Chapter 971 - 431: Martial Arts Schools, Devilflame Scorches the Heavens! The Great Jiyin Exam, Fate Inheritance! (Part 3)

Chapter 971: Chapter 431: Martial Arts Schools, Devilflame Scorches the Heavens! The Great Jiyin Exam, Fate Inheritance! (Part 3)

Then he took out a redwood box and explained in detail the wonderful uses of the "Enlightening Cicada." He was eloquent, vivid yet not exaggerated. He made the Enlightening Cicada sound truly interesting, causing the young lady of the Yang family to giggle repeatedly, very pleased.

Moreover, the Enlightening Cicada was very friendly, with a charming appearance, resting on the hand of the Yang family girl. Its chirping was crisp and pleasant, gradually winning her favor, and she decided to purchase it.

Li Xian said at the time, "Miss Yang, this little cicada is intelligent, can enhance comprehension and improve feng shui. At first, it sounds mysterious, as if I, Li Xian, am a Jianghu charlatan, but it’s truly the case. If you genuinely wish to buy it, please treat it well. It’s fine to let it free-range, but remember to feed it dew."

Miss Yang naturally agreed. Thus, the first sale was completed, and one hundred and ninety-nine taels of silver were credited to the account. In fact, if Li Xian had pitched it differently, claiming the Enlightening Cicada could heal mad devils.

The Yang family girl would certainly have bought it readily, without needing more words. But to heal the heart with ulterior motives is indeed inappropriate. Therefore, Li Xian took a different route, first healing the Yang family girl thoroughly, then presenting the Enlightening Cicada. If she truly liked it, then he would sell it; otherwise, he would leave empty-handed.

Little did he know, from this point, the Yang family girl had quite a few intimate friends. She really adored the golden cicada, even giving it a pet name and boasting about it to her friends. In the following days, young ladies occasionally visited, purchasing the Enlightening Cicada.

After that, Li Xian entered the mansion several times to practice medicine. Personally promoting, his voice gentle, he gradually opened the market. In grand estates that are overly spacious and sparsely populated, there would inevitably be a quiet emptiness, causing a depressing mood. Purchasing a few cicadas to place in the corners of the southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast, the pleasant chirping of cicadas resonating from time to time can indeed be quite useful.

In this way, the business matters gradually fell into place. Sometimes, he could sell three or four Enlightening Cicadas a day, earning a hundred to two hundred taels of silver.

He could sustain his daily expenses. On the other hand, Li Xian solved cases and completed tasks, earning dozens or hundreds of taels of silver. Gradually accumulating, he had over a thousand taels of silver at hand.

Zhou Qingqing, Wei Qingfeng, Lu Qingguan, Qiao Qing, and others visited from time to time, chatting and socializing with Li Xian. The four admired Li Xian greatly, and their conversations were very pleasant. Although Li Xian’s Shepherd Jujube Residence was narrow, the courtyard was spacious enough to exercise.

Sometimes, they even sparred, enhancing their friendship. Zhou Qingqing, Wei Qingfeng, and Lu Qingguan all practiced swordsmanship, and their skills were indeed not weak, worthy of being disciples of a major sect. Qiao Qing, being younger, lacked foundation and thus seemed inferior. Yet he was naturally optimistic, often seeking advice without fear of losing.

Li Xian also took the opportunity to inquire about the secrets of raising the "Enlightening Cicada." Zhou Qingqing and Wei Qingfeng had experience in looking after Enlightening Cicadas and generously shared their knowledge, engaging in friendly dialogue. They could be considered "Jianghu friends."

Yao Yin sometimes complained about Li Xian, saying he had rearranged their fellow apprentices, befriending Zhou Qingqing and the others and neglecting her. Li Xian hurriedly apologized and, to show his sincerity, invited everyone for food and drinks.

Moreover, he chose a leisurely day to, alongside Zhou Qingqing, Yao Yin, Wei Qingfeng, Lu Qingguan, and Qiao Qing, as well as inviting Yao Fan, Chang Zixqiang, and Li Kuo, and went to enjoy a day out in the city.

A group of young Jianghu guests, similar in age, had a thoroughly enjoyable time. During the day, they shopped at the market, at noon they visited gardens, climbed mountains, ascended towers, and visited temples with abundant energy, their martial arts by their side. They then rowed a small boat in the lake, going deep into the lake, fishing for lake fish.

Occasionally having martial arts contests, each coming up with ways to test each other’s skills and showcasing their own strengths. Catching birds, fishing, picking leaves... all were uniquely entertaining.

If anyone underperformed, they would heartily laugh, and everyone would laugh along, letting it pass. They enjoyed the day to the fullest, relaxing their minds, it was truly great joy. The world’s bustle needs to be experienced with body and mind.

Though Zhou Qingqing, Wei Qingfeng, Lu Qingguan, and Qiao Qing were curious about Li Xian’s appearance, they all knew Li Xian was said to be ugly, so they suppressed their curiosity and treated the silver mask as a face, never inquiring further.

They played until dusk.

Each returned to their residence, completely exhausted, feeling thoroughly content.

Now, on the seventeenth of August. The Jiyin Academy was going to hold a major exam, considered a grand event. Although Jiyin Academy was not under Dubhe’s jurisdiction, it was the jewel of Jade City. Every year, when the exam results were posted, the entire city would undoubtedly be abuzz with talk.

If excellent essays emerged, they would certainly be a topic of lively discussion among everyone.

From the twelfth of August, Li Xian and the other Gold Appraisal Guards had to put aside their tasks to patrol around Jiyin Academy within several miles. They entered every restaurant, every shop, conducting routine inquiries.

This was truly arduous work.

This exam was rather special, as the Gold Appraisal Guards, Divine Cavalry Guards, Wind Chasing Guards, and True Guardians of the Thirty-Two True Guards were all involved. This related to countless students and the fate of Jade City, naturally allowing no negligence.

The more tumultuous the times, the more important fortune becomes. If fortune is firm, one can stand unshaken amid stormy weather and turbulent landscapes.

On the sixteenth of August. Li Xian, Bai Qinghao, and Su Kuo, the few of the Gold Leaders, patrolled as usual to the "Mirror Heart Lake" near Jiyin Academy. The lake was vast, its surface as smooth as a mirror. Even if strong winds blew or giant stones were thrown in, even when water was stirred with a sword, not the slightest ripple would arise.

At the center of the lake, there was a platform called Yuejing Platform. The surface of the platform was level with the lake’s surface, indistinguishable from a distance. However, on the Mirror Platform, there were thousands of desks arranged.

Bai Qinghao said, "Master Li, this is where tomorrow’s examination will be held. Tsk tsk, every year, for the big exam, we have to come here once, which always makes one sigh."

Li Xian asked, "Is there a deeper meaning to setting the examination venue here?" Su Kuo replied, "Naturally, there is a profound reason. The origin of the Mirror Lake’s water is quite significant. It is said that if one’s heart is not upright when stepping into the lake, the water will surge, overturning the person into the lake."