Beacon Fires, a New Cultivation Method

The four of them were laughing and bantering when a sharp whistle suddenly split the sky.

Everyone jerked their heads up and looked toward the city wall, following the sound.

Before the whistling arrow's cry had even faded, beacon fires had already risen atop the distant city tower.

Black smoke shot straight into the heavens, while the flames flickered in the wind.

Everyone was left dumbfounded.

Anyone knew that when the whistling arrow opened the way and beacon fires rose alongside it, it was certainly no ordinary message.

Before long, hurried hoofbeats sounded outside the hall.

The horse galloped all the way to the entrance of Celebration Hall without slowing. A mounted soldier dismounted in one fluid motion and strode into the courtyard, dust still clinging to the scales of his armor.

He swept his gaze over everyone in the courtyard, then walked straight to Zhang Yan and presented a fire-sealed order with both hands.

"Urgent order from the county office."

Zhang Yan took it, tore open the seal, and read it. His expression darkened as he said in a ringing voice, "The situation in Qingzhou has suddenly tightened, and another city is under urgent threat.

"The county office has relayed the governor's order. Martial artists from every county are forbidden to leave their assigned territories without permission. All martial-arts academy disciples are to register immediately and stand ready for deployment at any time."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's expressions changed drastically.

If it had merely been mountain bandits on the loose, there would have been no need for such an urgent order.

If it had merely been ordinary demons causing trouble, they would not have confined all the martial artists of every county to their assigned territories at once.

Zhang Yan folded the order and swept his gaze over everyone. "From today onward, whether you've become an Attendant or not, every disciple in the hall is to focus on cultivation.

"Those assigned to duties will perform their duties, those assigned to night patrols will patrol at night, and those on standby will remain ready. Anyone who causes trouble at a time like this will be dealt with according to hall rules."

Everyone answered in unison before dispersing.

The gathering with Deng Qing and the others naturally fell through, saving Deng Qing a sum of money for nothing.

Early the next morning, an appointment letter was delivered to Deng Qing. He was appointed captain of the Ninth Squad.

Under his command were two Skin Tempering First Layer disciples and two constables, responsible for night patrols in North Ward from the Rat Hour to the Ox Hour.

The one who delivered the order was Fan Sheng.

He handed the waist token to Deng Qing. "This part of North Ward is complicated, with a large population and a maze of alleys. The atmosphere in the city has been tense lately, so the night patrols can't be a mere show.

"If you encounter suspicious people, apprehend them first, then report to the hall."

Deng Qing accepted the waist token. "Understood."

Fan Sheng lowered his voice and instructed him, "You've only just entered the Skin Refining Second Layer, yet they've already made you a squad leader. It's not because the hall is short of people. Senior Brother Zhang thinks you can hold the line."

Deng Qing put away the waist token. "I'll be careful. By the way, Senior Brother Fan, now that I've entered the Skin Refining Second Layer, I can choose a new cultivation method.

"Help me consider it and pick one with strong combat power."

"Take care of the matter at hand first. I'll keep the cultivation method in mind."

With that, Fan Sheng turned and left.

That day, Deng Qing familiarized himself with the squad. When night fell, he led them to North Ward.

North Ward lay near the northern part of the city, where shops, inns, and cargo depots were all mixed together. It was bustling with voices by day, and even at night, it was far from peaceful.

As soon as the Rat Hour arrived, every household had already dropped its door panels.

Only the watchman's clappers remained in the alleys. From time to time, a stray dog darted past the base of a wall, startling a string of noises.

Deng Qing walked at the front with two disciples from Celebration Hall, while the two constables brought up the rear.

The whole night passed without any major incident. They only caught two drunkards and a thief who had been sneaking over a wall.

As the Ox Hour drew to a close, the fog in North Ward grew heavier.

Deng Qing returned to Celebration Hall to report on his duty, then prepared to go home and catch up on sleep.

He had just stepped out of the hall when he saw Li Cheng standing across the street.

He wore a thick robe, with a layer of white covering his shoulders. Clearly, he had been waiting for some time.

Deng Qing walked over. "It's the middle of the night. You're not sleeping and came all the way here just to ambush me?"

"I have something to discuss with you."

"Judging by that look of yours, it doesn't seem like a small matter."

"The storm is brewing. Senior Brother Deng, how do you plan to proceed?"

"Naturally, I'll improve my strength and follow the hall's orders."

"That's the proper course. You and I have both reached the Skin Refining Second Layer, so we're qualified to choose new cultivation methods. If we merely choose some ordinary, safe method, it may not save our lives when chaos comes."

"What do you suggest, Senior Brother Li?"

Deng Qing's spirits lifted. This was precisely what had been troubling him. He had asked Fan Sheng for advice, but Fan Sheng seemed entangled in all sorts of matters and had never gotten around to giving him an answer.

"I suggest choosing the one with the highest ceiling."

"Which one?"

"Seven Forms of Settling Solitude."

Deng Qing froze. He had heard of the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude.

There were many cultivation methods available to those at the Skin Refining Second Layer in Celebration Hall's technique repository. The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude had the greatest reputation—and the greatest controversy.

Li Cheng said, "The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude was created by Daoist Dinggu.

"When Daoist Dinggu traveled through Qingzhou in his youth, he used these seven sword forms to kill countless bandits.

"Later, the sword art spread. Many martial-arts academies in Qingzhou had copied versions, and Celebration Hall did as well."

Deng Qing said, "Since it's so famous, why aren't many people practicing it now?"

Li Cheng gave a bitter laugh. "That's exactly where the problem lies.

"This sword art has techniques and a mental formula, but no complete inheritance. Understanding it is one thing; successfully practicing it is another.

"At least in Everjoy County, no one has been known to truly master it over the past ten years."

"Then why choose it?"

"After reaching the Skin Refining Second Layer, cultivation methods aren't simply something a master can spoon-feed you. As long as you have the mental formula and the techniques, you can practice.

"Of course, having someone offer guidance makes the road steadier. Without an inheritance, you can only feel your way forward on your own, and the uncertainty is far greater.

"The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude is difficult precisely because there's no teacher to guide you."

Deng Qing frowned. "You came looking for me, but it seems I can't help much either."

Li Cheng said, "This is what I was thinking: to practice this sword art, we can't shut ourselves away and blindly train alone. Nine times out of ten, we'll go astray.

"If the two of us practice together, we can at least spar, dismantle the moves, and test our strength. The results will be much better."

Deng Qing said, "Without guidance, practicing such a difficult method is already hard enough. The sword moves are one thing, but what about the mental formula? There must be plenty of places in it that are impossible to understand."

Li Cheng said, "Don't worry about that. After choosing a cultivation method, a senior disciple responsible for transmitting techniques will explain the mental formula. He may not understand the true meaning of the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude, but he can at least explain the key terms in the formula."

Deng Qing looked at Li Cheng. "Then you choose the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude, while I choose a safer method. Afterward, we can teach each other, and we'll get two cultivation methods instead. Wouldn't that be even better?"

Li Cheng shook his head. "That works for other methods, but not the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude. What's truly difficult about it isn't the seven forms themselves, but the mental formula and the old annotations. Anyone who hasn't chosen this method isn't allowed to copy the old annotations or sit in on its instruction.

"If I only relay it to you, one layer will be missing in between. That missing layer could make practicing it fraught with peril."

Deng Qing was silent for a moment. "Why did you choose me?"

Li Cheng said, "You have good talent. That much is obvious.

"The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude requires a partner for sparring, someone to break down the moves with me. If I don't choose you, who else would I choose?"

Deng Qing laughed. "Senior Brother Li, you don't need to spare my feelings. There's another reason too: I'm poor enough, right?

"All right, I'm prepared. Senior Brother Li, go ahead and name your terms. You can start bribing me now."

Li Cheng burst out laughing and pointed at Deng Qing. "I knew you wouldn't be willing to take a loss.

"How about this? I'll provide the training grounds and the meat. You come over and practice.

"If you master it, you get a powerful sword art for free.

"If you fail, I'll give you one of my Li Family's cultivation methods, plus ten taels of silver."

Deng Qing calculated it. "Senior Brother Li, you're generous. Then it's happily settled."

His Tiger-Subduing Fist had reached the pinnacle, so he wasn't lacking in killing techniques. If he could get plenty of meat to replenish himself while practicing with Li Cheng, it would be worth it.

"Deal!"

Li Cheng smiled and bumped fists with Deng Qing.

Deng Qing said, "I can't figure something out. Given Senior Brother Li's family background, you seem to have no need at all to come to Celebration Hall to study martial arts. Would you be willing to clear up my confusion?"

He had kept this question buried in his heart for a long time.