In a two-story tavern, at a street-facing table on the second floor, Li Cunxiao and He Bi sat across from each other.
On the table were a platter of salted black-bean mustard lamb tripe, peppered minced lamb, five-flavor steamed chicken, two or three vegetable dishes, and a fruit platter.
The dishes were plentiful without being extravagant, and the two drank low-proof rice wine, an ordinary beverage commonly seen among common folk.
After taking his seat, He Bi had been carefully watching Li Cunxiao's expression. Seeing no displeasure on his face now, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
His father was a major grain merchant in the Outer City, with a fortune to his name. If he truly wanted to treat someone, he could afford even the famed Zui Chun Lou in the inner city.
But He Bi also understood that his friendship with Li Cunxiao was still shallow. If they truly went to such a gold-swallowing den, the latter, born into poverty, would likely be too uneasy to sit still. How could he eat and drink properly then?
Friendship had to deepen step by step. Was treating someone not the same?
"Brother Li, this place's lamb may not have the finest seasoning, but the ingredients are superb. Every time I come, I have to order this plate of peppered minced lamb."
He Bi eagerly urged him to eat, and Li Cunxiao did not stand on ceremony.
The skin-on lamb was rich and juicy, melting with a gentle press of the tongue. The flavor of pepper filled his mouth, and as the satisfaction surged through him, he washed it down with a sip of faintly sweet rice wine.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the atmosphere gradually grew warmer. The two exchanged details of their family backgrounds and spoke of their experiences entering the escort agency.
He Bi's thoughts slowly changed.
He had originally heard that one of the Li brothers was in Chief Escort Zhang's residence. Like everyone else, he had assumed the two supported one another. Perhaps Li Muxia was capable at his work, and some great figure above let a little resource slip through the cracks of his fingers—enough for Li Cunxiao to leave all the ordinary hands far behind.
But who would have thought that Li Cunxiao's younger brother was merely a ten-year-old child, nothing more than Miss Zhang's bookboy? In such a position, no matter how diligently he worked, it was impossible for him to win the Chief Escort's special favor and receive Demon Meat as a reward.
If so, then Li Cunxiao had truly broken through Sensing Qi by relying on himself?
". So Brother Li's family circumstances are this difficult. It seems those idle rumors truly were false. I merely echoed what others said."
"I'll punish myself with a cup."
Li Cunxiao naturally would not let someone else drink a penalty cup, and immediately joined him in one.
"Brother He, don't dwell on it. After all, I entered the escort agency only because I was fortunate enough to receive the Chief Escort's favor. Rumors and gossip are unavoidable."
"To be born lowly is no disgrace; to bend and stretch as needed—that is what makes a man."
"For now, I only focus on training, hoping to manipulate blood essence. How could a few remarks hinder my future?"
"Well said! What a fine 'to bend and stretch as needed—that is what makes a man'!"
Neither servile nor overbearing, he harbored ambition while keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground. Mature and capable, he was nothing like a youth of seventeen or eighteen.
He Bi could not help gaining a few more measures of appreciation for Li Cunxiao.
Originally, he truly had come for Li Cunxiao because he "had someone in the residence." Did not even court ministers curry favor with eunuchs? What were they after? Was it not because having someone close to the Son of Heaven made things easier?
That was naturally out of the question now. But five or six years later, once Li Muxia had grown up, perhaps through his bond as Fourth Miss's bookboy, he could secure a position in the Zhang Family residence.
On top of that, Li Cunxiao's own talent was not poor. At the very least, he could become an escort master, and now He Bi felt even more strongly that he was no ordinary person.
That alone was enough for him to invest a little. It was only some silver, after all. Did Young Master He lack money?
With that thought, He Bi's tone turned even more cordial.
"I admire Brother Li's ambition and perseverance, but on the path of martial arts, those alone are still not enough."
"I'm sure you can feel it too. Compared with the progress we are making in training, the medicinal soup provided by the escort agency is somewhat lacking."
"Brother Li, do you remember the Demon Meat I mentioned before?"
"Brother He means...?"
"This Demon Flesh and Blood is a great tonic for martial artists, but the major families of the inner city keep a tight grip on it. Even with money, one might not be able to buy it."
"However, I have some other channels here. If Brother Li is interested, I can take you to have a look in a few days."
A perfectly timed look of embarrassment appeared on Li Cunxiao's face.
"Of course I'm interested, but such an item must be precious. I fear my funds may be insufficient."
He Bi grandly waved a hand. "No matter."
"My family has considerable means. Brother Li may use it first, and repay me later when your purse is more comfortable!"
It was done!
Li Cunxiao rejoiced inwardly at achieving his aim, while He Bi secretly felt satisfied at befriending a promising prospect. Their conversation became increasingly congenial.
The latter was determined to see his good deed through, so he simply warned Li Cunxiao in advance about the taboos of consuming Demon Meat. Inevitably, he brought up his absurd tale of bedding ten women in one night. But Li Cunxiao had not come to listen to erotic stories. Taking advantage of a pause while the other drank, he interrupted.
"Brother He, do you know what realm Escort Cui is in?"
"Hard to say. I once heard a martial artist employed by my family mention Blood Essence Fullness, Tendons, Bones, Skin, and Flesh."
"But Escort Cui may be above even the Muscle Realm. As for the Chief Escort, he is even more unfathomable."
Li Cunxiao fell into thought. He Bi's gaze also turned deep, as though he had recalled something.
"But for some reason, that man kept silent as a cicada about realms above Blood Essence. He acted just like the martial schools and escort agencies in this city. I had thought these experts simply understood one another without speaking, but after eating Demon Meat..."
He suddenly fell silent. Only after a long while did he sway to his feet.
"Haha, I'm drunk, drunk. Drunken nonsense—Brother Li, just listen to it and let it pass."
Leaving the tavern, Li Cunxiao watched He Bi board his carriage, the sound of hooves gradually fading into the streets and alleys.
He thought of the scattered words in Zhang Yuelu's letter.
Demons were savage. Their flesh and blood contained fierce Baleful Intent. If consumed improperly, it could lead to madness.
Three days later, at the escort agency's morning training.
In one corner of the training ground, more than twenty people had paired up to exchange moves in sparring practice.
After several days, Li Cunxiao had already mastered the Eight Tiger Forms and the Tiger Form Living Stances. What he needed to do next was try to use qi to drive force in these sparring exchanges, sending strength to the four extremities—the "Tiger Strength" emphasized by Tiger Form Fist.
This martial art, Tiger Form Fist, placed great emphasis on the transition between "loosening and tightening."
When facing an opponent, the body had to remain relaxed, neither rigid nor stiff. When exerting force, all ten toes gripped the ground; strength rose from the earth and power issued from the waist. Even the face had to bare its teeth and clench its jaw, making the hair stand on end, the nostrils flare, the brows knit in fury, and the eyes glare like a tiger watching its prey.
Using emotion in this way to stir the breath allowed both body and mind to enter an explosive state at once. The force released within the body then became several times greater than usual. Like an enraged tiger, when that force ran through all the major joints, it could even produce a crack-crack sound.
The force unleashed in this manner was called Tiger Strength.
As for strength reaching the four extremities, the four extremities were the two hands and two feet.
Those who had truly reached Minor Accomplishment in Tiger Form Fist could manipulate blood essence. Where intent went, qi went; where qi went, strength went.
Unlike those in the Sensing Qi realm, who could sense Blood Essence but could not control it with their minds. When intent arrived but qi had not, the body had to first make its movement before Blood Essence followed the changes in the limbs and began to circulate. That made them a beat slower than others, and naturally they could not strike with force.
In actual combat, the span of a blink was already enough to decide life and death.
A true master of Tiger Form Fist could ensure that "though force was unleashed, qi did not fade." Their attacks came in an unbroken stream, and they could throw nearly a hundred punches in a single breath.
Li Cunxiao naturally could not yet reach that level. But perhaps his tendons and bones suited Tiger Form Fist, and even his appearance matched it. When he punched with knitted brows and furious eyes, he resembled a tiger or leopard. Aside from He Bi, whenever anyone else sparred with him, a single look was enough to weaken their momentum by three parts.
"Brother Li, tonight at the hour of the pig."
During a break, He Bi stepped forward and murmured those words. Li Cunxiao immediately understood that tonight was the trip to the black market, and he promptly nodded.
He had entered the escort agency in mid-August. Half a month's wages amounted to only one tael, and Li Cunxiao now had roughly twelve taels of silver on him. Fortunately, Wood Fork wanted for neither food nor clothing in the Zhang Family residence, so he only needed to keep a little aside for emergencies.
Closing his eyes in meditation, he saw in his mind that the solitary Vajra Scepter was still dim throughout. Only a little more than one quarter of it glowed with golden light.
I wonder how much this Demon Meat can speed up the Vajra Scepter's charging?