Knife splashing

Chapter 166 Breaking the Fifth, Don’t Take Other Things

After Jiachen, it will be the year of Yisi.

As soon as the sky was getting light, the sound of firecrackers could be heard all over the city.

On the first day of the New Year in Guanzhong, people pay attention to getting up early, eating early, and after washing up, they must pay homage to their ancestors and the six gods of the house, and then set off firecrackers.

If a child sleeps late, the adults will scare him or her by saying "Be careful or the master will pinch your nose" or "Be careful or the Kitchen God will put freckles on your face."

Anyway, according to this statement, the "master" must have twisted the noses of countless naughty children...

Sharifei is not afraid of having his nose pinched, but he is afraid of bad luck, so when he goes out, he looks up to the sky and faces the auspicious position to welcome the God of Joy, which is called "traveling in the sky".

The flavor of the New Year, the flavor of the New Year, is more than just the smell of firecrackers.

Tradition, blood, etiquette, various small taboos, and the people's anticipation for the new year together constitute the flavor of the New Year.

From the first day to the fifth day of the first lunar month, there are many taboos. It is taboo to use sharp objects such as needles, awls and scissors, and to move, break ground, start construction, bury, or open a business.

During this period, even the Shenlou Drum Band did not rehearse.

Therefore, Li Yan had a good rest for a few days. The only time he went out was to visit his master's house to wish him a happy new year and have a drink with the Li brothers.

I spent the rest of the time thinking at home.

As the saying goes, a year's plan begins in spring.

Whether it is cultivation or the future of the team, plans must be made early.

Although I encountered danger several times in the past six months, I also gained a lot.

He successfully entered the Taoist sect and inherited the mysterious underworld. The "Luofeng Sutra" and the "Beidi Sutra" are ancient and powerful, and are the true way to become a god.

Moreover, he also gained a preliminary understanding of this world.

The art of martial arts is extensive and profound. Although he has some fame now, he is at most a rising star in Chang'an City, let alone the entire Chinese martial arts world.

It now seems that Hua Jin can become the leader of an organization in a local area.

For example, Zhou Pan and Xiong Baodong, in the eyes of local gangsters, are already unattainable figures who can decide life and death.

Once one has achieved the Dan state, one will enter another level and will no longer care about the mundane affairs of the local world. At most, they will serve as the foundation of the sect.

And this class obviously has a circle.

Perhaps, that is the real world of China!
This era is not like the information explosion in the previous life. The imperial power does not extend to the countryside, information is blocked, and many people never leave the countryside for a hundred miles in their entire lives.

The same is true for ordinary people in the martial arts world. They are just trying to make a living. Given their class, they have no chance of getting in touch with any powerful figures in Shenzhou.

Just like at the previous Shenquan Club banquet, Zhang Shitong could name the real local bosses, but he didn’t know any of the masters from other states.

This is because of Mr. Zhang's face.

Xuanmen is high and mighty, but it is the same.

Although the Xuanmen have a high status, most of them are just like the people in the martial arts world, helping people to see things, exorcise evil spirits and eliminate disasters, and make a living.

According to Shen Sanyou, if an ordinary person does not have the talent, luck, and skills, his cultivation in this life will only be three stories high.

Only by entering the fourth floor can you access many secrets.

What attracted Li Yan the most was:
None better than the one who ascends to God!
In short, he now feels like he has seen a high mountain, but the middle of the mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, and the occasional sight of a scale or claw is already thrilling.

What is on the mountain?
He really wanted to go up and take a look.

Of course, we still have to take one step at a time.

Sharifei and Luo Faqing teamed up to sell out the box of relics obtained from Xiangji Temple before the New Year.

Excluding the share given to Luo Faqing, they still need 12,000 taels of silver. Adding the previous remuneration from the Du Mansion, they currently have 17,000 taels in savings.

Wang Daoxuan’s daily expenses are enough to be sustained by performing rituals for others.

This amount of money is quite a lot. If they want, they can immediately buy a house in Chang'an and some shops, and then they will have a foundation.

However, a large expense will ensue.

For example, if they can grab a spot in this Drum King Conference, they will go to buy Huashan when it opens.

Xuanmen coins have many uses. The better ones can be used to make magical instruments, such as Wang Daoxuan's coveted Golden Money Sword. His demon-suppressing Coin Knife Tassel can also be further upgraded.

You can also prepare some inferior things. When performing some rituals to exorcise evil spirits and ward off disasters, it is usually inevitable to spend money to ward off disasters and pray for blessings.

Moreover, what was buried at that time was not only money, but also some other materials for magical instruments, such as some meteorite iron and spiritual wood.

These have been nurtured in this blessed land for many years and have extraordinary quality.

His family heirloom sword was damaged, so he had picked up Yao San's pair of swords. He also asked the shopkeeper Wan to find a Xuanmen swordsmith to reforge the Guanshan sword.

But this knife maker came up with a better idea.

The two swords of Yao San are made of fine steel that has been tempered hundreds of times. If they are melted and re-forged, they can become a good sword, but they are still mortal objects after all.

If he could buy a piece of good iron when opening the cellar, and combine it with the refined steel, he would be able to forge a magical sword.

With the help of the Demon-Suppressing Coin Knife Tassel, even a zombie with a body as hard as iron can have its head chopped off with one blow!

Climbing Mount Huashan must cost a lot of money.

There are also purchases of natural treasures, building buildings and viewing towers...

Li Yan was afraid that he would not have enough money to spend, so he deposited all the silver in a bank.

Therefore, the primary goal this year is to first get a spot in the Drum King Conference, and then go to Huashan to buy things during the beginning of spring.

Of course, during this period, we must also find a way to earn some more...

…………

The fifth day of the first lunar month is commonly known as "Po Wu".

Many taboos after the New Year can be broken after this day.

Of course, for the common people, what is more important is to send away the God of Poverty and welcome the God of Wealth. Many shops and inns also choose to open for business on this day.

Early in the morning, Sharifei threw away all the garbage that had accumulated from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the New Year, and set off a string of firecrackers.

Then he went back into the house.

This guy seems to be completely obsessed with firearms.

He treated the flintlock rifle without ammunition as a toy, taking it apart and putting it back together again, and finally knew its structure by heart.

In addition, he also asked someone to find some ancient military books and carefully studied the firearms in them, such as the Five Thunder God Machine, the Divine Fire Flying Crow, the Thunderbolt Cannon, the Poison Fire Ball...

He kept saying nouns one after another, almost like a demon.

Wang Daoxuan continued to perform rituals at home. Now that he had money, he re-established the ancestral altar and used the finest incense and candles.

There has to be a ritual anyway, asking the ancestor of the Xixuan lineage to bless them with smooth sailing and great fortune this year.

As for Li Yan, he left early.

Now that he had no worries about food and clothing, at the end of the year, he found a good clothing shop in Chang'an and bought a set of clothes.

The black yisa was made of fine fabric, with cloud patterns and cranes embroidered on the back, symbolizing that he had entered the Taoist sect and was a member of the Xuanmen.

Because he didn't like wearing a hat, he tied his hair into a Taoist bun, inserted a Tai Chi Bagua copper hairpin, wore leather wrist guards and a leather belt, and wore a long sword and a divine tiger pendant around his waist, looking quite imposing.

Amid the smoke of firecrackers filling the streets, he rode his horse to Chongxianfang.

"Happy New Year, little brother Li."

Outside a spacious restaurant, before he even got close, the shopkeeper Wan, who was waiting outside, smiled and bowed.

Manager Wan was also wearing new clothes today.

The dark yellow official uniform made the old man look like a wealthy gentry in Chang'an City, with neat hair and beard and a ruddy face.

"Happy New Year, Senior Wan."

Li Yan also hurried forward, smiling and bowing to wish a happy new year. "Go up quickly."

Shopkeeper Wan blinked his eyes, "You are lucky today. This is a shop owned by a good friend of mine. It will be opened on the 5th of the New Year. I will take care of all the food myself. He is a 'vegetable master'!"

Li Yan's eyes lit up, "I must not miss it!"

After today, the Shenlou Drum Band will start practicing again. Plus, it’s just the New Year, so Manager Wan gathered everyone together and treated them to a dinner.

As for the "Vegetable General" he mentioned, there are also some rules to follow.

The profession of chef is closely related to the underworld, and it has its own system, which is like a small underworld with fierce competition among dragons and tigers.

In terms of types, they are divided into imperial chefs, government chefs, private chefs, family chefs, temple chefs, ship chefs, and military chefs. Because of different regions, they specialize in different cuisines.

And there are also grade divisions among them. For example, "Pao Nu" is the lowest-ranking apprentice who helps in the kitchen of the rich.

The person with the highest status is naturally the chef Yi Yin, who "governs a large country like cooking a small fish".

The so-called "General Cuisine" is a famous chef in a certain cuisine. He usually has awakened supernatural powers and the taste of his dishes is just right.

Chefs of this level all have their own businesses and are often the guests of high-ranking officials. They will not easily cook for others.

Li Yanguang was already drooling as he listened and walked quickly into the restaurant.

"Young Master Li, this way!"

As soon as I entered the door, I saw the tall and strong man carrying the sedan chair.

The man's name is Guo Luquan. His name is festive and his job is also festive. He is a sedan bearer, specializing in carrying bridal sedans and god sedan chairs.

They and the porter-pullers have similar professions. Due to many taboos, one handles weddings and the other handles funerals, and they don't interfere with each other.

But there is also cooperation between them.
For example, "Xi Gang" and "Ghost Marriage".

Guo Luquan was from Dongzhuang. He had gathered a group of brothers to carry bridal sedans and god sedans for other people. When wealthy people wanted to invite distinguished guests, they would also ask them to help carry the sedans.

Although they are from the lowest class, they have no worries about food and drink.

Guo Luquan happened to know the porter Yue Ba'e, and they were good friends, so he and Li Yan became very familiar with each other in just a few days.

Li Yan was tall and had fair skin, and with this new outfit, he looked quite noble, and everyone who saw him was dazzled.

The sedan bearers were used to it and started to flatter him.

"Young Master Li is truly a dragon and phoenix!"

"That's right. I guess the disciples of Wuling before couldn't compare to him!"

"No wonder he is the top scholar in the brothel!"

Li Yan's face darkened. "What do you mean by little champion in a brothel? Where did you hear this nonsense?"

Guo Luquan laughed and said, "It was spread from Fengyifang that Liu Sanbian was the third place winner in the brothel, and Guan Yizhai was the second place winner in the theater. They both have the titles, and you can only be the first place winner in the brothel."

Fengyifang?
The night cry boy, it turned out to be this guy!
Li Yan was speechless, clasped his fists and said: "Thank you for your compliments, but those two are thicker than me, don't say such things in the future, or you will be laughed at."

"Also, brothers, save your stomachs. I will let you come in standing and leave lying down later."

"Haha, Young Master Li is good at martial arts and has a big mouth!"

"When it comes to drinking, I don't accept it."

After a burst of commotion, many people came into the restaurant one after another.

Li Yan stepped forward one by one and greeted them.

Although these people do not make a living by force, they are all people from the martial arts world, and some are even from the Taoist sect, and each of them has his or her own unique skills.

For example, the Huayin Zuojia Troupe is not only good at shadow puppetry, but also has some secret techniques. The Eight Directions Appearance Technique they are going to use this time can make the shadow puppet appear in the air, which is amazing...

For example, the Xianyang War Drum Band, with its majestic and impressive momentum, participates in the Drum King Conference every year...

Even the sedan bearers Guo Fuquan and his companions had a unique skill: they carried a large pole, put tea on it, and flipped it over and over without spilling the tea...

In short, you can’t join this team without some skills.

When everyone arrived, the restaurant became a little crowded, and even all the square tables on the second floor were filled with people.

After Manager Wan said some encouraging words, the waiters brought up the wine and food one after another.

“Dry-steamed sun-dried chicken, deep-fried roasted bones, three dishes of phoenix marrow, roasted organ meat stuffed with intestines…”

As the waiter announced the names of the dishes, Li Yan sniffed and praised, "Delicious! Authentic Shandong cuisine. Senior Wan, did this senior come from Qi and Lu?"

"Um…"

Just as Manager Wan finished speaking, Li Yan saw a fat, kind old man come out, smiling and bowing, saying:
"My fellow martial artists, Brother Wan is hosting you today. It's also the New Year's Day, so I'm here to join in the fun and show you my outstanding cooking skills."

"But I am old after all, so please bear with me if the taste is not right."

"Senior is joking."

"Just smelling it makes my stomach ache!"

Everyone quickly stood up and bowed. Some of them were swallowing their saliva, anxiously glancing at the table from time to time, fearing that someone else would get there first.

"Hahaha, give me some praise."

The old man smiled, and then called three young men over, "These three are my disciples. They will be in charge of the building from now on. You are encouraged to come and support us."

"If you are not satisfied with the food, feel free to complain!"

"Senior, you are too modest."

"I will definitely come to support you in the future!"

After the introduction, the old man bowed to Manager Wan, turned around and left with the help of his two disciples.

Only then did everyone realize that the old man's back was soaked.

Li Yan couldn't help but sigh, "The inheritance is continuous, the incense is endless, no matter which line of work it is, it's not easy..."

Before he finished speaking, he glared at me and said, "Leave some for me!"

The cooking skills of this old man were beyond reproach. Everyone ignored the banquet etiquette and had chopsticks flying all over the table. No one had time to drink.

Li Yan naturally also opened his mouth and ate voraciously.

Unfortunately, the old man had limited physical strength, so there were only five dishes on each table, and the rest were made by his disciples.

After all five dishes were snatched up, everyone slowed down.

They were all men of the world, and soon the sound of drinking orders could be heard one after another.

"Shochu is made from grains. It makes your arms go weak first, then your legs..."

"On the 15th day of the eighth month, the moon is full. Please make a staring fist..."

"The crescent moon shines over the nine provinces, who are happy and who are sad..."

Li Yan said he wanted to pass the level.

He can drink a lot and he played tongue twisters.

"When I first arrived at Liujiagou, there was a 66-year-old Liu Laoliu in Liujiagou. Laoliu built a 66-story building and tied 66 monkeys on it..."

In less than half an hour, everyone at the table was drunk.

"Hahaha!"

Some people behaved in a very ugly way, making everyone laugh.

At this moment, Guo Luquan, who was lying on the window to get some fresh air with a red face, suddenly pointed and said, "Hey, look, what's going on?"

Li Yan turned sideways and took a look, his expression suddenly becoming solemn.

The Law Enforcement Hall team is back.
But their situation is not good...

(End of this chapter)