Procurement, a Lavish Dinner

After finishing his training, Li Bufan felt his whole body flow smoothly. His adaptation to his new clothes and new weapon had improved another step. Estimating the time, he headed to the Academy once more to pick Ping'an up after school.

Unlike yesterday, Ping'an practically skipped out of the Academy today. His little face was wreathed in a brilliant smile, and his eyes sparkled as though filled with stars.

"Brother!" He spotted Li Bufan from far away, waved his little hand excitedly as he ran over, and grabbed Li Bufan's hand with far more strength than usual.

"So happy today?" Li Bufan smiled and ruffled his younger brother's hair. Feeling Ping'an's bubbling excitement, his own mood brightened as well.

"Mm!" Ping'an nodded hard, his little mouth chattering without pause, his tone brimming with the exhilaration of holding his head high at last. "Brother! You were so handsome today! So imposing! After you brought me here this morning, all those people who talked about me and laughed at me yesterday didn't say a word today! Every one of them behaved themselves! And... and several people who didn't really play with me before came to talk to me today. They wanted to play with me!"

Listening to him, Li Bufan understood, yet he also felt somewhat moved. The warmth and coldness of the world were this direct even among children. He smiled gently. "That's a good thing. But remember, little brother: people who approach you because of your brother may not be sincere. To find true friends, look at their character, and see whether they remain by your side when you fall on hard times. We don't bully others, but neither can we trust everyone completely. Most importantly, you must strive to improve yourself—study hard, understand reason, and learn skills. When you have real abilities in the future, you'll be more imposing and more handsome than your brother!"

Ping'an lifted his little face and listened earnestly to his brother. Though he could not fully understand some of it yet, he knew his brother meant well. He nodded forcefully. "Mm! Brother, I understand! I'll study hard! Will I really be more imposing than you?"

"Of course it's true!" Li Bufan said firmly. "When has your brother ever lied to you? Study and understand reason, then earn scholarly honors in the future—that is true glory. It's far more respectable than your brother being a guard who waves blades and brandishes spears."

As the brothers talked, they walked home. The setting sun stretched their shadows long behind them. After their meals had improved over these days, Ping'an's changes had become very obvious. His little face was no longer that waxy yellow, wrinkled look of malnutrition, but had become rosy and full. Flesh had begun to grow on his body, and he was no longer skin and bones. He even seemed to have shot up a little taller. Though his clothes remained plain, the spirit radiating from within made him utterly different from the grimy, timid little boy of two months ago.

When they passed the market, Li Bufan stopped. His purse was somewhat fuller now, and knowing that future cultivation would consume even more, he decided to make a large purchase.

He first walked into the grain shop and said directly to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, fifty jin of coarse rice and thirty jin of polished rice."

The shopkeeper recognized him and saw his guard's uniform, so he did not dare slight him. He hurriedly called for a clerk to weigh out the rice. Before long, two heavy sacks of rice were placed outside the shop.

Next, he went to the butcher's stall. Looking at the fresh meat hanging there, he pointed. "I'll take that whole pork haunch, and that large slab of beef brisket too."

The butcher swiftly wrapped the two great slabs of meat in oil paper and tied them tightly with straw rope. Each slab weighed twenty or thirty jin.

Finally, he went to the general store and bought all kinds of seasonings—oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and more—filling a large bundle.

When Li Bufan slung the sack of rice over his shoulder, carried the two heavy slabs of meat in one hand, and held a large bundle of seasonings in the other, his appearance of someone stocking up goods immediately drew the attention of the entire street.

Passersby turned to look, their eyes filled with surprise, envy, and longing.

"Buying so much rice and meat! How long will that last?"

Ping'an stayed close by his brother's side. Hearing the comments around them and seeing his brother carry so much without breaking his steady stride, he puffed out his little chest even higher, his face full of pride.

When they reached the entrance to the alley where they lived, several familiar neighbors were chatting. Seeing Li Bufan's haul, they gathered around in surprise.

"Oh my, Bufan, buying so much?" Wang Daniang's eyes nearly stuck to the meat, and she could not help swallowing.

"Yes, Wang Daniang. Training in martial arts will take a lot out of me in the future, so I'm stocking up on food," Li Bufan replied with a smile, neither servile nor overbearing.

"That's only right, that's only right! Now that you're a guard master, you should eat better!" Li Dashu chimed in with a smile, his tone carrying obvious flattery.

Most people's gazes were fixed on the fresh meat and rice, gleaming with envy and even greed, yet not one dared reveal the slightest covetous intention. They all knew that the youth before them was no longer that poor boy they could look down on as they pleased. He was a guard of Lin Manor, a proper warrior master, a man with real ability! Who would dare set their sights on him?

Li Bufan exchanged a few polite pleasantries with the neighbors, then carried his goods and led Ping'an back to their little courtyard.

After closing the wooden gate and setting down the heavy bounty, he looked at the rice and meat piled in the room. A sense of security and anticipation for the future rose within him.

"Little brother, do you see?" Li Bufan said to Ping'an. "This is what your brother's hard work in martial arts has brought us. Our lives will get better and better from now on. But you must also remember that the premise of all this is that your brother has enough strength to protect it. So you must study hard too. Only then can you protect what belongs to you in the future—and perhaps gain even more."

Ping'an looked at the food filling the room and nodded heavily. This time, his brother's words truly sank into his heart.

Once home, Li Bufan first carefully stored the grain he had bought somewhere cool and dry to prevent it from getting damp. He then dealt with the two large slabs of meat, cutting most of it into suitably sized chunks. After lightly salting them, he hung them outside in a ventilated spot to dry, so they would keep longer. He saved only a small portion of fresh meat for tonight's meal.

Looking at the abundant stores inside and outside the house, Li Bufan's heart brimmed with satisfaction. He decided to make a lavish dinner tonight, both as a celebration and to build up strength for tomorrow's trip to Lin Manor.

He first took out all the Tiger Bear meat left over from his earlier hunt—something that greatly nourished qi and blood—and slowly stewed it over a low flame until the meat turned tender and the fragrance gradually spread through the air.

Next, he sliced the fresh pork and beef separately. He stir-fried one with garlic shoots and made the other into scallion-burst beef, controlling the heat perfectly as the rich scent of meat filled the room.

Then he stir-fried a plate of emerald-green vegetables and pan-fried a large platter of golden, glistening eggs.

Lastly, he cooked a huge pot of mixed coarse and polished rice, more than three jin in all.

When every dish was placed on the crude wooden table, the little house was already filled with a rich fragrance that stirred the appetite. Ping'an's eyes went round as he stared at the unprecedentedly lavish spread, swallowing again and again.

"Brother... can we finish so many dishes?" Ping'an was both delighted and worried.

"Don't worry, we can finish them! Have you forgotten? Your brother can really eat now!" Li Bufan laughed heartily and filled a huge bowl with rice for his younger brother. "Come on, eat to your heart's content! There's plenty today!"

The two brothers sat facing each other and began to feast with gusto. The Tiger Bear meat had absorbed the flavors completely and melted in the mouth, a warm current spreading through their limbs and bones. The stir-fried pork was tender and smooth, while the beef was fresh, fragrant, and satisfyingly chewy. The vegetables cut through the richness, the eggs smelled irresistible, and the mixed rice had a hearty bite along with the natural sweetness of grain.

The meal left both of them with mouths gleaming with oil and sweat beading on their foreheads, thoroughly satisfied. Ping'an's little belly was round as a drum, and he could barely stand. Li Bufan had swept away most of the dishes on the table, his enormous appetite leaving Ping'an staring dumbstruck once more.

After dinner, Li Bufan did not immediately tell his younger brother to study. Instead, he let him rest a while and digest his food.

"Little brother, rest for a bit, then light the lamp and review your lessons. Your brother will go outside and practice some boxing to digest my meal," Li Bufan said as he cleared the dishes.

"Mm! Got it, big brother. Don't worry!" Ping'an answered obediently, his face still carrying the contented flush of a full belly. "Teacher Wang praised me today too. He said I recognize characters really quickly—faster than everyone else! In a little while, I'll be able to read books on my own!"

Hearing this, Li Bufan's face filled with heartfelt joy and pride. He set down what he was holding, walked over to his younger brother, and vigorously rubbed his little head. "Really? Our Ping'an is that amazing? Wonderful! I knew our Ping'an was the smartest child! Study well, and you'll definitely have a great future!"

Receiving his brother's praise, Ping'an smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits and nodded hard. "Mm! I'll definitely study well!"

After encouraging his younger brother, Li Bufan went out to the small courtyard. Night had fallen. Stars dotted the sky, and the chill was growing heavier. But he had just eaten his fill, and the qi and blood within him were vigorous, so he did not feel cold in the slightest.

He took his stance and slowly practiced the Nameless Fist Technique and the movements of the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique. This time, he was not seeking to push himself to the limit. Instead, he followed a gentle rhythm, slowly digesting the qi and blood energy produced by the food within his body, nourishing his muscles and promoting digestion and absorption.

His movements were rounded and fluid, his mind tranquil, as though he had merged with the peaceful night. He could feel that the essence transformed from the Tiger Bear meat was especially robust, gradually strengthening his constitution.

Inside, after resting for a while, Ping'an consciously lit the oil lamp, took out his sand tray and books, and began reviewing the characters and passages he had learned at the Academy that day. Every so often, he softly read them aloud. Under the dim yellow lamplight, the little fellow's expression was focused and earnest.

More than two hours later, Li Bufan slowly finished his practice. His whole body felt pleasantly warm, his food fully digested, and his spirits more invigorated than ever. He pushed open the door and saw that Ping'an had just closed his book as well and was yawning.

"Finished reviewing?" Li Bufan asked softly.

"Mm, Brother, I remember all the characters from today!" Ping'an said sleepily, yet with a deep sense of accomplishment.

"Good. Then wash your face and get ready for bed." Li Bufan fetched some hot water. The brothers washed up simply, blew out the oil lamp, and lay down on the bed.

In the darkness, they casually chatted for a few moments about amusing things at the Academy and plans for tomorrow. Ping'an's voice gradually lowered until it became the steady sound of breathing. Clearly, after being excited all day and eating his fill, he had grown exhausted and fallen asleep.

Listening to his younger brother's peaceful breathing and looking at the faint starlight filtering through the window, Li Bufan's heart was calm and resolute. Slowly, he too fell asleep.