Thaumaturge

Outside the walls of Longxing County. Not far from Qian Village lay a grove of peach blossoms, through which a babbling brook wound its way. The scenery was magnificent and enchanting, untainted by the mundane dust of the secular world. Upon a broad bluestone beside the stream, Madam Su sat sideways. She had hitched up the hem of her skirt, exposing a pair of fair, delicate feet resting lightly in the cool water. A few stray petals drifted on the clear surface, rippling with the currents to reflect a delicate face. A warm, gentle breeze brushed her cheeks, lifting the dark strands across her forehead. Madam Su gazed blankly at her own reflection in the water. Having fled in such haste, she had not even had time to change out of her dress. Footsteps suddenly sounded behind her. Though a mere seven days had passed, she was already intimately familiar with the approaching figure. Without turning around, she murmured, unable to help herself, "I'm sorry, but I just want some quiet." "Of course." The newcomer chuckled and nodded. Sliding his arms around her from behind, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, gently inhaling her scent. "You can have as much quiet as you like." How was this letting her have some quiet? Madam Su meant to scold him, yet she could not bring herself to turn around. Feeling the scorching breath wash over her neck, her body went limp before she could even utter a word. This only made her want to weep all the more. How had she ended up like this? She knew full well that the man behind her was the reason she had fallen into such dire straits, yet she felt no resentment toward him. They had known each other for less than half a month. Yet thinking back now, she realized that her former life in the capital—imprisoned within the manor courtyard by Chen Haoyan—had not been half as carefree as these past seven days. "You... you're bullying me..." Curling into herself like a frail caged canary, she said weakly, "You shameless rogue. You've had wicked designs on me from the very start, haven't you?" "How could that be!" Wang Ping replied with righteous indignation. "To tell you the truth, I actually have little interest in women." Wang Ping gently soothed the feebly struggling songbird in his arms, murmuring softly, "Madam, do not twist black into white. Ask your own heart—is this truly my fault?" Madam Su bit her red lips. Memories of that day surged in her mind, and a blush slowly crept across her fair cheeks. Deep down, she understood what had happened that night. Rather than anyone harboring wicked designs, it had been her own uncontrollable passion. Yet with the words on the tip of her tongue, how could she ever admit to such a thing? "You forced me..." Madam Su's voice was faint as a mosquito's hum. Seeing this, Wang Ping did not argue. He merely said with a beaming smile, "Fine, fine, fine, it's all my fault. Please don't blame me, Madam. I shall make amends right away." "That's more like it..." The canary whimpered softly, intending to flutter her wings a few more times. Yet the warmth of his embrace brought an unprecedented sense of peace, even giving rise to a deep weariness. It felt as though, as long as he was there, she had no need to worry about anything. Her family's estate being coveted by others, her own powerlessness, being implicated in the assassination of the county magistrate, and ultimately being forced to flee the city under cover of night... She did not want to brood over any of it anymore. Just like the previous night, when Wang Ping had extended his hand to take her away, she had agreed without the slightest hesitation. Perhaps from that very moment, she had stopped overthinking. At this thought, she relaxed even further. "Husband..." she murmured as if in a dream. "Back then... did you truly fancy me and play hard to get, or was it only for those martial arts manuals?" "Naturally, it was for the martial arts." Wang Ping answered without hesitation. Clearly dissatisfied with the reply, the beauty in his arms immediately began to squirm, only for him to hold her down even more firmly. "Still, I had intended to shirk all responsibility and slip away once I got the techniques. But in the end, I couldn't help myself, which is why I was forced to take along a burden this time." "Who are you calling a burden?" Madam Su puffed out her cheeks. Though a mature woman through and through, she now displayed the petulant charm of a young girl. "Clearly, I was the one dragged down by a jinx like you." "My fault, entirely my fault," Wang Ping apologized decisively. "As things stand, your best course of action is to find a way back to your clan in the capital. Otherwise, wandering alone in the world, nowhere will be safe for you." He paused, then added, "Also, I was indeed the one who killed Chen Haoyan." The abrupt declaration made Madam Su's body go rigid. Wang Ping let out a muffled grunt, yet he continued, enunciating every word, "He deserved to die. If you harbor any resentment, Madam..." "He deserved it!" For some reason, Madam Su turned around indignantly to face Wang Ping, biting her lower lip. "My only regret is that I couldn't slaughter that scoundrel with my own hands!" "...I see." Wang Ping nodded, pressing no further. Madam Su, on the other hand, suddenly grew curious. "You thought I'd hold a grudge... What would you have done if I'd said I wanted revenge?" "Need you even ask?" Wang Ping replied earnestly. "If you truly sought revenge, I would have had no choice but to ruthlessly pluck the flower." Madam Su was struck speechless. This man truly was an infuriating rascal. Did he really have to be so brutally honest? The mood was already set; couldn't he say something sweet to coax her? And yet, unlike with Chen Haoyan, this brand of wickedness... she rather liked. Just as the thought crossed her mind, a sudden lurch lifted her feet off the ground, shocking her back to her senses. An involuntary gasp of panic escaped her lips. "You... w-wait a moment!" Madam Su tried to speak, but the canary, having taken flight into the sky, had already begun to sing at the top of its lungs, scattering her thoughts and leaving her unable to utter a coherent sound. This brute. She hadn't even spoken of revenge, yet he had already begun ruthlessly plucking the flower. *** The anticipated pursuit never materialized. It made sense; Xu Bingzheng was so severely wounded that his first reaction would certainly be to suppress the news to avoid revealing any sign of weakness. Even if he intended to issue bounties and hunt them down, he would have to wait until he stabilized his injuries. Toward dusk, Liu Ye regained consciousness. Feeling that the internal strength inside him had been thoroughly purged, a bitter smile crept onto his face. *I truly owe him a massive favor this time.* A puppet controlled by thrall dragon strength did not lose self-awareness; only the physical body was rendered incapable of moving of its own accord. As such, he remembered everything from the previous night. Because of that, he understood how perilous his situation had been—a virtually certain death. Xu Bingzheng would never have left a living witness like him. Had Wang Ping not repelled Xu Bingzheng in the end and brought Liu Ye along as he fled, this old life of his would surely have been forfeit. The debt of saving his life was beyond repayment. With that in mind, Liu Ye struggled to his feet, intending to thank Wang Ping in person. But when he stepped into the peach grove, he saw only a man and a woman. Liu Ye froze, squinting ahead. From what he could see, the man seemed to be teaching the woman martial arts, having her strike a stance while his hands roved across her frame to correct her posture. *Is that... Madam Su?* Liu Ye's mouth fell slightly open. As a veteran constable of the county yamen, he had seen Madam Su before. When Chen Haoyan held banquets at the Su residence in the past, she had made an appearance. Yet the Madam Su in his memory had been a noble daughter of the capital—poised, dignified, mature, and aristocratic. At this moment, she displayed nothing but pampered, coy affection. Seemingly exhausted halfway through the practice, she simply let her body slacken, falling backward right into the man's embrace and nestling against him. Liu Ye stood dumbfounded. *Am I seeing things? Is this truly the same Madam Su who would rather die than yield to Chen Haoyan? How did she end up like this?* *A noble daughter of a prominent house... where has all decorum gone?!* For a moment, the look Liu Ye directed at Wang Ping was one of sheer reverence. He couldn't help feeling that the famed title of "Great Dragon Spear" throughout the county had not been bestowed in vain. On the other side, Wang Ping noticed Liu Ye. "You're awake, old brother?" At these words, Madam Su turned to look as well. Seeing Liu Ye, her delicate face stiffened slightly, though she quickly regained her poise and calm composure. Liu Ye, by contrast, was at a loss for what to do. Wang Ping, unbothered, continued, "I've purged all that toxic internal strength for you. After resting for three or four days, you should be fully recovered. "However, you saw what happened last night. Though that corrupt official fled severely wounded, he is still a titled martial master, and he likely holds considerable backing within the imperial court. Once he catches his breath, he will surely issue an empire-wide warrant and send endless pursuit after us. But when all is said and done, the root of the problem lies with me." Liu Ye nodded with a conflicted expression. "That medicinal pill... Forget it. Even if we handed it back now, reconciliation is impossible. The magistrate is ruthless and merciless; he will surely silence everyone involved." "Precisely," Wang Ping said with a light chuckle. "Still, you needn't worry, old brother. The pill is in my hands, so that corrupt dog will mainly be coming for me. You two are actually safe. "As long as you aren't with me, that is." Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Wang Ping felt Madam Su tighten her grip on his hand. Turning back, he saw that her exquisite face was etched with anxiety. "Be good," Wang Ping said, gently patting her hand. Turning back to Liu Ye, he said solemnly, "At this point, I won't hide it from you, old brother... That corrupt official is gravely injured, and I intend to take a gamble." Liu Ye immediately caught his meaning. "You... you plan to strike back?!" "That's right. I'm going all in this time." Wang Ping offered an easy smile. "This will kill two birds with one stone. If I kill that corrupt dog, all our troubles vanish into thin air, and you can return safely to the county town. "Even if I fail and die at his hands, I will surely worsen his injuries. Besides, I've prepared a backup plan; he won't have an easy time afterward, and he certainly won't have the energy to hunt you down. With your abilities, old brother, changing your name and starting a new life elsewhere shouldn't be difficult. "What's more, I can point you toward a fortune." At this point, Wang Ping pointed in the direction of the imperial capital. "You should be well aware of the Su clan of the capital. I want you to go there and deliver a message for me. "Madam is a noble daughter of the Su clan. "Though she fell upon hard times and left home, there are still people in the capital she can trust. If you carry word to them, it will count as a great service, and you won't lack for wealth and status." Wang Ping spoke deliberately, enunciating each word. This was clearly no spur-of-the-moment whim, but the most fitting arrangement he had devised after careful consideration, settling both Liu Ye and Madam Su properly. Of course, this alone was not enough. In truth, though Liu Ye was unaware, Wang Ping had left behind a small hidden measure the previous night when purging Xu Bingzheng's thrall dragon strength. To put it simply, he had converted a portion of his own internal strength and injected it into Liu Ye's body in Xu Bingzheng's place. It would allow him to control Liu Ye's actions if necessary, ensuring the man followed his plan rather than pursuing other designs or selling them out. *One must always guard against others...* Wang Ping sighed internally. Although his understanding of Liu Ye led him to believe the man would not betray him, who could ever guarantee they would never misjudge someone? *** Liu Ye departed. A shrewd veteran of the world, he tried to dissuade Wang Ping several times. Seeing the young man's resolve was unshakable, he wasted no more words, turning to hurry day and night toward the imperial capital. Wang Ping felt somewhat gratified by this; at the very least, it proved he had not misjudged the man. The moment Liu Ye left, Madam Su immediately pressed close. "Madam, please conduct yourself with propriety..." Wang Ping reached out to push her away, but she uncharacteristically batted his hands aside and threw her arms tightly around him, as though trying to press his entire body into her own. "It's been a whole day. Let's eat first," Wang Ping said helplessly, hurriedly adding, "It's rare to be out in the wilderness. Let me treat you to my family's secret grilled chicken wrap. My dad was the one who taught me how to make it..." His voice cut off abruptly. The expression on Wang Ping's face turned somber. When he had first transmigrated, he had missed his parents, but it had not stirred up such intense emotion. Yet right now, feelings surged within him like a tidal wave. He could not hold them back. For a moment, Wang Ping's throat choked up with emotion. Only after a short while did he manage to regain his composure. Taking out the jade hairpin that had previously concealed the Heavenly Peng Dragon Seizing Physique Chart, he took the initiative to steer the subject away: "By the way, there is some serious business I wanted to ask you about, Madam... Do you know what material this hairpin is made of?" At the same time, he did not forget to see to the meal. Gathering firewood, he brought out a wild pheasant he had hunted, assembled a spit, and began tinkering over the fire. Seeing this, Madam Su answered softly, "It's Heart-Clearing Jade. "Keeping this jade on one's person calms and cleanses the mind. It isn't particularly rare in the capital; as long as a clan has produced a thaumaturge, they usually keep a few pieces in their collection." "Thaumaturge?" Hearing the term again, Wang Ping raised an eyebrow. "Like the one at Youshen Temple? Where do these thaumaturges come from?" "They come from the Fangxian Dao," Madam Su explained. "During the imperial examinations each year, the court selects a group from among the participating scholars. Instead of receiving official posts, they are sent to the Fangxian Dao. "Years or even decades later, these people reappear as thaumaturge fangshi and are dispatched by the imperial court to establish branch temples across the realm. "The reason they are called thaumaturges is that they have all mastered bizarre esoteric arts distinct from martial arts." At this point, Madam Su's fair face suddenly flushed crimson. "For instance, the thaumaturge ancestor of my Su clan passed down an esoteric art... one that can assist in breaking through bottlenecks in martial arts." "...Is that true?" Wang Ping immediately sat up straight. Madam Su gave a soft humph and whispered, "Of course it's true. Almost everyone in my clan has studied that secret art." "Everyone has studied it? Then it must not be difficult?" Wang Ping tended to the roasting spit. Accelerated by his internal strength, it was soon finished. Wrapping a long chicken roll, he offered it to Madam Su. "The art is called Knocking on the Immortal Gate, and it truly isn't difficult. "Simply put, it allows a martial artist to gather and hold their essence, qi, and spirit, unleashing it all at once when needed." Madam Su took the chicken wrap Wang Ping handed her. "At that moment, the martial artist's essence, qi, and spirit reach their absolute peak, and their comprehension rises dramatically. Martial arts they previously could not understand can be grasped with ease. The duration depends on the martial artist's physical stamina, and it can be used repeatedly. If there is any drawback, it is that it places an immense strain on the body..." *Such an extraordinary technique actually exists?!* Seeing Wang Ping looking at her with sheer amazement, Madam Su felt inexplicably proud. "Because of this, the daughters of our Su clan have never lacked for suitors." "Could you teach me, Madam?" Wang Ping asked, his face full of curiosity. Hearing this, Madam Su blushed deeply and said softly, "I can, but this esoteric art is rather peculiar. It is usually passed down word of mouth..." Wang Ping hurriedly leaned closer. "Please, Madam, do tell." Madam Su rolled her eyes at him. With a delicate motion of her hand, she brushed the stray hairs at her temples behind her ears. Nibbling on the chicken wrap, she began imparting the secret art to Wang Ping. The core of the explanation essentially boiled down to a single thought: *Huh?* "...*Hiss!*" Having listened to the explanation, Wang Ping took in a sharp breath at the profound obscurity of the esoteric art. "Hold it in!" Seeing his reaction, Madam Su hurriedly sharpened her tone. "Cultivating this secret art is arduous work. You must focus your mind—do not slacken prematurely...!"