Chapter 10: Are three people going to sleep on the same bed?

"Wanting the martial arts techniques, it turns out I have to join a martial arts hall."

On the way back, Wang Ping'an recalled what Yan Hu had said.

These days, any martial arts techniques that are slightly advanced are all closely guarded secrets, the foundation for every martial artist's survival.

Therefore, they are generally not taught to outsiders.

Only by joining a martial arts hall and apprenticing can one learn.

Moreover, just joining a martial arts hall is not enough.

Just giving money, the martial arts hall will only teach you some basic boxing and kicking techniques!

Unless you gain the master's approval, you won't receive genuine instruction.

And gaining approval is not easy.

First, you have to be likable.

Then, you have to make some contributions to the martial arts hall.

If you don't contribute, you have to serve the master for at least two years before he will teach you anything substantial.

Hearing this, Wang Ping'an didn't ask any more questions.

Currently, he and his sister-in-law have a murder case on their hands, so they can't go to a larger city.

...

...

Back home, Aunt Wang and Li Junwen had already left. Zhu Xiaohan was cooking, and Wang Ping'an could already smell the rich aroma of pig's trotters.

Next to her, steaming hot white rice was already served, along with fried peanuts, stir-fried wild vegetables, and a piece of smoked fish.

After another two incense sticks' time, the pig's trotters stewed with green beans were ready.

The soup was white and rich!

Just one whiff was enough to make one's mouth water.

This meal, the two of them ate very well. Even Zhu Xiaohan, who was very ladylike, started gnawing on the pig's trotters, her mouth dripping with oil.

After eating,

Zhu Xiaohan started washing the dishes and then began to heat water, preparing the bathwater for the two of them.

Wang Ping'an, like the head of the household, started reading the introductory book on alchemy.

It's not that he didn't want to do the housework; it's just that whenever he tried, Zhu Xiaohan would stop him, saying that this is women's work and he should rest.

Seeing Zhu Xiaohan's busy figure, Wang Ping'an felt genuinely moved.

To have such a wife in his lifetime...

No, no!

Wang Ping'an quickly shook his head, driving away the random thoughts in his mind.

Then he took a deep breath and focused his mind on the Nian Jade in his head.

[Alchemy Introduction: 0/10.]

Now, he has 55 Nian points.

"Add!"

Without hesitation, Wang Ping'an added points.

[Alchemy Proficiency: 0/20.]

[Alchemy Mastery: 0/40.]

He spent 35 Nian points in one go.

Boom!!

Instantly, many essences of the alchemy process appeared in his mind.

This memory is at least twenty years' worth.

Now, he is no longer a novice alchemist but a seasoned alchemist with over twenty years of experience.

"Next, I don't need to go and pick the Blood Nourishing Grass; I can directly refine it and earn more silver!"

Wang Ping'an thought excitedly.

Night fell.

Wang Ping'an slept at the foot of the bed, continuing to warm Zhu Xiaohan's feet.

He gained 5 Nian points.

Although the two of them are not married, they have been sleeping on the same bed for several nights, inevitably chatting.

Today was no exception.

"Xiaohan, do you want a daughter-in-law?"

As they chatted, Zhu Xiaohan suddenly said this out of nowhere.

Wang Ping'an was taken aback: "Sister-in-law, why do you suddenly ask this?"

"Today, when you went to the village chief's house, Aunt Wang told me that she has a relative's daughter who is quite pretty and wants to arrange a match for you."

Just as he finished speaking, Wang Ping'an noticed that Zhu Xiaohan had a new desire.

[Desire: Hope Ping'an refuses the match.]

'Sister-in-law doesn't want me to have a daughter-in-law! Why?'

Wang Ping'an was surprised.

Suddenly, he thought of a possibility.

Could it be that Sister-in-law has feelings for him?

Judging from the affection level, this is very likely.

Regardless, Wang Ping'an himself doesn't want to arrange a match, so he will refuse.

"Sister-in-law, I'm still young. Let's talk about the match later."

Zhu Xiaohan was taken aback, not expecting Wang Ping'an to refuse.

After all, although Wang Ping'an is young, she has secretly noticed his assets.

They are quite large.

And from his occasional glances at her, it's clear that Wang Ping'an has that kind of need.

But now, he actually refused.

Zhu Xiaohan felt a slight joy in her heart but said, "Ping'an, you're not that young anymore. Now, we only have you left in the Wang family. Get married early, establish a family, and your elder brother would be at peace in the afterlife."

"Let's talk about this later. Our life is still unstable, and this house only has one room. If I get married, are we going to sleep three people on the same bed?"

Wang Ping'an joked.

Speaking of this, Zhu Xiaohan felt embarrassed: "Of course not, that would be very inconvenient."

"So, let's talk about it later."

"Okay."

Zhu Xiaohan softly replied.

[Desire completed, Nian points +5.]

...

...

In the next two days, Wang Ping'an did not go to pick the Blood Nourishing Grass.

Instead, he went to the city, bought two large-sized belly bands, and purchased some other ingredients for refining Qi Tonics.

The other ingredients were not too expensive. After returning home, he asked Aunt Wang to buy a few Blood Nourishing Grass plants at market price.

One noon,

The sun was scorching.

Zhu Xiaohan was smoking the wild boar meat they hunted two days ago at the doorstep.

Wang Ping'an, on the other hand, was boiling water in the backyard.

Now, all the materials were prepared.

He calculated that the cost of refining a regular quality Qi Tonic is about 350 coins.

It can be sold for about two taels.

This is the cost without any loss, and the profit is quite substantial.

The quality of the pills is divided into four levels: inferior, regular, good, and excellent.

As long as he can ensure a stable output of Qi Tonics, he won't have to worry about money in the future.

He might even be noticed by some guilds or forces, gaining protection.

That way, he won't have to fear the murder case on his hands.

Thus, he started washing the herbs, chopping them, and boiling...

When Zhu Xiaohan, who had finished her work, saw Wang Ping'an's setup, she was very surprised: "Ping'an, what are you doing?"

"I'm refining Qi Tonics now."

Wang Ping'an simply said.

Refining Qi Tonics!

Zhu Xiaohan, of course, knew the effect of Qi Tonics.

Recently, the villagers have been picking Blood Nourishing Grass, which is the main ingredient for Qi Tonics.

But how long has Wang Ping'an been learning alchemy?

Could he refine them so quickly?

'Well, after Ping'an fails a few times, he might realize how difficult it is.'

Zhu Xiaohan sighed inwardly.

Although she didn't have high hopes for this, deep down, she still had a desire for Wang Ping'an to succeed.

The next moment,

The Nian Jade transmitted Zhu Xiaohan's desire.

[Desire: Hope you succeed in refining the Qi Tonics.]

'Who would have thought this could generate a desire.'

Wang Ping'an was surprised.

Time passed, and it was evening.

Zhu Xiaohan had already prepared dinner, thinking about how to comfort Wang Ping'an.

After all, in her view, the Qi Tonics were likely to fail.

Otherwise, why would Wang Ping'an be so quiet after refining all afternoon?

She sighed, calculating the loss of silver.

The family didn't have much silver left.

Coming to this place as refugees, with her gold and silver jewelry, they had only about a hundred taels of silver left.

Fortunately, the family didn't lack food and drink.

Just as she was thinking, Wang Ping'an walked in.

"Hey, what's that smell? It's so fragrant."

Zhu Xiaohan's nose twitched, seeing Wang Ping'an holding a handkerchief with ten small, black pills inside.

"Refined, ten Qi Tonics. One is of good quality, which can sell for at least three taels. Eight are of regular quality, and one is of inferior quality."

The inferior quality can only sell for about one tael, as the effect is poor and there are some impurities.

Regardless, these ten Qi Tonics are worth at least twenty taels of silver!

And his total cost didn't exceed five taels.

This was just his first refinement.

In the future, as he becomes more proficient, or even reaches the Perfect or Master level in alchemy,

Refining will become even easier!

If he refines more of the good quality ones, he will earn even more.

"Ping'an, you succeeded, you actually succeeded!"

Zhu Xiaohan was excited, her eyes glistening with tears.

Wang Ping'an smiled: "Sister-in-law, I did succeed. Don't get too excited, keep it down."

Earning a little money can attract jealousy!

If they earn a lot of money in the future, it might even bring disaster.

So, without the ability to protect their wealth, they must be low-key!

"Okay, keep it down. Let me see these pills."

Zhu Xiaohan nodded, carefully holding the pills: "These are Qi Tonics, I've heard martial artists often use them to quickly improve their strength."

"Right, I'll sell them tomorrow and keep a few for myself."

As he spoke, the desire reward arrived.

[Refining Qi Tonics succeeded, desire completed, Nian points +40.]

Wang Ping'an was stunned.

Good grief, Sister-in-law is truly my lucky star, 40 Nian points in one go!

This shows that

Zhu Xiaohan really hoped Wang Ping'an would succeed.

Now, with the Nian points he has gained over the past few days, he has a total of 85 Nian points.

Night fell.

The two of them talked about their future on the bed.

"Ping'an, you are really capable. With this skill, you will be in demand wherever you go."

Zhu Xiaohan said happily.

"Wherever I go, I will take Sister-in-law with me."

Wang Ping'an said sincerely.

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed that Zhu Xiaohan's affection level had increased.

[Affection: 68 (Can't help it).]

At this point, Wang Ping'an almost confirmed that Sister-in-law really has some feelings for him.

Actually, this is normal.

Living under the same roof, being so capable, and taking such good care of Sister-in-law, any woman would be moved.

However, due to their relationship, Zhu Xiaohan is suppressing herself, trying not to think too much.

At this moment, Wang Ping'an noticed a new desire from Zhu Xiaohan.

[Desire: I really want a big hand to massage my back.]

Does Sister-in-law like being massaged?

Wang Ping'an thought, but it's not that.

Probably, Sister-in-law twisted her waist while smoking the pork earlier.

At the time, she called out, looking very uncomfortable.

He asked, but she probably didn't want to affect his alchemy, so she said it was nothing.

"Sister-in-law, did you twist your waist today? Do you want me to massage it?"

Wang Ping'an asked, immediately feeling it might not be appropriate.

If it were another woman, she might think he was being indecent.

"I'm fine."

Zhu Xiaohan said, embarrassed.

"Sister-in-law, it's okay. I used to practice martial arts and often got injured, so I learned some bone-setting techniques."

Wang Ping'an said matter-of-factly.

"This..."

"Lie down."

Wang Ping'an didn't wait for Zhu Xiaohan to respond, flipping back the quilt.

This is a good opportunity to earn Nian points, so he must take good care of Sister-in-law.