Chapter 63

Ye Qing stood with his hands behind his back, casually surveying the surroundings, with a group of people following behind him. At this moment, he looked towards the shrine and saw that the temple gate, long neglected, had collapsed for the most part. Inside the three walls, two human-sized clay statues were faintly visible, their surfaces worn and dilapidated. Upon closer inspection, the walls were covered in moss.

Seeing the distant mist, Ye Qing pondered in his heart. A drop of water's kindness should be repaid with a spring of water, let alone the help from a divine being. In the past, I had nothing and was not yet capable, so the divine being would not blame me. Now, as a scholar, with some wealth, it is time to repay.

Moreover, this place is close to the Northern Mang Mountains, and the shrine is said to suppress evil spirits. For this reason alone, it is fitting.

After a long while, Ye Qing sighed lightly, turned his head, and said, "Old Master Yu, when I was young, I received help from a divine being. Now, I plan to repair the shrine for this divine being. You are a renowned craftsman in the area, familiar with this place. How much silver and labor will it take to repair the shrine?"

Old Master Yu, dressed in coarse cloth and wearing thin shoes, with grayish-white beard, bowed and said, "Young Master, I dare not accept such a title. Just call me Old Yu, as I am the fifth in my family."

Now that Ye Qing had become a scholar, his status had risen, and he was respected and flattered wherever he went. Old Master Yu was no exception. After a moment's thought, he said, "There are trees and stones nearby, so many materials can be sourced locally, which won't cost much. One hundred taels of silver should suffice. However, I'm not sure if the statues inside are made of clay or wood."

"One hundred taels of silver is too little. I'll give you two hundred taels of silver," Ye Qing said with a slight smile. He had seen through Old Yu's intention to work almost for free but did not want to accept it.

"As for the clay or wooden statues, I want them to be gilded. I'll provide ten taels of gold. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes, yes, no problem. Young Master, rest assured, we will take care of it."

Ye Qing nodded, "You have been in this trade for many years and have a lot of experience. I trust your judgment. Let's not start work today since you've traveled with me. Rest well, and we'll start early tomorrow. Today, we can just look at the structure and get a sense of it."

"Yes, as you command, Young Master," the two men replied.

After saying this, Ye Qing left the shrine and walked towards a rock. The sky grew dark, and the evening breeze brought a chill. Nearby, bonfires were lit, and thirty strong men gathered, unafraid of the eerie atmosphere. Smoke rose slowly.

From the rock, the roof of the shrine, with a large hole, was clearly visible, unable to shield the rain. The faces of the statues inside were blurred, and the entire shrine exuded a desolate and bleak atmosphere.

But now, I have the means to repair it, Ye Qing thought to himself. At this moment, a faint aura of yin energy surrounded him but was dispelled by the crimson qi in his body.

"The Three Talismans of the True Record is a very good Daoist technique, but learning it will fix one's Daoist foundation. I have the Six Yang Diagram, and I must reach its peak."

"However, with the Six Yang Diagram and the Lesser Martial Canon, progress is truly rapid. It is indeed the first classic of martial arts!"

The Great Yi Martial Canon, compiled and revised with the efforts of an entire dynasty, concentrated the essence of martial arts. The Lesser Martial Canon is the essence of the Great Yi Martial Canon. Ye Qing believed that in a world without supernatural interference, it would be a treasure for martial artists.

National martial arts have only a few hundred years of history and are scattered among martial artists. How can they compare to the supreme techniques refined by millions of people over a thousand years?

Unfortunately, in this world, Daoist techniques are prevalent. The complete Great Yi Martial Canon may only be accessible to those of the Juren rank, but parts of it are available in any county.

Sighing, Ye Qing smiled and stopped feeling sentimental. On Earth, technology mercilessly crushed so-called divine skills and national martial arts, and Daoist techniques would do the same.

This has nothing to do with good or evil, only power!

But at least for now, the Six Yang Diagram and the Lesser Martial Canon do not conflict; they complement each other, as the foundation is still in the physical body.

"Moreover, in this world where Daoist techniques are prevalent, once one attains a rank, using spiritual energy to replace true qi is incredibly easy and fast. At least, one year can be counted as ten. With my scholar rank and the Six Yang Diagram, even reaching the peak of the Lesser Martial Canon will take no more than three years!"

Thinking about this, Ye Qing looked into the distance and suddenly smiled, "I wonder why the evil qi has not approached. It seems the divine being is still active and has driven away the evil qi. Building the shrine will surely go smoothly."

The next morning, as the first light of dawn shone, masons and carpenters were busy. After a prayer, the statues were moved out and covered with red cloth.

As for the original walls, they were checked block by block. Useful ones were repaired and reused, while useless ones were discarded.

Villagers carried bricks in baskets, paid by Ye Qing at one tael of silver per basket, and hundreds of strong men were willing to help.

As for the wood, it was cut on-site. The village and county would not quarrel with a scholar over "unclaimed wood."

By the fifth day, the basic structure of the shrine was complete.

By the seventh day, the beams were in place, and green tiles were laid.

By the eleventh day, the ground was fully paved with green bricks, and the gilded statues were brought in. The statues were solemn and majestic, as if deities resided within, inspiring awe.

Three days later, the walls were built, and no beasts could enter. The two doors were thick and sturdy, painted with cinnabar.

In the final three days, the side rooms were built, and the entire shrine was renewed, with no trace of its former dilapidation.

"Young Master, please offer the first incense!" Old Master Yu, dressed in clean clothes, bowed before Ye Qing. The faces of the many craftsmen were filled with joy, as the work was done, and after offering incense, they would be paid and could return home.

Ye Qing smiled, entered the shrine, and saw that his memorial text was carved on both sides. A memorial text was already on the altar, which was not the craftsmen's idea but his own instruction.

Entering the main hall, he stood before the statue and said, "Since ancient times, no country has lasted forever. The general was loyal to his country, and his spirit will be remembered for generations. I have great respect for him. Please, General, accept the incense in your hall!"

With that, he lit the incense and placed it in the incense burner, not kneeling but bowing deeply, completing the ritual. A wave of cheers followed, signaling the completion of the shrine.

However, these people did not dare to offend, and they lined up respectfully to offer incense. Dozens of incense sticks were lit, and the hall was soon filled with the scent of incense.

Returning to the side room, a red-cloth-covered tray was on the table.

"The shrine is repaired, and your work is done. You can return home. Here is the silver, two hundred taels in total," Ye Qing said, sitting in a chair.

The shrine, now renewed, was almost devoid of visitors, giving it a somewhat solemn atmosphere. Old Master Yu, feeling somewhat constrained, hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Young Master!"

He took the tray, which was heavy, and lifted the cloth to see ingots of five taels each. Seeing the real silver and gold, Old Master Yu felt relieved, and his smile became more genuine. "Now that the work is done, we will return. If you have any further instructions, please let us know."

"There is one more thing. I have bought fifty acres of sloping land near the valley, to be used as shrine land. I have already spoken to the county, and it is exempt from taxes. I am looking for someone to guard it, and the produce will belong to them, to maintain the incense offerings."

"Those who enter the mountains will have a place to rest, making travel easier. What do you think? If you want it, send someone. If not, I will find an elder from the village."

Old Master Yu was taken aback. The fifty acres of sloping land were barren and produced little, but being tax-exempt made it valuable.

After some thought, he said, "Young Master, if you are willing, I have a son with a limp who has no means of livelihood. He can come to guard the incense offerings."

"I am old and can't do much more work. In half a year, I will come to help. What do you think?"

"You have the right intention, so there is no problem. However, if you come, you must arrive tomorrow. Go now!" Ye Qing had no objections and waved his hand.

The fifty acres of sloping land were registered with the county, and he bought it for just a dozen taels of silver, which he did not mind.

Old Master Yu took the silver and left, followed by the other craftsmen. Gradually, the place became quiet, with no one around.

Ye Qing spent the first night in the newly repaired shrine.

The night was deep, and wolves howled in the distance. In the past, staying here would have been nerve-wracking, but now it was not. He patrolled the area, seeing the three-meter-high walls, and knew no beasts could enter.

He cooked some porridge, lit a candle, and drank the porridge while reading scriptures. Gradually, he felt drowsy and went to sleep on a wooden bed.

As expected, after some time, he saw a dense fog, white and thick. Ye Qing said nothing and stood still.

After a while, the sound of hooves grew faint, dispersing the fog. A golden carriage emerged from the void, pulled by four black horses, their hooves treading on yin fire, surrounded by golden flames, and accompanied by a rumbling sound.

The carriage stopped ten feet in front of Ye Qing. A black-armored general descended, his eyes glowing with a faint red flame. He looked at Ye Qing and said, "The Great General wants to see you. Follow me."

Strangely, as the carriage arrived, the fog rapidly dissipated, revealing the true scene of the area.

Black mountains stretched endlessly, with faint human figures. Withered grass was the only decoration on the ground, and a black river flowed, winding and narrow. These scenes filled Ye Qing's mind, making him suddenly realize.

This is the Netherworld!

Only the Netherworld has such a scene. In the Daoist sects, there are countless practitioners who descend to the lower Netherworld, layer by layer. The first to third layers of the Netherworld are like this.

But the deeper one goes, the more bizarre it becomes,脱离现实的束缚。

阳世是中心的存在，离阳世越远的冥土，越脱离现实的影响，衍生出不可知的存在。叶青前世虽然道行不深，但在大劫时曾随一位大修行者下降到冥土的深处，那里到处飘着不知名的残骸，像是被遗弃之地。

黑甲偏将看着伫立的叶青，直到马匹的一声沉闷嘶吼，把叶青的思绪拉了回来。

“愿随君往！”叶青对黑甲偏将一礼，随同上了车。

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The deeper one goes, the more bizarre it becomes,脱离现实的束缚。

The Yang World is the central existence, and the further one goes from the Yang World, the more the Netherworld deviates from the real world, giving rise to unknown entities. Although Ye Qing's Daoist cultivation in his previous life was not deep, during the great calamity, he once accompanied a great practitioner to descend deep into the Netherworld. There, debris of unknown origin floated everywhere, like a forsaken land.

The black-armored general watched Ye Qing standing there until a horse's low neigh pulled him back to his senses.

"I am willing to follow you!" Ye Qing bowed to the black-armored general and climbed into the carriage with him.

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