The next morning, when Chu Xisheng woke up, he was once again in excruciating pain, rolling around in bed.
However, the gains were substantial. Last night, he spent a full three and a half hours in the dream realm, practicing with the sword for the same amount of time. Chu Xisheng, tireless, wielded the sword at least seven thousand times, equivalent to his usual five days' worth of practice.
Unfortunately, the time ratio in the dream realm was one-to-one, so if Chu Xisheng wanted to train for longer, he would have to sleep longer. He still had to live his life and earn money, so he couldn't afford to sleep more. Additionally, he couldn't cultivate "Yang Qi" in the dream realm, as the environment there couldn't nurture it.
So, upon waking up, Chu Xisheng went to the backyard, sat cross-legged in the middle of the yard, and breathed deeply to nourish his energy.
Today was the thirtieth day of the seventh month, a rest day for Zhengyang Martial Arts School. Although he didn't have to participate in the morning exercises, practicing "Yang Qi" was a must. He was only four days away from a breakthrough in "Yang Qi," and he was eagerly looking forward to it.
Following Cao Xuan's instructions, he then went to the steamed bun shop northeast of the martial arts school and bought three tangerine peel buns. Chu Xisheng didn't understand why there were tangerine peel buns in this world. However, according to Cao Xuan, buying three tangerine peel buns would make them members of the JinYiWei , an elite imperial secret police force.
Last night, Chu Yunyun had categorically denied possessing the "Flag of the Reversed God" and seemed clueless about Qin Muge's "treasure." It was speculated that someone wanted to stir up trouble in Xiushui County using Qin Muge's name, with sinister intentions.
Chu Xisheng agreed with this assessment and judged that it was necessary for them to be affiliated with the JinYiWei. The situation caused by the "Flag of the Reversed God" would definitely escalate, engulfing the entire Zhengyang Martial Arts School and Xiushui County in a storm very soon.
At this time, if they remained unknown figures in the martial world, it would be fine. However, the turmoil in the library had pushed Chu Xisheng into the heart of this storm. The environment he was now in might be described as the edge of the storm, at the very least.
Chu Xisheng believed that it was necessary for them to seek protection, as the official position of JinYiWei would effectively improve their situation.
Chu Yunyun, on the other hand, was interested in the salary of JinYiWei. According to the regulations of the Daming Dynasty, the salary of a ninth-ranked small flag officer was seven taels of silver and seven stones of rice per month. This salary was very meager and could barely support oneself.
When they were junior escorts at the Sìtōng Escort Agency, they could earn over twenty taels of silver each month. Therefore, the JinYiWei did not rely on their salaries. Their junior flag officers could easily extort fifty taels of silver each month from local residents.
They are now undercover and have no real power, so this money has nothing to do with them. However, the Imperial Guards provide additional subsidies for their undercover work. After calculating, the brother and sister can receive a total of forty taels of magic silver from the Imperial Guards each month, and they can also receive several elixirs for cultivation.
This is a considerable income, like getting a salary for doing nothing.
The shopkeeper of the bun shop smiled when he bought three tangerine peel buns. Taking advantage of the lack of people around, he whispered to Chu Xisheng, "In the future, Master Chu will be one of us. The commander has instructed that if you have any business, you can contact us through our 'Fumanxiang' bun shop. We have seven branches in Xiushui County, not just this one. If you have any clues, you can buy three lamb buns and one tangerine peel bun here; if you encounter danger and need help, you can buy three snake meat sandwiches and one bitter gourd bun; if you want to collect your salary, you can buy four baskets of raccoon steamed dumplings here—"
Chu Xisheng listened carefully while silently criticizing.
Are there no normal buns sold in this bun shop? It's fine with lamb buns and snake meat sandwiches, but can you really eat bitter gourd buns and raccoon steamed dumplings? Who came up with this? It's really tough for the master bakers.
After leaving the bun shop, Chu Xisheng hesitated for a moment and decided not to waste food, taking a bite of the tangerine peel bun. His face immediately contorted in disgust. The taste of the tangerine peel filling was truly indescribable.
As he looked around, thinking about feeding the remaining two tangerine peel buns to a dog, a delicate white hand reached out and snatched the buns from him. Chu Xisheng glanced sideways and saw that it was Lu Luanli.
Today, her theme was plum blossoms, and she was not wearing her disciple's robe but a flowing and ethereal purple gauze dress.
"I finally found you. Let me have a bite," Lu Luanli said as she stuffed his bun into her mouth.
Chu Xisheng, realizing that sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone, did not stop her.
"I thought you were still in the library. I searched inside for half a day and almost got caught by the librarian, Ye Jingyuan," Lu Luanli said with her mouth full.
Chu Xisheng raised an eyebrow. He realized that something was off about her words and asked sharply, "How did you know I was in the library? Were you following me?"
Lu Luanli spat a few times, rinsed her mouth with water from her flask, and then coldly replied with a sneer, "I didn't follow you. How do I know you're not betraying us? I didn't expect you to be quite perceptive. Most people wouldn't sense the hidden hostility in the painting, but you were able to stay in front of it for two and a half days."
Surprise flashed in Chu Xisheng's eyes. Chu Yungyun had said that only those with the highest level of cultivation talent could perceive the hostility in the painting.
He sneered with a mocking tone, "If I were to betray you, you would have been summoned by the headmaster Lei Yuan long ago, or kicked out of the Zongyang Martial Hall. Do you think I need to keep an eye on you all the time?"
Lu Luanli pondered for a moment and realized that if her identity were exposed, it would be a life or death situation. There was no need to keep such a close watch on this guy.
However, the next moment, she still hurried to catch up with Chu Xisheng. "Where are you planning to go? Are you intending to leave the city?" She noticed that Chu Xisheng was fully armed, wearing a layer of leather armor, carrying the Hundred Refinements Light Steel Sword, and even had a spare steel sword on his back. His baggage seemed bulging, indicating that he had brought several days' worth of water.
Chu Xisheng glanced at her sideways. "I'm going to the Firebone Cavern outside the city. Satisfied?"
Lu Luanli immediately understood.
The Firebone Cavern produced a medicinal herb called 'Yangyang Grass,' which served as the main ingredient for the second level secret medicine of the Yuan cultivation technique. With Chu Xisheng's breakthrough to the second level of the Yuan cultivation technique imminent, it was indeed necessary to prepare for the breakthrough with the secret medicine.
She thought for a moment and then walked quickly toward the nearby 'Fumanxiang' bun shop. "Wait a moment, I'll buy some meat buns for you to take along."
Chu Xisheng was stunned, his eyes showing confusion. "I'm going into the cavern to find the herb, why would you follow me?"
Lu Luanli didn't answer immediately. She bought a dozen meat buns from the bun shop and hurried back to Chu Xisheng's side, speaking with a hint of threat, "I happen to be practicing a type of Yang Fire technique over there, so I'll protect you on the way. How about that? Be careful after leaving the city, the Bloodwind Bandits might come after your head!"
She didn't mention that she was actually bored and hadn't found any useful clues at Zongyang Martial Hall, feeling utterly bored all day long. Throughout the Zongyang Martial Hall, only Chu Xisheng knew her true identity, allowing her to speak without reservation. Besides, this guy was quite interesting.
Chu Xisheng's mood darkened slightly as he thought of the Bloodwind Bandits threatening to take his life within a month. Although Lu Luanli was a bit annoying, now was not the time to reject her.