50. Versatile in Advance and Retreat

Bidding farewell to Zhou Xing, Xie An took the silver coins to the black market and bought three portions of Tiger Skin Primordial Soup from Shopkeeper Wang.

Shopkeeper Wang was the manager of the largest herb shop in the black market. Over the past few months, he and Xie An had grown quite familiar, though he remained stubbornly uncompromising in his ways. Even knowing Xie An was a deacon, he refused to lower the price, insisting on twenty taels per portion.

However, Xie An knew that Shopkeeper Wang was honest; his herbal shop never shortchanged customers on weight, nor did it ever mix in inferior or substandard herbs. The medicinal efficacy was guaranteed, making it undoubtedly superior to the Tiger Skin Primordial Soup found in the open market.

Now holding the large sum of money given by Li Shaoyun, Xie An didn't bother haggling with him.

With the medicinal ingredients in hand, Xie An returned to his private courtyard.

He drew several buckets of cold well water, heated it up until it was steaming, and filled the wooden bathing barrel. Then he poured in a portion of the Tiger Skin Primordial Soup. The various herbs within it were quickly steeped by the hot water, releasing a rich medicinal aroma.

It was somewhat pungent and not particularly pleasant. But once one grew accustomed to it, it felt like a fragrant medicinal scent.

"This should be about right."

Xie An sniffed the medicinal aroma and checked the color of the decoction in the bathing barrel. Knowing the timing was ripe, he stripped off his clothes, stepped into the barrel, and began his medicinal bath.

Although Xie An had now stepped into the Minor Accomplishment of the Copper Skin Realm, he still needed to frequently use the Tiger Skin Primordial Soup for medicinal baths to further temper his skin and membranes, and build up his physical strength.

After months of medicinal baths, Xie An had personally experienced that this Tiger Skin Primordial Soup truly had miraculous effects in refining the skin and membranes.

If he lacked this medicinal assistance and relied solely on individual training, the effect would be seven or eight times worse.

No matter what, this expense could not be cut.

What was more, the Plum Blossom Monster had now set its sights on the black market, greatly increasing Xie An's pressure. He only wished to elevate his strength as quickly as possible.

Logically speaking, Xie An could go to the White Feather Branch and report the matter to incense master Wei.

However, Xie An dismissed this decision.

He was no longer a mere appraiser at a small pawnshop; he was a renowned deacon under the banner of the Fierce Tiger and Wolf Sect. If he panicked and reported upward every time he encountered a minor issue, Incense Master Wei would only think he was incapable of shouldering heavy responsibilities, which would undoubtedly cast a shadow over his future prospects.

Yet, Xie An knew that relying solely on himself and Zhang Lin would definitely not be enough to deal with the Plum Blossom Monster. That was a desperate and vicious bandit who had previously severely injured Wei Dian.

In the end, it would still have to be reported.

Xie An felt that what he could do was try his best to gather some effective information about the Plum Blossom Monster—such as its killing logic, motives, patterns, and so on—and then compile it to report to Wei Dian. This way, Wei Dian would have clues to follow and could make specific arrangements, and Incense Master Wei would then praise him for knowing how to handle matters.

Reporting was also an art, and the methods used in reporting required a great deal of finesse.

Xie An would not look down upon or neglect Wei Dian just because the latter was severely injured, nor would he think he could rest easy just because he had become a deacon.

That incense master had carved out his position entirely through raw strength. Even if he were on the verge of death from severe injuries, just a few words spoken to those above could easily determine Xie An's future... or even his life.

His future within the Fierce Tiger and Wolf Sect depended entirely on Incense Master Wei's attitude toward him.

Xie An had a profound understanding of this point.

Handle things with decorum and propriety, and a better future would naturally follow.

"I just need to trail far behind Zhang Lin and the others. Even if the Plum Blossom Monster truly strikes again with its venomous hands... I won't be in danger. The most urgent task is still to quickly enhance my strength. Once I have the strength in the future, why would I fear a mere Plum Blossom Monster?"

Possessing the longevity destiny, Xie An was not anxious at all.

He was well aware that he just needed to develop and grow slowly.

If one's innate talent was insufficient, one made up for it with hard effort.

There was nothing he couldn't afford to wait out.

Taking advantage of the interval during his medicinal bath, Xie An sat cross-legged and began to practice the Fetal Breathing Technique. The fine hairs all over his skin began to tremble slightly.

The mark of reaching grand accomplishment in the three stances of the Fetal Breathing Technique was breathing through the navel.

By now, Xie An had stepped into the second stage of the Fetal Breathing Technique, and the "Yin-Yang Interchange" was already more than halfway complete. He had achieved the stage where his eyes could intersect, mutually sensing and coordinating breath with each other.

He had entered the second intersection of the Yin-Yang Interchange: the Heart-Kidney Intersection.

The so-called Heart-Kidney Intersection meant that, according to the Fetal Breathing Technique, the heart and mind belonged to Yin within Yang, while kidney qi belonged to Yang within Yin. Causing the heart and kidneys to intersect would generate vital essence and energy, transforming into bodily fluids to nourish the five viscera.

Coincidentally, this nourishment of the five viscera by bodily fluids could complement and mutually promote the internal strengthening of the five viscera in the Five Animals Frolic.

Presently, the progress of Xie An's internal strengthening of the five viscera in the Five Animals Frolic had reached ninety-eight percent, leaving only the final two points before full completion.

Xie An put aside stray thoughts and tried to break through the final two points of progress as quickly as possible.

Hoo, hoo, hoo.

After taking a few deep breaths, Xie An sealed his mouth and nose.

Relying solely on the breathing of his navel to maintain the circulation, he then stimulated the Heart-Kidney Intersection. The fine hairs on the surface of his skin began to sway spontaneously, as if brushed by some invisible force.

"When the pores of the skin can breathe, it will be the sign of the grand accomplishment of the Heart-Kidney Intersection. No rush, take it slow..."

Daytime quickly passed.

Dusk arrived, the black market was about to open, and the disciples grew busy once again.

Xie An timely concluded his medicinal bath.

He brought up his status panel:

[Current Longevity Destiny: Level One!]

[Five Animals Frolic: Internal Strengthening of the Five Viscera (99/100)]

[Fetal Breathing Technique: Yin-Yang Interchange (47/100)]

[Remaining Years: 30 Years]

"Huh? The Five Animals Frolic has actually increased by a point!"

Joy welled up in Xie An's heart.

According to his past experience, the closer it got to full completion, the harder it was to increase the progress.

"It seems that the two health-preserving techniques can indeed promote each other. Once the internal strengthening of the five viscera reaches full completion, I can enter the final stage of the Five Animals Frolic—cultivating internal qi! By then, I should be able to cultivate the so-called sense of qi. At that time, I might just be able to go to the Tang Family Fortress and contend for that stroke of fortune."

Thinking of this, Xie An revealed a smile.

The only regret was that there had been no progress in martial arts cultivation.

Xie An already knew he lacked talent in martial arts, so he maintained a steady and proper mindset.

"Old brother!"

Zhang Lin's knocking came from outside the door.

Xie An changed into his official uniform robe and opened the door to welcome Zhang Lin inside.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Lin asked, "Old brother, Zhou Xing told me that you want the black market to stay open as usual today?"

Knowing that Zhang Lin was filled with fear and apprehension in his heart, Xie An stated his two reasons:

Firstly, if they reported upward every time they encountered an issue, it would make Wei Dian feel that the two of them as deacons were useless and afraid of trouble.

Secondly, even if they reported it, they needed to unearth some information about the Plum Blossom Monster so that Wei Dian could make targeted arrangements, rather than making an empty report.

After listening, Zhang Lin couldn't help but look at Xie An with newfound respect, full of admiration: "Old brother is still the thoughtful one; it was my rashness earlier. As for the patrols, we'll do just as old brother says. We are managers of the Fierce Tiger and Wolf Sect; as long as our preparations are proper, that Plum Blossom Monster won't necessarily find an opening."

No matter how skilled the Plum Blossom Monster was at fighting, it couldn't withstand sheer numbers. What one feared most was being isolated...

Xie An deeply agreed. "Brother Zhang must remember not to act alone. I am skilled in archery, and I will bring a heavy bow and lurk right behind you."

In Zhang Lin's mind, the image of Xie An's superb archery skills displayed during the examination immediately flashed, and he instantly felt much more at ease. He cupped his fists in gratitude, "With old brother watching my back, I will have no further worries."

Xie An didn't tell Zhang Lin that his own Frying Sun Saber Technique had actually reached a considerable degree of proficiency, not inferior to Zhang Lin's...

If he spoke of that, it would easily breed estrangement in Zhang Lin's heart: You let me do the charging into battle while you, with an even stronger saber technique, hide in the back?

This would be unfavorable for their continued cooperation moving forward.

Although after months of getting along, Xie An felt Zhang Lin was a good person, who didn't harbor a few private thoughts?

After hammering out the details of the plan, Xie An fetched his heavy bow from the room, hung his quiver of arrows, and strapped on his standard broadsword before heading out with Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin noticed that the heavy bow hanging at Xie An's waist was even thicker and sturdier than the one during the examination. "This bow looks very robust; it surely isn't a two-stone bow, is it?"

To give Zhang Lin peace of mind, Xie An didn't conceal it. "My physical strength has increased somewhat through martial arts training over the past few months, so I switched to a three-stone bow."

Hearing this, Zhang Lin was overjoyed. "Splendid! The power of a three-stone bow is no joke. Even the Plum Blossom Monster might not be able to easily withstand it. No wonder old brother wasn't in a hurry to report to Incense Master Wei—so you were hiding such a trump card."

Xie An merely smiled and didn't say much. After instructing Liang Zhi to keep a close eye on the black market, Xie An followed Zhang Lin, Zhou Xing, and the others out, braving the night as they patrolled the mountain paths nearby.

Halfway through the route, Xie An said to Zhang Lin, "Brother Zhang, I am an archer and am suited to hiding in the shadows, so I won't go with you all. Rest assured, I will trail you secretly in the dark."

"As it should be. Tonight, I will have to rely heavily on old brother's divine archery." Zhang Lin didn't think much of it and bade farewell first.

Xie An then stepped into the woods on both sides of the mountain path, trailing secretly behind.

Following Zhang Lin out on patrol... even when traveling in a group, dangers still existed.

Hiding in the dark was much more relaxed and flexible.

Even if Zhang Lin and the others encountered the Plum Blossom Monster, Xie An could freely decide whether to advance or retreat. If he felt the Plum Blossom Monster wasn't all that powerful, he would draw his bow and loose arrows. If he felt the monster was monstrously terrifying, then fleeing for his life would definitely take priority.

Of course, deep in his heart, Xie An didn't wish for anything to happen to Zhang Lin.