Demon Man, Still Not Letting Go

After the Human Race was cursed by the Demon Race, countless wise ancestors summarized their experiences and created the current cultivation system based on local conditions. The first three minor realms—Qi Refining, Acupoint Opening, and Foundation Establishment—seem ordinary but are the result of countless evolved intelligences.

Let's talk about Qi Refining first. The first step for a martial artist is to unblock the Ren Meridian, which is important. The Ren Meridian belongs to the sea of Yin meridians, connecting the three Yin meridians of the hand and the three Yin meridians of the foot, which are the six main Yin meridians. It originates in the lower abdomen, governs the connection of the internal organs, and circulates throughout the body.

Only by unblocking the Ren Meridian can one's power flow through the Five Elements and skillfully conceal the internal organs.

Next, let's talk about Acupoint Opening. With the power of Qi Refining and the unblocking of the Ren Meridian, true qi reaches the five sensory organs and the perineum. Externally, it refines the Nine Apertures of the human body, and internally, it harmonizes with the Five Elements. Their relationship is close, and they are the most crucial elements before Foundation Establishment.

If the Five Elements are not complete, one cannot establish a foundation, will stop progressing, and will have no further connection to the immortal path.

The Five Viscera are the internal Five Elements, and their relationship with the Nine Apertures is very complex. Generally speaking, the heart opens to the tongue, the liver opens to the eyes, the spleen opens to the mouth, the lungs open to the nose, and the kidneys open to the two yin orifices. However, in reality, there is also the saying that the kidneys open to the ears.

In other words, a certain aperture and a certain organ have a corresponding connection, but it is not a single connection. Instead, each sensory aperture has a direct or indirect association with multiple internal organs. This theory corresponds to the mutual generation of the Five Elements, and one cannot take only one aspect.

Taking the mouth aperture alone, the mouth is the spleen aperture. When opening the mouth aperture, it also connects the related organs such as the tongue, lips, teeth, and throat. There are further subdivisions within this. The tongue is closely related to the heart aperture, the teeth are governed by the kidneys, and the throat is the gateway of the lungs.

Therefore, the mouth aperture is not just the spleen aperture but is also closely related to the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

The order of opening acupoints is not strictly enforced; it depends on personal destiny and the teachings of one's master. For example, the Six Doors prioritize opening the eyes and nose, with corresponding cultivation methods that grant eagle eyes and dog noses. They are best at capturing criminals and recovering stolen goods, hence the saying that they are the imperial court's dogs.

Another example is the flower-picking thieves in the martial arts world, who prioritize opening the front and back yin orifices, which fall under the purview of the kidneys. The specific reason is something that those who understand will understand, and those who don't are just pretending to be foolish.

Xiang Yuan's priority is the mouth aperture. The mouth aperture is related to the four internal organs. Opening the mouth aperture first has many benefits. Aside from the advantages corresponding to the internal Five Elements, the description of opening the mouth aperture alone makes him salivate.

As the saying goes, illness enters through the mouth. Opening the mouth aperture not only allows one to taste poison and identify it, thus avoiding harm from the poisonous creatures of the Southern Border and preventing one from wandering aimlessly after accidentally eating mushrooms, but it also promotes saliva production and strengthens the spleen, benefits the kidneys and hardens the teeth, clears the lungs and soothes the throat, clears the heart fire, and makes teeth firm. It also aids in food digestion, ensuring the body's nutrition is guaranteed, which is very suitable for him as he is still growing.

Eating is really important!

Xiang Yuan's cultivation of the Formless Seal Method was already profound. Even without an Acupoint Opening Pill, he could smoothly open the mouth aperture. With a top-grade Acupoint Opening Pill, it was like a tiger with wings. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he began to see results. The mouth aperture achieved minor success, stabilizing his Acupoint Opening realm.

It was a natural progression, a single success without any bottlenecks.

The opening of the mouth aperture still requires further refinement. This aperture has many benefits. Opening the mouth aperture first strengthens the internal Five Elements, laying a solid foundation for the opening of the other eight apertures. It is also the most difficult to fully master and the most time-consuming.

Xiang Yuan has the Formless Seal Method, the ability to divide his attention into three, and the experience of his martial uncle to assist him. He is confident that he can achieve full mastery within a month.

He has already decided on his next aperture: the eye aperture. Being sharp-eyed and sharp-eared is essential when traveling the martial world. If he had opened his eye aperture earlier, he would have been able to identify the flaws in Xiao Xu's acting.

He couldn't stop thinking about it, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became!

As the saying goes, nothing remarkable happened overnight. Xiang Yuan pressed his advantage, with his three Primordial Spirits taking turns. Building upon the minor success of his mouth aperture, he made further progress.

He mused that, in terms of percentage, his night's work was equivalent to ten days for an ordinary person, with the progress bar moving one-third of the way.

As expected of a top-grade Acupoint Opening Pill, he would have to visit White Cloud Manor again the next time he opened his eye aperture.

Xiang Yuan had gained an advantage and wanted to gain more. As steady as he was, he couldn't bring himself to say it directly, so he decided to let the "jester" come and benefit from their friendship next time, and the time after that.

Looking at it this way, the jester does have his merits!

Bang bang bang!

Half an hour later, Xiang Yuan was resting with his eyes closed when he heard a steady knocking at the door. He guessed it was Yue Huanjiang, got up, opened the door, and welcomed him in.

Yue Huanjiang's contribution was indispensable to his successful Acupoint Opening and his night's work being equivalent to ten nights. Seeing him come to offer congratulations, Xiang Yuan clasped his fists with even greater respect.

"Younger brother, have you succeeded?"

"It's all thanks to elder brother's help. I've achieved a small success."

"That's excellent. I've prepared a few congratulatory gifts for you, younger brother. Just a small token of my appreciation, I hope you won't find it lacking." Yue Huanjiang said with a smile.

It was evident that he was still trying, not giving up easily.

"Ah, this..."

Xiang Yuan felt deeply ashamed. He was living at the Xiao Residence but freeloading at White Cloud Manor. To put it nicely, it was like "peach and plum trees are silent, yet they naturally attract paths beneath them." To put it badly, he was luring Yue Huanjiang with his aloofness and persuading him with sincerity, deliberately stringing him along and refusing to let go. The feeling was too strong.

Absolutely not. A gentleman cannot deceive others with clever tactics.

Xiang Yuan was unwilling. He let his "jester" persona take over. This Primordial Spirit was shameless and loved to take advantage of gentlemen, like the current Yue Huanjiang, and Wang Wenxu, who was already in his grasp.

"Brother, I have long known your intentions, but alas... I have come too late after all. Please do not speak of congratulatory gifts again. I feel unworthy to accept them, truly unworthy." Xiang Yuan waved his hands repeatedly, filled with regret and shame, expressing both admiration and longing for Yue Huanjiang, as well as helplessness and loneliness at his unfortunate timing.

The "jester" was too good at this.

Yue Huanjiang was deeply moved. He stepped forward and said, "Younger brother, why do you say that? We are brothers. Can't we talk freely and openly, or perhaps go boating together and drink under the moonlight?"

Xiang Yuan's "jester" mentality continued to exert its influence. He followed suit with a moved expression, grabbing Yue Huanjiang's wrist: "Life is like a dream. Let us pour a cup to the moon over the river."

"Pour a cup to the moon over the river..."

Yue Huanjiang was lost in thought, somewhat melancholic: "I didn't expect younger brother to be so talented. Where did this poem come from? Is there any context?"

There is, but forcing it would lead to ruin, and the allusion is not applicable.

Xiang Yuan shook his head: "It was a momentary inspiration. Brother's persistent questioning made me lose the mood, and I can't continue the context."

"My fault!"

Yue Huanjiang was quite annoyed. He admired gentlemanly conduct and enjoyed poetry and songs. Seeing Xiang Yuan casually weave his name into a verse and express his feelings through poetry struck a chord deep within him, making him feel even more like kindred spirits.

He was itching to tie Xiang Yuan to his side, to compose poems and couplets with him every night.

Being stared at by such a beautiful face, Xiang Yuan blinked innocently: "Brother, you've lost your composure again."

Yue Huanjiang blushed and quickly said, "I have prepared several congratulatory gifts for you, younger brother. They are all useful for Acupoint Opening and are given with sincere intentions. Please do not refuse them and accept them directly."

"I do not accept rewards without merit. Brother's intentions are enough..."

Xiang Yuan prepared to refuse again, and reluctantly agreed on the third attempt. Mid-sentence, he heard chirping sounds from outside.

"My name is Xiao He, my father is King Zhao, the Grand Prefecture of Guanshan Dao. Who dares to stop me!"

"Little Yuan Ge, where are you?"

Xiang Yuan's eyelids twitched, and he subconsciously let go of Yue Huanjiang's wrist.

A sharp glint flashed in Yue Huanjiang's eyes. He gripped Xiang Yuan's wrist in return, a hint of displeasure on his face, and coldly looked outside.

Footsteps grew closer, along with the pleading voice of the innkeeper.

With a snap, the door was pushed open, and Xiao He strode in. Upon seeing the scene inside, he immediately gasped: "What demoness are you, release Little Yuan Ge quickly! If you have any grievances, come at me!"

"Demoness..."

Yue Huanjiang was utterly speechless. He and Xiao He belonged to two completely different styles; they wouldn't, and couldn't, get along. Hearing this, he subconsciously looked at Xiang Yuan.

"Brother, it's him?"

This was the person who outshone his elder brother?

Xiang Yuan sighed softly: "To tell you the truth, brother, it is indeed this scoundrel."

"Don't worry, younger brother. Just tell me what happened. If you've been wronged, I will uphold justice for you..."

As he spoke, Yue Huanjiang emphasized his words: "Even if it's the Grand Prefecture of Guanshan Dao, my White Cloud Manor is not afraid of them!"

Who was this flamboyant, all-white demon of a man? He looked so feminine, yet spoke with such arrogance?

Xiao He's expression changed drastically. Only then did he realize that the person opposite him was an extraordinary man. Because of his delicate features, he had mistaken him for a woman.

But that wasn't the main point.

"Demon man, why aren't you letting go!"

Xiao He took two steps forward, grabbing Xiang Yuan's other wrist: "Little Yuan Ge, I heard you didn't come home last night and I was worried White Cloud Manor was holding you captive, so I came to rescue you. This place isn't safe, who knows when we'll be plotting rebellion. Come back with me quickly."

Go, come home with me.

As he spoke, Xiao He's nose was practically crooked with anger. After only one night apart, his destined person already had someone else.

Brother, younger brother? Exchanging meaningful glances? Holding hands?

This was outrageous! Clearly, he had arrived first, yet Xiang Yuan had never called him "Brother Xiao."

If he continued to pretend, and allowed Xiang Yuan to mess around outside, who knew if he would run off with the demon man, or how many more people would be lining up!