Chapter 133

Slap! Slap! Slap!

In the wind and snow, Li Yan stepped forward, performing three consecutive chops like a string of firecrackers, followed by chopping, hanging, slashing, unloading, and shearing, getting faster and faster.

It looked fierce, but it was actually a mix of reality and illusion.

"Splitting and Hanging boxing emphasizes using speed to beat slowness."

Under the eaves, Madam Li offered guidance from time to time.

"Remember, this speed isn't about fighting chaotically. If it comes high, hang; if it comes low, split; if it comes horizontally, block; if it comes smoothly, move... Once you strike, you must break the opponent's stance."

"Splitting and Hanging has the force of a windlass, the force of turning and pulling, the force of swallowing and spitting, the force of rolling and binding, and the force of penetration. Every type of force must be used skillfully..."

Although Madam Li had entered the Hua Jin level a long time ago, she hadn't walked the martial world for a long time, was content with managing the household, and was advanced in age, with her blood, energy, tendons, and bones all declining, so she naturally couldn't spar with Li Yan.

But her understanding of boxing techniques was extremely profound.

Coupled with Li Yan's decent aptitude, with just a little guidance, his mastery of Splitting and Hanging boxing improved day by day.

Finally, another day of practice ended.

Madam Li said with satisfaction, "You've practiced Red Boxing since you were young. Red Boxing is good at close-range tricky strikes, while Splitting and Hanging breaks stances and uses tricky hands to attack. If you can integrate the two, at least you won't have any flaws in your boxing moves."

"When fighting an enemy, it depends on who is better..."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Li Yan cupped his hands respectfully and then said, "I have basically mastered the Splitting and Hanging boxing paths. For the next period of time, I might not be able to come every day to ask for advice."

When Madam Li heard this, she was stunned for a moment before laughing, "Why, do you think you've learned a bit of fur and can graduate?"

She wasn't angry.

During this time spent with Li Yan, she felt that this disciple who had come to her door was truly to her liking, and she could see he wasn't that kind of person.

It sounded like a reproach, but she was actually asking.

Li Yan hesitated for a moment, "There are some martial world matters."

"Oh..."

Madam Li understood instantly, "Are you afraid of implicating me?"

Li Yan said solemnly, "Martial world rules are just rules. Some people aren't that particular, so it's better to be cautious."

"The martial world, huh..."

After hearing this, Madam Li looked at the flying snow in the distance, seemingly recalling something, and sighed, "I've lived a stable life for too long and forgot what the martial world is like."

"Be careful in everything. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come over at any time. These things of mine must be passed down to someone."

"Thank you, Master."

Li Yan cupped his hands respectfully and knelt down to kowtow three times.

He had struggled all the way, and after entering the martial world, he had either friends or enemies. Since his grandfather died, this was the second elder who had been completely unreserved toward him.

If it were in a martial arts school, many of the key points of the techniques she taught wouldn't be passed down for seven or eight years.

Madam Li's expression was calm and steady as she accepted Li Yan's three bows, then said in a deep voice, "Wait a moment."

After saying that, she returned to the house and took out a yellowed boxing manual. She stroked it and sighed, "The martial atmosphere in Cangzhou is quite strong. My father studied Splitting and Hanging all his life, wanting to push through the old and bring forth the new, but unfortunately, it was always just a little bit off."

"I am a woman, and there were no brothers or nephews in the family. I also retired from the martial world early and failed to fulfill my father's wish, which is a regret."

"This boxing manual records my father's lifelong research and some ideas. I hope that one day, you can accomplish this."

Li Yan received it respectfully, only to see four characters written on the cover: "General Outline of Splitting and Hanging," and every page was densely filled with small characters.

Of course, there was no time to read it carefully now. After saying goodbye again, Li Yan cupped his hands, turned, and left the Li residence.

Watching his departing figure, Madam Li sighed slightly and then turned to instruct, "Uncle Li, go ask if the Master is coming back today."

"On a snowy day like this, where would there be so many patients?"

"Don't tell me he's gone to sneak a drink again..."

…………

After leaving Lanling Ward, Li Yan turned his head to look one more time.

Learning arts at the Li residence was very peaceful and simple.

But he knew some things, and Madam Li knew them too.

Although people often say that wherever there are people, there is a martial world, that is the martial world in a broad sense, referring to various human relationships.

The imperial court, the martial world, and ordinary people have always had a boundary.

On one side is law-abiding, firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

On the other side is the flash of swords, grievances, love, hatred, and life and death.

Although Li Shiqing was a member of the Mystic Sect, he didn't mix in the martial world, and his family lived a stable life.

No matter how deep the friendship, it's best to keep a distance.

Of course, after the matter subsides and there are no hidden dangers, he can occasionally visit and ask for advice.

Thinking of this, Li Yan lowered his bamboo hat and, facing the wind and snow, returned to Fenglai Inn.

…………

"Here, the things are obtained."

In the room, Sha Lifei handed over a yellow scroll package and complained, "These Mystic Sect things are really expensive. A pack of lousy paper and lousy cloth costs a hundred taels of silver."

"This isn't just some lousy paper."

Wang Daoxuan laughed dumbly and shook his head, "These are high-quality talisman papers. After being made, they must be placed in a spiritual aperture of the earth vein and offered incense for at least five years before they can carry sorcery."

"And this yellow scroll also takes time and effort. The materials for making these low-level magic artifacts are a major source of income for the Orthodox Sects and sects."

Sha Lifei's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Daoist master, you now have a second-floor level of cultivation, why don't we set up an altar to make these? Wouldn't that be sitting and collecting money?"

"You think too beautifully."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, "The Orthodox Sects and sects have thousands of years of accumulation; it's not that simple. Incense, Daoist grounds, soldiers, craftsmen helping... no matter which item, it's not something that can be accumulated in one or two generations."

"I don't have a big incense temple. Even if I set up an Ancestor Altar, I have the ability to refine it, but I can't hold on for long before the incense divine energy dissipates."

"Honestly spend money to buy them."

Saying this, he picked up a stack from the talisman papers, took out the cinnabar, pen, and ink, gave a set to Li Yan, and smiled, "I have already subdued those Chang soldiers. They will come in handy during the magical duel."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Daoist master!"

Sha Lifei laughed, then his expression became solemn, and he whispered, "I also heard some news."

"The Fire Bear Gang has been looking for Brother Lu."

Li Yan wasn't surprised at all and said coldly, "That Qiao Sanhu is on good terms with the Fire Bear Gang, so it's normal for them to help search. But why are they recruiting people in this Chang'an City? Didn't Brother Lu go to Ezhou?"

Sha Lifei replied, "I heard that not only is the imperial court issuing a wanted notice, but Qiao Sanhu has also issued a secret bounty. But there's no news of Brother Lu in the Ezhou underworld, so they suspect Brother Lu ran to Chang'an."

Li Yan pondered for a moment, "That's possible. In short, Uncle Sha, just keep an eye out."

"No rush, one step at a time. As long as this magical duel is successful, not only can we help Sister Hong get her things back, but we can also make a name for ourselves."

"Maybe one day, we can take down that bastard Qiao Sanhu and find a way to clear Brother Lu's name."

After a simple discussion, the three went about their own business.

Wang Daoxuan prepared to set up the Dharma altar for the duel.

Sha Lifei went to gather information and keep an eye on the opponent's movements.

After the two left, the room became quiet.

Li Yan lit three sticks of incense, first calming himself down, then extended a finger to pick up a talisman paper, concentrating his mind.

Not to mention martial arts, just in terms of sorcery, his biggest trump cards now were undoubtedly the Soul-Hooking Rope and the commission's Five Camps of Ghost Soldiers.

But the commission's Five Camps of Ghost Soldiers had a limit on the number of summons.

The Soul-Hooking Rope was a trump card for turning the tide and couldn't be easily shown to others.

So ordinary methods were very important.

There were five days until the magical duel, and during this time, he had to master the "North Emperor Taiwei Chuling Technique" and the "North Emperor God-Walking Technique."

The so-called Taiwei Chuling has a clear difference from the Yin Sect's paper-person technique. The Yin Sect's paper-person technique is cutting paper into people, using secret methods to attach Yin spirits and fierce ghosts to them to manipulate them for killing.

The more powerful ones also tie paper people and paper horses, which are more powerful and somewhat similar to puppetry, but each has its own strengths.

But the Taiwei Chuling Technique is different.

The "North Bei Di Jing" says: Taiwei Chuling, binding straw into people and horses; those called spirits are of the divine class.

To put it plainly, Straw Spirits are more like gods!

The so-called gods include Heavenly Gods and Earth Deities.

Among Earth Deities, there are high and low levels. Like the Tai Sui that became a spirit in the mass grave of Xianyang City, or the Tiger Daoist who became a god in the Medicine King Temple on Mount Zhongnan, they all have their own independent thoughts.

Including some famous people who were enfeoffed as City Gods.

They often weren't ordinary even when they were alive.

And more of them are like the Land God of Li Family Fort, condensing divine energy due to the incense and wishes of the commoners.

!.

If the incense is interrupted and the divine energy dissipates, they will disappear into the dust of history like the Mountain God of Mount Tianzhu.

The Taiwei Chuling Technique is a kind of simplified divine energy.

The produced Straw Spirits will act like robots according to instructions.

Compared to the Yin Sect's paper-person technique, the initial power of the Taiwei Chuling Technique is not great, but it wins in ease of control and won't cause backlash.

But this is the Orthodox Law of the Underworld.

With the improvement of cultivation, the power of the Taiwei Chuling will also grow. In the next step, one can also make straw people and human dolls.

And this Taiwei Chuling Technique is the foundation of the high-level sorcery "Soldier Armor Technique" in the "North Bei Di Jing," which is "scattering beans to become soldiers"!

After repeating the casting process in his mind, Li Yan stepped on the Geng steps, pinched the secret formula, and folded the talisman paper.

He folded the rectangular talisman paper into seven layers, simultaneously pinching the Big Dipper Seven Stars formula, symbolizing Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang.

After folding the talisman paper, Li Yan picked up scissors and, according to the pattern shown in the "North Bei Di Jing," cut out the shape of a paper person, placing it respectfully in front of the incense burner.

Afterward, he stepped on the Geng steps again, simultaneously chanting the North Emperor mantra: "Nuogao! Taiwei Taiwei Chuling, create soldiers and armor, drive away evil and assist the righteous, Yang harmony spreads through the body, North Yin Emperor's order, shock and suppress blades and soldiers, command!"

While chanting, he visualized and pointed sharply forward.

Whoosh~

In the room, a Yin wind suddenly rose.

The blue smoke from the three sticks of incense in the burner suddenly went downward, covering the folded paper person.

At the same time, Li Yan could feel the light of his mind's eye gradually dimming.

Bang!

A force pushed his hands apart, and the paper person burst into flames.

Failed...

Li Yan shook his head slightly, entered meditation to concentrate, and after resting, made the paper person again, offered incense, and pinched the formula to chant the mantra.

Poof!

Poof!

Poof!

The paper person caught fire and burned again and again.

Although Li Yan was mentally exhausted, he wasn't discouraged.

He knew this was because the Taiwei Chuling couldn't withstand the impact of the Geng-Sha energy, only because there were still flaws in the casting process.

Before he knew it, it was the Zi hour of the night.

Li Yan's head was already dizzy, and the time he needed to enter meditation to recover was getting longer and longer.

He took a deep breath, used the Great Luo Dharma Body to recover, made the paper person again, pinched the formula, and chanted: "Nuogao! Taiwei Taiwei Chuling, create soldiers and armor... command!"

Whoosh!

A Yin wind rose, and the candle flame flickered.

This time, his hands didn't spring apart while pinching the formula.

Afterward, in Li Yan's joyful gaze, the Taiwei Chuling paper person in front of the incense burner first stood up slowly, then the talisman paper unfolded, turning into seven paper people holding hands.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

The places where the paper people's hands connected all broke.

Success!

Li Yan could no longer hide the joy in his heart.

The Big Dipper divides, and the spirit has soul.

The separation of the paper people represented the complete success of this technique.

The separated paper people collapsed to the ground again.

Li Yan wasn't in a hurry, pointing with a sword formula.

"Rise!"

Clatter!

The seven paper people immediately soared into the air, flying up and down around him like yellow butterflies.

"Hahaha, wonderful!"

Li Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The wonderful use of the "North Emperor Taiwei Chuling Technique" lies here.

Straw Spirits are a bit like talismans; you can accumulate more in your spare time and activate them at will when needed.

Looking at the dancing Taiwei Chuling paper people, Li Yan's heart moved, and he pointed at the door with a pinched formula.

Whoosh~

The Yin wind blew, and the paper people slipped out through the door crack.

Once the Taiwei Chuling paper people are activated, with his current cultivation, he can support them for about half a stick of incense.

Anyway, since he had already used them, he might as well test their abilities.

The paper people flew up and down in the night like ghosts, silently flying outside Sha Lifei's room and slipping in through the door crack.

Li Yan had already closed his eyes, the light of his mind's eye flickering, and vaguely saw a scene:

Sha Lifei was lying on the bed with his limbs spread out, snoring away.

Wonderful!

Li Yan controlled the paper people to leave again, preparing to head toward Wang Daoxuan's room, but before he could get close, a feeling of being watched by a fierce beast surged into his heart.

It was the Chang soldiers; the Daoist had already set up a Dharma altar.

Li Yan understood in his heart and immediately retreated.

Taiwei Chuling paper people are equivalent to small gods, and the source of their divine energy is his own mind's eye. Being dispersed, it was very weak, so they were naturally terrified of the Chang soldiers.

Thinking of this, Li Yan controlled the Straw Spirits to fly out of the courtyard in all directions.

In other courtyards, there were wandering martial artists, some chatting all night, others drinking sullen wine in their rooms, and vaguely, there was even the sound of crying.

The martial world is difficult, and there's never a shortage of sad people.

Li Yan didn't disturb these martial artists but pinched a formula in his hand, controlling the Straw Spirits to fly toward Feng Feiyan's room.

Poof!

Before it could get close, one paper person was suddenly wrapped in flames and then turned into blue smoke.

Controlling so many at once was still a bit strenuous.

Li Yan's heart moved, and the other paper people turned into ashes one after another, with only one slipping in through the door crack.

However, seeing the scene in the room, Li Yan was stunned.

The bed was empty, and there was no one there.

Clatter!

Just then, the bed board suddenly split, and a figure jumped out quickly, dressed in black with silver embroidery, with a Yazi embroidered on the front and a Bi'an on the back.

Under the clothes, it wrapped a graceful body—it was Feng Feiyan!

When Li Yan saw this, he was shocked.

Good fellow!

This female boss was actually a secret agent of the Commandant's Office.

He had heard long ago that besides openly using the God-Fist Society to participate in martial world affairs, the imperial court had also secretly deployed many secret agents to monitor the movements of the martial world.

No wonder Feng Feiyan rose so quickly.

With the Commandant's Office taking action, what couldn't be settled...

A bit tired, taking a break, only two chapters today

(End of chapter)