Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

Chapter 211

Since the martial arts competition that day, the muffled shouts in the Li residence have become even more frequent.

The dozens of brave men looked at Zhao Laowu with the same fear as before, but even more so with a kind of fanatical worship, like the worship and awe that ordinary people have for the gods in the temple!

During their daily training, Zhao Laowu didn't need to urge them much. With just a glance, the strong men would start practicing like they had taken aphrodisiacs or been injected with chicken blood, working themselves to exhaustion every day.

This was a good thing, and Li Xingzhi did not stop it. Instead, he added some ingredients to their food, enough to make these strong men, who were exhausted every day, feel energetic again the next day.

At this point, Zhao Laowu stopped bothering these big men and instead sparred with Old Man Luo a few times a day to quickly increase his meager fighting experience. Meanwhile, under Li Xingzhi's guidance, he quickly controlled his surging power and mastered the method of using internal energy.

However, after several days in the Li residence, even with his thick skin, Old Man Luo noticed some strange things. For example, those burly men practicing hard martial arts were torturing themselves to the point of exhaustion every day, a sight he could hardly bear to watch, yet they would wake up refreshed and full of energy! Also, his own aging and declining body, barely able to keep going, was slowly becoming more radiant again…

As Old Man Luo thought about it, he found the mansion increasingly strange, but he hadn't realized it at first—who had ever seen a mansion where all the servants were so full of spirit and energy, even more so than the pampered noblemen of aristocratic families?

Only those who are immersed in it and take it for granted do not perceive the strangeness of it.

Old Man Luo exhaled a breath of stale air, all the turmoil in his mind dissipating. Since there was no malice and it posed no threat to the Luo family, he didn't bother to concern himself with it, lest he create unnecessary trouble!

Li Xingzhi had no idea what Old Man Luo was thinking.

Even if they knew, they would just laugh it off.

He didn't have much to hide. Even if someone saw something with their own eyes, they would never think of it as a system or a space. The more rational people would know it was a magic trick, and the more superstitious people would only guess at some kind of ghost or spirit.

Of course, the most important factor is the guarantee of his own strength!

As the twelfth lunar month draws to a close, it gets colder and colder.

The snow began to fall heavily again from the sky. The vast earth was covered in white.

Li House.

Li Xingzhi stood in the snow, letting the white snow cover his entire body, his mind perfectly clear.

Today marks the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, six years since he first arrived in this space. Yet, these mere six years have been more extraordinary than his previous life, a full thirty years!

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the sky grew darker and darker, but the land of China was adorned with red and green decorations, and flames blazed everywhere.

All living beings, with their myriad thoughts, are waiting for the arrival of the new year.

Another year has passed!

After a day of bustling activity, the Li residence returned to its usual quiet.

People's hearts remain unchanged, letting time flow by like water.

The second day of the Lunar New Year is auspicious for travel.

Under the intimidation of Old Man Luo, Luo San finally left like a widow on her wedding day, feeling wronged, resentful, and embarrassed.

Several days ago, the children's voices reciting in the backyard had already fallen silent, and on this day, even the thunderous clashing of voices was no longer heard. In the vast Li mansion, only those shirtless burly men, their heads steaming, shouting tirelessly, left behind a trace of liveliness.

Li Xingzhi sat languidly in the room, holding a scroll of yellow paper and reading it.

On the table in front of him stood a small red clay stove; on the stove, a pot of clear wine was simmering. The aroma of the wine filled the room.

Just then, the door creaked open, and a slightly thin young man entered. Judging from his appearance, he should be a servant of the Li family. However, apart from a few elderly people, Li Xingzhi didn't recognize anyone else in the Li family.

"Young Master, someone has come to visit. Steward Wu has already settled the person in the guest hall and sent me to fetch you." The young man bowed slightly, his voice clear and his tone very respectful.

The "Manager Wu" he mentioned was actually Aunt Wu.

Logically speaking, not all guests visiting a mansion should be received by the host. However, the Li mansion rarely receives guests throughout the year, and those who do must be related to Li Xingzhi in some way.

"Who are these people?" Li Xingzhi asked.

"I don't know them either, I only saw two boys who looked to be around ten years old. One of them was carrying a large box."

"Two teenagers?" Li Xingzhi wondered to himself.

He didn't know any young men in this city of Tanzhou.

Li Xingzhi walked towards the guest room, filled with doubt. When he arrived at the door, Aunt Wu was already waiting there.

"Aunt Wu, who are these people?" Li Xingzhi asked directly without waiting for Aunt Wu to speak.

"Ah Lang, you've finally arrived," Aunt Wu said with a smile. "You may not know those two young men, but you must know the 'Tofu Beauty' in the market."

“Ding Yu Shi?” Li Xingzhi suddenly realized. “Are they the two children from a few years ago?”

"Yes. They send some things over every year during the Lunar New Year. It's just that you've been away all the time, so you didn't know."

Li Xingzhi walked into the hall and saw two handsome young men already sitting at a table.

Meanwhile, the two boys were also secretly observing the benefactor who had helped their family, and were surprised to find that he didn't look much older than them.

Over the years, the two had inquired about Li Xingzhi. He was supposed to be a boy in his early teens back then, and now he should be around twenty years old, a handsome young man. Who would have thought that he would turn out like this today?

Although the two were surprised, they did not show it on their faces and respectfully bowed. "In previous years, when you were not around, I was unable to pay my respects. This year, I heard that you have returned, so I came in a hurry. My mother is not well, so please forgive her."

"There's nothing good at home, but the adults have made a dish of tofu by hand. Please, young master Li, try it."

As they spoke, the two opened the large wooden box, revealing a food box wrapped in thick cloth. Once the cloth was removed and the food box was opened, a unique fragrance wafted out.

Li Xingzhi looked down and saw a shiny black wooden plate in the center of the food box, on which dozens of black cubes were stacked, covered with red peppers and green onions, and still steaming hot. Judging from its appearance, it must have taken a lot of effort to prepare it.

The gift itself may be insignificant, but the sentiment behind it is profound! There are very few people in this world who truly know how to be grateful.

The aroma made Li Xingzhi's mouth water. He didn't care about anything else, immediately picked up his bamboo chopsticks, took a piece of stinky tofu, put it in his mouth, and chewed it.

"Hey!"

Biting into the crispy outer skin reveals the delicate, white, and tender flesh inside. A softness, so different from the previous stiffness, covers the lips. At the same time, the freshness of the scallions and the spiciness of the chili peppers emerge one after another, giving one an unexpected surprise.

"Delicious!" Li Xingzhi licked the juice from his lips and laughed, "Tell your mother, this is the most delicious stinky tofu I've ever eaten!"

Seeing Li Xingzhi smile, the two boys relaxed, their hearts finally at ease. (To be continued.)