Painting Her Brows and Discussing Household Affairs, Treating an Injury and Asking a Secret Question
Sect Leader Kang Da was in no hurry to settle down at Yangming Mountain in Xian Prefecture. He only sent Ye Zhengwen and Yuan Jin to lead a group of disciples to set off first.
After asking Attendant Luan to get several doses of elixirs for Jiang Qing, he then took his junior brother and his wife to Xuanwei City to stay overnight.
All the vassals under the jurisdiction of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household were dismissed. However, several elders from Fei Tianqin down, the officers and soldiers of the Ying Mountain Army, and the direct descendants of the She Mountain Hall were all temporarily stationed in Xuanwei City to rest and recuperate.
As a result, the Spiritual Qi around Xuanwei City became scarce again.
Even though they knew these cultivators wouldn't stay long, it still greatly annoyed the officials in charge of Xuanwei City.
Currently, Duan Anle's eldest son Duan Yunzhou, has taken on the post of guarding Xuanwei City. Although his cultivation level is not high, Xuanwei City is still considered the largest city in Yunjiao Cloud Horn Prefecture's Marquis of Martial Peace's Residence. Therefore, it is still necessary to have a trustworthy person on duty so that Kang Dabao can feel at ease.
Now that the battle is becoming increasingly intense, Kang Xiangyi, the head of the Kang family of the Chenjiang Kang Clan, has completely given up the idea of returning to Si Prefecture. He has willingly become the deputy of the Sect Leader Kang Da Zhang Huangshi, the head of the Cloud Valley Zhang Household, and Duan Yunzhou, a junior.
The city's defenses were also strengthened, and the local militia and volunteers who made meritorious contributions benefited, making their livelihoods much more secure.
Although these cultivators came from humble backgrounds, they still possessed some conscience. Remembering the kindness of Kang Dabao in taking care of these thousand or so mouths, they were willing to say kind words, which indeed enhanced the reputation of Sect Leader Kang Da.
The head of the city's garrison was chosen to be Yang Xun, the recently outstanding head of the Yang Household.
This old cultivator has been putting in a tremendous amount of effort in battle lately, and he's also been pondering the matter of forming False Core. If he achieves his goal, he could provide another boost to Xuanwei City.
However, Yang Xun was not the only one in the Crimson Zhang Guard to gain the favor of Sect Leader Kang Da. The unknown newcomer You Xiaobao also found a future.
To be able to attain the position of deputy general of the city's garrison while only Qi Refinement level, and to become a close disciple of Kang Xiangyi —this kind of opportunity, regardless of who hears about it, will undoubtedly be praised with a few nice words, whether true or false, such as "good fortune is upon you" and "your future is bright."
Kang Dabao didn't care about the joys and sorrows of these ordinary people; he was sitting next to his wife on the couch by the window.
Xuanwei City outside the window was very quiet, with only the occasional lantern of a night-patrolling monk passing by, casting dappled light and shadow on the window paper.
He took out a small, gilded box from his Storage Bag, inside which was a pale blue eyebrow pencil, which he had obtained from Wu Jian Swordless High Cultivator the Ghost Sword Sect some time ago.
This tiny box, no bigger than the palm of your hand, requires a hundred Second Tier Azure Snail Grass to make. The price of these Spirit Plant alone would take two or three ordinary True Cultivator ten years to earn.
Not to mention the labor costs for those who make incense and cosmetics.
It cost so much to refine it, yet it's just a small item used for drawing eyebrows to enhance the mood, offering no benefit whatsoever to spiritual practice; it's merely a tool for getting close to some woman.
This made the usually frugal Sect Leader Kang Da feel a little emotional, wondering how much wealth he had accumulated to afford such extravagance.
He was reluctant to spend Spirit Stone to make it, but he was willing to give up an unopened box to please his wife.
In his memory, Fei Shuhe had become a bit more reserved lately, and he had always loved this elegant color, so he had always remembered it. Even after several fierce battles, amidst the clash of swords, he had never forgotten her.
Fei Shuhe leaned against the soft pillow. When she saw him open the box, a faint smile appeared in her eyes. She raised her hand to tuck the stray hairs behind her ear and lazily watched him as he leaned closer.
Kang Dabao took a thin bamboo pen and dipped his fingertip in eyebrow ink.
At this moment, the fat man moved so gently that he seemed afraid of breaking something. He first tested the depth on the back of his hand before daring to bend down and get closer.
"In my entire life, I never imagined that I would live to see my beloved draw my eyebrows."
Fei Shuhe chuckled softly, her breath brushing against his wrist, carrying the refreshing scent of spirit tea and a touch of girlish naiveté: "Tell me, with a hand that can wield a halberd to slay Golden Core cultivator and Third Tier Demon Officer, you must possess more than a thousand pounds of strength, yet you can't even hold a bamboo pen steadily."
Kang Dabao smiled, his pen tip gently tracing her brow. "That's different. What nonsense about Golden Core cultivation or Third Tier Demon Officer? How can they compare to my wife's preciousness?"
Fei Shuhe knew perfectly well that these were just nice words, but she was still pleased.
After a few words and laughter, Sect Leader Kang Da suddenly slowed down, his gaze falling on her eyes, which seemed even warmer than the flame of a lamp.
"These days, my wife has been living in constant fear."
"Where did you get that idea? The husband is the head of the household, it's just his duty." Fei Shuhe raised her hand and pressed down on his wrist, stopping him from moving. "My lord is an unparalleled hero. We women, even if we can only offer a little help, shouldn't hold you back."
Kang Dabao knew she was unworthy of the title "unparalleled hero," so she simply smiled and nodded, continuing to carefully shape her eyebrows by candlelight. The light blue color of her eyebrows, as the bamboo brush touched them, made her features appear even more gentle.
As soon as he finished painting, he took a water mirror and handed it over. The mirror reflected the two figures standing close together, and even the wind outside the window seemed to have calmed down.
Fei Shuhe looked at herself in the mirror, then looked up at him.
The two have been married for nearly a century, Sect Leader Kang Da looks exactly the same as when he lifted the curtain back then—ordinary and unremarkable. However, the words of the lover Xi Shi are not untrue. When Fei Shuhe looked at him again, she felt that half of her heart had already been given to the former.
Fortunately, the sect leader's wife was looking at him with such affection, but Kang Dabao, who was standing to the side, did not notice anything amiss. Instead, he was oblivious to the romance and changed the subject.
"A letter has arrived from the Duke's residence, stating that the Two Instruments Sect is currently severely weakened, and even if the Star-Picking Pavilion were to forcefully urge them to come, it would be difficult for them to regain their momentum."
After the Duke left the scene, the two True Person temporarily ceased fighting. However, the Xianyu Household and the Cloud Water Sect were making little progress, having lost their top cultivator and Pill Master. The disciples in their formation were terrified, and if it weren't for the beast tide providing support, they might have already suffered a defeat.
Therefore, there is no time to worry about anything else. At present, Cloud Horn Prefecture is only concerned about the breach in the barrier of Cold Crow Mountain.
Fengwen Demon Lieutenant had suffered heavy losses before, and even his capable lieutenant Zeng Zhang Demon Officer almost died at the hands of the Duke. It would be difficult for Bai Canhong to persuade this old man to mobilize his subordinates to act as accomplices again, even if he only talked.
"The Duke knows how bravely we fought this time, so we don't need to worry too much about this place in the short term."
Fei Shuhe already knew what her husband was saying, but she just listened quietly, nodding her head occasionally, her beautiful eyes following his tone and expression as if she were supporting him.
However, Kang Dabao changed his tone after saying this, his voice becoming slightly more serious. "When I went to pay my respects to the Tianqin Ancestor today, I heard him say that my aunt is returning to Ying Prefecture today. One reason is for Wanqing's Core Formation, and the other is for her own cultivation?"
Fei Shuhe for a moment and replied softly, "That's right. Auntie also said she wanted to Lingyi, Brother Zhao, Brother Yan with her, so we wouldn't have to pay for their travel expenses later. Ying Prefecture is quite a journey, so let's save money where we can."
"Haha, my wife should be a figure in a painting, how did she get tainted by my money-grubbing ways?!" Sect Leader Kang Da chuckled upon hearing this, but when he spoke again, he agreed:
"It's a good thing that my aunt is willing to bring her three children to Ying Prefecture. You should find a time to pay her a proper visit and express your gratitude."
"Well, I'll go after I've spoken to my two younger sisters."
"Thank you for your trouble, my lady," Kang Dabao said, gently rubbing her fragrant shoulders. However, he couldn't quite grasp her skin, which was as smooth as jade, and soon his fingers slipped involuntarily into Fei Shuhe's open neckline.
"Oops,"
When it comes to the skill of catching rabbits, Sect Leader Kang Da, who is deeply immersed in this art, is certainly a master.
With a gentle touch, she slowly picked up the petals, and then twisted them again. The snow-red petals between her fingers swelled slightly, causing Fei Shuhe's face to flush and her to exclaim in surprise.
"My love," Kang Dabao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his wife's sweet voice. Apart from the red candles on their desks, the lamps in the room immediately went out.
Amidst the fluttering of clothes, Sect Leader Kang Da held a candle and illuminated the large piece of white jade for a long time before finally snapping the flame with his fingertips, laughing as he said, "With so many children gone, the house feels quite lonely. Madam, you should make it up to me."
"Giggle."
Hearing the commotion of flesh surging, Wan'er, who was on duty outside the room, hurriedly activated another layer of sound-blocking barrier before she could feel at ease.
As the sun rose, Kang Dabao and his wife appeared before Wan'er, their faces radiant. The bird, as clever as ever, immediately bowed and said in a clear voice, "Greetings, son-in-law! Greetings, young lady!"
The Sect Leader Kang Da was in a good mood and rewarded him with a bottle of high-grade spirit-controlling pills, which he had obtained from some unknown Golden Core bag. Only then did he bid farewell to his wife and find Jiang Qing to visit the Fei Household's old residence.
Although it is called an old house, apart from key figures such as Fei Nanying, the She Mountain Hall had not lived here for very long; at most, half a century would be considered a long time.
Kang Dabao is so busy these days that it's rare for him to even have a moment of tenderness with his wife; he must have important business to attend to.
He used to come here to pay his respects even before he gained power.
Even after the She Mountain Hall moved north to Mountain North Circuit and Chongming Sect settled in Xuanwei City, in order to show that their respect had not changed, Sect Leader Kang Da specially sent his disciples to repair and maintain the Fei Household's old residence. Therefore, he was quite familiar with it.
However, Sect Leader Kang Da was no longer the insignificant repairman he once was, Fei Household members on duty addressed him as uncle and were very affectionate towards him.
It's likely that the elders of the Fei Household had given instructions, and it's quite rare for this Fei Household to have the audacity to let Kang Dabao in without prior notice.
After arriving at the Fei family's residence, Kang Dabao did not first pay respects to the elders. Instead, after sending a letter, he took Jiang Qing and went to the Fei Household's alchemy workshop.
As Jiang Qing walked through the ginkgo-lined courtyard of the old house, she paused slightly, her fingertips unconsciously pressing against her left chest.
Although the scabbed wound still ached faintly, the flow of spiritual energy in his body was extremely sluggish when it reached his Dantian. It was only because Attendant Luan was Third Tier Alchemist and had extensive knowledge that he described Jiang Qing's injuries as light and easy.
In fact, if it weren't for his solid foundation and the External Core protecting his life, his cultivation, which had just improved thanks to the Three Origins Pill, might have been ruined.
Walking beside him, Kang Dabao noticed his junior brother's pale face and slowed his pace. "If you can't hold on, let's rest for a while before going to see Attendant Luan."
"It's nothing." Jiang Qing shook his head, his voice soft yet steady. "The sooner we ask Attendant Luan examine us, the sooner we can heal our injuries and attain the Golden Core."
The Sect Leader Kang Da knew that he felt guilty about the loss of the ancestral land. Although he knew that being impatient for quick success was not advisable, he remained silent.
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of the Danshe. The Fei Household disciples, who had been sent there to learn martial arts, saw the two of them and quickly lifted the curtain, releasing a strong aroma of medicine from inside.
In the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, Alchemist are always half a grade higher than their peers, no matter where they are. Even on the battlefield of life and death, they can receive preferential treatment and do not have to risk their lives. Therefore, compared to the Kang and Jiang brothers, Attendant Luan was radiant with health.
The old physicist was sitting on a futon adjusting the Pill Furnace. When he saw them come in, he raised his hand to gesture for them to sit down.
The robe had already been removed, and although the bruises and swellings had mostly subsided, faint golden spiritual light could still be seen beneath the skin, like a thin veil wrapped around the muscles. This was the remnant of Wei Guze's palm strike.
"The 'Spirit-Dispersing Pill' I gave you before, you were told to take three pills every day, did you take them on time?"
Attendant Luan his fingertips on Jiang Qing's wrist pulse. When his spiritual energy probed in, he could clearly sense that faint golden light flickering in the meridians. Although it did not devour the body like a corrosive poison, it was like a stagnant stone, hindering the normal flow of spiritual energy.
Jiang Qing nodded, his voice more steady than before. "I dare not be negligent. I take one pill each at Chenshi (7-9 AM), Wushi (11 AM-1 PM), and Shenshi (3-5 PM) every day. However, after taking them, I always feel a heaviness in my Dantian, and my spiritual energy circulation is still sluggish."
"That's right. Although Wei Guze died, he was still a late-stage cultivator. The fact that you managed to survive him is something worth writing about in the capital region."
If one's family is willing to spend some Spirit Stone and hire some busybodies to promote it, then even those so-called "prodigies" and "hidden dragons" lists can be made.
After Attendant Luan took out a small bronze cauldron from his Storage Bag, which contained half a cauldron of pale green medicinal liquid.
"Take a warm bowl of this 'Spirit-Moistening Decoction' before bed every day. After taking it, use the 'Qi-Guiding Instruction' to guide the medicinal liquid to your Dantian, which will gradually dissolve that wisp of spiritual light."
Kang Dabao sat to the side, listening intently. "Attendant Luan, how long will it take for my Third's injuries to fully heal?!"
"If this method is followed, most of it can be eliminated within half a year. The rest only requires daily meditation and nourishment, and it won't cause any major problems." Attendant Luan the small bronze cauldron to Jiang Qing, and a warm, gentle feeling emanated from the cauldron's surface.
"If we are to relocate, we will only place a 'Spirit-Warming Furnace' on the spirit boat. We will tell him not to force his spiritual power for a while, but to just do simple breathing exercises. That will be fine."
There is one thing to be careful about: he should not take any shortcuts lately, and should only cultivate with the Grain Avoidance Pill. He should eat more high-grade Spirit Cuisine to replenish his Qi and Blood.
Jiang Qing took the small cauldron, pausing slightly as his fingertips touched its rim. "Thank you for the Attendant Luan. However, the other day, my disciple showed his filial piety by sending some 'Dragon Blood Cake,' and I ate two pieces myself."
"These are commonplace items, they have a fancy name but are useless," Attendant Luan smiled, then picked up a Jade Slip, on which were engraved several simple health preservation Method Formula:
"Practice this 'Spirit-Soothing Instruction' for an hour every day during meditation. The movements are gentle and won't aggravate your injuries. It can also help to regulate the spiritual energy in your meridians. With your current body, you should avoid being impatient for quick results. You need to learn from Master Jia's patience and accumulate knowledge day by day to achieve success naturally."
The two brothers thanked him again, and just as Sect Leader Kang Da was about to leave, he was stopped by Attendant Luan Gongfeng.
"Senior, this is..."
"Please wait outside for a moment, Fellow Daoist Jiang. I have some matters to discuss with Sect Leader Kang privately."
Kang and Jiang exchanged a glance. The latter, though puzzled, did not ask. After bowing again, he stepped out of the Dan House.
Attendant Luan became much more cautious at this moment. After Jiang Qing left, he opened another layer of restrictions, adopted a profound and inscrutable expression, and asked:
"Does Sect Leader Kang know why Madam Lady Han, the She Mountain Hall, has returned to Ying Prefecture?"