Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate, Li Xian Comes Searching

"Really!?"

Li Xian was overjoyed.

The Great Martial Dynasty values both civil and military affairs. Martial artists can Bone Recasting, absorbing the Heaven and Earth Essence, and possess formidable combat power.

Writers use their pens to capture Literary Qi and seize Fortune. Although they may not possess overwhelming power, their influence should not be underestimated.

The two characters "Flower Plucker" (picking flowers).

It means that you have good grades in your studies and exams, and you can go to the next level.

"Sigh, you two brothers, you're both amazing," Auntie Liu remarked.

"Why didn't my Younger Brother come and tell me this good news himself?" Li Xian asked casually, in high spirits.

Auntie Liu and Wang Yonghou hearing this. They exchanged a glance, their lips parted and closed, as if they wanted to say something but then stopped themselves.

"This matter..."

I really don't know whether I should say this or not.

Auntie Liu paced back and forth, visibly hesitant. Wang Yonghou said, "Let me speak."

"Xiao Xian, we only heard about this secondhand. You need to decide for yourself whether it's true or false."

Li Xian frowned, then nodded and said, "Alright!"

"Since you're going to be Guard, my wife and I will naturally take care of Xiao Fan for you."

"After the money from last time cured my wife's illness, we actually had a few hundred coins left. My wife and I thought about it and decided to pick an auspicious day to go to Yellow Jade County to inquire about it."

"Check on Xiao Fan. If possible, buy him some steamed buns and biscuits. He's only ten years old, and no one cares about him or asks after him. It's quite pitiful."

"But upon arriving, I heard some unpleasant rumors."

Wang Yonghou carefully observed Li Xian's expression, and seeing that he remained calm, continued, "We heard..."

Xiao Fan has been detained.

"What's going on?" Li Xian's eyes flashed with a cold light as he immediately asked.

Auntie Liu said, "I heard... there was a young master from a gang who also participated in the academic exam. Unfortunately, his knowledge was too shallow, and he didn't Flower Plucker. He ranked thirty-seventh, just outside the quota."

"If just one person doesn't go, then... it'll be his turn."

"The students Flower Plucker ahead, even if they're from poor families, are still from wealthy ones. Only our Xiao Fan is dressed in shabby clothes, and he's only ten years old."

"Of course, you pick the softest persimmon."

"However... it's just a rumor, we don't know if it's true or not."

The Liu-Wang Couple looked anxious and tried to be as tactful as possible in their speech.

Li Xian wasn't stupid. If the rumors weren't true, why would the Liu-Wang Couple be looking for him? Clearly, the rumors were probably true, Younger Brother was in a precarious situation.

"Is my Younger Brother in mortal danger?" Li Xian asked.

"Judging from the rumors, it seems there's no truth to them," Auntie Liu said uncertainly. "Even the young master of that gang wouldn't want to get involved in trouble. This kind of 'murder and robbery' is too despicable and disgraceful."

"And this behavior will be seriously investigated. The students who Flower Plucker are not ordinary people; they are qualified... to steal that Mysterious Fortune."

"Well, we don't really know the specifics, but in short, our lives are safe."

"But... but..."

"It won't feel good."

Li Xian thought to himself, "The Liu-Wang Couple came from a farming family and had never left Qingning County in their entire lives. They have already done me a great favor by traveling all the way to Yellow Jade County because of me."

Their knowledge is limited, and their understanding of what they have seen and heard is bound to be biased. It would be too much to ask them questions; it would be better to investigate themselves.

He asked in a deep voice, "Do you know where they have hidden my Younger Brother?"

"I... I don't know," Auntie Liu shook her head.

"Alright, Auntie Liu, Uncle Wang, you should go back now. Just don't say you've seen me. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with you," Li Xian said solemnly.

"Xiao Xian, you... you... you must calm down," Auntie Liu Intestine-Turning Narrow Passage.

"Don't worry, I'm very calm," Li Xian said with a smile.

"Uncle."

Bi Hao, who had been watching from the sidelines, was bowing and scraping, about to say something flattering. But then he saw Li Xian stride past him without stopping.

"That old man is truly an old man; the way he walks really exudes style."

Bi Hao gazed at Li Xian's retreating figure, his envy barely concealed.

Li Xian took a deep breath.

This is a crucial moment for my Younger Brother to achieve Dragon Gate and stand out from the crowd. As his older brother, I must give him my full support.

"Fortunately, I haven't neglected my martial arts training."

"At times like this, all I can rely on is my martial arts skills."

Li Xian suppressed his anger, remaining calm and composed... like a heavy, cold Copper Cauldron.

He found Pang Long and asked for leave temporarily.

He then went to his dwelling and retrieved the "Deer-Shooting Bow".

"Master Li, what are you doing here?"

A Guard noticed Li Xian and asked curiously.

"I have some personal matters to attend to." Li Xian suddenly stopped and looked at the Guard, noticing that he was about the same height as her. She said, "I remember you have a nice piece of clothing?"

"Yes, hehe," the Guard chuckled.

"Fifty coins, I'll buy it from you," Li Xian said.

"If Master Li wants it, how could I refuse?" the Guard said obsequiously.

Li Xian, "Thanks, but you still need to pay."

I spent some time buying a new piece of clothing.

After leaving the village, they found a Densewood Forest, changed out of the Guard's old clothes, and put on new ones—a bright red cloth robe, slightly conspicuous, but not enough to make anyone immediately recognize them as Guard.

The old clothes were buried under the tree. Li Xian carried his longbow and hurried to Qingning County.

In my memory, there was a blacksmith shop in the east of the city that secretly sold knives.

When they arrived at the blacksmith's shop, the blacksmith was a burly, dark-skinned man whose skin was burned and ulcerated on half of his body, making him look quite ferocious.

He had no children and made a living by blacksmithing and selling knives.

"Young man, judging from your appearance, you're no ordinary visitor."

The blacksmith swung his arm and smashed it onto a red-hot iron stone, sparks flying. He glanced at Li Xian and said casually.

"I want a knife," Li Xian said bluntly.

"Alright," the blacksmith said. "Five hundred coins, pay up and I'll take the knife."

Knives are controlled in Qingning County, hence they are very expensive.

After receiving the money, the blacksmith lightly weighed it in his hand and said with a smile, "Take it."

He opened a wooden box and tossed out a knife. Li Xian reached out and caught it; it was a narrow knife about two fingers wide, single-edged, made of very ordinary coarse iron, but the craftsmanship was quite commendable, and it was easy to wield.

With his Inner Qi flowing freely, wielding the long sword, he could easily pierce through skin and flesh.

"It's not as good as the lady's weapon. It's a pity that we're not allowed to carry bladed weapons when we're not on duty, let alone since I'm on leave."

Strict rules and regulations.

Li Xian wasn't afraid to touch it, but rather unable to touch it.

A rough iron knife is barely enough.

"Kid, keep a low profile, put this on." The blacksmith tossed him a cloth bag. "Don't get me into trouble."

Thanks.

He covered the bag with the blade, concealing its glint. Li Xian gave a curt reply and quickly left.

"Buy some more bows and arrows, so that we'll have bows for distant places and swords for nearby ones, as well as Clearwind Leg, Four Directions Fist, and Jade Luo Palm..."

"As long as we are careful, we should be able to hold our own against anyone who doesn't encounter a master like the Immortal of the Jar Immortal who has mastered the Essence Consumption Realm."

Li Xian's eyes were cold.

Knowing that this journey would be fraught with danger and the extent of the trouble he might cause was uncertain, helping his Younger Brother Dragon Gate was naturally his top priority. However, he would not act recklessly; his own life was equally important and should not be taken lightly.

Outsmarting the enemy is the best strategy!

The main strategy is to maneuver and negotiate!

Hunters usually make their own arrows. Li Xian was pressed for time and had no time to make arrows, so he simply found a nearby hunter and bought them from him.

After replenishing the arrows to make up the "two hundred," they went to the Black Market in the county to buy some gunpowder and Poison Powder.

These items were all extremely expensive. The seller knew Li Xian needed them urgently and asked for very high prices. Fortunately, Li Xian had some savings and managed to prepare everything by spending two taels of silver.

They then headed towards Yellow Jade County.

The wind and snow never cease between heaven and earth.

The carp will transform into Golden Flood Dragon, to peek into the heavenly palace; Li Xian will come lying in the snow, to taste the salty and spicy flavors of the Jianghu.