Strength Improved, Seeing Xiangrong Again, Asking Big Sister for a Favor, Finding Joy in the Snow

Xu Shaoqian said loudly, "Both of you are capable men under my command, so do not engage in private duels. Lei Chong, I know you are not the kind of person who would let thieves escape. However, interrogating the Five Heroes of the Ancient Tomb at midnight is not something that can be easily faked. You must write the details on an envelope and let me see it. If you cannot convince me, I will have no choice but to disregard our friendship and treat you as a suspect."

Turning to Li Xian, he said, "Li Xian, you are very skilled at solving cases. This case concerns the Gold-Seeking Guard and is related to your honor and disgrace. I will trouble you to spare your time and help solve it."

Li Xian thought to himself, "Xu Central Lang General's bias is quite obvious. Lei Chong clearly has suspicions, yet he dismisses them lightly. He entrusted this case to me, but brought up matters of honor and disgrace, without mentioning rewards or commendations. Very well, that's fine. I can investigate and find a suitable excuse." He replied, "General Li Xian 'Central Lang General instructions are my due."

Xu Shaoqian nodded indifferently. Lei Chong suddenly thought, "If this case is entirely handed over to this brat to investigate, I don't know how much mud he will smear against me. This Li scoundrel Xu Central Lang General doesn't like him, he has no doubt about his abilities. If I let him do as he pleases, I might end up in Meeting of Yin Acupoint. I need to take the initiative. This brat dared to frame me so bluntly today, clearly wanting to break ties with me. Therefore, I should seize the opportunity, take a risky move, and kill this brat quickly." He said, "Xu Central Lang General, I also want to investigate this case to prove my innocence."

Xu Shaoqian asked suspiciously, "You?"

Lei Chong glanced at Li Xian and said in a deep voice, "Although Lei Chong is not talented, he has a lot of passion. How can I remain indifferent to being slandered for no reason? I, Lei Chong, have hands and feet. Does he think he can find out, but I can't?"

Xu Shaoqian said, "In that case, you and Li Xian will investigate this case together, but you must not interfere with each other." He then turned and left. Lei Chong stared at Li Xian, his eyes gleaming, his face contorted with a fierce look, as if he wanted to devour him.

Li Xian remained calm and composed, meeting Lei Chong's gaze without flinching. Lei Chong gritted his teeth and said, "We'll see!" He shoved Li Xian aside with his shoulder and walked away into the distance. Li Xian watched him go, his emotions hidden. He knew that the disappearance of the "Five Heroes of the Ancient Tomb" would cause a great stir. With Lei Chong's obstruction, the aftermath would inevitably become complicated.

Li Xian thought to himself, "The Five Heroes of the Ancient Tomb have disappeared. Although Lei Chong is a suspect, Xu Shaoqian trusts him greatly, making him difficult to frame. Now that Lei Chong is investigating this case with me, it's become somewhat tricky." He left Marquis Wu Station and returned to Jujube-Pasture Residence. Unexpectedly, the turmoil surrounding the Sea Tomb incident had not yet subsided. The jujube trees bore fruit, the red dates round and plump. The Golden Cicada chirped crisply, enhancing the feng shui of the residence, making the entire house comfortable and warm. It didn't feel empty or gloomy, nor did it feel desolate. Li Xian was the murderer, so there was no need to investigate. He only needed to devise a way to cover it up.

Li Xian, toying with the Golden Cicada, sat cross-legged under the jujube tree, pondering. "The Gold-Seeking Guard the Imperial Guards have mobilized so many troops is simply because they feel humiliated by the unprovoked theft by the Gold-Seeking Guard. I'll fabricate a eccentric hero, extremely powerful, who specializes in privately punishing villains. This hero will be heroic and renowned, and his reputation must be genuine enough to intimidate the Gold-Seeking Guard. In this way... this matter can be put to rest. As for Lei Chong, who also wants to investigate, I only need to give him the results first. Then, I'll ask Sister Tao to mention it to Xu Shaoqian. Even if Lei Chong talks himself hoarse, Xu Shaoqian will probably not believe him at all."

Having devised a plan, he thought to himself, "Such a renowned and eccentric hero cannot be entirely fabricated. Perhaps ranking him above a Earth List would be most believable. However, the Heroes List is not readily available, and I do not know the nature of the heroes listed. If I intend to fabricate this, I will need to obtain a copy of the Heroes List Earth List. Yunan Circuit, Guanlong Circuit, Longxiong Circuit... any will do. Or perhaps I should ask Sister Tao Xiangrong."

"But how Tao Xiangrong views me, and whether she's willing to help, remains a major problem. A woman's mind is fickle. If I tell her about this, Tao Xiangrong help me get rid of it, or will she accuse me of theft and take me to see Xu Shaoqian? It's all very difficult to know. But a little probing won't hurt." Li Xian had just entered Jade City and had no background. Knowing that people's hearts are unpredictable and cannot be easily trusted, he carefully considered every step he took to avoid Wu Cuo before making a decision. He knew this matter wasn't urgent, so he suppressed his distracting thoughts and honed his martial arts skills.

Then, she took out the "Essence Treasure" and drank it. After being strengthened by Consumption, the Heaven and Earth Essence doubled. Li Xian Heavenly Cycle Circulation her body to retain it. Her physical body was like a starving person, digesting the Heaven and Earth Essence and earth and transforming herself.

The higher one's spiritual realm, the more Heaven and Earth Essence one can retain, and the faster one can digest it. "Essence Treasure food and drink" is similar to ordinary food. The more regular one's eating and drinking, and the more stable one's state, the faster one's digestion, and the greater the benefits to one's physique and spiritual realm.

Just like ordinary people, it's always better to be well-fed and clothed three times a day than to go hungry for three days and then be full for one day. Both being too hungry and too full are undesirable. All the descendants of great families and Aristocratic Clan maintain a stable supply of "Essence Treasure". On the other hand, it's like idle martial artists and miscellaneous martial artists... who don't know where their next meal is. They either go hungry for months without seeing Essence Treasure, or they overeat and force themselves to consume excessive amounts of Essence Treasure.

Li Xian entered the Gold-Seeking Guard for several months, consuming Essence Soup daily and essence meat monthly. With the resources of Commandery Princess Anyang, the supply of Essence Treasure remained stable and abundant. His body was filled with the Heaven and Earth Essence, thus his cultivation progressed much faster.

[Bone-Sculpting Embryo]

[Proficiency: 40/100]

Li Xian's strength, patience, stamina, and physical condition all increased, bringing him immense benefits. At this time, the sensation of "Hair Falling, Roots Taking Hold" became clearer, his senses sharper, and his Pure Qi Armor more resilient, allowing him to absorb more Inner Steam. His techniques of Garment-Shaking, Bullet Garment, and Dancing Garment became more powerful. His martial arts evolved deeper, and many martial arts techniques became stronger. For example, the Intent Infusion of "Sole-Self Heart Technique" could be infused further and with greater effect. The Heartfire of "Setting Sun Sword of Decay" evolved into a raging fire, seemingly capable of burning everything.

With every inch of progress in one's realm, one's martial arts skills will inevitably improve accordingly.

[The Sole-Self Heart Technique]

[Proficiency: 20136/30000 (Major Accomplishment)]

[Flicked-Finger Golden Light]

[Proficiency: 14362/35000 (Perfection)]

[The Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture; Bone-Strengthening Section]

[Proficiency: 7593/8000 Minor Accomplishment]

[The Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture; Five Organs Chapter]

[Proficiency: 16053/50000 Perfection]

The Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture Bone-Strengthening Section and the Five Organs Chapter can mutually reinforce each other. Master Li Xian practices the Bone-Strengthening Section, but the five viscera's turbidity also interacts accordingly. The two chapters are improved simultaneously, bringing immeasurable benefits.

[Divine Mist Intent-Transformation Technique; First Level]

[Proficiency: 1231/3000 Minor Accomplishment]

Li Xian pondered, "I now possess the extraordinary skill of Sole-Self Heart Technique ' protecting my body, the Higher Vehicle martial arts principle of 'Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture' for nourishing the body, the sword techniques I obtained in Jade City; the ability to 'Divide the Pivot and Transform Shadows,' the mastery of the Art Path; the golden light, the ability to apply Pure-Gang Steaming Garment in battle in countless ways, immense physical strength, the ability to use Flicked-Finger Golden Light, long-range Archery, the Grand Self 'Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword Peak Mastery, ' the pinnacle of the ' Wraith Spear Technique '... and many other Lower Vehicle martial arts techniques to enhance my versatility in combat... I must not be arrogant, nor should I be overly humble. My current Second Martial Realm has already achieved some success. But I still need to refine my skills; there is still room for improvement."

"In matters of life and death, I need to deal with Lei Chong and, with the help of the Commandery Princess, navigate the complexities of the various figures above me. Regarding my martial arts advancement, I must first hone my skills in the Pivot-Shadow Transformation School. Furthermore, the Demon Specters Spear may now have a second version; I must find out more about it and ideally acquire it. I should also try to locate the Essence Treasure; if I can gather the second Art Path, my strength will reach an even higher level."

"While Dew Cicada Shop has benefited considerably in terms of status and wealth, with its fortunes steadily rising, I am now accumulating wealth and may consider expanding my business." Li Xian planned his future and focused on recuperation. In the evening, he left Jujube-Pasture Residence, feigning diligence in investigating the case, routinely questioning the prison guards, and then pretending to seriously observe the prison's traces and clues. It was all just for show.

He appeared extremely anxious, rummaging through boxes and cabinets in Marquis Wu Station, sometimes frowning, sometimes clapping and cheering, sometimes shouting "So that's how it is!" Lei Chong secretly observed, feeling both anxious and helpless, wishing he could dissect Li Xian's brain to see what he was thinking. Xu Shaoqian, on the other hand, was slightly relieved; he could rest assured that he could entrust all the case-handling matters to Li Xian.

Li Xian hurriedly searched everywhere. In reality, once out of sight of everyone, he went to a teahouse to drink tea and relax. The next day, Li Xian woke up early and practiced martial arts in the courtyard for half an hour. He bought two servings of tea and snacks in the street, then went to a rouge shop and spent a hundred taels of silver to buy a popular rouge powder. He headed towards "Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower", took the "Immortal-Sending Bird" to Rosy Cloud Heaven, found the location of Peach Residence, and gently knocked on the door.

After a while, a maid in a green robe pushed open the door and said, "Who is it? I don't remember you inviting anyone recently, sister." Li Xian said, "Please go and tell Sister Tao that my younger brother, surnamed Li, has come to pay a visit."

The maid in green was taken aback and said, "Ah! It's you. Please come in. My sister said you can enter the house directly." Li Xian said, "Alright!" Upon entering Peach Residence, the scenery remained the same as before.

The maid in green led Li Xian to a pavilion and said with a smile, "Please sit down, young master. I will tell my sister right away." Li Xian nodded, sat down in the pavilion, and placed tea, snacks, and rouge on the table.

Tao Xiangrong was applying rouge and powder in front of the mirror. She was naturally beautiful and loved to enhance her appearance with elaborate makeup, making her even more stunning. For several days, she had been troubled by melancholy and listless. Her maidservant, noticing this, felt sorry for her, knowing that Tao Xiangrong had someone she loved and was preoccupied with something, but instead of being happy, she was more troubled than joyful. She would occasionally gaze out the door. Tao Xiangrong in the mirror, a beautiful woman who inspired endless daydreams. She couldn't help but think, "It's been several days since we parted. Does that little brother not like me at all? Why hasn't he come to see me? Why hasn't he come looking for me? I clearly gave him the token that allows him free access to the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower ... Could it be that he wants me to go find him? If he doesn't come to see me soon, I'll be angry. Humph, he's just a lowly Gold Steward; doesn't he ever need help? He never visits me normally, but if he really has something important to ask of me, you'll see if I even acknowledge him."

Her mind was in turmoil, and she was quite annoyed. She possessed a thousand methods, but without seeing the person, she couldn't use them. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Tao Xiangrong said irritably, "Which sister is so reckless?" Her tone was gentle, yet contained a hint of reproach.

The maid in the green robe said, "Sister, sister, it's not that I'm being reckless, it's just that the person you've been waiting for has arrived." Tao Xiangrong drawing her eyebrows, the tip of her brush trembling slightly, the brush tip slanting half a stroke. She pretended to be calm and said, "You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? I don't even know who I'm waiting for." But her words no longer contained any annoyance, and all the blame was gone.

The maid in green smiled and said, "Ah! It turns out you've misunderstood, sister. Then please take him away."

Tao Xiangrong scolded playfully, "You brat, how dare you tease your older sister? You can wait here." She gently lifted a corner of the curtain and looked down, seeing a figure inside the "Leisure Breeze Pavilion."

Overjoyed, she was immediately annoyed and said indifferently, "Let him wait. Little Gold Steward wants to see his elder sister, but it's not that easy. His elder sister has many things to do." She gently wiped away the crooked eyebrow line and redrawn it, but much faster.

The maid in the green robe covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Tao Xiangrong occasionally lifted the curtain to peek out and said, "Xiao He, it's already late October or early November, the weather is freezing cold. Go and take two sets of clothes with you."

She added, "Sister, there's probably more fruit on this plate than you can finish. It would be such a waste to throw it away. That brat is still young and growing; let's send some to him."

She would occasionally say, "The weather in Rosy Cloud Heaven is cold, and the snow falls very early. Go and burn some charcoal to warm him. There's a hand warmer here; take that to him too." Although her movements were slow and deliberate, her heart drifted away with the fruit plate, the firewood, and the hand warmer. She would often lift the curtain to observe, fearing that Li Xian would linger too long, before turning and leaving.

The maid in green laughed, "Sister, how about I get some rope and tie that young man up?" Tao Xiangrong scolded, "You brat, you deserve a beating." Throwing Strike away a ball of Silkworm Silk used for makeup and continued applying the makeup, a smile playing on her lips.

The maid in the green dress said, "Sister, your smile is so beautiful."

After Tao Xiangrong finished her makeup and tidied her long hair, the weather was getting colder. Rosy Cloud Heaven was quite high above the ground, so it wasn't very cold up there, and there were already signs of snow. Tao Xiangrong put on embroidered Silkworm Silk, covering her from her toes to her waist. The stockings were made of silk and embroidered with patterns, which were very alluring on her legs. She then wrapped herself in a mink cloak, put on jade heels, and lightly covered her face with a pale purple veil before going downstairs. A maid in a green dress brought a "warmer" and said with a smile, "Didn't you say you were going to make him wait a while, sister?"

Tao Xiangrong overjoyed and didn't care about anything else. She said, "If you tease your sister again, don't blame me for deducting your pay." She took the hand warmer and put it in her sleeve. Her whole body had a faint fragrance.

The maid in green robes was named "Xiao He." The two women descended from the Body-Nourishing Tower and saw snowflakes falling from the sky. Rosy Cloud Heaven is known as the most beautiful place for sunset and also the place with the most elegant and earliest snow scenes. The ground was already covered with thick snow.

Plum blossoms were frosted with white, eaves were covered with a white blanket, and the light snow scene was quite pleasant. Xiao He followed behind, holding an umbrella to shield Tao Xiangrong from the falling snow. Tao Xiangrong walked slowly around a bend and saw a young man in the Leisure Breeze Pavilion. She said with a hint of reproach, "Oh dear, what wind has blown the dignified Gold Steward here?" Li Xian ran over against the wind and snow, calling out, "Sister Tao!" and reached out to help her up. Tao Xiangrong was slightly touched and said reproachfully, "You naughty little brother, you still remember your sister."

Li Xian said, "Of course I remember. Sister Tao, it's cold outside, let's go inside to talk." She naturally took the umbrella from the maid in the green robe. The maid in the green robe blinked, passed the umbrella to her, and tactfully retreated to another place.

Tao Xiangrong glanced at him lightly, then followed Li Xian's guidance to the pavilion and took a seat. A brazier, tea, snacks, and fruit platters were already set out on the stone in the pavilion. A few snowflakes were mixed in with Tao Xiangrong's mink fur and long hair, but they were all just embellishments, enhancing her beauty. She looked even more charming here.

Tao Xiangrong said, "Speak, what do you need from your sister?" Li Xian said, "How do you know I need something from you? If I didn't have something to ask, why couldn't I come to see you?"

Tao Xiangrong chuckled, "Trying to fool your older sister? You're still too naive. I'd like you to visit me more often, but you've never truly cared for me. You've been gone for so long and haven't come to see me even once. It's impossible for you to come so early this morning without asking for something. If you don't say anything, I'll turn around and leave."

Li Xian said, "No rush, even if you're leaving, sister, you can take this with you first." She took out some rouge and said, "This is for you, sister." Tao Xiangrong beamed and said, "Sister doesn't lack rouge, yet you're giving me rouge. How perfunctory!"

But once she accepted the rouge, she considered it done. Tao Xiangrong said, "Recently, the Gold-Seeking Guard losing a death row inmate has been all over the city. You, the Gold Steward who is so good at solving cases, have come here to Flower Seeking. Could it be that you want me to help you catch the thief?"

Li Xian said, "Sister, you have such amazing eyes and ears! You know all this." Tao Xiangrong smiled and said, "This is nothing. People come and go in the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower. I just overheard a few things, picked up bits and pieces here and there, and deduced it. I can't compare to you, the number one detective in Jade City." As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and gently poured hot tea for Li Xian. Her movements were fluid and graceful. Li Xian took the hot tea, took a sip, and said, "I dare not. Jade City is full of hidden talents. I, a mere lad, dare not call myself the number one detective in Jade City."

Li Xian said, "I've come because I have something to ask for your help, sister." Tao Xiangrong said, "Tell me."

Li Xian said, "But if you're willing to help, sister, please agree to a few conditions first." Tao Xiangrong chuckled, glancing at him sideways, and said, "Good brother, did I mishear? You mean... I have to agree to a few conditions before I can help you?" Li Xian looked embarrassed and said, "That's right."

Tao Xiangrong herself, "This boy has always been mysterious, harboring many secrets that are quite intriguing and make one eager to figure him out and tame this wild horse. But if I easily agree to these conditions, it would be tantamount to letting him come and go as I please. To tame a man, one cannot simply submit to him. Hmph, if you don't come, my methods are still no match for you." She said, "Good brother, are you joking with your sister?" Li Xian said, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. If sister really refuses, then I'll pretend I didn't say anything." She got up to leave.

Tao Xiangrong said, "Stop." She added confidently, "Sister didn't say she wouldn't."

Li Xian said, "Ah! I understand, this is rather unreasonable. Is Sister really willing?" Tao Xiangrong said, "Normally, Sister would not agree. Even though you are my brother, I would still scold you and kick you out. I would never see you again in a few days. But you saved my life. And since I have nothing to do lately, I don't mind helping out with a little something."

Li Xian said, "Alright then..."

Tao Xiangrong interrupted with a bright smile, "But how can you do this? Asking for help is one thing, but making them agree to your conditions before you can help? If word gets out, won't outsiders laugh at me for shamelessly begging to help you? I'm easily embarrassed. Therefore... before I help you, you need to do me a few small favors first. Only then will I help you without offending you."

Li Xian thought to herself, "So that's how it is. That explanation makes sense. If Sister Tao could chime in on this case of the Five Heroes of the Ancient Tomb, I'd be able to get away with it completely." She then asked, "I wonder what you need my help with, Sister? It can't be finding something, can it?"

Tao Xiangrong, "Of course, this is no challenge for you, the great detective. These are all trivial matters. The first one..." She hadn't quite decided yet, her gaze sweeping around. Seeing the snow blanketing the buildings, she knew that servants would usually be called in to clear it at this time. She covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "See the snow piled up on the eaves? Would you mind condescending to help my Gold Steward Gold-Seeking Guard?"

Li Xian said, "It's a small matter, I'm happy to do it!" Peach Residence has seven buildings. Li Xian used his lightness skill to jump onto the Body-Nourishing Tower, stepped on the green tiles, and pushed with his palm, blowing all the snowflakes between the green tiles away.

It was the first snowfall of the day, and the snow should not have been very thick. However, Rosy Cloud Heaven was a very high place. When Li Xian went down to the sea, the sky above the sea was clear and sunny, but Rosy Cloud Heaven had already experienced several light snowfalls. The snow had accumulated to the rooftop, Li Xian pushed it with his palm, causing the snowflakes to scatter and adding to the snowy scenery.

Li Xian slapped his left hand and right, watching the snowflakes scatter, thoroughly enjoying himself. Suddenly, he heard a maid in a green robe call out, "Young Master Li, Young Master Li... that's not how you clean it! You have to use a broom first. If you blow it like this, it'll be everywhere..."

Li Xian remained composed and steady, but his youthful spirit had not faded. Seeing the anxious and helpless maid in the green robe, who resembled a girl next door, he suddenly felt a mischievous urge and intentionally unleashed his palm strike. A large snowflake was stirred up and "fluttered" down onto the maid in the green robe's head.

Li Xian laughed heartily. The maid in green was quite annoyed, stamping her foot in dissatisfaction, and looked at Tao Xiangrong. Tao Xiangrong covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Why are you looking at me? If you have the ability to fight back, then fight back."

The maid Xiao He, having received permission, puffed out her cheeks, made a snowball, and threw it at Li Xian. Li Xian dodged it, the wind from his palm carrying him away, followed by a swirling snowflake. Xiao He was covered in snowflakes, furious, and tried several times, but could never hit Li Xian, always at a disadvantage. Li Xian laughed heartily, splashing Xiao He all over. Xiao He, extremely annoyed, turned and left.

Tao Xiangrong looked on with delight and found it quite amusing, laughing, "Your younger brother is never one to suffer the slightest loss, nor does he ever give in to others."

A moment later, Xiao He returned, pointing to Li Xian on the Body-Nourishing Tower, and said, "It's him! Sisters, help me get revenge!"

It turned out that reinforcements had been called, summoning all the maids and servants from Peach Residence, and pulling out more than ten people in force. The maids and servants all protested, but also found it amusing, and all looked at Tao Xiangrong. When had Tao Xiangrong Peach Residence ever been so lively? How could Tao Xiangrong stop it? She nodded slightly in agreement.

Xiao He said in a sweet voice, "Smash this scoundrel to death!" She took the lead, making a snowball from the snow and throwing it at Li Xian. Her relatives and friends all shouted and made snowballs to throw at Li Xian.

Li Xian, caught up in a playful mood, completely forgot to clear the snow from the eaves and grabbed a snowball to throw. He was fighting against a crowd, only for fun and not for competition, so although he dodged most of them, he was occasionally hit. Each time he was hit, someone below would shout, "Hahaha, I hit him! I hit him!" Li Xian would immediately retaliate, grabbing a snowball and throwing it at them. The crowd, having more and more fun, gradually dispersed and surrounded Li Xian from all sides. Li Xian treated everyone fairly, hitting each person with several snowballs.

Tao Xiangrong watched the lively scene, thinking of how every winter she had been accompanied by loneliness and cold. She had tried to let her servants have some fun, but it never worked out. As the "elder sister," she was too authoritative, and no one dared to be unruly. But today, with the arrival of a young man, the atmosphere was completely different. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion, and as she watched Li Xian fight alone against the "heroes," her heart was filled with ripples of emotion.

Suddenly, a snowball came hurtling towards her. Startled, Tao Xiangrong couldn't dodge and it hit her on the forehead. The snowball shattered into snowflakes, instantly Tao Xiangrong her completely. Tao Xiangrong heard a burst of laughter, and the culprit said, "Sister Tao, eat my snowball!"

Tao Xiangrong makeup resulted in slightly disheveled hair. She was both angry and amused, and before she could recover, a second snowball came hurtling towards her. Tao Xiangrong cried out "Ouch!" and immediately put her hands on her hips, angrily shouting, "That brat is so presumptuous! Hit him!" She rolled up her sleeves, made a snowball, and threw it at Li Xian. Xiao He shouted, "Avenge our sister! Hit him until he begs for mercy!" The maids and servants threw snowballs even more enthusiastically, their united will and high morale inspiring them. Even Tao Xiangrong joined in the fun, making snowballs, throwing snowballs, and getting hit herself. Laughter and chatter filled the air, a harmonious scene. What scheming or plotting could compare to the joy of playing in the snow?