Chapter 9

The young Taoist hurriedly went to deliver the message, and Cheng Qian, upon hearing it, did not express any opinion; he merely felt that the senior brother might have taken the wrong medicine

After noon, the day's mutual torment between the master and the disciples finally came to an end

If there were truly a method to cultivate one's energy, would Li Jun not have pursued it after a year of practice? It is evident that there are ulterior motives at play, seeking a scapegoat to test the waters.

Cheng Qian glanced at him and thought, "You might as well be played by your second senior brother."

Not everyone can encounter such a fortuitous enlightenment, and those who can identify where their bottlenecks lie are rare. Generally, practitioners who find themselves in such a situation will naturally be overjoyed, striving against the current in anticipation of breaking through the barriers

Li Jun pretended to advise, "Junior brothers have just entered the sect and may not have started reciting the sect rules forty-nine times yet, right? It is clearly stated in there. With a good aptitude like that of the little junior brother, one must practice step by step. There will come a day when one can sense the energy. There is no need to constantly think about taking shortcuts and violating the sect rules, right, third junior brother?"

As Master Brother had expected, he was nothing more than a decorative pillow. After sitting for just a moment, it felt as if nails had sprouted from his backside, causing him to shift left and right, while simultaneously directing the surrounding young disciples and maidservants to scurry about in circles

Li Jun scrutinized Cheng Qian from top to bottom. This taciturn third junior brother of his seemed not yet to have reached the age of growth, being both thin and small; when he lowered his head, no one could see his face.

At the outset, Cheng Qian did not take Li Jun's words to heart, as he had already concluded that Yan Zhengming was merely a decorative figure. If Yan Zhengming could manage to gain some reputation within seven or eight years, then if he were to be even less significant than a mere pillow, it would be better for him to abandon his aspirations for immortality and return to farming or engaging in small trade.

Han Yuan, however, was someone who could not sit still, and immediately pressed on with the question: "What? What method?"

After all, talismans are the foundation of immortal artifacts, and immortal artifacts are the most direct impression that ordinary people have of cultivating immortality

Although the Fuyiao wooden sword is merely an introductory sword technique, it subtly resonates with the ups and downs of a mortal's life. This is not something that can be achieved through insular efforts. Spending all day in the gentle embrace of Fuyiao Mountain, one might as well age a thousand years in a single year, or ten thousand years in a single year, forever unable to catch up with the tumultuous tracks of the mortal world.

Li Jun smiled at him, her brows and eyes curving slightly, resembling a pair of distinctly contrasting hooks, gazing meaningfully at Cheng Qian, merely looking without engaging in conversation

Except for the senior brother, everyone else returned to their respective courtyards to eat and rest, and in the afternoon, each focused on their studies—those who were unwilling to study could play with the monkeys on the mountain

He often finds his mind wandering, frequently glancing around, occasionally harboring grievances against Li Yunmu Chuan, and sometimes humming a tune newly composed by the maidens, in any case, his thoughts are entirely absent from the task of carving the wood

Cheng Qian replied with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "Second Senior Brother is right."

When he was asked for guidance, he remained silent; now he has started to flaunt his status as a master again. The Master Mu Chuan thought leisurely upon hearing this, but he glanced at Yan Zhengming without exposing him—after all, the young master had grown up in this vast mountain alone, and it was rare to have a child to keep him company.

Whenever the thought of descending the mountain arises, just the consideration of how much luggage to bring makes Yan Zhengming feel as if his head has split into two. All his laziness surges forth in rebellion, stubbornly hindering his steps towards the future.

Li Jun changed her tone: "Of course, our master has commanded that all disciples must refrain from leaving the courtyard on the first and fifteenth nights of each month, and the mountain cave is a forbidden area that cannot be entered."

Han Yuan listened thoughtfully

Han Yuan murmured with reluctance, "I still want to go play at your place for a while."

"Of course, it's a pity," Li Jun said, "Without the sense of qi, no matter how well we practice this wooden sword, it will only serve to strengthen our bodies, and it won't be of much use."

Han Yuan seemed to have formed a close bond with his newly acquainted second senior brother during the recent transformation of the giant toad, persistently pressing for answers. Li Jun, "with no other choice" and "after numerous attempts to evade," finally whispered, "I have read a book that describes the scenery of our Fuyou Mountain. It mentions that beneath this mountain lies a great demon, and on the nights of the new moon and full moon—specifically the first and fifteenth days of the month—the demon's aura resonates with the lunar phases. The pure and impure energies in the mountain stir and converge in the mountain cave, and at this time, even ordinary people who have not yet entered can sense the energy there."

He complains that his hair bun is too tight and wants to redo it, then he complains about sweating and wants to go back to change clothes, then he needs to relieve himself, and then he wants to drink water... When the water is brought, he either finds it too cold or too hot to drink, complaining about this and that, in any case, he just cannot sit still

Han Yuan does not have a good impression of the senior brother, but he also knows that he cannot provoke him. Moreover, Xiao Jiao Hua is not as prideful as Cheng Qian, and he does not hold grudges deeply; a bag of pine nut candy is enough to make him smile and forget past grievances

Li Jun has thin lips, with the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, giving him a hint of a smile even when he is not laughing. When he does smile, it becomes even more apparent that he is not a good person. As he spoke, he deliberately paused for a moment, then pretended to frown: "However, some people go their entire lives without feeling the energy; some of this is due to poor aptitude, while others simply have bad luck"

Cheng Qian's agreement left him feeling somewhat at a loss, and Li Jun forced a smile and said, "Third Junior Brother is truly clever"

Having understood this layer of connection, Yan Zhengming realized that it was time for him to descend the mountain and embark on a journey of exploration

Yan Zhengming initially believed that in the aspect of "getting by day by day," he and his master could be like kindred spirits. However, whenever it came time to practice spells, his master would behave unusually, becoming somewhat unapproachable.

Li Jun dug a huge pit right in front of him, and Han Yuan cooperated well, stepping right into it without a word.

Mu Chun, upon seeing him, finally softened his stern expression a little and waved him over, saying: "Cheng Qian, come over here; it's backlit over there."

Han Yuan approached casually and asked, "Second Senior Brother, what is a great power?"

Only Yan Zhengming has to stay in the afternoon to continue facing his master's old face

In the middle of the day, where could there be any place in the shade? This is clearly the master showing him up, making him realize that he is not as grounded as this little one.

He looked at Yan Zhengming's carefree figure with a hint of envy and eagerly asked Li Jun, "So, Senior Brother, when can we learn to carve that?"

Li Jun smiled at him and said, "Who in the world dares to claim 'ability'? If one were truly capable, they would have ascended to the heavens long ago"

Cheng Qian watched for a while beside him, feeling that it was of no benefit to himself, so he withdrew his gaze and quietly asked the attendant beside him for paper and pen. He began to do his homework for the day—first transcribing the rules of the sect from memory, and then transcribing the "Sutra of Purity" that the master had recited in the morning from memory.

In the end, the young master pondered with a broad mind, "Whoever wants to go can go; as for me, I shall not go—if there is a bottleneck, so be it, what does it matter."

Han Yuan's expression tightened upon hearing this, and he instinctively straightened his back: "That is truly a pity"

Not far away, Yan Zhengming received a bowl of osmanthus and sour plum soup handed over by the Taoist priest. As he looked up, he happened to witness this scene. He had always felt that this young man, Li Jun, had ulterior motives, and while he was grinning, he discerned a pair of sinister intentions in the eyes of his second junior brother.

Yan Zhengming looked at Han Yuan, who was lying on the ground and howling in chaos, and felt that his skills had reached a certain level, allowing him to not take things too seriously anymore

Unfortunately, he soon discovered that the subtleties of the talisman could not be perceived by those without a sense of qi—at least in his view, the senior apprentice had done nothing all afternoon, merely carving vertical lines on the wood with a small knife under the watchful eye of the master

Cheng Qian turned back to meet Li Jun's gaze and slowly spoke: "From what I gather from Second Senior Brother, it seems that he knows of a method to awaken the sense of qi, doesn't it?"

In deep water and intense heat, one can forge the body; in joy and sorrow, one can temper the spirit

Li Jun : `` ... ... ''

This elder apprentice, lacking ambition and content to go through the motions, took a break with a clear conscience. He waved his hand and struck a few small stones, assisting his master in bringing down the fourth apprentice, who had climbed the tree to poke at a bird's nest with a wooden sword. His aim was precise, and the force was just right

Master Mu Chuan adopts a completely hands-off approach towards his disciples, merely advising them to adhere to the sect's rules, and to behave themselves on the nights of the first and fifteenth of each month, refraining from wandering about the mountains.

The young Taoist replied with great trepidation: "That is Master Cheng Qian, my third uncle."

As the young Taoist disciples gradually brought over the wood and carving knives, Li Jun explained to his two new junior brothers: "That is a talisman. Talismans are divided into visible and invisible types. The visible type is carved onto something, most commonly wood. If one is highly skilled, materials like metal and stone can also be used. The invisible type is much more powerful; water, air, and even thoughts can become talismans—though that is all legendary, as no one has ever seen it. It is likely that only a great master could achieve such feats."

This little rascal is so cunning, Li Jun's hooked eyes twitched

Cheng Qian pretended to be completely uninterested, but in fact, he had already perked up his ears

He says "cannot say" but his tone is "hurry and ask"

Cheng Qian did not take the bait and said indifferently: "Oh, that's great. I wish you, Senior Brother, a swift fulfillment of your wishes"

"We cannot learn it," Li Jun waved his hand and said with a feigned sense of regret, "To learn spells, one must first have a sense of qi—don't ask me what qi is, I don't know either, but the master says it is a mysterious feeling that connects heaven and earth... As for the master, you will understand in the future; there is no need to pay too much attention to what he says, even if you do, you won't understand."

He harbored such sarcasm, nonchalantly bidding farewell to Li Jun and Han Yuan, quietly waiting aside—of course not to wait for the Young Master Yan, who was uncertain whether he was a senior brother or sister. Cheng Qian was actually filled with curiosity about the so-called "talisman".

The Master of the Wood Cabbage once said that he is, in fact, one who has entered the path through the sword. Those who enter the path through the sword generally possess a resolute will; however, there are exceptions, such as Young Master Yan. Therefore, it is necessary to forge oneself doubly hard to avoid becoming useless

Yan Zhengming glanced at Cheng Qian's writing, momentarily forgetting that it was he who intended to keep him, and unreasonably vented his anger, saying: "Even a dog's paw print is more orderly than this."

Ah, it's him," Yan Zhengming nodded slightly, "Let him wait for a moment. Once I finish practicing the spell, I will tell him that my master asked me to guide him in his swordsmanship.

Yan Zhengming made up his mind; he planned to overlook the awkwardness and lack of fluency in the sword techniques. After all, as long as he remembered the sword moves, he would consider himself to have learned them. He intended to ask his master to teach him the fourth form tomorrow

Li Jun then gave up on Cheng Qian and turned to Han Yuan, teasing him: "I cannot say, it violates the rules of the sect"

Is Young Master Yan an ordinary person?

Li Jun was momentarily at a loss, wondering whether this third junior brother was simply young and timid, lacking eloquence, or if he had grown wise in all the right places instead of in stature

Although Cheng Qian did not understand what was so good about carving wood, he still looked down upon the behavior of his senior brother and thought to himself: "A lazy donkey on the mill"

The only gain from this journey was witnessing the stern side of my master

Having spoken, he cast a pointed glance at the hourglass, and Yan Zhengming, infuriated, discovered that the damned hourglass had indeed stopped again

However, when Li Jun reached this point, the insinuations and implications in his words had already been discerned by Cheng Qian.

The Master Mu Chuan had long anticipated that his incompetent disciple would cause such a scene. He placed an hourglass on Yan Zhengming's table. The hourglass was a delicate celestial artifact, and it would take only half an hour for all the sand to flow through. Once the sand had completely drained, Yan Zhengming's practice would come to an end. However, if he were to lose focus for even a moment, the sand would immediately come to a standstill. The half-hour hourglass often delayed him until nightfall.

The phrase "descending the mountain to travel" flashed momentarily in his vase-like head, only to be quickly submerged by various imagined hardships of traveling, such as the difficulties of food and lodging in the wilderness below the mountain.

Cheng Qian, being still young and inexperienced, responded without even raising his head: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. No matter how neatly the dog's paw is pressed, it is of no use, because that beast simply cannot sit still"

Yan Zhengming frowned and looked up to meet his master's triangular eyes

Yan Zhengming suddenly had a whim and turned his head to the nearby Taoist boy, saying: "You call that little one... the shortest child, I forgot again, what is his name?"