Chapter 003: Deceptive Techniques

That literacy ... ...

Having said that, the old man waved his robe sleeves.

In the southern waters, there are those who possess clumsy skills; a neighbor has left behind an item, and the idlers in the village seize it, unable to pick it up. At the second watch, a mound of earth three inches high is piled up, facing southwest, and is called the art of mountain and stone.

The old man scrutinized him carefully for a moment and nodded: "This is a dream, but it can also be real; it all depends on one's personal cultivation." He took the gourd with black patterns from his waist and tilted it over the stone table, causing a wine cup to appear out of thin air, catching the wine that flowed down.

However, for a young person who has not even reached the threshold, it can be considered novel

Lu Liangsheng hesitated for a moment, but still walked over, taking the cup from the old man's hand. The liquid in the cup swayed, crystal clear, exuding a rich aroma

Lu Liangsheng touched his forehead, feeling nothing at all. In a state of half-belief and half-doubt, the old man over there turned around, facing away from him, and raised his head to gaze at the night sky

"Hurry up and eat, come with us into the city." Old Lu Shi stuffed a piece of flatbread that his wife had made into his son's hands, "We are going on a long journey, so eat your fill."

Lu Liangsheng held the wine glass, raising his gaze: "Ah?"

The figure on the bed hurriedly got off, put on shoes, and pulled out the two books from under the bed, looking at the writing on them and instinctively murmuring the words.

Liang Sheng! It is time to eat

As a teacher, I have devoted my life to cultivation and have always treated others with kindness. However, I did not expect to be ambushed and severely injured. I thought I would spend my twilight years in solitude, yet unexpectedly, I have a connection with you at this moment. Therefore, I bestow upon you a chance for transformation; how far you can go depends entirely on yourself

Looking at those two books, one does not feel bored

Master... is this a dream? Lu Liangsheng asked cautiously

In a somewhat panicked tone, Lu Liangsheng looked around. The darkness that extended outwards gradually revealed the outline of the courtyard. A dim, deep yellow light illuminated the rooms in the nearby courtyard, accompanied by a rustling noise. Shadows of people flitted about, whispering to one another, their figures silhouetted against the paper windows, with some leaning over as if trying to break through the paper to peek into the courtyard outside

The end of the line of sight is an infinite extension of pitch blackness, and when the old man's voice resonates, it is faintly accompanied by the croaking of frogs

There is no need to understand so much; just do everything as I say. The old man, with a blank expression, slid his wide sleeves to the sides, stood up, walked in front of the young man, and reached out to pat him on the head

Have you learned it

Lu Liangsheng furrowed his brow and glanced at the sky outside: "Isn't it just the hour of Wei now?"

As dusk approaches, the marketplace outside the city has gathered people from other villages, with many fine goods displayed along the roadside, and merchants coming and going among them

A line of more than ten people was not moving slowly; they were still resting in the mountains at noon. By the afternoon, they had already arrived, having traveled only about 5 li to reach Fushun County.

Qixia Mountain is the very mountain where Lu Liangsheng often gathered firewood

He used to drink a little wine. When someone in the village gets married, a banquet is held to invite the entire village for a meal, and there would be some wine as well. However, the wine available now is exceptionally rich and exquisite

The atmosphere became eerie

Raindrops slide down the thatched tips, falling onto the soil at the eaves, a barely audible sound, a soft "pa" echoing. On the wooden bed covered with thatch, a young boy shouts in his dream: "Master—"

The air flowed, and stone tables and stone benches emerged. Lu Liang rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them, he saw an elderly man with white hair and beard sitting there, wearing the gray robe from earlier in the day.

In these times, it is still relatively safe for a group of people to travel together; if they encounter a villain, at least there is someone to look out for each other. The people from the mountains are mostly fierce, and beneath the boards of the donkey cart, there are scythes and hatchets hidden. If they truly encounter a robbery on the road, they would dare to fight for their lives.

Liang Sheng found a somewhat concealed spot, dug a pile of earth, and, following the methods described in the books, sat cross-legged opposite, pinched his fingers, and silently recited the incantation. These were all minor techniques recorded in those two books, which ordinary people could not practice to any effect, and those with profound Daoist cultivation would disdain to use.

In the field of vision, sunlight breaks through the thick rain clouds and shines down. The incense at the window has long since burned out, and the ash mixed with water stains has fallen all over the ground. The fresh morning breeze, laced with moisture, blows in through the window frame, and the slight chill awakens Lu Liangsheng.

One evening, after finishing all the tasks at Lu Liangsheng's home, early the next morning, Lu Laoshi took him into the city to look for a shop selling writing brushes and ink.

The faint sound suddenly ceased, and Lu Liangsheng widened his eyes, pinched his cheek, and stood there in astonishment, holding the two books in his hand: "I... I can really read now..."

On the fifth day, as soon as it was light, Lu Liangsheng was called up by Old Stone Lu. He originally thought it was time to go out to work in the fields, but instead found that the men in the village had gathered together. Some families with donkey carts had loaded a considerable amount of items, including the millet and sorghum grains from Lu Liangsheng's own home, several wild animal furs, more than twenty baskets, and a few large stacks of firewood, all of which were in one of the donkey cart's cargo beds.

Sometimes when I go up the mountain, I also run to that giant rock to express my doubts. When I sleep, I receive guidance from the old man. After four consecutive days, not only has my body become light, but my thoughts also change rapidly. Compared to the somewhat confused state I was in before, I feel as if I have become a different person

"The Southern Water Collection" ... ... "The Green Embrace of Dreams" ... ... "

In just a few dozen words, some are dry and difficult to understand. Even though Liang Sheng has a natural talent for writing and painting, it took him nearly half an hour to memorize them.

Li Jinhua's voice came from the kitchen. Inside the house, the boy who had just hidden the book hurriedly went outside. As usual, after finishing breakfast, he went to work in the fields with his father. In the afternoon, he finally had some time to quietly take out the book and flip through a few pages. Now that he could understand it, he repeatedly chewed on every word and every line in his mouth.

The entrance has a slightly irritating sensation in the throat, while the rest is filled with a lingering sweetness. A tingling sensation crawls through every limb and bone.

Alright, everything is settled. The two books I am giving you were obtained from him, and they contain some minor techniques. Pick a few to practice, and remember, do not speak of this to others

The dim light flickered, and everything around slowly faded away; darkness surged in like a tide, enveloping Lu Liangsheng in its black embrace

"Liang Sheng, come and have a taste," he said, lifting the wine cup and offering it forward

It can cleanse the filth of mortals

He put away the book, quietly stepped out, and ran to the southwest of the village. At this time, there were still farmers busy in the fields. Upon seeing the young man, they smiled and greeted him, then bent down to continue their work.

For two days, I was quite diligent. When night fell, if the moon appeared, as my master instructed, I would run outside at midnight to worship the bright moon, reciting the incantation. I could only feel the pure white light pouring down, illuminating my entire body, and the coolness seemed to flow gently through me like water.

Master ... ... Master ... ...

Your father has promised to buy you a pen. Remember, once you are in the city, do not touch other people's belongings. The possessions of city dwellers are precious, and if you break something, our family cannot afford to compensate for it

Outside, Li Jinhua was calling out to two hens, while my sister, holding a bundle of firewood, ran over humming a little tune she had learned from somewhere, and everything became real again

Opening my eyes, I suddenly sat up from the bed

Before long, Lu Xiaoxian and Li Jinhua came out from their home to see him off, reminding the inexperienced Liang Sheng not to cause trouble for others along the way and not to wander around aimlessly.

After the final reminders, the time was nearly up. The leading men shouted, and Lu Liangsheng followed his father, walking behind the donkey cart, heading towards the village and on to the nearest town.

Lu Liangsheng

Now I shall impart to you a set of breathing mantras. If it is night and the bright moon is high in the sky, you should face it and follow the mantras to breathe. If you encounter anything you do not understand, you may seek me at the stone caves of Qixia Mountain

The old man withdrew his hand, still expressionless: "You have already learned."

Master! Lu Liangsheng shouted again, suddenly instinctively dodging, stepping aside as the soil burst forth with green sprouts. Then, breaking through the ground, it rapidly shot up, visibly growing stout and tall. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a towering ancient tree, swaying gently in the night breeze, its branches lush and leaves abundant.