Early morning.

Chen Tang opened his eyes, washed up simply, and prepared to practice his fist technique in the courtyard.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw the chubby old man standing in the courtyard, hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot, lost in thought.

"Old man, what's wrong with you? Up all night?"

Chen Tang asked curiously.

The chubby old man seemed not to hear, still immersed in some emotion, looked peculiar, almost enchanted, his expression changing unpredictably, both surprised and delighted.

"Master, what's wrong with you?"

Qingmu walked out, saw the chubby old man's state, and was startled, asking aloud.

Only then did the chubby old man come to his senses, looked at the two of them, gradually recovered clarity, and said solemnly, "Qingmu, the governor of Pingzhou is rebelling!"

"Ah."

Qingmu nodded and said, "Xiao Tang mentioned it yesterday. I thought about it when I got back, and it does make sense. Also, as far as I know, Sister Ling Guang has already arrived in Pingzhou. If she's left the capital, my elder brother must have sensed something too."

This Sister Ling Guang Qingmu referred to was the Vermilion Bird Lord.

The chubby old man continued, "We can't leave, we must hold Wu'an County, hold Pingzhou!"

"Uh…"

Chen Tang and Qingmu looked at the chubby old man with strange eyes.

Yesterday, the chubby old man didn't take it seriously.

How did everything change overnight?

Qingmu said, "I trust my elder brother. There's no problem staying in Wu'an County, but what about what you said yesterday, about intercepting Black Water Country's support and leaving Pingzhou isolated?"

"Leave that to me."

The chubby old man took a deep breath, a hint of excitement in his small eyes, raring to go, said, "I will be away for a while; you must be careful in Wu'an County."

"Also, you must find a way to deliver this letter to your elder brother, with as few intermediaries as possible."

The chubby old man took a letter from his pocket and said, "Once he reads it, he should devise the fastest countermeasure."

Qingmu nodded and said, "I have my ways of contacting my elder brother; as long as I leave a mark, he'll know it's from me."

"Good."

The chubby old man was about to leave, then thought of something and looked at Chen Tang, saying, "Before I go, I'll teach you a cultivation technique, which is truly my forte."

"Great!"

Chen Tang's eyes lit up.

The chubby old man said, "This technique is called 'Fuyao Technique,' composed of four parts: Listening to the Wind and Recognizing Shadows, Gale Grass, Traceless with the Wind, and One Step to the Clouds."

Qingmu smiled upon hearing this and said, "Master, this is your secret art, taught only to disciples. Does this mean I'll have a junior brother?"

Chen Tang asked, "Do I need to take you as a master?"

"No, no, no!"

The chubby old man shook his head like a rattle and waved his small chubby hand, muttering, "I dare not claim such..."

Originally, he did want to take Chen Tang as a disciple.

But after seeing that person last night, he completely dismissed the idea.

With that person transmitting knowledge and teaching, all he had to offer was this 'Fuyao Technique.'

"First, memorize these cultivation technique mantras."

The chubby old man used the secret transmission method, gathering sound into a bundle, as the mantras resonated in Chen Tang's mind one by one.

"When I was young, on Celestial Mountain, I accidentally encountered a rare exotic beast, its wings like clouds in the sky, soaring nine thousand miles up high, which inspired me. I meditated at the foot of the mountain for seven days and nights, thus creating this 'Fuyao Technique.'"

"The foundation of 'Fuyao Technique' lies in perceiving, experiencing, and understanding the power and changes within the wind, to listen to the wind and ride the wind."

"Listening to the Wind and Recognizing Shadows is actually two parts, divided into Wind Listening Technique and Shadow Recognition Sword. Wind Listening Technique hones a sense of cultivation perception; your Mud Ball Palace has been opened; when paired with Wind Listening Technique, it greatly enhances your danger perception, making you fully aware of your surroundings, sharpening your senses!"

"Listening to the Wind is not about hearing the sound of the wind, but sensing the flow and changes of the surrounding aura."

"The airflow between all things in the world is not static; our conversations, every breath, every move, causes changes, which is the wind. When you become familiar with these changes, you'll discern some unusual wind!"

"The wind generated by fist techniques, the wind raised by palm techniques, even the wind around swords and halberds cutting through the air, all differ."

Chen Tang seemed to have a glimmer of realization.

The chubby old man continued, "Some people's moves may be without warning, or extremely subtle and silent. But as long as they make a move, the surrounding airflow will inevitably change. Practicing Wind Listening Technique aims to detect these changes and respond accordingly."

"Gale Grass is also two parts, Gale Technique, Strong Grass Sword; Traceless with the Wind is the Wind Following Technique, Traceless Sword. If you grasp the listening to the wind, gale, and following the wind triple realm, you can further cultivate the One Step to the Clouds body technique."

Qingmu added from the side, "Someone once ranked the Ten Great Lightweight Techniques in the world, and master's One Step to the Clouds is among them."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang's interest piqued, asked, "Which one is the top of the Ten Great Lightweight Techniques?"

The chubby old man said, "Each of the Ten Great Lightweight Techniques has its strengths; some complement each other while others mutually restrain, not necessarily superior or inferior. Like the Demon Sect's Demon Trace Step, known for confusing opponents; the Eastern Barbarians' Floating Light and Shadow, known for using the environment to hide."

"One Step to the Clouds isn't the fastest, but the body technique moves with the wind, unpredictable and hardest to capture."

After a pause, the chubby old man said, "I've only managed to comprehend and create four heart method mantras so far, but I have a vague feeling there might be a fifth, Ascension to Immortality!"

"Reaching that point may be another unattainable realm."

"You like using knives; Shadow Recognition Sword, Strong Grass Sword, Traceless Sword can be optional, but strive to master Wind Listening Technique, Gale Technique, and Wind Following Technique, to cultivate the One Step to the Clouds body technique."

Under the guidance of the chubby old man, Chen Tang quickly grasped a sense of the technique.

This made Qingmu, standing beside, quite envious.

Chen Tang learned things too quickly, encountering almost no bottlenecks.

Back then, to cultivate the Wind Listening Technique, she was left on the edge of a Celestial Mountain cliff by the chubby old man, battered by cold winds, strong winds, icy winds—various winds made her dizzy and almost drove her mad.

"If there's something you don't understand, you can ask Qingmu. I'll be off now."

After saying this, the chubby old man turned and left, quickly disappearing from sight.

"What's with Master? All mysterious and secretive."

Qingmu murmured softly.

Over the years, she had seldom seen the chubby old man so invested in something.

Chen Tang had a vague suspicion in her heart.

Last night, the chubby old man most likely went to Snow Mountain.

It seems he was persuaded by the Mountain Guest.

Chen Tang memorized the Fuyao Technique several times silently, firmly remembered it, and then practiced the Wind Listening Technique a while in the courtyard, listening to the rhythm of the 'wind'.

She stood still, closing her eyes.

She could perceive the woodshed door opening, and Mei Yingxue coming out.

The opening and closing of doors, people moving, all stirred different air currents, conveying different sensations to Chen Tang.

A north wind brushed her face, blowing up the white snow.

This gust of north wind passing through everything in the courtyard transmitted different information.

With the ability of Entering the Divine State, even without entering the Divine Illumination State, Chen Tang could vaguely map out the rough contours of every grass and tree in the courtyard.

The feeling was quite wonderful.

Using Entering the Divine State and the Wind Listening Technique, Chen Tang seemed to have opened a third eye, gazing down upon everything around!

If she entered the Divine Illumination State, her perception would be even clearer, akin to what eyes can see.

Mei Yingxue lingered at the doorway, occasionally lifting her head, looking in her direction, wanting to speak but stopping.

"Miss Mei, is Hall Master Mei all right?"

Chen Tang stepped forward and asked.

"Breath is relatively stable, but still hasn't awakened."

Just as Mei Yingxue finished speaking, her stomach let out a gurgling sound.

She lowered her head, her face flush red.

"Wait for a moment, I'm hungry too, I'll go buy some breakfast."

Chen Tang headed out to a shop she frequented.

Though the shop didn't look large, the taste was superb, and business was thriving.

Aside from the inner hall, a few low tables and stools were set up at the entrance, with a crowd lining up every morning. Usually, only a middle-aged couple and a teenage apprentice were bustling about.

Chen Tang bought more buns and soy milk than usual.

A youth, with a somewhat unfamiliar face, wrapped the buns rather clumsily. He picked up the steaming soy milk and handed it to Chen Tang, revealing a shy but polite smile.

"Boss, is this a new hire?"

Chen Tang asked casually.

"Yes."

The boss gave a hearty smile and said, "The original Xiao Liu went back to his hometown, won't be back for a while, so we got this kid to help out."

The boss whispered, "Lord Chen, the kid's legs aren't very nimble. I felt sorry, so I took him in. He's not very efficient yet but will get used to it."

Chen Tang nodded.

The youth had already turned away to serve another customer, walking with a noticeable limp.

Chen Tang carried the breakfast home, where dedicated Vermilion Bird Guards were conducting poison checks, even doing so with groceries to ensure Qingmu's safety.

Chen Tang took a quick bite, without putting on armor or sword, then headed out.

He intended to visit the Li Mansion today to discuss and probe the cards held by the Commander of Wu'an.

...

Li Mansion.

Li Yan, Li Boxiong, Li Zhongmou, and Li Junqing sat around the table, just after having breakfast.

Normally, Li Yan should be preparing to head to the County Governor's Mansion.

But today, he wasn't in a hurry to leave.

Li Yan coughed lightly and said, "Junqing, you should leave Wu'an County today."

"Dad, I want to go with you."

Li Junqing showed reluctance.

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Wait until you meet Shuhu in the west, settle down, then Zhongmou will leave, and lastly Bo Xiong."

Li Boxiong frowned and said, "Can't we leave together?"

"It's indeed unwise."

Li Zhongmou said, "If our family leaves Wu'an County all at once, it'll cause too much commotion, the Huo Family will surely notice, and then none of us might be able to leave."

Li Boxiong said, "But if Dad leaves last, doesn't that make it the most dangerous for him?"

Li Yan smiled and said, "I am the Commander of Wu'an, I cannot leave easily. Besides, that matter is just my speculation and not confirmed. As long as you leave and keep a branch of the Li Family intact in the chaotic times, your father will have no regrets."

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