Chapter 110: The True Art of Two Principles

【Detected that the 《Lunar True Scripture》 and 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 are the same cultivation method. Merge them?】

Chen Ming stared at the prompt, falling into deep thought.

It seemed his guess was correct.

These two cultivation methods did indeed originate from the same source.

They could even be directly merged into a single method.

Now the question was—should he merge them?

What kind of changes would occur after the merger?

These were all unknowns.

After pondering for a few minutes, Chen Ming made a decision.

"Yes!"

He chose to trust the System.

【Merging cultivation methods. Estimated time: six hours. During this period, do not use True Qi. Find a place to sit down and stay still.】

Chen Ming called over Chunxiang and Xiaxiang, gave a few instructions, then closed the door again.

……

In a flash, six hours passed.

【Cultivation method merged successfully!】

Upon seeing the prompt, Chen Ming immediately opened the panel.

【Level: 43】

【Current Points: 100000】

【Cultivation Methods: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level Perfection), 《True Art of Two Principles》 (Fourth Level 120652/600000)】

【Martial Techniques: 《Three Talents Fist》 (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery), 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》 (Proficient 21/500000)】

The panel had changed significantly. 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 and 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 had both disappeared. They had merged with the 《Lunar True Scripture》, becoming the 《True Art of Two Principles》.

After merging, even the realm changed, becoming the Fourth Level.

Accordingly, the total experience value had multiplied sixfold.

With a slight thought, Chen Ming understood.

This corresponded to his realm: Sixth Grade was the Fourth Level, Fifth Grade would be the Fifth Level, and Fourth Grade would be the Sixth Level.

Doing the math, the required experience value hadn't actually increased.

Previously, the 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 required three Levels per realm.

Based on the first Level needing one hundred thousand, second Level two hundred thousand, and third Level three hundred thousand, that totaled six hundred thousand.

Chen Ming had been most worried that after the merger, the required experience value would also double.

Fortunately, it hadn’t.

Next, he wanted to see what changes had occurred in his True Qi.

With a thought, Chen Ming circulated his True Qi, gathering it in the palm of his hand.

That ball of Qi remained incredibly scorching.

Very soon, the temperature gradually dropped. It got colder and colder, with a mist forming above his palm.

At this moment, the nature of his True Qi had become bone-chilling.

"So that’s it. The 《True Art of Two Principles》 means my True Qi can freely switch properties, from extreme yang to extreme yin."

Realizing this, he was overjoyed.

Being able to freely switch the nature of his True Qi meant that in the future, as long as he deliberately disguised it, no one would be able to identify him based on its characteristics.

Chen Ming extended his left hand and simultaneously condensed a second ball of True Qi, which was the complete opposite of the one in his right—it was extreme yang.

"It really works!"

He was astonished.

He could actually produce two completely opposite types of True Qi at the same time.

In battle, one strike with scorching yang True Qi, followed by another with frigid yin True Qi, could likely cripple an opponent’s meridians on the spot.

After a while, he dissipated both balls of True Qi.

"Only the System could accomplish something like this."

With his understanding of martial arts, Chen Ming roughly deduced the situation inside his body.

Rather than calling it the 《True Art of Two Principles》, it might as well be the 《Tai Chi Art》—extreme yin and extreme yang perfectly fused together, each containing a trace of the other.

This was a state that only existed in theory.

To cultivate this kind of True Qi, both methods had to be trained simultaneously.

The quantities of both types of True Qi had to be exactly equal—not a bit more or less.

Moreover, a special mental technique was needed to harmonize the two Qis, preventing conflict and achieving perfect fusion.

In this process, if even a single step had the slightest problem, even a little imbalance, the result would be qi deviation.

It was just like those physical laws — they only held true under experimental conditions.

In reality, it was impossible to achieve.

Only someone like him, who possessed the System, could "master" this bug-like cultivation method.

Next, Chen Ming experimented with different types of true qi to execute the 《Vermilion Bird Sword Technique》 and test its power.

This trial alone took half a day.

……

The next morning, Chen Ming finally rode a carriage and went out.

He headed to Zhuang Xiaotian’s house.

It was Zhuang Xiaotian who opened the door.

At this time, he would usually already be on duty at the Six Doors Authority.

"I’m afraid I’m going to be dismissed."

Zhuang Xiaotian said bitterly and asked his wife to bring wine.

Not only was Chen Ming implicated by Deng Ziyang, but Zhuang Xiaotian, being Deng Ziyang’s sworn brother, was in an even worse situation.

However, he had always conducted himself well and had never made enemies, so naturally, no one would want him dead.

At most, it was just dismissal.

"I didn’t expect that Big Bro, without a word, actually pulled off such a big affair. You’ve probably heard by now, right? He even dared to join the Cult of Eternal Life..."

"This is already a good outcome for me. His other brothers were all dragged down with him, all got arrested, thrown into the main prison. The Giant Tiger Gang is completely finished now..."

"By the way, have the people from the Six Doors Authority come to find you?"

"......"

Zhuang Xiaotian didn’t know about the incident where Li Guangjie had tried to kill Chen Ming that day.

Du Caiyue had issued a gag order on the matter, and no one dared to spread it.

Chen Ming drank with him on the side, occasionally echoing his words.

It was clear that being suspended and confined at home had truly put him in a gloomy mood.

This was something unavoidable. In a feudal era, collective punishment was normal.

If someone in the Six Doors Authority had been willing to back him, he wouldn’t have been kicked out so harshly.

From this perspective, being diplomatic did keep him from making enemies, but without firmly taking sides, no powerful figure would treat him as one of their own.

Two jars of wine were nearly finished, and Zhuang Xiaotian was already drunk.

While chatting with him, Chen Ming asked casually, "Last time, you mentioned an old master thief who had retired and was hiding in the city. Where does he live now?"

Zhuang Xiaotian mumbled hazily, "It’s... at Yihong Courtyard... he has a lady friend... called Madam Wen... last time, I followed Lord Hu and saw... saw her..."

After getting the information he wanted, Chen Ming stayed a little longer.

When Zhuang Xiaotian collapsed in drunkenness, he bid farewell to Mrs. Zhuang.

……

After nightfall, Chen Ming changed into night attire and quietly left home, arriving at Yihong Courtyard.

He had been here once before.

As the most high-end entertainment venue in Qingfeng City, it indeed lived up to its reputation.

The courtesans were stunning beauties rarely seen.

This time, he didn’t enter through the front, but waited by the back door.

That Madam Wen was neither a courtesan nor a madam of the house, but the steward of the kitchen.

For such a luxurious establishment, the kitchen held significant importance too.

Customers might not come for the food, but if it tasted terrible, it would ruin the place’s reputation.

The fact that Madam Wen managed the kitchen made her a key figure at Yihong Courtyard.

Chen Ming patiently hid in the alley behind.

He waited until the third watch of the night.

The entire Yihong Courtyard had quieted down.

Except for a few particularly energetic customers, most had already gone to bed.

People began to come out of the back door, mostly kitchen staff.

Chen Ming quickly locked onto a middle-aged woman who still carried grace.

Judging by her clothing and how others treated her, she must be Madam Wen.

He quietly followed her.

After passing through several small alleys, they reached a hidden courtyard, and she pushed the door open to enter.

"May I ask which guest has graced me with their presence?"

Suddenly, an aged voice came from inside.

This person was at least Sixth Grade.

Chen Ming made his judgment and spoke, "Junior has heard that Senior resides here in seclusion and has come to pay respects."

"This old man has already sworn never to meet people from the martial world again. Please leave."

"Senior, have you heard this saying? In the martial world, one cannot act freely. Do you think this world lets you leave just because you want to?"

A soft sigh came from within, "Sigh, why must you force me?"

Chen Ming suddenly felt a chill on his back.

Without thinking, he leapt into the air and drew his sword mid-flight.

In the dark alley, a flash of cold light appeared.

At some unknown moment, a person had gotten behind him, dagger in hand, ready to strike.

Dang!

With that sword strike, the assailant was sent flying.

Indeed a Sixth Grade Martial Artist, though the true qi felt somewhat weak.

"Hmph!"

Chen Ming, unrelenting after gaining the upper hand, struck again, aiming directly for the vital spot.

"Spare me!"

The attacker begged loudly, throwing down the dagger.

The sword stopped just ten centimeters before his throat.

Chen Ming stared at the scrawny, unimpressive old man and said coolly, "Nice trick."

Just now, the old man's voice clearly came from inside the house. Yet he had silently crept behind him for a surprise attack. His skills were indeed remarkable.

The old man wore a bitter expression. "Sir, my hands have already been crippled. If you're here to ask me to steal something, I truly can't help you."

"You misunderstand. I didn’t come to ask you to steal. I heard that Senior is skilled in disguise. Coincidentally, I’m very interested in disguise techniques. I hope you’ll teach me."

Learning disguise techniques?

Hearing this, the old man secretly sighed in relief, cursing inwardly that the young man should’ve said so earlier.

He said aloud, "Disguise is but a minor art. Since you wish to learn, I shall teach you all I know."

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