A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 82 Bionic Bird Drone (Third Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets!)
"What's wrong? Things aren't going well?"

After inviting him inside and taking a seat, Li Weizhou glanced at Li Changning's expression and asked with a smile.

Li Changning frowned, nodded, and said in a deep voice, "The grand market will be held in three days, but there is still no news about the chief steward of the Prince of Jin's mansion. However, the Prince of Jin's heir said that their old steward has already left the mansion and rushed here... I have long heard that the Prince of Jin is unreliable, but I didn't know how unreliable he was before. Today I have learned my lesson."

Upon hearing this, Li Weizhou blinked and asked, "He hasn't shown up by now. Could he have been killed?"

The three people beside him were startled. Li Changning became nervous and said, "Third brother, don't talk nonsense! The chief of the royal palace is a broken-eight martial saint, a peerless figure in the world. Unless the great shaman of the shaman temple takes action, there is almost no one in the world who can cure him. If you say this outside, it will cause a lot of trouble."

Li Weizhou chuckled and said, "I'm saying this in the house, and besides, anything can happen... Let's think about the worst-case scenario: what would happen if he were killed? Would it have a big impact on this situation?"

If it really has a big impact, then he should consider running away in advance.

It wasn't that he was afraid of death, but that he was worried about staying and hindering Li Xiaosi.

Upon hearing this, Li Changning pondered for a moment, then nodded with a solemn expression and said, "The impact will be significant. However, not this time, but three years from now."

Li Weizhou was puzzled, but he didn't press the matter. If Li Changning could tell him, he would have done so himself; if he couldn't, there was no need to force his younger brother.

He laughed and said, "Really, it won't affect this market? That's good. It's three years from now, why are you in such a hurry?"

He then looked at Zhao Yuanzhi, whose face was still gloomy, and said, "Yuanzhi, when you're traveling, the conditions are bound to be a bit less than ideal. This isn't the Prince's mansion. If we go to the capital to visit the old Prince again, and the guest room is still like this, then I'll be unhappy. I don't think you're a petty person, so why let such a small thing upset you? We're family, so let's not talk about these things. It's settled then, I'm not moving. Last time I saw you liked Mapo Tofu, so I'll make it for you again today."

As she spoke, she stood up and asked Zhang Wanyi again, "Do you want some sweet and sour pork?"

A shy smile appeared on Zhang Wanyi's usually cool face, and she nodded slightly.

The two aristocratic ladies, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns, never considered what conditions were necessary to prepare these two dishes...

Li Weizhou put on an apron and started cooking on a makeshift cutting board while chatting with Li Changning: "Brother Zhang said that there are fights at every market, and blood is drawn in every match on the stage. Is it chaotic off the stage?"

Li Changning shook his head and said, "What both sides are most wary of is chaos offstage. No one wants to lose this horse market. So, private fights are strictly prohibited outside the arena, and violators will be severely punished. This is a rule jointly established by the Grand Master of the Imperial Punishment Office and the Grand Shaman on the other side, and no one has dared to break it throughout history. However, outside the horse market area, there are no restrictions. So, Third Brother, you must not leave the horse market."

Li Weizhou said irritably, "Do I look like someone who likes to court death?"

Li Changning retorted irritably, "You know perfectly well where you've been."

Yeah!

Zhao Yuanzhi and Zhang Wanyi looked at Li Changning with surprise and delight. They could even bicker now!
Li Weizhou's teeth ached from looking at it. Was it really that bad?!

He gave Li Changning a disdainful look, then asked again to confirm, "As long as we don't leave the horse market, there won't be a problem, is that what you mean?"

Li Changning fell silent again. After a while, he finally spoke, "Third Brother, come stay at my place tonight."

Li Weizhou said irritably, "If you keep nagging, get out!" He then explained, "I need to invite Brother Zhang and Brother Qiao to dinner tonight. Could you ask them for me later? They've taken care of us along the way, and we family members can't pretend we don't know."

Li Changning: "..."

Zhao Yuanzhi quickly said, "Third Brother, really, there's no need!"

Li Weizhou clicked his tongue in slight reproach, glancing at her as well. Zhao Yuanzhi: "..."

This third brother is so interesting; he's more like a brother than her own brother.

Zhang Wanyi couldn't help but ask, "Third Brother, did you bring all of these?"

Li Weizhou understood what she meant and laughed heartily, "Yes, pots, pans, and other necessities. I love life. Our family is different from yours. We don't have the opportunity to pursue wealth and power. We just hope to eat well and be happy for the rest of our lives. Of course, it's all thanks to our fourth brother who's supporting us. We all know how hard he works, and we can't really help him much. We take care of him whenever we have the chance. Even though we older brothers aren't very polite to him, we're still proud of him and hope he can live a good life."

Li Changning frowned, but didn't want to say anything. He lowered his eyes and secretly clenched his fist, determined to work hard.

Li Weizhou glanced at him secretly, amused. This kid was still young and didn't understand the art of "tiger parenting"...

Is hitting or scolding a child effective for studying?
That's the trick!
Zhao Yuanzhi chuckled and said, "Third Brother, you are all very good, really."

Sure enough, the tricks won people's hearts!

Li Weizhou laughed heartily as he stir-fried the dishes until they were fragrant and delicious, making the three of them happy.

After finishing their meal, he urged the three to leave quickly, as he needed to prepare for the next event.

The two noble ladies, who had never experienced such simple and genuine family affection before, were both reluctant to leave.

Before leaving, Li Changning told Li Weizhou that his master had been extremely busy these past few days because the retainer at the Prince of Jin's residence was unreliable. He would only have free time when the retainer arrived, and then he would find an opportunity to take him to see him.

Li Weizhou cursed the Chu Prince's Mansion a few times, feeling that the whole family was too useless; otherwise, he could have gone home earlier...

……

When the guards from the Prince's mansion arrived, they were embarrassed to see the dilapidated house and cursed Eunuch Hai in their hearts.

Li Weizhou ignored all that. There were two large, fragrant, and spicy soup pots filled with chunks of meat and bones, and a pile of wine jars were placed next to them.

It was already nightfall. Outside, the north wind howled, snowflakes danced in the air, stinging people's faces, and the temperature had dropped sharply.

Although the place is simple, the food and drinks alone are enough to warm one's heart.

After inviting the guests in, Li Weizhou said with a smile, "Let's not waste any time with small talk. We'll eat and drink first. I come from a humble background and don't know much about the rules. Eating and drinking well is the most important thing. I hope you gentlemen won't find it offensive."

Hey, those words really warmed the hearts of a bunch of burly men who spend all day in high society holding back their farts.

Several stern-faced men were now all smiles.

It's so comfortable to be around someone like that!

And you can even drink it!
They didn't say much, but wolfed down their food like they were fighting on a battlefield.

After several rounds of meat dishes, everyone's bellies were round and full, and the stench of wine and meat in the room was so strong that it hurt people's eyes.

Most of them were in a semi-drunk state, especially Qiao Hui, who had the lowest alcohol tolerance; it seemed like his eyeballs were constantly bobbing up and down in their sockets...

Li Weizhou joked, "Brother Qiao, don't go to the Grass Valley today. Don't sell yourself to the Tartars."

The crowd burst into laughter. They had already mentioned the Grass Valley before, and the reason why Eunuch Hai was half-dead and unable to get up had already spread. They knew the weight of the person in front of them, so there was no need to hide anything.

The guard leader, Zhang Duanzheng, said, "We need to behave ourselves for the first few days and give the Imperial Execution Bureau and the Shamanic Hall enough face. If you embarrass them, they won't let you have any either. The last few days are the best time to go to the Donghu to raid." Qiao Hui chuckled mischievously, "In previous years... that's how it was, but this year, it's hard to say. The Prince of Jin's Mansion and the Prince of Chu's Mansion are in charge of supervising this horse market. The heir of the Prince of Chu's Mansion cultivates Taoism, is quiet and inactive, and always prefers to avoid trouble. He'll only restrain the people of the Prince of Chu's Mansion from causing trouble. As for the rest, isn't it up to the Prince of Jin's Mansion to do whatever they want? The Prince of Jin's Mansion is also greedy for money. In previous years, his family was the first to lose their temper and make a move. This year, with his family supervising, can they really hold back?"

Just you wait, they'll definitely be making their rounds tonight. It's a pity we can't get our hands on the Prince of Jin's waist token; otherwise, we'd be rich this time.

Amidst laughter and banter, Li Weizhou inquired, "Brother Qiao, what's this about the waist tag?"

Qiao Hui became even more smug. It's human nature to like to teach others. He took another sip of strong liquor, his eyes redder, and he said breathlessly, "It's not like anyone is qualified to hunt for ginseng. The ginseng here is much cheaper. Which merchant in the market wouldn't want to buy more and resell it for more than ten times the profit? They're dreaming."

Only those holding the Eight Kings and Eight Clans waist tokens are allowed to enter the premises for transactions. Local martial arts sects and merchant guilds will offer us silver as a token of their respect, entrusting us to make the purchases!

Therefore, this kind of job is a lucrative one!
If I make it back this time, I'll try again. If that doesn't work, I won't waste money anymore; I'll save it for my little rascal.

His tone suddenly became more sorrowful.

Li Weizhou guessed, "Could it be that Brother Qiao is also saying that it's hard to leap over the Dragon Gate?"

Qiao Hui wasn't surprised that Li Weizhou could guess. Finding the small stool uncomfortable, he simply sat cross-legged on the ground, looked at Li Weizhou, and held up two fingers, saying, "Twenty years! I was stuck outside the Upper Three Gates for a full twenty years! Twenty years!"

Towards the end, perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol, his voice became slightly choked with emotion.

Li Weizhou was shocked. Had he made no progress in twenty years?

The people around them sighed almost simultaneously.

Only then did Li Weizhou truly understand what it meant to be unable to leap over the Dragon Gate.

Qiao Hui was truly drunk; overcome with grief, he suddenly clapped his hands and sang:
"The silver spear knocks down the moon at midnight, the golden whip breaks in the cold of dawn."

A gourd of wine at his waist, used to pour out the blood of the public officials.

How many travelers have fallen asleep drunk on the side of the yellow sand before the pass!

My soul is still captivated by its allure, yet I have not yet crossed the Dragon Gate Pass!

Another person chimed in with a low voice:

"The carved bow is vain, bearing the snow of Tianshan; the precious horse neighs long at Yumen Pass."

Two decades, eight thousand battles, every inch of our land is stained with blood and sweat.

If you ask where the Dragon Gate is, it's because your heart is trapped in a cage, making it difficult to break through.

Cheers!

Drink up!

……

After seeing off a few disappointed guests, Li Weizhou sighed softly, but he still couldn't empathize.

Compared to the suffering of ordinary people, this is nothing!

He wouldn't be so heartbroken if he couldn't break through to the sixth level.

If this path is blocked, we can take another one, like increasing the equivalent!

Of course, he shouldn't go that far, because he's worked hard enough...

Li Weizhou chuckled, humming a little tune as he cleaned up the mess. He had already gathered enough information for the day.

After cleaning up and closing the doors and windows, Li Weizhou set up his stance and returned to Earth.

……

Villas in Changqu District.

"Boss, this is Liu Zhe. I prepared the goods overnight, took the 7 a.m. flight this morning, arrived in Chongqing at 9:30 a.m., and then quickly transferred to the high-speed train. I didn't waste a single minute!"

A young man in his early twenties, with messy, greasy hair and dirty glasses, but a sly smile on his face, looked at Li Weizhou and said exaggeratedly.

Because Li Weizhou had promised him that if the product's performance was indeed good enough, he would receive a reward of two thousand yuan, and there would be large orders in the future.

Right there on the stone table in the villa's courtyard, Liu Zhe, an engineering student, began unpacking the large box he had brought. From it, he took out four neatly wrapped cardboard boxes, opened one of them, and revealed a "magpie"...

Li Weizhou exclaimed "Holy crap!" and laughed, "You didn't actually pluck all the feathers off a magpie and stick them on, did you? It's so realistic!"
Liu Zhe chuckled and said, "How could that be? It just looks like one. It's a fake feather made of acrylic resin, with bright colors that don't fade. It's glued on with hot melt adhesive, so it's very secure!"

Li Weizhou picked up the fake magpie, looking quite satisfied, and asked, "How long can this kind of bionic drone last?"

Liu Zhe became more serious and said, "This is a research-grade biomimetic bird drone... Of course, it's a basic version, so it's not exactly classified, which is why it can only fly for forty minutes. The most advanced one from Northwestern Polytechnical University can fly for three hours, five minutes, and thirty seconds; even an eagle couldn't tell the difference and almost snatched it away. However, although mine is only basic and its battery life isn't very long, I've made some improvements. It's more realistic than the best one and many times stronger than the one from Hanwang Technology... I'll fly it for you to see!"

As he spoke, he picked up the remote control and started operating it.

The bionic bird drone really did take off with a flapping sound. It's clear that Liu Zhe is quite skilled. The sound of the drone engine was almost completely neutralized by the sound of the wings flapping, and its flight posture really resembled that of a bird.

After learning for about twenty minutes, Li Weizhou had almost mastered the basic operation.

He asked some more questions about disassembly, and after studying for an hour, he felt he was ready. He paid an extra 10,000 yuan and was thanked several times like a god of wealth before the matter was finally settled.

After seeing Liu Zhe off, Li Weizhou began modifying the bionic bird, adding some ingredients to its body. He originally wanted to add only black oxalic acid, but then felt it was too monotonous and wanted something more varied, so he also prepared two small bottles of "divine happiness water," which was even more refreshing...

After working for half a day and modifying four bionic bird drones, Li Weizhou returned to the second floor, where he opened a beauty blogger's video and began learning and experimenting with his makeup kit.

Oh, and he also bought perfume, the Holy Blood brand perfume from Menditorosa.

Holy Blood, doesn't that sound cool? Actually, its smell is even cooler—it's the smell of urine on unwashed sheets after wetting the bed...

……

P.S.: This transition has been a completely new experience. I actually had some drafts saved up, but I was revising them almost every day. Looking back, the logic has improved considerably. Hopefully, by the time I finish this book, my writing skills will have improved.

This is the third update. I'd like to ask for some monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)