Cultivation: Chi Gathering

As time elapsed since the unfortunate incident, Zhihao remained confined to the bed. The elixir Meisha provided brought temporary relief, but its usefulness dwindled after a few hours, plunging him back into a cycle of distress and nausea.

Reflecting on the recent raid, Zhihao's realization deepened, unveiling the inherent threat within the cultivation world. These weren't mere bandits; they were akin to mercenary warriors, executing designated tasks. That was why they were allowed to roam the village.

Amidst their claims of innocence and evasion of the guards' scrutiny, it became evident that these ethics-deficient rogues had transformed the inn into their clandestine lair. Within its walls, they preyed upon unsuspecting women, such as Jia and Xinran.

In the darkest corners of the village, the pervasive shadow of sexual harassment and rape looms large. The authorities, alarmingly indifferent, remain inert, offering no tangible efforts to suppress this menace. Their inaction speaks volumes, as if silence itself were an endorsement, leaving victims abandoned and voices unheard.

"Reporting this to the higher ranks seems useless because I'm not capable of doing so," Jia remarked as she delicately sipped her drink, perched on a high chair within the shop.

"If this had happened in the Huazhou area, we would have been able to crush it to the root," the blonde-haired woman with her hair slicked to her shoulder turned to Zhihao who was sitting right next to her.

As Meisha concocted an elixir behind them, she chimed in, "That makes sense, though. I've risen suspicious of the village chief there for not taking any action on this matter."

Stirring the white liquid in the cup, she handed it to Zhihao, who listened intently. "No, it's become a sort of tradition, you know? By letting it slide, they eternalize the stereotype elsewhere," she argued, her expression resolute.

Jia nodded, comprehending Meisha's viewpoint. "But this issue seems rooted in spite," she mused. "You can imagine them moving to the trouble of coming to this village to look for us."

"Grudge?" Meisha was curious and took out a backless wooden chair to sit on. "What have you have done?"

For some reason, Jia let out a smile, sipping her brown drink before conveying, "Well, it appears Xinran said something that incited their anger."

"Thanks to that school, she managed to put a stop to their shenanigans back at the inn," Jia added with a satisfied tone. "I'm delighted they earned their comeuppance."

She then turned to Zhihao, watching his emerald eyes. "Apologies, because of us, you suffered the worst cases."

Zhihao shook his head after taking a sip of his favorite brew, White Warmer. "You acted in self-defense and to prevent wrongdoing, didn't you? It's not your fault."

Placing the cup on its saucer, the dark-haired man's gaze weakened. "I'm too careless, not vigilant in the face of threats," Zhihao turned the incident around, blaming himself for not focusing on the matter at hand.

"So, how are you doing?" the blonde woman turned to face him. "Is it getting better?"

Zhihao lifted his lips. "Yes, a bit better I think," he took another sip of the elixir. "But the ache is still there."

"Excuse me, Meisha," a voice from outside the shop startled them, prompting Meisha to stand up and check. "Do you have any Pill of Flow left?"

Meisha responded with an amicable demeanor, exclaiming, "Oh, of course! We have plenty!" She deftly opened the cabinet, revealing a jar containing numerous round objects. "How much do you need, Yuni?"

"Just a regular dose for an adult."

"Right away!" The red-haired woman took out the four pills and placed them in a mini box.

The brunette customer then shifted to Zhihao who was still standing. "That must be hurt, isn't it? To be stabbed like that."

Zhihao reacted with a chuckle, unsure of how to respond. "Be careful next time; right now, there are a lot of troublemakers around us, thanks to that school," she continued, causing Zhihao to furrow his brows.

"Do you mean Jinsao school?" he inquired.

"Yes, which other school is here?" Yuni, their neighbor, replied. "Their self-defense is considered so weak, and the wrongdoers are not afraid to take action."

After handing Meisha some bronze coins, the woman added, "Guards will do nothing about it. Because they receive their shares."

Bewilderment, the black-haired man stayed silent, not opening his voice. The neighbor's assessment made Zhihao realize that maybe even many in the community blamed the unreliable Jinsao school too much, underestimating their soft martial arts.

The situation was more complicated than Zhihao had thought, especially with the incompetent authorities. He hadn't imagined that corruption existed in this world, where some cared for nothing but their pleasure.

Perhaps this was the reason why Moonlight Blossom sect was not desirable, their softness in the era of violence was simply not needed. However, they failed to comprehend that the calm of mind was the most crucial aspect of the battle. Without it, they would lose momentum.

"Do they really think that?" the soft voice came from Xinran, seated on the wooden bench in the backyard. "Blaming Jinsao makes no sense to me."

Zhihao next to her retorted, "Most of the students there are from outside the village, aren't they?" He looked down. "Moreover, there is no other martial arts school here."

He let out a sigh and whispered. "It seems like their situation is unfavorable because of this spectacle."

Xinran clenched her hands on her thighs, refusing to accept that her school was being cornered. "Their method is not weak at all!" she exclaimed. "We... no, I'm the one who's weak for not being able to defend and fight back!"

Zhihao gasped in shock, not expecting that Xinran would raise her tone and sound frustrated. "Don't blame yourself like that," he reassured her. "You've done more than enough."

The woman took a deep breath and then exhaled, composing herself as she looked down. It seemed there was something that made her tell this, something she couldn't quite express.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away," she murmured, barely audible to his ears. "But, Zhihao, are you sure you're going to do this when you're not healed?"

Understanding that she was talking about cultivation, Zhihao nodded in enthusiasm. "Isn't it the case that if I cultivate, this wound will heal faster?"

Letting out a warm smile, Xinran agreed. "Yes, you are correct," she arose from her seat and stepped forward, followed by Zhihao. "I'm not sure if I can teach you or not but, if you trust me then I will do my best."

"First level is Chi Gathering," she halted right at a large rock with a flat top. "Since it is still earlier, this awakening will not take long."

"Please, take a seat," she commanded, heeded by Zhihao without hesitation. "My Master said the longest time in this stage is only six hours; you don't need to worry."

"Are you ready?"