Chapter 41: Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor - Chapter 41: Qi Gathering

Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor - Chapter 41: Qi Gathering

Just as they were about to walk out of the Demon Slayer Division, Kong Yanxing walked to the gatehouse and glanced at the calendar inside.

He said to Zhao Chan:

"In a few hours, it will be the thirteenth of the eighth month.

Auspicious for: taking a son-in-law, making alliances, traveling, setting up a bed.

Inauspicious for: digging wells, breaking ground, building stoves, planting."

Immediately after, the two walked side by side between the two stone lions. Kong Yanxing laughed: "I wonder whose daughter will be lucky enough to have such a handsome young master as you."

Soon, auxiliary soldiers from the Yang County Demon Slayer Division brought two horses and handed them over.

Because the Yang County Demon Slayer Division faced too many demon infestations, "auxiliary soldier" was a permanent position. Yang County commoners willing to be auxiliary soldiers were paid one hundred coins per month. Unlike the Youju Town Demon Slayer Division, the auxiliary soldiers in Yang County rarely followed Demon Slayers to deal with demon infestations; they mostly stayed in the Demon Slayer Division to do odd jobs.

If there were not enough Demon Slayers when dealing with a demon infestation, they would have to bring auxiliary soldiers and pay them an extra sum of money.

"Can you ride a horse?" Kong Yanxing asked.

Zhao Chan held the reins and shook his head.

"Step on the stirrups and get up; I will teach you." He asked again, "Do you dare?"

Zhao Chan followed his instructions and mounted the horse. Because it was his first time riding, his limbs were very stiff.

Kong Yanxing comforted him: "Relax. Only when your body is relaxed can you control the horse well."

Zhao Chan took a few deep breaths and slowly relaxed his body.

"Very good, hold the reins tightly..." This middle-aged man from the Yang County Demon Slayer Division carefully explained the key points of horse riding.

"Do you understand?"

The young man's furrowed brows relaxed, and he nodded: "I understand."

"You are in the Upper Grade Body Refining Realm; for you, riding a horse is a piece of cake." He smiled and galloped toward the city gate.

Zhao Chan closed his eyes and thought about the points he had just mentioned, then galloped to catch up with Kong Yanxing, following closely behind.

Kong Yanxing looked back at Zhao Chan's movements and felt very gratified: "Not bad, you have natural talent."

It was already the first quarter of the Chou hour.

Apart from the night watchman, there were few pedestrians on the streets of Yang County, and the shops were also closed for rest.

"Even with the cultivation of the Upper Grade Body Refining Realm, it is rare for you to cross so many great mountains to reach the Yang County Demon Slayer Division in such a short time."

Zhao Chan replied: "I was worried about the common people in Youju Town."

"Rest assured, as long as I go, I will definitely settle everything," Kong Yanxing said proudly.

They traveled in the dark along the narrow mountain path of Shuduan Mountain toward Guyan Mountain.

Kong Yanxing called out: "Zhao Chan, riding a horse on a mountain road requires technique..."

Not only the technique of riding on mountain roads, he also explained the techniques of riding on plains, hills, and other terrains all at once.

"Did you note it down?"

Zhao Chan said: "I have remembered it. Thank you, Hundred-Household Kong, for imparting your knowledge."

"Knowledge? Haha... It is indeed great knowledge. After you come to Yang County to take up your post, you will need to ride a horse for transportation. Now that you have learned it, you can save a lot of time." Kong Yanxing seemed able to see in the night. He was in front, and Zhao Chan followed closely. Beside them was a cliff three or four zhang high, yet he didn't miss a step, walking steadily in the middle of the road.

"Am I going to the Yang County Demon Slayer Division?"

"That's right. Youju Town is not a place where you should stay. The Yang County Demon Slayer Division has plenty of cultivation resources left over, which will just happen to be given to you."

The young man asked one more question: "Why would there be leftovers?"

"Heh, what else could it be? People died. Only when Demon Slayers die can cultivation resources be left over."

The road ahead was pitch black.

Kong Yanxing blew a breath, and suddenly a ball of fire burned fiercely without warning. This fire was in front of him, illuminating the pitch-black passage as if it were daytime.

"You said in the reporting room that you brought Flame Talismans, Ice Condensing Talismans, and Wind Summoning Talismans? How many are left now?"

Zhao Chan counted: "One Flame Talisman, two Ice Condensing Talismans, and four Wind Summoning Talismans."

"Keep them for yourself; you don't need to return them to the Youju Town Demon Slayer Division. When you come to the Yang County Demon Slayer Division, I will give you better talismans. They also don't require True Qi; you can use them as long as you know the hand seals."

"Thank you, Big Brother Kong."

"Haha... You, suddenly changing from Hundred-Household Kong to Big Brother Kong, I'm not quite used to it yet," Kong Yanxing laughed loudly.

"I felt Big Brother Kong's sincerity."

Little people in the mountains and wilderness naturally have their own set of ways to conduct themselves.

Moreover, the young man was not pedantic at all. He was fierce when he needed to be, dared to pull the emperor off his horse when he needed to fight for his life, did not hesitate when he needed to retreat, and had no psychological burden when he needed to be cunning.

Kong Yanxing was indeed very sincere toward Zhao Chan.

Based on the deeds Zhao Chan mentioned, plus Thousand-Household Yuan's proof that he hadn't lied, this young man was worth the Yang County Demon Slayer Division's all-out effort to cultivate.

Especially with the Yang County Demon Slayer Division suffering from severe attrition, having one more powerful Demon Slayer not only meant that the common people could live in peace, but also that with someone to share the pressure, other Demon Slayers could have more time to recover their strength and True Qi. This point was extremely important and involved their own lives.

"What sincerity or not? You and I are both Demon Slayers. Although I am a Hundred-Household and you are not even a warrior, believe me, after I see the cultivators and demons you killed, perhaps you will be promoted to captain by Thousand-Household Yan."

"Captain? Isn't the Body Refining Realm a warrior?"

"In special circumstances, if a Demon Slayer performs an extraordinary service, they can be promoted across ranks," Kong Yanxing said. "This situation is very, very rare."

The captain of the Demon Slayer Division corresponds to the Qi Gathering Realm.

In short, the deeds Zhao Chan performed in Youju Town were enough for him to become a captain.

"What are the benefits of becoming a captain?"

"Benefits? You have more cultivation resources than a warrior. Do you know about cultivation resources?"

"I don't know much."

"Herbs and pills suitable for nourishing your physique, cultivation techniques suitable for you, weapons suitable for you... Whatever you lack, you can ask the Yang County Demon Slayer Division's treasury for it by virtue of your captain position. I'll say the ugly words first: the things I just mentioned have quantity limits. A captain can receive no more than fifty herbs, no more than six bottles of pills, only two cultivation techniques, and one weapon. Talismans are not limited in quantity, but you need to use them up before you can receive more."

Kong Yanxing continued: "Pills are the most important; they can save your life when you are in a crisis. A captain of the Yang County Demon Slayer Division can receive eight types: 'Recovery Pill,' 'Spirit Clearing Pill,' 'Five Elements Pill,' 'Qi Increasing Pill,' 'Origin Returning Pill,' 'Qi Replenishing Pill,' 'Dahuang Pill,' and 'Grass Returning Pill.'

Don't think that's few. Compared to other county towns, the pills our Yang County supplies to captains are already quite many.

Each type of pill has a different effect. When you receive them, I will explain them to you in detail and suggest which one you should choose."

Zhao Chan felt a bit flattered. Since his parents passed away, apart from a few people like Lao Liu, Chen Xianggu, and Wang Huan, very few people were willing to care about him so much.

Moreover, Kong Yanxing was a Hundred-Household official of the Demon Slayer Division with the cultivation of the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Realm.

"What about secret manuals?"

"You are practicing the 'Shake God Sword,' so you don't need to choose. Just ask for the 'Nurture True Sword-Forging Art.' This art can allow you to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm."

The thunderous roar of the Longqiu Waterfall at Guyan Mountain gradually echoed in their ears.

Kong Yanxing pulled the reins to stop the horses and looked at Zhao Chan: "Do you dare to gallop?"

"I dare."

"Good kid, fortunately I didn't underestimate you. The mountain road ahead is relatively flat. Let's save time and try to reach Youju Town by the Si hour."

"Big Brother Kong, a section of the mountain road ahead was destroyed by a flash flood. We must be cautious."

"Hmm, I know. Let's go, kid! Follow me!"

Kong Yanxing swung his horse whip at the horse's rump, and Zhao Chan followed suit.

They galloped across the road that was still passable under the Longqiu Waterfall.

The water spray from the waterfall hitting the lake flew high into the clouds, as if it were raining, wetting Kong Yanxing's clothes and also drenching Zhao Chan's bare upper body.

The cold water stimulated the young man, and his sleepiness instantly vanished.

Kong Yanxing laughed loudly, shouting that it was painful and happy.

Zhao Chan looked up at the Longqiu Waterfall in the moonlight and starlight. From his current angle, the Longqiu Waterfall looked like a gauze garment worn by an immortal on Guyan Mountain.

They galloped for more than half an hour.

Kong Yanxing slowly adjusted the horse's speed. This section of the mountain road had indeed suffered from a flash flood, was damaged everywhere, and was extremely difficult to walk.

He dismounted and held the reins, signaling Zhao Chan to do the same.

He was still on his horse. Suddenly, not knowing what he was thinking, he lightly squeezed the horse's belly, passed the leading Kong Yanxing, and controlled the horse's walking, actually crossing the mountain road hit by the flash flood without danger.

Kong Yanxing was dumbfounded.

He could see that Zhao Chan had definitely never ridden a horse before. He never expected that in nearly two hours, the young man would achieve such a level.

If the Demon Slayer who was best at riding in the Yang County Demon Slayer Division came to see this, he would also have to give a thumbs up and loudly praise him as a heaven-sent prodigy.

Kong Yanxing was unwilling to fall behind and stepped on the stirrups to remount. He had originally been taking care of Zhao Chan; it was already good for a young man to ride such a long mountain road for the first time. He had lowered his requirements for this mountain road destroyed by the flash flood, intending to lead the horse across, but instead, Zhao Chan had taught him a lesson.

He shouted: "Kid, aren't you afraid of falling into the river with your horse?"

Zhao Chan suddenly smiled: "I am afraid."

"Since you are afraid, why did you still ride the horse across?"

"When I face demons, I am also very afraid."

"Haha... Good kid, I like you more and more! If Thousand-Household Yan doesn't make an exception to promote you to captain, I, this Hundred-Household official, will have to fall out with him!"

During this time, the horse Zhao Chan was riding slipped once in the slippery mud. He remained calm and, according to the horse-control techniques Kong Yanxing had imparted, did his utmost to get the horse back on track.

This scene happened right before Kong Yanxing's eyes. Zhao Chan's expression was calm, but he was so scared that he activated his True Qi to prepare for a rescue.

They finally crossed this difficult section of the mountain road.

The eastern horizon turned slightly white.

The road under their feet could be vaguely seen, and Kong Yanxing dissipated the fire ball he had been maintaining.

"Do you want to learn this technique?" Kong Yanxing asked with a smile.

"I do."

"When you break through to the Qi Gathering Realm and have True Qi, I will teach it to you."

"What does Qi Gathering mean?"

"Wang Huan didn't tell you?"

"He did not."

"The Qi Gathering Realm, as the name suggests, is like picking fruits or grain, picking the spiritual energy wandering between heaven and earth, refining the picked spiritual energy into True Qi that you can use as you wish, and then one by one opening up the meridians and acupoints in your body. Meridians are easy to talk about; they are nothing more than the twelve main meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians. The important thing is how many key acupoints you can open up. The human body has 720 key acupoints. The more you open, the more beneficial it will be for your future cultivation, and your strength will be stronger.

Acupoints are like the blessed lands in the small world of the human body. If you open all 720 key acupoints, let alone the Lower Four Realms, sooner or later you will be able to attain the Golden Core Great Dao."

"What is the Golden Core Great Dao?"

"It is too far away for you. Walk the road under your feet well," Kong Yanxing laughed.

Zhao Chan asked again: "How is the Qi Gathering Realm divided into high, mid, and low grades?"

"After picking spiritual energy and refining a trace of True Qi, opening the twelve main meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians is the low grade.

Refining a wisp of True Qi to wander through the meridians, being able to use True Qi to perform techniques, and opening eighty-one acupoints is the mid grade.

True Qi is continuous, opening three hundred and sixty acupoints, that is the Upper Grade Qi Gathering Realm.

Only by opening three hundred and sixty acupoints is one qualified to peek at the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Big Brother Kong is in the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Realm. How many acupoints did you open back then?"

Mentioning this, Kong Yanxing was quite proud: "Not many, just four hundred and twelve acupoints."

Zhao Chan gave him the perfect reaction, exclaiming: "Big Brother Kong is so strong."

"Haha... Hand on heart, opening four hundred and twelve acupoints before advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm, I was even more powerful than Thousand-Household Yan when he was in the Qi Gathering Realm."

Before the words fell.

A dragon roar suddenly sounded in the mountains.

Zhao Chan was stunned.

Kong Yanxing abandoned his horse, leaped onto the cliff, looked at the Old Flood Dragon soaring from the mountain stream, and shouted: "This is the territory of the Yang County Demon Slayer Division. Which river's Flood Dragon Clan are you?"

The Old Flood Dragon was about three zhang long, coiled around a stone cliff, raised its head proudly, and looked at Kong Yanxing with disdain: "Yang County? Never heard of it. Are you a Foundation Establishment Realm Demon Slayer?"

"Kong Yanxing, Hundred-Household of the Yang County Demon Slayer Division, is here! Calling you 'Your Excellency' is me showing you respect; hurry up and go back where you came from. Let us keep to our own sides."

"That's easy to say. I have been chasing the stars and the moon all the way here. If I don't have a full meal, wouldn't I be at a loss?"

Kong Yanxing's face drooped: "Old Flood Dragon! You must think clearly about what the consequences of being an enemy of the Demon Slayer Division are!"

"You just asked which river's Flood Dragon Clan I am. Telling you is fine. I come from the Wangqing River."

"The Wangqing River Flood Dragon Clan," Kong Yanxing murmured.

He had encountered a tough nut. The Wangqing River Flood Dragon Clan had produced not eight, but six or seven Water Gods.

"With my identity as a Wangqing River Flood Dragon, if I have a full meal here, can the Demon Slayer Division manage me?"

Kong Yanxing immediately scolded: "Demon! Presumptuous!"

The Old Flood Dragon spoke arrogantly, but seemed to fear the Demon Slayer Division, and there was no movement from it for a long time.

"If you leave now, I can turn a blind eye... Forget it..." He turned his head to look at Zhao Chan waiting on the mountain road, secretly thinking, perhaps this Wangqing River Flood Dragon was the cause of the demon infestation in Youju Town.

He took off the Dragon-Head Broadsword on his back, gripped the hilt with his right hand, and pointed at the Old Flood Dragon: "Demon, you don't need to leave anymore."

The daylight gradually brightened.

Kong Yanxing also saw that in the mountain stream where the Old Flood Dragon had just appeared, there was actually another Flood Dragon lying dead.

Who killed it?

"Aren't you afraid of offending the Wangqing River?" The Old Flood Dragon became hesitant.

Kong Yanxing agitated his True Qi and grinned: "After slaughtering you, the Xitang Kingdom Demon Slayer Division will naturally have people to negotiate with the Wangqing River."

"Your cultivation is at most the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Realm, and I am in the Middle-grade Destiny Knowing Realm," the Old Flood Dragon threatened.

As Kong Yanxing pressed forward step by step, the Old Flood Dragon lost its momentum.

He spat: "A useless piece of trash that looks good but is useless."

The Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Realm naturally couldn't beat the Middle-grade Destiny Knowing Realm.

Therefore, Kong Yanxing took a small porcelain bottle from his bosom, pulled out the stopper, and poured a dark red pill into his mouth.

In an instant, the True Qi on his body climbed steadily, stepping on the Big Dipper, and the tip of the Dragon-Head Broadsword never left the direction of the Old Flood Dragon.

The Old Flood Dragon was astonished: "'Anger True God-Ascending Pill'? You are crazy!!"

Zhao Chan climbed to the middle of the cliff. It was dawn, and only then did he see the claw marks on Kong Yanxing's neck. They must have been there for many years. ===== CHAPTER 42 =====