Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Upon returning to Yangpingli, the group's colorful tiger skin attracted much attention and admiration from the tribespeople.

The faint, eerie aura emanating from the tiger skin caused even the vicious dogs inside to tuck their tails between their legs and tremble.

After exchanging pleasantries with his clansmen for a while, Zhao Xian returned home with his father, Zhao Yi.

These past few days, only Zhao Xushi, Zhao Hong, and Zhao Yu have been at home, and the father and son are very worried.

Through the courtyard wall, one could see Zhao Hong practicing his boxing skills in the courtyard, his moves already quite impressive.

After not seeing him for ten days, the second brother, Zhao Hong, seemed to have become more composed, unlike his previous carefree self.

"Ah Hong, not bad!"

"He already possesses some of my former grandeur!"

Perched high on horseback, Zhao Xian smiled broadly and praised repeatedly.

"Oh, my elder brother is back!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong stopped his boxing stance and looked out of the courtyard with a look of surprise.

"Mother, Father and my eldest brother are back!"

In an instant, chickens flew and dogs barked, creating a great commotion in the yard.

......

After lunch, Zhao Xian sat down against the wall, with two layers of straw mats under him.

"Ah Hong, little sister, the tiger demon's flesh and blood are full of vital energy. If a person eats it, their whole body will feel hot and their blood will boil." Looking at Zhao Hong and Zhao Yu in front of him, Zhao Xian laughed, "Take advantage of this momentum and practice your fist techniques to strengthen your vital energy and consolidate your foundation!"

"good!"

The two responded in unison and immediately began practicing the "Pine and Crane Nourishing Vitality Boxing" in front of Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian struggled to his feet, leaning on his wooden cane, and occasionally stepped forward to offer some pointers.

With Zhao Xian's guidance, the two became more and more skilled in boxing. Their movements were fluid and graceful, gradually developing a certain charm.

"My younger sister's talent is even better than Ah Hong's."

The father, Zhao Yi, also came over, smacking his lips and puffing on his ever-present pipe.

Glancing at his father, who was shrouded in smoke, Zhao Xian's gaze naturally fell on the pipe. The fierce flame that had burst forth from that pipe that day had left a deep impression on Zhao Xian.

"Crimson Flame Flowing Flowers!" Zhao Yi took a puff of his cigarette and smiled. "I accidentally obtained this secret technique when I was working away from home back then."

"Secret arts are different from spells. Spells are exclusive to you Qi Refining cultivators, while secret arts are created by extraordinary people based on spells, and can be used by ordinary people."

"I see!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, a look of understanding on his face.

"You're on the path of Qi cultivation, so this secret technique is like a chicken bone to you—it's nothing special!" With that, the father pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and handed it to Zhao Xian. "Just take a look; don't let it interfere with your own cultivation!"

Zhao Xian took the parchment, glanced at it a few times, and then stuffed it into his sleeve.

"Mother, cut up the meat, take a few bones, wrap them in skin, and I'll take them to Grandpa's."

After standing there for a moment, seeing Zhao Xian pointing at Zhao Hong and Zhao Yu, and not being able to get a word in edgewise, Zhao Yi shouted loudly into the house.

Before long, Zhao Yi, carrying the roll of tiger skin, headed out of the courtyard.

As the sun set, Zhao Yi still hadn't returned. Zhao Hong and Zhao Yu had been practicing their boxing for several hours, and now they were so exhausted that they collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.

"Get up quickly!" Zhao Xian looked at the two of them with a smile. "Have you forgotten the rules of practice while I was away?"

Upon hearing this, the two struggled to their feet and began to pace around the courtyard.

"mother!"

Zhao Xian called out into the house.

"Mother is busy preparing food."

Madam Zhao Xu stepped out of the main hall and looked at Zhao Xian.

"Mother, cut the remaining tiger meat into five or six pounds, divide it into four portions, and add a piece of tiger bone to each. I'll send them to my great-grandfather, great-uncle, and other elders!"

Zhao Xian immediately raised his head and said with a smile.

"You spendthrift child! We don't even have enough to eat at home, and you're still sending food out!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao immediately extended her index finger and poked at him.

"They are all elders of the clan. Tiger meat is rare, especially since it's a demon beast. We must show them some respect!"

"In the entire clan, you're the only one who knows proper manners!"

Muttering something, Zhao Xushi turned and went inside.

A moment later, Zhao Xu wrapped four lumps of tiger meat in straw paper, tied them together with hemp thread, and carried them out.

"Ah Hong, Little Sister, Ah Xian has difficulty moving around, so you two should deliver these to our great-grandfather and great-uncle." Zhao Xu called the two over, handed them the four pieces of tiger meat, and instructed them, "Drive carefully on the road, and have dinner when you get back."

"Yes, Mother!"

The two responded and, carrying a bag in each hand, headed outside.

It wasn't until nightfall that his father, Zhao Yicai, returned home, reeking of alcohol, clearly having eaten at his grandfather's house again.

When they returned home, the family sat around the brazier, and Zhao Yi knew that Zhao Xian had sent tiger meat to the elders.

"Ah Xian, well done!"

Zhao Yi patted Zhao Xian's shoulder hard, making Zhao Xian grimace and gasp for breath.

Seeing this, Madam Zhao quickly slapped Zhao Yi's large hand away and looked at Zhao Xian with heartache on her face.

Zhao Hong and Zhao Yu ate the charred tiger meat roasting over the brazier while grinning.

The family sat around the brazier, enjoying a warm and cozy time together.

......

As the sun sets in the west and the moon rises in the east, seven or eight days have passed in the blink of an eye.

After resting at home for seven or eight days, Zhao Xian's injuries had recovered considerably, and he no longer needed the wooden cane.

"Brother!"

Two figures entered the courtyard one after the other. Zhao Xian looked up and saw that it was Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing.

"You two have come at the right time! Quickly help Ah Hong smash these tiger bones!"

"Okay!"

Zhao Duan responded and stepped forward to pick up the stone hammer.

"Brother, my mother wants you to come to the house in a little while; she needs to talk to you about something."

Zhao Bing stepped forward and said with a grin.

"What does my aunt want with me?"

Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback and asked, puzzled.

"How would I know? Maybe it has something to do with the blade of grass you gave to my father."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bing helped Zhao Hong hold down the tiger bone and replied without looking up.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian understood that the tiger-strength grass given to his uncle must have been given to his aunt by his uncle.

My aunt is frail and sickly. Tiger Power Grass is an extremely potent medicine, and she is too weak to tolerate its effects. I hope something bad has happened to her!

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian's face showed a hint of solemnity.

After smashing the tiger bones, Zhao Hong collected them, put them into a cloth bag, and then walked out of the courtyard with Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing.

"Put everything in and simmer for two or three hours!"

Zhao Xian gave a word of advice from behind, and Zhao Hong waved his hand without turning his head.

"Such fine tiger bones, instead of being used to make wine, are given away to others."

Mother Zhao Xu glanced at the tiger bone, muttered something, and went back inside.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled and walked out of the courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard, it wasn't long before we arrived at my uncle's house.

Upon entering the courtyard, one sees the uncle striking various strange poses, stretching the thick, muscular muscles on his body.

"Secret Techniques for Strengthening Muscles!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xian thought to himself.

"Ah Xian's here, come and sit down!"

The aunt leaned against the door frame and greeted Zhao Xian when he arrived.

"Ah Xian greets his aunt!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled, bowed respectfully, and then stepped forward to take a wooden stool and sit down.

After his uncle finished stretching his muscles and got up to rest, Zhao Xian looked at his aunt and asked with a smile, "Aunt, what brings you here to see me?"