He started as a shepherd and took on countless jobs.

Xu Residence.

Pei Si visited frequently, so much so that all the servants in the Xu residence privately referred to him as "Young Master Pei Si."

Many people were envious, saying that Young Master Pei was handsome and that perhaps the Xu family's vast fortune would fall into his hands someday.

Reception room.

Xu Xi, though over sixty, was still in good spirits, playing with a pair of iron walnuts. He patted Pei Si on the shoulder with a smile, "Hey, buddy, sometimes when you're not here, you can still come here."

Xu Xi nodded in satisfaction. It had been a while since he last saw Pei Si, and he had become much stronger. Even his demeanor had changed, and he seemed to have a hint of malice about him.

"Kid, you've been practicing martial arts?"

Pei Si gave a wry smile. No wonder the old blind man said Master Xu was ruthless. He had only been standing there for less than a minute when Master Xu saw right through him.

"Well, Master Xu, you have a sharp eye. I practiced martial arts at the Lingcang Sword Sect."

"A martial artist should have a bit of a fierce spirit. I've long advised the old blind man to send you to learn martial arts, but he absolutely refused."

"But it's good now, after all, good things come to those who wait," Xu Xi joked with a smile, turning to look at Xu Zhi, his gaze lingering for a moment on the small white velvet hat on Xu Zhi's head.

"Kid, that's so unfair! You gave that howling cap to Zhi girl, so this old man gets nothing?"

Pei Si chuckled twice and quickly handed the gift to Xu Xi.

"Alright, you've got a heart of gold, kid. Let's have a couple of drinks this afternoon, you and I." Xu Xi's eyes lit up as he laughed.

After a few rounds of drinks, the food lost its flavor.

Xu Xi, as if he had opened a floodgate, grabbed Pei Si's hand and said, "Guy, don't blame your master for not letting you learn martial arts. I know a thing or two about the reasons why."

Pei Si pricked up his ears. "Please speak, Master Xu."

Pei Si was also puzzled. In his memory, the old blind man was skilled in martial arts, but he wouldn't let him learn it.

Xu Xi's eyes were filled with reminiscence. After a long while, he uttered three words softly: "Half a jar."

A half-eaten jar, a great evil spirit.

Shaped like a water vat, entirely black, headless, it appears at night, likes to devour people and livestock, and its movements are accompanied by heavy footsteps.

Pei Si vaguely remembered that the great monster was extremely ferocious, and almost the entire Pei Village was devoured by the half-broken vat.

Xu Xi's expression was complicated, and he continued:

"Once the Half-Bottle appears, it will definitely eat people, and it will be bound by blood ties. It will not stop until it has devoured three generations of its target. If any survivors embark on the path of martial arts, the Half-Bottle will definitely sense it. At the same time, in the eyes of the Half-Bottle, you are a piece of delicious fat meat."

It turned out to be the case.

No wonder the old blind man never let himself practice martial arts.

Damn it, that old blind man is really screwing over his apprentice; he doesn't write important things in the booklet.

and many more……

A sudden inspiration struck Pei Si.

The old blind man could even foresee that he would offend the Red Lantern Goddess, so how could he not foresee that he practiced martial arts?

"Mr. Xu, I don't remember much about what happened back then. What became of that broken jar? Was it killed?"

Xu Xi picked up a piece of chicken stew with hazel mushrooms with his chopsticks. "I heard from your master that the broken pot was targeted by a being with supernatural powers, but unfortunately, it was not killed and escaped with serious injuries."

A person with supernatural powers?

Pei Si narrowed his eyes slightly. In this world, there are martial arts practitioners and Qi cultivators.

Those who cultivate Qi, also known as seekers of the Dharma, are extraordinary individuals who can attain supernatural powers.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they have the power to move mountains and fill seas.

It's quite remarkable that the broken jar managed to escape from the hands of a low-level supernatural being.

"Kid, you don't need to worry too much. The seeker of the Dharma said back then that the broken half of the vat wouldn't be able to get out without sixty years to recover."

Xu Xi comforted him.

Sixty years?

Pei Si hummed in agreement and poured Master Xu a bowl of wine. "Master Xu, let's have another bowl, just the two of us."

Pei Si smiled, but his eyes held a hint of worry.

Previously, the Great Qian Dynasty was able to control the local areas efficiently, sending troops to search the mountains and subdue demons from time to time, and the Demon Suppression Division was stationed there year-round.

Back then, if a half-broken vat dared to show its head, it was considered a remarkable achievement; if it did, it would be destroyed.

But now the balance of Yin and Yang is disrupted, and the court is incompetent. The current environment is fertile ground for the growth of things like the Half-Broken Jar, which may have already devoured people and animals to regain its strength.

Pei Si shook his head, deciding not to think about it for the time being; he had other things to ask today.

"Master Xu, are you familiar with the Baibao Auction House in the county? I need to purchase some items for my martial arts practice."

Xu Xi froze for a moment, then quickly recovered, his face showing a hint of unease, and his tone was desolate: "Baibao Auction House, it's a tough business. There's a saying that if you can't even find Baibao Auction House in Shu County, you can forget about looking anywhere else."

"What do you want to buy, kid? I have some connections there."

Pei Si keenly noticed Master Xu's unease, indicating that Master Xu had some connection with Baibao Auction House.

"Master Xu, I want a visualization diagram for martial arts practice," Pei Si said without hiding anything.

This thing isn't anything shameful.

"A visualization diagram? Heh, you're really ambitious... no, you're dreaming. You're thinking of running before you've even learned to walk? Although I know that cultivating martial arts is like rowing against the current—if you don't advance, you fall behind—you must remember, you can't get fat overnight!"

Xu Xi gave Pei Si two sharp raps on the head without any hesitation.

What is a visualization diagram? It's something used to advance further after reaching the Blood Warrior Realm. This kid Pei Si is only at the Qi Refining Realm, yet he already wants things from the Blood Warrior Realm!

Xu Xi glanced at Pei Si, thinking, "What can I do? This kid is my old friend's last disciple."

"Alright, Master Xu, listening to Master Xu's words is truly like a mayfly seeing the blue sky, or a frog at the bottom of a well gazing at the bright moon. That's why I wanted to prepare in advance." Pei Si said while massaging Xu Xi's shoulders.

"You little rascal, you're quite the smooth talker." Despite saying this, Xu Xi had a smile on his face, clearly enjoying it.

"A visualization diagram, is it? I'll write a letter for you to ask about it today. Just wait patiently."

"By the way, are you going to participate in this year's Winter Hunt? Are there any good things to be had this year?" Xu Xi asked mysteriously.

good stuff?

As expected of Master Xu, his information network is truly impressive.

"Master Xu, please tell me about it." Pei Si massaged his shoulders with even more effort.

"I heard the prize for first place this year is a spirit weapon!" Xu Xi said with certainty.

Spirit weapon?

Pei Si's breathing became slightly heavy.

A magical weapon costs at least the equivalent of three incense sticks' worth of silver on the market.

One string of incense money is one thousand coins, and one stick of incense is three strings.

How could those officials in the county be so willing to spare spirit soldiers? What exactly are they going to besiege this winter?

"Goodness, the magistrate is willing to spend so much! Master Xu, do you know the specifics of this year's winter hunt?"

Xu Xi shook his head. "I don't have that ability. A friend of mine told me about this. But Pei, if you can compete, then compete. If you can't, then we'll back down. The world is big enough, what can stop us men?"

Pei Si nodded. "The world is inherently vast, but the narrow-minded make it so; the beauty of nature is inherently leisurely, but the busy make it so."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xi looked Pei Si up and down incredulously for a few moments, "You're quite something, kid. I think you could take the imperial examination to become a scholar!"

"Where did you copy it from?"

……

Outside the Xu residence.

Wearing a straw hat and chewing on a dry grass root, Zhao Hu stared at the Xu residence and muttered curses under his breath:

"Su Li, you son of a bitch!"