Chapter 228 - 227: Harvest
Two days later, at dusk.
Lingxi.
Two slow-moving ox carts, pulling two plain white coffins, swayed and wobbled as they arrived at the Chen Family Villa.
Chen Li got out of the cart and had Shu Qi and Bai San carefully carry the two coffins into the courtyard.
After closing the courtyard gate, a coffin lid was pushed open with a CREAK.
It was not a corpse that sat up from within.
But four living people, their faces pale and their spirits shaken.
It was Liu Ruoyi, her sister-in-law, and her two children—a son and a daughter.
Traveling for days, curled up inside the dark, stuffy coffins—even though they weren’t sealed shut—had taken its toll. They were exhausted and miserable, their spirits listless.
Just as they stepped out of the coffins, a door opened and Liu Zongying walked out. Seeing them in the courtyard, he asked in astonishment, "Ruoyi? You... how did you all get here?"
When Liu Ruoyi saw her grand-uncle, her eyes reddened and tears welled up.
She opened her mouth to speak, but subconsciously glanced at the expressionless Chen Li standing to the side, not daring to say a word.
Chen Li met Liu Zongying’s questioning gaze and said flatly, "Master Liu San, it’s good that you’re here. These four are now in your care."
His words were concise, offering no further explanation.
Liu Zongying was old and shrewd. Seeing Chen Li’s attitude, and seeing his grandniece and her family appear in such a sorry state, he knew something major must have happened.
Suppressing his many questions, he cupped his fist at Chen Li. "Thank you for your trouble, Patriarch."
He then went forward and led Liu Ruoyi’s group of four away to arrange lodging.
Chen Li said no more. He took the ox carts and left the villa, heading back to his own residence.
After returning home, Chen Li carried the two remaining iron-bound wooden chests from the ox carts into his study and began to take stock of his haul.
The Liu Family’s treasury, accumulated over many years, was far richer than he had imagined.
Gold, silver, jewels, antiques, jades, rare medicinal herbs...
The total number of chests was likely over a hundred, and that didn’t even include items like Weapons and Armor.
But Chen Li knew full well that he didn’t have the means to transport such an enormous fortune.
Even if he could, it would draw too much attention. He would likely be targeted by the Government Office before he even left Qingshui County Town.
He had to be decisive.
So, that night, he had decisively abandoned the vast majority of the wealth.
He had only taken the most precious items.
The most valuable were the glittering golden leaves, which filled an entire large chest and amounted to a full ten thousand taels.
The other chest was filled mainly with an assortment of bottles, jars, and brocade boxes.
They contained various elixirs.
Chen Li couldn’t identify the specific names and effects of these elixirs at the moment, so he could only sort and store them for now.
’If I could have taken everything, the treasures in the secret room alone would be worth two to three million taels of silver. Add in the Liu Family’s residence, the Textile Workshop, and their other assets, and the total value would probably exceed five million taels...’
Chen Li silently calculated, astonished by the Liu Family’s immense wealth.
His gaze finally fell upon several secret manuals.
These manuals hadn’t been in the secret room.
However, that fellow Bai San had certainly earned his keep this time.
He had quickly found a hidden compartment at the foot of the bed in Liu Gongquan’s bedroom.
Inside, wrapped tightly in kraft paper, were four secret manuals.
The first was the one Chen Li was most interested in.
The Vein-Severing Soul-Breaking Finger.
This was the Liu Family’s heirloom secret technique.
When he fought Liu Gongchang before, Chen Li had suffered greatly under this exquisite finger technique, finding himself at a disadvantage.
If not for his Divine Soul Combat Techniques, it was hard to say if he would have escaped unscathed.
Naturally, it now held his utmost attention.
He immediately picked it up and began to read it carefully.
However, the more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed, and a look of disappointment crept into his eyes.
What the secret manual recorded was primarily a technique for finger movements, power exertion, and acupoint stimulation.
While it was exquisite, it was fundamentally no different from cultivation techniques like the Tiger Subduing Fist.
As for Liu Gongchang’s Mysterious and Profound Technique of sealing acupoints from a distance...
...there was no mention of it in this manual at all.
’So, Liu Gongchang’s method of attacking with Inner Qi projected from his body... he figured that out himself?’
Chen Li pondered this, then recalled that while the Qi Strength could seal acupoints, it had been unable to cause any substantial damage to his physical body.
’No, that aura was strange. Perhaps it’s related to the Liu Family’s Divine Secret Skill?’
He pushed aside his doubts and turned his gaze to another secret manual.
The Yin Yang Unity Scripture.
Flipping through it, he saw that it was an Inner Qi Heart Method.
It focused on harmonizing yin and yang to stabilize one’s foundation.
The other two manuals were the Eight Trigrams Swordsmanship and the Eight Trigrams Posture.
Both were External Skill Techniques and a Pile Skill for building one’s foundation, part of an External Cultivation path.
Wiping out a family and seizing their assets really was the fastest way to get rich.
Chen Li looked at the secret manuals in his hand, then at the two chests of gold and elixirs, and couldn’t help but sigh with feeling.
He sorted the gold and silver, elixirs, and secret manuals, storing them away in the hidden room within his study. Then, with a thought, his Divine Sense sank into the system interface in his mind.
A few days ago, just after he had left Qingshui County Town, a notification had sounded from the long-silent system.
But the situation had been urgent, so he had only given it a fleeting glance before putting it aside.
Now, as his Heart Spirit sank into it, a clear record appeared.
[Congratulations. The Host’s eldest son, Chen Shouheng, has broken through to the Second Level of the Spirit Realm: the Profound Acupoint Pass. Reward issued: Soul-Stabilizing Pill x6, 5 years of lifespan.]
Chen Li was naturally pleased to see his son’s breakthrough.
Soul-Stabilizing Pill.
He read the system’s description.
Soul-Stabilizing Pill: Nourishes the Divine Soul and calms the Spirit Platform. It can accelerate the process of Divine Soul condensation, stabilize the Soul Body, and dispel inner demons and distracting thoughts.
’Accelerate the condensation of the Divine Soul?’
Chen Li was slightly surprised.
By now, he already knew that the system’s rewards were all closely related to his descendants.
He couldn’t help but wonder, ’Is this because Shouheng’s Divine Sense Illusion was scattered before? Could there be some hidden aftereffects?’
Though he wasn’t sure of the exact reason, he knew that in this world, elixirs that could directly affect the Divine Soul were almost the stuff of legends.
Every single one was considered a priceless treasure.
The effects of this Soul-Stabilizing Pill were likely far more extraordinary than the description suggested.
’When Shouheng comes back next time, I’ll have him try this elixir and see how it works.’
Chen Li chose not to take the elixir himself. After all, his Divine Soul was stable, and he had no need for it. Thus, he didn’t withdraw the elixir from the system.
His gains this time were truly immense.
「The next morning.」
Chen Li was making small talk with his wife, Song Ying.
Footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard gate.
It was Liu Zongying.
"Patriarch, forgive my intrusion."
Liu Zongying’s expression was even graver than when Chen Li had seen him yesterday. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept all night. He cupped his fist and said, "I have an important matter I wish to discuss with you alone, Patriarch."
"Master Liu San, please follow me."
Chen Li rose and led Liu Zongying to the study.
As soon as they were seated, Liu Zongying got straight to the point. "Patriarch, I came today to propose a deal."
Chen Li’s expression remained unchanged. "What kind of deal did you have in mind, Third Master?"
It turned out that last night, Liu Ruoyi had told Liu Zongying the full story of how Chen Li had killed Liu Yuanqi.
Liu Zongying was shocked, but it also confirmed his suspicion that Chen Li was definitely a Grandmaster.
Furthermore, based on his judgment, Chen Li had likely already reached the Void Transformation pass.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to practice his "Intent."
After all, if he were at the Divine Hall Pass, he would be more concerned with Soul Refining and the Fire Poison.
This gave him hope for revenge.
A rare hint of excitement appeared on Liu Zongying’s face. "I implore you, Patriarch, to help my Eldest Branch reclaim our family’s fortune and take back what is rightfully ours."
Chen Li’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "You must be joking, Third Master. The three branches of the Liu Family are powerful and deeply entrenched, with extensive connections, including backing from the government. I am but a man from the countryside, weak and alone. I don’t have the ability to get involved in such a mess. I’m afraid I must decline."
Liu Zongying seemed to have expected his refusal. "You don’t have to refuse immediately, Patriarch. If you agree, I can first offer you the method for condensing the True Intent of your Staff Technique.
"Though most of my cultivation is gone, my knowledge remains. I can help you quickly condense your True Intent. You may have already developed Staff Intent, but if you try to refine it on your own, it could take years before you master it."
A flicker appeared in Chen Li’s eyes, but he still shook his head. "I do indeed want that technique, but pitting myself against an entire family is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It’s far too dangerous. It’s safer to figure it out on my own."
But Liu Zongying seemed to have anticipated this as well. "If you can help me recover some of my cultivation, Patriarch, then I can be the one to act, with Patriarch Chen assisting from the sidelines. In that case, our chances of success would be great."
Chen Li shook his head again. "Your Divine Soul is damaged. An injury like that is beyond the help of ordinary medicine. Though I have the will to help, I am powerless to reverse the heavens."
Seeing Chen Li refuse once more, Liu Zongying pondered for a moment before finally playing his most important card.
He lowered his voice. "What if... what if I were willing to give you the Cultivation Technique for the Silent Extinction Finger, the Divine Secret Skill of the Liu Family’s Vein-Severing Soul-Breaking Finger?"
A genuine flash of surprise finally crossed Chen Li’s eyes. "The Silent Extinction Finger? Liu Yuanzhao once said that this Divine Secret Skill was lost long ago."
"Yuanzhao was just a child back then; naturally, he wouldn’t know of such confidential matters. This skill is a core secret of the Eldest Branch. Even within the Eldest Branch, very few know of it."
Seeing Chen Li’s interest was piqued, Liu Zongying decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Treasures that can repair the Divine Sense are rare in this world, but they are not extinct. I know a person who possesses such an item. I only need Patriarch Chen to agree to help, and for you to contact him on my behalf."
"Who is this person?"
Chen Li asked in surprise.
"His name is Qian Shijin."
Liu Zongying revealed the name. "He is currently a Master at the He Niu Martial Arts Academy. I have a past connection with him and might be able to persuade him. I just need you to contact him for me, Patriarch."
Chen Li raised an eyebrow. "A treasure that can repair the Divine Sense is incredibly precious. Why would he be willing to part with it so easily?"
Liu Zongying sighed. "We must at least try. I still possess a Secret Skill that he is interested in, which can be used as a bargaining chip. I’m sure he will consider it."
Chen Li looked at Liu Zongying, understanding dawning in his mind.
’The man likely plans to trade the Silent Extinction Finger.’
’From his perspective, since he’s already giving it to me, giving it to one more person makes no difference.’
’Killing two birds with one stone... what a clever scheme!’
His face, however, showed nothing. He asked, "Third Master, how exactly was your Divine Sense injured all those years ago?"
Liu Zongying sighed. "Back then... the three brothers, Liu Gongquan, Liu Gongchang, and Liu Gongting, colluded with outsiders to usurp the Eldest Branch. I fought with Liu Gongchang’s father-in-law, Yun Ya, and was losing. In a moment of desperation, I forcibly activated the Silent Extinction Finger, which I had not yet mastered.
"Though the finger strike landed, temporarily sealing Yun Ya’s Divine Soul, my own cultivation was insufficient, and I suffered a backlash. My Divine Soul was nearly shattered on the spot. It was a miracle I even survived."
He looked at Chen Li. "As far as I know, Qian Shijin possesses an Exotic Treasure that can nourish and repair the Divine Sense."
A brief silence fell over the study.
Chen Li weighed the pros and cons.
After a long moment, he looked up and nodded. "I can agree to give it a try."
Hearing this, Liu Zongying let out a long sigh of relief.
His tense body relaxed slightly, and a flicker of hope ignited in his eyes. He gave a solemn cupped-fist salute. "Thank you, Patriarch. I... am eternally grateful."