9: Mana Infusion

Xu Qing and Yang Long exchanged glances, then bowed to City Lord Hu Xing and said,

"Many thanks, City Lord!"

Hu Xing laughed heartily.

"It's nothing. I have a very good relationship with the patriarchs of your Xu Family and Yang Family.

When you go back, give them my regards."

Hu Xing waved his hand, signaling that Xu Qing and Yang Long could leave.

The same servant walked in again.

He led Xu Qing and Yang Long out of the City Lord's Residence.

"Xu Qing, who do you think we should choose?"

"Long Zi, I'm sorry, I've decided not to go."

Yang Long was stunned for a moment, somewhat puzzled.

But he didn't say much, thinking that Xu Qing surely had his own reasons.

Yang Long then smiled and said,

"Then Xu Qing, what do you think? Who should I choose to go with?"

"This needs careful consideration, no rush. I'll go back and inquire for you."

"Then, Xu Qing, I'll trouble you."

"You're being formal with me now."

Xu Qing lightly punched Yang Long.

But Yang Long still rubbed his chest and said,

"Xu Qing, your strength is really great. How do you train?"

"Haha, I'll teach you."

Xu Qing looked at Yang Long's simple and honest face.

He thought that if this silly boy didn't have him, who knows what foolish things he might do.

Oh well, he now had the strength to protect himself.

Helping Yang Long temper his Physique was certainly something he could do.

Moreover, they had been together for many years.

Xu Qing already understood this silly boy Yang Long's personality completely.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have thought of helping Yang Long.

However, human hearts have always been fickle, and one must be on guard.

Therefore, Xu Qing decided to use medicinal herbs, combined with secretly using his magical power to temper Yang Long's body during their sparring sessions.

This way, even if Yang Long noticed that he was becoming unusually strong,

he would think that the medicinal herbs Xu Qing used were extremely precious.

He wouldn't suspect Xu Qing himself, which could be considered a double assurance.

"Xu Qing, don't tell my father about this."

"I'm afraid he'll lock me up at home."

Xu Qing looked at Yang Long's pleading expression, finding it somewhat amusing.

How strange.

This young master, who had enjoyed a life of luxury since childhood, actually wanted to join the army and endure hardships.

It was only because his father, Yang Hong, had connections in Yuan City that he couldn't enlist.

This allowed the people from the capital city to take advantage, truly people yearn for what they cannot obtain.

"Alright, I promise you.

But these next few days, you must train martial arts with me and not be negligent."

"That's natural.

Xu Qing, you must teach me some of your secret techniques so I can go to the battlefield and kill enemies."

Yang Long responded with a smile.

...

In Xu Qing's room at the Xu Residence.

"Drink it.

This is a medicinal soup concocted from precious medicinal herbs collected by my Xu Family, combined with an ancestral prescription.

It's definitely good stuff, what's with that look in your eye?"

Xu Qing looked at Yang Long's hesitant, even somewhat frightened gaze.

He then looked at the medicinal soup in his hand, which was pitch black and bubbling.

It looked like boiling paint from his previous life.

Xu Qing felt a little guilty.

Who knew this stuff would turn out like this.

The ingredients Xu Qing used were all good things.

Ginseng, Angelica Sinensis, deer antler...

But he didn't expect it to turn this color after preparation.

However, the arrow had left the bowstring; it had to be fired.

Xu Qing was sure this stuff wouldn't kill anyone...

Probably. At most, it would just cause diarrhea. Yes, that could be considered expelling Impurities.

Besides, he had painstakingly prepared it.

If you, Yang Long, don't drink it, do you expect me, Xu Qing, to drink it?

"Xu Qing... can this stuff really be drunk?"

"Are you trying to make me suffer from dehydration due to diarrhea so I can't join the army?"

Yang Long felt he had seen the truth.

"Do you know why my strength is so great?

It's from drinking this. Do you still want to become like me?"

Xu Qing began to constantly tempt Yang Long.

Yang Long looked at the bowl of dark, bubbling medicinal soup.

He thought of Xu Qing's rapid progress over the past few years, and then remembered the three arrows that brought down the fierce tiger.

With a hardening of his heart, he took the medicinal soup from Xu Qing's hand.

Yang Long closed his eyes tightly and poured it directly into his mouth.

Xu Qing watched from the side, his eyes twitching.

What a ruthless man, brother.

I've decided to use a bit more magical power; I definitely won't let you suffer a loss.

After drinking the medicinal soup, Yang Long tightly covered his mouth with both hands.

Xu Qing said this could help him become stronger, so he absolutely couldn't waste even a trace.

Xu Qing then immediately added,

"You rest for a bit.

Then we'll go to the training ground to spar; that will help you digest it better."

"No need to rest, let's go now, Xu Qing."

"Alright, follow me."

Xu Qing led Yang Long to the training ground.

The training ground was paved with green bricks.

On all four sides, various weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds were neatly arranged, and there was also a spot with a dozen stone locks.

It was afternoon, and the sun was blazing.

Two young men, dressed in close-fitting martial attire,

stood facing each other in the middle of the training ground.

The breeze, carrying the intensity of the scorching sun, constantly rustled the corners of their clothes.

Yang Long took his stance.

"Xu Qing, here I come. See if I've made any progress."

Then Yang Long closed in, rushing towards Xu Qing.

He threw a straight punch towards Xu Qing's face. Xu Qing saw it clearly, feeling the speed was slow.

The 8-point Physique bonus was not just for strength.

It was an all-around enhancement, so Xu Qing's dynamic vision was also very powerful.

Xu Qing merely dodged lightly and reached out to grab Yang Long's palm.

Xu Qing exerted force.

Yang Long immediately felt as if his palm was locked, unable to advance an inch.

Yang Long quickly changed his attack, and with his free hand, he threw another punch, trying to free his trapped hand.

The two constantly intertwined, exchanging punches back and forth.

Xu Qing had already secretly used his magical power at this point.

When he grabbed Yang Long's wrist, he would channel his magical power into Yang Long's body.

And although Yang Long felt a flow of Qi within him,

he thought it was the medicinal soup taking effect, and he worked even harder, constantly throwing punches.

Half an hour later, Yang Long was already panting.

He collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

"Alright, you've pretty much digested it. We'll continue tomorrow."

...

The next day, Yang Long wondered if it was just psychological, but he actually felt his strength seemed to have increased a bit, and his skin seemed to have hardened slightly.

This made Yang Long even more excited.

Xu Qing adjusted the medicinal prescription.

Now the medicinal soup didn't look as much like a dark concoction as before.

It became something that people felt they could drink.

Xu Qing looked at the medicinal soup and nodded with satisfaction.

Yang Long arrived at the Xu Residence with an excited mood.

When Yang Long saw the bowl of medicinal soup that looked somewhat normal, he was actually a little unhappy.

"Xu Qing, is it because the medicinal herbs are too precious?

If anything is missing, my Yang Family can go find it."

"You mean, you want to drink the kind from yesterday?"

Xu Qing was somewhat dumbfounded.

"Yes, I think that medicinal soup was very effective!"

Yang Long nodded firmly.

"Alright, then you wait, I'll go prepare another bowl."

Xu Qing bit the bullet and made another bowl of pitch-black, bubbling medicinal soup, which he brought to Yang Long.

Yang Long looked at the dark medicinal soup, hardened his heart, and drank it down in big gulps.

Xu Qing watched silently from the side, his eyes fixed on the tip of his nose, his mind calm.

He thought to himself,

"Don't worry, Long Zi, I will definitely help you temper your Physique well."