Chapter 28: Distribution (Part 2)

After saying this, Oupeng once again pulled out a slightly larger porcelain bottle from his chest.

This time, Shangguan Lao Si and Xu Lao Liu were also stunned. They remembered that there were only three small porcelain bottles in the brocade box. What was this?

Liu Lao Wu laughed loudly, "Third Brother, what are you doing? Are you performing magic, pulling them out one by one?"

This time, Oupeng did not hand the porcelain bottle to Hu Lao Da. Instead, he placed it on the square table beside him, looking at everyone's surprised expressions, he said, "The items we took from the secret place last time, besides the 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' 'Bone Strengthening Pill,' and 'Life Extending Pill,' were a batch of medicinal herbs with a long history. This is called the 'Qi Increasing Pill.' It is a type of pill similar to the 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' recorded in our Piaomiao Sect's classics. It was developed by our ancestors after the formula for the 'Qi Enhancing Pill' was lost. The batch of herbs was handed over to the Medicine Hall's Hall Master Bai, who prepared it according to the formula for the 'Qi Increasing Pill.' According to the classics, the effects of this pill are limited, but the exact improvement in strength depends on various factors, including the user's aptitude. This bottle is the first batch, containing nine pills, which were just finished this afternoon. The herbs from last time should still be enough to produce a few more batches."

Hu Lao Da was very pleased and clapped, smiling, "Good. With this pill, even if some of our brothers didn't take the 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' they can take this 'Qi Increasing Pill,' which is not too disappointing. Moreover, this pill is in large quantities, sufficient for the second-generation young disciples. We can cultivate a few more experts."

Oupeng then apologized, "However, we don't have a substitute formula for the 'Bone Strengthening Pill,' so we can't give it to disciples practicing external martial arts. It's very regrettable. If there is only one 'Bone Strengthening Pill,' one of the two younger brothers will be out of luck."

Hu Lao Da interrupted Oupeng, saying, "Is there anything perfect in this world? We have such an opportunity, and whether it can increase our strength depends on fate. Besides, strength gained through external means is not as good as that achieved through hard practice. I don't think any of you will be tempted by this!?"

The others were all startled, their minds immediately becoming calm, and the excitement caused by the miraculous pills subsided. They all thought, "Elder Brother is right. Martial arts are achieved through hard practice. Just pursuing the increase in strength without cultivating the mind is very likely to lead to a mental breakdown, which is common in the martial world. Increasing strength is important, but so is preserving one's life."

Oupeng said, "Elder Brother, you are too serious. Today is a good day, and we all know each other's character and aspirations. We won't turn this good thing into a bad one."

Shangguan Lao Si also spoke up, "Elder Brother, this is a rare joy in our lives. Although we were momentarily confused, we won't let this harm our brotherhood or the interests of the sect. Please rest assured. If there is only one 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' I suggest that Third Brother take it. First, his Piaomiao Divine Skill is almost complete, and with this pill, he can achieve full success. Second, he is the sect leader, and his martial arts directly determine the prosperity of the sect. Third, this pill was obtained by Third Brother, and if he doesn't take it, how can we have the face to take it?"

Everyone agreed, and Hu Lao Da handed the small porcelain bottle back to Oupeng.

Oupeng didn't act pretentiously and didn't push it back and forth. He reached out and took it.

Oupeng held the small porcelain bottle in one hand, looked around at everyone again, and with the other hand, pinched the top of the bottle, using his strength to break it open. "Crack," the mouth of the bottle opened, and a fragrant aroma spread out. Oupeng poured the contents of the small porcelain bottle into a jade box he had prepared, and there were actually three pills. Oupeng was very happy, found three jade boxes, and placed them on the table, pushing them to Hu Lao Da. He said, "I thought there was only one, but now there are two more. Please, Elder Brother, distribute them."

Hu Lao Da smiled bitterly, looking at the three jade boxes in front of him, and shook his head, saying, "Third Brother, you're giving me a hard time. One would be fine, but how do we divide these three? Well, let's follow what was said earlier. Third Brother, you take one."

Oupeng followed his instructions, picked up one of the jade boxes, and put it in his chest.

Hu Lao Da looked at Li Lao Er and Shangguan Lao Si and said, "Second Brother, Fourth Brother, you each take one."

Li Lao Er didn't get up and said, "Elder Brother, what about you? You don't want it?"

Hu Lao Da laughed and said, "As an elder, I must give up something. I've been your leader for so many years and should set a good example. I'm old, so I don't need it. You all grew up under my watch, and your success is my success."

Shangguan Lao Si also said, "Elder Brother, how about this? I'll give mine to you. It's just twenty years of strength, and I have time to practice it."

Li Lao Er also said, "Yes, Elder Brother, you are old, and relying on your own practice may not reach the peak. I and Fourth Brother have plenty of time. I think you should take this pill first."

Oupeng also wanted to give up his 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' but he knew he needed it, and the sect needed it. He couldn't abandon the sect's interests for brotherly affection, so he didn't speak up.

Hu Lao Da looked at his brothers with satisfaction. What good brothers they were. Although they weren't blood-related, they had grown up together since their master brought them to the Piaomiao Sect. As the oldest, he had taken care of them since childhood, practiced martial arts together, and later roamed the martial world together, earning the name "Piaomiao Six Tigers." Although they were now older and had their own achievements and families, they still thought of him in the face of such a great temptation, which made his efforts worthwhile.

Hu Lao Da smiled and said, "No more talk. I've made up my mind. You taking it will have a greater effect than me. You take it."

The meeting hall fell silent.

After a moment, Li Lao Er spoke up, "Elder Brother, I have an idea. Do you think it's feasible?"

Hu Lao Da nodded and said, "Let's hear it."

Li Lao Er said, "Elder Brother knows that I mainly practice the Piaomiao Seven Swords, which don't require much internal strength. My current achievements in swordsmanship have reached a certain bottleneck. Breaking through this bottleneck is just a matter of internal strength, but reaching the peak of swordsmanship isn't just about internal strength. I need to understand the essence of swordsmanship. So, this 'Qi Enhancing Pill' isn't urgently needed. I want to give it to you. What do you think?"

Hu Lao Da pondered.

Oupeng then said, "Elder Brother, I wonder if the 'Qi Enhancing Pill' can be divided. The sect's classics don't mention it."

Hu Lao Da opened the jade box containing the 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' and a fragrant aroma greeted him. He pinched it with his hand and felt it was very hard, then closed the lid.

Seeing this, Li Lao Er said, "Elder Brother, we shouldn't take the risk. I'll take the 'Qi Increasing Pill.' If the 'Qi Enhancing Pill' can't be divided and we split it, we might both lose out."

Hu Lao Da said, "Second Brother, are you serious? We don't practice swordsmanship, so you can't trick your elder brother."

Li Lao Er said, "Of course."

Hu Lao Da took a small dagger from his chest, opened the jade box, and said proudly, "Our brotherhood, can it be compared to just twenty years of strength? Since Second Brother is willing to give this great benefit to Elder Brother, how can Elder Brother not share it with Second Brother? Even if the pill's efficacy is destroyed, and we both end up with nothing, using this 'Qi Enhancing Pill' to test our brotherhood, what do I have to fear?"

Li Lao Er's eyes sparkled (heh, probably not because his strength increased, but because the tears in his eyes reflected the candlelight), and he stepped forward, saying, "Elder Brother~"

The others all stood up and came forward.

Hu Lao Da patted Li Lao Er's shoulder, handed him the dagger, and said, "Second Brother, your swordsmanship is excellent. It's up to you."

Li Lao Er took the dagger, which was still warm from his hand, smiled at Hu Lao Da's encouraging look, and after a moment of concentration, raised his hand and slashed at the jade box.

Everyone saw a curved line, and the dagger landed on the 'Qi Enhancing Pill,' which split into two along the curve, while the jade box remained unharmed. After Li Lao Er retracted the dagger, everyone hadn't even praised his swordsmanship when Oupeng quickly found another jade box and separated the two halves of the 'Qi Enhancing Pill.'

Then, Hu Lao Da took a jade box and put it in his chest, gave one to Li Lao Er, and the remaining one to Shangguan Lao Si.

With the 'Qi Enhancing Pill' distributed, Liu Lao Wu and Xu Lao Liu focused on the 'Bone Strengthening Pill' in Hu Lao Da's hand.

Since there were three 'Qi Enhancing Pills,' the two of them weren't worried about the number of 'Bone Strengthening Pills,' but Hu Lao Da still asked them what they would do if there was only one.

Liu Lao Wu said, "Of course, it should go to Lao Liu. He's the youngest, and good things were always left for him, right?"

Xu Lao Liu said, "That was in the past. Now, it's different. I've had the advantage for half my life, so this time, it should go to Fifth Brother."

The two of them argued, but neither wanted to take it.

Finally, Liu Lao Wu got impatient and said, "Elder Brother, open it quickly. There are three 'Qi Enhancing Pills,' so maybe there are three 'Bone Strengthening Pills' too. Why are we dilly-dallying? If there's only one, we can split it."

So, Hu Lao Da didn't say more, raised his hand, and crushed the porcelain bottle, pouring the 'Bone Strengthening Pill' into a jade box.

Sure enough, there were three pills inside.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Hu Lao Da put the 'Bone Strengthening Pill' into three jade boxes and gave one to Liu Lao Wu and one to Xu Lao Liu. Both of them took it and put it in their chests.

Hu Lao Da handed the last jade box to Oupeng and said, "