Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38: It Can’t Be, Right?
SPLASH—
Xie Yuan scooped a large basin of clear water and poured it directly over his head, washing away the residual medicinal liquid from his body.
The water flowed down, tracing the contours of his muscles. The muscles weren’t prominent, but they were taking shape, well-proportioned, making Xie Yuan look slender yet powerful.
After washing, his skin still looked a little red, a sign of abundant Blood Qi.
At some point, the once skinny bamboo pole had developed a sturdy physique.
After he finished washing, Xie Yuan dried himself with a towel, got dressed, and looked at the panel before him.
[Iron Cloth Shirt: 3rd Layer (181/1000)]
The agony of the medicinal bath was not insignificant, but Xie Yuan focused his attention on the numbers before him, and the joy in his heart completely overshadowed everything else.
Later on, he accidentally discovered that guiding his internal breath and cultivating an internal Heart Method during the bath was more effective at relieving the pain. It also accelerated the circulation of his Qi and Blood and enhanced his absorption of the medicinal liquid, so he simply started practicing his Inner Power right there in the tub!
By cultivating both inside and out like this, he could endure for as long as he wanted. The efficiency of the medicinal effect reached its peak, and the progress was gratifying.
’A two-hour medicinal bath is equal to three days of hard training...’
Xie Yuan’s eyes widened.
’And I feel fantastic right now. There’s still some medicinal essence left in my skin. If I go back and cultivate now, I’ll get twice the results with half the effort. My progress will soar even higher.’
The effects of the medicinal bath were truly excellent. It was well worth the five taels of silver.
Xie Yuan was quite satisfied.
’The money was well spent!’
’A few more times, and I’ll be able to break through and become a Martial Artist!’
’However, medicinal aids are just that—aids. If the guest becomes the host, it might be more harmful than beneficial to my Martial Dao cultivation. I can’t become completely reliant on them just because the effects are good. Cultivation is about cultivating the self.’
After tasting the sweet benefits of the medicinal bath, Xie Yuan admonished himself once the excitement passed.
Although he had no experience in cultivation, the harm of relying on external objects to the detriment of oneself was obvious. The principle that one’s own body is fundamental should be a universal truth.
Not long after Xie Yuan left the bathhouse, a handyman came in to clean up and change the water.
’This senior brother lasted for so long. Most people rush out after one incense stick’s time, and some only last for half an incense stick—like that Xu Yang, just popping in and out, I don’t even know what he was doing.’
’He actually stayed for two whole hours. Wouldn’t he die from the pain...?’
The young servant came in to clean and was stunned when he saw the medicinal liquid in the tub, which had gone from pitch-black to faint and transparent.
’What’s going on? Did this senior brother drink the medicinal bath?’
He had never seen medicinal power absorbed so thoroughly.
...
Xie Yuan returned to Little Stone Village, paid his logging team, and then marked out their next targets before closing his door to cultivate.
The four men were naturally astonished to receive one tael of silver each. They never expected to earn so much just by chopping down some trees and hauling them out. Amid their excitement, their reactions varied.
Zhu Dongming and Chen Yun’s eyes lit up with unexpected joy. Zhou Feng was even more boisterous, shouting and yelling, one step away from calling Xie Yuan his godfather on the spot.
The three hunters were delighted, but Wang Lei was apprehensive, persistently trying to shove the silver back and telling Xie Yuan a few dozen copper coins would be enough. The pushing and pulling was so intense it looked like a fight.
In the end, he wasn’t as strong as Xie Yuan, who managed to force the money back on him. Still, he couldn’t help but feel he had taken huge advantage of Xie Yuan.
But regardless of their reactions to the payment, their attitude toward work was just as eager. The next morning, after a few days of rest, the four men headed into the mountains against the cold wind.
Having tasted the sweet rewards, their enthusiasm for chopping trees was naturally high.
The men moved through the winter forest. The cold wind bit at them and withered branches blocked their path, but their pace didn’t slow in the slightest.
Zhou Feng had the tael of silver fragments tucked against his chest. He reached in to feel it again; it felt very warm.
He lagged behind and couldn’t help but whisper to Zhu Dongming and Chen Yun:
"He gave each of us one tael. How much do you think Brother Yuan earned for himself? Ten taels?"
The tall, thin Chen Yun looked up, seemingly calculating. After a moment, he sighed.
"Probably about that much... I never thought good wood could be this valuable. He’s really found a way."
Zhou Feng nodded heavily, completely convinced.
He said with emotion:
"Finding a few trees, chopping them down, doing some more cutting, and then hauling them to town to sell... it doesn’t seem that hard..."
Zhou Feng seemed to be getting some ideas.
Zhu Dongming shot him a glance and sneered:
"If it’s so simple, why didn’t you think of it before?"
"Er, my eye for quality and my skills aren’t as good as Brother Yuan’s, but this doesn’t require much of that, does it?"
"Why do you think he has us chopping the trees? Because chopping is the simplest step, the one he’s not afraid of anyone copying. The subsequent cutting, processing, and his connections in town—all of that together is where the real money is made."
"In other words, Xie Yuan himself is the key to earning this much silver."
Zhu Dongming’s thoughts churned as he recalled the young man who first came to his door selling iron poplar firewood. The scene was still vivid in his mind.
’In just a few short months, I’m now working for him.’
’This is no ordinary kid. The mountain village, the town, not even Yunzhao County, will be able to hold him back.’
Zhu Dongming’s eyes flickered, and he said slowly:
"Zhou Feng, I get what you’re thinking. But Xie Yuan is a capable person. We can see this time that he’s generous, too, and won’t treat us unfairly. Following him is more important to me than this one tael of silver."
"Zhou Feng, if you want to try something, go do it yourself. Don’t come around me anymore."
Seeing Zhu Dongming’s serious expression, Zhou Feng was a bit frightened and stammered:
"I was just talking... Hey, Brother Zhu, why get so serious? I won’t have any more foolish thoughts."
This little interlude in the forest went unknown to Xie Yuan.
But four days later, when two slightly smaller nanmu trees appeared in his yard, Xie Yuan understood that the logging team, at least for now, hadn’t gotten any other ideas about the business.
Thus, his mind was put at ease. Knowing that his logistics were provisionally secured, he spent two days quickly processing the wood, piling it onto his donkey cart, and tying it down with hemp ropes.
With a crack of the donkey whip, he set off. His cart-driving skills had improved slightly; though he still swerved a bit, he was generally headed south.
After entering Panlong Town and leaving Boss Wan’s place, Xie Yuan had two large silver ingots on his person.
Two of them!
’Time for another bath!’
He walked cheerfully toward the Iron Cloth Sect. As soon as he entered the main training ground in the courtyard, he saw Hodar instructing Tao Jelin and a group of other nominal disciples.
’It’s been a while since I’ve trained with them.’
But given his current proficiency and the level of his Cultivation Technique, listening to the basic explanations intended for nominal disciples would be a bit of a waste of time.
Xie Yuan turned to head straight for the pharmacy, but Hodar spotted him and waved him over.
"Junior Brother Xie, come over here."
Xie Yuan had no choice but to step forward, cupping his fist in a salute.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Huo."
Hodar looked at Xie Yuan with a mix of admiration and regret. freewēbnoveℓ.com
’Such a talented junior brother! If he could be accepted as a Core Disciple of the Iron Cloth Sect, the martial hall’s strength would surely increase.’
’Unfortunately, the last time I tried to rush over and persuade Master to take him as a disciple, the irritable Liu the Monk kicked me right out. I had to drop the matter...’
’But such a talented junior brother can’t be left to stagnate. I should at least give him some extra guidance, so his progress doesn’t fall behind the other disciples.’
"Junior Brother Xie, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you practice. Go ahead and perform a set of the Pile Skill for me."
As he watched Xie Yuan assume his stance, Hodar’s mind began to wander.
’This scene feels so familiar... It was during the last routine check of the disciples’ progress that I discovered Xie Yuan had advanced by leaps and bounds, breaking through to the 1st Layer. I realized his talent was exceptional, and now that his physical issues were resolved, he should be accepted as a true disciple.’
’Now that I’m checking on him again after some time, will Junior Brother Xie give me another surprise and break through again?’
’I must be letting my imagination run wild. The 1st Layer is one thing, but how could he break through the 2nd Layer so quickly?’
’Impossible, impossible.’
’It should be impossible... right?’
’It’s impossible, right???’
Hodar’s eyes widened. He watched the incredibly practiced movements, the way Blood Qi surged with each step, and with his eyes stretched wide, he asked in a trembling voice:
"Junior Brother Xie, this strength of yours... it’s not right, is it?"
