Erasing Cocoon Force (Begging for Continued Reading)

Hiss!

Xie Zhengtang sucked in a sharp breath. The way he looked at Xie An was no longer filled with the appreciation and affirmation from before, but with utterly incredulous shock.

Though Xie Zhengtang did not practice martial arts, he had steered the Xie Household for many years. He had lived through Xie Yu being flayed and turned into livestock, and had even brought an evil god into the Xie Clan White Shrine to be worshipped. How could he not know how difficult it was to cultivate the Spirit Preservation Method?

Even the three great prodigies of the inner city needed three years to master the Spirit Preservation Method.

Yet his own son... had done it in a single day.

It was simply too outrageous.

Seeing the two of them standing there dumbstruck, Xie An hurriedly said modestly, "I was merely lucky. I only fell unconscious this time; it is nothing serious. I'll be fine in a few days."

"What luck indeed." Xie Zhengtang laughed heartily. "From now on, continue practicing martial arts with your elder sister."

A great weight lifted from Xie An's heart. "Yes."

Xie Yu said with gratification, "Young Master Mingxi, rest for a few days first. Once you have fully recovered, come find me at the Xie Clan White Shrine."

After giving a few more instructions, Xie Zhengtang left with Xie Yu.

As they walked out of the West Courtyard, Xie Zhengtang was still somewhat worried. "Yu'er, does your younger brother have any other problems with his spirit?"

Xie Yu said, "Though my younger brother's spirit is temporarily weak, its foundation is exceptionally firm and profound. This is a sign that his Spirit Preservation has reached perfection. Once he enters Manifest Force, he will be able to cultivate martial arts for dealing with ghosts and evil spirits."

Xie Zhengtang let out a long breath. "Then I can rest easy. By the way, how long did it take Yu'er to master Spirit Preservation back then?"

Xie Yu said, "One year and three months. My younger brother is far more outstanding than I am. This must be the once-in-ten-thousand Awakening Enlightenment opportunity, like the Heaven-Bestowed Bards of those hidden lands. Father, the Xie Household has successors!"

Xie Zhengtang nodded repeatedly. "To be safe, do not let others learn of Mingxi's extraordinary talent, lest it invite trouble for no reason."

Xie Yu said, "Though my younger brother is young, he is cautious by nature. He knows where the line is."

After seeing off his father and Daoist Master Yusu, Xie An could no longer hold on. He slumped straight into a chair, his hands and feet trembling slightly.

He had merely pretended to be unharmed just now.

He did not want his father's excessive concern for him to delay his own martial path.

"Young Master, why does your complexion look so bad? Should I go call the master back..." Qiu Lan entered carrying hot tea. When she saw Xie An's poor complexion, she could not help worrying.

I finally managed to send Father away... Xie An waved a hand. "I'm only a little dizzy. It is nothing serious. Remember, you must not let Father know about this."

Qiu Lan did not dare disobey and nodded repeatedly.

Xie An glanced at Li Dao and Chen Mo practicing martial arts in the courtyard, then said to Qiu Lan, "Go call Chen Mo in."

Before long, Chen Mo entered in a fitted blue martial outfit. "What are your orders, Young Master?"

Suppressing his discomfort, Xie An said, "Instructor Chen is a Manifest Force Martial Master. Since ancient times, medicine and martial arts have been inseparable. Do you know of any medicinal ingredients that can refresh the mind?"

Not knowing the full story, Chen Mo answered cautiously, "Refreshing the mind usually calls for certain incenses. Sandalwood, ambergris, musk, benzoin, and storax all have excellent invigorating effects."

Xie An still did not fully trust Chen Mo, so he did not reveal the cause of his condition. But he also realized that refreshing the mind was the wrong direction. "Are there any medicinal ingredients that calm the spirit?"

Chen Mo said, "Ordinary people usually use polygonatum, goji berries, sour jujube seeds, poria, and the like to calm their spirits. Combined with regular rest, quiet sitting, and breath regulation, they can nourish the heart and settle the spirit."

Calming the spirit was still not right... Xie An frowned.

Chen Mo continued trying to gauge Xie An's thoughts. "If you wish to replenish essence and nourish the kidneys, you may add ginseng and schisandra. If you wish to awaken the spirit, you may add sweet flag and reishi."

Nourishing the kidneys was out of the question.

Awakening the spirit sounded like the right direction.

Xie An could have asked Li Yuqiao, the physician retained by the Xie Residence, for a medicinal decoction to awaken the spirit. But if Li Yuqiao told his father, it could easily give rise to complications.

Though father and son were of one mind, who did not have a few private thoughts inconvenient to speak aloud?

Xie An felt it necessary to win over several trusted aides who would be loyal only to him.

Chen Mo was quite suitable.

With that thought, Xie An pointed to the seat on his right. "Instructor Chen, sit and tell me slowly. Qiu Lan, serve Instructor Chen some tea."

After Chen Mo took her seat and accepted the tea bowl, she felt somewhat flattered and somewhat uneasy.

Though she had not spent long with Xie An, she could see that this young master was no ordinary person. His mind was full of schemes.

Leaning back in his chair, Xie An made casual conversation. "Instructor Chen, you broke through to Manifest Force a little over a month ago?"

Chen Mo said, "Yes."

Xie An asked, "What medicinal supplements should a Manifest Force Martial Master use?"

Seeing that Chen Mo seemed somewhat restrained, Xie An said, "It is fine. Treat this as ordinary conversation. Instructor Chen need not hide anything."

Chen Mo nodded. "Manifest Force Martial Masters cultivate Inner Force. Ordinary medicinal supplements are already useless; one must consume rare Treasure Fish and Rune-veined Ginseng. Otherwise, relying on personal effort alone brings very little progress."

"What are their prices?"

"The lowest-grade Treasure Fish costs a hundred taels of silver, and the lowest-grade Rune-veined Ginseng costs the same. Moreover, such treasures can only be encountered by chance. They are available in the market but have no fixed price."

"Does the Xie Residence have access to such goods?"

"The Xie Clan Pharmacy purchases Rune-veined Ginseng in large quantities both inside and outside Qingwu County. The Xie Household's fishing grounds in Wuqiao Town also buy Treasure Fish in large quantities. However, all such Spirit Ginseng and Treasure Fish are allocated by Uncle Shui. They are supplied first to the household's trusted people. Even Yongsheng Martial Arts Hall can barely obtain a few quotas a year."

That made things easy.

"Instructor Chen entered Manifest Force at such a young age. You are truly rare talent. If you are not properly nurtured, it would be burying a pearl in the dust." Xie An tapped lightly on the edge of the table with his right hand, producing a soft "tap, tap," as though considering something.

Chen Mo leaned forward, anticipation appearing in her eyes.

After a moment, Xie An said, "From now on, I will cover all of Instructor Chen's expenses for Treasure Fish and Spirit Ginseng."

Chen Mo shot to her feet, staring at Xie An in disbelief.

Practicing martial arts had never been a matter of personal effort alone. Sometimes, resources were even more important.

The saying that the poor study literature while the rich practice martial arts was not empty talk.

Xie An added, "But I have one condition."

Suppressing her excitement, Chen Mo said, "Please speak plainly, Young Master Mingxi."

Xie An stopped tapping the table and raised a hand to point at Chen Mo. "From now on, you must be my person."

Chen Mo had expected such a condition.

"Yongsheng Martial Arts Hall is originally an asset of the Xie Household. Everyone in the martial arts hall belongs to the Xie Household."

Xie An shook his head. "No. You must first be my person, and only then a person of the Xie Household."

Chen Mo understood what Xie An meant.

He was cultivating a trusted confidant.

But at the thought of endless Treasure Fish and Spirit Ginseng, Chen Mo's heart was still moved. "I am willing to serve you like a dog or horse."

Xie An nodded. He still did not reveal that his spirit had suffered severe damage, merely saying, "I will trouble Instructor Chen to prepare a medicine to awaken the spirit for me, the sooner the better. Remember, Father must not learn of this. Go to a pharmacy other than the Xie Clan Pharmacy to procure the medicine."

After saying that, Xie An called Li Dao in from the courtyard. "Li Dao, accompany Instructor Chen to procure the medicine. Return immediately after obtaining it. Do not delay."

After dismissing the two of them, Xie An returned to his bedroom. Facing the mirror, he opened the Spirit Preservation Method.

"Let me see whether this Spirit Preservation Method can erase that wisp of sinking qi..."