Chapter 11

Qin Sang didn't know what kind of "qi" the *Yōumíng Jīng* (Netherworld Scripture) referred to, and whether it was the same as the "true qi" or "internal energy" Bai Jianglan mentioned.

In a general sense, the *Yōumíng Jīng* is divided into six levels.

Apart from cultivation, the *Yōumíng Jīng* contains no superfluous words and does not involve anything else. Qin Sang couldn't determine whether it was an internal cultivation technique or a method for immortality.

In the section on the *Yánluó Fān* (Yanluo Banner), it describes how to use that qi to control the Yanluo Banner, but it can only be attempted after completing the first level of the *Yōumíng Jīng*. The specific functions of the Yanluo Banner are not explained.

After reading through the entire text several times, Qin Sang was still in a fog, feeling dizzy and disoriented. Seeing that it was already late at night, he decided not to rush and went to rest.

...

The city gates of Sanwu City were loosely guarded, and since Qin Sang and Mingyue were both wearing Taoist robes, they easily slipped into the city.

Before entering the city, Qin Sang looked back and saw that a town stretching for several miles had already formed outside the city gates.

From the city gates outward, there were multi-story buildings, stone houses, and thatched huts, and finally, people who simply laid down straw to make a home.

The outermost area was crowded with countless refugees from the north, most of whom didn't even have a thatched hut for shelter. Fortunately, Qin Sang saw several wealthy households providing porridge, so the refugees could at least have something to eat.

In recent days, Qin Sang had also noticed an increasing number of refugees at Qingyang Temple. He never imagined that the ferry would be so crowded, and that so many people would gather outside Sanwu City. He wondered how they would survive the harsh winter.

The first thing he saw upon entering the city was a meat bun shop with a fragrant aroma that could be smelled from a mile away. Qin Sang's eyes turned green, and he hurriedly pulled Mingyue inside. The two of them gobbled up a whole tray of meat buns, barely satisfying their hunger, before they leisurely strolled around the city.

Today was an auspicious day, and Jixin Daoist had two rituals to perform, neither of which were major events like weddings or funerals. The Daoist could handle them himself, so Qin Sang asked for permission and took Mingyue into the city to enjoy the scenery.

At Qingyang Temple, Qin Sang had often heard patients and visitors talk about Sanwu City.

Now that he saw it with his own eyes, from a modern perspective, Sanwu City naturally couldn't compare to modern metropolises, but in this era, it was still a grand city.

The two of them walked through the city in their Taoist robes.

Mingyue had rosy lips and a charming appearance.

Although Qin Sang had a farmer's background, Qin Sanwa had never suffered as a child and had a fair complexion. Combined with Qin Sang's modern confidence and charisma, and his generous spending, he didn't look like a poor and stingy Daoist at all.

The two of them were quite eye-catching as they walked together.

Many people curiously observed them, but Qin Sang didn't mind. Mingyue, however, was a bit shy and followed him closely. When she couldn't take it anymore, she tugged on Qin Sang's sleeve and whispered, "Senior Brother, where are we going?"

"First, we find some delicious food..."

Qin Sang's eyes darted around, and whenever he saw something he hadn't tried before, he would buy it and share it with Mingyue. They spent money like water, but since it was all from his enemies, he didn't feel bad about it.

Mingyue, who had never eaten so many good things while following the poor old Daoist, was overjoyed and bounced around Qin Sang, gradually relaxing. However, she was also worried about Qin Sang, "Senior Brother, you've spent a lot of money today. Master said money is hard to earn, so you should save it for buying a wife!"

Qin Sang pointed to a pastry shop ahead, "Do you want to eat?"

Mingyue clenched her fists and knocked them together, "Ah... just a little bit of each!"

...

After leaving the pastry shop, Mingyue carried a large bag of pastries, saying she wanted to share them with Master.

As they walked and ate, Qin Sang gained a deeper understanding of this world, truly integrating Qin Sanwa's memories into himself.

After just a few streets, Qin Sang's stomach was completely full, and he also noticed some business opportunities. With the money he had stolen as capital, he could work hard and easily make a living, but he couldn't muster any interest.

Laughing and chatting with Mingyue, they turned a corner, and a three-story wooden building came into view. The building was next to the river inside Sanwu City, with willows swaying gently. The sign on the building read "Honghu Lou" (Swan Pavilion), a grand tea house.

From time to time, the sound of a wooden clapper and loud exclamations and laughter could be heard from inside the tea house. Qin Sang knew it was because of the famous storyteller inside.

He had come to the city specifically to visit this tea house.

To gather information, one must find places where people gather to chat. Qin Sang was particularly interested in the legends of immortals and spirits around Sanwu City, so he had deliberately inquired at Qingyang Temple and already knew about Honghu Lou.

Honghu Lou was the most famous tea house in the southern part of Sanwu City. It had three floors, with tea prices ranging from high to low, and a diverse clientele from all walks of life.

Qin Sang sat on the first floor, the most crowded, ordered a pot of tea, and listened to the storyteller.

*Bang!*

The plump storyteller suddenly slammed the wooden clapper, his face jiggling, and the tea house fell silent.

"Speaking of this matter, there is a story from five hundred years ago that must be mentioned. It is said that a great hero named Wang Bin was convinced by our great ancestor, the Divine Martial Emperor of the Sui Dynasty... This person is the descendant of that great hero..."

Qin Sang listened for a while and realized that the storyteller, Liu Jingting, lived up to his reputation. His storytelling was dramatic and captivating, making even ordinary stories come alive.

However, his mind was elsewhere. He glanced around and began to chat with the people around him.

He spent the entire day in the tea house, even having lunch there. Qin Sang was generous with his money, treating people to tea and making many "friends." He used his conversation skills to guide them into discussing the local legends of immortals and spirits in Sanwu City.

On the stage, Liu Jingting told stories, while a group of people below shared old tales. Mingyue sat on the side, protecting the pastries with both hands, listening intently and not minding the long wait.

When the sun began to set, Qin Sang and Mingyue reluctantly left the tea house and met up with Jixin Daoist, who had finished his rituals. They returned to Qingyang Temple as dusk fell.

Before the evening service, the three of them sat around a charcoal brazier, sharing the pastries by the oil lamp.

Mingyue, munching on a fruit, suddenly asked, "Senior Brother, why did you keep asking those people about the legends of immortals on the mountain today? Do you want to seek immortality?"

The old Daoist raised an eyebrow.

Qin Sang looked up and smiled, "Who wouldn't want to be an immortal? Unfortunately, none of these legends are reliable."

"Master once said that those who go deep into the mountains and rivers will never find immortals. Immortal masters wouldn't stay in such desolate places," Mingyue, fearing that Qin Sang would go astray, earnestly advised, "Senior Brother, those legends are all false. Don't believe them."

Qin Sang's eyes lit up, and he looked at the old Daoist.

Jixin Daoist finished a pastry, wiped his hands slowly, and grunted, "Boy, if you want to find immortality in Cuiming Mountain, I advise you not to waste your effort. Go down the mountain and live a honest life, or you'll cut off the lineage of your family."