Li Xian patted Li Xiaofan on the shoulder, feeling the sharpness through the thin, tattered clothes. Seeing his younger brother's emaciated figure and malnutrition, a wave of compassion filled his heart.
Li Xian asked, "I've been at Yihetang Manor for almost a month. Little brother, have you eaten any meat?"
"Brother, I'm not that dumb. Aside from buying books, I've spent all the money on meat. I've even had fatty meat a few times," Li Xiaofan replied with an awkward smile.
"Really?" Li Xian raised an eyebrow, "How much is left?"
Li Xiaofan shrank back, sheepishly saying, "I've already used up most of it."
Li Xian reached out and snatched the money pouch from Li Xiaofan's embrace.
"Brother…"
Before Li Xiaofan could respond, Li Xian had already untied the rope, revealing only three hundred and eighty Wen Coins left inside.
Within a month, only a hundred and twenty Wen were used.
Li Xian calculated:
"In the west of the city, pork costs fifty Wen a pound. If you buy cheaper cuts or scrap meat, thirty Wen would suffice."
"If you ate meat every two or three days, there's no way you would have only used a hundred and twenty Wen. Besides, you still buy books. Little brother, your health is your greatest asset, you must not skimp on food."
"Since you have money, you should eat meat. Why save?"
Li Xiaofan lowered his head without arguing. He couldn't bear to spend his brother's hard-earned money on meat.
How was it different from eating up his brother?
So, each day, he ate wild vegetables he foraged from the outskirts to fill his stomach.
Every penny had to be wisely spent, only then could he live up to the elder brother.
Seeing this, Li Xian sighed deeply and then smiled, "Well, let's go eat some meat together, and get you a new set of clothes."
...
During half a day.
Li Xian accompanied Li Xiaofan to have a meal of fatty pork.
Considering it was already winter, and their room had no quilt and wasn't windproof, a padded jacket was purchased too.
The world was harsh.
Wearing new clothes would draw envy, so Li Xian advised his brother to wear the new clothes inside, with their father's hemp garment outside.
Avoid unknown places if possible.
After everything was done, Li Xian visited Aunt Liu next door, giving her thirty Wen, asking her to look after his brother over the next few days.
Kind Aunt Liu accepted the money and agreed wholeheartedly, praising Li Xian for being successful and a good elder brother.
"Brother, are you leaving again?"
Li Xiaofan's eyes were wet, knowing his brother wouldn't stay long.
Li Xian gave his entire monthly salary to Li Xiaofan, solemnly instructing, "Here's eighty Wen, remember to eat meat, eat meat, eat meat."
"Got it." Li Xiaofan clenched his fists tightly.
"I know you're smart, but you can't fool your brother." Li Xian smiled, "Repeat it three times."
"Eat meat, eat meat, eat meat." Li Xiaofan replied obediently, "Brother, I'll remember."
"Alright. It's getting late, go back quickly." Li Xian waved his hand, turned, and quickly left.
His figure disappeared around the alley corner. Li Xiaofan took a few steps to follow, but with a glance, he turned back into the small, broken straw hut.
The bare four walls contained only a shaky wooden bed. He lay on the bed, took out a wrinkled book, and immersed himself in reading.
Only through reading could there be a way out.
...…
...…
On a mountain path three to five miles outside Yihetang Manor.
The cold wind blew, adding a touch of desolation.
Four people walked together, occasionally voices of conversation emerged:
"Old Four, too bad you missed it. You don't know, the women there are truly alluring."
"They say the brothel is a money pit, and it's true."
"Yeah, just a whiff from those women, and I was mesmerized."
"Sigh, now thinking about it, I somewhat regret it. Couldn't control myself, spent almost half a month's salary."
On the way back, Zhao Han and the others talked about the hedonistic pleasures of the brothel, with beautiful women in their arms, fragrant breath in the air, still savoring the memory.
Unfortunately, as D-class servants, their rank was too low, and their rights limited, even if on leave, they couldn't stay outside overnight.
Seeing it getting late, they decided to head back together.
"Ah!"
"Commander Pang!"
Approaching the manor gates, Zhao Han slightly tipsy, suddenly saw Pang Long, sobering up instantly, and hurriedly went to salute.
Pang Long gave a slight glance at the four, "Using the salary, taking a day off, just to indulge at the brothel?"
"Yes…yes." Zhao Han scratched his head.
"As long as you don't break manorial rules, where you go is not my concern." Pang Long said faintly.
Then his gaze fell on Li Xian, furrowing his brow, he sighed and shook his head slightly, showing a look of disappointment, "Li Xian, you're still in the assessment period. They indulge because they've already cemented their position."
"And you've just become a Nursing Home, if you don't seize the time to master the Four Directions Fist, instead waste your body like this, I'm greatly disappointed."
"Commander Pang, you misunderstand…" Li Xian smiled, just about to explain.
"No need to explain, martial arts won't lie."
Pang Long waved his hand, "When the assessment day comes, I'll be there in person. If you don't meet my standards, and haven't reached a beginner level in this martial art, then you'll return to being a servant."
Turning, he walked away swiftly.
Li Xian watched Pang Long's retreating figure, and despite the disappointed tone he heard, his heart remained calm.
Having someone appreciate you is undoubtedly nice. But rather than going out of your way to earn admiration, it's better to tread your own path solidly.
He knew what he wanted, and he knew what he was doing.
"Old Four... should we three go explain for you?" Zhao Han said embarrassedly.
"No need, what's there to explain?" Li Xian shook his head with a smile, "Besides, as men, visiting a brothel, is that so wrong?"
Old Two Wang Chun's eyes wide open, "Talking about visiting a brothel so righteously. Old Four, Old Four, I'm no match for you."
...
Time flew by, and it was the day of the assessment.
That morning, the Nursing Homes proceeded with their usual training. Li Xian stood in a quiet corner, legs parted, orderly throwing punches.
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 658/1000 Mastery]
Li Xian felt he was gradually reaching a state of excellence, as if his punches no longer required recalling the boxing manual; a mere thought would promptly send forth his fist.
He was practicing faster and faster.
According to Martial Artist's sayings, he had reached the stage of "breaking away from the manual," where he could detach from the boxing manual and start gaining his own insights, cultivating his own style in the technique.
"This Four Directions Fist has been of great help to me."
"Though basic, the technique is systematic. It teaches how to confront and defend against an opponent, all backed by experience."
Li Xian sensed a warm current in his lower abdomen.
The Inner Strength had accumulated to the size of a fist, a mere thought could direct it onto his fist, and upon striking, create a gust of wind, producing a "pop-pop-pop" sound.
The finesse of this technique lay in dealing with enemy attacks from the front and back, how to use their force against them, and how to maneuver cleverly.
For a Nursing Home, it was more than sufficient.
[Skill: Running]
[Skill Level: 164/1500 Minor Achievement]
[Description: Swift like the wind, the breath continuous like a river, flowing endlessly, in climbing mountains and crossing waters, you've discovered the secret of running. Qi-Blood slightly enhanced.]
"Morning training runs are virtually effortless for me."
"But they're just right for warming up."
Li Xian immersed himself in the sense of gain.
"Commander Pang is here!"
Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the crowd, turning his head, he saw Pang Long striding towards the courtyard.
Li Xian ended his stance and walked towards Pang Long.
"Li Xian, today is your assessment day. I won't repeat what has to be done." Pang Long opened directly.
All Nursing Homes gathered around, forming a large circle to contain Pang Long and Li Xian within.
Every Nursing Home has to undergo the newcomer assessment. To put it bluntly, the martial arts talent of a Nursing Home can be fully revealed through the newcomer assessment.
But everyone is different, with varying conditions and differing martial arts disciplines.
Some have long legs, suitable for learning the Four Directions Leg, others are short, so they learn Earth Chambering Skill. Some have resilient skulls, thus they learn Iron Head Skill.
"Commander Pang, I'm aware of that." Li Xian nodded heavily.
"Sigh!" Luo Tongyun timely sighed, showing regret.
"Luo Tongyun, since Li Xian is your student, naturally you'll be the one to assess him." Pang Long added indifferently, "Don't be lenient, otherwise you'll be punished too. Whatever it is, let it be."
"Brother Li, you heard it." Luo Tongyun shrugged helplessly, stepping out.