Chapter 7

Chapter Seven: The Devious Plan of Daoist Jia

The old beggar had a mysterious air about him, while Xu Daoyan looked at him with curiosity and anticipation, hoping to learn more from him.

"Well, let me tell you about the Confucian arts among the various schools of the human race!" the old beggar began.

"First, the six arts of Confucianism—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—are divided into the literary and martial schools."

"The Confucian arts emphasize self-cultivation and respect for heaven and earth, which can bring good fortune. Therefore, Confucians have many rituals, worship heaven and earth, and treat others with courtesy and kindness, always receiving positive responses. This is the subtlety of rites."

"Using musical instruments to evoke the resonance of the great way of heaven and earth, and the inner feelings of all living beings, one can communicate and understand their hearts. Playing music for all living beings can move them to tears, and it can also be used to attack, defend against enemies, and this is music."

"Using the bow and arrow as weapons, practicing archery can calm the mind and focus the spirit, ensuring a sure hit, and this is archery."

"Controlling the myriad creatures of heaven and earth, and harmonizing with one's own spirit, this is charioteering."

"Reading the writings of sages and writing elegant articles can enlighten the world and bring sudden understanding, and this is calligraphy."

"Predicting the future, foreseeing good and bad fortune, and avoiding misfortune, this is mathematics!"

"The Confucian arts are profound and intricate, and what I have told you is just the tip of the iceberg."

The old beggar spoke succinctly, and the power in each word made Xu Daoyan deeply appreciate the subtlety of the six arts, feeling a sense of admiration.

Xu Daoyan, lost in admiration, said, "That's amazing, I want to learn..."

"Ha ha ha, of course it's amazing, but you can't learn it for now. I'll teach you a simple skill, the Spring Revival Technique!" the old beggar laughed heartily.

Xu Daoyan was about to curse, feeling that all the talk was just to whet his appetite: "I..."

The old beggar ignored him. After a while of ineffective protests, Xu Daoyan said seriously, "The Spring Revival Technique sounds too insignificant, I'm not very interested in learning it. I want to learn a skill that can defeat thousands!"

"Each person's cultivation method is complementary to their skills. You absorb the spring qi of heaven and earth, which is the qi of growth. Do you want to use this life-giving qi to kill people? It's like using a ribbon as a whip to beat someone to death. Is that possible?" The old beggar's words were full of disdain, and Xu Daoyan was speechless.

"Don't underestimate the Spring Revival Technique. If you want to defeat thousands, you must first stay alive. If you're dead, how can you defeat thousands?"

Xu Daoyan suddenly realized and nodded, acknowledging the truth.

The Spring Revival Technique may not sound impressive, but it is necessary to learn. Seeing that Xu Daoyan was no longer resistant, the old beggar continued, "The Spring Revival Technique is a healing skill for both oneself and others. The effectiveness of the healing depends on the strength of your liver."

Xu Daoyan nodded without a word.

"Spring qi is the qi of growth. The Spring Revival Technique is simple: it involves drawing the spring qi from your liver, refining it into the qi of growth, and integrating it into the injured area." As he spoke, the old beggar exhaled and drew a wound on Xu Daoyan's arm.

Blood gushed out, and Xu Daoyan was startled. The old beggar had actually blown a breath to cut his skin, which was astonishing.

"The liver belongs to wood and is responsible for growth, while the lungs belong to metal and are responsible for harvesting, which can also harvest life. A single breath from the lungs can shatter a person into pieces. When you cultivate your lungs, you will also have the means to attack enemies. Now, try to heal yourself!" The old beggar spoke casually, but Xu Daoyan was incredulous.

Listening to the old beggar, Xu Daoyan took a deep breath, drew the spring qi from his liver, and used the method of nourishing all things to integrate it into his right hand, transforming it into the qi of growth and gently touching his left arm. The wound, which had been cut open, stopped bleeding, and the wound began to heal.

This process lasted for about fifteen minutes, and the wound eventually disappeared. Xu Daoyan felt the exhaustion, his forehead drenched in sweat, and his internal spring qi was significantly depleted.

"The liver is just beginning to be cultivated, and your understanding of the qi of growth is not yet profound, so the effect is not obvious. Remember, the qi of growth is the qi of life. Do you understand?" the old beggar said earnestly.

Xu Daoyan was surprised. Was the effect not obvious? Normally, a scrape would take ten to fifteen days to heal and leave a scar. Listening to the old beggar, he had a realization and took out a small dagger he carried, cutting his skin and starting to heal the wound again.

This time, he focused his mind on the wound, making the qi of growth better integrate into the wound, and the healing effect was much faster, taking less than fifteen minutes.

After repeating this ten times, Xu Daoyan found that his internal spring qi was completely depleted, and he could no longer use the Spring Revival Technique.

He immediately closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and drew the spring qi into his body, cleansing his liver. This time, the range of drawing the spring qi from heaven and earth was much larger, extending to a radius of thirty meters.

Although the spring qi was not as dense as during the hours of Chen and Si, the larger range made the effect even greater during those hours.

As night fell, Xu Daoyan did not dare to stay longer. Staying one night at Wu Xiaobai's house was acceptable, but staying two nights would make his mother suspicious.

After bidding farewell to the old beggar, he immediately ran home.

On the way home, Xu Daoyan used the Immortal Wood to measure his lifespan.

"Lifespan: 142 years, lower grade of the seventh rank."

The lower grade of the seventh rank is from 140 to 160 years.

The seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks are the lower three ranks, with each rank spanning seventy years. Reaching 210 years is considered the upper grade of the seventh rank.

What is the path of cultivation? It is for longevity. Everyone strives to extend their lifespan and enhance themselves, repeating this process.

Returning home, he saw his mother, Wu Shi, sewing by candlelight. After drinking a sip of Immortal Wine, Xu Daoyan felt his mother look younger and more beautiful, as if she were not much older than him, which made him very content.

"Back already?" his mother asked gently.

"Yes, I searched until it was dark, but I couldn't find anything," Xu Daoyan said, looking dejected.

"Naive child, such treasures are rare and hard to come by. It's already a great fortune to have found one. It's not easy to find another. Be content!" Wu Shi smiled, her expression serene.

As Xu Daoyan and Wu Shi were chatting, a black shadow flew past the small wooden house and entered the village chief's hall.

"Is Xu Daoyan's leg broken?" the village chief asked coldly.

"No, that boy's leg is not broken, and he is still jumping around," said the servant the village chief had sent to monitor Xu Daoyan's house.

"How is that possible! What is Cai Wu, that dog, doing? He hasn't returned yet?" the village chief said angrily.

"Cai Wu hasn't returned. Could something have happened to him?" the servant asked.

"It's impossible. With Cai Wu's skills, dealing with Xu Daoyan is as easy as crushing a chick. Did he say anything when he left?" The village chief's face was dark, and his mood was bad.

"He said he couldn't find Xu Daoyan in the village, so he went to the back mountain to look, thinking he might have wandered into the battlefield cemetery," the servant said, making the village chief's face pale. "That fool, thinking he's almost at the eighth rank, tried to enter the forbidden area. It seems he has met a bad end, and Xu Daoyan, that little brat, has escaped!"

At that moment, a long laugh echoed, "Ha ha, Village Chief Cai, I, Daoist Jia, am here!"

A man in a yellow Daoist robe, with thick black hair and a pair of shifty triangular eyes, and a sharp mouth and monkey-like face, exuded a very cunning aura. This was the same Daoist Jia from that day.

"Hehe, Daoist Jia, welcome to my humble abode. I apologize for not greeting you properly," the village chief said, his face not looking good, but he forced a smile, knowing he could not offend this person.

"Village Chief Cai, you seem to have something on your mind. Why don't you tell me?" Daoist Jia spoke calmly and confidently.

The village chief glanced at the servant, who then left and closed the door. The village chief then told Daoist Jia the whole story.

"I see, I see. I have a plan to ruin their reputation and make the villagers force them to their deaths. We must proceed slowly and not rush," Daoist Jia's eyes flashed with a cold light, and a sneer appeared on his lips.

"What is your plan?" the village chief asked eagerly.

"I will make ghosts cause a commotion, screaming in front of their house. The neighbors will definitely hear it. Then we will say that the ghost is Xu Daoyan's father, who died in battle, and his mother betrayed him and had an affair, giving birth to a bastard. He died with a grudge, causing unrest in the village. But the ghost of the soldier who died in battle is too powerful, and the villagers must offer more money and use the blood of the mother and son as a sacrifice. Then, using Bai Yan to absorb the positive energy for seven days and seven nights, we can suppress the ghost's anger. Village Chief Cai, not only will our income increase, but you will also get your revenge. Isn't that a two-for-one deal?" Daoist Jia and the village chief were plotting together to deceive the villagers and make them believe the whole village was in turmoil. He became more excited as he spoke.

"Good, good plan. Thank you, Daoist Jia. Come, come, let's have a drink. This year is a bountiful harvest!" The village chief's eyes gleamed with malice, and he laughed heartily, eagerly anticipating the downfall of the Xu Daoyan family.

"Ha ha, good!" Daoist Jia was very satisfied with the village chief's performance.