A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 122 - 109: 10 Years Ago, Ning Wudi (Part 2)

Those outside are responsible for providing food for the general manager's household; within, it's divided exclusively for the master and mistress, as well as the legitimate heir.

He Jingfeng, accustomed to the constraints of intricate rules, found it suffocating, but now that he had become a master of those rules, he felt it rather refreshing and interesting.

"Alright, Seventh Young Master, you might have to endure a few days. The accounts office, shopkeepers, servants, and everyday essentials brought from the ship are being gradually moved into the residence.

The usual cooks, maids, servants, and grooms will arrive a bit later."

Uncle Yang said a few comforting words, then turned and walked up the front yard steps, straightening his previously hunched back. His wrinkled old face, capable of catching flies, became a bit stern.

"The Seventh Young Master is gentle by nature, never harsh with the servants, but I know you slaves and servants, all lowly, living in hardship. Give you an inch, and you take a mile. You need a regular beating!

Understand your status and duties. Do well, and you'll be rewarded. Do poorly, and being exiled to perform hard labor outside Black River County would be considered lenient."

Uncle Yang's voice was full of spirit, like a large iron ball rolling in a jar, exploding right beside the ear. All the servants couldn't help but show fear and trepidation.

As they awaited the detailed and strict household rules, a whole stick of incense time had passed. He Jingfeng, leaning on a wide chair, was almost drowsy.

"Seventh Young Master, we delayed your lunch time. Before the trip out of the city, the mistress specially instructed me to bring a hundred pounds of Jade Water Rice. Should I arrange a few bowls to be steamed in the kitchen to satisfy your hunger?

I just checked; the ingredients used by He Wenbing were not very particular. In a large tank irrigated by river water, there were one or two decent Ghost Pattern Fish, but otherwise, nothing else noteworthy."

Uncle Yang asked respectfully.

"Not hungry, been on the boat for most of the day, no appetite. Bring me two ounces of refined red ochre."

He Jingfeng said lazily.

"Alright."

Uncle Yang bowed and exited, quickly finding a palm-sized brocade box from among the flowing water-like large boxes in the He Family, which contained finely powdered red ochre.

Carefully using a silver cup to take out two ounces, he mixed it with clean water, placed it on a delicate rack, and heated it with an open flame, a tangible red airflow rising and slowly entering He Jingfeng's nose.

"Comfortable!"

The Seventh Young Master of the He Family, with his hands overlapping on his lower abdomen, engaged in a special breathing technique.

The potent medicinal effect of the refined red ochre, through water decoction and fire roasting, completely dissipated, absorbing bit by bit into his body.

The young face showed a look of contentment, a flush appearing with the flow of Qi blood, each muscle and tendon undulating, like silkworms eating mulberry leaves, making a subtle rustling sound.

In a few short breaths, He Jingfeng seemed to enlarge a circle, his already unusually strong physique stretching his sea-blue cloud-patterned tunic tightly.

This practice of circulating Qi lasted for half a stick of incense before he stopped the stance and halted.

"Full, full. The Daoist School's 'Qi-Eating Technique' is profound indeed. Based on the essence of herbs and minerals, through breathing and guidance, moving the inner breath, it could refine the Qi and blood, strengthening the muscles and bones."

He Jingfeng exhaled deeply, opened his eyes, and the two ounces of refined red ochre had already charred black.

He was exuberant, his eyes bright, filled with the energy to tear apart tigers and leopards with bare hands.

"The techniques taught by the Daoist School are no ordinary skills. Complete the task assigned by the master, and win the favor of the mistress, and surely you'll gain a quota as a student of the Daoist School for the Seventh Young Master."

Uncle Yang's eyes held a hint of envy, such is the mystique of the Daoist arts.

A practicing martial artist working diligently for half a month to enhance their Qi and blood; the Seventh Young Master needed only to consume two ounces of refined red ochre to catch up.

And its purity surpassed that!

No need to endure the severe winter cold or the summer heat, or suffer the tedious exertion!

No wonder everyone wanted to pursue Daoist truth!

"Becoming a Daoist School student... Not easy. Although our He Family has a good relationship with the Zhi Xin Observatory Master, the County Daoist School opens once every three years, with less than ten places, and all the noble families are competing fiercely.

The first-line family branch, only my elder brother and third brother barely got in; if not for my third brother caring for me, secretly teaching me the 'Qi-Eating Technique', I wouldn't have had the chance for Daoist arts cultivation."

He Jingfeng shook his head, even as a member of the wealthy He family, the threshold for the Daoist path was still dauntingly high.

He stood up, his joints cracking loudly like exploding beans, his Qi and blood even more abundant, like a great furnace blazing, dissipating the approaching winter chill.

"Regarding the Fishery's account books, I won't look at them. Uncle Yang, briefly tell me about the situation in Black River County, let's see what's going on."

He Jingfeng turned back to the backyard; the Seventh Young Master of the He family looked down on the large house where He Wenbing lived, simply had the study rearranged to serve as a temporary resting place.

The wind-carved copper incense burner was plain and elegant, burning faint sweet incense. He sat at a decent-looking rosewood long table, listening quietly to Uncle Yang who explained the situation.

"He Wenbing was bitten back by a slave, bringing the remnants of the Red Eyebrow Bandits lingering in Fulong Mountain to Black River County. He lost more than just his son but also suffered severe losses in his shops, allowing the Inner City martial arts guild to gain power, suppressing him. Out of desperation, he sought help and support from the main family branch.

The Black River County is not a small place, hosting several local bullies, each with notable backgrounds. Li Yuan of the brick kilns is the Government Office's appointed Master Craftsman, well-known in the County City's Weapon Smithing Shop.