Zhang Lishi's Gift

Li Cunxiao immediately rose and bowed upon hearing this:

"Master's kindness is more than my disciple can express. Working at the escort agency is already more than enough. As for the shops outside, Master should entrust them to experienced hands. I'm completely ignorant of such matters and might end up causing trouble."

Zhang Lishi, though he didn't say it aloud, was quite pleased with Li Cunxiao's understanding of propriety.

While he valued Li Cunxiao, he wasn't a hot-blooded youth anymore. He wouldn't pour his heart out to someone he had only just met.

Entrusting him with a significant responsibility right after formally establishing their master-disciple relationship wouldn't be seen as trust, but as recklessness, and would also harm the talented disciple he had worked so hard to find.

Remaining unfazed by favor or disgrace was an exception; becoming arrogant due to favor was the norm.

Emotions needed to deepen gradually, and trust needed to be earned step by step. With both parties understanding this, Zhang Lishi was saved the trouble of further explanation.

"Since you say so, then so be it. Yue'er, go fetch what I've prepared."

Seeing Zhang Lishi drop the matter, Li Cunxiao also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He certainly liked money, but he also understood the principle of "too much of a good thing."

Once news of his breakthrough in muscles and tendons spread in two months, it would undoubtedly be a bombshell, attracting countless gazes.

With Zhang Lishi's backing, he wasn't afraid of external malice. However, within the escort agency, especially from his senior disciple brother Shi Tie, although the latter appeared honest and straightforward at first glance, if Zhang Lishi showed too much favoritism, it might stir up unnecessary trouble.

He knew that after breaking through to muscles and tendons, the speed at which he accumulated Vajra Scepters would inevitably slow down again, perhaps extending to several months or even half a year. However, it would still be faster than martial artists like Shen He and Jiang Qi who broke through normally.

His talent was undeniable. As long as he maintained this astonishing speed, he wasn't worried about Zhang Lishi not valuing him.

Work with high visibility, act with humility. He would get the treatment he deserved; why rush it?

"Sanlang, come, try it on to see if it fits."

Hearing Madam Zhang's call, Li Cunxiao quickly got up and went forward. He saw several servants lined up behind Zhang Yuelu, holding lacquered trays. On each tray lay items: robes and headwear, inner armor and bracers, a tiger-skin belly band, and a hengdao, along with a hard bow with gold thread inlay.

The headwear was made of silk gauze, lined with a frame woven from bamboo splints. When worn, the frame was placed on the topknot, then covered with silk gauze, and the four ties at the back and front were knotted.

The robes were still the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's signature white round-collar style, but the fabric had been upgraded from cotton to silk. The lining was a layer of red brocade, patterned with the currently fashionable Baoxiang flowers.

The robes were spacious, not tight on Li Cunxiao's sturdy frame. Wealthy young men like Shen He would wear a brocade half-sleeve between their inner tunic and the round-collar robe. This way, when they opened their lapels, the vibrant lining would be visible, casually displaying their opulence.

The inner armor and bracers were likely made from the leather of some demon, even studded with fine willow-leaf iron plates. They felt soft yet tough to the touch. Even with Li Cunxiao's current strength, he couldn't tear a strip off them.

As for the tiger skin, it was likely from an ordinary beast. This item could be called a belly band or a waist protector, secured with a leather belt. The yellow fur was adorned with black stripes, appearing less like a protective waist covering and more like a display of might.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man. With this set of attire on the tall and robust Li Cunxiao, he walked with a powerful stride, exuding an imposing aura. Mucha watched with shining eyes, clapping his hands excitedly:

"Big Brother looks so imposing, just like a general!"

Zhang Lishi and his wife exchanged a smile and teased:

"If the imperial court still held martial arts examinations, Sanlang might have become a Jinwu Guard."

The most elite of the emperor's forbidden guards were the Six Guards, divided into the Left and Right Jinwu Guards, Left and Right Qianniu Guards, and Left and Right Xiaowei Guards. The Jinwu Guards were considered part of the few elite forces left in the capital during the current era of rebellion by the military governors.

"Junior Disciple Brother, how about trying this bow?"

Li Cunxiao took the iron-core bow from Zhang Yuelu. The bow was lacquered black, with gold thread inlaid into the carved patterns. This process was repeated, lacquering and polishing until the lacquer surface revealed the gold thread patterns, as if covered in black glaze.

The bow was decorated with a lifelike depiction of a fierce tiger descending a mountain. The grip area was where the tiger was pouncing.

Li Cunxiao took a deep breath and, with moderate effort, drew the roughly three-hundred-pound hard bow into a full moon. Although the bowstring was undoubtedly made of extraordinary material, he still gently released the string.

"A good bow."

Zhang Lishi chuckled, "Although the disciples of my Tiger Demon Fist sect are known for their steel muscles and iron bones, and immense strength, at the Second Realm, they only possess a thousand jin of strength. A three-stone bow is just right for them. If it were any heavier, their arms would tire after just a few shots. It's suitable for strength training but not practical for actual combat."

"This bow was a gift from Shen He. It's good that you find it comfortable to use."

"Thank you, Master, for the bow."

Li Cunxiao pretended not to hear the mention of Shen He. Zhang Lishi's smile deepened. He then had Li Cunxiao fasten the hengdao, appraised him from head to toe, and praised him a few times before ordering the servants to clean up the mess.

He had Madam Zhang take the female family members and children to the garden, while he led Li Cunxiao into the study to impart the methods of cultivating tendons, bones, and skin through the Tiger Demon Fist.

This continued until late at night. Li Cunxiao then stayed at the Zhang Manor, as specially arranged by Madam Zhang, with Mucha sharing a room with him.

After washing up, the two brothers lay on the bed. Mucha was still brimming with excitement and had no intention of sleeping.

"Big Brother, can I touch your saber?"

Li Cunxiao drew the saber, blade facing away from his brother, and handed it over: "Be careful, this saber is very sharp."

This hengdao was still in the classic buried-sheath style. The difference was that the pommel had a beaded pattern decoration, and the scabbard mouth and carrying handle were all adorned with brass.

Although civilians traditionally valued gold and silver above all else, brass was also a form of currency. This set of brass fittings, finely carved, was worth over ten taels of silver.

"Big Brother is truly amazing."

Mucha's eyes sparkled under the candlelight. In his understanding, from childhood to the present, there was almost nothing his elder brother couldn't do.

He was still too young to understand the complex social dynamics of the escort agency, but he understood one thing.

The better his days at the Zhang Manor were, the more capable his Big Brother was!

I want to start cultivating martial arts soon too, to help Big Brother!

Seeing his younger brother giggling under the covers, Li Cunxiao felt a warmth spread through his heart, along with a faint sense of accomplishment.

In these chaotic times, becoming stronger little by little and protecting his family was his greatest wish in this life.

Perhaps it was due to Zhang Lishi's peculiar medicinal wine, but sleepiness, long absent, finally came. Li Cunxiao blew out the candle and fell into a deep sleep.

"Train in the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. Too cold to leave your bed? Ask yourselves, do you have the right to be lazy!"

"If you find it bitter or tiring, pack up and leave! Coming to the escort agency to cultivate martial arts is something many people can only dream of. Li Cunxiao, Li Sanlang, knows this well."

"Others are willing to ponder and put in the hard work, becoming escorts within two months of joining the agency! What I like most is that unyielding strength of his, like a stone! And look at you all..."

Cui Yao, with his booming voice, corrected the stances of the apprentices practicing their horse stance, shouting reprimands.

Li Cunxiao followed behind Zhang Lishi, watching the scene from afar, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Cui Yao hadn't said these things to his face.

"Don't be embarrassed, you're here to be their example."

Zhang Lishi teased him. The apprentices and workers in the distance saw the Chief Escort and immediately perked up. Even those whose legs felt weak would pinch themselves hard to regain their focus.

Cui Yao, seeing the state of these young lads, knew someone had arrived. But when he turned around, his gaze passed over Zhang Lishi and landed on the visibly bulkier young man. He immediately craned his neck, his eyes widening:

"Li Sanlang?"

"Cui Er, haven't you always been asking me to find you a helper?"

Zhang Lishi said with a smile, patting Li Cunxiao's shoulder.

"Here's the helper you wanted."