Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

”Alright, Zeyi Lake is this way. I’ll take you there,” said A-Le, nodding.

Zeyi Lake was not far away. It was only about 1.5 kilometers to the north. Most people thought that the scenery at this lake was pleasant. Many young lords and ladies strolled there, while quite a few others held fishing rods by the water.

”Go check if Elder Chen Peijun is here,” said Lin Zheyu to A-Le.

”Alright, Brother Yu.” A-Le nodded and began searching around the lakeshore.

Zeyi Lake was quite large, so for A-Le to run a full circle around it would take nearly half an hour. Lin Zheyu found a spot nearby and sat down. He did not know Chen Peijun, so he could not help with the search and could only wait for A-Le’s results.

After more than ten minutes, A-Le came running back, panting heavily, but his face was full of delight. ”Brother Yu, I found him! I found Old Chen!”

”Take me there!”

Lin Zheyu’s eyes lit up. He had really managed to find him here. He pulled out 100 wen from his robe and handed it over, saying, ”A reward for you. Well done.”

”Thank you, Brother Yu!” replied A-Le excitedly.

100 wen was no small amount for him. As a patrol underling in the Feihong Gang, his daily earnings were less than 50 wen. Following A-Le to the opposite side of the lake, Lin Zheyu was finally able to meet Elder Chen Peijun in person.

”Brother Yu, that’s Elder Chen Peijun,” said A-Le, pointing to the man who was fishing.

Chen Peijun did not look like a man in his sixties. His complexion was excellent, his hair was full and black, and his appearance was radiant. His physique was sturdy, clearly showing signs of martial training. His body was maintained so well that it was no wonder he could still frequent the pleasure houses.

It’s him!

Lin Zheyu found the man somewhat familiar. Chen Peijun had been one of the regular patrons back when he performed storytelling at the Jade Pill Teahouse. He remembered most of the familiar faces that appeared often, though he did not know their names.

He carefully examined Chen Peijun and noted that the elder’s strength was quite good, and that his aura was at the mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm. That was only because of his advanced age, physical decline, and reduced strength. In his younger years, his strength might have reached the early stage of the Organ Forging Realm.

After sending A-Le away, Lin Zheyu walked over to Chen Peijun and sat down beside him.

”Why, isn’t this young Mister Lin? Have you come looking for this old man?” Chen Peijun looked him over with a smile as he spoke. He had already noticed Lin Zheyu earlier. As a regular at the Jade Pill Teahouse, he had a strong impression of this young storyteller.

Lin Zheyu handed over the letter of introduction and said directly, ”Greetings, Elder Chen. Although you know me, allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Lin Zheyu. Today, I’ve come with a letter of introduction from Doctor Wu. You see, I wish to learn toxicology from you, elder. May I ask under what conditions you would be willing to teach me?”

”Oh?” Chen Peijun was slightly surprised by his words. He opened the letter and saw that it was indeed written by Old Wu.

”I recall you joined the Feihong Gang. Doesn’t the gang already provide poison powders and poisoned hidden weapons? Why go to such trouble to study toxicology?” asked Chen Peijun curiously as he put away the letter.

”What I want to learn is how to identify and prevent poisons, so I don’t fall victim to them through carelessness. Buying poison powders and hidden weapons is of little use. Knowing how to defend against them is what matters,” said Lin Zheyu.

”As expected of Mister Lin! You truly have insight. But unfortunately, I do not take disciples, nor do I intend to teach you,” said Chen Peijun with a chuckle.

He ignored Lin Zheyu after that and continued fishing on his own.

Lin Zheyu was speechless. So Doctor Wu had been boasting and tricking him. He had said he had some friendship with Elder Chen, and that with a letter of introduction, Elder Chen would give him some face. He even dared to charge him a tael of silver. Lin Zheyu resolved to give Doctor Wu a proper scolding when he went back.

”Is it truly impossible?” Lin Zheyu asked unwillingly. ”Doctor Wu took a tael of silver from me, saying you would give him some face.”

”Haha, that old fellow is still the same,” said Chen Peijun, laughing upon hearing this.

Doctor Wu had indeed once done him a favor, but that old rascal had milked that favor for all it was worth over the years.

”Alright then. But he must have told you that I have an odd temperament and do things only as I please? Teaching you isn’t impossible, but I want you to do something for me first,” said Chen Peijun.

”Please speak, elder,” said Lin Zheyu.

”Help me kill someone: Zhao Guanbin, the leader of the Nine Stars Gang,” said Chen Peijun, casting a glance at Lin Zheyu after speaking.

”What?” Lin Zheyu was stunned.

He had never expected the old man to ask him to kill someone, much less the leader of the Nine Stars Gang. The leader of the Nine Stars Gang was a prominent figure in Songyi City. His strength was no less than Xu Jingwu’s, and he too was a master of the Blood Qi realm.

For a moment, Lin Zheyu wondered if his Tortoise Breath Grand Method had failed and the old man had seen through his true strength.

”Elder, surely you jest? With my mere Bone Forging Realm strength, how could I possibly kill Leader Zhao? He is a Blood Qi Realm powerhouse. If you don’t wish to teach me, just say so. Why make such an outrageous demand?” said Lin Zheyu with a grim expression.

”I’m not asking you to kill him now. You can wait until your strength is sufficient. I want you to swear by your parents, ancestors, and your master that once your strength is great enough, you will kill that old villain Zhao Guanbin,” said Chen Peijun calmly, though a trace of hatred flashed in his eyes.

Back then, the death of his family was inseparably tied to the leader of the Nine Stars Gang. Unfortunately, the Zhao Family was heavily guarded, and Zhao Guanbin’s strength was overwhelming. Even with his mastery of poisons, Chen Peijun could not kill him.

”What if my strength never reaches the Blood Qi Realm? Or what if I reach that strength but refuse to carry out the oath? After all, an oath is not much of a binding force,” asked Lin Zheyu, still somewhat confused.

”You need not worry about that. I trust Liang Song’s judgment in taking disciples. For him to accept you, your natural talent cannot be low. And as for your character, I believe in it as well,” said Chen Peijun evenly.

Having listened to storytelling at the Jade Pill Teahouse for so long, he understood Lin Zheyu quite well. Someone capable of writing such stories, who also knew gratitude and repaid kindness, would usually hold promises and oaths in the highest regard.

”Do you know Master Liang?” Lin Zheyu was surprised, and a small exclamation rose in his heart. This was a bit too coincidental.

”We worked together for a while in the past, so we’re somewhat familiar,” said Chen Peijun with a smile.

”Elder, could you tell me what Master Liang Song used to do?” Lin Zheyu couldn’t help but ask.

Liang Song had been mysterious before, and now, inexplicably, a toxicology expert seemed to be familiar with him. He had asked his Senior Brother Han, but even he did not know Liang Song’s background.

”It seems Liang Song hasn’t told you many things. I thought he had told you something that made you come to me, but apparently not. Ask him yourself about that. If he won’t say it, don’t expect me to tell you,” replied Chen Peijun with a chuckle.

”Alright. May I ask why you want Zhao Guanbin killed?” asked Lin Zheyu.

”He killed my entire family. Is that reason enough?” said Chen Peijun calmly.

”Mm.” Lin Zheyu nodded and did not press further.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Zheyu continued, ”You know me, but I don’t know you. How can I believe that the knowledge you teach is worth my assassinating Zhao Guanbin for?”

”It’s up to you to believe in me; it’s not as if I’m begging to teach you.” Chen Peijun said indifferently. ”The title of being Liang Song’s disciple doesn’t mean much to me, anyhow. Old Wu’s letter of introduction is more useful.”

Lin Zheyu was speechless. He took a deep breath and suppressed his irritation. Indeed, he was the one asking for a favor. He pondered for a while and resolved that if the teachings proved unworthy, at worst, he would not keep the oath.

He was not a rigid or pedantic person. But the fact that the other party dared to make such a request suggested that the toxicology knowledge offered must be extremely precious, which sparked a bit of anticipation in him.