Demon Seduction Method, First Escort Mission (4200 Combined)

Filthy Heart Silver Fox? Cultivating through demons?

Just reading these words gave Li Cunxiao an indescribable sense of the sinister, but the more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed.

"Human strength has its limits, while the power of demons is unpredictable, ever-changing."

"Martial arts is about refining demon flesh and blood into a medicinal guide, consuming it to merge with the demon within one's heart."

"Turning the void into reality, planting a demon in the heart – this is the beginning of martial arts, the beginning of transcending humanity. It has been this way since the inception of martial arts."

It has been this way since the inception of martial arts?

Li Cunxiao looked at the confident tone of the secret manual's author, who treated this demon-planting cultivation method as orthodox. Recalling his own reaction after consuming demon meat, he immediately believed it by seventy percent.

At the same time, he vaguely understood why both escort agencies and martial arts schools were so tight-lipped about realms beyond Blood Qi.

Because if this secret manual was to be believed, then for all martial artists to become stronger, they could only consume demons, refine demons, and even plant demons in their hearts. Wouldn't the stronger the martial artist, the more they would resemble demons?

If such a thing were to spread, how could ordinary people live in peace?

He remembered that the reason the Rampaging General Huang Chao was so fearsome, able to stop children's nighttime crying, was the rumor that after every siege, if food was insufficient, he would use living people as rations.

At the time, he hadn't paid it much mind, even considering it a baseless rumor. But thinking about it now, it sent a chill down Li Cunxiao's spine.

"But if martial arts only has this one path..."

"Alas, overthinking is useless. I can only take it one step at a time. At least, with the Vajra Scepter on me, I'm not afraid of truly becoming a humanoid demon."

Li Cunxiao knew he was the typical type to think too much and know too little. Perhaps those prestigious sects had some methods for subduing demons?

Blades and swords are neither good nor evil; it is people who are good or evil. One cannot condemn them all with a single stroke.

Calming his mind, when he looked at the sixteen diagrams below this time, he wasn't as casual as before. Instead, he approached them with a learning mindset, reading carefully.

This palm technique, called Pure Yang Sixteen Hands, was classified as a low-grade martial art by the manual's author.

The author didn't elaborate much on the specifics, only emphasizing that martial arts without the Demon Seduction Method and its corresponding Great Medicine as a Guide were considered subpar.

The principle of the Demon Seduction Method lay in pushing the martial artist's body and mind to their limits through various extreme methods. While under internal and external assault, they must maintain a sliver of mental clarity and visualize a demon according to the diagrams.

The demon in the heart is a thought, not a physical entity. The demon just conjured was still an illusion, existing between imagination and reality, unable to affect the martial artist's physical body.

At this point, the Great Medicine as a Guide was needed to induce physical metamorphosis in the martial artist, "to anchor the demon in this extraordinary state."

When the demon permanently resides in body and mind, the Demon Seduction Method is considered a success, and the martial artist breaks through Blood Qi to enter the realm of Muscle.

The so-called Muscle refers to the abbreviation of tendons, bones, skin, and flesh. It signifies that in this realm, the martial artist's body is strengthened—or perhaps, mutated—by demonic power.

"The Pure Yang Sixteen Hands is a secret technique of the bedchamber, a method of Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation."

"When seducing the demon, one must find a virgin maiden whose Yin has not been broken, no older than sixteen, and oneself must also consume potent aphrodisiacs to make the mind restless and the blood surge..."

The manual's author described it in great detail, and for a moment, Li Cunxiao almost felt like he was reading about his uncle.

After finishing the critical reading, he summarized it in two words:

Stopping at the Brink.

At the peak of physiological arousal, in the gap between heaven and hell, one probes back and forth, visualizing the Filthy Heart Silver Fox, a unique demonic species.

If successful, from then on, one would have the charm of Diao Chan at their waist, and their Kidney Water would flow like a river. Cough, cough, the so-called Kidney Qi connects to the ears.

After achieving great success, the martial artist's hearing would become as sharp as a wolfhound's. Additionally, they would gain a bit of the Filthy Heart Silver Fox's Charm Power, and their appearance would become more handsome.

However, conversely, if during the process of Stopping at the Brink, even a tiny bit of Primal Yang was leaked, under the impact of the frenzied Blood Qi and potent aphrodisiacs, the most vulnerable part could directly explode.

If lucky, one might become a eunuch; if unlucky, they would die on the spot.

"Hiss—"

Li Cunxiao gasped, recalling Cui Yao's earlier advice and finally understanding why the man had said that a failed breakthrough was worse than death.

It was either complete success or utter failure. This was undeniably a Demonic Art.

He immediately became even more eager to obtain an Internal Cultivation Method and practice the Tiger Form Fist.

"The fact that so many inner city family disciples are vying to learn it proves that the safety of Tiger Form Fist is second to none in Chuqiu County."

"I only need to complete three escort missions. During this time, I can also accumulate the Vajra Scepter's Obstacle-Breaking Power. Once I obtain the method, I can break through immediately, which should yield astonishing results."

"By then, even the Chief Escort should acknowledge my talent, right?"

Thinking of the confidence the Vajra Scepter gave him, Li Cunxiao felt much more at ease. He hadn't had time to check it when dealing with the Green Snake Gang earlier, so now was a good time to see how much its charge had increased.

In his mind, the lower part of the Vajra Scepter glowed with a faint golden light, reaching a little over a quarter of the way, almost touching the lotus seat.

A quarter?

Li Cunxiao's brow furrowed tightly.

Why only a quarter?

Zhao Heishe alone had given a quarter of the charge. This time, he had dealt with five people, so why was it less than before?

Five people were less than one? Could Zhao Heishe be some kind of Human-Demon Hybrid?

"No, I hadn't even started practicing martial arts then. Zhao Heishe didn't resist much before I ambushed and killed him."

A flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.

Yeah, when I took down Zhao Heishe, I hadn't started practicing martial arts yet. I was just a regular person, same as him.

The Green Snake Gang members I eliminated today were also ordinary people, just ones who fought a lot and knew a few clumsy moves. But now, I'm already a martial artist who can control Blood Qi.

Does fighting low-level monsters yield less experience after leveling up?

What about the demon meat?

Li Cunxiao didn't dare to delay. He quickly took out the two types of demon meat he bought from the black market and tried them one after another. Half an hour later, feeling the surging Blood Qi in his body and the steady increase of golden light on the Vajra Scepter, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After gaining control of Blood Qi, the energy contribution from demon meat had indeed decreased, but not significantly.

The unprocessed demon meat provided a little less than one-eighth, close to one-ninth;

The demon meat purchased from the Chai Gang shop provided about one-fourteenth, slightly less than the previous one-twelfth.

Moreover, after advancing to Blood Qi, he could clearly feel that his body's tolerance had increased. In other words, the container for Blood Qi was bigger and sturdier, allowing him to consume two taels of demon meat per day, up from one tael.

Actually, he could have eaten two taels a day before, but after consuming it, although his spirit wouldn't be affected, his internal Blood Qi would be too abundant to dissipate. It wasn't good to be stiff while working at the Escort Agency; it was too embarrassing.

"There's still one jin and four taels of demon meat on the stall, and nine taels from the Chai Gang shop."

"Hmm, that's almost enough to fill it up one more time."

"I just don't know how much the effectiveness of demon meat will decrease after the Minor Circulation of Blood Qi. Demon meat... no, demons should have ranks too, right?"

"Higher-level demons should have more Malevolent Qi in their flesh and blood, but that's probably not something the stall owners can get their hands on. Do I still have to go to the Chai Gang shop? That price..."

Thinking of the price of thirty taels per jin, Li Cunxiao couldn't help but fall silent.

In that case, it was a good idea to take a few escort missions to save some money first. After all, while killing and arson might lead to wealth, doing too much would definitely attract trouble.

He was still just an escort now, not an Escort Leader. It was better to keep a low profile.

The next few days passed uneventfully.

During the day, Li Cunxiao practiced staff techniques and formations with other escorts at the agency. After work, they would go for drinks together to get acquainted. After all, they were companions who would be traveling together on escort missions, so building good relationships was the right thing to do.

Although Li Cunxiao was insignificant in Cui Wei's eyes, among the escorts in their twenties and thirties, he was truly outstanding.

He was not yet eighteen years old, and he had achieved control of Blood Qi in less than a month of practicing martial arts. His companions were all very enthusiastic.

After all, at their age, they were still stuck in Minor Circulation and Major Circulation, having basically given up hope of breaking through to Blood Qi Perfection.

Especially for most of them who were already married, they mostly wanted to create good karma for their children.

What if Li Cunxiao was really taken under the wing of the Chief Escort?

The young masters from the inner city were not people these men could approach, but wasn't there one right in front of them?

However, no matter how enthusiastic the escorts were, as soon as they mentioned Internal Cultivation Methods, they would immediately fall silent, becoming extremely tight-lipped.

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but admire Zhang Lishi inwardly. Governing the Escort Agency to this extent couldn't be done by force alone.

At the same time, with the help of the agency's management, Li Cunxiao also successfully found a satisfactory residence on a street near the agency.

The house had four rooms: a storefront, a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen. Considering that his younger brother Mucha would occasionally come home, Li Cunxiao added some silver and built a small room between the bedroom and the adjacent kitchen.

Then, he had to purchase some furniture, which cost about twelve or thirteen taels of silver in total. Fortunately, there was no real estate speculation in this ancient dynasty, otherwise, Li Cunxiao didn't know how long it would take him to own a house.

Afterward, Mucha was indeed very happy when he came home. Zhang Yuelu, upon learning of this, even allowed Mucha to return home three times a month, which was considered quite lenient compared to other maids and servants.

Li Cunxiao didn't know how much he was considering promoting him, but he continued to practice and eat meat. The charging of the Vajra Scepter also increased steadily, with only the last bit remaining to be fully charged.

Until approaching the fifteenth of September, the first escort mission finally arrived.

"Brother Li might not know, but the Wolf Gang found the Green Snake Gang's courtyard, and then they were immediately cornered by the swift-class yamen runners who were out drinking..."

"It's said that everyone in the Green Snake Gang was given a laxative and then had their throats slit. Alas, these thugs are truly cruel and despicable."

He Bi said with lingering fear. The thought of being seen in such a state, covered in excrement and urine with his throat cut, made him feel that it would be better to end himself.

Li Cunxiao listened with a calm expression and replied, "Killing is just a head chopped off. With such methods, the Wolf Gang is indeed not good."

"But I heard that the reason these two gangs fought was over some secret manual. I wonder if it's true?"

"Hard to say. Such things are commonplace. I guess it's mostly from the black market. But even if the Green Snake Gang got the manual, with their illiterate level, they probably wouldn't be able to understand it."

"However, the Wolf Gang has fallen into the hands of those cruel officials this time. They won't get out of prison without losing a layer of skin."

"It's easier to deal with King Yama than troublesome minor officials. The clerks in the county yamen don't care about grievances or truth. Who knows how many people they have driven to ruin."

Li Cunxiao's last remaining worry vanished.

As they walked and talked, they passed through the training ground and arrived at the side gate of the Escort Agency. Carriages, goods, escort flags, escorts laughing and cursing loudly, stewards urging them on, and workers rushing about carrying goods... Immediately, this escort mission was about to depart.

"Brother Li, travel safely."

He Bi cupped his fists. Li Cunxiao was amused by his serious expression and returned the gesture:

"Brother He, don't worry. It's just a short escort mission, and we'll be back in two days. I'll tell you some interesting stories from the journey then."

"I'm honored by your invitation."

After chatting for a few more moments, Li Cunxiao turned and went to the management office to collect his escort weapons and equipment.

Although it was the twilight years of the dynasty and the world was about to fall into chaos, with various prohibitions gradually becoming mere formalities, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was not yet equipped with iron armor and crossbows for everyone.

It wasn't that Zhang Lishi didn't want to, but these military contraband items had always been prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, many factions were vying for dominance, all competing for artisans and mineral resources. Chuqiu, after all, was just a small county town.

A set of tanned cowhide half-body armor, an ironwood staff brushed with tung oil, and a mountain-cleaving saber – that was all.

The cowhide armor was made by first going through multiple processes of dehairing, hardening, and painting, then cut and stitched together. It was soft, fit snugly, and was lightweight. Worn under a round-collared robe, it was concealed and didn't impede movement.

Don't underestimate this leather armor; unless it was a direct thrust from a spear or an arrow, ordinary sword slashes and chops couldn't penetrate it. And against punches and kicks, its cushioning effect was even stronger.

The staff was also made from ironwood, a type of hard wood. After being brushed with tung oil, it was difficult for an ordinary person to cut through with a blade. The two-meter-long staff had iron bands riveted to both ends, and a blow to the head would inevitably be fatal.

As for the mountain-cleaving saber, it wasn't really a weapon but was used for clearing paths or chopping firewood. After all, the official roads of ancient dynasties were entirely different from the asphalt roads of modern society.

When the escorts and escort leaders were all ready, the carriages carrying the goods slowly departed from the escort agency.

For the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, this was just a routine cargo escort mission, so no important figures came to see them off. Only the escorts' families, in small groups, were there to bid them farewell.

Li Cunxiao, carrying his long staff, walked alongside the escort carriages. Suddenly, he heard someone call his name. Turning around, he saw Mu Cha in the crowd, his face flushed red as he waved his hands vigorously. Not far behind him were Zhang Que'er, looking bored, and a few maids.

Qin Yu was also among the crowd.

He watched his former roommate from afar. Li Cunxiao wore a black headscarf with a bright red forehead protector wrapped around it, a white, narrow-sleeved, round-collared robe cinched with a leather belt, and black leather boots. He looked imposing.

Envy almost overflowed from his eyes.

Not long ago, they had all eaten and slept together in the same large dormitory. But now, others were already able to join escort missions, while he could only unload goods from the carriages.

Qin Yu secretly resolved that after this escort mission returned, whether by treating Li Cunxiao to a meal or giving him a gift, he absolutely had to ask Li Cunxiao to share his experience in controlling Blood Qi.

But...

His gaze inadvertently fell upon He Bi, who was dressed in fine silks and brocades, and Qin Yu couldn't help but feel uneasy again.

Would the things he could offer still be of interest to the current Li Cunxiao?