The key was she didn’t know how painful it would be to have ten ribs broken at the same time.
Hmm…
How exactly should she answer this question?
“Probably about the same!”
Hearing her daughter’s ambiguous answer, Liu Youran asked, “Can we not take it then?”
Of course not.
“Mother, I’ll be straight with you. Taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill will be very painful, but I forgot to mention the second half—it can make people look younger and more beautiful. Your skin will become fairer and smoother than before. Just look at me, and touch my face.” As she spoke, she cooperatively leaned her face toward Liu Youran’s hand.
Xia Xing’er knew her mother cared deeply about her beauty.
It wasn’t that others didn’t care, but Liu Youran cared a bit more.
She wasn’t lying to her mother. The marrow cleansing and bone tempering expelled impurities, which would definitely improve the skin. With better skin, one would naturally become more beautiful.
Liu Youran carefully observed her daughter. Aside from being a bit thinner, her skin was indeed very fair. When she touched it, it felt as smooth and delicate as a freshly peeled egg.
Her fear of the Marrow Cleansing Pill instantly vanished. For beauty, she was willing to take the risk.
Seeing their mother-in-law like this, Zhuge Pei and Bai Wan’er couldn’t fall behind. They were determined to take it as well.
This was exactly the outcome Xia Xing’er wanted, and she nodded in satisfaction.
Xia Xing’er pointed to several yellowed manuals and techniques. “Father, Mother, brothers, sisters-in-law, these are internal energy techniques and superior martial arts manuals I obtained from my master. Father, this ‘Profound Heaven Art’ is most suitable for you. It can help your internal energy reach new heights. Mother, this ‘Jade Maiden Heart Sutra’ is for you. Brothers, this ‘Overlord Fist Manual’ is fierce and unmatched—it’s for you. Sisters-in-law, the ‘Flowing Cloud Sword Technique’ suits you. As for this ‘Lingbo Weibu,’ everyone should practice it. It’s perfect for escaping.”
After speaking, she handed the manuals to her family members one by one.
“As for the Marrow Cleansing Pills, will you take them in your own rooms, or…”
Xia Xing’er left her sentence half-finished, sparking their imaginations.
Just as they were pondering countless possibilities, they heard her continue, “After taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill, impurities will be expelled. Tsk tsk, the smell is something you’ll remember for a long time… So, you’d better prepare plenty of water for washing up before taking it.”
“How about you two take it first, Father and Mother? We’ll go heat bathwater for you. We can all take the pills here in your room, taking turns.”
Xia Qingyun’s suggestion was unanimously agreed upon.
Xia Chengsheng and Liu Youran took two Marrow Cleansing Pills and returned directly to their room.
Xia Xing’er stayed outside the room alone while the others went to prepare bathwater.
Before long, Xia Xing’er heard the sounds of the two enduring pain. After about a quarter of an hour, the sounds gradually faded, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of Xia Xing’er’s mouth.
Fortunately, her brothers and sisters-in-law didn’t hear, otherwise…
Hehe.
When the two finished bathing and emerged, everyone was stunned. Liu Youran, already a grandmother in her forties, now stood before them looking like someone under thirty. Her skin was fair and smooth, her complexion rosy and glowing, and her entire demeanor radiated vitality.
Xia Chengsheng, originally a middle-aged man in his forties with a slight paunch, now stood before them looking like he could pass as Xia Qingyun’s brother. The streaks of white hair at his temples had vanished, and he appeared energetic and spirited.
The three brothers and their two sisters-in-law, after discussing among the five of them, ultimately decided that the two elder sisters-in-law would take the pills first.
Zhuge Pei and Bai Wan’er each took a Marrow Cleansing Pill and, with smiles on their lips, headed toward the inner chamber.
At this moment, they were filled with anticipation. Seeing the changes in their father-in-law and mother-in-law, it would be a lie to say they weren’t envious.
What woman doesn’t love beauty or wish to become more beautiful and youthful?
But soon, their smiles vanished. The pain throughout their bodies felt as if all their bones had been shattered and reassembled—more excruciating than childbirth. Achieving beauty truly came at a cost.
Yet, to become more beautiful and youthful, they endured silently. For the sake of pride, they dared not cry out loudly, only allowing soft moans to escape.
After a quarter of an hour, the pain subsided. Supporting their numb, aching bodies, they went to bathe.
After bathing, they felt refreshed all over. Both now resembled lovely young maidens of eighteen, bearing no resemblance to mothers of six-year-old children.
The three brothers thought their younger sister had exaggerated the pain. It couldn’t be that bad—after all, the two women had endured without screaming. For them, it would surely be even less of an ordeal.
Each of the three took a Marrow Cleansing Pill and strode confidently into the inner chamber.
Soon, they would realize that their younger sister had not exaggerated at all. Sometimes, women’s tolerance for pain surpasses that of men.
Xia Qingyun, as the eldest son of the family, had always possessed strong endurance. Only muffled groans could be heard from him.
Xia Qingfeng, who had practiced martial arts since childhood and spent years on the battlefield, had endured countless injuries, both major and minor. His pain tolerance was the greatest among the three brothers, and he gritted his teeth, persisting with all his might.
Xia Qingyu, however, lacked the endurance of his elder brothers. His loud cries could be heard both inside and outside the inner chamber.
The Xia family had always been good-looking, but after the marrow cleansing and bone tempering, they became even more handsome.
The eldest brother possessed a refined and scholarly handsomeness, the epitome of an elegant gentleman.
The second brother’s handsomeness was marked by a cold, sharp edge, carrying the unique aura of a military commander.
The third brother’s handsomeness held a hint of unrestrained charm, making him the very image of a dashing young noble.
After explaining the method of taking the Internal Strength Pill to them, she sent them back to their respective courtyards.
She, too, needed to return, as there were important matters to attend to later.
At midnight, Xia Xing’er put on the Invisibility Cloak from her space.
Her first stop was the Grand Tutor’s residence. The estate was quiet, with only one room still lit. Xia Xing’er went straight to the roof, lifted a tile, and peered down. What she saw was enough to make one’s eyes sting—inside, a man and a woman were engaged in a fierce and passionate “battle of the demons.”
Tsk, tsk. The Grand Tutor was even older than Xia Chengsheng, yet his combat prowess was surprisingly vigorous. The young woman was almost young enough to be his granddaughter, yet he had no qualms about indulging.
She jumped down from the roof and swaggered into the room.
The two passionately entangled individuals heard the door open but did not stop their movements, continuing their vigorous activity.
Xia Xing’er walked right up to them and delivered a swift chop to each. Instantly, they ceased all motion and fell silent.
She tossed a blanket over them, covering their bare, pale bodies.
Everywhere she went, objects vanished. Taking one last look at the bed, she decided to wrap the two in the blanket and toss them onto the floor. The bed was made of golden nanmu wood—why leave it behind when she could take it? Leaving them a blanket was already more than generous.
After emerging from the house, she leaped back onto the roof and directly took out a packet of enhanced Harmonious Union Powder, scattering it downward. The potency of the medicine quickly spread, and the amorous scene inside the room instantly turned bizarre.
The Grand Tutor and the woman showed faint signs of awakening, their faces flushed and their eyes dazed.
A sly smile curled at the corner of Xia Xing’er’s lips. “You old scoundrel, making trouble for others—today, I’ll give you a little lesson first.”