The Peerless Beguiler

Those wisps of purple qi vanished as soon as they were illuminated by the sunlight, disappearing into the heavens and earth. The silver light on the lotus patterns on Ning Chang'an's palms immediately extinguished, and the fiery sensation within his body circulated a few times before gradually dying down.

Ning Chang'an clenched his fists, crack, crack, the sound of qi explosions echoing. His strength had almost increased by a whole level. Ning Chang'an's face was filled with unconcealed excitement, and he sighed repeatedly, "This is the righteous path, this is the righteous path..."

Herbivores walk far but are foolish; carnivores are brave and fierce; grain-eaters are wise and clever; qi-eaters are divine and long-lived; those who do not eat are immortal and divine.

Qi is innate, circulating between the physical body, mind, and spirit, connecting destiny and nature, bridging yin and yang. Qi is nature itself, existing in heaven and earth, present everywhere. When a person inhales and exhales, they draw in the qi of nature, which flows into their body, but they cannot obtain its essence because they are not in tune with nature and lack the proper methods. Humans eat grains, hence their wisdom, because they absorb the essence of grains, transforming it into innate qi within their organs. Therefore, humans possess great wisdom. Although they lack the ferocity of wild beasts, they can be the rulers of all things, all due to the effect of qi.

The qi of nature is myriad, but not all of it is benevolent. For example, Yin Fiend Qi and Vicious Qi, if inhaled, will inevitably cause harm. However, qi such as Eastern Purple Qi, Wood Spirit Qi, Houtu Qi, and Profound Water Qi are all beneficial. Ning Chang'an absorbing Eastern Purple Qi into his body is equivalent to using a method to communicate with nature, transforming the qi of nature into innate qi. He can be considered a qi-eater.

Those who have achieved success in martial arts are invariably those with vigorous Blood Essence, possessing abilities beyond ordinary people. This is precisely because through training, their innate qi becomes thicker than that of ordinary people, altering their physique, stimulating their potential, and nourishing their roots. The ultimate essence of various martial arts and Mind Methods, such as external, internal, qi, yuan, and spirit, lies in making a person one with nature, unlocking their potential, changing their destiny, increasing their lifespan, and reaching the realm of eternal life, with a lifespan as long as heaven. Hence, there are various Mind Methods, each with its own unique marvels, but all pursue communion with the natural creation, seeking unity between heaven and humanity, unlocking their own potential, and strengthening their innate qi.

Merely practicing martial arts Techniques and external training methods has the weakest effect on the growth of qi. Not only that, but it can also cause harm to oneself. For example, a very famous palm technique in the Jianghu—Iron Sand Palm—if practiced for a long time, will damage several meridians and nerves in the hands, harm the lungs, and eventually lead to consumptive disease and a greatly reduced lifespan.

Therefore, martial artists, while pursuing the marvels of martial arts Techniques, also seek the path of qi cultivation.

The origin of martial arts was for conquest and plunder. However, with the evolution of history and the development of human intelligence, it has transformed from a tool of war into a path of seeking unity between heaven and humanity. The meaning of the martial path no longer lies in strength and combat, nor does it transcend the scope of strengthening the body; it has become the Dao.

An ancient saying states: "Martial arts are for establishing merit and restraining weapons. Therefore, stopping conflict is martial."

Thus, the essence of the martial path lies in qi, in cultivating destiny and nature. Qi is both the energy of the physical body and the primal force of the spirit. Therefore, practicing martial arts is seeking the Dao, training the physical body, and cultivating the mind and spirit. This point is particularly prominent in the Three Pure Nine Nether Wonderful Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra. Cultivating this scripture allows one to consume elixirs and eat qi, enhance the strength of the physical body, and constantly temper the mind. One must overcome inner demons and possess a firm will like a rock to advance step by step.

Ning Chang'an stood by the window, his hands still clenched into fists. Scenes of Yang Taiyi explaining the way of martial arts to him flashed through his mind. Until this moment, the previously hazy principles suddenly became clear, as if he had been enlightened by a divine revelation.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Ning Chang'an couldn't help but shake his head again, sighing, "It's a pity that if I hadn't taken advantage of the situation, I wouldn't have been able to draw the purple qi into the lotus patterns on my palms and transform qi into qi. It seems I am still far from even the introductory level of the Wonderful Dharma Heart Sutra... There are too many entanglements in the Jianghu, too much injustice, too many principles, too many rules, too much love and hate, too much emotion. How can I, amidst all this chaos, seek the ultimate realm of the martial path?!"

Three hundred years ago, Daoist Jade Purity meditated in seclusion for three hundred years atop Dragon Tiger Mountain. Upon emerging from seclusion, nine-colored auspicious clouds descended from the heavens, and he ascended into the clouds, like an immortal.

Seven hundred years ago, Old Man Heavenly Mystery used a sky-reaching rope to ascend directly to the heavens and vanished into the ethereal realm.

Twelve hundred years ago, ten thousand colorful butterflies on Tianmu Peak formed a bridge to the heavens, and the Peak Master of Tianmu Peak, Fang Tianyu, crossed the butterfly bridge to reach the Heavenly Court.

Two thousand years ago, the sword immortal Yan Wujiu wielded his sword for thirty-six months, shattering the void with the sword in his palm, cutting through the hundred and eight thousand steps of the sky-reaching mystic ladder, and ascending the steps to the immortal palace.

These profound and mysterious legends flashed through Ning Chang'an's mind one by one. These figures who ascended to heaven in broad daylight, reaching the celestial palace and immortal realm, had all altered their destiny, understood the changes of heaven and earth, and ascended to heaven in broad daylight, aspiring to eternal life.

Throughout history, there have been only a handful of such existences.

How many can possess such a destiny?! Only unparalleled individuals with a sincere heart, who pursue the extreme of the martial path with undivided attention, can achieve this.

Ning Chang'an yearned for this.

Creak, Lin Ying suddenly pushed the door open, holding an exquisite wooden box in her hands. Lin Ying immediately saw Ning Chang'an standing blankly by the window. Despite the noise, he remained motionless. Her curiosity piqued, she moved closer to Ning Chang'an. Her delicate nose wrinkled, and a look of disgust appeared on her face. She immediately cried out, "It stinks...!" Holding the box with one hand, she fanned her nose with the other, retreating all the way to the door.

Only then did Ning Chang'an snap back to reality. He felt a pungent, foul odor emanating from his entire body. Sensing something, he turned around and saw Lin Ying's look of extreme aversion. He immediately understood and said awkwardly, "I had a moment of inspiration and got so engrossed in my practice that I sweated profusely. Miss Lin, please don't laugh. Where can I wash?"

Lin Ying snorted, "What kind of martial art is so powerful? I've only been gone for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and you've already sweated so much... Also, call me Miss. From now on, your identity is the old steward of the Lin manor, my servant!" Lin Ying tilted her head, almost looking down her nostrils at Ning Chang'an, displaying her willful temper.

Ning Chang'an felt sticky and foul all over. He barely heard Lin Ying speak and repeatedly asked, "Miss Lin, where can I wash?"

Lin Ying stomped her foot in anger and snorted, "You can't teach an idiot... Hmph, go out, the third room on the right..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Chang'an had already dashed out the door.

Lin Ying gently placed the wooden box in her hand down and turned around the room. She also stood by the window, staring blankly at a streak of red in the east.

"Did that old monster over there practice today?"

Lin Ying suddenly asked.

"Yes, Miss. This morning, when the sky was clear and the air was crisp at dawn, Old Monster Ma practiced for a while," Granny Hua said slowly, appearing behind Lin Ying from who knows when.

"What about him?"

Lin Ying asked unhurriedly.

Granny Hua's cloudy eyes rolled, "It's not simple, consuming elixirs and eating qi! Although it seemed like the first time, and his technique wasn't very skilled, thanks to Old Monster Ma, he absorbed a lot of Eastern Purple Qi. I couldn't see what kind of technique it was at all. I only saw wisps of silver light flashing in his palms, and streaks of purple qi converging into his palms as if a thousand rivers were returning to the sea."

Lin Ying said lightly, "Ning Shengdao's son should have some extraordinary qualities, don't you think, Granny Hua?"

Granny Hua nodded, "That's true. Like father, like son. If he were useless, the master wouldn't have told Miss to pay close attention to him!"

Lin Ying waved her hand, "Granny, you may go. It's almost dawn, and I need to prepare for today's gathering and gather some information. Yongan Prefecture is too complicated. If this brat is allowed to act recklessly, his life might be in danger. Hmph, it's a hardship for me to have to protect a grown man..."

Granny Hua smiled kindly on her old face and retreated, disappearing like a ghost.

Just then, Ning Chang'an emerged after finishing his bath, finally feeling refreshed, and strode in.

Lin Ying looked Ning Chang'an up and down a few times, her brows furrowed slightly, "You've lost weight!"

Ning Chang'an chuckled, "Miss Lin's eyes are truly sharp!" Indeed, after that period of training, he had lost a little of his body fat, so little that it was almost imperceptible, yet he hadn't expected Lin Ying to notice it at a glance.

Lin Ying's expression turned serious, "Call me Miss! I am the Miss, and you are the servant. Do I have to say it a hundred times before you remember?"

Ning Chang'an complained, "How did I become a servant? I'm not your bodyguard, this is just a fake identity, a cover! Are you really treating me like a servant?!" Ning Chang'an felt aggrieved. Who would want to be a servant, to be bossed around?!

Lin Ying immediately became displeased, glaring at Ning Chang'an without a word for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Ning Chang'an finally relented, sighing, "You're a demon! A servant it is!"

Lin Ying's expression turned cold, "Your name is Laifu!"

Ning Chang'an exclaimed, "Laifu? Can't you pick a less vulgar name?" He vaguely remembered that most of the stewards he had encountered named Laifu were lecherous and despicable scoundrels, so he was extremely disgusted by such a name.

Lin Ying retorted, "Aren't the words 'Ning Family's Chang'an' also vulgar? If not Laifu, what should I call you? Laijin? Wangcai? Hmph, you choose!"

Ning Chang'an's face turned green upon hearing this. He was utterly defeated and said, "Laifu, oh heavens, I'll be Laifu!" Calling him Laijin would make people laugh to death, wouldn't it? As for Wangcai, his good brother Zeng Aicai seemed to have a dog named Wangcai, so that was even more unacceptable.

Lin Ying snorted, "That's more like it!" Then, with a slight wave of her hand, she commanded, "Laifu, come here!" The imperious tone immediately filled Ning Chang'an with anger. Ning Chang'an understood in his heart that this woman was deliberately tormenting him, yet he had no grounds to object. After all, he was a man of his word, and his words naturally carried weight.

Ning Chang'an obeyed and walked to Lin Ying's side. Lin Ying carefully examined Ning Chang'an's face, scrutinizing him in silence for a long time before slowly standing up. She opened the box on the table and carefully took out a semi-transparent film, gently spreading it in her palm.

Ning Chang'an's gaze swept over it, and he exclaimed in surprise, "A Human Skin Mask?!"

A Human Skin Mask is, of course, a mask made from human skin. Generally, the skin of healthy, handsome young men and women is best. It is peeled off within the time it takes an incense stick to burn after their death, then soaked in a secret medicinal solution. After an extremely complex process, it is made into a thin, featureless mask. Once worn, the mask fits tightly to the face, like a layer of skin, and is almost impossible to detect. If combined with superb disguise techniques, it can be said to transform one's appearance infinitely.