Chapter 13

Qin Sang had made several trips into the city to investigate and found that Bai Jianglan had not deceived him. The *Fuhu Changquan* (Tiger Taming Long Fist) was indeed a common martial art, and several major security agencies in the city, such as the Wuwei Security Agency, taught this style.

If one wanted to learn the martial art, they didn't necessarily have to join a security agency; paying silver would also work. However, learning the *Fuhu Changquan* alone cost forty to fifty taels of silver, which immediately depleted a large portion of Qin Sang's money bag.

However, the future of the *Yuming Jing* (Netherworld Sutra) was uncertain, and he definitely needed to learn this martial art to protect himself.

Seeing that the old Taoist priest did not respond, Qin Sang felt puzzled and asked, "Master, you don't want Mingyue to learn martial arts, do you?"

"Have I ever stopped you from training with him for the past two months?"

The old Taoist stopped, turned around, and asked a counter-question. He then sat down on a stone by the roadside, took a drink of water, and looked up at the vast sky, sighing, "The snow this year has come much earlier than usual. In this world, natural disasters and human calamities follow one after another, and the future is unpredictable. It's a good thing for Mingyue to have a martial art to protect himself."

Qin Sang sat down beside him and said with a smile, "What are you afraid of? Qingyang Temple isn't your ancestral property. Even if the Great Sui Empire falls into chaos, you can just pack your bags and go to another country to avoid the disaster. With the skills you've taught Mingyue, he can earn a living anywhere."

Qin Sang had befriended a few merchants and learned that this world was extremely vast. To the south of the Great Sui, there were over a dozen small countries similar to Ningguo, and further south, there were boundless territories.

To the north of the Great Sui, there was a large country called Hengguo, which was said to have a vast territory. Compared to Hengguo, the Great Sui was just a small country.

North of Hengguo, it was rumored that there was an even more powerful country.

Ordinary people could spend their entire lives traveling from south to north, from east to west, and never reach the edge.

Qin Sang also helped pick the herbs he recognized. The old man and the young boy worked tirelessly, and by the time evening approached, they had filled a large basket. They then found a cave to rest and cook a meal.

Although he had temporarily given up on seeking immortals, whenever he encountered a cave or a spring, Qin Sang couldn't help but peek inside.

The old Taoist sighed, "You still haven't given up. I've already told you that I've explored all the mountains within a hundred miles. I've lived in every cave, and I've never seen any immortals. I've seen the remains of many who sought immortality and even buried a few myself."

Qin Sang could only laugh awkwardly and turn the steamed bun on the fire. He saw the old Taoist sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, meditating without moving for a long time. He suddenly realized that the Silent Heart Taoist might have already reached the realm of a calm and tranquil mind.

A living example was right in front of him, but he had never noticed it. Qin Sang felt regretful and quickly asked, "Master, how do you manage to eliminate distractions and maintain a calm mind?"

The Silent Heart Taoist, with his eyes still closed, asked, "You've read so many Taoist scriptures. How much do you remember?"

Qin Sang felt embarrassed. He had a heart for immortality and looked down on the scriptures of ordinary Taoists. He had only read them to learn characters and ask the old Taoist for guidance, picking up bits and pieces here and there without ever reading them thoroughly.

"Let's eat first."

The old Taoist didn't comment, picked up a steamed bun, and chewed it slowly.

Qin Sang was anxious.

The old Taoist glanced at him, "Calm your mind, calm your breath. Writing and eating are also forms of cultivation."

Qin Sang forced himself to eat calmly and found that his mind was indeed much calmer afterward.

After washing up, the Silent Heart Taoist finally spoke, "Do you remember the *Qingjing Jing* (Scripture of Clear Tranquility)?"

Qin Sang nodded quickly, "I remember part of it."

"Recite it with me... Look inward at your heart, and your heart is empty; look outward at your form, and your form is formless; look far at things, and things are nothing..."

The sound of the old man and the young boy reciting the scripture echoed in the cave. After reciting the *Qingjing Jing* once, Qin Sang opened his eyes, ready to speak, but saw the old Taoist immediately start reciting it again. He quickly followed.

After reciting the *Qingjing Jing* several times, Qin Sang felt enlightened and sat in a daze for a while. He then got up and made a deep bow to the old Taoist, "Master, can I join you for the evening prayers from now on?"

The Silent Heart Taoist laughed, "Whether you recite the scriptures or not, what does it have to do with me?"

That night, although Qin Sang did not practice the *Yuming Jing*, he was unusually excited, feeling that he might have found the right path.

...

From then on, Qin Sang would wake up early and go to bed late, joining the old Taoist and Mingyue for the morning and evening prayers. Before he knew it, the New Year was approaching.

This was the first New Year that Qin Sang had spent in this world, and he had many feelings but no one to share them with.

The New Year at the temple was ordinary, but the only noteworthy thing was that the Silent Heart Taoist took out a portrait of his master, Yunyouzi, to worship. Qin Sang saw a more ethereal and Taoist-looking old man.

Although the city of Sanwu was flooded with refugees, it was still bustling as usual. Qin Sang followed the old Taoist and his disciple into the city for the New Year's festivities.

Qin Sang had yet to cultivate the "Qi," but his two months of persistent practice were not in vain. His ability to enter a meditative state had improved, and sometimes he would sit in meditation for an entire night without feeling tired the next day. Instead, he felt refreshed and invigorated, which boosted his confidence.

Sanwu City was a major north-south thoroughfare with a thriving commercial route and numerous security agencies.

The Wuwei Security Agency was not the largest in Sanwu City, but it had an excellent reputation. Qin Sang had investigated for a long time and knew that the Wuwei Security Agency had a renowned security master, Yang Zhen, who was highly skilled and upright, and his disciples were all excellent.

It was the New Year, and most of the security masters who had been on missions had returned to the city. Yang Zhen had just returned from a mission to the capital, which had taken him over three months. Upon hearing the news, Qin Sang immediately bought gifts and went to seek him out.

Fifty taels of silver for the *Fuhu Changquan* was a high price in Sanwu City, but the Wuwei Security Agency's accountant accepted the money and instructed a helper to take Qin Sang to find Yang Zhen.

Following the helper into a small courtyard, Qin Sang saw that several dozen young men were already waiting. He quietly asked the helper, "Are they all Yang Master's disciples?"

The helper nodded and said, "Yang Master is highly skilled and well-known. He never holds back when teaching his disciples. If a disciple has enough talent, they might be taken as a formal disciple. Many people in the city want to learn martial arts from Yang Master. Qin Sir, you will be learning with them. Yang Master is currently speaking with the head of the agency. Please wait in the courtyard for a moment. I will deliver your name card and gifts to him."

The helper entered the inner hall, and Qin Sang stood in the courtyard, observing Yang Zhen's disciples. He could see that the dozens of young men were divided into several groups.

About ten young men were wearing identical tight-fitting cotton clothes, with bound waists and legs, and their bodies were particularly strong. Watching them play and spar, it was clear that they had a solid foundation, likely the formal disciples the helper had mentioned.

There were also rich young men with fancy clothes and weak steps, who were just there to pass the time.

And there were those standing alone in the corner, looking very restrained, possibly like himself, new disciples.

Qin Sang thought for a moment and also moved to the corner to wait quietly.

Soon, the main gate opened, and a large man walked out. The young men in the courtyard immediately stopped their play and loudly greeted their master.

Seeing Yang Zhen in person, Qin Sang felt a strong sense of pressure.

The man was about fifty years old, with a beard, wearing the uniform of the Wuwei Security Agency. He was tall and imposing, standing a head taller than Qin Sang, the most robust person he had seen in this life.

Even the subordinates of Bai Jianglan, who were all strong men, were smaller than Yang Zhen.