82: Long Mansion, Long Daosheng
Qin Jiang nodded slightly. In such chaotic times, to have such a prosperous environment, it could indeed be called Ningan.
It's likely that Ningan County's strength also ranks among the top in Yuan Province's various counties.
The two walked along the street, leading their horses, looking dusty and travel-worn, which seemed a bit out of place in this environment.
Along the way, Long Yuesheng occasionally pointed out places to introduce.
Before long, the two arrived in front of a vast, ancient, and imposing manor.
This manor almost occupied an entire block. Its nearly five-meter-high gray courtyard walls appeared very weathered, with stone peeling off in many places, indicating at least several hundred years of history.
“The Eldest Young Master is back! Quick, go tell the Patriarch!”
Before the two could even approach, the captain of the guards at the entrance shouted loudly, then quickly walked over to greet them.
“Eldest Young Master, you’ve returned!”
The guard captain walked over, naturally taking the horses, including Qin Jiang’s.
“Yes, I went out for some experience and have now been reassigned back,” Long Yuesheng said.
“Haha, I’m sure Eldest Young Master had a fruitful trip!” the guard captain laughed.
Qin Jiang looked at him, feeling a little surprised. This was actually a master of the Divine Sense Realm, and his aura was not weaker than Kong Hai’s!
What a prominent family! As one of the three great noble families of the County City, even a gate captain was such a master.
Long Yuesheng smiled at the words, then raised his hand towards Qin Jiang, “This is my brother Qin. From now on, if he comes over, there’s no need to announce him.”
The guard captain looked at Qin Jiang with surprise. He initially thought that Qin Jiang, being so young, was a subordinate cultivated by their Young Master, but he didn't expect him to be the Young Master's brother.
Their Young Master was nearly forty. Although still called Young Master, he was no longer considered part of the younger generation and rarely lowered himself to socialize with some of the younger people from the County City's great families.
What ability did this Young Master Qin possess to earn such special regard from the Eldest Young Master?
The three arrived at the gate, and the guard captain handed the horses to the guards to be taken away for feeding.
“Eldest Young Master, someone has already been sent to inform the Patriarch. Don’t forget to go see him after you’ve settled in,” he said.
No sooner had he spoken than a series of footsteps came from inside the manor. Although unhurried, the sound indicated they were approaching rapidly.
“Haha! Little Brother Qin, you’ve finally arrived! You’ve made me wait!”
The person had not yet arrived, but a hearty and loud voice preceded him, followed by Long Ye's figure appearing at the courtyard gate.
The guard captain’s pupils contracted upon seeing the newcomer, “Greetings, Third Master!”
Long Ye glanced at him and waved his hand, “How many times have I told you, we’re all family, no need for such formalities.”
“Senior Long,” Qin Jiang bowed slightly.
Long Ye directly grabbed Qin Jiang’s arm, “Why be so polite! You and Yuesheng are brothers, just call me Third Uncle! Let’s go! Big Brother is waiting for you! He’s been talking about you for days!”
With that, he directly pulled Qin Jiang into the manor, not even glancing at Long Yuesheng, treating him as if he were air.
After the two entered the manor, Long Yuesheng stood in place, took a deep breath, and silently followed them.
The guard captain stood frozen, what was happening?
What was the identity of this Young Master Qin? To have the Third Master personally come to greet him!
Could he be a Young Master from a noble family in the Prefecture?
His eyes darted around, and he quickly walked into the manor. Those two fine steeds couldn't be fed casually; he had to do it himself!
Inside the manor, Qin Jiang and Long Ye passed through several courtyards. Occasionally, people cast their gazes upon them, some of which were not weaker than his own, undoubtedly Secret Martial Artists.
Before long, the two arrived at a small hill.
Qin Jiang looked over. The hill was not large, only a hundred meters high, and smoke vaguely rose from its halfway point.
However, even so, it surprised him a little. The Long Manor's location was in the core area of the County City, where land, if not literally worth its weight in gold, was certainly not far from it.
To enclose a small hill within the manor here was truly luxurious.
“Let’s go, Big Brother is already waiting.”
The two walked up the hill, and in no time, they reached the halfway point. There was a small wooden fenced courtyard in an open space, with a wooden house nestled within it.
At this moment, a person dressed in gray cloth with slightly graying hair was squatting in the courtyard cooking, occasionally adding firewood to the stove.
“This is my Big Brother, Long Daosheng. He is currently comprehending the heavens and earth, trying to take that step. If he succeeds, he will be qualified to challenge the Realm beyond Secret Martial arts,” Long Ye said.
His Big Brother was the Grand Elder of the Bronze Bell Sect, a position second only to the Sect Leader. He had already achieved Major Achievement in Secret Martial arts decades ago. If not for being constrained by Martial arts, he would have long since been able to challenge the Realm beyond Secret Martial arts.
Qin Jiang’s eyes lit up slightly. Beyond Secret Martial arts?
The power of a Secret Martial Artist, which could almost influence celestial phenomena, was not the end of Martial arts?
Going further, how would it be different from the legendary immortals and gods?
A fervent feeling surged in his heart; he was already a little impatient.
Obtain Secret Martial arts, then surpass it! Climb step by step!
“Big Brother! I’ve brought him!” Long Ye shouted towards the courtyard.
Long Daosheng, who was stoking the fire, turned to look at the two, waving with a hint of joy, “Come in quickly! The meal is ready!”
Qin Jiang and Long Ye entered the courtyard and sat down at a wooden table. Several dishes were already laid out on the table, their colors bright, and they smelled incredibly fragrant!
Long Daosheng set out bowls and served the cooked porridge, “Third Brother, where’s Sheng’er?”
Long Ye paused, then looked up blankly, “Hiss~ Uh... He’ll be here soon. He said his stomach wasn’t feeling well.”
Tsk, he was so focused on Qin Jiang, how could he forget about Yuesheng?
Long Daosheng nodded, “Then we won’t wait for him, let’s eat first.”
Saying that, he looked at Qin Jiang, “Don’t be reserved, treat it like your own home. Quickly try my cooking.”
Qin Jiang nodded slightly, picked up his chopsticks, and took a piece of an unknown meat slice.
With one bite, the meat juice burst in his mouth, bringing a slight burning sensation, and a warm current surged throughout his body.
His eyes widened slightly. He could clearly feel his Physical Body slowly expelling Impurities!
This was simply outrageous!
One must know that in the True Martial Artist Realm, he had not only reached an unprecedented level but also certainly had no shortcomings.
And now, just a single slice of meat allowed him to so clearly feel his Physical Body growing stronger!
“How does it feel? This is the tiger whip of a top-tier great fiend-level Roaring Golden Tiger! Cooked with various precious herbs. Although it's a bit wasteful, it can better stimulate the effects of the tiger whip.
How about it? Later, do you want to visit Fengyi Pavilion? I’ll have Yuesheng arrange a few of their top courtesans for you!” Long Ye laughed loudly.
Long Daosheng raised his hand and tapped him on the head, “All you know is to visit brothels, not practicing properly all day!”
Long Ye shrugged, took a sip from his porridge bowl, “What’s the point of practice? There are no more spots these past few years.”
“Always talking back, you’re not eating!” Long Daosheng said fiercely, appearing no different from an old man in an ordinary family at this moment.
Long Ye pouted, “If I don’t eat, I don’t eat. Who cares? I’ll cook for myself when I go back.”
Long Daosheng snorted and ignored him, looking at Qin Jiang. At this moment, Qin Jiang had already digested the power of the meat slice, which surprised Long Daosheng.
This was an ingredient he obtained by killing a top-tier great fiend comparable to a twelfth-tier Secret Martial Artist.
An ordinary True Martial Artist eating one slice, let alone refining it, merely enduring the scorching heat without changing expression would be impressive!
He somewhat believed what Long Ye said. Perhaps this young man could indeed kill an Eye Fiend as a True Martial Artist.
He looked at Long Ye, “Go call Little Six over.”
“Old Six? What about Old Six?”
Long Yuesheng jogged up the hill and directly rushed into the courtyard. His gaze fell on the table and brightened. He picked up a slice of tiger whip and put it in his mouth.
“Oh! This big tiger whip! Let me try! Damn! It’s hot!”