A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 72: The Eve of the Temple Fair, An Invitation to the Autumn Hunt

[Skill: Dragon Palm (Beginner)]

[Progress: 19/800]

[Effect: The body moves like a swimming dragon, forceful as a rainbow; hidden strength within the void of floating and sinking]

Bai Qi stepped swiftly, his body continuously pushing forward and leaning hard, the scorching Qi blood infusing his arms, causing muscles to emerge like green tendons, a large swath of skin activated to redness, faintly expanding in a circle.

He practiced martial arts in the front yard clearing, removing his robe to reveal a bare muscular torso, the muscles on his chest, abdomen, waist and back knotted, completely different from the former slender frame of the Fisherman.

Each punch and palm strike produced crackling explosive sounds of breaking wind, extremely vigorous in momentum.

"Dragon Claw, Snake Waist, Shuttle Step! Attack first, then twist the body, both feet closely following, forming consistent killing moves!

The palm precedes the fingers, focusing on vital spots such as eyes, nose, throat, chest, ribs... This is the proper technique!

All aimed at killing or incapacitating, with no hint of mercy!"

Bai Qi resisted the desire for gasping for breath, slowly holding back the violently surging boiling internal Qi, like warm water, sipping it down gradually.

This is the breathing technique of Golden Core Great Strength Skill, after practicing techniques, then using nurturing practice in combination, complementing each other nicely, there's the meaning of replenishing what's lacking.

Of course, he specifically asked Uncle Dao if this was feasible, having received affirmation, then he tried it.

Martial arts refine the body, Tao arts refine the spirit, both can be considered slow work with fine results, the better you nurture, the further you can go.

There are also exceptional prodigies with exclusive fortunes, soaring to the skies, without the need to step cautiously like ordinary people, that's another matter.

"The foundation laid by the Demon Fish Inner Pill and Treasure Fish flesh allows me stable progress through Muscle Training, next waiting for power to reach four extremities, achieving Perfect Golden Flesh and Jade Veins." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Bai Qi wiped away sweat with a cloth towel, his body emitting heat and steam.

"Ah Di, you've been standing for half an hour now, take a rest."

"Ah Brother, I can still persist for a while."

Bai Qi put on his inner clothing and robe, seeing Bai Ming was practicing horse stance, his leg muscles trembling intensely, clearly at the limit.

He lifted him like a little chick, with his somewhat frail body:

"Don't overdo anything, you just started nurturing practice, one hour each morning and evening is enough.

This Golden Core Grand Foundation Skill progresses slowly, ten days or half a month shows little effect, you need perseverance."

Bai Ming wrapped in cotton clothes, his little face red from cold, exhaled two breaths of warm air:

"Alright, Ah Brother, these days the fishery sent out the boat twice more, quite a harvest.

I followed your advice, not using blood in bait making, effectiveness indeed dropped significantly."

Bai Qi brought a bowl of boiled Treasure Fish Soup from the kitchen, parted out a third, handed it to Bai Ming:

"Being able to support seven or eight small boats, a dozen people, and still steadily accumulate about a hundred taels of silver, is already sufficient.

I can't make great moves every day, like obtaining twenty pounds of Treasure Fish, for now, it suffices to sustain training consumption, maintaining balance in revenue and expenditure.

Once winter passes, then consider expanding business channels, growing bigger and stronger when spring arrives."

Using the initial opening to make a big splash, building reputation, the goal has been achieved.

After that, it's slow and steady accumulation of family wealth, helping oneself break through the second training milestone.

Becoming rich is far more acceptable than sudden wealth, too much unexpected fortune in hand may not bring peace of mind.

In Black River County, even the three major families rely on Yihai Prefecture for survival; small fry not yet a sea-turning Flood Dragon must proceed cautiously, avoiding calamities where possible.

"No telling how long we can rely on the Instructor as a mountain."

Bai Qi drank the hot soup made from Treasure Fish, feeling warm and condensed within.

Through fishing skills and Sea-Driving methods, he finally achieved "Treasure Fish freedom," barely enjoying a more relaxed life compared to Young Master He Tai.

After all, for the latter to eat Ghost Pattern Fish, he had to rely on Yangquan to force Fisherman into Mihun Bay.

...

...

Two or three more days passed, Black River County visibly livens up.

The marketplace was crowded daily, bustling endlessly, the hawking never ceased.

This was because it was nearing the annual Dragon King's grand festival, every household began preparations.

Usually led by the three major families in slaughtering three livestock, organizing various celebration activities like boat racing and fish-catching, lion dancing and color grabbing.

Though common folks often speak of the heavens and Dragon King, they actually have little interest in the ritual they're not involved in, primarily drawn by the fair, holiday festivity, good for business.

Excluding the outer—inner cities, Black River County is surrounded by many poor villages, as people hear the news, they hurry here, specifically selling rare fun items.

In these times, with rugged mountain roads, blocked information, truly remote places nearly isolated from the world, along with low productivity, the only way to exchange goods was fairs and temple assemblies.

"Consider it a way to promote economic circulation."

Bai Qi sat at a food stall eating mutton, watching the colorful stream of people on the long street, frequent and numerous among them were peddlers selling items like rattles and paper windmills.

This period was quite fulfilling for him. Every day, his primary focus was to advance in Dragon Palm, followed by diligently working on the Complete Edition of the Golden Core Great Strength Skill by Ninghai Zen. In his leisure time, he would go to Dezhen Tower to read books and enhance his knowledge, and along the way, improve his literacy skills.

"The Demon Fish Inner Pill has already been used up, so now I can only occasionally hunt some Treasure Fish to nourish myself."

Bai Qi quickly filled his stomach with several bowls of white rice, reaching about sixty to seventy percent full. After finishing the hot dishes, he was picking his teeth when a servant came running over:

"Master Qi, the Young Master is hosting a gathering at Scattered Garden and invites you to join."

He Tai had been quite frequent in his interactions with him recently, often extending invitations.

Things like restaurant gatherings, listening to music at the brothels, and the like.

"Got it."

Bai Qi waved his hand, paid dozens of large coins to settle the bill.

The fishery handled various businesses, including inns.

Many shop fronts were owned by Rice Master He Da Shanren, in other words, he worked hard to earn copper coins for him.

So it wasn't surprising that He Tai could have a servant deliver the message.

"Scattered Garden is said to be one of the top enjoyment spots in the Inner City, with the most beautiful girls, the best pastries, and the most enchanting music."

Bai Qi didn't refuse; he wasn't solely focused on training, indifferent to everything else like a martial arts fanatic.

Eating, drinking, playing, and entertainment, as long as it was an enjoyable experience, he was willing to try it.

Walking through several long streets, he suddenly heard the sound of a pipa. Looking up, he saw that Scattered Garden was just ahead.

Overall, it was like a large courtyard, with many attendants and servants of wealthy households standing or squatting at the spacious entrance, chatting leisurely.

"Master Qi, the Young Master has been waiting for you for quite a while."

A follower often seen with He Tai noticed Bai Qi and quickly came forward to lead him inside.

Crossing the threshold, he saw brick carvings of a simple and unpretentious style, with all sorts of pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and fish pools.

In several small buildings, there were glimpses of people playing instruments, dancing, and flaunting their charms, their beauty like a flash of color before Bai Qi's eyes.

If this were the top brothel in Yihai Prefecture, it probably couldn't be achieved without spending a thousand taels.

"After all, it's the county town, more down-to-earth, not as 'elegant' as the big places."

He saw a pot-bellied wealthy merchant embracing two girls, experiencing the art of playing, singing, and dancing in broad daylight, which seemed a bit too eager.

In such cold weather, weren't they afraid of catching a chill?

"Performing is more lucrative than selling body, but one must also consider the consumption level."

Thinking to himself, Bai Qi was led by the follower to the Warm Fragrance Tower on the east side of Scattered Garden.

He lifted the thick curtain and stepped over the threshold, with warm air blowing on his face, making him not feel cold at all.

"Bai Qilang, you've finally arrived. We've been waiting for you."

He Tai was the first to speak. Bai Qi glanced around and saw a copper basin at everyone's feet, burning silver bone charcoal, the same as used in the Tongwen Hall, and thought to himself:

"These young lords are indeed extravagant."

Song Qiying, sitting on a huanghuali wood chair, did not move and said:

"Brother Bai's underwater skills are quite remarkable. I wonder how he will fare once in the mountains."

Miss Zhu replied with a smile:

"He's an instructor's apprentice and skilled at the basics of muscle training. How could he do worse than you?"

He Tai got up to greet Bai Qi, joking as he sat him down, saying:

"We've known Miss Zhu for so long and never got a good face from her. How come Bai Qilang just arrived, and you immediately side with him?"

Miss Zhu covered her lovely face with a fan and scolded angrily:

"Mr. He the Great Benefactor is too rude. I just can't stand you looking down on people."

Bai Qi remained silent, as he was not yet fully integrated into this group of young lords. It was only the reputation of Tongwen Hall that made them look up to him.

Plus, the grand opening of the fish stall finally helped shed the "lowly fisherman" label.

"Brother Bai, we invited you today to discuss the autumn hunt,"

Song Qiying's gaze was fixed on He Tai, who, being likely to enter Yihai Prefecture as a tax collector, had his status on the rise, almost surpassing Han Li of the Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall.

"Autumn hunt?"

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow.

"Black River County is near a five-hundred-mile mountain path. Before the annual temple fair, we always go into the mountains to hunt some game or gather mountain goods, which will come in handy for the feast,"

He Tai explained.

It turned out to be a group of wealthy lads, too full of themselves, arranging a camping trip in the wild.

Bai Qi suddenly understood.