Chapter 46: Bed-Warming Maidservant

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Bed-Warming Maidservant

Chen Jing was also slightly taken aback. He recalled that Chen Yuqing had requested a Cultivation Technique for Chen Yue only a few days ago. Why was she bringing it up again so soon?

"Hmm... It is a good thing that you have such ambition."

Chen Jing spoke slowly, his tone inscrutable. "There’s certainly no harm in learning more Martial Arts to protect yourself. In this world, having stronger fists is never a disadvantage. However..."

His tone shifted, his voice deepening with a cautionary note. "Chen Yue, you must remember that the Alchemy Dao is your foundation. You can practice the Martial Dao to strengthen your physique and protect yourself, but you must not mistake the branch for the root and neglect your talent for the Alchemy Dao."

These words were both a reminder and a boundary. The Chen Family could give him a Cultivation Technique, but he had to be clear about his primary duty.

"I will take your teachings to heart, Patriarch!" Chen Yue replied in a low voice.

Chen Jing’s expression softened slightly. He whispered a few words to a trusted steward standing by his side. The steward understood and immediately turned to leave through a side door of the main hall.

Before long, the steward returned, carrying a foot-long Purple Sandalwood Box. He held the box with both hands and walked up to Chen Yue.

Chen Jing gestured. "Open it and take a look."

Chen Yue opened the box. Inside lay a thread-bound book, about half an inch thick. On its cover, five large characters were written in a simple, vigorous script: Vast Firm Essence Gathering Technique.

"This technique is in the same lineage as the Nourishing Essence Skill you read before, but it is far more profound and ambitious in its scope. If you can master it, not only will your Qi Blood become vigorous and pure and your foundation unshakable, but it will also provide a clear path all the way to the Refining Organ Realm!"

The Refining Organ Realm!

In Youlin County, the Refining Organ Realm was the stuff of legends. This Vast Firm Essence Gathering Technique could actually lead directly to it?

Even if it was only a theoretical possibility, that alone was enough to prove its value! ’The Patriarch actually gave it to Chen Yue? What a power play...’

A gleam appeared in Chen Yue’s eyes as he accepted the box with both hands. "Thank you for your generous gift, Patriarch!"

"Mm, I expect you to study it well."

Chen Jing nodded and waved his hand. "You may go and rest for now. Starting tomorrow, in addition to the three Blood Circulation Pills, the family will allocate an extra set of ingredients for refining Solid Essence Pills to you each day for you to practice and study.

"Don’t force the Pill Formation, and don’t worry about the quality. The key is to gain some insight and make some progress each day. You will not be responsible for the cost of any wasted ingredients. You need only focus on improving your Alchemy Skill."

Chen Yue’s heart stirred. ’This time, the Chen Family is truly making a significant investment.’

"I will not disappoint you, Patriarch!" Chen Yue bowed again, then slowly withdrew from the main hall.

Inside the hall, once Chen Yue had left, the atmosphere grew heavy again.

"What are your thoughts on this boy?" Chen Jing’s gaze swept slowly over everyone in the hall.

A white-haired clan elder stroked his beard and said, "The boy has a clean background. He spent several years at Huichun Hall, so his roots are clear. His talent in the Alchemy Dao is extraordinary. In my opinion, we should spare no effort in cultivating him. In time, he could become another pillar of our Chen Family."

Another steward, who was in charge of external affairs, shook his head. "What the Third Elder says is reasonable, but this boy is not of Chen Family blood, nor was he raised by us from a young age. His temperament and loyalty still require time and observation.

"The current situation is delicate. Is it not too risky to pour our resources into an outsider? We must guard against him growing ambitious once his wings are strong, or being lured away by others."

An elder in charge of the internal guard snorted coldly. "There’s no such thing as unconditional loyalty in this world. It’s nothing more than a bond of gratitude and mutual interest. Besides, his family died long ago. He’s all alone, which makes this the perfect time to control him."

Everyone stated their own opinions. Some were optimistic about Chen Yue’s potential and advocated for investing in him, while others were more cautious, believing he needed to be kept in check.

Chen Yuqing took a half step forward and bowed slightly to Chen Jing.

"Uncle, I believe we should use both carrot and stick with Chen Yue. If someone with such talent is lost to another power because our Chen Family was stingy with resources, it would be a great loss for us. We cannot be miserly with what should be given.

"But the stick is also necessary. He needs to understand that everything he has today comes from the Chen Family."

After hearing everyone’s opinions, Chen Jing tapped his fingers lightly on the back of his chair, pondering for a long time.

"This boy, Chen Yue... his talent in the Alchemy Dao is worth the Chen Family’s wager. For now, we’ll focus on a gentle approach. As long as his requests for Cultivation Techniques, ingredients, and expenses are not excessive, they can all be met."

Chen Jing paused. "Furthermore, carefully select from among the eligible young women of the clan. Find a suitable candidate and arrange a marriage contract with Chen Yue on an auspicious day."

A marriage alliance!

As soon as he said this, the eyes of many in the hall subconsciously darted toward Chen Yuqing, who was standing to the side.

...

Chen Yue returned to his courtyard, clutching the Purple Sandalwood Box. He latched the door, immediately sat at his desk, and took out the Secret Manual.

His fingertips brushed across the yellowed paper. Chen Yue cleared his mind of stray thoughts and began to meticulously study the text, character by character.

The Vast Firm Essence Gathering Technique was indeed from the same lineage as the Nourishing Essence Skill, but its conceptual depth and operational techniques far surpassed the latter.

Cultivating this technique could not only make his Qi Blood purer and more vigorous but also subtly strengthen his Origin, giving him limitless potential.

As Chen Yue studied, he unconsciously began to compare and cross-reference it with his own Mountain-Suppressing Essence-Stabilizing Technique.

’If I can take the essence of how it nourishes the Origin and integrate it into the power system of the Mountain-Suppressing Essence-Stabilizing Technique...’ Chen Yue began to deduce the possibilities in his mind.

A moment later, Chen Yue put down the Secret Manual and began his daily cultivation routine step by step.

The bone-deep vibrations of the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, the elusive agility of the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, the internal containment of the Breath Concealing Technique, the contemplation of the Meridian Bone-Piercing Nail’s methods, and the deduction of the Bone-Enhancing Pill’s formula...

Chen Yue divided his time into several blocks, dedicating a specific amount to each technique and skill. Even so, he still felt there wasn’t enough time; he wanted to practice each one a little longer.

「At dusk」, there was a soft knock on the courtyard gate.

Chen Yue opened the gate to see a middle-aged man who looked like a steward, accompanied by a pretty young maid. She was dressed in an aqua-green ruqun and looked to be about sixteen.

The maid kept her head down, her hands clasped in front of her. Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and she appeared both shy and nervous.

"Chen the Pill Master,"

The steward was all smiles. "The Patriarch took into consideration that the weather has been growing cooler lately and that you, Chen the Pill Master, are engrossed in the Alchemy Dao and Martial Arts. He worried that having no one to attend to you would be inconvenient. So, he has sent the maid, He, to take care of your daily needs and do your laundry.

"And if you feel cold at night, you can also have He warm your bed."

The steward lowered his voice for the last sentence, his smile taking on a suggestive quality that all men would understand.

’Warm my bed?’

Hearing this, the maid He lowered her head even further, the tips of her ears turning crimson. Her body trembled slightly.

Chen Yue had too many things to do and too many secrets. Having an outsider around, even a seemingly frail maid, meant an added risk of exposure and another layer of inconvenience.

"Thank you for the Patriarch’s kind intentions, and thank you, Steward, for making the trip."

Chen Yue put on a gentle smile and cupped his hands at the steward. "It’s just that I’m used to being alone and don’t like having people wait on me. Besides, alchemy requires absolute focus and must not be disturbed. I can manage my daily life on my own. I wouldn’t dare to trouble her."

The steward’s smile froze slightly. He clearly hadn’t expected Chen Yue to refuse so bluntly.

He glanced at the pretty and charming He beside him. ’Has this Chen Yue fried his brain with alchemy,’ he wondered, ’or has he just never known the pleasures of a woman?’