Blood Essence Fills, Tendons, Bones, Skin, and Flesh

The two-story restaurant had a street-facing spot on the second floor where Li Cunxiao and He Bi sat opposite each other.

On the table were dishes like salted mustard tripe, minced pepper lamb, five-flavor steamed chicken, along with a few seasonal vegetables and a fruit platter.

The spread was generous but not ostentatious. Both men were drinking low-alcohol rice wine, a common beverage for ordinary folk.

After taking his seat, He Bi had been observing Li Cunxiao's expression. Seeing that he showed no displeasure, He Bi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His father was a wealthy grain merchant in the outer city. If he were truly hosting, they could afford to go to the famous Zui Chun Lou in the inner city.

But He Bi also understood that his friendship with Li Cunxiao was still shallow. If they had gone to such a place of indulgence, the latter, coming from a poor background, would likely have been ill at ease. How could he eat and drink then?

Friendships should deepen gradually, and so should hosting, right?

"Brother Li, while the seasoning for the lamb here isn't top-notch, the ingredients are excellent. Every time I come, I have to have this minced pepper lamb," He Bi said.

He Bi urged him to eat with enthusiasm, and Li Cunxiao didn't stand on ceremony.

The lamb, with its skin on, was fatty and juicy, melting in the mouth with a gentle press. The taste of pepper filled his mouth, satisfying, and a sip of the slightly sweet rice wine followed.

After three rounds of drinks and tasting several dishes, the conversation grew warmer. They exchanged family backgrounds and talked about their experiences joining the escort agency.

He Bi's perspective slowly began to shift.

He had initially heard that one of the Li brothers worked in Chief Escort Zhang's manor. Like everyone else, he assumed they supported each other. Perhaps if Li Muxia performed well, a little bit of resources would trickle down from the higher-ups, enough for Li Cunxiao to get far ahead of the other ordinary workers.

But who would have thought that Li Cunxiao's brother was just a ten-year-old child, a mere book boy for Miss Zhang? In that position, no matter how diligently he worked, he couldn't possibly earn the Chief Escort's favor and receive Demon Meat as a reward.

If that was the case, did Li Cunxiao really break through to Sensing Qi on his own?

"...So, Brother Li's family is in such hardship. It seems those rumors are truly false. I was just repeating what I heard."

"I'll fine myself a drink."

Li Cunxiao, of course, wouldn't let others drink alone. He immediately reciprocated with a drink.

"Brother He, there's no need to dwell on it. After all, I was fortunate to receive the Chief Escort's favor and join the escort agency, so rumors are inevitable."

"A humble background is not a disgrace; being able to adapt to circumstances makes a true man."

"I am currently just diligently practicing my skills, aiming to control my Blood Essence. How can a few discussions hinder my future?"

"Well said! What a fine saying, 'being able to adapt to circumstances makes a true man!'"

Neither servile nor overbearing, harboring ambitions yet grounded. Mature and capable, completely unlike a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth.

He Bi couldn't help but feel a greater degree of admiration for Li Cunxiao.

Originally, he had indeed approached Li Cunxiao because of the connection to his "man in the manor." Didn't ministers of the court curry favor with eunuchs? What for? Wasn't it to get things done easily through someone close to the emperor?

That was unlikely to happen now, but in five or six years, when Li Muxia grew up, perhaps through his relationship as the Fourth Miss's book boy, he could secure a position in the Zhang manor.

Coupled with Li Cunxiao's own talent, he would at least become an escort. Now, He Bi felt even more that Li Cunxiao was no ordinary person.

These factors alone were enough for him to invest a little. It was just a matter of spending some silver, after all. Was he, Young Master He, short of money?

With this thought, He Bi's tone became warmer.

"I admire Brother Li's ambition and perseverance, but in the path of martial arts, these alone are not enough."

"I'm sure you've also noticed that the medicinal soups provided by the escort agency are somewhat insufficient compared to our current training progress."

"Brother Li, do you remember the Demon Meat I mentioned before?"

"What does Brother He mean..."

"This Demon Flesh and Blood is a great tonic for martial artists, but it's tightly controlled by the major families in the inner city. You can't buy it even with money."

"However, I have some other channels. If Brother Li is interested, I can take you to see them in a few days."

Li Cunxiao's face showed a perfectly timed hint of embarrassment.

"Of course, I'm interested, but this item must be very valuable. I fear my financial resources are insufficient."

He Bi waved his hand generously. "No matter."

"I have considerable family wealth. Brother Li can use it first, and repay me when you are financially well-off later!"

Success!

Li Cunxiao's goal was achieved, and he felt joy in his heart. He Bi was also secretly pleased to have befriended a potential asset. Their conversation became even more congenial.

The latter also believed in seeing things through to the end. He preemptively cautioned Li Cunxiao about the taboos of consuming Demon Meat, even bringing up his own absurd tales of sleeping with ten women a night. However, Li Cunxiao wasn't there to listen to lewd stories. Taking advantage of He Bi's drinking, he interrupted.

"Brother He, do you know what realm Escort Cui is in?"

"It's hard to say. I once heard a martial artist hired by my family say that one's Blood Essence is full, and their muscles, bones, and skin..."

"But Escort Cui might be beyond the muscle realm, and the Chief Escort is even more unfathomable."

Li Cunxiao pondered thoughtfully, while He Bi's gaze also deepened, as if recalling something.

"But for some reason, that person was very secretive about realms beyond Blood Essence, much like the martial arts schools and escort agencies in this city. I initially thought it was a tacit understanding among these experts, but after consuming Demon Meat..."

He suddenly fell silent. After a long pause, he swayed as he stood up.

"Haha, I'm drunk, I'm drunk. These are just drunken ramblings, Brother Li. Just listen to them."

Stepping out of the restaurant, Li Cunxiao watched He Bi get into his carriage, the sound of hooves gradually fading down the street.

He thought of the scattered words in Zhang Yuelu's letter.

Demons are brutal, and their flesh and blood contain malevolent energy, which, if consumed improperly, can lead to madness.

Three days later, it was the Escort Agency's morning training.

In a corner of the training ground, over twenty people were paired up, practicing sparring.

After these few days, Li Cunxiao had mastered the Tiger Form Eight Styles and the Tiger Form Living Stances. The next step was to attempt to use qi to drive force in sparring, reaching the four extremities, which was the "Tiger Strength" emphasized in Tiger Form Fist.

Tiger Form Fist, as a martial art, heavily emphasized the transition between "one looseness and one tightness."

When confronting an opponent, the body should be relaxed, not stiff or rigid. When exerting force, the toes grip the ground, the strength rises from the earth and the force originates from the waist. Even the face should be contorted in a grimace, with hair standing on end, nostrils flared, brows furrowed in anger, and a fierce, watchful gaze.

This method of mobilizing breathing through emotion allows the body and mind to enter a state of explosive power simultaneously. The force generated by the body at this time is several times greater than usual. It's like a fierce tiger in its rage, and when the force penetrates the major joints, it might even emit a "crackling" sound.

The force generated in this manner is called Tiger Strength.

The so-called strength reaching the four extremities refers to the hands and feet.

Those who have truly achieved a minor success in Tiger Form Fist can grasp and control Blood Essence, with intent, qi, and strength arriving simultaneously.

This is unlike the Sensing Qi realm, where one can sense Blood Essence but not control it with intent. When intent arrives, but qi has not yet followed, the body makes a movement, and only then does Blood Essence circulate along with the limb's changes. This puts one a beat behind others, and thus, the strength cannot be unleashed.

In actual combat, the blink of an eye is enough to determine life and death.

True masters of Tiger Form Fist, "though their strength is unleashed, their qi does not wane," their offensive waves are continuous, and they can unleash nearly a hundred punches in one breath.

Li Cunxiao certainly couldn't reach that level yet, but perhaps his physique was suited for Tiger Form Fist, and even his appearance matched it. When he practiced, his brows were furrowed in anger, resembling a tiger or leopard. Except for He Bi, anyone sparring with him would lose a third of their fighting spirit just by looking at him.

"Brother Li, tonight at Hai Shi..."

During a break, He Bi stepped forward and said in a low voice. Li Cunxiao immediately understood that it was time to go to the black market tonight, and he nodded.

He had joined the Escort Agency in mid-August, and his half-month salary was only one tael. Li Cunxiao now had about twelve taels of silver on him. Fortunately, Mucha was well-fed and clothed at the Zhang Manor, so he only needed to keep a small amount for emergencies.

Closing his eyes in contemplation, in his mind's eye, the single Vajra Scepter remained dim all over, with only a little over a quarter of its area glowing with golden light.

"I wonder how much the Demon Meat will speed up the Vajra Scepter's charging process?"