Sending Food Xiao Hong Tang

Yes!

As long as a person is alive, their body will continuously generate heat, or Yang energy.

Therefore, Second Master's method is very simple: it's about accumulating this Yang energy and guiding it into one's own "furnace."

The hotter this furnace burns, the stronger a person becomes, the more Yang energy they possess, and the less they fear Evil Spirits. Even things like Tai Sui Meat are merely very nourishing, allowing the body to produce more Yang energy, which can then be used to make one's furnace burn red-hot.

But what about a person who has no Yang energy at all, without eating Tai Sui Meat?

A dead person!

Only dead people are bone-chillingly cold, without a trace of warmth.

Let alone using their normal body heat to cultivate, to stoke the furnace; even a furnace that's already burning might be extinguished.

Hu Ma understood all of this, and his heart was filled with unavoidable dread.

He realized his problem: the vigorous furnace fire he had burned last night was actually just an illusion.

The reason he could successfully ignite the furnace last night was because of the Tai Sui Meat he had eaten before, specifically Blood Ganoderma, this strange, nourishing substance that allowed him to ignite the furnace smoothly and even feel as warm as a normal person.

But once that heat entered the furnace, and the Tai Sui Meat he had eaten was completely digested, he was immediately thrown back to his original state...

This body wouldn't produce a single spark of fire.

In Second Master's words, this was the body of a dead person.

This body was always cold. Not only did it fail to produce new fire normally, but it would even consume the "furnace fire" within the furnace. It wasn't until he ate meat again at Second Master's place, specifically the not-inexpensive Green Ganoderma, that this body began to warm up.

Only then could he continue to guide that fire into his furnace.

"So why did I suddenly wake up freezing in the early morning?"

He already had a vague answer in his mind: "Because I didn't eat the meat Old Woman gave me the entire day yesterday."

Once he stopped eating that kind of meat, his body would become cold.

Not only would it fail to replenish the fire in the furnace, but it would even gradually consume the fire within the furnace.

What would be the consequence if the furnace fire burned out?

Hu Ma didn't even dare to imagine.

"Alright, there's a lot for you to learn, we'll take it one step at a time."

Second Master, unaware of Hu Ma's thoughts, urged him to quickly finish the meat in his bowl and leave the main hall.

After swallowing this bowl of Green Ganoderma, Hu Ma felt that everything was normal.

He couldn't feel any difference between his current state and when he was alive in his previous life; he was just as energetic, just as warm.

Moreover, the "cultivation technique" Second Master had taught him last night could be easily executed, channeling the heat that continuously generated within his body into the furnace in his lower abdomen.

He felt no different from the other youths around him.

Or rather, his condition should be much better than theirs, shouldn't it? They only ate this small amount of White Ganoderma a day.

He ate Green Ganoderma, a whole large bowl.

But...

...Alas!

The only thing he couldn't understand now was the reason for this state.

Was it due to some problem with his original body, or his identity as a "Reincarnator"?

"You are all following Second Master to learn the skills of Worship Taisui, to earn money and start a family."

At this moment, Second Master had gathered all the youths and was loudly reprimanding them: "And Second Master has nothing to teach you except how to ignite the furnace. Without igniting this furnace, you can't even think about joining the Meat Cutting Team, but igniting it is only the beginning."

"You need to run in the mountains, bask in the sun, and practice your skills. The stronger your body, the more Yang energy you'll have, the bolder you'll become, and the hotter your furnace fire will burn..."

"Of course, the best is to eat Taisui, but even you, Second Master, can't afford it, so don't even think about it."

"..."

Second Master did not hide his disdain for the youths in the village, but after a pause, he added: "Therefore, when learning skills from Second Master, there's only one secret: endure hardship, be patient, and most importantly, don't think about women."

"Only by enduring hardship will your body become strong, your Yang energy will be abundant, you'll have courage and ferocity, and a fiery spirit. Like a butcher, you can overcome Evil Spirits."

"Here with me, I don't fear you being rebellious, nor do I fear you fighting. We have plenty of Black Oil Paste. The only thing I fear is you losing your temper, not learning properly at such a young age. Our village is outside the stockade, precisely because we fear you getting ideas when you see women."

"Alas, for the sake of you brats, Second Master doesn't even dare to raise sheep..."

"Alright, alright, today we'll practice our skills, and then we'll go patrol the woods with Second Master!"

"..."

The young men cheered upon hearing this. Hu Ma envied their energetic appearance at this age.

But with his mind wandering, how could he possibly join in the excitement?

"Little Hu Ma, come here..."

Unaware of Hu Ma's thoughts, Second Master saw him standing aside, lost in thought. Assuming he couldn't keep up or integrate, he beckoned him over with a smile. "Don't be scared. Our techniques are simple. You'll get the hang of it after a few more matches..."

"This..."

Hu Ma wasn't really interested, but he had no choice but to step forward. Just as he was thinking about how to refuse, a faint voice suddenly echoed in his ear:

"Brother Hu Ma, I've brought you food..."

"..."

"Xiao Hong Tang?"

Hu Ma recognized the voice and instinctively turned his head. He saw Xiao Hong Tang peeking out from the doorway, only her little head visible.

He instinctively turned around and walked towards the outside of the manor.

Second Master asked in surprise, "Where are you going?"

Hu Ma quickly pointed to the doorway and said, "Someone's looking for me. It might be Old Woman."

"Old Woman is here?"

Second Master was also startled. The boisterous young men suddenly quieted down, their faces showing surprise as they whispered amongst themselves:

"Did you see anyone?"

"No. They say the Hu Family can summon spirits. Is he..."

"He couldn't be faking it to avoid getting hit, could he?"

"..."

"Brother Hu Ma, why aren't you coming out..."

Outside, Xiao Hong Tang's voice grew more urgent. Hu Ma was surprised for a moment, then walked out. Second Master, worried, followed him.

When they reached the doorway, they saw a bamboo basket on the ground, about the same size as Xiao Hong Tang, covered with a red cloth. Xiao Hong Tang was nowhere to be seen. Second Master, however, saw the basket and breathed a sigh of relief. "It's really that girl. Go on!"

With that, he put his hands behind his back and returned to the manor.

Hu Ma stood at the manor's courtyard entrance. After Second Master returned to the manor, Xiao Hong Tang ambled over, following the street.

Hu Ma quickly walked over and asked in a low voice, "Where is Old Woman?"

He had questions he wanted to ask Old Woman and was becoming anxious.

He realized the problem might be very serious, yet he vaguely felt that this was not something he could ask Second Master directly.

It would be better to ask Old Woman.

"Old Woman went into the mountains to look for someone."

Xiao Hong Tang squatted on the ground, looking at the basket in front of her. "She asked Xiao Hong Tang to bring you food."

"Food?"

Hu Ma lifted the red cloth covering the basket and saw a large bowl of square-shaped meat inside.

Blood Ganoderma.

Beside it was even a plate with two white steamed buns.

"When will Old Woman be back?"

Hu Ma took a deep look at the bowl of meat, having already profoundly realized its importance.

"Old Woman didn't say."

Xiao Hong Tang merely squatted opposite the basket, her small hands cupping her cheeks, and said to Hu Ma, "But Old Woman asked me to give you a message."

"She said for Brother Hu Ma to stay with Second Master and learn his skills. If you feel cold at night, don't be afraid. Just eat the meat. Tai Sui Meat can heal illnesses, so eat more. The more you eat, the stronger your furnace will burn compared to others..."

"However, you've just recovered, so you need to conserve your strength. Don't get tired..."

"..."

"This..."

Xiao Hong Tang's imitation of Old Woman's speech was very cute, but Hu Ma couldn't afford to pay attention. These words, spoken in Old Woman's voice, suddenly made his heart sink.

Had Old Woman already anticipated the problems he would face after igniting his furnace?

She specifically passed on this message, and it was certainly not without reason. It felt more like she was trying to reassure him.

His furnace had no fuel and couldn't burn.

So, was she comforting him, or giving him a guarantee that he would be able to eat Blood Ganoderma every day?

Or did she mean that even though his body couldn't automatically burn the furnace now, as long as he kept eating Blood Ganoderma and the furnace burned stronger and stronger, his body's condition could slowly change?

Perhaps even better than others?

He couldn't be sure for a moment, but looking at Xiao Hong Tang's innocent and silly appearance, he knew he wouldn't get any answers from her.

She was just running an errand, delivering something and passing on a message.

After a long silence, Hu Ma picked up the bowl and said to Xiao Hong Tang, "Tell the Old Woman I've noted it down."

"Then eat up!"

Xiao Hong Tang's eyes crinkled into a smile. "After you finish eating, Xiao Hong Tang still has to take the basket back for the Old Woman to check..."

"Xiao Hong Tang is very obedient, she didn't steal any, even though..."

"...she really wanted to."

"..."

Seeing Xiao Hong Tang's pleading eyes, Hu Ma nodded and said, "Mm, I can see that!"

Saying that, he continued to eat.