125: Second Enlightenment

For the past fifteen minutes, whether he used his fists, feet, or movement techniques, Shopkeeper Jiang on the opposite side was like an old monster, always able to predict his moves and prepare a counter in advance.

When he threw a punch, a sword finger would always be pointing upwards at the forearm, ready to pierce through his forearm if he dared to follow through.

When he threw a whip kick, a fist was always ready to smash his knee, and if he dared to kick, his kneecap would shatter… No matter what he tried, it was like hitting a poison dart pig covered in thorns; he couldn't land a single comfortable punch or kick, leaving him with qi and blood flowing unevenly and feeling miserable!

The more crucial issue was that the opponent not only didn't activate Spiritual Qi but also didn't even activate his qi and blood; he effortlessly played him in his palm purely by physical instinct.

This kind of Hell mode had never happened, even with his father, who was at the Peak of Qi Induction.

What made him even more frustrated was that while fighting, Shopkeeper Jiang also pointed out the key points of his force application, seeing through him completely. An unprecedented sense of defeat turned his passionate blood into ice — it was too much bullying!

Jiang Hanwen looked at the exhausted Li Minzhong and did not continue.

After all, the Young Master had given him a treasure, so it wasn't good to be too rough.

Today's lesson should be enough for this kid.

“Young Master Li, still want to fight?”

“Fight!

I refuse to believe I can't even touch you!” As soon as he finished speaking, Li Minzhong stomped his feet and leaped up, causing snowflakes to explode like a water curtain, obscuring vision.

He tried to ambush Jiang Hanwen, but he was easily dodged, and then, in his field of vision, a pair of bulging fists continuously enlarged… Fifteen minutes later.

Jiang Hanwen looked at Li Minzhong, curled up on the ground like a dead dog.

“Young Master Li, still want to fight?”

Li Minzhong raised his head, his Face bruised and swollen, revealing a pig-like Face, and stammered, “Fight!”

Jiang Hanwen laughed heartily. Although this kid was too weak, he was a good sport.

If it were any other Young Master, he would probably be concerned about his Face and growing resentful by now.

An hour later, after applying medicine, the scars on Li Minzhong's Face disappeared, and the swelling returned to normal.

Jiang Hanwen changed to an ordinary Face and walked out of the courtyard in an inconspicuous grey-brown long gown.

Li Minzhong stared at him for a moment, clicking his tongue in wonder.

“Shopkeeper Jiang, your disguise is excellent; I can't see through it at all.”

“Want to learn?” Jiang Hanwen rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture for money.

Li Minzhong turned his head and complained, “You're a profiteer.”

Jiang Hanwen smiled without speaking.

Disguise?

No, he looked like this now, so Li Minzhong naturally couldn't tell.

After his qi and blood opened his Dantian, Jiang Hanwen discovered this method.

Mobilizing qi and blood could directly and “permanently” change one's appearance. He could be as big or as handsome as he wanted. Want to see through the disguise from the outside?

Impossible. The qi and blood perfectly resolved the risks associated with his disguises.

In the afternoon, although the sky was still hazy, the sun shone brightly behind the accumulated clouds, making everything around exceptionally bright and white.

With 140,000 people living together, not to mention anything else, there were many street vendors, making it very lively.

Walking to the outer area of the poetry gathering, more and more young talents appeared. The wealthy wore fur-lined jackets over silk robes.

Those with fewer means wore cotton clothes but still applied rouge and painted their brows and lips.

The air was filled with countless sources of rouge scent. Women were exquisitely dressed, and men also had groomed eyebrows and carried swords, looking dashing. In such cold weather, they still held paper fans, which was quite a challenge for everyone.

Jiang Hanwen turned his head; he clearly felt the kid's breathing quicken. Social anxiety?

“Why are you looking at me? Outside, I won't call you Senior.” Li Minzhong raised his head; this was his last shred of dignity—the kind bought with money, that is.

“Where are you meeting? Hurry up so I can go watch the poetry competition.”

Compared to matters between men and women, Jiang Hanwen was more interested in the pure poetry of the gathering.

The Huang Family initiated the poetry gathering, giving them considerable Face.

They not only provided the venue but also invited scholars from the city's academies, and several patrol guards from the yamen came to maintain order.

If one's literary talent was good and their Realm was also acceptable, they would be considered for admission to the academy. For the people here, this was a golden opportunity to ascend to the heavens in one step!

What about, “He fought across three thousand li, a single sword against a million troops.”

Or, “Black clouds press on the city, threatening to crush it; armor gleams in the sun like golden scales.”

How exciting it was to read such poems! In his world, there were immortal poets, which was a title of praise.

In this world, there were truly immortal poets who could fly on swords.

Longevity meant ample time to pass.

Besides poetry, as long as there was no danger, Jiang Hanwen was interested in everything.

If he only focused on Cultivating, it would inevitably become dull. Exploring the unknown and trying different lives—life should be like this, right?

Li Minzhong's small Face flushed red, and he pointed to a still-flowing river in the distance:

“Over at Cloud Bridge, at the Ascending Cloud Pavilion.”

Following his gaze, there was a winding, crystal-clear stream, about a zhang wide, flowing through the snow. A stone bridge, thirty zhang wide, spanned the water.

In the middle of the bridge was a four-story pavilion, narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, like an exquisite, wide-mouthed cup, both tall and beautiful.

With black tiles and red walls, carved wooden windows, and wind chimes hanging from the corners, the crisp tinkling could be heard from afar.

“What are we waiting for then? Let's go, Young Master Li.”

Jiang Hanwen laughed heartily. This kid was incredibly thick-skinned with him, but today he was shy and fidgety, a bit like someone on a blind date.

It seemed he was interested in the Huang Family's Fourth Young Miss.

Compared to the bustling outside, it was even more so below the Ascending Cloud Pavilion, where crowds jostled shoulder to shoulder. Everywhere one looked, there were heads.

The old woman selling sachets wore a cotton hat, her eyes narrowed into slits on her wrinkled Face.

Business was exceptionally good today; the young ladies and Young Masters were very generous.

Inside the Ascending Cloud Pavilion, there weren't many people, yet at the entrance stood four broad-shouldered, barrel-chested men like iron towers, holding black staffs.

Today, the Ascending Cloud Pavilion was by membership; entry was by invitation only.

Countless young ladies and talents passed by, eagerly peering inside, hoping for a call that would allow them to step onto this life-changing platform.

Alas, reality was colder than the snow on the ground; no one spared an extra glance outside.

The desolation of the Ascending Cloud Pavilion's first floor contrasted sharply with the bustling scene outside, just like the saying—if privilege isn't for showing off, then it's meaningless.

Walking to the entrance, they were recognized immediately. The four burly men clasped their fists and smiled:

“Young Master Li, please come in. The elegant gathering is on the fourth floor.”

The two stepped upstairs. Compared to the ornaments displayed on the first floor, the second floor had a bit more activity.

A storyteller, holding a paper fan, was eloquently describing the prosperity of the Three Wu prefectures.

Faint sounds of eager laughter came from the fourth floor.

The third floor was considerably wider than the second. Some people were writing poetry, while others leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance.

“I… how do I look?” Halfway up the stairs, Li Minzhong suddenly stopped, his Face red, looking at Jiang Hanwen with his hands spread open.

Jiang Hanwen suppressed his laughter: “Let's go, let's go. An ugly daughter-in-law must eventually meet her in-laws.”

“Shopkeeper Jiang!” Li Minzhong said indignantly.

“You're quite handsome; you'll definitely win the beauty's heart.” Jiang Hanwen laughed heartily.

Seeing Li Minzhong's embarrassed look, Jiang Hanwen was even more eager for the blind date gathering on the fourth floor.

There should be something interesting, right?

Don't come to spar on such an elegant day; it's too demeaning. Something that requires thought would be more interesting.

The two went straight up the stairs to the fourth floor. Dazzling white light shone through the gaps in the stair railing.

Next to the stairwell was a viewing platform, offering a glimpse of the snowy plains.

His heart trembled, moved by a certain rhythm.

Jiang Hanwen walked to the railing and stood there, letting the biting north wind whistle through his clothes.

Below, it was a snowy plain frozen for a thousand li. A gurgling stream meandered out from the black and white interwoven dense forest, reflecting golden scales under the sun's rays.

The air was filled with the scent of snow, the cold indifference of all things dormant, hidden away in winter.

A sentence naturally flowed into his mind: “Rime ice vast and boundless, heaven and clouds and water, all white above and below.”

Jiang Hanwen stood by the railing, slowly closing his eyes. Gradually, his heart stopped breathing, and his entire being immersed and merged with the wind and snow.

No matter what, the Acquired Immaculate Body was still an Immaculate Body, close to nature.

The vast snowy landscape before his eyes was not merely seen but lived within Jiang Hanwen's heart.

He stood like a statue, and snowflakes quickly covered his body.

Li Minzhong was called away by an acquaintance, and there were quite a few people looking at the snow, which perfectly left Jiang Hanwen with a rare moment of peace.

Ten breaths, a hundred breaths.

More and more snow accumulated on his body. If someone were in front of Jiang Hanwen, they would be surprised to find light blue water Spiritual Qi leaving strange runes on his Face, gradually merging into his skin and disappearing.

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Hanwen opened his eyes, gently clenching his left hand. A three-inch-sized, round, snow-white ice crystal condensed in his palm. This was a Spell he had just comprehended, which he would temporarily call the Snow Summoning Spell.

Thirty years later, this was his second time comprehending the Dao in this world.

Besides the Spell, Jiang Hanwen pushed his single hand forward, and a gust of strong wind surged from his palm, the whistling of wind and snow like tigers and leopards.

Jiang Hanwen quickly stopped, looking at his palm, which glowed with a jade-like luster. The perfect Fusion of qi and blood with Spiritual Qi—could it be used this way?

Interesting.

Feeling much better, this trip out was worth it. Jiang Hanwen shook off the accumulated snow and walked indoors.