The beef stew for lunch was incredible. The broth, courtesy of Aunt Fan's secret ingredients, was as thick as milk and exceptionally fragrant. Paired with freshly griddled flatbread, it was simply divine.
Wu Liangchen downed three bowls in one go, stopping only when he was completely stuffed.
[Life Fire +1.4 Wisps]
When he saw the notification, Wu Liangchen was stunned. He couldn't believe his Life Fire had increased so much from a single meal.
It was simply inconceivable.
"This beef I stewed for you," Aunt Fan said suddenly, raising her eyes to look at Wu Liangchen, "comes from prime yellow cattle. They're raised in isolation from birth, fed a diet of fine grains mixed with precious medicinal herbs. As soon as they reach two hundred pounds, they're slaughtered to ensure the meat is as fresh and tender as possible."
"A pound of this beef—care to guess how much it costs?"
Before Wu Liangchen could answer, Aunt Fan continued coolly, "Don't bother guessing. You can't put a price on it. This beef is supplied exclusively to the major martial arts halls; you won't find it in any ordinary butcher shop."
"On the black market, a pound of this beef would go for at least one and a half Eagle Yuan, and even then, it's almost impossible to find."
"This is because any Martial Artist below the Tendon-Stretching and Bone-Loosening Realm who wants to advance must eat this kind of meat, which is rich in Qi and Blood. That's why it's impossible to buy."
Wu Liangchen said nothing. He knew that since Aunt Fan had brought it up, she had more to say.
Sure enough.
Aunt Fan looked at Wu Liangchen and spoke slowly. "From now on, all three of your daily meals will be arranged to this standard. How does that sound?"
Wu Liangchen was silent.
It wasn't that the offer was bad. On the contrary—it was far too good.
'At a price of one and a half Eagle Yuan per pound, and considering that beef shrinks by at least half when cooked, the three bowls I just ate must have cost three to five Eagle Yuan.'
'This single meal was worth half a year's expenses for an average family.'
'To eat three meals a day by this standard... it would be absurdly extravagant.'
"Don't overthink it. You've already proven today that you're worth the cost," Aunt Fan said, not mincing her words.
It was precisely because of Aunt Fan's frankness that Wu Liangchen could finally let out a breath. "So, what do I need to do in return?"
Hearing this, Aunt Fan gave Wu Liangchen a somewhat surprised look.
'This once-unremarkable carriage driver was now surprising her again and again.'
'Even when faced with such a generous offer, he hadn't grown overly excited. Instead, he calmly asked what was expected of him.'
'That alone put him above many others.'
"Right now, you don't need to do anything. Just keep driving the young lady's carriage as you were before."
"Don't even get involved in the bodyguard duties the young lady mentioned. For now, just focus on practicing what I've taught you. When you're strong enough, there will be a use for you."
Wu Liangchen had a sudden realization.
'Isn't this just like angel investing from when I started my own business?'
"And what will I have to do once I'm strong enough?" Wu Liangchen pressed.
'If it's something within a reasonable scope, that would be fine.'
'But if they expect me to risk my life, it wouldn't be worth it.'
'After all, with the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod, I can get stronger on my own. There's no need to take such a gamble right now.'
'This beef is great, but even eating meat scraps from a butcher shop can increase my Life Fire. The only difference is the speed.'
Aunt Fan smiled. "You're a cunning kid, aren't you? Relax. Even when you're stronger, I won't force you to do anything. At most, you'll just assist me in protecting the young lady."
"So? Do you need some time to think it over?"
Wu Liangchen hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No need. I accept."
"Very good. Although you've grasped the basics of the stance, it will still be a long time before you truly master the Skin-Polishing and Muscle-Forging stage. This is a Qi Blood Pill I refined. Take one after each time you practice your stance; it will help you advance."
As she spoke, Aunt Fan produced a small medicine vial and placed it on the table.
Wu Liangchen's eyes lit up at the sight, and he immediately reached out and took it.
'He'd been worrying about the unbearable hunger he felt after each training session. This Qi Blood Pill was the perfect solution.'
"Alright, get some rest. You can't be lax in your martial arts training, but you can't be too hasty either. If you injure your foundation, you'll be in serious trouble." With that, Aunt Fan stood up to leave.
Wu Liangchen suddenly spoke up. "Aunt Fan, I have one last question."
Aunt Fan sat back down. "What is it?"
"What realm are you at as a Martial Artist?"
"What do you think?"
As she spoke, Aunt Fan held out her hand. With no discernible movement, her arm and fingers suddenly elongated.
Seeing this, a term flashed through Wu Liangchen's mind. "Tendon-Stretching and Bone-Loosening?"
"Correct. The mastery of Tendon-Stretching and Bone-Loosening," Aunt Fan nodded. "It seems you know a thing or two about the Martial Arts Realms."
"I've only heard them mentioned. I believe they're divided into four realms: Skin-Polishing and Muscle-Forging, Tendon-Stretching and Bone-Loosening, Qi-Fortifying Lungs, and Blood-Exchange and Bone Marrow Cleansing."
"That's more or less correct. But while we speak of four realms, true Cultivation has eight gates. Each realm is divided into two gates, and breaking through each one is anything but simple. It requires an unyielding mindset, a tenacious will, and exceptional talent."
"So, although countless people in the Great Yan practice martial arts, not one in a hundred can break through to the fourth gate of the second realm. Those who reach the Third Realm are few and far between. As for the Fourth Realm…"
A solemn expression crossed Aunt Fan's face. "Once one succeeds in the blood exchange and masters Bone Marrow Cleansing, they are no longer a mere mortal. Their every move holds incredible power. They are also known as… a Land Immortal."
"Unfortunately, such individuals are almost unheard of in all of Great Yan. I myself have only seen one once, by a stroke of luck."
"And above the Fourth Realm?" Wu Liangchen suddenly asked.
"Above the Fourth Realm…" Aunt Fan smiled, a wistful and faraway look on her face.
"That is to transcend the mortal world, to become one of the Immortals. A pity, such a pity…"
As she finished, Aunt Fan's face was filled with melancholy.
Wu Liangchen's heart stirred, but before he could speak, Aunt Fan had already composed herself. "Enough," she said coldly. "It's useless for you to ask about these things now. The most important thing is to focus on tempering your stance."
With that, Aunt Fan turned and left.
「That evening」
Everything proceeded as usual. After things wrapped up, Aunt Fan gave Wu Liangchen a bag of beef jerky, telling him not to eat too much of it at once—two taels at most—or he would overstuff himself.
Wu Liangchen agreed and went home with the dried beef.
Once he was up on the city wall, Wu Liangchen went through a routine practice of the Five Animals Fist.
Even though he had already learned the Primordial Stance, Wu Liangchen felt that if he kept practicing the Five Animals Fist, he would eventually reap some unexpected rewards, so he had kept it up.
After finishing the Five Animals Fist, Wu Liangchen took out a piece of the dried beef and put it in his mouth.
The rich, meaty aroma was immediate. As he chewed, his mouth began to water, and the hunger pangs in his stomach instantly subsided.
'This stuff is amazing!'
Wu Liangchen thought to himself. Its only drawback was the price.
'No wonder most of the martial practitioners in Great Yan were the children of wealthy families. The cost of food alone was a massive expense.'
Wu Liangchen centered himself and then began to practice the Primordial Stance.