Oh?" Xiao Jian blinked. That couldn't be a coincidence, could it?
"Bring him in."
At Pein's shout toward the hallway, two guards dragged in a man with bound hands and feet, bruised and swollen, and shoved him to his knees with a kick.
"Third Young Master, we were switching shifts just as you finished your test. When we heard this scum insulting you, we tied him up immediately," one guard reported respectfully.
The other yanked the prisoner's hair back, exposing his battered face.
Xiao Jian studied him for a moment before recognition dawned—it was the very man his brother had cursed earlier that day.
"You tied him up for this? Do you take me for such a petty man?" Xiao Jian shook his head, sighing.
Pein stepped forward, face full of indignation. "It's not just that, Young Master. We've already investigated—this brat's been stealing from our market for a while now! The only reason these little rats have survived here is because you, kindhearted as always, chose to turn a blind eye. But this kind of ungrateful scum, who eats our food and curses our name, the brothers can't stand it! You've treated us well, and for him to insult you is like slapping all of us in the face!"
Thanks to Xiao Jian, even though this was only a mid-tier marketplace, the guards received wages comparable to those in high-tier markets. Add to that the fact that they were handpicked by Xiao Zhan, Xiao Jian's father—though Xiao Jian couldn't cultivate, their loyalty and respect for him were unwavering.
"I see. Then drag him away." Xiao Jian waved casually, as though brushing off a trivial matter.
"Yes, Young Master!"
The guards answered at once and hauled the man out like a dead dog.
"Master, what should be done with him?" Pein asked again, though his hand already traced a throat-cutting gesture.
"Stealing and insulting me aren't crimes worthy of death. With you all here, I don't fear his grudge. But he may pose danger to Xiao Yan… so burn him."
Xiao Jian spoke with calm indifference, as though ordering something utterly ordinary.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Pein nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly slapped his forehead and leaned closer, whispering, "Nearly forgot the main thing. The matter you ordered is nearly complete. The goods should arrive tonight."
"Good. I'll give you some gold later—don't let the brothers work for nothing."
At those words, a flash of joy lit Xiao Jian's eyes, though he quickly masked it with his usual calm.
"Understood, Young Master!"
Grinning broadly, Pein withdrew, closing the door quietly behind him.
"Whew…"
Listening to the fading footsteps, Xiao Jian finally let out a long breath. A smile spread across his face.
Damn it! Fifteen years, and at last, I might solve this cursed problem of being unable to cultivate!
For Xiao Yan's twin brother, Xiao Jian's soul also did not belong to this world.
Truthfully, when he was three years old and discovered he couldn't cultivate like others, he had despaired.
After all, he had no Yao Lao siphoning Dou Qi for him, no cheat-like system—he really was just a useless waste.
Fortunately, as a transmigrator, he knew his brother Xiao Yan carried the potential of an Emperor.
So Xiao Jian, as the elder, had devoted himself to caring for Xiao Yan.
Even if he could never cultivate, with Xiao Yan's future, his own life would not be too miserable.
Still, he was unwilling to completely abandon cultivation. He tried for two and a half years, but with no success.
Then, at the age of five, while snooping in his father Xiao Zhan's room, he discovered an ancient box.
Inside were two jade-green fragments. Each glimmered with tiny points of light drifting within, almost as if alive.
That was…!
The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade!
Xiao Jian instantly recognized it. With such a distinctive appearance, it could only be that legendary treasure.
But… why were there two pieces? The thought left him puzzled.
Unable to resist, he reached out and touched one of the fragments.
In that moment, five-colored light flared from the jade.
A torrent of information surged violently into Xiao Jian's soul, overwhelming and vast.
Sensing his weak cultivation, the flood of knowledge condensed into a scroll of five colors.
Xiao Jian could only open a small portion at the start.....but even that glimpse filled him with excitement.
It recorded that in the Primordial Era, cultivation methods were not limited to Dou Qi alone.
Other paths of training had once existed, but for unknown reasons, they had vanished.
Only Dou Qi survived, spreading and flourishing until it became the sole method of cultivation in the present age.
Among the knowledge lay a method created by an ancient powerhouse...the Five Qi Body Refinement Technique.
By using rare materials and secret methods, one could refine the five internal organs into "Qi Mansions," transforming them into vessels capable of absorbing Dou Qi.
This gave even those with special constitutions...
who were normally incapable of cultivating....the qualification to step onto the path of strength.
The five organs corresponded to five attributes:
The liver to wood,
The heart to fire,
The spleen to earth,
The lungs to metal,
The kidneys to water.
Once refined, they became five Qi Mansions:
The Green Wood Mansion of the liver,
The Red Fire Mansion of the heart,
The Yellow Earth Mansion of the spleen,
The White Metal Mansion of the lungs,
The Black Water Mansion of the kidneys.
Read More Chapter Here and Support
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang