Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 382 - 283: Five Element Command Flags, Involving the Five Elements, Taking Crane Elixir, Miraculous Effects Revealed (Part 3)

Chapter 382: Chapter 283: Five Element Command Flags, Involving the Five Elements, Taking Crane Elixir, Miraculous Effects Revealed (Part 3)

With another pull of the flower rope, the water flower was soon in hand. Li Xian thought:

"The Martial Arts are boundless... Possessing Martial Arts is not merely for competing and fighting with others; it also brings convenience in life and a connection with the universe."

All nine types of flowers were now collected. Returning to Cyan Ox Residence, he immediately set to boil water, simmering the nine flower ingredients in sequence. Adding remaining herbs, adjusting their properties and usefulness, he sprinkled "white stone powder"...

The courtyard filled with a lingering floral fragrance. Nangong Liuli, in jade shoes, approached with a graceful figure and asked, "Are we having flower broth tonight?"

Li Xian smiled and replied, "Whether we can have flower broth is yet unknown, but we must peel the flower petals." Nangong Liuli was puzzled and asked in detail. Li Xian answered truthfully, and after Nangong Liuli understood, her face immediately flushed red.

Li Xian stayed close to the stove, watching the broth gradually thicken and condense into paste, its fragrance pervasive. The Nine Flowers Jade Dew ointment was a specialty of Water Altar, smooth to the touch, used externally to treat bruises, and internally to alleviate pain.

Li Xian laughed, "Would you like to try it?" Nangong Liuli, blushing, feigned magnanimity and said, "Sure."

They returned to the hall. The touch of the Jade Dew ointment on skin turned into a layer of watery glow membrane. Li Xian helped to massage and circulate blood, allowing the ointment’s medicinal power to be fully absorbed and penetrate deeply into the tissue.

Inevitably during this process, it touched acupuncture needles, akin to a gentle breeze brushing, pinpointing the body’s acupuncture points. Nangong Liuli had recently adjusted, not losing composure, but gradually yielded to the constant impacts on the acupoints like the Jingmen and Zhangmen on both sides of the ribs, Changqiang, Xuanmen, Lingtai on the back, Jiquan under the arms, Yongquan at the foot sole, Duyin point... All critical acupoints for Qi movement, leading to extreme discomfort.

It felt like ants biting, followed by itchiness in each acupoint, penetrating the skin where ordinary scratching was useless. Only when it naturally subsided and stopped would relief come.

Nangong Liuli trembled, "Mighty hero... Don’t you deliberately tease me." Li Xian focused earnestly, with no intention of teasing, being considerate of Nangong Liuli’s plight in such strange attire.

But hearing Nangong Liuli’s plea, it revealed not just pain. Playful intent emerged, showing hidden mischief despite sincereness. He solemnly declared, "Liuli, rest assured."

Nangong Liuli slightly relaxed but realized she’d eased her vigilance too soon, as Li Xian indeed held mischievous intent within.

The Nine Flowers Jade Dew ointment was fully absorbed. Through a series of steps, the strange garment was removed. First, disentangle unrelated accessories, belts, sachets... Many steps involved, rather troublesome.

Jade shoes, crafted with jade material, of exquisite make. Li Xian had seen Wen Caishang wear them before. Upon taking off the jade shoes, toes slightly revealed from days worn, only sweated and impure. Nangong Liuli looked on, embarrassed.

Half an hour passed.

The attire finally removed.

Ultimately relieved of burden, feeling light. Nangong Liuli sat on a wooden chair, entirely numb, soaked in sweat. Loose hair fell, hairpins precariously hung in the cascade.

Li Xian’s eyes teased, "In truth, such attire also has its merits, doesn’t it?"

Nangong Liuli nodded slightly, "Getting used to wearing it feels odd..." Seeing Li Xian’s intentional teasing, she quickly retorted, "Why don’t you try it?"

Li Xian replied, "I’ll pass." Throwing a set of his clothes to Nangong Liuli, "Go wash up quickly, the sweat smell is suffocating." Nangong Liuli, face bright red, speechless in argument, immediately went to the bathing room to wash with cold water.

Washing took half an hour. Emerging cleaned, her long hair cascading, silhouetted by moonlight, her beauty exuded elegance.

Moving freely, but habits remained, her steps remained light, with a slight sway. Recognizing this, attempted correction, but always struggled to completely change.

She picked up a hairpin from the floor, noticing scattered clothes, cheeks flushed. Energy transporting qi-blood brought relief. She pinned up her hair, securing it with the hairpin.

Seeing Li Xian deep in thought, she gazed more, pondering: "This fellow is indeed righteous, didn’t exploit when I was captive, willing to assist spontaneously. I and Sister Bian owe him a debt of gratitude. But if said evil sect... he also seems to blend with them, mingling seamlessly with those Flower Thieves, relaxed and at ease."

Constantly scrutinizing. First his brow and eyes, then observing his elegant nose bridge, increasingly finding him exceedingly charming.

Li Xian sensed her gaze, cleared his thoughts, also looked over, their eyes meeting. In sync, feelings shallow, yet desires complete.

Water hasn’t arrived, the canal not yet formed, but mountains and streams have met, inevitably leading to a tumultuous and emotional collaboration.

It was July.

The full moon hazily hidden deep in clouds, thunder rolled, sudden rains poured. The wasps of Rebellion Cliff raided the flower sea, determined to find the day’s rogue, but ultimately failed, driven back to the hive by sudden rain.

Pitied those venomous wasps, caught in the downpour, thoroughly drenched. The flower sea and its blooms fared no better, pressed low by rain’s relentless beads.

Rainwater cascading, following the roof’s construction, dripping unceasingly.

A room had its door unlatched, wind blew through. Candlelight illuminated, reflected in the window.

...

...

The next day.

Nangong Liuli simply donned a dress, picked up a branch, and practiced sword in the courtyard. Having been idle for a month, her limbs enjoyed freedom, with the morning rain stopped, disregarding the damp courtyard, began sword dance.

She twirled several sword flowers, harboring deep dexterity. Li Xian tidied the courtyard, removing weeds, hence the outer yard’s soil bare, sudden night’s rain pooled into small puddles. Nangong Liuli’s wear, merely cloth skirts, she placed bare feet, stepping in puddles yet no water splashed, her silhouette gliding like a dragon, indeed a lady of noble upbringing, Martial Arts vastly surpassing Flower Thieves. But as sword moved, footsteps slightly tender, lacking full strength, a hint of softness flowed.