"[Qi Blood Powder] has to be temporarily stopped. My body is almost replenished."
Chen Ping remembered something and paused hesitantly.
The [Qi Blood Powder] sold by Baoyue Hall can replenish the body's deficits and accelerate External Body Refining; it is unknown which medical family expert developed it.
The medicine is good, but it consumes too much silver. Hua Lian'er has gradually bought ten servings of the fifty-tael silver blood medicine.
Hence the saying "Poor in literature, rich in martial arts," if you truly want to quickly enhance your strength, spending lots of money is necessary.
Unless from a wealthy family, it is impossible to cultivate like this.
This also shows that Hua Lian'er's previous identity is really quite remarkable, as she basically has little concept of money.
To her, silver is merely a tool.
Without it, even a few copper coins can bring happiness; with silver, spending a thousand taels doesn't make her frown.
After buying the medicine, Zuo Duanshou only used one dose, then got a nosebleed when consuming the second. The rest was given to Little Table and Little Stool brothers, whose Qi and Blood also became much stronger.
However, Hua Lian'er herself was unwilling to take it, saying it wasn't needed.
Only Chen Ping has consumed eight doses of [Qi Blood Powder] in the past few days, feeling his body becoming more robust, with Qi and Blood flowing like waves in a river... When he strikes, his blood flows internally like a torrent, Essence Qi pressing fiercely upon others without any symptoms of indigestion.
No more weakness in his body; Chen Ping guessed that his Fist Technique Realm was probably already matched with his physique...
Regarding the medicinal properties, [Qi Blood Powder] pales compared to [Jade Ginseng Pills], as the latter not only supplements Vitality but also consolidates the foundation.
The former has one use only; it supplements Qi and Blood and refines the flesh.
It's considered a medicine fit for tigers and wolves.
But even this tiger-wolf medicine is often out of Chen Ping's reach to use.
'At this moment, I finally have some strength to defend myself. If Chang Sansi launches an attack in advance, it isn't certain that I couldn't match him, as long as he doesn't hide his skills.'
Of course, judging from Chen Ping's rich experience fighting others in his previous life, generally speaking, Chang Sansi, being an old fox, undoubtedly keeps some cards up his sleeve.
The things he shows openly are often meant to confuse people.
'So, I'll play it safe for now. Currently, the advantage is mine; as I cultivate, I grow stronger each day, whereas his strength is largely fixed.'
'Expenses are too high; the silver isn't sufficient. It seems singing must continue.'
...
Listening to the rustling water sounds.
Hua Lian'er was holding a piece of white silk filled with words and drawings, fingers gripping tight then loosening.
Should she give it to Seventh Brother or not?
Mother said this thing is most suitable for laying the foundation, but it is meant for Inner Cultivation Martial Arts, completely different from the path of Qi Blood Martial Arts.
What if he practices wrongly and hurts the Qi channels?
Probably not.
Though nobody guided Qi as a lead, with his body being so strong, consuming eight doses of [Qi Blood Powder] in just three days still having strength left, simply using Essence Qi to replenish, he can get through the Qi Cultivation phase.
Should be okay?
Likely won't harm his body.
Thinking about it, if Seventh Brother could really cultivate Vitality internally while practicing Essence Qi externally, the prospect is like a Hidden Dragon leaping through the abyss...
Such thoughts made her conflicted, days passed still undecided.
'Alas, back when Mother taught me martial arts, why didn't I listen carefully? Are there any taboos or not...'
Hua Lian'er's little face sometimes wrinkled like a bitter melon, sometimes smiled like a fool. For a while, she didn't notice, the white silk in her hand was almost squeezed out water.
...
"Here it comes, here it comes..."
Though misty rain was falling from the sky, it couldn't hinder everyone's enthusiasm.
Perhaps because it's the ninth day today, the year has passed, the Government Office is back to business, making Qilin Street especially boisterous.
"They say [Shuidiao Ge Tou] received high praise from Lord Academician, calling it a rare masterpiece not seen in a hundred years. Once this poem emerged, all Mid-Autumn poems became obsolete... I wonder which passing scholar wrote it?"
A group of admiring scholars, shaking their heads and swaying, recited a couple lines: "When does the bright moon appear, ask the wine to the blue sky..."
"Just happy to listen, why care about who's the laying hen, anyway you can't understand it."
Nearby someone scoffed, "You tell me, which isn't good? When [Farewell] came out, every leaving person was in tears, [Do You Know] Do You Know, should be lush green and fading red, twisting soft intestines, capturing the sentiment of cherishing flowers and lamenting spring... Which one doesn't tug at the heartstrings? Never mind you academic folk, even all over Xingqing Prefecture, the performance stages all waving silver notes, coming for guidance."
As Hua Lian'er listened, her eyebrows arched, eyes squinted, heart unconcealed joyfully.
You don't know, right? Seventh Brother wrote these.
Though claimed as "passing scholar," which scholar had their brain fried to let such excellent lyrics and music go to others.
Wouldn't that be ignorant?
He slyly glanced at Chen Ping, seeing him still expressionless, eyes calm. As if what these people said had nothing to do with him at all.
This is real poise, real calmness.
I have to learn a bit.
No wonder Mother always said I bounce around like a little monkey.
Thinking of Mother, Hua Lian'er's smile also gradually faded... She quickly adjusted her mood, preparing to sing.
Earn more silver, to afford meat and medicine.
Seventh Brother will become even stronger.
By then, no more restraint from Seven-Colored Hall, directly breaking free, fighting through.
She actually deeply understands some matters.
...
Only when singing [Farewell] do some people feel the tune is too sorrowful, not to their taste.
When [Shuidiao Ge Tou] and [Do You Know] come out, they capture both men and women all at once...
The educated folk listening only feel an endless aftertaste.
The uneducated enjoy the sound, experiencing the unspeakably beautiful melody.
When several "beggars" set up and performed full force, surrounded by layers deep, it was packed densely.
Even from afar, there were people gasping and hurrying over...
This atmosphere, this momentum, compared to the festive temple fair days, hardly had any less.
'Today many young ladies came, silver coins increased, probably there's about seven or eight taels.'
After singing the three songs repeatedly several times, Hua Lian'er couldn't care about her dry throat, secretly delighted seeing the silver and copper coins thrown by the surrounding pedestrians.
Today is enough, the harvest is already quite good... Next of course is the silver collecting stage, the happiest part for several people.
"It scatters, it scatters."
Before Chen Ping had a chance to speak and thank everyone who came, the crowd was suddenly disturbed.
A rough voice shouted fiercely.
"It's Yizuo Mao, why is he here?"
"Ugh..."
"These people neglecting proper duties, only doing disgusting things."
Turning their eyes, everyone saw a middle-aged man in an arresting officer uniform wearing black clothes and a red jacket.
This man's left cheek bore a big black mole, with a burst of thick and long black hair growing stubbornly, extremely eye-catching.
He arrogantly pushed aside the crowd, swaggering in, followed by two White Servants also barking loudly.
So much that the crowd hurriedly dodged, amidst grievances, it was all chaos and confusion.