[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin":3,"chapter-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-29":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The First Iron Rice Bowl of Great Jin",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},151715,261,"Chapter 29: To Save or Not? Not Save","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>\"Liulang, Jiuniang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Sanlang entered the room and saw his younger brother and sister with their heads together reading the same book, occasionally pointing and commenting on its contents. Somewhat curious, he approached to take a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the two were actually reading a martial arts manual called \"Five Finger Mountain,\" he found it rather amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiuniang, why are you looking at martial arts books again? Want to start training again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was only three years old when she learned that the martial arts masters from novels truly existed in the Great Jin Dynasty. At that time, Hua Liulang had just begun standing meditation to build his foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Hua Changxi turned five, she pestered Hua Minghe, saying she wanted to practice martial arts. Hua Minghe, unable to shake her off, trained her for nearly half a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, martial arts training was far too arduous. She couldn't even persevere with standing meditation day after day. She practiced intermittently for a while but finally had to give up in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Hua Changxi often endured ridicule from Old Madam Hua, who said that a young lady like her wanting to practice martial arts like a man was truly overreaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Hua Sanlang: \"Third Brother, after I went to the Chores Hall, I probably did too much labor. I feel like I've unblocked my Conception and Governing Vessels. I have to pick up martial arts again. Maybe in the future I can become a master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't understand the difference between cultivation and martial arts, but she felt that the internal force produced by martial artists was probably similar to the spiritual energy surging inside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial artists concentrate internal force in their feet to practice the Fleet-footed Stride. Could she channel the spiritual energy in her body to her feet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for this Five Finger Mountain, she would find a chance to test it out and see what happens when she concentrates spiritual energy in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her earnest expression, Hua Sanlang quickly said, \"Don't act rashly. Martial arts training is very dangerous. If you practice incorrectly, it can hurt your body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang interjected: \"Third Brother, I think Jiuniang has some good ideas about martial arts. Things I don't understand, she can explain and I get them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Sanlang was truly speechless. Jiuniang and Liulang—one dares to say anything, and the other dares to believe anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There have been many cases where martial artists trained incorrectly and ended up disabled or dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, even Hua Liulang's face showed fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said nothing and continued to carefully flip through \"Five Finger Mountain,\" but unexpectedly, Hua Sanlang snatched the book from her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Sanlang looked at his younger siblings: \"Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law are sitting in the courtyard, and Cousin Shen and the others are all there too. It's rare for everyone to gather. You should go out and chat with them for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi and Hua Liulang exchanged helpless glances and resignedly followed Hua Sanlang out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Wuniang's marriage should have been a big day, but since she was going to be a concubine, the Hua family didn't hold a banquet for guests. They only invited Hua Sangu's family and Hua Erniang's couple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua, having lost face because of Hua Changxi, wore a very sour expression. The younger ones found it hard to stay long in the main hall, so they all ran to the courtyard to chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Sanlang call Hua Jiuniang and Hua Liulang out, Hua Erniang immediately smiled and waved at Hua Jiuniang: \"Jiuniang, we were just talking about you. Come over and join the chat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Erniang, the eldest granddaughter of the Hua family, had married a year ago into the Cao family, also low-ranking officials. Second Brother-in-law Cao Jingnian was a patrol officer in the Five City Military Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi walked over with a smile: \"What were you all saying about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shierniang glanced at her: \"That you're incredibly audacious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi shot her a glare: \"People who think I'm audacious are all cowardly mice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shierniang immediately bristled: \"Who are you calling a cowardly mouse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled: \"Whoever admits it is who I'm referring to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Erniang found it amusing how the ninth and twelfth sisters started bickering the moment they met. She took one sister by each hand. After marrying, she realized how carefree the days of quarreling with her sisters at home were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two, treasure each other well. Once you're married in the future, you won't even have a chance to bicker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi and Hua Shierniang shut up at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced at Cao, the second brother-in-law, who was chatting enthusiastically with Hua Sanlang and the others, then lowered her voice and asked: \"Second Sister, does Second Brother-in-law treat you well? Are your in-laws easy to get along with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Erniang smiled and glanced at her husband, then nodded: \"Your second brother-in-law is quite caring. As for the in-laws, we're just living together as a household. If others can handle it, so can I.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was silent for a moment. That meant the in-laws were not easy to get along with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Erniang smiled and took off the pouch at her waist, producing three pairs of silver earrings, which she handed to Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shierniang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not young anymore; it's time to pierce your ears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three, having received earrings, were quite delighted: \"Thank you, Second Sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, Liulang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, Third Brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hua sisters turned around and saw Hua Liulang sparring with Shen Mosheng, the third son of Hua Ergū, while everyone else cheered them on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go over and watch too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi approached and carefully observed the two fighting, surprised to find that their movements seemed extremely slow in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their battle were recorded on video, the footage she saw would be playing at 0.25x speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her realm rank increased, she had indeed felt her five senses growing stronger, but she had no clear concept of how much they had actually strengthened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sixth Brother, why are you swinging your palm? Just curl your fingers into a claw and grab Cousin Mosheng's shoulder directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi pointed out the flaws in their fight on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang heard Hua Changxi's voice and instinctively did as she said. Sure enough, he managed to grab Shen Mosheng's shoulders, then swung a side kick and knocked the man to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang cheered happily, looking at Hua Changxi with excitement: \"Jiuniang, your eyes are sharp! I didn't even notice I could grab Mosheng's shoulder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled and said nothing. She wanted to learn \"Wuzhi Mountain\" and \"Lingbo Weibu,\" planning to copy both manuals and take them back to the chore hall to study slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Erniang was accompanied by Hua Qiniang and Hua Shierniang, and her cousins and other relatives had Hua Sanlang and a few others keeping them company, she quietly slipped back into her room and started copying the books.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Hua Sangu's family and Hua Erniang's couple had to go home, dinner was served half an hour early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Hua Changxi took the copied \"Wuzhi Mountain\" and \"Lingbo Weibu,\" along with a pack of snacks Yao had prepared, and left the Hua residence after Hua Sangu's family and Hua Erniang's couple had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang escorted Hua Changxi all the way to the Medical Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll watch you go inside before I leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked helplessly at the main gate of the Medical Bureau: \"Chore disciples can't use the main entrance; I have to go around and enter through the back gate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang said, \"Then I'll walk you to the back gate.\" With that, he marched ahead without waiting for her opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the sky was already darkening, Hua Changxi didn't want to waste time arguing, so she quickened her pace to catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as the two turned from the main street into the back street, Hua Changxi suddenly grabbed Hua Liulang and quickly ducked behind the shade of a tree by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiuniang, what's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shh, someone's fighting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, four people appeared in their line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person was running ahead, limping, while the other three chased closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the person up ahead, Hua Changxi instinctively stood up and even took a step forward, but the next moment she stopped herself and crouched back behind the tree shade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang noticed and asked quietly, \"What, do you know that person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi watched Yu Gui, who was struggling to run toward the back gate, and nodded: \"Yes, I know him. He's a minor steward in the warehouse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Yu Gui was caught up to by the pursuers, and one of them kicked him flying three or four meters away, where he landed heavily on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Run, will you? You're good at running, aren't you? Go on, run again for me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beat him! Beat him good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang watched Yu Gui curl into a ball as the three men rained punches and kicks on him, and couldn't help asking his sister: \"Since you know him, should we go help him? I think I can take those three.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi shook her head and said, almost coldly: \"My relationship with him isn't deep enough for me to risk my neck to save him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention that the three men chasing Yu Gui were all martial artists; even if they were just ordinary people, as long as they didn't kill him, I would inevitably offend them by rescuing Yu Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no idea what background or connections those three had; the risk was too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the back street of the Medical Bureau—those three wouldn't dare kill anyone here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hua Changxi had expected, after beating Yu Gui for over a quarter of an hour, the three left, cursing as they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui had already fallen unconscious; only the rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi and Hua Liulang stood up and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Sixth Brother, help me lift him up. I'll carry him to the Medicine Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't stepped forward earlier for fear of trouble, but now that the attacker had left, carrying Yu Gui back to the warehouse was acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang quickly came forward to help. As he supported Yu Gui, he noticed that the clothes on his back had split open, and then he saw a red palm print on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the red palm print, Hua—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only martial artists at the fourth rank and above could cultivate internal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by using internal energy could one leave such a clear palm print on a person's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced at the palm print on Yu Gui's back, said nothing, and bent down to pick him up: \"Sixth Brother, I'm going inside now. You go back quickly—don't linger outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after watching Hua Changxi carry the man into the Medicine Department did Hua Liulang turn around and head home.\u003C\u002Fp>",1883,"2026-05-29T04:10:26.746Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","c76cc49c6889db0d0d22110647dabe3c5b79cf075a9c593c0597d9e208fdb11b","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-30","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-28",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]