Chapter 31: Lording Over Others
Chen Shi presented the roasted Feng Xi leg to the massive serpent, then turned back toward the stream.
"He saw me staring at him and assumed I wanted his food, so he offered me the roasted leg," the black serpent, Xuan Shan, mused silently.
Though he had long since forsaken blood and flesh, abstaining for 3,000 years to pursue a higher spiritual path, the fragrance of the roasted Feng Xi stirred something deep within him.
"Perhaps… I am still bound by my mortal cravings."
Hesitating only briefly, Xuan Shan tasted the leg.
"This young one has skill," he thought begrudgingly, savoring the perfectly seasoned meat.
That evening, Xuan Shan sent Chen Shi a dream, subtly guiding him in the ways of breath control, circulating his True Blood, and harmonizing his body’s energy flow.
Over the next few nights, Chen Shi unconsciously followed the serpent’s teachings, progressing rapidly in his cultivation. By the sixth night, his True Blood transformation was complete, and Xuan Shan ceased his guidance, feeling his debt repaid for the offering of the Feng Xi leg.
Chen Shi’s body now brimmed with vitality. With every heartbeat, his blood surged through his limbs and organs, delivering Innate Qi. His perception sharpened—he could sense even the faintest breeze grazing his skin and detect the scars and blemishes across his body.
More impressively, he could direct his blood to heal his wounds, smoothing scars and replenishing his vitality.
This was the transformative power of True Blood: it not only strengthened his body but began addressing long-standing weaknesses, laying the foundation for the Five-Organ Purity, the next phase of cultivating a Sacred Embryo.
When Chen Shi activated the Three Radiance Righteous Qi Method, his spiritual altar glowed with increasing brightness and stability. Even when he stopped, the altar lingered briefly before dissipating—a sign of his growing mastery.
"If I can stabilize the altar further, I’ll be ready to learn the sword techniques from the Heavenly Heart Righteous Qi Method. But I’ll need to enroll in the town’s private academy for that," he thought.
Gathering his belongings, including the enormous cauldron he had used to cook the Feng Xi, Chen Shi prepared to return home, now confident in his newfound strength.
Arriving in Huangpo Village, Chen Shi took a detour through Gangzi Village to visit Madam Sha.
At her door, he presented a portion of the Feng Xi meat.
"You’ve cleaned me out so thoroughly that I can’t even cook porridge," Madam Sha complained, though her eyes softened when she saw the meat. "I suppose we’re even now. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Chen Shi sensed her hesitation and declined, bidding her farewell.
Returning home, Chen Shi distributed meat to every household in Huangpo Village. Each portion was neatly hung on their doors before he knocked and departed without waiting for thanks.
Finally, he arrived at his own home.
"Black Pot!" he called, tossing a juicy piece of meat to the dog. Ecstatic, Black Pot immediately abandoned any thoughts of tattling to Grandpa about Chen Shi’s extended absence.
"Grandpa, I’m home!" Chen Shi shouted.
From the main room, Grandpa emerged with a half-eaten candle in hand, his expression stern.
"Still remember where home is, do you?" he grumbled. "You leave without a word and think you can waltz back in like nothing happened? You’re lucky you didn’t starve to death out there!"
Before Grandpa could continue, Chen Shi held up the remaining Feng Xi meat.
"We’re having this for dinner," he announced with a grin.
Grandpa’s scolding faltered as he took the meat to hang it up. After a moment of silence, he added gruffly, "I made some money recently. Bought you new clothes. They’re in your room. See if they fit."
Chen Shi entered his room to find a neatly folded set of clothes—a light green inner shirt, white trousers, and a dark blue tunic, paired with a red silk belt and a fragrant sachet.
Dressing quickly, he found the outfit fit perfectly. Feeling a swell of pride, he tied back his hair with a red ribbon before stepping outside.
"Looking sharp!" Grandpa praised.
Chen Shi beamed, ready to show off his new look. However, remembering his strained relations with the villagers, he chose to stay home instead.
"Grandpa, you mentioned a recent job. What was it?" he asked.
"A donkey in Shanyang Village went wild, sprouting claws and fangs after basking in the moonlight," Grandpa explained while sorting herbs. "It caused a ruckus, so the villagers hired me to deal with it."
"And?"
"I subdued it, handed it back to the owners, and earned a tael of silver. Enough to buy your clothes," Grandpa said matter-of-factly.
"Why would they want a donkey that turned into an evil entity?"
"To grind grain, of course. A ‘moonlit donkey’ never tires. It works all night and makes them a fortune," Grandpa said with a shrug. "Though I hear it died yesterday. Overworked, I suppose."
Chen Shi’s eyes widened.
"They skinned it and turned it into donkey-hide gelatin. Made another fortune off that," Grandpa added with a sigh. "Should’ve charged them more."
Meanwhile, in Huangyang Village, a pale-faced Liu Fugui wandered through the fields, still haunted by his recent trauma. As he approached a ditch where he had once seen a large white fish, he collided with a young scholar in a blue tunic.
"Watch where you’re going, brat!" the scholar snapped, shoving Liu Fugui into the ditch.
Frightened but unhurt, Liu Fugui grabbed at something slippery beneath him—a thrashing white fish.
On the bank, the scholar, flanked by similarly dressed peers and a contingent of armed guards, glared impatiently.
"Yandi, be respectful!" an older scholar barked, chastising the younger man. "We’re here to investigate Second Sister’s disappearance, not bully villagers!"
This group, led by Zhao Yue, hailed from the influential Zhao family of Xinxing Province. They had arrived in Huangyang Village to uncover the truth behind the murder of the Iron Pen Scholar, a trusted Zhao family ally.
Zhao Yue, sipping tea as the villagers knelt before him, waved dismissively.
"Stand up," he said, his voice dripping with feigned humility. "We’re not here to oppress you. Please, rise."
The villagers hesitated before slowly standing.
"On second thought, kneel again," Zhao Yue added. "I find it more appropriate."
The villagers promptly knelt once more.
"Now," Zhao Yue continued, setting his cup down, "who killed Iron Pen? Don’t bother lying. The Zhao family doesn’t take kindly to betrayal."