Chen Mo's mouth twitched.
The meaning was quite clear, which was that his physical condition was too poor to fully wield the power of the Intermediate Celestial Harmony Saber Technique, so his power attribute did not increase.
Chen Mo's face fell.
This body is extremely weak.
"No, I must train my body..."
It was not easy to gain motivation, and Chen Mo cannot just give up like this.
Before his transmigration, he had managed to build a muscular physique.
Though people often joked it came from downing protein shakes.
But he had perseverance when it came to working out.
He had heard his coach say that for people with weak physiques, in the initial stages of training, the intensity should not be too high.
It could be done through simple exercises like running, swimming, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Each training session should last more than half an hour, and as the body gradually adapts, the intensity can slowly increase.
Of course, it's seventy percent diet, thirty percent training.
Nutritional intake is essential.
And to just restore to the physique of an ordinary person.
Diet is critically important.
But soon, he felt a headache coming on.
If it were his original world, there would be nothing to worry about.
But now, even feeding himself is a challenge.
He only eats two meals a day, breakfast and dinner.
Both are vegetarian, without any oil or fat.
It's hard to even eat meat, so how could he make up for nutrients?
Anyone who's done hard labor knows that only eating vegetarian, without even a bit of oil and fat, won't suffice.
"If I remember correctly, there's still an old hen at home."
Chen Mo looked around the yard, but did not see it.
...
Han Anniang was not in her own room; she was tidying up his room.
Han Anniang was slightly arching her hips, arranging the scattered books neatly at the bedside; her long skirt traced a mesmerizing curve over her full hips.
When Chen Mo walked in, he happened to see this scene and was stunned. He had seen many women, but this was the first time he'd seen hips this size...
A phrase came to mind.
Big hips, good for childbearing.
"Ahem..." Chen Mo coughed dryly.
Han Anniang turned around: "Uncle, what's wrong?"
Ever since her mother passed away, it was Han Anniang who tidied up Chen Mo's room, so she didn't think there was anything amiss.
"Sister-in-law, where is the household's old hen?" Chen Mo asked.
Upon hearing this, initially in good spirits, Han Anniang's face became somewhat troubled and she replied, "Uncle, when Wang the Pockmarked injured you, knocking you unconscious, I hurried to the county to get a doctor for you and didn't have time to hide the old hen. When I came back, the hen was gone. That hen could lay an egg every day."
Chen Mo: "..."
He suddenly thought of something, "Sister-in-law, did you report my injury and unconsciousness to the authorities?"
"I did, and the government office asked about it, but Wang the Pockmarked claimed that you started the fight, saying his hand was fractured too. The office didn't even investigate, saying that you and Wang the Pockmarked were mutually fighting, and just told me to go back..." Han Anniang said, clearly indignant:
"Later, I heard from Third Brother Lu that the government office lacks manpower, and as long as it's not a murder case, they won't handle security outside of the county town."
"Has it already come to this point?" Chen Mo sighed, realizing how important martial power was.
Chen Mo said, "Sister-in-law, how much money is left at home?"
"Two hundred and fifty-three wen." Han Anniang, who managed the household finances, answered without hesitation, aware of exactly how much money they had.
Based on memory, a pound of rice cost four wen, with two hundred and fifty-three wen could buy over sixty pounds.
If rationed, it could last half a year.
But that was at peacetime prices.
Now, however…
"Sister-in-law, how much does rice cost per pound now?"
Han Anniang shook her head, "I don't know about rice, but millet has risen to twenty wen per pound."
Chen Mo was shocked; although not having a clear understanding of the prices in the Great Song Dynasty, he knew meat cost more than grain.
With millet at twenty wen a pound, meat was even more out of reach.
Who on earth could afford it?
"Is there any meat left at home?" Chen Mo asked with a bitter smile.
"... There are still three pounds of preserved meat, pickled when mother was still around, which I hid in the cellar." After some hesitation, Han Anniang decided to tell Chen Mo, then continued, "Uncle, the household's grain is running low. Don't ask Third Brother Lu and them to borrow grain anymore."
Chen Mo: "..."
The original owner was broad-minded and honest, seemingly having read too many books and became a bit naive.
In this chaotic world, it became a weakness that others exploited, thinking the original owner was weak and easy to bully.
The villagers gambled on his reluctance to refuse, also speaking a few kind words, and using neighborly ties and hardship pleas to morally coerce him into lending grain.
If it weren't for Han Anniang secretly hiding some of the grain, the household's reserves might have been emptied by loans.
"Rest assured, sister-in-law, I won't do such foolish things again." Chen Mo assured her, staring deeply into Han Anniang's eyes.
Blushing under Chen Mo's gaze, Han Anniang quickly lowered her head, softly responding and then saying, "Uncle, are you craving meat?"
Chen Mo nodded, realizing that with his current weak physical condition, it would be hard to improve without eating meat and relying solely on exercise.
"In that case, I'll cook it for you in the afternoon," Han Anniang replied softly.
"Can't we do it now? We could have it for lunch and make it three meals a day." Chen Mo suggested.
Han Anniang contemplated this, "Alright, as uncle says."
...
At noon, Chen Mo finally tasted a bite of meat.
At the same time, a system voice sounded in his mind.
[Meat-enhancement count +0.05, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.05.]
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.
[Name: Chen Mo.]
[Age: 16.]
[Cultivation Technique: Blood Nourishing Technique (Entry Level 0.05/100)]
[Realm: None.]
[Power: 4.]
[Skills: Celestial Harmony Saber Technique (Advanced 1/2000).]
Having read many novels, he instantly understood that if he filled the Blood Nourishing Technique's experience bar to a hundred, he might become a Martial Artist.
And as for the source of Blood Nourishing Technique experience...
Chen Mo picked up another piece of preserved meat, placing it in his mouth.
[Meat-enhancement count +0.05, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.05.]
"As expected." Chen Mo's expression brightened and he continued eating.
[Meat-enhancement count +0.05, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.05.]
[Meat-enhancement count +0.05…]
"Uncle, the preserved meat is quite salty, eat it with the rice."
Han Anniang said, scooping some wheat rice into Chen Mo's bowl and then giving him the remaining preserved meat while she quietly ate her rice and wild vegetables.
Seeing the plate of preserved meat quickly empty, Chen Mo felt a bit embarrassed and passed his remaining piece to Han Anniang, "Sister-in-law, you should also eat some."
"I'm fine with rice, uncle, you've just done some work and your body is weak. You should eat more meat to recover," Han Anniang said, placing the preserved meat back onto Chen Mo's bowl.
Chen Mo: "..."
"With elder brother and mom not around, I'm the head of the household now. Sister-in-law, you should listen to me and eat." Chen Mo declared authoritatively as he put the preserved meat back into her bowl.