In the dark night, the Peng family manor was silent. Not far away, the water of West Lake was gently rippling. Lights flickered in the garden. Because of the high wall separating them and the fact that the back of the mountain was their property, they did not have to worry about people noticing anything.
The people who had traveled thousands of li to Jiangnan were all a bit tired. They had eaten well in Hangzhou. Full and warm, they felt sleepy. Before long, the lights gradually dimmed. Most of the people had sunk into sweet dreams. Only two rooms in the back of the garden still had lights on. One was a bedroom, the other was a study.
In the bedroom, Sisi dozed off while forcefully mending the sleeve Fan Xian had torn in Shazhou. She waited for him.
In the study, Fan Xian sat in front of the table. His brows were slightly furrowed as he looked at the little book in the book. Haitang sat in the opposite corner. She was also holding a book in her hand. Her expression was serious. The handwriting on the book was fresh. It was clear that someone had just written it.
After a long silence, the two of them raised their heads at the same time with great mutual understanding. They looked at each other for a long time with a bitter smile.
In the end, it was Fan Xian who spoke first. "Duoduo, it seems to be conflicting."
Haitang shook her head. "It's not that it seems, nor is it somewhat. These two martial methods are completely opposite. It is impossible to continue practicing them."
At this moment, the two of them were holding a small booklet in their hands, which was an absolutely precious item in this world. Fan Xian was reading the supreme Heart of Northern Qi's Tianyi Dao. Haitang was reading the first volume of the Nameless Martial Secret that Fan Xian had copied from memory.
The Heart of Tianyi Dao was rumored to have been obtained by Ku He on the stone steps in front of the Temple after kneeling for months. Although Fan Xian knew this was an absurd rumor after his night talk with Xiao En in the cave, the martial method itself was still a wondrous secret that all martial cultivators under heaven crazily pursued. Although Fan Xian's Nameless Martial Secret was not very famous, it could turn a young man without an internal strength teacher into a ninth-level ace. It was tyrannical and ruthless, unparalleled in the world. Haitang knew its weight.
When it came to sharing knowledge, Fan Xian was not stingy. Since Haitang had so generously brought over the Heart of Tianyi Dao, he had to offer up his treasure.
But the pair of young people studied it for a long time in the dark, and finally came to a somewhat depressing conclusion.
The styles of the two cultivation methods were completely different. They were completely unrelated and vaguely clashed with each other. Fan Xian's Tyrannical martial method was a straightforward and rough one. It focused on training the inner spirit and solidifying the Meridians as the foundation. The most difficult part was the first hurdle. The powerful zhenqi that came out of nowhere burst forth from the back of the waist and caused a powerful shock to the cultivator's Meridians. This was the so-called shaping.
However, Haitang had practiced Tianyi Dao's martial method for over a dozen years. Her Meridians had long been set in shape. No matter what, she could not disperse the power in her body and practice it anew. Furthermore, she could not be like Fan Xian and return to infancy and rely on the wisp of innate qi that had not completely dissipated in her body to forcefully endure it. She also did not have the precious mental experience of her previous life's myasthenia gravis. This first hurdle was impossible to cross.
For Fan Xian, Tianyi Dao's martial method was also an ice beauty that could only be seen but not touched. This set of incantations was natural and responded to the yuanqi inside and outside of his body. It was indeed incomparably mysterious, particularly regarding the path and method of zhenqi flow in his body. It followed the path of gradual accumulation and was full of gentleness. The accumulated water droplets became rivers and used their moist power to cultivate the mind. However, the Tyrannical martial method Fan Xian had practiced for over a dozen years had widened the Meridians in his body to an unimaginable level. Even if he could use the martial method to condense his spirit into dew, for this dew to adhere to the walls of the entire Meridians and form a trickle, it would take who knew how many years.
The two of them looked at each other and sighed helplessly.
"Look more and comprehend by analogy. There will always be progress," Haitang said quietly.
She and Fan Xian were both at the top of the younger generation, particularly as she had already entered the realm of the upper ninth-level. However, she was still unable to touch the threshold of a breakthrough. That threshold seemed very close, but it was also illusory. She had thought that with Fan Xian's help, she might be able to gain some benefits. She had not thought that Fan Xian's zhenqi martial method would be such an abnormal existence. She couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
Fan Xian replied, "However, it looks like you won't be able to use my method to reopen Meridians. Putting aside the pain, I will not allow you to try this kind of danger."
Haitang raised her brows and said in a clear voice, "I'm not a reckless woman." She then furrowed her brows and said, "Your martial method is indeed strange. How can there be such a strange cultivation method in the world that harms yourself first and then others? Probably only a strange creature like you can practice it. "
Fan Xian remembered what Uncle Wu Zhu had said before. He shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily true. Based on what I know, there have been people who have practiced it before."
"Who taught you this Heart?" Haitang asked probingly. She didn't expect Fan Xian to answer her.
Unexpectedly, Fan Xian was frank. "My mother left it to me."
"The young lady of the Ye family?"
"Yes."
Haitang smiled bitterly. "The world hides many treasures but doesn't dare to reveal them. It is rare to see people like you and me fooling around. With two books like this in front of us, I'm afraid it is also a rare sight in the world. Unfortunately, there is no result."
Fan Xian's expression also darkened slightly. From ancient times until now, the only people who dared to share their wealth without the selfishness of their sects were probably him and Haitang, this strange pair of young man and woman. This should have been the sharing of knowledge in this world and the beautiful scene of leaving their names in history, but …
He suddenly flipped to a page. A smile suddenly appeared in his eyes. "Don't be in such a hurry to sigh. Isn't there a method of dual cultivation written here?"
…
…
Haitang furrowed her brows and said, "Dual cultivation of life and death. What is life? Those who follow the heavens are known as fate. Those who follow the self are known as nature. With the mind as nature and the heart as life, if the mind is not guarded internally, then the nature will be shaken by the heart. If the heart is not fixed internally, then the life will be stolen by sound and beauty. If the emotion does not die and the path does not change, then the return is known as the opposite. It is written clearly here, but how did you practice it? You spend all your time in officialdom. How could you find the realm of sound and beauty? "
"The heart is far, and the ground is biased." Fan Xian used a line from Tao Yuanming's poem to answer her question.
Haitang's eyes lit up. Immediately after, she smiled calmly and said, "There is still one big problem. Unless you rebuild your Meridians, given the rough zhenqi in your body and the little bit of new zhenqi, you will not be able to survive. Are you willing to shatter your Meridians with your powerful zhenqi and start from the beginning?"
Fan Xian didn't answer this question. Instead, he turned to ask about a few difficult parts of the Heart of Tianyi Dao. Haitang pointed out each one carefully and did not hide anything. Haitang thought that although she could not practice the Tyrannical martial method, if she could memorize this martial method and pass it on to the descendants of Tianyi Dao in the future, it would be a great fortune for the people of her country. Thus, she also read attentively. Occasionally, there was something she did not understand. Of course, she was not ashamed to ask. Fan Xian was like her. He spoke openly and honestly.
The red candles were in the room and the stars were in the sky. The two of them were classmates, happy and harmonious.
Gradually, the two of them began to immerse themselves in the mysterious realm contained in the two martial methods. Although they did not physically walk, they already felt it in their hearts. They no longer asked questions. Instead, they each sat with their backs to each other and quickly memorized the contents of the books.
…
…
After an indeterminable amount of time, Fan Xian, who had his back turned the entire time, suddenly faintly said, "Actually, after the assassination in the Hanging Temple, my zhenqi exploded through my Meridians and flowed through my body. Up until today, it has not been pulled back."
Haitang still had her back turned to him. However, her shoulders trembled slightly. A moment later, she quietly replied, "You're finally willing to admit it."
The affairs of the world were always so mysterious. Originally, Fan Xian would not have destroyed his Meridians to practice the Heart of Tianyi Dao again. However, his Meridians were already damaged beyond repair. It was perfect for him to practice. Yet, Haitang was still unable to gain any benefit from it. Comparing the two, in the end, Fan Xian had gained a great advantage. He had wanted to continue hiding it, but the two of them had their backs to each other for a long time. The uncomfortable feeling in his heart grew stronger and stronger. After some thought, he finally spoke with sincerity.
Fan Xian didn't turn around and continued, "I can't hide it from you for too long. Furthermore, I guessed that when the rumors of my past reached the North, you had already taken this martial method to the South. You hid it from Imperial Advisor Ku He, right?"
Haitang made a sound of agreement.
Fan Xian was moved but also wary. Furrowing his brows, he asked, "Why?"
Haitang's patterned jacket bloomed like a flower in a painting under the faint yellow light. "It's very simple. I guessed that something must have happened to you. Otherwise, no matter how shameless you were, you wouldn't have asked me for the Heart in a letter. Even an idiot would have guessed that this kind of thing is the secret of a country. How could I give it to you? Since you have something, of course, I want to help you resolve it. After all, the agreement between us still has many years to go. "
Fan Xian paused slightly and then asked, "Then what do I do now? Originally, I was unable to practice your Heart. Now that my Meridians are all destroyed, I can use the Heart of Tianyi Dao to rebuild my foundation and roots. What I gave you … is of no use to you. "
Haitang calmly replied, "It's useless to me, but it will be useful to people in the future. I trust that you won't mind me passing it on to my descendants."
"Your descendants … Is it possible that something will happen between me and them?" The knot in Fan Xian's heart gradually disappeared. He laughed loudly and took advantage of the girl's words.
It was like Haitang didn't understand this dirty joke and coldly said, "Seeing that you've been sufficiently honest with me, I won't quibble."
Fan Xian smiled and turned around. Waving the book in his hand, he shamelessly said, "In any case, the thing is in my hands. Am I afraid you'll go back on your word?"
Haitang also turned around at this moment. She stood up and walked to his side. Fan Xian thought she was truly angry and quickly hid the book in his clothes.
Haitang looked at this person and her emotions were in a mess. She thought to herself that this person was so young and already held great power in his hands. He was skilled in both literature and martial arts. In front of outsiders, he always appeared warm and sinister. Why was it that every time she looked at him, he always seemed like a scoundrel in the marketplace? She said unhappily, "I'm changing a few sentences for you. Teacher has tampered with them. If you continue to practice according to them, I won't care if you become an idiot."
Fan Xian was surprised. He took out the book and stared blankly for a long time. He didn't feel the slightest hindrance in the Heart he had read earlier. He couldn't help but admire Ku He's realm. Even a fake could be created so beautifully. But immediately after, he became angry. He thought that old bald donkey was indeed sinister. If he hadn't used the wondrous method of "memorizing everything in one word" to kill his female disciple, he really wouldn't know how he would die in the future.
"Are you going to make me an idiot from the beginning?" Fan Xian looked at Haitang and said angrily.
Haitang calmly said, "What you and I are doing is absurd. If it gets out, I'm afraid it will shock the world. What if I'm not careful? The key is that you and I must be honest. If you hide anything, I won't dare to trust you. "
"If you didn't admit to me earlier that you had lost all your zhenqi, becoming an idiot would be your own fault."
Fan Xian was shocked. He thought that being a good person indeed had its rewards.
After Haitang had changed a few words in the key sentences, Fan Xian picked it up and looked at it again. Immediately, he felt that it was like a beautiful painting that had been smeared by a master painter. Immediately, the entire painting brightened, and the landscape and people in the painting immediately came to life.
Fan Xian knew that this was the true face of the Heart of Tianyi Dao. His heart trembled. He knew that if he continued to practice like this, it wouldn't be long before he would be able to walk the path of being one with nature and naturally repair the damaged Meridians in his body. The realm that had left him for too long was finally coming back. Thinking of this, even someone as persevering as him couldn't help but feel emotional. Suddenly, his heart jumped and he thought of something.
"In a bit, I'll draw a few pictures for you." He looked at Haitang and said shamelessly, "The tyrannical martial method I gave you should be used to practice the zhenqi routes on the diagram. If you practice it blindly, you might end up with a dozen bloody holes in your body when you enter the next stage."
Haitang stared at him in a daze. A moment later, she faintly said, "When will the people in this world be less scheming and deceitful … at least, between you and me."
Fan Xian fell silent and then said, "I will study hard in the future … of course, you also need to study."
…
…
After a long time, the two of them broke away from this awkward silence. Perhaps to lighten the mood, Haitang quietly said, "I've come to see your injury."
Fan Xian nodded silently. Although the technique of introspection was subtle, sometimes it was always a bystander who saw things more clearly. Particularly for someone at Haitang's realm, it was easier for her to find where the problem was. With her profound knowledge, she could suggest a corresponding solution.
Haitang walked to his back. He didn't see her move her qi, but her right hand naturally pressed against the Yumen point on Fan Xian's back.
A gust of wind rose without reason in the study. The light on the table flickered. Suddenly, a gentle ripple of power appeared in the air.
Haitang closed her eyes and carefully sent the zhenqi in her body into Fan Xian's body to examine his injury.
At this moment, the surroundings suddenly quieted down. There wasn't a trace of wind. The flame on the lamp rose straight up. The air seemed to have frozen, but it was not sticky. On the contrary, it carried a clear feeling.
The zhenqi in the body of a superior ninth-level ace leaked out. In an instant, it perfectly harmonized with the surroundings. The Tianyi Dao sect's method of following nature was indeed wondrous.
After a long time, Haitang furrowed her brows with her eyes closed. It was as if she had encountered something strange.
At this moment, Fan Xian did not feel anything. He only felt that his whole body was comfortably warm and very comfortable. After a fresh zhenqi spread behind his waist, it quickly spread throughout his body. It was like taking a wooden bath, or sunbathing in Hawaii. His whole body was extremely relaxed, and it seemed that he was about to fall asleep.
Suddenly, he heard the girl behind him make a light sound. Fan Xian didn't even think. Without opening his eyes, he yawned and asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing." Haitang furrowed her brows. "Don't fall asleep."
"Oh, Tianyi Dao is indeed powerful. You can talk while treating illness." Fan Xian smiled. "However, if this counts as treating injuries, then I'm willing to be injured every day. It's more comfortable than horse slaughter."
"Can you shut your mouth?" Haitang asked calmly. "Otherwise, I can't guarantee that my mind won't become confused and suddenly increase my strength."
Fan Xian heard the girl's threat but was not afraid at all. Rascally, he said, "Do you want to murder your husband?"
…
…
Two muffled grunts came from their mouths at the same time. The air in the study suddenly exploded. Countless swirls of air left their bodies and disappeared in an instant. They swept up the books collected by the previous Prime Minister, Lin Ruofu, into the air. Papers flew everywhere. It was a wretched sight.
Neither Fan Xian nor Haitang were injured, but Fan Xian sat on the pile of papers on the floor and looked with lingering fear at the girl gently stroking her hair. In a trembling voice, he said, "I really want to kill someone."
Haitang stared into his eyes and forcefully suppressed her anger. Calmly, she said, "I said before, don't disturb my state of mind at this time."
Fan Xian was speechless. In his heart, he cursed, Then why didn't you say it clearly first? I thought you liked to work and flirt at the same time.
Haitang calmed her slightly panting chest. The gaze she looked at Fan Xian with became strange. "Although the zhenqi is scattered within your internal organs, the zhenqi accumulated at the snow mountain behind your waist … is still very powerful. Furthermore, the degree of ruthlessness is even more terrifying than when we fought last time. Presently, there are no meridians circulating. It can only accumulate and become thicker."
She shook her head and said, "Fortunately, I came in time. Otherwise, in another half a year, once the vital part of your snow mountain exploded, it would truly be over."
Fan Xian had two teachers in his life. One was Uncle Wu Zhu, and the other was Fei Jie. One taught him how to cut carrots, and the other taught him how to use poisons. In terms of zhenqi cultivation, he had always been self-taught. Thus, in terms of his knowledge of the finer details of zhenqi methods, he was much worse than the people of the mysterious sects. Thus, he had never discovered the greatest danger he faced. Hearing Haitang speak of it now, only now did he know that he had been in danger a few days ago. He couldn't help feeling a lingering fear.
He furrowed his brows and said, "Ever since the Hanging Temple incident, I stopped cultivating. Why would there be more and more in the snow mountain?"
Haitang thought for a moment and then said, "It's probably because you've been cultivating since a young age and have already developed a habit, so even when you're sleeping …"
Fan Xian raised his right arm and didn't let her continue. He shook his head and said, "That's the reason."
For Fan Xian, meditation and sleeping were an entertainment life that had merged into one since a young age. If it were any other cultivator, they would certainly be envious of him. Now, it had become a very dangerous reason.
No one knew what he was thinking. His expression was slightly dark. In a cold voice, he said, "I don't understand. Sir Fei also doesn't understand. Can't Eunuch Hong see it?"
"Hmm?" Haitang didn't know that he had already begun to suspect a certain noble person and didn't understand.
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "It's nothing … thank you for your trouble."
At this moment, the room was a mess. Pieces of paper were flying everywhere. Fan Xian didn't dare let the servants do the work. He and Haitang cleaned up a bit. The two precious Heart manuals were put back into their clothes by the two of them. As for the messy pieces of paper under the desk, they didn't bother with them.
"I'll start practicing tomorrow," Fan Xian said sincerely. "I've taken advantage of you in this matter, but I'll have to trouble Duoduo to stand guard for me this month."
Haitang didn't mind temporarily acting as his bodyguard. She gently nodded and suddenly asked, "An Zhi, tell me the truth. The black-clothed man my brother disciple met in front of the precipice in Shangjing Mountain, was it you?"
Fan Xian fell silent. He knew that Haitang had finally confirmed that the nature of the ruthless zhenqi in his body was very similar to the one Lang Tiao had encountered. However, that matter had to do with Xiao En and the Temple. It was too big. After a moment, he replied seriously, "Actually, when you went to the embassy to find me that morning, you probably guessed something. However … you also know that I will never admit to anything."
"Teacher should have guessed some things," Haitang smiled slightly. "But you don't need to be too nervous. He said that in the past, your mother once did him a favor."
Fan Xian smiled coldly and said, "Giving me a fake Heart is considered repaying a favor?"
"Although the Heart earlier was fake, it didn't do any harm. Furthermore, this was a decision teacher had no choice but to make after he heard that you were the son of the Qing Emperor," Haitang said seriously. "This heart technique is the supreme secret of our sect. I ask that you take care of it, Master Fan."
Fan Xian pointed at his own head and said, "Take it back later. Destroy it or whatever. I've already remembered it."
Haitang frowned. She was surprised at his abnormal memory. She wondered who had taught this little monster when he was young. Thinking of other things, her heart jumped. She said sincerely, "I heard teacher say that you have a blind grandmaster at your side. I wonder if I have the opportunity to meet him in person?"
As the pride of a generation of martial arts, she was most interested in the blind man who could injure Grandmaster Ku He without any false reputation. She asked purely because she wanted to meet Wu Zhu as a junior and ask for his guidance.
Fan Xian shook his head and smiled bitterly. "I've discovered that it is difficult to keep any secrets in front of Imperial Advisor Ku He. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see my uncle in the near future. I don't know what happened to him these past few years, but he has fallen in love with Ye Liuyun's ways and likes to travel alone."
Haitang was a bit disappointed. "An Zhi, although teacher did not say it clearly to me, his words revealed some information. Your mother should have some connection to the Temple." That day, when she and Ku He spoke, they had not spoken of this matter, but Ku He had mentioned Xiao En and some clues. As intelligent as she was, she had naturally guessed some of it.
Fan Xian shook his head and said resolutely and decisively, "The Temple is too far away. Let's talk about worldly affairs first."
Haitang was slightly angry. She hated Fan Xian's particularly vile nature even more. She said coldly, "What worldly affairs?"
Fan Xian chuckled. "For example … Duoduo, how old are you this year? We've known each other for so long, and we've written many letters. I don't even know this most important question. "
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(I very sincerely ask everyone to vote for me. This is the beginning of the month. Everyone should have a guaranteed vote in their hands. Then hurry up and vote for me. What are you waiting for? If you don't, I … I'll have the Eldest Princess bite you!)
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