Chapter 34: The Complete Nine Yin Manual

During the Northern Song dynasty, a disciple of the Star Absorption Sect named Ding Chunqiu possessed a skill called the Meridian-Eliminating Art, which was deeply despised by the martial world; the martial arts connoisseur Wang Yuyan regarded it as a corrupt technique, for in essence it drained one’s internal strength, reducing a lifetime of cultivation to nothing.

For martial artists, internal strength was more valuable than gold.

Gu Qing, fully aware that drawing near to Xiaolongnu would drain his internal power, still chose to be close to her—this sincerity was truer than gold.

Though Xiaolongnu was unversed in worldly affairs, she understood the weight of Gu Qing’s words; with Wang Chongyang’s example—how he avoided Lin Chaoying due to his internal cultivation—Gu Qing’s confession stood in stark contrast, its superiority instantly clear.

“Miss Long…”

Gu Qing reached out and took Xiaolongnu’s hand; her skin felt cold, smooth, and supple as boneless silk, making his heart melt. He spoke again: “Can you not see the sincerity in my heart?”

“I… never thought…”

Xiaolongnu pulled her hand away, her heart in turmoil, and turned to leave.

Though she was peerlessly beautiful, she dwelled alone in the ancient tomb, never having experienced being pursued; this blunt declaration left her utterly flustered.

Gu Qing raised his right hand to his nose and inhaled lightly—the faint sweetness lingered.

After savoring it, Gu Qing idly turned his gaze and saw Yang Guo still standing nearby.

Yang Guo had witnessed every moment: the confession, the taking of Xiaolongnu’s hand, Gu Qing’s reverie.

At that moment, Yang Guo’s eyes widened, on the verge of explosion.

This was no ordinary Daoist—he must strike hard!

“Brother Yang!”

Gu Qing stepped forward, approaching Yang Guo, sizing him up with a sly gleam in his eyes: “Your aunt rejects my internal power—do you want it?”

“Huh?”

Yang Guo had intended to fight Gu Qing to the death, but this remark left him stunned, then questioning his very existence, then frowning in thought, and finally trembling with dread—he suddenly realized he had something far more important to protect.

“Get lost!”

Yang Guo no longer dared to fight Gu Qing; he turned and fled, refusing to use the Ancient Tomb Sect’s lightness skill, fearing his elegant figure might draw Gu Qing after him.

“Hah…”

Gu Qing laughed.

Having scared off Yang Guo, Gu Qing pressed on, leaping across several courtyards until he reached Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s door, and knocked.

Today had seen many upheavals; Guo Jing, as the central figure of this martial gathering, was greatly admired by the guests, who had plied him with much wine. By nightfall, Guo Jing and Huang Rong sat together, reviewing the day’s events. Huang Rong, now pregnant, could not engage in marital intimacy, yet their bond remained unshaken—leaning together in harmony, even their conversation held unique charm.

Hearing the knock, Huang Rong set aside her needlework; Guo Jing rose and opened the door to find Gu Qing outside.

“Young Master Gu.”

Guo Jing’s smile was warm and open upon seeing Gu Qing.

Gu Qing’s origin in the Quanzhen Sect greatly enhanced his standing with Guo Jing; moreover, Gu Qing’s deeds—slaying Tartars, aiding the needy, and his many proposals after winning the martial alliance leadership—had charted a clear path for the alliance’s future. To Guo Jing, he was a rising star of the martial world.

Earlier, Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s conversation had largely revolved around Gu Qing.

“There are some additional matters regarding the martial alliance’s development I wish to discuss with you, Great Hero Guo.”

Gu Qing spoke up.

Guo Jing turned to look at Huang Rong; she, already weary from her pregnancy, nodded to him and prepared to retire. Guo Jing, seeing this, followed Gu Qing to his room.

Gu Qing poured tea for Guo Jing, and they sat down. He said: “To attract martial heroes to serve our alliance, money alone is insufficient. Some noble heroes come with deep patriotic devotion; even when we give them gold, they feel insulted.”

Guo Jing nodded—this was utterly true.

“Therefore, I believe we must offer aid in martial arts, beyond just pay.”

Gu Qing said: “Martial heroes vary widely in skill. Some lack a master’s guidance and can never advance in their lifetime; others are devoted to martial arts but have no secret manuals, forever remaining outsiders to true cultivation.”

Guo Jing nodded again: “I’ve often thought the same. But my own martial knowledge is deeply internalized; when I try to teach, my words fall short. Moreover, martial disciples vary greatly in talent…”

Recently, Huang Rong had been teaching Lu Youjiao the Dog-Beating Staff Technique; after months, he could barely perform it properly—yet when he faced Hu Du, he was instantly defeated.

Lu Youjiao was now deeply discouraged.

“Fortuitous.”

Gu Qing said: “I possess a martial art that ignores innate talent—so long as one trains diligently, success is guaranteed. It is ideal for widespread adoption, allowing martial heroes without resources to cultivate.”

The art Gu Qing referred to was the Dragon and Tiger Divine Power.

And speaking of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Power, Gu Qing intended to exchange it with Guo Jing for the complete Nine Yin Manual.

Guo Jing was a straightforward man; one must deal with him honestly. Thus Gu Qing revealed the Dragon and Tiger Divine Power first. Guo Jing, who possessed the summary of the Nine Yin Manual, instantly grasped its principles upon hearing them. Through mutual verification, he recognized this art’s depth and alignment with orthodox Daoist martial teachings—its only flaw being its excruciatingly slow progress.

“This martial art is best taught to children.”

Guo Jing sighed: “If one begins at twenty, progress is limited; at thirty or forty, there’s little hope.”

After all, it was an art requiring years of patient cultivation.

Yet in this age, many sold their children; possessing such an art could offer a future to those orphaned and destitute.

After Guo Jing had evaluated the Dragon and Tiger Divine Power, Gu Qing spoke of the shortcomings of the Primordial Skill and requested the complete Nine Yin Manual.

“If one cultivates the Quanzhen Sect’s Primordial Skill, true lovers cannot unite; if one avoids Quanzhen martial arts, one can never reach the pinnacle of the martial Dao. Only the Nine Yin Manual can reconcile both. Great Hero Guo, please grant me this.”

Gu Qing’s plea was heartfelt.

Guo Jing looked at Gu Qing—this man had served the Central Plains martial world, had given a path to disciples of mediocre talent through the Dragon and Tiger Divine Power, and had outlined a future for the martial alliance. Guo Jing now viewed him differently. After a brief hesitation, he decided to transmit the Nine Yin Manual to Gu Qing.

The Nine Yin Manual in the Ancient Tomb was incomplete; the full version rested in Guo Jing’s possession. Though Guo Jing struggled to articulate martial principles, reciting the manual’s text came effortlessly. That night, Guo Jing recited from the summary of the Nine Yin Manual down to the techniques of its lower scroll.

Gu Qing used his Good Deed Points to etch the entire Nine Yin Manual into his mind, word for word, without omission. As he listened to Guo Jing’s explanations, he shared his own insights, mentioning his encounter with Hong Qigong on Mount Hua. This dialogue stirred Guo Jing’s enthusiasm; that night, they shared a bed, feet touching, speaking openly until near the hour of Yin, when they finally slept.

(End of Chapter)