Cultivation through Skin Making

Cold Smoke Town.

Year after year...

The neighbors around Song Yan's meat shop changed repeatedly, but his reputation as "Timely Rain" was quite prominent. Moreover, being called godfather by the "Crimson Flame Commandery Princess," both the righteous and wicked paths, Jianghu knights, and court officials frequently visited him.

And every year, no matter how busy, the Crimson Flame Commandery Princess would always take time to accompany him for a few days.

During these times, the Commandery Princess tried to find a companion for her godfather but failed; she also tried to arrange some beautiful maids for him, yet she failed again.

However, this princess truly took her godfather's words to heart; she no longer worshipped fire, nor did she arrange fire-based cultivation for her subordinates...

When the fire ceased, she felt weak, uncomfortable, and unwell.

Yet, a few months later, she recovered.

Upon recovery, she felt the malice and irritability in her heart fading away.

A sense of weakness and fear arose alongside it.

Thus, the Crimson Flame Commandery Princess donned her face-covering cloak once more, transforming into Tie Niu and returned to Cold Smoke Town.

A few children in town were squatting miserably in a cramped corner. This year, the weather was abnormal. Many cattle and sheep contracted a strange 'heat ailment' and died, so naturally, these children's rations were reduced.

The Crimson Flame Commandery Princess watched the children and, for some reason, felt a hint of pity in her heart. She went forward, patiently inquiring about the children's situation and the life of common folk, then took out a few pieces of candy from her pocket and gave them to the children.

The children took the candy, cheering happily as they departed.

The Commandery Princess stood up, sighed, and with a turn of her head, she saw her godfather in front of the meat shop not far away.

...

Meals were still noodles.

There was plenty of shredded meat.

But for the now Commandery Princess, who once fought with Tie Niu for the shredded meat, it had become merely a very ordinary dish.

After the meal, the Commandery Princess skillfully boiled water, sat on a small low stool, and washed her godfather's feet.

As she washed, she looked up and saw a few streaks of white among the man's black hair at his temples.

The Commandery Princess lowered her head and softly said, "It's been fifteen years since I met you, godfather."

Song Yan said, "You come every year, rarely forgetting filial piety. Today, I've also seen your kindness."

The Commandery Princess cupped water with both hands, splashing it repeatedly on Song Yan's legs while carefully rubbing them, and sighed, "Before Xiao Yizhi died, I used to dream every day. In my dreams, either he was killing me, or I was killing him. Now that he's dead, I don't dream anymore."

After speaking, she added, "You were right, godfather. There was indeed an issue with that fire. Ever since I stopped using it, I've felt my temperament has normalized."

Song Yan asked, "Do you have something you want to do?"

The Commandery Princess nodded and said, "King Xixiang is the Prince of the Western Land of Shiyuan Country. Though titled as a prince, he is actually a king. This Shiyuan Country has long been a nominal existence, the emperor merely a figurehead. If I want to do something, I certainly can."

Song Yan asked, "How is your relationship with Tie Niu?"

The Commandery Princess replied, "He is very straightforward, hating straightforwardly, loving straightforwardly. Easily deceived by villains. But I have trusted aides beside him, always protecting him."

Hearing this, Song Yan was at a loss for words for a moment and only after a long while said, "If you're tired, marry off early, or come and live in Cold Smoke Town."

The Commandery Princess smiled bitterly, shaking her head, and said, "It's just political marriage. If I leave, Xiao Cheng will inevitably have problems, and the power of King Xixiang will surely fall into others' hands.

As for staying long with you, godfather, in Cold Smoke Town, it's indeed my wish, but how can a Commandery Princess act willfully in the Jianghu court?

Having entered this scenario, being in this scenario, only death... can bring liberation."

Song Yan suddenly fell silent.

He saw in the Commandery Princess his own reflection.

Equally caught in a dilemma, equally harboring good intentions, yet those good intentions had to turn into evil intentions due to circumstances beyond control.

The Commandery Princess is like this?

Isn't he the same?

In the silent cabin, only the sound of splashing water remained.

For a long time, Song Yan gently ruffled the Commandery Princess's hair and said, "Good child."

The Commandery Princess said, "The water's gone cold, let me dry your feet, godfather."

Song Yan said, "If you can't carry on, come here, remember it."

Through these words, the Commandery Princess felt the pure affection, the love of an elder for a junior, very genuine, without ulterior motives.

Although godfather is just a mortal, except for his strength honed by slaughtering pigs and his two hands' farming skills, he has nothing else, let alone power. Still, this affection warmed the Commandery Princess's heart.

She smiled and said, "Absolutely!"

...

...

In the blink of an eye, several more years passed.

Song Yan lived peacefully and leisurely in the small town.

His heart settled over time as well.

He made himself a wicker chair and, on sunny days, he would lie on it, gently swaying, listening to the creaking sounds and the rustling of leaves in the wind, smelling the distinct floral scents of each season, enjoying the passage of time.

Around the Cold Smoke Meat Shop, trees were planted long ago, especially apricot trees, peach trees, and willow trees.

The spring scenery was so delightful, using only one color was considered superior, along with "monarch and minister assisting each other." But around the meat shop, it was gaudy with bright reds and greens, devoid of any scholarly elegance, filled instead with the breath of worldly life.

Mischievous children often played under the trees, running around his wicker chair, calling him "Uncle," and gradually some started calling him "Grandpa."

And many who had received his kindness in past years returned. They might not be passing by, but whenever they went through Cold Smoke Town, they would always detour. Some brought him gold and silver, others fine wines, gourmet foods, and elixirs, in a myriad of varieties.

More outrageously, some even became assassins, specifically coming to ask him if he wanted them to kill someone, offering to do it for free; and some came saying he had considerable prestige and was the godfather of the Crimson Flame Commandery Princess. Why not secretly build a force, surely he would have a large following.