Li Yu in Peril

After watching Senior Brother Zhao finish his demonstration, everyone began practicing on their own.

Iron Wire Fist experience +1

Iron Wire Fist experience +1

By noon, most of those practicing had already left, leaving only Li Xiao and Wang Hai in the spacious Martial Arts Training Ground.

Only after grinding his experience to the limit did Li Xiao rise and go drink that bowl of medicinal soup.

Li Xiao walked to the medicine furnace in the rear courtyard. The Old Woman tending the furnace had already kept the medicinal soup warm over the fire, and when she saw him approach, she casually handed him a coarse porcelain bowl.

Steam rose from the brown medicine, and its bitter smell rushed straight at his face.

Yet he tipped back his head and drank it all in one go without so much as furrowing his brow.

A warm current slid down his throat into his stomach, quickly spreading through his Limbs and Bones.

The soreness and swelling built up from practicing fist techniques gradually faded away as though soaked loose in warm water, and even his mind felt much clearer.

"Thank you, Granny."

Li Xiao handed back the empty bowl.

The Old Woman waved her hand, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she spoke slowly.

"Youngster, training too urgently isn't a good thing. Qi and Blood must be nurtured slowly."

Li Xiao smiled. "Got it, Granny."

When he returned to the Martial Arts Training Ground, Wang Hai was sprawled on the ground, wiping sweat with a handkerchief. Seeing him return, he pointed at the food box beside him.

"I saved two meat buns for you. Hurry and fill your stomach."

Li Xiao walked over and sat down, picking up a bun and taking a bite. The warm meat filling melted in his mouth, mixed with the fragrance of the dough, solid and satisfying.

"Why haven't you left yet, Senior Brother?"

"Waiting for you."

Wang Hai took a gulp of cold tea.

"Watching you practice just now, that move, Coiling Dragon Throat Lock, is looking more and more polished. It's smoother than mine, and I've been practicing for two months.

"You must have quite a talent for martial arts, right?"

As he spoke, he picked up a bun himself and said indistinctly through a mouthful of food.

"My dad wants me to go back to the gang tomorrow. I probably won't be coming to the Martial Arts Hall for the next couple of days."

"Alright." Li Xiao nodded, then asked.

"Is the gang's business troublesome?"

The smile on Wang Hai's face faded slightly. He shook his head. "It's nothing much. The Vice Gang Leader is just stirring up trouble behind the scenes again. My dad wants me to go back and keep an eye on things."

He paused, then smiled again.

"Don't worry. With the Martial Arts Hall's name behind me, he wouldn't dare make a move against me openly."

Li Xiao did not ask further. Some matters had to be faced by Wang Hai himself in the end.

He quickly finished the bun and brushed the dust from himself. "Then I'll head back first."

"Go on, go on." Wang Hai waved him away.

When he reached the street, there were not many people left.

Only a handful of stallholders still remained.

Li Xiao walked along the street beneath the somewhat dazzling afternoon sun, instinctively narrowing his eyes.

As he passed an inconspicuous little stall, a strange fragrance drifted over—it was not strong, yet it carried the fishy sweetness of grass and wood, making it particularly distinctive.

The stall owner was a skinny old man in a patched old coat. Bottles and jars were laid out across his stall, their labels mostly too blurred to read.

That fragrance came from a palm-sized ceramic bottle.

"Youngster, want to take a look?" Seeing him stop, the old man spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Top-quality Beast Luring Incense. Wild Game in the mountains can't move their legs once they smell it. It's most useful for hunting."

Li Xiao's heart stirred.

"This incense..." He picked up the ceramic bottle and gently pulled out the wooden stopper. The scent became clearer, carrying a faint exotic fragrance.

"Can it really lure beasts?"

"Heh, I, Old Zhang, have been setting up my stall here for over a decade. Would I lie to you?"

The old man patted his chest.

"It's made with Rosemary Grass, Musk Root, and several other strange mountain herbs. It doesn't harm beasts; it just hooks them and draws them closer.

"Not long ago, a hunter bought some and trapped a huge Wild Boar that very same day."

Li Xiao weighed the bottle in his hand.

Though he mainly practiced fist techniques now, he could not let his hunting skills fall by the wayside. The meat and vegetables at home still depended on them.

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And if this Beast Luring Incense truly worked, it would be no small help to him.

He had spent quite a bit of silver joining the Martial Arts Hall earlier, and he still needed to find time to hunt and support the household.

"How much?"

"Not much, two hundred copper coins.

"This little bottle is enough for more than ten uses."

Li Xiao touched the money pouch in his robe, where there was still some loose silver he had saved from hunting.

After thinking it over, he took out the money from the pouch and handed it over. "Give me a bottle."

The old man swiftly accepted the money and shoved the ceramic bottle into his hand. "Youngster, you've got a good eye!

"Remember, when you use it, pinch a little and mix it into the bait, or light it directly. With the wind at your back, the scent can drift for half a li."

Li Xiao nodded and tucked the ceramic bottle into his robe. He looked over the other items on the stall, but there was nothing special, so he turned and continued home.

In the Laundry Room, Li Yu was vigorously beating the clothes in her hands, soapberry foam splashing all over her.

Suddenly, an Eldest Sister walked in and called out.

"Li Yu, someone outside is looking for you."

Li Yu froze for a moment and wiped the water from her hands. "Who is it?"

She did not know many people in the city. Other than her younger brother and Dad, she could not think of anyone else who would come looking for her.

"I don't know. They said they're your relative and that they have something urgent to discuss with you."

The Eldest Sister said casually, "They're waiting by the back door."

Li Yu's heart lurched, and a bad feeling rose within her.

She walked to the back door. The moment she pushed it open, she saw Granny Wang's face, piled with Excess Flesh, staring at her with ill intent.

"Girl Li, we meet again."

Granny Wang wore a smile that was not a smile, and the slap mark on her face had yet to fade.

The viciousness in her Eyes could not be concealed at all.

Li Yu instinctively tried to shut the door, but Granny Wang stepped forward and blocked it.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. This old woman still has something to say to you."

"I have nothing to say to you." Li Yu took a step back, her voice tightening.

"As for Chen Hu, I will never agree."

"Won't agree?" Granny Wang sneered, her voice abruptly rising. "You think you're safe just because you're hiding in the Laundry Room?

"Let me tell you, no one Chen Hu has taken a fancy to has ever gotten away! Be sensible and come with me. Marry Chen Hu obediently, or else..."

She moved closer and lowered her voice, her tone brimming with threat.

"Didn't your little brother enter the Martial Arts Hall?

"I'd like to see whether a brat who's only just reached Entry Level can protect you, and protect that lame-legged Dad of yours!"

Li Yu trembled all over, her face turning pale, yet she clenched her teeth and refused to yield.

"Don't even think about threatening me! My little brother will protect us!"

"Still talking tough!" A fierce glint flashed through Granny Wang's eyes.

"Looks like you won't listen unless I show you something real."

As she spoke, she suddenly stepped aside.

Before Li Yu could react, two Black Shadows lunged at her from behind, one from either side. Rough hands fiercely covered her mouth, while another hand clamped down hard on her arm.

"Mm!" Li Yu trembled in terror and struggled desperately, but the two burly men were immensely strong, locking her down like iron pincers and leaving her unable to move.

Granny Wang stepped forward, patted her cheek, and smiled darkly.

"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. You brought this upon yourself!"

She gave the two burly men a look.

"Take her away. Move quickly, and don't let anyone see you!"

The two burly men dragged Li Yu into the alley, covering her mouth.

Li Yu's feet kicked wildly against the ground, tears streaming endlessly down her face, but she could not make a sound.

The alley was dark and damp. Before long, they stuffed her into a dilapidated carriage waiting around the corner.

Granny Wang climbed in after her and, with a snap, flung down the carriage curtain, cutting off the light outside.

The carriage jolted into motion. Li Yu curled up in the corner, trembling all over, her heart as cold as ice.

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