Watching Xu Chuan walk toward the back hall, Shen Xiuhan exhaled a soft puff of white air.
This was the benefit of having a martial arts hall behind him and the protection of a master.
Without this status, carrying a Precious Beast in the Outer City would be like a toddler holding a gold bar—he wouldn't be able to take a single step.
A moment later, Xu Chuan walked out quickly and lowered his voice.
“Go on in. I've already explained the general situation and how you got it to Master. She knows it's a Precious Beast bred by the Ji family.”
Shen Xiuhan cupped his fists solemnly. “Thank you for your trouble, Second Senior Brother.”
“We're brothers. No need to be polite.”
Xu Chuan waved his hand and strolled back toward the outer courtyard.
Shen Xiuhan picked up his fish basket, passed through the moon gate, and stepped into the deep, quiet backyard.
This was his second time standing before the steps of the main hall.
The surroundings were quiet; there wasn't even a servant in sight.
Setting the bamboo basket down at the foot of the steps, he bowed slightly and called out in a clear voice, “Disciple Xiuhan requests an audience with Master!”
“Come in.”
Creak.
Pushing open the carved wooden door, a warm breeze mixed with a rich herbal aroma wafted over him.
The room's furnishings remained exactly the same as before.
Mei Shuangfeng sat upright in a grand armchair wearing a long robe, holding a cup of hot tea. A plate of sugar cubes sat on the desk before her.
Seeing Shen Xiuhan enter, Mei Shuangfeng set down her teacup and glanced toward the basket.
“Bring it over for me to see.”
Shen Xiuhan took two steps forward, pulled out the Blue-Spire Chicken, and placed it beneath the red sandalwood square table in the hall.
Mei Shuangfeng walked over with slow steps. Her phoenix eyes swept over it, and she reached out to flip open the bloody wound under the Blue-Spire Chicken's wing, then pinched its neck bone.
The room was very quiet, with only the occasional crackle coming from the charcoal brazier.
Mei Shuangfeng studied it for a moment, her eyes shifting slightly as she nodded slowly.
“Not bad. The flesh of this wound under the wing is turned inside out, left by a wild beast's bite. It is undoubtedly a wild Precious Beast from the Dali Mountains.
“Its feathers have a dark luster, and its beak is as sharp as iron. Judging by its quality, it should be about six years old—an adult Tier Two Precious Beast at the peak of its blood qi. You have good luck to have stumbled upon such a bargain.”
“Uh, Master...”
Shen Xiuhan scratched his head sheepishly.
“I've always wanted to ask, what exactly are these tiers? I remember that last time, you also mentioned the Silverback Fish was a Tier Two Precious Fish.”
Mei Shuangfeng offered a calm explanation.
“Precious Fish and Precious Beasts are spiritual creatures naturally nourishing to blood qi. They are divided into Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three based on the amount of blood qi contained within their bodies.
“Generally speaking, Precious Beasts are born in mountain forests and fight fiercely. Their attack power and destructiveness far exceed those of Precious Fish in the water.
“And though Precious Fish have average combat capabilities, the blood qi in their bodies is often purer.
“For instance, the Silverback Fish you caught last time had almost no offensive capability, but its blood qi was so pure that it was half a level higher than this Blue-Spire Chicken.
“Moreover, ointments and pills refined from Tier Two Precious Fish and Precious Beasts are highly effective for Mingjin martial artists. Even Anjin martial artists can use them to strengthen their foundation.
“But once one reaches the great perfection of the Anjin Rank...”
Mei Shuangfeng paused here before continuing.
“Ordinary pills will have very little effect. Only precious pills refined from Tier Three Precious Fish or Precious Beasts can help them break through.”
A Tier Three Precious Fish...
Shen Xiuhan's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ask curiously.
“Master, has anyone in our Changyun County... ever caught a Tier Three Precious Fish?”
“Yes.”
Mei Shuangfeng uttered a name.
“Bai Qingcang.
“Eighteen years ago, this man captured a Tier Three 'Azure Dragon Carp' in the depths of Cloudwater Lake, along with an entire school of 'Jasper Carps'.
“Later, he prepared a heavy gift and invited Alchemist Mei from the Biwu Sect of Guangwu Prefecture to refine a precious pill.
“With the help of that pill, Bai Qingcang entered closed-door cultivation for two and a half years and successfully broke through to the Huajin Rank.”
Bai Qingcang, the ancestor of the Bai family!
So he was the one who had caught a Tier Three Precious Fish.
Shen Xiuhan was naturally very familiar with the illustrious reputation of this Huajin expert.
It was precisely because of this man that the Bai family was able to rise rapidly, standing alongside the Zhendong Martial Arts Hall and the Luo family as one of the three major powers of Changyun County.
And the Bai family... was the mastermind behind the recent sensational child-snatching cases.
Facing such a matter, Shen Xiuhan could not rashly interfere.
Aside from having a Huajin expert backing them, the Bai family's internal power was deeply rooted and complex.
They held the military commander and the Fast Squad of the county magistrate's office in their hands.
One wrong move, and he could easily end up ruined.
Fortunately...
Not long ago, he had used a small trick to cause a massive dispute between the Bai family, the Tongbei Martial Arts Hall, and the Zhendong Martial Arts Hall. Consequently, news of missing children had decreased significantly.
He could consider it a good deed done.
At this moment, Mei Shuangfeng took a white cloth from the desk to wipe her hands and got straight to the point.
“If this Precious Beast is to be refined into pills, it must be supplemented with six kinds of medicinal herbs.
“The more expensive ones are Purple Blood Vine and ten-year-old Mountain Ginseng to neutralize the medicinal properties. Only then can we refine the Jasper Blood Pills.
“According to the martial arts hall's rules, the cost of the auxiliary herbs will be deducted from this batch of refined pills. In addition, I will take ten percent of the finished pills as a fee for the furnace's wear and tear and my hard work.
“This Precious Beast has a solid foundation. If the heat is controlled properly, I estimate we can produce about ten Jasper Blood Pills.
“After deducting the cost of the auxiliary herbs and my share, you will probably have seven or eight left in your hands...”
Having said this, Mei Shuangfeng lowered her phoenix eyes and calmly gazed at Shen Xiuhan.
“Do you have any objections?”
“Your disciple has absolutely no objections!”
Shen Xiuhan's eyes flashed with joy as he bowed solemnly to guarantee.
Seven or eight pills!
Although he did not know the exact efficacy of these Jasper Blood Pills, they would definitely not be inferior to the bowl of Ebony Qi-Replenishing Decoction he had drunk.
With the assistance of these pills, his progress in pushing the first stage of the Mingjin Rank, the Blood Tempering Rank, to Great Accomplishment would likely be much faster.
“Mhm, rise.”
Mei Shuangfeng waved her hand, sat back down, and picked up her tea. “Leave the things. Come to the back hall tomorrow during the hour of You to collect the medicine.”
“Yes. Your disciple shall take his leave.”
“Wait...”
Shen Xiuhan stopped in confusion and turned his head back.
Mei Shuangfeng rubbed her temples as if remembering something, and said:
“You have already stepped into the Mingjin Rank. Tomorrow happens to be the day when several families in the Inner City hire for temporary positions. If you are short on money and want to find a way to earn some silver, stay at the martial arts hall tomorrow and wait. Do not miss the hour.”
“...Your disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Master!”
“Junior Brother, over here!”
Just as Shen Xiuhan stepped out of the hall, he saw two people standing in the inner courtyard.
One was Xu Chuan.
The other was an unfamiliar face of medium build with exceptionally long arms that reached almost to his knees when hanging by his sides.
At this moment, the young man stood beside Xu Chuan, sizing him up with great interest.
“Come, let me introduce you.”
As Shen Xiuhan approached, Xu Chuan pointed to the young man beside him and grinned.
“This is your Third Senior Brother, Xiang Yunting.”
Shen Xiuhan realized and cupped his fists.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Xiang.”
Over the past few days, Xu Chuan had already described the senior brothers and sisters of the inner courtyard to him in detail.
First Senior Sister Jiang Qinghong was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Her cultivation was the highest among all the disciples, and her martial arts skills were truly top-tier.
Third Senior Brother Xiang Yunting was the one right before his eyes.
Fourth Senior Brother Shen Huai was said to have a sullen temperament and rarely spoke.
Fifth Senior Sister Ding Qing was said to practice a family-inherited whip technique in addition to the Mystic Eagle Stance, and she had broken through to the Blood Tempering Rank less than half a year ago.
Aside from assessment days, the morning practice and instruction for the outer courtyard disciples were supervised by these five in rotation on behalf of their master.
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