Chapter 46

With three months still to go before the capital assembly, although it was necessary to set out a month in advance, there were still nearly two months of leisure time.

During these days, Qin Xianyu practiced every day without interruption.

The old Taoist Master Guanxu had imparted his skills, and Qin Xianyu had gained six inches of true qi. At the Liu residence, the Great Seal of Ghost Suppression had transformed the gray-black mist, increasing his true qi by another three parts. With nearly a month of practice, his true qi had now reached six and nine-tenths of an inch, nearly seven inches.

This level of cultivation progress was already extremely fast.

Qin Xianyu was not surprised; such rapid progress was undoubtedly due to the jade pill and spirit water.

In the past month, his true qi had gradually harmonized, nurturing his body and gradually making the true qi his own, smooth and at his command.

Additionally, his initial understanding of swordsmanship had already reached a high level, and his sword technique was already extremely profound. However, as the old Taoist had said, he had only learned this one technique and did not know any sword moves or even any body techniques.

Uncle Fu, who had initially seen the young master sitting in meditation all day, looking somewhat deranged, was reassured when Qin Xianyu explained that he was practicing martial arts. In recent days, due to the spirit water, Uncle Fu's white hair had turned black, and he looked much younger.

"The Chen family has great influence, having been wealthy merchants for hundreds of years, and after four generations, they entered the ranks of the noble families a hundred years ago. Their influence in Feng County is deeply rooted."

Qin Xianyu recalled the words of Lu Qing when he delivered the four thousand silver taels, and he felt a slight shock.

Behind Minister Yuan, it was naturally the Chen family providing support.

As long as the Chen family remained strong, it was not advisable to take action against the clearly corrupt Minister Yuan. The Chen family's influence was vast, with roots spread far and wide. Dealing with them would be extremely difficult. Even the Prefect of the state had long intended to remove this local strongman but was very cautious. Moreover, the Chen family had connections with many important figures in the capital.

Qin Xianyu was surprised but not overly fearful.

However, in recent days, the effect of the jade pill had gradually diminished. He was unsure whether it was due to his excessive consumption of the jade pill and spirit water, leading to a decrease in effectiveness, or if it was a property of the jade pill itself.

"After the effect of the jade pill diminishes, boiling it in hot water can still be effective, but the effect is gradually decreasing."

"Perhaps it's best to use the fire talisman."

The fire talisman, of course, was the talisman recorded in the true explanation of swordsmanship.

Whether it was a jade sword or a gold sword, melting them into water was extremely difficult. First, the flame was hard to reach such a temperature, and second, the iron pot would melt before the sword. Therefore, there was the fire talisman.

Qin Xianyu intended to try using the fire talisman to melt the jade pill.

Of course, the most important point was to practice it to avoid any mishaps when he practiced the true explanation of swordsmanship.

Items such as talisman pens and cinnabar were indispensable.

Uncle Fu had already gone to the city to inquire about the best cinnabar, which would take a few more days to be delivered, but it was expensive. For Qin Xianyu, who had thousands of silver taels, this was not a problem.

"Uncle Fu has already reserved the cinnabar and bought the best talisman pen. Most of the other items are already prepared. In a few days, we will refine the jade pill."

Just as he was thinking this, he sensed someone outside the door.

Since his true qi had harmonized, his perception had become increasingly acute.

"Sister Ning'er?"

When he opened the door and saw the person outside, Qin Xianyu was slightly taken aback.

Ning'er did not look pleased, huffed, and entered the room, looking around and said, "Little Taoist, is this where you live? It looks like a temple, and there are even statues of deities."

Qin Xianyu smiled and said, "Shouldn't a Taoist live in a Taoist temple?"

Ning'er muttered, "I heard you're a divine doctor; you should live in a pharmacy."

Qin Xianyu smiled slightly but did not respond.

"It's too shabby." Ning'er looked around and said, "Your temple is too small. I heard that Taoists pay attention to feng shui and layout. But looking at your temple, I can't see any standards."

Qin Xianyu said, "My late master, Guanyun, was devoted to medicine and alchemy, and he was rather casual about other matters. He built this temple himself, seeking simplicity, not complexity."

"Alright, I won't talk to you much."

Ning'er placed a small package on the side, clapped her hands, and said, "I should go."

Qin Xianyu was puzzled and asked, "What's inside?"

"Two days ago, I met the old man with Miss on the street. He was originally your family's steward and wanted to buy some talisman pens and cinnabar. These items were obtained from other state officials by Miss, and they are said to come from Mount Qingcheng."

"Items from Mount Qingcheng?"

Qin Xianyu was suddenly startled.

Mount Qingcheng, the ancestral mountain of Taoism in the Great Virtue Holy Dynasty, was even visited by the emperor for the worship of the Taoist patriarch.

Almost all Taoists in the Great Virtue Holy Dynasty belonged to Mount Qingcheng, as all the names of Taoists were recorded there. If Qin Xianyu wanted to truly inherit the temple and become a Taoist, he would need to be recorded on Mount Qingcheng, only then would he be considered a legitimate Taoist and recognized by his peers.

Such a sacred mountain naturally had countless legends and believers.

In the old Taoist Master Guanxu's notes, it was recorded: "This mountain is full of spiritual energy, worthy of its reputation as a blessed land, but although there are cultivators and those who release true qi, no deities or immortals have been seen."

"There are cultivators and those who release true qi on the mountain, but Master Guanxu did not see anyone with higher cultivation. However, just because Master Guanxu did not see them does not mean they do not exist. At least, there are indeed cultivators and recluses on the mountain."

The mountain does not need to be high; with immortals, it becomes spiritual.

Mount Qingcheng is not particularly high, but it is often shrouded in light clouds and mist. To the world, it is a sacred mountain, a peak shrouded in mystery, and the officially recognized ancestral temple of Taoism, revered by Taoist disciples as the mountain where their patriarch resides.

Items from Mount Qingcheng are not just valuable; they are priceless.

Qin Xianyu opened the package and found a talisman pen, a box of cinnabar, a duster, and a sachet.

Qin Xianyu was surprised and said, "This, how can a little Taoist like me..."

"Don't want to accept it?"

Ning'er raised an eyebrow and huffed, "I just delivered it. Whether you accept it or not is your business. If you want to throw it away, that's also your business."

Qin Xianyu smiled bitterly and said, "I really need these items. I had Uncle Fu buy a talisman pen and reserve cinnabar in the city, which were the best, but compared to items from the ancestral mountain of Taoism, they are worlds apart. But these items are precious, and I cannot accept them without doing anything in return. Perhaps I could..."

Ning'er's face turned cold, and she huffed, "Do you think our Miss cares about your silver? These items are from Mount Qingcheng and were originally used by the elders of Mount Qingcheng. If it weren't for our lord asking other state officials, do you think they would be so easily obtained?"

Qin Xianyu smiled bitterly and said nothing.

"Hmph, I hate you, you old Taoist. I'm leaving."

"Sister Ning'er, why don't you have a cup of tea?"

"Do you think I have as much leisure time as you?"

As a maid, she had to be by Miss's side at all times, and whenever Miss gave an order, she had to do her best to comply without delay. Even if she was sound asleep in the middle of the night, if she heard an order, she had to get up immediately.

In this world, who has leisure time?

For example, in a wealthy household, if the master wanted a dish in the middle of the night, the cook, even if sound asleep, had to get up immediately without delay.

Thinking about this, Qin Xianyu suddenly remembered Duke Qian and the old man's words.

By the time he came to his senses, Ning'er had already left the temple and was gradually walking away.

PS: I'm feeling烦躁 (irritated), and there will be no update tomorrow noon.

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