Dreadful!
Simply dreadful!
The "Imperial Army" was on an expedition to "Lao Jun Peak."
Several young generals, in their pursuit of merit, resorted to a sneak attack, nearly incapacitating or killing a "celestial seedling" of exceptional talent and boundless future.
If this is tolerated, what is not?
As the commander, Zhang Xin, flew into a rage, he beat the "prime offender," Sun Zhong, half to death, nearly shattering his Golden Core.
The "accomplice," Liu Xian, did not escape unscathed. Zhang Xin publicly slapped Liu Xian eighteen times!
Slap, slap, slap...
Liu Xian's entire face was mangled.
These two "scum" were ultimately stripped of their official positions as "Two-Coin Celestial Masters of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau" and cast back to the "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect."
Upon their return to the "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect," an even more tragic fate awaited them.
The "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect" had strict sect rules and extremely ferocious punishments.
The "prime offender," Sun Zhong, was escorted to "Fire Punishment Mountain" to endure the scorching of the earth's flames for a hundred years.
This century would undoubtedly make him wish for death a thousand times over!
The "accomplice," Liu Xian, was confined to "Punishment Peak" to contemplate his sins facing the wall for eighty years.
These two were essentially finished!
As for the "victim," Cao Pi, his treatment was far more favorable.
Zhang Xin personally attended to Cao Pi's injuries.
In less than half a day, Cao Pi's injuries were mostly healed.
In this incident, Cao Pi was not only blameless but even meritorious.
Although the "Iron Mountain Lean Nascent Soul" had escaped in the end, Cao Pi had successfully severed its two arms and had even managed to capture it for a time...
If not for Sun Zhong's sneak attack, the "Iron Mountain Lean Nascent Soul" would not have escaped.
In short, Cao Pi's contribution was immense!
Zhang Xin was greatly impressed by Cao Pi's performance and proposed to take him as a personal disciple.
In the past, Cao Pi would have been ecstatic and readily agreed.
Becoming Zhang Xin's personal disciple would have guaranteed future promotions and wealth with a mere word.
However, Cao Pi's mind was in turmoil now. He felt that "promotions and wealth" held no appeal.
He requested leave from Zhang Xin, stating he wished to return home to visit his ailing father.
Zhang Xin was even more impressed!
Excellent, excellent. Filial piety, a good child!
Zhang Xin waved his hand, granting Cao Pi a month of "paid leave," and instructed him to rest well at home before returning to formally accept him as a disciple.
Indeed, Zhang Xin remained resolute in his intention to take Cao Pi as a disciple, his original aspiration unchanged.
Cao Pi thanked Zhang Xin and, with his "Tiger and Leopard Dao Soldiers" under his command, departed from the main force, heading towards his hometown, "Cao County."
Cao County Yamen.
Our old friend, the Magistrate of Cao County, "Cao Man," stood in the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky.
A drizzle, as promised, began to fall.
The cold, icy rain pattered incessantly on "Cao Man's" face...
A truly "melancholy and sorrowful" scene!
Several servants of the Cao family, sheltering under the eaves, watched as "Master Cao" stood alone in the bleak wind and rain, and they sighed in unison.
"Alas, it's been over half a year, and the Master's condition hasn't improved; it's only gotten worse!"
"How could the Master improve? Have you heard? The third young master is thriving among the rebels, rumored to have become a great general!"
"What's that? The third young master is a heaven-gifted genius, a born general. Not long ago, the court dispatched a large army to suppress the rebels, and the third young master led the purple-armored Dao Soldiers to rout the imperial army, reportedly slaying three Golden Core generals of the court in one fell swoop!"
...
Pfft!
Upon hearing the servants' hushed conversation, the Magistrate of Cao County, "Cao Man," felt a pang in his heart, and he immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
Pfft, pfft, pfft!
"Cao Man's" output was so immense that he nearly transformed into a "human fountain."
The servants of the Cao family were unfazed; they were quite experienced in this matter.
"Let's go, stop chatting, it's time to work!"
"Yes, yes, yes, let's go, time to work!"
...
The Cao family servants produced basins they had prepared earlier. The basins contained water, and salt was added.
Skillfully, they approached "Cao Man," set up the basins, and began to collect the blood he was spitting out.
As the blood fell into the basins and mixed with the salt, it would soon solidify into blocks of "blood tofu."
Then, the Cao family servants would fry, stir-fry, braise, or roast these "blood tofu" blocks and have "Cao Man" consume them.
This was known as "returning the original broth to the original food," a practice of no waste!
Otherwise, why do you think "Cao Man" has lasted so long?
Ever since "Cao Man's" cherished third son, "Cao Zhi," smoothly surrendered to "Liu Xiuer" and became a "rebel general," "Cao Man" had been spitting up three liters of blood daily.
Later, he learned that his "filial son, Cao Zhi," had creatively "feigned capture" and extorted a significant sum from him under the guise of "demanding ransom," earning a considerable amount of "military funds" for the "rebels." "Cao Man's" daily blood output doubled, reaching six liters.
Subsequently, "Cao Man" frequently heard of "Cao Zhi's" brilliant battle exploits – either defeating the "imperial army," slaying "imperial Golden Core generals," or even ambushing and annihilating an "imperial Nascent Soul general." "Cao Man's" blood output doubled again, reaching twelve liters per day!
Twelve liters!
A full twelve liters!
Even a "birthing donkey" wouldn't dare spit out blood at such a rate.
If not for the life-sustaining "blood tofu," "Cao Man" would have long since died from bleeding out.
"Speaking of which, will tonight's blood tofu be braised or steamed?"
"Steamed, definitely steamed. Steaming is the true way of cooking; braising is too mainstream!"
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Why do you look down on braising? Do you know how hard braising works?"
...
Just as the Cao family servants were arguing whether it should be "steamed" or braised, an orderly rushed in from outside.
"Good news, Master, good news!"
All the Cao family servants rolled their eyes and looked at the orderly with disdain.
Good news?
Don't be ridiculous. Is there any good news these days?
The third young master has killed four more "imperial Golden Core generals"... the third young master has achieved a quintuple kill... the third young master is on a rampage!
Heh, such "good news" would only make the Master spit out even more blood!
The orderly, his face beaming with joy, ignored the servants' scornful glances and excitedly said to "Cao Man."
"Congratulations, Master, congratulations! Good news, great news! The second young master has returned to visit!"
Hmm?
Upon hearing this "good news," "Cao Man" forgot about spitting blood. He leaped three feet into the air and jumped up from the ground.
"Is it true? Pi'er is back, my Pi'er is back! Wonderful, quickly, quickly, I must see my Pi'er!"
Saying this, "Cao Man" stumbled towards the entrance.
He had barely taken two steps when the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed.
A large contingent of heavily armed, imposing "Dao Soldiers," exuding an aura of deadly intent, marched in...