novel-bin Chapter 98, 98, Innate
Chapter 98, 98, Innate
Chapter 99, 98, Innate
Fengcheng Prefecture stretches from Phoenix Mountain in the east to the Jingnan Canal in the west, and extends to Qiyun Ridge in the north. It is a strategic location in central China and a place of great importance to military strategists.
It is a land of martial spirit, with many bandits, rich mines and medicinal herbs, and is also a salt and iron producing region. Throughout history, it has produced many military generals, as well as many important officials in the central government.
Within its jurisdiction lies the sacred martial arts realm of Shenxiao, where no taxes or grain are levied. When Emperor Wu of the Great Zhou Dynasty founded the dynasty, he granted the entire area of three hundred li around Shenxiao Mountain to this sect as a reward for their merit in following the emperor.
In short, the situation in Fengcheng Prefecture is very complicated.
Ren Qingshan was new to the area and didn't have any immediate plans. He decided to keep a low profile and wait until the martial arts examination next spring to make a name for himself.
Stay calm and don't get reckless!
He has already sent Lu Haichuan to inquire about the Lan family's background regarding Xiao Wu's marriage.
Back at the Lu family's residence in the prefectural city, after a detailed conversation with Lu Haichuan, it was learned that Lan Chonglou, the head of the Lan family, was a martial artist at the Jade Marrow Realm. He had once studied under a master from the Divine Firmament Holy Realm and was now the vice president of the Herbal Medicine Merchants Association. He had three sons and two daughters as his direct descendants.
The eldest son, Lan Yungui, became a disciple of the Divine Firmament Sacred Realm and a core inner disciple.
The second son, Lan Yuanshan, has passed the imperial examination for martial arts and intends to pursue a career in officialdom.
Lan Duheng, the third son, studied under Luo Ming, a renowned martial arts master and innate swordsman in the county.
Judging from the names of the three sons, it is clear that the Lan family rose from humble beginnings. After all, most long-established families have already set generational names.
As for his two daughters, the eldest daughter has married a sixth-rank official in the capital as his principal wife, while the second daughter has been betrothed to the son of the head of the pharmaceutical guild since childhood.
Even such a family could only be considered second-rate in the prefectural city.
Without a master of innate strength to oversee it, it cannot be considered first-rate.
After hearing this, Ren Qingshan looked at Ren Yaowu with a strange expression. This nephew—no, what gives you the right?
This fragrant, soft rice is now yours to enjoy so much?
Ren Yaowu didn't understand the meaning behind his sixth uncle's look. He silently lowered his head, a sense of inferiority welling up in his heart.
Even though she is a concubine's daughter of the Lan family, she is still not someone I can aspire to; it's like a toad trying to eat swan meat.
But no matter what, we have to give it a try!
Now that I've taken her body, of course I should marry her!
"Send him my calling card. In three days, invite him to dinner and see how he reacts."
Ren Qingshan said to Lu Haichuan.
A man with a daughter is sought after by many men; in such matters, the man should naturally take the initiative.
Lu Haichuan nodded with a smile: "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Let's sound him out first. If he's interested, matchmaking and betrothal will be easy. If not, we'll think of another way. I reckon it won't be difficult. He has many illegitimate sons and daughters, at least twenty."
Once the matter was settled, Ren Qingshan immediately wrote a calling card and ordered his servants to deliver it.
That's when they started talking about the five elements and their spiritual objects.
There are two auction houses in the prefecture. One is called Shenxiao Auction House, which is owned by Shenxiao Holy Sect. The other is Gufeng Auction House, which is the private property of the Sixth Prince.
Five days ago at the auction, Lu Haichuan spent 128,000 taels of silver to purchase a wood-type spiritual item called "Ivy".
This price is a bit higher than usual — because he has little face.
When dealing with influential families, a single word can often reduce the number of rounds of bidding. These families are constantly running into each other, so it's best to avoid letting the auction house make money for nothing—but Lu Haichuan has no such influence.
He looked ashamed and said he had spent too much money.
Ren Qingshan smiled and offered a few words of comfort, then took the "Ivy" from him. After a careful inspection, he confirmed that it was genuine, and the trace of wood-type spiritual energy was particularly pleasing.
Ivy is evergreen, so it can survive.
Lu Haichuan took out another property deed, saying that he had bought a house just two alleys away, in Tongbao Lane 9. It was all ready, but he had not yet hired servants or maids. For the time being, Jin'er, a maid who had served Lu Qingyi since childhood, was in charge of it.
This was his way of making amends.
After all, it cost more money. Although a house in the prefectural city was quite valuable, it certainly wouldn't have cost 28,000 taels—it was bought for 5,000 taels.
Besides, even if we take a step back and assume the worst, this house will most likely be inhabited by the daughter in the future.
Ren Qingshan understood his meaning and did not refuse. He then inquired about other spiritual items in the auction house before taking the remaining silver, ivy, and land deed and leaving.
It was evening.
Lu Haichuan came again and said that his servants had replied that Lan Chonglou had accepted the visiting card and sent back a bottle of aged Ganoderma lucidum, but had declined the invitation to dinner, saying that he was busy with business today and was in seclusion practicing martial arts. He said that he would definitely come to visit after this period of time.
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaowu's face turned deathly pale.
A sense of panic inevitably arose in my heart.
Oh no, it seems that even Uncle Liu's influence isn't working!
The Lan family doesn't eat it at all!
Ren Qingshan remained calm, drank tea with Lu Haichuan for a while, chatted for a few words, and then saw the guest off.
Close the door.
Ren Qingshan asked, "Does this girl's family know about your affair?"
Ren Yaowu's breathing quickened, and he clenched his fists tightly: "She probably doesn't know. If she did, she'd probably beat her to death! I—I'm just afraid she's secretly pregnant, and when the time comes, she won't be able to hide it."
Why don't you think about these things when you're having fun?
Ren Qingshan waved his hand and smiled: "Don't panic, Xiao Hui. Pass on that eight-character secret formula to your elder brother. Tomorrow, you two go out and browse the silk shops in the city, order a couple of outfits, and then inquire at the cosmetics shops. I don't need to tell you about these small things, do I?"
Ren Yaowu immediately understood and nodded repeatedly.
It's not appropriate for men to inquire about the affairs of the Lan family's inner quarters.
However, the women in his family needed to dress up, so they inevitably had to deal with these shops.
Ren Yaohui chimed in, saying seriously, "Brother, Uncle Liu's eight-character mantra is truly profound: 'If the heart is as clear as ice, one will not be alarmed even if the sky collapses.'"
Ren Yaowu seemed to be deep in thought, silently repeating it to himself a few times, and immediately felt much calmer.
"Practice martial arts."
"Practicing martial arts is the fundamental thing."
"If you were born with the Innate Realm, Lan Chonglou would probably be eager for you to come and propose marriage. If you were born with the Golden Body Realm, the Lan family would break off the engagement and marry their eldest daughter to you."
Ren Qingshan gave them a few words of exasperation and then sent them away.
into the night.
Ren Qingshan's heart was agitated again, filled with excitement and an unbearable hunger.
He locked the door and looked at the two jade boxes on the table: one containing a silver sea dragon and the other an evergreen vine.
The five elements of spiritual objects are now complete.
It is neither the Xuanming Fish nor the Longevity Cocoon.
Perfectionism is a disease—the long-lasting cocoon only appears in winter, and even then, it may not be found. Waiting until winter is definitely not an option.
The imperial court's sword hasn't even fallen yet!
If the emperor takes the money but doesn't do the job, or dismisses Fang Yanping, the situation will immediately become dire.
He also owes 500,000 taels of public funds—the investigation would surely be extremely exciting.
After considering all this, Ren Qingshan made a final decision: Innate!
Let's start tonight!
The missing bit of spiritual energy can be replenished with blood and qi!
Having made up his mind, he immediately carried out the plan, using his true energy to envelop the Silver Sea Dragon and the Ivy, then taking them into his mouth one by one, letting them circulate throughout his body.
According to the scriptures:
The silver sea dragon transformed into two water spirits, which settled on the "Shenshu" and "Guanyuan" acupoints respectively, attacking from both sides to warm and nourish the kidneys.
Ivy resides at "Qimen", which is the Mu point of the liver.
late at night.
In the quiet room, Ren Qingshan sat cross-legged, circulating the five elements of spiritual energy within his body.
The essence of the five innate spiritual objects gradually formed a subtle balance after circulating the Qi for thirty-six cycles, and their entire bodies faintly shimmered with five-colored radiance.
innate!
I'm here!
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