke of their pens to capture Literary Energy, enhancing their fortune. Although they lack powerful strength, their influence should not be underestimated.
The phrase "Plucking Flowers."
Refers to achieving excellent academic exam results, enabling one to advance further.
"Ah, you two brothers, each more impressive than the other," Aunt Liu sighed.
"With such good news, why didnât my younger brother personally come to tell me?" Li Xian asked casually in high spirits.
Aunt Liu and Wang Yonghou were both stunned by his words, exchanged a glance, opened and closed their lips, hesitant to speak.
"This matter..."
"I really donât know if I should say it."
Aunt Liu paced back and forth, visibly hesitant. Wang Yonghou said, "Let me handle it."
"Xiao Xian, we heard this through the grapevine. Whether itâs true or false, you must judge for yourself."
Li Xian furrowed his brow, nodding, "Alright!"
"Youâve gone to be a Nursing Home guard, so my wife and I naturally looked after Xiaofan for you."
"The money you sent last time, after curing my wifeâs illness, we actually had a few hundred Wen Coins left. So we thought of going to Huangyu County on a good day to check things out."
"To see how Xiaofan is, and if possible, buy some buns and dry cakes for him. A ten-year-old child with no one to care for, a pitiful sight."
"But when we went, we heard some bad rumors."
Wang Yonghou cautiously observed Li Xianâs expression, seeing his calm demeanor, and continued, "We heard..."
"Xiaofan was captured by someone."
"What happened?" Li Xianâs eyes flashed with cold light as he immediately questioned.
Aunt Liu said, "I heard... it seems thereâs a young master from a gang who also took the scholarly examination. Unfortunately, his knowledge was shallow and he couldnât Pluck the Flower. He ranked thirty-seventh, just outside the cut-off."
"If just one person doesnât go, the position could go to him."
"The scholars ahead all come from wealthy families. Only our Xiaofan, in second-hand clothes and just a ten-year-old child."
"The weak are easily bullied."
"However... this is just a rumor, we donât know its truth."
Aunt Liu and Wang Yonghouâs faces were filled with anxiety, trying to speak as gently as possible.
Li Xian wasnât foolish. If the rumors were false, why would Aunt Liu and Wang Yonghou come looking for him? It was likely that there was an 80% chance the rumors were true, and his younger brotherâs situation was dire.
"Is my brotherâs life in danger?" Li Xian asked.
"According to the rumors, it seems not." Aunt Liu said uncertainly, "Even that gangâs young master wouldnât want to get into serious trouble. âKilling to seize a flowerâ is too disgraceful, too shameful."
"And such actions would be severely interrogated. The identity of a Flower-Plucking scholar is different, someone qualified to seize that mystical fortune."
"Alas, we donât really understand the details, but in short, his life should not be in jeopardy."
"But... but..."
"He wonât have an easy time."
Li Xian thought, Aunt Liu and Wang Yonghou are from a farming background and have never left Qingning County in their entire life. For his sake, they traveled miles to Huangyu County, which was a great kindness.
Given their limited knowledge, their perception was bound to be biased. Pressing them too hard was pointless; it was better to investigate himself.
He pondered, "Do you know where they are keeping my brother?"
"No... we donât know." Aunt Liu shook her head.
"Alright, Aunt Liu, Uncle Wang, you two should go back. Donât mention seeing me to anyone. This matter has nothing to do with you," Li Xian said solemnly.
"Xiao Xian, you... you need to stay calm," Aunt Liu advised worriedly.
"Donât worry, Iâm very calm," Li Xian smiled.
...
"Sir."
Nearby, Bi Hao nodded and bowed, intending to speak flattering words. But he saw Li Xian striding away without stopping.
"A true gentleman, walking with such style."
Bi Hao watched Li Xianâs back with undisguised admiration.
Li Xian took a deep breath.
This was the critical moment for his brother to leap as a carp over the dragonâs gate. As his elder brother, he must support him fully.
"Fortunately, I have not neglected my martial arts in daily life."
"At times like this, martial arts is all one can rely on."
Li Xian suppressed his anger, remaining calm and composed, like a massive, cold copper tripod.
He sought Pang Long and asked for a temporary leave.
Then went to his residence to retrieve the "Deer Hunting Bow."
"Li Ye, what are you going to do?"
A Nursing Home guard saw Li Xian and asked curiously.
"Iâve got some personal business." Li Xian suddenly stopped, looked at the guard, who was about the same height as him, and said, "I remember you have a nice piece of clothing?"
"Yes, haha," the guard chuckled.
"Iâll buy it from you for fifty Wen Coins," Li Xian said.
"For you, Li Ye, how could I refuse?" the guard flattered.
Li Xian said, "Thanks, but the money is yours."
After spending some time, he acquired a new outfit.
Leaving the manor, he found a secluded forest, changed out of the old guard clothes, and put on the new onesâa flower-red cloth, somewhat eye-catching but not immediately identifying him as a guard.
The old clothes were buried under a tree. Li Xian, with the Longbow on his back, rushed to Qingning County.
He recalled a blacksmith shop in the eastern part of town that secretly sold knives.
Upon arriving at the blacksmith shop, the blacksmith was a dark-skinned man, his body half-burned with a terrifying appearance.
Childless, making a living by forging and selling knives.
"Boy, looking at you, youâre not an ordinary customer."
The blacksmith swung his arm, hitting a red-hot iron, sending sparks flying. He glanced at Li Xian and casually said.
"I want a knife," Li Xian stated bluntly.
"Alright," the blacksmith said. "Five hundred Wen, pay up to see the knife."
In Qingning County, knives are regulated, making them quite expensive.
After receiving the payment, the blacksmith hefted the money slightly and smiled, "Take it."
Opening a wooden box, he tossed a knife. Li Xian caught itâa narrow blade two fingers wide, single-sided edge, made of ordinary iron. Though the craftsmanship was commendable, it felt comfortable to wield.
With Inner Qi flowing, swinging the long knife, it was more than sufficient to penetrate skin and flesh.
"Not as good as the Nursing Homeâs weapons. Unfortunately, when not on duty, carrying a blade is forbidden, especially now since Iâm on leave."
The manorâs rules are strict.
Li Xian didnât dare challenge them nor could he.
The narrow iron blade would have to suffice.
"Kid, keep it low-key. Put it in this," the blacksmith threw over a cloth bag. "Donât bring me trouble."
"Thank you."
Covering the blade, concealing its shine, Li Xian replied indifferently and quickly left.
"Next, buy some arrows. With this, Iâll have a bow for distance, a knife for close-quarters, Clear Wind Leg, Four Directions Fist, Jade Palm..."
"As long as I am careful, I should be able to handle myself without encountering a Food Essence Realm expert like the Pot Immortal."
Li Xianâs eyes grew cold.
Understanding this journey harbors great danger, the extent of the trouble yet unknown. Helping his brother leap as a carp over the dragonâs gate was the primary task, but he wouldnât recklessly risk his life either. His life was equally precious, not to be squandered.
Wisdom in strategy!
Negotiation as the priority!
A Hunterâs arrows are typically self-made. Lacking time, Li Xian went to the nearest Hunter to purchase them directly.
He replenished the arrow count to "two hundred," then visited the countyâs black market to buy some gunpowder and poison powder.
These items were exorbitantly priced. The sellers knew Li Xian was in urgent need and set high prices. Fortunately, he had saved some money, and spending two taels of silver, he prepared everything needed.
And so, he set out for Huangyu County.
The wind and snow persisted endlessly.
The carp was about to transform into the Golden Flood Dragon, to glimpse the Celestial Palace Golden Pavilion. Li Xian ventured through the snow, ready to experience the salty and spicy flavors of the Jianghu.