A Wondrous Art

"Senior Brother Qin! Senior Brother Qin!" Just as Qin Xuan stepped out of the temple, Liu Xi and Yu Han came rushing up behind him, calling out and drawing looks from quite a few onlookers. "What is it?" Qin Xuan had been brooding over matters down the mountain. Snapping out of his thoughts, he offered the two youngsters a slight smile. Earlier, during the incident at the Geng residence, the pair had sent a flying crane to tip him off about the Enforcement Hall's movements. For that alone, taking them along on that excursion to Yunxiu Mountain had been well worth it. "Senior Brother Qin, someone sent a visiting card up the mountain, asking to call on you." As Liu Xi finished, Yu Han chimed in beside him, "We went to your quarters, Senior Brother, but couldn't find you. Luckily, we were on gate duty today and returned just in time, or else this card would have been delayed." Both of them were slightly out of breath, clearly having sprinted in haste, as though the card were of the utmost urgency. Qin Xuan took the card and asked casually, "Was it an elderly man surnamed Lin?" The head housekeeper from his maternal grandfather's household usually visited Pingyuan Commandery around this time of year. "No." They shook their heads together, ambiguous grins creeping across their faces. Yu Han said with a giggle, "Senior Brother, it's an extraordinarily pretty young lady surnamed Gu. She said she's your... your dear little sister." Qin Xuan caught on, his expression sobering slightly. "All right, I understand." That little vixen certainly had nerve, daring to come straight to Yuansong Temple. Qin Xuan opened the card as he made his way down the mountain. He naturally paid no heed to the quiet gossip trailing in his wake. Having read the contents, he quickened his pace and headed straight for a tea shop at the foot of the mountain named Master's Cave Abode. The tea served here was a kind of cold tea harvested from the snowy cliffs of Hawk's Beak Mountain, possessing a unique flavor. As he neared the private booth on the south side, he saw a maiden with features as delicate as a painting, clad in a goose-yellow dress, leaning against the window casement. She waved to him with a radiant smile. "Over here, Young Master Qin." Qin Xuan pushed open the door, entered, and took a seat. "There are several eccentric old fossils in my temple. If they saw through your disguise, they'd most likely suspect you of sneaking in to steal pills or scriptures, and slay you on the spot." Gu Mei'er sat down as well, her slender hands toying with the teacup on the table. "To see Young Master, taking a little risk is well worth it for Mei'er." With that, she pouted slightly, an air of feigned reproach in her voice. "I had someone deliver a letter to you, yet never received a reply." That was true enough. Though Qin Xuan maintained his vigilance, he was not one to neglect manners. He reached into his robes and pulled out the letter she had sent. "I've been busy cultivating lately, and originally planned to seek you out today at the address written in the letter. I didn't expect you to arrive first. By the way, is what you wrote in the letter true?" "Naturally." Gu Mei'er asked eagerly, "Are those yin spirits from the Xieling Sect still on you?" Qin Xuan nodded. That day, he had acquired the hundred-treasure pouches of the Xieling Sect members, turning over the miscellaneous scriptures and magical items to the Enforcement Hall in exchange for temple contribution, which had long since been converted into Qi Gathering Bait and swallowed down. Only the jars of yin spirits had been rejected even by the Records Hall. The little fox knew what had transpired that night and guessed he possessed these items, which was why she had mentioned them in her letter. "Do you have any use for keeping those yin spirits? If not, why not do as I suggested and sell them?" Qin Xuan had already weighed the matter. "The sky has been overcast these past few days. Once the weather clears, we'll go to the place you mentioned." The girl smiled at him. "You truly are cautious. That place is right in the city, and those doing business there aren't wicked fiends or demon sect figures. Mei'er would never harm you." She poured a cup of tea for Qin Xuan. Then, extending a slender hand, an ancient bamboo slip appeared in her palm, which she handed over. Qin Xuan unrolled the slip and examined it closely. What was recorded seemed to be an escape technique—the 'Gen Palace' of the Nine Palaces Shifting Array Chart. Giving it a brief perusal, he felt a boundless sense of wonder and lingering fascination, as if tasting something profound yet incomplete. According to Gu Mei'er, this Nine Palaces Array Chart had originally been found inscribed upon a mountain cliff. As the saying went, accepting a gift left one beholden. Qin Xuan's tone softened. "Are there slips for the other palaces?" "I don't have them." Seeing Qin Xuan look slightly disappointed, the corners of her lips curved upward. "Young Master, although I don't have them, my grandfather might. I heard his elderly self say that if one masters the entire Nine Palaces Array Chart, one will have the opportunity to execute a wondrous art from the Great Xia Dynasty of Zhongzhou, called the 'Heaven-Fleeing Steps'." "This escape art is of no small consequence. Every step aligns with the positions of the Nine Palaces, covertly matching the fortunes of heaven and earth. Upon reaching minor mastery, one moves like a ghost, rendering others incapable of locking onto one's aura. Once fully mastered, one can cross thousands of li in an instant, moving freely through myriad grand arrays and restrictions." Qin Xuan was naturally tempted, but one could not be overly greedy. Even if her grandfather truly possessed it, he was unlikely to impart such a wondrous art to an outsider. Looking at the girl before him, he gave a kind reminder: "You mentioned that great tomb in Hawk's Beak Mountain in your letter. In my view, it's best not to explore it. The dangers within are extraordinary." Gu Mei'er could not help but feel disappointed upon hearing this. "Young Master, won't you reconsider?" "I'm certain there is a great medicine inside capable of breathing spiritual qi on its own. If the two of us go together, we have a great chance of retrieving it. That day on Eagle Beak Cliff, I was injured precisely because I was searching for a great medicine." Qin Xuan shook his head. Remembering Geng Zhi's warning in the letter, he truly had no desire to take such a risk. Seeing his resolute expression, Gu Mei'er pressed no further. "Very well, then. We'll wait for the weather to clear and sell the yin spirits first." "Mm. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll seek you out later." Having said his piece, Qin Xuan drained his tea. Just as he was about to rise and leave, the girl suddenly recalled something. "Right, an aquatic commander has been investigating you lately." "Who?" Qin Xuan suspected it might be someone from the Lan River Water Mansion. "It's Lord Gutless of the Lan River. I heard he entered the Yishui River God's Mansion and specifically inquired after your name." So it was him. Qin Xuan's expression darkened. That crab demon had caused havoc near the Yishui River years ago. After being driven off by an elder of Yuansong Temple, he had now sought refuge under the black catfish great demon. "Where did you hear this?" "Naturally, I went out of my way to inquire on your behalf. There's an eel spirit in the Lan River who is quite well-informed. That piece of news cost me several precious spirit herbs." "Thank you." Qin Xuan felt that this little fox was actually quite decent, and that he had perhaps been too cold toward her. Setting the matter of the tomb aside for now, selling the yin spirits seemed to offer her some benefit as well, so that matter would certainly not fall through. Without pressing further, he handed the bamboo slip back to her. Gu Mei'er did not take it, saying, "I haven't figured it out yet anyway, so there's no harm in lending it to you for a few days. If you gain any insights, you can teach me." With that, she headed downstairs to pay for the tea, not even offering a farewell. Only when Qin Xuan watched her retreating figure did she suddenly glance back with a smile and give him a playful wink. Hah... this little vixen... Qin Xuan could not help but smile. Following the address Old Daoist Wu had given him, he made his way to an estate situated near the upper reaches of the inner river in the west of the city. The surroundings were tranquil and secluded. On both banks of the waterway, peach and apricot blossoms bloomed in lavish profusion. When the wind blew, drifting petals scattered, blanketing half the water's surface. The words "Jinghu Manor" came into view, letting Qin Xuan know he had arrived. The estate's front gate stood wide open. Standing there, one could hear the creak of sculls from boats on the inner river nearby, and the bustle of the streets was even more distinct—far less peaceful than Yuansong Temple. Yet the moment he stepped past the screen wall, the surrounding noise seemed suppressed by an invisible hand. Even the yellow finches in the willows ceased their loud chirping, letting out only an occasional trill from deep within the dense shade, which only served to make the silence feel all the more profound. Just as Qin Xuan was about to walk further in, he felt a light breeze. Then, a figure suddenly flickered into view, blocking the pebble path inside the manor. It was not Zheng Xiuyuan, who had appeared that other day. The elder before him looked to be in his fifties or sixties, wearing a half-worn, slate-blue robe with a black sash tied around his waist and multi-eared hemp sandals on his feet. He had a gaunt build, a sallow complexion, and a few sparse, scraggly whiskers hanging beneath his chin. "Are you Qin Xuan?" "Yes, Senior." Although the elder radiated no formidable aura, Qin Xuan dared not be discourteous. He handed over the jade talisman Old Daoist Wu had given him—the very one Zheng Xiuyuan had left behind. "This old man is Mao Yan. Follow me." He could not be called warm, but neither was he cold. Addressing him as "Senior Mao," Qin Xuan followed as the elder led the way, explaining the estate's affairs as they walked. At the very center of the estate lay a large lake, which was the origin of the name Jinghu Manor. "Madam resides in the inner courtyard north of the large lake and must not be disturbed. Normally, we only conduct our activities in this outer courtyard." Qin Xuan nodded and asked, "What duties do you wish to assign to me, Senior?" Mao Yan replied, "Originally, only Brother Zheng and this old man were in this outer courtyard. Now that he has gone to Guanjiang Mountain, it will take three to five months at the latest for him to return. Some of the trivial tasks on his hands will fall upon your shoulders." "No need to worry, this task won't be difficult for you. Zhu Jinting over at Lianyun Manor prepares a batch of medicinal herbs every seven days. You are to inspect them and bring them back here. Keep an eye out along the way, and ensure no one tails you." "In addition, if Temple Head Wu receives any news regarding demon sect members, or if any unusual incidents occur in the city recently, you must inform me in a timely manner." His expression was exceptionally solemn. Qin Xuan cupped his hands. "This disciple understands." Mao Yan nodded slightly and led Qin Xuan to a small, lakeside pavilion with its own courtyard, serving as his temporary lodging...