Exotic Beast Meat

Elsewhere, Li Xiao finished another round of Iron Wire Fist.

Iron Wire Fist Experience +1

Just as he was settling his stance and catching his breath, Wang Hai's voice came from beside him:

"Junior Brother Li, take a break."

Li Xiao turned and saw Wang Hai holding out a waterskin with a smile.

"I just heard Senior Brother Zhao say your Iron Wire Fist has already reached Entry Level?

Not bad at all. At this speed, you're probably the first in the hall."

Li Xiao took the waterskin, drank a mouthful, and wiped his mouth.

"Just luck."

"What luck? That's clearly skill."

Wang Hai patted his arm, his tone warm with genuine friendliness.

"I'm telling you, keep training with this drive, and before long you'll touch the threshold of Martial Master. Then our hall will have another capable hand."

He paused, his eyes lighting up as he leaned closer.

"Getting started today is a great occasion.

At noon, I'll treat you to a meal at Ju Xian Lou in the city. We'll celebrate properly."

Li Xiao was just about to wave it off. "There's no need to go to so much trouble, Senior Brother..."

"Hey, don't refuse." Wang Hai pressed down his hand, a mysterious look appearing on his face as he lowered his voice.

"That Ju Xian Lou is no ordinary place."

Li Xiao was somewhat curious. Ju Xian Lou was renowned throughout the Outer City, and his former self had heard of it too.

But the food there was expensive, far beyond what he could afford.

Just as he was about to ask more questions,

Wang Hai continued.

"Come on. You'll understand once you get there."

Unable to refuse Wang Hai's kindness, Li Xiao could only leave the Martial Arts Hall with him.

The two arrived at the entrance of Ju Xian Lou.

Ju Xian Lou truly deserved to be one of the finest restaurants in the Outer City. It rose several stories high, its carved beams and painted rafters splendid, while those entering and leaving were all dressed in brocade.

Clearly, it was not somewhere ordinary people could afford.

Just as they were about to step inside, an Attendant in a short green jacket hurried over, his face piled with a familiar smile.

"Young Master Wang, it's been quite a while since you last came. The usual place?"

Wang Hai waved his hand. "Mm. A private room upstairs."

The Attendant led them to the Second Floor.

They passed through a corridor lined with carved wooden railings and pushed open the door to a private room bearing a plaque that read "Wind Listening."

The furnishings inside were simple yet elegant. From the window seats, they could see pedestrians on the street below, and the room was bright with light.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. The dishes will be here shortly."

The Attendant swiftly brewed tea, bowed, and withdrew.

Li Xiao looked around the room and inwardly marveled that Ju Xian Lou truly lived up to its reputation. The private room's arrangement alone was far more refined than those of ordinary restaurants.

Before long, the Attendant returned carrying a tray and began placing dish after dish on the table.

First came two delicate cold dishes: braised beef and chilled wood ear mushrooms. Then came a steaming bowl of soup.

Last was a platter of gleaming eel, golden in color and still giving off wisps of heat. Its fragrance instantly filled the room.

Wang Hai picked up his chopsticks but did not immediately eat. He merely looked at the platter of eel, a pained expression crossing his face as he said to Li Xiao,

"Junior Brother Li, don't underestimate this plate of eel. This one dish costs Fifteen Taels of Silver."

"Fifteen taels?" Li Xiao was startled.

A family of three could live for an entire year without spending that much.

Wang Hai truly spent lavishly.

"This isn't ordinary eel." Wang Hai picked up a piece and slowly chewed it.

"This is Exotic Beast Golden Thread Eel. The soup is brewed with more than twenty kinds of medicinal herbs, then simmered over a low flame for three hours.

Try it. They say it's good for people like us who practice fist arts. It can strengthen the muscles and bones."

Li Xiao was taken aback. No wonder it was so expensive.

Over more than ten days of martial training, Wang Hai had told him quite a few things.

Exotic Beasts were extremely dangerous. Among them were powerful ones that even Great Martial Masters had to avoid.

Yet the flesh and blood of Exotic Beasts was a great tonic for Martial Practitioners.

Many major powers in Willow City had methods to raise intelligent Exotic Beasts. These were the foundations on which those powers stood.

Even the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School raised Exotic Beasts.

However, this Exotic Beast Meat could only be bestowed by the Master of the Hall after one broke through to become a Martial Master.

Ordinary Disciples like them did not have such qualifications.

Following Wang Hai's words, Li Xiao picked up a piece of Golden Thread Eel. The fish was smooth and tender upon entering his mouth, carrying an indescribably fresh fragrance.

As he swallowed, it felt as though a warm current slid down his throat into his stomach, slowly spreading through his Limbs and Bones. Even the Muscles and Bones tightened from practicing fist arts faintly began to warm.

"How is it?"

Wang Hai watched his expression with a smile.

Li Xiao set down his chopsticks and felt the gentle warmth within him. He truly did feel much more refreshed from head to toe.

He looked at Wang Hai and said earnestly, "Senior Brother, you've spent too much."

"This is far too expensive..." Li Xiao could not help saying.

Wang Hai gave a wry smile. "Isn't it?

If it weren't to celebrate your reaching Entry Level, I wouldn't have been willing to order it.

But don't feel burdened. Consider it my early congratulations. Once you become a Martial Master, just treat me in return.

Besides, this dish is limited. Ordinary people couldn't get it even if they wanted to."

Li Xiao's thoughts stirred. Those great powers had all manner of resources to aid martial training, so naturally they advanced much faster than ordinary people.

But he had the Panel. He would not be inferior to them.

Li Xiao felt somewhat apologetic, but he also understood Wang Hai's good intentions. He raised his teacup.

"Then I'll thank you first, Senior Brother. Let this cup of tea be my toast to you."

"Hey, tea won't do."

Wang Hai smiled as he picked up the wine jug on the table and poured them each a cup. "Come, have some wine. This is fine rice wine—not strong, and good for relieving fatigue."

The two clinked cups. The rice wine was sweet and clear, warm and smooth as it went down.

After a mouthful of wine, Wang Hai became more talkative.

"The owner of Ju Xian Lou is no simple man. The He Family stands behind him. That's why they can sell Exotic Beast Meat."

Li Xiao nodded. The fingers holding his wine cup paused slightly, and understanding dawned on him.

Over these past days at the Martial Arts Hall, he had heard Wang Hai speak intermittently about Willow City's situation. He could roughly divide its powers into several levels.

The Outer City was a chaotic mix of fish and dragons, dominated by Martial Arts Halls and gangs large and small.

For a hall like the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School to hold its own, it relied on the reputation of its Master of the Hall, Qian Li.

The Inner City was different. It was the territory of the Government Office and great families, where rules were stricter and powers had deeper roots.

The He Family was one of the foremost great families of the Inner City. It was said that a Fourth Turn Great Martial Master was Stationed within the clan.

Martial Practitioners of such a realm possessed the force of a thousand catties in every punch and kick. Ordinary Martial Masters before them were like children facing burly men, utterly unable to withstand a single blow.

"I never expected the He Family to stand behind Ju Xian Lou."

Li Xiao said softly, "Then our Master of the Hall..."

"Our Master of the Hall is also a Fourth Turn Great Martial Master," Wang Hai cut in, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"Otherwise, why do you think the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School has been able to stand firm in the Outer City for so long? Or shelter so many Disciples?"

Li Xiao lowered his head to look at the rice wine in his cup, suddenly thinking of Granny Wang and Chen Hu.

Those people had run wild in the village and seemed troublesome to him, but in the broader landscape of Willow City, they were nothing more than dust.

"So, practicing fist arts isn't only about strengthening the body."

As though he had seen through Li Xiao's thoughts, Wang Hai took another drink.

"In the Outer City, a Martial Master can at least earn a living;

only after becoming a Great Martial Master do you truly carry weight when you speak.

Otherwise, forget entering the Inner City—even in the Outer City, you'll have to watch other people's faces."

Li Xiao silently nodded and picked up another piece of Golden Thread Eel, putting it into his mouth.

Exotic Beast Meat truly was extraordinary!

It was even more effective than the medicinal soups at the Martial Arts Hall.

"Come, try some more of this soup." Wang Hai ladled a bowl for him.

"Blood Vine has been added to it. It can Nourish Qi and Blood, making it especially suited to people like us who practice fist arts."