Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 27 Shortcut
Upon hearing this, Wu Youji felt an increasing tightness in his chest and murmured, "Why... why should I..."

Seeing his dejected expression, Wu Chengsi knew the time was right, and a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his lips:
"It's not that there's no way..."

He walked slowly to the bookshelf, took out three secret manuals from a hidden compartment, and lined them up in a row:

—The Heart-Corroding Technique of Ten Thousand Poisons

—The Zen of the White Bone of the Hehuan Sect

—The Heaven-Seizing Gu Scripture of Mother and Child

"There is always a way out."

Wu Chengsi's voice was like a devil's whisper: "Heaven is unjust, but it also leaves room for maneuver... It all depends on whether you dare to take this 'shortcut'."

Just by looking at the names of these three cultivation methods, you can tell they are definitely not the orthodox path.

Wu Youji swallowed hard as he looked at the cover.

Wu Chengsi first picked up the book "The Myriad Poisons Corroding the Heart Technique" and introduced it: "A hundred poisons pierce through the intestines, even Yama, the King of Hell, watches with folded arms. At midnight, the skin and flesh rot, and at dawn, the bones grow cold. This is the ultimate technique of the Myriad Poisons Sect, the leader of the heretical sects at the end of the Sui Dynasty. It doesn't consider aptitude or comprehension. The cultivation method is unconventional, using poison to fight poison. Every day, one only needs to take five extreme poisons—Crane's Crest Red, Heartbreak Grass, Golden Silkworm Gu, Peacock Gallbladder, and Blood Begonia—and cultivate according to the method. This is equivalent to more than a month of hard training for an ordinary person. If one survives seven days, the meridians will be imbued with deadly poison. At the minor stage, one's breath contains poison, and the skin will ulcerate upon contact; at the major stage, the blood turns emerald green, and a single drop can kill a hundred people. It's a very powerful technique, but it comes at a small price... the flesh ulcerates, requiring constant skin regeneration..."

Wu Youji was so frightened that he shook his head repeatedly, leaving afterimages.

Wu Chengsi casually tossed aside the first book, "The Zen of the White Bone of the Joyful Union": "Beauty is but a skeleton, necks intertwined, souls of the dead are crossed, one night absorbs the marrow of a thousand, tomorrow in the mirror one remains ageless. The secret method of the Tibetan Joyful Union Sect, it involves absorbing the essence, energy, and spirit of others, requiring a different person each night, for forty-nine consecutive days, to achieve eternal youth. At the initial stage, one's eyes gleam with a peach blossom-like allure, every smile and frown captivating; at the advanced stage, even a touch will cause one's lifeblood to flow backward, resulting in sudden death. This method of practice is the easiest, but alas, it also comes with a small price... The practitioner's desires will be constantly amplified, their emotions constantly diminished, and without the protection of Buddhist teachings, they will ultimately become..."

"Next, next!"

Wu Youji felt a chill run down his spine. Although this kind of cultivation technique could preserve one's youth, the price was too high. Anyone with a shred of shame would not cultivate it. What was the point of such a technique, which ultimately turned one into a puppet of desire, even if it preserved eternal youth? If one did not want to fall into depravity, one should cultivate Buddhism, meditate and purify one's mind every day. Why bother with cultivation techniques?

Wu Chengsi had obviously guessed his thoughts, casually tossing it aside and picking up the third book, "The Mother-Child Heaven-Seizing Gu Scripture." His expression finally turned serious: "One Gu gives birth to two lives, the mother reveres the child as a sacrifice. Others cultivate diligently for thirty years, but it's not as good as my Gu feeding at midnight. This is a unique technique of the royal family of the Miao and Nanzhao tribes. I lost many elites for this manual, but fortunately, I got my hands on it. The [Twin Gu] consists of one mother and nine children. Only one person can practice it, who is the host of the mother Gu. However, a living person must be found to implant the 'child Gu'. Once the child Gu enters the body, it will merge with the meridians. The host can practice martial arts and live a normal life, but all the true energy cultivated will automatically flow to the mother Gu. The host of the mother Gu will reap the benefits without lifting a finger..."

Wu Youji's eyes widened: "Get stronger without cultivating?!"

"Exactly."

Wu Chengsi nodded: "All the kings of Nanzhao in the past came out in this way, so they had the strength to protect their country at a young age and should not be underestimated. When the internal energy of the child Gu host is exhausted, the mother Gu can still use Gu techniques to refine it into a 'Gu puppet', retaining its combat power and turning it into a walking corpse that obeys its commands."

This is amazing...

Wu Youji was tempted, but he quickly realized what was happening and glanced at the other two books: "What's the price for this one?"

"The cost of this achievement is equally severe."

Wu Chengsi said solemnly, “The Twin Gu is the most vicious of all Gu. It needs to consume internal energy every day. If it doesn’t absorb enough, it will devour its host, causing unbearable pain and making life worse than death. Therefore, the hosts of the twin Gu in Nanzhao are all loyal warriors who are willing to cultivate internal energy for the King of Nanzhao. This condition is especially difficult to achieve, since no one is willing to work diligently for someone else… But…”

He smiled confidently.

Wu Youji was overjoyed: "Cousin, you have a plan, right? That's right! You have so many people around you, surely some will be willing! Besides, there are death row inmates in Lijing Prison. Lai Junchen, if I listen to you, it will be too easy to find a few death row inmates to help me practice!"

A glint of light flashed in Wu Chengsi's eyes, then disappeared in an instant. He said, "So you agree?"

Wu Youji said, "As long as you can solve the problem of the Zi Gu, I am of course willing!"

"no problem."

Wu Chengsi readily agreed: "I'll have Lai Junchen find a few death row inmates in prison. There are so many people in this world who are afraid of death, it's easy to find a few who are trying to keep their lives. But, Youji, I'll help you with this matter, and you have to do your best with mine. I've given you my skills, so you have no reason to refuse anymore."

"Do not worry!"

Wu Youji patted his chest and said, "If this succeeds, I will be grateful beyond measure, how could I not do my best? As the saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war together, brothers are the most reliable!" He bowed solemnly and said, "I have no way to repay your kindness, thank you very much, brother!"

"Don't thank me yet."

Wu Chengsi said sincerely, "You haven't practiced yet, and I haven't found you. It's not too late to thank me after your skill level has improved by leaps and bounds!"

Wu Youji felt much more at ease, his gloom lifted, as if he could already see a bright future beckoning him. He lovingly stroked the manual: "Then let's practice it first, I can't wait!"

popping.

Wu Chengsi clapped his hands.

Qu Baichuan appeared like a ghost, kneeling respectfully outside the door with his forehead pressed to the ground: "Your Highness."

Wu Chengsi said, "Take Third Master to the quiet room to practice his skills. You help him suppress the mother Gu and ensure the Gu planting goes smoothly."

Qu Baichuan replied, "Yes."

Wu Chengsi then explained to Wu Youji, "The process of a mother Gu entering the body is different from that of a child Gu. The process of planting Gu is complicated. Baichuan once studied Gu techniques. Let him teach you how to refine and raise Gu. I will also prepare rare and precious materials to nourish your body."

Wu Youji was extremely grateful and thanked him again before eagerly following Qu Baichuan to the quiet room.

The study became quiet.

Wu Chengsi stopped smiling, put his hands behind his back, and looked up at the starry sky.

Fang Jing appeared silently outside the door.

Wu Chengsi sighed: "A thousand years of cultivation cannot compare to a single thought of becoming a demon. In the end, I still took this step..."

Fang Jing hesitated and said, "Is Your Highness overthinking this? Perhaps we can wait a little longer..."

"Can't wait any longer."

Wu Chengsi said coldly, "Unless we can find another discerning person to help Qiu Shenji, we still haven't found anything after searching so far. It's probably hidden in a secret! Once Qiu Shenji returns empty-handed, Taiping will definitely take over. At that time, not only will Qiu Shenji be punished, but the 'Tiangong Scroll' will also fall into her hands. With the help of the divine strategist, Taiping Prefecture will truly be as solid as a rock."

Other agents could no longer get in, so Wu Youji had to hold things up.

Fang Jing sighed softly, "I never imagined that besides the Venerable Huineng, there would be someone else with such insightful eyes..."

"A discerning eye is secondary; the key is people!"

Wu Chengsi said coldly, "It's a pity we realized it too late. He's already a man of Taiping, so it's really not easy for me to touch him!"

Injury, maiming, and death are three levels of severity.

He only injured him, yet half of the palace was already destroyed. If he had ruined that person's eyes, the situation would only be worse.

If things get out of hand, it will be difficult to explain to my aunt, especially now.

Moreover, Taiping also has a sage master...

Fang Jing knew all this too, and glanced in the direction of the quiet room: "The choice of the person to use the Gu..."

The "Mother-Child Heaven-Seizing Gu Scripture" has two flaws, but Wu Chengsi only mentioned one.

The most terrifying flaw is that the more people it absorbs, the more mixed the internal energy becomes, and the longer the time, the more confused the host's own mind will become due to the influence of the memories of those internal energy masters, and gradually she will not be able to distinguish who she is.

In the Nanzhao Kingdom, the hosts of the Gu worms are all raised from childhood, and each person's memory is a blank slate.

Aside from cultivation, they couldn't even take care of their own eating, drinking, and excretion; they were as pure as infants.

This was to ensure that successive kings of Nanzhao would not be affected. But now...

Wu Chengsi said expressionlessly, "He chose this path himself. Where am I supposed to find so many idiots who only know how to cultivate!"

Fang Jing: "..."

Wu Chengsi: "Tell Lai Junchen to find him nine death row inmates, some of them who are smart, to help him understand!"

Don't waste the side effects!
Fang Jing's lips twitched: "Yes, sir."

……

The next morning.

Li Lingyue arrived, her steps damp with dew, followed by a maid carrying a food box containing millet porridge, sesame cakes, several kinds of seasonal pickled vegetables, and a pot of warm apricot blossom drink.

Just as they were about to enter the hall, they found the door ajar.

Li Lingyue raised her hand to stop the servants and stepped inside alone.

The sight inside the hall made her pause slightly—

Lu Chenyuan lay on his side amidst the fluffy fur of the golden lion, fast asleep. One hand was behind his head, and the other was casually placed on the big cat's belly. His clothes were slightly open, revealing his well-defined collarbone. The golden lion, on the other hand, was sprawled out, its furry paws unconsciously clenched, and it occasionally made a few purring sounds.

The man and the beast slept soundly, completely unsuspecting.

Li Lingyue's lips unconsciously curled up as she slowly approached and bent down to examine her.

Lu Chenyuan's eyelashes cast fine shadows in the morning light, and his breathing was even and long. Unlike his usual sharp and assertive demeanor, he now exuded a rare childlike innocence.

"Your Highness?"

Lu Chenyuan suddenly opened his eyes, his voice still hoarse from the early morning.

Li Lingyue had already taken a half step back, her expression unchanged: "The sun is high in the sky, Lord Lu, you're really taking your time." She pointed to the food box behind her: "This is for the Master's breakfast, and I brought you a portion too, so no one can say I'm letting you go hungry!"

"..."

Lu Chenyuan sat up, chuckling to himself. "Do you deliver meals to Master Yun every day? I find that hard to believe."
He's clearly benefiting from my fame!

"Thank you princess."

Lu Chenyuan looked serious. He hadn't eaten yet, and he didn't want to be provoked into getting angry and kicking him out.

Li Lingyue gently flicked her sleeve, ordering someone to place breakfast on the table to the side.

Lu Chenyuan didn't stand on ceremony and started eating after sitting down. Jin Ni leaned over to sniff the porridge bowl, but Lu Chenyuan lightly patted its head: "Stop fooling around, your meat is over there, why are you grabbing the porridge!"

A smile appeared on Li Lingyue's lips, but it vanished in an instant. Then, with a stern face, she reached out and gently lifted the golden lion's ear: "Golden Lion, have you forgotten that I am your master?"

"..."

The golden lion froze, its large, furry ears drooping instantly.

It cautiously turned its head, a hint of guilt flashing in its golden pupils.

"Woo~"

The golden lion let out a low whimper and nuzzled its large head against Li Lingyue's skirt in a fawning manner. Seeing that its master was unmoved, it stuck out its tongue and gently licked her fingertips.

Lu Chenyuan, munching on a sesame seed cake, found it amusing: "You're quite good at changing your tune depending on the wind."

"That's natural."

Li Lingyue gave a light snort, and finally condescended to rub the golden lion's head: "Much more sensible than some people."

Lu Chenyuan thought with disdain, "How much more sensible do you expect me to be? I was only slightly sensible yesterday, and I was kicked out of the palace. If I had put in any more effort, I don't know where I would have ended up."

It's not that I'm cowardly, it's just that you're all talk and no action! You get all red in the face when you flirt, and you get angry and embarrassed if things go a little too far!
You're so useless, Your Highness.

Lu Chenyuan ate his meal in silence.

Li Lingyue was a little surprised that she didn't get a response. She coughed lightly and got back to the point: "What do you plan to do about Ashina Yan?"

Lu Chenyuan said, "Let's wait two more days. Once His Majesty's patience runs out, the princess can then explain everything in detail, including Hou Sizhi blocking the road, the Prince of Wei interfering, and Qiu Shenji stealing credit. His Majesty will surely be furious, and then Qiu Shenji will have nothing to say. We can then rightfully take back control. Ashina Yan has been blocked for several days, so she will definitely make some moves. It's the perfect opportunity to strike while the iron is hot."

Li Lingyue thought so too, and nodded: "Qingshuang told me about your concerns. Who would you like to ask for help? Xie Tingyun or Qingshuang are both fine."

With Xie Tingyun's help, things will definitely be easier at the Iris Pavilion in the future.

Finding Yuan Qingshuang... isn't really a good choice. Her position is too high, so she doesn't really care about those below her. She's not lacking in merit either. For Yuan Qingshuang, catching a remnant of the assassin is a minor achievement, not even icing on the cake.

Lu Chenyuan didn't care about the opinions of the people at Yuantai. They had already finished cursing, and after last night, they could only suppress their anger. He was too lazy to pay attention to them. But yesterday, thanks to Wang Yizhi's risky help, he disobeyed Wu Chengsi's order and carried him directly to the princess's residence. Even if he didn't consider others, he had to consider him.

"Thank you, Lord Xie."

Lu Chenyuan explained his idea of ​​repaying the debt of gratitude, and added at the end: "Steward Yuan has already made contributions and will be by the princess's side, so I won't cause her any trouble. However, just in case, there's no need to go to great lengths. Xie Qianling and Wang Yizhi are enough. If there are too many people, it's easy for the news to leak out. I always feel that this group's strength is not limited to this."

"it is good."

Li Lingyue nodded. Xie Tingyun was at the peak of the fourth realm and practiced the Xiangxi Corpse-driving Secret Technique. He had several bronze corpses under his command with considerable combat power, so even if there were big fish, they wouldn't be completely helpless.

Even if she can't win, it's not too late for Yuan Qingshuang to make her move once the commotion starts.

That concludes the important matters.

Her gaze fell on the painting on the Sumeru pedestal and the book "Qin Fu"—the painting had been changed last night. Yuan Qingshuang had the original framed and then found a master craftsman to make a copy that was indistinguishable from the real thing and sent it over... Seeing that it hadn't been opened yet, Li Lingyue's guilty feeling lessened considerably. Others might not be able to tell, but Lu Chenyuan definitely would... It was good that she hadn't looked at it.

"The Rhapsody on the Qin"?

Li Lingyue picked up the book and flipped through it: "The Way is first, the Eight Taboos are second, the Nine Realms are third, and External Skills are fourth... It's very insightful. Why is there no signature? Who wrote this?"

Lu Chenyuan said, "It should have been written by Master Yun."

Li Lingyue raised an eyebrow: "Master Yun?"

Lu Chenyuan looked up at her expression: "If I learn sonic power from Master Yun, can I use it externally?"

Li Lingyue asked in surprise, "Of course you can! If the master is willing to teach you, why not use it?"

You said it yourself...

Seeing that she seemed unaware, Lu Chenyuan decided to give her a heads-up. Based on his current understanding of Li Lingyue, there shouldn't be any problems, but it's better to be safe than sorry. He didn't want to be too obvious, since he hadn't mastered it yet and didn't want to cause Yun Shi to become a wanted criminal. After a moment's thought, he said, "Speaking of sonic techniques, I only know that the Taiyuan Wang family's 'Five Elements Startling String Qin' is a masterpiece. Does the princess know of any other techniques that can be considered masterpieces?"

Li Lingyue thought for a moment and said, "'Master of Profound Sound' Zhao Yeli founded the Heavenly Qin Pavilion. The sect's supreme mental cultivation method, 'Heavenly Sound Technique,' is extremely profound. It is said that he once received guidance from a hidden immortal, and can kill an entire formation with a single tune. The 'Music Venerable' lineage in Fire Luo City is also quite good, with the Crimson Flame Pipa being renowned far and wide. The Hidden Mountain Villa has a book called 'Ten Absolute Techniques of Palace Sounds,' which is not bad. As for the others..."

(End of this chapter)