Refining Qi and Drawing Talismans

"Young Master Lu went out again today?"

The sun was setting in the west. The rented donkey cart trotted back to Tongyi Lane. When Lu Zheng got off the carriage, he saw Liu Qingyan leaving.

"Yes, I went to Baiyun Temple," Lu Zheng nodded his head. "Miss Liu, are you going out? It's already late. "

"Father is still busy at the clinic. Mother asked me to get father back for dinner."

"Uncle Liu has already bought the clinic?"

"Yes, it's in a shop on the east street. It's not far from home."

"Then I'll go with you. I'll know where to go if I have a headache or fever in the future."

The corners of Liu Qingyan's lips curled up. "If you were successful in cultivating martial arts, you wouldn't suffer from minor illnesses like headaches and fevers."

"That's hard to say." Lu Zheng said.

The two of them quickly made their way out of the alleyway and headed west into another street. Lu Zheng saw a shop on the south side of the street. A few carpenters were currently hammering away at it.

Lu Zheng raised his head and saw that the sign had already been hung up.

"Renxin Clinic".

"Father, mother asked you to go back for dinner. Let's call it a day."

When Old Man Liu stepped out of the door, it was indeed getting late. So, he took the advice and sent the carpenters home. He closed his shop and went home with Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng.

"Young Master Lu went out again today?"

Lu Zheng said, "I went to Mount Shaotong in the east of the city and became an at-home disciple of Baiyun Temple."

Old Man Liu stopped in his tracks and said in surprise, "are you preparing to become a monk and cultivate?"

"I won't become a monk!" Lu Zheng waved his hands. "I mean, a nominal disciple. The kind that only learns the skills."

"Oh, I see!"

"Are there any real masters in Baiyun Temple?" Liu Qingyan's breathing became lighter.

Lu Zheng nodded. "Yes, the master at Baiyun Temple has saved my life."

On the way home, Lu Zheng told them about the ghost.

It was no secret that there were demons and ghosts in this world. Therefore, Lu Zheng had no intention of hiding it. By telling them, he could make them more vigilant.

"That's why I said that those who look like humans aren't necessarily humans. They might even be ghosts!"

Old Man Liu and Liu Qingyan looked at each other.

Old Man Liu said, "I didn't think that you would have such an experience."

"I can't believe that you encountered such an evil ghost before." Liu Qingyan's face was pale, and she looked as if she had been scared out of her wits.

"That's why you have to be careful. By the way, my master taught me how to draw talismans. I'll draw a protective talisman for each of you. It is a preventative measure."

"Alright, we'll wait for you to cultivate your Qi and draw talismans for us," said Old Man Liu with a smile.

"I've already cultivated my Qi." Lu Zheng said,"I don't think the technique is too difficult. I think I'll be able to draw it soon."

Old Man Liu stumbled. "You've already cultivated Qi?"

Lu Zheng nodded.

"You've encountered a corpse ghost before, and now you've achieved Qi refinement. Will you catch ghosts and subdue demons in the future?" Liu Qingyan's expression contorted.

Lu Zheng rubbed his chin and seemed to be in deep thought.

Catching ghosts and subduing demons might be the fastest way to earn the light of providence.

But it was too dangerous...

Seeing that Lu Zheng didn't answer, Liu Qingyan lowered her head in silence.

Old Man Liu licked his lips. "Although you have encountered an evil ghost, just like how there are good and bad people, there are also good and bad ghosts. You can't lump them together."

"I know!" Lu Zheng said.

"Uh, you know?" Old Man Liu blinked his eyes and said.

Liu Qingyan couldn't help but look up at Lu Zheng.

"Uncle Liu, you don't think that I'll attack every ghost I see, right?" Lu Zheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Will you?" Old Man Liu asked.

"Of course not," Lu Zheng smiled. "I'm an adult, after all. I know that a sinister human heart is worse than an evil ghost."

"Besides, I often go to Qingsheng Teahouse to listen to the stories. There are many stories about friendly ghosts, as well as the love between humans and ghosts."

"According to the stories, there are many amorous ghosts. I'm not close-minded, so I really want to meet them and see if they're really as the storyteller said. "

Old Man Liu chuckled and said, "You're wasting your youth if you're not a playboy!"

Liu Qingyan's cheeks turned red, and she blurted out, "you can't be with female ghosts. It'll damage your Yang Qi!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Qingyan's face turned red immediately. "I... I'm just speaking from the perspective of a doctor..."

Lu Zheng waved his hand and explained, "I'm just curious!"

Lu Zheng was a little embarrassed that he said such things in front of a beautiful woman.

They returned to Tongyi Lane, chatting awkwardly. Liu Qingyan ran back home as if she was fleeing for her life. Old Man Liu said goodbye to Lu Zheng and went back as well.

Lu Zheng returned home. After dinner, he immediately began cultivating the "Baiyun Qi Refinement Technique".

With the Quiet Breathing Technique as his foundation, Lu Zheng quickly learned the new Qi refinement technique. The trace of Qi in his body was transformed, and its quality was improved.

"Upgrade!"

Consuming seven rays of light of providence, he was instantly familiar with the technique. The Qi in his body was completely upgraded, and even increased a little.

Next was the Cloud Moving Technique.

Well, this technique still required a lot of Qi as the foundation. If he was too weak, he wouldn't be able to use it.

Therefore, when six more rays of the light of providence were used up in the jade seal, not only did Lu Zheng learn the Cloud Moving Technique, the Qi in his body also grew stronger.

All that was left was to accumulate more Qi, which would increase the distance and weight of the load.

"Done! I'm going to bed!"

...

The next day, Lu Zheng left the house early in the morning in high spirits. He had bought a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

Drawing talismans!

It was another arduous day of seclusion. Lu Zheng spent eight hours and even used up his nap time to draw the five talismans in a crooked way.

"It's too difficult!"

Lu Zheng wiped the thin layer of sweat off his forehead.

"Upgrade!"

"Swish!"

Five rays of light of providence were suddenly consumed, and he immediately understood how to draw the five talismans.

Seven, six, and five. In just two days, 18 rays of light of providence had been consumed.

Lu Zheng consumed another ray of light of providence, reducing the number to an even number. He finally felt at ease.

He spread out the yellow paper, ground the cinnabar, and picked up the brush. Lu Zheng's heart was calm.

After waiting for more than ten seconds, he gently dipped the tip of the brush into the cinnabar and condensed the Qi in his body into the tip of the brush. He drew on the yellow paper in one stroke.

The talisman was complete, and a red light flashed, then disappeared.

However, Lu Zheng could sense that his Qi had been sealed into the yellow paper. It was in effect.

Protective talisman, done!