Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 353 - 276: Promotion to Holding Order, Essence Treasure Assimilation, Ominous Signs for the Turbid Clothes, Manifestation All Over!
The "Water Altar" of the Flower Cage Sect is a flower-blooming island. The island is vast, surrounded by endless blossoms, vibrant and dazzling in their beauty.
As soon as you step foot, a burst of colors instantly enters your view, leaving you in a state of awe and wonder, not knowing where to set your feet.
The town gate is on the east side, with a stone stele outside, inscribed with the words "Peach Blossom Town," the calligraphy infused with profound skill, using cursive script from the Nanyang Period.
Li Xian, having been cultivated by Wen Caishang, still needs to hone his calligraphy, but his eye for discernment is already quite extraordinary. He has memorized the evolution and changes of calligraphy through the ages. Observing the script intently, he couldn’t help but nod repeatedly.
Within the town, there are long streets paved with blue stones and tall buildings.
Children play by catching butterflies and bees, farmers plow fields and plant rice, women cultivate flowers and water them.
This small Peach Blossom Town has about forty thousand households, filled with birdsongs, fragrant flowers, peace, and tranquility.
From afar, you can see towering mountains; up close, there are babbling streams.
Li Xian suddenly felt startled. He caught sight of a familiar figure and fixed his gaze. The person was tall and robust, with scars on his face. His hair was short and neat, and he appeared quite strong.
It was "Pang Long"!
Commander Pang of Yihetang Manor.
Li Xian had once been assigned to guard "Black River Village." During this period, Yihetang Manor underwent great changes. Pang Long was repeatedly injured, and ultimately went missing, his whereabouts unknown.
Li Xian furrowed his brow. At a glance, he thought they were similar, but he didn’t dare to be certain. So he observed carefully. He saw a slight droop in the shoulders, broad palms, and a walking style reminiscent of Pang Long. It should undoubtedly be Pang Long.
Li Xian asked, "Is this person a fellow disciple?"
Senior Brother Qiao smiled and said, "He is indeed a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect. I’ve been on missions with him and know his name is Pang Long. Do you know him?"
Li Xian thought to himself, "It truly is Commander Pang!" He felt a slight joy, meeting an old acquaintance in a different land. But he also pondered:
"A person’s character can change with circumstances. Commander Pang has experienced drastic changes; how his character has changed is really hard to guess. The current situation is still unclear, better not to acknowledge him and avoid some trouble."
So he shook his head and smiled, "Meeting for the first time, I don’t know him."
Pang Long heard the words and looked over, staring at Li Xian’s face, slightly surprised, thinking, "What a handsome individual." He felt a vague sense of familiarity but couldn’t recognize him.
It turns out that Li Xian had shed his clay embryo and became very handsome. After being stationed in Black River Village, they rarely met. During that time, Li Xian’s appearance changed greatly.
In these two years... Li Xian, after being cultivated by Wen Caishang, became increasingly exceptional, transforming from a thin servant into someone cheerful and handsome. His demeanor, appearance, and perspective have all changed dramatically.
At the moment, he discreetly applied rouge on his face to slightly conceal his handsome appearance.
After such a long time, Pang Long went through many things, his memory of Li Xian gradually fading. Various factors intertwined, making him feel Li Xian was familiar, but he couldn’t immediately think of "Li Xian," and in his memory, Li Xian was frail and delicate, though handsome, not comparable to the person before him.
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Pang." Pang Long nodded slightly and turned away. Senior Brother Qiao said, "Pang Long is reticent and of few words; that’s just his nature."
Li Xian said, "No problem. I don’t mind." Senior Brother Qiao said, "Let’s go, shall we continue strolling?"
Peach Blossom Town is lush with peach blossoms, their fragrance filling the air. The street scenery is beautiful, with a gentle breeze blowing, petals softly falling.
Blocking the fishy dampness of the lake water.
Turning into a small alley, the scent of wine greeted them. Senior Brother Qiao exclaimed, "Junior Brother Hua, the peach blossom brew here is truly pure and delicious. We’ve been eating fish stew for days, it’s time to let you taste something different."
Li Xian laughed, "Senior Brother Qiao, I don’t have any money."
Senior Brother Qiao chuckled, "Hahaha, I’ll treat you. We of the Flower Cage Sect, could we possibly lack money?"
Tables and chairs were set outside the tavern. The aroma of wine drifted out of the alley, and three children with braids ordered a bowl of the fresh peach blossom brew, along with three wooden chopsticks. They dipped the chopsticks into the brew, sipping slowly.
The "Peach Blossom Brew" brewed by the Flower Cage Sect is considered an excellent wine. It is widely marketed outside, with a flavor that is mellow and fresh, neither too spicy nor too strong, yet subtly intoxicating.
People of all ages craved its taste.
Jade City, Chishen Sect, Li Mountain Sword Sect... many sects also love this fine brew. When hosting grand events or gatherings, they would buy it in abundance to entertain their guests.
Senior Brother Qiao purchased a jar of fine wine and a few fresh drunken eggs. The tavern owner carried the wine jar to the table. Senior Brother Qiao paid about thirty wen coins for the wine.
Then he laughed, "Junior Brother Hua. Outside, just a taste of Peach Blossom Brew would cost at least five hundred wen coins."
As he tore off the wine cloth, a rich aroma enveloped them. Upon close examination, four eggs floated in the jar.
Apparently, the so-called "fresh drunken eggs" are raw eggs hidden within the wine, brewed along with it, offering a unique flavor.
Senior Brother Qiao said, "These are fresh drunken eggs, give them a try!" He gently tapped the wine jar. The wine splashed into two streams, falling into a thick-bottomed wine bowl.
Two fresh drunken eggs jumped out of the jar, landing on the table and swirling rapidly. Fine cracks appeared on the eggshells.
This move is the "Heart-Shaking Palm," a Basic Martial Arts that Senior Brother Qiao has mastered greatly. The palm force penetrated the jar, stirring the wine, and shook the drunken eggs out of the jar. The palm force manipulation could be described as exquisite.
Li Xian praised, "Senior Brother Qiao, that’s excellent technique!" Senior Brother Qiao humbly smiled, "Junior Brother Hua, your martial arts aren’t lacking. Won’t you show off a little?"
Li Xian laughed, "Hahaha, in front of Senior Brother Qiao, how could I dare to show off?"
Peeled the eggshells.
The fresh drunken eggs were crystal clear, with a texture appearing translucent. They possessed the mellow fragrance of wine, with the yolk actually being liquid, concentrated with the wine’s essence, tasting slightly sweet. With a touch of cumin sauce, the flavor became even more unique.
Li Xian took a bite of the drunken egg, a sip of the fine wine. Eating and drinking with utter satisfaction. Senior Brother Qiao ordered two more plates of stir-fried drunken peanuts with a mysterious flair, and even one more dish of drinking appetizers.
When it was served, it turned out to be "fresh live bee larvae," wriggling vividly. They were white, tender, and translucent, like jade and fat.
